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moonchildstyles · 16 days ago

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the white cat

the swan part two: opening night inches closer and y/n doesn't realize just how close she's growing to harry until others notice.

wordcount: 12.4k+

—————

"... Just, thank you to everyone. It's been so fun getting to retry this production with such an awesome team. This time tomorrow, we'll be bringing the story to life." Ms. Ariel raised her champagne flute in a toast, the rest of the long banquet table full of the cast and members of production doing the same. "To Tchaikovsky—for giving us something to dance to."

Quiet laughter filtered through the space, accompanied by the clicking of glasses.

It took real effort for (Y/N) to direct her attention to the faces of her friends sitting around her, and not at Harry who was quietly sitting among the rest of the more senior members of the production. Not once, at any of the few other productions (Y/N) has been a part of has he ever shown up to one of these family dinners. From the sneaking looks being shot in his direction, she had a feeling this was a surprising sight for everyone.

"Now, let's eat!"

With that, Ms Ariel, dramatically raised her arms with a flourish as if presenting the rest of the night before them. It didn't take long before the dancers taking over over the second half of the table to rush towards the open sushi bar. Tonight was the last night of fun, eating and drinking being encouraged amongst the cast before tomorrow night begins the chaos schedule of the new production.

With little resistance, (Y/N) was pulled along behind Kingston and Siobhan to the sushi bar. The dancers, swans and alike, had taken over the bar first, the rest of the department heads hanging back with their smoky drinks and amused glances. It felt silly, (Y/N) though, as she loaded up with the different rolls with various cups of the offered sauces. While there was an option of having a specialty roll made specifically for her, she steered towards the more simple options.

Making it back to her seat, the second half of the dining table was full of everyone's options. It was clear the offer of free food and drinks was being taken full advantage of. Mini dishes of soy sauce and sriracha were being shared around with shots of sake being taken between the bubbly conversation erupting through the room.

Listening in while the more experienced members of the cast shared stories about previous productions—about family dinners like these—(Y/N) was happy to become a wallflower. While this wasn't the first ballet company she had joined, this was one that she could see herself calling her home until she retired from the dance.

She wanted to take in every moment, seeing all of these people that were integral parts of realizing one of her biggest dreams in becoming Odette. She wanted to memorize the sound of Siobhan's snorting laughter, Lydia's chittering, and Kingston's urging of more shots to be remembered for as long as she lived.

With a quiet smile on her lips, she cast her gaze around the room, memorizing every detail.

Especially so, when she grazed over the opposite end of the table where Ms. Ariel was holding court, Harry was stealing his own glance right at her.

Cheeks pink, he quickly looked away, dropping his gaze to the avocado roll on his plate.

(Y/N)'s smile only grew.

—————

"I'm going to get another drink," (Y/M) murmured to Kingston, standing from her spot when he gave her an absent nod. Sasha was currently sharing stories from her visit back home to Russia and the supposed "ruffians" she found herself tangled with.

(If her memory served her well, (Y/N) was ninety-eight percent sure that the last time Sasha had been plastered off of Long Island Iced Teas, she had spilled that these Russia stories were full of it. She only visited to see her grandmother for a week before heading back home—a trek she hadn't made in a handful of years anyway).

The bar was clear of a waiting line as (Y/N) approached, though the bartender was busy with a different guest.

One with mussed brown curls and broad shoulders huddled down as if attempting not to take up too much space. Despite having the whole length of the makeshift bar to himself.

There was a pattering in her chest when she realized it was Harry. The chambers of her heart fluttered like a butterfly's wings against the ladder of her ribs.

Coming up to the space at his side, (Y/N) hoped the quiet smile on her lips hid just how suddenly giddy she was at the sight of him. Once close enough, she could feel the warmth that seemed to radiate from his skin, the smoky sweet scent she caught in the theater now wafting over her. From over his shoulder, she caught the whiskey drink being poured in a short glass for him. He moved swiftly as he grabbed the drink, making a movement to turn away from the bar before he stopped short of bumping right into (Y/N).

He started where he stood, rearing back to keep from spilling the alcohol all over her mini dress.

"Sorry," he breathed, "I didn't realize y'were there."

"It's okay," she smiled, suddenly feeling warm under her skin now that his eyes were grazing over her. "I should have said something, maybe."

"No, no," Harry immediately brushed off, "it was m'fault."

He wasn't going to let her win, she realized. He was far too sweet, too sheepish to give away any responsibility for something he decided was his fault. Even something as small as not watching where he was going.

"What can I get for you?" the bartender piped up, looking across the top with a pleasant smile in (Y/N)'s direction .

"Um," she sounded, having forgotten what drink she was wanting to try. Instead, she was aware of the way Harry had no reason to stick around and keep talking with her unless she said something more to him. She glanced at the small chalkboard sign with the different cocktail options, zeroing in on one. "The Yuzu Martini, please."

The bartender muttered a promise of the drink being up quickly before he turned to collect the ingredients and start mixing. By the time she turned to look at Harry, he was obviously beginning to awkwardly edge away.

"Are you having fun?" she blurted out, the shock of her voice much louder than she anticipated.

Harry stopped in his tracks, though. Exactly as she hoped.

"Yeah, yeah," Harry responded, a pleasant smile molding his features. "A little bit more rowdy than I was expecting, but very fun."

At that moment, they both glanced to the back half of the room, where the stark difference between the department heads and the cast was marked with the boisterous laughter and Lydia standing over the table to recreate some moment from a story she was telling. On the other end, Ms. Ariel was holding court over the other heads, including the direction and head of production, their faces turned towards her as if the sun.

"Definitely," (Y/N) laughed, suddenly feeling a bit silly now, wondering if he considered her to be rowdy. If that was a bad thing to be to someone as reserved as him.

Though, she reminded herself, it didn't really matter much what he liked. Whether or not he liked her outside of believing her to be a competent dancer.

"Are you?" Harry questioned, taking a sip from the slim black cocktail straw in his glass. "Having fun, I mean."

"Oh yeah," she breathed out a laugh, reaching for her martini as soon as it touched the bartop. "It's helping me forget how nervous I am."

It was posed as a joke, some throwaway comment to fill the air while she fished out a tip for the bartender. Though Harry didn't seem to think of it in the same way, his brows knitting into a furrow, his head tilting with a swirl of his hair dropping down his forehead.

"What do y'mean?"

"Just everything with tomorrow and all." She flipped her hand through her hair nonchalantly, hoping he doesn't pick up the granules of truth sprinkled through the words.

His expression softened then. "I understand," he shared, a solemn nod of his head being given, "But, I hope you know how amazing y'are. There's nothing to be nervous about—you've worked hard, and I know 's going to be perfect."

She felt that warmth again, bubbling under her skin. She dropped her eyes from him with a flutter of her lashes, watching the yuzu peel float along the top of her cocktail instead of counting the flecks of gold in his eyes.

"Thank you," she muttered, less immune to his praises than that of anyone else, "I've never been a lead before—especially not for what's technically two roles. I don't want to forget anything, and freeze or cry or something."

Ending on an airy laugh, her words hung between them as Harry met her eyes with sincerity swimming through his irises.

"Even if something does go wrong, I know you'll know how to handle it. I've got no doubts in what you'll be able to do up there."

A shy smile softened her face, looking at him from through the fan of her lashes. She wondered if he could also feel the warmth radiating from her skin, her blood simmering through her veins. "Thank you," she muttered, taking a sip of her martini before shifting gears, "Did you get to see our last rehearsal this morning, with all the lights and makeup and everything?"

"No," he shook his head, sipping his own smokey drink, "I was a bit busy at the office today, but I think it'll make for a fun surprise for tomorrow."

"I hope so," she smiled, "I think it turned out really nice from where I was standing."

Harry, with his mouth open and ready to answer, was cut off by the sound of Siobhan's slurred shout from the table, "(Y/N), are you done yet?"

It was the gloss covering her eyes and the red flush that was creeping its way up her neck and into her hairline, that had (Y/N) far from feeling offended at the interruption. Siobhan usually forgot the notion of inside volume after a few good drinks and the knowledge of knowing she didn't have the responsibility of driving or walking home.

She only shook her head with a bubbly laugh before looking to Harry once more. He had his eyes on Siobhan and the rest of dancers for a lingering moment, sweeping across the faces that he barely had a chance to know. Something gloomy passed over the planes of his face. There was a pinch that appeared between his brows, one that was quickly swept away before he caught her looking at him.

(Y/N) couldn't say why she felt this way, what exactly she saw in his features that made her think he was sad, but she did. It was a split decision, one she made before her better sense could catch up with her mouth.

"Do you want to come sit with us?" (Y/N) asked, quick to shove her straw to her lips as a distraction.

Harry hesitated, his eyes widening just barely before he dropped his gaze to the whiskey in his hand. "I—uh—I don't know. I don't want to make any of them uncomfortable or anything. I know I don't really hang out much with you all."

"It's okay," (Y/N) bubbled, surprised by her own level of enthusiasm as she pushed back against that sullen demeanor he shared, "I'll introduce you to everyone. Just the last thing you need to do before opening night, right?"

Her giddiness only rose when Harry finally gave a small nod of his head, already sheepish before they'd even approached the cast. Instinctively, she reached out her hand to tug him along with her. Luckily, the martini and the previous sips of sake hadn't gone to her head just yet, leaving her to stop short of grabbing for him. Instead, she reached for the skirt of her dress instead, fingers pushing against the stitching.

She muttered a quiet C'mon, smiling when Harry started following without a second thought. The others at the table didn't seem to notice who (Y/N) was bringing along as they drew away from the bar, only Kingston's eyes seemed to recognize what had caught her up.

Sliding into her seat, Harry took the empty one on her other side silently. Sasha stalled on her words, lingering a bit too long on a syllable that signaled to anyone else that something was different around the table. It was then that some eyes started wandering around, spotting Harry with unconcealed surprise. Lashes fluttered, eyes widened, lips thinned.

(Y/N) hoped he didn't notice those reactions, sure that those looks were part of the reason he didn't interact much with majority of the company.

Sasha continued her story, leaving (Y/N) grateful for her keeping the party swept up and their attention off of Harry. Glancing at her lap as she adjusted her skirt, she could see the way his free hand fiddled in his lap, his rings being twisted around his fingers. He was far from comfortable at the moment, but he was trying.

Leaning toward him, she murmured, "Sasha likes to pretend she goes to Russia every summer for a week, but I think she just goes to the Hamptons with her sister."

"Yeah?" Harry questioned, a light flitting through his eyes as he let out a small laugh, "She is really Russian though, right?"

(Y/N) shrugged, sharing a smile with him like they had their own inside joke. "Who knows?"

The smile he gave her was broad, with dimples denting his cheeks. She could feel her heart fluttering at the base of her throat at the sight. He was always so carefully reserved, never giving too much away if you weren't paying attention. Let alone such a bright smile—all while he was looking right to her.

Before she could do anything stupid, she tucked the straw of her drink between her lips and took a big sip as she turned back towards Sasha. Though she had her eyes forward, her attention was still stationed at her back.

She took another gulp of her drink.

Suddenly, interrupting her attempt to focus ahead, Harry's voice piped up:

"You're from Belgorod?"

Sasha blinked. Soibhan and Kingston both turned around just the way (Y/N) did to look at Harry. He didn't pay the extra eyes any mind, keeping forward on Sasha, though (Y/N) could still spot the way his rings were being twisted around his fingers. He was trying. Even if his pronunciation wasn't as smooth as Sasha's, and everyone looked at him with such prying eyes, he was trying.

Sasha nodded after a beat, the motion wooden. "Yeah," she answered, "I moved here when I was ten."

Harry gave a small smile, eyes flicking to (Y/N)'s for a fleeting moment. Talking to Sasha, he said something in Russian with that slight disjointed accent. Though Sasha's face still lit up.

"I love that place! You've been?"

Taking the last vestiges of her martini, (Y/N) could only smile around the rim of her glass. Sasha's face lit up over getting the chance to talk to someone who knew her hometown, with the rest of the table visibly relaxing now that they realized that they weren't sitting at the lunch table with the teacher. Kingston knocked her foot from under the table, a sly smile on his lips.

Harry was trying, even if it scared him.

—————

The streetlights blurred outside the Uber windows. (Y/N) stitched her eyes to the moon, following its journey over the buildings as it followed her home.

Next to her, Lydia knocked her shoulder. Tearing her eyes from the moon, (Y/N) turned to face her with a sluggish movement. The alcohol had definitely made its way through her system and had settled in her muscles. Lydia was in the same boat it seemed, with glossy eyes and mussed hair.

"I didn't know you were like that with Harry," she murmured, her words holding a slur. In the back row of the car, the rest of the group sharing the Uber—Siobhan, Sasha, and Kingston—were too busy with their own conversation to listen in.

"What do you mean?" (Y/N) pressed, canting her head.

Lydia knocked her shoulder again. "You know," she drawled, giving her a pointed look, "sitting with him and all. I saw you guys whispering, too."

"Oh," she sounded, giving a half-hearted shrug, "I mean, we talk sometimes. But, I wouldn't say we're like that."

Dipping her head conspiratorially, Lydia gave a raise of her brows. "Has he ever talked about that... stuff that Siobhan told you about?"

(Y/N) blinked. "Um," she started, unsure of what Lydia was wanting to hear, "No. I've never really asked or anything either, so."

"Well after talking to him then, do you think—oh, bye Siobhan!"

Whirling towards the seats in front of them, (Y/N) saw Siobhan climbing out of the car for the first drop off of the night. Rounds of goodbyes were shared as Siobhan trundled up to her apartment, looking back more than once to wave at the remainders in the car.

It was a relief to have an interruption to the impromptu questioning. With any luck, Lydia would forget what she was trying to get at.

Settling back into her spot, (Y/N) was already looking out the window as the car pulled away from the curb. The moon, full and bright, was now being blocked by a string of thin clouds.

"(Y/N), are you asleep?"

Before she could think better of it, (Y/N) whirled around with a laugh at Lydia's whispered question. "No," she smiled, "I'm just looking outside."

"Oh," Lydia sounded, looking a bit confused at her own assumption, "I think I'm drunk."

"A little."

Lydia let out a loud laugh at (Y/N)'s teasing, leaning into her side. She sighed, laying her head on (Y/N)'s shoulder as she herself began to fall asleep.

"Do you like Harry, though? Even with all the stuff Siobhan said?" Lydia asked, words stringing together in a drawl.

(Y/N) stalled, mouth open like a guppy. If only she'd have pretended to be asleep when Lydia asked.

"He's really nice, yeah. I like him—he's fun to talk to."

"So you don't think any of it's true?"

"No," (Y/N) responded instantly, "I really don't. I don't think Ms. Ariel would let him around us if there was anything true about it. He's too... gentle, I think."

A beat passed. No response from Lydia.

Looking at where Lydia's head was resting on her shoulder, (Y/N) saw her slack jawed with her eyes closed.

A small smile bloomed on (Y/N)'s features as she turned towards the window once more. She watched as the clouds before the moon floated on.

—————

Through the walls of her dressing room, (Y/N) could hear the prerecorded prologue playing out on stage. The theater was silent as the orchestra played the lilting notes alongside the projection. With the amount of times she had practiced the scene, watched the recording, listened to the music while she worked, she knew exactly what moments were playing out for the audience.

While they were watching her fall away under Rothbart's spell only to have her return as a swan, she saw her own transformation in the mirror. After having one of the girls from the costume department help her into her corset, her hair slicked back, and feathers sewn into the ribbons of her pointe shoes, she had become Odette. In the reflection of the mirror, she could see the black shadow of the Odile costume—matching every layer of tulle and sparkling bead of the white swan, only bathed in black. Just looking at the costume had her out of breath, anticipating the fouettés that had her core aching every day after rehearsal.

Out on stage, she could hear the flow of the music changing. The prologue was coming to an end now, with Kingston surely waiting in the wings to start the real show.

Soon it would be her turn. Opening night for her dream ballet.

Taking a step back from the mirror, (Y/N) gave herself one last look. The white set against her skin looked like a halo, drawing in the light until she shone like the moon she followed the night before. The beading and crystals danced under the light. Rainbows were going to be thrown over the audience when she stepped out on stage. She could already feel the fluff of the feathers draped over her bodice, the quills crowning her head, tickling her skin.

She met her own bright eyes in the reflection. Long false lashes grazed her brow bone, fluttering with every blink. Heavy blush painted her cheeks, though there was a real warmth bubbling under her skin. A soft shimmer was dusted over her chest and shoulders, matching that on her eyelids.

She was the swan princess. Finally.

Outside of her dressing room, she could hear the transition into the first real scene of the ballet. Kingston and the dancer playing the queen were no doubt already on the stage.

Underneath her bodice, her heart rate rose to a flutter at the base of her throat. With a deep breath, she left her dressing room behind. She was welcomed backstage to the bustle of the production team. Ms. Ariel was there, dressed in all black with her chignon, razor eyed on the stage. Costume and set designers were there, ready for the next moment that the scene would need to change. Dancers with half on tights, dangling pointe shoes and loose feathers were halted in the wings, watching the stage.

Inaudible under the sound of the music, (Y/N) padded on the flat of her pointe shoes to Ms. Ariel's side.

On the boards was Kingston, sitting in a throne as strings of dancers performed for him. He placed the part of disinterested prince, unconcerned with the people before him, setting the perfect stage for the swan that he would later be entranced by.

Every dancer moved in perfect unison. They mirrored one another, costumes shining under the lights. Every detail—from the set, to the point of the toes, to every hair laid in place—was just as (Y/N) envisioned. From the look on Ms. Ariel's face, it was just as she pictured as well.

"Are you ready?" Ms. Ariel's voice sounded right next to (Y/N)'s ear.

Unable to tear her eyes off the stage, the draw of the spotlight that would soon be shining on her, (Y/N) felt her heart beat hard against her chest.

"I think so."

"You'll be perfect," Ms. Ariel encouraged, "If anything goes wrong, I know you'll be able to handle it."

Her words rang in her head, reminding her of the similar sentiment Harry shared with her only the night before.

The thought had her gaze drifting from the stage and to the audience. The faces were bathed in a haze, barely visible from where she was standing through the stage lights.

Just where she had reserved were the familiar faces of the few friends she had from outside of the company. A small smile cracked her features. Casting her gaze high, on one of the balconies on the side of the stage, in an isolated box, was Harry.

As usual, a suit was fitted to his body, hair pushed away from his face in curling waves. A light shadow covered his jawline. As he peered down at the stage, he held his body in softened shapes, losing the rigidity he walked around the studio with. (Y/N) couldn't remember if she'd ever seen him so relaxed before.

She didn't want to think about how the sight of Harry had the small smile on her lips cracking into a full grin. Bubbling excitement filled her stomach.

A hand landing on the small of her back brought her down to the boards once more. Ms. Ariel dipped her head until she was level with (Y/N)'s ear.

"Go," she muttered, pushing her forward.

(Y/N) didn't think before she swept onto the stage for her first counts. The toes of her shoes tapped against the boards, the thuds hidden under the music. Her tutu bounced over her hips, following every pose she cast. She felt like the feathers adorning her costume, light and pliable despite the strong forms of her legs and the stiff set in her core.

Just as expected, she could see the small prisms of color being reflected across the audience. She couldn't help but to follow the light to the familiar balcony.

There, she saw a smile on Harry's face. It was a serene expression, complete with the dimples she was growing fond of.

She'd definitely never seen him like this before.

—————

The curtain dropped as (Y/N) clutched Kingston, Siegfried and Odette in the afterlife. The orchestra buckled under the ethereal crescendo, falling silent just as the velvet curtain touched the boards.

The tears of her character became her own then. She melted against Kingston, dropping to the flat of her feet as she buried her face into his shoulder. Tears fell down her cheeks, streaking through her makeup.

Kingston held her as she had her meltdown, squeezing her as the rest of the production came to halt for the moment.

"Alright?" he muttered, untangling from her hold to show that he had his own tear stained cheeks to match hers.

"Yeah," she nodded, a wide grin on her lips, "I'm good. Are you?"

He reciprocated her bright smile. "We did it."

(Y/N) couldn't help the boisterous laugh that fell from her. They really did it.

Ms. Ariel approached them, her heel clicking over the boards. Though she held her always serene expression, (Y/N) could see the emotion welling in her eyes.

"Ready for curtain call, guys?" she asked, voice low as the rest of the members of production brought in the lake set for the final stage moments.

"Yeah, yeah," (Y/N) sighed, carefully wiping her fingers under her eyes. "I'm ready."

It felt like a whirlwind after Kingston muttered his own agreement. The set was changed in a matter of moments, the cast herded together in a big lump of feathers, tutus, and tights. Murmured congratulations were shared alongside the hugs and kisses. More than one face had running mascara and flushed cheeks. (Y/N) wasn't the only one that had worked hard to learn the techniques and fall into the story.

Scuttling out to the wings, Kingston and (Y/N) stuck together as curtain call began. Groups of performers walked out together, pausing for the applause and flowers that were tossed onto the boards. She held onto Kingston's hand as it was finally their turn, prancing out with him as the applause rose in decibels.

Kingston took his bows first, bathing in the attention with a beaming smile before he stepped back. With a flourish, he presented (Y/N) to the crowd.

(Y/N) swore her heart just about beat out of her chest as the applause directed at her reached new heights. Her bottom lip trembled as she attempted to keep the smile on her face. She bowed in hopes of keeping the emotion swelling out of her from being so clear for the audience to see. Roses landed at her feet, a glowing red against the pristine white of her pointe shoes.

Standing up straight, she found the familiar faces in the audience clapping for her. She couldn't help herself as she directed her gaze upwards, right towards that balcony.

Except, now the seat was empty.

Before she could dwell on the missing patron, (Y/N) stepped back and joined Kingston once more. Ms. Ariel and the other department heads were called on stage for their own rounds of applause, leaving she and Kingston to step back and see the audience as a whole.

(Y/N) made a point to keep her eyes from that balcony until the curtain dropped for the final time that night.

—————

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be fast. I'll just leave my makeup on, so I'll be out in a second."

The other swans took (Y/N)'s rushed answer before she disappeared into her dressing room. Closing the door behind her, she was sealed away from the bustle of backstage and the muffled sound of the audience shuffling out of the theater.

She slumped against the door, her eyes falling closed as she took in the quiet after the storm.

She did it. She made it through her first show as Odette without a single mistake.

Every move came on instinct for her, muscle memory to the point of just the notes of the song or the look on another performer's face told her what was coming next. Her muscles were burning, sore in places she didn't even know existed until tonight. Even her hair hurt, as if she'd never had it slicked back like this before.

It was all perfect. The sore muscles and bruised hips were a testament to a wonderful show.

Taking in a deep breath, she pushed off of the door and began the process of unlacing her costume. Maybe after the next shows she might start asking for help, but tonight she wanted this moment for herself.

Her fingers stalled in the lacing of her bodice when she realized there was a large bouquet sitting on her vanity table, complete with an iridescent crystal vase. The roses were black and white, interspersed with feathers in matching hues. The petals were velvet soft, shimmering the closer (Y/N) got to the flora. Now that she was paying attention, every breath she took was scented with the rosy scent of fresh flowers.

Tucked right in the middle was a card, her name written across in curling calligraphy. Inside was a message written in blocky marker script, different from the professional lettering on the front.

Congratulations, Odette.

In the same marker was a rudimentary drawing of a smiling swan. She let out an airy laugh at the drawing, endeared by the wonky lines.

But, there was no signature.

There was a tucked away idea in the back of her mind, one that made her feel a bit delusional, but couldn't be completely silenced.

None of the other performers would have left them, Ms. Ariel already handed out bouquets before the show even started, and she wasn't established enough to be garnering any kind of admirers.

But there was one person. Who knew how nervous she was about this night. Who would have been able to sneak away for a moment to drop off these flowers.

A knock on her door interrupted her speculating.

Siobhan's voice rang through, "Do you need help, (Y/N)? I think Kingston's going to order the Uber in a minute."

Glancing at the note once more, she made a hasty decision to tuck the card into her purse.

"No, I'm alright," (Y/N) called, hustling out of her costume, "Tell Kingston to order it, I'll be right out."

"Okay," Siobhan responded after a beat, "We'll be out back."

It didn't take long before (Y/N) had her costumes returned to the wardrobe department, and her flowers tucked safely away for her to take home with her tomorrow.

With the note still in her purse.

—————

"Oh, thank you!" (Y/N) chirped, a beaming smile on her face. She was quickly brought into the arms of one of the alternate swans, the cold glass of her cocktail hanging over the girl's back.

"You're welcome—I can't wait to see the show again tomorrow," the swan laughed, releasing (Y/N) from her hug.

Before anything else could be shared between them, (Y/N) was floated off to another round of chatter. She had parroted her gratitude over and over again since walking into the bar, her skin only growing warmer and smile growing bigger with every line of praise and cocktail shoved her way.

Catching sight of herself in the mirror lining the back of the bar, (Y/N) couldn't help the grin on her face. Feathers were still pinned to her slicked back hair, shimmer covering her chest and neck. Even though she had shed her feathery bodice and bouncy tutu, she hadn't quite shed the feeling of the lights bathing her skin and the flowers that had been poured over her feet at the end of the show. Hearing all of the kind words from members of the company, friends of her costars, and audience members that had found themselves at the same bar afterwards was enough to keep her light as a feather through the rest of the evening.

Earlier in the night, Ms. Ariel and the director and department heads had come by and shared their own praises. It was clear each of them were exhausted in their own way—the backstage production hands particularly—though they still took the time to let (Y/N) and the rest of her costars know just how spectacular this first showing was.

Though, even while talking to one of the production hands, (Y/N) couldn't help but to notice the one person she hadn't seen make an appearance for the night.

Harry had never come by. Even with the rest of the more executive members of the team.

All she had was the note she was assuming had come from him.

"Yes, thank you—I'll see you tomorrow!" (Y/N) bubbled, tuning back into reality as the production hand gave their goodnights for the evening.

(Y/N) gave one last wave before turning back to the remainder of her costars. It was easy to spot Kingston's head of long dreads amongst the stragglers, the view a beacon as she crossed the room towards him and the swans.

"Hey, you," Kingston smiled as (Y/N) slinked her way into the circle, laying her head on her shoulder with his arm circling her waist. The conversation between Siobhan and Lydia was loud enough that neither them or Sasha noticed his muffled voice. "Tired?"

"Oh yeah," (Y/N) sighed, leaning against him until he was supporting half of her weight, "Aren't you?"

"Yeah," he agreed, yawning as he nodded his head, "After this drink, I'm getting my Uber and going home. Do you want to come with?"

"Probably," she mirrored his yawn, infected by the sight. "Especially if we're supposed to do this again tomorrow."

"Don't remind me—"

Before Kingston could say much more, the girls' faces changed. Lydia's voice skipped as she cast her gaze over (Y/N)'s shoulder, her recovery taking a second before she was back to her story—though decidedly distracted.

A furrow perched in between her brows, the crease only deepening when both Sasha and Siobhan have similar reactions when glancing in the same direction as Lydia. Kingston shared her confusion as he muttered What? under his breath.

As if on cue, an accented voice sounded from behind her. Just where the girls had peeked over her shoulder.

"(Y/N)?"

Her breath stuttered in her chest. She could feel eyes on her as she straightened up, looking over her shoulder to find Harry standing there with folded hands behind his back and a reserved smile on his face. His hair sat in a loping waves over his head, a rogue strand having separated from the pack and was now balancing precariously on the top of his head. The dusty shadow she had sworn she had seen from the wings was confirmed to be a layer of stubble across his cheeks.

Harry's eyes dropped from hers to Kingston's arm slipping from around (Y/N)'s waist, the corners of his lips wavering before flicking back up to match her eyes.

"Harry, hi," she smiled, stepping away from her costars as she met him halfway.

"Hi," he breathed, ducking his head under the weight of her attention, "Sorry I'm late—I wasn't sure you'd still be here. I figured it'd be an early night for you."

"I think we're just about to call it a night actually," she said, glancing back to Kingston and the rest of the cast as they pretended that they were straining to hear every word, "You made it just in time. I kind of figured you weren't going to make it at all tonight when I didn't see you with Ms. Ariel and everyone."

He pinched his shoulder in a shrug, surely aware of how everyone was more than aware that he typically didn't come to these opening night get togethers. At least for as long as (Y/N) had been here, this was the first he'd ever met the cast after the first performance.

"I got a little caught up with a few last minute things," he played off, offering a dim smile before dropping his eyes to his feet for a moment. He met her gaze with intensity as he spoke, keeping her just where she was as if she ever had any other choice. "I—uh—I jus' wanted to congratulate you. Y'were amazing up there. I think this is going to become a really special run."

A warmth spread throughout her system, loosening her even further than what the one and a half cocktails have done for her. She didn't think before she reached out, placing her hand on his arm and giving a squeeze.

The fine fabric of his suit jacket conformed to the muscles corded around his arm. (Y/N) blinked back at the feel, wondering what exactly he was hiding under all of his tailored suits and buttoned up pieces.

"Thank you," she murmured, recovering from the glimpse of Harry under his reserved nature, "That really means a lot."

A blush worked its way over the apples of his cheeks and dusted the bridge of his nose, warm and rosy as he dropped his gaze from hers. "Of course."

She reluctantly dropped her hand from his arm, though she could still feel the ghost of his warmth against her palm and see the imprint of her grip in the folds of his jacket.

Harry wasn't particularly talkative anyway, but was decidedly even less so now that it felt like the whole company was around them. She didn't want him to leave just yet, especially when he made what looked like a sidelong glance towards the door.

"Did you want a drink or something? I think there's still appetizers and stuff at the booth if you were hungry." She couldn't help the way the words tumbled out of her, though she hoped Harry didn't catch the desperate edge she could hear in her voice.

"I can't stay, unfortunately," he said, an apologetic smile on his face, "I've got an early morning tomorrow, I jus' wanted to—um—see you. Thank you for the offer, though."

That desperation melted out of her at that moment. Despite him rejecting her offer to stick around, she figured there was no reason to be desperate for his company when he just said he'd come all this way through the city just to see her.

I jus' want to see you.

A vision of a clumsily drawn swan came to the forefront of her mind.

She could feel the bright grin on her face stretching her cheeks. "Thank you, Harry. Are you coming to the show tomorrow?"

(Y/N) wanted to cringe as soon as she heard her own words. Harry, as far as she knew, never saw the same production more than once. Opening night he was always there, then he would disappear until the closing performance if he had the time to make it. He had fulfilled his patronage just by showing up tonight, there was no reason for him to return again when his own life needed tending to.

She watched as a smile bloomed on his features, shy with the way he bit into his bottom lip. "Well, of course," he said, "It's what I paid for, isn't it?"

A bubbling laugh escaped from her, surprised at the response she had garnered. He was supposed to have politely declined any more viewings of the show, not look at her with his smiling raspberry lips and promise to see her the following night. "I guess so, huh?"

"It's an expensive ticket, but well worth it," he shared, his features warm and rounded. She watched as he glanced over her shoulder, surely finding the faces of her friends and cast who were far from discreet as they listened in.

She followed his gaze just for Kingston to match her eyes, widening just so to let her know there were plenty of questions he was going to share with her as soon as he had a chance. Siobhan and Lydia were stuck looking right at Harry, though Sasha tried her best to act nonchalant about it all. The other swans, feathers pinned in their hair with shimmer draped over their chests, busied themselves with the appetizers (Y/N) had just offered up to Harry.

"Congratulations everyone. You put on a beautiful show—thank you for your hard work," Harry offered, decidedly distanced from the way he had offered her praise. "I look forward to tomorrow night's performance."

Appreciation for his kind words were shared amongst the cast, everyone jut a bit too chipper to be natural. (Y/N) didn't blame them; many of the more seasoned dancers could hardly conceal their shock that he was here at all, let alone getting involved with the cast.

"I'll see you tomorrow night, (Y/N)," he murmured once the rest of the company settled. "Get home safe tonight."

"I'll try," she smiled, unconsciously shifting her weight as he began inching towards the door, "You'll be in the balcony again?"

Dimples dented his cheeks, his skin flushing a warm pink as he nodded. "You'll be on stage?"

"Fingers crossed," she teased, giving him one last wave goodbye as he left for the night.

Once again she was left to watch his retreating from, broad shoulders and back concealed under his suit.

"What was that?" Kingston whispered, stepping into (Y/N)'s space only a beat later.

She felt almost dazed when she looked back to him, rejoining the rest of the bar.

"I don't know."

—————

(Y/N), on her stomach with her feet in the air and crossed at the ankles, was just short of squealing like a teenager as she read the review on her phone.

Just like this any show, she was aware that there was going to be a few critics in the audience, but it wasn't something she wanted to focus on. Whatever any of them said was going to be their opinion, good or bad. She didn't want to waste her time as Odette worrying about what any of their articles would say.

Though, that didn't mean that if something positive came through that she wouldn't eat it all up.

Ms. Ariel had texted the link to both she and Kingston in a shared group chat. She hadn't offered any of her own commentary, just the link itself for them to look at as they pleased.

The article, published by a critic who had never come to any of their previous shows, was complete with photos of the performance, influencer videos of an experience of the night, and a quote from Ms. Ariel and the show's director.

The review itself was glowing. Commending the use of the pre-recorded prologue, the costuming, and the slight variations that defined the company's unique perspective on the tale.

And the casting.

The principle casting was deemed perfect. Kingston and (Y/N) described as feathers dancing along on a fluid breeze. The swans were in perfect sync, never out of beat with one another, even when a poorly secured feather dripped from one of the girl's costumes.

The double role of Odette/Odile was labeled as stunning. A video was attached to this section, provided by the company, of (Y/N) performing the thirty-two fouettés in her shadowed Odile costume. The spotlight stayed perfectly still on her, every gem and sparkle dancing over her as if she were a dewy swan.

Beautiful, she was called. A perfect fit. A well earned standing ovation.

(Y/N) didn't stop the video as it replayed. Of course there was always room for improvement, but it was something magical to see herself during her first performance.

It was during the third play that she saw the rest of the scene around her. With the angle of the video, there were some audience faces that could be seen with their features in awe.

Including a familiar face in the balcony.

There, with his chin propped up on his chin, elbow on his armrest, was Harry with his dimpled smile and waving hair. Alone in his balcony seat, he watched her with sparkling eyes.

Seeing him now, her face broke out into a wide smile. Her chest warmed, toes curling from where her feet were kicked up behind her. She was lucky she hadn't seen him during the performance, otherwise she would have broken the severe presentation of Odile with a sparkly smile and moony eyes.

It was that shot alone that had (Y/N) dismissing every single rumor that had been passed her way, the probing questions that were concluded with the declaration that everyone around her just wanted her to be safe. Safe from what, they couldn't detail out, but it was intense enough to warrant more than one conversation.

She was well aware that she hadn't been with the company during the breakdown that happened with Harry and the dancer. She never met the woman and didn't see the effects of whatever it was that had gone on behind the scenes. She didn't know anything other than rumors about that time frame.

But, she liked to think she knew Harry.

As much as she tried, she couldn't reconcile those rumors with the man she knew now. Not when Harry was so obviously shy—painfully at times. He had taken the time to come see her after opening night, sat with her and the cast at family dinner. He'd never been anything but incredibly kind, even though she was sure that he was more than aware of all of the titterings about him through the years.

It's been special getting to know him these few times she'd had a chance to talk with him. It made everything negative that much harder to believe.

—————

"I'm pulling in right now—Tell her I'm pulling in right now. I don't know what happened, I'm so sorry."

Kingston let out a string of reassurances, the sound of the backstage workings sounding in the background. "I'll see you in a second, it's okay. Bye."

Finding a space, (Y/N) didn't even have time to cringe at her sloppy parking job before she was rushing into the theater with her tote bag banging against her side. This day had been her worst in a while, complete with missed alarms, a forgotten deadline on a manuscript, and her car deciding to shit the bed when she was already running five minutes late to call time. That left her with frantic calls from Ms. Ariel and the rest of the cast, wondering if she was on her way (yes, when the engine finally stopped sputtering and stayed ignited for longer than ten seconds), if they would need to call in for the alternate (no, it was only the sixth performance, she wasn't missing anything), or how quickly an Uber could be called to her place (quick but not quick enough).

Walking through the backstage door was enough to have (Y/N) breathing out a sigh of relief. She was still going to need to hustle to get into costume and warm up and everything that the others already had time to do, but at least she was here.

"There you are! I was getting so worried," Ms Ariel called, crossing the boards until she was in step with (Y/N)'s hustling gait. "Is your car okay?"

"I don't know," (Y/N) sighed, "I just got it a couple of years ago, I don't know what's happening."

A furrow was perched on Ms. Ariel's dark brow. "If anything else happens, let me know and we'll work something out if we need to. I know you're feeling rushed, but warm up and stretch first, then we'll get you into makeup. If we miss show time by a few minutes, we'll make it work."

A tight smile molded (Y/N)'s features as she nodded to Ms. Ariel, beelining it straight to her dressing room.

There was no way she was going to be putting the show behind, even by a few minutes. She just would have to cut a couple of stretches, she thought. And warm up wasn't that important, not when her heartbeat was already skyrocketing and her limbs restless. Maybe, if she started slicking her hair back herself, that could cut some time off the costuming department.

Yes, that is what she'll do. She wasn't going to ruin anyone's night because she couldn't keep herself together for the evening.

(Y/N) was like a tornado ripping through her dressing room until she sat at the vanity, determined to get a start on her hair and makeup.

There, above the trifold mirror, was a bouquet of flowers hung upside down to dry. The black and white florets had already dimmed to shades of gray and cream, leaving the feathers to shine bright amongst the petals. The tightest buds still clung to life as much as they could, velvet softness lingering.

The flowers that Harry hadn't claimed, but (Y/N) refused to believe could have come from anyone else. Not when every other person in her life had directly given her bouquets or signed notes with their name.

His faith in her echoed in her head.

Even if something goes wrong, she would be able to handle it, he'd said. He didn't doubt her for a second.

It felt so lame, but just the reminder that Harry believed in her and would soon be sitting in the audience on his balcony seat, calmed her.

She was going to give a performance that earned her another set of flowers she decided. There was no point in cutting stretches or warm ups when she was the only one so flustered.

When she seemed to be the only one lacking faith in how the night would turn out.

Everything was going to be just fine.

—————

(Y/N)'s tutu flopped against her thighs as she hopped over the stage, the music bobbing in time with the sound of her pointe shoes tapping the boards. The swans at her side danced in unison, flowing like a single unit across the boards.

She twirled and spun, moving like the feathers decorating her costume. She and the swans performed a bourree across the stage, their arms extended high like swan wings, chins tipped up high in elegant form as they looked across the audience.

It happened on instinct, the way she cast her gaze up to the balcony.

Just as she pictured was Harry. Three weeks into the production with three performances each week, and he hadn't missed a single one.

The details were blurry as the stage lights shown in her eyes, but she was getting used to spotting his smile.

Only when she turned her back on the crowd, did she mirror him with her own grin.

—————

"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow. Text me when you get home."

Siobhan smiled and waved goodbye as she headed towards the exit while (Y/N) went for her dressing room. That was something she envied about the swans. They were clear to start cleaning up and getting unready as soon as the final bows were shared and the curtains had dropped to the floor. She, Kingston, and Kaleb—playing Rothbart—were always corralled to talk with the director and the orchestra and Ms. Ariel about the night's performance. All while they were still in their pointes.

She fell into her chair in front of her vanity as soon as she was free from her costume and pointes. All that was left was dealing with the pile of stage makeup on her face and the gel taming her hair back. At least this was easier than the quick wash of the Odile in between the acts.

Once her vanity was littered with soiled makeup wipes and false lashes, (Y/N) started on her hair. Only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.

Much of the production team was still with her to break down sets, alongside the other principals as they also washed off the performance. But, usually, they didn't bother one another until she and Kingston were planning on heading home together—something that was decidedly not a part of the agenda considering no one wanted to ride in her car for the time being.

Nonetheless, she hurried to the door. She pulled it open only to reveal Harry.

With a bouquet of flowers and sparkling eyes that widened when he saw her. As if he couldn't believe she actually answered the door to her dressing room.

"Harry," she smiled, leaning against the door now that the idea of Ms. Ariel coming back for more debriefing had been blown away. "What are you doing here?"

"Sorry to bother you," he started, "I know you're getting ready to go home, but I just wanted to drop these off for you before I leave for the night."

He offered the flowers in her direction, the bouquet one of spring wildflowers, opposite to the greyscale flowers that were now sitting in a vase at her home. These were vibrant and lackadaisical in the way they were presented in the wax paper, though the branding on the parchment was the exact same as the bouquet she received the first night.

"Wow, thank you," she beamed, graciously taking them into her hands. A whiff of lilac wafted up to her nose, perfuming her whole dressing room despite there only being a couple of bubbles to do the job. "These are beautiful, gosh."

"Of course, you're welcome," he smiled, looking genuinely pleased with himself over her reaction. "I jus' wanted you to know that y'looked amazing tonight—did amazing. 'S only getting better and better every night. I hope you know that."

"Oh, Harry," she sighed, just a beat away from melting into the floor, "Thank you. It really means a lot that you've been coming to all of the shows. I know you're busy, so thank you for being there with us every night."

"I mean," he started, looking rather with that teasing edge to his smile, "I've been reading all these reviews, and there's no way I could miss the best show in the city, right?"

She felt a warmth creeping up her skin at the reminder of the outpouring of positive reviews that keep coming in about the show. Her being named as one of the most spectacular parts of the production in each article definitely didn't hurt either.

"One of these days, I'll have to go see it," (Y/N) joking, attempting to play along despite suddenly feeling sheepish. She hoped Harry agreed with those praises he read. She hoped he was proud of her. Glancing at the clock on the wall, she did her best to keep her voice steady as she said, "I'm actually heading out in a second too. If you're alright with waiting, we could walk out together, if you want."

This felt loaded, the simple question. A purposeful moment together, not just running into one another when they were in the same place. When there was something to be done with the ballet.

He didn't even hesitate when he answered.

"I can wait for you."

—————

"Good night, guys!" (Y/N) shouted to the members of the production team still breaking down and organizing the set pieces. The costume department was still rushing racks around, ensuring all outfits were sealed away until the next show.

Various hands reached up to wave goodbye to her, others even popping their heads around to see just who she was leaving with for the night. Though nothing more than a few good nights and promises to see her next week were shared among the bunch.

"Thanks for waiting," she smiled up at him, free of the feathers and shimmer she had greeted him with. "I hope I didn't keep you from whatever your plans were."

He shook his head as he opened the stage door for her. "Jus' some work things I've been pushing off for a little too long."

(Y/N) hummed, stepping out into the cold spring night. The moon hung high in the sky, carving out a sliver in the deep blue of the night. A chilled breeze swept over the city, rustling the paper wrapping her flowers and lifting the strands of hair framing her face. "I don't think I've ever actually asked what you do for work."

The streetlamps left yellow spotlights across the car lot. Only a handful of cars were still parked across the pavement. Including one with the sloppiest parking job that (Y/N) hoped Harry didn't notice.

"I own a few galleries in the city," he shared, absently following her as she started in the direction of her car, "So, lots of paperwork and things."

"Like art galleries?" she pressed, looking up at him as they fell into step.

A smile touched his features as he nodded. "I try to get some archival clothes in there too when they're available, but, yeah, mostly paintings and sculptures."

"That's really cool," (Y/N) awed. She could barely handle her own deadlines, let alone manage multiple galleries and all of the paperwork involved. "No wonder you're so busy."

"I make time. M'schedule's up to me unless anyone needs me."

"You've earned it, I'm sure," she said, slowing as they approached her car. She turned to face him with the driver's door at her back. "Thanks for walking with me."

"Of course," he said, a reserved smile on his features. Another sweeping breeze caressed over them, lifting curls of Harry's hair. The light from the lamps and the sliver of the moon reflected around him like a dusky halo shining through his hair. "Get home safe, yeah?"

Blinking, (Y/N) tore her eyes away from him, looking for her keys in a needed distraction to get her head back on straight. "You too. I'll see you next week?"

Harry took a step back as she pulled open her door, dropping his gaze with a small nod. "Definitely. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she smiled, slipping into the driver's seat as he started for his own car across the lot. He had parked much better than she had—backed in, even.

Her chest loosened now that she was alone, no longer on the edge of drowning in the layers of attention he gave her. With her flowers safe in her passenger seat, she attempted to start her car only for the nightmare from earlier in the evening to make an ugly comeback.

The engine sputtered, a horrendous grinding noise rearing just before completely dying.

She heaved a sigh as she closed her eyes. How could she have forgotten the mess that had transpired before she even made it to the theater?

Her hands began to shake as she twisted the key again. She perked up when the engine actually caught this time, her car humming a little louder than normal, but working.

The relief only lasted long enough for her to attempt to put the car in drive when the engine died once more.

This was a real problem now, she thought. Much more so than it had been earlier in the day when she was outside her building and there was still daylight. If her car wouldn't start, she was going to be stuck in this parking lot. Even calling an Uber felt a little more risky considering she was here in the dark without anyone to account for her whereabouts.

And she was going to have to take her car in.

At least the show had gone well.

She tried a few more times, the engine never turning long enough for her to go anywhere. Acceptance started to sink in, leaving her to reach for her phone and see if any of her costars might still be in the area to pick her up. Kingston didn't live by her, but he could still be close enough to pick her up and she could crash at his place if he didn't want to go too far out of his way. Or even, Siobhan—she was probably home by now, but she didn't live too far from her, so it would be too far out of her way maybe. Unless she had plans or—

A tapping on her window shocked her out of her skin.

Whipping her head around, she saw Harry, an apologetic smile on his lips as he crouched to be level with her.

"Sorry," he mouthed through the glass.

Fuck. She had hoped he had already left before this embarrassing mess started.

She could feel the blood under her cheeks beginning to simmer, warming down her neck and chest. It took a reminder to keep her breathing as she rolled down her window.

"Hi, Harry," she shyly greeted, "You scared me."

"Sorry," he parroted, concern marking his features, "Is everything okay?"

"Oh yeah," she lied, voice pitched a bit too high, "I've been having some problems with it today, but I'll be fine. I got the battery replaced like a year ago, so I should be okay in a second—just needs to warm up." She could feel herself rambling, offering more information than he asked for with every syllable.

Harry nodded thoughtfully as he peered around to the bonnet of her car. "Okay. Have y'been having problems for a while now?"

"No, just today," she sighed, shaking her head with her hands tightening around the wheel as if she could go anywhere. "I barely got it to start long enough for me to make it here today."

His lips thinned at her admittance. "Do you have any other way to get home?"

"Um," she sounded, rolling her lips between her teeth, "I don't know. I was thinking about asking Kingston or someone if they were still nearby—or I could wait for one of the production girls to finish up. I don't really want to call an Uber since it's a little late to be by myself, but I might have to if I don't want to wait forever."

She went for lighthearted with an airy laugh and a lilt to her voice, but she doubted it came off that way. Not when she was restless with her fingers hovering over her phone screen, a million ideas fluttering through her mind that she couldn't act on a single one before moving onto the next.

From the corner of her eye, she could see the way Harry bit down on his bottom lip, a furrow pinching his brow as he looked out to the empty parking lot. The production crew worked much later than any of the other cast; (Y/N) didn't expect to see any of their faces exit for at least the next hour.

"I-I could take y'home, if y'wanted," Harry mused, looking to her with softened eyes, "If not, that's fine, I jus'... I don't want y'to be waiting out here by yourself for someone to pick y'up."

There was clear worry on his face in the way his eyes flicked to the hood of her car and back to her. His hands folded at his middle were restless, fingers curling together before unfurling only to do the same thing a moment later.

His proposition held room to decline with no repercussions, but she wasn't blind to how sincere he was in the offer.

Nonetheless, she hadn't forgotten the fact that he had shared the plans he had to take care of tonight. The paperwork he had been putting off when coming here tonight.

"I don't want to make you go out of your way," she started, "I know you said you have things to take care of.

He didn't hesitate before he answered: "They can wait."

All it took was a glance in his eyes, meeting the lilypads of his irises head on, feeling the genuine concern swimming in his gaze before she was nodding her head.

"As long as you don't mind," she started, a short smile touching her lips, "That would be really nice actually. Thank you."

It didn't take long before she was retracing her steps through the lot, heading towards the sparkling SUV tucked under the branches of a flowering tree. Harry had her tote on his shoulder this time after he insisted on carrying it for her, leaving her own arms to wrap around her middle against the breeze of the night.

He held the door open for her, letting her slide into the leather interior with her tote at her feet. (Y/N) sunk into the luxurious spot, feeling the leather glide against the back of her legs through her tights. Without it even being on, the car felt warm. The fragrance that clung to Harry was now soaked around her, even smokier than normal with the vanilla notes reaching a rich amber undertone. Everything was so clean, immaculately so, as if there hadn't been a single rider within the vehicle.

Though, the harder she looked, there was a grey sweatshirt tucked in the backseat, and a tiny frog figurine tacked to the dashboard behind the wheel.

A small smile had snuck onto her lips by the time Harry took his spot on the driver's side. Shutting the door behind him, he sealed away the chill of the outside and left them alone together.

"Do y'mind putting your address in my phone? Jus' so I can get it mapped out," he said once the engine was turned on. While (Y/N) knew his car was much nicer than hers—Mr. "I own a few galleries" here—it was almost jarring to hear just how quiet his was compared to the mess of grinding gears and sputtering pistons that made up hers. If not for the fact that the headlights turned on, she could have been fooled into assuming he hadn't turned the ignition yet.

"Of course," she muttered, taking his offered phone.

He didn't start pulling out of the space until she had her apartment building mapped in his phone, the GPS immediately translating to the vivid screen that took up a large chunk of his dashboard.

"I hope this isn't too far out of your way," (Y/N) said, breaking the silence. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap, resisting the urge to reach for her phone. It didn't feel right to start up the bright screen in the middle of the low light.

Harry only glanced at the final destination of her apartment. "Don't worry about it. It'll only add a few minutes to m'drive."

"Oh, really? I didn't know you lived that close to me. I would have called you earlier if I had known."

He shrugged, a small smile illuminated by the light of the screens. "Jus' a couple a streets down, but 'm rarely home, I feel like. I spend a lot of time going back and forth between all of the galleries and everything."

Angling her body towards him, she laid the full of her attention on Harry as he spoke. "Do you like taking care of the galleries, though? Or is it busy, and lame?"

He let out a laugh at her joking. "I do like it, yeah. I'd say busy and cool, if anything."

"That's good," she said, "It's good that you like what you do. Not a lot of people can say that."

The city passed by the windows as the theater became only an outline behind them. The mess with her car being left behind now that there was something much more fun to concentrate on—something heart-fluttering.

"When I was younger, I thought I would be the one making the art instead of managing it," he shared, his voice a low rumble rivaling that of the engine.

She perked up at the tidbit of information, remembering the sketchy swan drawn on her card from opening night. Interesting how everyone shared all of these rumors about him instead of something like this.

"Really? What did you want to make?"

"Well, I thought of m'self as a painter—doing portraits and landscapes and that kind of thing. Until m'sister had a bad day and was the first person to be honest about everything."

"What happened?"

"Helped me realize I can't draw for shit. She pointed out this drawing I did of my mum's cat, and it was... horrendous. It was cute in the way that I love my mum and her cat, but not good by any artist's standard. Especially since I was going for realism." Harry told the story with a broad grin on his face, as if recalling the time his dream came to a halt was nothing more than a fond memory.

"It couldn't have been that bad," (Y/N) laughed. Truthfully, if she was able to deduce his drawing was that of a swan, she couldn't imagine the cat portrait was as horrendous as he said.

"It was, trust me. Besides, I've found 'm much better at taking care of the business side of things than my original plan." He paused as she turned down the block before hers, his hands sliding over the circumference of the steering wheel. "Have you always wanted to be a dancer?"

"Pretty much, yeah," she shared. "I had different little ideas here and there—like a fairy, a vet, and a mermaid briefly. But I came back to ballerina every time."

"Jus' like Barbie," he teased, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

"Something like that," she smiled, feeling a bit more flattered than she should being compared to a doll, "I still have a day job, which I don't think Barbie has, but close enough."

"Yeah? What else do you do?"

"One of my other brief dreams was being an author. I found I didn't have the patience for all of the drafting, and editing, and the fact that publishing a book means people will read it. But, I did find I actually enjoyed editing other people's work, so I do some freelance editing for different authors and publishing houses."

Harry raised his brows as he turned down to her street, the estimated arrival time ticking closer to the time on the clock. "Wow. And I was complaining about m'paperwork."

She laughed at his teasing. "I don't know, I'm sure it's easier than the kind of stuff you have to go through. All I do is read books all day and then go and dance—I don't think it can get much easier than that."

Pulling up to the curb outside her building, Harry idled the car as he turned to look at her. The dim light from the dash cut shadows across his face, showing off the line of his jaw and edge of his nose. The length of his lashes left curling shadows reaching over his cheekbones, the reflection of the blue screen bringing out the golden flecks in his green eyes.

"I wouldn't say that," he mused, "I know y'work hard—harder than a lot of other people, 'm sure. Y'wouldn't be the star of the city if y'hadn't worked hard to get there."

(Y/N) felt her cheeks heat at his praises. It became harder and harder every day attempting to contend with that first impression she gained about him with all of the rumors.

"Thank you," she smiled, looking over his shoulder to the front door of her building. "I should probably go—let you get to your boring paperwork while I go finish mine."

"Probably," he mused, following her eyes to her building before looking back to her, "Do y'have a plan for your car?"

"Not yet," she sighed, reaching down to collect her tote, "But I'll have to get something figured out until it's fixed at least. If it's another battery though, I might have to sue my last mechanic or something."

Harry laughed at her words. "It might be the only way. But, um,"—he grew a bit tongue tied then, his dimples slipping from his face—"if y'need help getting to the studio or the theater, jus' let me know. Now that know we're not too far from one another, we could work something out if y'need."

It was another one of those forgiving propositions. She could reject him and she only saw Harry as being understanding. Besides, it was endearing to be able to see the pink bluish on his nose even in the dark like this.

"That would be really nice, Harry. Thank you," she smiled, reaching for her phone in her bag, "If it's alright, you can put your number in my phone and I'll text you?"

She had to keep herself from giggling when he looked to her with wide eyes for a beat, as if he couldn't believe she had heard his offer and was taking him up on it.

"Oh—um—yeah. Sounds good."

He reached for her phone clumsily, bumping her own fingers before getting a solid grip. She sat in the warmth of his car as he input his number with shaky thumbs before handing it back.

"Thank you again, Harry," she murmured, dropping her phone back into her bag. "This was definitely a lot better than hiding in the parking lot for someone from production to finish up."

She watched as he nodded thoughtfully, not quite playing along to the teasing joke she made. "'M happy you're safe, (Y/N). I'll see y'at the next show, but if y'need anything before then, jus' text me. I'll be there."

She didn't doubt that for a second.

—————

the white cat is a character in the classic ballet, sleeping beauty.

:))))) thank u sm for reading! sososos sorry for any mistakes but please feel free to let me know what youre excited about for the next part!

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v6quewrlds · 6 months ago

Text

HOMIESEXUAL, BURROW & IOSIVAS.

pairing⠀⁎⠀joe burrow/andrei iosivas x reader. word count⠀⁎⠀10.3k.

summary⠀⁎⠀joe burrow comes and goes through your life like the tides. just when you think you've caught him, he slips away from your grasp. just when you think you've finally moved on, he sneaks back in with empty promises. as if things couldn't get any messier, enter andrei iosivas, joe's wide receiver.

author's note⠀⁎⠀huge thank you to @xolilyxo for saving my life with this idea <3 i haaaate writing meet-cutes/first dates so bear with me for the first part of this fic. joe is genuinely horrible in this one sorry lmao but i love toxic!joe and this was so fun to write. will be taking a little bit of a break from this blog so take this as an apology <3 warnings⠀⁎⠀some usage of y/n, vicious cycles, situationships, reader needs to stand up, 18+ mdni, smut, angst, fingering, a singular spank, backshots!, choking, empty promises, joe will say anything for a nut, condoms used as metaphors lollll, no real ending bc i couldn't choose.

You adjusted your earbuds, the pounding bass of your workout playlist keeping pace with your sprints on the treadmill. The burning in your lungs was a familiar sensation, a small price to pay for the endorphin rush that washed over your tense muscles.

Your attention was squarely focused on your sprints and breathing, exhaling sharply as you watched the clock on the treadmill count down to the end of your cardio session. The chime signaling the end of your workout pierced through the music, and you slowed to a jog, taking a moment to catch your breath and lower your heartbeat.

As you lowered the speed and incline to a brisk walk, you felt a presence beside you. You glanced over to find Andrei, the Bengals' wide receiver, hopping onto the treadmill next to you. His eyes lit up when he saw you, and a smile slowly spread across his face in recognition.

“Hey,” he greeted, his voice warm and easy. You took in the sight of him, the tattoos on his left arm flexing as he pressed the start button on the machine. “Y/N, right?”

The two of you had met a few times in passing at games and parties, but you never really had a chance to get to know him beyond small talk. “Yeah. You're Yoshi?” you said with a smile, using the nickname you had heard the team float around him.

He laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Andrei, but Yoshi's cool. I didn't know you came to this gym.” He matched your pace as you walked side by side, your legs moving in unison.

“Yeah, it’s convenient, for when I’m in town for work and don’t want to miss a workout. How about you? How’s your first off-season in the league treating you?” you asked, trying to keep your voice steady as you inhaled and exhaled as intentionally as you could.

Andrei’s smile grew. “It’s been intense, but I’m loving every second of it. Gets a little lonely without the team around though. How about you? You work with Sam's fiancee, right?”

“Jess? Yeah. She was my RA during my freshman year. We work in marketing together. She’s the one who talked me into joining her in Cincinnati after I graduated. Best decision I ever made, really,” you replied.

Andrei nodded, his gaze flickering to the screen of his treadmill as he cranked up the speed, long, tanned legs still in a walk despite the speed increase. “I'm still getting used to the city, but the people here are great. And the fans are crazy about football, which is pretty awesome to be a part of.” He took a sip of his water, his dark eyes meeting yours briefly before returning to the display in front of him. You couldn't help but notice the way his biceps bulged as he lifted the bottle to his mouth.

“I don't wanna keep you from your workout, but it was nice seeing you, Andrei.” you said, your racing from more than just the cardio. You stepped off the treadmill, your legs feeling like jelly as you headed for the locker room.

“Hold up,” Andrei called after you, his voice filled with a gentle urgency. He quickly followed you, his eyes searching yours. “This is kind of random, but would you be down to grab lunch or something sometime?” His question hung in the air, charged with an undercurrent of hope.

“I’d like that,” you said, a genuine smile playing on your lips. You felt a sudden warmth spread through your body, and you hoped the fluster in your voice wasn’t too obvious. Andrei’s eyes lit up, and he immediately offered to exchange numbers. You swapped phones and tapped in the digits with fingers that trembled slightly from the excitement of the moment.

The next few days, the two of you texted back and forth, coordinating your schedules. It was a delicate dance, considering your busy lives, but somehow, it worked. You found yourselves with a mutually free afternoon and decided to meet at a quiet spot, a hole-in-the-wall burger joint that had been recommended to Andrei by some of his teammates.

At first, you didn't recognize the address or the name of the burger joint. But as you pulled up to the nondescript building, the heavenly scent of sizzling meat and the sound of laughter spilling out from inside sent your memory hurtling back to nearly a year ago.

You had come here with Joe once.

Joe was a waxing and waning fixture in your life, coming and going with the tides of the football season. The two of you had first met when Joe was drafted by the Bengals, and you quickly recognized the pull of his charismatic orbit. His charm and easy confidence had drawn you in, and your friendship grew into a passionate, secretive not-quite-relationship that had always been tinged with the bittersweet frustration of knowing it couldn’t last.

The league was unforgiving, and Joe had been clear about his priorities - football, family, and his foundation - none of which included space for you. But as the months went on, you found yourself hoping that maybe he would get his head out of his ass. As if he would suddenly wake up and realize that he did have a little space for you in his very short list of priorities.

But there wasn't space. Joe Burrow was a creature of habit, and football was his first love. He'd told you that himself, more than once. The season had taken precedence over your somewhat casual arrangement, and by the time summer rolled around, it had all but fizzled out like the last whispers of a forgotten promise.

Now, as you sat across from Andrei, the smell of greasy burgers and fries swirling around you two, you felt a pang of guilt. You would have had to be blind to miss the way Andrei's brown eyes lit up when he talked about his day and listened eagerly to your lame office stories. He was so earnest, so present, in a way Joe was incapable of being - not that it was the quarterback's intentional doing.

The two of you talked about everything from your families to your favorite movies, and it was easy, comfortable. Andrei had a way of making you feel heard that you hadn't felt with Joe. He wasn't distracted by the shadow of football, his mind wasn't a million miles away on the field. He was right here with you, in this moment. And when he reached out to steal a fry from your plate with a dimple you hadn't noticed before, you felt a jolt of something you hadn't felt in a long time—true, uncomplicated happiness.

“Yo, earth to Andrei! You okay, man?” Tee Higgins’ teasing voice cut through the air as the team gathered around their lockers post-workout. Andrei had been lost in his thoughts, his eyes glazed over as he replayed the events of the past few days texting with you.

Andrei snapped out of his daze, his cheeks flushed with a mix of exertion and embarrassment. “Yeah, my bad, guys. Just had a good session out there.” The lie rolled off his tongue, but the smirks from his teammates told him they weren’t fooled.

“Oh, I bet you had a good session, alright,” Charlie said, waggling his eyebrows. Their side of the locker room erupted into laughter, and even Andrei couldn’t resist a chuckle despite the roll of his eyes.

“Leave him alone, he’s just got a crush is all,” Chase Brown chimed in, slapping Andrei on the shoulder.

Andrei felt the weight of his words and his cheeks grew even warmer. He knew he was being obvious, but he couldn’t help it. You had consumed his every thought since your first real conversation at the gym. The way you had looked at him, the way your laugh had filled the quiet moments between your words, it was intoxicating. He hadn’t felt this way about someone since high school.

“She's older too, ain't she? Like by two years?” Tee said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Andrei nodded, his face growing hotter by the second.

“Yeah, but that's not a big deal, right?” he managed to get out.

Chase laughed. “Who? Jess' friend? That's cool, she's a catch for sure. But why’re you blushing so hard, man?”

Andrei shrugged it off, trying to keep his cool. “It's nothing. Just met up with her a few days ago, you know how it is.”

“Oh, he's gone,” Charlie exclaimed, grinning as he slapped Andrei's back. “You got it bad, dude.”

“Shut up, man. It's not like that,” Andrei protested, his voice betraying the excitement he felt.

Joe kept his head down, focusing on his own locker, pretending not to hear the jokes at Andrei's expense. But the mention of your name sent a jolt through him. He knew he had no claim on you, he had made that clear when he chose football over you time and time again - he was aware. But the thought of you with Andrei was like a knife twisting in his gut. He felt a strange mix of jealousy and protectiveness, a storm of emotions that left a dark, uncomfortable weight on his chest.

As Joe made his way to the parking lot, he was flanked by Ja'Marr and Sam on either side as they talked about their evening plans. He cleared his throat, trying to dislodge the unspoken tension. “Has Jess mentioned anything about...?” he ventured, keeping his voice casual, not completing his thought hoping Sam would catch the unspoken name.

Sam shot him a knowing look, eyes narrowed, lips curled into a smirk. “Do you two get off on playing this weird hot and cold game?” He asked Joe, a disbelieving chuckle bubbling from his chest.

Joe’s face remained impassive. “What are you talking about?” He played dumb, hoping his friends hadn’t noticed the jealousy bubbling beneath the surface.

Sam rolled his eyes. “I haven't heard anything about her seeing anyone, but why don't you just text and ask her? Or better yet, just tell her you fucked up and want her back? I know she hasn’t blocked you yet, Jess reminds me of that every time you two come up in a conversation.”

Joe scoffed, trying to play it cool. “It's not like that. I just want to know she’s good. It’s been a while since I’ve seen or heard anything. That's all.” But the way his heart hammered in his chest, his blue eyes defensively wide told the defensive end it was a lie.

“If you say so,” Ja’Marr spoke up, his voice filled with an unmistakable hint of amusement. “But if I was her, I wouldn't take your ass back.”

Joe shot him a look that could've frozen water. “Thank you for your input, Ja’Marr,” he muttered, his eyes narrowing.

Sam laughed again. “Look, I'm sure she has nothing to hide. If she was seeing someone, she’d tell Jess. And since she hasn’t, then maybe it’s not that serious yet. Just apologize, I’m sure she’ll hear you out.”

Joe nodded, trying to convince himself that it was true. But the gnawing feeling in his gut told him otherwise. He knew he had to see you, to find out for himself what was going on. He couldn’t stand the thought of you with someone else, not when he hadn’t even had the urge to officially end things.

After arriving home, Joe found himself pressing your contact name, then the FaceTime button, his heart racing. When you picked up, he could see the surprise in your eyes. You looked beautiful, the soft glow of your bedside lamp highlighting the warm tones of your skin. Your curly hair was pulled back into a loose bun, and you had that look on your face, the one that told him that if he played his cards right, you’d fall right into his lap, just like you used to.

“Hey?” you said, a hint of wariness in your voice.

Joe took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool. “What's up?”

Your eyes searched his for a moment, reading the tension in his voice. “Not much, just sitting at home. What’s up with you?” you asked, playing along.

“I was wondering if you’re busy tonight,” Joe said, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “I haven’t seen you in a while. Thought I could come over, catch up.”

You leaned back into the cushion behind your head, raising an eyebrow. You knew Joe’s moves better than anyone else. At times, you thought you knew him better than he knew himself. “Why? You miss me?”

Joe’s eyes held yours, the intensity in them unmistakable. “Yeah, I did. And I wanna see you. If that’s okay?”

You felt a mix of excitement and annoyance. Why was Joe suddenly interested again? You knew he couldn’t just turn it on and off like that - not matter how much he liked to pretend he was unbothered by the gray area of your situationship. But the temptation was too strong. You missed your connection, the way he made you feel.

“Okay, come over then,” you said with a sigh, unable to completely hide the smile that tugged at the corners of your mouth.

Joe arrived at your apartment later that evening, and the moment he stepped inside, it was as if you had never stopped seeing each other. He took in the familiar scent of your perfume and the sight of you curled up on the couch. He couldn’t help but feel like he was home. The two of you talked about nothing and everything, the conversation flowing easily like it used to. He told you about the team's new plays and strategies, and you updated him on work and Jess' wedding planning.

But there was an undercurrent of tension, something more than just your unresolved history. Andrei's name hovered in the air, unspoken but present. As the night grew later, Joe's eyes searched yours, looking for answers he knew you wouldn’t just volunteer to give him.

“So, are you seeing anyone?” he finally asked, his voice casual, the rush of blood to his face anything but.

You felt a jolt of nerves. You should’ve known this was coming. “No, I’m not seeing anyone,” you replied, your voice steady despite the guilt of such a lie creeping in. “Not officially, or anything.”

Joe’s expression didn’t change, but you could see the muscles in his jaw tense. He knew you well enough to read between the lines. He knew you were lying to him. “But there’s someone you’re interested in?” he pushed.

You nodded, looking away from him. You felt the guilt press harder on your chest. “Yeah, I guess. It’s new, and I’m trying to figure it out. Figure him out.”

Joe leaned in, his hand falling over the back of the couch as if attempting to surround you without actually touching you. “Is it serious?”

His voice was a mix of curiosity and something else, something that made the guilt in your stomach coil tighter. He had a way of suffocating you, of making you feel like you were drowning in his mere presence, and you hadn’t realized how much you missed that feeling.

You took a deep breath. “No, it’s not serious. Not yet, anyway. We’re just...seeing where it goes.”

Joe nodded, his eyes focused intensely on yours. The silence between the two of you grew heavier, charged with unspoken words and desires. Finally, he leaned in closer, deciding he was tired of playing cold and now wanted the hot.

“Can I kiss you?” Blue eyes bore into yours, plump pink lips parted before his bottom lip was pulled between his teeth.

Your heart skipped a beat. You knew what giving in to him would lead to, but you couldn’t resist. You nodded, and Joe’s mouth was on yours before you had the chance to reconsider. The kiss was familiar and yet somehow new, filled with the same passion you had always shared, but with an urgency that hadn’t been there before. It was as if he was trying to claim you, to remind you of what they had before you were swept up in someone else's tide.

As Joe’s arms wrapped around you, pulling you closer, you felt the weight of the decision you needed to make. Andrei’s sweetness versus Joe’s intensity. The comfort of the known versus the excitement of the unknown. Your thoughts spun like a tornado, threatening to consume you. But for tonight, you decided to let it go, to lose yourself in the feeling of Joe’s hands on your body.

You moaned against his mouth, giving in to the moment. And with that one sound, the two of you were back to where you had left off months ago, your bodies tangling together in a dance as old as time. You stumbled towards the bedroom, hands fumbling with clothes and buttons, eager to reacquaint yourselves with each other's skin.

“Joe,” you whispered breathlessly as your bodies collided in a fiery embrace, the passion igniting like dry grass in a summer field. He kissed you like he owned you, and for a moment, you let yourself believe he did. Your bodies moved in a symphony of desire, every touch a silent declaration of his intent.

“What do you want from me, Joe?” you managed to ask between gasps, your body responding to his touch despite the turmoil in your mind.

“I don’t know what I want,” Joe murmured against your skin, his voice ragged with need. “But I know I can’t stay away from you, no matter how much I try.”

Your head tilted to the side as Joe's lips attached themselves to your neck, leaving a trail of kisses that made your body tremble. The room was spinning with the weight of his body on top of yours, you felt like you were drowning in his touch. It was all too much, too familiar, too overwhelming.

Joe let out a breathy chuckle against your neck, drawing a confused furrow of your brows in response. Your eyes cracked open in question, his blue eyes staring deeply into yours. “Isn’t this my shirt? You kept it?”

You felt a heat creep up your neck, the fabric of Joe’s shirt you had borrowed one night months ago clinging to your body. It had become embedded in your rotation of casual wear that you had completely forgotten it didn’t truly belong to you. “It’s comfortable,” you murmured, your voice thick with shy lust.

Joe's eyes searched yours, a hint of possessiveness flickering in their depths. “It looks better on you than it ever did on me,” he said, his voice gruff as he pulled the shirt over your head, leaving you in only a pair of panties. The air in the room grew thick with anticipation, your eyes locked as you both knew what was coming next.

With a fierce passion that seemed to have been building for months, Joe's hands explored every inch of your body, relearning the curves and planes he had once known so well. His touch was rough, almost desperate, as if trying to erase any memory of anyone else that had been there since him. And for a moment, you allowed yourself to be lost in it, to be consumed by the fire that was him.

He set you back against the sheets of your bed, eyes hungry as they trailed over every inch of your exposed skin. He settled over you, his frame broad as it obstructed your ability to think - or see - anything but him. His hands slid down your body, caressing your waist, your hips, before slipping into the band of your panties. He tugged them off, tossing them aside with a primal growl that made your stomach flutter.

“Unreal,” Joe hummed under his breath, his eyes roving over your bare form, his fingertips tracing the outline of your thighs, your belly, the swell of your breasts. The word seemed to hang in the air, a declaration of his desire, a claim of ownership.

You felt a shiver of anticipation, your body responding to his touch despite the chaos in your mind. You leaned up, your hands finding the hem of his shirt and tugging it over his head, revealing the hard planes of his chest, his muscles flexing in the dim light. Your eyes met again, a silent challenge, a silent question, a silent promise of what was to come.

With a low sound, his hands slid down to your thighs, urging them apart as he settled between your legs. The heat of his skin against yours was almost too much to bear, and you found yourself arching up to meet him, your nails digging into his back as he kissed your neck, your collarbone, and your breasts. His mouth was everywhere, leaving a trail of fire in its wake, and you could feel yourself spiraling out of control. The pads of his fingers traced circles on your inner thighs, moving higher, closer to the center of your need, until you were writhing beneath him.

“Joe, please,” you begged, the words slipping out unbidden. He chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with a hunger that was almost predatory. He knew exactly what he was doing to you, and it was a power trip he didn’t even bother hiding.

“Gimme me a minute,” he hummed darkly. His thumb grazed your clit, sending a shockwave of pleasure through your body, making your back arch off the bed. “I want to make sure you don’t forget who this pussy knows best,” he whispered, his voice thick with arousal.

Your eyes widened, and you bit your lower lip to stifle a gasp. The possessiveness in his tone was something new, something you had never heard from him before. It was raw, primal, and it sent a thrill through you that you couldn’t ignore.

Joe’s fingers teased and prodded with a firm pressure that had your hips moving instinctively. He watched your face, his eyes hooded and intense, as if memorizing every reaction. His free hand slid up your torso to the sides of your neck, giving it a trying squeeze that made you moan. The sound was music to his ears, and his mouth found yours again, his tongue demanding entry as his hand continued its merciless torment.

The sensations were overwhelming, and you couldn’t help but respond to his dominance. Your legs fell open wider, giving him full access, begging for more. And Joe delivered, his fingers slipping into your wetness, his eyes never leaving yours. He watched your face contort with pleasure, his own expression a mix of satisfaction and hunger.

“You’re so wet for me, baby,” he murmured, his voice thick with lust. “Always so wet, so ready. I love that about you.”

Your eyes rolled back in your head as he worked you over, his thumb pressing down on your clit as his fingers curled inside you. You could feel your orgasm approaching, a storm cloud gathering on the horizon, ready to break at any moment. You didn’t know if you could handle it, didn’t know if you wanted to handle it.

His hand moved faster, his grip on your neck tightening slightly as he watched you writhe and unravel beneath him. Your breaths grew shorter, your moans louder, until you were practically sobbing for release. And when it came, it was like nothing you had ever felt before. It burst through you like a tidal wave, drowning you in pleasure so intense it was almost painful. Your body spasmed around his hand as you rode out the wave, Joe’s eyes never leaving your face, his thumb pressing down harder on your clit as he watched you come apart.

When the tremors finally subsided, you lay there, panting and boneless, staring up at the ceiling. The room was spinning, and you could feel Joe’s weight on top of you, his cock pressing against your thigh. He kissed you deeply, his tongue tangling with yours, as if trying to claim your mouth the same way he had claimed your body. And for a moment, you let him, savoring the taste of him, the feel of his hardness against you, the scent of his sweat and cologne.

“On your stomach, pretty girl, just like that,” Joe ordered, his voice gruff with need.

You mindlessly complied, rolling onto your stomach with a shiver. The coolness of the sheets against your overheated skin was a stark contrast to the heat of Joe’s touch. You felt his hand glide over your back, tracing the line of your spine before it trailed back down, his thumb rubbing tight circles into the base of your spine as he distracted you from the anticipation as he pulled a condom on. Then, without warning, his hand connected with your ass in a firm slap that made you yelp and jolt forward. You looked over your shoulder at him, eyes wide and questioning.

“Want you to remember me every time you sit down tomorrow,” Joe said with a smirk, his eyes ablaze with possessiveness. He grabbed a pillow and placed it under your hips, shifting your ass a bit higher. You could feel his cock, hot and heavy, pressing against you. The head of it slid against your wetness, teasing you, making your pussy clench with want. He didn’t waste any more time, pushing into you in one swift movement that made you gasp, your head falling forward into the sheets.

You felt filled to the brim with Joe, his size stretching you in a way that was both unavoidable and incredibly satisfying. You could feel him everywhere, his grip on your hips tightening as he started to move. He was relentless, his thrusts deep and demanding, setting a pace that had you panting and moaning into the sheets beneath you. You knew your thighs were going to be sore in the morning, but you didn’t care. This was what you had been craving, this was what you had been missing.

“You feel so good, baby,” Joe murmured against your ear, his teeth grazing your skin as he whispered sweet nothings that sent shivers down your spine. You could feel his breath hot and ragged against your neck, his hips slapping against your ass with each thrust. It was needed, it was carnally satisfying, and it was everything you had been trying to ignore.

Your eyes squeezed shut, and you bit down on a stray pillow to muffle your moans. You didn’t want to admit it, but Joe had a way of making you feel like no one else ever could. It was infuriating and intoxicating all at once. Your hands clawed at the sheets, trying to find purchase, as Joe’s rhythm grew more intense. You could feel your orgasm building again, a slow burn that was starting at your toes and working its way up.

“Fuck, Joe,” you murmured, your voice muffled by the fabric. He chuckled, the sound sending vibrations through your body.

“Just how you like it, huh?” he said, his voice a low rumble in your ear. You whimpered, unable to form words as he continued to fuck you relentlessly.

Your eyes squeezed shut, the sensation of him inside you was overwhelming. Each thrust was like a declaration of his claim, each slap of skin on skin echoing through the room. He was everywhere, his heat enveloping you, his scent infiltrating your senses. It was too much and not enough all at the same time.

“Mm, that’s right,” Joe encouraged, his voice thick with pleasure as he watched the way you responded to his touch. “You need more from me, don’t you?”

You choked out a strained 'yes', the words trapped in your throat by the intensity of your building climax. You felt him shift behind you, his cock sliding out of you briefly before he turned you onto your back. He hovered over you, his eyes burning with desire. His hand found your chin, tilting your head back as he kissed you again, his tongue plunging deep.

With a powerful surge, he thrust back inside you, filling you completely. Your nails raked down his back, your legs wrapping around his waist as you tried to hold on to the last shreds of your sanity. The sensation was exquisite, his length stroking you in ways that only he seemed to know how to. You could feel your body responding to him, your inner walls tightening around him as he picked up the pace.

“Love being inside you, always have,” Joe murmured, his eyes locked onto yours as he pushed deeper, his hips moving in a rhythm that had you both racing towards the edge. Your breathing grew more ragged, your breasts heaving with each thrust. “You’re so fucking perfect, baby. Fuckin' made for me.”

Your eyes fluttered shut again, the words playing on repeat in your head, echoing through your body with every stroke. You knew you shouldn’t let his words affect you, but they did. They hit you in a place you thought you had closed off to him through the distance. A place that was still raw and tender, despite the time apart.

“Missed your pretty voice whispering my name. Can you say it again for me?” Joe rasped, his teeth grazing your neck.

“Joe,” you breathed, your voice shaky and needy. His name fell from your lips like a prayer, and you felt his cock swell at the sound.

“Say you missed me,” Joe urged, his eyes searching yours as he continued to drive into you. His movements grew more urgent, each thrust more forceful than the last.

“I missed you,” you whispered, the words slipping out before you could stop them. His eyes flared with triumph and need, his strokes becoming more powerful. He slammed into you, pushing you further into the sheets, with such a fervor that made the headboard thump against the wall with every thrust.

“Fuck, yes,” Joe groaned, his voice strained as he pushed into you. The sound of the headboard colliding with the wall grew louder, punctuating the air with a steady rhythm that matched his own. “Missed you too, more than you know,” he murmured against your skin.

Your eyes squeezed shut, the confession sending a bolt of heat straight to your core. You wrapped your legs around him tighter, your heels digging into his ass as you encouraged him to go harder, faster. The feeling of his cock hitting just the right spot inside you was divine, and you knew you were close.

“I'm sorry,” Joe murmured, his breath hot against your neck as he kissed his way across your throat. “I'm sorry I've been an asshole. Did I hurt you?” He didn’t stop moving, his thrusts still deep and demanding.

Your eyes flew open, and you stared up at the ceiling, your heart racing. The tenderness in his voice was unexpected, and it hit you like a punch to the gut. You couldn’t bring yourself to respond verbally or physically, too ashamed to admit the truth out loud. But Joe read you like a book, his gaze searching your expression for confirmation.

“I know I did,” he said, his voice low and remorseful. He slowed his pace, his strokes becoming more deliberate as if trying to convey his regret through every touch. “But I’m not gonna let you go again, baby. I promise you that. You’re mine, and I’ll make it up to you, every single fucking day if I have to.”

Your heart swelled at his words, even though a part of you knew you shouldn’t let them affect you. But here you were, lying beneath him, your body singing with pleasure, and you couldn’t help but believe him.

“Okay.” You whispered, still avoiding his gaze as your lips pouted in thought.

Joe’s expression softened, and he leaned down to kiss you, his hips stilling for a brief moment. When he pulled back, he said, “Gonna make you feel so good, baby. Just hold on for me, okay?”

The look in his eyes was earnest, and for a moment, all the tension between the two of you dissipated. You whispered your approval, your hands moving to his face, your thumbs tracing the sharp line of his jaw. You could feel his muscles tense as he took a deep breath, then his hips began to move again, slow and steady, as if he were savoring every inch of you. His eyes remained fixed on yours as he pushed into you, each stroke sending a new wave of pleasure crashing over you.

Your walls tightened around him, your body responding to his gentle dominance. His hands roamed over your skin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. He kissed you with a tenderness that was at odds with the roughness of your fucking, his tongue dancing with yours, tasting every corner of your mouth. It was as if he was trying to claim you all over again, to erase every memory you had of anyone else.

And for a moment, you let yourself believe there was no one else.

Joe’s eyes searched yours, his expression a mix of lust and something deeper, something that made your stomach flip. His movements grew more calculated, his hips snapping against yours as he drove deeper. You could feel yourself climbing, your body coiling tightly around him, ready to shatter.

“Look at me, baby,” Joe murmured, his voice thick with desire. “I need to see your eyes when you come for me. I need to know it’s all for me.”

Your eyes opened, meeting Joe’s intense gaze. His eyes were like blue flames, burning into your soul. You could feel the pressure building within you, your orgasm threatening to break free. Your moans and whines were strangled as they escaped your throat, your breaths coming in quick pants as you tried to hold on.

He leaned down, whispering in your ear, “Good girl. Let go for me. Take what you need from me, baby. Wanna hear you scream my name when you do it. Give it to me. Give it all to me.”

The words were like a trigger, setting you off into an explosion of sensation. You moaned his name, your body convulsing around him as you shattered into a million pieces. Your nails dug into his skin, your legs tightening around his waist as the most intense orgasm of your life ripped through you. It was as if every nerve ending in your body was on fire, each spark igniting a new wave of pleasure.

His own climax followed closely, his hips jerking as he buried himself deep inside you, groaning out his release as it spilled into the condom preventing his proximity from truly reaching you. Joe's weight pressed you into the mattress, his breathing heavy in your ear. You remained connected for a few moments, your hearts pounding in sync. Slowly, he pulled out, rolling to the side and disposing of the condom before pulling you into his arms.

Your mind raced as you lay there, your body still trembling. You felt Joe's thumb stroking your cheek, wiping away a stream of tears you hadn't even realized had fallen. He kissed the bridge of your nose, his touch gentle and soothing.

“I've got you,” he whispered, pulling you closer. “I'm not going anywhere.”

You curled into him, the weight of his words pressing down on your chest. Joe’s arms around you felt like home, and you didn’t want to leave that behind.

You sighed, deflating against him with no energy to question his intentions or the future. For now, all that mattered was the warmth of his embrace. The comforting beat of his heart against your ear lulled you into a sense of peace you hadn't felt in months. The two of you lay there in the afterglow of passion, your breaths slowly syncing as you held each other tightly.

Your head continued to spin over the next few days, the intensity of that night with Joe replaying in your mind like a highlight reel you couldn’t turn off. Each time you saw Andrei at the gym or exchanged texts, you felt that dreadful pang of guilt. The sweetness of his smile and the genuine concern in his eyes made you feel like the worst kind of person for indulging him when you couldn't get Joe off your mind.

“I'm the worst,” you groaned to Jess one evening, a week after Joe’s unexpected visit. You were lounging in Jess and Sam’s living room, a bottle of wine between the two of you.

Jess looked at you, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. “What do you mean, babe?”

You took a deep breath and recounted the evening with Joe, leaving out the explicit details but sharing enough to paint the picture. Jess’ eyes grew wider with every word, until finally, she spoke.

“Yikes. You might be in deeper than you think,” Jess said, her voice a mix of shock and amusement. She took a sip of her wine, her eyes fluttering over to Sam as he took a seat next to her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. “Babe, did you know about this?”

Sam looked at you, his expression begging you to play along. “Know what?”

You rolled your eyes with a huff, “Samuel, please. Did Joe say anything to you?”

Sam’s eyes darted to his fiancee whose eyebrow arched in challenge before he cleared his throat. “No actually. I told him to talk to you about the Andrei stuff, but he didn’t say anything happened.” He took a sip of his sports drink, the in-season replacement for his usual beer. “He's actually been pretty tight-lipped about everything, to be honest. Did you guys ever talk it out like I told him to?”

You sighed, playing with the stem of your wine glass. “Sort of. He said some stuff that... I don’t know. It just messed with my head. He said he missed me and that he’s not letting me go again. And when we were together... it was like nothing had changed.”

Jess’s eyes searched yours, understanding dawning as she frowned. “In a good way? Or in a...”

“In a way that seriously makes me question my self-respect,” you replied, your voice laced with frustration and self-pity. You took a long sip of your wine. “And now I’ve got Andrei, who’s so sweet and caring, but he’s also... I don’t know. He’s just different.”

Jess leaned in, her expression earnest. “Look, I know Joe’s got that... that pull, you know? And it’s easy to get swept up in it. But you can’t ignore what you have with Andrei either. Maybe you should take a step back from both of them and figure out what you really want.”

You nodded, knowing Jess was right. But the thought of cutting ties with either of them made your stomach twist. You enjoyed the excitement of Joe, the comfort of familiarity, but there was something about Andrei's gentle persistence that was equally intoxicating. You took a deep breath, setting your wine glass aside.

“I know you’re right,” you said, rubbing your temples. “But it’s so complicated. I don’t want to lead Andrei on or hurt him.”

“What about Joe?” Sam asked, breaking the silence. “I know you guys were never officially together, but do you care about potentially hurting him?”

Your gaze drifted to the floor. “Honestly? I don't. Not in the same way. With Joe, it's complicated. He's complicated. I don't even know if he'd ever truly let himself be hurt by me.”

Sam and Jess exchanged a look, the gravity of the situation settling over them. “Maybe you should just talk to them,” Sam suggested, his voice gentle. “You owe them that much, at least.”

You nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. You knew he was right. It was only fair to be honest with both Joe and Andrei about your feelings. But the thought of that conversation, of potentially losing one or both of them, was worrying.

Andrei felt like he was slowly going insane, his eyes scanning every line of your last text to him over two weeks ago. He had tried calling, but you always seemed to be busy or your phone went straight to voicemail. With the Bengals' season reaching its peak, he had been thrown into a whirlwind of games and practices, leaving him little time to dwell on his feelings. But now, with the team entering their Bye Week, he had nothing to distract him from the hold you had on his thoughts.

On the second day off, unable to stand it any longer, Andrei found himself at your gym again. He hoped to catch you, to talk things through, to understand what was happening. When he saw you, you looked stunning in a sage green workout set that hugged your curves in all the right ways. He approached, his heart racing, his mind a whirlwind of questions and fears.

“Hey,” he called out, his voice calling out softly through the sparsely populated gym. You looked up, your eyes briefly widening before you schooled your expression into something more neutral. He could tell you were surprised to see him, but there was something else there, something that looked suspiciously like anxiety.

You stood from your spot on the floor where you were stretching, casually reaching for your water bottle. “Hey, Andrei,” you greeted him coolly, your eyes avoiding his.

Andrei’s stomach twisted, his mind racing with a thousand things to say. He took a step closer, his eyes searching your features for any sign of your connection. “Can we talk?”

You hesitated, glancing around the gym before nodding. The two of you found a quiet spot in the corner, the clinking of exercise equipment the only soundtrack to your conversation. He watched as you took a sip of water, your eyes desperately trying to find something to focus on other than him. It was clear you were avoiding eye contact, and his heart sank.

“Look, I’m sorry if I misunderstood things and freaked you out,” Andrei began, his voice tentative. “I just... I don’t know. I can’t stop thinking about you, and I don’t get why you’re avoiding me.”

Your eyes finally met his, and he was taken aback by the sadness in them. You sighed, setting your water bottle down. You began to clear your throat to speak but paused, your hand picking at a piece of lint dusting your top. Andrei felt his heart racing, unsure of what you were about to say.

“If you don’t want to see me anymore, just tell me,” Andrei said, his voice thick with emotion. “But don’t ghost me. That’s not who I thought you were.”

You could only look at him, your chest tightening at his words. The truth was, you didn’t know what you wanted. Your mind was a whirlwind of Joe’s gravity and Andrei’s sweetness. You took a deep breath, your eyes never leaving his. “It’s not that, Andrei. There was a situation that came up and... I just need some space to figure things out. It’s nothing you did, I promise.”

He searched your face, looking for any hint of what you were referring to, but you offered nothing more. Andrei nodded slowly, his Adam's apple bobbing with an unspoken question. “That’s all I’m asking for. Just tell me if you need some time. I’ll wait, I just... I can’t ignore the way I feel about you. And if you don’t feel the same, then I need to know that.”

Your eyes softened, your heart torn in two. You reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “Andrei, I feel the same. I really do.”

He searched your eyes for any hint of a lie, finding none. The relief visibly washed over him. “So, what’s the deal, then? Why the distance?”

You took a deep breath, your mind racing with the events of the past few weeks. You had been avoiding Joe's calls too, the fear of what you might admit in the heat of the moment too strong to risk. The guilt was eating at you. “It’s complicated. I have some personal things to figure out. And I don’t want to lead you on, Andrei.”

Andrei nodded, his eyes never leaving yours. “Okay. I can give you space. But, when you’re ready, can we talk again? Maybe go on an actual date?”

You felt a rush of warmth from the earnestness in his voice.

“Sure,” you said, your voice soft. Andrei's smile was like the sun breaking through the clouds. All he wanted to do was give in to the hope that filled him at your words, to press his lips to yours and show you just how far gone he was. But he knew you needed space. So, with a nod, he stepped back.

“I’ll give you some time. But just know that I’m not going anywhere, okay?” His words were firm, a declaration that resonated in the quiet corner of the gym.

You nodded. Your throat was tight with the effort of holding back your true turmoil. “Okay,” you whispered.

Andrei’s eyes searched yours, as if trying to read the story behind your guarded expression. He smiled slowly, a mix of hope and pain etched into the lines of his face. “Cool, just text me when you’re up for it. We can keep it casual, no pressure.” His hands buried in his pockets as he took a step back, giving you the space he promised.

You felt a pang of longing as you watched him walk away, his broad shoulders slightly slumped. The reality of your situation was like a heavy weight pressing down on you, and you couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in your stomach. You needed to talk to Joe, to understand why he had come back into your life so suddenly and what he wanted. But the thought of facing him, of admitting to your feelings and the mess you had created, was terrifying.

Days turned into nights and the week stretched on. Your thoughts consumed you, a tumultuous storm of emotions. You went through the motions of your daily routines, but your mind was elsewhere, replaying every moment with both Joe and Andrei. The intensity of your feelings for Joe was undeniable, but the tenderness Andrei offered was something you hadn’t experienced before.

So with a deep breath, you reached for your phone and typed out a message to Andrei. “Hey, I’m free tomorrow. If you’re still down, maybe we can grab brunch?”

Your heart skipped a beat as you hit send, the gravity of your decision setting in. Andrei’s response was almost instant, his excitement palpable even through the screen as he offered a time and a location for your date.

The next morning, as you sat across the table from him at a cozy bistro, the scent of pastries and fruity drinks mingling in the air, you felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and the kind of comfort that comes from unguarded openness. But there was a new tension between the two of you, a known thread of desire that hadn’t been there before.

You found yourself leaning in closer to him, drawn to his gentle smile and the way his soft giggles crinkled the corners of his eyes. When he walked you to the door of your apartment, you held on to a half hope that he would kiss you. But when he just gave you a warm, lingering hug before pulling back to look into your eyes, you realized that maybe this was exactly what you needed. A break from the intensity that Joe brought. A chance to explore something new, something that was patiently waiting for you to catch up instead of dragging you along for the ride.

The door clicked shut behind you, leaving you in the quiet embrace of your apartment. The scent of Andrei’s cologne lingered on your clothes, a sweet reminder of the date that couldn’t have gone any better. You took a deep breath and leaned against the door, your heart pounding.

Andrei hadn’t stopped smiling since he hugged you close that morning. His cheeks constantly flushed, and his eyes gleamed whenever he thought of you. He felt like he was floating, his every step lighter, his spirits soaring. He had been waiting for this moment since he first met you, the chance to show you that he was more than just a younger teammate of your best friend’s fiance. He wanted to show you the man he was and the love he had to offer.

The other guys immediately picked up on the change in Andrei's mood, his energy at practice the first day back from the Bye unmistakably lighter. Tee and Charlie exchanged knowing glances, and Chase was the first to speak up. “You keep smiling like that, you might be able to start catching with your mouth.”

Andrei chuckled, shaking his head as he took his place for the next drill. He hadn't realized he had been smiling so much, but he couldn't help it. The date with you had been like a breath of fresh air, and he was eager to see you again. You hadn’t stopped texting since that day, lightly flirting and setting up another date. He was trying to keep things casual, trying to moderate his excitement, but it was hard when he felt like he was finally making progress.

On the other side of the field, Joe noticed Andrei’s change in demeanor, his own mood plummeting. You had shown no interest in seeing him again, and the realization that you might have moved on with someone else—someone on his own team—was a bitter pill to swallow. He threw himself into practice, pushing his body to the limit to distract himself from the ache in his chest. But every time he looked over, Andrei’s smile was like a knife twisting in the wound.

“I’m down bad, bro,” Andrei chuckled, his eyes crinkling as he watched Tee and Ja’Marr laugh at the honesty of his admission. “I haven’t even kissed her yet and she’s all I can think about.”

“You haven’t kissed her?” Tee’s eyebrows shot up, incredulous.

Andrei shrugged, his cheeks flushing slightly. “I want to, but I don’t want to rush it. I’ll do it when it feels right.”

Tee nodded, understanding. “Just don’t wait too long, man. Girls like that, they don’t come around often. You gotta let her know what’s up before someone else does.”

“Speakin’ of, I’m surprised Joe was cool with you two hanging out,” Ja’Marr said casually, rolling his shoulders as the words spilled out casually.

Andrei's eyes snapped over to him, his smile fading. “Joe? What do you mean?”

Ja’Marr looked up, catching the shift in Andrei's expression. “You didn’t know?” He paused, realizing he might have just stepped into a minefield of unspoken locker room drama. “My bad, bro. Never mind.”

But it was too late. Tee stepped forward, shaking his head at Ja’Marr’s retraction. “Nah, finish what you were saying. Andrei deserves to know what’s goin’ on.”

Ja’Marr took a deep breath. “Okay, so, they had a thing a while ago. No labels or nothing, but it was definitely more exclusive than just hooking up. They decided to cool it off because Joe was focused on rehabbing his wrist, and she didn’t like feeling like a distraction. But they do this weird hot and cold shit every now and then, it’s toxic as fuck, honestly. But that’s just how they like it, I guess. Sam swears they soulmates but I don’t know about all that.”

“Damn,” Tee breathed out, his eyes wide as saucers as the information sank in. Andrei's heart dropped to his stomach, the revelation hitting him like a sledgehammer. The world around him grew quiet, the laughter and shouts from the other players fading into the background. He stared at the football in his hand, his mind racing.

“What the fuck, man?” He looked up at Ja’Marr, his voice low and tight. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

Ja’Marr held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Look, we all knew you had a thing for her, but it’s not my place to stir shit up where there might not be anything. Besides, Joe never talks about what they got going on, you know how he is. You and Joe are cool, and she’s not his girlfriend. You do you, you know?”

But Andrei didn’t know. He had thought he had a shot with you, that the connection was real and genuine. But now, knowing that Joe had been in the picture before - and possibly still lurking in the background - the doubt began to creep in. He couldn’t help but feel like he was just the rebound, the second choice. The easygoing charm that usually filled him was gone, replaced by a storm of confusion and anger.

After practice, Andrei went straight to his locker, avoiding Joe’s gaze as he packed up his gear. His mind was racing, trying to piece together what this meant for him. He shot off a text to you, asking to meet up at your place. He needed to hear it from you, to understand the depth of what had happened between you and Joe.

When he arrived, there was a storm in Andrei's eyes that you had never seen before. You felt a sinking feeling in your gut, knowing that something was wrong. He stepped into your apartment, and you could see the tension coiled in his stiff shoulders. He didn’t bother with pleasantries, his question coming out in a rush. “Did you and Joe have something going on before me?”

Your heart stopped. You hadn’t expected this. You took a deep breath and nodded slowly. “We did. But it’s over. It’s been over for a while.”

Andrei’s eyes searched yours, looking for a lie, for any reason to believe you were just playing games. “Then why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was tight, each word forced through gritted teeth.

You felt the walls closing in on you, the guilt of your omission weighing heavily on your chest. “I didn’t want to hurt you, Andrei. It was a complicated situation, and I didn’t know what to say without messing things up between us. I care about you, and I didn’t want us figuring things out to be tainted by me explaining my past with Joe.”

“I don’t care if you hurt me,” Andrei said, his voice filled with intensity. “I care about being with you, about us. How could you think keeping that from me would be better than letting me decide for myself?” His gaze was unwavering, and you knew he wasn’t going to let this go without a fight.

You looked away, your eyes stinging. You knew you messed up, but you didn’t know how to fix it. “I’m sorry, I just—”

Andrei’s hand on your cheek made you stop. He turned your face back to his, his eyes searching yours. “Don’t apologize. Just tell me if there’s still something between you two. Because if there is, I can’t do this. I can’t compete with him.”

Your heart clenched at the raw honesty in his voice. You took a deep breath and met his gaze. “No, there’s nothing going on. I want to move on.”

Andrei studied your face, the tension in his body slowly uncoiling as he saw the sincerity in your eyes. He took a step closer, his thumb brushing over the stress lines marring your face. “Okay,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “Okay.”

The two of you stood there for a moment, the air between you charged with a tension that had shifted from anger to something more complex. Andrei leaned in, capturing your mouth in a kiss that was both tender and demanding. It was a declaration of intent, a promise that he wouldn’t back down. The kiss grew deeper, more urgent, and you felt yourself melting into it, your hands curling around his shoulders as if you were holding on for dear life.

When you finally broke apart, panting, Andrei searched your eyes again.

“Fuck it.”

He didn’t need to say more. With a newfound sense of urgency, he scooped you up into his arms and carried you to the bedroom, your kisses growing more frantic with each step. The weight of your confessions and the unspoken tension between you had transformed into a fiery passion that could no longer be contained.

In the dim room, you undressed each other slowly, as if savoring every moment. Your hands explored familiar yet new territories, the heat of your bodies melding together as if you were two puzzle pieces that had finally found their rightful place. The intimacy was intense, a blend of attraction and lust that neither of you had ever experienced together before.

“Are you sure?” Andrei’s voice was a gentle rumble against your skin as he paused, his hand hovering over the clasp of your bra. You nodded, the anticipation in your eyes unmistakable.

The rest of your clothes fell away, and you were left in nothing but the glow of the streetlights filtering through the blackout shades. Andrei took his time, exploring your body with a reverence that made your heart swell. Each touch was deliberate, each kiss a silent promise that he would be different from Joe, that he would treat you as more than an option.

Andrei’s hips moved in a steady rhythm, his eyes never leaving yours, as if he was afraid that if he blinked, you would vanish forever.

“Keep those pretty eyes on me, I don’t want you to slip away from me again,” Andrei whispered against your ear, his breath hot and heavy as your bodies moved together. “Gonna make sure you don’t forget me, no matter what happens with him.”

Your eyes searched his, a mix of want and fear. You nodded, your voice a breathy whisper as your eyes rolled back with a flutter of pleasure. He was so deep, so gentle, so deliciously slow as he pushed into you, making you feel like the most precious thing in the world. Your calves resting against his shoulders, legs parted, giving him full access, and he took it with a groan of pleasure that made your toes curl.

Andrei’s eyes never left yours, as if he was trying to memorize every detail of your face in the throes of passion. It was raw and beautiful, and it made your heart ache in a way you didn’t know was possible. You could feel yourself letting go, giving in to the moment.

“I’m all yours,” you murmured, your voice thick with need. Andrei’s response was to kiss you again, hard and demanding, as if he was sealing your fate with every touch of your tongues. The sound of your bodies coming together filled the room, a testament to your connection.

His hips began to pick up their pace, propping himself up on one elbow, his other hand roaming your body, leaving trails of fire wherever it went. Your chest heaved, your breath hitching as you felt yourself getting closer to the edge. You were falling, and you hoped you might never get back up again.

“Fuck,” you whimpered as he reached between you, his thumb circling your clit with a precision that made your back arch off the bed. Andrei’s eyes were intense, watching your reaction with a hunger that only fueled your own. The room was a cocoon of desire, the air thick with the scent of your arousal and the sound of your ragged breaths.

“Good girl, takin’ my cock like this,” Andrei groaned, his teeth clenched as he fought to hold back. He knew he had to give you what you needed, what he knew you deserved. He could feel the tension building in your body, the way you tightened around him with every stroke. He leaned in closer, whispering sweet nothings in your ear, his words hot and fast. “You’re so perfect, baby, so fucking perfect.”

“More, please, I need more,” you moaned, your voice shaking. He could feel the desperation in your words, the need for release, and he was more than happy to oblige. His hand found your neck, his thumb gently caressing your pulse point as he picked up his pace, his hips slamming into you with a force that was both gentle and fierce.

“Come for me, baby, come all over my cock,” Andrei urged, his voice low and demanding. And as if on cue, your body obeyed, the tension snapping as you shuddered beneath him, your orgasm washing over you like a tidal wave. He watched as you came undone, the sight of your pleasure etching itself into his soul. He couldn’t hold out much longer, the feel of you tightening around him pushing him over the edge.

With a moan of his own, he came, his release hot and powerful as he filled you. He collapsed next to you, his tanned chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath. You blinked slowly, biting back a smile as you felt him shiver against you, his milky white spend slowly leaking out of you.

You turned onto your side, your bottom lip pulled between your teeth as a hand came down to brush through Andrei's dark hair, your eyes shining with a newfound fondness for the man beside you. He pulled you closer, your limbs tangled together like vines, and you felt a warmth spread through you and couldn't help the giggle that escaped. Your giggles spurred Andrei on, unable to suppress his own chuckle as you two erupted into laughter at the absurdity of your situation.

The room grew quiet, the only sound was your mingled breathing and the occasional creak of the bed. Andrei’s thumb traced patterns on your bare shoulder, his eyes studying your profile in the soft light. “I meant what I said,” he murmured, his voice serious despite the playfulness of moments before. “I want to be the only one for you. I can handle whatever shit comes up with Joe. I just need you to be honest with me.”

You swallowed hard, feeling a knot in your stomach. The weight of your decision settled on your shoulders like a heavy blanket. “I will,” you said finally, tilting your head up to catch his eye. “I promise.” He responded with a soft, lingering kiss on your swollen lips.

Eventually, Andrei’s grip loosened, and he rolled away from you, smiling as you whined at the sudden loss of his warmth. “I need to use the bathroom. Need me to get something to clean you up?”

“Please,” you replied with a tired smile, watching him stride across the room naked. The confidence in his step was something you hadn’t seen from him before - not off the football field at least - and it made your stomach flutter. He closed the door behind him, humming softly to himself. You settled into the sheets, releasing a sigh of contentment.

But like clockwork, it didn’t last long. It never lasted long.

Your phone lit up on the nightstand, catching your attention with the notification of a new text. You rolled over, reaching for it lazily and your eyes widened as you saw Joe’s contact name on the screen. The message was deviously simple, as it always was. Your heart beat out of your chest as you read it to yourself.

Are you free tomorrow? We should do something. Miss seeing you.

#&. cassie writes.#joe burrow #andrei iosivas #joe burrow fanfic #joe burrow x reader #joe burrow smut #joe burrow fan fic #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow x black!reader #andrei iosivas fic #andrei iosivas x reader #andrei iosivas imagine #andrei iosivas smut #andrei iosivas x black!reader

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mcrdvcks · 1 month ago

Note

congratulations!!! headcanons for logan who’s dating a person who loves to sleep 😭😭 like naps everyday up late at night sleeping in type of person (me) LMFAOOOO

you’re awesome thank you for feeding us always ❤️🙏🙏

at first, i though this might've been something i sent myself because you just described me TO A T!!! i have chronic insomnia and chronic fatigue, so the second i wake up, i'm already tired. it's why i love summer break, i can wake up whenever i want, and then after a few hours, take a long nap, lol

send an ask for my 2,000 followers celebration!

warnings/tags: sleepy!reader, soft!logan, protective!logan, fluff!

At first, Logan doesn’t get it. He’s used to being up at dawn, out the door, running five miles before the sun hits the treetops. So finding you still passed out with a blanket over your head at 11am? Wild.

Most of it’s not completely your fault. You have insomnia and you’re a night owl.

He doesn’t say anything the first time he finds you curled up, drooling, mid-nap on the couch in the middle of the afternoon. But he stands there for a solid minute, arms crossed, just watching you with a small, crooked smile.

Logan has learned your routine (if you could even call it that). You wake up at 11, have breakfast, do some work. Then by around 2 o’clock you’re heading back to bed for a 3-4 hour nap.

He’s always the big spoon in the morning—because you’re still unconscious and wrapped up in the comforter like a cinnamon roll. So he just tucks in behind you and buries his face in your hair until you start stirring.

He secretly loves when you fall asleep on him. Whether it’s movie night, after a mission, or just a lazy day—you curled against his chest, soft breaths warming his collarbone? He goes still as stone and refuses to move until you wake up naturally.

He’s extremely protective of your nap time.

“Hey—Y/N’s sleepin’. Shut it.”

“Don’t even think about knockin’ on that door.”

“No, you can’t borrow the vacuum right now, Scott. Pick a different day to annoy me.”

He learns that waking you up is a delicate process. Gentle voice. Warm hand on your back. A whispered, “C’mon, sweetheart. Just for a sec.”

Over time, you start noticing the subtle ways he encourages your sleep habits: The blackout curtains. The space heater by the bed. A new, softer pillow that “just showed up” one day. The fact that he’s already made the bed when you crawl into it after midnight.

And if he ever catches you fighting sleep—dragging yourself around the house, yawning every five seconds—he just sighs, scoops you up, and grumbles, “quit bein’ stubborn. You need rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

After a while, he stops pretending to be annoyed by your sleep habits. Instead, he builds his day around them. He’ll go do his workout, run errands, finish a Danger Room session—and still make it back in time to sneak into bed with you during your 2 p.m. nap.

He becomes a nap convert. Not because he needs it, but because you’re there. You’re warm, soft, and smell like his T-shirt and lavender lotion. It’s addictive.

He lives for mornings when you’re half-asleep and clingy. You drape yourself over him like a blanket, bury your face in his chest, and mumble incoherent sleepy nonsense. He just kisses the top of your head and grunts happily. “You’re real sweet when you’re unconscious, y’know that?”

You once mumbled “don’t leave” in your sleep when he got up to grab something. He sat back down immediately and didn’t move for the next hour. Just stared at you like a lovesick idiot.

If anyone ever gives you shit for “wasting the day,” Logan shuts that down fast. “She does more in her dreams than most of you do awake. Leave her be.”

#2000 followers celebration #logan howlett x reader #logan howlett x you #wolverine x reader #wolverine x you #james howlett x reader #james howlett x you #logan howlett #logan howlett fanfiction #logan howlett fic #logan ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ #abby's works ☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

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wasyago · 8 months ago

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Please more Trail's gone cold au I'm begging you I need it just pour out every thought in your brain I want to hear it

hgdhhfbd i mean, sure why not

everything plot related is in the main post, there's nothing else really to tell. but i could share random details that didn't really fit into the lore drop. again tho, it's a small au and mostly an exploration of the concept, so there's not a lot.

❄️ gem and etho are siblings, i don't think it was mentioned anywhere? blood related and all that, they both have black hair, gem just dyes hers.

❄️ behind the scenes reasons for the order of deaths. generally i picked these three to be the main cast because i suddenly realized pet crew were just dungeon master and his two winners, and that was too crazy of a concept to not do anything with? so, tango as the main guy and actual master of the dungeon had to die first, seeing how he's the cave's favorite. pearl as the main explorer and as the one to unlock all the secrets had to die second, because she had to return to the dungeon / the cave to find out the truth, and she conquered it but never actually got out. and etho had to survive, because he's the "proper" winner and the one who actually escaped the dungeon with treasures.

❄️ lore reasons for the order of infection. tango you already know, but pearl and etho went in at the same time so in theory they had to start experiencing the effects together. but because etho was wearing a mask it did lessen the amount of sculk he inhaled, slowing down the process. wear masks kids!

and, well, you did say you wanted to hear every thought so. i really like the plot point of them leaving tango to die, so im gonna ramble a little about it. even just, the difference in their views on the situation is so satisfying to me. because tango had no idea something scary was happening to him! and for pearl and etho it was a life or death situation. and just-- they were talking about leaving tango and tango obviously, obviously, protested, because what the actual hell??? yes okay he's ill and a burden, but don't leave an ill guy to freeze to death in a cave, what is wrong with them????? or, okay, what is wrong with etho, pearl was against the idea. but, straight up tango did not plan for it to end this way, he had his whole life ahead of him and so many things ha still wanted to do! of course he cried when they left, what else was he supposed to do? thank etho for his awesome decision? be all cool and stoic and sacrifice himself? hell no, he didn't want to die, he never asked for this.

he did die tho, so. whomp whomp 🎺... i imagine he passed before pearl and etho even reached the stairs, so at least he didn't suffer for long. if he had a breakdown about being left alone he probably hyperventilated and inhaled like a ton more sculk, so that killed him even faster. must've sucked tho...

and then pearl, god, pearl.... she didn't encounter any dangers on the way back, since she wasn't trying to escape and the cave had no reason to be hostile towards her. but seeing how she was at the last stage before turning... she probably didn't get to tango before collapsing... not dying just yet, but too feverish and too weak to walk. but if tango was already back, he could very much go and find her. can you imagine the pure horror of drowning in your regrets as you slowly die and then having your supposedly already dead friend appear in front of you all cheery and oh so wrong. i dont know how much of tango is left in that thing, but the image of him sitting by pearl and holding her until she dies is so-- its haunting but it's sweet. and then there's still enough time to catch up with etho.

actually, gahhhh, all three pet povs are their own unique horror story and it's so good.

the horror of having to go through this terrifying experience, and then being the only survivor, knowing full well that the only reason you lived is because you left your friends to die, and there's no way of fixing it now.

the horror of everything falling apart around you because of miscommunication, and then the one time you decide to do it right you end up regretting every single decision and witnessing the direct result of your mistakes come for you.

the horror of being stupid... the horror of losing all control over your life and being betrayed in the moment of your most vulnerability, dying fully and utterly helpless.

this au is so sad but i love it so much...

okay wow that's enough for one post, ask more if you want tho!

#trail's gone cold au #yagotalk

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goodgirl-i · 2 months ago

Text

SILENCE.

paige bueckers x fem!reader

part 1 | part 2

Silence is the ultimate keeper of secrets. It speaks volumes if you just listen.

Paige plays for UConn, and you're casual acquaintances through KK. It's all been stolen glances, run-ins at practice, then at home games. And hanging out with the UConn team. You and Paige are always so close, yet so far away.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

You're kind of on a sick day thing, but you're totally fine, just chilling at home and skipping class. KK FaceTimes you, and you're still in bed even though it's lunchtime. You swipe to answer. On her camera, you can see she's in the UConn facilities, and you can hear a bunch of girls' voices in the background, probably the whole team.

"Yo, girl, are you still asleep?!" KK shouts so loud it feels like your eardrums are gonna burst.

"Dumbass, no. What do you want?"

"Maybe you have something you wanna tell me? My team's got a game today, and you have to come. You've still got time to get ready," KK continues.

"Oh, that's what's up. Of course, bestie, I'll be there since you're begging."

As soon as you say that, you hear screaming in the background like, "OMG, your girl's finally coming!" The whole team bursts out laughing. KK turns the camera to Paige, who's sitting next to her. You've only seen her a few times for a few seconds, not counting the games. Usually, it's just silence between you, and awkward smiles instead of saying hi. But now she's waving enthusiastically at KK's phone and smiling. She's so confident. You can't help but like it. But you don't say anything, you just end the call, because you look way too busted lying in your bed at home.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:

You check yourself out in the mirror before heading out. Your hair has these soft, loose waves, and you're loving the slightly wavy look. You swipe some gloss on your lips. Time to go.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:And now you're sitting in the special seating for the players' guests. KK spots you and starts making faces. You wave back and mentally call her a dork.UConn won! It was a killer game from everyone, and you always love watching, especially how Paige would argue with the ref and get all fired up. You don't really get basketball, but it's clear that with every game, you're starting to fall for the sport. You head down from the stands to congratulate the girls in person. You walk up to KK and give her a hug."You were awesome, thanks for inviting me!""OMG, did you SEE that?! I'm shook, I'm ridiculously awesome, you want an autograph or something?" KK jokes.You're standing surrounded by the team, smiling at everyone and complimenting them on their game. A lot of people would probably kill to be in your shoes. You lock eyes with Paige, and you can tell she's been looking at you since you were talking to KK. She smiles at you, just as confident as before."Hey again, wonder if you'll actually answer me this time," Paige smirks."Hey," you reply coolly. You can tell she's trying to keep the conversation going, but she doesn't know how. You have no idea what the heck she's trying to do, or what she's after."We're planning on like, hitting up a restaurant to celebrate the win. Wanna come?" Paige is less confident now, she's probably afraid of being rejected. Her eyes dart around your face, nervously waiting for an answer, and she's fidgeting with the hem of her shorts.You nod at her offer, a smile on your face. After you smile, Paige starts smiling too. You figure, why not go out with the girls? You haven't been hanging out with anyone lately, and KK keeps telling you to live your life instead of just staying home and studying. So yeah! You decide to live your life and forget your doubts.

Waiting for the girls to get out of the showers and the locker room is a mission, but you make it happen. You all head to some Italian restaurant the team picked out. No one on the team seems to mind that you're tagging along. They're super loud, even louder than they are on FaceTime.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

You're grabbing some food – honestly, whatever your fave Italian dish is. KK's on your right, Azzi's on your left, and Paige is sitting across from you. It's not quiet at this table, and nobody's holding back.

These girls are determined to get to know you. They're hitting you with a million questions: Do you have a boyfriend? Who's your favorite player on their team?

"Woah, chill! You guys are making me blush with all the questions. I don't have a favorite player, I like you all. And nope, no boyfriend here. I'm single." The girls collectively gasp at that, wondering how you could possibly be unattached.

"I just don't really hang out much, I'm usually studying or just chilling at home," you explain to the team.

The attention on you starts to die down, which is honestly fine by you, because you're not that into being the center of attention. You go to stretch your legs out under the table, and accidentally kick someone. By the look on Paige's face, you know it was her. You try to adjust so everyone's comfortable. She smiles at you again and nods, like it's no big deal.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:

The evening with the team wraps up, and you surprisingly had a pretty good time. You all head back to the dorms together. (Oh yeah, BTW, Paige and KK are roommates in my story).

You say goodbye to the team, and you're left with KK, who walks you back to your room. It's less about being caring and more about her just wanting to spill some tea.

"Okay, I saw what was going on between you and Paige. You were being all cute chatting with her on the court," KK says, teasing you. She knows your type, and she knows you're like, the least social person ever, so that little chat with Paige was def something.

"KK, what are you talking about? Me and Paige? That's like, impossible. It was practically silent between us all dinner. And on the court, I don't even know what that was. I just wanna chill for now and not jump to any conclusions, you know me." KK's words definitely make you think about your feelings, and what you think of Paige. It's def food for thought, but not right now. Not tonight.

Then you and KK chat for a few more minutes, where she basically tries to convince you that it's time to open your heart to the world and to love. But you guys agree that you'll deal with that... tomorrow.

Whew, I really hope you liked that! Leave comments and likes, please!

#paige bueckers headcannons #paige bueckers x reader #paige x reader #paige bueckers #uconn wbb #uconn huskies #ncaa wbb #wbb #wlw

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pierregazly · 2 years ago

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1+ 2 = ...4? ꨄ pierre gasly smau

pierre gasly x wife!russell!reader

warnings: pregnancy, mentions of twins, george having a meltdown

in which pierre put his tripod to use and caused two major outcomes, george has a meltdown, and all the fans just want to know what's going on?

ynrussell

liked by pierregasly, charles_leclerc, georgerussell63, and 23,407 others

tagged pierregasly

ynrussell joyeux anniversaire mon amour. three years ago today i married the love of my life and became the official mrs. gasly, so excited to give you your present tonight 🫶🏻

view all 220 comments

username omg babes post the present!!! let us all be jealous

username happy anniversary mom and dad

charles_leclerc 🥳💗

username feel like it was just yesterday that i was jealous out of my mind about their wedding... still jealous tho

pierregasly joyeux anniversaire ma chère, i am the luckiest man in the world

pierregasly can't wait to give your your own present tonight

pierregasly it rhymes with tierod

username TRIPOD PIERRE

username im SCREAMING send this man right to PRISON

georgerussell63 god every time i see anything to do with you two i have to bleach my bloody eyes. happy anniversary you two, im disgusted.

username poor george, him and carmen are so tame compared to these two... i love the polar opposite sibling trope

ynrussell has posted a story

liked by pierregasly, georgerussell63, and others

replies

pierregasly i hope the pizza was good ma chérie, and hope it satisfied the little bean's cravings

ynrussell it was delicious... but we kind of want chocolate now too :(

pierregasly ill check ubereats and see what i can do

ynrussell mine and the bean's saviour 🫶🏻

pierregasly

liked by ynrussell, charles_leclerc, alpinef1team, and 209,444 others

tagged alpinef1team

pierregasly unfortunately not the finish we would have liked, the 15 second penalty cost us significantly and i apologize to my team and all our fans for it. will come back bigger and better next time 💪 now time to go and spend some well deserved time off with my family

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username thank you for pushing through and giving us an awesome race to watch pierre!

username loved your helmet this weekend pierre!

username sad that mother ynrussell wasn't here this weekend, but happy to see her in the likes

username 'well deserved time off with my family' do we think that's alluding to something else????

username girl he's obviously talking about his wife and his family??? like what

username ummm sorry he almost always says 'my loved ones' gotta push the pregnancy rumour agenda some more

ynrussell we're all so proud of you pear 🫶🏻 the track limits and penalties are bullshit and i'll be sending a strongly worded letter to whoever costs you anything good

liked by charles_leclerc, georgerussell63, and others

pierregasly 😂😭🤍

username who is 'we're all' who is the plural that she's referring to omg

username i'm telling y'all... mother is becoming a real mother idc what any of y'all say

pierregasly has posted a story

liked by ynrussell, georgerussell63, and others

ynrussell omf make sure you get extra cheesecake... and extra elcairs, and a few brownies... maybe get a few of everything??? the bean's want them!!!!

pierregasly well if the bean's want them....

username this SCREAMS my wife is pregnant and sent me on a late night snack run omf

username tell us your secret!!!!

ynrussell

liked by pierregasly, georgerussell63, carmenmmundt, and 46,578 others

tagged pierregasly

ynrussell sorry just have to appreciate how incredibly sexy it is seeing my super sexy amazing husband with kids!!! like how lucky am i!!! can't wait til' you're holding our future babies (my ovaries are exploding, i am crying, it's going to be a long day)

view all 398 comments

username girl this seems a little feral idk

georgerussell63 this is certifiably disgusting. please grow up.

username you know who would post something like this??? a wife expecting a baby who is getting more excited about that baby seeing her husband with kids

username seems legit idk

pierregasly is this your nice way of asking me to pickup more eclairs on the way home?

ynrussell cinnamon buns too?? please?? je t'aime

pierregasly can't wait to hold our future bean's too ma chérie

username pierre as a dad is going to be so sexy, ynrussell is so right??? those babies are going to be beautiful omf

ynrussell and pierregasly

liked by charles_leclerc, carmenmmundt, georgerussell63, and 566,493 others

pierregasly october 2024 / gasly thing 1 and gasly thing 2 🐣🚼

view all 4,533 comments

ynrussell omg i'm pregnant???? SURPRISE

ynrussell maman is begging for them to come sooner, her poor back.

username AH I KNEW IT. I CALLED IT. MY HEART.

username THING 1 AND THING 2 AHHHHH

username pierre is gonna be a girl dad AND a boy dad?????? we're so blessed

georgerussell63 excuse me????

georgerussell63 you knocked my sister up????

georgerussell63 i told you to stay away from her??? this is outrageous i am disgusted

pierregasly sorry, tripod's work well.

ynrussell pierre delete this comment rn, i swear to god.

georgerussell63 (i am so excited to meet my baby niece and baby nephew. uncle georgie loves you both so much)

lewishamilton congratulations! roscoe is so excited 🤍

charles_leclerc uncle cha reporting for duty 🫡 congratulations, you two.

georgerussell63 i'd like to emphasize i'm still having a meltdown from when you casually gave me a bottle of gin to announce this. gasly genes should not be casually mixed like this.

username i dont think anyone understands the joy im feeling??? im honoured to be alive to see this

username they're gonna be such amazing parents im literally ????? so excited??????

carmenmmundt has posted a story

liked by ynrussell, pierregasly, alexandrasaintmleux, and others

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ynrussell thank you for the beautiful baby shower, auntie carmen already has spot number 1 🫶🏻

username omg omg omg omg

username this is SO CUTE

ynrussell has posted a story

liked by pierregasly, carmenmmundt, georgerussell63, and others

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username girl u look like ur about to pop (lovingly)

pierregasly my beautiful wife

ynrussell i don't feel very beautiful right now. i feel huge and tired and exhausted.

pierregasly still the most beautiful woman in the world

ynrussell

liked by pierregasly, alexandrasaintmleux, georgerussell63, and 56,439 others

ynrussell things are getting very, very real (not real enough for my back to not hurt, thing 1 and 2 you both are killing me)

view all 165 comments

username this aesthetic is so CUTE (that room is fucking beautiful i want a house tour????)

username they're literally due in like less than 2 months???? pierre is gonna be a dad that soon???? praying for u ynrussell

charles_leclerc im personally demanding compensation for the bruises i have from putting the nursery together

ynrussell shut up cha, you literally offered and begged to be involved

pierregasly yeah shut up cha

alexandrasaintmleux can't wait to see my art piece up in the bébé's room 🫶🏻

ynrussell knew i could always count on you angel

username im so invested in this pregnancy none of you even understand

username starting a poll asap on the babies names omf

ynrussell and pierregasly

liked by charles_leclerc, georgerussell63, roscoelovescoco, and 675,487 others

ynrussell 2024.10.16 / welcome to the world my precious théodore and éloïse. maman and papa love you so much.

view all 5,640 comments

username omg congratulations!!! such beautiful names.

username they share a birthday with charles im crying

lewishamilton congratulations! so beautiful, you are a rockstar ynrussell

charles_leclerc truly the best birthday present i could've asked for. ellie and théo should be so proud of their maman.

pierregasly the happiest day of my life, given to me by the most important woman in my life. thank you for blessing me.

username again i am so invested in this. i am so happy for these two, they're going to be incredible parents.

alpinef1team welcome to the family baby éloïse and baby théodore!

mercedesamg welcome to the family x2

username oh girl the racing teams are gonna FIGHT over these two just you wait

and there she is! after weeks of gasly!twin asks, i finally decided it was time to bring them to life in the realest way i could. i hope you all loved this as much as i loved writing it. thank you to everyone for all the incredible inspiration, and for continuing my obsession.

taglist

@leclercdream @myescapefromthislife @princessria127 @iloveyou3000morgan @love4lando @asfaraslifegets @decseptapril @somanyfandomsbruh @fangirl125reader @imagandom @motorsp0rt @jspitwall @glitterf1 @christianpulisic10 @carlandonorri-s @smoothopz @eugene-emt-roe @epitios @myloverjk-blog @glow-ish @goldenmclaren @mercunty @success78 @nicolereinara

if you're missing from the taglist, pls dont hesitate to send me a message!!

#pierre gasly #pierre gasly x reader #f1 x reader #pierre gasly smau #f1 smau #f1 #f1 x you #pierre gasly x you #formula 1 x reader #formula 1 smau #smau #my writing #f1 imagine #pierre gasly imagine

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mythicmanuscripts · 11 months ago

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Aegon whose wife is maybe sore from riding her dragon/training of some sort, and she’s just laying down on her stomach not wanting to move but aegon wants to be good and supportive for his awesome wife so he eats her out from behind then gets cuddles. 🫶🏻🫶🏻

PLS WHY IS THIS SO IN CHARACTER?? I love it. 10/10. I'm gonna make this himbo!aegon cause it just works so well.

NSFW sub!aegon utterly obsessed with his wife below the cut!

As we all know aegon fucked just about half of kings landing before he married you, so he's most certainly not inexperienced. But oddly enough, he had actually never eaten a woman out before? He had don't just about everything else, but not that.

When you suggest it to him, he's so so thankful that he never tried it with anyone else because it means this is something that can be for only the two of you and no one else. You get to be his first and only experience with it.

Needless to say, he loves it.

You have now created a monster because he is utterly insatiable when it comes to eating you out. He loves every second of it and making you feel so good really makes him feel like the best boy ever.

All of this is to say that Aegon's solution for pretty much anything you're dealing with is to eat you out. He's well aware that he doesn't always have the brain for politics or planning but damnit he can let his pretty wife handle those things and ensure she cums at least twice every day. Like i'be said before: he know his role, and that's the role of the gremlin who follows his wife around.

So when you get back from a very tough dragon ride and you're so so tired and just collapse on the bed, Aegon's immediately thought is to ask if he can eat you out. He's well aware that he probably doesn't have the brain power to offer you any advice, but he can make you feel good and so that is absolutely his goal.

You initially tell him that you'd love that but you're still in your riding clothes and you're tired and sweaty and he should wait until after you've bathed and changed. You cant see is face but you know that a pout followed the whine he let out at being told he must wait before he can taste you.

He begs again, telling you that he doesn't care about any of that. You are his wife and you are tired and he cant do much but he can do this so honestly you're being cruel denying him.

You decide to let him, and he's just so happy. He gives you his absolute best and he feels like the best boy in the whole world when you cum because he made his wife feel good!

So yeah, any inconvenience you have, no mater how minor or major, will cause Aegon to offer to eat you out.

#sub!aegon #aegon x reader #aegon targaryen imagine #aegon smut #aegon the second #king aegon #aegon ii targaryen #hotd aegon #aegon targaryen x reader #house of the dragon #house of the dragon fanfiction #hotd #house of the dragon imagine

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skyrim-forever · 1 month ago

Text

WIP Wednesday

Hi everyone it's Wednesday here :) Thanks for the tags @umbracirrus and @chiqita <3 Awesome writing!

Tagging: @theoneandonlysemla @pocket-vvardvark @changelingsandothernonsense @dirty-bosmer @scholarlyhermit @ladytanithia @lucien-lachance @captain-of-silvenar @sanzas-reverie

@heavy-metal-dick @sulphuricgrin @hircines-hunter @friend-of-giants @pyre-of-pages @silly-little-diary @saltymaplesyrup @firefly-factory @thequeenofthewinter

So I couldn't decided today between a scene from Chapter 5 of Changing Tides or a snippet of a Theomar piece I'm working on for the Gala but then remembered porque no los dos? Both under the cut for length, first up is Odile encountering someone with far from wholesome intentions:

It’s while she’s here, face shifting from smiling to a look of mourn over her supper, does someone speak to her, seemingly concerned.

“And what has you down, darling?” When Odile looks up from the bits of white fish and carrots swimming amidst the cream broth, she isn’t expecting to see what she does. Not expecting to see the tall figure leaning against the wall of the Inn, the gold thread of his purple coat glimmering under the light. Now closer to her, she can see they look enchanted as well as expensive, whatever fabric it is made of is one which she’s never seen. Likely something fancy and foreign, fitting in that he is an Altmer. Golden hair to his shoulders, skin like that of brass and piercing amber eyes.

“Oh nothing, I’m doing fine.” A drought of self-confidence hits her and she wants nothing more than to sink into the floorboards. The navy robe she wore for the journey was frayed, patches in the elbows to cover up the wear; it had been her mother’s before her. Procured at a stall in Chorrol when she first came to Cyrodiil. It covers up my pants at least, she thinks. Even more worse for wear as they were the ones she wore for chores around the house. While packing in the early morning, it didn’t occur to her to dress well. Though all of her clothes showed visible mending, there were some better than others. A green dress she sewed with fabric they traded for, a few linen tops she embroidered herself; items far better than those she brought. No point in worrying about that now.

It would seem her answer is not convincing when the mysterious stranger, the second mysterious Elven stranger she’s come across, tells her so.

“You certainly do not look, nor sound, okay.” Pulling the barstool out, he flags down the Innkeeper.

“Red or white?” He asks her.

“Oh I don’t have the money… at the moment.” Offering the latter half to divert away, never feeling embarrassed for her modest living until faced with the exact opposite.

“Well, I do. Red or white?” Odile smiles, heat rising to her cheeks at his words.

“White, they are sweeter.”

“That they are.”

And next is Theodora thinking about what to do for the Gala with her loser mer husband of 9 years yearning <3

Whereas choosing who to embody had been easy for him, albeit not a unique choice by the sea of pointed crowns around him, Theodora hadn’t been so sure as to what she wanted to wear.

“Should I dress as Akatosh? That feels the most fitting, that’s probably what is expected of me.”

“But you embody the dragon every day, my love.” Gently his hands stroked her shoulders while she stood in front of the mirror. “Though if that’s what you want, it is not possible for you to be anything less than stunning.” The smile he catches in the mirror is perfect, so wide and genuine, nothing compared to the feeling of having her smile at him. Capturing the attention of the most sublime being in all of Nirn. He kisses the top of her head, on the grey hairs that were making her shine like starlight. Few in number they were yet, it did not stop her from vigorously plucking them when she first discovered the change. A fear of growing old but beyond that, a fear that somehow he would no longer want her; only at this would he tell his wife she was wrong. The sands of time could not be stopped so she had conceded to let them come and Ondolemar took it upon himself to let her know she only became more beautiful as the days marched on. Theodora clutches his hands, bringing them across her chest and cranes her neck to look up at him.

“Ceri suggested I dress as Mara, she says Mama is as perfect as Mama Mara.” He softly smiles against her hair, another quick kiss.

“She is very correct but we already knew she was smart.”

“She is. Mara could be good…” Breaking from his hold, she goes closer to the mirror now, her reflection showing she is in deep thought.

“You do not sound so sure, do you have another idea? Anything would be lovely.” She smirks.

“Even Talos?” A tired sigh fills the room.

“What have I done to deserve that?” The crinkles on her nose form as she smirks.

“Be so easy to torment.”

“You do so enjoy doing that.” And she could keep doing it, a small price for the life they have now.

“I do,” quickly his wife turns around, approaching him and planting a kiss on his cheek; a suitable apology. “I was actually thinking Dibella.”

#wip wednesday #my writing #theomar #changing tides #oh no odile swat him away!!!#you don't know he is not just looking to chat!!!#ugh and my beloved theomar #S I M P behaviour on behalf of baldmer

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24hlevi · 8 months ago

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Can i please have a Ashlyn x fem reader??🥺 were the Sbg group does the pocky challenge and manages to get Ashlyn to agree to join, and so everyone has a turn with each other (Except for the siblings and cousins ofc) and Ashlyn keeps on backing out every 1-3 bites. While fem reader beats everyone. But then it finally came to Ashlyn and Fem readers round, and surprisingly Ashlyn didn’t back out and they both get really close to each other and finally the reader backs out blushing and Ashlyn wins. (SORRY IF THIS IS A VERY LONG DESC, ive requested this multiple times but i dont think anyone has done or approved of it yet im despratee🤧)

this is actually so cute wtf....thank you for the req! 🫶🫶

— POCKY CHALLENGE!

ashlyn banner (school bus graveyard) x fem!reader

warnings/tags: fluff, mild language, mutual pining, confessions!!

"this is so dumb."

"oh, don't be a downer, ashlyn!" aiden retorts, opening the pocky box, struggling to open the actual package. "this is gonna be so fun!"

"yeah!" taylor nods from her spot on the couch. "we're all friends, it won't be weird or anything. celebrities do this all the time!"

"this isn't a variety show like those kpop idols you watch, taylor," tyler rolls his eyes.

"don't disrespect them!" taylor points a finger at her brother.

"anyways," you say loud enough for them all to hear. "who should go first?"

"i want to!" both taylor and aiden raise their hands excitedly.

"alrighty then," you nod. ben takes the package from aiden who was still struggling and opens it before handing it to you. "taylor hernandez, in the right corner!" you announce as you stand up. "aiden clark, in the left corner!" you fail to notice a pair of eyes on you as you stand between taylor and aiden, taking a pocky out of the package. "okay, i'm going to give you guys one of these, both of you will have each end in your mouth and you'll get closer and closer until one chickens out. this is basically a fun game of chicken. remember, we're all friends! if anything happens, i doubt it'll do anything. are you two ready?" you glance between the two.

"ready!" they say and nod.

"awesome," you grin, handing the pocky to aiden. "round one, start!"

you sit back down on the couch next to ashlyn watching the next few rounds go on. you were grinning from ear to ear every time it was your turn, winning each time you competed. ben was keeping score for fun, and you were easily winning with aiden trailing close behind, only losing cause he backed out at the same time ashlyn did when they did theirs.

now, it was ashlyn and tyler, the second to last round before it was you and ashlyn. taylor was sitting beside you while watching aiden announce the start of the round.

"y'know, i think she's nervous," taylor says to you in a hushed voice.

"hm? i'm surprised she even agreed," you reply, looking over at taylor. "i mean, this was aiden's idea so."

"that's not what i mean," taylor shakes her head. "i mean clearly she's getting more nervous because you're the last round." she says, trying to subtly hint at you ashlyn's feelings towards you.

now you look at her with confusion. "why? cause i keep winning?" you question.

taylor stares at you with a deadpan expression. you're serious. jesus christ. "no," she says slowly. "because-"

"and tyler wins!" aiden exclaims, clapping his hands. "and another loss for ashlyn." he says with a sigh. "anyways! for the final round we have yn and ashlyn! yn, get your ass over here!" aiden grins.

you get up from your spot on the couch and stand in front of ashlyn, smiling lightly as aiden hands you the pocky.

"alright, this is the last round, folks!" aiden says. "if yn wins, she wins the whole thing! if ashlyn somehow manages to win...i guess she also wins the whole thing cause yn is undefeated! are you two ready?" he looks at you two.

"yep," you nod, grinning as you put one end of the pocky in your mouth.

"i guess," ashlyn mutters with a nod, taking a step closer and putting the other end of the pocky in her mouth.

"amazing! let the final round start!" aiden yells, taking a few steps back and sitting on the couch next to ben.

ashlyn's eyes don't meet yours as you take a bite off the pocky, inching closer to her. she can't believe she agreed to do this stupid thing. but, when she finally does look at you, a sudden wave of confidence hits her, and she's determined to win. whether that be making you back out or getting to the end and kissing you. she takes two bites off the pocky, getting much closer than you anticipated causing your breath to hitch in your throat, a small blush forming on your face as you peer back at her.

she's taking you serious, and you couldn't tell if that was a good thing or not. she had backed out within the first three bites with everyone else, and she just bite off more than you did first in all the other rounds. you try to keep your hands from shaking too much, shoving them in the pockets of your jacket so no one can see, starting to panic slightly as you take another bite.

one of ashlyn's eyebrows raise seeing you visibly tense up as you took another bite. you're nervous. that's new considering how well you were doing beforehand. a small smirk makes its way onto her face as she takes another bite, her lips inches away from yours.

you freeze as ashlyn takes another bite, thinking she would back out by now. there was maybe two inches left of the pocky, and you could feel her breath hitting your lips from how close you were. you're not sure if you're breathing at this point, seeing the smirk form on her face and realizing she knows you're nervous. shit, when did she suddenly look so pretty? your face heats up more as your thoughts run around, and you find yourself cursing and pulling your face away from her.

everyone's jaws drop as soon as you take a few steps back, staring in shock as you quickly turn and look away.

"holy shit..." aiden lets out, standing up. "ashlyn has won!" he exclaims, clapping his hands. "great job, ash! as for you yn, i'm disappointed! what the hell happened?!" he looks at you.

"nothing," you quickly shake your head, not being able to look at anyone knowing how much you were blushing. "i need something to drink," you say, speedily walking away into the kitchen.

leaning your back against the kitchen island, you cover your face with your hands, groaning quietly in embarrassment. "such a dumb idea," you murmur into your hands.

"that's my line, y'know,"

you jump in surprise at the voice, removing your hands from your face to see ashlyn standing in front of you, fairly close. your eyes widen slightly as she takes a step closer to you, your mouth feeling dry as you look at her.

"why were you so nervous?" she questions. "with me, i mean," she adds.

"what?" you try to play it off, very obviously lying. "i wasn't nervous."

"uh-huh," ashlyn nods, leaning closer to you and seeing your eyes go wider. "see, you're nervous again. i can hear your breathing hitch. so why?"

shit, that didn't work. you don't know what to do now. you either admit the feelings you had and hope it doesn't blow up in your face, or lie again and hope it works. with a quiet, hushed voice, you manage to get words out. "i-i like you,"

a small smile forms on ashlyn's face at your confession. "good, cause i feel the same," she says in the same voice as yours. "now, can i kiss you since your dumbass chickened out before i could?"

all you do is nod your head, leaning closer as she does, your lips connecting with hers. it was short, pulling away quickly to not get caught by the others. you smile at her fondly, reaching for her hand and grabbing it. "see? this wasn't that dumb of an idea."

"yeah, i guess," ashlyn nods, a tiny smile on her face. "i'm not doing it again, though.

"even if it meant you would get a free pass to kiss me?" you tease.

"maybe not."

#school bus graveyard #sbg #sbg x reader #school bus graveyard x reader #sbg imagines #sbg (webtoon)#ashlyn banner #ashlyn banner x reader #ashlyn x reader #request

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astarioffsimpmain · 2 years ago

Text

Cushioned Affections

Gale x Astarion x F!Tav

Warnings: Poly relationship discussion; insecurity; mention of past relationship abuse

Synopsis: Tav is tired of waiting for Astarion to make his move, so she allows Gale to make his first. But will that put an end to her and her favorite vampire spawn?

Author's Note: I'm a day late, I know, but this fic is for the BG3 Holiday Fluffle 2023, hosted by @justporo with the prompt "Getting Cozy"!

The chill that had settled over many of your nights in the last few months was slowly creeping its way into your days, infiltrating you and your motley crew through brisk winds that could cut through any armor and lay clothes, chilling you all to your very bones. The campfire became the favorite place of every one of your traveling companions - even Astarion, who usually preferred to observe the group’s frivolities from the entrance of his tent. But this evening, the aloof vampire had firmly wedged himself between you and your resident wizard, Gale, on one of the logs in front of the roaring flames.

“There’s a perfectly clear spot next to Lae’zel, you know.” Gale mumbled, clearly unhappy with the current seating arrangements.

“That seat could get me decapitated and I personally prefer to keep such beauty soundly attached, thank you very much.” Astarion replied haughtily, turning his nose up at the wizard’s suggestion before scooting closer to you, affronted.

“Rightly assumed, spawn.” Lae’zel spat, not so much as glancing up from her soup bowl.

“Hah!” Astarion exclaimed triumphantly, sending a taunting expression Gale’s way as he wrapped his shawl tighter around his already cold body.

“Well, I’m very glad you’ve joined us tonight, Stari.” you said, opening your arm to him and allowing him to snuggle close, a relieved sigh escaping his lips as your warmth enveloped him. “And Gale, thank you so much for the wonderful meal. I always forget I'm sleeping on the ground when you fix your soup.”

The compliment settled in Gale’s cheeks as they tinged pink and a smile graced his lips for the first time since Astarion had forced the two of you apart. “Why thank you, Tav.” he sent a charming smile your way over the mess of white curls between you. “You flatter me too much.”

“Yes, she does.” Lae’zel replied curtly, although she made no effort to hide her empty bowl.

“Nah, this shit’s awesome, Gale.” Karlach piped up, already filling up her bowl for the third time. “Anybody need a warm-up?”

“Me, if you would, Karlach.” Shadowheart passed her bowl across the fire to the tiefling, who grabbed it enthusiastically and held it between her palms as the flames beneath her skin crackled and popped to life for a few seconds before simmering down again. The contents of the bowl were now steaming as Karlach passed it back over to Shadowheart, who let out a pleased groan when the warmth hit her fingertips.

“Thank you all.” Gale said, a pleased smile on his lips. “I’m glad I could deliver a measure of culinary satisfaction to our treacherously meager living accommodations.”

“Darling, just say “thank you for the dick-stroking” and be done with it.” Astarion drawled, his eyes having lazily fallen closed once your fingers had wound their way into his hair.

“I’ll have you know,” Gale’s voice rose as he spoke over Karlach and Shadowheart who had burst out laughing., “My honed verbosity is one of the most prevalent things that earned me a place as one of the most well-respected voices of wisdom in Waterdeep, and beyond.”

“Oh yes, it was your tongue; of that I’m certain.” Astarion murmured, half asleep, and you bit down on the inside of your lip to keep the giggle from escaping as Karlach and Shadowheart descended into fits of cackling once again, while Lae’zel allowed the ghost of a smile to cross her lips. You even noticed Wyll choking back a chuckle over his soup.

Gale shook his head disapprovingly, and you thought things may have gone too far until an amused smile crept across the wizard’s face and he shot you a quick glance with mirth dancing in his eyes. You smiled back at him, the chill of the evening all but melted away in the presence of your unlikely group of friends.

After the fire had long since died, and many of your companions had retired to their own bedrolls in the shelter of their tents, you helped Gale clean up around the campfire, stacking bowls in on each other - deciding to wait for the warmth of the sun before taking them to the river to wash them out - and gathering the extra blankets to hoard for personal use.

Astarion sat idly by, book in hand, while you both worked, only looking up from the pages and stretching languidly when you paused in front of him. “Well, darling, are you ready to hide away and curl up in our own little cocoon for the evening?” he cooed, batting his long eyelashes at you demurely.

“Come on, Astarion, just say you’re desperate for a cuddle and be done with it.” Gale appeared over your shoulder smiling, pleased to have been given the chance to throw the words back in the vampire’s face.

“Actually,” you stepped in front of Gale and swatted at him playfully. “Gale’s got a new volume of that Dark Elf tales I’ve been reading as of late, and he wanted to read a few chapters with me before we went our separate ways. Would you like to join us? I know how much you enjoy those stories.”

Astarion chortled dismissively, rolling his eyes. “I think I’d prefer freezing to death than getting anywhere near the “wizard of Waterdeep”’s personal stash.”

You sighed, shrugging your shoulders and turning away. “Your choice. I’ll see you back in my tent afterwards either way. Although,” you pause, flipping your hair over your shoulder to match his dramatics. “It will be much warmer in Gale’s tent because we currently have all of the extra blankets. I do hope you’ll reconsider.” you teased, mimicking the vampire’s tonal lilt as you hoisted a few of the remaining blankets over your shoulder and walked off. In a few long strides, you caught up with Gale, who was struggling with his own bundle of blankets.

“Do you think he’ll drop by?” his voice came out muffled, his face fully blocked from your vision by a mountain of fluff.

A giggle bubbled out of you, and you patted some of the blankets away from his eyes. A muffled “thank you” reached your ears. “I don’t know, but I hope so. I do wish he didn’t keep to himself so often; he shouldn’t be alone. But he has to choose to let in the warmth himself - and not just mine.” Gale nodded quietly - a rare occurrence - and led the way to his tent.

You were ceaselessly amazed by the sheer number of books Gale Dekarios was able to keep with him; shelves upon shelves lined with volumes - everything from A Comprehensive History of Waterdeep to The Practicality of Learning the Weave and more - just waiting to dazzle you with the wonders inside. However, the books that caught your eye were front and center, at a perfect height for you - done intentionally, you had no doubt - was the Dark Elf trilogy, finally completed with a stunning hardback edition of Sojourn with a beautifully crafted image of the drow himself gracing the book jacket.

“Gods, Gale, wherever did you find it?” you murmured softly, stroking the spine tenderly.

"Ah, a wizard never reveals his secrets. But let’s just say, I do still have some influence in some of the cities we’ve passed through thus far, and was able to get my hands on a nice copy, just for you."

You clutched the book to your chest, beaming up at him from where you stood. "Thank you, Gale. Shall we read?" His heart skipped a beat, he thought, as he nodded and sat down amidst his pile of pillows and blankets and you settled in between his legs, your back pressing warmly against his chest as his arms wrapped around your front before his mind could even catch up with him.

“Are- are you sure you and Astarion are just friends?” the words slipped from his lips and he cringed at himself, a large part of him fearing the question would bring you to your senses and he’d lose this intimate connection he’d found with you.

“No, I’m not.” you admitted softly and his heart dropped into his stomach, his arms wrapping tighter around you in anticipation of the loss. “But I’ve told him that I have feelings for you too, and I’ve told him that while I’m patient enough to wait for him, he needs to tell me to wait for him before I will. I’ve…” you paused, sniffling a little as the emotions welled up inside of you. “I’ve had my heart broken a lot by being led on, or by waiting for people who, in the end, chose someone else; someone more-”

“Hey, shhh don’t do that.” Gale whispered in your ear, planting a chaste kiss there and squeezing you tight. “You’re plenty enough as you are, alright?” You nodded, breathing deep before continuing.

“I told him how much I care for him, and how much I’d like to have more with him. But I was also honest and told him how much I care for you, so I’ll tell you what I told him. If you need time, tell me to wait for you. Hopefully you’ll listen.” you mumbled the last part so softly that Gale could have missed it if he hadn’t been paying attention. But your words, your touch, your presence was his whole world right now, and he couldn’t possibly miss the sadness and longing left hanging in the air once you fell quiet.

“Well… I hope he’ll come around soon. But in the meantime, I don’t need to wait. I know my answer right now.” he murmured against your ear, reveling in the shudder that traveled the length of your spine in his hold. You turned your head just enough to lock your penetrating gaze with his, waiting for him to say the words. You wouldn’t settle for interpretations; not any longer. “I care for you, greatly, Tav. And if you find it in that beautiful heart of yours to save a place for me, I’d gladly reside there for the rest of my days.”

“Gale,” you whispered, your eyes clouding over with unshed tears of relief that flooded you like a sudden storm. He caught the emotions with his lips on yours, alleviating some of the weight of the emotional burdens that you had carried with you for all too long, and a sob escaped into his mouth. He swallowed the pain and lapped it up with his eager tongue, desperate to comfort your aching soul as his hands explored your body. You moaned softly into the kiss before pulling away, a little giggle leaving your lips as you nuzzled into his neck. You bit your bottom lip, your smile threatening to overtake the rest of your face as Gale's hands ran the lengths of your arms and back. "We're supposed to be reading." You chuckled, and Gale’s own laughter rumbled through your body in response.

"Then let us read, my sweet." He pressed a kiss to your temple and plucked the book from your hands, opening it to the first page before conjuring a few mage hands to do the rest while he wound his arms tightly back around you and began to read aloud.

You had enjoyed several chapters of the book together when a shadow moving outside caught your attention. You silenced Gale with a hand held in the air, your body tensing as you reached for your sword.

"Uhm… hello?"

The soft, tentative voice coming through the flap had your muscles relaxing immediately. "Astarion," you exhaled in relief and pulled the tent flap open. He stood there in little more than his ruffled undershirt and pants, shivering ever so slightly from the cold; his eyes a catastrophic blend of hope, fear, and vulnerability as they locked onto you. "Oh gods, Stari, come in here, you're freezing!" You fussed worriedly, opening your arms to him like you so often did, and you didn't miss the sudden ease of his sharp facial features as he gave in to your embrace, pulled to it like a moth to a flame, and settled into your arms like he belonged there. He did belong there.

You walked backwards, enough to seal the tent flap behind the elf, before your fingers found his curls as they always did, and he sighed happily as you scratched his scalp. He nuzzled closer to you, his icy cold nose finding a home in the nape of your neck as you calmed him. "I'm so glad you came." You mumbled into his hair and he merely hummed in response, pulling you flush against him and trailing his hands up and down your spine. After several quiet moments of quiet repose in each other's arms, you pulled back enough to look Astarion in the eyes.

"I-" He spluttered, his gaze flicking to Gale then back to you. "I really wanted to get a look at this book of yours, Gale. As Tav said, I enjoy the dark drow stories myself." He brushed some wrinkles out of his white shirt awkwardly and you took the opportunity to shoot Gale a deadly glare. Play along, it said. Or else.

"Of course." Gale chirped, trying to sound as casual as possible. "Well, it truly is a beauty, isn't it Tav?"

"Definitely." You smiled in silent thanks and reached for Astarion's hand, pressing the pad of a finger into one of his and allowing him to do the rest. "Come on. We're on chapter 5, but I'll give you a summary of what's happened so far." You sat down beside Gale, and Astarion beside you, and you launched into the details of what Astarion had missed in the first five chapters, forgetting the world around you and all of its present dangers: the tadpoles, the mindflayers, the Absolute, all of it, and diving into the adventure yet again. Gale glanced over at the new visitor in his tent, initially with dubiosity; he'd had no intention of sharing you if that's what it came down to. However, his resolve wavered ever so slightly once he took in the vampire’s face as he looked at you. Gale didn't know Astarion could even look like that: his features softened, the harsh lines and wrinkles missing from his pale face, and his eyes wide with wonder and- Gale paused, realization slamming into him at full force as the vermillion glint of the vampire's eyes in the candlelight revealed his secrets. Gale recognized that look. It was the same look he had in his eyes when he looked at you.

Love.

And as he watched, Gale saw the same look in your eyes, no matter which man they were trained upon. "Godsdamn it." He thought. "What in the hells am I going to do?"

"That's all that's happened so far." You clapped your hands together as you finished catching Astarion up. "Shall we continue?" You turned your head to Gale who said nothing, only nodded and prepared to cast another set of Mage Hands.

"W-wait, for a moment." Astarion stopped him hesitantly. "I'd- well, I'd like to say something first, Tav."

"Oh, of course." You looked back at him, your eyes wide and curious.

"I've been thinking about this for awhile, but I never really knew how to put it into words. However, I- ugh this is so ridiculously awkward with the wizard here too." He buried his face in his hands.

"I can leave for a moment if you-"

"Gods. No, it involves you, sit down." Astarion huffed, waving his hand in Gale's direction.

"Very well." Gale remained as he was, perched precariously on a pillow, his full attention on the vampire spawn.

"I've realized lately that, that I've never had someone who cares for me before - not that I can remember, anyway. And no one that could possibly measure up to you." He said the words to your fingers, which he had wrapped up in his own and was fiddling with tenderly in his lap. "I don't want to lose you, but I didn’t know how to tell you so, even when you told me how. It didn't feel quite right, it didn't fit. But I can say it now." He tilted his head up and met your eyes steadily. "I care for you, Tav. I- I need time to process whatever this is between us. But I don't want you to think I don't want you, because I do. And, if that package comes with a certain pompous wizard," he leveled Gale with a humored smirk. "Then I believe I could be alright with that arrangement. As long as he plays by the same rules we do, that is."

Gale shot you a quizzical look. "You have to be patient and respect all of his boundaries." You explained, and Gale’s face fell into a sorrowful understanding.

"Of course I would respect your wishes, Astarion. I may be the victim of some over-active hubris, a wildly inconvenient condition, and an intellect much larger than my single head can contain, but I am not a man without respect and understanding."

"So… by all of that you mean yes." Astarion quipped and Gale chuckled.

"Yes, Astarion, I mean yes."

"Wait, hold on a moment." You sat up on your knees between them, looking back and forth at the two men you'd come to love so much, settling on the wizard. "Gale, are you saying you'd be alright with a 3 person relationship? I didn’t know that was something you'd ultimately agree to."

"No definite answers yet. I'm working on it. Much like Astarion, the thought of being without you is slowly proving too much to bear. And perhaps having you around won't be too bad in the end, Astarion."

"Oh thank you kindly for those inspiring compliments, Gale." Astarion rolled his eyes, but the growing smile on his lips told the truth of his thoughts on the matter, and you squeezed his hand with a sudden giddiness.

"Anytime." Gale made a mock bow before sitting back down in the mess of pillows. "Now, are we going to read or shall I kick you both back out into the cold?" His mage hands appeared and he handed them the book.

"You wouldn't!" You gasped playfully, scooting closer to him.

"Yes, yes, you're right, I wouldn't. Come here, both of you. If you're going to see the drawings you'd better get close." You resumed your place between Gale's legs and opened your arms to Astarion, who crawled in between yours and curled up against your chest like a cat, his head resting on your shoulder, glancing up at the book every now and again to admire the artwork, then planting tender kisses along your jawline before settling back into you.

After several chapters more and an hour had gone by, Astarion purred softly against your chest while Gale rubbed your arm with one hand and Astarion's back with the other. Your hands were where they often found purchase - amidst soft white curls that were as light as air to your touch - , massaging small circles on the elf's head as he dozed, and you didn’t know how you could possibly be happier. You sighed blissfully, allowing your eyes to finally fall closed.

"Goodnight Gale, goodnight Astarion." You mumbled, already halfway gone.

"Goodnight, Tav." Gale whispered in your ear as you faded into a euphoric sleep, curled up between the men you loved; the men who loved you; the men who could possibly one day learn to love each other.

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