#she was like 'you're fine so get yourself out there!!'

[luv-lock]

ㅤֹㅤ⊹ㅤ #ㅤATTENTION BABYㅤ.ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

☆⁠ PAIRING : Batboys x Fem Reader

☆⁠ SYNOPSIS : When you're too busy for them.

☆⁠ CHARACTERS : Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Damian Wayne.

☆⁠ NOTES : English is not my first language. Hope you enjoy!

— BRUCE WAYNE ⋆

Bruce was a busy man. A billionaire CEO, Gotham’s protector, and a single father to a hoard of emotionally volatile vigilantes. He understood the concept of being busy better than anyone.

That didn’t mean he liked it when it applied to you.

It had started simple. You’d been swamped with work, deadlines looming over you like a guillotine, and Bruce had been hovering. At first, it was subtle. A lingering gaze as you typed. The occasional brush of fingers when he brought you coffee. A deep, expectant silence as he stood behind you, arms crossed, waiting.

But then—then—it became insufferable.

"I'm working, Bruce," you mumbled, not even looking up from your laptop.

"You need to rest." His voice was that signature Batman growl, but you waved him off.

"I will. After this."

Wrong answer.

Bruce closed your laptop with a single, slow motion. The weight of his gaze was almost suffocating.

"Hey!" You tried to reopen it, but he placed a large, firm hand over the top.

"You’re done for the night."

"No, I'm not—"

"Yes. You are."

You glared at him. He stared back, completely unaffected. It was a battle of wills.

But then—because he’s a manipulative bastard—his hands slid to your shoulders, massaging the tension away with frustrating expertise. You let out an involuntary sigh. Damn him.

Before you could protest, he leaned down and pressed a slow, lingering kiss to the top of your head.

"Take a break sweetheart."

"But—"

"I’ll make you a deal," he murmured, leaning down, lips brushing against your ear. "You take a break, come upstairs with me, and I won’t disable the WiFi for the rest of the night."

Your head snapped toward him. "You wouldn’t dare."

Bruce just raised a brow.

He absolutely would.

In the end, you found yourself naked in his arms on the bed, completely trapped as he murmured sweet nothing in your ear.

— DICK GRAYSON ⋆

Dick is like a giant, overly muscular golden retriever with abandonment issues.

Which meant the moment you got busy and stopped giving him the attention he craved, he went through the five stages of grief.

Denial — "She’s just busy. It’s fine. I’m fine. We’re fine." (Narrator: He was not fine.)

Anger — "Okay, but I’m literally her boyfriend??? Hello??? Where is my affection???"

Bargaining — "If you look at me for five seconds, I’ll do that thing you like—"

Depression — soft sighing noises in the background

Acceptance (fake) — "It’s okay. I didn’t need love anyway. I’ll just wither away like a Victorian child—"

At first, he tried the cute approach. He flopped dramatically onto the couch beside you, big blue eyes blinking up at you as he scooted closer.

"Hey."

"Hi," you muttered, not looking up from your paperwork.

"You’re working hard," he said, smiling.

"Yep."

"So hard."

"Mhm."

"...you wanna take a break?" He grinned, nudging you. "Maybe cuddle? Or make out? Or stare into each other's eyes for an unhealthy amount of time?"

You patted his cheek absentmindedly. "Not now, babe."

He rested his chin on your shoulder, warm breath tickling your neck. "I miss you."

You huffed a laugh. "Dick, I’m right here."

"Are you, though?" He suddenly was Infront of you, forcing you to face him. His arms came around you, caging you in as he pouted. "This is how close we should be."

You rolled your eyes. "Dick, I need to finish this."

"Finish me first," he said with a wiggle of his brows.

"Get out."

And that was when Dick entered his menace era.

Suddenly, your papers were gone.

Like, vanished.

"Richard," you said slowly, "where are my papers?"

"Who’s Richard?" he said, all faux innocence as he stretched his long arms behind his head.

You narrowed your eyes. "Pretty boy."

"Yes, angel?"

"My papers."

"Ohhh. Those." He grinned. "Guess you'll have to catch me if you want them back."

And just like that, he bolted.

You didn’t even chase him. You just texted Alfred. Five minutes later, he walked back in, grumbling, and handed you your papers like a scolded child.

— JASON TODD ⋆

Jason liked to pretend he don't like your attention.

But the moment you started prioritizing anything else? He was intolerable.

At first, he played it cool. Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching you work. Casual. Aloof. The picture of patience.

But then—then—you didn’t look up. Didn’t even glance his way.

And suddenly, Jason Todd, Red Hood, walking crime deterrent, was pouting.

"Whatcha doin’?"

"Work."

"How long you gonna be doin’ that?"

"A while."

"...so you’re just gonna sit there? Ignore me?"

"Jay," you sighed, rubbing your temples. "I love you, but please."

"Oh, please?" His eyes gleamed mischievously. "Damn. Didn’t know I was just a piece of meat to you, doll."

You groaned. "Jason."

"Jason," he mocked, deepening his voice dramatically. "God. You don’t even see me anymore. I could drop dead and you wouldn’t notice."

Without another word you just go back to work.

Just. Like. That.

He just watched you. Then he sighed loudly.

Nothing.

He groaned dramatically.

Still nothing.

Jason’s eye twitched.

Then, without warning, he snatched your laptop and slammed it shut.

"WHAT THE FUCK!"

Jason’s arms came around your chair, trapping you in place as he leaned in close, emerald eyes narrowed. "You forgot about me."

You blinked. "Jason—"

"Forgot. About. Me." He spoke slowly, as if the words physically pained him.

You gaped. "I was working!"

"You weren’t paying attention to me," he corrected.

You sighed. "Jason, you’re being dramatic—"

"Dramatic?!" He gasped, clutching his chest like you’d stabbed him. "Doll, you wound me."

You shot him a glare. "Do you need something?"

"Yeah," he said, grinning. "My bitch."

And then this giant of a man literally collapsed onto you, throwing himself across your lap like a spoiled cat.

"Jay—you're heavy!"

"Guess you’ll just have to hold me, then."

— DAMIAN WAYNE ⋆

Damian doesn’t ask for attention.

He demands it.

So when you started ignoring him, he didn’t pout like Dick, or whine like Jason.

No.

Damian stared.

Silently.

Unblinkingly.

For hours.

You had been working on something—completely oblivious to his growing impatience—finally you sighed and stretched—only to nearly jump out of your chair when you saw Damian standing in the shadows like some lurking cryptid.

"Jesus, Damian! You scared me!"

He tilted his head slightly, green eyes dark and unreadable. "You didn’t notice me?"

"...No?" You frowned, feeling a shiver run down your spine at his intense stare.

Damian’s frown deepened. That was unacceptable. You always noticed him. He always knew when you were in a room, and he expected the same.

You turned back to your laptop, completely oblivious to the way Damian’s jaw tensed.

"Take a break."

"…Damian."

"You are neglecting me."

Your eye twitched. "Neglecting?"

"Tt. I have been here for three hours."

That made you pause. "...you've been standing there the entire time?"

He didn't answer. He just stared.

"Okay, that’s creepy."

"Hn." He walked over, standing directly beside you. "You will cease working now."

You let out an exasperated sigh. "Or what?"

Silence.

Then—your laptop was gone.

Like, just gone.

"Damian—!"

"You have no choice now," he said simply, kneeling before you with a pleased expression. "Now bless me with your lips beloved."

You later found your laptop in the bat cave. Behind five layers of security. It took you hours to get it back.

— MASTERLIST ☆

— © luv-lock. Don't copy, use or translate any of my works here or any other websites ☆

[littelovelunette]

Sevika or Vi X a shy reader who’s actually a freak in the sheets? In public, they’re shy, soft-spoken, easily flustered by PDA, it’s a surprise they’ve lasted this long in Zaun. At home though? Complete 180, energetic, yapper, and they cannot keep their hands to themselves. They always have to wrap their arms around Vi or their hand on Sevika and they are insatiable in bed. It’s enough to rival Sevika’s sex drive. It’s just romance that throws them off and pushes them back into being flustered.

PDA

contains suggestive themes, strap use

Sevika never took you for the freaky type. All it took was for her to wrap an arm around you and you were already all blushy for her. You were both still only starting out the dating phase so you were giddy around her. She gave you the butterflies after all. Sevika pulled you in a kiss every now and then, causing you to blush deeply and shyly ask her for more. “You want more, hmmm?”

Sevika was soft around you. Always. Maybe it was the shyness that made her feel so different for you. All Sevika wanted to do was cradle you and protect you. “Come on, bunny, you won't die if you just come to my place with me.” Sevika teased gently, pulling you onto her lap at the Last Drop.

You whined, trying to push out of her lap, “Sevika, there are people!” You whisper-shouted. Sevika shook her head with an eye roll.

“It's fine, bunny.” She smirked and kissed the corner of your lips, her lips lingering just a moment longer on your skin before pulling away. “You're so cute, my little bunny.”

You shyly swung your legs, butt pressing plushly on her lap before you finally said in a timid voice, “Okay, let's go to your place.”

Sevika got up, picking you up bridal style with ease. You flushed redder and stared at how her muscles bulged with her movements. Sevika opened the door, kicking it shut behind herself and taking you to the bedroom.

“Sev…” you mumbled.

“Mhm?” Sevika hummed, putting you on the bed gently. You immediately shifted under the covers to hide yourself from her.

“You're so mean, you know I get shy with PDA.” You huffed.

Sevika chuckled, shaking her head. She got under the covers with you, pulling you close to herself. “Mmm, you're so warm.” Sevika said, hand around your smaller frame. You cuddled up to her but then your gaze lingered a moment longer on how Sevika's nipples were clear as daylight because she wasn't wearing a bra underneath her tank top.

You tried to ignore it but it was hard. “I like this.” You whispered, leaning your head against her shoulder. “You do, huh? Well, I guess you like being touchy in private?” Sevika pulled you on her lap, resting her back against the headboard of the bed.

With a little giggle, you clambered on top of her lap, straddling her thighs, “Give me kisses.” You demanded, grabbing the neck of her top and bringing her close.

“Oooh, so demanding.” Sevika smirked and pressed her lips against yours. She was shocked when you took control and pushed your tongue inside, invading her mouth.

This had never happened to Sevika before. Sevika almost gasped when your tongue pushed deeper in her mouth, swiping against her sharp teeth and tracing her tooth gap. The kiss deepened, your saliva dripping down Sevika's chin.

You almost moaned in the kiss, rubbing your crotch against Sevika's thigh. Sevika's eyes opened which had closed due to the intensity of the kiss. Her grey eyes held wide and she stared at you as if you'd grown two heads.

“What happened to my shy, timid bunny?” Sevika breathed when you finally pulled away from the kiss.

Oh, Sevika was gonna know what happened to her shy bunny soon. She had you folded in a mating press, your legs flailing from time to time when she thrusted too hard with her strap. “Fuck, pretty fuckin’ pussy, so greedy for daddy's cock.” Sevika panted out, sweat making her muscles look so shiny.

You moaned loudly, bordering on pornographic as you clutched your legs, holding them in place. “Daddy! Daddy! More!” You cried out, clenching on her strap and gasped when you felt her thumb rubbing tight circles over your clit. She was such a menace.

“Yeah, you want daddy to knock you up?” Sevika punctuated each of her words with a deep stroke. Your eyes were watery from the pleasure, yet you craved more. You needed more.

“Oh, fuck, daddy, yes!” You replied, drooling from the pleasure as your hands let go of your legs, clutching the sheets instead. Sevika pulled your legs apart, resting them on her shoulders, her hand squeezing your breast almost painfully.

With a last thrust, she made you come all over the silicone cock, the purple surface of it slick.

“Seems like I underestimated you.” Sevika said as she rubbed your thighs, pulling them down so you could lay properly and get a breather.

“What'd you take me for? I'm not a pushover.” Yot paused. “At least not indoors.”

[mintmatcha]

inevitable bonus content:

the unfamous Christmas party. cw: mentions of drug use, depictions of abuse.

Two years before the story:

It's not that you're embarrassed of Touya, even though he wore the jeans you specifically told him not to, even though you explained it's a formal party. You're actually quite proud. Proud that he's chewing on nicotine gum, proud that he's slipping a second suboxone under his tongue. Recovery is slow and painful, and yet he's trying for you, trying again.

The event is loud enough that it sets your teeth on edge. All of your coworkers look different like this, in low light and nice clothes, like different versions of themselves, buzzing with excitement for the holidays and free food. Your dress isn't new, or particularly fancy. Neither of you fit in, you suppose. When you try to loop your arm into his, Touya shrugs you away with a scoff.

The restaurant Prome has rented for the evening is nice, way nicer than anything you could possibly afford. Usually, you wouldn't bother Touya with something like this, something so self serving, but... maybe you just wanted to pretend for an evening.

Touya had been gone for 21 days. It was supposed to be longer - the full 90 day program the doctor had recommended - but he had checked himself out early. Seeing him made you... Happy, you guess. At least now you get to enjoy a night together.

"Don't drink too much, please," you say.

He shouldn't be drinking at all, but you're a realist and you're not ready for the inevitable fight that's brewing between you.

"Fine."

The withdraw anger. You're used to it by now. It's his third time going through rehab and you swear it gets worse with every round, more angled and pointed, purposefully stabbing. You try to remind yourself that it's not actually him acting like this. No, it's the pain, the need, the chills and aches he should be done with by now, but he never seems to shake.

"It's a nice party," you comment.

"I said fine," Touya shoots you a look and you try to smile back. His scalp is stained blue, his hair freshly dyed. It matches the bright black tattoo on his neck, only a couple days healed. It's a fight you chose not to have; you can't say you're fond of it - this... skull thing that creeps down his jaw and certainly cost more money than he should have spent - but you suppose that you need to be grateful for anything that makes him happy.

As soon as you two settle into a table, a familiar figure catches your eye. The man is tall, taller than you remember, with an upward turned mouth and wide, wild eyes. You perk up and the man looks you way, lighting up with excitement.

"Hey!" he practically leaps across the room. "Good to see you!"

"Mirio!" Standing, you open your arms for a hug. Mirio hugs you so hard that he lifts you off of your feet-- and your stomach immediately sinks. You're quick to back away, but Touya is already up. "Oh, I- uh--I've missed you, uh. How's the PhD?"

"Difficult, but amazing," he smiles a million watt smile. "Did you just get here? Want me to grab you a drink? There's like little peppermint thing that's-"

"She can get her own drink."

Touya's hand clamps on the back on your neck. It's a warning, a leash and collar all in one: a reminder both for you and for Mirio. The grip isn't tight, but a thumb digs into the spot between muscles. From the corner of your eye, you watch how Touya slides his tongue piercing across his lips, his jaw flexing hard.

"Can't you, princess?"

Your body is immediately on spikes and you freeze, trying to avoid being stabbed.

"Oh, uh. Yeah. Yeah, totally. Sorry, um, this is my boyfriend! Touya, this is Mirio! He was an intern when I first started here. I haven't seen him in-"

"I'm getting a drink." Your boyfriend lets his hand fall away and a scoff. Touya dips into your ear as he passes, whispering into your ear with a bitten sneer. "Take your fucking jaw off the ground."

Rehab was different this time. You keep telling yourself that.

"Um-" Mirio says uncomfortably, no longer smiling. He shifts on the balls of his feet, glancing around as if wondering if anyone else had seen that interaction. You certainly hope they hadn't. "You okay?"

"Sorry, he's just--" You're already following Touya. "He's having a bad day. I'll catch up with you in a little, okay?"

There's a creeping feeling in your throat that you'll never talk to him again.

By the time you weave through the crowd behind your boyfriend, he's already saddled up at the bar. The drink in his hand is already drained, only ice clanking around as he turns to you with an ice expression.

"Thought you were busy humping that guy's leg."

There's a dry spot on your lips that you can't stop picking at, even though the spot is tender and raw. "It's not like that."

"You're a fucking whore," he taps the glass against the Bar top to summon the bartender's attention. "Bet you're gonna have a headache when we get home though."

Something flips inside you. No, you don't want to have sex tonight. Why would you? Ever since he's gotten back, Touya's been on a tear-

"I won't."

- but you make sacrifices for peace.

"Whatever." Touya says. You don't miss the bartenders annoyed look when he makes his way over. "Another whiskey sour."

"D-"

"Don't fucking nag me." The drink comes quick and he tips half of his drink down even quicker. "Hold this. I'm gonna go take a drag."

You open your hands and let him slot to glass into them. "I thought you were doing to gum instead."

"Oh, yeah." He jams his fingers into his mouth and pulls out the wad of gum, jamming it to the edge of his cup. "Thanks for the reminder."

Touya stalks away, throwing a shoulder into yours as he passes. It's almost enough to knock you off of your balance, but you get a hand on the bar top just in time.

"Are you alright?"

Why do people keep asking you that? You glance up and realize it's another familiar face. One of the engineers, you think. It's hard to recognize him without his sunny yellow sweatshirt.

"Yeah. Yeah! Totally, yeah." You suck in your lips and they taste of copper; the spot you have been touching has broken. Aizawa sucks in air between his teeth, his neutral expression never breaking.

"If-" he pauses himself. There's a quick, outward breath. "Hizashi is looking for you."

That's not what he was going to say, you think, but you aren't sure you want to know what he was really thinking. Not when you already feel so small. You truly feel sixteen again, but in the worst ways, the helpless, voiceless way, the one that's easily dismissed and forgotten.

"Yeah. Thanks, yeah," you reply.

.

When you finally run into Hizashi and Nemuri, you make sure to only hug her. Touya hadn't returned yet, but you still feel the needle prick of his attention. Most nights with him are good, but others are the loaded chamber in Russian Roulette. There's been too many quiet nights in a row; the bullet is coming and you aren't sure if you can dodge this one.

Hizashi is leaned across the table, lost in a work story. It's not as captivating as he thinks he is, but it's nice. Mundane is always a nice reprieve from the highs and lows of your home life.

"You're quiet tonight!" Hizashi suddenly gripes. "'muri, she's usually not this quiet. This girl is an absolute riot."

"I'm just tired, I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry!" Nemuri places her hand over yours. "I thought your bad boy boyfriend was supposed to be here?"

"He is, somewhere," you say. "I have his drink. And gum."

"He gave you his gum?" Nemuri winks. "In like- a sexy way?"

"No. Is there a sexy way to share gum?"

"Are you kidding? Anything can be sexy if you're dedicated."

You smell him before you hear him, then feel his touch before you can react. Again, his hand clamps onto your neck, but this time he pulls, yanking you back like a marionette on a string. You stumble with a seasick smile.

"There she is!" There's a loud slur to Touya's words. He's unstable himself, nearly falling into Nemuri. "Knew I'd find you whoring it up."

"Whoa," Hizashi says, all humor gone from his voice.

"Whoa," Nemuri echos, nearly jumping out of her skin. Her eyes narrow hard, snarling. "I know you did not just smack my ass."

"Aw," Touya tugs at your neck again. It's easier to go limp and play along, to let your head bop from side to side. "She can flirt, but I can't?"

Attempting to change the air, you laugh, but only Touya smiles back. He reeks of cigarettes, with something else brewing underneath. Alcohol, maybe. You hope it's alcohol. You really want it to be alcohol. Your pleasant charade only lasts a moment; your body sighs with disappointment.

"I'm so sorry," you say. "He's just-"

"I'm just fucking fun." Touya jerks you back again and your neck aches. "She's just a lame cunt."

"Whoa." Hizashi has never looked more unamused. He's not the only one either; when you glance around, you notice more than a few watchful eyes. Shame starts prickling at the corners of your eyes.

"He doesn't mean it. He's-- Touya, apologize." You clutch at his arm with mock affection. "Touya, say you're sorry."

You turn back to your friends. Maybe ex-friends. The apology is meant for them and them alone; you don't need an apology from Touya, mostly because you know it would be hollow.

"I'm so sorry," you try again. When you look up again, you catch Yagi out of the corner of your eye. With his mask on, it's too difficult to read his expression, but you doubt it's good. "We're gonna go. I'm so, so, so sorry."

Luckily, you had left your coats in the car. It's a quick get away-- just like you had planned. The two of you can escape before-

The smile slides off of Touya's face and the gun goes off.

"There she goes." The way he addresses the room makes your gut twist. He does it with a practiced pomp and circumstance, a tactless grace- "Always so fucking embarrassed of me."

You pull at his arm. Luckily, he's wiggly enough that he stumbles along with you, even as his tone rises and rises.

"You always make me out to be the asshole."

"Let's go."

"So fucking embarrassed."

"Let's go, baby. Please."

"Anything for the fucking princess."

Somehow, you manage to get him outside. The weather is biting cold, with moisture clinging to the air in the anticipation of snow. Touya's breath puffs out visibly, each labored breath faster and faster. A real blow out is coming. Saying something will either mitigate it or push him over the edge.

"I just wanted to spend time together." You take the risk. "I just wanted-"

The gamble doesn't pay off.

"It's always about what you want." He yanks himself away from you. "You just fucking hate me, don't you?"

"I love you!" You do, you really do. It's why these bad moments hurt so badly, why your heart's so heavy when he gets this angry. "I love you so much, but this is my work and I want you to behave. Just for one night."

"It's always about you. What you want. What you want to do." The dark of his eyes are blown out, nearly swallowing the blue completely. "Never about fucking Touya. Never do anything for me, you fucking--"

Shit. He's high. You should have seen it earlier.

"You're heartless. You're a bitch." It's in the way he rambles, the laziness in his tongue. "Never what I wanna do."

There's a flash of anger inside you. All of this. All of your effort, your love, your money: it all feels wasted.

"Because all you ever wanna do is get high."

Touya whips around, fists bunched, lip sneered-

"You have no fucking idea how bad-" Spittle flies from his mouth as he speaks and you jump at their intensity. Every inch of your spine dissolves. "I wanna fucking bash your face in right now."

His body heaves with every breath. You wait for the retraction, wait for the realization, but his expression stays hard, firm with conviction. Suddenly, you're glad to be in the parking lot, bearing with the cold and ice, because it affords you silence. There's time to swallow down your tears, to remind yourself that he doesn't mean that, that it's just the withdraw talking.

(He's not in withdraw anymore. He's not in withdraw.)

Touya shoves a hand out.

"Gimme the car keys."

"You're drunk." And high. Where did he even get the drugs? Did he bring them?

"Give me the fucking keys." When you do, he starts to stalk off. "Take the fucking train home-- I don't wanna look at your fucking face."

"Touya..." you step after him. Your voice is wild and wet. "Touya, I-"

"I will fucking hit you, I swear to-"

He wheels around again, then freezes. His eyes are locked behind you. Shit- Hizashi, who had clearly followed you both outside. Relief and worry flood your system at the same time, so thick you might choke on them. Your boyfriend backs off, keys gripped tight in his hand.

"I'm leaving."

You watch him prowl away, through the parking lot, into the first flakes of snow. Quickly, you wipe away your snot and tears with the back of your hand. That's when you realize Touya's drink is still in one hand, gum still pressed into the edge.

"Hey-" You friend takes a couple steps forward. You're quick to start rambling.

"Hey, um-- ignore that, I--"

"Yeah. Totally. Yeah." Hizashi throws his hands up, expression open, yet twinging on sad. "Hey, I was just thinking; Nemuri and I just redid our guest room if you wanted to stay at our place for a little. We'll have a little sleepover."

"I couldn't-" Pity: you hear it in his voice. Guilt rises in your throat; you don't need his help. Tonight was just a bad one. "I don't have a toothbrush or my phone charger-"

"Oh my god, don't worry about it." Hizashi reassures you. "We'll take care of you, it's fine. I need someone to tell me if the mattress is good! You'd be doing me a favor, really."

There isn't a train station nearby. You'd have to cross the highway, you think. There's no guarantee you'd make it home tonight and if you did, there's only a chance that Touya will be over his mood.

"Okay, thank you." You rub your palm into your eye again. The tears have dried your contacts up. "I'm so sorry about him."

Hizashi cups a hand at your back. The contact makes you paranoid, as if someone's still watching, but it also eases your ache, just a bit.

"It's gonna be okay, babygirl, don't worry."

.

Touya calls you that night, just after 4am. It's a bad idea to answer, but you do anyway, voice low.

"Where are you?" Touya asks. His voice is smoothed out, calm and sweet. It soothes your headache, irons out a bit of your worry.

"Friend's house."

"Text me the address."

The guest room is nice, with finer sheets than you've ever slept on. Your eyes are puffy from the salt of your tears. "Touya, I don't know..."

"Princess, baby..." he pleads. "You know I'm sorry. Can't sleep in this apartment without you."

This is the side of his you like. The syrupy, soft kindz the one that sticks to your teeth like caramel.

"I was worried 'bout you, yeah?" he continues. "I miss my pretty girl. Miss kissing you."

"You were so mean."

"I didn't mean it. You know that. It's not me- I was just coming down real bad. You know that. You know that, right?"

"I do."

"And you know I love you. So much it makes my fucking head go crazy. Love you so fucking much. You're my princess." He rambles on, tugging at the strings. "You're my girl, right?"

The clock in the corner ticks. You count the seconds until you answer, voice small. "Yeah."

Touya blossoms at the inch you've given him. "My favorite girl. Always gonna be my girl, aren't you? It's just you and me 'til the end of the line."

Affection and dread. You can't decide with one you feel.

"Gimme the address, princess," Touya pleads again. "Lemme come get you. Take you home."

You do.

The car pulls up outside within the hour. All you have on is the loaned sweat set that Nemuri had lent you and the heels you had worn to the party. Snow has gathered enough that it wets your feet as you walk out to him. Touya is leaning against the car, arms open.

"Hey, princess." He sniffs. The tension is gone from his face and body. "Come'ere."

When he hugs you, his arm wraps around your neck.

[mashtatosworld]

calm in the chaos

summary: you give birth to your first baby

You should have known when Jiyong walked into the room with a beret perched on his head and a set of fine paintbrushes in the other, that today was not going to go as planned.

You had thought you were going to start painting the nursery.

You had been excited, even, having selected a range of pink shades together weeks ago. You’d imagined the two of you working side by side, getting messy with paint, making this space a home for your little girl.

But instead, you found yourself sitting on the nursery floor, your maternity dress rolled up over your stomach, as your husband carefully dragged a paintbrush across your swollen belly.

You sighed, watching him dip the brush into a soft pastel colour before sweeping it over your skin. "Ji, why are we doing this again?"

He didn’t even look up, his lips pursed in deep concentration. “She gives me inspiration.”

You arched a brow. "She?"

“Our baby,” he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I’m waiting for her to tell me how she wants the room painted."

You blinked. "You don’t know what colour you want the nursery to be?"

He had a vision board, a Pinterest board and even hired interior designers to help plan the nursery. But in the end, the two of you went to the store and picked out your favourite swatches of pregnancy safe paint - of which he was now painting on your stomach.

“I thought I did," he admitted, sticking a tiny flower to your belly, right where he had just painted. "But then I realised, I should wait for her input."

You stared at him, bewildered. "She’s going to decide?"

He nodded sagely. "Of course."

You sighed again, shaking your head. "And how exactly is she going to do that?"

At that exact moment, a small but firm kick pressed against your stomach, right where he had been painting.

Jiyong grinned, eyes wide with excitement. "Ahhh, see? She’s choosing!"

You couldn’t help but laugh. “Or maybe she’s just done with you poking her all the time.”

He ignored your teasing, his expression turning softer, more thoughtful. He ran a hand gently over your stomach, his wedding ring cold against your skin as it grazed the painted surface.

"I feel so connected to her already," he murmured, pressing a kiss to your belly. "I think she’s going to share my artistic vision but have your beauty." His eyes flicked up to you, filled with so much love it made your breath catch. "She’s so lucky."

Your heart melted, and you reached out to touch him, feeling closer than ever. "We’re the lucky ones, Ji."

He smiled, rubbing a hand over your belly again before picking up another flower petal and sticking it carefully to your skin.

After a few more strokes of paint and some deep, artistic pondering on Jiyong’s end, you finally asked, "So… now that she’s chosen the colour, can we start painting the nursery?"

Jiyong froze, slowly pursing his lips. His expression instantly shifted from serene to guilty.

You narrowed your eyes. "Jiyong."

He cleared his throat. "Well… we could… but, you know, it's a lot of labour, and - "

"Ji."

"And you're pregnant, and I just - ”

"Ji."

"I don’t want you moving around too much!" he finally blurted, eyes pleading. "It’s not safe!"

You stared at him, incredulous. "That’s why you’ve been delaying? Because you don’t want me painting?"

He nodded quickly. “I mean, you are involved! You’re growing our princess!”

You threw your hands in the air. "Jiyong, come on. I want to help. I’m not going to break!"

He hesitated, clearly torn between his need to protect you and his desire to make you happy. After a long pause, he finally sighed in defeat.

“Fine.”

"Thank you."

"But only sticking flowers to the wall," he warned. "No climbing ladders. No stretching. No actual painting. Just decorating."

You rolled your eyes but took what you could get. "Deal."

He'd been like that your whole pregnancy.

You weren’t allowed to carry anything. Not a grocery bag, not the laundry, not even your own shoes if he was feeling particularly protective. The man had damn near wrestled a glass out of your hand once, insisting it was too full and too heavy - until you nearly bit his head off.

After that, he reluctantly allowed you to lift a drink or your phone. But everything else?

Off limits.

𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪

An hour later, the nursery was transformed.

The walls were coated in the perfect shade of soft pink, the door dotted with tiny, delicate flowers. Jiyong had even painted a subtle mural on one wall - gentle brushstrokes forming a dreamy, almost ethereal heart. It was beautiful.

You both stood in the centre of the room, looking around in awe.

It suddenly felt real.

This wasn’t just a room anymore. This was your baby’s room. The space where you would rock her to sleep, where she would wake up every morning, where she would play and grow.

Jiyong took your hand in his, his grip warm and steady. He gave you a small, almost disbelieving smile. “This is really happening, huh?”

You squeezed his fingers. “Yeah.”

Briefly, you were pulled back to when you first met him. At the time, you'd been too afraid to even look him in the eyes. And yet now you would touch your stomach and wonder if your baby would have those same, curious eyes...

He pulled you into his arms, holding you close.

You closed your eyes, resting your head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.

The three of you - already a family.

𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪

You should have known.

You should have known when Jiyong didn’t touch a single drop of alcohol all night - not even during Youngbae’s toast.

You should have known when he stayed practically glued to your side all night, his hand permanently resting on your belly like some kind of monitor.

And you should have known when he kept looking at you with that knowing little smirk every time you shifted uncomfortably.

But you?

You were in denial.

Sure, there had been some cramping earlier that day, but that was normal at nine months pregnant. It was not the start of labour.

No way. Not tonight, of all nights. Not when you were supposed to be enjoying Youngbae’s big concert, surrounded by your closest friends.

So, you pushed through.

You swayed lightly in the VIP section, singing along with Hyorin. And you breathed through the discomfort when Jiyong leaned in, murmuring sweet nothings against your temple.

And then the concert ended.

You were all backstage, congratulating Youngbae, when a sharp pain rippled through your stomach. Your hand immediately shot out, grabbing the nearest thing - which happened to be Jiyong’s forearm.

You squeezed, fingers digging in.

Jiyong didn’t even flinch.

Instead, he sighed, tilting his head with that same knowing smirk. "Right, jagi - your contractions are within five minutes. It’s time to go to meet our baby."

Silence.

Then -

“WAIT, WHAT?!”

Every single person in the room turned to stare.

Youngbae, still towelling off his sweat, froze. Hyorin’s jaw dropped. Daesung, mid-sip of water, choked violently.

"Is this really happening?!"

"How could I have not noticed?"

"I'm going to be an uncle again?"

Jiyong rolled his eyes. "Yes, ok, she's in labour. Time to go. Let’s move."

"Yah!" Hyorin smacked your arm. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"You can't smack a pregnant person!" Daesung jumped in, standing in front of you like a personal bodyguard.

You tried to protest, but another contraction hit, and all that came out was a pained groan.

"What are we waiting for!" Youngbae ushered, grabbing his wife as Daesung threw on his jacket.

"This isn't an afterparty." You muttered, shuffling out of the room with Jiyong at your side as the others followed closely behind.

"We were there when you met, we'll be there for this too."

𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪

The car ride was complete chaos.

You were wedged in the back between Hyorin and Daesung, who were gripping your hands like they was the ones about to give birth.

Youngbae was in the passenger seat, throwing out directions that he believed was the fastest way to the hospital.

"Take a left here! Hyung! Hyung! You missed the turning," He instructed Jiyong, his maps up on his phone. "Go right here! No! Jiyong!"

Your husband ignored his frantic shouting as he continued straight ahead. "I know the way." He'd been studying every route to the hospital since you entered your third trimester.

Daesung, squished in the back, was losing his mind. “Drive faster! Why are we not driving faster?! This is an emergency! Run the light!”

Jiyong stayed silent.

Completely calm. Not panicked. Not frantic. Not hovering.

He just gripped the wheel, eyes steady, jaw set. Cool. Collected.

Which only made it worse because nobody expected this.

“Why is he so quiet?!” Daesung hissed from the back.

"Maybe he's in shock!" Hyorin whispered back. "Youngbae fainted when I had our son."

"Hey... I was tired and simply closed my eyes," Youngbae muttered in return. He then looked to his bandmate with wide eyes. "You're not going to faint right? Tell me and I'll grab the wheel."

Jiyong rolled his eyes. “I’m perfectly fine.”

"That makes it weirder, Jiyong!” Daesung exclaimed.

You let out a strangled groan as another contraction hit, gripping Hyorin’s fingers like a vice.

Jiyong found your eyes in the mirror. His voice was calm when he spoke.

"Breathe, jagi," he murmured. "We’re almost there."

Everyone else was in full-blown meltdown mode, and yet he was here, anchored, pulling you back down to earth.

𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪

By the time you got to the hospital, Jiyong immediately sprang into action.

The moment the car stopped, he was out, grabbing the hospital bag from the trunk - which he had secretly packed without your knowledge.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group spilled out of the car like a panicked clown parade.

"Move, move, move!” Youngbae yelled like it was a military drill.

Jiyong opened the door for you, helping you out carefully, and wrapped an arm around your waist as he guided you inside. The others trailed behind, all talking at once -

"We’re here for the birth!”

"She’s having the baby right now!”

"We need a wheelchair!"

"I can still walk Daesung.” You declined even when he nearly tripped you up, trailing closely behind at your heels.

Jiyong ignored all of them. He was only focused on you.

Hyorin was on the phone with your mother, giving her updates in hushed tones. Youngbae was already calling Jiyong’s mom. Daesung, pulled out his own phone, not one to be left out.

"I'm calling Seunghyun," He muttered.

Another contraction hit. You clenched your jaw, voice shaking. "Ji... I’m scared."

And just like that, his entire demeanour softened.

He turned to you, his hands framing your face as he rested his forehead against yours.

"I know, baby," he whispered. "But you’re going to be okay. I’m right here."

And somehow, that was enough.

𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪

The moment you were wheeled into the delivery room, the chaos of your friends faded.

It was just you and Jiyong now.

He never let go of your hand.

Not once.

Through every contraction, every moment of pain, he was there. Whispering reassurances. Kissing your knuckles. Smoothing your hair.

"You’re doing so well, jagi."

"Just a little more, my baby."

"I’m right here."

And when your daughter finally entered the world - when her tiny cries filled the room - Jiyong let out the softest, most broken breath.

The doctor placed her in your arms, and Jiyong just stared.

He looked at you, his eyes wet, his lips trembling. "She's here," he whispered. "You did it."

You nodded weakly, exhausted beyond words.

And Jiyong - your calm in the chaos - just broke.

Tears streamed down his face as he cupped your daughter’s tiny head, his hands shaking. "She's perfect," he whispered.

You smiled sleepily, watching the love in his eyes as he gazed at your little girl - the masterpiece he had been waiting for.

The one he'd been waiting for his whole life.

𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪

a throwback to the birth of baby diva! i thought i should post this before Angel arrives - which is not long now!

taglist: @petersasteria, @mirahyun , @allthoughtsmindfull , @gdinthehouseee , @infinetlyforgotten , @redhoodedtoad , @kathaelipwse , @lxvemaze , @loveesiren , @sherrayyyyy , @getyoassoutthetrunk , @shieraseastarrs , @ctrldivinev , @xxxicddbr88 , @onyxmango , @tryingtolivelifeblog , @tulentiy , @bettelaboure , @maskedcrawford , @breakmeoff , @emmiesoverthemoon , @rafesbunniebby , @ricecake9999 , @fleabagspurplewife

[captivating-flavors]

mine | caleb

pairing: college au caleb x non mc reader

prompt: -

summary: you're going on a date. caleb wants to stop you.

words: 1,221

warning(s): possessiveness, obsessiveness, mc being referred to as caleb's adoptive sister

a/n: ok its like almost 3am and i got work tmr lol but i got so inspired whilst i was on my way home from work today so i kinda just finished this like half an hour ago and in one sitting and so yeah this is pretty much unedited andddd i sort of told @mayooness that i might make a part two of this into either a jealous caleb smut or fluff but i still dk (also putting into consideration the fact that i suck at writing smut, so the jury is still out) anywaysss enjoy? reblogs, comments and feedbacks are much appreciated <3

masterlist

Caleb is a Grade A pretender. Especially when it comes to you.

The first time was in ninth grade, when he had to pretend that he didn’t have a crush on his adoptive sister’s best friend, as she teased him for his attentiveness towards her best friend as he handed you his umbrella and had to walk through the rain home.

The second time was two days after the first incident, when he had to pretend that he was fine as one of his classmates asked you out.

The third time was later that day when he had to pretend that he had no feelings whatsoever towards you when his sister teased him for being jealous of the classmate who asked you out.

Of course, with them being tight as thieves, she knew he was lying. The three of you grew up together, so of course she also knew that he had a huge crush on you. She knew she wouldn’t mind you dating him, all she wanted was for the two most important people in her life to be happy and if that’s with each other then so be it.

From then on, Caleb has definitely lost count of the times he had to pretend that you were nothing more than his friend or his sister’s best friend.

That ends today, though.

Ah yes, he should probably start with a little bit of a life update and context first.

It was yours and Caleb’s second year of college and you had just been cheated on by your moron of an ex a few months ago. Caleb had been there for you, as he always was. He comforted you, kept you company, even warded off unwanted advances from the other guys on campus.

The pretty, heartbroken art major. That was what people were saying about you, unbeknownst to you of course (because Caleb made sure of it!). Your douchebag of an ex had cheated on you with a professor and it even made headlines for a local newspaper, so of course it was like an open secret.  

It had been a few months, but you still weren’t ready to date, obvious by how you kept rejecting advances here and there (fret not, the creeps and the ones who couldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer were all handled by Caleb!), or so Caleb thought. When he heard from his sister, who went to a different college, that you called her to tell her that you had a date with ’Devon’ from Art History, he knew he had to rush to your apartment.

The two of you lived in the same apartment building, but he lived on the floor above you. The two of you had each other’s keys so it was normal for the two of you to drop by unannounced at each other’s places.

“Y/N? You home?” Caleb called out as he closed and locked the door of your apartment behind him.

“In here!” You responded, your voice slightly muffled, coming from the direction of your bedroom.

Caleb walked past the entry way and the kitchen to get to your room. As he reached the open door of your room, he saw that you were wearing a bathrobe and that your hair and makeup was done. There were also several dresses laid out on your bed.

Oh, how it killed him to know that you had dolled yourself up so, so prettily for someone else.

“Perfect timing! I need your input.” You beamed.

“What for?” The pretender was back at it again.

“Which one looks better? This one?” You asked as you held out a yellow sundress in front of you before putting it on your bed and grabbing the other dress, “Or this one?” You asked again, this time holding a light blue midi dress.

“The blue one. Where are you off to?” Caleb tried his best to keep his tone to his usual light and cheery tone.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did we have plans for tonight?” You said distractedly as you grabbed the yellow dress and turned to put it back on your closet. Caleb could only watch as you walked towards your bathroom with the blue dress in your hand.

“No… we don’t. But I was about to ask if you wanted to go to that new café that just opened a week ago. I knew you wanted to try their cheesecake.” He answered as he heard the shuffling sounds of you changing in your bathroom.

“Oh. I can’t… uh… I’m going on a date tonight.” You responded as you walked out of the bathroom, now wearing the light blue dress he had chosen. The sight of you looking so beautiful sent short circuited his brain and it was like no words could come out of him at the moment.

He blinked and tried to keep it together before saying, “Oh? Whom with?”

“This guy from my Art History class. His name’s Devon.”

“That… sounds nice.” No, no it doesn’t. He wanted to delete the guy from the face of the earth.

You gathered your phone and purse and walked towards the door as you said, “Yeah, I’m actually running late. He says that he’s picking me up at seven and its…” You put on a pair of heels before pausing to glance at your watch and pointed out, “Oh! Won’t you look at that. I’m already five minutes late. I gotta run. See you later, Caleb!”

No. No. No! There was no way he was going to let you go on that date. Especially when you’re dolled up that pretty! There was also no way that he’s letting you go to another jerk who didn’t know you as well as he did. He didn’t even know this ‘Devon’ guy, but Caleb was sure that the guy didn’t deserve you and won’t be able to treat you the way you deserve to be treated.

You reached out your hand and opened the door to your apartment. The door, unfortunately, didn’t manage to open all the way for you to go through. Caleb rushed towards you and planted his palm on the door, slamming it back shut.

“Caleb.” You said, trying to stay calm and not flip out at the fact that Caleb was going to make you extra late, “What the heck are you doing?”

Caleb had your back flushed against his chest, “Caleb. Let me go.” You still had your hand around the handle of your apartment door.

He took your hand and spun you around, so you’d face him, before planting both his hands right on the door, caging you.

“What are you doing?” You asked once more, looking up at his much taller frame.

Caleb looked down, let out a dark chuckle before looking right back at you, “I can’t let you go.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re mine. I’ll be damned if I let you go on a date with another man. Not again.” He leaned down and moved his face closer to yours.

You gulped. You had never been this close to him, so of course there was an unfamiliar nervousness that crept down your spine, “Caleb, what are you talking about?”

“I’ve been right here all along. When are you going to realize that?” He said darkly before slamming his lips onto yours.

-

taglist: @mayooness

[heavyhitterheaux]

Girl Errands

See Me Through You Blurb

Synopsis: You try to distract your husband from the multiple bags piled up in the back of your car, which was the result of you running "errands"

Pairing: Husband!Joe Burrow x Wife!Reader

Series Masterlist

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

Glancing down at your dashboard in your car, you saw that it was now around two in the afternoon and figured that Joe would probably be making his way home soon.

So, that left you with one task.

Beat him home so that he doesn't see the multiple bags that are a result of you telling him that you were going to run “errands”. 

You in fact did not run one errand according to Joe if you were to ask him since they consisted of Target, TJ Maxx, Starbucks, JoAnn Fabrics for more things to crochet, and last but certainly not least browsing the Savage Fenty website for new lingerie which you knew would end up getting torn and would make Joe buy you more. 

As you pulled out of the Target parking lot, you were met with a stop sign before turning on the main street and coming to a red stop light. You just so happened to glance to your right to see no one other than your husband drumming his fingers on the steering wheel and waiting for the light to change.

“Shit!” You muttered as you glanced behind you to look at the multiple bags in the backseat.

When you turned back around, Joe just so happened to catch your eye and you smirked before you gestured for him to roll down his window.

You might as well distract him.

“Hey handsome! You got a girl? I'm trying to go on a date with you tonight.” You said as you winked at him while he couldn't help but to laugh at your horrible attempt at a pick up line.

“I have a wife actually and I highly doubt she would like that very much.” 

“Well, I won't tell if you won't.”

“I'm trying to save us both from ending up being six feet under. She's short, but don't let that fool you.” He replied as you turned up your nose and glared at him.

“I'm sure I can take it. So what do you say?”

Before Joe could respond, he glanced in the backseat of your car and made a face before turning his attention back towards you.

“Uh oh.” You said quietly before you heard your husband's voice.

“Baby! What do you have in the backseat!?”

“Nothing! Bye!” You told him as the light turned green and you pulled off without another word.

But your luck ran out when you were once again caught at a stop light literally less than a mile from your house right next to Joe as he gestured for you to roll your window down and you shook your head no.

So as soon as you told him no, your ringtone for him started blasting throughout the car and you hesitantly hit accept.

“Princess….”

“Oh thank goodness. There's this weird dude who keeps following me in his car and pulling up next to me every time I'm at a stop light.”

“I am not doing this with you today. I refuse.” Joe said as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Refuse what, babe?”

“Don't act dumb. Now what is in the backseat?”

“Stuff.”

“What kind of stuff?”

“For me to know and for you not to find out because I was supposed to beat you home and hide everything.” You honestly told him.

“Hmm, and how's that working out for you?”

“It'll be fine once I get home before you do.” You replied as you hit the gas once more and sped away from him.

“I am literally right behind you and you better slow down before you get a ticket.”

“I'm pretty and I'll be let off with a warning. Works every time.”

“Why do you love to stress me out on a daily basis?”

“You're the one who asked me to marry you so you did this to yourself.” You replied as you pulled into the garage with Joe right behind you.

Joe got out of his Porsche before coming over to the driver's side door of your car and opening it, seeing you smiling at him, but he did not look amused.

“Hi baby!” You greeted him as you wrapped your arms around his neck and your legs wrapped around his waist.

Placing a kiss on his lips, he didn’t return it which made you frown. 

“Give me a kiss and fix your face.”

Joe rolled his eyes before kissing you and continued to make a face at you as he pulled away.

“Is this supposed to be serving as a distraction?”

“A little bit, but I can take my clothes off if it isn't working. Now how about that date you promised me?”

“I never even gave you an answer.”

“You're undressing me with your eyes so that's a good enough answer which obviously translates to yes.”

“We can go on a date... right after you show me what's in the backseat.”

“No.”

“Fine. I'll just get my hair cut and run errands in my gray sweatpants.” Joe told you as your eyes then went wide.

“I… Just get the bags please and I'll tell you.”

“That’s exactly what I thought.”

[kayhi808]

hiiii i hope you are doing well. i was thinking abt maybe reader is away on mission or something so bucky takes care of abby and he’s trying to do her hair/pick a cute outfit and he thinks he’s done amazing, (abby does too) but steve sends reader a picture of bucky and abby and it is the most atrocious hair style and outfit but they both have the biggest smile and reader is happy 🧹

My favorite anon! Thank you, I'm hanging in there.🙂 I switched this a lil bit to make it a collaborative effort between Mama's favorite people.

"Papa, is you wakes?" Bucky was awake as soon as Abby stepped into the room, but he pretended to be asleep because Abby is so entertaining when she tries to wake him up. "Pu'a and I done sleeps." She waits a few seconds, "I tinks my pig is hungwy," squashing Pu'a belly against Bucky's ear. "You hears it? His tummy is gwowing."

"I heard it," pulling away from her stuffed animal.

"You's up, Papa!'

"How can I stay asleep when Pu'a's belly is rumbling so loud?"

Abby gives him a smile, "Mine tummy maybe gwowing too."

Bucky quickly sits up lifting Abby's belly to his ear, making her giggle. Her giggle has become one of his favorite sounds. "Is it?" rubbing his head into her belly, tickling her. She wiggles and curls up, kneeing Bucky in the face. Bucky groans falling back on the bed.

"Papa!! I's sowwy!" Abby crawls over to check his face. "I ouch you? I's sowwy! I takes care you. It ok, ok?"

"I'm ok. I'm fine."

Looking relieved, "You'd fine?"

"I'm an Avenger. I'm fine."

Then Abby frowns, "Yous make my heart so scared. Don't ticko me! I don't wikes it."

Bucky rubs his cheek, "I'm sorry. I learned my lesson. I won't tickle you."

Abby nods and gives him a beautiful smile, which reminds Bucky of yours. "But you knows what?"

"No, tell me."

"My tummy is still gwowing."

*****

You're in Washington DC with Director Fury to attend conferences and committee meetings with him. You're only supposed to be gone 3 days and Bucky said he'll bring Abby to the Tower, knowing if he needs help the team would jump in.

Brushing teeth and washing Abby's face was easy enough. Brushing her tousled bed head was another story, but once it combed out, "Ok, are we good?"

"No, Papa. I need pigtails. One over here & one here," patting the sides of her head.

Bucky gets to work, "Ta-da! How does that look?"

Papa tried his best but the pigtails were lopsided and uneven. He didn't make sure the part was straight and there were so many fly away hairs, and Abby didn't want to hurt his feelings. "Uh ..um...I so pwetty! Yay, Papa?"

"Cool, let's find something to wear." As Bucky leaves, Abby takes another look in the mirror & shakes her head. Mama never lets her leave looking like this. She gives a little giggle thinking about Bucky.

Abby waddles into the bedroom to find Bucky going through her packed clothes. "Is you finds my scoon cwothes?"

"Yea, sure. What do you want to wear?"

"You's let me picks it?"

Bucky shrugs, "Why not?

Abby jumps up and down, "Okies!" Mama never lets her do this. She looks through her selection and picks out a flowered top and some cheetah leggings. "Dis! I wike dis! It my favwit! I'll feel pwetty."

Bucky tries to be supportive, "Wow! Um ...good choice. You're always pretty, Abigail Baby. He dresses her & boy is she a sight. Both of them look at each other with so much love. Trying to support the disaster each of them created.

*****

Steve just started making coffee when Abby skips into the kitchen, "G'morning Uncle Steve!" She runs the rest of the way to hug his leg.

"whoa! What...did you? You did that to yourself, Abs?

Giving Steve a twirl, "You wikes it? Papa did my hairs, but I picked-ed my cwothes."

Steve looks at Bucky and he's got a huge smile on his face. Taunting him, "Yea, Uncle Steve. Don't you wikes it?"

Steve kneels down to Abby's level, "You know who would also like this?"

"Who?"

Steve looks up at Bucky while he answers Abby, "Your Mama! I think we should sent her a picture." The smile slowly slides off Bucky's face.

"Maybe we shouldn't..."

"YES! Mama wants to sees me!" Abby strikes a pose, "Take my piture!" Steve cracks up laughing but does as he's told. Abby runs to Bucky, "Now one wit Papa!"

"C'mon, smile Buck."

"Is you smiles? You happy to be's wit me?" Abby looks hopefully up at Bucky.

"Of course Abby Baby!" He pulls her closer and they both giggle and give the biggest smiles.

"Yay! Send to Mama.

"Sent."

"Uncle Steve? Can you make me pancakes? My tummy is gwowing! I hungwy."

@waywardhunter95 @rebeccapineapple @ordelixx @onceithough @thezombieprostitute @ilovetaquitosmmmm @julvrs @unax @s-a-v-a-n-a-34 @winterslove1917 @mrs-bucky-barnes-73 @mrsnikstan @hisredheadedgoddess28 @itsteambarnes @otterlycanadian @purplecolordeer @buckitostan @littleredwolf @mcucatlady @silas-aeiou @hzdhrtss @florie1 @thecubanator2 @enchantedbarnes @selella @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes @cjand10 @pancake-05 @ozwriterchick @crazyunsexycool @baw1066 @nommingonfood @jvanilly

"I think I can, Abs." As Steve and Abby walk to the fridge, Bucky's phone lights up with your photo on his screen.

[bwobgames]

Small comics for all the endings: prologue edition

This better be worth it

Something feels... wrong

But I don't have time for any of that

HELLO?! IS THIS THE HOSPITAL

Ah, right away!

Good morning! Terrribly Sorry, I was busy with paperwork, are you here for...?

Leg

Huh? The whole leg?

I hope not. You're the doctor right?

Yes, Roberto Díaz, at your service.

And this is the hospital?

Yes.

...Does it really accept trades instead of money?

Yes!

What if you don't like the trade.

As long as it is useful it's fine!

Do you mind a sack full of potatoes. They're good quality. I can also give you a horse.

The potatoes are fine!

Do you mind my horse. I parked it in the front.

It's fine!

It could be eating your lawn

It's fine!!! Let's get to the examination room, please!

Hurts when I step on it. It's also lumpy.

Let me see... Ah, this is a sprained ankle. Don't worry, a cast should make it better. It will take just one day!

Ah, I need to fill a medical form for this, do you mind giving me some information?

As long as you burn it after.

Um. It's protected by Doctor-Patient confidentiality. No one else can see it.

Fine then. I'm Bernardo Beebo. Have a sprained ankle. Live a few towns from here. Male. Seventeen.

Wha- Seventeen?! Ah no offense-

Working on the farms will do that to you.

You're the age of my daughter... And you came here alone?! Have your parents-?!

Dead.

Ah. My condolences.

Do you... have more family?

I think I have an uncle somewhere. Might've died too.

Let me rephrase that, do you have anyone as an emergency contact?

Oh. Uh...

My- My wife. Olivia Naranjo.

But if anything happens, don't call her. I don't want her to worry.

That defeats the purpose of an emergency contact though.

By the way, doctor. You don't look that old yourself, are you also my age?

Ah, no, I'm definitely older than you.

I just... don't remember the exact amount.

I must be around... 70? 80 now?

What. How. You don't look a day over 40.

It's-

Dad I'm back!

Oh, sorry

Leave your backpack upstairs!

...So it runs in the family. To look freakishly young. Is she really 17?

Haha, yes. She'll be going to the capital next year, for university.

I been trying to defer her from the ways of medicine, but she's as stubborn as her mother.

Oh? you got a wife?

...Had. She- She died when Laura was a baby.

Oh. I'm really sorry.

I don't know what I'd do if Olivia died. I don't know if I could go on.

I thought that as well

I thought that many times

But, we have to move on.

The people need us. We have to help them.

It's our purpose.

Ah, the hippocratic oath and all that.

Here, Is everything correct?

Uh

Move it a bit closer. A bit closer.

It seems you might need glasses, Mr. Bernardo

Ah, all those nights forcing my eyes in the dark finally gave consequence.

Will I need to pay extra for that.

It's on the house!

You wrote my name wrong

Huh? Where?

It's "Beebo" not "Vivo"

Beebo? Are you foreign?

No, the guy who had to write down the names thought my grandpa looked foreign so he wrote it weird.

Now all my bloodline is cursed to be named Beebo.

Haha, it's unique truly! easy to remember.

Allright, let me put this on your feet. Keep this on at all times, except showers of course. And rest, as difficult as it might be with your job. Visit me in two more weeks to see how its going!

Thanks. I'll enter the sack.

Wha- This is overflowing!

Good harvest. Thank you for accepting them. Things are hard these days.

We'll manage. If you have any more ailments, don't doubt coming here.

...

You seem like a good man, doctor.

Ah... many say that.

So I'll give you advice.

Huh?

Do not let your daughter enter university

Things are dire out there, in the capital.

They're killing them.

If she's as good as a person as you are, she'll get killed.

Here, the surveillance is low. It's safer. Keep her here.

Don't risk it.

...Thank you. I... I knew things were happening but-

It's worse. I only hear what the people say they saw, but whatever it's being hidden must be way worse.

If you ever find yourself in trouble with any of that, find me.

I'll take care of it.

Burn my information.

... There was never any Bernardo Beebo in this room. Only, uh, Ezekiel Squeep.

Exactly. See you in a few weeks.

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

He's dead?

Oh, I didn't know. Well he was pretty old so it shouldn't surprise me. Thank you.

Well Oliver, seems like your new pediatrician is unavailable today. And forever. Let's take the carrot sack back.

It's a shame, I wanted him to see you. Ask him why you're a boy when the machine clearly said you were a girl.

I bet the doctor could've guessed it correctly

Ah, what can you do. Guess you won't get to meet the house of vera.

[edensrose]

·˚꒰ 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒉𝒖𝒉 ? ꒱ ₊˚ˑ

ᡴꪫ ﹙𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚! 𝙨𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙧𝙪 𝙭 𝙚𝙭 𝙜𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧.﹚─── ⊹ ۪ ࣪ ꒰ he thought you'd love him forever. even in death. so why are you with satoru now? yk , his best friend? how could you. ( ˖ ࣪❀˳ ) : morbid possessiveness + yandere suguru, fucking creepy, violence → reader .

⊹ ۪ ࣪ ꒰ ( 𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒏'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 )﹕this has been on my mind for sooo long I'm sorry not sorry with how fucking creepy I made sugu boo

"Do you really have to go?"

"Sorry pooks. Promise I'll be back tomorrow."

". . . Actually. Stay outside."

His annoying laughter fills your burning ears. Cold lips catch your cheek in a heavy smooch while strong arms snatch your waist and yank you closer. Satoru hoists your body so ready to turn from him and drags you into his endless embrace.

"Aww come on, sweetheart. Weren't you just crying over me?" All you can do is roll your eyes as he buries his face into your shoulder. Hunched over you from behind with large palms encased on your waist.

You almost forgot the wane of your heart. Off he'll go to another mission. Leaving you lonely. But as always, he tries to make you smile. He knew you well enough to sense the dread in your voice. And if not? Then the plea in your eyes absolutely broke his heart.

"I was not crying."

"Yeah you werreee, oh, my poor baby."

He pinches on your cheek. Grins into your shoulder as you cast him a glare. "Whatever will they do without their big, strong boyfriend to keep them warm!?"

"Satoru."

You spin in his arms. Your palms find his face and he relents immediately. Like a puppy melting into a warm comforter. White lashes hang low and he stares at you through soft, cerulean hues.

What more can he do but turn his head and lay a kiss on your palm? Lower his voice to a tender croon. "I know. I know." His hands cup your face in turn. His thumb strokes assurances over your cheekbone. "But I'll be fine. Back before you know it too."

His kiss to your forehead does little to comfort you this time. Why? You're not too sure. Usually his gentle hold quells your clenched heart immediately. Eases any storm running rampant in your mind. Alas. This time, all you are able is to hug him for longer. Mumble a goodbye into his lips as he ventures out your apartment's door.

Anxiety, right? You know her well. She hasn't quite left since you saw his dead eyes.

Not what you should be thinking about right now. Alone at home. In the middle of the night.

The house is always so silent without Satoru. It reminds you of the period where loneliness is all you knew. Before he came back into your life. Before you both found comfort in one another to deal with your shared loss.

Of course you felt guilty. It ate at your soul and clawed at your heart. The hollow feeling only eased whenever your boyfriend lingered. Perhaps that's why you were extra clingy tonight.

With a sigh, you opt for dinner. The stove ignites. Herbs and spices flood your senses. Noise and warmth buzzes away your crawling skin. Food always served as the second best distraction whenever that white-haired cat wasn't around to cling to you.

A broth brews atop the stove while you finely chop an arrangement of vegetables. Miso ramen felt right tonight. Surely the warmth of a hearty soup coupled with chewy noodles would comfort you through this dreary shadow.

You can't help but wonder; why tonight of all days? You'd been doing so well lately. Ever since you picked up journaling, as recommended by Shoko, it's been a bit easier to deal with these thoughts. It's been years since that fateful day. Why can't you just get over it?

Maybe you're being too hard on yourself. How could you ever get over him? Suguru was the star and moon in your hands, and now, not even a shimmer is left in your palms. Long since has the bitterness of his defection and atrocities tainted your heart. The wound of his loss is still fresh, regardless of whether or not you admit it.

And now you're kicking around with his best friend? No wonder you feel as if he's haunting you. Who wouldn't? You swore to marry him, and now here you are. In another man's oversized shirt. Cooking with ingredients he got from the store for you. Anxious because he left you for the night. Knock -

What was that?

Your gaze shoots to the corner instinctively. The window stands in your vision. A tree branch the culprit. You exhale and place a hand on the counter, shut your eyes and groan at yourself.

There you go again.

Another sigh. You narrow your gaze onto the half-sliced carrots. As if it's their fault you cannot control your own mind. Was it so hard to simply switch off? The man's dead for crying out loud! Long since has the string between souls been severed.

So why do you feel a tug to your inner-being? Why - cree!

What's that?

You spin to the side. Eyes blown. Knife tight. The cupboard — it hangs half-open.

You suck a breath. Click your tongue. You'd told Satoru to take care of that. . . still, it's the last thing on your running mind. What's going on with you tonight? Just relax. Aren't you a sorcerer? Yet here you are, scared of a few sounds because you're alone at night.

You opt for the constant chop of carrots to fill your ears. Intentionally, you knock on the cutting board harder. Anything to distract yourself, even if it is with sound. Your mind buzzes into a new frequency. Emptying its endless guilty rampage as you hone all your senses into the mission at hand. Dinner.

Carrots, mushrooms, bok choy, all fall victim to your blade's intensity. A satisfying constant to keep your mind on loop. Away from the lapping anxiety so eager to swallow you whole.

Truth be told, your hearing should have numbed by now. To the rhythmic tones of chops and slices. But numbness stands fruitless to a call of the soul. It shakes your body back to consciousness. For the string that had been severed four years ago abruptly re-tethered. Strung from your innermost self. Strained. Strung.

Bleeding.

Behind you?

Pale hands. On the counter. Either side of you. Chills against your spine. Ice to your back. Everything stiffens. The clock's hands freeze. A presence? Satoru? No -

"So jumpy," a deep voice drawls to your ear. "Why's that? Missing someone?"

A curse.

His voice.

Muscles tense. Breath hitched. Colours bleed into each other — sounds become but a whisper. Nothingness. The knife in your hand lays idle and your wide eyes focus on the other two. On the right that slowly slips over yours. A cold thumb to your wrist. Soothing, like he always would.

"I hear your name is sweetheart now. My, what a shame. Here I thought you preferred darling."

You snap around. Blade equipped. Ready for whatever anomaly you are to face. The nerve of a curse to take on his voice. Like some sick, cruel j —

The knife clambers. All the strength fades from your body the second your eyes meet violet. Pale skin. Charming smile. No curse could ever replicate that. No vengeful being could come close to him.

Seeing things. You're seeing things. Hearing things. Then why does your heart wail? Why does your soul run red? "S . . ." His hand cups your face. Thumb to your cheekbone.

"Go on, darling. Say it for me."

There's no denying it.

Suguru Geto stands before you.

Memories flash. Tears well faster than your pummelling heart. You nearly throw yourself back into the counter. Its edge traps you. Much like his towered body. He leans in. Cursed energy makes you nauseous. This is no sorcerer. This isn't your Suguru.

But that's his smile. The amused lift of his brow as he cages you. The man leans further and cocks his head to the side. "Now what's all this? What an act. You were fine just a moment ago."

Rage. Hot, blistering. Fire floods those beautiful violets. His gorgeous face morphs. Eyes snap open. Whites bulging. Pearly like the fanged grin that splits his mouth. He shoves forward. Laughs.

"You were fine with him. You were perfectly -" he rasps. Ragged. Inhumane. "Perfectly. Fucking. Fine with Satoru."

This isn't your Suguru

"N-No - no -" you rasp. Shove your hands forwards. He shoves them down. You cry out. Squirm back and spill tears at the tears to your wrists. Claws?

"You're dead! You're dead! Suguru - you're not - you're dead!"

As if your words were incantations. As if they could bury whatever this was back in the grave.

Thump!

Your back hits the counter. Air - you can't - can't breathe —

Two hands clamp your throat. His weight's on you. Stare wide. Wild. Claws dig in. Maw hung in a horrific grin. His breath ragged. Your body cramps beneath his weight. You try to scream. Another hand slams to your mouth.

Eyes screaming malice. Hate. Deep and dark. Like your blood trickling. Your soul burning. His voice bleeds out. Pitched. Shaky. Unhinged.

"Then if I'm dead. Don't scream."

. ˚◞♡ 𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕◞ ₊˚﹕@a-contemplation-upon-flowers

[luna-thecreator]

Settle Down

Paring⤷ Jey Uso x Fem!Reader Plot⤷ Casual sex with Jey Uso is one thing, but catching feelings? That's a whole different story.  WC⤷ 3.9k Tags⤷ Mentions of sex, jealousy, forbidden love, language, heartbreak (but he makes you feel better, promise), slight arguing, crying, emotional

You're too paranoid to even settle down, but the way he makes you cum, he has your feelings now.

"Y/N, do you hear me?" Bianca practically screams in your ear. You don’t hear her, though. The only thing piercing through the noise of the party is the sight of her—this random woman at the bar, flicking her hair like it’s some kind of weapon, batting her lashes in a way that would make anyone weak. She runs her hand down Jey's arm, and your chest tightens.

You didn’t know her. She wasn’t even here a month ago, some newbie that’s already making a play for the one guy you’ve been playing it cool with. The guy you’ve been sneaking around with, blowing off steam after WWE events in a way you never thought you’d get tangled in. But damn, she’s bold. Your gaze sticks to them like glue, your eyes narrowing as you watch her work her charm on him.

Bianca’s voice cuts through the haze of jealousy building inside you. "Y/N! Bitch you even listening?" she yells, shaking you by the shoulder.

The loud ringing fills your ears, like a thousand bells echoing in your head. You can’t even look away from them—Jey’s smile, the way it’s aimed directly at her, like he’s actually entertained. And that... makes you want to puke. Puerto Rico’s heat is nothing compared to the fire starting in your chest, but you try to calm yourself, try to breathe.

Finally, you snap back to reality, Bianca still hovering over you, her eyes wide with concern. You force out a breath, trying to shake off the feeling of suffocating. "I’m fine... I just need some air," you tell her, the words falling out of your mouth like they belong to someone else.

Bianca raises an eyebrow but doesn’t push. "Don’t do anything stupid," she warns. You know she means well, but she has no idea what’s happening in your head right now. You’re not about to stay here and watch that.

You slip away from the crowd, your heels clicking louder than usual as you make your way outside. The cool air of Puerto Rico greets you like a slap in the face, but it's a relief. For a second, you just stand there, letting the quiet of the night settle around you, but it doesn’t last long. That damn jealousy is like a storm rolling through your chest, and it’s only getting worse.

"Shit, I hate this," you mutter to yourself, pacing back and forth.

Your vision blurs, and that damn burning in your chest feels like it’s about to swallow you whole. You don’t want to feel this, but you can’t shake it. Right when you’re about to lose control, you hear footsteps approaching, and Jimmy’s voice cuts through the chaos in your mind.

"Yo... you good?"

You look up and see him standing there, his usual easygoing look on his face, but tonight it doesn’t help. He’s wearing his black fitted shirt, shorts, and Air Forces, his hair pulled back into that ponytail you’ve always admired. But all you can focus on is the tightness in your chest, the lump in your throat.

He’s your best friend, the one person you’ve trusted with everything—but this? This is Jey. And you can’t hold it in anymore.

Before you can stop it, the sobs come, shaking your entire body. You step back, pressing your hands to your face in an attempt to stop the tears, but it’s no use. The dam breaks, and the words spill out in a choked rush.

"I’m so stupid," you gasp, your voice cracking. "I don’t even know why I did this to myself."

Jimmy’s expression shifts instantly, concern flooding his eyes as he steps closer, but you don’t look up at him. You can’t. It’s like the floodgates have opened, and all the feelings you’ve been hiding pour out in a messy, raw confession.

"I’ve... I’ve caught feelings for Jey, Jimmy," you say, each word a weight you didn’t realize you were carrying. "And now seeing him with someone else... It’s... it’s fuckin’ with me." The pain in your chest is almost unbearable, like a knot tightening with every word. "I aint want to let myself fall for him. But I did. And now I can’t... I can’t take this."

Jimmy stands still, completely taken aback. He had no idea what was going on between you and Jey. The quiet moments you shared, the stolen glances, the way your heart beat faster when he was near—all of it, hidden behind the surface.

Jimmy stands there for a moment, processing everything, his face softening with understanding. Then, without a word, he steps forward, pulling you into a tight hug. His arms are steady, grounding you in a way you didn’t expect.

"I ain’t know, Y/N," he says quietly. "I ain’t know you were feeling like this." He holds you a little tighter, like he’s trying to shield you from everything that’s breaking inside. "But whatever you need, I’m here. Always."

The sobs keep coming, and you can barely catch your breath through the blur of tears. The weight in your chest is crushing, suffocating. You’ve kept it all in for so long, pretending everything’s fine, but now it’s spilling out, uncontrollable. And just when you think you might lose it entirely, Jimmy steps back, giving you a little space.

He pulls out a blunt from his pocket, his eyes soft but understanding. “Want some?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t want you having a bad night, and I know a lil’ weed you’ll never turn down.”

You nod, trying to pull yourself together as you wipe at your eyes. It’s not like you haven’t smoked with Jimmy before, and right now, you need anything to calm the storm. You take the blunt from him, the weight of it in your hand almost comforting. Jimmy lights it for you, taking a hit himself before handing it back to you.

“Thanks,” you mutter, inhaling deeply. The smoke fills your lungs, and you hold it in for a second, letting it numb the sharp edge of everything you’ve been feeling. Slowly, you exhale, the haze settling in your head. For a moment, the world doesn’t feel so heavy. You take another hit, this time slower, like it’ll somehow make the chaos inside you less overwhelming.

Jimmy watches you for a second, his hands stuffed in his pockets, waiting. It’s like he knows what’s coming, knows you can’t keep this bottled up much longer.

Finally, you exhale again, feeling the smoke swirl in the air around you, and then you just… spill it. "I’ve been sleeping with Jey," you say, the words coming out all tangled, like they don’t belong to you. But they do. “For months now. After the shows, when we’re both just… wound up, I guess. We hook up, blow off steam. And it’s been like that. No feelings. Nothing serious. Just… a thing.”

You look at Jimmy, his face unreadable. You’re not sure what he’s thinking, but you can’t stop now. You’re too far in. You take another drag from the blunt, feeling the burn in your throat, and continue. “But then, I started feeling stuff, Jim. I didn’t want to. I tried to fight it, but it’s like... with him, it’s different, y’know? The way he looks at me, the way he cares without saying it. I thought maybe it was just… me. Maybe I was just caught up in the moment. But no. I—I really care about him, Jimmy."

Jimmy takes another hit of the blunt, his eyes still on you, but there’s a softness there, like he’s trying to understand what you’re saying. He exhales slowly, the smoke curling in the air between you. “Damn, Y/N,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I had no idea. Like, I knew ya’ll were close, but... damn.” He looks down at the blunt in his hand for a moment, his expression distant. “I didn’t know you were feeling all that.”

You bite your lip, frustrated and embarrassed that this is even happening. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I thought it was just some casual thing, and now I’m all caught up in it. It’s just—everything’s messed up. I never thought I’d fall for him. I thought I was just, like, some random hookup. But now…” You let out a shaky breath, the weight of it all sinking in. “Now it’s more, and I can’t even deal with it. He doesn’t even know.”

Jimmy’s quiet for a moment, his gaze flicking over to you. He steps closer, offering you the blunt again, but this time, he’s looking at you like he’s got your back. “Look, I can’t say I know what it’s like, but I know one thing,” he says, voice steady. “You deserve to be more than some secret, some hookup. You deserve more than what Jey’s giving you right now.”

You blink at him, unsure how to process that. "What do you mean?"

He shrugs, blowing out a puff of smoke. “I mean, if he really feels something for you, he’ll show it. And if not, then… well, you gotta ask yourself if you’re gone keep being in that situation. ‘Cause if you’re feeling this way, you don’t need to hide it, Y/N. You deserve the truth, not some bullshit.”

The words hit you harder than the weed. They sting, but in the best way. He’s right. You know he’s right. You can’t keep pretending this is easy or simple. The whole thing is a mess, and you’re just getting tangled in it. You pull in a shaky breath and blow it out slowly, letting the smoke drift away.

“I’m so scared, Jimmy,” you admit quietly. “I’m scared that if I tell him how I feel, I’ll ruin everything. That he’ll pull away or, worse, he’ll just tell me it was never meant to be serious.”

Jimmy gives you a look—one that’s equal parts sympathy and understanding. “You gotta take that chance, though. You never know what’s gonna happen unless you put yourself out there.”

You look at him, considering his words. Maybe he’s right. Maybe it’s time to stop hiding, to stop pretending like it doesn’t hurt when you see him with someone else. Maybe it’s time to figure out if Jey feels the same. But even so, you can’t help but feel the weight of the uncertainty.

You nod slowly, taking in his words. For the first time tonight, you feel like maybe you’re not completely alone in this shit. You take one more hit from the blunt, letting the smoke fill your lungs as you process everything, trying to find the courage to finally face the truth about what you want and where you go from here.

"Go take a walk, heard there’s a beach nearby. Clear your head a bit."

You nod slowly, appreciating the idea. You need that space, even if it’s just a few minutes. But before you can move, Jimmy adds, "But imma go talk to him."

Your heart skips a beat. "Wait, what?" You look up at him, blinking in surprise.

“Yeah,” he says casually, taking another hit from the blunt. “I’m gonna talk to Jey. See what the hell’s goin’ on. You need answers, and I’m not gonna let him play you like that.”

You want to stop him, to tell him not to, but something about the way he says it makes you feel both grateful and terrified. Jimmy’s loyal. He’s always had your back, and now he's stepping in to help you with something you don’t even have the courage to face yourself. Still, you can’t help the panic that creeps into your chest at the thought of him confronting Jey.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” you ask, the words coming out shaky. You hate the vulnerability in your voice, but it’s impossible to hide. "What if he doesn’t... I mean, what if it makes things worse?"

Jimmy shrugs, a carefree expression on his face despite the tension in the air. "If he’s playing games, I’m gonna let him know. You don’t deserve that. But if he’s feeling the same, then maybe it’ll clear the air, you know?"

You hesitate, biting your lip, but then nod. “Okay... I guess.”

Jimmy shoots you a reassuring look. "Don’t worry about it, girl. Go get some air. Get your head right. I’ll handle this shit."

You watch him for a second, then turn toward the direction of the beach, the sound of the waves crashing faint in the distance. The air is cool, and for the first time tonight, you feel like you might be able to breathe again. But a part of you stays tangled in the mess of emotions, unsure of what’s going to happen next.

You start walking, the sound of your footsteps muffled by the soft sand beneath your feet. The beach is empty, just you and the distant ocean stretching out under the Puerto Rican sky. It feels peaceful, but the storm inside you is far from calm.

As you walk, you think about Jey—how he makes you feel, how you’re not sure what any of this is anymore. The thought of him with that girl at the bar still stings, but Jimmy’s words keep echoing in your mind. You deserve more than this. You deserve to know where you stand.

You let the waves crash against the shore, the saltwater breeze hitting your skin, but in the back of your mind, you can’t help but wonder if you’re about to get answers that you’ve been too scared to ask for.

Jey's POV

This girl won’t stop talking to me.

She’s been running her mouth for the past ten fuckin’ minutes, touching my arm, laughing a little too hard at things I barely even said. I been fake-smiling, nodding along, throwing in a couple “that’s crazy”s, but she ain’t getting the hint. I ain’t even really hearing what she’s saying at this point. My eyes keep scanning the room, looking for something—someone—else to focus on. But before I can spot her, I see Jimmy walking up, nodding at me like yo, we need to talk.

Thank God.

I exhale, brushing the girl off with a quick, “Aight, imma talk to you later,” not even waiting for a response before I make my way to Jimmy.

“Wassup, uce?” I say, dapping him up real quick.

Jimmy looks me dead in the eye, no hesitation. “When was you gon’ tell me you fuckin’ Y/N?”

My whole body tenses.

What?

I feel my stomach drop, but I play it cool, keeping my face neutral. “Bruh, what the hell you talkin’ bout?” I mutter, grabbing his arm and yanking him into the hallway, away from the noise and the crowd. My heart’s already beating fast, my mind racing. How the fuck does he know?

Jimmy leans against the wall, arms crossed, giving me that look—like he already got all the answers and he’s just waiting on me to stop bullshitting. “Don’t play dumb, bruh,” he says, voice low but firm. “She just told me everything.”

I swear my heart skips a beat.

Everything?

I swallow hard, shifting on my feet. “Man, she trippin’—”

“Nah,” Jimmy cuts me off, shaking his head. “She ain’t trippin’. She’s hurt, uce. She thinks you don’t feel nothin’ for her, and meanwhile, you over here lettin’ some random hoe rub up on you like she don’t exist.”

My jaw clenches. “It ain’t even like that.”

Jimmy scoffs. “Then what is it like?”

I exhale sharply, dragging a hand down my face. My mind’s all over the place, my chest tight as hell. Y/N told him? She never said shit to me. Not about feelings. Not about wanting more. And yeah, I been feeling some type of way about her too, but I ain’t never been good at this type of thing. I don’t do the whole talk about your emotions shit.

Jimmy tilts his head, waiting. He knows me too well. Knows when I’m holding back.

“You care about her, don’t you?” he finally says.

I stay quiet.

Jimmy huffs out a laugh, shaking his head. “Man, you so damn stupid.”

That makes me snap. “The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’re actin’ like you ain’t already in too deep,” he says, pushing off the wall. “I saw the way you looked at her earlier. And now she’s outside damn near breakin’ down ‘cause she thinks she’s just a hookup to you.”

I look away, jaw tight.

She really thinks that?

The thought alone makes my stomach twist up and shit. I never wanted her to feel like that. Yeah, we started this whole thing just messing around, but it stopped being just sex a long time ago. I been trying to keep it low, trying not to make it messy, but I should’ve known Y/N would get in my head, under my skin.

She already got me.

I take a deep breath, rubbing the back of my neck. “Where she at?” I ask, voice low.

Jimmy smirks, like he knew this was coming. “Took a walk to the beach.”

I nod, already moving toward the door. Jimmy claps a hand on my shoulder as I pass him. “Fix this, bruh,” he mutters. “Before you lose her.”

I don’t even answer. I just step out of the house, the warm Puerto Rican night air hitting me as I make my way toward the beach—toward her.

Your POV

The beach is quiet, nobody but you. Just the waves crashing, the salty breeze tangling in your hair, and the distant hum of the party still going on back at the house. It’s just you and the ocean, but somehow, the silence is the loudest thing you’ve heard all night.

You sink into the sand, stretching your legs out in front of you, the cool grains clinging to your skin. Your flared mini orange skirt fans out around your thighs, the matching top hugging your body, but you don’t feel cute right now. You feel stupid. Your heels sit beside you, abandoned, because what’s the point of looking put together when you feel like you’re falling apart inside?

You lean back on your hands, staring out at the waves, trying to process everything.

You shouldn’t have caught feelings. That was the rule. That was the one damn rule you set for yourself when this whole thing with Jey started. Casual. No strings. No messy emotions. But now? Now your chest is heavy, and your eyes sting, and you can still see that girl all over him like you weren’t even in the same damn room. Like you were nothing.

You press your lips together, shaking your head at yourself. I’m so stupid, you think bitterly. I don’t even know why I did this to myself.

A tear slips down your cheek before you can stop it, and you wipe it away quickly, annoyed at yourself for even crying over this. Over him. He was never yours, so why does it feel like you just lost something?

"MA!"

You hear a familiar voice behind you, cutting through the sound of the waves. Your stomach tightens, and when you turn around, there he is—Jey, jogging toward you, his face set in something between frustration and urgency. The sight of him makes your breath hitch, but the anger that’s been simmering in your chest all night flares right back up.

“What do you want, Jey?” you snap, standing up before he even reaches you. Your voice is sharp, and you don’t care. Not anymore. You’re too hurt, too pissed off to hold it in.

He slows to a stop in front of you, chest rising and falling like he ran straight from the house to find you. “We needa talk,” he says, tone firm, eyes locked onto yours.

You let out a short, humorless laugh, crossing your arms. “Oh, now you wanna talk?”

Jey sighs, running a hand over his head. “Come on, ma, don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?” You step closer, your voice rising. “Act like I don’t give a damn when I do? Act like seeing you with some random girl all over you doesn’t make me feel like shit?”

His jaw tightens. “It wasn’t even like that—”

“Oh, really?” you cut him off. “’Cause from where I was standing, it sure as hell looked like that.”

Jey groans, tilting his head back like he’s trying to keep his cool. “Man, I wasn’t even paying attention to her! She was just talking, I was tryna be nice—”

“Nice?” You scoff, shaking your head. “Jey, I was right there. And you didn’t even look at me. Not once.” Your voice cracks on that last part, and you hate it, but it’s too late to take it back.

His expression shifts—just for a second. Like your words actually hit him.

“I ain’t know you felt like that,” he says, quieter now.

You swallow hard, blinking up at him. “Yeah, well... now you do.”

Silence hangs between you. The waves crash against the shore, the wind tangles through your hair, but the only thing you feel is the heat of his gaze on you.

Jey exhales sharply, shaking his head. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

You laugh again, but this time, it’s bitter. “Tell you what, Jey? That I caught feelings when I wasn’t supposed to? That I fell for you when this was only supposed to be a thing?” You take a shaky breath, voice lowering. “That every time you touch me, I wanna believe it means something?”

Jey just stares at you, like he doesn’t know what to say. Like he’s struggling to put it into words.

You shake your head, stepping back. “You know what? Fuck it. This was a mistake. I’m a mistake.”

Jey’s eyes flash with something—anger, frustration, desperation—you can’t tell. But then, before you can turn away, he grabs your wrist, pulling you back toward him. “Nah. Don’t say that shit,” he mutters, voice rough. “You ain’t a mistake, ma.”

Your breath catches, but you force yourself to stay firm. “Then what am I?”

Jey’s grip tightens, his jaw clenching like he’s fighting himself. Like this is hard for him too. And then, suddenly, it all spills out.

“You everything, Y/N.” His voice is raw, filled with something you’ve never heard from him before. “You all I think about. You all I want—and I been too much of a dumbass to say it.”

Your heart slams against your ribs. “Then why—”

“’Cause I was scared,” he admits, his voice dropping. “Scared if I said it out loud, I’d lose you. But I’m already losing you now, ain’t I?”

You swallow, your eyes burning. “Jey…”

His forehead rests against yours, his breath warm against your lips. “I never thought I’d let anyone in,” he whispers. “But damn… you got all of me. It's just you and me, ma.”

And then, before you can even process what’s happening, his lips crash against yours, desperate and real, different from the hookups. Like he’s been holding back for too long, and now there’s no point in fighting it anymore.

And you don’t fight it either.

You're too paranoid to even settle down, but the way he confesses to you, he has your feelings now.

[12amintoronto]

𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ... kylian mbappé x reader 📱🤍

──────────────────────

wc: 1.5k

synopsis: you're on the phone with your best friend that you can't hang up on as she runs to you about the dire status of her situationship, but it's difficult to focus when your boyfriend, kylian, is all over you.

contents: fluff, sfw, kisses (lips, cheek, neck, you name it my friend), female reader, touchy, oc who is y/n's best friend

notes: because i felt the calling to write something for kyky 🩵🩵 i think he is so fine. showing one of my fav frenchies some loveee

──────────────────────

it was madness on the other line... to the point where it made you really stop and think and just look around, thinking to yourself; "damn, i'm grateful i haven't run into guy trouble this bad..."

you sighed as you listened to your best friend on the other end of the phone who was caught up in a whirlwind of frustration with her current situationship.

still, she's your best friend - and you're happy that she can confide in you when things go south, so there you were, offering whichever little pieces of advice you have to your bestie, as you were curled up on the sofa with a blanket over your legs, as you wore one of your man's t-shirts that was much too big on you... having sips of your tea in steady intervals.

you murmured just the right responses as she went onto you about this guy. you listened intently and hummed in total agreement when she was speaking.

it was your mission to help your best friend out.

that was until your boyfriend, kylian, had come downstairs, approaching you, having just come out of the shower - topless with a a pair of nike sweats on.

you had to pay attention to your friend though, so you just smiled and batted your lashes at him flirtatiously, since you still had to let him know that he looks insanely good.

if only you'd known that doing so was gonna be a big mistake.

your nonchalant flit of your lashes was enough to make kylian smirk... it was enough for him to be fully convinced that he's got your attention now.

lord, you could catch the scent of his ridiculously expensive cologne from where you were sitting.

he strides on over to you, as his sexy smirk had turned into a soft bite of his bottom lip while he took the sight of you in as he got closer to you. kylian didn't say a word while doing so... he just lowered himself down close to you on the sofa, and rested his head in your lap, seeking the soothing feeling of your fingers on his nape.

you mouthed silently to him as you momentarily held your phone away from your ear - "behave, baby."

kylian? he just smirked.

you rolled your eyes in a playful manner as you turned your attention back to your best friend who was on the other line, continuing to spill the tea.

"no, yeah. like... i totally get it," you told her, determined to stay this attentive to her predicament, which sounded pretty dire - or she at least made it sound like that was so...

"...honestly, girl... he's not even worth your time. he's just been playing games, it's not cool one bit."

you said it plain and simple, feeling a pang of pride at your skills in giving relationship advice.

but a sensation graced you just then so well in a way that make you nearly lose grip of your phone.

kylian had shifted in the slightest to press a tender kiss near the inside of your thigh.

"no, y/n... you've got business to take care of on the phone here..." you told yourself in your thoughts, the only person able to hear that being you.

"like... if he seriously cared, then you wouldn't doubt him. you wouldn't feel stressed being in the position that you're in. you'd be- ah..."

your words... your entire train of thought was halted, no... more like completely obliterated already as kylian only began to kiss up your thigh, higher, higher...

"you there? you okay?" your best friend asked on the other end.

"...yeah. he's just... not worth the bother, girl..." you trailed.

as kylian was deliberately pressing those soft, slow, lazy kisses up your leg, inching closer to alongside your hip... you glared at him in a way that said stop it right now. he, on the other hand, looked up at you with a smug grin and let out a soft chuckle as he went back to practically worshipping you with his lips.

you wanted to be a good friend and hear your bestie on the other line out.

kylian made it an incredibly difficult task.

but lord, you would be lying to yourself if you said you actually wanted him to stop. he was challenging your task at hand... the attention given between him and your best friend on the line becoming less divisive...

because he was stealing it all.

kylian's starting to enjoy this too much. his fingers slyly made way to hook right at the hem of the t-shirt you wore, which was much too large for you considering that it is his after all.

once he sat up so that he could press his lips to your collarbone, simultaneously lifting your top by the bottom hem... you couldn't conceal the hitch of your breath.

"y/n." your best friend said... now more sternly.

"i'm paying attention, yeah-! right, go on-"

you swear that kylian is gonna be the death of you, all because of this moment.

"i don't know what to do anymore. i think i should just give up on guys... for good. once and for all."

kylian kept up the teasing touches... his fingertips grazing the bare skin of your waist that was covered by the t-shirt only seconds ago. you were barely there on call, anymore. but you had to focus, focus, focus...

you started, "no, girl... don't say that, you just-"

and at that exact moment that your sentence was cut off, it was all kylian's fault. then and there... you felt his lips press gently below your ear. your weak spot.

what were you left to do?

you pressed your thighs together as he kissed you there... you couldn't help but whine just a little bit.

and you knew you couldn't do anything about it now that your best friend had heard.

"wait- are you okay? you sound weird." she asked.

"oh, nothing- i just... shifted the wrong way on the couch." you managed to speak.

you could feel kylian chuckling softly, his lips still lingering just beneath your ear. lord, you wanna kill him! but him? he doesn't care. he only wants you... as if he even has to tell you, for the way he's been kissing you for the past bit has made it more than clear.

kylian's lips grazed the shell of your ear... before finally speaking to you in a hushed, sultry tone.

"hang up, bébé."

you exhaled deeply, coming to terms.

the more your french man coerced you into a trance, the less help you were being to your best friend on the other line. you were seriously losing this battle.

you looked at yourself... barely there as your friend went on about how she thinks she should at least take a break from guys.

kylian's palms splayed across your body... one hand with a firm grip on your thigh... the other hand's fingers splayed across your belly. he didn't even need to put into words how much he could just devour you here and now, for his look did all the talking needed.

your man had you absolutely finished.

"hey, you know, let me call you back in a few minutes. i just remembered i need to go and take care of something." you lied, proceeding to just pray and hope your friend would let you go.

"alright... don't take forever though, girl. do your thing. seeya!" she replied.

immediately, the pad of your thumb darted to tap the red circular button on your touchscreen that'd hang up the call.

and just when you were about to deliver all the scolding you had pent up...

kylian swiftly captured your lips with his own, kissing you hungrily, yet with a tender, soft sort of passion behind it all. you melted into it, as you could feel his fingers pressing into the skin of your waist like he was deprived of you like never before.

he moaned into your mouth quietly before pulling away just barely, your lips still brushing his.

"you are soooo..." you started

"you were taking too long, ma belle." he murmured softly against your lips. "just needed your attention."

you laughed to yourself softly and brought your hand right back to the first place that you had touched him this morning - the nape of his neck. "you're so annoying, kyky."

"and you love me. i felt you folding under all the pressure~" kylian quipped, quickly pulling you into his lap with one swift movement of his strong arms around you, only making you blush more as you straddled him... he kept one hand splayed on your thigh, squeezing lovingly.

"babeeee..." you complained, the sarcasm in your voice obvious, because let's face it... why would you ever want kylian's fine self to stop? your gaze soon met his again.

with that, he planted another loving kiss to your lips... giving another soft squeeze to your thigh.

"mmmh... your friend's not getting a call back from you any time soon, bébé."

[neigepomme]

HIII!!! CONGRATS ON YOUR 500 FOLLOWERS!! I have a request!! CAN YOU PLEASEEE MAKE A XAVIER X NON MC READER BUT MAKE IT A COLLEGE OR UNI AU!! In this au Xavier, Y/N and MC are like close friends but Xavier has a big fat crush on MC but MC doesn't know (She's oblivious) , and Xavier always talks about how much he likes MC to reader. But Y/N has a crush on Xavier too and she knows she can't be with Xavier because he already likes MC!!

The song inspo is 'Let you break my heart again' the quote I like most is "Until then, I'll drink my coffee, eat my pie

Pretend that we are more than friends

Then, of course, I'll let you break my heart again"! If you decide to make it then thank youu!!

✩°˖ 💫 let you break my heart again / xavier x reader

synopsis: unrequited love hurts. it hurts a lot more when you have no one to blame for it, and when xavier still cares for you, unaware of your heartache.

🍎 pomme's notes - i literally forgot how devastating this song was i cried but THANK YOU FOR REQUESTING IT!! i hope i got the unrequited love vibe well.. eating my pie and sobbing softly...

⋆ 700 words / angst / reader is gender neutral / college au (no evol!) & reader isn't MC / 2nd person

"hey, i have a question. not related to studying if you don't mind?"

your ears perked up when xavier spoke, always excited to hear what he had to say. these moments together, sat comfortably and surrounded by each other's warmth brought you joy, and maybe, just maybe, they'd eventually bring you courage to let him know how you feel.

maybe one day you'll let him know that you like him, and you hope he'll confess that he likes you too. perhaps you'll get over this awkward phase, where you're more than friends, and less than lovers.

"yeah?"

"emcee, is she.. seeing anyone? i feel like a jerk asking you while we're studying, but i can't get her out of my head."

it took an absurd amount of control for you to keep your expression from dropping. right. it wasn't like you guys were dating, and xavier just didn't see you that way. it was fine, so you just nodded, unable to properly speak.

“mmh. she's not dating anyone.”

when you spot the faint blush on his cheeks and the way his eyes widened in adoration, it's as if your heart broke a million times over. you never saw xavier blushing like that before, and you desperately wanted to find him cute, but all you could feel were the tears in your eyes, because he wasn't blushing because of you.

he blushed because of her, and you couldn't find it in you to be upset just sad and defeated. she was your friend, and she was the brightest person you had met. a brilliant sunflower amidst a field of common wildflowers, and you were just a fleeting dandelion compared to her. it made sense for him to focus his gaze on her, but was hoping that he'd look at you a foolish wish?

how you wished that xavier knew how much you liked him. 

how you wished he knew that you'd wait for his usual texts before going to bed, or how you actually didn't like to study for this class — but you did it in hopes he'd ask for your help when it came to understanding some concepts. you wished xavier knew that you had skipped several of your friends' invitations to hang out, instead choosing to listen to him practicing the piano. 

you couldn't tell him, though, not now, not ever. you loved him so much, that you'd rather keep these feelings to yourself and instead watch him pursue your best friend. 

instead, you look at your notes and bite your cheek, in a poor attempt to stop the tears from falling.

the slice of pie you ordered was growing cold next to your notes. maybe a sip of coffee would help, dull the ache in your chest.

but it tasted too bitter, and no matter how much sugar you added to it, this was the kind of bitterness you couldn't get rid of.

xavier was in front of you, gushing over your friend — completely unaware of your feelings for him. you couldn't blame him, and you couldn't resent her. she was kind, and she was your friend, and she was unaware of your crush on him or his crush on her. it was an innocent conversation, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

attempting to take a bite of your pie, you meet his gaze and force a smile. it was doughy, the filling too difficult to chew, too hard to swallow — just like the lump in your throat. he notices the tears threatening to fall from your eyes, and concerned, he asks if you're okay.

“you're tearing up. is the pie bad? i can buy you another slice if it is.”

even in your heartbreak, you couldn't help yourself from falling deeper in love with him. how sweet he was, how he treated you so kindly.

"yeah, sorry didn't mean to cry. the pie reminded me of something."

she was the sun, you were a falling star.

and xavier couldn't help being drawn to her brightness, yet wishing upon you for a chance to reach her. maybe one day, you'll be able to bring an end to your fall.

until that day comes, you'll just keep on drinking this bitter coffee, and pretending everything's fine.

until that day comes, you'll let him break your heart again.

🍎 pomme's final notes — i don't write for xavier often but he's so kind i feel like feeling unrequited love for him would hurt way more just because he still cares. sniffles...

[nakylvr]

hello! can i get thoughts on G!P kats? soo nobody expects that this little first date turns into the first sex and and!

how would the kats react when they find out that it’s their girlfriend first time doing it? (mybe they spot a little bit of blood or mybe you told them that it hurts so bad mid-way) 😊

thanks! also i loveeeee your works 🩵 new fans here!

ooou i gotchu 🙂‍↕️

sophia

she's the one who has a feeling it's your first time before you even say it is, and will ask if it is when she sees your face scrunch up in pain when she pushes into you, halting all her movements. when you admit it and say yes, she immediately becomes more gentle and is asking if you're sure about it (as if she isn't already inside you), and when you say yes she just nods and keeps her movements slow to not hurt you. she's constantly asking if you're doing okay and if you need her to stop, genuinely wanting to make sure you're feeling good. she's telling you how good you're doing and how pretty you look like this, brushing your hair from your face. she makes sure you've came before stopping, even if that means she wasn't able to cum. her main focus is you.

manon

she doesn't really think of it to be honest. she gets a little feeling when she sees your eyebrows scrunch together, but you say you're fine, so she thinks you are. this being said, she's pretty soft in general during the act, so she's already going slow enough so you can adjust to it without even telling her still. it isn't until she looks down and sees a bit of blood that she freezes and looks at you, asking if this was your first time. you just meekly nod with a whimper, and she starts going even slower, too slow almost that eventually you're begging her to go faster and she barely speeds up, not wanting to hurt you at all. she's so praising during aftercare once she's cleaned you up and makes sure you're okay, holding you close and running her hand through your hair.

daniela

genuinely she just thinks you've done it before. you're so good at hiding it in the beginning when she first pushes inside you that she kinda panics when you say it's hurting too much and she stops immediately, asking if you're okay and if she's too big or if she was doing too much. when you confess and tell her it's your first time, she feels so bad, and it's evident on her face that you have to tell her it's okay and that you were just embarrassed and didn't want her to know. she understands but still feels bad for not realizing, asking if you want to stop completely. when you tell her you want to continue she does but is a lot more slow and gentle with you. it's hard for her, but she does her best to keep from pounding into you, trying to make sure you enjoy it while asking you if you're doing okay. she's apologizing afterwards though when she's cleaning you up, mumbling how stupid she feels but feels reassured when you tell her she did good and that it was very enjoyable for you.

lara

she's the other one who has a feeling when she can see you visibly get nervous and shakily undressing yourself. and she straight up asks if this is your first time. you're a little shocked she caught on so fast, but it's not that surprising at the same time given how much she's shown she cares about you. when you tell her yes she just gives a small smile and says for you not to worry and that she'll go slow. she goes so slow when she's pushing in you and her eyes scan your face to make sure you're okay, stopping if she sees even the slightest bit of discomfort come from you. she's so loving the whole time saying how good you're doing, holding onto one of your hands while she goes slow, only speeding up when you ask her to. she's calling you "my angel" "my baby" "my princess" every other minute, always including my in front of it to let you know you're hers with a sweet smile on her face.

megan

she will freak the fuck out because despite it not being her first she just automatically thinks it isn't yours either. you don't say anything and never have, so she never thinks anything of it. but with her size, it hurts for you. even if she's going slow cause she's trying not to bust immediately, it hurts. she's been told that she's big, so when she sees your face contort, she thinks it's like her times with other girls. you still don't say anything, and when she slowly pulls out to thrust back into you she sees blood and literally freaks out. she's pulling out of you immediately, stammering out a mix of apologies and asking if this is your first and freaking out cause she's pulling didn't want to hurt you. you have to reassure her so much that 1, you're okay 2, yes it's your first and 3, that she doesn't need to panic (she still panics). once she's calm she's fine though.

[jscrawls]

I love black widow blurbs!

What a coincidence, so do I 😏

🔹🔹🔹

You're sitting in Cass' room, fingers tangled in her hair as Stephanie babbles on from beside you about her latest attempt to get the drop on the young lady who's hair you're fiddling with.

It's so similar to that dream you had what feels like months ago, except now there's the addition of Barbara in the room, and you're learning how to do this without some YouTuber explaining a single step slowly and over and over, this feels more like.... Your style of things. You're quiet, intensely focused on the four strands of hair trying to slip through your fingers.

Cass is equally silent as she watches you work through her princess vanity mirror, letting you do whatever you want to her hair as you both figure the other out in the silence you're filling between the other twos stilted conversation in the girly bedroom.

A strand slips through your fingers and you scowl at your own mistake, gripping the other three carefully as you attempt to straighten out the braid to continue, without saying a word Cass hands you a fine toothed comb and starts prepping a mini hair tie.

She knows what it's like to want to be a perfectionist and get everything right the first try, so that's why she'll never comment or draw attention to a mistake you might make, if Cass is learning to accept her own faults she wants you to as well.

🔹🔹🔹

When Bruce heard the youngest two had forcibly dragged you out of your room and into one of the living rooms he hadn't known what to expect, were you a willing participant? Just complacent? Angry? Fed up?

He looks for you, not running around like a headless chicken of course, that would be ridiculous and overkill. no he walks calmly until he finds you three-six?.... You're sitting in the floor around a coffee table that's been pushed into the center of the room, blankets thrown haphazardly off couches, drinks set on the expensive carpet like you're all uncivilized animals, you're calmly explaining something to the small crowd around you.

"-and so that's why botulism is actually a very effective way of assassination, you can inject something as small as one singular cubed tomato in a soup pot and poison an entire group of people. Better yet, it looks like food poisoning, or improper prepared food, a simple mistake. It's-"

You pause your words as you notice him in the doorway, head tilting as your eyes meet.

Dick, not noticing Bruce, raises a hand like this is a school lecture and asks you a question.

"okay, so how do I tell if I've been poisoned with botulism? And what do I do?"

You hum and reluctantly return your attention to the table, taking a large swig of your drink to whet your throat.

"First symptoms are cloudy thoughts and heavy limbs, heavy tongue or difficulty swallowing. If you progressively lose motor function or find yourself struggling to grip things you should first get on antibiotics and if you have access to it, an antitoxin. You're gonna need a blood transfusion from a non infected person most likely as well, depending on how far it's spread."

Jason leans forward and drops his elbows on the coffee table with a dull thud. "A blood transfusion for poisoning?"

Bruce clears his throat pointedly before you can answer, multiple pairs of eyes snap to him, (minus Cass and Duke, who'd been facing the doorway and seen him enter.) "if I remember correctly, if you're sick enough to need a blood transfusion you're most likely also paralyzed due to damage to the muscles in your body, yes?"

He slowly walks in the room and takes a seat at the table opposite you, it might be odd to talk about poisoning of all things but.... At least you're bonding with everyone?

🔹🔹🔹

| m.list |

@viilan

[blluespirit]

I was thinking about the southern raiders again and i think one of the reasons i love it so much, is that despite not being in the group for very long, zuko immediately understands what katara needs to do more than anyone else in the group and takes it upon himself to give it to her - peace and to earn her forgiveness.

it's not really about revenge, its about confronting her trauma head on. ripping the monster from under the bed so it can no longer haunt her.

i like that zuko never puts an idea for what she has to do. it's actually aang who brings up revenge. zuko never says that's what she must do, and when she snaps back at Aang that hell, maybe revenge is what she needs, zuko doesn't shut her down either. its absolutely up to her.

the argument between aang, katara, zuko and sokka is telling - aang, while well meaning, can't understand katara's perspective. aang's pain is vast and deep and he has processed/is processing that in his own way, but what works for him, will not work for everyone. zuko sees katara's anger and it resonates with him - that is something he can understand.

I just love that zuko offers to find the man, and then goes all out defending katara's need to confront him. she needs this.

Here's the argument:

KATARA: We're going to find the man who took my mother from me. ZUKO: Sokka told me the story of what happened. I know who did it and I know how to find him. AANG: Um ... and what exactly do you think this will accomplish? KATARA: [shakes her head in dismay] Ugh, I knew you wouldn't understand. [begins to walk away] AANG: Wait! Stop! I do understand. You're feeling unbelievable pain and rage. How do think I felt about the sandbenders when they stole Appa? How do you think I felt about the Fire Nation when I found out what happened to my people? ZUKO: She needs this, Aang. This is about getting closure and justice.' AANG: I don't think so. I think it's about getting revenge. KATARA: [angrily] Fine, maybe it is! Maybe that's what I need! Maybe that's what he deserves! AANG: Katara, you sound like Jet. KATARA: It's not the same! Jet attacked the innocent. This man, he's a monster. SOKKA: Katara, she was my mother, too, but I think Aang might be right. KATARA: Then you didn't love her the way I did! SOKKA: [hurt] Katara! AANG: The monks used to say that revenge is like a two-headed rat viper. While you watch your enemy go down, you're being poisoned yourself. ZUKO: That's cute, but this isn't air temple preschool. It's the real world. KATARA: Now that I know he's out there ... now that I know we can find him, I feel like I have no choice. AANG: Katara, you do have a choice: forgiveness. ZUKO: That's the same as doing nothing! AANG: No, it's not. It's easy to do nothing, but it's hard to forgive. KATARA: It's not just hard, it's impossible.

but I also love that because none of this happens without zuko's knowledge.

zuko is just the means to an end, and he's okay with that. What katara ultimately decides to do is up to her;

but zuko is going make damn sure he's there to make sure she's able to make that decision:

they make it to the southern raiders and zuko charges in, deflects the commanders fire and when he asks them who they are, zuko responds perfectly. he's angry for her. he never tries to make it about himself and his actions confronting the Southern Raiders Commander and Yon Rah reflect this:

COMMANDER: Who are you? ZUKO: You don't remember her? You will soon, trust me. [katara starts bloodbending him. zuko looks shocked for a moment, before quickly returning his attention back to the commander] ZUKO: Think back. Think back to your last raid on the Southern Water Tribe. COMMANDER: I don't know what you're talking about. Please, I don't know! ZUKO: [bending down closer to the commander] Don't lie! You look her in the eye and you tell me you don't remember what you did. [katara realises he's not the man, says as much and begins to walk away. zuko realises he still has a role to play to help katara] ZUKO: [grabs the weak commander and pins him to the wall] If you're not the man we're looking for, who is? COMMANDER: You must be looking for Yon Rha. He retired four years ago.

He does it again when they confront Yon Rah:

[Yon Rha is walking. he stops and turns around once more] Nobody sneaks up on me without getting burned! [drops basket of vegetables and firebends at a nearby bush] sensing no one, he picks up the fallen vegetables and continues on his way. He unknowingly steps on a thin wire, causing him to fall into the mud. He tries to get up only to see a fire blast coming his way which he quickly avoids. Zuko appears before him. ZUKO: We weren't behind the bush. [zuko takes a step forward to threaten him] And I wouldn't try firebending again!

After this, zuko steps back and lets katara handle it in the way she sees fit.

even its inferred that zuko thought it was violence that katara needed by what he says to aang at the end of the episode;

ZUKO: You were right about what Katara needed. Violence wasn't the answer.

the point is he never says it to her and he keeps that largely to himself and when she decides to spare his life, while visibly shocked and hangs back a moment to glare at yon rah, he respects katara's decision and sees that's what she needed:

basically what im saying is that whether you ship them or see them as friends, their dynamic is immediately compelling, interesting and respectful.

[batsybat91]

CW: Fear of planes

You are flying to Machester to see your boyfriend. It's a long, long flight from your nearest airport to him. But you wanted to do something nice for him. You packed everything up for two weeks, and you've been impatient the whole plane ride. I'm going to get to see Simon when I get there!!

The plane hits a few bumps. The woman next to you makes a scared face. "Euh, I bloody hate aeroplanes," she groans.

"Hey, it's just a bit of turbulence," you assure her.

"I really, really hope so," she says, gripping her armrests so tight that you hear her joints pop.

"Where are you flying from?" You try to distract her from the bumpy ride.

"Wyoming. Er, well, Salt Lake," she replies. "It was on me bucket list to go an' see Yellowstone."

"Oh, it's gorgeous up there," you say, offering her a smile.

"Yeah it is, innit?" she laughs, easing up a bit. "I rather liked those big, colorful pools. You know, the hot springs?"

"Yes ma'am-"

The plane plummets down. Your stomach drops, and your hands fly to the edge of your seat. Screaming, crying, and prayers erupt in the plane. It evens out for a moment, before plummeting once more.

The woman grabs your hand and squeezes it tight enough to break the bones. But you don't care. You're silently praying. Please, God, don't let me die, you think frantically. I want to see my boyfriend.

The woman is crying next to you. "Hey, hey, hey," you say, holding her hand impossibly tighter.

"We're going to die!" she says between gasping sobs.

"No, we aren't," you reply, though you're not too sure yourself. Everyone is buckled in their seats. Flight attendants shout to keep your heads down.

"I'm never goin' to see my husband again!" she exclaims.

"Yes, you are," your voice breaks. "I swear to God, you'll see him again."

"Christ," she whimpers. You close your eyes, and you can see Simon. Tears slip from your eyes as the plane continues to plummet and bounce into an even line. God, if I don't make it, make sure Simon knows I love him.

"We're going to be okay," you whisper. "Yeah?"

"I don't know," she whimpers.

"I promise you, we'll be okay," you repeat.

"I'm so scared," she admits.

"Me, too. My boyfriend is picking me up when we land. I haven't see him in a year," you ramble. "I'm scared I won't see him again. But listen, these planes are built to be safe. We'll be okay."

"My husband didn't come with me. It was a girls' trip," she chokes.

"Shh, shh, shh," you soothe. "We'll be fine. We're going to be okay."

What feels like hours in hell is likely only a mere hour. You hold the stranger's hand the whole time, trying not to cry. Just make it to Simon. Just make it to Simon. The plane keeps dropping in elevation, then resumes to normal for a few brief moments. A taste of salvation.

The plane lands in Manchester, and everyone is racing to get off. You're just happy it didn't crash. You give the strange a hug when the two of you stand. "We made it!" you exclaim.

"Thank you, lovie," she says against your shoulder. "Bless you."

You smile, though you're trembling from fear. "Thank you, ma'am. That's very kind of you."

You cannot get to baggage claim fast enough. Simon Riley is waiting for you by the carousel for your flight number, wearing a button-up and dark jeans. You'd ogle him if you weren't so goddamn shaken.

"Simon!" you cry, leaping into his arms. The luggage is forgotten.

"'Ello, luv. You 'right?" he asks, catching you easily. He cradles you to his chest as you tremble against him, rocking you gently. You know that's how people would normally soothe toddlers, but you don't even care.

"The plane-" you manage before the tears flood from you. "It almost crashed! Simon, I- I thought I wasn't going to see you again."

You can tell he has a million questions in his head. Instead, he just says, "Shhh, I'm here now. You're safe. You're safe, darlin'."