#she looks like she’s just ruined her own life

[starsjulia]

16 going on 28 // leah williamson

a/n : so sorry about my month long hiatus, but i am back!!! and i’ve got you guys some leah x gobby!reader but reader is now carrying leah’s baby! pls let me know if you’d like a part two because i deeply enjoyed writing this one.

warnings : suggestive, pregnancy, reader being a shitbag, and this is so cute i almost cried beavyse i am so single

“We’ve got a problem,” you announce gravely.

Leah groans, face buried back into the pillow. “If this is about the toast being too crispy again—”

“It’s burnt, Leah. There’s a difference.”

Leah peeks at you, a smirk creeping across her face. “You literally asked for it ‘extra golden.’”

“That’s not the same as setting it on fire, is it?” You huff, waddling dramatically back towards the kitchen, belly leading the way. “Honestly, it’s like living with a pyromaniac.”

Leah finally drags herself out of bed, following the trail of muttered complaints. She wraps her arms around you from behind, resting her chin on your shoulder.

“Morning, love,” she whispers, pressing a soft kiss to your neck.

You try to maintain the façade of being very cross, but your face betrays you, lips twitching.

“Don’t think you can seduce me out of my rage, Williamson.”

“Oh, I definitely can,” she murmurs, kissing the spot behind your ear—the spot she knows drives you mad.

You shiver despite yourself, turning in her arms. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re obsessed with me.”

“God, it’s embarrassing how right you are.”

After training, the team lounges around, trying to relax. You waddle into the room, plopping down next to Leah with an exaggerated sigh.

“Leah,” you announce dramatically, “your child is ruining my life.”

Leah doesn’t even look up from her phone. “You mean our child.”

“No, because my child would’ve had better manners.” You rub your belly with mock disapproval. “This one’s clearly yours—rude as hell, keeping me up all night.”

The team snickers, already used to your daily monologues of suffering.

Beth pipes up, grinning, “Didn’t you literally say yesterday that you ‘loved being pregnant’?”

“That was before I sneezed and peed a little, Beth.”

The room erupts into laughter. Leah finally looks up, shaking her head with a fond smile. She reaches over, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

“You’re beautiful when you’re ranting.”

You squint at her. “I’m beautiful all the time, but thanks for noticing.”

Leah leans in, her voice low. “Especially when you’re moaning.”

The room goes silent.

“OH MY GOD,” Viv groans, covering her face with her hands. “Can’t we have one conversation without you two flirting like teenagers?”

“No,” you and Leah respond in unison, both grinning like idiots.

You’re both in Tesco, which was Leah’s first mistake because pregnancy has turned you into an unfiltered, walking hazard.

“I want crisps,” you declare, standing in front of the snack aisle.

Leah, already holding three bags, sighs. “Babe, you’ve got enough crisps to feed the whole team.”

“Well, the team isn’t carrying a small human and emotional trauma, are they?” You grab another bag, tossing it dramatically into the cart. “These are for survival.”

Leah snickers, steering the cart like she’s driving a getaway car.

At checkout, the cashier glances at your growing belly. “Aw, when are you due?”

Before Leah can answer, you deadpan, “Oh, I’m not pregnant. I just like snacks.”

Leah chokes on her own spit, trying to stifle her laughter while the poor cashier looks like she’s about to evaporate from awkwardness.

Outside, Leah doubles over, tears in her eyes. “You’re evil.”

You grin, proud. “I keep you entertained.”

She pulls you in for a quick kiss, her laughter fading into something softer. “I keep you loved.”

Your heart squeezes, but you cover it with a grin. “Yeah, yeah. Now carry the bags, I’m fragile.”

Later that evening, you’re sprawled on the couch, Leah sitting between your legs, massaging your swollen feet.

“You know,” she murmurs, fingers kneading gently, “pregnancy suits you.”

You snort. “Yeah? I’m sweaty, swollen, and have heartburn from drinking water, Leah.”

She leans back, her eyes dark with something warmer, deeper. “Still the fittest person I’ve ever seen.”

You arch a brow, biting your lip. “You’re only saying that ‘cause I’m growing your child.”

Leah shifts, her hand sliding up your leg, just enough to make your breath hitch. “Nah. I fancied you even when you were just a gobshite with an attitude problem.”

You grin, pulling her closer until your faces are inches apart. “Well, lucky for you, I’ve still got the attitude.”

She kisses you softly at first, then deeper, her hands cradling your face like you’re the most precious thing in the world.

When you finally pull back, breathless and grinning, you whisper, “Still whipped, huh?”

Leah presses her forehead against yours, her smile soft and full of love. “More than ever.”

later, kettle whistles in the background, but you’re too busy glaring at Leah to care. She’s leaning against the kitchen counter with that smug grin—the one that says she thinks she’s hilarious—while you sit on the couch, belly protruding like a smug reminder of your current, swollen state.

“I swear to God, Leah,” you huff, struggling to adjust the blanket around you, “if you make one more joke about me ‘waddling,’ I’m throwing your protein powder in the bin.”

Leah snorts, unapologetically stirring her tea. “You do realise you’ve married an athlete? Go ahead baby, i’ll get another fifty packs shipped to our door tomorrow.”

You narrow your eyes, lips twitching despite yourself. “Don’t test me. I’m hormonal, hungry, and hot. Triple H—but not the sexy wrestler kind.”

Leah bursts out laughing, nearly spilling her tea. “Triple H? You’re such an idiot.”

“Oh, I’m the idiot? Says the woman who wore her very new very expensive white trainers, which i did tell you was a bad idea, in the rain last week and then acted shocked when they got dirty.”

She walks over, still grinning, and plops down beside you. “At least I can still see my feet.”

You gasp, mock-offended. “I’m growing a human, Williamson. What’s your excuse for that forehead?”

Leah nearly chokes on her tea, coughing and laughing simultaneously. “You’re so mean,” she wheezes, eyes crinkling with affection.

You roll your eyes but lean into her anyway. “Yeah, well, you love it.”

She presses a kiss to your temple, her hand instinctively resting on your belly. “I really do.”

The team is gathered in the lounge of a hotel post match, and you’ve made the grave mistake of standing up too quickly.

“Ugh,” you groan dramatically, gripping your back. “I feel like I’ve aged 40 years in nine months.”

Beth smirks from across the room. “You sound like it too.”

You flip her off without missing a beat. “Didn’t ask for commentary, Bethany.”

The girls burst into laughter. Leah watches, amused, shaking her head.

“I don’t know how you survive,” Beth says to Leah, chuckling.

Leah shrugs, biting back a grin. ”it’s character-building.”

You glare at her. “Character-building? Please. You’re lucky to have me.”

Leah saunters over, wraps an arm around your shoulders, and kisses your cheek. “Yeah, I am.”

The team groans in unison. “Get a room!”

You stick your tongue out like a child. “Jealousy’s a disease. Get well soon.”

Leah wakes up to you standing over her with a look of pure desperation.

“I need ice cream,” you whisper like it’s a life-or-death situation.

Leah squints at the clock. “It’s 3 AM.”

“And the ice cream won’t buy itself.”

Fifteen minutes later, she’s standing in the kitchen, hair a mess, wearing mismatched socks, scooping ice cream into a bowl.

She hands it to you with a tired smile. “Happy?”

You take a bite, sigh dramatically, then look at her with faux seriousness. “You’re lucky you’re fit.”

Leah laughs, leans down, and kisses you softly. “Yeah. And you’re lucky I’m whipped.”

[dailynnt]

FRIENDS WITHIN TUCHING DISTANCE

⊹ Summary: Jungkook and you, his childhood friend, live together in an apartment, sharing space as roommates. Your relationship, built on years of friendship, is gradually becoming strained by growing sexual tension. You decide to become friends with benefits, trying not to complicate your feelings. But Jungkook's world is not so simple. When you begin to realize that he is hiding something, you open the veil of his double life - a world of mafia, criminal activity, and risk that could ruin not only your deal, but everything you valued in each other.

⊹ Couple: Jeon Jungkook/ Fem!Reader

⊹ Characters: The Reader, Jeon Jungkook, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, Min Yoongi, Kim Seokjin, Kim Namjoon, Jeon Hoseok.

⊹ 🔞 Age restrictions: 18+

⊹ 👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏻 Relationships: ⚤

⊹ 📘 Number of part: 25/?

⊹ 🖇️ Tags: best friends, friends with benefits, slow longing, sexual tension, protected sex, unprotected sex, alcohol, drunken sex, inexperienced main character, mafia au, illegal trade, deaths of minor characters, weapons, swear words.

⊹ 👩🏼‍💻 From the author: My darlings, I finally wrote it 🫠🤭 I really hope you like the scene in Jungkook's room, and the continuation of the storyline. Let me know what you think, I'm always so happy to read your comments ❤️‍🔥💞

⊹ 🫂 Dedication: For you, my love @myjungkookthighs. You are my favorite person 😘🥰 You know that I appreciate you so much and LOVE you🥰💜

⊹ ⚠️ Warning: English is not my native language, so there may be mistakes in the text. Please don't get mad at me too much! Those under 18, please don't read this story!

⊹ 📋Tag list: @myjungkookthighs, @notsevenwithyou, @nikkinikj, @lovelyyylunaa222, @jiminiemanura, @jalexad, @kelsyx33, @bhonbhon, @unholyforjk, @ambiee3, @mianhae-baozi, @someoneelse0109, @medstudentlifestyle, @mskookie, @kooccult , @smokinghotstargirl, @curse-of-art (If anyone wants to be in my tag list let me know)

≣ Chapter Index ↓

Part 25. Black Dust.

Jungkook has parked the car in front of his parents' house. Together you dropped your parents home twenty minutes ago, after spending the evening together, where you and Jungkook confessed that you were dating. To say that your parents were happy is an understatement.

They were stunned, but that quickly turned to joy. Your mothers were especially happy because they had wanted you to be together for a long time and thought you were the perfect couple. Your and Jungkook's fathers were also happy about the news, but because they are men, they were more reserved.

The joy of the news was as if you were announcing that you were getting married or having a baby. It's just a relationship, but who knows what it can grow into. It's exciting for you to think that you might marry Jungkook someday. It’s fact, that you really can't imagine anyone else but him as your match.

Jungkook offered to let you sleep at his place, because as his girlfriend, you can now sleep in the same room with him without hiding.

Yonok sat next to you, holding your hand. She was smiling sweetly at you when Jungkook and his father got out of the car.

"Y/N, my favorite girl. If you only knew how happy I am that you two are dating. I couldn't ask for a better girl for my boy." - Jungkook's mom says sincerely. Her words touch you. You lean against her.

"I'm glad we told you." - You say. "It actually came so naturally." - You say, referring to your relationship with Jungkook. Jungkook's mom smiles as she fixes your hair.

"I've secretly dreamed of you two being together. Your mom and I often talked about it. It seems our prayers have been answered." - You smile at her. You've been guessing about this. Your mom often praised Jungkook to you, and treated him like her own son. Jungkook's mom loved you just as much, so it was no wonder they wanted their children to be a couple.

Jungkook opened the back door of the car, looking at you with a smile. His father stood behind him, waiting for you.

"Are you going to sleep in the car?" - Jungkook asks you two. You and his mom hurried out.

Jungkook and his father went to his home office, and you stayed with Jungkook's mom. She gave you clothes to sleep in, because you left all your clothes at home, not planning to spend the night at Jungkook's place. She sent you to the bathroom and went to prepare your bed for sleep.

You went into the bathroom and locked the door. For some reason, you felt terribly tired. It seems you are not quite well yet. The emotions you experienced today have dulled your bad feeling. But now that you were alone, you thought you would literally collapse.

You took off your clothes. Your breasts hurt and were sensitive. You looked at them and saw that they were enlarged. No wonder. During your critical days, your breasts would grow by half a size. You had pads in your bag. You wanted to change one for the night, but you noticed that there was almost no blood. You are surprised because not only did your period start earlier, but it was also strangely.

You went into the shower, turned on the water and just stood under the stream of water. Warm water gently poured over your body, and you closed your eyes, trying to relax.

The feeling of fatigue and pain in your body gradually became less acute, although you were still concerned about the change in your state of health. You stood in the shower for a few minutes, just listening to the rustle of the water and letting your thoughts fade into the background.

Moments of the evening came back to you: your parents, their joy, Jungkook's mother's words... You felt your heart warm as your relationship with Jungkook became more and more real. And yet, in the midst of this joy, you felt a sense of anxiety - what would this mean for you and him in the future? Was it as simple as it seemed?

You remembered the way Jungkook looked at you today: with tenderness, care... And when your mother said so sincerely that she had always dreamed of you being together, your soul blossomed. You didn't know what would happen tomorrow, but it seemed that everything had its place, and this part of your life was just beginning.

You closed your eyes again, sliding your fingers over your skin, feeling its tenderness after the water. The tiredness began to recede, but you still felt how hard it was to keep your eyes open. It was time to get out of the bath.

You gently toweled yourself off, not wanting to rush, and then picked up the things Jungkook's mom had given you for sleeping. It was Jungkook's t-shirt. She offered you her nightgowns, but you said that his shirt was just like a normal nightgown and you would be comfortable sleeping in it. Jungkook's mom agreed to give you his things without any problems. When you came out of the bathroom, you saw her, and she had already made the bed. She was smiling when she saw you.

"Are you okay, my girl?" - She asked in a soft, caring voice. "You look tired."

You smiled in a tortured way. Your tiredness is still on your face. But no matter how much you didn't want to show it, it was obvious how much it was draining you, and it was good visible to Jungkook's mother's eyes.

"I'm fine, but I haven't been feeling well for about a week. I think it's because of busywork. I've started preparing for my thesis and I'm also working." - You answered quietly. Jungkook's mom looked at you carefully.

"Honey, are you working? Why do you need to work? Jungkook makes good money. You should quit and spend more time on yourself and your studies." - She advises you. You press your lips together.

"Oh, I know Jungkook makes good money..." - You say. You even know what he does for a living, but you skip over those details. "But I would like to have my own money. But studies will start soon, and I think it will."

Jungkook's mom nods her head in the affirmative, smiling. She comes over to you and touches your cheek with her palm. Her gaze is caring and gentle. You see so many of Jungkook's traits in her. He is very similar to his mother and this caring look at you now is similar to the one you receive from him.

"That's right, dear. It seems like there's no need to ask you to move into his apartment because it's obvious that you live together." - She says. You want to say something back, but she speaks first. "Tomorrow I suggest we have dinner together again. Because you're leaving on Monday morning, and then we don't know when you'll be back. I think another dinner with your parents would be nice." - She suggested.

"Yes, that would be great. I enjoyed tonight so much, I'm ready to do it again." - You support Jungkook's mom's proposal.

"Then it's a deal. Tomorrow I will need to go to the supermarket and market to buy the best food for my dear girl." - Yonok says and puts her hand on your shoulder.

"I can go with you. I can help you make dinner." - You offer to help.

"That would be great." - Jungkook’s mother says. You smile.

"Okay, I'm talking too much as usual. Get some rest, my good girl. Jungkook should be back soon..." - Jungkook's mom says, just as the owner of this room enters. Jungkook notices the two of you, and a slight smile graces his face.

"Mom, dad is looking for you. He can't find the charger for his phone. He says you should know because you cleaned the living room today." - Jungkook says, stepping deeper into the room. He gives you a quick glance. In just a second, he has time to run his eyes over your figure, but without being seen by you or his mother.

"Oh, that Yonho. He took her to his office last night. She should be there." - Jungkook's mother gets annoyed. She walks to the door of the room and stops at the door.

"Good night, my children. Sleep well." - She says. You bow and smile sincerely.

"Good night, omony. Thank you very much for your kindness and care." - You thank her. Jungkook's mother gives you a smile for the last time today, tells you she loves you, and leaves.

As the door closes behind her, you meet a pair of mischievous eyes that always come with a playful smile.

"This looks like my thing." - Said Jungkook to you. He walks over to you and clutches the edge of his T-shirt in his hands. You look at him, wondering what he's up to. Is he trying to seduce you? You had sex today. It was reconciliatory and hot, the way you both like it. But now you feel too tired. You don't have the energy for one more time tonight.

"That's my thing for today." - You say casually. But Jungkook just frowned a little, and grabbed your wrist and pulled you close. He looked at you with the same familiar look he always gives you when he's close.

Jungkook's hand, which had just been clutching the edge of your T-shirt, slides underneath. You feel his hand move up your thigh, leaving tangible marks. The hand ends up on your buttocks and squeezes the flesh. In one swift movement, he puts you closer, leaving not even the slightest distance between you. You hold back a scream that almost escapes your throat. Jungkook smiles slyly.

"You should have remembered that I'm greedy for my things. So you probably won't be wearing it tonight." - He says, leaning down to your lips. You rest your hands on his chest, feeling hardness and warmth of it.

"Do you really feel sorry for the T-shirt for me?" - You ask. Jungkook laughs softly.

"No. But every time I see you wearing my clothes, I have an urgent need to take them off." - Jungkook confesses. You smile.

"That explains a lot." - You say. In a moment, his other hand goes under your shirt. He squeezes your other buttock, pulling you closer to his already semi-hard length. You want to protest, but he kisses you. His lips capture yours, and a second later you feel his sweet tongue on yours.

Jungkook's lips move against yours, and your kiss becomes deeper and hotter. His hands hold you down, massaging your buttocks, and your heart starts to beat even faster, but you knew this wasn't the time for that. Even though your underwear was already damp.

"Love..." - You try to tear yourself away from his demanding lips. You need to stop it as soon as possible. Because if you don't stop in a moment, it will be too late. Jungkook leaves your lips and slides his hands down your neck. He stops kissing your lips and seems to just prolong kissing your neck. But he's touching your erogenous zones, and it's making you more excited. "Kook... we're at your parents' house..." - You say. Your breathing becomes labored. Jungkook steps on you, forcing you to move toward the bed, and your mind screams to stop it.

"Yes..." - He says when you're already leaning your feet to the bed. "This house is mine too, and this room is also mine." - He states playfully. You look at him skeptically. You didn't mean that.

"We're not alone. And your parents might come in..." - You explain. Jungkook thinks for a moment and then answers.

"I don't think my parents will come in. Everyone here is an adult, so they understand what we can do here." - He says. You lightly hit him on the chest, where your hand was. He only laughs softly in response.

"Why are you saying that?" - You are outraged. "Even if they understand, we're not supposed to do that here."

"What do you mean we shouldn't?" - Jungkook was surprised. "You didn't want us to have sex while we were visiting our parents?" - Jungkook assumed.

"Yes. I thought it wasn't a problem." - You said calmly. "Besides, I'm on my period." - You reminded him. Jungkook raised his eyebrows. He didn't hide the disappointment on his face.

"When did we not have sex during your period? And why do you think we can't make love here?" - Jungkook says indignantly. You don't want to upset him, but you're not feeling well, and you're really worried that Jungkook's parents might hear you. You kiss Jungkook's lips gently, without using your tongue, to calm him down. He squeezes your buttocks lightly.

"Your parents can hear us." - You say when you stop kissing him. Your faces are close together. You want to add that you're tired, but Jungkook speaks first, breaking into a cheerful smile.

"So that's the problem. You're afraid that my mom and dad will hear you screaming my name..." - Jungkook leans down to your ear, presses his hot lips to your skin, and you instantly shiver. "…when I’m will fucking your tight, little pussy?" - He whispers. Fuck, that dirty tongue. You're literally leaking from his words. Jungkook is horny too, and he's clearly not going to relieve himself on his own in the bathroom when he has you.

"Jungkook..." - His name sounds like an exhaled breath on your lips as Jungkook reaches into your underwear with his hand while kissing your neck. He touches your aroused clit and builds up your orgasm with circular, slow movements.

"Are you drip with moisture on my fingers but want to stop?" - He asks you, admiring your blissful face. You grabbed onto his shoulders to keep from falling, because your legs were softening in direct proportion to his movements on your clit. When his finger entered your passage, you moaned softly. "So? Maybe I should really stop?" - He says demandingly. He sounds like he's mocking you. Instead of putting you on the bed and fucking you, he asks if he should stop. "Because we might be overheard." - He says sarcastically, and you think you're going to hit him if he doesn't shut his mouth.

Suddenly, he sticks his finger out of your passage. You open your eyes and feel your pussy and passage throbbing with excitement. You want him to put his finger back in.

Jungkook defiantly licks the finger that was in your vagina a second ago with his tongue and grins slyly. You bite your lip, looking at this picture in front of you. And fuck, you get even more excited.

Jungkook easily frees himself from your arms, letting you go. He goes to the door and locks it.

He comes back to you and immediately pulls off your shirt. You're left in just your panties and Jungkook's eyes fill with lust when he sees your naked body.

His attention is most attracted to your erect nipples. He looks at you as if he were seeing you for the first time. He raises his hand and touches your nipple, playing with his fingers. You bite your lip. He takes your breast in his hand and squeezes it. He leans down to take your bud into his mouth, but you scream softly in pain. He looks up at your eyes.

"Are they still sensitive?" - Jungkook asks, looking from you to the nipple.

"Yes." - You answer. Jungkook touches your nipple lightly with his tongue and you feel a little pressure. He sucks on your flesh and circles the nipple with his tongue several times. It feels good. You put your hands on his back. Jungkook doesn't ignore your other nipple.

It's getting uncomfortable to stand. So a minute later you're lying on the bed, and Jungkook is on top of you. He is comfortably positioned between your legs. His hard cock is still in his underwear and even his pants. He is pressing on your needy pussy. For some reason, Jungkook is in no hurry to undress and you are not at all satisfied.

"Take off your clothes." - You whisper between kisses. Jungkook smiles when he hears your request.

"If I take off my clothes, I'll fuck you." - He says, pulling his lips away from your skin. You look at him in surprise.

"What do you mean? Isn't that what you were planning to do?" - You wonder. He tilts his head to look at your face from a different angle.

"Well, you said that my parents might hear us. So I decided to listen you." - Jungkook says. Your eyebrows fly up and you smile almost hysterically.

He's lying between your legs right now, with his hard cock pressed in your pussy, and you're sure it hurts, and he's saying he won't have sex with you? That's nonsense. What kind of man is he? He didn't stop when you asked him to, he got you hot and now he says he doesn't plan to fuck you?

"Are you serious?" - You ask hysterically. "Then what are you doing now?"

Jungkook sees your irritation, and it only seems to amuse him more. He raises one eyebrow as if to ask: "What am I doing?" and then leans in closer again, leaving a slow, almost mocking kiss on your jaw.

"I'm just enjoying you, my love." - His voice is husky, dangerous. His warm breath tickles your skin as he trails his lips along your neck, leaving short, damp-hot kisses. His arms are around your waist, his body a constant test of your willpower.

"Enjoying that?" - You can't help but sound sarcastic, even though your lips give you away, trembling with his every touch. "It's more like torture." - Jungkook laughs-quietly, lowly, with that familiar tinge of smugness.

"Torture?" - He lifts up a little higher, meeting your gaze. His eyes sparkle in the semi-darkness of the room. "Is that what you call it?" - His fingers slide down your thighs, causing another flare of trembling.

"What do you call it then?" - You whisper, trying to keep your tone steady, but it doesn't sound convincing at all. Jungkook looks at you longer than necessary, studying you as if he were evaluating something important. And then he smiles-slowly, playfully, dangerously.

"Waiting." - His lips find yours again, and his touch is so sweet that you almost forget how to breathe. Your kiss becomes passionate, and with each new movement, almost insatiable.

"Don't tease me..." - Your voice is barely audible, and it sounds more like a quiet reproach than an accusation. Jungkook smiles.

"You started it first." - He accuses you. You are outraged. You didn't start anything first. You just said that it would be better if you didn't have sex when his parents are in the other room. Sex with Jungkook is always about incredible pleasure and you're used to not holding back. You are afraid that you will forget about caution at some moment.

His hands move higher, his palms run along your ribs, as if exploring every curve of your body. And it's a real torture to be so close to him, to feel his heat, to know that he's right here, but not to get what you want most.

"Tell me, you want it." - His voice is a velvety whisper that sends hundreds of electrical impulses through your body.

"Kook..." - His name sounds like a sin on your lips. You beg him, even though you forbade him not so long ago. He does not move on, does not hurry. He just waits. His eyes darken, he wants it as much as you do, but he stubbornly holds himself in check. His patience — is the last straw of your.

You crush your lips to his, tearing away all doubts, squeeze his shirt in your fingers, and pull him even closer. Jungkook doesn't pull back-he only sinks deeper into you, into your kiss, into everything you're feeling right now.

He doesn't hold back anymore. And neither are you. You move your hips, creating friction, so that he gets excited enough to tease you no more. He moves his hips to meet you and his length is painfully squeezed in his boxers. Jungkook pushes you sharply several times. You feel your orgasm building. You moan into his lips and he can't help but smile.

When you both run out of air, Jungkook breaks the kiss. He rubs against you to help you reach the pleasure you want. Your eyes remain closed and your face expresses absolute pleasure. At such moments, you look like the most beautiful woman in the whole world. Jungkook is happy that he is the only one who has seen that your face.

The friction you created brings you to bliss. You moan as you have an orgasm and Jungkook immediately covers your lips. Now your pleasure is vibrating on his lips. You stop, and Jungkook pulls away from your swollen lips.

"You have to be quiet, baby." - He reminds you. You breathe heavily, stare at his lips a little confused and try to understand what he's saying. The impression of the orgasm makes you detached from reality.

"This is what I told you about." - You complain without any anger. "I don't know how to be quiet with you." - You confess. This confession boosts his ego.

"I love it when you scream from my cock inside you. Damn, I want to fuck you so bad right now. But you have to promise me to be quiet." - Jungkook asks you. His desperate voice makes you throb between your legs. You want him as much as he wants you.

"Only if you shut me up." - You say jokingly. You leave it up to him to decide what he can use to gag you. Jungkook smiles slyly. He leans closer, and that smile makes you tremble in anticipation. His fingers gently touch your chin, forcing you to look him straight in the eye.

"Oh, baby..." - He laughs hoarsely, running his thumb over your lips. "You have no idea what that sounds like to me."

You gulp for air as his gaze darkens, full of promise and desire. His palm moves to your neck, his thumb still lingering near your lips, and you instinctively open them, letting his touch in.

"Do you want, I shut up you like this?" - His voice vibrates, it's dangerous, and it sends pleasant shivers through your body. You nod, sucking on his finger as if testing his reaction.

Jungkook's cock twitches as he imagines those beautiful lips wrapped around his length.

"So we play by my rules?" - He leans down to your neck, leaving a hot, shaking kiss that makes you barely hold back a soft moan. His hand slides steadily lower, leaving hot marks on your skin.

"Yes." - You agreed.

"Okay, my obedient girl..." - He whispers in your ear, and you know that whatever he has in mind will be both torment and bliss.

Jungkook gets up and undresses without breaking contact with your eyes. You raised yourself up on your elbows to better see the picture in front of you. There was something fascinating about watching Jungkook undress.

Jungkook took off his clothes slowly, as if he was deliberately stretching out this moment, enjoying the way you were looking at him. His gaze never leaves yours, watching your every reaction, every movement of your lips, every movement of your body.

Usually, a passion between you makes you move quickly and do everything in a hurry, but today it's something new. Jungkook does everything slowly and leisurely. You find it both annoying and exciting.

You bite your lip, feeling a hot wave spreading inside you. In the semi-darkness, his figure looks even more attractive - clear lines of muscle, smooth skin, tattoos spreading ink across his arm and shoulder.

Jungkook notices how you don't take your eyes off him, and his lips stretch into a satisfied, sly smile.

"Do you like what you see?" - His voice sounds deeper than usual, and it chills you to the bone. Jungkook, in turn, looks at your body and is already planning to fuck you properly right after he takes off your clothes.

You decide to take part in his game. When he takes off his shirt, you smile seductively. You gracefully get up from the bed, leveling with him. Jungkook watches you carefully.

You still didn’t answer his questions. You run your fingertips along his forearm and then slowly slide them down his chest, as if you're checking to see if he's real. Jungkook sighs heavily, his muscles tensing under your touch. Then you lower your hands to his waistband, place your hands on top of his palms, which wanted to undo the button on his pants but didn't because you were distracted him. You gently push his hands away, showing that you will do it yourself.

You look down between your bodies. You undo the button, grab the fabric in your hands and pull it down. You bend down to pull down his pants and see his cock. He is aroused and most likely wants to get rid of the underwear. You straighten up and now want to take off his boxers. But instead, you just slide your hand into his boxers and find the tip that immediately twitches when it feels your fingers.

"Don't play around, love..." - Chunguk whispers, catching your hand and squeezing it lightly, not letting you continue with your plan. "Because I can forget all caution." - You look at him, holding your breath, and then smile slightly.

"Maybe that's what I want?" - You say. "It's fun to tease, now I understand you." - You hum, looking directly into his eyes. Jungkook freezes for a second and then leans over to you.

"Then don't blame me for what's about to happen." - He warns you. He gently places you on the bed and takes off your underwear. The air touches your folds and you feel cool. Between your legs is a mess because you're aroused from yours over-the-top games. Jungkook also takes off his boxers in a matter of seconds.

The mattress bends under his knees as he settles between your legs. You see his thick hard cock bouncing as he moves. Jungkook spreads your legs at his convenience and smears your wetness over the folds. Then he plunges two fingers inside you. He stretches you so that you can take him as painlessly as possible.

Jungkook creates pressure on your walls and this already gives you some pleasure. He doesn't wasted many time for a long time because he wants to enter you already. Jungkook takes his fingers out of you. You don't even have time to realize what he did, because he's already got his cock against your entrance.

He presses and sinks in slowly to make you comfortable. You feel euphoric as his length fills you. Jungkook goes all the way in and moans gutturally. He doesn't move for a while, and then he leans down to you, placing his elbows on either side of your face. He gives one slow, deep thrust and you hold your breath. Which threatens to escape in a loud moan.

Jungkook admires your beautiful face and makes another, similar movement, and surprisingly, it gives rise to a feeling of butterflies in your stomach. His lips cover yours, and you realize that from that moment on, you lost control. But did you really have it?

Jungkook fucks you, covering your mouth with his lips. You moan into his mouth. Your hands are on his back. His cock is so good clings you, and to ease your sensations, you dig your nails into his flesh at first. But the faster and deeper Jungkook moves, the more stimulated you feel. You can't stand it any longer and scratch his back.

Jungkook smiles against your lips, feeling the pain of your scratches. He detached from your lips.

"Is that good?" - He asks. He knows how good you feel. Doesn't his scratched back speak for you? "You take me so well, baby. I love fucking that pussy. I'm happy that she's mine. She's mine and she'll always be." - He whispers as he continues to fuck you. You're going crazy at his words, because you're happy to have a lover like Jungkook.

He gives you so much pleasure that your feelings for him grow more and more every day. Your love is getting stronger. You are perfect for each other in and out of bed. You could only dream of such a guy.

"I love you." - You whisper. These words make Jungkook stop. You open your eyes and see his face so close. His eyes dart between yours, searching for something. You stretch your lips into a smile. "I belong to you completely. I don't need anyone else but you. I love you and I will always love you." - You say a little louder. These words fall from your lips easily and sincerely, because they are the real truth.

"I love you too." - He finally says. He tries to calm his breathing. "You're the girl I've always wanted to have. I'm lucky that my feelings are mutual." - He says. You feel a lump in your throat. You shouldn't cry in the middle of sex. Jungkook suddenly thrusts, continuing what he's started. You gasp in surprise at his actions. "I love you. And I'm ready to prove it to you every day." - He says as he fucks you. You think you're in some kind of paradise, but if isn’t paradise, then what? His declaration of love, his movements inside you, it all makes you so happy.

Jungkook kisses you again. Your lips merge in a gentle kiss full of love. You wrap your arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

"Baby, I want you on all fours." - He whispers against your lips. You hoped he would finish with you in a lying position.

"Can we finish the way we started?" - You ask hopefully, not wanting to get up. Jungkook gets up and out of you, and which means that no, it will be as he wants.

"Come on, love, give me your ass here." - He says, helping you to stand up. Jungkook reaches for the pillows to put under your stomach. He puts them in front of you and helps you down. You lie down on top of the two pillows, resting most of your body on your elbows and exposing your ass to him.

It's a gorgeous sight for Jungkook's eyes. He can't help but be tempted to slap you at of your smooth skin. When you feel the blow on your buttocks, it's like you wake up. You want to look up at Jungkook, but you don't have time because he's pressing down on top of you. His hand is on one side of your head, and his lips are on the other, pressed against your shocked face.

"What an ass." - He praises. "By the way, have you heard of anal sex?" - He asks. You freeze. His question has confused you so much that you've forgotten how to speak. You feel your cheeks flush. You've heard of it, of course, but you don't understand what it means. You've also heard that it can cause a number of problems.

"You don't want to do that." - You say in response. "You're just curious, right?" - You ask naively. You feel him touching your buttocks with one hand, the one he's not leaning on.

Jungkook straightens up behind you. He raises your hips, forcing you to lean more on your knees and lift your ass up. Jungkook finds your clit and caresses it with his finger. You moan, but into the bed, so you can hardly be heard.

"I'm not just curious." - He says, firmly. You jerk your head up. Jungkook takes his length in his hands. He puts cock against your buttocks and presses just a little. You raise your head in embarrassment and he stops you, taking you into his arms. His hands are on your stomach.

"Jungkook, I'm not ready to do this." - You say in confusion. You can't turn your head to him because he's holding you close to his body. You hear him laughing softly.

"Honey, calm down. I'm not going to fuck you in the ass. Not tonight." - He says. And his phrase "not tonight" doesn't calm you down at all. His hand goes down to your cunt and caresses you, and you forget what you were just talking about. Jungkook kisses your cheek, showering your face and then your neck with short kisses. He tortures your clit and you moan. "You said you were on your period. Why isn’t there any blood?" - Jungkook asks, noticing that you’re not bleeding like you should during your period. You don’t answer right away. When you’re dealing with the sensations from his finger, you say.

"I was bleeding, but for some reason I’m not. Maybe I should go to the doctor." - You answer. Jungkook hums behind you.

"Yeah, sure. I’ll take you." - He says. But enough talking, Jungkook plans to finish and bring you and himself to orgasm. "Come on, get on your elbows, I'm finally going to fuck you properly."

You listen to him without question. You get down on your elbows, pushing your ass up. Jungkook puts the tip of his cock against your entrance and enters you again with no pain. He starts moving inside you, holding your hips with his hands. You moan and hold back the screams that want to escape your lips. You literally has to bite you until you bleed to keep your moans quiet.

Jungkook behind you is also moaning. Your tight cunt swallowed him so well. Your tight walls give him absolute pleasure. He looks between your bodies and sees your asshole so close to his pubes. He puts his finger between your buttocks with a little pressure. You notice to it, but you can't say or do anything. He fucks you and you seem close.

"I would love to have that sweet ass one day." - He says in your ear then, leaning against your back.

"Kook..." - You say on an exhale. You want to argue that you wouldn't want to, but you can't. Jungkook is hitting your G-spot and you're about to come.

"Will you let me?" - He asks. You won't let him. Because you don't understand why you have to do it. Jungkook cuts into you sharply and deeply. You want to scream. Your moans are getting louder and louder and you might be heard. "Shh, keep quiet, baby. Otherwise, how will you look my parents in the eye in the morning?" - Says Jungkook. You can't do it anymore. Then you should stop. Jungkook seems to read your mind. He straightens up behind you.

His hands grip your hips as they did before and he starts pounding you fast and hard with his cock. If you were alone, you would be screaming from the sensations his cock is giving you, but now you can't do anything but moan into the pillow.

A series of quick strokes and you cum all around his length. Jungkook feels you choking on his cock and in just a few thrusts he comes right after you. He fills you with cum and you can't care about it because you just don't have the strength.

Jungkook stops jerking inside you and pulls out. You fall exhausted on the bed and breathe heavily. Jungkook lies down next to you. You are hot, both of you are sweating. Jungkook looks at you, and you lie there catching your breath with your eyes closed.

"Are you alive, love?" - He asks with a smile. You smile weakly. You have no more strength left for anything.

"Half." - You joke. Jungkook leans over to you.

"Have I completely exhausted you?" - He asks, caring, though you can feel him smiling. You open your eyes and see your beloved man above you. He touches your lips with his own and lets go after a moment.

"It was worth it." - You praise the sex with Jungkook. You couldn't have refused him after the first kiss. Even though you were tired and only had the energy to get to bed and fall asleep. But now you're definitely without the slightest bit of energy.

"Do you want me to carrying you to the bathroom?" - He offers. His offer sounds so tempting. But what if Jungkook's parents are still awake and notice him carrying you to the bathroom? What will they think? You shake your head in denial.

"No. I'll go by myself, but after you. I need to catch my breath." - You say. Jungkook agrees and goes to the bathroom first, while you put on Jungkook's T-shirt and straighten the bed. Fortunately, you were almost careful. Only a little bit of Jungkook's cum, which probably spilled out of you when you sat up straight. You wiped it off with a damp napkin that was in the room and let the place dry.

Jungkook took a quick shower. You also took a bath for the second time that evening. It took you less than 10 minutes and luckily you didn't run into either Jungkook's mom or his dad.

You walked into the room and noticed that Jungkook was already lying on the bed. He was running his fingers over the sensor, obviously typing a message to someone. You crawled under the covers. The place where you cleaned was still damp. You moved over to Jungkook, hugging him. As soon as he felt you move in, he blocked his phone and pulled you closer to him. You leaned your cheek against his chest and sighed, enjoying his warmth.

"Are you okay, baby?" - Jungkook asks.

"Fine, thanks to you." - You answered. Jungkook kissed your temple. There was a silence between you and him. You listened to his steady breathing and heartbeat. You noticed that his heartbeat sounded like asmr to you. Jungkook ran his fingertips over your back, as if unconsciously drawing some patterns. The warmth of his palms soothed you.

You closed your eyes, trying not to think about anything, just to enjoy this moment, his closeness. But through your half-asleep state, you suddenly felt Jungkook tense up slightly.

Someone had sent him a text message, because the phone on the nightstand vibrated. He reached for the phone and you looked at the screen unnoticed by him. Who could be texting him at this hour?

Jungkook unlocked the phone and you saw who it was.

00.13 AM. Sunday | Jimin: You'll be contacted by Ingwon tomorrow. I don't know when exactly, but it's definitely tomorrow. You have to make an appointment. He wants to discuss the details of the black dust delivery.

Jungkook writes a short reply, "I'm waiting" and locks the phone. He puts it on the nightstand with the screen facing down. You pretend to be asleep, but you remember that he promised to tell you why he was upset when he got home from work early today. That's what you had a little argument about.

"Jungkook?" - You call out to him quietly. He didn't answer right away, just held you even tighter.

"I'm here, my love." - He says in a soft mumble. His voice sounds deeper and hoarser, as if it were not his own. You pulled away a little to look at him. His eyes were closed, but you could tell by the clenched jawline that he was awake.

"What are you thinking about?" - You ask from a distance. He opens his eyes and moves his head back a little in a groan and looks at you. He holds his gaze on you for a moment and then sighs, as if he's weighing what to say.

"About a lot to do." - His fingers lightly touched your hair. "A new task has come up. It's a bit of a tense for me." - He finally admits. You feel both relieved that he's opening up to you more and anxious because you know what kind of work Jungkook is into.

If he says that the case is "tense him", then it's something serious and definitely dangerous. You inhale softly, remembering the message from Jimin. Was it something to do with the "black dust"? What is it, exactly? Some kind of weapon? Or drugs?

"Is it... something dangerous?" - You asked, although you already knew the answer in your heart. Jungkook again delayed his answer, and then only lightly touched your forehead with his lips.

"It's just business. You don't have to worry." - He says, and you feel his lips moving on your forehead.

"Every time you tell me not to worry, something bad happens." - You complain without anger in your voice.

"Really?" - He asks with a bit of irony.

"Yes. I still know it's something dangerous." - You whisper, looking into his face. He held his gaze on you, and then ran his fingers lightly over your chin.

"And what are you going to do about it?" - He ask you with the same irony. You press your lips together indignantly. He think this is supposed to made it a joke? Sighing, you decide not to argue with him. You cling to him tighter, inhaling his familiar scent.

"If I can do anything about it?" - You answer the question with a question. There's silence between you again, but this time it's heavy. "I just want you to be safe." - You say desperately. Jungkook smiled, just a small smile, at the corner of his lips, but there was no real peace in his eyes.

"I just want you not to worry about things you can't control, baby." - His voice was warm, but he sounded tired.

"Jungkook." - You called to him softly but insistently. "Does this have anything to do with what upset you today?" - You finally ask him directly. You raise your eyes to look at him. He doesn't answer right away. His gaze lingered on you, dark, attentive. Then he unclenched his fingers, which were holding a few strands of your hair, and nodded slowly, as if hesitating.

"Yes." - He confessed to you. Your heart sped up.

"So what happened?" - You ask, and you're really afraid to hear what might have upset him. But you don't think he will tell you the whole truth. Jungkook took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair, looking away.

"Namjoon wants me to take on a serious case. But something about it is... not right..." - He paused, as if searching for words. "I mean, the target and the people who will be working on this case are too murky. I suspect why Namjoon wants me to be the one to do it. Jimin says he wanted me to do it right away." - Jungkook thinks out loud. You swallow the lump in your throat.

"And why does he want you to do it?" - You ask cautiously.

"He wants to give me even more responsibility." - He replies. "But he promised me that if I do everything perfectly, he'll cut my debt in half."

"He's offering to cut your debt in half? Why not the whole debt?" - You ask, slightly protesting. Jungkook thinks about it. Yes, this case is worthy of his full debt relief. Why did he only agree to write off half of it?

"Maybe I was really screwed." - Jungkook hummed. He rolled over onto his back, staring at the ceiling. His hand was still on your back, warm, strong, but you could feel the tension in his every muscle. You gently touched his cheek, making him look at you again.

"I think you should try to bargain with him for your all freedom. If you want to leave the world of the mafia, that is. Especially if, as you say, he wants to give you more responsibility, that means he's not going to let you go at all." - You pause, staring at his face. "But whatever it is..." - Your voice was quiet, but confident. "Be careful."

Jungkook stared at you and then, without a word, gently pulled you closer for the hundredth kiss of the night. Your lips are his panacea. He pressed you against him, and this kiss was different-slow, tender, and full of emotions that could not be expressed in words. You felt his arms hugging you tighter, but with some special care.

"Let's go to sleep." - He suggests. You smile and make yourself comfortable next to your lover. You turn your back and Jungkook hugs you from behind. You try to fall asleep.

After a while, Jungkook hears your steady breathing and realizes that you have fallen asleep. His thoughts are full. He's trying to figure out what the new task Namjoon has given him will mean for him. His mind is replaying the events that happened before you left for your parents' house.

Jungkook stood in the semi-darkness of the garage, listening to every word through his phone, ignoring the extra fuss around him. He had a package of documents in his hands, and he had just finished negotiating with one of the arms suppliers, the deal were smoothly. The phone suddenly vibrated, and Jungkook picked it up without hesitation to see a call from Jimin.

"Jungkook-ah, Namjoon wants to see us all. You need to come to Indigo right now. Put aside everything you're doing." - He says. Jungkook can hear the tension in his voice. It's been a long time since Namjoon has called everyone together. It must be something very important.

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes. I've just finished my business." - Jungkook replies.

"Great. We'll all be there. At the first VIP as usual." - Jimin informs him.

"Is something wrong?" - Jungkook tries to find out something.

"This isn't a phone call." - Jimin says. Jungkook exhales sharply.

"I'm on my way to the club." - He says, and when he hears Jimin's "waiting," he hangs up. He tells his assistant that there's no work for today, so he letting him go. Jungkook did not like such meetings, he felt that this time something serious was going to happen.

He went back to the car, starting the engine loudly, not paying attention to the city lights outside the window. He was supposed to be on his way to pick you up and go to parents' house. He texts you that he will be delayed indefinitely because he has some urgent business and will come to pick you up as soon as he is free.

Club “Indigo” was located on the outskirts of Seoul, where the rustling noise of the city met the silence that enveloped the place. The entrance was decorated in a modern style, mixing techno and classics, and inside it was hard to distinguish where baroque ended and modern began.

The ceiling was decorated with abstract paintings that resembled Cubist works - colored fragments were folded into strange shapes that began to tell their own story when the angle of view changed. It was a special club where art and business were intertwined. Everything here was reminiscent of Namjoon himself, his taste and preferences.

Jungkook entered and walked straight to the VIP room, feeling like every glance that fell on him was filled with a certain attention. Everyone was sitting in the room: Jimin, Taehyung, Hoseok, Jin, and Yoongi. Everyone in this circle knew their role and business, and each of them had a part of what the “Run Noir” clan lives for. But Namjoon, as always, was in the center stage.

Namjoon sitting down a wide leather chair, a glass of whiskey in his hand. A painting with an abstract expressionist pattern hung on the wall behind him. He looked up as Jungkook entered.

"Great, now we're all here. Come in, Jungkook-ah, have a seat." - He invited Jungkook with a smile on his lips.

"Good evening." - He greeted everyone present. Jungkook bowed his head and bowed in respect. He sat down in an empty seat next to Jimin, who smiled cautiously and pushed glass with alcohol to him closer. Jungkook just nodded, but he wasn't going to drink. He still had to drive.

Namjoon didn't delay and got right down to business. It was obvious that while they were waiting for Jungkook, they had already discussed some of their business.

"So, why did I bring you all here?" - Namjoon began. All eyes were on the clan leader and he was pleased with the attention. "I have always strived to be the best at whatever I do. And I was doing it well. Of course, I would not be where I am without you. But you all know me well, I never rest on my laurels and always strive to push the boundaries. The status of my clan today allows me to enter a new level of the international market. I want to sell Uranium." - Finally, he finish announcement. Namjoon meet silence and attentive stares. Everyone is silent, not wanting to speak their minds.

Jungkook cautiously glances around to see what everyone is thinking. Jimin and Hoseok are the ones who can't hide their surprise, and their faces show it very eloquently. Yoongi, the shadowy leader of the clan, looks bored as usual, he probably already knew his partner's plans. Jin and Taehyung are calm but tense.

"Uranium? But why do we need it? You do realize how much attention it can attract, right?" - Jin was the first to break the silence. Namjoon nodded, obviously expecting this question.

"I know. But this is exactly what can help us strengthen our position. I want to go far beyond Korea. Uranium is a good source of power and money. I want to use this moment to get rid of any competition with the “Black Pearl”" - Namjoon replies. He takes a sip of alcohol and feels it burning in his throat.

"How exactly do you want to work with Uranium?" - Jungkook asks. Everyone turns their attention to him. But Jungkook only looks at his leader.

"There are three classifications of uranium, but we will only work with two. We will sell depleted uranium through the military, which is used in armor-piercing shells,for example, for tanks, and may be of interest to arms smugglers, and we will sell energy-grade uranium for nuclear power plants." - Namjoon explains. Jungkook raises his eyebrows slightly as he considers Namjoon's words. Where did he get this opportunity? After all, working with the military and nuclear power plants is a very high level. Someone has to cover this case well? Or does he want to pull off this plan himself?

"And how will it all happen? How do we get around the government, or will they cooperate with us directly?" - Jimin asked. Namjoon looked carefully at Jimin, who had asked an important question, and clutched his glass in his hands, thinking about his answer for a while.

"No, the government will not cooperate with us." - He answered, and everyone realized that the plan could not be that simple. "I want Jungkook and Hobby to do the first work." - He looked at them in turn. "You will have to organize the transportation itself. But I already have a plan for how it should go. We need to make sure that the police and the Ministry of Defense don't even know about the deliveries. And believe me, it will not be easy. Once the authorities find out, they won't be able to leave us alone."

Jungkook pondered Namjoon's words, his gaze becoming even more intense. He and Hosok were going to take on this project, and that meant taking a huge risk. The task was not an easy one: no mistakes could be made.

"You mean we'll have to use front companies?" - Taehyung asked, looking at Namjoon.

"Yes." - Namjoon nodded. "We will set up several front companies through which we will work with the military and nuclear power plants. This will give us cover for our operations. It's also important that we involve people with the right connections, people who can solve any issues with customs or other agencies."

Yoongi, who had been sitting quietly, leaned back and spoke with an expression of extreme indifference, but his words sounded sharp.

"We'll need to have someone in place to coordinate everything. Someone we can trust to make sure there are no unexpected situations." - He said.

"I've already thought of that." - Namjoon chimed in. "I've already found the right people. But the thing is, it's going to be very confusing, and everyone has to work according to their own plan without knowing the details of what the other is doing."

Hoseok, who had been sitting quietly until now, looked up and spoke, a little nervously.

"We'll have to hide a lot, including the uranium shipments themselves. How are we going to transport it? I mean, are there any safe ways?" - He asked. But before Namjoon could answer, Jungkook gently raised his hand to indicate that he wanted to add his own opinion.

"It will be possible to use underground routes, logistics corridors that are not controlled by the authorities. But this also requires careful organization. And we need to take into account that the transport can be checked. Perhaps we should think about some more unique delivery methods?" - He suggested. Namjoon smiled when he heard Jungkook's ideas. He knew it would be difficult, but he trusted each of them.

"Yeah, it's all very complicated..." - He replied. "But you have experience. I trust all of you, and I know you can handle it. Now we have to act quickly. We cannot afford to be late. Uranium will give us great power, but if we make a mistake, it could lead to disaster."

Everyone understood that the clan's activities were reaching a new level, and if everything worked, they would have unprecedented influence. When all the details were discussed and everyone moved on to more casual conversations, Jungkook was about to leave. He stood up from the couch, drawing attention to himself.

"Can I go now? I still have things to do." - Jungkook asks Namjoon for permission. The latter nods his head kindly. But then he gets up from his chair and walks towards Jungkook.

"Let me walk you out." - He offers. Namjoon slips his arm around Jungkook's shoulder as walks over. The members realizes that Namjoon is having a personal conversation with the youngest.

They leave the VIP room and head to the parking lot. Namjoon walks in a relaxed manner, unlike Jungkook.

"You handled the medical device so well the recently, and proved to me your loyalty and that you know how to do your job well. That's why I want you to keep an eye on things when we start working with Uranium." - Namjoon says seriously, and stop. Jungkook stops next to him. "I promise I'll forgive half of the debt if you set up all the uranium delivery work. And then you will only have to work for me for two years. You know how much I want you to stay, but I also want it to be your initiative. I see great potential in you and you are the best at what you do. I need people like you. I really trust you, kid."

Jungkook was surprised to hear about the debt. Only two years and he would be free? It sounded almost unreal, like a chance he hadn't expected. He fell silent and was lost in thought for a few seconds.

"Two years..." - He repeated. "And you're really going to let me go?"

"Yes." - Namjoon answered decisively. In fact, he was hoping that this case would help to keep him in business for a long time. Namjoon watched Jungkook carefully, waiting for a reaction. He collected his thoughts and continued quietly without looking up.

"I appreciate your trust, Namjoon. And I'm very grateful that you see the potential in me. But I'm not looking for any big changes or a special place in the clan. I just want to be a performer. I don't want anything more than that." - Jungkook says. Namjoon raised his eyebrows a little, feeling that Jungkook wasn't quite expressing everything he really wanted to say. But Jungkook continued regardless. "So I agree to monitor the uranium supply process, but you must also keep your word. Two years and I am no longer your subordinate." - Jungkook added with some determination in his voice.

Namjoon nods his head, smiling. Time will tell where all of you will be in two years, and he really hoped it would be the pinnacle of success.

↰ Previous chapter ⋮ ≣ Index ↓ ⋮ Next chapter ↱

[tarareindeer]

₊✩‧₊Hidden Secrets₊✩‧₊

author's note : guys iam actually tired to add the colors on the story sorry :{

PART 3 : shadows comes to light...

<- previous chapter┊zombie apocalypse & omegaverse ┊

sevika {Alpha} x fem reader {omega} au!: Sevika a survivalist Alpha leading a treehouse community. You were just a wandering Omega with a secret, scraping by in the ruins of a dead world—until she caught you. One stolen backpack and a bottle of heat suppressants later, she made her intentions clear: you weren’t going anywhere. Survival wasn’t enough for her anymore; maybe you were the answer to something bigger.

cw : cursing,blunt behaviour,brainrot,

----------------------------------------------------------------

yall very creative asf :}

The next day, you found yourself knee-deep in chores, helping Vander rinse everyone’s crusty apocalypse fits by the pond. The icy water had your fingers feeling like popsicles, but honestly? The repetitive motion kinda hit like a lo-fi beat to study to. Vander, ever the MVP of manual labor, kept the convo rolling with talk about crop rotations and how he’s tryna turn the garden into the next big thing. You hummed along, scrubbing at a shirt like your life depended on it, which… lowkey, it kinda did in this zombie mess.

Once the clothes were hung out to dry (RIP to that one sock the wind stole), you slid into phase two: becoming a part-time farmer. Vander had you out there planting veggies and fruits like it was Stardew Valley IRL. Dirt under your nails? Check. Sunburned nose? Double check. But you couldn’t even be mad about it working alongside Vander was weirdly grounding, like you were actually contributing instead of just surviving.

Later, you caught Claggor and Mylo posted up nearby, cracking jokes and roasting each other like they didn’t have a care in the world. Powder and Ekko, though? Total radio silence. Wiping the sweat off your forehead, you spotted Vi doing her best Cool Action Hero routine by sharpening a blade near the tool shed.

“Yo, Vi,” you called out, brushing some dirt off your hands like it was a flex. “Seen Powder and Ekko?”

Vi glanced up, giving you that trademark ‘don’t involve me in this’ look. “Dunno,” she said with a shrug so casual it deserved its own reality show. “Last I saw, they were heading up to their rooms in the treehouse. Probably cooking up some chaotic masterpiece.”

Taking the hint, you grabbed the laundry basket full of fresh-dried clothes and started your delivery route like an unpaid mail carrier. Shirts, pants, socks the whole apocalypse drip found their rightful owners. When you hit Powder’s door, you gave it a polite knock. Nada. Not even a “go away.” Guess she was vibing elsewhere. So, onto Ekko’s room you went.

But as soon as your knuckles hit the wood, you froze. Faint noises leaked out soft, rhythmic, and unmistakably suspicious. A low groan, a stifled gasp… yeah, they weren’t exactly building IKEA furniture in there. OH. They were getting freaky on a sunny Monday morning. Your brain screeched to a halt, blue-screening harder than your grandma’s Wi-Fi. Before you could reboot, the realization hit like a semi-truck with zero brakes. Heat flooded your cheeks as you straight-up launched the basket onto the ground and moonwalked outta there like you’d just stumbled into a adult website. Nope. Absolutely not. Not today, Satan.

Shaking off the cringe, your brain immediately locked onto a bigger problem: your heat cycle, and the only one who knew you were an omega was Sevika. No way were you facing this without backup. Time to call in the cavalry.

Marching to Sevika’s room, you found her deep in her Einstein era, laying out some high-key complicated blueprints to none other than Silco. He had the whole “I’ve masterminded 50 ways to wreck your day before my morning coffee” ahh aura going on. Silco just stood there, cool as hell, while Sevika leaned over the table, her bionic arm catching the light as she pointed out details like she was teaching Advanced Scheming 101.

“Hey,” Sevika greeted, glancing up as you stepped inside. Her expression softened just a smidge, enough to make you feel like you weren’t intruding. “This is Silco, head honcho around here. Silco, meet our newbie.”

Silco’s eyes swept over you, calculating but not unfriendly. “A pleasure,” he said, his voice as smooth as a jazz saxophone.

“Likewise,” you managed, trying not to look like you’d just walked into a boss battle unarmed.

Sevika straightened up, arms crossed like she’d already won whatever argument they’d been having. “Oh, and by the way? She’s an omega.” She dropped the bomb like it was no big deal, leaving your stomach to do a whole gymnastics routine. Silco didn’t even blink, just nodded like he was filing the info away for later.

Clearing your throat, you focused on Sevika. “Uh, actually, I came to ask about heat suppressants,” you mumbled, your voice doing its best impression of a whisper.

Sevika’s brows furrowed in that ‘protective big sister’ way that lowkey made you feel safe. “You cutting it close?” she asked, already digging through a drawer like she had a whole pharmacy in there.sevika hands you a small bottle of pills and you took it.

You nodded, letting out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding. Silco watched the exchange in silence, his gaze lingering on you for a beat longer before he turned back to the blueprints. Apparently, the apocalypse came with its own version of office politics, and you were smack in the middle of it.

The blueprints Silco and Sevika are studying give off serious "post-apocalypse Pinterest goals" energy. The designs show the current treehouse and its surroundings, with detailed plans for fortified walls to keep out zombies and other threats. Silco, in his usual deadpan tone, explains the importance of building these walls to stabilize and secure the area. Another part of the blueprint outlines plans for Treehouse 2.0, which Sevika says is already underway. They’ve planted a genetically modified mega-tree seed designed to grow rapidly and support additional treehouse structures. Silco emphasizes how this expansion is essential for housing more survivors as they’re rescued. The whole setup feels like hope drawn on paper a real shot at creating a stable future in a chaotic world.

Later, you're on chicken coop duty with Vander near the edge of the treehouse field, hammering nails into planks and tying up loose wire to keep the future chickens safe. Vander’s mid-swing with his hammer when he pauses, his brow furrowing like he’s caught a whiff of something off. His survival-honed instincts basically scream, Yo, Omega alert. He doesn’t say a word, but you can feel his gaze linger, like he’s piecing together a puzzle he didn’t know he had. Meanwhile, you’re in full-on denial mode, hammering a nail like it owes you money, acting like absolutely nothing is happening.

After escaping laundry duty, you link up with Vi and Caitlyn for a snack run or, well, hunting, but snack run sounds cooler. The forest is all crunchy leaves and aesthetic vibes until chaos inevitably finds you. A fat turkey busts out of a bush like it’s in a horror movie, followed by a boar that’s built like a linebacker. Its beady little eyes lock onto you like you insulted its mom, and boom Caitlyn, being the absolute hitler she is, literally pushes you off a truck. it’s chasing you. You’re screaming, full-on track star mode, dodging trees like this is Mario Kart Caitlyn snorts and starts to laugh while watching you getting chase by the boar.

"Oh, hell no!" you yell, sprinting like your life depends on it because, uh, it does. She’s out here using you as live bait like it’s the Hunger Games. "Cait, you unhinged menace!" you yell, narrowly dodging a tusk that looks way too sharp for comfort.

Meanwhile, Vi’s in her own world, 100% unbothered. She’s in some abandoned barn, beefing with a squawking turkey that’s clearly seen better days. Smug as hell, she stuffs the bird into a cage Vander rigged up for chicken nuggets and future omelets. “Gotcha, you squawking idiot,” she mutters, slamming the cage shut like it’s her greatest achievement.

Back in the chaos, Caitlyn finally decides to help after milking the entertainment value, of course. She casually lines up her rifle and drops the boar with one clean shot. You stop running, panting like a dog in a heatwave, and glare daggers at her. "Really? You just had to use me as bait?" you huff, hands on your hips. Caitlyn just smirks like the chaotic evil she is, zero regrets in sight.

You’re mid-rant about Caitlyn’s betrayal when a tiny, pitiful whimper cuts. You turn to see a scrappy little pup curled up in the barn hay, staring at you with the saddest baby eyes. Boar drama? Forgotten. You kneel, doing your best "snow white" impression, and the little dude cautiously wags its tail as it shuffles over. It’s all ribs and fluff, but it’s wagging, so that’s a win.

“Looks like we’ve got a new recruit,” Vi says, grinning as she shoulders the cage with the turkey. Caitlyn rolls her eyes but can’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. You scoop up the pup, holding it close as it nuzzles into your chest, and for a moment, the world doesn’t feel so grim. Meanwhile, Vi’s rummaging through the house near the barn, and out of nowhere, she bursts out laughing like she’s found a treasure chest.

Later that day, after finishing up the never-ending list of chores, something gnaws at you the suppressants Sevika gave you. It’s been eating at your brain like a parasite. Why does she even have them? There are no other Omegas in this treehouse sanctuary, so why keep a stash? Stockpiling just in case an Omega drops out of the sky? Sounds sus.

With that question sitting heavy in your mind, you make your way back to your shared room. Sevika’s just stepping in, her usual brooding, resting-bitch-energy filling the space after whatever the hell she and Silco had been scheming. You waste no time, arms crossed like you’re about to interrogate a suspect. “Sevika, why do you even have suppressants? Ain’t no other Omegas here.”

Sevika pauses mid-step, She thinks for a long-ass moment, like she’s debating whether to tell you the truth or just grunt at you and move on. Finally, with a deep sigh, she leans against the desk, arms crossed, like she’s bracing herself for your reaction. "Because Silco’s an Omega."

You blink. Hard. “Huh?”

Sevika smirks at your dumbfounded expression but continues, “Before all this before the outbreak, before the treehouse became a sanctuary Silco was carrying me. In his belly.”

Your jaw? On the floor. Brain? blank. “Hold up. Silco. The guy with the permanent ‘I hate everything’ face? The guy who acts like he was forged in the fires of pure spite?”

Sevika snorts but nods. “Yeah. He doesn’t talk about it. Never mentions my other parent, either.” Her voice is even, but there’s something in her expression something closed off, something guarded, like she’s used to people prying but never really knowing the full picture.

Your head is spinning, but Sevika keeps going, nodding toward the walls like the history is painted right onto the wooden panels. "This place this tree it was his favorite spot as a kid. Vander, Benzo, and Felicia used to play here before the world went to shit. Now, it’s a haven. A second chance. A place where people can survive without being hunted."

You try to form a coherent thought, but all you can do is imagine Silco grumpy, scowling, warlord Silco waddling around with a baby bump. The mental image is so cursed your brain immediately rejects it. “Okay, but like... how? How did that even work?”

Sevika shrugs. “Dunno. Don’t care. Not asking him. You wanna dig into that trauma, be my guest.”

Your brain is still buffering, trying to load all this new information, but one thing stands out above all the lore dump you just received. “So, uh, why are you even telling me this?”

Sevika tilts her head, her gaze locking onto yours like she’s measuring your reaction. Then she shrugs, completely casual, like she didn’t just drop a nuclear bomb on your perception of reality. “Because I actually like you.”

Oh. Ooooooooooh.

Your heart does a whole-ass gymnastics routine, flipping and twisting like it’s trying to qualify for the Olympics. Your throat goes dry. You suddenly forget how to function. Sevika just watches you, a smug little glint in her eye like she knows exactly what she just did to you.

Game over. You’re done for.

You wandered into Vander’s hideout, a dimly lit room with the lingering scent of aged whiskey and wood polish. Even with the chaos of the zombie apocalypse outside, he still clung to his old hobby bartending. The soft clink of glass echoed as he mixed a drink, though it was more for the ritual than necessity. Alcohol wasn’t exactly a survival priority, but in a world where everything was falling apart, maybe a bit of nostalgia was worth it. Vander was nothing if not a creature of habit, and if slinging drinks kept him sane, who were you to judge?

Leaning against the makeshift bar, you watched as he poured a deep amber liquid into a chipped glass. He moved with ease, like he’d done this a thousand times before because he had. "Didn’t think you’d still be slinging drinks at the end of the world, old man."

Vander chuckled, shaking his head. "Old habits die hard, kid. Besides, people need something normal. Ain’t much left of the world, but a good drink and a bad story still do the trick."

You hummed, swirling a random glass of water in your hand, weighing your next words before finally going for it. "So... what’s Silco’s deal?"

Vander paused mid-pour, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "Knew you’d start wonderin’ eventually. Especially since you’re... well, you know."

You frowned. "What?"

He raised a brow, leaning onto the bar. "Omega."

Your face instantly warmed, and you nearly choked on your spit. "Excuse me?!"

Vander just laughed, deep and rough. "Relax, kid. Ain’t a bad thing. Just means iam pickin’ up on something familiar, even if you don’t realize it."

You crossed your arms, determined not to combust on the spot. "So? What about Silco?"

Vander exhaled sharply through his nose, his expression turning more serious. "Silco’s always been... different. Timid, back in the day. Shy around people. Didn’t have much of a backbone until life forced one on him. When he was in his twenties, he got caught in the wrong place, wrong time some bastards harassed him in the dark streets. He got out of it alive, but... well, that’s how Sevika happened. He carried her. Nine months of hell, scared outta his mind, but he did it. And then the world went to shit."

Your stomach twisted. "Oh."

"Yeah," Vander muttered, setting his drink down with a dull thud. "That ancient tree house out there? Only place he ever felt peace. So when the world turned to hell, he built the safe zone here. Me, Benzo, Felicia, Connol... We were the first. Worked ‘til our hands bled, but it was worth it."

You nodded slowly, sensing the shift in his voice. "And the others?"

Vander sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "Felicia and Connol went out hunting once. First time. Didn’t come back. We found their bodies later. Powder and Vi were just kids. Broke Silco in ways none of us could fix. But he kept going. Had to."

You looked down at the counter, tracing a long crack in the wood with your fingertip. "I’m sorry."

"Don’t be. It’s just how things are now." Vander’s voice was gruff but not unkind. He jerked his chin toward the next room. "As for Benzo... that fatass is around the corner, fixing up some mechanic junk."

You let out a small snort at his casual tone, but the weight of his words settled heavy on your shoulders. Silco had been through hell, and despite it all, he’d built a haven to keep people alive. He’d been a scared, pregnant Omega once, carrying a kid in a world that already wanted him dead. And yet, here he was, running the strongest safe zone you’d ever seen.

It was around late afternoon when you finally spotted Powder and Ekko strolling by, their usual vibe filling the air. You leaned against the doorframe, pretending to be chill even though your mind was buzzing.

“Yo, Powder, Ekko!” you called out, giving them a lazy wave.

Ekko gave you a side-eye, but Powder grinned like she just hit a jackpot. “What’s good?” she chirped, hands on her hips.

You shrugged, trying to seem casual. “So, quick question. Has Sevika, like, ever, I dunno, messed with people’s heads for fun? Not saying she’s some kind of mind reader, but you know… just screws around for the drama?”

Ekko's brows furrowed. Powder cocked her head, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Wait, you asking about Sevika?” Ekko raised an eyebrow. “You sure you wanna go down that road?”

You waved it off, but there was a hint of curiosity behind your eyes. “I mean, yeah. I even asked Vander about it before I bounced from his room.”

Powder laughed, clearly entertained. “Asked Vander? Oh, that’s cute. What’d he say? ‘Don’t worry about Sevika, she’s just a bit chaotic, no biggie?’”

“Nah, he just said she doesn’t really mess with people unless they deserve it. But I dunno, I’m wondering if she, like, confessed anything to me lately. It felt off, like she was playing some game or something. You think she could be, I don’t know, messing with my head?”

Ekko snorted. “Sevika? Oh, she’s definitely the type to play mind games, but she won’t hit you with any meaningful stuff. She’ll twist words, mess with you a little, but she never says anything that really sticks, you feel me?”

Powder shrugged. “Yeah, she’s all about the chaos. But don’t get too caught up in whatever she’s throwing your way. She likes to stir the pot, but never tells the truth unless she’s forced to. So, like, keep your guard up.”

“Got it,” you said, pushing off from the doorframe. “Just... thought maybe I was trippin’.”

Ekko gave a little chuckle. “Nah, you’re not trippin’, just don’t get played, alright?”

You nodded, the knot in your stomach tightening. Something felt off, but you weren’t sure if you were just overthinking it or if Sevika was really pulling strings from the shadows. Either way, you were gonna find out soon enough.

As you watched them walk off, the thought stuck in your mind: you definitely needed to keep your guard up around Sevika. She didn’t do things for no reason and she sure as hell didn’t care if you got hurt in the process.So she will just tickle your pussy for a while and move on?

---------------------------------------------------------------

{silco-omega} {benzo-beta}

[starpoweredv1b]

With finding out you do like JJK, I gift you this drabble with Nanami.

Nanami isn't a dad. He is still single, and his life is still all about punching that time card. That is until one day, when he is getting off, a colleague begs him for a favor.

"My daughter normally takes the train home, but with all those reports of chikan reports lately, do you think you could possibly take her home?"

She is lucky that Nanami is such a stand-up guy and agrees. Taking time out of his valuble off time, he drives to the nearby college to wait. Still in his suit and tie, he is leaned against the side of his expensive car, always the gentleman he plans to open the door. He gets appreciative looks from girls passing by, but he has no interest in any of them. 'To young' he thinks to himself, that is until he sees his little soon to be passanger. Bright eyes look around the parking lot on the phone with someone, stretching up on tiptoes to try to get a better vantage. Silly little girl, don't you know that isn't how seeing better at a distance works? When she finally catches sight of him, she hangs up the phone and makes her way over to him with a bright smile to match those bright eyes.

"Mr. Nanami?" she asks once she gets close enough to be heard, sweet voice filling his brain like cotton candy and she was just so tiny as she stood in front of him. She would be easy to pick up. Hell, he could do it with one arm if she didn't squirm. Maybe even if she did. "Yes. Your mother sent me to take you home." he says. His voice was full of authority, but still polite. He put his hand out for her bag, but instead, she placed her own small hand in his mistaking it for a handshake instead. Everything about her was tiny. No wonder her mother was worried and asked him to go get her daughter. He would never do anything to her against her will.

In the car, he was now trapped with her smell, too, trying to make idle conversation, but it was hard when she smelt exactly like a vanilla cupcake. It's not the cheap perfume type either. "I'm going to school to be a baker." she proudly tells him the smile on her face makes him want to ruin it with his cock down her throat, but he waits. Ever the gentleman that he is. He doesn't even get home before he is fisting his cock roughly to the scent of her still in his car and texting her mother that he would be more than happy to keep picking up her daughter and making sure she got home safe, free of charge of course.

Over the weeks, he slowly starts getting his little passenger used to his touch. A hand on her back as he guided her to the car. Pushing her hair out of her pretty face when she looks up at him. No, he didn't just trail his fingertips down her face. Everything is slow and methodical until she greets him with a hug after a bad day. Tests and her partner burnt the confections they were working on. She huffed and crossed her little arms as her adorably plump and glossed lips pouted. God did he want those lips around his thumb as he absolutely wrecked her. She wouldn't have to have bad days like this if she dropped out of college and moved in with him. She could make him cute little deserts and breads and he could stuff her tiny cunt full of his hot loads every day. It would be absolutely perfect.

She didn't notice his hand on her thigh. She didn't notice it slipped up and up until he was squeezing the fat of her thigh. She didn't say anything when they ended up at his apartment instead of her home, but she did say, "Please." when she ended up across his lap in his secluded parking spot, making a mess all over the front of his pants

Turns out, she was playing the game as much as he was.

-🐱

🐱 anon singlehandedly feeding this account i swear!!! thank you for the gift it made me (s)cream trust.

making reader into his little housewife slowly but surely, god it definitely drives him crazy just imagining her all rounded and glowing with their kid one day, wearing an apron as she bakes for him. thinking about it would literally lead to him going extra deep if he's fucking her. whispering how good she's doing for him as he spears her open to her cervix. circling her clit with callous experienced fingers as he thrusts deep.

he's also the type to give forehead kisses as he cums deep inside. he'll have his hands on the backs of her thighs, her feet on the broad of his shoulders, and cock head kissing the curve of her cervix as he holds her in a mating press. he'll kiss her forehead so sweetly as he bullies her loaded cunt oh my god i need this man so so bad.

also this inspired me to one day write about burnt out salaryman nanami as a chikan. thank you 🐱 anon i am in love with your asks.

[ladykailitha]

Spellbound Part 5

Hey guys!! Here we have the next part of this lovely fic. I've been steadily working on it, just not on WIP Wednesdays because... well... it's getting really spoiler-y and I don't want to ruin your fun.

In this we Chrissy acting suspicious and Steve deals with a couple of Fey. Yep. Fey.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

~

Steve decided that he was going to do his own errands this morning, as he had been using the kids after the attack on Bav to make sure she was going to be okay. But she nudged him out the door today with a basket full of his medicines.

His nosy curious nature brought him to the Munson’s door first, Wayne’s arthritis medicine in hand.

He knocked on the door and wasn’t surprised when Chrissy came out of it when it opened. He nodded. “Miss Cunningham.”

“Oh!” she cried, blushing bright red. “Hello, Steve! Wayne isn’t in right now, but I can take that for him.”

Steve stepped back, clutching the basket to his chest. “I’ve got other errands to run, I’ll just come back.”

She reached out for the basket and he took another step back. “It’s fine, Steve. I’ll make sure he gets them.”

Steve shook his head. He didn’t trust her. He tried scrying on her after Robin’s pronouncement that she was visiting Eddie and couldn’t. He wasn’t sure why, but he didn’t want to find out.

“I’ll come back,” he said, firmly. “Have a good a day!” He turned on his heel and hurried down the path, careful not to look back. His heart was going a mile a minute and his lungs tightened around his quickening breaths.

Behind him he heard Eddie’s voice call out, “Who was that?”

“No one,” was the unsettling response and then the sound of the door closing, echoed in his ears.

Steve hurried down the path. He didn’t know what her reasoning for lying was, but it sent a chill down his spine. There was something rotting in this town, but to be fair, that was why his mother sent him here in the first place. It was too closed off for a town of it’s side to be normal.

He quickly finished his errands, with the head of the watch’s house last. Jim Hopper was a good man who had left Hawkins to start a new life, but had come back after the death of his daughter and his wife subsequent descent into madness.

Wayne wasn’t the only one to use his arthritis medicine, Jim used it often too. Especially after a long day out in the rain.

Steve enjoyed visiting Jim for another reason.

“Steve!” a voice cried out and suddenly he had a armful.

Steve wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “Good afternoon, Elinor, is your dad home?”

The little girl looked up at him with a big grin. “Yes, he’s home. But so is Father and Mother...”

Ah. That would explain how gleeful she was.

Elinor Hopper was a changeling. She had been swapped with another child like they always were, but what they didn’t count on was the baby being dropped off at a way station and picked up by Jim Hopper. He, still grieving the loss of his own daughter, Sara, nursed the changeling back to health and properly took care of her.

And when the fae came to take back the stump they had used to swap create her, they found a happy, healthy child instead. A child they could not take back to the faerie lands without Hopper’s permission. One he refused to give.

Steve had managed to intervene in time before the sidhe got upset enough to raze the whole town. He got them all to agree to terms that Jim would raise Elinor as his own and she would return to the faerie lands when she was grown and could make her own decisions and they would pay for her upbringing.

After all, it was their fault she was created in the first place. It did make for some awkward moments over the years. Most when the fae got tired of paying for her upkeep and would show up to demand her back.

Honestly though, Steve thought it was the funniest thing because try as they might they could never get his name to bend him to their will. Because he would go by Jim or Hopper, never James. Steve didn’t think there was a single soul anywhere who knew it was for sure, James.

“I’ll go smooth things out again,” he promised kissing her forehead.

Steve walked into the house and there stood the most graceful, elegant beings you had ever seen. Both were tall and thin, but in an uncanny valley kind of way. Their hair was long and blond, coming to the middle of his back and her waist. Their eyes were a bright, unnatural blue and their clothing screamed wealth in ways no human could match.

“Lord Eanethreal, Lady Melisande,” he said bowing, “it is good to see you again.”

Both pairs of blue eyes and a third more natural pair of blue eyes turned to him. Steve looked unassuming most days, but not in that moment. Not then.

He stood up straight and his clothes that were a warm, olive green most of the time, had shifted from an earthy tone, to a glittering emerald green and on his head was a matching pointed hat that denoted his profession and rank. The change made the green in his own eyes stand out, making them more hazel than brown.

“Steven,” Lady Melisande said with a nod, though Lord Eanethreal just ignored him with a sniff. “We have come to take the child you call Elinor. She is missing vital teachings as she wastes away up here in the mortal realm.”

“That was not the bargain, my lady,” Steve said with a gentle smile, “as you well know. Would you really go back on our deal?”

That was when Lord Eanethreal took notice of him, spitting in anger. “It was a trick! A low down dirty trick and I refused to let it stand!”

Jim chuckled. “Don’t like it when it’s you on the receiving end, huh?” He shook his head in amusement.

“To break your word,” Steve warned, “once it freely given will bring a curse upon you for one hundred years. Is that really what you would like happen here today? Because you could take her, but there is no prison strong enough or deep enough to stop her from clawing her way back to Jim. So not only will you be cursed as the deal states, Elinor will have wrecked havoc on the faerie lands that will be felt for centuries and all because you doubt the love of this human man for that little girl.”

He pointed at Jim who glared at them, daring them to refute Steve’s statement.

Steve held Eanethreal’s gaze for a long moment before the fae lord broke contact first. He snarled something feral and dark, but suddenly pantry was full and the coffer overflowing. He turned on his heel and stormed out of the house, the smell of lightning crackling behind him in his wake.

Melisande shook her head. “My apologies, yet again. It is a sore spot for my husband to be bound to the mortal realm thusly.”

Steve bowed his head respectfully. “I understand, but the usual laws don’t apply here. He not the person you sought to punish by swapping out their baby for the changeling, and Elinor did not die as most do. So it created an unique situation that must have unusual rules.”

“There is wisdom in that,” she murmured. “I will try harder to convince him of such wisdom.” She nodded to Steve and swept out the door without so much as a backward glance to Jim.

Then Steve was back to his normal every day self. His head began to pound and he swayed on his feet.

Then everything thing went black.

~

When Steve woke up, he wasn’t surprised to see that he was laid out on Jim’s bed. No, what was surprising was that Eddie was there at the bedside looking concerned.

Steve blinked up at him in confusion. “Did I hit my head on the way down?”

Jim chuckled from behind Eddie. “No, kid. I caught you in time. Eddie was passing by when he saw our visitors and was curious as to the nature of our little get together.”

“That’s a whole story for someone other than me to tell,” Steve huffed, staying lying down. He knew his limits and he had blown past them. “Short version. I make the fae pay child support.”

Jim chuckled. “Steve just used too much of his power forcing the bastards to back down.”

“Why the hell would you need to use your powers to tell them to fuck off?” Eddie asked, frowning.

The room stopped spinning so he carefully sat up as Jim passed a plate of food over Eddie’s head. Steve took it with a grateful smile.

“Because they would only negotiate with those they deem equals,” Elinor said grimly. “If his power wasn’t half the level it should be, he wouldn't need to be using glamour to make himself look bigger to them.”

“Well, Miss Thing,” Steve teased, “unless you have a solution about unlocking my full potential that isn’t finding my soulmate, shush!”

Elinor giggled. “Nope, pretty sure that’s the only way.”

Eddie looked over his shoulder at her and then back at Steve. “I thought you didn’t hold to the notion that you were that ultra rare super witch or whatever you called it was.”

Steve sighed around a piece of bread and cheese, putting down the piece he had in his hand. “That’s what everyone thought were I grew up. That I just wasn’t as powerful as my mother because I’m a male witch, but...”

“Well that’s sexist,” Eddie huffed. “And I’m guessing that every soul powered super witch were lesbians?”

Steve burst out laughing. “Well no. A lot of male/female pairings in the centennial sorcerers as my Auntie Muriel liked to call them, a handful of lesbians, too. But the reason they didn’t–um... think it was me because there’s never been a male/male pairing in any record. Granted there hasn’t been that many because it’s once every hundred years...”

Eddie smiled. “Still out say the last ten or so, it’s never happened?”

Steve nodded. Not many people in the village knew that he was gay. In fact with the current mayor, it was a safe bet that no one outside his very intimate circle knew that fact.

“Still sexist, Steve,” he said softly. “You just said that about of a third of the most power witches were men if there were heterosexual powerful prestidigitators in the past. So your family just dismissed as being male without cause.”

Steve opened his mouth in shock. “Oh shit. I never thought of it that way. You’re right, that was pretty awful of them.”

Eddie smiled at him and then got to his feet. “Well, now that I know you didn’t kill yourself protecting the little miss, I’ll be on my way.”

“Since you’re here,” Steve said, pointing to the basket on the table, “you might as well take your uncle’s medicine with you. He was going to be my last stop.”

Eddie picked up the basket and one of the packets, frowning at them. He picked up the rest of the packets and tucked them into the safety of his inner pocket of vest.

“I’ll make sure he gets them,” he murmured. “Seriously though, you need to stop using up all your power to protect others, or you might just burn out before you meet your soulmate.”

Steve huffed a laugh. “I’ll probably never meet them here, this town isn’t very friendly for people like me.” He tilted the head to side. “The witch thing doesn’t help either.”

Eddie burst out laughing. “You really are something else, Harrington. Take care of yourself. you hear?”

“Will do,” Steve murmured softly. “Say hello to Wayne for me.”

Eddie nodded and then slipped out of the house. Both Jim and Elinor turned to Steve.

“He didn’t touch you or Dad,” Elinor said succinctly, tilting her head to the side. “But he rustled my hair, why?”

Jim huffed a breath through his nose. “Probably for the same reason Steve here doesn’t touch men. He knows his soulmate is a man and it would be pitchforks and torches if happened to be the wrong man.”

She nodded sagely. “I’m sorry you were forced to use your powers so soon after the incident with the Carver boy. I hope you find your soulmate quickly. I fear there is a storm coming that will alter this town forever.”

Then she smiled and skipped out of the house as if nothing had happened.

Jim and Steve looked at each other in concern.

“Well,” Jim said darkly, “that was fucking ominous.”

Steve could only agree.

~

Tag List: CLOSED

1- @itsall-taken @watermelonmite @zerokrox-blog @sadisticaltarts @dolphincliffs

2- @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @cryptid-system @kultiras @kimsnooks

3- @maya-custodios-dionach @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

4- @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @forgottenkanji @dreamercec @blondie1006

5- @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @genderless-spoon @fearieshadow @thesecondfate

6- @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @disrespectedgoatman

7- @counting-dollars-counting-stars @tinyplanet95 @ravenfrog @swimmingbirdrunningrock @lingeringmirth

8- @gutterflower77 @a-lovely-craziness @just-a-tiny-void @w1ll0wtr33 @beelze-the-bubkiss

9- @wheneverfeasible @micheledawn1975 @gloomysoup @dotdot-wierdlife @tartarusknight

10- @ollyxar @yesdangerpls @two-vampires-kissing @themoonagainstmers @estrellami-1

[bibiwrld]

up and coming— actor!drew starkey x actress! black fem oc!

Synopsis: Percie receives flowers and a heartfelt card from Harris Dickinson, posting it to her instagram, to which Drew didn’t seem to like very much.

percieterrie

liked by tayrussell, harrisdickinson,drewstarkey, and 21M others.

percieterrie Thank you Harry for such a beautiful surprise and sweet words☺️❤️@harrisdickinson

view comments

indiewhorrreee he totally saw the red carpet interview 🤭🤭

nana_banana3 @indiewhorrreee they’ve got to be dating

rafeobxxxx DREW! SAY SOMETHING!

harrisdickinson you’re welcome sweetheart ❤️

rafeobxxxx @harrisdickinson STAY AWAY FROM HER! GET A JOB!

Drew lay in bed, waking up about 5 minutes ago his phone in hand. A blink or two to adjust his vision, but still he was lost.

Harris sent Percie flowers?

What was he..trying to do?

Running a hand over his face with a guttural groan, he shook his head, trying to regain his composure.

He liked the post regardless, he couldn’t have people thinking it bothered him. After all, he likes all of Percie’s posts.

He continued his scroll, then he quickly regretted it, seeing news outlets posting about dating rumors between Harris and Percie.

Another swipe, separate pictures of them edited side by side and a huge font “HARRIS DICKINSON HAS THE HOTS FOR ‘PUPPET’ STAR, PERCIE TERRANCE”

Drew’s never rolled his eyes so hard in his life.

Another swipe, now he was sitting up in bed, eyes studying the post.

Harris and Percie were spotted together in LA, at a local restaurant.

He zoomed in on the picture as it seemed to be taken from a distance. Percie was smiling and waving at the paparazzi with Harris beside her, who was looking at her, looking at her the way Drew looks at her.

Drew knew that look all too well. Putting his phone down, he closed his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair.

“They’re just friends.” He says, trying to convince himself. “Like we’re just… friends.” Peeling his eyes back open slowly, he sighed.

Friends, cast mates, that’s all they were.

But deep down, Drew wanted more than that. The entire world watches him yearn for her, pine after her, look at her with the biggest puppy eyes ever. But fuck, he couldn’t bring himself to ruin their friendship.

He grew overwhelmed at his own thoughts. Falling back into bed, he wrapped himself in his sheets like a burrito, trying his best to think about something else.

She was just networking, right, that’s it. Networking. Putting herself out there and open herself up to more opportunities.

But those fucking flowers.

Drew was gonna give himself a headache at this rate.

[promiscuousg1rl]

Desperate Measures — Rafe Cameron 02

Series Masterlist

Warnings: mature language, [talks of ] violence, homicide, sexual language, mental illness

“Hello Y/N.” 

The robotic tone of the voice makes you brows furrowed. You pull the phone from your ear, looking down at the screen. The word “UNKNOWN” staring back at you. 

“I’m sorry, who’s this?”

“She was a cancer, you know that right?” 

You frown at the lack of answer. You usually don’t answer phone calls with no caller ID and now you were being reminded why. “What?”

“I had to cut her out. For you.” The voice continues. “She was trying to hurt you and I couldn’t let that happen.”

Shooting upright in your bed, you rush to flick the lamp on your bedside table on. The shaking thats taken over your fingers almost makes it impossible. 

“You’re…you’re the killer. You did that, you—” 

“Yes, for you.” It soothes. You don’t want to give it any type of labels. Mostly because you don’t see whoever it as human. The things that were done to Stella’s body couldn’t have been the work of a human being. 

Goosebumps start to appear on  your arms; you don’t know whether to blame the night air coming in from your window or the fact this…thing was telling you that you were the reason a murder was committed. 

You scoff. “For me? You killed my best friend—”

“Don’t!” The demand is bellowed and you can’t help but to flinch; it’s almost like you can’t feel the sharp breath against the skin of your ear. “Do not fucking call her that okay? She was not your best friend, she didn’t deserve to be called your best friend. She was slut who took advantage of you and your kindness. She basically fucking spit in your face.” 

“What are you talking about?” 

“That bitch was not your friend. She betrayed you in the worst way possible and had the nerve to laugh about it behind your back. And I couldn’t…I couldn’t just let her get away with it y/n." It rants on angrily. "I had to do it, show her that there are consequences to hurting you. That’s why I gutted her the way that I did. It was for you. It’s all for you, it’s always been for you!”

They were insane, It was insane. You and Stella were no where near the perfect pair, but taking advantage of you was something she was not capable of.  Not her. And it was obvious to you that this psycho was either playing mind games or truly thought they were doing you a favor by killing her. 

You shake your head as if it can see you. “I didn’t ask you do that, I didn’t ask you to kill my best friend I would never—.” 

Just like before, it barely allows you to get a word out. “Of course you wouldn’t baby, that’s just who you are.” It sighs. “Too nice and naive for your own good. It’s why I knew I had to take matters into my own hands. All for you.” 

“Once again I did not ask you to do that you fucking psycho! All that shit you’re spewing about Stella hurting me, what do you think killing my best friend did to me?” 

The too-big shirt your in falls off your shoulder as you stand up from your bed. Your arms wrap tight around yourself, your French-tip nails digging into the fabric of the tee. You couldn’t believe it. That this nut-job had convinced themself that killing Stella was some kind of crime of passion on your behalf. 

“I can not sleep because of you, I am having nightmares because of you. I can’t even leave my dorm because of you!” You shriek, tears fall down your warm cheeks as you start to pace across the floor. “You didn’t help me, you fucking ruined my life!”

You’re so deep into your rant that you don’t clock how loud and uneven the breathing on the other side of the phone has gotten. 

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Because I’m naive right? What, you want some type of thank you?” You snarl. 

“Yes!”  It barks back just as loud, making you flinch. “And I deserve one because if it wasn’t for me, that whore would still be fucking your boyfriend behind your back while everyone else laughed at you!”

“What?”

The laugh—the cackling that comes after is nothing but cruel. Your jaw goes slack and you hate it but your lip starts to quiver. As strange as it sounds, you didn’t feel pathetic like you do now. The tears that were shed earlier were of anger and rage aimed at this thing and what they were doing to you. But now, as it laughs in what you can imagine is the same manner “everyone” was said to be laughing at you in. 

But…why? Why are so quick to contemplate the true motive behind Stella’s murder, but even quicker to believe that she was sleeping with Jesse of all people. 

She’d never do that to you. Jesse would never do that to you. Right?

“You—you’re lying.” You sniffle, wiping a quick trembling hand under your nostrils. “She wouldn’t do that, Jesse wouldn’t—” 

“Lola you’re not stupid.” It censures. “You’re a smart girl. Read between the goddamn lines and face the truth. They were screwing each other behind your back for months.”

“N—no.”

“No?” It seethes. “Do you wanna know who Stella thought I was before I slit her throat? Do you wanna know who she thought she was begging to chase her when I cornered her that night? Your prick of a boyfriend.” 

Your breathing has gotten just as heavy, it’s sick how in sync you are with It. 

“As a matter of fact, before I got to her, she was on her way to be dicked down by him. How crazy is that right?” 

“I—” 

“So yes, Lola. I expect a fucking thank you for making sure that slut didn’t get one last screw in with your boyfriend before she died. I got that bitch out of your life, I made sure she didn’t get away with betraying you! Me! So before you shed anymore tears over that “friend” of yours, watch this.” 

The dial sound is quickly followed by the ding! of your phone. 

Slowly pulling the phone from your ear, you find that a video was sent from a blocked number. 

You take a shaky seat on your plush comforter before hesitantly clicking on the white arrow representing the play button. And within seconds familiar moans fill your bedroom.

Your heart drops. 

It’s her and him. Not a piece of clothing on either of their bodies as they go at it in what looks to be the football team’s weight room. The same arms that were wrapped around you the other day, are clutched tightly around her sweaty body. The same hand that held yours when she wanted calm your nerves as you entered your first college party during freshman year, is in his hair while the other is right over his heart. 

The tightness in your chest becomes almost unbearable and you find yourself trying to physically rub it out as if it’s a possible remedy. 

author’s note: i know this is very very short, but that’s intentional!

if you want to be added to the taglist pls let me know!

taglist: @zya8tracks @rafecameronsfavourite @sereneera @akisesgf @ababycake

[in-a-bucket]

[Refulgence Post Mortem] OH HOW YOU HAVE WOUNDED ME IM NEVER GONNA RECOVER FROM THIS

seriously though, i'm just so devastated for ken, he sounds so drained. i am very happy that he was willing to open up to hama about kamimura, ken's been isolating himself but at least he's trying, he must have asked for hama's help with cleaning kamimura's room so i'm proud of him for trying. speaking of that, him saying he was so proud of kamimura making long term plans and have hopes and dreams for the future shattered my heart into a million pieces.

him saying "she ruined everything..." in regards to okazaki killing kamimura gave me some shivers, i don't blame him for hating her tho i would too.

but man, him wondering what the point is and how everything feels grey, it's just so dsaolk;sofkjofspjofsepjiopfjs to me. i think that even with him feeling and thinking like this, him allowing hama to help him clean out kamimura's room and tell him about kami tells me that there is still some small part of him that hasn't given up, and i'm holding on to that for dear life. just earlier that day when he was cleaning up the crime scene he refused ojima's help, but this time he let hama help out, that's a good sign i think.

there's been a lot of discussion on the server recently about ken dying this chapter as a victim or killer, cause he's making himself an easy target by isolating himself or he has no other connections besides kamimura so now he has nothing to lose and while i can't say those ideas don't come from anywhere, i really hope that's not what happens. i feel like it'd be way more interesting if gains the motivation to make new connections and try to make it out a live, so he can keep kamimura's memory alive and see his family again and find his own place in the world. that's something that's come up a lot with ken's character, that he isn't really sure what his future is gonna look like and he isn't sure what he wants to do with his life, and now with going on feeling more pointless than ever for him, i think it would be so cool to watch him develop and step outside his comfort zone and security to try and figure out what he wants for himself.

idk, i just really relate to ken in a lot of ways and find his character so interesting. i feel like there's still so much more to explore with him that i wish other tetro fans saw. idk this isn't a super coherent analysis or anything, but i feel like i can see an interesting path for ken's character to go that doesn't end with him dying this chapter or have it revolve around helping kamimura almost entirely, one of these day's i'm gonna write and actual good hasegawa ken analysis haha

[atsadi-shenanigans]

FSBE 10 - I Won't Say It

The rogue has a sudden, horrifying realization.

On AO3.

Eleanor’s blood surges into Astarion’s mouth. It’s been days of nothing. A few remaining swills in old bottles, taken from vermin in the Underdark and grown tacky and coagulated. Days of uncertainty, the cold vice twisting in his guts, and the utter ruin and darkness around them. She would learn magic. She wouldn’t need him anymore. Would cast him aside.

But now she’s the first ray of sunshine after a terrible night. Pure, golden light burning away the haze of doubt, of fear, of everything that isn’t her warmth and her life. Even the acrid aftertaste of some worry in her can’t diminish the glory of her hot blood coating his tongue, his throat, his gullet.

She keens above him, grinds hard against his hand and rides her pleasure there. He tastes it. The height of her passion. The sweet, sweet ecstasy of her climax and he moans against her. Is barely aware of tugging his hand out of her trousers so he can clutch her, capture her to him.

The pleasure roils through them both. From her body and her blood into him. Their gasps indistinguishable. By the gods, he’s tasted her after, but during?

His cock aches, fully hard. Only marginally aware of how he ruts up against her. Both of them still clothed, but she’s so glorious, tastes so good. Her orgasm echoes back into him and he has to have more. Needs more. Grinds faster, faster against her, chasing after her even though his form is terrible, it’s hardly the practiced picture of eroticism and he must impress, must always maintain—

Her hand brushes his ear. It’s an accident, he thinks. He hasn’t told her about that. She’s simply got her fingers buried in his hair (finally), modesty abandoned as he laps at her neck. But her thumb brushes right up the side and it’s an erogenous area, certainly, but hardly enough to—

His belly pulls tight. Bollocks throb. Oh gods, he’s going to, can’t stop it, breaks off but it’s too late—

He spills right into his undergarments.

One moment of bliss. Hot pleasure snapping through him and the relief that follows.

And then the reality of the situation crashes down.

Eleanor straddles his lap. Her neck and shoulder smeared in blood. Iron and decadent life in his mouth, sticky over his lips and chin. She pants and shudders in his grasp, and he has both his hands on her plush hips.

The wet patch in his trousers.

Oh dear gods.

He barely restrains himself from shoving her off. Barely. Pulls back and she’s bright red. His own cheeks are…warm. He can’t remember the last time he flushed. Never had enough blood—just pieces of cockroach shell stuck between his molars. But now? Fed? Spilling into his trousers like an overeager, untrained boy?

“I,” he tries. “Ah.”

Untouched. Still clothed. Not even in service to a mark. He just…came.

Can’t afford that. Has never been an issue. A mistake. He’s made a terrible mistake and he cannot afford that. Not here. Not with her.

He doesn’t want to look at her. He usually prefers to do this from behind, so he doesn’t have to see their face, so they don’t kiss him more than he has to. Especially when they’re sweet. When they want to give back.

And now he’s made an utter fool of himself. She’ll know enough to work that out. She’ll be laughing at him. Which means all of camp will be laughing at him. The experienced lover, the seducer, the rake. With come in his trousers.

But he does. Look at her. Thoughts spinning, trying to come up with some excuse.

She…is not laughing. Still blushing. But almost, almost happy?

“You okay?” she says instead of hitting him or spitting mockery. He bites back a fake laugh. Instinctively smooths his face into something he hopes is pleasant. Chagrined, perhaps. “Terribly sorry, pet. I was, ah, overwhelmed, it seems.”

She does not sneer. She does not grab him by the throat and crack his head against the bed frame. She does not (cannot) summon Godey to teach him better manners.

She simply…smiles. Such a soft thing. Nearly bashful. Brushes one of his curls out of his eyes.

But he’s still sitting beneath her with come in his smallclothes. It’s going to become more disgusting the longer he sits there (the thought of her commanding him outside to show everyone what a pathetic mistake he is).

She does move, then, and he can’t help but tense. But she only leans in, and her soft lips brush over his forehead. She stays like that a moment, and he stares at the front of her throat. Then it’s her turn to pull away.

“Was that, um, okay? Me kissing you?”

It’s the type of thing lovers might do. Genuine. Tender.

He’s going to be sick.

“Of course, darling. But you should take a potion.” Because she’s still bleeding. “Because you’re still bleeding.”

Perfect. Something for her to focus on that isn’t him tucking his tail and getting out of there.

“Right.” She slides off and reaches for her pack.

He does not bolt (a near thing). Merely waits for her to find a potion and uncork it. And then gracefully (not at all grimacing) rolls to his feet.

“I’ll leave you to it, then,” he says. Gods. Even his ears feel warm. He’s being pitiful.

She nods. Glances once to his groin and then away.

His insides are cold again. Despite all the hot blood he’s lapped up. It’s from her. The way she looks at him. Her…her softness at him.

He heads for the tent flap.

“Astarion?” she says. Quiet. Hesitant. When he turns, “If you want, you could always stay the night? After, uh. Or not! Whichever.”

His face feels made of stone, but he forces a smile anyway. “Of course, darling.”

She relaxes. Looks so small and young and innocent. Hopeful. Because he’s her first. Because she doesn’t know better. Because she thinks this is real.

“Do excuse me, however,” he says. Finally claws his way outside.

The rest of camp sleeps. Or lies awake on their bedrolls facing away. No one is around to witness his shame as he darts for his own tent.

He doesn’t need to drink water, but he does require it to wash up. He has a skin in there for that very purpose. He all but dives into his tent, and then nearly shreds his trousers getting them off.

Stupid. Stupid. Pathetic little boy.

And her. A besotted…cow. To be so soft with him. Like he’s a thing wounded. A thing frightened. Like she could see his shame. How dare she. He’s using her, by the gods. And she’s too stupid to realize it. Their illustrious leader, their tactical alien. Too foolish to know better than to let a vampire into her neck, into her trousers. To think he desires her. To think this could be anything but what it actually is: a meal and a brief fuck.

She’s the pathetic one. Being used. And trying to be, ugh, kind to him. She deserves this. Deserves to be humiliated. Used up and cast aside once he no longer has use for her. That’s her role, even if she’s too naive to know it.

He scrubs himself. Scrubs his clothing.

That she did this to him. He can’t stand it. He imagines the way this will end. They’ll slaughter this Absolute cult and remove the tadpoles. Somehow, they’ll have killed that bastard and he won’t need any of them anymore.

And then she’ll turn to him. Proud of herself. Thinking they’ve won. That he’ll sweep her off her feet and carry her into some sunset (that doesn’t burn him to ash). He will be her one, true love, happily for the ages like some cheap storybook.

But he’ll smile at her, on that day. And tell her everything.

Of course they didn’t have something more. That’s not who he is. This isn’t how the world works. And she’ll understand that all of this, all of it, was a lie. Her purpose will be served, and he’ll have no more obligation to her. He’ll be free.

And she…

Her face. Her dark eyes and the way they light up when she finds him. She keeps herself so carefully blank. Holds herself in so tightly, he’s not sure any of the others have heard her genuine laugh. Have seen that sparkle in her eye. Heard her voice lift as she talks about some catastrophe or horrific plague.

She keeps herself to herself. He’s seen enough of her memories (and has sorted them out enough by now) to understand why. It’s very sensible. She’s done it as long as she can remember because it kept her safe. Until now. Until she, like an utter fool, invited in a vampire.

She let her guard down for him. Let him see past that mask she wears. Because she trusts him.

He imagines the future in which he explains, in detail, his victorious plan, and he imagines the way the light in her eyes would die. The way that terrible stillness would lock over her features. Because she, too, knows that showing pain is a weakness.

And it would be his doing.

His chest is tight. He instinctively inhales. Or tries to. It comes out a strangled wheeze and he curls in over himself. It…hurts.

Why? Why should he hurt? That’s the way the world is. He knows it. He thought her sensible enough to know it.

He manages a weak gasp. The pain only worsens. What the hells is wrong with him. Why should imaging her pain cause him to…

The thought flits along the edge of his mind. A falling star against the cold, uncaring sky. Everything around him seems to still.

No. No, that’s not…it can’t be. Ridiculous. Impossible. Not even he is that stupid.

But the thought doesn’t go away. It branches out, roots finding all the little cracks in his mind. The weeks of wondering, the way his dead heart wants to flutter when her gaze seeks him out and finds him across the camp and she gives that tiny, shy smile. The way her skin smells. The way she finally allowed herself to touch him tonight, and she doesn’t touch anyone but the owlbear cub. The life in her blood and the way it calls to him. Just for him.

No. Absolutely not.

The taste of her mouth. The warmth of her tent and her touch. The way she watches him when he talks, doesn’t even look away in boredom, never rolls her eyes (unless he makes a bad joke). The way she asks him things. And then listens to him.

The gentleness of her lips on his forehead even after he failed her and made a spectacle of himself.

He…wants.

“No,” he hisses.

But it’s too late. The thought has wound itself deep into him. Slithered into all the broken corners of his mind and it will not be dislodged.

“No.” The word comes out a sickly whine. Which turns into a choked laugh. A wretched giggle.

Astarion claws his fingers into his own hair. Folds over his knees. Sinks to the ground. Oh gods.

Oh gods.

[alittlegiraffe]

Title: Stand By Me (Part 3)

You knew it was coming.

Your mother wasn’t the type to let things go. The silence—the control she was losing over you—was like a lit fuse, and you knew it was only a matter of time before it blew.

Marshall knew it, too.

He never said it outright, but he stayed a little closer, held you a little longer, kept his phone on him more than usual, like he was waiting for the moment she finally snapped.

And when she did?

It was worse than you ever could have imagined.

---

It happened on a Sunday.

You had just started to feel okay again—just started to believe that maybe, just maybe, you could move forward without the weight of your mother’s words dragging you down.

Then your phone rang.

You stared at the screen, dread settling heavy in your gut.

Mom calling.

You almost let it go to voicemail. But something told you that if you didn’t pick up, she wouldn’t stop. That she’d just keep calling, keep finding ways to push herself back into your life.

So you answered.

And from the second you said hello, it was a mistake.

“Oh, so you do still know how to pick up the phone,” she snapped. No greeting. No warmth.

You swallowed. “Mom—”

“No, don’t start,” she cut you off. “I have sat here for weeks wondering what the hell I did to deserve this. You ignoring me? Treating me like I’m some kind of villain?”

Your grip on the phone tightened. “Mom, I’m not—”

“Shut up!” she screamed, her voice cracking through the line.

You flinched.

Marshall, who had been in the kitchen, immediately looked up, his expression hardening.

“I gave you everything!” your mother raged. “And this is how you repay me? By cutting me off? By choosing him over your own family?”

Your heart pounded. “This isn’t about Marshall—”

“Bullshit! He did this to you! He poisoned you against me!”

Marshall was watching now, his entire body tense, his fists clenched. He couldn’t hear her words, but he didn’t need to. He could see the way they were hitting you like knives, the way you were curling in on yourself.

And that was enough.

Before you could stop him, he was next to you, pressing the speaker button.

“If you got somethin’ to say about me,” he said, his voice calm but deadly, “say it to my face.”

There was a beat of silence.

Then—

“You piece of shit,” your mother spat. “You ruined her. You took her from me.”

Marshall scoffed. “Nah, lady. You did that all on your own.”

Her breath hitched. “How dare you—”

“I dare ’cause someone had to tell you the truth,” he cut her off. “You don’t get to treat her like garbage and still expect her to come runnin’ back. You don’t get to guilt her into keepin’ you in her life.”

You swallowed hard, gripping Marshall’s hand like it was the only thing keeping you grounded.

“You know what your problem is?” Marshall continued. “You thought you could break her down so much that she’d never leave. But guess what? She did. And she ain’t comin’ back.”

The line was so quiet you almost thought she had hung up.

Then, in a low, venomous voice, she hissed, “She will. When you get tired of her. When you finally throw her away like you do with everyone else.”

Marshall’s jaw clenched, his entire body going rigid. You could feel the anger radiating off of him, the way his breathing deepened.

But before he could say anything, you spoke.

“No,” you said softly, but firmly. “He won’t.”

Your mother let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, honey, wake up. He’s Eminem. He’s not built to love anyone. He’s just playing house with you until he gets bored.”

You felt Marshall flinch beside you.

And maybe, once, you would have believed her. Maybe, once, her words would have sent you spiraling, had you questioning everything.

But not anymore.

Not after everything he had done to prove otherwise.

“He loves me,” you said simply. “And he treats me better than you ever have.”

Your mother sucked in a breath, like you had physically struck her.

And for the first time, you felt free.

She could rage, she could insult you, she could twist the knife all she wanted—but she couldn’t control you anymore.

You had made your choice.

And it wasn’t her.

“Don’t call me again,” you said, voice steady. Then, without waiting for a response, you ended the call.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Marshall was still staring at the phone, like he half-expected it to ring again.

You let out a shaky breath, pressing the heels of your hands against your eyes. “Jesus Christ.”

“You okay?” His voice was rough, edged with anger he hadn’t been able to unleash.

You exhaled, dropping your hands. “Yeah.” And then, quieter, “I think I really am.”

He studied you for a long moment, like he was making sure you weren’t just saying that. Then, finally, he sighed and pulled you into his arms, holding you so tight it knocked the breath out of you.

“I got you,” he murmured. “Always.”

And you believed him.

For the first time, you really, truly believed him.

[thehollowwriter]

RAAAH THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS AHSJDJD. I did actually make a post a while back discussing how mysgony and favouritism towards men is especially blatant when it comes to parents. Mr and Mrs Rosehearts, Amity's parents (thank you for that btw I'm tired of Mr Blight being so babied), and even Vi and Silco from Arcane (Vi is not a mom and she and Silco aren't together obviously, but Vi is parentified and demonised as an abusive monster while Silco is regarded as the "best father in animated history")

Mrs Rosehearts is terrible of course, but it's very telling when fans take it and run and suddenly not only is she controlling, now she's homophobic and transphobic and racist even though there is 0 indication of that. Even I fell into this trap in the past, and looking back on it it's nothing but mysgony.

If Mr and Mrs Rosehearts were to trade places, it's very likely that, even though the fandom would still hate him, he would be given mountains of backstory and characterisation that would make him more sympathetic and human. In reality he, like you said, is either ignored or automatically assumed to be a victim too even though his silence and lack of action is also abuse (And, at least in my experience, that makes him almost worse than Mrs Rosehearts)

We barely know anything about Azul's bio dad, and though some people imagine him to be abusive, there's a lot of grace given to his character. If we were to make him Azul's bio mom instead, well, there would be a lot of character bashing and hatred and probably "I think Azul's bio mom is the reason he hates himself actually!" type of shit

Like op says, that it's fairly common to find some creators writing/drawing/etc mainly Mrs Rosehearts getting what she "deserves" by depicting her being hit by car, attacked, mutilated, murdered, having her life ruined, etc. This isn't necessarily bad on it's own, but it's the intense pleasure people get from it feels less like "justice" and more of a reminder of how much people subconsciously love watching female characters suffer even if it's for the most minor of things. It's uncomfortable. It's scary.

I know for a fact if she was a man it would just be "Oh silly Mister Rosehearts you need to go to therapy so you can stop traumatising your son lol" maybe "You need to be bonked on the head/beat up a bit and sent to therapy" at worst. (I'm an avid Rollo defender but even though people are fairly terrible to him, he still gets the "poor guy needs therapy" treatment and is not treated with anywhere near as much vitriol as Mrs Rosehearts)

Lilia, as much as I love him, isn't the best most perfect father in the whole wide world. He loves children deeply of course but he is also unintentionally neglectful and sometimes blind to their struggles (*gestures to book 7*) This is however simply brushed over and ignored (in fact it's treated more like "just silly fae family things") and it's a shame because it really does feel like something that's important to acknowledge.

There's also the problem of side characters who appear in events or in important story moments. Skully? Neige? Baul? Knight of Dawn? Tons of fanart, fanfic, theories, analysis, etc. So much appreciation for their designs, how they're written/their story overall, and so on, even if their appearances are brief. (*cough there's also the fact that Baul's wife gets tossed aside to ship him with Lilia and I've read too many fics where he's just cheating on her and it's just "Eh I didn't love her that much anyway" like come on :/)

But then we get to Najma (though she's a poc girl so she's ignored most of the time)... and Meleanor... and Dilla... hell, even Epel's grandmother, and it's "mommy" and art of them in skimpy clothes that barely hide anything (and in Najma's case from some art I've seen... incredibly racist "hot bellydancer" art) and "Milf! Milf! Milf!" "Ohhh her booobs..." which sure the other side characters got too... but the difference is that isn't *all* they got. People literally fell in love with a MOB STUDENT (Scarabia Student B iirc) and gave him all kinds of lore and characterisation, but these ladies barely get anything.

Yes there is some analysis mainly with Meleanor (but c'mon she's the most popular male twst characters' mom so :/) but there still isn't... much. Nobody cares unless it's turned into something hot and alluring. Nobody has much to say apart from lustful comments about their bodies.

Anyways yeah that's my rant for the day ansnsnsnddndnfn

It really is quite noticeable that when the male characters in TWST (even the one-off ones) do somethings fucked up that there's at least 10 people writing essays on how their pookie is So Much More Complex than that vs a woman being even mentioned negatively by a male character and therefore we get treated to people drawing her "getting what she deserves" and calling her a bitch.

[katyspersonal]

Er fandom is soo funny sometimes like in x theyre crying how shipping Rellana/Rennala with Messmer/Radagon is misogyny to reduce strong female characters to be nothing but love interest to male characters which is something i agree with but then they turn and reduce Rellana/Rennala to be Marikas lovers so its not misogyny now😭😭😭😭 rules for thee but not for me

Dude, Marika x Rennala situation is real and deadly, but as for your second example there is only ONE person who is notorious for giving Rellana no personality or acknowledgement beyond being braindead Marika's simp while also trashing on Rellana x Messmer over "misogyny and lesbophobia". No, spamming "misogyny" accusations in Elden Ring fandom like they're in a DPS check situation in general. And with all due respect to them pumping out fanart like assembly line, they and a group of their passionate fans is not "Er fandom". They are just a very loud group and apparently they've angered SO many people that ever since they and their friend who pretended to just "join Tumblr to support favorite artist" (assuming it wasn't just their alter) trashed @val-of-the-north and then got obliterated with facts by me I kept getting DMs after DMs of different people "thanking" me for speaking against their toxic behavior and sharing their own negative experiences with them. 🤦‍♂️

Like, the girls are really unhappy with them. They should reconsider how they behave in the fandom, especially with this much popularity. And if they already have I would not know, I no longer look in their general direction because after how Val was treated seeing any post from them puts a pit in my stomach. I am notorious for taking extremely long time to recover from grudges, especially if they aren't just personal but on behalf of friends or community. :p

And now, back to the subject:

"which is something I agree with"

? Not sure what you wanted to say with this by the way. I assume you wanted to say you agree with the frustration of reduction of female characters rather than disliking the concept of these ships

Or course both ships are absolutely alright! Rellana believes that Fire and Moon should be together as they always have as stated in the description of her blades in Japanese (something localisation team distorted into near-opposite direction)! You know, like they always have since the times of Fire Giants and Astrologers, a bond also treasured in Caria Manor with keeping Sword of Night and Flame! If anything, he is her love interest as he was worth abandoning the birth right as a princess in her eyes! Though one might argue it is ideological and Rellana is idealising, but standing for her beliefs despite the consequences is strong! Messmer has a TON lot to work through with Rellana, seeing a person that loves his curse, when this very thing ruined his life and has been scaring his own mother, and you can see in what good outcomes it can bring both!

Radagon and Rennala, on the other hand, are literally canon. Fromsoft were the ones who """reduced Rennala to just a simp""" by making her go insane from heartbreak, yet even then, she had a backstory as a Moonlight Witch who took over the Academy, and had tender bond with both Rellana and Ranni. Something was whack here, but nothing says Radagon didn't even try to love her or had life with her worthy of shippy fluff. He is just heavily compromised as a person because he is literally a sentient law of nature (he is Golden Order), that depends on how Marika shaped it. Of course he would reforge her wedding gift into a golden sword, it is literally what Golden Order DOES with cultures and the world! This guy was NOT kicking and resisting when he got called to marry Marika instead, but even then who can tell he didn't feel bitter that he had to hurt everyone by his very being and duties? Marika proclaimed to "study the depths of the Golden Order" as transition ( 🥁 ) into a new, more civilized and informed era! You'd think keeping Radagon close 24/7 would prevent him from visiting his divorce family more often? This stuff and this pair is still in the source material, and it isn't anyone's business to claim superior interpretation across the fandom unless female character is literally just a plot decide which Rennala doesn't magically become only because we find her at her lowest point (so... like we find most of the "legendary" characters in every Soulsborne game already....).

___________________

This was just me musing about the ships, but yes, again: literally nothing is wrong with these ships! It is when fans do reduce Rennala and Rellana to just simps what's frustrating, but shallow takes on female characters is problem of fandoms and interacting with media in general, and can't be blamed on concrete ships!

I have deep loathing for fans who complain about this issue yet themselves write female characters in a very shallow way but NOW it's okay because it's yuri and not MxF! Vocal Mariadeline fans did that in Bloodborne, vocal shippers of Rellana or Rennala with Marika do that in Elden Ring... 🤦‍♂️ They claim to be super feminist, yet are sending opposite message by having high quality requirements for MxF ships while celebrating cottagecore mediocrity and shallow portrayals for yuri ships. So, the elite yuri ships are already good by definition and don't need depth, thought and drama, unlike them peasant MxF ships that MUST be well-written and respect characters involved? Is this what they're saying? You either despise ANY reduction (?) of female character or accept any of them, no double standards. Especially when double standards depend on gender of the characters involved??? WTF???

[reverieblondie]

Cal x Lae'zel

Meeting in Baldur's Gate

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

A/N: Back to pushing my crack ship on everyone! I had such a fun time writing this final part! Though this is not the end of Cal and Lae'zel anytime I can put them together I will! Also I hope you enjoy the hints to Tav and Rolan! Thank you @dark-and-kawaii for the screenshots of course! I hope you enjoy!

The city that was once his shining beacon of hope is in udder flames and ruin. But Cal's trying not to be distracted by all that; he's sprinting to one place. The dock.

That brain thing Lae'zel was on is now in the harbor... She's okay, she has to be okay… Please let her be…

Cal sprints all the way down the boardwalk, looking out at the sinking thing. 

"Lae'zel!" he screams her name, starting to undo his leather armor so he can jump out to find her... Then, a calm voice says his name.

Cal whips around and sees Tav; his heart Sinks. "Where.... is she okay?"

Tav grimaces before she turns around, leading Cal's eyes to where Lae'zel stands on the shore watching. The red dragon disappears into the sky, and Cal leaves his spot to get closer, but he doesn't say her name or touch her. It's almost like he doesn't want to jinx anything.

Sensing his presence, Lae'zel turns to face Cal. She's still damp, and he desperately wants to wrap her in his arms. Laezel looks him over, her eyes shining like gold in this light. He feels his heartbeat rushing. This... nightmare is over... and she stayed…

"I guess... I made a decision…" She says, her eyes not leaving his. 

"I guess you did..." he repeats as he looks her over, trying to memorize this moment…

 Cal gives Lave'zel a smile, and he thinks she blushes with one of her own before suddenly going neutral again. Cal feels a tap on his shoulder, and when he turns around, he sees Tav, the day's hero. looking shy?

Tav shifts a bit on her feet, looking at her fidgeting fingers, "Um... is Rolan okay?"

Lae'zel rolls her eyes, and Cal smiles, "We can check on him if you like. He will be thrilled to see that you're okay."

Rolan was, in fact, thrilled to see Tav, then promptly yelled at her for being a crazy idiot.

He can't help himself; even after all this time, he still finds himself staring at her. Though the offer was made for her and Tav to stay in the tower, they decided to remain in Tav's old residence. Lucky for him, though, they seem to come by the shop every week. It's been an adjustment for her, but she's been doing well from what he has seen.

However, she is still getting used to things like people trying to sell her things as they walk through the city. That man just got done rebuilding his stall.

She's just so strong... It's enchanting…

Cal sighs, leaning against the nearest shelf of tomes.

Lia looks at him confused before seeing who he's fawning over, then gives him a playful swat. "You're still swooning, haven't you confessed already?" 

Cal fakes pain as he holds his shoulder, "It's complicated... and Rolan hasn't confessed to Tav yet!" 

Lia and Cal look over at Rolan, who is staring daggers at Tav from across the shop, his tail waving erratically; Lia gives Cal a look, "He's a lost cause for advice, but you, you like her, and she hasn't harmed you and actually talks to you so I'm guessing she likes you." 

Cal smiles at that thought, "I want to... trust me, I have put myself out there for her, but... I want her to say it first... to know her own thoughts before I put mine on her... I just want to be in her life any way I can."

"Wow, you really love her." Lia looks at him, surprised, 

Cal goes back to staring at Lae'zel, "Yeah... I really do…"

"His stare fills my insides with a storm. His scent makes my teeth ache, and I often think of his sharp nails tracing and marking my skin." Lae'zel looks over at Tav, "And he always makes my heart race so much I feel my blood rise to my face. Should I beat him down for what he stirs in me?"

Tav stifles her laugh, "I don't know if you desire or despise him."

 "Exactly my problem…" Lae'zel slightly laments. 

Tav looks over at Rolan and sighs when she meets his gaze; he quickly averts it and acts like he is working, "They often say the line between love and hate is a thin one.'

Lae'zel’s eyes widen before she sneaks a look at Cal; when their eyes meet, he waves, and she feels her face get red again, "Is that true? Interesting…”

It's a calm day at the shop. Rolan is organizing tomes while Cal simply mans the counter, trying not to look incredibly bored. Then, a sudden flash of silver rips the doors open. Cal immediately lights up as soon as he sees Lae'zel but is confused as to why she is in her armor. Before he can ask, he's suddenly being grabbed by his collar and dragged away.

He's not exactly sure how he ended up here or why, but Lae'zel has thrown him a sword. "Dance with me" was all she said before she attacked. He tried to tell her he didn't want to fight her, but he wanted to show her that he's strong and worthy.

 The Sound of clashing metal mingles with their shared breaths, and sweat pours from them both as they strike blow after blow, neither one backing down nor pulling their strike. Cal uses all of what he was taught, and as Lae'zel watches him move, she slowly gets overwhelmed by him. By his movements, by his sounds, his scent, by his power. Cal has consumed her thoughts... and now he's about to win... but before he can drive his spear into her chest, he stops, his face filled with concern.

"Why pull back!" She spits at him.

 He shakes his head, "I won't hurt you. I want to understand you. Why are we fighting?"

She holds her sword higher, ready for more, "Because we must."

Cal shakes his head and throws his spear down, "I will spare, but I will not harm the ones I love."

Her eyes widen, that familiar storm... that rushes inside her veins... She yells before she lungs forward; Cal winces but no contact... Looking up, he sees her standing before him with her head down. Lae'zel stares at his chest. She reaches forward and places her hand on his chest, feeling his beating heart... "I can't... I don't want to hurt you, Cal. I am... obsessed with you and how you make me stir. I want to protect you... for you to protect me…"

Cal puts his hand over hers; she looks up at his sweating face and sees him smiling. He draws her closer, placing his forehead to hers, "Lae'zel... you are so precious to me... You have shown me how strong I can be, and I want to use it to protect you, to be with you, and to learn from you."

Laezel takes in a deep breath, "What is this"

"I'm hoping, love." 

Cal moves his hands to gently caress her jaw; he lets his eyes roam over her for a moment before he leans into her full lips.

Lae'zel didn't know kisses could be so soft and kind…

"Lae'zel, can I finally ask you on a date?" Cal smiles down at her as he brushes away her sweat.

"What's a date?" Lae'zel asks, confused.

"Just follow my lead, and meet me tomorrow at the shop."

Lae'zel narrows her eyes, unsure, but then she agrees… anything for her beautiful Cal… 

At first, walking with someone while holding their hand seems inconvenient, but as she holds Cal's hand in hers, she finds she doesn't mind.

So this is a date. They are holding hands and talking while they walk around. Lae'zel is questioning why she couldn't wear her armor for this, but Tav forbids it as she throws her wardrobe at her to wear 'Something nice or Cute.' Lae'zel decides that because of her lack of experience on these dates, she will wear what Tav suggests, as long as it shows her neck. Cal likes her neck.

"So, where do we go on our date?" Lae'zel asks irritatedly as if they have been walking forever. But Cal just smiles and holds her hand tighter.

"You take your date to a place they would like." Cal pauses in front of a shop with a wide grin. Lae'zel looks at the shop suspiciously. She sees two Tieflings, smiling wide at them, and her frown deepens at them. Then they hold up a tray of muffins, and Lae'zel gasps before looking up at a very proud-looking Cal.

"Want one? I asked Bex and Danis to make some fresh for us."

"I will have more than just one..." (Lae'zel ate 5 blueberry muffins while on her date)

As they walk through the city, taking in its transitions from day to night, Lae'zel feels her guard lower the longer she walks hand in hand with Cal.

"Leave our city, you ugly hell spawn!"

Lae'zel's head whips to where a stumbling man yells. She looks at Cal, whose eyes show the slightest bit of hurt...

No… nobody slanders her, Cal…

"Excuse me a moment..." Lae'zel says surprisingly calmly. Cal watches as Lae'zel goes to the man and immediately starts beating him down. 

"Lae'zel, don't!" Cal rushes over, peeling Lae'zel off and throwing her over his shoulder while she yells out that Cals is hers and must be respected.

Rolan jerks awake. Bloody nightmares... again... nothing some water shouldn't fix for him to get some peaceful rest. But when he looks over at his nightstand, he is out of water, so it looks like he will have to make a trip to the kitchen. 

Tired, he makes his way to the kitchen and pauses at the sight of Lae'zel, Cal's girlfriend, wearing his shirt with water and food in her arms. He sighs. He could have gone his whole life without this image.

Lae'zel regards him unfazed, "Wizard."

"Lae'zel... What are you doing awake?"

"I never slept; Cal is tired and needs replenishing."

Rolan's jaw drops, "What?"

Lae'zel looks at him confused, "Perhaps if you are unaware as to why maybe you should ask Tav. I'm sure she would tell you or may show you with quite the enthusiasm." 

Lae'zel laughs to herself as she leaves Rolan in the kitchen, pacing from her comment.

Lae'zel returns to Cal's room with a smirk on her face. Cal gives her a look, "You seem proud of yourself?" 

She tosses him some food and places his water down, "I am proud." 

She takes off his shirt and crawls into his bed, letting her skin be warmed by his textured body, "Now show me this cuddling you speak of…"

[brionysea]

I'm trying really hard not to just be The Complainer because that's an energy I don't want to bring here when I love (present tense; I rewatch it like 5 times a day) arcane season 1 so much but does anyone remember when powder was taken in by silco and being raised by this very utilitarian merciless 'the ends justify the means' type character made jinx turn out violent and merciless as well. and vi was horrified by her and the lanes were terrified of her and piltover was falling over itself trying to scapegoat her as the one bad apple of the undercity to kid themselves into believing that everyone else was perfectly fine with being treated as less than. and that contrasts vi after vander etc. died because she was raised by him and internalised the idea that no one wins in war and fighting back against systemic oppression isn't worth the damage it causes to your own community which is why she ended up working with cait and the council like vander worked with grayson. the people who raised them shaped them into who they are today but then in season 2 jinx has a daughter and she's suddenly completely normal and well adjusted and her attachment style isn't digging her nails in until she draws blood at all. like What. what happened. didn't things used to mean something

[honorhearted]

"I do not fault you for giving your heart away, but to condemn us both to a life of unhappiness after doing so was a terrible choice."

"It does not have to be unhappy," Benjamin persisted. "Perhaps you haven't yet realized this about me, madam, but I never concede to defeat -- I never surrender -- so if you pose this as a challenge to me, then I will find a way to vanquish it."

Edwina blinked up at him rapidly, her eyes round and wide like the moon. "Just what are you inferring?"

What, indeed? This was by all accounts foolish, asinine, and yet Benjamin couldn't allow his selfishness to ruin both of their lives. Even if it took him the rest of his life, he was determined to love his own wife -- even if it meant deceiving his heart in order to achieve the goal.

"Do you truly not know?" Benjamin asked, his voice hushed with disbelief. "Did your mother never...?" Trailing off, he cleared his throat and looked away, unwilling to ask if she was actually taught about the ways of the marriage bed. Flexing his hands, he leaned toward her and whispered, "I think it's quite clear what I am saying -- no inference necessary."

Edwina gaped at him, visibly shocked. She drew a hand over her chest and drew a breath, her mouth opening and closing before she stammered, "Is...is that what you want? As an obedient wife, I will do what you ask of me...but..."

"I do not wish for obedience, but a willingness of heart," Benjamin interjected. "If that is what you want, then I will aim towards it...because you're right: you are my wife, and as such, we should share a bed."

Edwina shook her head. "Don't you think it would be better to kiss me when you truly wish to, rather than merely attempting to forget the woman you love?"

His cheeks darkened with color and he swallowed, absently rubbing his fingers together. "I'm the one who suggested it, am I not?" Benjamin countered. "It was my idea, so..." Wincing, he smoothed a hand over his lapels, inwardly struggling with just how to properly express the tangle of his subconscious. Finally, he asserted, "I want to want you, and I want to love you. And whether or not we wish to acknowledge it, physical intimacy is a strong part of mutual ardor. Will you not let me try?"

Though the music and carousal drowned most of their heated argument out, there were a few onlookers standing nearer to them that had begun to turn their heads in nosey curiosity. It hardly mattered though. Edwina knew they already gossiped about her and her marriage to the esteemed Major. None of their judgmental jeering could hurt her as much as Benjamin's rejection had.

Furling and unfurling her fists, she huffed through a tired sigh and shook her head.

"I do not fault you for giving your heart away, but to condemn us both to a life of unhappiness after doing so was a terrible choice."

Why? she thought, entirely befuddled. Why had he decided to follow through with his brother's proposal despite having a woman he clearly loved more than life? How could he betray himself, and his lady love, in such a way? Only a masochist could be capable of such self inflicted misery.

Certain words of his only furthered her confusion:

to touch.

Did he mean he'd felt stirrings for her, regrettably or otherwise? How was that possible, if he still had feelings for another woman?

Fortunately, now that their disagreement had quieted, most eavesdroppers had grown bored and turned their attentions elsewhere.

Something shifted in his demeanor, his stance softening as though utterly defeated, "I wish to have children someday. And unless you were taught differently, I think you must realize that that requires us to...w-well...I need to work my way past feeling villainous for harboring any desire for you. But it won't be overnight."

Desire?

"Just what are you inferring?" she asked in alarm, her eyes wide as a young lamb. Edwina already knew the answer, but she was finding it increasingly difficult to believe him capable of feeling attraction towards her when he'd already given his heart away.

Were all men truly such salacious scoundrels?

"Perhaps after the party, we could try...?" Benjamin whispered, cheeks flushed pink, "I-I mean...maybe we should attempt a kiss. Because surely, that would be the best way to start?"

Edwina was rendered more confused than ever, gawking up at him, mouth agape and hand raised to her chest in shock. She could practically hear her sister scolding her now.

Close youth mouth, Edwina. You're not a codfish.

"Is...is that what you want?" she asked quietly, unable to fathom it. Suddenly, she felt rather self conscious, opting to stare down at the hem of her skirts rather than look him in the eye.

"As an obedient wife, I will do what you ask of me...but..."

Her heart twinged in her chest, perhaps more than she thought it could. It wasn't as though she could express having feelings for Benjamin when he'd treated her so poorly and avoided her more often than not. But even so, he was her husband, and therefore, her world. How could she not hope to win over his affections?

"Don't you think it would be better to kiss me when you truly wish to, rather than merely attempting to forget the woman you love?"

Her question was not asked in malice, but genuine wonder. She didn't want to be used as a way to drown his lament.

She wanted to be loved.

[phosphophylight-of-my-life]

oshi no ko aqua is such a fun character bc by most counts he's a more than decent guy.

in his first life he regularly visited hospital inpatients who had no visitors. he was genuinely happy and excited to help Ai deliver her babies, because he wants her to be happy on her own terms. he saves Akane simply because he can, and gets angry at the staff on her behalf. he doesn't stop at saving her life and spends sleepless nights turning around her public image. at that point there was nothing in it for him to keep akane around, she was just a person he was able to help and wanted to help.

by most counts he's a pretty decent guy who steps up when people need him most, except. except he's also a guy who really wants to kill his dad and that makes him manipulate people somewhat often and this is somehow not entirely at odds with his instinct to help others