#she says as if she wouldn't jump up and down in glee if that ever happened

[the-modern-typewriter]

Do you mind if readers post snippets/excerpts of the book (the God Key) to talk about them (like, one page max; just being like "this scene was so good"), or would you rather keep it hush hush?

Please feel free to share!

Basically same rules as applies to any other book you might buy/read from a bookstore? So, like maybe Tag for particularly big spoilers where applicable, and don't post the whole book from start to finish haha....otherwise. Have fun. Go nuts! <3 I hope you enjoy.

[candywife333]

My Little Saesang (Part 2)

chubby reader x idol jungkook

Summary: Y/N had been a super fan for a while. Some would say bordering on saesang or creep level. She didn't think she was one, till she experienced an incident that made her stop being a fan. She had never thought that Jungkook or any of BTS ever noticed her, as she was part of the masses of obsessive fans. But they had. Especially, one doe eyed idol in particular. He never thought he would miss his fan, or shall we say saesang. Yet, he couldn't help but notice her absence. He took her comforting presence, her kind eyes, hair disheveled in excitement, and wide smile for granted. And he didn't know when her presence started to matter to him so much. When exactly did she become such a constant in his life?

Disclaimer: The Jungkook represented in this fic does not reflect the true actions or thoughts of the real life Jungkook. Please treat this fic as exactly what it is, fiction

Triggers: Critique of fandom culture and kpop as a whole, identity crisis, eventual smut

Note: Not proofread. Slated to be approximately 4 parts or less.

Jungkook POV

It took me about two weeks, but I did start to notice her absence. I never got her real name. But I and all the other members christened her with the moniker of strawberry shortcake, for how tiny and chubby she was, and also how flushed her entire face and neck become as she jumped up and down to our songs. We called her berry or SS for short. The few fans we had from the beginning, we either knew their actual names or had little nicknames to commemorate them.

She was a fan of the entire group, but I knew I was her bias, and so did the other members. It was obvious, the way she left tiny gifts wrapped in gold and red ( as though it were perpetually christmas year round for her) addressed towards me. She even took fancams of me, her eyes furtively moving along my body , gasping when she caught sight of my abs over the years. I wouldn't deny that sometimes I played up my antics for the camera just so I could catch her mouth wide open in an "O" petrified in shock as she bopped her head up and down manically.

Berry was not there. And it was starting to really bother me. It shouldn't in fact. She shouldn't matter that much to me. Yet, I always had her in my corner since debut. I always had her eyes on me, watching over me. It felt comforting even though she had gotten a little too close for comfort twice or thrice by accosting me with gifts on sets of music video shoots or backstage. Her specialty was with desserts. She would always leave me coffee infused brownies and tres leche cake towards the end of the year right in front of the HYBE building, addressed to me specifically with a cheery little note wishing me for christmas and new years.

And now I was staring at the entire crowd at MusicBank, surveying the area to see her familiar face. She was usually in the first row, bopping her light stick in an erratic manner, mouthing the lyrics to the song, staring at me with excited eyes that lit up with glee. The girl really didn't seem to love material things, because she would always wear the same red beanie and pearl earrings I had been seeing for the past 5 years. Her clothes were always a nondescript black or brown shade, pants and a sweater. She never really donned feminine clothes in all the years I had noticed her.

As I looked for her, I could only find her associate, the ARMY who always stuck by her, who we had named Specs. The tall, lithe limbed girl glared at me. It felt like she was piercing daggers through my skull as she squinted though her black thick framed glasses. She had always had a smile on her face, and now she looked so angry. Yoongi always had a tiny crush on her. She had supported him for ages, even paying for his meals many times when he was still a trainee. Why was she so indignant?

Before I could start questioning all of this even further, Yoongi came up to me with a hand on my shoulder, noticing Specs, "How is my baby doing? And why the hell is she glaring at you like you murdered her first born child? Did you do anything to her?", he questioned in a worried tone of voice. I answered back, "Of course not. I don't really interact with fans that personally. You know that hyung".

He continued quizzically, raising one eye brow up, "Where is berry? My baby Specs is alone today? You really must've done something to fuck things up. She isn't even looking at me. Totally ignoring me. The hell, she usually smiles softly at me and today she looks like somebody pissed on her breakfast. What gives"?

I had no idea what was going on. Our loyal fans for years, people who we didn't necessarily consider saesangs, but just sort of obsessive in their devotion, were either not present or ignoring us. What the hell was becoming of this fandom?!!!!

That's when I saw Berry push through the crowd. And I was so shook, that an earthquake could've come through and swallowed me up and I wouldn't have cared. Berry was dressed in a peach colored floral fit and flare dress with her customary pearls in her ears and what looked like heels on. The only way I knew was that she looked taller than usual. She had a floral ribbon in her hair, lip gloss on, eye make up on point. What the hell was she up to all of a sudden?

Her hair was streaming down her back in waves, loosened from the customary ponytail I saw all the time. She hugged Specs and a few other armies who I noticed she always had around with her. She kissed another army in a wheelchair on the cheek, plopping a pastry box in her hands and wrapping her neck with a scarf. With the deadest look in her eyes, lifeless and devoid of the usual pretty sparkle, she stared at me, as though it were some sort of messed up farewell. WTF??!!! Why did this feel like a good bye? She just looked so done.

She didn't smile at me or any of the members. She gave her light stick to another baby Army in 3rd row, she looked back once wistfully, and left the place through the door.

Where the fuck was she going?!!!?!

After the performance, dreading the fact that Berry left right in the beginning (something she had never done even once in the past years) , I walked up to Specs in the front row. The gangly girl looked super shocked to see me right up in front of her. I squeaked out in mild panic, "Where is your friend? She looked all dressed up and cute today. Does she have plans or something?"

The initial shock wore off on Specs face as something akin to irritation filtered through, "She has a date today , with a coworker I believe. That's why she is dressed up. But you don't need to know that. Today was her official last day as active super fan. She is still a fan, but she's decided to convert from offline to online fan. That's it". Specs said all this with a finality that started freaking me out. I stuttered, "SS-S-S-S-he became an online fan. Meaning, she won't show up in person to our events anymore"?

Specs muttered derisively, "Do you not understand anything I just said. Korean is your first language right? I just told you she is done being such an avid fan". She snorted, looking tired with a distant glaze in her eyes , "Maybe even I should stop. I am getting too old for this shit. My mom keeps telling me to get married, and here I am attending all this stuff, obsessing over millionaires who have more money than I ever could in my life. I am becoming an old fucking lady and I don't even have a husband or family of my own. I guess all of us older armies might need to redirect our lives back towards ourselves".

She stomped away after that remark. Yoongi ran up to me as I walked back stage. He inquired , "Is Specs still there? I was going to ask her for her number".

I grumbled out with my hands on my head, "She left hyung. So did berry, a while ago. I think we are losing our OG fans. Berry never left me once in the last few years. Even when we became so famous in the US, she never stopped attending my events, even some of the big ones in the US. What went so wrong that she is quitting?"

Yoongi choked in confusion, "You mean to tell me that both Specs and Berry are quitting. They ain't even that old, maybe late 20s. Oh no, fuck!!! My baby, Specs, I never told her how much she meant to me. What did she say?" Yoongi, shook my arm hard, trying to squeeze answer out at me. "She said that she is becoming too old for this and maybe she should get married soon, because her mother is pressuring her".

Yoongi's eyes popped wide open, panic and fear evident in his eyes, squeaking, "WTFFFFF. Since when did they give up on us like this? I can't let Specs go. She has been with me before I was famous , looking like a homeless dude, and even now. I have to get her back!!!! The fuck, I need to talk to the ARMY fanclub president for her contact". He scurried off in anxiety, leaving me back to stew in sadness. What had I done so wrong for Berry to leave me after so many years? Something must've ticked her off. Shit, the chocolate. It all hit me in a frenzy. It was the Godiva chocolate. That limited edition Christmas chocolate she had left for me that day on set.

It had been one of the hardest days in my schedule, and just seeing her face had made it all better. But the irritation had gotten to me, and in my anger at being hangry on a diet, I had thrown the chocolate in the trash. Oh no. Wait. A dreadful thought entered my head. What if she thought, that it was my rejection of her support and love as a fan? Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. She probably thought I hated her or something when it was just a bad day.

What bothered me even more, was that she had skipped my event to attend a date. A date with a guy who was not me. This thought filtered through my head, and I froze. Why did it aggravate me so much that she was on a date with another dude? Then I imagined her soft eyes, gleaming with love as she stared at another guy, kissed him on the cheek, sharing a chocolate cake with him and partaking in a chocolate-fililed kiss on the lips.

I felt like literally crying. I don't know why I did. But, I just did. I had to find her no matter what and I had to do it fast, before she gave up on me.

Y/N POV

The date had been fine. Jung-shik had been a cute guy, all brown curls , shy smiles and blushes. He was one of the art managers at KBS who I had met at the bakery. We talked about work, music, and art, eating cheese cake at a cake cafe. He had been a true gentleman, asking me what I wanted to have and opening the door for me, even going so far as to drop me near the bus station.

I sat at the bus station, waiting for my ride back at him when I saw a billboard of the sexy man himself, Jungkook. I could never escape this guy it seemed, even in death. I had felt his stare at me and Kim Hee today. It was odd, he never stared at individual fans like. He did that with particularly beautiful Armys---total models and divas I tell you. But, never with me. Even Yoongi stared at Kim Hee like they had three kids together, like she was coming home with him, like she was married to him---as much as that girl liked to deny it.

I never felt him even acknowledge me, with a glance, till today. I could feel the smoldering presence digging into my skin. Probably cause I dressed up for once today. As I was about to get on the bus that had pulled in, I saw a flash of black fluffy hair.

Before I could get on the bus, a strong sturdy vascular hand encircled my wrist, stopping me from getting on. Looking up at this man's face, I realized who it was. Doe eyes pierced into my face with a cutting glare, a sneer on his face, chewed up lips contorting in anger and ......something that felt like envy, "Who the hell did you go on a date with Berry? You better not be giving my chocolates away to anyone else".

[spicygloves]

Just A Taste

Masterlist

Summary: Astarion helps Freya with her figure out the proper way to bathe as a certified adventurer.

Tw/Cw: Low spice, mouthplay, licking, partial nudity, blood mentions, fearplay.

Author's note: this is my first time writing a spicy fic, went more soft to ease into it. Give me advice if you'd like.

Wrinkled fingers scrubbed on already raw skin, it didn't matter how painful it was, Freya was desperate to get the stench of blood off her! The borrower was no stranger to getting dirty from time to time, but being covered in gore after a battle was a new experience. Every fight was followed up with a dive in the nearest body of water she could find, yet the metallic stench never quite left her. All the soap in the world couldn't mask the scent of blood that lingered on her body. A frustrated cry erupted from the tiny woman's throat, there was nothing Freya could do and her body had grown weak, maybe it was best if she gave up and accepted her new scent.

“Having a bit of trouble, are we?”

Freya nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the sultry voice of Astarion nearby. Her head whipped over to the source and spotted the elf leaning against a tree. His crimson eyes glanced away from her but he didn't hide the smirk on his face, revealing that he caught a glimpse of the borrower in her undergarments. Freya hastily grabbed the rag she used as a towel and draped it over her. “Haven't you heard of privacy!”

“Apologies darling, but you were gone quite a while and Tav was worried you got swept away in the river.” Seeing that she was covered, Astarion began to stroll over to Freya, yet still kept an appropriate distance. “I've come to fetch you.”

“I was just about to finish up.” Freya sighed. “Go on ahead and let Tav know I'm alright.”

“Are you now?” He studied her for a moment, crouching down in an attempt to be more eye level with Freya. “I don't know how borrower bathing routines go but I believe screaming out like that isn’t part of it.”

Freya sighed, wrapping the rag tightly around her body. She wondered if telling Astarion would warrant sympathy or mockery, but ever since their fight with the hag, he's been… tolerable around her. His remarks have less venom and on occasion, Astarion has proven to be nice to her. Perhaps telling him wouldn't be the worst idea. “I can't… wash the stench of blood off me no matter how much I try.”

Astarion's eyes lit up with glee. “Oh so that's why you've been smelling better than usual!”

“It's not funny!” Heat rose in the blonde's cheeks. “Some of us don't wanna smell like we've been swimming in gore all day!”

“Get used to it darling!” Astarion said with a chuckle. “Cause danger loves to find us, even when we try to avoid it.”

Freya rolled her eyes. “You're so helpful right now.”

“Sorry, my dear, but I don't think any ideas I come up with would be something you'd agree to.”

“But you have ideas?” She snapped her full attention over to him. “What are they?”

Astarion only leaned back and flashed a grin, his fangs glinted in the moonlight, making Freya's heart race. Oh right, it seemed silly to forget, but lately it has been easy to forget he is a vampire. He's proven that he was more than just a bloodthirsty monster who could eat her in a single gulp. Freya perished those thoughts sometime ago, Astarion would never do that to her. She'd dare say, she could trust him with her life.

But was she willing to trust him enough to let him do whatever crazy idea he had in mind?

She parted her lips. “Your idea, it doesn't involve your fangs right?”

“Not unless you ask nicely, but I suppose that would do the opposite of what you'd like.” His red eyes were fixated on Freya, not willing to take them off of her. “I didn't think you'd want my lips all over you.”

“That's not-!” She stammered out, blood rushing to her cheeks as she glared at him. “I'm fucking desperate, okay!”

The silence was deafening, the wicked gleam in Astarion's eyes made Freya question whether she should actually go through with this idea. “Just forget it!”

“I'm only teasing, my dear.” Astarion's devilish smile lingered. “Although, if you desperately want to try this, I won't object.”

Freya caught her breath in her throat, despite their new respect for one another, she was still aware of her stance with Astarion. She was a borrower; outside of sultry jokes, he never wanted to show a glimpse of intimacy with her… not that she had a problem with that, there were better people to get acquainted with in camp.

This was just his weird way of trying to help, nothing more.

Freya took a deep breath. “I have rules… if we do this.”

“I'm all pointy ears, my dear.” While he spoke with a bounce in his step, his eyes brimmed with shock.

“You just lick- not bite- my arm, I don't want to be covered in your spit only to still smell the stench of blood on me.” Her steel gaze shot through the towering vampire. “Can you do that?”

“Just a taste, nothing more.” There was a softness in his tone, something Freya was still not used to. He laid down on his side, his piercing ruby eyes giving her an invitation to come closer. “Shall we test this theory?”

Those old instincts screamed at her to stay away, generations of fear that kept her people alive all this time and now Freya was ignoring it just because of a metallic stench that lingered on her body. Shuffling closer, Freya stuck her arm out for him; his fingers gently pinched her hand as he moved in closer. His lips parted, letting his breath wash over her. Freya only got a glimpse of his tongue before she glanced away lest her nerves get the better of her.

“Darling, you're shaking.” Astarion spoke with a voice as gentle as the night.

“You would too if you were my size.” Freya snapped back. “But I'm agreeing to this, so just do it already!”

There was no sharp quip from Astarion like Freya had expected, only the silence that lingered while the vampire decided on his next move. Perhaps Freya's nerves were enough of a reason to deter him and she would have to suffer through the stench now. But before those thoughts could settle in, a warm and wet muscle pressed itself into her skin snaking up to her elbow.

Freya had to suppress a shudder, even when his tongue retreated into his mouth, the slimey presence was still there. Freya turned back to look at Astarion, his eyes searching into hers to determine if they should keep doing this. Despite all the fears, desire ignited in her gut, begging to be fueled. She gave a soft nod and swore she saw him giving her a tender look before his tongue revisited her.

Freya decided to focus on the warmth instead, how it oddly seemed to protect her from the biting chill of the night, yet goosebumps still formed on her skin. The tip traced along the circumference of her limb, as he traveled up her wrist. Astarion's bottom lip quivered with each lick, making Freya wonder if he was resisting the urge to draw blood; it surely wouldn't take much effort to prick her skin with only the tip of his fang. A terrifying thought but Freya bit her lip at the idea. Seeing his tongue slither up her arm made her imagine how it would look if her skin was coated in blood, how much vigor would that tongue do if it had something to lap up?

Freya almost lost herself in her thoughts before Astarion's lips brushed her shoulder, one quick glance and she could see the dark cavern that was his mouth. The quick surge of fear sent her heart racing, it would be so easy to just slip into his maw and experience new types of dangers. It was so wrong to think about but all Freya could do was feel the temptation luring her in. Clarity washed over Freya and she realized this needed to end… now!

“That's enough!” Freya gasped as she yanked her arm away from the vampire's lips. She held her arm close to her chest, Ignoring the slimey presence. In labored breaths, she looked up at Astarion; he had given her space but kept his focus on her.

“I didn't hurt you, did I?” He tried to play it off nonchalantly but Freya could hear a slight quiver in his question.

“N-Not at all.” She took a breath, and forced a smile on her face. “It's just getting… intense for me.”

He returned her smile. “I can only imagine.”

Freya turned her attention to her arm, she was definitely going to need to spend some more time rinsing off but she did not feel the stench of blood on her skin anymore. “I think your idea worked.”

“Of course it did.” His gentle smile turned more smug. “I made sure not to leave a drop behind.”

That was surprisingly endearing enough to elicit a chuckle out of Freya. “Well… I better clean up before I head back, tell Tav I'll be up in a moment?”

“Of course, just don't go around telling them what I did for you.” He said in a mock demand. “The last thing we need is for Tav to panic over our little escapade.”

“Probably for the best.” As he stood up to head back to camp, Freya couldn't help but watch him, a heavy blush formed on her cheeks. “Oh Astarion… thank you.”

“Anytime darling.”

[lostfirefly]

Storybook endings, fairy tales coming true, deep down inside we want to believe they still do

I haven't written for the reader for a long time. Sorry guys. I was a little emotionally exhausted. As always, this fic was not planned and was born here. I had fun writing it, I hope you enjoy it too. The name of the fic was inspired by Buggy's daughter question about love. English isn't my native language, errors may occur. As always, feel free to share your thoughts :)

Buggy and F!Reader - Masterlist is here.

Description: Buggy tells a fairy story to children.

Warnings: Buggy is talking nonsense, fun, Impel Down vibes (woooohooo!)

WC: 5467 (this's the longest fic for the reader I've ever written, haha)

Taglist: @gingernut1314, @operationroots, @buggy-samaaa, @hey-august (i hope you don't mind), @emmiebugz-blog (in case you missed it)

The title is taken from “Ever Ever After” by Carrie Underwood.

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✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

“Please, Elodie, Oak and Blandina, calm down!” You stood beside one bunk bed and one regular bed and, and tried to put on your son's pajamas. “Bedtime!”

“We don't want to sleep!” With glee, they replied, and showed their tongues.

“Oh my God, you're going to drive me crazy, just like your father!” You watched as the three kids started running around you. 

They were your and Buggy's kids. The oldest was a boy named Oak, he was 8. Buggy named him that because he thought the baby reminded him of a tree trunk in the first few months after birth. Oak was an exact copy of his father. With blue hair, green eyes, a red nose and a bad clown temper. He loved spending evenings with Buggy on the deck, rummaging through papers and maps, and diligently imitated his father in everything. You were incredibly amused by the look of frustration on their faces every time when you wouldn't let them launch the Buggy Ball.

“Where's daddy? We went to his office this afternoon, but he wasn't there.” In unison came the sad voices of two girls.

Elodie and Blandina, two twins, and they were six. You hadn't planned any more children since your first son, but one day, after a successful island robbery and a big party to celebrate it, Buggy didn't hold back and two weeks later you realized you were pregnant. At first, you thought he'd be upset, but he was happy. 

During both of your pregnancies, Buggy read a lot of books, and honestly, you didn't expect that. During your breakfasts and dinners together, he was constantly telling you what he had read in books. If a book mentioned eating a certain fruit for health during pregnancy, this fruit showed up on the ship soon. Buggy stole the baby's crib (okay, he stole everything for the babies). The crew was exhausted by the end of your pregnancy because Buggy kept sending them to islands to get things (beds, toys or anything else) or food he had read about in books. 

He was hoping for the birth of two more boys, whom he planned to raise as the eldest son and then organize a family crime guild, but two girls were born. Buggy jumped with happiness when he saw them and immediately named them Elodie and Blandina. Elodie was also born with blue hair, but she inherited your eye color, she was five minutes older than Blandina, and she was always reminding her sister of that. Blandina had green eyes and your hair color, and a nose like Buggy. And every time Elodie reminded her that she was older, Blandina poked her nose and said she looked more like her father. Unfortunately, all your kids inherited Buggy's personality. 

“Mommy, where's daddy?” Elodie crossed her arms and jumped into the bed. 

“Your dad is busy. He'll be here soon. He has to finish his captain's business, and then he's going to look over the ship to make sure we're safe and come over to say goodnight.” You sat down next to Elodie, and Blandina, with Oak, immediately jumped on the bed, curling up next to you. 

“Daddy doesn't love me. He left his cabin this afternoon and didn't wait for me. I brought him tea, but he wasn't there.” Blandina frowned and buried her forehead in her knees.

“What are you talking about, sweetheart? He loves you very much. Do you know how he'd been waiting for all of you? He used to put his head on my belly every night and talk to you. I'm sure if he knew his sweet Blandina was coming with tea, he would have waited for you.” You nuzzled your daughter's head. 

“Tomorrow, dad promised to show me how to make a bomb! Cool!!” Oak rolled from his back to his buttocks with joy. “I’m so excited!!”

“And daddy promised to get me the most delicious ice cream. He's gonna use his powers and steal me the most delicious ice cream!!!” Elodie showed her tongue to Oak.

“I want ice cream too!” Blandina raised her head and looked at you. “Why won't daddy steal me ice cream?” She started sobbing.

“Because I'm five minutes older than you! He loves me more since he's known me a whole five minutes longer.” Elodie showed her palm with five fingers and tongue again. 

“Elodie, stop it! Daddy loves you all equally!” You said sternly but calmly. 

“Relax, Blandina.” Oak lay on his back, one leg crossed over the other, and started dangling his leg. “Our dad is like superman. He's going to split up and bring us all ice cream.” He put his hands behind his head. “God, that's so cool that he can do that. Why can't I do that? Mom, why didn't you think this through?”

“How was I supposed to think this through?” You rolled her eyes and hugged Blandina tightly.

“Damn! Why is it not hereditary?” Oak gasped and rolled sharply onto his buttocks. “Should I eat that fruit too?” 

“Over my dead body, Oak!” You slapped his head lightly.

“Ouch, why?” He scratched the top of his head. “That's so cool! I'll be like dad!” 

“You won't be able to swim, dummy!” Elodie said in a mocking voice and lightly tapped her brother on the head.

“Yeah, your dad loved it and misses it a lot.” You exhaled sadly.

“Hm.. I didn't think about that. Damn!” Oak lightly punched the knee. “Then I want a coat and a hat like his. And then, when I grow up, I'll gather my own crew and build my own ship. And dad and I will be the most formidable alliance in all the seas.” 

“Of course you will, sweetie!” You kissed your son on the cheek.

“Damn, mom! Stop doing that!” Oak wiped his cheek. “I bet dad doesn't like it, so I don't like it!” 

“Oh, you are so wrong!” You giggled. “Okay, everyone, let's go to bed, I'm going to tell you a story.” You nudged all the kids into their beds, covered the girls and Oak with a blanket, and sat down in a chair. “Okay, listen. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess…”

“Hoooray!! A love story!!” The girls gave each other high-fives. 

“Oh, no! Not about the princess! Ew!” Oak crinkled his face. “Why do I have to listen to these snotty pink stories forever? There was a princess, she sat in a castle, then a prince of unreal beauty came to her, saved her from a dragon, or a witch or another creature, and they had a wedding to a song the birds sang happily to them. Bla-bla! That sucks! I want a normal fairy tale! Tell me a normal fairy tale, mom! About pirates and treasure. Shit!” 

“Oak! Watch your language! There are girls here!” You walked over to his bed and covered him with a second blanket. “I'm going to tell your father ever~!”

You didn't have time to finish the sentence before you heard the nursery door close with a clatter, and the scolding and shuffling of heavy footsteps came from the next room. 

“Dad!!!” Oak jumped up from the bed. 

“Quiet!” You grabbed your son's hand and reached under the bed for the bat with your other hand. 

A few months ago, when Buggy was away from the ship, the vessel was attacked by small-time pirates. They were hoping to find treasure on the Big Top, but they didn't make it in time. Buggy and part of the crew returned just as the pirates from that small ship broke into the nursery. Gangers, along with the part of the crew that missed the attack, quickly went overboard. Buggy screamed at the whole crew all evening, and it took you a lot of effort to calm him down.

“Buggy, is that you?” You shouted toward the other side of the room, holding back your son, who was already ready to run that way. 

“Yes! Do I need to tap our secret code or can I log in already?” A tired, hoarse voice came from behind the door. “Fuck, I'm exhausted!” Buggy piled into the bedroom and flopped into a chair and silently raised his hand, greeting everyone.

“DAD!!!” The girls yelled with glee.

“FINALLY!!” Oak pulled out of your arms and ran onto Buggy's lap. “Mom thought it was bandits again, but I wasn't even scared. At all! I would have protected everyone, like you did then. When I remember how you scattered everyone with your abilities then, and then threw everyone overboard, it gives me goosebumps!! Where have you been? Oh, oh! What are we going to do tomorrow? The bombs? Are you going to show me how to shoot them? And how to throw knives? Oh, I want to learn to read maps like you!” He rubbed your husband's tired body. 

Husband. You've been married for two years. One morning, Buggy decided that after 10 years of a relationship and three children, he needed to propose to you. Buggy called you into the nest, where, to the sound of fireworks and music, he proposed to you. You got married when your daughters were four. The wedding celebration dragged on for two weeks because a wedding to Buggy - implies the flashiest and sometimes strangest wedding ever. He took you to several islands, each of which he threw a ceremony with the brightest fireworks, the biggest noisy party and the biggest cake. And Buggy had an ulterior motive for this: he wanted every person on every island to know that you became his wife.

“Oak, stop torturing your father.” You walked up to your husband's tired body and kissed his head. “Hi! Is everything okay?” You watched him remain silent. “Want some tea?” 

Buggy nodded. 

“I'll get it now.” You kissed him again and walked to the other side of the room.

“So,”  Buggy exhaled and patted his son on the shoulder, “what did my Buggy Gang do today?”

“We played with dolls with mom and helped her cook pasta, but it didn't work out and everything burned.” Blandina said in a very upset voice and was about to cry when she hid under her pink blanket. “I thought you were hungry. I wanted you to have lunch, but I ruined it.”

“So it was you who made this delicious pasta? I don't know, I tried it, and it was tasty.” Buggy took Oak's hand and led him to the bed where Blandina was laying. They both plopped down on the bottom bunk. 

“Really? Did you like it?” She lifted the blanket and looked at Buggy with wide, wet eyes. 

"Of course, my jelly bean!" Buggy patted Blandina and nodded. 

It took you a long time to teach Buggy to answer children like that, because before, and even now, he sometimes doesn’t filter his words. Blandina crawled out from under the blanket, sat on his lap and hugged him tightly. Buggy kissed his daughter on the top of her head. 

“I wanna join you too!!” Elodie looked at Blandina on her father's lap, her brother under his arm, and immediately jumped down to them, settling under Buggy's other arm. 

You came back into the room with a large cup of tea, a box of chocolates and small sandwiches, looked at the family picture and smiled widely. “God, you are so cute. You could be on the cover of the World's Greatest Pirate Family magazine right now.” You put the tray next to the bed and handed the cup of tea to Buggy, “Never in my life did I think I would fall in love with a handsome captain who would take me away with him and then have three beautiful children.”

“Oh, mom, please don't tell me that saccharine story about how you saw dad drunk in torn shoes. Every time it ends with those two in tears!” Oak rolled his eyes and pointed at his sisters. “Crybabies!”

“Hey, buddy! I wasn't wearing torn shoes!” Buggy gently slapped his son on his shoulder and looked at you.

“Are you kidding me, Buggy? I almost saw your socks! Sorry, my dear clown, but I remember very well how you crashed into me drunk, then fell to the ground and almost hit me in my nose.” You sipped your tea and took candy. 

“This is so romantic!” The girls sighed in unison. “Even though daddy almost broke mommy's nose, she helped him up and took him to her house, gave him some tea and treated his wounds. And dad fell in love with mommy, didn't he?” Four round eyes looked at Buggy. 

“Yes, jelly beans, that's how it was.” Buggy shifted his gaze to you and winked. “Your daddy fell under the spell of mommy's kindness and beauty.”

“And then you brought her tea from everywhere. And you still do this. I saw it. I’m smart. Not only that, but I notice everything.” Blandina took each of Buggy's fingers in turn. “It's very romantic. I hope my future husband will do the same.” 

“If he won't do that, Blandina,” Buggy touched the tip of his daughter's nose, “I'll rip his di-.” 

“Buggy!” You quickly pulled him up with a shout. “Choose your words!”

“Noo, not romance again!! Dad, tell us a NORMAL story!!” Oak tugged at Buggy's hand. 

“I don't know, Oak, I'm tired. Maybe tomorrow?” Buggy sipped his tea and exhaled tiredly. 

“Ple-e-ease!!!” All three children begged in unison. 

“You can't get away with it, dad. I wanna hear a story too.” You giggled and settled more comfortably in the chair. 

Buggy looked at your mocking face and shook his head. “Okay. The story.. The story.. Oh, I know! Once upon a time, there lived a girl in a castle..”

“Are you kidding me? What’s the bullshit?” Oak slammed his fist on the bed. 

“Oak! What kind of language is that?!!” You said sternly. “It's all your bad influence, Buggy. I've asked you a hundred times not to swear in front of the kids.” 

“Sorry, my marshmallow.” Buggy shrugged guiltily. “Oh, I know, a great story. Have you ever heard the one about the brilliant and amazing pirate who escaped from prison?”

“COOL!!! PIRATES!!!” Oak rubbed his hands happily and sat comfortably under Buggy's armpit.

Buggy placed his palm on son’s head and cleared his throat. “Once upon a time, a fearless pirate, who was being chased by all the marines in the world, ended up in prison. And he ended up there because he raided an island for a year and scared all the inhabitants.” 

“Didn't he get the doors mixed up?” You giggled, eating candies from the box. 

“I don't know what you're talking about, Y/N. In my story, he scared the whole island.” Buggy pulled the children closer. “And there he was, in one of the scariest multi-level underwater prisons. And since he was a famous pirate whose head was worth a lo-o-ot of money, he was put on the very last level, where the most dashing and respected criminals sat.”

“And I thought he stayed on the first level, where the people were weaker.” You were sipping your tea, kicking your feet a little. 

“I know this story better, Y/N!” Buggy glanced at you and winked. 

“Mom, don't interrupt!” Six upset eyes looked at you. 

“Okay, okay! I'm silent!” You ate five candies and mumbled with your mouth full. “See? I’m eating candies!” 

“Thank you!” Buggy kissed each child on the top of the head. “So. It was a very terrible prison, with the most terrible tortures in the whole wide world.” Buggy theatrically waved his hand through the air.

“Wo-o-o-ow!!” Oak said quietly, rounding his eyes. “And what was the name of this pirate?”

“The name? Hm…” Buggy scratched his head. “Ha! Dokeno.” 

“Do-ke-no…” Oak repeated quietly. “What happened next?”

Buggy watched out of the corner of his eye as Elodie tried to reach for her pink dresser without letting go of his hand. He sighed to himself and sent part of his hand to get her box and handed it to his daughter. Elodie patted Blandina on the shoulder and they both settled down behind him. You tilted your head and saw how the girls took out colorful ribbons, hairpins with ducklings and flowers from the box, and began to braid Buggy's hair.

“Da-a-ad!!” Oak hit his father on the arm. “The story!!”

“Yeah, sorry, buddy.” Buggy hugged his son tightly. “Dokeno was on the sixth level of the prison when he realized he needed to escape the prison.”

“Dad…” Elodie's voice came from behind him as she wove Buggy's pink ribbon into his pigtail. 

“Hm?”

“Dokeno escaped because he was in a hurry to see the woman he loved?” 

Buggy shifted his gaze to Oak, who was begging to tell him no, then shifted his gaze to you and saw you shrug. “Yes, sweetheart. He was in a hurry to see his beloved woman. The most beautiful woman in the world.” Buggy saw Oak roll his eyes and laughed. “As I said, Dokeno was a brave pirate and thanks to his ingenuity, he managed to distract the guards and escape the cell.”

“How did he get out?” Buggy heard Blandina's tiny voice, who was pulling hairpins out of boxes. 

“He just got out because he was amazing.” Buggy reached back slightly and stroked his daughter's head. “Don't get distracted, sweetheart, braid my hair”

“All right, daddy!!”

“Dokeno ran past the cells where the most dangerous criminals sat, paying no attention to them, even though they were begging for help. But Dokeno had to get out of here soon, because at any minute his escape could be reported to Warden Magellan.” Buggy wanted to put the bandana in his pocket, but Oak immediately snatched it out of his hands.

“Ma-gel-lan. Was he scary?” Oak lifted his head slightly, looked at Buggy and tied the bandana on his head.

“Yes, very scary. He was so big, ugly and looked like an overgrown bat. He could let out a purple venom that was very dangerous.” Buggy scratched his cheek. “But suddenly Dokeno saw the Crying Boy in the cell, he was wearing a straw hat, and Dokeno’s heart trembled.” 

“Oh, my God!” You laughed, noticing Buggy's look and putting more candy in your mouth. “I'm silent.” 

“Why was the kid locked in a cell?” Elodie twirled the bundle on Buggy's head. 

“He misbehaved, honey. He took what daddy needed.. I mean, Dokeno needed, and he was punished for it.” Buggy exhaled and glanced at his kids in a row. “Anyway, the boy cried and asked for help getting out, offering a bracelet in return. But it wasn't just a bracelet, it was a treasure map. But Dokeno was ashamed to steal from a sad, lonely little boy.”

“Ashamed? He was a fearsome and formidable pirate.” You said, sipping your tea. 

“I'm telling this story, Y/N. And even evil pirates can be good people sometimes.” Buggy put a finger to his lips, showing you the signal to be silent. “Dokeno released the Crying Boy, and they ran together to the fifth level of the prison, which was called Freezing Hell. Level five was completely covered in ice, so much so that the prisoners were freezing to death and the food was so frozen that it was impossible to eat.”

“But how did Dokeno not freeze to death?” Oak asked, scratching his head, quietly copying his father's movements.

“He was warmed by love, dumbass.” Blandina mumbled, fixing the duckling barrettes in Buggy's hair. 

“Yes, he was warmed by love.” Buggy chuckled. “Suddenly, on the fifth level, Dokeno and the Crying Boy met their future running mate. A man... a candle. Yes, the Candle Man.” 

“Wasn't that on level two?” You licked your fingers after candy, dangling your feet. 

“No, that was on level five, Y/N. And in fact, shut up.” Buggy smacked Oak on the top of his head. “Dokeno, the Crying Boy, and the Candle Man ran to find a way out on level four, and they had to do it as soon as possible, since the loudspeaker announced that the most dangerous and handsome criminal had escaped and was about to break out of a prison that no one had broken out of in twenty years.”

“Wow. Dokeno's a badass.” Oak sighed with admiration. 

“Very badass.” You looked at Buggy and sent him an air kiss. 

“Yeah, he was a cool man. The guards in their room noticed that the prisoners had escaped and were already on level five, and sent part of the team to catch the criminals. They sent wolves to catch fearless Dokeno, the Crying Boy and the Candle Man. The wolves wanted to eat the boy, but Dokeno couldn't let them eat the child and chased the wolves away with just... with a look.” Buggy looked at you and shrugged. He called this technique the Intimidating Look.”

“Wow!  the Intimidating Look! What happened next?” Oak grabbed Buggy's hand, looked at his sisters who continued to braid their father's pigtails, and yawned slightly. 

“After they chased the wolves away, they found the stairs that led to the fourth level of the prison. Aren't you kids sleepy yet?” Buggy asked with hope in his voice.

“No, we're fine.” With glee all kids replied

“Oh, man.” Buggy muttered to himself. 

“I don't wanna sleep either.” You giggled, picking up the box of candy.

Buggy looked at you, narrowing his eyes. “Okay. All three of them went up the stairs to the fourth level of the prison, which was called the Blazing Hell and was also known as the Lake of Blood. On that level, prisoners were forced to jump into a cauldron while several others prisoners were forced to deliver wood to keep the cauldron hot. Warden Magellan, upon learning that the prisoners were making their way higher, sent his mercenaries to level three. Some of the prisoners who threw the logs were in a deal with Magellan, and they tried to stop the brave Dokeno. But he threw everyone into the cauldron with one blow and the wood. To keep out of the blood tank, Dokeno took one of the woods the prisoners were using for the cauldron, and as if on a raft floated it to the other side.”

“And how did he float it on a raft? If it was a blazing he-e-ell. It’s the hell. The raft could have caught fire.” You squinted, looking at your husband.

“He just floated through. Dokeno was almighty, okay? Dokeno, the Candle Man, and the Crying Boy, who by the way was sobbing and hysterical the whole way, got on the raft and swam to the passageway to the third level of the prison, which was called Starvation Hell.”

“Wo-o-oah! Starvation Hell.” Oak whispered, taking sandwiches. 

“Yeah.” Buggy adjusted his bandana on the son’s head. “All the prisoners here, who now look haggard and starved, were formerly formidable pirates with a reward of 50,000,000 or more. Due to the high temperature that rises to the third level from the bottom floor, the prisoners here are on the verge of death with virtually no food or water. But on this level, Dokeno, the Candle Man, and the Crying Boy were waiting by Magellan's companions. Minorhinoceros, Minocoala, and Blugori.” 

“Were they fearsome creatures?” Blandina asked in a frightened voice. “Did they threaten poor Dokeno?” 

“No, no, honey!” Buggy stroked his daughter's head. “They were nice animals. Those Blugori were like... like... like cotton candy. Pink and fluff, and with cute funny faces. They didn't want to work for Magellan because they were good beasts.” Buggy scratched his head. “Dokeno, the Candle Man, and the Crying Boy argued because each had their own rescue tactics. The Boy was scared and wanted to go back to his cell, but fearless Dokeno stopped him. The boy sat on the ground in terror, started crying and accidentally touched one of the slabs with his hand, and all three fell into a trap. A net of Sea Stone lifted them into the air.”

“What’s this?” Oak asked, climbing onto his bed.

“This thing that.. you know.. Made people weak. Even the strongest and most fearless.” Buggy scratched his neck and glanced at the daughters. “The Crying Boy and the Candle Man began to hysterically say that they were going to die. The only one who did not panic was Dokeno. He remembered about the knife in his boot and he cut the mesh, which was not subject to other people, but was subject to the blade from Dokeno's boot, and freed his comrades.”

“Wooow!” Oak whispered.

“We nee more ribbons, Blandina!” Elodie jumped off the bed and ran to the dresser, she grabbed yellow ribbons and sat back.

“Guys, don't you want to sleep yet?” Buggy asked with hope in his voice.

“No, we're fine.” The children and you answered in unison. 

“Mother fuc~!” Buggy rolled his eyes. “Okay, Dokeno was able to persuade Blugori, Minokoala and Minorhinoceros to side with him and help them get to the second level. And when they were close to the passage, more of Magellan's men appeared. The Candle Man turned into wax and tried to stop the guards..”

“What power did that Crying Boy in the hat have?” You asked slyly, looking at your daughters, who were already tying even more ribbons into a bun of hair.

“He had the Power of Crying, okay?” Buggy hissed through the teeth. “Anyway, Minorhino and Minokoala helped the Candle Man to attack the guards, Dokeno fought using his wits, hands and knives in his boots, and the Crying Boy sat in the corner and cried. When the guards were defeated, our heroes moved towards the passage to the second floor. But then the sphinxes appeared.”

You choked on your candy. “Oh my God!”

“Yes, marshmallows, sphinxes. They came running from the second floor, the floor of hellish creatures. Did I mention that Dokeno was fearless?” Buggy watched as you and the kids nodded at the same time. “He was so fearless that he was not afraid to fight the sphinx. He tricked him into the net from which Dokeno had gotten out earlier and lifted the sphinx into the air. Access to the second level was open. Dokeno, the Candle Man, who had already turned back into a man and the Crying Boy, who did not stop crying in the corner, were finally close to leaving the prison. On the second floor, they meet the Basilisk, this is a snake born from a chicken, and a hippopotamus that wanted to devour Dokeno. But they were defeated by the great Dokeno. The hippopotamus crashed into a wall while running after Dokeno, the Candle Man and the Crying Boy.”

“What about the Basilisk?” You asked, taking a sip of tea and eating it with sweets.

“Put this one here with dandelions, Elodie!” Blandina stuck another hairpin into her father's hair. “This will make our dad even more handsome.”

Buggy whispered to you "I'll kill you" with his lips. “The Basilisk.. The Basilisk.. Ha! Dokeno tricked him into one of the empty cells and locked him there, okay?” Buggy scratched his nose. “Anyway, the other prisoners, who were trapped on the second level, were so impressed by the great criminal that they begged Dokeno for help. Dokeno decided that this was his chance to recruit the strongest team and freed all the prisoners who had already fallen to their knees in front of him. They obviously worshiped him for freedom and the chaos created by Dokeno. Did I mention he was a famous pirate?” Buggy looked at his son. 

“Yeah!” Oak nodded. “What happened next?”

“Magellan, having learned that Dokeno had advanced so far, built a wall which was made of his poison, which prevented passage to the first level to the main gate. But Dokeno, with the power of word and thought, managed to destroy the poisonous wall and led his new squad to the exit. At the level one, which was called the Crimson Hell, was one of the hardest battles of Dokeno.”

“But love helped him fight, right, daddy?” Blandina asked in a tiny voice, putting more hairpins on Buggy's hair. “That's better.”

“Yes, honey, love helped him fight.” Buggy cleared his throat. “While the Crying Boy was crying again in the corner, Dokeno, the Candle Man and his new team, captured the guards who were in charge of opening the gates of the greatest prison in the world. Recognizing Dokeno and admiring his courage and fearlessness, they opened the gates without any doubts and allowed everyone to escape. Magellan tried to stop them and even went in pursuit of them, but he failed.” Buggy watched as the girls started yawning and carefully began to lay them out in bed. “Dokeno's team was already waiting for him on the ship. He, along with the rescued criminals who swore to be faithful to him for the rest of their lives, the Candle Man and the Crying Boy, climbed onto the ship. And Dokeno set off in search of new adventures.” Buggy put Oak under the blanket. “That's what he was, Dokeno - a hero among pirates.” Buggy took Elodie's box of hairpins and carefully placed it on the table.

“Dokeno.. a hero among pirates.” Oak muttered, burrowing his nose under the blanket. 

“Dad? Did Dokeno return to his beloved woman? Is he happy now?” Elodie asked, yawning. 

Buggy looked over his shoulder at you and adjusted his daughter's pillow. “Of course he's back. And he found his happy ending with the love of his life.”

“I'm gonna be like you, dad.” Oak said quietly. “See you tomorrow, I love you.”

“We love you, mom and dad. Good night.” The girls could barely wave to you.

“Good night, my jelly beans. Love you all.” Buggy said quietly, covering Elodie with a blanket. 

He came up to you quickly and kissed you in the forehead. “Hi, Y/N.”

“It was hell, not a fairy tale, Buggy.” You tried not to laugh out loud and took his hand.

“I know. But they liked it.” Buggy put his arm around your shoulder and kissed your head. “Sorry, I wanted to leave early, but I had to make sure three times that my family was safe.”

“It's okay.” You looked at the kids, then at Buggy. “We have wonderful children, Dokeno, even though they have taken on your personality. Your genes have proven stronger than mine.” You placed your head on his shoulder.

“I won't even apologize for that, Y/N. Oh! How's the new batch of Buggy doing? When will they be ready?” He gently stroked your round belly. 

“It's only the fourth month, my love, they told me they are fine but still cooking. You'll have to wait a little longer.” You kissed him on his cheek. “How did you even manage to do this again?” 

“I’m the Genius Jester, marshmallow, but you didn't complain that night, right? And that was so-o-o good!” Buggy took your hand. “Come on, you need to rest too.”

“Let's sit on the deck for a bit, please. I wanna spend some time with you, I miss you. ”

“Fine. But I promise, we'll spend the whole day together tomorrow.” Buggy led you out onto the deck, threw his coat over your shoulders and sat you down on a bench. “It's a quiet night tonight. We're going to dock at an island for a couple of days in a few days. I promised to take Oak with me and buy him a hat.” 

“He wants to be like you in everything, even copies your walk.” You adjusted the coat and settled yourself under Buggy’s armpit.  

“Of course, I'm a scary and menacing pira~.” He heard you laugh out loud. “What's so funny, Y/N?” 

“I'm sorry. I’m so sorry.” You wiped away tears of laughter. “Have you seen yourself in the mirror? You have pink, yellow and red ribbons with flowers, and hairpins with ducks and butterflies in your hair. A scary pirate with ducks.” You laid your head on his shoulder. “Oh! We could have a family picnic since we are about to dock. One day we're gonna miss this things. Family evenings, picnics. What do you think about the picnic?”

“If you want, ok. Everything is for you, my beloved marshmallow.” Buggy put his hand on your belly and started gently rubbing it. “I wonder who'll be born? And how many will there be?”

“I love you but I swear to God, clown, if more than one child is born, I'll rip off your manhood and throw it in the water for the first shark that comes along to eat.”

[ghostofthemost141]

Here

CW: Pregnancy

~

"J-Johnny." You gasp, feeling a sharp pain emit in your stomach.

"What, lass?" Johnny grumbled, being awoken from your cry.

"I-It hurts."

"What does?" Johnny erupted fully awake hearing your pain.

"I think..the baby is coming."

Quick as a flash, Johnny jumped out of bed and started gathering your belongings together, your hospital bag, and helped you into your shoes.

"Ah fuck." You cried out, feeling the contractions get worse and worse.

"I know, 'ove. I know it hurts but I'm right 'ere, alrigh'?" Johnny tries to calm your nerves.

After Johnny helps you into your shoes, with all of y'alls belongings in tow, he wraps his arm around you and helps you to the car. Every step was painful for you, but you knew you had to get to the hospital. Johnny helped you into the passenger seat, buckling the seat belt despite it putting more pressure on your belly.

"I know it hurts, I'm sorry but it's for you're safety." Johnny reassures you.

He rushes to the driver's seat, tossing y'alls stuff to the back, and starts the rush drive to the hospital. A shooting pain shot into your stomach, sending you into a wailing scream. Johnny immedaitly held your hand while trying to focus on both you and the traffic he was swerving in and out of.

"You're alright, love, you're alright. I'm right here, just breathe for me okay? Breathe in." Johnny started.

You took a deep breathe in.

"Breathe out."

You breathed out. You continued to do this with Johnny until you arrived at the hospital. Once parked, Johnny grabbed you, held you tightly close to him, and rushed inside the hospital.

"My wife is in labor! She needs attention now!" Johnny cried out.

A hoard of nurses rushed in, one coming in with a wheelchair, and took you into the chair.

"Johnny.." You call him.

"I'm here, love. I ain't goin' anywhere." Johnny reassures you as he hurried alongside you and the nurses through the maternity ward.

The nurses got you into a room, hooking you up to all of the devices, determining that you were going to have to have a C-Section. It was the opposite of what you and Johnny wanted but there was nothing either of y'all could do.

"I'm sorry, Johnny." You apologize as Johnny approached you, covered in head to toe in blue medical gowns.

"What are you apologizing for?" Johnny asked you, getting close to you.

"I don't..know what's wrong with me." You croak as the nurses put up a thick sheet to cover up what was going on at your stomach.

"There's nothing wrong with ya, lass. Shite happens, ya know? All I care about is that you and our little lad are safe." Johnny reassures you, holding your hand tightly and leaning in close.

Even though he wore a white medical mask on his face, you knew he had a big smile on his face. The nurses injected a numbing agent so you wouldn't feel the surgery, but kept you awake.

"Can you feel this?" A nurse asked, poking a surgical knife on your skin.

You could feel the pressure of something on you, but didn't feel no pain.

"I feel pressure, but no pain." You say.

"Good. Going in." Nurse announced.

It felt like the sudden mass of a million hands were pushing on your stomach, it almost made you want to vomit.

"Are you okay, bonnie?" Johnny asked you.

"Y-Yeah. Just feel sick."

"It's normal." A nurse piped up, putting your nerves aside.

Johnny pulled his mask down, leaned in, and kissed you. It was a soft, passionate kiss full of love and comfort for you.

"I am right here, lass. Our baby is gonna be 'ere soon." Johnny tells you, rubbing his thumb onto your forehead.

"I know. You're going to be a great father." You tell him.

"And you're going to be a great mother." Johnny told you.

"Going into the uterus." The nurse announced.

"They're almost 'ere." Johnny told you.

He was like a little kid in a candy store, full of excitement and glee that he could hardly stand still. You've only ever seen Johnny cry once before, and now you have seen it a second time as the nurses pulled your baby out of your stomach and they unveiled their first cry into the world.

"Congratulations." The nurse told you both.

Tears ran down Johnny's face as he held your hand tighter, so happy to both you and y'all's child in his life. Johnny went to cut the umbilical cord, and tears befalled his face seeing their face for the first time.

"They're..they're so beautiful." Johnny croaked out as the nurse handed the baby off to him.

Johnny immediately approached you and got close, letting you see y'all's baby, the baby you both made.

"They look like you lass." Johnny said.

"They've got your eyes, Johnny." You point out, nearly sending Johnny over the edge.

"I'm so mad fucking happy right now." Johnny struggled through the tears and intense feelings he was feeling right now.

"I am too." You say.

As the nurses cleaned and sewed you back up, there was only one thing on both of y'all's minds right now. It was the fact that the two of y'all were both parents now, and Johnny would do everything in his power to protect you both, no matter what.

~

A/N: I love writing little drabbles like this. Hope y'all enjoyed it.

[ask-elland-n-will]

[Polyjuice Swap 2024!]

(Thank you for this wonderful event, Lily!)

── ⋆⋅🎃⋅⋆ ─☆:⭑🍂🍁🦇🍁🍂🕸⭑:☆─ ⋆⋅🎃⋅⋆ ──

── ⋆⋅🎃⋅⋆ ─☆:⭑🍂🍁🦇🍁🍂🕸⭑:☆─ ⋆⋅🎃⋅⋆ ──

Vetiti had never been more pleased with a look in his life. The black-haired beauty was staring back at him from the mirror. His reflection had morphed into sharp, elegant features and shiny raven hair that shimmered like midnight silk. A wide smile stretched across his face, utterly captivated by his reflection, his eyes twinkled with delight as he traced a finger along his newly transformed cheeks, giving them a firm squeak.

"Ciao, bella," he whispered, mesmerised. He had turned into Signorina @adallegra! Who would've thought? He did a little jump, clapping his hands together in glee. Tonight was going to be nothing short of bellissimo! This was going to be a great evening, he could just feel it! Luck was surely going to be on Titi's side!

With newfound enthusiasm and confidence, "Allegra" swung the door open, practically knocking it off its hinges. Determination scrawled across his (or rather, her) face. The Italian milk maniac had one mission, and he knew exactly how to begin.

This would be the night! Tonight, he thought, heart racing, he would finally get his hands on Sebastian's Niffler! Just imagining it filled him with giddy excitement, and "Allegra's" mouth started to water at the thought of the sweet, white essence that would soon be his. Finally, he would be able to really enjoy his bowl of cereal with real Niffler milk!

He barely managed one step outside before a sharp, disapproving voice snapped, halting him in his tracks. He turned to see a Gryffindor prefect eyeing him up and down with one raised brow.

"You don’t actually see that as appropriate for the evening, do you? Ugh." She sneered, giving him a slow, disapproving look as she flicked her wand, transforming his slightly raggedy clothes into a crisp Slytherin uniform, complete with a skirt. Titi's eyes went wide as he looked down, taking in the swoosh of the skirt's hem.

"Ooooh," Vetiti breathed delighted, already twirling in circles, entirely smitten by his new attire. It felt so breezy! He grinned at the prefect, appreciating her work. He might just have to wear a skirt more often.

It was then that Vetiti took a quick survey of the crowd, hoping to spot his target. But alas, Sebastian was nowhere in sight. "Oh well," the Hufflepuff sighed, brushing a dramatic lock of Allegra's long, dark hair from his face. "Perhaps he'll show up later." There was no need to worry. After all, there were plenty of other amusements waiting.

With a quick flick of his skirt, "Allegra" made his way over to the snack table. The spread was glorious! Pies, pastries, fruits, and cakes towered on the table in decadent stacks, a cornucopia of treats that made his stomach growl. But none quite sparked the specific delight he was after. Chewing on his lip thoughtfully, the Italian lad started to play with his new, long hair, twirling the silky locks around his finger as he pondered what to eat, eyes narrowing in concentration.

Just then, as if summoned by his very thoughts, a house elf appeared balancing a tray of hearty appetisers, each smelling more delightful than the last. Vetiti was sure he spotted something that resembled some Gouda and practically floated over, his steps light and bouncy as he eyed the tray with eager delight.

[This RP is a part of the Halloween Polyjuice Swap 🎃 Previous Elland's rp. Our apologies to @adallegra]

It was a flick of the green skirt that got Elland's attention first. Of course she wouldn't be wearing a costume, Halloween or not. He thought he had seen the familiar hair as well, but the figure got lost among the partying students. Not that Elland would ever say it to her face, but her height made it easy to blend in. He wasn't aware how much of a difference they had until the first time they danced together. But it couldn't have been her, could it? Will swore that Allegra didn't plan on going, and if Will couldn't convince her — Elland saw no point in trying himself.

A snack bar it is then. Elland was parched. But just as he reached for a glass of sparkling water, he nearly bumped into a house-elf who suddenly apparated next to him.

"Ah, excuse me, let me help you with the—" the Hufflepuff in Sebastian's skin began and abruptly stopped talking altogether: a familiar figure gracefully floated towards him. The house-elf, unnerved by the Slytherin student's eagerness to do the elf job, took the opportunity to put the tray where it was supposed to go and exit the scene.

Elland looked at Allegra, stunned by her presence for a moment before clearing his throat and giving the Slytherin witch a deep gentlemanly bow. It would've looked so much more impressive if he had his phoenix costume on: all the beautiful firecharms dancing across the cloth and feathers, sparks coming from under his dancing shoes wherever he stepped, the faint sounds of the crackling fire and the pleasant smell of the fireplace. But alas, he was playing a different role. Wait.

"Sebastian" looked up in panic. No way Allegra would hang around when he was Sebastian! He had to let her know it was him, without alerting the other students around them.

"Allegra! So good to see you!" he called out and let her get to the snack table as for some reason Allegra seemed very interested in the elf's cheese platter. Elland had never seen her like that and he wondered if she had some butterbeer before coming here. He kept those thoughts to himself. Allegra was smiling while playing with her hair, and Elland found it rather endearing.

"I've been meaning to return your scarf from a while back, forgive me for holding onto it for so long," is what Elland settles on. Hopefully, his smile, attitude towards her, and the reference to the act itself were enough for her to realize who he was. The thought of Allegra not being Allegra never even crossed his mind. It was as clear as day that it was not her style. Perhaps she just stopped by for the snacks. After all, the Slytherin common room is not far from here.

[marinetteplztakeabreak]

Putting my thoughts under a cut because I have so many feelings, but I am going absolutely feral with love for kagami right now. I am winning so much

She wants to be able to win love, to train and study until she grab at it with her hands and knows without a shadow of a doubt that it is Hers and that she is Worthy of it

She aches for anyone who will love her,,,, who will need her like they need to breathe, who will fight and claw their way to being loved like she does,

Someone who will pursue her with so much unstable, explosive devotion that they would burn the entire world down to keep her warm,

Because that? That is the kind of fierce, agonizing love that she feels, that burns and simmers and crackles in her chest, that refuses to be stifled, refuses to cool down or be quieted

And she’s tried so hard to change herself, to communicate, to be brave enough to be honest about the ugly parts of her heart she can’t suppress

But still, no one ever returns it, not the way she craves

So many people tell her she’s incredible, so strong, so brave. Her mother tells her she’s a good shiny trophy, her friends say that nothing could ever come between them

And that’s nice! That’s so sweet! And she WANTS it to be enough.

But it doesn’t change how much it hurts. Doesn’t change the dissatisfaction, the cold truth that even if they love her as much as they could love anyone, they don’t feel the same way she does

They wouldn’t drop everything and break every tie they had for her if she cried. they wouldn't immediately change their entire worldview to fight by her side even if they knew she was wrong, they wouldn't risk their life and their future and their honor to scream to the world how in love they were,,,,

and she KNOWS thats unrealistic

but she also knows she WOULD do that for them,,,,

and as much as she tries to tone it down,,,,

as much as she tries to accept that her own love language is built on a foundation of years of trauma and unhealthy coping mechanisms and desperation and pain and terror,,,,,

she still CANNOT stop loving in her “so-intense-it-is-violent-and-sharp” way ,,,,,

shes so scared she’ll lose the friendships she DOES have because she cant even LOVE in a Caring, Trusting, way,,,,

but the love is just too strong to hold back,,,,

she’d rather cling so tight she rips her relationships to shreds than pretend to be unaffected when shes NOT.

And yet she STILL tries SO SO hard to be soft and tender and understanding. because she WANTS her friends to be happy. she never wants to burden them or hurt them ever ever ever,,,,,,,

she just doesnt know what to do with all the love in her heart

And I have always known this, have spent over four years of my life with her in the back of my mind, trying to figure out a way to give her closure and peace. Imagining how to weave s narrative where she learns how to be herself while also accepting others, where she learns how to trust and love without constant fear

And words cannot describe how DELIGHTED i am right now. I feel so STUPID for missing it, but I’m not even mad because I’m too busy jumping up and down with glee

The answer was so simple ,,,,, she CAN have it all actually,,,,, just give her the worlds most unstable supervillain boyfriend,,,, someone who will go “omg your mom made you sad, do you want me to kill her for you?” And not wait for an answer

This could not be more ideal. Im thriving more than I ever have. Love wins. And so does incredible violence and rage!!!! So proud of my girl, proving me wrong,,,, living her wildest fantasies.

I love you feligami,

[aroacephotographer]

Candle Ritual

Written for this week's @flashfictionfridayofficial theme, "Singing in the Candlelight"!

Word count: 996

She wanted everything just right. The record player had to be in the right spot. Though she got to choose the music – French Jazz, her favorite. The other ladies didn't care. They just wanted to talk. Once the candle was lit, she whispered to herself until the others joined her.

It was Halloween night, and the leaves had changed to the beautiful red and yellow colors. The wind blew them around and tornado patterns, chilling the evening air. The lights were out except for the candles on the dining table. The woman had on shawls and loose fitting clothes. After all, she was the only one who needed to keep warm tonight. She busied herself by placing empty bowls everywhere on the dining table. They would fill up soon for her guests.

Her mother arrived first. She was always chronically on time. Nervous she would miss some juicy piece of gossip.

"Monica, darling. How are you?" Her mother's opaque eyes filled with joy and glee.

"Busy but good," said Monica. That was always her answer. She dared not say more. Not until the others arrived.

Then her grandmother arrived, along with her aunts.

"The bus ride over was atrocious," said the aunt, a tall woman in Victorian garb. She had worked in a theater company and loved the bodices she created. So her wardrobe reflected that.

"Just be glad we're here, sweetie. Oh look! The food's already out. I thought you needed help," said the grandmother, who in another life was a housewife, so the kitchen was her domain. She was short and stout and had a back hump from leaning over the oven for days at a time. Her husband was dumb and stubborn but had a good sense of humor.

"We wouldn't be so late if the bus route was ever on time," the aunt said frantically. She huffed and sat down to daintily grab an apple. She gently chewed on it and stared at everyone else.

"Well, what'ya know?" said the grandmother. She plopped down into her chair and grabbed a bunch of pistachios from a bowl and started peeling them over a plate. She didn't eat them, she did this to keep her hands busy. She looked at Monica.

"Um, well…" she couldn't hide a smile from her face. "You see…"

"Your cheeks are rosy. Are you pregnant?" her aunt stiffened and had a shocked look on her gaunt face.

"Let the young lady speak, will you!" her mother interrupted her sister, with a giant smirk on her face. "You always jump to wildest conclusions."

"Sorry," said the aunt. She looked down at the table and folded her hands.

"Don't worry sweetie. We all do that. It's in the family. What'd you say it was Monica?"

"Family trait," she smiled widely. "When you talk about genetics, it's called a trait."

"Ah yes. One of those traits things," grandmother gleamed at aunt, who loosened up a bit. Mother giggled.

"Well, what's the good news?" mother inquired.

"I met someone," it was Monica's turn to stare at the table. Everyone looked directly at her.

"Oh?" all three women leaned in ever so slightly in tandem.

"I'm terrified to say more," Monica covered her face with her hands.

"I'm afraid that you'll all judge me."

"Honey, whatever you have to tell us is important. It's not like it's the end of the world," her mother put a hand on Monica's shoulder. Monica sobbed. She took a napkin from the table and wiped her face. The smile remained.

"A met a woman. She's in her thirties like I am. We met at a bar–" All three women stood up. Grandmother's chair scratched the floor. They walked over and hugged Monica in an embrace.

"I'm so happy that you've found happiness, sweetie," said grandmother.

"That's wonderful, dear," said mother.

"About damn time," said her aunt. "Men are the worst. Sounds like you finally listened to me." Grandmother gave the aunt a playful bat on the shoulder. All four women laughed.

"But where is she?" said mother.

"I haven't told her I'm a witch yet. One thing at a time," said Monica.

There was silence as all four women sat in the delight of the good news. The jazz music played on. Eventually it reached a song that grandmother had raised the other three women on. They didn't sing loudly. It was barely a whisper.

None of them actually knew the meaning behind the French. None of them had bothered learning what the song was about. Just that it was a unifying three and a half minutes.

"Well, we should probably catch the next bus back," said the aunt. She walked back to her seat and grabbed another apple.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" complained the grandmother. She gave a disapproving grimace for the first time that night. "We've got time."

"I've got a dress to finish for a play."

"We can catch up on the way out," mother left the embrace and joined the other two ladies.

Monica had streaks of tears rolling down her face. She had a shaky smile forming as she looked up at them as they became opaque again.

"Don't worry, sweetie. I'll be back to visit soon," said the grandmother.

"And make sure to bring your girlfriend next time!" said her mother.

"Does she work in the theater?" asked her aunt.

The three ladies started flickering. The candle had burned nearly to the bottom. The moon shone through, as if reminding her that the time had flown by but it was time to end the ritual.

"I'll let her tell you next time," she looked down at the candle. "Thank you for joining me." She blew out the candle.

The smiles were the last to disappear. It was a nearly cloudless night on Halloween when the veil between the living and the dead was lifted. She loved seeing them every year. Maybe she would finally bring her girlfriend next time.

[lazywriters-blog]

POCKY OKIE

YANDERE BAKU-bully

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Slight suggestive themes, Vague mentions of bullying and bullying, swearing, violence, Katsuki being an overall bad boy- Enjoy!

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: After reporting your bully to the one in charge of the school, it is decided to be taken lightly, hoping their students would forgive each other, but unfortunately for you, he got pushy, a little too quickly. Well, as they say, how bad can it be?

For a month and a half, it was tranquil. 

Which wouldn't last forever.

No snarky comments, no curt whistles to tease her, or responses meant to criticize her or pulling her hair when he felt like it. The punishment for her bully was underwhelming, just given a month's worth of detention, a talk with his parents, which she was certain, did not occur, and he was left off the hook lightly, delicately. In a matter of weeks, he had retorted back to his usual, incentive self, while she had to sit in the very back, he sat at the front, a sulky implementation to keep them both apart, it worked, however, just for a week, at best. He eventually got bolder, and she distanced herself. This was just the way her school was, a place where the weak suffer, and the strong take advantage.

Even as she is getting ready to spend her break in eerie silence, she could hear the snickers and girls gossiping within her earshot, creepily giggling and slandering some of their kind, briefly looking at her and taking a quick fetid glance. The atmosphere around her had changed, in the class, with a few she had befriended, and most of all, the dynamic between her and katsuki. She remembers some of her classmates shipping her with him, for some odd reason. They should have been joking, it might have been such an unhealthy relationship, and they wouldn't ever wish the same for their friend, in other words, it was a biased opinion. It bothered her.

Breaks were normally short, but nowadays, it felt longer, to her. Dreading about what was going to happen if she caught up to some of the mean girls who seemed intrigued by her enactment, or rather, they were helping their friend, in more than one way. Yesterday, one of the four had pushed her into giving them her new number, when refused, they got antsy, threatened her with a coy smile, telling her she had to compensate or else, she was bound to be faced with an uncomfortable situation. She persisted and they unwillingly departed.

Things always seemed to get worse, the harder she tried to avoid. 

In one of the last lagging periods, her teacher had gone off without announcing his departure, so students racked the place, and things were getting rowdy, but she felt safe enough in her corner, so, she could breeze past this, this was no big deal, until, someone jumped up to the platform, a box of candy held in his grasp, and shouted, "Guys! Katsuki and [Y/N] are going to play pocky!"

Before anything can settle into her mind, girls and boys loudly exclaimed in glee, cheering support for the idea, while she tried to resist the forceful tugs of her female classmates, pulling her forward with misplaced motivation, she was not about to lose her first kiss to a bully! While, on the other hand, katsuki smirked, menacingly approaching her with his armies of friends, yelling on top of their lungs, someone had to hear their commotion and come running to save her from this predicament, they just had to! Forcing her to sit down, the girls surrounded her as katsuki got swarmed by the other boys. She looked down, at a loss for words and pursuit for an idea, she could just pull away at the last moment, and she could book it, but the girls had her shoulder in a tight grip, what was she going to do?

Sitting face to face with her bully, her mind unable to cope up and provide with sufficient actions, she stared at those red eyes, gazing into hers, a scary gleam in them, her, appearing like a caught deer in a passenger's point of view. She could just about cry and wail in agony, any other girl would want this to happen to them with their crush, but he was not her crush. She had no choice but to act accordingly, for the time being, ignoring the teasing remarks from her male classmates saying she was too shy to even meet his eyes, and it managed to make him chuckle, it was a troublesome situation. 

Finally, at last, a pocky was handed to him, he leaned forward, and she had to do the same, heart pounding in her chest and the sounds around her going dull, gulping and taking one last deep breath and connected her lips on the other end of the treat, starting late as katsuki had already begun to near her face with a mocking glint. She quickly ate her side of the stick, preparing herself to deattach at the last moment. But she knew what was coming, he would have known or she was being obvious, but the repulsive cheerios had rendered her oblivious. 

He put his hand around her head.

Effortlessly, restraining her in position, she swiftly held her breath, pressing her lips together once katsuki had finished her share of the pocky, and then, their lips connected. The class immediately raved at the sight, it was all she could hear, her eyes were closed shut, and she could not face anybody after this, the kiss was short-lived, but for her, it felt like an eternity.

The chaps circled the grinning boy, she just felt her senses return as the girls shook her body, asking questions as they hoisted her boundary, saying, 'what was it like?!' It went straight through her head, everything was overwhelming, and even as the teacher came by to scold them, she could not grasp whatever was happening before her eyes.

Except, for those blood-red eyes, staring at her shaken outline from the front.

Throughout the remaining classes, everybody teased her, especially her male classmates, the girls simply chortled as if they hadn't coerced her into that awkward situation in the first place. She endured, and alast, it was time to retreat home. Her haven, but if only she hadn't been spacey the entire afternoon, she would have easily bypassed Katsuki and his side-buddies.

"Our kiss was so passionate today, wasn't it? [Y/N]." He faked his smile, touching her nose as he went in for another kiss but she was fast enough to dodge and push him away, and he dared to laugh! She wasn't planning on entertaining him, quickly taking off despite hearing his calls to come back. She had to get home soon. She was scared, no she was terrified, he had gotten even bolder, and nobody was about to help her meek-self. Even if she asked.

She would usually wait for her father to pick her up but seeing as Katsuki and his small gang was loitering about the campus, she decided to remain at the playground, hoping to blend in to deter being spotted before her father came, and that was enough to scare both Katsuki and his buddies away, as they did not have the guts nor the power to go against an elder. Unless they wanted to get in real trouble, which she couldn't deny, would bring her satisfaction.

Her father would beat them up if he wanted, but he's been very forgiving. A trait she undoubtedly adopted from him.

Spacing off, she recalled some of the past, how Katsuki would run off after her dad arrive when she was small and even now, she's been an easy victim, and she's gotten in trouble for things she did not do. Drifting off to her notion for a second, she froze upon sighting Katsuki in a distance and he had seen her. Without thinking, she jumped to her feet and galloped, leaving behind her bag, however, Katsuki was faster and he caught up fairly quickly. By the time she was stopped, they were in the unused rooms in the far back of the school, where broken items were stored.

Giving him a nice uncalled punch to the face, she continued her agitated sprint. And she would have carried on if it weren't for Katsuki catching up to her and suddenly snaking his arm around her neck and squeezing the air out of her lungs, she squirmed, and trashed around, hoping to fool him into thinking she wasn't about to attempt anything.

"You think you can just run away from me? Are you dumb? Thought we had a special moment together." He snickered, clasping her neck tighter, he brought her back closer to his chest, breathing in her smell, "it was your first kiss too, right? I know it was, you've been such a good girl since the start, haven't you?" He muttered in a breathy voice, resisting the girl's maddening attempts at freeing herself.

"You know, I think we should do it again. Just the both of us. You girls like romantic things, don't you?" He mocked in a hushed tone, resetting his grip once she had gotten loose, now facing her towards him, body pressed against hers, moving about frantically, he smirked at the frowning dace, enjoying the way she felt in his arms. Shoving her waist closer to his, no space in-between, he gleamed, eyes soaking her features in. "It's been a while since we talked like this, don't you think? You snitched on me, am I not your favourite anymore? You're sweet sweet Katsuki." He taunted in a sweet voice, his expression not matching up with his words.

"Thought you wanted to help me, but where are we now? In love? Doing things we shouldn't, you liked that kiss, didn't you?!" He exclaimed, glaring at her shut eyes, fists still on his chest, trying to knock him back.

"Stop struggling and tell me!!" He shouts in her face, harshly shaking her back and forth. And only when she didn't cease, a loud sound resonated in the near-empty hall. He slapped her.

It drew blood and it stung. Real bad.

She had nothing to say, small droplets of red dripped down her nose, she was too stunned to utter anything, Katsuki stood mum, looking at her with wide eyes.

Then tears began to form.

Her vision got blurry, and she grew more restless, harshly hitting his chest striving to reciprocate the same pain he inflicted upon her.

"How dare you hit me!! You bastard! How dare you hit me!!" She hysterically yelled, quickly kicking him in the groin once he was too focused on her struggling fists. He bent over, and she took the chance to slap his face with all her might, racing off within an inch of him trying to grab onto her.

"You bitch!! Come back here!!" He yelled, arising up to get onto his feet only to hesitate due to the pain in his lower abdomen. He cursed, loudly announcing all sorts of names as she bolted to the exit.

She decided it was best to change schools. She couldn't do it anymore.

••••

I apologize for the errors present, tell me if you see them though-

[eddieswh0r]

Hello! I saw you just followed me and that your requests are open so I figured I'd ask for something if it's alright! I'll admit, I don't know much about the main plot of Stranger Things (horror media makes me paranoid) but I've somehow managed to hyperfixate on a man from a show I've never even watched lmao - in my defense, I've watched a ton of compilations about him so I know the basics ;-;

Could you please write something about Eddie with an anxious reader who's really into D&D? Maybe she wears a D&D shirt that says like "Carpe DM" and he's already kinda been crushing on her so he invites her over for Hellfire? And then he sees her fun side because she's way more wild when playing D&D and he just falls completely in love. Whether or not you want to make it spicy is up to you!

Thanks so much, and don't feel the need to make it too long if you don't want to! Just some headcanons about this is fine but really it's up to you! Have a wonderful weekend, I wish you the best of luck!

Oh the Carpe DM shirt is just THE cutest thing Eddie has ever seen, that's when he knew she was the one for him!!

Eddie would 100% purposely skip class just so he could stare at you through the window in the door of the class you're in

Eddie would absolutely have a new interest in the school library, not to learn or read but because that's where you went on free periods and after school, he'd sit across from you but a few chairs down with a book upside down because he just wanted to stare

You'd notice him subtly following you around for weeks and it literally made your anxiety through the roof because the look of him terrified you, you took on a panic attack and heard "Hey, you 'Kay? There's nothing to worry about, you're safe, breathe with me" as he had his hands on your shoulders

He took you outside for air and you both sat on the grass, under a tree and ate your lunch together, he explained how much he loved your shirt and told you about hellfire

The next few weeks were nothing short of perfect, after some convincing on Eddies part, you'd meet under the tree every day to eat lunch together, you never smiled this much. Ever

God can you imagine when the day came to ask you to come to Hellfire? How excited he'd be? Literally bouncing around like a fucking golden retriever

You'd naturally be so nervous turning up, wearing another D&D shirt with some pun on it that Eddie found absolutely hilarious

A hellfire shirt already awaiting you, Eddies big brown eyes so full of love and pure happiness as he gave it to you

Picking the skin around your nails, you anxiously waited for the campaign to start, Eddie noticed you looked lost so with a whisper to your ear "I've got you, everything is okay" you pushed your hair behind your ear smiling coyly, blushing at his breath on your face

The campaign started and you didn't interject much because stepping on anyone's toes at this point wouldn't be go down well at your first campaign with them

As the game went on, you spoke a little more, you cheered, huffed and even slipped a curse word much to Eddies joy

God, he couldn't take his eyes off you, watching how you rolled the dice, the loud belly laugh that fell from your lips, waving your arms around

What really got Eddie going, hard, is when you stood your ground wanting to take action and not run away from the villain Eddie had created and "Kill the son of a bitch" as you slammed a fist on the table. His dick literally jumped when your fist connected with the table

Eddie grinned like a Cheshire cat, leaning back into his chair as you all cheered for the win you got, jumping up and down in glee you glanced at Eddie who was just simply admiring you totally head over heels by this point for someone who loved D&D as much as he did.

You very shyly accepted his offer of going to his trailer with the rest of them for a movie, horror didn't really scare you but Poltergeist did

A few jumps and squeals later, Eddies arm found its way around you and you moved yourself into him, burying your face into his shoulder

All the boys left together but Eddie had offered to drive you home, you tried to politely decline but he wouldn't take no for an answer, fuck that boy is stubborn as shit!

Eddie even walked you up to your door like a real gentleman, that's if gentlemen have shaggy hair, a chain on their ripped jeans and a hand full of rings.

He gushed about how he'd had the best time with you and your cheeks instantly turned fucking crimson, looking up through your eye lashes you started to pick your fingers again, something you did out of being anxious and nervous.

Eddie took your hands in his ever so gently and moved a few steps closer "You don't need to be nervous around me, I told you, you're safe. You're always safe with me sweetheart"

Fuck the literal fireworks you felt when his hand brushed your hair behind your ear and he fucking kissed you, Jesus Christ, you melted, you'd never been kissed before, not that Eddie knew. It wasn't something that cropped up in conversation

"Night sweetheart" ughhhh. Eddie fuckin' Munson. I love you.

please this was so rushed bc im so behind with asks 😭

i hope its okay, if not i will re do one for you i swear❤

[jameui]

GUILTY MISTAKE

PAIRING: Kang Yeosang x M!Reader

GENRE: Angst, Fluff

WARNINGS: M!reader bullying sweet baby Yeosang, bad friends

SUMMARY: You've made a huge mistake once when you were a child and it's been in your head for the rest of your life, haunting you unless you've done something about it.

Just last month, you had turned six years old and you couldn't be more happier. For some unknown reasons, you liked how you grew older after every year, mostly because you receive gifts from your mom and dad and, of course, your friends who were about a year older than you.

Every year, on your birthday, you'd get expensive items and presents that you have been wanting for so long and foods that you get to eat with your family and friends. Loud music booming through the speakers, giggling while you made jokes with your friends laughing at almost everything due to the excitement and adrenaline that rushed through your bodies.

But, once everything was over and you know that everyone had to leave, you just keep on wishing that it was your birthday everyday. That way, everyone could still have fun and be happy with you, but then again, where's the thrill in that? They'd probably grow tired of it.

Right now, you were playing with your toys that you received creating specific sounds that corresponds to the action you controlled them to do, when you heard the doorbell ring making you gasp with joy at the thought of having a guest paying a visit.

You stood up from your position, your short legs running towards the door as you reached for the knob and turned it to open the door for the person behind it. The door moves wide open and reveals a woman who didn't look quite older than your mother, while you smiled and looked up at her. "Good morning!" You greeted her.

The woman's eyes fell down to you, beaming with glee at your politeness. "A very good morning to you, too, deary." She replied. "Is your mom or dad around? We're actually new to the neighborhood. We just moved from Busan."

You nod your head to answer her as you walked up to your mother who was in the kitchen cooking lunch. "Mom, someone's at the door for you."

"Really? Who is it?" Your mother asked you, wiping her newly washed hands on her apron.

You shrugged your shoulder, holding onto your mom's hand. "Neighbor said she was new." You and your mom was now in front of the door and the two women greeted each other as the other woman handed out a basket to your mom while you waited patiently for your mom to give it to you.

As soon as she did, you waggled your small feet towards the table before you caught a glimpse of a kid, not much taller than you, peeking from behind his mother's pants. He looked scared and shy, but it seemed to you that he wanted to approach you, but he was just too timid to do so.

You gave him your million dollar smile that made the small boy giggle at your friendliness, you jumping down from where you sat with a small groan when you hit the floor. You ran back towards the door, now seeing the chubby boy whose tummy was curving like a small hill on his stomach.

He wore a blue tiny jumper that fit perfectly onto his body, with a striped long sleeves under his jumper, white socks and shoes that almost looked worn out. You approached the boy a comfortable distance away and looked behind the woman that looked to be like his mother, a wide smile still present on your face as you waved a hand at him hello.

The boy bashfully hid, only leaving his arm to be left seen while waving back at you hesitantly. You could see how much the boy struggled to make friends with you so you decided to close in on the distance leading your feet towards the boy and poked your head out that made the boy flinch. "Heya there!" You said, now standing in front of him as the little boy hid his eyes away from you. "Don't be scared. People tell me I'm kind." You giggled softly, the other boy glancing up at you before quickly looking away once again. "I'm M/n, by the way. How about you? What's your name?"

He looked up at you shyly and stammered. "I-I'm Yeothang."

"Yeothang? What a unique name." You beamed, but he shook his head to correct you.

"No, no. Yeothang."

"Oh, you got a lisp." You said at the sudden realization and he nodded his head. "So, Yeosang?" He nodded again. "Yeosang. You have a pretty name." You said, finally noticing the birth mark that decorated the side of his left eye. You gasped and pointed at it. "Wowza! You have a cool looking tattoo!"

"It'th... It'th not a tattoo, M/n." Small Yeosang said, hesitating to call you by your name. "Mommy told me it'th a birth mark."

"Ooh, a birth mark. I wish I had one just like yours." You pouted. "I've got nothing."

Yeosang giggles at you making you smile. "That'th okay, M/n." He said and looks at you with his small brown orbs. "You look great even without them." He said, before he sniffed due to his runny nose that caused a snot to fall from his nose.

You were able to see this and pulled the hem of your shirt to wipe it from his nose and smiled brightly at him, which in turn, earned you a face of shock from Yeosang. "There."

"But, I dirtied your shirt." He furrowed his brows.

You waved it off and gave him assurance. "Don't you worry. My clothes get cleaned pretty well, so it's alright." You told him. "Oh, hey, wanna eat the snack your mom gave us? I saw cookies there. I bet you love cookies."

He nods his head once and immediately, you took his wrist into your small hands that barely closed around it as you pulled him inside and to your kitchen table. You let Yeosang take a seat first, since he needed a little help from his small size. You were next to take seat, settling on the seat beside him. You opened the basket that was wrapped with a cling wrap to secure it properly.

You let yourself drool at the sight of all the delicious delicacies that was inside the basket. "That is a lot." You chuckled cutely, unable to decide which baked goods to eat first. Throughout your process of thinking, your mother and Yeosang's mother had finished their conversation and the latter was called over. Yeosang gave his mother a small 'coming', before climbing down the seat as you pouted. "You're leaving already."

"I'm afraid tho, M/n." Yeosang replied sadly as you thought.

You pondered for a moment before you hastily took a bunch of the delicacies from the basket and went down to give it to Yeosang. "Here. I want you to take this with you. Eat them, or else."

Yeosang nodded and gave you a look of delight at your kind and cute gesture. "I will, M/n." He said before he jogged off to his mother showing her what you gave to him.

"Bye, Sangie!"

"Bye, M/n."

The following day, you were with your friends by the children's playground playing a round of tag, you being the tagger. "Tag, you're it!" You yelled on top of your lungs once you were able to catch up with the smallest of your group of friends, who whined in protest and stomped his foot.

"I'm always 'it'! Why can't it be—"

"Can I play, too?" That all too familiar sweet, honey like voice came from behind him, taking all of your attentions as your head all turned to him and revealed the very shy Yeosang. "I know how to play the game. We uthed to play that back at home."

"Yeosang, of cour—" You were about to reply, but your friends' rejection to his action of joining cut you off.

"Ew, no way. We don't want your boogers and sticky green nose liquid on us. Get away!"

"Yeah, go away! We don't want you playing with us."

"Booger boy!"

"Go play in another playground!"

Those were the words that your friends threw at him that got you shocked from hearing what your friends were saying to Yeosang. Your eyes had widened in shock while you could clearly see the hurt in his eyes that was now glossy with his forming tears from the mean comments he received from your friends. You clearly didn't know there was something going on with your friends and Yeosang.

Yeosang's pleading eyes was placed onto you as he waited for your answer, fiddling with his fingers. Your friends were the best people you could ever have and losing them never crossed your thought, so to avoid this situation from happening, you did what you thought was going to keep them as your friends. "Sure. You can play with us." You said, which made Yeosang hopefully smile, but he immediately took it back from what he heard next from you. "If you weren't so disgusting."

At that, you smirked and all your friends bursted out laughing giving you a clap at the back, the dejected Yeosang hanging his head low, feeling embarrassed. Although he was shamed upon, he still knew you had that kindness inside you and guessed you might have done that for a reason, so he gleamed and looked back at you. "Alright. Maybe next time? When I'm not snot booger rocket anymore." He snorted while laughing that made you all look at him like he's a weirdo.

"Go away! We never want to play with you, again."

And what you thought was just a one time thing, became a permanent bullying towards the poor little boy who only wanted to make friends and play with you. Before they left Busan, he had promised his mom that he wouldn't be the shy boy his parents knew him as, and become friends with the children at their new home, but it looked it was 'friends' that didn't want him.

Their first day, the day he met you, he was so excited and happy that he was able to make a friend, even if it were you who was the first one to approach him. He admired how you were so brave to befriend him and your politeness was one of the things he praised you for. He also thought you were a really kind and friendly kid, but looking at it now, it looked like he was wrong as he was once again rejected to play with you, seating on one of the swings that were a far distance away from where you and your friends played tag.

He sighed, but he didn't want to give up that easily so he ran to you while giggling repeating the words, 'I wanna play' over and over again which got to your friends' nerves, to the point where one of them pushed Yeosang to the ground which got your mouth gaping at the shock, while Yeosang stared up the person who pushed him, eyes starting to swell with tears. As though the fact that he was pushed to the ground wasn't enough, the same person kicked him by the leg which got Yeosang shouting in pain, before standing back up crying and ran home.

You made your way to your friends and glared at them. "Hey, that was too much."

"Why do you care so much?" He sassed at you. "He deserved it."

Your glare didn't falter, but softened when your eyes caught sight of a crying Yeosang. While your friends started to pile up in the middle of the place, you were still caught up in your thoughts, wishing you had just been nice to Yeosang and left your friends for treating Yeosang like that.

Yeosang didn't deserve it. He was a sweet, innocent and kind-hearted boy. He was too pure for this world. He didn't even give up once on trying to be friends with you, but all you ever did was tease him and mock him, call him names like 'booger boy' as you all called him as, 'weirdo', and all sorts of things. Finally realizing your fault, you sighed and regretted the treatment you gave Yeosang. "Sangie..."

A month or so after, you heard about the Kang family moving to another neighborhood which made you feel so bad and hate yourself totally. You didn't even get to say your sorry to Yeosang properly. The little boy never again showed up at the playground and only did when he was asked to throw the trash, all bundled up under so much clothings, since it was winter. That was the only moment you could ever see him.

You rushed out of your house and saw that they were now entering their car, you zoomed across the street and called Yeosang. "Yeosag, Yeosang! Wait!"

This got his attention, snapping his head towards you with a big smile. "M/n! You came to thee me off?" He giggled, making you feel guilty.

You shook your head and knitted your brows. "Why are you leaving? Where are you going?" You asked all in one go.

"We're moving back to Buthan, thince mom wath able to find a plathe there where it'th rent free and could all fit uth in." Then, he leaned in close to your ear to whisper. "Don't worry. I never told mom that your friendth hated me." He giggled secretly.

"Sangie... I also did bad things to you.." You told him sadly.

"I know." Yeosang smiled. "But, I know you didn't do it on purpothe."

"Yeosang, the car's about to leave."

"Oh, I gotta go now. Bye, M/n." He said and waved you goodbye while entering the cab and rolled the windows down while he smiled up at you. "Hope to thee you thoon again, M/n." He said one last time before the car drove off to their destination.

And there it goes. Your last chance to say sorry. Lost. Now, you're left with a lingering feeling of pure guilt and regret.

-------

Years after and you have disbanded with your friends, you are still living with the regret that you made from when you were young. You had just turned 18 years old last month and you were even sadder than the last. Instead of wishing gifts and presents from your new found friends and families, you were only wishing for Yeosang to come back so you could just tell him how much you were sorry and hug him so tightly that he wouldn't be able to breathe.

Your sullen look was noticed by your mother, who by the way, already knew your sin towards Yeosang since you had told her about it already. The first time you told her, she was aggravated with you for not being the child she had raised you to be. You told her the purpose of your action, thus the reason why you left your friend group and boy was your mom right to have let you leave them. What once was playful, turned harsh and violent and you didn't want to be a part of that. "What's wrong, honey? Don't you like your gifts?" Your mother asked you in concern.

You shook your head and sighed. "It's not that. I'm just... feeling like a total jerk."

Your mother sighed at you sadly and sat down beside you, patting you lightly on the back. "Honey, what you've done was wrong, but trust me when I say that Yeosang has a kind heart and if you ever tell him you're sorry, he'd forgive you right away."

"Thanks, mom." You said. "But, people change as they grow."

"Not Yeosang."

You rolled your eyes at your mom with a smirk. "Sure mom. Not Yeosang." You shook your head in disbelief. "I just wish you're right, mom."

You stood up from your seat, as your mother did and walked your way out the door taking in the fresh air of the morning during spring season, when all the trees stood straight and tall, the flowers blooming with all their beauty. You smiled at the sight and took the camera that was hanging by your neck, over a sling and took a picture of the ethereal scenery.

You walked past your porch and started heading to the park to get some takes on your camera to post on your Instagram to entertain your million followers. As you did, you were able to pass by an ice cream stall, so you took a quick stop and bought three scoops of (favorite ice cream flavor) with chocolate syrup and sprinkles to top it off.

You were wearing a smile, happily licking your ice cream away. You let your eyes explore the world around you, finding everything interesting. All these years, the place had been making a lot of changes. From buildings to parks and work towers, everything just felt new, as if you never got to spend time, at least once visiting these places throughout you're whole eighteen years of existence.

You finally arrived at the park, everything from your childhood flashing back through your head. The once only a children's playground is now a family park, but rather than being reminded by the joyous memories, you were able to remember the memory that's been haunting you for life.

You couldn't believe yourself that you had the ability to bully such an innocent kid, while you kept blaming yourself for their sudden moving away. If you had the power to turn back time, you'd make things right with Yeosang and be a better friend to him, which you couldn't do because you wanted to be with the 'cool kids' when all they ever did was make a person's life miserable.

You found a bench to seat on and checked through the pictures you took on your camera, laughing at a video of Mingi getting drunk with Yunho, carrying him like he was a puppy. You just missed those two so bad. You never got another chance to meet them, not even once, since they're both now busy with their job and you're still here trying to find a way to pass the college entrance examination.

Whenever they're around, you three would always be loud as fuck and wouldn't care a thing about the world, just as long as you three are happy. Of course, you didn't go too far just to be happy, unlike the friends you once had.

You still had the smile on as you sighed satisfied and rested your camera back down to let it hang on your neck. You looked around you and saw children playing by the fountain, their parents watching with glee at the sight of their children playing happily. You grabbed your camera and took a picture of the wonderful scene.

You took a few more shots, satisfied, you were finally about to leave with not much else to do, when in a distance you heard a gruff voice call out to you. "M/n? Didn't expect to see you here."

You looked behind you to see Mingi who was in his suit holding a case, his golden wrist watch shining brightly under the sun's light. You smirked and scoffed. "I could tell you the same thing." You said all the while crossing your arms over your chest. "Mingi, are you slacking off?"

Mingi rolled his eyes at your teasing. "I take my job seriously, M/n. I'm not the same person who cuts classes."

"Sure. Sure." You mocked him, while he glared at you. "Anyways, how are you and Yunho doing?"

The brown haired male smiled at the thought of the taller male and sighed. "Oh, you know. The usual. Us missing you and wanting to baby you."

This time, it was you who rolled your eyes, the smirk on your face growing wider, if possible. "You both still on that?"

"Well, you're pretty much the reason how we got together. So, it's just a way of us showing our gratitude for having you in our life." Mingi patted your head making you giggle at the simple contact.

"I just hated how you two were so dense with all the signs you both tried so hard to make the other notice. I had to do something, at least." You said.

"But, weren't you the one who told me you had feelings for Yunho?" He teasingly wiggled his brows at you, making you blush profusely.

"Shut up. There are pasts that should be forgotten and it includes that." You huffed, puffing up your cheeks making you look like a little squirrel. "And you promised we would never speak of this ever again." You pulled your brows in disappointment, looking up at him. "All you do is lie."

"Hey, hey. I don't go that far." Mingi defended himself, before pulling you into his arms to hug you. "But, if you're so embarrassed about it, it'll be just our little secret."

"Don't even promise me if you're just going to break them in the end." You deadpanned making Mingi let out a deep voiced chuckle.

"Alright."

Soon, the two of you parted ways, waving your hands to each other to say goodbye. You were making your way back home, when you noticed a moving truck from the house next door. A new neighbor? You walked up to the truck driver to greet her and do some important interview. "Good morning, ma'am. Did someone just move in?"

"Oh, nice to see friendly faces up in here." She chuckled. "It's not everyday you get the luck to meet one." She sighs from her aching back, before exhaling deeply. "Yeah. Rich families, to be exact. Paid me a good tip." She said making you giggle.

"I see." You laughed lightly. "Well, have a great day, ma'am. Hope to see you, again." You waved her goodbye, the woman doing the same to you.

You hummed to a song as you finished your walk, now in front of your porch, your mom tending with her flowers. "Had a good day, honey?"

"Better than great." You replied. "I met Mingi on his way to his job. Thought he was slacking off like he usually does." You chortled, earning a playful slap on the back from your mom.

"Oh, you." She told you before she led you inside and went straight to the kitchen. "Oh, by the way, have you met the new neighbors next door?"

"Nope." You answered, popping the 'p' with a purse of your lips at the end, then sat down on a seat excited to eat the apple pie your mother made while you were away. Once, it got placed down on the table, you hurriedly dug in with your barehands, but before you could, your mother slapped your hand making you pout as she folded her gardening apron.

"That's for the neighbors." She informed you, your mouth opening in understanding while nodding your head. "And I'm letting you do the honors to give this to them, since I believe, the new neighbors' son was a friend of yours."

"A friend? Who?" You asked with a raised brow, but your mother only gave you a wink and carefully hands you the apple pie. With no other choice, you stood up and wore your bunny slippers, too lazy to put your shoes back on, as you headed to the house next door.

You walked up the small stairs that led up to the house's front door and knocked three times. You waited for a reply, but you received nothing, so you waited before knocking on the door, once again just in case they didn't hear you.

Alas, a male's voice was heard, shouting a loud 'coming' to inform you that someone was finally coming for the door. You stood there patiently with a smile, practicing in your head what you will have to say to the male. The door soon flew open and appeared a tall man, who looked freakishly handsome, his features flawless that it's making it hard for you to look away. He was so surreal. Like a character pulled straight out from a comic.

You tried to utter a word, but the lines you prepared in your head was long forgotten. "Uh..." Was the only word you could ever stable.

"Er.. Is that for us?" The male asked you, snapping you from your thoughts and nodding your head, taking notice of the small lisp he had with the letter 's'.

"Uh, yeah, yeah. It's for you and your family." You said. "It's actually a tradition, so we make the new neighbors feel welcome." You added and slowly gave it to the male infront of you, a smile gracing upon his features. Goodness, his smile is so stunning.

He accepted the gift and took it into his hands. You bowed curtly and had decided to make your way back, when the male had caught your attention. "Wait, don't go just yet. Why don't you come inside and have a bite?"

And who were you to turn down an offer from a cute guy? "Uhm, er, sure. Yeah, I'd love to." He lets you walk inside first as he closes the door, a small creak and click coming from it.

"Hol'up, you're not a pedophile, are you?" You suddenly asked out of fear. "There's been a lot of news going on around the world and I've prepared my whole life, so I can fight you."

"No, no. For sure, I'm not." He said as he walked by past you, leading the way to the kitchen to guide you. Once you two made it to the kitchen, the things on the table were cleared, the car keys hiding it in his pockets. "Take a seat. I'll go grab some plates."

"Your mom and dad?" You asked out of the blue, making him chuckle.

"You're so full of questions." He told you. "They're buying groceries."

"Oh." You let out silently, sitting down while fiddling with your fingers since you got nothing else to do.

The male came back with what he intended to get and placed one on your side, then one on his, moving to the kitchen isle to get a knife to cut the pie. "So, how's your life going?"

You thought for while taking a long deep breathe. "Well, I guess you could pretty much say, complicated." You answered and when he didn't speak back to let you keep on talking, you continued. "There's days where I feel so happy, then there are days where I feel miserable." You looked up at him while he cuts the pie. "I just wish... I..." You trailed off once you were able to catch a glimpse of the discoloration of a certain area on the side of his head. Wait a minute. That birthmark...

The moment you were able to figure it out, you jumped up from your seat and widened your eyes in shock. "Yeo.. Yeosang..?"

He let out a small chuckle, before stopping his actions and looking up at you. "So, you saw my tattoo, huh?"

You couldn't believe it. He was back, but different. He's no longer the chubby little boy with snot running down his nose, he's now a total hottie and he's even taller than you already. "O-oh my gosh.. Yeosang.. You look so.. different."

"Well, I wanted to be your friend badly, I decided to change for you, but it was also a self-decision, so don't feel so bad, M/n." Yeosang said. He did change, but his personality is still the same old Yeosang.

"Yeosang, I was your friend. I was just a coward." You sadly said, your guilt even growing bigger. "I'm so sorry."

Yeosang moved to your side and pulled you into his arms, the strong scent of something sweet and musky all at the same time, tickling your nose. His embrace was so warm and caring that you never wanted him to pull away. "M/n, I have forgiven you a long time ago, already. You don't have to say sorry, anymore."

"Just let me do it, Sang. The thought of not being able to see you again keeps plaguing me for days." You admitted. "I kept on blaming myself that I was the reason why you moved away."

"No, M/n, you're not. Please, don't be hard on yourself." He said, caressing your hair. "It was a family business, so we had to move to a place near dad's work place."

You gave him a light punch and stifled a laugh. "You should have told me sooner."

You both got into a comfortable silence, before Yeosang decided to break it. "Well, how about we eat and catch up on each others' lives, yeah?"

"That sounds lovely."

[pigeonwhumps]

CWs: kidnapping, imprisonment, emeto, electrocution, mentioned non-con drugging, mentioned/implied torture, implied starvation, public whump

"Go on darling. Mingle. Have fun."

Whumper shoves Whumpee towards the centre of the ballroom, and she stumbles, just about able to keep her balance. She takes a glass of champagne from a server who won't look her in the eye and scowls down at it.

This is the... what? Tenth party she's been to with Whumper? Twentieth? It's not like she's going to get any help here. It's obvious what's going on, her sleeveless dress reveals the bruises, burns, and cuts decorating her body, and her face is a mess, but no-one will do anything. They never do.

She remembers her first party. She'd been so sure someone would notice the injuries and help, but no. Nothing. She'd been so stupidly naive back then. Not any longer. She knows now that no-one cares. No-one ever cares.

She wishes she hadn't gone with Whumper, all that time ago. But he'd offered her food and a place to sleep, and she had nowhere else to go.

And in a way he was telling the truth. The place to sleep just happened to be his basement, or drugged upstairs if he feels like playing with her there. And he does feed her, occasionally.

She misses the taste of food that isn't watery gruel.

Whumpee steps towards a group of partygoers, intending to put in a few jabs about them being heartless bastards who wouldn't save someone dying right in front of them, but they fall silent, averting their eyes. As they always do.

Whumpee doesn't get it. They're clearly uncomfortable around her. If they don't want her here, why not get her out and be done with it? Then they wouldn't have to be uncomfortable anymore.

Money talks, she guesses.

A heavy hand lands on her shoulder and she jumps, turning to see Whumper beside her. He smiles, sickly sweet, and murmurs in her ear, "Go on. Drink. And make sure you swallow it all. Don't want to waste anything from our generous host now, do we?"

Whumpee shoots him a glare she'll pay for later and swallows the champagne in one gulp. She tries to back away from the group, knowing what's coming, but Whumper's grip is like mucilage, and almost immediately her mouth tingles and she feels a gurgling in her near-empty stomach. She bends over and spews her guts over the nearest guest.

"I'm sorry, sir, I–"

Whumper has finally let her go and she's halfway across the ballroom when all her nerves light up and she collapses to the floor.

When it finally stops and her vision clears, she sees Whumper bent over her, glee dancing in his eyes under a mask of concern.

"Oh, my dear, are you okay? Another one of your fits, is it?"

Whumpee forces herself to nod. "I'm fine. I'll just go and sort myself out, sir." She pushes herself upright and stumbles out of the room, limbs still twitching with residual shocks.

She makes it to the toilets before collapsing to her knees in a stall, dry-retching over the toilet bowl. God. She's absolutely fucked when they get back to Whumper's. And she hates every single person here. Would a kind smile be too much to give? Money-obsessed assholes.

"Hello?" Whumpee jumps at the voice, but stays silent. Whoever it is can't be looking for her. "I was in the ballroom and I saw you come this way. Are you alright?"

"Whoever you're looking for, they're not here," says Whumpee, sharper than she means to. Probably this person's friend broke a nail or something, that's the kind of problems rich people have. "You should go back to the party. Go and enjoy yourself with all those other rich fuckers who don't give a damn about anything except themselves and their riches."

"Actually, it's you I was looking for. I wanted to know if you were okay, after that seizure. I know they can be a bit disorienting, and–"

"Oh, is that what we're calling them now?" Whumpee definitely means the venom this time. "What, is admitting what Whumper's doing too much for you? You'll accept his payoff but you can't even acknowledge me? Fuck you."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on. You're one of Whumper's guests, or maybe the host's staff. Either way. Everyone here knows what he does to me. Stop laughing in my face."

The person sighs. "Whumpee. That is your name, right?"

"Yes," replies Whumpee shortly. She's not sure she wants it anymore though, but like hell she's telling this stranger that.

"Well, Whumpee, to be honest, I don't know Whumper or anyone else here. I just found a discarded invitation on the pavement and figured it was a good opportunity to get free food. I don't know anything about a payoff or what's going on. Why don't you tell me?"

Whumpee's silent for a minute. Are they telling the truth? If they are, then... well, they probably won't help, but it'll at least be a break from the monotony. And if they're not, it'll still be a change, to actually talk to someone who isn't Whumper or his closest friends.

"Whumper's like a pitcher plant. He lures you in with the promise of sweet things, food and a place to sleep and all that, and by the time you realise the danger it's too late to escape."

The other person doesn't speak for a while, and Whumpee wonders if they've gone. If the truth freaked them out too much. But no, there's no sound of movement.

"Oh. I'm so sorry. I didn't realise. I just thought... well, I assumed Whumper was telling the truth. I've never actually seen my own seizures before. Not that I have many big ones anyway. Can I help you?"

"I... you want to help me?" Her voice comes out weak. Unsteady. She hates it.

"Yes. I'm not an utter bastard, give me some credit at least."

"I... I want to leave. I can't, I know I can't, he'll just find me again, but I can't take much more. Will you help me leave? One way or another."

"I was hoping you'd say that. You'll have to open the door then."

Whumpee stands and then hesitates. What if this person's looking for someone to torture themself? Or they might deliver her right back to Whumper, report that she's trying to escape.

Well. At least it'll be a fresh hell, a new thing to be punished for. It's been so long since she attempted escape.

"What's your name?" she asks, hand resting on the door.

"Caretaker."

Whumpee pushes the door open, feeling a kernel of hope she really shouldn't. "Hi."

"You look terrible. I thought it was just the lighting."

"Thanks," she says dryly. "That makes me feel loads better."

Caretaker ignores this. "What did you mean when you said you can't leave?"

Whumpee holds out her hands, showing the elaborately-crafted jewellery that in any other circumstance she might find attractive. "Shock bracelet, tracking bracelet. Both welded on. Can't go anywhere without Whumper knowing."

"We'll see about that." Caretaker rummages in their handbag and pulls out a sheet of aluminium foil. At Whumpee's frown they shrug. "I said I was here to steal food, didn't I? I needed something to wrap it in. Now hold still."

Whumpee freezes at the command, staying statue-like as Caretaker wraps both bracelets. "There. That should scramble the signals until we can find a way to remove them safely. Do you have anything to change into so the cameras don't recognise you leaving?" Whumpee doesn't respond. No-one's said she can, she's not about to get punished yet. Caretaker snaps their fingers. "Hey. Whumpee. Can you talk? Um– you can talk. Breathe."

Whumpee takes a deep breath and clenches her fists. Godfuckingdammit, she thought that command only worked with Whumper. Now Caretaker's going to think she's too much trouble and she'll be stuck with Whumper forever and she's got her hopes up for nothing and–

"Whumpee?"

She jumps. "Hmm? Oh. Er, no. I can't take this dress off myself anyway. How do you know how to dampen GPS signals?"

Caretaker shrugs off their long suit jacket and holds it out. "You're short, this should cover most of your dress. And unless you can run in those shoes you'll need to take them off."

Whumpee removes her far too tall heels and puts on the jacket. Oh, it's soft. How is it soft? And it's the first thing she's worn in god knows how long that she can take off without help. "You didn't answer my question."

"Ever known a neurodivergent kid with a hyperfixation?"

"Yeah. Me."

"Then you know what it's like."

She nods. Makes sense. Maybe... maybe that's why their jacket is so soft. Sensory things.

"Good thing I don't need to visit the cloakroom. Shall we go?"

"Please."

Caretaker leads the way out of the toilets and down gaudily decorated empty corridors. Whumpee doesn't know where they're going but it's not towards the ballroom, so she follows. It's not like she can do anything else.

"Look drunk and lean on me," murmurs Caretaker as they approach the foyer.

"What?"

"Do you trust me?"

"No."

"Fair enough. But just do this, okay? If you want out anyway."

Whumpee grits her teeth and leans against Caretaker's side, making sure to be in a position where she can still move away if she needs to.

Then Caretaker puts an arm around her, ostensibly supporting her, and she gulps, heartrate speeding up. She's trapped.

"Just a few minutes," they murmur in her ear, before waving to the doormen.

"My friend had a bit too much champagne, we're leaving early. See you next time."

Whumpee glances back as they pass. One of the doorman's eyes are narrowed suspiciously.

"That is not how posh people act. They don't talk to the staff. They're suspicious."

"Better hurry then." They walk briskly down the long, winding drive (or as briskly as possible, Whumpee's getting dizzier), but as they turn a corner they see the electronic gates shutting.

"Fuckfuckfuck, run!" yells Caretaker, grabbing Whumpee's hand and pulling her along. They cut across the lawn, grass wet and cold under Whumpee's feet, and she slips over a few times but gets back up, keeps going. They have to get out before the gates close. They're shutting slowly, so slowly, but still too fast, the two of them seem to be creeping closer, inch by fucking inch, and as soon as they get close Caretaker shoves Whumpee through the tiny gap, diving out behind her.

They both hit the ground hard, Whumpee's knees slamming into the gravel, knocking the wind out of her. Caretaker takes a few seconds before pulling her up.

"Come on. This is still too close. Bus stop, now."

And they run again. The night bus pulls in just as they reach the stop and they tumble on board. Whumpee can't pay and Caretaker doesn't stop, but no-one cares. No-one pays attention to the mud and scrapes and bruises, to Whumpee's ill-fitting jacket. It's a night bus, no-one ever really cares on those.

They collapse onto the back seats, panting hard.

And then Whumpee starts to giggle. She can't stop it. The bus stinks of fried chicken mixed with petrol fumes, it's been so long since she's smelt it. It smells like freedom.

They made it. She's out. Whatever happens now, whatever Caretaker decides to do with her, it won't be with Whumper, and that's good enough for her.

Caretaker smiles at her.

"Not quite like a pitcher plant, was he?"

Whumpee shivers. She really hopes not.

Whumpee whose an open secret. Whumper is rich, and that buys a good deal of favors.

Whumpee who looks around a crowded ballroom, bloodied and bruised and broken, just for everyone to avert their eyes and keep talking.

Whumper can let them roam free among party guests, assured that no one was going to help them. That doesn’t stop whumpee from trying though.

They go from guest to guest, trying to find a weakness, a scrap of humanity buried deep beneath the callousness that too much money causes.

Do they find one? Or do they give up hope and return to Whumper, tears in their eyes and resentment in their heart?

[zuffer-weird-girl]

Red hair as roses, and turquoise eyes as orchids

"Dada look!" The bored and depressed blue eyes stood up from his lap to his 6 years old daughter, extending her tiny hands up high in the air.

"Be careful with what you're gonna do pretty doll." He manage to smirk a bit as she pouted, strands of red brushing against her forehead until a huge wave of flames of the colour blue danced around her hands until she jumped and a small prinkle of flames were throw in the air.

She laughed at the sign and clapped her hands in glee at her own little show as Dabi let out a chuckle at seeing the happines of his daughter... instead of him, Emika had the blessing of having a body that could tolerate the heat enough of his quirk that she inherited it from him. Your quirk itself being a huge help for the little girl to not have scars as her father's.

"Did you see Dada?! It was soooo huge and beautiful!!!" She ran towards him only to trip and thankfully landed on the brunette male's lap, giggling with a smile so bright that could've hury his eyes.

"Hmm. Almost like mine princess, im impressed." His hands carresed her chubby cheeks until he heard murmuring behind them.

Of course. Even with his disguise, that were people whose were going to mutter, say bad things... he lost count on how many times Emika had been bullied because her quirk was similiar with the most cruel and wanted villain....

And much to his dismay, Emika didn't take that... very well.

"WHAT ARE YOU WHISPERING ABOUT?! LEAVE US ALONE!" the little girl shouted and the adults only scoffed, picking up their kids and getting out of the park.

"You're going to scare off anyone with that attitude of yours princess." He muttered while carresing her red hair and picking her up as she scoffed.

"They cant say bad things about MY dada!" He smiled at the little girl and sighed.

"Yeah yeah, just lets get out of here before you burn things down."

"Thats something you would do!" She poked his scarred cheek. "Ne ne dada? We gonna visit mama right? I want to bring flowers to her this time!"

His eyes dropped at the ground as his feet carried them to the cemetery...

"We can arrange that."

.

.

.

"Mama was so pretty!!!" Emika squealed as Spinner and Toga showed her some photos as Dabi stared holes into their skulls.

Is not that he didn't wanted his daughter to forget or to not know about her mother... but it was painfull enough to have a father as a villain, now being a mother orphan was just more harder.

Emika couldn't go to school without being recognized as Dabi's daughter. So he brought himself the task to teach her things , being thankfull to his past self that he had studied enough.

"Yeah and she was strong as fuck too according to your dad there." Spinner grinned, showing a picture of you pinning down a hero on the middle of the street.

"Emika-chan, despite not meeting (Y/n) you look so much like her!" Toga beamed with a smile, fangs showing and the little girl giggling when Dabi just yanked her away from the two.

"Naaaaaa dada no bed time!" She squirmed as he carried her to now the comfortable room the league gotten ever since the incident with Shigaraki and Redestro.

"Dont complain or else Im going to take away your toy." He grumbled as the girl gasped and pouted at him much like you would do.

"You wouldn't!" She defies him with a cheeky smile although while settling down on the bed she shared with him.

"Try me." He smirked with a atched eyebrow making her laugh.

Some time passed and Dabi watched as the eyelids of Emika slowly dropped until she called him softly.

"This place we are now... we gonna stay or are the bad man breaking it and we have to move again?" His heart clenched.. she still had the memories when the league had captured that blonde kid and the heroes busted the bar...

With her own view, she saw the villains as the good and normal people despite Toga being a crazy assasin that loved drinking blood, Shigaraki a men that only wanted to destriy the world, Twice a bipolar man and the list goes on...

Emika saw the villains as good people, and the heroes as bad ones... after all, after she found out on her own that her mother died not because of childbirth, but because of a hero that accidentally killed her with a much too strong attack... and only because she wanted to protect the baby on her arms at that time.

So much blood dropped from his eyes... some even dropping on your lifeless body and on the crying baby he soon noticed that thankfully was alive.

He would never forget whem he craddled the baby on his arms and sobbed deyly as his child wailed at not having the warmth of her mother anymore.

Things were tough until they found the league of villains and had at peast a place to crash.

Emika was now soudly asleep as he sighed and brushed his hair.

"When the heroes come to us... I will make sure yoi stay outta of the mess Emika. But you will not like to know the truth about our origins..." he muttered as a scarred hand brushed her bangs and smirked when she nuzzled on his hand... reminding him of how you would nuzzle on him on cold nights...

"Time to sleep off huh? The more we sleep, the pess we have to face the reality." He muttered before laying down and bringing her close to his chest.

.

.

.

"Dada..." she whimpered as fat tears fell feom her turquoise eyes as she tremblingly holded the box of paper towels, helping him clean off the blood from his stapples as he took a final look on the mirror, his white hair finally at show for the first time in so many years.

"Hey," he crouched down and made his best to not wince "I'm fine. Daddy is used to this by now and-"

"bUT I'M NOT!" she yelled and punched his chest with her tiny fist as he frowned and holded her as she sobbed on his chest.

"...Is it true..?" He looked down at the tuff of red hair on his chest "That uncle Twice is not coming back..? That.. T-That grandpa did this to you..m that we are from the family of E-Endeavour?"

He frowned and wiped her tears away as she holded his wrist while sobbing at the loss of Twice, whose always played and made silly faces with her on spare times.

"Yeah... Im sorry for not telling you... but I thought that... Me and your mother actually decided that Emika (L/n) was better than puttingnon a fake and... well, not right name on yours."

"... which hero... killed... mama..?" His heart stopped... should he reaally tell her? She was only a baby of five years.. five fucking years... he was already damaged by society, but her was just a little flower growing...

"Princess.. I-"

"Who?!" She sobbed as his eyes dropped, a heavy sigh as he dinally sit down on the edge of the sofa as he put his hand on his face as the other helped her sit on his lap.

"... your grandpa."

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.

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Emika cried heraelf to sleep that night. Wailing that she hated the heroes, that she hated Endeavour, that she hated him for not telling her the truth for so long, that she hated having fo be a Todoroki.

Each word was a spike to his chest as he tried and eventually succeed on calming her down enough, from harsh sobs and eails to soft sniffles and the rest of the tears she had to sheed.

He hugged her just a bit tighter that night as one drop of blood fell from his eyes.

"I thought I could do it (Y/n)... I fucking promised you... but... fuck." He bited his bottom scarred lips to contain a whimper "Everything is just the worst now... why did you have to be so goddamn stubborn and risk your life dammit..."

.

.

.

"Is your fourth bowl of ice cream ya know?" Dabi muttered from his place on the miserable yet comfy apartment you two shared as you stared back at him with a spoonfull of your favorite ice cream on hand close to your mouth.

"I have the right. I'm pregnant. Leave me be." You made a show of putting the spoon on your mouth and moaning out loud as Dabi shooked his head in dismay before taking a place on your side ofbthe couxh before you two cringed at the sounds of the old mobile almost creaking.

"We need to got money to find a new couch." You muttered horrified, just apmost ending all of your money on baby supplies and clothes.

"Or I can just steal one." He smirked at the slight slap you gave to him.

"And have shitty heroes coming our way later? Nu uh mister... maybe just rob a bank though." You muttered before both of you chuckled as you laid your head on his shoulder as he subconsciously placed his hand on the sweel of your stomach and felt a kick already.

"She is going to be a daddy's girl. Im so sure of it." You giggled as he arched an eyebrow.

"How cam you say this already? We dont even know if it is a girl of a boy doll."

"I know is a girl. I just know it. And she has already a favorite parent." You carresed your belly just besides where Dabi's hand was layed on.

"You're exaggerating." He chuckled as he felt another kick "They are going to be a nasty oen though, they kick alot."

"She kicks a lot when your nearby or talking to her. Just like I said, a daddy's girl." You smiled sweetly at him and he never felt so happy...

He looked at your lips for a second as you narrowed your eyes playfully at him before your lips almost touched-

.

.

.

He woke up with a hand tapping on his cheek and soon saw his daughter looking down at him with a pout.

"Can we go walk?" She almost whimpered as he could only stare and slowly nod as he caught his disguise and a very own for her.

.

.

.

She clunged to the black bunny plushie as she walked with pinks connected to him as he stated down at her in worry until she gasped at a convenience store.

"Dada! Snickers!" She pointed as he smiled at seeing a bit of bright on her eyes once again.

"How about we get some, eh?" She nodded with a small smile and soon followed her dad inside.

While she waited for Dabi to get the snacks and pay for them, for once, she gasped when a purple haired boy at the same age as her bumped accidentaly to her making her plushie drop.

"Hey!" She called out with tears on her eyes, being emotionally damaged enough for those past days.

"I'm sorry." The boy said immediatly, kneeling and grabbing the plushie to hand it to her "Its yours?" He tilted his head as Emika grabbed immediatly.

"Of course it was! It was with me until you bunped on me!" Emika slowly dropped her tone of voice at seeing how the purple haired boy seemed genuily sorry as he aproached and bowed once again.

"Sorry, I just am here to grab some medice and a chocolate for my mom and dad. They're both sick and they dont know i went out so I needed to hurry." He smiled as Emika soon dropped slowly her guard down as she muttered.

"Is okay... is just that bunny is speacial to me."

"I can see why. Your mama gave it to you right." Her turquoise eyes widened as she frowned her eyebrows at the boy.

"Kinda of..?" She clinged to the toy "Why do you that?"

He closed his eyes with a tiny giggle.

"Well, she told me as soon as you started to tear up. She is always by your side aparently." Emika eyes darkned and she let go of one hand of the plushie to heat up her hand.

"Say that one more time. I dare you. My mama is not here." She almost cried until the purple boy touched her forehead with two fingers and soon she was not more in the grocery store, but in a blank space.

"HEY YOU!" she shouted "THIS IS NOT FUNNY LET OUT YOU FUCK-"

"Geez, daddy did not spare you of curse words then?" She froze and looked behind her and saw the sane woman Dabi showed photos of and was compared whenever she was laughing or making a trick on others.

She froze for a bit before silently tears started to fall and she hiccupped for a bit before dropping her bunny and running to you as you hugged her tightly.

"Mama! I cant believe-! Is you-! I-I-" she hicupped as you wiped her tears with your thumb and let some of your own fall.

"You're take so much of your dada im so happy... My little girl is just so beautiful..." you whispered as she sobbed while wiping her tears with her sleeve.

"D-Dada!" She gasped before smiling widely and grabbing your sleeve "Dada needs to see this! Mama he misses you a lot he need to see yo-"

"Im sorry princess..." you grabbed her cheek softly "I wanted to see your daddy just as much, but I cant...." her face fell a bit but soon nodded while playing with your fingers and hair.

"Mama? Why did you do it?" You hummed as she looked up hesitantly "Why did youbleave dad? Why... you took.. Endeavour attack..?" She asked sadly as you furrowed your eyebrows but soon closed your eyes and smiled.

"Emika... the day you were born was the day I was gone as well... but when I saw your grandpa recognizing me as a villain and blasted an attack close to where you were... I just had to. I had to protect the feuit of love that me and your father made..." you smiled sadly as she sniffed.

"But you arent with us..." she almost sobbed until you made her look up.

"Emika... Im so sorry for the loneliness you had to endure... the pain... that was the only dowside of the decision I made. My swest little girl..." you cuppex her cheek and wiped a tear "Thank you for letting me be your mother, and Touya for being your father..."

You touched your forehead with her as she noticed your body was slowly turning to tiny hints of lights and fireflies.

"Mama..?" She looked at you crying softly as you kissed her forehead.

"Emika, evertime you see a star in the dark sky it will be me watching over you and your dada... and please understand one thing," you got away from her as your hair floated majestically "Dying for you, was a noble sacrifice I did for love..."

She widened her eyes as she grabbed your hands as you giggled at her expression.

"Say to dada Im watching him too, and that loving him were the happier moments I spend... I love him and always will...after all, he is my canolli, dead or not, okay?"

The littpe girl gasped and looked at the place she was, the grocery store and the boy from earlier retracting his hand with a unsure littpe smile.

"It was your quirk... you... you made me talk with my mama." She says outstruck as the boy giggled but soon gasped at looking the time.

"I have to go! But I hope we meet again." He ran to the door with the bags before looking one more time behind to her "Call me Akira! See you soon Emika-chan!"

She stood there in complete shook before brushing her fingers on the tingling spot you had kissed on her forehead before smiling widely and giggling before knocking her daddy's leg as he grunted.

"Emika what the-"

"Mama is watching us!" She bounced up and down as he atood with a 'what the fuck' expression.

"What the hell Emika?" He grabbed the packs and carried her as he walked on the street.

"Mama said your name is Touya dada! Which I found strange at first but anyway! She kissed my forehead! Hugged me and said how much she loves me and you and is watching us! She is a star dada! A star!!"

His eyes widened. Emika didn't hear his speech to Endeavour. Emika didn't know his real name was Touya instead of Dabi as the league called him... so she was not imagining neither making things up.

"..so you saw mama?" She giggled and nodded while boucing on his arms. "... did she say something else?" He asked hopefully and she smiled widely as much as you would do.

"She said loving you was the most happier she got! And that your are her canolli forever!"

His steps faltered and almost that he dropped his daughter as his eyes widened... only you knew that god for saken nickname you gaved to him...

"Dada?" His daughter words and hands on his cheeks made him ho back to reality as he saw the blood on his little girl's fingers and worried expression "Are you crying..? Dada?"

"Heh..." he wiped with one thumb the blood before smilling at her and continuing walking "Nah. Must be one of my staples..." he stared up as his daughter rested her face on his neck. "Mama is a star then?"

"Ya.." she yawned "Watching us... I bet she is that one." The little girl pointed at the shiniest star on the sku as Dabi smiled...

"Yeah... I also bet on that one."

[atlasdoe]

The epic highs and lows of Hogwarts Quidditch snippet

All of my WIPS are taking me forever to finish because I recently got a new job so because of that heres a snippet of my Quidditch fic that’s apart of my cannon compliant series maybe we were born for this

[An extract from Quidditch moments that defined a sport, by Kennilworthy Whisp, Chapter 15: The next generations demand for attention]

Most young witches and wizards' first introduction to Quidditch is through school. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry prides itself on producing some of the best professional Quidditch players the world has ever seen. Over the years the young Quidditch teams of Hogwarts have gained nearly as much attention, coverage, bets and extremely loyal fans as any of the professional teams have. Fans up and down the country still wave their house colours proudly as they watch the next generation take to the sky, but it hasn't always been like this. 

Back in the day only a few people still kept up to date with what was happening on the Hogwarts pitch, they said it was boring and undeveloped. They said that watching children play for bragging rights was no match for the professionals who played for their lives. But that all changed in 1976 when Hogwarts had their best season of Quidditch yet.

There were many things that made the years 1976 - 1977 go down in Quidditch history. In fact, if you ask, many people can remember the exact moment they decided to give in and start giving these kids the attention they deserved. From the record-breaking teams to all of the conspiracies on what exactly was happening off the pitch, everyone had their own reason to listen in as Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff competed in the final; everyone was on the edge of their seats when disaster struck. 

August 1976

Dorcas Meadows had deliberately kept quiet when the green and silver CAPTAIN badge fell out of her letter and into her hand. 

It's not like anyone would’ve been able to hear her anyways over the loud celebration that was happening for James Potter. 

“CAPTAIN!!! CAPTAIN!!!! OH, YOU KNOW WE’RE WINNING THE CUP THIS YEAR!” Sirius yelled as he jumped up and down with glee. 

Dorcas rolled her eyes as she watched the boys from the sofa. She hated it when her brother's stupid friends came over. 

Nevertheless, both of her mothers still came round the kitchen table where the boys were sat and congratulated James on making captain. They kissed his cheek and patted his hair as they told him how proud they were and he wasn't even their kid! 

Dorcas bit her tongue, she wouldn't let her unnecessary jealousy decide her gameplay. 

The boys didn’t settle down for the rest of the morning. James Potter was clever, but he was like a puppy in many ways. When he got excited it was extremely hard for him to come down from his high, especially when he had Sirius Black egging him on. 

She would’ve loved to be the one to deflate James Potter's ego at that moment, to jump up loudly and proclaim that he wasn’t the only skilled Quidditch player in the room, but if she did that she would be giving herself away. Maybe if she kept quiet James would let some of his plans slip, maybe they could take advantage of his puppy-like behavior for once.

She had expected him to shove his own badge in her face and do a song and dance about how much better Gryffindor was than Slytherin, but he didn’t. He caught her staring and locked their eyes with a knowing smirk that said, Gryffindor is finally winning the cup this year.

He couldn’t say it out loud. Rule number one of James and Dorcas’ friendship: No house slander or Quidditch talk off the pitch.

“Proud of me Meadows?” James boasted as he passed them on his way up to Remus’ room with the others.

Dorcas’ reply came out a lot more genuine than they intended, “Y’know what Potter? I actually am,” they smiled and held out their hand. “Well done.”

James gave a smile that matched theirs and upon taking her hand pulled her up from the sofa and into a hug.

Dorcas rolled their eyes but hugged back either way. She couldn’t wait to destroy him on the pitch.

The room could only be described as electric when all of the Hogwarts letters came during the McKinnon's annual summer party. 

Marlene was not surprised to find her blue and bronze badge in her envelope, nor was she surprised when she saw Edgar Bones already pinning his black and yellow one to his shirt. 

“Bit over the top don’t you think?” Marlene teased across the table to where Edgar was sat, sandwiched between Gideon and Fabian Prewett.

Edgar gave her a flashy smile, “I don’t think it’s over the top at all. Have to let everyone know whos winning the cup this year.”

Marlene had to laugh, “Oh I almost forgot,” she smirked. “Not everyone can get a cup during their first year as captain, can they?” Her smile grew as Edgars dropped. She shrugged, “I wish you the best of luck, you will truly need it after coming fourth last year.”

Beside her, Emmeline Vance hid her laughter with the book she was pretending to ignore everyone with. 

Edgar saw her laugh and pointed a finger at her exclaiming, “You’re not allowed to laugh,” 

Emmeline, who had clearly not been expecting to be brought into the conversation, went bright red, “Why aren’t I allowed to laugh?”

“Because you’re the reason why we lost so badly last year,” he replied. 

At this, Fabian and Gideon began laughing hysterically.

Edgar slapped both of his mates on the arm, “I’m serious!” he protested. “Here,” he placed a piece of paper on the table in front of them. On the paper was a handwritten table, One of the headers being games I caught the snitch, and another being games Emmeline was there.

Marlene looked at Edgar with a raised eyebrow, Fabian and Gideon were yet to stop laughing. “What am I looking at?” she asked.

Edgar rolled his eyes as if it was obvious, “Every game that Emmeline wasn’t there, I didn’t catch the snitch.” He turned to talk to Emmeline directly.  “And you were always at the library last year for your OWLs. You’re my lucky charm and you abandoned me!”

Now it was Marlene’s turn to roll her eyes, “Don’t be stupid. Emme isn’t even a Hufflepuff.”

“Don’t go against the facts, McKinnon.”

“This isn’t facts this is bullshit.”

“It’s a coincidence,” Fabian supplied. “Which is what we’ve been trying to tell him since the beginning of summer.”

“I can’t believe you actually made a table,” Gideon added, still laughing into his hands.

Edgar slapped Fabian's hand away when he went to take it, “I told you I would and it’s important. Leave it alone.”

Fabian's attempts didn’t stop but Gideon joined in and soon the three boys were in what could only be described as a cat fight, the table completely forgotten.

Marlene and Emmeline shared a glance. Boys, Marlene mouthed as Emmeline raised an eyebrow, smiling.

This Quidditch season seemed to be off to an interesting start already.

It is very unlikely that we will ever see such a great choice for captains as we did that year. James Potter, Dorcas Meadows, Marlene McKinnon, and Edgar Bones were truly a one-of-a-kind lineup. Not only were they four of the most accomplished players but this was only the tenth time in Hogwarts history where each captain played a different position on the pitch. 

Expectations for the season were high from them alone. Edgar Bones had been a force to be reckoned with since his first game in ‘71. His ability to catch a snitch was unlike any other and this was not only his third year as Hufflepuffs captain but his last year at Hogwarts altogether. However, he was still lacking a cup as captain. 

Although this was Potter and Meadows’ first year wearing the badge they were already two of Hogwarts finest; their commitment to the sport and, most importantly, the competition is what made every game they played so memorable. This was both their sixth year at school and fifth year on the team. 

Despite being in the same academic year, Marlene McKinnon was a different story. This was her fourth year on the Ravenclaw team and second year as captain. After years of being underestimated by her own house, McKinnon proved them all wrong when she lead her team to victory in ‘76; a victory that she was certain to repeat, only this time she had everyone and their mothers betting on her.

After all, Marlene McKinnon has a rare gift. One that we may never see again.

Marlene could ride a broom before she could even walk, that's what her Mum always used to say. She could hold a beater's bat before a fork, cheer before she could talk, throw before she could crawl.

Even before she was herself, Marlene McKinnon could always play Quidditch. And damn did she know it.

It was her father who taught her how to play. She and Edgar would spend hours upon hours outside in their neighborhood park practicing their flying and catching skills. By the ages of 7 and 8, they had mastered every position and decided which one they wanted to play going forward.

While Edgar had amazing sight and felt a rush whenever he dove down to catch a snitch Marlene loved the feeling of adrenaline that she felt when she hit the blundgers as hard as she could and watch them go, always in exactly the direction that she wanted them to.

By the age of 9, she had it all planned out. She was going to go to Hogwarts, join the team as a beater her second year, and by her sixth year, she would be captain and lead her team to victory year after year. After school, it was straight to Kenmare Kestrels' summer camp where she would improve her skills and get to know her future teammates better. Of course, this summer would mostly be for fun as she was certain that she would’ve already been drafted by this point and set to join their team the following September.

Marlene would never allow her imagination to go beyond that point, didn't want to jinx anything.

She had become the captain of the Kenmare Kestrels 9 - 11s team at the age of 10. When she first told her dad he had lifted her high upon his shoulders and told everyone within a five-mile radiance that his eldest was going to become the best Quidditch player there ever was and everyone around them truly believed it. Marlene McKinnon was going to be great.

[jugandbettsdetectiveagency]

a 3x04 fic but written before 3x04 because I saw a post by @naceistruelove and it wouldn't leave me alone.

or read on ao3

Nancy’s breath catches in her throat and then picks up in double time. There’s a ringing in her ears, a hollowness rising in her stomach until she can’t help but, “I think I like Ace!”

The affectionate squabbling from across the room comes to an abrupt halt.

Nancy keeps her head down. The toe of her sneaker worries a threadbare patch of the carpet, her fingers pick at a hangnail—anything to distract her from the fact that George and Bess are staring at her with open mouths.

Time drags by at an excruciating pace, but finally George is the first one to speak. “Well, yeah no sh—” She breaks off with an indelicate oof.

“Ignore her. What… what do you mean you think?” Bess hurries to say, an overly bright cadence in her voice that makes the heat in Nancy’s cheeks flare.

“I…” Nancy begins through gritted teeth. “Like Ace.”

There’s that same heavy pause again.

“And when you say like—”

“Bess!”

“Okay! Okay, understood.” She holds up her hands placatingly.

It doesn’t do anything for her cause, Nancy thinks when she finally looks up at them, that she’s grinning broadly behind those hands. George’s smug smile isn’t helping either.

“And we’re very pleased that you trust us enough to share. Aren’t we, George?” Bess elbows her.

George doesn’t hesitate to elbow not-so-gently back. “Oh, yeah we’re ecstatic.”

“I didn’t tell you so you could make fun of me,” Nancy says, definitely not whining. She doesn’t really know why she did tell them, except that she hasn’t had girl friends like Bess and George in a long time—if ever—and the words just bubbled up and spilled out with a big gust of relief, and for a second it felt good.

Just a second though. Now? It’s mortifying.

“Course not. So, when did we have this little revelation?” Bess asks, scooting across the couch cushions so that she’s far too close for Nancy’s comfort.

Nancy tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and shrugs, the gesture equal parts dismissive as it is shy. “I don’t know, it just sort of happened.”

That’s not strictly true. Well, it is, and Nancy couldn’t tell anyone when exactly her pulse decided that the slant of autumn sunshine through Ace’s hair was cause enough to set it racing. All she knows for certain is a series of moments that stacked on top of each other to create this swelling in her chest that felt both horrible and wonderful.

Either way, Bess isn’t at all satisfied with her answer. But before she can open her mouth to protest, George jumps in.

“Why tell us now?” she asks, leaning forward with a look of delighted scrutiny. “Clearly you’ve been holding this in for a while. What happened?”

Damn, George is too smart for her own good.

Bess takes Nancy’s hesitancy as confirmation enough. “Ooh, yeah,” she agrees, matching George’s posture limb for limb so that the pair of them look like some kind of sinister, synchronised sleuths. “What happened, Nancy?”

There are beads of uncomfortable sweat on the back of her neck.

A dream is what happened.

A sandman’s curse, the grains of a dream rubbed sleepily into the corners of her eyes when she wasn’t looking. It had felt so real; she could still feel the firm planes of Ace’s chest, bare beneath her fingertips. Feel the hot puff of his breath against her tipped back neck as he trailed featherlight kisses along the column of her throat. Feel the moment she gave in to a long suppressed desire and melted into his touch.

All before reality set in.

She had hoped that any encounter of that sort with Ace wouldn’t end with her waking up, covered in accelerant, inches away from the spark of a match. Maybe next time.

Ugh, next time.

“There may have been,” Nancy starts, reluctantly, “an incident with the Sandman. And a dream. That starred a certain someone. Without his shirt…”

“It’s like getting blood from a stone,” George whispers with a kind of fascinated glee that’s thoroughly irritating.

“Okay, you’re having way too much fun with this,” Nancy points an accusing finger. George wiggles her eyebrows until Nancy has to cover her growing smile with her fist.

“Actually I think that’s enough description anyway, there are platanchors present after all,” Bess adds with a neat shudder. She pauses. “So?”

“So, what?”

“So, when are you going to tell Ace?” Bess elaborates, her brown eyes comically wide.

“I’m not going to tell Ace,” Nancy answers flatly.

Bess’s face falls. Nancy thinks she catches the tail end of an eye roll from George, but she can’t be sure.

“You guys are supposed to tell me that it’s a stupid idea, and we’re better off as friends, and any attempt to alter that could end in disaster!” Nancy tells them, an increasing hysteria attempting to colour her voice.

“You’re very dramatic, Drew.”

“I suppose,” Bess says slowly, guilt turning down the corners of her mouth, “he is with Amanda.”

“Exactly,” Nancy gestures with triumph. She desperately tries to ignore the way it feels as though the bottom of her stomach has dropped out. “And Amanda… is really great.” She cringes.

The worry melts off Bess’s face. “That sounded so sincere.”

“Shut up.”

“Alright, alright,” George waves them both quiet. When she turns to Nancy, there’s a surprisingly soft set to her features. “We know you like to pretend you’re this big, stoic, detached detective that never lets her feelings show but,” she glances at Bess, “we know.”

Nancy freezes. “You… what?”

“We know!” Bess says, the words bursting out of her like a secret.

“You know,” Nancy repeats, her sweat turning cold. Because if they knew then—

“The way you look at him when you think no one else is watching is sickeningly adorable,” George confirms with a shrug.

“Oh, God,” Nancy groans, head in hands.

“But,” Bess jumps up to crouch by Nancy’s feet, “it’s also the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching. And I know he’s with Amanda right now but as the self appointed best friend I have to say that… if he knew how you felt I don’t think it would stay that way for long.” She gives a wry smile.

“Doesn’t that make me a horrible person?” Nancy asks. She’s trying to ignore the thing that feels traitorously like hope bubbling in the tips of her fingers. If she lets herself go there, even once… She just can’t.

“Sometimes you have to put yourself first,” George says, a distant pain in her eyes. “And, not to blow her trumpet or anything, but Bess was the one who told me to go for it with Nick after you guys ended things and look at where that got me.” She holds up her hand, waggling her fingers enough that the shiny rock on her finger sparkles under the lamplight. Nancy smiles softly at her.

“She’s right, that was me. I’m so wise,” Bess grins.

Nancy can’t help but laugh at that. “Yeah, okay, oh wise one. Why don’t you use that big brain of yours to choose a movie?”

It’s enough to move the subject along, and gets them back to bickering over what to watch when George inevitably shoots down all of Bess’s suggestions.

Nancy leaves them to it, making her way into the kitchen on adrenaline-shaky legs to get the popcorn. None of them had really wanted to try and sleep alone tonight. Disguising it as movie night didn’t change the fact they were all utterly freaked. But it was nice to have these people that got it, that would always be there when a nightlight just wouldn’t cut it anymore.

Could she really risk ruining all that?

She jumps when the doorbell echoes through the hall, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Hey, Ace,” Nancy says delicately, clutching at the door after she’s pulled it back to reveal a rumpled looking Ace.

“Hey. Sorry, I got a bit waylaid.”

“That’s okay, Nick’s running late at the youth centre, too.”

“Are you guys doing okay?” Ace peers round into the living room—it’s gone suspiciously quiet in there.

Nancy tries not to think about what, or who, waylaid him, and instead let’s the concern in Ace’s voice stoke the butterflies in her stomach.

“We’re good,” she promises, teeth sinking into her lower lip. Flashes of an opaque dream keep playing in her mind’s eye.

“Good, um.” Ace clears his throat, pushes his hair back, looks at his shoes. “Good.” He sounds like he wants to say more, and Nancy holds her breath in anticipation. Bess and George have already got in her head but she can’t help it.

He won’t look at her, and for a moment panic sends a chill through her veins. For a moment, she considers that maybe Bess is wise, and that Ace had noticed the way she’s been looking at him right along with them, and now he can’t even look at her.

But then his eyes land on hers, their blue cracked open and bright, and her worries crumble to dust at their feet.

“Are you alright?” she asks when she finds her voice again.

“Yeah,” Ace replies, too quickly. “Just thinking. About everything that went down. With the dreams. Listen, I… I’m gonna go make sure those two don’t turn choosing a movie into full blown warfare. You know how they get.”

Nancy nods at the ground, not trusting that her face won’t give her away anymore. “Yep, I do.”

Ace edges past her, so close that she can feel the heat of him against her front. She barely suppresses a shiver. It feels like he stalls, and then he’s gone, his voice a distant murmur in the next room.

Not yet, Nancy thinks, hurrying after him to do damage control when she remembers what kind of bomb she might’ve armed in the living room. Not yet. But maybe soon.

[aenaxes]

PANSLALSOKAAOOSKWOAMSNA CONGRATS ON 200 BESTIE!! YOU DESERVE ALL THE LOVE, SUPPORT, AND EVEN MORE!! YOU ARE SO TALENTED NOT ONLY WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING BUT ALSO YOUR ART TOO!!! If you wouldn't mind, I would like to request a sfw to nsfw with Hardcase? The song that makes me thing of him every damm time, I have no clue why, is Ribs by Lorde. For pronouns would be she/her and if you would like to know, I'm about 5'2" with blue eyes, mid back length half dyed hair, the colors I have dyed my hair are purple, blue, and pink!! Even if you don't do this, just know that I wouldn't mind and I'm always happy with seeing you write whatever you want because you are so talented and keep me very well fed 😌🤲💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

we'll make it (divine)

[hardcase x f!reader] loving hardcase is something akin to falling in love all over again and again every time he knocks on your door and pulls you into his arms.

warnings: nsfw, outdoor sex, mushy gooey feelings

w/c: 3.0k

a/n: sage my darling 🥺 ily bb mwah <3 i'm going to be completely honest writing this made me fall so so so much more in love with hardcase (bless u for that)

event details here! requests will be open until july 4th!

“Hey!” Hardcase greets you with that very specific sort of glee only he knows, breathless and bright-eyed as your door slides open.

The durasteel parts to reveal him and a shiny keyring lifted eye-level to the blue ink arcing over his temple. The sparse assortment of bronze and silver speeder keys jangle against a polished leather keyfob as he shakes his fist with boyish, giddy joy. It’s one that, you might add, isn’t exactly fitting of Hardcase’s rough-and-tumble style—ergo, keys that don’t belong to him—and one that begets a few questions as you raise a pointed brow in his direction.

Hardcase only grins wider.

But before you can ask if those are—and they definitely are—the keys to Jesse’s planetside speeder, Hardcase shoots his other hand forward and wiggles his fingers between yours, tugging you into the glare of the fluorescent hallway lights and squeezing snug.

“Don’t have much time,” he nods earnestly. “You ready to go?”

“Go where?” you laugh as he stuffs the keys into the pocket of his bomber, tearing his attention away from you if only to shoot a hasty glance over his shoulder. But you’re stepping forwards anyways, crowding up against his side as your door slides shut behind you.

“Out, duh,” Hardcase says with a scrunch of his nose, the telltale twitch of his left cheek that you immediately recognize as a silent, animated, ‘isn’t it obvious?’ He punctuates his response with a quick squeeze over your hand, and his smile grows wider when you tip your head back and laugh.

“How much of a head start do you have on him?”

“I have about a hallway lead,” he says, sheepish if not for the excitement in his voice. “C’mon! He’ll beat my ass if we don’t get moving!”

You might not exactly know what’s going on, because for all the spontaneous and oftentimes questionable visits from Hardcase that you’ve come to expect as part of your regular routine, Hardcase carried with him some mischievous ingenuity to surprise you each and every time. But you can’t help but mirror the contagious delight in his grin as you squeeze his hand and take off behind him.

And it’s the natural thing to do, the ebb and flow of alternating surprises: Hardcase poking into your room well past lights out with Tup’s holo and a bootlegged movie, and you meeting him with two glasses of single malt whiskey before both promptly gagging on your first sips. It had always been like that ever since you had, quite literally, knocked heads with Hardcase in the corridors of your first jedi cruiser assignment, running a bit too fast a bit too far.

A bit of carefree joy, a bit of light, you think as you run past a loose group of shinies, the squeak of your boots blending with your stifled giggling. And when Hardcase turns his head to check if you’re still there (as if he’s not squeezing your hand tight), you see him as he is, a sturdy piton to keep your hold against war’s steep shear.

“Hurry, hurry!” he laughs as you run through the open blast doors. His voice rises above the motions of the hangar bay like the sweetest song, hoarse and free.

You open your mouth to say something along the lines of ‘I’m trying!’ but your mouth fills with the cool air of the Ansion night, sweet with the fragrance of grass, organic and good over the labored exhaust of the base. And instead of words, laughter, bright and loud, bubbles from your chest.

As soon as you’re entering the hangar bay, you already find yourself at its opposite end. Hardcase’s fingertips dig firm into the soft curve of your waist as he hurriedly but no less gently lifts you off your feet and onto the back of Jesse’s bike. With one final look over his shoulder, Hardcase clambers on after you, jamming the keys into ignition and revving the engine to life.

The low thrum of the bike drowns out Jesse’s muted yelling from across the landing as you peel away from the bay. But above Jesse’s fading shouts, above the rumble of eight durasteel cylinders underneath you, all you can hear is Hardcase’s whoops of pure joy when you wrap your arms tight around his waist and press your ear behind his beating heart.

The recycled hangar bay air gives way to something earthy and warm. You breathe deep, even with the speeder ramped up as fast as you think it could possibly go, and your lungs fill with the fading ghosts of sunlight and Hardcase’s cologne as you squeeze your arms around him and imagine the floodlights of the base blinking out behind you.

It’s only when the bike beneath you sputters to a halt and the roar of the engine gives way to the broad silence, curling over the hilltop on the rich and cool midnight winds, that you turn your head and see Hardcase without the giddy thrill of impromptu adventure.

Hardcase hops off the speeder, wobbling once on his feet with a breathless laugh as he hits solid ground. You watch from your perch on the back of the bike as he dusts off his jeans and shoves the keys into the pocket of his GAR bomber. It’s the one that fits one size too small, pulling at the edges of his shoulders as he rises to his full stature under the glow of twin moons.

But when Hardcase turns around to face you, all wind-kissed cheeks and rosy glow that reaches his eyes, the playful tease dies on your tongue.

“Your hair’s a mess,” he says softly as he tilts his head to the side to flash you a smile. He saunters forwards, eyes gleaming with starlight, and finds home between your thighs with a sigh you almost lose to the rising wind.

He shrugs off his bomber, his face scrunching up in the way that makes you both laugh when his arm catches on the tight pull of leather, and he sweeps it behind you to set it snug over your shoulders. And when you’re snug under his jacket, he lifts his hands to your temples, fingertips ghosting over your skin as he gently pushes your tousled hair behind your ears.

You let your eyelids flutter shut, relishing in the careful touch you know he only reserves for you, nothing like the playful roughhousing and loving shoves he exchanges in the barracks. It’s a slow deliberation, callused fingertips tracing over your scalp, sending shivers down your spine as he strokes from your hairline and arcs over the crown of your head, fingertips giving way to his warm palm cupping at the apex of your neck.

And it doesn’t take wide eyes to know that when his motions stutter to a pause, when you hear him inhale through his nose, that he’s watching you with that unnameable warmth: the one that settles deep and wide in his dark eyes, fingertips hovering just close enough over your skin that you feel the heat radiating across that small breadth between you, wondering how he got so lucky, reveling in how he got so lucky.

You know the feeling. (You feel the same.)

You open your eyes, and Hardcase is there. He is there, bathed in the endless starscape above, but all he can see is you, reflected back at you in fond eyes you commit to memory each and every time.

“I think I’m in love with you,” Hardcase whispers. He lifts one hand to rub over the back of his neck and brings the other flush over the curve of your knee with the boyish shyness of twinkling eyes and starstruck joy that had roped you into his gravity the first time he’d stumbled into your path.

“You’d better be,” you snort, tugging his jacket close to your collar as he shifts his palm higher. There is playfulness, just a flash, but it soon gives way to something warm and low in your belly.

The small, slow movements of his thumb over your thigh strike a warmth that chases the midnight wind’s cold, spreading in thrumming waves over your chest. It emboldens you like a neat shot of whiskey, thrown back at once, swallowed down with raucous laughter, the noise and the lights faded away under the open sky, warm, warm, warm, and you reach up to curl your fingers over the hand at his neck, pulling him close.

You lean forwards, touching your brow to his, and just before you slide your eyes shut, you catch the look in his deep brown eyes. It reminds you of the first time you bore witness to the ghostly blue lights of a hyperspace jump, entranced in honest wonder as he stands between your thighs.

Because it’s you. It’s you, it’s you, it’s you—a warm and bright place to call home. It’s always been you. And Hardcase melts into your touch as you brush close.

“‘cause I think I’m in love with you, too.”

He laughs, and it’s a new sound in the night. It’s not quite relief, nor is it that exuberant glee from your sprint down the base halls. When you think back on it, it was understanding, your secret for two.

“I love you,” Hardcase says again, stronger, convicted, something closer to an earnest prayer than words alone as he looks up at you and greets you with the galaxy bright in his eyes. Not a soldier, not one of millions, just him; firm muscle between your thighs, breaths ghosting over your collar, fingertips pressing warmth into your ribs as he snakes his palms under your shirt and pulls you close.

Just yours.

You’re not sure who kisses who first, too full of a rapturous swell that blooms through your chest. But it doesn’t really matter. Not when Hardcase’s lips curl close against yours, wind-chapped and dry but so, so warm as he presses his fingertips into the skin of your back and pulls you close against him.

When his kiss is broken by the cold air, bitter in comparison to his touch, you let a whimper roll from your tongue. Brief as the interruption may be, it’s an interruption all the same.

Hardcase humors you with a quick peck to the corner of your mouth. But he’s quick to make up for that split second of lost time as he throws his leg over the side of the bike, his knees knocking against yours as he takes a seat before you. In his lovestruck daze, he sweeps his arms wide, letting that brief moment of giddy glee pass over his cheeks before he brings his hands over your waist and gently tugs onto his lap.

“Isn’t this Jesse’s bike?” you sigh dreamily when Hardcase thumbs over the crease of your thighs and noses up against the edge of your jaw, sending want snaking up your spine.

“He doesn’t need to know,” Hardcase says with a noise somewhere between dismissal and apathy as he shrugs and rolls his eyes.

“Oh, gross,” and you stick out your tongue as if you aren’t already aching at the thought of straddling his lap and letting him stretch you open under the starscape above.

Hardcase simply shrugs and brings his hand to his chin to offer you his best glamour face in return.

You make quick work of your slacks, kicking them off to the side while Hardcase fumbles with his fly. It’s awkward, if only by the fact that you’re balanced atop each other on the delicate wobble of the hover generator, elbows bumped close in a gentle fumbling that’s simply too genuine to be embarrassing anymore. You’ve done this too many times, shoved up in dark closets and hidden spaces of cruiser corridors, never truly satiated, never having taken your fill.

It’s not awkward—just endearing, you decide as you shift your hips forward and feel the blunt head of his cock dip up between your thighs.

As you sink down onto his lap, the speeder wobbles beneath you, and you fling your arms around him with a half-squeal half-moan, dropping down onto his cock in one smooth movement that sends a shudder through you both.

There is some solace in knowing that if the bike did tip over, that Hardcase would go down with you, his arms tight around your waist as he nuzzles into your chest and laughs. Commitment, you think as your heart bangs up against your ribs, a bit silly and very much dangerous, but commitment that warms you to your core.

“It’s all you, baby,” Hardcase whispers as you finally peel yourself away from him and lean back just enough to catch a full view of his face.

You don’t think you’ll ever get used to it. How could you? How could you assign to the mundane the sweet ease of trust sloped over his brow as he looks up at you like you’re the only thing in the midnight sky, the only thing in his universe?

“Lazyass,” you snort, and he laughs.

But clever quips and snarky remarks are forgotten for the night when you carefully lift your hips, knees quivering over the hard press of the bike, and rock back down onto his lap.

Hardcase fills you in the way only he can, toeing that fine line between easy comfort and the satisfying burn of being split open and squeezed breathless.

You sink down with a whimpering gasp, toes curling when you feel him buck up into the soft spot inside you that whites out your vision. Choking on your own moan, you let your head drop down onto his shoulder, already rendered boneless and pliant around him. You fist tight into the soft fabric of his shirt, cunt spasming around him, and you hold tighter when his hips jerk up again.

“I got you, baby. I got you,” Hardcase mumbles into your shoulder, trailing his lips to the base of your neck and kissing sweet. His arms squeeze around your waist once and anchor you close. And he is there, curled everywhere around you, holding you close as the wind rises broad and far between the grassy plains and the universe overhead.

Where else could you ever want to be?

You want to laugh when you remember Hardcase leaving the pace to you as you feel his palms knead into your hips. But it comes out as a soft sigh when he hefts you halfway off his cock and fucks you down onto him again. All you can do is wrap your arms around his neck and hold as he starts a steady pace.

You won’t last long like this—neither of you will, not when you’re bared to the open sky and yet the closest you’ve ever felt to each other in a long while.

Hardcase breaks your dreamy longing with an uneven jerk of his hips. He’s close, and like muscle memory, he immediately drags one hand over the curve of your thigh to find the soft skin where you part around him. But you’re quick to react to him, grabbing his wrist as you sink down onto him with a soft moan.

“Already feels good,” you gasp, meeting him through the blurry haze of the tears dotting your lashes. You can just make out his wide eyes, and you choke out an unsteady laugh. “Hold me, ‘Case. Just hold me.”

“Okay, yeah,” Hardcase babbles, holding you flush on his lap and coaxing a soft sob from your lips. He brings his arms around your ribs, nestling his cheek against your chest, right above your beating heart. “Anything for you, baby.”

And that’s all it takes.

You come with a whimpering cry, and pleasure, luxuriant and warm, floods through your core as you bow forward and clutch tight to Hardcase’s neck.

It’s too much but only in the best of ways. Hardcase gives you little time to breathe, shedding the last dregs of restraint to press you down hard onto his lap and fuck as deep as he can go. Feeling your own high, Hardcase takes his fill and bends you to his pleasure, fucking into you for himself. And you swear you feel it in your throat as he lifts you up to the blunt ridge of his tip and brings you back down all at once.

“I love you,” Hardcase chants, breathy and low as he spills into your pulsing cunt. Your soft moans twine with his own as a second orgasm shocks through you, pulled over the edge again by his words alone. “I love you, I love you.” And he crushes his lips against yours and swallows your honeyed confessions with his tongue.

You feel him come down from his high with you. Your breathing blends as one until you’re gasping softly against each other, having long since parted and pressed your heads close, brow-to-brow, nose-to-nose. You vaguely remember it meaning something to the good brothers of the GAR, and while you can’t quite place a finger on what it was, all you know right now is that it’s closeness beyond physicality alone. And you feel Hardcase’s breaths level out and fan over the sweat on your collar, all you find yourself able to do is press even closer.

And when the ringing in your ears subsides, when you no longer feel your chests heaving against each other, you slowly open your eyes and find Hardcase already there, dopey-eyed and blinking slowly as he meets your gaze.

“Hey,” you whisper, drawing back.

The wind rises again, cool and sharp as it curls and eddies around you.

“Hey,” he replies. Gingerly, immersed in the sudden stillness, Hardcase lifts his hand from your back and brings his knuckles to your cheek to brush soft over the sweat and bliss over your skin.

“I love you,” you say, and the words curl over your tongue, shy and true all at once, like it’s the first time all over again.

“Yeah?”

You can’t mistake the spark that alights over Hardcase’s eyes as anything but breathless joy, genuine and raw and perfect because no matter how many times you said it, the simple power remained. The vastness of a night sky, stars exploding to life, with no clear centre but him and his soft smile that puts the moonlight to shame.

You love him.

You do.

“Good,” he grins. “‘Cause I love you, too.”