#please forgive the poor grammar

[licorice-tea]

I Wish You Knew I Was Real

Pairing: Vinsmoke Sanji x reader

Content: strawhat! reader, fluff and feelings, confessions, midnight snacks (literally), mentions of WCI but no huge spoilers, reader has no specified gender

Word Count: 1.7k

A/N: first fic of the new year! i don’t usually write for sanji so i hope this isn’t ooc… anyway, enjoy! also lmk what you think bc idrk how i feel about this one 🤷‍♀️

It’s well past midnight when you sneak into the kitchen of the Thousand Sunny to fix yourself a snack. It wouldn’t really matter if you get caught, seeing as it’s your ship too, but you’d rather not wake up or bother your crewmates.

“Y/n?”

You pause your chopping to find the source of the voice, Sanji, standing in the doorway. He yawns behind his hand as he walks in, “It’s the middle of the night, what are you doing up here?”

“I just got hungry.” But as soon as he’s close enough to see your hands working on cutting up fruit, he seems appalled. “What’s wrong?”

In Sanji’s mind, you should never have to cook for yourself. At least, not when he’s there on the same ship. Not when he would always be so willing and ready to help you out; to use his skills to please you.

“Why didn’t you wake me up? You know I can do it for you, sweetheart-“

“That’s why I tried not to wake you up. You need to get your rest, but I guess I was too noisy, huh?”

Sanji shakes his head determinedly, then gently moves his left hand over yours to take the knife while also holding your waist with his right so that he can maneuver you away from the cutting board. You let him, and he explains, “I get plenty of rest; if you ever need something, y/n, you can come to me. Day or night.”

You hum in acceptance of his statement, and feel content with simply watching him cut the apple into slices from your place beside him. He finishes creating the perfect little slices quickly, then goes the extra mile by carving small triangles out of the peel of each. A smile grows on your lips as you realize they’re meant to look like little bunnies; and they do.

“Cute,” you muse quietly at his creation “Thank you, Sanji.”

The cook smiles to himself before looking over at you, “I thought you’d like them more this way.”

This makes you laugh before replying, “Like a kid who only eats dinosaur shaped nuggets?”

“No, no,” he chuckles as well, “but I know you have an appreciation for aesthetics. Besides, I was right wasn’t I? You think they’re cute, so that’s all that matters.” Sanji says while plating the bunny-apple slices.

You scoot closer, so that your sides are pressed against each other, in a futile attempt to reach across and grab the plate. But, Sanji stops you again with his gentle touch (he’s always so very soft with you, rather than overbearing and borderline obsessive. But, you’d like love him either way.)

His right hand stays on your wrist as his left reaches up into a cabinet to grab the honey jar. He makes a display of lifting a generous amount of honey using the honey dipper over your plate, and drizzling it over the apples. Enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, but not so much it will create a sticky mess.

“Perfect.” he gestures for you to go sit at the kitchen island, but you insist you can “carry the plate just fine.” To which Sanji replies, “I know, but I don’t mind. I like taking care of you like this.”

There’s a faint tinge of red on his cheeks, but you’d never mention it. Especially not when your own, not so platonic feelings for the cook seem to constantly be in the back of your mind these days.

You take a seat on one of the stools at the kitchen island, and Sanji presents your midnight snack with a flourish. “Enjoy, y/n.” He’s walks away to wash his hands, and you expect him to return to sit beside you, but then he walks toward the door.

“Sanji…” He pauses and looks back at you, “Do you want to stay?” You feel sort of awful asking, really, because he’s probably tired, but something inside you just can’t let him go.

And sure enough, his lips curve up into a smile. “I thought you’d never ask!”

He pulls out the stool next to yours and slides onto it, then rests his arm on the back of your seat. The proximity is not unwelcome- you felt it never could be when it came from him- but even if he was, he’s not invading your space. More so creating a kind of link between the two of you, and a feeling of closeness beyond the physical.

You take a bite of one of your apple slices, only to frown slightly when you pull the half eaten slice away from your mouth and realize you’ve destroyed the bunny. Sanji nearly laughs, for he has a similar empathetic disposition and knows how you feel, but then he notices something.

There’s a smidge of honey left behind on the corner of your mouth, which you have not taken notice of, because if you had you surely would’ve licked it up. Even the thought of that sight could make him act a fool, but he’ll try his best not to (just for you.)

“Look here.” he says in a near whisper, and you do. With no other words, he cups your chin and wipes the honey from your lips with his thumb. Your eyes go wide at the first action (when he touches your face to begin with), but they seem to soften when you realize what he’s doing. Sanji takes notice of this too, and just offers a smile. Because what else can he do?

He’s a flirt; he knows that, and so do you, and everyone else he’s ever met. So if he ever were to make a move on you, there’s no way you’d take him seriously. Then again, that’s why he tries to tone down his flirting with you in the first place. He can’t stand the thought of you being under the impression that you’re the same as every girl in the world is to him; because you’re not. You’re… special, in a way. He feels bad saying you’re his favorite of the many objects of his affections, because he has genuine love for so many people (you are though.) But, he can say with certainty that his feelings for you are the only serious ones. No matter how many women he tries to woo on all the adventures of the Straw Hats, he’ll always come back to you. Sanji will always choose you.

“Um, Sanji?” His hand is still on your jaw with his thumb on your bottom lip, so you pull it away with gentle force. “Sanji?” Hearing your sweet voice pulls him out of his stupor (the first time, he was concentrated on simply the sound of your voice.)

“Sorry, sweetness, I uh… Your pretty lips distracted me for a second~” Sanji purposely exaggerates his tone a little, so you just accept his reasoning with a giggle.

“Sure thing, Sanji.”

You eat your apple slices in comfortable silence for a bit, thinking of the aforementioned feelings you’ve been harboring for the chef since… Who knows- but you didn’t realize these feelings until you saw him for the first time after 2 years spent training apart. There had never been such a strong excitement in your voice as when you called his name that day, and he launched himself onto you in a tight hug. You had walked to the predetermined meeting place and entered the bar together, hand in hand. It felt so natural, too; like your hands were meant to fit together. Of course, you’d never voice these feelings, because if Sanji had feelings for you surely he’d tell you. Eventually, you hope. This brings about another question in your mind;

“Why do you like women? I mean, like, every woman we meet, even if she’s an enemy?”

He shrugs slightly, “At one point, the only people who were kind to me were women. Remember I told you about my mom and my sister?” During the Whole Cake Island experience, Sanji had in fact explained more about his relationships with his family members, and you recalled how his mother and sister were the only ones that showed him any sort of empathy.

“Mhm… That makes sense.” a moment of silence passes, as you’re a little nervous to ask this next question. “And why do you like me?”

The cook’s eyes widen like a deer in headlights, and he glances at you before concentrating on the surface of the island table. “I… I like this crew because you’re all my nakama. But…” It’s unusual to hear the typically very passionate man say something so quietly. You tilt your head as if to say, “Go on. I’m listening,” so he continues, “You’re important to me, y/n.”

“Good, you’re important to me, too.”

“Really?” Sanji seems a little shocked, “You know, I… I try not to be the way I am with women, with you, because I want you to take me seriously. I want you to know I mean it when I say nice things or do favors for you. I want you to know that it’s real.”

“I do take you seriously.”

Then, he takes a deep breath and puts both of his hands around one of yours, “And I want you to take my feelings for you seriously, when I confess them to you.”

“…Didn’t you just…?”

He grins and shakes his head, “No, y/n. When I confess the type of feelings I have for you and the extent of them, I’ll do it much more romantically than this.” Sanji looks positively giddy now, smiling and tightly (but not uncomfortably) holding your hand. “I just want you to know that what I feel for you is real.” And with that, he plants a chaste kiss on your cheek. It’s nothing like his occasionally vulgar and pg-13 methods of wooing women, but it makes your heart skip a beat. You’re sort of at a loss for words…

This time you’re the one pulled out of a daze by the other’s voice when he says, “Goodnight, y/n.”

“Oh, goodnight Sanji.” You smile at him, and he smiles back before nodding at you and leaving.

Even if that wasn’t a real confession, and maybe the timing wasn’t quite right, you were still biting back a smile as you rinsed off your plate and placed it in the dishwasher. But now you have a real confession to look forwards to, according to Sanji.

[writereleaserepeat]

So, I finally dove back into some great writing by @peachy-panic after some chapter updates to their stories Do No Harm and Fifty-Eight Days. I really adore the setting and characters in Fifty-Eight days, and anonamously received the blessing to write some fanfiction, so I did! Spoilers for Fifty-Eight Days below the cut - please go read their work if you haven't already!

There's a nameless woman mentioned in the flashback that starts "Reconvergence," and I thought it would be interesting to see the rescue scene from a different point of view (and perhaps from the point of view of someone who is mostly lucid at the time). It's obviously a fan work, so there are some canon divergences and creative liberties just to make it flow, but I really love the characters and hope I did them a bit of justice.

Spoilers for Fifty-Eight Days by peachy-panic

TW: implied non-con, aftermath of non-con, nudity mention, strong language, kidnapping, blood mention, gore mention, violence mention

---

“You should be prepared for anything,” the Lieutenant Colonel had said. As any dutiful officer would, Eleanor Martin took those words to heart, and prepared as well as one could. Naievely, she thought she had prepared for anything. But that pre-mission briefing felt like a lifetime ago now that she was staring at the gore-soaked aftermath of the compound raid. 

Voss’s men had put up a fight, just as they had expected. The winding halls were lined with bodies of the nameless henchmen, grey brain matter collecting in puddles alongside skull fragments, crimson splattered up against the walls. Ivory paint was pock-marked with countless bullet holes, and the smell of gunpowder lingered alongside the pungent odor of copper. Death permeated every pore of her body. 

It hadn’t been hard to find Voss’s room, an elegant suite tucked away at the heart of the sprawling compound. He had thought himself a king, and the bedroom had clearly been built to reflect this sentiment. 

The only crown Voss wore now was a ring of liquid red. His eyes were already glossed over with the pallor of death, and he was gazing up at the ceiling with a permanent grimace etched in his leathery skin. For a man who had been hunted by authorities for years, a man turned into a monstrous specter that rivaled the devil himself, he seemed so small as he slumped lifeless against the bedroom wall with a bullet hole between his brows. 

But it wasn’t Voss that had seared an image in Eleanor’s mind when she entered the room. It was the two young men, the very ones they had also hoped to find in this place, caught amidst the gunfire and the chaos. Naked, soaked in blood, the whites of their eyes showing like frightened dogs. They hardly resembled the two photos that authorities had received six long weeks ago, but it was unmistakably the two missing missionaries. And amidst the flurry of uniformed men entering the room, it was clear that no one knew what to do with the surviving victims. Perhaps this was because they were never expected to be found alive. 

“Gordon, call the medics in,” Eleanor barked at her colleague. He nodded, shoving his pistol back in its holster before running out of the room. Eleanor tried to ignore the fact the other soldier looked as though he were about to be sick.

Movement caught her eye, and Eleanor turned her attention back to the victims. The boy she recognized as Grayson Dawning scrambled off the bed, his face stained with tears and blood, an expression of hopeless despair frozen in place. Alive. He was alive, unmistakably, honest-to-god alive. 

While finding both victims alive was better than any of the authorities involved had expected, Eleanor could already tell that survival was not a kindness to either of these young men. The near-catatonic one—Elijah—was still facedown on the bed and gagged. Even among the armed men reorganizing themselves to sweep the rest of the compound, his cloth-stifled soft sobs still filled the room with heart-wrenching pain. 

“You- you gotta help him,” Grayson mumbled as he staggered to his feet beside the bed, hands pulling at the cloth gag that was stuffed in Elijah’s mouth. Grayson didn’t seem to care that he was still exposed, burdened by the stench of sweat and sex across every inch of his skin. Eleanor’s stomach turned. 

Be prepared for anything.

“Easy, Mr. Dawning,” she murmured, unsure of what else to say. After all, what could she say? It didn’t take an expert or a medic to understand what they had stormed in on. 

Blood streaked down Elijah’s legs, across his face, all over the sheets of the bed. From the mass of wounds on his back and his thighs, it was hard to tell which injuries were fresh and which were just gnarled scars. But rather than attempt to stymie the bleeding, she took to pulling Grayson away, trying to get a handle on the situation until the medics arrived. 

“I’ll get that,” she promised as she nudged Grayson’s trembling hands away from Elijah’s head. The young man didn’t offer her any resistance as she carefully undid the knot buried within the unruly curls. She couldn’t help but wince as her own fingers shook, but soon the knot loosened, and the crude gag finally came undone. With as much caution as she could muster she eased it out of his mouth. 

“Elijah, please,” Grayson cried softly, his hands touching Elijah’s shoulder, trying to break through the fog that had overcome the younger of the pair. But as Eleanor could clearly see, Elijah’s eyes were unfocused, welling with tears, vacant but for the slightest spark of life. She wondered if he could even hear his companion at all. 

“Well, shit,” Adam muttered as he looked at the two boys on the bed, the medic suddenly having appeared at Eleanor’s side. He dropped the medical bag to the floor and began his usual procedures, pulling the zippers open to reveal his instruments and supplies. There was no mistaking the urgency with which the man had gotten down to business.

“Adam, this is Grayson and Elijah,” she said, gesturing to them each in turn. She wasn’t trained to interact with patients like Adam was, but the least she could do was give them a name to attach to a face. Maybe she hoped it would give them some comfort, ground them amidst the chaos that had just rained down. It just seemed like the right thing to do. 

She wasn’t even sure there was a right thing to do in a situation like this. 

“Hey, Elijah,” Adam said as he settled down by the bedside. “My name’s Adam, and I’m here to help you out.” Elijah didn’t respond, eyes still staring off into empty space, tears leaking freely in streams through the blood and grime. 

“Please, you have to help him,” Grayson said, pleading. “Please, Elijah, I’m so sorry. I’m- it’s going to be okay. I'm sorry.” It was impossible to miss how Grayson’s hand wrapped around Elijah’s, squeezing tight. Whatever they had gone through, they were the only ones that could understand each other now. 

“I’m checking your vitals now,” Adam continued, narrating his actions to Elijah softly beneath Grayson’s panicked chatter. “We’re going to start with your blood pressure and your heart. Eleanor, can you finish untying him?” 

Shit. Eleanor hadn’t even thought to undo the restraints binding the boy’s wrists. She made quick work of those so Adam could slide the blood pressure cuff around Elijah’s recently-released arm. Moments later the rest of the medical team arrived, two gurneys and more medical supplies in tow. 

“Yeah, we’ve got to load them up and get them out of here as soon as we can,” Adam said as he stood up to look at Eleanor, face taut with a newfound urgency. Whatever numbers the paramedic had pulled from his devices, they hadn't been good. “Our team will take Elijah here, and Joe’s team can take Grayson. We’ll take them both to the predetermined hospital, but it’s up to your folks to get the American authorities down there.” 

“Fuck, right, I’ll let the Lieutenant Colonel know,” Eleanor answered, reaching for her walkie-talkie on her belt. The fact that these boys were alive was going to spare something of an international incident. She was supposed to let the Lieutenant Colonel know as soon as there was any definitive contact with the boys, dead or alive. Somehow, that had slipped her mind upon seeing their condition, that scene she had walked in on. If word of what truly happened got to the press, she wasn’t sure it would be much better than if they had been found dead. 

After she made the call to her boss—yes, they were alive, and they were about to get brought out to the awaiting ambulances—she helped pull Grayson away from Elijah. This gave the other paramedics enough time to get to work on Grayson, running a rapid assessment of his vitals and responsiveness. As soon as he had lost contact with Elijah’s skin, Grayson seemed to disappear in much the same dissociative state. 

This older one of the pair, supposedly a group leader that had pursued Elijah after he went missing, was barely more lucid than his catatonic companion. And as Elijah was rolled out of the room on a stretcher, bodies cleared out of the way as they went, Grayson seemed lost in a fog. Eleanor kept her grip on his upper arm as he looked around like a lost child. 

“Where is he?” Grayson asked, panic renewed as he came back to himself, if only just. “Where did you take him?” He pulled himself from Eleanor’s grasp and stumbled towards the hallway, past the broken door, feet passing over the puddles of blood without hesitation. 

“Where is Elijah?” He called out into the nothingness as Eleanor and the other paramedics followed after him, prepared to intercept and bring him to a gurney of his own. 

“Mr. Dawning,” a shorter paramedic pleaded, “You need to sit down and let the medics look at you. We need to get you to the hospital.” 

It was obvious by the full-body tremors that Grayson wasn’t particularly amiable to that suggestion. Eleanor, not versed in the art of comforting, and without a maternal instinct in her body, again attempted to soothe. 

“It’s over now,” she said as she prepared to guide Grayson out of the winding compound. “It’s over, you’re safe.” He seemed to flinch when she reached for his shoulder again, so she drew her hand back. It would have to be enough to walk by his side. So she did, walking close by his shoulders, the paramedics rolling the gurney and their supplies a few paces behind. But she may as well have not even been there as they navigated the winding halls, Grayson still calling out Elijah’s name, eyes darting to every face they passed. 

Once they were outside in the driveway, washed in the bright white of industrial grade lights and the flashing of emergency vehicles preparing to depart, Grayson seemed to snap back into focus. Of course; it seemed that Elijah was about to be loaded into one of the waiting ambulances, his body atop a stretcher and draped in blankets. 

“Elijah!” Grayson cried out, voice cutting above the fray of uniformed officials trying to make some sense of the carnage that was unraveling inside the compound. From the chatter on Eleanor’s radio, it seemed that these wayward missionaries were not the only victims to be found in the recesses of Voss’s personal playground. More ambulances - and coroners - would likely be on their way in a matter of minutes. 

Grayson nearly tumbled to the ground as his foot caught on the edge of the gurney, but somehow the emaciated boy caught himself and continued to propel forwards towards Elijah. That spark of desperation pulled again at Eleanor’s heartstrings. She watched the paramedics try to ward Grayson off, refuse his entry into the ambulance, their faces stern. Even Adam seemed prepared to put his foot down and protect the patient in his stead.

For a moment, Eleanor was lost. She likely would never see these boys again, not in person. Perhaps on the news or in her nightmares. But even if she would never see them again, she would remember these moments for the rest of her life. Perhaps they would too. What kindness could she afford them now? 

“Let him,” she said, walking a few paces towards the waiting ambulance. “Let them go together.” 

One of the paramedics looked like he was prepared to argue, but Eleanor knew that her rank was visible on her chest patch. A short tilt of her chin and squint of her eyes was all it took to make them fold. 

As soon as wordless permission was granted, Grayson grabbed onto Elijah’s hand, both of their knuckles white. Fear still danced around them, but in the last few moments that Eleanor saw them before the doors closed, she knew she had made the right decision. Whatever awaited those boys in the future, and whenever they had to reckon with what she had glimpsed upon breaching that door, that would be saved for another day. For now, for these few short minutes before they were subjected to a thousand questions and countless doctors prodding at them, they would have each other. Maybe that would be enough.

[plsdonttakemyname]

Boothill x G!n Reader

A/n ; this post is literally inspired by this post on TikTok HDHAJBDHSJSJDH 'M CRYINFFG..... I'm so sorry I haven't posted for soooo goddamn long... forgive me if my writing has gotten even worse mggggrr .. Wrote this at 3am, please let me know if I did typos... :'3

Mentions ; Boothill, Cyborg body parts, Poor bby can't feel physical affections like hugs and hand holding :(..Fluff fluff fluff grrrr...I'm trying my best not to turn this into an angst..Modern Au (I guess?), :3 Reader uses lipstick (no gender mentioned), Use of nicknames for reader (Doll,Baby,Etc...), OOC BOOTYHILL :(...

.. 𝑳𝒊𝒑𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 ..

You and Boothill have been dating for almost 2 years , right now he has you on his lap. You were testing out the lipstick you got recently on him and he agreed to it. His face now covered in different shades of lipsticks.

"mm, I kinda like this shade, what do you think about it 'hun?" he wrapped his arms around your waist while supporting you on his lap " I don't mind what shade of lipstick you use doll...you'd look absolutely stunning with anything" he answered as you smiled at his reply, leaning in to kiss his cheeks "Flatterer.." He lets out a small chuckle before leaning in again for another kiss "What can I say? I love my sweetheart this much" he said as you caress his cheeks, nuzzling her nose against his slightly while knowing it brings him comfort due to being the only place he can feel any real warmth. Yet you continue to show him you care in the small ways you can, showing you love him in these simple things. The both of you are resting on the couch and enjoying each other's company before he slowly speaks up and breaks the comfortable silence "Do my cyborg body parts bother you?" You were caught off guard by his sudden question. you shook your head, planting another kiss on his lips before answering him "No..of course not..what makes you say that?" He shrugged as he pulled you in closer in his arms while he nuzzled in the crook of your neck "Nothin'..I'm just askin.." you wrapped your arms around his neck in response as you ran your fingers through his silky white long hair while he cuddled with you on the couch. Minutes have passed when you suddenly remembered that your boyfriend is still covered in your lipstick..."Baby I think we should wash the lipstick away before it stains your face" with a few moments of silence, he pulled away and looked at you "good..let it stain then."

PLEASE THIS IS HORRIBLE WRITTEN,Im so sorry if I disappoint . :( my schedule has been very packed lately and I have to drive and pick my cousin up from school whenever I get free times.. Also wrote this at 4am without any sleep. I'm so sorry again if there's a grammar error. I feel so anxious when I post because I'm scared it's gonna be bad..but I'm trying my best despite having a packed schedule. But if you have any ideas, feel free to request , I'll try my best to take them when I'm free

© 2024 plsdonttakemyname do not repost, copy, translate, modify.

[anki-of-beleriand]

A heart Made of Glass ch.12

Summary: Ten years ago you left Wanda and the Avengers to heal your broken heart. You never stopped being a hero, just as you never stopped being in love with her. But life had to go on.

Now, after all that time, she is back and with her is a young woman needing help and an enemy that may not be as afraid as Wanda to lay a claim on you.

Pairings: Wanda Maximoff x Powered!F!Reader - Scarlet Witch x PoweredF!Reader - Past Wanda Maximoff x Vision

Warnings: Angst, drama, mentions of cheating, fluff, violence, smut, Switch!Reader, internalize homophobia, hurt, comfort, Wanda being a complete mess, anger management issues, jealousy, Requited/Unrequited love, idiots in love, swearing, mentions of alcohol. More tags as the story progess.

Author's Note: This story is a continuation of Dirty Little Secret I was really surprised at the response I got for the story, I did all the tags you guys ask for but if I forgot someone please do not hesitate to tell me. Thank you for the support.

Okay, this chapter had some tricks in it that are surronding Reader and Wanda, this is their story and this time around Reader would need to make the right decision if she wants to get what she wants and what she needs.

Please, do remember English is no my mother tongue so forgive my grammar, spelling and funny mistakes.

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Epilogue

Chapter 12

In a different world

The universe started with a spark of bright golden light.

Loki Odinson had seen it several times, he had witnessed the birth and death of multiple universes and timelines that were destined to perish in a myriad of colours that would soon be forgotten. He had sat on the throne, and while he was not a King himself, he could recall the faces of all of those poor souls that disappeared into the nothingness, just as he could remember the beauty behind the first spark of life.

However, what he was experimenting right now was nothing like it.

Whatever, or whoever had decided to intervene had messed up with his own spell and everything had exploded into nothingness. A single spark of red, green and golden then, nothingness. Black spaces that disappeared without any traces left behind.

Loki started at the empty space that was Wanda and Y/N’s basement before he sighed. He sat down shaking his head, a headache approaching just as he thought on the oncoming conversation he would need to sustain with the Avengers.

“Fuck.” The word rolled out of his lips in such a natural way, he could do nothing but leaned back against the wall.

What the hell just happened?

What did he do?

What did Wanda and Y/N do to get this reaction?

The silence soon became deafening, Loki located the book Strange had died trying to recover. He frowned while leaning over to pick it up, the spell was done correctly with all the right wording as well as the right drawings on the ground. So, why did it go wrong? His eyes scanned the pages, re-reading the passages over and over until his heart dropped at one particular line, something he had overlooked the very first time he read that passage.

“…this, however, may be counterproductive if there is a magical or multiversal energy interference, the amount of energy converging at one point may created an unexpected result and…”

Loki knew the rest by heart, he knew there could be troubles but…well, how many energies were involved in the spell? He had counted on those signatures coming from Wanda and Y/N, he had even counted on his but…was there anybody else out there? Was there anybody else at the other side of the multiverse?

“Shit.” Loki stood up fixing up his clothes before flickering his hand to open a portal. He needed to face the consequences of his acts, and the first stop would be the Avengers Tower and Steve Roger’s office.

The former Captain America was going to enjoy telling Loki ‘I told you so’, just before hitting him in the face.

With one last glance to the basement, Loki turned around and left the place.

He never worried to test the energy fields around, or to tap into the timelines flickering in front of his eyes. It never occurred to him that, as soon as the explosion happened, a new singular timeline appeared right before his eyes just to blend itself with the other timelines flickering in front of Loki.

No one but the Watcher could see it, The Watcher stood in the sidelines furrowing his brows and waiting.

The world would either collapse in itself, or it would fix the anomalies by itself.

Either way, he was watching history, and the future of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

_________________________________________

Darkness had always been your friend.

You were born in it, and it had been your weapon and your refugee in the hardest of times. That was the main reason you didn’t panic at first, everything around you was filled with the purest form of darkness with a single touch of coldness that sneaked inside your clothes. The hairs on your arms stood up, a shiver went right through your muscles making you groan as you finally experience the pain in your body.

Your mouth opened inhaling deeply filling your lungs with gusts of cold air, your chest contracting itself just before you started coughing. It was then you opened your eyes, and the darkness that you had experienced moments ago was nothing but you woke up from unconsciousness.

The first thing you noticed were different white dots in the sky winking back at you. You tried to grasp a single thought, seeking around your mind for a coherent idea but it was almost impossible to do so when the rest of your body was finally receiving different stimulus in the way of pain and coldness.

“Y/N!” A familiar voice called to your left, you tried to sit up but a single hand placed itself on your shoulder pressing you to the ground.

“Ease there, pal, you were really hurt back there.”

Even if you didn’t get a chance to sit up, your world started spinning around. The voice was so familiar, yet so different to what you were used to; with some reluctance you turned your face to the right and soon you found yourself looking at yourself.

The other woman offered a tentative smile, though the way she was squinting her eyes and the pursed of her lips told you she was just as confused as you were at the moment. Soft footsteps approached you, America Chavez was wearing a single cut on her cheek and a bruised eye, this time around you didn’t let you counterpart to stop you, you sat up to check over the teen kneeling beside you.

“America, are you alright?” Your eyes rolled back for a moment, your knees fell harshly on the ground while you held yourself with a single hand placed on your leg.

“Y/N, please…” America winced lightly glancing at you then at your counterpart. “I think you were the one that suffered the most…”

“It was my fault, actually. So, sorry?”

You blinked a couple of times, shaking your head made the headache worse and the dizziness settled on your lower abdomen. You lifted your face blinking a couple of times before checking America over, the young woman softened her features with her cheeks colouring pink while her lips tried to offer a single smile. You tried to ignore the other Y/N for as long as you could before turning around to settle your eyes on her.

Just like America, she was wearing a single cut on her forehead with her clothes dishevelled but otherwise nothing else. With some reluctance you lifted your eyes looking deep into those eyes that you knew so well.

“This is the weirdest shit I have ever had to live to date.” You finally said shaking your head, “I hope it is the last weird shit ever.”

“Agreed.” Y/N tilted her head furrowing her brows while giving you a quick glance. “Before this happened, I’m afraid I was in your body fighting with someone that got lucky…so…”

“So, that’s why I feel like this?” You cracked smile, your counterpart nodded mirroring the smile on your face. “Okay, got it, so…what the hell is going on?”

America and Y/N glanced at one another then at you, it wasn’t until then that you decided to take a good look at the surrounding area. The place in itself was nothing strange, yet you got a feeling that this was not your universe or even that of your counterpart.

The sky was completely dark filled stars but as you got to observe them above your head you realized there were not your stars. The constellations you had come to know thanks to Natasha and Carol had been changed and were replaced by different forms you did not recognize. With a single frown you lowered your eyes to find yourself in a plain of land filled with dried grass that extended beyond what the eyes could see. It was an empty land, with nothing beyond the darkness of the night without any moon it was hard to actually see something that could give you an idea of your location.

The sound of whistling called your attention, and soon you found yourself being wrapped tightly by two pair of arms. Before you could protest or ask what they were doing, you experience the sharp bite of wind, A cold, merciless breeze that soon turned into a whirlwind that left as suddenly as it had come.

“Wh-what the hell?” Your eyes opened wide, your teeth chattering while America and Y/N leaned back wincing.

“We need to move.”

You furrowed your brows shaking your head, “move where? I can barely see you two, how are we going to see the path or…where the hell are we?”

America sighed standing up, she stretched her hand to you offering a tender smile.

“You haven’t figured it out?”

You stood on weakened legs, your mouth opened ready to protest until you finally realised it. While it was true there was nothing much to see beyond the darkness and the starry night, you could see America and your counterpart just fine. It took you but a few minutes until, you lifted your hand and the shadows followed you giving you a good glance of what was around you.

“We can manipulate shadows, the night in itself is darkness and filled with the main source of our power.” Y/N stated matter-of-factly while standing before you, you nodded curtly feeling foolish for not even thinking about it.

“Are you guys going to tell me what’s going on?”

America grabbed your hand, then turning to Y/N she shrugged also grabbing her hand as well.

“We may as well update her while we continue walking.”

“We saw lights coming from what we think was a village a few kilometres away, were trying to get there until these weird whirlwinds came in and we couldn’t carry you anymore.” Y/N explained shrugging. “We’re guessing once we get to some sort of place filled with civilization we will know more…”

“Why didn’t you try to travel through the shadows?” You asked ready to do so when the warning tone from your own voice stopped you.

“I couldn’t do it without leaving America here, and I have a bad feeling as soon as I tried it…so…” Y/N shrugged looking ahead of her, “I always follow my instincts, they have never failed me.”

The comment sent a sharp pain straight to your heart.

Your instincts had never failed you either.

Nothing else was said after this, the three of you were following the direction America had pointed out but you were just lost not really knowing if this was the right path or just a wild guess. The temperature was dropping even more, soon your teeth were chattering alongside those of America and the other you. You felt a sharp pain through your head, whatever had happened before you woke up had left your body quite bruised and right now all you wanted was to find a bed, an analgesic and something to eat. For a brief moment, an intrusive thought came forward in the form of Wanda, panic rose through your chest and filled your mind but before you could ask anything about her your counterpart spoke.

“I still don’t understand how everything came to be,” she spoke with a tone of voice you were familiar with, you let your eyes wandered around the landscape holding onto every word resounding into the darkness of the night.”

“I remembered when Wanda and I saved America the first time, and then trying to safe her from these creatures chasing her down.” Y/N trailed off with her memories making her falter, with a single shake of her head she continued, “I know I was out for a while, so you can guess how surprised I was to wake up in the arms of someone that wasn’t my wife…”

“Not really.” Your reply was filled with coldness, tension building up in your body, “I have always had the luxury of waking up alone in my bed.”

America winced lifting her head to glance at you, her dark eyes begging you to listen before jumping in whatever discussion you wanted to start.

“Agatha Harkness.” The name reached the inside of your mind with the memory of the file you read on her, not only that, but also the different videos you saw surrounding her story inside of Wanda’s world.

“That was the woman you woke up to every day, Y/N.” America chimed in shyly, she lowered her gaze squeezing your hand tenderly. “She had been dragging Scarlet and Wanda around, draining them of their powers and leaving them defenceless for quite some time, and since…well, since Y/N was under her spell…”

You opened your mouth to speak, you wanted to say something but finding your counterpart’s eyes on you whatever argument you had built inside your mind came crumbling down and soon you were given their side of their story.  Little by little the story started making sense, the building of a different world and the intrusive dreams you were having in the last couple of weeks, the purple and red magic surrounding you on that day as well as the mixed-up realities that ended up with you thrown into another’s body. You had always known that Wanda was special, and powerful, you never imagined just how much.

America had been a part of the plan, of course. Her powers would be very beneficial to someone like Agatha, and your powers would make sure no one would ever find her. Everything was about the most basic reason of all: Power. You pursed your lips disgusted; you were dragged into a confrontation with Wanda because there was a woman chasing after power. You had been running from Wanda for more than ten years, and all it took was this woman to ruin everything.

And now, now you were walking down the darkness of the night with a girl that could travel through different universes and your counterpart, a woman that got the life you had dreamt of a long time ago.

“Life is not fair.” Y/N stated glancing at you out of the corner of her eyes, “but it is what we have, and we must…”

“…deal with it, take what it is being offered and try to be happy with it.” You finished shaking your head.

“Ah, so not everything is lost, I see.” Y/N allowed a single smile to break on her face, you pursed your lips snorting.

“You don’t know the story.”

“But she does, that’s why she told you those very same words, didn’t she?” Your counterpart stopped all of a sudden, you let out a heavy sigh before turning to face her.

America was standing in between the both of you, her brows knitted together with her gaze travelling around the terrain before settling on the both of you.

“Look, I know that you and Wanda had a different experience than mine, I’m glad you did because…” You trailed off holding onto your emotions, “I don’t wish on you the pain I went through…”

For the very first time ever you saw your own face breaking into a broken-hearted smile, with those eyes losing all light and those lips curving into a crooked smile. It was you looking back, and you understood right there and then that you weren’t the only one.

“You forgive her?” You asked with a hint of hope in your voice, you hated how the question left your lips and how your counterpart understood what you meant.

“How could I not if my heart beats for her?” She replied clenching her eyes closed, her hands rested upon your shoulders before you found yourself looking into your eyes. “There is a difference, though, isn’t it?”

“You guys were not together…” You started but she merely tilted her head.

“You know it wouldn’t matter if we were a couple or not, she chose someone else when we have always chosen her.” Y/N squeezed your shoulders lightly. “The difference is that I gave her a chance because I want to do so, you didn’t because…”

“I don’t believe in second chances! If I have done so she would have broken my heart all over again when she went into her imaginary world with Vision!” You exclaimed enraged, surprising Y/N and America.

The other woman furrowed her brows, she was ready to argue back with you and asked questions about the imaginary world. It was quite evident a lot of things had happened in this strange world and Y/N could only imagine the pain and rage engulfing your heart at the moment.

America could see darkness surrounding the three of you her eyes opening wide almost losing into the shadows until her eyes caught glimpses of red and purple right ahead.

“Guys?” America stuttered lifting her hand and pointing to the distance.

You two stopped your discussion turning around to see the same sparkles of red and purple. It was a formation of dusty colouring breaking into the darkness of the night sky, you turned to the left to see Y/N frowning with determination and America shifting nervously from one foot to the other.

“It’s not that far away, I mean it could be at least one kilometre?” Y/N faced you holding onto the previous tension of your conversation with her, you clenched your fist shrugging.

“Looks that way.”

“Are we…” America started but you lifted a hand to silence her.

“Before we jump in to do something I think we need more information, we don’t even know what we are going to find over there.” You looked out of the corner of your eyes; the lights were still gleaming pretty much intensely but you could tell your two companions didn’t want to stay still and do any planning.

“What do you propose?” Y/N asked lifting her chin, “you know pretty well those sparks of crimson are Wanda’s, and we know this woman, this Agatha has been using purple magic. Are you really suggesting we stand here or keep walking in circles?”

“No! All I am asking is to first think about what we are going to do! We’re not even sure where we are much less what we are going to find there.” You asked back lifting your hands in the air and stepping back, the pain you had forgotten in favour of the discussion came back making you winced.

“Look I know you guys think the world of Wanda, and that’s cool, I guess your Wanda,” this time around you pointed to your counterpart trying to remain calm, “she is all love and kindness and that’s fine. The Wanda in world had a total breakdown that enslaved a bunch of people in a reality she created for herself and that microwave she called husband, so forgive me if I’m not going to jump in without any additional information.”

Your tirade echoed through the night, your voice carried by the wind with a dropped in the temperature. The moon that had been travelling with the three of you flickered all of a sudden, and the darkness grew around the three of you. America didn’t miss the flickering lights of crimson and purple, but she couldn’t stop herself from grabbing your hand in hers, the warm she shared with you made you shivered and with some reluctance you lower you stare to her. Even in such a darkness you could see her brown eyes gleaming with emotions.

“You still love her.” America mumbled squeezing your hand tenderly.

You clenched your jaw tilting your head to the side, America bit her lower lip glancing from you to Y/N.

“I don’t know why this has to be so complicated, but she needs you.” America took a deep breath stepping closer to you. “Wanda is sad, and I know she messed up and that forgiveness should not be given just because you feel that way. But she really needs you, she and Scarlet.”

“Look, I don’t know what happened between the both of you.” Y/N stepped in making sure you could not look away from your own eyes. “But the woman I love is out there, being it in this dimension or another Wanda Maximoff would always be MY Wanda and I won’t leave her out there to get hurt. If not for you, then at least do it for me.”

It was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by darkness and coldness that your heart finally gave in. With a nod, your dropped your shoulders in defeat missing the smile coming from America but never missing the satisfied glance coming from your counterpart. The three of you finally turned to the source of the magic, and without a simple plan you three started making your way to the source.

You were not prepared for what was waiting for you over there.

Agatha Harkness smirked at the woman kneeling before her.

In less than a year she had made it possible to crumble away the legend of the Scarlet Witch while placing herself as the most powerful witch in the multiverse. Her smile never faltered, not even when the world spined around changing into a familiar setting; a place and time Agatha had suffered before but that now she could alter with a single flicker of her hand.

The place was filled with passersby ignoring the presence of the two women; nobody seemed to care that one of them was on her knees with a single neck shackle made of light red and blue tied to a crimson necklace Agatha wore on her chest.

“What do you think about this arrangement, dear?” The dark-haired woman asked, her eyes dropping to the kneeling Wanda who was shooting her a stare filled with anger. “Personally, I think this could be more lively, but don't worry soon enough we will have a show to die for.”

Her laughter was accompanied by a flash of violet, and soon the scene changed and they were transferred to a great marketplace located at the centre of the village. Everyone had reunited around four pillared pyres that were guarded by at least ten knights all dressed in black.

Wanda lifted her face, her ears twitched hearing the sound of angry screams cursing someone she couldn't make out yet. Agatha stirred in excitement; her smile grew until it was a crooked grin with just a hint of madness behind it.

“Here they come…”

The crowd spread around just as four figures came in walking on naked feet wearing red robes and bruised faces. The hatred and fear coming from the crowd was quite evident as the torches and the pitchforks drew wild patterns above the townspeople’s heads. The light of the torches ignited the night, Wanda tensed under the grip of the woman standing beside her, the hairs on her arms raising up while her eyes narrowed to follow the events unfolding in front of her.

The four women were pushed forward, each one of them had a single knight standing behind them with heavy hands they were dragged to the four pillars tied to them facing the crowd. It didn’t take her too long to guess what was about to happen, and what exactly were those pillars; the pyres had been set up to ensure everyone could see the women died. The crowd cheered cruelly, laughing and cursing while the four women glared at the people with more bravery than they actually felt. 

“This was my coven.” Agatha spat out, her hands sparkling with a mixture of red and purple, “they saw my power, they read my intentions and instead of supporting me they dared to try and stop me…”

“I wonder why.” Wanda couldn’t hold the sarcasm behind her voice, Agatha pulled harshly on the ropes holding her neck making Wanda fall on her back.

“You really are more daring than your counterparts, dear. I would be careful, if I were to be honest I don’t need you alive.” 

Agatha caressed the necklace smirking at Wanda, the woman couldn’t hide her anger and the magic that was pulsating inside her was not enough to protect her from Agatha’s anger. Soon Wanda let out a scream of pain, her body twitching painfully until he couldn’t keep her eyes open and all she could think about was the searing pain on her limbs.

“It has been so long since I was just a lowly witch like them, afraid of fire and the angry crowd. I grew to be magnificent, to have power beyond anyone’s imagination…” Agatha continued with his rambling observing with gleaming eyes as the Major of the town stood forward proclaiming the sins of the four women.

“I just had to find you, Wanda, you and that so-called Scarlet Witch.” Wanda took a deep breath, half hearing the woman while watching with horror as the night above her head flickered from one setting to another.

“It was not easy, you know?”

Agatha flickered her hand to the right and soon Wanda was on her knees watching as the world around her changed. It was like watching a movie in a dome. The world changed to day and night flickering images of Agatha dragging her burnt body through the ground whispering spells that only she could hear. The image soon changed showing the passing of time, Agatha looking around the world and stealing the magic of others while seeking something out of desperation.

She finally found it after more than a century.

Wanda opened her eyes at the familiar setting, Kamar Taj stood under stormy winds and heavy snow. Agatha sneaked around, distracting the inhabitants of the temple by provoking landslides that would certainly have killed innocent people if it hadn’t been by the protectors of the temple. She had enough time to steal a single book.

“Y-you…you stole the..th-e…the Drakhold.” Wanda leaned forward resting her hands on the ground, she was shocked to find the snow under her hands was real and that everything she was seeing was not an illusion but a real event.

Her mind was trying to comprehend what was really happening. Her knowledge of the Darkhold had not been as broad as it had been for Strange and even Loki. But she did know one thing or two about the origins of her powers, Chaos Magic had been called and it gave her the power to bend reality and life in ways not many could access to. The darkness inside her had been contained by her family and her loved ones, but the same could not be said by others, apparently.

“I did.” Agatha finally answered tilting her head, soon the scene changed and they were taken to a place Wanda was familiar with.

Westview.

“Yet, I was still not strong enough, or the only one with powers beyond our imaginations.” Agatha made a face, stepping forward strolling down the streets with Wanda following her. “When the Avengers showed up it was quite evident that people with powers could no longer be hidden. It was my time to shine until you, my dear Wanda, showed up.”

Wanda saw herself in a building in Sokovia, it was a place she was familiar with yet the story that was unfolding in front of her had nothing to do with what she had lived once. Her other self struggled to control her powers, to live her life, to be who she was supposed to be but failed every single time. Agatha had never been too far from those events, and whenever Wanda failed, Agatha would clutch the young woman closer to her. The red and purple magic intertwined without anyone noticing.

“What did you do?” Wanda asked, finding herself in the middle of the square in Westview. It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining right above their heads and not a single cloud in sight. 

Agatha smirked, her eyes changing colours to one of deep crimson, “I finally became who I am supposed to be, and soon my dear I will have all the power to bend the universes at my will. And now, I will finish what I started all those months ago with your pathetic counterpart and you will help me out with this.”

The world suddenly exploded around them, Wanda clenched her jaw closed, lifting her eyes to the sky to see the runes above her head.

“You…” She gritted her teeth, her eyes closing right away trying to gather her thoughts and power to stop the woman standing beside her.

Agatha chuckled darkly, her gripped on Wanda tightened allowing the influx of memories to invade the mind of the redhead. It was a life she was no familiar with, a suffering she had not experiment in the same way but that generate in her an understanding of the mess this world was in. She could see the moment Agatha entered the story, the failures and the almost victories until finally she got what she wanted.

A weakened Wanda Maximoff without anyone in the world to stand by her side.

Power.

And a way to get away with her plan.

“You…you won’t win.” Wanda finally got out; her eyes gleaming dangerously at the other woman who made a face rolling her eyes.

“I already did, dear. You just haven’t realized it yet.” Agatha let go of Wanda stepping away.

The brunette straightened up lifting her arms in front of her, her hands creating a purple mist while the necklace she wore zealously around her neck gleamed with intensity. Those eyes that moment’s ago had been brown, were now a deep black and the world around Wanda trembled under the electric shift of power the witch was gathering around her.

“Now, I have all the pieces in place, in my world…under my rules.” Agatha stated tilting her head to the side, “I will bend everyone to my will…and you, Wanda, will be nothing but a bad memory.”

The sky above their heads changed into darkness, the temperature dropped and Wanda felt the heavy weight of the atmosphere overwhelming her. She could sense her counterpart weakening inside the prison Agatha had chosen for her, her thoughts were still a mixture of memories she couldn’t quite place while the heavy emotions running through her soul threaten to overwhelm. Wanda could read the intentions behind the woman standing before her, she could read the hatred and violence behind those dark eyes. Lifting her chin to the sky, and her eyes showing off her own magic she decided if this was going to be her end, she would face it with defiance.

The ball of energy flickered in Agatha’s hand, the world stood still and the with smirked ready to give the final blow.

Agatha was so concentrated in her final goal, she never noticed she was no longer alone and what she though was illusions of her own invention were actually three people she didn’t think would be a problem until one of them stood right in front of her shielding Wanda from an imminent dead.

You had crossed the protective barrier around the strange town with a single thought in mind. Your intention was to get this over with and go back to your life on Norway, your heart beating fast while your mind protest for the easiness in which you were trying to go back to a life in which you were ignoring the woman that had never left your heart. It looked easy, just do your thing and then fixed whatever mess you were in and then…go back.

But the universe and the Powers That Be decided that it wouldn’t be just as easy as a flickered of your hand.

As soon as the three of you crossed the barrier you were face to face with flashes of memories that presented you with a film of the lives of Wanda and Agatha. The stories of the coven and the search for power, as well as the fall of Sokovia and Wanda’s struggles with her powers and her life.

“This is so wrong.” Y/N stated clenching her fist while stepping forward until she was finally standing beside you, the both of you stood on an empty street hearing the sounds of muffled conversation.

“Any plan?” You finally stated ignoring the piercing pain in your heart, your counterpart shrugged nodding to the darkened street that was flashing a mixture of red and purple.

“I think the best approach is a straightforward one.”

“Humph, so go there and just start fighting?” You replied with your lips breaking into a single smirk.

“Yep, pretty much.”

“That doesn’t sound like a solid plan.” America mumbled unsure, she furrowed her brows turning to you and then to your counterpart.

You turned to America placing a hand on her shoulder, “but it is what we have. You are going to stay here and wait.”

“But…I can fight! I can help!” America stepped back frowning, “I won’t be left behind…”

“I know you can fight, kiddo.” You replied tilting your head, “and that’s why you are staying behind.”

America opened her mouth to protest but Y/N came forth shaking her head.

“You are our backup, America. If anything were to happen to us and Wanda…” Y/N stated dropping her gaze for a moment, she turned to you until finally she locked eyes with America. “You need to do anything you can to ensure Agatha won’t scape, you understand?”

America pursed her lips, a part of her understood the mission but another part wanted to go straight ahead and face the woman that had been chasing her through the multiverse. America clenched her fists before nodding curtly and stepping back. You offered a single smile, your hand squeezing comfortingly the shoulder of the teen.

“There would be time, America, for now just watch our backs.”

“I will.”

“Good then, let’s go.”

You nodded curtly allowing your powers to spread in front of you, there was resistance when trying to reach the shadows and for the very first time you understood what your counterpart meant about your instinct. Everything in your body was screaming danger as soon as you came into contact with the shadows, your body shivered under the piercing weight of a million needles. You clenched your jaw closed stepping into the shadows with a single thought in mind.

Wanda.

Without any hesitation and moving through the invisible obstacles in that universe you appeared right before Wanda and Agatha just in time. Your eyes went black with your right arm lifting in front of you and creating a protective barrier just as Agatha’s hand came into contact with your shadows.

There was a flickering of power, the older woman snarled a curse lifting her left arm in the same fashion and launching a second attack. Your eyes opened slightly only for your shadows to slithered away grabbing the woman’s midsection to pull her away.

The world crumbled for an instant; Agatha was completely shocked to see not only you but your counterpart standing right in front of her. The woman straightened up, sweat rolling down her forehead while her right hand closed around her necklace and her other hand summoned the Darkhold.

“You really are a pain in my behind, but at least I won’t have to go around looking for you.” Agatha stated tilting her head to the side, her annoyance giving way to a confident smile. “Now, how about the two of you are good girls and give up, I would hate to spend my time submitting you to get what I want.”

You spread your feet positioning yourself in a fighting pose, your eyes narrowing slightly while the woman in front of you got her magic ready. But before Agatha could do anything at all, another set of shadows grabbed her arms putting them back making her woman lose her grip on the necklace and the Darkhold, your body tensed when Wanda stood up behind you, her voice quivering slightly as she pronounced your name with reverence and love.

“Hey, I hope you didn’t forget about me, Agatha dear.” Your counterpart said winking at Wanda while flickering her hands away, Agatha grunted freeing herself with a blast of energy and stepping a few feet away.

“Hn, I didn’t expect this.” She stated summoning the Darkhold, the world around the four of you changed, shaping itself in a familiar setting you had come to hate in your mind.

Westview.

Agatha never wavered in her confidence, if anything it seemed to grow the same way her magic was doing at the moment. You took a fighting stance, your shadows flickering around waiting for your command. You glanced out of the corner of your eye, Wanda had been trying to stand up but her knees and feet seemed uncooperative. Before you could offer any help, your counterpart came in wrapping her arms around Wanda while placing her forehead against Wanda’s one.

“Hey, love.”

“Hi.” Wanda replied with easiness, Y/N sighed in relief before placing a single kiss on her wife’s cheek.

“I miss you.” Y/N said softly, your heart shrank with emotion when your mind caught up with what was really happening.

You furrowed your brows, sweeping around the place until your darkened eyes fell on Agatha who was smiling playfully at you, her right hand playing absentmindedly with the necklace.

“Where is…Wanda?” The question left your lips before you could stop it, Wanda and Y/N both glanced at one another before they set their eyes on you.

A sinking feeling settled on your lower stomach, you were afraid of the answer when you realized this Wanda was trying to look everywhere but you. Tilting your head, you finally got a good look at your surroundings where the suburban houses filled out the imaginary world; the Wanda you had come to know from another universe held onto your counterpart tightly though right now her green eyes had been focusing straight ahead of you.

“Where is she? Wanda?” You asked again, this time around there was a demanding undertone that the other woman couldn’t ignore.

“Agatha has them under her control, she is using a powerful and dangerous book, Y/N.” Wanda could tell her answer was not of your liking, she stepped forward ready to join you and her wife in the fight glancing at you out of the corner of her eyes.

“You don’t know where she has Wanda?” You asked again never taking your eyes off of the older woman standing before you.

“I have my suspicions but I’m not sure how to interfere with that.” Wanda winced trying to ease out the pain on her neck, you frowned pursing your lips while taking a closer look at Agatha before your eyes found the same house you had come to know as Wanda’s place.

“Well, then let’s get this over with and get Wanda back.” Your arms stretched to the sides, the silent command spurred into action the shadows around you flying straight ahead to try and get Agatha.

Before your counterpart and the other Wanda could help you out, the creatures summoned by Agatha launched their first attack. A great explosion was heard while you evaded the flashing balls of power sent over by the witch.

The fight soon broke over, you didn’t notice it but the dome surrounding this part of the universe tremble sending waves of energy all through the world until they came into contact with the timeline and America. The young woman lifted her head, her eyes gleaming brightly as she tapped into her powers; bouncing on the balls of her feet she waited. America could hear the sound of explosions and the muffled sound of conversations and screams, she glanced at her hands thinking about the lessons she had been learning in the last couple of months. She closed her fists, opening them again before lifting her face. This people had been putting their lives on the line for her, they had been trying to protect her without expecting anything in exchanged. It was about time she helped them.

With a glance to the sky, America took a deep breath closing her eyes for a brief moment. As soon as she opened them, her lips curled into a single smile.

Time for payback.

The street had been completely destroyed during the fight.

There were no more homes standing up, or nice cosy gardens decorating the suburban setting. The world soon became a mixture of nothingness with the flickering holograms of reality that you could not touch. Agatha had learnt a thing or two since fighting with Wanda, you could see her ability to hold onto her powers while also making use of those she had stolen from your Wanda.

You shook your head hating the thoughts running around in your head, the overwhelming emotions that seemed to try and govern your decisions. You tried to focus your energy on what was right in front of you, the problem you were facing went beyond your own emotions. There would be a time for you to deal with them.

Agatha lifted her left hand above her head before letting it fall fast to her side, the sharp pain of your skin being pierce made you grunted. You could feel the wounds on your arms, your eyes igniting in a deep black that soon went right ahead to engulf the witch in front of you.

At some point, Agatha had become faster than your attacks, she stepped aside flickering her hands and soon two more creatures appeared out of nowhere.

“Is that all you got?” You asked almost losing your concentration when you heard the voice of your counterpart in the back.

“Get away from my wife!”

Agatha smirked grabbing her necklace, tilting her head she settled her eyes on you.

“Oh, dear, you would be surprised with the number of tricks I can bring on you.” Agatha stepped forward, her feet never touching the ground. “I could make your dreams come true; I can be what Wanda never was for you.”

You pressed your lips together taking into a fighting stance.

“You know nothing about my dreams, and I am certainly not looking for a replacement.”

Agatha snorted her hand gripping tightly on the necklace, soon a red mist grew from the space between her neck and chest and the world around her turned crimson. Agatha stretched out her arms and the whole world vibrate around you changing in the blink of an eye.

“Are you sure? I can tell by the pathetic way you are always looking at her, but the way you talk about her that there is nothing else you want more than her…” Agatha’s voice rose above the new scene, your eyes flickered around while your stomach dropped when you realized where she had taken you to.

For a brief moment you could make out the screams and grunts of the fight going on right outside this small world. You took a deep breath trying to get a hold of your powers ignoring the runes glowed above your head a clear sign that this was still being controlled by Agatha. You creased your brows knowing that your options were limited if the other woman decided to use her magic at its full potential. She was playing with you, leading you on and one until it was quite clear she was mocking you by placing you right in front of a memory that had broken your heart at some point.

It was playing in slow motion, the video and the room with everyone just as shocked as you were to see Wanda in the arm’s of another. The passing of time, every single moment that you had suffered the betrayal while facing your sadness alone in a world of pure darkness. Your fit closed, the shadows on your feet stirred violently sensing your anger when you heard Agatha laughing. Mocking you.

“How did it make you feel knowing she was happier with a man?” Agatha purred making sure to be as far away from you as she could. “How did it feel knowing you were never going to be chosen in this world? In this universe? I bet it pierce your soul knowing you were the one destined to be alone.”

“Shut up.”

“I can make it go away, I can help you out…say the words, and I will make sure you get what you want.”

Your knees gave under your weight, furrowing your brows you tried to close yourself to the mocking film playing around you trying to focus on the fight. Agatha chuckled tilting her head, this time around the runes above her head pulsated and the two creatures grew before your eyes attacking viciously at your counterpart and Wanda making sure that your conversation and fight with Agatha wouldn’t be interrupted. Agatha centred her eyes on you, her hand grabbing the necklace while the same video seemed to be on replay.

“She won’t be a problem for you anymore, and after I’m done with you…you won’t have to worry about the pain of your broken heart, dear.” The laughter sent shivers down your back, but it was everything you were waiting for.

Your lips curled into a smile, your right hand twirled clockwise and the shadows broke into waves catching up with the witch. Just as you had located her, ready to give her a lesson, the woman was ready to use the magic Wanda and Scarlet were giving to her to make sure the next stage of her plan could be completed.

It never happened, though.

Your attack never stopped reaching out to your objective, while Agatha tried to return the hit she was surprised by a sudden punch to her face. The punch glow white, and her body bounced back and forth until she lost the hold on the necklace, America Chavez didn’t stop there and your shadows went straight to hold onto the witch to bring her down.

Everything happened so fast, your eyes went from America to Agatha and finally to the object on the ground. The necklace bounced on the ground, and without thinking too much you went right ahead to grab it. The object was warm to the touch, you could tell by the vibrations that magic had been contained between the object and this magic could only belong to one person. You closed your hand around it, you could sense Scarlet deep inside your mind. It didn’t take you too long to recognize the woman that had been haunting your dreams as of late, right with her you could also sense Wanda trying to hide, trying to survive.

“NO!”

The scream coming from Agatha was everything you needed to drop the necklace and stomp on the piece of jewellery creating an explosion that blew you and everyone around you away.

“Humph…” Your mouth opened letting out a shaky breath, your body hurt all over while your eyes got use to the sparkling lights that appeared before them when your head hit the ground.

“Y/N!!” You tried to sit up, a pair of arms held onto you for a brief moment until you were capable of making out the figure sitting beside you.

America had her brows creased; her eyes shone with worry while she tried to hold you up. The fighting was still ringing inside your ears, your counterpart was finishing the last of the dimensional creatures while you could spot her Wanda holding back against Agatha. For a brief moment, panic rose inside you the sudden need to throw up became almost to much just as you leaned forward trying to stand up your eyes looking frantically for the women that had been haunting your dreams and reality as of late.

“They are unconscious…” America started but she could not finish her sentence as you stood up without any warning.

“Wanda…” Her name escaped your lips without meaning to, at that moment with your body exhausted and your mind already carrying the weight of so many memories and thoughts all you could do was staggered forward until you reached both women.

You stood on shaky legs glancing from Wanda to Scarlet, both of them unconscious wearing the same bags under their eyes and the bruises all over their faces and arms. You hesitated not really knowing where you should focus your attention until, as an afterthought you went to Wanda. Turning her to the side you ensure she was comfortable, her lip had a deep cut and her forehead had traces of a scratch that left her with blood and dirt. She looked thinner than you remember, with her face wearing still the same defeated expression she wore to your home all those months ago.

“Wanda.” You said her name again, this time around firmer and demanding, your hand trying to help her out until you heard her exclamation of pain. “Wanda, are you alright?”

The young woman stirred in your arms, her eyes flickering slightly until she opened her lips and let out an exclamation of pain. You put her back on the ground, turning around you could see Scarlet was stirring awake as well while the fight seemed to have no end.

“Y/N…” You turned to see Wanda’s eyes fluttering open, her green orbs looking back at you with sadness and tenderness that had your heart beating a tad bit faster.

“Hey, are you alright?” You leaned in but Wanda looked away helping herself up, you tired to assist her but your body froze for a moment unsure on how to proceed with the woman sitting before you.

“I…I am a little sore.” She replied, her eyes never leaving the form of Scarlet, Wanda furrowed her brows glancing at her hands then back at the other woman. “She…she is…Scarlet Witch.”

Her words trembled as she pronounced them, her face lowered thinking to herself knowing full well your attention was on her. She remembered the moment she had separated herself from the legend, the words of Agatha had haunted her at that moment when she realized there was something inside her giving her powers a deeper meaning. She had hated that idea, and the world that had been created out of it.

When Wanda finally dared to look up she found herself looking into your eyes. Her heart stirred with emotion, the words that wanted to pour out of her mouth entangled around her throat for she knew it was not the time for a heart-to-heart conversation. She wished everything had turned out different, but after her confrontation with Agatha and everything she had discovered whiled trapped in that reality she knew what she needed to do.

“Can you…help me up?” She asked shyly, you nodded curtly stretching your hands for her to take them.

She was cold under your touch, and a little sweaty.

Her cheeks coloured pink, and her eyes glanced everywhere but at you. You felt a piercing pain going through your chest, but you ignored it while helping the other woman up. For a brief moment, you thought she could walk on her on until Wanda’s legs trembled and almost gave up on her. You caught her just on time, her body pressing against yours making your traitorous heart stopped for a brief moment.

“How convenient, Wanda.” Scarlet was on her knees; she had sweat falling down her face breathing hard and glaring at the two of you though her eyes were completely focused on Wanda. “You…you don’t do nothing, yet you get to be with her.”

Wanda tensed in your arms, she took a deep breath while pushing you away taking one step at a time until she was standing before Scarlet. You lifted your eyes to see America just as focused on the two women as you were, the sound of the fighting was till rumbling in your ears but it was almost impossible to pay attention to something else that wasn’t the scene playing out in front of you.

Wanda held herself up, conscious of the hatred inside the eyes of Scarlet.

Inside her own eyes.

“We don’t get to be with her.” Wanda mumbled dropping her shoulders, tears gathering in her eyes as she spoke. “I’ve been trying to make amends but I just…”

“You always failed, and you make it worse.” Scarlet spat out lifting her chin in defiance, her position on the ground was not an inconvenience. If anything, it gave her the power that Wanda couldn’t show at the moment.

“I tried to reach out to her, to make her world and mine…to…”

“I know.” Wanda offered a weakened smile, looking out of the corner of her eyes she could see you had your attention on the both of them. “I tried to do the same. I just…I can’t do it alone, and I’m tired of failing every time. I don’t…”

Wanda swallowed down her tears, she leaned in lifting her left hand until she was cupping Scarlet’s cheek. Red mist appeared in Wanda’s hand, and soon her eyes as much as those of Scarlet were shining brightly.

“It hurts so much.” Scarlet said letting the tears rolled down her cheeks. “I just…

“I don’t want to be alone, and I don’t want to be without her.” Wanda finally said her own tears falling down her face.

You clenched your jaw, looking away for a moment while your chest felt a myriad of butterflies fluttering inside.

“But I can’t keep fighting alone, or divided.” Wanda stated, she wiped away Scarlet’s tears before adding. “I think we need to be one, you saw just how powerful we are together and…”

“You need to fix this, or we would never…”

“I know, but this may not end the way you want it.”

Scarlet drifted her attention to you, her eyes found those of yours and in there you could read everything you had been so afraid to interpret the first time. There was pain and sadness, emotions that broke into her heart in ways you could only imagine, and then there was love. You looked away stepping back under the intensity of such a stare, you missed the broken smile on Scarlet’s face and the defeat she wore while facing Wanda again.

“I know, I think we will cope when the time for that comes.” Wanda nodded in understanding; her hands gleamed brighter than ever while Scarlet placed her hand on top of hers.

“I promised you I won’t give up.”

“Good, then let’s do this.”

The crimson mist grew around them glowing with a bright, red light making you trembled under the intensity of the magic. You could see America kneeling down, her eyes going wide open as they stare the scene unfolding before her eyes.

Wanda and Scarlet were no longer two different entities.

Standing before you was a single woman, her head was adorned with a red crown that made match with the bodice and the black leggings. Wanda stood there with magic coming from her hands, her eyes a deep shade of red that gathered the power you had always known she had in her. The woman stood still for a moment, she glanced at her body and her hands before her face lifted to stare at you.

You tried to hide your expression, your lips parting to speak but not words came out. Wanda hesitated before nodding her feet moving slowly until she turned around making her way to the fight.

“Is she gonna be okay?” America stood right beside you, squirting at the woman now using her magic to help her counterpart in the fight against Agatha.

“I think so…” You trailed off finally realizing that even though the both of them had finally become one, Wanda was still wearing the bruises and the exhaustion on her face.

“Are you okay?” America asked quite concern, you turned to her offering a half smile.

“I will be.” You sighed scratching the back of your neck. “Stay here and be careful.”

“What are you gonna do?” The teen asked slightly scare, you offered her a half smile turning towards the fight that was a tied between the Wandas and Agatha.

“What we came to do, just stay out of trouble and be ready to help us go back home, okay kiddo?”

America doubt there was anything she could do, but she didn’t contradict you. With a single nodded of her head she watched as you ran towards the fight, your shadows already creating a protective barrier around you and Wanda. Something, America though, you probably were not aware of.

_____________________________________________________________

Loki rolled his eyes once more, he was tired of hearing the fight going on in the meeting room while he stood by the window waiting for the right moment to intervene.

The world outside was highly active, Monday had always been one of the busiest days in the calendar and that day was not the exception. The young god leaned forward, his fingertips touching the window while his eyes observed the golden and green lights of the timelines. His eyes soon fell upon the one he did not recognise, a red line that he could not tamper with but that he was certain contained the answers to the questions everyone in the room were posing.

Loki turned around his eyes finding those of Billy who had not leave his side ever since Pietro brought him into the Avenger’s Tower. The young boy had his eyes narrowed, his hands playing with invisible threats only he could see.

For a brief moment, Loki stood there observing the child with growing curiosity. Billy was tapping the air with his fingertips, concentrated in something only visible to him. Loki frowned with his mind already forming an idea of what exactly was happening.

“Billy, what are you doing?” The question was low enough for the child to hear it but not for the rest of the room to notice it.

Billy lifted his face this time around his eyes went wide opened showing off the innocence of his age, but also the brightness he had inherited from both his mothers.

“Mommy always says to follow my instincts.” There was conviction in his tone, his hands tapping still as if waiting for something.

“And, what are they telling you?” Loki knelt to be on the same height of the child, Billy tilted his head creasing his brows before answering.

“Uncle Loki, momma and mommy need my help…look!”

Loki looked in the direction Billy was pointing to, he gasped with his eyes wide open and a smile forming on his lips.

“Billy you are a genius.” Billy offered a timid smile glancing at Loki shyly.

“Really?”

“Yes, and I think thanks to you we are going to be able to help Wanda and Y/N.” Loki could see the excitement in the little boy, he couldn’t help but smile back.

Without giving to much attention to the room, Loki sat right beside Billy closing his eyes before letting his magic to spread around. Billy was slightly confused at first, he had continued working on invisible threads trying to get into contact with them. Now there was something different, with his uncle sitting beside him Billy could sense the magic. He pressed his lips together before sitting down and, imitating Loki, he closed his eyes and just went with his instincts.

_____________________________________________________________

Whatever power she had tried to drain from Wanda and even Scarlet was no longer active to give her the stamina or even the strength to keep up with the fight. She was not even up to sustain the world she had created by tampering on the Chaos magic she could barely tolerate.

Wanda Maximoff gathered her power while circling the woman in front of her, she could feel the hurt she had created for her counterpart had reached out beyond the boundaries of the multiverse and it was something she would not tolerate. Beside her she could sense Y/N, a close shadow that was ready to jump in when necessary to offer protection and support; Wanda couldn’t help but smile.

“You won’t win.” Agatha tried to put up with a fight, she tried to hold onto the last threads of power inside her to get into the fight but she could no longer hold onto her powers for far too long.

You came from behind her your hands wrapping around her wrists while your shadows covered her feet spreading through her legs and body. Agatha was struggling, her eyes going wide open just as she started chanting in a language you did not recognize. Wanda opened her eyes wide, she stepped closer spreading her arms and chanting just the same, the runes trembling right above your head just before a myriad of images surrounded you breaking the darkness before going completely white.

“NO!” Agatha let out a guttural exclamation, her elbow hitting you square in the face but whatever strength she had in her to fight was haltered by your counterpart finishing what you started.

Wanda knew at that moment why she had been feared by Agatha, the power that was held inside her sent electric waves through her body. The power concentrated on her hand, and soon a single jewel showed on her palm while her counterpart continued with the ritual. The runes appeared right above her head, and without any indications, she started chanting as well.

You stepped back falling on your ass, blood rolling down your nose just as you saw the black figured being swallowed by the jewel. There was a moment of flickering lights and then, it stopped. Both Wanda’s stood right in front of the other, the jewel resting comfortably on the hand of Y/N’s wife.

The jewel took into a purplish colour, falling to the ground with a single thump.

The world went silent.

The darkness around you grew, with the stars twinkling right above your head.

Everything was still, with only your hard breathing breaking the tension around your ears. Your body was aching, your mind filled with memories of the past and the present all of them pilling up to overwhelmed you line of thoughts. You closed your eyes trying to forget and wait for everything to be back the way it was in the last year.

But you knew it was just an illusion.

Your world had been shaken up the moment Wanda and America showed up at your doorstep. The fight with Agatha brought back the memories you had tried to forget, it brought with it the truths you were not ready to face. You had always thought that you could outrun your motions, but the world has always taught you this was not possible. Not for someone like you, and certainly not for someone like Wanda.

When you opened your eyes you saw Wanda, your Wanda staring at you, but before anything could be done or said her eyes rolled back passing out of exhaustion. You caught up to her on time, her body falling on yours your face a mask of pure concern just as you ensure she rested comfortably on the ground.

You knew everyone was looking at you, but you decided to ignore them while checking Wanda over to make sure nothing else happened to her.

“Are you alright?” The other Wanda came to you, her voice sent shivers down your back, you didn’t dare to lift your eyes for fear of revealing far too much.

Instead, you nodded taking deep breaths while feeling the ground under your knees, without thinking too much about it, your hand brushed Wanda’s hair tenderly. The attention you were giving to her was something you never thought you would do again. The woman standing beside you shifted her weight and soon she was sitting right beside you; this time around you did turn around only to see her staring at you with big, curious eyes.

“She is still unconscious, but I believe she is no longer two halves of the same person.” Wanda lifted her face to the sky, her lips parting slightly. “Her magic is still erratic, but I believe she would be okay.”

“What about Agatha?” Your question entangled in your throat, scrunching up your nose you decided to conceal your emotions not ready to face the conversation or to address the white elephant hanging around you two.

“She will be trapped in this jewel until you and her decided what should be done with her.” Wanda handed over the jewel, you pursed your lips in disgust before grabbing the artifact.

“The book she had with her, it is the Darkhold, isn’t it?”

“It is.” You nodded this time around locking your eyes with hers.

“Are you taking it with you?”

Wanda broke into an easy smile shaking her head, “it’s not mine but yours. It would be better off in your world, where it belongs.”

“It should be destroyed.” You leaned back resting your hands on the ground.

“It should, but that would be your prerogative not ours.”

Your eyes drifted around the place before they settled on America and Y/N, both of them were engaged in a heavy discussion and you could teel this was the moment America had been waiting for a very long time. The feelings of guiltiness and sadness had been quite evident in her when you two met, right now this was the chance the young woman was waiting for to make amends. To reach for forgiveness.

“So, any idea how we are going to leave this place?”

Wanda nodded leaning back until she pointed to America and your counterpart.

“She is ready to use her powers, I believe she is the only one that can help us right now.”

Not sooner had Wanda said this the world started to tremble, the light of the stars flickered until they disappeared one by one. You straightened up with Wanda standing up as soon as she noticed this.

“I guess…we should try it right now.” You stood up turning to glance at the darkened world, everything was coming in and out of reality with the ground shaking for small periods of time.

“It was a matter of time.” Wanda placed a hand on your forearm, you couldn’t help the tension on your muscles the other woman softened her features stepping closer. “You will be back, and she will need help to recover from this.”

“I know.”

“Are you ready for that?” The question caught you off guard, you knew what was expected of you and what you could do with the woman that had broken your heart at some point.

You could hide behind that excuse until the end of time, but it would run out of any validity at some point. Sooner or later, you knew you would have to face Wanda and decisions must be made. The Wanda standing before you softened her features, her words would made your mind pound with the imminent decisions you would need to make.

“How deep is your anger, and how deep goes your love for you to not face what your heart already knows?” Wanda leaned in and you found yourself in a embrace you didn’t know you miss. Her voice was just a whisper, but it was everything you needed at the moment. “I won’t tell you what to do, but I will tell you my love to follow your instincts. They had never failed you.”

America glanced around the group with a nervous smile.

She glanced at her hands then back at you and Y/N, the words of encouragement were ringing inside her head while she tried to gather the courage to move onto the next step.

“Just think about it, kiddo.” Y/N stated grabbing the hand of her wife, America almost winced at those words because her mind had been a myriad of thoughts since they delegate the task of going back home on her.

You fixed the unconscious woman in your arms, putting her closer to you while looking over at America. The young woman closed her eyes, ready to open the portal when Wanda stopped her.

“Wait, America.” The redhead stepped closer placing her hand on America’s shoulder. “Remember, it is more than opening a portal, is about opening the right one.”

“I know, I know…it’s just…easier said than done.” America pursed her lips, she took a deep breath closing her eyes.

“Then, let yourself be guided by your emotions and what you remember of the place you want to go to.” Wanda squeezed the shoulder of the teen tenderly, and for that brief moment America felt it.

It was vague but it was there.

The same kind of energy she had felt on Wanda and Y/N, it was familiar yet different. She had felt it when she first fell upon that universe, the twins had carried with them a strange kind of energy that seemed to engulf the best of Wanda and Y/N.

America closed her eyes and, without thinking to much, she followed the familiarity of that energy. Her mind bringing over the memories of her time in that land, finally easing out her fears and trusting in the women she had surrounding her.

The young woman clenched her fist, and with a single punch she opened the star-shaped portal.

All of them were ready to go home.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[aayakashii]

Hello I just read your whole master list and in dire need for more. Would it be okay to ask for more yandere ren head cannons? Thanks

Warnings: NSFW !!! NSFT !!! MINORS DO NOT INTERACT !!! EXPLICIT CONTENT !!! Pervert!Ren !!!

If this makes you uncomfortable, please avoid reading! <3 your safety first, always! This isn't proof-read, so please forgive any grammar mistakes!

pink

Ren's nostrils flared open as he positioned the box on top of his bed.

How he managed to sneak it past Haru's prying eyes was beyond him, but he just chalked it up to yet another sign from the Universe that what he was doing was absolutely okay and that there was no need for him to feel guilty at all.

The box cutter opened the box's lid seamlessly and he gulped at the sight of what was inside.

A pink fleshlight.

Ren's fingers trembled as he reached out to pull it from the mess of bubble wrap and his whole body shivered when he touched the material – firm on the outside, gelatinous on the inside.

That was going to be wrapped around his cock very very soon and his mouth was watering at the thought.

Ren quickly checked the lock on his door, then the ones on his window. He closed his curtain, leaving only the low light from his bedside lamp on. He was determined to make this session count, because he had no idea when Haru would ever allow him to be free enough to do something like that.

He sat on the floor, on top of a large towel, fleshlight and lube ready right beside him. But that's not all that he needed.

He opened the drawer on his bedside table and, after a little bit of rummaging through all the things he carefully placed there to keep his treasure hidden, he finally fished it out.

Your panties.

Ren's lips quivered with a maniacal smile at the feeling of the soft fabric on his fingers and he wasted no time shoving it on his face, drowning himself in your delicious musk. 

Ah… he already had a raging boner and he didn't even need to imagine himself bending you against the diner's table at all… That was fast...

Keeping your precious panties in his firm grasp, Ren grabbed the bottle of lube, dropping thick globs of it onto his cock and into the fleshlight.

His fingers pushed inside the hole, spreading the viscous substance inside and he couldn't help but drool, imagining his fingers inside you, spreading and preparing you for his length.

Ren wasn't one to care much about things such as his cock size, but he knew he wasn't a little thing. He wasn't very girthy, but he was long and that would work perfectly for whenever he finally pushed himself inside your tight little hole – he wanted to go as deep as he could, rearrange your guts until they were the very shape of him.

He placed the flashlight on the top of his reddened tip, pushing slowly as the gooey walls of the toy squeezed him tightly. He threw his head back, trying to stifle a groan, but his other hand still grasped your panties, and your scent made him moan even louder than he expected.

He swallowed hard after a moment of silence, just to check whether or not someone would come to check on him. He pushed the toy down further, the lewd squelch of his cock spreading the toy sending jolts of pleasure down his spine.

He began thrusting his hip upwards, following the motion of his hands, barely registering how sticky his hands were getting with all the slick that dripped down from the toy mixed with his precum.

Shit. It felt so good. So so good.

How would your hole feel then?

He'd bet it would be tighter around his cock. You would squeeze him like you were trying to milk him dry. It would be so perfect.

He'd bet you would smell so so good, all wet with the scent of sex sticking on your sweaty skin.

He wanted to grab handfuls of your ass and pound mercilessly onto your poor fragile human body, he wanted to fuck into you hard and fast and fill you up with his cum until it dripped down the bed and his balls would slap hard against your ass, making you moan and moan and moan and–

Oh. Fuck. He already came?

Ren's breath was haggard, and his lips were chapped. He licked them as he watched his jizz drip from the pink fleshlight.

If only it was dripping down from you…

He clicked his tongue.

He was still hard. And angry. He wanted you there. He needed to fuck you. Desperately.

But he couldn't. At least not yet. Not when he wasn't able to safely steal you away from everybody and all those assholes that hogged your attention every day.

Through his foggy mind, Ren had an idea. After ten long, hard minutes, he managed to have a makeshift fuck doll in front of him – it was just his fleshlight tucked tightly inside a rolled duvet, but it would have to do. He needed to pound into something, to buck his hips while he imagined you spread open wide and willing for him and he didn't have a doll. Maybe that would be something else to add to his cart.

Again, he pictured you as his fingers pushed the lube into the doll, but he was too impatient. He needed to cum again, otherwise he'd go absolutely insane.

Ren threw his head back, groaning guturally as he pushed himself into the toy in just one thrust.

He felt like he was a dog in heat as he began pounding hard and fast, mouth agape with drool spilling from the side of his lips and eyes half lidded, as he pictured your face twisting in pleasure.

His dick would piston into your gummy walls so fast and so good, he just knew he would melt into your body. He knew he would have to go for way too many rounds because just seeing you naked in front of him would make him cum hard.

The only thing that kept him from fully deluding himself that he was fucking hard into you was the fact that the duvet muffled the sound of his hips slapping against the toy. In his perfect mind world, his sticky skin would slap loud against yours, strings of his cum and yours stretching between your bodies, so dirty and so so wrong.

But oh how he needed you.

His thrusts faltered, messing up the maddening rhythm he kept up, before hips stuttered. His ass clenched tightly as he came hard once again, fingers digging deep into the duvet – if only it was your skin so he could leave pretty marks and tender spots on you.

Ren fell down onto the duvet, cock softening inside the toy, and he panted, blinking away the sweat drops that ran from his forehead to his eyes.

That felt amazing, but the clarity made him realize something he had been mostly avoiding ever since he met you.

He rubbed your panties onto his face once again, inhaling deeply.

His imagination only served to frustrate him further. He needed to have you. He had to snatch you away from everything and everyone that kept you away from him.

He had to make you his. Once and for all.

Author's note: Sooooo haha. Heyyyy *twirling my hair on my fingers* Listen, I've been reading way too much smut in order to get inspired to finish my Leo fanfic and to learn how to write properly for it, so I just had to practice okay??? Now have this *throws the sticky pervert Ren towards you like that eminem meme*

[schoenpepper]

Like Raven Feathers

Intro: Riddle does something against the rules. And because of that, he'll fall from Heaven, oh he'll fall, just for you.

Warnings: bad writing, awful grammar, proofread by quillbot, Riddle's mom is mentioned, lots of religious whatever, bro's a simp through and through

A/N: Lookie what I whipped up with a random dose of motivation. Riddle's not even in my top five faves so I'm not sure why the first full fic I'll ever post is one about him. This has no effect on my Isekai'd Chronicles series update schedule, but it does share the same universe so go check it out if you're confused.

Masterlist

Riddle has always lived his life by the Bible of the Church of Light. Every movement is according to scripture, and every choice is made under the guidance of his mother, the Saintess. Since she has the highest authority in Heaven and is the angel closest to the God of Light, surely she's correct in all that she does. Surely he's correct to follow her. He would keep his wings pure and abide by every rule; no one likes a fallen acolyte of Light.

In this little circle, he's safe.

He wakes up at sunrise every day and prays. He does as is taught to him: give his thanks for every blessing and apologize for every failure, for every sin, and for every wrong he's committed. Most days, he doesn't know why he's begging for forgiveness. Today, he does. "Forgive me, oh Lord of Light," Riddle mumbles piously under his breath. "I have done something unbecoming of your servant. I have developed…feelings, for a mortal nonetheless. I have given away the love that rightfully belongs to you. Please have mercy and forgive this poor soul."

He never says a word about repenting.

After ten minutes of prayer, he makes his bed, takes a bath, straightens out his feathers, and brushes his teeth. Then it's time to double-check all the items he needs for classes and ensure that he's done all the assignments necessary for each day. He has breakfast with the rest of his dormitory members after giving thanks to his Lord for the food. There's another prayer after eating.

Another careless apology leaves his lips.

Classes go by far too slowly for his liking. When he sits at the cafeteria for lunch, his blue-gray eyes search for the mortal that's been in his mind for far too long, far too often. They light up when he finds you.

There's you beyond his circle, just out of reach.

Riddle isn't shy when he asks you to spend lunch with him. When you agree with a smile, his heart seems to beat faster than before. Too fast for his brain to keep up with. He's short of breath around you; you make him unable to even think. He's like an electronic toy short-circuiting in water. That's what you are, after all—strange, unfamiliar territory he isn't allowed to traverse. But even the first angels fell to temptation, so who is he to be the exception?

You're the sweetest forbidden fruit.

He has to go back to class eventually, but he hates that he does. That's weird, that's wrong; he's Riddle Rosehearts, and studies should be his priority after his God. But his hand is out of his control when he doodles little hearts on the border of his notebook (why would he do that? It's so childish, so immature.).

After class, he sends you a text to ask you to study with him in the library. Alone, preferably, because your friends always raise a ruckus (that's the excuse he tells you and himself). He feels content, happy, when you show up by yourself. The two of you sit across from each other, and he reviews topics for you that he still remembers clearly from his first year. Riddle finds it fun. Perhaps some would call it tedious, but he thinks that you're a worthy use of his time. He gets paid by the way you pout when you're struggling with a question. He feels fulfilled when you smile that bright smile, all teeth showing, eyes squinted into crescents, when you claim to finally understand something you've been struggling with for a while. He thinks he can die happy in your arms when you hug him in excitement and thank him for tutoring you.

You trespass into his little circle.

He packs up too soon because you have some commitment with some other person; he's alone in the library now. He sees the way other people look at you. You're just so uniquely you; he understands they want you the way he does. It doesn't mean he'll relent his efforts to snake his way into your heart. You're something he desperately wants, needs, even.

He's envious of the way other people make you laugh. Riddle's never been the humorous type (do you like that type better?). He's too strict, too strait-laced. Maybe you don't think he's fun, or cool, or interesting. Do you even think of him at all?

He still can't touch you.

When he's back at the dorm, he spends the rest of his time buried in his assignments. Perhaps getting you off his mind is the best thing he can do today. He's unproductive when you're the only thing on his mind, so he buries you underneath mountains of schoolwork.

Why can't he reach you?

He lays in bed after another prayer. The same apology is said. He can't even bother to change it. At some point, he'll stop asking for forgiveness. Some time in the future, he'll only confess his love for you in his daily prayers without being sorry for it. Falling in love with a mortal is wrong. Praying insincerely is wrong. But you, you, oh, you're everything that's right in this sinful world. His mother will never understand him.

But the God of Light will.

Because he doesn't even know when it started, but you've become his light. He fears for the darkness that will swallow him when you're gone.

Don't choose someone else. Don't find someone else. Don't love someone else.

He'll leave his circle on his own.

And when the angel falls, he'll make sure he goes out with the most glorious fireworks.

With you.

[inkyycapp]

Yokai!matsu kidnapping reader..? It ticks a few things at once. Oh! Oh! They're kidnapped cos they were found injured, but even after they've healed the yokai brothers (seperately) refuse to let them go.

Cough, cough. I love this, cough.

You're getting hcs too.

Ahem

Slight notice! I did some minor research for this, but even then I'm still unsure !! If anything is wrong please do tell me !!

(Uh so, really bad weather rn. Wifi going in and out and tornadoes lurking around, so, like that's rad ig !! Forgive me.)

Tw/Cw: Injuries, slight mention of blood, kidnapping, Stockholm syndrome if you squint, manipulation(?), desperation, spelling/grammar(?), probably a little or a lot ooc I'm terrible at telling !! Forgive me !!

Youkai!Matsu x Injured!Reader

( Yokai!Matsu but used Youkai for letter colors..:D )

Small reader context !!

For whatever reason you're in the mountains doing whatever your mortal self does up there. A sharp pain shoots through your leg causing you to slip. Your foot set off a bear/fox trap. A group of bandits or just overall bad people--who one would assume set the trap--find poor injured you.

You don't have much on hand. Maybe you have a weapon, maybe you don't. But, regardless of how hard you fight, there are just more of them the there are of you.

Osomatsu

Oni

-He doesn't hate humans, but he doesn't actively like them either. He's more neutral about it.

-Like, he wouldn't go out of his way to help/save them, that's way too much work for him. But, he also wouldn't go out of his way to kill someone unless they really pissed him off.

-Doesn't really understand humans, but somewhat understand and takes a small liking to bits of their culture and activities.

-Actually fairly in with the times, but doesn't really try enough to be in with the times, y'know?

-Obviously takes part in gambling with the humans regardless of the time period.

-He finds that you're injured and probably not going to make it out of the situation alive.

-While at first he's slightly indifferent about your situation, he recognizes you from the village below. He probably asked for money and you gave it to him, or maybe you work at one of the place he frequents, but for whatever reason, he may be persuaded to help.

-You're already unconscious and he can't help but feel pity for you. Pretty nasty leg injury. Maybe he should help.

-And, so, he does!

-After attending to your Injuries best he could, he decided to wait for you to come around. He'll admit, the patch up was sloppy, but it did the job, that's what matters.

-Eventually, you'd come around and find yourself face to face with the devil himself. Whether fearful or not, this would take some...adjusting.

-Compared to the known sterotype, he seems more lax and less...demonic.

-He finds you interesting. Somehow, that curiosity hadn't faded one moment since he's found you. Expect some questions personal, even perverted, or not.

-Dislikes when you get up or move around without his help. Though, more chill and just lightly scold you for straining yourself.

-Then, soon, one day you're all better. But, he doesn't want you to leave. How strange. He didn't think he'd be this...attached to someone like yourself. Not like that, bit it's weird to him.

-He had seen humans come and go--grow old and die. He's never been this comfortable with humans before he'd met you. He doesn't want you to leave. Will you ever see each other again after you part ways? Probably not, but he doesn't want to take that chance.

-So, you can't leave just yet.

Karamatsu

Shikigami

-Karamatsu loves humans/humanity the MOST out of this list. He often tries to be 'in' with the culture no matter the time period. He goes through many "phases" trying to be what the humans deem is cool in certain points of time.

-He loves to collect and tell stories that humans tell, though can sometimes stretch it a little for a more theatrical performance.

-He often tries to interact with people and walk amongst them. But, it usually never goes well.

-His brothers often tease, but he's restless in his search for a human Karamatsu boy or girl.

-When he found you in the snow plains, a red staining the snow around you, he didn't hesitate to check out the scene.

-A group of people trying to take advantage of a defenseless Karamatsu boy or girl !! Of course he felt the need to intervene and help the poor soul.

-He manages to scare off the bandits, but by the time he gets to you, you're already out. It pains him to see such a beauty in so much pain.

-Karamatsu, without so much as a second thought, takes you somewhere much safer. A nice small cabin deep in the woods. That's where he nurses injured you back to health.

-At first, you're probably shocked, but maybe around the first week mark, you'll probably get used to it. If not, don't worry! You'll have a long time to adjust!

-He's very curious about you and the humans you surround yourself with. His knowledge of the culture is a little outdated, not by much. Still, it's nothing compared to understanding the real thing.

-He doesn't like when you try to get up. You need to recover. You'll probably hurt yourself! Don't worry, he'll do it for you!

-Honestly, just wants you to be safe. By far, you're the first human that he's ever gotten this close with--both metaphorically and literally.

-He just wants to keep you safe. There are monsters lurking both human and spirit. Surely you know.

-Karamatsu had already taken a liking to you since he met you, but over the time of your recovery, he's grown too attached to let you leave.

-You'll stay, won't you?

Choromatsu

Tengu

-Also kind of neutral, more lenient towards pretty humans. It's so painfully obvious, his brothers tease him about it, though he's incredibly indenile.

-While claiming he doesn't have an obvious leniency towards pretty humans, it is obvious to literally anyone. Including the mortals down in the villages.

-Choromatsu won't go out of his way to harm anyone he considers "pretty or cute", though his idea of pretty and cute is complicated! Not always about looks, but mannerisms, actions, etc.

-He spots you before. And, he folds at first glance. It's not difficult to be encouraged to help you. You're practically a sparkly treasure to be collected and safe guarded.

-But, then he watches as you're injured self begins to get surrounded by the group that seemed to have caught you.

-Choromats had quickly intervened, chasing off the group (probably off a cliff), before returning back to you.

-Laying in the snow, you were out cold and didn't seem to respond at all, your pulse being the only thing noting you're still alive.

-Won't deny, he was absolutely panicking at first, figuring out how to clean your injures properly.

-Eventually, he does somewhat figure it out, and once you're stable he takes that time to breathe. And, well, admire your sleeping form. Not in a creepy way, but just studying you.I

-When you do come around, he's trying and failing with his words for a moment.

-Takes care of you, and while he does often nag you, he's more so worried about how your recovery is coming along.

-Tends to kinda hover, keeping a close eye on you, telling you to lay down and get rest and that he can do whatever it was you wanted to get up to do.

-Will refuse to let you get up and do anything for yourself. Why have you do it when you have him? A literal waste, really!

-Even if he sees your coming around and the healing process is moving quicker than he wants, he still refuses to let you do anything.

-Now comes the time when you're ready to leave the nest. Pun.

-He obviously begs you to stay, much without words. Choromatsu doesn't want you to go now that he's oh so attached! You can't go. You won't leave, will you?

-Please don't leave .

Ichimatsu

Kitsune

-Ichimatsu, opposed to Karamatsu, probobly hates humans/humanity the most on this list.

-Often times, he was the cause of some humans lost or missing on the mountain. Though, he wouldn't go out of his way for anything unless angered or maybe he just felt malicious that day.

-Humans find him captivating despite his dislike for them. Even so, he won't admit it, but they do fascinate him on some occasions.

-He spots the bandits first, then you after he gets rid of those loud bandits that woke him from his nap. He considers getting rid of you, too.

-But, you're asleep. And, it seemed your leg is caught pretty badly. It doesn't seem like you'll be able to move far with your leg like that. You'll probably be dead in a matter of hours. He doesn't have to do a thing.

-No, he doesn't feel bad for you. Not one bit. You're just an unlucky human caught by the foot like some poor rabbit.

-Ichimatsu does somehow end up carrying you off elsewhere--somewhere more comfortable. Don't be mistaken, he may be helping you, but no further than this.

-Once you're safe in the small cabin, he does the bare minimum with your injuries and once your stable, he leaves.

-You'll wake up alone, and it'll probably be like that for maybe a few hours before you're visited by a stranger.

-Ichimatsu takes care you you between visits, though he doesn't speak to you often. You're probably scared being so close to a monster like himself.

-But, you grow comfortable in his presence and attempt to talk to him. Something he finds real odd, but almost sweet. He still doesn't talk to you though, but he almost wants to.

-His visits grow more frequent, and he even began bringing you gifts. Like dead animals. But, it's the thought that counts!

-He ends up more attached than he would've liked to admit. And, unlike some people on the list, he's more blunt that you remain here with him.

-You'll be stuck with a monster trash like him, but at least here he can keep you warm and fed.

-You're staying put. There's no reason for you to leave anyways.

Jyushimatsu

Inugami

-Honestly, it doesn't matter to Jyushimatsu. He's fairly friendly to any and all who walk in his path. Many run, but it doesn't bother him much.

-Though, if he had to love one thing about them, he absolutely loves their sports and activities. Often goes with Karamatsu to go take part in "human activities".

-But as one can assume, they get comically outed.

-Is fairly kind opposed to some on this list. He won't go out of his way to harm humans regardless how he feels, though when it comes to helping it's a 50/50. Normally at least tries. But, if he doesn't like you, he'll probably just watch with a lead stare.

-When he found you in the snow, you were surrounded, and he had accidentally hit one of the people with a baseball. Completely by accident. But, kinda thinks maybe the accident wasn't that much of an accident.

-Ends up completely making a fool of the group when leading them away. But, he quickly returns to where you had been laying.

-Similar to Choromatsu, he panics at first and is so unsure about how to go about this situation. Obviously he doesn't want to make it worse, but he really doesn't want you to die.

-He carries you off to the small cabin to tend to your wounds. It's sloppy patch-job, but it's alright.

-Watches you while you sleep. Pokes you now and again. When you don't move for too long Jyushimatsu does tend to panic a little but settles when you finally take in that breath of air.

-When you do wake up, he's happy you're up and not dead. Sure, he may not feel too bad if you died, but only because he didn't have a close enough connection to care, but that wouldn't mean he wouldn't care.

-Jyushimatsu tries to stay the entire time your recovering. While he does hover a little, he's more considerate of your space.

-Does whatever he can to make you laugh. Whether it's acting out a skit, telling jokes or just being goofy.

-Doesn't care if it makes him look dumb. As long as he at least gets a smile out of you it doesn't matter.

-Gets way too attached way to quick. And, when you're all better, he gets a little (lying) clingy.

-Whines and may even howl like a kicked puppy. Might even do tricks if it gets you to stay.

-Don't leave yet!!

Todomatsu

Baku-Danuki

-Todomatsu doesn't hate them, but he doesn't care for them either, similar to Osomatsu. However, he's more in with their culture, more so than Karamatsu. Only because he thinks it's cute.

-Prefers some time period clothing to others and can tend to stand out, but language is definitely up to date.

-He views humans/humanity as beneath him, or simply to play into his enjoyment. He has no issues getting rid of anyone that doesn't gives him what he wants out of an interaction. Absolutely stone cold.

-He spots a few humans gathering around, and grows curious as to what grabbed their attention.

-Their wares seem to interest him. Then, there's you. After disposing of the others, he's left with unconscious you. What to do with you.

-Well, you could be useful. You'll pretty much be indebted to him for saving you. Or, at least you should be.

-So, he drags you away from the scene, tenderly caring to your wounds, putting on a sweet and kind persona.

-When you awaken, he greets you gently, coming forward as the one who saved your life after he found you on the brink of death in the snow.

-Skeptical or not, you come around and thank him however you would. Already gaining praise from you. Admittedly, the praise feels...nicer than it should. He brushes it off, what else can he get from you.

-He slyly asks you questions, gaining more information of your personal life over a week, maybe two.

-You get up to do something, and being the ever so kind savior, he takes you back to bed, doing the task for you instead. Not that he wants to. He's playing the long game with your little life.

-But, you thank him, telling him just how kind he is. Todomatsu can't help but grow addicted to that feeling. Being appreciated and validated.

-Slowly, but surely, he begins to grow a bit (a lot) attached. He didn't think it was possible. But, soon he doesn't see you as just a human, but as you.

-Once you get better, he does contemplate poisoning you to get you to stay. Not much to kill you, but enough so he could still take care of you.

-Todomatsu doesn't do it. But, he has heavily considered it.

-He will try his damndest to get you to remain in this little cabin with him.

-You can't go yet! You need him!

So funny that Osomatsu and Karamatsu are my favorites in general, but Todomatsu is my favorite to write for, and Jyushimatsu is my favorite to draw. What.

I still dislike Choromatsu. There is no reason for it.

Anyway if you're here, try Arizona RX Energy Herbal Tonic Tea. It's so damn good. That's all lmao !!

[forbebeandjam]

STEP | BADA LEE X FEM READER | 21+

Summary: You see your first love for the first time in three years at your father's engagement party.

Word count: 3.1k

Warnings: VERY Explicit language and scenes. SMUT!!! 21+ Ex. Thigh riding, fingering, etc... MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

READERS DISCRETION IS ADVICED

A/N: Hello •u• I am brand new to this app and I... I feel like a baby learning how to walk but l am also happy I got to find this app... again... after five years ANYWAY!! I bring this small piece of work I made hoping you'll like it!! I don’t know how often I’ll post on here but I’ll keep you updated ☺️ Also feel free to check out my Wattpad books!! And thank you @dearminaa for your help!! You are awesome!

P.S. apology for any mistakes or errors in grammar. English is not my first language!!

You sat in front of your vanity getting ready for the party. A party to congratulate your father's recent engagement.

You couldn't care less on who he decided to marry this time. It was probably the same as the last person he married. Young, stupid, and a gold digger that only wants his wealth but will end up failing and he will divorce her. You could never forgive him for cheating on your sick mother.

You blame him for her death because he decided to cheat while she was in the hospital and when you took her home for a while, you two found him in bed with some girl. You mother become depressed and died a few day after that

You tried to push aside those thoughts and get ready. You were still dependent on him after all and had plans to take the company away from him. As you fixed you blush, you did one more brush stroke and looked through your jewelry box.

There, you spotted a choker your first love had given you. You met her in high school. She was two years older than you but you love her like you've never loved anyone and she was always there to comfort you when your mother passed.

She was your first kiss, your first love, and your first girlfriend. The day she graduated she was offered a big scholarship in the United States and since she was poor she decided to take the opportunity. You become so mad at her that you pushed her away and broke up with her. A few days later you received a box with that necklace inside and you kept it to cherish the beautiful relationship you two had.

-

"You look gorgeous, honey," your father said as he hugged you. You didn't return the hug and just stood there.

"Be nice to her okay? She's had a rough life. She suffer a lot and I really like her. Please?" He said and you looked at him with a wry smile.

"How much do you think mom suffered when dying, knowing you were fucking the maids daughter?" You whispered in his ear.

"Stop that. I made a mistake and I regret it. It will haunt me for the rest of my life. Now try to be nice to her and drop the attitude," he whispered back making you roll your eyes and sit back down.

A few minutes went by and the so called fiancé was no where to be seen. You sighed resting your chin on you palm until you spotted a familiar figure. Tall, slim yet well built and the same hair from years ago. You bit your lip as a scream was about to escape your lips. You didn't know why she was there.

You followed her figure until she reached the table and with a big smile she greeted your father.

"Bada, my darling. Was there traffic on the way?" Your father said a she placed his hand around Bada's waist. She didn't answer and just nodded before turning to you.

"Oh! This is my daughter. Honey, greet your future step-," he said and you stood up. You couldn't form a sentence and were already about to bust in tears.

"Hi." You said in a quick manner before looking away. Her eyes were scanning each part of your body. The outfit you were wearing was driving her insane and she didn't know how to hold back from touching you... and she didn't.

She placed hand index finger and thumb under your chin and turned your head towards her. You were startled by her actions so you froze under her touch.

"She's beautiful," Bada said. Her eyes showed sincerity and warmth but you were too upset to see it. You took her hand and tossing it away you excuse yourself leaving the guests astonished by your actions.

"I'm sorry, darling. I'll go talk to her," your father said as he was about to get up but Bada held his arm.

"Let me. I think it's best if we have a conversation from woman to woman. I'll ease my way into her heart, okay? Don't worry,"

"Just how you eased your way into mine. You're just perfect," your father said and Bada gave him a soft smile before walking out the door you went through.

You wonder the halls of the mansion talking to yourself. You were beyond mad, confused, and heart broken. How could your first love be engaged to your father? Your heels clacked and suddenly you began to hear an additional set of footsteps. You looked back but there was no one so you assumed it was one of the servers hired for the party.

"After three years of not seeing or talking to me she shows up. And she's going to marry my father? How disgusting can he be? She swore she would come back to me and she's with him. She can go fuck herself for all I care. I hate her guts. She's so annoying yet so beautiful and... I want her so badly. Am I the sick one? Oh, for fuck sake! I'm talking to myself," you rambled on and on.

"How about you talk to me instead?" You jumped when you heard Bada's voice but immediately kept walking towards your room ignoring her presence next to you.

She grabbed your hand and pulled you into the room where she assumed was your room and she was right. She pushed you against the wall and you let out a squirm as she did so.

"Let me go, you psycho! What is wrong with you!?" You shouted and pushed her away from you. She stumbled a back and chuckled. You look at her with a scowl. How could she find this funny when your blood was boiling?

"You find this funny? You're an asshole," you pushed her to the side and sat on your vanity trying to ignore her so she would go away. Your mind was clouded with thoughts and emotions so you fumbled trying to get the necklace off of your neck.

Instead of walking out of the door, Bada walked up to you and moved your hair to the side. She carefully took the necklace off and you began to melt under her soft touch. She put it in your hand and you just placed it on the vanity not caring where it landed.

"Why... why are you marrying him? My dad. You said you would come back and... I waited. I waited for three years and when I finally see you again you are engaged to... that? Why the fuck!?" You shouted not holding back anymore. Your tears began to fall and she only softened her gaze.

She walked to you slowly and took you hand while you wiped your tears away.

"I'm not going to marry him. I came here for you, my love," she said as she cupped your face.

"Don't. Don't do this Bada. If you're just going to break my heart and walk away from me again, just leave and go with my father," you said looking away but she pulled you into an embrace.

"Baby, look at me. I would never leave you again. Never again. I'll do everything I can to be next to you always..." he hand traveled from your cheek to your exposed shoulder. You shivered at her touch and then she planted a kiss on your shoulder making you bite your lip to prevent any noises from escaping your mouth.

"You have no idea how much I longed to touch you. To kiss you and make you mine. That is all I could think about. You wouldn't leave my mind for one second all I could think about was for a way to come back to you," she whispered into your ear as she walked. You took small step back until your legs hit the bed.

Her hands were on your arms and her gentle touch made it hard for you to hold back. You used your hand to create some space between you and her. You couldn't deny that you wanted her to touch you. You wanted her to make you her but you were sacred. Not if your dad. Never if your dad. He was a weak man after all, but she was engaged to him.

"Please promise me that you won't leave. That after this, you won't walk away from me. I will run away with you if we need to but please don't continue this if you can't promise me that," you said as you closed your eyes.

She cupped your face and you opened your eyes at the sudden skin contact.

"I promise with my life. I will never even again leave, my love. I will stay by your side and we can do whatever you want. We can stay or run away and I will be there because I love you and I should've never left but I had to think of my mother. Please understand. I'm so sorry," a tear escaped her eyes as she was practically begging for you to forgive her and understand her reasoning and you did.

You nodded and wiped her tears before kissing her lips. You kissed her hungrily and she responded with the same intensity. The kiss become for sloppy and wet as snacking sounds began to fill the room. You thanked your father for the first time for making the rooms sound proof.

"Tell me you want it. Tell me how you want it and how badly you want it. Tell me what you want," Bada said as she left love bites in your neck.

"I want you. I want all of you. I want you to touch me everywhere. I want you to fuck me, please," you said and let out a loud moan as she dragged her tongue across your collarbone.

"I didn't know you were so needy, my love. But you're such a good girl using your nice words for me," Bada said as she pushed you lightly on the bed. Your legs were slightly parted and she took the opportunity to crawl on top of you placing her knee in between your legs and slight pushing into your folds.

You moaned at the contact and moved your hips searching for more friction but her hands immediately went to your hips to halt your movements.

"Wait a minute, baby. I want to be the one to please you," she said sending you over the edge. You bit your lip and groaned in desperation . You need her touch. You wanted her so badly and when you opened and saw her remover her bra you almost came untouched letting out whispers and moans

"Calm down, baby. I'm all yours and I'm not going anywhere," she said as she lowered herself on you. She admired how your legas partner with no shorts and your panties were soaked. She pulled them down and kissed right above your sensitive bud making you part your legs even more. You wanted her and you couldn't handle any more emptiness.

"Bada, please..." you whispered.

"Yes, my love. Anything for you,"she immediately attacked you clit with her tongue and used her hand to pull you dress down revealing your tender breast and she didn't hesitate to begins massaging it as her tongue flicked on your bud in all the right ways that were making you let out moan after moan.

Your nipples were perky and sensitive and she let go of them to instead one finger into you. You were still a virgin so you felt a bit of pain as you felt her go in a cried out loud. She looked up at you. You were the most beautiful thing. Your skin glistened as small beads of sweat formed on your forehead. Your face was flushed in a a bright pink color and she moved up to kiss you tenderly still inside of you.

"It's okay. I'll be gentle. See?" She said as she began to slowly move her finger allowing you to adjust to the feeling. She placed soft kisses on your cheeks, forehead, lips, and chest helping you ease out the pain.

You slowly began to moan in please as you felt the pain dissipate and she sped up a little. You lips were slightly parted and your hand made it way to her breast. The soft skin was so pleasant you wanted to taste it. Using you elbows, you pushed yourself up and put her nipple in you mouth sucking and lightly tugging with your teeth. She began to let out soft and deep moans.

"That feels so good, my love. I'm going to add another finger okay, lay down for me and hold my hand," she intertwined your hands together.

She added a second finger and you felt like you were levitating as her warm tongue assaulted your clit. You felt her curl her fingers inside of you and you clenched around her as you felt an odd sensation at the pit of your stomach.

"Bada... Bada, fuck~ please. Let me cum please!" You begged as you back lifted from the mattress. She slowed down her pace making you  take a a hold of her hair and tugging.

"That wasn't nice, my love," she completely pulled out leaving you feeling empty and a tear rolled down your cheek.

"I'm sorry. I just need you. Please~" you whined softly as your eyes begged for release.

"Please what?" She asked.

"Please, baby. Please, Bada," you said and she smiled as she thrusted into you with great force. You yelled at the unexpected motion but you began to moan as her tongue started to work on your bud once again but this time she was slight biting down making you shout her name in pleasure. A pleasure you had never experienced before and when you least expected you released on her feeling a pulsating feeling as she licked you clean and then her fingers.

"You taste so good, my love. All of these years of waiting finally paid off. Now helped me," she said. You were still trying to come back to your senses as everything was blurry and you could only see how she was undressing herself. Your dress was now bunched on your waist.

She hovered above you and you felt a wet warmth on your thigh. When your vision was finally adjusted, you saw her beautiful figure on top of you. Her fringe stuck to her forehead as she was riding your thigh trying to reach her high.

Your hands traveled down to her waist as you helped her ride you. You used one of your hands to rub on your clit once more and she watched you actions letting out shaky breaths and moans biting her lip.

"You look beautiful riding me like that, baby. Keep going. Cum for me. Cum in me please," you said making her roll her eyes back as her hands rested on your breast for support and with a loud moan she came on your thigh. You sided your fingers to collect her juices and taste her the way she did with you.

"Fuck, that was so good,"you said and she collapsed on top of you. The two of you lay there for a few minutes as you were still throbbing with pleasure and catching your breath.

After a few minutes, Bada fixed your position removing the dress you had on and you both cuddled your bare bodies under the covers.

"Thank you," you said. Bada pulled you closer to her.

"For what, my love?" She asked as she planted multiple kisses on your shoulder.

"For this. For coming back and for loving me," you replied as you turned your body to face her and play with a stand of her hair. You admired her body. Beautiful as always. Then when you saw a ring on her finger, it hit you. She was way out to marry your dad and you just let her fuck you... You felt like a monster. You were no different than your dad.

"Bada, I think this was a mistake. You're marrying my father and this doesn't make me any better than him," you said on the verge of tears but she quickly embraced you.

"How about we go down and I explain everything to you. Trust me, okay? Nothing is what it seems," she helped you stand up and you both got dressed. You fixed you hair into a high ponytail and fixed your makeup as well when you  noticed how messy your face looked.

Bada also fixed herself and held you hand. You made your way down the stairs and into the big hall where majority of the guests had already gone home. That's when you saw you father kissing a woman around his age. You furrowed your brows in confusion.

"Mom!" Bada shouted and the woman turned to you with a bright smile.

"This is, Y/N. The girl I always told you about," Bada said and the lady pulled you into a hug.

"Wow! You're even prettier in person. I'm so glad I get to finally meet you. Bada and your father have talked wonders about you and do not feel pressured to call me mom or step mom. You can just call me Haneul," the woman said and you started to put the pieces together.

"I'll go to your father now. He seems to need me but let's all go on a ladies fun day one of these days. Bye girls. Y/N, honey... cover your neck," she said and waved before walking off.

Your face tired a bright shade of pink making Bada laugh. Bada pulled you out to the balcony where there was no one around before anyone could see the marks she left on your neck.

"You see? I'm not marrying your father. My mom is. When I saw her get engaged and I saw your father I didn't hesitate one second to leave it all behind and come here with you," she said and you internally smacked your face at how dumb and clueless you had been.

"I'm sorry, Bada. I should've listened and now I just feel stupid," you said as you lowered your head. She used her index finger and thumb to raise your chin and kiss your lips with tenderness and love.

"It's okay. I'm here and I'm here to stay. I love you so much," she said and connect your forged with hers.

"I guess now we are even," you said making her chuckle. She hugged you from behind placing her chin on your shoulder and you two watched the sunset with sweet kisses and soft laughs.

[alohajun]

♡ TREASURE’S REACTION WHEN YOU GIVE THEM THE SILENT TREATMENT

treasure x gn!reader | wc : 1.9k words | content : possible grammar and spelling mistakes, lowercase intended, established relationship, slight fluff, angst, mentions of wounds, mentions of arguments, use of petnames | request — hii can i request treasure reaction when you give them a silent treatment after an argument

CHOI HYUNSUK

🐷 as soon as he realizes you are giving him the silent treatment, he just walks away, letting you have some time to yourself while he does the same

🐷 broken between tryna speak to you and holding a vow of silence himself

🐷 he’s just pacing around the room, not knowing what to say or do because he’s practically fighting his own conscious

🐷 because if there’s two things our luis daniel gonsalves choi loves, it’s talking to you and hearing your voice

🐷 so after a lot of mental conflict, he’d stand in front of you, just blabbering whatever comes to his mind because he doesn’t know what else to do

🐷 and ofc, seeing how frustrated he is, you’d give in too, because you too can’t bear not talking to hyunsuk

🐷 "would you please forgive me so i can show you this song i wrote about you?"

PARK JIHOON

🐼 it literally is as impossible as it sounds bc there's no way jihoon would let you stay silent with him like that

🐼 "babe? what's up? are you not gonna talk to me? hm? okay, i see how it is."

🐼 couple minutes later, manz is in front of you, phone in ear as he speaks to you

🐼 "kyu is asking if you are down to hang out?" he'd ask, catching you off guard

🐼 there was no junkyu on the other line but ofc you didn't know that

🐼 you fell for his tactic as you replied, "yeah, sure."

🐼 jihoon would have a shit-eating grin on his face, blabbering smth to ensure you still believed he was talking to junkyu

🐼 "he's asking if you can make your brownies when you are coming?" "oh, okay, i can do that."

🐼 "kyu is also asking if you are still mad at me?" he'd try his luck, waiting for an answer

🐼 "no, not re—wait a minute!" you'd frown at jihoon, not amused by his little trick to get you to speak to him

🐼 "nuh–uh, you can't go back to your silence now. you already spoke to me, so keep it going."

KANEMOTO YOSHINORI

🐯 fights with yoshi don’t escalate too far because he knows how to take a step back and let the rage blow over so you two can address the issue calmly

🐯 so until your anger blew over, you went on a vow of silence, not realizing how much it affected yoshi when you didn’t respond to him

🐯 he only approached you twice before walking away, and you thought he knew your silence was just your way of letting the rage blow over

🐯 because after all, that was his method too, right?

🐯 poor baby tiger was crying in his room, wondering if it was the end of your relationship  

🐯 you’d walk into his room to see him crying, instantly feeling guilty when he explained why he was crying

🐯 you’d assure him with lots of love, letting him know you two weren’t breaking up any time soon

🐯 tldr; he's a soft baby, don't hurt him part one

🐯 "don't do that to me, love. i really thought you wouldn't speak to me again."

KIM JUNKYU

🐨 after the end of an argument, bro thinks everything is magically resolved and back to normal

🐨 he’d just assume things like “oh, maybe y/n didn’t hear me” or “maybe y/n is focused on smth else” when you don’t respond

🐨 “dude, you do know y/n is mad at you, right?” jihoon would ask when he sees his best friend constantly try to speak to you and just wave it off when you didn’t respond

🐨 and that’s when the meteor of realization would hit junkyu, and he’d instantly be there by your side, apologizing for being an idiot

🐨 as he blabbers, you can’t help but laugh at his explanation, and you’d let him know that it was all in the past, just advising him to be more attentive the next time

🐨 “i am gonna be super attentive from now on, i promise. nothing is gonna get past me!”

TAKATA MASHIHO

🐹 if you wanted to be petty and give him the silent treatment, he’d do the same

🐹 the house is absolutely silent as you two just don’t make any effort to talk to the other

🐹 you will still do your work around the house, just without sharing a single word between the two of you

🐹 that is until mashiho hurts himself while cooking because even tho he doesn’t admit it, he’s a bit worried if he went too far with the argument you two had

🐹 immediately, you are at his side, taking care of his wound as you checked on him, repeatedly making sure he was alright as you made him sit

🐹 the two of you would start talking after that, forgetting about your vows of silence until mashiho would bring it up later at night because he wanted to resolve the issue for good

🐹 “next time we fight, we are not pulling any of those silent treatments. we are gonna talk it out like adults, okay?”

YOON JAEHYUK

🦁 bro very much worships you 🥹🫶

🦁 nah but like he'd malfunction if you don't talk to him after an argument

🦁 usually, y'all sort out of your issues just fine and get it out of the way so this silent treatment was totally new

🦁 "babe? baby? my love? y/n?"

🦁 his voice was getting more desperate with every word, brows furrowed as he panicked a little at the lack of your response

🦁 jaehyuk wouldn't leave your side, stuck to you as he tried to get you to speak to him again

🦁 the breaking point was when he'd tear up as he spoke to you, instantly making you throw your arms as you consoled him

🦁 tldr; he's a soft baby, don't hurt him part two

🦁 "i'm really sorry, y/n. please just talk to me again. i'm sorry."

HAMADA ASAHI

🤖 asahi is pretty silent himself, so he instantly catches on when you don’t talk to him

🤖 he’ll run every possible scenario through his head regarding your lack of speech, and it’d land on the fact you two very recently had a disagreement

🤖 at first, he’d give you the space you need, thinking you’d come around after a couple of hours, but when it doesn’t work, he’s overwhelmed

🤖 will give his friends a call, because he’s unsure if he should give you more time or just fall at your feet and beg for mercy

🤖 thankfully, yoshi and mashiho had good advice for him, which asahi immediately carried out, approaching you and asking if you two could talk

🤖 once you nodded, he’d sit down and discuss the situation, wondering if it was because of the argument you two had

🤖 he’d apologize for driving you to the point where you had to give him a silent treatment for him to understand

🤖 “i'm sorry, my love. let’s promise to talk out our issues next time, okay?”

BANG YEDAM

🦊 like mashiho, yedam would give you the silent treatment as well

🦊 he thinks he’s winning, thinking he’s proving a point by joining you out of pettiness

🦊 but you weren’t backing down and he was getting slightly annoyed, so he’d resort to phase two of the plan

🦊 kissing the silence out of you

🦊 it’s just as simple as it sounds; yedam would kiss you all over your face until you had to talk to him

🦊 you two would be giggly messes as he pulled away, all the arguments forgotten as you two stared at each other, just happy to be together

🦊 “you can’t try that on me, babes. my kisses are a master of conflict resolution.”

KIM DOYOUNG

🐰 instantly picks up that you are giving him the silent treatment because he notices your lack of words

🐰 doyoung would recount whatever happened and will think about the argument you two had earlier, wondering if anything he said struck a chord with you

🐰 because fights with you two don’t end badly, since you two always to resolve things

🐰 he’d sit you down and talk it out, apologizing if he said anything out of line to hurt your feelings and you’d do the same, appreciating the fact he apologized

🐰 doyoung would defo crack a joke or two as soon as you resolve things, earning a playful punch from you at his words

🐰 “now explicitly describe exactly how painful it was for you to not talk to me.”

WATANABE HARUTO

🦙 can’t believe your audacity to give him the silent treatment part one

🦙 he’d play along with your antics, shrugging and walking away when you wouldn’t respond to him

🦙 ruto would just behave as he usually does, just not talking as much because there wasn’t a point in doing so if you weren’t gonna respond

🦙 you’d soon catch onto his behavior, realizing your silent treatment was backfiring since he wasn’t reacting to any of it

🦙 but just as you are about to give in and talk to him, ruto will approach you, a worried look on his face because it’s been literal hours since you last spoke to him

🦙 “you aren’t going to break up with me, are you?”

🦙 and that’s when you realize it’s gone too far, quickly pulling him into your embrace as you apologized for letting things escalate this far

🦙 “i seriously hate you for this. but thank goodness, you aren’t that mad at me. i love you too much, it hurts.”

PARK JEONGWOO

🐺 can’t believe your audacity to give him the silent treatment part two

🐺 literally scoffs in your face when you don’t respond to him

🐺 “oh, is this what we’re doing, huh?” 🙄😑🤔😤

🐺 will wait around a bit to see if you change up, but after a couple of hours if you still don’t talk, he’s gonna turn to his last resort

🐺 whining; manz is gonna annoy you into speaking to him again

🐺 but ofc after being with him for so long, you were unfazed which would then just deflate his mood

🐺 “are you really going to do this?” 🥺😭☹️🥹

🐺 you’d defo cave in after seeing his pouty face, giving him a kiss before talking to him again

🐺 “talk to me again, y/n, hm? please?”

SO JUNGHWAN

🐮 super king cow baby will be so pouty when you give him the silent treatment

🐮 even after he apologized, you wouldn’t utter a single word and just blankly stare at him, making him even sadder

🐮 after lots of pleads, hwan would defo get on his knees as he stood in front of you, absolutely no hesitation in begging you to speak to him

🐮 “i'm gonna stay like until you forgive me, so please talk to me, y/n.”

🐮 you though he was joking, you really did

🐮 but when he followed you on his knees when you walked around, you felt super bad, realizing he was super serious about his words

🐮 immediately kneeling next to him, you’d apologize for your childish behavior, checking on junghwan to see if he was hurt

🐮 if he was hurt, you’d feel super guilty, tears pricking your eyes, but junghwan would only smile, just happy to hear talking to him

🐮 “i'm fine. seriously, i am. i just wanted to hear you talk to me again.”

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[i-know-you-know-we-know-lee-know]

Skz maknae line react to being called good boy

Sorry it took to long for me to get the second part out

Writers block is a bitch😭

Warnings: mildly suggestive fluff, cursing, mentions of food, i love felix, fuck commas (i suck at grammar plz forgive me)

Hyung Line

Han

Confused

Absolutely baffled

Questioning life

Literally malfunctioning

Scene~

The two of you were lying in bed ready to fall asleep.

There was only one problem

You were extremely cold

Han, who was out in the hallway closet getting you blankets, was not cold

You would never understand how he could never be cold when you were literally becoming an iceblock

When Han came back from the closet holding three more blankets you held out your arms and he places them in your lap where you set to work making a nest out of them

"good boy"

You say randomly, still wrapping blankets around you

Han, who had been walking around the foot of your bed, tripped on one of the legs and almost fell flat on his face

You look up, startled, only to see Han's red face looking back at you

"baby~ you cant just say things like that out of the blue"

He whined, crawling over to your side of the bed and laying facedown next to you

You laughed, ruffling his hair and cuddling into your blanket cocoon

"if i knew you would react like this i would have said it to you a lot sooner"

You giggle as he burys his face in the sheets in embarrassment

Only when he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you into his chest did you realise he may have liked it a little more than you had realised

Uhm

That ones up for interpretation i guess

🥴

Felix

😭

Poor boy doesn't know how to react

Felix.exe has stopped working

Absolutely confused

You were making brownies with Felix, a tradition you had started when you first started dating.

You both knew the recipe by heart so there was no need to ask each other what to do

"Felix can you get me the sugar? It should be in the middle shelf on the left"

You call to your boyfriend, who opens the cabinet and pulls the container of sugar out and hands it to you.

"good boy"

You say, placing the sugar down on the counter

Felix looks down at you and you watch as his expressions change from surprise, confusion, embarrassment, and back to confused embarrassment in a matter of seconds

"i- what? What did you say? Don't say that-"

You break down laughing on the floor as your boyfriend splutters out excuses and his face turns progressively more red

He too, crouches down on the floor next to you and you can practically hear the gears turning in his head as to what this means

"i dont know how to feel"

He burst out, and you start laughing again because who knew felix would look so cute embarrassed?

AJSJSJSB

I love him so much it hurts sometimessjdkdjsj

HES SO CUTE 😭

Seungmin

Boy does not give a fuck

Will literally look you in the eyes and say nothing

Then walk away

Like?

You had been sick the past few days and had been lying in bed basically doing nothing

Seungmin, being the supportive bf he was, had been tending to your every need for the past few days

"minnie can you get me a glass of water, my throat feels really dry"

You croak out, watching as he springs up to get you a glass of water from the kitchen

He soon returns with your beloved glass of water in hand and gives it to you

"good boy"

You say without thinking, as you take a sip of water

Seungmin just looked at you, blinked a few times and then turned on his heel and walked out of your bedroom

"wait no come back-"

You cough-laughed as you realised what you had just said to him

"minnie please~"

You whine, watching with satisfaction as his face turns slightly pink when he turns to face you

You pout and he sighs, coming back into your bedroom reluctantly

"the way you said that made me feel wierd"

You laugh again, taking another sip of your water

"its crazy i mean you think your in love with me or something"

He frowns at you, taking your empty glass from you

"ill go fill this back up again"

He mutters, red face still visible to you

Okay maybe he cares a little

Just a little

Jeongin

Flustered little boi

So confused though

In his head he's like

???

WhY mE?

You and your boyfriend were out on a grocery shopping trip because you had been running low on a few things.

"can you go and fet some eggs while i look at the chips?"

You say, placing your basket on the ground a d examining the massive wall of chip bags in front of you

"yeah ill be right back"

Your boyfriend responds, heading down the aisle to look for eggs

You, in the meantime keep looking at the massive selection infront of you, eventually picking out two bags

Soon your boyfriend comes back with eggs in hand and places them in the basket at your feet

"good boy"

You say, turning to show one of the chip bags to him

"do you think we should get this one instead of the normal one or-"

You stop, staring at his flustered expression with confusion

"are you okay? Did i do something?"

You ask, laughing at him slightly as he shakes his head

"it was nothing..."

You chuckle at his response, picking up your basket and smiling to yourself

"maybe i should say good boy more if it means i get to see you like this"

"... "

⌯' ▾ '⌯

ARG SO CUTE PATOOTIE

I suck at dialogue lol

[cinnamo6]

Friendship’s not in the field manual. pt 2.

part 1

Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley x GN!Reader

warning(s): angst-ish.. COMFORT!!

a/n: massive apology for the delay I live in hell... probably grammar mistakes

Ghost firmly believed in isolating himself. Pushing anyone away who dared to get close. Attachments were only a recipe for disaster, especially in his line of work. It was easier if he knew there was no one he had to come back to. So he didn’t hate you. But he was afraid of getting attached.

It was his goal to stay as far away from you as possible, even if it meant you hated him. However, in a cruel twist, by attempting to shield you from harm, he had only hurt you.

He leaned against the building outside. The cold air nipped against his fingers, cigarette long forgotten, and too focused on the guilt that swarmed his head to care. An awful feeling that ate him from the inside out. You deserved an apology, but he sure as hell didn’t deserve forgiveness. He flicked the cigarette on the ground without a second glance and made his way to your quarters. A million thoughts ran through his head.

Simon Riley was not a man who felt nervous, years in the task force made it so. But standing there at your door? He wished the world would've swallowed him whole.

He wrapped 3 times on the wood. When he is met with silence, he knocks again.

He relaxes only slightly when he finally hears shuffling on the other side.

“I'm sorry, this isn’t really a good time right now.” You muttered, cracking the door open. “Can you come back la-“

You froze at the sight of your lieutenant standing right at your door.

The thought of slamming the door shut briefly crossed your mind, but you remained in place. You always hated how easily you froze up. How easily you cry. You felt weak, maybe you were. That’s probably why Ghost couldn’t stand you. He was there to reprimand you again for sure.

You were broken from your thoughts at the sound of Ghost’s voice.

“We need to talk.” He gestured towards your room. You nodded and moved to let him through.

“This morning,” he began.

Hot shame washed over you at the memory of that morning, you had just run away from him in tears.

“Yeah.” You looked down at the floor.

“The meeting, I missed it i know. It won’t happen again, sir.”

“That’s.. that’s not why I’m here, L/N.” He said, gently.

His eyes scanned you and immediately zeroed in on your bandages. Evidence of what transpired earlier, and your poor attempt to hide it.

“When?”

You could've lied, that would probably sound better than what really happened. But he’d know, plus what’s the harm? He already thought of you so little.

Picking at your nails, you barely muttered out an answer.

“This morning. Coffee.” It was all you could manage to say, the embarrassment of it all preventing you from speaking any further.

His brows furrowed.

“It doesn’t hurt. Not even that bad, I don’t know why I have these on. It’s…silly.” You lied, but admitting you needed bandages for a coffee burn to him was absolutely humiliating.

“Bad enough to leave a burn.” Ghosts said under a breath. He felt even shittier now.

You stared at him in confusion. It was like you were talking to a completely different person right now.

“Let me see it.” He took a step forward.

You held out your arm and watched in confusion as he carefully unwrapped the gauze.

“This is...” He started.

Your head nearly exploded when he began to rub your arm and gently trace the area of the burn.

“Um..LT?

“I'm sorry.” Ghost said suddenly. “For this morning. For everything.”

You could only blink.

“You don’t deserve this.” The guilt was etched onto his features.

“Sir that’s..,” your eyes watered. “Thank you, for that.”

It was damn near euphoric hearing that, like a weight was just lifted off your shoulders.

He reached out and thumbed away your tears.

“No tears love. Please.” He said, cupping your cheek. “I will make everything up to you. I promise.”

He took your hands and held them gently.

“Can you let me do that for you?”

“Sure LT. Think you owe me a coffee anyway.”

Tags: @themoonitselff

[mediumgayitalian]

I know I’ve been liking all your works on here but I just have to say I LOVE ALL OF THEM SO MUCH <333 they’re just so silly and goofy /pos

Out of curiosity, have you done your take on the “3 days in the infirmary” yet? And if not, do you ever plan to?

THANKS!

thank you teehee silly and goofy is my specialty. and thank you SO MUCH for asking bc the thing is that i’ve been trying?? like i have three drafts barely started right now and i can’t tell which one, if any, are promising. would y’all mind telling me (honestly, i promise i can handle criticism when i ask for it) might be something you would read, and if not, what you like/dislike? thank you in advance!! and they’re rough drafts so please forgive any poor formatting or grammar/spelling. words like /this/ mean they’re italicized btw.

okay, the first one. the idea here is less three days in the infirmary and more pining nico post the three days in the infirmary, but he keeps thinking back to it. here is one such moment:

please let me know what works/doesnt et cetera!!!

okay next one. this one is more classic, it’s literally the three days in the infirmary except whoops nico was exhausted as shit and slept through them entirely and now will is making him stay another three for observation. and they fall in love obviously. featuring in william-andrew-never-shuts-up-for-even-three-seconds solace bc i love him.

i think this one is the most promising tbh but i could be wrong. mostly i just love motormouth will. lmk what u think!!

okay and the last and possibly most iffy one. this one is actually the thing that yanked me full force back into this fandom, creatively, bc the idea wormed itself into my brain and i couldn’t get it out.

i haven’t worked on it in like a month and a half bc i’m nervous people will despise it, but the general idea is that nico gets to the infirmary and will has an open crush on him, like he doesn’t say it but even nico is not that oblivious, and nico has to face, for the first time, someone who is not even slightly ashamed about their sexuality. it’s less of a solangelo fic and more of a nico fic tbh.

i ditched it bc i don’t think anyone will read it, but if you would, tell me please! i’m an attention whore and very motivated when i know i’m getting attention lol.

anyways! please tell me your thoughts! reblog or comments are great, but if you’re shy my anon asks are open :D my DMs too!!!

[sirjaketkiszka]

It’s a Sin: Chapter One

Priest!Jake Kiszka x Fem!Reader

+++++++++++++++

Father forgive me, I tried not to do it… Turned over a new leaf, then tore right through it…

+++++++++++++++

Word Count: 4,811

Warnings: vague mentions of religious trauma, uneventful, and poor writing.

Disclaimer: apologies for any potential spelling errors or grammar mistakes.

It’s a Sin Masterpost

+++++++++++++++

The gentle melody coming from the car’s radio fades out of earshot as the view from the backseat fully encapsulates you. Dark gray, gloomy skies act as an incessant threat of the chance of rain– a common occurrence for this time of year– as the branches of the towering western hemlocks sway against the strong wind.

Passing a large sign that reads: Garden’s Gate, your eyes take in the sight before you; Various wood-built structures line cobblestone sidewalks just off the side of the poorly paved road, and small homes nestle themselves between what you assume are family-owned businesses. An assumption you make based on your previous research–

Garden’s Gate, established in the mid-1800s, holds a population of only 253. Well, 254 now. It’s heavily religious, extremely traditional, and very tight-knit. Every building is original, a well-functioning relic, and upheld by its caregivers; the citizens. You can’t lie, the town does intimidate you, especially coming in as an outsider– a non-religious outsider at that. But when you saw pictures of the town while scrolling on your laptop, you fell in love.

Just coming into view is the town’s church, the first building to be created when the town came to be. The foundation is built from local wood, chopped just mere feet away from the church itself, and it’s surrounded by scattered tombstones. The years gone by remain present on the church’s slowly rotted wood as flecks of the boards peel away from the exterior walls. Still, the church stays upright, a consequence of minute renovations that strayed away from disturbing its original composition.

An arched, intricately engraved brown door represents a stark contrast compared to the withered appearance, and similarly, arched stained glass windows take their place on either side. Just above the entrance is a circular window, the panes reminiscent of a daisy, and above that is a smaller square window. A bell hangs from the rooftop of the church, encased by sturdy pillars that uphold the cross.

The outdated taxi turns onto a gravel driveway, just a quarter of a mile long and directly across from the church you’ve been admiring, and leading to your new home. When the grumbling crunch of the rough pebbles begins to slow, and the tires come to a halt, you nearly jump out of the cab. The driver plasters on a polite smile, putting the car in park and exiting to retrieve your bags from the trunk.

“Please, let me get that,” You insist, rushing to his side and peeling your eyes away from the beautifully built cottage before you. The both of you fumble to lift the heavy luggage from the car, an exaggerated oof punching from your lungs when you set the suitcase on the damp ground. When the driver gently places your smaller bag on top, you graciously thank him, handing him the hefty toll that accumulated from your journey from the nearest airport; over an hour away.

As the faded yellow car turns around and descends the long, winding driveway, your feet stay planted, your eyes frantically observing the exterior of the house; it’s quaint with tall windows and deep green grass crawling along the layered stone skirt of the structure. The worn paint is off-white, but chipping off in various places, and the roof is harboring a light fuzz of growing moss, a result of the constant dew blanketing over the town. You love it.

Slinging your small carry-on over your shoulder, and firmly gripping the handle of your overweight luggage, you trek across the scattered stone path leading to the front steps. The two short steps creak and groan under your own weight and the added load. As far as you know, the house has remained unoccupied for years but was taken care of by members of the local church.

So, when you lift the dingy doormat inches away from your feet, retrieve the house key, and open the door with an agonizingly loud rasp, you’re surprised to see how well-kept the interior is. Any leftover furniture is covered with discolored bedsheets, and there’s a lack of dust that you expected to see when first entering.

Somehow, the inside of the house is eerily more cold than outside, causing goosebumps to pepper along your skin. The air is stagnant, just the tiniest specks of dust floating past your line of sight, and like the steps leading up to the door, the stained pine hardwood floors squeak beneath you.

“Just needs a little love,” You sigh, surveying the open living room. It seems as though the only furniture left that isn’t yours is the used leather couch, the oval-shaped coffee table a couple of feet from it, and a large, empty bookshelf that resides to the left of the room. All the other furniture, however, is yours– delivered just the day before by a moving company you hired. Was it smart to tell them where the key was so they could go in without you? Probably not, but nothing seems out of place or alarming.

While it’s the middle of the day, the murky sky prohibits any ray of sun from shining through, resulting in the dimly lit space in front of you. Thankfully, the light switch is beside the door, and you flick it upward; though, it doesn’t do much.

There was very little information online about the house you stand in, and all you know is that it was built not long after the town originated. It still has its original flooring, the same awful wallpaper installed in the 1970s, and turns out, the later-added light fixtures from the mid-1900s.

Finished with your gawking, you drag your hefty suitcase into the house, pass the threshold, and leave it leaning against the wall with the smaller bag. As you step further inside, you notice the layout; the kitchen is to the right of the first floor, a large cut-out space in the dividing wall allows a look out into the living room, and there is no dining room, just a spot big enough for a dining table in the corner of the kitchen.

The kitchen is small, but big enough for just you. Due to previous renovations, polished sandy stone counters lay upon dark mahogany wood cabinets. It’s not a look you would usually go for, and it’s certainly not your taste, but that was a problem for later, you ultimately decide. Thankfully, a gas stove and rundown refrigerator are provided with the house, although you’re not entirely sure how well they work. The refrigerator hasn’t been plugged in for however long, and you’re extremely relieved to see that the shelves are spotless and no lingering smell wafts from it when you cautiously swing the door open.

Taking in the final sweep of the kitchen, you notice a packed box labeled “Bedroom: second floor” is set on the counter beside the built-in sink, most likely forgotten by the movers. You lift the decently heavy box with a quick huff and haul it to the stairs to the left of the living room. Carefully looking over the box, you ascend the stairs and are met with a slim hallway, consisting of three doors; your bedroom, the bathroom, and a smaller room, which will most likely be your hobby room.

The bedroom door is left open, allowing you to shuffle into the bland room without struggling with the doorknob. Setting the box onto your bare mattress, it bounces against the plush material, nearly falling over the edge. An exasperated huff rushes past your lips as you plant your hands on your hips, spinning in a slow 360 while your eyes scan the room; The walls are a beautiful shade of sage green– a consequence of the previous tenant– and the floors match the dark red mahogany of the kitchen cabinets. Now this, you wouldn’t change.

Moving boxes littered the hardwood floors, most of them piling up in the farthest corner, acting as a reminder of the extensive work you have ahead of you; unpacking.

You must’ve spent hours just unpacking the boxes belonging to your room– going back and forth on what should be placed where and if you should hang your clothes or fold them into the dresser. Needless to say, these are very important decisions. And with important decisions, came great hunger pains.

“My goodness,” You mumble under your breath, checking the digital clock you unpacked and noticing that the last time you ate was just before your flight. Eight hours ago. Needing a break, you lift from your seated position on your bedroom floor and stretch, letting out an obnoxious groan at the sensation of your joints cracking and back arching out of your previous slouch.

You figure now’s as good a time as any to explore the town, and it’s definitely not because you have no food. On any other day, you would cook. In fact, you love it. The art of cooking felt calming for you, but it’s only something you do as a hobby. It stays sacred that way. Had you pursued it as a career, it would’ve been tainted. Not done purely for enjoyment, but out of obligation.

Either way, you need to eat now. Your stomach growls and cramps at the mere thought of food, and your arms instinctively wrap around your torso for a sense of relief. Where can I eat? What can I eat? You don’t know the town well enough, but perhaps walking down the vacant streets will lead you to a restaurant, or a store, of some sort.

Loud footsteps echo through your house as you saunter down the aged steps of the staircase, your exhaustion and hunger forcing you to move at a leisurely rate. Unsure of the early evening weather, you grab your jacket that hangs on the coat rack by the door anyway, pushing your arms through the thick sleeves and leaving the front open.

Just as you expected, the early October air nips at your face the moment you open the front door, the tip of your nose immediately reddening and cheeks turning rosy from the harsh cold. In your hometown, it’d still be decently warm, probably in the low-70s, but you relished in the colder months. You always look forward to wearing your plethora of knitted sweaters, warm leggings, and chunky boots.

The hinges of the door screech behind you as it shuts, and you turn to lock it, pocketing the key and walking down the ridged path ahead of you.

It’s a short walk, and it’s nearly a ghost town. In the five minutes it takes you to walk to the main road, cross it, and enter the town, you have yet to see a single soul. The uncomfortable atmosphere reminds you of an episode of The Twilight Zone. Actually, the very first episode of The Twilight Zone… Small town. Completely alone.

Your inner monologue nearly leads you to run back home, but you push through, realizing how ridiculous the thought is. As you step into civilization, if you could call it that, you do notice the silhouette of store clerks passing in your peripheral as you search the store signs. Phew.

The stores are decently spaced apart, and some of the elderly structures are homes of the town residents. The uneven cobblestone sidewalk urges you to walk cautiously as you admire the historical details, reading the signs as you stroll by;

Bank. Very thorough.

Seamstress. Not quite it.

Antiques. The whole town is one.

Bakery. Perfect!

The bakery sports large windows displaying their baked goods, and the sight of them causes your stomach to grumble. Your hand impatiently wraps around the store’s doorhandle, swinging it open, and making the bell above it ring. The interior isn’t very well-lit, like most things here, apparently. There’s a total of three tables in the dining area, each with two seats, and a large L-shaped counter that houses all of the pastries.

Hungry eyes scan the abundance of food, probably enough to feed the whole town, you assume, until they land on the cashier. She stands behind the glass counter, a large outdated cash register stationed in front of her. You can tell by the look on her face that she knows you’re not from here, and despite her customer service smile, she’s wary. To dilute the tension, you smile, stepping up to the register.

“Hi, there,” Your voice rang out louder than you expected, and you may have freaked her out even more.

“Hi,” She pauses, her voice reflecting her concern, “Um– What can I help you with?”

“Well, I just moved here,” You explain, and the tension in her stiff shoulders falters for a moment, “So, I’m not sure what to get, what do you suggest?” Maybe asking her for her opinion would ease her anxiety, and it seems to work.

“Oh!” She perks up, eyeing the pastries through the glass and pointing, “You’ll love our housemade muffins. Any flavor, really.”

“I’ll take one of each flavor then,” Your insatiable hunger does the talking for you, but you know you’ll eat the rest later. You have quite the sweet tooth, and sure, you should be eating a “real” meal, but– you have no excuse.

“Perfect,” She smiles, genuinely this time, as she places each flavor into a medium-sized box; Blueberry, chocolate chip, banana nut, poppy seed, and cinnamon crumble. Yum. Setting the box on the counter beside the register, she rings you up, stating your total as you happily hand her your card, “So, you’re the one who bought the house across the church.” She states. It’s not a question. You guess your move was the talk of the tiny town. There’s no surprise there.

“Word gets around, huh?” You chuckle, taking back your card when she hands it to you.

“Well,” She chuckles as well, insinuating that of course word gets around in a town with a population below 300. “We didn’t think it would ever sell. Not that there’s anything wrong with it! It’s just that newcomers aren’t very common, you know?”

“I figured,” Your tone is understanding as you shrug, grabbing the box off the counter, and the decent weight of the baked goods surprises you. The cashier offers you a gracious smile as you thank her for her help, spinning on the heels of your feet and heading for the door. Your hand stalls on the doorknob, and you turn to look at her, “I’m sorry, what’s your name? I could use a familiar face around here.”

“Sara! Without the H,” Her cheerful voice carries across the small bakery like she’s relieved that you asked, and it makes you feel warm, “What’s yours?”

When you answer, she repeats your name back to herself as a reminder and waves you off, calling out to you to let her know how you like the muffins. You didn’t go into town expecting to make any friends so soon, but you’re sure glad you did.

Rushing home, your eyes focus on the moving ground beneath your feet; bulky stones make your steps wobbly, and you’re careful not to trip. Unlike your short journey into town, it feels as though the walk back takes an eternity due to pure impatience.

The crisp air pinches your skin as you work against the breeze, your eyes looking both ways down the entirely empty road as you cross it. The wet gravel shifts under your feet as you stomp up your driveway and finally approach your home. Though, at the moment, it feels like just a house. Vacant, void of fond memories, and any familiarity.

You ultimately decide eating alone at your thrifted dining room table feels too depressing, so you settle for the slightly damp front door steps. Plopping down, the light layer of moisture soaks into your pants, and you squirm at the feeling.

“Gross,” You grumble, your hands fidgeting with the folding lid of the paper box. When you flip the top open, you’re face to face with five large muffins, all delicately handcrafted and baked to perfection. The uncomfortable feeling underneath you becomes a distant thought as you grab the blueberry muffin with two hands, letting the box balance on your legs. You waste no time bringing the fluffy baked good to your mouth, your lips parting and teeth flashing to consume a substantial bite.

The sweetness coats your tongue and an exaggerated groan leaves your throat as you chew slowly, your teeth crushing the shriveled blueberries. You’re not sure if this is the best muffin you’ve ever had, or if you’re just really hungry. Though, it didn’t matter. If the bakery did a blueberry muffin this well, the rest had to be held to the same standard, you hope.

So, for the next five minutes, you take a bite from each muffin, eyes nearly rolling back at the taste of each one. If you really wanted to, you could finish all five right this second because of your persistent hunger, but you’ll show restraint… For now.

Just as you’ve circled back to the blueberry muffin, you notice a line of people waiting outside the church just across the street. It’s not Sunday. You thought to yourself as your eyebrows furrowed, watching as a priest opened the doors to the church, welcoming the group of church-goers in. The amount isn’t large, maybe ten people, but you keep watching intently. They’re too far to hear, and even to see clearly, so you assume that the priest is thanking each member for coming with every vague nod of his head.

You’re unable to get a good look at the priest, but from your seated position, he looks young. Squinting your eyes, you’re only able to make out that he has long hair, and is average height. His features are blurred as a result of the distance, and you find yourself wanting to wander over there just to see him. Something about his presence is alluring.

Once you think you’ve had enough of the food in front of you, you close the box and stand, your eyes still drawn to the church. You aren’t religious, not at all, but the concept intrigues you. Devoting your life to a person, or people, you’re not confident exist. Believing in something greater as a sense of comfort. You admire it. But, you also despise it.

Reemerging suppressed memories cause you to zone out, planted where you stand on the last step of your small porch. The silence morphs into whispered echoes of your childhood, and your hands absently squeeze around the delicate box.

The kids exiting the church hurled overplayed insults at you. None you haven’t heard before. If anything, you wished they were more creative. You couldn’t lie, though, it all hurt the same.

A single drop of rain pulls you from your recollection as your eyes frantically blink, realizing you’re staring down the church, the priest looking directly at you through fickle raindrops. Still, you can’t make out any defining features, and he seems to be struggling with the same predicament. The line of people has filed into the ancient building, but he stands there, looking at you.

Not bothering to acknowledge him, you turn around and step up to your door, quickly unlocking it and stepping inside before the rain becomes a consistent downpour.

The sight of your disorganized living room and kitchen causes an irritated exhale to exit your lungs. That would have to be a problem for tomorrow since the comforting sound of speckled rain on your lanky windows pulls a yawn from you. The day wears on you– traveling, unpacking, a bit of exploring– it all takes a toll on you.

Your feet drag as you set the half-eaten muffins on the kitchen counter, and you lazily complete your nighttime routine, having to actively pull from boxes to find what you need. You figure a lot of your unpacking will play out that way; you needing something, then having to search for it, and inevitably unpacking the rest in the process.

Usually, you’d struggle with falling asleep in an unfamiliar environment, but the moment your head hits the pillow, your heavy eyelids blind you. Your breathing evens, your body falls limp, and your features soften in restful bliss.

“You shouldn’t let their words bother you, baby,” Your mom swept the hair sticking to your tear-stained cheeks away and cradled your face in the palm of her hands.

“They kept talking about you,” You sniffled, looking her in the eyes with shame, “They said mean things.” Your voice came out in a whisper, and she sighed.

“Do you want to know why?”

A knock at your door causes you to shoot up from your lying position and a startled gasp expands your lungs as you bend at the waist with your blankets pooling around you. Your sleep-ridden eyes move around the room, remembering where you are, and that yes, you did move into a new house. Most of the empty boxes have been moved to the hallway, and the rising sun casts a soft light across your bed sheets. Looking at the clock on your otherwise bare nightstand, it’s still relatively early, 7 o’clock to be exact, and you aren’t expecting any visitors.

The lack of central heat sends a chill down your stiff spine as you search for your robe hanging in the nicely sized-closet. Wrapping the warm, soft garment around your trembling frame, you head downstairs where the knocking continues for the second time.

“Coming!” You call out, hopefully loud enough for the person on the other side of the door to hear.

Through the stained glass, you see a dark figure standing on the steps, their head rotating and looking around the outside of your house. You pause for a moment before opening the door, the bright contrast of outside piercing your dim-adjusted eyes, causing you to squint to focus. When your gaze finally lands on the man in front of you, you realize it’s the priest from yesterday.

As you had guessed previously, he’s of average height and has long, wavy hair that has grown just below his shoulders. The ends of his chestnut hair are thinned out, but it holds decent volume as it swoops into a side part, likely a consequence of his hands running through it. His face is chiseled, his high cheekbones prominent through his hollow cheeks, and his jawline is well defined. A light purple hue swatches underneath his eyes, emphasizing their captivating auburn shade of brown, and his blush pink lips quirk in a friendly smirk. He’s young, probably around your age, and it surprises you.

He’s wearing all black– a long sleeve button-up, paired with his clerical collar, and a pair of jeans that are a slightly lighter shade of black compared to the rest of his outfit. Over everything, he’s wearing a black petticoat that stops right at his knees, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets.

“Uh– Hi, can I help you?” You ask, still holding onto the door, and shielding half of your body.

“Hello, I’m Father Jacob Thomas Kiszka,” His voice is surprisingly smooth, and your heart quickens a beat, “I haven’t had the chance to properly introduce myself.” He smiles, pulling his hand from his pocket and holding it out for you to shake. His fingers are lengthy, and his hands are quite veiny, and they curl around your hand gently when you accept the handshake. His palm is warm, and incredibly soft as his semi-firm grip bobs your guys’ hands up and down.

“It’s no problem,” You dismiss while releasing his hand and letting yours awkwardly hang beside you when his lingering warmth melts away, “I only got here yesterday.”

“That’s right,” His smile falters a little, falling into a permanent content smirk, “Do you mind if I come in?”

“Not at all,” You lie through a clenched smile, suddenly very aware of the state of your house, and you, “Can I fix you a cup of coffee?” You ask while stepping aside, letting him cross the threshold. When he slides past you, his overpowering scent floats just beneath your nose as you breathe in. The breeze in his wake smells strongly of cinnamon, a mixture of other rich spices, and musk. You find yourself breathing in again, holding the scent in your lungs like a drag from a cigarette.

Shutting the door behind him as he graciously smiles at you, his eyes wander around the still-covered furniture in the living room, and the boxes piled along the walls. Heat creeps up your neck, embarrassment burning in your gut from the mess.

“I’m okay,” He finally answers, turning to you with that perpetual smirk.

“Suit yourself,” You shrug, disappearing into the kitchen. The coffee maker is stashed away in one of the boxes, and you don’t plan on searching for it now, but you need an excuse to step away. Your hands fly to your frizzy hair as you roughly brush out any kinks with your fingers, and you rub the remaining sleep from your eyes. Had you expected company, you would’ve looked somewhat presentable, but you haven't been granted that pleasure.

When you reappear in the living room, he immediately turns to you, both hands back in his pockets. His presence is slightly offputting, though you’re not entirely sure why. Despite his average size, his vitality consumes the space surrounding him, including yourself.

“I apologize if I’ve woken you up,” He speaks, his eyes discreetly glancing over you, “I understand that it’s early.”

“Please, it’s okay,” You wave a hand at him, “I was already awake.” Another lie.

“Right,” He chuckles, and it’s apparent that he knows you’re lying, “I won’t be long– I just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood.”

“I appreciate that, Father,” You smile at his welcoming words, and for a moment, his body language is conflicting. He’s contemplating something, and you’re eager to know what it is.

“May I ask, do you attend church, Miss…” Oh. That question. It’s not your first time hearing it, and honestly, you expected it, especially from him. The end of his last word drags out as he waits for you to introduce yourself, something you forgot to do when he did so himself.

You answer quickly, stating your first and last name, but insisting that he calls you by your first. “Miss” felt too formal. You are anything but formal. “I can’t say that I do,” You answer his question truthfully, and you don’t miss how disappointment radiates off his stature.

“That’s a shame,” His words alone sound harsh, but his tone is discouraged, and you know he doesn’t mean it the way it came out. “I’m sure you can tell, but this town, the people, are very… devout. I figured I’d ask,” A pause, “Perhaps, if you’d like, you could join us.” His insinuation feels like a punch in the gut, and you hate to have to reject his offer, but attending church is out of the question.

“That’s a lovely offer, Father,” You say sincerely, and the shift in his demeanor indicates that he already knows you’re going to decline, “But I’ll have to turn you down on that, I’m sorry.”

“No worries,” He waves you off now, his eyebrows furrowing at the increasing concern on your features. You hate saying no to people, and somehow, rejecting a priest’s offer for you to come to his church feels even worse. “Just thought I’d ask,” He shrugs, offering you a flash of a closed-mouth smile.

“Alright,” An uncomfortable silence falls in the space between you two, and his gaze lingers on yours for a moment longer.

“Anyway,” He clears his throat, eyes shifting from yours, “I should get out of your hair– let you get settled in.”

“Of course,” You step toward the door, opening it for him and watching as he steps back outside, turning to face you, “Thanks for stopping by, Father.”

“It was a pleasure,” Your name rolls off his tongue effortlessly, and you feel guilty for silently wishing he’d say it again, “I’ll see you around.”

Watching as he turns around, you observe how he strides down the stone path, his hair swaying with every swift step and broad shoulders mimicking the movement. Unable to look away, you keep your eyes on him until he’s disappeared into the church, not sparing another glance in your direction. You still feel as though you’re not completely awake, and your strange, brief interaction with Father Jacob only solidifies the contemplation of whether you’re dreaming.

An unexplainable and nagging feeling settles in your gut, but you choose to ignore it, chalking it up to built-up stress. Closing your door, you face the surplus of labor scattered across the living room and kitchen. Procrastination calls to you, but you refrain.

“Let’s get this over with.”

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A new Jake fic, hurray! I hope you all enjoyed chapter one <3

I’ve been waiting to write this since the idea came to me in a dream, oddly enough. Much love!!

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Taglist:

@musicislove3389 @fleetingjake @peaceloveunitygvf @dancingcarbon

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Tags:

[builtbybrokenbells]

Gold Dust Woman | xii

With exhaustion catching up and her willpower running low, y/n finally seems to make some progress in her quest to find peace.

Read part eleven here

Pairing: Jake Kiszka x f!reader, Sam Kiszka x f!reader, Danny Wagner x OC

Word Count: 12.5k

Warnings: angst, long emotional talks, swearing, crying, sickness (throwing up), feelings of guilt/regret, love triangle, mentions of pregnancy/pregnancy scares, mentions of unprotected sex, swearing, sorry if i miss any!

hi everyone, getting close to the end now. buckle in for the rest of the ride 🫶🏻 thanks for the love and for sticking with me this long. as always, enjoy, be kind, and don’t mind any grammar mistakes! (Lightly edited so please forgive me)

“We are late.” Aaron said, ushering you through the doors of the airport. “Like, late late. We’ll be lucky if we’re there in time for soundcheck.” He was stressing, you could hear the panic in his voice even if he was trying his best to keep calm. You checked your watch, not finding the energy within yourself to match his concern. “Drop off your bags and get to the gate; we don’t have any time to spare.”

“Yes, sir.” You chuckled in attempt to ease the tension. He shot you a pointed glare, one that was not menacing but rather cemented his seriousness. “Got it,” you nodded, biting back a smile. As much as Aaron wanted to be a hard-ass, you always had a difficult time viewing him as a manager rather than a friend. Of course, he was fantastic at his job, but being around him so much had shifted the dynamic between you. In the beginning, it felt like walking on eggshells, like if you messed up, you would be sent home with nothing but the clothes on your back. Now, after drinking with him so often and getting to know him so well, you considered him just as close as your own band members or the brothers in the band you were touring with. Once you adapted to the tour life, you realized that everyone along with you was just the same as family, mostly because they were the only thing you had while on the road all of the time.

You all dropped your bags off at the appropriate place, grouping together as you moved through security. Your original flight was postponed due to poor weather, and until Aaron had a time and a plan that was set in stone, he was nearly inconsolable. You all had went to breakfast, hoping to pass the time until your rescheduled flight was boarding, but the whole time he seemed so sick with worry that he couldn’t eat. In truth, you were not that far behind schedule and you would definitely make it to the venue with plenty of time to spare. Of course, you could not explain that to him without calling him on his dramatic tendencies. In his eyes, if you weren’t six hours early, you were worse than late.

Even if it was annoying by times, it was a good trait for a manager to have. He always took any possible delays into consideration, and he was the reason that you all knew where you were going and when you had to be there. Without him, the tour would not have made it past the first city, but you were worried he might put himself into cardiac arrest from the sheer amount of stress he was holding on to. As you sat down to wait for the plane to board, you finished the last of your energy drink and tossed the can into a nearby trash can. You checked your watch again, already counting down the minutes until you were on the plane. As much as your enjoyed touring and playing music, flying was still something you couldn’t seem to get used to.

“You okay? You seem a little pale.” Danny asked from the seat beside you. You turned to look at him, confused at the question.

“Yeah, I think so.” You laughed. “Tired, I guess. Not thrilled about flying, but I’m okay.” He gave a slow nod, continuing his stare in hopes that you would keep talking. You raised an eyebrow, unsure of where his concern was coming from.

“The other night still bothering you?” He lowered his voice, making sure that you were the only one who could hear him. The words hit you like a ton of bricks, startling you from the sound alone. You had yet to speak of the incident that went down at the venue, and you weren’t keen on starting. Your eyes flickered to Jake who was standing next to his twin and lost in chatter. In the blinding airport light, the bruise on his cheek was as clear as day. You were sickened at the sight, noticing that it had finally began to yellow and fade. The cut on his lip was barely noticeable, now, but it was prominent enough for you to shudder at the sight. Perhaps it was not the sight that bothered you so much, but the memory of how he attained the injury.

You then looked to Sam, who was laughing alongside your own bassist. His nose was fine, but his undereye was still purple and angry looking. The smile on his face contradicted his injury, but you could tell that his eyes were not shining as bright as they used to. They both lost a piece of themselves to the flying fists that night at the venue, even if they were electing to stay silent about it. You knew this because it was the same piece of you that had disappeared, the one in which cockiness and self-assurance made home. All of you had lost your confidence and were succumbing to the fear of loss. You had not spoken a word to them, and they hadn’t tried, either. You were officially stuck in stalemate, fearful of digging an even deeper hole than the one you were already stuck in.

“I’m fine,” you assured him, leaning back in your seat. You weren’t, and in reality, you weren’t even anywhere close to okay. The lie was bold, and you both knew the truth, but you were not willing to admit to it. Your stomach was sick just thinking of the memory, and it was only growing worse as you continued to talk. “I knew the consequences, right? Now it’s time to live with them.” You shrugged.

“Doesn’t mean you have to suffer.” He placed a hand on your knee, giving it a small squeeze of reassurance. “You didn’t eat much this morning.”

“What are you, my mother?” You laughed.

“Someone’s gotta take care of you.” He chuckled.

“Many try, most fail.” You joked. “Just wasn’t hungry, I guess. The eggs looked disgusting.”

“I thought they were pretty good.” He shrugged.

“Maybe I’m just picky.” You smiled, sticking your hands in the pocket of your sweater. You looked to the ground, scared to meet his eye. Every time you looked at him, you seemed to profess every pressing thought that you had been trying to keep hidden. Something about Danny was so comforting, and his company compelled you to confide in him. It wasn’t the most terrible thing, but while in an airport two feet away from the main subjects of the story, it did not seem like the best place to air out your thoughts. In addition, you had no idea where to begin. You felt responsible for the fight that had occurred between the two, and no amount of reassurances would change your mind.

Of course, you knew that the brothers had an extensive history of fighting, and that they were victims to their own routine, but it did not mean that you viewed yourself as innocent. You were angry at them for many things, but you would be the lesser person if you tried to paint yourself as an angel. Your own reckless actions and decisions had just as much impact on the situation as their cockiness. Even if the devil is persuading you to sin, it does not make it okay to follow in his footsteps, and the footsteps you were following brought you down a much more sinister path than the devil ever intended. You would be lying if you said that you were avoiding them solely because you hadn’t made a decision yet, because there was a larger part of you that felt you couldn’t face them after driving them to such violence.

Danny stood, understanding that you weren’t willing to talk yet. He would allow you to mope for another day or two, then he would pry it from you. It was just the way your friendship worked, and as much as you may have protested against it through the years, it was comforting to know someone cared so much about you. Immediately, he found himself gravitating towards Dylan, who was only just making her way towards the group. You closed your eyes, resting your head on the back of the uncomfortable plastic chair. You were tapping your foot against the ground in hopes to pass the time faster, but delay was all you knew when it came to flying. It seemed like every flight had you sitting around for some reason or another, and despite knowing that, Aaron still needed you at the airport hours before the departure time. He was like a stressed out father preparing for vacation, and although it was comical, it was also a pain in the ass.

You could feel someone’s gaze settled on you as you sat with your eyes closed, but you weren’t sure who the perpetrator was this time. It was a fifty-fifty guess, and you had never been very good at gambling. You hoped that maybe if you pretended not to notice, they would catch the hint and move on. It had become routine for you three to share longing gazes, to find courage to open your mouth, but never enough to speak the words. It was normal for you to spend nights wishing the other would approach, invested in nothing but the thought of being lovers once more.

You felt stuck, just the same as you did all the way back in the beginning, even before Jake sealed your fate that night. It was the same aching loneliness and empty longing that you felt while pining after Sam, alone in your room or even when surrounded by a crowd. The air was constantly full of tension, one that could not be broken by another nor could it be contained. It was full of hope, although feeble, and grandly misplaced. Worst of all, it was full of desperation. It was so thick that it seemed as though you doused yourself in a cologne of it every morning, shameless in your need for them. But, somehow, when it came to embarrassment that you thought you should feel for your barefaced desire, somehow you felt none. It was comforting to know that this time, it was not a one-way street, and the two boys were just as stuck as you were. You knew you should not be rejoicing at the thought of their sorrow, and in a way, you weren’t. It was not happiness that they were hurting, just solace in the fact that you were not suffering alone, albeit silently. The thought of waking up seemed less gruesome, mostly because you knew you were not the only person struggling with getting out of bed.

Drowning seems less terrifying when there’s someone there to hold your hand, but reality hadn’t seemed to set in that you were all slowly sinking to your deaths, using each other to climb above surface while ultimately pushing the others down.

It was not until a body presented itself beside you that you were broken from your own mind, but when you opened your eyes to investigate, somehow your harrowing thoughts seemed more pleasant than the awkward interaction you were facing. Sam was beside you, taking post in the chair that Danny once claimed as his own, nervously looking between you and his hands in his lap. “Hi, Sammy.” You breathed, straightening yourself up. The sound of his name on your tongue was equivalent to striking gold after digging in dirt for months. Although, the three of you never had very good perception of poison versus prosperity, and prosperity was often greatly lacking. Your gaze fell to the dark bruise still lingering under his eye, and you had the sudden temptation to reach out and touch him, to take every inch of hurt away and bear it as if it were your own.

No, you did not want to carry it like it was yours; you wanted to make it your own, just so he wouldn’t have to suffer any longer.

“I’m sorry, y/n.” He started, still afraid to meet your eye. “I should have said it long before now, but I’m sorry for everything.”

“Sam, I-“

“No,” he shook his head “just let me, please?” You watched, nervous over his frantic need to voice his apologies.

“Okay,” you agreed, trying to relax back into the seat. Comfortability did not come easy when his aura was so powerful.

“I can’t sit here and wait, anymore. I can’t sit here and watch you walk away without even trying. I don’t know if you’re going to walk away, but I have to imagine that you are, because then I know what to say to try and make you stay.” His voice was incredibly soft, like he was giving you the key to his heart and begging you not to drop it. The conversation was personal, private, and as much as he wanted to scream his love for you, he needed to treat it as such. The performance that him and his brother had put on in front of everyone was weighing heavy on him, like the greatest sin he’d ever committed. He wished that instead of feeding into his anger towards Jake, he would have stopped and considered your feelings, first. He did not regret what transpired between Jake and himself, but he did regret being the reason for the look of terror on your face. “I’m okay with space, and I’m okay with waiting forever if I have to, because for you, it’s worth it. Everything is worth it when it comes to you. I just can’t sit and wonder if you really know how much you mean to me, because I care so much that it would be a shame for you to ever second-guess it.”

“I love you.” He whispered, finally finding the courage to look up at your face. “I made a lot of mistakes, y/n. I will spend the rest of my life making up for them, even if you don’t pick me, but it does not, not even for one second, take away from how much I love you. I am so sorry for what we put you through, from the very beginning, right up until the minute that this is over. And I am so incredibly sorry for what you saw at the venue that night.” You watched his eyes, lost in the genuine adoration he was showcasing for you. “You didn’t deserve any of it. You don’t deserve anything less than wonderful, and I’ve been giving you everything except that. You can doubt whatever you want to, be mad at me for the rest of your life, or whatever you want to do, but I just need you to know that I love you, and that I am sorry.”

“I love you, Sam.” You whispered, grimacing as the words came out. As true as they were, it was hard to speak them aloud. You loved him with every ounce of your soul, and loving someone so deeply was painful just as much as it was joyous. That was a harsh reality you had come to know in your efforts to love the brothers. “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t want this for us.”

“I know, y/n.” He said, channelling enough courage to reach out and take your hand. The contact nearly exploded your heart; his skin on yours electrified you like a thousand strikes of lightning. It was almost too much to handle, sometimes, because your body was still on fire even long after he parted ways. “You tried to warn me.” A small smirk upturned on his lips.

“I did, but you never listen.” You found a smile blossoming on your lips, too. It was the first genuine one that had surfaced in a long time. “Boys are so stupid.”

“I’m stupid,” he corrected “but I’m glad I am, because you’ve always been worth the fight.” Your eyes softened at his words. You weren’t sure if he was sweet talking you in hopes of swaying your decision, or if he was being genuine. When you looked at his face, soaking in all of the details, it was difficult to believe he was being anything but truthful. “No matter which way this goes, I’m grateful for the time I spent with you.”

“Me too, Sam.” You mumbled, feeling the overwhelming urge to kiss him. Every time he was in your company, you couldn’t seem to shake the feeling of wanting more. Being beside him almost wasn’t enough; you needed to feel him on you, for him to hold you and for you to hold him. You needed Sam in every way that you could possibly have him, and even though you had spent so much time avoiding him, that desire never seemed to flee you.

“Okay, guys. Let’s go.” Aaron said, his eyes fixated on the now open gate to board the flight. You broke away from Sam’s gaze, looking around to notice that everyone was now standing and making their way towards the plane. Your eyes landed on Jake, who was all but rushing to leave. His stare was fixated on you with pain engraved in his features. He was afraid that if he walked away, he would ultimately let you fall into Sam’s arms without a fight. He caught your eyes, silently pleading with you to wait for him, but it was almost unbearable to look at him for too long. When Aaron guided Jake along with him, you looked away in hopes of sparing yourself from any more heartbreak. If you had to keep watching the sad expression on his face, you were afraid you would not be able to find enough courage to get on the plane, too.

“Whatever you decide, y/n.” Sam said, pulling your attention back to him. “I’ll support it. I want you to be happy, but I can’t let you go without letting you know how much you mean to me.”

“I know, Sam.” You breathed. “I hope you know that you mean the same to me.” A smile crossed his lips at the sound of your confession. He didn’t need an answer, just reassurance that you were still thinking of him. It was blasphemous that he ever thought you would forget him, because he seemed to take up every single empty space in your brain. Forgetting about the brothers was out of the question, even if you so badly wished you could. “I don’t know what I’m doing, or even where I’m going most of the time, but I know how much I love you.”

“I’d like to kiss you, if that’s okay.” He said, completely lost in you. You were both so close to the end, and you knew that if you could just open your heart a little bit more, you could be happy with Sam. He could give you what you needed, and you knew he had the ability love you forever, but it was like you were stuck in a glass house. Through the crystal clear walls, you could see the life you were desperate to live with him, but you could not step through the barrier to get to the other side. It was torture, watching your life play out perfectly yet being unable to take it for your own. “I promise I’ll give you as much time as you need, but I just can’t leave without it.”

You leaned forward, uncaring of his reasoning behind his need to kiss you. You wanted it, and you were willing to give it to him without any persuasion or hesitation. You snaked your arm around his neck, uncomfortably bent over the arm of the chair, and pressed your lips to his. The awkward position and public display did not bother you, because the minute you were kissing him, the world felt okay again. All of the things that had been haunting you seemed to disappear in an instant, soothed by the feeling of being with him again. His hand cupped your cheek, drawing you closer while you both wished you could stay there forever.

When you parted, you were nearly crushed under the weight of your grief. Knowing that you had to walk away and leave him behind was devastating, and knowing that the situation would only worsen from there was even more terrifying. Before facing the hard decisions, he pulled you in for another. Tears were threatening to spill down your cheeks before he even broke the kiss. “We should go before Aaron realizes we’re not on the plane.” You whispered, strained by your unwillingness to end the moment.

“Right,” he muttered, lips still ghosting over your own. “Don’t think I can risk getting in trouble again.” He spoke the truth, but it did not seem like he cared. He was more than happy to get in trouble if it meant he could spend another moment alone with you.

“Mhm,” you hummed “wouldn’t want them to replace you with another bassist.”

“You really think they could replace me?” He teased. You could practically feel him smiling with how close his face was to yours.

“No,” and it was the truth. Sam was irreplaceable, and you knew that long before he ever made a home in your heart. He was one of a kind, beautiful and talented and funny all the same. He made mistakes, and in no way was he perfect, but his imperfections made him all the more remarkable. You were head over heels for Sam Kiszka, and you had to wonder why the world could not have been more kind. In another universe, you would be free to love him with no guilt, and free to live happily with him with no fear or regret. You wished you could be in that beautiful world, but for now, you had to learn how to navigate the cruel one you were stuck in. “You are worth your weight in gold, Sammy.”

“And you are, too, Gold Dust Woman.” He said. “I mean, it’s in the name, is it not?” You chuckled, letting your thumb drift over his cheek. As sweet as his statement was, the name was not right coming from him. Instead of dwelling on the thought, you kissed him once more. It was short, but it was sweet, and it was exactly what you needed to find the energy to get on the flight.

“Let’s go,” you whispered, standing up despite every molecule of your body begging you to stay seated beside him. He gave a slight nod, standing to join you.

“However long it takes, whoever you choose… I’ll still love you the same, and I’ll be happy as long as you are.” He assured you. “And if you don’t pick me, I’ll respect your decision, but I’ll always be hoping you’ll change your mind.” His honesty was gut wrenching, but you could not chastise him for speaking his truth. As much as it hurt to hear, he knew that this was one of his last opportunities to win your heart for good.

“Even if… even if things don’t work out, you’ll always have a piece of my heart, Sammy.” You mumbled as you walked towards the gate. Without waiting for a response, you boarded the plane. You could not bear to look back and see his face again, even if you wanted it more than anything else in the world. He was close behind you, but respected that the conversation had come to an end. He had gotten what he needed to keep going, and now fate was truly in your hands.

You walked down the aisle, locating your seat easily; there was an empty spot next to Dylan calling your name, and her eyes were watching with curiosity. Aaron turned look at you as you passed by, upset at your late arrival. You brushed his gaze off and continued on to your seat. You settled in with no hesitation, thankful to be in the company of someone who could speak some sense into you. You were too worked up to even care that you had an aisle seat, and too guilty about your interaction to look anyone in the eye. To top off the emotional distress, Jake was in the seat directly across the aisle from you, and he had no shame in his unwavering stare.

“What was that?” Dylan asked with blatant disregard for privacy. Her voice was clear, loud enough to be heard from neighbouring seats, and she had not one care about it. You snapped your head up to look at her, eyes warning her to lower her voice.

“I don’t know!” You whispered, distress radiating from you. “I just… he came over, and he started saying sweet things, and he was looking at me all sad, and I cracked, I guess!”

“Okay,” she said, placing a hand atop of yours. “Calm down, it’s okay. You are okay.”

“I’m not okay, Dylan.” You shook your head. “I liked it so much that I didn’t want to leave. I miss him so much that it hurts to even think about it.”

“Okay,” she nodded, repeating her earlier statement. “That’s okay. You love him; that’s not a crime.”

“It is when I feel the same way about his brother, who happens to be staring at me as we speak.” She let out a chuckle, moving slightly to see for herself.

“He’s not staring anymore.” She tried to ease your worry, but you were still vibrating with anxiety. No words she could speak would ease your panic. “Did it feel any different than before?”

“I mean… yeah, I guess. Every time I look at Sam, I just feel like I could fall in love with him forever and never worry about anything else. I’ve been in love with Sam for years, and it always seems so easy with him. Even then, when I knew I shouldn’t… loving him was so easy.” She raised an eyebrow, begging you to listen to yourself for a moment.

“Isn’t that enough of an answer for you?”

“No,” you shook your head “well, I mean, I guess… I just, I feel the same way when I look at Jake. It’s been harder to open up to him, to let him in and let him stay, but god when I do, it’s the most fantastic thing I’ve ever felt.” She gave a sad smile, listening intently as you spoke. “It’s never easy with Jake, but it’s so rewarding that the struggle doesn’t even seem to matter.”

“Yeah, you guys get along like a house on fire.” She chuckled. You nodded as you gave a tight lipped smile. The more you spoke, the more sick you felt. As comforting as it was to spend a moment alone with Sam, the guilt that was plaguing you was insufferable. “What’s wrong? You look pale.”

“Just feel sick,” you said, taking a deep breath. “Stress, probably.” You said, feeling your face start to burn. You closed your eyes, hoping that the churning in your stomach would settle. After a moment, your head began to spin, and you were more than certain the feeling was not going to pass pleasantly.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Dylan asked, sitting up in her seat as she prepared to help if needed. You managed a shake of your head before springing to your feet. You bit down on the inside of your lip to distract yourself as you moved towards the bathroom. You made it just in time, thankful that it was vacant so you could suffer without interruption.

You leaned over the toilet and lost what little breakfast you had choked down earlier that morning. You sat on the floor for a moment, taking breaths to calm yourself as you wiped a layer of sweat from your forehead. Once you were certain the nausea had settled, you stood and washed your hands and then splashed your face. When you returned to your seat, the sickness was so much better that you could have forgotten you threw up in the first place. You sat back down, heaving a sigh as Dylan watched you with worry. “Do you have gum? Or gravol?” You asked.

“Both, I think.” She said, looking through her backpack by her feet. After a moment, she gave you the requested items along with a bottle of water she had in her lap. “You okay?”

“This should help.” You murmured, taking the anti-nauseant with some water. You popped a piece of gum in your mouth and handed everything back to her. “Think I’m alright, just better to be safe.”

“Have you been drinking?” She asked. You knew she had reason to be concerned, but the accusation struck a nerve in you.

“No,” you replied, tone short and clear. It was the truth, and since the incident between Jake and Sam, you had steered clear of any alcohol. You thought it best to make your decision sober, and you knew you would never come to a decision to begin with if you continued drinking like you had been.

“Okay,” she trusted you, opting to believe the answer.

“Maybe just ate something bad,” you shrugged, leaning back in your seat. “Doesn’t matter, I feel alright now. I’m gonna try and get some rest before we land.” You explained, closing your eyes before she could say another word.

“Okay, I’ll be here if you need anything.” She said, relaxing into her own seat. You popped your headphones in your ears and listened to the sound of music instead of your racing thoughts. After a few songs, the drowsiness from the medication began to take over, and you were knocked out before the plane even left the ground.

When you woke, it was to Dylan shaking your arm. Groggily, you cracked your eyes open and looked over to inquire about the disturbance. When you caught sight of the window, you noticed that you were on the ground. “Did I sleep through the whole flight?”

“Yeah, I should knock you out every time we fly. Was awfully peaceful.” She teased. You sat up, rubbing your eyes to aid in your wakefulness.

“Oh, shut up.” You grumbled, taking in a long breath. The bodies in the seats around you had begun to stand, ready for the departure from the plane. Dylan and Riley waited for you to come around before standing themselves. You rose to your feet, grabbing your carry on before filing out behind the rest of the passengers. The airport was busy, loud and filled with frantic people who had also been delayed due to the weather. Aaron intercepted the group of you, taking the front and stopping you all for a moment to hand out instructions.

You were barely listening, more or less just content going along with the flow. In truth, your mind was far too occupied with your interaction with Sam to worry about anything else. You were thinking of the heavenly things that came along with his company, the solace in his touch and the happiness that filled your heart from the sight of his face alone. Sam was always so charming, and he’d stolen your heart the minute you laid eyes on him. He never needed to try; you had fallen in love with him easier than you fell asleep at night. Through jokes and shared smiles, and the occasional touch that lingered for a moment too long, Sam had his claws so deep in you that it was no longer painful. You thought you might even miss the pain if it were to disappear.

The choice was obvious, and you knew that after your history with Sam stemming back to the very beginning, your heart had always wanted him. He hurt you, and that was obvious, but you hurt him, too. You would not truly love him if you could not forgive him for his mistakes, especially if you expected him to forgive you for your own. Loving Sam was the most simple of things, and you did it without even realizing it. You did it before he ever expected or asked for it, and that was always a heavy thought in your mind. He had the ability to make you love him by simply existing.

At the same time, every thought that pointed you in his direction fled with pain in its wake. Pain for the version of you who hurt so much over him while you believed he lacked interest, pain for the version of you who had fallen so deeply in love with Jake, and pain for Jake himself. Just when you believed you could love Sam entirely and fall into his arms, you could not ignore the same pressing feeling that arose each time. If you were meant for Sam, why had it been written in the stars to fall for Jake before you could be with him? And if you chose Sam, was it because of your fear of struggle, or because he was the right person for you? All of the questions seemed to forever float in your brain, and an answer had not yet surfaced in the mess of inquiries.

You had grown so much that you could not choke down the idea of loving solely because of logic. Before facing the daunting challenge of truly falling in love, logic and emotion existed together as one, and you could not make a decision of emotion without any logical reasoning. You loved rules and thrived from routine. You calculated your entire life down to the very last gram of your existence, and so far, it had worked perfectly for you. Numbers made sense, facts and statistics and books spoke volumes in comparison to the feeble needs of your heart, but you could no longer rely on logic. Yes, when compared on paper, each decision had pros and cons, and one certainly outweighed the other, but love can not be explained with a formula, nor could you measure emotion with a scale.

You needed to pick which boy made your heart feel at home, the one who made the world appear brighter, and the one who made you feel most like yourself. You were choosing the person who suited your needs, one who could reignite your fire when it burned out. You needed someone who would talk you down when you were too high, and pick you up when you stumbled to the ground. Logic could not explain who would emotionally fulfill you; only emotion could do that, and despite your hatred for relying on your heart, it was the only thing that could lead the way.

Unfortunately for you, you had never led a decision with your heart, nor did you have any idea how to let it take charge. You struggle resulted from your dependence on fact, and your tendency to shun your emotions. You needed to learn how to put your rules aside and accept them for how your heart saw them. Logic had no place in this battle of love, and you refused to cower to your own destructive tendencies. If you continued to think of it the way you had previously, you would think so much that you would eventually convince yourself to run. Running was no longer an option, and neither was leaving them behind. You had grown too much to succumb to your usual fears, and to prove to yourself that you had grown as much as you believed you had, you needed to face the problem head on.

That left you one option, and it was the very thing you had been avoiding for weeks; you needed to speak with Jake, and it was a conversation that was long overdue. To know, you had to open your heart once more in the same way you had opened it to Sam earlier that day. No walls, no defence, nothing. You knew you had to, but knowing you should and actually doing it are two very different things. This time, you had to push yourself forward. There was no more room for fear, because all of the waiting was doing nothing other than furthering your suffering. Even so, you decided you did not have to jump on the idea as soon as it arose, and you would allow yourself some time to sit with it before approaching him.

The ride to the venue was mostly silent as you were all attempting to conserve what little energy you had left. Flying the same day as you performed always sucked, but you had to deal with it every so often. Aaron tried his best to make the travelling as comfortable for you all as he possibly could, but every now and again things were out of his control. Thankfully, there was always people assigned to checking in to the hotels and bringing your bags to your rooms, so there was one less exhausting task to worry about. You tried not to think of the incident on the airplane, mostly because occasionally, your stomach would continue churn with unease. You wanted to chalk the sickness up to eating something bad, but nobody else seemed sick. You knew, to the core, the illness was likely stemming from the stress you had been constantly feeling for the past few weeks.

When you arrived, you all bustled inside as if you were minutes away from showtime. In reality, you were there hours earlier than expected, and Aaron had been stressing for no real reason. “Give us an hour to get your instruments set up.” Aaron said, already walking past you to rush to the stage.

“Take your time,” you assured him, laughing at his frantic attitude. You looked around, eyeing the names on the doors of the dressing rooms to locate your own. Yours was stuck in the middle of everyone else’s, but it did not bother you too much. When you opened the door and saw the luxury of the inside, the placement was the least of your worries. There were couches, a mini fridge that you knew was stocked with plenty of beverages, and a private bathroom connected to the main room. When you walked in further, you noticed that there was even a shower inside. You sat your bag on the couch and collapsed beside it, exhausted despite your slumber on the flight.

You closed your eyes, relaxing into the cushions in hopes of catching a few more minutes of sleep before the busy night ahead. Just as you thought you might be comfortable enough to drift off, a knock sounded on your door. You cracked one eye open, expecting Dylan or Danny (or both, which seemed to be happening much more often than not) to be standing before you. Instead, your heart sped at the stony expression that Jake was holding on his face. You straightened in your seat, opening both eyes to let him know you were alert. He didn’t speak, clearly waiting for an invitation, but you were far too anxious to grant him permission to enter.

Silence had become such a common occurrence between you two that words almost seemed foreign. It was easier to hold back than it was to give in, and that’s what made loving Jake so difficult. You did not know what to say to him, or if he even wanted to hear it. The only thing you did know was that there was no words that could ease the pain the pair of you were holding in your hearts. You did notice he looked tired, similar to yourself. He was closer to you than he had been in days, and despite your refrain, you could practically feel his hands on you already. The only thing holding you back from loving him was your own fears, and as the seconds dwindled down, they were growing more distant.

His posture was rigid, like he had lost all of the comfortability he used to feel with you. It hurt you to see him present himself as a stranger, especially after opening your hearts to each other in such a profound way, but you understood why he was doing it, mostly because you felt the same. The air was different since your separation, and not in any pleasant manner. The world was colder, dimmer, and less exciting. Jake had barely done as much as look in your direction since the altercation between him and his brother, likely due to his regret for taking things too far. You knew you had to push your boundaries, to take the step and speak to him, but doing was much different than knowing, and you were terrified of confrontation.

“Can I come in?” He finally asked, tone quiet as if he were scared of bothering you.

“Of course you can, Jake.” Speaking somehow seemed less terrifying once he initiated it, but it was still far from easy. “Close the door.” You added, nodding to the only thing separating you from seclusion with him. He did as you asked, stepping inside and gently closing the door behind him. Once he did, he stood near the exit as if he forgot your permissive statement entirely. “You can come sit, if you want.”

“Okay,” he said, approaching you on the couch. You had never seen him so timid; sure, Jake had been very emotional around you. You had seen anger, sweetness, hurt, and even a flash of sadness every now and again, but never once had you seen him so reserved and shy. He took a seat beside you, leaving a generous amount of space between your bodies. “I just wanted to apologize,”

“For what?”

“For being an asshole.” He jumped straight to the point, finding no need to dance around the subject. “I never should have said that stuff in front of everyone. You didn’t deserve that.”

“It happened,” you shrugged. “I’m not innocent, either.” You both fell into a silence, neither knowing how to continue from there. You had no idea why it was so difficult to open yourself to him, and no idea why after so long, it was still the hardest thing to do with him. You both sat, avoiding looking to each other while you hoped the other would speak first. You were stuck in a terrible limbo, and you didn’t know if you would ever be able to break it.

“It’s been a while since we talked. I guess I just wanted to know how you were doing.” His tone was flat, no emotion bleeding through. You could tell the formality was not what he wanted from the conversation, but he was unsure of how to approach you.

“Tell me the truth,” you said, glancing over at him from the corner of your eye.

“What?” He questioned, his demeanour shifting. “That is the truth.”

“Christ Jake, give it up.” You turned to face him. “Put your ego down for a second; it’s okay to be honest, it’s okay to be sad, and it’s okay to feel things.” You caught his eye, holding his stare. “It’s okay to be weak around me, because god knows I am when I’m around you.” His eyes flickered nervously between your face and the floor, feeling cornered into a confession. Jake did not enjoy when the power was not in his hands, but he had been learning to get used to it, because it never was when he was around you.

“Fine,” he grumbled. “I saw you and Sam at the airport.”

“I know.”

“It sucked, y/n.” He finally said, feeling the weight of his words begin to fill the air in the room. “It fucking sucks, because you said that you needed space. It’s fine if you do, I don’t mind, but I think it’s unfair for you to ignore me and talk to him. It seems like the only space you need is from me, so if you’ve made up your mind, I need to know.”

“You think I’d do that to you?” You asked, hurt evident in your rebuttal. When he caught sight of the pain in your eye, he had to look away just to keep his composure.

“No,” he shook his head, voice quiet once more. “I don’t.”

“Then why would you say it?” You questioned, but before he had time to answer, the walls of defence you held came down with a booming sound. You had promised not to walk into this confrontation with defence, and you had done exactly what you swore not to do. “Why are we fighting, Jake?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“It seems like it’s all we know how to do.” You mumbled. “We’ve always got our guard up, even when we’re happy. I don’t know how to let you in, and you don’t know, either.”

“We know how to do more than fight,” he corrected, looking back to meet your face. “We just won’t let ourselves do it.”

“I’m so scared of breaking my own heart that it paralyses me, and I’m so scared of breaking yours that it kills me.” You admitted.

“I am, too.” He muttered. “I don’t want to hurt you, Gold Dust Woman. All I ever wanted to do was love you, but I’m not very good at it.” The sadness in his face was gutting, and you believed that you would never be able to love him enough to take that away.

“You need to give yourself credit where credit is due, Jacob.” You whispered, holding his gaze. “You told me that intimacy isn’t easy, and you were right. Just because it’s been hard doesn’t mean it hasn’t been worth it.” A glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes, making him believe that there truly was a part of you that still felt the same for him as he did for you. In that moment, you felt like your whole world came crashing down around you. The sickness returned, and your heart was erratic in your chest. You had been so caught up in your own inability to face your emotions that you had failed to understand how badly Jake was struggling with the same things. He was not one to give his heart away freely, nor one to give someone else any power over him. He was elusive, quiet and meticulous about almost everything in his life. Jake may have thrown you off course by making you fall in love with him, but you had uprooted his entire life. He was facing parts of himself that he never had before, and he was terrified of the possibility of losing you after so much time spent growing comfortable with you.

“It’s not, and I think when I said that, I was trying to convince myself of that, too.” He let out a low chuckle, thinking back to the simple memory. “I wanted to do it all right for you, y/n, but I feel like I’ve been doing everything wrong.”

“You don’t have to be apologetic for the way things happened. You did what you thought was best at the time, and so did everyone we. We all contributed to this, and we’ll all see the same consequences no matter how it turns out.” You reached over, slipping your hand in his. He was shocked at the sudden touch, but welcomed it immediately. “I still feel the same way about you, Jake. Just because things aren’t the same as they were last month, doesn’t mean that I’m any different than who I was a month ago. As much as I wish I was sometimes, I’m not.”

“I guess was the jealous one, this time.” A small smile was pulling at his lips.

“That’s what happens when you love someone.” You felt a smile growing to match his own.

“I do love you, Gold Dust Woman.” Neither of you could hide the elation in your features, finally content to be alone with each other again.

“And I love you, Jake.” The confession which once seemed to cause so much fear within you slipped out easier than ever before. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, yet, but you’ll be the first to know when the time comes.” He nodded, understanding better now that he was hearing the words. No matter what the situation or who the person in question was, common sense is not enough when you’ve spent weeks stuck in your own head. Rationality was a stranger to all of you, and insanity was growing closer every day.

“I respect it,” he said “thank you for being honest.”

“Lying to you has never been an option for me.” You let out a small laugh.

“‘Cause you suck at it.” He joined in, genuine happiness radiating from him. You nodded, another laugh finding you as you gave him a silent agreement. “It’s okay if you need more time, but can I have ten minutes? Just to help me get through it.”

“Nine and a half, but you have to buy me a drink the next time we go to the bar.” You joked. The smile never left his face as he replied without hesitation.

“I’ll buy you drinks for the rest of your life if it makes you happy.” Although the moment was humorous, the truth behind his words was evident.

“Ten minutes,” you agreed, nodding your head. You knew that it was not the best idea, but you needed it just as badly as he did. He checked his watch, noting the time before he made any moves.

“Come here,” he said, a new surge of energy washing over him. Before you could comprehend his words, he had reached over and snaked his arm around you. With little struggle, he pulled you into his lap. You settled in with ease, as if you were always meant to be there. “Ten minutes.” He said, pondering the statement as if it was opening his mind to endless possibilities. “We can do a lot in ten minutes.”

“Watch it,” you warned, immediately recognizing the mischief in his eye.

“I know, I’m kidding.” He assured you, resting his hands on your hips. The touch was fantastic, leaving your skin tingling from the feeling alone. “I’m perfectly fine staying like this.” You didn’t need to say it, but he knew you felt just the same. Now that you were so close to him, you could see the extend of the damage left on his face by his brothers hands. Cautiously, you reached up, running your thumb over the bruise still lingering on his jaw. His eyes fluttered closed, knowing why you felt the need to touch him, yet too enthralled in the feeling to care about it.

“It’s my fault,” you whispered, tracing gently over the damaged skin. His eyes opened, looking up at you with a heavy lidded gaze.

“No,” he shook his head gently. “Don’t say that.”

“It is, though. I should never have let things go this far. If I could just make up my mind, maybe we wouldn’t be here.”

“Exactly; we might not be here, and I can’t think of a worse idea.” He turned his head to the side, pressing a soft kiss to your finger. “I’d take a million punches if it meant I could have one second with you, like this.”

“You shouldn’t be so willing to take a hit for anyone, Jake. Especially not me.” You flattened your hand against his face, cupping his cheek in your palm. You let your thumb drift over the soft skin, savouring the feeling of him while you still could.

“Especially not you?” He questioned, unbelieving of your words. “Gold Dust Woman, you are worth so much more than you think. This world is only right when you’re in it, and I swear that sometimes when I look at the sky at night, those stars shine just for you.” He said, lifting his hand to brush the hair from your face. “I don’t regret anything, and I would do it all over again just to get the chance to be with you, even if you don’t pick me. Being hurt by you is a privilege, and it’s much better than not knowing you at all.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, Jake.” You whispered. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”

“I know,” he said, leaning forward and resting his forehead on your own. “You don’t have to worry about hurting anyone, y/n. We knew the risks, and we know that you’re worth it, no matter how it ends. I know that I can’t make you choose me, and if you don’t want to, that’s okay. But, I’m in this until the end, and I really hope you do.”

“I wish I could give you an answer, Jake.” You felt horrible for not knowing, and even worse that you were allowing him such intimacy while both of you were aware that you might not end up together.

“I can wait,” he promised. “I’d wait forever for you, if I had to.” He leaned forward, letting his lips ghost over your own. “I love you, Gold Dust Woman.” You did not have the willpower to shy away from the advance. You wanted him so badly that all other rationale no longer existed.

“I love you, Jake.” You closed the gap between you, pulling him into a kiss that showcased all of the emotion you had been holding back. It was passionate and desperate, yet sweet all at once. It was not picturesque or anything like the movies, but it was perfect for you and Jake. Your relationship had been far from ideal, but you could not argue the fact of enjoyment, because every minute you were lucky enough to spend with him was worth the pain.

Before you two were ready to part, another knock sounded on the door of your dressing room. At first, you ignored the sound. You were too caught up in Jake to care about anyone else. When the knock sounded a second time, louder and more imminent, you broke the kiss with a scowl on your face. He chuckled at your expression, head still spinning from the feeling of your lips on his. It didn’t matter to him that he had to go, because he was leaving with a far better attitude than when he arrived. Much like his brother, he just needed to know you still cared, and hearing you say ‘I love you’ was more than enough to brighten his spirits.

“I think my ten minutes are up, anyway.” He said, eyes glancing at the clock hanging on the wall.

“I don’t care about the ten stupid minutes,” you breathed, desperate for him to stay. “I was never going to kick you out in the first place.” He knew it, and so did you, but he opted not to point out the obvious.

“It wouldn’t be fair for me to stay, now would it?” He chuckled. “As much as I’d like to, it’s probably time for soundcheck. I wouldn’t want to stress Aaron out any more. I’m scared he might have a heart attack.” A third knock struck a nerve in you, now genuinely angry at whoever was standing on the other side of the door. “It’s okay, Gold Dust Woman. I’ll be here whenever you need me.” You nodded, knowing that his departure was for the best, even if the thought of being without him again was sickening. He helped you to your feet, waiting for you to lead the way to the door, but you refused to budge. After a second, you pulled him into a hug, laying your head on his chest as you held him tightly to you. He rested one hand on the back of your head and let the other fall on your lower back. Hugging was not something the two of you did very often, but in light of what could happen, you wanted to cherish any intimacy with him as humanly possible. He leaned down and placed a kiss to the top of your head before you stepped away.

“You’re going to do fantastic tonight, sweetheart.” He said, strained from his unwillingness to let go. “I’ll be on the sidelines cheering the loudest, like always.”

“Thanks for stopping by, Jake. I can’t wait to see you play.”

“I’ll be playing for you,” he reminded, giving you a smile. You didn’t say it, but you hoped that he knew you always played for him, too. Without any other words, you both walked towards the door. The knocking had ceased, and you assumed that the person had likely taken the hint. When you turned the knob to allow Jake to leave, you nearly jumped out of your skin in shock at the sight of a body standing in the way. You felt your cheeks redden, embarrassed over being caught with both brothers after swearing to keep your distance. Jake cleared his throat, muttering a small excuse as to why he needed to leave before slipping into the hallway and out of sight.

“You’re a busy lady, today.” Dylan smirked, forgoing any greeting and walking into your room without invitation.

“Did you come over just to patronize me?” You asked, swinging the door shut behind her. Even if you did not verbally grant her permission to come inside, she knew she was always welcome.

“No, I actually came over for a reason, this time, not just to bother you.”

“That’s a surprise.” You muttered, turning to face her. She was holding a bag in her hand that looked to be from a nearby convenience store. Once she knew she had your attention, she pulled a box from the bag and tossed it on the table beside the couch. You looked down at the item, wondering what she thought was so imminent. When your eyes settled on the pink packaging, your head tilted to the side in confusion. “For me, or you?”

“You.” She said, sitting on the couch and crossing her legs.

“Why?” You asked, not trying to be rude but completely missing her point. She rolled her eyes but didn’t chastise you for your ignorance.

“You threw up today.” She replied as if it was obvious. “I’ve only ever seen you do that when you’re drunk, and I’ve known you since you moved to Nashville. You don’t seem very sick,” A prickle of fear ran through you, but you didn’t want to let anxiety get the best of you. You listened while she spoke while trying to calm yourself at the same time. “And I want to believe you when you say that you’re not drinking, so this is my second best guess.”

“It’s probably just stress, Dylan.” You brushed her off despite knowing that she had a very good point. “Or bad food; we’ve been eating takeout for weeks.” You were doing anything to find an excuse, because the alternatives seemed much better than the idea she was presenting.

“Nobody else is sick, babe.” She reminded, nodding towards the pregnancy test. “Is there a chance you could be?” You looked from her to the box, unable to give her a verbal answer. Your silence spoke louder than any words, and you both knew that it was in your best interest to comply with her request. “Better safe than sorry.”

“Okay.” You breathed, taking a step forward to grab the test.

“I can come in with you, if you want.” She offered.

“Okay.” You reiterated your previous statement, now too choked with fear to speak anything other than single word answers. Silently, she followed you into the bathroom, taking a seat on the counter to give you a shred of privacy while you did your business. When you finished, you capped the test and set it face down on the counter by the sink. You washed your hands and backed up against the wall, slowly sliding down into a sitting position. You pulled your knees to your chest and rested your chin on your legs, staring down at the floor while your stomach churned with unease.

“Talk to me.” Dylan offered, noticing your state of panic, even if you were being silent about it. She knew you so well that she could tell your mood even from another room.

“I’m just nervous, I guess. You’re right, and what you said makes sense, but I can not be pregnant right now.” You chuckled, but the scene was far from funny. “I take birth control; I thought I’d be fine. Guess I should have been more careful.”

“Do you…” she trailed off, unsure if she wanted to ask you the pressing question. “If it’s positive, do you know who’s it is?” You kept your eyes on the floor, counting back the days in your head. The more you thought, the more panicked you felt. You had been so caught up in your feelings about the brothers that you had failed to notice that your own body was screaming for attention. You were late for your period, and approximately two weeks prior would have been the same time as your first professions of love to the boys. With no comfort at all, you had to recall the nights you spent with them, reckless and careless in your endeavours. Although, the entire time you had spent with them had been careless and reckless; this instance just happened to be more catastrophic.

“No,” you shook your head. “Could be either of them.” You said, running a hand through your hair.

“If it’s positive,” she reinforced her words, making sure you knew that this was all hypothetical and it could be a false alarm. “Who would you rather do this with?”

“That’s a loaded question.” You scoffed, unable to even begin decoding the answer.

“It doesn’t have to be, y/n.” She said, shaking her head at your constant need to second guess yourself. “You have to stop looking at everything the same way. When you think of this: the rest of your life, all of the challenges and the obstacles, but all of the memories and the happiness, too; who can you picture beside you, helping you through it all? Don’t dwell on it, just the first one that pops in your head. The longer you sit with it, the harder it gets. You can weigh the pros and cons for the rest of your life and neither will come out on top. I’m not asking you to choose between them, I just need you to tell me who comes to mind before anything or anyone else.” She explained, just as frustrated as you were. She hated seeing you suffering, but she knew that without a push, you would never draw a conclusion on your own.

“So, I’m going to ask you again. When you picture the rest of your life, who is the first person that you think of?” You looked up, tears brimming your eyes as you watched her. The word stayed stuck in your throat as you tried to force it back down, but this time you could not seem to fight it. The answer was there; it was the same one you knew existed all along, and it was begging to be told. You may have been too cowardly to submit to it, but it had been staring you in the face since the very beginning.

“Sam.” You uttered, knowing deep in your heart that you meant it. She had tricked you into choosing, making you believe that her inquiry was not one of finality, but it was. Relief flooded both of your faces as soon as the name left your lips, and you felt a ton of weight lift from your shoulders. “It’s always been Sam, Dylan. Even before Jake came into the picture. I’ve been in love with him since the day I met him, and I think I’ll be in love with him for the rest of my life.”

“There you go,” she whispered, a smile creeping onto her lips.

“I love Jake, and I know that losing him is going to be devastating, but it’s always been so easy with Sam. Jake and I care a lot about each other, but we have no idea how to deal with that. We’re hot headed, and we fight, and we’ve been trying to figure out how to love someone all while being in love at the same time. It’s complicated, and it’s painful more that it’s pleasurable. I know that a life with him could be great, fantastic even, but it could also be catastrophic.”

“I know you care about him, y/n. You don’t have to try and convince me.”

“I know… maybe I’m trying to convince myself.” You sighed. “I’ve spent this entire time worried that if I picked Sam, I would be doing it because it’s the easy way out. I don’t think it is, Dylan. You can’t just love someone for so long and then let them go. There’s so much history, and so much simplicity. It’s easy existing with Sam, it’s comfortable, and it’s enjoyable. I don’t think picking him is the easy way out; it feels right. After all this time, and all of this hurt… I just feel like he’s the one who I could spend my life with. It would be a great life, never too complicated, and happy.” You said the word again, almost like you couldn’t believe you might actually have a shot at happiness. The pain had been so extensive for so long that happiness had forever seemed just slightly out of reach, and you were ready to take it for you own. The power was back in your hands, coursing through you and giving you strength that you no longer believed you had. “I loved him before I even knew I was capable of love, and that has to speak for itself. I love Jake, I really do, but I can’t help but think if I choose him, I’m setting myself up for heartbreak again.”

“I’m proud of you.” She said, not uttering a disagreement or approval. She needed you to be sure of yourself, for you to pick the right person for you, and it felt like you had. Finally, after months of back and forth, the exhaustion was beginning to wear off. “Let’s see what that says.”

“Yeah,” you nodded, slowly climbing to your feet. You took a deep breath in, the first in a while where you felt like nothing was weighing you down. You reached out to the counter and flipped the flimsy plastic stick around. You let your eyes settle on the window that would ultimately seal your fate, hand shaking as you raised it closer to your face. You studied it for what felt like an eternity, then eventually flashed it in her direction. She did the same, looking between you and the test, waiting for you to speak it aloud. You turned it towards your face once more, just to be certain that you read it right. You let out a long exhale, closing your eyes as you spoke it aloud. “It’s negative.”

“It is.” She agreed.

“So all of the panic was for nothing?” You chuckled, tossing the test back on the counter. It clattered against the surface, sending a pathetic thud through the air.

“Not for nothing, y/n. I’d say it was well worth our time.” You looked at yourself in the mirror, carefully inspecting your reflection. The woman who was staring back at you was changed, far from the one who used to look at you. This one was tired, but she was strong, and she was not different in the bad ways that you predicted she would be. She was capable and brave, facing up to challenges she never thought she could handle. She was tending to old wounds, ones that had not healed even years after the damage was done. She knew how to love, and she knew how to care, and she knew how to open herself up to a world that she previously would have shunned. “Now you know.”

“Now I know.” You looked over at her, smiling despite the lingering ache in your heart. You knew that Sam was what your heart wanted, and you had no intentions of doubling back on your word, but it did not mean that you were excited to break the news to Jake. Living without him was a thought that sickened you, but leading him on even further was even worse. You had done enough damage, and now it was time to pick up the pieces of what you had shattered during your journey of learning to love. “Tomorrow, though, because we have a show to put on.”

“The show must go on.” She raised her hands in surrender as a laugh fell from her lips. “The world is in your hands, Gold Dust Woman. You do whatever you think is best.”

She was correct in saying that you held the world in your hands, but you wished that you could put it down. Your arms were tired and your mind, too. You had been holding the weight for what seemed like forever, and you were scared that you could not put it down gently. When it fell, you took the risk of losing the small sense of relief you had finally granted yourself. Finally finding the answer was cathartic, yet you were still so afraid of relying on your own judgment. In the past, it had never led you to pleasant conclusions, and everything you had ever let go was left behind with claw marks in it. You were afraid that the damage created was already much to extensive to repair, but the show must go on, and if you were truly the Gold Dust Woman everyone said you were, you could always find the courage to take the stage and make it your own.

Please tell me, is it over now?

TAGLIST: @itsdannysworld @gretavansara @jaketlove @laneygvf @freefallthoughts @psychedelicsprinkles @idontwannabeherenow @joshysgirl @sanguinebats @objectsinspvce @klarxtr @sinarainbows @jakesmustache @gvfpal @hellowgoodbye @profitofthedune

[aayakashii]

❤️17 fluffy towa please!!

i LOVEE your fics so muchh keep up the good work!! :D

17❤️ An upside-down "Spider-Man" kiss

21❤️ wildcard

This is very short but I hope you guys like it! It's not proof read, so forgive any grammar mistakes ;w;

You braced yourself as you approached the pathway that led straight to your dorm, holding the straps of your backpack tightly. You breathed deeply and steeled your resolve, gathering all the courage you had in you.

That night, you were going to put an end to that. That night, you wouldn’t get spooked. That night, in fact, you planned to act on your revenge plan once and for all.

You would NOT let Towa jump at you from the tree branches and startle you out of your skin like he had been doing for the past week.

It started innocent, it truly did. The first time he just wanted to show you the tree he loved so much – the one with dimming colored lights.

But apparently, your reaction was so interesting, that Towa simply couldn't have enough of it and what was supposed to be one silly little prank, soon became almost a daily routine.

“Boo!” Towa dropped from the tree, legs firmly holding him on the branch as his upper body was upside down and dangling in front of you.

“WAAH!” you jumped in place, almost colliding with his face.

“Hehehe! Dandelion, your reactions are so cute. I love them!” he said, blushing furiously as all the blood from his body went straight to his head while he dangled in front of you like a Christmas tree ornament.

You tried very hard to look him in his eyes instead of the exposed skin of his tummy. He had a mole right next to his belly button and it took all your self-control not to touch it nor pinch that apparently soft skin.

You put a hand over your racing heart and sighed, shutting your eyes tightly.

“Towa! This is the fourth time in, like, seven days! You're gonna give me a heart attack!”

He quickly sat upright on the branch again and leapt down, walking leisurely towards you as if he didn't just show insane core strength and aerobic prowess.

“I can't help it, you're so cute. I like seeing you surprised.”

You pursed your lips in a thin line. There it was. His flirting. You still weren't used to it after all that time.

“Well it's not that fun for me, you know… I get scared.”

Towa pouted, giving you his killer puppy eyes.

“Awww… but I like it.” He shrugged, completely ignoring your complaints, and grabbed your hand. “Now let's go see the tree!”

It was basically a new routine you'd have to be prepared for at that point: Towa would spook you, grab your hand and pull you towards the tree. Then you two would hug it and lay down to watch the stars until he'd begin to fluster you whenever he hovered a little bit too close for comfort from your lips. And your poor heart would beat faster and faster once again.

You just had to give your frazzled nerves a break.

So, you had planned to knock him off his feet and surprise him just as much.

The problem was, you didn't know when he would show up.

Two days had passed since your last spook and you've been bracing yourself ever since. The anticipation was causing you so much anxiety that you feared this would be his biggest fright yet, since you had been on edge all along.

You walked slowly, giving yourself a pep talk in your mind about how he'd be just as surprised (and probably delighted) with your idea as you were spooked every single time he dropped from one of those trees. You also hoped that would give him time to arrive and act on his little prank.

As you kept on walking, you heard leaves shuffling on the tree a few steps in front of you. It was either him or some of the many cats that lived on campus. You crossed your fingers and moved forward, hoping it was him, so you'd be done with your anxiety.

And sure enough, after you took a few steps, a familiar mop of lavender hair dropped down in front of you.

“Boooo!!!”

“GAAAH!!” you yelled, your voice going up pitches you've never reached before.

“Hahaha!! Dandelion! You yelled so loud today! That was so cute!” Towa reached out his arms towards you and placed them on your shoulders as he giggled uncontrollably, closing his eyes and scrunching his nose, finding your distress absolutely hilarious.

You took a few deep breaths, trying to calm your heart down as much as you could, as you stared straight into his eyes.

At your silence, Towa stopped giggling and opened his eyes. He tilted his head once he saw how serious you looked while you quietly observed him.

“Hm? What's wrong, Dandelion? Did you get too scared?”

You exhaled slowly through your mouth and stepped closer, awkwardly placing your hands on his cheeks. He just tilted his head again, to the other side that time, clearly curious about your weird actions.

“What are you doing, Dandelion? Are you still sc–”

You interrupted his question by hastily crashing your lips on his – his upside-down position making for the weirdest kiss you have ever given in your life. You didn't know what to do nor where to move, so you just held his face tenderly and placed your lips against his as comfortably as you could.

Once you broke the kiss, you breathed deeply once again, heart still racing but mildly satisfied to see his mouth agape and eyes wide open.

“N-now I've surprised you too.” you mumbled, furrowing your eyebrows and pouting.

Towa blinked at your words and, in half a second, he had gotten down the tree and stood straight in front of you.

His cheeks were still flushed while a small smile began tugging at the corner of his lips. His hands rested comfortably on your neck and he leaned forward, brushing the tip of his nose against yours.

“Can you do that again, Dandelion?” he whispered, voice full of glee.

You gulped before nodding and placing a small peck on his red lips.

Towa licked his lips, eyes closed as if he was savoring the taste of your mouth on his, and you felt a shiver run down your spine while you observed his actions.

He opened his eyes, iris barely visible around his dilated pupils.

“Again.” he whispered, and you complied, lips resting a little longer on his.

“Again.” and you ran your hands through his hair, bringing him closer.

“Again.” he said, diving back into a kiss before you could even register he had whispered that word once more.

“Again. Again… Again, again, again” he kept on whispering, placing a kiss on your lips for every word he repeated.

You turned into a flustered mess in his hands and your heart drummed loudly while he held you tightly and flush against his body, suffocating you with his kisses.

But, this time, you definitely weren't complaining.

[rosesnink]

Red Threads of Fate (That Bind Us Together), Arc I- Black Thorne, White Rose (Pt. 1)

Author's Notes

Je suis back!! After months of not touching this series due to rl craziness, I'm back with COP stuff babey!! This arc will be an interesting one, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. That being said, read the warnings and bon appetit!

English isn't my first language, so please forgive any typos/grammar mistakes

Some parts of the fic will look like they're highlighted. This is an editing errors due to my Word doc crashing many times, losing excerpts because my computer crashed. I know it's annoying, but please try to ignore it and enjoy the read

If you want to be tagged in my COP writing, let me know!

If you want to read more of my ILITW, TRR & D&D stuff, check out my masterlist!!

Summary: Nerea has been in Drakovia for a while, yet she feels very lonely. Meeting a certain Thorne will be eventful... to say the least

Word Count: 2.9k

Category: Romance, coming of age

Pairing: Vasili Thorne x F!OC, Sebastyan Thorne x F!OC (eventually) Marguerite Thorne x F!OC (Nerea Rose) (eventually), mentions of F!Trystan Thorne x F!MC (Neera Rose)

Rating: T

TW: There is a suggestive scene at the end, as well as mentions of discriminations against Romani people, reader's discretion is advised

Book: Crimes of Passion

Two months, six days, a hundred and two minutes and seven hundred minutes.

That’s how long Nerea Rose had been in Drakovia, and not one friend she had made. Sure, there were groups and people she had things in common, but she didn’t seem to have her crowd.

If one didn’t count Juliana Georgescu, but everybody got along fine with the countess. What a life she must lead, Nerea thought. Nevertheless, it seemed that power and wealth had a price, for her mothers had found her a suitor. The Crown Princess, no less. Absorbed in her own thoughts, she bumped into someone, dumping coffee and books all over the place. A small curse in Drakovian was spit, and Nerea did her best to apologize in an accentuated Drakovian “My apologies, I did not see you at all! Please, let me help you—,” She froze in place when she caught sight of the brown skin, dark eyes and glasses “Y-Your Royal Highness! Do forgive me—,”

A thread of apologies began between them both “It’s alright,” he answered in perfect English “I was quite absorbed myself. I did not hurt you, did I?”

“I could ask you that myself! Good heavens, your jacket is ruined! Here, let me…” He put his hand on hers and smiled reassuringly.

“I wanted to get rid of it eventually. I should’ve seen you—,”

As she collected her last book, when she saw the face of the poor man she trampled, recognition and shame came upon her “Oh my, I’m so sorry, Prince Vasili, I should’ve known—,”

He chuckled “Do not fret, I should’ve seen where I was going as well. I suppose we were both distracted.”

She shook her head “No, I should’ve seen where I was going, and now my latte is all over your surely expensive coat!”

He helped her up “Nothing a good rub won’t fix. Please, allow me to walk you to class and buy you a new latte. My treat.” He smiled, and my, what a beautiful smile that was.

“I can’t ask you that—,”

“I’m offering. Besides, I’m afraid my espresso is all over your beautiful dress too. My lady mother would be mortified if I maimed such a beauty. You are…? A beauty like yourself must have a name.” He extended his hand.

“Nerea. Nerea Rose.”

His grip was firm, yet gentle and warm, welcoming even. His eyes swept her before they too widened in recognition “Ah, I’ve heard about you! The American genius who has been travelling throughout Europe’s best universities. Your thesis on the advantages and abuses of AI was formidable. Truly a work of art. My siblings got tired of my gushing about your nuances and the way you expressed it. Not even professionals ten years ahead of you could’ve explained it as well and as richly as you.”

She blushed deeply and bit her lip “I’m glad someone appreciated it. I’m afraid my father didn’t understand much ‘technological mumbo jumbo’ and my sister couldn’t even finish it because the language was too complex.”

He smiled “Shame. It’s a true work of art. Do tell me, what brings you to Drakovia?”

“Well, since I’ve dipped my toes in technology and martial arts, I was thinking of getting a masters on Classical Languages: Latin, Greek, Ancient Egyptian, the works.”

Vasili looked at her, delighted “I am a humanist myself. Not many scientific minds appreciate the arts and humanities. Science may give us answers and make us advance as humanity, but it is art that nurtures the soul.”

Nerea smiled fondly “That’s what my mother used to say.”

Vasili frowned “’Used’?”

Nerea fidgeted with her fingers “She disappeared. Police assumed since she was a Romani—despite her ID clearly stating she was Andalusian—she just escaped with a lover, which she would never do.”

Vasili made a face “To hear the injustice in America is one thing, but that is too far.”

“Not to mention blatantly racist. But it was long before I could even have a conscience, so there isn’t much to do save do her proud, wherever she is.”

“You already have.”

She looked at Vasili, touched by his words, but before she could say something, the professor called “Ah, Miss Rose! Do come in, we have been waiting for you.”

“Your Highness—,”

“Please, just Vasili.”

“Very well, ‘just’ Vasili. I’ll see you around.”

During the small recess, as she walked around the campus, enjoying the small sandwich she made and the unusual sunny weather in the cold Drakkos, she spotted a little boy with gorgeous green eyes towards her. She smiled at him “Hello, sweetie! Are you lost?”

She noticed he held a bonbon, and made a gesture to give it to her. She chuckled “That’s sweet, darling, but I can’t. It’s yours.”

The boy insisted, his eyes making that face that made her melt. She sighed, defeated “All right, all right. I’ll take it. May I give you a thank you huggie?”

Wordlessly, he hugged her and she smiled, and a minute later, he took off to his bewildered mother. She gave her a smile. Just because this wasn’t the first time that a child smiled at her or even went as far to go to her didn’t mean it was strange. A good strange, but strange nevertheless.

“Nerea!” Juliana called.

She turned around and strid to the countess, who seemed to hold court with a few of her classmates. Many of them observed her curiously “What was all of that about?”

Nerea shrugged “I don’t know. It’s not the first time, but it’s still… odd.”

While Vasili did not have many friends, the ones he did were genuine and quite interesting. It was nice, hanging out with people who were as smart or nearly smart as her, not feeling for once like she once set the room quiet with a scientific joke.

As she observed her new group, her eyes stopped on Juliana, and as she talked and interacted, something in her body woke. For a moment, she lost her breath and one voice in her head told her that something terrible would happen to her. Then, it was gone.

When she opened her eyes, Vasili had steadied her and looked at her concerned “Are you alright, Nerea?”

“I… It’s nothing. Silly stuff of mine.”

“It didn’t seem like nothing.” He insisted.

“I just… I got a gut feeling that said that something terrible would happen to Juli. Stupid, right?” She chuckled, brushing it off.

They all looked at one another, obviously creeped out. She excused herself, going to the bathroom. After taking a few deep breaths, she washed her face, and that’s when she observed that Juliana had followed her.

She turned around, and observed that the countess observed her closely “How often do you get these gut feelings, Nerea?”

“Not very often. Only when a tragedy is bound to strike.”

Instead of looking at her like a madwoman, she leaned close, intrigued “Such as?”

“Before my mother disappeared or my Uncle Jimmy died, I got the same gut feeling. I suppose I also know when someone’s trouble.”

She nodded “And you got a feeling that I may be in trouble?”

She shrugged, “I suppose. I know it sounds ominous, but it’s yet to fail me.”

She placed a hand on her shoulder “I will keep it in mind. Thank you, Nerea. You’re a good girl.” 

As they came back, they had begun a debate about what prompted the child’s behavior. “…That was amazing! Children are a great judge of character. Has it always happened?”

“Since I turned sixteen, yes. I suppose I’ve always had a wide maternal side and connected well with children. Many stared at me when I’m out, for some reason.”

Vasili added to her surprise “That is a scientific proof that you are beautiful. I’m afraid I’m not children’s favorite prince.” He shrugged, “Trystan and Bas are.”

One of their friends clapped the prince’s shoulder, remarking that he was the group’s favorite by default. Nerea shyly said “Just because children don’t tend to look at you doesn’t mean that you aren’t handsome. It’s… what, one fact among many? I’ve seen gorgeous people who were awful to children.”

Vasili looked at her with interest before smiling “You have a point. You’ll fit well amongst us, Nerea.”

Christmas finally came around the corner, and Nerea had packed everything when she decided to look outside the window… to find it all covered in snow, even some cars! She turned on the news as the weather guy kept talking about how it’d be snowing like this throughout most of the winter, making it impossible to get out of the country. Her phone ringed, and of course, her flight had cancelled due to said weather. Sighing, she sat down and put her head in her palms, letting out a grunt of frustration.

Just then, Vasili called her. He rarely called, preferring text over call. She picked up, intrigued “Hello?”

“Nerea! I suppose you’re on the plane back to New York?”

“Nope. My flight got cancelled due to the weather, and I have nothing but yoghurt and ramen on the fridge. Why do you ask?”

He cleared his throat “Well, I was on the way home when the snow trapped my car, and your house is just above it. Perhaps I could… crash in there? Until they clear out the road, that is.”

She flushed. For months now, she had developed a complicated crush with Vasili, and the idea made her flustered “O-Of course! I’ll open the door for you. It’s—,”

“Portal 26, second floor, door 3B. I remember, Nerea.”

She smiled “Good. See you then. Hope you like cheap ramen.”

She hung up, looking at herself in the mirror, fixing her hair and spraying the special ‘Amor Amor’ perfume by Cacharel and putting on some lip oil before going to the kitchen, pretending to be preparing dinner.

The door closed behind her, and a snow-covered Vasili stepped into her view, his glasses foggy and covered in specks of snow, as well as his coat and boots. She beamed for a minute before giving him her usual friendly smile “Please, take off your shoes and coat! The heater is right there,” she pointed “and the guest room is next by mine. It’s not a palace, but it’s comfy. Can you tell me if there’s warm bedsheets there?”

Vasili obeyed the host, leaving the damp shoes by the door and hanging the coat and craned his head to the small but cozy guest room. He called out “All clear! Thank you, Nerea. I didn’t know who else to call.”

“You’re my friend. I’m happy to help. Please, sit.”

It was then when she took off her eyes from his face and noticed the large bag. She raised her eyebrows “What is that?”

“Ah, well, Marguerite had asked for Thai takeout, but I suppose that is no longer an option…”

She smiled “I love Thai. Here, let me plate it.”

“May I help?”

“Sure! Cutlery is in there.”

They both plated the Thai food and went to her desk, which was a gateway to the kitchen, and chatted animatedly about what they had been looking forward these holidays. Soon, they exchanged holiday-themed childhood stories “…Poor Nina. Swallowing snow sounds unhygienic.”

Nerea laughed “Curiosity killed the cat indeed. Despite my warnings, she didn’t listen, and we had to hospitalize her. Ever since, she listened to me more often. Well, as often as an eleven-year-old could.

They chuckled “Your sister sounds like quite the character. You must miss her.”

A pang of sadness washed over her “Very much. I’m bummed I can’t see her now. It’s… my first Christmas outside the US.”

Compassion could be read all over Vasili’s face “I can’t imagine how hard that must be. Is there any way I may be able to make it amenable while I’m here?”

She shrugged “It’ll be weird, to not cook an entire feast for the family. We always spent time with my father, sister and the Ginovesis. I’d make my special dish of huevos rotos, followed by migas and my stellar homemade turrón. I do have the ingredients here, but not an audience.”

Vasili gave her an amused look “What am I, Nerea, chopped liver? I’d be happy to be your audience.”

She shook her head “I can’t ask you that.”

“You’re not. I’m offering.”

She smiled widely “All right. But you’re helping, mister! Number one rule of the Rose Christmas; you want to eat; you have to earn it!”

He teasingly made a military salute “Aye aye, Captain!”

For two hours, they cooked, an intimate synchrony between them that neither could explain as the food was made, a certain unaddressed intimacy between stolen glances, the occasional hand brush, and how each looked at the other’s body. Especially the lips.

At last, the food was made, and they dug in, and Vasili seemed to hold back a moan of delight when he tried the huevos rotos. “Mm. The richness of the egg, the meat and the softness of the egg yolk is simply divine, and the spices really give it a kick. You truly are a talent at everything you do.”

She blushed “Thank you. I was nervous that it wouldn’t be to your tastes…”

He chuckled “I may be a royal, but I am capable of appreciating the simple things in life. And this is too delicious to ignore because the ‘commoners’ eat it as well.”

Nerea smirked “It has been a while since we’ve considered royalty some sort of demigods.”

“Thankfully so.”

They clinked their glasses, Riojan wine sparkling red “To family.”

“And those close to your heart.”

Smiling wide, they drank and kept talking and exchanging tales “You’re telling me that Patryk dared Kaspar to put on the prime minister’s underwear and streak across the building in it? No offence, but gross.”

“Not as gross as mudpies. That poor guy.”

“Hey! In my defense, he cheated on me!”

Vasili looked at her intensely “A crime indeed. Such a shame that beauties like yourself don’t get appreciated. If you were mine—,” His eyes shoot wide, and he cleared his throat “Apologies. It seems like the wine made me overstep.”

Nerea must’ve been affected by the wine, for she surprised herself when she blurted out “If I were yours, what would you do?”

He took her hands in his, an intense look on his face making her gasp “I’d worship you day and night. I’d give you the world. Every other woman would cease to exist.”

“Vasili, that is—,”

The strong wind slamming open the window interrupted the moment. Bolting up, the both rushed towards the window, where both forced it closed and panted, the effort being visible, as well as the tension of the moment.

“Whew! I need another glass after that.”

“I’ve had enough alcohol. I could use the turrón, though.”

She let out a breath “Coming right up.”

The morning after, Nerea had overslept due to the many glasses she ended up drinking. She remembers Vasili taking her to her bed, taking off her make-up and pulling the covers so she wouldn’t be cold.

She woke up and, remembering she had a guest, quickly brushed her hair with her fingers and checked her breath. Smelled like wine, of course. Taking a mentos from her drawer, she looked for something cute yet discreet. Ignoring her headache, she lifted her head and tried to have a pleasant smile on her face.

Coming out of her bedroom, the sight before her gave her heart flutters: Vasili had his shirt half-open, his hair was messy, and he was making breakfast. It smelled delicious. He seemed to notice her presence and smiled widely “Nerea! Please, do sit. I’ve made the liberty to make, ah… what do you call it? Pankays?”

Nerea chuckled “Pancakes, and it smells divine.”

He gave her a wry smile “I’ve decided to give it a Drakovian twist. It’s not as good as yours, but I believe it is how it’s done.”

He gave her the plate, and their hands brushed again. He cleared his throat “Look, about last night, I didn’t want to overstep, but… I like you, Nerea. Very much. You draw my eye like no other, and of course, you don’t have to return my feelings, but—,”

“I do return them,” she interrupted.

His gaze lifted, what it seemed like hope “Truly?”

Armoring herself with valor, she struts towards him and gave him a small peck. For a moment, he was surprised, and next thing she knew, he was kissing her passionately, a throaty moan escaping him. Next, her hands were on his hair and shirt, completely forgetting about breakfast. She chuckled “I probably reek of alcohol.”

“I rather like the taste of cherries and wine. A very sophisticated mix,”

He lifted her up with surprising strength, and she chuckled as he kissed her neck, gently dropping her to her bed. He looked at her like he was a hungry man and she was his last meal on earth. Taking off his shirt, he climbed towards her and whispered “Do you want this?”

She nodded frantically “Yes,” her voice was hoarse with desire.

He smiled devilishly “It is a good thing we haven’t eaten yet. What am I about to do is not fit for a full stomach.”

Their lips locked again, and as the sun came up, only them and their rampant tension seemed to exist for a few hours.

As in that day, Nerea didn’t feel so alone in Drakovia.