#sappy author note under the cut

[aclosetfan]

i know i haven't posted any actual writing lately, and thank you all so much for being patient with me. I started a new job, and it's knocked me off my feet these last couple of months, which I fully expect it will continue to do, but I am still writing!! Just very slowly.

but as a lil thank you and as a way to get some feedback, maybe you'd be okay reading my prologue and first chapter rewrite of Another Buttercrush? It was too long and cumbersome to post on tumblr so I created a new fic on ao3 (link below). It's not a website I really like, but at this point, I don't think anyone's still on ffn and srsly, it's so long.

I debated doing this for a while now because I don't know when I'll be able to post another update and don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but these files have just been sitting there, weighing on my shoulders, and I really want feedback. If it's bad, I want to know, so I can try again.

and if i never get to this fic again lol at least I can give you this

I started Another Buttercrush in 2018! Five whole years ago, and I've made little to no progress on it because these last five years have been so life-altering. I graduated undergrad, I was very ill, I underwent so really intense surgeries, I started law school, I graduated law school, I passed the bar, my dog died :(, I got an adult job, and my anxiety has been one long continuous battle. I'm probably too old now to (poorly) be writing silly stories for a cartoon even older than myself, lol, but it and the friends I've made have been such a consistent comfort in my life that the idea of leaving hurts. <3 Thank you to all the friendly people and your continued patience. I would have never started writing without you.

Anyway, enough of being sappy; here's the chapter. Forewarning, when I was rewriting it, I cringed so hard at a majority of it (it's so very much a high school fanfic), but when I went to delete some of the scenes, my heart broke. Deleting the cringe is like deleting another buttercrush entirely, so I tried keeping it as close as possible to the original. It's still my shitty little story <3 I love her. I tried fixing characterization issues, a few plot holes, and added a few extra scenes :)

Hopefully, you all see this before you see the fic on ao3. I'm not posting it for the people active on that site. This is really just for my tumblr friends :) haha you're the ppl i talk to so you're the ones who get to see this sappy intro note.

[daisynik7]

and if I'm gonna be drunk, I might as well be drunk in love

You squint your eyes at the pink neon sign flickering against the fake moss tapestry to the left of the bar. A young couple poses in front of it, smiling at their mutual friend who holds the phone to take a picture. Beautiful, radiant, charming. All while you sit on the barstool, hunched over the half-empty cocktail that you swirl in your grip, relishing the condensation on the rim of the glass. With your straw, you stab at the maraschino cherry floating around in there, popping it into your mouth. The sweetness cuts through the bitter liquor, or loneliness, lingering on your tongue and you think that maybe tonight isn’t so bad, despite your sulking.

It's another happy hour, courtesy of your boss. Everyone on your team is here, who you genuinely get along with, no problem. But there’s one person missing, the one person you want to see the most. Nanami is the only one to decline tonight’s invitation to the new trendy bar downtown. During your lunch together, you don’t ask why. You don’t want him to suspect that you’re devastated by his decision, which you are. So, you talk about how much you’re craving cake instead, changing the topic all together, hoping he doesn’t catch the hint of sadness in your tone.

Ever since he walked you home in the rain the other week, protected under his umbrella, there’s been this obvious vibe between you. Still, it could all be wishful thinking on your end. You never did get around to confessing your true feelings for him; you’d rather enjoy what you have as it is. Why ruin something good? There’s the hope that maybe things could be even better if you take this leap of faith. But it’s always terrifying taking the plunge, isn’t it? Especially when you don’t know if you’ll sink or swim.

It was by the fourth cocktail that you decided to leave your group gathered around the back table. That’s why you’re here now, sulking between strangers at the bar, chewing on your tiny straw until it’s gnarled on one end. Your friends on the team know the real reason, trying to dismiss all the jokes from your more annoying coworkers about how you must be missing your “work husband”. Even they’re shipping the two of you together. If only you knew what Nanami truly thinks about all this. About you.

To your complete shock, it doesn’t take you long to find out. Still in his work attire, Nanami walks through the front door, hair swept beautifully as always. As soon as his eyes find yours, he smiles, making his way to you. It’s only when he approaches you that you notice a small box in his hands. “Good. You’re still here,” he says, smile growing wider.

You blink at him several times, as if you’re not seeing him clearly.

“Can you come with me? I have something for you.” His voice is trembling slightly, excited.

You nod, still rendered speechless, wobbly as you follow him outside. When you’re alone in front of the establishment, the voices of those inside muffled and distant, you stare down at your shoes, anticipating what’s about to happen. He holds the box out to you, opening the cover slowly, revealing a personalized cake decorated beautifully with your name written in neat frosting on the top.

You meet his gaze, putting your hand to your mouth, hiding a gasp. “Nanami.”

“I made this for you. Because of what we talked about today.” He swallows hard, taking a step towards to you. “I’ve been wanting to tell you this for a while now. I…” He trails off, nervous, scared, uncertain. Just like you.

This time, you follow through with what you’ve been wanting to do since that rainy night not too long ago. You close the distance, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. Sparks fly and whatever buzz you have from the alcohol is replaced with this electricity. “Me too.”

Author's Note: A continuation of this. Yet another coworker!Nanami drabble inspired by a song that’s making me feel all sappy and soft. 🩶 Divider credit to @/cafekitsune.

[nhaaauyen]

⋆ ˚｡ ⋆୨ The Ghost of You ୧⋆ ˚｡ ⋆

"This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong // To love that well which thou must leave ere long." -William Shakespeare (Sonnet 73)

PART V: ‘CAUSE I CAN’T TAKE THIS PAIN FOREVER

zombie apocalypse sevika x reader au!: sevika was the super soldier; a killing machine driven solely by survival. you were nomadic, constantly searching for something in whatever was left of the world—till you met her.

series masterpost: part I // part II // part III // part IV

wc: 8.3k cw: smut (MINORS DNI!!!) author's note: thank you to everyone who read/comments + i see your tags on the reposts you guys make me gay and sappy with all your support tysm 💗 (also im so sorry if the smut is so mid I���m not a smut writer and it’s my second time writing smut ever smhhh)

Fifteen died. Including Grayson. 

Daylight is spent in a daze of cleaning up, tending to the wounded, and trying to process the magnitude of what's happened. People are trying to piece together what little they can salvage, but the damage is more than just physical.

As night falls, the community gathers for a final farewell. The loss is too great, too much to be exposed under the harsh light of day. The night offers a semblance of protection, a cloak under which everyone can mourn and where grief can be private.

Candles flicker in the hands of those gathered and the atmosphere is thick with sorrow. Families huddle together, some on their knees beside makeshift crosses, others standing in silent clusters. The candles illuminate their tears, turning them into tiny rivers of gold that glisten in the darkness.

You stand by Grayson’s cross, surrounded by those who knew and loved her. Vander, his broad shoulders tense and Ekko clutches his candle so tightly that the wax has begun to drip onto his fingers. Powder leans into Vi, who wraps a protective arm around her sister. Caitlyn stands close, her face a mask of composed grief, but her eyes are red-rimmed and distant. Ren holds onto your hand tightly, her small fingers interlaced with yours.

Your gaze keeps drifting to the shadows, searching for one face in particular.  

Then, as if conjured by your thoughts, you spot her. She’s standing under a tree, half-hidden in the shadows. The candlelight doesn’t reach her, leaving her face partially obscured, but you can tell it’s her.  She's motionless, almost statuesque, her expression unreadable.

There’s something in the way she’s watching the scene before her that sends a shiver down your spine. It’s almost as if she’s already a ghost herself, a spirit haunting the edge of the gathering. There’s an emptiness to her, as if the life has been drained out of her and what remains is only a shell, a figure standing over a world she no longer belongs to.

A heaviness resides in your chest, a deep, aching sadness that mirrors the grief of those around you. Grayson’s loss is a wound that cuts deep. She was the heart of this community, the one who held everyone together. And now she’s gone, leaving behind a legacy that feels too big, too important to carry on without her.

The vigil continues, but you feel a shift in the air, a quiet, unspoken understanding that it’s time to go, that there’s nothing more to be done here tonight. Slowly, people begin to leave, one by one, their footsteps soft on the grass. You hesitate, your gaze lingering on Sevika one last time. She hasn’t moved, hasn’t acknowledged your presence or anyone else’s.  

As your family and Ren head to a neighbor’s house, seeking comfort in numbers, you seek solace in solitude instead. 

The silence is almost deafening in your room. You close the door behind you, leaning against it for a moment as you let out a shaky breath. 

There’s a soft knock at the door, and for a moment, you think you might be imagining it. But then it comes again, and you push yourself away from the door, your heart pounding in your chest as you reach for the handle.

When you open the door, Sevika is standing there, but she’s not the woman you remember. There’s a hollow look in her eyes, a deep exhaustion etched into every line of her face. She’s hunched over slightly as if the weight of everything has finally broken through her defenses.

For a moment, you just stare at each other, neither of you knowing what to say. 

"What's going on?" you ask, your voice barely above a whisper.

Without a word, she steps into the room, her movements slow and almost hesitant.

"Sevika..." you start, but the words die in your throat as she looks at you. Her eyes, usually so guarded, are now pools of raw emotion.

"I could have lost you yesterday," she says, her voice cracking. "I almost did."

You step back and fall onto the edge of your bed, overwhelmed by the intensity of her gaze, the weight of her words.  

Sevika falls to her knees before you, burying her face in your lap. Her body shakes, hands clutching desperately at your clothes. The sight of her kneeling before you sends a shockwave through your system. This is Sevika, the woman who’s always stood tall, who’s never shown weakness. 

“Please…” The word escapes her lips in a raw, broken whisper, her voice laced with a desperation you’ve never heard from her before. “Please… I can’t take this pain forever.”

Your hands hover uncertainly over her. She’s seeking you, but you find yourself instinctively pushing back, your fingers gripping her shoulders to keep some distance between you.  The urge to comfort her wars with the part of you that’s terrified—terrified that if you let her in again, she’ll leave, and you’ll be left with nothing but this overwhelming pain.  

Why now? your eyes ask, the ache in your chest tightening. Why now, when I don’t even know if I can trust you not to leave again?

Sevika looks up, her eyes red-rimmed and filled with vulnerability. She reaches for you, but you flinch away, your body betraying your inner turmoil. I won’t, her eyes seem to respond. her hands clinging to you as if you’re the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely.

The push and pull become physical - Sevika's hands grasping at your clothes, trying to draw you in, while you resist, your grip on her arms keeping her at bay. You see the realization dawn in Sevika's eyes as she understands your hesitation. She doesn't speak, doesn't try to persuade you with words. Instead, she simply holds your gaze, her hands loosening their grip but not letting go entirely.

The tension between you is palpable, a living thing that fills the space between your bodies. You can feel it gnawing at you - the fear that she’ll pull away, that this moment will shatter like glass. 

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Sevika's resistance fades. She doesn't try to pull you closer anymore, but she doesn't move away either. She simply kneels there, her head bowed, waiting.

It's this surrender that finally breaks through your defenses. Your hands, which were pushing her away, now tremble as they cup her face. You tilt her chin up, meeting her gaze fully for the first time.

What you see there takes your breath away - it’s a steadfast devotion that silences your doubts. At that moment, you understand that she's not going anywhere.

Your hands finally move, your fingers threading through her hair and letting it fall from its ponytail. The moment you touch her, she lets out a shuddering breath, her body sagging against you as if the weight she’s been carrying has finally become too much.

Sevika sees the hesitation in your gaze, the lingering fear, and something shifts inside her. She surges up, pulling you into a desperate kiss—a plea for you to trust her.  The kiss is messy, frantic, filled with the need to feel, to connect, to hold onto something real amidst all this.

You respond immediately, your hands drawing her near—even though parts of you want to stop and shield yourself from the possibility of losing her again, you can’t bring yourself to let go.

Her lips are pressing against yours with a need that makes your heart ache, and you both finally give in to the emotions you’ve been holding back for so long. It’s not like the kiss you’ve shared before—this is different. It’s a commitment to each other that you’ve both been too scared to acknowledge until now.

You both fall back onto the bed, your bodies tangling together as you lose yourselves in each other. 

Your hands are never leaving her, your lips never straying too far from hers. Her bionic hand presses into your back gently, pulling you closer until there’s no space left between you and you can feel the steady beat of her heart against your chest.

She suddenly pulls you onto her lap. One hand slides under your shirt, causing a shiver to run down your spine, while the other lingers on the small of your back. With a swift movement, she removes your shirt, leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable under the moonlight cascading through the window.

A blush creeps up your cheeks at the sudden exposure. 

"You're beautiful." The moonlight dances in her eyes and her voice is filled with sincerity and adoration. 

Your breath hitches as she leans in and presses a kiss onto your chest, her lips travel lower and lower until she forces a nipple out of your bra.  Your gasp quickly turns into a moan as her lips wrap around it and her tongue is swirling, her teeth teasing and biting at the sensitive bud.  

Your hands find their way into her hair and shoulders, grasping at something to stabilize a desire that feels like it could push you over the edge.  As her lips dance across your neck, her tongue tracing the curve of your jaw, you feel your hips surge forward, seeking the friction that will bring you relief. Your hands, still fisted in her clothes, tug her closer, the fabric straining against the pressure. Sevika's fingers, still tangled in your hair, pull your head back further, exposing your throat to her hungry mouth. Her breath is hot against your skin, sending shivers coursing through your veins.  You grind into her fingers, a low, desperate moan builds in your throat, and you hear yourself repeating her name like a mantra.

"Sevika, Sevika, Sevika please."

Your legs tremble as you press into her, the thin fabric of your panties rubbing against her fingers, which are still wrapped around you. The pressure builds, a crescendo of need threatening to consume you whole. 

She teases you, her fingers occasionally dipping inside you before pulling back out to rub against your sensitive nub. Each time you’re on the brink of release, she stops and kisses you deeply, driving you crazy with need.

But finally, when you can’t take it any longer, she plunges two fingers inside you. Your fingers dig deep into her shoulder as she sets a steady pace with her fingers, hitting just the right spot inside you that has you writhing in ecstasy.

You’re panting at her touch, your hips bucking into her hand as she moves her fingers in and out of you, her thumb rubbing circles over your clit. Each touch sends jolts of pleasure through your body, making you crave more and more.  She whispers sweet words in your ear along with wicked promises that make you wetter than you could imagine.

You grasp the edge of Sevika's shawl, the delicate fabric slipping through your fingers as you slowly pull it away, exposing her bionic arm to you. The shimmering metal catches the dim light of the room, contrasting beautifully with your warm hands. You can’t help but admire the way it seems to glow, each curve and joint blending seamlessly into her skin. 

Sevika’s breath hitches at the sight of her exposed arm, and a flicker of vulnerability passes over her face. The vulnerability in her eyes makes you want to show her how incredible she is, and how every part of her makes you feel alive.  

You lean closer, your lips brushing softly against her bionic arm, feeling the coolness against your mouth as you press gentle kisses along the sleek surface. It’s smooth, almost soothing, and you feel her relax into your touch. Your breath quickens, merging anticipation and a hunger to worship every part of her. 

She changes your positions, laying you down gently on your bed till your head sinks into a plush pillow.  You can feel the heat radiating off of her body as she begins to kiss down your body. Her lips leave a trail of fire as they make their way down your stomach until they reach the waistband of your panties. She easily removes them and throws them aside.  She starts by lightly kissing and licking your inner thighs, slowly making her way towards your center. You can already feel the heat pooling between your legs as she gets closer and closer to where you want her most. Her gaze locks onto yours as her head hovers over your soaked folds.

“Just focus on me,” her voice comes out hoarse and commanding.

Sevika buries her face between your legs and you gasp at the sudden sensation, gripping the sheets tightly. She flicks and sucks on your clit while slipping a finger inside of you, matching the rhythm of her tongue. There’s a sense of urgency in the way she looks at you – a primal need that mirrors yours perfectly. 

Her fingers dig into your thighs, holding you down firmly.  You feel yourself getting close, but before you can reach your peak, she stops abruptly.

You whimper in frustration, but it’s quickly replaced with adoration as she climbs up to kiss you, tasting yourself on her lips.  

“You got such a pretty body,” She bites teasingly at your ear. “Prettier when it’s a mess for me.” 

A course of desire jolts through you at hearing her low and raspy voice whisper those words. Your fingers trace the curve of her shoulder, moving down her arm until you reach her hand. You intertwine your fingers with hers, feeling the coolness of her bionic hand.  Sevika blows a hot breath over your glistening mound and you instinctively close your legs around her head. 

The room immediately fills with the sound of heavy breathing and the soft, wet noises of skin against skin. Her finger curls inside you, causing your back to arch off the bed in pleasure. 

With each thrust and lap of her tongue, she pushes you closer to the edge. You can feel the tension coiling within you—she intensifies her rhythm, sucking and teasing in perfect harmony with your body's responses. The sensations build higher and higher until they finally explode within you.

You release with a loud cry, shuddering in ecstasy as the waves of pleasure wash over you, leaving you breathless and utterly consumed in bliss.

When you finally break apart, it’s only to catch your breath. Your bodies are still tangled together, a sticky, wet mess, but neither of you cares. Sevika holds you tightly, her face buried in the crook of your neck.

The room is bathed in soft, silvery moonlight filtering in through the window. The sounds of your soft breathing fill the space, mingling with the faint rustle of the sheets. Everything feels tender, and fragile, like you’re both holding on to something delicate and precious, something that could shatter with the slightest misstep.

Your fingers trace the scar on Sevika’s cheek, the roughened skin contrasting the softness of her lips. She looks at you, her eyes searching yours as if she’s trying to read the thoughts that you’re too scared to say aloud.

“I don’t want to lose you,” you murmur, your voice trembling with emotion.

“You won’t,” she whispers back, her lips brushing against yours in the softest of kisses. 

“Promise me..” Your voice falters, struggling to grasp the idea of not being able to feel her, see her, or touch her like this again.  “I don’t know how to exist without you.”

“I’d spend the rest of my days searching,” Sevika replies quietly, her gaze unwavering.  “Even just for the chance of seeing you again.” 

She cups your face with one hand, her thumb brushing gently over your cheek.  “I’ll always find my way back to you.”

You rest your head on her chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her heart, the sound soothing in a way you hadn’t realized you needed. Your fingers trace gentle patterns on her skin and a quiet peace settles over you, a sense of calm that you haven’t felt in what seems like forever.

As you lie there, holding each other in the darkness, the world outside seems to fade into insignificance. You close your eyes, letting yourself finally rest, knowing that she’s here with you, that you’re both in this together. It’s a fragile peace, but it’s yours, and in this moment, it’s more than enough.

⁺˚⋆｡°✩

One Year Later…

The kitchen glows in the warm light, sunlight streaming through the window and illuminating the marble countertops. The sweet aroma of cinnamon and vanilla fills the air as you stir a pot of rice pudding on the stove.

Ren bursts into the kitchen, twirling in her new outfit - a pretty blue dress with matching ribbons in her hair. "Look!" she exclaims, eyes shining with excitement.

You smile warmly. "You look beautiful, honey. Are you ready for dinner at Vander's?"

Ren nods enthusiastically. "Can I go over early? Please?"

"Of course," you reply, giving her a quick hug. "I'll see you there in a bit."

You watch her go, a fond smile lingering on your lips. Ren has become such a central part of your life, switching between living with you and Sevika, and some nights, staying over at Vander’s with the rest of your family. Dinners at Vander’s have also become a tradition, starting as a semblance of normality for the kids until you realize that sometimes everyone just needed a family meal too.

You turn back to your work, carefully measuring out the sugar to add to the pudding. You’re so focused on getting everything just right that you don’t notice when Sevika slips into the kitchen. She moves quietly, her steps almost soundless as she approaches the stove. It’s only when you glance up and see her broad back that you realize she’s there, her figure blocking the light from the window.

"Hey, you're home," you start to say, but then you spot the spoon in her mouth. "Sev!" you exclaim. "I'm not done with that!"

Sevika turns, the spoon still between her lips. "Tastes good," she mumbles around it, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“It’s supposed to taste good when it’s finished,” you retort, gently pushing her away from the stove. 

Suddenly, you feel Sevika's arms encircle your waist, her body warm against your back. She nuzzles into your neck, placing a soft kiss just below your ear. "Mmm," she hums, "doesn’t taste as good as you, though."

“Don’t think you can sweet-talk me into letting you try more,” you say, trying to stay focused despite the distraction she’s providing.

She chuckles again, her deep voice rumbling against your back. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”

You smile, the familiar banter easing you into a comfortable lull. The gentle pressure of her arms around you, the way she’s so casually affectionate now, fills you with warmth. 

"Hey, did you bring home any fruit for the pudding?" you ask, turning in Sevika's arms.

You feel her tense slightly, her smile faltering.  "We’re having a bit of a dry season," she says, her tone careful.

The words hang heavy in the air. You know the reality - supplies have been tight lately, with produce struggling to grow and the scavenging teams venturing further each time.

Before you can dwell on it further, Sevika leans in to kiss you, clearly trying to change the subject. But as she does, you catch a whiff of something less than pleasant, and you instinctively pull back, wrinkling your nose.

"Babe, you fucking stink," you blurt out.

Sevika's eyes goes wide in shock, then narrows playfully. "Oh, really?" she growls, trying to pull you closer.

You dance out of her grasp.“Go start a bath,” you say between giggles. “I’ll join you in a bit, okay?”

She lets out a noise of disapproval but obeys regardless. “I wasn’t that bad,” she mutters as she turns toward the bathroom.

“Yes, you were,” you call after her, still grinning as you watch her go. “Go on, I’ll be there soon.”

With Sevika finally convinced, you head to your bedroom to grab some towels.

The bedroom has changed over the past year, becoming more of a shared space than it ever was before. Sevika's red shawl drapes over the back of a chair, while your jewelry glitters on the dresser. The wall above the bed is adorned with colorful drawings - Ren's artwork, depicting your entire makeshift family, the sight of it never failing to warm your heart.

It had started casually enough - a few items of clothing left behind after hurried encounters, a toothbrush appearing in the bathroom. You and Sevika were sneaking around, stealing moments together whenever you could.

When you finally told your family about your relationship, they celebrated, of course.   It wasn’t a surprise to them—they had seen the way you and Sevika gravitated toward each other, the looks you reserved solely for one another.  You found yourself practically living at Sevika's, though neither of you had officially acknowledged the change.

Then came the day you noticed the difference in her dresser. The already sparse drawers had been reorganized, creating a dedicated space just for you. Your scattered belongings were neatly arranged, claiming their place in Sevika's life.

You remember standing there, staring at that drawer, your heart swelling with emotion. It was such a small gesture, but it spoke volumes. Sevika, always more comfortable with actions than words, had found her way of saying "stay".

A small smile forms on your lips at the memory as you close the closet.  Gathering the towels, you head towards the sound of running water.

You settle onto the stool beside the bathtub, watching Sevika relax in the warm, soapy water. Her broad shoulders peek out from the bubbles, her head tilted back slightly as she rests, eyes half-closed in contentment. The sight of her—this tough, unbreakable woman— soaking in the bath like she has nowhere else to be, makes you giggle.

"You look adorable."

Sevika cracks one eye open, giving you a playful glare that’s nowhere near as intimidating as she probably hopes it’ll be. "I’m not adorable," she grumbles.

You reach for a washcloth, gently running it over her back. Your fingers work out the knots in her muscles, and you feel her relax under your touch. The bathroom is quiet except for the soft lapping of water and Sevika's contented sighs.

"Don't get me wet, Sev," you warn as she shifts in the tub.

“I thought I always did,” she shoots back with a sly grin, and before you can react, she splashes a handful of water at you.

The warm water hits you square in the chest, soaking your shirt. You let out a small gasp, and Sevika just laughs, clearly pleased with herself.  

“Now I’ve got no choice but to join you, huh?” you say, feigning annoyance as you peel off your damp clothes.

Sevika's arms wrap around you as you settle between her legs, your back pressed against her chest. "No funny business," you remind her. "We've got dinner later."

She groans, burying her face in your neck. "Do we have to do that?"

You intertwine your fingers with hers, squeezing gently. "Yes, we all need it. Even you, Miss Grumpy."

Sevika huffs, but doesn't argue further. It's rare to see her act so petulant, and you can't help but find it endearing. You lean back further into her embrace, savoring the warmth of her skin against yours.

A chuckle escapes you as a memory surfaces.

"What's so funny?" Sevika murmurs against your ear.

"I'm thinking about us," you reply, still grinning. "Remember the first time you came to family dinner?"

Sevika groans again, this time in embarrassment. That first dinner had been spectacularly awkward. Sevika, sitting at Vander’s table, towering over everyone, her presence so imposing that no one knew how to break the ice. You could feel the discomfort radiating from the others as they tried and failed to strike up conversation. Sevika, never much of a talker herself, hadn’t made it any easier. 

"I thought Caitlyn was going to have an aneurysm trying to make conversation," you laugh.

"She kept asking about the weather," Sevika recalls. "As if we don't all live in the same damn place."

“But my family loves you now.”

Sevika raises an eyebrow. “They’re still nervous around me though.”

“True,” you admit, chuckling. “But now they know you’re not going to kill them if they say the wrong thing. Well, most of them know that, anyway.”

”I like to keep them on their toes.” Sevika smirks, her lips brushing against your neck. “Can’t let them forget who I am.”

You turn in her arms, facing her now. "I don’t think they would be as afraid if they saw you in a bubble bath right now."

She narrows her eyes at you. "I’m still scary."

"Is that so?" you challenge, your faces inches apart. 

Instead of answering, Sevika closes the distance between you, capturing your lips in a kiss. You sigh into it, brushing a damp strand of hair behind her ear.

You're nestled against Sevika, the warm water lulling you into a peaceful state when a sharp knock shatters the moment. 

"Who the hell..." She's about to call out, likely with some choice words, when a familiar voice filters through the door.

"Sevika? You in there?"

It's Ran. Sevika's expression immediately hardens. 

She gives you an apologetic look as she carefully extracts herself from the tub, wrapping a towel around her body.  You remain in the bath, straining to hear the muffled conversation. Snippets reach your ears—"Silco... needs to see you... scouts..." 

By the time you've dried off and dressed, Sevika is already changed, her face grim. She's heading for the door, and you follow.

Out on the streets, the usual bustle of Zaun seems subdued. Sevika turns to you, her eyes softening slightly.

"It's just a quick meeting," she assures you, though her tone lacks conviction. "I'll be back, okay?"

You look at her, worry evident in your gaze. She must see it because she adds, "Family dinner is still on. I promise."

You watch Sevika disappear down the street, her words echoing in your mind. Despite her assurances, you can't shake the feeling of unease that settles in your chest. Instead of heading home, your feet carry you to a familiar path.

The old target practice area comes into view, untouched since Grayson's passing. The targets are weathered now, the paint faded and peeling. You moved the practice area after... after everything, but this place still holds a piece of history you can’t forget.

You settle onto the worn bench, you could almost hear Grayson's patient voice, the sound of gunfire. Now it's quiet, a ghost of what it used to be.

Lost in thought, you barely notice the approaching footsteps until a shadow falls across you.

"Quite the view from up here, isn't it?"

A man’s voice cuts through your reverie. You look up to see him, his usual sly smile in place. 

"Mind if I join you?"  He doesn't wait for an answer before settling onto the bench beside you.

“What do you want, Finn?” you ask, your guard instantly up.

“Just wanted a place to admire Zaun,” he replies. "It’s getting a bit crowded down there.”

You remain silent, wary of engaging. Instead, you’re both gazing out over Zaun—The community sprawls below, a patchwork of light and shadow.

"You know," Finn begins, his voice casual, "I used to come up here sometimes, watch Grayson train the new recruits. She had a way about her, didn't she? A real vision for what Zaun could be."

You nod, unsure where he's going with this.

Finn continues, his tone thoughtful. "Things have changed a lot since then. More people, less space. Resources getting tighter." He glances at you sideways. "Makes you wonder what Grayson would think of it all."

There's something in his voice that puts you on edge, a subtle challenge. You choose your words carefully. "Grayson always believed in Zaun's potential."

"Ah, but potential for what?" Finn leans in conspiratorially. "It looks like things are starting to fray at the edges. People are getting restless, hungry. And when that happens… well, who knows what might come next?" 

You feel a surge of anger, but you keep it in check, refusing to let him get under your skin. “Zaun’s strong,” you say firmly. “So if you’re trying to stir up trouble, you can take it somewhere else.”

Finn holds up his hands in a placating gesture. "Of course, of course. I'm just thinking about the future, you know? But hey, I'm sure Silco's got it all figured out."

Finn stands, brushing off his pants. "Give my regards to Sevika," he says lightly. 

"Tell her... we're all counting on her to keep us safe."

⁺˚⋆｡°✩

You and Sevika walk side by side through the bustling streets of Zaun, the rice pudding cradled carefully in Sevika’s arms. As you approach the door, you can already hear the sounds of laughter and chatter from inside. Before you can even step over the threshold, a blur of blue barrels into view. 

Just as Powder rounds the corner, she nearly collides with you, her eyes wide as she skids to a halt. “Oops, sorry!” she exclaims, a sheepish grin spreading across her face as she steadies herself. “Sorry, double for last time,” she adds with a knowing look.

It had been a few weeks ago, when Sevika was trying to grow out her hair, a fact she was oddly self-conscious about. You guys were standing in the courtyard, watching as Powder excitedly showed off her new contraption, a slime trap shooter she cobbled together from spare parts. 

The demonstration started off well enough, but suddenly a glob of viscous slime shot out wildly, landing with a wet splat right in Sevika's hair.

Powder's enthusiasm instantly turned into fear as she realized what she's done.The look on Sevika’s face had been priceless—a mix of surprise and horror as she reached up to touch the mess clinging to her hair.

“I’m gonna kill that kid,” Sevika grumbled, her voice low and menacing.  “My hair looks like shit.”

You’d barely managed to suppress your laughter when it first happened, but now in Vander’s bathroom you couldn’t hide your amusement. 

“So, that’s a no on having kids, then?” you joked as you reached for a pair of scissors to help trim the slime-covered strands.

Sevika had turned to look at you, her expression one of shock and something else—something deeper that neither of you had wanted to confront. It was just a small joke, but it carried the weight of a conversation you hadn’t yet had, and might never have. Sometimes,  you couldn’t avoid the fact that this was it for you two.

But you quickly brushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. As you carefully trimmed the damaged hair, you leaned in close, whispering in Sevika’s ear, “You’re sexy already. No amount of slime will change that.”  

That had earned you a reluctant smile from her in that moment.

"No harm done.”  You tell Powder, inconspicuously kicking Sevika’s feet to agree.

“Yeah.” She grunts, and you hold in a snicker at the obvious grudge she held. 

As you enter the kitchen, you're greeted by the sight of Vander attempting to wrangle a massive pot of stew.  

“There you two are,” Vander says, looking up from his cooking. “Thought you might’ve gotten lost on the way here.”

“Not a chance,” Sevika replies, setting the rice pudding down on the counter with a grin. “This one would never forgive me if I missed dinner.”

“Damn right,” you reply. “You need any help, Vander?”

“Nah, we’re about done here,” Vander says, wiping his hands on a towel. “Just need to get everything into the living room. You know how these animals are when they’re hungry.”

You laugh, grabbing a tray of bread rolls while Sevika grabs a platter of roasted vegetables.  She follows you out into the living room, where the rest of the group is already making themselves comfortable. Ekko is lounging on the floor, watching Powder and Ren as they buzz around him. Caitlyn and Vi are chatting quietly in one corner, Vi’s arm casually draped over the back of Caitlyn’s chair.

“Hey you two,” you greet, setting the tray down on a table near the center of the room. “Food’s here.”

Vi reaches for a roll, and Caitlyn swats her hand. "Wait for everyone, you brute," she says affectionately.

"Come on, cupcake, I'm starving!" Vi whines dramatically.

Soon, everyone settles in various spots around the room, grabbing plates and piling on food. Vander passes around mugs of ale, the rich, amber liquid sloshing slightly as he hands it to the adults. 

Sevika sits down beside you on the floor, her back against the couch, and you hand her a plate, watching as she loads it up with a bit of everything. Powder's regaling everyone with a tale of her latest explosive experiment, complete with dramatic reenactments.

"You guys won't believe what I made today!" She exclaims, barely touching her food as she launches into her story. "So I took some wires from that old TV we found, and I connected them to a car battery. Then I rigged up this pressure plate..."

"And then - BOOM!" she exclaims, throwing her arms wide and nearly knocking over Ekko's plate.

"Watch it, Pow," Ekko grumbles, but there's no real annoyance in his voice.

The two of you eat in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of laughter and conversation filling the room around you.  As the meal winds down, Powder's eyes light up with a new idea. She bounds over to you and Sevika.

"Hey, hey! You guys wanna play Nerf guns with us?" she asks, her eyes wide and pleading.

Sevika raises an eyebrow. 

"I modified them. They shoot further now, and I added a cool light-up feature, and-"

"Modified?" Sevika interrupts, looking slightly alarmed, she was already thinking about the last mishap with Powder’s “modifications”.

You laugh at the expression on Sevika's face, she couldn’t hide the suspicion and concern written all over it. "Come on, Sev," you nudge. "Could be fun."

Powder's practically bouncing now. "Please? Pretty please? I promise there’s no slime this time!"

Sevika sighs. "Fine." she concedes.

"Yes!" Powder cheers. "You won't regret it!"

Powder herds you, Sevika, Ekko, and Ren onto the couch, squishing you all together as she stands before you, eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Alright, listen up!” Powder announces, pulling out a set of nerf guns. The colorful plastic weapons are covered in stickers and doodles, clearly customized to her liking. She hands one to each of you.

Sevika takes hers with a skeptical look, turning it over in her hands. “You can’t shoot shit with this,” she mutters, the derision clear in her voice.

“Oh, yeah?” Powder smirks, clearly prepared for this. She whirls around, aims at a water bottle perched on the windowsill, and fires. The nerf dart flies across the room and smacks the bottle dead center, sending it tumbling to the floor with a satisfying thud.

Sevika raises an eyebrow, impressed despite herself. 

“Now that we’ve established these aren’t toys for babies,” Powder continues, pacing in front of the couch. “here’s the game: upstairs, there’s a crown stashed somewhere by Vi.  The goal is to retrieve the crown and bring it to Vander downstairs. Upstairs is a no-shoot zone, but downstairs, if you’re hit with a dart, you’re out.”

She claps her hands together, clearly relishing her role as the game master. "Now, we need to split into teams," Powder continues. "Sevika and Ekko, you're one team. And-"

You all glance at Ren, the youngest of the group at just eight years old. There's a moment of awkward silence as everyone tries to figure out how to handle this diplomatically.

"You should take her," you say sweetly. 

Sevika’s eyes narrow playfully, already sensing where this is going. “The kid likes you more."  Despite being dubious of the game at first, you could tell Sevika’s competitiveness was taking over.

“I thought this was just a kids’ game?” you tease, leaning in slightly with a raised eyebrow.

Sevika gives you a sheepish look, clearly caught between her competitive streak and her soft spot for Ren. 

Feeling a bit guilty, you suggest, "Why don't we let Ren pick?"

Ren beams up at both of you, clearly delighted to have the choice. "I wanna be on your team!" she exclaims, pointing at you and Powder.

“You’re gonna be our secret weapon,” you whisper, wrapping an arm around Ren’s shoulders.

“Alright then,” Ekko chimes in, finally managing to free himself from the couch. “Let’s do this.”

Everyone grabs their nerf guns and heads outside. You can't help but chuckle at the sight of Sevika, usually so intimidating, clutching a bright orange plastic gun with a determined look on her face.

"Alright, teams start at opposite ends of the house," Powder instructs. "When I give the signal, the hunt begins!"

You crouch behind a bush with Powder and Ren, all of you trying (and failing) to look serious with your toy weapons.

"Ready?" Powder calls out. "Set... GO!"

And with that, you all come barreling into the house. Powder darts ahead, her movements quick and erratic. You follow, trying to keep an eye on Ren while scanning for potential ambush spots.

As you round a corner, you come face to face with Sevika. For a moment, you both freeze, nerf guns pointed at each other. 

"Sorry, babe," you say, not sorry at all as you pull the trigger.

But Sevika's reflexes are faster. She ducks, the foam dart whizzing over her head, and returns fire. You barely dodge, and you take the moment to sneak onto the stairs.

Upstairs, you quickly begin your search, darting in and out of rooms, peeking under beds and behind curtains for any sign of the hidden crown.  Ren’s small size gives her an advantage as she slips into tight spots that you and Powder can’t quite reach.

But despite your efforts, it was nowhere to be found. "How?" you mutter, bewildered.

Powder's eyes narrow, scanning the area. "Ekko," she hisses, pointing to an open window. "He must've climbed up from outside!"

Quickly, you formulate a plan. Ren is dispatched to keep watch with Vander, ensuring Ekko can't make a sneaky victory while you and Powder hunt down Sevika and Ekko.

With that, you guys head back downstairs, moving quietly as you scan the house for any signs of the other team. As you move through the house, you and Powder eventually decide to split up, hoping to cover more ground. 

It doesn’t take long before you spot Sevika, her broad frame moving stealthily through the hallway. She hasn’t seen you yet, and you quickly close the distance, pressing yourself against the wall to remain hidden. When she finally turns the corner, you’re right there, catching her off guard.

“Drop the gun,” you command, your voice low and teasing as you pin her against the wall, your body pressing into hers. Sevika’s eyes widen in surprise, her hands instinctively going up in mock surrender, though there’s a glint of amusement in her gaze.

“And what if I don’t?” she murmurs, her lips quirking into a playful smile.

“Then I’ll have to make you,” you reply, your tone equally flirtatious as you lean in closer, the game momentarily forgotten.

"Ewww, get a room!" Ekko's voice breaks the spell. You spin around to find Ekko aiming at you, the crown tucked under his arm. 

But before you can react, Powder emerges from a doorway behind Ekko, her nerf gun raised and ready. Without missing a beat, she fires a dart that hits Ekko square in the back. “Gotcha!” she shouts triumphantly.

Ekko’s eyes widen in shock as he instinctively drops the crown, clutching his back where the dart hit. “Hey, what the fuck, Powder?!” he exclaims, his tone incredulous.

“Language, Ekko!” Vander’s voice booms from the kitchen, echoing through the house.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Sevika quickly knocks the nerf gun out of your hand. But before she can fully capitalize on her victory, you kick the crown down the hallway, sending it skittering toward the kitchen.

“Move kid!” Sevika barks as she grabs Ekko by the arm, dragging him behind a couch. Ekko, still nursing his mock wound, yells out dramatically, “Man down! Man down!”

There's a moment of tense silence, then Ekko's voice pipes up again. "I'm getting healed by a health kit!"

“What the hell?” Powder says with a look of utter disbelief. “There’s no health kit in this game!”

"Yeah, 'cause I took it!" Ekko retorts, popping up from behind the couch and unleashing a barrage of foam darts.

The living room erupts into chaos. You dive behind an armchair, Powder taking cover behind another couch. Foam darts fly in every direction, peppering the air with colorful streaks.

You peek out, catching Sevika's eye across the room. She winks at you before ducking to avoid a well-aimed shot from Powder. 

"Cover me!" you shout to Powder, making a dash for the hallway where the crown disappeared.

Ekko leaps over the couch, trying to intercept you. "Oh no, you don't!" he yells, unleashing a volley of darts in your direction.

You slide across the hardwood floor, narrowly avoiding his attack. Sevika provides covering fire for Ekko, keeping Powder pinned down.

As you scramble to your feet at the kitchen entrance, ready to grab the crown and make a triumphant dash to Vander, you freeze. The crown is gone.

A throat clears behind you. You turn to see Vander, sitting calmly at the kitchen table. Beside him stands Ren, a victorious grin on her face and the crown placed neatly on Vander's head.

The chaos in the living room dies down as everyone realizes what's happened. Ren's giggles fill the sudden silence.

"I believe," Vander says, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "that we have a winner."

For a moment, you're all too stunned to speak. Then Powder bursts out laughing, followed quickly by Ekko. Soon, you're all in stitches, the absurdity of the situation hitting you all at once.

As you catch your breath, you feel Sevika's arm wrap around your waist. "Can’t believe we were outsmarted by an eight-year-old," she murmurs in your ear.

You lean into her, watching as Vander lifts Ren onto his shoulders, parading her around the kitchen as the victor. Ekko and Powder are already arguing about a rematch and new teammates for next time.

As the excitement of the game winds down, Vander glances at the clock. "It's getting late." 

You nod in agreement, glancing over at Ren. “Do you want to stay at Powder’s or with us tonight?” 

Ren's eyes light up. "Stay with Powder!" she exclaims without hesitation.

Before you can even respond, Powder and Ekko are already shepherding Ren up the stairs, their voices a jumble of excited plans for a sleepover.

Caitlyn and Vi exchange a knowing look. "Ooh, you two are finally getting some alone time," Vi teases with a wink.

You feel your cheeks flush with embarrassment, but Sevika seems unfazed. 

"So, how are those new recruits doing on the walls? Getting the hang of things?"  You ask, trying to get the attention off you.

Caitlyn's face does a complicated dance between diplomacy and honesty. "Well, they're... enthusiastic." 

Vi snorts, unable to contain herself. "Come on, cupcake. Tell 'em the truth."

Caitlyn's facade cracks. "Alright, fine. Their aim is absolutely atrocious. I've never seen so many missed targets in my life. We had one recruit who managed to shoot his own hat off."

You all burst out laughing, the mental image too ridiculous to resist.

Vander shakes his head. "Everyday I’m thankful that’s not me, I'm getting too old for that kind of headache."

Sevika raises an eyebrow at him. "Not too old to keep experimenting with your homebrews though, are you?"

You all laugh at that. It's true - besides overseeing the community's agriculture, Vander's taken to crafting various meads and ales in his spare time.

"I'll have you know that my brewing skills only improve with age, unlike my patience," Vander puffs up his chest in mock indignation.  “And I'm taking back the ale from tonight, can't have you lot disparaging my other talents.”

Vi grins. "C'mon, Vander. You know the community needs that alcohol. How else are we supposed to cope with Powder's 'experiments'?"

This sets off another round of laughter, but your conversation is suddenly interrupted when Ren comes downstairs, looking shy and hesitant. 

"What's wrong, sweetie?" 

Sevika seems to understand before you do, her voice softening as she reaches out to Ren. “Come on, kid. Let’s get you tucked in.”

The three of you make your way upstairs, the house now quiet as the night settles in. Ren leads you to the bedroom she’s sharing with Powder and Ekko. 

Sevika moves to the bed, pulling back the covers and helping Ren climb in. Ren looks up at you both, her eyes wide and a little sad, as Sevika tucks the blankets around her snugly. “Can you get it?” Ren asks quietly.

You follow her gaze to the small play tent in the corner of the room, where she likes to spend her time during the day. You walk over, crouching down to peer inside, and that’s when you see it—peeking out from under a pile of toys. Your breath hitches as you recognize it instantly: Grayson’s yellow armband.

You carefully pull it out, the fabric worn but still vibrant, and bring it over to Ren. She takes it from you, her small hands wrapping around the band as if it’s the most precious thing in the world. “I miss her,” she whispers.

Your heart breaks at the sight of her holding onto that small piece of Grayson. You kneel beside the bed, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “I know, honey,” you say softly. “We all miss her. But she’s always with us, in here.” You gently place a hand over Ren’s heart, offering her a comforting smile.

Ren nods and she clutches the armband tightly, her grip strong for someone so small. Sevika’s expression is unreadable, a mix of emotions flashing across her face as she watches the scene unfold. 

After a few moments, Ren’s eyelids start to droop, exhaustion finally taking over. You lean down, pressing a gentle kiss to Ren’s forehead. “Goodnight sweetie,” you whisper.

You and Sevika quietly bid Ekko and Powder goodnight as well, sharing a few last words before heading back downstairs. The house is much quieter now, the energy from earlier having dissipated into a peaceful calm. You say your goodbyes to Vander, Caitlyn, and Vi, thanking them for the evening.

As you step out into the cool night air, the streets of Zaun are mostly quiet. Sevika’s hand finds yours, her grip warm and comforting. “You okay?” she asks.

You nod, though your mind is still on Ren and the armband. “Yeah,” you say softly, squeezing her hand. “It’s just… it’s hard sometimes, you know? Seeing how much she misses Grayson.”

Sevika doesn’t respond right away, but you feel her thumb brushing gently over your knuckles, a silent gesture of understanding. “She’s a tough kid,” she finally says.  “She’s more resilient than we think.”

You wordlessly agree, falling into a comfortable silence as you guys listen to the hum of the surrounding houses and your footsteps on the pavement.  For a while, neither of you speak, simply enjoying the quiet together.

You find yourself stealing glances at Sevika, admiring her profile in the dim light. She catches you looking and raises an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at the corner of her lips. You playfully bump your shoulder against hers, and she returns the gesture, a bit harder.

You smile, a soft chuckle escaping your lips as you bump her again, just to see what she’ll do.

Sevika doesn’t say anything, but you can see the corner of her mouth twitching upward, that almost-smile that she gets when she’s trying to keep her cool but failing just a bit. She bumps you back, a little more firmly this time, and you laugh, the sound light and carefree in the stillness of the night.

You nudge her again, and this time, she stops walking altogether. Before you can react, she grabs your hand, pulling you toward her with a gentle but firm tug. The sudden movement catches you off guard, and you stumble slightly, your hands instinctively reaching out to steady yourself.

But Sevika’s already there, her strong arms wrapping around you, holding you close. There’s a brief moment where you just look at each other, the playful teasing of earlier fading into something softer, more intimate. The distance between you disappears, and you feel the warmth of her body against yours, the steady rise and fall of her chest as she breathes.

She doesn’t say anything—doesn’t need to. The look in her eyes, the way she’s holding you, it says it all. 

Without a word, she leans down, her lips brushing against yours in a kiss. It’s sweet and gentle, and it fills you with a warmth that spreads through your chest, making you feel like you could stay here forever, wrapped up in this simple, perfect moment.

You melt into the kiss, your hand sliding from her shoulder to the nape of her neck. 

When she finally pulls back, it’s only by a fraction, her forehead resting against yours as she breathes out a soft sigh. You can't resist leaning in to place another quick kiss on her lips, delighting in the way it makes her smile.  

"What was that for?" you ask softly, not that you're complaining.

"Do I need a reason?" she asks, her voice husky but tender.

You shake your head, smiling. "Definitely not. Feel free to do that anytime."

She chuckles softly, pulling you close as you resume your walk home. Her arm wraps securely around your waist, and you lean into her, feeling safe and cherished.

taglist:

@mirconreadzztuff22 @lils-1979 @veoomvroom @schmoni

@poxismind @kittykatz1227 @archangeldyke-all @abbyssgf @ivorydevil

@lez-zuha @iamastar @jellyfishrnice @anemoxlys @l0vel3tterl0ver

@lavendersgirl @h0pe-scotch @lia-winther @kittykatz1227 @dontknowwhenispawned

@sevikitty @sarahduke @raphaellearp @cewl-casper @crying-lighting443

@sodavrr @sweet-lover-girl @love-sevikalove @pinkyykisses @glass-apothecary

@mulan-but-gay @lesbnrock @hyuckiesoftie @melanie-watermelon @powderbomb-jinxed

@levilvrr @theacedragon0w0

[crowandmousewritingco]

Safe with You

Pairing: Silva x male!reader

Words: 1 k

Rating: G

Summary: Silva gets a little sappy with you.

Author: Mod Mouse

Notes: I've been working hard on my Kinktober entries so I thought it would be nice to have small little drabbles to post as we get closer to October. Plus I wanted an excuse to write for this lovely cowboy. I used fluff prompts from @voidfxndoms specifically #28. Thank you for the wonderful prompts!

Life has moved quickly for you in the last year. You were a roaming rider for the Pony Express, seeing the West from the back of your faithful horse. It was nice for a time seeing the rolling hills and hot deserts throughout this vast country. But as time went on, the more you realized how much you hated how temporary everywhere felt. One day you would be delivering a letter to somewhere in California, and the next week you find yourself sleeping under stars in the New Mexico territory. Finally you decided that enough was enough. You would find something more stable than delivering mail. 

When the next town rolled around, you hung up your mail bag and scanned the “Help Wanted” sign in the middle of town. Lucky for you there was a job that was just up your alley. “Horse hand needed for long term ranch help.” You made sure to keep that information in your mind as you made your way out of town as the instruction indicated. 

That was when you met Silva. You remember riding into his ranch where he was outside tending to his cattle herds. The clomping of horse hooves had Silva glancing up from his favorite steers. After exchanging words and experiences, Silva deemed you more than capable for the position. From that moment on, you were ensnared in Silva’s world. 

Silva was impressed with how you were with the horses. You learned their quirks quickly and learned what made them tick. He had to admit to himself that he was starting to find that quality about you attractive. But he always kept those thoughts inside his heart for a multitude of reasons. And it would have stayed that way if it wasn’t for one night. 

A rich ranger was in search of a mare for his stud and wound up finding your ranch through word of mouth. You worked with him and soon he had a healthy foal on his hands. He had liked your service so well that he threw in a bottle of locally made wine after the birth. 

That night you and Silva indulged in the gifted booze, celebrating a job well done. The two of you ended up indulging just a little too much and soon all of your inhibitions were out the door. Hours of kissing and other such activities kept you up ‘till all hours of the night. 

Of course the morning came and when he realized that you had shared a bed that night, he profusely apologized for his drunkenness and his forwardness. Unbeknownst to him you did rather enjoy last night, and you stopped his excuses with another non drunken kiss. From there you two grew close bringing both the ranch and your relationship into a new era. 

Five years later and you two had fallen into a nice daily routine. You rose with the sun every morning, giving each other a good morning kiss to start the day off right. It was washing up then a nice breakfast made by you to make sure you had plenty of energy to complete your tasks– You to the stables to feed the horses, and Silva to the fields to tend to let the cattle out to graze. 

And it was one of those days you found yourself in today. You were inside preparing a quick but filling lunch. You were busy cutting up the fresh batch of bread and meat you bought on your last ride into town that you didn’t hear Silva slip in through the backdoor. It was only when a strong pair of arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you flush with his rugged torso, did you notice his presence.  

You sighed and gently caressed his well worked knuckles as he planted soft kisses on your clothed shoulder. Looking over your shoulder with a small smirk. “Well hello to you too.” You chuckled and kissed his bearded cheek, savoring his touch. 

“You know I was thinking,” Silva remarked. 

“That’s dangerous,” You teased and Silva squeezed your sides sending you into a fit of giggles. “Okay okay I surrender.” Once you got your breath back, you asked. “What were you thinking?” 

“Just how safe you’ve made me feel,” He said, leaning his head against yours. A small smile graced his lips. 

You grinned softly taking in his affection. “What’s brought all this on?” You asked, turning so you could face your love. 

Silva’s rugged hands stayed on your waist gently caressing the material with his thumb. His dark eyes gazed into yours. “Just spending so much time as a hired hand well ya get people comin’ after you. And since you got here I haven't had to shoot for a living.” He reached up one of his hands to cup your cheek. 

A heat flushed your cheek and you cupped your hand over his. The heat of his skin fills you with a familiar warmth. “I can’t take all the credit. You put a lot of effort into this ranch making it what it is today.” 

“But if it weren’t for ya…well I was about to give up on this place until you rode into my neck of the desert.”  

You leaned your cheek into his palm nuzzling against his skin gently. “I guess we found each other at the right time.” 

Silva smiled and kissed your forehead, pausing to revel in your touch. “I guess we did.” Time stilled as you took in each other. The lines on Silva’s face, the sprinkle of sun that covered his cheeks and nose, the graying tufts of hair that lined his beard; all of these aspects made Silva, Silva, and together made that man you fell in love with. 

The two of you bask in your love, until Silva broke the silence.  “Now let's get some food in us, so we can finish that order,” Silva said as he gave your waist a playful couple of taps. 

You chuckled and turned back to the cutting board. The sounds of the kitchen continued, slicing and clinking of dishware filling the room. Setting the assembled sandwiches on a serving tray, you brought over the food to the table. Each of you took a slice and began to eat, conversing here and there. Domesticity felt nice with Silva.

All Works Taglist

@for-a-longlongtime @romanarose

Pedro Character Taglist

@littlemisspascal @burntheedges

@carusolikey @thebeldroramscal

@morallyinept @lady-bess

@pedrostories @rivnedell

@pascalsanctuary @readingiskeepingmegoing

Thanks to the lovely @animatedglittergraphics-n-more for the dividers

[snailsnfriends]

MY FRIEND AND I ARE LEAVING, a cclingy poem - see you around, and thank you.

and a note from the author under the cut :))

i just want to give a big huge thank you to all of those who have ever read my work, whether it was for the dream smp or anything else that i've written. i wouldn't have fallen in love with poetry again if it weren't for the smp and the amount of support all of you have given me. i have grown so much as a writer, and the smp is pretty much the major reason why. it inspired me to such a degree that i wanted to create again, i wanted to write, i was bursting with ideas all the time. poetry, in a lot of ways, is still a rather "niche" thing, for lack of a better term, so i cannot thank all of you enough for the amount of love you've shown my poems. from art inspired by my work, to long asks, to keysmashes in my notes, i appreciate all of it. the community that i have found here has been unlike any other online community that i've been part of. i spent the majority of my teen years here with all of you, and it's been such a wild ride, but the best one in my life. i am so happy that i found tommy, tubbo, wilbur, the smp as a whole, and all of you. i couldn't have asked for anything better than this. thank you thank you thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

this isn't a goodbye to the smp or to my poetry about it. as long as i'm inspired by these characters, i'll keep writing about them. i just thought that now would be a good time to show how much everything here has meant to me, especially in regard to my writing. thank you for believing in me and loving my work as much as i do. there is nothing in this world that is more fulfilling to me than my art, and i cannot express how thankful i am to all of those who read it.

if you got through this big sappy word dump, thank you. i hope you're well today. thank you again. cclingy ccrime the world

with love,

snail <33

[surr3al1sm]

I just wanted to come on here and make a little celebration post because Maybe Loving You is Dangerous has officially hit 100 kudo's! That number is like genuinely insane to me because I was expecting it to get like 30, max. I cannot believe it oh my god. I'm so grateful for everyone that has read my fic so far, that has left a kudo's, that has left a comment. It all really means the world to me, thank you so much. I truly wouldn't have been able to do any of this without you guys. I'm so happy you enjoyed the story so far, and I'm so excited for what's coming next because I get to have some fun. I hope you guys will like it! Now, surpisingly or not, I am very bad at talking about myself and my accomplishments. And since it's my celebration post I get to do what I want. Today that is being nice to some other writers. So I decided to leave a little note to the authors that inspired me to write and actually publish this fic under the cut. (So if you got tagged, that might be why). Feel free to read these notes if you want to, it's truly just me being an insufferable fanboy. If you did not get tagged, but we are mutuals (or friends) just know that you might have also had a role in the inspiration and motivation departments of this fic.

A note to @halfratsalready: I'm sure this comes as a surpise to no one, and I warned you I was going to tag you in something. But yeah, being very real and sappy with you: you're like one of my biggest inspirations for this. I was, and still am, absolutely enamored by the Lose Yourself series. I honestly feel confident enough to say that its my favourite Just Dance fic, ever. It's genuinely so well written and you executed everything so perfectly. I loved inserting it into my weekly schedule and I felt so inspired to write afterwards. I'm going to be a little sneaky and say that the whole reason I started even thinking about possibly writing a pre-canon fic. So truly, MLYiD owes Lose Yourself it's life. I joke around sometimes and call you my target audience, but honestly? You are. Everything I write is with your enjoyment in mind. I really do catch myself thinking "I hope Oboe likes this" while writing lol. I will forever be your nbr 1 fanboy, and I am so glad that we're friends. I wouldn't have it any other way.

A note to @libra-cant-just-dance: Hello there! You're the only one in here I haven't talked to, but I still wanted to tag you and tell you how much I love your fic. The Tainted City was such a great fic. I loved the plot and your story telling and the way you describe things is just so amazing. I really look up to it. The Tainted City was a bigger inspiration for my other fic than for this one, but honestly without it I doubt I would have ever started posting fics. So really, I owe you one at this point. Your fics are amazing and I cannot wait to see what you end up doing with Mirrored Walls!

A note to @lightning-and-sparks: Thorns was the first Just Dance fanfic I have ever read, and it will always be one of my favourites. I genuinely enjoy the story and you're such a good author as well. I'm so glad it's back and that I get to read weekly updated for it again. As you know, it is a very big inspiration for MLYiD and I might have accidentally stolen a few things from it but that was all in good faith and because it was all so good that I just had to. Keep it up, I need infinite Throns content (please.)

[oddballwriter]

Taste Test

Summary: Marc offers to let you taste his blood for the sake of seeing if avatar blood tastes different, but Marc might want you to drink his blood for other reasons.

Warnings: Not smut but still spicy. Vampire reader and them consuming blood. Mentions of blood, cuts, biting to the point of puncturing skin, blood drinking, tasting one's blood in their mouth and the reader themself tasting blood, and slight bloodplay. It is heavily implied that Marc has a thing for the reader drinking his blood and then kissing him. Dracula reference. System reference. The reader calls Marc a "freak" and a "little freak" but it's just banter. There is a lot of banter and slight bickering. Marc is lowkey horny fr. Also a fade to black kind of ending, you can imagine the more if you'd like. 

Author’s Snip: Vampire reader brain rot hours yet again. Tonight, bat bitches, we feed.

Notes: This one shot is NOT a part of my Dwelling in the Night series. This exists completely on its own.

I’ll shut up now. Enjoy! And don’t be afraid to request.

Word Count: 723

"Are you sure about this? We don't need to if you aren't up for it anymore." you clarify. "I'm still down for it. Yeah." Marc confirms, "I meant it when I said I want to do this." he comments. You nod, "Okay. Just making sure.".

As a vampire, drinking blood wasn't weird. That was just part of your (undead) life. That is legitimately what you survive off of. But your boyfriend Marc wanting you to drink his blood wasn't that normal. Normally you don't have people willingly giving you their blood to consume. You usually didn't really have a partner to begin with since the whole immortality thing makes relationships hard even if they were committed relationships. But with Marc being an avatar of Khonshu, this relationship actually worked without the fear of him aging and all that sappy stuff.

Anyways, back to drinking his blood.

It wasn't your idea, it was his. He just kind of asked if you wanted to give it a try and "see what happens" since he doesn't know if avatar blood does anything, and you just said sure because it was free blood. Was there a chance that Khonshu would be mad because Marc's body was technically under his ownership? Yes, with how dramatic he is. But it wasn't like you were going to take a lot. It was just little a taste test. At least to you, it is.

"Okay." you say, "Just relax for me," you recommend as you. "Do you want fangs or a cut?" you ask. Marc blinks in confusion at the options and you hum in response. "Okay, so you wanted fangs. Got it." you say. You hold out your hand for his arm but you notice him tilt the collar of his shirt so that his neck and collarbone are more out. "Oh, we're doing it blood drive style." Marc mumbles under his breath as he redoes his shirt and holds out his arm like you wanted but you're more caught up on how you've realized how he wanted to do this.

"Marc," you say with a slightly disappointed tut. "What? I thought we were gonna do it that way." Marc states trying to divert any attention to his slightly blushing face. "When have you ever seen me doing it like that? I drink from blood bags." you question. "I'm sorry. I just thought you wanted to try it like that." Marc apologizes as he attempts to brush it off and save himself from further embarrassment. "The neck method makes a mess even if I bite away from the arteries and major veins. I'm not trying to be Dracula, Marc." you explain.

"Well I mean, Dracula had three brides, and you have me, Steven, and Jake." Marc says quickly, possibly meaning for it to be a joke but realizing that it makes the situation more dumb. "Shut up." you lightheartedly roll your eyes.

"Do you still want to do this?" Marc was now asking. You answer with sure and scoot closer to Marc on the couch. Marc sticks out his arm again but you push it down and make your way closer to his neck. "No, we're doing it the way you wanted to, you little freak." you banter.

You push his shirt collar down and look over the skin to find a safe and clean spot to bite and drink from. Marc tenses and groans when your fangs break his skin but he follows your instructions and relaxes as your mouth sucks up the leaking blood. You can hear him groan and feel him squirm a bit, but something lets you know that it's not out of discomfort.

You pull away and move your tongue over the remaining blood in your mouth to get a better taste and see if it feels different from normal blood, but you sense none.

You look at Marc and decide to mess with him and give him a kiss on the cheek knowing that it will leave a little red print in the shape of your lips. But when you do, Marc turns his head so that he kisses you which leads to a french kiss that is mostly done by him. You're pretty sure Marc has no issue with tasting, and probably has tasted, his own blood in his mouth before but when you break away you huff and jokingly call him a freak again.

[age-of-greta]

The Lovers

The Lovers represent relationships and choices. Its appearance in a spread indicates some decision about an existing relationship, a temptation of the heart, or a choice of potential partners. Often an aspect of the querent's life will have to be sacrificed; a bachelor's lifestyle may be sacrificed and a relationship gaine, or one potential partner may be chosen while another is turned down. Whatever the choice, it should not be made lightly, as the ramifications will be lasting.

Author’s note: Hi!! As always this fic has two parts, then and today. I proofread, but typos happen. Next chapter will be out next Wednesday at midnight. Only 2 more chapters left and the epilogue! Thanks to everyone who has been following along, this fic is my baby :) enjoy!

Parings: Jake x reader & Sam x reader

Warnings: angst, cursing, alcohol consumption, adult content

Word count: 3.6k

PART 11:

THEN:

“Oooh I like this one. Doesn’t Jake like black?” Lana says, cheekily holding up a scandalous black dress.

You roll your eyes at her. “I’m going to my graduation, not a club Lana. Besides, who cares what Jake thinks?”

She giggles at you. “I think you do.”

“What about this one?” You say, holding up a black mid length bodycon dress.

“Isn’t it a little long?” Lana replies.

You huff. “Again Lana, law school graduation not a club debut.”

“Okay okay. Yeah I like it, especially since it shows a little cleavage. I think Jake will like it too.” She says with a smirk.

You roll your eyes again. “You’re impossible. Can we check out and go grab sushi already?”

**

Today was the day you were about to graduate from law school. It felt surreal. All of these years of work and dedication had come down to today. You felt an immense pride in yourself and an overwhelming sense of emotion. You would see everyone you loved today: your parents, uncle, Lana, and of course the boys. They were flying in this morning so you left a key under your mat so they could put away their luggage. You pulled up to your ceremony rather early to meet Lana for pictures. She could be quite the photographer. It was a nice day for it being December, chilly but overall not too bad. You gave yourself a glance over before getting out of your car. Your makeup was done very tastefully with extra lashes on. Your hair was near perfect with a ton of hairspray. You were exceptionally happy with the way you looked in your outfit, a black bodycon mid length dress with a slit in the back and a square cleavage cut out. You paired it with nude strappy heels and of course your gown. You hadn’t seen the boys in about two weeks and you were a little nervous about how to introduce them, especially Jake to your parents. You took a deep breath and got out of your car. Lana was pulling in right next to you.

“You look so good! I’m so proud of you baby!” She says flinging her car door open.

You embrace her in a hug and then you two trudge off to take pictures. Around an hour later you two finish up and head over to the convocation center.

“Take a deep breath! I’ve already been in contact with Josh, they should be here soon. I’ll wait on them and take them in with me. I think your parents are already inside.” Lana says, patting your back.

You give her a smile. “Thank you, for everything.”

“Don’t get sappy on me bitch. We will meet you right here after. Now get in there and get that degree!” She says sending you off.

You nod and walk off towards the door. You get everything together and wait to line up. You look down at your phone before turning it off and see a message from Jake.

So proud of you. Can’t wait to see you walk across that stage.

You smile before tucking your phone away.

**

The ceremony was a blur. You looked around for anyone you knew, but it was no use. There were so many people there. When they called your name you calmly walked across, you could swear you heard Josh yelling for you. You smiled, took your photo and exited the stage. Then you returned to your seat and it was over. You all lined back up to exit and everyone starts to disappear. You walk out the doors and keep your composure as you see your parents, Lana, your uncle, and the boys standing together talking. Your mom is laughing with Josh, of course he’s such a charmer.

“There she is!” Your Dad exclaims.

“Hi Dad.” You say, hugging him.

He takes your degree folder while you hug your mom and uncle. Then Jake is right next to you. He takes you in a tight hug and kisses your cheek, which makes you turn pink.

“You did it, and you look stunning.” Jake says.

“Thank you.” You say bashfully.

You catch your mom giving you a sly smile out of your peripheral. You know she will ask you about that later.

“So proud of you.” Sam says, mid hug.

Then you greet Josh and Danny before returning to the group.

Everyone takes pictures with you, including a really cute group photo.

“Shall we go eat?” Your uncle asks after everyone is done.

You nod your head and everyone starts off towards the parking lot. Your mom grabs your arm and walks in front with you.

“He’s cute.” Is all she says.

You feel your face flush. “Long story.”

“It always is when they look like that.” She says, patting your arm.

You all break away and get into your cars. Lana squeezes in your car with the boys and you all meet your family at a local lunch spot. You sit across from your parents and uncle, sandwiched in between Jake and Sam. Lana is next to your mom, with Josh next to her, Danny sits by Sam.

“Drinks?” Your mom asks the table.

Jake beams a smile at her. “Always.”

“That’s the spirit. We will all have a round of tequila sunrises, it’s our grad’s favorite.” Your dad says to the waitress.

Sam nudges you and laughs a little.

Everyone gets their drinks and conversations flow rather easily. Jake is charming your dad and uncle with talks of sports and music. You, your mom, and Sam are also talking music- cutting in sporadically into the other conversation at times. While Lana entertains Josh and Danny. You were surprised as to how well everyone was getting along.

“So what are your future plans?” Your dad asks Jake.

You feel his hand grab your knee and squeeze it lightly twice. That’s enough to give you butterflies.

“Well we are currently working on our album release. We have put a ton of work into it.” Jake responds with a smile.

Your dad commends Jake on his hard work and sticking with music. The rest of lunch went off very smoothly. Conversations were easy, everyone drank and got along so well. Your parents had a huge sparkler cake delivered to the table. You didn’t love having all of the attention on you, but nevertheless you loved your cake and your parents for doing that for you. After everyone had eaten your uncle picked up the tab, to which everyone thanked him. Then your uncle had taken your parents off to the airport to start their vacation. Everyone else had decided to head back to your apartment to take a breather before tonight’s festivities.

“I’m going to change.” You announced to the room as you sat your keys and things down.

You smiled lightly when you saw Jake’s bags sitting on your bed, like they belonged there. You removed your shoes and struggled getting the zipper undone. Then you heard your door open and shut. You spun around to see Jake.

“Need help?” He offers, cheekily.

You flash him a smile and nod.

He walks over to you and gently undoes the zipper, then he spins you around and kisses you softly.

“Hi lover. I’m so proud of you.” He half whispers, eyes focused on your lips.

“Hi Jake. Thank you.” You say back, just as soft.

“I got you something.” Jake says, as he pulls out a small black box from his pocket.

“You didn’t have to-“

“Don’t start.” He teases.

Jake hands you the box and you open it. You look down to see a golden necklace with your first initial on it. There is a small heart engraved on the back of the letter, it looks like Jake did that. Your heart skips a beat. This is the first gift you have gotten from Jake.

“Oh wow. I love this. Thank you.” You say looking over at him.

Jake nods and smiles at you. It’s obvious he isn’t going to mention the heart on the back, it’s an unspoken understanding.

“Can I put it on you?” Jake asks.

You smile at him. “Please do.”

Jake takes the necklace and wraps it around your neck. He struggles for a moment and you can’t help but laugh.

“Dammit. I’m used to taking things off of you, not putting them on. Wait- there we go.” Jake says finally getting the necklace to clasp.

“It’s perfect. Thank you.” You say.

Jake smiles and nods at you. “Okay get changed so we can drink.”

***

The rest of the afternoon had gone by. Mostly everyone drank some beers and played video games. Josh had brought his new switch. He wanted to show everyone his games, like the kid he was. But now everyone was getting ready to go out. You were just going to a lowkey bar to celebrate, but you were obviously going to dress up a little. You and Lana had spent the past two hours getting your hair and makeup and outfits all ready while the guys played their games. You settled on a black corset top, with mid wash mom jeans with ripped knees and frayed bottoms. You paired it with black heels and your usual jewelry, you make sure to leave your necklace on. Once you finished the curls in your hair you and Lana declared you were both ready. Josh clapped and whistled when you both walked out.

“Woo! Let’s get this party started!” Sam yells.

“Yes! Time to celebrate our graduate. Shots?” Lana asks.

You sigh. “Shots already?”

“Oh come on. I know you can handle it.” Jake says, getting up and taking your hand towards the kitchen.

He starts pouring tequila shots while you grab some limes.

“I have a question for you.” Jake says, nonchalantly.

You hum in response while cutting the limes.

“How do you feel about New Orleans?” Jake asks.

You look over and shrug. “I’ve only been once for a fraternity formal. It was fun I guess.”

“Interesting. Well what if I told you we just found out we will be performing there?” Jake says.

You huff a small laugh. “Then I would say congratulations.”

“What if I asked you to come with us? It’s a weekend thing. No strings, I just want you to come.” He states, almost fumbling over his words.

“Hm” you start, pretending like you’re contemplating your answer. “I would say yes, only if we get hand grenades.”

Jake laughs at you. “Those are Sam’s favorite.”

***

TODAY:

The next morning you woke up with your head pounding. No, that was someone pounding on your door? What the fuck? You look over and Sam is still asleep, butt ass naked. Then it dawned on you. You two fucked. Oh my god. You two fucked and Sam confessed his feelings for you. A wash of dread rolled over your body. You loved Sam, and perhaps last night true feelings and hidden desires did come out of you. But you still loved Jake, more than anything. You don’t even have time to process these feelings so you jump out of bed and wrap yourself in just your robe. You know you have makeup smeared all over your face and sex hair to the max, but you couldn’t give less of a shit.

“I’m coming fuck.” You yelled as you marched towards your door.

When you opened the door all of the life was sucked out of you. It was Jake. Standing there with flowers in hand. He had the saddest look on his face. You can’t speak. Sam is in your fucking bed, naked and Jake is standing at your door with flowers. You feel like you’re about to vomit.

“I’m so fucking sorry. I want you to know that I had booked a flight. I was supposed to be here yesterday so I could go with you, but it kept getting fucking delayed and there were no other seats available for any other fucking airline. Then I tried to call you, but my phone died and I didn’t pack a charger. I charged my phone on the plane this morning, but figured if I called it would be worse than showing up. I don’t know. It’s been a horrible past few days and I’m so fucking sorry.” Jake says, looking absolutely miserable.

You look up at him and still cannot speak.

“You don’t have to forgive me right now. You have every right to be furious with me, I would be too. I wasn’t mad at your decision making. I was upset because I thought that meant you didn’t want that life with me. I know that’s sounds stupid, but it’s honestly where my head was at. That absolutely shredded me inside to think you didn’t want me like I want you. I’ve been reflecting hard, and I realized how much I fucking love you. Shit, I’m rambling. Can you please just say something?” Jake says in an upset tone.

You take a shaky breath.

Then you hear your bathroom sink turn on.

Jake furrows his brows. “Is someone here?”

You panic. “Jake… please.”

He looks down at your disheveled appearance and then makes a face. “Who’s here?” His eyes are burning into yours and all you can do is blink.

He reaches down and runs his thumb over your neck. “What’s this on your neck?”

Then the realization sets in for him. His eyes are wild, face twisted up in confusion and anger. “Did you fuck someone?”

He shoves his way inside and closes your door, still looking at you with bewilderment.

You could vomit at this moment and your brain has completely shut down.

Before you can even say anything your bedroom door opens.

“Who are you talking to? Fuck I need some more aspirin.” Sam says coming out only in his boxers and rubbing his head.

When he sees Jake he stops dead in his tracks and Jake’s face twists up in a grimace. You stand in the middle of them, with absolutely no idea what to do. It’s quiet for what seems like an hour. Then Jake lets out a laugh.

“Holy shit. Well, congratulations Sammy! Looks like you got what you’ve always wanted. How was she? Good right?” Jake says, sinisterly.

“Jake.” You say in a stern voice.

“No. I want to know! Was she everything you have ever wanted and more?” Jake continues.

“Stop.” Sam says lowly.

“Stop? We are just getting started! Is she the same way you imagined her when you touched yourself all those times? Did you enjoy fucking my girlfriend Sam?” Jake seethes.

“You’ve always known how I felt about her.” Sam said quietly.

Jake laughs manically. “So you’ve just been waiting on me to fuck up so you could slide in? So you could fuck her behind my back? I thought your little crush was one-sided, but I guess I was wrong.” Jake says looking over at you.

You still don’t know what to say. You’re pissed at Jake for ghosting you, but you also feel incredibly guilty for both Jake and Sam.

“It wasn’t like that. We were drunk and just got carried away.” You said looking down at the floor.

Jake barks a half laugh. “Oh you were drunk? You know I can remember countless times I have been drunk and I never fucked someone else. That’s just me though.”

You and Sam stay quiet while Jake looks between the both of you still with unbelieving eyes.

“Well it’s obvious I have overstayed my welcome.” Jake says taking a step towards you, he hands you the flowers. “These are for you lover, although now I’m not the only Kiszka who can call you that.” He says as takes off towards the door. “Wish you both nothing but the fucking best.” He says as he slams your door.

You stand there stunned for a minute.

“Fuck. I should probably go after him.” Sam finally says, running to your room and grabbing his clothes.

You nod.

“I’ll come by later.” Sam says as he also exits the door.

Then it’s just you alone. You still can’t wrap your head around what just happened, but it already hurts

**

Sam never came back that night. You sat in your bathtub and cried for hours and hours. You tried to call Jake, twice. He didn’t pick up. You didn’t call Sam worried that he might be with Jake. That night you didn’t sleep well, at all. You ended up calling Lana around 3am and telling her everything, she wanted to come over but you couldn’t handle it right now. Sam texted you the next day that he was coming over to talk before his flight that night. You didn’t think that was his original return date, but with everything that happened you understood. You tried to pull yourself together, but you found the best you could do was a sweatshirt and shorts with your hair in a ponytail. Your face was puffy, eyes bloodshot. You looked like hell. But Sam looked even worse when you opened your door.

“Oh my god Sam. Did Jake fucking hit you?” You asked in a shrill voice as you saw his face.

Sam had a split lip with dried blood crusted to the wound. He also had a swollen and bruised eye that was purple and blue in color. You knew Jake would be hurt, furious even. But you didn’t see him putting his hands on Sam.

Sam walked in and huffed. “Yeah a few times, actually.”

You ran to your kitchen and got an ice pack and a towel and handed it to him as he sat on your couch.

“Sam, I am so sorry.” You say as you hand him the ice pack.

He takes it gingerly from you. “Thanks. But no I mean I deserved it. I fucked his girlfriend. No matter how I feel about you, that wasn’t right.”

You stand there for a minute before sharply exhaling and sitting down a few inches away from him.

“Last night was a mistake.” You say calmly.

Sam removes the ice pack from his mouth and looks at you. “No, it wasn’t. Not for me anyway. It wasn’t right, and I deserved to get the shit kicked out of me for it, but I don’t regret a second of it.”

You don’t know what to say to this so you choose to stay quiet.

“I know how much you care about Jake. I’m not questioning that. But I also know that deep down there somewhere you care about me like that too.” He says quietly and puts the ice pack back on his lip.

You look up at him and make a face. “Yes of course I care about you Sam. But I can’t just pretend Jake doesn’t exist.” You feel that lump forming in your throat again. “I love him.”

Sam sighs. “I know that.”

There is silence for a minute.

“How is he?” You ask quietly.

“He’s fucking pissed. I tracked him down last night by the grace of god. He was at some damn speakeasy drowning himself in bourbon.”

You flinch at that. You know exactly where he was.

“He booked a flight back to Nashville. In fact, he should be on the way back now. I tried to talk to him last night, but he wasn’t very keen on that idea. Then he beat the shit out of me and we both got kicked out. I dragged his ass back to the hotel. He cried and then threw up. Eventually I got him cleaned up and asleep. The only thing I have heard from him since was when I texted him this morning asking if he was okay. He told me we would talk more when I decided to come home. So, I booked a flight for tonight.”

You felt like shit. You just wanted to call Jake and tell him to come back. You guys would get through this, you would figure it out, you were sorry. But you knew Jake had no intention of talking to you, probably ever again.

“Fuck.” Is all you can respond. Your mind is running a million miles per hour.

“Yeah.” Sam says, staring at the wall.

You both sit in silence for around five minutes until Sam gets up.

“For what it’s worth, I had a nice time last night. I wish things could be different.” Sam says, softly.

You nod your head, unsure of what to say.

“Well, I’m about to head out. I’m going to grab my stuff and then head for the airport.”

“Okay.” You manage to whisper.

He sighs. “I don’t know what to do here. I don’t know when I’ll see you again, and that feels weird.”

“Yeah, it does.” You squeak out.

“I don’t want to leave you alone. But if I don’t go back tonight Jake may never speak to me again. I just want you to know I don’t think we’re a mistake.“

You look up and nod at him. “Be careful. I’ll be okay, I promise.”

Sam looks at you solemnly for a moment. “Just call me if you need me. I‘ll be here.”

He leans down and hugs you lightly before getting his things and leaving.

Then you’re all alone again.

**

[purelyfiction]

Crossfire  —–✈︎ 5

Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw x F!Reader | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Word Count: 6,165

Summary: Exhausted and emotionally spent, the completion of your grueling assignment meant getting to return home and some well deserved rest. You’ve not even made it to American soil before you’re faced with one of the most intense conversations you’ve ever had. Along with most memorable one.

Content Warning: This is a successor to the first parts, please read that first! || This story will have TopGun: Maverick plot line elements to it and will possibly spoil the movie for you. Please be aware. This - and all of my stories - is 18+. By continuing to read you agree that you are 18 or older and that any content you come across is by your own decision. || HEY!! THIS HAS SMUT!! So if you’re under 18 pleaseeee go away. (cw: unprotected sex, oral f receiving, fingering, consensual creampie, generally sappy shit.)

Author Note: This has been the most challenging part of this story by far, while also being the final part of this story. I have grown so incredibly close to these two and I adore them with everything in me, so I am beyond happy to see them get their happy ending. I want to thank you all for reading and engaging and sharing and generally being wonderful!! I hope you love it. This may not be the last we see of Moon and Rooster, but for now, we say see you later. Thanks everyone :) xx

———————————————— ✈︎

After some incredibly long debriefs, and some exuberant celebrations, the team is finally dismissed with the successful completion of their mission. 

Successful. Goal achieved. No losses. 

Well, you were down two F-18s, but that was far less important than the pilots that flew them, one of them who was currently sitting in front of you, laughing with one of your squadron members. 

Maverick and Rooster managed to get out with minimal injuries, save for a few cuts and bruises and incredibly sore muscles. Nothing a little R&R couldn’t fix. Which the Navy was all too familiar with - as evidenced by their 2 months of paid time off they’d gifted all of you. 

You were state-bound again, but your flights to return to the US weren’t for at least another 18 hours, which meant you all got complimentary hotel stays in actual beds. You’d never been so excited for a hotel bed. The running joke was that the Navy cheaped out on their beds and that they were all made of recycled cardboard and you were inclined to believe them. They had absolutely no cushion and were the tiniest things you’ve seen.

As soon as you arrive at the hotel room, you fall face down onto the white comforter, a sigh leaving you. A slow roll onto your back as you spread out on the king bed. You couldn’t wait to get back to the states and back to New Mexico. Your apartment off base was just beckoning to you. You missed the comfort of it, it marked your civilian life and it was just out of reach. Before you can doze off in your NWUs, the door is knocked on, causing you to pout as you speak. “I’m going to bed, leave me alone.” You huff, only to hear the voice on the other side of the door. 

“You probably haven’t even changed into your pajamas. Open up,” a voice calls, muffled by the door.

 Begrudgingly, you get up, pulling your hair from its tight confines as you do so. You take a second to glance at the peephole, seeing Rooster on the other side of the door, backpack still on his shoulder, standing impatiently. 

“What’s the password?” A smirk comes over your features, giggling as he changes his stance. 

“I want to get to my room so open the door?” He’s clearly not in the mood, but you choose to push his buttons a little more. 

“That’s a really long password.” You retort, “Which means it’s not the password. Try again.” 

His head hangs back as he looks at the ceiling, hand playing with the hair on his upper lip. Finally, he lets out a chuckle. “Ukulele.”

With a giggle you shake your head, unlocking the door. “That wasn’t the password, I just want to stop standing.” You confess, letting him in and shutting the door. “Though, that’s a very… specific word you chose.” An eyebrow raises looking toward him as he turns to face you. His pack is still on his shoulders, his own room key in hand.

Rooster yawns, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, “It’s my safeword, so I would hope it’s specific.” 

You were in the middle of taking a sip of water when he answered you, leaving you in a small fit of coughs, having nearly choked on the liquid at his response. You tilt your head back, keeping your airway clear as you begin a slight laugh. 

“You gonna survive?” He taunts, a smile making its way to your face when you see his matching one, still coughing.

“You’re an ass.” It’s not serious by any means, since it’s paired with a laugh as you fall back to the bed again. “What did you so desperately need from me that you had to interrupt my bedtime routine?” You lean back on your arms, witnessing his expression on his face change to one of contemplation. 

He takes a moment but looks around the room as he answers. “I left my phone charger on the ship, I was hoping you had an extra.” A nod, you’re quickly getting up to move to your personal backpack, starting to rifle through the bag to find the spare you had. 

“You would forget it.” You tease, pulling things out left and right, setting them on the floor, digging and digging. “How was the flight back for you?” In an attempt to fill the quiet, you’re making small talk, trying desperately to find this stupid cord.

“I don’t know, I slept the whole way back.” There’s an exhausted tone to him, which makes a pang of worry run through you. You’re positive that having been through what he had couldn’t have been fun or easy by any means. A hum in agreement, you encourage him to keep speaking as you shift to your clothing bag, trying to find the damn thing. “I also think I had a kid kicking my seat the whole time. Well that or it was Seresin.” An audible laugh comes from you at his words. 

“Sure, sure, he would do anything to get on your nerves.” A sigh leaves you as you continue to dig out and around in your bag, getting annoyed. “I know I had it here somewhere-“

“Moon, if you can’t find it it’s fine, I’ll grab one tomorrow.” He waves it off, turning slowly in the direction of the door. 

After everything this man’s been through in the last 48 hours, you have to have something for him. “Here wait,” grabbing his attention, you snag the cord that’s charging your phone on the nightstand. You pull the cord base from the USB port, and the other end from your phone. “Take this. My phone got charged on the flight back so I don’t need it tonight.” 

He approaches with slow steps, shifting the bag from his shoulders and onto the floor as you offer the cord in an extended arm. Rooster gives you a wary look, cautiously reaching for it. 

“Are you sure?” He’s hesitant, looking at the object before meeting your eyes,”What if your parents try to call you?” A weak smile fills your face while guilt simultaneously reaches your gut. 

“Don’t worry about it.” The answer is so soft, as reassuring as you can be. Hazel eyes are cautious as he picks it from your possession, his fingertips just barely grazing the palm of your hand. You nearly retreat your hand out of surprise, but are carefully hiding the feeling that ran through you when he did so.

“Thanks…” He’s slow to turn to pick up his bag again, only before slowly standing up, the bag still on the ground. You were about to clean up the mess you made while looking for the charger, but his slow actions have caught your focus. Rooster turns again, quickly making eye contact.

Neither of you say anything for a few moments. You watch his eyes as he fully returns to his complete upright stance, the two of you standing like towers. It’s not long after that you are finally deciding to speak. 

“Goodnight-”

“I can’t take this.” 

The words overlap, which makes your brows furrow. “No, I insist, my phone will be fine for-”

“I’m not talking about the cord, Moon. I mean, I do need it, and will be taking it,” A laugh accompanies his words as he takes a step in front of you, “I’m talking about the…” Rooster struggles to find the words, leaving you to offer a noun to fill in the blank.

“Predicament we’re in?” You finish the sentence for him, seeing the small grin on his face. 

“Yeah, that.” He agrees as his hand drops to his side again. Both of you linger in the still once again before he’s disrupting the quiet. “I’m sorry.”

Your eyes widen at the words and you shake your head, “No, no, I’m the one who should be sorry, and I am. Sorry. That is.” Instinctually, you‘re reaching for his bicep to reassure him, leaving him to reach up and take the hand from his arm. For a moment, you think you’ve done the complete opposite of comforting him, but it’s far from the truth, watching as he gingerly takes it into his own, his fingers wrapping around it with care. 

“I’m still sorry. For avoiding you.” Rooster’s gaze drops to your hand, almost avoiding your eyes as he speaks. “It wasn’t because I didn’t forgive you.” You are confused, which you’re sure is written all over your face, but he’s quick to provide an explanation. “I didn’t.. I didn’t want to distract you anymore.”

Every muscle that was tight in you seems to release, as though he’d broken the lock you had attached to them. “Roost…” Your hand is shifting to fit more comfortably in his own so that you can grip onto it in an effort to show more than you would tell. 

As he moves his head, his own voice shakes, “If I was unintentionally distracting you the last few weeks, the last thing you needed was a distraction during the uranium mission. I wasn’t going to risk..”

His breath catches, making him take a deep one to steady himself. There’s a tug on your hand as he pulls it to his lips, kissing the knuckles that have a strong grip on his own hand while his eyes close. You close the small bit of space between you both, searching his face for everything you could find. His eyes are still closed, but you spot it, the smallest tear blazing a path down his cheek, over the scars that live there. Carefully, you’re reaching up and wiping it from his skin, witnessing hazel eyes open once again. They’re wet, quickly blinking back the moisture threatening to spill over delicate lashes. Your eyes sting near instantly and you look up at him as your heart nearly breaks all over again.

“I nearly lost you.” It’s your voice that says it and you can tell by the way that he loses his composure, he’s been holding back. He doesn’t hesitate to pull you to his embrace, tight arms around you again. 

“I didn’t even know I had you.” His chin buries its way into your shoulder, both of you gripping onto each other, too scared to move, terrified to let go. 

The quiet that once held your breath captive now ushers a comforting tranquility for the both of you. A moment to mourn, to completely dissolve your fears, knowing that the danger has passed. For now. 

Over time, his grip on you weakens, carefully pulling away to cup your face in his hands. “I can’t leave this room without being honest with you, Moon.” With a desperate need to keep your touch on him, you’re letting your fingers wrap around his wrists, blinking back tears still. As they fall, he’s carefully pushing them off your cheekbones before they can get very far. “I absolutely hated your guts when you walked into the hangar that day.” 

“Tread very carefully, Roost.” You warn with an amused smirk, which he’s duplicated on those handsome features of his. 

“I wanted nothing to do with you, and I had no plans of distracting you. I tried to keep away from you but the pull you’ve got on me is just too strong.” He’s unmoving, eyes in a stronghold with yours. “Any hate that I had towards you has changed into respect, admiration and adoration instead.”

“You adore me?” A wild smile appears at his admission, leaving him to direct your chin upwards again. 

“With every fiber of my being. I love you. I adore you. I need you.” His touch on your chin is light, his thumb brushing over the same spot reassuringly before you float a whisper into the air. 

“This is usually where people would kiss.. I mean-” You’re beginning to mock him, his grip on your chin moving to take a hold of your jaw, pulling you closer in one swift movement. His lips are the key to unwinding you in every tense portion of your body. A soft and delicate juxtaposition to the sharp and scratchy feeling of his facial hair as you get comfortable in your stance. You melt as his other hand is gingerly finding a home on your hip, rolling to the small of your back. It’s comfortable there, until he’s using it as leverage to invite you to take a step closer. 

Your eyes move from their initial half-hooded state to close completely as he draws nearer towards you. Rooster’s large hand has traveled up from your jaw to cup your cheek, fingers soft over the sensitive skin under your ear. You shift as his fingertips gloss over the spot, which he hones in on, creating even more delicate touches as he glides his tongue over your teeth. The smallest sound leaves you as he starts to make a circle on your skin, an inevitable smirk forming on his already busy lips, making a mess out of it. It’s this that makes you begin to giggle yourself, hands gliding down the back of his head down to the nape of his neck as both of you catch your breath for a moment. 

“What are you giggling about, miss thing?” He asks tauntingly, making you open your eyes ever so briefly. They’re near slits as you find his features. You push back some hair floating over his forehead before replying.

“You. You’re just… smirky.” A shrug as Rooster starts to sway the two of you as you stand there. 

“Smirky? Is that even a word?” He retorts, happily letting his lips press to your cheek, the hair on his upper lip tickling you. 

“Does it really matter?” You whine with no real seriousness toward the matter. 

“Not one bit.” In a single swift movement, he’s pulled his hand to guide your jaw back towards his to kidnap your lips in a tender kiss. It’s as though he’s trying to escape with you, pull your senses towards this moment and only this moment. The touch he holds on your jaw is lightening with each lapse of his lips, his hand on the small of your back playing with the hem of your pants, just barely dipping into the fabric. He smells like his Old Spice and something else.. You’re not entirely sure what it is, but in the next deep breath you take, you recognize it. It’s the salt from the California air. It’s trapped into his clothes - his pores, one of the two, and it brings you back to the beaches the two of you had hidden on. It reminds you of the night you realized you were falling for him. 

Now, you’re here, in a foreign country with cold air from the AC blowing over your neck as Rooster pulls your hair out of the way, his lips blazing a trail there. He’s tilting your chin out of the way to get better access to the area along your neck, carefully making a delicate trail of red paving stones on your skin. His breath is hot, keeping your body temp up despite the cool chill of the room. Rooster’s hands have dropped to your waist, hands carefully pulling at the hem of your shirt that’s tucked tightly into the waistband of your pants, which makes you stop him, careful hands gripping his wrists when you do. 

When he notices your withdrawal, he is distancing himself, looking at you with a worried look. “What’s going on baby?” It’s the softest whisper, and the new name floods through your veins like some sort of drug, making your heart race even harder. 

“I nearly lost you once in the last week… I don’t want this to change us to the point that I lose you again, even worse this time.” There’s fear driving your thoughts. With such a close call, you’re not sure what you’d do if you lost him - in any capacity. As a friend, as a coworker: as a lover. A soothing touch comes to you in the form of the back of his hand, gently gliding over your cheek. 

“I don’t want to lose you either, Moon.” He’s tapping your chin up to look him in the eye. “Not ever.” His hand slides back to that comfortable spot at the nape of your neck, leaving you to nuzzle into his hand once more. 

“Then take me to bed, or lose me forever, Bradley.” 

“Show me the way home, honey.”

 He slinks to the edge of the bed, hands taking your own and pulling you toward him, legs parting to make room for you. You let your thumb trace over the scars on his skin, eyes meeting his hazel ones. There’s no doubt in them. No hesitancy, nor ingenuity. Sheer awe as you look down at him. His head tilts, keeping his eye contact with you as he presses a kiss to the inside of your wrist, hands carefully resting on your thighs. The hair prickles at your skin as his lips leave a wet spot, continuing the sensation that his lips bring. Hands have traveled up to your waistband, carefully undoing the belt and following buttons. When they’re loose, thumbs move along the navel of your stomach as they tuck inward, slowly guiding the fabric down your legs. 

You watch as his eyes fall to his task, drinking in the sight of your skin as it’s revealed. With the article bunched at your feet, his right hand comes up, following the curve of your calf with his fingers, reaching the back of your knee and carefully guiding you to step out of them. It’s not until you’re pushing the clothing to the side with your feet that he leans forward, a soft-lipped kiss, just below your pantyline, where the top of your thigh meets your hips. Hazel eyes gaze upon yours as his mouth moves along your skin, down, down down…

His hand is once again at the back of your knee, guiding your leg into a bent position over his thigh to the outside of it, mirroring it with your other leg, before hands run up the back of your thighs, directing you into a gentle push down onto his lap. Instinctually, your arms delicately linger on his shoulders, fingers running over the short hairs at the back of his neck. Bradley’s hands are pacing up and down the sides of your thighs while his eyes memorize the contours of your face. 

“You know why I call you moon?” He whispers, lips mere inches from yours. 

“I’m sure you’re gonna tell me.” You tease as a hand pulls up to the front of his head, tracing his browline for a moment. His grip on you tightens as you both sit in the quiet. 

“The moon causes the waves of the ocean. Revolves around the earth and illuminates it in its darkest time. You are my moon. You make me restless, you surround me in my thoughts and actions. You’re my light when I need you. You’re my best friend, Moon.” The small smirk that was on your features has melted into one of stillness. The words ring like church bells over a town, signaling to everyone that hears it. Solidifies the truth you’re all too aware of now. He’s in love and you’re right here with him.

Hands are restless as they cup his face, pulling you to him again, kisses with such warmth and delicacy as you lean forward. Bradley happily leans back, making room for the two of you on the white comforter below him. Slowly, his hands sneak under your shirt, peeling it off of you, forcing you to break the kiss to get the cotton off of your body. You’re sitting upright in his lap, Bradley’s hands coming to your sides in a look that spells out his entire thought process. 

“God…” Fingers sliding over any section he can get to, “you’re stunning…” a shake of his head he’s quickly sitting up to attach his lips to your neck. When he moves you can feel the effect this has had on him, a smirk on your face as his teeth bring your skin into his mouth. A whine slips out of you, a groan in tandem from him. “Sweetheart, I don’t think you know what you’re doin’ to me when you sound like that.” It’s a complaint, but one you’re willing to field. His lips have dropped down to cross over your chest, stopping as he approaches the straps of your bra. Large hands double down on the grip on your waist, slowly pressing you into him, grinding onto his hardened cock, a moan entering the room. 

“Who taught you how to moan so pretty, baby?” There’s a lurch in your stomach as his hands roam and his lips move. Finally, you’re able to get a grip on his shirt, a weak effort to pull the cotton off him. 

When he finally pulls away for a second, you’re rapidly tugging his shirt from his pants. Bradley lets out a soft chuckle, making you giggle as well, smiling as you lean forward again, lips on his happily. Large hands trail up your back, pushing under the straps of your bra. He doesn’t move them away, simply playing with them for a moment, leaving you to pull away to look at him. 

You’re still sitting in his lap, looking down at him laid back against the bed. His hazel eyes meet yours, before a hand reaches up from your shoulder up to your face. “What are you thinking about?” He whispers, the back of his hand running over your cheek.

“I’m thinking about..” you take a shaky breath as he’s shifting his hips under you, feeling his erection fully now, “how stupid we’ve been until now.” Your hand runs down his chest, stopping at his abdomen. “What we could’ve been doing instead of dancing around the truth.” A smirk falls over his features, adjusting his shoulders before speaking. 

“Well, I know of something we could be doing right now…” He’s quick to slide his arms around your waist, quickly flipping you under him so that he’s hovered above. “Which includes my lips,” a kiss to your shoulder, another to your collarbone, “in all. the right. Places.” Careful hands sneak under your ribs, following the band of your bra. “I need you to sit up, pretty girl.” It’s a soft whisper, a direction you follow, allowing him to reach behind you and undo the strap of your bra. Pulling it from your shoulders, he’s tossing it to the side, hazel hues fixated on your exposed body. “You’re so fucking pretty, it’s unfair.” Sloppily, his lips begin to pepper wet spots over the tissue of your breasts, a sigh coming out of you as his tongue makes contact with your nipple. 

“Baby,” A whine, as he happily begins rolling the bud along his tongue, his other hand kneading and carefully teasing the other. You duck your head down to look at him, seeing that trademark grin as his lower lip just barely caresses your niple. 

“Yes, little lady?” The words aren’t even out of his mouth yet as his mouth attaches to the other nipple, similar treatment being given. 

“I love you. I do, I’m not just saying that,” His head pops back up to look you in the eye, hand cupping your face, “I’m so sorry I didn’t say it sooner. I just-” He’s cutting off you inevitable ramble, lips on yours in another passionate kiss before pulling away and looking in your eye. 

“I have the rest of my life to love you. And you, me. I’m not dwelling on the past, I want to focus on now. This room, with my beautiful girl, safe, sound. And importantly, alone.” A giggle leaves you as he teasingly bites at the skin on your chest, pulling away before his hands rake down along your body, resting on your thighs. “I’ve been thinking about this body ever since the beach.” He mumbles against you, kisses along the outer curve of your hips, “the way your skin shone, the laughs from your gorgeous lips, the tone of your muscles from all the hard work you’ve put in - god, you’re a damn piece of art, darlin’.” A whine comes from you as his lips move lower, making your skin blaze with heat. “What do you need, baby? Tell me, I wanna know.” 

“Bradley, touch me, please.” He can’t help the smirk on his face as his hands begin to tug your panties down. 

“Atta girl.” 

As the fabric comes down he lets his lips follow the trail, agonizingly slow, mustache making your skin shake with the sensation. With no barriers remaining, Bradley’s able to kiss along your navel, moving until his lips are just barely making contact with your lips. His facial hair was driving you up a wall paired with his hot breath. A soft kiss meets your center, making your breath hitch. He’s done with teasing - for now, as he takes a breath before his tongue meets with your body. Every anticipated moment that brought you to this one, simply faded with the way he’s painting your face red as your blood is running through your veins. Bradley is moving carefully, possibly overthinking each stroke of his tongue, but he doesn’t fail to make you grab at the sheets above your head, gasping when his nose meets your clit. It seems as though he’s well aware of this, starting his head side to side, tongue following his slow and tantalizing horizontal movements. 

He wins a louder sound out of you when he dips into your opening, even with how quick he is. A chuckle leaves him, making every part of his body that’s touching you vibrate, leaving a blissful sensation in its wake. Bradley has started to pick up the pace, making sure to keep every part of you engaged with his touch, leaving his hand to snake up to rest on your boob. It just rests there, warm, calm…there’s duality behind it. At any moment he could start to stimulate the area, keeping you on edge, while also just holding you. It makes your stomach twist further as he keeps his tongue engaged on you. As you’re getting closer, his free hand is lingering on your hip, putting your body back to the bed when your hips begin to buck. 

“B-Bradley,” a whine as you’re struggling to find the words, an attempt to warn him. 

He’s right where you want him, and you’re just barely teetering on the edge of release. Yet he doesn’t slow, in fact it’s the opposite, his other hand coming down to brace his forearm over your hip, his palm carefully pressing on your abdomen. A surge of pleasure breaks through you, a cry meeting his action. Your head pops up briefly as you grow closer, eyes meeting with the sight between your legs. Just witnessing him in action makes your toes curl, your head falling back. You’re starting into the crescendo he’s after, feeling your hips and legs beginning to rise from the bed, but he doubles down. Fingers are gripping onto your skin tight, bruising inevitable as he physically holds you down as an orgasm rips through you. Bradley makes sure that there’s no real mess left behind as you linger in your little oasis of pleasure. 

As your breathing evens out again, you’re expecting his head to pop back up, but when you open your eyes and look down, he’s still going. “Honey you don’t-”

“Shhh, quiet down.” He mumbles, still heavily honed into his task. You’re about to speak again when a moan comes from you instead as he gets a finger slowly pressed into you. 

“Roo-shit” A hand comes up to your forehead, fingers pulling into a fist as facial hair seemingly begins to torture your sensitive skin. “Baby-”

“I said, quiet.” He reminds, making you bite your lip, a low note leaves him. “Good girl.” A shudder runs through you as his tongue rolls over you once again, overworked as a cry leaves you. Bradley is enjoying himself too much to even think about stopping right now, as it takes you begging him for him to finally stop. He sits up on his knees, looking down at you, heavy breaths leaving him as he glosses his eyes over you. 

“Fuck, I knew you’d be pretty when you cum, but I seriously misunderestimated.” There’s a glistening on his face, his nose..it’s a beautiful sight to see. Overeager, his lips find yours again, a hum leaving him. “Do you taste yourself? See how good you taste? I can’t- I won’t ever get enough.”

“Shut up and fuck me, Bradley.” You whine, a laugh coming from him when he pulls away, looking you in the eye.

An eyebrow rises teasingly, looking at you as he starts undoing his belt. “Yes, ma’am.” His laughter makes you giggle, leaving both of you laughing and grinning as he’s sliding his bottoms off, kicking them to the edge of the bed. 

An arm comes up under you to help shift you up further on the bed, ensuring that there’s a pillow under your head. Your gaze fondly falls over him as you try to wrap your head around how you’d gotten so lucky. You’ve got someone who’s going out of his way for you, caring for you, wanting you this much. You keep him from fussing with it any further,

“Not what I’m worried about, right now.” You offer, seeing his face shift. 

“I- but the headboard is all wood I don’t wanna have you hit your pretty little head, sweetheart.” The thought is sweet, but the feeling coursing through you is screaming at him to get on with it. With his lips pressed to yours, he does, one of his arms slips under your bicep, hugging it as he begins to line up to you with his other hand guiding the way. Bradley pulls away to look you in the eye, soft words leaving him. “You can stop me. Any time.” He reassures you, leaving you to set a hand on his shoulder. 

“I know. I think there’s a really specific word I can use to let you know.” 

“I fuckin’ love you.” He breaks out into a hearty laugh, you following with a grin as his lips press to yours, teeth clashing with yours as you can’t wipe the smiles off of your faces. He’s humming as your lips finally make contact again despite being so close in proximity. Bradley carefully pushes himself into you, pulling his lips away, almost like he’s expecting you to speak. “You good?” It’s him that does instead, waiting for your okay. 

“I’m fantastic.” You grin at him, the same smile you’d fallen for weeks ago being shot back at you. His other arm tucks under yours, pulling you close as he begins to rock into you, his hand reaching up and holding the back of your head with such care. Each pivot of his hips drives him further into you, grunts projected into your ear as he’s hiding his face in your neck, little kisses under your ear. Whining as he introduces the movement, his sounds go straight to your core, knowing you’re doing this to him. 

Bradley’s taking his time, a soft grinding motion taking a hold, which throws your body into an overwhelmed state, pleasure building and building. Hands continue to mindlessly play with your hair as he begins whispering, “you’re taking me so well, sweet thing. I’m so proud of you.” Your jaw slacks as his bits of encouragement begin to get lost in the feeling flooding your body. “You’re just what I needed.” His pace begins to get a little faster, your bodies moving in a rhythm. He keeps this for a little longer before he pulls away. Your hand that had found the nape of his neck when he was close ends up retreating as he’s on his knees. 

He’s slowly pulled himself out as he begins to shift his weight. One knee pops off the bed, hands carefully shifting your leg under his so that he’s straddling your one leg, a careful hand guiding your other up and over his shoulder. As he’s picking it up from the mattress, soft kisses march up the inside of your leg, over your calf, up to your ankle just as he glides into you again. 

“You’re so fucking pretty. So fucking gorgeous.” As he starts into another stroke, the new position allows him to reach a spot he’d not been hitting before. So when he rocks deeper a louder sound comes from you, reaching to grab a hold of him wherever you could. God, it’s incredible. 

“Oh, did my baby girl like that?” Bradley lets another kiss make a home on your ankle, directing his body to reach your g-spot again, and again.

You’ve never felt so content, so at peace and purely euphoric before now. He’s got a steady pace, which begins to falter as you feel him twitch inside of you. The feeling pushes you closer, his voice ringing out. 

“Baby, I’m not long.. In or out.” His voice is strained, his grip on your leg tightening as his thrusts become sloppier. The tone drops lower when he speaks again. “In or out. Please, I’m gonna cum, baby, you-”

He’s hesitating so much, hips stifling as he waits for your response. “In? Does that sound good? Can I come in you, baby? I wanna come in you, please,” You’re too focused on how raw his voice sounds, how tight your core is as he speaks. “Moon.” He’s whining now, desperate for an answer. 

“I’m gonna - come with me. In me. In me.” Your nails are digging into the skin on his arm and curses go flying as his body seems to dissolve into itself as he releases into you, your second orgasm soon following. The release makes your entire body vibrate, desperate attempts for air coming in short gasps, a duet of sound coming from the both of you. 

Your leg falls from his shoulder as the two of you catch your breath, leaving Bradley to carefully pull out of you. A hand finds your thigh, carefully running across your skin, watching as your chest rises and falls. “My girl did so well.” His voice is low, not wanting to startle you in the quiet. “I’m so proud of you.” The brunette is happily pressing a kiss to your forehead, leaving you to open your eyes finally. 

His hair is everywhere, there’s sweat rolling over every muscle you can identify, leaving you to reach up and grip his arm. “Your girl?” You finally speak, your throat sore somewhat. 

“If you wanna be.” He’s finding a spot on the mattress next to you, slowly pulling you closer. You are more than eager to get his arms around you. His eyes seem to shine when you look at him, and you grin with ease. 

“I’d be stupid not to take you up on that, wouldn’t I?” 

———————————————— ✈︎

Opening the doors, you’re greeted with a familiar and welcome smell in the air. 

Saltwater. 

Except this wasn’t San Diego salt water. 

The water was the brightest teal blue you’d ever seen, and it went on for miles. The sight of it just makes your heart sing. As you look into the cabana behind you, your heart begins to sing an operetta as you see Bradley sitting up in the massive bed in the middle of the room. “I can’t believe it.” You sigh, turning to make your way to the edge of the bed. 

“I can’t believe that you look better than me in that shirt.” He groans, grabbing you by the waist, his Hawaiian shirt flowing at your sides at the movement. You’re dressed for a day on the shores of the Tropics, far away from the stress and inconveniences of the real world. A laugh leaves you as he’s guiding you to his lap, tickling you and leaving a giggle ringing out into the ocean air. 

“I’m serious! I can’t believe you and Maverick stole and flew a piece of shit and landed it with no landing gear.” You look up at him and he seems deep in contemplation before his eyes meet yours again. 

“To be fair… it was his idea. I just had this stunning woman waiting for me and I couldn’t possibly let her down.” A roll of your eyes, you watch him with a grin on your face. “So…”” 

“So…” You match his statement, looking up from your position with your head in his lap. An all too familiar smirk on his features as he thinks up the response.

“What do you have going on for the next two months?” A squeal leaves you when his arms are around your middle again, pulling you into the best vacation you’ve ever had. 

———————————————— ✈︎

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[valentine-writes]

Hello hello!!! I heard you were taking request so...

May I please have some HCs about how GR Freddy and the rest of the gang would be as S/Os? 👉👈

i could use a love of some kind

↳ ft. the glamrocks + sun/sunnydrop, and moon/moondrop

「 gn! reader, romantic relationship <3 」

author's note: the song iz just.... so sweet ^_^ i thought it would b nice 2 listen 2 while writing this, so i added it so u can listen while u read!!!! if u wanna!!!!! ty anon 4 tha fun req, and i apologize 4 not writing it sooner luv <3 also he/it moondrop my fav ever.....

GLAMROCK CHICA headcanons:

▸ she's your best friend before anything else. the minute she met you, she couldn't help but get attached

▸ ultra energetic whenever you're with her. your presence really refreshes her. can't help but be buzzed with energy when she's with you

▸ chica is beyond sappy. you two are an adorable duo, it's undeniable- but man do roxy and monty tease you so much. this does Not Stop chica at all

▸ enjoys being physically close. you don't even have to be actually touching- even like. sitting near her makes her happy

▸ adores you. chica is the best hype girl ever and will b ur cheerleader when u need it!!! gives you that extra bit of motivation when you need it.

▸ she may not be all that threatening, which is expected, since she's sweet as sugar and incredibly friendly- but swears she would throw hands for you.

▸ likes receiving gifts! even if it's something small and simple like a trinket, giving her something tells her you were thinking of her. small gestures like that mean the world to her

more hcs under the cut !!

GLAMROCK FREDDY headcanons:

▸ in my head, the healthiest relationships you could have are with chica and freddy. i think it's mainly because these two aren't so emotionally constipated- for lack of better term (´꒳｀;)

▸ so completely genuine and honest. willing to communicate when there's something wrong and is very gentle w/ u

▸ that being said, maybe he's just a little. tiny bit. protective. not incredibly or overwhelmingly, but definitely needs to know that you're doing well for his peace of mind.

▸ pays attention to you. remembers the little things you tell him about yourself. he especially likes hearing about what type of music you enjoy! if there's anyone who knows your music taste as well as you- it's him

▸ likes dancing with you!!! idk why i just feel like this is a thing. if you insist you can't dance- he'll try to teach you!!!! (he wants 2 spend more time with you so badly (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ) freddy's rly trying &lt;;/3)

▸ incredibly patient with you. if you're in emotional distress of some sort, always willing to comfort you first.

▸ secretly gets very nervous around you. he has this natural ability to have good conversational skills, doesn't have trouble getting along with others, and is generally likeable- he doubts ALL OF THAT around you. just a little. he seems to falter or get flustered very easily. freddy gets a little shy around u aw ^_^

ROXANNE WOLF headcanons:

▸ her insecurities can sometimes turn into jealousy- roxy just needs that extra bit of reassurance when it happens, she just wants to be good enough for you </3

▸ it's a little hard for her to let her pride down and actually express her emotions for you. her "i love you"s are often in the form of gestures and not verbal

▸ only ever really shows her soft side to you. it takes some time but she really does seem to melt around you. she's scared of being overly vulnerable with you- but give her time and you'll be the first person she opens up to when she needs some comfort

▸ WOOO SCARY ROBOT WOLF GF PRIVILEGES!!! if you ever feel in danger or uncomfortable in a situation, roxy 2 tha rescue!!!!! :] if someone's messing with you, they're gonna have to deal with her.

▸ she just thinks you're the cutest thing to ever be on the face of planet earth. likes watching your face light up when you tell her about things that you're passionate about- even likes how expressive you get when talking about things you despise. a good listener when you need one.

▸ compliments. so many. just casually. she wants to appreciate you like you appreciate her. she's a little bad at giving them at the start but give it time. they're from a place of sincerity.

▸ misses you very easily when you're not around. you could be gone for a day and the next time she sees you, she'll act like you've been away for decades.

MONTGOMERY GATOR headcanons:

▸ ough boy i write for this silly guy so so much. i am runnin outta monty juice but oh babey!!!! u two are just tha perf pair

▸ actually starting the relationship was the hardest part..... he's kind of emotionally guarded. slowly but surely he learns that he can trust you

▸ it might not be easy at the start- like, actually trying to get to know him. he's got some issues with anger and is very short tempered. little things throughout the day irritate him so much and he takes his anger out by thrashing his room and on people who don't deserve it.

▸ if he ever gets mean to you becuz of this anger tho?? oh man. he'll struggle through a million apologies just to make you feel better again. he wants to be nice 2 u, really. he's not bad. just a little troubled :(

▸ once he trusts you, you're one of the only people he's really soft for. you really just melt him into a sappy puddle. but also. still wants 2 b cool in ur eyes. so tries to hide it. (it does not work!!!!! he cannot hide how much he adores u)

▸ you get a million names and are always called them. like. always. so much so that like the entire pizzaplex probably thinks ur lil nickname from him is ur legal name. he likes recieving sweet little nicknames too :] however. he loves to hear your voice saying his name most.

▸ bonus: when talkin abt when u first saw each other, he's all like "it was love at first sight ;]" and ur like "...u looked like u wanted 2 kill me the first time we met." he recalls being absolutely head over heels. you recall how he stared intensely as you walked past, wondering what you had done to make him glare daggers ur way. (he remembers that heart eyes were practically forming under his shades. perhaps thats for him 2 know.)

SUNDROP headcanons:

▸ ok so he's fully and completely in love. his words, not mine. probably because that was one of the first things he said when meeting you. kidding! i think. but it's certainly no secret sunny liked you the minute you met. and how couldn't he?

▸ he tried so hard just to be friends with you. drew you a million drawings of you and him holding hands just to get the message across. guess it worked eventually!! and better than he thought it would <3

▸he puts so much effort into the relationship you two have- he secretly fears being replaced for someone better but shh its not the main reason he does all this- because he's never had this type of thing with anyone. he make sures to cherish you and give you all the attention and care you need. you will never go neglected by sun.

▸ you will however, have to be there for him too. he can get a little erratic and he needs someone to get him to calm down. offering him some patience and time is really all he asks for when he's being a little much.

▸ physically affectionate!!! so much!!!! he's not very shy about wanting a hug 24/7 or holding your hand- but if you aren't a very touchy person, he understands!! looming over your shoulder like a terrifying shadow works for him too. he just wants u there with him.

▸ knows every little detail about your likes and dislikes! keeps a list probably. just like. a t-chart with one side that says "good! fun!" and the other that says "ick! not enjoyed >:[ !!" stuff like favorite colour, genres of music you listen to, movies you love are there, yeah- but there's also like. specifics. incredibly niche details about yourself you've mentioned once or twice which he will keep and remember! the list was just for sun to keep track of what could be good conversation starters to talk to you when you two first met aw

▸ can get a little protective. again, he's a bit worried he's too much for you, or that you'll find someone better. he doesn't get jealous in a possessive sense but he def needs a bit of reassurance. he'd hate to be something replacable in your eyes. this is the first time someone has cared for him like this- losing you would hurt more than anything in the world.

MOONDROP headcanons:

▸ BASTARD WHO STICKS HIS COLD METAL HANDS ON THE BACK OF UR NECK. it's his way of showing affection. or bothering u. same thing when it comes to moon /hj

▸ i don't know how you managed. but hey congrats. you're stuck with it now! and moon fully intends to let you know that. clingy, yes- but not in the way sunny is. ok. kind of like how sun is. but more of the "looming-over-your-shoulder-like-a-terrifying-shadow" sense rather than the cuddles and handholding.

▸yes, when the lights are out, he will be following you around. he likes being in your presence. he doesn't undestand what draws him to you at first, but finds himself trailing your footsteps often. (this is. very anxiety inducing for you, who probably hadn't even talked to him at this point. like?? where are those weird bell noises coming from?? are those... eyes in the distance or- oh no wait it's gone in a blur wtf)

▸ though very reluctant to talk to anyone, you two somehow become close. it likes the fact you never really gave up on it- despite the fact it can be a bit offputting and unnerving.

▸ likes picking you up. greeting ritual where moon just kinda- hoists you into the air on sight. he decends down on his wire when he sees you enter and just. swoop.

"hi."

▸ will fight and kill and murder and bite and slaughter for you- just. your dynamic:

moon: why do you think i don’t like you? i do. i would kill for you. 

moon: ask me to kill for you. 

you: ...first of all, calm down-

^^THATZ U TWO. ITS CANON NOW. so like... yeah his chill is. very low. moon just tends to be very intense in every way possible and it shows. he's got the right intentions (for the most part) with all his fervour. he puts all that energy into showing you and letting you know you are loved and safe with him :] no one will hurt you. no one can.

[drabbles-mc]

Fic Rec Celebration!

In honor of @dreamlandcreations​‘ 300 follow celebration, I’m giving a shout-out to ten of my fave fics from other authors, as well as showing a love to a few faves from my own masterlist!

Fic recs are under the cut! xo

10 Recs From Other Authors:

Butterflies in Leather by @withmyteeth [Mayans MC x Reader] (I cried as I read it when she was publishing it, and I’m crying as I reread it now. The beauty and emotions in this story are unmatched.)

You Owe Me by @garbinge [Frank Castle x OC] (When I tell you I think about Frank and Ty on the daily it’s not an exaggeration)

Come What May by @lovebarefootblonde [Jax Teller x OC] (All the warm fuzzies and nostalgic high school feelings I get from this story. Don’t look at me, don’t touch me, I’m soft)

Of Life and Death by @awildcur [Coco Cruz x OC] (Coco and Soledad give me the softest feelings in the entire world I love them so much)

The Worst Flirt by @obsessedasusual [Juice Ortiz x Reader] (Every now and then I come across a fic that feels so authentically Juan Carlos, and this is it. This one right here.)

Last Rites by @ashlingnarcos [Horacio Carrillo x Reader] (It’s sad but I have never loved being in pain so much as when I was reading this)

Taking Damage by @narcolini [Güero x Reader] (I’ve never been so supportive of questionable decisions. I was a different person when I was reading this and I loved that for me.)

I Don’t Wanna Be Unfair by @passionatewrites [Jax Teller x OC] (The entire universe and cast of characters in this story has had me sucked in from the first chapter and it just keeps getting better.)

Passive Aggressive Notes by @yourwonkywriter [Nestor Oceteva x Reader] (Y’all don’t understand the crucial role this fic played in me falling in love with Nestor. Tbh all of her Nestor fics did that. But this one??? THIS ONE??? Peak Nestor experience.)

The Cage by @joannasteez [EZ Reyes x OC] (When I grow up I want to write descriptions as good as Jo’s. Also this story left me a whole mess.)

There are so many works from these writers, and also other writers in all these fandoms, but I think this is a decent little range of shout-outs. Love all these so much 💛

10 Recs From My Masterlist:

Good Things [EZ Reyes x Reader] When I set out to write this oneshot, I had something else in mind entirely but I’m obsessed with how it turned out. Sad Boy / Yearning hours for Ezekiel.

Self-Defense [EZ Reyes x Reader] You can pry this angst and meltdown out of my cold dead hands.

Fresh Ink [Juice Ortiz x Reader] Juice deserves to be in super sappy love and no one will ever be able to convince me otherwise.

State of Grace [David Hale x OC] A cop falling in love with the outlaw’s baby sister?? What could possibly go wrong?? (Spoiler alert: a lot)

If It’s Alright [Horacio Carrillo x Reader] Carrillo was made for the exes with feelings trope. Simply made for it.

Stick Around [Jax Teller x OC] These boys deserved a sister and I’m going to keep making them.

Like Father, Like Son [Creeper Vargas x Reader] The start of my Creeper Wolfpack AU. Love this family so friggin much.

Something For You [Nestor Oceteva x Reader] I have never written Nestor softer than this. The feelings I experienced writing this were just. So fuzzy.

Before You Go [Nestor Oceteva x Reader] This was just a short little something but I really liked the moment it captured. The man just deserves some love, that’s all.

Best Ex Ever [Coco Cruz x Reader] Just some chaos for the one and only Johnny Coco Cruz. I adore that man.

I tried to go through and pick some fics that I don’t usually take the time to shout-out. Some of my stuff that’s either older or went a little under the radar. 🖤

[always-andromeda]

Hey all, Meda here!!

I don’t want to make a habit out of pointing out the numbers and follower milestones too often because I know that’s just going to ruin my head and I don’t want that. But I just hit 200 followers and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone that follows me. I’ll leave sappy stuff for under the cut for anyone who cares to read it, but just as a general note, if you like, comment, and reblog my work, thank you so much!! I am so grateful for all of you little weirdos!! 🤎✨☺️

Now, hello, under the cut readers! I wanted to talk a little bit about myself. I’ve been writing in some capacity for almost eight years now. It’s been one of my biggest passions for as long as I can remember. Throughout my teenage years I was completely convinced that I would be a published author and was constantly writing basically every single day.

That all came to a peak when I decided to write a fiction novel for a project I was working on during my senior year of high school. For basically a whole year, that was the only writing project I worked on and it completely consumed me.

I graduated high school feeling burnt out creatively and I had actually come to really hate writing. So for two years I just didn’t write. I wrote songs and occasional bits of poetry and things for college but no bits of creative writing. It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve experienced yet, as that was one of my biggest outlets to express myself. And for a very long time, I simply didn’t have it.

I didn’t truly feel the fire for writing again until I watched The Batman in theater and started immersing myself in the Dano fandom on here. Paul will always mean so much to me because the roles he plays and his personality as a filmmaker reminded me of all of the wonderful parts of writing and storytelling that I used to love so much.

The biggest growth I went through, though, reminds me of this quote from Paul, “Putting yourself out there is important. Cause you have to hustle as well; we’ve gotta slut it up a little bit.”

I will always have a fondness for this community because it was other fanfic writers I followed that made me want to start posting my work. Seeing all of these other people actually sharing their stories and ideas with the internet inspired me to slut it up and just put my work out there, no matter what insecurities I have. And boy, am I ever so glad I did.

I am DELIGHTED that y’all seem to be enjoying everything, as evidenced by the growth I’ve experienced in the month since I’ve started posting. I’ve made so many new friends whom I adore and found a community of people who actually enjoy what I write. Truly, to my friends on here, the folks that message me after I post something, and folks who leave comments on posts, thank you. Thank you so much for giving me something so full of light and chaos and love.

I can only hope that as time goes on, I will continue to grow and get better as a writer and create things that make me happy but also make those of you who care enough to pay any amount of attention to me happy as well. Love all y’all and thank you so much!!!

[ushiluv]

Gambling and Babies 

soon to be father!bokuto x pregnant!reader 

gender reveal and gambling uncles (wc: 1475)

warnings 

none! pure fluff (except kuroo being a filthy capitalist)

note from the author 

i apologize if this is messy, i've never been to a baby shower before i just got the idea after watching a tik tok and felt like writing about it after baby fever hit me like a train. please let me know if i can improve anything about it <3 

“Are you sure everything is ready?”

Akaashi was beyond nervous. Planning a baby shower for his best friend’s first born child was not something he ever saw himself doing, but how could he have passed upon the opportunity after seeing how excited Bokuto was at the idea of having one?

Obviously, you and your dear husband had no idea about the whole event, at least not until a few days ago. Atsumu ringed you both up to tell you about Akaashi’s surprise and told you to clear out your schedule for that day. You hadn’t seen Bokuto that excited since the day he got married to you in front of his (old and current) volleyball team and direct family. Quite frankly, the whole idea was also a surprise to you- you did mention wanting to have one once or twice at the beginning of your pregnancy but you didn’t expect anyone to actually follow through with the idea.

“Yes, stop stressing. Bokuto and Y/N are on their way already.” Hinata tried his best to calm Akaashi down, but the dark haired man still couldn’t stop fidgeting with his fingers. He wanted everything to be perfect, literally.

He kept walking around the big garden, recounting the balloons and making sure the amount was the exact same for the blue and pink ones.

23, 24, 25… alright, 1, 2…

“IS THIS ALL FOR US?”

Bokuto’s loud voice turned everyone’s head toward you two. He started looking at the place with stars in his eyes- literally, while you greeted the people who were invited. Some congratulated you, some hugged you and others were inviting you to bet with them on the gender of the baby.

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.” you said with a smile on your face. You didn’t really care that much about the gender of the baby and neither did Bokuto; both of you were ready for any of the outcomes possible, you just wanted the baby to be healthy. And with how your pregnancy was going so far, that’s not something you were worried about.

After thanking a few more guests for coming, you were making your way to Bokuto who was chatting with Akaashi.

Bokuto was clenching Akaashi’s shirt, telling him something with the pouty voice he used on you when you told him no a few too many times. “... promise I won’t tell her.”

“For the last time, Bokuto-san, I will not tell you the gender of the baby. You’ll have to find out later.”

“Kou, baby, you’re not causing Keiji trouble, are you?”

Bokuto straightened his back up at the sound of your voice and ran to you, quickly wrapping his arm around your waist.

“No, babe we were just playing, I was actually thanking him for putting up everything together.” Bokuto gave you a small peck on the temple.

You moved to take Akaashi’s hand in yours, “Oh, yeah Keiji this really means a lot, thank you so much.”

“It’s really nothing,” he went back to fidgeting with his hands, “I’m just glad you guys like it.”

You chuckle at the sight of the little habit he’s had since your high school days, it felt kind of nostalgic to see a part of the old him. Akaashi has been with you and Bokuto since the beginning, he’s actually the one who helped your husband confess his little crush on you back in high school. Seeing how far you three have gone was enough to water your lower lash line.

“You okay?” Bokuto asked, “We’re gonna pop the balloon soon, do you want me-”

You cut him off, “I’m perfect.” You cupped his cheeks to bring your lips together in a kiss. “Let’s go see what gender our child is.”

Bokuto nooded took your hand in his and kissed the back of it, something he’s always loved doing.

“No matter the gender, they’re gonna turn out to be the greatest volleyball player in Japan- No! The whole world!”

“With you as their father, I don’t doubt it at all.”

Bokuto and you stood in front of the table full of gifts. You were glad that Akaashi only invited your closest friends because you weren’t sure how to act in front of a too big audience.

“Bet it’s a boy” Atsumu said with a few money bills in hand.

“And I’m telling you it’s a girl!” Meian replied.

Chatters among the small crowd regarding your unborn child’s gender started taking up place. Atsumu and Meian had unexpectedly started a whole debate.

“Will you two lower it down? They’re going to pop the balloon.” Sakusa said before rolling his eyes at the antics of his capitan and teammate.

“WAIT, THE CAMERA” a panicked Hinata sprinted across the garden with a small camera and tripod in hand. “Don’t start without the camera.”

Meian moved to help him set up the whole thing, hoping it would save everyone some time. “What were you doing all this time?”

Hinata didn’t say anything and looked behind his back where a smiling Kuroo with yen bills in his hands could be seen. He put the money in his front pocket and joined the rest of the group.

“Come on guys let’s not waste any more time.” he said, hoping to get the attention off of him for a second.

Hinata hit play on the camera and everything from there started rolling. Akaashi gave you and Bokuto the large black floating balloon, not before congratulating you too one last time.

Large needle in hands, you started noticing how much you were shaking. “You pop it or I pop it?” you asked your husband.

“You pop it, I’m too nervous.”

“As if I aren’t.” you mumbled under your breath. “Let’s do it together?”

Bokuto eagerly nodded before wrapping his free hand over yours, the other was holding the string, stopping the balloon from escaping the party. The gesture calmed you down a bit, it was like a little reminder that you were definitely not in this alone. He has always been with you and will always be, he had promised, after all, and Bokuto would rather die than break a promise he’s made to you.

He leaned down slightly to kiss your cheek. “Okay 1, 2...3”

At the count of three, blue papers exploded from the balloon, leaving you and Bokuto speechless for a second. Tears started blurring your vision when you felt your husband’s arm around you, jumping up and down, not being able to contain his excitement anymore. He gave you a loud kiss on the mouth before joining his friend group who were all yelling and screaming about some were right and others were wrong. You were, yourself, quickly surrounded by a few people who bragged about knowing it already because Mom’s sense, Oh no it was just easy to tell, Actually women pregnant with boys- you lost count of the explanation they came up with you. You were just really happy to know that you and Bokuto would be welcoming a little boy to the world in the next few months.

After the excitement being calmed down, you joined Bokuto who was still chatting with some of his teammates. You could hear some of them complain about the money they’ve lost and it made you giggle.

As soon as the whole celebration was over and after cleaning everything up, you Bokuto and Akaashi went for a car ride like the good old days (in Bokuto’s words).

“We’re adults now” Bokuto sighed as he rubbed your belly with one hand and stirred the wheel with the other.

You laughed at his sudden realization. “Did it take you a whole baby to figure that?”

“Yeah,” he said dreamily “I’m just really glad I get to experience this with you, you know?”

“Me too, wouldn't experience it with anyone else.” you took his hand from your belly in yours and kissed his knuckles. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Gosh you guys are as sappy as you were in high school.” Akaashi mumbled from the backseat.

You quickly turn around to give your good friend a small smack on the knee.

“It’s all your fault Akaashi!”

He laughed and leaned back in his seat, admiring the sunset that could be seen from his window. “Yeah, and I would do it again.”

bonus

“You said you knew the gender!” an angry Hinata was scolding Kuroo.

“I said I’m eighty-five percent sure of the gender, it’s just bad luck that it landed on the fifteen percent remaining!”

Hinata rubbed his face, trying to make the math in his head “Give me back my money at least.”

“Can’t do that.” Kuroo yawned, “That’s just how business works.” he pat Hinata’s head before walking away, leaving the small red head trying to figure out if he really got scammed or not.

[siflshonen]

Oh! Didn't know that Saiki K. is a Shounen. Aside that, what are your opinions on that anime? On another note, In terms of fan fiction, what are the fandoms that you actively read on? Do u have recommendations?

Saiki K:

Saiki K is a lot of things. Personally, my brain classifies it as slice of life/comedy FIRST AND FOREMOST but it is also technically a shonen (and yeah, it was published in Shonen Jump.) It’s simultaneously a lot like MP100 and yet also NOTHING like MP100.

In terms of the anime, I have a lot of fun with it! Honestly it’s super overwhelming on first watch because there is SO MUCH overlapping dialogue happening so fast that it’s tough to catch if you aren’t a super fast reader (sub) or are keen to absorb all that stimulus (dub) but I do enjoy it greatly as just something fun and funny and relatively easy to consume (speed of quips notwithstanding). Shun Kaido and his “eighth grade delusion” self in particular charms me as much as it makes me feel bad for him or embarrassed to have to witness him, but honestly the friendships he strikes up with with Aran (who is… likely my favorite. Because delinquent.) and Saiki in particular make me smile. Actually, over time, pretty much all the characters grew on me so even though Miss Ganguro transfer student is my favorite girl, I do also believe in Teruhashi supremacy at the same time. (…If it matters, I also believe Saiki himself is the king of all tsunderes since if he really didn’t like the people around him, he could simply make them cease to be OR change his life so that it wasn’t very particularly structured as a slice of life comedy manga/anime.)

Fanfiction list under the cut.

Fanfiction:

Ah. Well, this is tough… there are SO many good stories out there, Anon. But whatever fandoms I am writing for also tend to be what fandoms I am reading for. The exception seems to be that when I miss a character badly enough I will loop back and re-visit those fandoms, hahaha. Usually this means I revisit the Legend of Zelda recent submissions and scour it for non-Zelink and General content ha ha ha!

Right now, I’m mostly sticking to BNHA/MHA content because that is also what I am writing.

Generally I prefer things that are canon-compliant, canon-adjacent, or AUs that hold very closely to canon or painstakingly careful considerations to characterization… with a few exceptions (I am not quite as self-limiting with Bakudeku/Dekubaku content, though I’m still horribly picky about it.) My Ao3 bookmarks (and most of my Ao3 history, though I don’t curate it as well to junk the ones I clicked on and immediately backed out from) can also function as recommendations, but I’ll list a few favorite authors:

Chymerical (Gen and Bakudeku. I really appreciate Diamond Grind so much but Twice in a Lifetime makes me laugh the most. Absolutely incredible author.)

Kanthia (Legend of Zelda and Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z. Honestly, they’re a personal fandom hero to me and major inspiration. Recently published more post-Cell-Saga stuff that I absolutely ADORED.)

young_crone (A NSFW BKDK author. My favorite is One Day at a Time, the one where their air conditioner breaks and nothing actually happens besides both of them being total dumbasses about handling their day onwards, BUT everything they write is just beautiful. It doesn’t matter to me when they stray farther from their original characterizations because they are just THAT good at doing what they do!)

Seeress (BKDK. Many stories. A little, um, sweeter and more domestic than I usually favor for BKDK, but hey! They’re great! Some are hit-and-miss for me, but I have a special soft spot for Panacea and Let Me Assist You Personally.

MySecretFandomMoments (BKDK, KRBK, TDBKDK. Read Big Protien. Read it right now.)

SmartiMart (Bakudeku, EraserMic, Dadzawa content. By far the most relatively “sappy” author recommendation on this list, but there’s so much energy, real love, and joyful passion in all of their stories.)

Sour_Idealist (BKDK and General. I have a VERY high opinion of their work and wish I could be like them. My favorite is actually a fic that is a meeting between Todoroki Rei and Hawks called Hope That Soul is Changing. It’s fantastic.)

Pikahlua (yeah, like @pikahlua. Someone who writes detailed meta about a series usually brings the same insight and love of the canon material into their work.)

Rironomind (One Punch Man GenoSai and BKDK. Includes an experimental piece for BKDK that I… like I can’t tell you what happened and there’s no way to experience it and I ahsidoemeosoek anyway Colourless Saitama and his Years of Training as well as Mouth in the Door - which is an original work - are my favorites.)

Roadtripwithlucifer (BKDK. Despite several of these authors having a large proportion of NSFW in their works, I somehow want to say she’s the horniest of all my listed authors. Also plays the most fast and loose with most AU concepts, but like. There’s something comforting and very “fanfiction for fanfiction’s sake” about it that I just find super appealing. THAT SAID my favorite is Zero-Sum Game which is a completely and intentionally fucked up story but does earnestly take a lot of the core parts of the BKDK dynamic, crank them up to MAXIMUM VOLUME, and then perform surgery on them under a microscope in front of a live audience.)

Honestly? There are SO many more out there. I stuck to BNHA and BKDK authors predominantly because it’s where I’m at recent to you asking, but there’s always more…

[pwarkluv]

❝ what is love? - l.mk ❞

lee mark x reader | fluff | 2k words

WARNINGS | lowercase is intended, idol au, love at first sight au, 6thmemberofitzy!reader, shy!mark and shy!reader, fluff bc that’s what i’m best at LOL, another request :), just enjoy <3

REQUEST | “hii i read ur electric love fic w jisung and i really loved it :DD could you do the same for mark ? still as the 6th member of itzy ofc :D” - my lovely anon <3

SUMMARY | he wonders what is love, but finds the answer in you.

AUTHOR’S NOTE | inspired by the song “what is love” by twice (english lyrics by genius translations)! ANOTHER REQUEST HDSFKLDSJHF IM SO SO SO SO EXCITED! i wanted to change up the setting so it’s still 6th member itzy, but not in weekly idol :P ALSO this was inspired by when nct dream, itzy, and stray kids sat next to each each other in that one award show so yeah lolol. IM SO SORRY I LOST THE MESSAGE WHERE MY ANON ASKED FOR IT BUT I STILL WROTE IT FOR YOU! I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU, NEVER BE SHY TO DM ME ;)

what is love?

mark knew the general idea of it; the sappy moments movies show, the “butterflies in your stomach” feeling books portray, the pain and hardships songs make you feel. 

but he’s never been in love, at least not like this.

❝ how could it be as sweet as candy? ❞

training at such a young age molded mark into the perfect idol, and with that he was fully aware dating would look bad to the public. he accepted the fact that he might never find love, all to help achieve his dream. 

but as cheesy as it sounds, the canadian wished to be loved. 

yes he was loved by his members, his family, his friends, his fans; but the type of love he longed for was something none of them could give him. 

mark wanted to feel the sweetness of being in love, the giddiness you’d feel whenever you talk to them, the pounding of your heart whenever they’re near. he wanted to experience the overwhelming need to be with that person, like if they’re gone for too long it’s like you can’t breathe.

was being in love like making a song for the very first time? or was it like eating watermelon all the time?

so many questions with no answers, the boy left to wander in his own thoughts. 

❝ how it’s like flying in the sky? ❞

he smiled bittersweetly as the newly wed couple danced around in confetti, the sound of laughter and cheers resonating around the room. one of nct’s managers that had been with them since the beginning invited them to her wedding, to which the team obviously accepted. 

all 23 of them were happy for their noona who found her happy ending. mark could only watch in awe at the sight of the two lovebirds, the love and adoration for the other evident in the way they looked at each other.

his heart tugged a bit knowing he wanted something like that too. 

“being in love is like flying in the sky.” his manager explained to the boy as a makeup artist experimentally brushed strokes on her face. it was a couple hours before the ceremony when mark knocked on her hotel door, wanting to visit his favorite noona before she finally said ‘i do’. 

his question left his mouth before mark could fully register what he was about to say, the poor boy flushing a bit as the woman laughed at him. 

“are you in love mark? is that why you’re asking me how i knew i was in love?” she teased as mark stutterd, denying her accusation.

“n-no i swear!” he said as his manager continued laughing, the makeup artist having to pause a bit to let her get it all out. “i’m just curious.” mark said quietly trying to stop the heat from rushing up to his cheeks. 

“well being in love is a magical feeling.” the woman said, turning a bit serious. mark sat up straight as he listened intently. “when you realize you love someone, it can be a scary thing. love isn’t perfect mark, and i want you to know that. there are moments where you want to scream and rip your hair out, or cry to let it all out.”

the boy nodded in understanding, having a bit of knowledge from all the good breakup songs taylor swift writes about. 

“but it can also change your whole world.” she continued on. “it’s like seeing the world again for the very first time and the colors are more vibrant. it’s like having a permanent reason to be happy, and a reason to stay.” she explained as the mark sat quietly trying to comprehend it all. 

❝ i wanna know know know know, what is love? ❞

the poor boy’s head couldn’t wrap around the thought of you. 

his heart hammered in his chest as he secretly glanced at you, desperately trying to avoid suspicion from fans and his members. you were just too breathtaking, having the canadian looking back for more. 

the moment he first laid eyes on you, it was like an epiphany. you were the answer to all his questions.

so this is what it feels like, mark thinks to himself as he looks back on all the things he’s heard about love. 

the butterflies, the pounding of your heart, the “seeing the world in a whole new perspective”, mark felt everything and as much as he felt excited, he was scared.

as harmless as it sounds, award shows were a risky thing for idols. being surrounded by fans of different groups as well as said groups themselves always seemed to cause a bit of a stir between fans.

between dating rumors and rumors about beef between two idols, anything could happen.

but usually mark would be okay. he’s been doing this for a long time and knew how to behave.

however what he didn’t expect was to see you, the tiny rookie idol from the newly debuted girl group ‘itzy’. 

nct 127’s table was right next to yours which let mark have a clear view of your pretty eye smile as you laughed at something lia had whispered into your ear. your laugh was bubbly and contagious, the boy having to physically stop himself from wanting to laugh too. 

he was panicking, but mark couldn’t tell if it was in a good or bad way. 

❝ what does love feel like? ❞

your breath hitched as you saw the boy sneak glances at you from the corner of your eye.

the mark lee was looking at you, your heart racing as you tried to deny the fact that he was staring you down. there was no way the dude you’ve looked up to your entire trainee life is noticing you, no way at all.  

everyone has heard of mark lee even if you weren’t into kpop. he was just that iconic. 

you’ve been an nctzen since the very beginning, being there for nct u’s debut stage. in fact, nct was the very reason you decided to audition to become an idol in the first place. you looked up to the team but more importantly you looked up to a certain canadian in the group.

originally doyoung was your bias in nct when nct u first came out. but as the years passed by you found yourself more and more intrigued by mark, having him absolutely wreck your bias list.

since then you’ve been a loyal mark stan, even rapping his part in cherry bomb for your audition tape which ultimately led you to become an idol yourself. 

you refused to believe you were in love with the dude, not knowing a single thing about him. there was no way you could love him, not if you’ve never even met the boy.

but your heart seemed to prove you wrong as it beat wildly knowing mark was sitting right there on the table next to you. 

“you okay bubs?” lia asked in a worried tone, leaning in to whisper into your ear. she saw the way your leg bounced in a fast rhythm, knowing you only did that when you were nervous. 

you forced a smile as you hesitantly looked her way, knowing that she could take one look into your eyes and know you were lying. “i'm fine unnie, don’t worry about me.” you replied as sweetly as you could, wishing the elder wouldn’t notice a thing. 

though you two and yeji were the eldest in the group, all being born in the year 2000, you were the baby of the unnie line. lia and yeji knew you the best, having grown up with you after all. 

the girl only gave you a look before taking your hand in hers to give a soft squeeze. “i know you’re lying but i won’t push you. also mark lee from nct 127 is totally checking you out.” lia said, whispering a bit on the last part. she winked as you flushed, looking away in horror. 

-

johnny nudged the boy next to him with a small smirk, clearly seeing the heart eyes he was giving the girl in the table next to them. mark jumped a bit at the feeling, looking at his hyung with confusion.

“so y/n of itzy?” johnny said with a small smile as the younger immediately sat up straight. 

“is it that obvious?” mark whispered back with a hint of fear in his eyes.

if any of the fans were to get a hold of this… the boy could only shiver at the thought. 

johnny’s playful smile dropped a bit at mark’s worried look knowing how he must feel. they were idols after all.

“don’t worry, i only noticed because she was looking back at you too.” he said, mark flushing at the revelation.

“really?” he asked a little out of it. 

“i say talk to her after this?” the elder said, laughing a bit when mark jumped in his seat, immediately saying no. 

❝ will love come to me someday? ❞

“unnie why are you making me stay in the dressing room~” you whined as the end of the award show came along.

you just wanted to go home, your body worn out. not from all the dancing but from the way it viciously pounded in your chest whenever you ever thought about mark. 

lia only smirked in retaliation as she brought a hand up to squish your cheeks. “trust me, you’ll thank me later.” she said as she walked out of the dressing room, bumping into a 6 foot tall boy with a smaller boy behind him. 

“oops sorry.” she said a little playfully, as lia gave a wink to johnny knowing their plan was going accordingly. johnny only gave her a small smile, but if you looked closely you could see the mischief in his eyes. 

“hyung where are we going?” mark asked, a little weirded out by the two’s interaction. johnny only ignored the boy, dragging him by his arm as they walked down the hallway. 

“hyung i swear if this is a prank i’ll-” mark’s words were cut off as the two entered a door, only to see your confused face staring back at him. 

“oh shit.” he cursed under his breath, a little taken aback from how beautiful you were. one whole award show later and you were still as gorgeous as when he first saw you sitting down in the table next to his. 

your confused face quickly turned to an embarrassed one as you noticed the boy, turning another shade of red when you noticed he couldn’t take his eyes off of you.

“hi y/n, my name is johnny and this is my band mate mark.” the taller boy said, holding his hand out in a handshake. 

“h-hi i’m y/n.” you stuttered, not expecting to see the boy you’ve been daydreaming about for the past two hours to be right in front of you. 

mark gawked at the sight of you, his mind malfunctioning as the words seemed to get stuck at the tip of his tongue.

“markie right here has something he wants to ask you.” johnny said, pushing the younger in front of him with a grunt. 

this seemed to knock him right out of his trance, a hand coming up to the back of his neck as he stared down at the floor with pink cheeks.

“do you maybe wanna-”

“yes.” you blurted out, a hand covering your mouth in shock. “i-if you were gonna ask if i wanted to hang out sometime, the answer is yes.” you said a little shyly as the boy smiled. 

all this time mark thought he was gonna find love, but maybe love found him instead. 

“i’ll pick you up at 6 tomorrow evening.” mark said with a sweet smile as he took a step back only to be pushed back up again by johnny.

“you don’t even have her number you dumbass.” the elder scolded, disappointed at how dumb the boy was. 

your laughter caught both of the boy’s attention as you put your hand out with a small smile. “you want my number or nah?”

[ashotofeuphoria]

As I Hold You

Pairing: Firefighter! Jongho x Injured! Reader

Word Count: 3.4k

Warnings: character death (not member or reader), ANGST, car accident, blood, injury, fire, v brief description of a dead body, trauma, potential miscarriage (hinted at), let me know if i missed anything!

Authors Note: First fic! Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy!

You don't remember the impact. The sound of metal crushing, of horns blaring, and tires screeching. Everything just went black.

You had been out running errands all day with your younger brother, Gabriel. You needed to pick up some more supplies for your baby who was soon to arrive. Your first baby shower was scheduled for this upcoming weekend. While you knew that your family and friends would support you and buy you most everything you needed for your baby; you still wanted to buy cute outfits and toys in the anticipation of their arrival.

Your final stop was a new boutique that opened across town, and your younger brother was eager to chauffeur you. He knew that you were a little scared of what the future held and wanted to ease any stress he could, by doing little acts of service for you.

You were living with your family and would remain there throughout your first year of motherhood. You hadn't meant to become pregnant. In fact, you were rather scared of the idea of children and pregnancy. But accidents happen, as they tend to, and your (ex)boyfriend ended up knocking you up.

It was an amicable split when you broke up. You both knew it wouldn't last, and children don't fix broken relationships. He did agree to support you the best he can and you're thankful for that much. It's overwhelming honestly, having the amount of support from everyone that you do. One thing is for sure, this baby will be so loved.

Your brother walked you out to the car, all the bags in his hands, opened the door for you and helped you in. You were only about 4 months along, so you just barely had a visible bump on your small figure. But he held your hand and helped you step into the car regardless. He shut the door and ran around to the driver's side before opening the door and hopping in.

"Thank you for driving me today, buddy. I know you have other things you could be doing," you said as he started the car.

"You know I'd rather spend time with you than do anything else. All I do is read and listen to music in my room, it's not like I do all that much," he chuckled, finding it amusing how appreciative you are of a simple car ride.

"Yeah, alright," you smiled towards him, "Still I know you aren't required to help me out, so thank you. Love you, bubs."

"Love you too, y/n," he said as he glanced towards you with a soft smile.

The car pulled out of the parking lot with the GPS routed 20 minutes down the highway to the boutique. Gabriel took a left out of the neighborhood, and you asked him for the aux.

"Sure," he replied, keeping his eyes on the road but reaching for the cord to hand to you.

You began playing your K-pop playlist, something that's been getting you through the days recently. When you hit shuffle, Love Die Young by Eric Nam started playing. You started to harmonize with the chorus as Gabe pulled the car onto the highway.

"Not this sappy shit, y/n, really?" he giggled as he watched you dramatically act out the song, clutching at your heart as you sing, staring at him with a smile plastered on your face.

"His voice is so smooth I can't help it Gabe," you exclaimed in a sing-songy tone. "So, what do you think I'm gonna have? A boy or girl?" you ask him as the car hits the speed limit and he puts on cruise control.

"Honestly, I think it'll be a little girl. I hope it is at least. We gotta buy so many cute outfits today. I can't wait to help you take care of them. Whatever they may be," he laughed glancing over at you.

"I have this whole idea for their room, I want to do a taupe and mossy green color for the walls. And I think I want a lot of cute pictures of plants and different animals. Ya know, to keep it pretty but neutral, something that can age well with them," you explained to him as he steadily controls the car.

"I think it'll look perfect," he responded. "10 more minutes and we'll be there."

You nodded your head and looked out the window at the greenery. Ideas of outfits and nurseries swimming in your head. You closed your eyes, propped your arm up on the window, and leaned your head against your hand as the car drifted down the highway.

Your eyes jolted open when you suddenly hear Gabe go from a whisper to a shout "fuck, fuCK, FUCK Y/N HANG ON!"

A car had swerved and jumped the median and was driving directly towards you, mere meters away. Showing no signs of stopping, and Gabriel having no real way to swerve to avoid them, he threw an arm in front of you, and you brought your hands up to cover your face, your knees coming up on instinct to protect your belly.

And everything went black.

----

When you came to, the first thing you noticed was the smell. Metallic, and smoky, like something was burning. Then you felt a searing pain in your head. You struggled to open your eyes but when you did you couldn't believe what you were surrounded by. The airbags had deployed, but there was blood splattered across the car. You could tell smoke was rising out of the engine, but you couldn't see much else through the cracked windshield.

You look to your left and see Gabriel covered in blood, eyes closed. And you immediately feared the worst.

"Gabe! GABE!" you reached over to shake him, to hold onto his cheek and try and get him to face you. To open his eyes. To do anything. Your ears are ringing, and you can feel your eyes stinging when he won't respond. Your hands are desperately grabbing at his shirt, and hair, willing for him to wake up, for him to be okay.

"Gabe," your voice barely bubbling out of your throat as sobs begin to overtake your body. "Gabe, please, please, wake up. please, you can't, no, please, Gabe, bubs, you're okay, we're okay, please," the sobs wrack your body as you gasp for air between each word. Tears are streaming down your face and suddenly your focus is on your hands, and you see they're covered in blood.

You hold your hands in front of you and stare at them in horror when your vision redirects to your legs. You're crushed in the car. Your legs trapped under the dashboard. Your hearing is slowly coming back as you hear sirens somewhere in the distance, but from what direction you were unaware.

You remember a car had hit you head on when it crossed into your lane going well over the speed limit. As you glance out of the passenger window to see what happened to the other car (and if you're even still on the highway) you're met with a ghastly picture of your face in the side view mirror. Your forehead has been deeply cut, and blood is dripping thickly down your forehead and has mixed with the tears falling down your cheeks.

You cough when you begin to inhale smoke. Your vision blurring, your head falls back onto your headrest as you pass out.

----

As you come to, a faint knocking sound begins to grow louder, until you can hear a man yelling "Ma'am! Ma'am! Can you hear me! You gotta wake up! Ma'am!"

You cough the smoke out of your lungs, your head throbs from the movement and you wince in pain. You're brought back to the situation you've found yourself in and remember Gabe is next to you. You look over to him and the feelings become overwhelming again, as you stare at what you can only assume is his dead body.

As a sob erupts from your throat, you look out your window at the man who was calling for you, and are met with desperate, soft brown eyes staring at you through a helmet and face guard. He's a firefighter dressed in full gear. He yells something to you, trying to overpower the other noises happening on the busy highway but you can't connect the sounds with words in your brain. You can only stare at him in confusion, tears falling faster down your cheeks, your breathing uneven.

You see him reach for the handle of the car door and try and open it mumbling a quick "fuck!" in frustration. You're trapped in this car, and he needs to find a way to get both of you out before the whole car goes up in flames.

"Get the jaws! The doors are jammed!" He yells at the team of firefighters surrounding the car and the truck.

He looks back down to you and says as clearly and reassuringly as he can, "Hey, it's okay. It'll be okay, we're gonna get you out of there, okay?"

You begin to nod your head in response when a knock is heard at your brother's window. You whip your head around and see stars for a moment. When your sight clears you see a taller man in uniform shouting to your brother, who isn't responding. Your voice is small and cracks as you try and tell the man outside "he can't, he's not-" and you feel your chest become tight once more.

You hear the man at your window begin talking to you.

"Ma'am, please try and stay still. We must make sure your head is okay. Alright? Please don't move too much. Can you do that for me?" he politely asks you, empathizing with your situation.

You meekly nod your head. Your eyes are stinging. You don't know if it's the smoke or the tears, but it's probably both. As you focus on the man in front of you, you hear the man near your brother begin yelling at his team about the window and needing to check Gabriel's vitals. The man in front of you can tell you're not paying attention, so he speaks up.

"Yunho is going to break the glass to check the man next to you, okay? Just look at me, don't look away from me, okay? My name's Jongho. Just look at me, okay? What's your name?" Jongho asks you to keep you preoccupied and focused on him.

"Y/N," you try and get out of your throat. It's so dry and scratchy your voice isn't much higher than a whisper.

"Okay, y/n. Listen to me, you'll be okay. I'm going to get you out, okay? Who is that in the car with you?"

"M-my brother, Gabe, but he, I-I don't thin-nk," you choke out as you stare at Jongho, unable to say the words. That Gabe is dead. But you don't want him to be. You don't want it to be true. You look down at your door, suddenly feeling very claustrophobic, unable to breathe. You hear glass shatter. As you begin to turn your head, Jongho raises his voice, keeping your focus on him.

"Your brother? Yunho is going to check on him and make sure everything is okay." you hear him say.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" Yunho calls out from the driver window. "Try not to breathe the smoke in, Jongho is gonna break your window to get to you, I'm going to take your brothers vitals and make sure he's doing okay. We're going to get you out of here as quickly as possible, okay?"

You glance towards him and nod your head, finding your eyes drawn to the way he checks for a pulse on Gabe, his slender fingers dancing on his throat, his wrist, anywhere he could find a heartbeat. And seeing the increasing worry on Yunho's face does nothing to reassure you. You see his eyes widen, and yours follow. He leans back and yells over to the team, "There's a pulse. It's faint, we need to get him airlifted asap! San, I need you over here!"

While you're fixated on Gabe's pale and limp figure, you hear glass shatter next to you followed by a warm hand turning your cheek towards him. You involuntarily gasp and sputter at the influx of fresh air.

"Deep breaths for me, Y/n. Please look at me." he gently demands. You look into his eyes as he shines a flashlight above them checking your pupils. He can see how bloodshot your eyes are from crying, and he glances over at your brother, then back at you. "Hey, it'll be okay, we're here now. Just look at me, don't look at him. You're okay. Everyone is here to protect you." he rushes out.

His hand rests under your chin as he uses two callused fingers to check your pulse. Then he gently tilts your head to each side to inspect the gash on your forehead as quickly as possible. He glances down your body to check your arms, and torso seeing they're mainly just bruised, when his eyes land on your bump.

His eyes widen as he asks you urgently, "Y/n are you expecting? Are you carrying a child?"

You hadn't even thought about your child. You had been so distraught over your brother; you didn't even consider the health or wellbeing of your unborn baby. Your heart rate rapidly increases as panic begins to set in.

"y-yes I am, I'm 4 months. I-I'm, do you think, are they? god please don't tell me-" you start blubbering as all the possibilities begin to tumble through your head.

Before he can reassure you, he checks down the rest of your body and sees your legs are trapped under the dashboard. And that even when the door is off you won't be able to get yourself out of the car. Jongho defaults to reassurance as he really can't even begin to answer the questions you're asking him, "I-it's okay. Everything is okay. Let's get you out of this car."

Smoke is becoming thicker around the front of the car, and you watch as it blows around Jongho's figure, flooding out the highway from where you sit. Tensions are growing higher as the crew knows there isn't much longer before the car is gone. Four men are teamed together and grab the Jaws of Life from the truck as they begin walking toward your car. Setting up on your brothers side you begin to hear metal cracking and snapping as the four men work to pry the car open with the heavy machinery. You're itching in your skin wishing to jump up and run now that you're trapped, and Jongho can tell. He has his hand braced at the back of your neck, keeping it steady, as you once again begin to panic; he rubs circles on your arm, and pushes your hair back from your sticky forehead and out of your eyes.

You can hear the Jaws stop and in the reflection of the side view mirror you can see Gabe's lifeless body being pulled from the car, his body pale and bright red from blood, blue and purple littering his figure. He's placed on a gurney and run towards the truck where someone begins CPR.

You redirect your eyes to meet Jongho's, whose eyes are looking deeply at you searching for any sign of pain or discomfort, any sudden changes in your condition. "Is he going to be okay? He has to be okay. Please tell me they can fix him." you plead with Jongho, who looks at you with nothing but the heaviest of hearts.

"We're going to do our best. I promise you we will do everything we can. But right now, we need to get you out of here too." he explains. "I'm going to go bring the Jaws over this way and we are going to get you two out of here," he asserts, gesturing at your bump. "I need you to stay still just like you have been, okay? You're doing so great. Keep your arms as close to your body as you can, and don't look at the window in case anything splinters. Do you understand me?" he asks you.

"Please don't leave me. P-please don't, don't go. Please stay." you sob as you realize you'll be left alone in your wrecked car.

"I'll be right here. Remember stay still and close your eyes." he reminds you as he drops his hands from you and gives his team room to operate on the car door.

You sob quietly to yourself. You can't believe this is happening. How Gabe could be here one second and now he's gone. The image of his pale bloody face is burned into the back of your eyelids as you squeeze them tightly shut. You hear the metal of the car frame crunching and cracking once again, as all four men yell commands and directions at each other. Your sobs are uncontrollable as you wish it had been you and not your brother. You wish with all your heart that you could've taken his place.

The door hits the asphalt and almost instantly you hear Jongho next to you, "It's okay. I'm here. I'm right here. I never left." He notices how black the smoke has gotten and decides to check your legs to see if he can carry you out before the rest of the car is disassembled.

"Can you feel your legs?" he urgently asks you.

You nod your head as you cough so hard that you gag.

"shit-" Jongho mumbles under his breath, looking all over your figure and the car, knowing he must move now or never. With his mind moving a million miles a second, he makes the decision that your legs are likely not broken and brings out a blade from his pocket to saw your seat belt off you. You watch as the sweat beads down his forehead and across his dimpled cheeks as he grits his teeth.

Jongho puts his arms under yours, pulling you into his chest, getting your upper body mostly out of the car. When your legs are more visible, he puts one arm under your back and the other under your knees and lifts. You slide out from under the dashboard and with your neck cradled by his bicep and forearm he jogs you away from the car towards the firetruck. He gets five strides in when you hear the explosion. You peek past his arm to see your car engulfed in flames. You can feel the heat on your face, and the sound has left your ears ringing once more.

The team must've anticipated the event as hoses immediately start spraying to drown the car fire. Jongho gets behind the firetruck away from the fire and sets you down making sure you are stable, with no further injuries from his manhandling. He gently places a hand on your bump and hopes against everything that this baby is okay. Just as he's about to stand to find his captain and report your status he feels your hands fist into his uniform jacket holding onto him.

"please don't leave me. please don't leave. d-don't go." you hiccup as you stare pleadingly up at him. With the way you're gripping onto him, he knows there's no way he can walk away from you right now. Instead, he stands up and grabs a clean towel from just inside the truck and begins to tenderly wipe the blood and tears off your face, avoiding the gash on your forehead.

He doesn't have the heart to tell you that Gabe didn't make it, his body covered with a sheet on the other side of the truck. He also doesn't know how to explain that if Gabe hadn't reached over to protect you, he might've been in less critical condition. That he died protecting you. So, for now he wipes away the grime; and, after seeing you shaking, unbuttons his thick uniform jacket so he can hug you; until the paramedics arrive and will inevitably pull you away from him. You don't hesitate to wrap your small arms around his waist, and he holds you, pressing your head against his chest where you can hear his steady heartbeat.

"It's okay, y/n, it's going to be okay. You're okay. I'm here. I've got you." he repeats it like a mantra, over and over, convincing he thinks, both you and himself.