#sadly for me most of my good close friends are men

[boymoon72]

need to get back into my man hating era bc I cant anymore

[makismei]

(18+ somewhere randomly near the end bc my pussy took over) it is currently 2:57am and while i was writing an upcoming fic, i suddenly thought of nanami, as your underclassman at jujutsu high... not proofread (possibly incoherent) i am sorry i finished at 5am

he's two years younger than you, but he's been enamoured by you since he spoke to you back when he was sixteen on your eighteenth birthday, hosted at gojo's condo.

almost everyone was drunk, courtesy of shoko managing to get her hands on bottles of tequila and vodka. you were barely tispy, finding a completely sober nanami stuck to a wall with his eyebrows pulled together. he doesn't like it here. he wants to go home. but this is what being a teenager is like... right?

through flashing lights and loud music, you told him that cherishing your youth goes beyond what he's seeing before his eyes.

with you being a third year, he rarely saw you at the school. up close, he realizes how beautiful you are and that your perfume suits you so well.

"being a child is just fine," you say, as if you aren't only two years older. "you have your whole life to experience partying."

you end up outside on the balcony, talking all night about anything and everything.

and nanami learns, at sixteen, what uncontrollably clammy hands feel like, stuttering over simple words and the desperation for more of your presence.

since that night, he looks for you on campus when you are between missions. in the beginning, he couldn't find the courage to start conversation, but slowly, it starts to come to him easy.

over the years, he's seen you introduce your older boyfriends to your friends. he's also seen you get your heartbroken because the men that you chose to love were straight up losers.

what is he to do? clearly, you have a type and it's not him. although, he is confident he can treat you far better.

you like dark hair and tattoos, "manly" looking men but they don't even hold the door for you. what the hell is wrong with you? nanami swears, if he was yours, you'd never look back.

nanami is freshly nineteen, listening to you talk to shoko and utahime about how relationships are no longer worth your time. something inside of him feels disgusting because you're pouring your heart out and god, he just thinks you're so beautiful.

when he confesses to you for the first time, he is twenty-one and it's winter. it's been three years since your last relationship and you haven't pursued another since. he knows it's a long shot, but he goes for it anyways.

you smile, hand on his arm, "you deserve better than me, kento. but thank you, truly. i'm flattered you think of me so highly."

nanami raises a brow, "who doesn't?"

you're halfway into your door, smiling sadly. "you'd be surprised."

six months later, you're in cahoots with a horrible man and nanami thinks he's going to go bald early. why do you do this to yourself????

since his confession, he's tried to be mindful so he doesn't make you uncomfortable. but in the most friendship way possible, he tries to show you there are men (meaning: him, he is best fit for you) that are willingly to love you the way you deserve (him).

you, on the other hand, are biting your nails as far as you can, you cannot be catching feelings for nanami kento? you've never seen him in a romantic light, even after he confessed, but recently there has to be something poisonous in the air.

you blocked that douchebag two days ago because talking to him makes you feel disgusting. but you think you might unblock him to save nanami.

nanami cannot be yours, sure he's younger than you and you swore you would never date a younger man because they're so "immature", but nanami is a good... mature person. he is honest and hardworking, growing into his features and in turn, becoming more handsome as the years go by.

you'd be lying if you weren't jealous thinking about the woman that he would call his one day.

you think it's for the better. nanami cannot get caught up with your antics. he's really only seen the good sides and the thought of him seeing your bad sides makes you nauseous. he'd hate you, for sure. then what would you do?

but it doesn't matter, you don't even like him like that! but he's such a good friend you can't fathom the thought of ruining your friendship.

but what if he gets a girlfriend? you're pacing back and forth in your living room, obviously you can't be close with him anymore because that is just so suspicious.

oh my god. you're spiralling.

what do you do? you call nanami.

you tell him everything and more, that you're sorry, that you might be confused but your gut is telling you otherwise. you cry on the phone to him because you're at a loss and you feel so guilty.

nanami does not say a word or make a sound.

until, you hear a knock on your door through the phone and in real life.

"will you let me see you?" he asks, desperate. "i need to see you."

"you had me waiting for so long." he mutters, hips swinging into yours. he has you in a mating press, forehead pressed against yours. "am i making you feel good, beautiful? tell me."

you nod, legs quivering at his sides. "you're so good—i.. i think i'm gonna cum again!"

he shushes you, kissing you so deeply your mind goes blank. he starts thrusting harder and your mind is so mushy you can't even kiss him back. nanami groans, this can't be real. you feel so good that he might get addicted.

he can't let you go now that he's had a taste. he's not letting you go.

you love him. you told him in a panic over the phone.

you love him.

he needs you wholeheartedly and even though he had to wait almost eight years, he would gladly wait another eight years because if it's not you, it's no one. over the years he's loved you one-sidedly, he did a lot of thinking.

a silly high school crush ended up swallowing him whole. he was searching for you in all the blind dates gojo made him go on because gojo was convinced he was cooked and that you would not like him back.

so to see gojo's jaw dropping when you kissed nanami on the lips in the jujutsu tech courtyard, made his heart swell.

he was always yours.

you think that maybe, you've loved nanami for longer than you've thought.

"thanks for waiting for me." you breathe, "i'll make you happy."

nanami smiles, "you will always make me happy."

[i9messi]

Bonita — Ruben Dias

You met Ruben while you were on vacation in Ibiza, and even though you're strangers, an instant connection bonds you together.

Word count — 1,3k

a/n: I'm currently obsessed with Rúben, so I'll probably never stop posting stories about him. And, just a little reminder that I'm not a native english speaker, so don't be rude.

ruben’s masterlist

It was a gorgeous sight. The waves clattered against each other, making a sound that gave you calm. The sun was burning your skin, while you protected your eyes with sunglasses. With a book resting on your lap, you were talking to your best friend about how much you were enjoying your vacation.

You two arrived a couple of days ago in Ibiza, and you practically lived on the beach, on yachts and drank margaritas all the time. It was a girls' trip, and all you did was talk about gossip and people that you thought were attractive. You were no longer interested in your work or on your busy schedule, none of that mattered anymore.

“I need to meet a handsome man,” you said to her, as your eyes turned on the men walking down the beach. Most of them were attractive for your eyes but none of them made you feel things. The kind of things you thought were obvious, like a faster heart beating, red cheeks and a warm feeling.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed yet, but that one over there has been staring at you for a while now.”

You looked in the same direction as her, your gaze met a man that was also looking at you. It was a brunette guy, a very good looking guy. Everything about him caught your eye, even that smile he gave you when you started smiling. His smile was a mix between sincerity and charm.

“Is he real? I think all that alcohol made me hallucinate.”

Handsome men were a typical thing in your world. You worked as a photographer in a modeling agency, so you saw attractive women and men all the time. But the man who was looking at you now did not look like one of them, the man who was walking in your direction looked like a real man.

The stranger didn’t take long to arrive at your side. You saw his abdomen and a couple of drops on his tanned skin from getting into the water moments before.

“Hey.”

“Uhm, hi.”

Your friend got up from her place and winked at you. “I’m going to the water, let me know if you need something.”

Now alone, you pointed out the empty seat in your friend’s chair.

“You can sit down if you want. You’re too tall and my neck is going to start hurting if I keep looking up.”

He smiled and took a seat. “I saw you there and I couldn’t help but think I needed to come to chat with you.”

“Your face is familiar, are you a model?”

“No, I'm not. Why‘d you think I would be a model?”

He was handsome and had a body built like someone who spent a lot of time taking care of himself.

“I work with a lot of models, maybe I saw you there once.”

“I’m in sports.”

“Oh, let me play a game. I want to guess your job.”

He smiled at your sudden interest, “Guess.”

“Tennis player?”

“No.”

“Basketball player? You’re tall, that would make sense.”

“No, but you’re close.”

“Well, my last try. Footballer?”

He nodded. “We have a winner.”

The truth was, you already knew he was a footballer. You grew up in a household where everyone watched football and sports, so you knew several players. Also, your residence was in Manchester, so you knew some players who played for the citizens and Rúben Días was one of them. You didn't want to admit all of that, you didn't know why but making everything anonymous sound more pleasant.

"What’s your name?" he asked, seeming interested in knowing more about you.

“I think we should keep our names secret.”

His smile grew bigger. “You want to make things interesting, okay then. I’ll call you bonita.”

“Oh sir, that’s your way of flirting with me?”

“It’s not flirting if I say something true. You're pretty.”

You smiled, “Thank you, stranger.”

“By the way, I'm flirting.”

“Uhm, sadly for you, I need much more than a guy calling me bonita to fall for him.”

He laughed, a noise that provoked a blush in your cheeks.

“Don’t you fall for my charms? Well, I’m not a man who gives up easily.”

He was joking, but you thought there was some sincerity in his words. You couldn’t help feeling a little flattered.

The conversation started, it was a genuine interest on both sides, wanting to get to know each other. He spoke about his career as a professional football player and his passions in life. With the beach and the sunset involving you in a comfortable surrounding, it was simple and lovely to meet him more. When the sun started to fade and the dim light of the evening illuminated both of you, you knew it was time to leave.

“Will I see you again?” he asked, his accent and his voice making you feel things.

Your friend was waiting a few feet away and you stood up from your seat, holding your bag in your hands.

“We may meet again if fate wants it.”

“Can I at least have your number?”

“No, stranger. What did I say about fate?” You approached his face and left a kiss on his cheek. “Goodbye, Rúben.”

“Hey! How do you know my name?”

You let out a laugh. “A good magician never reveals their secrets.”

His smile was the last thing you saw when you left the beach.

It was your fourth day in Ibiza and your friend and you had decided to see the sunrise. You had arrived early to the beach, with your cameras and phones to photograph the sun appearing on the horizon. But when you arrived, your eyes caught someone else. Rúben was there, this time a shirt covered the upper part of his body. He might have had the same idea as you, because he was photographing the sunset with his phone.

Your friend knew your intentions, so she winked at you.

“Go, go, lioness.”

You walked until you reached his side, just then he noticed your presence.

“Hello, Rúben.”

“Hi, stranger. Have you followed me? I feel like you know everything about me but I don’t know anything about you.*

“I just know your name, don't be silly.”

“It’s much more than I know about you.”

“Well, I’ll tell you my name.” you let him know your name and he tasted the pronunciation on his lips.

“I was right, a bonita girl like you has a pretty name.”

“You're really flattering, Rúben.”

“Okay, now, how do you know who I am?”

“I live in Manchester, and my whole family loves football. I grew up with them explaining what an offside is."

“Fair enough.”

“Okay, now that we’ve cleared things up. Are you happy to know my name at least?”

The sun slid over the horizon and your eyes began to look at it.

“I want to know you better.” he said, and then, you heard the sound of his phone taking a picture of you. He smiled at the view.

“One day and you’re already in love with me, Rúben?”

“Stop, you make me sound like I’ve proposed. I barely know you, stranger.”

“You’re the one who said you wanted to know me better.”

He came closer to you, step by step, his brown eyes looking directly at your lips.

“Can I kiss you, bonita?”

“Yes, you can, bonito.”

Everything happened. His lips clashed with yours, while his hand settled on your hip, right over your summer dress. Something let you know that it wasn't a one night stand or a brief moment with a random guy, this was intimate and romantic at the same time. When you separated in order to fill your lungs with oxygen, he left you a quick kiss on your lips.

“I’m sure you’ll make my summer even warmer.”

[hiddenzev]

Second Confession: Part 2

Pairing: Joel Miller x f!reader

Chapter Summary: She finally confesses her feelings to Joel

Chapter Warnings - Angst, One-sided love, Unrequited Love, Idiots in Love, (let me know if i missed anything)

WC: 4.2k

series masterlist , AO3

A/N: Damn guys, I didn't expect a lot of people to like this story. Thank you for all the likes and comments!! Anyway, please excuse my poor writing :(( I'm trying my best. There might be a few mistakes I've missed. I really wanted to make it so angsty but i'm lacking it sadly. Hope you guys enjoy this next part tho. :)

The rising sun is up painting the sky with beautiful rosy hue this morning. Compared to the beautiful morning, you didn’t get to have a good sleep. You were tossing and turning in your bed overthinking about today. It’s your first patrol with Joel and there’s some many thoughts running through your head playing out how it may go. You make your way, noticing that Joel must have left his house already as you pass by his house.

As you reach the ranch, you notice that Joel is checking the horse while Tommy is by his side saying something to him. Maria is standing further away with another horse which you believe to be in your care for patrols.

Maria notices you and calls you out. Both men turn to look at your form coming closer. Joel takes a quick glance at you before returning his attention back to his horse. You exchange greetings with Maria before walking over to the men.

“Morning!” You greet them.

“Morning. How are you feeling?” Tommy asks you.

“Not bad.” you lied. You’re used to doing patrols but this time it’s different because of a certain man.

“I’ve told this guy to look out for you out there, not that I think you’re not capable of taking care of yourself,” Tommy rambles on beside Joel.

“That’s fine. I get it Tommy,” You gave him a small smile.

“We’re just looking out for you because you’re our friend and this guy has a certain reputation of him y’know.” Tommy says without any care that his brother is next to him listening to what he says.

You nod and cautiously glance at Joel who has his back on you. You pick up your courage to talk to him.

“Hi Joel.” trying to hide the slight tremble in your voice to sound normal.

Joel turns slowly before stepping closer to you. Your eyes are on him the entire time. It’s insane how you are lost in his honey brown eyes that you are seeing up close for the first time since you’ve known him. You can’t help but hold your breath when he bend down slightly to look you in the eyes.

“You better not slow me down. Don’t think that just because you’re good friends with Tommy and Ellie, I will go easy on you,” he pause, “because I won’t.”

You stare at him for a few seconds before you speak, “Didn’t tell you to go easy on me.” You said in a calm voice. You are not that affected by what he said because you knew his grumpy ass is annoyed with you joining him for patrols.

His eyes widen slightly with a certain glint in his eyes. You find it cute seeing him flustered. Not wanting to break into a smile, you turn to go to your horse by Maria.

“You ready to go?” Maria asks you.

“Yup all good,” you say while inspecting your horse.

“What did you say to him? He seems pissed off,” Maria eyes Joel “Can’t stop looking over here.”

You shrug your shoulders while stroking the horse’s neck.

“You know how he is,” you smile affectionately at the horse.

“You’re sure you gonna be ok with him out there?”

“Yes I’m sure, Maria. You know me.” You reassure her.

They know that you mostly keep to yourself and mind your own business most of the time. You’re more of an observer than anything else. You try not to be socially awkward but you can’t help it sometimes. However, you don’t take any shit from anyone. You will stand up for yourself if anyone disrespect you or your loved ones. You’re not a pushover, you can be stubborn sometimes and you know exactly what you want.

Both you and Joel mount the horses and make your way to the gates with Joel leading the way. You exchange a few words with Tommy and Maria before getting out of there.

It was silent the whole time with Joel in the woods. The man didn’t even make a sound, not even a sigh. Instead, the sounds you can hear are the soft rustling of leaves when the calm morning breeze hits them, the faint chirps of the birds, the crunch of leaves and twigs below you and more of the subtle, soothing sounds of the nature.

You try to focus on checking your surroundings but your gaze will always land on Joel’s broad back in front of you. You openly observe him from behind, looking at every one of his curls that you wish you could touch. You wish to caress his head slowly, taking your time to really feel him on your fingertips. Oh you so badly wish to press your body against his back, wrap your arms around his torso and take in his scent. You can only wonder how it would feel.

You close your eyes for a few seconds to will yourself to not think about him this way.p right now. The silence from him kills you. You try to break the silence by striking a conversation.

“The weather’s good this morning, don’t you think?”

No response from him, prompting you to keep talking.

“Don’t you feel guilty appreciating something simple like the weather during a world like this?”

He is still staying silent.

“Do you love music?”

This time, he turn his head slowly to look at you with a hard glare before opening his mouth.

“Do you ever stop talking?” He said it sarcastically.

“Geez, I only asked 3 questions man.” You muttered under your breath looking away from him.

“What?” His eyes you narrowly after seeing you mumbling to yourself.

You look at him again with a forced smile.

“Nothing. I’ll keep quiet.”

He turn his body around, giving his horse a gentle nudge to quicken its pace.

The rest of the patrol with Joel is just him telling you off a couple times when he catches you not being alert enough. You can’t complain because it’s your fault for not focusing on the task, getting distracted in your own thoughts of your partner right there.

You don’t actually mind his attitude out here because him calling out your mistakes only means that he cares about your safety. Even if it’s just a teeny tiny bit. Compared to his approach on other things, he teaches you some tips in a gentler way.

Patrol duty isn’t your favourite because you hate the risk of being out here but there isn’t any choice when there is only a limited amount of manpower for this dangerous duty. You have worked with a couple of people over the years for patrol and weirdly you feel the safest with Joel and it’s only your first day with him.

The patrol shift ends the same way as it started. Masked with the heavy air of stillness with Joel Miller. You’re assuming that he’s using this patrol to probably feel you out to see your skills and make sure you’re strong enough to be his partner. You on the other hand, were busy checking him out with any opportunity that you can. It’s embarrassing at this point.

After the shift handover with the next patrollers, the horses are return to the ranch to be taken care of. Joel went off first after giving you a slight nod. You stay awhile back to be with the horses. You strangely feel proud seeing that he acknowledges you this time. Him giving you not even the bare minimum of manners and you’re out here having your heart flutters over it. Damn. He really have you wrapped around his little finger and he doesn’t even know it.

You heard footsteps behind you as you look emptily at the horses feeding themselves.

“Hey!” Ellie exclaim.

“Hey,” you say with a tired smile on your face.

“Where’s Joel?”

“You just missed him. He left a couple minutes ago,”

“How’s your first patrol with him?” A sly smile on her face that you didn’t catch as you look away from her.

“Unexpectedly, not bad,”

“See! I told you that you can stand his ‘grumpy old man’ attitude!” She smile knowingly.

“What evidence do you have to say that?” Your eyebrows knitted in confusion.

“Intuition,” she winks at you.

“Yeah, right.” You rolled your eyes and slowly make your way out of the ranch. Ellie follows behind you closely before getting next to you. She keeps looking at you with a mischievous grin on her face. You put your arms over her shoulders pulling her in and jokingly put her in a headlock. She giggles loudly and that make you laugh as well.

You have been on a couple of patrols with Joel after that. He is not as tense as the first patrol and have been more open than before. Well, slightly but that is still something. Like you have expected, he’s someone who is just misunderstood. You like that you get to see different sides of him through the patrols.

As time goes on, you try to figure out the right time to tell him your feelings that are only getting stronger. There were some opportunities when there were only the two of you alone that you still couldn’t take.

To be honest, you plan to give him a little gift. Before the outbreak, you love to collect random little stuffs that you find cute or interesting. You still do that after the outbreak while you are out finding supplies.

There is this one guitar pick in your collection that has a design that you find cute but corny at the same time and you want to give it to him. You’re sure he’s not going to be amused with it but you do want to see his reaction to seeing it.

You did hear from Ellie one time that Joel likes to do some wood carvings and that recently he’s starting to do wood carvings of chess pieces. Ellie doesn’t know what chess is. She only know that it is a board game from what Joel had said and she is looking forward to learn it after he finish working on it.

With that information, you secretly start to practice carving chess pieces from wood that you can find or attain from someone in the community. You have finished one perfect piece of a horse. The horse piece is the most difficult one to do as it has more complicated details unlike the rest of the pieces. You hope that at least this would open his heart a little bit more for you.All you need to do is to get a chance to be alone with him and just go for it.

You’re in the tipsy bison, alone, conflicted with how you’re going to go about this. You feel a hand on your shoulder and you turn to look over it to see Tommy smiling softly at you. He slides into the chair opposite you with his drink.

“Hey, everything alright?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t they?” You tried to give a convincing smile.

“How long have we known each other, huh? I know when there’s something bothering you. You know you can tell me anything right?”

You look down on your hands, don’t know whether to confide in him about Joel.

“Is it Joel?”

You raise your head looking at him with wide eyes, shocked by what he said. Too stunned to speak, you just look at him with your mouth slightly parted.

“I’ve been noticing some things and let me hold your hand telling you this,” he reaches out to hold one of your hands, “it’s kinda obvious,”

“Really?” You ask him softly.

“It is to me since we’re close and I’m actually a little hurt that you didn’t tell me. I thought I’m your closest friend here,” he jokingly put his hand over his heart.

“I didn’t tell anyone especially not you since you’re his brother. I don’t know how you would feel about that y’know. Just thought it was just a silly little crush that would go away after a short period of time but here I am,” you tell the truth.

“How long?”

“Ever since he’s been here,” you softly said, avoiding looking at him, shy about your year long crush on his brother.

“Damn, should have told me. I could help you out a lil bit,”

“How? I think you would have made it worse.” you chuckle at him.

He laughed out loud. You're glad that Tommy doesn't find any problem with your crush on his big brother.

"Are you gonna tell him? cause damn girl, a year is crazyyyyy" He sips on his drink.

"That's the problem, Tommy. I don't know how to and you know him better than I do. He ain't gonna be nice about it,"

"True. He's stubborn and is an asshole most of the time but he do have a good heart somewhere inside him. I know that. I'll help you and maybe after all this time, you're the one that could crack him."

Since then, Tommy has been creating chances for you to be alone with Joel. Getting the both of you alone at the end of breakfast, putting the both of you in other duties together, excusing himself when there’s only the three of you in the bar, etc. Tommy doing all of this only makes it so obvious to the both of you on his intention and it makes it more awkward to be around Joel.

During the time when you are stuck with him, you did try to break the ice more but he’s still the same cold and distant Joel. Not wanting to stay with you much longer, he would try to get away as fast as possible avoiding as much interaction with you.

Ellie caught you and Tommy talking one time at your back porch. You were telling Tommy to not interfere anymore because it’s getting awkward with Joel and Tommy were insisting on inviting everyone for dinner at his house at the end of the week. Both of you were so caught up in the conversation that you didn’t realise Ellie came looking for you.

“Come on, it’s just a dinner. We’ve had some dinner nights at my house before,” Tommy persuading you.

“Yeah but now you’re going to have something up your sleeves to push me and Joel together or something. I don’t know. It’s awkward man!”

“What’s so awkward?” Ellie’s voice startled you and Tommy. She came out from the side of the house and slowly made her way to stand between where you and Tommy were sitting.

Tommy and you just looked at each other, don’t know what to say to Ellie.

“If it’s about you and Joel, I already knew that.” she shrugged her shoulders sitting on your porch’s steps.

Still on edge, you and Tommy did not say anything.

“I have eyes, I see how you look at him. In fact, you ALWAYS look at him,” she chuckled looking at your shocked expression.

“Okay, that’s enough,” you told her to stop talking, feeling shy that your friends have been suspecting your feelings for Joel all this time.

“You look at him like he’s the most beautiful person in this world,” she imitated a vomiting motion after saying that.

“Ellie!” you hid your face with both of your hands while Tommy and Ellie laughed at you.

“With your big mouth, I can’t believe you never said anything to me about it,” you continued after their laugh subsided.

“I wasn’t exactly sure and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” you give her a small comforting smile. “So are you gonna tell him?”

“Most likely,”

“What do you think he’s gonna say?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think he’s gonna like it. No matter what the outcome is, what really matters is he knows that at least there’s one more person in this world that actually cares about him.” you sigh heavily.

The three of you said your goodbyes that night after Tommy and Ellie gave you some encouragement about the whole situation.

Dinner at Tommy’s is like the calm before the storm. Joel is seated between you and Ellie. Maria who is sitting across you is talking with Tommy about their plans to decorate their extra room for their baby. You’re excited for them. You feel a little envious as you don’t think you will ever find a love like that in this apocalypse. You have always dreamed of starting a family. Right now, it is just a faraway dream that you could never hope to come to reality.

Your legs keep shaking nervously under the table. You’re always nervous around Joel but sitting beside him for this long is just making it worse. Additionally, you have the gift that you prepared for him in the side pocket of your cargo pants. After adding a letter to the two little gifts, you wrapped it up in a small nice paper packaging that you can find. Ever since then, you carried it around with you, don’t know when you will find the right time.

Picking at your food mindlessly, you feel a big strong hand on your right thigh. You immediately stop shaking and look down to your thigh. It’s none other than the man himself. You shift your gaze to him seeing that he’s already looking at you. He leans in a slightly and whispers,

“Stop it.” he immediately removes his hand and continues to eat his food right after telling you off.

Speechless, you force food down your throat as if it will get rid of his lingering touch on your thigh. You’re more aware of your legs now and you try your best to not shake your legs subconsciously. Although a part of you wishes to do it so that you can feel his hand on your thigh again.

You didn’t talk much for the rest of the dinner, distracted by what had happened. Tommy tries to make eye contact with you a couple times to signal something to you. You avoid looking at him so that he takes the hint to stop whatever kind of ideas in his head right now.

Dinner ended in a peaceful way thankfully. There were some dinners before that ended with some arguments usually between Joel and Ellie or Tommy and Joel. On those dinners, you just look on and try not to interfere at all unless it gets too far.

Ellie has already went off to find her friends for movie night. Tommy and Maria are slowly cleaning things up while you and Joel try to help them a little bit. They insist that they don't need any help from you guys and thank the both of you for coming to dinner.

That's how you ended up in this situation where you and Joel are walking back home together. As usual, there wasn't much talking. The conversation died after you talked about how great dinner was and he agreed. You didn't walk long before both of you reach the front of his house first.

"G'nite." he clears his throat before saying softly under his breath. Not waiting for your reply, he turns to walk to his front door.

"Sorry about earlier." you quickly said. You meant that you were sorry about shaking your legs that it bothered him.

He stops walking halfway to his front door and turns to you.

"It's fine. Didn't mean to touch you. It was bothering me. Sorry." his eyes were on you for a few seconds at first before darting anywhere else other than you. He walks away to his front door. You don't know overcame you. Maybe you're just riding the good energy from tonight, you take a few steps closer to him and calls him.

"Umm, Joel," you call him.

He stops before putting his house key in. He turns back around not saying anything. He’s waiting for you to continue what you have to say. You walk to the front of his steps nervously.

“I want to tell you something.” You look up eyeing his movements. He sighs before making his way down the steps to stand in front of you. You awkwardly stands there for a moment before remembering his gift. You take it out and hand it over to him.

“This is for you. Thought you might like it,” you look at him inspecting the small wrapped gift in his hands.

“What is it?” he looks at you with his brows knitted in confusion.

“Well you have to open it to find out,” you put your hands in your front pockets to hide your fists that are clenching due to the tension.

“Why? Why are you giving me this?” he looks at you with unwavering eyes. You look down at your shoes to avoid looking in his eyes that make it seem as if he could read whatever is on your mind. Your voice is stuck in your throat with the words that you want to say are on the tip of your tongue.

“What do you want from me? Do you need something in return for this?” He asks thinking that the gift is some kind of a trade deal.

“No. Nothing like that.” You shake your head looking at the gift in his hands.

“Then what?”

Your brain is running in full speed, contemplating if this is the right moment to confess to him. You’re swaying from side to side, eyes darting everywhere except the brown eyes in front of you.

“I don’t have the time for this,” he sighs heavily turning his body to walk back to the door.

“I like you,” you blurt it out quickly, panicking that you just said those words out loud to him.

“What?” he turns back to you in a flash, not believing what you had just said.

You pause for a moment to calm yourself down and gather your thoughts. You take a deep breath before speaking.

“I like you, Joel. I don’t know exactly when or how but gradually, my mind has been flooding with thoughts of you ever since you came here. I’ve known you for a year now and these feelings are not going away at all. I thought it’s time for me to let it all out before it’s too late. I don’t want to regret not telling you that I do care about you. More than you know. I know you may think this is silly and I don’t expect anything from you-“

“You’re right. Don’t expect anything from me.” He interrupts you with a harden look in his eyes now.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking but let me clarify it again for you,” he closes the gap between the two of you and look straight into your eyes. You can’t help but to tilt your head up more, not able to tear your eyes away from him.

“There’s nothing between us. It never will be anything other than you being Tommy’s friend or Ellie’s friend to me. I’m just tolerating you for their sake. Without them, you’re just another person in Jackson that I don’t give a fuck about.” you lower your gaze to his chest. You predicted that he is going to be worked up about this but hearing that he actually doesn’t care about you kinda hurt your feelings a little.

“Wake up, darling. We’re in the apocalypse and you’re out here telling me about your little crush on me. This is stupid. I thought you’re better than this. I already have a lot on my plate to be dealing with this bullshit.” he sighs, raising his head to look at the dark sky.

All kinds of emotions are running through you. You knew this would happen. You knew that he will criticise you for it but you still did it. You thought that you could take it but your sensitive little heart betrayed you. Why are you sad for even disappointing him?

“Take this back.” He shoves your gift to your front, waiting for you to take it from him.

Your hands still in your pockets, you stayed still. You feel so embarrassed that you cannot move your body.

“Fine. Whatever.” he drops the gift right in front of your feet and walk to his door.

You hear keys jingling before the door opens and not long after that the door slam shut. You’re frozen in your place still staring at the gift below you. The images of the past year runs through your head. The amount of time spent thinking about him, wondering if he’s okay or not, secretly listening to him playing guitar and to you making the effort to gift him something he would like. All the little things amounted to this at the end.

Suddenly, you feel the anger rise inside of you. You feel so stupid. Why of all people, it must be Joel that you have feelings for? You feel angry at yourself for feeling this way. You don’t even blame Joel because he’s right. This isn’t the time to be occupied with stupid little feelings.

With jaws clenched, you pick up the wrapped gift and throws it hard against his front door. Fuck this. You don’t care what he’s going to say. You walk off angrily with long strides back to your house. In your head, you think that at least you said your feelings for him truthfully. It’s done and dusted. Time for you to move on from him.

next part

Thank you for reading this chapter! The next update probably will be in a week or so, hopefully!

Taglist: @greenwitchfromthewoods @rebeccawinters @cuteanimalmama

[strwbmei]

Matchup Event

Matchup for: @schendsal

Matchups: Yukong, Bronya, Eula

Contains: fluff, smut, male reader, breeding (Yukong), creampie mentions (Yukong), mentions of lactation (Yukong), breast play (Yukong and Bronya), marking (Bronya), semi-public sex (Eula), implied masturbation (Eula), blowjob (Eula)

A/N: Sorry for taking so long! Honestly, it was Yukong's part that took the longest because there was a bunch of stuff I had to confirm with the lore and then I ended up changing most of it by the time I was almost finished. Hope you like it, though!

Ask:

Congratulations on reaching 1,000 followers, I hope you continue to grow more and more!

Personality-wise I tend to be an ambivert.

Around close friends I'm the one in the group who's always cracking jokes or saying the most mind-numbingly stupid things. I do this to make them laugh and keep their spirits high, since I know that life can be pretty stressful for everyone. If that stress gets to be too much, then I'm happy to hear out their troubles and lend them a shoulder for support. I might not be able to solve their problems, but I want to be a source of strength for them at the least.

Outside my friend group I become a lot more closed off. Instead of goofing off, I'm told I become diligent and considerate of others. I like to make sure school assignments are completed ahead of time so my group can review it and help other groups if they become stuck. Though I usually end up as the group lead, I don't like to lead by force. Instead I prefer to let my team play to their strengths, and I'll make up the weaknesses as we go along. A happy team is a good team after all!

This doesn't mean I'm not without my flaws. I can be really immature at times, and I get depressed if I feel like I'm holding others back or can't perform at the high standard I set for myself. When this happens I usually close myself off from others and listen to music until I feel better. I can get competitive when it comes to things I'm passionate about, but not to the point of lashing out at others.

In terms of hobbies I have a few outside of games. I like reading, cooking for others, listening to music, and cheesy romance novels. I sketch a bit too, but I'm not very good at it, haha. I'm the type to take a lot of interest in my partners hobbies, and I'd probably bug them a bunch about it.

For the ask, I'd like a mix of SFW and NSFW with whomever I'm paired with. Sadly the only fandoms I'm familiar with are Honkai: Star Rail and Genshin Impact. Grinding for those two eats up most of my spare time, so I haven't gotten to try the others. The scenario could be a festival date or comforting one another after a long day of work. But if inspiration strikes you, feel free to write what you please!

I'm a heterosexual dominant, so I suppose I wouldn't want to be paired up with any of the men. (Fine as they may be). Intimacy for me is more about the connection than being extreme with it, and I take pride in providing my partner with pleasure. For my own tastes, I am into breeding, sleepy sex, semi-public sex, oral (giving & receiving), and breast play.

Yukong

╰┈➤ SFW ;

: ̗̀➛ No one would've guessed that you two were in a relationship, especially with how you two act in the workplace. In fact, everyone thought Yukong disliked you due to the high standard she always held you to when that was only because she knew she could count on you.

: ̗̀➛ That said, your relationship wasn't a secret. Yukong wasn't exactly the type to be all clingy and affectionate in public, much less while on the job, so everyone dismissed it as a joke whenever you called her your wife. They just thought you were one of those guys who liked getting treated harshly. Safe to say they were floored when they saw Yukong giving you a kiss on the cheek before heading into the building.

: ̗̀➛ She may have been an ace pilot who could calmly conquer the battlefield in any situation, but she couldn't help but feel nervous introducing you to Qingni. Yukong was extremely relieved that the two of you got along. Though, much to her detriment, you bonded over pulling silly pranks on her when she least expected them.

: ̗̀➛ Domestic life with Yukong couldn't be any better. She's responsible for her share of chores and helps you out whenever she can. Both her and Qingni are also a joy to cook for because you can easily see the way their eyes light up once they take the first bite.

: ̗̀➛ Once a month, without fail, the three of you clear your schedule to have a picnic trip together. Most of the time, you're the one who cooks all of the food while Yukong is the one who sets everything up. Once you're done eating, the three of you often opt to fly kites or catch up with each other. Both activities give Yukong a lot of comfort.

: ̗̀➛ Your relationship with her feels like home. In a future full of uncertainties and doubt, you find respite within each other. You might have disagreements every now and then, but they only make your bond and trust in the other person even stronger.

"Dear, could you pass me the salt, please?"

"Mm. Here you go."

"..."

"..." It's been a little bit longer than an hour since you first got home. You and Yukong didn't fight or anything, but the awkwardness is killing you. It's obvious that both of you have had a tiring day, even more so than usual.

The dining room is filled with soft, yet sharp sounds of tableware, and you're the first to actually try to break this uncomfortable silence. "You know you can talk to me about anything, Yukong." She nods and sighs. "I know, it's just... I've never been good with words."

Annnnnd it's back to that same soundlessness again. Not another word from either of you until you're in bed together. "I apologize for always treating you so harshly at work." She suddenly speaks up, turning to face you.

"It's nothing personal. Besides, I wouldn't want to get special treatment just because I'm your partner. What brought this on?"

She shakes her head. "Nothing in particular. I've just been really stressed with work lately, and I don't wish to cause any for you."

"Not at all. I know you only do that because you trust me." You smile, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead.

"Because you're one of the few I can depend on. You're always doing your best, and I'm proud of you for it."

"Yeah. Thank you, Yukong."

"I just want you to know that you can depend on me too. You don't have to shoulder everything on your own."

"..."

"..."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

╰┈➤ NSFW ;

: ̗̀➛ Breeding. Breeding. Breeding. It's quite literally all that's on her mind whenever the two of you make love. You could say that it's because of her genes or heat cycles, but Yukong can't deny that she's always wanted to have little pups to care for.

: ̗̀➛ She doesn't even care if she cums as long as you promise to stuff her full by the end of it. Of course, you'd never be so cruel, but it just goes to show how she'll gladly do anything to get you to breed her thoroughly.

: ̗̀➛ To Yukong, it doesn't matter whether she's on top or bottom. While she'd be grateful if you did most of the work, she's also perfectly willing to put in effort to get what she wants. Whether it be in her career or in bed, it's a whole different feeling of satisfaction to get what you've worked so hard for.

: ̗̀➛ Yukong isn't very vocal in bed, but that doesn't mean she isn't feeling good. It's quite the opposite, actually. You know you've got her good when she's biting her lip, nails digging into whatever part of you she can reach as her cunt clamps down hard on you.

: ̗̀➛ Despite never actually have given birth before, Yukong has the ability to lactate. You don't even have to play with her breasts to get her to— she'll lactate a good bit just from having an orgasm. Playing with her nipples certainly helps, though.

: ̗̀➛ Call her vanilla, but Yukong dislikes using toys in bed. She thinks they're a waste of time and prefers to get straight into the action. She won't mind using them on you if you want her to, but when it comes to herself, she'd much rather you pound her silly instead of wasting your energy on vibrators and the like.

You're in the kitchen, on your way to start making breakfast. You woke up early, and what better use of your time to make Yukong a nice meal? Currently, she's in your shared room, getting some much needed rest.

Or so you thought until you saw her standing by the doorframe wearing nothing but one of your dress shirts. "Good morning, Yukong. What do you think of pancakes for breakfast?" You smile at her, on your way to grab your apron.

You're quickly stopped in your tracks when Yukong suddenly stumbles, almost falling to the ground. "Yukong! Are you alright?" She shakes her head. "My love... I need your help."

You're worried and confused for a moment before you look down to see her thighs sticky with her fluids.

Oh.

You gulp. "I understand. Don't worry, I'll take care of you." Your hands make their way to the buttons of her shirt, and you're able to feel just how hot her body is beneath it. Even more so than during her usual heat cycles.

You leave kisses along her neck, collarbones, and her now exposed chest, but it seems Yukong doesn't want that. Her mind is hazy, and her lust for you only worsens by the second.

She takes your hand, guiding it to her dripping cunt,and you can feel just how much she needs you. Yukong looks at you with dazed eyes, "There's no need for you to be such a gentleman. I'm... really not in the mood for teasing right now."

Bronya

╰┈➤ SFW ;

: ̗̀➛ Bronya loved being the Supreme Guardian. Truly, she did—but loving something doesn't mean she's always happy to do it. She was glad to help her people and take on their burdens, but the dark circles under her eyes spoke for themselves as did her obvious fatigue.

: ̗̀➛ Every day felt like an endless cycle of document after document until you came into her life. Everybody else felt it wasn't their place to try to assist Bronya with her duties, and you were the only one who made an effort to help.

: ̗̀➛ Seeing the cup of coffee on her desk with a small note always gives Bronya the strength she needs to push through the day because she immediately knows who it's from. The coffee is made just how she likes it, at just the right temperature. It's a secret that she won't tell even you, but she keeps all of those post-its you leave in a drawer and looks through them whenever she misses you.

: ̗̀➛ Even with a busy lifestyle, she tries to make as much time for you as she can and comes home into your arms as early as possible. Sure, fancy dates might not always be feasible, but can it really get better than cuddling with each other as you fall asleep?

: ̗̀➛ She doesn't want to reveal your relationship to the public until you're married, but everyone can clearly see that the two of you have something going on. The way she smiles when she's with you is completely different.

: ̗̀➛ Overall, they're just glad that their Supreme Guardian isn't overworking herself as much. Everyone tells her to rest, but you're the only one that she isn't as stubborn with.

Cocolia Rand, her mother. Cocolia Rand, the Supreme Guardian.

Since when did the line start to blur? Perhaps such a "line" did not exist in the first place. Perhaps she deliberately chose to ignore the undeniable signs of impending catastrophe. And yet, what did that lead to?

It's already been a year, but her nightmares repeat like clockwork all the same. Just when she thinks she's come to accept what happened, memories much too vivid come back to haunt her.

Bronya jolts awake in a cold sweat. She tries to draw breath, but air fails to enter her lungs. It feels as if they've closed themselves; as if this were punishment for her ignorance.

"Bronya... Bronya!" You call out to her. Seeing you has eased the aching in her heart ever so slightly, and finally, she can breathe.

Bronya hadn't shed a single tear since that day; she vowed to herself and to her mother that she wouldn't. Yet, without realizing it, a stream of them makes their way down her cheeks.

"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me so suddenly..." Bronya sniffles, wiping her tears. You pull her into a tight hug, and she gladly takes the opportunity to hide her face in your neck. She doesn't want you to see her like this.

"It's okay. It'll all be alright. I'm here for you."

Just like that, something inside of Bronya shatters. All of the anger and sadness she's felt for so long, all at once. She bursts into tears and sobs into your shirt. "You've been so brave, haven't you?"

Almost an hour passes as you comfort her, and she finally starts to calm down. She pulls away, looking up at you with puffy, tear-stained eyes. "There's nothing left. I've lost everything." You muster up the warmest smile you can manage and bring a hand up to caress her cheek. "You're wrong, Bronya. There is still something left." "A chance to take everything back."

╰┈➤ NSFW ;

: ̗̀➛ Bronya is the most submissive person to walk this universe EVER. The human embodiment of the phrase "you tell me to jump, I ask how high." She'll do whatever you want as soon as you say the word because making you feel good makes her feel good.

: ̗̀➛ Considering the type of person you are, sex with Bronya is almost like a competition of pleasuring the other person more. She's very good at turning you on, but she's way too tired to do much most of the time. Bronya still tries, of course, but you always end up winning this little "competition" of yours.

: ̗̀➛ She's such a big baby in a way that just makes you want to spoil her rotten. Holding hands, hugging, kissing, you name it— she'll cling onto you every chance she gets. The sweet thing just has to touch you, and you could never bring yourself to deny her.

: ̗̀➛ Her moans are so pretty, too! They're drawn-out and breathy, growing louder as she nears her orgasm. She tries not to be too loud, but it just feels too good sometimes. One side of you wants to make her scream your name loud enough for everyone else to hear, while the other wants to keep her cute sounds all to yourself.

: ̗̀➛ Scratches a lot, but the marks aren't too deep thanks to her nails always being perfectly filed. She doesn't leave hickeys (much) as she's more of the type to leave soft, quick kisses wherever she can reach. Bronya can't help feeling guilty seeing the red lines she made on your back, though. There are many other ways she can mark you as hers, after all. She doesn't want to hurt you.

"My love..." Bronya sighs dreamily, feeling your hands trail up her body. Your warmth provided her comfort to get through the night, and truly, that was the only thing she sought from you before all of this began.

A kiss. That was all it took for lust to plant itself in your hearts.

She tilted her head, and you gladly took the chance to leave soft kisses along her neck. Your fingers traced her body; down to her her hips, back up to her breasts, and finally, they found themselves playing with her nipples.

"Mmh..." Bronya groaned, leaning into your touch. You hum in response, rolling the buds on your fingers. "Beautiful girl." A soft, yet sudden pinch makes her gasp and arch her back. "Love you so much..."

Your warmth was no longer enough. Bronya wanted more; wanted you. You made her feel like the greediest woman in Belobog, and for some reason, she loved it. "Please, I want you."

Halting your movements, you gently flip her over so that you're on top of her. You take the hand covering her mouth and kiss the inside of her wrist. "Then, you will have me. I'm all yours."

Is lust just another fragment of love or an impurity that taints it? Is Bronya your adored muse, or your most beloved sin?

Eula

╰┈➤ SFW ;

: ̗̀➛ Honestly, the two of you didn't quite get along at first. She wasn't outright uncooperative when the two of you went on missions, but you could feel how strangely distant she was being for seemingly no reason. You only broke the ice once you invited her to a drink to celebrate finishing a particularly difficult mission together.

: ̗̀➛ She's never had someone willingly accompany her, much less invite her to a bar, so she ended up talking your ear off as she vented her frustrations about the discrimination she faced just for her last name. While her family has done some messed up stuff, that isn't necessarily her fault. She's just a normal girl.

: ̗̀➛ No one could've expected it, but the first thing you discovered you had in common with the infamous Spindrift Knight was your love for cheesy romance novels. How you found out? You were both drunk. You started reciting the cringiest dialogue you could remember from them, and Eula continued the lines after you.

: ̗̀➛ Even though you first got to really know her while drinking with her, Eula only really shows her true self once she's alone with you. She's the gentlest, kindest, most compassionate woman you've ever met. You wonder if the rest of Mondstadt were blind to not see Eula beyond her being a Lawrence, but really, she's only this vulnerable when she's with you.

: ̗̀➛ Marriage in particular is one of her biggest fantasies. There's just something really romantic to her about being so... deeply connected to each other. Eula always thought it'd be impossible for someone like her, yet, here you are. You accept her and all her flaws with open arms. She's so used to blazing flames to the point that your gentle warmth feels so alien. It's not a feeling she's used to, but that doesn't mean that she won't cherish it.

: ̗̀➛ Speaking of marriage, Eula would prefer to take your last name. She's not running away from her family's actions; much less is she trying to clear their name. Eula knows that what they've done is unforgivable. A name is what makes up a good part of your identity. It's what people will remember you as and it's who you are to them. Bearing your last name makes her feel like she's taking a part of you with her wherever she goes no matter how much time passes, and that gives her indescribable comfort.

Eula never liked the Windblume festival. No, Eula hated the Windblume festival.

Why wouldn't she? Everything was so noisy. Even during the day, taverns were filled with drunks merrily getting wasted. There were fewer commissioners, which left more work for her to do.

It didn't help that the Windblume Festival also symbolized the downfall of the Lawrence clan.

Festivity filled Mondstadt's winds, and any form of participation from her earned nothing but more scorn from the townspeople she works so hard to protect.

Although Eula had you this time around, she didn't want to keep you from enjoying the festival just because she couldn't participate.

Alas, she forgot to consider one thing: It's you who knows her best. You know that she wants to celebrate just like everybody else. So if she can't go to the festival, why not bring the festival to her instead?

Maybe you can't exactly replicate the festive atmosphere and the little games, but that wasn't going to stop you. The essence of the Windblume Festival doesn't lie in high-quality wine and fancy ceremonies, but in showing your loved ones that you care.

Eula had her suspicions when you suddenly took her on a date saying you "knew a spot," but she didn't expect to see a secluded place in the forest filled to the brim with dandelions.

"So? What do you think?" You smile at her, pride filling you once you see how awestruck she is. It's not often she's so surprised. "It's... beautiful." Eula replies. The softness of her voice as she says this is one she shows only to you.

After a moment passes, you take a deep breath. "You're everything to me," you pick a dandelion, presenting it to her with a confident smile on your face. "more precious than the very air I breathe..."

It's her favorite line from her favorite novel. To other people, it might not make sense, but she remembers it vividly and she's glad that you do, too. She can't help but chuckle as she takes the flower from your hand.

"Or the chocolates I love." She continues. Honestly, it sounds more cheesy rather than romantic in real life, but she can't stop herself from smiling like an idiot. After all, she always viewed those books as nothing more than a mere fantasy.

"You'll always be my treasure."

╰┈➤ NSFW ;

: ̗̀➛ Great would be an understatement to describe your sex life with Eula. She's flexible, has seemingly endless stamina, and her hips work wonders. Not to mention she has the most attractive body you've seen and an even more attractive face to go along with it.

: ̗̀➛ Eula is neither dominant nor submissive. She does things her own way, based on whatever she feels like doing at a given moment. If Eula wants to ride you, she'll ride you. If she wants to give you head, she'll give you head and vice versa. Eula is just focused on making the both of you feel good.

: ̗̀➛ She's fine with mostly anything as long as she can see your face during sex. If not that, then at least to feel your hands somewhere on her. Eula might not look like the type, but she's inexperienced with all of this and she just needs to see that you're the one making her feel so good.

: ̗̀➛ Eula denies it, but she loves the risk of semi-public sex. It gets her heartbeat rising and adrenaline pumping. Everything about it from having to keep quiet to the chance of being caught in such an explicit act turns her on.

: ̗̀➛ She's surprisingly shy in bed though, especially during your first time. She becomes all cute and focused, trying her best not to mess anything up. Eula becomes more daring and bold as time passes, but hearing reassurance and praise from you is always appreciated.

: ̗̀➛ Riding you is her favorite thing to do. The position you're in gives both of you just the right amount of control. She doesn't have to move much for it to feel good either, just feeling your cock grind against her walls has her biting her moans back.

"I understand that I'm attractive, but do you always have to be so... easily roused?" Eula looks up at you, a shade of pink spotting her cheeks and eyes full of annoyance.

Okay, maybe this was partly her fault since she's been putting herself in provocative positions in front of you, but she only expected a bit of fun once you got home.

She certainly wasn't expecting to suck you off in a random alleyway where you could easily be caught.

"Eula, you really don't have to..." You sigh. Admittedly, this whole situation was really turning you on, but you didn't want to force her into doing anything she didn't want to do nonetheless.

"You really think I'd let you walk home with such an obvious boner?" She glares. She did have a point— ignoring it would just bring both of you embarrassment. "Just... make sure to finish quickly. This place reeks..."

Nimble hands work to quickly undo your pants and free your aching cock. Eula would much rather take her time in the comforts of your home, but the situation just doesn't allow for that.

Not even a second later, you can feel her lips wrapped around the tip, working its way down your length eagerly. Every inch that isn't in her mouth is being carefully handled by her hands.

It takes all of your strength to keep quiet as she moves her tongue exactly how you like it. "Fuck... Eula..." You groan. When you start softly tugging at her hair and bucking your hips, she knows you're near your orgasm.

What really brought you over the edge was the sight of Eula grinding on her own hand as she sucked you off. Warm cum fills her mouth, and she swallows all of it. "Geez, you're gonna make a mess..." She complains.

Seeing the wet patch on her shorts, you know that you'll have to finish what you started.

[ideasarestuckinmyhead]

a short story where sugarboo comes home with a new back and spine tattoo done out of straight impulse.

My impulsiveness told me to do it-

I was trying to figure out what back and spine tattoos Boo might get. Idk how tattoos work so bare w me.

Uuuhhh implied suggestive stuff at end bc someone now. Backshots (not Auron's sadly) goes crazy w back n spine tattoos

So this is what I think would be cool!

Boo felt tired and sore, but the tattoo's they got made them really happy. When passing the new tattoo shop, they just HAD to get it.

The beautiful spine detail and bones made them remember of a cryptic Seth told them about. The color made them think of Alphonse's hair in dark mode and normal mode.

Boo was really surprised how fast the tattoo artist got these done. With a few breaks in between, Boo was able to become friends with most of the tattoo artists. Saying they'd bring any baked goods they want if they ever come to Sugarboo's bakery.

Pulling up to the house, Boo saw their boys chatting. Seth who was working on his motorcycle in the garage waved at Boo. Alphonse who had his back turned, whipped his head and gave a big smile.

"There you are Boo!" Greeting his partner, he opened the driver side door. Giving him a quick thanks Boo slowly got out and hissed a bit.

Their new tattoo was still a but sore but, the tattoo artists told them how to take care of it correctly. Even selling Sugarboo products since it was the only place that sold them.

"You alright Sugar? Is your back hurting again from bending over?" Gently asking, Seth wiped his hands as he walked up to the other two. Shaking their head Boo laughed awkwardly, his do they explain this.

"So I got a surprise right?" These words made Alphonse and Seth look at them. The pinkeete peaked into he car, and quirked a brow.

"Really? What is it?" Asking Boo, Alphonse went to the passenger side door and opened it. Grabbing the bad with a curious look, Seth came closer to Sugarboo.

"Yeah, usually you dont give surprises unless its-" Trying to connect the dots, Seth was interrupted by Alphonse gasping. Pointing at Boo who gave him a sheepish smile.

"YOU GOT A TATTOO??" Shouting he came to them quickly. And began asking if they were okay, along with if they needed anything.

"Yup! So, uh surprise?" Questioning themselves, they saw Seth sigh and give them a look. One they usually get when they do something really impulsive without telling them.

"Sugar, we could have helped you get into the car and drive you here- Al, calm down." Snapping slightly, Seth looked at the pastel punk who was looking at the receipt

"Boo, I love you but a back and spine tattoo done on the same day?? Babe, that must hurt like hell!" Worried Alphomse started looking them over. Boo chuckled feeling guilty but Seth patted Al's back.

"Let Sugar talk." Sternly saying, the pinkeete paused and then looked at his partner. Sugarboo gave Seth a thankful look before starting to explain.

"I always wanted one and because theres a new tattoo place I decided to get it done! I didnt work today and I thought why not?" Telling the truth, both men nodded listening. It was true Boo was sad they'd have to take like a long time off since the closes tattoo artist was in the city. But now since people are coming here theres different shops now.

"Okay, we understand. But still, ya could have told one of us or gotten someone to help ya get home." Chiding Seth came forward helping Boo to the house. Alphonse followed carring the bag and would help but ask.

"What does it look like?" Asking his partner, who smirked and giggled a bit. This caught both of the attentions.

"You'll see soon once its healed~" Implying something dirty, Al snorted and Seth shook his head. Sugarboo wanted to say that was able a reason why they wanted it. Since their backshots were gonna go wild now-

[wosowrites]

Sleeper (Man United x Reader)

warnings: ⚠️talk of trauma, sexu@l @ssault⚠️

a/n: if you are uncomfortable with the topic of sexu@l @ssault, skip the first paragraph. based off this request here

prompt: in which the reader has trouble sleeping at night, so she sleeps everywhere else. her team finds it adorable and are always filming and adding pictures of her to their stories.

It was known to the United girls that you didn’t sleep at night, or at least, not well. With the night, came demons of your past. With the darkness of the setting sun, came the faces of your mothers boyfriends, committing monstrosities on you. They knew about your childhood, you had told them about it after a year with the team, explaining to them the reason of your constant sleepiness.

However, your lack of sleep never seemed to affect your game. You would get a ride to training from Alessia or Ona in the morning, sleep in the car, sleep in the changing room, and then run around and score goals like a max woman during practice. And then the second it was over, you would fall asleep on the side of the pitch. Then you would go to the house of one of the girls to get sleep in an actual bed, before going to your own house and pulling yet another all nighter.

In complete honesty, your teammates were heartbroken that you couldn’t sleep at night, but they did find the fact that you felt comfortable to sleep around them. Or more like… you only felt comfortable to sleep around them. One thing you had never done though, despite the amount of times you had fallen asleep in their presence, was fall asleep on them. You felt as though that was the limit, no sleeping on teammates. It wasn’t just that either, you had never been good with touch. There were maybe two people in the whole world that you still talked too today that you had hugged. Your childhood best friend and your sister. You didn’t talk to your mother. She had known about the men, she had done nothing.

You were 20, one of the youngest on the team, and today marked 4 years since you had talked to your mother. Having gone pro at 16, starting off at Wolfsburg in your home country, you had decided to cut all ties to your mum. It was for the best. But it did hurt you, it did haunt your mind, and it most definitely made it that on that night, you were even more awake than usual.

When Ona picked you up the morning of that day, she expected you to sleep as usual, but you just stared forward.

"Que pasa? What’s wrong mi amor?" Ona asked, looking over at you fleetingly. She had always been welcoming, taking you under her wing immediately. "Mhm. I’m okay. Not tired," you lied, focusing on the trees in the horizon. "I see through you, you know. I know when you lie to me," she said, a little bluntly.

Her words took you off guard, making you look at her with raised eyebrows. "You do now?" you said, smiling. "Yes! I do! Now what is it? We have a game later today. It’s Arsenal. You need to be on your best. You need sleep," Ona said, pulling into the training center where a team bus was stationed. "It’s been four years since I’ve talked to my mother. It hurts… knowing that. I dont know," you said, trying to brush off the topic as you exited the car.

You looked at Ona over the roof of her small vehicle, smiling at her sadly. You walked around the car to be beside her, and she linked her pinky with yours. Her way to say she was there for you, without too much contact.

You smiled at your hands sadly, wishing you could just hug her.

In the bus, you sat beside Mary, as always. She was like a mother to you. Fatigue was overcoming you, and you wanted nothing more but to sleep, although you felt as though today… maybe past demons would come haunt your night, even if you were surrounded by the people you loved most. Waking up yelling and crying would not be the way to go.

But despite how strong, resilient and hard headed you were, you could not will sleep away, and eventually, it got the better of you. You had only closed your eyes for a split second, and then out of nowhere, you were out.

"It’s good she’s asleep, she didn’t sleep in the car today," Ona said to Mary. They were both sitting in the aisle seats, Ona beside Lucia. "She didn’t sleep in the car? She always sleeps in the car," Mary said, glancing over at your lolling head that had gently hit against the window. "Did I hear you say she didn’t sleep in the car?" Alessia said from behind Ona, poking her head between Mary and Ona and taking off her headphones. "She didn’t sleep in the car?!" Ella said rather loudly, jumping up and looking over at you from beside Lessi. "Ella!" Alessia scowled, telling off her best friend. "Sorry," she whispered.

They all watched you, some of the other girls looking towards the kurfuffle from their teammates that were in the back of the bus. Their eyes on you, it was impossible to miss your next action. You gently breathed in and then exhaled, fidgeting in your seat in a drowsy manner until gently letting your head fall onto Mary’s shoulder.

Mary’s eyes widened and she slowly looked back to the girls, not wanting to disturb you. "Oh my god," she whispered.

Everyone was freaking out silently, excited you now felt complete comfortable with at least one of them. "Take a video! Take a video!" Alessia said, even though she was the only one holding her phone. "You take a video! My phone is in my bag!" Ona whisper yelled. "Right!

Alessia quickly opened the camera app and got out of her seat to film and take a couple pictures.

"She’s such a baby, look at her all peaceful," Lucia chipped in. "Okay, let’s let her rest in peace, we need her for the game today. Our little energizer bunny," Mark said, having come over to see what everyone was freaking out about.

They all nodded but Mark kept looking at you for a split second. "Huh. Well that’s new, isn’t it?" he said, smiling gently and walking off.

You didn’t move away from Mary the whole ride to London, only closer. The game was at 6:00, and the team would arrive at the stadium at 4:30. It was 3:30 when you woke up. Your head was still on the english keeper’s shoulder, but your body was pressed completely against her. Needless to say that you had been enjoying the unfamiliar presence of another humans body. Not in a weird way, just in a comforting way.

Your eyes fluttered open gently. It took you a couple seconds to ground yourself. You realized you were leaning on something, or more like, someone. And that the someone was holding her phone and scrolling on tik tok. And that the someone was Mary. Your head jolted off her shoulder, eyes wide and body tense. What were you supposed to say? Apologize? Ignore it?

"Im sorry- I didn’t sleep in the car and I-" you started stuttering. "No! Hey! It’s okay! It’s good. It’s really good," Mary said gently, tucking a strand of your loose hair behind your ear and smiling at you gently. "Yeah?" you said, your heart stopping its race. "Yes. Most definitely," she said.

"Okay," you said, smiling gently. You laid your back on the chair again as Mary looked back at her phone. You looked forward to the back of the other chair, and slowly, gently, rested your head on Mary’s shoulder again. You couldn’t see her face, but she was smiling wildly.

The media manager filmed you and the united girls as you walked out of the bus. You fist bumped the camera as always and then kept walking.

You made your way into the away locker room and went to your cubby between Ona and Aoife, as María was injured.

"Okay girls. Change into your kit and warmup jersey and then we’ll go over the game plan and starting lineup before heading out for warmup on the field," Mark said.

The girls nodded and Mark walked out to let you all change.

Another thing that had been hard for you was changing. You didn’t have visible scars, but the emotional ones were there. But with knowing the girls, it ended up coming easily. The first time you changed without hesitation, the girls noticed. They noticed silently, and didn’t ever say anything about it, but you knew they were proud of you.

You put on your warmup long sleeve and shorts, then your socks and cleats and you taped your wrist to cover up two bracelets you refused to take off.

Then, Mark came back in when everyone was decent, armed with a white board.

"Okay ladies. Our game plan today is simple. Possession. We will win by keeping the ball, and taking strategic shots. I don’t want to see any wild balls from the half, okay. Pass through their defence, and then shoot. That’s the only thing we can do to beat a team like Arsenal, you hear me?" Skinner said as all the girls nodded. "Okay. Starting lineup. Mearps, Ona, Hannah, Tooney, Katie, Leah, y/n, Maya, Lucia, Millie, Alessia. Let’s go girls. We win, we’re on top of the table instead of third."

You all cheered and then walked out onto the field. Fans were already in the stadium, a sea of red. But Arsenal red, not United red. You saw a few away fans in the corner, holding up a huge United flag, and you nodded at them and waved.

Warmup seemed to go by in a hurry, and soon enough, you had taken the team picture and gotten ready for kickoff.

The game did not go smoothly. Arsenal won 3-1, everyone was super annoyed, but somehow, Mark wasn’t. "You played the way I told you too. You passed through their defence, and thought strategically, but Arsenal is good. Really good. We’re still in this race. Let’s go home, sleep on the bus, just take a minute.

Everyone climbed onto the bus in annoyed silence. Mary was pissed, and although she didn’t say anything, you knew she wanted to be alone. So you took a seat in a free spot by yourself. Or at least, you thought it would be just you. "Lucia kicked me out, wanted all the room to sleep," Ona said, looking at you with her puppy dog eyes. "C’mere then, i’ll show Lucia what she’s missing," you joked, moving your bag and getting out of the area to let Ona have the window seat. She loved the window seat.

"You know me too well," she said, sitting at the window seat. You sat back down next to her. "Good goal, by the way," Ona said to you. "Thanks. Wish I could have gotten more," you said, licking your lips. "No, don’t do that. Don’t put that on yourself," Ona said. "Because you would let me say that I could have defended better and you wouldn’t let Mary say she could have saved those shots," Ona told you, trying to get you too look at her.

You eventually made eye contact with her. "Come here," Ona said.

She didn’t really think, the fact that you didn’t like touch slipping her mind. She patted her lap, realizing her mistake a few seconds later. But by then, you were already shifting your position so that your head and shoulders rested on her lap. You bent your knees and rested your hand on Ona’s lap. She was taken aback for a second before gently placing her coat on you as a blanket. It smelt like you.

Ona took a picture of you, posting it to her story and then adding it to an album she had. In it, dozens of videos and pictures of you sleeping in odd places. In the trunk of a car, on the side of the pitch, in the stands at a men’s united football game, in the alley of a parked coach bus. She found it hilarious, all your United girls did.

[ya-world-challenge]

18 Afrofantasy Worlds to Read after you watch Wakanda Forever

So I see you guys love these lists and, hey, I’m not going to complain, I love looking at these sets of beautiful cover art. This theme is... Afro Fantasy Worlds! ♥♥ From alt-Cairo to alt-Johannesburg and many magical worlds in between, I’ve chosen 18 books full of African magic.

Add your favorites in the comments, too! I only ended up with two male MCs... that’s sadly a shortcoming in YA fantasy in general, although not every book here is YA.

Support my blog and read at the same time when you buy from the linked titles below, which go to Bookshop.org (where you support small bookshops, too!) Or get a free trial at Scribd for ebooks & audiobooks.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray Fate binds two Black teenagers from different social classes together  as they strike a dangerous alliance to enter a magical jungle and hunt down the ancient creature menacing their home--and discover much more than they bargained for.

Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo A gruesome war results in the old gods' departure from earth. The only remnants of their existence lie in two girls. Twins, separated at birth. Goddesses who grow up believing that they are human. Their epic journey of self-discovery as they embark on a path back to one another.

Everfair by Nisi Shawl A steampunk alternate-history novel set in the Belgian Congo. What if the African natives developed steam power ahead of their colonial oppressors? This land, named Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven, an imaginary Utopia for native populations of the Congo as well as escaped slaves returning from America and other places where African natives were being mistreated.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi A fantasy trilogy with its roots in the mythology of Africa and Arabia, three women band together against a cruel empire where castes are divided by the color of one's blood.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark A young magical detective in 1912 Cairo must investigate the murders of a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, when the murderer claims to be al-Jahiz himself returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko Tarisai was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to compete to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince's Council of 11. If she's picked, she'll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust.

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron Heir to two lines of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah yearns for magic of her own. Under the disapproving eye of her mother, the Kingdom's most powerful priestess and seer, she fears she may never be good enough. But when the Kingdom's children begin to disappear, Arrah is desperate enough to turn to a forbidden, dangerous ritual.

Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa Danso is a clever scholar on the cusp of achieving greatness--except he doesn't want it. Instead, he prefers to chase forbidden stories about what lies outside the city walls. But when Danso stumbles across a warrior wielding magic that shouldn't exist, he's put on a collision course with Bassa's darkest secrets. Drawn into the city's hidden history, he sets out on a journey beyond its borders.

The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani Children have been disappearing from across Menaiya for longer than Amraeya ni Ansarim can remember. When her friend's sister is snatched, Rae knows she can't look away any longer. She finds unexpected support from a foreign princess and a street thief with secrets of his own.

Blood Scion by Deborah Falayei They wanted me to be a monster. I will be the worst monster they ever created. Fifteen-year-old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at will--she is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods. When she is forcibly conscripted into the Lucis army, Sloane sees a new opportunity: to overcome the bloody challenges of Lucis training, and destroy them from within.

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata--a mermaid--collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable--she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna On the day of the blood ceremony of her village, Deka's blood runs gold, the color of impurity-and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki-near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes Set in a world where murderers and other criminals acquire magical animals that are mystically bonded to them. Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit, and a talent for finding lost things. When a little old lady turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheck, Zinzi's forced to take on her least favorite kind of job -- missing persons.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor In a near-future Nigeria. Anwuli Okwudili prefers to be called AO, Artificial Organism. Instead of viewing her strange body the way the world views it, as freakish, unnatural, even the work of the devil, AO embraces all that she is: A woman with a ton of major and necessary body augmentations. And then one day she goes to her local market and everything goes wrong.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of marrow and blood--a dark and terrible magick that hasn't been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native khimaer royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago. Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne.

Changa’s Safari by Milton Davis In the 15th century on the African Continent a young prince flees his homeland of Kongo, vowing to seek revenge for the murder of his father and the enslavement of his family and his people. He triumphs over the slavery and the fighting pits of Mogadishu to become a legendary fighter and respected merchant.

Waking Fire by Jean Louise Naira Khoum has only known life in Lagusa, a quiet village at the desert’s end. But to the rest of the world, Lagusa is a myth, its location shrouded in secrecy. While war rages to the north led by power-hungry Sothpike and his army of undead monsters called Dambi, Naira’s people live in peace. Until the impossible happens—Lagusa is attacked by a Mistress sent to do Sothpike’s bidding with a hoard of Dambi under her control.

Bonus: Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi An elite female fighter must reenter the competition to protect her found family of younger sisters in this scintillating young adult fantasy inspired by West African culture.

[koorinokujira]

hello, I can ask for headcanons about how Masamune, Yukimura, Motonari, Saika and Motochika would try to confess their feelings?

Ooooh, yes! Confession imagines were always my jam, so I'm honored to write some myself! I'll try my best, so I hope you enjoy!

♡ Confessions - SB Imagines ♡

You've been close friends for a very long time. Living your lives, fighting alongside each other, and sharing many a laugh together over a nice cup of sake. But neither of you has expressed taking it further just yet, even though the chemistry is undeniable. And so it falls to your dearest friend to make the first move...

♡ Masamune ♡

Masamune is adamant to Kojūrō that he has everything under control. Sure, he's been very distracted lately, not as good in their sparring matches, and keeps zoning out, but everyone has those days, right? Sadly, he defends his actions as of late quite weakly... and when gazing into his Second-in-Command's eyes, he's pretty sure that he wouldn't be convinced even with a strong argument. That man has known him essentially his whole life... he knows when something is up.

Eventually, he sighs and begrudgingly tells Kojūrō what's on his mind. How he's fallen madly in love with you, how his days are so dull when you're not around. And at the end, he leans in closer and whispers, so no one can hear how incompetent he feels because he has no idea how to ask you out. Frustration is writ on his face the whole time he speaks. He can lead his men to battle and turn it into a party of bloodshed... but for some reason, his mind goes blank every time he tries to figure out what to tell you.

Kojūrō is silent the entire time, and his face betrays no sign of the amusement he feels at that moment.

"Why not say the things you've just told me? A proper confession should come from the heart, I believe. This is one of the things I can't help you with, Lord Masamune, as much as it pains me. This is your war to win," is all he says, much to Masamune's disappointment.

Of course he'll leave him to his own devices. Typical Kojūrō, always making sure he is a well-adjusted leader that can take care of himself. Ugh... sometimes he wishes he was just a bit more irresponsible. But that's neither here nor there. He has a war of the heart to go through, and damn it all if he doesn't win it like everything else.

The Dragon spends most of the next day mulling over possibilities. Sure, his confession should come from the heart, but he can't just leave it at that, can he? Just confessing isn't his style. No no no... you both need to have fun. A day that will be great even if you reject him; which is an idea that terrifies him more than he would like to admit. But when he leaves his work to his subordinates for the day and takes his time, he realizes that he has quite a few ideas brewing in his head... and he can't wait for tomorrow.

The next day, everything seems to go exactly the way you want it to. It's kind of suspicious, but you can't put your finger on it. When you go meet Masamune for breakfast, you find yourself gazing at a table full of foods you love. And the Lord has the audacity to act all casual about it, telling you to eat at your heart's content. While you eat, you ask what duties you have for today- you two may be friends, but you still serve the Date clan, after all. His response?

"Don't worry about it."

You look at Kojūrō, who's guarding the room at his usual spot, but the man is as stoic as ever, revealing nothing. So you do as Masamune says... you don't worry about it, digging into your food.

But it doesn't stop there. Whatever you want to do during the day, he seems to be on board with. Sparring with ridiculous rules in place? Sure, that's fun. Riding to the markets and stuffing yourself with sweets? He'll buy you enough so that you even have some for tomorrow. Finally racing your horses against each other like you were planning when younger? Your wishes are his command... and you're 99% sure he let you win. But you're not complaining, it felt good.

And after a day filled with fun, you end up in the gardens of his castle, sitting on the grass with cups of warm sake in hand. Your eyes sparkle with joy in the moonlight, and Masamune knows that he'll remember that look forever, no matter the outcome of this day.

"So..." you finally break the silence, watching how the wind plays with his brown hair. "Want to tell me what this is about?"

"What's what about?" he gives you a cocky grin in response.

"Well... today. It's like we're celebrating something."

He lets out a bark of laughter at that, tilting his head to the side as he pretends to think of a response.

"Well... I suppose we are. Look, don't expect anything awfully sappy from me... but I'm just glad you're here. My lucky seventh claw," he says eventually, his usual mischievous glare giving to a look of sincerity.

Your eyes widen, but before you can even say anything, he speaks again.

"I was thinking a lot about us... you see? About everything we've gone through together. I mean, you've been here almost as long as Kojūrō- and that's a lot. You've seen me act like an absolute idiot, but you never left me behind, even though it probably would have been deserved. And I mean..." he cuts himself off for a moment, his expression turning almost bashful as he struggles to find his words. "Today was fun. And maybe we won't get to do things like this often, maybe not at all. But... every day's a party with you, even if we're both covered in the blood of our enemies. And I... I want it to keep going. I want to enjoy the rest of my life with you next to me, and if all these stupid wars end while we're still around... then I want to make every day that remains a thousand times better than this one."

He takes a deep, shaky breath, letting out a few quiet curses.

"What I mean by that is- do you want it? The wildest adventure we'll ever have? An adventure with... me?"

The Dragon stares at you with his single eye, his breath hitching as he knows that his heart has been laid bare, and thinking that this was probably the worst confession known to man. Your stunned silence certainly doesn't help ease his worries at all.

And then you take his hands into yours, a huge grin plastered on your face.

"Of course."

♡ Yukimura ♡

Yukimura is panicking, and not even trying to hide it by this point.

He told himself, he promised to himself that this week, he'd finally confess to you. And yet, every single day that he wakes up thinking that this is the day... he chickens out the moment he sees you. Your smile... oh, that smile. He loves it, and he's terrified he'll lose it forever if he confesses and you reject him.

That's how it often goes, no? One rejects another, and then the friendship just feels off, which results in both people slowly drifting away from each other. He's seen it before, and the idea of it scares him beyond belief. He can't lose you. But that feeling, that need to be something more than just your friend... it gnaws at his heart even stronger than his fears. He wants to be yours, to stand by your side until you both take your last breaths.

Of course, he tries to ask around about what to do. Sasuke wasn't much help at all. The shinobi simply shrugged and told him to do what feels natural. Not like he would actually know what to do, never having been in a relationship. His Lord wasn't much better. What began as a simple, vague question about how to confess love turned into Lord Shingen telling him about his many romantic escapades from when he was younger. He certainly did not need to hear all that... but it was still somehow better than the advice he got from some of his fellow warriors.

He's on his own. And maybe it's for the best, now that he thinks about it. He just has to find his courage, and it will all go smoothly, right?

...right?

Well, he certainly won't get anywhere by overthinking it and doing nothing. So, he decides to confess when he's the most in his element: during a sparring match.

It's a fight like any other between you two. You hold nothing back, knowing the other can take it. You tend to bring out the best in each other, after all. And you know each other's moves enough by now that it's very easy to prevent serious injury. It's his spears against your trusty blade, sparks flying as they clash. A grin is plastered across your face, while his expression is nothing short of determined.

You're winning.

"I must say, your form is particularly good today!" his gaze never leaves you as he dodges yet another blow from you, an excited glint in those beautiful brown eyes of his. Of course he would exchange pleasantries mid-fight. Typical Yukimura.

"It's the same as always," you quip back once you're sure it's safe for you to talk. "But you seem a bit distracted..."

That seems to give him pause. His face, which was already flush from the physical exertion, changes into a shade of crimson that rivals his clothes.

"Ah, well- um... you could say that I am!" he shakes his head, trying to focus as he attempts a counter attack. "For there is something weighing on my heart!"

His hands shake a bit with a mixture of nervousness and excitement as he seems to gain a new burst of energy. The tables are turning, both in his mind and in the sparring match. But you say nothing, looking at him expectantly as you refuse to let him regain his footing.

"It's difficult to put into words... but there has only been one thing on my mind for the longest time now. And that- that's you! Every time we spar like this, my heart burns even stronger than it used to. Every single moment I get to spend with you makes me forget to breathe because of how... happy it makes me. And every time I look into your eyes I... I get utterly lost!" his words are hesitant at first, but are quickly filled with the fiery passion you know him for. "But I know that even if I feel lost, I always find my way thanks to you! I wish to be more than just your brother in arms, more than your friend..."

Your weapons lock into one another, creating a window through which he looks at you. And you look back at him. Your hair is messy, your faces red, your breathing heavy... and the world seems to revolve around this moment.

"I wish... I wish that I could be yours! You make my heart burn with the brightest flame... and it would be my greatest honor if you decided to feed that flame, until we leave this world."

His voice is quiet by the time he finishes speaking. An innocent plea said by Yukimura himself, not the warrior and leader he tries to be. And as if connected by some invisible link, you both step back, lowering your weapons. The silence that follows is thick with anticipation, and yet... yet those words slip from your mouth as naturally as another breath.

"I want to be yours, too."

♡ Motonari ♡

Motonari is... well, he doesn't even know what he's feeling right now. It's a mix of annoyance and confusion, spiced up by something... awfully warm and fuzzy that he really doesn't want to think about. Love and affection? Pathetic, he is above such trivial notions, he's the Child of the Sun, he-

He's hopelessly in love with the only true friend he has, and has no idea what to do.

Maybe it's how talking to you never felt dull. Maybe it's how you stuck by him with no fear for all these years, not getting caught in a scheme of his even once. Or perhaps it's how... gentle you are to him. Like the time after a devastating loss, when you sat down with him and placed a hand on his shoulder, listening to his frustrations. There's just something comforting about you, something that allows him to feel the things he tends to bury deep in his mind. You make him feel... human. That's probably the best way to put it, as much as he hates that fact.

And now he's at a crossroads. Either he ignores this ever-growing passion in his heart, which would be the harder, yet more logical option for him... or he faces it head-on, and maybe, just maybe, takes things further. Logic against feeling, the comfort of things staying the same fighting the temptation of the unknown.

But in the end, the feelings he has for you win. It's simply too much. And so he decides to confess his feelings, whatever they may be.

Motonari is not a romantic person by any means, and he won't pretend to be. Still, from what he knows, it would make sense for the confession to take place in pleasant circumstances. So he makes sure everything is perfect. Meaning, he orders all his underlings to covertly prepare everything, while he doesn't have to lift a finger. Why wouldn't he take that opportunity, with so many soldiers ready to do his bidding?

Finally, the time comes. The whole day has just been... suspiciously relaxing for you. No planning of strategies, no training, nothing you were used to. You suddenly had time to do some things you were putting off for so long to help ensure the clan is doing well. And everything you wanted was taken care of with the snap of a finger.

Something is afoot.

And the hunch you had was right, which you find out in the evening. You don't eat dinner inside, but instead in the castle gardens. Plenty of comfortable cushions are laid out for you to sit on, there's a lot of good food... and a certain warlord who is attempting to steal sneaky glances at you and failing miserably.

"So... what's the occasion?" you raise an eyebrow at him after a while of silence, gently tilting the cup with your drink from side to side.

"Whatever do you mean?" he responds in that nonchalant, monotone voice of his.

It took you a long time to learn it, but even he has a tell when he lies. The pinky on his right finger tends to twitch subtly anytime something dishonest leaves his mouth. Perhaps that is why he has such long sleeves on his armor. And he's doing it right now. Not even attempting to hide it, either.

"Come on, stop pulling my leg. You don't usually have fancy dinners like this with me... or give me days off," you point out, which makes his shoulders tense up.

He's completely out of his element here, and here you go pointing out something which could be seen as a fault on his side. Well, that does decrease his chances slightly, but he has to keep a cool head if he is to win you over. Even a love confession can be strategic if he tries hard enough, right?

"Ah. I suppose that is true," he gazes off into the distance, looking at nothing in particular, "are you unsatisfied with our current arrangement?"

Your eyes narrow with suspicion at that, but his body language betrays nothing about it being a trick question, so you decide to be honest with him.

"Well... it would be nice to have days like this more often, but we are also at war, so I understand having a lot of work," you shrug. "I doubt our enemies would respect my day off."

"True enough," a ghost of a smile graces his lips, something rarely seen on his face. Is he... amused?

"You still haven't answered my question."

A pause. He looks back at you, his face going back to its stoic, unfeeling facade.

"You are correct... though I suppose I was hoping that diverting your attention to a different topic would make you forget altogether. Alas..." he hums in thought, his eyes never leaving yours. "There is something we must discuss."

Uh oh, that doesn't sound good at all. When people say things like that, it usually means something went wrong, and you know Motonari has no qualms saying what he doesn't like. In detail. So you do the smart thing and simply gesture for him to continue.

"Something has been on my mind for a while now, but it took me a a long time to sort my thoughts out in regards to it. You and me... we have known each other for a long time now. And you know me better than anyone else in my life," he begins, shifting a bit so he faces you more with his entire body. "I used to find that fact quite unnerving. After all, such knowledge can be quite dangerous. But lately, my opinion has been changing. I do not mind it as much anymore. Or you in general. I suppose I have gotten used to you by now. Enough that I find your presence... pleasant, I suppose."

You open your mouth, but no words come out as you stare at him in stunned silence. Motonari being nice? Or, as nice as Motonari can be, that is. And what's worse, his hands are completely still, and nothing else betrays any hint of dishonesty. But seeing your shock, he clears his throat and quickly clears his throat, trying to save the situation despite words of affection not being his forte.

"What I mean to say is... a long time has passed since I simply saw you as yet another valuable asset. You have become a trusted companion, as strange it is for me to say. And in the past few months, you have made me feel- different. It terrifies me, because no matter what I try, I can't seem to get these feelings under control. And yet... it's very pleasant, and I find myself giving into them more and more often," his brows suddenly furrow as he attempts to explain his feelings to you. "It's like happiness, but it goes further. It feels better than when something goes exactly as planned... or when I triumph over you in shogi. Better than- anything else I can think of, I suppose. And it only happens when I'm with you."

He gazes at the starry sky, suddenly seeming strangely vulnerable.

"To put it simply... I would like to try something new. To be... more to you, and for you to be more to me. No more schemes, no more... facades. I want us to trust each other fully. And maybe, just maybe- do more than trust. You have shown me that there is an array of emotion that I have no clue about, and I think it's time for me to... research into that. Learn. Live," he seems almost hesitant as he looks back at you for the last time. "Perhaps there is a place for the both of us under the sun's glorious rays... what do you think?"

It takes a bit for you to process everything he said. He has just confessed that he has feelings- dare you say, love - for you. In the most Motonari way possible, of course, but you can't help but find it endearing. It is true, you know him better than anyone. But that goes both ways, and despite his strange habits and almost sadistic satisfaction he seems to get when he beats you at board games... you appreciate him a lot, too. There is something exciting about the prospect of getting to know the real him and just... being close. And besides, who can say no to a mutually beneficial agreement?

"I think there is... so let's see where this path leads us. I accept."

♡ Magoichi ♡

When Magoichi realizes she's in love with you, it gives her pause. Not that such feelings are unwelcome, on the contrary; it is simply an odd feeling. She tends to keep herself detached, focused on the task ahead so she can be the best leader of the Saika Faction she can. But it seems that even someone seemingly cold like her has her own weaknesses.

And oh, does she have one for you.

How could she not? You were by her side since you were only children, and you never left her behind. Whether she was was having the best time of her life or mourning those she had lost, you were an ever-present companion that she could share her life with without being worried. And she offered the same to you, though she was never all that great at it. That kind of trust is hard to come by, especially in these dark times, and she never took it for granted.

But now, she is faced with feelings much deeper than close friendship. Love seems like a very pleasant feeling so far, and it helps that you seem like you could even be receptive to it, were she to confess. And yet...

She hesitates.

Would it be a good idea for her to do such a thing? What if she neglects her duties too much? What if the attachment to you becomes a burden instead of the pillar she leans upon when she needs companionship? What if it hinders your ability to do your job? Neither of you can afford such a thing, not when there's a war raging everywhere around you and you need to stay vigilant.

However, that's only the logical part of her mind. The part that's slowly but surely getting overshadowed by that pleasant, fuzzy feeling in her chest. The loud thumping of her heart whenever you flash that grin of yours after a job well done. When you tell her about something you love and your eyes light up than the stars she sees every night. When she returns from patrol, only to find you snoring soundly on your mat in the most adorable way possible.

She weighs down her options, and eventually figures that keeping her feelings bottled up would be much worse. She's had enough of that, and you... you've convinced her, at least partly, that even she deserves affection. Besides, she's let you this close already, it can't be much worse.

She doesn't fuss over the confession itself much; Magoichi is a straight-forward, practical woman. She knows that saying it how it is in a relaxed situation is more than enough. And she wouldn't even know how to confess in a romantic way without sounding like an idiot- or a certain poetic vagabond with more feathers in his hair than sense in his head. Ugh.

So she does exactly that. On a fairly uneventful day, she invites you to go on patrol with her, as she often does. She knows she can count on you having her back. And just like any other time, it doesn't take long for a conversation to start. It's mostly you talking and her listening, a preferred arrangement between the two of you. She watches intently as your lips curl up into an amused smile while you tell her a joke you heard from one of your fellow Crows.

Magoichi is so lost in your expression, in fact, that she almost forgets to react, resulting in a somewhat delayed snort and amused roll of the eyes.

"Of course he'd say something like that... not surprised," she shakes her head, and only a pleasant silence follows right after.

It's late in the afternoon, and the sun is just now remembering that it's supposed to set, casting everything in a warm orange hue. Dirt and grass crunches around your feet as you walk, and you can hear a few birds chirping here and there. It's wonderful, and you can't help but take sneaky glances at the gorgeous landscape around you both.

"You know, I wanted to talk to you about something," she hums after a while, and slows her steps into an eventual stop.

You stop next to her, wordlessly gesturing for her to continue. The fearless leader of the Saika Faction doesn't respond immediately, however. Instead, she takes a deep breath and looks out into the distance, suddenly feeling incredibly awkward.

"Look, I won't mince words here, or I'll probably say something ridiculous," she turns back to you, crossing her arms in a seemingly relaxed manner. "Lately, I've been thinking... and I realized that you started to mean even more to me than before. I always cared about you, even if I wasn't great at expressing it. And I know you know that. But lately... it's been different for me. You smile at me and I suddenly feel like a mess-"

She cuts herself off for a moment, shaking her head again with a tiny scoff at herself. It's clear that this is a bit new to her. A bit unnerving, even.

"I guess I just fell for you, and I don't know what to do with myself except telling you. And I'm kind of hoping you feel the same. That you want to hold my hands and... tell me that you love me, just like I want to do the same for you. Right now, there's nothing that I want more, even though part of me feels stupid for saying all that," she smiles awkwardly. "...what do you say?"

But you know you don't need to say much. All it takes is taking her hand in yours, gently intertwining your fingers... and saying what has been on your mind for the longest time as well.

"I love you too."

♡ Motochika ♡

It takes Motochika an awfully long time to realize that his feelings for you run a bit deeper than regular friendship. It has nothing to do with his intelligence, nor lack of perception. He might be an intimidating warlord and an intimidating pirate, but no one could deny the size of his heart when it comes to all those he considers friends. And his crew? His crew is family. One that you're a very important part of. So, him showering you with affection and absolutely adoring you has always been par for the course.

But lately, his own feelings have been a bit of a mystery to him. It wasn't like there was anything wrong, per se. He was content, happy, even! Sailing the seas, being a menace and searching for treasure with his crew... it's all a sea wolf like him can ask for, war be damned. And yet, there was something strange, something tugging on his heartstrings. He even thought he was sick at one point, before he realized how silly that was. And through a mixture of pondering and talking it over with some of the other crew members, he slowly realizes that the source of that odd feeling is none other than you.

And that brings us to know. The poor man is in love, and now that he knows it, it's gotten even worse. Oh, how he wishes to scoop you up into his arms and never let go, to sit with you on the deck and stargaze when everyone is asleep, fall asleep while holding you every night and wake up the same way every morning... it's driving him insane. But he wants to do this right, to earn your love.

The problem is, he has no idea where to even begin.

He absolutely refuses to court you like some stupid, snobby lord from the mainland. That would probably just scare you off, anyway. You're made of sterner stuff, just like him. Maybe he could hunt down a shark for you? Impressive, sure, but kind of weird, so no. The treasure you have is shared by all of the crew, so it's not like giving you any of that would mean much, either. But he wants to do something for you, give you something, something that comes from the heart...!

Ah. He's got it. He'll do something he's never done before.

When the ship makes small stop on land the next day, he lets everyone do as they please (like always, anyhow), and disappears without telling anyone. Even you're none the wiser about where he went, but you're not particularly worried about him. He knows how to take care of himself. Most of the time, at least.

But unbeknownst to you, he went to a somewhat secluded beach nearby. And with no one to observe and possibly spoil the surprise, he starts gathering seashells. Big ones, small ones- as long as he finds them beautiful, he takes them, and slowly builds a decent collection. He wraps it all in a cloth, tucking it into a small pouch he currently has on his hip, before he slinks back to you and the others.

Later that night, he sheepishly approaches a member of his crew; a scrawny, cheery young man named Teruo, who has a bit of a knack for everything concerning jewelry. Collecting, and even making various trinkets is his hobby, which makes him a fairly valuable member of a team when the crew needs to make a bit more money. But this time, the infamous Sea Devil approaches him for a different purpose.

He wants to make a necklace for you... using the shells he collected.

Obviously, he doesn't really know much about that sort of handiwork. His hands are great at fishing, swinging his anchor around to defeat terrified enemies... rough work, nothing as gentle as this. But he wants to learn. He wants to put an effort into making something for you. Something that you will appreciate and will hopefully look as good on you as he imagines. And when his dear aniki explains the situation, how can Teruo refuse to help?

And so begins a long, frustrating night full of cursing, some broken seashells, and unwavering effort of a pirate that's hopelessly in love. By the time he's done, he's certain it's almost morning, so he decides to at least take a short nap. He doesn't even bother to go back to his cabin. He just slumps down in the corner on the hard wooden floor, gently clutching the newly made necklace in his right palm.

He doesn't sleep for long, though. He's used to waking up around sunrise, and his biological clock doesn't disappoint this time, either. So he sleepily gets out of Teruo's tiny cabin (not without muttering an apology for bothering him the entire night, though), and walks back up on the deck. And as luck would have it...

...he spots you.

You're standing there, letting the wind caress your hair as your arms rest against the ship's railing. You seem content, just staring at the sun as it lazily rises up on the skyline. And if Motochika wasn't in love with you before, then boy is he now. You look utterly perfect to him in the warm orange glow, and like a siren, you've enthralled him yet again, heart and soul.

This is it. There will never be a moment more perfect than this.

He walks up to you casually, stopping right beside you. It takes him a while to speak, as he mentally prepares himself for what he's about to do.

"Enjoying the sunrise?" he asks as he hides the necklace behind him, his other hand moving to rest on his hip.

"Mhm."

Your response sounds a bit absent-minded, but that's mostly because you're still a bit sleepy. You're enjoying the sunrise, but paying attention to him, too.

"I get it. No better view of the sky than from the deck of a ship, with wind in your hair and the smell of the sea right at your nose..." he hums in approval, before his voice slips into a soft murmur. "Anyway... wanted to tell you something."

That tears your gaze from the gorgeous scenery, and brings it to his face. His brown eyes are filled with a strange tenderness, while the rest of his face remains somewhat stoic. You know the look... he has something important to say, but he'll probably say it with that endearing sincerity of his.

"So... we've known each other for what feels like forever, huh? Sailing the seas, having an adventure wherever the wind takes us... it's been fun. Great having you by my side through all that," he gives you a sincere, yet somewhat awkward grin. "But you know... I've been thinking a lot lately. About us, I mean. And I realized you mean a lot more to me than I thought you did. Not that you weren't one of my favorites before- you're the backbone of this crew at this point. But I guess I caught myself wanting... more."

There's a short pause, and you can clearly see the momentary realization in his eyes that he's really doing this, and there's no going back from it.

"What I want to say is... I... love you. A lot. And I want- I hope that maybe, we could be more than what we are now. More than a Captain and his right hand. I want you to be my partner in crime. Well, not just in that, but in everything," he rubs the back of his head to soothe his nervousness. "And to show you it's not just words, and I really mean it, I made something for you."

He finally reveals the necklace. It's actually pretty well made for his first try. A bit crude in some places, but clearly made with love. There's even a few silver beads dividing the various seashells to spice things up a bit.

"I know, not the best accessory in the world... but I worked hard on it. Picked out some shells I thought you'd like and put it together, even though it was kind of frustrating," he chuckles awkwardly. "...do you like it?"

You take the necklace from him, admiring it for a few more moments. Maybe it's not the most beautiful piece of jewelry, but he made it for you. Just for you. That's enough to make your heart beat like crazy. You care for him a lot too, more than you were comfortable with admitting before. And when you see the puppy eyes he's giving you now, you can't help but feel that maybe it's time to let yourself feel that love, let it out.

Without a word, you fall into his arms, and he catches you in time.

"I don't like it. I love it. But not more than you."

---

Woo! It's done! After such a long wait, I'm finally back with another finished request. This one was kind of daunting, to be honest... but I think I did okay! Despite all the obstacles, I finished these silly scenes, and I'm super proud! And that leaves only one more request in my backlog.

Thanks for your patience, and that you read my stories, it means a lot to me.

And as always...

Have an amazing day!

[hollybee8917]

Seasons in the Sun

Characters- Steve Rogers, Ransom Drysdale, Ari Levinson 

Plot- Three men are trapped and dying. They reminisce about their lives.

Warnings: Major character deaths, tornado, family angst, major injury

Ari Levinson lifted his head to find two strangers lying near him in the rubble of the building. 

The one who was two feet to his left had blonde hair matted with blood. His muscles rippled as he attempted to lift the beam from his midsection. No luck. The blonde laid back, his strength starting to wane.

On Ari’s right lay another man. He was much younger than Ari but close to the age of the blonde. The kid was well-dressed with tamed hair and a gash down his forehead. He coughed, “What are you staring at?”

Ari scoffed, “Nothing, kid.”

“Not a kid. I’m over thirty.”

So the guy wasn’t much younger than Ari after all. The blond piped up, “How long do you think it will be before they find us?”

Ari sighed, “I don’t know. You two got names?”

On his left, the beam trapped man replied, “I’m Steve.”

The unpleasant man wiped the blood from his cheek, “Ransom.”

Silence filled the small chamber as the men tried to take stock of their situation. The tornado had made a direct hit on the building and they didn’t know if there were any survivors. Steve spoke softly, “I never got to tell Bucky goodbye.”

Ari looked at him, “What’s that?”

Steve smiled sadly, “My best friend. We had known each other since we were nine or ten, maybe eleven. He was the one person that I trusted above everyone else. We went to war together and came back holding each other up. I lost track of all the mountains and hills we climbed together. Through everything I endured, my one constant was Bucky. Now, he’ll be without me. My biggest regret is that I never told him…”

Ransom noticed how Steve trailed off, “You never told him how much you loved him. That sucks man.”

Steve shook his head, “What about you? You got someone you’re leaving behind that you wish you could say goodbye to?”

Steadying his ragged breathing, Ransom pursed his lips, “Just my parents. I was always a disappointment to them though. Can’t say they’ll miss me too much.”

Ari coughed, “You’re still their son. They’re going to miss you.”

“Maybe. Hard to say because I always was the black sheep of the family. I think the one person who would be most devastated is my dad. He always tried to make me a better man than he was but I liked alcohol and women too much. I always was more of a Drysdale than a Thrombey. I always was shooting for the sky. Maybe if he looks up, he’ll see me there. What about you, oh wise one?”

Ari let a tear gather in his eye, “Me?”

Steve laid back, “Yeah.”

The man looked to his legs that he knew were crushed then over to the men who stared at him expectantly, “I have a little girl. Her name is Maya. She was the best thing that ever happened to me. Whenever I was down, she always made me smile. She would lift me up whenever I was feeling inadequate. Maya is the light of my life.”

Ransom tried to focus on Ari’s words but he could feel himself slipping away. I’m sorry, Dad. When you see children everywhere, I’ll be there.

Steve coughed, “How old is she?”

“She’s nine. I hope she isn’t going to be too sad.”

Ari smiled to himself, “She helped me find the sun. I wish I could see her one more time. How are you doing, Ransom?”

But Ransom didn’t answer. He was already gone. Ari could tell that because Ransom’s chest had stopped rising and falling. He turned to Steve, “How are you?”

Weakly, Steve replied, “Not good. I have lost all feeling in my body… I can’t breathe…”

Ari sighed, “Just hang on. Someone will be by soon…”

Again silence fell over the men. Steve tried to slow his breathing but struggled. His consciousness began to slip and Steve let a tear slip down his dirty cheek. Oh Buck, think of me and I’ll be there. I love you.

Ari brushed a bloody hand through his hair, “You doin’ alright, Steve?”

No answer so he tried again, “Steve, you okay?”

In the dim light, he could see that the blond man’s eyes had closed and the air no longer filled his lungs. Ari hung his head. Darkness began to creep into his vision. He shook his head. No! I can’t. Maya needs me. Oh Maya… With the weather getting warmer, I promised you the beach. I wish we could both be there.

Twelve minutes later, the rubble began to move and a voice shouted, “OVER HERE!”

People gathered round to lift the debris but the men below were already gone. As they were lifted out, each one was identified by the ID’s in their wallets.

“Steve Rogers.”

“Hugh Ransom Drysdale.”

“Ari Levinson. He’s still a little warm… poor guy. If we had been faster, we could have saved him.”

[shihomouri22]

What would happen if Akako's son fell in love with Kaiao's daughter?

Sadly, I haven't been lucky enough to find many fanfics about Kaito and Aoko's married life, much less with children, and the few I've seen show their children off-screen or as a baby. It doesn't bother me, but I would like to see more and in my crazy head. He has thought about several scenarios for his children, such as:

I like the idea that they have identical twins but with different personalities, like although both children are energetic, one is calmer than the other or that they both admire their father for being a brilliant magician, one of them can't help but want to work for the police like his grandfather Ginzo did, who almost caught the famous kaito kid.

(although we already know who caught him indirectly 🤭🤭)

And the idea that is most in my head is that apart from the twins, some time later Kaito and Aoko have a daughter that is planned or was a surprise, it is in their decision XD

and i have thought about pairing Kaito's daughter with Akako's son like in that kind of strange Eros and Psyche where the boy since he was in elementary school tries to win over kuroba's daughter to cleanse the honor of his mother who, Because of Kaito, he couldn't have all the men in the world at his feet, but Akako's son accidentally falls in love with Kuroba's daughter.

What do others think about this?

Aoko: He takes it as a children's joke but when the children go to high school he supports Ryo 100% (I already named them because it must be tiring to read the son of such a character, I'm sorry 😔)

Akako's son is called Ryuunosuke and Aoko's daughter is called Akari xd

Akako: Although she feels flattered that her son avenges her, the truth is that she stopped caring a long time ago whether she has all the men at her feet or not and is even very good friends with Aoko.

the twins (I haven't thought of a name for these xd): They think that Ryu is a womanizer who only wants to play with his younger sister since since he was little he has been popular with girls although in high school he has become just as vain as his mother and that is why they will always try to interrupt their moments alone.

Kaito: At first he was the most worried since he knew the craziness of Ryu's maternal side and was afraid that he would use his daughter until he discovered that what Ryu feels is love and that his daughter is just as clueless as her mother and the only thing Kaito could do was hug Ryu and say I understand you.

Ryu: As we said at the beginning, Ryu wanted to win over Akari to clear the name of his mother, with whom he has always been very close, but over the years Ryu becomes friends with Akari and falls in love with her, but he doesn't know how to show that his feelings are sincere.

Akari: Well, she met Ryu in elementary school and the first time she met him he had a shy and fearful attitude and that made Akari want to protect him and even though they are already in high school and Ryu has changed, she can't help but see him as that shy boy he knew in elementary school although sometimes he can't help but feel jealous of the girls who approach Ryu.

Thank you for reading the things that I imagine in my weird head and if you have Kaito and Aoko fanfics, don't hesitate to tag me since I will read them by law.

[chaosresturantjandn4eva]

In this whole story is amazing how everything is clear and there are this enormous inexplicable question marks at the same time.

Like one opinion I read A LOT after papgate was how it is possible to reconcile the L’s image we got on the press tour to the one we got after. Many people hated on him so hard saying he’s actually an icky, immature, not kind person. But guys every person who actually knows him and worked with him for years has just praise for him. They describe him as the kindest, most considerate, sweetest person. And anyone who has been following from earlier that this year knows he had that energy as well in all his old interviews and his past relationship with Jade.

For sure it does strike as a guy who doesn’t have the stronger personality. He’s clearly a little insecure and very quiet. People like that tend to get a little influenced by their closed ones but it doesn’t mean that they’re bad people at all. Rory, Tom and Jack have been L’s best friends since they were practically kids. His life changed so much those are probably the friendships he wants to keep to ground himself in his past life as N does with her (Maeve, Camilla). It’s not always easy to ditch your childhood friends even when you start to grow in different directions cause there is history there.

At the end of the day I feel like we’re all putting too much weight on a subject that is light: we’re talking dating life people… and there are no kids or marriages or families in the middle.

Okay he ended up his lover boy relationship with Jade and she got immediately with another dude so he lost it a little cause he was also going thru his first leading men era and so started dating a young hot girl that fits perfectly with his best mate’s girl. So? It’s for sure a little silly and what I can say is “oh Lukey you’re going through it” but he’s not marrying her or knocking her up and it seems she treats her with respect. Maybe he didn’t want to date anyone too seriously so he chose someone who most likely wasn’t looking for her endgame partner ?

The truth is we don’t know. We don’t know how things played out between him and Nic nor if he’s just in a rake’s phase or just heartbroken.

What we have is the AMAZING way in which Nic talks about him. And that’s the thing I trust the most.

Come on I consider myself a good personally but I made my mistakes in the dating life and I dated for love and I dated for other reasons. It happens. Love is messy. The way of the heart is complicated. And it’s impossible to be always perfect at the eyes of everyone.

What I see is A getting spoiled like a queen around the world and N being treated very well and admired by her costar and friend during the press tour. This doesn’t speak too bad about L. And even the Raya stuff. Who didn’t get on dating apps after a breakup… dating apps are superficial sadly…

The only thing that “pains” me (it’s not that deep lol) is that i am totally convinced that L and N are “right person wrong time” and that L is gonna realise it too late and regret it for a looooong time.

But they have their friendship which I see going strong for years. They’ll have different with their future significant others to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Polin season you’ll see

#chaosDay

Let me pour you a shot anon

[squarebracketsmileyface]

holding my hands out like im oliver twist for the masterdoc of the cowboy au

Sadly, we didn't really put much of it down in a doc, it's just free-floating in our messages from like a year ago, there's almost no way I'll be able to find it with how much we talk to each other, but I can try my best to remember it.

My boyfriend sent me the little bit he'd written down about pre transition Alex's view of the cowboys (Tim and Brian)

Alex's parents owned a bookstore/library I think, and Alex was expected to take over the business at some point, so he was stuck cooped up in the little back room of the shop doing boring things, inventory or whatever, and spent most of his day staring out of the window at Brian and Tim riding around on horseback and stuff. I think he and Jay had been friends for a while, like since they were kids because they both kinda clicked with all their gender stuff, even if neither of them knew they were trans when they were younger. Jay's a trans man and Alex ends up as a trans woman.

I think Jay was friends with Tim and Brian already, I seem to remember something about Jay joining those two on a ride up to the pastures, either sharing one of their horses or riding his own? And then they all stopped at this waterfall and pool halfway up and all went swimming. I think there was smutty stuff that happened at that pool lol, like Tim and Brian being completely comfortable and shameless being naked in front of each other stripping down and jumping straight into the pool. And then Jay was more hesitant but eventually, after the other two encouraged/goaded him he stripped down too and joined them in the pool.

Then sexy times occurred. No idea if we ever fleshed out what happened there lol or if it was just general "they do the sex things" or if I'm completely misremembering and adding in smut where there was none. I'm pretty sure there was smut ideas for this au tho.

Anyway. I think Jay became good friends with the cowboys and ended up in a relationship with both of them, but then he and Alex had always kinda been sweet on each other, so like, everyone in the little town they all lived in expected them to end up getting married. And at some point Alex got introduced to the cowboys by Jay? Somehow Alex met the cowboys and they really hit it off, and Alex (who at that point was still "cis") had a bit of a gay awakening realising like, oh, no it's not just Jay, I just like men oh no.

Also I think Alex also got to have a good old smutty time at that waterfall at some point?

Some other stuff happened I think and at some point after the four of them had been "very close friends" (all dating each other) for a while, Alex had a gender thing and realised she was actually a woman. Then some other stuff happened and Jay and Alex moved in with Tim and Brian. I think they had their own house or whatever, but after that most of what I remember is Brian's mum being an absolute icon.

As my boyfriend says, she was the real main character.

She was just a saint. Also all of Brian's little sisters adored Alex, all of them wanted her to braid their hair and stuff. Also I think Brian's mum was a seamstress? She made Alex her first dress even when everyone else liked, frowned at it. She just invited Alex to her shop and measured her and let her pick out her fabrics and stuff and made the dress for Alex at a discount or something.

Also I think it was a thing that all Brian and Tim's clothes were patched to hell and back, but they were patched with floral patterned fabric scraps from the offcuts of the dresses Brian's mum made?

There was also something about Tim and Brian hooking up in a barn when they were younger (they're all like, late 20's in the au I think?) and Brian's mum just kinda knew and was a menace to them about it. I think they slept in that barn a lot together. Like, sex sleeping together as well as just sleeping sleeping together lol. I think?

I really don't remember I could be making all this shit up as I go along.

My boyfriend made them all in the Sims a while ago lol, they were so cute. Alex was so pretty :]

But yeah, cowboy au :D

Pretty much nothing ever got written for it, it was just a collection of picrews and us ranting at each other about it on WhatsApp lol

[diaphin93]

Thank you for pointing out the Dimidue vs Dimilix thing. I get loving angst and why people ship the latter. But what really grinds my gears is the fact that Dimidue has less fanfiction than Dimiclaude. Dimitri and Claude barely even interact together in game. They interact more in Hopes. Meanwhile Dedue and Dimitri are practically inseparable. Their paired ending has Dedue being the royal consort. I can't help but wonder if it's because Claude is lighter skinned and more "conventionally" attractive.

The Edelcrit crowd keeps trying to pain her as racist, but it's hard not to say the pot's calling the kettle when you look at how often they forget about Dedue when discussing Black Eagles vs Blue Lions.

Honestly? I think Dimidue has alot more high quality angst potential than Dimilix in my opinion. It makes me think of the impression a friend of mine had when first playing Azure Moon. During her first playthrough, she speculated that Dedues attitude was some act and it would be revealed that he wanted to get close to Dimitri to get revenge for his people, because he seemed to be just too calm and subservient for what was done to his people by Faerghus, while also keeping a distance from Dimitri during their supports. And I totally get this, I personally also would have initially assumed that Dedue hides more anger than he shows, because why set up the dynamic of him being a survivor of genocide by Dimitris people, if not for some pay off, especially considering Azure Moons themes of revenge and being haunted by the dead? Alas, it didn't came to be because the game instead has Dimitri just play Faerghus police by squashing the Duscur Rebellion without another genocide, instead of turning against the nobles who commit it to begin with, and Dedue is effectively written out of the story in Part 2, due to being an optional re-recruit you can easily miss and so that Dimitri can have his loner boar arc.

Also I'm not really saying that I want Dedue to ultimately turn against Dimitri and become his enemy, but some messy complicated feelings and resentment would have added much needed depth to both the plot and Dedues character. Usually you would expect it to be like Dedue claiming to actually hate Dimitri for what Faerghus people did to his, while having conflicting feelings because over the years he grew to genuinly love and care for him, while it would have been a good growing experience for Dimitri, becoming much more aware of the pain and resentment others feel, similar to his own hatred against Edelgard, and how he as the King ultimately shares his own responsibility for Faerghus bloody history. Sadly the game never challenged Dimitri to this extent and makes his entire character development purely centered around Byleth and Rodrigue, but I think the set up has alot of potential for some introspection and alot of Angst when shipping those two.

But alas it shows the Fandoms strong racial bias against men of color, especially those who present as very masc. Instead they go for your typical two light-skinned Bishonen options for the most part. When it comes to Dimitri and Claude, I have my own problems with the ship. It is for all intends and purposes basically just Dimigard in Yaoi, the ship centers usually purely Dimitris values and validates his feelings and perspective over Claudes, enforcing this very white savior-esque perspective on themes of racism. I would say Hopes even made this much more clear, considering how their interactions are fairly awkward and Claude practically promises Dimitri to turn on him when it comes to taking out the church, something strongly hinted at in AG's ending. Alas, I also think they lack alot of chemistry and I have a problem with how Claude inside Blue Lions routes is always marginalized and turned into either a sidekick or PoC in Distress for Dimitri to act as a white savior towards, with little agency and respect for his own perspectives and ambitions. It is different in the case of Edelgard and Claude, where superficially people claim that he just follows everything Edelgard says, ignoring the larger context of him acting the entire time to push forward his own ambitions and that there differences are much more nuanced, them agreeing in their opposition against the Church and Crests but otherwise having distinct goals.

But back to the topic, I would say, yes, Claude being a more conventionally attractive in anime terms, which means bishonen, and lighter skinned PoC plays strongly into it. Claude being smaller and presented as physically weaker than Dimitri also usually pushes him into the position of the Bottom or Uke in that ship, which is another problem in the way PoC's are often represented, namely that Brown Men are usually only validated when they can be contextualized as emasculated and the more effeminate part of a ship compared to the stronger and more dominent white partner. We see this Dynamic play out in one of the most notorious Edelcrit ships, which also features DimiClaude. It generally reveals a strong racist element inside Fandom by erasing Claudes culturally middle eastern inspired heritage by recontextualizing Almyra as Japanese, a culture that white supremacy often contextualizes as the Model Minority, and presents him as the submissive to Dimitris dominant, while also being used to elavate Dimitris status as a white savior to further glorify him. I think this happening in one of the most popular FE3H Fanfics, that goes into alot of religious apologetics as well and involves strong misogynistic themes both surrounding Byleth and Edelgard, reveals a strong anti-MENAT (an extended acronym to also include turkey) bias inside the community.

As I said, FE3H is a true microcosm of fandom and its typical biases, bigotries and problems, which is thanks to its diverse cast. The top list of AO3 ships also showed so much, it was predominantly white and light-skinned asians and alot of Harry Potter.

[sisterspooky1013]

Gaslight, Chapter 7/48

(On previous posts I listed the chapter count as 58. I was trippin, it’s 48)

Rated X | Read it here on AO3

Dana taps her pen rapidly against the desktop, re-reading the chart for the umpteenth time.

Male, age 32, presenting with acute abdominal pain. Blood and urine tests came back normal, as well as x-ray and ultrasound. She puts in an order for a CT scan and an endoscopy, making a note for herself to follow it with a barium swallow if those tests aren’t conclusive.

“Who died?”

Dana looks up to see Dr. Thomas entering their shared office and smiles wearily.

“I guess that isn’t a great joke for a hospital setting, is it?” the younger woman adds, taking a seat behind her desk and cracking open a can of soda.

Her copper-skinned face and wide, bright smile had been a welcome second impression after Dana’s initial entry into St. Agnes, and the two became fast friends. Thick-waisted and ample-breasted, Dr. Thomas insisted that Dana call her by her first name, Tiffany, and simply smiled sadly and told her it didn’t matter when Dana asked if they had met during her previous tenure there.

“Sorry if I’m being moody,” Dana says with a sigh, leaning back in her seat. “I didn’t sleep well last night and it’s my husband’s birthday today—I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed.”

Tiffany arches a curious eyebrow as she logs into her computer.

“Does he have unrealistic birthday expectations or something?” she posits. “One of those people that expects to be treated like royalty?”

Dana shakes her head.

“It has nothing to do with him. I think I’m just putting a lot of pressure on myself.”

What she doesn’t tell Tiffany is that as she and Cal have become more physically intimate over the course of the last week—mostly just kissing, and one instance of wine inspired dry humping on the living room couch—her dreams have intensified to the point that they wake her several times at night.

Sometimes they, she and the man, are in the kitchen with the green countertops. She’s washing dishes and he wraps his arms around her waist, or they are dancing in the middle of the room, sometimes kissing as they move across the floor. She can see his face, his hooded green eyes and full mouth, his impish smile. He’s tall, close in height to Cal, and sometimes he is walking her slowly backwards, grabbing at her ass and pulling her close so she can feel him, stiff against her belly. There is always music, though she can’t quite hear it; she senses that it’s there. In some dreams he’s looking up at her from between her thighs, in others his cock is hovering inches from her face. But it’s the ones where she’s riding him, feeling him not just physically but emotionally, that affect her the most. Those are the dreams that pull her from a dead sleep flushed and humming, that send Cal down the hallway to check on her after another nightmare. They are the reason she can’t quite bring herself to return to the master bedroom, for fear that she will call out the other man’s name in her sleep. But then, at least, she’d know what his name is.

“Men are easy,” Tiffany says, giving her a meaningful look. “Give him a steak dinner and a hummer and you’re good to go til next year.”

Dana barks a surprised laugh, but her belly twists. She has the passing thought that maybe being fully intimate with Cal will relieve her of these sordid memories, these haunting dreams. But at the same time, they feel like all she has left of something that was clearly very important to her at one time.

“We’re getting dinner at Mercato,” she supplies. “Have you been there?”

“Yeah, Rick’s taken me there a few times. It’s nice,” Tiffany answers. “Do you have a sitter for the kids?”

“They’ll be at the neighbors’ while we’re out to dinner, but it’s a school night so we can’t stay out too late.”

“Sounds like fun,” Tiffany quips, then stands and drapes her stethoscope over her neck. “I have rounds. See you tomorrow?”

“Yep.”

Tiffany gets as far as the threshold of the door, then stops and looks back at her with a serious expression. Dana lifts her eyebrows in question and waits.

“Don’t forget to cup the balls,” Tiffany says, holding her hand palm up with the fingers curled as though cradling a pair of testicles.

Dana’s groan at her tasteless joke is cut short by the clip of the door closing.

-

“You look great,” Cal says uncomfortably, and Dana smiles demurely.

“Thanks,” she replies, pulling in a breath and looking around the restaurant.

It’s small, only a dozen tables or so, and the ambiance is decidedly romantic: low lighting, flickering candles, smooth jazz music lilting from cleverly hidden speakers. She tugs on the neckline of her dress, which is a low scoop that reveals the tops of her pushed-up breasts. She’d felt good when she put it on, admiring her silhouette in the bathroom mirror, but now that Cal’s eyes keep falling down to her chest as they try, awkwardly, to make conversation, she feels exposed and vulnerable. They’ve only gotten as far as water glasses on the table beside their menus, and already she can’t wait for this meal to be over.

“How was work today?” he attempts, and she remembers Tiffany’s advice regarding his gift.

“It was okay,” she says blandly, and again they fall into tense silence. Cal’s shoulder jumps and his head quirks to the side, and she knows she’s making him uncomfortable with her own discomfort. “Um, I didn’t really know what to get you for your birthday—” she starts, but Cal stops her.

“You don’t need to get me anything, Dana,” he insists, and she nods once.

“I didn’t, actually,” she admits, and he smiles shyly. “But I had this idea that maybe we could sort of—recreate something. An event that was important but that I can’t remember. Kind of a do-over.”

His smile blooms into a delighted grin, and she feels a warm flush in her belly.

“Really? Like what?”

Dana shrugs. “I don’t know, you tell me. This is something I can’t help you with, unfortunately.”

Cal sits back in his seat, pondering with a playful glint in his eye. The waiter approaches their table and asks about a drink order, and Cal turns to Dana.

“Let’s get out of here,” he says, and she flashes her eyes over to the waiter in embarrassment.

“Right now?” she asks in a low voice.

“I apologize,” Cal directs to the apron-clad man waiting beside the table expectantly. “There’s somewhere else we need to be.”

He tosses a twenty dollar bill on the table top and stands up, extending his hand to Dana. She takes it and follows him out of the restaurant, choosing to trust him enough not to ask where they’re going.

_

When Cal pulls the front door of O’Blarney’s open, smoke seeps out and curls into the evening air. She walks in and is greeted by all the trappings of a dive bar: pool tables, dart boards, worn down pinball machines, and the saturated stink of cigarettes and hops. The floor is covered in patchy green carpet and the man behind the bar looks like he’s ready to pose for a mugshot.

Cal directs her to a table and then goes to the bar to get them drinks, returning with a beer for him and a cocktail for her. She takes an experimental sip and smiles with pleasant surprise.

“Gin and tonic?” she asks, and he bobs his head.

“That’s what you used to drink when we met,” he says, scooting his chair closer to hers.

She looks around at the clientele. The bar is relatively busy for a Monday evening, and most of the patrons have the comfortable posture of regulars. A swarthy man in a camo jacket leers at her, and Cal slings his arm over the back of her chair posessively.

“So, what are we recreating?” she asks, taking another sip.

“This is where we met,” he tells her fondly, and her eyebrows lift in surprise.

“Here?”

Cal nods, clearly enjoying her reaction.

“Tell me,” she encourages him, touching his knee lightly for emphasis. He covers her hand with his and holds it there, and she feels a little flutter of excitement.

“I used to come here all the time,” he begins. “Me and my buddy Ryan would come almost every night after work to play pool or just talk. I started seeing you come in every once in a while with another regular, this woman Erin, do you remember her?”

“Erin?” Dana repeats. “I don’t think so.”

“Anyway, you were here with Erin one night and I decided to make my move.” Dana smiles at him and he shakes his head dismissively. “I totally struck out. I think I asked you if you were new to the area or some cliche bullshit, and you pretty much brushed me off. But I saw you again a couple weeks later so I tried just introducing myself, and you were polite but clearly not interested.”

“Ouch,” Dana says with a sympathetic pout.

“I know, it was rough. But there was just something about you. I don’t know, it just felt like I needed to know you, so I decided to go big—”

“Oh, no,” Dana groans, but she’s smiling around her anguished expression and Cal laughs.

“I know, I had no idea who I was dealing with. And Ryan was a horrible influence. He got me all hyped up on this “Say Anything” style gesture that would show you that I was worth giving a chance. And of course I got totally hammered first, for courage.”

“Oh, Cal,” Dana says, pressing one hand to her cheek. “You did something ridiculous, didn’t you?”

“I got up on that stage,” he says, pointing to a small elevated platform in the corner of the room, “even though it was not karaoke night, and I, uh—I sang you a song.”

“You didn’t.”

“Oh, I did. Very off key. But the bartender was kind enough to play the song so I had some accompaniment.”

“What was the song?” she asks hesitantly.

Cal clears his throat, closes his eyes, and sings, “Hands, touching hands. Reaching out. Touching me, touching youuuuu.”

“You’re joking,” Dana says flatly, and he opens his eyes and looks at her.

“Sweet Caroline, bah bah bah. Good times never seemed so good,” he croons creakily.

A genuine grin stretches across her face, and Cal elbows her in encouragement.

“So good, so good, so good,” she completes softly.

“I’ve been inclined,” he says in a whisper as he leans in, “to believe they never would.”

She accepts his kiss, returning it with a few soft smooches befitting a public setting. He pulls away, eyeing her with nothing short of adoration, and she finds herself feeling quite happy.

“And I went for that?” she questions cheekily.

“Absolutely not,” he answers, and she laughs. “By the time I stumbled off the stage you were gone. But I guess it did make some kind of impression, because about a week later Ryan and I were sitting over there shooting the shit,” he says with a thumb hitched toward a table near the wall, “and the waitress brought a drink over courtesy of a mystery woman at the bar.”

Dana makes a face, impressed with her own forwardness.

“And the rest is history?” she asks, and Cal bobs his head side to side.

“Somewhat. We stayed up all night talking, and you actually overslept and missed an interview,” he explains.

“What for?” she asks.

“The FBI, of all things. You said you weren’t totally sold on it being the right path for you, and when you woke up and realized you’d missed it, you decided it was fate.”

“Fate?” she repeats incredulously. Cal shrugs.

“Your words, not mine.”

“Hm,” she says, pondering.

She does remember the call from the FBI and setting up an interview. Her father was incensed that she was even considering it.

“Tell me about when you met my dad,” she asks, her voice suddenly tight.

“Oof,” Cal says with a grimace, and Dana mirrors it. “It was a little bit rough. He asked me about my family and where I’m from, which didn’t set us off on a great foot.”

“You lost your parents young,” she says, and he realizes she doesn’t remember the details.

“I never even met my dad,” he tells her, and her hand slides sympathetically back over his knee. “My mom was a junkie, and she OD’d when I was thirteen. I was in and out of foster care until I turned eighteen and joined the army.”

“I’m sure Dad liked that, though?” she says hopefully.

“Yes, once I was able to get that far and tell him about some of my accomplishments, he came around a little. But then I got you pregnant, and we weren’t married, and that knocked me down quite a few pegs.”

“Would it be wrong to say that I’m glad I don’t remember having to tell him that?” she asks with a pained smile.

“I only wish I were so lucky,” he replies, and they sit there for a moment, sharing smiles and affectionate glances. Cal blinks and shakes his head a little as though suddenly dazed.

“What?”

“I just got the most intense sensation of deja vu,” he says. “It happens to me a lot, actually.”

“Perhaps we’re living in an alternate universe,” she suggests, and he eyes her skeptically before he checks his watch.

“It’s almost eight, we better go get those rugrats to bed,” he says, and they stand, settling the bill before they walk out of the bar arm in arm.

-

After washing her face and pulling on an oversized sleep shirt, Dana turns down the guest bed and slides under the covers.

She thinks about her date with Cal, about her appointment with Michelle tomorrow, about Abby attending summer camp in a couple weeks when school gets out. She thinks about how grounded she’s beginning to feel, though the edges may always be fuzzy, and contentment washes through her body as she relaxes into the bed.

From down the hall, she hears a persistent murmur, like someone is talking. There is no TV in the master bedroom, and it almost sounds like maybe Cal is on the phone. She rises from the bed and creeps quietly down the hall, straining her ears. As she nears the bedroom door she recognizes that the sound is music, and she knocks gently.

“Yeah,” Cal says quietly. “You can come in.”

She pushes the door open and spots him sitting in an armchair near the window. He’s still wearing his slacks and dress shirt, his loosened tie hanging limply around his neck. He’s slumped down in the chair, his long legs extended before him and his elbows propped on the armrests, fingers steepled under his chin. His eyes are slightly swollen, his mouth set. He looks miserable.

Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good. I’ve been inclined to believe they never would.

She follows the sound to a small boombox on the dresser, then looks back to Cal.

“Are you okay?” she asks gently, still standing in the doorway.

He nods, then sniffs, and his jaw jerks to the side.

Dana enters the room, pushing the door closed behind her, and approaches him. He watches her with an anguished expression as she kneels down on the floor beside the chair, resting one hand on his knee.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, surprised that he’s not feeling the same buoyant optimism after their date.

Cal shakes his head solemnly, then reaches out and pushes her hair behind her ear.

“I don’t want to put my shit on you, Dana. Don’t worry about it,” he says, then attempts a smile.

“You’re not putting anything on me,” she says. “Please, tell me what happened.”

His watery smile widens, and her heart aches.

“Nothing happened, mija. We had a great night. It was a great birthday. It’s just hard sometimes, you know?”

She nods. She does know.

“I’m sorry,” she says, and he closes his eyes and grimaces.

“Please stop saying that,” he whispers.

She has the impulse to apologize again, so she sucks her bottom lip between her teeth. She thinks about the man from her dreams, how he feels so close in her mind and yet she can’t reach him. She thinks that maybe that’s how it is for Cal: she’s right here, but she’s also eight years away.

She shuffles forward on her knees, navigating around one of his legs until she’s positioned between them, her hands resting on the tops of his thighs. Cal opens his eyes and watches her, his jaw twitching. Dana swallows, tamping down the butterflies erupting in her belly as she slides her hands up to his hips. He tenses, but doesn’t move. His breathing is shallow, coming out in urgent little puffs. She hooks her fingers under the waist of his slacks and meets his eye.

“Let’s go to bed,” she says huskily, and he shifts a little in his seat.

“Are you sure?” he asks, but she can already see him responding in her periphery. She knows how much he wants her, and she wants to want him too. She wants to feel the way she feels in her dreams: seen, adored, worshiped.

She nods.

He rises slowly from the chair and she stands, wrapping her arms around his waist as he cradles her face in his hands. And she does feel adored by him, she has since the day she came home. She just wasn’t ready to accept it.

And when I hurt, hurting runs off my shoulders. How can I hurt when holding you?

He walks her backwards toward the bed, lays her down gently, touches her like she is the most precious thing on earth. He worships her, he loves her, he makes her come.

And all the while she is thinking. Thinking of him—he. His hands on her hips and his mouth on her ear, and the way his body fits into hers like a missing piece of a puzzle.

She sleeps in the master bedroom, Cal wrapped around her like a vine. Awash in dopamine and oxytocin, she prays that she won’t always long for her dreams.

-

She flexes her hips forward and back, her slick lips sliding over his shaft as he kisses her sweetly. She wants him, and she feels ready—so ready. She feels the press of his head against her opening and she arches her back, angling herself just right, and he begins to slide into her. There is a stretch, a sting, and she gasps a little even as she’s still taking him deeper, wanting more of him. They stay still for moments, panting against each other’s mouths, until he sits up and takes her face in his hands. His kisses grow urgent, needy, and she rises up halfway, falling back down with a little whimper. He moans, his hips jumping off the bed, trying to get more of her. She’s never felt so wanted in her entire life.

“Fuck, Scully. I love you,” he groans, and she feels herself rising, gathering, melting into him. Becoming one.

Tagging @today-in-fic

[cuttergauthier]

Friends?

Cutter Gauthier x Female Hughes reader

Warning: Against, Enemies to Friends, cussing, Alcohol, party, Drunk Reader.

word count: 1.4k

Apart of my au Cutter Gauthier x Hughes au

let me know what you guys think🤍

I’m Luke Hughes' twin sister, unlike Quinn and Luke I decided to commit to Boston College for hockey.

I heard a lot of good things about it from Matt Boldy and Jessie Compher since i played on team usa with her, when i told my mom about it we went to visit. I fell in love with the campus immediately.  

I haven’t been away from luke before, so this is definitely going to be different without him here, and i don’t know anyone.  

Hopefully I'll be able to make friends with my teammates. I already know Cayla Barnes who I played with on team usa, she had introduced me to Alex Newhook last year when I first told her I committed to Boston College so i knew her also.

I only just got to town. It's 2 weeks before classes start, I want to be able to explore and get to know the campus so I don't get lost on the first day.

Cayla and Alex aren’t here yet. I’ll be staying in a unisex door for the athletes. Today is freshman day so most of the freshmen are arriving. I don’t have a roommate, I wanted to be alone since I know I'll be on FaceTime with my brothers and with quinn there’s a time change so I didn't want to risk waking up my roommate.

I was unloading one of my boxes when I heard my mom talking to someone in the hallway. I paused what I was doing and went to check. I saw her talking to Kim, Cutter Gauthier's mom. I totally forgot he also committed here. Cutter and I do not get along, he was a jerk when I first met him, and every other time after. He’s friends with my brother, they played together in the NTDP, so our families are friends.

“Hey yn, it’s good to see you sweetheart” Kim said, hugging me.

“It’s good seeing you too Kim” i said smiling

“Looks like yours and cutter dorm rooms are next to each other” she said, my mom smiled

“Maybe this will get them to be friends instead of hating each other” my mom told Kim

“I hope,” Kim sighed. I took the box my mom was holding and put it down on my bed.

“You’re dad is bringing the last box up” my mom told me and I nodded.  

Few seconds later I see my dad, cutter, and his dad coming up the stairs.

My dad gave me the box and I put it down.

It was now time to say goodbye. I hugged my mom tight.

“I’m going to miss you sweetheart” she said, kissing my cheek.

“I’m going to miss you too mom”  

I went and hugged my dad next.

“We love you, will be back soon enough to visit, don’t get in trouble” he said making me chuckle.

“I love you guys too, give a hug to Luke for me, i miss him already” i said sadly.

“We will,” my mom replied.

Once they left, I closed my door and began unpacking my stuff.  

A few hours later I started to get hungry, it's around 5 p.m. right now so I thought I would go get myself some food, so I grabbed my purse and walked out of my room.

Cutter walked out at the same time as me before locking his door.

We both started walking downstairs.

“Did your parents already leave?” I asked

“Yeah, pretty sure they left after yours did” he replied, i nodded.

“Look I hate you, and you hate me, but can we try to be civil? It’s going to be a long year if we don't "I ask nicely. Hoping we can try to get along.

He shrugged  

“We’ll see,” he said walking away.

“Asshole” i mumbled  

A week passed by, a few of my teammates were finally in town, same for the guys team.

Tonight is Friday and the guys on the men's team are throwing a party, so Cayla is making me go with her and Alex so I can get to know more people.

We pregamed and got dressed, at around 11 p.m. we made our way there. I’m already drunk by the time I get there, thankfully I know Cayla and Alex wouldn’t leave me alone.  

I’m having the best time.

We danced, i got to meet some of my other teammates, that i probably won’t remember tomorrow.  

I’m now standing with Cayla and Alex, I was currently leaning on Cayla.

“You good Yn” she asked

“Yeah, just a little bit too drunk” I mumbled, I heard her chuckle.

“Want us to bring you back to the dorm?” She asked

I was about to answer when Cutter cut me off.

“I can bring her, my dorm room is right next to hers” he told Cayla, she looked surprised

“I thought you two didn’t get along?” Alex asked

“We don’t but I'm on my way now so I can bring her with me,” he said.

“You good with that Yn” she asked to make sure and i nodded.

Even though we don’t get along, I know he’d make sure I get there safely because of my brother.

“Come on,” Cutter said, putting his arm on my back as we walked out of the party.

“You shouldn’t have gotten so drunk,” he said, annoyed, probably because I was stumbling a little bit.

“It was my first college party. I was obviously going to get drunk "I snapped, he rolled his eyes and he helped me walk.

When we got to the dorms he made me go up the stairs first so he could catch me in case I tripped.

Once we got to our rooms I unlocked my door before looking over at Cutter doing the same to his.

“Cutter, thank you” I say, he looked at me and nodded before he closed his door.

He’s honestly really good looking, I wish we could get along.

I woke up the next morning with a headache. I probably shouldn’t have drank so much last night, so I groaned and took my phone that was on my nightstand.

I decided to order breakfast from uber eats since i didn’t feel like going out.

A few minutes later there was a knock on my door, I groaned and went to open it only to find Cutter.

“What do you want?” I asked  

He chuckled when he saw me, I rolled my eyes.

“Just thought I’d check to see if you were still alive,” he said, smirking.

“I am, now you can go” i said

“Jeez, I'm just trying to be nice, you’re the one who said we should try and be civil with each other” he said angrily and went to walk away but i grabbed his hand before he could. He looked down at me holding his hand, making me let go.

“Sorry, i just have a headache”

“It’s fine”

“Thanks again for last night, I mean I know we don’t really get along but it means a lot” I said

“Your brother probably would have killed me if I didn’t” he said and I nodded sadly, of course that’s the only reason he helped me get home.

Right as I was about to say something else my food arrived.  

“Thank you” I thanked the delivery guy. I looked up at Cutter once the guy left.

“I ordered a lot, do you want to stay and eat? Take it as a thank you?” I asked

He looked surprised for a minute before he nodded.

“Sure why not, I'm hungry anyways” he said and walked by me in my room. He went and sat against the wall on my bed.

I went and sat next to hi

m. I took out the food and handed him some.

It stayed quiet as we started to eat.

“What made you choose Boston? Both Quinn and Luke went to Michigan” he asked me after a while.

“I wanted something different, plus I knew if I went to Michigan Luke would be a little too overprotective and I didn’t want to have to deal with that” I said, he chuckled.

“That makes since”  

“What about you? What made you choose Boston college?” I asked.

“When I visited, I fell in love with the campus. It was also one of the highest ranked schools,” he said. I nodded.

“ I really hope we can get along, while we’re here” I say softly. Cutter looked up at me and nodded.

“It’s probably for the best, Luke would kill me if he knew I was a jerk to you, even though he knows we're not friends,” he said, making me chuckle.

“So can we be friends instead of us hating each other?” I ask.

“I’m okay with that,” he said, smiling.

“Good,” I said, smiling at him.

At least we can agree on something, this is only the beginning.