#she pulled angles out of her ass for the stupidest shit

[whereisthedamndaddymanual]

The front view doesn't give justice to those philly upper thighs.

Like a blonde palomino 😏

[metalbuckaroo]

Tattoo

Summary: After losing a bet, Bucky gives you a tattoo of his choice (part of the SP backstory one-shots but can be read on its own)

Warnings: Smut, car sex, tobacco use, mention of alcohol consumption, light praise kink and hair pulling, cursing, tattoo needle (if thatd be considered a warning)

AU: Beefy Biker Bucky x Fem Reader

AN: again; no clue what this is, felt the need to write something but brain wasn't working. Requests are always open, reblogs and feedback appreciated!

SWEET PEA MASTERLIST

You were stood outside Steve's small, semi-secluded tattoo shop with Bucky while he smoked his cigarette, the dark parking lot barely lit up with a single pole light.

Sam was inside getting his tattoo finished before the four of you started drinking for your birthday. "Bet you he cries like a baby again." You told Bucky as he took a drag from his cigarette.

His lips curled into a smirk, exhaling the smoke through his nose. "What're you wanting to bet on it?"

"If he doesn't make it through the whole thing you have to get a nipple piercing." You said, giving him a wide smile and stuffing your hands in the pockets of your leather jacket.

He flicked his cigarette to the concrete and stepped closer to you, his hands going to your hips. "And if he does, you have to let me give you a tattoo, of my choice."

You liked your chances with this one, Sam had ended up with a half finished tattoo last week because he backed out.

"Deal, now come on, its cold." You laced his fingers with yours and tried to walk backwards, Bucky pulling you back to him. "Gotta couple ways we could fix that." He teased, making you roll your eyes at him.

"Not right now, Buck." You laughed, pulling him by his metal thumb with you to the backdoor of the shop.

Bucky walked to where Steve was switching needles on his tattoo gun and leaned to talk to him, Steve chuckling lowly and shaking his head. "You two are ridiculous."

"What? Tell me you didn't have sex in my car." Sam said craning his head to look at you and Bucky.

A smug look crept on Bucky's face as he sat on the couch on the other side of the counter and pulled you into his lap. "Just don't flake out on your tattoo." He shrugged, wrapping an arm around your waist.

Steve was nearly done with Sam's tattoo and you were getting nervous, he still hadn't backed out of it, meaning you would lose the bet.

The sound of the tattoo gun stopped and Steve stood, pulling the latex gloves off. "Well, looks like Buck won." He chuckled.

You exhaled and looked at Bucky who was smirking at you, heavy hand resting on your thigh. "Knew I'd win. C'mon."

You put your hand on his chest to stop him from moving you. "Wait, wait-" He shook his head at you and gave a cheeky smile, showing his sparkling white teeth. "You lost the bet, sweet pea. Rules are rules."

You raised your eyebrows as he urged you to stand, his hands on your shoulders to guide you towards the tattoo chair that Steve was cleaning off. "You're playing by the rules now? Well, in that case-"

He cut you off with a kiss to your cheek, leaning to talk in your ear. "I make the rules, baby. You know that." His low voice sent a tingle down your back as he nudged you to sit.

Once everything was set up, Bucky had discarded his leather jacket on the counter, sitting in the stool as he put a pair of latex gloves on.

When Steve and Sam were out of view he lifted the front of your dress. "Hold this." He smirked, lifting the waistband of your underwear to uncover the spot between the top of your thigh and hipbone.

Pulling the fabric up, you let out a shaky breath, nerves getting the best of you from the thought of how many stupid things he could etch onto your skin.

"Don't do anything ridiculous." You told him, not getting an answer as he started.

It wasn't near as bad as you had expected and didn't take as long either, Bucky's focused face softening into a lazy smile when the tattoo gun went silent. "Perfect."

You lifted your head to glance down at the two words in his handwriting. Sweet Pea.

"That is so cheesy, Buck." You laughed as he placed the protective cream and plastic over it before giving your thigh a squeeze. "Suits you."

The bell on the door dinged before your friend Anya's voice sounded in the half lit shop.

"Out of all the places to have a tattoo shop, Steve picks the stupidest one. How does he even make money?" She huffed, sitting the case of beer down on the counter.

She looked at you as you stood from the chair and cocked an eyebrow. "Well, birthday girl. Already making stupid decisions."

_____

You hadn't even made it through one beer and Bucky was being relentless with teasing touches. A hand brushed against your ass, brief kisses to your neck, and filthy whispers in your ear, earning a reminder of Steve's rule.

No sex in his shop.

He had said something to Anya that made her roll his eyes at him and dig in her pocket for her keys, a devilish smirk on his face as he walked to you.

Pulling you by your waist with him out of Steve office, he pressed a supple kiss to your lips. "Time for your birthday gift, pretty girl."

Two orgasms in and he wasn't letting up, his lips covering yours to keep your moans and whimpers muffled, middle and ring finger knuckle deep between your folds as you pumped his dick at the pace he thrusted his fingers.

He pressed his thumb to your clit and your movement stopped, tilting your head back and gritting your teeth together to try to keep quiet as the third orgasm seared it way through you.

The air in the car was thick, windows fogged to the point you couldn't see through them and Bucky's broad body took up a lot of the room as his body bent over yours.

"Open your eyes, sugar. Not done yet." He hummed, placing wet kisses along what was exposed of your chest. "You can take one more. Can't you, sweet pea?"

You nodded and gripped onto the back of his hair, letting out a strained moan as he slipped into you, his hips snapping forward with a low groan.

The suspension of the car squeaked with the force of his thrusts, hushed moans and whimpers filling the air.

Your head was swimming with the filthy praises that spilled front Bucky's lips, his dark hair shielding his face, metal hand gripping your outer thigh and other hand holding his weight off of you beside your head.

"Holy shit, J.B." You mewl, bucking your hips to meet his pace.

He looked at you through hooded eyes, lip bit between your teeth as you clawed his hip and tugged at the back of his hair, thin layer of sweat adding a shine to your skin. "Look so good under me, sugar."

"So close," you whimpered, grip on his hair tightening slightly to elicit a guttural moan from his throat.

Bucky angled his hips to thrust into your g-spot, a breathy cry passing through your lips. "C'mon, Sugar. Be a good girl and make a mess on my cock, wanna feel you clench around me."

Tears burned your eyes as heat coursed through you again, goosebumps prickling your skin with a cry of his name that was muffled by his tongue slipping into your open mouth.

He spilled into you, moaning into your mouth with the slowing thrusts.

His forehead leaned against your, stomachs brushing with each labored breath. "Fuck, sweet pea. You've ruined anyone else for me."

[babiedeku]

six | m. atsumu

taglist | @kaisemieita​ @kaidasen​

words: 1,098 (my first 1k fic!)

summary: the five times atsumu didn’t realize he was in love with you, and the one time he finally got it through his thick skull.

six ;

“atsumu-san,” you called out to him once practice was done. “i heard kita-san saying that you weren’t feeling well, so i snuck out earlier to get you these!”

handing him a paper bag, you gave him a smile before running off to class. “get well soon, i don’t think i can hold off those fan girls of yours without you around.”

curious, atsumu peeked into the bag to see a note that said ‘get well soon, golden boy!’ along with medicine, packed lunch, and a bottle of vitamin c juice.

“maybe i should get sick more if it means she babies like this,” he smirked to himself as he tucked the little note into his wallet for safekeeping, heart warm with your sweet gesture.

five  ;

“you gotta stop being a little shit,” you huffed as you dabbed disinfectant on atsumu’s forehead. “it’s normal to have off days, you know.” 

he hissed a little when you pressed on his wound a little too hard. “every single set was fuckin’ perfect and y’know it, that bastard’s just shit at what he does.”

you just hummed, gently angling atsumu’s head to check if you’ve missed any scratches. “i know, i saw it. but that’s still no excuse to say the things you did.”

atsumu was about to say something, but when his eyes flickered to you, the words just died down his throat. you were mere inches away from his face, atsumu could feel your soft breath against his skin as your eyes took him in. 

when did you get this close?

the setting sun bathed you in its golden rays, making it seem that you were glowing, making you all pretty like an angel. your brows were knit as you inspected his face, and for some reason he wanted to kiss you on the forehead to make you relax. 

surprised with his own thoughts, atsumu felt his cheeks heat up. 

since when did he start thinking that way?

four ;

“you’re burnin’ holes at the back of her head”

atsumu scoffed, gaze still trained on you. “shut up, dipshit. just wanted to see who the shmuck she’s talkin’ to.”

“maybe it’s her classmate? quit starin’ and just finish strechin’, i wanna go home already.” osamu grumbled before switching to stretch his right leg.

watching you laugh at something the guy said made him angry and his chest tighten for some reason. 

he should be the one making you laugh like that. he wants to be the reason why your pretty smile is always on your lips or maybe he just wants to be the reason why you’re glowing and happy.

you always did say that he never fails to make you happy (even if it’s through the stupidest things)

there was a foreign feeling that was bubbling within atsumu, he wasn’t sure what it was but he hates how you’re making him feel.

three ;

he found you in the supply closet, curled up in the farthest corner, sobbing quietly.

“hey,” atsumu softly spoke, sitting down beside you. “stop cryin’, it’s too early in the mornin’.”

you were quick to wipe away your tears and give him a smile. “miya-san, good morning! everything’s set up already, i’ll be there in awhile.”

he looked at you, one eyebrow quirked up. “c’mon, (y/n), i ain’t stupid. besides, they’ll survive without us for a few minutes.”

your shoulders drooped, your eyes tearing up once more as you told him how a group of girls had talked shit about you for being the team’s manager. while talking, atsumu had let you seek refuge in his arms as a way to comfort you.

as much as it felt good to have you in his arms, he hated seeing you so hurt and sad about the horrible shit girls would often say to you and about you. it was then that he made up his mind to give those girls a piece of his mind once morning practice was done.

he’d do absolutely anything just to make sure he never sees you crying again.

two ;

“you don’t have to go out of your way to walk with me to school.”

atsumu sends you a smile and just shrugs. “i wanna, besides, you’re way better company than ‘samu.”

the laugh that you let out was music to his ears, making him happy that he can make you laugh like this everyday. “i’m telling him you said that, he’d kick your sorry ass.”

getting up 40 minutes early isn’t so bad if it means that atsumu gets to start off his mornings with you.

one ;

‘defeat’ was still a foreign word for atsumu, having always been riding the highs of victory for as long as he can remember.

so their loss against karasuno today was a blow to his ego, but also somewhat of an eye opener for him as well.

after the team tearfully thanked the audience, you ran up to atsumu. despite your tear streaked cheeks and puffy eyes, you still gave him a smile. “you did great, hotshot!”

you were sniffling and wiping your tears away as you spoke to him, but he couldn’t hear a single word you were uttering. 

atsumu was too focused on how you still managed to look too goddamn pretty even with tears running down your cheeks or despite the fact that you were crying, you were still there smiling because you were happy that they got this far - he liked that about you, how your heart knows no bounds when it comes to caring. 

and your eyes, they were shining so bright every time you spoke to him, and only him, and even now they were still looking at him with such admiration it made his heart skip a beat.

the setter’s mind was filled with nothing but you, casting the disappointment from their loss aside and making him feel lighter.

atsumu loves how you make him feel.

he loves you.

“m-miya-san, are you even listening?”

snapping out of his thoughts, atsumu leaned towards you and gave you a soft and languid kiss on the lips. 

this elicited whoops and cheers from the team, but none of them mattered to him right now.

pulling back, he admired how you looked adorable all flushed and flustered because of him. “you free later? we still got a few hours to kill before leavin’ for hyogo.”

“is this your way of asking me out on a date, miya-san?” you asked, smiling bashfully.

“yeah, it is.” atsumu said softly, also unable to help the smile forming on his lips. “and call me atsumu, angel.”

[britishboystm]

Look How Beautiful- Matt BBTL (18+)

Gif from @mattsredjacket​

Warnings: Smut(18+), unprotected, m on f (f receiving), fluff

A/N: I’ve been gone so long! Anyways hopefully this isn’t awful. I am a tad rusty

>>>

Matt had made you come with him to this party his band had organized. Unlike Matt you were much more reserved and quiet. Parties had never been your thing but since you had met the love of your life at one, you’ve decided to give them a chance. And of course he wanted you to be there and you couldn’t say no to him.

In a corner, away from the chaos, you sat sipping on your non alcoholic cranberry and soda, watching Matt play cards with a couple friends. He looked so happy that you couldn’t help but notice your heart swelling with pure admiration. His laugh boomed through the living room and his gorgeous smile caused your face to flush red like the ripest tomato.

Seeing him like this was why you sacrificed evenings of calm. His happiness radiated when he could socialize with his friends and dance to music. Almost showing as much happiness as when you two went to each other’s houses and laid in bed for hours, laughing at the stupidest shit.

His eyes scan for a moment, most likely looking for you. Once his gaze lands on yours, his smile grows and he throws you a sweet wink before bringing his eyes back to the game in front of him.

Out of the corner of your eye you notice a tall figure walking towards his group. A girl you have never seen before. She plants herself on the couch beside Matt confidently and you can’t help but have your blood boil. He doesn’t notice her but once she leans further into him, pretending to be interested in the hand he was dealt he looks up.

Your stomach begins to hurt as you nervously watch what was unfolding in front of you.

Once they went in for an embrace as though they were old chums, all of the alarms went off in your head. Unable to watch this girl continue to flirt with your boyfriend, you stand up and walk out of the area to find your friends in the backyard. 

“Y/N!” Your friend Y/F/N calls out from the other side of the pool. She looks a little tipsy but at this point you don’t care. You just need any kind of companionship at this point. You quickly walk over, a look of worry and stress evident on your face.

“What’s wrong Y/N?” Y/F/N’s face drops after seeing you look so upset.

“Nothing I’m just not feeling well.”

“Do you need Matt or I to drive you home?” She asks, her tone full of concern.

“No it’s fine, needed some fresh air is all.” You don’t t feel like telling her the whole story. Her eyes then move past your shoulder and a frown appears on her face.

“What?” You ask.

“Nothing.” Her look shifts quickly.

You follow her previous gaze behind you and see Matt and the girl leaning against the house beside the back door. They laugh and laugh and she makes sure to throw in a couple hair flips and a arms graze in the mix.

She is beautiful. Tall and thin and dressed for the runway. You feel out of place and immediately become self conscious about yourself. Of course he would talk to her over hanging out with you, why wouldn’t he?

“Y/N?” Y/F/N pulls you out of your thoughts.

“Mm?” You reply, a tad preoccupied in the brain.

“Is that why you came out here?” You bite your lip and look down at your shoes in shame. You shouldn’t react so strongly to your boyfriend simply talking to another girl, but you just couldn’t help it.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m sure they are just friends.” You say, trying to hide the hurt in your voice.

“Yeah I’m sure.” She says softly giving your shoulder a reassuring rub.

“Could I take you up on that ride?” You ask, unable to hang around the party any longer.

“Yeah sure, don’t you want to say bye to Matt? Let him know you’re leaving?”

“I’ll call him later, I’d rather just go.”

“Okay.” She stops pushing and follows you through the back gate to avoid Matt and the mystery girl.

—-

Once Y/F/N drops you off, you take a shower and get into bed, hoping to forget the day's events. It was hard to do so however with your front door being knocked on.

At first you chose to ignore it, but then quickly remember that your parents were out of town. Begrudgingly you get out of bed and go downstairs to open the door.

“Sorry we don’t need any of you’re-“ you are about to finish your sentence when you finally look up to see a concerned Matt standing on the other side of the door.

“What are you doing here?” You ask genuinely confused.

“Well I thought we were going to yours after the party to spend the night together but I guess you had other plans.” He seems hurt.

“Oh, I forgot.” You reply. You did actually forget. The anger you felt at the party had sent you into a tizzy, unable to recall the plans the two of you had made.

“Would you like me to go home or?” He asks.

“No come on in.” You reply, deciding not hold a grudge against him and enjoy the rest of your evening. Maybe you will bring up the party incident later.

—-

“Want to watch a movie?” he asks, sifting through your vhs’s. You find yourself distracted by his shirtless back as he looks through your collection but also the thoughts you've had for the past few hours.

“Do you think I’m pretty?” You ask out of the blue. He quickly turns around and drops the vhs back on the shelf.

“Why would you ask me that?” He says before walking over to you and scooping you up in his arms for a hug.

“That girl at the party.” He pulls away and looks into your eyes.

“Oh so that’s what this is about.” Everything was starting to make sense to him.

“That’s why you’ve been all quiet and distant.” You look down at your twiddling thumbs.

“Don’t hide your face love.” He says softly, using his index finger to bring your chin up.

“Let me see those stunning eyes of yours.” You could have just melted then and there.

“She’s so much prettier then me, I couldn’t help but think-“

“Shh.” He cuts you off and pulls you into his chest once more.

“Don’t you know how beautiful you are?” He asks before standing up and grabbing your hand. He then leads you over to your full body mirror.

“Do you see yourself? Do you see the goddess that I see?” You cross your arms over your body, insecure under his watchful eye. He brings your hands down to your side.

“You have the softest skin.” His hands trailed down the exposed skin on your stomach.

“The beauty marks on your neck.” His lips ghost just under your ear. He then begins kissing your neck, resulting in you letting out a couple little moans.

Then he pulls your pyjama top off to expose your boobs.

“The freckles between your breasts.” His fingers trace over the freckles, then grabs your breasts to message, sometimes your nipples getting attention.

“The curves of your hips.” Your shorts are suddenly pulled down your legs and you become completely naked. Looking in the reflection of the mirror, you can see Matt grinning devilishly down at you, examining every nook of your form.

“I love your laugh, your mind, your voice and the way you care for others. You are gorgeous to me, every single bit.” And with that he cups your hot centre. You let out a whine, gripping onto his forearm that sat against your stomach.

“Do you want me to show you how much I love you? Want me to show you just how beautiful you really are?” He no longer holds a smile on his face, but a serious look of lust as he whispers those words against your ear.

“God yes.” You sigh out, arching your back slightly to push your ass against his crotch.

“As you wish my love.” The hand he has placed on your mound moves and a single digit starts to slowly enter your hole. Your lips gets caught between your teeth as you watch him stare you down like his prey, enjoying you submit to him.

“Such a good girl.” You begin to reach your peak. you knew he wouldn’t go down without a fight however because he quickly removes his finger and watches you cry out, making you unable to finish.

“Taste.” He says placing his finger between your lips. You lean your head back onto his naked chest as you suck the digit seductively.

“Fuck.” He whispers watching you in the mirror.

“What does my beautiful girl want?” He asks as you continue to suck his finger.

“I want your cock.” You gasp out. He sighs and closes his eyes for a moment, basking in the sound of you saying that. 

You are about to turn around to get on your knees but he instead grabs your shoulders to stop you.

“No, don’t worry about me. I’m here to take care of you, alright?” You nod with doe eyes and he smiles lightly before turning you back around.

You hear the zipper of his pants unzip and the clanking of his heavy belt hit the floor. You shiver in anticapation. 

You finally open your eyes and look at your slightly disheveled hair. Waiting for his next move, you find yourself growing impatient. Your legs suddenly get  pushed apart and he nudges you forward slightly so your hands grab either side of the mirror frame. So close to your reflection, you can see all of your imperfections. But you were okay with them. Matt was right, you are beautiful.

You take a moment to observe yourself before you suddenly feel him enter from behind. You wince then relax immediately, your body recognizing the feeling of him all so well.

He begins thrusting slowly and gently, allowing you to fully take in everything that is happening. You look up and see his face fully focusing on you and you clench slightly as a result.

Matt then pulls you back towards him and turns you around so the front of your body is flush against his. He grips your left thigh and wraps it around his torso before entering you again. The new angle makes you shutter. He isn’t as gentle this time. He stares at the side of your face through the mirror as he methodically pounds into you. He holds you tightly, giving you the impression that he never wants to let go. He then grips your cheeks and places a sloppy kiss on your lips which you gladly return. Both of you mutter curses and moan into each other’s mouth. His pace quickens, leaving you incoherent.

“Can I come in you?” He gasped out. You just nod profusely as you stare into each other’s eyes. His sex face is the hottest thing in the world. You have no intention of stopping your deep stare. You want the image ingrained in your head for the rest of your life. You use the hand not holding onto him for dear life to wipe his sweaty hair off of his forehead. He lets out a gutteral moan before rutting his hips sporadically up into you.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He cries out before letting his seed shoot up into you. You moan his name out in response and end up unravelling yourself.

He pants out in exhaustion, dropping his forehead into the crook of your shoulder and neck before slipping out of you. You shake a tad at the feeling of him leaving your body.

“Never doubt yourself again. You are beautiful inside and out Y/N.” You nod and hug him with a life saving grip.

“Thank you.” You whisper into his ear.

[aka-willow]

Flight

gif

Words: 1817

Characters: Willow Wren, Peter Parker, Ned Leeds, Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers

Prompt/Tag:

“call me now. it’s urgent.”

“What did I do wrong?”

Summary: Willow receives visitors at school

Timeline: February 2016

Song: Flight - Hans Zimmer

A/N: passed 300 views on Ao3! what?! like i know that’s not a lot but it’s a lot for me lol

—————————————————————————–

I wanted to skip school the next day—I hadn’t slept all night and I still had to get up early to shower in the locker room before school. I probably would have skipped if I didn’t have in-school suspension, which had to be the stupidest thing I’d ever heard of. Like… I’m already here, aren’t I? At that point, just let me go to class.

So, I dragged my ass to school, cleaned up in the locker room. I didn’t even bring a backpack to school that day, just my phone, and a charger. And a sharpie as a writing utensil. Off to a great start, per usual.

I ran into Peter and Ned in the hallway and they were surprised to see me there that early. “Hey, what’s up?” Peter asked. “Did you get number two on the algebra homework last night because Ned and I got two different answers. I texted you but…”

“Yeah… uh… no, sorry,” I said. “I forgot to text back.”

“Wanna go over it at lunch?” Ned asked.

I sighed. “Look, guys. Um… I got in-school suspension. Three days. I won’t be in class today.”

“What? What did you do?” Peter asked, his forehead crinkling with concern. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I got into a fight with Annabel,” I said. “After school.” I glanced down at my phone lockscreen. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”

“Jeez, okay,” said Ned. “Wanna hang after school then?”

I can’t. I can’t do this anymore. “Sure,” I said. “Text me.”

We parted ways and I walked to the guidance office, where I’d be spending the rest of the day. It was a beautiful, sunny winter day, which made the whole thing seem even more depressing. I’m going to have so much work to make up. And we were doing review for the biology unit test in class today. Shit. I’ll have to get the notes from Ethan. In guidance, I was faced with another awesome Captain America VCR tape. “So, you got in-school suspension. You messed up…”

Jesus Christ.

“They’ll be sending your work down to you shortly,” said one of the guidance counselors.

“Great,” I said, completely deadpan. “Um… could I borrow a pencil?”

She frowned and handed me one from the colorful mug on her desk, a chipped D.A.R.E. to Resist Drugs and Violence pencil, and I took my time getting up and sharpening in the electric sharpener by the door. I can’t sit here all day. Physically. I’m gonna fall asleep, and then I’ll get another day tacked on.

I miss… I miss how things used to be.

Eventually, a manila folder of work was dropped off at the guidance office and I cracked it open, trying to decide if it was even worth doing any of it at this point. Even though my first term grades were good, I was barely scraping by now, and I didn’t have much hope for the third term, either.

Around nine, I had filled the margins of my Spanish homework with doodles and I was coloring in the spaces with a sharpie when the phone rang. I heard my name through the receiver. “Willow?” the guidance secretary asked. “They want you to report down to the main office.”

You’ve GOT to be kidding me. At least this is more interesting. “’kay,” I said, closing the folder, standing up quickly, almost excited for anything to break to monotony. But something felt wrong, and I couldn’t place what. As I walked down to the main office, my steps echoing in the empty hallway, my stomach began to clench. What is it now? How could things possibly get worse?

I became hyperaware of every noise, the sound of the heating escaping the vents, conversation in a nearby classroom, my own heartbeat. Calm down. You need to just calm down.

I paused outside the main office door and then opened it, as I forced the rest of my paranoia back. “Hi?” The office was silent except for the receptionist writing on a Post-It, and what looked like a dad in one of the waiting chairs, typing on his phone.

“Willow?” the receptionist asked, looking up.

“Yeah.”

She nodded her head down the hallway. “Conference room.”

“Do you know what this is about?” I asked.

She shrugged. “Why the hell would I know?”

Fair enough.

My feet heavy, I trudged down the carpeted hallway to the conference room, the same one I had met with Officer Dunphee in only a day ago. Is that what this is about? Does she have something to share with me? Or am I in more trouble?

I paused again in the hallway, trying to hear who was in the room, if anyone. Something is wrong. I know it.

“You saw it, too. We can’t risk it anymore.”

“I know. It’s just… is this the right way?”

I recognized the second voice, a male, and tried to run it through the catalog of all the other men I knew in my life. Marty’s dad? Principal Morita? The list was small. I opened the conference room door and decided to get the first word in. “What did I do wrong?”

Time seemed to grind to a complete halt. There were only two people in the conference room. A woman. Red hair. Wearing all black. And the man. It took me a few precious microseconds to deconstruct it, but I knew the face because I had stared at it so many times before.

Captain Fucking America.

“Willow?” the woman asked. “Do you want to sit?”

At that moment, I had a decision to make and as each fraction of second ticked by, as my heartbeat was reduced to a slow drone in my ear, I made it. Whatever this is, you need to run. It was a split-second reaction as I pivoted and sprinted back down the carpeted hallway, flying out of the main office as I heard the chairs scrape the conference room floor and the woman say something to the man. The “dad” sitting in the main office lunged for me as I ran for the door and I opened my palms and struggled to control my power, pushing him back just long enough for me to get out.

Comms chattered outside, I heard vehicles idling. The adrenaline seemed to dial my senses to a ten and I heard it all. It’s happening. They came for me.

I sprinted down the hallway, my mind racing, trying to get out of sight as footsteps pounded behind me. I can’t take them on. I need to get as far away as possible, right now. This is a fight I know I can’t win. “Hold on!” the woman yelled, but I heard heavy footsteps gaining on me and I turned, my hands pushing outward just as a projectile redirected from my chest and wind shot past it, back down the hall. They were going to shoot me.

With dawning horror, as a tide of wind pushed through the hallway, I ran for the auditorium, pushing open the stage doors and running for the camera perch, just somewhere to hide and regroup. I opened my wings, but I didn’t have enough room to gain momentum and get up there, and after a few failed hops, I was still on the ground and running out of time.

The ladder. I climbed the ladder up to the rafters just as the doors opened and a flashlight surveilled the space. I laid down as flat as I could against the rafters above the cameraman’s perch, praying I wouldn’t be seen, that they didn’t have heat goggles or something like that. I was still trying to process everything, what this meant, why?

You know why.

The flashlight clicked off and the door shut. I heard talk of calling in SHIELD to secure the room. Of course. That’s who’s outside.

With shaking hands, I pulled out my cellphone and pulled up Peter’s number. Pick up, please just pick up. It went to voicemail and I waited three agonizing seconds for the beep. “Peter. It’s me. Call me now. It’s urgent.” I then paused and reconsidered. “The really bad thing I said might happen has happened.” Is this really it? “Um… I have to go now, and I don’t think I’ll be able to be in touch for a while. Can you tell Ned? Please? Um… and Jessica Jones. Alias Investigations, her number is online. Bye. Thanks for being my friend.”

I hung up and powered my phone down, slipping it back into my pocket just as the auditorium doors opened again. SHIELD agents this time. Lots of them.

I still have a mission. I need to find Doctor Turner and get rid of that book. Dulce, New Mexico.

I can’t get caught now. Not yet.

I shimmied along the rafters, as quietly as possible, each creak and groan sounding like gunshots in my head. The comms chattering down below were beyond distracting as someone relayed instructions. I continued to move, an inch at a time until I reached the ladder to the roof access. Easy now.

I stood, praying I was out of sight and gave the trapdoor a push. It didn’t budge. I tried again. Nothing. Finally, I put all my weight into it and on the third try it screeched open and immediately the agents below went silent. Light filtered in and I was suddenly illuminated in the dark auditorium, cold air filling the rafters.

Before I could think of all the possible consequences, everything that would happen once I made this decision, as the chatter picked up and another projectile nearly struck me, I jumped up onto the roof and began running, as fast as I could, opening my wings, not caring who saw now. The edge of the roof approached fast and I jumped off, letting myself fall towards the ground until I angled myself and swooped upward, rapidly gaining altitude. I looked down and saw a plethora of black SUVs outside MSST, and the same people from the conference room standing outside, staring straight up. I was too high to be caught now.

Something was approaching from where the sun was—I heard it cutting through the sky and saw its shadow—and without a pause, I narrowed my span, shooting through the sky, as fast as possible, aiming for the clouds that I hoped to lose them in. If they have someone in the air, they know what I can do.

I breached the clouds and passed through the white vapor, ducking and weaving as fast as I could, knowing now that I could never go home. The wind bit at my skin as I charted a new course, my limbs numb with adrenaline, my vision blurred. Gooblin’s in upstate New York. The fire tower. I need to get there.

They found me. I can’t go home.

[seven--eyes]

I literally wrote this over a span of about 10 hours over 3 days with 0 plan. its just a lot of dialogue with no plan, just crackhead energy and a lot of romantic subtext. anyways enjoy

I brought back my drink to the bar after a swallow of it. I clicked my claw against it, twitching my ear at the sensation of it’s ring. Hoping somehow, somewhere, I’d know what to say. And by an act of the sea gods, wouldn’t say it in the worst possible manner.

Perhaps my prayer had come true, as Seosul started speaking first. Hopefully without noticing how nervous I suddenly felt. “Anyway, what is all this about your old days?” She asked. 

Oh fuck. Damn it you useless sea gods, why’d you make me talk about this? I grinned wide and tried to laugh off my inhibitions, immediately chiming in, “One half of the good old days includes piracy, weapon and resource smuggling, theft or vandalism of government property, some politically related homicides, and a hell of a lot of unresolved, sexual tension. The other half of it is why I’m actually so notorious.” I gestured my hand out, waiting for the joke to land. It didn’t.  Because halfway through that, the bartender jolted and froze up. They very uncomfortably starting inching away at the mention of unresolved sexual tension. Prude. Seosul had a similar expression.

Captain tilted her head. “Is… Is that a joke or is there something worse than felony charges?” 

“All good humor is rooted in the truth.” 

“How the hell did Mr. Sparrow get around to hiring you?” She whispered, shooting me a look of deep fascination.

I shrugged my shoulders. “The Admiral is a good man, practically a miracle worker.” I mindlessly bounced my knee once I started getting into the conversation. “-But to be fair, most of my enemies and legal matters are in Eden. Pretty much the only enemies I ever made here at home is the Manta, and if they try to uproot the shitty things I have done, they consequently out themselves as well. So, checkmate.” 

Anchor switched the leg she folded over the other. She swung it gently. “It’s not like kingsguard care about anything outside royal walls or not arcane,” she rolled her eyes, then brushed lose strands of hair behind her ear. 

“It’s not like the Manta is intimidated by a single skinny street rat, either.” 

“-Or abiding by the laws and characters that make them less money,” she added again, mumbling into her cup. 

“It’s a good thing you make them a lot of money.” 

...Okay fuck, now that joke definitely didn’t land. She furrowed her brow and didn’t look me in the face. I swallowed damn hard. Then the silence fell, again. Fuck. I could swear I was slowly snapping this stool leg in half with how many bounces off the heel I wore into it. 

Anchor gulped down her drink way too quickly for how expensive that shit is. She grimaced. Then set her glass down, having enough of it’s bitterness. Maybe having enough of me, already. “I remember saying that was enough work talk.” 

“O-oh. Oh, yeah no I- yeah you’re right.” 

Her expression didn’t change. Sipian that wasn’t enough. That definitely wasn’t satisfying enough of an apology. Samael, say something quick. You dumbass, fix it. Look at her you killed the fucking mood. Bring the mood back you little street rat. 

“Sorry, uhh- Sorry, I hit a nerve, didn’t I?” 

She waved her hand. She blinked a few times and propped up her chin with her knuckles as though to shake off, if not outright try to forget, my inappropriate comment. Strangely enough, she didn’t say anything. Didn’t fight back the truth of my statement in any way. Something deep in her expression said she knew she couldn’t fight it.

I could feel my face going red. A tangle of words gathering my throat and weighing down my chest like a stone. I spoke before it could keep me down, “Soooo, uhh, So hah- I- do you? D-do have a uh, a,” I awkwardly coughed in the middle, “Do you have.. Are you- Did you have a good old days?” Anchor glanced to me, as though the question pulled her back into engaging with me. “You know, b-before I uh, before I got here.” 

Thank the gods; she actually chuckled at a thought she kept to herself. “Not really. I was always a good kid. Striving to be excellent at everything I did.” 

“Oh, I believe that,” I mumbled to the side. But completely intending for her to hear. Trying to make her laugh again.

Captain moved her hand from her face. She reached for her drink, but without the intent to lose herself in it this time. “I have a lot of family in the kingsguard. Like, just about all of’em became bootlickers, or the boots to lick. But my family’s competitive and narcissistic.” 

“I see… Neither of those things in you.” 

“You either become what people want you to be, or the exact opposite of it.” 

I did the math. “So, your family hates you for becoming the other?” 

She grinned as though that was the right answer. It really shouldn’t have been; but it seems I had hit the nail on the head. “Not quite disowned or removed from the family. Just,” Seosul paused, and stuttered, trying to capture just how she felt about the so-called good old days. “...Just, um, the kind that says they’re proud of me and… Asks all the questions. Make all the double-edged comments. Invites me to all the weddings and gatherings. Because if they were to disown me or outright disrespect me, that puts them in the wrong. That makes them intolerant and unloving of me; the other. They have to always be right. They always have to have the high ground.” 

I didn’t notice at first but somewhere in there, I had stopped tapping my heel to the back of the stool. I scoffed. “Do you go? I mean who gives a fuck about the king’s dogs?” 

“I do see them only when I have to. They never see me, because I don’t invite them. But I still care about some of my little ankle-biter siblings.” 

My eyes drifted around the room. “Imagine that.” 

“Do you have siblings?” 

I gave her a look and slump of the shoulders that should have communicated everything. I tightened the grip of my drink, thinking to myself if I wanted to drown out my thoughts just at Captain wanted. But if she had restraint, so did I. “Not that I… Not that I know of.”

She leaned back and shuffled her legs. “Oh yeah, your mother, she’s in the uhh, pleasure- she was a… Yeah.” She squirmed like she had said the wrong thing. I could tell, she was the one bouncing her leg now. Her hand moved to her hair, pretending like she was fixing it’s appearance.

“A prostitute. You can say prostitute.” 

Seosul’s eyes filled with a precise dismay. I’d never seen so much emotion shift through her in a span of ten seconds. “A prostitute, yes.” 

In hindsight, I didn’t quite mean to stare at her like I did. I just locked eyes with her. Trying to figure out why the mention of my mother made her so… Uncomfortable. I doubt its because her mom was also a prostitute. Maybe it was because of me? But this is frankly the most tame conversation I’ve held with Captain in a long time. As the thoughts ran through my mind. I absentmindedly held my glass to the bartender- who was still terrified of me and my sexual tension- to refill. Seosul looked as though she deeply envied the bartender as they fled my immediate vicinity. Her posture shifted as though the fleeting hope of escape left with that busy employee. 

She chuckled once. “Did I say something in poor taste?”

“What? No, why would you think that? I just want to get fucked up.” 

Her confusion broke into surprise. “I- so you don’t- That’s just fine to talk about?” 

I made the same long uuuhhhhhh noise she did a few minutes before. This time not out of awkward conversation, though. I just don’t know how to make clever replies. “Yeah. It is.” I bared my teeth in a laugh. “I mean, you just said you could handle my history. You have been my Captain for a long ass time, hell you, Valor, and way too many privates have seen my ass, why does my mom being a prostitute make you bristle like a cat stepping in a puddle?” 

“Usually, people don’t sell their bodies when they’re well off.” 

“No, they don’t. My mom wasn’t well off.” I could tell that was not enough to add to the conversation, so I went on. “But she loved me like I was the center of the universe. Like I was gift straight from the gods themselves.” 

“It shows,” she mumbled. 

“It-a-what now?” 

“I said it shows,” she shrugged, finally engaging once more. She found a bit more power and confidence in her voice. As though what she was saying was deeply true, thus she said it without a stutter. “You have a lot of love to give. Like your mother.” 

I snorted, nearly sending a sip of liquor back out my nose or choking it down my throat. I propped my elbow onto my knee, angling my head back and to the side. Like I was presenting the line down my jugular to the collarbone, and inviting her to take a bite. My eyes sharpened and my brow eased. “I do have a lot of love to give,” I purred, putting on the deepest, stupidest smirk I’ve ever made in my life. 

Hook, line and sinker. Seosul gasped, held her breath... Then broke out into a laugh, reaching for her face to calm herself. “That’s not what I meant, come on! I meant you’re sweet!” 

I tilted my head to the other side like I was sizing her up. “I do taste very sweet,” I slyly commented again. Suggestive comments; the only thing I was good at, finally got the best laugh out of Captain tonight. 

“Sameal!”

That was enough of the sexy side eye for Captain. At least for…. Wait no. Nope, not completing that thought. I waved my hand, signaling to her I wouldn’t make another comment and she was safe now. She huffed heavily, relieved. I couldn’t help plastering a huge, proud grin across my face. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I had to.” I finally caught my breath. Looked into my glass. Then downed way too much of it in one gulp again. “H-hahh, oh fuck. Thank you though. No one really says that to me.” 

I felt a twinge of pain in the last of her chuckles. A slight melancholic sigh as something so special slipped from her lips. The stone-cold professional in her wanted a break. So, her smirk shifted into a smile. She decided then that the next thing to pass her lips was a drink. 

.

For the next few hours of the early evening, we quickly finished off our small simple glasses of unforgettable whatever. We questioned which was the best and fanciest drink to get, after. She settled on a minty mojito, requesting a bit more white rum than she probably should have had, in hindsight. A short drink with a deep taste, when you were a sailor trying to get drunk. I settled on a big, fancy, fruity, and probably way over priced margarita. Seosul asked me ‘isn’t that a woman’s drink?’ in a joking tone when I mumbled the name the Sweet’n’Sour Fusion Margarita. I was gonna promptly tell her to fuck off, but when the glass made it’s way in front of me all colorful in deep oranges and reds, I saw Seosul wishing she could have a sip. If I’m gonna be paying money to get fucked up, I might as well get a glorified smoothie while I do it. I might as well enjoy myself. I paid the check for the both of us, because if I were a gentleman that’s the kind of thing I imagine they do. But oh god, did seeing how much that glorified smoothie cost out of my wallet punch me in throat. No pain that the drinks couldn’t fix, though! 

We hung around the Deep Serpent a while longer. The hint of alcohol and a wish to have a fun night somehow brought down the walls and introduced us to the rest of the place. I pulled some folks into a bet that whoever won a short poker game would get their next round of drinks paid for. And when happy hour was over, and dwarven folks had their deep glasses of foaming beer and cider low, it was an offer they couldn’t refuse. As expected I folded fucking immediately. Too much pressure. Too many eyes on me that were expecting me to be smart. But I wasn’t who I had my bets on. 

Seosul was as cool as a cucumber. Even as her face glowed a gentle red and the evening got darker in contrast, all she did was take off her coat and pull up a chair. She had shifted into serious-mode now, and it took more than threat of buying for drunken dwarves to waver her. 

I sat behind her the majority of the game. Eyeing her strategy, acting like I was learning something. Twirling my fruity drink around with a flick of my wrist like a middle class and middle aged divorced woman, noble mother of 3 king’s dogs. “Oh, you sly dog.” I couldn’t help but comment unprompted, thinking about literal dogs in golden armor. 

“You’re distracting me.” 

I chuckled, leaning back onto the two legs of my chair. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” 

I watched the game of cards unfold, or fold, hell I had forgotten what they were playing at some point. All I can clearly remember at how good my drink was. Somewhere between finishing the drink and licking all the salt around the rim, everyone tossed their hand of cards to the table and glanced to each other’s. I rotated my head around to read each batch. I found myself wondering whether an ace was higher than a king or not. But what I do remember is that one of the dwarves took his cards, grabbed his buddy’s glass, and shoved his cards into his half-full mug. 

“I told you this was a terrible idea!” the dwarf barked. I smirked when he flicked his furry hand free of the ale. And the cards. 

Seosul giggled all giddy and full of pep as she scooped up the pot of gold in the middle of the table. “Oohoh, yeah. Sam, can you get me one of those sweet’n’sour things?”

As she turned to me to speak, she caught me right in the worst possible position with the glass and my tongue pressed up against the broad side of it. I lapped up the salt. Acting like nothing was wrong. “Um. Sure, but I kinda spent all my- holy shit!” I nearly dropped my glass trying to catch the coins Seosul shoved towards me. I fumbled with them for a second. I counted, then recounted. She’d given me back double what I’d paid at the bar. I think I scrambled to and from the card table faster than a recoiling rubber band. 

“Thank you! And thank you, fellas.” Anchor pinched her index and thumb finger around the stem. She instinctively reached out for me after she pocketed the rest of the gold pieces. Then she stood up. “Have a great evening.”

I clutched her palm now that I had it. My heart dropped and so did my sense of balance. As she stood up towards me, I wavered backward in the other direction before I could decide against it. My claws dug into the table as I fell- digging splinters into my palm and pulling the entire thing topside. Drinks went everywhere. Even Seosul tried to catch the front of my shirt- missing! I swiped for hers and caught it by the tip of the claw. I couldn’t help trying to pull myself to my feet. The sudden yank made her lurch forward. So far forward, she bent at the hip, trying to keep her balance. I saw out of the corner of my eye that she didn’t fail to keep her drink upright, but I was peering through the strands of her hair.

I blinked. I locked my jaw, biting down so far into my own teeth, I could feel them shatter any moment. Captain had her face right up to mine. Her arctic blue hair dangling around the side of me like blinders. Those fancy, piercing sunlight eyes widened. Frozen for just a moment. As was I. She was even more enchanting up close.

“Um.” Seosul finally said, her voice clear and true, despite the angry dwarves just beyond the locks of her hair. She cleared her throat. Like she didn’t know what to say after the ‘um.’ Captain hovered her hand over my chest- and my lungs pressed in anticipation- and forced me to stand.  “My margarita,” she complained, “Sam, um, you should… Watch where you’re going.” 

My elbow felt like it was stuck into place, and needed some grease to set it free of the rust. I tried to breathe, and was a little too surprised to think about what I was saying, but what I came up with was, “I was watching where I was going, and where I was going had you on the other side.”

“Aww, ouch, Sam.” 

Fuck, Sipian you did it again, fuck dude fix it! “No- I- That’s a good thing! Hell I’d want you sweeping me off my feet instead of Gantu or big man Sparrow!” Too much fixing Sipian, too much!!

Seosul just mumbled a confused, ‘what in the great hell,’ as she stepped out of the puddles of ale and kicked her boot. The dwarves behind her, empty pockets still fresh, collectively roared more loudly than the blast of a cannon at point blank. “Hey, if you’re tryin’a harpoon the girl, just do it away from us, and make sure you’re the one on top!” One called out. “Err if you’re skinny all over, let a real man do some logging!” A second guy said. The rest of the dwarves guffawed to each other, slapping their leather armor knees or the shoulder of the lad beside them. Another pointed out how red my face had flushed out. Suddenly, they laughed harder at me than at objectifying women. So that was… a plus? I knew how to be laughed at. But Seosul...

“Excuse me?!” Captain snarled. She turned on the ball of her heel quick. I instinctively snapped to attention when I heard her tone like that, and somehow so did the dwarves. She gave them a side eye, deciding that was enough of a threat. God, I wish that were me. She batted her eyelashes a few times, cooling off. “Maybe we should go.” 

I still felt like my whole body was jammed up, my bones lodging into place and refusing to move. Even as my now drenched pants from the thigh down made my fucking shirt-stays stick to the inside of my thigh, I was rendered immobile. “Okay.” 

The woman took her coat from the chair, flicked her hair and head back, then moved to the door. When I didn’t first follow, she stopped. She came back a few steps. She hooked her arm around mine; the frozen one. Her pulling felt like a deep sting as my muscles eventually moved, but the farther along the room I got, the more decided I liked it. We stepped outside. The clamor and partying of the Deep Serpent died down when a wall stood between me and them. 

“Seosul, your-”

“What?” She snapped, a little too quick and stern. She breathed in one more time, then corrected herself. Her tone lowered. “What..?” 

“Your glass.” I raised a brow to her. Shooting a glance between her and the untouched margarita. 

“Damn. Hang on, let me go back and apologize and-” 

“No,” I protested. “Keep it. It’s your drink and a funny souvenir.” 

Seosul gave me the look. The expression she always has when I say something dumb. This time though, it softened. This time, she actually did something a goody-two-shoes Admiral of the fleet wouldn’t do. As calm took her over, her shoulders dropped and her shoulder width stance buckled into a feminine poise. Without another thought, she tasted the overpriced, fruity Sweet’N’Sour Fusion Margarita.

I grinned, facing the open night air. Welcoming it against my still burning face. “I’ll make some street reputation- no, notoriety out of you yet.” 

Her lips pulled into a smile. Rolling her eyes, as though she was signaling to me that I really wasn’t. “Is that what you were trying to do, here?” 

She caught me off guard. “What do you mean; Make you notorious? No. Not unless you want me to, that is.” 

“No, silly. I mean,” she drawled on, her tone annoyed but her sly smile the opposite.  “Were you trying to bend me over the barrel?” 

Oh, by the sea. No amount of overpriced, fruity, sweet’n’sour adult drinks could have numbed the punch in the gut that question carried. My tongue worked faster than my respect. For myself and for her. “What do you mean?! Bend yo- No! I mean, no that wasn’t why. At all.” Seosul’s eyes squinted upward, listening closely. She didn’t seem satisfied as she took another sip. So my tongue worked faster. “I never would do that, ever. That’s fucked up, and not the good kind of getting fucked up. I would never do that to you, you’re my- our Captain! Or to anybody. N-not really,” 

And then the pressure built in my chest to the point I couldn’t bite it down;

“Not unless you want me to.” 

I saw the grip on her drink squeeze. My hands flew to my mouth to cover them, and her eyes followed me. Her head tilted up. That was what surprise looked like on a person like Seosul. Her voice hushed in a way I had never heard before. “Sameal, I-…” She brought her glass back to her mouth, but hesitated and lowered it as though the mere smell of it deterred her. She repeated, “unless I want you to,” pondering quietly to herself.

“I didn’t mean that.” I blurted out and regretted it. “I mean, I do mean that. But not precisely in that way! I didn’t ask you out to get you drunk enough to have sex with me. I would never drink with somebody to hurt them.” I continued, regretting it but still going. “But it’s like, that wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen with you. W-without the liquor.”

“You were doing pretty good until that last part.”

“Come on, Captain. Look at me, I’m not exactly anyone’s first choice,” I chuckled, gesturing to myself. Hoping that might’ve been enough joke with too much truth.

“Samael.” She purred my name. Softer and more calm than everything she whispered before tonight. “You’re sweet. I’m thankful I got to know you more closely tonight. But we’re two very different people. I’m getting promoted tomorrow, and you know how fraternization, um, muddies the waters.” 

“I know that.” 

She took a few steps from the Deep Serpent door, into the night street. I followed like I had to. “Then you should already know what I think about that.” 

Something in my heart was brave enough to word what I believed. Maybe it was the liquor, maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was how her frame seemed to glow in the moonlight. Hell maybe it was the fucking shirt stays. “I… I know what you should think, but not what you actually think.” 

Her faced angled. “Two sides of the same coin.” Seosul gently nudged her half full glass into my hands. She rolled her shoulders back, pushing her hands down the sleeves. She buttoned it all the way to the top while she spoke. Even the top ones. “I care a lot about the crew. I care a lot about the branch, and about you. Which is why what I actually think doesn’t matter.” 

Every word she tacked on added more heaviness in my heart and weakness in my knees. I couldn’t help but look away from her, as much as I wanted to honestly see her. I felt her step forward, closing the gap between us. She didn’t force my attention or to move. But I could tell how close she was regardless of how deeply I focused on the pavement between my toes. I smelled the slight hint of mint on her. 

“Can I get a taste of that sweet’n’salty Sipian?” 

“I… what? Sweet’n... S-sure,” I agreed, reflexively moving my hands to give her back the margarita. Before I could get back it into her palm, she slipped her hands around my neck and below my jaw. Her thumb greatly suggested my head to raise with a small press, and when I did she leaned in to kiss me.

Captain closed her eyes, I could hardly decipher through her heavy bangs. She slid her lips across mine, teasing the smallest peck of a kiss. But when I registered the taste and aroma of her, I opened my mouth and slicked my tongue across her bottom lip, circling back into her slow smooch. Even someone as stone cold as Captain Anchor didn’t resist that. She hung around for a moment longer. Inevitably, she gasped faintly when we separated. She blinked a few times, leaning back and standing up tall. Then she tucked her hands back into her own bubble. I immediately yearned for the warmth of them.   

I didn’t ask any questions. Seosul then took her glass, without a word. Only with an exchange of glances. Like she was commenting, ‘thanks for the taste.’ As she fixed her bangs and turned to leave, I felt my muscles tightening again. Like a fight or flight response, but both of them at once, so I just froze. Haven’t a clue for how long. All I knew in that moment is that I wanted some more of that mint. And some more of Admiral. 

...I can get more mojitos. 

.

I strode home in my sticky, half-drenched dress pants with my sticky, half-drunk self. I stuck my hands far into the pockets. Feeling some of the leftover gold she gave me. And I took my hands back out. The walk home was painstaking, but it was less painful that desperately calling Malphas Heat at what the fuck in the morning. I wandered the explorer base and in the courtyard. Lingering for a few minutes too long, because I wanted nothing less than the morning to come. I made it to the barracks. Found the first available, sorta clean bunk. I pulled myself into it. Sleep. Close your eyes. Stop breathing so much. Okay fuck, wait, take the pants off. Take the shirt stays off. Okay. Now we’re talkin’. Sleep. 

Just sleep it off.