#scared can i barks with strangers??

[mewhenifreakit]

have been convinced to get a dating app

[randomtheidiot]

I love the fact that I can just bring my dogs places and they’ll sit there quietly and behave themselves. Doesn’t matter where they are or what’s going on, they’re polite and courteous as long as they’re on a leash. Even when I let them offleash, they’re good with recall, they stay within my line of sight and I pretty much never have to worry about them causing trouble.

[wander-wren]

(tw animal abuse)

today is mr theo’s gotcha day……one year difference

this is the sweetest little guy in the world, i love him to bits. boy gained 50 lbs in a year 🥺 and he’s so loud now. so many Things to Say!

[littleapplle]

bad dog!

mating season's part two. not necessary but read it for more context. nsfw. 4.1k w.

cw.: hybrid!caleb, fem!reader, masturbation (m), dry humping, caleb is pathetic and anxious asf, a lot of spit, handjob, cunnilingus (sigh...), p in v, big d caleb, knotting, breeding kink, pregnancy kink (sorryy..), caleb is PATHETIC (again), biting and lwk marking kink, doggy style, mating press, squirting.

note: ah!! its finally out! to everyone who liked and asked for a part two of mating season, im sorry! i took so long to start and finish this. i hope i can keep up with the expectations and that this is just as enjoyable as part one.

“bad dog!”

Is what caleb's got most used to hearing in the past few days.

“caleb, do you know where my white bra is- hey, what are you hiding in there? bad dog!”

“caleb! stop going through the dirty laundry basket! bad dog!”

“caleb, why are there holes in my black panties? oh my god did you chew them again?- ugh! bad dog!”

the first few times, he'd whine in guilt and shame, give you his best puppy eyes and maybe, just maybe, get away with it. but now? you're afraid he's getting bolder, that your punishments – denying him his weekly spoon of peanut butter and his blueberry bites – aren't being enough to keep him on his tracks. 

and what's the solution for a puppy with bad manners? a trainer, of course! you've searched everywhere online for a hybrid trainer close to your apartment and nothing was worth wasting time on. most of them were men, which you knew wouldn't end well.

puppy!caleb is friendly, a sweetheart around you. he lies on his back and whines for belly rubs and when you scratch a particular spot on his side, his leg twitches a little. your sweet pup is lovely but you know him well enough to know it's better to avoid interactions with other men.

it's not personal! he isn't scared of them or anything. he just doesn't like them around you:( so why would you bring a stranger to your shared apartment to not only try and order him around but also infect the air, which usually smells like you, with their yucky scent? that's a nono!! caleb is a good pup but his teeth are still huge and sharp!!!

with no other options left, you return to scolding caleb almost daily for his misbehavior.  sure, you’re letting him get away with it sometimes and maybe you're too soft on him but you're trying!

his behavior worsens with time. it's been a little more than a  week since the incident you'd rather not mention. caleb barks when you get home, showing his teeth to the world once his nose sniffs a different scent in your clothes. caleb growls and both of you play tug of war with your clothes every morning. caleb hides stuff around the apartment and you're running out of undies.

he's clingy. you love him but he's constantly clinging to you, sniffing every inch of your skin when he thinks you're not looking. When you sit down on the couch to work, laptop resting on top of your thighs, he lies down on the floor, waiting for you to invite him to sit beside you and take a nap while you write reports, and when you don't? his sharp teeth nip at the ticklish skin of your foot. bad dog!

to his dismay, you still have a job and need to go out by the morning and spend the whole day out. the baby teethers you bought for him aren’t helping to keep his teeth and mind busy anymore and caleb is starting to destroy the shit out of your apartment. you’ve found bite marks everywhere this past week. your mascara? bitten. the corner of your bedside table? destroyed. the cute and pink silicone spatula in your kitchen? disintegrated.

ok, sure, it’s kind of your fault for not educating him properly but how could you? poor boy gets anxious when you’re not around and his gums are itchy! he’s innocent! 

so, to help with said problem, you bought him a friend! a fluffy, cute, white bunny plushie with the cutest light pink heart for a nose. but that alone was too tedious for your bored pup! to prevent him from absolutely destroying the plushie, you spray some of your perfume in its fluffy body. the cologne he whines and buries his face in your neck when you wear, the one that made you put a lock on the cabinet under your bathroom sink because he kept spraying it in the air when you weren’t home.

great idea! he loves it. a bit too much maybe, but it’s a win. 

“i’m leaving, caleb! leftovers are in the fridge. yes, i love you, yes, i have to go, no i can’t call in sick.”

you announce loudly from the front door before shutting it close, a tactic you quickly learned. you sneak to the front door quietly, tell him that you’re out and boom. door locked. sometimes you can hear him whine and paw at the knob and it breaks your heart but your boss will chop your head off if you arrive late one more time this month. you try to make your goodbye as painless as possible for him, like removing a bandaid with a single quick pull so he doesn’t have the time to process the sting.

the clock hits 11:00, it’s been an hour since you left. caleb is miserably sprawled on the couch, he tries to focus his eyes on the show playing on the tv but his purple orbs stare at the clock more times than he can count.

it’s 18:00 by the time he gets frustrated and decides he’ll take a nap in your bed. everything on the tv is too boring if you’re not there to watch it with him, he doesn’t want to eat if you’re not there to treat him with dessert- oh, he misses you dearly.

opening the door of your room, he sighs like a wife that has been waiting six months for her husband, who left to save their country, to answer her last letter, whining dramatically at the hopeful thought you’d magically come home earlier. the mattress sinks down with his weight, curling under your weighted blanket like a puppy.

and that’s when he sees it.

his new little friend, with a light orange bow tied around its neck, sitting beside his head on the pillows. you’ve definitely sprayed your perfume on it this morning, the scent is still too fresh, he notes. 

he yanks it closer quickly, big hand and fingers gripping the fabric with force as he buries it in his face. comfort immediately runs through his veins, filling his bored brain with a sense of calmness. his fluffy ears twitch, glueing to the sides of his head pitifully and there’s a barely visible tail wagging slowly under the thick blanket.

caleb takes a whiff, a second one, a third one, and his eyes start to water. this is inhumane! he cherishes your gift dearly but now the scent just makes him miss you even more. rubbing his face closer to the plushie’s tummy, his canine teeth sink on the fabric as gently as he can, trying not to damage the toy you gifted him with so much love.

his little puppy heart shatters. if you were by his side right now, you’d pet his ears, pinch his cheek just enough to make his canines visible and giggle at him and it’d make him feel better! 

his hips buckle against the mattress as he squirms around the bed sadly and a shiver runs up his spine, making the fur on his tail stand up. caleb has been so pent up since he pressed you to the floor and had his way around you, his cock is always sensitive, the scratches you give behind his ear make his lower stomach tighten with arousal and his pupils are always blown.

gross stuff is a nono in your bed but his hands paw at his hardening cock through his boxers anyway. It’s not in his hand he wants to come and the feeling of not having what he wants makes his chest heavy with frustration. With a hiss, his hand leaves his cock, like any touch burns and hurts him more than it helps. 

‘caleb- no. i need you to calm down before i give you the spoon. breathe.’ is what you tell him after lunch, when he gets to have some peanut butter. the situation is different, he feels like a bomb, ticking closer and closer to exploding but he obeys your voice in his head anyway, breathing nervously against the now covered in saliva bunny.

a long breath makes his eyes roll to the back of his skull as his hypersensitive nose catches a glimpse of the intoxicating sweet smell of your cologne. 

and what happens next is not processed by his pathetic brain. the poor plushie is dragged down the blanket and pressed right to his crotch, its fur sticky with precum that seeped through his boxers. this is what you wanted when you gifted him this thing, huh? a ragdoll for him to fuck when you’re away? well it’s not enough!

his hips rut against the bead filled body with messy thrusts and more whines escape his lips. He can’t come. Not in this, not in his hand, his knot will take too long to go down and he’ll be sensitive, too sensitive. it has to be you. he wants you.

caleb is not there to see the clock tick 18:40, his ears don't help him this time, his nose is buried in your pillow too deeply to catch your slightly sweaty scent in the air and tell that you’re home. 

from the front door, you arch a brow as you kick your shoes off and place them on the shoe hack. the apartment is quiet, too quiet. caleb is like a child, you’ve noticed, if everything is too silent, something is wrong. 

“caleb? where are you, boy? have you eaten anything yet?” you call out, no one answers.

the door of your bedroom is ajar. is he sleeping? cute. you walk carefully to its direction, tiptoeing in hope to not wake him up. and once you peek inside, your smile falters.

“caleb! gross!”

the shriek makes him snap out of his drunk, dumbed down mind and his eyes almost pop out of his skull. his ears, once hidden on both sides of his head, stand on top of it, tense. “you-” he cries and sits up.

you don’t give time to finish his sentence, a frown blooming in your face as you cross your arms close to your chest by the door. 

“seriously caleb?! in my bed? i just changed the sheets this morning, for fuck’s sake-” and listen, he wants to apologize, feel guilty and pout but he can’t. he can hear your breath hitching, he loves when you come home with sweat clinging to your skin, fuck, you smell so good. he wants a taste. this time, he’ll get it.

this time, he begs. he crawls to the edge of your bed, tail wagging behind him mindlessly and the words that leave his mouth are pathetic.

“please- r’lly need your help! feels so hot- please i- i really need you! been waiting for so long, ah, please- i’m a good boy, kept my teeth to myself, promise. oh fuck.” your ears can barely catch up to everything he’s saying, his words are dragged, desperate, needy.

you really want to keep up with the ‘i’m mad at you’ act but you break. his whines go right to your core, arousal pooling on your underwear disgustingly fast. pinching your nose, you sigh, walking to his direction and sitting on the bed.

with the space between you two getting smaller, his tail wags faster, his pupils blown wide, shaky. your hand makes contact with his sweaty cheek and he is quick to lean in, shutting his eyes close and basking into your touch. “what’s wrong, pupp-” — “hot.” you can hear the distress in his voice. “it’s okay, i’m here now, aren’t i?” at the reassurance, you receive a lick in your hand as acknowledgement.

scooting closer, you cradle his face with both hands. there’s a bit of sweat clinging to his bangs , making them stick to his forehead, a bit of saliva is smeared on his lips and his brows are furrowed. “oh, my poor pup.” you coo in pity before pressing a kiss to his wet lips. he whines, kissing— well, licking your lips stupid—, you groan at the mess but doesn’t fight against it, you’ve been mean enough already.

while his clammy hands grip your shirt for a sense of grounding, yours scratch his chest in affection, tracing down to the happy trail that trailed up to his bellybutton. you’d love to take your time with him, let your mind settle, but knowing caleb, he’ll grow frustrated and bark weakly as a way to protest. so, in order to keep him quiet, your wandering hand pulls down his wet underwear, his cock standing proud against his stomach.

your eyes almost pop out their sockets once you peek down. he is big, much bigger than whatever the average is. his tip is an angry shade of red, beads of precum leaking down the shaft. the cool air makes it twitch. 

slowly, awkwardly, your hand wraps itself around it, working up and down. that makes him snap, breaking the kiss and throwing his head back with a loud whine. “‘s that good, pup?” he doesn’t answer, how could he? not when your thumb presses on his tip in a way it makes his thighs shake and his ears twitch with pleasure and he’s trying so hard not to come. 

your other hand leaves his face, going south to cup his balls gently. his jaw tightens. gross. you think with a smile but leans in anyway, kissing his adam’s apple as it bobs with his nervous gulps.

the stimulation is too much for him, making his brain go fuzzy. your lips now working on his shoulder blade, your hand gripping his length tightly, your other hand massaging his balls- “stop! argh- please, ‘m gonna cum! can’t cum. needa be inside you, please.” caleb squeals, both hands holding down your arms with force as his hips buckle in your hands.

so you do, you let go, just staring at him with big eyes as his chest goes up and down quickly and his face flushes with heat. once he settles from his high, caleb’s hands grip the hem of your shirt, taking it off quickly and messing your hair. “ow! caleb-” — “no.”

caleb has always been stronger than you, you lose against him when roughhousing, you give up on trying to save your clothes from his teeth because once something is in his grasp, you’re not getting it back. in a second, you’re under him, face shoved into one of your pillows while your ass, covered in the pretty, black skirt you left to work with is up in the air.

he doesn’t take the skirt off, too irritated to care about something so trivial. he takes a second to sniff your crotch, covered by a cute pair of wet lilac panties, before yanking the fabric down to your bent knees. you squeal against your pillow at the roughness and the quick, hot sniffs on your lips.

last week caleb discovered he loves the way you taste, he’d love to eat you out the whole night, starting now, but he just can’t take this long right now. his warm tongue laps at your arousal, lips wrapping themselves in your folds and sucking gently.

“c-caleb! fuck! good- good boy, keep going, baby.” muffled whines escape your lips and at the praise, caleb’s tail wags faster, tongue working around your clit, teasing it. he sees the way your knees fight to keep your ass up and not buckle weakly, that’s his sign to keep going. 

his free hands grip your ass, spreading it for more easy access. he trails kisses from your clit and up to your slit, continuing going up till he gets to your asshole, placing an open mouthed kiss to the hole. it twitches, your body shivering at the unexpected contact. you hit the pillow you’re currently biting in protest. “gross, caleb!”

it doesn’t take long for your moans to grow louder and your thighs, dripping with sweat, shake violently as he sucks on your clit harshly. “fu-ck! yes! good boy, caleb- mghhh- jus’ like, ah, that!” you moan, creaming on his mouth tiredly.

you curse his stamina, because once you think you’ll finally be able to catch your breath and rest, caleb’s already rutting against your wet folds and slapping his dick on your sensitive bundle of nerves. energetic mutt, you curse. he is not giving you a break.

“caleb.” you warn, trying to make your voice as steady as possible. “gimme a break and then we can conti- aaH! oh my god- fucking mutt!” you scream, cursing him for the pain between your legs as he buries himself inside you in a single thrust. his tip kissing your cervix and walls tightening around his length painfully. 

“s-sorry! o-oh fuck. fuck, y’er so tight- mgh-” 

and ohhhh fuck, he waited so long for this. you look so pretty from this angle, hair tangled and messy, face buried in a pillow, back and thighs sweaty while your knees can barely hold up your weight. he gulps down, trying not to piston his hips inside you just yet. 

he doesn’t give you much time to get comfortable before snapping his hips against your ass, the sound of skin against skin disgustingly lewd. his torso bends down to bury his face in your nape, breathing deeply in your hair once he does. “mine. oh- ahh- yes, mineminemine!” caleb whimpers, his eyes rolling back as you clench down around him, making his thrusts messier. 

as a response to pleasure, his fluffy ears twitch and drop to the back of his head once again. his tail doesn’t stop wagging ever, swishing behind him happily. the warmth in his stomach grows at the sound of your moans and screams, your curses only making him hornier.

you’re a meanie, you don’t let him chew on your shirts and get a whiff of your bras, you nag at him and hide the small container with blueberries that’s usually in the fridge when he does something wrong. and usually, he’d whine, eyes getting watery at the thought of you being mad at him, but now? he doesn’t even care! you look so pretty, you feel so good. his ears barely get a glimpse of you cursing all his next generations.

a shiver runs down your spine once he licks the back of your neck, sniffing it contently as his cock abuses your insides. you hate him, you fucking hate this mutt, he is disgusting and he does not obey and his cock drags along your walls so fucking nicely. his mushroom tip pokes your cervix roughly, making you stupidly drool in your sheets while your things dig on the bedding. 

“y’smell so good- y’er so tight- feel so- ngh- good! mine, right? don’t like other men around you! noooongh”  – “w-wait! caleb! aah!” something in his mind upsetted him because the way he thrusts into your cunt is inhumane, caleb’s bigger frame presses you down on the mattress, the hair of his happy trail tickling your lower back as his skin slaps on yours. 

you’re a mess, pussy drooling pathetically and stretched to her limit around him, juices spilling down your thighs and the mattress everytime he fucks his cock inside you. and when you’re sure you’re getting used to him, of fucking course caleb has to start talking again. “need to mark you, everyone need’ta know y’er mine, just mine. that’s my cock you’re clenching around. needa bite you, yeah.” 

and he keeps up with his words, his loving, ticklish licks to the back of your neck turning into a sharp pain. you scream, squirming under him and one of your hands tries to slap whatever bit of his skin you can reach but it’s worthless. once caleb sets his mind into something, you’re definitely not the one that’s able to stop him with physical force. with a hand tightly around your waist and the other keeping your neck in place, his canine teeth sink down on your nape, biting down just enough to make the skin irritated and leave a scar for a few weeks.

and when you feel like you’re getting closer, his hips stop, his cock slips out of you and a strangled whine leaves your wet lips as he manhandles you, flipping you on your back. “you!-” annoying! you’re so annoying! bad dog!, you want to shout. “s-sorry. need to see your face.” he hisses as his eyes wander down at your breasts. “you’re so pretty, ahhh, so pretty. have i ever told you that?- fuck, mine and so pretty- oh-” 

he doesn’t waste any time, his hands help your legs up his shoulders and he slips inside you again. his sunset colored eyes stare at his cock going in and out, in and out, in and out of you and he finally notices the creamy ring around the base of his length and smeared on your lips. it’s pinkish, he notes, probably from being too rough and not stretching you properly. he’ll say sorry later.

“you’re so-” he pants tiredly, “so pretty.” a sweaty hand gropes the fat of your tit, squeezing it under his large palm. “want t’a breed you- need to- fuck! need to get your tits swollen with milk-” caleb leans in once again, this time bending your body like a stick, pressing your legs closer to your chest in the process. his nose takes a whiff of the valley of your boobs before wrapping his lips around your free boob, playing with the other one with his hand. 

your voice fails you once again. it’s not like you have the strength to judge him harshly again anyway. his tongue swipes at your hard nipple, sucking it like he has a point to prove. “and you would mghhh! would look so pretty and round and ah! everyone would know y’er mine, oh god-” 

with a last kiss, as if sealing a promise, he lets go of your nipple with mercy and stands up again, kissing your knee as an apology for bending you like your bones are made of jello. and then it hits him. “o-oh! s’rry forgot you like this.” the hand squeezing your tit snakes down between you two, adding some much needed stimulation to your clit.

you jump, legs thrashing against his shoulders and back at the pleasure. you clench around him once more and this time, it’s his turn to squeal in pleasure. “o-oh fuck. ‘m cumming, g’nna breed you, yeah? fill you up, mhm? yeah? fuck! cummin’!” caleb whines before throwing his head back, his sweaty hair barely moving an inch away from his forehead while doing so, and his once steady thrusts turn languid, messy. 

his cock twitches around you, spilling white, watery ropes in your pussy. bicolor orbs roll to the back of his skull as he feels his knot grow swollen at the base of his cock. even after coming, he keeps pistoning his hips in you, tiredly, but it’s the thought that counts.

at the weird, swollen and hot thing trying to fuck its way inside you, you mewl, eyes going wild open as caleb tries stretching you just a little more. 

“caleb-? what the aha! fuck?” — “sorry!” he cries but keeps going anyway, his fingers working faster around your clit to make up for the pain. “jus’ a little more? ple- ase? it feels good, doesn’t it?” back to being stupid and pathetic apparently, because the way he stares at you with puppy dog eyes and begs is disgusting. 

his other hand leaves your thigh to press down on your tummy and it becomes too much. your walls convulse around him and you cry, clit throbbing under his touch pathetically. the hand putting pressure on your bladder makes your eyes roll, your hands grip the sheets to the point of turning white.

“caleb! ah! oh my god- fuck- aha, cumming, i’m gonna cum! pl-please keep going!” 

and you don’t have to ask him twice. he thrusts his cock in you a last time, his knot slipping in easier than he thought it would, thanks to your drooling cunt and his cum and that does it for you. your body goes static, hips bucking against his and back arching against the bed. his fingers don’t stop, rubbing your clit until you’re shaking uncontrollably and your juices spray on his thighs and lower stomach.

“oh-”  — “don- not a word!” you manage to cry out.

“so… how long till it goes down?” you murmur tiredly against his shoulder, arms wrapped around his big frame as he lies on top of you. your legs feel sore, aching from being spread for so long, thanks to his cock still buried in you.

“an hour and a half, probably” caleb shrugs. 

your eyes snap open. “an hour?!” — “and a half.” he barks with a chuckle.

“i hate you! you’re heavy, y’know?! argh, bad dog!” he only manages to laugh at your rage and lick your cheek, covering it in saliva.

⊹ ࣪reblogs are very much appreciated. thank you for reading!(*´▽`*)

[batsandbirdbrains]

Pls just imagine how dramatic a young justice fic would be if it was like

The one where Batman and Robin are magically de-aged to when they first started working together

So now you’ve got a very paranoid and over protective Batman who hasn’t actually met any of the other justice league members yet and an itsy bitsy Robin who looks like he’ll tear someone’s head off. The Justice League has them quarantined in the Watchtower, they’re not letting them go home to the batcave or anything, and Batman is arguing with Green Arrow while holding a flailing Robin by the scruff of his neck. He looks like a feral kitten.

Now keep in mind, no one in this scenario knows Batman and Robin’s secret identities. They’re not even really sure if they’re father and son, brothers, uncle and nephew, or maybe strange mentor and protege picked off the streets, they’ve no clue. So seeing what is now clearly a young twenty-something Batman trying to wrangle in a wriggling eight year old is both highly entertaining and totally baffling. Where the hell did these two even come from. And how has that tiny kid been around longer than some actual adult heroes.

“He bit me!” Kid Flash cries, running away from a glowering Robin.

“Don’t try to touch me next time, asshole!”

“Hey!” Batman barks, holding Robin up by an arm and dangling him in front of him. “We don’t bite super-powered strangers. Who knows what kind of radioactive germs they might have.”

“But B!” Robin’s voice is so high and whiny, Conner is starting to feel dizzy. “He tried to pick me up! He called me cute! I’m not cute I’m terrifying.”

And the two just keep bickering back and forth, Robin eventually hanging with his ankles and hands hooked around Batman’s arm. Batman is trying to shake him off like a bug. They are both still arguing with each other as this happens.

“Did Batman just accuse me of having radioactive germs?” Wally is gaping at the scene in front of him.

As is everyone else. This is a total mindfuck. Who let Batman be in charge of a kid.

The two of them do eventually, reluctantly, start to trust the league. And they’ve been told they have to stay on the Watchtower until their magic expert gets back from a mission. Four days from now.

There’s one point when most others stationed on the Watchtower are sleeping or taking a break, and Batman is holding a drowsy Robin close to his chest and looking out the windows of the observation deck. Someone brought them some casual clothes to wear during their downtime, but they both have domino masks over their eyes. Those who see them like that can’t quite comprehend just how young Batman looks without the cowl.

“The moon looks so big,” a sleepy Robin mumbles, his cheek squished against Batman’s shoulder.

“That’s ‘cause it’s so much closer here,” Batman tells him, his voice incredibly soft. “Can you see where Gotham would be?”

Robin’s head turns just slightly, looking toward the Earth, and he hums, a fist moving up to scrub at his eye.

“S’over there,” he points. “With all the clouds ‘n stuff.”

“Looks tiny from up here, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Robin mouth opens in a comically wide yawn, then he shoves his face in Batman’s neck.

“S’not gonna fall from the sky, is it?”

“Nah.” Batman shifts his arms, holding Robin a little tighter. “This place is in orbit, kinda like how the moon is. It’s not gonna fall.”

“Would you catch it if it did?”

“I’d steal us a ship from here so fast, I wouldn’t need to catch it.”

“Kay.”

Batman presses his cheek to the top of Robin’s head, stray curls tickling his nose.

“Do you wanna practice your flips and shit in the morning? I’ll spot you.”

“Yeah,” Robin mumbles, “And I wanna scare Green Lantern by poppin’ outta the vent again. He screamed like a little girl when I landed on the table.”

“Do a flip when you do it and I’ll smuggle you an ice cream bar from their kitchen.”

“Deal.”

Batman has to twist his left arm funny so he can shake Robin’s hand, his right arm occupied by holding Robin up, and they shake on it.

Batman lets out a snort of a laugh, looking at Robin with an incredibly fond look on his face.

For everyone else, it’s a very long four days of them being menaces and encouraging each other to do more and more odd shit.

When they get turned back, they act like nothing was out of the ordinary. They’re not even phased when they’re reminded of some of the things they got into.

[wingedfuncomputer]

The outskirts of Town

Remmick x fem!reader

Summary: Living far from town with a father who treats you more like a maid instead of a daughter proves itself exhausting. Secluded like a bird in a cage, a boring cycle life becomes until a random man shows up one night striking up an innocent deal. In name of your chicken coop you accept letting him in. Though as time passes & whispers of violence roughing a sweet couple up around town has you rethinking this weird relationship you have created with the Irish stranger who seemed to come out of thin air.

Warnings: naive!reader, apart from that none really just your father lowkey being rude to Remmick cause he’s Irish 💔.

Authors note: This is just a slice of what I’ve been writing for Remmick. My actual word count for the story is 8.5k as of now, close to finishing but I wanted to see if it’s something you Remmick lovers would want to see (I know it’s pretty lengthy). My story is aimed at not just the romance but scare factor? If that’s what you can call it. no full fledged smut or healthy romance here just trying to ground myself in realistic outcomes. I don’t think that man could love normally lmao. Let me know what you think!

Word count: 1.4K Fic playlist Full Fic!

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From a far his eyes locked on her. Right as the sun set she was tending the little chickens, ushering them into the coop. Softly, she tried her hardest to close the door as if not wanting to scare them. A regular passer by wouldn't glance an eye she was a normal little thing, but not to him, not to Remmick.

It was primal how he always found himself being dragged back to her every time the sun decided to hide behind the horizon. Her sweat, her skin, her pulsing blood enticed him as if he'd known her before. She was too sweet to ravish like all those ol' people he had left a mess of before. He let himself get enveloped in the idea that his human mind,what little of it remained had.Affection. With that utterly disgusting revelation he decided to knock on her door to put an end to the feeling once and for all. Heavy, knuckles contacted the chipping paint of the wood.

You had been sweeping the floor when you heard a noise coming from the front door. A little startled your active swipe back and forth stopped confused by who would be visiting your father so late at night. Most people weren't out after sun down. "The floors ain't gon' sweep themselves keep at it girl". His gruffy voice made you grip the wooden stick tighter negating the fact it caused splinters to get stuck to your skin. It was old, long due to be  thrown away but your voice was nonexistent in this house. With a small creak a hesitant humble from a very male voice spoke, "good afternoon... sir".  You whipped your head around intrigued but found your father's body blocking the man who stood at the door. "State your business". He had never learnt kindness, it was a foreign thing to him. "I'm just a lowly traveler going on by, was wonderin' if you could offer some hospitality". A huff emitted from your father as the man continued. "My wife she's no longer with us.. I must find myself across the state but the sun is beating and unforgiving".  Your heart  ached for him, he sounded defeated. Your father surely would say mean ol' things to him n’ get violent. But suprisingly he laughed barking your name then proceeded orders at you, "fetch this man a cup of water". Only for a split second when he turned were you able to capture a glimpse, the man already looking directly at you. His features resembled my father's, except for his frame he looked thinner his face covered in what seemed to be a mix of dirt and sweat. You nod and quickly keep your eyes down. Whilst you grab a tin cup and fill it with water by the sink you hear the small hushing of their conversation asking where he was headed to and why. Your steps are weary making sure you don't spill the water.

"The Catholics did a number on my people kindness is hard to come by. Could you let me in don't want to bother the young lady much?" His first comment is what makes your father's demeanor change, you see it from a few feet away as his back tenses. He ignores the man's request to come inside, "Where you from boy?". Once only a few inches away you decide to lay down the cup by a piece of furniture near by. Eyes creeping behind your father's shoulders it was obvious to see the man was not a boy. He had good amount of muscle on his arms and lines on his face. There's a glint of a smirk in the strangers lips as he glances at you no lack of confidence, "Ireland". That's when your heart drops, with poison your father spits "get your filthy Irish ass off my f*cking property".

"I don't mean no disrespect, I'd still appreciate that water" he takes a step forward which makes your father push him you yelp afraid they'd have a full brawl and the innocent man would end up in his grave. "You won't get nothin' here ! Leave my property". Your hands go up to your father’s arms as you can see his anger exalt, his fist itching to make contact with the Irish man's face. "Father please..." his face full of anger is concentrated on you before shoving your hand away and instead drags you inside from your arm instead. "It's best if you learn to keep away from men like that ." He speaks as if the man wasn't there, you can't help but take a look once behind you once more offering a look of "I'm sorry" before the front door is slammed shut by your father.

That whole night you couldn't bring yourself to sleep tossing and turning, imagining what that poor man was going through. You didn't hear about him the following day or day after that until you found yourself reluctantly putting yet another dead bird into a sack. They were being  ripped to shreds, you made sure the coop was secured each night so what could be killing them? It was sundown, the night air hitting your skin in a way that made your hairs stick up. "coyote... or fox" your body jolts hearing someone break the silent spell in the air. Immediately letting the bag fall and taking steps back as you twist to see who the voice belonged to. "Apologies I didn't mean to scare ya". It was hard to see in the darkness but the moonlight along with your small lamp on the ground allowed you to see enough to say, "your the man from a few days ago". He was standing behind the fence that surrounded your chicken coop. "Guilty as charged" you couldn't help but laugh along with him. "I'm Remmick" he extends his hand towards you which you can only just stare at. It would've been appropriate to say your name and envelope his hand but you don't. Remmick you repeat in your head liking the ring it had to it. "My Irish hands too dirty" he murmurs to himself  which makes you start to ramble in apologies insuring his heritage had nothing to do with your lack of a response. " f’course not It's just that, no offense sir your a- your a...." Your stuttering makes heat flood your cheeks in embarrassment . "A stranger?" He says it so casually no anger laced in between his words just light heartedness. You both stare at each other in an awkward pause before you find the courage to nod. Guilt weighs in your soul after reflecting "I'm truly ashamed about what happened last time, my father...-that is no way to be treated". He just smiles, a little huff of air being exhaled as he leaned into the fence, "it happens more than you know darlin' nothin' personal". His deep voice grumbles nicely when he calls you by that little pet name making your stomach flutter. It must've been as clear as the night sky you weren't allowed around men often, let alone other people.

Remmick seems intrigued by you growing quiet tilting his head to the side as he quirks , "the way across the state ain't an easy one.. stayin’ around these parts is easier. would help if I had a place to rest... ". You would offer him your home in a heartbeat but you knew how your pops wasn't fond of him, let alone yourself. He could barely tolerate you so how would tolerate this stranger . His eyes are trained on your every twitch, your chest constricting and trembling hands playing with the loose fabric of your skirt. It was quite nice really it felt like you were a lil' rabbit troubled by your surroundings. Yet You were unaware that the greatest danger wasn't your father, no not your  father it was the devil himself looming over you in this instant.

He smacks his lips making you look back at him once more. His pointer finger is near his mouth faking thought, "well I might just got a deal that could work for both 'f us". Your eyebrows furrow in confusion but you still hear the poor man out. "I can help ya with the lil' chicken problem... in exchange I get a piece of shelter". His eyes nudge at the forgotten sack beneath you then trail up your frame to your face. Your teeth grind in contemplation. If he helped manage the death of these chickens father would probably lay off my back, let me go in town for food trips or what not for the farm.

"So what da ya, say? You gon' let me in?"

————————————————————————————————————————————

[vad-hander]

DIVORCE ME

pairing: NCT Jaehyun x reader

genre: married couple au!, angst, smut, a little bit of fluff, long distance

warnings: mentions of divorce, unprotected v sex, dom Jaehyun, biting, punishment, fingering, praise, protected anal penetration, spit as lube, reverse cowgirl, slight overstimulation etc

words: 16k

"What?" your voice sounded more like a bark over the phone. But it was a good thing, that's exactly how you intended it to be. 

"So you did get the envelope?" Jaehyun, though, on the other side of the line was chill, if you were to judge by the tone of his voice. "My lawyer left a sticker so you'd find the right place to sign it this time." Your fingers pinched your nose, thinking how you scribbled over printed letters last time you had the same envelope sent in. 

"I don't have a single pen in my house." You sighed and dropped the envelope right next to a pen and a pencil that were always present at the top of the cabinet at the entrance of your apartment. 

"I'll send over the courier with a pen, then." you opened your mouth, Jaehyun not letting you chime in. "I'll even make it two in case one's not working."

Your voice was steady, you looked once again at the papers that had your name at the top. "I said no. I won't sign these papers."

"Why?!" Jaehyun cried into the phone. "We've been living separately for a year. Why are you being stubborn? We’re basically strangers at this point.” Your palm rubbed into your chest, trying to calm down the stinging in your heart at that wording. 

Your fingers ran over the words written in larger font at the top - Divorce Agreement.

“I don’t want to.”

“You know I can get a divorce from you without your signature? I’m just not going that route yet.”

“If you think you’re threatening me and I’m scared - I’m not.”

“I know for a fact you’re not threatened. I was married to you for five years.”

“Good.” You sighed, ready to hang up the phone. You didn’t want to continue hearing his voice. “So… will you sign those?” 

“I gave you my answer already.”

“Please.” A tinge of desperation in his voice cut you deeper than he clearly intended to. 

“No, I said no.” That desperate need to cut all ties - it was making you nervous, you had words stuck up in your throat asking what was the urgency. 

“I can’t wait another two years for whatever you’re doing there to end. Are you coming back for any of the holidays?” His voice changed in slight annoyance and you snapped out of heartache.

“None of your business.”

“I am your husband, until you sign the agreement, it is all of my business. In fact, it should only be my business, no one else’s.” Whatever he meant with that, really. You weren’t seeing other people, but he won’t know that.

“Bye.”

You let out an exasperated sigh. Every conversation with the man left you tired. And drained. And it used to never be like this before. He used to be your love. Or he is your love?

“Was that your husband?” Kate, who clearly eavesdropped the whole conversation, peeked from behind the living room wall.

“Is the stress too evident on my face?” You turned on the bright smile and crossed the room to elegantly sit on the couch. 

“I heard the words papers and sign and remembered your story.” She gave a little sad nod and patted your forearm in comfort. Sipping on her wine right after. “I’m so sad your expatriation has to end early, but I hope your sister appreciates your wish to help her with her babies.” 

“I know.” you whined to fit in with the mood of your only friend over here. “It’s been a year, though, and I haven’t had a single break since coming, so maybe I’m a little excited to go back home and take a week off.” You leaned back a little, imagining waking up later than usual, having fancy breakfasts and sharing them with the man that desperately wanted a divorce from you. Good thing Kate was loud and unstoppable with her blabbering, snapping you out of that horrible thought. 

“I thought the pleasure of your life was bossing around dumb Americans like me, and having those horrendous cold coffees, instead of all meals.” Your heart hurt on behalf of Iced Americano.

“You aren’t stupid-.” You remembered to protest, though. “I said dumb!”

“Okay, y’all aren’t dumb, just maybe lack a bit of work ethic that make our Korean office thrive. And my coffees are not horrendous!” Your eyebrows furrowed in feign annoyance. 

“We tried to get the hype, the line to the bathroom afterwards was so long, we had to run to other floors, girl.” You chuckled into your palm, shocked at the information previously hidden from you. 

“Oh my god! And everyone I asked said the drink was fun! The hypocrisy!” Your palm hid your opened mouth. 

“Yeah, the lining up to the bathroom was definitely a fun experience.” 

“Good thing my flight’s tomorrow, I won’t have to face those people knowing they pooped their pants because of me.” Kate laughed loudly. 

“Gi-i-i-i-rl, but I’m going to miss you. If you ever back in the States, just hit me up? Any time and any day.” She sing-songed, her eyes closing a bit, lifting her nose up.

“Yes.” You gave her a straight nod. You weren’t sure you’d ever get back here, you were determined to never move out of the only place you ever were supposed to live in.

“Won’t you invite me too?” She giggled.

“Quit lying, you won’t ever leave Seattle.”

“Wait, that’s so true.” Her palm covered her mouth, a striking sign your friend was tipsy. 

-

“Go, go, go! There’s your auntie!” You heard the voice of your older sister even before you could register her face in the crowd of the Incheon Airport. Two sets of arms sneaked over the luggage trolley and wrapped your legs. 

“Oh my god, Nara, Uri, hi! My babies.” Your arms wrapped over the kids that desperately fought to climb up your body, though in the year you were absent they’ve grown too much for you to be able to carry them so freely.

“Hi. Welcome back home.” Your sister extended an arm, giving you a welcoming pat on the back.

“Hyunjoo! Hi.” You exclaimed, excited, sighing tiredly afterwards. “Thanks for making it all the way here to pick me up.”

“These two couldn’t hold back their excitement when I said you were coming back.”

“Oh, really? Really? I brought so much fun stuff for my little angels!” You put on the baby voice, tickling your nephews. 

“I want to see!”

“Let’s get in the car and see what auntie got for you at home, okay?” Your sister offered, and the four of you moved to the exit. “You’ve left with two suitcases, right?”

“Yeah, had to bring gifts for you all.” You chuckled, running your eyes over the trolley with four of those. “Now I don’t know where I’m putting all of these in my apartment.” You chuckled to yourself.

“The bigger question is if all of those will fit into my car.” Hyunjoo gave you a look. “Shit-.” You cursed, looking down at the kids. “I mean, damn. That I’ve not thought about.”

“Where’s Jaehyun?” Shit, that you also have not thought about. 

“He has work stuff, couldn’t make it.” You brushed Hyunjoo off with an eye roll.

“On a Sunday?” She gave you an accusatory brow. “The lovey-dovey guy that made you breakfasts every Saturday and never let you drive alone for longer than 30 minutes?” You had to busy yourself with the trolley and making a turn, so you won’t burn alive under her stare. “Is he still sour that you left despite his disagreement with that decision? Are you two not together… by any chance?” Wow, that escalated quickly. 

“No, no! Of course not. I told him not to come, since he was telling me all the time how busy he was with work. I’m going to see him… at home.” Those words were also hardly believable, given the lovey-dovey image your sister had in her head. He should’ve been here, pressing his mouth into your cheeks, to not go absolutely feral over his lips on yours in the middle of the airport, arms squeezing you in his hold. 

You had to shake the thought away. In realms of your current situation, the only realistic reason for him to be at the airport would be to make you sign those papers and finally set him free.

Realisation of what home implied also downed at you at the exact same moment. You had a home that was also his, it also happened to be the only home you had. Same went for him. What a coincidence, right? For two people, that lived in the city together for 8 years. 

Jaehyun was obviously still living in that same apartment, giving he expected you to be back in the country approximately in two years and three months. “Do you want to go see our parents first?” You tried to climb out of that corner unhurt. 

“Yeah, three hour drive one way at 4pm Sunday? No thank you.” Hyunjoo snorted, helping her kids get into their seats.

“Right, I didn’t realise it was this late through the day.”

“And we all have work and day care tomorrow. When are you back in the office?”

“I took day off’s this whole week, hoping I’ll put all the stuff away, get back to my life here, and-.” Sort out this divorce agreement. “Yeah.”

“I want to play with aunty!” Nara whined as her mom did her seatbelt, while you were putting your suitcases away in the trunk. 

“I’ll come over on Tuesday, okay? Pick you up from daycare and we can get bread on the way back home, and then unpack all the gifts I had purchased for you and your parents. Deal?” You asked the kids, but looked at your sister for approval, she gave you one with a nod and the burst of laughter from kids only sealed the deal. 

“You know, Jaehyun’s been weird, since you left. I think he’s still hurt.” You dreaded the fact silence led to this conversation. It was pure quietness, twins knocked out in the back seat, you were also half way through slumber after that endless flight. You had a feeling something was on Hyunjoo’s mind, with the way she tapped her finger over the steering wheel, you just had to predict it was your husband in question. 

“I’m sure he’s fine.” You waved her off, again. 

“He’s not seen us once. Mom invited him over for every holiday and every weekend get together. He would always say he’s sick, he’s busy, over at his parents house. Anything.” You were curious what face he made as he came up with those, especially if those weren’t over messages. He probably had his whole face red, lip tugging between thumb and pointing fingers as he was carefully picking out words to not be taken wrongly. 

“And you didn’t stop the invitations?” They should’ve known better than hitting the man that tried to hide with invitations. 

“Of course not! He’s family?” Hyunjoo looked at you scandalised. 

“He might’ve not been comfortable coming alone.”

“He quite literally spent two weeks at our house, when you were in college and had to leave for that conference in Singapore. He stayed with all of us, like your substitute, just because he had nothing to do during summer break. And now he’s uncomfortable?” You drove down to the traffic light that turned red, giving your sister a perfect opportunity to turn her eyes to you. “Tell me what’s been going on?”

“Nothing.” Like, you weren’t even lying. Nothing’s been happening - he’s been bombarding you with those divorce agreements, you’ve been disposing them into trash - the end. Other than that, it’s been full on radio silence. You didn’t even know what he looked like by now, what if something changed in his appearance and he won’t feel like home anymore? What if anything changed in his heart, or more like what if his heart changed to an extent where it can’t be reversed? What if your only outcome is in fact divorcing immediately? You shrivelled, pressing yourself more into the seat. 

“I’m going to tell mom, and she’ll flip out and get the truth out of you both. I’ve been covering for you! Acting like I know he’s busy and stuff. And I have to know the truth, in case I need to continue.” That sounded like both valuable threat and reason. Still, you didn’t want to risk your lives and announce that he’s been wanting a divorce to your sister, while she’s driving through a highway. 

“Okay. Okay, he might be a tiny bit upset.” 

“Tiny? It’s been a year, more of like a grudge at this point.” 

“It’s because we’ve been apart, and now I’m back home and we’ll be good.” At least, that’s the plan.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I quit the expatriation thing early so I could go back to him.” You whispered the truth under your breath. Everyone got different versions of your reason to be back home, but the real one was your wish to return. You needed to go back to the man that held your heart and tried to throw it back at you. You needed to see with your own two eyes, if he really didn’t love you anymore. “I made a mistake, I really missed my family, I missed Jaehyun."

“Really? I thought you said it was about the project cancellation.” “No. The project cancelled because I said I’m leaving, whether they’re letting me go back as the part of the company or not.” You sighed, the truth was not what you wanted people to think, but you were ready to throw this truth at your sister. She was trustworthy to die with that info.

“I expect you two to be all lovey-dovey next Saturday at our parents anniversary thing, or I’m busting you to mom-.” You almost gasped and cursed, this was a good heads up about the event this weekend and you were glad your sister, probably knowingly, gave you that. You had time to come up with a cover up.

“I’m not sure about that. Jaehyun’s been telling me about seeing his parents-.” The eye roll from Hyunjoo made you stop. “No, for real. He’s actually planned this for weeks. I swear!” You would never be able to bring the man that tried to divorce you to your parents house in 5 days. What sort of torture would that be. For either of you. “I’ll come see mom and dad during the week. Alone. Since he works. And on the weekend we were supposed to go to his parents, but since it’s our parents anniversary, he’s going there alone.” Wait, this sounded like a perfect cover up plan. You almost clapped your hands excited. This sounded like THE plan.  

“All I hear is excuses. If you’re lying to me right now - you’re dead.” She made sure the thumb slid right against her throat with a threat. You looked away, scared, only to realise you’ve arrived at the destination. 

“Thanks for dropping me off!” You chirped, unbuckling. 

“Do you need help with your belongings?”

“No, I’ll do it myself. See you Tuesday, right?”

“Right.” Your sister gave you a nod, pressing the button for the trunk to open. As you pulled out all your suitcases onto the ground, you watched the door close back down, walking up to wave her away. 

“Tell your husband I said hi!” You waved, as she drove by you. 

-

You punched in the code you last set, praying he hasn’t changed it. 

Jaehyun’s birth date, your birth date, the month you’ve become official. 6 digits in and as you heard the approving melody, your heart sunk. Hopefully he still kept it because it meant things for him, not because he was used to typing in those specific six digits. 

As you processed your next step, you came with a conclusion there was quite a chance you can be met with a very taken aback with your presence Jaehyun as soon as you opened the door. If the man is at home, he surely heard the little melody too and was walking up to the door right now, confused and probably totally alerted that someone punched in the correct code. 

Either of you was about to get startled at this spontaneous reunion. And you weren’t about to give him the opportunity to catch you unprepared. Opening the door wide, before you could notice anyone in there, it struck you - it looked and smelled just like you left it. 

Your eyes trailed around the opened to your eyes space - it was all the same, almost like he didn’t live here, though you sure he was - given the stack of papers on the cabinet, the sneakers that he seemed to purchase while you were away and the raincoat over a kitchen chair, drying up from yesterday’s downpour. 

And no Jaehyun in sight. 

It was a good thing, you had a little time window to drop off your stuff, pack your bags, take your car keys and run away to your parents unnoticed. You had not prepared yourself to see him, you have not even imagined what you would say or how you’d say it. You had a feeling you could get chocked up at the mere sight of him. Before all this, Jaehyun was the love of your life, your husband. 

Despite leaving him like he didn’t matter, you’ve missed him every day. 

You loved him every awakened day of your life, paying a price of literal money for your dumbness to go back to him. You were still expecting the check for the exact payment, but you knew the fine you had to pay for wrapping everything up early was about to end up with big numbers. And you really didn’t care for that, as long as you could make sure the man will let you back inside his heart. 

You quickly pushed all your luggage inside, closing the door and kicking your shoes off. Your eyes trailed to the side of the cabinet where you kept your slippers on autopilot, only to be actually met with the pair standing right where they belonged to. Lined up with Jaehyun’s. Like you’ve never left.

You put them on and trailed to your bedroom, you needed to take a shower first, unpacking right after.

Jaehyun didn’t bother with putting your stuff away, you expected him to maybe throw it away in a rage tantrum. You were expecting anything. And you would’ve honestly understood. You deserved it. You’ve found your shampoo in the bathroom, the clothes you left behind in your shared walk-in wardrobe. You picked up all needed belongings and quickly freshened up in hot water. 

Dragging the first suitcase on the floor, you took all your clothes out to safe space for the gifts you had to take back your family in that same suitcase. You felt so emerged in the acton, sorting things out, leaving things you brought for Jaehyun on the side, taking things for the washer to one pile of clothes. Fresh ones you could take to your parents to the other one.

“Who the hell are you!” You jumped in place, turning around and letting the man see you properly, not just the corner of your back peaking out of the closet. You didn’t even see or hear him come in, brain a mush with the jet lag.  “Y/n?” Jaehyun dropped the umbrella, that you guessed he grabbed for defence as he heard your movement, and stilled. “What are you doing here?” He gasped, losing his voice by the end of the sentence completely. 

The emotions on his face is what really hurt you. Not a single one of his muscles moved in the direction of smile, or relief, or any other emotion that you could describe with any sort of positivity. He frowned, then gasped again, closing his eyes as if checking if he hallucinated you here. Then he set his mouth in such a downward way your eyes almost gave up on you. 

“Hi?” You offered a smile, like the situation wasn’t this awkward unexpected reunion of two people despising each other and being half way divorced. You weren’t despising him, but if he was despising you, you liked to make him feel it was the same way on your side. 

“What are you doing here?” Your eyes immediately trailed down his arm - his ringer finger was still covered with a wedding band, your finger immediately tugging on the identical one over your finger.

“I’m just packing my stuff, I’m going to leave quickly, I’m sorry.” You dropped the smile or any other ridiculous imagination you had in your head. You felt like a thief under his gaze.

“No-. How did you get here? And you’re leaving back to the US already? Have you always been here?” Jaehyun frowned even deeper.

“No, they sent me back, turns out I’m also very much needed here, so they had to put Korea’s office priorities before Seattle.” You lied the only line you’ve practiced. 

“When did you come back? How did you get all this stuff back here on your own?” Jaehyun’s eyes traveled over your suitcases and bags.

“Does it matter?” You snorted. The only thing he cared for is how you got those suitcases in?

“Well, yeah?” He raised a brow.

“Hyunjoo picked me up at The airport and dropped me off here.” You shrugged, folding a shirt into a pile of dirty clothes. 

“You should’ve t-.” He cut himself off. “Are you planning… to stay… here?”

“In the country? Seems like a yes. In this apartment? No, I’m packing.” He didn’t have to shush you away, you’ll gladly leave. 

“Where will you go?” 

“Why exactly does this matter to you, once again?” You gave him what you hoped was a very disgusted look. 

“We’re married.” “Yet, right? Now that I’m here you’re surely getting me to sign those stupid papers of yours.” You snorted. 

“I-, ugh. I didn’t know you’ll be coming back so soon.” 

“That was intended.” You shrugged

“Where are you going? You don’t have another home in Seoul.” Jaehyun pressed and walked in closer.

You folded away from him, not willing to get even a lick of his scent and his presence this close to you. 

“I’m going to stay at my parents. Then work it out, doesn’t matter. You can have this place to yourself.” 

“Okay-.” He stilled, eyes unfocused. 

“Okay?” You looked up scandalised, your Jaehyun would never agree to something like that. You expected him to fight with you over this. You’d gladly fight with him over the division of property, in hopes to get closer somewhere in between. In hopes he’d say I don’t want to divide anything. I want you all to myself. And you’d allow yourself to fold into him and admit that you’ve never wanted this in the first place. “I was expecting you to at least act like you didn’t want that.” You just bit. 

“No, I’m just confused to see you here.”

“Why? Got someone already? Are they coming here? That’s why you’re all invested?” You let out the worst leave your mouth. You were scared, so worried, that Jaehyun let someone into his hurt heart to stop the aching you caused. 

“What the hell, no. You were supposed to be in another country for two more years. Of course I’m confused. I wasn’t expecting to see you here, on the floor wearing my stuff like you never left.” You looked down at the shirt - it was clearly his, you haven’t looked down on the print once since you picked it up. You should’ve guessed your things weren’t just laying around on top of the shelves here anymore. When you’ve been absent. For months. 

“Well, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to give you a heads up, so you’d run to the airport with your divorce agreement.” You shrugged.

“Shut up.” Jaehyun let out. And it wasn’t the mean shut your stupid mouth type of intonation. He grabbed onto his head, like it was about to explode, grunting a little. 

“Huh?”

“You’re the reason I even had to send it to you.” His eyes opened and directed at you. 

“I know, Jaehyun, I’m well aware of that.”

“What are you even doing here?”

“As I said, they sent me home early, turns out three years was a stretch. I know this is sudden, and I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable, or ruin this bachelor life of yours. I’m repacking and going to my parents.” You should’ve not stuck with your pride. You should’ve fallen to his feet and asked for forgiveness. You hated this encounter. And you hated that you made it worse. 

“Bachelor life, what the hell-.” Jaehyun mumbled under his breath, grabbing onto his head once again. 

“We haven’t had a single conversation in a year, I could’ve never imagined this to happen-, in this way-. This seems to be even worse than I imagined. I should’ve went straight to my parents, just couldn’t tell Hyunjoo about this… us, I mean not us-.” You panicked, moving your arms around and avoiding Jaehyun’s gaze.

“While you’re at your parents’, you might as well tell them we’re getting a divorce, because I’m out of reasons to dodge their invitations.” Jaehyun interrupted your conscious mumbling with a little bite to his tone. 

“Don’t worry, since I’m here they won’t even be bothered by your absence.” You weren’t about to let that slip. 

“Okay, good, because I just got a text from your mom, hoping to see me on Sunday. I guess you’ll work that out yourself.” He gave you a subtle smirk. 

“I will, don’t you worry.” Jaehyun walked out the door of your previously shared bedroom, slamming it and you were sure he was cursing under his breath, because he always did that when he was stressed. At least he used to. 

You knew he’d be clearly surprised if he saw you, you didn’t expect him be angry and pent up and so unreachable, even though you were the one who left him. You made him consider filing for a divorce. 

You still hoped for a little smile or something along the way of that.

-

“So we’re just jumping straight to violence?” You trailed the route to the kitchen, not knowing if you should whisper or talk normally with him.

“And you broke up with me, and also expected me to have fanfares and cake prepared for your return? I want a divorce, I thought you had enough time to settle with that idea.” Jaehyun drank a glass of water in one go, filling up another one. “You did this.” 

“I didn’t break up with you-.” “Seriously? You left.” The way his voice went an octave higher cut you. 

“I told you, I-.”

“You’re asking for my opinion, or just telling me something that’s already settled?” Your body was straddling his thighs. Jaehyun scrolled through the phone after work, waiting for you to come back home so you’d have your dinner together. You ran into the apartment, bubbling with excitement. Jaehyun didn’t even have the time to put his phone away, with the speed you got on top of him and kissed his mouth. The man under immediately adjusted to your mood, fingers pressing into your thighs with pressure. Until you told him the reason for your excitement, or more specifically the timings of it. 

Because he was excited for the opportunity, before you let him know the contract was for three years. That’s when his fingers loosened the grip and his mouth turned downwards.

“No, it’s not settled. Obviously, I really want to go, but I would miss you terribly.” You leaned to peck his mouth, not getting any reciprocation out of Jaehyun.

“So you’re not going?” He lit up. 

“I don’t know. If my visa application-.” You drew circles on his chest. If your visa is approved, you will have to go, it seems. “You applied for a visa? Without telling me?” Jaehyun caught your fingers in his hold, voice more of a growl at the new piece of information. 

“I didn’t, my company literally have all the papers to do that for me. They’ve been considering me and someone else. As soon as I heard about visas - I came to tell you.” You lied there, a little. Another person was considered before, you were the only one they applied a visa for. You also had to give them your passport, but that was also the part you hoped Jaehyun won’t focus on. 

“So it is settled.” He sighed and let go of your fingers. “I thought you’d be excited for me?” You pouted leaning in to Jaehyun, who’s been looking away from you this whole conversation. “Baby, we could literally be talking on the phone all the time, in case they want me to go. All the holidays we’ll be together.” you kissed his cheek, expecting for him to soften. 

“I was excited, before you told me it’s for three years? And it’s settled, and you have not even considered asking me to come with you.”

“I have, but I don’t want you to lose everything here, this is only temporary. I love you so-so much.” You pressed your mouth into the corner of his. 

“Everything wouldn’t even matter if I lost you.” Jaehyun finally looked you dead in the eyes.

“Baby.” You murmured, touched, arms hugging his shoulders, face tucking into his neck. “You wouldn’t.”

- “Can we have this conversation properly? I don’t want you to go.” Jaehyun walked out the bedroom, suit perfectly wrapping his body. “I’ve been thinking about it for the whole night, and I can’t allow you going away. For three years. If it’s 6 months, okay. I’d somehow go with that. Three years - absolutely not. Honey, please hear me out.” Jaehyun’s fingers pulled onto your waist to turn you around and face him.  

“Do you want to come with me?”

“No. Not like this, not when it seems to be not even a second thought in your head.”

“It’s not like that, I have thought of you going, and it’s always you struggling because you left the job you loved. And what would you do afterwards? When we have to return? You will be jobless again? Your parents also won’t forgive me for taking their only son away from them.” You ran your thumb over his lower lip. 

“Okay, then both you and I - we’re staying here.” Jaehyun kissed the finger tip that’s been teasing him. 

“Baby, no, it’s not settled like that either.”

“Why are you lying to me about this?” Jaehyun whispered, getting closer to your face. “If you’re lying, doesn’t it mean you don’t want to go? You want to stay with me and can’t? You can quit. I’ll cover all our expenses while you’re looking for a new job.” His eyes focused on you, trying to see through the shield you’ve put on. 

“No, I want to go, but I also don’t want to leave you.” You also moved your face in his direction, expecting a kiss.

“Then don’t. If it’s not settled, then it’s okay to decline.” Jaehyun pecked your mouth. 

“You’re right.” You nodded, hearing a relieved sigh come out of Jaehyun’s mouth, kissing your cheek next. “It’s not too late.”

“I love you, have a good day.” Jaehyun gave your side a squeeze, leaving to put his shoes on.

“You too.”

-

You had no better way to tell Jaehyun what happened at work than literally start packing. You got your visa approved, you were set to leave in two weeks. There was no way for you to jump in and tell them to pick someone else instead. Your boss patted your shoulder proudly and told you how he had always believed in you. And coming up somewhere in between with I can’t do this felt just wrong. 

You couldn’t do this.

Despite the absolute itchiness of your entire body this whole day, you were trying to pick out clothes for packing. Agonising over the racks of your clothes for the past forty minutes. 

“Bab-. No. No-no-no, what are you doing?” Jaehyun’s fingers pulled the skirt out of your hold. “Where are you going?” He dropped on his knees next to you and held onto your face. 

“I came to tell them that I can’t leave for three years, I thought about talking to cut down to six months like you told me you could endure. But I was told I got the paper work approved, tickets purchased and everyone are expecting me in Seattle in two weeks.” You lowered your face into his chest, allowing for Jaehyun to hug you if he had strength to do that.

“Two weeks?” Jaehyun couldn’t even say it without chocking. 

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I should’ve told you earlier, I didn’t, because I couldn’t decide what mattered more-.” You eased into his hold more. 

“What mattered more? You couldn’t decide whether I, or a stupid job mattered more?” Jaehyun shook you a little so you’d open your eyes. 

“No, no. Of course you matter more. Baby, you obviously all that matters to me.” That’s not even what you meant with mattered more.

“Fuck.” Jaehyun chuckled lowly, clearly affected by the stupid slip of your tongue. “Can’t believe my wife’s a workaholic. Never used to be one.” He stood up, letting go of you and letting the skirt fall into the suitcase. 

“I am not. It’s just… Seattle? Have you ever been to Seattle?” You looked up at him. 

“I clearly haven’t.” Jaehyun looked away from you, taking the jacket off his shoulders. 

“Me neither, so I didn’t know how to say no to that.” Somehow, you had a strong believe that if it’s something you really wanted Jaehyun would give in and feel better about it because he loves you. You were clearly wrong. 

“Can’t believe these words are coming out of your mouth.” You held onto Jaehyun’s ankle so he wouldn’t walk away. Pathetic.  

“I know.” You stood up, taking Jaehyun’s face into your hands. “We will have to learn how to be long distance.”

“I don’t want to learn any of that.” He grumbled, like a hurt baby. Maybe, because he was one. And it was fair for him to be one, you knew that for sure. 

“Baby, I know, I don’t want to too. But life sometimes forces us to do things we don’t want to. Like this here.”

“Like being my wife?”

“Honey, you’re blowing this out of proportion!” You exclaimed. 

“Really? I just wouldn’t want to be married to a woman that can’t even voice out her priorities to me. That decided on her own she’s moving to another country for three years, when she has a family to discuss these things with. If you don’t care for me - good, I don’t want to care for you either. Maybe you’ve already planned to get a divorce?” Jaehyun pushed away your hold, looking away, running his fingers with force through his hair, pulling at the little hair on the nape. This… weren't the words you expected out of him. “You’re being dramatic.” You could only gasp out absolutely taken aback at that suggestion. “And jumping to ridiculous conclusions.” The words left his mouth so easily and so firmly. “Suggesting I want a divorce is blowing this out of proportion, no?”

“You’re being insensitive. I love you and I am against you leaving, but it seems like it doesn’t mean a thing to you. You’re still going, like we’re strangers. You didn’t want to talk with me about this. How do you want me to not jump to conclusions? You lay it all out for me. Next step is clearly a divorce.” 

“Good, let’s get a divorce then.” You let out with a bite. 

“Good.” Jaehyun nodded and walked into the bathroom. 

-

“Seeing this-, honestly, just the idea of you seriously going away - it’s making me dizzy.” Jaehyun spoke to you, finally, as you struggled to close the zipper on your suitcase. Jaehyun given you a cold shoulder for the entirety of two weeks. No talking, beyond questions his life depended on, no physical contact despite sleeping in one bed. He would only tell you in the mornings, how he wished you’d pick him over a job, and he would always run out of the door before you could tell him you would never pick anything over him. He’s number one in your heart despite the decision. 

And you could’ve been talking, kissing, and touching, and having sex, for that matter, with your number one for the whole two weeks. To fulfil at least the tiniest bit of your longing, but now you were less than a day away from your flight and itching horribly for his mouth all over your body.  

“Honey, it-.”

“I meant it, if you’re seriously flying away - we’re getting a divorce.” He looked you dead in the eye. That was a stare of someone who decided to make their words come true. 

“I am flying away, Jaehyun.” You sighed. 

“So you want a divorce?”

“No. I want to live through this opportunity and get your support.”

“I don’t want to do that. Three years is a whole fucking lot.” He bursted, expectedly. You just wished he would’ve done that much earlier, you needed to have that fight two weeks ago, not now. If you fought about it earlier - you would’ve already settled with the idea and spent your last hours together in each other’s presence, closer than you could ever get.

“I know, okay, I know. That’s a lot and it’s unfair, but it happened so quickly for me too. I had no information whether or not it’s happening for some time, and as I told you, the next day they say my visa’s approved and I’m expected in Seattle in two weeks.” You closed the distance between you, walking to the couch Jaehyun sat on. “I wish this went a different route.” “Why did you not tell me, when it was just in the talks? That’s something I’m genuinely not understanding. We always talked about the tiniest things? You text me about everything! But not Seattle? Is this some sort of punishment? Did I do something wrong?” You watched him gradually curl each finger into a fist, obvious display of silent rage. 

“I didn’t want you to worry, if nothing was gonna happen. You didn’t do a thing, I never punished you. I just knew it’ll be bad, if they want me to go. I wanted to keep it low because I love you! I didn’t know they’ll end up processing everything this quickly.” You wanted to go, but also didn’t. Talking about it with Jaehyun would’ve made that possibility real, and you were hoping it’ll just pass by you, while also praying for them to pick you. You also knew if you told that to him earlier - he would’ve supported you all the way through. He totally would’ve been 180 to him now, because he was always supportive of you. He was clearly raging because he was kept in the dark. He was almost doing exactly what you wanted him to do. Making it so much easier for you to leave. 

It’s unexplainable, really. Both your wish to go and not to.You were expecting worse, while hoping for them to pick you. It’s like you were split in two. One wanted Jaehyun to be the centre of your life, the other wanted to try things out of his reach also. 

“And now your flight is tomorrow and you think just leaving this as it is is going to do any good to this whole relationship?” You kneeled in front of him, taking in his pained expression. 

“You were the one who didn’t want to talk.” 

“Yes, because hearing that you’re not sure what matters more - me or the job was not on my bingo list for this year.”

“What do you want me to do?” You tried to be calm, talk to him like he was a baby.

“You know exactly what I want you to do - no doubt.”

“I literally can’t say no right now, we have to go through this.”

“You literally can. Say your husband is not allowing for you to leave the country. I’m okay to be the tyrant in the eyes of your co-workers if that means you’re staying.” Jaehyun moved his knee from under your hold. 

“Baby.” You reached for his fingertips, Jaehyun jerked back at the mere touch of you. “I don’t want to fight. I want you to make love to me for the whole night, so it’ll be enough at least for the littlest bit I’m away from you. Can’t you do just that? Can we not fight? I want to be talking to you, seeing you through my phone and waiting for the day we see each other again.” You patted his lower stomach, not knowing where to put your hands. Jaehyun forced you away from him. 

“You’re clearly not hearing me, I see.” Jaehyun slammed his laptop, walking out the living room.

-

You stood at the entrance of your apartment, shifting weight from one foot to the other, not sure if you’ll ever forgive yourself for walking out in full silence. 

“Won’t you kiss me goodbye? I feel like we’ll both regret it a lot. You haven’t touched me in two weeks and I can’t believe I’m leaving like this.” You called out to Jaehyun’s back. Despite the silent treatment, he spent the whole morning within your eyesight. The whole time you were packing and running around, Jaehyun kept himself somewhere close. It almost felt like he was walking you out and you were comforted by that.

“I won’t.” He grumbled. 

“I will miss you a lot. Despite what you’re thinking, I love you.” You trailed behind him, squeezing his wrist in your hold. 

“Yeah, you’ve clearly showed that.” Your husband tried to shake your hold off of him. 

“Instead of being a little bitch about it, you could’ve been looking up tickets to see me in June.” You whispered into his back.

“I don’t have the money for that, I’m not the one with a job in the States.”

“You’re still being a little bitch about it and are also lying.” He did have the money, his salary was still above yours even with this US increase you were given. 

“You’ll miss your flight, and we can’t allow that to happen. Go.” Jaehyun spared you a glance and walked off to the couch, busying himself with the iPad he didn’t even usually use. 

You had to swallow the lump in your throat, be the bigger person, because you were the one at fault. You tip-toed around your luggage, getting closer to the couch he occupied, crashing his shoulders under your weight, as you leaned in and pressed your head against his. “I love you.” Your mouth pressed into his set jaw. “I don’t want a divorce, I want to come back home to you. I will miss waking up every day and seeing your pretty eyes and feeling your fingers on my thigh. Come on, baby. Let me kiss you, if you’re divorcing me, am I not allowed to have my last kiss?” Jaehyun touched your arm that choked his neck, and you hoped he did that so he’d be able to turn around. You let him go and watched him turn around to you.

“We’re not having our last kiss, no. Please, go.” He forced you to stand up. 

“Jaehyun, you can’t be serious right now. We’ve been together for 10 years-.” “And those 10 years seem to be nothing to you, right? Since you were able to decide on leaving me with no second thoughts?”

Your mouth opened and closed, like you were a fish. Just air, no words to defend yourself or your actions. Jaehyun walked up to the door, rolled both your suitcases out and looked at you, clearly expecting for you to roll out the apartment in the same way. 

“Safe skies.” He rumbled, as you walked up to the elevator, not having a chance to turn around and look at him one last time as Jaehyun closed the door.

You hated how the taxi driver asked if you were okay, because you clearly weren’t - hot tears streaming down your face through the whole ride. You hated the side eyeing of every person at the airport, and then on the plane, judging your red face and puffy eyes.

You cried through the whole 13 hour flight, to the point you could barely see, both from soreness and puffiness of your eyes. They even pulled you for the random check at the airport, probably barely seeing the correlation between the photo and reality. You had to make up a joke about an allergic reaction. 

You got in the taxi and barely held back from bursting there too, taking another 3 hours to settle in your booked apartment and finally be left alone. You had two whole days up your sleeve to just soak in your loneliness and cry. 

Three months later you received the envelope for the first time. You tore those pages apart, calling Jaehyun despite it being late night back at home and cursing him. With every word you knew. You hated every bit of him for actually making those words come true. 

Since then, you would get the papers regularly and would regularly dispose them into trash. Your reaction also became more stoic - simple no’s over the message or on the phone. You were almost convinced he sent them just so you’d talk, and you’d agree getting the papers daily, if that meant you’d hear his voice and his steady breaths through the phone. 

-

“I thought I’ll never see you again.” Jaehyun broke down the dead silence that set in your apartment. You had no good reason to not leave immediately, but somehow you found yourself on the floor, going through make up like you needed to pick each item separately, stretching out time you could spend here.

It did you good, it seemed, Jaehyun finally build up courage to talk to you, or maybe just found words he could tell you.

“Why? It was set for just three years, and I would’ve eventually came back on vacation.” You haven’t used a single day, too scared to come back home and face him. But eventually, maybe, you could’ve done that. 

“I thought you’ll sign the agreement and I won’t every see you again. Purposefully avoid you.” Jaehyun sat down on the bed, not far from you, you could move a little to the side and rest the back of your head against his knee, and you felt like it meant something. These words also supposedly meant something, why else would he come to you, when you’ve settled already that you’re leaving. 

“Why?” You asked, careful. It was hard to keep your emotions at bay when they were already in your throat. 

“I couldn’t look at you, I knew I’d be so overwhelmed, and I’m proven right. I’m overwhelmed.” You turned your head, looking at Jaehyun to make a conclusion on his emotions. He stared into the floor before him, eyes blinking slowly, like his brain is picking out the words carefully to not tell you too much. You wished he didn’t hold back. 

“I’m so sorry, that I’ve suddenly been making your life a mess. We were never like this… right?” Jaehyun nodded slightly, zoned-out, it seemed. 

“You were right, I really regretted not kissing you goodbye, not taking you to the airport myself. Really regretted not calling you and asking if you were okay, somewhere far away from home, all alone and hurt by me. I regret so much not replying to your message letting me know you arrived safely. I fucking hate myself for never wishing you a good night. And now it’s too late, irreparable. I’ve blamed you, but actually made the worst moves to ruin our marriage.” Every sentence felt like a shot straight to your chest. Every pause and single breaths after each word felt like the rope around your neck was getting tighter. It was never too late to work on your mistakes, as long as he wanted it too. “I just hope, moving forward, we can be acquaintances.” You choked. 

“Right, acquaintances.” You could only muster out of your mouth. “I really have to get on the road.” You stood up, wiping the tear off your cheek, before Jaehyun could notice. You should’ve left before you’d head him call you an acquaintance. You were nauseous and probably weren’t save to drive.  “I couldn’t see my car key where I left it. Do you know where it is?” You changed the topic, turning around to look at Jaehyun with no trails of emotional trauma. 

“Ugh, yeah. It’s in my pocket. I’ve been driving your car lately, I’m sorry, I should’ve asked.” Jaehyun got up, looking around for his jacket, you assumed. 

“Why?” You asked, confused. He had his own car, the car he loved dearly, in fact. Always refused to go in yours, and he’s been driving it all of a sudden. What a weird confession to make. “Did something happen to your car?” It was the only logical interpretation of his words. 

“No, yours just eating less gas-.”

“Really?” You looked at him confused, maybe he was right, you wouldn’t know. 

“Yeah, here are the keys.” He reached out his open palm with the car key. You really refused to touch the skin of his hand. You reached out and then jerked your hand back, looking Jaehyun in the eyes to watch his reaction. He moved his other arm, grabbing onto your hand and pressing the key into your palm, covering it with the other. 

This really went out of the no touching route, you hated how you immediately needed his hands all over your body. That’s exactly what you tried to avoid. Longing. 

“I’m sorry if I left anything in the car-.”

“Stop, it’s not like your things would bother me.” You huffed, only now realising he’s still holding your palm between his fingers. “I anyway always preferred your stuff over mine, hope it’s something I could use.” You smiled, trying to make him feel better, yourself feel better. And it seemed to work, with the way Jaehyun looked you in the eyes and lit up for the slightest moment, before it felt like reality dawned on him, and he let go of you and dropped the smile. 

You grabbed your stuff and walked out the apartment. 

-

“Hey, Jaehyun?” Hyunjoo spoke into the phone in a hushed whisper, trying to keep the call out of everyone’s hearing ability. 

“Oh?” She could clearly hear his astonishment in that sound. “Hyunjoo, hi. I thought I had your phone number saved.” Jaehyun scratched his brow. Caught absolutely off guard to hear your family member on the other side of the line. Did something happen to you?

“That’s our aunt’s, mine’s occupied by Nara and Uri.” Hyunjoo was well aware that information didn’t matter to Jaehyun, but still. She felt like sharing. 

“Did something happen? Is my wife okay?” Even he himself hated the way he referred to you, unable to imagine how Hyunjoo must’ve cringed at him. 

“No, she’s okay.”

“I see.” He sighed, weirded out by the call. That silence only gestured further more for Hyunjoo that something was off. Her hunch was strong, and the vibe coming from Jaehyun - she could tell, it didn’t give off the usual openness and sweetness. She were even more concerned, than before she called. 

“I don’t know if my sister is lying that you two are all good, because something tells me you two aren’t on good terms-.” Hyunjoo trailed off, in hopes of Jaehyun catching the bait and telling the truth. 

“I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s better you discuss these things with your sister.” Jaehyun sighed into the phone, giving away more than he intended. 

“All I know is, if she didn’t lie - you should definitely come, it’s our parents wedding anniversary. Our mom will eat your wife alive, you know how she hates when someone’s missing. Minhyuk is already a fallen victim for not coming in often enough, and it’s not long until she focuses on your absence.” 

“I’m really sorry, I won’t make it today. It’s a four hour drive from my parents-.”

“Are you really at your parents?” Hyunjoo furrowed her brows, trying to hear over the loud talking of your family. 

“Why?”

“There’s a train, you could hop on to that.”

“The train station is far from your house.” Jaehyun sighed, switching his arms that held the phone.

“I could pick you up.” Jaehyun stilled, not giving Hyunjoo an answer. “Do you love her or not?”

“Why?” Jaehyun sighed once again, and Hyunjoo could really hear the indecisiveness in that sound. 

“When I asked you if you loved my sister last time I saw you, your ears turned all red and you said that you’re so in love, you feel your head get dizzy from time to time. It was less than I year ago. We joked around how you two are never coming out of that honeymoon phase. You didn’t throw at me that sad little why. Something really happened between you two.”

Jaehyun raised his voice, Hyunjoo finally could hear him properly. “Your sister left for a year, of course something happened between us.”

“She made a mistake, also quit the job to run back to you and I hope you’ll appreciate that action and find it in you to forgive her for her stupid ways.”

“She did what?” By the way Jaehyun gasped Hyunjoo could tell he was far from knowing the truth. 

“What did she tell you about her comeback?” “That Seoul office needs were put before Seattle, so she was transferred back.”

“Unfortunately, despite a job, a marriage and other adult things in her life, she’s still a stubborn child, that can’t admit to things.” Hyunjoo rolled her eyes, looking for you in the crowded living room to scold you as soon as she’s off the phone. 

“I’ll text you the time my train will be at the station. Okay?”

“Yes, I’ll be waiting. Guess see you tonight?”

“Yeah.”

-

“Sweetheart, even Minhyuk made it over here after his shift! Where’s our precious Jaehyunie? Hey, Minhyuk, where did your wife disappear?” Your mom moved her attention back at you. “Where did Hyunjoo go?”

“I have no clue? She grabbed my car keys and said she’ll be back in an hour.” You shrugged.

“Where’s mommy, dada?” Nara asked her dad, pressing her little head into his chest. 

“Will come back soon, picking things up.” His mouth pressed into her ear, striking you a look you didn’t know how to interpret for the meanwhile. 

It all suddenly fell into place, when Jaehyun walked into the living room, Hyunjoo trailing right behind. 

Every member of your family, your mom’s closest friends, jumped off their seats to pinch his cheeks, or slap it in a caring manner, comment on how good he’s looking, or how sweet he is for coming despite the distance from Seoul or his parents’. 

It was hard for you to process his presence, especially when you didn’t even talk about it with him. You found your sister’s eyes on you with a smirk, not even hiding the fact it was her doing. You wondered how much she was able to work out on her own. About your marriage and the state it was in. 

You felt your mouth open in shock, as you watched the encounter between Jaehyun and your dad, only to realise that he’s progressively getting closer to you. Finally closing the gap and wrapping an arm over your waist, mouth latching onto your temple. The touch wasn’t giving off any feelings, it was clearly an act for the public. 

“Hi, baby.” He mumbled into your skin, moving away. “My mom told me to greet everyone on her behalf and she’s sorry for stealing me from this gathering.” He smiled sweetly at everyone, mouth pressing once again into your skin. “What is it? Why are you so flabbergasted?” He chuckled, fingers flexing over your waist like the last time he touched you, or kissed you in any way wasn’t almost a year ago. 

“You said you can’t make it, I’m just confused.” You finally pulled yourself together, letting a small chuckle out. You finally looked at him up close, plastering a smile onto your face, palm moving onto his chest as your lips landed in the corner of Jaehyun’s mouth. You would’ve kissed his mouth, but were scared he’d tap out of that excessive acting. “Hi.” You whispered, not sure if anyone was locking in on the acting in front of them. 

“Jaehyunie, you really made us worry, when my daughter was away and you wouldn’t come see us-.” Your mom pulled everyone’s attention back on you two.  

“I just couldn’t imagine coming here, knowing I won’t see my wife for three years. I’m sorry, I should’ve been more cautious of how you’ll feel.” He bowed, making your grandmothers coo at each other.

“No, no. It’s all good. It is such a blessing that project got cancelled and they let you come back. A family should always be together, now you can try for babies-.” 

“Mom.” You chocked. 

“Yes, we obviously need Uri and Nara to become the wiser older siblings, just like their mom is.” Hyunjoo teased.

“We haven’t thought of that yet, you need to slow down. I just got back-.”

“You two are almost thirty-.” Jaehyun cut off, politely. 

“We thought of a baby before everything happened, once my beautiful wife is ready, I’m sure it’ll happen.” You felt a little shiver of anxiety run down your spine. 

-

You watched Jaehyun’s back for a little, comprehending whether or not he’d hate you progressing with the act. He straightened his back a little, and it was hard to hold back any longer. You wrapped your arms over his waist, tucking your face between his shoulder blades.

He stilled at first, wrapping his fingers over your arm a moment later.

“Thanks for coming here, I don’t know why or how Hyunjoo did it, but you saved me.” Your mouth left a kiss on his back, before snuggling your face into the material once again. 

He tapped the back of your palm multiple times, before you worked out it was his call for you to let him go. You did so, taking a step back also, so he could turn around. 

Jaehyun looked down on you, face not giving much to interpretation, but his arms wrapped around your shoulders and tucked you into his chest. Your arms found their place on his waist. This here, it felt like you were home for the first time since you came back. Despite spending this whole week back here, only now did it feel like you returned where you belonged. You tightened your hold around him, Jaehyun letting his back hit the counter and welcome you between his legs, arms holding you firmer in his hold. It was hard for you to see the truth behind the action. Did he do that to put an impression on your family that you were good? Did he do that because that’s all he wanted to do since you came back? Your fingers caressed his back in little pats, eyes closing and muting all the background noise, focusing on the beating of his heart only. 

Jaehyun raised his head from the top of yours, only to bombard a multitude of kisses on top of your head. You felt like you were about to burn alive. 

“Aigoo, how did you two live separately for a year, when you’ve seen each other in the morning and already can’t let go of each other.” Your mom let you know the act was seen. Jaehyun pulled back. “In the morning?” Jaehyun smiled politely at your mom, shifting his gaze at you. You smiled innocently, resting your head on his shoulder, until your mom would move her attention elsewhere. “What’s this about?” Jaehyun whispered into your ear.

“Act like we spent the week at home, will you?” You smiled, mouth almost not moving as you spoke. 

“And may I know where you spent it?” Jaehyun’s arm wrapped tighter over your waist. The familiar press of his body against yours felt borderline ecstatic. 

“Four Seasons…?” You cowardly admitted staying at a hotel for the whole week, instead of facing reality. 

“You stayed at a hotel?! Instead of coming back home?” Jaehyun’s arm pushed you even more into his frame, hissing, making it wildly uncomfortable to press into his crotch during a build up for a confrontation. “Why do you hate me? I didn’t leave you.” Instead of a blow up, his shoulders slouched in lack of understanding your motives. 

You wished you could answer that yourself. 

“I guessed you won’t be comfortable being around me, but you came here. What did my sister tell you?” You hissed back at him. 

“That your mom was halfway done with nagging at Minhyuk, and you were next in line for my absence. Said you won’t come out alive out of it, so I had to hop on the train. If you’re dead, who’s signing my divorce agreement?” He chuckled, your palm landed on his chest, asking for a little bit of space between you two. The joke didn’t land where he wanted it to. At least you were hoping, that he’s playful and not about to pop the pen and paper from behind him.

-

“We haven’t slept in a bed together since April last year.” You stated, eyes glued to your double bed. 

“I’m aware.” Jaehyun simply shrugged. He might’ve not cared. 

“Do you… not want to?” You still made sure to ask. 

“I don’t care, I’m dead tired I’ll be knocked out on the floor, if it matters to you.”

"We should sleep tops to tails." you suggested, scared you'd eventually roll over into him and tuck yourself under his arm, like you knew you always did. 

"Sure." Jaehyun gave you the curtest nod and sat down on the bed with his back facing you. 

You grabbed the pillow and tossed it into supposed feet area, covering yourself with a duvet, thank God your mom had a spare one and you didn’t have to share it with him. "Turn off the light when you won't need it anymore. Thank you." you whispered and closed your eyes. 

Jaehyun was well aware of the fact you couldn't fall asleep with the light on, it was obvious the man also knew how much you hated to have your full body covered, because you were immediately hot all over even in the winter. But you had to intention of letting him see any of you from behind the material. 

You focused on the noises that were coming from him - he shuffled on the bed a little, clearly not lying down yet. Then he stilled, making you wonder if he was just staring at his phone, with the full illumination in the room. You were getting a little worked up at the idea of him purposely disturbing your wish to sleep. You wanted to turn around and see him and maybe have a little fight, because it seemed like the only valuable reason to talk to him. 

You were feeling too warm under the duvet, all because of those thoughts, you needed him to turn off the lights, so you'd pull it off yourself. When he'd roll to the other side and won't see your bare legs in the darkness. As you made up your mind to fight, you heard him get to his feet and finally turn the lights off. You held in a sigh. 

You listened carefully to his feet walking back to the bed and felt him sitting down. Heard and felt the mattress bend as he lowered his body fully and then shuffled with his own duvet. You felt the mattress bend under him as he probably turned away from you, and finally felt free to move the duvet off your body. 

Taking a long breath and actually trying to fall asleep this time. 

You tried not to picture much how you'd meet at the court's entrance to civilly agree on your divorce. You tried to shush those thoughts away and fall asleep quickly. 

You heard a little shuffle behind your back, Jaehyun probably moving his arms around to find a comfortable position. 

Until you felt his mouth on your outer ankle bone you were convinced Jaehyun was trying hard to fall asleep. Now you weren't so sure, as he moved his mouth a mere centimetre up. Your legs moved under his touch on reflex, trying to avoid the tickle of his mouth. 

Jaehyun's fingers wrapped over your sole, holding your leg in place, as his mouth trailed up your ankle to your calf. "Tell me if you want me to stop." He skipped a few centimetres up your body and pressed his mouth into the middle of your thigh. 

"It's okay." you whispered into the pillow, laying on your stomach. Jaehyun's mouth kissed your other thigh and moved away. You heard him shuffle behind you, probably sitting up, felt his fingers wrap around your ankles and pulling your body more to the centre of the bed. You tried to close your legs and felt his body between them. 

You were already so damn wet, not knowing what he wanted or intended to do, but you were just hoping Jaehyun won't take long to find out how he made you feel. 

His fingers ran up your legs while giving pressure to your skin, pressing his mouth right under your ass, the shorts giving him the perfect opportunity to feel up all the bare skin. You felt his tongue swipe up, while his hand squeezed the other side under its fingers. You perked your ass up, only to be pressed down with force. 

Jaehyun's luscious mouth moved up your butt cheek and left wet kisses, when you felt a striking pain of his teeth, digging into the soft skin. As you gave out a whine and shuffled under him, Jaehyun's free palm pressed into your lower back to keep you in place, pressing his teeth into you even harder.

Your hand blindly found his head, trying to make him let go. It's not like he didn't know it hurt, he purposely hurt you. 

"Baby, it really hurts." You finally whined, feeling his mouth let go of you and fall into your reached out hand, peppering kisses into your palm. 

Your butt cheek was on fire. 

"I know. That's your punishment for leaving me alone. For a whole fucking year. And staying at that fuck ass hotel for the whole week. Bet it doesn't even sting half badly to what my heart felt." 

"I'm so sorry." you tried to turn around and see him, but Jaehyun's arms pressed into your knees. This was clearly another part of his punishment. "My ass is on fire, i need ice." 

"I can give the symmetrical one to the other side, it'll for sure stop burning over here." 

"No, please, this already hurts a lot. Is there blood?" you whined. 

"I wouldn't bite that hard, you're silly. Just a little red mark. It's not that harsh." His fingers slapped the butt cheek and you let out an 'ouch'. It for sure felt like there was blood to you. "I missed you." he whispered in a hushed manner, pressing his mouth against you. “I had to fuck my hand for a year because my wife left me alone. Are you sorry for that also?”

“I am.”

“Good.” Jaehyun pressed flat out palm into your core, your body leaning into his hand to feel the pressure that made your eyes roll backwards. “Tell me if you don’t want to have sex with me.”

“I want to, my only concern would be my entire family sleeping in the same building.” You moved your body against his palm, giving yourself a bit of stimulation. 

“Then you have to be extra cautious with your noises.” Jaehyun moved his fingers to the side, teasing the material of your underwear. 

“You can silence me with your kisses. Please, let me turn around, I want to kiss you.” You whined, feeling his digits tease your slickness. Jaehyun’s thumb disappeared in your folds, giving you pressure you missed so much. One more swipe of his fingers and all you need is his hips thrusting into you full force. Fucking you stupid, until you can’t stand up the next morning. 

“No, I don’t want you to.” His pointing fingers rolled over your clit in circles.

“I missed you so fucking much, baby.”

“I can tell. You’re so wet, so warm, so ready to take me inside of you.” Jaehyun’s fingers rolled down your slit, pressing into your entrance. “But I kind of thought of something else?” His digits penetrated you, curling inside as your ass once again lift up from the mattress, adding on the friction and pressure. 

“Baby, anything is good for me. Can you move your hand faster?” Jaehyun pressed his other hand into your clit, drawing small circle while pumping his other hand in and out of you. 

“You can’t be cuming this early, no. I’m going to move slowly. You need to relax. Completely.” He let his hand from your clit press into your lower back to lay you back down. “Shh, you need to relax, I need you to be absolutely unwind.” Jaehyun caressed your thigh with that same hand, letting left-over slickness stain your skin.

“Why?” You mumbled into the pillow, arms grabbing onto the material, as Jaehyun pulled back. As the question left your lips, you felt his same digit give pressure to your anus. “Why?” You asked again, meaning why do you want to do anal when my whole family could hear us. Not why the hell do you want that now. 

“Are you against it?” 

“No, we maybe should’ve taken it home.” You whined as he caressed his fingers against you. “We can’t, not when you tell me you’ve slept in a hotel for a week, when I thought you were here. I could’ve been fucking you for a week, in every way I could think of. I could’ve even calmed down by now and started making love to you instead.” Jaehyun’s mouth trailed kisses down your back through your shirt.

“Do you know…how to do it properly?” He clearly did, you just liked asking stupid questions. 

“I had plenty of time to work that out.”

“Don’t tell me it was through other people.” You swallowed a moan, feeling him slip into your wetness. 

“You must be fucking insane. I would’ve kept my faithfulness to you even if you signed the papers and I walked into you five years later on accident. You’re the love of my fucking life, baby.” Jaehyun slipped two of his fingers inside of you, giving pressure to your ass with the third one. 

“Jaehyun-ah.” You cried into the pillow not able to go with the same slowness of his movement, continue with that mere pressure into your ass, you needed more of him and more firmly, like you knew he was able to give.

“Yes, sweetheart?” He whispered sweetly. 

There was no sweetness in your response. When you were horny, you were far from being sweet. “I want you to fuck my ass. And I want you to do it roughly.” 

“I hear you.” Jaehyun whispered, pressing his mouth into your shoulder blade. “Let me take your clothes off, stick your ass up.” He let go of you completely, moving back down and watching you get on your knees. You stuck your butt out for him, his fingers immediately hooking onto your shorts and pulling them down your legs, throwing them off the bed with your underwear. You felt his mouth latch onto your heat, swiping the tongue up and down your slick folds, causing you to fold into his touch and chase his mouth with your core blindly. Your head buried deep into the pillow to not let the whimpers coming out of you be heard anywhere beyond your bed.

Jaehyun ran his tongue up and down, extending the trail up to your ass, repeating that same action multiple times. His fingers once again found your entrance, penetrating you full force with no warning. He didn’t really need to, you were so slick, he could get himself inside of you with no issue right the same moment. “We don’t have lube, so we’ll have to stick to your pussy’s slickness and my saliva. If it’s not doing it’s thing and it hurts, just tell me, okay?” 

“It won’t hurt.”

“It can, baby. Promise you won’t endure pain to make me happy.”

“I won’t.”

“Good girl.” He moved his fingers from inside of you, pressing into your butt cheeks to spread you wider. You felt stars in your eyes as Jaehyun’s tongue slipped inside of you, it was firm, so wet and warm. You chased him once again, as he tried to move away from you, sticking his tongue into your vagina while his finger pressed into your other hole, taking your mind completely off that foreign but fascinating feeling.

Your arm reached out to your husband between your legs squeezing his thigh barely reaching with your fingers. If he was still your husband, he’d know you weren’t just wanting to hold on to him. And he was, indeed, still your husband, because you could hear the shuffling, and the struggle of him trying to take his sleeping pants off with just one hand. He finally did so, moving his hips forward, until the tip of his cock fell into your open palm and you wrapped around it, pumping his tip. Jaehyun let out the loudest sigh, like he was lifting weights at the gym, trying to hold himself together. You pumped him, until he became too heavy in your hand, pressing him into your slickness just so you could feel his warm leaking head press into your longing pussy. His cock felt so painfully hard and he obviously needed to slip himself inside of you. 

You swiped his tip against your slit, making both you moan with the way the swipe felt so full to the both of you, until pressing him into your ass. Letting him know you wanted him get inside of you, just a finger wasn’t enough anymore. You needed the full experience he wanted you to have.

“Wait, baby, I need to find the condom.” Jaehyun pulled back, slipping his length out of your hold. 

“I’m still taking birth control?”

“It’s not about that. Didn’t I tell you, had plenty of time to work out how to do it properly. I can’t do both your ass and pussy, because bacteria can cause infections in your vagina, we can’t be doing that, can we?” You nodded, feeling Jaehyun climb back onto the bed. “I can put it on you, like when we just started dating. You liked it so much.” You haven’t put a condom on him in maybe eight years, you wanted to remember the feeling. 

“It’s okay.” You heard the foil break under his teeth, “Don’t want you to move out of this position.”

“Please?” You whined, reaching a hand out between your legs once again. Only now did you realise you obediently sat in the same position, when you could’ve turned around and force his mouth onto yours. 

Jaehyun slipped his tip into your fingers, the rubber material hiding the tip from your direct touch as he slightly put it on already. You wrapped your finger over him and in one swift motion rolled it all the way up, giving his balls a squeeze before moving your hand back to the base. You guided his hips closer to you, smudging the condom with your slickness, as you worked him against you. He did say you’ll need a ton of lube for that. 

Jaehyun moved away, your arm going back to the pillow to give you steadiness. You stuck your butt out more, hoping it’ll make easier for the both of you. You felt a drip of his saliva fall onto your skin, felt him smothering your entrance with his cock and felt the pressure, slipping himself into you.

“Is it…not working?” You asked, confused. You felt pressure, but couldn’t even comprehend the depth of that motion. 

“It’s working, just don’t strain yourself, it’ll hurt me. Is it okay?”

“It is.”

“Do you want me to touch your pussy?”

“I want to feel this properly.” You whispered, sure of the fact he slipped past the tip - it felt like more pressure than before applied. “Fuck.” You gasped.

“Want me to move away?”

“No, I might need your fingers.”

“Where?”

“Clit.” Jaehyun urgently pressed his digits into your core, massaging your completely soaking mucous. It gave you that little bit of relaxation you needed to let go and allow Jaehyun to move further, he did just that, slipping himself in.

“Can I move?” Jaehyun sighed.

“Are you deep?” You felt like he was all in, he probably wasn’t. 

“Mmh, like halfway?”

“Yeah, do that.” You whimpered as he moved away, pressing himself once again. “Do more spit.” You felt his warm saliva once again drip down your skin. 

“Fuck, this feels insanely tight. Like the next thrust I’m not going to be able to move back.” He gasped with each thrust and you couldn’t understand if it somehow was what he expected. 

“Do you hate it?” “No, I just have a feeling this won’t last long.” You could feel Jaehyun get deeper inside of you with every thrust of his. “Fuck, baby, you’re taking this so well.” He whined into your spine. “Fuck, fuck.” He cursed under his breath, hips finally pressing against your ass. Your fingers reached out to his balls, giving them a little stimulation while Jaehyun recollected himself. “Can I do it properly?”

“You can try.” Jaehyun angled your ass, moving out of you, only to slap his hips full force into you. It didn’t feel like pain. Pressure - yes, a lot of pressure that you’ve never felt before, stretching that made your core throb. You felt so full of your husband, ready to take thrusts of any power and force. You whined under his hold, every thrust of his hips making your breath hitch, pressure under every finger of his on your waist making your back arch back in want. You physically needed him to fill you up, you couldn’t care at this point in what way, as long as he was holding you in his arms. 

His little grunts were getting progressively more expressive, making him mess up the tempo every once in a while. Jaehyun pulled out, and you could tell he moved away from you with the way his palms left your skin. 

You tried to switch positions, get up from your now sore arms and turn to see his face. Jaehyun caught your arms with his, looping it around and pushing you towards him. So you’d get on your ass, while being half-way hostage in his hold and have no way to move your arms around. Mid-action Jaehyun put in extra care to make sure his tip lined up with you, sliding himself right into your slickness as you landed on his thighs. Filled to the brim with him. Just him, the condom disposed before the action. 

You moaned. 

The sound was so raw and sudden, you were convinced every other person that wasn’t asleep in the house heard it.

“Stop clenching around me.” Jaehyun grunted into your ear, mouth pressing into your jaw. “We won’t last five minutes, sweetheart.”

“Let me move.” You whimpered, trying to raise your hips up but struggling while your arms are locked in his hold.

“Okay baby, ride me.” Jaehyun let you go, lowering his back on the mattress, palms resting against the sheets. Your fingers gripped onto his thighs, wrapping around them firmly, using them as a prop for stability, raising your hips up in the slowest motion you could muster and sinking down with that same smooth, fluid motion. 

Up and down. 

Another one hollowing yourself and filling up, all in that slow, almost teasing pace that helped you keep your composure. You felt your insides grip onto him in an attempt to hold back, you weren’t able to do anything about it. It was either this, or spasming around him in literal five minutes. 

And you couldn’t let that happen. 

You haven’t felt him like that in a year. You’d like him to fill you up for the entirety of the night.

And you knew he’d do that if you just voiced out the need. 

Jaehyun’s fingers rested on your hips, his silent gesture for you to raise up the speed. 

You really couldn’t. Not with the way those thrusts made his tip press exactly into your g-spot, making your stomach grow heavier by the second with pleasure. 

“Baby, are you good?” Jaehyun patted your side. You were uncharacteristically quiet during the process, just your thighs meeting his, fingers gripping onto his knee. Now, that you bent a little further. Mouth letting out heavy sighs as you were building up your high. 

“Good.” You whispered.

“I can help you.” Jaehyun met you half way, forcing a grunt out both you and him. 

“I’m doing good.” You cried in protest.

“You are, baby. You are doing so good and it’s getting painfully hard to hold back from cuming. Watching you sink down on me is definitely my favourite show to watch, but my vision’s getting blurry.” Jaehyun’s fingers forced you down onto him roughly as he buckled his hips into yours once again. “Can I help us both? Get on your knees. Please, baby.” You almost sighed, it was probably the first time you haven’t seen his face during sex, not once felt his tongue in your mouth. And he was the man that usually said he couldn’t think of fucking any other way than missionary because he loves to see your face expressions. 

Maybe he’s changed his opinion, or what has changed is his feelings. 

You did as he asked bending forward, tangling your legs with his thighs and getting Jaehyun lift his hips right into you. Quick-paced thrusts that made your bed’s wood creak under pressure. 

Jaehyun moved his hips up, his fingers pushing your core closer to him. The pace he moved with made you absolutely dizzy, you had no thoughts properly forming in your head except for maybe how he was using all of his core strength to chase both his and yours highs. 

Your hips met his thrust half way up, helping him to pop that bubble of pressure in your stomach, until you felt yourself pool. Silent gasps and cries escaping through your mouth. Then, like a chain reaction Jaehyun’s thrust lost rhythm as your pussy gripped onto him mercilessly. You sank down feeling him spill, making slow thrusts to ride out his high.

Jaehyun stilled, letting his limbs fall off your lower back and onto the bed. Heavy breathing filling up the room. 

You needed to lie down too, attempting to roll over to the side. Jaehyun didn’t let you, his arms wrapping over your waist, forcing you to fall down onto his chest. Keeping himself inside of you. “Can I have your body weight on me for a little while?” Jaehyun mumbled against your skin, mouth pressing into your shoulder. 

“You can.” Your voice barely came out of your throat. “It’s the first time we’ve gotten intimate in over a year. And the first time we didn’t even take our clothes off properly.” Only now did you notice and feel, that you both had your shirts still on. You wouldn’t be too surprised if the sleeping trousers he wore weren’t properly off his body either. “First time I haven’t seen your face nor kissed your mouth. And we’ve been together for a decade. Is that supposed to mean something?” You questioned in a whisper. Jaehyun didn’t budge, it’s like he didn’t care about the emotional turmoil you were going through. “Jaehyun?” you called out his name, squeezing his forearm for a reaction. 

“I’m so tired.” He let out a loud sigh into your ear, mouth pressing into your jaw. “Sorry, sweetheart, did you say something? I got knocked out under you.” He yawned, you had no emotional capacity to comprehend wether he play pretended or not. You wanted to not feel his arms press into your stomach. 

You pulled onto them and freed yourself, sitting up and eventually moving away. Jaehyun let out an ‘ouch’ at your motion.

You just felt hollow, just like your heart did last few months, throwing the shorts on and hiding yourself in the bathroom. 

Rebound sex seemed to be a bitch.

-

You dreaded to open your eyes, but you knew you had to. Your mom had a very strict policy of no sleeping past 9 am, and you weren’t sure Jaehyun got up to shower after what you did and put his underwear on. Or if he put the condom away or it was laying somewhere next to the bed.

Your mom catching up on obvious signs of you having sex last night seemed worse than facing your husband, and you opened your eyes quickly, looking over the room. Your eyes fell onto the chair, surprised to find Jaehyun sitting in it. Feet up on the cushion, eyes trained on the phone while he obviously scrolled.

Good thing he was dressed. 

Though he was wearing his jeans and that made you let him know you were awake.

“Are you leaving?” Your voice sounded like you had nightmares of your husband having sex with you and handing you the divorce agreement right as you were cuming. Or did you really dream that? You needed to check your bedside table for pen and paper.

“Hm…no?” Jaehyun looked up from his phone confused. “Good morning to you too, though.”

“Why are you in your jeans at 8 am?” You frowned.

“Can’t I take a walk?” 

“I’m sorry for asking.” You folded immediately. You could still feel his fingers on your thighs, you were in no place of mind to fight. 

“Do you… feel okay?” He tip-toed over the topic. 

“I haven’t moved a limb, don’t know.” Jaehyun dropped his phone on the floor, making you anxious with the speed he crossed the room to get on your side of the bed. “Did you throw the condom away?” 

“I did, your mom’s been up since like 5:30 am. I heard her move around the house.” He gave you the weakest smile. 

“I see.” You sighed, wildly awkward of Jaehyun standing above you like you were on your deathbed. 

“Can you sit up?” He questioned, clearly concerned over your physical state. 

“Jae-.” You had to stop a chuckle. “We had sex, it’s not like I’m going to die after that. We had sex before. A lot of times.” You would like to not think of those times to not get yourself worked up. 

“Not like that though.” He gave you a brow. You wondered if he meant the physical way he did it, or your emotional state or something else.

“Is that the only thing that bothers you?” Not like, the fact we have not kissed during the process?

“That’s first priority.”

“Okay, I’m going to sit up.” You let him know, pulling yourself together to get up. Despite the tiresome state of your system. Jaehyun watched your face intently, looking for any sign of discomfort that could come. 

Okay, he might’ve been right. You didn’t feel perfectly fine, you felt sore, a little pain also followed in your thighs. Nothing you couldn’t endure anyway. Jaehyun read through discomfort that showed on your face for a split second.

“See.” He sighed knowingly, walking off the bed and returning with a bag in his hand. “I got you something.” He admitted quickly, reaching his fingers into the bag. “This is an electrolyte water. Also vitamin c.” He got two bottles out of the bag, expecting you to take them, so you did. “I didn’t know if it’s better with heat or cooling - I got a heat pack and this cooling spray just in case-.”

“At the convenience store?” You asked confused, you’ve never heard of cooling sprays at convenience stores, but then again - you never looked for them.

“Yes.” He let all of the things fall onto your lap. “And this mini croissants salt bread. Thought you might like it. It’s the new product, got on market while you were away.” The baby-blue pack fell onto your lap last. You looked at everything, overwhelmed with the fact Jaehyun cared for you as much as he did before. Despite the signs earlier. 

Or maybe he just wanted to be nice, patch up your bruises and get you to sign those papers while you’re touched by him?

“Thank you.” You could only muster, raising your eyes to see his face plastered with cute smile, that made both his dimples pop. He gave you a nod and turned around probably to get rid of the bag.

“Jaehyun…”

“Yes?” At the call of his name he was looking you in the eyes in a second. 

“I still don’t want that divorce to happen… I didn’t come back because the project got cancelled. It got cancelled, because I said I’m going back home. I asked for their understanding a long time ago. First, they told me I needed to assimilate, that I was just home sick and thus asked to be dismissed. I agreed, stayed another month, but it wasn’t going away. That sorrow and emptiness weren’t going anywhere. I told them I’m going back, but they pleaded me to stay just another month to find a substitute. Then a month stretched into two and three. I only was able to make it back to you now. I was sick this whole time, when you first actually send me the papers, I cried the whole week. I wanted to go back immediately, and I weren’t allowed to. I really fucked us up, you were right when you said I acted like the 10 years of us didn’t matter to me… because I don’t know what the fuck I was doing. I left and realised that the life I thought I was able to live, actually was unbearable without you. How funny is that? Expected myself to kill this whole thing, return back home to you and slide into our bed like nothing happened, when I clearly hurt you, and myself. I love you so much. I’m so sorry, what’s done cannot be undone, so I guess I am signing those papers. I can’t hold you back forever, just ask your lawyer to send one more copy to our apartment.” You sobbed defeated. 

“What?” Jaehyun sounded astonished, you raised your face to see him. Probably jumping in happiness. 

“I said I’ll sign those papers.” You repeated to his face. 

“You still want to get divorced? I thought we just had reconciliation sex and will move on?” He took multiple steps back to you. 

“Huh? I thought this was a goodbye?” “And why would I go to a convenience store at 7 am then?” Jaehyun furrowed his brows even deeper. 

“To get me on your good side… so I’d sign the agreement?” You told him what you took this as. 

“Are you… crazy? How did I even marry a crazy lady like you.” He chuckled in clear disbelief. 

“You didn’t kiss me once last night, didn’t even look me in the eyes once. What was I supposed to take this as?” It was your turn to frown. 

“Me fucking you from the back like I said I was gonna to.” He exclaimed louder than intended, having you shush him with your hands immediately. 

“I don’t understand, I’m sorry.” 

“You’re back for forever? This is not a holiday brake, right?” Jaehyun crossed the room. 

“No, I’m back for good.”

“I wanted a divorce not because I didn’t love you. I wanted a divorce because I didn’t want to hold you back here. If you were gonna settle in the US for three years, I didn’t want to be the anchor that pulled you back here. If you’re here, we should reconcile and not do the stupid thing. I love you.” He said in one quick breath. 

“You do?” “Of course, sweetheart. I always will.” Jaehyun kneeled in front of your half-sitting body.

“I love you too.” You admitted quickly. 

“Good, I guess now that we’re settled I can have my real kiss.” He pulled on your palms, bending your back towards him. Before his mouth could touch yours, you pulled back.

“But why? Why you didn’t kiss me last night? Can’t believe in what you said.”

“I told you when you were leaving. We are not having our last kiss. I weren’t sure, last night, that it won’t be the last time I kissed you, so I refrained. Now that I am sure, I don’t have a good reason to not do that.”

“Your brain is… insane?” You chuckled, but instead of letting him pull you down, forced him up and on top of you, sealing your mouths in the slowest twirl of your tongues. 

“Mom! They’re making you more grandkids!” Your sister forced the door wide open, not giving either of you a moment to react, or to let go of each other. 

“Close the door!” you growled, hiding Jaehyun’s face in the crook of your neck.

“I heard enough moans last night, can’t be listening to that while I’m having breakfast! Come on you two! Mom said breakfast’s ready. I’m giving you 45 seconds to pull your shit together or mom locks you two up to conceive that baby now!”

“Ew.” You made the loudest sound of disgust, Hyunjoo threw a towel she had in her hands towards you and closed the door. Jaehyun raised his head up looking at you with the wildest grin, face gone red as a tomato. 

“She heard everything.” Jaehyun let out a low chuckle out. “I’m not going there.” He rolled over onto his back.

“You are! I’m not facing my family after what she just said on my own!”

hope you enjoyed, any feedback is highly appreciated <3

[xzaddyzanakinx]

Not That Kind of Guy

Part Twenty Two: Stalker!Anakin Skywalker x femme reader series

Warnings: stalking, weirdo behavior, psychotic/delusional behavior, possessive/protective, sexism/misogyny, sexual content/fantasizing, pervy behavior, panty/scent kink, mask kink(Ghostface), gaslighting/manipulation, public/semi-public, spitting, cumplay, nude vids/pics, masturbation, oral, PIV, dick piercing, forced orgasm, bondage/blindfolds, biting/slapping/ spanking/cutting, rape kink, NONCON/DUBCON/CNC, Somno, blood, knife, GEN. SMUT, [All possible tags listed, all may not apply] GORE, MURDER, ANIMAL CRUELTY, ANIMAL DEATH

Info: ✨breaking and entering✨ boy things ✨[diary entries from Ani] extremely not proofread, MDNI 18+

The office you sat in looked more like a living room out of a catalog than a workplace. The couch beneath you was comfy and large enough for you and Anakin both to sit, with plenty of room left over. Although he wouldn’t allow it, always insisting you stay tucked against his side. Not that you minded very much.

“Woods Edge,” Amy, the realtor that Luke had gotten ahold of for you repeated after Anakin. “That’s a higher price range than what we discussed over the phone this morning.”

”I know… I was doing a little independent looking.” He said with a friendly smile, tossing his arm over your shoulder. “I saw some pictures of the area online and I just really liked the view, seemed like a nice place.”

”It *is* a nice place, that’s why the price tag has a few added zeros.” Amy gave a lighthearted laugh.

“We really just wanted to take a look, a few different subdivisions, homes a bit farther out from the city. We aren’t totally set on anything. Just looking for ideas.” You piped up, reaching your hand across your body to take Anakin’s hand in yours, squeezing it hard to let him know you were taking over the conversation.

“The sooner we can get a look at-“ Anakin started, completely ignoring the rough squeeze of your hand, to him it just felt like the grip of scared child.

”I think we should go look at the little single level, two bedroom place. The second one you showed us.” You cut in, leaning forward and patting the back of Anakin’s hand as if to say ‘too bad’.

”Sure, its vacant at the moment.” Amy said, turning back to her computer to look up the address and specs, filling you in on what little detail there was in the listing. “There aren’t any showings scheduled and I have my afternoon blocked off for the two of you, so…”

After coming up with a tentative itinerary for the next few hours, you walked out of the building feeling excited to house hunt. There were many things you were looking forward to, seeing the different options was your main goal of course. Though it didn’t hurt to have a few other curiosities as well. It was going to be so entertaining for someone as easily distracted as you.

Thinking of all the random bits and bobbles hiding out in these strangers homes for you to judge and/or admire, was almost more exciting than the prospect of finding your new family home.

”We have twenty minutes before we’re supposed to meet her at the-“ The air blew out of your lungs from the force of Anakin’s forearm against your chest, pressing your back against the cold metal exterior of your vehicle.

“What the hell was that in there?” He asked angrily, yanking open the back passenger door to shove you inside. “You can’t just interrupt me like that.”

“I told you I wanted some real input on our decisions!” You snapped back, landing on the backseat cushions with a bounce that send you further back into the car.

“And I told you to let me handle this meeting!” He barked, climbing in after you and slamming the car door behind him. “You… you ruined it.”

“Ruined what?” You scoffed, pushing against his shoulders, hands on either side of his neck as he started to encompass your personal space.

“Remember when I told you to stop asking fucking questions and shut your goddamnn mouth?” He snarled, grabbing your face and jostling your roughly. Anger blazed in his eyes, the pupils usually so dilated just from being in your presence, were no bigger than the tip of a pin.

“This is one of those times you shut the fuck up and listen to me!” He yelled, shoving your head back until you heard a resounding *thunk*. The back of your skull hitting the ledge of the car door behind you.

“Ow!” You shrieked, cupping the back of your head as Anakin quickly released you and sat back on his haunches, blinking down at you like he had no idea what had just happened.

“What’s your problem?” You sniffled, sitting up and squeezing your eyes shut, breathing through your teeth as you rubbed the back of your head with the heel of your palm.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” He said quietly, not sounding like himself in the slightest. “‘C’mere. Let me look at it.”

You glared at him, giving him a long, uninterrupted stare-down before finally agreeing to let him check the tender, warm to the touch pump-knot forming. His fingers parted your hair, gently brushing through it before he separated the strands into two sections. Placing one over your right shoulder, while holding the other, smaller section loosely as he kissed the nape of your neck: a silent apology.

“It looks okay,” He said, feeling small and shitty about the way he’d acted. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“What did I ruin?” You asked, lowering your head, thankful he couldn’t see your face.

“Let’s just forget about that.” He sighed, pulling you toward him, arms around your waist and chin resting on your shoulder.

“It’s silly anyway, certainly not worth hurting you over.” He said softly, his breath warm against your neck as he nuzzled into you.

“Are you going to get in trouble because I’ve gotten in your way?” Your throat constricted at the thought. What an awful girlfriend. You’re going to be the reason Anakin goes to prison. All because you just had to question him.

He was quiet for a long moment, almost like he was waiting for you to speak again, maybe outright confront him. Or perhaps he was just too shocked to respond in a timely manner.

“No.” He shook his head, kissing the nape of your neck once more before awkwardly shifting his long limbs to crawl over the car console into the driver’s seat, gesturing for you to do the same.

“Actually, I think-“ He sighed, scratching his neck, turning his head away to avoid looking at you now that you were in the front beside him, buckling up in a heavy silence.

“It’s probably for the best.” He cleared his throat, starting the car and backing out of the parking space to head to the home you were scheduled to look at first.

“So it’s… a thing… at Woods Edge?” You asked, looking out the passenger windows as the buildings blurred past.

“Sweetheart.” He sighed, hesitantly laying his hand on your thigh. His calloused hand warm enough to transfer its heat through the denim of your jeans. “I don’t want you to worry. Everything is fine. There is no ‘thing’ at Woods Edge.”

”But there will be?” You asked, picking at the sides of your fingers nervously.

”No.” He huffed, reaching up to grab your wrist to separate your hands, not wanting you to mar up your skin.

”Did you… were you *hoping* for it?” You asked quietly, tapping your fingertip repeatedly against his hand.

”Jesus, can we not do this?” He asked tiredly. His left leg starting to bob up and down at the knee, like he was getting antsy at the red light he’d just pulled up to.

“What are you fishing for? What answer are you trying to get?” He growled in annoyance. It was clear that he really didn’t want to continue this conversation.

“Anakin, I just- I’m not trying to ‘fish’ for anything.” You snapped at him, crossing your arms over your chest. “I just want to be included!”

He froze, his face immediately morphing into a drawn and pale expression that showed just how unexpected your statement was. Or perhaps just how utterly unprepared he was to respond to such a bold declaration.

“W-wait, no that’s not…” You said quickly, holding out both hands as you twisted in your seat to turn toward him. “I don’t mean it like that.”

”Then what the hell do you mean?” He yelled, throwing open the center console to dig around for his lighter, needing a cigarette to calm his nerves.

“No, you were right.” You started to backtrack, staring out the front windshield to avoid the icy look he threw your way. “We shouldn’t be doing this now. We’re supposed to be house hunting.”

”No, ma’am, we shouldn’t. But you opened your mouth so…” He said sharply, gesturing at you like he was prompting you to keep talking. “So? Couldn’t shut your damn mouth before, open it back up and spit it out.”

”Ani, I just want you to stop being so… secret-y.” You let the words fall out of your mouth.

“Secret-y?” He scoffed, running his hand through his hair as he blew out a puff of smoke, cracking his window open. “You think I *like* hiding things from you?”

“Yes.” You said before you even had a chance to process the word forming on your tongue.

”Are you fuckin’ serious?” He squeaked, genuinely so surprised by your rapid fire answer that he dropped his cigarette from his lips, allowing it to fall into his lap.

“Shit! Fuck-“ He yelped, trying to focus on driving while also retrieving the cigarette before it burnt a hole in his jeans.

You reached over in a flash, pinching the filter between your fingers and plucking it up from his lap, holding it back out to him. The cherry had fallen out and charred a black spot onto the car upholstery between his thighs. He cursed under his breath and swiped at the ashes to fling them out on to floor mat beneath him.

”Thanks.” He mumbled, snatching it from between your fingers to relight it and finish smoking it in silence, presumably trying to pre-plan his next words to you.

“So you… do you really think I like hiding things from you?” He asked in a horribly hurt, tiny voice.

”N-not intentionally.” You sighed, reaching over to put your hand on his knee to comfort him. “I just think maybe you sometimes don’t tell me things because you’re like, scared or worried. I feel like you keep things from me because you think its best for me, but it’s not.”

”And why not?” He asked, his jaw line sharpening as he clenched his teeth tightly. “How do you know what’s best for you? You suck at being an adult.” He mumbled under his breath.

”Anakin!” You gasped, pulling your hand away from his knee as his words registered. “That is completely unfair. If anyone here sucks at being an adult it’s you.” You shot back.

”Excuse me?” He huffed, so distracted by the increasingly heated conversation to pay attention, not using a turn signal when pulling onto a side road, causing the car behind you to honk.

“Oh shut the fuck up!” Anakin growled over his shoulder as if the driver could hear him, throwing up a middle finger for good measure.

“I might have some issues but at least I can keep my shit together.” Anakin barked. “I don’t get wasted anytime I have a minor problem!”

”That’s only ever happened once and you know it!” You yelled back, your foot stomping down on the floor mat. “It’s your fault anyway!”

”MY fault?” He scoffed, smacking the steering wheel in anger, making the car swerve.

”Be careful!” You squealed, your hand reaching out to steady the steering wheel but not quite reaching it. It was more of a warning that if it happened again, you would be grabbing the wheel to correct his mistake.

”Don’t tell me how to fucking drive, its fine.” He grumbled, forcing himself to take a deep breath to calm his nerves. As much as he hated to admit it, you were right, he shouldn’t be so careless especially with you in the car with him.

“Look, w-we’re almost to this place. Don’t… just don’t.” Giving you a warning glance. “Chill out before we get there.”

“Whatever.” You muttered, crossing your arms, lips stuck in an irritated frown. You spent the last few moments in the vehicle in complete, utter, discomforting silence before finally arriving at the house you were scheduled to see.

“C’mon.” Anakin murmured, opening your car door for you, offering you his hand, but you declined, jerking your head in the opposite direction, purposefully making it as obvious as possible that you didn’t want his help.

“Stop being a bitch.” He spat out between his teeth as he flashed a smile at the realtor who was standing on the front porch, unlocking this stranger’s front door.

“You stop being a bitch.” You mumbled, walking in front of him at a quick pace. At this point you just wanted to get the day over with and go home. Sit on the opposite side of the hall from Anakin. You needed some space before you ended up ripping all your hair out.

“You didn’t like any of the places we saw today?” Anakin asked in an exhausted tone, pulling into the parking lot of your apartment building.

“No I didn’t.” You huffed, rolling your eyes when Anakin muttered something about how this was a waste of time.

”What didn’t you like?” He asked, trying to be more understanding as you both made your way to the entrance to the building.

“Your attitude.” You said in a snippy voice.

”Jesus Christ!” He growled, tossing up his hands to run through his hair. “I’m genuinely asking you!”

”I’m genuinely telling you.” You bobbed your head as you spoke, sassy and annoying in a way that made Anakin want to plant his fist in the drywall.

“What are you doing?” He asked, sighing and rubbing his face while he watched you open your apartment door and walk inside, turn and stand in the doorway.

”I don’t want you in here right now.” You said quietly, refusing to look up at him.

”What the fuck? Why?” He asked, truly sounding a little panicked.

“I don’t want to argue anymore. I’m tired.” You answered simply, attempting to close the door.

”Then we won’t argue, I swear. We can just have a quiet night.” He quickly grabbed the door in a crushing grip, shoving his foot against the doorframe to keep you from shutting him out.

”No!” You frustratedly pulled on the doorknob, catching his foot and making him suck in a breath through his teeth, his hand forming a fist to pound on the wall with the side of his hand.

“Fuck!” He growled, done playing nice with you now that you’d actually hurt him. He ripped the door open so hard that it pulled you forward, unable to let go of the doorknob fast enough, so you fell into his chest.

Anakin grunted at the impact, but stood firmly, refusing to move unless it was forward. He crushed you against his chest with his left arm braced against your back, your arms trapped against him as his right hand grabbed the crook of your knee to lift you up, stomping into the apartment and kicking the door shut behind you both.

”Put me down!” You squealed, wriggling and kicking to try and squirm out of his grip. “Anakin! I said put me down!”

”Shut the fuck up!” He shouted in your ear, tossing you down on the couch so hard you sank down into the cushion and felt the hard metal frame against your thighs. “Now you’re gonna sit there and you’re gonna fucking listen to me, got it?” He snarled, grabbing your face in one large hand, calloused fingertips biting into the flesh.

”I’ve had enough of this back and forth. You understand me?” He growled, releasing your face and turning on his heel to put his hands in his hair, breathing out as he puffed up his cheeks.

“You wanna talk for real? Let’s talk for real.” He shoved his hands down in his front pockets, shrugging his shoulders and rolling his neck like he was trying to relieve the tension in his muscles. “I mean it. Okay? I mean it. I’m- I can’t… I won’t. A-ask me whatever. I’ll tell you. All of it if you want.”

You sat there, feeling bile rising up the back of your throat. Your skin crawled at the thought of hearing ‘all of it’. All? Everything? You weren’t sure you wanted to- no. You knew you couldn’t handle it. Not all at once. He’d said it with so much weight that you could physically see how much he was carrying inside him. The guilt poured out of his blue eyes, giving you a glimpse into that hidden pit in his mind that he’d tried so hard to hide from you and from himself.

“Well?” He swallowed thickly, looking almost desperate to hear you ask the first question.

“Why did you lie to me for so long?” You asked, feeling your throat constricting, tightening up as if your own body was trying to stop you from asking.

”Really?” He scoffed, almost surprised that was your first inquiry, he was almost certain you’d jump straight into the juicy bits.

”Alright.” Anakin pursed his lips, scratching the sharp edge of his jaw. “Put yourself in my shoes.” He gestured to his chest with both hands, fingertips hitting the space between his pectorals. He was hoping by sharing more than you asked for with each question, it’d be over faster.

“Imagine how painful a bowling ball would be if it fell off the counter, right onto your stomach.” He threw out his right arm at the kitchen countertop. “Fucking bust your damn guts, if it was heavy enough, right?”

”I guess it probably would but-“ You furrowed your brows, unsure what this had to do with your question.

”Yeah, but if you put it in one of those ugly leather bags, it won’t roll off, right?” Anakin asked rhetorically, his tongue darting out to wet his lips as he started to pace the living room. “So now, forget that you know what’s inside that bag. You don’t know what’s in there, it could be something dangerous. You don’t know, cause you can’t see it.”

”I didn’t want to hurt you, scare you, worry you. It was safer and more manageable to conceal myself from you, let you unzip the bag. Y’know cause you can see the bowling bowl inside, know what’s in there without taking it out.” Anakin looked down at his hands, mimicking the action of picking something up.

“Even though you know it’s a bowling ball, you can’t tell how heavy it is until you pick it up.” He said, holding out the imaginary bowling ball. “Does that make sense?”

”Okay, so you’re saying that… Ghost is the bag? Cause of the mask?” You muttered, having a hard time solidifying the metaphor in reality.

“No, its the opposite.” He shook his head, giving you an almost proud smile, like he was relieved that you’d finally said it aloud, you hadn’t made him do it. Although his eyes drooped in a way that conveyed a deep self loathing.

It was clear that despite his relief, he despised the fact he’d been weak and deluded enough to believe he had split himself in two all for *your* benefit in the beginning. In reality, everything he’d done was all for him. And once again, he was too weak and deluded to fully admit that fact to himself. If he were to accept that as truth, his entire purpose for enduring life thus far, would be flushed down the toilet of oblivion.

”Or maybe you’re right, it wouldn’t be the first time you saw through me in a way I didn’t expect.” A smile of chagrin etched into his nervously chewed lips.

“The way I see it though, is… well, it’s like this.” He sighed, kneeling down in front of you to take both your hands in his. “The bag is the Anakin you met. The surface layer of me.”

”I took the bowling ball out of the bag and I set it on the counter on one of those… those cup things that keep them from rolling around.” He jerked his head to the side in the direction of the kitchenette.

”You’ve been carrying around an empty bag. You didn’t know it was empty, since you couldn’t see inside. But it was a nice bag, maybe a little beat up looking but it was pretty solid. No holes. Right?” He said, a flat affect blanketing his face like he didn’t want you to know how he really felt while talking about this.

“So meanwhile, that big bowling ball was on the counter the whole time. It didn’t… feel safe, without it’s bag and the person who held it.” He paused, eyes going out of focus as he stared just a hair to the left of your face.

“Every so often, something would bump into it. Knock it off the stand.” He said, his brows pinched together as one hand hovered palm down, sliding through the air in a slow line. “Takes a tiny push and it’ll roll until it falls off the edge of the counter and squishes someone.”

“It’s not like it’s… inherently dangerous. But in the right conditions it could be a fatal weapon.” Anakin said, swiftly dropping his hand to hit the floor using the side of his fist to make a thumping sound. “And you know, it’s round so it can’t really control whether it keeps rolling or if it stops. The environment decides its mobility.”

“So even if it…” He paused, standing up suddenly and turning around so he could curse himself for not realizing he was crying until he saw the empathy in your eyes as you gazed at him.

“Even if it *wanted* to stop, it can’t.” Anakin said, one arm across his chest with his hand supporting his elbow while he rubbed at his eyes with his forefinger and thumb.

“Anakin, come sit with me.” Watching him so clearly struggled with himself was heartbreaking if not a little unsettling. He was crying with an entirely neutral face, eyes devoid of any depth, like a failure of a portrait.

“I get what you’re saying.” You nodded as he made his way to the couch reluctantly. “So here’s what we’re going to do, okay?” You said in an almost motherly tone.

“Put it back in the bag okay?” You said, eyebrows raised expectantly as you waiting for him to nod. “Good, we put it back in the bag and we leave it unzipped.”

“Really?” Anakin asked, his bottom lip wobbling while his mouth downturned into a shaky frown. “You mean it?” He sucked in a choked breath to hold, his eyes growing redder by the second as hot tears freely slipped from his lashes.

“Mhm.” You gave him a small smile. Only growing wider when he lunged at you for a crushing squeeze around your waist, his face buried in the softness of your belly.

“You won’t be scared?” He asked, his shoulders shaking like an his emotions were causing an internal earthquake.

“Do I look scared?” You asked, a hint of a smirk on your face as you gently pet his hair in a calming pattern.

“I’m afraid to look.” He muttered, using the hem of your tshirt to roughly wipe at his nose like a child.

“Well, I don’t.” You said quietly, tugging on the large red and black plug in his left ear. “I’m not scared of you. I don’t think I ever really was. I think I *wanted* to be scared.”

“Yeah?” Anakin sniffled, seemingly calming down now that he was able to touch you and know that you were really there, saying these insanely unbelievable things. “Cause if I scare you, for real, I’ll do what I can to-“

“Ani.” You sighed, twirling one of the longer curls at the back of his neck around your forefinger. “No. I don’t want you to be half a person.”

“Baby.” His voice cracked in a devastating way, conveying just how much he needed to hear that from you.

“I’m serious.” You said, bouncing your knee to get his attention, making him look up at you with his red splotchy cheeks and beautiful watery blue eyes. “No more of that. And I want to know things. Okay?”

“It’s not like I schedule it.” Anakin huffed, rolling his eyes at you even as his lips turned up in the corners by a tiny little fraction.

“How does that… ? How?” Biting your lip as you gazed down at him, knuckles gently stroking his cheek. You didn’t know how to ask for the answers you needed.

“You.” Anakin said plainly and clearly. So unbothered and so certain that it took you a second to really absorb what that meant.

Everyone he’d killed since you’d met Ghost. Every person. Each human. Died.

Because of you.

Floundering in shock, you opened your mouth with wide eyes. Slowly relaxing those muscles until your mouth closed again and the muscles pulled themselves down into deep contemplation. Unable to comprehend exactly what about you warranted all that violence. You didn’t even know how many people… just the confirmed. The ones he absolutely couldn’t deny. Frat boys. Record shop guy.

“Before?” Your voice tiny, meek and kind of shaky. Almost amusing to Anakin, but he didn’t show it outwardly.

“Two.” He said with a nod, flipping his top lip up to fiddle with his septum ring while he waited for you to react with what he expected to be horror.

“Actually-“ His hand shot up, his fingers splayed as he mumbled names under his breath.* “three. Sorry. Forgot.”

Forgot. He forgot? How do you just forget people like that? People he’s seen the life drain out of, people with families that he destroyed. The air felt colder as it rushed through your lungs, the chill seeping into your gut.

“Do animals count?” He asked, tilting his head back to frown up at you.

“Anim- Animals?” You stuttered, not expecting that. He’d always been so sweet to your cat… should you have been concerned this whole time? Didn’t you hear in a true crime special that seri… serial killers. Serial killer. That’s what he was. You’d said it before, now it’s real. So very real.

“Probably don’t wanna hear that.” He murmured, backtracking awkwardly when he realized you’d gotten uncomfortable.

“N-no, don’t.” Shaking your head quickly as you chewed the inside of your cheek. You really didn’t want to know. Truly you didn’t. But if this was going to work, there couldn’t be anymore secrets. “Tell me. I need to understand.”

“Sweetheart, there’s some things you can’t unhear.” He whispered, his calloused hand rising up to brush your hair away from your shoulder. His thumb caressing your throat while the weight and warmth of his palm rested against the side of your neck.

“I know that!” Scowling down at him before taking a breath and saying it again with less venom.

“Lots.” He mumbled, eye brows raised and pinched together in concern. “Like… I can’t count. I don’t remember.”

“What about the ones you do remember?” You swallowed, deciding that this needed to be a conversation that your eyes were closed for. You could pretend these words weren’t really coming from him. “Bertie?”

“No way, I loved Bertie.” He shook his head, voice squeaking in a panic like he was surprised you’d even suggest it. Could he really blame you though? He kept him in a jar for fucks sake.

“Alright, sorry.” You said with a sigh. “Just curious.”

“Bertie lived longer than most rats actually. I took really good care of him. He had like… a rat mansion.” He said expressively, his pointer finger gently pushing up your eyebrow to make you peek down at him. “I swear. Not Bertie.”

“Okay. Not Bertie.” You nodded, reluctantly looking down at him in concession.

“The first *real* one I remember was this lady’s who lived just outside the subdivision we lived in.” He started, lacing his hands together over his chest. “She had a shit ton of cats. Like, you could smell the piss just from standing in her yard. She let ‘em all out at once, around lunch time.”

“So I sat there across the street for about a week. Just watching.” He said, his voice calm and steady. “None of them wanted to come up to me.”

“I researched some snares.” Anakin said, making a loop motion with his finger before dropping it back to rest along the back of his opposite hand. “It took two days but I finally caught one.”

“How old were you?” You asked, preparing yourself.

“Nine? Maybe ten?” He said dismissively. “I killed stuff before that. But not pets.”

“Okay, so what then?” You sighed, feeling a little sick and queasy.

“Before then? Like fish… frogs, moles, mice and birds. If I could catch it with my hands or in a glue trap, chances are I did.” He said matter of factly, tucking his arms under his armpits. He kept moving like he was afraid to stay still for too long.

“What was the biggest animal?” Morbidly curious now that the conversation was actually flowing. You thought maybe the bigger the animal, the less sad you’d feel about it.

“People.” Anakin said. Hearing that, you popped open your eyes to see him smirking like a little shit.

“Anakin.” You drew out his name in a few extra exasperated syllables.

“Fine.” He sighed, obviously hoping that would’ve made you end the questioning. “A pig.”

“They’re supposed to be anatomically similar to humans.” He shrugged, flopping his head to the side, looking toward the wall to avoid your attention. “Wanted practice.”

“Why?” You asked, an unsettling feeling taking root in your stomach.

“I didn’t want to fuck it up.” He mumbled, jerking his head as he twisted his lanky body to rest on his side, facing away from you.

“Who was it?” The question shot out of your mouth faster than you could even mentally form the words.

“None of your-“ He started to snap at you, but bit his tongue and forcibly made himself stop. He took a long pause and muttered something under his breath.

“Remember when I told you I hit that guy and got sent to the big, bad, scary boy school?” He sighed.

“I remember Ghost, telling me he went to a big, bad, scary boy school.” You sassed back, yanking on his ear to make him turn his head back to you.

“Same fuckin’ thing.” He scoffed, smacking away your hand. “I tried to, y’know. Obviously I did a shit job.”

“I- I didn’t swing from the right angle.” He scowled, standing up and dusting his jeans off before he stepped back and mechanically went through the motions of the first hit from that attack. Like he’d re-enacted it before. Several times.

“Fuck.” He grumbled, feigning a swing again. “I didn’t realize he was so much taller than me, lost momentum in the up-swing.” He frowned.

“Still pisses me off.” He mumbled, sitting back down with a light bounce on the cushions, his head falling into his hands.

“How come Ghost didn’t tell me that?” You asked, genuinely getting angry that he hadn’t divulged all the details the first go-round.

“We were kinda busy and I really didn’t want to make you think I was a damn psycho.” He shot back with a scowl.

“Found that out pretty quickly after you murdered an entire fraternity.” You gritted out through your teeth.

“I didn’t kill an entire fraternity!” He whisper shouted, throwing his hands up in frustration. “You know damn well I didn’t.” He growled, jabbing a finger into your chest.

“Don’t- Anakin!” You gasped. Was he seriously trying to compare your unfortunate self-defense situation to purposeful murder?

“I’m not!” He scoffed, running a hand through his thick black hair. “I didn’t say anything about that!”

“It’s not my fucking fault those guys couldn’t get out of the closet.” He grumbled, roughly mussing up his hair. “It’s not like I meant for them to die! I just didn’t want them to have time to follow us.”

“Jesus, you act like I’m some kind of-“ Anakin paused, his hands out in front of him before he took in a breath and balled them into fists to rest on his knees. “Sorry.”

“Let’s just… stop for now. Okay?” You suggested, knowing you couldn’t mentally handle anymore anyway.

“No, just hit me with your big questions and get it over with.” He sighed softly, rubbing his sweaty palms on his jeans. “I don’t want to re-hash this another time.”

His request was reasonable of course. This was mentally draining for you to listen to and you were certain it was just as exhausting for him to retell. It’s just difficult to imagine you could stomach much more.

“What about the other people before me?” You asked nervously, licking your bottom lip when your mouth suddenly felt dry.

“I was angry.” He mumbled, crossing his ankle over the opposite knee and letting his hands fall into his lap. “I didn’t ever want to fuck up that bad again. That guy… he just- he was always so damn rude and went out of his way to inconvenience us. Y’know?”

“Like shoving his garbage into our trash cans on pick-up day. He let his dog shit in our yard. He mowed over my mom’s peonies, before we put up the fence in the back.” Anakin scowled, even the memory pissed him off. The fact he was having to use mental energy to recall such a worthless person was irritating.

“He backed into mom’s new car. He’d have a bunch of people over and block our driveway… sometimes even tell people to park in our driveway too.” Anakin breathed out, flexing his fingers before clasping his hands together, trying to hide the way he was beginning to fidget.

“Then he got married and had a stepkid, nice girl. Didn’t talk much.” He said, his left knee starting to bounce almost uncontrollably. “She was probably still in elementary school.”

“I saw him smack his wife once.” Anakin gritted his teeth, the sound audible and squeaky. “I knew he was shitty, but I didn’t realize he was a waste of space until then.”

“I was so mad that it was hard to breathe.” He scoffed, gesturing at his chest. “He smacked her outside, where anyone could see. He didn’t care. It’s like he thought that no one would say anything to him or try to stop him.”

“Poor girl saw the whole thing and he just laid into her, screaming and throwing a man-tantrum.” He sneered. “I couldn’t ignore it.”

“But that’s not- I mean-” You paused, a little surprised that the story was going in such a direction. You hadn’t expected his previous… activities… to be somewhat justifiable.

“What?” He asked, raising an eyebrow in question to you, wondering why you’d interrupted.

“Nothing, just thinking aloud.” You quickly corrected yourself and let him continue.

“Well… anyway.” He sighed, rubbing his forefinger’s knuckle beneath his nose. “I knew he’d be driving past the dumpsters on his way out that evening, so I bought some spray paint and was spray-painting shit all over the dumpsters. Obviously baiting him, y’know?”

“Mhm.” You nodded, trying to focus on his words rather than the irritation in his voice.

“I thought maybe if things didn’t go well, I could just say he and I were fighting over the graffiti. Which is exactly what I ended up having to do. Since I didn’t hit him hard enough, enough times.”

“I guess that makes sense.” You nodded, feeling your mental energy draining straight out your ears.

“Yeah, I was a fucking idiot.” He scoffed, acting as if he took your comment as sarcasm. “Never happened again. I made sure of it.”

“How… exactly?” You asked, internally smacking yourself for asking, even though it needed to be answered.

“I swore off anyone I knew.” He held up a finger, bending it to tap repeatedly against the pad of his thumb* “I had to find someone that guys size. So I could correct my mistake. I had to do it within a month.”

“Why?” You frowned, wondering if he’d set that time limit for himself for whatever reason.

“My court date.” He said plainly. “I knew I wasn’t getting out of punishment. I was going to jail or that Juvie school for certain.”

“Oh, right.” That made sense… except you’d have assumed he’d be under some sort of supervision because of the assault. Did they just let violent offenders on bail roam freely while they waited for court?

“I just found a guy who looked similarly built to what’s-his-face. Then I beat the shit out of him until I figured out how to swing up at someone taller and bigger than me.” He said simply. “Obviously I don’t have to worry about that anymore though.” Anakin gestured to his long, lanky legs and lean muscles.

“You did what?” Your jaw went slack and your eyes widened to the size of saucers as his words went in one ear and straight out the other as if your brain didn’t even want to entertain that as fact. “Beat him? You beat someone to death?”

“How else was I going to figure out how I messed up so bad the first time?” Anakin asked as if it were common practice. He seemed genuinely surprised that you were upset, like he wasn’t sure what he said to make you feel so shocked.

“Like with your fists?” You asked, face contorted into a strange expression of mixed morbid curiosity and a hint of fear.

“No, I’m not stupid.” He scoffed, shaking his head. “Skin cell transfer, sweat, hair, blood. That’s a terrible idea 1) it’d fucking hurt and 2) why would I waste time and effort with my fists when I can be a one hit wonder with a crowbar?”

“Oh.” You slumped in your seat, feeling a little… inferior? If that was the correct word, for it. You hadn’t really thought about the logistics or risks of pummeling someone with your hands.

“Let’s go across the hall.” Anakin suggested with a sudden burst of energy as he sprung up to his full height and immediately started heading for the door.

“Okay?” You furrowed your brows but hopped up after him, rushing to catch up with his wide steps.

After throwing open his front door, he left it wide open for you to follow him through, while he lifted up his couch cushions and tossed them into a haphazard heap. You’d checked under those cushions, under the couch and behind it, in search of something to prove he was Ghost not so long ago and now watching him un-Velcro the black liner covering the springs… you felt both impressed and a little embarrassed that you hadn’t noticed the liner wasn’t attached as it should’ve been if it were intact from factory production.

With a loud **skrrriptd** the liner was pulled back half way and he reached through the zig-zagged springs to pull out a backpack. Ghost’s backpack. Underneath it laid a long metal box that he also pulled out and swiftly plopped down onto the rug to open it up. Inside was a carefully arranged assortment of knives. All shapes and sizes. He was particularly fond of butterfly knives, as you already knew. You counted at least six that you’d never seen before.

“I got my second one with these.” He said, a weirdly sharp smile on his face. His eyes bright and proud in a way you’d never seen before. You wondered if that’s the face he wore beneath his mask, that sick expression of glee.

He laid out a large serrated hunting knife and a matching set of short, curved blades with handles ending in a thumb-hole. “These would probably be better suited for you though. I got over-excited and picked ‘em up cause they were cool.” He said with a smile, offering the matching pair to you.

“They have a nice back-handed grip, see?” He explained enthusiastically, having you hold out your hands and placing the handles in your palms. Doing all the work for you as he positioned your thumbs in the holes and had you grip them tighter.

“Claw knives.” He said simply, making a punching motion. “Versatile, you can still use your hands while holding them. Like you can climb a ladder or tie your shoes with them in your hands. And fistfight if you have to.”

“My hands are too big for the handles though. I only used them for a bit and had to switch to the big blade there.” He said, gesturing toward the large hunting knife. “I’m glad I kept them around though.” He smiled, wrapping his arms around your waist from behind, kissing your neck gently.

“You look pretty with ‘em.” He murmured, his hands traveling up your sides and down your arms, admiring the way the blades looked in your dainty hands. “Very, very pretty.”

“Makes me wanna do some bad things.” He whispered sigh his breath hot against your neck, his tongue licking along the shell of your ear. “Or maybe watch you do some bad things.” Anakin growled with a low grit.

“I don’t think-“ You started, blushing for more than one reason. Partially because he was letting his obvious erection less against your ass and partially because of the shame you felt for considering…

“M’joking.” He chuckled, squeezing you around the middle and giving you a rough kiss on the neck. “I love you baby. I feel… a lot better after all this.” He sighed, spinning you around to face him as he took the knives from your hands.

“I love you too.” You said quietly, watching him place the blades back into the case along with the others.

“Are we gonna talk about… what you were planning for that subdivision?” You asked softly as you laid your head in his lap. Tired and full from dinner as he pet you and watched a silly little girly movie at your insistence.

“I didn’t have anything planned.” He snapped quickly, scowling down at you. “I was just looking.”

“But, why?” You asked with a frown, not convinced at all.

“I just got a weird feeling okay? Wanted to check it out.” He muttered, twirling a lock of your hair around his finger.

“So it’s not someone that did something to…?” You asked the open ended question, not knowing how to phrase it.

“No. Nothing to do with you.” He huffed, staring blankly ahead at the tv. “Promise.”

“If you say so.” You nodded with a sigh, forced to accept his statement as fact.

“How about I make some tea and we’ll go to bed?” Anakin asked, poking you in the cheek with a little smile of reassurance.

“You don’t have to drug me.” You sighed, sitting up and looking at him pointedly.

“W-what?” He sputtered, taken aback by your bold assumption. It was correct, but it was still shocking to him that you’d called him out on it. You were taking all the fun out of this.

“I’ll just go to bed.” You stood up, taking the throw blanket you had been laying with and tossing it over your shoulders like a shawl before shuffling off to the bedroom and face planting onto the mattress, letting yourself sink down into the softness of it.

Anakin shot up from his seat and stood there for a solid minute. Completely frozen and befuddled by your actions. What the hell? What was he supposed to do after that? Continue with his plan? Ditch it? He didn’t like being thrown off like this.

He shook his head and rubbed his face like he thought it would clear away what had just happened and you’d be laying in his lap again, you’d let him make you tea and you’d be out like a light. He wasn’t planning to drug you for malicious reasons. He just wanted to make sure you’d sleep through the night and he wouldn’t have to waste time worrying about you.

Though when he opened his eyes, to his dissatisfaction, reality was… reality and you weren’t there beside him. With a little more effort than usual and a heavy weight in his mind, he changed clothes and grabbed his bag. Walking over to the bedroom to see you laying there scrolling on your phone.

“So… you’re just going to let me go?” He asked, standing in the doorway, looking like a lost child.

“Yes?” You responded, glancing over at him. “What did you expect?”

“I- I don’t know…” he stuttered, shrugging awkwardly. “Not this.” He gestured to you.

“Well you have plans and I’m not included in them so I assumed it’s for a good reason.” You said simply, having learned that it was best to turn a blind eye to things you had no business knowing about. You’d be risking your freedom and his if you knew anymore than you already did. It’s not like you’d hold it together very well under pressure from an interrogation.

“I don’t know if I’m… proud or disappointed.” He mumbled to himself, scratching his head.

“Be… safe?” You offered the sentiment because you weren’t sure what else to say in this situation.

“Yeah.” He muttered, frowning to himself. “I won’t be gone long.” With that, he turned on his heel and tried to shake off the eerie feeling that shrouded him.

After he left, you spent a long time mindlessly scrolling on social media. You weren’t really paying attention to what you were seeing at all, you just needed an excuse not to sleep. Because if not, you’d have to admit to yourself that you were… feeling something. You weren’t sure what, but it was a feeling you knew wasn’t right. It didn’t belong.

Diary Entry

I didn’t even want to go after speaking to you. You didn’t bat an eye at me. It made me want to shake you and force you to come with me. Even though I had no intention of taking you with me in the first place.

Stupid. You’re stupid. I’m stupider.

Anakin crouched below the laundry room window of the massive home that was his target. He just needed a quick look around. That’s all. Just a few more steps on his list and he’d be inside and out quicker than it took for him to break in.

Taking a flathead screwdriver to the keypad housing outside the back door, he popped off the plastic and sat it aside. Thankfully, this bitch left the lights in the laundry room on. Or else he’d be forced to use his phone’s flashlight and that might draw attention.

“C’mon…” He gritted his teeth, mentally counting down the seconds in his mind. He needed to work swiftly. If not, all this prep work with research would be for nothing. “Stupid fuckin’ gloves.”

The leather was thick enough to keep him from getting electrocuted, unfortunately that also meant it was difficult to navigate through the tiny wires to find what he was searching for. Green, green, blue, yellow.

Green. Snip. Green, Blue. Snip, snip.

He concentrated like never before, knowing that if this went badly, he’d be in deep shit. He couldn’t afford to get arrested for a simple B&E. Not when he had so many skeletons in his closet. He prepped the cables with electrical tape, joining the two green cables together without allowing the copper wiring inside to touch.

“Peel back the wire casing…” Anakin mumbled, licking his lips beneath the black bandanna tied around his lower face. “a little twist…”

“Green 1 to Green 2.” He whispered, shaking out his hands and shoving his phone into his mouth with the charging cord attached, along with a car cigarette lighter adaptor on the opposite end, held up with his pinky finger.

“Blue 1 to Green 3.” He twisted the copper wiring together and quickly. “Blue 2 to Green 4.”

Yellow. Snip.

With those wires cut and prepped he had a measly five seconds to connect the necessary circuits or face the consequences of his actions.

His hands started to sweat inside his gloves. Anakin hadn’t felt pressure like this in ages. Probably since the first time he’d broken into a home. It was nerve wracking enough to make his hands shake a little as he quickly stripped the wire casing and connected the two ends of the yellow wire to the car adapter. Finally he wrapped the electric tape around the adapter and yellow wiring, watching as his phone lit up with the logo of the Westside Watch app.

“Oh thank fuck!” He quietly punched the air in front of him with his phone clutched in his hand. “Jesus, finally. Did something fucking right.” He breathed out, shaking his hands and arms to rid himself of any lingering feelings of anxiety.

Anakin opened the app and pulled up the in-home camera monitoring, checking every room for movement, every corner for signs of life. Even though he’d already confirmed there was no car in the garage and the wretched lady who owned the place was out galavanting around.

She was wealthy, it wouldn’t be totally unexpected if she had a maid or even a watchdog somewhere in the house, but everything seemed clear. So he disabled the alarms and paused all camera activity before he picked the locks on the back door.

With that finished, he slipped off his shoes and crept into the home. For the home of such a bitchy woman, Anakin had expected something more… pretentious. Yeah it was clear that she didn’t get her furniture at Marshal’s, but it also wasn’t absolutely atrocious in style.

It reminded him of the homes inside the magazines his mom always had in the bathroom. Too clean and too untouched to be properly lived in. There wasn’t a warm or cozy atmosphere like he’d found in your home. It was devoid of any personal touches, not even a stray throw blanket or decorative pillow. Did this lady enjoy being uncomfortable?

He grudgingly decided to trek upstairs. It was useless to continue his search on the main floor. Clearly it was in a pristine ’guests could arrive any moment’ state and he wasn’t willing to risk moving anything out of its place.

He had suspected she was unmarried. Never having seen a wedding ring on her during their initial meeting, but it was confirmed when he opened her bedroom door and saw the clothes draped over an armchair, a makeup vanity with overflowing drawers and a comforter set that no self respecting man would sleep in.

“Looks like a person lives here after all.” He chuckled, rifling through drawers and peeking in her closet.

Nothing of interest caught his attention in her bedroom so he left, shutting the door behind him and continuing to the next door. Bathroom. He didn’t even bother to flip on the light, he just shut the door and continued on.

“Alright, now we’re getting somewhere.” He nodded to himself, turning on the desk lamp before he sat down in the stupidly comfortable ergonomic swivel chair.

There were papers everywhere.

“Little Miss Pantsuit sure does take a lot of work home.” He muttered under his breath as he flipped through halfway filled out intakes and records.

Anakin sat everything back just as messily as he found it, so he could focus of finding personal affects. If this lady had any. The walls were bare. Did she just spawn into existence like the fucking wraith that he saw her to be?

And just like that, just when he started searching through desk drawers, he saw something. *Under* the desk. A pillow? No, when he turned on the lamp it was clearly a pet bed. An embroidered one at that.

“Rex?” Anakin called out, expecting a cat to appear judging by the size of the bed and the fact that there was a heated blanket placed under the bed, cats do like to be warm after all. “C’mere buddy.” He clicked his tongue and tapped his fingers on the desktop.

Scuttling. The best word to describe what exactly he heard coming down the hallway. Rex breathed like an asbestos smoker when he finally entered the room after what felt like ages of scratching and clicking on the floors as he made his way to the home office.

That was no cat. That was a decrepit, cesspool of a science experiment gone horribly awry. The dog, if it could be classified as that, was crusty. To say the least. Eye boogers and cataracts, his head perpetually cocked to the side, the tip of its tongue dripping drool on the floor as it hung from it’s mouth and its entire body jerked with the force of the hoarse and overused bark attack he launched.

“What the fuck are you?” Anakin whispered, mouth falling open in disgust while holding the… undead? fiend at bay with the tip of his shoe to its chest.

It had to be some kind of yorkie mixed with maybe a possum considering the awkward placement of its eyes. Or maybe in its ancient age its eye sockets were just a little too tired to contain the entirety of its massive bulging eyeballs.

He reached down at picked up the creature by the scruff its neck, watching it flail and throw itself around while trying to bite the hand that held him aloft. With his left hand, he wrapped his gloved hand around its muzzle and within a moment or two the struggling stopped. The aggressive, sharp barking halted and its body went limp.

“Are you-“ Anakin quickly rolled the chair back and stood up, holding the animal as far away from himself as possible while he ran his left hand over the front of his hoodie. “Did you fucking piss on me? Jesus Christ have you no self respect?” He grimaced, looking down at the moisture on his leather glove.

“Nasty ass bitch and her nasty ass mutt.” He mumbled, laying the dog down on its pet bed and half expecting it to mummify right before his eyes.

“Ungrateful prick.” He scoffed, rolling the chair back up to the desk and inserting a flash drive from his pocket to the computer monitor. “Just saved your mom $500 bucks. I’m a professional euthanizer myself, only I don’t charge for it.” He snickered.

After all the files were transferred to the flash drive, Anakin slid it back into his pocket and closed down the computer again. Standing up as he held the front of his hoodie away from his body, pinched between his forefinger and thumb. He made his way through the upstairs, checking the bedrooms and bathroom.

Sad gray paint. Boring white bedding. Tiny nightstands. One average no-personality white lady spare bedroom. Why would she need two spare bedrooms when it’s clear she doesn’t get visitors?He thought as he opened the next door.

Workout equipment and a closet full of totes, which of course he rifled through and saw absolutely nothing of value. Other than the very obvious fact that she was probably breaking some sort of middle aged woman receipt hoarding record. So, she was self aware enough not to waste time and money on another spare bedroom that would never be used.

The master bedroom held a massive bed with pristinely made bedding. The only real sign that an actual human lived there was the laundry basket overflowing in the corner and the rest of the week’s work clothes laid out neatly on the dresser.

Anakin knelt down and opened all the dresser drawers. Boring, un-exciting, useless. This woman was so unnaturally work oriented that she seemed to have absolutely no interest in life outside of her profession. What a sad existence. There wasn’t a single ‘let’s get laid’ dress in the closet. Nothing risqué in the drawers. She didn’t even have regular comfy clothes. She actually spent real life money on expensive matching loungewear rather than wearing a hole ridden, thread bare, free tshirt that she got from a highschool event like every other person on earth.

Why does she feel the need to be so… ‘perfect’?

Does she realize this kind of behavior does the opposite of its intended purpose? Sure, she looks put-together and it’s clear she’s not middle class. Though any girl with eyes and a brain would conclude she’s a major bitch rather than a woman to be jealous of.

What is she hiding that makes her act this way?

“Finally.” Anakin breathed out, grabbing a rather slim, embossed photo album from a box in the very top of the closet. Mementos. Maybe she did have a soul after all.

He flipped through it. Business brunches, office events, landscape photography. Plain. Boring. Her adult life was… pitiful. Though the farther back he searched, the photos delved into her more personal details. Tennis during college. Sheet protectors of newspaper clippings for achievements and noteworthy accomplishments. Surprisingly, robotics club seemed kind of fun. She liked it, her smile was genuine in those moments.

The younger she was in those photos, the more human she became to Anakin. She wasn’t just a cold, professional, weird lady. She at least *used* to have a personality.

Highschool Musical birthday party for her 10th. Overjoyed expression while seeing a tiger at the zoo. Field trip to the aquarium. Childhood friends with toothy grins who probably didn’t speak to her anymore. S’mores with the girl-scout troop. A middle school love interest with Bieber hair and flat brim hat. Obligatory handlebar mustache decor in her old bedroom.

Trendy and popular across the board. Homecoming queen, gaudy prom dresses, boatloads of boys and best friends.

Possibly single mother? Sisters. Normal middle class, suburban styled childhood home, kind of messy but in a lived-in way, not a dirty way. Purple bicycle in the garage.

Some photos were missing from the slots, so Anakin turned to flip through the random assortment of photos and papers lining the bottom of the box.

Childhood diary, that’s certainly going in the backpack. He thumbed through it and a few pictures fluttered down the the floor, he scooted them over into a pile on their own with the diary laid on top while he put everything back into the closet and turned his attention to the nightstands. Books and Tylenol, sleeping mask, Snickers bar. Normal.

There was a briefcase sized safe hiding under the bed, unfortunately he didn’t have the tools to break into it. But he did certainly jot down the make and model of it to study later. Just in case.

With everything settled, he casually trotted down the steps and went back out the way he came. The rest of the house was so completely uninteresting that he didn’t even bother with the garage and basement.

His retrieved his phone and put the casing back on the security system keypad, leaving the internal wire changes in order to leave himself a re-entry point. She’d still be able to access it without realizing there was any changes.

After arriving back at home, he swiftly rinsed off in the shower and changed clothes. Opting to toss the black hoodie in the garbage rather than take it down to the laundromat for a wash. Piss soaked crime-time clothing? No thanks. He had two more plain black hoodies anyway.

He plopped down in his desk chair, clicked the flash drive into place and while he waited for the files to upload, he flipped through the diary. His cheek resting on his fist as he turned the pages and inspected the pictures glued to the pages that accompanied some of the entries.

Halfway through the girly, scrawled gel pen script, he paused. Going rigid at what he read. His palms started to sweat and he felt himself growing clammy before his senses returned and he jumped up from his seat, tripping over his feet.

“Baby!” Anakin’s voice cracked, the bed creaking under his weight. “Baby wake up, you gotta see this.”

@tsugumiholic @kingdomhate @burnthecheshirewitch @exquisitcorpse @arzua10 @bby-imasociopath @depressed-kay @aliciaasky @naty-1001 @mrsmikaelsxn @bunnylovesani @angelsadmired @slut4starwars @chocolatepalacecloudhoagie @starkiller419 @hearts4mitski4 @lethargic @allhailbuckybarnes-blog @shadowhuntyi @mortalheartache @fallinlovewithevil @sythethecarrot @chaoticantihero @vadersslut @luvvfromme @sweetcheesecakesblog @angelsadmired @kaminokatie @anakin-pilled @graveyard-stray @chiaraanatra @jediavengers @zapernz @salted-snailz @queenofchaos99 @ellie-luvsfics @dazednstars141 @hopesworld @lonaah @guiltycherries @syralix @hemmoxloser @ahano @astarionsgirl @popcosmi @purriteen @sydkneez @sinisterminist3r @swanlakex

[thetxtdevil]

I'm on my knees, barking for bunny hybrid Soobin pls pls plsssss😭😭😭

Bunny Soobin!!!

synopsis: animals and especially rabbits show their submission by grooming another rabbit...

content: nsfw/mdni, hybrid/bunny soobin, fem.reader, dom.soob, sub.reader, slight restraint, p in v, now wrap

word count: 2k idk how or why

To your utter, jaw-dropping surprise, there was a hybrid in your backyard. How in the world did he get into your community, into your fenced yard, without getting noticed? The world may never know.

One thing you did know was the world hasn't been kind to the poor fella. What looked like spotted black and white long ears within his black hair was brown from mud. Clothes shredded, dirty, and obviously not his size. Your heart aches, wanting to do something, but what can you do?

Searching deep in your fridge to find fruits and vegetables, you find some carrots and apples. Upon walking to the door, you notice the hybrids ear standing straight up. You froze, shit he caught you. Slowly, quietly, you turn the handle to the door. The bunny's reaction was fast, you blinked, and he was gone. Pouting, you decide to leave the food out just in case.

The next day, you wake up and make coffee. Your blurry eyes focus on growing leaves and dewy green grass. Your eyes widen to find the same hybrid back again. He was sitting underneath a tree, eating one of the apples you left the day before. Mug full of coffee, you notice the bunny's nose twitch. You guessed he somehow caught a whiff of your drink. I guess a hybrid can have coffee, right? Making another cup, you try again, carefully opening the door.

The man flinches yet stays under the shadow of the tree. The scent of coffee flows towards him. Straight ears twitching, onyx orbs staring at every movement you make. You so badly wanted to talk to him, but you were too scared. Too scared he'll run away again, too scared to even try to talk to a stranger. With the greatest stealth, you place the mug, along with a napkin weighted down with a biscuit.

This has become routine by now. Weeks have passed, and you wake up to the same bunny sitting under the tree, waiting for his morning cup of coffee you make for him. As well as the fresh fruits and vegetables you give coming home from work. It pleased you to take care of the hybrid, it was something new to your boring life.

Looking at the weather app, however, made you worry. Springtime showers were rolling in and fast. It worried you as to what the man was to do. He slept outside, already covered in dirt; he'd shy away every time you asked him to come inside. A stern shake of his head, keeping his long ears up, ready to respond to any danger.

After two days of non-stop rain, no sun to be seen, you hear a faint knock on your back door. Your heart pumps loudly, initially fearing an intruder breaking in, until you see the bunny you've grown to adore standing at the glass door. Opening the entrance, water trickles inside, but you don't care, all you care about is the person in front of you. He gulps down his spit, dimples poking through before he speaks, "Can I come in, it's getting cold."

"Of course," you wave your hand leading him in before closing the door, "I'm surprised you didn't ask sooner."

You pout, watching the tall bunny shivering in the middle of the room, little cotton tail shivering too. Not taking a step to investigate the area, he'd rather be back outside. You rush to give him a blanket, cautiously handing it to him. You set up a spot for him, a heater in the corner of the dining room where he sat looking out the window. Placing a cup of coffee next to him, the first sip he takes has his long ears fall down.

"What's your name?" You ask. The hybrid raises his eyes from his mug towards you. He studies you, your face, body, and aura, still unsure of you. After another sip, he sighs out, "Soobin." Your lips turn, relaxing into your chair, taking a sip of your coffee.

~~~

"Soobin, I can't do that."

"Please, just this once."

"No, I don't know why I'm the one that has to bathe you. You know how to do it yourself." As the rain clouds turn white and fluffy, Soobin has been going in and out of your house often. Getting to know you well over coffee, in the dining room, and on the new patio furniture under the tree. The bunny has gotten comfortable with you,,, maybe a little too comfortable.

Soobin smirks at your statement, one edge of his plush lips lifts, hinting something. The tall man strides closer to you, caging your body against the kitchen counter. You shake your head, wondering where your shy bunny went. “You doing it will fulfill us both,” the words tickles your ear, the feeling of his nose sensing your body language, “for me? Please?”

He backs up to study your face, "think about it." You bit your lip in thought, the only reason you dismissed him was because of how unnecessary it seemed. However, the sparkle in his dark eyes, made you give in. Long ears standing tall waiting for your consent.

The sounds of running water in the bathtub can be heard in the hallway. The hallway you were pacing back and forth in thinking of Soobin's request. You never had a hybrid, nor anyone living in your house for as long as he was. You knew there was meaning behind his want for you to bathe him but you didn't know what it actually meant.

A loud crack from the opening door shakes you away from your thoughts. "I can hear you pace." You stop to look at Soobin in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, v-line on full show. Caught in the action of contemplation and now looking at him like candy, you knew you couldn't back away.

Walking into the bathroom, dimly lit, the only light that shines was from the fogged up window. Soobin drops the towel, dipping his toes into the big porcelain tub. Watching the bunny melt into the water had your face feel like it was on fire. "Relax, you seem tenser than a rabbit in the wild." You giggle over the man's joke, finding yourself doting over his dimples.

You sit at the edge of the porcelain surface, looking at the bubbles floating on top of the liquid. Lightly cupping your hand, catching a bit of water pouring on top of Soobin's head. You'd expect him to hate it, complain about water getting into his sensitive ears, and that you're not doing what he wants, but that wasn't the case. You knew what tension looked like on the bunny, and this wasn't it. His broad shoulders relaxed, eyelashes fluttering shut, heart-shaped lips in a content smile, and then you continue washing his body.

"See, this isn't so bad," you hum at his words, "you like it as much as I do, don't you?" His soft eyes open, dark iris watching how you wave your hand in the warm water. The bunny lifts his head closer to yours, "Do you want to know why I asked you to do this?"

Your attention was quickly taken away from the bathtub. Meeting eyes with the hybrid, he reads the curiosity all over your face. "Doing this fulfills us because you're accepting that you're submitting to us."

His words struck you like the tub water turned ice cold and was poured on you. "W-what? Why would you say such a silly-"

Your timid eyes notice that Soobin never falters, this isn't a joke, not to him. Face still close to yours, his words meant something deeply to him and you fell into his rabbit hole. Soobin's eyes darker than ever, his eyebrows strict and intimidating, he might be naked right now but you were the one that felt vulnerable.

A shy smile slips from your lips that Soobin was admiring so deeply. This wasn't happening, could it be? The bunny that randomly appeared in your backyard, feral, alone, free, was now naked in your bath and all things seducing you. It was all too much, he was too much. Kicking yourself for even feeling a burning sensation of courage to kiss the man. You lift yourself off the tub, walking away without looking back. Looking at the very handsome hybrid in all his glory with little to no bubble to cover him.

It wasn't long until you heard your bedroom door creak open. Not moving your head, there's no point in seeing who it is. You stay still until Soobin's big hand holds your jaw, moving your face to look up at him. "Don't act like you don't want it."

"I- I don't-"

"And don't lie, I can hear your heartbeat speed when you lie." Your glossy eyes look up into the man's sharp, serious eyes. Spotted ears standing tall, once a cute soft bunny was now nauseatingly hot. "I can hear your heartbeat speed every time my hand grazes yours, every time we're close on this bed, every time you wake and see that I'm still in it."

Soobin lifts his knee in between your thighs, so close to an area that aches. His thumb swipes over your bottom lip, and you note the way he studies the plump flesh. "I can hear your heart rate right now," his face slowly closes the gap, "I especially can smell you right now."

You gasp into the kiss, feeling the butterflies in your stomach explode into fireworks. Soobin's perfect lips puzzling into yours. Both devouring each other like dessert. The heated kiss fills you up with need as his knee pushes closer to your cunt you search for friction. When Soobin feels your movements, his grip tightens on your jaw. "Are you fully going to submit to me?"

You pause, you don't know why, maybe it's because of the Soobin's request, or maybe its because you're just now noticing that the bunny has deliciously looking abs just above his very huge cock. Biting your lip, there was no thinking, only admiration on your part. With a small "yes," Soobin crashes his lips into yours.

Falling into your shared bed, bodies close, hot. Soobin's big hands explore underneath your shirt finding their way to your boobs. A moan erupts from you, causing the bunny's ears to twitch. Back-arching toward his touch only to have him quickly pull away. Firmly tugging your pants off along with your panties, he throws them across the room. Long fingers nicely drag through your wet, puffy folds just so they back away, too. Watching as Soobin lubricants his dick with your slick, you give a questioning look.

"You can take me, no stretching, right?"

Eyes moving from his down south, your pussy clenches in fear. He grabs your hands, holding them together by one of his hands with ease. The other lines his dick to your hole. Squinting at the stretch of his tip, gasping out in painful pleasure. The drag of Soobin's cock was addicting, filling you up so much, making you claim for more. This is what he wanted, to see you fucked out, begging for him, laying cutely under him. His hips snap hard, little bunny tail twitching like his cock inside.

Both of you start to glisten from sweat. Deep, heated making out had loud gasps filling the room. After a few more rolls of his hips, he had found a spot that had you crying the loudest that night. Soobin was losing himself, bunny ear sensing every heartbeat, breath, and sound you make. As he dipped his head into your neck, his soft kisses made you whine. The hands that wrapped around your wrists loosen and moves down to your clit. The more sounds you make, the both of you get closer to climax. Your cunt clenching hard around him, Soobin’s thrusts become sloppy, and then his cum spills into you. 

The bunny falls on top of you, long ears tickling your neck. He moans feeling your hole still clenching on his sensitive dick. “I think I need to take another bath,” he peppers your neck with soft kisses, “will you join me?”

ending was rushed but I hope you enjoyed :))

A nuisance,

TxT's Devil

taglist: @inkigayocamman, @naoristerling, @blue-moon-514, @izzyy-stuff, @biteyoubiteme

dividers: @bernardsbendystraws, @graphicbloss

[thanksbutno98]

Stranger

John Price x wife!reader OC

Summary: John Price finally puts an end to his wife being stalked.

Warnings: Sexual themes, violence, blood, murder, death, stalking, allusions to sexual assault, mentions of child endangerment, torture, mentions of war, kidnapping, PTSD, anxiety attack, not edited.

——————

“Jj, stop teasing your sister.”

“But mum-“ Jj had a cheeky smile on his face before he was interrupted.

“Oi, enough!” John voice barked from down the hall as he walked toward the kitchen.

Tonight was a good night with your family. You had finished up dessert which was an ice cream sundae feast. The kids were over the moon when you and John broke out all the toppings you bought as a surprise from the shop. You felt your heart swell watching John set up everything with a huge grin across his face. In the aftermath there was chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, marshmallows, and rainbow sprinkles all over the kitchen island that you were now cleaning up.

“Daddy!” Lily exclaimed and ran to John as he walked into the kitchen, his eyes fixed on you in his white t-shirt and a pair of your leggings.

His four year old was already in her pajamas and her hair damp from her bath. She wore pastel green pants with Grogu from the Mandalorian on them, and a white t-shirt with the same character. Lily ran straight into John’s leg and clung to him. A loud crack of thunder made your house shake as the heavy rain continued to beat down.

“Daddy you have to save me.” Tugging on John’s sweat pants he had to grip the waistband so Lily didn’t drag them down.

“Save you?” John asked before picking her up and then being clung to in a vice grip.

“Ow! Lily, go easy.” John hissed as Lily’s finger nails dug into the exposed skin of his bicep while the other tugged on his beard.

“Yeah or the forest will swallow her up!” Jj jumped off his chair as he shouted his teasing words at Lily. This made Lily whimper into John’s chest, her fingers tugging harder at John’s facial hair.

“Hey, I said stop it.” You scolded Jj who didn’t seem to take you seriously and continued to make scary faces, eerie noises, and wiggle his finger at Lily.

“Daddy.” Lily whined into John’s neck, one sapphire eye visible as she stared at her big brother.

“Stop trying to scare your sister. Her shadow does enough of that.” John’s joke had you lightly chuckling along with him.

He wasn’t wrong there. It didn’t take much to scare Lily and she did once scream and try to out run her shadow, not knowing what it was. She tripped and fell in her mad dash which only made things worse that day.

“Can I sleep with you and mummy?” Lily whispered to John so you couldn’t hear.

You and John tended to ping pong back and forth on who was a big softy. Lately John had been giving in to all the small requests and spoiling your children. Whereas you were setting limits because you thought they were getting out of control at times. Jj especially, for some reason he’d been teasing both his sisters to tears recently.

“I’ll have to ask your mum. . . but yes.” John whispered the last part. Lily giggled and gave him a kiss to the cheek while snuggling closer.

“Why’s there a man in the yard?” Evelyn asked.

She was standing by the backdoor and staring out into your pitch black backyard. With squinted crystal blue eyes she tilted her head to the side and then leaned forward to get a better look. Lily tensed up at her sister’s words and looked at John with wide eyes and a big frown.

“What did your mum just say?” John asked expectantly, one thick eyebrow quirked.

“But-“ Evelyn pointed, not taking her eyes off the yard.

“Stop trying to scare your sister. Bed, now.” John cut off Evelyn not giving her a chance to continue.

“But-“

“Evie, bed.” You jumped in a lot sweeter.

“Stop being fuckin’ stupid Evie, you’re gonna get us grounded.” Jj playfully jabbed. You gasped at the language and so did Lily.

“Stupids a bad word!” Lily looked at a John in shock. He couldn’t even address Jj’s language and burst out into a loud belly laugh.

“Watch the language.” You chuckled and Jj nodded with a cheeky eye roll.

Walking over to your oldest daughter you lightly guided her by the shoulders to head upstairs. With a kiss to the top of the head Evelyn followed her father and siblings as he brought them upstairs to tuck them in.

You went back to putting the dishes away and sipping on the glass of wine John poured you. It wasn’t common that you had wine during the week, it was more of a special occasion thing. But you had a feeling John was trying to get lucky tonight and he was bettering his chances by getting you liquored up.

Taking a sip you watched as your tri-colored border collie, Molly, slowly walked to the back door. She took her paw and lightly scratched at the glass for you to let her out. The look she cast in your direction was somehow filled with attitude that you were taking too long. With a big smile you walked over and unlocked the door. You grabbed a towel off the shoe rack to wipe Molly off when she came back in but you noticed the rain had stopped. Before opening the door you flicked on the patio light and went to let her out. Looking up into the yard you let out a blood curdling scream.

Just like Evelyn had said, there was a man standing in your yard.

You couldn’t make out any defining details only that he was large, maybe bigger than John in stature. He was a shadowy figure standing about fifty yards from the tree line but still a good distance from your home. Your scream didn’t seem to scare him off but instead you watched as he began to slowly walk toward your home. Molly began barking like crazy and jumping on the back door for you to let her out and chase this man off.

“Darling!?” John could be heard racing down the stairs.

You caught sight of him running down the hall in the reflection of the glass backdoor. Shifting your focus you realized that the man in the yard must have seen John too because he was now running full sprint toward the forest.

John realized what was happening in seconds. He saw a figure darting into the woods and he was already springing into action. It had to be the years in the military that had made him so observant. It was why he spotted the man in seconds and picked up on the sinister feeling hanging in the air. It was the same unsettling ambience that filled war zones, compounds he was infiltrating, or the stiff air of a morgue.

“Stay right there and watch.” John ordered you before locking the door and then dashing into the basement.

In this moment you weren’t his wife needing protection, you were an extension of himself that needed to help protect. Your children were upstairs and it would take an army to get to them. John instinctively knew whoever was out there had to get through him and you; and you were a lot more scrappy than you appeared. John knew you’d move mountains for your children, that their safety was your number one priority much like him.

You didn’t respond, fear paralyzed you in this moment, but you did as you were told. Keeping your eyes on the man you watched as he faded into the darkness of the woods and stopped. The glow of your patio flood light stretched far enough it created long shadows that stretched across your property but didn’t reach the woods. His figure was like watching a tea bag bleed into water, you could make out distinct shapes until it all faded together. You could just make the man out; his figure was darker than the tree line. He was now standing just on the edge of the woods, staring directly at you and in seconds he faded together with the blackened shadows of the forest.

“Why’d you stop running?” You whispered and stepped closer to the glass.

Your breath was shallow and eyes squinted as you tried to focus on where you last saw the man. It didn’t make sense to you why he started for the house when it was you but then ran a moment later. Molly had stopped barking but was aggressively growling in the same direction you had your gaze fixed on.

“Oh. You can’t see John.” The words came out in a shaky whisper, your breath making the glass fog, obscuring the figure staring back at you.

That’s when you saw your husband. John was back by your side with his gun in hand. You realized he had also slipped on a camouflage rain coat, his tactical boots, and boonie hat. As soon as you saw John you realized the blackened shape you’d been staring at was gone.

“He went straight ahead.” Pointing off to show where you saw the man disappear to, John was soon sprinting in the same direction.

You hadn’t even realized he unlocked the backdoor until you saw the back of John and heard his boots stomp against the stone of your patio. Molly was right behind John which surprised you. She normally moved slow but she was sprinting with John and slowly outrunning him. She knew exactly where she was going and it made you wonder if she picked up on the unknown scent. The sound of Mollys bark snapped you out of your trance and you quickly shut the back door and locked it.

You then turned and ran upstairs for your children. There was no guarantee this man was alone and your worst fear would be for someone else to try breaking in while John was off chasing the accomplices. The first room you went to was your sons. Jj was sitting up in bed reading his book and snapped it shut when you burst through the door.

“I’m sorry! I’ll go to bed.” Jj immediately apologized not thinking he’d get caught staying up to read.

“Get Evelyn up and go to my bathroom. Don’t turn on any lights.” The urgency in your voice would scare most children but it didn’t have that effect on Jj.

The protocol was to bring the kids to the basement but you weren’t sure if someone was able to get in without you knowing. You were scared, petrified something was going to happen and you were the last line of defense to keep your children safe. This fear kept you from doing what you and John practiced.

It was like a switch flipped in Jj’s head as he slipped on his slippers and ran to Evelyn’s room. You were then in Lily’s bedroom and grabbed her. She was lying on her back talking to her stuffed animals and holding her penguin stuffy over her head. Any other night you’d watch her lovingly from the door and admire how cute Lily was.

“Mummy!” Lily gasped as she was snatched out of bed.

“Shhh. We’re playing hide and seek with daddy and we have to be very quiet.” You whispered to your daughter who seemingly believed you.

“Fun.” She giggled and kicked her feet as you ran to your room.

Locking the bedroom door behind you, you grabbed the blanket off the foot of your bed and then dashed into the bathroom. Evelyn and Jj were sitting in the bathtub which was exactly where you were going to tell them to sit. You took Lily and placed her in Jj’s lap. There was a silent understanding between you two that he was to look after his sisters.

“Stay quiet.” You smiled reassuringly to your little girls.

“Daddy will never find us.” Lily giggled.

“Perfect spot for hide and seek.” This was your attempt to get your kids on board with the lie you told Lily.

Giving each child a kiss to the tops of their heads you took the large plush blanket and made sure they were all covered up to stay warm. You pulled the curtain back to conceal where they were and rolled into your next move.

Making your way back into your bedroom you grabbed the skeleton key and locked the door. You wee locking your babies in the bathroom to keep them safe, god forbid something happened to you. Your next step was to grab the serrated Bowie knife John hid in the false bottom of his nightstand. It felt clinical how you moved. The underlying fear seemed to fade into the background as you did everything John had coached you to do.

Grabbing your cell phone you called the police first and then your father second. You placed one final call just in case John needed help in a different kind of way than the police could offer. The phone rang twice before the person answered clearly out of breath.

“Indy, kinda late-“

“Soap! I know you’re dating that girl- ugh- uh- what’s her name- uh- maybe if you didn’t sleep with so many of my friends I’d remember! The one with kids. Are you at her place?” You yelled and babbled out.

You could hear sheets rustling and a female voice asking something faintly in the background. The voice grew louder and more agitated but you didn’t care at the moment. Soap had been dating one of the moms at Lily’s daycare and she happened to live near by. You were praying he was at her place for the night.

“Yeah, everything alright? I’m kinda in the middle of s-”

“Some creep was standing outside the house and John chased him into the woods. I don’t know if he needs help-“ You were babbling again and hadn’t noticed you were crying.

“I’ll be there in five minutes.” Soap could be heard shuffling around quickly and you assumed he was getting dressed.

“Thank you! Flash your headlights so I know it’s you.”

“On my way.”

Those five minutes felt like an eternity. But soon enough you saw headlights pulling up your driveway and then they flashed four times. Seeing that it was Soap you slid the knife into the holster you had secured to the back of the waist band of your leggings. You left your bedroom and locked the door behind you. Jogging downstairs you met Soap on your patio.

Soap looked disheveled. His hair was sticking up in odd direction and he was flushed. You were use to seeing Soap in jeans but tonight he wore grey joggers that left nothing to the imagination. His grey crewneck had a lipstick smudge by the collar and what you assumed was red wine dribbled down the front. The only thing that made him look ready to help was the pistol in his hand and scuffed military boots.

“John took off that way with his gun, Molly followed too.” You pointed into the woods where John had ran off to.

“Alright, hold on to this.” Soap smacked a walkie talkie into your hand and the gun he was holding in the other.

You physically reacted to now holding a gun and held it as far away from you as you could manage. It looked like it grossed you out the way your face twisted in disgust. Soaps eyebrows scrunched together and he looked at the gun that you were acting like it was a dead animal he handed you.

“Don’t be scared of it. Just point and pull the trigger.” Soap took off running in the direction of your husband after he was done speaking.

You watched as he pulled out another gun from the back of his waist band and you wondered how many guns the members of 141 had hidden just in case they needed them. You knew John’s arsenal and were constantly on his case to get rid of some.

Before Soap even reached half way across the yard John was walking out of the woods with Molly following close behind. You couldn’t make out if he was okay from this distance but you noticed he was alone. Part of you thought he’d be dragging someone by the hair out of the woods or that he’d be covered in blood with a dead body slung over his shoulder.

“You get your hands on him Cap?” Soap called. He stopped halfway into your yard and waited for John to join him in walking back to your home.

You watched from the lit patio as the two conversed quietly. It made you wonder what information John was passing along. The two continued to quietly converse as they walked back over to you.

“Slippery fucker.” John cursed, his frustration evident.

“How’d he get away?” You heard Soap ask as you impatiently waited on the patio.

The night air bit at your exposed skin, making you shiver. Your bare feet were tingling against the cold stone. There was a pebble sticking to the bottom of one of your feet and uncomfortably pressing into your skin. Standing on one foot you picked it off with the hand holding the walkie talkie. You didn’t notice how by keeping your balance you were waving around your other hand.

“Woah, easy there. Don’t need you putting a hole in either of us.” John had both hands on you, one on your wrist and the other taking the gun from your hand. After you were disarmed John answered Soaps question.

“His car was parked on some trail deep in the woods. He took off before I could grab him. Molly took a bite out of him though.” Handing the gun back to Soap John cast another unimpressed look at you for your lack of gun safety. Soap knelt down and slipped the gun into a holster around his ankle.

“Really? Good girl.” You squatted down and gave Molly some much deserved scratches. You ignored John’s look, he knew your distain for guns. You checked Molly’s teeth and mouth to make sure she wasn’t hurt.

“I’ll be picking her up a steak tomorrow.” John patted her on the head and then she finally walked off to go pee like she originally had to.

“You broken?” You stopped John from walking by you and lightly took him by the shoulders. You used his phrase to hopefully dampen the tension. Looking him over you saw he was a bit muddy but not a scratch on him.

“Far from broken, darling.” You loved hearing those words and you swooned even harder when John placed a firm kiss to your forehead. Warping a strong arm around your waist John lead you inside and motioned for Soap to follow.

The three of you went inside and you went to grab your children. John told you he’d put a kettle on while you got everything back in order; including yourself. Somehow you managed to shove the fear crackling through your bones down and be the mother your children needed. You had them all back in bed easily and Jj was the only one to ask questions. He came to the conclusion that this was practice in case something bad ever happened. Just like the time you practiced what he and his sisters needed to do if there was ever a fire.

Once downstairs you could hear Soap and John talking. Your nerves were beginning to fray. Keeping it together for this long felt unnatural. You felt like a robot getting your kids back to bed. Cuddling Evelyn as she babbled about wanting to go to the park tomorrow, organizing Lily’s stuffed animals on the bed in your room to sleep with you, and telling Jj everything was alright; it was like an out of body experience. It was auto pilot to get them all settled and now finally you were coming back to your senses.

“Yeah, Indy called while I was mid thrust. Should’ve seen Saoirse’s face when I picked up the ph-“

“Charming.” You scrunched your nose at Soaps crass remark.

You weren’t one for dirty banter unless it was with John. It sounded like locker room talk to you which you disapproved of. You didn’t think John would normally entertain that kind of talk but Soap seemed comfortable talking like that.

“Sorry. Didn’t see you there.” Soap laughed awkwardly. You were giving him a disapproving look which had him feeling like a naughty school boy.

“That how you talk about me?” You asked John who snorted at the idea.

“Oh, I go into much more detail.” His joke wasn’t funny to you and he put his hands up in defense before you gave him a tongue lashing.

“I’m only joking.” John added.

“The kids are back in bed.” You changed the subject before you started questioning your husband.

You grabbed the cup of tea John prepared for you. The mug lightly swayed in your shaky hands as you brought the warm liquid to your mouth.

“You alright?” Soap asked. He was staring at you with concern and that was when you noticed John also looked worried.

“Not really. That was fucking scary.” As you spoke you noticed how your words were in a higher register and you stuttered slightly.

John was by your side now, one large hand lightly stroking your back. His other hand came up and pushed your hair out of your face and behind your ear. Leaning in he whispered in your ear that he loved you and you had nothing to worry about.

“Did you get a good look at him?” John asked once he pulled away.

“No. What’s weird is he started walking toward the house until he saw you. He ran but stopped at the edge of the woods when you went into the basement. It’s like he only stared when he knew you couldn’t see him. . . Like he knew I couldn’t defend myself.” The last sentence came out breathy and you gritted your teeth at the realization.

“Well I’m here to stay. So if I’m what scares him off then he won’t be coming ‘round again.” John spoke adamantly. His hand went from stroking your back to gripping your hip and bringing you close. John had you tucked under his arm and by his side, firmly in his hold.

“Think Evie got a good look?” You asked which made John frown down at you.

“Feel like a fool for not believing her.” He ran his free hand ran down his face.

“Me too. We owe her an apology.” You placed your face in your hands feeling like an absolute idiot.

“Oh and would’ya look at that. Police thirty minutes late like usual.” Soap scoffed.

——————

It was an early Friday morning with the suns orange hues streaming through the windows of your kitchen. Breakfast was laid out on the table. A plate of eggs, bowl of beans, toast, sautéed mushrooms, and cut up fruit sat already picked over. Jj was scraping the last of the beans onto his plate with his tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth. Lily had her open mouth pressed up to the side of her plate as he shoveled her eggs into her mouth that way. Before this method of eating, her eggs kept falling off her fork and made a mess on the floor that Molly was cleaning up.

“Do you have to go?” Lily asked with a mouth full of her breakfast.

Evelyn was wrapped around John’s leg like she had been for the past half hour. She was sat on his foot with her legs tight wound around his calf and arms locked around his knee. John didn’t say much about it but instead hobbled around the first floor with her attached to him. Usually if he allowed her to act out or be on the difficult side it made saying goodbye easier. John wasn’t sure why but you told him it’s because it made her feel important. That even when she was being difficult she felt the extra love with his patience.

“Yes. I’ll only be gone the weekend.” John reassured Lily who frowned at him.

“But there’s a new episode of Bluey.” She protested. A big pout formed on her face since John wouldn’t be here to watch it with her.

“We can watch it together when I get back.” John chuckled.

He found it cute that a new episode of Bluey should be enough for him to call out of work. Hobbling by you John started to help you finish up cleaning the kitchen.

“Not fair.” Lily mumbled.

“Don’t worry Lil, you’ll get use to dad having to jet off randomly.” Jj thought he was reassuring his little sister but it was like daggers to John’s heart.

John audibly scoffed, face dropping and looking to you for comfort. You only shrugged not knowing what to say. Jj was right in a sense but to you it was something you had still never gotten use to. You went back to your task ignoring your husband’s silent plea for reassurance.

“You okay over there?” John asked, you were taking up bread making and kneading the life out of some dough.

“Fine.” You mused not looking at John.

You were taking out your anxiety on this pour ball of dough. At this rate you were going to bake the world’s densest loaf of bread. All because you couldn’t stomach John being gone for the weekend.

“Soap’s going to be five minutes away. Whatever that was last week was just a freak one off. It’s been resolved with some handcuffs.” John tried out humor which didn’t seem to work. You simply kneaded harder and blew the fallen strands of hair out of your face.

“How are you so sure of that?” It was almost inaudible as you were snarky back. John had spent hours at this point reassuring you everything would be okay.

“Darling, we left my car on base for two nights in a row to make it look like I wasn’t home and there was nothing. I stayed up both nights on lookout.” John had hobbled over to you to try and get you to look at him.

You continued your task, ignoring the burn in your arms.

“The neighbor was arrested. We saw him getting arrested two days ago on our run. Remember?” Taking his index finger John hooked it under your chin and turned your head to look at him. His eyes were kind but he was met with a scowl from you.

“Yeah I remember.” You sighed. This didn’t quell your anxiety.

In fact it made you more uneasy that John was so sure. Your gut told you something was still wrong and John dismissed it as nerves. You two had been bickering about you trusting his judgment and you telling him to trust your intuition.

“Yeah! The policeman who doesn’t like our chickens was there!” Lily exclaimed as she told Jj details to a story he’d already heard. Jj looked back at his little sister with a dead pan expression, he was annoyed at her constant repeating as of late.

“Yeah? Was dad pushing you in the stroller since you’re such a big baby you didn’t wanna stay here with papa?” Jj’s retort had Lily’s lip wobbling.

She had thrown an absolute fit about wanting to join you and John on your run. John gave in and popped her in the stroller and took her along with the two of you that day. Lily got a front row seat to the neighbors arrest. You and John watched everything unfold along with some fellow neighbors.

“I’m not a baby!” Lily shouted back.

“Yeah? News to me.” With an eye roll Jj went back to eating.

“Mummy!” Lily shrieked unable to deal with her brother’s curtness.

“Jj.” You and John both used a stern tone as you warned Jj to knock it off.

“Sorry. Sorry. Let’s all pretend she’s not a big cry baby who always gets her way. I use to think Evie was a brat but Lily takes the cake.” The sass was getting on your nerves and before you or John could reprimand the attitude Jj was getting up.

“I’ll go to my room. It’s worth saying the truth.” He huffed and brought his plate to the sink.

“And-“ John started but Jj cut in again.

“I’ll put the switch on your bed don’t worry.” You couldn’t see him at this point because he was halfway down the hall but you could tell by his tone he rolled his eyes.

“What are we gonna do with him?” John looked at you dumbstruck. You ignored his question and went back to what was weighing on your mind.

“Maybe me and the kids should stay with my dad.” You suggested.

“Would that make you feel better? You can come back during the day, you I’ll get the house to yourself for a few hours.” John rolled right back into the conversation from before. Your comfort was much more important than his preteens rudeness.

“Doesn’t sound half bad.” The idea of having the house to yourself was too good to pass up on. Being here by yourself during the day didn’t feel scary.

“So you want to get rid of us!?” Evelyn accused you from where she sat on the floor still hugging John’s leg.

“We’d sell you if it wasn’t illegal.” John joked which made Evelyn gasp.

“C’mon they’d return them all by sundown.” You added on with a laugh. This seemed to rile up your oldest daughter.

“Good! At least someone would take me cuz no one’s gonna want a stinky old man! And they’d give Lily back for being such a cry baby!” Evelyn hissed. Your eyebrows scrunched together at the shot taken at Lily was was minding her own business. You looked up to see her with her mouth agape like a trout and a strawberry in hand.

“I’m not old.” John said with a straight face.

“I’m not a baby!” Lily shouted.

“Stop it. I don’t know why you and your bother are teasing your sister but it’s enough.” You warned.

“Evie. Say I’m not a baby.” Lily whined. Evelyn rolled her eyes and tossed her head back.

“You’re not a baby.” Evelyn groaned. She only said it so Lily wouldn’t cry. That seemed to be enough for Lily who went back to eating.

“I have to make sure my dad’s free.” You said while shaking your head at your children’s antics

“Why wouldn’t he be? That posh lady broke up with him.” Evelyn was staring up at you, still wrapped around John’s leg.

“Cold, Evelyn.” You laughed.

Your father dating history had been a slew of women who you thought were lack luster. John tried to get you to give them a chance but you brushed him off saying they would never stick around long.

“Now go sit.” Finally you ushered Evelyn off of John and over to the kitchen table to eat her cold breakfast.

“Fine.” Evelyn let go of John and stomped over to the table.

“Darling it’ll be okay.” John who was now able to move around freely and came up behind you and wrapped you in his arms. Those large rough hands you loved so much slid down your arms until his hands encompassed yours. Slowly moving them away from the bread dough, John’s breath was now in your ear.

“Yeah?” You softly asked.

John was going against his better judgment as he told you this. He felt safe and assured that nothing would happen. The problem had been taken care of and there was no way your neighbor was getting out of jail while he was away. John had looked into the charges and chose to keep them to himself but with how worried you seemed it was time to share.

“Look, neighbors been arrested for violating a restraining order of a woman he was stalking. It wasn’t the only restraining order he had put against him. He’s not around to do anything.” John spoke softly, wrapping his arms back around you and hugging you close to his chest.

“John, Officer Parker said it’s not him.” Turning your head to the side you looked up at John who wore a crooked smile.

“You really trust the police to do a good job?” The question hung in the air longer than you liked. You weren’t sure what your answer should be or if you even agreed with John’s sentiment.

“Anyway, I’ll have Soap check in on you throughout the day.” Letting you go John shrugged and gave you a kiss to the cheek, his beard leaving behind the usual scratchy feeling.

“So you’re not convinced it’s the nephew!?” Whipping around you had your finger in John’s face. He chuckled deeply and moved your hand back down to your side.

“I am convinced, you’re the one who’s not. But you know me darling. Not one to take chances when it comes to something as precious as you and the kids.” John was being sweetly flirtatious and you weren’t sure if you should blush or get him to be more serious.

“Well, I still have to call my dad. I’d feel okay if Soap was here for the weekend while you’re away-if my dad’s busy.” The thought of Soap spending the weekend finally quelled the anxiety that had taken root in your chest. Soap would keep you and your children safe, you were sure of that.

“Well he’s not staying here. The man can barely keep it in his pants as is, and I don’t need you falling for whatever charm he has that makes women flock to him in droves.” Talking with his hands John then shook his head in what seemed to be frustration and went to grab something from the fridge.

“John.” You whined at his reasoning.

“Stay with your dad and come by in the morning. You’ll get to enjoy the house to yourself. I’ll have Soap stop by in the morning and then see you off mid afternoon.” John’s mind was made up on how things would go and you could only roll your eyes at him.

“A lot of precautions for someone who thinks I’m safe.” You muttered.

“I know you’re safe but you wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I did all this.” Kissing your temple John grabbed a tub of ice cream and popped the lid off. Before you could move John snatched you around the waist and purred in your ear.

“Let’s send the kids to your dad’s tonight and you can show me how much you’ll miss me.” John flirted.

You rolled your eyes with a giggle and grabbed spoons. John was right and you would’ve bugged him to do all this but he had beaten you to it. With it just being you home you didn’t see the harm. It would be nice to have the house to yourself.

“And stop rolling your eyes. You wonder why the kids do it when they’re giving us attitude.” It sounded playful with a twist of seriousness and you subconsciously rolled your eyes again. This earned a firm smack to your bottom.

——————

“Hey, I miss you and clearly you miss me too. The flowers are beautiful. Who’d you get to drop them off? Ended up staying at your sisters last night, had too much wine to drive to my dads. Anyway got here pretty early and slept off the hangover. I didn’t even hear who stopped by with the flowers cuz I slept in for once. Ha! Crazy huh? Me sleeping in. Feels like a dream. Welp, I miss you and can’t wait to see you on Monday. Be safe and come back in one piece. I love you John.” You hung up, wondering when John would get a chance to check his voicemail.

You loved leaving him long winded voicemails. The first time you ever did it was when you were dating. John gushed about it on the way home from you picking him up from the airport. He went on and on about how hard it was to not get to talk to you when he wanted, so to have a voicemail where it was like having a conversation made everything feel better. So you never stopped doing it and whenever John called back he prattled on like the conversation was fresh and not hours, days, or weeks old.

The roses on the kitchen counter were gorgeous which was what spurred on that voicemail. Long stemmed and in the vase you inherited from your mother. It was a Persian blue vase that was portrayed in one of your mother’s painting hanging up in your bedroom.

Cocking your head to the side you stared at the vase for a minute longer. Something was prying at your mind, something unsettling. This vase was suppose to be in your office. You had it put away, packaged neatly and safely so it could never be damaged. That was the entire point of why the painting was hung up. So you could still see it but not risk it ever being broken.

You couldn’t remember if you told John where you had put it. It was making you wonder if he had gone through your office to find it. But why would he do that, when John knew not to take this out considering the last time he brought out one of your mother’s vases it was shattered by mistake.

Reaching forward you plaid with one of the fallen rose petals on the counter. Your mind was stuck on the Persian blue vase. No way were these delivered by an outside source. There was no way a stranger could get into your home. So it had to be someone you knew. John would never ask any of his family members to go rifling through your office. Maybe Soap was the one to drop them off when he checked on you this morning, but still why would he go in your office. The only person John would ever ask to do that was your father.

So, you called your dad.

“Hey, why didn’t you stay for breakfast? Hope taking mums vase out didn’t upset you. I know how certain things of hers hurt a little bit more than others. Anyway, thanks for doing that so John could surprise me. Call me back.” Hanging up you eye’d the flowers one more time before going to make yourself breakfast.

Your day continued from there. It was nice having the house to yourself. It almost never happened so when you found yourself eating junk food all day while watching tv you decided you had to do at least one productive thing. Soap had stopped by again and told you he’d be seeing you off around 5. Around dinner time you had just finished throwing a load of laundry in when your phone rang.

A large grin spread across your face. Illuminated on your phone screen was a picture of John looking content. He was buried in the sand from his waist down with a margarita in hand and wearing his boonie hat. It was from your last holiday abroad and like every beach vacation he let the kids bury him in the sand. It was a ploy to tire them out, not have to run around with them, and get his drinks served directly to him.

“Hey-“

“What flowers?” John’s voice was deadly serious.

You were a bit taken aback. You were expecting charm, or a flirty greeting. Instead you got demanding words that made you feel weightless for a second.

“Uh, there’s flowers on the kitchen island. Roses to be specific, the long stem that I like. Th-they’re in my mums blue vase that I keep in my office.” You stuttered a bit.

There was this feeling of dread taking over. Maybe John forgot he told your dad to do this. Or maybe your dad just did it to be sweet and you should call him again to check. Soap could’ve done it and John pulled out the vas before he left. John calling you and sounding so serious was raising the alarm bells in your head.

“Darling, I didn’t order you flowers.” John sounded even, almost too calm.

You gulped down the rock forming in your throat. There had to be an explanation. John said you were safe, you believed you were safe. Soap checked up on you twice today, how could you be anything but safe.

“Maybe my dad stopped by-“

“He has the kids. You really think they wouldn’t have come and woke you up?” John’s words were making your head feel staticky.

“Who put them there?” You whispered.

Your heart was beating so loud it was making your ears ring. You stepped out into the kitchen for a moment and looked to see if anything else was out of place. The setting sun was casting scattered hues of purples and oranges across your colorful kitchen.

Your eyes slowly moved over the room and stopped at the roses standing tall in the center of the kitchen island. The way your head moved felt like a magnet slowly pulling you to look at the slightly ajar basement door. The whites of your eyes felt dry as you stared at it, phone pressed to your ear and hand shaking. That door had been closed all day and no one but you was home to open it.

“Where are you?” John’s thick voice interpreted your thoughts. Taking a step back into the laundry room you slowly started to shut the door.

“The laundry room. Th-the basement door- it- it’s crack-ed.” You whispered.

“Lock the doors and stay in there. There’s a tool box on the shelf above the dryer. I hid a knife in there, grab it. Soap will be there soon. I’m going to call you right back.” John spoke to you calmly to hopefully keep you from freaking out.

This was a situation that had his heart about to leap out of his throat. The fact he wasn’t there to handle whatever was happening terrified him. He could only imagine the fear you were facing being home alone with a possible threat in your home.

“Shouldn’t I hide in my office like we’ve planned? Maybe I opened the door and just forgot? I can be forgetful! I-I must have done it!” This was always the plan if anything bad happened. It was to hide in your office. You couldn’t come to terms with the truth staring you straight in the face.

“No. Stay exactly where you are and do what I said. Soap will be there soon.” John spoke forcefully this time. With the facts presented to him he had a good idea what would play out if you went down those basement stairs.

“J-John.” His name came out in a broken sob.

John could hear you fumbling around as quietly as you could. The sound of the toolbox rattling from your shaky hands had his heart beating faster. Your ragged breathing was blowing the speaker out and light sniffles were audible.

“Yes?” John asked.

“I love you.” You spoke with desperation and John could hear it in your voice.

“I love you too. I’ll call right back. Hold tight.” John kept composed for you and your sanity.

You weren’t sure how much time passed. All you knew is it was enough for you to lock yourself in the laundry room, grab the switch blade, and squat in the corner like a cowering animal.

Your phone buzzed and you saw it was John.

“John- I’m scared.”

“It’s okay. Soaps a few minutes away.” The gravely tone of Jones voice helped you feel safe for a brief moment until you realized he was still over seas. It was a hard pill to swallow that John wasn’t near by to protect you. You trusted Soap but no one would fight for you the way John would.

“Who could’ve- why would they- how’d they know about my mums vase? Where I put it? What it means to me?” You babbled out.

“Darling, I’m going to be honest with you-“ John paused and you heard him taking a deep breath.

“I think he’s in the house and I think it’s someone you know personally.” John’s words had you straightening with a chill running up your spine. It felt like you were going to be sick.

“H-how? Where?” You asked.

“I don’t know. . . but I think your office. Why else would the vase be out if not to have you go downstairs and check on things.” John seemed rushed as he explained his reasoning. He didn’t want you to be anymore scared than you originally were but he wanted you to be prepared for the worst.

“When are you coming home?” You began to weep down the line. Pathetic sobs echoed down the line turning John’s rage white hot.

“Making arrangements as soon as Soap gets there.” John spoke to no response. All he could hear were your quiet fearful sobs on the line.

You weren’t sure why you did it but you crawled over to the door that led to your kitchen. Unlocking it with shaky hands, you cracked it open the tiniest bit. The kitchen table sat between the laundry room and basement door. But you could just peer through the chair and table legs to see the door still ajar.

Your heart stopped in that moment. In the orange glow of the setting sun you saw one eye so dark it looked black staring right at you. Unblinking and with a vacant stare the one eye watched you in such a predatory way you couldn’t look away. Terror had clutched so tightly it stole the air from your lungs. You could make out just the edge of a nose with pale skin, sunken eye so wide it was unnatural, and in this moment you had never been more scared in your life. Your bladder gave out and you stared back as you looked death in the eye.

“Darling? Are you okay?” John asked once he heard your ragged breathing stop.

Not taking your eyes off the person staring at you, you shut the door and locked it again. You were dead, there was no making it out of this alive. And in the moment where fear should be the most prevalent it washed away like the tide on the shore. Clutching the knife firmly in your hand you gritted your teeth and prepared yourself to fight for your life.

“Someone’s in the basement. I opened the laundry room door for a second to see if the coast was clear and he was staring back at me from the bottom corner of the door.” The calmness spooked even your husband.

It was not a fault of yours but in moments of fight or flight you tended to freeze up. So to hear you so calm like you were ready to brave the storm sent shivers through John’s body. You clearly knew how much worse this was than he did.

Knocking sounded on the side door of the laundry room that lead out to the drive way. You clamped your hand over your mouth to keep yourself from screaming. Breathing out through your nose with eyes bugging out of your head you scrambled for it. On your feet you went to fling the door open but stoped yourself. You had no idea who was on the other side, you’d assumed it was Soap.

“Indy, it’s me. Open up.” The familiar sound of Soaps voice made you gasp.

Flinging the door open Soap stood there dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt. His hair was neatly done and he stared back at you with an even expression. There was that look in his eyes that John would get at times that you could never quite name. To you seemed animalistic, like a need to kill.

Soap took in the sight of you. Bleary eyed, sweating like you’d run a marathon, and a dark wet patch running down your left leg. You were petrified, unable to find words and you simply shook and stepped out on to the driveway.

“C’mon, in the car now.” In one fluid motion Soap had taken the knife from your hands and had you by the elbow.

He lead you quickly and firmly over to his truck and opened the door and practically shoved you in. Soap was at the drivers side in a flash and soon was peeling out of your driveway. With one hand on the wheel Soap began to search around for something in the back seat until he pulled out a pair of his sweat pants and handed them to you.

“Put those on and chuck the ones you’ve got on in the back.” Soap focused on the road his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel.

The boys in 141 had become rather protective of you, each in their own ways. Having known you for this long you’d created a friendship with them. But after seeing you kidnapped and Soap being the one to find you and carry you out, he had become particularly protective.

“I won’t look.” He added but that didn’t seem to matter to you.

You were already shucking off your soiled jeans and panties and sliding into Soaps grey sweatpants. You noticed how soft they felt and they smelled of lavender making you wonder if his new girlfriend had washed them for him. It was a nice distracting thought from the panic setting your skin ablaze.

“You alright?” Soap asked and then looked at you.

He’d forgotten how he said he would not look and accidentally saw half your bare ass as you slid his sweatpants on. It was obvious you were not alright. Your hair was a mess, eyes bloodshot and puffy, and teeth bared as you held back what seemed to be sobs. Soap was astonished by your ability to hold yourself together. You were safe now and still trying to be strong.

“He-he’s in the h-Ouse.” It felt like acid spewed from your mouth as you said those words.

“Ghost is almost there and he’ll be searching your home.” Soap spoke and placed a hand on your knee as a way to comfort you.

It was that touch that had everything crashing down. The image of the unblinking eye staring back at you was seared into your minds eye. Your trembling hands started to shake violently and your head was spinning.

“Soap, pull over.” You gasped and began coughing.

“What, why?” Soaps head snapped to look at you like you were crazy. You were on a busy road it wasn’t particularly safe to pull over.

“I’m gonna be sick.” You clamped your hand over your mouth as you felt your stomach about to betray you.

Soap immediately pulled off to the side of the road. He watched as you practically tumbled out of the passenger seat and were profusely sick. It was a shock to him that this was enough to get you reacting like that. You wouldn’t last a minute with 141 if this is how you handled stress. But then it started to occur to him that you were a civilian. This wasn’t something you knew how to handle or could compartmentalize.

It started to make sense to Soap why your youngest, Lily, was so sensitive. Soap always wondered who she got it from or if it was just how Lily was. That incredibly friendly and confident demeanor you had did not help you under stress. In fact you were a bit of an anxious wreck under pressure and Lily was too. Soap didn’t know but you had reacted the same way Lily did when John yelled at her. Only you were staring death in the face.

Getting back in to the car with watery eyes you nodded at Soap to keep driving. You felt somewhat better after being sick. That didn’t stop the tears from flowing as you continued to cry.

“You okay?” Soap had no idea how to comfort you, he never really knew what to do when a woman started crying. John warned him you would be a whirlwind but this was a lot more than Soap could understand.

“No.” You sobbed into your hands.

“It’ll be okay.” Soap sounded unsure but it was more from your emotional reaction.

“I just- I can’t stop thinking what would’ve happened if I didn’t send the kids for a sleep over with my dad.” You wailed, absolutely inconsolable.

Things would have been different if your children were home. You didn’t know what you would’ve done if you were attacked while they were home. Or if one of them went into the basement without you knowing. There was no doubt in your mind you would have ended up dead with the kids home. That Jj would’ve had to take his sisters and run while you fought to give them a head start.

“I- I don’t know. But you would’ve kept them safe.” Soap didn’t sound like he believed himself and you weren’t sure you did either.

You versus a man the size of John. A man who out ran your husband, took a dog bite like it was nothing and got away. Yes, you would’ve fought with every fiber of your being to keep your children safe; but would you have actually been able to fight him off and keep your children safe?

“I’m gonna be sick again.”

——————

Soap had taken you to Ghost and Dove’s house after picking you up. It was a complete shit show when you walked through their front door. Dove immediately brought you to her room where you had a panic attack and ended up crying in her arms. At one point she excused herself and you thought it was to attend to her children. You showered and she gave you some clothes to wear.

You were there for hours, the night sky had taken over and midnight approached. You hadn’t heard from John but Soap informed you he was to stay by your side at all times; it was ‘Captains orders.’ You had calmed down significantly with Dove’s help. It reminded you why she was such a huge asset to 141 during the time she served with them years ago. Ghost had mentioned her proclivity in calming down prisoners of war and she was truly your godsend.

You were sitting at her circular kitchen table having tea with her and Soap. Food wasn’t appealing so you ignored her insistence on your eating something. Soap ate enough for the two of you which was a pleasant distraction. You had called your dad and wished each one of your children goodnight. It was the only solace you could find in the situation and you cried over the picture of all three of them asleep in the guest bed at your father’s flat.

It seemed that things had finally cooled down for you. That the world wasn’t crashing down anymore. Dove and Soap both assured you Simon had things handled and to just give it time. So that was what you did until he walked through his back door dressed in all black with his balaclava on.

“Ghost! What happened was everything-“ You were standing up ready to ask a million questions. Dove was quick to stand with you and place her hand on your shoulder to keep you calm.

“Did you go into your basement at all during the day?” Simon asked which instantly put you on edge.

“Uh- no. No I hung around the first floor all day. I-I saw someone some-some psycho staring at me through the cracked basement door right before Soap got me.” You words tumbled out and you were shaking all over again. You would never be able to get that image out of your head.

“Soap, cmon, need your help.” And with that Simon was exiting and heading back to his truck. That wasn’t enough for you. You shrugged Dove off and dashed outside to confront Simon.

“Wait what happened!? W-was the guy in my office!” You demanded. Simon turned on his heels, startling you at his quick movement.

You jumped backward and coward at his hulking frame, flinching as if he were about to strike you. Simon faltered for a moment seeing you like this. He was use to seeing you as a spitfire who loved giving him a hard time. Now wasn’t the time for him to pretend like he didn’t like you. In fact some softness for once was in order and he realized that. Placing a hand gingerly on your shoulder it was a surprise to you he could have such a gentle touch. You assumed everything he grasped would crack and crumble beneath his grip.

“There’s nothing you need to worry about now. Get some rest, no one will be bothering you again.” Ghost spoke with such certainty it made you know exactly what he meant without him actually saying it.

“What’s that suppose to mean?” With a trembling lip you watched as Simon shook his head in conformation to the silent question hanging in the air.

“C’mon Indy, I set up the couch for you.” Dove grabbed your hand a moment later and lead you inside to sleep for the night.

——————

Wheezing metal, thudding of belonging against the truck bed, and tires snapping twigs and branches underneath the weight of three murderous men cut through the heavy air. The night was pitch black, the only light being the yellow glow of the trucks headlights. Ghost and Soap were taking John Price out into the woods.

“How the hell did he get past you?” John seemed aggravated with Soap.

John hadn’t even stopped in to see you. He headed straight here once his boots touched home soil. Dove assured John you were safe and okay. As much as it pained him, John knew you could wait while he finished handling things.

“Flowers weren’t there when I checked on her in the morning. We only talked on your front porch that afternoon and she was getting ready to head out after she did some laundry. Never brought up the flowers.” Simon wasn’t happy with Soaps response.

“Doesn’t fucking matter. You should have checked the house.” Simon snapped aggressively.

“She told me not to worry. That it would be indecent for me to come in. Not sure why.” Soap answered matter of factly.

John knew why you’d told Soap not to worry. You were getting your own alone time which had included some delicate items left out on your bed that you were embarrassed for Soap to see. So you sent him away not thinking much of it and protecting your privacy.

“She wouldn’t have let Soap search the house. So drop it.” John wasn’t going to get into it. It was obvious enough in his mind and he didn’t see any reason to humiliate you more than you currently felt.

“When I got there the power was cut. Would have forced her down to the basement to fiddle with the circuit breakers.” Ghost continued the tone of his voice menacing. It was clear he was wound up by the events although he kept his composure.

“He really wanted her to stumble upon him.” John muttered.

John hated that you saw the man in your home. That you were so petrified you wet yourself in fear and he witnessed that. This stranger got exactly what he wanted and it was to see you scared for your life.

“Think he got off on her being terrified. And finding a man in the basement when she’s all alone would’ve been the most terrifying thing for her.” Soap added.

“Had a black duffle bag filled with things he was planning on using. He hadn’t realized she fled out the side door. He was searching for her when I got there. Humming some tune and calling her by name. . . Doing creepy fucking shit to scare her.” Ghost explained.

Knowing this man was lurking around your house and playing out his sick and twisted fantasy was making John’s face twitch. His anger was palpable and made the truck feel suffocating. It sounded like one of those horror movies you two occasionally watched. Only this time you had almost lived it.

“Duffle bag?” John was seething at this point. He could only image what kind of tools someone so depraved would bring along.

“I disposed of everything. Besides this and his journal.” Ghost handed over a prescription bottle of little blue pills and that was all John needed to know what the man’s intentions were.

It was more than to scare you. It was to do unspeakable things, torture you, and leave you for dead.

John had suspected that this was someone you knew personally. Someone who would be able to find out small details about you and it seem innocuous. John had been wracking his brain on who it could be and his mind kept sticking to one person in particular. One person who’d been snooping around his home in broad daylight and no one thought twice about.

Then John read the name on the bottle and all his suspicions were confirmed.

“We know him. It’s the fuckin’ cop that’s been sniffing around.” John whispered as he gripped the orange plastic so tightly it creaked against his hand.

“Knew.” Was all Ghost said.

“Ya’ killed a fuckin’ cop.” Soap scoffed while shaking his head.

“How’d you do it?” John asked looking from Simon to Soap.

The assumption was the two men took care of it together. That they made him suffer because that’s what John would have preferred. In the end John felt robbed. That he had his opportunity to take his rage out on the perpetrator stolen. John would’ve had him begging for death and that still wouldn’t have been enough for him.

“It was done when I got there.” Soap nodded to Simon. Rolling his shoulder back Simon kept his eyes fixed on the dirt path he drove down in the dead of night.

“Execution style. Let him know he was lucky for that. If it had been you who found him he’d be begging for a bullet.” Simon practically spat the words out, his disgust evident as he spoke about a man he found vile.

“So you’re taking me to him?” John asked with a sigh.

It wasn’t Simon’s fault he couldn’t keep the man alive for him. John saw that Ghost had secured you and your kids safety by ending it quick and easy. There was no longer a threat and you all could sleep easy.

“Thought it best you know all the details Cap.” Soap leaned forward as he spoke and then pointed to the dry birch tree off to the side of the path.

“Here.” Ghost parked the truck and didnt wait to get out.

The three men piled out and stayed silent as Soap lead them through the woods and Simon covered their tracks. Even if someone found the body it wouldn’t be identifiable or traced back to any of them. About two miles off the beaten path they arrived to the spot where Simon carried out his mercy kill.

There was a freshly disturbed plot of dirt with ruffage and leaves thrown over top. Looking to Soap and then Ghost, no words needed to be exchanged. This was where the man who would’ve done unspeakable things to you lay six feet under.

Walking over to the spot where this man had been laid to rest Soap and Ghost wondered what Price would do. All they could see was his back as his shoulder rolled back and he fiddled with something at waist level. Soon they could hear the clink of metal from John’s belt and then a steady stream.

Sharing a look Soap scoffed darkly and Ghost stayed eerily silent. Soap had no idea what he would’ve done in this situation if he were John, all he knew was the man had every right to lose his mind but wasn’t. His reaction was to piss on the man’s grave and Soap couldn’t blame him for that.

Ghost commended Price for keeping his cool. If the rolls were reversed Simon would has lost his grip. If anyone ever threatened his wife and entered his home where his children rested their heads at night Simon would light the world ablaze in his wrath.

“A bullet was too kind, Simon.” The words were growled over the sound of John’s belt clinking once more as he fastened it.

“Saving him for you wasn’t an option.” Simon spoke evenly.

“Lucky bastard.” Was all John said before heading back to the truck.

——————

It was late when John finally returned home. Your children were all tucked into bed and Gaz had said his goodbyes to his captain. Gaz had told him you went to bed a few hours ago and he hadn’t heard anything since. John was expecting to walk into the room with you fast asleep. But when he stepped through your bedroom door he was immediately met with you flinging yourself into his arms.

“Tell me everything’s okay. Tell me it’s over with and the guys arrested.” You babbled as your embrace grew tighter and tighter.

John was showing now signs of letting you go and you wanted to be held until all these horrible feelings went away. You wanted to be so close to him that you could crawl under his skin and set up camp. Melding into him was the only way to fell better. Maybe he could wear you as a backpack so you didn’t have to let go. You were starting to understand why Evelyn wrapped herself around John’s leg the other day. Something about not having to let go and John being okay with it left you feeling cared for and protected.

“He’s dealt with.” John tried to reassure you.

Without thinking and acting naturally John picked you up and you responded by wrapping your legs around his waist. John brought you over to your shared bed and plopped down on his side so you were laying on your back and he was pressing you into the mattress.

“Like dead?” You pushed John off you by the shoulder. Now with both hands on either side of your head he stared down at you. His face was emotionless as he kept his composure which wasn’t reassuring to the question you just asked.

“Darling-“ John was cut off by you sitting up and staring at him confused and unsure. You were sitting criss cross on the bed while John sat up straight with his feet on the floor.

“Is the guy dead John? Did Ghost kill him? Did you kill him!?” The questions rolled of your tongue.

John stared at you with a serious expression. You didn’t need him to answer to know the man was most likely dead. You came to that conclusion quickly just by the way John was acting.

“John did you kill him?” You asked again.

“No.” He said adamantly. You took a breath realizing what this meant.

“So Ghost did?” You shook your head to see if John would mimic you and silently admit to it; but he didn’t.

John didn’t answer this time. He turned his gaze to your open bedroom door and stared out into the dark hallway. The lack of response had you panicking in a whole new way. Before John knew it you were standing and shutting the door then frantically pacing.

“Okay. Okay. Oh fuck. That’s bad John. That’s really bad.” Your fingers were in your hair as you began to nervously tidy your room. John watched you pace and pick up the pile of clothes on the floor and then start fiddling with things on your dresser.

“Nothing happened. All you need to know is he won’t be bugging our family again.” John spoke evenly but was becoming stressed by your pacing and how you nervously tidied the room.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” You stopped in your tracks as your mind came up with vicious scenarios.

Had Ghost stumbled upon something so depraved that it drove him to murder this stranger in your home. Then you started to freak out. Was someone murdered in your home? Were the police going to come for you and John as accomplices? Would Ghost be arrested for murder and miss out on his family all because of you?

“Sit, it’s okay.” John guided you to sit on the foot of your bed. You had stopped babbling and pacing but now you were staring blankly off into space which worried John more than the nervousness.

“Does Dove know?” Your head snapped up realizing Simon’s wife would probably fall apart at the news.

If you found out John killed someone on your behalf you weren’t sure you’d be able to recover from the shock. You would constantly be worrying about him being arrested or someone coming after him. There would be a worry that the guilt would eat him alive. Although, little did you know murder was hardly off the table for John. He found that he could live quite comfortably with a guilty conscious on that front.

John took a moment before speaking. He was trying to weigh if the truth was worth you knowing. Ultimately he decided being honest was better and would hopefully create more of an understanding between you two. It was an attempt to get you closer to his way of thinking and that violence was in fact was a solution for some scenarios.

“In for a penny, I guess. . . It was her idea.” John’s words shook you to your core.

“Am I just surrounded by crazy? What kind of example are we setting for our kids.” You placed your face in yours hands.

John knew this was going to be hard for you to understand. As a person who had never seen war but experience violence and came out of it still not wishing death upon anyone, you would struggle to accept things. You had been kidnapped once and beat to a pulp and you had never truly recovered from that mentally. John couldn’t tell you the true danger you were in, for fear you’d live you life scared. That the man who waited for you in your basement had despicable plans for you for days and your survival would have left you so damaged John wondered if you would have chosen death instead. And that was without your children home. The whole situation was John’s worst nightmare but the thought that your little girls and son could have been subject to such cruelty made John’s blood run cold.

“I’m going to be candid with you. That man had horrible things planned for you. God only knows what he had planned if Jj, Evelyn, and Lily were home with you, love.” John took a deep breath before continuing.

“Simon made a choice where the outcome guaranteed your safety, the kids safety. That there would be no chance of it happening again or the law failing us.” Placing his hand on your shoulder John wasn’t sure if you were convinced. He was crouched in front of you now and hoping by some miracle you’d be okay with this.

“He made the right choice. I respect his decision.” John spoke as if it were fact. It was his way of egging you on for a reaction. It was killing him seeing you silently sitting on the foot of your bed with your face in your hands.

“How do we begin to thank him? I’ve never owed someone my life before.” Your attempt at humor came off dry and unfunny but John knew you were trying to come around to this idea.

“See it as him and I are even.” John chuckled with no humor and nodded to you as a silent thanks for not freaking out.

“You would’ve done the same?” You asked hoping that John’s response would somehow make this less morally confusing.

“Without a second thought. If someone threatened Dove and her kids the way you were-“ John had to pause as he realized he was growling the words and sounded as if he was losing his grip.

“Well, I’ll let you use your imagination on what I would’ve done.” He forced a smile and hated how you were staring at him as if he had a few screws loose.

Taking a breath you were convincing yourself this was fine. It had to be fine because this was the truth and you’d have to keep on living your life one way or another. At the end of the day the kids were safe and you wouldn’t have to worry about anything like this again.

“Do I bake him a cake?” You looked at John seriously.

The fact you meant what you were asking made John snort out a laugh. He wasn’t sure if you were sweet for that or a bit off your rocker.

“Don’t laugh at me.” You snapped.

“I don’t think he expects a cake, darling. If he did our yard would be fertilized with the blood of his enemies.” John joked.

“That’s not funny.” You whined.

“It is. You’ll come ‘round, just give it time.”

“I’m still baking him a cake.” You mumbled.

——————

“Mum police are here again!” Jj called from the front door.

You had just gotten Lily down for her nap and were coming down the stairs. The officer was standing in your foyer clearly having stepped in on his own or Jj invited him in.

“Jj go hang out in your room for a little.” You smiled sweetly and he nodded.

“And don’t invite police in again, you know how your dad feels about that.” You whispered and he nodded seemingly confused.

“I thought it was just that other cop.” Jj whispered back. You paused with your mouth open to say something and then stopped. With a shrug you sent Jj on his way and turned your attention to the officer in your home.

“Hello, I’m Officer Fitzpatrick.” The middle aged man nodded to you.

“Uh, hi. Would’ve thought Officer Parker would be the one stopping by if it was police.” It was a poor attempt at humor that didn’t seem to affect the officer.

“He’s been dealing with a different case, regarding your neighbor down the street.” He sounded almost annoyed by this fact.

“This is about the break in that happened here recently.” He continued.

“Let’s talk on the porch, I don’t want my kids to hear.” Motioning to your door you and the officer walked on to your front porch and you shut the door behind you.

“Yes. Have there been anymore sightings like you’ve reported in the past. With the arrest of your neighbor and the break in here it seems a lot of people in the area are on edge. Considering your neighbor was in custody when the break in happened we want to make sure we have the right guy.” By the end of his long winded explanation you felt somewhat lectured. As if you were some clueless woman who had no idea what was going on.

“Uh- haven’t seen anything.” You answered dismissively.

“When was the last time there was suspicious activity?” It was like this officer was socially inept how he continued his barrage of questions.

“The break in. Before that officer Parker mentioned a peeping Tom. We assumed it was the neighbor.” You felt off explaining these things. Like these were things the officer should know.

“A peeping Tom? Did he say who reported this?” You watched as the man scribbled down in his note book.

“No. He told me he couldn’t disclose that information.” You had been slowly inching your way back to the front door.

“Hm. The break in-”

“You know I don’t really want to be doing this again. It spooked my family pretty bad, especially me. So I’m going to go back inside.” You had already opened the door and were ready to slip back inside.

“I have a few more questions.” Officer Fitzpatrick urged.

“Oi, leave her be. I can answer anything you need to know.” John was just rounding the house.

He was stepping out of your garden and shutting the rod iron fence behind him. You were curious what he was doing in there and waited for him to join you. John didn’t need this cop drudging up your feelings about the matter. You were still shaken up and would cry at times about your guilt. That didn’t even scratch the surface of the anxiety you were left with.

John now had to check the house top to bottom before bed and even then you had trouble falling and staying asleep. You refused to go down to your office unless John accompanied you and overall were having trouble settling back in to normal life. It was no fault of your own John admitted what happened traumatized you. So, with a cop on his doorstep, asking questions that left you feeling morally bankrupt, John didn’t feel like this was a great way for you to heal.

“Go inside darling.” John nodded at you.

No part of him wanted you to realize what was going on but it was too late for that. Things were weighing on you enough and as your husband, John wanted to protect you. The details of what happened were unimportant and with a cop now sniffing around, John didn’t trust that you wouldn’t accidentally tip him off.

Walking back inside you saw Lily holding on to the posts of the railing and going down the stairs one at the time. She had a big smile on her face and waved to you as she got to the bottom stair.

“Lily, you should be sleeping.” You said in a chipper tone with a smile.

“Mummy.” Lily stopped on the bottom step and spoke seriously.

“Yes.” You laughed.

“I remember who gave me the tulip at swim.” The big toothy grin sent a shiver down your spine.

John hadn’t specified who broke in. You trusted him when he told you it was better you didn’t know.

“It was Mr. Jamie.” This was the fourth or fifth person Lily had named as to who gave her the tulip. She had convinced herself if she could remember then John would never yell at her again.

“My friend?” You shook your head and went to take Lily back upstairs.

“Yes.” She seemed very serious but you were use to her misremembering things, after all she was four.

“I think you’re remembering it wrong sweetheart.” Kissing her head Lily rolled her eyes.

“Carry me?” Lily pursed her lips and looked up at you through her eyelashes. You did as she asked and went and napped with her upstairs. Some sleep felt better than worrying yourself sick about everything going on.

——————

“The kids are gonna love this.” You snickered.

You and John were at the edge of the pond in your back yard setting up a fun surprise for the kids. They had all fallen asleep in the living room after a day spent at the trampoline park. You made a joke about wanting to relax in a lazy river and John thought you could float on the pond.

So here you were, blowing up fun shaped rafts to float on. There was one for each of you besides Lily. You had set up a comfy spot for her on the dock to cuddle with Molly instead. Both you and John knew there was no chance Lily would get on a raft.

Looking up from your task you were surprised at the guest who arrived. You stopped what you were doing to watch as a familiar face approached you and John.

“Where the fuck is he!?” Officer Parker voice was venomous as he stormed past you and right toward John like he was looking for a fight.

“Woah what’s-“

Before you could finish Officer Parker took a swing at John. John hadn’t seen this coming and got clipped on the jaw, the punch barely connecting. You thought John would be livid but he looked amused, like when Jj would play fight with him. Officer Parker was going all in, swing after swing trying to hit your husband. John kept evading like it was child’s play until Parker full on lunged and tried to tackle John.

Now it was John’s turn and he swung fast and hard. The sound of his fist connecting full force with Officer Parker’s face felt like getting hit by a Mac Truck. Parker fell hard and you gasped at the sound of his head smacking against the ground. Instinctually Parker grabbed his eye where he’d been struck.

“John stop!!” You tugged John’s elbow but he shook you off. John already had Officer Parker by the collar and started to drag him like a rag doll.

“Let. Go. Or I’ll fucking kill you!” Officer Parker barked at John, his legs flailing as he tried to get up. Each attempt at getting up John would pull roughly and slam Parker into the earth and then continue dragging the man toward the pond.

“I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” Parker screamed, his voice being drown out by the splashing of water as John dragged him into the pond.

“Never gonna get the chance mate.” John growled as he pulled Parker in front of him, spat in his face, and then shoved him with all his strength under the water of the pond.

“John you’re gonna drown him!” You screeched, unwilling to get involved.

“That’s the point.” It sounded like a toss away comment.

John pulled Officer Parker out of the water for a second. The man flailed and gasped for air and then was brutally submerged again. John did this two more times as you begged him to stop.

“Stop! You’re actually gonna kill him!” You started to throw pool toys at John and they simply bounced off of him and floated around him as he drowned the police officer.

“Good.” Johns teeth were gritted yet amazingly he spoke evenly. It sounded like he was mowing the lawn and you asked him if he wanted water. As if drowning a man in the pond behind your house was a mundane task.

“The kids are home STOP!” This time you shrieked so loud it seemed to break through to John.

That was enough and John pulled the officer from the water and then dropped him so he went under on his own. Flailing his arms the officer was trying to swim to the surface and was struggling. You immediately took the few steps over to him and grabbed his hand and pulled until he was crawling out of your pond and gasping for air.

“What the fuck is wrong with you!?” Officer Parker was still coughing up water.

“You threatened to kill me. I was defending myself.” The excuse held no weight and you weren’t sure if John was being serious.

John trudged out of the water and brushed down his heard. His jeans were soaked from the knees down and his shirt was damp down the center. For someone who had just almost murdered a man John seemed incredibly calm. These were the moment you swore he was out of his mind. Being so comfortable with violence would never be something you could become accustom to unlike your husband.

“You’re going to go to prison for assaulting a fucking cop, John!” You were melting down about the implication of assaulting a police officer. The last thing you needed was John in jail and you raising three kids on your own.

“HA! No I’m not!” John laughed loud enough it carried across the yard. He was shaking his head and wagging his finger at you as if you were some naughty child caught with your hand in the cookie jar.

“What do you mean?” You took a few steps away from Officer Parker feeling uneasy about being close to him.

“You gonna tell her?” John looked a bit deranged as he asked the cop and then looked to you.

“What? Tell me it wasn’t actually the neighbor?” You snapped at John.

All of this was so confusing. After everything, you wanted a peaceful day with your children but again this buisness was being brought up when all you needed was to leave it behind.

“I was wrong about the neighbor, I’ll give you that. But he was still a fuckin’ creep so actually- you know what I was right! I was right about him too.” John was ranting at this point.

“You sound insane.” You told John hoping someone would explain what was going on.

“But this pricks brother was the one stalking you. Genius over here caught a wiff and I assume was trying to get ahead of it.” John was half shouting at this point and went as far as to kick Officer Parker over when he tried to get to his feet.

“I don’t know his brother- do I?” You said as you pushed John away before he started beating Parker senseless.

“He fucking works for you. Jamie Parker. And this muppet thought framing the neighbor would buy him time to get brother dearest to leave you be. . . Then I assume he realized neighbor boy was actually a fucking creep and had to deal with that. Am I wrong?” After another tirade you looked from John to Officer Parker for confirmation.

“Where is he?” Officer Parker struggled to get to his feet after being kicked to the ground pretty hard.

He was still coughing and now holding his shoulder from John’s blow. Officer Parker didn’t seem as angry anymore. It was probably because John just proved he’d drown him in the pond if he tried anything again.

“Only thing I can’t figure out is why you told Y/N you didn’t think it was the neighbor. That it had to be someone who knew her maiden name?” John asked, more like demanded.

“Where is he!” He hadn’t fully caught his breath but Officer Parker found the strength to yell.

“No clue. Ran off after he broke in.” John lied so convincingly you almost believed him.

“No, absolutely not. He’s a little weird but he’s been so normal. I’ve been mentoring him, we-“ You took a deep calming breath that didn’t help at all.

Jamie was not the person you thought would do this. He was a young man, mid twenties and handsome. He could’ve had any girl with a little bit of effort. There was no way he fancied you enough to do all this. Yes he was a little awkward at times and asked invasive questions but you chalked it up to him being young.

“We’ve had him over for dinner.” John finished for you.

“He’s fancied you since before you even knew who he was. You lectured at his university once as a favor to his professor. It’s been going on for years, he just got out of hand when you started mentoring him.” Officer Parker finally let on to what he knew.

“Out of hand!? Get the fuck off my property or I really will drown you.” John tried to charge Parker.

You quickly placed your hands on his chest to stop him because you knew John wouldn’t truck through you to get to the officer. The fact Parker put it so lightly only fueled John’s rage.

“Stop it!” You snapped at John.

“Why’d you get involved?” You asked but Officer Parker shook his head at you as if you were annoying.

Turning to John you could see it was taking all of his will power not to murder Parker.

“Answer her.” John ordered.

“Couldn’t turn him in. He’s family. But I couldn’t let him do-“ Parker cut himself off before he incriminated his brother further.

“He does the children’s exhibits. . . No wonder Lily knew him! I’ve left the kids with him so many times.” Part of you wanted to panic and scream but the feeling felt hollow. There was no point in freaking out beyond not having a lack of trust for people. There was no need for you to worry now.

Because he was dead.

“Where is he? He hasn’t come home, isn’t answering his phone, no show at work- which you know.” Officer Parker pointed at you but you immediately looked away and at John.

You hadn’t put two and two together but John must have. He was smart enough to keep it from you because you would’ve freaked out. And now you had to use your poker face to keep Ghost’s secret safe. You could freak out later.

“Like I said he ran off after he broke in. Think our dog scared him off.” John lied flawlessly again and you shook your head confirming it. Molly wasn’t even home she had gone with the kids to your dads.

“You fucking killed him didn’t you?!” Officer Parker stepped toward John again but you were standing in the middle of them.

“John wasn’t even here.” You butted in.

John pulled you to the side and squared up to Parker. He knew he wouldn’t go through you to get to Parker but didn’t know if Parker had any regard for you. It was incredibly satisfying watching Parker flinch as John’s stepped forward.

“I was out of the country. You can check.” John said condescendingly.

This seemed to stun Officer Parker. Horror was now etched across his face as he turned to you. With his mouth agape and wide eyes you both stared at each other for a long moment. You knew he knew what his brother had planned for you.

“You weren’t- were your kids home?” Looking from John to you in horror the severity of that break in seemed to set in.

“No, thank god! But I was by my fucking self while your psycho ass brother was in my basement office doing god knows what!” You shouted.

“Where is he.” Officer Parker asked calmly this time.

“Why did you get involved in this. What made it serious enough that you showed up at our home?” Stepping forward you put yourself in Officer Parker view but he waved you off.

You were absolutely done with this. The lack of answers was too much. Taking a ragged breath through your nose you reacted on impulse. Cocking your hand back you swung forward with all your strength. You punched this man with all the force you could muster and you swore in that moment you’d never felt so violent before. It occurred to you this was why John had a proclivity for violence; it felt good in the moment. You were so enraged you didn’t feel the pain radiating from your hand but kept your eyes glued on the man as he stumbled back a few steps and gripped his nose that was now leaking blood.

“What the fuck!?” He shouted at you.

“Good on you!” John was practically cheering you on.

“Tell me!” You shouted before slapping the officer once, twice and then trying to claw at him.

John gave you a second and then had his arm wrapped around your waist and pulled you back. He did wait and gave you a few good slaps and kicks before he stopped you. John lifted you off the ground when he realized you weren’t going to stop going after Parker and Parker wasn’t going to fight back.

“He- I found his journal and there were a lot of concerning details. I tried to get him help and when that didn’t work I tried to warn you two. I couldn’t blame it on your neighbor or you’d put your guards down but I also couldn’t turn my own brother in.” Finally the truth came spilling out. There was something about getting beat up by a woman half his size that was more terrifying than almost being drowned.

“Yeah and you’re lucky I’m not dead or I would SO kill you right now!” You all but screamed. You were kicking your feet and wiggling for John to put you down so you could have another go.

“Easy there killer.” John chuckled trying to calm you down like some rabid animal.

“Now, where is he? Did you kill him?” Officer Parker seemed desperate for answers himself.

“I wasn’t here. I don’t know what happened to him. But I hope he got what he deserved.” John nodded in a way you found odd.

Officer Parker stared at him for a long while. Water dripped off of him making the ground beneath him muddy. His left eye was swelling and turning red from John’s punch and his nose was bleeding from yours. The summer breeze picked up and blew strong making the officer shiver. There was a silent understanding that by the way your lives had continued you felt safe. With safety came the fact there was no more threat to you and your family.

“I’m going to find him.” Officer Parker hung his head for a moment before he started to walk toward his car parked in your driveway.

He’d accepted there would be no answers from you two. You weren’t sure why he gave up now after putting up such a fight. But John seemed to understand.

“Stay here.” John spoke to you softly and followed Officer Parker from a distance.

John watched the man climb into his personal car to leave. They shared another long look before Officer Parker’s red rimmed eyes closed for a moment. He nodded his head a few times before giving John once last look. Putting the car into reverse, Officer Parker went to leave your property and swore to himself he would never come back.

“Oi!” John called out which had Officer Parker stopping and looking back in surprise.

John held up a finger for him to wait and then disappeared inside. A minute or two later John appeared out of the side door of the laundry room with something in his hand. Bending down so they were eye level John handed over the journal Parker’s brother left behind.

“We made copies. But you should have it.” It was clear to him why he was doing it but John felt it better to not have that disgusting book in his home anymore. It would ruin any progress you made if you ever stumbled upon it.

“Thanks.” With slight hesitation Parker took it.

The leather bound book felt icy in his fingers and made his stomach twist at the knowledge John had read the depraved thoughts of his brother. The pages held such grotesque entries that made it clear no person would feel comfortable in their home again if who wrote it were still breathing.

“He was sick.” Officer Parker weakly tried to explain.

“Well, he’s not anymore. Cheers.” John stood back to his full height and patted the roof of the car.

——————

“That’s a lie.” Evelyn giggled loudly at her brother calling you out so rudely.

You were all sat down for dinner from your local Chinese food restaurant. Your kids were in their pajamas with how late you were eating. Looking over to John you didn’t know what to say to your son. You were a horrible liar so any attempt to say you weren’t would make you look more guilty.

“Oi, don’t call your mum a liar.” John pointed at his son using his fork. He barley looked up from his plate and continued eating.

“Mum did not break her hand by punching someone trying to steal an old ladies purse. How dumb do you think we are?” Jj looked at his father absolutely exasperated.

After Officer Parker had left John found you in the kitchen with a bag of peas on your hand. You were sobbing uncontrollably and John thought it was from the pain. It only took a few questions for him to figure out how horrible you felt for what happened. That what Ghost had done to protect you meant someone lost their life because of you.

But what made the tears flow endlessly was that you felt no remorse. Things were finally getting back to normal and you would have Ghost do it a hundred times over for this peace of mind; and that had you questioning your morals. It took a lot of soothing and comfort from John to help you accept things.

By the time you cried it all out you told John you most definitely broke your hand from punching Officer Parker in the face. John mentioned that he tried to teach you how to throw a proper punch but you refused to learn. You could throw a mean elbow but that was about it. You told him you were never going to resort to violence again unless him or one of the 141 boys murdered someone else. John tried to convince you again because the odds weren’t in your favor. This had you threatening to punch John and break your other hand if he didn’t swear to never allow that to happen again. It ended in a stale mate and you with a lime green cast, John still didn’t understand why you insisted on that color.

“You’re right.” John nodded and took a sip of his beer.

“It was a bank robbery. Your mum clocked the guy in the face and took his gun. People were cheering at her bravery. They’re thinking about naming her a town hero.” It was said so seriously you had to bite your lip to keep yourself from laughing.

“Banks closed on Sundays.” Evelyn poked a hole in John’s story expertly quick.

“I punched a fox trying to get at the chickens.” You lied with a cheeky smile.

“Mummy you shouldn’t punch foxes, they’re dirty.” Lily told you seriously.

“Oh, cmon! Mum clocked you dad. You finally mouthed off enough and drove her mad.” Jj was laughing to himself by the end of his own made up story.

“No, mum so slipped and fell going to the loo! She’s too embarrassed to admit it so dad’s trying to make her seem all tough.” It was now Evelyn’s turn to come up with a reason.

“Looks like you’ll never know.” John mused.

~~~~~tag list~~~~~

@exhaustedpotat0 @glitterypirateduck @ivymarquis @crazymela @what-0-life @boredfairy4 @hihhasotherfixations @stephanswhxre @shanjisan @k4es @luvleywrites @kita03-0 @midwesternwitchery @aleynaleia @suckerforbassist @misshoneypaper @theaonlax @blackstar9005 @tooterbutt @havoc973 @maladaptivedaydreamingbum @freshlemontea @cosmoscoffeee @sae1kie @ohworm-writes @ghostslittlegf @fanficwriterlover @arminarlertssword @faceache111 @azu21 @thirstyb-ches @nini-11-08 @sgtgarricks @kiki-is-hyperfixating @mayflysdie @aliceinwonderland-5678 @blue096 @rip-cod-brainrot @saturnghost93 @somehopeatlast @thepowers-kat-be @tenko-nii @eatingtheworldsoffanfiction @thraxpatty @mnsnp @faeriedust17 @livstablers @luvr4miya @phoenixhalliwell @maissalov3u @ellerdod @tizzywoowoo @himboelover

[ghostlybfgf]

ａｌｌ ｎｉｇｈｔ

annie x reader

summary: storms roll in fast down south, and you can't bear to turn up on another stranger's doorstep, so you end up on the only one you care to know - and end up spending the night with less deliberation than you thought.

a/n: this took a long time to get out I'm sorry, but here she is in all her glory, and I'm pretty proud of this one.. please feel free to send more requests and more requests for our girl!!

w/c: 2k

warnings: comfort from wounds, cleaning wounds, slight hot and heavy smut but mostly tender fluff.

The cicadas were loud tonight, buzzing in the oaks just outside the shack, but inside it was still. The kind of quiet that settles after heat breaks — a summer storm having just rolled through, leaving everything slick and breathing heavy.

You sat shirtless on the edge of the bed, sweat still clinging to your skin, the bandage on your ribs stained and loose. The oil lamp flickered on the nightstand, casting gold across the worn floorboards and onto Annie, kneeling in front of you, sleeves rolled up and hands steady.

She dipped a rag in warm water, and wrung it out with slow, movements, some herbs and ointment clinging to the cloth soundly, then glanced up through dark lashes. 

“You could’ve gone to Doc Kelley in town,” she murmured. “Why come here?”

You winced as she touched the cloth to your side. “Didn’t feel like explaining how I got it.”

“Bar fight?”

“Somethin’ like that.” You watched her dab blood and dirt away with a scratch, her fingers gentle, but her jaw tight. “Didn’t figure the doctor would be as kind.”

Annie let out a breath — not quite a sigh, more like something heavier. “Ain’t about kindness,” she said, voice soft and careful. “It’s about truth. Most folks can’t look a scar in the face without flinchin’ at it.”

You swallowed. “But you can.”

She paused. Her eyes met yours. “I got no choice not with the way I been taught.”

Her hands moved lower, sliding the cloth beneath the ribs where the gash curved like lightning, its edges glowing with an eerie blue that no normal wound should possess. Truth be told you didn't completely know where it came from, some fight went down but something otherworldly hit you that's for sure—the flesh around it pulsed with an unnatural rhythm, as if following the heartbeat of something not quite human.

The air between you thickened — not just from the heat, but from the way she looked at you like she was reading what no one else had the patience to, her pupils dilating until they nearly swallowed the iris, reflecting knowledge of things that existed beyond the veil of ordinary perception.

“I’ve seen men die over less,” she whispered, breaking the silent trance. “And I’ve seen what gets left behind when they live.”

You didn’t answer. Couldn’t. Not with the way she was touching you — not just skin, but something deeper. Her thumb smoothed over an old, greying scar just above your hip.

“How long you been carryin’ this one?” she asked, barely a whisper now.

You swallowed hard. “Since ‘31. Rail job went bad.”

She nodded, and you saw it — a flash of memory in her own eyes. Pain she wasn’t speakin’ about, not yet.

Then she set the cloth down and kissed it. The scar. Just once. Just enough.

You froze — not from fear, but from the weight of it. The reverence it carried.

“They ain’t ugly,” she said, voice trembling like the flickering flame. “They’re yours. And you’re still here.”

You reached for her, fingers curling under her dampened chin. “So are you.”

She leaned into you then — slowly, like she didn’t want to scare the moment but unable to run away from it. Her body eased against yours, one leg folding under her, the other stretched along the bed. Her hand traced the line of your chest, her lips soft against your shoulder.

Outside, the crickets started their song again. Somewhere down the road, a dog barked once and a couple shouts sounded before the night fell quiet.

Inside, all you heard was her breath and your heartbeat.

“You don’t gotta be strong for me,” she whispered. “You don’t even gotta pretend.”

You brushed at her face, kissing the top of her head. “Not with you.”

She stayed like that — curled against you, arm draped across your stomach, thumb slowly tracing one of your oldest wounds.

And for the first time in a long time, the South didn’t feel so heavy. Not with her touch. Not with her here.

The storm had passed, but it hadn’t taken the heat with it.

The air clung to your skin — heavy, damp, humming with something that didn’t have a name yet. The smell of rain still curled under the windowsill — wet earth, pine and tobacco smoke left from a half-burned cigarette.

Annie hadn’t moved for a while. She was still pressed against you, her body a line of warmth along your side, but her eyes had gone distant. Watching the dark beyond the window like she knew something waited out there. No fear in her — no, Annie didn’t scare easy — but something stirred in her quiet.

“You hear that?” she asked, soft.

You’d been listening to her breath. To the soft creak of the bed frame beneath you both. But now you noticed: the crickets had stopped. Even the trees seemed to be holding themselves still.

“Yeah,” you murmured. “It’s gone quiet.”

Annie sat up slowly, the scarf around her slipping down her shoulder. The cotton of her slip stuck to her back, clammy with sweat and storm air. She wiped at her forehead, fingers sedated like she was moving through water. Her brow furrowed, lips parted — not from panic, just... presence.

“Somethin’s shiftin’,” she observed, almost to herself. “You ever feel it in your teeth? Like thunder that ain’t come yet.”

You nodded. You knew that feeling. Born with it, maybe. And somehow she always had been.

But you watched her more than the window — the way her posture had stiffened just enough to make your hand move to her hip. The way she licked her lips like her mouth had gone dry.

“You think we’re bein’ watched?” you asked.

“No.” She paused. “But I think we ain’t alone.”

She stood, crossed to the window with bare feet against old pine floorboards, and pushed the curtain back just enough to look. The warm light of the lamp haloed her, casting the shape of her onto the floor — long legs, curved waist, the hem of her slip hugging the mid-way at her thighs.

“Nothin’ out there but trees and ghosts,” she said at last. “Not the kind that knock on the door. Just the kind that breathe down your neck.”

You rose too, coming to her slow, cautious, like if you startled her she might disappear. You slipped your arms around her waist from behind, pulling her gently against your chest.

She let out a breath — long, staggered — and melted into you, her hands finding yours over her hips.

“No one’s going back out there” she whispered. “Not tonight.”

“Then we’ll stay here, no ones leavin’”

She tilted her head, resting it against your cheek tenderly. “I know. I just… needed to hear it.”

Your lips brushed the edge of her jaw, lingering there at each moment.You could taste the salt — from her sweat, or your own and not that you cared any. This was the kind of closeness that didn’t ask for anything except truth.

“Come back to bed,” you whispered.

She turned in your arms and kissed you then — not hurried, not hungry, just deep. The kind of kiss that says I survived this long and I’m still trying. Her hands slid to your chest, pushing you back toward the mattress, not with force — just with elegant intent.

You let her guide you down, the bed creaking under your weight. She followed, one knee slipping over your hip, straddling you slow, her breath hitching slightly when your hands found the curve of her waist under the thin layer of clothes.

“I don’t want fast,” she wetted against your mouth. “I want slow. I want it to mean somethin’.”

“It already does,” you said.

Annie’s lips parted like she wanted to say more — but she didn’t need to. Instead, she rolled her hips against yours, soft friction, slow rhythm, just enough to make both of you sigh into each other’s mouths.

Your hands moved under her slip, sliding up the curve of her spine, feeling every rib, every scar, every soft shiver beneath your fingertips. She leaned her forehead to yours, eyes half-lidded, breath catching.

“Feels like the world’s tryin’ to take everything,” she whispered. “But not this.”

You kissed her — long, open, reverent. Like prayer. Like worship.

Her eyes stayed on yours as she slid her hands beneath the hem of your shirt — slow, deliberate. Her fingers were warm and sure, gliding up your sides, tracing the shape of old scars, new bruises, skin still buzzing from her touch.

“You don’t need to hold anything with me,” she murmured, voice thick with heat and calm. “Let me see.”

And you did.

She pulled the fabric over your head, eyes never breaking from yours, her gaze heavy, steady — like she was memorising the way you came apart. Your breath caught, not from nerves, but from the way her fingers returned immediately to your chest, splayed wide, grounding you to the moment.

She pressed you back onto the bed with nothing more than a hand at your sternum.

Then her hands moved lower, slow as molasses, tugging at your waistband, knuckles brushing your heaving skin. She made you wait — not cruelly, just with purpose. Like every second she took was a sentence written on your body.

And when you were bare beneath her, the light danced cross your skin, she didn’t look away.

Didn’t rush.

She just drank you in, eyes soft but serious, the kind of look that made your pulse stutter.

“You’re beautiful when you ain’t hidin’,” she whispered.

Then she leaned down, her lips brushing your stomach, a kiss that burned more than any flame. Not rushed. Not greedy.

Just hers.

And your hands cast over her curves, slipping higher and higher up her thighs, and her breath hitched her skirt was up to her middle.

And she moaned, parting her legs just enough, letting you see her.

Let you know her.

There was no hurry in the way you caressed one another— no rush to reach the end. She was savouring every inch of you, pulling a quiet groan from your throat as she dipped lower, her fingers tracing you with such care it almost felt like worship.

And then she kissed you again — this time, not soft, but with a hunger that had been building between you for longer than you cared to admit. You pressed her body into hers, her chest against yours, her breath hot against your lips as she moved against you. Her hands slid over your thighs, and then she was pulling you closer, guiding your body with a deliberate rhythm that made your head spin.

You weren't sure where the heat originated—whether it sparked from her flushed skin or ignited within your core—but it blazed between you now, undeniable and consuming. She moved above you with delicate precision, her body arching and flowing like liquid fire, each subtle shift of her hips sending electric currents across your heaving skin. Her warm breath caressed your neck before her full lips brushed against your earlobe, the sensation making you shudder involuntarily as she whispered with honeyed confidence, "Don't worry, sugar. I've got you.”

And you did. Every movement of hers felt like it was bringing you deeper under her control, but you didn’t care. There was something in the way she moved, the way she held you close, that made you want to surrender to her entirely.

And just like that, the world outside dissolved into a distant blur. All that mattered was the intoxicating warmth of her body pressed against yours, the purposeful touch of her hands guiding you through the moment, the hypnotic rhythm of your shared breath mingling in the narrow space between you, and the quiet, steady hunger building between you both—a silent conversation of desire that needed no words.

Outside, the world might’ve been crawling toward something ugly. But here — in this bed, under her breath and your hands and the hum between your bodies — there was only softness.

Only heat.

Only her.

And she whispered your name like it was the first true thing she’d said in a long time.

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Falling For You

Summary: The reader is in a near accident when she falls, literally, into the arms of a grumpy stranger...

Pairing: Tim Bradford x reader

Word Count: 900ish

Warnings: language, near accident

A/N: Please enjoy this little meet cute!...

Your stomach dropped when you saw a car speeding at you in the crosswalk. Something in your brain clicked and you threw yourself forward, feeling the rush of wind from the car behind you. You heard it crash into something as your feet pushed off the pavement without you meaning to. A pedestrian on the curb caught you, strong hands holding you tight.

“Are you okay?” they barked, your ears muffled. You stared up at the man wearing a police officer’s uniform. He twisted his body, looking you over as you noticed the spilled coffee cup on the ground, splattered all over his black boots. “Did you get hit?”

You shook your head, gripping his tree trunk like arms for dear life. He helped you to sit, pointing at another man nearby. They said something to each other, blood pounding in your ears. The police officer started to pull away, your hand digging in. 

“...adrenaline…back,” you caught, giving him a nod. He jogged over to the crashed car while a man on the sidewalk knelt down beside you. You rubbed your ears, shaking your head out. 

And then everything was loud.

The car horn was blaring. The cop was shouting at a guy who he was cuffing. You turned to the man beside you. “Sorry, I couldn’t hear before. I’m, uh, I’m okay.”

“That cop said adrenaline rushes can do that,” he said. You tried to stand up, the cop suddenly pointing a finger at you.

“Sit down. You’re in shock,” he said. You didn’t really agree with that. Maybe shook up but shock? No. But he was kinda intense when he was angry and you didn’t want to piss him off.

Ten minutes later a paramedic had looked you over and the other bystanders had left, leaving you standing alone on a sidewalk waiting for the cop. He slammed a car door shut on a police vehicle, walking over to you and crossing his arms.

“How you feeling?” he asked.

“Well I nearly just died. Kind of makes that papercut I got this morning not seem so bad.” He smirked, quickly wiping it off his face. “Um, thank you for catching me.”

“You did the hard part. Did the paramedic clear you?” You nodded, rubbing your arm. He watched it, your head shaking.

“Nervous habit.” You took a deep breath. “Do you need a statement or something?”

“I do but we can do that later.” 

“I’d rather just get it over with,” you said, closing your eyes. 

“Alright. Well I need my morning coffee and you look like you deserve a near death pastry. We can talk at the cafe.”

Five minutes later you were sitting across from him at an outdoor table, Officer Bradford leaning back in his chair after jotting down your name and number in a notebook. He sipped on his black coffee, blue eyes watching you pick up your latte and slurp loudly.

“I feel bad for letting you buy my drink and chocolate muffin.” Instead of offering some kind of reassurance, the guy had the balls to pick up the muffin and take a big hunking chunk out of it. You scrunched up your face, Officer Bradfrod, chewing slowly before swallowing it all down. “Seriously?”

“You made a valid point. I did buy it. I should be entitled to it.” You scoffed, the officer shrugging. 

“Here I thought you were a nice guy but you really are a grump, aren’t you?” He shrugged again.

“And now you’re annoyed with me instead of scared from that near-miss.” Your lips parted, the cop picking up the muffin taking another bite. “This is really good,” he said with his mouth full.

“You were distracting me,” you said, wincing to yourself. “Sorry.”

“I kind of like that you have the gall to talk shit to the guy that just saved your life,” he smirked. You ripped the muffin out of his hand, taking a large bite. 

“You didn’t save me,” you mumbled, covering your mouth with you hand when you felt crumbs falling out. 

“No, no. You’re clearly all put together.” You huffed, swallowing thickly, coughing to yourself. He leaned over and whacked your back as you got some coffee down your dry throat. “Chew more. Would hate to have you choke to death after all that.”

“It’s a good thing you’re handsome is all I’ll say.” He grinned, watching you over the lid of your cup. “So you need my statement?”

“For something like this? No. I got your information if we need to call you but you’re all set.”

“So this was…”

“Getting your head back on straight.” He stood up, giving you a nod. He pulled out a business card, jotting on it with his pen before handing it over. “If you need to call for any reason.”

“Thanks,” you said, raising an eyebrow at the written number that was different than the desk phone listed. “What’s this?”

“A phone number, genius. Are you sure you don’t have a concussion?” You flipped him off, the cop laughing. “Name’s Tim. Give me a call when you’re in need of another distraction. You can buy me a muffin.”

With that he left you staring at the card, debating if a guy like that was going to be more trouble than he was worth.

[snail-day]

Tw: Yandere, Crack fic, mentions of blood and a knife, pet play??? Pathetic gojo?

Yandere Homeless! Gojo, who’s clearly unwell but also painfully pretty under all the dirt and grime. He’s practically vibrating with excitement when you finally open the front door of your apartment, pupils blown wide like he’s been waiting his whole life for this moment.

“Oh my god,” he gasps. “You’re even prettier up close. You’re so cute. Can I be your dog?”

You blink. “What?”

“Please,” he’s panting now, genuinely, looks like he's about to go on all fours. “I’ll be so good. I’ll sit at your feet, I’ll eat scraps, I’ll sleep on the floor, I’ll bark when strangers come near - fuck, I’ll even wear a collar if you want me to - that's hot as fuck. With a leash too - ”

“Absolutely not,” you say, already trying to close the door.

But he jams his foot in. Bare foot. Disgustingly wet from god-knows-what. “Pleasepleaseplease don’t send me away,” he whines, baby blue eyes darting to look inside your apartment. “I can protect you! I’ve got instincts, baby. I bite.”

He smiles. Too many teeth. Far too many for your liking.

You back up. “Okay. So I’m calling the cops.”

But before you can reach for your phone, he lifts his foot.

He’s standing on it. Your phone. It’s already under him. Cracked. You really don't know how. Unless he planned it all.

“Oh,” he coos, looking down. “Oopsie.”

You look at the knife in his hand. It’s… not clean.

He notices you staring and tilts his head. “You don’t have to be scared. That’s not your blood.”

“That’s not helping.”

“Want it to be?” he chirps, and then, he giggles. A full giggle. Like this is date night and you’re playing hard to get.

You’re frozen. Half in fight or flight. Calculating your next move, yet somehow he's tall enough to block your entire exit.

He steps fully into your home, whistling under his breath. “So, where do I put my dog bed? Or do I just curl up under your bed like a good little mutt?”

You don’t know what to say as he's backing you into a corner. Beaming. Reaching for your face and you're almost certain you're going to die here.

This is what he looks like btw:

[sashaforthewin]

Multi-chapter fic on Ao3

Steve had been enjoying a nice relaxing lounge by the pool despite it being night. He had his hearing aid off and his fruity drink and a romance novel Robin had let him borrow. He was determined to have a good time despite the circumstances. 

Someone tapped his foot, scaring the crap out of Steve and making him drop his book and nearly knock over his drink. 

It was a fellow cruise passenger and he was saying something. Steve turned his hearing aid back on.

“Sorry, what?”

“I asked why you were out here instead of at the concert,” repeated the man with a smile.

“Oh, um. I’m not actually a fan of metal music. It gives me headaches if I listen to more than one or two songs in a row,” Steve admitted sheepishly.

This stranger was still clearly a metal head, but he looked significantly less scary than most of the ones he had seen so far that day. Everyone Steve met had been nice, but Steve hadn’t felt comfortable telling anyone he wasn’t a fan until now. Maybe because it was just the two of them out here and he was smiling so cutely. 

“Not a metal fan? Well damn, not to critique your life choices, but I think maybe going on a metal cruise wasn’t an ideal choice for you? I’m Eddie, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Steve.”

There were plenty of deck lounges around, all empty, but Eddie sat down on Steve’s right next to his legs. 

“Steve. So Steve, why are you on a metal cruise when you don’t like metal? These tickets were not exactly cheap and there’s no way you missed the theme, it was pretty clearly advertised,” Eddie asked teasingly.

Steve looked Eddie over, noting that he was actually pretty cute. Pretty eyes, nice full lips, dimples, and he was that type of lanky Steve was drawn to. He had good skin and his hair had some volume and texture to it, Steve could work with that. Bit of a fixer-upper, but a better starting point than most of the men that had flirted with him since his last failed relationship. He also had the vibe, so Steve decided this guy would be fine to open up to. 

“Well, Eddie, I bought this ticket for my dear friend Dustin for his birthday, but then the little shit went and outed me to my parents. Accidentally, of course, and he feels like shit about it. But still, that got me kicked out of my home so maybe I’m being petty but I decided he shouldn’t get to go on this cruise after all. I forgive him, it really was an accident, but still, gotta teach him a lesson.” Steve shrugged. “And I would’ve gotten the ticket refunded but the money would’ve gone back to my parents and they clearly don’t deserve to get anything back from me. So, instead of trying to figure out how to sell a ticket to a very niche interest cruise, I figured I deserved to just come and treat myself for four days before I have to go back to living in my ex-girlfriend’s basement. It’s actually pretty nice to have the ship to myself while all you guys are in there shaking your heads to loud music.” Steve gestured to the pool and the drink.

“Ex- girl friend’s basement?” Eddie asked.

“Shut up, I’m bi.” Steve smacked Eddie on the arm with his book. 

Eddie grabbed the book and looked at it as he replied, “Hey, just checking to make sure I’m not barking up the wrong tree.”

“Oh? Is that what you’re doing, barking up my tree?” Steve said, playfully.

“If you’ll let me,” Eddie flirted back.

“So how come you’re not in the show right now?” Steve asked, gently stealing his book back from Eddie’s grasp.

“Oh, I’m touring with those guys right now, I have heard them play the same set like fifteen times already. I’d much rather be out here getting to chat with you. You know you’re beautiful, right? How come you don’t live with your boyfriend? Or girlfriend?” Eddie asked, quite obvious in his fishing for information.

“I’m single and yes, I do know I’m beautiful, but I still like hearing it. Are you like a roadie or something?”

“Actually,” Eddie said, “I’m the lead guitarist in the headlining band. We play tomorrow night. Can I buy you another drink? Maybe dinner?”

“The, uh, the bill goes to our cabins,” Steve answered, too shocked that an apparently famous musician was asking him out to respond appropriately.

“Baby, I’ll put your entire tab on my cabin if you’ll let me. You are the most beautiful, and dare I say cleanest man on this entire boat. Metal heads are great, but they aren’t really my type.”

Steve takes a sip of his cold drink just to make sure he’s not fallen asleep and dreaming. The ocean is calm and the moon is full and he is most definitely awake.

“And what is your type?” Steve asked. 

“Handsome men with soft hands who will let me pamper them,” Eddie said, picking up Steve’s hand and feeling his lack of calluses. He placed a kiss onto each finger tip. “These hands aren’t meant for labor, let me spoil you rotten.”

Well, Steve reasoned, even if this ended up being just a weekend fling, it was going to be worth the price of admission.

[dmitriene]

Hello! First of all, I wanna say, I'm a huge fan of your work. You have a beautiful writing style. Keep rocking it!

I just wanted to request something. I know it's not a character you usually write about, but can you try to write for Nikto please? Maybe a darker theme, as it suits the character better. Totally fine if you don't want to. Have a great day 🌸

i hope you would enjoy this work, i tried my best while writing about nikto for the first time!

cw: smut as always, mentions of nikto's disorder, sensitive descriptions.

nikto is a wolf, a predator, and what can be worser than an unhinged animal, completely fucked in the head, servicing on the battlefield after surviving something most people can barely comprehend, lurking out in the wild with teeth bared and ready to snap around something plump and malleable.

people talk, whisper, gasp, bypassing him, like rabbits through the bushes with soft paws, just so as not to fall under the chilling gaze of his heavy eyes, the only part that is seen from his entire face, because what he hides behind a mask is not for someone else's gaze, not for a tender stomach, or the bilious disgust will be instant.

nikto barely remember what it's like to be okay to communicate with others, after what he's been through, after his face has gone so disfigured to a state where even dogs won't bite, after he's started experiencing memory loss, whispering under his breath, feeling lost and a stranger, stuck in that derealization bubble, only he has become a companion to himself, and the voices in his head, all different, but equally buzzing, annoying.

you're not unlike any women he met through his whole life, and ain't that funny, how comically different you are, as if that's a trap, or, perhaps, another unfunny joke of his fucked head, of all the suddenly thrilling, barking voices inside, all those personalities, that claw and rip through to get on the surface so they could eat you alive, scare away until you're running and shrieking, just as any pretty doll he met before, but you don't.

nikto is surprised, or intrigued, he doesn't knows, the only thing he's sure about is that the thing that possesses his body, many of them, want to have you in every way, with your flesh between his teeth, with your cunt against his torn, ugly face, with his cock battering your insides while you moan, and jerk, and ask for more, hiccuping his name like something worth even being voiced out, and that's makes him crazy, because you give in to his deranged desires.

your pretty face ain't twists into a grimace at the sight of his own, there's no crease in between your eyebrow, not a single curl to your alluringly sweet lips, you trace your fingertips against the tissued, disfigured pieces of skin as if he's a porcelain, as if you can hurt him more than he is already, even though he can't feel anything no more, but your touch seem to bring out a rush of unfamiliar tingles, so warm, so tender, a feeling he nuzzles in like a dog he is.

when he snarls, more at the rattle in his head and ears than on you, you don't back off, don't tug your hand away, don't start trembling like a tiny, laughable prey, you only lean closer, cup each side of his face, uneven beneath your purely unstained palms, and initiate closer contact, until your warm breath ghosts over his ear, until you soothe, cooing at him as if he's a baby boy, a novel experience, as the voices shut down, his head no longer pounding as if ready to crack, everything around going quiet, while you stay.

nikto get's to kiss, nikto get's to grope, nikto get's to drool in every crook of your body while you scratch at the nape of his neck and look at him as if he hung the stars and moon up in the sky, you're strange, but he's stranger, so he takes what he can, what he deserved, your beckoning touches and your pitching, melodious voice and beautifully arching body, as he devours you and splits apart, always with permission.

he get's to fuck, an act he never even committed before, a connection that zaps up his spine with burning electricity, when the head of his cock, girthy and so big against your tiny hole, pushes in slow inside your completely drenched cunt, warm, rippling walls welcoming him inside, better than coming home, accommodating to the stretch carefully, steadily, even though his whole body trembles, drool dripping onto your bouncing tits, his face halfway buried in.

your legs spread wide, fragile ankles hooking over his lower back, the feeling grounding him, unexpectedly, and then you whimper and loop your clawing hands around his straining neck, and nikto's lean body starts sagging down, pining you, while thrusting with vigor, edging himself deeper, all the way in the clutches of your slippery cunt, bottoming out and snapping forward, chasing the warmth that suffuses his body, chasing the point where he'd pump you full and dripping of him.

so he could make you proud, so you'll stroke your hands along his back and look into his drooping baby blue eyes with a fondness that lights your whole face like a sun, rocking him to sleep with lulling, whispering syllables, letting him rest, sweaty, dirty, cum coated just as you, squishing you down into the rough mattress, and still, nonetheless, you kiss him all over and tell that you love, and nikto accepts, like a tamed thing, not a beast.

main masterlist. quidelines.

[eelnoise]

here tonight (nsfw!)

roronoa zoro x afab!reader cw: marine reader with a gun, stranger zoro fingers you, teasy zoro, smug zoro, reader is down bad and can't help it wc: 1.2k ao3 link

You were just finishing up patrol in the small port town you’re stationed in, the dull routine of a low-ranking Marine grinding away at your patience, when a flash of gold under a low hanging light catches your eye. You pause mid-step, backtracking to peer down the narrow alleyway.

Roronoa Zoro stands in the middle of the clearing, his muscular arms crossed over his chest as he glares at the dead-end before him. His signature green hair and three golden earrings glint in the dim light, his visible eye narrowing in frustration at the impassable wall. Despite the hefty bounty on his head, he looks completely at ease - though he scowls at the brick as if it’s personally offended him.

Your pulse spikes. This was it, the chance you’d finally get that promotion. You square your shoulders and reach the grip of your pistol and step forward. "Roronoa Zoro," you declare, "you are under arrest." Zoro turns slowly, like he wasn’t entirely sure you’re talking to him. His visible eye flicks from your face to the gun, then back. The wanted posters don’t do him justice - the sharp cut of his jaw, the way his muscles flex as he shifts his weight. The cheap printouts never captured the way his presence looms, like a storm you can’t look away from.

"Hands up!" You say, trying to shake the thoughts away as fingers twitch around the gun in your hands. The standard-issue firearm suddenly feels cheap and woefully inadequate. "...Huh?" he questions.

Your grip tightens. "I said hands up."

He scratches his chin. "Yeah, I heard you." A pause. "You gonna shoot me?"

"I will if you don't cooperate." You reply, but your breath hitches - just once, just enough. Zoro’s gaze drops to your throat, where he can practically hear your pulse rabbit beneath your skin. His smirk curls.

He snorts. "You sure?”

Then, faster than you can blink, he's right in front of you, your gun now uselessly pressing against his chest. A quiet dare, a call of your bluff.

Your throat goes dry, his proximity was overwhelming - the scent of steel and sake, the way his chest rose and fell against the gun still trapped between you. Your face begins to burn.

“You’re shaking,” he muses, voice deliberately and deliciously low. “Scared?”

“N-No,” you lie.

His chuckle is dark, knowing. “Liar.”

One of his hands comes up, calloused fingers wrapping around yours - around the gun - and your stomach flips. His warm hand envelops yours as he guides the weapon aside like it's nothing.

“Now what, Marine?” he murmurs, leaning in just enough to make your pulse stutter. “You gonna call for backup? Or…” His breath ghosts over your ear. “You gonna let me go?”

You made a sound, a pathetic, flustered noise, your gun finally falling from your hand and onto the ground, and his grin turns downright wicked.

“Yeah,” he said, voice dripping with satisfaction. “That’s what I thought.” Zoro leans in closer, his lips brushing against your ear as he speaks in a low, teasing murmur. “All claws and no bite.” 

"Th-that's not-" you stammer, voice cracking as his breath ghosts across your skin. Your traitorous body leans into him before you can stop yourself.

His other hand comes up to tilt your chin, forcing you to meet his intense gaze. That piercing gray eye that seems to stare straight into your soul, seeing the desire you're desperately trying to hide. Your cheeks flush hotter under his touch.

"Not what?" Zoro challenges, thumb brushing over your bottom lip. The simple contact sends 

electricity down your spine. "Gonna tell me you don't like this? That you're not imagining what else these hands could do to you?"

You swallow hard, mouth suddenly dry. "I should - I should arrest you."

He barks out a laugh, the sound vibrating through his chest where it presses against yours. "You can't even arrest your own thoughts right now." His grip tightens slightly. "Admit it. You don't want me in cuffs, you want me."

Zoro's hand slides from the wall to wrap around your throat, not squeezing, but possessive. His thumb traces the line of your jaw, your racing pulse jumping beneath his touch. He leans in, nose brushing yours, breath mingling with yours.

You can feel the heat radiating off his body, the musky scent of him filling your nostrils and making your head spin. Zoro's tongue darts out, licking a slow, teasing path up the side of your neck, tasting the salt of your skin. He chuckles lowly, the vibrations rumbling through his chest and into yours, pressed so close together.

Zoro's fingers trail down your neck, your chest, your stomach, leaving a path of goosebumps in their wake. You inhale sharply as they dip beneath the waistband of your uniform pants, his knuckles brushing against your clothed sex. He smirks against your ear as he feels the damp fabric.

“What would your commanding officer think if they saw you now?” he murmurs, his fingers slipping beneath the fabric to stroke your bare, slick folds. “Wrapped up in the hands of a wanted pirate, so wet and desperate and needy…” He strokes your clit with a teasing touch, making your hips buck involuntarily against his hand.

You let out a soft whimper, your head falling back against the wall as Zoro's fingers explore your most intimate places. He slides one thick finger inside you, then two, stretching you out and pumping them slowly as his thumb rubs firm circles on your clit. Your inner walls clench around the intrusion, drawing him deeper as quiet moans escape your lips.

“Careful now, marine,” Zoro coos, his hot breath tickling your ear as he nibbles on the lobe. “You don't want anyone to hear you, do you?” His fingers pick up speed, thrusting harder, faster, as he feels your body tensing, your climax building. And he’s right - you can’t be caught like this. You’d be dismissed on the spot, sent back home with a Roronoa Zoro sized weight on your shoulders.

In a vain attempt to stifle your mewls of bliss, you bite your lip so hard that you taste blood. And just as you're about to tumble over the edge, Zoro curls his fingers just right, pressing against that spot deep inside that makes stars explode behind your eyelids.

Your orgasm crashes over you like a tidal wave, your body shaking and shuddering as you come undone. Zoro works you through it, his fingers pumping and stroking, drawing out your pleasure until you're a boneless, panting mess. As the last aftershocks fade, he slowly withdraws his fingers, bringing them up to his mouth to lick them clean.

You're left staring up at him, your chest heaving as you try to catch your breath. Your uniform is rumpled, your pants still unbuttoned, a damp spot darkening the fabric at the apex of your thighs. Zoro looks down at you with a smug, satisfied smirk, knowing exactly what he's done to you.

“Don't worry,” he says softly, even kindly, “I won't tell if you won't.” He smirks at you before turning and sauntering out of the alleyway, leaving you to collect the pieces of your shattered composure. You know you should feel ashamed, horrified at your wanton behavior... but there’s no lying to yourself, and all you’re left thinking about is when you'll see him again.