#oh you can come home and greet everyone yeah but can you treat us with respect? are you capable of not having everyone groan when they hear

[rupertholmes]

i think if you grew up in my household you would have put a gun to my mom and dad's heads already

[hoshigray]

𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬, 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 | toji fushiguro

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: Your ex-husband bringing the kids over for trick-or-treating is one thing; him wanting to spend the night at your place is another. But it's just for the night. There's no way one night can rekindle some old feelings...right?

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: ex-husband! Toji x fem! reader - explicit content; minors DNI - the reader is around their mid-30s - Tsumiki (age 11) and Megumi (age 9) - mutual pining - kissing/makeout sessions - unprotected sex - Daddy kink - breast sucking + nipple play - fingering (f! receiving) - oral (f! receiving) - spooning + mating press - cervix fucking - breeding kink - praise - clitoral play (pressing and grinding) - pet names (baby, good girl, mama, princess, sweetie, sweet thing) - you and Toji have been divorced for five years - cameos: Gojo, Utahime and Mei Mei - mention of drool/spit and tears - humor bc I'm [not] funny.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 7.6k (....dawg.)

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: happy Halloween, everyone!! so, randomly missed writing ex-husband! toji bc it's lowkey my favorite, soooo yeah, this is what we're doing to celebrate the end of the month! anywho, happy October, beautiful ppl, and tysm for reading my works!! Alsooo, ty for 2.8k!!!

“Trick-or-treat!!”

“Gasp—Oh my goodness!” 

“We came to celebrate Halloween! Also, Megumi forgot his toothbrush here again.”

Opening your door to children at the sunset of Halloween day isn’t out of the ordinary or anything special. However, it’s always a pleasant surprise when it’s two kids you hold dear to your heart. You greet them with a hug, two siblings you know too well to say you’re acquainted with. If anything, you’re practically family. 

The raven-haired brother, referred to as Megumi, speaks up. “It’s not my fault! Dad was rushing me last time.”

“Because you had to bring your stuffed animals last time, holding us back for your baseball practice.” Tsumiki, the older sister, snapped back. The two argue amongst themselves in front of you as you try to mediate. It’s no avail until another voice comes to the fray.

“All right, chill out, you two.” The voice belonged to the person approaching the porch stairs, your eyesight capturing the familiar figure walking up with two duffle bags. The one standing tall before you was the father of the children, Toji Fushiguro. Who’s also known as your one and only former husband. “Get inside and finish y’r homework, or else we’re goin’ back home.” 

The siblings stop bickering and head inside, taking off their shoes at the foyer and walking upstairs. Now that they’re gone, you turn to the man with the jet-black hair, his viridian orbs focused on you. The weather was chilly, so the man wore his usual dark denim jacket over his plain black sweatshirt, matching his jeans. “You look good, big guy. What’s in the bags?”

He greets you with a curled lip, and the scar on the side of his lip lifts. “Picked them up from their after-school sports, so it’s their sports gear and costumes for tonight. Mind helpin’ me here?” 

“Hmmm,” you merge your facial expressions to that of faux pondering, turning your back to Toji. “Nah, can’t. Got dinner to finish making.”

“Hmph, should’ve known.” He makes his way through between you and the front door. “Wouldn’t wanna break your pretty nails carrying heavy shit, huh, princess?” 

You glare at him using the nickname, hating his patronizing gaze. “From what I remembered, you would never let me carry the heavy stuff because you thought I was too fragile and easy to break. So how about that, Mr. Knight in Shining Armor?”

“Really? I don’t remember sayin’ all that before. You must’ve put me in a spell.” 

“Probably, I’ve been told I’m quite cute~.”

“Mmm, nah, more like an old hag of a witch.” Toji barks a laugh at your offended reaction, and he immediately ducks and heads for the stairs when you throw a sandal at him.

“At the very least, say I’m a cute witch, fucker.” You say the final word under your breath, grabbing the sandal you threw and heading back to the kitchen.

To say you and Toji were acquainted with one another would be the biggest understatement of the century. The two of you met a decade ago, fell madly in love, and married within a year of the relationship. When you tied the knot, Tsumiki had to have been two years old, and Megumi just turned one year old. You two had been together for four years after that, and you could confidently say those were one of [if not THE] best years of your life. You often second-guessed yourself being in a relationship with someone who had children, fearing that they wouldn’t like you or ignore you.

However, those worries were blown right away as the days went by. Every time you spent time with the children brought you three closer than ever; it was to the point that they saw you as their mother. How sweet! And there’s no denying that Toji loved you. The man would break someone’s nose for you  — yes, it happened before, and it wasn’t pretty — for you were his sweet little thing that kept him going.  

Well, if it was so great, why the divorce? Let’s just say you weren’t Toji’s first love. That title would have to be awarded to the Megumi’s mother. Even in her unfortunate passing, you can tell that Toji loved that woman like no other. It didn’t make you jealous or anything, seeing the man you love still mourn for a dead woman. Hell, you’d probably do the same if you were him. But, you can’t lie; it felt like you were cast over a “shadow” when it came to her influence. It was damn near suffocating to bear, especially in those four years of marriage. So, for your sake and his aching heart, you pulled him aside and suggested a divorce. And Toji didn’t fight you on the proposition, signing the papers and setting you free from the thick air.

Although things ended between you two, that didn’t mean things stopped being what they were. If anything, it was as if nothing happened at all. Even if you still don’t live under the same roof, you still make time to hang with the Fushiguros, whether invited to some occasion or exchange phone calls or texts to check up on them. Even now, five years after your separation, it warms your heart knowing that you get to interact with the people you care about. 

There are moments you find yourself missing living under the same roof with all three of them and living alone can be pretty lonely. But all in all, as long as they’re comfortable and trust you enough to be around, there’s no need to change things up again. Like right now — the four of you sit at the dinner table eating before the kids go off trick-or-treating.

“Are you going to trick-or-treat with us, Y/n?” The brown-haired child sitting next to you asks while finishing up her dinner. 

“Sorry, not this time, gotta be at a Zoom meeting for my job in a few minutes. But I do have someone else to take my place. Gojo will be here at around—Why are you two making that face?” You stop mid-sentence to notice Megumi and Toji at the other side of the table, displaying disgusted facial expressions at the mention of the white-haired other’s name.

“Why him?” They said in unison.

“Why not??” You question their irritation.

“He’s so annoying…” Again, in unison. Proof enough that they’re father and son.

You sigh as you get up to take your plate to the sink. “Oh, come on, you two, it’s not like he’ll be with you guys the entire night. He has a party at a friend’s he’s going to later.” 

“Isn’t he too old to trick-or-treat?” Tsumiki questions, noting that Gojo is way past his undergraduate years. 

“He is, but whatever gets that prick any free sweets,” Toji answers his daughter before getting up to put his dish in the sink. 

You exit the kitchen, head into the living room, and sit on the couch. The laptop you had placed there was ready to open and unlock, and you clicked on applications and windows to look through before your meeting started in the next three to two minutes. He should be here about—

DING-DONG!!

Now.

Right on cue, you motion for Toji to grab the front door, and he follows your command. “Kids, Gojo’s here!” You shout out to the two kids who still sit at the table. “When you’re done eating, you can go upstairs and put your costumes on. But whoever finishes last has to do the dishes.” You can hear commotion from the table as the brunette rushes to put her dish in the sink and dash for the stairs. Megumi groans to himself; you giggle when you hear him mutter an “Aww man…”

You pull out your headphones to connect to your laptop, put them in their respective ears, and prepare yourself for the meeting. Ignoring the faint passive-aggressive tones of your ex-husband when greeting Gojo at the door…

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Your eyes flutter open, noticing the lighting change around the living room. The orange sunlight no longer decorated the space, substituted with the gradual darkness that overtakes you. The only source of light you can figure out is the flashing from the television screen.

Aside from the TV, there are no other signs of life. There aren’t any signs of Tsumiki or Megumi around playing or causing a raucous. It could only mean the two are still trick-or-treating with Gojo. 

One blink, two blinks. I must’ve fallen asleep after the meeting… You hum while sinking to the couch, burying your face into the pillow. 

But…since when did your pillow act like it was breathing with a heartbeat? And…I smelt that cologne before…How?

“Ya awake now?”

You raise your head, realizing you are not lying on your couch. Technically, you were; however, you were lying on something else on the furniture with you – more like someone. 

It’s then you realize that you were lying on Toji during your entire slumber, him leaning on the end of the couch, one leg spread to make room for you to sleep on him while you sit on the other. And you can guess that you had your head on his chest, snuggling up to his warm figure. He looks at you with his green eyes now darkened by the room, yet you can see their glow from the television light. And that small smile he gives you, the scar on the right side of his lip lifted upward. The familiar butterflies in your stomach flutter like before. Like old times sake…That must be embarrassing, huh?

You frantically try to get off of him, “Sorry about that, I thought—“

“No, no,” Toji places a stern hand on your back, keeping you from moving further. “You were comfortable.” 

You stare at him for a few seconds until your face contours to a look, and a smile starts to creep up while you situate yourself back to your original position, pressing your face back on his chest to listen to the beats of his heart again. “I recall having this couch all to myself not too long ago, so where’d you come from?”

“Well, I wanted to watch some sports highlights, but I figured you’d kick my ass if I pulled you off and had you sleep on the floor instead.” With the click of your tongue, he chortles. You bet your ass I would. “So, I decided to have ya sleep on me while I watch TV.”

“What’s wrong with the other side of the couch? It’s quite vacant and enough for a big guy like you.” 

“True,” his hand rubs circles on your back, an old habit he did when he used to have you like this. “But then I’d be lonely.” 

You titter. “That’s big for someone who said he thrives on being alone.”

“I thrive being alone when I’m working.” You’re glad he can’t see your eyes roll; he’d probably grab you by the cheeks like a child. “Besides, why would I wanna be alone when I have you for myself.”

And there it is, your cheeks begin to warm up. Or was it because you’re so close to him that his heat is transferring to you? That’s probably it, yeah. Let’s change the subject…”How long was I out for? I remember the kids left around 7:30-ish.”

“Mmm, it’s going to eleven right now.”

Three and a half hours? Damn. “It’s past their bedtime.”

Toji scoffs. The abrupt motion of his chest rising is satisfying in a way that makes you even more comfortable. “You still think they’re gonna sleep with all that sweet shit they got?” He snickers some more as you shake your head.

“They know better. When you guys get home, be sure to put their candy bags on the top shelf of the closet for the morning.” 

“Still traumatized from that one time?” 

“Uhhh, yes??” The memory flashes to you for a quick moment, but the dread from before still haunts you. Megumi was six years old and Tsumiki seven, returning home from trick-or-treating and immediately tasting their labor from that night. However, what you didn’t expect was for them both to eat almost half their bags. Let’s just say, thanks to their sugar rushes, they didn’t drop dead until the hour hand touched two of the morning. “Unless it’s the weekend, never again.”

The way the older man chuckles is so therapeutic — it nearly makes you want to fall asleep again. “You weren’t the one chasin' Megumi all over the place tryin' to get him to sleep. Little squirt gets his speed from me.”

“Awww, poor you~” You can sense the glare as you respond in a condescending, sing-song tune. “You and him are always butting heads. Like father, like son.”

“Tch, hate that sayin’ so fuckin’ much.”

“Why? ‘Because it’s true?”

“Shut up.” The hand he used to rest his head comes down to pinch your nose. You wriggle out of his hold with giggles, but he happily keeps you grounded to him with his stronghold and a leg wrapped around to prevent yours from moving. “He only listens to you. Such a sweet lil’ baby to you, huh? Puttin’ my own son against me.”

More giggles prompt out of tiny guilt, and you bring up a hand to rub on his chest. “He’s such a bright boy now. Growing up so big and fast.”

“Miki, too. That girl is way too smart fr' me to catch up. And she’s becoming so kind and strong, crazy to think she made me play teacups when she could barely go down the stairs by herself.” Toji hums, the vibrations felt on the pads of your fingers. “Think she gets that from you.” 

You shook your head. “They’re your babies. They do amazing things because they have a big guy like you to catch them if they ever fall.”

“Hmm, fair…But let’s not pretend I’m the best dad in the world. Fuck, never in my life did I think I’d be a dad, especially with two kids. I didn’t know shit back then — still! I still don’t know shit.” You don’t say anything, just listening to him voice his thoughts to you. Because he knows you’d listen – you always do. “If you weren’t there for them, I don’t think they’d be shining like this. Y’re definitely the thing that brought us up together. They look up to you so much. Ya did so well with them.”

Nodding aimlessly, his black sweatshirt grazing on your cheek. “Thank you. Same to you. Didn’t do so bad yourself, big guy.”

“Mmm.”

Nothing is said between you two after that. The only thing that makes noise is the voices coming from the television. The volume lowered, an initiative you could guess from Toji wanting you to get some rest. The silence was too awkward that it might torture some, but it was fine where it was. There was no need to change it, especially when you were comfortable in each other’s embrace.

That is, until Toji asks, “Do you miss it?” The rubs on your back go slower, his fingertips drawing a ticklish sensation.

“Of course I do. All the time.” You answer honestly, turning your head to rest your chin on him. Your eyes glimpse directly at his, giving him a tiny grin. “Why ask? I know the kids miss me being around; what about you? Miss me nagging and putting you to work all the time?”

He sneers at your comment. “Every day.”

It was such a simple answer, yet it had the power to wipe that smirk right off your face. Your eyes locked in his sight, and your heart tuning to an irregular rhythm. Oh, come on, Y/n, get a grip! “Ahem—Toji, I hope you know that I never stopped missing everything we had — I never will. Those years that we shared were probably the best I’ve had. We had happy moments, others sad, of course. But, God, do I miss it all. I miss it so much. I miss having you guys here. Miki and Gumi and—“

“Me?” Good Lord, if this man doesn’t stop looking at you with those goddamn eyes of his, such captivating orbs that say more than he lets on. Your breath hitches, and so does the hand on your back. “Hmm? Ya miss me, baby?”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. Why’d you have to call me that? And it gets worse when he places his free hand on your cheek, his thumb brushing your skin while the forefinger teases the lobe and tragus of your ear. Goddammnit…

“...Yes,” your voice was down a whisper, which could easily be mistaken with the television. But you know Toji heard you, loud and clear. “Especially you, Toji.” You said it. The words that he wanted to hear from you. They felt so forbidden to say, yet it was the truth. You avert your gaze away from him. But you knew that wouldn’t work, not right now. Toji taps your cheek with his thumb, and your eyes sheepishly return to his.

He doesn’t say anything, and that makes your heart beat at an unbearable rate. It’s all you can hear when you stare into his deep emerald eyes, the sound of it ringing your eardrums as if you could puke. Your throat running dry, so you gulp to ease the uncomfortable bob. If something could just happen to end this anxious torture, that would be great. 

And then your prayers get answered: something does happen. Toji slowly brings his face closer to yours — your body goes rigid, and you instantly face away before the inevitable happens. No, I didn’t mean that!

“Aht aht, don’t do that, baby.” His hand slithers from your cheek to your chin, forcing you to face straight at him. “Lemme see you.”

“Toji, wait,” your voice travels out in a shaky breath. “We shouldn’t be doing this. We can’t cross this line anymore.”

He listens to your pleas, but his body does otherwise. Placing a gentle kiss on your forehead while the hand on your back snakes downward. “Why not?” His gruff voice dialed down to a whisper.

“Because—Mmmm…” Toji interrupts you by licking the helix of your ear. Oh, you slick bastard. “We’re supposed to be done…” 

“That’s not stoppin’ me from takin’ care of my sweet thing.” Jesus Christ, you almost melted from the way he whispered that to your ear. He’s pulling out all the same old tricks, and it gets more hellish by the second as you try not to give in. “So, y're gonna let me take care of you like I always do, right, mama?”

Both his hands now rest on your ass, groping it while your hips sway as if they have a mind of their own. The leg between yours comes up slightly, making you ride on it. The heat on your cheeks has already blossomed to your ears, making it hard to think straight. Gripping his sweatshirt, your hips ride his thigh to ease the throbbing sensation that grows with every motion. Good God, you shouldn’t be doing this. You know you shouldn’t be doing this. However, it’s been so long that you felt wanted like this — wanted by him. It’s all the same – his voice, his hands, his words, his body, and the names he calls – yet here you are turning into putty. 

“Haaahh, Mmmfff…Toji, please,” Toji withdraws his face from your shoulder, leaving him to examine your expression. You must look so dumb right now, with your hooded eyes and shivering lips. But, at this point, do you even care? “Please…Treat me right.”

One moment, you see his gaze narrow with a devious glint. Next, you’re taken aback when Toji slams his lips on yours, kissing and sucking your bottom lip until you give him access. With a moan, you open your mouth for him and sink deeper into the kiss. Your hands come around his neck, keeping him focused on you and you alone. Not that he would have it any other way.

His strong hands continue to knead your asscheeks while you hump and grind on his thigh. Nibbling on your lip, you whimper helplessly for him. It strokes his ego, knowing he’s making you like this, the fucking bastard. He takes in your tiny cries happily, shoving his tongue to play with yours. You give in to him, almost losing your balance riding his thigh, yet Toji’s lips never leave yours.

You break the kiss to get an imperative breath, panting loudly and sweetly for him as Toji kisses and licks your ear. The sounds make your lower region twitch. “Hnnmm, fuck…That’s my girl. So fuckin’ good fr’ me always, Y/n…” You can feel him slide a hand up to the hem of your leggings, forcing it inside for his thick fingers to brush up on the bare flesh of your butt. You gasp sharply. Him squeezing your butt has you biting down on his sweatshirt. “—Hahhh, Oh God, Toji,” With every squeeze, he inches closer to your panty-covered chasm, where you know he’d find a damp spot. Please touch me. Please, please, plea—

CLACK-CLINK!!

The two of you are frozen stiff when you hear the sound of the door opening and closing, the foyer lights turned on. “Alright~, we got you guys home. See ya later!” That was Gojo’s voice, indicating everyone was finally back from trick-or-treating. This means that Tsumiki and Megumi are about to see you on top of their father, his hand in your leggings and smacking lips with yours. Your eyes shoot wide with horror — immediately remove yourself from Toji and stand up from the couch to pull your bottoms up. You barely had the chance to peek at Toji because the kids already run to the living room to find you two.

“Y/n, Y/n, look!” The brunette was the first to greet you with her adorable pink Barbie cowgirl costume. She and her brother, dressed as Sasuke Uchiha, cheerfully showcased their pillowcases full of candy. “Look at all this candy we got!”

“Wooow, you guys really went on a haul,” you can only hope they can’t see you sweating bullets through your fake reaction. “Wh–Where’s Gojo?” 

“He dropped us off here a few seconds ago and left for the party,” The raven-haired boy answered while scanning his pillowcase.

You only nod along until you frantically wipe your mouth, realizing the tiny trail of spit from the corner of your mouth. “Umm—Ahem, well then, I’m glad you two got all that candy. Now, let’s hurry up and get you guys home so you can get ready for school tomorrow!” 

But the children didn’t move an inch. Actually, they looked like they were going to tell you something. You lift a brow. Oh no, they’re going to look at each other. They looked at each other and then glanced back at you. Oh, God, no. “Uhhh, Y/n, we were thinking.” Big sister Tsumiki is always the one who asks the following question. “Can we stay over?”

You inhale a massive breath, yet you do your best not to exhale a heavy sigh. “Kids, you promised to keep the overnight stays to three at max per month. This will be the fifth!” 

“Yeah, but it’s dark out. Plus, it’s way past our bedtime.” The younger chimes in with a tiny pout. “We’ll be asleep by the time Dad gets us home.”

And here comes Tsumiki with the tag-team response to add on. “And that means he’ll have to make continuous trips back and forth from the car. Picking me and Megumi up, getting our bookbags, the bags full of candy, the whole thing! We already packed up our PJs just in case.” 

You stood there staring at the two in astonishment. There’s no way they thoroughly planned this out. There’s just no way… And to make it worse, they were making valid arguments. You open your mouth to say something, but the two give the best puppy eyes they can. The wave of guilt hits like a train, internally cringing. You turn to Toji, who still sits on the couch, and the motherfucker only gives you a shrug. Wow, what a helpful father he is.

You groan into your hands, shaking your head while looking at the kids who wait for your verdict. “…Alright, you can stay as long as you PROMISE to put those candy bags in my bedroom closet. Deal?” The happy smiles and aggressive head shakes should answer your question. “Good, now go ahead and take your showers before you head for bed.” They rushed to the stairs by the time you finished that sentence, so enthusiastic about staying the night at your house, and you can’t help but smile hearing their footsteps run up the stairs. 

With that being said, you turn to the older man again. Your brows are trenched down, but your smile is still present. “So, you legit just sat there and let those two tag-team me like that? In my own house?”

Another shrug with a dumb smirk on his handsome face. “Told you: too smart fr’ me to catch up.” You shake your head before exiting to get the kids and guest rooms ready, leaving him with the television. 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The midnight hour has finally danced its way into the darkness of the night. Halloween is finally over, and the month of October is no more. The pitter-patter sound of the rain cleanses the neighborhood of its merits and festivities that partook hours ago, ready for a new phase of the year to take over.

After having the guest room ready with sheets and sleepwear for Toji and kissing the kids goodnight, you rinse your stress off with a nice shower and put on your pajamas to get ready for bed. After you turn the lights off, you drape the comforter over your figure as your body sinks with the cozy sheets and pillowcase. Your eyes close while focusing on the curtains of your window, the only light piercing inside being the lampposts by the street. 

…Well, at least that’s what’s supposed to happen. But that’s not the case because you’re not the only one lying comfortably on your mattress. Instead, Toji is here with you, in your room, on your bed, his chest to your back, and his hand roaming inside your oversized shirt. Your lips are now connected with his, sharing your erotic moans with his enticing groans, and you get a little louder as his fingers cup and play with your breast.

“Mmphh…Ahhhh, I thought I told you you’re sleeping in the guest room—Nmmff!” He tweezes your nipple with his forefinger and thumb roughly.  

“And I thought you’d be smart enough to know that wasn’t gonna happen.” Toji kisses the crook of your neck, drawing near your ear for him to whisper. “Besides, look at you. Still sleepin’ with no underwear on?”

“Hmph, only when I have a man around the house.” That answer got you another rough tweak on your nip and a purposeful gnaw to your ear. You knew he’d react like that, never liking the mention of another man leaving your mouth – especially during an intimate time like this.

“That so? What man you know that can handle all this?” Toji then moves from his side to be between your legs, pulling up your shirt to fully expose your chest. And your breathe hitches while his free hand travels down your abdomen to your bottoms.

“Ahhhh, no one. Just you...” You look at him with half-lidded eyes, taking in his reaction to what you said. The salacious grin on his face becoming broader should entail that he greatly loved that retort.

He brings his face to your other unattended nipple, “Good answer, princess.” The nub of your breast enters his mouth, and the wet warmth of his tongue greets it with lapped motions and grazes from his teeth. Despite that, it doesn’t distract you from the fact your bottoms are pulled down with ease and are thrown to the bedroom floor, leaving your cunt out for him, your erotic fluids seeping and glistening from the outside lights. 

Toji plays with your folds until he can stuff his pointer finger into your chasm, the insertion resulting in your body’s jolt. It’s been a long while since you had his thick digit inside you, playing and scraping the inner walls to evoke whimpers. God, it felt so good, this satisfying feeling returning to awaken your body to his touch. He interacts with your body as if he’s the only person who knows how to get you going – and it’s the truth. No one can put you in a blissful haze quicker than this man. And you’d prefer to keep it that way. 

The addition of his middle finger into your leaky entrance startles you, the thick digit making its way in with such vigor that he uses both fingers to scrape the velvety texture of your walls. Your eyes are now screwed shut at the growing commotion between your thighs, and the heat within your body flourishing all around gets to your head. “—Khmm, Oh fuuck, Toji. Please, don’t stop.” 

With a soft ‘pop’ noise from his lips, Toji replies to your demands. “I’m sorry, what’s my name again?” You giggle with trenched brows. Of course, how could I forget?

“Nmmph, D-Daddy, pleaseee, I’m so clo—Ahhhann!!” He puts his thumb to your clit, grinding down on it unexpectedly. “I wanna cum, pleaseee…”

“Hmmm, good girl,” he teased, laying down kisses, nibbling on the skin of your stomach and inner thighs until he arrives at your leaking slit. Your body jerks up from the bed when you feel the cold, wet muscle slowly lick on your clitoris before ravaging your folds. The sounds of his mouth on your cunt are so lewd to the ear, slurping noises from his lips with the lapping motions of his tongue claiming your come are too much for you. And when he uses his hand to swipe and pinch your clit? Oh, it’s a wrap. Your release comes out without control, biting down on your bottom lip to make sure your cries don’t leave this space for the kids to hear. Their room is on the other side down the hall; tonight isn’t the night for too many risks.

When your trembling body calms down and subsides, Toji withdraws his face from between your thighs. Your essence paints his mouth, and he wipes his chin clean while licking the remnants that coat his scarred lips. “Hmph, missed tastin’ you like that.” You open your eyes when your high finally evades you, watching your ex-husband pull down his sweats. His erection springs out and hits his stomach, your mind going rampant with thoughts as you ogle at his freed limb. Shit, it’s been so long. Will that shit even fit me again?

“Don’t think it’ll fit, baby?” Damn him, he loves teasing you. Toji then discards his black wife-beater, at long last revealing his well-built, brawny physique that has you drooling for him. He uses his hands to maneuver your legs—your knees pushed to your chest as your legs propped up on his shoulders. A position you’re all too familiar with. Your eyes don’t leave Toji’s cock as he aligns his cock to your slick-coated folds. “Take some breaths fr’ me, sweetie. Can’t take care of you when you’re all tense.”

You take up on his advice and begin taking deep breaths, reminding yourself to maintain the steady pattern as he pushes the tip of his dick between the lips of your cunt. Every inhale is where he nudges into the hole of your inner cavern, and every exhale gives you time to breathe out the pain that comes in for a split second. This carries on until the cockhead wedges itself perfectly into your vagina, along with the inches of his girth that stretches until the base kisses your lips, the tip of him kissing your cervix. Tears swell up in your eyes, taking more deep breaths to prepare yourself for what’s about to come. 

“Oooh fuuuck…Heh, yeah, that’s my baby right there. Fittin’ so perfect fr’ me, mama…” He puts his weight on you, keeping your figure unmoving under his bow. 

“Nmmmf, Daddyyy,” you’re forced to take in all of him, and drool trails down your lips with no hope of taking care of it. “…I’m so full, you’re too much…”

“I know, sweetie, I know.” He wipes your spit after kissing your forehead. How gentle compared to what you’re about to go through. “Gonna move now.” His thrusts start slow for the two of you to adjust to each other; the feeling of his length’s veins coming in and out of your chasm is so euphoric, and the kisses to your cervix want your body to writhe and squirm. But you’re bent into this position for a reason: forced to submit to him no matter what. So you do just that.

Yet your horny haze gets more potent once he picks up the pace, rutting into you with increased speed. Your slit, still sensitive from earlier, gets overstimulated with the constant grazes on your gummy walls and jabs to your tender cervix. It takes everything in your power not to come so early.

“—Hahhhh, Nmmph. Oh, shit, shit, shit…” Toji groans above you, the thrusts of his pelvis increase to an irregular rhythm, grinding deep into your cunt to the point of uncontrollable babbles escaping your lips. His bullying on your insides results in you gripping his length hard, causing the older man to hiss and moan at your contractions. “—Ohhhfuuuckk!! Jesus Christ, baby. Y’re gonna make me go crazy.” 

As if that wasn’t already happening now that he pistons his cock into your wetness, your brain turning into mush from the onslaught of ruts to your puffy wet chasm. Tears stream down your face, and more drool follows down with more precise hits to your delicate canal. The pounding in your head makes it hard to think of anything else, the squelching noises and paps of Toji’s balls hitting your cunt making it worse. 

“D-Daddyyy, I’m—Ohoooo!! Oh, Jesus, ohhhshit!” You can’t formulate a proper sentence, too engulfed with the electrifying sensations coursing through your body. 

“Damn, you feel too fucking good—Hnngh!!” Toji places his forehead on yours, resting his entire weight on you while his hips have a mind of their own. “‘Bout to make me knock you up…”

Oh, good Lord. The mere thought of having a child is the last thing that should be on your mind. But in a time like this, who in their right mind would be thinking straight? “Nnnfff! Oh God, pleaseee, fill me up, Daddyy!” Green eyes narrow with trenched brows. “—Pleasepleasepleaseee!! I want you to fill me up so bad, I want it, I want—Hyaaaaa!!” 

How can he deny your desperate, teary pleas when you’re urging him on like this? “Heh, you’re so fuckin’ sexy, mama.” Toji captures your lips with his, your mewls taken by him as you sink further into your pleasurable thrill.

Sporadic thrusts of his pelvis produce more raunchy noises in the joining of your sexes, his heavy balls smacking on your cunt as he drives the base of his cock straight into you. Your slit is now a puffy mess, come and slick form a soapy mess that Toji now harbors a milky ring around his girth. A few rushed, sloppy thrusts heighten your high once more, and then Toji presses his pelvis down to the hilt on one final, harsh thrust, unloading his seed into your aching folds. And your climax follows in a few seconds, the walls of your cunt fluttering on his pulsating dick as your essence soaks him. Your muffled shrieks are received by him, quivering under him until the aftershocks wash through your body. 

Once you two breathe at a steady tempo and the nerves of your sweaty bodies fall still, the kiss is broken with heavy pants and a string of spit that links you two together. Toji buries his face between your neck and shoulder, licking and kissing your skin as you’re allowed time to experience your clarity.

“Hmmm…You know I’m not done yet, princess.” Toji mumbles to your ear before stationing your legs off his shoulders for them to rest.

“Yeah, I know, big guy.” You tease him with a breathless laugh, kissing him on the temple. “Always wanting more…”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

“…So, you’re telling me you had your ex-husband spend the night? Not just the kids?”

“Yup, that’s what happened.” 

This morning was different from your usual routine – well, you can’t say it’s different if you have done it before, huh? After five years of divorce, you thought you’d be so used to waking up and getting ready for work without worrying about others. However, this morning proves otherwise.

It felt natural walking into the kids’ room and lightly shaking them awake, telling them to get ready while you whip up something quick for them to eat as Toji showers (using your bathroom, by the way). Watching the kids run down the stairs and eat breakfast puts a smile on your face, reminiscing about the good old days when they were younger and teenier. It sometimes feels surreal doing the same thing for them now that they’re getting older and taller. But seeing them bicker and interact with each other in your presence never fails to warm your heart.

When Toji’s finished freshening up and loading his kids’ stuff in his truck, it’s time to bid them farewell for their departure for school. You give them final touch-ups on their hair and outfits, reminding them to be safe and not get into trouble (especially Megumi, now that the boy’s been getting into fights). And before they rush to the car, you hug them and give each a kiss on the cheek. Here is where the warm feeling inside your heart begins to deteriorate, not wanting to let them go. Yet, for their sake – and education – you release them and hope for the best.

The last to leave was Toji, who came from the kitchen to the front door with a paper plate wrapped in foil in one hand. His name is written boldly by a black Sharpie. “This fr' me?” 

“No, it’s for Shiu Kong, for dealing with you all the time.” You stick your tongue out at Toji as he glares at you, not even moving out of the way while he exits through the door. “You better eat that when you get to work, you have a terrible habit of skipping lunch.” 

“Whatever ya say, mom.” He pesters you with the title, knowing you’re technically not a mother anymore. Yet it only makes you smile knowing he notices your maternal side. 

“Don’t forget to text me when Tsumiki’s soccer game is next week.” You watch him go down the porch stairs. 

“Will do.”He whistles. 

“And Toji?”

The man stops walking to turn to you, his forest green eyes fixed on you so quickly that you almost forget what you want to say. Or what you wanted to do. You place your fingers on your lips and blow a kiss with an outward gesture. It was an old habit you did whenever he left, something you can’t seem to get out of practice with. It’s embroidered in your mind at this point. 

And when he catches the kiss with his free hand and places it on his chest, it makes your heart skip a beat. Toji grins, “I’ll be damned if that was fr' Shiu, too.”

You snicker with a shaken head. “Drive safe, Toji.” Closing the front door, you stand there for a while. Your smile doesn’t falter; it gets bigger as you replay the moment instead. Thinking about him, hearing him, seeing him, it all drives you crazy. And that’s a good thing…right?

“I don’t know, sounds like you still kinda care about the guy.” 

“Of course I do,” So here you are, sitting in your living room enjoying the rays of the sunset decorating the space, in a video call with your best friends, Utahime and Mei Mei. You reply to the former’s comment. “Just because I don’t have the ring on my finger doesn’t mean I shouldn’t care about him. I mean, he’s the father of two lovely children.”

“Shoot, you’re better than me, then.” The dark-haired woman admits. “But you’re kinda proving my point, Y/n. Even when you don’t have the ring on, you two act like the same old couple, and it’s definitely not just for the kids’ sake. Let’s be real here.” 

You try to interject, but the pale-blue-haired other, Mei Mei, intervenes, “I agree. It’s one thing if you let the children stay over, but he also wanted to spend the night. Sure, he could’ve been tired from driving all day and such. However, if you’re still seeing a man for the last five years – while legally unbound – and he says he wants to spend the night under your roof, which is rare, that should ring some bells at least.”

“I know, it did…” you nod along with what your friend is saying, throwing your head back with a heavy sigh. “But it’s not like he’s never spent the night here before, nor is he banished from stepping inside.” 

“Oh? Then why is this time different from the others?”

Utahime jumps in after Mei Mei’s chirp. “Yeah, you’re telling us about all these nostalgic lovey-dovey feelings as if you’re falling in love with him all over again. What, did you two have sex or something?” 

An open mouth, yet no words come out, leaving you in a predicament. You could’ve just lied or swerved the subject to something else. But you didn’t. And the two women on the screen lift their brows with hooded eyes, a look meaning a thousand words. You couldn’t even explain yourself either because a sudden knock on your door captured the attention of all three of you. 

You stand up and walk towards the door, your friends still on call on the phone at hand. Opening the door, you’re almost stunned to see in front of you. Tsumiki and Megumi with nervous smiles, and their father at the car collecting the same duffles bags from last night. You’re kidding.

“Hey, kids.” The two of them gulped from not calling them by their names. You bring up the phone to face the screen to them. “Say hello to Auntie Mei Mei and Utahime.” The women on the line smile and wave at the children, who sheepishly wave back.

“Hi, aunties.” Megumi greets them, and then his eyes drift back to you. “So, Y/n—“

“What did you forget this time?” Straight to the point, no room for excuses.

“It was Miki this time! She forgot her soccer cleats.” The older sibling gawks at her younger brother for calling her out.

“Tsumiki, I know you have cleats at home.”

“I do, but these are special! You bought them for my birthday, and I’ve been wearing them to every game ever since! So, I was scared when I couldn’t find them at home.” The brunette was quick to defend her stand. “Also, Dad doesn’t feel like driving up here and then back. So…can we…”

You close your eyes and bring the phone to your face to shield your vexation. Twice in a row, the sixth time this month. You can hear the giggles of your friends from the other side of the phone, adding more fuel to the fire. You don’t look up until you hear heavy footsteps on the porch, seeing Toji holding both duffle bags with a hand and shoulder. He stares at you as you stare at him, a silent conversation on how to handle this situation. And when he shrugs with lifted brows, you realize it’s no use and release the long-awaited sigh.

“….If I see one more thing being left behind here, you guys can’t come back till December, understand?” It wasn’t anything serious, but enough for the kids to know you weren’t joking. They nod their heads in unison while you roll your eyes. “Okay, get in here.” They rushed inside with gleeful laughs, the shuffling of their backpacks following along with them. Your eyes then drift to Toji as he walks up to you. “Did you forget something here, too?”

“Yeah,” you lift a brow when he drops Megumi’s bag to the floor. Before you can register his hand on your chin, you squeak when he brings his lips to yours. It lasted for seconds, but the kiss was sweet and tender, sucking on your lip before letting go with a playful bite. “Meant to give you that when you woke up. Thanks fr' the food, mama.” 

Toji picks the bag up and walks inside your home to put the bags in the rooms, leaving you standing on the porch with an astounded expression. You couldn’t appropriately calibrate your thoughts until you heard faint laughs from the phone. Then, you realize your best friends witnessed the entire scene that transpired. 

Utahime, with the slyest leer, was the first to say something. “Oh yeah, he laid that pipe on you good, without a doubt.”

“Mhmm,” Mei Mei agrees with a chuckle. “And I'm guessing he’s gonna do it again tonight. Isn’t that right, Y/n?”

You end the video call with a heated face. “Sh-Shut your damn mouths!!” Again, you groan into your hands before returning inside. Thank God I still have those birth control pills...

♱ 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

© 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐲2023 – reblogs + comments are appreciated wholeheartedly ☆ header art by rororogi mogera + dividers by the amazing @/cafekitsune!!

[hxney-lemcn]

Time for a Break — Housewardens x gn! reader

summery: it's the end of the year and you have nowhere to go...

tw: slight angst (Riddle, Idia, Malleus)

wc: 1.7k (~230 per character)

Master List

With nonstop overblots, exams, homework, studying, and keeping your friends in line, you hadn’t even realized that the end of the year was approaching rapidly. You could barely take in your end of the year grades before coming face to face with the fact that you have nowhere to go while everyone gets a summer break. Didn’t you deserve a break too? You felt like you were going to collapse and evaporate if you didn’t sleep in a bed that doesn’t have lumps. In a fit of despair, you go to the only person you can think of.

❥ Riddle Rosehearts

Okay…so you are not allowed to come home with him. His reason for saying no is vastly different from his mothers reason. He doesn’t want to cause you any more stress, or have to hear his mother’s insults that she’ll inevitably spout towards you. No, instead he helps you ask Trey. Although Trey’s home already is a full house, his family welcomes you with open arms. All his siblings overcrowd you (no matter how much Trey tries to stop them), his parents ask many questions to get to know you better, and you end up sharing a room with Trey. All the while, you can’t help but think about Riddle, wishing you could find a way to get him out of his own personal hell. Over time, you and Trey visit Riddle, your only meetings being through his window. Every so often you’d bring Riddle a sweet treat that you learned how to bake either from Trey or his parents. As much as you enjoy having a break with such a lovely family, you can’t help wanting for the next school year to happen. Not for the school work, or the overblots (hopefully there won’t be any the upcoming year), but because you’ll get to see Riddle again, not through a window or with hushed whispers. But in person, speaking to each other freely once more. 

❥ Leona Kingscholar

When you hinted about not having anywhere to go, hoping that the lion would take the bait and let you stay with him, he just ignored you. Didn’t even pretend to act like he was listening to you. Squinting your eyes, you stood up from his bed, announcing that Malleus might be willing to take you in…you couldn’t get far before Leona grabbed your wrist, pulling you into him and holding you close. Who said you could go and stay with that overgrown lizard? Wasn’t it obvious you were staying with him? You were scared of meeting his family, they were royalty and Leona had spoken bad of them. You had met his nephew, and little did you know that the boy had talked his parents ear off about you and Leona for a day before finding a new topic. Leona’s brother and sister in law welcomed you to their palace with open arms, greeting you warmly before excusing themselves. It was a bit to get used to, trying new foods, sleeping in a bed that was way too luxurious, being treated like royalty, becoming a nanny…yeah. You now realized one of the reasons why Leona dreaded coming back. As much as you adored Cheka…he could be a bit much. Overall, it's not the worst place to stay, but it would feel a bit lonely without Leona or Cheka around. 

❥ Azul Ashengrotto

Oh boy…were you both that far in your relationship already? No? He’s just overthinking it? Okay, this was fine. He was a host after all, and he did owe you for basically saving his life…and being the one he loved. His only problem? His mother. As much as Azul loved his mother…he could not have her sharing his baby photos with you. He’ll have to work overtime over the summer to make sure that doesn’t happen (who is he kidding he can’t say no to his mom). How are you going to stay entire months under water? Who do you think he is? He’s got stocks of underwater breathing potions. When you meet his parents, you don’t have time to think before you’re swooped into a giant hug (probably the best damn hug you’ll ever get too). Then Azul is added to the hug and you're both being squished together. His mother loves you instantly, cooing over you both, feeding you some of the best food you’ve ever had while telling you embarrassing stories of Azul when he was just a little fry. Once again, you start seeing him in a new light, a much softer and loving one. He always tried to show you his gentlemanly and suave side, keeping just how soft of a person he was locked deep down, but you wouldn’t have him any other way.

❥ Kalim Al-Asim

What do you mean you have nowhere to go? Weren’t you coming to his place? He would be honored to have you as a guest! Just think of all the sleepovers, dates, game nights, and kisses! Actually, he might’ve gone crazy if he was away from you for such a long time. Kalim’s family doesn’t mind either, they don’t even notice one more person in their extravagant palace. Instead of just being swarmed with siblings, you’ve got cousins and distant relatives around you as well. They have both good and bad intentions, some scheming on how to get closer to Kalim, and others scheming on how to get you to play hide and seek. Kalim is practically bouncing off the walls as he drags you down the halls on his grandiose tour. Laughing heartily over the feast his family calls dinner, then taking you on a breathtaking carpet ride above the Scalding Sands. Each day is a different adventure, and Kalim is the one leading you hand in hand into what awaits you both. Poor Jamil, Kalim only got ten times more impulsive as he tries to show you everything he loves (and buy you anything you eye for a second too long). Also…you are in a bit of danger being seen in public so close to Kalim and with how he shows how much he cares about you…

❥ Vil Schoenheit

Do you think he’d let you stay at Night Raven College for months on end without supervision? You’re crazy. Just be prepared to be in a giant mansion alone for a bit. Vil goes without seeing his father for weeks on end, and he himself has a busy schedule. He’d love to take you with him, but unfortunately the media is as savage as a pack of wolves and would shred you apart without second thought. You didn’t mind too much, as long as you could get away from school for just a minute. With those warnings in mind, you were surprised to be greeted by servants taking your luggage to a spare room (right next to Vil’s) then being treated to a fantastic dinner with Eric, Vil’s father joining you two. Even Vil seemed surprised, asking his father about his latest movie. Eric only laughed, stating that he wanted to meet the person who caught his son's attention. You never felt too alone in the mansion, you’d get ready in the morning with Vil, seeing him off, doing your own thing for the day, and ending the night with a home prepared meal or going out to eat if Vil was feeling extra. On his days off, Vil would take you out, sometimes it would be to a spa, going shopping, or you forcing him to take a break and relax at home and watch some movies. You don’t think you could go back to that wack job of a school after getting a taste of luxury.

❥ Idia Shroud

What. You want to go home with him? You do know where he lives right? You’d be totally isolated from all your other friends…you still want to come home with him? He supposes Ortho would be happy to have you around…fine, he just doesn’t like how excited his parents get when he asks for permission (after all he lives in a very secret location). He’s a bit overwhelmed at first, it seems like such an intimate scenario. You’re going to be living with him in the same house in a super secret base in the middle of nowhere. When you arrive, Idia tries not to shove you into his room and lock the door because his parents are non stop pestering you. Asking you about how you met Idia, how he was doing, and about you and your world. Thankfully for Idia, they had to rush back to work quickly, giving you a warm welcome and telling you to ask for anything if need be. To your surprise, Idia watched you like a hawk (and that’s the times you knew of). S.T.Y.X. was a dangerous place, and he’d be damned if he lost you like he lost Ortho. Be prepared to be trapped in a room lit with blue led lights and playing video games and watching anime until you feel your brain melting. Please bring some vitamin D…you’re not going to get enough sunlight. 

❥ Malleus Draconia

Don’t worry child of man, he already has a room in his palace ready for you. Do you really think he was going to let you stay all alone (with Grim but okay) at Night Raven College? Of course not. You’re his precious child of man, he’ll make sure you get nothing but the best. Of course…he had to make sure his grandmother warmed up to you. You are a human after all, and she hasn’t had the best experience with them. Not to mention how his people will view him for bringing a commoner human into the castle and given the royal treatment. He doesn’t care. In fact, Malleus didn’t even think of such a thing, not until Sebek brought it up. When you arrived you felt overwhelmed as the servants bowed (you almost forgot that Malleus was standing next to you). He tried staying by your side for as long as he could, but as future king, he had many things to attend to. This left you on your own a bit, and you got acquainted with Maleficia. At first she terrified you, but over time you both warmed up to each other and Malleus found himself jealous with how much time you spent with her compared to him. All the while she found it amusing that her grandson was so hung up on a human…but she also found it heartbreaking. A fae falling for a human never had a happy ending, but she’s glad to know you’d take care of him well.

[hoshifighting]

Henlooo! Can I request milf!reader x son’s best friend!seungcheol?

milf! reader x son’s best friend! seungcheol

— Preview: “oh, do you think my son will approve of that?” you ask. seungcheol shrugged with a naughty smile, his eyes glowing with confidence. “i can be a good stepfather for him,” he said, his tone teasing, “and a great lover for his mother.” — WC: 1.7k — WARNINGS: smut, everyone is +21, mentions of alcohol (beer), oral (f. receiving), metions of dating.

you wipe your hands on a kitchen towel, looking at the clock as the afternoon sun blazes through the window. it's a quiet saturday, the kind you used to savor before your son and his friends turned your home into a lively hub. the doorbell rings, a sudden interruption to the silence. you open the door, and there he stands—seungcheol, dressed in his soccer attire, sweat glistening on his skin. he looks every bit the young athlete, a far cry from the boy who used to stay over for game nights.

“hi ms. y/n,” he greets, flashing a boyish grin.

“seungcheol? what are you doing here?” you ask, puzzled. he should know your son isn't home; they’re practically inseparable.

he scratches the back of his neck, feigning confusion. “i was looking for 'big head'. i thought we were hanging out today.”

you raise an eyebrow. “he’s traveling with his dad. didn’t he tell you?”

“no, ms. y/n, i didn’t know…” he trails off, but there's a flicker in his eyes, something unspoken. of course, he knew. it was an excuse, a flimsy one, but you let it slide.

“typical,” you mutter, shaking your head. “come in, it’s too hot to stand out there.”

you step aside, letting him into the coolness of your home. the air conditioning hums softly, a stark contrast to the oppressive heat outside. you head to the kitchen, opening the fridge. “lemonade, soda, or… beer?” you offer, glancing back at him.

“beer sounds good,” he replies, and you can feel his eyes on you, lingering on your ass as you crouch to grab a bottle.

you hesitated, considering the situation. “i don’t know… it feels wrong giving beer to my son’s friend.”

he leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “i’m not a boy anymore, ms. y/n. i’m twenty-three now,” he reminded you with a smirk.

you stand up, beer in hand, and hand it to him. “no, i guess you’re not,” you watch as he takes a swig, his eyes never leaving yours.

you lean against the counter, taking a sip too. “so, how’s college treating you?”

he shrugs, taking another sip. “same old. classes, practice, you know how it is.”

“i remember,” you reply, recalling your own college days. it feels like a lifetime ago. you watch him, noting the way he carries himself—confident, almost cocky. there’s a maturity to him now, a sharpness that wasn't there before.

he sets the bottle down. “you know, i always liked coming over here,” he says, his voice low. “it was like a second home.”

“yeah? you always helped out more than my own son,” you tease, trying to keep things light, but there’s an edge to your words.

he chuckles “well, i always thought you deserved a little extra help,” he says, looking down, before look you up and down.

he’s your son’s best friend, a boy you've watched grow up. but now, standing in your kitchen, he feels like something else entirely.

“it’s nice to see you relaxed. you always seem so busy.”

you laughed softly, shaking your head. “well, someone has to keep things running around here.”

“maybe, but it’s good to take a break sometimes,” he replied, his tone gentle.

you looked at him, really looked at him, and licked your lips, his white soccer shirt glued to his chest, arms bulky on your counter, his eyes sparkling as he looks at you, his bottom lip stuck between his teeth.

he slowly walked around the counter, setting his beer next to yours. you stayed in place, curious to see how far he'd go, feeling the air between you grow heavier with each step he took.

“you know,” he started, his voice soft yet teasing, “you've always been way cooler than 'big head' ever gave you credit for.”

you raised an eyebrow, trying to play it cool despite the flutter in your chest. “is that so?”

he chuckled, moving closer until he was just inches away. “oh, trust me, ms. y/n, i’ve noticed,”

then, he leaned in, his hand gently cupping your neck as his lips met yours in a tentative kiss.

for a second, you hesitated, feeling the warmth of his hand on your waist, steady and respectful. his kiss was gentle, almost hesitant, as if waiting for you to pull away.

but when you didn’t, he deepened the kiss, his thumb brushing lightly against your skin. the taste of beer and something distinctly him lingering on your lips.

pulling back slightly, you looked at him, breathless. “seungcheol… w-we shouldn’t,” you warned, the words barely escaping your lips.

he paused, his eyes searching yours. “i know,” he murmured, his voice throaty.. “but... it’s hard to ignore what’s right in front of me.”

before you could respond, he lowered his head, pressing soft kisses along your neck, his lips warm and gentle against your skin. “you’re... so beautiful,” he whispered against your neck. “i’ve wanted to tell you that for a long time.”

his hand on your waist tightened slightly, pulling you closer, but still, he remained respectful, his actions measured. “you deserve to feel good, ms. y/n,” he continued, his breath hot against your skin. “to be taken care of...”

his words, though respectful, carried an undercurrent of something more, something you hadn't felt in a long time.

it felt so wrong, but in that moment, you felt so young, so alive. the thrill of it all coursed through your veins as you bit his bottom lip playfully, pulling back just enough to see the surprised look in his eyes.

without breaking eye contact, you guided his hand to your ass, feeling his fingers tense as they grasped you firmly. seungcheol let out a soft, surprised gasp, almost losing his balance at the sudden shift. his hand gripped you tightly, pulling you closer, and you could feel the hard bulge between his legs.

your own hand slid beneath his shirt, fingers grazing over his sticky skin, slick with sweat from his earlier practice. the heat of his skin and the slight texture of the sweat made your touch feel electric. as your nails gently scratched along his abdomen, you felt him shiver under your touch, a low groan escaping his lips.

his lips found yours again, more insistent this time, as if he couldn’t get enough. you responded eagerly, your tongues dancing together in a heated kiss.

he lifted you effortlessly, placing you on the counter. his hands roamed your body. your legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer, needing to feel every part of him.

with a smirk, seungcheol's hand slid inside your dress, his fingers hooking around the front of your panties. he pulled them down slowly, his eyes never leaving yours, a mischievous glint in them. your breath hitching as he exposed your skin to the cool air. his fingers trailed down your thighs, taking the fabric with them, leaving you bare before him.

you gripped the edge of the counter, knuckles turning white, as he knelt down. his eyes were locked onto yours. he leaned in, his breath warm against your skin, before giving you a teasing lick between your wet folds. you flinch, the slickness of his tongue making your toes curl. he paused, watching your reaction with a satisfied smirk, his tongue barely grazing you.

your head lolled to the side, unable to look away as he lowered himself further, his lips wrapping around your clit. he sucked gently at first, then with more pressure, the heat of his mouth making you gasp. your hips instinctively arching towards him. his eyes stayed on you, watching your every expression, as if savoring the effect he had on you.

“seungcheol...” you breathed out, the way he moved, so confident and assured, made it clear this was something he had wanted for a long time.

his hands gripped your thighs, holding you in place as he continued to eat you out his tongue swirling around your sensitive bud in teasing circles.

you felt yourself getting lost in the sensation, your body responding to every touch, every lick. his name left your lips in breathy whispers, a mantra that only seemed to encourage him further. his eyes never left yours.

seungcheol pushed himself further, his mouth working expertly between your legs. your back arching as he pressed you down onto the counter. you drew out a heady smile from him when you pulled his hair, your moans echoing through the kitchen.

even after you came, he didn’t relent, continuing to suck on your sensitive clit just to savor more of your taste. your legs trembled in his hands, the overstimulation making you hiss, it was like he couldn’t get enough, his determination to pleasure you (and drink you) clear in every move.

finally, he pulled back, a blissful, triumphant smile lighting up his face. he kissed your neck tenderly, as if soothing you down from the high, then carefully lowered your dress, his actions gentle, like he was completing a job well done.

you caught your breath and looked at him, analizing his face as you reached out, squeezing his bulge. he let out a pathetic moan at your touch, the sound making you smile with pride.

“how about you?” you asked.

he chuckled, trying to regain his composure, but his flushed cheeks and slightly disheveled hair gave him away. “i’m sweaty,” he said, making a funny face as if to excuse himself. then, with a softer expression, he caressed your hand still resting on his bulge. “you can reward me after i take you on a date,” he added, his eyes holding a hopeful, expectant glance.

the suggestion made you laugh “oh, do you think my son will approve of that?”

seungcheol shrugged with a naughty smile, his eyes glowing with confidence. “i can be a good stepfather for him,” he said, his tone teasing, “and a great lover for his mother.”

you laughed sincerely, the sound mingling with seungcheol’s easy chuckle. you nodded, a thoughtful look crossing your face as you said, “yeah, he listens more to you than to me.”

seungcheol shook his head, still smiling. “i can teach him how to cut grass or change a bulb,” he said, his tone light and teasing. “practical skills, you know? might even make him appreciate you a bit more.”

“that’s a start,” you replied, grinning. “and who knows? maybe you’ll earn some points with him.”

“i’ll take that as a challenge,” seungcheol said with a wink.

[ladykailitha]

Icarus Part 13

Hello! I've cut my backlog literally in half with this move and while I hate seeing it that low (seven chapters I have waiting to be published) that is it's point after all.

After the nice meeting with Nancy, Robin brings the news to the boys who have a much different perspective on the issue.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12

~

Robin was the last to arrive at Steve’s swanky apartment. Spence was on the grill frying up her tofu burger first so the meat wouldn’t touch hers. Simon and Shane were in a heated discussion about Brandon Sanderson and his contribution to the fantasy genre. Her best friend was coming out of the kitchen with all sorts of vegan options for her to chose from.

She went over and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek, taking a couple of the bowls from him so he could go back and get more.

Once everyone had gotten their food and settled in Robin told them about her meeting with Nancy and Chrissy.

“So she’s going to apologize to our Stevie?” Simon asked around a bite of his potato salad.

Robin nodded stabbing her salad with a fork. “That’s what she said. I’ll believe it when I see it, though.” She took a bite of her food.

“Yeah,” Steve agreed. “Though ti doesn’t surprise me she’s not with Jonathan anymore.”

Robin tilted her head with a frown. “What do you mean?”

He sighed and pushed his food away not feeling very hungry at the moment. “Both of us had been pretty vocal about the white picket fence and the two point five kids. I’ve changed my mind on that obviously,” he waved at all of them. “But Jonathan was always his mom and Will first, especially after Will’s kidnapping. He was never going to be ambitious in the way she wanted.”

“His little brother got kidnapped?” Shane asked in wide-eyed shock. “Holy shit.”

“Yeah, it was this whole thing,” Steve said, nodding and leaning back on his chair, propping his arm on the back. “But everyone knew that despite all his dreams of being a wild life photographer, he was always going to pick somewhere close to home.”

“So yeah,” Robin said rolling her eyes and cocking her head. “She said she as going to apologize, but I told her she had to that and a shit ton of grovelling before I would consider her to rep the band.”

Steve phone went off and he picked it up. He frowned at the number. He answered it with a confused, “Hello?”

“Steve? Steve Harrington?” the cool feminine voice asked.

“That’s me,” he replied sitting up in his seat. “How can I help you?”

“It’s Nancy Wheeler,” she said after a moment. “I got your number from the record label, I hope that’s okay.”

“Uh, yeah,” he said in surprise. “Yeah, that’s fine. Wow, the Nancy Wheeler. We were just talking about your meeting with Celeste earlier.”

“Oh,” Nancy said, “I was hoping to call after you had finished speaking with her about it. I can call later.”

Steve shook his head. “Nah, it’s fine. We were mostly done anyway. We were just having dinner.”

“Are you sure?” she pressed. “If you’re eating, I could call back later tonight or even at a convenient time tomorrow?”

Steve rolled his eyes and Shane covered his mouth to hide the bubble of laughter that sprang to his lips. “I said it was fine. How are you? I understand you’re a hot shot music agent now.”

He could almost feel her smile on the other end when she said, “Something like that.”

She cleared her throat. “I’m actually calling to see you wanted to meet me for lunch tomorrow, I wanted to catch up and well...really to apologize. We were both so young, but that was no reason to treat you the way I did.”

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose and put his elbow on the table to prop up the hand that was holding the phone. “You’re right, it wasn’t. But sure, I have a few days off, I could meet you for lunch tomorrow. What time and where?”

Nancy gave him the information and then rang off. Steve threw his phone on the table next to his plate and threw himself against the back of the chair in frustration.

“Well color me shocked,” Robin said with a raised eyebrow. “I didn’t think she would actually go for it. Chrissy and I were actually going to go through another list of agents to find one more suitable.”

Spence rubbed the bottom of his lip. “I’m not sure I like the idea of Steve going alone. Because she can say she apologized and that Steve was unreasonable and get us blacklisted for other agents.”

Steve felt an uneasy twist to his stomach at that. But not just that, he just didn’t trust her. He didn’t even know how he was talked into letting her into his life in the first place. She was all apologies now, but what about later? What about after she finds out Steve and Eddie are dating? Would that be a conflict of interest? What if she’s homophobic? What if she outs him before he has a chance to do it himself?

“Steve.”

He came to himself with a start. He looked around to see that everyone was looking at him in concern.

“Hey, hon,” Shane said, tilting his head down to look at Steve. “You doing alright? You don’t look so good.”

He didn’t see Robin but as he came further into himself he could feel the warmth of her hand as she rubbed circles around the pulse point on his wrist.

“There you are, dingus,” she said with a teasing lit to her tone. “You really had us worried for a minute. Where did you go?”

Steve let out a shuddering sigh and then another. “Sorry, I guess I just got caught in a spiral of bad thoughts.”

Robin’s other hand came up to squeeze his. “We don’t have to take her as our agent,” she murmured. “Hell don’t even have to go talk to her if you don’t want to. Or we can all go. Whatever makes you comfortable.”

“I don’t think she’s apologizing to Steve because she’s actually sorry,” Simon said with a sneer, “I think she’s doing it because she sees dollar signs. If she signs with us that is going to make her a shit ton of money and open her up to even bigger clients. Corroded Coffin was already established when they hired her but if we hit the stratosphere while she’s repping us she’ll be in a sweet spot to have the doors open for her.”

Robin stood up. “I guess what I’m hearing is that none of you trust her with Steve. She already knows who each of the band is, because she signed the NDA. But just say the word and I’ll walk away.”

Steve took a deep breath and let it out slow. “I want to hear her out. If she’s actually sincere. But you’re all right, I can’t go alone.”

“Take Robin,” Spence suggested. “She’ll expect you to bring your best friend.”

Shane shook his head. “I think he should take one of us. Maybe Simon, he’s the most ripped out of all of us. I want him protected.”

“I’m down,” Simon replied with a grin.

Robin shook her head, a sly grin on her face. “No, no. Take Eddie.”

“What the fuck?” Simon said rearing his head back, offended. “Why him and not me?”

She put her hands on her hips. “Because he encompasses everything we need. A good friend, who won’t let her walk all over him, like me. An imposing guy like Simon. He might not look like much out of the leathers, but in them and he looks like he could snap you in two. Also, he’s worked with her for a number of years and would be a better judge of if she’s being genuine.”

Spence and Shane shared a glance.

“Sorry, darling,” Shane said with a shrug, “I’m gonna have to go with Robbie on this one. Plus, she’s going to have to know about their relationship anyway.”

Spence chewed on his bottom lip fitfully.

“What’s on your mind, Spence?” Steve asked. “I smell your hair burning from here!”

Spence snorted, “Oh fuck off!” But a giggle escaped anyway.

“You got a problem with Eddie?” Robin asked tilting her head to the side as she regarded their drummer.

Spence waved his hands in front of him. “Oh hell no! It’s not about Eddie, it’s not really about Steve going to meet Nancy.”

Simon frowned and put an arm around him. “What’s going on then?”

“Steve is being too nice about this whole thing,” he murmured. “She didn’t just cheat. She didn’t just string him along. She knew going into the relationship what Steve wanted. Yeah, it’s bit unrealistic to imagine marrying your high school sweetheart. But there is a reason it’s so prevalent in all our media. Because it can happen, because it has happened before. And then her excuse was that Steve wasn’t ambitious enough? Why?”

Steve furrowed his brow as he thought about it. That was an unusual dig. He was a senior in high school, how much more ambitious did she want.

Robin shrugged and said to fill the silence, “I’m not sure because I didn’t become friends with Steve until after the whole mess, but my guess is that he wanted to take what the Europeans call a gap year. A year to just be a kid before jumping into college.”

“Something my parents weren’t fond of either, if I’m honest,” Steve scoffed.

Shane waved his hand toward Steve to indicate that was most likely the cause. “And there it is. It’s so insane everyone expecting to kids to go right into school without taking the time to figure out what you want to do with your life. Hell, you have to apply in January. That’s half way through your senior year. You’re supposed to know what you want in life before you even finish high school? That’s fucked up on all levels.” Through the whole rant, he gestured wildly with his hands.

“I didn’t get to into college my first try,” she said, “Because my parents made too much for me to get assistance but not enough for them to pay for it themselves. And then I met you guys and the rest is history.”

There were nods all around.

“It is up to Stevie to forgive her,” Simon said with a grimace. “But some part of me doesn’t want him to.”

Steve straightened up in his chair. “Why not?” He cocked his head to side, looking like a confused puppy dog.

Simon huffed out a sigh and squirmed in his chair, looking down at his food. He poked at the top of his hamburger bun, picking at the sesame seeds.

“You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your ego for us to get a good agent.”

The silence that followed filled the air with a thick sinking feeling.

Steve straightened his spine. “I’m not the weak-willed, touch-starved kid she remembers. I have three of the best mates a guy could ask for, a platonic soulmate, and a boyfriend that loves me for me. If she thinks she can swan into my life and walk all over me like she did before, she has another think coming. I’ll meet up with her and take Eddie. But make it absolutely clear, I have everyone’s backing on this. If I walk away, we all walk away.”

There was still some grumbling, but it was ultimately it was up to Steve. He made the necessary calls and then they settled down to finish their dinner.

Slowly the mood improved as the night went on, but it never did reach the heights of a laid back night with friends.

~

Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25

Tag List: Four slots remaining

1- @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @val-from-lawrence

3- @goodolefashionedloverboi @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @irregular-child @blondie1006

4- @yikes-a-bee @bookworm0690 @anne-bennett-cosplayer @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten

5- @genderless-spoon @y4r3luv @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt

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8- @ravenfrog @w1ll0wtr33 @child-of-cthulhu @kultiras @dreamercec

9- @weirdandabsurd42 @useless-nb-bisexual @stripey82 @dotdot-wierdlife @kal-ology

10- @sadisticaltarts

[togrowoldinv]

Storms Rolling In

Natasha Romanoff x Female Reader

You have a family tradition when the weather outside gets messy

Note: This is veryyyy soft. Enjoy!

Natasha Romanoff Masterlist 1, Natasha Romanoff Masterlist 2, Main Masterlist

“Mama?” Your youngest daughter gets Natasha’s attention. She puts down the paperwork she’s working on and looks to her little girl.

“What’s up, buttercup?” She asks.

“I’m not a buttercup,” the little girl replies. “I’m Taylor!”

“Oh! Silly me,” Natasha says, a chuckle escaping her lips. “What’s up, Taylor?”

“It’s getting scary outside,” Taylor answers. The girl crawls into Natasha’s arms. She buries her face in Nat’s chest.

“It’s okay, malyshka. Let’s call Mommy and see if she’s still out. She might get us a special treat, how does that sound?” Natasha says.

She feels a nod against her chest and grabs her phone. Nat clicks on your contact, a photo of you and her from your first date because she loves it, and the line rings.

“Hey babe,” you answer quickly. “What’s up?”

“Well, we were wondering if you’re still at the store,” Natasha answers.

“I actually just left, but I can go back. What do we need?”

Nat pulls the phone away from her face and turns it on speaker. “Taylor, if you want a treat we have to ask Mommy.”

“Oh hello Taylor!” You say into the phone.

“Hi,” comes a small little voice. “It’s storming. Can we get ice cream please?“

“Hmm, I think so yes. Good thing I read your mind and I already bought some,” you tell them.

“Really?” Her voice lights up.

“Oh yeah. Your favorite kind,” you say.

“Yay!” Taylor shouts. She hops off Nat’s lap and is seemingly less worried about the weather at the prospect of ice cream.

“You win for the day,” Natasha says to you.

“I try,” you reply. “I’ll be home in ten, my love.”

“Drive safe, babe.”

Nat hangs up the phone and finishes up her work quickly before you get home.

When you pull in the driveway, she yells up the stairs, “Mom’s home. Come help with groceries! All of you, even you Ivan!”

Your son has a tendency to be ‘in the bathroom’ when the groceries arrive so he can’t help.

Ali trods down the stairs with Belle on her back piggy back style.

“Bad idea, kiddo,” Nat says, but she shakes her head with affection.

Jack follows with Taylor by his side and Ivan is last.

“Last but not least, right?” The boy says. He’s witty and confident, a lot like Natasha.

They all greet you at the car and help unload the groceries.

“Hey there,” you greet your wife. She drops a soft kiss to your lips.

You encourage everyone to move quickly before the rain begins. Just in time, the last bag is brought into the house.

“Hey, not so fast!” You stop the kids from retreating. “Let’s work together and put these away.”

“Why?” Ali groans out.

“Ice cream, that’s why,” you say. None of the kids argue with that reasoning.

So, you all work together and the rain continues outside. Thunder rumbles and the younger kids panic. Luckily the older ones come to their rescue and distract them the best they can.

You and Natasha work on making ice cream bowls for the kids. Casual conversation ensues.

“Did you get your work done?” You ask Nat.

“Yeah, but I need to look back over it. Baby girl distracted me a bit,” Nat admits.

“Of course she did,” you say, laughing at how much Nat gets distracted by the kids.

“How was the store?”

“Boring,” you say. “You better go with me next time.”

“I will,” she says.

Natasha puts whip cream on the ice cream and she sprays some in her mouth in the process.

“Natasha,” you scold her. “We get onto Ivan for doing that all the time!”

“Yeah, but I’m allowed to. I’m the mom,” Nat says. “Plus, he didn’t see it.”

“I did!” Ivan peeps his head in the kitchen. “Which means I get to do it now.”

“No it doesn’t!”

“Come here, Ives!” Nat says at the same time. She stands on her tippy toes and sprays the whip cream in his mouth.

You can’t help but smile at the interaction as he hugs both you and Natasha.

“While you’re here, help us carry these,” you tell him.

The three of you take the ice cream into the living room where the kids have built a fort out of pillows and blankets.

“Can we come in?” You ask. The blankets open and they let you in.

“Ice cream!” Taylor says as you hand her a bowl. “Thanks!”

“Yeah, thanks Moms,” Jack adds.

You all settle in and snuggle under the blankets until the storm passes. You couldn’t ask for a better life.

[cozage]

Hi hi so I was wondering if you could write OP scenarios on the next island you reach is your home island. Like how would they react if they see you so happy more than you are sailing the world. But of course we need a fluff ending that’s like silly boy don’t you know nothing can compare to being with you? AHSSHHNANSJIK sorry I’m literally freaking out over my own thoughts 💀

A/N: I think this is a super cute little thing!! And I hope you do too! I just did Luffy, but if you want other characters, make sure you let me know when I reopen my requests! :)  (editing to add this is not Luffy's birthday post it was just coincidental that this was in the queue for his birthday!)

Characters: gn reader x Luffy

Cw: just cute fluff :) 

Total word count: 600

Home is Where the Heart is

The next island came into view, and you saw the red and white candy striped lighthouse that you remembered so fondly. 

“Nami,” you said, excitement rising in your voice. “What island are we heading to?”

“I couldn’t find anything on the maps except that it was a small spring island,” the navigator said, frowning at the horizon. “I don’t think it’s very notable.”

“Not very notable?!” you scoff. “That’s Conea! My home village!”

Luffy looked at you from his captain’s seat. “I didn’t know you were from the Grand Line.”

“Yeah! I lived here before I set out on my own and met you guys.” You began jumping up and down from excitement. “Oh man, I can’t wait to see everyone again!”

You were off the ship before it was even docked, bounding away into the town you called home. 

“Hey, wait up!” Luffy cried, running after you. He couldn’t help but shake this funny feeling in the pit of his stomach watching you be so excited about returning home. 

“Come on, Lu!” you shouted, disappearing into the marketplace. 

His arm shot out after you, grabbing onto your shirt and pulling himself towards you. He crashed into you, which sent you both flying into a nearby stall. 

“What on earth!?” a feminine voice chided you both. 

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Lackiny,” you apologized, standing to your feet and looking down at your boyfriend. “Luffy, what is wrong with-”

Your voice was drowned out by the stall lady’s cry. “Y/N!” she cried. “Is that really you?!” 

Mrs. Lackiny enveloped you in a hug, smothering you close to death, for several minutes. Luffy was still on the ground, watching the whole thing play out before his eyes.

“Cranix! Dolif! Yongo!” Mrs. Lackiny cried. “Come look at who’s back! Oh, the heavens have smiled upon us!”

Suddenly there’s a group of people surrounding you, and Luffy scrambled away to avoid being trampled by the fan club you suddenly acquired. He can hear your shouts of glee and everyone gushing over your arrival.  

“You need to meet my captain,” you finally say, pushing people away to breathe a bit. “Luffy!” you scream, your eyes scanning the crowd around you. “Luffy! Where are you?”

You find him next to a food stall nearby, his eyes wide from being caught mid-snack and you laugh at him. “There!” You point, and the crowd turns to look at him. 

The crowd enthusiastically meets Luffy, and when someone points out his bounty, the whole crowd eyes you warily. 

“Is it really a good idea for you to be traveling with such a dangerous pirate?” Someone mumbles to you, and Luffy can’t help but be saddened by that. 

But you laugh at their concern. “Luffy isn’t dangerous, don’t worry.” You lace your fingers with his to prove your point. 

“Okay, okay!” They say, and everyone finally disperses from you two.

People greet you every few steps, asking how you’ve been and giving you different things. You stock up on homemade treats, reminiscing on how delicious they are and sharing them with Luffy. You spend all day walking around, and finally you both head back to the ship. 

“Oh, there’s one more thing,” you say, pulling away from Luffy. 

Luffy keeps his gaze on the ground, scared to look at you. “You want to stay here, don’t you?” 

You laugh at him. “What?”

“I don’t want you to go. Please don’t.”

“Luffy,” you giggle and cup his cheeks, pulling his head up so his eyes meet your own. “The only place for me is by your side.”

His eyes light up, that familiar sense of joy filling his eyes again. “Really?”

“Yes!” You smile at him, giving him a quick kiss on his lips. “I just wanted to show you the view from the top of the lighthouse, silly.”

[changingplumbob]

Pancakes Household: Chapter 9, Part 4

This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween

Bob: Costume time! Okay friends and fans, it’s time for our Halloween special, who wants to make a pumpkin pie with me?

From beside Bob the droid chirps to indicate that people are tuning in.

Bob: As you can see I have chosen to be a rebel pilot today. I’ll be keeping this on for the bake and my bake sale but something tells me the boss would not approve of me turning up to work in it. Okay let’s run through all our ingredients

The drone chirps while Bob begins preparations. Eliza’s suggestion to get the drone may have stemmed from a place of wanting the flashiest one but Bob appreciated having a set of eyes he could look at when he talked.

Bob: Ugh, kneading, not my favourite part after I’ve already done a workout but hey, that’s on me

He continues to narrate his baking, even getting the drone to read out a question or two that viewers have sent in about the recipe. In the end he pulls one excellent pumpkin pie out of the oven, a perfect Halloween treat.

Bob: Come one, come all to Bob’s Bars! We don’t just have our classic beloved lemon bars today, we have cake and cookies for the sweetness you want on Halloween. If you’re having all that sugar, may as well get full eating it!

The first few customers seem unimpressed with Bob’s selling today but when some new sims walk up to purchase suddenly decide maybe the baking isn’t so bad.

Fergus: Hey Onyx could you- woah! What are you

Onyx: A knight obviously. I see you’re going with the classic skeleton

Fergus: No point fixing what isn’t broke. But could you please help me with my bike? Dad’s busy with the sale and I don’t want to interrupt mother when she’s practicing her speech

Onyx: Sure, I can try. Hop on and I’ll try explain, remember I only just learnt how to ride before my birthday

Fergus: Oh yeah, that’s right

So Fergus wobbles his way around the yard with Onyx doing their best to provide guidance.

Bob: Alright folks, my shift will be starting soon. Who’s going to be customer of the day and buy the last lemon bar?

Harvey: Hello. Do you have bake sales often

Bob: Why yes I do sir

Harvey: How convenient! And do you get positive reviews

Bob: Indeed I do

Harvey: Well then person I’ve never met I would like to buy the last lemon bar

After Bob makes the sale Harvey tells everyone around him how good it is while Bob packs up. It’s good to have friends.

Eliza greets the first trick or treater and offers them some candy. The kid leaves happy and Ginger comes out of the house very confused.

Ginger: *whines* What’s going on

Eliza: Ginger sweetie it’s just me, it’s just mother. Here let me give you a brush

Ginger: *barks* you may not look like mother but you definitely smell the same

Then it’s dinner time for the Pancakes left at home.

Fergus: Dad left us roast! Awesome

Eliza: Onyx will you be able to eat in that helmet

Onyx: I could ask you the same question. But I won’t, because I’m a good kid who deserves a horse

Fergus: *laughs*

The trio chat and eat while Ginger looks on. Sure she has biscuits in her bowl but that looks like real meat on the table. Why won’t they feed her that?

Onyx takes care of the dishes and Fergus decides it’s time for Ginger to learn another trick, playing dead. Mustering his drama skills he does his best to show her what to do, but she remains skeptical of the exercise. Fergus keeps trying though and eventually Ginger catches on, rolling to the floor.

Fergus: You did it! Well done Ginger, we’re stars

*doorbell rings*

Eliza: Onyx could you get that one

Onyx: Sure mother

They open the door to the deck candy all prepared and are greeted by a teen girl dressed as a maid.

Zhafira: Trick or treat

Onyx: Uhh… what

Zhafira: *laughs* I mean for me

Onyx: Oh, right. Have some candy?

Zhafira: Why thank you

Onyx has just decided they should ask what high school the stranger attends when she turns and skips off down the drive.

Carson pops over to visit and become best friends with Onyx!

Onyx: Where’s your costume

Carson: I’m dressed as someone who doesn’t care about Halloween

Onyx: Your loss. Hey, have you seen a girl at school?

Carson: There are many girls at school

Onyx: I mean a specific one, she’s a brunette with a bob cut

Carson: You don’t know a name

Onyx: She left pretty quickly, but she was cute and I wondered why I hadn't noticed her before

Carson: People keep aging Onyx, so more teens. But sorry I don’t really find many people cute at our school so haven't noticed

Onyx: You said that last year. But if you know you’re bi you must have been attracted to someone once right

Carson: I mean, it’s going to sound stupid...

Onyx: You’re my best friend, sound as stupid as you like

Carson: I mean I’ll find a guy or girl pretty but my daydreams are usually romance filled instead of woohoo filled

Onyx: Huh. So are you like, anti-kissing

Carson: I don't know, growing up is confusing

Onyx: You’re telling me

Previous ... Next

[vixensofsorrow]

Demolition Lovers - Ⅴ the moon follows me home

DISCLAIMER: This fic is a long slowburn with multiple chapters, still being updated. also on AO3 my masterlist (all the chapters are linked there) PAIRING: young!Carol Denning/fem!reader OVERALL SUMMARY: An exploration of your and Carol's relationship through the years. CHAPTER SUMMARY: Law mandated Halloween chapter (or in this case summerween). Carol gets to spend more time with your friends. CHAPTER TAGS: fluff, jealousy, Halloween, very coming of age methinks, slight angst (?) A/N: I AM SO SORRY THAT IT TOOK ME THIS LONG TO UPDATE BUT THIS FIC BURNED ME OUT BADD. tysm to my friend for beta reading it. also this is more of a filler chapter but there can't be action all the time!!!

Carol came to school for the first time in three days, and you decided that you should officially introduce her to your friends, at least the ones you share lunch with — the only time for proper socialization during school hours. 

You were concerned about her. The bruises haven’t left your mind since you had that one look at them; but at the same time, you decided that it was best not to pry. She would tell you about them when she was ready.

The cafeteria lady carelessly served your portion of the mashed potatoes, and you exchanged a look of disgust with Denning as the line kept moving. You paid for the food, and Kristen waved as she saw you both approaching. The blonde greeted Carol, who took a seat next to you.

“Hey, Kristen.” She gave a sheepish smile, capturing the attention of your friends.

Nobody spoke. You cleared your throat, breaking the awkward silence. “Carol, this is Gina Hardy and Rachel Sullivan, Gina and Rachel, this is Carol Denning.”

“I probably should’ve introduced myself at the party, but nice to finally meet you.” Sullivan grinned slightly, opening a can of Coke, meanwhile Gina nodded.

“Yeah, same here.” Denning muttered as she turned her head. She swiftly turned it back around, groaning, and furrowed her eyebrows so low that you could see them clearly behind her huge glasses. “Fuckin’ hell, I can’t even catch a break from her at lunch.” She whispered to herself as Kristen pulled out an orange flyer from her backpack. You had seen it earlier being handed out by Nancy — one of the Valley Girls.

“Are any of you coming?” She laid it on the table; but before you could take a better look, Hardy immediately snatched the paper, crumbling it up. Carol let out a giggle at the look on Kristen’s face, and you and Rachel couldn’t help but follow.

“What’d you do that for!?” Kristen raised her hands in annoyance.

“Wolfe, it’s Nancy’s party.” She leveled the blonde with a stern glare before walking off to throw away the flyer. Everyone sat in stunned silence.

Gina sat back down, and Kristen stammered, trying to apologize.

“It’s fine, really. I do have an idea, though.” The defensive midfielder smirked, and you raised an eyebrow at Denning. “We can just hang out at my place! You haven’t even seen the renovated basement yet! I have a sick TV set-up down there, and if we get bored we could go trick or treating. Or just… scare the kids, y’know, or whatever else we want. Oh, by the way, this includes you too, Carol.” She chewed on a chocolate bar. 

Carol flashed her dimples, looking grateful. She gave Gina a quiet “Thanks.”

You’ve been sitting on the curb in front of your house dressed as Laurie Strode, looking like a lonely loser while you waited for Rachel; watching kids joyfully running down the block, everything lit up by Halloween decorations. 

The sight of so many people outside simultaneously was strange — it was truly a once in a blue moon occurrence. Many different groups of middle schoolers came up to you demanding candy, most likely thinking that your parents forced you to be the keeper of sweet treats this year; but every time you disappointed them by saying that they needed to use their scrawny legs and walk over to the house behind you, that to them, seemed like miles away. The more confident kids asked about your costume, and to your surprise, some even knew who you dressed up as.

Your head shot up to the sudden sound of tires screeching, music blaring, and honking in the distance. People scattered to the sidewalk as the red, janky car approached closer.

You got up, your knees producing a crack not unlike a grandma’s knees would, and waved at the vehicle.

Finally, Rachel pulled up to the sidewalk. You sat in the back and rubbed your hands together for warmth. Veronica was squeezed in the middle, separating you from Carol, who was in a Michael Myers outfit. The two of you decided on wearing matching costumes for Halloween, just like when you were kids. In the passenger seat, there was Erica Cervantes — Sullivan’s closest friend; a very skilled and highly ambitious player on your soccer team.

You firmly shut the car door as Rachel drove off towards the dimly lit street leading to Gina’s house.

“Hey, Blondie or The Clash?” Erica turned her head to the girls in the back, holding up two tapes. You looked over to Vee and Carol, attempting to read their expressions, trying to tell which one they wanted to pick. The latter caught you staring and smiled while adjusting her glasses, and you couldn’t help but return the gesture with a shy grin of your own.

“Come on, obviously The Clash! Speaking of — Rachel, you oughta give me that tape back someday, I swear.” Veronica complained, but as soon as Erica inserted the cassette, she began to sing along loudly, while tapping her fingers to the beat on the car door.

Carol chuckled, rolled the window down, and lit up a cigarette. The fresh, cold wind mixed with tobacco smoke hit you in the face and you exhaled, admiring her reflection on your side of the glass. You had a feeling that tonight would be a lot of fun — certainly better than that disaster party at Nicole’s.

Denning passed the cigarette around. To your delighted surprise, she joined in on the singing, although softly. It was good to see her in a better mood after the last couple of days, especially after she confided in you about her feelings of alienation and isolation. You hoped that given enough time, she would begin to feel comfortable with the group. You couldn’t help but think that slightly pleased expression suited her.

Your train of thought came to a sudden end as you reached the Hardy residence — a wide, split-level house only separated from the car lane by a patchy front lawn.

As you were waiting for someone to answer the door, Carol stuffed some candies from the plastic pumpkin bowl left out on the porch in her pockets. The sound of Gina’s hurried steps approached closer, along with shouts directed at her mother. She finally let you all inside with a big, welcoming grin plastered all over her face, and led the way toward the basement with a spring in her step.

The first thing that caught your attention were the Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling — the only source of light. Gina wasn’t lying — she had a huge TV, probably 22 inches, placed in the center of a huge, old, wooden cabinet. Next to it was a shelf containing a massive collection of movies, ranging from B-class horror to Oscar-winning dramas. In the cabinet below the TV was a VHS player, covered in stickers with designs based on a bunch of underground punk bands that a maximum of five people had ever heard of. On the very bottom, on opposite ends from each other, there stood two huge speakers. The rest was cluttered with various books, vinyls, jewelry cases (that most likely were used for other purposes), and other paraphernalia.

In front of the cabinet stood a worn down, brown, leather couch upon which sat Kris; her legs stretched out on a very cluttered coffee table. Piles of pillows had been placed on the layered, Persian rugs. The cigarette smoke-stained yellow walls have been covered in a bunch of posters. Candles had been put in every possible nook along with other cheap decorations, but with the amount of boxes scattered around the place, it seemed like Gina still wasn’t done with the renovations. 

Cervantes took a seat on the couch while you and Carol sat on a pillow pile and leaned against it.

“So, thoughts?” The hostess asked, leaning on the handrail. Everyone talked over each other, excitedly complimenting the space.

Kristen pulled out a vanity case and a few magazines from her bag, then laid out the makeup on the table. 

“Who wants to go first?” Kris held up the magazines in front of her face. “I can do something scary… like the deadites from Evil Dead, or you know, something pretty like…” She flipped through the pages of a Glamour issue. “…This! This is cute, or I could do that one!”

Erica chuckled quietly, snatching one of the papers away from the blonde girl. She browsed through it, showing some pictures to Veronica, who just sat down next to you.

Gina exchanged a look with Carol that read something like ‘Hope you’re ready for the ride’ as she walked over to choose a selection of movies for the night.

“I’ll bite.” The goalkeeper sat down cross-legged in front of Kris.

“Rachel, you should try this one out.” Vee teased, pointing at an extravagant, high-fashion editorial look, and Erica laughed at the idea.

“Yeah, right.” She scoffed. “Mmm… I wanna be Carrie.”

“Carrie? Why, ‘cause she’s also a ginger?” You nudged her leg. 

Carol drew her eyebrows together. “Dude, Carrie’s not even ginger.”

“Yeah, I don’t know where you got that from, Enge.” Rachel sneered, as Gina set tapes down on the table and went on to grab some beer. Kristen picked up her palette and applied light pink eyeshadow on Rachel’s eyelids. 

“Oh, shut up, her hair’s ginger when she’s covered in blood.” You argued, checking out the cassettes as Veronica rested her head on your shoulder. You could feel a heavy, cold gaze relentlessly probing at your clavicle, but it immediately went away when you faced Carol.

The punk girl came back and handed out the bottles to everyone except for Rachel — your responsible chauffeur.

After a discussion that went on for way too long, you finally landed on a movie to watch — The Silent Scream, but after about 40 minutes, the film turned into background noise for multiple rounds of bridge; a game that Erica and Vee were masters at, and that Carol seemed to enjoy even though when you played against them, the two of you kept on losing. With time, you also lost interest in that, and noticing it was getting late, you were considering the prospect of going home — but ultimately decided the night was still young and full of opportunities.

Armed with a repurposed pillowcase that served as a candy bag, some toilet paper, a few eggs, and shaving cream you all squeezed into the car. Your collective weight would definitely grant Rachel a ticket for overloading the vehicle if she were caught, so you hurriedly headed towards the wealthy neighborhood.

All the bright, flashy lights and tacky decorations which adorned the rows of McMansions along with children and some of your peers yelling and running down the street collectively manifested in your head as an ache that made it hard to think. Your friends, walking in front of you, were deciding on whose home to vandalize, meanwhile, in the back, you and Carol were reminiscing on the times when you would walk down the same streets, trick or treating.

The memories quickly turned bitter, as the realization of all the time you lost hit you like a truck. Sure, you eventually made new friends, good friends that you enjoyed hanging out with, but it was nothing compared to the bond between Denning and you. In the midst of your brooding, an orotund, female voice brought you down to earth.

“Hey, Y/N? What do you think about Tonya?” Erica questioned, to the discontent of Carol, who put a big Jawbreaker candy in her mouth.

Well, that caught you off guard — Tonya was the newest girl on the team, who quite frankly you weren't fond of. You felt that she wasn’t putting in enough work, and her attitude pissed you off too, but you never brought it up.

“Uh, why’d you ask?” You furrowed your brows.

“I just wanna know. Be honest.”

“I mean, we definitely have better players on the team.” You made eye contact with Denning, whose eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Right, right.” The other midfielder crossed her arms, as she bit her lip and focused her gaze on you. The three of you walked in awkward silence, and you could tell that she wanted a more definitive answer.

“Fine, okay. I don’t like her.” You threw your arms in the air, and she gave you a quick smile of satisfaction, breaking the tension.

“Girl, me neither. Anyway, thanks.” She said, catching up to speed with the rest of the group, without further explanation.

“The hell was that about?” Denning asked, her speech distorted by the candy she swished around in her mouth, and adjusted the Michael Myers mask to the left side of her face.

“I’m not even sure? Something about whether I like this one girl on the team or not.” You put your hands inside the pockets of your jeans.

“I mean, I fuckin’ heard that, but I’m just confused as to why, y’know.” 

“Yeah so am I, Care—, uh, Carol.”

Suddenly, the girls stopped in their tracks and turned to you, describing their mischievous plan — trashing the house of Gina’s ex.

Rachel handed out the necessary items to each person. You stashed yours and Carol’s inside the shabby pillowcase and dashed after Hardy as the sweets Denning stole from her house fell out of her jacket.

You hid in the bushes of the plastic, way too perfectly mowed lawn, trying your hardest not to burst out laughing, and waited for the “go” sign as Cervantes kept watch. After a while, Kristen and Veronica rapidly nodded their heads and chaos ensued; toilet paper flew everywhere, draping off the orange and brown trees, white beams, windows, the balcony, the freshly built gazebo, and the roof. You dodged the eggs that gracefully cracked when they hit the walls and bumped into Carol, whose face turned tomato red from trying to hold back the laughter. She gave you the two other cans of shaving foam and grabbed your sweaty hand, rushing closer toward the house. You smeared the cream all over the kitchen windows as Vee and Gina threw around even more paper. You could hear a commotion starting inside and knew the residents noticed what you were doing. Right as she was flinging the last egg, Rachel gesticulated aggressively that it was time to dip.

You all made a run for it, cackling like maniacs and talking over each other, leaving the beautiful, messy scene of the crime.

Unfortunately, the Halloween shenanigans had to eventually end, since everyone had school tomorrow. All the fun you had left was scaring some kids while on your way to Sullivan’s car. You chased each other with a prop knife, letting out the most convincing terrified screams you were capable of while running down the block until your legs couldn’t handle it anymore.

“I thought my stamina was better than this.” Veronica panted, resting her hands on her thighs, while she stopped to take a breath.

You chuckled. “In that case, you need to up your game before the championships, Vasquez!” You imitated your coach, half joking, half serious.

You didn’t exactly know why you were putting so much pressure on yourself — and your teammates this year. What if, unconsciously, you were trying to impress Carol? No, no way. You acted like this, way before she moved in. 

“God, don’t even.” She rolled her eyes, slightly leaning against you. You started to pick up the pace again. “Oh, by the way, did Eri…” Vee began to talk about something, but your mind drowned her out as your attention suddenly tunnel-visioned to a strangely giddy Carol, conversing with a guy, a few of his friends trailing in the background, all of whom you recognized from school.

No matter how much you wanted to, you couldn’t stop looking at them — the two of them. Your narrowed eyes filled up with tears from the lack of blinking, and you could've sworn that you forgot how to breathe. Denning turned her head and stared at you like a statue at an exhibition. Her smirk burned through you, amplifying your emotions even more after she focused back on him.

You hadn’t even noticed when she grabbed your shoulder, slightly shaking it to get your attention. “Hey, Y/N. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Carol gesticulated, pointing at the three teens that were waiting for her.

You blinked rapidly, as her words rattled you back to reality. “What? Hold on, what are you talking ‘bout? What?”

“I’m just gonna hang out with Travis and his friends. I’ll see you.” She waved to your group, taking her leave.

“Right… Yeah, have fun.” You lied through the teeth that gritted so hard, you could almost feel the enamel peeling off. The jealousy inside stirred even more than before, as the two of you observed one another while walking off in opposite directions.

[writeonthrough]

Namy Nuggets (2/13)

A fanfic collection of Amy and Nathan scenes from CBC’s Heartland. (Catch up on the series here)

Nugget #2: Caleb picks up Amy

“Hello?” Caleb knocks on the Heartland front door as he walks inside. “Anyone here?”

“Caleb,” Lou calls him into the living room. He rounds the corner to find Jack, Tim, and Lou sitting down with Nathan. Jack and Tim greet him with smiles. Lou continues, “Good to see you.”

“Caleb!” Jack stands up to shake his hand. “How the heck are you? We’ve missed you around here.  How’s Colona treating you?”

“It’s alright, but it’s not home.” He looks from Jack to Lou and then back towards Amy’s room.

“Perfect timing, Caleb!” Tim jumps into action mode. “You can help us with the cattle drive this afternoon. We’re down a couple people. We could use your help.”

“Tim, I can’t,” Caleb steps further into the room. “I would love to, but I’m spending the day with Amy and Lyndy today.”

Nathan sits straighter at Caleb’s intentions, but says nothing, watching the interplay between them.

“What? No, no you’re not. She’s just doing a clinic.” Tim laughs to no one’s amusement. “Come on. We need the help.”

“It’s not just a clinic, Tim. It’s a clinic at Ty’s foster youth center.” Caleb shakes his head. He purses his lips before speaking. “Do you know what today is?”

“What?—”

“Oh, my, god,” Lou interjects quietly. “It’s Ty’s birthday.”

Nathan's eyes widen as the room’s atmosphere shifts. He watches as everyone’s expressions drop and their attentions turn to towards Amy’s closed door.

Caleb scoffs. “Father-in-law of the year as always, Tim.”

“Hey!” Tim bites back. “That’s not fair. You have no idea—”

“No idea?” Caleb challenges. “No idea of what? Ty was my best friend for twelve years. I’ve now been best friends with Amy for longer than that. I was best man at their wedding. I’m godfather to Lyndy—”

“We don’t need the list, Caleb—”

“You think I don’t know that you treated him like crap? They were together seven years—were engaged—but Amy literally had to go blind for you to finally accept him as family.”

“What?” Nathan speaks out before he can help himself. The shock of Amy’s history of blindness plus the realization of how long Amy and Ty were together forces him to turn to Lou for confirmation. As Lou focuses between Tim and Caleb, she doesn’t catch the question in Nathan’s expression.

Tim leans back into the chair dismissably. “They weren’t together seven years before—”   

“Sure, they were.” Caleb argues back. “Because even when they weren’t together, they were still together.”

The room goes silent at Caleb’s declaration. While Nathan digests new revelations about Amy and Ty, he senses the room’s tenseness fade.

Caleb’s tone softens, “Is Amy in her room?” He looks at Lou. “She’s not in the barn.”

“Yeah,” Lou gestures towards the back of the house, inviting him in further. “She’s been pretty quiet all day.”

“That makes sense.” Caleb steps back into the hall. “Miracle Girl!” He calls out to Amy. “Let’s go!”

Before he knocks on the door, Lyndy pulls it open. “Uncle Caleb!” She reaches up to him.

“Lyndy Borden!” He exclaims, pulling her into his arms and raising her up to kiss her cheek. “How’s my favorite goddaughter?”

“I’m your only goddaughter,” Lyndy corrects him.

“You are, are you? That makes me pretty lucky.” Caleb shakes her in his arms and she laughs. “I’ll tell you what, though, I do know many cowgirls and you are by far my favorite one.”

“Hmm,” Lyndy thinks. “What about Jade?”

“Oh,” Caleb eyes widen, teasing her. “Well, Jade is pretty cool, but you are still my favorite.”

“Really?”

“Really,” he promises. “Amy?” He knocks on the door and then opens it further. “We’re gonna be late.”  Caleb finds her on the bed, sitting up but not moving, with one leg bent and the other dangling on the floor. “Hey,” he notices the unease in her expression. “Are you okay?” he asks, before shutting the door.

Nathan continues to watch the door as Jack and Tim re-start planning for the cattle drive. He didn’t know what revelation of Caleb’s shocked him the most. He couldn’t decide which one he thought Amy should have told him, if any. For a moment, he wished she had clued him in on all of them. Nathan checks himself: he wonders if that was fair though, given that Caleb had apparently moved away. When or why would Caleb have naturally entered any of their conversations? Even when she told him about the clinic yesterday, he didn’t ask her anything about it.

“Okay,” Caleb re-enters the room with Lyndy on his back. “We’re off.”

To Nathan surprise, Amy appears in the hallway as her normal self with a smile. Maybe she was fine the whole time or, he wonders, did Caleb say something to cheer her up?

Jack reaches for Amy as she passes his chair. “Hey, honey. Sorry we all forgot Ty’s birthday. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah,” she squeezes his hand and then waves him off. “We’ll be back for dinner, okay?”

“Okay,” Lou mentally adds a placemat for Caleb at the dinner table.

“Have fun, honey,” Tim chimes in.

“Thanks, Dad,” Amy takes a step towards the kitchen and then turns back to Nathan. For a moment, it is just them in the room. She smiles at him and he smiles back. She parts her lips to say something and then closes them.

Nathan surprises himself by speaking up in front of her whole family. “Good luck with the clinic, Amy,” he says, still keeping her gaze.

They communicate through silence. Both Amy and Nathan feel calmer and connected just by looking at each other. He knows she means more than her words when she replies to him, “Good luck with the cattle drive.”

With one last secret exchange of smiles with Nathan, Amy follows Caleb and Lyndy out the door.

Nathan watches her hair flow behind her as she leaves. His gaze settles on the front door screen; watching Lyndy jump into the truck and Amy laugh behind her—before Tim calls his attention back to the meeting.

[lotusthewriter]

Kid A(mnesia)

Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) Rating: T Relationships: Alphonse & Edward Characters: Alphonse Elric, Edward Elric; MENTIONED - Wrath, Noah, Alternate Gracia Hughes Summary: He was just a kid, and Al hated him. Post-Conqueror of Shamballa Word count: 669 AO3

TRIGGER WARNING - past character death

DO NOT SHIP THE ELRIC BROTHERS. P/ROSHIP DNI.

--

Al arrives home with the groceries for lunch, while Ed stays home to arrange everything. Before that, he greets Ms. Gracia and Noah, who work at the flower shop.

It’s a nice day today, until…

This kid is staring at Alphonse.

A kid with very familiar features.

Those round, curious eyes, the equally round cheeks, and the wild dark bangs. The little kid is hiding behind his mother’s leg as she talks to Ms. Gracia.

Al stares at him back, but not in fondness.

It seems to scare the boy off, since he hides further behind his mother. She asks him what’s wrong.

Equally so, Ms. Gracia and Noah notice that Al is tormented.

Tormented by a kid. They don’t understand. He’s just a child, why would Al treat him that way?

Panicking, Al drops everything in his hands to run upstairs, not looking back when the women call his name in concern and confusion. Al opens the door and closes it with force, locking it in the process. He’s sweating like he was caught committing a crime. Like they all found out his horrible secret.

It’s true, isn’t it?

Why are you defending this homunculus? He isn’t human.

He isn’t human.

How dare he, then, beg people to see him as human? If he couldn’t see a little boy as a human?

“Al? Is that you? You startled me-!”

Then Alphonse remembers he probably left all the groceries downstairs. And he probably ruined them given there were liquids, fruits and vegetables in the bags. He expects Edward to yell at him, but that’s not what happens.

“Whoa, Al, are you crying?” Ed then rushes to him. “What’s wrong? Did someone hurt you?”

Crying? He can see tears?

“Al, talk to me. What happened?” His older brother checks over him for any injuries but finds none. He grabs both of his shoulders to snap Al out of it. “Alphonse—”

“Brother…”

“Yeah?”

“I-I saw him. I saw Wrath.”

Ed suddenly understands. “Oh?” But he’s not surprised.

“He was just a kid, Brother. He was a kid, and I…” Al sniffs. “I wanted to kill him, Ed. I hated him. And then I let him die by the hands of Gluttony, I did nothing when he was bleeding—”

“Al—”

“And now I see, he was a little boy like me. He was just like me, Ed. I let him die. I didn’t save him,” Al sobs.

“Shh, shh…” Ed pulls him in a hug. “Shhh…”

“I-It’s not fair—”

“I know. I know, Al. It’s horrible, isn’t it?”

“I didn’t even say sorry to him. I can’t do anything about it.”

Edward is silent, but he holds his younger brother a little tighter.

“How am I going to live with all of this? How? How, Brother?” Al begs.

Ed tenses, then breathes in deeply.

“… We do it together. It helps us to become better. But I know it hurts, Al. So, we stay together, we take care of each other. You won’t be alone, okay?”

He seems to take Sloth’s last words to heart.

Al is not entirely soothed, but he relaxes as his brother holds him longer.

“Okay,” he mumbles, hugging Ed in return.

After some more time, there are knocks on the door, giving Al dread.

“I’m so sorry, Brother, I dropped the groceries—”

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s okay, Al.”

Ed smiles at him, nonetheless.

Turns out it’s Noah in the doorway, who picked up the bags Al abandoned. She looks at him with sympathy. It’s revealed the food was not wasted, after all. Al apologizes to her, too, hating that he might have given the wrong impression to that child, as well as everyone else in the room.

Ed and Noah understand perfectly.

The haunting choices you might have made in the past…

They’ll keep coming back.

But it’s what Ed said, at least they’ve got each other to know they’re not alone.

That gives Al some peace, even if he might never truly sleep with a clean conscience.

[snwusberry]

pairing: ex!theo x black!reader

genre: fluff, angst

warning(s): cheating (I DO NOT CONDONE)

fic playlist:

pacify her - melanie martinez

problem with you - sabrina claudio

secret love song - little mix

all to me - giveon

NOT PROOFREAD

i sigh, throwing my pen down in frustration. work has been kicking me in the ass the past couple of weeks and i just need to unwind. i check the time on my phone and the door to the room opens and my fiancé walks in smiling.

"you're still working?" he asks me, walking closer and i nod.

"have to finish this."

"okay but you know taking a break is okay, right?"

"yeah i know. which is why the girls and i are going out tonight." i respond in excitement. i haven't gotten to spend much time with them since we're all so busy with our lives.

"oh... don't you wanna relax and unwind here at home? i can give you a massage, cook you dinner..." he suggests amd i shake my head.

"i barely get the time to go out with them and tonight's the night. we can have a nice night in tomorrow night."

he nods with a disappointed expression on his face and i can't help but feel bad so i stand up and wrap my arms around him.

"hey. it's just tonight." i try reassuring him and he smiles again, planting a kiss on my lips."

"now get out of here. i need to finish this."

"no can do baby, you've been in here since you got up this morning and it's..." he pauses to reach into his pocket to check the time on his phone. "3pm. you need to eat something."

"alright, alright." i say in defeat and we walk out with him.

my fiancé is nothing short of perfect. he's caring and thoughtful and treats me so well. i mean, everyone adores him. my friends, my parents... so why would i not marry him, right?

he managed to pull me completely away from work to watch a movie with him after eating. i'm honestly so grateful for because i think i might actually turn into a zombie if i stare at my laptop any longer.

"baby i have to go get ready." i say to him and he hums.

"in a second."

"i'm already late. they'll be here in an hour and you know that's not enough time for me to get ready." i plead with him and he sighs and sits up from his position on the sofa.

"okay, okay. go ahead."

"thank you."

i get up and head to our room to get my stuff ready and shower.

————

my phone rings and it's my friend, sienna, letting me know she's outside so i quickly get my bag so i can go.

"she's outside baby." i say in passing but he stops me in my tracks.

"you're not going out like that, are you?" he asks me, glancing at my outfit.

"i'm wearing it, am i not? come on baby, she's waiting outside."

"yeah but... i don't know baby..."

"not this please. don't wait up." just as i start walking again he speaks up.

"what will you be doing?"

"getting shit faced with my friends. can i go now?"

"yeah.. uh yeah. bye baby." i give him a quick kiss before heading out and walking to my friend's car which is already packed with the our other friends. just as i'm about to get in, a shot glass is pushed in front of me and i look at the girls confused.

"pregame." amara, one of my friends, states and i down the shot before entering. the car and greet everyone.

the atmosphere in the car is so lively and everyone is talking and singing, sienna is annoying her boyfriend who's driving us there. bless his heart. this is just what i need right now. we're going to this lounge that amara had been raving about for weeks and now that we finally get to go, she's bouncing off the seats of this car.

"when are we getting there? we've been in here forever. it's hot in here." sienna pouts from the front seat, fanning herself, probably from drinking.

"relax, we're here." sienna's boyfriend says, pulling up and we all fike out and thank him.

"LETS GOOO!" one of my other friends, zay, shouts but amara shuts her down really quick.

"sweetie, this is a lounge." she hushed and zay clears her throat and fixes her skirt.

"right."

we go in and immediately head to the bar to order drinks because those two little shots in the car were not enough.

"so how has everyone been?" zay asks, sipping on her cocktail and everyone groans.

"horrible. they were laying people off at work. when i tell you, they called me in and i nearly pissed myself." amara explains and then further explains how they called her in because they found out she was hooking up with the finance guy during her breaks.

"and you're so nonchalant about that?" i ask her and she nods.

"could've been worse."

"dignity?" zay questions and she nods. "and you? wedding planning??" zay asks, turning to me.

don't get me started.

"i been trying to get them to slow down on that but no one's listening."

"why do you wanna slow down?"

"because everything is moving fast, duh. i feel everywhere i look, people are wedding stuff in my face. Just this morning i was arguing with the his aunt about seating plans. apparently she's not happy with 3rd row." i say in frustration

"it's always the aunties. i'd put her in the last row if she wants something to really fuss about." sienna says and i sigh.

"i just want a breather and step away from all this wedding stuff. i don't even know why we rushed to start planning anyway."

"because he's trying to wife you up now. it's cute."

"right..."

"aren't you happy?" amara chimes in with a question and i sigh.

"of course i am. i am." my voice fades out and i take a gulp from my glass. "but i'm not trying to think about that right now."

"she's right. let's go mingle. there's a hot guy there, 3 o'clock." zay exclaims.

"you and amara go. we'll be here." sienna tells her and they nod and walk on their merry way.

"now tell me about this. you don't sound too excited for someone who's getting married."

"i really am, i swear. i'm just really stressed, is all." i tell her and she looks at me skeptically, however, her expression changes.

"oh no."

"what?" i ask her and she just looks somewhere behind me so i look to where she is looking and my heartbeat picks up at the sight of the man mingling with his friends. his all too familiar smile rests on his breathtaking face. the same smile that lights up any room, as corny as it sounds. he's now sporting black hair which is longer than when i last saw him. so basically, he looks perfect.

"don't stare." sienna whispers and i snap out of the somewhat trans i was in.

"i wasn't."

"you better. maybe we should go somewhere else before he sees you." she suggests and i nod. we walk to another area. i look around for amara and zay amd i know damn well they've found people to take home.

i see sienna bring in another drink and i sigh. i don't know how her lightweight ass is still going.

"sweetie, are you sure you wanna drink this much?" i ask her cautiously and she nods.

"i can handle my liquor!"

————

"why did you let me drink so much." i hear sienna whine to zay somewhere behind me and i rub my temples. this is not how i envisioned my night to go.

"hey, i'm taking sienna to the bathroom, you coming with?" zay asks and i shake my head without saying anything.

just as i'm about to stand up and go elsewhere someone calls my name and i turn to the person.

"theo." i mutter to myself, frozen in my spot.

"i had a feeling it was you." he smiles and i nod, still not sure what to do. "it's been a while, hasn't it?"

"y-yeah, it has. how have you been?"

"good. a few off days here and there, but who doesn't have those."

he looks so damn good right now. his face is a little flushed, i guess from the alcohol and man. many flashbacks from when we were together come back to me and i get this yearning feeling from it.

"i heard you're getting married." he mentions and i look down at my hands.

"oh, uh... i am."

"how exciting." he comments with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

someone please end this right now. it's so damn awkward.

"yeah, it is."

"you don't sound too excited though."

please not this conversation again.

"i am. i'm just tired, you know."

"wedding planning?"

"yeah."

he gestures for us to sit down at the bar and i do. when i should've declined amd looked for amara, i went and sat down with him. my whole body feels so warm right now.

"is there trouble in paradise or something? you're missing that glint in your eyes." he says lowly and i notice how close we sat.

"no. nothing of the sort. everything is fine between us actually." i tell him and he hums, seemingly unconvinced.

i mean, that's true, right?

"what's he like?" theo asks and my breathing becomes uneven.

"he's uh... he's really sweet, he's loving, caring. you know."

"bare minimum. give me something else."

"that's all."

"of course. he's the picture perfect man too, huh?" he presses and i nod which makes him laugh.

"what's funny?"

"nothing. tell me more about him."

"he's great. look, i don't- i don't wanna talk about him right now. okay. i'm tired of talking about him, the wedding, my relationship, none of that. that's all i've been talking about lately."

"i see..." he nods in amusement and i clear my throat, looking around. i quickly spot amara with laughing with another group of people and this is my chance to leave.

"i see my friend, i should probably go. it was nice catching up." i say and i stand up and go to her, leaving him at the bar.

"amara."

"oh there she is. this is the friend inwas talking about." she says, introducing me to the small group of people and i awkwardly wave at them.

"congratulations on your wedding by the way." one of the girls say and i kid you not, my eye twitched.

"thank you."

amara makes me sit down next to hwr so i can join the conversation but my mind rushed back to theo. i glance back to where we were sitting and he's still there with a drink in his hand, his   cx  eyes are trained on me so i look away.

————

it's been a week since i saw theo again and that's all i've been thinking about. how much i miss him again.

"you're missing that glint in your eye."

everyone always says i don't sound excited or that i'm acting indifferent about getting married but theo saying that, for some reason, is making me think too much about it.

"hi baby." my fiancé's voice snaps me away from my thoughts. "we need to meet the planner."

"her name is hannah baby."

"yeah."

"i'll go get ready." i say to him before standing up to go get ready for yet another draining day.

when we're both done, we go and meet up with hannah and i see my fiancé's mother there too.

"babe, what is she doing here?" i ask him quietly and he brushes me off. okay bitch, damn.

————

this bitch doesn't shut the fuck up. she hates every suggestion i make, like sorry lady, who's the bride here? like right now i'm fighting for my life over here because she wants fucking doily placemats which don't go with anything.

"do you see her? do you hear how disrespectful she is when she talks to me?" she asks, pointing to me once hannah leaves the room.

"all i'm saying is that the doilies don't do witgthe overall decor. she's acting like i'm coming at her or something."

"baby, please. she was just making a suggestion and she felt like you were attacking her."

"oh! must i talk to her like a damn baby? how much more gentle must i talk?"

"enough already! you raised your voice at her, i heard you. that's my mother you're talking to, your future mother in law!"

"when you raised your voice right now, why did you do it?" i ask him in a much calmer tone. "you felt like i wasn't hearing you right?"

his eyes move to his mother before coming back to me.

"that doesn't mean you should discreet me. listen to what he said already."

"i'm not doing this." i say and head outside so i can literally be anywhere away from that woman. my fiancé follows behind, calling me a few times.

"baby, where are you going? we're not done in there." he tells me once I'm in front of the elevator.

"you and your mother can sort everything out, give me updates when you're done." i respond to him indifferently amd he sighs.

"don't be like that."

"like what? what am i being like?"

"you're overreacting. my mom means well, i mean come on. you lashed out at her over a suggestion, that's not fair to her."

"we're you even there? did you hear the way she was talking to me? you kept quiet when she was passing comments about me but one time i talk just a little bit louder, it's like i insulted her entire lineage. and a suggestion can be shut down. it becomes a problem when it's being forced on you. you need to grow a fucking backbone and get off your mother's areola and tell her no. being a good son doesn't mean agree with her every word." i tell him and push the button.

"she was really hurt that you shut her down you know? she was acting on emotion."

"okay then, i'll stay out of her hair. you two plan this wedding, pick everything out, i'll show just up on our wedding so we can get married." the doors of the elevator open amd i go inside, leaving him out there on his own.

motherfucker.

i go outside the building and speaad walk down the street, without an actual place to go in mind.

yeah there's that one thing i didn't mention. my fiancé is STUCK on his mother's tits. no matter what, she can do no wrong in his eyes, that's his biggest flaw amd no, i wouldn't call him a mama's boy. well he doesn't act like the typical one at least but i just wish he could see the way she treats me.

"you might bump into someone."

fuck fuck fuck. how fucking cliché.

"taeyang."

"no one walks looking down."

"i do."

"you look upset."

"i am."

"you wanna talk about it?" he asks and i look him in the eyes for a second. i nod and he directs me into a small café where he orders us drinks. "now tell me. what got you so upset?"

"my fiancé, he tries so hard to appeal to his mother even if it means being unreasonable to me so i left them to plan this wedding." i explained to him, keeping it brief.

"he's planning his wedding with his mother?" theo asks and i nod. "without tge bride to be?"

"yeah. it's her way or the highway. she blew things way out of proportion when i kindly declined on what she suggested. next thing i know, she's snitching on me to her son like a little kid who got pushed on the playground. lord knows he'd never back me up so he scolded me, imagine that."

"oh? i thought you liked when people were a little mean to you." he says with raised eyebrows and i return a deadpanned look. "sorry."

"this is serious."

"i don't mean any offense when i say this but if you're not getting along with your fiancé's mother and he never backs you up or stands up for you, is marrying him really a good choice?"

"i mean, i love him and he loves me-"

"please, he'd let you burn to keep his mother warm."

"that's an unsettling analogy and also, i can't make him choose between me and his mother. it's not fair."

"you're too patient. i'm sorry you have to deal with all of that."

"it's whatever. i feel like i'm just talking about myself, how have you been?"

"i've been good. went from boring job to another boring one." he briefly explains and i nod.

"no girlfriend?"

"already found the love of my life." he answers and my heart drops, selfishly so.

"is that so?"

"yeah. she-" he starts but he's interrupted by a shrill voice cutting through the air.

"what's going on here?" i turn to my fiancé's mother who's standing next to him. his arms are crossed with a pissed expression on his face.

"mother-"

"pleasure to meet you ma'am, i'm y/n's friend." theo politely greets and i don't think that's helping anything.

"we're going." my fiancé says and i nod, walking behind him without daring to look back.

when we get into the car i sit in the back and wait for one of them to say something or gang up on me but none of them do. it's only when he drops his mother off when he finally says something to me.

"get in the front seat."

i do what he says and take a seat right next to him. he still has that annoying scowl on his face as he looks forward and drives.

"what were you doing with him?"

"talking."

"that close?"

"we weren't even close. we we're talking normally."

"must i remind you that he is your ex?"

"he won't do anything. look, i'll cut contact with him immediately if it'll make you feel better."

"i'd appreciate that."

i sigh and sink in ny seat as i wait for us to get home.

————

the wedding date is getting closer and my doubts are settling in day by day. it's been nothing but arguments between my fiancé and i and it really makes me think if this is how it's gonna be in marriage. he's an absolute menace when we argue but he's charming when we're not, is that what's making me stay? or is it the fact that money has already been spent?

i feel overwhelmed and with everything amd everyone moving so fast, i just feel like i need to escape. i have to.

i stare at my phone, contemplating my next decision for a second longer before pressing call with instant regret. if i'm lucky, he changed his number, but-

"hello?"

"taeyang. i don't know if you still have my number saved-"

"y/n."

"yeah?"

"what's going on?" he asks and i close my eyes.

"uh, are you busy?"

"not really, no. what's wrong?"

"nothing, i just- can we meet up?"

"you know my address." he says and i smile to myself.

"thank you."

"no problem. i'll see you."

"bye." i hang up and go get my keys and purse before heading out.

i walk through the living room where my fiancé is sitting.

"i'm heading out for a bit."

"where are you going?" he questions immediately which stops me in ny tracks.

"i'm meeting a friend."

"don't be out too late." i hum and walk out to the car and drive down the familiar road to theo's place.

once i get there i take a deep breath before knocking on the door and wait for him to open.

"y/n. come in." he says, letting me in. i take my shoes off and walk into the apartment. not much has changed except the now white painted walls. "what brings you here?"

"hmm?"

"you sounded a bit off on the phone. what's wrong?" he asks me with concern in his voice and i turn to him. he gestures for me to sit on the couch and this reminds me of all the times i've come crying to him whenever i had a problem and how eager he was to help and comfort me, just like he is now.

"everything. everything is wrong, i just. i don't know..."

"what's on your mind?"

"all this wedding stuff, the doubts i have around it."

"you're having doubts about getting married?" he questions and i nod, feeling my eyes burn.

"i think we rushed things and, it's all just too much. i mean, i was over the moon when he proposed, i thought i was ready so i said yes."

"i think this is something you should tell him. let him know that you're not sure about this, you know, lay it all out. not saying anything is gonna lead you to that alter where you'd feel forced to say 'i do'. you won't be happy in the end."

"he'd try to convince me that it's just cold feet, that i'm stressed and that's what's making me think twice. or he'd take it the completely wrong way and think i'm breaking up with him."

"have you had a conversation that's lead to either of those kinds of scenarios?" he asks softly and i nod. "it seams like he's just scared to lose you."

"he shouldn't be. i love him."

"do you?" theo asks and i look at him and he's looking right back at me.

"i do..." i pause and think about my next answer.

"then why don't you think you're ready to marry him of you do?"

"you don't need to marry someone to show that you love them."

"maybe not, but to some, it is a show of how much you love them. that you're willing to commit to them and only them for the rest of your life." he explains and i think.

i've always believed that you don't have to marry someone to show how much you love them but when i was still with theo, i'd imagined myself walking down the aisle, exchanging vows with him. i imagined a life with him, with my fiancé i didn't think that far. everything with him has always been in the moment, even after he proposed, i was in no rush to start planning our wedding.

"i don't feel the spark anymore... i- i don't think i'm in love with him." i confess.

"and do you love him?" theo pressed further and i sigh.

that's a question i've found myself asking. do i love him?

"if you truly love someone, would you question yourself?" i ask and

looking back at theo and his expression doesn't change, well, other than the smile that plays on his lips.

"you're not happy in your relationship, are you?"

"i'm not. i genuinely have feelings for him but nothing quite like what i've felt before. he's genuinely a great guy but..."

"but what?"

"he's not you, taeyang." i admit and he takes my hand in his. "i can't love someone nearly as much as i love you."

"you know this is wrong, right?" he says and i look down at our joint hands. "you have a whole fiancé at home but here you are telling your ex you love him."

"tae-"

"i don't think i could ever love someone as much as i love you, y/n. it broke my heart knowing you moved on and even more so when i heard people saying you're getting married. i had to truly accept i lost you but you come here and tell me you still love me, get me all excited but you're gonna go back to your fiancé after this, pretend you're happy with him. how do you do it?"

"what?"

"how do you pretend you're happy when you're with him? you said it yourself right? he's not me. he can't love you like i can, can he?" he speaks just above a whisper.

"taeyang i can't-"

"you came here, felt that familiar feeling and then what? you're gonna leave, no?"

"i don't know how much pretending i can do after this."

"don't get my hopes up."

"i don't wanna be with him taeyang. not like this, not after this. you're the one i belong with."

he brings his hand to hold my face before leaning in and attaching his lips on mine and i melt into his touch, the feeling i've been longing for creeps back into my body. this is what i've been missing all this time but it's quickly taken away when he pulls away and looks deep into my eyes.

"i'm sorry, i'm sorry, i shouldn't have don't it like this. i don't wanna be your secret. if you're walking out that door, you're going with the intent of calling this wedding off and ending your relationship."

"you're right. you're right." i nod and i fix myself up.

"i'll go with you." he says and i nod and we walk out together.

[princesspastel8]

Chapter 52

Third POV

When everything settled, Eboni went to her room- opening her closet door. With a sigh of relief, Jeff is gone. Under any other circumstances, she would've wished that he had stayed. But right now- that would be too risky. With Alex having her room bugged, things are going to become difficult and uncomfortable.

Right now, Eboni is walking into an old video game store. Tiffany had given her another black card to buy whatever she wants- trying to make up for everything with money. She doesn't care much about crap like that. The only thing that matters to her is Jeff. Though, nothing wrong with treating herself from time to time.

However, Eboni isn't here for that. She glances around the store, noticing an old Wii hooked into a dusty looking tv located at the back of the store. She glances around before turning it on, smiling a bit at the game as it appears on the screen. A rather corrupt copy of the legend of zelda.

She begins playing the game, messing up on almost everything on purpose. Soon, the game begins to glitch, BEN flashing on the screen. The girl smiles, noticing how BEN attempts to try and jump scare her to no avail.

"Oh, cut the crap and come out. I need to talk to you, it's important."

That triggers BEN into realizing who's playing the game. The lights within the old shop begin to flicker as the screen to the old tv morphs - BEN's head poking out of it.

"Eboni? Didn't take you as one to be interested in vintage games nor dumb enough to play a clearly haunted game." He snickers.

"Watch it, Elf. I need a favor."

"Ugh... you sound too much like Jeff, but go on, I'm listening. Though....you could've just reached me from your phone."

"Did you forget that the cops have it already? What the hell are you on?"

"Xanax. Lil' bit of weed. I was about to do a line of cr-"

"Fucking junkie. Anyways, Imma need you to follow me using the wires outside. I'm going to Luna's place."

"The witch's place? Why?"

"Long story. I'll explain later. I'm sure Luna has some spell or shit around her house to keep beings like you out. I just need you to get a good look at her address and hang back for a bit. When Luna spell is down just a bit for you to come in, do it. I'll explain more later. Can you do that?"

"Yeah, yeah, you owe me a weed session, though."

"Always. Now come on. I hear the store owner getting closer." Eboni grins before turning the game off and walking away, pretending not to have seen a thing.

On the trail to Luna's home, Eboni can feel this odd lingering in the back of her head. She swiftly turns around, scanning the area. Her senses are heighten- having become far more paranoid than before. Someone is watching her, more than one person. Gulping nervously, she looks up at the wires- noticing the green flicks of electricity right above her.

Eboni smiles thankfully, quickly continuing her walk to Luna and Iris's home. When there she knocks on the door, not having to wait too long. Luna opens the door, greeting Eboni with a warm smile. The blue haired witch moves to the side, welcoming her in.

"E-Eboni?" Iris questions with a shy smile, moving to stand.

Eboni sighs, opening her arms. She knows the girl wants a hug. Iris jumps forward, nearly squeezing the life out of her. She taps her shoulder, and Iris lets go and giggles.

"S-Sorry, I just... missed you."

"Yes. We were so worried. Apologies for not being able to see you."

"It's fine. I'm sure you both had your reasons. Anyways, Luna - I'm gonna need you to lighten your spell so BEN can come through."

"You're referring to that video game demon? Why?"

Eboni walks into the living room, moving to sit in front of the tv. "I'll explain later when everyone is here."

"When everyone - ?"

"Just trust me."

Luna sighs, her blue eyes glowing faintly as she waves her hands. Eboni questions if she's done or not, but her question is answered once the tv in front of her begins to glitch. BEN forces his way through, leaving his lower half inside the tv.

"Ooooooouch! Are you sure she lowered this spell!? My body feels like it's on fire!"

"Shouldn't you be used to that? Being a demon and all?" Eboni questions.

"I drowned to death, not burnt - you know all that! Just hurry up and tell me what's up! I feel like I'm being ripped apart!"

"Hm...kinda like seeing you in pain -"

"Eboni, come on!" BEN begs.

She grins, "Alright, alright. The cops are onto me, and I need to talk to them about it. Alex also bugged my room and I'm sure bugged the whole house. We can't meet up at my place anymore. It's not safe. So go get them and bring them here. Just give them the address, and they'll know how to get here."

"Ma'am yes ma'am! Be back in five!" BEN said, zapping back into the tv.

"Eboni. What happened?"

"Y-Yeah... did Alex hurt you again? Did Taylor -"

"Like I said, I'll explain when they get here. Sorry in advance, Luna."

After a few minutes, BEN returns, forcing his whole body through the tv. He pants, arms, and legs stretched out as he lay on the ground - completely out of strength. BEN glances at Luna, noticing an odd glint in her eyes that brings a chill down his spine.

"You enjoyed that shit... didn't you?"

"Well-"

The witch's answer is cut short by the sound of glass shattering coming from up theres- followed by shouting and lots of swearing.

"Damnit, Jeff! I t-told you to b-be careful!"

"And I told you to fuck off! I don't gotta listen to you ticking freak!"

"Th-That was o-one of her favorite things..."

"And I should give a shit why?"

"She's a witch that could quite possibly kill us with just the snap of her fingers, you smiling idiot."

"Hm."

"My girl wouldn't -"

"Stop arguing and get down here!" BEN shouts, still buzzed.

The three young women turn their heads to the stairs, heavy and loud footsteps getting closer. The first to appear is Jeff, a wide grin on his face until he catches sight of all the weird decor all around the living room.

"What the fuck? Creepy ass shit-"

Eboni giggles, "Yeah. That was my reaction when I got here for the first time."

Jeff looks at Eboni, his grin returning as he walks straight towards her- stepping on BEN in the process but doesn't care. He scoops the girl into his arms and kisses her deeply. Eboni squeals, happily kissing him back.

Toby moves towards Luna, giving the girl a light kiss before wrapping an arm around her waist. Hoodie goes to Iris, kissing the girl on her cheek and moving to sit on the recliner hair - his favorite spot. He pats his lap, Iris shyly going to sit on his lap- curling up against his chest. EJ sighs, going to BEN and forces the demon onto the couch, looking him over since he looks more drained than normal.

"Her spell did this?"

"No shit sherlock ugh...Eboni get on with this meeting..." BEN grumbles, his glowing demeanor fading.

"I was only expecting Jeff and EJ to show...not those two."

"They overheard us talking and tagged along. Annoying, really." Jeff grumbles, moving to sit down and pulls Eboni onto his lap.

"Like I'd trust y-you anywhere near her." Toby frowns.

"If you haven't noticed, I got my own girl to sweat bullets for- fuck off!"

"Ok ok just stop it. Ugh, anyways I think I fucked up.." Eboni sighs, curling more against Jeff- the killer rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"How so?"

"They know we're connected in some way. Though I gave them a story that kinda...threw a few of you under the bus." She said nervously.

Toby raised a brow. "Y-You didn't tell them about us d-did you?"

"No! No way, that would drag Luna and Iris into this shit hole. I made up a story on Masky being the one that kidnapped me and, um....that it was EJ that saved me." She looks at Jeff. "I did say I saw you a few times during my captivity, but that was it."

Jeff laughs, shaking his head. "So you threw Masky under the bus! That means that trailer park trash knows what's up, too!" He snickers.

Toby chuckles, shaking his head. "Word does spread qu-quickly..."

EH looks at Eboni, crossing his arms over his chest. "Really?"

Eboni holds her hands up in surrendernce. "I had to make it believable so they'd get off my back! I went in without a plan... I'm sorry."

EJ sighs, "it's fine. I doubt they know much about me."

Eboni again looks around, averting her eyes from EJ's calculating gaze. The cannibal gawks, completely surprised. "....they do!?"

"They're smarter than you think."

"Told you, princess." Jeff sighs, flicking her forehead. "What else did you say?"

"I didn't deny my suicide attempt. I feed them the story on what Alex did. They didn't really believe me until I explained why Tiffany and Daniel didn't - ....can't take action."

"Wh-Why can't they?" Iris asks.

"His parents are their number one investors." Eboni shrugs. "Also...those cops seem to already be aware that there are more of you. They seemed more surprised when I admitted that you all may be connected."

The killers share a knowing look, Jeff grinning. "Good job, princess."

"Huh? What? Pretty sure I fucked up."

"You gave those fuckers something else to do."

"How we k-kill are different. Sl-Slenderman makes sure to give us all different sets of m-missions that fit our M.O."

"It's how the police have yet to figure out that we are all connected in a way. Working understand the same man." EJ shrugs. "I'd say you did pretty decent."

Eboni smiles from the praise she's receiving, which Jeff doesn't like at all. The only praise that should make her smile like that is his - no one elses. He's been itching to remind her of that and so much more lately- but the timing to do so never comes. He'll just have to continue waiting until the opportunity presents itself.

"Wait...hold on..Eboni, you said... that prick bugged your room?"

Jeff clicks his tongue, anger rising. "Yeah, that piece of shit is just asking for it!"

"Yeah, yeah, he did. So I'm kinda stuck. BEN, I want you to handle that, but you seem in need of a charge. So....I can deal with it a little while longer.."

Eboni lowers her head, picking at her nails. The thought of Alex watching her 24/7 is clearly uncomfortable. Jeff hates this tough act she keeps trying to front, especially in front of him. She should be able to let it all go with him, but she refuses. That only pisses him off more.

"You're more than welcome to stay here with us for a while." Luna offers with a kind smile.

Eboni looks up, hope in her eyes. "Really?"

"Yeah, I don't see why not."

"W-We know you're struggling. Pl-Plus, we know you don't want to be st-stuck in a house with your foster p-parents either." Iris stutters.

Eboni moves from Jeff's lap and goes to hug Luna. She smiles when she feels Luna hug her back in her motherly embrace, the feeling bringing calming memories of her own mother. Jeff watches, a frown edged onto his face. The killers notice how his hands seem to twitch as they rest on his lap. Jeff is, if not, the most overly possessive out of them off. Their surpised that he's managed to keep himself under control.

Unbeknownst to them, he's slipping. This self-control he forced himself to have is cracking away. The smiling killer hates how Eboni has others she can rely on, others she can trust. Why isn't he enough? He should be enough, but apparently, he's not. Just witnessing Eboni hug the witch like that is making his blood boil.

All she needs is him. All Eboni should long for is him. She shouldn't need others. Only him. Only Jeff. She's slipping from his grip, from under his control. He can feel it. Or maybe he's being paranoid, delusional even. Yet the way Eboni seems to attract attention and the likeness of others so effortlessly feeds his paranoia.

He opened up to her- gave himself to her. He became vulnerable only towards Eboni. He'll be damned if he allowed anyone else to get close to her, sweep her off her feet. There's no way in hell. Eboni Brown belongs to him. Her reason for breathing is because of him. He kept her alive, kept her around, and done so much for her. He should be enough....why isn't Jeff enough?

His eyes become bloodshot from lack of moisture. He continues to stare, his nails digging into his palms and his smile stretching to sicking lengths. Jeff is so close to snatching Eboni from Luna's arms, especially when the witch looks at him, tauntingly.

He's right. Luna is trying to take her away, get Eboni back onto her feet, help the girl find her own independence, and become less dependent on Jeff. She did warn Eboni about Jeff, yet the killer sinked his claws into her by then. Unlike Taylor, Luna cares about her wellbeing. She saw the future, though in bits and pieces, she knows if Eboni stays with Jeff any longer- her fate will be detrimental. Luna will do all she can to prevent it.

However, Jeff....isn't one you want to war with. He's relentless, almost never ending when he has a goal dead set in his mind. And right now, his goal is to make Eboni devote her entire life to him. To laugh for him, smile for him, breathe for him, and live only for him. He'll accomplish that - not matter the cost nor sacrifice.

"She has five seconds to let go of my girl before I rock her shit." Jeff thought to himself, yet Luna understood his warning but wouldn't be backing down.

Though Eboni seems to sense the tension and lets go of Luna. She moves back to Jeff and onto his lap. The girl looks at him, noticing the shift in his mood. She tilts her head, placing her hands on his cheeks - rubbing his jaw with her thumbs.

"You ok?"

"I'm fine, princess.." he hums, leaning into her touch while wrapping his arms around her - caging her against him. He looks at Luna, Toby now wrapping his arms back around the witch protectively.

"I'm juuuust fine...."

[harmonyckrs]

Give Me Back My Wife, Grim Reaper - Part 1

Rumors are, there's a special item in the Second Dimension that can bring your loved ones back from the dead. It comes with a price, as most things do, but I'm willing to pay it if I can get her back.

My dear Celeste. I can still remember the night she died, as if it had happened just yesterday.

One minute I'm cooking mac and cheese on the stove as a nice little midnight treat, the next minute Zoya's screaming and crying in the other room, and then the minute after that I'm digging through the rubble that used to be my house as I look for any trace of a body.

This was all my fault. Zoya marked it up to "faulty wiring in the house," and I don't think I have it in me to tell her the truth. So, this is the only way I can make up for what I've done...

Zoya: I don't get why you're doing this.

Harper: Well, it'd be fun to try something new for a change, you know?

Zoya: Fine. But you need to remember exactly what we're here for, and we can't have you slacking off on our mission! Everyone else in the Alien Abductee Rescue Team are counting on us.

Harper: Yeah, I know! And I promise I won't let you down.

Zoya: Cool. Anyway, have fun tomorrow with the weirdos who genuinely believe in psychics!

Harper: Zoya, one of our own siblings is a psychic.

Zoya: Sita was cursed by an evil witch, so she's not an actual psychic! This entire thing is just a scam.

Harper: Yep, sure...

*RING RING*

Harper: (Well, that was sure fast!)

Harper: Hello!...(quick! Think of a good name to call yourself! You know what, screw this! Just greet them.) How may I help you?

???: Yo! What's up, dude? How much time do you have? Because I have, like, a lot of questions.

Harper: Free all day, sir! What's your name?

???: Lazlo. And you don't need to call me sir, man. I'm on a first-name basis with every other psychic here...granted, it's only one, but still. What's yours?

Harper: (This man's definitely high.) I'm, um...

Lazlo: Oh, right. You need time to come up with a cool psychic name and all that, right? I can just get started with the questions and you can tell me your name later.

Harper: Yeah! Alright.

Lazlo: So first, there's this guy. His name's Vidcund, and he's my brother. Last night, he got abducted by aliens. Should've shown back up by the morning, but instead he's just gone. Any clue what might've happened?

???: Lazlo, I told you that calling a psychic isn't going to help. I bet he isn't even a real psychic.

Lazlo: Hey, Pascal! I don't see you doing anything!

Pascal: Because I'm trying to take care of the baby!

Harper: Is everything okay over there?

Lazlo: Yep! Perfectly fine, dude. So got any advice?

Harper: Well...my brother got abducted by aliens too, and we haven't seen him since. But I know your brother is still alive, and trying to find a way home.

Lazlo: Thanks, man.

Pascal: He's probably just lying to make you feel better...

The conversation was long. So long, that it somehow took up most of the day. But at the same time, it was quite entertaining. Lazlo was a fun person to talk to.

But eventually, I had to end the call. Because I needed to get something else done - to get in contact with Dr. Willow Vu, the world-renowed physicist.

Crystal: Hello?

Harper: Hi. Is Dr. Vu there?

Crystal: Oh! That'd be me. What's up?

Harper: I was hoping I could access some of your research. You see, my brother's got missing, and we think he may have been sent to another dimension after he got abducted by aliens.

Crystal: Oh...oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize you were referring to my mom. Unfortunately she died about five years ago, but I can search through her old files if that helps.

Harper: That would be wonderful! Thank you.

Crystal: Of course. You know, a good friend of mine got abducted a while ago too, and we haven't seen him since. I wish you luck on finding your brother. And I'll call you back once I find my mom's papers.

Harper: Thank you. And I wish you luck on finding your friend.

[lazysublimeengineer]

they said the end is coming (everyone's up to something)

Summary: I find myself running home to your sweet nothings.

One shot sequel from my finished Reosagi fic, “Betrothed.”

Characters: Isagi Y. & Reo M.

(A/N: Please be mindful of the tags. Any other unnecessary complaints or comments will not be tolerated as sufficient warnings were provided in the tags. This one-shot sequel was inspired by the song, ‘Sweet Nothing’ from the Midnights album of Taylor Swift. I don’t own anything from the franchise. Respective ownership belongs to Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura for this wonderful manga and Taylor Swift for this beautiful song.)

I spy with my little tired eye Tiny as a firefly A pebble that we picked up last July Down deep inside your pocket We almost forgot it Does it ever miss Wicklow sometimes?

“Issei! Is the Oyakodon ready? Yocchan and Reo are both here!” Iyo asked from the living room as she spotted the car by the gate through their windows and heard the honking sound of their car’s horn.

“Yeah! Already put it in on the bowl. You can meet and let them in now!” Issei replied from the kitchen.

Iyo went out of the door to open the gate and greet them.

“Yocchan! Reo! Just in time! Lunch is ready! Come in and park the car at the garage!” Iyo greeted them cheerfully as she opened the gate.

One of the chauffeurs opened the door of the car to let Reo and Isagi step outside of the car.

“Ma! I told you that we can prepare lunch when we get here. No need for you and Pa to tire yourselves out.” Isagi grumbled weakly as he gave her a light hug to which Iyo returned the gesture affectionately and let out a light chuckle under her breath.

“Nonsense! You two are practically our guests now into our home so I don’t want you both stressing yourself out from travelling here.” Iyo chided lightly before she redirected her gaze towards Reo who was bowing deeply at her.

“Okaasan. It’s good to see you.” Reo greeted her primly.

Iyo smiled softly before she approached him and gave him a light hug to which the other froze for a few seconds before he relaxed and returned it gently.

“You’re too formal. No need for that when it’s not the first time that you’ve met me. We’re so glad that you finally come considering on how busy you get.” She replied softly as she let him go.

“Ah, of course I am. It’d be a shame if we don’t get to visit here occasionally.” Reo rubbed his nape sheepishly.

It made Isagi grin slightly. It’s amusing yet adorable to see his own husband sporting an awkward yet genuine expression on his face. It’s different from the Mikage Reo that he presented himself as when he’s the CEO of their enterprise and faced a lot of people. This made him more reachable and saw another side of him that seldom other people see in him.

It made him feel special in a way that other people were not.

“Well, c’mon now you two. Lunch is ready and I’m sure you two are quite tired from the travel going here. Aren’t you going to park your car inside?” She asked.

“Ah, no. We can just call them on another time to pick us up when we leave.” Reo assured her before he faced their chaffeur and driver and gave them a go signal to finally leave to which they did.

“By the way, we have something for you and oyaji from Wicklow. Some knick knacks that you both might find useful and interesting.” Reo handed her a bag of souvenirs smilingly.

“Oh my. Thank you. You and Yocchan have been spoiling us with gifts whenever you visit us.” Iyo accepted the bag and inspected the contents curiously.

“Of course, okaasan. It’s a little treat from both of us whenever you and oyaji prepared something wonderful and delicious to us when we visit here.” Reo chuckled softly under his breath as they finally went inside.

Isagi couldn’t be any happier than the sight alone and wished that this simple and delicate moment could last forever.

They said the end is coming Everyone's up to something I find myself running home to your sweet nothings Outside, they're push and shoving You're in the kitchen humming All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing

The soft rays of the sunlight came peeking inside the window slowly from the small drape of the curtains on the side.

Reo’s eyes fluttered open and revealed a hazy hue of pomegranate tinted with cloudy sleepiness. He yawned and let his hand reach out to the other side of the bed where Isagi laid.

Only to find it empty beside him.

The remaining drowsiness slipped out of him, and he tried to get up from the bed to find out that he was the only one sleeping on the bed.

Huh?

He must be early again. It’s hard wired for athletes like them to get up early in the morning to start their routinary exercise before anything else even on the weekends.

Reo stretched languidly before he finally stood up and put on some slippers. He went inside the bathroom and gave himself a quick fix before he inspected himself in the mirror and deemed that his appearance was now an acceptable sight.

He finally went out of the room and a sweet, sizzling aroma permeated across his surroundings that made his stomach rumble and mouth water from the delicious smell. He followed the smell to where it was coming from, and it led him inside the kitchen where he found his husband humming softly under his breath while cooking something on the stove.

Reo leaned against the doorframe and watched in silent contentment at the peaceful yet radiant sight before him. He couldn’t contain himself any longer and finally approached him from behind where he wrapped his arms around his middle which earned a surprised squeak from the other.

How adorable.

“Morning. Why didn’t you wake me up hmm?” He whispered throatily as his tongue licked at the shell of his ear.

Reo felt him shiver against his arms and a smirk made its way to his face as he continued his ministrations, now kissing along the crook of his neck.

“And g-good morning to y-you too...” Isagi barely suppressed a breathy sigh and a soft moan from escaping his lips. “Don’t wanna wake you up when you’re sleeping like a baby... And I just want to make some breakfast for us... R-reo... Ngh... Haven’t you’ve had enough already last night...?” He croaked out.

“Hmm? You’re saying something?” Reo murmured distractedly as his eager mouth continued showering kisses along his nape while his hands grew bolder and wandered inside his shirt where he gently caressed his torso and earned a light gasp from the blue-eyed striker.

“Ngh... Reo... Does it have to be now...? Fuck... I’m still cooking here... Also, someone might see us.” Isagi breathed out shakily as one of Reo’s hands slipped out of his shirt and reached for the knob of the stove to turn it off.

“There. All done. And Yoichi-kun, it’s still early in the morning. Probably 5AM and no one would be able to see us here if we keep quiet unless you want an audience in here hmm?” Reo whispered seductively, of course he was just teasing him, he’d stop if Isagi outright said no.

However, it was the polar opposite. With Isagi’s words earlier insisting that he should ceased his bold yet teasing actions, his body said otherwise and seemed to linger more on his touch rather than pulling away.

“Stop being an asshole... We’re in my parents’ home you idiot...” Isagi tried to reprimand him, but it came out as a weak moan as Reo nipped along the sensitive spot on his neck which made him inadvertently closed his eyes and leaned closer to his touch.

“Hmm? I’m not hearing a no from you my dear husband. Just say the word and I’ll stop.” Reo replied lowly.

“Just... damn it... Get on with it quickly.... I’m not saying it again.” Isagi huffed out in a frustrated yet needy whine which made Reo smile against his skin.

Reo finally got to work and hoisted him up on the counter with ease. Isagi was sitting in the corner as Reo opened a lower cabinet to prop his foot on.

Without any wasting time, Reo gripped his hips and spread his legs apart and move in between them, catching his lips in a fiery kiss as he divested off his boxers and gave a one swift, thrust which made Isagi gasped and moaned out simultaneously inside his mouth.

With his insides still warm and slick from the aftermath of a heated night between the two of them in their bedroom previously, he penetrated him with ease and didn’t see the need to prepare him as Isagi’s quivering walls were stretched invitingly and accommodated the wide girth of his cock easily.

Isagi’s hands wrapped around Reo’s neck for leverage and support as he returned his kiss hungrily, letting the other’s tongue plunder inside his mouth and plow him against the counter wildly. His lecherous moans and sinful mewls were swallowed by their open-mouthed kisses.

Isagi’s legs quivered but kept it spread open to accommodate Reo’s throbbing length with his swift yet precise movements inside him which hit and abused his sweet spot repeatedly. This made Isagi’s head spin, and he saw stars in his line of vision.

Reo’s hands gently caressed and squeezed along his hips and thighs before he pulled his mouth away and broke their shared kisses to bite around the other’s shoulder lightly.

“Fuck...! I’m close... God, you’re squeezing me just right Yoichi...!” Reo groaned out against his skin.

“Ah— Ah— Ah— Reo...! Feels good...! Don’t stop please...! I’m c-close t-too...!” Isagi tried to keep his voice low, but he couldn’t stop the series of low moans and grunts of pleasure from escaping his lips.

With a one, last ferocious thrust, Reo’s body quivered and reached his climax, painting his insides with the hot, splashes of his cum. Isagi followed soon right after, a soft moan slipping past his lips as he reached his peak and splashed his load across their chests.

Isagi’s head fell into the other’s chest as he breathed raggedly while Reo loosened his grip on him but kept his hold on his waist for leverage and support as they both gathered their bearings.

“Fuck. If it’s you who’s going to serve my breakfast every morning, I don’t mind you doing it every day.” Reo remarked with a throaty chuckle.

“Shut up you idiot. You owe me a massage later.” Isagi shot back in fond exasperation.

They basked in the afterglow for a few seconds before they heard some shuffling sounds from the outside which made them freeze before quickly pulling apart and hastily putting on their clothes.

“Well, we need to clean this up... sort of little messy in here.” Reo commented as he reached for a rag and a kitchen cleanser inside the cabinet.

“And whose fault is that?” Isagi rolled his eyes playfully before he joined him in cleaning up the mess that they made on the counter.

“I guess I can make some bacon and eggs for today. What do you say Issei? Would they like it for breakfast?” Iyo’s voice from upstairs rang out.

“Maybe. We can probably add some waffles and—.”

Issei stopped midsentence as he spotted Isagi and Reo placing the freshly made breakfast on the table.

Iyo blinked owlishly at the sight as well when they arrived in the kitchen and dining area.

The kitchen looked also pristine and clean.

“Good morning, Ma and Pa. You’re just in time for breakfast.” Isagi said smilingly.

“Come and join us.” Reo piped up cheerfully as well.

“I guess we don’t have to worry about breakfast for today at all.” Issei remarked which made Iyo chuckle softly under her breath as they sat beside each other.

Reo stole a quick but meaningful glance at Isagi and caught his gaze.

Clandestine smiles were shared towards each other.

What a lovely morning for them.

Industry disruptors and soul deconstructors And smooth-talking hucksters out glad-handing each other And the voices that implore, "You should be doing more" To you, I can admit that I'm just too soft for all of it

“Do you even know how to do that?” Isagi sighed as he watched Reo placed the plant in the hole and planted it with a soil. The placement of the plant on the ground was not deep enough and was displayed awkwardly under the bright lights of the sun.

“Of course I am! What do you take me for?” Reo made an offended sound at the back of his throat. “I’ll have you know that I took great care of Nagi’s plant back in our heyday!” He added dramatically.

“Which was a cactus.” Isagi deadpanned before he scooted closer to him and took one of his gloved hands which was holding the garden shovel and guided him in adding more soil into the plant.

“You need to plant it deep enough that the top of the root ball is about one inch or something above the surrounding soil. Then add more soil and press it down to collapse any large pockets in the soil.” Isagi stated as his gaze was focused on guiding Reo’s hand in pressing the shovel down the soil that he failed to notice on Reo’s intent gaze on his face.

“So, do you get it now or—.” Isagi stopped midsentence as he finally faced him and clashed his azure irises against his mauve orbs.

Faint, pinkish hues colored his cheeks as he realized how deep Reo was staring at his face and at their proximity.

“Did you even listen or just gawk at me like an idiot?” Isagi grumbled out weakly as he looked away to hide the crimson hues that flooded his face.

A soft smile inched across Reo’s lips as he basked in the sight of his husband who had an adorable yet genuine expression on his face.

He can’t admit it directly to him but this was one of those rare moments that he enjoyed. Maybe the others would quickly surmised that the young heir of the Mikage Corp. Had always enjoyed and valued luxurious vacations and activities with his husband. He did enjoy them yes. As a person who grew up in vast wealth and opulence of their living, he was used to it and living for it. But he treasured more of these simple but memorable moments with him by his side.

When they’re here together, he was simply Reo, and his husband was simply Yoichi as if they’re not the renowned athletes all over the world and one of the most well-known, powerful couple in society magazines.

They’re just here.

A newly married couple who were sincerely enjoying their time together.

God, they’re just like teenagers sometimes who were going out on a date and getting to know each other.

But considering on how they started their relationship backwards, Reo didn’t mind it one bit.

He really didn’t if he’s got to be beside his lovely husband all the time.

“Not my fault if I find my husband being cute like this.” Reo replied playfully before he stole a quick kiss on his cheek.

“Wha—? Hey!” Isagi protested as his face was set aflame at the stolen kiss performed by Reo on his cheek. Sometimes he was still caught off guard by the other’s sudden display of affection, which he didn’t mind of course. He was still wondering how he bagged the Reo Mikage on his arms who was one of the most sought out bachelors of their heyday.

With a sudden streak of confidence striking upon him, Isagi quickly turned around to face and jumped on him which ended up Reo lying on the soft ground of the garden with him on top of him.

Isagi’s eyes fixed on the male’s face before a simple, yet genuine smile broke out of his lips.

As he leaned down and brushed his lips along his in a fleeting yet inviting kiss, he realized that he wouldn’t trade this kind of memory for anything else.

Not when their hearts were tangled with one another for eternity.

They said the end is coming Everyone's up to something I find myself running home to your sweet nothings Outside, they're push and shoving You're in the kitchen humming All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing

When Isagi tried to balance himself on the surfboard, a huge wave came crashing into him and made him lose his balance and fell off.

He was still coughing up a bit and shook his head off from the sand that caught his damp locks when he heard the light laughter of Reo from the shore which made him huff indignantly.

“What’s so funny?”

“Sorry, sorry. I can’t help it. It’s just that your kinda adorable when your washed up by the sea.” Reo raised his arms placatingly before he approached him and took the surfing board from his arms to place it on their spot under the shade.

“Don’t give me that bullshit. I know I’m a loser when it came to surfing but you won’t be laughing in the future once I get the hang of it.” Isagi replied petulantly, trying not to sound like a stubborn kid who lost at a game on the playground.

“Now don’t be like that my dear husband.” He chuckled softly before he took him by the arm and gently led him into the secluded, yet calmer side of the sea surrounded by large rocks.

“So, why are we here?” Isagi asked with an arched brow.

“To teach you on how to balance yourself of course.” Reo replied playfully as they both waded the serene waters.

“Right. I can smell your bullshit a mile from here.” Isagi scoffed lightly but there was lopsided grin tugging on his lips.

“I’m trying to be romantic here so stop spoiling the mood.” Reo complained lightly.

“It’s not my fault that you’re such a sap sometimes.” Isagi rolled his eyes playfully before he wrapped his arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

“I can just can never win with you sometimes.” Reo chuckled softly under his breath before he leaned closer and removed any gap between the two of them by claiming his lips in a deep yet soulful kiss.

Isagi reciprocated ardently, his mouth molding sensually against the other’s lips as he kissed him back passionately, his legs automatically wrapped themselves up on Reo’s hips as his hands tangled themselves on his damp locks and massaged on his scalp.

Reo wasted no time as he gently backed Isagi against a large rock which completely hid their compromising position.

Isagi moaned softly inside his mouth before he pulled away hesitantly and looked around.

“Are you sure no one will find us here?” He asked hoarsely.

Reo grinned playfully. “Of course, Yoichi-kun. I won’t be bringing you to this spot if there’s a bit of a chance that someone might see us. Or maybe you’re into that sort of thing?” He asked teasingly as his lips found their way to the pale column of his throat and showered it with featherlight kisses.

“It’s not that you asshole.” Isagi grumbled weakly as a shiver ran along his spine as he felt Reo’s eager mouth traipsing heatedly along his neck. “I don’t want some paparazzi feasting on us in their tabloids or magazines.” He gasped lightly as one of Reo’s hands found its way on his chest and pinched one of his sensitive nubs.

“Relaxed Yoichi-kun. No one’s gonna find us here and if there was I’ll make sure our glorious bodies won’t even make it to the papers.” He mumbled hotly against his skin and all Isagi could do was to surrender his will and body to Reo as he was getting seductively drunk on his kisses and ministrations alone. His body was reacting traitorously to the other’s proximity and touches and the rational part of his mind was slowly melting away.

“Fuck, you’re incorrigible sometimes.” Isagi groaned out.

“You mean insatiable my dear husband.” Reo briefly looked up and shot him a flirty wink to which Isagi rolled his eyes in fond exasperation.

“Just get on with it. Or do you want your dear husband to do all the work?” Isagi asked lowly.

“As you wish. I’m pretty easy to talk to anyway.” Reo replied huskily before his mouth dove down on his chest and let his mouth lavished heatedly on his skin and let his tongue encircled on one of his nipples and gave it kitten licks before sucking on it in a slow yet sensual manner which earned a half whimper and half moan from the other.

Isagi couldn’t help but to rub himself suggestively against Reo’s body to increase the heated friction between their bodies which earned a groan from the other and made one of his hands travelled down on his thighs near his cock to squeezed invitingly. This made Isagi twitched slightly against him and a soft moan slipping past his lips as a shot of arousal hit him through the roof as Reo’s hands brushed near along his cock inside his swimming trunks.

“F-fuck... R-reo...” His heart stuttered wildly inside his chest as Reo’s mouth and hands continued doing sinful things on his body which made his eyes swirl in pure ecstasy and want, his mind was hazy and faraway as it only wanted to be satisfied by the young heir’s sensuous actions on his body and senses.

“Can’t get enough of you...” Reo murmured distractedly against his skin, his hot breaths leaving a trail of fire in every fiber of his being.

“Reo please... Want more of you...” Isagi whined needily as he bucked his hips against him which earned a guttural moan from the other.

Reo unlatched his mouth from his nipples to look at him with a lazy smirk resting on his lips.

“I like that look on your face Yoichi-kun.” He cooed. “Can you beg again for me?” He added playfully.

A scowl made its way to Isagi’s face as he hit him weakly on his chest. “Shut up you dumbass or you want me to leave you here high and dry?” He tried to maintain the annoyed look on his face, but it was betrayed by his flushed cheeks and swollen lips which was sinfully wet and red from being thoroughly kissed earlier.

“Hey, hey. Now don’t be like that my dear husband. I’m just kidding. You know that I love you right? And I’m always at your beck and call.” Reo replied softly before he leaned down and bestowed a simple but reverential kiss which melted Isagi’s remaining petulance away and clung to him needily, returning his kiss eagerly.

Reo didn’t waste his time as he slipped down their trunks before he stroked his cock and let one of his hands wandered around his plump derriere going to his entrance. However, Isagi’s hand landed on his wrist and stopped him.

“You don’t have to...” He whispered faintly.

“But I need to prepare—.”

“Trust me Reo I won’t be needing it so better get on with it.” Isagi replied as he bit his lip as he looked away, his cheeks dusted off in pink hues as his own words.

Reo blinked owlishly at him as he deciphered his words before his eyes grew wide in realization.

“Don’t tell me...? Before we even get here you... you’ve already prepared yourself...?” He asked breathlessly.

“W-well, I didn’t rule out the possibility that we might get into this kind of situation so it's best to be prepared for anything.” Isagi mumbled under his breath, resisting the urge to hide his face as he could feel his cheeks burning at his admission.

Something flickered inside Reo’s eyes before a low growl escaped his lips.

“You’ve done well my dear husband but next time let me do it for you as part of my responsibility towards you.” He replied throatily before he hoisted him up against the rock and made him wrapped his legs around his hips for leverage and support. He licked his lips slowly as his predatory gaze raked over Isagi’s form hungrily before he gave a one, swift thrust and breached his velvety walls which earned a low but lecherous moan from them.

“God fucking dammit Reo...! Fuck!” Isagi’s hands quickly grappled on his back and let his nails raked on his skin which earned a low hiss from the other male. The feeling of being full hit him instantaneously as Reo’s cock stretched him to his limit and buried itself to the hilt.

“Damn it to hell...! Still fucking tight no matter how many times we did this already!” Reo groaned out as the fiery, yet addicting sensation flooded around his veins at the feeling of Isagi’s walls quivered and stretched itself easily to accommodate the wide girth of his cock.

Without any preamble, Reo pulled away and slammed back inside of him ferociously which earned a sinful moan and helpless mewl from the other male. Tears of pleasure and drool started to cascade down his face as Reo’s thrusts grew harder and deeper which came to a point that he was railing him recklessly against the rock.

“Ah— Ah— Ah— Reo! Fuck that feels so good! Don’t you dare stop! Hit there harder please!” Isagi couldn’t contain his moans and mewled like a bitch in heat as Reo plowed him wildly and abused his sweet spot repeatedly.

Reo immediately leaned down and captured his lips in a wild and dirty kiss, swallowing all the pleasurable noises that were coming out from his sinful lips.

Isagi kissed him back messily, letting the other’s tongue explore the insides of his mouth wildly. He surrendered himself to the mind-numbing sensation and delirious ecstasy that the other was bringing him in.

“Fuck! Yoichi I’m close!” He mumbled hotly against his mouth.

“Inside Reo! Please! Finish it inside of me!” He mumbled back, completely drunk from pleasure and lust that enveloped his entire being.

“Fuck! I love you so much! Take all of it!” He groaned inside his mouth as Reo’s body shuddered and reached his climax, emptying himself on his walls and painted his insides with the warm sensation of his cum.

A muffled mewl and moan escaped from Isagi’s lips as he was filled up to his brim instantaneously, reaching his own peak afterwards and splashed his cum across their chests.

For a moment, they stayed like that together with only their ragged breathing and thunderous beats of their hearts inside their chests ringing around their senses.

The cool draft of air and mild splash of water from the sea shattered the drunken haze that they were in and they decided to pull away from each other and redressed themselves. Isagi’s legs trembled beneath the water before a surprise yelp emitted from his lips as he felt Reo’s robust arms carried his quivering frame easily.

“Wha—?”

“Now I can’t leave my poor husband walking alone when he’s on the receiving end of our strenuous activities.” Reo remarked mischievously.

Isagi rolled his eyes playfully as he wrapped his arms around his neck and let the other carry him back to the shore. “That’s right. Pamper your dear husband along with a well-deserved massage later.”

“As you wish of course.” Reo laughed huskily.

Isagi looked at his profile. The setting sun reflected his face in a soft glow of orangey hues from the sky.

A simple yet tantalizing smile inched across his lips at the radiant sight before him.

“Reo?” He called out gently.

“Yeah?” Reo glanced at him before Isagi quickly took him by the nape and claimed his lips in a deep yet soulful kiss that meant to pour out of his love for one another.

“I love you...” He murmured against his lips.

“I love you more...” Reo murmured back softly as he returned his kiss that’s worth more than a thousand words of affection for the other.

They said the end is coming (they said the end is coming) Everyone's up to something (everyone's up to something) I find myself running home to your sweet nothings Outside, they're push and shoving (outside, they're push and shoving) You're in the kitchen humming (you're in the kitchen humming) All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing

(A/N: Yes, I know this one shot Reosagi sequel for my finished fic Betrothed is long overdue but forgive me because I’ve been ridiculously busy with my personal life and was distracted by other things. But here you go. Have some domestic yet spicy content of the married life of Reo and Isagi at your service. Reviews and kudos are much appreciated.)

[zizzlekwum]

Stranger In A Not-So-Strange Land

Masterlist

CHAPTER FOUR

Morgan is arrested for murder in Chicago while you're on crutches and recovering from the trauma of being buried alive. Follows the events of Criminal Minds Season 2 Episode 12 “Profiler, Profiled.”

Trigger Warnings: referenced racism; mentions of child sexual abuse

Word Count: 5,274

Tag List: @leftoverenvy @itsmeanobody @ctrljuls @theclassicgaycousin [if you want to be added to the tag list, please comment or send me an ask]

NOTE: Sorry for the late upload, I have not been having a good week. I hope you enjoy!

After about a week, you’re cleared to return to work, though you’re relegated to desk duty for the time being. You’re disappointed, but find you can’t really argue, given that you’re still on crutches. On your first day back, Garcia greets you with a bouquet of flowers, and Reid decides to treat you, JJ, and Garcia to a little Science Magic.

“Will you ever let us watch?” you ask, facing away from his desk as he prepares his experiment.

“A magician never reveals his tricks,” he says. “You guys can turn around now.”

You and JJ turn around to see an empty roll of film on his desk. You can hear something fizzing slightly.

“Nothing’s happening,” JJ says hesitantly after a minute.

“Shh! Watch!” Reid says excitedly, holding up a finger. You smile.

After another second, the cylinder explodes into the air, causing JJ and Garcia to shriek. Your eyes follow it as it flies through the air… right into Prentiss’ forehead, where she’s walking into the bullpen.

“Ooh!” she exclaims, rubbing her forehead. “Ah, what—?”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Emily,” Reid says as you, JJ, and Garcia giggle.

“What even was that?” she asks, looking around.

Garcia laughs. “Don’t you recognize a rocket when you see one?”

“I-I was merely demonstrating a physics law,” Reid explains. “I-I-I didn’t meant to hit—”

“Oh! Show me!” Prentiss hurries over and stands next to you.

Reid sits up straighter, grabbing another empty film container. “All right. Uh… well, turn around, please.”

“Turn around?” Prentiss says.

You laugh. “Yeah, he doesn’t let you watch.”

“A magician doesn’t reveal his secrets,” Reid says, echoing what he told you not two minutes ago.

Emily frowns but turns around. “I thought you said it was physics.”

“Physics… magic,” Reid tells her.

“Trust me,” Garcia says, putting a hand on Emily’s shoulder. “It will not do you any good to argue with him.” The four of you listen to the sound of Reid shuffling things around behind you until he allows you to turn around again.

“All right, all right,” he says. “Turn back and observe.”

You excitedly watch as the film container fizzles until it pops upward. JJ, Garcia, and Prentiss exclaim as it flies through the air. It lands at Hotch’s feet. He bends down slowly and picks it up, staring at you.

Uh oh.

You bite back a smile as Prentiss hurriedly walks away from Reid as JJ and Garcia turn around, acting busy. You simply lean on your crutches, waiting to see what Hotch does.

“Physics magic?” Hotch asks.

Reid gives him a sheepish grin. “Yes, sir.”

Hotch frowns, walking over to Reid’s desk. “Reid, we talked about this.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” Reid says.

Hotch places the film container down in front of Reid. He pauses. “Really starting to get some distance on those,” he notes, turning away and walking to his office.

Prentiss comes back over to you, watching Hotch. “So he does have a sense of humor?” she says. You snort.

“Sometimes,” Reid tells her.

“Hey, where’s Morgan?” she asks, looking around the bullpen.

“In Chicago,” Reid tells her. “He goes there every year for his mother’s birthday.”

Prentiss nods as you return to your desk, leaning your crutches next to it as you sit down in your chair. Prentiss follows you.

“Hey, how’s the leg?” she asks.

You shrug. “Mildly painful. Nothing a little ibuprofen can’t handle.”

“That’s good. Everyone’s been worried about you.”

“I’ve just been home watching TV and reading,” you tell her, smiling.

“Prentiss, Reid, JJ, Y/L/N, grab your bags,” Hotch calls, stepping out of his office. “Jet leaves in thirty.”

“Whoa, what’s the rush?” you ask, standing up. “We don’t even have a case.”

Hotch walks down the stairs and comes over to you. “Morgan’s been arrested,” he says quietly.

“What?” Prentiss says in disbelief. “Why?”

“Homicide,” Hotch says. “We’re going to Chicago.”

*   *   *   *   *

The two hours of the plane ride are filled with tension. You fidget in your seat the entire time. No one says much, all of you worried about Morgan. Hotch doesn’t know much other than the fact that Morgan’s been arrested, so he has nothing else to tell you, adding to the stress of the rest of the team. When you arrive at the precinct, Hotch wastes no time.

“Special Agent Hotchner, FBI,” he introduces himself to an officer at their desk. “I’m looking for Detective….” Hotch unfolds a piece of paper in his hand. “…Gordinski.”

Another officer at a desk behind the one Hotch is talking to stands up and walks over. “I got this, Chuck,” he says to the other officer before looking at your team. “How you guys doing? Wally Dennison, CPD.”

“Where’s Agent Morgan?” Hotch asks immediately.

“Detective Gordinski’s in with the suspect now,” Detective Dennison says. You and JJ share a look when he refers to Morgan as a ‘suspect.’

“I need to see him,” Hotch says.

“When my partner’s finished talking to him, sure.”

“I have your superintendent’s personal cell number,” Hotch says, not playing any games, “and in the interest of not running roughshod over another police agency, I’ve resisted calling him so far. I need to see Agent Morgan now.”

Detective Dennison plasters a smile on his face, but you notice the stiffness of his jaw, betraying his annoyance. “I’ll get Gordinski. He’s the, uh, primary.” He turns and walks down a hallway, turning the corner out of your sight.

“I don’t like them calling him a suspect,” Gideon says once Dennison is out of earshot.

Hotch gives a slight shake of his head. “Me neither.” You begin rubbing your hands together nervously.

“You’re stimming,” Reid says to you quietly.

“I’m anxious,” you tell him in response as Dennison comes back around the corner with another man you can only assume is the detective Hotch asked for.

“Detective Gordinski, CPD,” the new man says, coming up to Hotch and holding out his hand, which Hotch shakes.

“You think an FBI Agent, a BAU profiler, committed a homicide?” Hotch says.

“Actually, three homicides, at least,” Gordinski says, shocking you all. “Over fifteen years.”

“You-you think he’s a serial killer?” JJ asks incredulously.

“This is ridiculous!” Reid exclaims.

“I agree,” you add. “Morgan would never do that!”

“Has he been charged with anything?” Hotch asks.

Gordinski shakes his head. “I got 72 hours for that.”

“I’d like to see him,” Hotch says.

“Be my guest,” Gordinski says, moving aside.

“This way,” Dennison says, leading Hotch down the hallway and around the corner.

Gordinski turns to Gideon. “Agent Gideon, right?” He holds out his hand.

“Yes,” Gideon confirms, shaking his hand.

“I owe you a big thank you,” Gordinski says, walking over to another desk. “I had no suspects at all until you looked over my case for me, and sent me this profile.” He holds up a folder, walking back over to where you and the team stand. “Everything in it points to that son of a bitch, Derek Morgan.”

You grit your teeth at the name calling and share a look of shock with Prentiss as Gideon takes the offered folder, beginning to leaf through the pages inside. “I profiled him?” he asks quietly to no one in particular.

Gordinski nods. “It’s all right there.”

Reid takes a step forward. “Detective, a-a profile’s just a guide.”

“Yeah, this one guided me to him.”

“They’re really more useful in the elimination of suspects rather than the inclusion,” Emily argues.

“That’s not the way you presented it to me,” Gordinski says to Gideon.

Gideon shakes his head. “Well, if I confused you, I’m sorry.”

Gordinski chuckles. “I’m not confused at all.”

“Look,” Gideon tries again. “Whatever it is in here that made you consider Agent Morgan a suspect has to be coincidence. You can’t rely solely on this.”

“You’re right, I’m not,” Gordinski says. He walks over to another desk and grabs a slip of paper. “Fifteen years ago, I was a new detective. One of my first cases was a Black kid. Twelve or thirteen years old, found strangled in a vacant lot near here.”

“Boy was a John Doe, right?” Gideon asks.

Gordinski nods. “Still unidentified to this day.”

“Wait, a twelve-year-old kid that no one reported missing?” Prentiss says.

“Ever,” Gordinski confirms. “Four years ago, another body turns up, same MO. Worked that case just as hard, came up with just as much nothing. Nobody in the area had ever seen the kid before.”

“And no one’s looking for these kids?” JJ asks as you fiddle with the dog tags around your neck that you never take off.

Gordinski doesn’t stop to respond, never looking away from Gideon. “Then a few months back, I attended a seminar that you taught at CPD Headquarters. I told you about my case, you said to send you the files and you’d look ‘em over. This is the profile you worked up. There are about three million people in Chicago. Your profile said I was looking for a Black male, 25 to 35, with a knowledge of the area. Nonthreatening to children— either knows them or is normal enough that he doesn’t scare them. A probable criminal record. It also said that the way the body was placed gently on a mattress, not just tossed on the ground, indicated someone who was probably consumed with guilt. Especially for the first victim.”

Gordinski opens the file in his hand. “Your exact words are, ‘with a guild-ridden offender, the BAU postulates the first victim is the most important and the unsub may still visit the place of the crime or even the victim himself.’ Care to guess who visits my first victim every time he’s in town?”

“Can’t be just visiting the victim,” Gideon says, shaking his head. “There has to be more than that.”

Gordinski nods. “Sure. You said the unsub might try to inject himself into the investigation to keep tabs on it. Morgan has called our headquarters many times since he joined the Bureau. Always about this case.”

“So wait, he talked to you about it?” Reid asks.

“Headquarters,” Gordinski tells him, chuckling, though you fail to see what could possibly be amusing about any of this. “He’d never call me. After I got your profile, I checked airline records. Turns out Derek had just left Chicago when the other body turned up.”

“All of this is totally circumstantial,” you argue.

Gordinski waves you all over into a conference room, where a bulletin board is set up with pictures of a crime scene. “Then yesterday another kid ends up dead and the last person he was with was Derek Morgan. In the boy’s pocket we found one of his FBI business cards, his cell number written on the back of it. In fact, every time Morgan’s in town, he hangs out with kids.”

“This is all just coincidence!” JJ echoes your earlier sentiment.

“A hell of a lot of coincidences,” Gordinski says.

“As Y/L/N just said, it’s purely circumstantial,” Prentiss points out, glancing at you.

“So’s a fingerprint,” Gordinski says. “Did I mention that Morgan found the body in 1991? Hidden way back in a vacant lot? Now don’t you teach that when a body is hard to find, the person finding it is always a suspect?”

“There are key pieces of the profile that don’t fit, Detective,” Reid says. “Uh, the age, 25 to 35, Morgan was fifteen or so at the time.”

“Also says that age is the hardest to predict, and I should never exclude someone simply because of a discrepancy with the age,” Gordinski argues.

“Okay, but what about the theory that since he hadn’t managed to leave any evidence at the scene of the crime, that he probably has a criminal record or some kinds of previous law enforcement knowledge?” you point out.

Reid nods. “Derek wasn’t even in the Bureau yet when the first body was found.”

“He may not have had a knowledge of law enforcement, but Derek Morgan definitely had a criminal record.”

The team shares a look as Gordinski walks out of the room without elaborating on the bombshell he just dropped.

“Morgan has a criminal record?” Reid repeats, frowning.

“We’re dealing with a desperate detective here,” Gideon says quietly. “Three dead boys, no evidence at all. So he applies the profile directly to someone he already suspected. It’s easy to get tunnel vision that way.”

“One begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts,” Reid says.

“Oh, I know that one!” you exclaim. “Uh, Sherlock Holmes, right?” Reid nods.

“We need to figure out who really killed these boys before they decide to charge Morgan,” Gideon tells you all.

“What do you want us to do?” Prentiss asks.

“Last victim was someone Morgan was seen with,” Gideon reminds you. “Conveniently, Morgan was already a suspect in the other two.”

“You think someone set him up?” you ask.

“We should consider Morgan a victim. Prentiss, take Y/L/N and Reid to talk to his family, learn about him— especially around the time of the first murder.”

“Do we have the address?” she asks.

“I can take you,” Detective Dennison offers, walking over.

Prentiss turns to face him. “Oh, that’s okay.”

“No,” Gideon says. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”

Prentiss pauses, looking to Gideon. “Right,” she says with a nod, turning back to Dennison. “Okie-doke, lead the way, Detective.” She shares a skeptical glance with you as you and Reid follow them out of the bullpen to the door.

*   *   *   *   *

Morgan’s sister answers the door when you knock, letting you all in and introducing herself as Sarah. His mother and his other sister, Desiree, are seated around the small table in the kitchen, looking through a cardboard box labeled ‘Derek’s room.’

“Would any of you like a piece of cake?” Sarah offers.

“Oh, um, yes please,” Reid says.

“I would love one,” you tell her with a smile. She nods and walks to the fridge while Reid begins to look through the box on the table, gingerly moving a trophy aside with a frown on his face.

“Is, uh, Derek all right?” Sarah asks, handing you a fork and a plate with a piece of cake on it. You thank her quietly, balancing your crutches under your arms as you take it.

“He wouldn’t let us go down there,” Morgan’s mom tells you.

“He’s fine,” Emily tries to assure them.

“Our boss is with him now, trying to sort this all out,” you add, taking a bite of the cake. “Mm, this is great! The cake, I mean.”

“Did he tell you Gordinski’s been harassing him since he was a kid?” Sarah asks.

“Why’s that?” Reid inquires, taking a bite of his cake.

She shoots a glare at Dennison. “Well you’d have to ask that bastard yourself.”

“Oh, Sarah!” Morgan’s mother scolds.

“It’s true, Mom,” Desiree assures her.

“Sure it is,” Detective Dennison scoffs, rolling his eyes.

“What are you even doing in my mother’s house?” Sarah throws her hands up in the air in exasperation.

“They asked me,” Dennison tells her roughly.

“Not really,” Reid says through a mouth full of cake.

“Nope,” you agree, popping the ‘p.’

“I don’t understand how they could think he did this,” Morgan’s mother says.

You swallow another bite of cake. “Neither do we,” you assure her.

“Someone may be trying to make it look like he hurt those kids,” Emily says carefully.

“And the police believe it?” Sarah asks, incredulous.

Dennison shrugs, unphased. “Just following the evidence.”

“But he’s an FBI agent,” Desiree says.

“Actually, law enforcement officials are just as probable statistically to commit a crime as anyone else,” Reid tells her. “Look at the cross-section of society. There’s a general population and a small faction of this percentage—”

Prentiss interrupts him. “He’s not actually saying we believe Derek’s involved in this,” she says, pulling a chair out from the table and sitting down.

Reid’s eyebrows shoot upwards, only now realizing what he had accidentally been implying. “Oh, no, no, yeah, not at all!” he backtracks quickly. “I’m merely, um… speaking theoretically.”

Desiree chuckles. “You’re Dr. Reid, right?” Reid nods.

“Derek talks about you,” Sarah tells him, nodding.

Reid smiles. “He does?”

“Anyway,” Prentiss says, steering the conversation back on track, “so, someone may be trying to make it look like this was Derek.”

“But Derek loves kids.” Morgan’s mother shakes her head. “Every time he’s here, he goes to the youth center.”

“Youth center?” you repeat curiously.

“The Upward Youth Center,” his mom explains.

“Does that have some kind of significance for him?” Reid asks. Morgan’s mom smiles.

“What, are you saying there’s something in it for him?” Sarah says, folding her arms across her chest. “Other than giving back to the poor kids of your neighborhood?”

“Sarah!” Morgan’s mom chides.

“No, not at all!” you assure her. “Look, we’re your brother’s friends. All we’re doing here is trying to help.”

Prentiss nods. “When we ask a question it isn’t to denigrate or demean anything he’s done. We just have to know everything so we can figure out where to look next.” She smiles. “Is there some special significance to the youth center?”

Morgan’s mom smiles. “The youth center saved his life. My husband, their father,” she gestures at her daughters, “was killed when he tried to stop a robbery. Derek was with him, he was ten. A year or so later, he started getting into trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” you ask, setting your now-empty plate down on the table.

“He started running around with older kids,” she explains. “They would give him money to run errands for them. Um, not drugs,” she adds quickly. “No, Derek would never disgrace his father’s name.”

“But they were gangbangers,” Sarah adds. “So people started looking at Derek like he was one of them.”

“One night, he and a friend were attacked by some boys from another gang,” Morgan’s mom continues. “Big fight. And one of the other boy’s head split open.”

“And that was the first time Gordinski arrested him,” Sarah tells you. “Now, he wasn’t a detective yet, just a street cop, but from that night on, no matter what happened in the neighborhood, he’d pick Derek up for it.”

Dennison sighs. “Probably because he was involved.”

“The hell he was!” Sarah retorts as you turn to glare at him.

“Stan’s never arrested anyone who didn’t need arresting,” Dennison argues.

“He did,” Sarah insists. “With Derek.”

“Until Carl Buford stepped in,” Morgan’s mom continues, grabbing Sarah’s hand.

“Who’s that?” you ask.

“He runs a youth center,” Dennison tells you. You fight the urge to snap back that you weren’t talking to him, biting your tongue instead.

“He took Derek under his wing. Um, mentored him,” Morgan’s mother explains. “Became like a surrogate father. He taught him football, and that changed Derek’s life. He got a scholarship to college— with it, he got his degree.”

Emily nods. “Where is Carl Buford now?”

“He still runs the youth center,” Dennison says, and again, you grit your teeth.

“I’d like to talk to him,” Prentiss tells him, standing. “Detective, do you think you could take me over there?”

“Wait, just you?” Reid asks.

She nods. “Yeah. I thought maybe you and Y/N could stay here and keep going through this stuff.” The corners of your mouth twitch upwards— it’s the first time she’s used your first name, and you can’t deny that you like the way it sounds when she says it.

“Good idea,” Reid replies as you try to get control of your crush, which you’ve so far been able to keep under wraps. “Yeah, keep going through the stuff.”

“We’ll swing by to pick you guys up after we’re done,” Emily tells the two of you as Sarah gets up to walk Prentiss and Detective Dennison to the door. Reid sits down in Emily’s now-vacant chair. You adjust your leg, wincing at the movement. You fumble with your crutches, trying to pull one of the chairs out from the table until Reid steps in and does it for you. “Thanks,” you tell him, sitting down with a smile.

“Is it all right if I ask how you hurt your leg?” Desiree asks as Sarah returns.

“Oh, yeah, of course.” You nod, giving her a smile. “I, uh, I was hit by a car and then kidnapped and buried alive by a serial killer.” It only occurs to you how blunt you’re being when all three of the women in front of you gasp, Morgan’s mother bringing a hand up to cover her mouth. “Everything turned out fine, though!” you add quickly. “My team came through in the end and there was no permanent damage to my leg, so it’s no big deal.”

“We know Derek’s job is dangerous, of course, but….” His mother trails off.

“Oh, I wasn’t working with Mor- erm, Derek at the time,” you assure her, trying to ease her nerves. “I also work with another FBI agent and a team of scientists out of the Jeffersonian Institute, it was one of their cases.”

“Can you tell us a little bit more about Derek?” Reid asks, changing the subject.

“Oh, of course,” his mother says, smiling. “What would you like to know?”

“What was he like in high school?” you ask.

“Well, he had a rough time as a freshman,” Morgan’s mom tells you with a frown. “Came home nearly every day with a new injury. A black eye or a split lip or something else. But sophomore year on he was liked by almost everyone. When he was fifteen, he went door to door around the neighborhood to collect enough money to bury a young boy that was found dead.”

“Did he know the boy?” Reid asks.

Sarah shakes her head. “No, but he found the body.”

“That made him feel a little responsible for him, you know?” Morgan’s mom smiles.

“He’s a good man,” you tell her.

She nods. “After college, he worked for the CPD before working in the bomb squad unit.”

“That’s right, I remember reading that in his file,” Reid notes.

“That’s about it,” Morgan’s mom concludes. “There isn’t really much else to tell that you don’t already know, I’m sure.”

“How about you, Dr. Reid?” Desiree asks. “How were you in high school?”

“Well, I was twelve,” Reid says. “I, uh, didn’t really have any friends because they were all older than me.”

“I was pretty much a loner, too,” you add. “I had a couple friends, but that was about it. Never really bothered me, though.”

The conversation takes on a lighter tone as Sarah and Desiree share some of their own high school experiences, and you’re all laughing about a story Sarah is telling when Prentiss and Dennison return. You say your goodbyes and leave, heading back to the precinct while feeling better than you were before.

*   *   *   *   *

When you arrive back at the station, Hotch and Gideon are engaged in what seems to be a heated discussion with Gordinski.

“Buford should be that kid’s hero!” Gordinski exclaims as you, Prentiss, and Reid walk up to the trio.

“You talking about Carl Buford?” Emily asks.

“Yes,” Hotch tells her.

“Emily and Dennison just left his office,” you say.

Prentiss nods. “Yeah, we—”

“HEY!” you hear Dennison yell from down the hall. He walks back around the corner. “What, did we turn him loose?” You frown as Gordinski quickly walks past him and down the hall. You and Emily share a look of confusion as Gordinski comes storming back into the room.

“You let him escape?!” he shouts, his voice accusatory.

“What do you mean, he’s gone?” Hotch asks, frowning.

Dennison goes to the phone and dials. He puts out an APB. “Black male, 33, six foot one, name is Derek Morgan.”

Gordinski glares at us. “You’re standing there trying to convince me that a local hero is my killer while you’re letting my suspect dance out the back door?! I’m gonna charge all of your asses!” He stalks over to his desk and angrily picks up the phone, jabbing his finger into the dial pad.

“You have to tell your officers that Morgan’s not a threat,” JJ pleads with him.

“Like hell I will!” he says.

JJ spreads her arms. “But this—”

“Lady, as far as I’m concerned, he is a threat, okay?”

Your grip on your crutches tightens as you grind your teeth together. “He’s beyond reason,” you say quietly as JJ walks back to you.

“We have to find him first,” JJ agrees.

“Any ideas?” Gideon asks.

“You know, his mother said that Buford practically raised him after his father died,” Emily says. “Mentored him, took him on trips, spent all of his time with him. Basically became a surrogate father.”

You scoff, and everyone turns to you. Hotch stares at you, and you look right back at him, mentally urging him to understand, to not make you say it and betray Morgan’s secret. After a couple seconds, his face hardens and he nods, glancing at Gideon. “Jason, I think I know what he was afraid we’d find. Detective!” he calls. “We may know where he’s heading.”

You ride in the second row of the SUV between JJ and Prentiss while Hotch drives with Gideon in the passenger seat and Reid in the third row. You know you’re technically still on desk duty, but there was no way in hell you weren’t going to help Morgan. One look at Hotch and he simply sighed and nodded. You fidget in your seat, fiddling with your dog tags anxiously.

“What are you wearing?” Emily asks, nudging you.

“Oh, these?” You pull the chain out from under your shirt, showing her.

She nods. “Whose are they?”

You chuckle. “You’re gonna laugh,” you tell her.

“Try me,” she says, raising an eyebrow.

“I bought them online about two years before I woke up in this universe,” you explain. “They have Bucky Barnes’ information about it.”

“Who’s that?” she asks.

“He, um, he’s a character from Marvel comics,” you say sheepishly. “Captain America’s best friend.” Emily smiles but, to her credit, doesn’t laugh, allowing you to continue. “He’s my favorite character from the Marvel movies, the ones that aren’t out yet. I wear them to remind me to always keep going and to never give up. He’s been through so much and he’s still a hero, a good man, and, I don’t know.” You shake your head. “I know, it’s silly.”

Emily shakes her head. “No,” she says. “I think I get it.” She opens her mouth to say more when you notice you’re pulling up to the youth center.

“We’re here,” you say. You all pile out of the car and walk up to the building, following Gordinski as he quietly enters the back door of the youth center. He creeps forward down the hallway, but stops when he hears Morgan’s voice.

“…make sure there’s a hell of a lot to lose, don’t you,” Morgan is saying.

You hear Carl Buford’s voice come next. “I don’t know what you think you remember—”

“No, no, no,” Morgan’s voice interrupts. “See, it’s not what I remember that’s gonna hurt you, Carl. Our business is over way too long ago to matter. You’re protected by a statute of limitations and that’s my fault.”

“Then good night,” Buford says.

“You set me up!” You can hear the anger in Morgan’s voice. “You knew Damien Walters wanted James to call me about you. So you killed him.” Morgan’s voice gets louder. “You killed him because you knew I’d come after you, didn’t you?”

“Now you’re just talking crazy,” Buford says. You see Gordinski shift in front of you.

“God, I should have told somebody about you when I was a kid!” Morgan yells. “When you were helping me. Well, you know what happens in cases like this. Once that dam breaks, the flood comes. One kid steps up, just one. And then another one. And another. Because they’re not scared of you anymore. They know they’re not alone. James Barfield is your dam.”

“Whatever lies James told you—”

“They are not lies! You did the same thing to me!”

“I did nothing to you, to James.”

“One, by one, they’re gonna pile up until there’s so many accusations, you can’t say that they’re all lies!” Morgan yells.

“Do you have any idea how many kids I’ve helped get out of this neighborhood? Hm? How many lives I’ve provided! Look at you! You’d probably be dead by now.”

“Yeah, well, it wasn’t for free, now was it?” Morgan’s voice cracks and you grind your teeth together, wanting nothing more than to walk right up to Carl Buford and punch him right in his stupid face.

“I pulled you out of the gutter,” Buford says.

“I pulled myself out of the gutter, all the way to the FBI!” Morgan is yelling again. “I did that!”

“You sayin’ I had nothin’ to do with makin’ you who you are?”

“No, Carl.” Morgan’s voice breaks again, and you look up at the ceiling, trying not to cry at the pure anguish in his voice. “Actually, I’m saying you have everything to do with making me who I am. Because of you, I’m somebody who gets to spend the rest of his life making sure guys like you go down.”

“Look, Derek….” Buford pauses, and Gordinski carefully moves further down the hallway, stepping into the light behind Buford. “I never hurt you. You could’a said no.”

Gordinski steps up to Buford. “You’re under arrest, Carl.”

Buford spins around. “I’ve helped a lot of kids.”

“Let’s go,” Gordinski says, cuffing him.

Buford fights against him. “The neighborhood won’t be the same without me! It’s gonna be worse without the center!”

“Somebody’ll keep this center running,” Morgan tells him. “The neighborhood will. I will.”

“Wait! Wait!” Buford protests. “Derek. Isn’t there something you can do for me?”

Morgan glares at him. “You go to hell.”

Gordinski hands Buford off to Dennison, who leads him away. Gordinski gives Morgan a nod before walking after him. Gideon and Hotch step further into the room as Morgan turns to them. He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t have to. He turns and walks out the way Gordinski went, and Hotch turns to you.

“You should’ve told us sooner,” he chastises.

You shake your head. “It wasn’t for me to tell,” you say, shrugging. Hotch continues to look at you for a moment before turning and walking away. You sigh, following after him as Gideon motions you forward.

*   *   *   *   *

The team quickly packs their things and leaves the police station, heading for the jet. Morgan stays behind to spend a few more days with his family. The atmosphere on the ride home feels especially heavy, with everyone knowing what happened but no one really wanting to talk about it, wanting to respect Morgan’s privacy— or what little remains of his privacy, anyway. When you arrive at the airfield, Emily helps you down the stairs after you almost fall at the top. It’s after midnight by the time you get to your car, and almost one when you get home. You consider going to bed, but end up grabbing a bottle of Blue Moon from your fridge, wishing you had some harder alcohol in the apartment, and plop yourself down in front of the TV, watching reruns of House for a couple hours before finally taking your meds and going to bed.