#our landlord will not be happy and he knows that and i think hes too afraid

[beansnpeets]

There are a handful of houses for sale that Jon and I could reasonably afford. I sent him some links. I know some of them he's seen and even shown me, but he never wants to pull the trigger and go see them. I do think we could afford most of these places. They aren't acreages like we want, but we were never supposed to be in this shoebox for 5 years. It was supposed to be temporary until we found something better. But we never started really looking. We thought about moving closer to the city and looked at a place down there, but never went further than that, which is too bad because the place we looked at would have been really nice.

[icarusredwings]

Thinking about Wade googling, "Is my boyfriend a werewolf?" When things start getting colder because;

Logan starts nesting, curling up under 5 duvets, stealing hoodies, and fluffy hello kitty pants to add to it.

He's is extra growly and practically nonverbal at times.

Wade has witnessed him ripping up a pillow with his bare teeth, shaking it the way dogs do with toys. He now fears for his stuffies' lives.

When Logan starts instinctively devouring their kitchen, packing in food for the winter. (Wade has already gotten his hand slices off for poking fun at his weight gain and trying to grope his hips)

When they're out in public and he's visibly shaking like a leaf but snarls if anyone touches him (even on accident)

Takes hot baths and does not share them, wanting all the heat to himself.

Pops out his claws a lot more, for little things that he already is aware of that aren't threats. Perking up from whatever spot he's at to go investigate. Esspecially if puppins barks, it gets him twice as riled up.

The other day, he stood in the window growling because someone he didn't know was helping the neighbor fix their car.

"Wade? He's doing it again."

"Doing what ma- Oh for fucks sake Peanut."

He's at the window like a dog, growling and death glaring the mechanic, puppins is on the back of the couch, wagging her tail and yapping at them too.

"What has gotten into you two? Go on, off. Off! Shoo. Get. And you, go to your room, mister."

A huff of protest, but Wade already shut the curtains and picked up puppins. "Go on. You aren't going to just sit at the window all day looking for a reason to be all broody. It's not good for you. Look are you hungry? Ill make you some eggs. Go take a nap or something you're scaring granny over here ya big bad wolf." He sighs and with a final grunt he goes to curl up in the bedroom.

He also gets jealous the more attention puppins gets but he doesn't, lingering around the corner with a pout.

"That makes me riding hood, doesn't it? Yeah, Huh? Oh yes, it does. But litsen perfect angel, I know you're trying to be like daddy, but shhh! Were not supposed to have any pets, girl. No dogs allowed. It's bad enough that we have mister murder mittens trying to attack our landlord, let alone I had to tell him you were one of those giant New york rats." He tells the dog, who just licks him and was happy to join along in one of her papa's protective beefs with a random person.

Wade has only seen it a couple of times, but sometimes, after popping them out too much, he regrets it and licks his knuckles.

At first Wade thought this was just Alternate timeline Logan stuff, only to quickly realize that it was probably just in the Howlett genes, having been told that Laura also ripped up pillows and stuffed animals, chewing on them like a puppy and Gabby also licked her knuckles when they hurt from growing pains.

Apprently, gabby was a big whiner, too, whimpering instead of grunting most times. It made Wade wonder if she would grow up and grunt too like Laura.

[loveshotzz]

bouncer!steve x fem!reader steve’s night.

🎵 I finally found someone that can make me laugh, hahaha you so crazy, I think I wanna have your baby.🎵

summary: You’ve got a crush on the new bouncer at The Foxy Lounge. Turns out he’s not very good at his job.

word count: 13.6k

warnings: 18 + 90’s AU// Steve is in his early 30’s, Your date gets drunk and says some night nice things, some mild violence (bar fights), possessive steve, fingering, smut (p in v) cream pie, ass eating (f! receiving), oral (f! receiving), dirty talk.

authors note: It’s finally here! Part two of Whatta man! Steve’s night. You don’t have to read Eddie’s Night to read this one, I just think it’s more fun if you do 😉 There’s LOTS of bartender!eddie in this fic if you miss him though. (he’s your bff) This part has been a long time coming (since march lol) and I’m so happy to finally share this with you. Thank you to all of my friends who have had to listen to me talk about this for months and all of you guys who have sent me asks about our favorite boys at the foxy lounge! I wouldn’t of been able to do this with out your endless support, and excitement for this little world. Thank you, ily forever 💗

The perks of moving into the apartment that presides above The Foxy Lounge were vast for a single girl like yourself, but the perks of becoming friends with the bartender that worked there seemed to make them endless. 

Memorized orders and free drinks when he was feeling nice (which he almost always was), he wore the crown of wingman of the century with pride, Eddie always made sure you had a good time. It was days like today that were your favorite though, heading home from a shitty morning shift at work, you weren’t surprised when you tugged on the front door an hour before open and it wasn’t locked. The annoyed look on his face told you he wasn’t either. An irritated groan leaves his chest at the carelessness of the owner and your landlord before popping the caps off two beers with ease. The loud clink of metal to glass echoes in the empty bar, as he flips his bottle opener between his fingers like muscle memory stuffing it in his back pocket.

“He’s gonna get us robbed one day, and I’m just gonna take my favorite bottle for damages and let them have the rest at this point.” His smile shows the lack of truth behind his words when you sit in the stool in front of him.

“Lucky for the both of you, it’s always just me.”  Winking when you take a swig, the bitter liquid and the company eases the bad day out of your bones almost instantly.

The beginnings of a relaxed sigh start to push past your lips when the jarring sound of his rings slapping against the wood of the bar to the tune of a drum roll has you tense right back up. You’re unable to stop the slam of your beer before deadpanning, “you know I hate when you do that-“

“My best buddy Steve starts tomorrow night, I finally got Rick to say yes.” Eddie’s excitement has him vibrating when he cuts you off to tell you the news of the latest Foxy Lounge employee. “You’re gonna have such a crush on him. I’m calling it now.” The smirk on his face and the arch of his brow dare you to challenge him as he leans forward into your space.

Rolling your eyes with a snort, you start picking at the white sticker wrapped around the bottle. 

“As if you know my type, Munson.” You can’t control the twitch of your lips the second the words leave your mouth when you finally dare to meet his amused gaze.

Eddie knew your type better than anyone else. Watching the men and sometimes women you’d bring upstairs weekend after weekend. He had you pegged and the Cheshire smile on his face told you he knew it too.

“I can hear it now.” He changes the pitch of his voice so it sounds like a bad version of yours before he continues with an exaggerated batting of his lashes, “Oh Eddie, Steve is just so dreamy. Do you think he thinks I’m cute? Will you talk to him? Come on Eddie!”

“I do NOT talk like that, asshole!” Launching a handful of bar nuts at him, he raises his hands in mock surrender shaking out the few that got stuck in his hair with a booming laugh.

“I don’t think that's a nice way to treat the guy who not only didn’t kick you out but also gave you a free beer before we opened, sweetheart.” His dimpled grin and perfect smile almost has your stomach in butterflies.

“I basically live here, besides your boss is the one who left the door unlocked. Maybe it’s a good thing you’re upping your security around here,” you tease, gulping down the rest of the beer before sliding the empty bottle over. 

“We’ll see about this Steve guy you won’t shut up about, who knows Eddie, maybe it’s you who’s got a crush.” 

Sweeping up the mess you made behind his bar he smirks before wiggling his brows.

“Everyone’s got a crush on Steve, baby.”

The pink fluorescent lights of the Foxy Lounge sign that hangs outside your window paints your studio in a blush tinted glow. It bleeds through the sheer floor length curtains, softening its harshness in a way that you liked. The darkness outside always makes it shine brightest around this time, a constant fight with your overhead lamp before bed. Your eyes catch the glaring red numbers on your clear digital clock reading 8:45pm.

Shit. You’re late.

No Doubt’s I’m Just A Girl plays loud enough through your boom box speakers to drown out the murmurs of the bar downstairs that spill through the slight crack in your bedroom window. You finish the last touch ups to the bubble gum colored gloss that coats your lips, smacking them together loudly. You give yourself a sweet smile in the mirror before fluttering your lashes for good measure. The finishing touch.

Finally feeling ready enough to leave, you adjust the black velvet choker around your neck with lavender painted nails. They highlight the lime green tube top that wraps around your chest as you pull at your black maxi skirt that sits above your hips hugging your curves just right.

You give yourself one last once over while you slip on your clunky Steve Madden slides, telling yourself the whole time you didn’t get all done up for the new bouncer. Instead you tell yourself it’s because you want to get lucky with the guy that invited you to get last minute drinks conveniently at the bar you above.

Turning around to give your studio apartment the safety check, you shuffle over your baby blue carpet with loud clacks from your sandals to hurriedly straighten your pink comforter and snuff out your incense. Grabbing your bag, you rush out with a flip of the light switch, only getting two steps away before having to pop back in to grab your keys hanging by the door.

The platforms on your slides are heavy as you make your way down the staircase, the narrow hallway bouncing your steps off the walls despite the cushion of the ugly brown carpet. One hand on the banister and the other dragging along the wall for balance, you pick up your pace barreling towards the door. Pushing it open with more force than normal, you hit something on the other side, hard.

An oof and the sound of plastic skidding across the sidewalk is followed by the crash of a stool that must’ve belonged to whoever was sitting on it. Stepping onto the pavement with a clack from your sandals, you stop in your tracks when you see his broad shoulders first. Bent over, you watch him collect what looks like an orange Tamagotchi, stuffing it quickly in his back pocket before brushing the dust off his dark denim clad thighs. The way he fills his jeans has your mouth dry up and his muscles flex under the black cotton shirt that wraps tight around his torso, the seams barely containing what’s underneath. Turning around he runs a big hand through his honey colored locks that stop just below his ears, pushing the fly aways from his face while the shine of the street lamp highlights his cheekbones and sharp jaw.

God you hated when Eddie was right.

Hazel eyes rake over your form while yours follow the freckles that run along his neck that lead to small moles placed like a cluster of stars along his jaw. His chiseled nose runs down a narrow line with lips tinged pink like his cheeks. The expression on his face going from irritated to flirty in a matter of seconds flat, the whites of his teeth showing when he gives you an easy smile.

“I’m - oh my god, I’m so sorry. I’m running late and no one is ever sitting there and I - Are you okay?” Talking a mile a minute, you hate that he has your nerves getting the best of you.  

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Raising his hands up to stop you, the press of your thighs is instant when you see the silver band wrapped around the thickness of his middle finger. “No apologies necessary, it was an accident, honey.”

The endearment leaves his mouth while his lips turn his smile crooked, and it makes you dizzy. Bending down to grab the stool off the ground, a matching chain slips out from under his shirt and the glow above gives you a glimpse at the patch of thick chest hair hidden from sight.

“Besides, it’s not the first time a pretty girl has knocked me on my ass.” Folding his arms across his pecs, he leans against the brick of the bar crossing his legs at the ankles. The black boots that cover his feet look big and menacing despite his disposition.

Biting your bottom lip into a smile, you look up at him through shy lashes and you swear you hear him sigh at the sight.

“Well as long as you’re okay-“

“Steve,” he offers his name with a flash of his teeth again, a spark lighting in his eyes when he sees the way you react to it.

“Well you’ll probably see my face around here a lot,” you say, doing your best to ignore the way your cheeks burn.

“I sure hope so.” Pulling a toothpick out of his back pocket, he slides it between his lips. Jaw clenching when he bites down on the wood while his eyes roam your curves again before offering you another grin.

It makes you do one thing a man has never made you genuinely do. You giggle. Tucking your hair behind your ear, you hardly recognize yourself anymore.

“I was gonna say, 'cause I live upstairs.” Your voice is sweet despite the roll of your eyes, his jaw clenches against the wood. He liked that.

He only breaks his stare to follow the path of your finger, his eyes lingering on your open window for a second before bringing all his attention back on you. The tension grows even thicker when he kicks off the wall, realization hitting him. The soles of his boots are loud against the pavement when he closes the distance between you with two long strides. Getting close enough to smell the cinnamon on his breath, and the expensive cologne that lingers on his bronzed skin, you forget all about your date waiting for you inside. 

“Eddie’s told me all about you.” Using the tip of his tongue, he pushes the toothpick to the other side of his mouth, his smirk telling you all you need to know.

“That’s funny, Eddie’s told me about you too,” you lick your lips, tasting the fruit of your gloss as you look up at him from under hooded shimmering lids, “Steve.”

He inches just a little closer to teeter on the edge of what’s appropriate before responding, “Oh yeah? Did you like what you heard baby?”

His smile is as sinful as it is blinding. A darkened gaze locked on yours as he pulls the tooth pick out his mouth letting the sharp end snag his bottom lip before stuffing it in his back pocket again.

The electricity in the air sparks and fizzes, standing close enough to see the freckles that line his nose and the specks of glitter smattered in a similar pattern on your cheeks. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Raising an eyebrow, your response has him sucking his teeth before rolling his tongue against the inside of his cheek accepting your answer with a nod of his head.

Pulling out a small red flashlight with a soft click of the button at the end, white light floods the dark. The beam roams over the expanse of your body with a purposeful path before stopping at his outstretched hand.

“I.D.?” Amusement evident in his voice, he wiggles his fingers at you keeping up with his charade. The motion daring to make a mess of your underwear.

You try to cover up your laugh with a fake scoff, making it come out loud enough for him to snort. Your lips twitch as you try to fight the losing battle with the smile threatening to break across your face. 

“What? I need to be careful here sweetheart. It’s my first night, I gotta make sure you’re really who you say you are, and not just some pretty girl trying to flirt her way inside.” He keeps the perfect poker face while he tuts at you to hurry up for the invisible line behind you.

“Would it have worked?” you ask handing him your driver’s license, wincing internally at the picture he is about to see.

Brushing his fingers against yours when he takes it for closer examination, he huffs out a laugh before looking down at you with a smug grin.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” He winks like an expert before making a big show of bringing your ID close to his face like it might be a fake.

Tsking to himself as he reads it over, he peeks over at you with a sly smirk. “A whole year older than me. Good for you, I like older women.”

Closing the space that developed when you had to dig in your purse, you snatch the plastic out of his hand, relishing in the way his breath hitches because of it. “I’m shocked you can read Steve, Eddie’s taste can be a bit…shoddy.”

“I think I’m pretty good at it actually, I’m good at reading a lot of things.” Ignoring your jab he’s quick to regain his confidence. “Things like, I don’t know, body language.” The spice of the cinnamon returns when he pulls out his toothpick again. He flashes you his pearly whites when he bites down, keeping his eyes locked on yours, a silent dare to prove him wrong.

Like magnets finding each other, the toes of his boots brush against your sandals. When did he get this close again?

Mariah Carey’s Fantasy cuts off any witty response that sits on the tip of your tongue as the bar door creaks open, rudely snapping you both back to reality. A boy who looks barely above the legal age is the culprit for popping your bubble, stopping dead in his tracks when the flirting bouncer’s attention redirects itself to where it should be. You already miss it.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up, punk.” Grabbing the kid by the collar of his shirt, he mutters a ‘shit’ under his breath. 

You take a step back, your eyes meeting Eddie's from inside, the commotion catching his and a few other patrons' stares, including your date.

Oh yeah, you had a date.

“I’m gonna need to see some I.D.” Steve’s voice drops deeper after he clears his throat, if his tamagotchi didn’t beep right after, signaling it’s need to be fed it would’ve been more intimidating. Your own digital pet buried at the bottom of your bag probably doing the same, already reborn fresh this morning from forgetting it at home while at work the night before.

“Umm, you see, I left my wallet at home,” the kid starts to stammer, the metal of his braces showing when he gives the bouncer a nervous grin.

Almost forgetting he had an audience, Steve’s eyes meet yours, softening before that million dollar smile takes over his handsome face.

“You’re free to go in. You know where to come when you wanna talk about all those things you liked hearing about me.”

Your stomach flutters despite the roll of your eyes at his words and you're reminded crossing the threshold that you’re here to meet another man, already scolding yourself for not taking Eddie’s warning seriously.

“I bet you’d like that wouldn’t you, Steve?” You linger in the door frame, looking at him from over your shoulder, and it makes the corners of his eyes crinkle.

“You already know the answer to that, gorgeous.” His toothpick switches sides again before finally going back to doing his job, tugging the kid closer.

“I.D. or no entry dick head.”

Despite there being no line outside, the bar was pretty full. The low buzz of conversation before the drinks really start to hit filling the crowded space. Mariah finishes her last high note when your eyes connect with Eddie’s before meeting Devin’s. He’s dressed like Danny Tanner and it makes you cringe. Pushing up his wire frame glasses, he waves so eagerly the Salmon’s that cover his dress shirt look like they're swimming in the background rapids with the movements of his arm. He’s completely oblivious to Eddie mocking him behind his back, mouthing ‘DORK’ with a shit eating grin before finally attending to the girl with smeared makeup that had been desperately trying to get his attention from the other end of the bar.

You take a deep breath, readjusting the strap of your bag before you push your chin up making your way over. Determined to have a good time, you put on your best face, returning his wave with forced enthusiasm while Steve’s smile etches itself into your memory permanently.

Paula Abdul’s Vibeology starts pumping through the speakers around you, the sticky floor vibrating with the bass under your sandals as you sway your hips to the beat. He stands up when you approach his spot at the bar and you notice his button up is tucked into mustard colored corduroy slacks, and it makes you miss the tight fitting denim of the man outside even more. Shaking your head to try and get rid of all the thoughts swirling in your head about the guy you weren’t on a date with, you desperately try to match Devin’s excited energy when he opens his arms for a hug.

“I was starting to get worried you were standing me up.” He laughs nervously as you tuck yourself into his chest. Your eyes peek over his shoulder meeting Eddie’s again as he slides your favorite drink over (tequila and pineapple), and god you wish you hadn’t.

Wiggling his eyebrows, you flip him the bird behind Devin’s back watching the bartender pretend to catch it and put it in his pocket making your eyes hit the back of your skull.

“No, sorry, I just lost track of the time.” Not a total lie you leave out the fact that you forgot about him completely just a few minutes ago. Pulling away, you avoid his eyes, too scared they’ll give you away.

“All is forgiven, pretty lady.” He bows slightly, and you have to ignore the way Eddie snorts as he walks past with hands full of Miller Lite.

“You’re so sweet,” cringing at how fake your voice comes out but Devin doesn’t seem to notice as you both take your seats, knees barely touching between the space of the stools.

“Thanks for agreeing to drinks tonight, I’ve been wanting to ask you out for a while now. Just didn’t know, w-with office etiquette a-and all,” stuttering, his nerves get the best of him. He tries to hide it behind a sip of his beer.

“No, I’m, I’m glad you did,”you lie, your eyes flicking to the door one more time before grabbing your drink. An awkward silence settles between the two of you as you press your lips to the rim to slurp at the top to prevent any spill over.

God, you already want this to be over.

The conversation does get easier after your first drink, the flirting a little less forced as your hand finds its way to squeeze his thigh when you laugh at something he says that’s only half funny. Choking on the foam from his beer from your sudden touch, he wipes his mouth bashful from his outburst. Eddie murmurs a “go easy on him tiger” when he gets you a refill, earning him your bratty tongue. 

“So you transferred here last year from Portland, right Devin? What’s it like over there?” Resting your chin on your knuckles, you look up at him from under your lashes enjoying the way it makes his breath catch.

“It was- It was a lot different from here…”

Finally on your A game, you try not to pay attention when the front door opens behind your date. It’s to no avail when you catch his figure in your peripheral and you can’t fight it anymore. All the progress you’ve made going out the window when Steve makes his first reappearance since your arrival. 

Toothpick replaced with what looked like Big Red chewing gum, his hazel eyes scan the crowd before landing on you. The smirk that you’d been trying to forget tugs at the corners of his lips, and any luck that Devin might have had with you tonight disappears like that.

The bouncer looks pointedly at the man beside you, sizing him up, smile stretching wider when he assesses his threat. Leaning against the wall, he crosses his arms across his chest so the sleeves of his shirt look like they are being pushed to their limits as the muscles in his biceps flex. Hips pushed out in a way that’s daring you to look below his waist, he throws you a wink with a snap of his gum.

“...So yeah, that’s the long and short , it,” Devin finishes with a proud smile and you just nod, not catching a single word he said.

Steve’s stare is relentless, and your body responds to it without you having to even meet his gaze. His tongue swipes across his bottom lip, jaw clenching with every hard chew of his gum. Pushing himself off the wall, he starts a slow walk towards you. Big heavy steps bring him closer, every thud of his boots making your thighs clench, as you try desperately to stay concentrated.

Your date’s in the middle of another story that sounds like white noise, your lack of attention making him a babbling mess. He doesn’t notice the way Steve stops next to him first, giving him a once over from up close to make sure he wasn’t missing something from afar before coming up to you with the kind of smile that’s dripping with trouble.

“....So the logistics of it are kinda crazy when you think-“

“Just checking on my pretty new friend over here,” Steve cuts Devin off, not interested in anything but you. His large hand finds the small of your back, his palm almost big enough to cover the exposed skin between your skirt and top. It sends a shiver up your spine that the pad of his thumb soothes when it rubs circles over your sprouting goosebumps. “Having a good night, baby?”

The pet name falls so smoothly off his tongue that it takes Devin a minute to realize that it even left Steve’s mouth, a scowl souring his face when he sees the way your eyes glaze over looking up at the bouncer. 

“Yeah, I’m having a real nice time Steve.” Sucking your bottom lip between your teeth, he notices the subtle way you lean into his touch. Your body needy for more.

“You better be.” He winks, letting the blunt ends of his nails scratch along your back before adding salt to Devin’s wound, “And you know where to find me if that changes.” 

There’s a knowing smirk that plays on the edges of his mouth, biting his lip he finally tears his eyes away from you to give a head nod to the date you’d forgotten about for the second time tonight. Steve tosses him a wink too, a gesture that makes Devin’s jaw clench. Steve opens his mouth to say something that was sure to piss him off more, but he’s cut off by the sound of Eddie’s rings slamming hard on the bar behind you. 

“Dude! What the fuck are you doing inside? Do you know how many people have walked in without getting checked? It's PEAK hours!” The bartender's eyes are frantic, fingers running through his curls as he yells at his friend. “Quit flirting and go do your job. Also, is that a fucking kid man?”

Eddie points to the boy that the bouncer stopped earlier who was snooping around abandoned tables in search for leftovers he was definitely not of legal age for, Steve’s cheeks tint the color of your lipgloss when he looks at you with sheepish eyes. The confidence he was dripping with disappears into embarrassment while doing his best to ignore the smug look on your date’s face.

“Calm down man, it was three minutes! I’ll get rid of the fuckin’ kid. Again.” He rubs the back of his neck as he walks away, stalking towards the boy who looks like he’s seen a ghost. “Hey asshole! You must’ve grown eight years in twenty minutes for me to be seeing you here!” 

The boy raises his hands up in surrender slowly backing away, giving Steve an opportunity to turn around to toss you one last smile and wiggle his fingers at Devin before focusing on the high schooler who is already halfway out the door. The kid's walk turns into a run when Steve cracks his knuckles for show, following him out with long strides, disappearing back outside and out of sight.

You’re left with awkward silence between you and your date as Eddie stomps away muttering under his breath. Devin clears his throat, twirling his beer, the glass against the wood making a sound that starts to grate on your nerves. He’s daring you to look at him. The huff he exhales afterwards begs you to look. Your mind races with ideas of how to get out of this and when you dare to finally take a peek, he’s looking forward, emptying the last of his bottle.

“I’m gonna go smoke a cigarette!” You blurt out, grabbing your bag and leaving no time for a response. Your sandals clack as you power walk to the door. To Steve.

The summer night is sticky on your face when you step out of the bar, the sound of a girl’s sniffled “You’re right Steve” directing your stare to the bouncer you were looking for. Sitting on the very stool you knocked him off of, his big boots sit on the lowest footrest with his knees spread wide. Inviting. His eyes connect with yours, widening a bit when you smirk at him while getting yourself comfortable on the brick wall on the opposite side of the door. Digging your cigarettes out of your purse, you notice the girl next to him has mascara running down her cheeks that she only makes worse when she wipes them with the back of her hand. 

“You know Maryanne, it sounds like this isn’t the first time he’s done this to you. I think it’s time to kick him to the curb. You deserve better.” He speaks to her like they’ve been friends their whole lives and you have no idea how he’s learned so much about her in the few minutes he’s been outside. Crossing his arms as he leans back enough for the legs of the stool to pull up, he catches himself with his shoulders against the wall behind him. 

“He sounds like a chump if you ask me,”you chime in, lighting your cigarette. Steve’s smile shines under the pink luminescent sign above him when he hears your voice. The wooden legs of his stool smacking loud against the cement when he pushes off the wall.

She’s startled by your sudden appearance, not noticing when you came out - too lost in her own world. She gives you a weak smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes before she nods, tugging at her high pony and somehow making it higher. The sequined scrunchy in her hair catches the street light as she tries hyping herself up to return to whoever was making her cry inside.

“He is a chump, but most men are.” She sighs, her shoulders relaxing a little more as she calms down.

“You’ve got this honey, tell him to fuck off and go home with Lisa if that’s what he wants so bad,” Steve champions, patting her on the back, a new layer to Maryanne’s story being revealed. His eyes flick back to you as you take a drag, the mossy green going dark when he watches your cheeks hollow.

“Thanks for listening Steve, I’m gonna go back in now.” She wipes her nose one more time, before giving you a polite head nod.

“Have Eddie make you something sweet, and tell him it’s on me.” The bouncer winks, giving her the boost of confidence she needs before opening the door you just came out of. Monifah’s Touch It adds to the tension between Steve and you when it leaks out of the bar as she disappears inside. The bass thumps against the brick, leaving the song just muffled enough to be background noise when it closes behind her.

The air is heavier, thicker with something you both know is there. Playing hard to get, you don’t meet his gaze, despite feeling it over every curve and dip of your body. Inhaling another hit of nicotine, you lift your head up to exhale the smoke into the dark sky, extending your neck for him to see before you finally give in and chance a glance in his direction.

He looks far too handsome, smiling wide when you meet his eyes, all his perfectly white teeth baring themselves at you in a way that makes your legs shake.

“Missed me already baby?” His feet hit the sidewalk, his man spread somehow bigger this way as he scoots closer to the edge of the stool. 

“You’re not very good at your job, are you?” You grin, successfully dodging the answer he already knows as your head hits the side of the building. Tilting your chin in his direction with your lip tucked between your teeth, you catch his narrowed glare.

“Nice try sweetheart, I used to watch Road House, religiously. I learned from the best. I’m just distracted,” the buttery smoothness of his voice returns, the last of his sentence coming out in a purr.

“Distracted?” You quirk a brow, not giving into him just yet.

“Yes, very much so and I regret to inform you that it’s all your fault too.” He sticks his bottom lip out at you in a pout, earning the giggle he’d been trying to get again since he first heard it, even if it's accompanied by your pretty eyes rolling in the back of your head.

“I’m on a date, Steve.” Even though you know it’s a weak comeback at this point, you still give it and he doesn’t miss a beat.

“Where? I don’t see him.”

Your cheeks heat up at his observation so you take another drag of your half smoked cigarette to try and hide the way he’s affecting you.

“I’m supposed to be quittin’, but you’re makin’ it look too good, pretty girl. Let me have a puff?” His question is an invitation, making the first move to call your bluff, to get you closer.

“Is that why you seem to have a cinnamon addiction?” you tease, not surprised when you kick off the wall accepting it with a smirk and an exaggerated sway of your hips.

He licks his lips while his eyes roam the length of your body unashamed, one large hand raking through his hair when you stop close enough to smell the topic of discussion on his breath. 

“Could be addicted to worse,” he murmurs, not sure where to look having you between his legs like this. 

“It’s a Newport, S‘that okay, Steve?” you ask him from underneath flirting lashes. His breath hitching before a sly smirk spreads across his pink lips.  

“More than okay baby.” He leans closer, fingers wrapping around the plush curve of your hip to anchor you in place.

Tipping up on your toes, your hand comes down on his thigh making the muscle flex against your palm, your touch sending shocks through the rough denim while the other holds the gloss stained end up to his mouth. 

Steve holds your stare when his lips wrap around where yours just were. His nails dig half crescent moons into your exposed skin as his cheeks hollow out. You can feel your heartbeat between your legs, your brows meeting in the middle when he tugs you even closer before tilting his head up. The thick expanse of his neck on full display as he blows out his drag, adam's apple bobbing in the light making the moles dance across his skin. 

“The strawberry really sets it off.” He grins as his hand dares to slide down the top curve of your ass, making it his new home when you make no moves to get away from him.

“Thanks, it’s my favorite gloss.” You shrug, pretending to unphased by his teasing, but the mess in your panties would give you away if he could see.

“Maybe I could get a better taste,” his words are bold, but his free hand is bolder. Soft fingertips play with the top hem of your skirt, daring to dip under the fabric every once and awhile and he swears he hears you whimper.

“You want more?” Your voice comes out small, dripping in honey just for him. You know what he really wants, but he’s not gonna get it yet.

“God, if you’ll let me honey.” There’s a light squeeze on the dough of your ass, and it makes you flutter around nothing.

You lean in slowly, your hand moving further up his thigh watching the way his chest starts to rise and fall from it. Stretching the cotton of his shirt with every breath. The fingers that had been exploring the top of your skirt start a path up to the bottom of your top. A low hum coming from under his breath when the sweetness of your body lotion hits his nose. 

His eyes shut when your faces get close enough that he feels like he can taste the strawberry that he wants so bad. He doesn’t notice when you pull back at the last second to replace your kiss with another puff until your cigarette shoves past his puckered lips. 

When he opens them, he’s met with your giggles, a sound he wants on a loop. He pretends to glare, still taking the hit you were offering him, exhaling it through his nose like an angry bull. He opens his mouth to chastise you but the beeping of his digital pet interrupts his intimidating moment again.

“Gotta get that?” Your lips twitch while you try to contain your laugh, flicking the cigarette onto the street.

“Listen, my best friend got it for me. I thought it was incredibly stupid, and I definitely told her it was too.” The hand on your waist leaves to dig his Tamagotchi out of his front pocket. “But now I’m attached to the little guy.” 

The key chain sized toy lights up in his hand, as he starts to feed it with a press of a button.

“Mine died yesterday,” you admit and the laugh you’d been fighting off echoes loudly when he looks up at you horrified. 

“What? Do you have it with you now?”he questions as the small happy tune plays signaling that his pet is fully satisfied. 

“She’s somewhere in my bag, don’t worry she was reborn this morning,” your words don’t reassure him considering they seem to need food every thirty minutes and you haven’t pulled it out once since he’s met you.

“Sounds like you want her to die again to me.” Steve’s very real concern about your Tamagotchi has you smirking.

“They die so easily, you’re telling me yours hasn’t died?” 

Your jaw drops when he shakes his head ‘no’, a smugness taking over his handsome features.

“Steve, that’s like really hard to do.” You don’t know whether you should be impressed or roast him but when his hand grips at your ass one more time you decide it’s the first.

“Better give her to me for the night baby, I’ll keep her nice and healthy for my favorite girl.” Stuffing his back into his pocket, he holds his palm open for you in a vow to keep your digital pet alive and an excuse to see you later.

Rolling your eyes playfully, you obey his wishes. Digging to the bottom of your bag till you find your purple one. The screen already going off, and the muffled beeping that signaled the need for it to be fed finally becomes loud enough to hear.

“See! I told you. On the cusp of death already.” 

You drop it in his hand, right as an older trucker comes barreling out of the bar reminding you where you’re at and that Devin is still waiting inside. Again.

“Fuck, I should go back in.” You sigh as your fingers play with the seam on the leg of his jeans.

“Go back in and tell that guy to get lost,” the bouncer almost whines, his grip on your hip tightening before he lets you go.

“Steve,” you huff but the smile on your face gives him hope.

“Just saying sweetheart, could be fun.” He shrugs, putting on an air of nonchalance while your Tamagotchi dangles from his thumb.

You both know who you really want to go home with tonight.

The bubble you and Steve are in pops as soon as you get back inside The sound of the distant cars on the freeway and Steve’s voice is replaced with Return of the Mack and the crowd that was at a simmer when you first got here is now at a full boil. 

You have to get rid of Devin.

He’s right where you left him, hunched over and twirling his beer bottle on top of the bar. You notice the three empty shot glasses before you see Eddie dropping off another one while giving you the kind of eyes that say ‘Come take care of your date’ as he walks away. Taking a deep breath, you make your way towards him going over all the ways you can let him down easy while your nerves drown out the little bit of guilt you had for ditching him.

“Heeeey,” your voice is high pitched, awkwardness dripping from its tone when you finally return to your stool next to him.

Crickets.

You freeze - he’s ignoring you. How can you get rid of him if he’s ignoring you? Your eyes shift around the bar nervously, offering an awkward tight lipped smile when anyone meets your stare. You search for Eddie again, hoping to silently ask for help but his back is to you, clearly putting the moves on a girl at the other end.

“Devin.” 

You hope that saying his name will elicit the desired response but that dwindles quickly when he chugs the rest of his beer, continuing his charade and keeping his gaze forward before slamming the empty bottle down.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” he grumbles, irritation laced in every word before he pushes off the stool still not meeting your eyes.

You wait till he’s out of earshot before you let out a groan, your long disappearance clearly pissed him off. Propping yourself up by your elbows on the sticky bar, you close your eyes, rubbing your temples while you try to think of the right way to go about this. Eddie’s knowing chuckle is the last thing you want to hear but that’s just how the night is going now.

“You pretty little scoundrel!” He slaps the spot in front of you forcing your eyes open, his smile only widening when you glare at him.

“He’s so pissed and now thanks to you,” gesturing towards the empty shot glasses Eddie gets rid of with quick hands, you avoid the real reason, “He’s gonna be trashed!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa sweetheart. I’m not the one who can’t keep their hands off Stevie boy. And on a date too? Tsk tsk tsk.” He crosses his arms with a shake of his head, “Now you broke poor Derek’s -“

“Devin.”

“Whatever - fish guy’s heart. Aren’t you in a little predicament hmm?” Eddie hums the last part, but you can see the excited glint in his eyes. He loves watching your escapades.

“Listen,” you can’t help the giggle that bubbles past your strawberry lips under his knowing gaze, “When you told me he was hot Eddie, you didn’t tell me he was that hot.”

Smirking, you enjoy watching the way his face contorts knowing that was a damn lie.

“Are you kidding?” He throws his hands in the air, giving you the reaction you were baiting him for, “It was the first thing I told you.”

You laugh loudly at his exasperation with your antics, almost forgetting about Devin entirely for the third time tonight. 

“Have fun figuring out this little love triangle you’ve created, I need to get to the rest of the paying customers so I can get back to that hottie at the end of the bar.” He points to the girl he was talking to earlier who’s sipping a drink she looks surprised to even like.

“I bet you aren’t charging her for anything are you?” You narrow your eyes playfully, cackling when he rolls his waving you off as he walks away.

Sliding off the stool, you tug up your tube top, ready to give it to Devin straight, more than eager to get back outside again. 

“I knew the guys in the office said you were easy, but I didn’t think you’d be spreading your legs for anything that walked on our date.” Devin’s voice comes as a surprise, but the tight grip on your arm pulling you to him is an even bigger one.  

Searing rage fills every part of your body at the fact that he put his hands on you, palms flat on his chest, you use all your strength to shove him away. Shock paints his features, not expecting you to fight back so aggressively. All the drinks he’s had make him stumble back, losing his footing almost falling into the couple next to him.

“Well I’m sure as shit not spreading them for you!” you spit, looking him up and down with disgust before putting a finger in his face, “And your shirt? It’s fucking ugly.”

You give him one last once over before shaking your head and walking away. Heading back towards the entrance, you notice Steve inside again. A hard glare is set on his face, nostrils flaring as he zeros in on Devin behind you who’s still trying to regain his balance. 

God, it’s the hottest he’s looked all night. 

Steve’s hazel eyes meet yours and they instantly soften when you can’t help but smile as he opens the door for you.

“Thanks Stevie,” using Eddie’s nickname, you run your hands across his chest when you walk by, just to add salt to Devin’s wound.

The flush that paints his cheeks tells you how much he likes it.

“When I told you to ditch your date, I didn’t mean to fist fight him, honey,” he teases, following you outside, letting the chipped red door shut behind you and muffling the sounds of the bar again. 

“He got mad about my little disappearance before I could let him down easy.” Turning around, you bite your bottom lip to try to hide your growing smile.

“Poor guy.” Steve grins before taking the two steps to close the gap, to crowd your space. Cinnamon fanning across your face, “Never stood a chance.”

It’s harder for you to breathe when he looks at you like he wants to kiss you, but before you can respond, the door flies open.A drunk Devin stumbling out with a glare breaking you two apart.

“Of course, of FUCKING course. Not even two seconds later? You really are a slut, huh?” Devin seethes, stumbling out onto the sidewalk.

“I’m really going to need you to watch your mouth champ. No need to call girls names. You’re a big boy.” Steve’s tone is condescending as he squares up, making sure you’re behind him.

“You think you’re so fucking cool,” Devin scoffs before hiccuping, “Careful with this one, she’s probably sucked your buddy’s dick inside too.” 

“Yeah, that’s enough, asshole. Go home, before I have to beat some respect into that ugly skull of yours.” Steve cracks his knuckles again, but it doesn’t have the same effect as before, Devin only raising his eyebrows at the bouncer.

“Respect? That’s funny. The whore behind you hasn’t heard of it.”  

Steve loses his cool and like a flash he’s on him. Pulling his fist back Steve moves just a little too slow and Devin clocks him right in the jaw. The sound of bone against bone echoes loudly into the night. Stumbling back, Steve cradles where an ugly bruise will start forming in the morning, rubbing it out. He cracks his neck before barreling towards Devin, taking him down to the ground like a football player.

In a flurry of fists and cuss words, Devin somehow gets Steve pinned. The alcohol and anger flowing through his system turns him into The Hulk. Your screams for them to stop fall on deaf ears while they continue to roll around on the ground. Panic sets in when you realize neither man is going to stop. Doing the only thing you know how to do in these situations, you get Eddie.

Frantic, you open the door, ignoring the fact that  Third Eye Blind is playing at the exact worst time, you scream Eddie’s name loud enough to silence the bar.

“Eddie! It’s bad. Steve needs you!” 

He looks up from a clearly flirtatious conversation with the girl from before, both of their eyes landing on you as you get your friends attention. He grumbles, grabbing her hands saying something to her that makes her nod bashfully before jumping over the bar top. Jogging out the front, he towers easily over the two men, neither one of you bothering to check the red heads I.D. that walks in after you.

“The first fucking night man!” Eddie yells at Steve, grabbing Devin by the back of his shirt pulling him off the bouncer with ease, but not before Steve gets one more cheap shot in.

He wrestles against Eddie’s grip for a second before finally giving up with a hiccup, hocking a loogie in Steve’s direction.

“You done?” The bartender's face is unamused, as he waits for Devin to nod. “I never wanna see you or your shitty ass style at my bar again. Beat it bozo before I give you a matching black eye to go with the one Steve gave you.”

Two against one is too much for Devin to take on, so he raises his hands up in surrender when Eddie lets him go. Rolling his tongue against his cheek he shoots you one last glare before turning on his heel. Flipping everyone off as he starts down the sidewalk. Steve returns the gesture, spitting at his retreating form.

“You good?” Eddie asks, extending his hand for his friend to take.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Just hate that guy.” Steve mumbles, looking everywhere but at you while he straightens his shirt and dusts off his jeans with bloody knuckles.

“Your hand dude, I can’t have you bleeding all over people I.D’s. and I know Rick doesn’t have a first aid kit. At least I’ve never seen one.” Eddie rubs the back of his neck, stress coming in the form of knitted brows.

“I’ve got one,” you mumble, finally finding your voice and the bartender claps, wiping his hands clean of the situation.

“There, go play nurse with lover boy and get out of my hair tonight. I’m like this close,” he pinches two fingers together to show “to scoring and you both have been fucking it up every chance you can get. I swear to god.” 

Eddie waves you off as he makes his way back in, and you can feel the shift in energy between you and the bouncer you’ve been wanting all night.

Steve’s quiet the whole walk up the stairs to your apartment, fuming with anger and embarrassment, the confidence from before gone while the bruise on his jaw deepens and he cradles his bleeding knuckles.

“This is me,” you break the silence cringing, your voice amplified in the walls of the narrow hallway while you dig out your key.

“Thanks for this, angel,” his words come out in just above a whisper but at least it’s something.

The endearment has a smile creeping across your face and you finally dare to turn around to get a look at him after you hear the click of your lock. You press your back against your open door, it’s your turn to extend an invitation.

“Anytime Stevie.”

His face softens the minute he lays his eyes on you again, jealous of the way you bite your bottom lip sweetly, he wishes it was him. 

You let Steve into your world one heavy boot at a time, locking the door behind you. Watching the way his dimmed eyes brighten, curiosity winning over any leftover irritation. The ghost of a smirk twitches at the corners of his lips while he walks the small space of your studio taking everything in. The neon sign outside your window is the only light that illuminates it, shadows dancing off trinkets on shelves and pictures on walls, he was getting a glimpse of you. 

He stops in the middle of your room, right at the edge of your bed. The dark denim and leather that cover him are a stark contrast against your baby blue rug, but you think he looks like he belongs here. You watch the way he takes in your hastily made bed, licking his lips when he sees a pair of panties that didn’t quite make it in the laundry basket in the corner. The radio you’d forgotten to turn off plays a commercial, filling the space between you, and you aren’t prepared for when he puts his full attention back on you again after not having it for the past twenty minutes. Your body responds immediately to the playful glint in his eye.

“Cute place, for a cute girl.” He grins, running his good hand through his hair before he walks over to the window to take a look at your view.

“I bet you say that to all of em’,” you tease because it’s easier to do with his back to you. Making your way to the bathroom, nerves burst like butterflies in your stomach.

“You’re the only one baby.” 

His response is quick as he turns around, the flirting you’d grown accustomed to coming back like a raging storm. He watches your hips while you walk the short distance with a heavy stare that covers every part of you. Leaning against the door frame with your curves on full display, something shifts behind his eyes. Flipping the lightswitch, white beams break apart the pink, highlighting even more of you for him to drink in.

“Come on handsome, let’s get you patched up.”

His cheeks flush at the new nickname and it's his turn to bite his lip in a shy smile for you. 

It doesn’t take more than a few steps for his long legs, the wood creaking under his weight. Pressing your back to the frame, he stops in front of you with one foot over the threshold and the other still in your room. He takes up so much space. His biceps flex when he reaches for your hip, tugging you even closer, you can smell the menthol still lingering on his breath. On instinct your palm hits his chest, muscles dancing under heated skin as you tilt your chin up to meet his eyes. Squeezing at your softness before he speaks, he lets his middle finger dip under the top of your skirt.

“I really meant it when I said thank you back there. Just need you to know that.” His finger dares to dip lower, rubbing circles that make your back arch, hips pushing forward on a search for his. The curve of your stomach touches the cool metal of his belt buckle and the heat of his body sets fire between your thighs.

“I know you did,” your voice is sweet for him, the tone you know he likes while your hand moves down the dip between his pecs, “Thank you for sticking up for me.”

You can feel the coarse hair that starts at the top of his belly button where your hand stops, and you swear you feel him twitch in his pants. A second one of his fingers finds its way under your skirt and another subtle tug gets you even closer. So close that all you’d have to do is stand on your tiptoes for your lips to touch. 

“Anything for you, pretty girl,” he breathes, spice and tobacco taking over. His adam’s apple bobs when he catches the way you start staring at his lips, the gloss on your own shimmering in the new light.

“Anything?” Quirking your brow with a smirk, your innuendo makes him moan and his hold on you tighten.

“Absolutely.” Ducking his head lower so his nose brushes against the bridge of yours, he dares you to make the first move.

“In that case…” Pressing your toes down to push yourself up, the playful glint in your eye goes unnoticed by him.

Your lips are a ghost, his top one barely brushing against your bottom, it's enough for him to taste the strawberry he wanted more of outside but not enough to satisfy. His eyes flutter closed waiting to feel their full plushness but your words bring him back to reality.

“Sit on the toilet for me.”

The specks of emerald shine again when his eyes snap open to see you flat on your feet with a grin. Groaning loudly with fake irritation, he lets go of you in exasperated defeat, letting his head fall back and hit the wood of the frame.

“What? We came up here for my first aid kit, didn't we?” You giggle after you say it, you don’t mean it.

“Sure, sure, yeah, yeah.” Nodding, he runs a hand through his hair while he looks around your bathroom. 

It smells like your coconut body wash and it drives him crazy. He takes an unexpected step forward, his hand finding its way back to your hip to push you against the wall. One heavy boot between your wedged sandals, getting just close enough to kiss you. Is he going to?

It's your eyes that flutter closed this time, your fingers wrapping themselves around his belt loops again. He’s tentative with his injured hand when he uses it to cradle your jaw. His palm is soft as it covers half your neck, his thumb pushing up against your chin to tilt your face up to his. He runs the tip of his nose along your cheek and you feel your knees start to get weak, a whimper begging to fall from your parted lips.

“If that’s the only thing we’re here to do then we should get to it then, huh?” 

Just as quick as he invades your space, he leaves it. The porcelain of your toilet seat cover clunks loudly when he drops himself on it. Spread out like on the stool outside, he takes over the room, leaving you to catch your breath with a smug grin.

It’s a staring contest with narrowed eyes after that, but the twitch of your lips tells him you aren’t actually mad. He snorts when you clear your throat to regain your composure, purposely ignoring the obvious when you bend over to open the cabinet under the sink, pulling out the bright red zip up bag. 

“We need to wash your knuckles first, then I’ll put some ointment on them and wrap it up for you. We’ll keep it that way for the night and we can check on it in the morning.” The words leave your mouth before you can stop them and he catches the slip up instantly.

“Oh? You need to keep me overnight for observations?” 

You bite your lip to try and hide your smile, grabbing a washcloth running it under hot water instead of looking at him. 

“You know what I meant, I’ll come check on it tomorrow when you get to work.” You don’t even believe your lie, and the toothy smile you catch from the corner of your eye tells you he doesn’t either.

“But nurse, I don’t know. I think I should stay, I got hit in the face too. Concussions you know? I really shouldn’t be alone tonight.” He lays it on thick, eating up the way he sees you loving it spreading across your face when you ring out the soapy rag.

You don’t try to hide it when you finally face him, or when you settle between his legs for the second time tonight. The new position has him eye level with your chest, easier access to his lips. You hold your palm out for him, your hand disappearing completely when he drapes his wounded one over it.

“Concussion, huh? Are you feeling light headed Steve?” You play along giving your best impression of a medical professional.

He hisses when you press the damp cloth to his knuckles, sucking in air between his teeth when you start to clean. The soothing circles the pad of your thumb rubs on the side of his hand is almost enough to distract him from it.

“Yeah, but that started before I got hit.” 

You finally dare to meet his gaze, a flattered smile spreading wide across your face that you try to play down with a roll of your eyes.

“Hmmm,” you hum to yourself, deciding not to give in just yet as you switch from the rag to the ointment, getting the bandaging and medical tape out.

“I mean, you’re the professional honey. You tell me.” You feel his good hand tug at the bottom of your skirt while you smear the neosporin on his knuckles with a q-tip, his long fingers flexing at the cooling effect.

“It started before you got hit?” You question with a fake pensive expression, gently taking his palm in your hand to start the wrapping process. 

“Yeah, you see, this girl hit me with a door earlier. Knocked me clean off my stool.” He makes the motion of him falling with a swipe of his hand, “ and I haven’t been the same since if I’m being completely honest.”

It takes everything inside you to not give him the satisfaction of a laugh, the way you met coming back to the forefront of your mind.

“Some would argue putting your stool in front of the door like that is kinda stupid, but that's just my professional opinion.” Your shrug earns a loud laugh from him and you relish in it, promising yourself you’ll get him to do it again.

“All done.” You let go of his hand and he already misses you holding it, but the proud look on your face is a good distraction while you admire your handy work.

He holds it up, and you still can’t get over just how big they are. Curling his fingers in before extending them, he only winces slightly from the pain. The pressure of the bandage already helping. He jumps slightly when the backs of your fingers smooth over the fresh bruise forming on his jaw, the stubble tickling your skin. His eyes watch yours as they rake over the damage, the softness of your touch almost enough to make his eyelids heavy when you stroke the sore spot again.

“What do you think, huh?” His question comes out quiet, the playful edge gone while both his hands find the back of your legs. Rough fingertips run up your calves, catching the bottom of your skirt as they go, “Are you gonna keep me baby?”

A shiver runs up your spine when he hits the back of your thighs and you feel yourself getting pulled closer. He drags his nose up the bare skin of your sternum while his hands grab doughy handfuls just below the curve of your ass. The sound of your moan when his fingers get high enough to just barely graze the soaked material between your weakening legs sends him into overdrive. Growling, he nips at the tops of one of your breasts.

“Come on, tell me, what’s it gonna be?” Despite trying to sound confident, there’s a desperation in the way he asks. He knows you want it but he needs you to say it.

It’s when his fingers slip under the lace trim of your panties that you finally give in with a gentle grab of his chin. His eyes are black when they meet yours, the ends of his nails digging into soft skin. 

“Yeah, I’m gonna keep you.” You give into an urge you’ve had since you laid eyes on him, tangling your fingers in his hair as you spread yourself open for his hands to wander.

He doesn’t hold back anymore and you’re reminded of just how tall he actually is when he stands up. His actions are quick and with purpose, the strength you knew was behind those muscles showing itself when he lifts you onto the edge of the sink with your skirt rucked up to your hips. He man handles you in a way no one ever has and you feel it light a fire in your gut. Impatient for his next move, you grab the collar of his shirt while his hands spread wide over the tops of your thighs, your lips finally getting to do what they’ve wanted all night.

It’s soft at first, both of you moving slow as you figure out what the other likes, careful not to hurt his jaw. One of his hands finds its way back to your cheek, the pad of his thumb rubbing the length of the bone while his tongue begs you to open up. He traces the top of your lip, shuddering at the taste of the strawberry and it makes him wonder if your skin tastes like the coconut he smells. 

You give him the access he wants, your tongues meeting in the middle, making the fire that had been begging to consume you pour out from your fingertips that bury themselves into the roots at the nape of his neck. You need more. The hard length that has been fighting against the denim of his jeans presses hard into where you want his attention, your legs wrap around him - silently begging him to do it again.

One arm snakes around your lower back, holding you flush against his chest, the grind of his hips giving you the friction that makes you keen. A moan and a breathless “fuck” is what breaks your lips apart when his zipper catches your swollen clit with just the right amount of pressure. He uses his new found freedom to kiss down the length of your jaw, humming against your heated skin when you tilt your head to give him better access to all the sensitive places he can’t wait to discover. He sucks the soft spot behind your ear when you meet the next roll of his hips, your slides falling loudly off your feet to the tile floor.

“Steve,” his name comes out in a high pitch whine when he starts sucking a bruise in a place you know you’ll have to try and cover up for the next few days. He was marking you, and you could care less. You hold him there, encouraging more as his teeth graze your pulse point, a “baby” slipping past his lips when he finally pulls away.

He meets your eyes with flushed cheeks and messy hair and the kind of hunger that makes you melt.

“Let me take you to bed, let me take care of you,” he’s panting, his hold on you tightening so you can feel just how bad he needs this. A smirk spreads across his swollen lips when your hips shift in search for more, giving him the answer he needs along with the nod of your head.

Just as easy as he lifted you on the sink, he carries you to the bed, big hands cradling thick thighs before he lays you on your back. Your giggle fills the space in between heavy pants before TLC’s Creep starts playing over the speakers of the radio. His hands find their way to the bottom of his shirt, pulling it over his head and you watch an expanse of new freckles and moles get revealed to you. You want to kiss them all. They dot the spots next to the dark hair over his belly button while the thick thatch of chest hair you’d only gotten a glimpse of glistens with beads of sweat in the glow of the Foxy Lounge light. 

His jeans hang low enough for you to get a glimpse of the veins protruding from the V shape that leads to the part of him that’s sure to make you forget your own name. His grin is cocky when he recognizes the expression on your face. Grabbing your ankle, he pulls you closer to the edge of the bed. The bottom of your foot resting on the soft hair of his chest while long fingers hold you in place. He keeps his eyes trained on yours while he starts to trail wet kisses down the inside of your leg. The stubble covering his jaw scratching along his path in the best way. He stops when he gets to the soft skin of your knee, nipping playfully, he smirks at the squeal it earns him before he drops your leg in favor of curling his fingers under the top of your skirt.

You lift your hips for him without him having to ask, and the flash of his teeth is almost enough to blind you. He’s slick with his movements, taking your panties too. You hear his breath catch in his throat when he sees the effects all his teasing has on you. His fingers grip at your thighs before pulling your sticky skin apart with a lick of his lips.

“Look at you baby, all this for me?” The last part of his question comes out in a groan when he swipes the pad of his thumb against your bundle of nerves, kicking up in his jeans when your legs shake in response. “So sensitive too. Let me make her feel good, yeah?” 

He swipes his thumb against your clit again making your eyes shut tight and your hips buck.

“I need to hear you say it.” He keeps rubbing circles, applying just enough pressure for you to forget how to speak, “Come on, be a good girl for me.”

His other hand pulls down your tube top, breasts spilling out in the blush light for his eyes to devour. He groans at the sight, his other hand coming up to cup the soft flesh feeling the way your nipples pebble against the warmth of his palm.

“Steeeeve, please.” 

You’re whining for him and it makes his brows pinch together, feeling drunk off you. 

“God angel, you’re fuckin’ beautiful you know that?” He emphasizes his question with his hands, giving your sides a squeeze while his eyes roam every dip and curve of your body. “Turn around for me? I wanna see all of you.”

The look on his face makes you decide that you’ll never deny him anything he asks, giving him a nod, you run your hands up his arms, nails dragging across the light hair before you push yourself up to get on all fours.

You feel completely exposed to him like this, all the secret places of your body on full display. He’s quiet for a minute and it’s almost enough for your nerves to get the best of you until you feel his palm find the apple of your ass. Fingers digging into doughy flesh, a groan loud enough to drown out the music erupts deep from his chest.

“Baby, baby, babyyy,” he emphasizes the last endearment with another handful before pulling your cheeks apart to get a better look at your dripping cunt, “Prettiest pussy I’ve ever fuckin’ seen.”

Your hips wiggle at his words, your walls fluttering around nothing while the cool air from the overhead fan hits your heat, sending goosebumps dancing across your supple flesh. A dark chuckle leaves him when he sees how much power his words have over you. His knees hit the side of the mattress, one hand hooking around your hip while the other runs down the dip of your spine giving you a light push when he hits your shoulder blades until you're bent over for him.

“She likes when I talk to her, huh?” his voice is low, mesmerized when you start dripping on the bed for him and he’s barely touched you, “She likes when I call her pretty doesn’t she?”

The moan that leaves your mouth is pathetic and he wishes he could record it. 

“Playing hard to get all night, but look at you.” His good hand comes down hard enough on your ass for the fat to jiggle and you to fist handfuls of your comforter because of it, “Making such a filthy mess and I haven’t even put my mouth on you yet.”

His grip is rough when he tugs your hips, the outline of his dick pressing into you, the denim scratching against your clit in a way that has your eyes rolling in the back of your head. 

“Tell me how much you want my mouth baby, tell me how much you want me to make you cum.” He grinds against you again, only this time making sure to apply the kind of pressure that makes your back arch.

“Fuck - Steve, please I want it. I’ve wanted it all night. I’ve wanted it all night,” you're babbling as he circles his hips, fingers kneading your soft skin.

Satisfied with your answer he mumbles a “so good for me” as he pulls away he gives you another light slap to your ass - signaling for you to scoot up, your mattress dipping behind you when he gets on his knees. 

Big hands spread you apart, your forehead hits the comforter when you feel the heat of his breath against your slick folds. Your walls flutter, begging for his attention when his tongue runs a long stripe up your slit. He hums at the taste before he does it again, this time making sure to circle your clit before lapping up everything you were drenching him with like he was thirsty for it. 

“Oh my god,” you huff into your blankets, toes curling when he starts an assault against your bundle of nerves, the pointed tip of his nose pressing deeper into your entrance as he gets lost in the sounds he’s pulling from you.

His fingers stretch across the tiger stripes on your butt cheeks, pulling you even further apart to give him better access. The coil inside you already threatening to snap when he sucks hard on your clit. He lets it go with a loud pop, smirking to himself at the way he has your body shaking from overstimulation already.

“Taste so fuckin’ good. Strawberries, just like your lips.” He groans, inhaling your scent like a man starved, his good hand coming down on your cheek again only this time a little harder pulling out another broken moan from you.

“Can I taste all of you pretty girl?” 

There’s zero hesitation when you say ‘yes’, in fact it’s a little desperate. He could have whatever he wanted from you now. Not even sure what he means, your brain’s too fuzzy with lust to comprehend anything until you feel the tip of his tongue circle a place you’d never let anyone else go before.

“Holy shit - Steve.” The new sensation sends another wave arousal to your dripping core, a needy whine following it when he does it again.

“This okay?” He kisses the curve underneath the apple of your cheek, the softness of his voice comforting you while he checks in.

“God, it’s, it’s -“ He gives you another kitten lick and it makes your eyes roll in the back of your head, “It’s more than okay - Jesus Christ.”

Too lost in the feeling of him testing the tightness of you with his tongue, you aren’t expecting his thick finger to start circling the entrance he’d been neglecting, the one you need him to fill the most. Your silk walls welcome the intrusion with ease, the stretch only stinging a little when he pushes to the last knuckle while his tongue starts getting a little more bold. Your back arches when he groans against you, curling his finger to hit the spot only you’d ever been able to find with ease. He adds a second digit when you start bucking against his face, the new addition almost makes you run away. He tsks at you from buried between your butt cheeks, one large hand locking you in place when he starts feeling you get close.

“Give it to me,” he demands, coming up for air. Fingertips relentless against the spot that has you squelching loudly.

His mouth returns to the sensitive part of you, tongue circling your tightness in a way that has you finally snapping. Your walls constrict, wrapping around his fingers while your vision goes white. Your body freezes, the orgasm overwhelming your muscles with a violent shake, his name falling from your lips like it’s the only word you know. You feel him grin against you, the movements of his fingers only slowing down but never stopping, milking every last drop you give him.

“So good, so pretty when you cum baby,” he mumbles praises, his lips kissing anywhere they can reach while your body comes down from its first high. 

You feel his weight leave the mattress, hear the metal of his belt buckle clinking followed by the low thump of his jeans hitting the floor. You find enough strength to look over your shoulder and it’s enough to make you whimper. Steve’s big. Dark hair at the base, it’s thick and curved, the pretty pink tip leaking just for you. The long vein that runs up the side pulses when he gives it a couple of tugs before his knees hit the mattress again. 

His hands spread over your hips pulling you closer before he starts trailing kisses up your back, the silver of his chain making you shiver as it runs up your spine till his lips stop right at your ear.

“You ready for me?” 

Your eyes meet his and they’re pitch black, tucking your bottom lip between your teeth, you know yours looks the same when you give him a nod but you know that’s not going to be enough for him.

“Come on, you know what I need,” his tone is mocking as he grabs his cock at the base, swiping his head through your folds, smirking at the way you try to suck him in, your body greedy for him.

“Please, please, please, please.” 

All your self respect goes out the window when he pushes the tip in and you can’t stop repeating yourself. The stretch is already bigger than his two fingers and he wasn’t even half way in yet and for a brief moment you wonder if he’ll even fit. 

“Fuck - baby.”

He moans as he pushes further, sheathing himself half way and he feels the way it makes your legs shake. His hand sneaks around your waist to find your clit, slippery fingers rubbing circles to get you to open up more as he rolls his hips one more time bottoming out. He groans so loud you’re sure anyone who might be smoking outside of the bar can hear him. 

“Holy shiiiit, I’ve never had pussy like this.” He stills, adjusting to how tight you feel, and it’s his turn to babble as you constrict around him making him twitch -  dangerously close to cumming already.

“You feel so good Stevie,” you whine as you push back against him, taking his length even deeper, feeling every curve and ridge of him against your walls.

He pulls out half way before slamming back in and it makes him curse under his breath before he does it again, only harder.

“God, fuck- this is all mine now, yeah?” he mutters, an angry edge to his words when he thinks about Devin getting to do this. 

“Mmhmm,” your answer is automatic, no thoughts behind your eyes while his cock fills you in the way you fantasize about when you touch yourself. 

“That’s right baby, it’s mine. You’re mine.” 

His thrusts get aggressive as he gets closer to his release, your slick making it easy for him to slide almost completely out before pushing back in. The rough hair covering his pelvis rubbing your clit at the same time his tip reaches the same spot his fingers pulled your first orgasm from. 

“Shit, Steve, right there.”  Your jaw goes slack, eyes closing tight when he hits it again, your words spurring him on while he tries to re-grip his hold on your sweat-kissed skin.

“Yeah? you want more?” He makes sure to put all his attention where you want, slowing his hips just enough to hit it even harder. “I’ll give you more.”

Steve tilts his head to the side watching how you wrap around him, and the way he barely has to push back in, your greedy walls doing almost all the work when he finds the perfect pace that has you twisting the sheets.

He huffs out a cocky laugh and it makes you tighten in response, tears pricking the corners of your eyes.”Yeah, I know baby. I know. You gonna cum again for me?”

“Uh-huh,” you manage to get out with a nod but it’s not enough for him, he needs you loud enough for Devin to hear from across town.

The sound of skin slapping against skin drowns out the music, keeping his stamina up despite the twitch of his cock, he bends over, somehow getting deeper, the cool metal of his chain dragging across your back while one hand snakes under your waist. His fingers are unrelenting when they find their way to your puffy clit again, applying just enough pressure to get your legs to shake for him.

“I’m gonna ask again, are you gonna cum for me?” He keeps his voice even, but he knows he’s not gonna last much longer, especially not when your cheek hits the mattress and you meet his eyes looking like that.

“Yeah, god, yeah Steveee! Please, please, please.” You don’t even know what you’re begging for but it makes Steve’s resolve break. 

The moan he lets out is loud enough to echo off your wall, warmth flooding your insides as he cums hard enough to collapse against your back. It’s enough to send you over the edge for the second time. Your walls fluttering enough to make his nails dig crescent moons into your hips with a low “fuck” escaping him as you milk him for more with the sweetest chant of his name he’s ever heard.

“That’s it baby.” He coos lips placing sloppy kisses along the your shoulder blades when you collapse against the mattress, your bodies tangled in a way you don’t have the energy to leave quite yet.

The radio cuts out leaving just the sound of the two of you trying to catch your breath, you can faintly hear ‘Pony’ playing from the bar below but the sound of a car driving past quickly snuffs it out. You feel his nose nudge against your ear, a slow lazy smile creeping across your face when his lips brush your temple.

“I don’t think you have a concussion, but you better stay the night just in case.”

His laugh vibrates against your back, a toothy grin pressed to your skin.

“It’s always better to be safe than sorry,” he agrees. The response you somehow managed to conjure up gets lost on your tongue when both your long forgotten Tamagotchi’s go off in his abandoned pants in a matching tune you’d never heard before.

“Our babies need daddy, honey,” he groans, slowly lifting himself up on his elbows.

You roll your eyes with a snort as he trails kisses down your back only wincing slightly when he pulls himself out. Folding your arms under your head, you still can’t bring yourself to move, but the view of him naked and still semi hard while he holds the two digital pets in his hand with a confused expression isn’t one you really can turn away from.

“What?” Your curiosity is piqued when his eyes grow big.

“No fuckin’ way,” he mumbles more to himself than you, “I didn’t even know they could do this.”

“What??” The irritation is clear in your voice, the feeling of being left out turning you into a brat.

“Umm, I think they had babies… yep. Marty definitely got her pregnant.” The smile on his face gives away just how excited he actually is and you hate to admit that it’s contagious.

“Well we’re gonna have to figure out a child support plan I’m afraid. Daisy’s a free woman Steve.” The serious delivery makes him do a double take before he narrows his eyes.

“Child support? No, we're raising these kids together. So I’m gonna need you to care a little bit about keeping her alive. It's not just you here honey.” He tosses you the toy before jumping back on the bed pulling your body into his chest with ease, “I’m afraid you’re never getting rid of me.”

---

---

---

[tsukius]

author’s note: idk what’s this…just to make up my lack of presence here. and a lot of works are coming!!

isagi couldn't help but smile as he walked hand-in-hand with his girlfriend, you, through the bustling mall. you had practically begged him to go shopping with you today, and while crowds and malls weren't really his thing, he couldn't say no to that adorable face of yours.

as you both passed by a pet shop, you suddenly stopped in your tracks, your eyes lighting up. "isagi, look! they have bunnies!" you exclaimed, tugging on his arm excitedly.

isagi chuckled and allowed himself to be pulled towards the store's window display. sure enough, there was a fluffy white rabbit hopping around its enclosure, twitching its little nose.

"aww, it's so cute!" you cooed cooed, pressing you face against the glass. "can we go inside and look at it?"

he couldn't resist that pleading look in your eyes. "sure, why not?" he shrugged, and together you stepped into the pet shop.

the bunny was even more adorable up close, with soft fur and big, round eyes. isagi watched as his girlfriend crouched down to get a better look, gently extending your hand towards the rabbit. To his surprise,and yours, the little creature hopped right over and sniffed your fingers.

"See, it likes me!" you giggled, glancing up at your boyfriend with pure delight.

he felt his heart melt at the sight of your face lighting up with joy. crouching down next to you, isagi reached out and stroked the bunny's soft head, marveling at how it nuzzled into his touch.

"it is pretty cute," he admitted, a small smile tugging at his lips.

you beamed at him, then turned your attention back to the rabbit, cooing and showering it with affection. the soccer player just watched, content to bask in your happiness.

after a while, you stood up, gently pulling isagi to his feet. "as much as i'd love to take this little guy home, i don't think our landlord would be too thrilled," you sighed wistfully.

yoichi nodded in understanding. "yeah, maybe someday. but for now, we can always come back and visit, right?"

your face lit up again, and you nodded eagerly. "definitely! thanks for bringing me here, yoichi. i had a really nice time."

isagi felt a warm glow in his chest as you beamed up at him. reaching out, he gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind your ear.

"Anything to see you smile like that," he murmured.

you smiled, flustered, then slipped your hand into his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "you're the best, you know that?"

he just chuckled and gave your hand a light squeeze in return, a soft, affectionate smile on his face.

As you turned to leave the pet shop, he couldn't help but take one last glance at the fluffy white rabbit, already making a mental note to bring you back here again sometime soon.

[stitchwraith-stingers]

sorry for never shutting up about how people treat hazel but ohh my god shes my fave character atm.... i get to be mad!! she has good enough information that you can play around with headcanons freely

the only moments people wouldve brung up is when dev is in the episode, there was no reason for the episode that showed her tendancy to overthink and be emberassed over small mistakes by wishing a do-over and over again, having to realise that running away from the idea of creating a problem wont help her in the long run JUST so people could go "omg haha dev has a crush on her" i could litterly not tell you what the general concensious on most episodes are because i dont know peoples opinions on them because in general they dont discuss them beyond his scenes

fanart too, ive personally muted the dev and devzel tag and when i look up #hazel wells i want you to guess how many posts i find that arent hidden! spoiler alert its barely any of them, listen im not saying im shocked at the fact The Characters Made As A Duo are drawn as a duo, its whatever and while im not personally a fan in general i really do get the appeal, but you have to admit that at some point it gets really suspicious when the only fanart you can find in one character is only with the more popular one, over 200 fics in the hazel tag on ao3 and theres only 20! without the dev tag! (10 more then when i last checked, crazy! go read fly bird, fly now), and my main problem is is that hazel is shown to be her own person OUTSIDE of their friendship, infact wouldnt you know it shes the protagonist herself! the fact that most aus ive seen are focused on dev/dale/peri is whats most confusing to me, "oh but theyre so interesting to work with"

really! youre telling me you cant think of a fic / au idea on her own? miss "i was going to have a previous godparent who didnt listen to me at all", miss "i am very anxious and i overthink to the point where my desicions", miss "i had an encounter with my evil shadow self when i was a fairy" (shout out to fairy bound au btw, im a big fan), miss "my mom doesnt fully know how to handle children inspite of being a therapist and tells me im handling things mature so i feel like i should be", miss "with the fact that im terrified my friends are making fun of me behind my back, i didnt know how to talk to anyone and a cafetiria made me so overworried and i speak to my rocks could imply the fact that i was outcasted at a young age", miss "my brother who has been my anchor and i has taught me everything i need to know has left me and hes also struggling to adjust to everything and we were insanely close to the point where the reason this whole thing started is because of him", miss "i regularly help my dad hunt a ghost that doesnt exist but it makes him happy", miss "i am litterly friends with the coolest kid in elementary school", miss "my landlords are litterly doomsday preppers and our parents want me to get along with their werido twins", miss "i didnt even hestitate to kill myself if i had to save potatoes for humanity after i pissed off mother nature", miss 'i got called out on projecting my past bonding expiriences on my best friend by some werid demon posessing her body right infront of me' none of that makes you want to think of something about her on her own? not even a spark of an idea? its almost like you guys watched exclusively 6 episodes and watched 5 minutes out of them at most

hazel is very interesting and shows her own struggles, she likes puns and fries and rocks and anime and horror movies (and apparently mushrooms if you count that one scene), she tries to problem solve so that no one is unhappy (patty being alive so winn wasnt upset, trying to get the band and orchestra together, accidently haunting her house and wishing her dads day was extra special, trying to find a dinosaur she spontaniously teleported his own job), she has multiple episodes showing her insecurities and how she tries to hide it so she doesnt look like a bad person, but inspite of it all is a understanding person and a peacemaker and doesnt like arguments, hell shes even such good autism represntation im 99.9% sure it wasnt intentional at all

dont even get me started on the takes ive seen in the finale, listen the finale has alot to be said and it definatly wont be everyones cup of tea (i think them trying to refrence every episode felt so chaotic personally) but regarding people with the ending is still giving me a headache, "she shouldve used her wish on him" that wouldve been so boring and predicable, say what you want on what she actually used it for but i think you guys should realise that for the kid whos regressing back into his bad copium mechanisms should get to face his concequences, 'hes 10 and neglected so thats why he acted like that' and 'she doesnt need to put up with how he treats her and hold his hand and be his personal therapist' can both coexist, people being pissed that she lightheartly agreed that he fucked up when HE admitted it is crazyyy CRAZYYY (also the fact ive seen someone say 'her moms a therapist she shouldve known' ???)

this isnt even touching on "hazels other relationships like her friends and family arent developed enough so thats why ppl dont care that much" while that is a valid critism i have with the show in general i still dont think applys to what im specifically talking about to demonstrate dale has appeared in THREE episodes (four if you want to stretch it), meanwhile hazels parents have appeared more often and im barely seeing them in fanart "but dale has a backstory!" so do those two have a whole episode explaining how they met "b-but dale is interesting as a role as a villain!" the guy is barely a villain [so far atleast], but also is being a therapist and a parascienists already not an interesting enough? are you guys suddenly not able to make as much headcanons expanding apon them as you did with dale? thats the thing that confuses me the most, whats stopping you from giving random information from your head to anyone else?, (i didnt know how to word this point so hopefully this makes sense)

listen im going to say it right now MOST OF THIS IS DEFINATLY UNINTENTIONAL AND NOT EVERYONE IS DOING THIS ON PURPOSE but some of u guys might really need to uncover some biases on why you think the black girl should coddle the rich white boy when he wasnt treating her well at the time, if that makes sense

[wildemaven]

The Beginning: The Proposal

Pairing: Frankie Morales x F!Reader

WC: 3528

Warnings: language, established relationship, 2nd POV, mentions of food and drinks, im going to refrain from any other things to not give anything away, but it’s all fluff

A/N: It’s here!! I’m excited and nervous!! Happy to give these to a little more love and a little bit more backstory to them. Normally I have a full blown moodboard (and I do) but it would give away too much so I’m opting to not have one but if you’re interested in seeing it, I can post it in like a separate “spoilers below” post. Also, reader’s nickname is revealed in this, so any future posts will have it when referring to her (so much easier to when trying to avoid a name). And last but not least, their song picked by y’all is Lover by T.Swift and there’s a playlist linked below.

Edited to add a big thank you to @noisynaia for letting scream at her my thoughts!!!

Okay. I hope you like it. And if you ever want to scream about these two with me, my ask box is always open.

Previous / Series Masterlist / The Proposal Playlist / Weekends Masterlist

Sometimes the beauty of life is allowing it happen organically.

Delicate bits of time woven together through fleeting moments— in varying degrees of inconsequential or life changing events.

Momentous is how you would describe your life in a single word at this very moment in time.

The last 6 months had been a whirlwind for you and Frankie. Since that night you’d both not only confessed your love to each other, but also deciding to spend the rest of time together.

You’d convinced your landlord to let you out if your lease early, due to you being a exemplary tenant for several years. With the help of Frankie and the guys, you were able to box up your things and move into Frankie’s house across town.

It had taken a few weeks to unpack your life into this new space, but you felt a sense of accomplishment once everything had a place and mixed in effortlessly with Frankie’s belongings.

You’d both decided early on to keep your engagement to yourselves— a secret for the two of you to savor and enjoy.

Not that you were worried about what others might think, but this felt like a special kind of thing you wanted to bask in before sharing with your loved ones.

And when the time was right, everyone would know.

*

Your schedules had been booked and busy, so you’d both decided to take a random Friday off to spend some extra time together. You were excited to have a 3 day weekend, alone with your fiancé. Which also meant sleeping in as late as you wanted and taking your leisure time to extricate yourself from your cozy lush surroundings.

The bed dips a bit as you turn and stretch out your slow waking form.

“Time to get up sleepy head.” His voice is still your favorite part of waking up. The soft cadence tickles every inch of your body, better than any cup of coffee ever could.

“You let me sleep in, thank you.”

“You looked comfy all wrapped up, figured you could use a few more hours.”

He kisses you, it’s sweet and laced with a hint of bitterness from his morning coffee.

“Mmm! Good morning handsome.”

“Mornin’ Beautiful. There’s a coffee and a danish on the nightstand for you.” You shoot him a questioning look, amusingly taken aback and confused. “Don’t look at me like that. They were all out of croissants this morning, so I went with your second favorite.”

You accept the offer, rolling on to your stomach to reach for your coffee. You get lost in the first sip and savor its creamy rich flavor as it hits every waiting taste bud.

“Alright sleeping beauty. Time to get your ass outta bed and get ready.” Giving your backside a few pats before heading for the bedroom door. “Our appointment is at 3 and then dinner reservations are at 6. Gonna go iron my shirt and clean up my shoes.”

“Hey!” Playfully yelling for his attention as he walks away.

He stops just outside the door, turning back towards you.

“I love you.” He serious expression relaxes and his face lighting up instantly.

“I love you too.” He shoots you a wink before turning to carry on.

It takes you a minute to get yourself up and moving. Bites of your delicious danish and sips of your warm latte aid in your efforts to get yourself ready.

Your mundane routine of showering and prepping for the day were taken at a deliberate pace. Enjoying the balmy spray of the water, soothing the slight aches and pains that had built up over the last week, the feeling of relief is almost instant.

Toweling yourself off and slipping on your cozy rob, you finish readying yourself with a simple makeup look— nothing too fancy or bold, just enough to accentuate your most favorite features.

The garment bag containing your dress for the day was tucked away in the back of your closet. You were so excited to finally get to wear it and eager to see the look on Frankie’s face when he sees you in it.

It was muted in coloring, an off shade of white, it wasn’t anything you’d ever considered for yourself but the moment you’d tried it on there was an instant reaction of sorts. It’s silky smooth fabric hugged your body in such a way that you couldn’t help but feel like it was made for you.

Jewelry and shoes finished off the look, taking yourself in fully as you stand in front of your full length mirror. You hands smoothing over the dress, admiring every detail of your reflection.

“You look stunning.”

Your eyes immediately drawn to Frankie in the mirror leaning against the door frame.

Your breath catches at the sight of him. His head cocked to the side as he admires you, hands tucked into his pant pockets, suit jacket hugging his broad shoulders over his freshly ironed shirt— the top buttons forgotten about in true Frankie fashion.

He pushes himself off the doorframe, taking a few long strides until he is crowding behind your spot in front of the mirror.

His eye contact is direct, holding an intensity that makes you dizzy. Your body tingles when his large hands slowly rest on your shoulders, his thumbs toying at the delicate straps of your dress.

“Frankie…” His name floats over your lips as you look at him with an ardent smile.

His eyes never stop watching you as he leans down pressing a kiss to your bare shoulder, your eyelids flutter as the sensation of his lips ripples through your body.

Your hand comes up to caress the side of his face, his beard trimmed down, the stubble causing a bit of resistance to your touch.

You can’t help the tiny moan that escapes from your throat as Frankie begins to press kiss after kiss along your neck, tilting your head to completely give into to his wandering mouth.

“If you don’t stop, we’re never going to be on time.” Your breathless, knowing that it’s a slippery slop of carnal desire once things start to heat up.

He kisses you one last time before standing to his full height.

“You look so pretty.”

“Pretty?” His eyebrow raises at your comment, not he doesn���t think a man can be pretty, he’s just never saw himself as such.

You turn so you’re fully facing him, hands resting on his chest as you look at him with a sweet gaze. “Yes, pretty. And your hair looks good too.” Your fingers lightly combs through the sides just purely for the experience of touching him some more.

“You think so??” You nod softly and lean into kiss him gently.

“Let’s go handsome.”

*

It was a 45 minute drive, which gave you both plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company. Chats about work and plans for the next few months permeated the truck cabin. 70’s ballads filled the in between silence, but usually evoking laughter from you as Frankie would do his best to stay in tune with the music.

This was now a regular feature in both of your lives. These days spent together, relishing each and every moment, were your favorite. Weekends alone or with friends had you craving adventure as much as possible. But even the slow paced weekends, at home had become a cherished time for the both of you, wanting to absorb each and every moment before the work week was knocking at the door.

The large building towers over the street as Frankie pulls into the parking spot. Its florid design was beautiful for a giant cement building, the front covered in windows and ornate decorative details that are reminiscent of older times.

The weather is warm and sunny as you make your way to the building, Frankie’s grasp on your hand is grounding, giving it a few subtle squeezes as you walk through the glass doors.

The air inside feels cold and stale as you wait for the next available window, very on brand for such a building. A slight shiver has Frankie pulling you in to him, wrapping you in his warmth.

“Next!”

“Good afternoon ma’am. We have an appointment, should be under Morales.”

She doesn’t respond as she clicks away at her keyboard, squinting at her computer screen through her wide-rim glasses.

“Do you have all your proper documentation with you today?” Straight to the point and zero enthusiasm in her tone.

“Uh, yes ma’am.” Frankie hands her the small stack of papers she had asked for. You squeeze his hand now, 3 times as a silent ‘I love you’.

“It’s says here Mr. Morales you’re previously divorced. Do you have proof of dissolution? Otherwise you may not proceed with your application.” She asks as she continues to hold the papers that she hasn’t looked at yet, not even looking away from the screen.

“Yes. It’s in the with the other papers. It was an amicable dissolution, we both signed and agreed to end the marriage—“

“I don’t need your life story sir, just the proper paperwork.”

“Right. Sorry, ma’am.” 3 more squeezes to his sweaty hand, thankful that Frankie is handling her crankiness so calmly and with a smile. She clearly has been doing this for years and has zero intention of small talk.

Her fingers continue to click more buttons and she scans through the papers, inputting the information into the proper boxes. And after what feels like a long process, she’s printing out some new documents, stacking them with the ones you’d given her and hands them back to Frankie.

“Please wait for your name to be called.” Barely making eye contact as she adjusts herself in her chair.

“Thank you ma’am. Have a great weekend.”

“Mhmm. Next!”

“Clearly your charming good looks had no effect on her.” You snicker into Frankie’s shoulder as you both walk to the sitting area, trying to keep your comment contained between the two of you.

The minutes tick by, the space is eerily quiet, so you keep talking to a minimum while you wait.

The other chairs are filled with what look like other couples, all most likely there for the same reason.

You take in the sweet older couple who sits across from you. They must be in their 80’s and yet they have a young innocence that seems to envelop them. Their hands anchoring them to each other as they sit snuggled in sweetly. You can’t make out their conversation, but the way she is smiling and looking at him, it feels like she completely taken by him as has been for awhile. He pats her fragile little hands as he talks and every few minutes he looks at her like she’s the only one in the room— your heart nearly implodes at the gentle kiss he gives her forehead.

It’s like you’re looking at a glimpse of your future. A love so authentic and undying, strong enough to endure hardships, a vivid and passionate life together that never gets tiring.

The soft whisper of your name catches your attention.

“You okay?” 3 gentle squeezes to your hand, the reciprocated gesture tugging at your heart.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just happy to be here with you.” You smile emphasizing your words.

“Alight, we have Morales up next! Please make your way through these doors and the commissioner is waiting for you up at the front.”

*

Entering the room, you’re welcomed by a lady standing behind a wooden podium— she’s already more inviting than the older one at the front desk.

Frankie’s hand is anchored to your lower back as you both make your way closer to her. Frankie hands her the papers she’s needs and you both wait for her to begin.

“Welcome. I have a few more couples after you so let’s get started. Do you have any witnesses with you today?”

“No ma’am we do not.”

“Okay, that’s fine, not a requirement in the state of Florida. And will you be exchanging rings today?”

“No ma’am, we do not have rings.”

“Well, this might just be the easiest one today.” She laughs a bit as she shuffled her papers around a bit.

“I’m going to ask you both to face each other while I read the declaration of intent.”

You can feel the emotions already flowing through you, as you look at Frankie. This man has gifted you with so much in such a short amount of time and you can’t help but feel so grateful for this life you’re about to begin.

“Please join hands.”

Frankie takes yours in his, his is touch is the most powerful thing you have ever felt.

“Francisco, do you take—“ There’s an pang in your chest as she says your name, but it’s not a heavy feeling, it’s light and airy as she continues reading from her paper. “To be your lawful wedded partner?”

“I do.”

His thumb sweeps back and forth across the top of your hand, his smile is beaming with elation.

“… do you take Francisco to be your lawful wedding partner?”

“I do.” There’s a slight crack when you say it, emotion fully overtaking your voice.

“… you have come here today on your own free will and declared your love for one and other.”

Tears begin to fall from your eyes as you look back at Frankie, your whole body feels like it’s floating on a blissful cloud. He wipes each tear and gently rubs your cheekbone, you lean into his touch.

“You have joined yourselves in matrimony. May you aim all your lives to meet this commitment and celebrate

in each other's company. And now that you have given and pledged your love and have stated so by joining

hands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of Florida as Deputy Marriage Commissioner, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss.”

And you do. It’s unlike any kiss you have ever experienced before. It’s all-encompassing and heart-stopping, pouring out all the love you have for one another— his lips feel like forever.

Wedded bliss is intoxicating. An indescribable feeling of starting this new chapter together and looking forward to a future where it’s the two of you steadfast in your fidelity and aspirations.

*

Driving straight from the courthouse, you’d both felt slightly over dressed at your favorite restaurant, it’s casual setting a stark contrast from your wedding attire. In the short time together, you’d both become regulars, dining in or takeout had become a weekly occurrence.

Frankie had made the reservation and must have mentioned it was a special occasion because the table is nestled in a corner that was secluded from the rest of the restaurant. Lit candles and small arrangement of flowers placed in the center.

You couldn’t have imagined a more perfect post wedding celebration. Indulging in your favorite dishes as you reflect on the day, it all still feeling surreal and fresh. The staff also gifting a slice of cake, a little congratulations on your new marriage.

“How long should we keep it from them? Santi’s going to be pissed when he finds out. I can already see that assholes face.”

You laugh because you know he’s right, but you know he’ll be happy for you both, they all will.

“How about we wait a month. Then we can invite everyone over for dinner, the weather’s been nice too, so maybe we pull out the bbq even and we tell them then. I mean, we made it 6 months engaged and none of them had a single clue. I like the thought of this being between us for a little bit.”

“That sounds like a great plan.” He leans over and looks at you with an almost devilish smirk. “Now, let’s get home so I can get you out of that fucking dress.”

“Mr. Morales, you have quiet the mouth on you.” You tease amusingly.

“Well Mrs. Morales, this mouth also has plans for you this evening.” His tone hushed as he spoke, a wink to seal his response.

You close the space between you, feeling his plush lips against yours. “Then take me home soldier.” Your tongue peeking out, the softest lick to his lips before pulling away and settling back into your chair.

“Can we get the check?!”

*

It was dark by the time Frankie pull the truck into the drive way. The stars like little fireflies lighting the sky and the moon silently vigilant as it settles in for the night.

“Did we leave a light on before we left?” Unbuckling yourself and noticing a faint light illuminating the front room, a slight panic creeping in your eyes.

“Hmm, I thought we turned them all off. Go head on in and check it out, I’m gonna lock up the truck and grab the leftovers.”

Thankfully the door is secured and you don’t see any sign of a break-in or anything out of place, relief washing over you.

Stepping through the threshold into the house you’re met with an unexpected sight. Dozens of white roses on every surface surround the open room, the floor draped in a sea of white petals. Bouquets covering the kitchen island where small candles are lit, the glow you saw from the window, more bouquets as you look into the living room.

You’re completely speechless and in awe of the beauty of the room and you’re so confused trying to figure out where they all came from. Clearly someone did break in? But decorated with flowers and locked up after they left…

Footsteps through the doorway bring your attention back to your surroundings, their presence stopping behind you.

“Frankie? What are all these flowers doing here?”

He doesn’t respond, but you can sense that he’s there. Pulling your eyes away from the flowers you turn to face Frankie, except he’s not level with you when you do so.

There before you is Frankie, your husband, kneeling on one knee looking up at you holding a small box in his hands.

“Frankie?” A wave of shock and elation crash over you in a matter of seconds. “What are you doing?”

“Hermosa… I know you said you didn’t need some big extravagant proposal and seeing as how we just got married just a few hours ago 6 months after meeting, we definitely don’t follow traditions.” His voice is so soft, and his eyes have never looked brighter.

“This is me promising you a future, a life where you are not alone. From the moment I met you, I knew I wanted to be apart of your life in some capacity and I wanted to make you smile everyday because it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Everyday I wake and think of you and when I sleep I think of you, you consume me with your laughter and your words of encouragement and your ability to live without abandonment.” You gasp as he slowly opens the small box revealing a ring. The design is simple and elegant, a beautiful stone setting with a unique design on a wider gold band.

“Te amo Hermosa. Will you be mine forever?”

You can’t stop the tears that are pouring down your face, you can’t even properly form any words as you nod your head reaching out for him, standing to his full height, placing the ring on your finger.

“I just need to double check that was a yes?”

“Yes! A million times yes!” You laugh through the still streaming tears, swatting at his chest as you look down at your hand, the ring sitting perfectly on your finger.

“How did you manage to get this all set up? It’s beautiful by the way.”

“I enlisted Hannah to help.”

“Hannah knows?!”

“No. No she doesn’t know what it was for exactly. I just said I wanted to surprise you after a dinner with flowers, I didn’t realize she was going to go all out. Remind me to check my credit card later.”

You kiss him, soaking in the moment with him. “I love you Frankie.” You whisper against his lips before you begin kissing him again.

“Wait, there’s one more thing.” He states as he pulls out his phone. “I also had Hannah show me how to use my phone with the speaker, something about blue teeth?”

It takes him a minute to get it connected, but he manages to get it hooked up. Music begins to play, it’s a softer song and you realize it’s one of your favorites. You’ve played it numerous times over the last few months, claiming that the song remind you of yours and Frankie’s love for each other.

“Can I have this dance?” Tossing his phone to the couch and holding his hand out to you.

“Always.”

The song played on as you both held each other, the soft sway of your bodies around the room. The flicker of the candles still adding a touch of light, laughter and kisses exchanged as he spins you about.

This was only the beginning.

[mysimsloveaffair]

The tenants have moved in next door. Although it’s late, I decide to stop by to ensure everything is okay with the rental. But, as I step outside in the dark, I get this weird, anxious sensation—as if I’m in danger. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m in a new town. I think back to what Clyde said when I first met him, ‘don’t get robbed out there!’** What did he mean by that? Is that something I should be worried about out here?

Wade: *out loud to himself* Pull yourself together! Fatherhood is making you soft.

I walk up to the front door of the rental and knock.

Female Voice: Who is it?

Wade: It’s your new landlord—from next door.

Female Voice: Come on in!

I enter and find Tia, one of my new tenants, sitting on the couch.

Wade: Hi, I’m Wade. You must be Tia.

Tia: I am, but there’s no way you’re the landlord.

Wade: What do you mean?

Tia: Aren’t landlords supposed to be old and out of shape with a little butt crack showing?

Wade: I don’t know. I never had one before.

Tia: You’re way too good-looking. My husband Haru won’t be too happy about this. 

About what? Is she implying that she has a jealous husband? Great. Maybe I should have vetted them before allowing them to move in.

Wade: Look—I’m just here to ensure everything works okay.

Tia: Our dishwasher seems to be a bit wonky. I think one of the buttons is stuck.

**Link takes you to my WordPress website

[blushweddinggowns]

When Steve’s mom forced him to get a tutor for biology, he was not happy.  Frankly, he was pissed. Sure he was sitting on a solid D- and yeah he wasn’t exactly known for his academic prowess, but it still sucked. He didn’t have time for tutoring. He had things to do, especially when it came to Sundays. It was one of only two days a week when Steve got Eddie all to himself, no band practice, no sports, no Hellfire, just the two of them. 

But Eddie, the goddamn hypocrite was actually on his mom’s side.

“I’m just saying that it would help with the college thing.” He said, rolling his eyes at the way Steve glared at him. Maybe it would have been more intimidating if he wasn’t currently straddling his lap and playing with a piece of Eddie’s hair, but Steve was too comfortable to move, even if he was pissy. 

“Y’know, there’s a solid chance nothing I do will be good enough for a college.”

“Well then at least we can say you tried, can't we?"

“I’m just saying, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment if you think I’m just going to start academically succeeding out of nowhere. My dumbass won’t be our ticket out of here,”  Steve sighed, ignoring the way Eddie’s eyes softened at his words. He was staring downward, eyes focused on a suddenly interesting bleach stain on Eddie’s shirt. 

"You’re not stupid Stevie."

And as sweet as that was, it wasn’t true. He was a straight C- student on a good year, and that took effort. And yeah, the two of them may be in the same ballpark with their grades, but it was different. Eddie was actually smart, just not when it came to people outside of Wayne and Steve telling him what to do. He taught himself how to draw, how to write, Jesus, he basically taught himself how to read, all while living in a house from hell for his formative years. He didn’t know what it was like to be truly dumb. He missed 2⁄3 of middle school and he was still doing better in English than Steve was. 

Steve could feel his eyes start to get wet as he sniffed, instantly annoyed at himself for getting emotional over something so stupid. But at least it fits the profile, stupid people do stupid things. 

He didn’t fight it when Eddie hooked a finger under his chin, forcing him to look up at him. He kissed him first, two light pecks to his lips before mumbling against his mouth, “I could never be disappointed in you. You could drop out tomorrow and I’d still love you as much as I do now.”

Steve couldn’t help but smile a little at that, “Yeah?”

“You know I would. And well…in all honesty babe I always thought drug price inflation was going to be our ticket out of here. I have been overcharging ninth graders for like, a year and a half now.”

Steve smacked his lightly in the chest for that, even if it made him laugh, “Ass. If you can’t trust your local drug dealer then who can you trust?”

“Not my fault I have a family to take care of,” Eddie grinned, swooping in for another kiss, "But seriously baby you're not stupid."

Steve opened his mouth to argue but Eddie slapped a hand over it before he had a chance, “And I know you don’t want to hear it but you’re not. Who was the one to find out that Rick was shortchanging me?”

Steve rolled his eyes. That didn’t even count. He was just the first one to notice that the numbers Rick had written didn’t match up with what the scale said, and the first one to threaten him over it. Eddie would have figured it out eventually. 

But he let it go, mumbling beneath his hand,  “I did.”

“And who saved us fifty bucks in rent after threatening the landlord with a lawsuit?”

That…that shouldn’t have counted either. Steve had been on a cleaning kick that day and just happened to stumble across an old copy of their lease. And he only read through it because he was bored waiting for Eddie to come home. And the only reason he knew there were violations was because he spent nearly 80 percent of his time there, and yeah maybe he was good at threatening people with legal jargon, but that was only because he retained shit he’d heard from his dad.

“I did but-”

“But nothing,” Eddie interrupted, “Because you were also the guy who actually paid attention during CPR class and saved that lady from drowning sophomore year. And you’re managing to scam your parents into giving you money while banging gay trailer trash. If that’s not smart, I don’t know what is. So I think that you're more than capable of passing a biology midterm. And even if you're not it won’t erase all of the other things you’ve done. Understand?”

Steve blushed, a confusing mix of annoyed and pleased at the praise. Part of him still wanted to fight him, even if everything he said was technically true. But a bigger part wanted to get back to kissing him, and he knew Eddie wouldn’t let it go without him conceding at least a little. 

“I understand,” Steve sighed, “But if I’m a big fat failure at this you’re still contractually obligated to love me.”

He wrapped his arms around Eddie’s neck, eyes darting to his lips every few seconds while Eddie chuckled, “Baby, you could try to kill me and I’d still love you.”

Steve leaned back in, tired of waiting. He licked over Eddie’s lips, smiling when he obediently opened his mouth so he could slip his tongue inside. Besides, maybe he was right, maybe Steve could handle it, but it didn’t matter either way. As long as Eddie loved him, he’d be fine. 

And that’s how Steve found himself being shaken awake by Eddie on a Sunday for freaking studying. Yeah the make-out session from last week had been pretty convincing but it was a whole different thing in the light of day. 

He groaned at the sound of Eddie’s voice, purposefully loud as he sang out, “Time to wake up sunshine! You got some learning to do!”

Steve buried his face in his pillow, groaning again when Eddie took that as an invite to sit on him. He leaned over, whispering in his ear, “If you wake up now I’ll make it worth your while.”

Steve giggled, immediately charmed by the asshole who was already starting to tickle his sides, “What, like you did last night? How are you going to top that?”

Eddie whispered a few more things in his ear, some very interesting things that suddenly left certain parts of Steve very much awake. He pushed Eddie off of him before jumping out of bed, scrambling to put on the loosest pair of sweats he owned while Eddie laughed behind him. 

They went downstairs together, and somehow Steve only managed to embarrass himself twice during the whole interaction. It helped that Nancy ended up being  one of the most patient people on the planet, always willing to re-explain the things that Steve didn’t get on the first try. It helped even more knowing that Eddie was in the other room, like his presence alone was his own personal security blanket, even if all he was doing was snoring on the couch. 

The whole thing wasn’t nearly as bad as Steve had been expecting. He had kind of thought that the daughter of someone who could stand to be friends with his mom would be…well a bitch. But Nancy was nothing like that. She was straightforward and to the point, but also kind with 0 condescension to Steve’s lack of studying skills. 

They drove her home after, and he had to admit she dealt with him and Eddie bickering over the radio like a champ. Eventually she just threw her hands up and batted both of them away, with a stern, “Passenger side gets to pick!”

But at least he knew who ABBA was now, and Steve was a pretty big fan of both their music and the way it made Eddie cringe. He kept it on the whole ride home and surprisingly enough, he was actually looking forward to their next session. 

He thought that would be the next time he saw her, so imagine his surprise when he walked into first period with Nancy Wheeler already seated by the window, a book in hand. That was new. He walked up to her, taking the desk in front so he could turn back. She didn’t notice him at first, too absorbed in her book. He gently tapped on her desk, knowing from previous experience that it was really easy to jumpscare people when they were absorbed in reading.

She glanced up at him, surprise written all over her face. Which made sense, this was probably the first class they’d ever had together.

He smiled at her, “When did you get added to this class?”

Steve frowned when she looked away from him before answering, voice quiet, “I’ve uh, been here all year actually.”

Steve blinked at her, stomach twisting in a knot. Oh. Oh no. Could he look like a bigger dick? But maybe he could still save this, “Oh. Then I guess this is what you meant when you said we’ve met before?”

Nancy shook her head, still looking anywhere but at Steve’s face, “It was uh, actually last year? We were lab partners in Mrs. Kay's chemistry class. And um, I guess as a warning I’m also in your History class. And uh, Biology. That’s why I’m your tutor.”

Steve stared at her, mouth opening and closing like an idiot. He knew that he was a bit notorious for his one track mind, but he didn’t realize that it was that bad, “I am so sorry.”

She shrugged, “It’s not your fault I’m forgettable.”

Steve opened his mouth to argue, but the next thing he knew he was being shushed by the teacher and Nancy was already back to reading. He wiped a hand down his face, mind already racing on just what he could do to make up for accidentally ignoring her existence for a year plus. But by the time class ended and he turned around she was already walking out of the door. 

She was fast for such a little person. And despite the fact that they apparently had three classes together he couldn’t manage to catch her once. He whined to Eddie about it the whole way home, glaring at him when he had the audacity to laugh. Steve was still pouting about it by the time they walked through the front door of the trailer, especially since Eddie was still giggling behind him. 

“Babe, I said I was sorry! And hey, at least you didn’t fake date her right?”

Steve groaned as he flopped down into their bed, only the slightest bit appeased when he felt Eddie tug his shoes off for him, “Lab partners is so much worse. I didn’t even know her name until last week. I’m awful.”

“Oh come on, you can still win her over!” Eddie said as he plopped down next to him, laughing when Steve immediately started to play with his hair, “You just got to use some of that signature Harrington charm.”

Steve sighed as he twisted a lock of Eddie's hair around his finger, trying and failing to make his brain come up with an answer. But then it hit him, “Hey, do you still have enough stuff here to make more muffins?”

Eddie raised a brow at him, “Are you going to try and bribe her into liking you with chocolate?”

“If you make them for me I will,”  Steve was trying to put on his most convincing face, the cute one that almost always got Eddie to do what he wanted. And it seemed to be working if the way his eyes softened was anything to go by. 

Eddie sighed, pretending to think about it for a second, “What’s in it for me?”

Steve leaned into kiss him, two quick pecks to the side of his mouth before saying, “My undying love?”

Steve loved how something so corny was enough to make Eddie melt, “Deal.”

God, he was so easy. 

He left Eddie to bake while he drove all the way back to his house. There were a lot of other things he’d rather be doing than digging around in his mom’s desolate wrapping paper drawer in the middle of the night, but he made it work. 

By the time he got back to the trailer they were baked and cooled, and Steve made sure to give Eddie a thorough kiss for his efforts. He wrapped a few of them up in some purple cellophane, paired with a pink and white bow, the least ugly combination he was able to find at one a.m.

He added a small white card, scribbling a little something into it before presenting it to Eddie in bed, “Tada! What do you think?”

Eddie laughed as he took it from him to inspect, in good spirits despite the fact that Steve insisted he stayed awake until it was finished. He seemed just as impressed with his handiwork as Steve was, “I think it’s perfect."

Steve preened, “You think she’ll like it?”

“She’ll love it,” Eddie reassured before gently placing it on the nightstand. He grabbed Steve’s arm, hauling him down from his sitting position to nearly laying on top of him before grabbing a blanket to cover them both up in, “Now can we please go to sleep?”

Steve didn’t argue when Eddie went to turn off the light. He was right, especially since he was going to make them wake up early on top of it.

The next morning Steve was actually in class early. For the first time in well…ever. But Nancy had still beat him there. She was in her usual place, nose in her book. She didn’t even look up when Steve sat in front of her, but she did startle a bit when he dropped the gift on her desk. 

He grinned at her, way too excited for her reaction, “These are for you! To say I’m sorry for y’know. Being oblivious.”

Nancy looked at the muffins and back to Steve, a small smile slowly growing on her face, “You made me apology muffins?”

“Well…Eddie made them,” Steve admitted, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck, “But I helped! And did the decorating and wrote the card.”

Nancy plucked the small card off the ribbon. She read it out loud, her small smile transforming into a full blown grin, “‘I’m Sorry I’m an Asshole.’ I’m guessing you did the little frowny face too?”

Steve nodded, “I may have the art skills of a ten year old but I do mean it. You’re not forgettable Nancy. I’m just an inconsiderate moron. Okay?”

Nancy stared down at the gift in her hands before looking back to Steve, voice soft, “I…thanks. I appreciate that.”

They talked for a while after that and Steve was pretty sure he was planted firmly on the path of forgiveness. But he wanted to be 100 percent sure. He had made it this far, why not push a little more?

“Do you want to have lunch together today?”

Nancy looked more than a little surprised at the request, “Oh, I already have plans with Barb.”

Steve shrugged, “She can come too. The four of us can go to Benny's and get some burgers or something.”

“Isn’t that against school rules?”

Steve smiled to himself. He forgot for a second that he was talking to a goody two shoes over here, “Only if you get caught. And if we did Eddie and I would take the blame, scout’s honor.”

She bit her lip, hesitating before finally nodding her head, “If Barb says yes then, um, sure.”

That was good enough for Steve, even if he had no clue who Barb was. But he’d trust Nancy’s judgment. And surprisingly the whole thing goes a lot better than Steve had been expecting. He was a little scared that their table would be dead quiet after they all realized they had nothing in common, a completely unfounded fear considering that Eddie was with them. He had a knack for getting people to open their mouths, even if it was only to tell him to shut up. And that little skill was great to get both girls to open up a little. 

Turns out Steve and Nancy actually had something in common, a mutual love for Blondies, in particular Heart of Glass, while Barb and Eddie both agreed that it was one of the most annoying things they’d ever heard. They created a united front to tease them both over it, and Nancy and Steve bonded over just how misunderstood Deborah Harry was. 

It was fun, fun enough for Eddie to invite them both to lunch more and more often. Nancy says yes more than Barb, who is surprisingly busy with a few of her extracurriculars. But it’s still fun. Nancy’s fun. And soon spending lunch together turns into inviting her over to watch a movies with him and Eddie at the trailer, or getting food while Eddie was caught up in Hellfire or Band practice. 

It all snowballs into the two of them spending a lot more time together, most of it outside of their tutoring sessions. And Steve was starting to think that he had actually managed to make a friend.  The real cincher is just how well she gets along with Eddie, and watching them both laugh together was enough to make Steve feel all warm and happy inside. 

Because he likes Nancy. Like, really likes her. Like doesn’t want to throw her to the wayside likes her. She’s smart and kind, a little strict in a weird but pleasant way. And sometimes he’ll look at her and Barb doing something, something as casual as whispering to each other at  the lockers, all smiles and shared secrets, and Steve can’t help but want that. 

Because he doesn’t really have his own friends outside of Eddie. He has his teammates sure, but it’s not like he can let himself get too close to them. Then there were Eddie’s friends, and they were all great, really, but they weren’t…his. There was Wayne, but as much as he loved him he’d always be more of a parent then a friend. That said, Eddie was still his best friend. He loved Eddie, he loved Eddie more than anything on the planet. 

But he can’t…talk to Eddie about Eddie. And yeah, maybe it was a bit too feminine to want to gossip about your boyfriend at the lockers with a new girl bestie. But then again, he probably lost his “man” card the second he shoved his tongue down Eddie's throat for the first time. And it’s not just that he wants someone to talk about his relationship. He wants her to be able to talk to him too. Whether it be her own crushes or complaining about her parents, he wanted to connect with her more. It sounded…fun. Maybe gay as hell but whatever. Technically it was fitting. 

But he knew that he couldn’t have that if he didn’t tell her the truth. 

~

 From this fic, and the 1.5 Part of this post

Part 2 Part 3

@missarte-beltane

Idk tag etiquette so I only added the person who asked for it because I don't want to be annoying! But if you want to be added let me know!

[nestaismommy]

https://at.tumblr.com/feyreselain/youre-not-happy-with-the-way-the-ic-handled/dlytzgax3tch

Have you seen ^ that load of bs lol?

It’s definitely bullshit.

Not because Nesta lived, doesn’t mean the inner circle cared.

Let’s see….

Feyre said carefully, “For what it’s worth, I was hoping you’d turn yourself around. I wanted to give you space to do it, since you seem to lash out at everyone who comes close enough, but you didn’t even try.”

I had someone close to me, tell me that I’m not trying to get over my trauma, and let me tell you something. It is so fucking insensitive. You can’t just get over it. It can take years to move past traumatic events and heal from them. It is a long journey. And it’s a process. Nesta was coping. It is so hard to even get out of bed when you’re suffering. You’re just trying to survive. And then someone tells you that you aren’t even trying. If Nesta told Feyre she wasn’t even “trying” when Feyre was still traumatized from under the mountain, Feyre would’ve cried or some shit.

“You spent five hundred gold marks last night!” Feyre exploded, shooting to her feet to pace in front of the hearth. “Do you know how much money that is? Do you know how embarrassed I was when we got the bill this morning and my friends—my family—had to hear all about it?”

That’s what you care about Feyre? The money that isn’t even yours? Don’t you live off his money too? You’re embarrassed?

Oh please, get over it. Go cry over your scrambled eggs or something. Last I checked, he didn’t even earn the money. He’s just rich and he could’ve easily cut her off.

“It is about how it reflects upon me, upon Rhys, and upon my court when my damned sister spends our money on wine and gambling and does nothing to contribute to this city! If my sister cannot be controlled, then why should we have the right to rule over anyone else?”

Does nothing to contribute to this city? Bitch she literally fought in the war ☠️

Clearly she’s more worried about her title, than Nesta’s trauma.

“I am not a thing to be controlled by you,” Nesta said icily. Everything in her life, from the moment she was born, had been controlled by other people. Things happened to her; anytime she tried to exert control, she’d been thwarted at every turn—and she hated that even more than the King of Hybern.

Do you know how fucking sad this is? She’s always been controlled. Imagine how triggering this is considering her mother and grandmother did the same thing. They controlled her too. Now it’s her sister.

“That’s why you’re going to train at Windhaven. You will learn to control yourself.”

“I won’t go.”

“You’re going, even if you have to be tied up and hauled there.”

Is this what you call helping? Making Nesta train in Windhaven with Illyrians who literally hate women and SA them.

Not as her sister said, “I’m having that entire building condemned.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“It’s done. Rhys already visited the landlord. It will be torn down and rebuilt as a shelter for families still displaced by the war.”

Nesta tried to master her uneven breathing. One of the few choices she’d made for herself, stripped away. Feyre didn’t seem to care. Feyre had always been her own master. Always got whatever she wished. And now, it seemed, Feyre would be granted this wish, too.

Destroying Nesta’s home. One of the few chooses she’d made for herself, stripped away.

Feyre didn’t seem to care. Always got whatever she wished.

“You go back to the human lands.”

Amren had suggested a few days in a dungeon in the Hewn City, but Feyre had simply said that the human world would be more than enough of a prison for someone like Nesta.

This?? What the fuck? Dungeon? There’s no way you’re gonna sit there and tell me these people care for her. Care my ass.

The fact that Feyre said the human world because it would be a prison to Nesta.

Yeah as I said, they weren’t trying to help her and they never cared. Think what you want to think but I’m just stating the obvious.

[lostonehero]

Fuck it

Werewolf Martin

Martin knew he was fucked, it's been a week since he's been trapped in this damn apartment by this worm woman. He might of fucked up even more when he finally noticed his calender. This was so stupid that he prepared for this, but it was a freaky worm creature. He growls low and haunting. The sun was going down soon, and his landlord won't be happy in the slightest. What about the other people here. He especially got this place because it was cheap and nobody cared who came and went.

"L-look, please leave me a-alone." Martin pressed himself against his front door bracing against the thumps. "It's almost sunset."

He heard a mocking laugh. "Afraid of the dark? Listen to our sweet song, let it consume you join us, Martin."

Martin groaned. That isn't what he meant at all, but should he feel bad about what he was going to do? He didn't have control when he was hungry and he was trapped and this door won't hold him. He had two hours to convince this creature to leave, and he didn't exactly have his phone to call for help.

Time moved quickly after he finally made his decision. He could come up with a cover story. He's done it before, and hell, his mom never figured out what happened to him as a teen. He will have to get new clothes and explain the weight loss but fuck it.

"L-ast!" Martin was never good at counting his time as his words are cut off with a growling scream. Bones shifting and cracking fur covering his body. Then it's too quiet, and the thumping against the door seemed to laugh and get more violent until....

A loud blood curling howl and the door were broken into splinters. The worms did nothing to the giant wolf creature with red fur with streaks of black. The wolf growled and gave no warning when it charged and bit into the hive of a woman. Blood rot and worms were sprayed. The wolf bared its teeth and ran out of the complex.

.......

"Any news on Martin?" Sasha hums, looking over Tim, who was scrolling through his phone.

"Not since the beginning of the week." Tim shrugs. "I know double boss gave him sick leave even if he told us through text."

"I'm worried about the big guy he- " Sasha is cut off by stomping feet and gasping breath.

"I'm - I'm uh back." It was Martin. The man seemed to loom over them more so than normal his soft curves seemed to be replaced with muscular angles. His red hair was a mess on the top of his head, and his clothes seemed to hang on him. "Sorry I didn't mean to be gone so long."

"Geez Marto, you alright." Tim looks at him with wide eyes. "Some stomach bug you had looked at you."

Sasha gasps and gets up. "Martin, you look pale. Are you alright? You shouldn't come back if you are still sick."

Did Jane use his phone? Probably Martin sighs he needed a lie or half truth. "There was a massive break in at my flat, and it seems they used wild animals. The police are still investigating, and uh, I didn't just want to stay there while they investigate. A lot of stuff was ruined, nothing stolen. I don't think but I need a new door."

"Fucking hell Martin why come into work?" Tim stared at the taller man with a open mouth.

"They uh broke my phone so I couldn't explain to Elias what happened." Martin looked away with a blush.

"Jesus Martin." Sasha sighs. "Come on I'll come with you to explain things to Elias and then Jon."

"Oh, uh, thank you." Martin gives a nervous smile. "It's just been hectic."

"Oh sweetie, how about we make some tea after." Sasha hums. "Tim can pay for drinks later."

"I did not agree to anything!" Tim huffs but has a smile on his lips. "Glad to have ya back, big guy."

Martin's face was as red as his hair. "You guys thank you."

.......

Elias looked up from his desk and raised his brow in slight confusion, which isn't his normal Forte. "Martin, what a lovely surprise are you feeling better?"

Martin shifted and swallowed he wasn't nervous around his boss he kind of had the instinct to intimate him. Not that he would he needs this job and heaven forbid he finds out he lied. "Yeah, I was sick, and uh, then my flat was broken into with animals, and uh, I don't exactly have a phone at the moment." He recalls picking out broken pieces of his phone in his mouth the next morning.

Elias had that confused expression on his face, but it quickly was covered up. "If you need more time off, I can give you..."

Martin quickly shook his head. "No, I uh sir I rather keep my mind off of that. I'll just get back to work then."

"Alright then. Just stay safe, Martin. we wouldn't want anything bad happening to you." Elias smiles and waves Martin out.

Martin sighs. "I think that went well."

"Come on, now we have to tell Jon." Sasha hums.

"Oh right yeah, tell Jon." Martin takes a breath. It's bad enough that he had a crush on his boss, but it's worse because his instincts agreed with him to the point where he couldn't exactly write off his feelings. He also knew Jon was a cat person, which didn't help him.

....

"Martin...." Jon narrowed his gaze to the taller man. He could see whatever sickness he had taken a heavy toll on the man. Then, to have a break in on top of that. Maybe he could let some of the unfortunate behaviors of the man go for the moment. "I am glad you've returned."

Martin gave a nervous smile. "Thank you sir uh Jon thank you, Jon." He shifts slightly. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

Jon nods his head. "I would like one, yes."

Martin nods and quickly exits.

Jon sighs and returns to his notes. He really shouldn't be so hard on the man, but it can't be helped.

......

They were fooling around while Jon, who rarely stepped out of his office, was out. Martin always did his best not to go to work or, at the very least, leave early on the nights of the full moon. He wasn't exactly lucky today, and maybe he was being a little aggressive when he was knocked into a wall. "Oh bloody hell."

"Oh fuck me." Tim gasps.

"Is that a tunnel?" Sasha stared at the Martin sized hole in the wall.

Martin groans he could see deep into the tunnels more so than the others, but he would never admit why to them. The smell hit him, and he knew that smell, but it was fresh, and his body didn't. No, his instincts screamed at him to follow it. "Guys, we shouldn't. Uh, we shouldn't be..."

"MARTIN!" Jon shouted, and Martin didn't flinch, and if they noticed, nobody said a word. "What the bloody hell... was....that...oh."

"Hey, so didn't know you had a spooky tunnel, boss man." Tim jokes, but everyone can see the curiosity in his eyes.

"That's supposed to be a solid wall." Jon mumbles, looking at Martin, who got up dusting himself off. Be nice, Jon. "Did you hit your head?"

"N-no. I'm fine but it's getting late and we shouldn't explore this now." Martin knew the sun wouldn't be down for another 3 hours, but he also knew he couldn't trust public transport to race against the night. He didn't grab Sasha fast enough when she stepped inside the tunnel.

"Properly spooky." Sasha chuckles using the flashlight on her phone. "Come on, we investigate this stuff all the time. Now we have one at our home base. A little urban exploration won't kill us." She bites her tongue, looking back at Tim.

Tim grabs a flashlight from his keychain. "I'm with Sasha. We are employees at the spooky place. Let's unearth some spooky secrets." He's already tugging Martin along. "Come on, big guy. You'll be our muscle." He jokes.

Jon follows the three. "I suppose I would like some hard evidence." He has a flashlight on his phone as well and follows them into the tunnels.

Martin somehow made his way to the front of the group and became the so-called guide. Against his sane mind, he was following that scent he picked up earlier, and he doesn't realize how long they've been in there.

"Hey Mateo, you sure you don't need a torch?" Tim was to his side.

"O-oh yours is fine enough." Martin internally groaned he forgot to look normal. He has pretty good night vision thanks to being that, along with other enhanced senses. Speaking of which, his hand perked out, grabbing the back of Jon's sweater. "Not that way." And as if on cue, the path seemed to shift, and a wall was in place of that open tunnel.

"Dude, are you like psychic?" Tim blinks. "How did you know?"

"....smelled wrong..." Martin mumbles.

Jon blinks. "How did a wall just move out of nowhere? What even are these tunnels?"

Sasha hums and points her light up, highlighting a name. "That's a familiar name."

"Robert smirk." Tim sighs. "That guy seems to be everywhere."

Martin barely glances at Tim's phone. It was getting too late, and he knew he couldn't turn back. It was too late to backtrack he really hoped he wouldn't hurt them. He jumps at a soft touch on his arm.

"Martin, relax." Jon sighs. "I wanted to thank you for not letting me get trapped."

Martin smiles softly, and Jon swore he could see a faint glow from the larger man's eyes. "O-of course Jon, we shouldn't split up."

Jon nods. "Right, you are Martin."

They continue forward, and that familair dread was settling in Martin's core. The smell was getting stronger, and he didn't know what the state of the body would be in. He didn't know if he would be in control when... he clutched his chest in pain and fell to his side. "Bloody fuck." He gasps. He was too late, and to his left, he saw an open room and that body he was tracking.

"Martin!?" Sasha shouted as her light traveled over, revealing the large room and the dead body. She gasps and drops her phone.

Jon stared wide-eyed at the body. He's never seen a dead body before, let alone one with eyes that shouldn't still be intact.

The color drained out of Tim's face. "Holy shit."

Martin stumbled to his feet again. "Guys...." He covered his mouth, and his legs gave out with a heavy crack. He was growling, trying his best to fight this, but he knew it was futile.

"Martin, come on, get up." Jon reached out and touched Martin's shoulder. "We have to we have to report this and... and..." He felt the bone shift under Martin's skin and another loud crack.

Three pairs of eyes trained on Martin as he seemed to grow. Flesh pulled at his shifting bones and muscle. His clothes were ripped one by one as his body changed to that of a massive inhuman sized wolf.

Sasha knew she should run. She knew she shouldn't stare. Her feet felt like they were cemented to the floor. Her friend, sweet clumsy Martin, was something that was only in fantasy novels and bad romance movies.

Tim swallowed. "Easy there Martin, please tell me you're still Martin." He stepped back to the hard back of the stone tunnel.

Jon stared at the impossible. His coworker, his bumbling idiot and the sweetest man he ever met was not human. Those haunting blue eyes remained the same as he skulked closer. "Martin...?"

Martin growled and stepped closer and closer till he looked down at Jon. His hot breath came down on the shorter man. He bared his teeth for a moment before taking a long sniff. Drool dripped from his maw, and in an instant, a large heavy paw came down then...

Jon yelped and screamed, then started to laugh. "Martin! No stop, stop!" Martin pinned him to the floor, licking his face. He tried to push the lumbering wolf away, but his hands sunk into the soft fur. "S-stop! Wait, my glasses! MARTIN!"

Martin stopped and sat back, his tail thumping against the stone floor.

Sasha couldn't stop herself she approached, careful to avoid Jon on the floor. She reached her hand out on the soft fur. "YOU'RE SO FLUFFY!" She giggles as Martin licks her, making her curly hair stand up straight. "Tim, come here now. Please feel how soft he is."

Tim slowly approaches and is assaulted with the wolf's tongue. "Hey, buy me dinner first." He chuckles and scratches between his ears when he lays down. "Look at you, sweetest thing in these tunnels."

Jon gets up, barely getting any drool off his face and sweater. At least he could see since his glasses weren't broken. "He's not dangerous?"

Martin rolls over to show his belly.

"Jon, that's the universal sign that a dog likes you." Sasha squeals, rubbing his belly. "It's so soft."

"Is he still in there?" Jon's question created enough tension the room grew silent except for the panting from Martin.

Tim frowns. "He should be alright if the myths are right in the morning. I mean...WHOA" Martin has flung Tim to his back and then grabbed Sasha and Jon to sit on his back. "Hey buddy..."

A loud growl shut up any other comments. Jon held on for his life as Martin began to run hard and fast. Sasha was laughing, and Tim giggled. They exited the tunnels into the starless sky.

"Woooo!" Sasha giggles. "We're free!"

Tim chuckles, gets down, and helps Sasha down as Jon falls into the mud. "Well, good news, he's friendly, but that doesn't answer anything about him being still in there."

Jon pulls himself to his feet and sighs. "I hope he's still in there. He would make a horrible assistant stuck like this." He reached out slowly, and Martin sat down and lowered his head for Jon. "I must admit I am thankful he is friendly."

"My flat accepts pets." Tim speaks up. "Hey, don't look at me like that! How else are we going to find out if he goes back to normal in the morning?"

"Tim has a point, and I don't know where we are at the moment." Jon frowns at the lock on his hand. "Stop your insistent licking."

Sasha looks around. "Wait, I know where we are, and we're actually right by Tim's flat." She points to the sign above them, and Tim hums in agreement.

"I suppose would it be too much to ask to use your shower?" Jon sighs covered in mud and wolf slobber.

Tim snickers. "You can use it, boss. You need it more than all of us. Actually, I would say Martin could use it, but he's way too big." He hums. "Follow me."

They walk for only 20 minutes till they reach Tim's flat. He luckily kept his keys on him and opened his door. It took a lot of coaxing from Jon to get Martin inside he seemed to like him the best. Now, after that hassle, everyone git cleaned, and Tim made a small dinner for everyone and gave Martin some ground beef.

Martin was curled up in the corner watching everyone.

Sasha broke the silence. "What if he doesn't turn back?"

"I can keep him here." Tim frowns. "But he should be back to normal, right? What if this was from that animal attack in his apartment complex?"

"It was a month ago, and it would line up with the full moon." Jon returns his gaze to Martin, who was staring at him. "I well if my knowledge on folktales is correct then when the sun breaks he should be back to normal. However, it's quite iffy on if he would remember any of this."

"I mean, at least it's not like twilight." Sasha tries to joke, but all of them were tired and had different looks of work on their features.

"We should head to bed." Tim shifts. "Jon, you can have the couch. Sasha, are you cool sharing my bed?"

Sasha nods. "Jon, scream if something happens."

Jon nods, accepting the blanket, and lays down on the soft couch. He watches Martin get up and walk close to him and lays down next to the couch, making it impossible for Jon to get up without alerting the wolf. "Right. Good night Martin."

........

Martin groans and stretches. He blinks, rubbing his eyes as sunlight spills into his vision. He cracks his back and sighs. He looks around. When did he end up inside? He doesn't recognize this place, and the last thing he could recall was that they were in the tunnels, and they found a body. Oh God, did he kill them? Wait, wait... there wasn't clothing in his teeth, and he didn't feel like he had to cough something like normal when he did eat something he wasn't supposed to. He brushed himself off of the nonexistent dirt. He was naked as normal after a full moon, but he didn't have any spare clothes this time, and he really didn't know where he was.

Jon swallows, staring at Martin. He knows for a fact the man hasn't seen him. He had no idea Martin was muscular, let alone like that. He wasn't normally the type to stare or even enjoy someone's naked form, but something felt different. He cleared his throat, grabbing Martin's attention as he sat up and held out the blanket.

Martin blinks. "OH BLOODY FUCKING HELL!" He shouts ripping the blanket from Jon then covers himself then his face dying from embarrassment.

The sound of heavy footsteps of someone running then a soft gasp. "Martin?" It was Sasha. "Martin, you're back to normal."

Tim rushed behind her. "Martin buddy, you're ok!"

Martin groans and hides under the blanket.

.......

A pair of sweatpants was the best Tim could do for Martin since Martin was the biggest out of all of them. "Are you ok?"

Martin sighs. "I mean, I'm fine. Thank you for the pants, though." He frowns as all eyes were on him. "I uh to make things clear I've been like this since I was a teenager."

"It wasn't the animal attack at your flat?" Jon raised his brow.

Martin shook his head. "I may have lied about who was the animal in the attack, and in my defense, Jane Prentiss was trapping me in my apartment with her worms. I warned her, and she laughed at me. I'm normally better at keeping track of this, but I mean things happened. I was puking up these silver worms for like a week, I mean, they were dead, but they made me sick. I also accidently ate my phone because I was picking that out of my teeth. I mean, I don't really remember anything that happens during the whole wolf out thing. I get flashes sometimes and maybe dreams, but that's about it. I think... no, I definitely killed her, but in my defense, she trapped me in my apartment for a week, used my phone, and tried to fill me with worms."

"That wasn't a stomach virus, but you looked so..." Tim trails off.

"It's a side effect if I don't eat properly. Do you have any idea how painful it is to turn, let alone how much calories you burn in the process? It's a lot. I mean, I've been dealing with this for a long time, and I don't tend to tell people because they look at me like I'm crazy or think I'm a furry." Martin throws his hands up. "I'm so sorry for whatever I did, I tried to get out of going into the tunnels because the full moon, but you guys dragged me along, and it was too late, and I uh... wait, how did we get out? Also, who was the dead body?"

"We rode you like a horse." Sasha chuckles. "And uh, right, the dead body. To be fair, you did turn into a giant wolf."

"I uh good, I'm glad I helped." Msrtin looks down. "Please, I uh, please don't tell anyone."

"For a price." Tim smiles.

Martin shrinks back. "A price?"

"Yeah, you have to let at least one of us watch you." Tim smiles wider. "Just to keep you out of trouble."

"I would, but uh, I already have someone who helps me." Martin flinched as Sasha slams her hands on the able.

"Who!" Sasha shouts.

Jon thinned his lips as he felt something at the edges of his mind that he refused to acknowledge as jealousy. "It would be helpful to know who else knows." He tried his best to sound kind and not annoyed.

Martin rubs his arm. "An old friend of mine from high school kind of. Her name is Joan she's very kind and has a lot of land that's a forest she lets me roam in. She keeps to herself and doesn't like strangers."

"Oh well, you have to introduce us." Jon hums.

"That will be difficult she really is only up at night. I should probably tell her I'm ok...wait I left my phone on my desk." Martin groans.

Tim chuckles. "We'll be there regardless. You can pick it up then."

"You're right." Martin sighs. "I think I have spare clothes there."

"Why?" Sasha raised her brow.

"Uhhhh, so I prepared for the worst-case scenario wherever I work. I'm a little paranoid." Martin looks away.

"That's actually really good." Jon smiles. "It's good to be prepared."

Martin's face lights up.

[chaotic-saturne]

Just watched good omens season 2 so here are our thoughts :

SO OBVIOUSLY BIG SEASON 2 GOOD OMENS SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!!

- don't like the Aziraphale slander, let characters be ✨flawed✨ and not perfect little beans

- not really fond of the fan theory that Metatron did put smth in Aziraphale's drinking cuz it would miss on the whole Aziraphale' struggle with his morality and basically religious trauma, AND the fact that Metatron clearly pushed him into it, Aziraphale has lots of issues with the statue quo and authority figures, so Metatron clearly coming in right after Crowley left (I'd think he likely saw them kissed, or at least see Aziraphale emotionally distressed) so Aziraphale has no time to think, Aziraphale clearly hesitates but Metatron pushes and pushes again

- love (tho emotionally destroyed us as well) the scene in which Aziraphale is waiting for Crowley to bring him to hell because he lied, as if lying is worse than killing CHILDREN because it's god' ineffable plan, this whole scene really shows the lack of understanding of humankind from angels and God AND how authoritarian god actually is, which is why when Crowley says in the last episode they're toxic, it really hits on point, how cult-ish it almost looks and how it destroys your own morality, how Crowley who is a demon is supposed to be bad but is doing good things and angels are supposed to be good and do constantly bad things, and how Crowley is "bad" only cuz he asked questions (it also makes us wonder, are all demons stereotypes bad or are some shut down/pressured into acting bad? Like the angels can be shut down/pressured into not thinking too much?)

- was destroyed by the fact that Crowley opened up to Aziraphale on his feelings to end up being emotionally so fucking hurt to the point of putting his GLASSES ON WHICH HE NEVER DOES BEFORE INSIDE AZIRAPHALE'S BOOKSHOP

- love the lesbians, so glad Nina was able to break up and so glad they opened up with Crowley on how THEY also play with human lives as if it's funny and/or entertaining and not considering humans' relations and feelings which is in fact a replica of their own relationship to each other (also as a way to not emotionally open up to the other)

- the way God is treated in the show really keeps reminding us of the way God is shown in Angels before Man by Rafael Nicolás (really recommend ! especially if you're a queer with religious trauma)

- happy for Belzebub and Gabriel tho'

- glad to have wheelchair disabled representation, as a wheelchair user as well ☺️

- loved the tension between Michael and Uriel (they should angrily smooch)

- love the fact that both Crowley and Aziraphale use god' imagery to do good when it was not god' intention to do good, the whole morality thing is even furthermore questioned there (let there be the light by Crowley episode 1 and the whole situation with Job)

- Crowley has religious trauma but acknowledge it and Aziraphale don't

- Mr Fell, i don't know i just feel like his name being FELL when trying to pass as human, is kinda funny and ironic and maybe means something more

- Aziraphale being a landlord is UGH SIGH BIG SIGH, however that he is bad at it is actually good and it just furthers (along with his capitalist bullshit ranting when in Scotland) him wanting to follow the statue quo and what authority portrays as good even within the human morality is, well, it says a lot

- Aziraphale wanting to be saved by Crowley cuz 1/maybe it means in his thinking that it means Crowley can be saved/redeemed 2/Aziraphale likes being saved, taken care of 3/Aziraphale kinda puts his authoritative issues (trusting someone too much bc they have an authoritative power over him) on Crowley those moments cuz Crowley is the one deciding and taking control, but at the same time they are on equal foot and everything so it may mess up Aziraphale furthermore into his own personal dilemna

Here's for now, thank you for reading 😭

[chaotic-super]

The Vampire Woman - Chapter 25

AO3 Link

“Lena, I’m nervous,” Kara mumbles, her body completely engulfed in a blanket as she’s sprawled across the couch. Only the very tip of her nose is visible and that’s only so she can breathe.

Lena crouches beside her and gently presses a cool fingertip to the exposed skin. “Boop.”

It gets the reaction Lena was hoping for as a long, drawn-out whine is emitted from beneath the fluffy blanket before it’s thrown away. “Lena, don’t boop me. You’re meant to be the big bad vampire in this scenario.”

Lena pouts, something most definitely not befitting of a big bad vampire. “Hey, I thought we agreed to keep that kind of talk in the bedroom!”

“I’m on my back and I have a blanket. It counts. Besides, you booped me, Lena.”

Lena’s lips stretch into a toothy grin. “I can’t help it. You’re just so boopable, it would have been rude of me not to.”

“Do you know what else would be boopable?”

“If you say anything that even remotely refers to a fluffy, four-legged creature, I’m not going to be very happy.”

Kara shrugs, pink lips captured between her teeth as she tries to hide her smile. “We could adopt a three-legged puppy. That would be even cuter anyway.”

“No.”

“But—”

“Absolutely not.” Lena holds firm, her arms crossing over her chest. “As cute as you’d look with a puppy or a kitten or some kind of furry animal, at some point, you’ll be back at work full time and I’ll be at the office during daylight hours, so we won’t be here for it. It wouldn’t be fair to it.”

Kara frowns, the corners of her mouth jutting down harshly. “But you’re the CEO. Couldn’t Jess look after it when you’re in the lab?”

“Kara…” Lena looks at her pleadingly.

“Fine.” Kara looks down at her lap despondently, fidgeting fingers playing with the edge of the blanket.

Lena sighs inwardly, annoyed that she’s already giving in. “We’ll look at our situation again in a few months and see where we’re at. If our lifestyle is compatible with a pet, we might be able to reconsider.”

As though the frown had never been there to begin with, a grin takes over Kara’s face. “Yes! We’re going to get the cutest little puppy ever!”

“I said maybe.”

Completely ignoring her, Kara keeps smiling, her fists pumping in the air. “We’re going to have a puppy. Can we get a big dog?”

“No, and I never said anything with certainty, Kara.” Lena tries to argue, but Kara’s not paying her any mind.

“This is so exciting! I can’t wait to meet our little fur baby. I couldn’t have one in my old apartment so this is great!”

Lena lifts Kara’s legs and sits down before setting them in her lap, her fingernails scraping against the bare skin of her legs softly. “I should have known there’s a reason you didn’t have a pet before.”

Kara nods sadly. “Yeah, I tried to talk my landlord around but he wasn’t budging. I actually tried to sneak in a cat I found abandoned in a dumpster, but that only lasted a week before one of my neighbours ratted me out. My landlord told me I had a week to get rid of him or else he’d start the eviction process so I had to get my friend Lucy to take him.”

“What was his name?”

“I called him Sprinkles but Lucy renamed him Percy. She’s a lawyer and said she couldn’t look her colleagues in the eyes and tell them she couldn’t do overtime because she had to feed her cat, Sprinkles.”

Covering her mouth with her hand, the ravenette struggles to hold back her laughter as she imagines a snarling, stone-faced lawyer with a bitchy attitude announcing she’s going home to her a cat called Sprinkles. “That’s…smart of her.”

The frown reappears. “No, it’s not. Sprinkles is his name at heart. I still call him that even though Lucy says he doesn’t respond to it. I think he knows it’s his real name deep down.”

“Kara, do you think you got a little too attached to Percy.”

She shakes her head in a dramatic, overexaggerated manner. “No, I didn’t get too attached to Sprinkles. I was just slightly attached, the same way anyone is to their pets.”

“Ok, sure.” Lena holds her hands up and smiles when Kara shakes her leg at her, upset she’s lost the soft scratches. She returns her hands to Kara’s legs. “So, what were you saying earlier about being nervous?”

“Oh no.” Kara drops her head into her hands and Lena’s eyes widen in shock. “You were doing so well at distracting me. Now I’m nervous again.”

Lena winces, she’s not sure exactly how she just messed up but the sad little pout on Kara’s face says she definitely did.

Looking at her face and the openness with which she’s displaying her emotions, completely free and unreserved, does something for Lena. It makes her feel like the luckiest woman on the planet and also majorly confused. How has she managed to get to this point in her life with someone? How has she somehow managed to have this person in her life in this way after what she did when they first met?

Thinking back to where they started, with Lena attacking her in a state of manic starvation, it’s a true wonder they’re at this point in which they are lounging on the couch together beneath a blanket, arguing about getting a puppy.

The difference in Kara’s demeanour is like night and day. The way she’s open and honest, not at all afraid of her, it’s freeing to Lena in a way she could never have imagined. There’s always been a hint of fear from the people around her. She’s always been able to sense it, that underlying tone in the room when the person she’s talking to knows she’s someone that has the power to kill them in a matter of seconds if she so desires. She’s seen it in the people around her many a time, including the people she trusts with her life and knows trust her with theirs. It’s not something that she ever thought would truly go away.

Jess is the one person she always thought trusted her the most, even if there have been moments when the woman has lingered for just a second too long or she’s tensed when Lena has moved too fast after a particularly heated argument with a board member. Rationally, she trusts Lena, but a part of her never truly accepts her, even if she wants to.

Kara doesn’t have that problem. Maybe it’s because she’s part vampire now too, or perhaps they’ve trauma bonded in a really odd way. Lena finds that she doesn’t care what it is. She’s just so immensely grateful that she has someone that loves her for who she is and doesn’t hold a part of herself back in fear.

When they first met, Kara always held her head a little too high, afraid but too proud to show her true colours. She kept her chin up and dared Lena with every passing second to try something because she would fight back. The Kara lying partially on top of her now, leaning into her touch and slouched low enough that she’s got a double chin waving hello to her, Lena can hardly believe this is the same woman.

“Lena?”

“Hmm?” Green eyes meet blue and Lena snaps out of her train of thought. “Yeah?”

“I asked what time Sam is coming over.”

“Oh.” Lena takes a quick look at her watch, annoyed when she has to swipe away yet another notification on it because it can’t register her heartbeat. She gets why having an electronic watch is helpful but she’s tired of being reminded that she doesn’t have a pumping heart. She always carries her phone with her anyway. She doesn’t need her texts to pop up on her wrist. “Um, not for another couple of hours yet.”

Kara eyes her strangely as she pulls the stupid watch off her wrist. “What’s wrong? Why are you acting weird?”

Lena shakes her head. “It’s nothing.”

“If something is bothering you, it’s not nothing.” Kara pushes herself up out of her relaxed slouch, tension beginning to form on her shoulders as her worry builds.

“No, no. It’s nothing like that. Nothing is bothering me. I was thinking about how we’ve ended up here together, sharing an apartment and chilling on the couch together after how we met and the struggles we faced. It’s been unexpected, but it’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

“Me neither, even if Alex does make fun of me for dating you after we technically moved in together. She says we’re like U-Haul lesbians that somehow got going before the stopwatch was even started. I tried telling her we still have separate rooms, but that didn’t help our case much.” Kara relaxes back into the cushions. There’s no annoyance in her voice to match her words though, simply an amused lilt that Lena can’t get enough of.

Lena pulls Kara closer, pulling her up so she can lean in and press her lips to Kara’s. With her legs already over her lap, this essentially makes Kara sit in her lap and Lena’s not upset about that. “Did you mention that you barely stay in your room now?”

“And give her more ammunition? Absolutely not.”

Lena snorts softly before pressing her nose into the crook of Kara’s neck. “Ok. Anyway, are you sure you’re ok with Ruby staying in your room for the night?”

“Of course,” Kara answers. “It’s going to be weird having Sam and Ruby here but I don’t mind that.”

“What do you mean?” Lena’s eyebrows scrunch cutely and Kara presses her lips to the space between them. “You said you were ok with them coming over.”

Kara sighs, resting her forehead against Lena’s, her heated skin fighting off the cold of Lena’s and giving her the phantom feeling of having warm blood once more. “I am ok with them coming over. It just makes me nervous because I don’t know what to expect, I guess. The last time Sam and I were in the same room, I wasn’t doing too hot.”

“I hadn’t thought about that.” Lena frowns. “I can postpone them coming over if you need more time.”

“No, I don’t need you to do that. Plus, Sam and Ruby are ready to come over. They’ve carved time out of their day to do so, and I don’t want to put them out like that.”

Lena holds her a little tighter, pulling her even closer. “I don’t think they’ll mind.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“How about you get Alex to come over? I bet she’ll be happy to come over.” Lena offers. “She gets off work right around now, right?”

Kara’s eyes brighten and her lips quirk up. “That’s a good idea, Ms Luthor.”

“Oh, is it, Ms Danvers?”

“Yes. Yes it is.” Kara pushes forward into another kiss, capturing Lena’s lips between her own. She breaks apart with a dazzling smile before she extracts herself from Lena’s lap, giggling as Lena lazily tries to keep her where she is. “I’m going to go and call her.”

Lena watches her leave with a pep in her step and sincerely hopes Kara gets what she needs from Sam’s visit. The guilt of not having the answers she needs readily bubbles deep inside her blood, but having Sam come and answer those questions should help ease that, if only by a little. Given the fact that she’s largely responsible for the fact that Kara is part vampire, it’s only fitting that she gets her those answers, no matter what she has to do to make that happen. This is just the first step of many, but it’s a first step in the right direction all the same.

-

Kara pulls the door open and drags a tired-looking Alex into the apartment. “Hey, did you have a good shift?”

“It was ok, just busy.” Alex leans in for a hug, holding Kara to her chest for a few long seconds, something Kara has noticed her doing much more often since everything that happened. Since she almost died.

“Thanks for coming over but if you’re too tired, you can go home instead. I won’t be upset.” Kara holds onto Alex for a moment longer.

Alex shakes her head as they lean back. “I’ll be fine. I want to be here, especially since you’re nervous.”

“Alex, I’m pretty much always nervous. If you came every time I got anxious, we’d be living together.” Kara ushers her inside before closing the door behind her. “Come on in. Sam and Ruby will be here soon.”

They move to the living room, where Lena has set herself up across the couch where Kara was lying not too long before. Alex takes a seat in one of the chairs, the one that gives her the best view of the room so she’ll be able to see everything that happens, preparing for the worst even while hoping for the best.

“I’m going to grab some drinks. Do either of you want anything?”

Both Alex and Lena turn down the offer so Kara goes to grab herself one whilst leaving the pair of them in the living room.

Alex sinks into the chair, her elbow rests on the arm of the chair and her head is held in her hand. The exhaustion of the day is catching up with her and the little time she has before she has to be back on guard is fading quickly. She has to take the few minutes she has while she can.

Her eyes close and she lets herself sink back into the chair's cushions. Lena watches her from the corner of her eye, surprised that even Alex is letting her guard down around her. It does make sense that she’s not completely on edge around her anymore since she’s been around a lot because Kara lives here now. Still, she wasn’t aware that she’s now trusted enough that a human is willing to sleep around her without anyone else in the room. That’s pleasantly unexpected.

Not wanting to disturb the obviously exhausted woman, Lena wiggles to get comfy in her own spot, stretching her back out until it pops a few times.

“That’s gross.”

“I’m hundreds of years old, sue me.” Lena bites back, minus the bite.

Alex goes quiet as her brain whirrs with barely there comprehension.  “What’s that like?”

“What?”

Alex shifts, her eyes opening as her curiosity wins over her fatigue. “What’s it like being so old?”

“Tiring, honestly. I feel as old as I am most of the time.”

Alex hums in acknowledgement. “Have you ever wanted to die?”

Lena puffs out a laugh. “You don’t pull your punches, do you? Yes, I’ve wanted to die. I’ve wanted nothing more than just to live a normal human life, just like I was supposed to before I got bitten all those years ago.”

“Do you still want to die?”

“There’s a difference between wanting to die and wanting your life to end when it’s meant to. I don’t want to die right now. I want to die once my purpose has been fulfilled.”

Alex tilts her head curiously. “What do you think your purpose is?”

“I’ve spent years trying to figure that out. If I knew, I’d probably have ended myself already.”

“You can do that?”

“Theoretically? Yes. Mentally? I’m not sure.”

Alex swallows harshly, crossing one leg over the other and fighting past the discomfort this kind of conversation brings. “Why not?”

“I can be brave in some ways and cowardly in others.” Lena answers simply, the confidence in her voice making it evident to Alex that she’s thought about this many times before. “That’s what makes me a person. I’m not all strength, and I’m not all weakness. I just am. It took me a long time to come to understand that and a lot longer to come to terms with it.”

Alex leans forward in the chair, her hands clasping in her lap as she lowers her voice, afraid that Kara will overhear. “I wasn’t sure about you and Kara when she first told me you guys were seeing each other, and sometimes, I’m still not. I can see that you want what’s best for her though and that she has some pretty strong feelings for you, Lena. That’s why I’m willing to overlook the obscene age gap. If it wasn’t for the fact that you’re hot, look young and are exceptionally smart…”

Lena finds herself pinned with a glare when Alex spots her smirk at the compliments.

“Shut up, I have eyes. You are hot, but that doesn’t mean I will be completely off your back until I’ve completely sussed you out. You can’t dig on the sis without me watching your every move. Got it?”

Lena mock salutes at her. “Aye aye, captain.”

“Good.”

The sound of nearing footsteps has them both looking over to see Kara coming back with three drinks in hand and both frown in confusion. Lena sits up, swinging her feet over the edge of the couch. “Hey, we said we didn’t want drinks.”

Kara brushes them off easily, placing the drinks down before awkwardly standing next to the coffee table as she sips out of one of the glasses. “Oh, I know. I can hear Sam and Ruby on their way up, so I’m just waiting for them to arrive.”

Lena tucks her hair behind her ear as she double-checks mindlessly. Sure enough, she can hear two sets of footsteps heading along the hall but only one heartbeat. That’s their guests.

“You sit down, darling. I’ll get the door.” Lena gets up and gently guides Kara to the couch with a soft hand on the small of her back.

Kara sits down but her eyes track Lena’s movements as she moves to the door to let Sam and Ruby in. She doesn’t bother using her hearing to listen out for them this time. She won’t admit it, but she lost her handle on it a little while activating it as she was getting the drinks and it was quite painful. She could do with a little break from trying that again for a little while.

Sam walks in first, all long legs and silky brunette hair that Kara is instantly jealous of. She doesn’t remember her from Lena’s lab when they were working on figuring out what was wrong with her because she was in such bad shape but she’s heard a lot of good things from Lena so she’s happy to have her here.

Alex, on the other hand, does remember her and while she’s wary of her, she never seemed to be much of a threat when they first met, albeit briefly. She showed up to help Kara and Lena. That’s points in her book.

Sam wanders in slowly, turning back once she’s partway down the hallway to ensure Ruby is still with her before wandering into the living room. “Hey, how are you guys doing?”

“Hey,” Kara answers, doing her best to fight her instincts telling her she should jump up to her feet and greet her properly because this is a casual meet-up. She can’t treat this like an interview, as much as it would calm her nerves to put her reporter persona in place and let the comfort of the routine take over. “We’re good. How are you?”

Alex sends a careless two-fingered wave in Sam’s direction, not all that bothered about this meeting. That is until she sees Ruby step out from behind her mother and sit down in the other chair, rubbing her eyes tiredly.  

She sits up straighter, her expression softening. She’s always had a soft spot for kids, even teenagers that couldn’t care less about her existence.

“We’re good. Aren’t we, Rubes?” Sam runs a tender hand through Ruby’s long, dark hair.

“Uh-huh.” Ruby mumbles, her eyes already closing.

“I think someone’s a little tired.” Lena smiles. “She can sleep in Kara’s room if she wants to.”

Ruby doesn’t need any more prompting than that, already walking off down the hall on her way to what was the guest room before it was Kara’s. She has no qualms about going in there now that it’s no longer just a place she sometimes stays when her mom is too deep into starvation to have her at home safely.

Alex can’t help the tiny smile that crosses her face as Ruby stumbles down the hall and out of sight. “So, Sam. We met briefly before but I never got to introduce myself. I’m Alex and this is my sister, Kara.”

Sam raises her eyebrows at Alex as she sees the hand that is held out in offering to her. It’s not often that someone is so brave as to offer their hand to a vampire. Interesting. She takes it, careful not to be too firm as she does so.

Alex points to the drinks on the table. “Kara got drinks. One was for Ruby but I guess it is kind of late for her so it’s best that she's gone to bed.”

“Oh please, she’s a teenager. She will probably get in bed and then scroll on her phone for an hour until she falls asleep with it in her hand. Thank you for the drinks though. That was very thoughtful of you, Kara.”

“No problem,” Kara mutters and gestures for Lena to come and sit beside her.

Lena takes the other side of the couch and it prompts Sam to take the chair Ruby just vacated, having only been sat for maybe a minute at the most.

“I have to say, Kara. It’s good to see you looking well. You weren’t exactly in a good way when I saw you last.” Sam eyes her closely. “How have you been?”

Kara nods slowly, puffing out a heavy breath. “It’s been rough at times; I’ll be the first to admit. However, I’ve been getting better. I’m sorry you had to see me like that. That mustn’t have been a pleasant experience for you.”

“No, but I was happy to help, and I’m still happy to help with whatever you need of me now.” Sam turns to Lena. “I know you wouldn’t have me come over and bring Ruby over at a time like this if it wasn’t for something important to you or an emergency, so which is it?”

Kara coughs awkwardly. “It’s actually something important to me. Lena has been kind enough to help me gather information, and she thought you might be able to provide me with some specific information.”

“I’ll help with whatever I can,” Sam replies earnestly. “I sort of figured that this would be an ongoing thing, and so I’ve planned to work from here tomorrow if I have to, so there’s no rush for me to head out before it gets light.”

Lena beams at her. “Really?”

“Yeah, I figured that the best case scenario is that I don’t need to rush and that just means that Kara can rest for a while before we dive into whatever it is you guys want to dive into. It’s pretty late and no sane person wants to have an important conversation this late at night.” Sam shrugs. “So, which is it?”

Alex is on her feet before Kara can try and claim she’s not tired. “We’ll take a couple of hours to rest and then recoup. Lena, do you want to fill Sam in on whatever it is you losers want to know?”

“How do I say yes without agreeing I’m a loser?”

“You can’t. We’ll leave you to it.” Alex drags Kara up off the couch. “See you in a couple of hours.”

Sam and Lena share an amused look as the Danvers sisters tiredly trudge their way out of sight and Sam speaks only once they make it into Lena’s room. “You’ve certainly managed to introduce some characters into your life.”

“Yeah, they’re something special. You were right, Sam. I do have feelings for Kara and I’ve been learning to embrace that. We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks now and I wanted to tell you that in person so I could say thank you for pushing me.”

“So you admitted it to her?”

“Not exactly, but that’s a long story for another time. All I’ll say is that we got a push from an unexpected person.”

Sam’s mouth drops open and she shakes her head. “No, absolutely not. You’re not leaving me with that. You have to tell me who it was. You can’t dangle information in front of me like that, it’s just rude.”

Lena rolls her eyes. “Cat Grant.”

“You’re kidding.” Sam gasps.

“Nope, that’s Kara’s boss. Anyway. We’re now together and as of yet, very happy.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard from you in decades. I’m so unbearably happy for you, Lena. It’s almost strange to think about. You’re the most closed-off person I’ve ever met, yet here you are being vulnerable enough to have an actual relationship.”

Lena huffs a little but lets Sam have her fun. “I know, I know. I’m usually the stone cold bitch everyone avoids. I can’t help it. She’s made me reevaluate a lot of things in my life, and so have you. What you said about being grateful for the love we have, even if it’s temporary, that meant a lot to me. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. I’m glad you’re starting to see things like a rational adult.”

“Hey! I was being genuine!”

Sam smirks at her. “That’s what makes it so much stranger. You’re hardly ever genuine. It’s a good look on you though. You should stick with it.”

“I’m planning on it.”

“Anyway, why am I here?”

Lena’s sure that if her blood still pumped, her heart would be beating out of her chest. She’s unsure how Sam will react to this because this isn’t something vampires often discuss, if ever. She’s met more than a few vampires in her time, and yet she knows next to nothing about any of them because it’s just not talked about often, at least in her experience.

Sam squints, watching her closely with the same rapt attention a cat watches its owner as it fills its food bowl. “Why are you acting nervous? I don’t like it. It’s putting me on edge.”

“I can’t help it. I am a little nervous because I’m in unfamiliar territory here.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Well, I guess I better start at the beginning. Now that Kara is a hybrid and is part vampire, she has a boatload of questions. Questions I don’t have the answer to because I’ve found myself ignorant to the inner workings of something I’ve had centuries to research and yet failed to do.”

Sam grabs a drink off the coffee table and takes a sip. “You talk like you’re planning out a heartbreaking monologue.”

“Thanks. I was just about to say that I don’t know as much about vampires as I should, especially considering I am one and have been for hundreds of years.”

Sam snorts as she takes in the apprehensive look across Lena’s face, amused by this new nervous side of her. “That’s it?”

Lena nods, the tension in her neck and shoulders visible from across the room.

“Lena. The vast majority of the vampires I’ve met don’t have a clue about what they are or the inner workings of it all. That comes with it being so well hidden. You don’t have to be embarrassed about not knowing.”

“I’m actually more embarrassed about my lack of curiosity.” Lena runs an awkward hand through her silky hair. “Kara has barely broken into her vampire side, and yet she has a whole notebook full of information she’s been gathering about it. I’ve never come close to any of that and it’s embarrassing that not only have I not looked into it myself, but also not to have those answers ready for Kara, someone that has been dragged into this life by my actions, even if the intent was never there.”

Sam nods slowly, taking everything in with each bob of her head. “So you want vampire information?”

“Basically.” Lena sighs. “I want to give Kara the answers she desires.

A worried look crosses Sam’s face. “Is that wise? Giving that kind of information to someone that works for Cat Grant could be detrimental to us.”

“Kara knows the importance of us keeping our existence a secret and that secret protects her too now. She’s not about to write an exposé on us. I can assure you of that. This is all just about us trying to answer some of our questions. You’re someone that we know is well travelled and also immensely intelligent, so you seemed to be a good place to start.”

Sam takes a moment to think and Lena’s certain that each second that passes without a response is a second that lasts longer than some of the years she’s lived through.

“Alright. I’ll tell you what you want to know. Do you have this notebook so I can start trying to remember some of this stuff? I have a feeling that Kara is the kind of woman to ask me super deep and confusing questions that are going to hurt my brain.”

“That’s exactly the kind of questions she’s going to ask.” Lena laughs. “You’ve signed yourself up to get fully interviewed and she’s going to be scraping around in your skull with a spoon to get every last drop of knowledge out of there.”

Sam flops back into the chair dramatically. “Uh. Suddenly I think there’s somewhere I need to be.”

“Like hell there is. Stay, we’ve got a lot of questions. Since Kara’s not here, maybe I’ll start working on my own curiosity while we wait.”

“Go ahead.”

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[preciadosbass]

26/7/24 🕷️ [yesterday, cuz i didn’t write on the day] // possible tw for talk of cals (???)

i’m just gunna assume i woke up at 11, because i have been doing so ever since i left school. i had a cream cheese bagel for breakfast, which i shouldn’t really be having as apparently they’re like 350 cals — butt, i’ve gotten into a habit of going on decently long walks consistently so i ended up cancelling it out further along in the day.

since i’ve been [unintentionally] going to sleep at 5am every night and eating less then 400cal a day i’ve been forgetting literally EVERYTHING. but i do remember listening to ls dunes for the first time after i had breakfast. i don’t think i’ll forget it and i don’t think i’ll ever forgive myself for not seeing them when they were over at the uk. anyways, i’m kind of surprised i haven’t listened to them before. i’ve listened to every other one of franks projects. then i downloaded a few videos of tony [perry].

i watched sam and colby/ronnie radke streams, put up photos of max green + cuddled boris [my cat] up until 3:30 which is when i have to get ready for youth club. i’ve been like three times to this particular one, and i think it’s okay. i mean, i’ve gone from not going outside for a year to being around 40+ teens so its obviously gunna be weird for me. i only really go in hopes that i’ll find a friend, but i haven’t even gotten close to learning about the people there yet.

anyways, this time i was going solely because i got spoken to properly for the first time last week 2 minutes before i had to leave and i wanted to see those same girls again. spoiler alert, they weren’t there. but there is this energetic person.. girl? boy? [i don’t know, they haven’t told me yet] called jester that tries to involve me in their small friend group so i sat outside and just people watched for three hours. i don’t mind going, i just cant wait until people actually talk to me there so i don’t have to be alone. i do really try to socialise.

that was about it, really. i just listened to everyone until it was it 7 and i could text my mum to pick me up. i intended to ask jester if i could have their number/the number of anyone else there but i forgot. i cant tell whether i regret it or not, because if i did ask, i’d probably freak out trying to. at this point i’d had 515cals and burnt 200 and i was soo hungry so i asked my mum if i could get food, which i DO regret and the guilt is still overwhelming.

when i got home i listened to falling in reverse and finished my food [embarrassingly] and somehow convinced my mum to go on a walk with me again. i wish i could go out alone, as much as i don’t dislike walking with her. i made a deal with her that i’ll make a collage quickly before it got too dark so i did that aswell. it was made up of entirely receipts this time.

i changed again so i wouldn’t get eaten alive by gnats in the woods and we left at like 8ish. we walked around the park just down the road from us and thankfully but unthankfully it was all uphill. i was tired after not doing much exercise since like year 5 but according to google walking uphill burns more cals than walking normally and i really needed to make up from my mess up.

i took my dads phone with me incase i needed to call the home phone and because i wanted to take a picture of myself with a beanie on because i haven’t worn one in years and i know how the landscape is there but it started lagging and ran out. it’d been an hour and a half before we got round the park and me and mum just so happened to run into my neighbour [that ive never met, my neighbours are ages away] right before we got to our house.

he was ‘reflecting’ with a glass of wine. he talked to us for like 30-40 minutes while we stood at the side of the road, he was really drunk, but he was really nice. he invited us to a party and kept on saying about how happy he was to run into us. he then started to get really passionate about his landlord stuff, which i didn’t understand, but i acted like i did. we eventually got home and i was wondering if dad would think something happened to us because he couldn’t call his phone to see if we were okay, and originally, i thought our neighbour was him looking for us. but long story short, he wasn’t, so i just told him about seeing that neighbour.

i hope i do get to go to that party because he [my neighbour] has a grandkid i never knew about and i’m genuinely desperate for a friend, especially nearby. my cals ended up being 474 by the end of the day [cuz of what i’d burnt] which still isn’t great but at least it’s not terrible, i think. i was gunna watch a good girls guide to m*rder [or whatever it is, i have the book and my dad told me there’s something on tv either inspired or made about it.] but my mum wanted to sleep and i’ve gotten it in my head that i have to ask my parents questions about my cat every night for him to be okay so i did that instead.

we surprisingly didn’t argue this time round so afterwards i just went downstairs to do my teeth while listening to hawthorne heights and say goodnight to boris. i generally spend two hours doing that but it took 27 minutes today because i was falling asleep. when i was falling asleep he kept on coming into my room and went under my bed a few times which is extra cute considering asked him to a few minutes earlier.

have a good day/night -_<

pics from youth club ^

[flipfic]

Late Night

Kavehtham time!!

Just a quick little ship fic~

This was sooo much fun! I'm def going to want to continue this!!

Time always moved slower when Alhaitham was alone, especially at night. The words on the pages he read lost meaning, often making him pause and re-read the same phrases over and over. How irritating. How could a man like that, one he hardly even respected, take up so much space in his mind? He had work. Important work. Why couldn’t he focus? He looked up every few seconds over the hardcover of his book, expecting Kaveh’s keys to clumsily hit the keyhole over and over, as if the man hadn’t been living here for years already. It seemed every time he opened the door was a new experience.

He had even gone through the effort of buying Kaveh a gift. A brand new neon-orange vase right for the middle of the living room. Who wouldn’t love that? A smile tugged at his lips just imagining what he would say.

“Haitham? What the hell is that thing?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”  

“Don’t play dumb with me. Y— Why would you even bring that inside the house??”

“Again, I have absolutely no clue as to what you’re referring to.” He’d flip a page in his book. It didn’t matter if he wasn’t finished, he’d read this one a thousand times over. “I just got home from a long day at work, Kaveh. Pleas d—” To Alhaitham’s pleasure, his little fantasy had been interrupted.

There it was. The frustrated, clumsy sound of metal against metal. A horrific sound to his ears, but an exciting one to his heart.

“Damn! I think that doorknob is busted… It jiggles too much! Are you sure it’s not loose?” Asked Kaveh, an armful of blueprints made his key-related struggles that much harder.

Alhaitham’s eyes flickered up from his book. “Yes. You had it checked last week, remember? 5,000 Mora.”

“Right.” Kaveh grunted softly, kicking the door closed with one shoe. He opened his mouth to start talking, likely going to complain about the lack of lunch, or how the clients he spoke with this evening were rude. Maybe that bird mistook his hair for a nest again. “Haitham. What the hell is that?”

Perfect. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t act like I don’t know what you’re doing.” Kaveh growled.

“Again, I have no clue as to what you’re referring to.” The page flip. “I’ve just returned from a long day at work. Please don’t play games right now.”

Kaveh huffed and threw the blueprints onto the couch, grabbing the offending vase with disgust. “You know, I could really care le—”

“Couldn’t.”

“What?

“Couldn’t care less, Kaveh. Could care less implies you do care.”

“I don’t!”

“Right. So you couldn’t care less.”

“Oh my archons! I couldn’t care less! Are you happy now?”

“Yes. What were you saying?”

“I don’t even remember.” Kaveh rolled his eyes and walked the vase to the front door, opening it again and setting the nausea-inducing insult to art outside on the curb where it would be lucky to catch rain. Then it would serve some purpose.

“You’re quite rude to your landlord, you know.” Alhaitham said once Kaveh shut the door once more.

“Shouldn’t you be nicer to your roommate? Why the hell would you bring that thing in here? You know I hate when you do that. I try to make our space nice, clean it so you have someplace to read, work, eat, and exist! And how do you thank me? You purposely bring things into our house that you know I'm gonna hate!"

Alhaitham smiled, carefully pressing his custom-made bookmark between the pages of his favorite novel before snapping it closed. "Do you know why?"

"Why what?" Kaveh huffed.

"Why I keep bringing these things in." He stood, taking only three strides before cornering Kaveh against the door.

Kaveh broke eye contact, turning his face when his face grew red. "Because you hate me?"

"No." Alhaitham gently pressed the hard cover to Kaveh's jaw, turning his head back to face him. "I don't hate you."

"You sure as hell act like it!" Kaveh pouted.

“There it is.” Alhathiam chuckled. “That face of yours. That pout. Keep pouting for me, princess. It fits you so well.”

Kaveh’s eyes widened as his entire face burned a bright red. “What? Haitham, are you drunk?”

“No. Horribly sober, in fact.”

“Horribly?”

“If I were intoxicated, high or drunk, perhaps I would be bolder. Bold enough to do exactly as I please.” Alhaitham lightly tapped the book against Kaveh’s red cheeks.

“E…” Kaveh swallowed hard, trying to gather his thoughts it seemed. “Exactly as you please? What… What does that entail?”

“I think you know.”

“I think I do too. But I’ve been wrong about this before… So wrong.”

Alhaitham smiled. “Go ahead and try. What’s stopping you?”

“Logic.”

“Ooh. I didn’t know you were capable of that.” Alhaitham purred.

Kaveh furrowed his brows and scoffed. “Oh, come on. You— You’re a real piece of work, you know that? Archons, you just piss me off so much! You just love pissing me off! Why? Haven’t I done enough for you? I cook, I clean! You hardly even pay me back for all I do! You don’t get anything I do for you! I wouldn’t do all of this if I— if you weren’t so—  Archons, I’m just—” He growled and grabbed Alhaitham’s face, pulling his face down into a kiss.

Alhaitham raised his brows. Huh. A pleasant surprise. Not unexpected, not entirely terrible…

Kaveh seemed to realize who he was kissing. He gasped and pulled back, covering his mouth in terror. He shoved past Alhaitham and ran to his room, slamming his door shut.

Interesting. Alhaitham thought. I’m… going to pursue this. Yes… how fun my week has just become. He grinned and tapped the book against his lips as he retired to his room for the night.

[rrcenic]

dead poets society as things my friends/family have said

huge trigger warning for discussion of suicide

-

neil: fuck fuck fuck

todd: what’s wrong?

neil: my workload was too much so i switched from honors algebra 2 to regular algebra 2 and i don’t know how to tell my dad

todd: you’re still two years ahead in math though

neil: yeah but my dad gets so mad when i don’t take every academic opportunity i can

todd: dude you just got out of the psych ward. i think he’ll understand!

neil: hhhhngg

-

neil: bro i didn’t even realize i had daddy issues til i became unnaturally infatuated with my english teacher

-

cameron: greetings fellow fraternity males. i am not working for your landlord and i simply want to hang out with fellow “dudes.” on an unrelated note are any of you in possession of illegal drugs and/or alcohol?

knox: yeah check under the chair

cameron: alright “broski” i will be simply taking photos of this not for reporting reasons and for personal reasons

pitts: do you have like a fetish or something

cameron: yes um a fetish i am not working for your landlord

-

todd: oh he’s so pretty! it’s so sad that he killed himself

todd: i mean obviously because like. killing yourself is never the answer

todd: but mainly because he was so pretty!!

-

charlie: i call this poem “every day i wake up and dream of olive garden”

-

meeks: this is literally the most autistic group i’ve ever been in and i love it

neil: oh i’m neurodivergent in many ways but the ‘tisim is surprisingly not one of them

-

charlie: shakespeare sucks ass

neil: i will stab you

-

neil: i can’t hang out today, i have therapy

pitts: you? therapy? but you’re so happy!

neil: …

neil: i’ve tried to kill myself like 5 times

pitts: WHAT

neil: did. did you not know that?!?!

-

knox: hey dyou wanna watch a tv show with me

neil: what’s it about?

knox: there’s lots of pretty women

neil: …

knox: …

neil: …

knox: and pretty men

neil: i’m in

-

charlie: america is fucked. our society is literally being ripped apart by capitalism. trans people are being criminalized more every day

knox: it’s not that bad

charlie: name one good thing that has happened to the trans community in the past year. i’ll wait

knox: …

knox: well um some politicians support trans people

charlie: THATS NOT ENOUGH

-

keating: *texting to the group chat* so technically since most of you are my former students i’m not allowed to be friends with you

keating: but you all rock so my excuse is we work on creative projects as a group outside of school

keating: however i can’t just chat with you when you’re bored

*that night*

todd: hey i’m really sorry for contacting you about non creative stuff but i just had a panic attack and don’t know what to do

keating: oh that bullshit? nah man you’re fine text whenever

-

cameron: charlie just gave me this plastic spoon and ran away does anyone know what it means

gloria: lucky i wish nuwanda had given ME the spoon

cameron: WHAT DOES IT MEAN

-

neil: i know what we’re gonna do after group therapy. we’re gonna have a poetry contest. we’ll call it psych ward poetry. i’m going to beat all of you with my mad poetry skills

-

meeks: oh and pooh represents… hm, i actually can’t remember

charlie: google it

meeks: yeah but we can’t have our phones

knox: hey mr mcallister? could you use your phone to google what mental illness the winnie the pooh characters represent?

mcallister: what the actual hell are you talking about

[the-illiterate-pirate]

Omg what about some Aisho Dainenjiyama headcanons! I really liked your Thunder McQueen ones!!!

Random Aisho HCs ♡

Nsfw under the cut

Thank you, I glad you liked my other HCs! I'm so happy to make another post for our boy Aisho, he definitely deserves more love <3

EDIT– Hey uh this is future me. This has been rotting in my drafts for months. I'm so sorry.

SFW

• Juggling two jobs can be stressful for anyone. Aisho comes home most late afternoons absolutely exhausted, looking for your lap to use as a pillow to help destress

• He loves when you play with his hair

• CHEESEY ROMANTIC, this man will do anything to make you happy and it's always over the top.

• The absolute JOY this man would feel if you visited the baseball stadium while he was working, he'd be so happy for the rest of his shift after just catching a glimpse of you

• He's INCREDIBLY touchy, and loves to hold you. While he's not a fan of PDA, Aisho will link your pinkies together while you're in public.

• Loves to spoil you, he's surprisingly loaded.

• I've mentioned before in previous posts that rock humans have a surprising yandere-ish streak. Unlike his boss, Aisho will listen and try to do better if his obsessive nature makes you uncomfortable. He just loves you so much... he'll do anything to make you feel loved and safe!!

• Considering his past burns, it takes Aisho a lot longer to tell you about his true self. He'd probably take the moment to propose, too, confessing his abilities and confessing his absolute true love at the same time kind of go hand in hand for him

• Sleeps underneath the bed when he turns to stone

• Probably THE person to come to if you're ill. He knows all the tricks, and makes some banging chicken noodle soup (or veggie soup if you don't eat meat)

• Makes amazing hot chocolate in the colder months

• His favorite smell and flavor is chestnut. He loves chestnut coffee

NSFW

• Doesn't like to have sex often because it exhausts him, and he's scared he'll fall asleep afterwards ;w;

• Bottom leaning, but when he tops he enjoys every second. May get a little rough, but apologies profusely right after.

• He doesn't bite, but he does suck. Hickies are a very real danger with him

• Very loud, he doesn't speak a lot, except for the jumbled mess of please for more if you count it, but he mostly is just a moaning, whining, whimpering mess. In bed, it's just Aisho, and that red hot delicious feeling. He forgets about his surroundings and he's gotten in trouble with a last landlord because of it

• His fav positions is having you in his lap <3 or him in yours. He loves the closeness of it. With your hands in his hair, legs wrapped around whoever, free access to kisses. Very romantic.

• If he hasn't lost his mind yet, Aisho loves to keep eye contact and hold your hands, too.

• Breeding kink

• Hates to try teasing you, LOVES to be teased.

• On that note, more then willing to beg if you're into it

• On second thought I think this man is a masochist

• Not always up for sex, but v eager to eat you out!

• Honestly, he's down for anything if it makes you happy. Aisho is always willing to try anything oncd