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lazyneonrabbitt · 10 months ago

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Instincts

Daryl Dixon x reader [pt.2]

Daryl finds a woman with her newborn pup, taking them into the group. Slowly their bond grows stronger.

The group traveled by foot after losing their vehicles. Tired and worn they walked on the road when Daryl decided to move into the woods to hunt while the others rested.

"Don't leave for too long, we gotta find shelter." Were the last words he caught before he walked off.

He got lucky finding two squirrels rather quick, but his nose caught a different scent he couldn't ignore.

With the squirrels strung over his shoulder he moved through the forest, not a sound as he stalked low to the ground and using all his heightened senses to seek out the source of the scent. He usually never went after anything other than food on these short hunts, but his instincts were screaming to go with his guts and follow his nose on this one.

The scent grew stronger and he could now tell apart all the separate ones. Human, low to the ground. And wolf, like him. He was either walking into something amazing, or he walked to his doom. He'd find out soon enough seeing his target wasn't moving.

"Hey, ouch! Come on, what did I tell you about those teeth.." a sigh left your lips as you softly rubbed the cheek of your son, who was nursing huddled against your torso as you sat against a large tree, partially hidden by low greenery. "God damn, what child has teeth this sharp at a couple days old.."

You were so focused on the feeding child that you didn't catch the man who appeared from behind the tree until a crossbow was aimed at you.

The second you saw you curled around your child, eyes closed and waiting for it tk be over.

Daryl heard the voice of a woman complain. Teeth, babies. Weird. But he now had her location pinpointed to behind a large tree, and made quick strides to round the tree, crossbow at the ready.

The woman came into view and so did her child. He watched her duck around it and waited, but Daryl dropped his crossbow instead and turned around before the blush creeping up on his face could be seen.

"M'sorry. Didn' mean ta watch ya feed." You watched the man's back, one hand lifted and the other holding his crossbow loosely. You shuffled your layers back over your chest with lots of vocal protests of the fuzzy newborn in your arms. His whines and grumbles were so strange to you, never had you heard a newborn sound like that. But then again, you never had seen a newborn like this.

"So, what's a human doin' with a werewolf pup on 'er own? Where's dad?" He still had his back to you and kept his distance, knowing full well he needed to keep his scent off the new mom and child if he wanted to survive. Male werewolves were insanely protective of their newborns.

"Human mom's traveling with her son, surviving like everyone else out here." You weren't going to respond to that last bit. Not now, not yet.

"Righ, if yer alone ya can tag along. Got a group tha' won't mind havin' ya an' the pup." He had turned his head and peeked if you were decent again, fully turning to catch your response when he saw you were covered up. "How do you know what he is? You're too okay with this."

Daryl let out a soft, breathy laugh and sat on his haunches to be at eye level with you. "They're common where I'm from." His voice was so calm as you stared at the smile on his face. You watched him stare at your son who was squirming in your arms. He was restless and you couldn't understand why.

"If yer comin' I gotta ask ya sum questions." Daryl was back on his feet again, ready to start heading back.

"I want to join you." Your answer was quickly given, much to Daryl's surprise. "I'm alone, and have no clue how to raise him so if I can stick around and get help from people who know his kind I'd be forever grateful."

Daryl let out a grunt of approval and nodded for you to follow him as you both exchanged names. He still made sure to keep a respectful distance from you in case dad was still around, but easily led you all back to the road where his group still rested.

"Hey! Daryl's back." "Wait, who's that?" "He found someone?"

"Did you ask her?" Rick's voice cut through the chatter and watched his friend shake his head no. He stepped over to you but was held back by a strong arm before he could get close, only letting out a simple warning. "Keep yer distance."

You watched the man give Daryl a look before turning back to you. "So, miss. How many walkers have you killed?"

You gave him a funny look, unsure who in their right mind kept track of something like that. "A bunch. Mostly avoided them lately, I assume you can guess why." You gave the pup in your arms a look, but averted your eyes back to the other man who continued his questionnaire. "How many people have you killed?"

Fuck. "Two."

"Why?" The question came so fast you had no time to even think.

"First one turned when we were asleep. Hid a bite and I'm a light sleeper." The man raised his brows, a clear sign he was waiting for number two.

"I killed his dad." You nodded to the pup again. "Tried to kill me and take him when my water broke. Guy was a psycho." You looked down at your arms, bundling your son even closer to you at the memory.

Suddenly Daryl stepped closer to you, holding out a hand and watching as the almost fully black furred pup stared at him with big eyes and made grabby hands at his fingers.

"Ya had him on yer own?" You nodded at Daryl's question and ran a hand through your son's fur. "I'm still sore.. having to move around immediately after is the absolute worst."

Seeing you were alone and with a child you weren't seen as a threat and allowed to travel with the group, much to your relief. You never expected your life to get even a little bit better, but now that you were traveling along with more folks you felt content. They watched your back when you fed your son and had a very handsome man help you feed him leftover meats from his hunts.

You were falling for him. Your son was absolutely in love with the man and you were starting to head in that direction too.

It wasn't helping your case that you r son wouldn't let anyone else but you and Daryl carry him, so when your arms were too sore to keep going he had to step in and stay close to you.

Your group shared dog meat and cheered in the rain, all the way to the point of the rain turning into a storm and having to run to seek shelter.

That’s how you ended up where you were now, all together huddled in a barn, desperately trying to catch up on some sleep while Rick kept first watch, but your don wasn’t helping the situation at all. He was whining his little lungs out with no signs of stopping. You had walked around with him, tried to breastfeed and give him some meat but he wanted none of it. Carol had offered to look him over but quickly retreated when a small clawed paw swiped at her when she reached out for his tummy. You were desperate, on the verge of tears as soft sniffles escaped your lips. Not being able to quiet down the whining pup was bad enough already, to have you crying on top of that would be the absolute worst. You pulled him close to your chest, his side against the soft flesh of your exposed chest, hoping the feel of your warmth would help but again it did nothing.

On the other side of the barn Daryl had settled, just around a corner and out of view. He had been trying to sleep for longer than most, but was having a much worse time than them. The pup’s whines weren’t directed at the others. They were for him.

With the distance between him and you there was no chance you’d hear his frustrated growls under his breath. Each peak in whines had him quietly snarl until eventually he couldn’t handle the child’s desperate cries anymore.

“Can ya tell yer kid I ain’t his goddamn dad?!” His voice rang through the barn, a deep growling tone to it that scared you so bad you lost the ability to hold back the tears you were trying to keep at bay, and had your pup go from whining to full on crying. Loud scraping howls and cries shook his tiny body, no attempts to shush him succeeding.

On the other end of the barn you could hear the soft groans of Judith waking up and quickly joining the chorus of cries. With her awake and crying now as well the mood in the whole barn dropped to a heavy negative. On one end you tried to shush the pup and on the other end the rest of the women huddled around the young girl to quiet her down.

From your angle you could see Abraham sit up from his spot next to Daryl who remained hidden behind a low wall. You watched the large man reach out his arm and whack it beside him, earning him an annoyed snarl from where Daryl laid. “Get yer ass up to the lady and her pup so we can all get some shut-eye.” Another rude snarling noise sounded and it was returned with another harsh smack. “Get movin’ or I’m gonna get the lady and plant her pretty little self and the noisemaker in your lap myself.”

Abraham’s words made you softly giggle, but you quieted down when a tired grunt came from beside him and Daryl came into view. He rubbed a hand over his face and stretched out his back as he moved over to you with his sleeping bag in hand. “Move over.” His voice was stern, and you complied immediately, scooting over to make space for him between you and the low wooden wall. With his appearance the pup’s cries had gone down to sniffles and hiccups, his paws outstretched in Daryl’s direction while he was laying out his sleeping bag.

On his way to lay down your pup managed to wiggle himself from your grasp and clamp himself around Daryl’s arm, who had to pry him off while you apologized on his behalf.

“Ain’t yer fault.” His voice was barely above a whisper as he laid down and pulled the pup against his chest. With his one free arm he grabbed you by the shoulder and pulled you closer too, laying you opposite him with the pup nestled in between you. Almost immediately he calmed down and curled up to sleep. “M’sorry fer yellin’. Jus’ tired.”

You forgave him immediately, thanking him for going out of his comfort zone and sleeping with the two of you.

The barn was finally quiet, safe for the rain still pouring outside, and sleep soon took over.

The next morning you woke up to a pain in your chest. Jerking up you almost smacked Daryl who was now grumbling as he was woken up by your sudden movement.

He watched you sit up with a hand covering your breast, inspecting it by peeking down the neckline of your shirt while an eager furball made grabby hands at your chest.

“I think I’m gonna head out the door and feed him. Need some fresh air after last night..” Daryl followed suit after your words, he had some confessions to make and properly apologize for making your son behave the way he did last night. You watched him follow you from the corner of your eye and held the door ajar for him. With a soft thanks he shut the barn door behind him, crossbow in hand. He still kept his back to you as you sat down against the outside of the barn and got ready to feed the pup. He's always turn away until you started talking again, signaling you were decent enough.

You watched Daryl pace in front of you, chewing the side of his thumb in thought. "Hey, what's wrong?" Truth being, his pacing was making you really nervous.

He let out a groan and stopped his pacing, now nervously shifting his weight from one foot to another. "We gotta talk. S'about the pup." He shook off his nerves and sat down with you.

"Was he really crying for you last night? You yelled at him about not being his dad." You knew that. He was a kind stranger who helped you with your child.

"He kept whinin' fer me ta hold 'em." He's unsure how to continue. He had to tell you the truth before the pup entirely imprinted on him, if it wasn't already too late.

"Back when I found ya it weren't by chance. Picked up yer scent an' sniffed ya out. Got excited when I caught 'nother wolf."

He watched your face go from focused to confused at his last sentence. Deciding words weren't going to help him right now he raised his hand into view, taking a deep breath and letting his claws come out. Fhe skin of his finger pads darkened as his nails thickened and extented into full claws. "Pup thinks 'm his dad. Didn' think it'd happen so quick, m'sorry."

As you watched Daryl's hand change, yous son squirmed out of your grasp with all his might and plopped into Daryl's lap and grabbed at his wrist.

"So, we co-parent now? You know I'm mkre than fine being with a werewolf." Oh god, those weren't the words you meant. Yiu weren't telling him you were into him like that. Wait. Could he have sensed it already when you thought about it earlier?

You felt the heat rise to your cheeks as you watched him try to keep your son from climbing on top of him even more.

"Ya still ne'er named him, didya?" Daryl felt the change in energy and decided to change the topic. He remembered one of the women asking for the pup's name and you admitting to never giving him one. It was still something you ran through your mind every day, nothing seemed to fit.

The scene went silent aftet that, both adults watching the little furball as he dug his paws into the sand, fished out a worm and stuffed it in his mouth, swallowing it whole.

You scrunced up your nose at the action, but Daryl only smiled proudly and watched as the little black fuzz hopped around and jumped up to chomp at a fly, missing the first two times but catching it the third try.

"S'gon be a good hunter, tha' one."

Hunter.

"Little Hunter, huh?" It rolled nicely off the tongue, it fit. You looked his way and called for him. "Hey, pup. Hunter, come here." He quickly came back to you and plopped himself on top of you.

Daryl wanted to grab and hold you both close in congratulations of naming the little guy, but he wasn't the father. He should keep his respectful distance up, Hunter was only yours.

A lot of happened between then and now, where you sat on the porch steps of a home in a safe community.

Hunter rolled around in the grass in front of you and Daryl sat on the railing with his crossbow and a cloth in hand.

"Hey Daryl," It was Carol who came from the house, all dressed up nicely. "Have you showered yet?"

Daryl only grumbled at the question. "Sweety, why don't you go take a shower with him?" She aaked as she walked past you and watched you smile and saw Daryl's face turn beet red.

Not long after you arrived in the community Carol had taken you aside and told you about Daryl's feelings he couldn't put into words, and in turn her learning about your love for him too. Ever since then she had been trying to set you up.

You and Daryl already shared a room, still sleeping apart from each other but still actively being parents to Hunter. Daryl hated to admit it, but caring for your son helped with the anxiety surrounding his new home.

"You know, Dee? Catol makes a great point. Come on." You got up and motioned to Rosita to watch Hunter for you while you went to try something.

Walking over to Daryl you took his hand in your and softly tugged for him to follow and to your surprize he let himself be dragged into the house and up the stairs.

This was easier than you expected it to be, hsving him upstairs and in the bathroom with you in a matter of minutes.

When you let go of his hand and turned away to run the water you half expected him to run off, but when you turned back he stood at the sink. He was staring at you through the mirror.

"How come you're so distant again today? Yesterday you were good stepping up to me and hugging Hunter." Daryl was difficult to read, and you often needed Carol to translate for you, not that you could call her over now that you were trying to get closer to Daryl in this way.

His gaze kept following your movements in the mirror as you went to grab towels and place them near the tub, making sure you had all the needed soaps and shampoos and a brush and sponge at hand.

"It ain't jus' me in ma head, ya know tha' righ? Me, I wanna make sure m'not invadin' yer family 'n respect tha' he aint mine ta care for." He spoke while he watched you undress. His head told him to look away and be respectful, but somewhere a voice kept telling him you wanted this too. He had smelled it on you that you were happy and content around him, he only smelled love and adoration on you but with you never saying it was okay out loud he never acted on it. But now you took him here and stripped down to just panties and a shirt. "And what says the other you? The one that's staring at me right now?" He watched a wide smile appear on your face as yiu pointed at your eyes and then at him. He hadn't even noticed his eyes had changed as he listened to his feral side talk inside his head.

"Tells me m'wastin' time not bein' withya. Found someone who ain't afraid of us, survived havin' a pup. Keeps yappin' about havin' a perfect mate walkin' around fer me an' bein' a bitch fer not goin' for ya." It was clear in his voice he was struggling with this day after day, and you weren't making it easier by not just speaking your feelings to him. You led him here to confess, to have the balls to outright tell him what you felt for him in the privacy of the room.

Even barely dressed and inviting him into the shower he still didn't take the hint you wanted him. He needed the words so you gave them now. Standing beside him and turning to look at him you grabbed his leather vest and pushed it off his shouders.

"Daryl Dixon, both human half and wolf, listen to me." Your words made him turn to you, and just as it was easy to drag him up the stairs, it was easy now to undress him ever so slowly. "If you truly believe I'd be a good mate to you then, please.." You were giving him time to stop your hands as you ever so slowly pushed his shirt off his shoukders and followed his arms down to his hips. "I want you to make me your mate. Hunter has already claimed you as a dad and now I want us to admit to our feelings." Your fingers worked at his pants and got them open, but quit when his hands moved.

You thought he was going to stop you, but instead he reached for your shirt and lifted it over your head. "I wanna try withya. But ya gotta be patient with me, please." You, the human, had to be patient with the werewolf. It was adorable in a way, but you'd keep that to yourself.

"I promise to be patient with you. Except for right now, come and get your ass into the shower before Rosita gets tired of Hunter." With a laugh you undressed entirely and went to feel the water temperature and swap to the showerhead before stepping in. "I'm still telling you to join me in the shower, just to make sure you got the hint."

He may have been slow, mentally preparing for something so intimate, but he ended up in the tub with you. He sat half under the stream as you gave his hair a spa treatment and scrubbed his skin. You were scrubbing harsh, but he didn't mind. It felt nice to be rid of the grime and dirt for once. He felt good once you were done, and returned the favor with the utmost care. His touch was so soft, if you weren't facing him you barely believed it was him who cleaned you.

That night, long after retrieving Hunter and having a quiet family dinner you shared a bed for the first time. Just to sleep, nothing more.

Well, a bit more. Soft kisses, brushes of skin and cuddles were shared. Enjoying each other's warmth and find your space on the bed was the priority tonight.

The others all quickly caught the changes in your behavior about each other. The three of you were a real family all of a sudden and Carol gave herself a pat on the shoulder for getting her friends to be real with each other now.

With weeks passing you turned Daryl's downstairs room into his workplace slash quick nap spot and moved all the bedroom stuff upstairs and made a real, adult couple bedroom with a nook for Hunter's crib.

More weeks passed after moving into your new room and everything was so real now and it felt good, but nothing felt as good as certain words leaving Daryl's mouth after you came to an agreement a couple weeks prior.

"Smells so good, hun. Whatcha got cookin?" Daryl had just rolled out of bed after coming home late last night from a hunt. He sauntered over and wrapped his arms around your middle, hands resting on your stomach as he took a long whiff to take in all the scents swarming the kitchen.

You told him shat you were cooking as he followed your words with his nose. The fresh baked bread you went to grab early. The stew simmering in the pan and the eggs baking in the pan. But there was something else cooking, something you probably hadn't realized yet.

"Yer forgettin'bout yer oven, hun." You had yo know what he meant, you were so excited about it before.

"Dee, this kitchen has no working oven." You giggled as his chin scruff rubbed against your cheek as he kissed you there. "No tha' oven.." His hands spread over your stomach and squeezed soffly. "Ya smell even better than I hoped ya would."

You smelled different? You still used the same shampoo and soaps. And you couldn't remember you using a seriously different laundry soap either.

"Hun." Daryl had to stop you srirring the stew for a moment, turning off the heat under the eggs and turn you around. The irony of her joking about having to be direct with him to make him understand, and then now not getting it when he wasn't saying things literal.

"Ya smell pregnant." It was as direct as it could be. Straight to the point and perhaps the only way to bring this.

To say you were shocked was an understatement. You had your whole day planned full of tasks around the community, but you knew you weren't going to get anything done now.

But Daryl let you get back to your stew, staying stuck to your back with his hands massaging your belly.

"Well, ya better start believin' cuz tha' pup's gon' be here soon." Daryl was excited, for the first time in his life he felt like he wasn't that little fuckup redneck boy he was always made out to be. He was ready to be a father, and this time not of an adopted child but one of his own.

"Can't believe it took so fast." You were thinking out loud now as you moved from stirring the stew to cutting the bread for the eggs.

A/N: A very human were!Daryl this time.

#sometimes i write #daryl dixon #daryl dixon x reader #daryl dixon imagine #daryl dixon fanfiction #twd daryl #twd daryl dixon #twd #the walking dead #twd au #werewolves #werewolf

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mee3pp · 3 months ago

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Farm house pt 5

Price's daughter!reader x Johnny 'Soap' MacTavish

Warnings: swearing, implied masturbation

“Yeah” You nod at Soap “i’ve known Simon for 2 years, can’t fuckin get rid of him” your comment earns a scoff from Simon and he rolls his eyes at you. “Yav love havin’ me round” Simon jabs back as he takes a swig of his bourbon. Simon, Johnny, Mabel and you have all been at the pub together for around an hour or so. It was originally intended to be a girls trip with just Mabel and you but the two bulky men sitting with you are an added bonus. Poor Johnny is trying to figure out the relationship between you and Simon as you two seem like just friends, siblings even but he can’t believe Simon wouldn’t snatch up such a pretty thing like you as soon as he sees you because well that's exactly what Johnny wants to do.

“So uh lass you got anyone keepin’ ya company?” Johnny asks before he can even register what he’s saying after all he wants you and he wants you to want him. “No i’m single” You smile and shake your head “so is Mabel” you add with a grin as you look over at Simon then at Mabel those two have not been so secretly swooning over each other for months and never made a move. You find your eyes and all your attention being drawn back to the Scotsman sitting next to you.

Fuck he’s just so nice to look at his bright blue eyes, that impish grin and even that stupid horse mane he calls a mohawk. “What about ya self? Got a bird waitin’ for ya at home?” You ask your accent is rough and so much like your fathers it’s uncanny. “Nah all by m’self lass” the Scot shakes his head with a chuckle before taking a swig of his beer. So he is single, even better. You note down in the back of your brain to make sure to ask Simon more about Johnny later. “I gotta take a piss, you comin’ Mabel?” You ask sighing before standing up and looking over at your best friend. “Sure thing babe” she smiles her posh accent rings through the groups ears. Fuck Simon wants her… needs her even. “Girl that was not subtle one bit” Mabel groans once you are out of earshot of the boys on your way to the bathroom. “Oh come on m’ sick of watchin’ you two eye fuckin’ each other everytime you two are around each other” you huff back as you step into a stall and lock it. “Do you think he is ever going to make a move?” Mabel asks as she leans against a sink. “He better or m’ gonna slap some sense into im’” you chuckle from your stall as you flush the toilet.

“You aren’t any better by the way” Maybel so kindly adds with a teasing smile “you where practically drooling back there” She giggles and you roll your eyes stepping out to wash your hands. “Yeah yeah, can’t help it he’s so yummy have ya seen his arms… so fuckin’ bitable” you hum as you dry your hands before leading the way back to the table.

“Come on Simon lets go get one more round” you order and Simon stands up instantly almost out of habit as when you want you have the same scary authoritative tone your father has. It’s uncanny really. You lean against the bar as you watch the bartender make the drinks Ghost stands next to you. “Girl i swear to God if ya don’t ask Mabel out soon i’m gonna fight you” you groan at Simon who rolls his eyes. “First off quit callin’ me ‘girl’ second i’m plannin on it just waitin” He huffs but you can sense the slight nerves in his voice and it makes you grin. “Oh. My. God. Is The Simon Riley, Mr tough scary guy, nervous to ask Mabel out?” you tease smacking his arm. Simon scoffs “i ain’t nervous” he denies and before you can pry more some man is offering to buy you a drink. “Nah i’m good” you say trying a polite approach first. “Awh come on sweetheart” the man whines. It's clear he hasn’t seen the behemoth of a man standing behind you. Not that Simon will step in yet he knows you can handle yourself. “No. i’m fine mate” you say more firmly putting some of that coldness your father taught you into your voice. “Come on darl” he whines “No thanks i’m okay” you huff “Awh come on darl one won’t hurt” the man whines again and then he spots Simon who looks at you in a silent question. “No, i’m sure my Boyfriend here wouldn’t like that” You say putting on your best smile. The man instantly backs up muttering drunken “of course.. Sorry my wife wants me” as Ghost walks a little closer. “Do. Not. let that go to your head Simon” You chuckle as you fake gag after calling Simon your pretend boyfriend. “And definitely don’t mention that to Johnny or Mabel if either of us want a chance”.

5:34 am

“What the fuck?” yells Gaz as he comes down the stairs awoken by the loud barking of your great pyrenees from the sheep paddock. You are already in the living room yanking on your boots and coat, shotgun in hand. “It’s just Barbie, probably Steve's dogs again. Told im’ if his dogs attack m’ sheep again m’ shootin’ em” you growl as you walk out of the back door towards the sheep with a torch and shotgun just before Price and the others come out.

“What’s th’ problem?” Price asks groggily. “Uh she said somethin’ bout Steve’s dogs? Dunno who that is” Gaz shrugs heading back up stairs. You angrily trudge through the early morning darkness towards your flock of sheep spotting Steve’s dogs. Yep exactly what you thought was happening. “Oi! Fuck off” you yell as you jump the fence kicking one of the three dogs, two of them being untrained boxers and the third being a even more badly trained maremma. The bigger boxer lunges at your dog and Barbie attacks before you load your shotgun and take a rough shot at the dog hitting it in the side and it drops limp. You sigh the other dogs scurry off. “Ya okay?” Price asks his breath heavy after rubbing outside when he heard the gun go off. He looks at the ground seeing the limp most likely dead boxer on the ground. “M’ good Steve ain’t gonna be happy but i warned the fucker” You shrug lifting the gun over the fence to Price before walking over to the dogs body and kicking it to make sure it’s really kicked the bucket. You drag it by the back legs to your burn pile and you light it up.

Holy fuck that was hot. All Soap can muster in his brain as he is now impossibly and very uncomfortably hard in his Pyjama pants. He watched the interaction from the window. The man loves himself as a woman who can take care of herself and can hold her own. But what's more attractive to him than that? A woman who can shoot a gun. “Close ya mouth ya droolin’ Simon grumbles. Of course he’s been up since 5:20 and despite his massive stature he can blend in damn well so it’s no surprise when his words make Soap jump. “I ain’t droolin’ just admiring” Soap scoffs making Simon huff out a chuckle “that what we are callin’ it?”. “Go focus on your little doll” Soap scoffs again Simon thinks if his teammate scoffs one more time he might get a tear in his throat. “She ain’t a doll” Ghost huffs although he didn’t deny Mabel being his.

Price and you come back in both with the same grumpy and leader look etched on your faces. “Quite the show lass” Soap hums his eyes lighting up with that usual impish look. “Was it now?” you question trying to gauge his feelings towards your little ‘show’. “Aye never said it wasn’t enjoyable lass” Soap winks and Price shoots him a dangerous scowl. You shoot your father an equally mean scowl before smiling at Johnny.

Fuck poor Johnny is definitely going to have to fix the problem in his pants now. "excuse me gotta go take a piss" is all Johnny can manage to say before he scurries upstairs to his room to take care of the problem in his pants.

Tuesday 5/4/24 11:30pm

Hey Johnny, just wondering when you’re free friday? Simon, Mabel and I want to go to the pub but I ain't feeling like third wheeling :)

11:32pm Nice to hear from you, Lass. I am definitely free Friday. I'll let Gaz know I'm busy. Poker night can wait.

11:45pm Johnny! You can't just cancel plans like that

11:47pm I can and I will Lass ;) One thing you can count on is Johnny beckoning to your every call. Do you know why? No. Do you tell him to stop serving you like a servant? Yes but he never listens. It’s been about a month since Johnny and the boys stayed at your house with you and your father and thankfully he was able to snag your number before leaving. He even managed to do it without his Captain knowing. Sneaky bastard.

taglist:

@tabbslouuformer @thepowers-kat-be

#cod mw2 #johnny soap mactavish #johnny soap mactavish x reader #john soap mactavish #soap cod #soap call of duty #soap mactavish #john mactavish

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tastesousweet · 1 year ago

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⭒ the girl with the tattoo (v) - pt 1 pt 2 p3 p4

matt sturniolo x fem!oc / reader

summary : y/n and matt don't have to like each other to continue this thing of theirs, right?

warnings : implications of sex, alcohol, mention of weed, ???

mickey speaks : THANK U FOR THE LOVE ON THIS SERIES!!! sorry if this part feels shorter than the usual !! things get cute in next few parts...

THIS IS PART FIVE GO READ THE OTHERS FIRST OK

"SHE'S sick again?" remi asks, scooting herself further into the booth.

"yeah, i think it's her sinuses or something. she seemed pretty bummed about staying home, i feel awful." andrea pouts while glancing at the menu.

"she's the only person to ever be sick this often in june," remi giggles.

"we should order something to-go for her then. maybe soup?" erin suggests.

"that sounds nice, i'll text her- hopefully she's awake."

౨ৎ

"i can't keep telling my friends i'm sick." you huff as you walk back into your room to find matt redressing.

"why not?" his voice is muffled through his shirt as he tugs it over his head, leaving his hair ruffled.

you lay yourself on your bed lazily, "because they're smart enough to stop believing me soon."

"and why can't they just mind their business?" he looks over to you before reaching down to adjust the white shoes on his feet.

you stretch an arm out to grab your phone from your side table, mumbling, "you must not have friends who worry for you.”

he shakes his head then sighs, “sure, my friends care about me, but they also know when to leave me the fuck alone.”

“right, and my friends know me well enough to know i’m never asking to be left alone.” your comment comes out with more sass than you intended but you know he doesn't understand (or care to understand) your friendships enough to comment on them. then again, you were the one who brought this up in the first place.

"mmm...right. forgot you're just a little insane," he tsks, looking into your mirror and adjusting his shirt some more.

"shut up, matt," you continue staring at your phone, though it's only open to your home screen because you're far more engaged in the conversation than anything your phone could give you. "okay actually, what should i dooo?" you whine.

"i sure as hell won't know?!" his face twists up as he turns to look at you, "you're a smart girl, i'm sure you can figure it out."

you roll your eyes, "'kay... well maybe i've picked up a hobby...like, i dont know, painting! and i just really enjoy painting all alone, 'cause it helps me...focus?"

matt sarcastically laughs through his words, “you’re weird as shit,” he throws your plush throw blanket (that fell on the floor when you pushed matt on your bed just an hour ago) at you. “alright, i’m headin’ out.”

you don’t even give him a second look, “bye.”

౨ৎ

a few cheers of “ayy” and “look who made it” echo out from across the small alley as matt tucks his keys in his front pocket.

he looks over to see chris excitedly pointing at him with an arm hooked on nathan’s neck and another close friend, elijah, sitting on an oversized couch with a smile.

matt chuckles under his breath and walks closer to them, taking in the rowdy and neoned atmosphere of this downtown bowling alley. “what’s good?” he greets his group of friends.

“what’s good with you?” nathan counters with a grin as he moves to dap up matt.

matt shrugs into the handshake as eli begins to speak and stand up, “yeah, where the fuck are you comin' from?”

“home. don’t worry about it,” matt defends as his tongue guides over his hidden smile with a loose shrug of a shoulder.

“nooo! just say it how it is, matt,” chris says through a bite of nachos, “you slept in late and forgot about boys night, big fucking deal. you’re here now!” he throws his hands up before letting them fall to his sides dramatically.

matt slowly nods his head in sarcastic agreement as he faces his friends, "he's right."

he almost wants to laugh at the fact that chris actually believed his fake-sleeping enough to let him off the hook for "forgetting" their group hangout.

cameron wanders over to the group after taking his turn bowling, “‘kay, nate it’s your turn.” he then quips his chin up with a sudden grin, "hey, matt! about time you showed."

"better late than never," he breathes before joking, "you know i had to let you guys get at least a round in before i got here to start dominating."

“the word choice is a bit insane,” nick exaggerates as he approaches with arms full of bottled water and soda cans, "how about you go get your fucking shoes before you make that kind of claim." he moves around matt to place drinks on the coffee table (decorated with various bowling ball and pin themed clutter that made nick way to happy when first seeing it).

elijah places a hand on matt's shoulder, "i'll come with you, matt."

౨ৎ

"sick baby, i'm home nowww!" andrea yells from the front door.

you mentally gather yourself to continue your deception. you add weight to your eyelids, purposely making them droop and make your voice extra scratchy, as if you'd only just awoken.

andrea's at your door quickly, only tapping it slightly open, not wanting to blind you with the harsh yellowed lighting of the hallway. "hi, you up?"

you tussle under your comforter and give a small nod, "mhm."

"do you think you're like, contagious? i have your soup here and really wanna tell you some shit about tonight." she smiles warmly.

"no you're fine. please come in, i've been all alone and bored as hell," you rub your eye softly for effect.

you feel pretty guilty about this whole thing but you aren't hiding anything tragic from her. and this "illness" hasn't ruined that many hangouts...only the one's that happen to fall on days matt texts you.

"i hate to see my favorite bitch down like this, this soup better make you feel better immediately." she sighs as she comes into your room, noisy plastic bag in hand.

"i know," you lift yourself to sit up against your headboard as she sits next to you, "think i should be all better soon. i can't miss another shift at the bakery."

you were never missing work for matt, but to cover your ass you did miss a day or two of work to show your friends just how "sick" you were. if you were sick enough to stay home from work you surely were sick enough to avoid a girls night or two. but you guess it technically does come down to matt...unfortunately.

"yeah, i'm sure mr. houffman will lose it of you call off again," she giggles, sifting through the bag for your soup and silverware.

౨ৎ

barely a week later and you're feeling the best you have in a while, with the guilt of pretending to be sick no longer following you.

it's the fourth of july so there was absolutely no way you'd be continuing that act. you weren't missing out on a holiday with as many parties as this one.

and when chris asked andrea to get the girls to come party hop for the night, you told her yes immediately.

you're currently sat atop a random kitchen counter as nick moves around to make a concoction cocktail for you. you lean back on your hands to watch as he uses a knife to slice a small lime as garnish. "wow you really have an eye for this shit, nick," you laugh at his focused stare (he tries to compensate for any drinks he's had so far, not wanting to slice a finger off).

"i guess i'm just a natural!" he exclaims as he places the lime on the rim of the plastic cups, "okay, one for you," you take it from him, "and one for me." he grins at you.

"cheers!" you motion your drink towards him and he echoes you before you both take large sips.

your eyes pinch before they grow wide, "...why's it actually...good?" you laugh.

"you bitch! you thought i'd give you a shitty drink?!" he giggles and goes for another sip of his own.

"it's not that-"

you're cut off by matt's voice, "alright, time to dip. everyone's sayin' this place is really weird."

you both look over at him with his mellow attitude and perfectly organized outfit (so that he'd 'have all the colors but not look like a walking american flag'). "what? this place has been a good time so far! right, nick?"

"suppperrrr fun. maybe it's a you problem, matt." he jokes.

"come on, chris is the one who sent me to get you two. you know i would've left you both a few houses back." he teases.

you slide off of the counter easily, "okaaay," you look into his eyes and pat his chest twice mumbling, "someone needs a smoke break," before walking off in search of the door.

"wait y/n!" nick grabs a few sealed jello shots from an ice bucket nearby before rushing after you.

though he doesn't catch up to you before matt does, grabbing your hand, "you don't even know where the fuck you're going."

you breathe out defeated, "i'm sure i could've figured it out. i don't need you bossing me around."

matt pouts with squinted eyes and his head tilted, "sure."

nick comes up to you, continuing to stuff the shots into his jort pockets, "do these shorts make my ass look fat?" he turns to show you his side profile (already giggling before the punchline of his joke lands) that showcases the multiple items shoved into his back pockets and protrude out in awkward shapes.

you and nick both fall into a laughing fit and matt only ghosts a smile at his brother's stupidity before tugging your hand towards an exit. "wait! here, hold this please," you hand your drink to matt and reach your hand out for nick's. when he takes your hand willingly you raise your conjoined hands with a smile, "aw, we're like a little train!"

nick adds to the joke by pretending to be a conductor, exclaiming all the cliche lines he knows to make you laugh.

matt finally pushes a front door open, the warm summer air finally surrounding you once more. the rest of the group chatter along the sidewalk across the street. "my friends!" nick yells.

the three of you make your way down the wooden stairs (that seem to be steeper when going down than they were to walk up), and once you're in the grass your hand drops from matts's as nick drags you across the street quickly to crash into your friends.

remi's face is annoyed and confused at first but changes immediately when she recognizes your face. she throws her arms around you for a hug, "y/n! you were found!" you laugh into her neck as she sways back and forth.

"okay guys i'm thinking we hit up the place that the end of this block, right there. they've got some crazy lights goin' on so it should be fun." chris points in the direction and looks to the group for opinions.

"yeah! let's do it!" nate encourages.

the group begin to walk down the sidewalk (and slightly into the grass) lined with miniature american flags and past the many houses full of people and decorated with fairy lights and expensive garland.

naturally, everyone gravitates into cliques due to the amount of small conversations happening at once.

"that's unreal!" erin adds while hanging her arm on your shoulder, as you both listen to remi's dramatic retelling of some guy's awful flirting with her.

"i''m so over these trash ass men," remi shakes her head.

"tell me about it," erin sighs, rolling her eyes.

just as you begin to add your own opinion, matt taps your shoulder. he seems to always find a way to interrupt you. you glance behind you and see him holding your cocktail from earlier up.

"oh thanks, i forgot you had that," erin leans off of you to give you space to turn around and grab it.

though her eyes linger on matt for a second too long causing him to send her a smile and raise his eyebrows slightly in awkward question.

you feel the tension bite at the air around you and in hopes of escaping it, you turn back around and prompt remi with a new topic to discuss.

only, now you miss when erin gives matt a second glance back- and this time she offers a gentle wave and smile to him, in truce.

౨ৎ

after a few more stops at parties (you all got a little greedy about the free drinks and food which brought three extra "one more"s before deciding to cut it off), you all head to a nearby park to end the night with a firework show.

it was surprisingly well organized, with blankets already laid out around the large grassy area so that anyone could sit and watch whether they'd planned to or not.

the night has started to get the slightest bit cooler which was much needed after such an eventful three hours, leaving everyone exhausted in their comfortable spots; chris resting his head against andrea's full thighs, you next to her with your legs sprawled and arms extended behind you, nick and nathan both sat with their legs crossed, admiring the bright fireworks despite nick's flinching every-so-often.

the blanket next to you hosts erin, remi, matt, and cameron. all laying out as they laugh and talk, which you assume comes from a combination of the edibles they'd all taken at one of the parties and remi's addictingly outgoing nature that can force anyone to want to talk to her.

the booming fireworks go on for another twenty minutes before dying down and leaving the crowd in the dark, smokey air.

as you adjust to standing and take out your phone to use as a makeshift flashlight, you read the most recent of your many notifcations:

MATT - 12:36 AM

you down to paint after this???

you bite at your freshly chapped bottom lip before looking over to matt, who's currently using his hands obnoxiously to explain something he's clearly passionate about to cameron.

you sliently sigh before replying:

YOU -12:47 AM

sure

꩜⋆ ˚｡⋆🎱˚

tag list (ily):

@rootbeerworshiper @deadxrx @breeloveschris @saintsturn @honestlybabymiracle @hearts4chris @starrysturniolo @blissfulbellss @aoxash

#matt sturniolo #matt sturniolo fanfic #matt sturniolo smut #sturniolo triplets #sturniolo #chris sturniolo #chris sturniolo fanfic #christopher sturniolo #nick sturniolo #sturniolo triplets fan fiction #sturniolo triplets smut #matthew sturniolo #nicolas sturniolo

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queer-n-here · 11 months ago

Note

once again comin in with another meal to cook !!!

character of your choice ♡

stalker, obsessive and possessive reader (quite literally just yandere) seeing their SoulmateTM one day and just going full degenerate and doing everything in their power to learn more of their new lover, even getting rid of powerful foes or imaginary rival love interests for them. no one has any idea as to how they're able to do things no human or gifted can do. eventually, reader slowly comes in and orchestrates their first meeting and slowly woos their lover, but they have major issues on hiding their possessiveness and jealousy of others. lover can either a) be all for it and find it hot or b) lover is unsettled by it.

either way, after someone flirts with their lover, reader kind of snaps and after that person leaves, reader excuses themself and goes to absolutely maim the persom who dared to approach what was his. it's nighttime when reader is finished with them, and they come home to their lover who is worried, but becomes horrified at seeing all the blood covering reader. all reader can think about is claiming his lover, breeding him and imprinting himself so deep inside his lover that they'll always feel empty without him. (dubcon would be amazing)

~ 🕸

Oh my god 🕸️ bro 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Bruv this is so good, love you for this, and yeah, y'all I've recently started reading a shit ton of dubcon/noncon so yeah...

I did this one for Akutagawa, cuz I feel like this could work for a situation where the reader is in the Port Mafia.

Also,this one got really long, and I haven't posted in like two days, so I thought I'd make two parts, yknow? Read Pt. 2 here!

Contents: Yandere reader that stalks Akutagawa and plans out their first time meeting in person. Not that Akutagawa already knows reader's name since they both work for the Port Mafia, but that's about it.

Warnings: No smut in this part yet, top male reader, yandere tendencies, mentions of stalking, murder, ability user reader.

You had been watching Akutagawa ever since you joined the Port Mafia. In total, this is what three years of stalking and careful planning was gonna boil down to: this one opportunity.

You had planned it out meticulously, paid seventy eight people to be nearby and on the scene to prevent anything from going wrong.

A heroic rescue!

As you watched Akutagawa cut open those men with Rashomon, you couldn't help but smile. He was so precious, so brave, so beautiful, so-

You shook your head, forcing yourself to concentrate. You couldn't miss your cue. Akutagawa wasn't stupid. If you made half a mistake, he'd know what was up.

One of the men got too close to Akutagawa for your liking, and you pounced on the opportunity like a starving cat.

You dashed out of your hiding spot, your ability leaping out and cutting the man to the ground.

Akutagawa turned to look at you, surprised.

Some of the men halted, too. They hadn't thought that you would actually hurt one of them. Before it was too apparent, and before Akutagawa could notice the changes in their expressions, your ability flew out, covering the entire area. Soon, all the men but the one you were enamored with were lying on the ground in pieces.

"[Name]," Akutagawa said, frowning slightly. "Aren't you supposed to be responsible for the East block tonight?"

"I asked Higuchi to handle it." You shrugged seemingly casually, your hands in your pockets as you scanned Akutagawa's body for any injuries. "The weather is great tonight, so I thought I'd step out for a drink. And good thing I did, otherwise you would have been cut to pieces."

Akutagawa sulked slightly, no longer focusing on the reason behind your sudden appearance. "I could've handled it."

Of course he could've, he's literally perfect.

"Were these Guild's men?" Akutagawa looked around the bloody mess of bodies around you two.

"How would I know?" You placed your hands behind your head.

Akutagawa shrugged. "Whatever, they're dead now."

And so the night ended. You took Akutagawa back to his home, pretending to ask for directions, when in reality you had his address memorized. He tried to turn you down, saying that you were being paranoid, but you said you'd rather be safe than sorry.

When you reached the tall apartment building, you watched him step inside, waiting for the light to turn on in the window you knew was his before leaving.

Over the next few weeks, you orchestrated multiple meetings between you two, always appearing out of nowhere and going back to it. Slowly, Akutagawa opened up, and started trusting you.

Miraculously, you even got Mori to assign you and Akutagwa to the same area. It cost you it's worth; you had to help Mori convince Elise into some bullshit.

It wasn't long before you were sure Akutagawa had developed feelings for you. He was painfully easy to read; his cheeks would flush every time you got too close, you could sometimes feel his eyes following you as you moved around. Once, when you 'casually' playfully winked at him, and you swore you could hear his breath hitch.

But you waited. The perfect thing to seal the deal for you and Akutagawa would be a confession from him, and not from you.

There were times when you almost gave up on this thought, like that one time one of your clients found interest in Akutagawa. He was ugly as hell and nowhere close to Akutagawa, who shone brighter than the sun. You had to take care of him your own way afterwards, slitting open his insides in your secret warehouse and throwing his pieces away to the dogs.

That wasn't a first-time occurrence, nor was it the last, but you fought well to keep your cool as long as Akutagawa was around. You didn't want him to know that side of you.

That day, you had known something was up even before you saw Akutagawa. There was a funny feeling in your stomach, and you felt like something great was going to happen.

And it did.

"I... I really l-like you."

His words caught you off guard, and for a moment you almost punched yourself in the face to confirm whether it was a dream or reality. But you stopped yourself.

"Really?" Even as you spoke, your hands were already reaching for Akutagawa, pulling him closer to you.

He nodded, his entire face red.

A small broke through your face, and you kissed him, holding his waist in your hands.

It was finally happening. It was finally happening! Three years, four months, twenty-seven days, sixteen hours and forty-two minutes after you'd first laid eyes on this angelic man, you had finally kissed him!

It was a gentle kiss, despite the roaring in your head and all the urges to crush him into yourself. You nipped at Akutagawa's lips gently, making his breath hitch in that oh-so majestic way. He tasted like the best thing in the world, and you just couldn't get enough.

It was him who pulled away first, you wouldn't willingly part from those beautiful lips even if you suffocated to death. Staring at you with shining eyes and a shy little smile on his ethereal face, Akutagawa spoke.

"So... D'you... wanna be my boyfriend?"

Yes, yes, YES! A thousand times yes!

You nodded, pressing your forehead against his.

#dom male reader #top male reader #dom reader #bsd x you #sub bsd x you #sub bsd #bungou stray dogs #sub bungou stray dog x you #sub bungou stray dogs #akutagawa x you #sub akutagawa x you

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builtbybrokenbells · 7 months ago

Text

Melodic Memories | Track 3: I Need You - Lynyrd Skynyrd (1 of 2)

In a tattered old box shoved deep down in the corner of an overfilled closet, a lifetimes worth of memories lie dormant at the bottom waiting to be rediscovered.

Masterlist

Pairing: Jake Kiszka x f!reader

Word Count: 19.5k

Warnings: sadness, heartbreak, crying, high school breakups, unrequited love, estranged parent/strained parental relationships, angst, anger, bickering, name calling, depression, anxiety, self doubt/self consciousness, swearing, flirting, fluff, drinking, smoking, mentions of hookups/casual sex, sorry if I miss any!

Here’s part one of two 😁 part two is finished, but i gotta build some suspense. let me know what you think and we’ll see what happens in pt. 2! as always, be kind, enjoy, and don’t mind any grammar mistakes!

Also a special shout-out to @gretavangroupie and @gretavanmoon for always keeping me on track, putting up with my craziness, and for the unwavering support and encouragement 🤍 melodic memories wouldn’t be what it is without you 😌

Her POV

‘Ain't no need to worry

There ain't no use to cry

'Cause I'll be comin' home soon

To keep you satisfied

You know I get so lonely

That I feel I can't go on

And it feels so good inside, babe

Just to call you on the telephone

And I said—‘

“Do I even want to know why this one’s on here?” Mel chortled, reaching out and pressing the pause button on the CD player. The music cut out, silence filling the air around you, instantly making you miss the sound of the sweet melody. Worse yet, it made you miss the boy who burned it into the tracklist to begin with.

“What can I say? We were romantics.” You shrugged, leaning back in your chair and kicking your feet up on the desk. “Guess this one doesn’t really have a memory, per se. More or less just lots of listening.” You giggled, feeling more at ease with the reminiscent music as time dragged on.

It had been a few weeks since you reached out to Jake, a few weeks since you threw the entire universe off course and opened your heart to him once again. Most of your room was packed up now, only a few items still waiting to be thrown out or stuffed in a box. Although you’d made lots of great progress on your most pressing task, packing up boxes had not been the highlight of the weeks that had flown by. Instead of buzzing with excitement over your long awaited move, you were filled with joy that Jake was back around. Since the fated phone call that left you with so many questions and regrets, time was allowing answers and comforts over the things you never believed would resolve. The conversation between you was constant, only slowing when you were asleep, and phone calls were almost a daily routine, so long as his schedule allowed for it.

There wasn’t much talk of what the two of you were, or really what you were doing, but you did know it felt good to wake up to his name on your screen every day. You were getting to know each other again, slowly but surely, through drawn out bouts of heavy flirtation. He was sending loads of pictures as he traveled across Europe, ensuring you didn’t miss out on a single bit of his life now that he had you back around.

“Listening? What does that—oh, god, Y/N!” Mel exclaimed, recoiling in faux outrage. “This was your sex song?!” A shriek of laughter erupted from you, the expression of disgust on her face unusually funny to you. “Gross. You’re gross, you know.” She muttered, flipping to the next page of your senior yearbook.

“You were the one who said it, Mel.” You stressed your point, clicking the play button so the tune would continue. “And it wasn’t our sex song.” You corrected her on the matter, your tone short. “We had lots of sex songs, and even though this happened to be one, it’s more than just that.”

“Ugh,” she shuddered, her eyes flickering towards you. “I want to ask, but I’m not sure I want to know.”

“It was our everything song.” You shrugged. “My grandfather loved Skynyrd, and I guess he passed that down to me. Used to listen to ‘Second Helping’ over and over again when he worked outside. Could recite that album better than the bible.”

“Yeah, like you’re a godly person.” She rolled her eyes.

“You get what I mean.” You tossed the stress ball you were playing with at her head, over her dramatics and eager to tell the story.

“When we got together, I used to beg Jake to learn how to play Free Bird. Guess I never understood how hard that actually was, but eventually, he learned it anyway. It was horrible, awful, even, but he did it for me, and that’s what mattered.”

“Bet he looked hot doing it, though.” She hummed, recalling the many Instagram pictures she’d scrolled through. You narrowed your gaze, unsure if you should be upset about the statement or not. After a moment of bargaining, you decided not to take her words to heart in hopes to avoid any misplaced jealousy.

“Yeah, he definitely did.” You chuckled, conceding as you recalled the memory. He did look hot playing it, but then again, he always did. You couldn’t argue with her when she was right.

“Okay, but Free Bird isn’t on here. Why is this one important?”

“Well, Free Bird is a long song.” She let out a sigh, growing tired of waiting. A small smile pulled at your lips, knowing your drawn out rendition of the tale was torturous to her. “So, in the meantime, he learned this. Said it was easier, and more fitting, because that’s exactly how he felt about me.”

“Was your whole relationship just him leaning to play songs for you?” She asked, envious of all the grand romantic gestures. From all you told her, she quickly understood why he was so hard for you to forget.

“Not all of it, but a lot of it.” You chuckled, tapping the cap of your pen against your notebook. On the paper sat a list of the items you would need to purchase for your new apartment. Even the exciting prospect of moving out and surviving on your own couldn’t compare to the storm of thoughts that you were constantly stuck in, always pertaining to the same boy. “He was a big blues guy, and I guess we got along so well because I was, too. He showed me so much music, and I still listen to most of it.” You explained, smiling to yourself as you thought back on it. “After he played that song for me, it kinda turned into our anthem, I guess. Wherever we went, whatever we were doing, it was always in the background. Lots of road trips and beach days spent with this song, and some fantastic memories made to it. And yeah, lots of sex, too.” You sighed, dreamily reminiscing on the best days of your entire life. As you stared off at the ceiling, a pillow went flying, striking you straight in the face and abruptly ending that train of thought.

“God, you talk about it like it was phenomenal, or something. You were in high school, it couldn’t have been that good.” She rolled onto her back, holding the yearbook over her head as she continued to search for pictures of you. You giggled to yourself, tossing the pillow back to the bed. It landed beside her with a pathetic bounce, and you watched it until it fell still again.

“It was that good though.” You said, your eyes fluttering closed as you thought back to the time. “Maybe it’s because I was in love with him, but to me, it was always that good.”

“Gross, Y/N.” She teased, not actually as bothered as she was letting on. “Seriously, though. He seems great. Even after all this time, he still really loves you.” Your cheeks turned crimson, your entire body encased with warmth at the term. Love was something you were trying to push from your mind, especially because the two of you never declared that you would be rekindling the romance. There was so much up in the air, so much uncertainty, but it wasn’t a bad feeling for once. For the first time in a long time, you were excited about tomorrow and what it would bring. “Holy shit!” She exclaimed, shooting upright. You jumped in surprise, not expecting such a reaction from her.

“What is your issue?” You asked, laying a hand over your racing heart.

“Y/N Y/L/N.” she announced, reading straight from the page. You let out a groan, knowing she found the seniors section of the yearbook, and you were about to be subjected to some intense scrutiny. “Can’t imagine without: Kiszka twins and my AP bio textbook. Probably destiny: married to Jake Kiszka. Pet peeves: open-mouthed chewing, being late. First love: Jim Morrison—fair enough. Weaknesses: guitarists and brown eyes. God, you were so whipped.”

“Oh, fuck off.” You grumbled, crossing your arms over your chest.

“No, it’s cute, really.” She giggled, looking over the photo of you before flipping to the next page. “Ah, Jacob Thomas Kiszka. He was a cutie, huh? Can’t imagine without: my guitar, Y/N, my brothers. Probable destiny: playing guitar on stage somewhere, married to Y/N. Pet peeves: broken patch cord, Josh. Weaknesses: High E String, sunshine. I take it you’re sunshine?”

“Shut up.” You groaned, your face burning as you tried to disappear into your seat. You knew she was having fun, and you couldn’t take that away from her, but reliving all of the embarrassing high school memories was incredibly painful.

“Y/N Y/L/N, most likely to rule the world.” She raised an eyebrow, casting a glance in your direction. You gave a shrug, chuckling slightly at her expression.

“They thought I was smart, I guess.”

“Was it in a world domination way, or like a peace-love-harmony kind of way?” She pressed, leaning into the conversation as she awaited an answer.

“Depended on the day, really.” You grinned.

“Jacob Kiszka, most likely to win a Grammy.”

“And he did.” You beamed, your stomach fluttering with pride as you said it.

“When are you getting me a rockstar boyfriend?” She huffed, only slightly envious of how the cards played out for you.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” You squeaked, shutting the idea down before it could go any further. “We’re just old friends catching up. That’s all it is.”

“Yeah, sure.” She laughed, unable to agree with that statement. “You talk nonstop, and his name still has a heart beside it in your phone. You’re so in love I’m surprised you can even think of anything else.”

“Mel, would you quit it? It’s not that serious!” You tried to downplay it, defending yourself against the accusations and only ever making yourself look more guilty.

As you were about to continue your argument, your ringtone began to sound through the room, the soft melody of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac filling your ears. She raised an eyebrow, biting back a knowing smirk as she patiently waited to hear who the call was from. You pulled your phone from your pocket, your eyes drifting over the screen. Your cheeks darkened and your embarrassment grew as you saw the little red heart beside his name, but answered without any hesitation.

“Hi.” You fought back a smile, finding your heart racing as his face graced your screen. You noticed the background of the picture, his head resting on a car seat and the ambient sound of wheels on pavement filling your ears. There was quiet chatter coming from the backseat, barely noticeable even if you were straining to listen.

“Hi, sunshine.” He grinned, his eyes heavy like he’d just woken up from sleep, or perhaps he was trying his best to fight it. It had been a long time since you saw the expression on his face, it was unfamiliar now. The gravelly tone of his voice, low and slow, led you to believe he was just waking. “What are you up to?”

“Packing, as usual.” You sighed, holding the phone away from your face and spinning in your chair, showing him the plethora of boxes laying around your room. “We found my old yearbook, so we took a break to look through it.”

“Find anything good?” He asked, amused at the thought of you taking that walk down memory lane.

“She didn’t, but I definitely did.” Mel cut in, making her presence known in the best way she knew how; loudly and annoyingly.

“Hey, Mel.” Jake laughed, recognizing the tone from previous phone calls. You kicked your chair towards the bed, holding your phone a little higher so she was in frame too.

“Hello, Jacob.” She beamed. “Did you know that Y/N’s first love was Jim Morrison?” She began, her eyes flickering towards you as she spoke.

“Okay, Mel—“ you tried, but Jake cut you off mid sentence, liking the direction the conversation was headed in.

“I did know that, actually.” He grinned, blinking a few more times as he sat up in his seat. “What else did you find?”

“Oh, nothing too serious.” She sighed, pretending to ponder the question. “I did happen to learn that her weaknesses, apparently, are guitarists with brown eyes. What a coincidence, right?”

“Huh, that is strange.” He giggled, his cheeks dusted pink as he listened to her words. “Still true, sweetheart?” He asked, his question pointed at you now.

“Yeah, I guess.” You smiled, speaking softly and sweetly. “Happen to know anyone who fits the bill?”

“I do, actually.” A voice cut in from the backseat, half a head popping into view of the camera. Your eyes lit up, your smile blinding as you recognized the boy in view.

“Sam!” You exclaimed, barely noticing Jake landing a sharp smack on his arm. He didn’t have much time to greet you, because Jake was pushing him back into his seat and telling him to mind his own business.

“Sorry ‘bout him.” Jake cleared his throat, sending a threatening stare over his shoulder. “You know how he is. Loves being the center of attention, and he never got over that crush he had in the eighth grade.” You heard a shout of protest from the backseat, but neither of you paid any mind to it.

“Sounds like someone else I know.” You gave a playful roll of your eyes, teasing him despite there being some truth to the statement.

“Kiszka curse, I suppose.” He shrugged. “What else did you find, Mel?”

“In 2014, you said your weakness was sunshine.” Mel continued, looking back at the book to double check if the statement was correct. “You like the sun, Jacob?” He chuckled to himself, his eyes sparkling with nothing but adoration as he watched your face. He continued to focus on you as he replied.

“Yeah, I do. I love sunshine, Mel. Always have.” Your entire body warmed with the sweetness of his words, your stomach filled with butterflies and your heartbeat rapidly against your chest.

“Hmm,” she hummed, an evil little smirk on her lips. “Who would’ve thought?”

“Alright, that’s enough.” You huffed, trying your best to digest his words and move on from the subject. Focusing on it would do nothing but worsen the blossoming feelings in your chest, and you were doing everything in your power to keep them at bay. “Where are you headed, anyway?” You tried to change the topic, hoping it would lessen the tugging of your heartstrings.

“I’m glad you asked, sunshine.” He grinned, making the intent of his last statement even more obvious. “Since we’ve got a few weeks before our next show, the boys and I got to talking, and we decided to visit home for a few days.”

“Home?” You asked, leaning forward in your seat at the new information. “Like, Michigan?” You tried not to let your excitement get the best of you, but your hands were vibrating, making it difficult to hold the phone steady. The prospect of possibly being able to see Jake again, in person rather than through a screen, was almost too much to take.

“Where else, sweetheart?” He smiled, noticing your eyes light up at the realization. Of course, to his brothers, Michigan was home. To him though, the state had little to do with the homesickness ravaging his heart. The only thing that made it feel like home was you, and that’s exactly what he was headed towards. Like an invisible rope tying the two of you together, he’d been feeling the pull ever since you decided to break the no contact rule you had put in place so long ago.

“You’re really on your way here?” You asked, needing the confirmation to believe he was telling the truth.

“Here now, actually. Checked into the hotel a few hours ago and we’re headed to see our parents.” He clarified further, sending a small smile your way.

“So that’s why you’ve barely been texting me!” You exclaimed, finally piecing the two together. “You suck at lying, and you’re terrible at keeping secrets.” You giggled, knowing it for a fact and knowing it better than anyone else. Every gift, every date, every moment spent together was never anything close to a surprise, but it was perfectly fine by you; you loved the excitement in his eyes when he was about to share something with you, loving you so much that he couldn’t bear to keep a single thought to himself.

“Yeah, yeah, you caught me.” He conceded, knowing there was no winning that fight. “If you’re free tonight, I’d love to see you. Maybe take you out for dinner or a drink, for old times sake?” He offered, holding his breath as he awaited a reply. He’d been eager to ask, but anxious about your response, spending the entire drive psyching himself up to find the courage.

You were stunned at the idea, unable to believe that his first thought was you, that he would miss out on precious time spent with his family to take you out to dinner. You wanted to go, more than anything else in the world, but you couldn’t deny the nervous energy that filled you as soon as he suggested it. So far, it had been incredibly difficult to keep your feelings to yourself as you spent countless hours on the phone with him, and you knew it would be even harder if he was right in front of you. In fact, you knew it would be impossible to think of anything other than the way you felt about him, and that made you want to decline.

Still, you were so scared of getting your heart broken that you were willing to deny yourself of the only thing you ever wanted.

As sneakily as possible, Mel reached forward and delivered a sharp smack to your leg, snapping you from your thoughts and forcing you to answer. “I, uh… I’d love to, Jake. I just gotta check and make sure there’s nothing planned, you know? I-I just want to make sure before I say yes.”

You couldn’t see her, but the eye roll Mel found herself giving was glaringly obvious to Jake, who could see her plain as day in the background.

“She’d love to go, Jake. We have absolutely nothing planned.” Mel corrected, doing her best not to deliver another hit to your leg for being so ridiculous. You bit down on your tongue, your stomach swirling with anxiety as you looked at the clock on the wall. “Right, Y/N?”

“Right.” You squeaked, knowing there was no backing out, now. “Nothing planned.” You forced a smile on your face, trying your best to stay calm. You felt like running a lap around the house, just to rid yourself of the nervous jitters that began to creep up on you. You wanted to see him so badly, but you had no idea how to keep it PG with him. How could you when he looked so fucking stunning, all of the time?

“Okay.” Jake chuckled, noticing the tension between you. “If you’ve got nothing else going on, I can pick you up at six?” He asked, making sure the time was good for you.

“Six is great.” Mel assured him. “See you soon! Can’t wait to meet you!” She sang, reaching over and hitting the end call button in a flash. As soon as the call disconnected, you whipped around to face her, a grievous look in your eye.

“Nothing planned!? Six is great?!” You shouted, furious with her for forcing your hand in the matter.

“Oh my god, Y/N! What is wrong with you?” She groaned, covering her face with her hands to hide her secondhand embarrassment. “The man of your dreams magically shows up after six years, drives to Michigan just to see you, and you have to check if you have other plans?!”

“You don’t get to decide that for me!” You exploded, sitting completely upright in your seat. “What if I’m not ready for this? How am I supposed to keep it casual when I’m still in love with the guy?!” She closed her eyes, calming herself down before she reached forward. Both of her hands landed on your shoulders, her grip firm as she literally shook you out of your own thoughts.

“Listen to me.” She urged. “Stop trying to ruin this for yourself! This is the opportunity of a lifetime, Y/N. Don’t you get that? He loves you, you love him, stop trying to run away from it!” She gave you a small shake with every word that fell from her lips. As she spoke, you managed to swallow back the ball of anxiety that was choking you, allowing you to breathe for a second.

“I’m scared, Mel. I’m terrified. Don’t you get that?” You sighed, reaching up and holding her arms to ground yourself. You closed your eyes and let your head fall towards the floor. “He was my biggest heartbreak, and my greatest love. It’s fantastic that he’s back in my life, but I’m so scared of losing him that it makes me want to tell him to leave. I don’t want to open my heart up like that again, because it nearly killed me last time.”

“Stop living in the future, and stop thinking about the past.” She said, her voice much softer as she understood your fears a little better. “Think about you, right now. Think about how happy you are when you talk to him, about how good it makes you feel. Babe, you haven’t been this happy in… well, ever. Open your heart a little bit. Let him in. You don’t have to give everything all at once, but you can’t give him nothing at all.”

“That’s the hard part. I’ve never known how to meet in the middle. I want to give him everything, all of the time.” You groaned. You let your head fall back on your shoulders, resting against the back of the chair as you bargained with her. She had good points, but she didn’t know the version of you that was in love with Jake. She didn’t know how much you would give just to make him happy, how much you would give just to love him.

“The universe gave you a chance to start over, Y/N. You have to take it.” She sighed, knowing that she was wasting her breath. “Don’t shut him out, because in six years, we’ll be sitting here doing this all over again.” You stayed silent for a moment, biting down on the inside of your lip as you contemplated everything she had to say.

Could you really force yourself away from him? Could you really walk away after spending so long eager to run back to him? Could you stomach the pain of sitting here again in the future, suffering because you let him slip through your fingers twice?

Of course you couldn’t; Jake was the whole reason your heart beat, the thing that forced you out of bed and the last thought that lulled you to sleep. He was the birds singing in the morning sky, and the stars twinkling in unison with the moonlight. He was the only thing you wanted, and he was the whole world.

You wanted to love him until you couldn’t possibly love any more, and even then you would try harder. He was worth it to you; the risk, the pain, the sadness and sacrifice was all worth a minute of his time, and a single second of his love.

“Okay.” You breathed, slapping your palms down onto your knees. “I have to take it.” You agreed, giving a curt nod of your head. You were terrified, horrified at the thought of this meaning something different to him as it did to you. You couldn’t stomach the idea of him showing up at your door and realizing that he didn’t want you like he thought he did, but you stood anyhow, glancing at the clock as you worked up the courage to take a step. “Oh, god.” You whined, feeling the pre-date panic begin to set in. “I only have an hour.”

“Let’s get to work, then.” She grinned, happy to hear you were finally on the same page. “You go shower, I’ll find you something to wear.” She said, ushering you out the door.

“Yeah, okay.” You agreed, rushing towards the hallway and into the bathroom. You shut the door behind you, your heart pounding in your chest and your mind racing. You took a long breath to calm yourself, then discarded your clothes on the floor. You flipped the shower on, stepping in as the water warmed. You washed your hair, letting the conditioner sit in while you washed the rest of your body. As you were clipping the mound of hair to the top of your head, you heard a knock at the door. Within a few moments, it was open and Mel was talking.

“Are you shaving?”

“Get out.” You laughed, finding her invasive nature comforting. She had always been the same, overbearing and a little controlling, but for the best reasons. You were grateful for her, even if she was a little much, especially in such a chaotic time. “Should I shave? Is sex implied?” You asked, beginning to panic again. “Is sex implied?” You asked again, a little more frantic.

“You should shave.” She said, simple but very clear with her intent. Your stomach twisted with another wave of nerves, but you obliged anyway.

When you were clean, she left you alone to dry yourself off. You did your skincare as fast as you could, securing the towel around your body as you walked back to your room to see what outfit she had chosen for you. She stood by the bed, hand on her hip as three outfits laid out on the mattress, awaiting your decision. You stepped forward, looking at all of them before turning your head towards her, your eyes wide and your lips turned down into a frown.

“Mel!” You scolded, noticing that all of the choices seemed to be lacking one thing; coverage. She picked the skimpiest outfits she could find, and with your eyes on the clock, you felt your anxiety begin to take over once again. “I can’t wear any of this!”

“Sure you can!” She smiled, moving to pick a dress up from the bed. She held it to her body, her eyebrows raised as she waited to hear your thoughts.

“I’m going on a date, not a frat party!” You exclaimed, stressed that she was so insistent on you wearing one of the three. The clothes looked like they walked straight out of her freshman year closet, much too wild for the woman who she was trying to force them upon.

“Ugh, fine.” She rolled her eyes, turning back to a box on the floor. “I knew you’d argue with me, so here.” She sighed, picking a dress from the top. Your shoulders relaxed as your eyes drifted over the soft, red material.

“That’s better.” You said, a wordless thank you in your tone as you grabbed it. Once you were back in the bathroom, you dropped the towel and slipped the dress over your head. You fixed the spaghetti straps and settled the slip on your legs. The flowy material was as comfortable as it was pretty, and the neckline showed just enough to catch his eye, but not enough to show off. “Much better.” You muttered to yourself, smiling at your reflection in the mirror.

“Are you decent?” Mel asked through the door, impatiently waiting in the hall.

“Yes.” You rolled your eyes, twisting the knob and opening the door to let her inside.

“That looks really good on you.” She complimented, straightening the back of the skirt as she set your makeup bags on the counter. Under her arm was a curling iron, a blow dryer and a box of rollers.

“Thanks.” You hummed, drumming your fingers against the countertop. The surplus of energy coursing through you was unlike anything you’d ever felt before, and you could barely hold yourself still.

“Hey,” she spoke softly, catching your attention as she unraveled the cord for the blow dryer. “Relax. It’s gonna be fine.” She assured you, plugging the cord into the wall.

“You’re right.” You breathed, pulling the towel from your head. “It’s just been so long since I’ve seen him. I’m really nervous.”

“Really? Couldn’t tell.” She chuckled, bringing the blow dryer to your hair as she combed through it. It didn’t take long for the strands to dry and she was plugging the curling iron in to warm. While you waited, you started on your makeup, checking the time to make sure you weren’t running late.

You took a break from makeup while she curled the ends of your hair, twisting the locks around the rollers and pinning them to your head to set. She finished with the hair framing your face, and you continued to paint your face in the mirror. When you swiped on a layer of lip gloss, you leaned in to get a closer look, fixing any imperfections as you studied your reflection.

“You look beautiful.” She said, easing your worries. As she pulled the rollers from your hair, she gave a small spray of hairspray to each one, then combed it all out for you. “And just on time.” She said, tapping your phone screen to check the clock.

“Thank you for your help. I’m sorry I got so… worked up.” You murmured, guilty over your harsh words and stubborn attitude.

“No need to apologize. I know you, babe. I know what I signed up for.” She giggled, fluffing your hair ever so slightly. She pulled a few curls over your shoulder, then nudged you towards the door. “He should be here any minute.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Always am.” She grinned, pulling the door open and allowing you to step out first.

You stopped by your bedroom, grabbing your purse and clasping a gold chain around your neck. You rummaged around an old jewelry box, finding some gold hoops to go with it, and sprayed on some perfume. When you felt certain you were ready, you made your way towards the stairs. Before your foot even hit the top step, you heard the doorbell chime, and your stomach plummeted. Mel was behind you, close enough to ensure you would turn and hide. You swallowed hard, slowly making your way down the steps. Your palms were clammy and your chest was tight, but you couldn’t ignore the excitement blossoming deep in your heart.

Your mom had rushed to the door, uncertain of who could be visiting so late in the evening. You felt bad, realizing you should have told her long before that moment. As your feet hit the linoleum of the kitchen floor, you heard a loud noise, your mothers excitement almost too much for her to handle. “Jacob Kiszka, look at you!” She fawned over the man that stood before her, her voice echoing through the entire house. Your steps became slower, shorter as you grew closer to the entryway. Mel was behind you, encouraging you to keep moving forward despite your mind begging you to run away. “Gosh, you’re all grown up now. Another one of my babies.” You could hear her tone become muffled, likely because he’d pulled her into a hug, because he’d always been so loving to her, too.

“You ready?” Mel whispered, her chin practically resting on your shoulder.

“Not at all.” You shook your head, more anxious than you’d ever been.

“Y/N! Come look who’s here!” Your mom shouted into the hallway, not realizing you were standing a few feet away from her. With one last breath of courage, you rounded the corner and stepped into view.

Jake’s POV

As she appeared in front of you, you were certain the world stopped turning. There seemed to be a golden glow surrounding her, radiating from her as she stepped towards you; sunshine, but even brighter and more beautiful than the burnt up old star in the sky. A long forgotten warmth washed over you, comforting and loving, just like it felt to be in her company when you were eighteen. She was different, her face reflecting the time that had passed but leaving her even more beautiful than she was before. The smile on her lips nearly sent you to your knees before her, begging for just one more chance to show her how much she meant to you, but you kept your composure as you studied her.

There were freckles splattered across the bridge of her nose, the ones that splayed into perfect little constellations you once considered yourself an expert on. They only came out in the summertime, when her days were spent outside and under the sun that could only envy her and the light she provided. The dress she was wearing stopped mid thigh, showing off the knees that were still littered with scars from years spent riding bikes and tripping over shoelaces. Her hair was much longer, like she hadn’t cut it at all since you last saw her, and it too was graced by the sun and lighter than it was in the winter months.

The crinkles by her eyes when she smiled, so similar to how they were when you were in high school, but just a little more pronounced. Age had been kind to her, and you were certain that as the years continued to pass, she would only ever grow more beautiful.

You were nervous, your entire day leaving you near insanity as you planned and perfected the evening, and insanity creeping closer as you called to ask her to join you for the night. You knew her hesitation was likely due to the same reasons as your own, but you couldn’t help the stab in your chest you felt when Mel answered for her. Now, seeing her all dolled up and sheepish as she stood before you, her hands linked together in front of her as she shied away from eye contact, you knew she wanted to see you as bad as you wanted to see her.

After six years spent wandering, aimless and hopeful for something to change, it finally did. The struggle, the fear and the hurt all made sense, because she was standing in front of you again.

She was still yours, just like you were still very much hers.

Her POV

As your eyes connected with his own, you nearly fell to your knees in grief. In a single second, you found yourself mourning the boy you used to love and falling desperately for the man who stood in his place. His hair was even longer than it seemed in the video calls, framing the perfect picture of his face. It was pushed back slightly by the sunglasses sat atop his head, keeping the strands from his eyes. His eyes, brown and beautiful, giving you that long awaited relief from your everlasting sense of homesickness.

He was wearing a tan button up shirt, only the last three buttons secure. Over top was a white, weathered blazer, loose on him and the sleeves cuffed once off his wrists. His pants matched the color of the blazer, the button up tucked in messily and the peek of a brown leather belt showing. There was a pendant around his neck, drawing your attention to his chest that was exposed through the peek of his shirt. There was a watch around his wrist, and a ring on his middle finger.

He was positively beautiful, and you couldn’t manage to take your eyes off of him.

“Oh my god.” Mel whispered, just quiet enough for you to hear. She was thinking all the same things, and you couldn’t blame her a bit. He was gorgeous, and you were doing everything in your power not to run straight into his arms.

The only thing that made the scene better was the fact his eyes were raking over you, admiring you with the same intensity.

“Long time no see, sunshine.” He rasped, unable to tear his gaze away from you. You took a step towards him, your previous fears and worries fleeing you in an instant. Like all of those years ago, there was this irresistible pull towards him, like the universe was forcing the two of you together.

“Jake, you look…” you trailed off, your voice quiet as you approached him. “So different.” You chose your words carefully, not wanting to come on too strong.

“In a good way, I hope.” He grinned, stepping forward out of the doorway. You were close enough that you could smell his cologne, the sandalwood and amber taking over your senses and wrapping you in a familiar comfort. It was almost the same, but a little more expensive and much more tempting.

“Are you kidding?” You giggled, watching as he extended his arm and invited you in for a hug. You finally surpassed the small boundary still existing between you and fell into his arms. Your own wrapped around his torso, your chest landing against his and your head naturally falling to his shoulder. One of his strong arms snaked around your waist, his opposite hand cupping the back of your head as he held you to him.

After six years of suffering, the world finally felt right.

“You look absolutely breathtaking, sweetheart. Just like always.” He whispered, just loud enough to reach your ears. His chest rattled against your own as his words vibrated through him, only drawing you further into his touch. Despite your mother and your best friend watching the long and drawn out reunion, you never wanted him to let go. Eventually, he pulled back ever so slightly, looking down over your face but not easing his grip on you. “You always knew how to leave me speechless.”

“Don’t sound very speechless to me.” You giggled, finding the comfortability between you the same as it was so long ago.

“God,” he sighed, taking your face in his hands. His hold was gentle, his thumb gently caressing your cheek as he took in the sight of your face. It had been so long since he had you so close, and he wasn’t sure if he could ever let it go again. “It’s so good to see you, sunshine.” Your hands rested on his sides, the material of his shirt felt nice in your hands as you held him close.

“You too, bug.” You smiled, your cheeks rosy and your head swirling with excitement. “I like the mustache.” You fought the urge to reach up and touch it, knowing you would be opening a door you’d never be able to close.

“Yeah?” He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with love, just like they did when you were kids.

“Definitely. You should keep it.” You whispered, finding yourself caught in a staring contest. Neither of you seemed keen on pulling away, nor did you seem to want to stop the pull of gravity forcing you together.

“If you say so.” He chuckled, knowing now that you said that, he’d never want to shave it off.

“Let me introduce you to Mel, then we can get going.” You breathed, your stomach sick at the thought of pulling away from him. His hand drifted down your cheek, his calloused fingertips tickling your neck as he made sure to admire every inch of you. He didn’t want to separate either, but he knew he had a whole night of having you to himself.

“Yeah, f’course.” He nodded, letting his hand ghost over your shoulder and down your arm. The light touch sent a shiver down your spine, your skin littered with goosebumps and the hair on the back of your neck standing straight. You couldn’t believe he still had such an effect on you.

You took a step back, noticing his fingers trail all the way down your forearm and lightly dust your own. You had to fight every urge not to interlock your fingers with his, trying to push the thought from your head as you turned to face Mel.

“This is Jake.” You said, sending her a nervous smile.

“Nice to finally meet you, Jacob. I’m Mel.” She stepped forward, extending her hand for him to shake. “I’ve heard lots about you.”

“Good things, I hope.” He gave a nervous chuckle, accepting her gesture. “I’ve heard lots about you, too.”

“All bad things, I assume.” At that, the two shared a laugh, the nerves of the first meeting wearing off immediately. You couldn’t help but feel your heart warm at the sight of them laughing together, your two favorite people in the whole world.

“Thanks for letting me steal her from you tonight.” He smiled, feeling a need to express his gratitude.

“Take care of her, okay?” She asked, sending a soft smile your way. “Not much we don’t do together, so someone has to keep her out of trouble.”

“You have my word.” He promised, knowing he would always do everything he could to keep you safe. He turned to you, eager to get you alone so he could finally catch up with you properly.

“You ready to head out?” You asked, catching his eye.

“Yeah,” he nodded, but seemed slightly hesitant on the idea. You cocked your head to the side, curious about his reaction. “I just… before we do, can I meet your cat?” He asked, almost embarrassed by the question. You swallowed hard, your heart drumming in your chest as you tried not to melt into a puddle of emotion before his very eyes.

“Let me get him.” Mel grinned, stepping back into the kitchen and grabbing a bag of treats from the counter. She gave it a shake, the familiar sound filling the stale air. When it was met with silence, she gave it another shake, louder and slightly more aggressive. Within a few seconds, the jingle of a bell could be heard, and Ozz came bounding down the stairs, enticed by the idea of getting something to eat.

Once he was within range, Mel reached down and scooped him up in her arms. He let out a meow of protest, but snuggled into her hold despite his feelings on the matter. She rejoined the group, offering Jake the bag of treats as she held the little black cat to her chest.

“Me?” He asked, taking them from her and looking at the bag in surprise.

“What better way to make a first impression?” You giggled, watching as he opened the ziplock bag and poured a few out in his hand. Ozz’s ears perked up, his head turning towards Jake as he realized what was happening. Jake stepped forward, offering the treats straight from his hand. Ozz leaned forward, giving a hesitant sniff as he tried to decide if Jake was a threat, but eventually fell to the temptation of food.

You couldn’t help but admire the sweetness of the moment, noticing the childlike glee in Jake’s eyes as he tried to make a bond with the pet you dreamed of having since you were young. When the treats were gone, he reached up and scratched behind his ear. Ozz’s eyes closed and you could hear him purring even from a distance. Jake was precious, in every moment of every day, and you couldn’t deny the tugging of your heartstrings as you watched the scene unfold.

“I think he likes you.” You stated, your arms crossed over your chest as a smile pulled at your lips.

“He passed the test.” Mel agreed, looking between the two of you. Eventually, her eyes settled on Jake and she stepped closer, offering her arms out to him. “You want to hold him.”

“W-what?” Jake asked, almost nervous at the thought. “I mean, yeah. S’long as he’s okay with it.”

“Trust me, he’ll be fine with it.” You chuckled, watching as Jake slowly took the cat from her arms. With little problem, Ozz seemed to settle comfortably, looking up in curiosity at the unfamiliar, long-haired man. “Told you.” You said, watching as Ozz leaned closer to his face, nuzzling his head into his cheek.

“You used to talk about getting a cat all of the time.” Jake said, content with the curious cat in his arms as he looked over at you. “I’m so glad you finally did.”

“I did talk about it a lot, didn’t I?” You blushed slightly, surprised he remembered so well.

“All of the time.” He stressed his point, grinning at the memory. “He’s a sweet little thing.” Jake commented, his eyes flickering away from you for a moment. “Just like his mother.” He muttered the second part, just under his breath. You swallowed hard, your heart racing at the sound of his words. The whole thing was nearly overwhelming for you, the picture of the two too much to handle.

“Mind if I get a picture?” You asked, pulling your phone from your purse. You looked to him for approval, knowing that you wanted to remember the moment forever.

“You don’t have to ask.” He rolled his eyes, playful as you aimed your camera at him. You snapped a few pictures, your stomach twisting with an unfamiliar feeling as you selected all of them to add to an album. You scrolled all the way to the end of the page, your eyes landing on an empty album with the same name as it had all those years ago. You could handle deleting the pictures, but not the chapter in its entirety.

A small smile crossed your lips as your phone confirmed the addition to the album, the words flashing across your screen and causing your heart to beat just a little harder.

Three photos added to album: mi amor ❤️

Oh, how good it felt for there to be pictures filling it once again.

“Alright, you ready?” You giggled, watching as the curious little creature raised his head towards Jake’s, sniffing intently as he tried to familiarize himself with him.

“Yeah, let’s go.” He laughed, but didn’t seem keen on parting with Ozz. You stepped forward, catching the cat’s attention by placing a soft hand on his back. He let out a ‘mmrph’, turning to look at you and giving a slow blink. You leaned in closer, nudging the top of his head with your nose as you held yourself back from kissing him. As you found yourself immersed in the moment, you barely noticed Mel behind you, snapping a photo of the three of you together.

Carefully, you took the cat from his arms and placed him down on the floor. Then, you handed the bag of treats back to Mel. You slipped on a pair of heels you’d worn when you went to the bar a few days ago, deciding they were good enough for the occasion. Jake gave you a soft smile, his hand ghosting over your lower back as you raised your leg to tighten the strap around your heel. He was barely touching you, but your stomach was filled with butterflies, perhaps more so because of his undying need to keep you safe.

“Alright, I’ll see you later.” You turned to look at your best friend, who had a knowing look in her eye. She wouldn’t be seeing you until long after the sun rose in the sky tomorrow, but she kept that thought to herself.

“See you soon.” She replied, her eyes flickering to Jake. “Nice to meet you, finally.” She extended the sentiment towards him and he reiterated it to her. With a gentle hand, he guided you towards the door, patiently waiting as your mom pulled you into a hug.

She placed a small kiss on your cheek, holding you there for a moment to fully express her happiness for you. “Have fun, lovebug. Be safe.”

“I will, I promise.” You whispered, holding her just a little tighter. Your mom had been there for everything, celebrating every happy day and holding you for the worst of them. Still, despite seeing so many tears fall for the boy who now stood behind you, a mother’s instinct always told her that the story wasn’t over for the two of you. Seeing you back together, no matter how innocent the situation was, made the world seem right again. “I love you.”

“I love you,” she stressed, fixing the chain around your neck. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.” She hummed, just loud enough for you to hear. With that, you stepped towards the door, watching as she pulled Jake into another hug. “Always good to see you, Jacob. Try not to wait so long before your next visit, alright?”

“Of course.” He promised, sending her a smile. With that, he turned to you, and you continued on your way.

When the door shut behind him, you finally felt reality begin to catch up and the nervousness return. You dreamed of this moment for so long, and now that it was finally happening, you didn’t know what to do with yourself. He walked up beside you, looking to his side so he could catch sight of your face again. When you noticed his eyes on you, you felt your cheeks heat and your palms turn clammy. He was the same person you loved so dearly, but he was so different. You had no idea where to start, what to ask to get to know him again, and you were panicking at the silence between you. You wondered what he was thinking, if he was just as nervous as you were, or if he was as cool and collected as he was when you were kids, when nothing seemed to phase him.

“You hungry?” He finally asked, starting easy as he opened the passenger side door for you.

“Yeah, are you?” You asked, relieved that he didn’t mind taking the initiative.

“Starving.” He replied, a far away look in his eyes and he tucked your dress under your leg, not wanting it to catch in the door as he shut it. When he closed it and began walking around to the drivers side, you took a second to ponder what exactly he meant by that. His response was fitting for the conversation, but the expression on his face was something you had seen a hundred times, and you were certain it had little to do with the desire for dinner.

You swallowed hard as he climbed into the vehicle with you, starting it and turning down the radio. Before he backed out of the driveway, he took a moment to admire you.

“You look beautiful, sunshine.” He said again, making sure you knew he meant it. A small smile crossed your lips, and your stomach twisted with nerves as his hand raised to the headrest of your seat. He planted his palm firmly on the back of it, looking over his shoulder as he reversed out onto the street. The smell of his cologne hit you with full force, stronger now that you were contained in the small space. You held yourself in place, trying to ignore the urge to lean into his open arm.

It was so easy to fall back into the old routine, like no time had passed at all.

“You look pretty good yourself.” You said, shyly as you let your eyes take in the entire picture of him. “Europe treated you well.” He chuckled at your words, a little bashful himself over your comment. There was so much truth to the fact, his normally tanned skin even more sunkissed and all the more alluring. He was glowing, his hair lighter than usual and his face soft and smooth. He looked expensive, iridescent as the evening sunlight pooled in through the windshield, like he omitted his own, irresistible aura.

“Guess it did,” he shrugged, trying to play it off as if it were nothing. “Lots of sights to see, lots of days spent in the sun, and wine better than you could ever imagine.”

“Don’t make me jealous, now.” You grinned, relaxing into your seat a little more as the conversation flowed easily.

“No need to be jealous, sweetheart. I’ll take you someday, you can see it for yourself.” You couldn’t help but feel your heart beat faster at the idea, wondering if he truly meant it or if it was just because he was trying to be nice.

“Big plans, I see.” You grinned, finding yourself unable to take your eyes off of him.

“Always, sunshine.” He hummed, nodding ever so slightly as he drove through the old suburbs. “If you want to, of course.”

“I wouldn’t be opposed.” You replied, swallowing hard at the sight of one of his hands wrapped firmly around the steering wheel. His other arm rested against the door, his hand slightly hanging out the window rolled all the way down. The warm air filled the car, the chill of the AC hitting your exposed legs at the same time, sending you back to a time you remember fondly.

You wondered if he missed the Michigan summers as much as you did, the sticky air sweet and your days spent by the lake trying to combat the heat. You wondered if he remembered all the nights spent on your rooftop, overlooking the neighborhood as the smell of smoke clung to his clothes and the taste of sweet strawberry wine lingered on your lips. A cigarette between his fingers and his arm wrapped around you, pulling you closer as you stared up at the twinkling stars, the grasshoppers bountiful and the owls hooting in the distance.

You wanted to ask, but you couldn’t bear the thought of him not adoring the memories as much as you did. Worse than that, you couldn’t imagine the time being lost on him, shoved so deep down and buried underneath the surplus of memories he’d created after you left.

“Any restaurant in mind, or do you trust me?” He asked, his eyes flickering over to you.

“I trust you.” You assured him, knowing that if trust was a problem, it was never with him.

“Good, ‘cause I already called and ordered for us. That would’ve been awkward.”

He ordered something for you? He was that confident that after six years, he still knew what you would want to eat?

“Planning ahead?” You teased, crossing your hands neatly in your lap so you didn’t reach out to grab his own.

“Yeah, sorry.” He chuckled. “I was excited, I get ahead of myself sometimes.”

“That’s okay.” You promised, the sentiment behind his actions warning your chest. “What did you get?” You asked, unable to curb your curiosity. He shifted in his seat, clearly affected by your question and conflicted as he tried to keep the surprise.

“You’ll… have to wait and see.” He forced out, his lips curling into a smile.

“Oh, come on, Jake.” You pressed further, knowing it wouldn’t take much to get him to crack. “Not even a hint?”

“Don’t do that to me, sunshine.” He warned, nearly squirming under the pressure. You bit down on the inside of your lip, happy to see that some things were still the same. Jake’s ability to keep secrets had always been a struggle for him, and you knew that no amount of time could rid him of that.

“Please?” You smirked, pouting your bottom lip ever so slightly. You watched him look at you through the corner of his eye, his sunglasses not able to cover the stress quickly filling his features.

“Fuck,” he huffed, trying to focus on the road. “You’re killing me, sweetheart.”

“Just tell me, bug. You know you want to.” You continued your torment, almost letting yourself reach out and place a hand on his knee. As soon as you realized what you were doing, you clasped your hands tighter together, not wanting to read too far into a story you weren’t sure was beginning.

“Chinese, from that little place we used to go to when we were kids.” He rushed the words, like he’d hit a wall and collapsed from the impact. At the sound of it, your eyes lit up and a blinding smile crossed your lips.

He remembered.

“We went on our first date there!” You exclaimed, twisting in your seat to get a better look at him. “In the tenth grade, your parents sat a few tables over from us.”

“Yeah,” he beamed, almost relieved that you recalled the date with such clarity, and even more so that you didn’t think it was weird. “Dad gave me his card to pay, so I could impress you.”

“I guess it worked out, didn’t it?” You replied, your cheeks pink as you remembered how excited you were. It was almost the same as you were feeling at that moment, on your way to your second first date.

Date.

Was this a date? Or was this just old friends catching up?

You were confused and conflicted, and a part of you wanted to believe the night had innocent intentions. Still, there was a larger, more complex part of yourself that desperately wanted it to be a date, and for him to say it was. Instead of asking, you pushed the thought away, knowing you would find out in due time.

“It did. For a while, at least.” He chuckled, unable to hide the flash of pain in his eyes as he said it. “This time, we aren’t eating in. I have other plans for tonight.”

“Oh?” You asked, understanding he’d been planning this out much more than you thought he was.

“Please, let me keep it a secret, sunshine. Promise it’ll be worth it, okay?” He said, looking over at you now. Your lips pulled into a tight smile as you debated his words, knowing it would be more fun to push him.

“Promise?” You reiterated, making him sweat a little bit.

“Pinky promise, sunshine.” He said, grasping the wheel tightly in one hand as he reached his other out to you, his pinky extended towards you. You reached up, interlocking your finger with his.

“Alright, bug.” You conceded, trying to ignore the shock of electricity running through you from the simple touch.

“Thank you.” He gave a sigh of relief, looking back to the road but making no move to pull his hand away. Your eyes drifted down to the point of connection between your hands, wondering why he was letting it linger for so long. His eyes flickered to meet yours, a silent question of your comfortability with his actions.

He wanted it too.

Wordlessly, you outstretched your hand, your fingertips tickling his palm as you laced the appendages between his own. You never let your eyes leave him as you did so, continuing on high alert until his hand was comfortably held in your own and his thumb was drifting across your knuckles. You ignored the small smile tugging on his lips, because you knew if you called him out on it, you would be a hypocrite. He lowered his arm, letting your intertwined hands rest on your thigh, testing the waters before making any further moves. When you didn’t say a word in protest, both of you relaxed into the position without any more worries.

“Tell me about Mel.” He said, finally gaining the courage to speak again.

“What do you want to know?”

“Well, everything.” He chuckled. “She’s your person, now. I used to be your person, so I guess I want to know if she’s taking care of you, like I would.” He shrugged, never once glancing in your direction. You were happy for that, because you couldn’t stand for him to see the pain on your face that stemmed from his words.

“Jake,” you whispered, giving your head a slight shake. “You… you still are. Even if it’s not the same, you’ll always be my person.” You explained, appalled that he believed that he didn’t mean anything to you anymore. “One of them, at least. Back then, I only ever had you and Josh, but I have a few more now, I guess. You’re still one of them. You never stopped being one of them.” You swore that you heard his breath catch in his throat, that his emotional response was so great that it bled into a physical one, but you didn’t linger on it for long. The whole situation was strange, but you didn’t want to get your hopes too high, just in case it turned out to be different than what you wanted.

“You never stopped being mine, either.” He said, his hand squeezing yours ever so gently. You tried not to focus on the feeling, still stuck in a constant state of self-doubt, but it felt nice to be loved by him, even if it was different than it used to be. “Tell me about her, sunshine.” He urged, noticing a silence growing between you again. In truth, he didn’t care if that’s what it was about; he just wanted to hear the sound of your voice.

“Uh, we met in freshman year. We sat beside each other in our first lit class. Took us a few days to speak to each other, but once we did, we never really stopped.” You started, recounting the memory fondly. “When I first moved away, I had a really hard time adjusting. The people there were… different.” You put it lightly, ignoring the real reason you had trouble adjusting. It had nothing to do with the type of people there, but because none of them were him. “They were expensive looking, preppy and kind of annoying. They were very judgemental, ‘specially the girls, and I didn’t really feel like I fit in. It was a lot different than home, and it took me a while to get used to it.”

You could almost hear his heart break as you spoke, like he was grieving for that version of you. More than that, he was angry with himself for not being persistent, for not being the person you needed at that point in your life.

“I noticed Mel was different. The way she held herself… she was relaxed, carefree all of the time. She reminded me of home, and she felt like someone I could trust, or at least talk to without feeling stupid about it. I made a joke about our professor, and we just clicked. We did everything together after that—partnered for every project, went to parties, to run errands…” you trailed off, watching out the windshield as the city passed you by. “She felt like home, and I guess I missed it more than I thought I would. She reminded me of you.” You added the last part, quieter than the rest in fear of overwhelming him. You watched as a smile turned his lips, understanding that with Jake, you didn’t have to worry about a thing.

“I’m glad you found her. She seems very…” he trailed off, trying to find the right word. “Eccentric.” He placed it, figuring that was the best way to describe her.

“She is.” You laughed, nodding your head in agreement. “She’s different from anyone else I’ve ever met. She’s got this way about her that just draws me in, like she always balances me out and makes up for what I lack. We have lots in common where it matters, but it’s nice to have someone that challenges me. I don’t know what I’d do without her.” You shrugged, realizing you were rambling more than you should.

“I’m excited to get to know her better. If you love her so much, she must be pretty great.” He said, nonchalantly like his statement wasn’t dripping with hidden meaning.

He wanted to get to know her better because he wanted to stick around. He wanted to stay, to continue whatever the two of you were doing and rebuild a relationship between the two of you. He wanted to know her, because she was the closest thing to you.

He wanted you.

You didn’t have time to focus on the unspoken things for much longer, because he was pulling into the hidden parking lot of the restaurant you frequented so often when you were younger. He glanced over at you, then down at your hand intertwined with his, almost sorrowful that he had to let go.

“I’ll be right back, okay?” He said, unbuckling his seatbelt before he pulled his hand from your lap. You gave a slight nod, immediately noticing the warmth flee you as his fingers slipped away from your own. You didn’t have a chance to offer your company before he stepped out of the car, and he disappeared into the side door of the building before you realized it.

You looked down at your palm, still warm from where his own rested just seconds earlier. His cologne lingered in the air of the car, and your stomach was twisted with anxiety. You had no idea what he was planning, but you were excited to see where the night left you. It had been so long since you had been on a date, let alone with someone who so deeply affected you, and you had almost forgotten how to act.

No, you hadn’t forgotten how to act; you were just in your own head, doubting that the evening he had planned was a date at all.

That was your first course of action, to ask if the night had the same implications for him as it did for you. If you didn’t, you might end up on your front doorstep, grieving a loss he never knew he caused. You were terrified to ask, embarrassed at the idea of it not meaning the same to him, but you needed to know.

You spent your few minutes of alone time psyching yourself up for the big question, finding courage you didn’t know you had. By the time he stepped out of the building, the brown bag of takeout held tightly in his hands, you had enough strength to whisper the words aloud. When he placed the food in the backseat, you were repeating it in your head to keep the momentum. When he slid back in the driver's seat, his head turned to look at you and a sweet little smile on his lips, any amount of strength you conjured disappeared in an instant, leaving your tongue tied and your throat dry.

“What’s wrong, sunshine?” He asked, able to read you like a book even now. You swallowed hard, your heart threatening to burst out of your chest as you tried to remember how to phrase the words you wanted to ask him. He raised an eyebrow at your silence, still awaiting an answer you weren’t sure how to give. Eventually, you took a deep breath, your eyes fluttering closed for a moment to straighten your thoughts. You found that looking at him only made it harder to focus, and without his eyes burning holes into you, you were able to find the courage again.

“Is this… are we on a date?” You blurted out, heaving a small sigh of relief as the words finally passed through your lips. Anxiety continued to eat away at you as you opened your eyes, catching sight of his expression. His eyebrows were knitted together, but the smile on his lips remained. He was so hard to read, which only frustrated you further knowing that he knew how you were feeling all of the time.

“That depends… Do you want to be on a date?”

“Do you?” You asked, shifting in your seat as you averted your gaze away from his face. He laughed at your response, clearly amused by your distress and unbothered by the inquiry.

“I do, yes.” He nodded, knowing you would never confess unless he did, first. “But if you don’t, that’s okay too. We can just eat dinner and have a drink as friends.” His sweetness was overwhelming, and unbelievably reassuring. You let out a long breath, relieved at the sound of his words and happy he felt the same.

“Okay.” You grinned, reaching over and lacing your fingers through his again. As you pulled his hand back to rest in your lap, the anxiety disappeared indefinitely. “I would also like to be on a date.”

“Then it’s settled.” He hummed, leaning back in his seat and starting the car. You could tell that the agreement improved his mood greatly—the slight nervousness in his features settled and the smile on his lips was permanently visible. The momentary euphoria left him confident, and his fingers slipped from yours once more, settling on your thigh just below the hem of your dress. Your stomach twisted in a knot, this time not due to your anxieties, but from excitement. The touch was familiar, comforting, the hold the same as it was when you were seventeen and driving around in his dads old car. You placed your hand atop of his, showing your enthusiasm for the new position.

“Seems like it.” You agreed, fighting a smile begging to blossom on your own lips.

“Good thing, because I’d probably have a hard time keeping my hands off you.” He confessed, his grasp tightening ever so slightly as he reveled in the feeling of your skin on his again.

“Is that so?” You teased, encouraging his behavior in an attempt to hear more about it.

“Mhm,” he hummed, pulling out of the parking spot and back out onto the street. “You really think I could behave myself all night? This close to my favorite girl?” His words hit you hard, turning your cheeks crimson and sending your heart racing.

“Don’t flatter me, Jacob.” You spoke softly, downplaying his words but desperately hoping that he would continue.

“But it’s my favorite thing to do.” He reminded you, tracing small circles into your leg with his thumb. You settled comfortably in your seat, but not for long before the car was slowing to a stop again, pulling off into another overly familiar area. The dirt lot was barren, the two of you the only occupants of the large space. Jake pulled off to the side, earning a sideways glance from you.

“Jake…” you began, overwhelmed with years worth of love as the memories flooded your mind.

“What?” He grinned, turning in his seat to face you.

“This is the spot!” You exclaimed, not wanting to be the one to say it out loud.

“Hmm, I’m not sure I know what you’re referring to…” he trailed off, raising his free hand to his chin as he pretended to ponder the words. “I thought it was just a nice place to have dinner. What happened here, again?” You reached over, giving him a playful shove. He laughed, loud and booming, filling your heart with enough love you thought it might burst.

You used to dream of hearing him laugh like that, together at your spot. You yearned for it, for even just a single second spent here with him, and now you had it in your grasp.

“Don’t be a dick.” You giggled, knowing he was only joking for the sake of bothering you.

“You know I could never forget our spot, sweetheart.” He said, giving your thigh a reassuring squeeze. “Well, one of them, anyway.”

“But this was the spot.” You smiled, feeling yourself leaning into him without even realizing it. “This is where you asked me to be your girlfriend.”

“It is.” He nodded, fighting every urge to lean forward and kiss you right there. He was overtaken with emotion, as joyous as he was when he was fifteen and walking through the park with you for the first time. He picked a flower from the beds the city maintained, making a whole ordeal out of asking you the question he already knew the answer to. He could never forget it, because it was one of his most cherished moments, and now, almost a decade later, he got to relive that elation all over again. “Come with me, sunshine.”

Together, the two of you stepped outside into the warm evening air. The sun was still shining, setting a golden hue over the lush green grass and the overgrown trees. The park was different than it was when you were younger, more grown and less tended to than it used to be. When new parks opened, this one became forgotten in the mess of excitement that sprouted from the city's changes. To you, it could never be forgotten. You’d choose the rusted swing sets and the weathered park benches and picnic tables every day for the rest of your life because that was where you felt closest to him.

Jake retrieved the takeout from the backseat, then an additional grocery bag filled with items he had not shared with you yet. He joined you by your side, fighting off your attempts at grabbing something from his hands. Wordlessly, he led you to the narrow path through the trees, but he knew you did not need his guidance. Both of you could navigate the trails through the park blindfolded with your hands tied behind your back, because most of your nights were spent aimlessly wandering, hand in hand with each other.

It didn’t take long for the two of you to reach the opening to the park, the tiny trail tapering off into an overgrown field. The grass was overgrown, tickling your ankles as you advanced through it. Birds were chirping, making home in the tree branches and concealed by the leaves. Butterflies fluttered around the scene, carefree and avoidant of the two of you. Jake let you lead the way, staying close behind you as you gravitated towards the picnic table that called your name. You looked back over your shoulder, smiling at him as you closed in on it and realized it had never been replaced.

“Still there?” He asked as he approached, closing the small gap between you.

“Still there.” You nodded, looking down at the old wooden board. You tried to ignore the feeling of his body so close to yours, the warmth radiating from him as he stood behind you, and the scent of his cologne surrounding you even in the gentle breeze, but it was proving difficult the longer you stood together. You reached out, your fingers tracing the divots in the wood grain. From the years of weather and use, the carving almost seemed like it belonged, now. The rough edges had smoothed, and the color changed to match the rest.

Your initials, side by side and destined to tie the two of you there for eternity. He had carved it with an old pocket knife the night he asked you to be his girlfriend, informing you that so long as the picture remained, so would his love for you.

“Still true?” You asked, your voice barely above a whisper, cracking with emotion as you doubted he would even remember the insignificance of the promise. His head turned down to you, his eyes scanning your face for a moment before he responded. The air between you was thick, just like the tension that accompanied it.

“Still true.” He assured you, like there was never a doubt in his mind about it. You turned your head to the side, swallowing hard at the confession and the close proximity of his face to yours. The wind was blowing his hair away from his face, his dark eyelashes tickling his cheeks as he looked down at you. You looked up at him through your own lashes, admiring the intricacies of his face that you could not notice from far away, intricacies that only you would care to look for. His nose was nearly brushing yours, his breath warm on your skin. He was so close, and you wanted it so bad, but you were scared to make the first move. “Always true.”

For a moment, the world stopped turning. No more butterflies, no more chirps from the birds, no more gusts of wind blowing you around; just the two of you there, together in perfect harmony, enjoying each other’s presence after being separated for so long.

“For me, too.” You whispered, needing him to know that the love was not one sided. Although you did not have the strength to speak the words, he knew what you meant, and that was all that mattered.

Instead of leaning forward and closing the gap between your mouths, he sat the bags atop the rickety wooden table. He didn’t move too far away, but he did send you a small smile, like a promise that something better was to come. You couldn’t help but feel a sinking disappointment as he moved away, but you pushed it aside and forced a smile to match his.

“Now, let’s see how well I remember.” He hummed, motioning for you to sit. You did as you were told, sliding onto the bench and smoothing your dress under your legs. You crossed your ankles, propping your chin up on your palm as you waited to see what he pulled together. “For dinner, shrimp lo mein and spring rolls.” He raised an eyebrow, tearing into the takeout bag and offering you the container.

“How the hell did you remember that?” You grinned, taking it from his hands and placing it in front of you. He gave a shrug of his shoulders, placing his own in front of him after he handed you the wooden chopsticks.

“You ordered it every time we went there, sunshine. Wasn’t like it was hard.” He chuckled. “And the chopsticks, because you insist on using them even though you suck at it.”

“I do not suck at it!” You argued, your cheeks burning red as he fought back a chuckle.

“Right,” he hummed, tossing you a disposable fork wrapped in plastic. “Just in case.” You rolled your eyes, but snatched it from the table anyway. You’d never admit it, but he was right. Even if your skills improved over the years, you were far from good at it.

“Care to keep going, or are you going to make fun of me all night?” You bit down on your lip to suppress the smile that was begging to show.

“Right, sorry.” He nodded, grinning over at you. He reached into the second bag, slowly pulling out a bottle that you couldn’t see the label on. As soon as he flashed it in your direction, your eyes widened and a blinding smile took hold.

“Strawberry wine.” You whispered, your gaze flickering to his face. “My favorite.”

He would never say, but it was his too, not because he liked drinking it, but because he could still remember the taste of it on your lips.

“Some things never change.” He offered you the bottle. You reached out, your eyes drifting over the label as you tried to suppress the growing feelings in your heart. “Figured you deserved a nice bottle, not the cheap shit we used to get.”

“Thank you, Jake.” You breathed, your chest aching from the surplus of love you felt for him.

“That’s not all.” He said as if it were some grandois display, reaching his hand back into the bag. When he withdrew his arm, he held two more items in his hand; a ziplock bag and a small, cardboard box wrapped in plastic.

“Oh my god.” You gasped, reaching out across the picnic table to snatch the bag from his hand. As if he knew it before you even moved, he withdrew his arm with a smirk on his face.

“Impatient, much?” He teased, holding it just out of reach.

“If that’s what I think it is, then I most definitely am.” You nodded, leaning forward and a little further. As you did so, your fingers grasped the corner of the plastic, but he tugged it away before you could steal it. You couldn’t help it, your old habits and comfortability had returned full force in his company. Your bottom lip formed a pout as you silently pleaded with him to hand over the item he was keeping away from you. As he watched your face, his expression was almost pained as he refrained from handing it over, but within a few seconds, he broke.

“God, you know that’s not fair!” He exclaimed, giving in and letting you grab the bag from his hand.

“I think it’s perfectly fine.” You snipped, a triumphant smile crossing your lips as you sat back in your seat. “I haven’t had your mom’s muffins since senior year, Jacob.” You continued, holding the bag close to you as if it were a prized possession.

“I know, that’s why I got her to make them.” He laughed, taking the loss and moving on from it as soon as he saw the elation on your face. You paused, momentarily forgetting your excitement as you digested his statement.

“You got her to make these just for me?” You asked, your voice barely above a whisper. He caught your eyes, his cheeks pink in the sunlight as he realized he exposed himself without a second thought.

“Y-yeah,” he nodded, clearing his throat as he tried to regain his confidence. “Yeah, I did. I knew they were your favorite, so I asked her.” He shrugged, trying to make it seem lesser than it truly was. “She didn’t mind. She’d do anything for you, sunshine.”

“Jake.” You whined, your eyes brimming with tears at the thought of him and his family still caring so much. You were overwhelmed with love, never having someone care so deeply and genuinely for you since the last time you saw him. As the evening carried on, it became abundantly clear that you had given up everything, and in that moment, you felt like you were mourning the loss all over again. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Come on, sweetheart.” He reached over, cupping your face in his palm as his thumb drifted over your cheek. “Don’t you know by now, I’d do anything to see you smile?” Your eyes fluttered closed, your head automatically leaning into his touch. You couldn’t believe you were lucky enough to have him not only once, but twice.

“You never had to try very hard to get a smile from me.” You said, turning your head towards his hand ever so slightly. As if it were a natural reaction, you placed a small kiss to the pad of his thumb, a silent thank you for everything he had done. His breath caught in his throat at the feeling of your lips on his skin, but he tried not to let it phase him too much.

As much as he wanted to kiss you, to show you how much he missed you, the time was not right. He had a plan, one that he was determined to follow through with, and he had to stick to it, even if you were making it incredibly difficult to do so.

“Since we’re taking a walk down memory lane, I figured this would tie it all together.” He changed the subject, reaching to the table and grabbing the last item he pulled from the bag. He flashed them in your direction, a sheepish smile on his face as you read the label.

“Newports.” You laughed, remembering the smell of the cheap smoke stuck to his clothes wherever he went. “Big rockstar like you can’t afford better?”

“I always said I’d never smoke another one of these,” he grinned, turning the pack around so he could take a look for himself. “I’m feeling a little nostalgic, I think.”

“Cheap cigarettes and strawberry wine. Our childhood in a nutshell.” You giggled, breaking apart the wooden chopsticks and flipping the top of your takeout container open. He took a seat across from you, doing the same as you did. “You were such a bad influence.”

“Oh, whatever.” He scoffed, rolling his eyes. “You were the one with the fake ID, sunshine.”

“Yeah, because yours looked like shit.” You laughed, shaking your head at him. “Guy at the liquor store laughed in your face when you showed him that waste of money.”

“So cruel, and for what, sweetheart?” Jake grinned, clearly unbothered by your comment. He had missed the banter that flowed so easily between the two of you, the endless jokes and the constant laughter. He was most comfortable around you, never second guessing himself and always certain that you would support his crazy ideas. He didn’t realize how much he truly missed your company until he was around you again.

“Not cruel if it’s the truth, Jacob.” You defended yourself, taking a bite of the food he had so kindly bought for you. Your eyes fluttered closed at the taste, the nostalgia of the moment bringing you back to a better time, the best time of your life. “I can’t believe you pulled all of this off.”

“I would have done more, if I could have. Was a bit short notice, but I wanted to do something with you, even if it is a reused date idea.” He gave a soft smile, a bit regretful that he didn’t have time to plan for something more elaborate.

“Are you kidding, Jake? This is perfect.” You assured him. “My favorite food, my favorite wine, in my favorite place with my favorite person.” You listed off, sending him a playful grin. “I couldn’t have asked for more. It doesn’t matter what we do, Jake. I’m just happy I get to see you again after so long.”

“I’m so happy to see you too, sunshine. More than you’ll ever know.” He reached across the table, taking your hand in his. “I thought about you every fuckin’ day. I couldn’t get you out of my head.” You averted your gaze to the table, overtaken with guilt at his confession. You held remorse for forcing yourself to forget, especially after discovering that he could not do the same thing. He spent every night awake, thinking of you and wondering where you ended up, and you did everything you could to rid yourself of his memory so the pain would stop. “You know that Sinéad O’Connor song? The one that used to play on the radio all the time?”

“You turned to 90’s pop to get over me?” You giggled, teasing him over the fact. Out of all the songs, that one was not what you were expecting him to be listening to. “You know that’s not even her song, right? Prince wrote it.”

“No, smartass. Listen to me.” He laughed, waiting to share his story without your unsolicited comments.

“Okay, okay, sorry.” You blushed, conceding and letting him speak his truth.

“I was in bed one night, and I couldn’t sleep. I thought I’d listen to some music, and like always, it made me think of you. You were always trying to get me to listen to new things, and in senior year you went through this huge phase with grunge music.”

“God, don’t remind me.” You covered your face with your hand, slouching in your seat as embarrassment took hold. It was not because of the music, but rather because of your obnoxious behavior as you tried to get Jake to enjoy it as much as you did.

“Back then, I listened to it sometimes when I missed you, because it was some of the last songs we listened to together. I was listening to some of Chris Cornell’s solo stuff because he was your favorite artist at the time, and he did a cover of that song. Have you listened to it?”

“What?” You asked, surprised you never stumbled across it before. “Really?”

“Yeah, and it was really fuckin’ good.” Jake chuckled. “The minute he started singing, I swear all I could see was you. I listened to it on repeat—in the shower, eating dinner, all of the time, sunshine. Josh was so sick of it he forbade me from listening to it anymore. It felt like… when I closed my eyes, I could almost picture you there beside me, listening to it too.” He explained, his honesty equal to a punch in the gut. “When Chris Cornell died, I almost called, just to see if you were okay. Sat in my room for an hour, finger over that call button, but it had been so long and I was too scared.”

“He’s still my favorite, and I was not okay.” You forced a laugh, bargaining with the lump in your throat and the sting of tears in your eyes. “I wish you called—I should have called.” Your voice cracked as you spoke, the emotion too great to shove back down. “I never stopped caring, Jake. I tried to force myself to forget about us, about how much I cared for you. It took so long, but even when I did, after I wiped my memory clean and became a whole new person, it still felt like there was something missing. When I found all of that stuff, I knew why; you were missing, and nothing has felt right since that day.”

“Sunshine,” he warned, reaching across the table and swiping a tear from your cheek with his thumb. “Don’t be sad. I didn’t call, either. We were both stupid, and were making up for it now.”

“I’ll never stop being sorry, bug.” You reached up, holding his hand to your face as your chest ached. “Leaving you was the worst thing I’ve ever done.”

“Let’s be sad about that tomorrow.” He tried again, guilty that his words imposed such sadness on you. “Let’s have fun tonight, and have the hard conversations later. I miss you so much, and I want to enjoy every second I have with you.” He continued, silently begging you to look at him and see the sincerity in his eyes. “I’ll talk about whatever you want when the sun comes up tomorrow, but right now, I want to be with you, just like we used to be. Can you do that for me? For old times sake?” You swallowed back your tears, taking a deep breath to calm the raging sorrow in your heart, and looked up to meet his gaze. Like always, the brown of his irises sent a warmth washing over you, more comforting than the sun and more familiar than your own house.

Still, after six years, he was home to you.

“For old times sake.” You smiled, nodding in agreement.

“Good, because I have more plans for us.” He grinned, tucking a lock of hair behind your ear. “And I’m not telling you what it is, so don’t even bother.”

“That’s not fair.” You argued, watching as he returned to his normal position, taking a bite of his food. He kept you in suspense for a moment, neglecting a response as you waited for him to give in.

“It’s perfectly fair, sunshine.” He chuckled. “Now relax, eat your dinner and stop worrying about everything.”

“Do you know how hard that is for me? All I do is worry.”

“I know, sweetheart.” He laughed, reaching over and opening the bottle of wine for you. “That will never change.” He smiled, offering you the bottle with a raised eyebrow. You watched him for a moment, finally letting yourself feel all of the things you locked up for so long. It felt good to love him freely, without the burden of pain that came from leaving. Right now, you were with him, laughing with him, loving him after so long of punishing yourself for it. It was liberating, and you knew he was right; you had to stop wasting your time being sad and sorrowful over your past mistakes.

“Black by Pearl Jam.” You said, snatching the bottle from his hand with a playful smile stuck on your lips. No matter how bad it hurt, you couldn’t deny the joy you felt in his company.

“What?” He asked, watching as you placed the bottle to your lips and tilted your head back. The sweet taste filled your senses, better than you expected and much smoother than the ten dollar bottles you bought as kids. You took a hearty drink, lowering the bottle from your mouth as you swallowed it down, never breaking eye contact. The glisten of alcohol on your lips was prominent under the early summer sun, making him shift in his seat as he bargained with the thoughts racing through his head.

“That was my song. The one I listened to and thought of you.” He reached over and took the bottle from your hands, taking a drink while he thought about your words. When he sat it back on the table, a smile pulled at his lips.

“Like I said, Angel. We were both so stupid.”

Dinner went by quickly, and you found yourself mourning the fact it would be coming to an end as the sun began to set in the sky. You thought it would be difficult to do as Jake asked, that you would struggle to push your sadness aside and harness the love that he was trying to give you, but as time went on, it was easier than anything you’d ever done. Being with him again was better than you imagined it would be, and sometimes, you forgot there was ever a time you were apart at all. When the wine neared the end of the bottle, all thanks to you, your cheeks were warm and your eyes glossy with adoration for the boy sitting across from you. With the help of alcohol, you let your guard down completely, and you started forget why you had it up in the first place.

Jake was packing up the mess you made, sneaking glances at you as you watched him work. You had gotten loose with your tongue and the tension in your shoulders had fully subsided, leaving you more obvious with your admiration and even passing a few flirtatious words his way. You were far from drunk, but you did have enough wine in you that the prospect of loving Jake had become much less scary and much more inviting. You missed feeling this way, carefree and happy just to exist beside him, and you were doing exactly as you were told; enjoying him for the little time he could be with you.

“Ready to hit the next stop, sunshine?” He asked, finally clearing the table off and looking at you.

“Ready.” You nodded, a permanent smile anchored on your lips. “Where is that, exactly?”

“Surprise.” He smiled, clutching the bag of garbage in one hand as he offered his other to you. You reached out, sliding your fingers over his palm and interlocking them with his. You couldn’t ignore the jolt of electricity that ran through you, the power behind a simple touch that no other boy could seem to replicate.

“I hate surprises, bug.” You said, pulling yourself off the bench to stand beside him. He gave a low chuckle, squeezing your hand gently as he began to walk back in the direction the two of you came from.

“Just trust me, love.” He said, guiding you towards the trail through the trees. It was so easy for him to fall back into the same routine, and he barely had a second thought about it. Loving you was the easiest thing he’d ever done, and he was happy he had the chance to do it again.

When you made it back to the parking lot, he stopped by a garbage can on the edge of the lot placed by the city to reduce littering, depositing the bag of trash he took from the table. This time, as you walked to the car, he followed you to the passenger side. He opened the door for you, holding it so you could climb inside. Before you did, you dropped your hold on his hand, stepping towards him rather than the car. You extended your arms out, wrapping them around his torso and pulling him closer to you. The tipsiness aided your confidence, but your love for him was the biggest driving force.

Without a second thought, he returned the hug with enthusiasm, snaking one arm around your waist and placing one hand on the back of your head. Your cheek rested against his chest, his partially unbuttoned shirt allowing for your skin to connect with his in a long overdue reunion. You closed your eyes, letting his cologne surround you as you soaked in the intimacy. If you could, you would have stayed there forever, happy in his arms and never having to worry about anything else.

“I missed you, Jake. So much.” You mumbled, feeling his arm tighten around your waist.

“You have no idea, sunshine.” He whispered, his head turned down and his lips pressed to the top of your head. It was the truth; you had no idea how desperately he missed you, and he had no idea how badly you longed for him to hold you just like he was in that moment.

Reluctantly, you pulled away, the warmth of his skin still felt on your face despite the distance between you, but he didn’t let you move too far away. His hand on the back of your head moved to your cheek, cupping your face as you looked up at him. The sunset in the background casted an ethereal glow over his already beautiful face, making him all the more irresistible. You wanted to kiss him, to close the gap and taste him on your tongue. You wanted to savour the sweetness of having him so close, to show him how much he meant to you despite your previous actions saying otherwise. You wanted to apologize, to make amends for the stupidity your younger self engaged in and atone for the suffering you caused him. More than anything, you wanted him.

For a moment, you thought he was feeling the same. The look in his eye was familiar, you’d seen it a million times. The slight smile on his lips, his shallow breaths and shining eyes was all eerily reminiscent of a version of him you knew so well. Instead of following the yearning of his heart, he closed his eyes and pulled away from you, going back to holding the door open so you could climb inside as if the intimate display you found yourselves in never existed at all. You blinked hard, biting down on the inside of your lip as you felt a wave of disappointment wash over you. Instead of speaking on it, you turned and slid back into the passenger seat, swallowing hard as you straightened the skirt of your dress.

Did he not want to kiss you? He himself said it was a date, but every time you found an opportune moment to kiss, he turned away and shut it down. Was he afraid like you were, or was he having second thoughts about what he wanted?

You tried not to dwell, especially after he climbed in the car beside you, but it proved difficult to pry the thoughts out of your mind. When his hand snaked to your thigh, you only found yourself even more confused.

What game was he playing?

Jake’s POV

‘Just a little longer. It has to be perfect.’ You thought to yourself, trying to steady the shake of your hand as you gripped the steering wheel. You couldn’t deny the flash of sadness that crossed her face when you pulled away, and it was killing you the longer you replayed it in your head. You wanted to kiss her, more than you wanted anything in your entire life. She was it for you, everything you hoped for and everything you dreamed of, but you wanted your second first kiss to be better than the first kiss you shared all those years ago. You didn’t want your emotions to get in the way, to cloud the plans you made on your drive back to your hometown.

She deserved better than a spur of the moment kiss because you couldn’t contain yourself. She deserved everything, and you were determined to give it to her. The moment was right, and you knew that the minute it happened it would be perfect for you, but there was one thing missing, one last piece to the puzzle. You’d spent the entire day proving to her that you weren’t taking this second chance for granted, that all you were saying was true, and not just you talking out of your ass.

You remembered everything, from the smallest of details to the biggest memories shared with her. You remembered exactly how she looked in the morning, half asleep with a lazy smile across her lips as she twisted a lock of your hair around her finger. You remembered the sparkle of love in her eye on her mothers rooftop, scolding you for smoking as she sipped away at a bottle of cheap wine from the corner store. You remembered all of it, and you needed to show her that she still meant that much to you, that you spent six years ensuring her memory remained intact no matter how far away she was, and you were almost there.

The drive to the bar was nearly silent aside from the hum of the radio in the background. You knew she was overthinking the moment, that she was racking her brain to understand the mixed signals you gave her just moments before, but you knew you couldn’t settle that fear without exposing your entire plan. She was right, you were terrible at keeping secrets and horrible at surprises, but you so badly wanted it to remain that way until the moment it happened. You were thankful she expressed her desire to kiss you, and you hoped she still felt that way as the night carried on. You kept your hand on her thigh, a silent reassurance that you wanted her without having to speak it aloud. The touch seemed to calm her nerves but not settle her mind, but you could make due with that for now.

The old dive bar was familiar, not one you frequented but one that was very memorable to the both of you. As you pulled into the lot, the building the same as it was all those years ago, a different lifetime flashed before your eyes. One of the last weekend's you spent together, before she left for good, the two of you spent hours wandering the town and trying to make as many memories as you could before time would not allow for any more. You ended up here, hand in hand in the parking lot and willing to test your luck with your fake IDs one last time. Luckily for you, the establishment was so nonchalant that they never bothered to ask for your ID in the first place, and you spent the rest of your night tipsy from cheap liquor. You learned how to play pool, and as the crowd filtered out for the night, you slow danced to every song she played on the old jukebox in the corner.

As you parked, you looked over to her, wondering if she remembered it with the same clarity you did. As she turned to face you, the look in her eyes told you all you needed to know.

‘Make it to the jukebox, Jacob. You can do it.’

“I can’t believe you remembered all of this stuff, Jake.” She whispered, her eyes glimmering with another round of unshed tears. You wished you could stop forcing her into sadness, that you could be the reason for the smiles instead of the tears, but you understood that as fantastic as your day had been, it brought up plenty of unresolved feelings.

“There’s not a single thing I’ve ever been able to forget, sunshine.” You confessed, feeling the pull of gravity force you towards her again. Despite every single thing in your body screaming for you to give in, to lean over and kiss her right there, you forced yourself to stay still, forced yourself not to do the only thing you ever wanted to do. “Let’s head in.” You said, unbuckling your seatbelt and climbing out of the car. You wished you could stay, to stare at her and admire the softness of her face and the beauty of her as a whole, but the longer you sat, the harder it became to keep your distance. You walked to her side of the vehicle, opening the door for her and taking her hand as she climbed out. “I can finally get my rematch. Been waiting for six years.”

“I won fair and square, Jake.” She quipped, stepping onto the old wooden stairs as she approached the door. She remembered.

“Uh-huh,” you hummed, sarcasm dripping from your tone as you stepped forward to open the door for her. “You were distracting me the whole time. I think that’s cheating.”

“Please.” She scoffed, rolling her eyes as a playful smile spread across her face. She sent a lingering stare at you over her shoulder as she stepped inside, begging for you to challenge her. “Not my fault you couldn’t focus on the game.”

“Actually, sweetheart, it’s entirely your fault.” You laughed, letting the door swing shut behind you. “Can’t walk around like that all of the time and expect me not to stare.” Her cheeks turned pink, shielded by the curls falling effortlessly around her face to further her beauty. She seemed in better spirits, your lighthearted teasing helping her forget the moment at the park.

You didn’t care about pool, and you didn’t care about a rematch; all of those years ago, you threw the game so she could win, just so you could see her smile. You took all of the teasing with a grain of salt and made a pact with yourself that she would never find out the truth behind her victory. Happiness looked too good on her, and you would be damned if you ever took that away.

“Drink?” You asked, slipping your arm around her waist as her eyes scanned the crowded pool table. Her head turned, her eyes connecting with yours as her face hovered inches away from your own. You noticed her eyes flicker to your lips, silently pleading with you to take the initiative.

“Sure.” She nodded, the scent of her perfume nearly making you fall to your knees. It was so familiar, something you hadn’t experienced in a long time. Now that it was in front of your face, you couldn’t believe you lived so long without it. “Manhattan, please.” She flashed you a breathtaking smile before giving your bicep a slight squeeze. “I’m gonna grab that table in the corner.” She pointed to the booth nearest to the pool table, just a few feet away from the jukebox that you were itching to get to.

“Okay, I’ll meet you over there.” You assured her, watching as she walked away from you. There was a slight sway in her step sending you weak in the knees, but you managed to push the thoughts away and turn to the bar.

You took a few strides towards the bartender, posted in the middle and awaiting your company. You sent an occasional glance over your shoulder, never able to rid yourself of the protective nature you felt when it came to her. As you saw her sitting, content as she waited for you, you turned to order. The bartender was gruff, but still friendly. He quickly fixed your drinks and started you a tab, sending you on your way within a few minutes.

Both drinks in hand, you walked over to join her, carefully placing the martini glass in front of her. You slid in the booth on the opposite side, taking a small sip from your own drink to calm your racing mind.

“Thank you, bug.” The nickname rolled off her tongue so easily, igniting a flame in your heart you believed to be long burnt out. She was going to be the death of you, and you knew that much for certain.

“Anything for you, sweetheart.” You flashed her a smile, hoping she couldn’t pick up on your anxious eyes.

“So how long are you home for?” She asked, grabbing the pick holding the cherries from her drink. Her eyes flickered to meet yours as she pulled one of them into her mouth, a dribble of the dark liquid falling down her chin as she did so. Your breath caught in your throat, your eyes trained to her lips in a moment of weakness she was painfully aware of.

“Uh, few days at least.” You shook yourself free from the desire that was pushing you closer and closer to insanity. “We might stay a little longer, depending on how busy we’ll be when we get back home.”

“Full itinerary for the trip?” She raised an eyebrow, raising the glass to her lips and taking a sip from it. Her eyes never left yours as she did so, clearly hinting at something she wasn’t ready to ask aloud yet.

“No, not really.” You smirked, leaning back in the booth as you raised your own drink to your mouth. “Why do you ask?”

“Just curious.” She shrugged, holding her drink close to her as her eyes trailed over you. “Is that a crime?”

“No.” You shook your head, knowing you would answer anything she asked of you. “Is there something else you’d rather ask me?” You raised an eyebrow wondering if you could pry the question from her, or if she would ask on her own time, no matter your response.

“Like what?” She played the game well, knowing you already knew what she was thinking.

“If we could do this again before I left?” You knew you hit the nail on the head when her cheeks flushed and her gaze fell to the table. “Second first date going so well you want a second, second date?” At that, a laugh fell from her lips, finding your question ridiculous but perfectly fitting for the two of you.

“You’re an idiot.” She giggled, but you felt her foot brush your own under the table. You reached for her hand, taking it in your own and letting your thumb drift over hers.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, lacing her fingers with yours. “I would like to go on a second date, Jake. Maybe something a little bit more tame, like a movie night at my house? Like old times?” A smile pulled at your lips, your stomach fluttering with nerves at the thought of being cuddled up in her bed again. “I can kick Mel out for the night.”

“She can stay, if she’s okay with being a third wheel.” You offered, not wanting to exclude her completely.

“Who knows? First time the tables have ever been turned like this.” She let the words slip without a second thought, her eyebrows raising in surprise at herself.

“What do you mean?” You pressed, intrigue getting the best of you.

“Nothin’,” she brushed you off, taking an abnormally long sip from her drink. You didn’t drop it though, still curious about what she meant as the bottom of the glass touched against the worn tabletop.

“Tell me, sunshine.” You pleaded, squeezing her hand to sway her decision. She let out a huff of annoyance, finding it just as hard to avoid your questions, and eventually deeming it best to answer.

“I mean, she’s never had to be a third wheel before.” She squeaked out, almost embarrassed by the thought. You couldn’t help but take note of how beautiful she looked, even in the dim light of the hazy bar. Her cheeks were rosy, a permanent smile on her lips, and her hair was falling down over her shoulders. There was a faint hint of lipgloss still clinging to her lips, and her eyes were sparkling with an overly familiar emotion. “I haven’t really… dated anyone since we broke up, I guess?” She phrased her words like a question, as if you would know the answer better than she did. “Is that stupid? No, it’s stupid. Forget I said that. I’ve dated so many people Jake, you wouldn’t even be able to believe it.” She said, shifting nervously in her seat as she awaited your answer.

“I didn’t either, sunshine.” You assured her, unable to express how relieved you were to hear her say it. “I couldn’t… I never wanted to call someone else my girlfriend, because I only ever wanted to be with you.” She let out a sigh of relief at your words, relaxing into her seat as she let the truth sink in.

“It never felt right.” She explained, toying with the pick holding her second cherry. “I tried, because after a few years I was lonely, but I just couldn’t find anyone else. They weren’t terrible… they just weren’t you. Nobody could ever come close to you.”

“Are you trying to get me to fall in love again, sunshine?” You asked, swirling the ice around in your drink before you took a sip. She was smiling as she finished off the last of hers, the alcohol taking a clear effect on her as she sat the empty glass back on the table. She grabbed the tip of the metal pick holding the cherry, extending her arm towards you and offering it to you.

“It would really be falling back in love if we never really fell out of it, right?” She asked, watching as you leaned forward and took the cherry between your teeth. You pulled it from the pick and into your mouth, settling back in your seat as the sweetness filled your senses.

“S’pose not, sweetheart.” You hummed, the newfound information igniting a fire in your heart. You glanced over your shoulder, quick enough that she didn’t notice at all, wondering how the hell you could sneak from the booth and enact the next step. “You want another drink?” You asked, eyeballing the empty glass in front of her.

“Yes please.” She hummed, her tongue trailing over her bottom lip. You swallowed hard at the sight, closing your eyes for a moment to rid yourself of the neediness beginning to grow at a rapid rate. There was something about her, so effortless and unintentional as she drove you to madness without ever realizing it. “I’m going to run to the bathroom. Meet you back here?”

“Sure thing, baby.” You clicked your tongue, thankful that she made it all the easier for you to do what you needed to do. You let her exit the booth first, shamelessly staring as she disappeared into the small crowd by the door.

When she was out of sight, you rushed over to the bar, grabbing two more drinks and bringing them back to the table. You sat them down, checking over your shoulder to ensure she hadn’t come back yet. When you deemed the coast clear, you took a step towards the Jukebox—or a poor, modern excuse for one, at that. You assumed the old one was broken beyond repair, so they were forced to replace it with the electronic screen. Although it was a little easier to navigate, it took the charm from it almost entirely. Still, you knew her well, and as much as she tried to believe she wasn’t a sentimental person, she was a sucker for an old memory. The night had only further proven that to you, and when she stepped back out to join you, you would finally confess the last little bit of truth you were keeping secret.

Having the song typed in and ready to play, you turned to wait for her, holding your breath for the entire time. To you, it seemed like an eternity, but in reality, it was barely a minute until she came back into view. Her red dress flowed gracefully around her, the long curls bouncing with every step, and a smile on her face that left you speechless every time she looked your way. She was perfect, an Angel sent to earth to make everyone else jealous of her, and you were the one lucky enough to call her yours, for a second time nonetheless. You reached backwards, barely able to pull your eyes away from her as you pressed the play button. As soon as you did, it felt like the world stopped turning, like you were frozen in time until she decided if your heart was worthy of her love, one last time.

TAGLIST: @anythingforjtk @highway-tuna @klarxtr @hollyco @thetroublegetssoloud71 @ageofbajabule @dannys-dream @raceb14 @watchingover-hypegirl @starshine-gvf @do-it-jakey-baby @gretavansara @jakesbeloved @woyayaofdreams @jakeyt @kiszkas-canvas @gracev0609 @josh-iamyour-mama @musicspeaks @gretavangroupie @gretavanmoon

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kattze · 11 months ago

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PT.1 GHOST X GN READER slow burn

(Pt.2)

So y'know a few people MIGHT read this and honestly if you do THANK YOU!!!!! anyways if there's any mistakes please tell me (pretty please with a cherry on top).

I slowly walk to my Captains office dragging my feet along the way. "Christ... I'm about to get an earful." I roll my eyes at the thought of getting another lecture, but I won't be surprised if I do... either way it's not my first time messing up during missions and causing people to die it's not the most positive thing about me...I cringe at the thought of people dying because of me.

I pause in front of the captain's office pondering on my choices before knocking. I hear a firm, "come in '' I make my way into his office. He gestures to a chair in front of his desk.

"Sit down soldier," he sighs and shakes his head before speaking once more "You are being transferred to a new base which means a new team." He looks at me studying my reaction

I shake my head before responding "so I'm not getting discharged...? Well...where am I going sir?" I say curiously waiting for his response.

"I am not sure, soldier but they'll be here at 1500 hours. I expect you to be ready for departure." He leans forward with a stern expression. "You may leave." He gestures towards the door. I quickly leave and go to the barracks.

I look at the clock next to my bed and it reads '1445 hours' 15 minutes before I leave. I have my belongings packed and ready to go. I rub my eyes and let out a yawn. I wander around base until it's time for me to leave. I walk to the helipad and get into the helicopter. I look at the old base that I'll never see again as the helicopter takes off. I lean my head back and take a nap, I wake up once I feel the helicopter landing. I exit the helicopter and I am greeted with a guy with a fishing hat(or bucket hat idk whatever makes you happy) , and another guy who's tall and bulky, who's also wearing a ski mask with a skull. The older looking one with the fishing hat walks up to me. "Captain Price, good to meet you kid." He offers his hand for a shake

I shake his hand and introduce myself "good to meet you too Captain. I'm Y/N L/N but my codename is c/n."

He smiles and points to the guy with the skull ski mask. "That's Lieutenant Ghost, he'll show you around, and you'll get to meet the others soon."

Price walks away and Ghost stares at me like he's reading my thoughts. He turns around and starts walking. "You comin' or you gonna keep staring like a twat?"

I raise my eyebrows in surprise and scoff at the insult. "Yeah yeah I'm goin ''" I shake my head as I make my way towards him. He's quite tall and built, I wonder how long he's been in the military? I decide to ask out of curiosity

"so, how long have you been in the military?" I ask as we continue to walk towards base.

"None of your business." He answers coldly as we finally enter the base.

"Jesus.." I roll my eyes at his answer. He shows me around base keeping his cold and monotone voice the same throughout the whole tour. He walks me to the barracks,

"You'll be staying in the barracks, lunch is in 20 minutes." Before I could respond he turns and walks away.

(NOT MY GIF)

Honestly if this flops I'll probably continue posting more parts out of boredom idk it depends.

#cod mw2 #cod mwii #ghost x gn reader #ghost x reader #simon ghost riley #ghost x you #ghost cod #ghost x y/n #ghost x f!reader #ghost x male reader #ghost x female reader #simon riley x reader #simon riley x you #im lazy

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fangirlies · 2 years ago

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Jump your bones- pt. 3 (x.t)

Pairing: xavier thorpe x fem!reader

Summary: when xavier continues to make unusual remarks, you put your theory to the test to see if he bites the bait.

Warnings: 18+!! Minors do not interact. F masturbation. Use of toy. Dirty talk. (please let me know if I should be aware of anything else)

here you can find part 1 and part 2!

added skin by Mac bc.. well.. “and now she comin’ closer up she goes, she wanna jump my bones” and “girl, you my paintin’, you my art installation, gonna fuck you, put you on the wall, all I wanna do is show you off” I mean doesn’t get more xavi than this. ok I talk too much sorry enjoy the filth :)

"Mmm xavier, just like that," you quietly moaned as your fingertips reach past the hem of your panties and into the warmth between your thighs. You close your eyes, picturing Xavier's long, thin digits gliding through your folds. Your unoccupied hand is caressing your breasts while pausing at the nipples and pinching it in between your thumb and index finger. The image of his full and luscious lips flashes through your mind, prompting you to bite down on your own. His groans were now permanently ingrained in your memory from your last encounter with him in his art shed. He consumed your thoughts, and in all honesty, you were okay with it.

After rubbing the bundle of nerves a few times, you desperately wished Xavier was hovering over you. You inserted your fingers inside your quivering hole that was practically begging to be filled. The wetness that the mere thought of him produced made it simple for you to glide in. Your mouth was parted and eyes screwed shut as you quickly shoved your fingers in and out of you while trying to catch your breath. The squelching sound of your pussy getting fucked filled the room. You could now feel the start of your second orgasm of the night pproaching.

“fu-ck xavi.” Your toes curled as you added a third finger just as you increased your speed. You remember the obscene sounds that flooded his art shed. The way he left a wet kiss trail down your collarbone. The way your naked body was propped up on top of his desk, eagerly explored by his sizeable hands. His raging red cock oozing pre cum solely for you.

"Yes, Xavier, right there, yes, yes, yes"

Breathing has become erratic as you recall his dark eyes, which were typically green, roaming your body as if you were the most delicious meal he’s ever laid eyes on. You recall as he thrusted himself in you for the final time while he filled you with his warm seed. This was the thought that caused you to unravel around your fingers again.

As you recovered from the aftershock of your orgasm, you took a moment to steady your breathing. Since your initial encounter, this was the third night in a row where you took matters into your own hands—no pun intended—and tried to satisfy your own needs. You considered messaging him to sneak into your hall, but you rejected the idea since you felt it either sounded desperate or felt "too soon."

Little did you know that Xavier is thinking of you as he sleeps in Hamlet Hall, on the opposite side of Nevermore. It wasn't like the usual dreams he had on a daily basis, no. These images of you touching yourself to the thought of him plagued his mind prior to your rendezvous with him in his art shed. His visions of you had begun ever since Ajax told him about your desire to jump his bones during one of their nightly smoke sesh. He always suspected you fancied him when you could hardly ever maintain eye contact. But when he discovered your secret, he wondered if you weren't just a quiet girl after all. He wondered if he could bring out a side of you that no one else knew about. And having accepted his own challenge, he arrived at this. Lying spread out on his bed in his boxers with a developing erection as he heard your throaty moans and eyed your soft, dainty fingers pumping in and out of your dripping pussy. Even though he despised the sticky sensation between his legs when he woke up every morning, the sight of you begging for him in the emptiness of your room somehow made it worth it. Every other night, Xavier practically expected seeing you in his visions. And that evening, when he finally had you all to himself in his art shed, it was everything he had anticipated and more. He was even more aroused by the fact that you continued to fantasize about him after that night while finger fucking yourself. You were all he had been able to see for the past three nights, and he had already begun to schedule his trip into town to look for a fresh pack of briefs.

Obviously, he was aware that he could never discuss the dirty visions he has of you. He undoubtedly understood that what you were up to under your bed sheets at 1 in the morning was entirely private. On the other hand, he seized every chance to mildly tease you about it.

He sat next to you for breakfast before the rest of the group gathered at your regular table the morning after a long night of watching you crumble at the thought of him fucking you in different positions.

“Good morning, tiny," he greeted you, trying desperately to keep it together as a smug smile formed on his face. When you caught his glance, he noticed your flushed cheeks and it made his head swell even bigger than what it already was. cocky bastard.

The only thing you could muster was a " good morning " fearing that if you looked at him for a moment too long, the heat that you were all too familiar with would soon appear.

“What’d you do last night?”

Your head immediately snapped up from looking down at your breakfast and into his emerald eyes.

“What- what do you mean?” You questioned. He couldn’t possibly know. Could he?

“I mean, did you have any exciting plans last night?” As he battled a smile, you could see his tongue prodding the inside of his lower cheek. He relished watching you tense up. He adored seeing the crimson color that your cheeks always took when he was near by. He took pleasure in making your mind race.

You bit your lip and tried to escape his intense gaze, "Oh. . . well, um- not really."

"That's no fun," Xavier responded, closing the distance between you two with his arm around your shoulder. "I bet you would have had a lot more fun if I had actually been there," he added in a whisper so close to your ear that you felt his peppermint breath brush your skin. You choked on the iced coffee you took a sip from as he spoke.

Enid's cheerful self abruptly interrupted the two of you as she rushed over to the table. "Hiya, you two love birds! I see the two of you are getting very cozy— you know, just say the word and I’ll make you matching snoods!” the blond girl continued to her never ending conversation as she jumped from one subject to the other with Divina. How she had so much energy at this hour of the morning puzzled you.

Yet, you swiftly turned your attention to Xavier. He was talking to Yoko and Ajax about tonight's smoking session at this point, but you couldn't help but think about the remark he had just made moments before. What did he mean when he said "if he had actually been there”?

You kept thinking about this mornings exchange all day long—during class, dinner, and even while taking a shower—and it still didn't make any sense to you. As you rinsed your mouth with water, you spit out the extra toothpaste and made your way into your room again. Enid was seen putting together a small bag as you left the bathroom.

“Where are you going? It's late," you so blatantly stated.

“I'm spending the night at Ajax's. I won’t be back until morning,” she joyfully said as she twisted the doorknob, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do” She wiggled her eyebrows before vanishing through the door on the other side. She was utterly obsessed with her boyfriend, truthfully it made you sick. But when Enid stayed over at her boyfriend's dorm, you treasured the nights you had to yourself. And just like the previous evening, you had plans to let all of your sexual frustrations out. This time, before settling into bed, you searched your bedside table until you found the vibrating toy you had managed to smuggle in. You inhaled deeply before turning it on at a low setting and slipping off your panties.

You couldn't stop picturing Xavier's morning appearance. His messy up-do. His drowsy eyes. The way he leaned in and put his arm around your shoulder. His scratchy, low voice that made it impossible for anyone to hear what only the two of you should know. His comment popped in your head once more. If I had actually been there.

If I had actually been there.

It was almost immediately clear. You almost felt foolish for not noticing it sooner. As you stopped to consider, you turned off your vibrating toy. Ajax periodically brought up Xavier’s visions whenever he spent time in Enid and yours shared dorm room. How sometimes Xavier would deem them as ‘insanely too realistic.’ At this point, your thoughts were racing almost as fast as your heart. You couldn't help but question whether you were thinking things out of context or if everything made total sense. Was he having visions of your nightly routine?

There was only one way to find out, you thought. You put your theory to the test as you fiddled with your newly purchased pearl ring on your index finger. You powered your vibrator again, this time increasing its level. Images of Xavier filled your mind once more. Now that the toy was on your eager clit, it sent sparks throughout your body. You let out a soft moan as you imagined Xavier starting to flick your now swollen clit with his hot, wet tongue. You could almost hear him uttering the filthy vulgarities to you in his painting studio again: "Are you going to take my entire dick in your cunt like a good girl too?” Remembering the hunger in his tone, you immediately felt a searing sensation in your core.

“wish you could see the mess I make for you every night,” you spoke into your empty room. The pressure between your thighs forced your hips to stutter. With your free and wandering hand, you grabbed a fistful of your linen bed sheets. So much so that you came to terms with the mark your ring might leave.

You were now so close to the edge that it was difficult to control your trembling legs. Even though it wasn't your first time using your vibrator, you were truly amazed with how quickly it always brought you to release. The intensity of your toy caused you to cry in ecstasy as your toes now curled, your chest rose, and your eyes were glued shut.

“I’m yours xavi, gonna- gonna cum for you.” Once you reached your peak with just one person in mind, your juices started to seep out of your hole. Your lips were spewing out his name like a mantra.

Xavier was seemingly sound asleep the entire time all the way in Hamlet Hall. He was quietly whimpering as he laid on his stomach, a firm grasp on his pillow as he gently rolled his hips into his mattress. Thanks to your filthy mouth, he was in a pool of his own cum. Your name rolled off his tongue as your gaping cunt came into clear view, which was now dripping for him. While he's seen you touch yourself before, this vibrator was a new one, and he knew he'd pay for it the next morning.

He most certainly did when he awoke late with yet another pair of ruined underwear. He skipped breakfast and hurried through the hallways to get to History of Greek Mythology in time, then slouched in his normal seat as the professor welcomed the class. He exhaled a sigh of relief as he scanned the classroom for you. When he peered at you, a faint smile began to form at the end of his mouth. Your hair was pulled back into an almost perfect bun as you sat at your desk with your chin resting on your palm. His gaze traveled up your body and to your familiar fingers. Yet, before he turned away, his typical arrogant grin reappeared reminiscing your whimpers with the faint sound of vibrations. Xavier shuffled in his seat, trying not to get too worked up in the midst of the first period.

After an hour of learning about The Trojan War, you sprinted to catch up to Xavier as the bell rang, bypassing the rest of your classmates.

“Thought you weren’t going to show for first today,” you smiled innocently up at him as your hand reached for his wrists.

"And miss Achilles' fight in the Trojan War? How could I?" He scoffed sarcastically before exposing his pearly teeth.

You rolled your eyes at his remark and chuckled in response. You seemed to appreciate his amiable banter, which was one of his best qualities. He always kept you on your toes.

"Nice ring, by the way," he continued and your eyebrows raised almost instantly. You fought a self-satisfied grin that threatened to creep up on your face. His arrogance finally caught up with him. You had him precisely where you wanted him. “Do you know what pearls symbolize? Being innoce--”

“Xavier, I’m not wearing a ring.”

As he spotted the mark your ring had made on your outstretched hands but no pearl in sight, his face flushed. He looked back at you, and you responded with a fake expression of perplexity and a grin. He was caught, and he was aware of it.

“Did- did I say ring? I meant to say necklace. No, earring. Fuck- I must still be woozy from waking up late. Do you think they’re still serving breakfast?” He made a pathetic attempt to change the subject. Scratching the back of his neck, he added "I'm starving." You absolutely relished being the one who made him tense up for a change. You could understand his usual confidence now; it was difficult not to be cocky from this vantage point.

“How do you know about my pearl ring?” You questioned while raising an eyebrow at him and crossing your arms in front of your chest.

“You always wear it, what do you mean?" He managed to let out a nervous laugh.

"I just got it. And if my memory serves me well, I've never worn it to class.” In front of you, Xavier deteriorated into a sweaty, frantic mess.

“So… how can you possibly know about my ring? Unless of course you've been in my room without my knowledge."

You could see the gears inside his head turning. He searched his mind for an excuse. An explanation. Anything.

He groaned before giving in, "What do you want me to say, y/n," realizing he had been caught. He must have experienced a massive increase in blood pressure as you approached his face when he felt his knees buckle. Before speaking, you leaned fairly close to his ear.

"I want you to admit that you watch me cum for you every night. While you're at it, tell me how hard it makes you."

Xavier was taken aback. He looked about, wondering whether this was all a dream, and even contemplated pinching himself. Were you actually in front of him, gazing intently into his lingering green eyes, fully aware of his obscene visions? He could feel his dick twitch in his uniform pants, and he took shallow breaths as a result of your exuding confidence. You were messing with him. And he could see you enjoyed it. It was thrilling to see him fold in front of you. Just like you wanted to, you finally had him tightly wrapped around your finger.

In the back of his throat, Xavier could feel his breath becoming heavy. "Stop it. Stop talking,” he said in between gritted teeth.

A cunning grin plastered on your face now and he felt instant regret for his previous comment, “Watch me. Oh, wait, you already do, don’t you?”

He witnessed his confidence fading and knew something had to be done.

“I’ll make you shut up. You’d like that right?” Xavier drew closer to you as he made every and any effort to suppress the urge to pin you up and fuck you beside these lockers right now. "But I'm not someone you can easily get rid of."

“Who said I’d want that?” It was your turn to be quick on your feet for once. Your scoff reached his ears, and he could feel his heart, which seemed to swell into a mallet and swing against his rib cage. “You know, for someone who loves to perv over me, you surely aren’t paying much attention to what I say.” You teased him even further by running your fingertips over the hem of his pants. There were several goosebumps visible in the slight gap where his uniform shirt had ridden up and revealed his lower stomach.

“I- I think that’s called being distracting. . .”

You shook your head, your laughter echoing down the almost completely empty corridor." Well, whether you're there or not," you spoke, reaching up and fixing the collar of his uniform. Under your touch, he involuntarily shivers, and you notice his adams apple bob up before returning to its usual spot. “You know what I’ll be up to tonight.” Before locking eyes with him for the final time, you bite down on your lips and offer a sweet smile. His usual mint-colored eyes were lust-filled and dark. He would never confess that the image of your precious, delicate fingers throbbing inside of you was the reason for the little damp spot that was growing in his underwear.

Your figure as you worked your way to your next period was carefully followed by his gaze. Vanilla, your typical intoxicating fragrance, still lingered. His cock began to quiver once more as a result of your swaying hips, and he eventually looked down to see the raging boner you had triggered yet again. A cocky, lopsided grin crept up on his face. He recognized your baffling little act. After you realized he had been watching last night, he was in awe of the show you had put on for his eyes and his eyes only. He has always figured that you are much more than the quiet girl everyone makes you out to be. And although his cheeks were now cherry red, he secretly felt almost proud that he was the only one who knew what a complete slut you were. And you will be his slut tonight.

A.N: my sweet and beautiful friend, @baziutawrites, deserves the biggest shout out for helping me on this one!!! Your patience and thoughtfulness never goes unnoticed. Oops forgot to add crazy dirty mind. This has easily become one of my favorites and I have you to thank for that my lovey. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

for the bestie that sent in this idea— wow. is all I could say! i wasn’t planning on writing a part three and much less was I planning to take it in this direction so kisses to you! 🤍🦋🪴🧚🏼‍♀️

Requests are closed at the moment however— inbox is always open! Share your thoughts! Talk to me! Get something off your mind! ✨

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multi-fan-dom-madness · 2 years ago

Text

What You Need pt. 1 (Echo x reader x Hunter)

Summary: Echo and the boys return from a mission. You can't wait to get Echo alone.

Warnings: 18+ MINORS DNI. afab!reader and use of feminine-coded pet names and genitalia; shameless smut; PWP; FwB; Dom/sub dynamics; use of "sir" as a title; Echo uses entirely too many pet names for reader; aftercare; light choking; reader is unintentionally a brat but it doesn't last long; soft!Dom!Echo; exhibitionism and voyeurism; somnophilia; face-sitting; oral (F receiving); uhhh I think that's all of it. If I missed anything please let me know!

A/N: This is just filth, y'all. This chapter is Echo x reader; Hunter to star later.

Word Count: 6.1k

Part 2 | Part 3

Cid’s is unusually busy tonight. You vaguely remember her mentioning that a local holotactics battle royale would be happening soon; clearly, you forgot to mark your calendar. Busy, though, is good for you. With any luck, you’ll walk away from tonight with decent tips—Maker knows Cid doesn’t pay you enough. Adjusting the thin straps of your tank top, you wipe the back of your hand over your forehead, wicking away the sweat beading there.

You prop yourself against the back wall to take advantage of the brief lull in customers vying for your attention. Surveying the patrons gathered here, your eyes seek out the one face you’re hoping will be here tonight. Echo and his brothers have been gone on some mission or another for about a standard week now, and you can’t help the gnawing sense of anxiety at his extended absence. Not for the first time, you’re grateful your...arrangement with Echo didn’t proscribe attachments. You were friends before you were lovers, and your friendship comes first.

But neither Echo nor his squad seem to be here tonight. Yet, you think, forcing the positivity that you don’t really believe.

Yes, being busy tonight has been a good distraction from your worry.

Speaking of, you catch a patron at the end of the bar waving their hand for your attention. With a sigh, you rearrange your face into a smile as you approach the man.

“What can I do for you?” you ask, leaning your forearms against the bartop. You know this causes your cleavage to deepen, a fact not missed by the man on the other side of the bar, his tongue wetting his lips as his eyes stray from yours.

He’s not unattractive, you think, but this is more about getting a good tip than anything else.

“Uh, yeah, could I—” He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. Auburn hair sweeps over his forehead. “Two things, I guess. First, a thermal detonator, darlin’.”

“Comin’ right up,” you say, reaching almost by memory for a glass. The pet names stopped fazing you long ago. “What else can I get ya?”

“Your comm frequency, maybe?” He gives you a lopsided grin, flashing slightly crooked teeth and dimples. Not unattractive at all.

You’re grateful that you have to turn away to reach for the detonator bottle, because the eye roll that overtakes your features would have been impossible to mask. He certainly isn’t the first, and you’re sure he won’t be the last, to try to get your contact info, but tonight, with your friend—lover—whatever, missing, the request feels particularly grating.

Affixing your smile back in place, you pour the drink and slide the glass across the counter.

“I’m flattered,” you lie, “but I’m...taken.”

As if summoned by your words, behind the man’s head you catch a glimpse of familiar painted armor as the boys, Omega in tow, step inside. Your gaze locks with Echo’s for just a moment, and your smile widens into something genuine, not just the mask you put on for customers.

The man raises his drink to you. “Ah, well, whoever it is, they’re lucky. Cheers.” With that, he slips between two bodies and disappears into the crowd.

You don’t even reply with a pleasantry, your entire focus devoted to Echo. Your chest loosens, a tightness having taken up residence there without you even realizing. A tingling sense of relief pools into your heart. He’s alive. He’s okay. Even as you have the thought, warmth begins to rise in your belly. Your thighs squeeze together in reaction.

Across the room, Echo jerks his head toward the back, and you nod in response. You know the drill by now. They return from a mission, they debrief with Cid, and then they socialize.

A roar erupts from the crowd gathered around the holotactics boards, and you grimace at the noise. For a moment, a flicker of concern sparks in you over Hunter and his heightened senses—but you’re pulled away from your internal musings once more by a Twi woman flagging you down.

Their meeting with Cid doesn’t last very long at all, and before you know it, you’re pouring four drinks on muscle memory alone as Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and Echo approach the bar. A few of the locals see them coming and vacate barstools, ducking their heads with tense smiles as they move out of the squad’s way. By the time all four of them settle into the stools, you place the last drink, Echo’s fizzbrew, on the counter.

“Glad you made it safe,” you say. You mean to direct it to all of them, but your eyes are locked once more on Echo. Every time he leaves and returns, you feel like you have to re-memorize his features, the sharp cut of his cheekbones and jaw, the way his nose scrunches when he laughs, the softness of his eyes.

His lips quirk up into a grin over the rim of his drink. “Was there ever any doubt?”

“Some,” Hunter says. At your alarmed expression, he waves a placating hand. “Nothing we couldn’t handle. Fighting organics isn’t like fighting droids.”

Fixing Hunter with a hard stare for a moment, you try to silently communicate how unimpressed you are by his nonchalance in the face of danger. Yet, as his steady gaze meets yours, eyes sparkling with mischief and something else, something you can’t name, you have to will away the flush that creeps up into your cheeks. If you’re being honest with yourself, you’ve never stopped being attracted to Hunter. Echo just...got to you first.

Shaking your head to clear it, you quickly survey Wrecker and Tech. None of the four of them show any signs of injuries, which helps you breathe easier. Tech, as always, has his nose inches from his datapad, typing away. Wrecker has already lost interest in the conversation and peers over the heads of the crowd to see what’s going on at the game tables, where you imagine Omega is, as well.

Bringing you back to Echo. His warm amber eyes glint in the neon lights. Your eyes follow the bob in his throat as he sips at his drink, heat burning brighter in your belly. You can nearly taste the skin of his neck under your tongue. With a glance down at your chrono, you groan. Still a few more hours until closing.

“We’ll be here, cyare,” Echo says, his low voice cutting easily through the noise. “Don’t neglect your other customers.”

Without really thinking about it, just riding the cushion of relief and desire that surrounds you, you flash him a grin as you turn away. “Yes, sir.”

He chokes, spluttering. Without looking up, Tech whacks him on the back until the coughing subsides. Your concern for his health melts away as soon as he pins you in place with a heated glare, his nostrils flaring as he heaves a breath. Oh, you’re in for it later.

The rest of your shift passes in mostly a lustful haze. You’re painfully aware of Echo’s eyes on you the entire time. When Tech and Wrecker bid you goodnight and head back to their ship, Hunter scoots over a few barstools to sit next to Echo so they can discuss...whatever. You catch snippets of mission plans when you circle back to refill their drinks. Most of their words float in one ear and out the other. Neither of them take their eyes off of you.

For your part, you let your customer service persona take the wheel. Pouring drinks, engaging in friendly chatter, ringing up tabs, all of it happens on autopilot. The rest of your brain is otherwise engaged with thoughts of Echo.

Your arrangement with the grumpy trooper began mostly out of mutual sexual frustration. You’ve been bartending at Cid’s for at least as long as the squad has worked for her, and Maker, if you’d found them attractive just based on looks, you had had no idea how much more alluring they’d all be once you got to know them. Hunter and Echo especially caught your eye. And it had been Echo to do something about it. He’d followed you through the back hallways toward the staff lounge one night, after weeks of making eyes at each other. You hadn’t spoken that night, at least not about anything of substance besides to confirm your willing and eager consent.

Face warming at the memory of that first encounter, of Echo’s tall frame trapping you between the wall and his chest as he reached around to get you off, you flinch when your name is called.

“Hello-o-o-o, earth to (y/n)!” Cid’s voice cuts through the pleasurable memory.

“Sorry,” you mumble. “What’s going on?”

Cid shakes her head and tuts. “I said, you’re off the clock. Get outta here.”

You blink at her, then actually look around. It seems in your distraction, you completely zoned out as you closed out tabs. Most of the night’s customers have gone, leaving only a handful of regulars, including Hunter and Echo.

“Right, yeah, course,” you say, trying to regain composure.

Cid ambles away, muttering under her breath what you’re sure are not flattering comments. You untie your server’s apron and tuck it under the bar. When you straighten up, you’re unsurprised to find both Hunter and Echo lingering, lazy, tired grins on both their faces.

“Feelin’ alright, (y/n)?” Hunter asks, concern lacing his voice.

You narrow your eyes at him, unsure if he’s being genuine right now or if he’s messing with you. You’re well aware of the capabilities of his enhanced senses. As it is, you should be more embarrassed by the notion that he can sense the electricity skittering over your skin, probably even smell the arousal slicking your panties, but you can’t find it in you to care right now.

“I’m fine,” you finally answer. “Long shift. I’m gonna go home and sleep.”

“I’ll walk you home,” Echo offers immediately, like he always does.

You nod with a small smile. “Thanks, Echo.”

Hunter shakes his head and pushes away from the bar. “Get home safe. Echo, I expect you back in time tomorrow.”

“When am I ever late?” Echo says, a grin on his face.

Hunter just raises his eyes to the heavens, hands on his hips, and he looks like such a dad in that moment that you laugh out loud.

“I’ll make sure he gets back safe and sound, Hunt,” you say. You lead the way out, knowing that they’ll both follow.

At the top of the steps, Hunter turns right, giving a wave over his shoulder, while you and Echo turn left. When you come to a fork in the road, you spare a glance back over your shoulder—a jolt of surprise heats your core when you find Hunter lingering at the other end of the street, his gaze clearly on you. You gulp. Has he always watched you walk away with his brother? Is he even watching you, or is he concerned about Echo? A frown tugs at your lips.

“Cyare?” Echo’s low, gravelly voice brings you back to him.

You blink and give him a fleeting smile. “Hm?”

“C’mon,” he says, “it’s late.” He tucks you under his arm. Butterflies explode to life in your stomach, his body heat absolutely searing into your psyche, the heavy scent of sweat and carbon residue and liquor making you dizzy.

You don’t live far from Cid’s, which is both a blessing and a curse. A curse because you never have an excuse to be late for your shift; a blessing because, on nights like tonight, you’ll be in the privacy of your apartment that much sooner.

The rest of the walk is silent. Pressed against his side like this, your lust-addled brain runs free, conjuring memories of his body overtop of yours, how his skin glistens with sweat, how his breath sounds in your ear as he fucks into you. By the time that you both step into the repulsorlift that will take you to your floor, your chest heaves with barely contained lust.

“Who was that guy, earlier?” Echo asks suddenly.

Any thoughts of sex flee your mind. You frown, brows knitting together. “Huh?”

“At the bar,” he says. “The one you were talking to when we came in.”

It takes you a moment to remember which man he’s referring to. You shrug. “Not sure. Asked for my comm, but backed off when I said I was taken.”

Echo hums. The lift chimes as it rumbles to a halt at your floor, and Echo holds his scomp in front of the doors so you can step out. You lead the way. He’s quiet the rest of the way down the hallway to your door, but now that he’s asked, you can’t ignore the wriggling worm of confusion and doubt chewing through the desire thrumming through you.

“What is it?” you ask, keys halfway to the lock.

“What is what?” he asks, blinking down at you.

You sigh. “Listen, I know we really haven’t talked about whether this is exclusive or not, but—”

Echo cuts you off by pressing one finger to your lips. “Why did you tell him you were taken?”

Swallowing, you resist the urge to slip his finger into your mouth, at least for the moment. This is a serious conversation—probably the most serious one you’ve had with Echo since this whole situationship began.

“Didn’t want the attention,” you say with a shrug, voice muffled by his finger.

“That’s all?”

“What else do you want to hear?”

He studies you for a moment, his amber eyes poring over your features, searching for something, but for what, you’re not sure. Did he take issue with you using him as an excuse? Or did he want to know if you said you were taken because you want to be taken?

Finally, he lowers his hand. “C’mon. Inside.”

His voice has dipped into the usual low growl that he reserves for you. All the confusion you’re feeling immediately dissipates, and suddenly you can’t get the door open fast enough. As soon as you’re both through the doorway, Echo slams it behind him and pushes you up against the entranceway wall. His scomp is cold on your skin where it rests across your breastbone. The dark heat in his eyes makes your stomach flutter.

“Echo,” you breathe.

He arches one eyebrow. “Oh, so now I’m just ‘Echo,’ hm?”

You suppress a grin, recalling your accidental use of his title earlier. “Sorry, Mister Echo. That better?”

With a groan, he leans down to press a feverish kiss to your lips. You gasp, and he takes that as an invitation to deepen the kiss. His tongue is hot and wet and messy against yours, a satisfied growl vibrating into your mouth. Your knees threaten to give out. Like he knows that, he slots one leg between your thighs, supporting your weight.

When he pulls away, your chest heaves with exertion.

“Didn’t think just a week would make you forget your manners, cyar’ika,” he says, voice dangerously low. He nudges your face to the side and presses hot, open-mouthed kisses to your neck, your ear, your cheek. “Want to try that one more time?”

You whimper. “Yes, sir, sorry, sir.”

He chuckles, hand coming up to cradle the front of your neck gently. Not applying pressure, just making you aware of its presence. “That’s better. Remember your safeword?”

You nod. “Meiloorun. And yours is Kamino.”

“Very good.” He kisses you again, his mouth insistent against yours, demanding that you submit and let him take control from here. You gladly do, moaning as your insides turn to putty. Your panties are absolutely soaked by now, you know, probably seeping through your clothes onto his leg. Echo hums in satisfaction as the last of the tension drains from your body, leaving you pliant and soft.

“Kriff, cyare, you’re so sweet for me,” he mumbles against your lips.

“Always for you, sir,” you say.

With one final peck on your lips, he stands to his full height and removes his arms from your body. It’s only because of his thigh that you remain upright, the wall acting as a secondary support. Peering up at him through your lashes, your breath catches in your throat. He’s backlit, the soft yellow glow coming from your bedroom haloing around his head. His eyes are twin pinpricks of light, his lips parted and pink, a flush high on his cheeks. You take a moment to just bask in his presence. His broad shoulders. His strong arms, so good at keeping you safe. His prosthetics, the parts of him he still struggles with, but the ones that you adore because it means he’s alive.

His soft whisper of your name has you blinking up at him. “You still with me?”

You nod. “Just admiring the view.”

You should have used his honorific and both of you know it, but he ducks his head, rubbing the back of his neck in a bashful kind of way. It’s cute.

“Bedroom. Clothes off. Get yourself comfortable, okay, cyare?” he asks.

“Yes, sir.” Taking a tentative step forward, your shaky knees hold firm. You hurry to your bedroom, shucking your clothing as you go. As expected, the crotch of your panties is dark with slick, and you whimper at the sight. But you can’t focus on that. You’re supposed to get comfy, and you intend on doing exactly that.

You fluff a few of your pillows and recline back against them, knees bent and legs falling open, baring your soaked folds to the cool air. In the floor-length mirror across the room, you watch the way your chest rises and falls with every breath, the excited light in your eyes, the glisten of slick between your thighs. Kriff, you hope he’s not in a teasing mood tonight.

Echo joins you a few moments later. His armor is gone, stacked, you know, by your front door out of the way. He has two glasses of water tucked in the crook of his arm. You both realized early on how dehydrated these sessions made you, so this has become the routine. You get yourself ready for the session, and he gets ready for the aftercare. It’s a simple gesture, but not one anyone else has ever extended to you before. Your heart swells at the reminder of his kindness.

Maybe you do want to be taken. To be his.

A flash of gray eyes in your mind’s eye distracts you, nearly pulling you out of the dazed, aroused haze you’re in.

But then Echo climbs onto the bed, and you’re wrenched away from all thought as he kneels at your feet. He always looks so much more relaxed here, with you. The worry lines disappear from his forehead and his usually grumpy countenance softens into something like adoration. For a moment, the two of you just admire each other, smiling.

“Comfy, baby?” he asks.

You nod. “Very.”

“Good.” His fingertips skim the soft skin of your inner thigh, trailing goosebumps in their wake, and you sigh. You shift your hips to let your legs widen, silently urging him to touch you where you need it most.

His touch remains featherlight as he crawls up over your body, his hand brushing your side, your chest, and returning to its place at the hollow of your throat. With a breathy moan, you arch your back, presenting your breasts to him.

“So needy,” he chuckles. “Use your words, darling.”

“Please, sir,” you say, voice whiny even to your own ears. “Please touch me.”

The grin that curls his lips up is wicked. “I already am, baby.” As if to make his point, he curves his fingers around your throat—still not putting any pressure, but his light touch is enough to send another wave of desire pulsing to your already aching and neglected pussy.

Groaning, you slump back against the bed. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Should be more specific then, cyare.”

Chewing your lip, you suppress another moan. “Please, sir, please touch my tits. Play with my pussy. I want you. I need you, sir.”

His low groan lights your nerves on fire. “Much better,” he rasps. Evidently, he must feel he’s teased you enough (at least, for now), because he dips his head to capture your lips in a searing kiss. His hand palms at one breast, rolling the nipple between his dexterous fingers. Nudging your nose, he licks at your bottom lip, and swallows your responding moan. You gladly tilt your head and meet his tongue once again. Saliva drools down your chin, but you don’t care, not so long as he keeps touching you. His touch is fire and ice and electricity and you want to cry because it’s too much and not enough all at once.

You gasp when he pinches your nipple, back arching. He trails wet kisses down your jaw to your neck, locating with ease that one spot that makes your toes curl. Switching to your other breast, he repeats the same attention there as his teeth sink into your skin. The moan that escapes you is high and heady, and so, so needy.

“Good girl,” he praises. “Make such pretty noises for me.”

“Yes, sir,” you pant.

He trails down your body, placing searing kisses to your sensitive skin. You watch through hooded eyes as he moves lower. Excitement tightens in your belly as he draws closer to where you need him most, your breathing coming sharper.

“Would you prefer my fingers or my tongue, darling?” he asks. His dark eyes flutter at you he laves at your hip, his hand kneading your thigh.

It takes a moment for the question to register in your pleasure-overloaded brain. When it does, you prop yourself up on your elbows, eyes widening. “Y-Your mouth, please, sir.”

He hums. You whine when he withdraws, distress and confusion clouding your face, but he shushes you with a kiss.

“Sit on my face, cyare. Take your pleasure from me.”

Oh fuck. Your pussy clenches around nothing. After he drops onto his back beside you, you scramble to sit up, swing one knee over him, and hover above his face.

“Sit,” he orders. Then he wraps his arms around your thighs, the cold of his scomp making you shiver, and tugs you down onto his mouth.

“O-Oh.” You throw your head back. His mouth is so kriffing warm and his tongue feels so good as he licks a stripe up your pussy. For a moment you forget how to breathe; he slurps at your dripping folds, a deep growl vibrating up his throat into your core.

He works you over with his mouth, ignoring your clit, much to your mounting distress. Even as the coil in your stomach begins to wind ever tighter, you need the extra stimulation.

“Please,” you groan, hips bucking, seeking friction. “Fuck, sir, please.”

He hums against you, his eyes crinkling with mischief as you gaze down at him, lips parted, panting.

A whine ripping from your throat, you rest one hand on his chest and roll your hips again. “Please? Please, sir, I want to cum for you.”

This time, he makes no noise, but instead tilts his chin just enough that his tongue, flat and hot and wet, presses against your aching clit. Your entire body locks up, white-hot pleasure snapping tight in your belly, shoving you to the edge of your orgasm. His hand rests on your hip, tugging you forward and pushing you back.

“Oh stars,” you gasp.

Pleasure coursing through you like molten gold, you rut against his face. He holds still, letting you take what you need from him at last, as promised. Every movement makes your breath hitch. All attempts to be quiet fly out the window, your neighbors be damned, as you chase your high against his lips.

The tightness in your belly pulls taut. Your toes curl, your moans becoming breathy as you roll your hips desperately. Your release is right there; you’re so close you can nearly taste it.

“I’m- kriff, Ec- sir, I’m gonna c-cum,” you pant.

His fingers dig into your thigh as he pulls you impossibly closer. You look down, remembering at the last second that he likes to watch your face as you cum, and when your eyes meet his, pupils blown and face glistening with your slick, you cry out. The coil in you snaps. With a scream, you cum, body arching forward as you spasm. Your cunt flutters against Echo’s mouth. His long, deep groan vibrates up into your very being, and you gasp.

“F-Fuuuuuck,” you moan, chest heaving, as he finally releases you. You fall to your side next to him, boneless.

“Did so good for me, cyare,” Echo says, turning onto his side to cup your face.

You gaze at him through heavy eyelids, residual pleasure making your body twitch. “Thank you, sir.”

His kiss is sweet, nearly tender, and it immediately stokes the flames of your arousal all over again. The tang of yourself on his lips isn’t your favorite, but tonight, you moan, licking at his lips to catch another taste.

You chase his mouth when he pulls away, but your body, spent as it is, gives out and you slump into the comforter again. Chuckling, Echo presses a soft kiss to your forehead.

“Wanna make you feel good,” you mumble. “Want you in- in my mouth.”

His grip at the back of your neck tightens. “Kriff, baby, I know you do. But I can’t wait. Can I fuck you? Can your sir put his dick in that soaked pussy, hm?”

“Yes,” you breathe. “Yes, sir, please, stars.”

“Roll over for me, cyare, onto your front.” He helps you shift. His knees cage you in where he kneels, resting against your thighs. Laying there as you slowly recover from the mind-bending orgasm, you wiggle your ass in anticipation.

Smack!

You gasp, the sting of the pain soothing into something duller as Echo smooths his hand over the impact.

“Patience,” he chides.

The telltale sound of his pants unzipping reaches your ears. Without needing to be told, you reach back to spread your cheeks apart, granting him easier access to your entrance from this angle. He spits, then rubs the lubrication over his cock. Your body flushes at the sound.

When the tip of his cock pokes at your entrance, you sigh. Arching your hips up, you jiggle your ass with your fingers to entice him.

Another smack! rings through the room, another surprised yelp escaping you.

Followed by twin moans as Echo pushes into you all the way in one fluid movement, sheathing himself to the hilt in your tight heat. He groans, sounding strangled, when your pussy flexes around him.

“Not gonna last long,” he warns, voice strained.

“S’okay,” you mumble. “Please.”

He needs no further encouragement. Leaning forward to press his body against yours, the texture of his clothes scrapes at your skin pleasurably. The knowledge that you’re fully naked and he remains fully clothed makes your cunt clench again. Bracing himself on his scomp arm, Echo’s other hand reaches beneath your chest to find purchase one final time at your neck. This time he does put pressure, his thumb and middle finger squeezing your veins, restricting blood circulation. When he slams his hips back into you, you moan brokenly, mind already hazy with lust and oxygen deprivation.

He sets a languid pace, drawing his cock out of you nearly all the way before shoving it back in. The tip rakes across the shattered piece of heaven deep in your core, pulling the coil in your belly tight once again.

“Need you to cum again, sweet thing,” Echo grunts, voice breaking. “Need you to cum on my cock.”

You nod. Kriff, if he keeps fucking you like this, you’ll cum as much as he wants.

He releases the grip at your throat, and the resulting rush of blood back to your brain makes you gasp, senses heightened.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, please, sir, don’t stop,” you pant out. “Please, wanna cum again. Want to cum for you. Want to be good for you, please, please pleasepleaseplease—”

Echo groans deep in his chest, his hips stuttering for a moment. “Kriff, baby, you’re always good for me. Cum on this cock, darling.”

He punctuates the request with a particularly hard thrust, and that’s all it takes. Body going rigid, your mouth opens but no sound comes out. Eyes rolling back, you quiver beneath him, pussy clenching so hard that he lets out a broken moan. His forehead presses between your shoulder blades. His cock pulses deep in your cunt as he spills his seed, babbling the entire time about how good you are, how much he loves your pussy, how much he loves finishing in you.

When both of your breathing evens out, you weakly push your ass up against him. “Echo?”

He hums. “Are you okay, cyare? Did I hurt you?”

“No,” you say. “You were perfect. But can you get off me? This is hurting my back.”

“Oh!” He’s immediately gone, his body vanished. You shiver in the sudden chill, but manage to roll yourself onto your back to stare at your ceiling.

“C’mon, cyar’ika, sit up, you need water,” Echo gently urges.

With a soft groan, you sit up, still feeling boneless and, apparently, muscle-less. Sitting on the bed next to you, Echo helps you hold the glass of water; he lowers it every few sips so that you don’t flood your body, but all you want is to chug, the gratifying liquid soothing your dry throat.

When the first glass is empty, you shake your head at his offer of the second one. Scooching back up the back to lean against the pillows, you open your arms and make grabby hands.

“Cuddle with me?” you ask.

He smiles, the one that sets butterflies beating in your stomach. “Of curse, cyar’ika. Let me get these clothes off.”

As soon as he’s stripped, he settles in beside you, tucking you against his side. His thumb rubs aimless circles on your hip; the strong, steady beat of his heart under your ear serves to relax you. You match your breathing to his, a technique you picked up early on that helps you feel closer to him, even as you continue this arrangement strictly as friends.

The thought drifts to you again of the stilted conversation you had outside your front door.

“Echo?” you say.

He shifts as he looks down at you. “Yes, darling?”

“I—” You shake your head, nuzzling deeper against his skin. “Never mind. Thank you for tonight.”

“You don’t have to thank me for sex,” he says, smile in his voice. “How many times do I have to tell you?”

“At least one more time,” you muse. That earns you a deep chuckle.

He presses a tender kiss to the top of your head. “Sleep, cyar’ika. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Promise?”

He hums in thought. “Well, I will be if you’re up before mid-morning. Otherwise Hunter will have both our hides.”

You laugh, face warming at the thought of Hunter. Your relationship with Echo isn’t necessarily a secret; you’re pretty sure all the other men know, or at least suspect. But with Hunter, you know with certainty that he knows exactly what you and Echo get up to when he ‘walks you home.’

“Can’t have him taking your great skin,” you murmur.

He grunts. “Not so sure I’d call it great.”

Raising your head, you meet his eyes, returned to their normal warm amber. You frown, not saying anything.

“Right, sorry,” he says with a pained smile that’s more of a grimace. “No negative self-talk. Apologies, cyare.”

“S’alright,” you say. “Your skin’s been through a lot, but it’s gotten you this far.”

“I know, I know,” he says. He leans down and presses his forehead against yours, his eyes sliding shut. “You’re too good to me.”

“You deserve good things,” you say. You intend to kiss him, but a yawn interrupts your movement, and Echo chuckles.

“Go to sleep,” he says. He tucks your head back down against his chest.

You find you can’t argue, your eyes sliding shut as soon as his heartbeat resumes its steady cadence against your ear, your body heavy from your exertions.

When you wake, you’re on the verge of orgasm. Body overly warm, sweat pooling in all of your bends and curves, your eyes flutter open and you peer down at Echo’s face buried between your thighs. A moan spills from you, surprised and embarrassed and so fucking turned on.

He pulls away from you with a lewd, wet pop, eyes sparkling. “Quiet, cyare. Hunter’s at the front door.”

“Wh-What?” You try to sit up, but Echo returns to your pussy, tongue caressing your soft, slick folds, and you slump back into your pillow.

Slinging one arm across your eyes, you cradle the back of his head with your other hand. “Stars, I’m so- I’m so fucking close.”

He slides one slim finger into your tight heat and crooks it up against your inner walls in just the right spot. Colorless stars explode behind your closed eyes as your pussy flutters around his digit, breathy, half-coherent moans tumbling from your lips. Kriff, the thought of Hunter standing outside your apartment, probably able to hear you fall to pieces for his brother, smell your cunt, nearly makes you cum a second time.

When everything becomes too much, you push against Echo’s shoulder weakly with a pathetic whimper.

He grins up at you, his lips shiny and so fucking pink, his entire lower face wet. Flushing, you bite your lip, glancing away.

“Good morning to you, too,” you mumble.

With a laugh, he gently closes your legs and pulls you up into a sitting position with him. He wipes his face dry before pressing a sweet, chaste kiss to your forehead.

“Good morning, cyar’ika.” He inhales, holding you tighter. “I have to go.”

Tears prick at your eyes. Blinking them away, you nod against his chest. “I know. When do you think—” You cut yourself off. You’ve never asked how long he’ll be gone for before. He’s your friend, one with whom you happen to sleep; you’re not entitled to him all the time.

As if he can sense the conflict in you, he rubs your arm. “I’m...not sure. You know how it is.”

“Yeah.” You take a long, deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and then let it out. His eyes are deep and full of concern when you lean back to look at him. For a few moments, you enjoy sitting in silence with him, eyes never leaving his, trying to convey how much you care about him without words. He seems to understand. Gently, slowly, like he’s afraid you’re going to move away, he brushes his knuckles across your cheek.

“I—”

Beep-beep-beep.

Brow furrowing, his eyes slide shut, nostrils flaring in agitation. You press your lips into a line, allowing yourself as much time as he takes for himself to be annoyed.

“You gotta go,” you say, quiet. “Don’t want to keep Hunter waiting.”

The look he gives you is inscrutable. You think you see a flash of pain, a twitch of concern, but it’s gone in a blink. Then he sighs with a nod, and presses his forehead against yours.

“I’ll see you when—” He bites his lip, struggling for words. “When I get back.”

“Good.” You close the distance and kiss him. All too soon, he pulls away. You hadn’t realized he’s already dressed, his armor half-on. The cool air chills your skin as soon as he’s gone, goosebumps prickling to life as a shiver dances up your spine.

Tugging the sheet over your shoulders, you can only watch as Echo steps out of your room, puts the rest of his armor on by the front door, and gives you one last smile. You blow him a kiss; he pretends to catch it and put it in his pocket. Soft warmth blooms in your chest, softer than you’ve ever felt before.

When he opens the door, you catch a glimpse of Hunter with his fist raised as if to knock, and you flinch. Gray eyes pierce into yours for the space of a heartbeat—then you’re scrambling back out of his line of sight, face burning in embarrassment. Their conversation cuts out as the front door closes behind Echo.

Tags: (tagging everyone who positively interacted with the sneak peek of this fic! I hope that's okay! <3) @the-hexfiles @madameminor @littlemissmanga @iwannalickyoutoomuchbaby @wings-and-beskar

#echo x reader #echo x reader x hunter #tbb echo x reader #clone thirsting #rhiwrites

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fandomgirlz01 · 2 years ago

Text

This Can’t Be The End Pt. 2

Nick Stokes X Reader

Imagine on my fandom instagram?: No

Prompt?: No

Request?: No

Requested prompt?: No

Edited: Yes

Word count: 5,890

Ko-fi

Masterlist

Warnings here

You can listen to the story be read out loud here. {Coming Soon}

Post Date: July 23rd 2023

Post Time: 12:31 AM

Summary: Based off of: Season 5 episodes 24 and 25 When Nick gets kidnapped, the reader is forced to fear the worst for her husband as she and the team work the case with hopes of bringing him home safe.

Reader’s Pov:

When I finally decide to get up from the couch, I wrap the blanket around my shoulders before walking out of the break room. I walk down a few halls in search of someone I can talk to and I soon find Warrick talking with Hodges.

I walk up behind him with my blanket still wrapped around me and Warrick looks down before putting an arm around me. I lean into him and Hodges smiles at me softly before continuing to talk to Warrick.

“I’m using your track and wheelbase measurements, plus or minus five percent to account for rain-shadowing and/or drying effects,” Hodges explains as the program does its work.

“All right, print it out,” Warrick tells him and he nods before typing on the computer.

“Hey. How are you doin’?” Warrick asks me and I shrug.

“I mean, I slept. It was only half an hour, but I slept. I just want Nicky back…” I tell him with a frown and he nods in understanding.

“I know, mamas, I know. We’ll get him back. I promise you that,” Warrick tells me as he rubs my shoulder.

“Here’s the list,” Hodges speaks up as he holds it up and Warrick takes one arm off of me to reach for it.

“Thanks, man,” Warrick replies as he takes the stack of the printed list.

“Yeah. Sure. Whatever will help find Nick. What’s your next step from here?” Hodges asks as he crosses his arms.

“Imma head over and see Rachel. She said she’d show me the traffic cameras in the area,” Warrick tells him and he nods.

“Well, good luck. Don’t worry, y/n, we’ll bring Nick home to you,” Hodges promises me and I smile weakly at him.

“You comin’ with me?” Warrick asks as he pulls back to look at me.

“Yeah. I suppose so,” I agree with him and he nods.

“Alright, then. Let’s go. Bye, man,” Warrick replies as he stands up and Hodges gives him a nod before going back to his work.

He turns me around and together we start walking towards Rachel’s office. Soon we walk in to see Rachel typing something up on her computer. She turns when she sees movement and gives us a small smile.

“Hi, guys. I have the footage loading up right now,” she tells us as she stands and rolls another chair over.

“Here you are, y/n,” she says as she points down to the chair.

“Warrick, you can take that chair over there,” she tells him as she points to one at another desk and sits back in her seat.

“Thanks,” he says sarcastically before walking over to grab the chair.

He walks back over, pulling it along with him before settling down to my left. He starts to look at her screens and analyze them as it seems the program is up.

“I need you to bring up the traffic cameras in a three block radius between Flamingo and Koval in the last 24 hours,” he explains to Rachel as he stands up and leans over the table.

“We only buffer the video for the past few hours,” she quickly informs and he looks at her.

“I can take you back as far as 10:37pm,” she continues and he rocks back before taking his seat again bringing his hand up to his chin.

“That’s good enough. Our guy was taken around 11:00,” he tells her as all the cameras pop up simultaneously.

Together we all look for a few minutes and nothing really seems to jump out at us. My leg starts to bounce as I start to feel more anxious and Warrick gently puts his arm around me. Rachel then pulls up two specific cameras and we watch them.

“Scan forward. We’re looking for a big truck,” he tells Rachel as he lets go of me to point at the screen. She types something on her keyboard, doing just as he says.

“How about that one? Looks like a Suburban.” She brings the video on the left to a pause.

Warrick takes a moment to look at what she points out before looking down at his list that Hodges had given to him. He flips through the pages for a few minutes before looking back up at the screen.

“It’s on the list,” he confirms as she pushes play again.

“Whoa, he’s really movin’,” he comments as we continue to watch.

“Wait a moment… that one, the big Ford,” his voice escalates just a tad, making me jump lightly, but hope flows through me.

“Follow it,” he decides and Rachel nods.

“The expedition truck left the area around 11:15,” Warrick starts to explain as he looks over his paperwork.

I look up around the table of people who have become my family. Sara takes a drink of her coffee and I resist the urge to cry when I think about how Nick would lean over to me to make some sarcastic comment about what she was drinking.

“Definitely in a hurry. Took a right off Koval onto Tropicana, crossed Las Vegas boulevard onto the 15 south and then it drove off the grid,” Warrick continues to explain as I snap out of my thoughts.

He puts his paper down and leans back before scooping my hand into his and giving it a squeeze. If Nick wasn’t the best at knowing my emotions, I’d say Warrick is a good close second. Both can almost always sense when I’m upset and need a good cuddle.

“At least we have a general direction,” Grissom comments from where he sits.

“Great, so Nick could be anywhere from Green Valley to Seven Hills to Arizona,” Sara comments in a very sarcastic, dead-end tone and I let out a small puff of air.

“Sara, not really the time for sarcasm, yeah?” Catherine lightly scolds her as Warrick gives my hand another squeeze.

“No. It’s ok. She’s right. He could be literally anywhere at this point…” I speak up and everyone nods along understandingly.

“That is assuming he was even in that truck,” Greg adds on as he leans back in his chair.

“Well, according to Hodges, the white fibers on Nick’s vest were cotton with traces of ether…” Catherine explains after taking in a breath.

When she says that, I instantly close my eyes and images of Nick putting up a fight with the person plays though my mind. I feel another squeeze to my hand and it pulls me back to the real world as I open my eyes.

I look at Warrick and he gives me a tight smile, silently clearly asking me if I’m ok. I hesitate but nod, telling him I’m fine and he turns back to the table.

“Ether? That’s old school…” Sara comments after a moment of silence.

“Yeah, stuff is volatile. Flammable. Outside of meth cooks, no one uses it anymore,” Warrick adds on his two scents and the room slowly gets warmer.

“People use what they know,” Grissom adds as he starts to fidget a bit in his chair.

“All right, so, where are we on possible suspects?” Catherine asks as she takes her glasses off and looks at Greg.

“So far, none of Nick’s active or recent cases stand out. And his old stalker’s still behind bars,” Greg explains his findings and I start to shake my leg.

“Are you 100% sure Nigel is still behind bars, Greg?” I ask, sitting up as I slowly seem to grow more agitated.

“100%, y/n, I saw him on live video footage myself,” Greg replies and I sigh as I slump back into my chair.

“Maybe it’s a random act,” Sara comments and I immediately sit back up.

“Well, that’s possible because whoever staged the crime scene couldn’t have known that Nick was going to respond,” Catherine agrees and I shake my head in disbelief, even though I know what they’re saying is perfectly logical.

“Yeah, it’s just bad luck he did,” Warrick agrees from next to me, making my leg bounce more.

“Sara, what about the coffee cup?” Grissom asks as he sets his paperwork back on the table.

“No DNA or prints on the cup or in the bag,” Sara replies in a matter-of-fact tone. Just then, we hear some sort of commotion going on out in the lobby.

“Don’t touch the edge of it!!” We all hear Hodges scream.

“You got to sign…” another unknown voice yells out.

“Security! Security!” Hodges yells out again and Grissom’s the first to get up to his feet.

We all quickly follow behind him and he runs out to the lobby. Once in the lobby, we can see Hodges and a security guard fighting an individual who holds a package of some sort.

“Get your freakin’ hands off me, man!” The individual yells out as he fights the security guard.

Hodges clearly gets a hold of the package and moves over to the desk to inspect it. Grissom stops in the doorway, watching in confusion.

“Hey! I told you, you gotta sign for that!” The guy that’s still fighting security yells out.

“What are you doing, Hodges?” Grissom expertly asks what we’re all wondering as we watch from behind him.

“Guy comes in here with a package with no return address,” Hodges tries to explain as he tries to catch his breath.

“You’re violating my rights! I want a lawyer!” The delivery guy yells out as he continues to fight with security.

“Shut up!” Catherine admonishes him as she points at him and he does just that, looking shocked.

“Way the guy was pawing that envelope, I figured I better get it away from him before he wipes off all of the trace,” Hodges starts to explain himself again and Grissom looks at him, confused.

“What trace?” Grissom asks, confusion clear in his tone.

“Oh! It’s about Nick…” Hodges calms down right away as he breaks the news.

We all step forward when Grissom does only to see what it says on the envelope;

Crime lab

3057 Westfall AVE.

Las Vegas, NV 89109

RE: STOKES

Silence falls as I let out a small gasp when I see my own last name on the envelope. Warrick grabs me and pulls me into his side as Grissom puts gloves on. He then picks the package up very carefully and takes a second to look over the details before turning to Catherine. She opens her mouth like she wants to say something, but nothing comes out and she shakes her head.

“Let me do this,” Grissom says before pushing past us and walking off.

Nick’s Pov:

When I come to, I try to sit up but only end up hitting my head against a hard surface. I groan as I lift my hand to my head and it takes me a moment to realize where I am. When I do, I quickly jump and there’s a thud as my hand hits the top.

I look around me, trying to figure out what’s going on and find a glow stick. I grab it so I can get a better look around and soon start to breathe heavily before I feel around me some more, only to find my service weapon.

I grab it and bring it up to where I can see it. I pull the clip out and see it’s still full, making me sigh. I put the clip back in and cock the gun before setting it back down. I then pick the glow stick back up and look around some more before knocking at the glass.

I reach down to my side again and feel something else. Once again I pull it up so I can see what it is and it’s a tape recorder. I click the play button and at first it’s just static, but soon a voice is leaving me a message.

“Hi, CSI guy. You wondering why you’re here? Because you followed the evidence. Because that’s what CSIs do. So breathe quick, breathe slow, put your gun in your mouth and pull the trigger. Any way you like, you’re going to die here. Okay,” the voice explains and then the tape shuts off. I slowly start to try and break my way out, but when I can’t I scream only to start sobbing.

Y/n’s Pov:

We all watch through the window to the lab as he walks in and starts to feel around it. When he’s sure it’s not dangerous, he fully sets it down and grabs an x-acto knife. He carefully slices into the top before putting the knife down and picking up a flashlight.

He turns the flashlight on before holding the package open from the sides and peering into it. Confusion crosses his face before he empties the package onto the table and something falls out from it. We then watch as he looks for any sign of prints with the blue light.

Soon he’s waving us all in, but I freeze, not knowing if I want to go or not. Catherine stops when she realizes I’ve frozen before looking at me.

“You ok, y/n/n?” Catherine asks me, but I only shake my head.

“I don’t know…” I tell her as I stay frozen.

“Hey. Go ahead. I’ll get her to come, just… uhh, give us a sec,” Warrick tells Catherine and from the corner of my eye, I can see her nod before she walks off.

“Hey. I’m sure he’s fine. I promise you he’ll come home,” he tells me as he stands in front of me and holds both my shoulders.

“You can’t make a promise like that, Rick. You don’t know what’ll happen,” I argue back and he sighs before pulling me into another hug.

“I know I can’t. I’m sorry, but I will promise to do everything in my power to bring him home to you,” he informs me and I sigh before nodding against him.

“Come on. Let’s go get our boy back,” he says as he pulls back from the hug before pulling me along with him into the room where everyone stands.

They all watch as I walk in and I give a small smile to them before they all circle around me. Grissom holds up the tape he pulled out earlier and slides it carefully into a tape player. He presses play and we all listen to a few minutes of white noise before 60’s rock music starts to play.

♪ You can try to please me

But it won’t be easy

Stone walls surround me

I’m surprised that you even found me

And you don’t stand an outside chance

Don’t stand an outside chance

You don’t stand an outside chance

But you can try ♪

Outside chance by The Turtles is the song that plays and we all just listen for a good few minutes. We all intently wait for anything else that could help us find my husband, but the song continues to play on. I sigh in anger and Warrick puts his hand down to rub my back soothingly.

“Son of a bitch… he’s screwing with us,” Catherine curses out loud in anger, shaking her head.

♪ Whatever you do girl

You know you can’t get through girl

Can’t bring me down ♪

The music continues to play and I can’t help, but feel like it’s mainly me the song is taunting. I let out a sigh and Warrick again rubs my lower back to try and comfort me. Grissom then picks up the flash drive that was with the tape and turns to walk over to the desk behind him.

We all walk over with him and we watch him plug it in as the music continues to play in the background. After he plugs it into the computer, he opens the drive and words start to slide in from the left.

‘ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN 12 HOURS,’ is the first line, making me gasp quietly and again Warrick quickly pulls me into him, but I turn my head to watch the rest of the lines slide by.

‘OR THE CSI DIES.’ I gasp again and tears start to fill my eyes as it continues on.

‘DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS TO FOLLOW.’ It continues to have words in all caps slide across the screen.

‘AND NOW FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE…’ it reads and Warrick tries to get me to turn my head away, but I can’t bring myself to.

“YOU CAN ONLY WATCH,” it ends off with the watch seemingly looking like a link.

Grissom moves the mouse and clicks on the link, making us all watch with bated breath as it brings up the video. I let out a gasp when we see Nick pop up on the screen, he’s buried in a clear coffin box and clearly freaking out. The timer at the bottom of the screen clearly counts down, making me have to force myself to try and swallow, but the lump that seems to grow bigger and bigger stops me:

I push Warrick off me lightly and walk right up next to Grissom. I touch the computer screen with my thumb as tears make their way down my face. I feel Warrick put a hand on my shoulder and I close my eyes, not wanting to see his face contorting in fear any longer. I just stand there with my eyes closed for a moment as everyone else watches on in sadness. I take a deep breath hoping it’ll ground me, but it doesn’t work.

“Warrick, get her out of here. She doesn’t need to see anymore right now,” Catherine’s voice speaks up and I feel Warrick grab me lightly by the arm.

He drags me out into the hall and steadily holds me by the shoulders. He says something, but I don’t catch it in my panic mode and he gives me a small shake to break me out of it.

“Why don’t you go back to the break room. I’ll come check on you in a bit,” he tells me and I shake my head as I immediately sober up.

“No. I’ll be fine. Let me back in there,” I demand as I cross my arms across my chest.

“Sweets, are you-” he starts as he stands big and tall in my way, but I stop him as I hold up a hand, shaking my head.

“Let me back in there, Warrick… now…” I tell him as I cross my arms and put a scowl on my face.

“I don’t think-” Warrick starts, but I cut him off.

“Ok. So I had a moment of weakness, Rick. So what, that’s my husband on that live feed. It may be the last time I can fully see him. Please… I’m good now, I swear. If I get overwhelmed again, I promise I’ll go shower or something. Just… let me go back,” I beg him before casting my eyes down to the floor as they start to fill with tears again, but I will them away.

“Please… B…” I whisper out, still refusing to look up at him and he sighs, making me look up at him.

“Ok, but if it gets the slightest bit bad, you’re out of the room, got it?” he asks me and I nod with a small smile.

“Thank you, B…” I tell him as I walk over to him and reach up to give his cheek a kiss.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I know Nick would literally be sitting over there day or night if roles were reversed. Just don’t make me regret it,” he lightly jokes as he steps to the side to let me though and I shake my head.

“Wouldn’t think of it. Nick would have my butt for making you regret it anyway, ” I tell him as I pat his chest as I pass him and he chuckles lightly.

I walk back into the room just as they click on the watch link again and my smile instantly falls. I walk over next to Catherine and Warrick stops behind me, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder. Grissom now sits at a desk behind us all, writing something down.

“I don’t think he knows we can see him,” Catherine comments as we all continue to watch.

“How can we be sure it’s a live feed?” Sara asks as we all don’t take our eyes off the computer.

“We’ve got to assume that it is,” Warrick replies grimly and I feel him rub my shoulder ever so slightly.

“The space in that box looks like two by two by six, which would be 24 cubic feet. That would hold approximately 600 liters of air,” Grissom speaks up, getting all of our attention and making us turn to him to see him doing the math.

“If you figure half a liter per breath… slow breathing…” Grissom continues, but pauses to look at his watch.

“Maybe twelve breaths per minute. Panic breathing would be, what, twice that much,” Grissom analyzes more as he looks up at us, then back down to his paper.

“Well, if the math is right, he’s got about an hour and 15 minutes of air left in that box,” Grissom finishes off and we all turn back to the screen.

“But if they’re going to keep him alive for twelve hours, it must mean that he’s got an additional air supply,” Catherine adds on and we watch for a few more minutes until the video clicks back to the beginning page.

“We lost the feed,” Johnson, our tech guy who stands next to Sara, tells us and we all look confused for a moment.

Warrick pushes me slightly out of the way and grabs onto the mouse. He uses it to click on the WATCH again and the video pops up.

“Looks like a live feed to me,” Warrick comments. “I say we keep the light on,” he continues as we all watch on.

One by one, the others leave to try and learn more. Now it’s just me and Warrick sitting here, constantly clicking the link to watch it. Every once in a while, I find myself playing with my ring as well as the necklace that sits on my neck:

I switch off playing with my ring, spinning it around my finger over and over before letting it sit idle for a few minutes. Then I play with my necklace, moving it back and forth on my neck. I sigh and look down at my ring and I feel a hand land on my hand.

“Stop that. I know you’re worried, that’s what you do when stressed, worried or trying to hide something. Seeing as the situation is a little difficult, I’d say it’s definitely the first two, but the more you do it, the more you freak out,” Warrick tells me and I shake my head, letting a puff of air out.

“You’re right, I need to calm down…”I agree wearily and he nods.

“There ya go. He’ll be home and cuddled up in your bed with you before you know it,” Warrick practically wills it in his tone and I sigh.

“Maybe I should go-” I start, but pause when my phone goes off.

I pull it out of my pocket and the face lights up, showing me there’s a text. Opening it, I find a text from Catherine: His parents are here. Still wanna come in with me and Griss?

I frown lightly, but text back: Yeah, it’ll be helpful for his mom if I’m there. Which room are we doing it in? I’ll be there in a minute.

It’s only a minute later when she replies: We will be in the smaller meeting room.

When done reading the last text over, I let out a sigh and look at Warrick. He raises an eyebrow at me and I shake my head.

“It’s Catherine. She’s informing me that his mom and dad are here,” I explained and he nods before rubbing at his cheek.

“Go. Come find me if you need me after, ok? I’ll drop everything if you need me too,” he promises and I give him a small, sad smile. He gets up as I do and pulls me into a hug. I sigh and sink into his warmth for a moment before pulling away.

“Here I go. I’ll possibly see you after,” I tell him and he gives me a thumbs up.

“You got this, sunshine,” he encourages me and I give him a half smile as well as a small nod.

He turns back to the screen and I catch him grimacing before I turn around. I take one last sigh before starting to walk towards the small meeting room. When I get there, I can see Catherine and his parents just sitting down.

“Y/n. Hi, dear. How are you doing? You don’t look well,” his mother comments in a concerned tone as she gets up from her seat and comes over to hug me.

“Umm, honestly Jillian, I’m far from feeling fine. But maybe you should sit back down before me and Catherine tell you what’s happened,” I tell her as she pulls back from the hug and frowns at me.

“Of course, dear. If you think that’s best,” she agrees with me and together we walk over to the table.

She walks around and sits next to her husband and I sit across from her. I look at his dad and give him a soft smile.

“Y/n,” he greets with a firm head nod.

“Judge,” I greet back the same way.

“Where’s Griss?” I ask Catherine as I look around, not finding him.

“He had something to look into. He’ll be here in a few minutes,” Catherine explains and I nod, taking a gulp.

“Do you wanna break it to them or me?” she asks me and I nod.

“I guess I can,” I sigh before turning to look at his mom and dad.

“Mom…” I prompt as I pull my hand out and shakily hold it out to her.

“Judge,” I prompt after she grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze while I look at her husband, who nods firmly to me again.

“Nick’s been… kidnapped. They want one million dollars in twelve hours…” I explain and his mom immediately gets tears in her eyes.

“Ok. We can make that money. We have starter money right here,” his dad informs us as he holds up a yellow envelope.

“Do we at least know he’s safe? Y/n. Is my baby ok?” she asks me as she again squeezes on my hand.

“From what we’ve seen. I think he’ll be ok. If we can get to him,” I tell her and the room goes quiet for a moment.

“Bill…” his mom whispers as she lets go of my hand to hold onto his arm.

It stays quiet for a moment more before we see Grissom walking up to the door. He seems to just get off his phone before coming in as Catherine clears her throat.

“Judge Stokes, Mrs. Stokes. Gill Grissom,” Catherine introduces them as she motions to Nick’s mom and dad, then to Gill.

“Your honor. Mrs. Stokes. I’m… uh… sorry that we’re meeting under these circumstances,” Gill gives his condolences and I pull in a rough patch of air.

“Y/n. Honey. Come here,” his mother tells me as she holds her arms open.

I move my chair over to her and she pulls me into her arms. I hold back my sobs as much as I possibly can as she strokes my hair.

“Have you been able to make contact with the animals who took my son?” his dad asks Gill in a very straightforward tone.

“No, we haven’t yet, but… they should be contacting us in roughly four hours,” Catherine explains as Gill takes a seat next to her now.

“We were able to rustle up $20,000 cash. Our bank's prepared to wire another $100,000. Now we can sell the cars. We can hock the ranch... We can make the number, but it’s gonna take at least another day. We’ll do whatever we can to bring our boy home to his wife,” his dad explains his plan in a very detailed manner as a judge would.

“Judge Stokes-” Gill starts to try explaining.

“Can we give them the money we have now, try to buy more time?” His mom asks as she pushes the envelope towards Gill.

“Mom. Please listen to what Gill has to say,” I beg her and she nods as she stops pushing the money towards him.

“I don’t think that will help,” Gill tells her honestly and she sits back in her seat.

I take her hand that’s still around my shoulder and pull it to my front so I can hold it. She looks at me, confused for a moment, but I bite my lip as I nod my head back at Gill.

“There’s got to be something we can do,” his dad replies in disbelief that there’s nothing that he can do to help. He’s always been the one to rush in and save Nick from anything, whether it be his own mistake or not, making me roll my eyes.

“You’ve already done it by coming here, by showing your support for both Nick and y/n…” Catherine tries to explain and his mom squeezes my hand.

“We’re not here to show support. We’re here to get Nick home to us and his wife. Where he belongs,” his mom cuts in with an angry tone and I squeeze her hand softly as her voice falters at the end.

“We’re not sure who has your son… or why…” Griss tells them and his dad gives him a confused look.

“Well… what the hell do you know?” Judge asks in a borderline angry tone and I close my eyes for a moment.

“Judge, please…” I almost whimper out and he sighs before looking at Grissom.

“Very little…” Grissom answers his question and his mom squeezes my hand again.

“Let’s just cut to the gist. What proof do you have that my boy’s still alive?” he asks and I let out a sharp gasp along with his mom.

Catherine and Gill give each other serious looks as Nick's mom still holds onto me. I shake my head when I look at Gill, but it’s almost like he ignores it.

“Gill, don’t. They can’t see it. Jillian, tell them no. You don’t wanna see it,” I burst out, shaking my head as I frantically get up out of my seat.

“Y/n. You're ok. Calm down, it’s going to be ok,” Jillian is quick to stand up, coming over to me and pulling me into a hug.

“Y/n, honey, I think even if we don’t want to see it, we have to,” she tells me as she strokes my hair and I sniffle.

“Ok… I’m sorry. It’s just very hard to see…” I reply to her and she hums, nodding.

“No. Don’t be sorry, dear. You’re just trying to keep us from hurting more. We understand, but we have to see it,” she tells me and I sigh before pulling away from the hug.

“Ok. Griss, let’s show them,” I whisper out with a reserved nod. Grissom nods softly before standing along with Catherine as I walk back over.

“Judge. Mrs. Stokes, if you’ll follow me,” Grissom says as he looks at his dad and the Judge nods as I wrap my arms around myself.

We all walk back to the room that Warrick and I had sat in earlier. Grissom leads us over to the computer and he looks at Catherine for a moment.

“This might be a little hard to watch, like y/n said before, but it’s the only proof of life we have for you,” he explains to them and Jillian nods as she gets a little closer to her husband.

“We’re ready…” Bill tells him and Grissom nods solemnly before pressing the watch button. It goes completely quiet in the room.

Nick's face pops up on the screen again and I let out a shuddering breath. We watch for a few minutes as Nick keeps his arm over his eyes and away from the bright light. The countdown that beeps at the bottom of the screen stares at me, taunting me and it takes everything I have not to break down right away.

His mom freezes for a moment, tears filling her eyes before letting out a devastating grunt. She walks off just outside of the lab, but I can’t tear my eyes away quite yet. His dad watches on with me for a moment more.

“Oh, Pancho… what the hell you got yourself into?” Judge asks and that’s when I break.

I walk over with him to Jillian and he pulls her off the wall she’s leaning on and hugs her from behind. I stand there and can’t help, but wish Nick was here to do the same thing with me. She turns and looks at me for a moment before holding her arms open for me.

My lip wobbles slightly before I rush into the hug and she just holds me as her husband holds her. We stay that way for a while before I pull back and wipe at my cheeks.

“I’ll, ahh… see you guys later. I’ve gotta go find Warrick. You guys go home and we’ll update you as soon as we can,” I tell them and Jillian reaches back out for me.

“We’re not going home. Bill has a hotel for us to stay in. Y/n, you should come back with us,” she tells me and I shake my head.

“No. I’m ok. Really. I’ll text you when there’s something that comes up. Please just go try and sleep,” I tell her and she sighs.

“Ok, but please promise you’ll take care of yourself, dear,” she tells me and I nod as I purse my lips.

“I’ll do my best. I’ll text you, ok?” I promise one last time and when she nods in confirmation, I start to walk away.

I walk down a few halls and stop to lean against a wall when I feel like I’m going to puke. Once the feeling passes, I stand back up and continue on to find Warrick in the break room. I sigh and quickly rush over to him.

When he hears me enter, he puts his chips down and looks up at me before getting up to come over to me, pulling me into a much needed hug.

“Rick… he’s just so terrified… I’m terrified I won’t see him again…” I whimper out and he sighs.

“You’ll see him again, mamas. You will. Just gotta have hope. I don’t want you watching that video again unless I’m there, ok?” he asks and I sleepily nod against him.

He leads me over to the break room couch and together we sit down. He pulls me into a hug and just holds me as my whole resolve breaks. The last thing I remember before falling asleep from exhaustion and crying was him laying me down with a blanket over me.

To Be Continued…

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majesticwren · 2 years ago

Text

The Hanging Tree (Dean Ambrose | Jon Moxley x OFC)

Summary: Are you, are you comin' to the tree? Where they strung up a man, they say, who murdered three — She is on a path looking for war as her fate foretold. And he has war within him. Both, thirsty for vengeance, justice and blood.

Words: 15k. Trigger Warning/s: Toxic Display of Masculinity, Implied and not so Implied Harassment, Healthy Display of Masculinity, Sheamus is a Special Guest in this Chapter - and also SheamusxDrew it's Canon in my everything, do not come for me -, Fluff, Jealousy, Dean Acting Possessive and Dumb, Smut, Semi-Public Smut (?) - this time it's actually happening because I felt like writing it and the scene it's steamy, hi -, Dirty Talk, Threatening Behaviour and Harassment pt.2, Verbal Abuse, Violence, both Dean and Valkyrie are Unhinged by the end sorry not sorry Tags: my lovely @hirunoka and honorary mention to @literaryuppsala, thank you both for all the support 💕Let me know if you'd like to be added 🌻

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Chapter 7 - Oxytocin.

Part I.

Valkyrie was far from being used to that kind of world and lifestyle.

Yes, she knew what it meant to work with the stylists. Every time she was expected to go on ring, she was required to wear her full costume gear and makeup. But she always thought about that as preparing for battle. It wasn’t what she was used to back home, far from it, but it was as easy as getting used to the cameras always rolling. She understood what it meant to have a brand and to carry a character in everything, may that be fighting skills or costumes. She was legitimate and her fight was always true, it didn’t mean that she couldn’t get used to the spectacle of it.

But that evening was different.

That evening was made of champagne, limousine rides and red carpets. It was splendid and opulent, making her feel just like a Hollywood movie star, chased by the paparazzi, dressed to impress and ready for a scandal.

The gala was hosted inside an art gallery set up for the party. There were huge, glimmering, crystal chandeliers hanging from painted ceilings and small orchestra groups playing live in every room. The guests lingered around, chit-chatting and indulging in the drinks and food offered by the catering.

Every guest was dressed for the event. The men were wearing elegant tuxedos and polished shoes, while the women wore the most beautiful dresses in the most varied range of colours and shapes, all adorned by sparkly, precious jewels. All looking as beautiful as royalty.

Not every guest was a wrestler, she didn’t recognise many faces in the crowd, but between those who she did recognise she was so surprised to notice that even the roughest, angriest, most violent fighters were all polished and dressed up.

Valkyrie herself had to admit she felt like she was someone else, as she found herself floating in such a different reality from what she was used to. She could, for once, pretend to be just a princess. Her garments certainly carried such an impression.

She was wearing the most beautiful dress she had ever seen in her entire existence, made with the finest materials and greatest craftsmanship. It was the colour of stormy clouds hovering over agitated seas, made of tulle softly falling along her figure, enriched by sparkly, floral embroilments. The soft, elegant beauty of it was opposed by the harder-looking corset caging her torso, made to look like a piece of silvery armour, connected by many, thin, silvery chains to a chest and shoulder piece covered in silver and light blue rhinestones.

As soon as her stylist showed it to her, she was gone for it. Never in her life had she thought she could fall in love with a dress, and yet, she had to change her mind. Even if her team had set aside some other choices, there was no game, as soon as Valkyrie had seen it, that was it.

Wearing it around became her entire purpose and the only reason why she decided not to oppose going to the gala.

That was a dress that deserved to be worn, carried around, shown off and danced in.

Her look was finished with an elegant headpiece inspired by her ring costume. The two wings to the side of her head were made of real, white feathers covered in thin rhinestones that recalled the colours of her dress and makeup.

She felt invincible wearing it – and with no other problem whatsoever in her life but the drama she felt she needed to cause just because of it. To the point that even while parading in front of the cameras by the entrance of the gallery, she found herself posing. Her vanity and self-confidence had taken over, bringing her to feel the visceral need to be looked at.

By the time she stepped into the building, following the marble steps covered in a stream of red velvet, Valkyrie was literally glowing. She was the embodiment of ethereal beauty and she wasn’t afraid to show it.

Someone by the door passed her a leaflet containing the evening program and after that, Valkyrie was left to roam free the different rooms waiting for the gala dinner to start.

She didn’t know enough people to have interest in mingling so she decided to take that chance to explore the art that place had to offer since it was on display for them.

It was a good enough way to spend time, blending into the crowd and enjoying how alive her surroundings felt. Life could be felt flowing in every room. It was in the soft classical music and in the loud chattering and murmuring of the crowd, broken by the occasional distant burst of laughter. It was in the noise of flutes clinking or bottles popping, and in the smell of canapés. In every corner the air was so charged with energy, it was inebriating.

For once, being submerged by such display of life, Valkyrie found herself grateful to be there to witness it.

A small sigh left her chest and a tranquil smile nested on her lips as she observed the shameless brush strokes on a painting representing a young beautiful naked woman lost in the arms of a knight.

Valkyrie dared to look at the details of the painting, only in appearance supposed to picture a soft, secret moment between lovers. She knew exactly how the woman in the painting must have felt, with a hot, running heart and heavy, empty loins. Breathless and abandoned to the will of her chosen one. Passion was wild, not sweet, it was something that paintwork couldn’t hide.

“You should definitely dress like this all day, every day,”

A shiver crossed her back, making her jerk. Her eyelids immediately fell heavier on her eyes as she naturally moved towards that voice. It wasn’t even the familiar warmth of his tone that got her, it was his sudden closeness as if he had just materialised from the very fabric of her fantasies.

Dean stood just behind her, so close it was dangerous and prohibited, but also electrifying. She left any trace of common sense at the hotel room. It was a lost battle even before she started it. So, she quickly decided there and then that she had no intention to fight either him or the warm desire already distending under her skin, making her stomach curl and her heart flatter.

She decided to blame the dress.

“All day?” She wondered, sending him a playful look, not even trying to hide what was supposed to be concealed in the flirty sarcasm in between her words.

And Dean was ready to bite. “Well-” his eyes became darker, his gaze sharper, as he looked at her in such a direct, shameless way, making her feel naked under his eyes, “maybe not.”

Valkyrie took a long moment to study his figure. He was astonishingly handsome, more beautiful than he had ever been before, so polished and elegant. And he knew it. There was extreme confidence, maybe a touch of arrogance too, in the way he stood, willingly basking under her eyes. No trace of timidity. He looked like a dream, with his hair pulled back and face clean-shaven, and with his black tux fitting his fame perfectly.

His charm hit her like a thick wave, washing over her and dragging her down towards him. There was no escape. There was no solace, no peace.

It wasn’t that she had forgotten all the reasons why they shouldn't have been together. It was that she didn't care.

The dress made her selfish and inconsiderate. It made her reckless. And she desperately wanted to be lost in his arms just like the woman in the painting.

She didn't even try to fight it because she knew she wouldn't have won. And it was just much sweeter to raise her white flag from the beginning, with no losses or suffering.

Valkyrie unashamedly ran a hand on the satin collar of his jacket. “You too, by the way. You look breathtaking.”

“You’d want me to wear this crap all day, every day?”

“Oh, yes,” Valkyrie pretended to brush something off his shoulder only to get the chance to lean closer to him and whisper in his ear, “I’d want you to fuck me all day, every day, in these clothes.”

“You’d like that, uh?” His cocky smirk was so handsome she pardoned his arrogance.

She bit down on her lower lip giving him a long, slow look. “I would, baby.”

Dean rolled his eyes, purring, not even doing as much as trying to hide how much he was wrapped around her finger. “Tell me, how am I supposed to stay away from you?”

“Maybe you shouldn’t.” She dared to openly challenge him.

Dean just looked at her, hesitating only a moment, before releasing a soft hiss, and turning away. “You're such a tease. You’re driving me insane.” His deep voice was soft but vibrated under a shiver that made him squeeze his fists. Dean took a step back.

Valkyrie smiled, extremely satisfied by his words. She enjoyed imagining that what was bothering him was his extreme attempt to try and keep his hands off her.

Gods, she wanted him to lose his control so badly.

“I mean it.” She dared, fighting against the need to slide closer to him. Instead, she looked around, only to make sure they weren’t attracting attention.

Thankfully they were blending well in the crowd. It was easy to feel like they were hidden and unseen when they were covered by the strangers surrounding them.

Her words attracted Dean’s attention and, as she caught the look he shot her, they both stood looking at each other for a very long moment.

Studying his features, Valkyrie could see his uncertainty breaking through, softening his ego. And with that, she was under the impression he could be holding his breath.

“I thought you were set on your decision.”

“I still want you to ruin me, Dean. Maybe I don’t want to fight against it anymore.”

“Against what?”

He hung from her lips. There was no reason for her to explain further, but he clearly wanted to hear her say it.

“I can’t fight how much I need you.” She said it as if that was the easiest thing to reveal. As if it was so obvious and predictable.

Dean broke eye contact. He puffed his chest as his gaze moved all around them. He was making sure they were still unnoticed. He was looking out for her. The idea that he could still be protecting her best interest, still respecting whatever wish she expressed when she pushed him away, despite hurting him, made her fall to her knees for such a man.

“You only ever need to ask.” He finally said, sliding his sharp gaze on her.

The blue of his irises was darkened. The way he looked at her made her blood boil.

“Well, consider it a request, then.”

“Who are you and what did you do to my Eir?” He wondered, jokingly. His sudden soft sarcasm broke the tension raising between them.

Valkyrie didn’t even know why or what got into her. And it didn’t matter. All the reasons why she pushed him away didn’t mean anything now, it was as if it was all so unimportant. She knew she had to protect him. And she intended to keep doing it. But it didn’t seem as important as being close to him.

She needed him desperately, but her desire wasn’t only physical. Which was both the problem and the dealbreaker.

She wanted his noble heart. She wanted his wild soul. She wanted his ravaging madness. She wanted him and everything he was and represented. Spending a moment longer pretending they were strangers was like withering slowly.

The truth was that missing him was more painful and scarier than the idea of putting him in danger. All the ifs and maybes that kept floating in her mind, gnawing at her brain and heart, never leaving her a second of peace, made it impossible for her to actually find a good reason to justify spending another second away from him.

“Valkyrie! There you are!”

She was startled by a third voice that broke in between them. Dean too froze. With a soft gasp, she looked around, slightly alarmed.

As she focused on Sylvia, who stood by them, Valkyrie felt a shot of annoyance vibrate through her chest as she tried her best not to growl like a beast against the woman. Though she didn’t stop herself from rolling her eyes.

She knew what was to come, and she had to think about a smart way to wiggle her way out of that situation very quickly. Though, when she was the victim of her emotions, Valkyrie was rarely smart. Her instinct was stronger than her brain.

“Hi, Sylvia, what is it?”

“I need to introduce you to someone,” the woman explained briefly just before she looked at Dean, scrutinizing his look from head to toe. “And Ambrose,” Sylvia’s features bent under pure contempt, “I barely recognised you.”

Dean winked at her, pulling the cockiest smirk. “Even us lunatics are allowed to dress up, sometimes.”

“Yeah-” Sylvia was still looking up and down at him, “a tie doesn’t cover up craziness.”

Valkyrie ground her teeth, instinctively stepping in front of Dean, letting her protective side show. She even pushed a hand on his chest, sliding her fingers under his jacket, asserting possession and intimacy over him. “That’s more than enough.”

Sylvia sent her a judgemental look. “What do you think you’re doing? I thought the problem was taken care of.”

“Oh, I did take care of it.”

Valkyrie wasn’t thinking clearly. She was driven by her emotions, feeling the need to rebel against the constrictions that she had been put under. And that most definitely wasn’t the smartest thing to do.

Turning towards Dean and grabbed him by the tie, pulling him into a kiss.

It was freeing. And it was selfish. It was like she had something to prove. And, at the same time, it was like breaking all the rules, even against her own better judgement, taking what she wanted. What she deserved.

Because she wasn't only kissing him to be mischievous or to get a reaction from Sylvia doing something so prohibited and frowned upon. She was kissing him because it was what she wanted to do. She was kissing him for the simplest reason of them all: he made her happy. He filled her world. He gave her purpose.

Spending another second denying it was a terrible waste of time.

Maybe she would have regretted it in the morning. But it didn't matter, she was ready to go through another heartbreak, even if it meant hurting him again. If that was the case, she would have welcomed the known loneliness and pain like an old friend.

Dean didn’t oppose her. He was surprised at first, but his lips were extremely welcoming. His hands easily found her hips, sliding across the sides of her corset. Although she really wanted it, she didn’t give him the chance to wrap her in a hug. With her point proven, she gave him a little push, turning towards Sylvia.

A satisfied, chaotic smile curled her lips. “So, who do I need to meet?”

Sylvia was shocked and offended as her eyes jumped from her to Dean and back. The anger rising behind her eyes was only a tickle on Valkyrie’s skin.

She turned to Dean, bending elegantly. Still brushing a hand on his chest in an unashamedly personal way, she offered him a warm, honest smile. "Find me later?"

"You bet, angel." He winked at her, bending his head, giving her a glimpse of a smile full of dimples.

Thinking about it, she didn't have to follow Sylvia.

She didn't have to be there at all. She had about a million ideas to better fill her time with things to do with and to Dean, than spending a minute longer at the gala.

That was the moment Sylvia grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away as if she read her thoughts on her face.

"What are you doing with him, Valkyrie?"

"Wasn't it obvious? Want me to be more specific? ‘Cause I can be." She didn't even think to be polite. Holding her tongue wasn't something she was used to doing.

And not in front of Sylvia. Whatever power she thought she had over her it was nothing compared to what Valkyrie was and could do.

"You can't be with Ambrose. I thought we talked about this-"

Valkyrie stopped their march, pulling herself off Sylvia's grip.

The look she lowered on the woman was as cold as ice, detached, severe and extremely violent. "Say anything bad about him and I swear to all the Æsir that I will hurt you in unhuman ways." Her gaze was lit by the anger of her warning.

"Why are you fighting me? I'm trying to do what's best for you, you foolish girl."

To Sylvia's grumbling, Valkyrie raised her head and widened her shoulders looking dangerous. "I am not a girl. I am a Valkyrie. I am a deity. Do not forget that. I will do what’s best for me. And you? You can leave any time if you don’t like it.”

“This is not a matter of liking it. I know you take things personally, but, at the end of the day, you are doing a job. It’s business.”

“Great. Then let’s keep it professional, shall we?” Valkyrie raised a hand in the air, taking control over the situation. “Stay out of my personal life. Who I decide to share my bed with it’s not your concern. Whether I decide to get personal with Dean is not your concern. And you better keep your opinions about him to yourself. I care deeply about him; do just as much as give him the side eye and I won’t be happy. Are we understood?”

Finally, as Valkyrie spoke, Sylvia lowered her eyes. Her nod was quick, but firm.

Before the woman would even begin to say anything apologetic or otherwise, Valkyrie raised her chin.

“Back to business then, who do you want me to meet?”

Sylvia looked suddenly nervous about it, looking around and fidgeting with her little purse, swinging her weight from one foot to the other. “A possible investor.”

“Ok,” Valkyrie did her best to appear as relaxed as she could. Her fair features softly distended as she slid her hands on her tulle skirt as if she was ironing it out, in reality, she was only trying to rise above. Feeling the dress helped give her confidence. “Why?”

“He is a fan. He is looking into supporting you, but he’d really like to meet you first.”

“Here we go again with the show horse business I guess.”

“Uh?”

“Nothing. Fine, let’s go then. Bring me to him.”

Part II.

Valkyrie had regretted every single one of her choices the second she realised what it meant to go and meet said investor.

Sylvia was all over him for the very valid reason of how much money he could, potentially, pour into her name and into the company. He was there, that evening, for that specific reason – as he had said himself multiple times, gloating about how rich he was – he was going to donate a big sum to the charity, but, more importantly, by his own words, he wanted to get the chance to meet his wrestling heroes.

So, very quickly into the first few moments of introductions, it was made very clear to Valkyrie that she was not only expected but required to spend the evening by his side. And she was to enjoy it.

They had even put her sitting next to him during the dinner event.

She should have left with Dean the moment she thought about it. She could have been rolling in the sheets with him, right now, being lost in unconditional pleasure. Or they could have spent their evening running around town wearing their gala looks, talking about their lives and eating disgusting, greasy food. Whatever her mind decided to fantasise about, was much, much sweeter than being pushed into spending the rest of the evening with some other guy only to basically sell herself to him.

He wasn’t even pleasant. He was loud and full of himself, and not in a good way. Every time he spoke, he expected people to pay attention to him because he was convinced whatever he was saying was of the most importance. He made jokes that weren’t funny but liked to see people laughing around him. He kept using his riches as a valid personality trait to impress everyone when the only thing Valkyrie felt was boredom.

She had met farmers with more valuable hearts and minds than him, or more humble kings.

The worst part of it all was that he seemed to be under the assumption to have conquered her. He dared to touch her every now and then, may that be brushing his fingers on her arm or fully placing a hand on her back, never once asking permission. And many were the inappropriate comments he sent her way. He acted as if he owned her already.

Which didn’t help his case. Valkyrie had decided she didn’t want to have anything to do with such a person. She didn’t need his money or publicity. Not when it meant he was under the impression he could control her.

She would have already left, if it hadn’t been for the fact that he threatened multiple times to sue Sylvia and her entire team since he had paid a lot of money to get the privilege to spend that evening with her.

It’s not like she couldn’t leave anyway. She surely wasn’t scared of such an insignificant man. But she didn’t want other people to be in trouble. He certainly looked like the kind of man who would wreak havoc if wronged.

She thought she just needed to get through the evening, hoping to be rescued, somehow.

She held a thin glass filled with a mocktail in between her fingers, boringly looking over to the centre of the large dining room where, after dinner had been served, a big space was created so people could dance elegantly, following the orchestra, waiting for the charity announcements to start.

“And that’s when I told them that I didn’t care if the Queen of England wanted that piece for her collection, I was the one who would have won it. And now there’s a priceless statue embellishing my living room.” His chest was so puffed up she thought he could explode.

But that would have been good for her. Sweet release.

The man looked at her like he was expecting something from her, so just then Valkyrie realised that she was supposed to answer in some way. With a little delay to be a natural response, she pushed a fake smile out, pretending to be impressed. “That is incredible! Must be a hell of a view.”

“You know,” he began, daring to slide closer to her. He pulled an arm on the back of her chair, wrapping it around her shoulders, resting his hand on the other side of her. She froze, realising she was caged and couldn’t move away without risking causing a scene. “I could show it to you.”

“Show me?”

“Yeah. The statue. In my living room. I think you’d like it.” His gaze became suddenly turbid. The way he looked at her made her feel so dirty she needed a shower.

Valkyrie had to push the disgust deep down inside of her not to risk gagging in his face.

“And I think there would be other things you might like,” he wasn’t done, even when his point was perfectly clear.

Funny how she would have let the right man whisper to her ear the most horrid, degrading, perverted things he wanted to do to her and be desperately turned on. But just as easily, the wrong man could only attempt and succeed to disgust her.

“I am sorry, I don’t think I understand.” She pretended to be naïve, only in the hope that he would think about what he was doing and stop. Valkyrie moved back a bit, trying to find some space from him.

“Oh, c’mon. You know what I mean,” the smile he was giving out was as confident as it was disgusting. Unbelievable that he could think women could fall for such behaviour at all. “I’ve never been with a woman like you. So big and strong.” Somehow his words didn’t sound like a compliment at all. The look he traced across her figure made her want to vomit. “I’d love to add you to my collection.” He traced a circle on her shoulder with his index.

Valkyrie was shaken by a cold shiver. It sounded like he was ready to fuck her in a despicable way, and she wasn’t at all allowed to enjoy it, just to then store her on a shelf for the rest of eternity. That time she didn’t hide her disgust. That was the moment she thought a line was crossed.

She pushed a hand out, moving away from him, and turned her head away breaking eye contact, clearly imposing a solid wall between them. “No. I don’t think so.”

“Well, why not?”

“This is inappropriate,” she pleaded at first, trying to be as polite as possible, “please, stop.”

“The hell I’m going to stop. Do you like being chased, uh? Fine.”

“No, Mr Malone. Believe me when I say in the politest way possible that I am not interested.”

“Why? Are you into chicks or something?”

She jerked to his question fighting against the need to slap him. “It is not your concern, sir.”

“Because it can be arranged. If you rather be with a woman, I’d be happy to watch.”

Valkyrie looked around, the sudden frost of panic flooding her blood. Their table was empty, all the other couples had gone dancing or mingling. And no one else seemed to be close enough, or paying attention to them, to notice she was in desperate need of being rescued.

“I said no, Mr Malone.” This time, there was no space for politeness.

He chuckled. She could have been honking like a goose right now, it wouldn’t have made a difference to his understanding.

“Do you think a no had stopped me before?”

An icy shard crossed her heart. Valkyrie lost colour in her face as the implication of his words became knowledge and vivid images in her mind.

Though fear didn’t freeze her, it lit her up. Her disgust quickly became anger as she snapped.

Valkyrie turned quickly and grabbed him by the neck, unconcerned about their surroundings and the fact that people could have seen her acting inappropriately. She clutched her fingers around his throat, squeezing the air out of his lungs and pushing her nails deep into his flesh.

“I swear to all the Gods that men like you deserve the worst curses. If a no doesn’t stop you, how does the promise of cutting your dick clean off sound?”

Fear shot through his eyes as he tried to fight her off. But Valkyrie didn’t give in. She gave him a shake, leaving his neck only to grab him by the jaw, squeezing his features in her palm. She pulled closer to him only to dangerously bare her teeth to his face.

“I am the biggest shark in here, so do not dare to think for one moment I owe you anything, little man.” She pushed him off, snarling to his face like a rabid animal, “and fucking learn how to talk to a woman.”

He pulled away from her. The horrified look he shot her made her lips bend in a satisfied smile.

“Y-you will regret this.”

“Will I?” Her gaze became dark and dangerous, “Careful there with your threats." She hissed like a snake.

Then, the air moved around her.

As if her Gods finally decided to grace her, they sent a hero her way.

A big shadow stood behind her. She didn’t need to see the man to notice Malone's eyes raise behind her all the way across his figure. As he appeared even more scared, then she began to relax against her chair.

A couple of big hands slid on her shoulders in a protective hold. "You may want to go and grab a breather, fella."

Valkyrie would have recognised that accent anywhere.

Sheamus stood behind her imposing but calm, as usual.

A soft smile crossed her lips as she released a sigh, gently giving him a grateful pat on the wrist.

"Why would I listen to you, mate?"

"Because," Sheamus slid a hand in front of Valkyrie, encouraging her to take it and get up. She did, following his move blindly, exchanging a brief look with the Irishman. He pushed her gently behind his back, just then puffing up his chest appearing as big and as dangerous as he could be, "I'll be the one who breaks your jaw if you don't."

Valkyrie wrapped her hands around his big arm, smiling satisfied. "I'd be happy to watch." She teased, leaning her chin on Sheamus' shoulder as she looked towards Malone.

He appeared utterly offended by their behaviour as if they were the ones who'd been disrespectful.

Malone got up from his chair but, instead of listening to Sheamus' friendly suggestion, he pointed a finger at Valkyrie's face, actively crossing her. Though, before he could say anything vaguely threatening, Sheamus snapped. Grabbing his hand, he tore his finger purposely hurting him.

"Got something to say to me?" Sheamus barked, giving him a strong shake.

As Malone squeaked, many were the pair of eyes set upon them. Some people in the crowd immediately closer to them even gasped.

The man's eyes slid on Valkyrie, filled with hatred, which set Sheamus off even more. He stepped forward, completely covering her with his body. "Don't even look at her. I swear to God I'll break your finger, fella."

"OK, OK! Fine! Let me go!" As Malone begged, Sheamus gave him another shake before pushing him away.

"Fuck off, before I get really angry."

Surprisingly, Malone listened and left. Defeated and pissed off, but he left. The further away he got, the easier it became for Valkyrie to breathe.

Something told her that wouldn't have been the last of him she would have seen.

As soon as Sheamus faced her, she pulled him into a hug, releasing a relieved sigh against his shoulder. "Thank you."

The Irishman chuckled, gently cradling her into his arms with the confidence of a dear friend.

She didn't like many people, but Sheamus she liked very much. He was a very close friend of hers and she cared about him.

Differently from any other bond she installed in the company, Sheamus wasn’t a warrior her Gods sent her to help but someone who intervened and helped her first. They became very close ever since to the point she had asked for his help even if he didn’t owe her any favours.

"When did you get here?" She wondered distancing herself just enough to look him in the eye.

Even despite the fact that she was a very tall woman and wearing heels, he still towered over her.

He pulled the warmest of smiles looking at her with his gentle blue eyes. "Just this afternoon."

Valkyrie gave him a good look, studying his figure, handsome features and clothes. He was wearing a tartan grey suit with a loose white shirt open on his pale chest, showing the golden Celtic cross he was wearing around his neck.

"Gods, look at you."

Sheamus blushed, chuckling as he looked down at himself. "Yeah? Is it not too penguin-looking?"

"It's not." She was still checking him out, just to underline her words.

He nodded, gratefully taking the compliment and puffing his chest up. Then, he pointed at her. "Well, hate to point out the elephant in the room, but you look fucking stunning, as usual." He pulled a deadly wink that had the ability to make her blush. "Much better than me' old arse tightened in this suit."

She even dared to bend over to have a look, only to nod in approval. "No. Your arse is perfectly fine."

They both laughed, only for Valkyrie to drag him in another tight hug. "It's so good to see you, I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, lass."

He had been off for a few weeks due to an injury and it felt like they hadn't seen each other for years. So many things had happened.

She wasn't even sure she was the same woman he had known before.

But Gods life had been lonely and difficult without his presence and guidance. Sheamus had always been a ray of sunshine in the dark for her and possibly one of the few, if not the only, that she had been trusting since the very beginning.

"So," he began, breaking the hug only to slide a heavy arm around her shoulders, "I wasn't here to look after your sorry arse so you thought to cause all sorts of problems, uh?"

Valkyrie giggled. Next to him, she felt like a little girl, there was something in the Irishman charm that she always had a weakness to.

"Well, please, don't put it that way."

"Ya' sure don't have many friends. What's that business with Randy?"

"Ah, nothing really. He got sour about me winning a match against him and now he wants another match to prove something."

"OK, but there's real beef between you two."

"He started it."

"That is weird. Not like him at all."

"Do you know him well?"

"Well, as good as I know a colleague but I wouldn't trust him with my life. But he is not a bad guy."

"He is being an ass. Professional about it up to the point he called me names."

"Did he really?"

"Just once." She froze, rolling her eyes. "Ok. I did my thing, I helped someone he was attacking, and he got upset because I've won."

"Yeah, we'll get to Ambrose in a minute," Sheamus pointed a finger to her face, wiggling it like he was going to scold her, except he was badly hiding a sarcastic smile, "don't you think that because I wasn't here, I don't know all the gossip."

She still blushed violently, trying to avoid his look, barely able to contain a timid smile. That was pure emotion on display as only talking about Dean made her heart flutter.

"Yeah. Look at you, I thought I was the only one able to make you blush and giggle like a lassie."

Valkyrie looked up at him, pulling a cocky smirk. "You do make me blush."

"Ah, but Ambrose surely has better tricks up his sleeve, uh?"

"That he does." Her lips bent tenderly only thinking about him.

Sheamus shook his head, raising his eyes to the ceiling. "Damn, I leave for a month and my favourite girl gets snatched. Unbelievable."

"You should have made your move sooner, old man."

"Yeah? And leave Drew to run away with you?"

"Yep. Or, give you one better, no need to leave Drew behind." She dared to wink. "I'm perfectly fine running away with the both of you."

"Sure you are."

No one else had the privilege to see her under such light. No other human being made her feel so comfortable and relaxed to grant her the possibility to be as warm and as flirty, knowing she didn't have to think about consequences, as it was with him.

She felt extremely comfortable with Drew as well, Sheamus' boyfriend and their colleague, they both were like family to her. But with Sheamus, there was a different, deeper level of understanding.

"You are a menace. I hope Ambrose knows he is up for a ride."

"Oh, he knows." To the smirk she offered, Sheamus chuckled, shaking his head.

"C'mon, lass, tell me everything. What did I miss?" Pulling one of his bright smiles that made his blue eyes glimmer, Sheamus sat heavily on the chair previously occupied by Malone.

Surprisingly how easily she forgot about him since Sheamus arrived.

"Well," She sat next to him, ready to start diving into all the details of her new situation, especially looking forward to having his advice about all her doubts.

His words would have been the only ones she considered listening to.

Part III.

"So, he doesn't know?" Sheamus was hanging on the edge of his seat, captured by her storytelling.

Valkyrie shook her head. "No. He knows some, but he doesn't know the entire thing." She fidgeted with the thin tulle sleeve of her dress. "Do you think I should tell him?"

Sheamus sighed, taking a long second to think about it. "It's difficult. I mean, it is the reason I haven't told Drew."

"Yeah. I know perfectly well he would want to help,"

"And that is the problem."

"Also, Dean is a bit-"

"Crazy?"

"Unpredictable." She corrected him as both smirked, knowing exactly what she meant. "I do not want to put him in danger."

"But he has the right to know."

"Do you think?"

"Well, you clearly can't keep pushing him away. Especially since he played a trick on you or something and you don't seem inclined or able to stay away."

"Well, that's true," without even thinking about it she raised her eyes to the crowd as if she hoped to find him easily in the people surrounding them.

"I don't think he should stay in the dark for long if you two are involved. With Drew, it's different because if you chose to tell him, I'd respect your choice, it is your business after all."

"I wouldn't do such a thing to you."

"But you get what I mean."

"Yeah. I do." A sigh left her chest.

"You like the man very much, don't you?"

Valkyrie felt like she couldn’t hide from his look so she just nodded. Her raw emotions were so clearly visible on the edge of her reddened cheekbones and glimmery eyes. “I do. He makes me feel alive.”

Sheamus looked at her with such pride shining through his eyes. He leaned closer to pinch her cheeks, offering a soft smile. “Looks to me you’re falling for him.”

She hid a timid smile behind her hand, biting softly on her knuckles. She was indeed falling for Dean. No safety measures and no interest in the consequences. They had no future and she didn’t care. Not until he could be her present.

“He better not waste your love because I swear on your Gods and mine, I will skin him alive.”

Valkyrie shook her head quickly, grabbing on his hand and giving him an encouraging squeeze. He was the only man she would have accepted such behaviour from. She didn’t like to be protected or be treated like she couldn’t take care of herself, but Sheamus had that privilege. Only because she knew his behaviour was dictated by his affection and not an attempt to undervalue her.

“There’s no need. His heart is extremely noble.”

Sheamus chuckled, shaking his head. “So, when will I meet him?”

“Ah-” Before she could think about something quick and witty to respond to avoid such situation, her attention got caught by the tall and large man wearing an elegant, full-kilt suit walking towards them. His blue eyes were both gentle and piercing, made even clearer by the dark edges of his long, curated beard and tied black hair.

“Incoming,” she announced, directing Sheamus's attention to the man approaching them, trying her best to hide a relieved sigh.

Before Sheamus could turn, Drew was already sliding a hand across his wide shoulders, pressing a quick kiss on his temple. They both moved like Sun and Moon, attracted by an invisible, undeniable magnetism.

“I should have imagined that you would kidnap him.” Drew’s strong Scottish accent bent his sarcastic words into a charming tone.

Valkyrie melted into a warm smile, immediately getting up to hug him. “Hi,” she let the man squeeze her between his arms as she pressed a quick kiss on his cheek as if that was supposed to make everything ok, “sorry. He didn’t mention you were waiting for him.”

“Of course, he didn’t,” Drew sent Sheamus a disappointed, sarcastic look, followed by a sharp smirk, “when it’s you he just forgets about the world.” Drew then pretended to be extremely dramatic, pushing the back of his hand on his forehead. “I am just the forgotten wife, never the chosen woman.”

“Are you done talking bullshit, man?” Sheamus chuckled, giving Drew a quick tug, pulling him close enough to pat his side.

“I promise you can take him back; we are done catching up.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Drew sent them both a look before offering her his hand, bending slightly like a true gentleman. “So why don’t we make him jealous with a dance, princess?”

“And leave him all alone here to entertain himself?”

“He’s good at that.” He whispered, sending her way a wink and a smirk that had nothing clean to them. The meaning of his words was obvious.

Valkyrie chuckled, taking then his hand, sending Sheamus a quick, playful look. “Well then,”

“Hey, where’s my dance? I was here first!”

“As usual, you’re too slow making your move, old man.”

As she giggled lightly, blowing Sheamus a kiss, she let Drew drag her to the middle of her dancefloor.

As they danced, his steps were easy to follow. He was an extremely skilled dancer and quite comfortable leading, making her accept his moves with ease. Over the classical music, it was easy to exchange some words and jokes.

It was a good moment to catch up with a friend and she appreciated the warmth and company Drew offered.

“I love that man, but he has been fucken insufferable pain in the arse for the past four weeks I swear.”

Valkyrie giggled, so clearly able to imagine Drew’s words as true. “Has he been a nightmare?”

“Yeah- think about someone unable to stay still after surgery, despite doctor’s orders, always trying to overdo it to prove he is in shape, only risking to injure himself worse. The immediate day after I found him trying to put together a set of shelves we had forgotten about for weeks – yet suddenly it was a priority.”

“Sounds like Sheamus to me.”

“That damn stubborn Irish.”

“So, what’s the situation now? I am sure if I’ll ask him, he’ll lie not to worry me.”

“He is ok now. He has been cleared to come back but he can only attend and show his face here and there for now. No fights.”

Valkyrie sent him a sceptical look, raising her eyebrow, looking back towards the Irishman still sitting at her table, enjoying looking at them from afar. “We are talking about Sheamus here.”

“Yeah, I am aware.” Drew released a sigh, rolling his eyes, badly hiding an amused smile. “Had to threaten him with the big guns.”

“Which are?”

Drew made her spin, only to wink at her once he faced her again. “If he gets into a fight, I won’t have sex with him.”

Valkyrie broke into a genuine giggle, shaking her head. “You would immediately cave.”

“You are right. Let’s hope he doesn’t know.”

Valkyrie gave him a quick pat on the shoulder. “He most definitely knows.”

As they looked back to Sheamus, Valkyrie pressed her forehead against Drew’s chin, enjoying seeing how tender and yet hot Sheamus’ gaze was on his companion.

“Guess I am fucked.” Drew revealed with a defeated sigh.

Valkyrie made him look back at her, gently pressing her hand on his cheek. “Oh, hush you. Stop pretending it would be torture.”

Valkyrie giggled loudly as Drew made her spin again. That was the moment her attention got dragged back to Sheamus, she wanted to make it clear they were talking about him only to tease him, but her warm smile got wiped off as soon as she realised he wasn’t alone anymore.

She froze as soon as she recognised the man standing in front of him. Black elegant suit, hair the colour of copper pulled back on his head and darkened by the gel, blue eyes as dangerous as sharp razors.

Dean looked like he was ready for a fight.

“Oh, God-” she whispered arresting the rhythm she and Drew were elegantly spinning around with. As soon as she saw Sheamus getting up from his seat, shoulders tensed and confrontational look, she slipped away from Drew’s arms, quickly marching towards them.

“Is that-?” The Scot began, but before he could continue, she cut short his question.

“Let’s not have our boyfriends brawl tonight, shall we? Give me a hand.”

As she instructed, Drew nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I’d really love not to vote for my abstinence so soon.”

Valkyrie ignored his joke, appreciating the fact that he kept his questions for later.

“What is your problem, big fella? Afraid of a bit of competition? You shouldn’t treat her like she is your material. That’s objectifying-”

Valkyrie sent Sheamus a quick, warning look, even if it was completely ignored by the Irishman. She wondered why did he have to be such a hothead. Not that Dean was any better, because he was ready to snap.

“I’ll fuck you up in ways that will make your mother hope she had never given birth to your sorry, ginger ass.”

Before the situation could get worse, both Valkyrie and Drew intervened.

As he slid his big hands over Sheamus’ chest, pulling him back, trying to whisper soothing things to his ear, warning him to stop, Valkyrie stepped in between them catching Dean before he could step over the edge.

She cupped his face in her palms, gently but firmly pulling him towards her. “Look at me,” as her first order was completely ignored and Dean’s blood only appeared to boil wilder, she gave him another tug, “Baby, look at me.”

The moment his crazed look slid on her, as her voice finally came through to him, Dean seemed to immediately calm down. To help it, she slid her thumbs on his cheeks. “Don’t. Please, Dean-”

He inhaled a deep breath, trying to do his best to gather control, enough to pull her hold off himself and take a step back. Now his anger was directly pointed at her. But Valkyrie didn’t let him get lost in his wild feelings. She grabbed him, pulling him away. “Come with me.”

Her tone was firm but inviting as she was determined to take him somewhere quiet where she could have explained to him the situation. She was done having secrets and misunderstandings with him. Especially for something as stupid as that situation could be.

She didn’t keep herself from sending a crossed look directly to Sheamus over Dean’s shoulder. She had a massive what the fuck printed all over her face, which brought Drew to smile on Sheamus’ face. “That wasn’t a happy bunny. You’ll definitely owe her an explanation.”

“Me?! He came for me!”

Before she could lose her patience, Valkyrie shrugged, doing her best to ignore what was going on in the background and pushing her anger and shame down, burying it inside of her just enough to get away from the public eye.

She was dealing with literal children.

Gods, why was she the one who had to go through so many curses? Wasn’t being stuck on Midgard enough?

Why would Sheamus misbehave in such a way, openly challenging Dean even knowing how short his temper was? Especially since he had already started the conversation without being amicable? Because Dean wasn’t the friendliest of people, clearly.

Surely, she would have had time to face Sheamus later, for now, she had more important things to deal with. Because she couldn’t understand Dean either.

As soon as they were alone in an empty corridor in the back of the gallery, where the lights were dimmed and it didn’t seem like that area was part of the event, Valkyrie gave him a strong push. “What the fuck, Dean?” Now she was the pissed-off one.

It was only like throwing pure fuel on a vivid flame. Dean was ready to ignite, pointing a finger to her face and grabbing her by the neck with his other hand, pushing her against the wall. “Don’t you dare. I’ve seen the way you look at him.”

That was the moment it hit her. He was jealous. She was supposed to remain angry. She was supposed to feel insulted and outraged. And yet, the way his abrupt violence underlined his possessiveness over her didn’t do any of that. It made her blood boil but with desire.

And a dark, hidden side of her only desired to push him over the edge.

She raised her chin proudly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“First, I had to watch you spend the evening next to that insignificant man. I knew something was up. I’ve seen how uncomfortable you were. And then you attacked him. I was ready to come to you, I needed to make sure you were ok. But before I could, he arrived. That Irish whoreson thought he could behave as if you belonged to him.”

His words gave her a shiver that made her entire body shake as his hold around her neck became tighter. Dean pushed his face closer to her, trying to appear dangerous. The only thing he was accomplishing was making her melt underneath his hold.

“You know how painful it was to see you flirt so openly with him when I barely got to get a direct look from you this entire week?”

He sounded so deliciously tormented it made her purr.

“Tell me how difficult it was.”

“I wanted to kill him,” Dean slid a hand through her hair, pulling her head backwards, making her bend underneath him as he towered over her, “I want to hurt anyone who looks at you with desire.”

His words ripped a moan out of her throat, only prompting him to act even more wildly.

Dean snarled into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply her scent. Then he shook his head, trying to gather control over his own thoughts. “What are you doing to me? Do you enjoy seeing me go insane?”

Valkyrie hissed as her arms slowly turned around his shoulders. “I do.”

He seemed more than willing to give her exactly what she wished for.

Dean dawned upon her, sealing her lips with his, famished and desperate. His kiss was rude and demanding, as he pressed against her, not caring much about the condition of her dress as his hands grabbed and tugged on it.

Valkyrie grabbed the nape of his neck, looking for something solid to hold onto as she lost lucidity. Every thought in her mind was fogged up, her common sense and morale wiped out, as Dean's hands cruised across her legs, frantically pulling her skirt up.

Nothing mattered anymore if not being lost in each other's arms. Maybe to prove a point. Or maybe because that's how their nature was, impossible to keep apart.

Dean finally pushed a hand in between her legs, making her jerk and choke on her breath to that longed-for touch. He released a deep, loud, satisfied growl as his fingers met with the drenched material of her underwear.

"Is this for me? Or for him?" He wondered against her lips.

"You're such an asshole." She blurted out without even thinking. To her it was obvious her desire was only for him, the idea that he could think she wanted someone else was offensive.

But she liked teasing him too much to make sure that point was extremely clear quite yet.

Every intention of ironing out any misunderstanding was forgotten. At least for now, because she was determined to have him lose his mind completely.

And something told her she was on the right track.

"What did you just say to me?"

"You are an asshole." She challenged him, unafraid of seeing his blue eyes transform from furious to feral. His desire for her had never been hidden.

He pulled off her only to turn her and push her against the wall. He pressed himself against her back, pulling roughly her hair with one hand, unconcerned about her headpiece and even less caring to ruin her complicated hairstyle, and finding again her sweet, hot core with the other hand.

Dean made her bend against him, turning her head forcefully towards him only to press his mouth against her ear. "You don’t even know how cruel I can be," he began, "and you will beg me to forgive your disrespect."

He tugged on her hair, making her bend even more, biting down on her lower lip, and then on her neck, most definitely leaving a mark.

"Dean-" her breath was cut short as she pleaded a silent prayer to him.

As he pushed the thin material of her underwear to the side, dipping his fingers through her wet folds, she did her best to suffocate a moan.

Dean pulled a cocky, arrogant smile, looking down into her eyes, ignoring the way she clawed at him. "What is it, baby girl?"

She knew he wasn't oblivious. It was clear in the way his fingers moved, clearly aimed to give her as much pleasure as possible, following the responses of her body and the rhythm of her quickened breath.

Suffocating a louder moan, biting down on her own lip, Valkyrie felt the pressure of an orgasm already mounting inside of her but before she could enjoy feeling it grow, Dean slapped her most sensitive skin, startling her, making her jerk between his arms. Even though surprising, the quick, light shot of pain that gesture released through her carried the deeper roots of pleasure.

"Do you really think I'd let you win so easily?"

"Fuck-" She choked as he buried two fingers inside of her, stretching her out, coating his digits in her hot juices.

He growled satisfied against her ear.

Valkyrie was already willing to drop every inch of her pride, unable even to consider fighting him any longer.

"Please, I need you." She didn't even care that they were exposed in a public space. Anyone could turn the corner any minute. "Please, just fuck me."

Dean evilly chuckled at her desperate request. He pumped his fingers inside of her, finding her clit with his thumb, relentlessly set on truly torturing her with blinding pleasure.

Instead of indulging her request, he did the opposite. As soon as her pleasure rolled closer to the edge, he denied her release once more, dragging his hand away from her entirely.

Dean turned her around rudely, without finding any opposition from her whatsoever. Once he faced her a satisfied, mischievous grin appeared on his lips.

"Look at you, already in shambles," before she could say anything Dean grabbed her by the neck again, pinning her there, "such a mess. So pretty."

Making sure their eyes were locked, he slid his hand over her jaw, just to caress her lips with his thumb. "I could do what I want to you."

"Yes," she confirmed, whispering against his finger. Dean trembled, so clearly struggling to remain focused.

Again, she didn't oppose him, on the contrary, her lips were ajar and welcoming as soon as he pushed his thumb into her mouth. She sucked on it, willingly and loudly, swirling her tongue around his digit, enjoying seeing him rolling his eyes in the back of his skull as a soft moan left his chest. Pleasure clearly rolled through him as his knees seemed to become weaker.

He fed her the same medicine. Bringing his fingers to his mouth, sucking her juices off his digits, he released the most ravishing, low, moan, truly satisfied in tasting her pleasure.

"Shall I fuck you now?" He wondered pushing his thumb deeper into her mouth, "That's what you want isn't it?" He wondered, receiving only a whimper in response. His smile grew sharper. "You want me to stuff that pretty pussy with my cock?"

Now she was the one who rolled her eyes.

Valkyrie tried to touch him, feeling the desperate need to fill her hands up with the material of his suit, desiring to tug at his hair and dig her nails into his skin, but before she could, he was ready to grab her wrists in one hand, pinning them over her head, immobilising her.

"Shall I fuck you until you beg me to stop? Shall I fucking ruin your pretty pussy? Uh? Is that what you want, baby girl?"

The yes she tried to whisper was suffocated by how he grabbed at her jaw.

He acted so rudely that it only made her stomach twist, bringing her to press her thighs together trying to find any release from the weight pressing on her tired, hot flesh.

"Or I could toy with you,"

The possibility made her freeze as she gasped, looking right into his eyes. "Dean please-" She tried again only to find him grabbing her neck and stealing her breath.

"You're already begging me, that is sweet, angel. But you'll need to earn it. I am the asshole after all, right?"

A shiver crossed her from head to toe, giving her goosebumps. He wasn't wrong, she was already in shambles.

And Gods, how much did she like to be harshly handled by him. And the way he talked, so raw and wild, so honest.

He gave her a shake. "Here's what's gonna happen. I'm gonna fuck your pretty, dirty mouth.”

"Yes," she gasped, famished, already salivating. She was ready to get on her knees for him.

No other man ever had such power over her. And no other man ever will.

"Yes, what angel?" He made her lift her chin, looking down into her eyes.

“Yes, Sir.”

She had found out he liked to be addressed in such a way when he was in control. It turned him on. And so did she, as her own desire was extremely connected to his pleasure. She liked to satisfy him, giving him what he wanted, letting him take everything from her, just as much as she enjoyed when he did the same for her. It was a sweet way to make her forget about anything else and let go of every concern – as soon as she was between his arms, nothing else mattered.

“Good girl,” his praises made her stomach tremble. “Then we’ll see if you deserve to be fucked or if I shall make you wait.”

A hot shiver crossed her spine, nesting directly into her core, making it almost impossible for her to stand still. Only the idea made her tremble. She had to recollect every drop of her control not to whimper at the possibility of having to endure longer penance. Valkyrie didn’t want to risk appearing selfish.

She didn’t have much time to think about that anyways, Dean grabbed her and gave her a solid pull, making her follow him through the corridor. As if he had already mapped that place out, knowing the turns of each corridor by heart, Dean confidently pulled her around a corner and into a forgotten bathroom far away from the party enough to be considered hidden.

As he locked the door behind his back, Valkyrie moved in the small space, pretending she cared even in the slightest about what it looked like. Surely, it didn’t look at all like any public restroom. Money clearly poured through that gallery since they could afford to decorate that space as one would do in the privacy of their own house. It had several types of hand soaps and hand conditioners by the sink, plus fresh sets of towels to dry your hands with, instead of the usual paper towels or air dryer.

For a moment Valkyrie doubted that was a public restroom at all. But then she remembered she didn’t care.

Turning her attention back on Dean she found him looking at her. His eyes cruised on her figure as he slowly unbuttoned his cuffs and removed his jacket. He was looking at her like a famished animal. And Gods she was ready to feed him.

Without him having to say a word, she kneeled, patiently and quietly waiting for him to get close. Her eyes never moved from him – and she could tell he liked it.

Dean wrapped softly his fingers around her chin, keeping her still as he looked down into her eyes. He even offered a gentle, satisfied smile that made his dimples pop as his eyes glimmered full of desire.

“You are such a good girl,” he praised her softly, “so beautiful.”

She didn’t dare to move a muscle or say a word. She was only waiting for his will.

“Remember, I’ll stop any moment, you’ll just have to say the word. Got that, angel?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Although, since you won’t be able to speak, tap your hand on my left thigh three times to signal me to stop.”

She followed his words with a compliant nod, slowly raising her hands on his thighs, enjoying feeling his solid muscles under her palms more than she would have ever imagined. “Yes, Sir.”

“Good girl.” Dean gave her a fond caress around the jaw before pulling away.

He got rid of his tie and unbuttoned his black shirt, loosening it up around his neck, before undoing his belt and trousers. It was as if he was moving slowly on purpose, only to tease her.

And it was working. She was desperate.

She filled her eyes of his figure, feasting over him. He was so beautiful, so perfect, she could barely think straight. Her skin felt hot and sensitive to the point her dress was starting to chafe her. She only wanted to be naked, feeling his hands, tongue and body satisfying every drop of desire she had.

But Valkyrie also knew to be patient.

Grabbing her chin once more, Dean bent, stealing a rude kiss from her, before standing back up, starting to undo his belt and unbuttoning his trousers.

Her eyes were greedy as she followed the movements of his fingers with great expectations, knowing exactly what was to come and waiting with anticipation.

“Look at you,” As Dean began, a cocky smile printed on his lips, he pushed one of his hands over his boxers, grabbing on the bulge of his erection. The heavier breath he released made her lose her mind.

She was unashamed looking at his erection trapped in his palm and hidden behind the material of his underwear. The way she looked back up at him, eyes full of a silent plea, made him tremble. She wasn’t afraid to show just how hungry she was.

“You want it, don’t you?” The way he teased her, squeezing himself without giving her the chance to actually feast on him, made her almost snap out of it and take it. But she behaved, just submissively and quietly looking at him.

The nod that followed his question was slow and determined. “I do. Please, give it to me, baby.” She knew she was supposed to address him as Sir, but it seemed that he liked to be called baby so much he was inclined in ignoring her misbehaviour.

It actually prompted him to give her exactly what they both wanted.

“Open your mouth nice and wide for me. Let me see it.”

She did as he requested, bending underneath him, even pulling her tongue out. The moan he released in approval was enough of a reward. But was topped only by Dean finally decided to whip his cock out.

Valkyrie was on him in a second, too desperate to wait for him to make the move.

She ran her tongue on his shaft, base to tip, enjoying feeling how heavy and hot his flesh was. His skin tasted delicious. It was a prohibited and powerful flavour that made her every nerve tremble and her core ache.

She whimpered, wrapping her lips around his throbbing head, sucking on the tip of his cock as she swirled her tongue on it, enjoying immensely seeing him release a moan as he bent his head backwards.

But then, as he dipped a hand into her hair, still not caring about grabbing, pulling and ruining her hairstyle, the pace changed. He imposed her to be still as he pulled back enjoying watching down at her as his cock rested by her already puffed-up and humid lips.

A satisfied smile appeared on his lips. “I’ll fuck your throat now. Hard. Is that ok, baby girl?”

Not that she thought she actually had a choice, but Gods she wanted nothing more. As she nodded, Dean pulled her hair rudely, shaking his head. “No. Say it.”

“Fuck my dirty mouth, please.”

Her voice made him tremble, she could see it in the way his shoulders twitched and his fingers clutched her hair. He wasn’t expecting anything more than that and didn’t waste any more time playing stupid games.

Grabbing her hair to keep her steady, Dean pushed his cock into her mouth, all the way to the back of her throat, stretching her sweetly and painfully. The low, deep moan he released was music to her ears. Valkyrie had to fight against her gag reflex, as he choked her, but it wasn’t like she didn’t like it. On the contrary, her core twitched and her fingers curled around the soft material of his elegant trousers as she took every inch of him.

He gave her a few moments to get used to him, pulling in and out of her mouth regularly so she could catch her breath and learn to pace it, quickening his rhythm every time until he was fully pumping into her throat.

She didn’t even care about how messy she looked because he seemed to really like to ruffle her up. The way his turbid, hot gaze travelled across her face as she sucked on his cock was enough praising. He liked seeing her chin coated in dribble or hearing the noises she made choking on his erection and he was very vocal about it with either dirty praises or loud moans.

Dean abruptly pulled away from her, looking down. Grabbing her chin, he made her bend her head to look up at him and enjoyed watching her catch her breath.

“I want to stuff that pretty mouth of yours with my cum.” He announced. The raw power his words carried made her whimper. Valkyrie was already nodding even before she could think properly about his words.

“Look at you, so desperate and beautiful. I should have known that I only needed to shove my dick deep into your throat to shut you up.”

“Don’t forget it next time,” as she dared to challenge him, knowing exactly what she was doing, willingly teasing him being disrespectful, Dean pulled her hair, giving her a shake, making her pay for her words with a soft smack on the cheek.

“Careful, baby girl. You are so close to your reward.”

She truly weighed her options. The thought of jeopardizing her immediate future pleasure just to disrespect him some more only to push him over the edge and have him being rough was really tempting. But she decided to shut up, knowing misbehaving was funny only at the moment, but she would have most definitely cursed herself later when he would have denied her pleasure for an indefinite amount of time.

Taking his own joke literally, Dean still prevented her from even risking to say something she would have regretted pushing his cock back into her mouth. This time, he didn’t give her time to adjust and had very little care for her choking. He was selfishly focused on his own pleasure as he fucked her mouth until his own orgasm left him whimpering and shaking.

As he came, filling her mouth with his warm seed, the deep moans he released, mixed with his soft praises, was the sweetest sound she had ever heard.

Dean looked down at her, his gaze was sweet and affectionate as he dropped the act for a moment. Pulling away from her, he again made her look up at him, this time only gently pushing her chin up.

“Swallow.” He ordered softly.

Valkyrie obliged, making sure to gulp down his seed as evidently as she could, only to give him a spectacle, since he liked it so much.

The way he was looking at her was the only reward she needed.

Dean didn’t give her much time to catch her breath, he pulled her up and pushed her against the countertop, dawning upon her in a famished kiss.

“I’ll give you anything you desire, now.” He breathed heavily against her lips as he helped her hop on the edge of the counter, trying to push her skirt up as quickly as he could as if it was a matter of life and death to nest between her legs. “I can fuck you now, or we can wait to go back to the hotel, it’s up to you.”

Valkyrie's only response was a soft whimper as she let him trace her jaw with his lips, automatically bending her head to uncover her neck for him.

“I’ll give it to you hard and quick now. Or, if you wait, you can have me at your disposal all night later.”

Both his offers sounded so tremendously sweet Valkyrie didn’t even know the point of choosing.

“I want both.” It was an offer and an order. Because she wouldn’t have let him get away for either.

Her breath was hot and heavy as her words prompted him to nibble on her neck. “Someone’s hungry.” His chuckle vibrated through her skin, giving her a shiver.

Just now she realised to be finally able to push her hands into his hair, unconcerned about messing up his look.

“Just fuck me.”

“You’ve been such a good girl I will pardon your bratty impatience.”

“Dean, please,” she begged, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist. He rewarded her by sliding his palms on her opened thighs, reaching dangerously close to her drenched, aching core.

“You are so cute when you beg me to fuck you. You almost make me want to keep teasing you.” To underline his words, he slid his fingers playfully over the material of her underwear, only to retract them across her legs.

Valkyrie hissed, victim of her own frustration, but before she could do anything about it, taking the situation into her own hands, Dean finally answered her prayers.

Pulling away from her, he slid her underwear off her, tracing the edges of her legs with a soft brush of his fingers. He kept that thin piece of material like a trophy, stuffing it in his pocket, as he then proceeded to rid her of her shoes too. The heels fell heavily on the floor and, as their smack echoed in the restroom, also did the relieved sigh that left her chest. Dean wasn’t done taking care of her though.

“There you go, darling.” He lulled, wrapping both his hands around her feet and ankles, one side at a time, giving them a squeeze to softly massage her tired muscles, before carefully guiding her to wrap her legs around his waist so he could go back to nesting where he was up to a moment ago.

“Thank you.” She purred, welcoming his care with a warm smile. Her hands slid across his chest, over the material of his black waistcoat, only to drag him closer to her, to trap his lips in a grateful kiss.

Dean pushed his hands up on her thighs, trying his best to make way in the layers of the voluminous skirt of her dress, even releasing a frustrated grunt himself when he realised that the dress was in the way regardless. And it was covering most of her skin.

“Fucking hate this shit. You look amazing in it, but God help me for what I’ll do to you once I’ll be able to take it off.”

An amused smile rolled on Valkyrie's lips as she pressed her shoulders against the big mirror behind her, leaning on her elbows, just so she could get a good view of him. “Didn’t think something so small could threat your patience that much.”

He replied giving her a rude pull, rolling his arm around her waist, just to hold her up as he pushed his free hand over her core. The moment his thumb found her clit moving in quick, relentless caresses, Valkyrie choked on her breath. Going from total frustration to the opposite side of the spectrum without any warning brought her quickly and violently close to the edge.

Dean enjoyed watching her unravel underneath him.

“I am not a patient man.” He grinned down at her like a hungry wolf as she moaned loudly.

As if her body was singing a song to him revealing the secrets of her pleasure, he knew exactly the moment her orgasm started to approach, so, instead of letting her cum with his fingers, he pulled away only to find the right position for his already hard, proud cock.

As he slid inside of her Valkyrie tried not to cry out his name, desperately failing. Her eyes rolled in the back of her skull, while welcoming his size stretched her, finally filling her up just as she had desired to feel for so long. A hot, heavy shiver ran across her back the moment she realised Dean had every intention to show her just how impatient he could be. He gave her no time to get used to him as he started pumping in and out of her.

“I’m going to come,” she whimpered.

Dean wrapped his free hand around her neck, giving her a squeeze, nodding looking right into her eyes. “Then do it, angel. Let go. Come all over my cock.”

His voice, the stronghold of his hand, his beautiful cock stroking her so sweetly, the way Dean looked at her with such anticipation and devotion, tipped over the edge in seconds.

“Yes, baby girl, give it to me.” His praises only helped make her more of a twitching, whimpering mess as her pleasure took over her body, blinding her. She called his name to the Gods in a blessing for Freyr, Freyja and whoever was listening.

Dean was relentless. He didn’t give her a second to rest, fucking her right through the waves of her deepest pleasure and into overstimulation, bringing her to bend and claw at his clothes as she cried her moans out loud.

“Tell me,” He bent over her as his grab around her neck became slightly tighter, “is this wet, desperate, hot mess you are all for me? Or have you been thinking about that potato eater too?”

She knew he was only teasing and yet the look she shot him was more than enough for an answer.

“All for you,” she moaned heavily as Dean let her breathe freely. “Only you.”

He pushed deeper inside of her releasing a loud grunt, his hand easily finding her hair to pull it, making her bend her head and expose her neck to him just so he could assault her sensitive skin marking her. “You are mine.”

“Yours,” she agreed, “do not forget that warrior. I want only you.”

Her words made him release a soft whimper, only prompting her to wrap her arms around him, both to hold onto his solid shoulders and to cradle him.

Her stomach twisted as another thick wave of pleasure raised through her, and Valkyrie didn’t have any shame to announce it loudly.

“Me too, baby girl. I need-”

As a moan cut through his words, she caught him, sliding a hand around his jaw she brought him to look into her eyes. “What do you need?” She caressed his lips with a soft brush of her thumb.

“I want to fill you up. I need to come in you like a fucking animal.” His voice was coarse as his breath broke, but more than that, it was his frenzied look that gave her a shiver. He wasn’t all there and his words were true desire. He wanted to mark her in the most primal way.

And may the Gods have mercy on her because she wanted him to do it so badly.

“Do it, baby.”

“But-”

She hushed him gently, shaking her head. “No. I can’t. I’m a deity, you won’t impregnate me.”

Something twitched in him as if somewhere hidden deep inside of him, that was the entire point. But that impression was gone in a second, as he dived on her for a heated kiss.

He did exactly what he desired. Took him only a few moments to push her over the edge of another orgasm and as he praised her fondly for it, he let his own pleasure flow as her core squeezed him dry. Feeling his pleasure release inside of her was a ravaging experience. It carried pure feral energy, as she realised, she wasn’t the only one being marked by him. He was hers forever now.

They remained tangled and breathless for a few seconds, as none of the two dared to move as a heavy blanket of calm draped around them.

Moving slightly, Dean was back to his sweet self as he looked into her eyes. He offered her support, helping her up. “Are you ok?”

“Never been better.” She chuckled, still needing a moment to catch her breath.

Dean made her lean against the sink as he bent over to grab a towel, never actually letting go of her. He helped her get cleaned up and then watched her closely as she decided to remove her headpiece and loosen her hair, getting rid of all the uncomfortable pins and thin bands that constricted her.

Just after, as she released a relieved sigh, Dean cupped his hands around her face, diving in for a hot kiss.

“I can’t be without you,” he whispered against her lips, “make me your secret. Keep us hidden from the world. I do not care. But you need to let me in.”

“Ok.” It was everything she offered him. And even if it seemed only a simple word, it was as sacred as a promise made in front of the Gods. “But you need to know that you’re not bound to me. I carry a heavy burden you do not need to share and the door will be open for you to leave any time if you need.”

It was so important for her to make sure he understood, even if she was far from being ready to share what was actually pressing on her chest. She was still too scared to bring him too close to danger to reveal all her secrets.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him. He was the only person that made her feel safe and at home in that forbidden place and she wished she could unload her pain, hiding in his arms. It was fear of losing him.

“Oh, angel. I am bound to you, body and soul.” He caressed her face so tenderly it hurt her chest, “I’d die for you. And I’d kill for you.”

She pulled him into a kiss, knowing exactly what weight his words brought. He was serious. And so was she.

“I want to go back to the hotel.”

Her whisper full of promises made a smile grow on his lips. “Let’s.”

He helped her slide back into her underwear, as his hands crossed her legs left behind the traces of a hot caress that made her stomach tremble and her filled core twitch. She was more than ready to have more of him.

Then, kneeling in front of her, he helped her wearing her heels, leaving soft kisses on her ankles and calves.

Valkyrie released a soft sigh, letting her head fall backwards. “You need to stop or I won’t let you leave this bathroom.”

“And that’s a threat how?”

She had to gather all her better judgement and self-control to just get to the door instead of pushing him to sit on the toilet and hop over his hips.

Taking only a moment to recollect herself, Valkyrie opened the door. Knowing she was walking on wobbly legs, Dean was by her side in a second, wrapping his arm around her waist.

He carried his jacket and tie on one arm, just as she carried her headpiece and purse.

They both looked a glorious mess and definitely like they were done with that gala event.

Taking advantage of the empty corridor, Dean pushed a soft kiss on her temple. “There’s not much secret to keeping if we leave together in front of that hoard of paparazzi just outside.”

“I don’t know if I care enough.”

Dean wrapped his hands around her face, kissing her forehead and then lips. “I repeat, what did you do to my Eir?”

“It’s the dress.”

They both chuckled, leaning into another soft kiss.

Their bubble had to burst sooner or later, though.

Valkyrie knew they weren’t alone even before she perceived the shadow invading the empty corridor. A frosty shiver crossed her.

Then, a burst of known laughter invaded the space, followed by a series of slow clapping.

“I didn’t know the great Valkyrie was such a slut.”

Malone stood a few metres from them, a cocky, disgusting smile printed on his face as he looked down at them, particularly at her. His contempt was so clearly printed on his face.

She had to grab Dean to keep him from immediately jumping the guy. “Dean, no. It’s not worth it.”

He wasn’t even looking at her. His dangerous, razor-sharp gaze was pointed to the man who offended her, as he was already so clearly ready for a violent fight. “Say that again, motherfucker.”

“What? That she is a whore?” As Malone openly offended her again, Valkyrie had to push solidly on Dean’s chest to keep him there. “I am surprised you pretended to be so high and mighty with me earlier. All pure and proud. Now I get it. Is it the ginger hair or them being simply scum?” A burst of evil laughter released from his chest. “I am kinda glad I’ve dodged it. God, I don’t even want to think about it. Disgusting. Getting fucked in a bathroom always tells you enough about a woman's character, uh?” It was as if he was trying to get Dean’s approval, not realising or not caring he was only increasing his blood thirst.

“What bullet did he dodge?” Dean wondered not paying attention to him.

“Oh, you think she wanted you when she fucked you? Sweet.” Malone cut through before she could even start answering. “No, no, no. She wanted me, and she knew she wasn’t at my level. Now I understand. So, that is why you refused my offer, uh?”

“You are delusional.” As she barked at him, she felt Dean freeze under her hands.

“What offer?” He asked, still only looking at her. His tone was softer as he talked to her, but the danger vibrating through his words as anger rose wild inside of him was undeniable.

“To take me back to his place. He implied-”

“I didn’t imply anything, I simply offered to show you my art collection.”

Both she and Dean ignored him, from holding him back, she started to slide her hands across his chest, bending by his side, until she reached for his hair with one hand, wrapping a finger around one of his longer locks. “And when I refused, he made it clear to me that he didn’t care much if I said no."

"Is that why you attacked him?"

"Yes. I do not condone men who think they can violate a woman's will."

"Man, don't listen to her, she is full of shit. Honestly, you're better off listening to me. And probably you might want to get checked out, who knows what kind of diseases she carries."

The dirt and the implications of his words made her stomach twist in disgust. A twitch tensed her shoulders as she felt the weight of the meaning of his intentions.

How many women did he hurt that way or worse?

He deserved to be hurt.

And she could feel Dean's anger grow and shape him into a beast.

So, she simply let go of him, sliding to the side. "Get him, baby."

If Malone didn't consider a woman able to stand for herself, he would have certainly understood the message Dean brought.

"Hey, woah, don't listen to her, she is only manipulating you, don't you see?"

"God himself could walk down here and tell me I am the new messiah but I'd still doubt it if she said otherwise."

He was on Malone in a second, grabbing him and twisting painfully his arms behind his back in a submissive pose, pushing him against the wall.

"I worship the ground she walks on. Do you understand me?" He pushed Malone against the wall. And then again, this time holding his hair, making sure to smack his face against the wall. "Do you understand what it means when I say one word from her and you're dead?"

As Dean snarled dangerously to Malone's ear, Valkyrie smiled satisfied, sliding close to him. Feeling her move by his side, Dean pulled his hair bringing him to look at her. "So, you better apologise. Profusely."

"And if I don't?"

A moment before Dean could snap and smack his face against the wall again, attempting to make some abstract work of art with his blood, Valkyrie intervened. "Dean, stop."

She only wanted to mock Malone, and as if Dean knew perfectly what she thought, he did exactly as she said.

He didn't let go of him though.

Malone sent her a quick look, even then, not hiding a cocky smile. "I knew you would come to your senses darling. See? That wasn't difficult, even for you."

"Actually," she pretended to think about it, "please, do hurt him, my love."

Dean moved immediately as soon as she spoke. It was as if her will was connected to him. He pushed Malone's face against the wall, this time slowly, squeezing against it until the man started to groan in pain.

A sadistic smile popped on Dean's lips. "More?" He asked, looking at her.

"I don't know," she tapped her index on her chin, "are you done calling me names?"

"I'm not, you fucking whore. You and your dog will regret this."

Dean punched him in the lower back twice, fast and hard. "Sorry, I don't know if I've heard you properly."

A shiver crossed her as she watched him enjoy hurting someone that disrespected her. Gods, it was inebriating. The sense of power and respect Dean's behaviour gave her was simply perfect. She felt like a queen.

Malone wheezed a slimy laughter. "Go on. I'll sue you from here to oblivion. I'll ruin you."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Oh yes, you fucking insane bastard."

A dangerous laughter vibrated through Dean's chest as he pulled the man around and wrapped both his hands around his neck. "Then you'll know I do not care about your useless threats." And he squeezed. "Disrespect my woman one more time and I swear to everything that is holy that I'll break you."

Valkyrie smiled, basking in the violence unravelling just before her eyes and in her name. She purred, sliding by Dean's side, caressing his tensed arms as she placed her chin on his shoulder, tenderly rubbing her forehead on the side of his face, like a cat, as if he wasn't in the process of choking someone.

She was deaf to the noises Malone was making, as his cries for Dean to stop were reduced to pitiful whimpers. And she was most definitely blind to his weak attempt to grab Dean's arms and fight him off.

Valkyrie moved behind Dean, wrapping her arms around his waist now pushing her face close to his neck. She lulled sweet words into his ear in her native language, praising him and her respect for his valour.

The look she slid on the man he was pinning to the wall, as their eyes crossed, was merciless and as cold as ice as her lips curled in a dangerous smile, similar to the one of a wolf.

She watched him slowly losing strength, as his face became redder and redder and his eyes more and more widened. True fear started to grow in his eyes the longer Dean's hold would became tighter.

Just when she noticed his eyelids fall heavily on his eyes, Valkyrie brushed her lips under Dean's ear. "Let him go."

Dean obeyed, immediately stepping away but still watching Malone's body heavily falling to the floor with a smile printed on his face.

The man coughed and gagged, pulling his arms to his own neck, trying to catch his breath as he pushed himself away from them as much as he could, crawling on the floor.

"Look at you, you sick fuck," Dean leaned close to him, still acting as threatening and as pissed off, "pathetic, wiggling like a worm."

Valkyrie was still close to him and casually placed a hand on his shoulder so openly displaying her closeness to Dean with no fear, despite what had just happened.

Justice was so sweet.

She let that feeling run through her, filling her up as it became the true essence of everything she was.

"Please, no more." Finally, Malone seemed to break as he begged, hiding his face from them as much as he could.

Dean grabbed him by his hair and pulled him up like he weighed nothing. "Say you're sorry, you piece of crap."

"Fine, I am sorry!"

"Not to me, you pathetic pig. To her."

A shiver crossed her back. She had lost every interest in the situation. Everything she wanted was to have Dean all to herself to thank him properly for his disposal of valour.

Nothing ever turned her on like what she had just witnessed.

It was primal and it was violent. And it was beautiful.

Despite the flaws he might have had, which she still had to meet because she didn't care if he was brutally honest or slightly rude or handsy, he was a man worthy to be called so.

Her Gods were right to smile upon him.

And he was her warrior.

That was the moment she realised she wanted him by her side forever.

"Shall I break your fucking arm to get it out of ya?"

As Dean shook the man, Malone squealed, finally looking at her. "I am sorry."

"That's not enough." Again, Dean shook him like he was nothing more but a dirty, wet piece of cloth.

"Please," Malone looked at Dean first, just to realise his mistake in time and look back at her, "I beg you to forgive me. I didn't mean to offend you."

"You are not forgiven.” She stated, raising her chin proudly. “You’ll never be forgiven for what you have done to me, or other women alike, both in less or worse degree.” Valkyrie then bent taking advantage of Dean still holding the man steady. Her look was brutally determined. “May Baldur curse your appearance. May Forseti see that justice is brought upon you. May Freyja and Freyr curse your fertility. May Frigg never let you marry. May Loki curse you. May Odin and Tyr ruin you. May Vali see that everyone you hurt is avenged. May the Norns see that your fate is ruined. And May Hel welcome you with open arms into the tormented, darkest pits of Helheim.”

To every calling to her Gods, Valkyrie drew an invisible rune on Malone’s forehead, truly hoping that her pleas would be listened to. But also, even just enjoying the pure terror in Malone’s eyes to every single one of her curses was enough to bring her satisfaction.

Finally, Valkyrie hinted to Dean to let go of the man.

She enjoyed watching him wiggle and crawl away from them, as he kept begging them for mercy, pressing himself against the wall, hiding his face on the floor, acting like a hurt insect.

Dean moved around her, going to retrieve the stuff he dropped on the floor and then he casually wrapped an arm around her shoulders, dragging her away. As if nothing happened. Definitely, a man like Malone didn’t deserve to receive any more attention.

“Remind me to never to piss you off, angel.” He chuckled to her ear, pressing a fond kiss on her forehead.

She turned towards him, pressing her smile on his chin and then reaching for a quick kiss. “You’ll just have to keep me happy and satisfied at all times, I guess.”

“I can do that.”

Valkyrie liked to nest under his arm. She liked how it felt to be so close to him. And she liked the belonging that pose implied.

“Ready to go?” She wondered looking up at him a moment before they’d turn the corner back into the more crowded side of the gallery.

“Are you?” He winked at her, offering the softest of smiles.

She got lost in his eyes for a second, unaware and unconcerned about how deep and totally on display her feelings for him were. Not that Dean did anything to hide his closeness to her either.

Her nod was quick and determined. She didn’t care anymore. And maybe it was wrong. And maybe she would have thought about it at a later date and regretted her choices, but, for now, she was done hiding.

“Let’s go, then.”

#dean ambrose #dean ambrose fanfiction #jon moxley #wwe #dean ambrose x oc

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