#ryder whines

[pathfinderyderss]

Sometimes when you've had depression for ten years you really forget how goddamn crushing it is when you spiral.

I've literally been sitting here, all night, just thinking that like, I don't /really/ wanna be alive rn. Like. Not in an active "I want to kill myself" kinda way but in a "if I ended up in an accident/dying from an illness I honestly wouldn't care, what's there to do/live for" kinda way. And holy fuck and I'm just left breathless. And so so so so alone.

Was supposed to hang out with someone tonight. They canceled, they forgot they had other plans. Reached out to another friend, and the soonest she's free is Mid-February. And like! It's not their fault, and I know that they're busy with their own lives and I will not make myself a burden on anyone.

So I am left feeling so.... hollow and scared and alone and I just... I'm so tired. But I can't sleep. So I'll just sit here and stare at the wall and hope that what's left of me doesn't decide to crumble.

[pretty-little-mind33]

Tom Ryder x fem!reader

summary: Your boyfriend likes overstimulating you.

warnings: overstimulation, use of toys (vibrator), hint of dom!tom and sub!reader, praise

KINTOBER MASTERLIST

You feel hazy, your eyes glued to the ceiling as your hands curl around the sheets. Fuck. This is torture. The sound of the low hum of the vibrator is drowned out by your little whimpers as Tom mercilessly presses the toy to your clit.

"T-too much," you whine, gripping the sheets as you squirm. Tom presses a hand against your stomach, sending you a harsh look as his dirty blond hair slips over his blue eyes. You stop squirming, tears pricking your eyes.

Tom's gaze softens as he leans down his lips brushing against your ear. "You can take it," he murmurs, voice low. He adjusts his hand and holds the toy firmly in place, despite your protests. "I know you can."

Your breath catches in your throat, overwhelmed by the sensation, the heat pooling in your stomach. Your legs tremble, and your body betrays you as it starts to chase the pleasure, even though you've already come three times.

"Good girl," Tom whispers, a hint of pride in his voice as he watches you arch your back. He moves the vibrator away for just a second, and you let out a shaky breath, only for him to bring it back again—harder this time—and it sends a jolt in your core.

Your hands clench the sheets tighter as the tension inside you builds to an unbearable peak. "Tom, please," you plead, tears finally spilling down your cheeks.

Tom just grins, pressing a soft kiss to your cheek as his hand moves to your thigh, keeping you pinned in place. "Just a little more," he says, teasingly. "You're almost there."

Your body jerks, hips twitching instinctively as Tom holds the toy against your sensitive spot, his other hand sliding up your thigh. His touch is both firm and possessive. You're teetering on the edge and every nerve feels raw and alive. 

Tom's name escapes your lips again, this time more desperate, more pleading. Your voice is shaky with need. Tom is relentless, however, keeping the pressure and you're in blissful agony.

Your boyfriend's eyes bore into yours, dark with desire but still laced with control. "You're so close, aren’t you?" His voice is a low, teasing growl as he leans in, his lips grazing your jawline. The way he speaks to you, sends a shiver down your spine, like he's also pulling you apart with just his words.

You nod, unable to form a proper response, your body writhing beneath him. Your mind is hazy, lost in the overwhelming sensations. "Then come for me," he commands softly. "Let go, baby."

And that's all you need. His voice, the pressure, the unbearable teasing—it all crashes down on you at once, sending you spiraling into your desperate release. Your back arches, lips parting in a silent cry as the pleasure tears through you, wave after wave, leaving you trembling under his hold. 

Tom's gaze remains on you, his lips curving into a satisfied smile as he slows the toy down, letting you ride out your fourth high.

Finally, he pulls the vibrator away, dropping it on the mattress, and then he leans down to kiss your forehead. "Good girl," he murmurs again, his fingers wiping away the tears from your cheeks as he strokes your hair gently, grounding you back into reality.

Your body is still humming, the aftershocks making you shudder as you catch your breath. You blink up at him, and for a moment, there's nothing but silence and an unspoken connection in the aftermath.

tags: @sauronsgirl, @earth-elemental18, @princesssunderworld, @siriuslycaptainofthedawntreader, @simplyreflected

[tangerinesgf]

Loved your first Tom Ryder fic!!!

For a request I was thinking maybe something where he's supposed shooting a movie and everybody's looking for him trying to find him and he's off somewhere on set having sex with his girlfriend. They get caught and you can decide how it goes from there :) (if you're interested in writing it of course 🥰)

Tom Ryder x FEM!reader

Tags/Warnings: Smut 18+ MDNI, P in V sex, slight dirty talk, fluff, getting caught

A/N: Thank you so much for your request I absolutely loved it!! I hope you love it too! In my mind Tom Ryder is a total sub, so I tried to play with that a little bit, but I have more idea in that regard.

It was no unusual occurrence to find Tom Ryder missing from set. In fact it had become quite predictable and most of all frustrating for the people who were working with him. He is the movie star after all, the main character, without him there is no movie. 

Usually he would be found either daydrinking or in his trailer with the excuse of not being in the right mood to film the scenes that day. He had to be in the right headspace to portray his character. You see Tom Ryder was the world famous actor, in his eyes everyone had to accomodate to him and not the other way around.

Yet this time it was neither one of those things.

So while everyone was worrying about the disappearing daylight on set, that was the last thing on Tom’s mind while pushing you up against one of the huge fake rocks on set. It was one of the few days where you could actually be with him on set and he’d be damned if he was gonna let that go to waste. 

The moment he spotted you behind the camera, watching him do a scene he excused himself from set, earning him eye rolls from all the other cast and crew members. 

The two of you disappeard and haven't returned since.

“Fuck baby, it’s been so long..” He mutters in between kissing you from your lips to your neck, his hands roaming all over your body. He needs you badly. 

Tom hadn’t even bothered to put on something else, so here he was in his full on space cowboy attire including the hat, pressed against you. It almost felt like you were sneaking around like a bunch of horny teenagers in high school. 

“It’s only been a week, Tom.” You chuckle softly, your voice already a bit breathless from his touch. 

“Mhm.. too long.” He trails kissing down from your neck to your cleavage. His hand move down and start playing with your skirt, making his intentions quite clear to you. “I need you, baby.. please..”

How could you ever deny him when he looks up at you with those sad puppy eyes, begging you to let him fuck you into next week. You nod slowly and pull him in for a deep kiss. 

He kisses you like a starving man, exploring every inch of your mouth with his tongue. Meanwhile Tom’s hands hastily try to undo his belt, at this point he doesn’t care if he rips his entire costume. They probably have another 10 lined up for him anyway. All he can think about is being inside you right now, the sweet sounds you make when he fucks you, your hands in his hair, you lips on his.. 

Fuck, fuck. 

“Shit..” The actor mutters as he keeps struggling with his belt until he finally manages to unbuckle it. He quickly shoves his pants down his legs along with his underwear revealing his hard cock, the tip already red and leaking pre-cum. You practically groan at the sight of him, yes it had only been a week but you couldn’t wait to feel him inside you again. 

He lifts your skirt up and pulls your panties down, a grin appears on his face as he notices you’re already dripping for him. He licks his finger and teasingly runs it along your wet and sensitive folds. “God baby.. you’re so wet.”

You whine softly, aching for any kind of friction between your legs. Your eyes are locked on his as he licks your juices off his finger, if you weren’t so good at composing yourself you’d be drooling over him right now. 

“Ready?” You nod in return. He smiles at your consent and slowly pushes his throbbing cock inside you, dragging a long moan from your throat. He lets out a string of curses as he pushes himself in all the way in, everytime with you felt just like the first and he never got tired of it. 

Once he’s all the way inside he let’s you adjust to his size for a moment, kissing you from your neck down to your collarbone. “Doing so well f’me, baby..” He mutters.

When you give him the sign he slowly pulls out before slamming his cock right back into you, hitting you in just the right spot. Your hands move up to his dirty blonde hair, fisting your hand in it. “Fuck- Tom just like that..”

You get completely lost in the pleasure between the two of you. His hips rutting into you while he sucks marks onto your neck, dragging moan after moan from you.

“Missed you.. and your pretty little cunt.” He groans loudly as you clench around him. You’re so caught up in each other that you don’t even notice Gail coming around the corner until it’s too late. 

“Tom! We’ve been looking everywhere for ya!” She doesn’t seem bothered in the slightest about the position she’s found you both in, because let’s be honest she’s caught him do worse things. 

“Jesus fuck-” Both of you startle and Tom curses as he quickly uses his long coat to cover you both up. He stares at her with a look of annoyance and disbelieve, although he should have known that his producer is not one for playing around. “What the fuck Gail?”

“We’re losing dayligt, Ryder. Chop chop.” Gail ushers and crosses her arms as she stares you both down. 

“Fine.. fucking hell.. could you just- just turn around.” Gail rolls her eyes, but eventually turns around to give you both whatever privacy you got left. 

“You gotta talk boundaries with her, Tom. I swear to god.” You tell him in an ushered voice, so Gail can’t hear anything. He sighs and reluctantly pulls out of you, making you let out a soft whine. “I know, baby.. I’m sorry. Shoulda taken proper care of you, hm? I’m gonna make it up to you I promise, love.” 

He neatly fixes your panties and skirt back in place before pulling his own pants back up. Both of you are left disappointed and wanting, but Tom had a job to do. Unfortunately. 

“Meet me at the loft tonight?” He’s giving you those puppy eyes again. God you love him. 

You nod and receive a very happy Tom Ryder in return. He kisses your forehead softly before walking towards Gail with that usual annoyed look on his face.

“I told you not to interrupt me when i’m ‘busy’.” You can hear Tom whisper to Gail. 

“And I told you I wouldn't, but you were still wearing your damn mircophone, you idiot.” She tells him return and Tom just shrugs, seemingly not bothered by the fact that the entire cast and crew just hear him fuck his girlfriend. But then again you’ve never seen him embarrassed or ashamed of anything and you’ve seen things. You don’t hear anything else before they disappear out of view.  

Guess you’d have to finish this later tonight. 

A/N: Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any Tom Ryder requests pleasse don't hesitate to leave me a message, Reblogs and comments are so much appreciated you have no idea. Love you guys <3

Taglist: @earth-elemental18 (lemme know if you wanna be added or removed)

[bullet-prooflove]

33. It's been a long time since I had you to myself And I don't wanna share you with no one else

With Judd Ryder please 🤎

Tagging: @kmc1989 @wnbweasley @lamadramaworld @madisonbroxson1 @@yukina23

Companion piece to Lizard People & 6am

It has been fourteen days since Judd last had his mouth on you, since he was able kiss that pretty pussy of yours, to lick it, suck it, fuck it with his tongue. He’d intended on being all romantic like. Dinner, a little wine, a few candles but when you’d walked through that door after finishing your shift and he just couldn’t help himself.

So he gets on his knees and prays to the Almighty, his tongue plunging inside of you as his large hands pin your hips against the front door. He has one of your thighs slung over his shoulder because Judd knows you like him deep.

It doesn’t take long, it never does when it’s the first time after a while. You’re hitched breathing resounds in his ears, your grasp on his t-shirt tightens, bundling the fabric alongside his throat. You chant his name like a prayer, hips canting as he slips a finger inside you and then two.

You look so damn pretty when you come, your skin flushing as you grip his digits, your sweet honey spilling into his mouth. He licks up the mess and you whine as he withdraws his fingers, wiping them on his jeans. He peppers your inner thigh with kisses, nuzzling the crease before your hand cards lightly through his hair.

“I missed that.” You sigh contently before he draws away, his palm swiping away the wetness from his chin before he rises to his feet.

“That’s just the start.” He promises you, his thumb chasing over the apple of your cheek. “We got a whole twenty four hours together honey and I ain’t gonna waste a single second.”

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Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[hedgiwithapen]

dhd prompt: eliot leverage and jacob librarians are dopplegangers. somehow they swap places, causing much confusion and hilarity.

(liberties were taken with the prompt) “We really think this Agrinext company’s using magic that’s killing bees? And that’s our priority?” Eve asked. Jenkins gave her a dour look from behind the Clippingsbook.

“Unless you’d rather deal with the doppelganger infestation, yes, Colonel, the company killing bees with a loose magical artifact--or worse-- is the priority.”

Cassandra opened her mouth. Eve winced, knowing she was about to get a patented Cassie Lecture about the interconnectedness of all  creatures, etc etc, and cut it off at the pass. “Right. Bees. Okay, then. Fire up the back door."

~

They split up. They always did; Eve had decided it was inevitable and tried not to fight fate quite so hard on that particular matter.  Jones headed for the server rooms, Cassandra was going to the research and Development area to scan the various chemical compounds with her mind, or...however exactly it was she figured things out. Eve was still a little afraid that if she asked for clarification, she'd get an explanation that would (possibly literally) explode her brain. Stone was supposed to be on distraction, with her. 

And he was. Standing with a dark haired woman and speaking to a receptionist. Looking a lot like he was Flirting with the receptionist.  Eve moved towards him to scold him for wasting valuable time when she spotted...what was Flynn doing here?

"Flynn!" she called, locking eyes with him. Flynn scurried over. 

"Hello!" he said, beaming right into her face. "That's me, Flynn."

Eve took a step back. He wasn't standing right. " Who are you?" she demanded.

"I'm... Flynn." He paused. "Ryder? My associates are--"

"Oh, god," she grumbled. "You don't know me."

"I'm sorry," Flynn said. "I... hit my head recently..."

Eve got on the coms. "Gang, circle back. Whatever this artifact is, it's done something to Flynn."

"Since when is Flynn even here?" Ezekiel whined. "Fine, I'm coming."

The con had been going very smoothly. Of course, when a con was going very smoothly was about the point where suddenly it went very smoothly right off the rails, and into a trash can, which was usually on fire. At least this time, Hardison thought, no one was throwing him into a pool. 

Of course, getting caught breaking into the CEO's office was still bad, especially with a company like Agrinext.  Two armed goons--and it was a seed company! Why did they have goons! It was worse than Wakefield!-- blocked both of his exits, and Hardison was not feeling too great about his ability to jump through a window without breaking all of his bones. 

"Put the hard drive down," one of the goons said. "Slowly."  

Hardison was moving to do exactly that, not taking any chances with the gun pointed at him, when he spotted a familiar face over Goon number 2's shoulder, and breathed a sigh of relief. " It's about time you got here to save my ass," he said. 

Eliot actually froze in place for a second before Goon 2 turned the gun on him and he threw himself at the fight. Hardison ducked back while Eliot took out the two guards.

"Lil sloppy," Hardison said to his panting boy friend. "I like the new moves though. Some Wuxia in there. Don't tell me you've been watching without me and Parker."  When Eliot frowned, Hardison took another step back. He may have mocked his boyfriend being able to tell a violist from a cellist based only on finger calluses and vibes, but  some things really were Distinctive, and this guy--this guy wearing Eliot's face--was not Eliot. "What in the hell kinda mirrorverse did you pop through?" he asked.

"I didn't. Why are you breaking into the CEO's office?"

"I," Hardison said, "Am trying to save the bees." he paused. " And also, you know. Take down a corrupt executive who was profiting off colony collapse caused by weird pesticides."

"It's not the pesticides," not-Eliot said. "It's the stelea of Ah Muzen Cab."

"The what of the who now?" Hardison asked.

"Mayan god of many, many things, including bees."

"Uh-huh." Hardison said. " Kay. You look like my boyfriend and you're acting  a little crazy so I am just gonna take this and... go. Thanks for the punching."

~~

Ezekiel leaned closer to the hidden door in the server room, listening for the latch mechanism as he poked and prodded. He closed his eyes, steadying his heartbeat. One--two... should be three more pins, and--

"Boo!" a voice hissed in his ear as someone dropped from the ceiling to land next to him.

He turned, ready to smack whoever it was with the nearest weapon--which would have been his phone-- but stopped when he saw the blonde hair and the maniac brightness in her eyes.

"Parker?" he asked.

"Zekie!" she beamed. "Look at you! All grown up and cracking safes! You've almost got that one."

"I do have this one," he said, flatly. "I'm the world's greatest thief."

She booped his nose, just like when they'd been kids in the same foster home. "Second greatest, maybe. How's the gig?"

"It's pretty good," he said. "I have a good team. Yours?"

"Solid. Two newbies need some work, but they're getting it. Reminds me of teaching you."

"Excuse me? I already knew how to crack a safe when we met."

"And yet you couldn't tell I'd already gotten into that one. Sad." Parker smiled again.

"You already stole the artifact?" Ezekiel asked. " Parker, I need that."

"Then you should have beaten me to it. It's gotta be worth a lot, to be kept so secret, and if the company's smuggling ... Guatemalan?-- antiquities, we can use that for blackmail."

"It's not an antiquity," Ezekiel said. "It's dangerous." He  pressed his lips together. Eve would say not to tell anyone, Jenkins would rail about the importance of secrets. But Parker was like a sister--and she's helped him out from under MI6's thumb. "It's magic," he said, waiting for her to laugh. 

"Oh," Parker said. "Neat. Hmmm... I'll trade you for it, then." 

"Fine, Ezekiel said. "What do you want for it?" He had plenty of stolen--borrowed--sparklies, plus one of her pokemon cards from when they were kids...

"I heard a rumor you nabbed the dagger of Aquabi," Parker beamed, handing over the tablet she'd swiped. "Give it."

Ezekiel made a face. "Fine. Usual drop off, tomorrow."

"Good to see you, little brother," Parker said, and dove for the airvents as an alarm started to wail.  Ezekiel grumbled again, heading for his own exit.

~

"Stone? There you are." Eliot turned. Stone was a name he'd used a few times, but not today. 

"Sorry," he said, turning on the charm as the redhead beamed at him. "I think you have me confused with someone else."

"That's... not right," she said. "You look...." and then she started muttering under her breath, fingers flickering in front of her like she was shifting through information. It reminded him a little of Parker, and a little of Hardison. "Just like him but you're not him. I'm sorry. My bad."

"That's alright. You know, they say we've all got seven doubles."

"They do," she said, oddly flat. Eliot turned to look where she was looking, and froze.

He wondered, a time or two, or three, if he was being honest, what he'd do if ever he saw his own face on someone else.  It hadn't been that litteral, as a kid, which was the last time he'd thought about it. What he'd do if he recognized the mirror of his smile, his eyes, the crease above his brow when he frowned. He'd looked for it in older people, not his age. Someone old enough to be the person who'd left him.

This man looked like he could have been left in the basket beside him. 

"who are you?" they both asked in the same voice, at the same time, before an alarm started to blare.

Well. Eliot had carried questions as long as he'd known the difference between knowing and not.  He could carry them longer. Getting his people out mattered more. 

~

"Jenkins," Eve said, back in the Annex. "What were you saying earlier, before we left? About clones?"

"Doppelgangers, actually," Jenkins said. "Why?"

"Because I found one of Flynn," Eve said, holding up a bewildered look-alike.

Jenkins frowned. " That's impossible. I fixed the issue moments after you left, it was really quite simple."

"Then someone kidnapped Flynn and stole his memories!" Eve said. 

"That's news to me," Flynn  said, leaning over the raining from the stacks. " Hi Eve! Who's that?"

"Oh my god," Eve said again, as reality--actual reality-- sunk in. "I just kidnapped a civilian." 

"If it helps I don't think I'm technically a civilian. Harry Wilson, lawyer and, uh... you know lets just stick with lawyer, actually. Uh. not the suing you kind, though. I just...really should get going? maybe? If I can... just..." he wiggled out from under Eve's hand. 

Above, Flynn hooted with laughter. 

[lost-pen-name]

Tom Ryder x fem!reader

Summary: Tom invited you to be his plus-one at a party with him. His friends are there along with a handful of your coworkers. Parties aren’t really your ideal pastimes (small talk, loud crowds, yuck) but you went anyway because maybe this one will be different. It wasn’t. Your introvert side kicks into gear after you lose track of Tom and make several terrible attempts at small talk. You escape the throngs of people and hide in the best place you could find: the grungy bathroom.

Word count: 2320

Warnings: mild spice, kissing

Author note: This was one of THE most fun fics I’ve ever written. 🙈 I was lowkey giddy the entire time. 😍 I hope you enjoy it just as much! ❤️

{ kiss me when nobody’s watching }

You startled at the sound of someone rapping their knuckles on the door.

“Hey, you in here?” Tom’s voice is muffled but you can tell it’s him.

“Go away, I’m not here,” you said as you took a step closer to the door. You pressed your forehead against it, the cool wood soothing the start of a headache. “Please leave, Tom.” You’re really starting to feel like Elsa from Frozen but there is zero chances he’s about to ask you to build a snowman with him.

“What, you scared of socializing?” You can just see the big dumb grin on his face. It’s that grin that makes you simultaneously want to slap the daylights out of him and kiss him until he saw stars.

Right now, it was definitely the first.

“No. I just want to go home.” You thumped your head on the door. It didn’t help the headache but it did help release some of the pent up frustration. “Whatever, just leave it. Go back to your party. Have fun without me, I know that’s very possible.”

It’s quiet for a few heartbeats. You held your breath and waited. Maybe he actually left? That’d be a miracle, he doesn’t typically listen to your requests. At least, not the first time you ask.

“No, I don’t want to.” Is he pouting?

“Ugh, Tom, please stop being so stubborn for one moment and go back.” No response. “I’ll be fine up here, I swear.” Maybe he’s worried about you? Highly unlikely but still.

“Can you just open the door so we can talk like normal humans? I can barely even hear you,” he whined.

You groaned. You hit your head on the door a few more times for good measure before reaching for the doorknob and opening the door an inch. The hallway was dark. With the faint glow coming from downstairs, you can make out Tom leaning against the wall by the door. He’s looking at his hands, using his thumbnail to clean out his other nails. He immediately straightened at the sound of the door being pushed open. You aren’t ready for the direct eye contact he made as he stood in front of you. His stormy eyes made your heart do acrobatics. You clenched your hands. He always seemed to have this effect on you just by standing close.

“Want to tell me why you’re hiding all the way up here?” He gestured around at the small bathroom.

You frowned. “Can’t a girl have a bathroom break?”

“Well, yeah,” he said as he pushed his way further into the room. Your eyes widened and you took a step back. “But you didn’t sound like you were going to come back down. Why?” Another step forward. Now he’s past the doorway, you and him almost standing body-to-body, leaning over you slightly.

You have got to look away from those heavy-lidded eyes. They’re making your thoughts lose motivation to stay afloat and drowning in those crashing waves was getting harder to fight. Your gaze moved down. Now you were counting the three buttons his shirt had undone and noticing how the fine hair on his chest was damp with sweat. Maybe looking here wasn’t much better but anything’s better than trying to think under that crushing gaze. “I don’t see how this matters.”

“Yes, it does. I invited you.” He pointed at himself. “And I want to know.”

“I just don’t like parties!” You threw your hands in the air. “There, satisfied?”

His gaze darkened. “Then why did you come?”

“Because, idiot, you invited me! And I wanted to come with you! I wanted to be with you. But now I’m chickening out and hiding up here and away from awkward small talk.” You let out a breath and looked back up at Tom. “Satisfied?”

He clenched his jaw and relaxed it. A tick he did when he was thinking. “You could’ve said you didn’t want us to go.”

You let out a sharp laugh. “As if that would’ve made a difference. I don’t have that kind of effect on you.”

He leaned down further, practically forcing you to look at him. Your throat tightened at the close proximity. You’d be surprised if he couldn’t hear your heart thundering against your rib cage.

“What are you talking about?” His gaze is searching as he looked into your eyes. “You’ve always had an effect on me.”

“Oh, c’mon, you’ve used that on every girl.” You sighed and turned to walk a few steps away from him.

You’re surprised when you heard the door shut and his footsteps as he followed you further into the bathroom. “You doubt me too much.”

The tiny bit of whine in his tone made you prickle. You whirled around to find Tom standing right behind you. You pressed a finger to his chest. “And you throw your words around too much. I know you flirt with almost every girl your eyes land on and I know I’m not any different than any one of them. So excuse me for not completely believing all of your smooth, honey-coated words.”

He reached up and grabbed at the hand you were using to point accusingly at him with. His warm hand enclosed your wrist and he pushed you backwards and pressed you up against the wall. He framed you in by putting his free hand on the wall next to your head.

“I don’t know why I have to tell you this but you aren’t like other girls, okay?” His voice was low, like you were the only two people left in the world and still he wanted to keep this moment a secret.

“Then what am I, Tom?” you breathed. The frustration was melting away and a gaping hole of yearning was replacing it. And you don’t know what to do with it. And that was terrifying.

“You’ve always been different, you aren’t like everyone else. You’re special,” he said. He brought his face down to the side of your face, his warm inhales and exhales now tickling your ear. “You’re mine.”

Your heart leapt up your throat as you felt his lips brush against your ear. A flutter, a mirage, a hint of a kiss. But then a small twinge. You couldn’t hold back the gasp as you felt a flash of teeth and a quick pull of your earlobe as he moved back. Heat rushed through your face and you prayed he wouldn’t be able to see how red you are in the dim lighting.

“Don’t do that.”

Tom licked his lips. It took everything within you not to press your mouth against his as you watched his tongue run over his plush lips. “Do what, darling?”

“Make me want to make out with you.” You jutted your lip out a bit in a pout. “I’m supposed to be mad at you, not madly want to kiss you.”

He grinned devilishly. “Oh yeah?” He reached out and fingered a lock of hair that had fallen loose from your ponytail bun. “Guess my Ryder charm is pulling through for me today.”

“Oh shut up.” You grabbed his head between your hands and pulled him down to your height and crushed your lips against his wet parted ones.

His eyes widened for a split second before he bent down further, deepening the kiss. He took no time in shaking off the surprise and taking control. He gently moved closer to you, pressing you firmly against the wall. His hands made their way into your hair and slowly undid the bun, his slender fingers tangling themselves in the strands. His mouth was warm, the heat of it sent tingles down to your toes. He wasn’t a desperate kisser, he kissed like there was nowhere to go, like he could always buy more time if we ever ran out. His touch was burning and excruciating but in all the right ways and you wanted more.

Your hands moved from his face and grabbed onto the open front of his shirt, anchoring yourself to him. You let your tongue push past his lips and did a quick run over his teeth. He tasted faintly of booze and citrus and jealousy. You can feel his mouth shift into a grin and he returned the favor but more forcibly, like he hasn’t eaten in days, ravenous, hungry.

You both break away for a breath. You opened your eyes and watched him as he panted. His cheeks are flushed and his eyes are wild and sweat glistened on his collarbones. It’s a beautiful sight. You honestly can’t quite believe it’s you who was the cause of it.

Words are hard to draw upon, your head is more full with ecstasy than of coherent sentences. “What about the party?” you murmured.

“Screw the party.” He kissed and broke away again. “Screw the whole freaking party.” Another stolen kiss. “If it’s you versus the party, you win every time, baby.”

You bit back a grin. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

He let out a laugh, a genuine laugh. The world paused at the sound of it. It’s a deep, rough laugh, like it isn’t quite used to coming out into the world but it’s so beautiful and lucent that the clumsiness of it is all forgotten.

You can’t help but stare up at him in awe. You could probably count how many times you’ve heard that laugh. It’s almost like it’s the eighth Wonder of the World and you wanted to savor the rarity of it.

Mild amusement flickered across his face. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re just so beautiful, that’s all.” You tilted your chin up and flashed a sly smile. “And you’re all mine.”

His hand grabbed your chin, angling it so your lips were just brushing each other, a butterfly’s flutter of a kiss. Goosebumps swept over your body. “All yours,” he said, his voice thick and rumbly. He closed the distance, his mouth desperate to be against yours again.

A knock at the door startled both of you. You untangled yourselves from each other.

“Um, hello, is this occupied? Kinda need to go.”

Tom growled under his breath. “Aren't there any other bathrooms in this place?”

“Maybe they’ll go look for a different one?” You hold your breath. Your tongue has the lingering taste of oranges and alcohol and it’d love to get a reminder how vibrant those flavors can be.

Another knock. “Hello? Can you hurry up in there?”

Tom turned his head towards the door. “The door’s closed for a reason, man, buzz off!”

“No, no, wait, it’s okay, we can let them use it.” You gently patted his chest, trying to regain his attention before he yelled more. “It’s okay.”

He looked back at you and his anger evaporated. He tilted his head down and looked remorseful. “I’m sorry we have to cut this short.”

“Me too.” You stood on tiptoes and placed a quick peck on his bristly cheek. “But we can always pick up where we left off, ‘kay?”

He grinned, his sharp canines glinting in the dim light. “Of course, darling.”

Your heart did a little leap at that. You shoved down the urge to just ignore the rest of humanity and stay here with Tom and quickly patted yourself down. Your hair was almost completely undone and your shirt was rumbled. You let your hair out of the ponytail and straightened your clothes.

“There,” you said as you did a check in the mirror. “Presentable.” You turned to look Tom over. He was mostly fine except for the red smears that covered his face. You groaned. “Oh no, you look like you’ve been mauled by cheap lipstick. Here, let me wipe it off—“

“It’s fine,” Tom interrupted. “I don’t care.”

You stopped in the middle of grabbing paper towel. “You sure?”

His mouth curled into a crooked smile. “I had one of the best nights of my life. I should let everybody see the souvenir.”

Your cheeks warmed and you gave Tom a joking shove. “That’s so dumb.”

“I enjoyed myself immensely.”

“Stop saying things that make me want to kiss you.”

“No, you.”

An impatient series of knocks made you both jump. “You know I can hear you talking in there. Hurry up. I really gotta go.”

Tom rolled his eyes before winking at you. He grabbed the doorknob. “Ready?”

You reached for his arm and linked yours around his and nodded.

With bravado, he flung open the door and pushed past the figures waiting in the hallway. As Tom bumped shoulders with the taller of the two, you heard him mutter, “Prick.

You almost had to run to keep up with Tom as he guided you down the hall. “Tom!” you hissed. You threw a quick glance behind you and had to slap a hand over your mouth to stifle a laugh. “That was Randy and Lauren! I’ve been practically begging Lauren to make a move for weeks! And you just called him a prick!” You slapped his forearm gently. “Thanks, now they’ll have questions for me.”

You stopped at the top of the stairs, the light from below cascading its way up. “Please,” Tom said as he bent down to plant a kiss on your head, “don’t worry about it too much, darling. If they have half as good of a time as we did, I doubt they’ll remember. And he is a prick, he ruined a good thing for me.” In the faded light, you see his lower lip slipped into a pout.

You laughed and cupped his face with your hand. Seeing him get upset over this, while it’s somewhat childish, sends happy tingles down your spine. It’s somehow endearing.

“Oh Tom, I’m always willing to go for round two.”

[dirty-little-mind33]

Tom Ryder is a star, an A-lister and terribly needy partner. He'll whine when you ignore him and drape himself over you until you pay attention to him. Being a big star is super stressful, y'know? Let him use you as a pillow, pet his hair while he complains and don't forget the kisses! Kissing usually escalates into grinding and wandering hands. He can't help it, you're hot! And while Tom thinks of himself as a rough dom in reality, he's more of a service top. Feed his ego (and praise kink) by telling him how amazing he is. Poor boy needs the reassurance. He loves to hear how you sound when he pleases you. He can never get enough of you and hopes you feel the same. -🍒 anon

love the idea of sub leaning Tom Ryder omg!

man just needs some fucking love. he's super insecure about himself and so while he wants everyone around him to think he's some macho dom, really he just needs to smother himself in your breasts and whine as you play with his curls.

he yearns for attention and he's SO whiny.

Tom loves praise as you said. he wants to be told he's doing good and he's a good person boy. and not in the way the people around him "yes man" him, in a sincere way. he knows you always tell him the truth and you truly love him for him.

i love him being a service dom bc yes he would want to bury himself in your thighs, licking at your pussy like it's his last meal on earth as he pleases you. he wants to make you feel good because it makes him feel good (always a little selfish 😭 has to stay character accurate)

Tom feels good because he feels accomplished for pleasing you and making you fall apart underneath him. he loves the sounds you make because they fuel his already huge ego.

[heygerald]

Falling Without A Harness - Chapter 5

AU where Tom Ryder is still an asshole, just not a psychotic one. When he has good news, but no one to share it with, Parker invites him along to her brother's birthday party. A moment of weakness, or a moment for him to prove he's more than just his Hollywood ego?

read the story here: prev / next

"—and Jody said she was going to wear something simple, maybe jeans and a t-shirt, but I'm not really sure I want to match that vibe or go for something a little more, you know, fun. Maybe I could finally break out the bucket hat tonight," Colt's voice droned on from the phone tucked indelicately into the crevice of her neck and shoulder. Parker was only half listening, as was the usual when it came to her brother's incessant rambling about anything related to the pretty blonde camerawoman, and while he talked, she made work of slowly peeling strips of painters tape from the freshly painted wall. The ball in her hand was nicely sized by this point of the conversation. "So, anyway... uh, wait, what was the point?"

"Was there a point?" she mused aloud. "I stopped listening when you started talking about some pony she rode once at her twelfth birthday party."

She heard him snap his fingers. "Right—the birthday party."

"Hers or yours?"

"Mine! Listen, I know that you all put a lot of work into planning this shindig—"

"Shindig? God, you're old!"

"—but I would really appreciate if you told me what to expect tonight. Just a hint will do. I'm not trying to show up wearing dress shoes to a disco if you know what I mean."

Parker stuck another piece of tape onto the ever-growing ball with a blithe snort. "I never know what you mean."

"Park," he whined, much like a child, and not the thirty-something year old man that he was. Was this year number thirty-seven or thirty-eight? She should probably figure that out before putting candles on his cake. "Come onnnnnn. Just tell me. Just a hint!"

"And ruin the surprise? No way, Jose."

"But it's my birthday surprise! You can spoil it for me. I mean, realistically, no one would blame you if, maybe, you accidentally let the surprise slip. It'd be expected coming from you, actually."

She frowned. "What do you mean it would be expected coming from me?"

"Well, you know, you can't keep a secret to save your life."

Parker tossed the ball of tape into the trash and picked up the broom with an indignant scoff. "Excuse me, I am a very good secret keeper."

A long winded and high-pitched whine followed, and she winced at the volume of it. Parker switched the phone to her other ear, certain that between her brother and Melissa she had permanent hearing damage.

"Oh, so now all of the sudden you're a locked vault!" he blathered on. "Where was this dedication to silence when I got sick at Macy Lindwigs wedding and you spent the entire evening telling everyone you could find?"

An image of Macy Lindwig, dressed to the nines in a beautiful handmade wedding dress, staring in horror as her brother puked in an azalea bush three minutes before the ceremony started came to mind.

"Oh, I totally forgot about that," she snickered, the memory almost too sweet to ignore now that it had been brought back up. "You ruined her heels that night, you know. What was I supposed to do? Not tell everyone?"

"For starters. Or, at the very least, you could have refrained from blabbing about it at Christmas," he muttered petulantly. "Grandma never looked at me the same way again. She still won't let me near her rose garden."

"Cause and effect," Parker chirped. "You drank one too many tequila shots the night before, and thus, you have to suffer the fate of Grandma judging you every Christmas Eve."

"Miami Vice premiered the night before!" he argued, shouting, in what she suspected was a deranged manner. Parker hoped he was somewhere public; perhaps a grocery store or laundromat. "Just another example of how you can't keep a secret for the life of you, not even when your brother's good name is at stake. Your only true sibling, might I add."

"And here I thought I was an orphan found in a box."

She could hear Colt kicking something, palm clasped over the speaker as he whined, before he was back. "You're worse than Judas, you know. You ruin lives just for the fun of it, no silver needed."

"Are you offering silver?"

A cough. "Uh, I mean, I'm a little tight on silver at the moment. I think I have a free sub from Publix somewhere around here."

"A coupon. Wow. So generous."

"It's a punch card, and those aren't easy to fill out, you know," he huffed indignantly, obviously put out that Parker wasn't going to accept his lackluster offer. "What if I say pretty please?"

"Ha! Nice try. I happen to like Jody, so even if I wanted to tell you what we're doing tonight—which I don't—I'm not going to. She was really excited to help me plan this year."

Some spluttering followed her resolution, before he was kicking something again. Apparently, whatever he kicked was harder than he thought, however, and the next moment her brother was wheezing in pain.

"Jesus, take it easy, alright? You're going to need your toes for tonight."

In a breathless voice, he weaseled, "tonight at...?"

But Parker was no novice when it came to keeping secrets from her brother, and so she didn't fall for the trick. "Ha, nice try," she snorted while stooping to sweep her pile of dust and paint chips off the ground. Shades of green and white stained her hands, but she didn't bother to clean them off. It would be a pointless endeavor, after all, considering what they had planned for Colt's birthday party later that evening. "I'm trying to stay on Jody's good side."

"Both of her sides are good sides," was his immediate response, something wistful coloring his tone. "She's gorgeous. If you haven't noticed."

"Trust me," Parker deadpanned with a blithe glance at her own disheveled appearance, "I've noticed."

"Do you think I should bring her flowers?"

"To your birthday party?"

"Girls like flowers. Plus, she's planning the whole thing."

"I helped!"

"I'm not bringing you flowers to my birthday party, Park. It's not about you, you know."

"Right, of course, how could I have forgotten?" she deadpanned. However, despite his disinterest in showing her any gratitude, Parker smiled at the concept that there was a man out in this world so infatuated by a woman, that he not only spent all his time talking about her, but he also wanted to bring her flowers for no good reason. If only she could find someone like that who wasn't her brother. Wishes and wants, she supposed. "As nice of a thought as that is, don't bring her flowers tonight. They'll end up wilted by the time she gets back home from the party. If they aren't totally trashed first, that is."

His tone pitched higher, eagerly. "Trashed? Why would they be trashed? Are we doing some floral vandalism tonight? Oh!" Colt cried, hands clapping together. "Are we going to a wreck-it room? I've always wanted to do something like that. You know, somewhere that wasn't on a set, anyway, where I'm being beat up for a living with props."

Parker covered the speaker of her phone to curse at herself. While she hadn't ruined the surprise, Colt was like a dog with a hambone, and was not likely to let it go anytime soon.

She cleared her throat and attempted indifference. "Not even close," she said, but it didn't sound super convincing, and with an exasperated huff, she threw her hands up. "Jesus, Colt, you're going to get me into trouble! Just chill out. Jody should be picking you up soon, anyway."

"Picking me up soon for...?"

Colt's whining was interrupted by the tinkle of the front bell, and as she switched her phone back to her right ear, Parker took a moment to scoop up the paint-splattered tarp sprawled across the floor.

Melissa had been on to something with her suggestion to repaint the store, and while they had only gotten the walls finished over the past two and a half weeks, the mossy green color with gold accented picture frames really gave some life back to her shop. It still had that musty smell, as well as a pair of flickering lightbulbs from the janky electrical sockets, but they were definitely taking a step in the right direction. The color made everything feel cozier, and once they coated the bookshelves with shades of blue and yellow and replaced the overhead fluorescents with something warmer, she thought it might look like an entirely new store for the price of a few gallons of paint.

Not to mention the color stood out from the recent tan and brown trend that had swept across Hollywood hills. Win, win.

"Ugh! Stop trying to spoil your own surprise and let it happen, alright? You're going to love it," she pacified half-heartedly while booting a stool out of the way. Too deep of a breath had the smell of laquear and paint fumes killing off some braincells, and Parker dropped the tarp along with the rest of the paint materials with a cross-eyed huff. "Plus, it was all Jody's idea, so if you hate it, I would keep that to your..."

Parker paused halfway up the aisle.

On the far end of it, a brown and black colored dog sat patiently wagging its tail at her. Its tongue was sticking out of the side of its mouth, but despite Elon Musk's predictions about the existence of intelligent life in the galaxy, she was pretty sure that the local population of Hollywood mutts had yet to grow opposable thumbs capable of opening a door.

She blinked at it.

"Er, listen," she muttered into the phone, gaze darting past the dog, but not seeing its owner. "I have to go. There's a dog situation that I need to take care of."

"A dog? I've been asking you for years to get a dog, and now you finally decide to get one on my birthday! That's so totally fu—"

Parker hung up before he could complain any further, and slowly tucked her phone into the back pocket of her jeans. The dog barked at her, as if excited to finally have her attention.

"Er—hi. Did you—how did you get in here?" she asked.

It responded by tilting its head to a ninety-degree angle. She stared, waiting, as if the language barrier would suddenly disappear.

Unsurprisingly, it didn't. The dog barked a second time.

"I don't have any treats on me," she said again, not sure else what to say, but certainly feeling like she should say something. It trotted towards her, and though it seemed friendly at first, when it stuck its head into her crotch to take too deep a sniff for comfort, Parker jumped backwards. "Ah—fuck! Buy a girl dinner first, huh?"

She sidestepped the dog, hands splayed out in front of her like she was a robbery victim, and did her best to avoid being felt up as the dog followed her towards the storefront. It nosed her rear end, and Parker let out an undignified squeak.

"Jesus! I know the humane society is underfunded and all, but this is a little ridiculous, don't you think?" she asked it.

The dog darted in front of her, nose going right back for the crotch, and Parker just barely managed to leap onto Melissa's sunken reading chair when an increasingly familiar head of blonde hair stepped out from behind one of the bookshelves.

"Talon, Jean Claude," he said, and as though the dog hadn't just been harassing her, it plopped down onto the floor right beside him. Dog and owner blinked at her in bemusement. "Don't seriously tell me that you're afraid of dogs."

Parker shot him a disgruntled glare in response, but Tom didn't seem to mind the heat packed behind it. Instead, he smirked at her, crossed one arm over the other, and languidly leaned back against the front counter.

It was obvious he was laughing at her, and not with her, and Parker added it to the list of all the things she couldn't stand about Tom Ryder. Worse though, she couldn't help but subconsciously smooth a hand over her hair, because where Jody was effortlessly gorgeous, Parker required quite a bit of effort not to look awful. And right now, with paint-stained pants, a half-assed pair of dutch braids, and miscolored converse, she was certainly not showing him her good side.

If she even had one, that is.

"I should have known you would have a pervy dog," she said while looking down her nose at him. Literally, too, considering she was still standing on the chair. Parker flushed a bright red at the realization and none-too-glamorously clambered down onto her feet. "And French, too. I think that's stereotyping, Ryder."

Despite the distrustful look she shot the dog, he seemed a whole lot less pervy and rabid now that she knew he had an owner, and when she approached it, its tail flapped back and forth excitedly.

"Insulting an entire country?" Tom harrumphed as she started to scratch the dog between its ears. "Maybe you should sit through PR training with me next time Gail hosts a session."

She blew a bland raspberry as she read the dog's name tag.

Jean Claude. Huh. Cute.

He let out a low whine when she hit a particularly sensitive spot, and in delight, he rolled onto his back with half-lidded eyes.

"Is this the one you were talking to the other day, or do you have any other expat mutts that I should know about? I can only be felt up so many times before I file a harassment complaint."

"Jean Claude isn't a mutt," he corrected her, disdain at the very idea of owning a mutt. Parker supposed adopting a kennel-dog was likely below him, being a superstar and what not. "He's an Australian Kelpie, pure-bred, and he certainly wasn't fucking cheap. His parents are award winning cattle dogs in the Australian circuit."

"That's an award category?"

"Hmph. Laugh all you want, but I'd bet he's better trained than you are. He's even trained to attack someone in the balls on command."

"So am I," she sassed while making kissy faces at Jean Claude. "Oh, he's cute. Yes, you are. Yes, you are," she cooed.

He ate it right up, tail flapping in every direction, and when she spared Tom a glance, she could feel the jealousy rolling off him that someone else was getting more attention. Dog or not. Parker snickered.

"Sorry you're stuck with this one," she added, jerking a thumb over her shoulder to gesture in Tom's general area. "But trust me, you're way cuter, and probably lower maintenance than he is."

Tom cleared his throat. "Are you done?"

"Jealous?"

"Of a dog?" he deadpanned, rolling his eyes beneath a pair of expensive Ray Bans—not at all disproving the theory—and Parker smiled at her private joke. "Hardly."

She leaned closer to Jean Claude, and spoke in a stage whisper, "I think he's jealous."

And—yup—that seemed to do it.

Tom pushed off the counter with a sharp huff, unamused by her teasing, and make a command in French. Jean Claude bounded onto his feet, trotted to where Tom was, and curled up between his legs.

Parker stood and planted her hands onto her hips. "Real mature."

"I can always show you his attack command," Tom threatened. "I doubt you'll find him as adorable when he attacks you. It's always a hit at parties, watching someone get their balls bitten off."

"I think I'm missing a critical component for that trick to work," she pointed out with a dry smile. "But, anyway, what are you doing here? If you came to return my books, they're yours, considering how much you paid for them the other day."

He shrugged. "Maybe I want my change."

"You came all the way here, through traffic, to get your change?" she echoed, clearly disbelieving his piss poor excuse. Under her stare, Tom shuffled uncomfortably on his feet. "Hm. I thought I was supposed to be the penny pincher between the two of us."

"Maybe it's not the money I care about. It's the principle of the whole thing."

"Ha! You expect me to believe that you have principles?"

Tom huffed, but she caught the crooked upturn of his mouth. Still, he played the victim—always acting, this one. "You're right. I don't just deserve change. I should get a full refund, considering how awful your book recommendations were. Not to mention the books practically fell apart when I touched them. Clearly, you sell cheap products."

"Clearly," she muttered, while flipping the sign on the front door from OPEN to CLOSED. There wasn't much going on outside, anyway, and she doubted she would be missing any customers by taking the day off early.

"You want to tell me what you're really doing here? Because we both know you liked my recommendations," she said matter-of-factly, moving to the cash register now. She had made a few sales throughout the day, more than a typical Friday, and so she carefully began stacking her receipts. "I mean, who wouldn't? Those are good books I gave you. Contact is in my top ten."

Tom leaned on the counter. "Books I bought."

She waved him off, stack of receipts in hand, as she locked the lower cabinet. Tom could complain all he wanted, but she did know that he liked her book recommendations. He had finished them all within a week, when he likely should have been spending more attention devoted to practicing for his audition. Granted, it was a sci-fi movie he was auditioning for, but—

She startled.

"Oh, duh!" Parker sprung to her full height with a curious look. "Did you get the part?"

Tom smirked.

It wasn't bashful or pleasant or soft like authors typically described their tall, dark, and handsome characters, but it was so very him that she hardly minded it. In fact, Parker sort of liked it. It crinkled the soft lines by his eyes, loosened the tension in his shoulders, and made him look younger. Nicer. Cuter.

"Of course I did," he sassed. "I told you I was going to get it."

She ignored his blatant peacocking to punch him in the shoulder. The action seemed to shock him, and Tom clutched the spot with his other hand—as if she had done some real damage—while Parker grinned. "Holy shit, that's great! I mean, sure, you were a shoo-in or whatever, but this is a big deal. Right? It's a big deal? You must be jumping off the walls right now!"

Tom gave a bemused huff, eyes darting over the length of her face, and nodded. "Biggest movie I've gotten yet," he said. "My first sci-fi film too, so, that's going to get my name out there even more than it was. I mean, if I thought I was well known before... after this, everyone will know who Tom Ryder is."

"That's awesome!"

Tom rolled his eyes at her enthusiasm, clearly not buying into it, and though Parker was so excited on his behalf, Tom seemed like he was fighting off indifference to the news. "Yeah, well, a role's a role, you know."

"Well, yeah," she hedged, waving a hand at him, "but this is your first sci-fi role, and it was one that you even told me you wanted to get. You must be at least a little excited for it. Sci-fi is so interesting, I bet filming it is gonna be a ton of fun."

"Sure," he echoed dryly. His smirk had returned, and though she wouldn't necessarily classify what his face was doing now as a smile, it was certainly close. "Fun. That's what I'm aiming for in my career: fun."

"Oh, please," she clucked her tongue at him, receipts shoved hastily into their folder. "You can be a huge movie star and still have fun doing it. I mean, isn't that the point? Doing something you love and all that. I'd imagine it's going to be a whole new experience for you, stepping into a sci-fi set."

He hemmed, mouth twisting between a smile and a frown. "I guess."

He didn't sound all that convinced. In fact, when Parker thought about it, she seemed to be far more excited about the role than he did. She tilted her head at him suspiciously. "Alright, well... what are you doing to celebrate?" she asked. "A vacation? Buying yourself a new car? Oooh—Legoland?"

He furrowed his brows at her in surprised. "Legoland?"

"It's what I would do," she shrugged. "Probably, anyway. I've never been because the tickets just don't seem worth the price, but if I had just landed a giant role in a giant blockbuster, I think buying a ticket would be the least of my worries. You could probably even write it off on your taxes."

He blinked at her. "Poor people are so sad to me."

She stuck her tongue out at him, and took delight in the way that he huffed in amusement. "Well? Come on—make me jealous—what are you doing?"

Tom shrugged. "Gail's throwing a big party next week to announce the role. She always does that. Invites her producer friends and talent agents and that sort of stuff. There'll probably be some sort of attraction, singers or a zebra or something."

"Casual," she snorted.

"She has a weird thing for exotic animals, I don't know."

"Seems like it. But that's what she's doing, what are you doing?" she needled further. "I mean, I assumed you would do a big party with your friends before then. You know—cops get called, party crashers—the whole scene."

Tom hesitated to answer, and when he did, he didn't sound all that much like himself. "Well, I can't really do that—she controls when I make go public with the news—has the whole timeline figured out, and manages all the press for it. She doesn't let me tell people ahead of time."

"I'm people."

He rolled his eyes. "You're a nobody," he said. Not to be mean; no, Tom was very clear in his words when he intended to be mean. Instead, he had said it nonchalantly, as if it was a universal truth that everyone understood. And, in all honesty, Parker got it. "I mean, who are you going to tell that would care, you know?"

"Okay, ouch," she muttered still, before barreling on. "Don't you have any non-work friends that you can go get drinks with?"

"All my friends are work friends."

"What about people that don't know Gail?"

Tom huffed and waved a hand at her. "That's the same thing, you know. She introduced me to everyone I know in the industry. Other than some set hands, we have the same circle."

Parker sank onto her heels, feeling slighted on his behalf, but knowing that she didn't really have a right to. Surely, Tom Ryder would have stood up to Gail if he didn't like her hands-on, helicopter parent approach to managing his life. And clearly their work relationship was beneficial to them both. He certainly didn't need a nobody like her feeling sorry for him.

And yet, she did.

Because, as she listened to him talk, it felt like he had to give up everything just to be a somebody in Hollywood. And while it might have been the norm for him, it was absolutely not the norm for everybody.

Did he even realize that?

"Fuck that," Parker said before she could think better of it, emotions getting the better of her. Colt always joked that she had a bleeding heart, but she had never thought there was anything wrong with that. "Come hang out with me, then."

Tom arched a brow at her, mouth parted dumbly. "...what?"

She shrugged, feeling a little like a specimen beneath a microscope, and struggled to explain herself. "I mean, you just said that Gail doesn't want you telling anybody that matters, and I only hang out with people that don't matter in the grand scheme of Hollywood politics. I'm getting ready to head to Colt's birthday party after this, and if you're not doing anything else, you may as well come with me. It won't be a celebration for you, obviously, but... it'll be fun."

He blinked at her slowly, surprise written in the fine lines of his face.

"We're not going to murder you," she huffed indignantly.

"I—I never hang out with Colt or those guys."

"Yeah, for good reason. They all sort of hate you for being an asshole on set to them. Like, all the time. I wouldn't want to hang out with you outside of work either, if I was them."

He scowled. "Oh, well, when you put it like that," he huffed. "Obviously, they're not going to want me to come. And, I may be an asshole, but I try not to gatecrash birthday parties."

She waved his concern away with a paint-stained hand. "First off, you won't be gatecrashing, I'm literally extending an invite. And secondly, they only hate you because you're a prick on set. What better way to prove that you're not a prick, by coming to Colt's birthday party, and—you know—actually being nice for once. Just don't be a dickwad. Or an asshole. Or any sort of thing that you usually are on a normal day."

"I think the saying is 'always be yourself'," he deadpanned.

"That absolutely doesn't apply here."

"Smartass."

Parker nudged him in the shoulder with an exasperated look. "Come on! What else are you going to do? Do some irresponsible spending and buy everyone a round of drinks. I bet they'll think differently of you after everybody is a few beers in."

Tom didn't seem too convinced with her logic. "Crashing his birthday party doesn't seem the best way to get on Colt's good side. I didn't even know it was his birthday."

"Now you do," she shrugged, as if it wasn't a big deal. And—well—her brother was probably going to bitch about Tom's presence at the party, but Parker also believed that after a few shots of liquor, everyone would get over the issue fairly quick. Not to mention the party itself was designed for stress relief. Bringing Tom may actually make the night. With a conniving wiggle of her brows, Parker tried again. "I know for a fact that there's room for one more. Jody and I planned the whole thing together, and if she's allowed a plus-one, so am I. Jean Claude can even come. Colt loves dogs."

Tom seemed to sway a little further with her reasoning, and with a slow nod, he finally agreed. He certainly didn't look happy about it though.

Parker punched the air. Oh, Colt is going to love this.

"Awesome! Give me a minute to lock up, and then we can go."

"Fine," he huffed, not too unlike that of a sulky toddler. "But I'm driving."

Parker smiled. Her car was a piece of shit that barely worked on a good day. She was going to insist he drive in the first place. Plus, now, she could get really drunk.

"Fine by me," was all she said, not eager to give away that piece of information just yet. "Just promise me you won't be an asshole. I won't be able to keep my reputation of favorite sister if you ruin the night."

"I'm not going to ruin the night," he snarked with a petulant glare. Parker shrugged, grabbing her things, as he asked, "...wait, I thought you were his only sister?"

"Exactly. Now, come on, I want to get there before they start assigning teams."

The bell rang as she stepped outside, Jean Claude trotting with her, and Tom hesitated for a brief moment before what she said caught up to him.

"Wait," he called, jogging after her. "What do you mean teams?"

---

Tom's presence did not go unnoticed. In fact, it had taken a mere three minutes before Jody was elbowing her to the side, a stern, disbelieving look furrowing her brows. She had let it go in a huff, however, when Parker pointed out that Tom had promised to be on his best behavior, as well as promised to buy the first round of drinks once the game was over.

That had been a lie, of course, but she supposed she could deal with that tantrum later.

Colt, on the other hand, hadn't been so easily placated, and as the twenty odd players stood in a circle, listening to the instructor drone on about safety, he weaseled next to her with a glare.

"I can't believe you brought Ryder," he hissed for the third time that night, hot breath on her face. She would have shoved him away if the instructor hadn't already reprimanded then twice for being distracting. "I mean, seriously Park, I can't stand the guy."

"Oh, really? I couldn't tell."

"Really!"

"Well, I'm sorry," she shrugged, although the apology was half-hearted at best, and Colt seemed to know this as he narrowed his eyes at her irritably. She huffed. "What was I supposed to do? Leave him behind?"

"Yes," Colt whisper-yelled. Dan glanced over his shoulder at the pair, and in perfect Seavers' sibling unison, they plastered fake smiles onto their faces with a friendly wave. He shook his head at them, but likely didn't think they were worth whatever trouble they caused, and faced forward once more. "That's exactly what you should have done!"

"It's not that easy," she argued, hissing as well. "He looked so sad! Like a little abandoned puppy dog that had just been kicked. It was a moment of weakness!"

"Oh, really?" Colt drawled. Together, they glanced over at Tom to find him ignoring everyone in the group with his head stuck in his phone. When a fly buzzed too close, he swatted at it with an icy glare. "That? You couldn't say no to that?"

"I said I was sorry!"

Parker's voice hitched higher than she intended, and the instructor paused in his speech to glare at the duo. She gave him a weak smile in return, mouthing, a guilty, sorry!

The man only got two words back into his speech, however, before Colt started whining again.

"Look, I'm totally stoked about the surprise party, okay? You did a stand-up job on it and the guest list. So how could you fuck it all up so close to the finish line?"

"What the hell does that even mean?" she asked in bewilderment. Parker shook her head. "Seriously, you need to update your sayings."

"Update my—?" Colt bit off a groan, pinching the bridge of his nose to take a long, overdrawn breath. "Why was he even at your bookstore? Since when did you two become friends? What happened to the whole—asshole, asshole, asshole—bit you had going on?"

"I still think he's an asshole," she shot back. But, well, when she caught Tom's gaze across the grass, she faltered. Did she think he was an asshole at his core? Or had he simply become someone she was beginning to understand—a dog that lashed out when someone got too close? Parker rubbed circles into her temple. "And we're not friends. And, even if we were, you have no one to blame but yourself."

"Myself?" he echoed in disbelief. "What do I have to do with this?"

"You're the one that gave him my phone number."

Colt snorted, shaking his head at her. "Fat chance of that," he said. Parker, thinking he was joking at first, fell silent when he caught the look in his eye. But, if Colt hadn't given Tom her phone number, then who had? she wondered, mentally counting down the list of people it could have possibly been.

Bigger fish to fry, she reminded herself when the list made her go cross-eyed.

"Whatever. We're not friends or buddies or whatever you think we are, so you can stop worrying about that."

Colt snorted. "Oh, sure you're not. He just happens to hang out around your bookshop and you share recommendations and, oh yeah! You bring him as a plus-one to my birthday party!"

Parker scowled. "I made the guest list, I think I have a right to bring someone along with."

"Sure, someone. Not Jaws over there."

She frowned at him, thrown off by the random insult. "Jaws?" she echoed, crinkling her nose distastefully. "What does a shark have to do with this?"

Colt sighed. "No, not the shark, the James Bond villain."

"That's a stupid name for a villain."

"I didn't write the damn thing."

"Okay, well, maybe he has the arrogance of a James Bond villain, but at least pick one from this century."

"Silva?"

"Nah. Whose the the one with the weird eye?"

Colt hummed thoughtfully, gaze darting over towards Tom. "Le Chiffre?"

Parker snapped her fingers and pointed at him. "That one!"

"Yeah, alright, I'll give you that," he conceded, nodding. "He does give off Bond villain vibes with the sunglasses and hair-do."

"Right? Oh you should have seen these glasses he was wearing last time. They were huge, and yellow tinted; like Tony Stark would wear. They were so ridiculous."

Colt snickered for a moment, enjoying mocking Tom with his sister, before realizing that he was currently mad at her. He threw his head back with a subtle groan. "Stop doing that! I'm still mad at you!"

Parker gave her brother a blithe look. "I think you're looking at this all wrong."

"Wrong? What other way should I look at it?" he snarked. "With my eyes closed?"

Resisting the urge to smack him, Parker instead gestured to their instructor, the paintball gun in his hand, and then towards Tom. "You literally get the chance to chase down and shoot, Tom Ryder, bane of your existence or whatever. Shoot him. Think about all the welts and whining and, maybe, if you're lucky, the tears you can get out of this experience. Legally. Without getting fired or arrested. What's better than that, huh? It's your very own personal rage room."

Colt considered all of that silently. He swept his gaze from the large pile of paintball guns set off to the side, to the acres of arena in front of them with inflatable obstacles, and then to his blonde alter-ego sulking at the edge of the group.

He slung an arm around Parker's shoulder with the boyish grin. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

Parker snorted, amused by his mood swings. "Not nearly enough. It's all Jody this, and Jody that anymore."

Jody, having finished listening to the instructor's demonstration, peered around Colt's shoulder to blink at the siblings. "What about me?"

Colt and Parker shared a silent look.

"Nothing," she said, whilst he cooed, "just talking about how pretty you are."

Jody blushed a bright rouge instantly, and Colt obviously took pleasure in that when he slung his other arm around her shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he let out a happy sigh. "My two ladies. Paintball. The smell of tears and blood on the horizon. What better way to spend a birthday?"

Parker glanced at Jody, expecting her to roll her eyes, but the camerawoman instead just smiled with something soft in her eyes.

Parker responded by wiggling out of Colt's reach. "Ew, blegh, that's disgusting. They say cooties are contagious you know."

"What on Earth are cooties?" Jody asked.

"An STD," Colt replied, only half joking, and though Jody appeared mildly disturbed by his joke, Parker had known her brother long enough to appreciate his odd ball sense of humor. "And they're not contagious if you have a shot."

Jody, not wanting to know if he was serious or not, let it go as the group slowly filed forward to get their guns, face masks, and coveralls. They followed shortly after, snickering like kids the entire way through.

In the end, Colt and Jody both got white, while Parker and Tom were given black ones.

Karma, she supposed, is that she wouldn't be able to shoot the asshole after all.

"Somehow, this is a step up for your usual clothes," said asshole chirped, pinching the baggy material hanging at her waist between his forefinger and thumb. Parker swatted him away, only for Jean Claude to bark at her. "Easy, you want to get taken down before the game even starts?"

"Please, you're lucky we're on the same team," Parker teased. He didn't seem to buy it if the blithe look he shot her was anything to go by, and she huffed at him. "I bet I could have gotten the first hit on you if we weren't on the same team. I have mad skills at paintball, Ryder. Seal Team Six type stuff., you don't even know."

Tom rolled his eyes at the same time that Colt reappeared, face mask propped on the top of his head, looking just a tad too comfortable in his onesie. Jody and Dan flanked him, and Parker didn't like their smiles one bit.

"What?" she asked.

"You suck at paintball," Colt egged. "Remember Tallahassee? You were covered in welts for weeks!"

Tom snorted, and Parker considered him the greater threat considering the fact he was standing closer to her than Colt was. She glared at him to state, "I'm not joking. I could literally take you out. Any of you," she added with a stern point of the finger sweeping through the group. "All of you!"

Not a single person believed her.

Tom went so far as to snicker at her. "I don't buy that. for a second. You're a total klutz."

She gasped. "Am not!"

Colt raised a hand. "Are too. Remember when you broke your ankle trying to play hopscotch?"

"Just—stay out of this!"

He did not, in fact, stay out of it. "What was it you said, Park? Cause and effect? You suck at sports, and the effect of that, is you're about to go down on the course."

She blew a rather wet raspberry at her brother. "Please, if you and Tom were on the same team, I would smoke both of you."

They bickered for a moment, amusing some, but boring Tom, and the A-lister broke up their argument with a long-weary sigh. "Oi! Whose to say either of you could get a shot on me?" he taunted.

The siblings turned to face him.

"Is that a challenge?" Parker asked, hands planted on her hips, whilst Colt raised his brows.

Tom shrugged, unconcerned.

"In fact, I bet I'll make it a whole round without getting shot once," Tom tacked on, ego puffing his chest out as he smirked at the group standing around. Dan rolled his eyes, while Jody coughed into her hand to hide an obvious laugh at his showboating. "I'm serious. First one to hit me gets five hundred dollars—"

Thwack! Thwack!

Tom gaped at his chest, now dotted with one yellow and one blue splatter. Parker and Colt stood in front of him, guns still smoking, and while his eyes widened in anger, the pair of siblings were more concerned with claiming the prize to notice.

"First!" Colt cried.

"What? No fucking way," Parker argued. She waved at the yellow paint splatter haphazardly, almost taking out Jody as she did so. "I was so first. Tom! Tell him!"

Tom, now even more unamused by their bickering, blinked in wide-eyed disbelief at them both. "Are you fucking serious?" he shouted. "The game didn't even start yet!"

"But you just said—"

"I meant during a match. Christ, Parker, we're on the same team," he blustered, attempting to wipe off the paint, but only managing to smear it further down his chest like a bad Jackson Pollock painting. "Fuck!"

Colt, sensing a blow-out was coming, swung his gun behind his back with a wide eyed, innocent look. "Hey man, it was all her," he started. "Totally uncool. And immature. And, really, if you need me to smack her around a little after this I totally can."

Tom glared at Colt, effectively shutting him up in seconds, before turning to Parker. Everyone watched in baited breath, nervous what he might do, and while Parker hadn't been on set long enough to know what his meltdowns looked like, the ones most familiar with Tom were left stunned by his reaction.

Or, really, how utterly tame this one was to the hundred others they had seen.

"Are you happy now?" he asked.

Parker hemmed and hawed for a moment before deciding that honesty was the best policy. "I mean, I'd be happier if you gave me my five hundred dollars."

"I'm not paying you shit."

"Oh, come on," she rolled her eyes, popping a hip as she did so. "It's not like you're cash poor or anything. You're just upset that I shot you."

Tom gaped at her in disbelief. "No shit!"

Parker, shifting her gun over her shoulder, waved the other at him blithely. "You'll get over it once the game starts. It's—heh—surprisingly therapeutic."

"Shooting me is therapeutic?"

She paused, caught up in her own statement. "Er, well, not you exactly. Just someone, in general, you know." Parker swallowed when Tom continued to stare at her. Awkwardly, she laughed. "Just... wait till you get out there, and you'll see."

Tom remained silent, blinking at her for a long, tense, moment before he rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh. And—

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

His gun went off before anyone could stop him, and Parker gaped at the trio of yellow paint that was now splattered across her chest. "Fucking ow!"

Tom smirked at her, blowing the muzzle of his gun for extra flare, before swinging it over his shoulder. "Huh. I guess you're right. I do feel better."

"Asshole!"

"Yeah, well, takes one to know one, right?" he snarked.

And—oh.

She could kill him. Really, seriously kill him.

But, well, the longer she stared at him and he stared at her, eyebrow cocked and a daring smirk in place, Parker realized above the hatred simmering in her chest, she felt something kindred and wanting flutter like butterflies. Something amused by the curve of his smirk, flushed by the scorching burn of his gaze, and—dare she think—understanding at the retaliatory strike. She had, afterall, shot first.

He had only lowered himself to her level; played by her rules.

And with a strong suspicion that Tom Ryder wasn't so much an asshole as he was just looking for someone to understand him, Parker's only response to that was to throw her head back and howl in laughter.

Despite this, no one else moved for a long moment, too busy darting their gazes between Parker and Tom in case they needed to intervene, but in an even more surprising turn of events, he laughed as well. Not so outright, and not nearly as loud, but he did. Prompted by his positive reaction, it wasn't long before Colt started to laugh, and then Jody, and then suddenly everyone was knelt at the waist in laughter.

It wasn't until their instructor honked a blow horn at them, none too amused with the pre-game warfare, that they calmed down. He honked the horn a second time at Parker and Tom, threatening to kick them out if they kept breaking the rules, and while they managed to stay straight-faced, the moment he turned his back on the group, they shared matching grins.

Maybe, she thought as they got into place, it hadn't been such a bad idea to bring him along.

And maybe, her brother thought at the exact same time, Parker and Tom being friends wasn't the end of the world.

[bitchinbarzal]

https://www.tumblr.com/bitchinbarzal/731879149222985728/what-are-the-barzals-up-to-daddys-game-in

Lu I need to know what happens next 🥺

part one

When Mat returned home Wyatt was happy to see him and that was all.

Ivy, Ryder and Bailey scurried around him in the house. You were in Jersey when he got home and the kids were with the nanny.

You returned home at dinner and as soon as you stepped foot in the door The boys launched themselves into your arms

“Mommy!”

“Oh! Hi my loves”

Then Ivy brings Wyatt to you, both your girls ecstatic to see you. Mat appears behind them like a lost puppy.

You look at him and you can tell he’s been crying prompting you to exclaim “Ok, I’m ordering pizza for dinner so you guys go pick out a movie we can watch for family night!”

When they all ran away to the living room you looked up at your husband with sympathetic eyes

“They haven’t spoken to me since I got home this morning” he whines

“Well Mat, usually when your dad shouts mean things at you that happens” you snap and push past him into the house.

He follows after you “What do i do! I hate them not talking to me, I miss them!”

“Apologize Mathew! They deserve to be treated like humans you upset them so apologize! I’m going to order pizza so you’ve got thirty minutes to get their forgiveness”

He nods and leaves into the living room where the kids were arguing over which movie to watch

“I want to watch Paw Patrol!”

“No I want to watch cat in a hat!”

Mat reaches round the back of the couch and lifts Bailey up “What do you want bails?”

Bailey scowls and signs ‘put me down’

Mat does so and he frowns before he says “Guys can I talk to you for a second?”

Ivy snarls “No daddy, we don’t want to talk to you…. Just like you don’t want to talk to us!”

Mat sighs and sits down next to them on the floor “Listen I love you guys! I was just angry at the game I was playing and I was mean to you guys and I’m sorry because I love you all”

Wyatt is clapping happily because daddy said I love you.

Bailey tilts his head to the side and signs ‘what?’ So Mat repeats what he said in sign and Bailey then looks at his big brother and sister for how to respond.

Ivy rolls her eyes and says “Daddy you hurted our feelings so much”

“Yeah baby i know and I’m really sorry. I swear I’m so sorry!”

Ivy contemplates his words then whispers something in Ryder’s ear and then looks back at Mat

“As long as you buy us cookies with our pizza”

He smiles “yeah all the cookies, I will give you all the cookies! Does this mean I’m forgiven? Can I hug my babies?”

They all land up In his arms on the couch with cat in the hat on the tv when you come in with the pizza’s.

When you land up next to him tucked under one of his arms between all of your babies. Wyatt lays across you both as she nurses and also becomes a table to rest your plate of pizza on.

You lean up into Mat’s ear and whisper “I meant what I said, you make these babies cry again I’ll give you something to be mad about”

He nods and kisses your head “got it, I hated them not talking to me”

[sgtmickeyslaughter]

WEEKLY TAG WEDNESDAY

hello all! thanks for the tags @creepkinginc @lingy910y and @mybrainismelted and for the super fun game @energievie

Name: gigi

Age: 24

Location: brooklyn baby 🌸

And now...

If you could hang out with any cartoon character, who would you choose and why? Colette Tatou from ratatouille

If you could bring back any fashion trend, what would it be? Good quality clothing and the ability to dress up

What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics? surfing or swim/dive or waterpolo! I competed in all three in highschool and i think its time to take my talents to the Olympic level

Which actor would you want to play you in the movie about your life? 90's Winona ryder, I think we look alike and she could capture my vibe

If you were the captain of a pirate ship, what would be the name of your ship? The Bad Omen

If you could see one movie again for the first time, what would it be and why? Spirited away, bc it takes so many dreamlike turns the best viewing experience is when you don't know what will happen next

What’s one thing on your bucket list that you really want to do? Run a marathon

If you could have any animal, real or imaginary, as a pet, what would it be and why? Racoon! and I was very disappointed to hear a lot of whining about rabies from you all last week and let me just say, i dont want to hear it, okay? they're adorable, super clever and the definition of the word critter and i like that about them bc im also a critter!

If you could invent a holiday, what would it be, and how would people celebrate it? Volunteering day! Everyone gets a day off to help with big projects around their community

What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever visited in your country? The art institute in Chicago is the best curated museum in the US hands down its a really clean collection, but alternately also love the isabella stewart gardner museum in boston for having the messiest collection.

Also around seven national parks. Next up Acadia hopefully

tagging:

@jrooc @spookygingerr @thepupperino @burninface

@solitarycreaturesthey @mickeym4ndy @catgrassplantdad

@iansw0rld @ian-galagher @mmmichyyy @blue-disco-lights

@heymrspatel @atthedugouts @doshiart @suzy-queued

[pathfinderyderss]

Lmao I don't even fucking know why I try. Literally to do anything. Getting either ghosted or deflected for over a fucking month. Making posts to try to meet up and it never does anything.

So instead I get to sit here alone and pretend it's fine the next time I get "oh I'm so sorry I forgot" or "you know how it is," like no. No I don't. When I make fucking plans I stick to them. Even if I don't fucking feel well or have a migraine or don't want to do it because my friends are important to me. They can make all of the other events that they put on, but mine, nope. And not even a word about it.

And this continual icing out really just shows that I'm not important to them.

It sucks. I deleted the events I hosted and honestly. I might just mute the fucking chat for a while because I'm so tired of it.

And I'm gonna cry about it for a while.

[kaydens-agere]

Late Night Wanderer || Regressing Masc Reader and Caregiver Rapunzel and Eugene Fitzherbert/Flynn Ryder

Fic below the cut!! This isn't a fandom I ever thought I'd write for haha but my little loves Tangled so he requested this, and I'm releasing it for his birthday!

You sit quietly by the windowsill in the castle, gazing at the moon and starts twinkling in the sky as it gets later into the night. You have no idea what the time is, or how much time has passed since you left your room, but what you do know is that you've been wandering around the castle for awhile, unable to sleep.

You're pulled out of your daze when you hear a voice behind you.

"Hey there, kid. What're you doing up tonight, hm?"

You turn around and see Eugene standing behind you in the hallway. You must've woken him up, he has dark bags under his eyes and his hair is an absolute mess.

"'M sorry." you say sheepishly. "Was walking."

Eugene smiles at you playfully before walking closer to you.

"Well, walkings great and all, but maybe not at two in the morning, yeah?" he says gently.

Oh. You didn't realise it had gotten that late. You nod and look away.

"Why were you walking around right now anyway, huh?" he asks gently.

You whine quietly. "Couldn't sleep, jus' needed to get some en'gy out."

Eugene softens, putting an arm around your shoulder. He pulls you into a side hug.

"I'm sorry, kiddo." he rubs your shoulder as he speaks. "Whenever that happens, you can get me or Rapunzel, we'll stay with you until you fall asleep, okay? You don't need to walk around all alone, I promise."

You nod once more as you start to yawn, the exhaustion is finally starting to hit you. You whine again and lean onto Eugene.

"Let's get you to bed, it's getting pretty late now, bud. Especially for tiny ones like you!" he says playfully as he effortlessly scoops you into his arms, you squeal and giggle, and he gently shushes you.

"Yeah I know, getting picked up is fun and all, but just try to keep it down 'cause people are asleep." he chuckles a bit as he shushes you, starts walking over him and Rapunzel's room.

As he approaches, he quietly opens the door. Rapunzel is sitting up in their bed with the lamp turned on. Her eyes light up when she sees you.

"Hey there, little one. What were you doing up, huh?" she asks gently. Eugene puts you down in the bed and you snuggle up to her. She runs a hand through your hair.

"This little guy was going for a walk, he couldn't sleep." Eugene sits down on the bed and gently takes your hand.

"Aw, got a little restless, hm?" she runs a hand through your hair. "That's okay, Eugene and I will keep you company."

You nod, you're glad that they're letting you stay with them. You soon let out a big yawn, and your eyes start to droop.

"Oh, my poor little angel... you're tired, aren't you?" she says softly, laying down and opening her arms.

You gently slump down next to her, nuzzling into your chest. Eugene comes up behind, wrapping his arms around the both of you.

"Goodnight, sweetheart. Sleep well." Rapunzel says softly, gently kissing your forehead.

"Sweet dreams, buddy." Eugene runs a hand through your hair. Your eyes continue to droop, before eventually closing completely. You soon drift off into a peaceful sleep, surrounded by the warmth of your caregivers.

[pretty-little-mind33]

Tom Ryder x fem!reader

Summary: Tom fucking you in his bed.

Prompt: "Beg for me and I'll consider giving you what you want."

Warnings: SMUT (nsfm) - dom!tom, sub!reader, unprotected sex, degradation, praise, manhandling

TOM RYDER MASTERLIST

BLURB MASTERLIST

You're laying on his large, plushy, mattress, strands of your hair falling over the end as you look up at the most expensive ceiling fan you have ever seen.

It's almost uncomfortable how folded in two you are, your knees resting by your head as Tom Ryder pumps his hard cock into your slick pussy, stretching you open as his grunts and your small, low, whimpers fill his room.

Your mind has gone hazy hours ago and all you can focus on now is the feeling of Tom's cock against your walls, dragging himself in and out. It had taken a while for him to push himself all in, but he'd finally done it and had whispered rough praises in your ear as he'd done so, his large hand stroking your hair. 

"Tom," you moan his name, your hands clenching around the satin sheets, your pussy clenching around him.

He grunts again, his hand finding your jaw to hold you still as he feels you from squirming underneath him. You're both naked, your clothes discarded in a messy pile on the floor, and Tom is greatly enjoying the wet, needy sounds he's eliciting from your pussy.

"You're taking me so good, darling. How does my cock feel inside you?"

You let out a loud whine as he pushes your head to the side, whimpering as your brain tries to find and form any coherent words. "C'mon, slut, answer me. Tell me how I feel inside you, hm?" he commands and presses sloppy kisses against your jaw.

"Y-you feel s-so good," you moan, trying to keep your eyes open. "Tom, may I come now?" your voice sounds broken as he keeps dragging his cock in and out of you. His thrusts become faster and harder, causing your legs to feel like jello. 

"What's that sweetness?" he teases with a grunt, sucking hickeys on your neck as his chest lays over yours, the dampness of the sweat on his hair accentuates his curls.

"Can I come?" you whine again.

"Beg for me and I'll consider giving you what you want," Tom demands, his tone leaving nothing to argue. You groan. He's being cruel and tears of pleasure and need brim your eyelashes. Tom kisses your cheeks, tasting them as he grins and picks up his pace. He knows you can't last much longer. 

"Please, please, please," you mumble almost incoherently, "Please, Tom, can I come? May I come? Please? I'll do whatever you want. I'm yours, please."

Tom sits up a little, dragging his cock out so the tip is against your entrance and you sob, needing him closer. He grins and coos, feigning sympathy as he leans in to kiss your forehead and pushes back in harshly, his full length hitting inside you.

"Go on then, my little slut, let go for me. Soak my dick with your cum, you filthy fucking girl." 

As soon as you have permission, you lose yourself in him, your hands leaving the sheets as they find themselves in his hair. Tears slide down your cheeks, feeling all floaty from your high and you fall back down to earth when you feel Tom's thumb against your skin, wiping away your tears as he fucks you through the pleasure, reaching his climax. 

Once he's spilled himself inside you, he slumps over, catching himself just in time so he doesn't completely crush you. He lowers your legs and runs a soothing hand over your thighs, kissing your temple as he whispers praises in your ear. 

"So good for me," he reiterates, smiling at you. He reaches up and wipes your tears again. "Hush now, baby, you're okay," he says. He shifts so he's leaning against the headboard and you're laying on him, your head on his chest. Your eyelids flutter and Tom can tell you're sleepy. 

"Mhm, 'fucked you a lil' dumb didn't I?" he asks smugly, his hand in your hair again. He doesn't receive an answer as your breathing becomes even and your eyes shut, the ache in your pussy deliciously pleasurable. 

He certainly had. 

tag: @tansgirlfriend, @earth-elemental18

[ladylooch]

Afterthoughts and Alcohol- Liv X Luca

A/N: Part 1 of Liv & Luca's LONG teased angst....

Word Count:3.5k

Stop here & here before continuing on.

Part 2| Part 3| Part 4

The timezone difference between the West coast and East coast has Livia Meier banging her head against the wall of her bathroom stall. Well, metaphorically. 

Luca and the Minnesota Wild have been on a long, road trip. Although Liv doesn’t live with Luca in Minnesota, his road trips still feel like a burden on their relationship. They talk less. He is out with the boys more. Then add in the three hour time difference and they both feel like two ships passing in the night. Liv fights the frustrated tears growing in her eyes as she fixes a smudge of her freshly applied, mauve pink lip stain. 

Heading for my nap. Text you when I’m up 😘

Liv sighs as she slowly walks out of the women’s bathroom inside UBS Arena. She looks down at the message, wanting to tell Luca how much she misses him and how distant things feel with them right now. But it is not the time. Not right before a game and when she is out with her friends for a fun night.

Instead, she sends back: ❤️💋😘

Camilla and Harper, her good friends from freshman year and now floor mates, await outside the bathroom for Liv.

“Ready?” Harper asks, sliding her arm through Liv’s. They begin to walk to the left.

“I think we missed warm ups. Will he care?” Camilla wonders. She nervously bites her lip as the girls weave arm in arm through the busy concourse to the Isles family seats. 

“No. I don’t think Ryder Hughes noticed we missed warm ups on a rivalry hockey night.” Liv laughs at the mere thought. He has the same focus and intensity as his dad, Jack. His ability to block out the rest of the world has always been admirable to Liv. 

Tonight is Girl’s Night Out sponsored by Ryder Hughes. He has been begging Liv to come watch a game to show her some “real East coast hockey” for the past several months. But class and flying to Minnesota and Devils & Rangers games, have taken up most of Liv’s time. She figured it was time to throw Ryder a bone. He has been so helpful and supportive as Liv has begun the process of starting her second book. He is constantly checking in to make sure she has eaten or has enough coffee or has taken a shower in the last three days. Only a year and a half has passed since Liv’s first book was published, but she had forgotten how difficult and stressful it can be to meet her publisher’s demanding deadlines. 

Enter Ryder Hughes as Superman.

And Luca, of course. His role is shaped more by distance than Ryder’s, but Liv tries to shelter those details from her boyfriend. She doesn’t want to make Luca feel bad for missing out on “Librarian Livy”- his nickname for her because of the blue light blocking glasses she wears while she writes.

“Where is Luca tonight?” Harper asks as they sit down in their seats. Liv can feel eyes of the WAGS on her- the Devils and Rangers and Wild and now Islanders girl? The puck bunny label practically writes it’s self across Liv’s forehead. 

“Um, he is in Seattle.” Liv clears her throat of the awkward phlegm setting in from the stares.

“Ugh, I love Seattle! It’s all moody and dreamy.” Camilla murmurs. “Do you ever visit him on the road?”

“No, the road is sacred.” Liv rolls her eyes. “It is where all the bonding and real focus on hockey happens. You know without the distraction of their loved ones.”

“I wanna be a WAG so bad!” Harper whines. “Livy, how do I get Ryder to notice me?”

“I think you need to be European….” Camilla teases, eyeing Liv from the side. 

“Stop.” Liv shakes her head. These two are good friends and always tease Liv about the “hot, hockey men” entranced by her aura.

“Livy, will you sponsor me for Swiss citizenship?”

“It doesn’t work like that.” Liv laughs, bringing her mixed drink to her lips for two quick sips.

“Maybe Lio will marry me.” Harper jokes.

“He is a mess. Stay away from him.” Liv mutters. She likes Harper too much to allow her to enter Lio’s puck bunny trap. Camilla and Harper share a look, shamelessly bonding over their admiration of the oldest Meier child. 

The Islanders win the game against the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in regulation. The girls want the experience of waiting for an NHLer and no amount of whining from Liv can get them to move along. So they wait, and wait, and wait for Ryder to poke his head out from the tunnel. He gives a wave and big grin, then climbs the stairs by twos.

“Great game!” Harper blurts immediately.

“Thanks for the tickets, Ry!” Camilla cheers as he enters the row.

“Hey ladies, thanks for coming.” He goes in for a quick hug with each one of them, ending with a longer one for Liv. “Good hockey, eh?”

“Looked similar to what I have seen.” Liv pokes his side, shrugging like she is unimpressed. He actually played well tonight. 

“Better colors though.”

“Mmm, I like green. Brings out my eyes.” She narrows them at him when he rolls his back at her. 

“Trust me, you look better in blue.” He points to her plain blue shirt with no representation of his team. “What are you up to after this?” He seems to address the group, but his attention stays on Liv. 

“I don’t know that we have decided.” Liv murmurs.

“Well, we have a green light tonight, so a bunch of the guys are heading out. You wanna tag along?”

“Yes!”

“Duh!”

Both girls chime in for Liv. She sighs, tilting her head back towards the arena roof to consider. She really didn’t write enough this week. She should go home and try to get a couple thousand more words done to feel good going into the weekend. Luca is coming into town next week and she wants to spend all her time with him, not worrying about her next check point.

“Livy, your deadline will still be there tomorrow.” Ryder winks, knowing her inner turmoil. He very dramatically juts his bottom lip out at her, then looks up towards the rafters as he bats his eyes. He looks cute and boyish, earning a smirk from her.

“Wow.�� Liv snorts. “Fine, but you’re buying my drinks all night. I’m not paying.”

“Beautiful girls never pay with me.” Liv ignores the way Harper and Camilla giggle as they head down the stairs to leave in Ryder’s swanky, black Porsche. 

- - -

Inside the VIP area of some bumping club Liv has never heard of, she lays her head back on the booth and belts out the lyrics to Party in the U.S.A. Ryder is next to her, nursing his second whiskey neat as the rest of his teammates scatter through the upper area of the club. Camilla and Harper are long gone, mingling with the single members of the Islanders while Liv was sitting by herself. Ryder just came and plopped himself down after doing a lap around the level. 

“Are you glad you came?” Ryder smirks as the song finishes.

“Mhm. Thanks.” Liv says genuinely.

“I knew you would feel better if you came out. You’ve been working hard. You deserve to have fun too.”

“I do have fun.”

“Yeah, but I mean have fun here, in New York, not only when you’re jet setting off to Minnesota. You live in one of the best cities in the world and you never do anything the city has to offer.”

“Life for me here is temporary.” Liv shrugs. It is. Once she is done with school, she is going to Minnesota. She wants to build a life with Luca. 

“You’re gonna throw away a whole life here for someone else’s dream?” Ryder asks. “Kinda shitty of him to ask.”

“He didn’t ask.” Liv shrugs her shoulder slightly, feeling defensive. 

“But he also didn’t tell you to stay in the best city in the world for your career.” Liv pauses.

No, Luca didn’t tell her that.

“Maybe Mr. Perfect isn’t so perfect.” Ryder suggests.

“If I wanted to stay, he would support that.”

“Come on, Livy. You think he loves being hundreds of miles away from you for most of the year?”

“What is he supposed to do, Ry? He can’t control where he plays. You know that.”

“Sure, but I hope you know you deserve more than to only be someone’s girlfriend in some shitty, fly over state. I can’t imagine that’s what your parents want for you either.”

“That’s harsh.”

“Maybe, but at least someone here wants what is best for you.”

“So does he.” Liv finishes with a whisper. They both look away from each other, taking drinks to cool off some of the tension. Liv avoids the pull of Ryder’s gaze a few minutes later, wondering if she should head back to her apartment instead of continuing the night.

“Hey.” Ryder murmurs softly. He reaches out for her hand, giving it a squeeze. He watches his thumb brush over her fingers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get so upset.” He forces a smile. “If you’re happy, I’m happy.” 

But are you happy? An internal voice asks Liv. Are you happy with how many more months of long distance? Or the fact that you and Luca have only talked once on this five day road trip? Or how short the conversation was and the way he goes hours without responding to a text? Will this be how it is in Minnesota? Is Ryder right? Will you only be Luca’s girlfriend, a WAG, and not a published author with a bachelor’s degree and working towards a master’s?

Liv swallows down her nerves, squeezing Ryder’s hand back while pulling in a steady breath.

“It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m fine. Great even.” She finishes, groping for her glass on the table and slamming the rest in one huge swallow.

But the rest of the night, Liv is swimming in and out of reality. She has a hard time being present with the group. The amount of alcohol she consumes doesn’t help. She gets upset when realizing Luca never texted her before he headed to the arena. She was in the bathroom, scrolling through Instagram when she saw his arrival picture posted on the Wild socials. His phone is right there in his hand, but she has no new messages from him.

How is this so easy for him? How is she sitting here spinning her wheels, waiting for any sliver of attention, and he is walking into that arena without a care in the world? Before she thinks better of it, she sends a text to him.

Going to bed. Sweet dreams.

Then she fills her Instagram story up with all the pictures she can take of every Islander and her. She takes shots with their star center, captain, and goalie. Her and Ryder snap tongue out, ultra posed pics. She shoves at Ryder’s face as he tries to hand her another shot. Camilla and Harper join in on the pictures too- sexy, pouty faces as Liv sheds her jacket and runs around the hot VIP area in her black tank top. 

Liv is catching her breath off the dance floor with a fresh tequila soda when her phone buzzes on the bar top.

Your bed looks different these days. Have fun, baby! Call me when you get home?

He is as sweet as ever, which is so annoying to Liv. 

She sees Ryder on the dance floor with Harper, who is falling all over herself at his attention. Liv scoffs. Pathetic. Harper throws her arms around his shoulders. His hands go to her hips, holding her up and in place as her upper body sways. Everything feels like it is getting sloppy. Harper pulls herself into his chest, cuddling up into his arms. He lets her, but his eyes wander up to where Liv is. He raises his eyebrows at her. Liv shrugs in response. Ryder leans down to Harper’s ear, saying something that has her nodding. 

Liv scans the crowd as they wade through to get off the dance floor and to the stairs leading to VIP. Every woman turns their head to look at Ryder as he passes. If he notices, he doesn’t let on. Liv shakes her head in awe of it. She can feel their hot gazes judging her when he stops next to her. He throws his hands on the railing she is leaning on, smiling in greeting at her.

“Another night where you have your pick of the place.” Liv cocks a brow at him. A piece of hair falls across his forehead and instinctively, Liv reaches up to brush it away. Ryder goes still with her skin on his. He closes his eyes for a moment, then slowly turns fully towards her, setting his blue eyes on her face.

“They aren’t the girl that I want.” Liv holds his gaze for three breaths, then looks away, taking a gulp of her drink. She ignores his words, unable to comprehend fully if that was insinuation or not. She can feel the way her body responds to the alcohol. She is a little unsteady on her feet, feeling her inhibitions fall away, and the anxiety dissipate until she feels completely comfortable in her skin. 

The feeling doesn’t last as Camilla and Harper get downright sideways. Camilla is in tears crying over her ex-boyfriend with a rookie who looks like he wants to run through the brick wall to get away from her. Harper is falling asleep on the bench and the bouncer is throwing his thumb over his shoulder that she has to go. Ryder helps Liv get them back into his car. 

“Are you okay to drive?” Liv wonders before getting in.

“Yes. I’m sober. Saw you three getting wild and stopped drinking so you would be safe.” The consideration touches Liv. She is contemplative as she gets into the passenger seat. Her seatbelt clicks into place then Ryder pulls out into traffic. As the car shifts, Liv feels something shifting inside of her too. A softness is growing where she felt jealous and out of control earlier. 

Camilla rushes out of Ryder’s car as soon as he puts it into park. She tosses a wave over her shoulder leaving a passed out Harper to Ryder and Liv. They each take an arm, working together to get her into her apartment. Once inside Liv helps get Harper into bed as Ryder waits in the living room.

“Livy, do you think Ryder fell in love with me tonight? Is that why he is here helping?”

“I think he cares about you, Harp, but maybe try again when you’re sober.” Liv says to her friend. Liv ignores the twisting in her stomach at the thought of Ryder interested in someone. What audacity her tummy has to be churning right now.

Liv’s boots clack down the hall as she finds Ryder by the couch. He is looking at a picture of the three girls on one of their first weekends at Columbia. He seems out of place with his big shoulders, dark hair, and masculine presence in the overly feminine living room.

“That feels like a lifetime ago.” Liv murmurs, stopping next to him. Their shoulders brush. 

“You have lived a lot since then.”

“Yeah.” Liv smiles. “Can’t believe I’m graduating in a few months. It flew by.”

“The best years do, especially when you find a safe place to spread your wings.”

“I know it’s going to be hard for you when I leave.” Liv murmurs, sensing the sad undertone to his words. They haven’t spoken about this before, but the implication has been there.

“Yeah, it will be. I’m losing my best friend.” To comfort him, Liv laces their fingers together, tugging him towards the door to leave Harper’s behind.

“Come on, knight in shining armor. No need to get sad and sappy tonight. We have months left together.”

“True. Plus, I’ve got one more drunk girl to tuck into bed.” 

“I’m not drunk.”

“Sure, but you aren’t sober.” Liv doesn’t argue about that. Ryder makes sure the door is locked to Harper’s apartment, then puts a guiding hand on Liv’s back to walk her the two doors down to her place. 

Antsy anticipation intensifies in Liv as she pulls her keys out. Her other hand is still laced in Ryder’s comfortably. His thumb brushes along her fingers and she feels butterflies sweep the walls of her stomach.

“Liv. I’m serious. I know you’re trying to change the subject and move on, but I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. You have this effect on me. I am better when you’re around. I’m scared of who I will be without you.”

Warmth and appreciation spreads out from Liv’s chest to her extremities. That feels so good to hear. She has spent so much of the day feeling like an after thought, a throw away item when other things are more pressing. Right or wrong, Ryder fills her cup right back up. She smiles softly at him.

“See? What am I going to do without that smile.” He reaches out for her face, then drops his hand, remembering what they are to each other. Remembering who she has waiting for her in San Jose or whatever West coast city Liv said he was in. 

“We will still see each other.”

“Like this?” His voice gets huskier.

“What do you mean?”

“Just me and you. Like this. Like…” He trails off, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. He gets bold, cupping her cheek with his hand. Liv closes her eyes and leans into his touch. “I’m trying so hard not to kiss you right now.” Her blue eyes open again at his confession. 

Liv should say goodnight. Right now. Danger signs bolt upright in her mind. Red flags whip in hurricane force winds. Alarms bang through her head like cartoon cymbals clamoring together. And yet, her eyes drift, down the bridge of his nose, over his slightly red cheeks, to the full, red flesh of his lips. Her top teeth tug her bottom lip into her mouth, then she runs her gaze back up those features to his eyes again.

“Livy…” He whispers her name like a secret. 

Her eyes gravitate to Ryder’s lips again, wondering what it would feel like, for one moment, to kiss someone else. But not just anybody, him. Ryder. Loneliness whispers like a siren to feel warm skin against her mouth again. To be held for a moment, desired, not put on a shelf to be taken down when hockey or school isn’t demanding attention.

Ryder leans in, keeping his eyes open, locked on Liv. Her heartbeat blasts through her ears like a freight train as he stops at 80%. All that is left between them is a slim slice of stale apartment air. His warm breath collides with hers right in front of their noses. She tilts her chin up more, perfectly evening up their mouthes. 

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz

Liv’s phone vibrates in the back pocket of her tight jeans. Her and Ryder stare at each other. Without even checking, they both somehow know it’s Luca. She never told him she was home. Now he likely worries, three thousand miles away.

“I should go.” He sighs dismally. Liv can taste his words in her mouth, feeling the flutter of the air of them on her lips. Then he turns and walks away. 

Liv doesn’t answer Luca’s call. She couldn’t speak if she wanted to anyway. 

Guilt crawls through her veins, icing her chest and making her unsteady on her feet. Ryder disappears into the elevator. Her back hits her door as she clutches her keys to her chest. 

Why did that almost happen?

And what is that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that mirrors disappointment?

Read more Liv and Luca here.

[racheyace]

Lightning Ridge - Part Two

A young Shifter wanders into a town crawling with hunters, Hendrix plans on laying low but when he catches wind of one particular hunter who is after the same Shifter that he’s been tracking himself, his curiosity gets the better of him. Offering to join the man on his quest he can only hope he can track down the dangerous shifter, saving the lives of innocents all the while keeping his secret hidden.

TW: mentions of murder/eating people, giant spiders, some swearing, mentions of death, mentions of drug use

Approx 3.1k words

Part One

Part Two - You are here

Part Three

Part Two

We’d been walking for near on two days now, thankfully Ryder hadn’t questioned my height again and I’d managed to keep that part more or less under control. We also hadn’t come across any more giant arachnids, but we were approaching the last village before reaching Lightning Ridge, or at least that’s what Ryder had said near on two hours ago!

“Are we there yet?” I asked for the hundredth time, my legs were killing me, it wasn’t often that I had to cover this much ground while holding my human form.

“You’re like a whining child, I told you we were nearly there didn’t I?” He growled.

I sighed, falling behind him and stretching my aching muscles, I’d never stayed in my human form for longer than a day and I was starting to feel…cramped.

“It’s hard to believe you’ve travelled all around the county on foot with all this complaining, honestly.” He scoffed and I glared at his back.

‘Yeah well, you’re not the one trapped inside a body too small for you’ I hissed in my head. Normally this sort of walking would be fine, I’d usually be ten times this size, covering more ground faster than he could ever imagine and I’d be able to stretch out whenever I needed to. The concentration and energy it took for me to remain this size was becoming increasingly more difficult and exhausting.

The sooner we got to the village, the sooner I could make an excuse to explore on my own without his watchful eye and stretch myself out for a few hours.

“I don’t normally cover so much ground in a day.” I admit. “I take my time and rest when I feel like it.” I explained, he just scoffed again.

“When we get to town, we’ll find a smithy and see if we can’t get you a new sword seeing as you lost your old one.” He turned his head and gave me a calculating look, I looked away nervously.

“I hadn’t expected to need one so soon.” I said defensively.

We got to a rise in the trail and I noticed the forest around us start to become less dense and more spread out, as we got to the peak we were looking down onto a town.

“Thank the Gods.” I sighed, Ryder merely grunted in response and kept on going at his usual pace, I wanted to sprint down the incline.

From atop the rise the village had looked like a fairly large one, with many houses and streets, a few larger buildings made for holding many people but when we entered city limits there was scarcely a soul around.

“Not good.” Ryder muttered, he headed down a street, following a sign that read ‘Armarand Smithy’ and pushed the door open, ignoring the ‘closed’ notice plastered onto the window.

A small bell announced our arrival, and though the notice had said the place was closed, the workstations were hot and fresh working materials and metal projects lay littering the benches.

“Sorry folks, we’re closed.” Came a gruff voice, I glanced around and spotted a burly man sitting at a forge, spinning a large rod of iron within it.

“We’re hoping to purchase a sword, preferably a longsword made of silver.” Ryder said ignoring the man and looking around the blacksmiths wears to see if he could spot what he was looking for.

I shivered, silver was a weakness to shifters, and I wondered if I’d even be able to wield a sword made of the wretched stuff. Perhaps if the hilt was made of leather it would work, but I’ve never tested the theory.

“Fresh out of silver, I do have a few iron long swords…you looking to take down the beast?” He glanced up from his workstation, eyeing us carefully.

I tried not to sigh in relief too obviously, iron would be fine, I’d face the dilemma of not actually knowing how to wield a sword later. Ryder nodded and the man shook his head in disbelief.

“You’ll need more than a sword, good luck gentlemen.” He stood, his large body towering half a foot taller than us, he picked up a long sword off of the bench next to us and held it out. “Take it, you need it more than I do.”

Ryder took the sword giving it a thorough inspection before nodding in approval and digging for his coin purse.

“Not necessary, many have tried and failed to do what you set out to do, take this and I’ll pray for your souls.” He turned away, sitting back at the forge, getting on with his projects as though no exchange had been made at all. I shared a look with Ryder and after expressing our gratitude we headed back out into the street.

“You think the… Giant, has cleared out this town?” I asked, Ryder only grunted in response, he seemed to be deep in thought as he headed toward the Inn.

We secured two rooms for the night, the Innkeeper told us, that many men had tried to slay the beast, but none had returned thus far, with frequent raids on the village, the other townsfolk had all fled town or moved away, leaving a desolate shell of a village behind. He also wished us luck and told us he’d pray for our souls upon hearing our intentions.

“Well, I’m gonna go for a walk, don’t wait up, we’ll need a good night’s rest before we head into Lightning Ridge tomorrow.” I said offhandedly, hoping Ryder was planning on staying in his room for the evening and getting an early night’s sleep, while I could take the opportunity to stretch out. I’d need to regain my strength if we were to take down Blade.

“Excellent idea, let’s head out back and see how well you do with a sword.” Ryder smiled, pulling out the iron sword and handing it to me, I couldn’t hide my deflation, a training session with Ryder sounded exhausting and the Giant within me cried wishing to be let go.

Following Ryder, we found a clearing in the nearby forest, right on the edge of town to the west.

“Is this really safe to do, when we are so close to the Giant’s dwelling?” I asked holding my sword with both hands and mimicking Ryder’s fighting stance, a nervous sweat building on my forehead.

“If the brute chooses to attack us now then so be it, better to get it over with, besides I need to know what sort of fighter you are, now, show me what you’ve got.” He took on a defensive stance and I had no choice but to swing my sword, aiming for his chest, he easily deflected my attack and with an embarrassing amount of ease, he disarmed me, my sword clattering to the forest floor uselessly and his sword nicking my shoulder.

Where his silver sword had cut along my skin it burned and I covered the wound with my hand, hiding the obvious reaction I was having to the silver. Bad idea, this was a very bad idea, my body shook with the effort to remain human, I closed my eyes taking a breath and reaching for my sword again.

“Your stance is all wrong, and your eyes are stuck on my sword where they should be looking at my feet and at my eyes, you can always see you opponents next move that way.” He explained.

“Actually, I’m uh not feeling great, I might just turn in for the night, big day tomorrow and all.” I fumbled for an excuse to leave now before my identity was revealed, one more slash of his sword and I was sure to be discovered.

He blocked my path. “No.”

“We need to get this down now if you want to have any chance of surviving against the Giant.” He took on a fighting stance again, and I steeled myself, there would be no getting out of this.

This time with my life at stake, my swings were heavier, though Ryder continued to block my attacks, he didn’t disarm me this time and I kept a firm hold of my sword. My eyes darted between his feet and his eyes and I was able to predict a few of his movements but as he switched from defense to offensive maneuvers I found it increasingly difficult to predict his swings and defend myself accordingly, but I did, at least for a little while.

Feeling proud of lasting longer than thirty seconds this time, I used that confidence to counterattack. His body moved with the gracefulness of a cat as he avoided my strike to his ribs and thrust his sword at my neck, using a boot to knock me to the ground and knocking the air from my lungs.

My heart rate skyrocketed, looking into his fierce eyes, the sharpness of the many different hues of green and brown reflective and flashing in the evening sun, his sword dug into my neck. The wound sizzling and his gaze remained stern watching with suspicion.

“What are you?” He growled, I put my hands above my head in surrender and dropped my sword, but it was too late. My heart rate increased, and that cramped feeling in my bones only became worse until I could no longer hold it back anymore.

My body began to expand underneath him, knocking him off his feet as he scrambled off of my chest and backed further away into the forest, watching on in horror. I got to my feet, not wanting my neck to be anywhere near him as I continued to stretch up into the sky, my shoulders just reaching the tops of the immense pine trees surrounding us when I reached my full height of about sixty feet.

It felt amazing, like a really good back crack after a rough nights sleep, only ten times more relieving and the feeling spread all over me. I suppressed the urge to stretch my arms out completely and instead braced myself for the onslaught that was bound to come from the hunter at my feet.

Looking down at him felt strange, having spent the last few days seeing him from my human height, it felt wrong to see him so small, I kept my hands above my head in a sign of surrender as I crouched before him. “I can explain.” I said, keeping my voice low and being aware of how much louder I could be at this size.

“Y-you… you’re a-“ He stuttered unable to finish his sentence, I filled in the blanks for him.

“I’m a shifter.” I said carefully. “And I mean you no harm, my intention is as it always has been, to slay the monster in these woods.”

His breathing became heavy as rage consumed him.

“You are the monster!” He shouted. “You are the one I’ve been tracking all along! And you’ve been hiding right under my nose!” I flinched at his words, I should have been expecting that, of course he’d think I was the shifter he was after; it’d make sense to hide in plain sight.

He gave a war cry and lunged for my ankles. “Ooop!” I shuffled my feet away and then wrapped my fingers around his body, I pinched his sword between my finger and thumb wincing as the silver burned my flesh before flinging it into the nearby shrubbery.

With his hands free of a weapon, I held him before my face, his legs kicked at my fingers and his hands scratched furiously at my skin, but I didn’t relent my grip, it hurt my heart not to trust him enough to let him go.

He needed to cool off first.

“Ryder please listen to me, I am not the one you’re after, I swear to you I’ve never harmed a human soul in my life…at least not intentionally.” I added as an afterthought.

“Bullshit!” He fumed. “You’ve been lying to me this whole time, what makes you think I should believe anything you have to say!”

I sighed heavily, sitting myself down on the forest floor, deciding whether or not to wait out his anger or to let him go and make a run for it myself. I landed on the idea that perhaps he would see reason if he heard my story, my real story, it was worth a try at any rate.

“I was ten years old when I turned.” I said quietly.

“What?”

“I didn’t have a choice, I was born this way, as all shifters are.” I explained patiently, ignoring his confusion.  

“I was deemed too dangerous to be around my family or my village anymore and I was cast away.” I continued, watching him carefully as he began to lose the gusto in which he was scratching at me.

“I became a nomad, spending a lot of my time in hiding and gaining control over my ability to shift. Once I’d gained that control I re-entered society, living among humans for the most part.” He glared at me then.

“However, I began to hear stories of a Giant who would raid villages, killing innocent people.” I loosened my grip on Ryder somewhat, wanting to appear as less of a monster in his eyes and praying to whatever Gods there might be, for him to listen to what I was saying.

“It was rare for me to come across other shifters, and the ones I did find, preferred to remain on their own and in hiding, like I had been doing. Staying out of trouble and living their lives in peace. But Blade…” I shook my head, still astounded to this day.

“When I found him, he was consumed with a hunger I’d never seen before and told me fantastical stories about how wonderful it felt to crush a living soul in his hands.” I flinched inwardly, realizing I wasn’t making the man currently in my grasp feel any more comfortable than he had felt before, I continued on anyway.

“When I expressed my disgust in his way of life, he attacked me, he left me there within an inch of my life, it took me weeks to recover but when I did, I vowed to myself that I would put a stop to him. That no more innocents would die at his hands.”

I met his eyes then, holding them in my gaze. “Please believe me Ryder, please help me to kill him.”

He remained quiet for some time, his face void of all emotion and stony as he thought over everything I had said.

“Will you release me?” He asked so quietly I almost didn’t hear him. “Of course.” I said and probably a little too quickly I lowered him to the ground and released my grip from him, watching him clumsily regain his footing.

“I suppose it all makes sense now” He mumbled.

“Why you travelled with only a dagger, why you seemed a little taller occasionally and why you had the strength to move the spider’s body off of me.” He began to pace the forest floor in front of me, one time almost running into my boot before he stared at it in disbelief and gave it a wide berth.

I remained quiet, letting him take in all the information I had just dumped on him, all the while keeping my hands firmly in my lap and trying to appear as un-intimidating as I could at this size.

“How do I know you’re not just trying to lure me into a false sense of security?” He mumbled, more to himself than to me, but I answered anyway.

“If I had wanted to kill you, don’t you think I would have done it by now? Why would I have saved you from the spider when I very well could have squished the spider and been done with you.” My answer came out harsher than intended, he looked up at me calculating whether or not I was telling the truth.

“Is your name even Hendrix?” He asked accusing.

“It is actually yeah, normally I give a fake name though I don’t know why I didn’t with you.” I petered off in thought, I had never in my life given my real name to anyone, even when crossing paths with other shifters.

“Can you like shrink back down or something, I can’t talk to you when you’re the size of a fucking building.” He growled, rubbing his sore neck from craning to look up at me.

I chuckled nervously. “Not for a little while I’m sorry.”

“I thought you said you had control of this…’ability’.” He said gesturing to my form up and down.

“Well, I do.” I insisted. “It’s difficult to explain but this is my natural form, holding my human size is actually quite exhausting, especially when I have to hold it in for a long time, two days is my new record.” I said smiling, when he didn’t match my elation, I deflated again. “So um it will take a little bit for me to regain enough energy to uh ‘shrink’ back down again.” I mumbled.

“I see.” He said thoughtfully.

As slowly as I could manage, I maneuvered my body so that I was laying on my stomach with my head resting on my arms in front of me, that way we could talk on a more equal level, and he wouldn’t have to strain himself.

He watched me the entire time I was moving, backing up a few steps to give me space and keeping his balance as my body vibrated the floor beneath him. It was an uncomfortable feeling, knowing a small movement on my part had such a huge impact on humans.

“Thank you.” He said slowly, almost as though it were a question, he still seemed awfully wary of me, but the murderous rage seemed to have left him for now.

“So ah, now that the cats out of the bag, we should talk game plan on how to take Blade down, yeah?” I suggested hopefully.

He crossed his arms over his chest. His shaggy dark brown hair moved with the breeze my breaths caused and I couldn’t help but find him somewhat adorable at this size, though I’d never say that out loud to him, that was a sure-fire way of getting my head chopped off.

“Does everything that you have on your person grow with you?” He asked.

“Oh, um yeah, my bag, clothes, everything that I have on my person at the time of the change, it’s kind of a package deal, and one I’m grateful for otherwise I’d go through a hell of a lot of clothes.” I rambled with a nervous chuckle.

“Shut up.” He said sternly and then met my eyes with a mischievous smile that finally reached his eyes as something seemed to click within his mind.

“I have an idea.”

Part Three

[ronnica-sinp]

Here's some ChanSaw headcanon's cuz why not y'all love those two beans so-❤️💙

If Chandler and Veronica would have a daughter they would probably name her Riley Sophie because Veronica loves the name Riley and Chandler loves the name Sophie

Veronica would most probably ((definitely)) steal Chandler's hoodie's And when Chandler would ask about the Veronica would be something like "oh I donno anything about it. You must have lost it"

On Halloween they would probably wear something that is from a movie like "Edward Scissorshands" Veronica would be Kim and Chandler would be Edward

After October 31st Veronica already starts putting Christmas songs while Chandler tries to stop her to not by any Christmas things yet

Veronica's full name is Veronica Ryder Sawyer and Chandler's full name is Heather Kim Chandler so when they're mad at each other they would call each other by their middle name because both of them hate their middle name

When they're studying together Chandler would whine all the time about being tired and exhausted convincing Veronica to let her Copy at the test

One time Veronica dyed her hair a little blonde and Chandler loved it and actually helped Veronica with some make up

Once a month the two would have a "spa day" where Chandler would take care of Veronica and herself like they're at spa

Chandler doesn't really like Betty Finn but she tries to be nice to her for Veronica

Veronica would talk about space with Chandler even though Chandler doesn't know anything about space

If they ware in the 20s right now Veronica would most probably play Undertale and DDLC and she would talk about with Chandler about it even though Chandler would not care about Undertale or DDLC but she would listen for Veronica

Veronica always insists on Christmas that she and Chandler should wear ugly sweaters for a photo but Chandler would always say no yet they still do the photo

Every single night they talk over the phone until 4 to 5 in the morning