#pretend he looks more amused and smug i just want to use these gifs as much as i can while he's in the right outfit lol

[councillor-roland]

closed starter for @dmitri-shenker

It was fairly late, or early depending on your definition, well past midnight in any case. The party was still in full swing and likely would be until the sun came up. Roland had enjoyed himself and was rather pleasantly buzzed on the various blood and blood alcohols he'd sampled. While he'd had various tumbles and trysts throughout the evening he was in the mood for another, moving through the crowded streets and looking for likely candidates. He happened to see spot a Dalmation costume and a guard walking beside the man wearing it and grinned. Of course he was aware that there was one slave in the Undercroft who was supposed to be constantly accompanied and had heard plenty about him from Rhys besides. Now was as good a time as any for them to meet, at least in Roland's mind, so he made his way over to see the defiant pup for himself.

"I see someone's chosen to dress you appropriately." Roland mused, old fashioned heeled shoes clicking on the cobblestones as he approached, smirking. It was purposely antagonistic but Roland liked a challenge, it kept things interesting. Besides, the idea of riling the werewitch a little amused him. "Perhaps I'll hold your leash for a while and give your escort a break. What do you think of that, petit chiot?" The wig and gloves that went with his costume were long gone but he still cut a fine figure and didn't look incomplete.

[tsumtsumrry]

Film Bro

WC: 3.6k

warning(s): afab descriptions and she/her pronouns, language, sexual content (dry humping, somno (so dubcon just to be safe; please only read what you're comfortable with!!)

“And that’s why I fully believe that movies are better than books.” Harry finishes his lengthy tangent with a deep breath. He looks over at your bored face and a beat passes before you both burst into laughter at how he’s managed to turn such a frivolous topic into such a serious and longwinded rant. 

“You’re ridiculous and wrong.” You shoot back, offering him a close-lipped grin to soften the blow. 

You and Harry have always had differing opinions, but somehow, you’ve still managed to become really close friends. You’re always bickering and getting into little spats over stupid things, but you still love him. He makes you laugh and he makes you feel loved and warm, everything you’d want in a friend. And you know what they say, opposites do attract. 

His arm is slung around you, and both of you are sat down on his cozy couch as he tries to offer up a rebuttal to your rebuttal and all you do is roll your eyes and pretend to tune him out. 

“You’ve got to understand, love. With books, you read it, yeah? And if you’ve got no imagination, what does that do for you? With movies, you can see, feel, hear everything. It’s so much more immersive and touching when you can see everything happening right in front of you.” His arms leave your shoulder so he can use his hands to talk, animatedly explaining to you why he believes you’re so wrong. He looks at your face for a second, when your features start to soften he smirks and points at you excitedly, “See I’m converting you! And you know I’m right.” He leans back with a smug grin. 

You just shrug, “You can think whatever you want, film bro. But I know that books are the most immersive experience on earth. There is nothing like reading words on a page and feeling them hit you with every letter. The good part about books is that even if that author doesn’t completely spell it out for you, you can create a piece of that world yourself, something that’ll always be yours to have and to cherish. Nobody else’s.” 

He looks up to the ceiling in thought, twisting his lips like he’s considering it. You think you’ve got him until he suddenly perks up and opens his mouth to speak, “Ah, but like I said, the imagination thing. Can’t do any of that if I’ve got a shit imagination.” That smug smirk is back on his face and you roll your eyes. Guess he can win this round. You’re so incredibly tired from work anyway and you just shrug which causes him to let out a small sound of victory. 

“And I am right again…as always.” He flashes you his signature smirk and you grab a pillow from behind you and smack him hard with it. 

“Dickwad.” you murmur. 

“Hey!” he chokes out a laugh, grabbing the pillow from your hands and placing it behind him instead, “You’ve lost your privileges, sweet girl.” He chuckles softly because he knows you hate when he calls you that. 

He brings his hand out to motion to the TV in front of you and then swings his arm right back around your shoulder, “see. Look at this.” He instructs. You’ve almost forgotten a movie was playing with how into the debate you’ve gotten with him. The scene on the TV flashes in your eyes, a couple making out hungrily and desperately. 

The male actor is pawing at every piece of his co-star’s skin that he can find, and with every touch, her breath hitches and her leg hikes higher up on his waist. They kiss like this is the last time they’ll be able to. The soft moans and grunts coming from the scene make your pupils blow out and your chest tighten. Your thighs push together softly and you curse your body’s inability to stay in control. 

Harry raises his eyebrows and gives you a slow once over with an amused smirk on his lips, “a book ever make you feel like that? This fast?” You know he’s only teasing you, but you’re so immersed in the scene that you can’t even find it in you to care when you shake your head. 

“This is exactly what I mean. A book might describe a touch, but actually seeing it, seeing him touch her like that, seeing how she’s enjoying it, how she reacts to it, that’s just cinema. Can’t find that feeling anywhere else.”

His voice has lowered in volume and timbre to match the intimacy of the scene you’re both watching, and you’re suddenly hyper-aware of how close he’s gotten to you and how ridiculously loud those moans are. And if you weren’t a little turned on and a lot confused, you would laugh at it. 

You become even more hyper-aware of his fingers on your shoulder, caressing softly, the slightest touch, and you have no idea why it’s making you feel hot. His calloused fingers somehow feel light and gentle as a feather when he traces his index finger on your shoulder. And he just keeps going. As if it’s nothing. As if it’s not driving you crazy. 

You wonder if he knows what he’s doing. You’ve always known Harry to be touchy, but right now? It feels different, or maybe you’re feeling different. You don’t know, but it’s currently driving you a little crazy. That imagination you were so keen on before is really coming back to bite you in the ass when you start imagining the female lead to be you and the male lead to be…Harry.  

And what even brought this on? He’s always been attractive, yes, but these thoughts racing through your head, that’s more than an acknowledgment of attractiveness. 

He says your name softly, looking down at you curiously. You look up at him and latch on to the concerned look in his eyes, “you’re so quiet. What’s the matter? Mad I won again?” You can’t even fight the smile that graces your face and he mirrors you with a smile of his own. 

“Haha.” you deadpan. “You literally wish.” A soft chuckle leaves him followed by a sigh. He knows you like the back of his hand. And he knows that you’re both kind of turned on and very exhausted, so he expertly takes control of the situation and pats your shoulder softly, “you sleeping over tonight?” 

You nod softly, and he grunts as he tries to maneuver you up off of the couch, “come on. That’s it.” You really play into the damsel in distress bit (like you always do when he offers to take you to bed) and you let him lead your tired body to his bedroom. 

He sets you down on his bed and snorts when you let your body flop onto the mattress. “I’m gonna have a shower. I know you’re gonna be passed out by the time I get back, so goodnight. Dream of really nice sex scenes. Like the one that’s got you so turned on right now—” He can barely finish his sentence before another pillow is being hurled at him. 

“Okay! Okay, I’m sorry, Jesus. Gotta tie your hands together or something.” he speaks through a laugh. You just shoot him a bored look and he rolls his eyes and leans down to press a delicate kiss to your forehead. 

“Night, sweet girl.” 

You don’t even remember falling asleep, but you remember Harry getting into bed. The world-class cuddler’s arms were immediately wrapped around you after he got comfortable. 

You figure it’s been about two hours when you start to stir. That’s always been a thing with you, waking up in the middle of the night and falling right back asleep. Harry usually lulls you back to sleep with a gentle forehead kiss and a tighter cuddle. You sleep much better when you stay over at his place. All feels right in the world when you’re in Harry’s arms. Something about him makes anyone he touches immediately feel at home. You cuddle up closer to him innocently, and he mumbles out your name. 

You figure he must just be trying to coax you back to sleep, so you nod, barely awake, and drift back off into the comfortable safe haven that is sleeping next to a human angel. 

Harry, on the other hand, is also in heaven. Just a different kind. 

He’s fully immersed in a dream where you’re the object of all his desires, standing in front of him in a get-up that’s so sinful and alluring it’s got him begging for you to let him touch the masterpiece that is your body. 

You tease him and torture him until he can’t take it anymore, trailing your hands across his soft skin, kissing his neck and his jaw, leaving marks that he knows will give him flashbacks of how you ruined him when he sees them tomorrow. 

“God, please, sweet girl. Let me have you.” he’s begging. And Harry is definitely not one to beg, you’ve reduced him to a puddle of need, grasping at any part of you that he can get. 

“Wouldn’t be much of a punishment if I did though, right?” You pout at him with faux sympathy dripping from your voice and expression like venom. He groans deeply again when you palm his clothed bulge, rubbing the slightest bit to where he gets stimulation, but not what he needs. 

His breath hitches as you press harder for a moment before letting off, and then bringing your hand back to his bulge. He chokes out a soft groan, willing himself to endure your cruel punishment so he can have what he craves so badly.

“I’ve been s’good for you, baby. Don’t fuckin’ deserve this,” he whines out his words, desperate to the point that he has no shame in losing himself for you, in you. “I’ll do anything for you, sweet girl. Please.” His heart pounds, his eyes frantically searching yours for any sign of mercy. 

His hips start to thrust up in tandem with your soft rubbing, frankly unable to control himself with how absolutely ruined you’ve got him. His voice starts to shatter when he speaks and his eyes squeeze shut when you swing your legs around his hips and sit comfortably on his lap. 

He looks up at you with that fucked out, ruined expression and you pout at him again, tangling your fingers in his hair and tugging just the way that he likes. Your hips move slowly against him like you’re testing the waters, and he immediately copies your movements, taking anything he can get from you, whining deeply in the back of his throat. He knows he’s leaking in his boxers and it would take nothing for him to explode right now. 

You’re just so fucking sexy. Everything about you is like a tease to him. Your voice, your soft touch, that expression you make when you beat him in a debate, the expression you’re making right now as you take what’s rightfully yours. His cheeks flame a rosy pink as he looks up at you, his pupils blown and his cock throbbing with need.

His head rolls back as your hips start to meet faster, eyes heavy-lidded. He looks back up at you with a plead swimming in his irises, his hands balled into fists to avoid doing something he knows he shouldn’t. Your hips move faster and faster and faster….

He doesn’t even realize he’s doing it, his hips rutting needily, but slowly against your ass. His arms are still wrapped around you as he pulls you closer into him, his abs flexing as he uses your body to relieve the deep pressure in his gut. 

Small moans and whimpers leave his lips, occasionally your name. Both of you are still fast asleep as he works himself into an absolute frenzy, his face is buried in your neck, shaky puffs of breath hitting your skin. Images of him worshipping your body and the feeling of that delicious friction on his throbbing cock are all that his brain can register right now. 

The feeling of your soft cotton shorts and your supple ass consumes him as he trembles gently with every thrust, his cock sensitive from the slow teasing game his body is inflicting on him. What was once soft sighs, turn to slightly louder, more needy sounds. He mumbles and slurs out incoherent words through his bliss, probably some variation of what he’s saying to you in his dream.

It’s not even the movement that wakes you, it’s those sounds, those unabashed needy little noises that he’s making. Your eyes fly open and a small gasp rips through your throat and you register three things at once. 

Harry’s the one making those sounds. 

Harry’s arms are wrapped tightly around you as he rubs himself against your ass. 

And your thighs are sticky and warm with your arousal. 

Your first instinct is to freak out a little, considering you’ve just woken up to one of your closest friends getting themselves off on you. But then you turn your head around the slightest bit and you realize, he’s still asleep. 

The poor baby’s worked himself up somehow and doesn’t even realize what he’s doing, doesn’t realize how needy he is. His face wears a tortured expression, his eyebrows arched and pushed tightly together. The desperate soft sounds continue to leave his slightly parted lips and all you can think about in this moment is how much you want to kiss his lips, soft and bitten. 

Honestly, you’re at a loss of what to do in this situation. Do you wake him? Do you let him keep going until he ruins his pants? Do you just will yourself to go back to sleep and pretend this never happened? You know that last one’s definitely not going to work considering how ridiculously turned on you are. With every thrust against your ass, an onslaught of butterflies assault your stomach and you feel the pool in your underwear only getting wetter. 

You don’t want to stop him. 

“S..sweet girl.” He’s dreaming about you. Your entire body melts into a puddle when he mumbles out that petname that you pretend to hate.

Being the good friend you are, you figure you could at least help him along. 

Your arm manages to break free from his hold and you use it as leverage to get your body to turn around to face him, once he loses his friction, a deep sound of disappointed leaves him and his brows fall, a pout gracing his face. His hips move in frustration as he tries to gain back the friction and you can’t help but feel bad for him. 

“Harry.” you take ahold of his shoulder and shake him gently, “Harry.” 

His body twitches a little in response to you rousing him and you smile gently, “Harry.” 

His eyes flutter open and when he’s met with your eyes staring into his, for a moment he only looks disoriented, a little confused and grumpy that he’s being woken up. But then his eyes widen and you swear if it wasn’t so dark in his room you’d see every bit of pigment drain from his face. 

“Shit. Oh my god.” It doesn’t take him long to figure out why you’ve woken him up. He’s so hard, sensitive, and it feels like he could come at any moment. And you’re looking at him like that. 

“I’m so sorry. Holy shit I’m really really—I didn’t know what I was—” you don’t let him slur out anything else before you pull his lips into yours, kissing him with the same desperation that you can feel radiating off of his body. 

You pull away from his lips with a soft click and his expression when you’re eye to eye again is one you know you’re going to commit to memory. He’s looking at you like you hung the moon and stars. You can still see that subtle frustration in his eyes though, you know he’s fighting to keep his hips under control. You hike your leg up so it rests over his hip and inhale deeply once your crotches are pressed together, “keep going. It’s okay.” You reassure him. 

He stares at you for a moment as if he’s unsure, and you nod, scooting closer to him and encouraging him to put his hands back on you, “it’s okay, baby.” 

Your soothing, yet sensual whisper of that name is what breaks him. His hips roll one slow thrust against your core and his jaw falls open in a deep groan. Your breath hitches at the feeling, you didn’t realize how sensitive you were until you felt him move against you, and fuck, you’re really sensitive. 

His breathing gets heavier as he continues to fuck himself against your cunt, maintaining eye contact with you as he loses himself in the white hot pleasure that’s tormenting every part of his body. It feels so much deeper than normal, it feels like you’re everywhere all at once, and he’s not even inside you. You guys are merely dry humping on his bed but it somehow feels like the most intense thing that he’s ever experienced. 

He says your name and you hum to let him know you’re listening, “you feel so fucking good. How do you feel this good?” he sounds out of his mind with pleasure. You can’t even find the words to respond to him so you just nod quickly and lean into to capture his lips with yours again. He moans into the kiss and his hands shoot to your hips to urge you faster against him and pull you closer.  

It feels like he can’t get enough of you, like he can’t get close enough. His hands reach for every sliver of skin he can find, his lips attack your jaw and neck, leaving marks on you just like you did to him in his dream. Every kiss he leaves is frantic, like he’s afraid you’ll disappear. Continuous praises leave his lips, like he has to show you how grateful he is. 

“You’re so beautiful.”

“Feel so soft.”

“So much fucking better than my dreams.”

“Fucking perfect.” 

“Can’t believe you’re this wet from me using you like that. Filthy fucking thing.” he’s losing his restraint and you can absolutely tell, the way he’s talking to you, looking at you, thrusting against you, he’s letting go in the best way. He’s just doing what he knows will feel best for the both of you. 

“Such a good girl. Taking me like this, fuck.” 

You whimper softly as the tip of his cock bumps against your sensitive mound through the confines of your clothes. Originally you just wanted to get him off, but you find yourself chasing that release to, and it’s building faster than you thought. He feels amazing. With every deep grind against your cunt he drives you further and further into a pleasure induced oblivion. You should be embarrassed at the sounds leaving you and how you’re already so close, but it just feels too damn good to care. 

“Harry…fuck.” you grip tightly onto his pajama shirt, grasping at whatever you can to ground yourself with the way you feel like you’re floating off the ground right now. 

“Love the way you say my fucking name.” the words fall out of his mouth in a desperate whine, his hips move faster and needier and he buries his face in your neck to cope with all the sensations. He lifts his head up the slightest bit so his mouth is positioned right next to your ear and a full body shiver wracks through your body when he speaks, “need you to come for me, sweet girl. Can you do that for me? Know you’re close.” 

“So close, baby please.” you babble out, your hips moving together in a frantic rhythm to reach your climax. He encourages you with desperate words that sound more like whimpers and uses his firm grip on your hips to drive you harder against him. 

It builds and builds until everything in you draws up taut like a bow, you shudder through the release and Harry can’t keep his eyes off of your expression as he gently pushes you through it. 

“Gonna make me make a mess in my fuckin’ pants, fuck.” You fight through the painful pleasure of overstimulation as he chases his release, focusing in on the way he almost looks pained as he works himself against you so desperately.

A rushed whisper of, “m’coming” leaves him before his thrusts grow sloppier and rougher. His mouth falls open as needy, filthy noises leave his lips. He practically sings your praises as he makes a mess on the both of you, leaving open mouthed kisses on your neck to ground himself as he works through a powerful release. 

“Sweet girl.” he whispers after a moment of silence, bringing his face out of your neck to look at you. His hands come up to caress your cheek, blowing out a breath from his mouth like he’s in awe of you. 

“Hi.” you whisper back, “that was….” 

“Yeah.” he finishes. A small chuckle leaving his lips at how awkward you two are making this. 

You’re unsure what to say for a moment and you look away, but his fingers grab your chin, “don’t do that. I like looking at you.” 

You look away again in pure shyness and he laughs and forces your eye contact again, “don’t!” he speaks through his laugh. 

He leans down to kiss you and a pleased hum leaves both of your lips, he barely disconnects from you before he starts to speak, “you believe me now, right?” 

“What do you mean?” you whisper. 

“Movies are better than books.”

[saetoru]

✩ ‧₊˚ ✩。3:37 AM — ITOSHI SAE.

“see? i told you this would be fun,” you hum.

“fun for you, maybe. you get to sit and do nothing. i’m the one driving,” sae gives you a side glare—one that he’s sure you see but elect to ignore in favor of picking the next song on your phone.

if you’d told him half a year ago that he’d be here, giving up sleep to drive you to god knows where in the middle of the night, sae thinks he might have actually laughed—which is something he doesn’t do very often. he’s a bit appalled with himself, truthfully—it’s half past three, way past his usual sleep hours, and he has practice in the morning. yet somehow, he almost thinks he’s having fun.

and then he comes to the daunting realization that he’s really not sure who he even is anymore.

athletes like the itoshi sae need to follow strict regimens. athletes like him need at least eight hours of sleep a day, need balanced diets and a healthy amount of exercise, and need to be level headed and make responsible decisions. athletes like him don’t stay up this late because of one measly pout and a tug to his arm. there’s no reason that sae should be this weak to you, no reason you should hold this much power over him—and yet, in a cruel twist of fate, you do.

you do and you know it, and you’re evil enough that you use it to your full advantage.

“where are we even going?”

“sae, shut up,” you roll your eyes. “why do you always have something to say?”

scoffing, he stops the car at a red light, pressing on the brakes and turning to face you. and he hates to admit it, but the moonlight kissing your skin through the windows makes his heart beat rapidly.

“do you realize i’m sacrificing my sleep for you?” he scoffs at you, looking over at the small patch of skin of your shoulder blade as his shirt droops over your body. he tries not to stare too long—but he fails miserably, and you seem to notice it too.

“quit staring at me,” you smirk, reaching over to pinch his cheek.

he swats your hand away—though gently—and scowls, grumbling under his breath at your supposed claim. you only offer him an amused giggle as he rolls his eyes, and no matter how correct you may be, itoshi sae refuses to admit, even to himself, that he was in fact staring. in his defense, how could he not stare when you look like that in his clothing?

“was not staring at you, stupid.”

“you so were,” you laugh, and he grunts, shaking his head as he rolls his eyes at you unimpressed. it’s a battle that costs him just about all of his self control to not glance down at your lips, but he wins—although miraculously, otherwise, he’d have to hear even more of your teasing, and he doesn’t think his eyes will recover from another round of rolling this time.

“no i wasn’t. that head of yours is too big,” he says, frowning and flicking your forehead at the smug grin you give him. and sae should be asleep, he should be getting enough rest to ensure his optimal performance at practice in the morning so that he can put his teammates efforts to shame—but you said please, and you pouted, and he’s not as strong as he claims to be, although he’ll never admit it.

so now he’s here, and he’s fighting for his dignity as you wiggle your brows playfully at him. but deep down, sae doesn’t think he wants to be anywhere else right about now.

“okay, if you say so,” you snort, “you’ll survive without eight hours of sleep for one day. and by the way, the light’s green now, dumbass. pay attention.”

he hears your giggling as he curses under his breath and presses on the gas pedal, and you slide your hand over his shoulder to play with the hairs at the back of his neck. he pretends to lean back and try to shake your hand off, but you both know it’s his way of leaning further into your touch—so you grant him more of what he craves, rubbing over the back of his neck soothingly as he drives.

“okay, well you’re supposed to be giving me directions, so where do i go now?” he mutters. you shrug, and he groans.

“i don’t know, i’ve been making up directions this whole time. just wanted to drive around. anyway, did you know van gogh’s starry night was painted from his window in an asylum?”

side eyeing you, he purses his lips, rolling his eyes with a heavy sigh. and even if you’ve dragged him out of bed for no reason—on a practice night no less—while he’s supposed to be getting much needed rest, he can’t help but find every annoying little quirk of yours endearing. even this one.

“what does that have to do with anything?” he asks flatly.

and sae is not an easy book to read, he never was—he’s like those difficult words you have to stop and google to understand, or those ridiculous metaphors that only literature teachers care for. but he’s well worth it, you think. he makes you want to skip the pages and jump right to the end, and he’s the kind of story you pray ends happily. and somehow, when he climbs out of bed in his wrinkled shirt and loose sweats, hair tousled and sleep laced in his eyes as he begrudgingly grabs his keys for you—you think maybe you don’t want the story to end at all just yet. or ever.

“just a fun fact, jeez,” you pout. “any soccer fun facts you wanna share?”

“athletes need plenty of sleep to perform their best,” he shoots instantly. you huff, rolling your eyes and crossing your arms at his stubbornness to just admit he enjoys being here as much as you do.

“sae, one of these days you’ll drive me so crazy, i’ll need to be in an asylum myself.”

“one of these days, when i send you to an asylum, maybe i can sleep reasonable hours,” he smirks at you. the soft slap to his shoulder causes him to chuckle in amusement, and you cave and send the softest of grins at his direction.

“you’ll never last a day without me,” you quip, and to your surprise, he smiles a little. it’s gentle—much gentler than you expect from someone like him, and you’re not used to it. but it’s pretty, just like the rest of itoshi sae, and you hope fate permits a few more nights with him by your side, whether it’s in bed as he sleeps or in the car as he drives. maybe, you’ll even dare to hope for an eternity.

“i don’t know,” he hums, and one hand lays gently on your thigh as he drives mindlessly with the other on the wheel, “i think i could manage to squeeze in ten hours of sleep if you were gone,” he adds with smug grin, and even as you scowl at him, you decide right then and there that if itoshi sae isn’t your happy ending, you don’t think you want one. ever.

“you’re rude, y’know that?”

“i’d say driving aimlessly for your stupid whims is rather generous.”

“hmm, maybe,” you murmur, looking at him with a look so sweet, he feels his breath catch in his throat when he peeks at you through the corner of his eyes. and he hopes you don’t notice it, or the way his expression softens too. “love you,” you add quietly, lifting his hand to kiss the back.

“yeah,” he mumbles. “love you too.” you lace your fingers with his, setting his hand back down onto your lap. he squeezes gently, and you squeeze back. “i love it more when you sleep, though.”

i think sae rly likes driving tbh. finds it relaxing and if u play with the hair at the nape of his neck he loves it more. he’s pathetically a loser

[andvys]

This world is only gonna break your heart part one | E.M.

Warnings: 18+, angst, underaged drinking, mentions of drugs, eventual smut,

Pairing: Eddie Munson x fem!reader

Summary: Eddie is desperate to be close to you and uses every chance to become your friend... or more.

Teaser

-

It’s a Saturday night, the hideout is a little more crowded than usual. Eddie and his friends sit at their usual table– it became a regular hangout place for them all, even when they’re not here to play. 

Gareth makes a joke which makes everyone laugh, except for Eddie. His eyes are on you. Sitting in the little booth by the window, you smile at Robin who sits opposite of you and Steve. His arm is wrapped around you and he traces your bare arm, laughing at something you said to him and Robin. 

Eddie can’t help but feel jealous as he stares at Steve, why does he get to hold you like this? 

“You okay, man?” Jeff asks as he eyes his friend in concern. 

The anger is clear on his face and in his eyes. 

“Yeah,” he grumbles without looking away from you. He knows that you know that he’s staring at you but you ignore him and pretend not to notice. 

After what happened in the hallway at school a few backs up, your teasing only got worse and worse. You were driving him insane with your lingering gazes and touches, whenever he told you to stop teasing him, you would bat your lashes at him and look up at him with innocent eyes, ‘I don’t know what you are talking about, Eddie.’ Infuriating, you are an infuriating person but you're also the cutest one.

Gareth chuckles as he follows his vision, a smirk appears on his face, “you jealous, Eddie?” 

Eddie scoffs, tearing his gaze away from you, he leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. 

Jeff and Gareth look at each other with smug looks on their faces. It’s not the first time they caught him staring at you. 

“Why would I be jealous?” Eddie scoffs, shaking his head. 

His fists are clenched and he feels the bitterness on his tongue from watching you and your golden boy. 

“Maybe because you have a little crush on y/n?” Jeff grins, wiggling his brows. 

Little crush? Yeah, it’s definitely more than just a little crush. 

“Right,” Eddie mumbles, reaching for the beer bottle, he tries to ignore the teasing looks of his friends. 

“You know, she’s not dating him or anything.” 

Eddie swallows the bitter liquid before he looks back at his friends, eying him in curiosity, “and how would you know that?” 

Gareth shrugs, “she told me that she doesn’t wanna date anyone or settle down or whatever,” he explains.

“Whoa, wait, how do you know that?” 

Gareth furrows his brows, “know what?” 

“That she doesn’t want to settle down?” 

“Oh,” Gareth chuckles, “we were partnered up for an art project, she’s pretty talkative when you get to know her.” 

“What?” Eddie gasps loudly, staring at his best friend with a shocked look on his face. It’s the first time Eddie hears about it, he never even knew that you talk to Gareth. 

Jeff laughs, nudging his shoulder, he tilts his head towards you. Eddie’s eyes widen as he finds you staring at him, his cheeks heat up as you smirk a little. Eddie watches you intently, he eyes the arm around your shoulder. You notice it, of course you do. Surprisingly, you move forward, leaning your elbows on the table, Steve’s hand slips from your shoulder. 

“Wait, what is she like?” Jeff asks. 

“She’s cool, definitely not how everyone says she is,” Gareth shrugs. 

Eddie tears his gaze away from you and stares back at his friend, as a new wave of jealousy runs through his veins, “w-what… so you’re friends now or something?” 

“I mean, I guess but we only talk in class,” he says, chuckling when he sees the jealous look on Eddie’s face, “don’t worry, Eddie. She is all yours.” 

Eddie rolls his eyes, “how did you even become friends with her? I can’t even have a normal conversation with this girl!” he exclaims in frustration. 

Jeff and Gareth glance at each other in amusement. Eddie is blind, very blind. 

“Maybe because you always try to flirt with her,” Jeff says, chuckling. 

“That’s..... that’s not true!” 

“Uh, yes it is! You tried to ask her out and failed, then you figured out that she is into assholes so you tried to be an asshole and failed…. horribly. Then you tried to flirt again and then made her think that you think she is a slut!” 

Eddie’s cheeks grew red as he listened to his friend’s words. He still feels awful for what he said to you in the hallways at school, a few weeks back. He didn’t mean for it to come out the way it did. He never thought of you as a slut. 

“Maybe if you actually tried to be her friend without flirting with her or insulting her, then maybe she’d give you a chance, man.” 

Eddie runs a hand through his hair and sighs loudly as he looks down at his hands. 

“But, just so you know, I don’t think that she rejected you because she doesn’t like you.” 

Eddie raises his head, tilting his head in question, “w-what?” 

“You’re not an asshole– even when you tried to be,” he snorts, “I think she just doesn't want to hurt some good guy's feelings, that's why she probably only ever goes for douchebags, I mean just think about it. Billy Hargrove, Jason Carver and his friends, some of the other jocks.” 

“That one asshole who graduated the same year Harrington did,” Jeff points out, “what was his name again? Harvey… Hayden?” 

“Hayden, yeah… That guy was scary,” Gareth mumbles. 

“Wasn’t he her boyfriend or something?” 

“I’m not sure,” Eddie mumbles, "I don't think so. It was just a rumor."

Hayden Reed 

Eddie remembers him, he was in a few classes with him. The guy was popular but unlike the others, he never participated in the bullying, Eddie always had to endure. Still, there was always something unsettling about him. Eddie doesn’t know what it was but he always had that dark and void look in his eyes. He was one of his regulars, he wasn’t one to buy weed though, no, he wanted the heavier stuff. 

He has never seen you around him but rumors flew around that you dated him. The thought made him uncomfortable, Hayden was violent, he could tell by the bruised knuckles he constantly had. And it wasn’t just that, you were fifteen, a freshman. He was eighteen and about to go to college.

Your friendship or relationship or whatever it was between the two of you, didn’t last very long. Hayden went missing one night and he was never found again. 

–

“Can I ask you something?” 

You raise your head, meeting the hazel brown eyes of your best friend, “sure, what’s up?” 

"Why is Eddie Munson staring at you like that?"

You furrow your brows in confusion, not daring to look at him and those pretty eyes of his, “like what?” 

Steve chuckles, “like you broke his heart or something, he stares at you with those huge sad eyes.” 

Your heart softens and you hate it. Ever since Eddie has been trying to do everything to get your attention, you couldn’t help but find a liking towards him, more so than before. You continuously try to avoid him but it seems as though fate has different plans, everywhere you go, he is there, even tonight.

Shaking your head, you lean back in your seat, looking around the bar, your eyes search for Robin. She went to the bar to get more drinks with her fake ID but it seems like she found something or rather someone more interesting. Standing next to a pretty girl, you can tell that she is flirting with her, heavily. 

You make the mistake of looking at him.

Steve clears his throat, “I thought you didn’t go for nice people.” 

Sighing, you tear your eyes away from him and look back at Steve, “that’s why I rejected him.” 

He raises his brows, “oh, you rejected him?” 

You nod, “yeah, he uh– he asked me out on a date a few weeks back and then he tried to flirt with me and now everywhere I go, I see him,” you mumble, growing flustered under your best friend's gaze. 

“Did you want to go on a date with him?” 

You shrug, “I-I don’t do dates and relationships and stuff… you know that.” 

Steve’s gaze softens. 

“Y/n.. you don’t have to do this anymore, I think you proved that you’re a much better heartbreaker than I am,” he laughs as he thinks about the stupid bet you made a few years ago. 

Steve was your very first date, it was a summer night, he took you to a fair, you had an amazing time with him. You would be lying to yourself if you said that you didn’t have a huge crush on him back then but Steve was a heartbreaker and you knew it, even back then, you were a little naive but you weren’t blind. You knew that after you’d have sex with him, he would drop you off at home and the next day, he would act like he never even knew you and you didn’t want that. You kissed and did some other stuff but you never went past that, you teased him and he stayed around, hoping that you would finally let him have you but it never happened. You expected him to get mad and frustrated and just give up but instead you somehow grew closer and oddly enough, you became best friends. 

“You gotta stop doing this.”

“Why?” 

He shrugs, “because it’s pointless, you don’t even like going on dates with all these losers.” 

“Yeah but it’s fun how they all just trust me and tell me all their secrets, I mean, who would’ve thought that Jason snorts cocaine or that his best friend is actually gay.” 

He laughs, shaking his head, “but where does it get you? Does it make you happy–”

“It distracts me, Steve,” you mumble, looking down into your empty glass, you avoid looking into his worried eyes. 

He speaks your name softly, “I think, you would feel much better if you found a better distraction, if you let some feelings in, love, y/n.” 

You roll your eyes, “I don’t do that.” 

“It feels good though, loving someone is the best feeling in the world,” Steve says with a small smile on his face. 

You look up at him, shaking your head slowly, a frown appears on his face, “and where did that get you?” you ask with a sad tone in your voice as you think of the heartbreak he went through when Nancy hurt him and replaced him with Jonathan. 

He tilts his head, a sad smile tugging at his lips, “it was still nice while it lasted.” 

“While it lasted,” you nod, “yeah, it’s all nice in that moment but then they break your heart. They lie, they cheat and then they leave, I don’t want that,” you say coldly. 

His eyes soften, sadness flashing in his eyes. He knows that you are scared of getting hurt. All this attitude is nothing but an act to protect your feelings. 

“It doesn’t have to be like that for you, honey.” 

“You don’t know that.” 

He blinks, staring at you in silence for a moment, looking over your shoulder again, a teasing smile appears on his face, “you know, I’d say that Munson over there would die for a chance with you.” 

“And that is my cue,” you mumble, rolling your eyes as you grab your empty glass and get up, “you want another drink?” you ask, ignoring the smirk on his face, you reach for his glass as well before you walk off. 

Steve chuckles to himself when he sees Eddie scrambling to his feet and going after you. His friends laugh at him when he trips over nothing. He flips them off without looking back. 

You lean against the counter, waiting for the bartender to come over to you but he seems to be in a deep conversation with one of his regulars. Eddie takes a moment to stare at you. There’s something different about you today, not only did you ditch your tight tops and short skirts for jean shorts and an oversized shirt with a band logo on the front, you also wear your hair differently today. Soft waves fall down your back and the front pieces of your hair are braided, you look cute today. Not seductive, just cute. Although, no matter what, you are always hot and sexy to him. 

He clears his throat and runs his hand through his hair, ignoring the stares and giggles of his friends. 

Walking up to you, he tries to ignore his pounding heart and the shakiness in his hands. He is nervous, always is when he talks to you. It’s not like that with other girls, if anything, he feels smug and flirts like his life depends on it when he gets the chance to flirt with a girl– usually that only happens when Corroded Coffin gets a chance to have a gig out of town, where no one knows him. He fucked his fair share of groupies and he sure as hell never felt nervous about that but you? You drive him crazy, you make him weak, you make him nervous, you make his heart race like crazy, you make him stutter, you’re just something else. 

Still trying to get the bartender’s attention, you sigh and roll your eyes, giving up, you sit down on the barstool. Eddie chuckles to himself, walking closer to you, he turns to look at the bartender, “Theo,” he calls out to the older man, who turns to look at him right away, “this pretty girl here wants to order another drink.” 

You turn to look at Eddie, you blush at the nickname and at the smile he gives you. 

‘You’re ridiculous..’ you think to yourself. You’ve had men call you other things before and yet none of them actually ever made you feel as flustered as he does– not that you would ever tell him that. 

“I’m sorry, sweets, I didn’t see you there,” Theo says, giving you an apologetic smile. 

“It’s alright,” you smile and order your drinks for you and Steve. Turning towards Eddie, you give him a small smile, “thanks for that,” you mumble. 

“No problem,” he smiles. 

“You come here often?” you ask. 

Eddie raises his brows and chuckles, “is that a pick up line?” he smirks. 

A laugh falls from your lips, “you’re funny, Munson,” you chuckle, “but no, that was not a pick up line. I’m just asking because you know his name,” you say, pointing to the bartender. 

“Oh, well, that’s actually a friend of Jeff’s dad and our band plays here every week,” he explains. 

“Right,” you smile to yourself, “corroded coffin.” 

Eddie’s eyes light up, “y-you know about my band?” 

“Of course, you played at the talent show, right?” 

He blinks in surprise, “yeah!” he smiles, “and now we play here every Tuesday.” 

“That’s cool.”

“You should come watch us.” 

“Maybe I will.”

You stare at each other for a moment and you quickly get lost in his eyes. Eddie is cute and very pretty, probably the prettiest person you have ever seen. You always liked that he is different from everyone else, while other people think that he is mean and scary, you know that there’s not a single scary thing about this man. One look into his eyes is enough for you to know that he is a sweet person with a soft and gentle heart. 

Eddie might think that he was invisible to you all this time but it’s not true, at all.  Of course you have noticed him around school, even before he tried to ask you out on a date. How could you not? He left big impressions everywhere he went and maybe there was a time where you had a tiny crush on him, even with the buzzcut and all. 

“Listen, I uh–” Eddie starts, not knowing how to say it without saying the wrong thing again. The last time you had an actual conversation, he ended up insulting you, making you think that he thinks that you’re a slut. Eddie would never think that though, “I-I just wanted to apologize.” 

You raise your brows in surprise, tilting your head, “what for?” 

“I– well, I was an asshole to you that one day, I didn’t mean to make you think that you’re a.. that you–”

“That I’m a slut?” you chuckle, looking at him in amusement. His cheeks are flushed and he looks embarrassed. 

He closes his eyes, shaking his head, “d-don’t say that, I don’t think that you’re… that,” he mumbles, “and I didn’t want you to think that I think that.” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, I’d never think that of you.”

“Why not?” you ask, “everyone else thinks that of me.” 

“Well, I’m not everyone else.” 

Your gaze softens and your smirk falls, “no.. you’re not.” And that’s why you can’t be around him.

Eddie furrows his brows as he looks into your eyes. He expected you to tease him again or give him the cold shoulder. The usual coldness in your eyes is replaced by something else tonight. There is a sense of vulnerability lingering in your eyes. 

“Here you go,” Theo smiles, placing the drinks on the counter. 

You tear your eyes away from Eddie, thanking the bartender and placing the dollar bills on the counter, “you can keep the change,” you smile, grabbing the drinks, you’re about to go back to Steve but you halt in your tracks when you see another girl sitting in your spot, talking to your best friend. Great. 

Eddie turns around, glancing at what you’re frowning out, he finds Steve flirting with a brunette. Perfect. 

“Sweetheart, I think you got replaced,” he says, chuckling at your eyeroll. 

“Yeah, uh– not the first time tonight,” you mumble, pointing to Robin who is still talking to the same girl, “she found a.. new friend.” 

Eddie nods, staring at your friend before he turns back to you with a teasing smile on his face, “and you got two drinks now.” 

You know exactly what he is hinting at, smirking at him, “maybe I ordered them both for myself.” 

Raising his brows, “really? Two drinks just for you?” 

“Yeah,” you shrug. 

Shaking his head, he sits down next to you, “you could spend some time with me.” 

“What about your friends?” you ask, looking over his shoulder to find them staring at you with curious looks on their faces but they quickly look away after being caught, trying to act casual as they start talking to each other again. 

“Oh, they won’t miss me,” he grins. 

You squint your eyes, “did you make another one of those silly bets with them?” 

He blinks, scratching the back of his neck, he clears his throat, “listen, I didn’t ask you out for just that… I just wanted to ask you out in general.” 

You ignore the fluttering in your stomach. 

Sipping on your drink, you smile to yourself, “why?” you ask, pushing the other drinks towards him. 

His eyes light up and he accepts the drink with a smile. Finally, he gets to spend time with you. 

“Why did I ask you out?” 

You nod. 

“Well, I think you’re pretty cool,” he says, “considering you’re wearing a Metallica shirt,” he smiles, pointing to the shirt you’re wearing, “a-and you’re very pretty.” 

He raises the glass to his lips to take a sip. 

You move closer to him, your fingers brush against his, your bare knees bump against his as you lean in to whisper in his ear, “and I bet you wanna see me naked after our date, you wanna take me to your van and fuck me like I’m one of your filthy little groupies, huh?”

Eddie’s eyes widen and he almost spits out his drink as he starts choking. You giggle as you pull back to look at the shocked expression on his face. Those images invade his mind and he can’t help but feel his dick twitch in his pants. 

“Y/n!” he says through gritted teeth as he calms down again. 

“What?” you ask, still giggling. 

“Y-You can’t just do that!” 

“Why not?” you ask, batting your eyelashes at him. 

His eyes are wide, his cheeks are red and he gapes at you. 

“B-Because!” 

You roll your eyes, leaning back against the counter, “oh come on, Eddie. Don’t act all innocent. I know all about your groupies and dirty stories.” 

He looks taken aback and he stutters, a frown appearing on his face. Obviously, he didn’t want you to know about that, for some reason. 

“How do you know that?” 

You smirk at him, taking your time with the next sip before you place it back on the counter. You look around the bar before your eyes meet Gareth’s, you tilt your body to the side, waving at him with a smile on your face. 

Eddie furrows his brows and turns around to find Gareth waving back at you before a panicked look appears on his face when he sees the angry look on his best friend’s face. 

“Your friend has a big mouth, he told me a lot of things about your gigs. You are living the rockstar life already, huh?” you ask, “groupies, sex, alcohol. Are drugs a part of it yet?” 

Gareth, you asshole. 

He doesn’t know why he feels the need to explain himself but for some reason he feels embarrassed and bad about it. He hasn’t been with many girls, a few groupies here and there, it wasn’t even anything memorable. A blowjob or a quick fuck in some dirty bathroom wasn’t something special to remember and he quickly realized that it’s not something he wants to keep doing.

“Listen, it’s not like that. I’m not a–”

“Not a fuckboy?” you ask, chuckling, “don’t worry, I don’t judge. I get it, you’re attractive, girls throw themselves at you all the time, who would pass up on an opportunity like that?” 

His eyes widen, butterflies fluttering in his stomach, “you think I’m attractive?” 

Amusement flickers in your eyes and you smirk, “that’s all you heard?” 

He shrugs, smirking at you, “would you throw yourself at me if you didn’t know who I am? Would you be my groupie?” 

“If I didn’t know who you are?” you ask, ignoring the rest of the question. 

“Yeah, I mean that’s why you rejected me, right?” he asks, “because I’m a freak and you’d be embarrassed to be seen with me, people would talk.”

You frown at his words, that’s not it, that’s not it at all. 

“You’re not a freak,” you mumble, “and I don’t care about people or what they think.” 

“Then why did you reject me? I’m not mad or anything, just curious.” 

You avoid looking into his eyes, downing the rest of your drink before you place the empty glass back on the counter and get up. 

The disappointment is evident on his face but you can’t stay here any longer or else it will be harder to leave him later on. 

He still waits for an answer though, you sigh, a serious expression crosses your face, “because you’re not like the others,” you say as you look into his confused eyes. His lips part and he stares at you, not understanding what you mean by that. 

“I-In what way?” he asks. 

There was always something special about Eddie, being around him always felt so natural, there was a connection. Whenever one of you would walk into a room, your eyes would always find each other, it felt like there was a magnetic force between the two of you, it was difficult to stay away from him. No one has ever made you feel that way before and it scares you, knowing that he has the power to hurt you makes you wanna run away from him, you refuse to give him your heart, knowing that he will crush it eventually. 

“I’m just not interested in breaking your heart, Eddie.” 

He huffs, shaking his head, he grabs your hand before you can walk away. You tense up at the feeling of his touch. 

“Is that all you care about? Is that all you wanna do?” he asks, staring into your eyes, he tries to figure you out, “hurt people, break their hearts. Is that some kind of thing you get off to?” 

You’re taken aback by his words but you don’t show it, you don’t let him see the pain in your eyes or the shock. 

“Those people deserve it, don’t you think?” you snap.

What started off as a competition between you and Steve quickly turned into something bigger. The first heartbreak and the realization of what you had done and what you were able to do made you want to keep going. While Steve never cared what kind of girls he was hurting, you purposely only went for guys who were known to be heartbreakers and bullies. Not only did you manage to steal their hearts, you also gained their trust and they spilled all their secrets to you, especially when they were drunk. Their secrets were valuable, you used them all against them and they did everything you told them to do, even sparing a certain person from all their cruelty. 

Eddie frowns at your words. Yeah, maybe they do deserve it. You hurt people who hurt others, people like Billy and Jason but this can’t be your life forever. 

“Yeah but you deserve to be happy too, y/n.” 

You blink. 

Suddenly your heart feels heavy in your chest. Your dad, Steve and Robin all say the same thing to you and yet you can’t allow yourself to be happy, at least not in that way. 

“I am happy, Eddie.”

What a lie. 

“Now, if you’ll excuse me–”

“No, please don’t go,” he pleads, not letting go of your hand just yet, “spend some time with me, please. I-I won’t flirt with you or anything, we can be friends, right?” he asks, staring at you with his beautiful eyes. 

You could never be just his friend but you can’t say no to him. Damn you, Eddie Munson and your stupid puppy eyes. 

You want to say yes, that you can be friends but in the end, you still end up shaking your head, “I-I gotta go…” you mumble. 

Eddie can tell that you don’t want to go, you want to stay and he wants you to stay too, so so bad but he lets you go nonetheless, he watches you walk away, he sighs, shoulders slumping in defeat.

“You trying to win that girl’s heart?” Theo chuckles as he takes in the lovestruck expression on Eddie’s face. 

Eddie blushes, shaking his head, “n-no… I’m not– that’s not what I’m trying to do..” 

The older man only laughs in response, shaking his head, “that’s exactly what you’re trying to do,” he grins.

“I– we barely know each other,” he lies. 

Eddie knows you, even if you aren’t close. He knows you. 

He knows that behind the walls you build up around you, is a girl that is too sweet and too good for this world, that’s why you put on this mean act, this heartless and cold girl. It’s to protect yourself from all this pain and destruction in this world. 

And there is more to it, so much more, he knows it, he can feel it and he can see it whenever he looks into your eyes. Others might not see it but Eddie does, he can see the pain in your eyes, you can’t hide it. Not from him. 

“And yet you look at her like she is your personal sun,” he chuckles. 

Eddie rolls his eyes, shaking his head, he tries to hide the blush on his face by looking down. 

“She looks at you the same way, boy,” he says before he walks off. 

Eddie’s eyes widen, “w-wait! What?”

-

The rest of the weekend goes by in a blur, probably because you spent all this time thinking about him. You hated it, hated the way he just took over your mind. Even now, when you are supposed to focus on class all you can do is think of him.

Feeling a pair of eyes on you, you turn to your right, sure enough, you find Eddie staring at you. His dark chocolate eyes bore into you, a shiver runs down your spine and you blush a little. 

His words echo in your mind, “we can be friends, right?” Maybe, you can be friends. Maybe. 

Eddie bounces his foot, playing with the rings on his fingers as he tears his eyes away from you. After he got the smallest taste of what it could be like to be your friend, it was even more difficult to stay away from you.

A crumpled piece of paper lands on his table and he furrows his brows in confusion, the two girls behind him immediately begin to whisper amongst each other, probably gossiping about him. Looking up, he finds you staring at him with a smug look on your face. 

Sighing, he looks down, folding the paper open, his eyes widen and his cheeks get even redder, heart fluttering in his chest– ‘You look so pretty today, Eddie. I love your shirt’

What? 

He blinks as he stares at the paper for what feels like forever. Blushing like crazy as he looks down at his old Def Leppard shirt.

He raises his head and turns to look at you, you flash him a sweet smile before you turn away from him. 

Your smile was enough to make his heart race in his chest. 

“What was that?” the girl behind him whispers. 

“Guess she’s going for the freaks now,” the other one giggles, “I mean, she must’ve gone through every popular guy at school.” 

“She’s just as much of a freak as he is, Sarah.” 

Eddie rolls his eyes at the girls behind him, drowning their voices out, he turns to take another glance at you. 

“You’ll be working in pairs for this project,” the teacher announces. Eddie raises his brows, head snapping towards the teacher. Project? What project? 

“You can choose your partner yourselves.” 

He looks at you, expecting you to get up to pick a partner but you don’t even bother, you just continue to draw something in your notebook. His heart starts racing as he thinks of asking you to be his partner, he should, right? Out of the corner of his eye, he notices someone getting up, Chase. Jason’s friend. He is looking right at you. ‘Yeah, not happening’ Eddie thinks to himself. Scrambling to his feet, he grabs his stuff and rushes towards you before Chase can, he looks at him with a smug face as he sits down next to you. 

Chase glares at him, clenching his jaw, he takes a look at you before he turns around to walk away. 

Eddie’s knee bumps against yours, he leans his elbow on the table, your eyes meet as you raise your head to look at him. A smirk tugs at your lips, “hi…. partner.” 

“H-Hi,” he stutters, “d-do you wanna be my partner?” 

You smile at his stuttering, “yeah, sure,” you chuckle, trying to act unfazed, like you aren't just as nervous as he is.

Eddie scratches the back of his neck and chuckles nervously, “u-uh, so.. what are we working on?” 

You snort, “you don’t listen to the teacher, do you?” 

He blushes, shaking his head, ‘I’m too busy staring at you,’ Eddie thinks to himself. 

“Me neither,” you giggle, “we can pick the topic ourselves though, we’ll figure something out.” 

He nods, trying not to stare too much. 

“Uh– so, should we meet up somewhere or..” he trails off, getting lost in your eyes. 

“Well, if you aren’t scared of my dad then you could come home with me after school.” 

He furrows his brows in confusion, “why should I be scared of your dad?” 

Your eyes flicker with amusement. Considering that your sister is dating one of his little sheep, you figured he knew who your dad is but it seems like he is clueless.

“Oh… no reason,” you chuckle as you picture the shocked look on his face when he sees you going to see your dad later. 

Eddie chuckles nervously, “you sure?” he asks. 

“Totally, I just don’t bring any guys home– well, except for Steve but he is just a friend.”

Eddie’s eyes widen, “and what am I.. to you?” he asks. 

A smile tugs at your lips as you notice the blush on his cheeks and the soft look in his eyes. You have to look away to stop your heart from fluttering, “you’re my cute project partner,” you giggle as you start gathering your stuff after the bell rings. 

Oh.

“Let’s go.” 

He snaps out of his thoughts, looking up, he notices you staring at him, waiting for him. 

He gulps nervously as he realizes that he is gonna be all alone with you. 

“Y-You know we could do this at my place,” he says, causing you to giggle. 

“Why, are you scared of being alone with me in my bedroom?” you smirk.  

Eddie’s blush deepens as one of the jocks who was just walking by, heard your words. Glaring at Eddie with a look on his face that he can just describe as jealousy. Suddenly, he feels smug, picking his stuff up, he grins at you, “let’s go.” 

As he walks through the hallways next to you, he notices all the stares, the odd and the jealous looks from the jocks. The angry glares from Jason’s friends. He knows he should probably feel nervous, knowing that they’ll only bully him even more out of jealousy but he can’t help but feel smug about it, smirking at them when you step even closer to him. 

“Did you drive to school?” he asks you. 

“No, Steve gave me and Robin a ride,” you say, glancing at him. 

The sunlight makes his eyes shine even brighter, butterflies swirl in your stomach as you look at each other. 

Oh no.

You tear your eyes away from him and look down at your shoes as you make your way towards his van. The sweet gentleman that he is, he opens the door for you, he smiles down at you, noticing the flustered look on your face.

He is surprised, after all the dates you have gone to, you must be used to this and yes, you are used to this. You are used to men pretending to be sweet and soft gentlemen but that’s all that it is; pretend. None of them are actually sweet, they just act like they are to get in your pants but it’s different with Eddie. 

“Thanks,” you say as you get into his van. Eddie smiles at you, closing the door, he walks around the van with an excited look on his face. You notice it and can’t help but smile. 

Disposable Heroes by Metallica is playing as you drive through the streets of Hawkins. Gripping the steering wheel with one hand, his other hand is resting close to your thigh and you can’t help but stare at the rings on his fingers. You can feel his eyes on you every once in a while, stealing glances whenever you are not looking. 

Eddie can’t believe that you are in his car. Even that always seemed like an unrealistic thing to even dream about but now you are here. Just a few days ago, he tried to make you stay, he tried to befriend you but you left, walked away from him the way you did before and now you’re here, with him, in his van.

Parking his van in your driveway, he notices another car standing there, it looks familiar but he can’t remember who it belongs to or who he had seen driving it. 

“Come on,” you say, smirking at him already. A look of mischief flickering in your eyes, he doesn’t know why but for some reason it makes him nervous, very nervous. 

“Don’t worry, daddy isn’t home,” you chuckle, “but my sister probably has friends over.” 

“You have a sister?” 

You hum, nodding your head. 

He grabs his backpack and follows you to your front door, allowing himself to stare at you and the way your skirt is hugging your ass so perfectly. 

You unlock the door and step inside, turning around, you welcome Eddie in with a smile on your face. 

He steps in and he is hit by the smell of chocolate chip cookies, the sound of chattering and pop music. He scrunches his face up at the sound of Madonna’s voice. 

Eddie looks around the hallway, pictures cover the wall, he recognizes the little girl in the picture, it’s you and a man he doesn’t recognize. 

“I’m home and I brought a guest!” you announce to whoever is in the kitchen. 

Eddie gulps, he doesn’t know why but his heart starts pounding in his chest as you take his hand in yours, leading him further into your house. He walks into the kitchen after you and his eyes widen when he finds  his neighbor sitting by the kitchen counter, flipping the page of a comic book and munching on a cookie. She raises her head as she notices two pairs of eyes on her, a smile appears on her face when she sees you before a frown settles on her face when she looks at Eddie. 

“What are you doing here?” she asks Eddie, causing you to chuckle. 

“Red is your sister?” Eddie asks surprised. 

You shake your head, “no–”

“I’m her sister.” 

Eddie turns to the girl who just walked into the kitchen from the living room, eyes widening even further. He stares at the brunette in shock, the look on his face is comical.

Mike’s girlfriend is your sister. 

He turns to look at you, you stare at him with an amused expression on your pretty face. 

Mike’s girlfriend is your sister. 

Jane Hopper. 

Jane Hopper is your sister, that means that Jim Hopper is your dad. 

“Oh, you little shit,” he mumbles under his breath as he grows even more nervous. 

He knows that you know that he was arrested a few weeks back. It was after a night out with the boys at the hideout. He was drunk and stumbled towards his van, he didn’t plan on actually driving, he just wanted to grab his keys for the trailer but Hopper caught him getting into the van, not believing Eddie when he told him that he didn’t want to drive. Eddie and his big mouth is what got him into trouble though, the chief got sick of him and arrested him but Eddie refused to spend one more time in a cop car or a cell, he managed to run off in handcuffs, which found home in his room now. 

Thanks to Wayne and his friendship with Jim, he got away with it and Eddie managed to avoid the chief but now here he is, standing in his house. 

“Hopper is your dad!?” he asks, squinting his eyes at you as they flicker with both anger and fear. 

Max giggles at the expression on his face. 

El looks at him in confusion and then turns to you, looking at you in question. 

You chuckle, “yeah, he’s my dad, don’t worry, he isn’t home.” 

Eddie sighs, “that doesn’t make me feel any better!” 

“What did you do this time, Eddie?” Max smirks. 

He sends her a glare. 

“Come on, you’re safe in my room,” you giggle, tugging at his hand.

“Are you sure you wanna be caught making out with Eddie?” Max giggles, looking at you smugly. 

El’s eyes widen, “you are dating him?” She asks you, “you finally have a boyfriend too?”

And suddenly, Eddie feels so much better when he sees the flustered look on your face, shaking your head, “no… no, he’s a… a.. friend.” 

Max snorts and looks back down at her comic, “right… friends always hold hands,” she mumbles. 

You quickly let go of his hand and he chuckles, “we’re not friends, I’m just your cute project partner, that’s what you said, right?” he smirks at you. 

You glare at him and Max and El giggle at the look on your face. Eddie looks smug as he stares into your eyes. 

You are blushing like crazy. 

‘Oh, this is going to be fun,’ Eddie thinks to himself. 

-

Taglist: @prettyboyeddiemunson @littledemondani @wroteclassicaly @corrodedcorpses @aftermidnightwriting @emma77645 @aysheashea @spookycreepycookie @vintagehellfire @lfaewrites @zoeymunson @tlclick73 @hanobe8

[j-k-writes]

Hello bro, would you ever write a Ygritte x male reader x Tormund, in which the reader is part of the Night’s watch as well, and is with Jon when the whole situation with the wildlings happen in aprox. season 3? Perhaps with “I don’t do well when you’re away” and “no. Its non-negotiable. You’re staying here” as prompts?

Love your Rhaenyra x reader series🙏

Summary - Y/N had been a Man of The Night's Watch since he was barely a man, but when he and his fellow brother-in-arms Jon are taken in by the wildlings, he wonders if he'd chosen the wrong side. Two wildlings kissed by fire are determined to show him that he did.

Warnings - General GOT warnings, innuendos (?)

Thank you!

Used a mix of book a show canon to make the plot make sense.

“Tormund climb the wall.” Mance had declared. “Take Orell and twenty good men, take these two. They know Castle Black’s defenses better than any of us, and if they’re useful, good. If not, throw them off the wall.” 

It had been a month since they’d set off for the wall. Y/N had made longer journeys ranging past the wall before, but Jon hadn’t and Y/N could see the effort of it all was taking its toll on the younger man. Y/N sympathized with the man, the act of pretending to betray his brother’s was taking its toll on Y/N as well, but he doubted it was the same as Jon. Y/N found himself dreading his ultimate return to Castle Black more and more the closer they got to the wall. 

Ygritte wasn’t helping his dread in the slightest. 

The girl in question took a seat by him at the fire, resting her thigh directly next to his. “You’ve got a funny look on your face.” 

“What?” Y/N turned away from the fire, facing her. 

“What?” She mimicked, turning her lips down in a frown, probably meant to imitate his own. He laughed, shoving her away, she caught his arm as he did so, pulling herself closer to him. She smiled, rubbing her nose against his before catching his lips in a kiss. 

Y/N grasped her face, deepening the kiss. Her hands found their way into his furs, and she began to maneuver her way into the man’s lap. But she was stopped by a loud cough beside Y/N. Y/N pulled away, face burning, and he turned to face the other ginger of the camp. 

Tormund had a smug look on his face, taking a seat next to Y/N, “A couple of rabbits, the both of you.” 

Y/N reddened further, and Ygritte just laughed, shifting to sit even closer to Y/N. “Don’t be jealous, Tormund. If you want to share, you can just ask.” 

Y/N made to stand up, “I’m going to go find Jon.” 

Tormund grabbed his arm, dragging him back to the ground. “She is just messing with you, boy.” 

Tormund gave Y/N his usual teasing smile, although it didn’t quite reach his eyes this time. Y/N breathed out, nodding, and settling into his place between the two wildlings. He knew Ygritte was just joking, but the way she looked between him and Tormund when she thought Y/N wasn’t looking made him uneasy. He liked Ygritte, he’d known that since she brought him and Jon to the wildling camp, making lewd jokes at the both of them the entire way. 

But Tormund, Y/N didn’t know how he felt about the man. 

He was an attractive man, Y/N couldn’t deny that. But Jon was an attractive man, and Y/N didn’t feel the same dread in his gut when he was alone with Jon that he did when he was alone with the wildling. Tormund had been sticking close to both Y/N and Ygritte since it had become obvious Ygritte had won the ex-Man of The Night’s Watch over, if that’s what it could be called. Never leaving the two of them alone long enough to have a repeat of their night in the cave. 

Ygritte was amused by the wildling man’s actions, but Y/N couldn’t help the thoughts his sudden change in behavior brought. And he wondered if the two wildlings were the same in more than just their hair color. 

“I need to talk to you.” Tormund cleared his throat, looking away from the man and toward the fire. 

“So talk.” Ygritte said, humor falling off her face. 

“We’re climbing the wall tomorrow.” 

Y/N nodded, “I know that.” 

“No.” Tormund scratched his beard, “We’re climbing the wall tomorrow, you are not.” 

Y/N’s expression hardened. “What.” 

Tormund sighed, and Ygritte spoke. “What do you mean he’s not climbing the wall? You’re just gonna leave him behind? He’s proven-” 

“I know what he’s proven!” Tormund interrupted her, wincing at the volume of his voice and lowering it when he spoke again. “This is not about what he has or hasn’t proven.” 

“Then what is it about?” Y/N spat, and Tormund winced at the tone of his voice. 

“Be honest with me, boy. With your leg and this walking, do you think you can climb the wall tomorrow?” 

Y/N opened his mouth in shock, he’d thought he’d been able to hide the pain in his leg well. The accident was years ago, and it had healed well. Y/N had brushed off the sharp pains in his leg as the cold making his muscles stiff, and nothing more. But apparently Tormund paid more attention to him than he thought. 

“My leg is fine.” Y/N kept his voice flat, and Ygritte just looked confused, her gaze flicking between the two men. 

“I know what a bum leg looks like, boy.” 

Y/N’s nostrils flared in anger, “I do not have a bum leg, and you are not leaving me behind tomorrow.” 

Tormund clasped his shoulder, giving him a sympathetic look which just made Y/N angrier. He tried to shove the hand off, but Tormund just grasped him tighter. “You don’t need to prove your strength to me. But I will not have you risking your life for pride. We will climb the wall, and you will stay behind with a smaller party, when we’re over we’ll lower a ladder and you will join us.” 

“Are you not risking my life by leaving me here?” Y/N sneered, turning to Ygritte. The expression on her face already told Y/N whose side she was on and Y/N deflated slightly. “I- I don’t do well when you two are away. They don’t trust me like you do, they’ll use any excuse to kill me as soon as you leave.” 

Ygritte cupped his cheek, touching her forehead to his. “Then you kill them first.” 

Y/N sighed, “Ygritte-” 

She shushed him, “You’re mine, Y/N. You don’t get to kill yourself because of your stupid crow pride.” 

“You will be fine.” Y/N turned to Tormund, who squeezed his shoulder where his hand still rested. “You are strong. You have wildling fire inside of you, you have to if you’re keeping up with her.” 

Ygritte laughed behind him, and Y/N gave a small smile. “I am not going to change your mind, am I?” 

Tormund shook his head, brushing loose hair out of Y/N eyes. “No. It's non-negotiable. You’re staying here” 

[tanith-rhea]

Only Pretending #9

Word count: 2.2k Author's note: Ok, so that's it! My first ever long(ish) fic for the Larissa Weems cult fandom! @anti-bright-places, thank you so much for this wonderful request. I had a lot of fun writing this one and it was all for you. I hope you enjoyed the ride.

“Glad to see you back alive,” Vlad drawled as he sat beside you at the table. Chatter once again filled Nevermore as the students used their lunch time to update their friends on all the break gossip.

You smiled at him. By his cheeky grin and upturned nose, you guessed he had received the blood you and Larissa got on the way back for him. You didn’t know much about outcast society, but Larissa looked far too adorably excited when you asked if she knew a place that sold beverages for vampires and diverged a bit from your original route to take you to “my favourite winery around these parts. I’ll buy some more cherry for you and maybe a bottle of scotch.”

“Do you understand me now?” he asked, surprising you since you were expecting an “I told you so” or “Got into her skirt, then?”

With a fondness only Vlad managed to ignite in you, you replied, “Yes. I know behind all the shenanigans and scheming there’s wisdom, which is frankly irritating. And you were right… we were very blind, weren’t we?”

“Frustratingly so, yes,” he said with a deadpan, “But also very amusing. I’m only a bit sad that I don’t have free entertainment anymore.”

“Hey!” you shoulder-bumped him, but you were both chuckling.

“I’m proud of you.”

“Shush, stop being nice and call me an idiot child for taking so long,” he laughed at that, earning the attention of a few other staff in the room.

“Oh, I will. I just thought you’d appreciate recognition before weeks of berating,” he chuckled a bit more, kissed your cheek and puffed into a bat, flying away.

Classes went as productively as one might expect after a break, but you didn’t mind too much since you were also in high spirits. Listening to some students talk, you even discovered that there were some normie communities in which outcasts could go trick or treating safely and enjoy the date with other kids and made a mental note of mentioning it to Larissa. You knew it would make her smile.

On Larissa’s note, Enid seemed to have kept her word, for no one looked at you any differently and you heard no whispering teens when you walked through the corridors. You and Larissa weren’t the talk of the school, even if, for some reason, you’d wished Enid would have said something and everyone would have known by now.

Of course, you trusted the girl, but at the same time, it meant that you would have to make the decision. Maybe Larissa would want to wait for Christmas break, and you could understand that, but it also meant keeping away from her in public. No handholding, no longing looks. It would be torture, but you’d endure.

You wouldn’t have to behind closed doors though, and that’s why as soon as classes had ended, you went to your quarters to shower and wear something comfortable before hurrying to her office, where you knew she was still working.

You knocked, and a curt “Come in” sounded from within. You could bet and win that she hadn’t taken a break the entire day.

She was, as predicted, typing on her laptop when you entered. When she glanced up to see it was you, she stopped and gave you a small smile.

“Let me guess, you drank no water and ate nothing the entire day.”

She arched a brow with and smiled smugly, “I made sandwiches and tea this morning.”

“How much tea?”

“A cup?”

“For an entire day?” it was your turn to look smug as you walked around her desk to recline against it in front of her, successfully blocking her view of her arm extension of a laptop.

She didn’t stop you when you leant forward to leave a chaste kiss on her lips, just held your face to keep you close a little more.

“Your mouth is dry,” you whispered, dropping the smug act, “I think you’ve worked enough for the day.”

Larissa’s office led to her private quarters. You had to chuckle at the paralleled to her work and life balance, that her office and bedroom were separated by a simple oak door.

“That’s how you always know where people are when you send for them?” you mused, looking through the windows at the other end of the room. Combined with her office, Larissa had a good view of two of the three sides of the school that weren’t surrounded closely by the forest.

“I think the ones who lived here before the school liked to have an idea of where the house staff were at.”

“And it doesn’t hurt now when you want to spy on your own staff,” you arched an eyebrow, looking back at her, Larissa’s indignant face was priceless.

“I’ll have you know I have much more important things to do than spying on you, you little-“

“I never said me…”

She was stunned silent for a beat too long, “Anyone, for that matter!”

You tsked, enjoying too much riling her up, “I don’t think Wednesday would agree with you on that front.”

“Oh, the girl had trouble written all over her and you are starting to seem the same. Should I keep an eye on you?” she approached, more comfortable having earned a blush from you.

“I don’t remember complaining…” you breathed, and her hand circled your waist, bringing you closer.

“Imbalance of power, stalker behaviour, any other red flags that turn you on?” you snorted very unprettily, hiding your face on her chest.

“Fuck you. You know damn well it’s because it’s you,” one of her hands came up to your back, encasing you in her warmth.

Her voice was soft when she spoke. “I’m honoured you trust me,” then she distanced herself a bit, only to come back for your lips.

She kissed you slowly as if savouring the taste of your mouth like good wine, deeply and focused, committed to cataloguing every inch of it to memory, every movement and your response; how your hands fisted her dress when she sucked on your lower lip, the way your breath faltered when she bit down on it, and how you melted when her fingers wove themselves into your hair and kept your head in place.

You were completely at her mercy and all she did was kiss you for a few minutes. It was impressive how you could disregard your need for air, but in your defence, you had something far more important to focus on.

Her hand on your waist brought you with her to the large bed in the middle of the room. You had a faint memory of how tastefully decorated her chambers were, but the soft-looking duvet atop the enormous mattress was clear in your mind’s eye as if burnt behind your lids.

She turned to sit you on it without ever breaking the kiss, kneeling in front of you. When her hands descended to the waistband of your trousers you scolded yourself for wearing simple black cotton panties. She would probably be wearing lace, looking divine with desire burning in her mesmerizing eyes, although you could argue that she looked breathtaking in anything, anyhow.

She unceremoniously hooked her fingers in the waistband and pulled your trousers down, with efficiency and grace you had only ever seen her sport. Her fingertips travelled from your ankles, through your calves and to your thighs; you were struggling to breathe more than ever, and she noticed, leaving your lips with a small smile.

“Let me take care of you,” she whispered, and her hoarse tone betrayed how affected she was by the little you had done so far.

In a titillating show of strength, she laid you on the bed and straddled you. You had barely any time to recover before she descended onto your jaw and neck, sucking extendedly where one met the other; you could feel your pulse against her tongue accelerate more and more.

“Larissa…” your white-knuckled fingers held her shoulder and nape desperately as you whined her name, asking for what you weren’t sure since what she was doing could (ashamedly) very well finish you.

“Shh, darling. Be patient.”

You wanted to say you would love to, but your body wasn’t interested in being so. You almost did, but then one of Larissa’s hands slid underneath your sweatshirt, leaving a path of goosebumps in its wake, and you weren’t able to concentrate enough to vocalize any previous thoughts.

Her fingers found your breasts, and she circled and pinched your nipples while continuing her exploration of your neck, slowly making her way to the little of your collarbones she had access to.

Her weight on your legs kept you from moving too much, but it didn’t stop you from writhing and rising your back from the bad, muscles tightening under her expert attention. You took deep breaths in and held them for as long as possible in the hope of some sense of relief but to no avail.

Interrupting her torture for a few seconds, Larissa occupied herself with pulling off your top. You weren’t given too much time to recover, though, because she would lavish every new expanse of uncovered skin with loving kisses.

Once you had only your underwear on, Larissa sat back, appraising you with deep breaths and hungry eyes.

“You are perfect,” she murmured as her gaze came from your body straight to your eyes, “Absolutely exquisite,” she breathed and, in a second, she was at your mouth again, fiery and demanding.

Her hands gripped the back of your thighs, bringing your legs over her shoulders. You tried to grind against her, and you almost thought she didn’t let you on purpose, but soon enough you felt fingers pressing on your drenched panties.

Larissa’s small laugh on your mouth had your hips jerking, throwing yourself against her fingers. She swallowed your loud mewl with a hum, massaging your clit over the fabric with her thumb.

“See?” she muttered, “Such a perfect, good little girl.”

You whined in protest, and electricity ran through your body at her arched brow and rumbling words.

“Oh? You’re not a good girl?” she asked, innocently, and you shook your head desperately, unable to form words and dying for her to read you, “So you’re what? My plaything?”

“Fuck…” you breathed pathetically as her index and middle fingers started tracing up and down your entrance.

“I didn’t know I had found myself a whore,” she grumbled close to your ear and sucked into your lobe.

You felt like a teenager again. The power she had over you was unparallel to any other person you’d ever been with. She rendered you into a pitiful mess of hormones.

“Let’s see if you can take me like one, then,” she growled and knelt back on the bed, your legs falling from her shoulders as she took off your underwear and threw it somewhere on the floor.

You had half a moment to brace yourself for what was to come, and then you felt it; Larissa’s tongue deepening into your entrance, making its wait to your clit, her lips closing around your hardened bud and sucking.

You screamed. Your thighs clenched in her grasp, threatening to close around her head. She let you, you knew she could keep you from it, she was stronger than you, but she hummed as your trembling legs encircled her, heels pressing onto her back and shoulder blades.

One of her hands traced the inside of your thigh as it made its way between your legs and soon enough you felt a finger pressing inside you, almost immediately finding its goal. Your eyes watered and even tightly shut tears escaped them and ran down your temple.

You were too lost in sensation to think about anything. You gripped Larissa’s hair, shrieking and panting, so close it almost drove you mad. She sucked and circled your clit with her tongue, fingering you faster and faster, how wanted to yell for more, demand release, and then you didn’t have to.

With your grip on her hair, Larissa moaned languidly, vibration and her sharp intake of breath against your heated flesh sent you over the edge with a scream.

Your entire body trembled with aftershocks, Larissa licked and kissed you til it was almost too much. Unabashedly revelling on your pleasure. When your legs started to relax, she planted small kisses on them and finally came up to you.

With all the energy you could muster, you brought a hand to her face, guiding her down to kiss you. You tasted yourself in her mouth and hummed, a satisfied smile twisting your lips. The fondness in her eyes as you parted made your heart hurt.

“Give me a minute,” you breathed, “I want you to sit on my face.”

You didn’t know how long you were laying together. Larissa absentmindedly stroked your hair behind your ears and away from your shoulders, leaving your back bare.

Tucked on her neck, you could smell her; the scent of sex and Larissa should be forbidden, the risk of it driving someone to madness way too high to afford; you in particular.

“Now that we’re back… will you… want to keep us secret?” you had told yourself you would understand her, but you couldn’t keep your voice from sounding small and insecure.

Larissa shifted underneath you, her hand travelling down from your shoulder to your back as she laid you in the bed and hovered over you.

“Pretending to date you was hard enough. I don’t think I’d be able to pretend not to date you now,” she whispered and leant down to kiss you again.

Tags are as follows: @anti-bright-places, @pro-weems-places, @the-bagel24, @regalbootie, @tundra1029, @thoroughly-confused-kiwi-blog, @lilsmeaux, @poorwritingandstalecoffee, @alder-saan, @jelly-frogss, @enchantressb, @imean-its-just-me, @lvinhs, @iloveyall-18, @kimiinou, @jeweleegrey, @a-queen-and-her-throne, @one-pining-queer, @paulsonwifey, @winterfireblond and @bobia13

For the lovelies who stuck around until the end, I have a little surprise. I edited the fic into an EPUB, and will be linking it here, as well as in the Archive of Our Own version. Thank you so much for all the love, you made all the difference.

[cas-backwards-tie]

Chapter Two: The Deal and A Meal

The Missing Title

Baron Helmut Zemo x Reader

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Summary: After rounding up the entourage and getting debriefed on the mission, Madripoor and a woman named Selby await. Despite not knowing much about the place, it seems someone has a plan and it’s made clear what part you’ll have to play.

Words: 7.5k

Warnings: Insecurity, Sexism, Dubcon, Threats, Violence, Cursing, Illegal Activities, Guns, Attempted Assassinations

A/N: I intended to originally go through all of the second episode within this chapter, but it turned out to be way too long, so I had to cut it short and split it up into two (possibly three knowing what I plan for the next chapter) parts. It'll be fun though, I know it! (aka the 'meal' part of the title might have been previously in reference to a certain someone.) and thank you again to @imamotherfuckingstar-lord for essentially beta’ing for me ❤️

After a stale biscuit offered by the elderly gentleman you've come to learn is named Oeznick, and a glass of water, you'd fallen asleep. The flight passed fairly quickly, and it wasn't until you were an hour outside the drop-off point that a warm and sturdy hand placed itself upon your shoulder. "wecken," an accented voice meets your ears as you stir from your peaceful nap.

"Rise an' shine," Sam's voice calls from off in the distance. Eyes blinking open you follow the calloused fingers up to its owner, surprised to find that it's the Baron who's woken you.

"When you're ready to change, I've placed your outfit in the lavatory," Zemo explains, hand lifting from your shoulder to gesture where the aircraft's restrooms are. Upon righting yourself, you find Sam running his hands down the lapels of his suit. With your half-awake state you're unable to bite back the smile tugging at the corners of your lips.

"Hey, I didn't pick this, okay? If you wanna thank anyone, thank the maniac over here- better yet, thank Buck since he's the one who got us into this mess in the first place." Sam turns his argument on his counterpart, the mischievously playful twinkle in his eyes landing on the man still sitting in his seat from earlier. Leg crossed over the other, small notebook open in his lap, Bucky raises his gaze to your friend.

"Yeah, like you wouldn't be doing something just as-- if not even more--dangerous if it weren't for my idea," the soldier retorts.

"So I'm hearing that this maniac is actually perhaps saving you some grace?" Zemo chips in, a smug look upon his face.

"Ha, you wish," Sam's voice bites back as you shake your head in amusement, exiting the cabin.

The lavatory is far more immaculate than you'd anticipated, the sleek shedua door leading into a room bordered with, and a sink cabinet made from the same polished material. There are rolls of towels sitting on a shelf beside the sink. Eyes taking in your groggy features reflected in the back-lit mirror, you don't spot the outfit until your eyes see a pop of color. Dangling from a hanger placed on the hooks at the back of the door is a satin cherry red dress.

With gentle fingers, you run them along the soft fabric. It happens to be one of your favorites, even if you're sure many people enjoy the smooth touch of it. Though you may consider whether your undergarments will work with this outfit--let alone if it'll even fit you--there's no better answer than seeing for yourself. After all, Zemo had said that this was for you. There's no other wardrobe in here, so it's not like you can pretend otherwise. It only takes a second to double-check and make sure you'd locked the doors and there are no cameras or an unfortunate happenstance of a double-sided mirror. With everything in the clear, you quickly undress, partially excited by the thought of trying on such a sexy and luxurious dress.

As you tug it up in place, shoulders supporting the straps, you're careful with it, not wanting to mar or maim it in any way. After all, it's not every day you're handling such expensive things. Initially, you'd been concerned about your undergarments, and while your bra straps are showing, it seems that simply tucking them beneath the draped fabric lining your chest doesn't leave behind a visible trace of the economic brand you own. The only issue is what follows next. Upon zipping up the back as high as you can, you find that the dress is snug against your curves. While that's not a style you usually go for and leaves you feeling somewhat exposed, you don't mind the way it looks on you.

Vision set on the mirror again, you find yourself running your hands down your sides as you take it in. The red material definitely contrasts against your skin, making your features pop in a different way than the more plain clothes you'd previously been adorning. Doing a slow spin, you take it all in; that's when you notice the issue... your panty-line is visible. Not to mention, the dress has a pretty high slit that ends just below the middle of one thigh. This realization causes the faint smile that'd appeared on your lips to turn downward.

Nevertheless, you continue. After all, that's only one hangup; there's plenty more to be done. Luckily, you'd brought some makeup with you. At the time you hadn't been sure why, but now the last-minute item you'd thrown in your duffle has clearly come to use. Though there could be debate on what sort of makeup style would look best in not only your picked outfit, but for whatever part you're playing. Escort? Lover? Arm Candy? Prostitute? You decide for yourself. Going for a classic smokey eye, eyeliner, and red lipstick, you make sure you look every point the part you're to play.

It's then that the final pieces come into play. There'd been a black cardboard box lying on the counter. Inside, you'd found a pair of black high stiletto heels which had a diamond encrusted floral-looking pattern attached to the back. Lips parting in a silent "wow," you can't help but enjoy them. The shoes fit perfectly, to your surprise, and while everything is in place, you decide that you're finally ready to return to the men.

"Holy...." Sam draws out the syllables as his mouth hangs open. Bucky's eyebrows raise as his blue gaze rakes over your body, taking in all the details.

"du siehst-" Zemo shakes his head, "wunderschön aus," he comments. Gloved hands tugging on the lapels of his coat, he clears his throat before turning his gaze back upon the men. "Hopefully everything is to your liking." While he doesn't look at you, the comment was in your direction, that much you know. Bucky nods in agreement.

"Never seen you so dressed up before," Sam teases, a playful smile arcing across his lips.

Eyebrows raising in surprise and amusement, you lift a finger to beckon him over. Sam obeys. "Firstly, you've seen me at the annual galas many times- and-" you clear your throat and quietly lean toward him, clearly going to whisper something. Sam recognizes this and lets you have access to his ear. "There might be a slight problem." The hint of concern in your tone is what makes him lean back far enough to gauge your reaction.

"Oh no- what is it?" He asks, not bothering to lower his voice. This comment garners the attention of everyone in the cabin, all the men turning their gaze on you. With a swallow of the anxiety rising to your throat, you try not to crumble under their gaze. Bucky senses your nerves and looks back out the window. Zemo turns his gaze away just enough to let you two remain in his peripheral vision, but make you think otherwise.

A hand gently gripping the bicep of Sam's suit, you lean in again. "You..." you sigh, turning your face away for a moment to gather yourself, "can see my panties. Clearly. I-"

"Okay-" Sam interrupts, instantly retreating from your touch as he puts his hands up. "I don't really need to hear about that, but I'm sure it's fine! It's fine- no one will notice." With a speedy glance toward the problem, his lips purse into a line. The reaction is what causes the men to return their gazes upon you, clearly left out of the loop.

"I don't- I don't know what to do about it," you whisper-yell in Sam's direction. With another look away from the men, your hair concealing the embarrassed look on your face, you gather yourself again. A sigh escapes your lips. "I don't know if I should-"

"What's the issue?" Zemo asks, clearly piqued in interest. While his hands clasp together, you can't be sure if you've offended him by the slight raise of his brow, or if he's simply determined to resolve whatever it is that's bothering you. Lips parting once more, your eyes turn back toward Sam.

"Don't look at me," he reasserts, hands raising in a childish manner. It's as if he's pawning you off to some strange man. You suppose he is, though you know how close he and Bucky are. Is Bucky a better judge though? A better critic of this? "I... think you actually oughta ask Zemo. He'd probably know better- no offense," he turns the latter half on Bucky. Almost as if he'd been on the same trail of thought as you.

"How can I help?" Zemo questions again, taking a step toward you. He tilts his head slightly, clearly trying to deduce the problem as he gives you a once-over. Nose wrinkling up in embarrassment, you let another sigh escape you before letting your head fall for a moment. Clearly, you have to do this. It's fine, though... or at least that's what you keep reminding yourself over and over again in your mind. With a raise of your hand, you summon him over. He obliges, leaving a little space between you as your relationship isn't as close as yours and Sam's. Albeit you'd have thought the man who's more like a brother would be more willing to help and hear out an embarrassing problem than a stranger. Obviously not, it seems.

With a mindless quick lick of your lips, you step closer to the Baron. Closing the space, you place your hand on the bicep of his coat as you lean in to whisper. "I... might have an obvious panty line problem. I don't know if I should take them off, or... I don't know, I mean- there's the slit, and, what if I-"

The touch of his leather-gloved hand resting on your bare arm makes your words come to a stall. "You don't need to worry, Liebling. If you want to dance or are afraid of exposing yourself, you can have my coat. I would, however, suggest taking them off for the mission, at least. Unfortunately, it would raise questions and look out of place for..."

"For...?" You pressure, wanting to have asked him earlier what part it is, exactly, that you'll be playing.

"For a high-end escort," he answers. "If this makes you uncomfortable, you may see if James and Sam are willing to let you await us at the meeting spot." Removing his hand, he remains in the closeness you'd created, wanting to be available for further conversation. However, you're all well aware of the approaching landing.

A shake of your head reveals your answer. "No, I'll do it. I just wasn't sure if that was the best option, or..." your words trail off and you give him a shrug of your shoulders. He nods in understanding.

"Problem solved?" Sam asks from the seat he'd retreated to during your exchange with Zemo. While his eyes (and Bucky's) never left you two, he had no doubts that you'd be able to come to some sort of compromise. A huff of annoyance leaves your lips at Sam's attitude. You roll your eyes in his direction before turning on your heels and heading back to the lavatory.

The last thing you hear before getting out of earshot is Zemo questioning Sam on why he couldn't have an adult conversation with a woman he's so close to.

________

It looks as if it's just rained, and while it smells somewhat revolting there's nothing you can do besides follow the men. Lagging a few steps behind (considering your heels) you can't take your eyes off the magnificent lights. The architecture something to be admired along with the mountains in the distance surrounding the city. Boats sit anchored all along the bay, and you wonder if they're night-fishing, or perhaps partying since the boys had claimed Madripoor was something of a party city when you'd been briefed earlier this afternoon.

"We have to do something about this, I'm the only one who looks like a pimp," Sam complains. "At least you look, fashionable," he gauges your expression, rolling his eyes upon noticing your amusement.

"It's not that bad," you offer, hoping to make him feel better considering he needs the confidence for this plan to work.

"Only an American would think a fashion-forward Black man looks like a pimp. You look exactly like the man you're supposed to be playing," Zemo states. Your lips part in shock and awe. He's not wrong, however considering who he's responding to, his comment might be a little out of pocket. The generalization of Americans is something you try not to take personally.

Before you can comment on who truly looks like a pimp amongst your group, Zemo continues. "The sophisticated, charming African rake named Conrad Mack, aka the Smiling Tiger." Tearing your gaze from the water once more, you find that Zemo not only has a phone but is handing it over to Sam.

"He even has a bad nickname," Your friend complains. Tilting the phone so you can see the image, a laugh bursts from your lips. "Hell, he does look like me, though."

"Can't deny that," you add on. If anyone's getting credit, it once again is Zemo. While Sam had criticized Bucky aggressively, you're starting to see why perhaps the Soldier went through with his plan. Continuing down the pavement, heels clacking against the hard material as your eyes roam the expanse of the bridge and city before you, the accompaniment of boots wetly stomping against the ground gives some sort of comfort. You're on your way, this will all be over before you know it.

"You smell this?" Zemo breaks the silence.

"Yeah, what is that? Acid?" Sam questions, indulging the conversation.

"Madripoor," Zemo answers. As a vehicle approaches, the ride Zemo had ordered not long before, he speaks again. "No matter what happens we have to stay in character. Our lives depend on it. There's no margin for error."

If you weren't nervous before, you were now. Although your intrigue about he smells and Zemo's nonanswer have left your mind, you know that anxiety won't help anything. No matter what happens, you have to act believable. Do whatever it takes. There's a reason you joined this mission, and there's a reason Joaquin asked you to help out. The car pulls a U-Turn and stops just a few feet away.

"High Town's that way. Not a bad place if you wanna visit," Zemo says, "but Low Town's the other way."

Anger once again infiltrates your system. Not only is Zemo giving out nonanswers and advice, you've walked over halfway down the bridge to High Town for what? Only to go back the way you'd come? As your mind starts to run over the possible reasons, you've been left no time to think as Bucky opens the door to the back of the car.

"And let me guess, we don't have any friends in High Town," Sam states. From your peripheral you see Zemo shake his head. He, of course, takes the passenger's seat. Most important people up front, you assume. While Bucky waits for you to get in, you slide into the middle and buckle up. Once he's in next to you and shuts the door, you're half-minded to thank him, but remember your rules: stay in character. If you were really the Baron's plaything you'd know that the Winter Soldier was nothing but something akin to more of... a doll, of sorts.

As thunder rumbles in the sky, you're glad that you guys had gotten in the car long before it started raining again. After all, your hair and makeup need to be presentable for this to work. The mindless soothing gesture of running your hands along the soft satin material of the red dress the Baron had picked out grounds you. As the ride passes you're simply happy to take in all the new scenery around you, admiring the nice vehicle's interior along with the way your acquaintances are dressed.

You hear the sound of motors before you're able to see them. While you can't exactly see the side mirrors of the car, you know there's more than just one on each side. As Sam looks around, so do you. Something sinks in your chest; whether it's fear or dread, you can't tell, but considering you're unsure who's manning the motorcycles now surrounding your car, it seems warranted.

Perception is a funny thing; everyone has their own, yet they're all vastly different. Self-aware people are hard to come by. In fact, you'd seen reports that only twenty percent of people are self-aware, while the outlying eighty percent goes through life blind. At least, that's how you'd surmise the data. Why is it funny? Well, it's simple. Everyone takes in certain things, and while you've always been once to take in all the fine details, there's another phenomena that sometimes follows secondary. Dissociation.

While the process is usually brought up as a form of coping with trauma, it never truly goes away once it comes up. Coupled with anxiety, time seems to be slipping away like a blur. Soon enough you're following Zemo down a walkway, focused solely on staying close. Upon approaching a series of stairs, you're standing over an enclave of Low Town. The lights, stalls, vendors, people, and activities all at a good viewing point from here.

Unaware of the fact that you'd stopped until Smiling Tiger bumps into your shoulder, you're shaken out of your stupor. He wasn't the only one to notice, however, as the next thing you know Zemo's taken ahold of your hand and is escorting you down the steps.

"Stay with me," he instructs, determined dark eyes searching your face. At the bottom of the stairs he tugs you by your hand in the direction you suppose the location.

He doesn't seem unfazed, yet the task of mentally processing your surroundings and staying in character almost feels like too much. Maybe this is why you were better off behind the scenes on most projects. It's the sight of guns, within view, at access, in foreign and unfamiliar territory that's doing this, you're sure. Though the thought that Bucky and Sam are there is somewhat comforting.

Following Zemo under a blue and purple neon sign in the shape of a screaming monkey, you can't help but smile. It's uncalled for, surely, but with all the conflicting emotions going on within your gut, you aren't too focused on your reactions.

Zemo says something, and you're sure it's Russian, however it's only the last word you can makeout as something that sounds like "Soldier" that lets you know he isn't talking to you. Walking through the crowded bar, Zemo releases your hand, only to wrap his plush-coated arm around you, keeping you close.

Though you're aware of the eyes falling upon your group, you don't entertain them, nor the whispers you start to hear filter up into a murmuring. It seems as though Zemo has a plan as he marches right up to the bar with you.

"Hello, gentlemen, and lady. Wasn't expecting you, Smiling Tiger." The Bartender greets, putting down the glass he was cleaning.

"His plans changed. We have business to do with Selby," Zemo states. Eyes drifting up to his face, you offer him a coquette smile before turning it onto the Bartender in hopes of enticing him just slightly. After all, your mother always said that honey works better at trapping flies than vinegar.

"The usual?" The Bartender asks, suspicious eyes turning on Sam. Luckily, the man instantly plays along and nods. Taking in the blue lights that shine down from the truss they hang upon, your eyes scan the walls which you now only realize are made from something other than simply art. With inspection, you come to see they're the skulls of what you can only guess are monkeys. Which makes sense, considering the sign you'd seen outside. Zemo orders you both a round of shots, clearly focused on business.

Hand finding the Baron's gloved hand which still lies on your waist, you unravel yourself from his hold as you turn in his grip to lean against the bar to face him, hand still attached to his. With a moment to breathe, you join his hand with your other, both hands playing with the glove, one hand's fingers running along the length of his arm.

As Zemo turns back to look at you, he's distracted by the sight of what the Bartender is making. A split-second look of stun turns into a smirk as the man releases an amused "Ah." With curiosity, you'd followed the Baron's gaze, only to be equally, if not more stunned. "Smiling Tiger, your favorite." Noticing you, Zemo can't help but let out a laugh.

Met with a gutted snake, you can't help as your eyes widen and lips part. It only takes a second to follow suit as you turn to Smiling Tiger and offer a slightly amused and tight-lipped smile. "I just never get used to it," you comment, playing along.

As the Bartender slides over the shots Zemo had requested, the Baron picks them up, offering one to you. Faces turning to Sam, you both take stock of his reaction. One of you is seemingly challenging him, while the other is offering as much support as they can through their guise.

"I love these," Smiling Tiger states with confidence. Zemo raises his shot to your friend, you following suit before clinking glasses with your fake lover.

"Cheers, Conrad," Zemo announces. Downing the shots, you both return your gaze to him.

"Mmm," Smiling Tiger hums in anticipation, lifting the shot for a moment before he grimaces and hesitates. Just when you're about to encourage him, the man downs it in one go and doesn't make a face. Another faint hum of what you assume is truly disgust, but comes across as an unsettled stomach or perhaps going down the wrong way emanates from the man. With a thumbs up toward the Bartender, the man looks skeptical for a moment before turning and helping another customer.

Eyes still on Sam, it isn't until someone approaches your left, practically invading your personal space that you right yourself. Zemo's hand shoots past you to push you behind him as he squares off against the man. "I got word from on High. You ain't welcome here," the man states.

The Baron makes a noise of intrigue and thought before clicking his tongue against his teeth. "I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me..." a slap of his gloved hand against the bar brings everyone's attention to his gesture toward the Winter Soldier.

"New haircut?" The man asks, turning his attention on the Winter Soldier, who stares him dead in the eye, unflinching.

"Or bring Selby for a chat," Zemo threatens the man. Hands moving to rest on Zemo's back, you pretend to comfort him, offering your physical touch as some sort of grounding, or at least a reminder that you're there. He looks between the Winter Soldier and the Baron for a moment before leaving. Zemo shakes his head, to which you retract your hands, unsure if he's bothered, annoyed, or something else entirely.

"A power broker. Really?" Bucky asks, annoyance obvious in his voice.

"Every kingdom needs its king," Zemo explains, resting against the bar, himself, "Let's just pray we stay under his radar."

"Or hers," you challenge, joining him in leaning against the bar, even if you're really gauging the other side of the room and its crowd.

"Do you know him?" Smiling Tiger asks as he turns to be the lookout this time. "Or her?" He adds for your benefit, as you share a knowing look.

"Only by reputation," Zemo answers, turning to look at Smiling Tiger. "In Madripoor, he is judge, jury, and executioner." Clearly, the Baron seems to disagree with your theory. In earnest, it really is only a theory. People often underestimate others, and while there's a good chance only a man could survive the streets and business from what you've seen of Madripoor so far, you never know.

As you join suit and turn to look at your friend, it's only after Zemo calls for the Winter Soldier that you notice the person approaching from your left. As the Baron engages with Bucky, commanding him in Russian, you watch the man continue toward the former and extend a hand. Grimacing, you shake your head in a tacit form of advice. Of course, he didn't listen.

As soon as the man lands his hand on Zemo the Winter Soldier grabs it and backs him up a few feet. Eyes glued to the scene, you watch as Bucky easily throws the man to the ground and breaks his arm. People begin raising their phones to record the event as the man groans in pain on the floor. Another man runs at the Soldier to come to the groaning man's defense before throwing a punch. With a quick one-two combo, Bucky kicks him into another man who'd been coming to help.

It's somewhat shocking, watching the Winter Soldier throw someone onto a table. The table collapses and yet that's not where it's going to end, you can tell by the way Bucky continues stalking toward him. With a quick shift up to meet Zemo's face you're appalled to find him smiling. "You're not going to stop this?" You ask, momentarily forgetting your role. A doll of the Baron's would know what to expect... wouldn't they? Yet the thought hadn't crossed your mind. Hands reaching out toward the Baron's sleeve, there's a quick movement over Zemo's shoulder. Someone attempts to hit him, yet Zemo catches their arm and uses their momentum to push them toward the Winter Soldier.

Making quick work of the attacker, his body goes flying into a criss-cross metal beam before slumping onto the floor.

"Didn't take much for him to fall back into form," Zemo comments toward Smiling Tiger. His tone is almost amused, as if the thought was meant to provoke something from Sam. Taken aback by the quick spiraling of events, you jump as the Winter Soldier slams a man onto the bar and Zemo's hands simultaneously wrap around your waist. "Would you rather get what we came for, or be injured, even dead?" He whispers in your ear, nose nuzzling into your neck for a moment before he releases you, still keeping one hand on your waist.

The sound of guns cocking all around you makes your heart start racing as you force yourself to continue playing the part. Staring at Bucky's metal arm choking this man atop the bar, his hands attempt to scratch and claw for freedom to no use. You wouldn't be afraid of the danger, not if you were his lover. You'd probably get off on it, probably be used to it... something that to your character is entirely false. Stomach beginning to feel as though it's knotting up, you watch as Sam breaks character, hand shooting out to rest on Bucky's shoulder.

"Stay in character or the whole bar turns on us," Zemo murmurs through gritted teeth to Sam before commanding Bucky again in Russian. You think he's congratulating him, commanding the man's release? You aren't sure.

"Selby will see you now," The Bartender announces, eyes set upon your group as the man below Bucky's hand starts wheezing.

"Thank you," Zemo replies, nodding in the Bartender's direction.

In a matter of minutes, you've been led down corridor after corridor of sketchy, colorful doors and graffitied walls. With Zemo by your side, he keeps his hand snug on your hip as his arm snakes around your waist, keeping you close. Now that you're being led behind the scenes of the public fronts, you're able to see that things are much more dangerous than you'd been led to believe. Cages line the walls of one room, different pricey items inhabiting their safe spots. On tables there are guns, drugs, and more money than you've ever seen in one place at one time. Cameras line a row of desks, the security clearly high, and well needed if your parts are the type of crowd they normally get.

"You should know, Baron, people don't just come into my bar and make demands," a white-haired woman speaks from across the room. As the guard with some type of rifle stands aside, it's clear you've come to your stop.

"Not a demand, an offer," Zemo clarifies. As he sits across from her in an armchair, he drags you with him, placing you on his knee. This time you know the part you're playing, and with the physical closeness, you figure it doesn't quite look right. Backing yourself up onto his lap, you turn your upper body toward him, slinging an arm around his neck and bringing your head to rest against it so you can pretend to admire him.

"A lot has changed since you were here last. By the way, I thought you were rotting away in a German prison. How did you escape?" Selby, the only person you can assume is her, based on how she holds herself, asks. She's testing him, you know that.

From her question, you know now is the time you can play. "We don't talk about that," you bite. Eyeing the velvet, patterned suit she wears, you take in her leopard-print tie and snakeskin couch. In your opinion, it's all so tacky. A two-thousands sort of 'elitism' look. Outdated certainly.

Zemo's gloved hand pats your hip a few times, his brown eyes turning to you, brows furrowing just for a moment. "It's fine, Meine Süße," he responds, voice much quieter and gentler, "I have not seen Selby in a long time! The question is only reasonable," he announces, turning his attention back on her. With a shrug, he answers. "People like us always find a way, don't we? I'm sure you've already figured out what I'm here for."

"Now, who's this?" A smirk tugs at the corner of her lips before she points at Sam, not taking her eyes off you as she gives you a once-over. "You're taller than I'd heard, Smiling Tiger." With a playful motion of cat claws, Selby purrs in his direction before finally turning her attention back on the both of you. "What's the offer?"

"She's none of your concern. Tell us what you know about the super-soldier serum," Zemo lifts you onto the arm of the chair before standing and rounding the chair to pat the Winter Soldier's arms. "And I give you him. Along with the code words to control him, of course." Running his gloved hands down Bucky's chin before jiggling it, you're stunned that the man hasn't broken once. "He will do anything you want," Zemo offers.

Selby begins to smile, and you think he's got her. "Now that's the Zemo I remember," she bemuses, to which, he grunts in acknowledgment, "I'm glad I decided not to kill you immediately-" she pauses, "-Yeah, you were right to come to me. Arrogant, but right."

The Baron listens, his face stoic as he walks your way. Plopping back into his seat, you let your hand snake its way up his shoulder and onto his collar as you play with the fluffy speckled fur.

"Now, you know I hate to ask things twice, but how do I know your little tramp won't go running around spreading things on the street?" Selby threatens. Eyes darting from Zemo to her, you can't help the way your eyebrows furrow and anger begins to simmer in your gut.

"Because she's not a tramp." Venom seeps from his voice. In an instant he's dragging you onto his lap again, gloved hand gripping your chin and turning your face to meet his. Without a moment to think he's pressing his lips to yours with a fervor you were entirely unexpecting. Gasping, you retract for a moment, eyes searching his for only a moment before you reconnect your lips. This is your part, this is what you have to do. You should've expected it, but here you are.

With the understanding that this is life or death, you know you have to make this convincing. As soon as he returns the kiss again, you revel in the way his plump and plush lips dance with your own. His hands slide from your waist downward, dangerously low, yet not quite touching your butt. You let yourself moan against his lips. While your dress is long, you're able to move enough to straddle him, even if it's tight. Noses brushing against one another as you both deepen the kiss, it's only once your lips part slightly, each of your breath fanning across the other's cheek in rapid pants that you find yourself grinding against him.

Upon realization you must've stopped, because it seems as though Zemo recognized your hesitation. Parting from the kiss, he rests his forehead against yours for a moment before lifting you again to rearrange you to sit across his lap this time. "I don't need to explain my relations to you, Selby, but I'll say this: if she's going anywhere, it's not without me." There's once again a determination in his eyes that you find yourself unable to tear away from. While you stare at the Baron, taking in every fine detail of his face, he doesn't meet your eye. Instead, his darkened eyes remain set on Selby.

"The super-soldier serum is here in Madripoor. Doctor Wilfred Nagel is the man you wanna thank-" Selby concedes, the mentioned named garnering your attention. "Or... condemn, depending on what side of this you're on. The Power Broker had him working on the serum, but...things didn't go as planned."

"Is Nagel still in Madripoor?" Zemo asks.

"Oh. the breadcrumbs you can have for free, but the bakery is gonna cost you, Baron," Selby taunts. Standing, she starts to cross over to the two of you, "And before you get all cute on me, don't think you can find him without me."

Suddenly there's a buzzing coming from Smiling Tiger's pocket. Everyone freezes. Eyes flitting to Sam, you don't dare break now.

"Answer it," Selby demands, "On speaker." The Winter Soldier crosses the room, now standing behind Selby, while she calls over one of her own guards. The biggest one.

"Hello?" Smiling Tiger greets.

"Hey, um, we need to talk about this situation. It's been drivin' me nuts," the voice of a female answers.

"What situation exactly are you talkin' about?" He responds.

"Are you high? You know what situation, it's the only situation me and you have," the voice retorts, getting agitated. Eyes on Smiling Tiger, you can still see out of your peripheral vision that Selby begins rounding the Winter Soldier, checking him out, you're sure.

"What situation, Sarah? Say it," Smiling Tiger demands. Sarah? That's... his sister. Shit.

"The damn boat. And watch your tone, okay? I let you slide at the bank," Sarah explains.

Selby begins to approach the armchair, the sound of something dragging across fabric makes you think she's grazing the chair to intimidate you all. Smiling Tiger scoffs. "The bank? Yeah. Laundered so much..." He chuckles as if he were doing his best 'villain impression' and not actually in a life-or-death situation. "Yeah, they'll come around."

"If that was the case, then why'd they dog you out, Big Time?" Sarah questions. This isn't good, this is poking holes in his character. You know this must sound suspicious to Selby. Eyes finally beginning to break, you turn your gaze toward Bucky for a second, his gaze unmoving, so you turn back to meet Zemo's gaze. His hand tightens on your waist.

"Yeah, you damn right I'm Big Time. You'll see when I have that banker killed," Smiling Tiger threatens.

"Cass! What'd I tell you about the Cheerios? I don't have time for this! Sam, I'm sorry- let me call you back." The beep of the call ending fills the room.

"'Sam'? Who's Sam?" Selby asks, eyes gauging you all. "Kill them!" The command comes quick, yet the bullet comes quicker. Glass breaks somewhere behind you and you're jumping in your skin. Sam goes for the man beside him, Zemo throws you off his lap. Bucky grabs the man to your left, knocking him out with his own gun before you're all running to the exit, or rather, the door you'd come in from.

"They're gonna pin this on us," Sam warns, back against the door as he's armed with one of the men's guns. Bucky stands lookout with the gun he'd picked up. Now you're panicking, wondering why the hell you didn't pick up a gun?! Heart thumping wildly in your chest, you run a hand through your hair, anxiety rampant.

Zemo sighs. "We have a real problem now, so leave your weapons and follow my lead," he directs. In an attempt to play nonchalant, you all exit the casino you'd entered and wind through the confusing corridors until you're back in the bar you'd come through originally. Walking out of the bar, you're doing your best to keep up in stride with the men as you're not as tall, and your strides certainly don't match theirs-- even in heels.

It's only once you're out on the street that you hear phones chiming left and right, everyone's eyes falling on your group. Motion from your right garners your attention and you stumble, a woman within a shop's window making a finger gun towards all of you and shooting you repeatedly. "This is not good," Zemo states. Almost at the crossroads just beyond the train tracks, the lights above you go out. Someone ahead of you starts unloading a clip, the banging of metal and clinking of empty casings ring throughout the air.

Everyone ducks, "Shit!" you hear Sam yell, while you'd made a noise that could only resemble someone being punched in the guts. A hand grabs yours and tugs at you. It's Zemo. Running after him, he guides you through the streets of Madripoor into an alleyway and around trash cans, litter, boxes, and through gates.

On the corner at a crossroads of which path to take, you spot quick movement from your peripheral vision on the left. Pushing Zemo into another alley, you hear a metallic boing echo, a telltale sign of ricocheted fire. Someone is clearly still following you both. His dark eyes widen in surprise, and though the moment feels drawn out as you both stare at one another, a nearby bang reignites his fervor. Tugged through the dirty, puddled streets of Madripoor. You're approaching another road when Zemo pushes you behind the wall of a deserted outdoor booth.

A gloved hand covers your mouth as the Baron crams himself between you, the wooden pallets of the vacant vendor stall, and the brick wall of the alleyway. There's a slight light flooding out from one of the apartments on the second story. In this, you see the wild look in his brown eyes. Ignoring the obvious closeness of your chests pressed against one another, and the rapid beating of your hearts thumping, you can't help but realize where your hands are. Having reached out in the heat of the moment for some sort of stabilization, your palms rest against the thick fur coat on either side of his hips.

Before you can question his intentions, the wet pounding of boots echoes down the alleyway. Whoever had been pursuing was running, only for their footsteps to stall. The constant pounding turns into an occasional splash as they step through puddle after puddle. Feet uncomfortable as Zemo's leg had wound up between yours, you slightly shift under his weight. He shakes his head, clearly worried about the person as their footsteps start to sound more and more distant. If either of you make a noise, they'll come back.

Luckily, they don't hear, it seems as the footsteps get more and more quiet, more distant. Though Zemo doesn't move. Another half a minute passes before he finally releases you, letting you exit the hiding spot first. "My apologies," he offers, clearly wanting to make his intentions clear. "I only meant to-"

"-Save us, I got it," you cut him off. "thanks." Not wanting to further discuss or acknowledge what'd just happened, you try to put it out of your mind. Ignore the flickers of desire that had bubbled up upon his proximity.

"Precisely," he adds. While it seems he wanted the last word, it doesn't go over your head how both of you seem to want to move on or change the topic. Refocusing on what's next, you realize finding Sam and Bucky might be hard given you're in unfamiliar territory.

Following Zemo through the streets, it doesn't take long for the nearby sound of Bucky and Sam bickering to alleviate your worries. Hot on their trail, you and Zemo give each other an amused look before running off in the direction of their sound.

"You seem to have a guardian angel," Zemo states, bewildered, as the both of you round a dumpster and meet up with the rest of your group. Relief fills you as you're more than grateful you'd found them and you're all still seemingly in one piece.

"Well this is too perfect," A feminine voice states from behind you. Upon turning you find that a gun's being held to your group, though more specifically, him. "Drop it, Zemo," she commands. The Baron puts his gun on the ground and you back up, watching as Bucky squints in her direction, while Sam raises his hands in surrender.

"Sharon?" Bucky questions. The name sounds familiar, though you can't place her face or name. The woman still approaches, gun aimed at Zemo.

"You cost me everything." Her tone is low... her eyes dangerous. She's clearly here for one purpose and one purpose only: she's going to kill him.

"Sharon, wait-" Sam begs, and you all find yourselves joining him in raising your hands in surrender. Placing himself between her and the gun, Sam defends him "-Someone recreated the super-soldier serum and Zemo had a lead," he explains.

"Well, that explains why you guys are here, and Selby's dead." Righting her head from having tilted it while assessing all of you, she continues to eye each one of you.

"So what are you doing here?" Bucky asks, daring to take a step forward. With the way there's still a pit in your stomach, it takes a moment to dawn on you. He's deescalating the situation; he's using a military tactic. Or perhaps a psychological tactic, you're unsure. Either way, he's doing something, which is better than you can say for yourself.

"I stole Steve's shield, remember? I also took the wings for your ass-" she points the gun at Sam, then at Bucky, and finally Zemo. "-so that you could save his ass from his ass. Unlike you I didn't have the Avengers to back me up. So I'm off the grid in Madripoor," she explains. Doing mental calculations in your mind you try to place how a woman like this could have access to Steve's shield. That's when it hits you. Sharon Carter, the woman who'd been in a relationship with Steve for a while. You'd heard her mentioned once or twice by Sam and Joaquin, she held a high-ranking position in the CIA until... well, until the whole ordeal happened with the Avengers... with Zemo.

"Hey, don't blow smoke at me. I was on the run, too," Sam argues.

"Was. Is. Big difference. I don't speak to my family anymore. I can't. My own father doesn't know where I am," she clarifies, finally lowering her gun. With everything you've put together, it makes sense why she'd be angry at them. Hell, why she'd even want to kill Zemo, you get.

"Listen, Sharon we need your help," Bucky states, taking another step closer. Sharon chuckles, an incredulous look on her face you recognize all too well. They're asking for her help... again. After she says she's lost everything because of them. "Please," Bucky begs. Sharon sighs, and you finally feel your shoulders droop and relax a little. While you don't know her personally, you feel for her. With all that'd happened in the last few minutes it only comes to realization now how the guys had taken each moment of conversation during their attempts at deescalation to from a blockade in front of you and Zemo.

"This isn't over," Sharon warns, "I have a place in High Town. You should be safe there for awhile." With a nod of her head in the direction you'd come, Bucky follows her. You follow him, and looking back momentarily you spot Sam pushing Zemo.

~~~~~~~~

forever taglist: @ohdamnadam , @safarigirlsp , @jynzandtonic , @moonlightsolo

tmt taglist: @wheres-mylove

[jamneuromain]

Water Bottle, Straw, and Lip Gloss

Andy Barber x You (Reader)

College AU, Teacher-Student Relationship, Professor Andy Barber, Student Reader, Fluff, mostly fluff, a lil humor maybe, talk about sex, Age Gap (implied), Dom/Sub relationship, pet names

Summary: Andy thought of ways of enforcing his rule of "drinking water" to you... would you be glad to accept it?

A/N: Happens right after the full story of Wishful Thinking. A drabble that is very much inspired by @rogerswifesblog/@rogerswifesblog-updates <3 when we talked about this post (which also goes a little to the Wishful Thinking Chapter 5).

I completed this on 4th Jul., but I'm waiting till now bc this is my birthday and I wish I would have an Andy (not my Prof obvi but) a daddy bf next year <3

Dancing in the Daydream (M. List)

Andy is very thorough on the aspect of drinking water. He demands that you have at least a Liter of water every day and is determined that he watches you drink most of the time.

The sixth glass of water at the end of the day, not counting the 500 ml bottle he handed you in the afternoon, is making you frown.

“Andy-” You try to whine yourself out of it.

“Nuh-uh.” He nudges the glass closer, “Drink. Before bed.”

Stupid dom-sub relationship. You fume. Showing every bit of reluctance as you gulp down the bland, tasteless, not even bubbly water.

“That’s my good girl.” He takes the empty glass and kisses you on top of your head.

“That tastes like… nothing.” You complain, wrapping your arms around your knees, “Can’t I have some taste in water? At least?”

Andy muses. He knows you are not a big fan of drinking. But he isn’t going to let your skin and lips get all dry and still insist that you are fine. One Liter of water doesn’t even meet the standards of an average adult.

“Tastes aren’t supposed to be in the water.” He pecks your damp lips, “Water is healthy for you.”

You purse your lips. You never quite liked the feeling of water remaining on your skin, or your lips, for that matter. Wiping your lips with the back of your hand, you mutter, “I think a sprinkler truck just ran over my tongue.”

“What’s that?” Andy pretends he didn’t hear you, “Oh, you want trucker daddy for roleplay tonight?”

“Oh screw you -” You lie down in an instant, pull the cover above your head, and play dead.

“Careful not to suffocate yourself, sweetheart.” He laughs, heading to the kitchen to clean the glass and soon back to bed with you.

As he is heading to the kitchen, he was reminded of the empty coffee cup on the counter. The cup you took home right after today’s lecture, for which he scolds you slightly not to replace water with coffee.

But the straw and the cup do ring a bell for him.

If he can’t make the water more tasteful – as it is water after all – he could do something else to make the drinking process more entertaining.

“A cup and a straw? Andy … ” You laugh so hard that your eyes blur with tears.

Andy has a smug smile on his face because of what he has done. In the decent box and decent wrapping paper, there is an orange translucent water bottle. Tiny white clouds are painted on the side of the bottle. It looks perfectly normal from the outside, with a piece of cardboard stuffed inside to keep it dry. Only when you pop the lid up, do you see that there’s a soft plastic straw connecting the top of the bottle to, which you guess, the bottom of the bottle.

There’s another straw, a blue firm-plastic one, with twirls in the middle and a pair of wings that makes the top of the crooked straw look like a flamingo.

A blue flamingo.

“Now you have it, you know, you can use it to drink water.” Andy shrugs like he’s one of the high school boys who pretend that they are super chill about everything that ever exists in the world. Except that he’s smiling. His blue eyes glinting with a touch of warmth and a ton of amusement. “Thought it would be more interesting with the, ahem, this cup.”

“I will.” You kiss his plump lips that hide behind his beautiful beard, smiling too, “very considerate, Professor Barber. Thank you for this birthday present. I like it a lot.”

A few weeks later...

Andy is in the bedroom, organizing the suits he needs to send to dry-clean when he hears your sweet voice calling him: “Andy dear, would you mind coming to the study for a bit?”

You sound a little sketchy, because you never use the term “Andy dear”, or “would you mind” with him. That sounds way too polite for both of you.

Still, he steps into the study. He can’t read your expressions, however, because your whole face was blocked by the huge computer screen in his study.

“Anything you need?” He puts his hands in his pockets, completely unaware of what you need him with.

“Oh yeah.” You lean your body over the large mahogany desk, turning the screen to him. Now he can see your face. Your lips purse into a tight line that is nothing close to the sweet voice you just used.

Oh crap.

What has he done?

“Care for an explanation? Andy dear?” The sweet voice now sounds like the sugary slick that flesh-eating plants produce to lure insects into the palm of their hands, or leaves, or whatever. He knows he’s in deep trouble, especially with the small vein pumping on the corner of your forehead.

Andy visibly gulps. His eyes turn to the large screen, on which you “considerately” point the mouse to what you were just referring to.

You nail nearly taps on the screen, the few words that seem perfectly normal in purple. His search history, “ANDY???”

Bottles for kids that don’t like to drink

Water bottle for kids

Reusable see-through straw for kids

Reusable straw for kids

Straw for kids

“What the fuck is this, ANDY???” You look at the screen when you pull out the website of what the search of “reusable see-through straw for kids” would lead to.

A fucking blue flamingo plastic straw.

Okay. He’s in deep shit.

“Listen, sweetheart-” “Don’t you sweetheart me!” “It’s just a joke! No wait, that doesn’t sound right too…” “Kids??? Andy??? KIDS BOTTLE??? FOR KIDS?????” You can barely contain your voice, and not the happy kind of voice.

“If you could just give me a second so I can talk myself out of this-”

You seriously look like a growling lion and Andy wishes he could slap himself when he blurts out what he thinks. He has pissed you off real bad.

“Yeah right. Kids, Andy? That what I am to you?” You slap your palm on the table, only that you used too much force and it hurts too much, so you quickly hide you palm beneath the surface.

“You’re my baby…?”*

You look at him with a poker face. Clenching and unclenching your jaw.

Highly unpleased.

Andy puts up his hand as if surrendering, taking a small step back, “You said it yourself that the straw with little wings was fun. I mean, it’s not that… unforgivable… right?” A few dry chuckles follow.

You take a long deep breath, rubbing your reddened palm with your other hand below the table surface, huffing, “You know what? I’m so mad I don’t want to talk right now.” You glare at him with your death stare, “And I’m going to order Bobba with extra syrup and cream tops this afternoon.”

Looking as if you’ll kill him should he argues otherwise.

Sugar will always help ease your tensed mind.

As you slurp bobba tea with extra bobba in the living room, Andy uses some lame excuse to come to the joint between kitchen and the living room, somewhat relieved to see that the kid straw is still in place right where it belongs, in the utensil racks near the fridge.

“What?!” Your eyes are throwing daggers at him, sensing his lips murmuring some words.

“So… the fun straw… stays?” He asks with uncertainty, scratching his chin – the typical move when he’s disturbed or awkward. Obviously the latter one in this case.

“Get out of my sight before I change my mind.” You pull a long face, answering reluctantly.

“The fun bottle too?”

“ANDY!”

You didn’t reject his puppy eyes along with the cuddles after dinner, playing some random reality show on the TV. None of you are truly interested in what’s playing on the screen. This is just you spending some time together, without having to pay attention to the background noise.

Andy fake coughs to capture your attention, as you curl up and lay your head on his chest, getting almost sleepy because of the carbs you’ve had for dinner tonight.

“I know you are upset. But could you please tell me why?” His thumb circles your shoulder, giving it a small squeeze.

This is his peace offering. You are not going to let that chance slip away. Also, you are not that angry, just a little angry.

You use what you use best, giving an example to explain your anger to him, absent-mindedly watching the boring drama on the screen, “What would you think if I tell you the milk in our fridge is made out of infant milk powder?”

“Okay. Ouch. Fair.” Andy agrees, suddenly realization, or more like a terrible idea strikes him, “Wait, no, it’s not, right?”

Dumb Andy. “God, you go to the grocery shopping with me all the time! How could you – I drink that too, just in case you forget.” You can’t help but roll your eyes. “Of course, they are not made out of powdered milk. Plus, you could at least tell me when you were handing me the gift, instead of finding it out myself.”

Which is truly the reason why you are mad.

You are always the type to rather live with knowledge and painful truth than knowing nothing and live a happy life. Andy is, no doubt, aware of this side of you, since the last big event happened in your life is largely caused from his intentional withheld information and dishonesty.

You promised each other to be honest. Not that every detail of your daily life should be disclosed to the other one, but important decisions and feelings should be shared, especially when you are in a relationship that contains elements of D/S.

Clearly, your dear boyfriend needs a reminder every once in a while.

Andy kisses the top of your head, muttering his apology, “I’m sorry baby. I swear I won’t keep anymore secrets even if the truth will piss you off.”

“Thank you, Andy. I’d appreciate that.” You nod, telling him that you accept his apology.

“In that case I should also probably tell you that I accidentally broke your vial of lip gloss two weeks ago and I bought you a new one.” Andy winces, the weight on your shoulder also moves away for a little.

“You WHAT???” You quickly scoot away, seeing that his facial expression a mixture of awkwardness and nervousness, adjusting your voice accordingly, “You. What?”

“Sorry.” He shrugs his shoulders together, crossing his arms in front of his chest, looking like he’s afraid of you biting his head off.

“Fucking hell I know that vial lasted way too long! I thought it was because I haven’t put on lip gloss for a while and there was still a lot in the bottle!” You grumble, “I’m ordering bobba tomorrow too. The death of my last vial of lip gloss is too much of a devastating news for me.”

“Whatever you want.” Andy agrees in the blink of an eye, leaning his body to you, saying the sincerest words ever, “I’m so sorry babe-”

“Oh you will be-” You prance in his direction, attacking the ticklish spot on the side of his waist.

“Whatever you want but that!” Andy announces and leaps away. As you put on your slippers and start a chasing war in the kitchen and living room, Andy dashes in the speed that beats you by a few seconds, always able to slip out of your grasp as you think you could get him.

“ANDREW STEPHEN BARBER you get back here!” You yell when he’s on the other side of the table, jumps and slides over the counter as you run around the large marble surface.

“I won’t unless you stop trying to tickle me!” He yells back, grabbing the couch pillow to block your attacks.

A few minutes later, you both are too tired to move a muscle, both lying on the couch, out of breath.

Andy throws aside the pillow on his stomach, his chest heaving up and down, “Okay that was not the kind of exercise I was expecting when cooking dinner.”

You are also too sore and overworked to grab his waist, even he’s only lying three feet away from you, “Oh shush. You’re not having that kind of exercise in forever.”

“Forever seems like a long time, how about an hour?”

“Not a chance.”

“An hour and a half? 50% chance?”

“Will you please get your head out of your pants?

“Sure. Sure.” You know what his “sure sure” means. And this is absolutely his “I say it but I don’t mean it” voice. But you are going to let it go.

Like the way you don’t mean it either when you agree with him on whether Jazz apples or Pink Lady apples have more nutrition.

They are just apples! But he likes Jazz so you’ll buy Jazz. No big deal.

“Jesus. Do we have a yearbook or something? I’m gonna vote Professor Andy Barber as the most unfuckable Professor of the Year.” You groan. All the running and sprinting burn out all your mood of doing anything exciting. In any sense.

“And in your pants later?”

You bury your face in his shoulders and sigh, slightly annoyed, “Fucking Christ. NO! God I’m gonna turn your horny switch off. Do you leave your horny switch on all day? No wonder you’re always trying to lure me to bed.”

“Right here.” Pointing at his lips.

You crane your neck to place a small kiss on the corner of his lips.

“Hmm. I don’t think the switch feels it. Maybe a few more kisses would do the trick.” He peeks at your expression, boldly asking for more with a lop-sided smile.

You reply with another kiss, “I think your switch is broken and needs to be sent back to the original manufacturer.”

Andy tuts, shaking his head, “Too bad. Once sold, can’t be returned.”

“Can I at least get a refund?”

“Refund? How about a re-lationship?”

You chuckle, but only because he’s tickling you when he’s saying the pun, “The pun is terrible.”

“Yeah well, it makes you laugh, so it counts.”

The alarm on his phone goes alive. He checks his phone with a glimpse and kisses your lips again before getting up, heading for the kitchen, returning shortly with your mug.

And that blue flamingo straw with tiny wings.

He jokes unabashedly, mimicking those muppet shows on TV, “One fun cup of water with one fun straw-”

“I’m not a kid anymore, Andy.” Even so, you take the mug and gulp down as fast as you can, before shoving the mug back to his hands.

“Of course.” He smiles, taking the mug and the straw to the sink to wash.

“Thank you.” You thank him, honestly, for not bringing up the fun bottle and fun straw topic anymore.

Andy returns, wiping his hand on a piece of kitchen cloth, can’t even hide the smug grin, which oftentimes means he’s brewing some sinister plan for you, “Since you’re claiming you’re not a kid anymore-” “I am not a kid.” “Right, right.” Andy nods, the annoying “I say it and don’t mean it” voice makes an appearance again, “That means you’re a grown up. And I’ll treat you like a grown up. And as a grown up,” Andy places his hand on the back of your neck, fiddling with the thin silver string on your neck, “you won’t be needing forehead kisses before bed, right?” His blue eyes glinting with mischief and wickedness, sparkling like the brightest sapphire.

Bravo him. Really. Thinking of “not treating you like a kid” and connecting it with “bedtime kisses”.

Jerk. He knows you can’t resist forehead kisses.

“Don’t you fucking dare take that away from me-” You growl. If your eyes can shoot daggers, he would be dead a thousand times by now.

He looks so thoughtful, his index finger and thumb glide over his beard, “Huh. So you are a kid...”

“Take your win for now, Andy.” You put out a grumpy face, “Don’t push your luck.”

Andy caresses your jaw with his damp palm, dropping to his knees to look at you from eye level. His thumb grazing over your wet lips. Sounding so soft. So loving. “All my luck is right here with me. How can I ever push you away?”

Bonus:

Two days after the "kids straw" incident, you receive an Amazon package on your doorstep.

A small box. Palm size.

You don't remember buying anything recently, but it has your name on it.

Probably some subscription you forgot to cancel.

You think it's some small object that you bought, subscribed for delivery in every few months, as you dissemble the cardboard on the outside.

Plus, if you did buy something, Amazon often takes a few days, if not a week for the merchandise to deliver.

You'll check your account later.

You stop the motion to tear the cardboard apart, checking the piece of sticker on the front of the box.

Interesting. It says the package is for Y/N Barber.

You never put your first name on with Andy's last name on. But Andy often does. When he's trying to distinguish the things he bought with those he bought for you, whether it's Amazon delivery or booking a table at a restaurant.

"Y/N Barber". Sounds kind of cute.

So it's a surprise...? You look down at the cardboard in your hand, having almost teared the whole box down.

Won't hurt if you take a look inside.

You peel off the brown packaging paper and -

"YOU BOUGHT ME A SIPPY CUP, ANDY?"

"OH FUCK. I'm sorry I forgot all about it, sweetheart."

"A SIPPY CUP???"

[likeafairytale]

"Being a prince means being trapped. That's why I always wanted to escape." - Aeron to Malachai

Malachai said nothing at first, still looking at the book he had in hands, pretending he didn't really hear him. He was reflecting on Aeron's words. For sure, it was probably the first deep thing he ever said to him, which was quite... disturbing. Usually, Kai was the one saying deep and meaningful things, when the fae was more shallow to say the least. So yes, the mermale needed a little moment to process the words of his brother-in-law. To be honest, he did not know how they came to this discussion. Maybe it was because he was reading a book about travelling and maps, or maybe because lately, Malachai was struggling with the fact that he was a prince and his life was already written since before his birth, either way, Aeron's was sitting in the opposite of him, eyes lost in the emptiness of the room. Finally, the meremale sighed and closed his book, bringing the fae's attention to him.

❝The difference between us, is that I cannot escape. I never could.❞ Malachai started, and he didn't notice how sad and a bit annoy his voice was right now. ❝Not because I'm the firstborn, or because I'm the favourite, but because I'm the only one. As much as my father tries to pretend, I know he'll rather die than letting one of my sister in charge of the Kingdom. They remind him too much of mother, and the idea of a man who isn't his own flesh leading our kingdom is killing him. So if ever you thought because you're Calypso's husband he'll give you the throne, you're mistaken. I'm pretty sure if I die tomorrow, and he has to choose, he'll give it to Naia's husband instead of you, because at least he is from the sea.❞ This time, he did notice how angry he sound while talking, but couldn't help it. Somehow, Aeron's pushed where it hurt, and as often, he rolled his eyes when he saw the fae's smug smile.

❝Wanna me to kill you to see if it's true?❞ Aeron said back, and Malachai had to refrain himself to punch him in the face, which happened a lot lately. ❝Anyway, we always have the choice. You have a brother, he could choose him instead.❞

This time, Malachai let a bitter laugh go off his throat before going back to his book. There were nothing funny about Aeron's words, but the fact that he thought it was so simple, –or maybe he just tried to have right in a discussion he couldn't like often– was laughable for Kai. After a moment, he raised his red eyes and could see he was unbothered by his amusement, which, once again, annoyed him somehow.

❝I love Nathaniel, and I've always seen him like a true brother, but father will never put him in charge. He is not his biological son, and he is a siren. I'm sure Nate knows it deep down. I'm the only option he truly has.❞

To be honest, deep down, Malachai was all right with the idea of not letting this burden on his young brother shoulders. Nathaniel was a poet, not a soldier, not that there were something wrong with that. Kai always enjoyed his brother's way to see the world, it was fascinating and so different of the way he sees it, it felt like a fresh air. But Triton didn't have the same point of view as his first son, and like he said it, the High King of the Seas was still old-fashioned, no matter what he tried to say, and not only, in his mind Nathaniel wasn't built to be a King, but he wasn't from the right lineage.

❝So no, Aeron, we don't all have the luxury to randomly take a ship and travel around the world because we're bored with our responsibilities. Compare to you, I was never free a second of my life.❞

Once again, the bitterness was back. He had some resentment toward the fae, and it was probably because of jealousy. Malachai didn't realize how much as he wanted to be free until he started to come to the Fae's kingdom, and he knew deep down, Yasmeen had something to do with it... Before he could think about this thought further, his attention was caught by Aeron who shrugged, and for once he was glad, because he wasn't sure he wanted to follow this thought right now.

❝Calypso said you were often away, an-❞

❝My sister sees what I want her to see.❞ Malachai cut short, surprising Aeron, who frowned. This time it was the meremale who shrugged and sighed, as if his words were obvious. They were, though, and he knew that the fae couldn't deny them. He loved his youngest sister, but the girl had the wrong habit to romanticize things in her mind; something he blamed himself for, maybe if he didn't protect her this much, she would have been cleverer. He went back to his book, before saying in a sigh: ❝I was away because I had to train, or control the ability to shape-shift as I see fit. Not because I wanted to. Calypso's eyes can be deceptive sometimes.❞

❝Yeah, but she does have pretty eyes tho.❞ This time, Malachai sighed and closed his book, which amused Aeron, who had his smug smile back. ❝Oh, come on, you have pretty eyes too!❞

❝You're insufferable.❞

❝I take it as a compliment.❞

❝It wasn't.❞ Aeron laughed and that was enough for Malachai who rolled his eyes and stood up, throwing the book he had through the table. ❝Now excuse me, but I'd rather leave before you start to talk more, and it makes me want to punch you.❞

❝Once again, I take it as a compliment.❞

[oceanicxeyes]

Oh… this one was FUN. Tobias was spiking his interest with every passing second and Patrick couldn’t deny that he was amused to say the least. Was he turned-on by the other man’s words and too-cool-for-school attitude? Maybe. It did spark some desire within him, mostly due to the fact that Toby wasn’t shy and that he could play that game with him without backing down. Most people did back down or surrendered immediately. Those were no fun. He was a demon but that didn’t meant he wanted an easy meal out of things. He was never the fast food type of individual. He would much rather take his time savoring what he was devouring – and the flirtation and teasing was the best sort of foreplay that existed. Who needed touches when one had banter? When one could keep up with his own seductive methods without backing down? That was the tastiest of entries. The most alluring of delicacies. Again… why go straight for the kill when there was so much pleasure to have on the hunt? Patrick’s eyes were locked on the other man. Nothing else mattered. Their surroundings were merely a background painting for the real focus was right in front of him. Someone that willingly poked his head inside the lion’s den, thinking of themselves too smart to be caught alive. Wasn’t that just perfect? It did pay off to come off a little bit stand offish and pretend to be nothing more than a empty-headed, mountain of muscles vain himbo. People were so fucking stupid that they fell for that act every time. Make them think that they had the upper hand. That he was nothing more than a cocky little fucker who believed himself to be God’s gift to mankind over how hot and attractive he was. Let others think he was that easy to get a rile out from. That was usually their downfall. Didn’t humans have a saying to never judge a book by its cover?

“So many compliments over my body.” The demon tilted his head to the side, moving his arms in the water so that he could keep a constant movement but never abandoning the closed space that he had created for him and Toby. Any movement could bring their bodies together, whether it was an accidental touch or deliberate. He did not care for personal space. That was merely something low-confidence fools used to keep people at bay. “And yet – I’m not seeing you pull away from me. Does this mean that I fit whatever requirements you may have on how good a man should look?” Again with the vanity card. Patrick even made sure to pull his most smug smirk out to pretend to be one of those gym bros that took all the pride they had on their body. Heck, he even flexed one of his arms to show Toby what he was going for. Let him think he was just a dumb fool looking for a quickie somewhere. Nothing bad with that. But when the question of what he had in mind came – Patrick knew it was time to end that little façade. No more playing dumb with the other man. It was just like poker… never show your aces until the very end. “You keep calling me cocky and presumptuous.” He moved in, keeping just a barely existing amount of space between his chest and Toby’s. His blue eyes sought the dark ones from the other man and for a moment – a very brief yet lingering second – Patrick could almost read Toby like an open book. Playing hard to get. A tactic as old as time and mastered by so many. “I don’t consider myself cocky or presumptuous.” Looking down past Toby’s chest, Patrick’s eyes lingered on where the water met the other’s waist. “I call it being confident. Being cocky is something pubescent teenagers do when trying to be more than they actually are. When all they can do is bark but never bite.” Again, he paused. This time his touch was deliberate – his hand caressing Toby’s chin while his thumb played with his bottom lip. “I am confident on how I look and my bite is every bit of interesting as my bark. Question is…” There was a moment when the demon inhaled – his blue eyes narrowing as he looked straight into Tobias’ eyes without even blinking. “What are YOU going to do about it? Will you dance with the devil or… back away?”

Toby's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. Patrick's blatant come-on amused him more than anything. Amateur hour, he thought. Did this bloke really think a bit of nudity and some heavy-handed flirting would be enough to throw him off balance?

"Touch you?" Toby drawled, letting his gaze drift lazily over Patrick's form. "I'd sooner touch a live wire, mate."

He stretched languidly, muscles rippling beneath his skin. The motion drew Patrick's eyes exactly where Toby intended. He noted the slight dilation of the other man's pupils with satisfaction.

"You seem awfully sure of yourself," Toby continued, voice rich with amusement. "Tell me, Patrick. Do you always assume everyone you meet wants to get their hands on you?"

Toby shifted closer, invading Patrick's space without quite touching. He could feel the heat radiating from the other man's skin, smell the faint scent of his cologne mingling with the steam.

"I'll admit," Toby murmured, voice pitched low and intimate, "you're not hard on the eyes. But I prefer my partners a bit less... presumptuous."

He trailed his fingers through the water, creating ripples that lapped against Patrick's chest. Toby's eyes never left the other man's face, gauging his reaction.

He leaned forward, invading Patrick's personal space. Toby's eyes locked onto Patrick's, dark and intense. "Although," he murmured, voice dropping to a husky whisper, "one should try something new, once in a while."

A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, and he resisted the urge to wipe it away. The steam from the hot spring clung to his skin, making him acutely aware of every point where his body nearly touched Patrick's.

Steady on, mate, Toby thought, taking a slow, controlled breath. You're in control here.

But was he? For all his bravado, Toby couldn't deny the electric current that seemed to crackle between them. His skin tingled where Patrick's breath had ghosted over it moments before.

His gaze flicked down to Patrick's lips, then back to his eyes. He wet his own lips, a quick dart of his tongue that was more nervous habit than intentional seduction.

Toby's hand brushed against Patrick's thigh under the water, a feather-light touch that could have been accidental. He pulled back before Patrick could react, a coy smile playing at his lips.

"So tell me, Patrick," Toby said, his tone light and teasing. "What exactly did you have in mind? A quick fumble in the locker room? Or were you hoping for something more... substantial? You look a bit peckish."

He raised an eyebrow, a silent challenge in his gaze. Toby's body language remained open and inviting, but there was a predatory glint in his eyes. He was playing a dangerous game, and he knew it.

"You know," Toby mused, his voice low and sultry, "most people would consider it rude to proposition a stranger so boldly." He paused, letting his words hang. "You're used to getting what you want, right?"

[anki-of-beleriand]

Enhanced senses

Summary: While on a mission you heard a conversation that make you think about your relationship with Wanda.

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Female!reader

Warnings: smut, drama, happy ending, some dirty talk and brief mentions of sexual abuse (but mentinoned only), insecurities, fluff. So much fluff. Selective mutism Reader. Past trauma.

Author's note: Hey there, just another brief one-shot along the lines of my first story Without words  and When there are no words I hope you guys like it. I found this world fun to write and I really hope you guys enjoyed it.

Please do remember English is not my mother tongue, so I apologise for the grammar, spelling and funny mistakes.

Enhanced senses

If there was someone who always knew what was going on in the Avengers Compound or even in SHIELD that would be you.

Of that Wanda was completely sure.

It was as if the fact you spoke nothing at all, and that you seemed to just wander around silently helped by your own powers allowed you to be the ears and the eyes of the Team. Fury specially was torn between hating this ability and loving it, the rest of the team was just looking for the potential behind this information gathering from you while Wanda and Natasha found it amusing.

You didn’t do it because you wanted to, if anything, you were doing it by accident.

Which it was funnier.

You discovered whenever you know a funny fact, Wanda would lit up with mirth and whispered at you just how amusing it was. Sometimes, you found some secrets meant to be kept and, in those moments, you felt bad, it really wasn’t your intention to find out those details and yet you did. So you never revealed them and pretend as if nothing had happened, people deserved intimacy and that was why you were learning to be careful and to leave whenever the time was right. 

Sometimes, of course, when you were on a mission you were made to stay and hear the secrets. That was your goal and the role you held during recon and surveillance.

And this brought you to the point you were right in.

Standing in the shadows with the earpiece in your ear and the keyboard on your wrist that Tony had facilitated to you so you didn’t have to use your voice, you listened to the conversation happening between two HYDRA agents. You were supposed to gather some intel before you could infiltrate the facility, but what they were talking about was so much important that whatever chemical or bioweapon HYDRA was building in the facility.

“Dude, I’m serious! This chick was like an animal, she was this hungry creature we fucked all night long!”

You scowled at the words, pursing your lips. The other guy laughed and the one talking made a few moaning sounds.

“She was complaining all the time, you know? How her husband was never home, he never touched her again. How long has it been since she felt dick inside her.” Here you noticed the change of tone in the man speaking, he was feeling smug about the whole situation. “She even told me her cunt must felt like a virgin’s one since it had been two years since they have sex.”

You squirmed uncomfortably, though there was something in the contents of the conversation that was raising flags inside your head. It was something you had considered before but that you had never forced or even dare to explore more than a couple of times, Wanda had never said anything and then all of a sudden you wondered why you never spoke about it.

“Well, two years without sex? I would fuck whatever comes across my path.” The other man laughed while the one that had been speaking hit him playfully before laughing as well.

“I know, right? I mean, this dude really thought that gifts and love would keep her from looking what she was really missing.”

“You know? Perhaps the guy didn’t even know how to do it? You know small dick, poor performance…”

You didn’t hear much afterwards; you had already sent the message the Team was waiting for and a couple of minutes later you heard the explosions. The two men talking comfortably in the outlook post never had the opportunity to react as a shadow engulfed them and were left unconscious.

Night was already falling in the compound by the time you returned from the mission.

In all this time, you had dedicated your time to observe the world right outside the window, a define frown upon your face while you played the conversation you overheard over and over inside your head. Everyone was kind of loud inside the Quinjet, the laughter and the conversation threatened to be overwhelming for you as you tried to organize your thoughts.

A hand on your shoulder brought you back to reality, Natasha sat beside you smiling softly while wincing when Thor let out a booming laughter.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Natasha asked leaning in to brush some stray locks of hair out of your face.

You pursed your lips shrugging, your eyes flickering back to the window. In reality you weren’t sure if this was something you could discuss with Natasha, you felt as if probably she would laugh at you or finding it ridiculous. When her hand closed around yours, and she offered that motherly smile she reserved only for you, your heart swelled with affection knowing if there was someone you could trust with this was her.

“I still think you did amazing,” Natasha commented referring to the mission. “The guys just wanted to make everything difficult by bursting into the facilities and making everything explode.”

You chuckled rolling your eyes.

Yes, they were always up to create some mayhem when bringing justice, which was the reason why Thor and Pietro usually pouted whenever you get there first knocking out everyone with your powers. It had become a matter of honor between you, Pietro and Thor, who would get there first and submit their opponents first. Sometimes you enjoyed the competition too much, and Thor would celebrate your actions even though he always claimed he could have done it all on his own. When Natasha saw how your eyes gleamed amusedly, and your position relaxed some she knew this was not what was bothering you.

There was something else, and the young woman decided to try with something else.

“Wanda called.”

There it was.

You tensed completely and this time around your eyes were fixated on the window. You shifted on the seat pursing your lips together.

“She said she and Vision would have dinner ready and was really excited you to have you back.” Natasha continued leaning against the window, her eyes drifted to the rest of the team that were still as loud as always. “Did you guys have a fight or something?”

You lowered your gaze shaking your head, then your eyes sought those of Natasha and the question was there. Your lip quivered ready to say something when Thor came right int placing his hand on your shoulder.

“Ah, but let’s not forget that today was a tie!”

“There was no tie! Come on Thor, you lost to me and Y/N!” Pietro retorted crossing his arm bumping against you with a playful smile, the other Avenger blinked shaking his head. Steve sighed giving up, while Sam saw this as an opportunity to see how far their childish antics would go.

Your change was almost immediate, Natasha furrowed her brows watching you stand up with arms crossed and eyes gleaming playfully while shaking your head. Even as you joined in with the rest of the guys, Natasha could tell by your posture and the tension around your eyes there was something else bothering you. The Black Widow observed as you tried to mingle in with the rest of the boys, always silent and gesturing, it was a miracle most of the time they understood what you meant without you uttering a single word.

It had been more than two years since you joined the team and for Natasha had been a relief to see how easy was for you to be a part of the team. You were quiet, yes. But it didn’t mean you couldn’t be funny, or playful, sometimes your actions were those of a mischievous child while some others you were like this ancient individual ready to listen to others and provide words of comfort.

Everyone had been a participant of such moments.

And everyone had come to love you for it.

Natasha chuckled when you poked Thor on his nose, your hands lifting up to show ten fingers wiggling your eyebrows at him.

“That’s not true!! Take that back!” Thor leaned in while you shook your head snorting.

Another discussion erupted, Steve trying to calm everyone up while Sam and Tony seemed ready to put more wood into the fire.

It was just like any other mission.

And yet, Natasha observed your eyes flickered with concern and something else she couldn’t decipher. The former spy made a note to get you alone and see if there was something she could do to help, her mind already drifting back to Wanda and perhaps get the young woman help her out in this.

_____________________________________________________________

Whenever you were in her arms, it was as if the whole world stopped around you.

Your whole body relaxed, your arms sneaking around her hips putting her closer to you. You could hear her intake of breath; you could smell her perfume and the shampoo of peaches she loved so much.

“Welcome home, detka.” She whispered in your ear before placing a sweet kiss on your lips.

“Ugh, God, get a room!” Sam teased walking past the both of you, you flickered your hand chuckling when the man almost fell to the ground your shadows tripping the man over. “Hey! It was a joke!”

You rolled your eyes turning back to Wanda noticing for the very first time her flustered expression, the dilated eyes and her coy smile adorning her lips. You leaned in wondering if perhaps you had missed something in regards to your relationship with her.

The conversation between the two HYDRA guards came back at you, and you had to wonder if perhaps this was something Wanda wanted it. Maybe you had missed the signs? You had never thought about it, and now…you didn’t want to lose her.

Wanda winced leaning in placing a kiss on your cheek, “you’re thinking too loud, detka. Is something the matter?”

You pursed your lips shaking your head, your hand finding hers before you flashed the most brilliant smile you could form. Wanda heisted for a moment, before taking your hand and following you inside the compound.

The dinner soon turned into a late gathering with all of them talking and joking around, the games had been brough in and music was sounding right in the living room. You sat in a corner far from the main gathering, smiling at Wanda whenever she would lift her eyes to you.

“So, what is it?” Natasha sat beside you offering a beer, you took the bottle pursing your lips shrugging slightly.

Natasha took a long sip from her beer nodding, “it’s gonna be like this then, you’re gonna worry yourself until you can’t take it anymore and then go around all grumpy and irritable?”

“I’m not a child.” You retorted with indignation; Natasha smirked lifting her eyebrow at you.

“You behave like one sometimes.” Natasha observed how you grabbed the bottle drinking some while your eyes focused on Wanda. “If you two didn’t have a fight then, what is it? You know you can trust me…”

“I want to have sex with Wanda.” You blurted out, your voice rough and uncertain.

Natasha opened her eyes at the revelation, she could not look away from you and the bottle on her hand almost feel to the ground. You rolled your eyes looking away from her, soon the rest of the room disappeared, and you could think only of how stupid you were.

“What?” Natasha finally asked in a rush whisper, she leaned in placing her hand on your knee, so you looked back at her. “You and Wanda have never…”

You scowled shifting uncomfortably, the sharp shaking of your head was all Natasha needed for an answer. You looked down, your heart hammering against your chest while your cheeks turned an uncomfortable shade of red. You were about to stand up but the hand on your knee clenched tightly until you found yourself looking into Natasha’s eyes.

“I’m not judging you, Y/N. I am surprised, but I don’t think less of you for this.”

Sometimes you hated how well Natasha could read you, some others you were just grateful there was someone who could do so. Someone other than Wanda, of course.  The drop of your shoulders, with the tilt of your head told Natasha you were still unsure if the conversation should continue. But in all honesty, this was a complete shock to Natasha.

You and Wanda had been dating for more than a year, the both of you spent most of the time together and you even sleep in the same room from time to time. There were days in which really, there was an atmosphere of sexual satisfaction in both of you that everyone thought it was almost logical that the both of you had been...sleeping together.

The conversation at the other end of the room soon became too loud, you turned to see Wanda glancing back at you with a concern gleam in her emerald eyes. Pietro by her side glancing at you with the same concern look, you softened slightly winking at your girlfriend, your lips turning into a reassuring smile she returned shyly.

“You never….really?” Natasha lifted her hands emptied the bottle in her hand, your glare more than enough to tell her she shouldn’t make the wrong comment, or you wouldn’t speak at all. “Now, I just…well, we assume…”

You shook your head shrugging, Natasha leaned back pursing her lips while glancing back at the group. For a moment a tensed silence formed between the both of you, you were already regretting your decision of telling her this, perhaps you were an idiot and you should have resolve this on your own. Then a hand placed itself on your knee once again and you found yourself looking into Natasha’s eyes.

“Okay, you two haven’t been together in that way, but you want to, right?” You nodded hesitantly; Natasha softened slightly. “And you know how it is done, I know about…”

At that moment everything clicked inside Natasha’s mind. You could see as her mind worked around the reasons behind your lack of interest or even your attempts to explore a physical relationship with Wanda. You clenched your jaw nodding curtly, your eyes hardening and the shadows lurking behind you shifted slightly.

“Y/N, look at me.” Natasha offered a tense smile, though her eye never lost the tenderness in them. “You are unsure if this is going to be like one of those missions, that perhaps this won’t be or even mean what it should…that you are far too damage to make this special.”

You huffed dropping your shoulders while looking away, “she deserves something special.”

Your mumbled words dripped with affection, and Natasha could see how this was affecting you at the moment. Whatever had happened during the mission, it made you think about this under a different light. You pursed your lips then turned to Natasha, ready to reveal what was really bothering you.

“I heard them say that when you don’t have sex, you leave.”

There it was, Natasha snorted at this revelation rolling her eyes.

“No, Y/N, when you have sex out of love and attraction, it is just a bonus to the relationship.” Natasha made sure you didn’t look away from her as she continued. “Your relationship with Wanda should not be based on that, the fact that you two have been together for a year and a half without so much of a kiss should tell you that what you have is more than a physical attraction.”

You shrugged again, unsure as to what exactly that could mean. Your eyes lifted again and this time around Wanda was engaged in a childish discussion with Pietro who was laughing while pointing at the UNO cards.

“But I want to make her feel special. And I want us to…” You couldn’t finish the sentence, your cheeks burning with embarrassment.

It was in moments like this Natasha melted at the sight of you. Sometimes you were just a child made to grow too fast and faced a world you barely understood, carrying upon your shoulders the weight of powers you barely understood and the life of a spy that brought emotional damage you were trying to heal. And yet, you were still capable of innocence, of giving your all to everyone around you and show them how much you could love, and how much you could do for them.

“Y/N, do you want to have sex with Wanda? Or do you want to give sex to her so she won’t leave you?” Before you opened your mouth to respond Natasha lifted her hand shaking her head. “No, think about it, the answer to these questions should be enough for you to make a decision, whatever it is, whatever you do…I know it would be special and Wanda would love you regardless of it.”

******

That night you thought about it.

Wanda came at you smiling sweetly, her lips upon yours as she arranged her position on the bed, her head on your shoulder and your legs intertwined. You put her closer, listening to her narrating her weekend. It had always been this way, but this time around you were noticing other things. How her body felt against yours, how warm she usually was, how soft was her skin…

You smiled when she told you about the disaster in the kitchen, or how Vision taught her to hack into the secure system to download movies in the TV. You relationship with her had never been defined by the physical contact, and though the both of you had gotten into some sexy games it never went beyond that. Wanda never said anything and you just assumed it was okay.

Perhaps, it was time?

The small figured beside you stirred, her nose nuzzling against your pulse point while she placed a sweet kiss on your jaw.

“What is it, love? You have been so restless since the mission.” Wanda lifted herself on her elbow, her eyes filled with sleep though you could see how worried she really was. “Wanna talk about it?”

You sighed shaking your head, your hand lifting up to caress her face, cupping her check in your arm you leaned in kissing her slowly. The hand you had on her waist rubbing circles on her lower back, putting her closer while your lips and tongue played a lazy game of dominance you won in the end. The whimper that left her lips sent a shiver down your back.

When the both of you parted away, you could see the lust gleaming in her eyes. She was breathing hard, flustered while looking at you with curiosity, up until that point you had ignored such reactions because it was not important. A pang of guiltiness went right through you, how selfish you had been with the situation; you might think it wasn’t important, your idea must be distorted but…what about Wanda?

“Detka?” Wanda asked placing a hand on your cheek.

You kissed her again, this time around just a quick peck on the lips.

“I have a surprised for you, tomorrow.” You said simply, your voice filled with affection as you said this.

Wanda opened her eyes big, they were gleaming with happiness and her heart speed up at your words. It must be something special for you to say it out loud; she giggled hiding her face on the crook of your neck.

“You do? What is it?” You snorted shaking your head, and Wanda could do nothing but giggled like a high school girl. “Right, if you tell me if wouldn’t be a surprised, right?”

You nodded matching the smile on her face, she rolled her eyes affectionately at you.

“That was what have you so worried?” She asked and you just shrugged, sometimes you could not say what you wanted or what you really meant. It was better to show her everything.

Wanda nuzzled your neck again snuggling closer to you, her heart feeling lighter knowing everything was because you had a surprised for her. She knew it was still difficult for you to understand and assimilated that whatever you did for Wanda, she would always love it.

“Very well, I expected my surprised to be worth my concern for you all day. It cost me the UNO game against Pietro.”

You chuckled rolling your eyes, a void at the pit of your stomach.

Now, what would you do?

______________________________________________________________

Ever since you met him, he became your best friend.

Your partner in crime.

He was the brother you wished you had.

Sometimes, he was too much …some others he wasn’t.

Like, he was acting right at the moment. He was turning blue, still coughing while waving his hand away matching the glare you had on your face. You rolled your eyes patting him on the back, easing him down on the ground while he tried to recover his breathing abilities.

“Yo…you…” He rasped out clearing his throat, you passed him a bottle of water lifting an eyebrow at him. “Yo---you CAN’T!”

The last part was said with a scream, you jumped startled taking in a defensive position out of instinct. Pietro was torn between disbelief, mortification and protectiveness; his sore throat calming while he tried to drink more water clearing his throat shooting you a nasty glare for asking such a thing when he was in the middle of drinking water. He almost died.

“You…can’t. NO, absolutely NO.” He reiterated shaking his head, you were not impressed by his antics, your eyes narrowed while you lift the small whiteboard he had giving you for your birthday,

I’m not asking for your permission.

“Good, because you’re not having it!” Pietro exclaimed. “She is my little sister!”

You scrunched up your nose, writing something there rather fast.

You’re twins! You’re just older by 12 minutes!

“It doesn’t matter! I’m not about to let you, to…geez, really? What make you think this was a good idea?” As soon as those words left his mouth, Pietro regretted them.

He could see the changes in your face, how your whole body stiffened while your eyes flickered down and your whole expression dropped. You nodded curtly turning around when his hand wrapped around your wrist.

“No, wait, Y/N, I didn’t mean that…” You refused to look at him, trembling in anger and hurt because of his words. “Shit, I’m sorry, it’s just…I mean…she is my sister and you…well, I just thought…Look, sorry.”

You crossed your arms looking away, Pietro knew you came to him because she trusted you. Because you were her friend and was hoping for a good advised as she always did whenever Wanda was involved. Pietro also knew this topic was a complete discovery to you, he had known for quite sometime the two of you hadn’t had any physical intercourse he had heard Wanda’s worries and your silent inquiries.

Still…Wanda was his siter, he just…

“Look, it’s just weird.” He finally said shrugging. “I know you’re not asking me to give you a class…”

You scoffed at his comment writing something down on the board, Pietro opened and closed his mouth several times.

I’m pretty sure I’m better than you in that area.

Pietro straightened up ready to retort until he noticed the glint of amusement in your eyes, he lifted his arms in the air shaking his head.

“You know what? I’m not going to fall on that discussion, I know the real answer so…” He rolled his eyes at your condescending smile. “Okay, so you really want to…you know? With Wanda?”

You nodded curtly, this time around you could sense the blush forming on your cheeks. Pietro let a hand brushed his hair before he sighed.

“Okay, I think…I’m not…I just…” Pietro tried to start several times, you just tapped the ground with your foot waiting impatiently. “Okay, okay…geez, eager much?”

You hit him on his arm, he yelped moving away from you.

“Y/N she really loves you, man she is so in love with you is amazing how happy you make her.” Pietro finally said placing his hands on your shoulders. “Whatever you do, I know she would love it because it’s you.”

You felt tears at the corner of your eyes, Pietro offered a comforting squeeze on your shoulders before continuing. “Now, what we can do…because I bet you don’t want anyone snooping around,” you nodded in agreement and Pietro put a hand on his chin. “Well, the Avenger’s tower had a complete section meant for each one of us. I know it’s still being build but…I think mine and Wanda’s is about to be finished, why don’t you take her there?”

You tilted your head nodding in approval, your eyes drifted back to the compound then back to Pietro.

“I talk to Tony, don’t worry.” You sighed in relief offering a smile, Pietro smiled back wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “Now, for the date…”

Wanda has been talking non-stop about the concert of her favourite band, they have a very exclusive presentation today.

Pietro nodded in agreement, “yeah, yeah she gave me hell about that too. Mmm, well for that one, we’re Avengers pal, I think we can get in.”

No cheating or doing something illegal like last time?

Pietro looked offended by the insinuation, both of you shared the same mischievous smile.

“Me? Never!”

You chuckled wrapping your arms around him, Pietro softened wrapping his arms around you. The whole situation was absurd and while a part of him still thought that it was odd and just a tad bit embarrassing, he also knew he couldn’t trust his sister to anyone that wasn’t you.

“Y/N just…” Pietro stepped back looking you in the eye. “If you hurt my little sister, I’ll kill you. And please, no details. I really don’t need to know how you deflower her…”

You cringed hitting him on the arm again, Pietro chuckled staring at you.

“Sorry, what I mean is I know you make her happy, and that she makes you happy so let’s keep it that way.”

You nodded curtly nodding towards the compound, Pietro nodded as well and soon the both of you were getting ready for the date.

______________________________________________________________

Wanda Maximoff had learnt a long time ago that what you didn’t say with words, you most certainly did with actions.

She didn’t need a full declaration of love, or the retelling of your life and adventures for Wanda to get to know you by looking at you. Your body and your gestures were enough to tell her whenever you were mad or happy, or when you found yourself sad or contemplative. It had taken some time, even moments of denial before she finally gave in her feelings for you, but when she was finally there she realized not many got a chance to see you.

The real you.

Your contemplative nature allowed for you to be very observant, to always notice whenever there was someone in need of help or a shoulder to cry on. You were kind and highly sensitive, mischievous, and quite competitive and each of these aspects Wanda loved with all her heart. Then there were the traits not as positive as these ones, you were easy to anger and sometimes highly impatient, you were secretive and kept what you really felt deep inside your head until it was almost impossible to hold it back. You were stubborn and defiant, and sometimes just for the hell of it you were at rebel by heart.

Wanda never needed to hear you to know all of this.

The relationship the both of you shared was special like that, whenever you needed to share something special or meaningful you would open your mind to her. When Wanda felt as if the world was too much, you stood by her side wrapping your arms protectively around her drawing shows on a wall, telling her stories you had learnt thanks to your trips to Wakanda. When the both of you fought it was explosive and chaotic, everyone knew something bad had happened because you would pout and grunt all day long and Wanda would hex whoever tried to approach her without a real reason behind it.

This and more were what the both of you had built over time, and Wanda loved every single moment of it.

She fixed her hair and makeup in front of the mirror, her lips curling into a soft smile as her hand went to the pendant you had given to her for your first anniversary. Wanda knew that day was not special, it was just another day in the calendar but the way you had acted as of late she knew perhaps there was something else bothering you and this was your way to talk to her when you lack the words.

There was a knock on her door, Wanda straightened up giving herself one last glance before opening the door of her room. She stopped dead on her tracks, her breath caught in her throat when she took in your outfit.

Her mouth hang opened as you fit a pair of black jeans with come vans, the white shirt was bottom up all the way to your neck and on top of it you wore a leather jacket complementing the hair and the lack of makeup. Your lips curled into a smirk, and your eyes checking Wanda out with the same hunger.

You cleared your throat stretching your hand to her, “you look stunning, Little Witch.”

Your voice sent a shiver down Wanda’s back, her eyes darkened for a moment and the young witch knew just that night there was something different. Her hand grasped yours, the warm she brough to you always made your heart leap to your throat.

“You look beautiful, detka.” Wanda replied breathlessly. “Where are we going?”

You winked at her, making your way down the hall to the garage.

“Please, don’t tell me you stole the keys from Natasha.” Wanda giggled at your offend stare, the keys of the bike on your hand while you merely shook your head.

This time around Wanda was quite shocked, “she lend you the bike? Really?”

You rolled your eyes, your lips tugging up as you nodded pointing to your chest. Wanda leaned in pecking you on the lips.

“I know you’re very responsible, it’s just Natasha loves the bike as much as she loves you.” Then as an afterthought, “I would say she loves the bike even more.”

The indignation crossing your features was well worth the comment, Wanda chuckled kissing you softly.

“I’m kidding, detka, as of today you were upgraded to the first place, since she is letting you use her bike.” Wanda yelped in surprised when your arms wrapped around her waist putting her closer to you, the young woman stood in between your legs and she found herself unable to look away from your eyes.

Wanda shivered leaning in, her body tingling all over submitting slowly to your caresses. Your hand moved up to cup her cheeks, you stood up locking your lips with hers and the kiss ended up being different to the ones you had shared so far. It was lips only, a danced of sensations in which you lead Wanda deeper into the game with sensuous nibbles while your fingers tickled the skin of her cheeks, jaw and neck.

When the both of you parted, Wanda was blushing furiously her eyes completely darkened and her heart about ready to burst out of her chest.

“What was that for?” She asked in a whisper, you smiled at her. A real smile. The one you only gave to her.

“I love you.” You said simply, Wanda accepted this and soon the both of you were making your way to the centre of the city of New York.

Wanda noticed there was something different about this date by the time she was laughing in the midst of a club, your arms around her with people celebrating around the both of you. Even in the midst of such a party, with the noise and the music and the lights, it was as if no one else exited but you and her. Your eyes had been all night on her, even after you received many invitations from both male and females, and you had stolen more than a couple of glances your hand never left hers, and your eyes were looking at Wanda with adoration.

Wanda was not sure how you had gotten two VIP passes to the concert she was dying to go, but she didn’t care as long as she could enjoy the way she was doing at the moment.

“Oh, no, I’m beat I think I need to sit!” Wanda exclaimed above the music, you nodded looking around while pointing to the private longue at the back. “You’re kidding, right?”

You shrugged but of course Wanda knew you were not kidding, of course the private longue had been reserved for the both of you. It seemed as if the whole night had been planned for just the two of you, the rest of the world was just a guest in your own little world.

Once the both of you were inside the room the sound of the music got muffled by the protective barrier of the walls and the windows, there was food and drink available for the both of you as well as a comfortable sofa. Wanda couldn’t help but take you in her arms, her lips seeking out yours in a content gesture of how well she had spent her night so far.

You melted into the kiss, tasting her as if it was the very first time you did so. By the time you both sought out air, your arms wrapped comfortably on her hips and her arms were on the back of your neck.

“This was perfect, detka, thank you. How did you get all of this?” Wanda inquired never losing her smile.

“Tony, Pietro and Natasha.” You answered with affection in your voice, “I want tonight to be special for you.”

This surprised Wanda greatly, the young woman softened slightly knowing this must be really special even for you to go all the way to prepare things and to be so open and talkative about it.

“Every day I spend in your arms is special, Y/N.” Wanda said honestly. “And today you made it extra special, I love you.”

The goofy smile that appeared on your face told Wanda you would never get tired of hearing such things coming from her, it was such a new emotion that bubbled up on your chest and made you all girly and cute in her eyes. Wanda chuckled when you dipped your head shyly before speaking again.

“There is something else, but…” Here you trailed off, and Wanda knew not to press you to speak up. The fact you were talking at the moment told her whatever was happening was important enough. “We can get to that part whenever you want.”

Wanda tilted her head for a moment, her nose crunching up adorably with her eyes gleaming with the same happiness reflecting in yours.

“How about if we go now?” Wanda said after a moment of hesitation, “I think I’m beat and I wouldn’t say no to more of this surprised you have prepared for me.”

Wanda was highly surprised when all of a sudden you looked away with a blush adorning your cheeks, your eyes glancing coyly at you with a smile that denote a timidity she would never associate with you. Ever. Now, she was more curious than before as to what you had prepared for her.

*****

The Avengers Tower was a structure protected by pure Stark technology.

Friday alongside with some modifications made by Vision and Tony himself, worked in a way only few people in the world were capable of accessing the whole facility without being threatened with forced or criminal charges.  

For the moment the place was empty, but by the penthouse Tony used once in a while, and the upper floors meant to be the private flats for each and every single member of the Avengers.

Welcome, Agent Y/N, Ms. Maximoff.

“Hello Friday.” Wanda greeted the AI as soon as the both of you entered the lifts located it in the garage.

Wanda was still highly confused about the whole trip, she thought there was something different for her. Perhaps a visit to a beach, or a restaurant or an amusement park…in reality, Wanda thought about everything but the both of you coming all the way to the Avenger’s Tower.

It was quite evident, thought this was what you had planned and right now it had you fidgeting nervously in place while shooting Wanda nervous stares. The ride in the elevator was a slow one, Wanda had stopped trying to get out of you when it was quite evident you would not show or speak until the right moment.

The elevator stopped with a familiar ring, and the doors opened to present an amazing penthouse decorated with all your favourite colours. Wanda gasped entering the palace while admiring the expensive furniture and the professional decoration, the blue and black along with the white and soft tones of green contrasted beautifully with the interior. You were just as surprised as Wanda, your feet took you deeper into the living room, down to the dining room and then to the hall leading to four different doors.

You stepped back making your way to the kitchen where there was a single note waiting for you.

You owed me a big deal kid, there is champagne on the fridge and everything else was done according to your specifications. Enjoy!

Tony S.

You smiled at the note making your way to the fridge, the bottle was waiting right there for you and you decided to put it out along with some glasses. Wanda came to you still in awed with what she just saw.

“Tony really outdid himself with these apartments.” Wanda tilted her head watching in amusement as you open the bottle, serving the champagne with a smile. “Did you know he had finished your place already?”

You nodded presenting Wanda with one glass, the young woman took it furrowing her brows for a moment.

“Was this the second part of your surprised to me?” Wanda finally asked, you took a long sip from the champagne shaking your head.

With a deep breath you stepped closer to Wanda, the sudden air around the both of you changed and Wanda felt the tension radiating from you. Your hand grabbed the glass putting it on the kitchen counter before leaning in to kiss Wanda.

Just like everything that was happening that day, the kiss turned out to be completely different. It was an invitation, a tentative question you didn’t dare to voice just yet; Wanda felt her knees buckled under the pressure, your hand wrapping around her waist putting her closer to you, your leg placing itself in between her legs, your other hand placed possessively on the back of her neck helping you into deepening the kiss.

You smiled hearing the whimper that scaped Wanda’s lips when you broke the kiss leaning back, her eyes had darkened again trembling under your touch. Her cheeks flustered, and her lips swollen from the kissing.

“Y/N?” And her voice was trembling under the confusion and the arousal she felt at the moment, you leaned in pressing your forehead against hers. Your lips ghosting above hers, breathing in her perfume and the singular aroma that was her.

You opened your mouth, but not words came.

You stepped back in frustration; you want to make of this moment something memorable but you were unsure as to how to put it in words. Wanda furrowed her brows, following you her arms wrapped around you making you look back at her.

“Y/N, what is it?” She finally asked, and while it was evident there was arousal in there was concern and a question she wanted to ask but dare not to.

With a single breath, you grabbed her hand and placed it on top of your temple. Wanda opened her eyes shocked.

“Are you sure?” She asked in a whispered, you smiled at her giving her silent permission with a single gesture.

The moment her fingertips touched your temple, and the red wisps of magic danced around your head Wanda gasped loudly. You made sure whatever it was you need to tell her was there for her to see, your eyes gleamed black just as her gleamed red.

Wanda felt it first, the waves of lust and arousal coming from you. Your desire for her, your eagerness to touch her and make her reach ectasis while screaming your name; Wanda saw your hesitation, she found herself glancing at a very familiar scene in which you were taught the usefulness of sex during missions. How you were afraid to treat Wanda the way you had treated others in the past.

You wanted for this to be special.

You wanted Wanda to know that you had never touched anyone before her the way you wanted to touch her.

There was no need for sex, you knew this. And yet, you just wanted to give yourself to Wanda the way Wanda had given you so much in such little time.

You want to show her that you were hers now and forever.

Wanda felt tears rolling down her cheeks, she locked eyes with you and found the pure adoration you felt for her there. Wanda would be lying if she said she didn’t think about it, of course she had. She thought about it when she saw you training with Natasha and got to see the muscles of your arms and legs. She thought about it when you picked her up or straddled her while playing around, and she thought about it when the both of you made out on the bed or the sofa.

But the young witch had never pressed matters because she knew how much you had suffered due to the physical contact, you had shown her what you were made to do, how you were made to do it…at what age they started you. So Wanda had never pressed you to do anything that you didn’t feel comfortable with, perhaps it was something the both of you should had talked about but it wasn’t that important.

And the end of the day Wanda had realized, it really wasn’t that important as long as she had you.

But now…seeing you like this, all exited but fearful, ready but unsure… it made her heart swelled with affection for you. She really was in love with you the way she would never be with anyone else.

Wanda grabbed your cheeks in her hands, she leaned in smiling at you.

“My love, I’ll do whatever you want to do right now, I would love nothing more than make love to you, but I will be as happy with just cuddling with you enjoying the closeness and the love you provide.” She tried to pour her emotions in her words, making sure you understood what she was trying to convey.

You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding, your lips curled into a content smile just as you place your hands on her waist.

“I want to make love to you, Little Witch.” You declared simply, with affection dripping from your tone.

“Then, love, kiss me.”

Wanda knew you were experienced.

Of course, you were, it was something you had learnt in your line of work.

What she never expected to experience was the raw emotions that your touch brought to her, not sooner had she asked you to kiss her you were devouring her lips, your hands touching gently the length of her back and the side of her body, your fingertips brushing and kneading those spots that made her react.

The clothes were left alongside the hall, you guided Wanda slowly but surely to the main room where the bed and a couple of artificial candles were already waiting for you setting the romantic atmosphere Wanda had always talked about whenever the both of you watched a movie.

Wanda let out a breathy laugh when her eyes found the petals of roses on the floor, and the candles illuminating the room. The bedsheets were black and blue, and everything was just out of one of those movies. Her eyes found yours, and you knew you did something well because she was smiling brightly at you.

“You’re such a hopeless romantic,” she whispered letting her hands travelled down your naked torso, the warm of her palms making you shiver with anticipation as she cupped your breast in her hands. “God, I don’t know…I love you so much, I’m …I’m afraid of losing you or thinking this is just an illusion…”

You furrowed your brows locking your eyes with hers, grabbing her hands in yours you led her to the bed helping her up while you pressed your knee on the mattress.

“I will never let it happen, Wanda. For as long as you want me, I am yours.” You whispered kissing her again, leaning in until her back was on the bed and you were hovering above her.

You broke the kiss, your lips curling slightly watching Wanda with laboured breathing and her hands on your arms.

“Do you trust me?” You asked in a whisper, she merely nodded and you let your fingertips brush lightly on her eyelids. “Close your eyes, and don’t open them, let me love you tonight.”

The husky tinge in your voice, the heated coming in waves from your body made Wanda shivered, and she closed her eyes obediently. You bit the inside of your cheeks, leaning in placing open-mouthed kisses down her jaw to her neck; you enjoyed the sounds coming from her throat, the way she tilted her head to give you space to continue with the kisses, her hands grasping tightly around your forearms.

You had done this before, many missions in which you were to be a willing participant and others in which you were there for the final prize.

Wanda was different.

And everything that you were doing to her was so much different. You sighed into her skin, your left hand dancing around her body while your mouth travelled down her neck sucking lightly on the skin while your tongue soothe the light bites. The moans tearing out of her mouth were music for your ears, your fingertips mapping out the skin you had imagined up until now, brushing against one hardened nipple chuckling when a cursed left those lips.

Never once did Wanda opened her eyes.

Whatever you were doing, the fact she could no see but only feel was driving her mad. She could feel the texture of your lips traveling down the length of her neck, the teasing nibbles and the flickering of a playful tongue just as a pair of fingers pinched on a hardened nipple, her hips lifted from the mattress and a moan left her mouth when a volt of electricity went all the way to her core.

“Y/N…” your name sounded like a prayer, your eyes closing enjoying the sound of her voice. Your name on her lips, your hands dancing around her abdomen, your mouth tasting every single corner of her shoulders and her collarbone.

Moving down until you found the hem of the skirt she had chosen that day, you watched fascinated as Wanda grabbed the bed sheets her mouth hanging open and her eyes tightly close. The muscles of her abdomen and arms jumping whenever your mouth discovered a new sensitive spot you could explore while playing with the hem of her skirt, deciding if it was wise to take it off or not.

Your games took a couple of minutes, your mouth teasingly danced around her skin never touching those hardened knots on her breast or moving down beyond the well worked out abdomen. Your fingers and your hands moving down to spread her legs touching the soft skin of her inner thighs.

“Please, Y/N…” Her voice sounded broken, almost like a whine. You lifted your head and her green eyes were glancing down at you.

You sat up taking the warm of your body off of hers, Wanda groan in frustration her eyes gleaming red while a petulant pout formed on her face.

“Y/N, please…” She started but you shook your head, lifting a hand you made a gesture with two of your fingers. Wanda swallowed nodding before closing her eyes, you smiled at that standing up only to grab her skirt putting it off in a single pulled.

Your eyes darkened completely at the sight of her dark panties already sporting a wet spot in the middle, her boots and socks came soon after and you took of your shoes and pants along your underwear leaving yourself and her completely naked. You sighed taking all the courage you could muster, ready to show Wanda all the love you had for her.

You started by kissing her feet, smiling when Wanda let out a giggle, her finger wiggling playfully while your fingertips brushed against the skin on her ankle moving up alongside your mouth. You were not thinking about anything else that wasn’t to worship the woman in front of you, your own pleasure linked directly with hers.

Your lips moving up, kissing the back of her knees up to the warm skin on her thighs, the smell of her arousal making you groan with want. The sounds of her ragged breathing, and the moans leaving her lips were enhancing your own experienced as you focused on what you had in front of you.

The moment your tongue flickered out; you closed your eyes moaning with pleasure at the taste that was purely Wanda. Your hands placed firmly around her hips; Wanda let out a whimper mixed out with a scream her hands gripping the bedsheets tightly while she tried to buck her hips to get more of your tongue in her.

You moaned leaning in, your tongue licking teasingly on those pussy lips before you let it trace the dripping slit enjoying the reactions you were getting from Wanda. The young witch was driving herself to the edge by the mere contact of the tongue in between her legs, she wanted to desperately open her eyes and see you licking her mound but the fear of you stopping was more than enough to make her clenched her eyes shut tightly.

It was extremely pleasurable to just imagine you licking and kissing her pussy, your eyes concentrating in the task at hand while your mouth move enthusiastically lapping at her juices, flickering around her clit while probing at her entrance with playful thrusts of your tongue.

God, the mere thought of you doing all of this, while your hands sought out to rub her abdomen until they reach on her breast. Wanda arched her back with her hips bucking upwards, her eyes caught the sound of your moans while the vibrations of your mouth clashed against her sensitive pussy making her screamed again.

“God, Y/N…please….please…” Wanda was not sure why she was begging, or what exactly she was looking for.

It didn’t matter because it seemed as if you knew exactly what Wanda wanted, your flattened tongue pressed against her clit and Wanda let out a breathy screamed when two of your fingers entered her in one swift thrust.

It was all it took, she was shivering under you mewling while your name left her lips in a shattering scream, her orgasm making her trembled and spasm around you.

Wanda didn’t know exactly what happened, her eyes were still close and she was shivering under your body, your tongue sneaking inside her mouth and the young witch moan tasting herself in you.  

The moment she opened her eyes you were wearing a content smile, your eyes gleaming happily at her and Wanda couldn’t help but think you look cute like this.

“God, Y/N…I love you.” She said unable to think of anything else to say, you leaned in rubbing the tip of your nose against hers.

For a moment you were about to touch her but her hands grabbed yours, her smirked grew and soon she turned you around hovering above you.

“Now, detka, it’s my turn.” You opened your eyes wide, and just as you had done before she lifted a hand and with uttered cared close your eyelids. “Do you trust me?”

You hesitated for moment before speaking, “with my life.”

Wanda stopped for a moment, her heart swelling with emotions she could barely hold back.

“Then, detka, let me make you feel love…let me love you like no one had ever done so before me.”

Wanda had learnt a long time ago that you were highly susceptible to words and to touch, it could be your touch-starve nature due to your uprising and the lack of conversations you held when you were but a kid and a teen.

Whatever the case, Wanda let her hands caressed every inch of your body, her lips right beside your ear prising your performance telling you she had never come so hard for anyone. How her heart was beating only for you, and that you were all she needed it.

Wanda’s hands went to your breast squeezing them lightly, while her fingers played with the nipples pinching and pulling at them before her mouth closed around them. You let out a moan bucking your hips seeking relief. The young witch smirked sucking on your nipple while her hand slid down your abdomen cupping your dripping pussy in her hand, she let go of you moaning alongside you her lips right above you.

“Y/N, you’re so wet, baby.” The moment her lips closed around yours, her fingers flickered on your clit and Wanda drank your whimpers as she kissed you passionately.

Soon you were trashing under her, your hands on her arms and her hand moving all the way to your entrance, Wanda was fascinated at how easy was for you to give up your control to her. How your trusted in her was so complete you have your eyes closed and were giving her everything you were. Everything you had.

She started trusting inside you, over and over, her lips moving to your ear.

“Please detka, come for me.” That was all it took, your inner walls clenched around her fingers and Wanda watched with fascination as you came around her fingers a scream of her name leaving your lips.

“Wanda!”

It was fascinating for her, she rode out your orgasm until you were whimpering with discomfort. Wanda kissed you softly snuggling to you, placing tender kisses on your neck and jaw until she felt your arms wrapping tightly around you.

Nothing else was said that night, the both of you fall asleep enjoying the breathing of the other the smell of sex in the room. The heartbeat that seemed to beat as one.

______________________________________________________________

You woke up to a pair of green eyes looking down at you.

Wanda was always beautiful in the mornings, but on that morning in particular she was breath-taking. She had a smile on her face, her fingertips were drawing lazy figures on your abdomen you stretched out smiling back at her your eyes drifting down to see her completely naked pressed against you.

“Like what you see?” She asked playfully, leaning against her arm. You nodded turning around so you two were facing each other your fingers went to draw the same patterns on her arm.

“I like it too.” She said to which you merely snickered, she leaned in kissing you softly on the lips. “Last night…”

You tensed slightly, your eyes drifting to the side before they settled back on Wanda. The redhead smiled tenderly at you, she understood without you having to say anything at all. She always did.

“Last night was really magical, Y/N. It was everything I imagine would be with you.” Wanda snuggled closer to you, never breaking the eye contact. “And I can’t think of anyone I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“Marry me?” You blurted out before you can contain yourself, your eyes opened wide just as Wanda opened hers.

You shook your head, your body stiffened and your mouth opened and closed trying to get the words out before Wanda could leave before she could just say how a fucking moron you were for blurting something so stupid just after sex. Who did that?

The reaction you got from Wanda was not something you were expecting, she went right ahead to crash her lips against yours until you were on your back. Wanda was smiling, and you couldn’t help but smile back at her enthusiasm.

“Yes, yes I will marry you if that’s what you want.” You chuckled shaking your head when Wanda started placing kisses on your face.

You grabbed her hands in yours, turning you two around until it was you the one of top of her. She was chuckling happily, tilting her head to lock her eyes on yours.

“Did you mean it or the sex was that fantastic?” You chuckled rubbing your nose to hers, there was a flickered of hesitation in your eyes and for a moment Wanda thought you were going to back off without saying anything.

You broke your defences at that moment, Wanda watched with fascination as all protective barriers around your eyes left and all that was left was you.

“I meant it…not now, not tomorrow, probably not next year.” You said with your voice taking in a deep, serious tone Wanda was familiar with. “I don’t want to do this all my life, the fight, the missions. But you, Wanda, I want to be by your side all my life. Be a family. Be with you.”

Wanda melted at your words, whenever you decided to speak it was the most amazing experience for her. You never used your words in vain, and what always brough a bubble of happiness to Wanda was that she was your favourite person to talk to.

“So, Wanda Maximoff, would you marry me?”

Wanda sighed nodding lifting her head to meet your lips in a sweet kiss, “yes, Y/N, I will marry you. Not today, not tomorrow, probably no next year, but I will and we can build our family, right outside the suburbs…”

You chuckled lifting your hand and moving your pinkie finger, Wanda laughed at the absurdity of your actions but followed you lifting her hand and entangling her pinkie finger with yours.

“Pinkie promise.” She whispered before sealing the promised with a deep kiss.

The rest of the morning was spend showing one another just how much they loved one another, how their future was looking brighter.

How it was looking like a promise.

[sighingsiren-tales]

You Knew Better (pt2) (Original post accidently deleted!)

S/o to the WONDERFUL human who let me know that it deleted!

I never meant to delete this series! If you guys can get the likes back to the 350+ it was before it deleted, I’ll post pt.3 by the end of this holiday weekend!

~

4.7k 

~

“Huh, looks like it was fate that wanted us to talk” Jaehyun mumbles as you desperately push the help button on the elevator. 

You turn around to face him only to find that his expression was one of absolute amusement. 

“Oh, so this is a game to you?” You question harshly. 

“Nope” He spoke smugly before taking a step forward. 

“But it does give us an opportunity to talk”. 

“I don’t want to talk Jaehyun, I want to get out of the fucking elevator” You deadpanned, causing him to chuckle slightly. 

“Well, since you have nothing better to do other than wait on the fire department, why don’t you tell me exactly why you’re ignoring me?” He spoke, voice soft and sweet. 

Rolling your eyes, you resist the urge to childishly stomp your foot in annoyance. 

“Again, with this?” You ask exasperatedly. 

“You’re like a dog with a bone” No sooner than the words left your mouth he chuckles, the sound emanating from deep in his chest. 

“Trust me, you have no idea” He quips. 

Your hope that he doesn't speak again is dashed within minutes.

“You still haven’t answered my question” He spoke again after a few moments of silence. 

You gave him a slight glance over your shoulder before turning your attention back to the elevator’s help button.

“Is this because of high school?”

You give him a death glare in response. You don’t even bother to answer him, opting for fishing your phone out of your pocket and dialing Johnny instead.  You place it to your ear, ignoring Jaehyun’s comments as you wait for the rings to subside. 

“Helllloooo” 

“Jay, I got stuck in a fucking elevator”. 

“You’re kidding”. 

Ignoring Jaehyun’s existence, you click the facetime call button and wait a mere 3 seconds before he answers. He looks around at your surroundings in awe first before looking at your face. 

“And you’re alone?”. 

“Of course not,” Jaehyun scoffs, leaning up against a corner of the elevator with a smug look on his face. 

Johnny’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he began to mouth the words “Is that?”. You barely let him ask before nodding. He lets out a chuckle, running a hand through his hair before flopping onto his bed. 

“Your life is a damn k-drama”. 

You groan. 

“Tell me about it”. 

“Want me to come rescues you?”. 

You scoff.

“Just call the damn fire department so I can get out of here”. 

Johnny chuckles before promising you that he would do as you asked. You nod, saying your goodbyes before hanging up. 

“Aww so sweet” Jaehyun comments

“Please shut up” You ask before scrolling through your phone in an attempt to block him out. 

“Are you going to talk to me now?” He asks.

You sigh, forcing your eyes to stay glued to your screen. 

“Are you going to stop pretending like we both don’t know how this ends?” 

Your words hang in the air for a second. 

“Oh? And how does it end?”. 

A pause, and a bitter chuckle.

“You get your nut and I’m left alone. Been there done that and have to say, thanks but no thanks” You struggle to keep your voice level as you scroll past a cat video on Instagram.  

You feel his fingers enclose around the upper part of your arm. 

“It won’t be like that this time”. 

You scoff at his words, shaking your head at his “vow”. 

“I don’t know what is with you and Johnny lying to me when I know the truth” You counter.  

Within seconds, Jaehyun’s hand was around the screen of your phone and the next thing you knew, your phone was up in the air, above his head as you were left looking at where it had once been. You sigh heavily before turning to face him, but the rage that assaulted you was more than enough to put a crack in the mask of calm, cool and collected that you had created. You jump for the phone only for Jaehyun to move it at the last second so that it was just beyond your reach. You huff as you reach for it again, not realizing how close you and Jaehyun were until his other hand snuck up to grab your chin and force your eyes to meet his. His gaze was stern, something you don’t normally see with him. 

“Don’t ever compare Johnny and I”. 

“If the shoe fits” You snort, crossing your arms over your chest. 

Before you knew it, Jaehyun was directly in your face; Your arms drop. 

“You think so, huh? So then” He leans closer, causing you to step back. 

“Tell me”.

Another step forward. Another step back. 

“Does he fuck like me?” 

Don’t react.

“Does he remember to hold your hips in place when you’re about to cum?”

Don’t. 

“Or” His finger twirled a single curl around. 

“Can he dig you out like I can?”

You push back on his shoulders before he can finish speaking. Missing no opportunity, you lean down and grab the phone that had fallen from his hand when he stumbled backwards, thanking yourself for getting a case. Before you can even unlock it, he grabs it back. 

“Jaehyun” You hiss.

He gives you no response and instead decides to tuck the phone into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. You huff, not caring that he had finally got some emotion from you seeing as you were too annoyed by this point.

“What is it? What is it about me that makes it so goddamned fun to fuck with? I’m pretty sure you have other girls just waiting outside your door, legs open and willing. So why me?” You ranted, your voice rising a bit the longer your sentence went on. 

“I don’t know why it’s so hard for you to realize that I actually like you” He shot back, turning up his nose in annoyance. 

You bark out a humorless laugh at his statement before offering a retort. 

“Why? Why is it so hard for me to realize that? It’s you! It’s your goddamn fault!”. 

“That was years ago. In high school-”

“And college, freshman and sophomore year” You chime in, causing him to purse his lips and pause before continuing. 

“I was a stupid kid. I didn’t know any better and it was a mistake” He counters, taking a step forward. 

“A stupid kid? You fucked me over again just a few months ago!” You exclaim, to which he was absolutely silent. 

“I’m not about to be the bitch that gets played for a twelfth time. I’d rather save the shattered remains of my pride and myself from looking stupid yet again because of you” You continue, your words coming out harshly. 

He says nothing but you could see his jaw clench clearly. 

“Now” You spoke, straightening your clothing and leveling your gaze with his. 

“Give. Me. My. God. Damn. Phone”. 

Jaehyun made no moves to look away from you, his gaze holding up under the intensity of your own. 

“Make me”.

The next few seconds were a quick succession of movements. He rushes forwards, his hands cradling your face rather roughly as his fingertips nip the nape of your neck. He pulls you towards him with a strength you didn’t know he possessed, his lips finding yours easily and kissing you roughly. You find yourself enjoying the intensity of the kiss which was no doubt a result of the intense emotion and thick sexual tension. You let your fingertips grip the collar of his shirt, pulling him down rather roughly as you nipped at his lip. 

Fuck his shirt, you think as you tug on it.

I hope it rips. 

His kiss becomes bruising, his lips never allowing a breath to come out of yours as he kisses you over and over and over again. His fingers tighten around the expanse of your neck, then relax and you feel an inaudible gasp leave your lips at the feel of it. In a matter of seconds, you snap yourself back into reality, breaking the kiss and moving over to a different corner of the elevator. 

It is silent; Dead silence, save for the harsh pants coming from you both.

It takes a few moments before he speaks again.

“Why?” His question fades into nothingness.

You let out a shuddering breath, looking over at him quickly before shaking your head. 

“I should be asking you that” You retort.

Sighing, you take off your heels and slide down to sit on the floor of the elevator; You’re tired of standing.

“Why can’t you just listen to me?” He asks quietly before joining you on the floor. 

“Why do you have a problem with commitment?” you snap back which, as you expected, results in silence. 

“Have you ever thought that maybe I just don’t want to commit to you?” He asked, his tone inquisitive although his words stung a bit. 

You let out a bitter chuckle before looking over at him. 

“You know, I’ve thought about that. I thought that maybe it was just me” You pause in order to turn and face him fully, mainly so you could see his reaction.

“Then I remind myself of every single time that you’ve come back to me, from high school till now. And I wonder” You pause to make eye contact with him.

“What is it about me that you can’t stay away from but can’t stay with?”. 

The sentence lingers in the air and Jaehyun offers nothing to refute that. You scoff before looking at your phone, scrolling through random posts before his voice breaks the silence. 

“I was stupid back then; immature and impressionable. I’m sorry” His voice was soft and, for once, not argumentative. 

You were rendered speechless; What could you say to that? 

Was it genuine? 

Was it another ploy? 

Did you really want to waste time figuring it out? What would happen if he was serious? Did he mean it? 

“But” his voice cuts through your thoughts. 

“What happened at the company retreat was different. It wasn’t just another one-night stand”. 

Pulling your lip balm out your pocket, you huff.  His response was definitely disappointing. 

“Could’ve fooled me” you mutter bitterly. 

“Maybe when you accept the fact that I’m not trying to fool you, this would work”. 

You give a humorless chuckle. 

“Look at your track record and tell me I wouldn’t be stupid for trusting you again” You spoke, daring him to challenge you. 

He chews on his lip quietly, not bothering to offer a response. 

You scoff for the umpteenth time.

“Why am I entertaining this?” You mutter more to yourself than to Jaehyun. 

You threw your lip balm back into your purse rather bitterly as the smallest hope that Jaehyun could’ve actually been taking you seriously dissolved into disappointment. The second that you looked up from your bag, there was Jaehyun. 

 Right in front of you, with his hands on the slope of your neck pulling you to meet his lips. You want to resist but, will you? Shit, can you?

Why do you keep doing this dance knowing how it ends and know that your heart will end up on the cutting room floor?

Your resolve isn’t hardened by the time your mouth opens up underneath. He kisses you in a way that he has never kissed you before; He moves his lips softly and unhurriedly, as if he was savoring the moment. The way his hands cradled your neck and jawline was almost tender and you were finding it more and more difficult to breathe as his lips met yours again and again and again. You let your hand rise and fall so many times, the desire to touch him, combating with your hurt fiercely. You clench them into fists at your sides for a moment before he readjusts his hands, letting one cradle your jawline as the other wraps around your waist. 

Fuck it. 

You let your hands clutch at the sides of his shirt tightly, finally kissing him back as you grip at his suit jacket; Anything higher or more intimate and you ran the risk of not being able to stop yourself. 

Jaehyun broke the kiss, brushing a few stray curls away from your face as he stared deeply into your eyes. 

“You can’t tell me there wasn’t any emotion in that”

You couldn’t even respond; Your own feelings and thoughts were working a mile a minute whilst your words were currently on lunch break. 

As if the universe decided enough was enough, you feel the elevator shake slightly. That shake was more than enough to cause you two to break apart. You push away from him quickly although your eyes are fixated on the swollen pink plane of his lips. You touch a thumb to your own briefly before fixing your clothes. Clearing your throat, you both stand in an awkward silence until it came time for the elevator to finally descend, the fire department being the welcome committee as the doors opened. You bow to them deeply, thanking them for their help. After answering a few brief questions and reassuring the paramedics that you were fine, you were pulled into a hug and the scent of the person trapping you? Unmistakable Johnny. You let out a chuckle as you gladly hug him back, wrapping your arms around his midsection. 

“You okay princess?” He whispers to which you nod and pull him closer. 

When you pull away from the hug, Johnny palms frame your face, and he gives you a quick kiss on the lips. It was short and sweet, barely there. But, for some reason, it still causes you to feel terrible. Should you though? You and Jaehyun weren’t together and never were. 

 But then again neither were you and Johnny. You could feel eyes watching you, a specific pair. You know immediately who it is but refuse to turn around. Instead, you smile at the worried look in Johnny’s eyes. 

“Worried about me?” You tease before he pulls you in by wrapping a single arm around your waist. 

“Of course,” he spoke, pulling you to his side. 

For a split second you look up and Jaehyun’s eyes connect with yours immediately; You can see his eyes search yours for a split second before that concern was masked. He simply straightens his suit jacket and gives a quick wink before turning his attention back to the fire department.

“Wanna head home now?” Johnny asked quietly. 

“Yours or mine?” You asked, a bit distractedly. 

“Mine” He pulled you a bit closer as you walked towards the exit. 

The thought didn’t fill you with excitement the way it normally did, and you shook your head ‘no’. He seemed confused, immediately stopping and turning around to face you fully. He lifted your face up, moving it from side to side as if he was inspecting you. 

“Are you okay, honestly?” He asked, concern quite evident in his voice. 

You nod once. 

“I just need to be in my own bed right now” You mumbled, fumbling around in your purse for your keys. 

The kiss was finally taking effect. Johnny looked like he was mulling something over in that melon of his, looking you over once, then twice before nodding curtly.

“Let me know if you need anything?” He phrased it like a question, but you knew it was a silent command. 

Nodding, you decide to make polite small talk, as well as crack a few jokes, as you and Johnny make your way to your car. The drive to drop him off was pretty funny although all together uneventful and, when you finally drop off the aforementioned man to his doorstep, you let out a huge sigh of relief.

 It was good to know you were finally alone with your thoughts and, no matter how hard you tried, your thoughts kept drifting back to Jaehyun. What he had said in the elevator, how he had kissed you, how he looked at you. The nagging thought that it wasn’t just him wanting to get his dick wet was a bit alarming as well as foreign and you were still trying to decide if it was a good change or not. What caused that change for that matter? Those thoughts followed you from your car to your front door to your couch where you plopped down unceremoniously. You huff at the day you had before slightly scolding yourself. Why is it that Jaehyun could just say some words, and, like that, you were hooked once more? Why did you give him such power when you knew he wasn’t worthy of it? He didn’t care and you know he didn’t so why was this even a conversation that you were having with yourself? Some part of you hoped that, like in the movies,  Jaehyun would show up at your door, professing his true love for you and telling you that you were all he wanted. But, as an hour stretched on into two, there was no Jaehyun and no movie worthy speech. So, you did as anyone else would and continued the remainder of your night, showering extra-long and getting yourself ready for bed. By the time 10 o'clock rolled around, you were setting your tea by your bedside, and pulling back the blanket to get underneath when your phone rang. Glancing at the number, which was unrecognizable to you, you picked up the phone. 

“Hello?”. 

“Fuck, you even sound pretty over the phone”. 

Even through the slurred words, you could tell it was Jaehyun calling you. 

You sigh heavily although a part of you wondered if you would get your happily ever after, after all. 

“Jaehyun, why have you been drinking? and who’s phone are you calling me from?”. 

“I borrowed it. It’s Taeyong’s phone. I miss you. I keep thinking about the elevator in you-I mean, you in the elevator and I-”.

“Jaehyun stop” you cut him off right there; You had to. 

You had been thinking about precisely what he was about to tell you since it happened, and you really didn’t need to think about it more. 

“Can I come stay with you for tonight? I promise I won’t be loud, and I won't be annoying. It’s just, your house is so close to where I am, and your house has something mine doesn’t” He slurred. 

You pursed your lips together.

“Yeah? What’s that?”. 

“You”. 

That answer had your stomach flipping around constantly as you wondered what to say, though you hoped that would be his answer.

“So quiet. Are you thinking?”.

“Jaehyun”. 

“My love?”. 

“Kindly stay the fuck out of my head”. 

You heard him giggle adorably to which you find a sliver of a smile making its way onto your lips. 

“Hey, if I can’t be in your head can I be in your bed?”. 

Moment ruined. Way to go Jaehyun. 

“No” You maintained. 

“Why not? I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to be around you until I sleep, and plus, I don’t want to be alone right now”. 

“Jaehyun, that’s not my problem-”

“Kitten. Please”. 

Silence. 

Dead silence.

You hadn’t heard anyone call you that name since High school sophomore year. Come to think of it, that was actually how you were introduced to Jaehyun. Your best friend at the time, Ten, had given you the nickname and introduced you to him as such, in lieu of your real name. It was a nickname that held a special place in your heart. Your resolve weakened almost immediately. 

“Please just don’t say no to me right now. I can’t go home like this. Please”.

You huffed once more, flipping the blanket up in frustration as you told him what he so desperately wanted to hear: that he could stay with you, given he goes home in the morning. 

“Thank you so much”. 

Brushing off his drunken thank you, you told him your address, staying on the phone with him as his uber came, per his wishes, while you made his makeshift bed on the couch. You placed two pillows on the couch, with a thick blanket and set up 2 Advil's and an ice-cold glass of water that you knew he would need in the morning.  

“You’re so beautiful. Like, your face is so pretty and then your body is pretty too. But in different ways”. 

You rolled your eyes, a slight chuckle actually escaping you.

“You’re just a drunken goddamn mess, aren’t you?”. 

He goes on: “I think I could kiss you all day if you’d let me. Then fuck you all night, again, if you’d let me”

He rambled on as you found some sweatpants your brother left here that you wore from time to time. By the time you were done setting up, Jaehyun was singing that he was “5 minutes away”. 

“Hey, can I ask you something?”. 

Good grief.

“Go ahead”. 

“Who was your first love?”. 

You froze.

 You were not expecting that question. 

“Another time Jaehyun” You promised, hoping that you wouldn’t have to keep it he started to ramble drunkenly again. 

It was only a matter of minutes before Jaehyun was ringing the doorbell like a maniac, unlike a sane person who would have just announced their presence over the phone. You rolled your eyes at his eagerness and, although some part of you loved it, you knew it was just because he was drunk.  You walk over to the door just the slightest bit irritated. Throwing it open, you sassed “Yes, wake up my whole goddamn neighborhood”. 

It took you a few moments before you registered what Jaehyun was wearing: a simple black button up which conveniently had the first few missing and black distressed jeans. You looked him over once more before your gaze went up to his face, to which he smiled. Not boyishly though, seductively. You moved aside so he could step in and, when he did, you closed and locked the door behind him. Before he could speak, you did. 

“Go shower. You need to sober up” you commanded. 

To which he gave a mock salute. 

“Yes ma’am”. 

You direct him to the bathroom telling him where everything is before taking his clothes from him through a crack in the bathroom door so that you could wash them for him to wear tomorrow. All the while, you contemplated just why the fuck you were doing this. What drew you in so much and why? You sat there contemplating before your mind wandered over the nickname, he had called you. It took you back, way back. 

“Ten!” you shrieked as he bought you over to meet some of his older and attractive friends. 

“It’ll be fine, stop worrying” Ten brushed off your slight anxiety. 

You knew who his friends were, there were the popular, attractive older kids who didn’t seem to have a flaw on them. By the time you got 2 fingers of his off your wrist, you were already at the lunch table. 

“Ayo Ten!” You looked over just in time to see someone clap Ten on the shoulder, smiling at him brightly before his gaze shifted over to you. 

You felt your eyes widen as your heart rate sped up ever so slightly. You were young; You didn’t come into your own yet and you were not that confident in yourself as of yet, so seeing a boy who was so breathtakingly handsome stunned you into silence.

“Oh, right, this is-” Ten paused to look back at you. 

Taking one look at your form, he rolled his eyes and tapped your chin. 

“Close your mouth Kitten”. 

Taking yourself from your embarrassing state, you hit Ten on the shoulder. 

“Fuck you” You mumbled. 

The handsome boy approached you holding out his hand with a bright smile. 

“Nice to meet you Kitten, I’m Jaehyun” You were about to reach out and take his hand before you realized what he called you. 

“My names’ not a kitten” you mumble, causing both of them to laugh. 

“I’m done” you heard a voice whisper in your ear, completely taking you from your memory and causing you to shriek slightly.

Spinning around, you found that you were now trapped between your washing machine and a wet Jaehyun. 

“Jaehyun-” You barely got his name out before he cut you off.

“That’s not how I want you to say my name” He whispered in your ear. 

His hands come down to rest on either side of you, atop the washing machine. 

He didn’t touch you, but he let his head hang a bit lower. 

“I want you to say my name the way I know you say Johnny’s” His own statement seemed to irritate him as he made a “tch” sound. 

“Johnny” He hissed. 

“Jaehyun, it’s late. Do you have to play with me right now?” You asked, utterly exhausted. 

In an instant, he pulled you against him, eliminating any and all space between your bodies. 

“I’m not playing with you”. 

“Jaehyun. Let go, I’m tired” You were not in the mood for his mind games. 

“No”.

He pulled away from the hug, lifting you unceremoniously and sitting you atop the washer so that he could look you in your eyes. 

“What do I have to do to get you to believe that I’m serious about how I feel about you?”. 

Startled by his words it took you a minute for you to actually think about it. The look in his eyes was unlike one that you had ever seen from him before and while you knew there was liquor in his system, the part of you that wanted to believe him was strong. However, as you said before, you were not about to be the bitch that got played for the umpteenth time. You needed something that would bother both you and him to prove he was serious. 

“Sleep on the couch. All night. Don’t touch me, don’t come into my room until I wake up” You dictated, the words out of your mouth before you could stop them. 

Sighing, the man in front of you nodded before backing away from you. Before you could get off the washer though, he spoke up, his voice quiet and hesitant. 

“I... I know I’m still a little drunk and I promise to honor what you want but can I…”

He’s quiet. You refuse to meet his eyes, busying yourself with the tiling of the floor.

“Could I kiss you?”.

You looked up from the floor to his face; The absolute innocent and pleading look in his eye was something he couldn’t fake, or so you’d like to believe. Letting out a small sigh, you hop down from atop the washing machine and walk over to where he stood, letting your hands frame his face. You pause, watching his eyes for any sly glint. You find none. 

His fingers wrap around your wrists, keeping your hands where they were.

You lean in, and so does he. 

The kiss was soft and somehow familiar, his lips meeting yours again and again as his hands slowly made their way to rest where they may; One on your lower back and the other on your hip. You tiptoed to continue the kiss, letting the last few seconds linger for a bit longer before you broke it. When you came down from your tiptoes, Jaehyun took your face in his hands and kissed you once more, deeply but only for a moment. The short encounter left you shell shocked. 

“I’m sorry. You’re just… so pretty” Jaehyun spoke sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. 

You nodded, clearing your throat before walking out from the washing room and into the living room, wordlessly showing him your couch. You watch as he walks over to it, quietly might you add, before heading over to your bedroom. You stop yourself at the door, closing your eyes and inhaling deeply before speaking. 

“Goodnight Jaehyun”. 

“Sleep well Kitten”. 

It was only when you closed the door that you remembered why that kiss felt so familiar; That’s how Jaehyun had kissed you on the night of the company retreat.

[macadoodlewrites]

Dangerous Love - Part Four (Rafe Cameron x Routledge!Reader)

Summary: Avery Routledge is John B's cousin, and she has just moved to the OBX - just in time for a treasure hunt. But with John B keeping secrets in order to protect her, he pushes her into the arms of the Kook King. She becomes tangled with none other than Rafe Cameron, but will she realise how damaged he is before it is too late, or will he ruin her before she can get away?

Warnings: death, smut, dub-con, toxic behaviour, abuse, kidnapping, non-con

Ships: Rafe Cameron x OC, minor!JJ x OC

Main Masterlist

Dangerous Love Masterlist

Word Count: 3.9k

“Rafe,” I said quietly, looking up at the boy who only yesterday had told me that I was a Pogue, through and through, as if it were the worst insult that he could possibly think of.

“What are you doing here, Avery?” he asked, then paused and added, “Alone.”

I took a step backwards. “How do you know that I’m alone?”

He tracked my movements with amused eyes, tilting his chin upwards to look down at me arrogantly through thick, golden eyelashes. “Don’t flatter yourself, sweetheart, I wasn’t following you if that’s what you were thinking.”

“I didn’t think—”

“In your efforts to look miserable and ignore the world, you walked right past me,” he continued. “Besides, you’re on my side of the island. So, I will ask you again.” He took a step forwards. “What are you doing out here alone?”

Everything that had happened was still fresh, even though I had been walking for well over an hour. John B really thought that he was protecting me by concealing his and The Pogue’s secrets and not telling me about whatever mess they had all gotten themselves into. But look where I was now because of it … on the wrong side of the island with — according to Kiara — the son of the King of the Kooks. So much for being safe.

I need to look after you, Avery. I’m all that you have left.

How dare he use that as an excuse to hide things from me. But instead of unloading any of this onto Rafe, as if he would even care, I just schooled my expression into a blank one. “I felt like going for a walk,” I replied, and Rafe rolled his eyes. “A long walk.”

“And why are you crying?” he asked. The wind blew around us and I shivered in the breeze. I started to twiddle my thumbs nervously against each other, once again reminded that I could not stay outside all night. Rafe’s eyes darted down to the movement, and I quickly stopped.

“I’m not crying,” I said quickly, and at the sound of his scoff, I turned and started walking to — well, I didn’t know where I was going, but somewhere that Rafe wasn’t.

“That’s not the way back to The Cut,” he called after me.

“I’m not going back to The Cut,” I said loudly, and the sand beneath our feet must have muffled his footsteps because he was suddenly at my side, keeping pace with me.

“And why aren’t you going home? Trouble in paradise already?”

“You know what, Rafe, you have made it very clear exactly what you think of me, my family, and my friends, so stop pretending to take any kind of interest in my life,” I snapped, picking up the pace. He easily kept up, and I wanted to slap his handsome face as he chuckled.

“Something must have really pissed you off,” he said. His long legs had no trouble keeping up with mine, but apparently, he had had enough of walking as his fingers closed around my wrist and tugged me back. Now I was face to face with him — although I had to slant my head up to look at him. “Look, I’m sorry for what I said yesterday. But in my defence, your cousin was attacking my best friend.”

“Well, your best friend was attacking my cousin!”

The smirk on his face was smug at my reaction, yet it only made him look more handsome. I wanted to slap him even more.

“Agree to disagree, Avery Routledge,” he mumbled, and as it was clear that I wasn’t going to keep walking, he let my wrist go, fingers gliding across my bare skin. I instantly crossed my arms, shivering in the breeze. “Now why don’t you tell me why you’re out here alone. It’s getting dark, and you’re clearly cold.” At my continued silence, he sighed again and rubbed a hand down his face. “Alright, you don’t have to tell me. But take this.”

And with that he pulled his pale blue hoodie over his head, revealing a white polo shirt underneath. I eyed it, and then him.

“What?”

“Aren’t you afraid that I’m going to sully your clothing?”

“To be fair, I only called you a Pogue. I never said anything bad about them — that was Topper,” he defended.

Goosebumps were crawling over my skin like tiny insects. “I think that the implications were pretty clear.”

“Fine. I don’t like your cousin, or his friends. But it does not mean that I have anything to say about you. And even if I did, all I am offering you is my hoodie. So, take it.”

There was a command in his voice and I found myself reaching out and taking his hoodie and pulling it over my head, as Rafe watched with a unnameable look on his face. For a moment he was silent, but his eyes spoke enough for him; they dropped to the hem of the hoodie which was lower than the bottom of my shorts. I knew that Rafe was tall, but his hoodie was the length of a dress on me.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, clenching the too-long sleeves in my fists.

“Now for my payment.”

“I knew it —”

“Please tell me what’s wrong.”

It was not what I had been expecting. I weighed my options in my head. No matter how angry I was with my friends, I would never reveal their personal business to anyone — certainly not Rafe. But the offer to distract myself was being presented in the form of talking to Rafe. Of being able to vent instead of keeping it all buried away.

“John B and I had a fight,” I finally mumbled, looking down at my sleeve-covered hands. “And none of my friends stood up for me.” At his continued silence, I looked at down at the sand. “Here’s where you call me pathetic.”

“I’m not going to call you pathetic, Avery. Do you really think that low of me?”

“I’m sorry—” I started, but was stopped by a touch under my chin, lifting my head back up.

“It’s alright, I know what you Pogues think of me. I’m sure Kiara has already spouted tales into your ear.” His hand moved and tugged a few strands of my hair that had been caught in his hoodie, pulling them loose. His fingers remained on my shoulder, and I made no move to shrug him away. “And you know what I think of you Pogues, anyway. But right now, all I see if a girl who is upset and looks like she needs comforting. Even if the offer of comfort is from a Kook.”

The tears were still in my eyes at the thought of JJ's blank expression as he made no move to defend me, as John B made the choice to tell me nothing, but I blinked them away. "What are you thinking?"

He slid his hand away from my chin and smiled - it looked genuine enough, yet I could not help the sceptical feeling that was stirring in my stomach

"I'm thinking that you are going to get on my bike, and I am going to take you to the best bar in town," he said - an order, really - and held his hand out.

"You want to take me to a bar?" My voice was incredulous as I stared at his outstretched hand, his long slender fingers. My eyes slid to his thick golden ring. "Alright, one drink."

The smile on his face was beautiful as I took his hand, his grip warm, and any sceptical feeling in my stomach was instantly gone.

~~~

And that was how I — Avery Routledge, John B’s cousin — found myself pulling up to the Kildare Country Club on the back of Rafe Cameron’s bike, his helmet on my head and my arms wrapped around his waist. The sun had well and truly set by this point, but the club was rife with gentle music and warm lighting, and plenty of residents enjoying the atmosphere.

“Isn’t this the super exclusive country club that looks down on anyone who isn’t a member?” I whispered into Rafe’s back, remembering all that Kiara had told me about the building. He ignored me and clambered off the bike. I removed the helmet, placed it on the back of the bike and then look at him and the club. The building was luxurious, all smooth white panels and streak-less windows. Far from The Chateau. I looked back at Rafe, but he was already looking at me, watching my movements and tracking my anxious shifting. “Rafe?”

“I’m a member, sweetheart,” he said and once again offered me his hand. As I took it, he pulled me forward, sending me falling into him as he leant down, his mouth next to my ear. “And for tonight, so are you.”

I shivered but did not relinquish my grip on his hand as he led us towards the entrance of the Kildare Country Club.

“Name?” the attendant asked.

“Rafe Cameron,” replied Rafe smoothly. “And guest.”

He tugged at my hand, and I was pulled out from behind his tall frame — I had not realised I had been hiding behind him in the first place. The attendant looked at me — a snobbish looking man in his late thirties or early forties — and he took in my bare legs and Rafe’s hoodie, then eyed my windblown hair and pink eyes. The negative judgement at my dishevelled appearance was clear. I involuntarily squeezed Rafe’s hand and was about to pull him away, tell him that I wanted to leave, when he stepped towards the attendant.

“Hey man,” he said, standing tall and looking down his nose at the man. “You’re going to stop staring at her, and you’re going to let us in. You know who I am, and you know who my father is.”

The attendant blanched. “Of course, Mister Cameron.”

Still holding my hand, for which I was extremely grateful, Rafe led me inside. With my free hand, I tugged at the hem of the hoodie self-consciously, and followed him. He walked us past the stares of adults and teenagers alike - how Rafe continued to look unbothered at the judgement was baffling to me. "Rafe, people are looking," I whispered. "Rafe-"

His grip on me tightened ever so slightly, but not hard enough to hurt. Finally, we stopped at a table, and he let go of my hand. "Let them stare," he said.

Rafe pulled out the seat closest to us and I sat down in it. He pushed me in, then sat on the seat opposite. On the surface of the small table was a lit candle within a glass bowl. The light flickered over Rafe, highlighting his cut-edge cheekbones and jawline, giving his skin a radiant glow. “I don’t belong here,” I finally whispered. Despite telling him yesterday that the Kook versus Pogue rivalry was stupid, it was easy to see the difference between the two sides of the island now that I was sat here in this extremely exclusive and expensive club.

“You’re here with me,” he said, as if that made up for it. “I’m Rafe Cameron.”

“And not full of yourself at all.” It came out far bitterer than I intended it to, and the frown on my face fell away as he smiled. “I’m sorry—”

“Don’t be sorry, Avery. Just order a drink and enjoy the Kook life,” he said quietly, and leant forwards, leaning his elbows on the table. “Ignore them all. Every one of them. They don’t know a good thing when they see one.”

My mouth fell open, but Rafe was already looking away as a waiter stood next to us. "Mr Cameron," he greeted, then looked at me. "Miss..."

"Routledge," Rafe finished for him.

“Miss Routledge,” the waiter continued, eyeing me with a strange look. He was wearing a cliché white shirt with a black vest over top, and his long black hair was pulled into a ponytail. There was a golden hoop hanging from his ear. He was definitely a Pogue, working this job serving the rich Kooks. His name badge said Ash. “You wouldn’t happen to be related to John B, would you?”

Small world, I thought, reminded of Sarah’s words from earlier that day. “He’s my cousin. Do you know him?”

“Yeah, we go to school together, and I have a second job down at the docks and sometimes see him—”

“As lovely as this is to hear, I’d like to order the lady and I some drinks,” cut in Rafe.

“Sorry, Sir,” Ash said, pulling a notebook out of his pocket. The smile on his face hardly faltered, as if he was used to the kind of treatment — come to think of it, he probably was. It was clear to see exactly why Pogues hated Kooks, with their snobbery and pompous behaviour. “What will it be?”

Rafe looked at me, "You heard the man. What are you drinking?"

On any normal day, I was fine with cheap beer or a gin and tonic, but was that the kind of drink that was served here? Probably not. I stared at Rafe, and he looked at me with a smirk. "I-um-"

"We will both have an original Mai Tai," he supplied, and didn't glance at Ash as he wrote the order down in his notepad. "Is that alright with you, sweetheart?"

Barely stammering out a nod at his stare, Rafe continued to smirk at me as Ash finally walked away.

"You're enjoying how uncomfortable I am, aren't you?"

He leaned forwards on his elbows again. "Are you going to leave if I say that I am?"

My only other option was to walk the many miles back to The Chateau, so I shook my head. “I’m not used to this. Even back home—on the mainland, I never went to places like this.”

“You’ve done that twice now.”

“Done what?”

“Referred to the mainland as home, then corrected yourself like the words are acid on your tongue,” he replied. “What’s the deal? Why did you move to the OBX?”

“That’s none of your business, Rafe.”

He sighed but there was a smile on his face at the way he was riling me up. “Come on, Avery, I’m just being curious. Are you running from someone? A boyfriend, perhaps?”

“Shut up, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” I snapped, leaning back in my chair. His was lit up, piqued with curiosity.

“Oh, so that’s it? I’m right, aren’t I? You are running. Go on, tell me who you’re running from. Who back home has chased you straight into the arms of The Pogues?”

I stared at the flickering candle, willing away any tears as he continued to stare at me. All of the memories were flashing through my brain — my mum, my dad, mum’s boyfriend, the fights, so so so many fights. The parts of my body that were still healing, even now.

“I bet it was a boyfriend,” he continued. My hand, which was resting on the table had clenched into a fist. “Or mean girls?”

Ash returned, placing two yellow drinks down in front of us, and I looked up at him. He frowned, side-eyeing Rafe with a look of poorly concealed loathing. “Are you alright?”

Rafe, as if snapping out of whatever pretentious spell had taken hold of him snapped out of it, dropped the smirk and stared gloomily at me. “She’s fine,” he replied, reaching over and unfolding my clenched fist, then holding my hand. “Look, Avery, I’m sorry. Okay?”

“It’s fine,” I replied and looked up at Ash. “I’m fine.”

“See. Now put those drinks on Ward Cameron’s account, alright?”

Ash walked away, shaking his head and leaving me alone with Rafe once again. Rafe glared after him. “Rafe, why am I here?” I asked quietly, causing his gaze to snap back to mine, the glower remaining.

“You were sad. I wanted to help,” he replied.

“You sound just like my cousin,” I countered.

“Why?”

I swallowed heavily. “After our argument, he said that he needs to look after me because he’s all that I have…” I trailed off, not having meant to share quite so much information.

“What does that mean? Where are your parents?”

I shook my head at him, and tugged my hand away, but he held fast. “That doesn’t matter.”

He looked me over, eyes roaming my face as I stared at him. Finally, he must have found whatever he was looking for in my expression, because he started to smile. “Well, you can tell your cousin that he is wrong. You now have me to look after you.”

A peculiar flutter appeared in my chest at his words – as ridiculous as it was. The words sounded so different coming from Rafe, so sincere, and I found myself with the smallest shed of hope in my chest. The only people that I cared about were on this island, and they didn’t even know the full extent of what I had suffered back at home. John B knew parts, and JJ knew more, but not everything. Even now, there was a large array of bruises on my stomach, hidden places only; my mother and her boyfriend were smart. I needed all of the allies I could get on Kildare Island, and here was Rafe, offering to look after me, something no one besides the Pogues had ever offered before.

I squeezed my fingers around his, and the upward quirk of his lips was a lovely sight to see. “Thank you, Rafe. For wanting to look after me.”

He raised his glass, and I did the same. They clinked together, and I could not take my eyes off of him as I took a sip of the sweet liquid. One drink soon turned into three, and before I knew it, I had managed to push the argument with my cousin to the back of my mind– although the fear and panic that I had felt were still sitting heavy on my chest. I was laughing as Rafe told me a story about his sister Wheezie’s first experience with alcohol.

The moon was high in the sky, and most of the members of the club had left, leaving Rafe and I in our own secluded section. I looked around. “It looks like we scared everyone off. Maybe they’re all scared of my Pogue germs and think that I belong on The Cut.”

“You know I think that’s definitely it,” Rafe replied sarcastically. “Speaking of, I should get you back home. Don’t want anyone to think that anything bad has happened to you just because you’re with me.”

“Like they’d care,” I mumbled, the smile falling from my face but then shook my head. “I don’t mean that, I’m just being self-pitying. This evening has been exactly what I needed.”

“That’s what I like to hear,” he replied, and downed the last of his drink. Mine was already empty. “Let’s go.”

We walked back to his bike, and whether it was the alcohol in my system, or I’d grown used to the stares over the last couple of hours, I walked with my head held high.

“Are you sure that you’re okay to ride?” I asked as he handed me the helmet again.

“Trust me, I’ve done worse,” he said, climbing on. I hesitated, but then climbed on behind him, wanting to ask what worse he had done before. Despite knowing how stupid it was, a small part of me trusted him. Wrapping my arms around Rafe’s waist, I smiled as he started the bike, and we rode off.

We started the ride in silence, but it was comfortable. My light brown hair whipped around my head and the helmet, and I knew that I should have been cold in the breeze, but I was not. Rafe’s body heat was doing plenty for me. I called directions to him and slowly the large houses and expensive shops disappeared as we rode from Figure Eight and into The Cut; the buildings were replaced by small shacks, fishing businesses and then, finally The Chateau. Rafe pulled up outside, and I looked at my new home, preparing myself for The Pogues reaction, but the house stood dark and quiet. No one was home.

“Looks like John B isn’t here,” Rafe observed, one of his hands placed over our interlocked ones at his waist.

“Probably out with the others taking care of their business-” I mumbled, catching myself before I said anything further. Quickly I unclasped my hands, pulling them away from his grip and slid off of the bike. I removed my helmet and placed it on the seat.

He did the same and followed after me as I walked towards The Chateau. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” I replied quickly. Just as I reached the steps, I turned. He was right behind me, looking down with eyes containing an unidentifiable emotion.

“Are you going to be alright here on your own?”

“It’s my home, Rafe,” I replied. “I’ll be fine. Besides John B will be back soon and JJ will most likely crash too.”

Rafe backed up a step. “Well, if you’re sure.”

There was something unsaid between us, I could feel it, but I did not know what it was – all I could do was watch as Rafe turned and walked back towards his bike.

“Rafe!” I called, and he glanced at me over his shoulder. “Thanks for tonight. We should do it again some time.”

He smirked. “Come to a party with me tomorrow night?”

“A party?”

“Yes,” he said.

“Tomorrow night?”

“Sweetheart, are you going to keep repeating what I’m saying?”

“No—I—” I swallowed, catching my breath at the sudden thump I felt in my chest at his invitation. The buzz from my cocktails was long gone. “I don’t know, Rafe. I don’t know any of your friends, and you saw how people looked at me today—”

“I told you; they don’t know a good thing when they see one.” He paused, turning his entire body back to me. “But fine. Let me know if you change your mind.”

“How will I—”

“I put my number in your phone,” he replied, and I watched, dumbstruck, as he climbed onto his bike. Rafe placed the helmet over his head and rode off with only a wave of his fingers back at me.

I continued to stare, even after he was gone, the noise of his motorbike fading away entirely.

When did he put his number into my phone?

And why was my stomach fluttering at the lingering feel of his body pressed against mine on the motorbike. Before I could think about it any further, headlights appeared. Not wanting to be questioned about my evening, I turned and ran inside, heading straight to my room and locking the bedroom door. I knew one thing.

Today had been the strangest day of my life. My new life in the OBX was not what I had expected it to be. I’d hoped that John B and the others could learn to trust me with their secrets and tell me what the break in today had been caused by, and who those men were, but finding comfort with Rafe afterwards was something that I could get used to. Maybe all of the Kooks weren’t so bad? Rafe certainly wasn’t.

PREVIOUS PART // NEXT PART

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[manybcdthings]

As soon as Felix was met with the smile lighting up across Bella's features, it was difficult for his own to not grow. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered why she looked at him with such warmth. What on Earth made her think he was deserving of it. "At least you were good at it, but I want to know who's idea that even was. I think they must get off on seeing us a little bit...degraded." Felix mused but there was a slight amusement in his tone. A laugh finally escaped him when Bella returned the compliment, his hand instinctively lifting to gently stroke over hers while she smoothed at his jacket. "Thanks, that was exactly what I was going for. So, that's wonderful." he grinned to her while they made their way closer to the party. His usual steady stride had subtly slowed, an obvious hesitance for the moment they'd need to keep all affection at bay.

"What if you won double the bet and more money could be used to save lives?" Felix played Devil's advocate for no real reason other than his own enjoyment, sometimes adopting stances he didn't even believe in. And by now, he knew Bella was onto his game. Which was why he could barely offer the counter argument with a serious expression, his grin remaining for a moment. "I know you're going to say about losing the bet but I meant my question literally, only focused on the winning." he preempted her response with a playfully smug shrug.

But there were plenty more moments Felix wasn't quite so proud of his gift of the gab. Once they stepped into the casino and both naturally tried to maintain a distance as they spoke, he knew his words were entirely out of turn. "I know you didn't say that. I just said you didn't." Felix muttered, meeting Bella's gaze with a sincere look. But really, he was unable to see what else she meant. Her hesitancy, to Felix, meant shame and embarrassment. Nothing else. A slight laugh left him when her bossy demand followed and he pretended to whip away his arm like she had hurt him. "I might not want a cigarette, Isabella." he quipped, his grin becoming mischievous but only for a moment. He couldn't really help himself, either. "Are you sure you won't be embarrassed if people notice we sneak off in the same direction?" that quip was purely for his own amusement but Felix quickly corrected himself with a wave of his hand. "We don't need to talk, it's fine. I knew what you meant."

Bella sidesteps the red carpet as soon as she arrives and instead, slips through a discreet entrance into the casino. The flashing lights and attention is not something she wants tonight with her mind still stuck on her last conversation with Felix. She navigates through corridors towards the event, the muted hum of conversations and music as her guide. Then, the sound of footsteps behind her draws her attention. She glances over her shoulder, and her smile blooms as she spots Felix. His touch against her back is fleeting but electric, a gentle brush that sends a shiver through her. She grins as he joins her, the shared joke about evading the paparazzi drawing a soft chuckle from her. "I think we both suffered enough doing ASMR, so we earned a promo break." she says, her nose crinkling playfully. She leans under his arm for a moment, the closeness feeling as natural as breathing but ultimately, it's just as fleeting as his touch.

Dating in the limelight is a minefield of silent pressures. Bella knows that making their relationship public too soon could turn their private moments into a media circus. Felix's struggles are evident, and they only make her more cautious. His compliment, though, makes her smile wide and genuine. "Thank you." she says, her voice soft but sincere. "You look incredibly handsome, like a charming giant pixie." her fingers brush over his jacket, smoothing it down with a touch of affection. He easily pulls a laugh from Bella in the next moment, and she offers him a sardonic expression. "Really? It surprises you? I love gambling, all that money that could be used to save lives being played with. It's heartwarming." Bella grins to him.

As they enter the bustling event, Bella feels a silent demand to drift away from Felix, even though every fiber of her being wants to stay close. She surveys the crowd with a momentary detachment, but Felix's words draw her attention back, and she frowns. "I never said that." she replies, her tone quiet but firm. She realizes she might not have articulated her thoughts as clearly as she intended, but of course he chooses to highlight as such right when they emerge into the party. "Felix, I would never think that about you." Bella frowns, concerned now that he's convinced he's a burden. Even if he brushes it away as a joke, her head shakes. "Okay well..." she glances through the evening again quickly before her hand jabs at his arm inconspicuously. "Go for a cigarette. That's literally so horrible if you've been thinking this the whole time." her words slip out bossily and hurried, intending to meet him there so she can finally clarify what she meant.

[the-bau-quinjet]

Shut Up!

Summary: request! Bucky and Y/N hate each other... or so they say.

Warnings: as Steve would say: Language!, but really it's just a bunch of fluff.

Word Count: 1798

a/n: Italics are thoughts in their heads!!

This request brought me so much joy to think about. Happy Birthday anon! Thank you so much for all the love!!! ❤️ 💕 💗 💖 💘

"BARNES!" You screamed, giving him the customary warning before throwing your least favorite knife at him.

He flung himself backward, catching the knife in midair.

Damn, that's hot. You shook the thought away, glaring at Bucky as he turned to look at you.

"Did you just throw a knife at me?" He asked, incredulous.

You rolled your eyes. "You deserved it. Plus, I warned you." You bit back.

"Y/N, you can't just throw knives at people." Steve sighed, tired of the two of you arguing all the time.

"I don't throw knives at people. Just Bucky." You said his name with disgusted expression. "And he deserved it!"

"What the hell did he do to deserve being impaled by a knife?" Sam chuckled, but only to keep the mood light.

"He wasn't impaled. I knew he would dodge it." You defended yourself, sneering at Bucky's smug grin.

"Not the point. What did he do?" Steve asked again, trying to clear the air despite it never working before.

You pulled the beanie you were wearing off your head, showing off your freshly bleached hair. It was nearly white, a stark platinum blonde contrasting your typical dark style.

"You know what they say, 'blondes have more fun'. I was just looking out for your social life." Bucky smirked, enjoying the rage.

She's so cute when she's angry. He thought as he stared at you.

Sam snorted, trying to hold in the laugh under your glare.

"How thoughtful." You quipped sarcastically, leaning in to threaten him. "I'm going to get you back for this." Your words were laced with venom, the anger palpable even in the vast gym.

"Looking forward to it! Thanks for the knife!" Bucky called as you stormed away, ignoring the thoughts lingering in his head. Not cute. Hot. So very hot when she's angry.

-

The next few days, Bucky heard nothing from you. He didn't think much of it, considering you were likely plotting. It wasn't until you started being uncharacteristically sweet to him that he grew nervous.

"Hey, Buck, Steve." You smiled as you walked up to him and Steve.

"Hi, Y/N." Steve greeted you warmly, glad to see you at least acting cordial after the stunt Bucky pulled.

"Hi..." Bucky hesitated, unsure of what you were playing at.

He's so adorable when he's nervous. You shook your head, getting back on track.

"I brought you some drinks!" You excitedly exclaimed, handing the drink carrier to Steve since Bucky seemed frozen in place. "Protein smoothie for Steve, chocolate milkshake for Bucky."

You walked away without another word, throwing a thumbs up to accept Steve's thanks.

Steve happily drank his smoothie, enjoying the energy boost. Bucky just stared at the milkshake before throwing the entire thing away.

"Buck! Don't be a jerk. She bought that for you." Steve huffed, annoyed with his friend's childish behavior.

"I can't trust anything she gives me unless I saw it being made." He shrugged as if it was obvious.

"Jerk, she's not going to poison you." Steve rolled his eyes.

"You don't know that." Bucky shook his head, walking into the kitchen. The idea of a milkshake made him hungry.

The next day, you were back with more treats. This time a cinnamon roll for Steve, something he said was his guilty pleasure, and a chocolate eclair for Bucky. You were grinning ear to ear as Steve thanked you profusely.

She's so adorable when she's this happy.

Once again, Bucky threw it away, ignoring the glare Steve shot his way.

The next days followed the same pattern. You would seek out Bucky and Steve, giving each of them some snack, dessert, or drink. Bucky threw it away every single time, not trusting your motives.

You didn't break pattern for a solid week, watching as Steve grew increasingly annoyed with Bucky throwing away all of your treats.

"I made cookies!" You walked into the living room where everyone was enjoying movie night. You handed out cookies to every member of the team, saving Bucky for last.

As you walked back into the kitchen to return the platter, you heard Steve whisper yell at Bucky.

"Just eat the cookie." Steve glared, thinking you would be upset if you saw him through it away.

"I can't! What if she did something to it?" Bucky whispered right back.

"Buck! She gave one to everyone! You really think she would purposefully keep track of one specific cookie just to get you back?" Steve rolled his eyes, completely fed up with the situation.

"Yes! I really do!" Bucky defended.

"Eat the damn cookie." Steve spoke between his teeth, elbowing him in the side.

"Fine." Bucky hesitated in bringing the cookie up to his mouth, but ultimately gave in.

As soon as he swallowed the cookie, he knew something was off. His whole body felt tingly, but there was a pleasant warmth to it.

A sudden bright flash of light had you walking back into the room, watching as Bucky turned into a cat.

"What the hell..." Sam turned, glancing between the small white kitten and Steve's shocked expression.

He's cuter as a person. You couldn't stop the thought from popping into your head, causing you to chuckle.

Steve suddenly whipped his head to you.

"Y/N. What did you do?" He sighed, exasperated but a little impressed.

A small meow followed the question, earning various "awws" from the entire room.

"I turned him into a cat." You shrugged nonchalantly, pretending this was a normal occurrence.

"Did everything you brought him this week have the power to do... that?" He gestured to Bucky, who hissed at Steve as if to say I told you so.

"Nope." You shook your head, laughing as Bucky wobbled across the couch, not used to how it felt to move as a feline. "I knew he would think I did something to them, so I didn't. Just plain old snacks."

Damn, she is so fucking smart. Bucky's thoughts came out as a purr, startling the room.

"How long is tinman stuck as a cat?" Tony laughed, enjoying the sight.

"Just a few hours. Long enough to think about why he deserves this." You gestured to your hair.

"Can we take pictures of him in cute cat outfits?" Nat questioned, always up for blackmail material.

You pulled a shopping bag out from behind you, pulling a series of Avenger themes costumes.

"I'm one step ahead of you." You grinned devilishly, swiftly scooping Bucky up from off the couch.

-

"You're evil." Bucky glared at you as soon as he turned back into a human.

"You deserved it. Plus, you were so cute as a little kitten." You pouted.

That pout is doing things to me. Bucky shook his head, trying to maintain the angry facade. He ran his hands through his hair, causing your own thoughts to spiral.

What I would give to run my hands through his hair when he wasn't a cat.

"You turned me into a cat!" He yelled, chasing you down the hall back to the living room.

"You died my hair platinum fucking blonde!" You screamed right back, turning on him once you made it to the end of the hallway.

"I can't stand you." Bucky spat, while simultaneously thinking if only she wanted to touch me not as a cat.

"Yeah, well newsflash! I can't stand you either." You glared right back.

The team watched on with amused expressions.

"Who wants to see pictures of kitty Barnes in cat costumes?" You turned to the room, a wide grin adorning your lips. Without waiting for an answer, you displayed your phone on the TV screen.

He is so damn cute. Cat or no cat. You laughed as you swiped through the pictures.

Bucky tried to grab the phone from you, not wanting to give you the satisfaction of enjoying this too much.

Her laugh is like music.

"Oh my god! Shut up!" Wanda suddenly stood up, pointing at the both of you. "You two pretend to hate each other so much, but your thoughts tell different stories."

Your mouth dropped open, shocked at both Wanda's volume and words.

Bucky wore a similar expression, eyes wide and heart beating fast.

"Wanda, you read my mind?" You tried to deflect the attention.

"No. You were just thinking so damn loud it involuntarily popped into my head." She grinned, trying to impersonate your voice as she quoted your thoughts

"Damn, that's hot. He's so adorable when he's nervous. He's cuter as a person. What I wouldn't give to run my hands through his hair when he wasn't a cat. He is so damn cute. Cat or no cat."

"And those are just from the past week and a half!" She yelled at you.

Bucky grinned smugly, forgetting Wanda also heard his thoughts. "Oh, doll. Why didn't you just say you cared?" He asked in fake sympathy.

You glared at him, ready to fight again when Wanda switched focus.

"Don't start with me Barnes. You think just as loudly!" Her voice took on an exaggerated depth as she impersonated Bucky, sighing dramatically between sentences.

"She's so cute when she's angry. Not cute. Hot. So very hot when she's angry. She's so adorable when she's this happy. Damn, she is so fucking smart. That pout is doing things to me. If only she wanted to touch me not as a cat. Her laugh is like music."

"I can't take it anymore! The two of you are driving me insane." She huffed, barging out of the room in an effort to hear nothing but peace and quiet.

Everyone else quickly followed, figuring the two of you could use a minute to talk.

"You think I'm hot." Bucky stated the fact. "That's embarrassing." He grinned, slowly walking closer to you.

"Not as embarrassing you thinking I'm smart." You countered, a matching grin on your face.

"You want to run your hands through my hair." He smirked, placing his hands on your waist.

"My laugh is like music to your ears." You leaned closer.

"Just kiss already!" Sam shouted from the hallway, but the two of you were in your own world.

"Do you want to get dinner with me? Tomorrow?" Bucky asked, his forehead pressed to yours.

"I'd like that." You smiled back.

The two of you moved in tandem, pressing your lips together, fighting for dominance of the kiss.

You pulled back, breathless and needing air. "I hope you know I'm not deleting the pictures of you as a cat."

"I wouldn't think so." Bucky chuckled, pressing another quick kiss to your lips.

"You know what this means?" He asked, an eyebrow raised.

You grinned conspiratorially while nodding. "We can team up on Wilson!"

"My thoughts exactly." He smiled, pulling you into another breathtaking kiss.

Permanent taglist:

@averyhotchner @jesuswasnotawhiteman

[ttuesday]

Five More Minutes

Summary:  A little drabble about the morning after you and Eddie finally smash

Word Count: 1.1k

Disclaimer: Nothing explicitly nsfw, just a few mentions to the night before

Your eyes flutter open, revealing a bedroom that isn’t your own. Shifting slightly, you become aware of the warm embrace you’re entrapped in. A pair of arms are wrapped loosely around you with your back pressed against his chest. 

You know exactly who is behind you and where you are, vivid flashbacks of the fiery night before flooding your memory. 

Shimmying out of his grasp, you change position to look at him properly. Much to your surprise, Eddie’s awake, his half-lidded eyes meeting yours as a cheeky smile tugs at his lips.

In a voice deeper than usual but as smooth as always, he says “Morning”.

“How long have you been awake?” you groan, rubbing some sleep out of your eyes.

Eddie hums for a moment, thinking of an answer before replying “Nearly two hours”. Your eyebrows quickly shoot upwards, your body feeling more awake as you blurt out “What?”. 

He stifles a laugh “I’m joking, I’m joking, I woke up like ten minutes ago? Maybe less”. You roll your eyes, trying to feign some annoyance but Eddie’s laugh is infectious. 

Attempting to hide your amused expression, you nuzzle in by him and he embraces you without hesitation, encouraging you to get closer to him.

Eddie didn’t think he was a big fan of cuddling but he can’t get enough of you, adoring your soft, warm skin against his. It’s like sleeping next to a life sized pillow who’ll also smother him in kisses. What's not to love? 

He closes his eyes, his arm resting by his forehead. Eddie doesn’t know what it is about you that makes him so tender but he actually likes it, feeling as though he can let down his walls in your presence and simply be himself.

At some point in the night, your legs became intertwined with his and neither one of you have since tried to pull away from the other, comfortable in the entanglement. You stay nuzzled in by his side, hesitant to move and let this moment go. 

Despite one of the neighbour’s dogs barking continuously, everything seems so peaceful. You can't help but feel at ease with Eddie by your side, his steady breathing bringing you endless tranquillity and calming any anxiousness you may feel.

Opening one of his eyes, Eddie admires you for a moment. He would have watched you for longer but he didn’t want you to notice, unsure how you’d react if you caught him staring.

Clearing his throat, he asks “So… you had a good time last night?”.

“Maybe” you purr, keeping your cards close to your chest.

Trying to hide his smug grin, Eddie shrugs before insinuating “Well, you definitely sounded like you had a good time”.

Moving to focus on him once more, you scoff in response, though you know there’s no use in denying it.

Eddie looks at you with a glint of mischief in his eyes, a knowing smile playing at his lips. Holding your gaze for a few moments, his eyes gradually drop to your mouth. 

Although you and Eddie have already done a lot more than kiss, you can’t help but feel a flutter of excitement in your chest as he eagerly eyes your lips. It’s a feeling that’s become common whenever you’re near Eddie. Damn, you really can't get enough of his affection. 

At a teasingly slow rate, Eddie edges his head closer to you, almost to your lips before you suddenly pull away. You know it’s a minor reason to pull away but the thought suddenly pops into your head as you exclaim “Wait, I might have morning breath”. 

In the grand scheme of things, you know it’s dumb but it’s the little things you tend to overthink.

Eddie moves in the bed, shifting so now he's hovering over you. “Oh no,” Eddie says dramatically, acting as though the mere mention of morning breath is enough to detrimentally affect him  “not morning breath, my one weakness!”. 

He lowers his head down to the pillow next to you, collapsing on top of you as he pretends to succumb to his one true enemy, morning breath. 

It doesn’t take long for Eddie to give up the act, hungrily kissing just below your ear. You giggle at his antics, basking in his attention as he trails kisses along your jawline until he nears your mouth. 

Kissing the corner of your mouth, Eddie feels your lips curve into a smile and he finally captures your lips in a kiss. Knowing he’s the reason for your smile is one of the best feelings he’s ever experienced.

Eddie doesn’t know how to explain it or why he feels like this but to know you’re comfortable with him and that his silly kisses can make you feel content is like a superpower.

As far as Eddie’s concerned, he hasn’t achieved much in life yet cuddling you in bed and scattering kisses across your skin makes him feel just as accomplished as any Harvard graduate.

Breaking off the kiss, Eddie cheekily questions “Do I have morning breath?” before breathing by your face, hoping you won’t feel self conscious about small things like this if he makes a joke of it. 

You laugh, playfully pushing his face away as you do. Eddie flops down on the bed next to you, laughing along as his arms snake around your waist, keeping you close to him. Placing his head on your shoulder, he looks down at your shirt. 

When you both finished last night, Eddie offered you one of his shirts to wear and lucky for you, he gave you his notorious Hellfire Club shirt to wear. 

“You know I’m going to need that back” he gives it a small tug with his hand “or you could keep it but then everyone knows you're sleeping with the town freak”.

“Well it is a nice shirt,” you contemplate, studying the letters plastered across the shirt “maybe I will keep it”. Eddie raises his eyebrows though he tries to hide his surprise. 

He didn’t think you’d want to be associated with him and that you’d want nothing to do with him in the presence of the outside world. Nevertheless, this is a welcome surprise and if you really want it, Eddie has no problem with you leaving with it on. 

Making no effort to move, Eddie asks “You want breakfast?”.

“What?” You say, pretending to be shocked “Eddie Munson? Making me breakfast?”.

“Well, if you mean dumping cereal into a bowl then yes,” he clarifies before adding “and I’m not sure if there’s milk but I can definitely offer you some cereal”. 

“Sounds tasty” you reply. He hums in agreement, placing his hand comfortably on your hip.

Neither of you move, too comfortable in your embrace to get up for breakfast. 

“Five more minutes?” Eddie mumbles, kissing your temple in the hopes that’ll persuade you to stay in bed longer. A relaxed smile forming on your face, you snuggle into his side and agree “Five more minutes”.