#she's hilarious. I overheard her last week starting a story with

[tam--lin]

Yesterday I got some of my kids (mostly eight-year-olds, for reference) to help me brainstorm themes that I can plan weekly activities around. Some of the keepers included:

WWE week

future week

survival week

"old school" week

Some that I declined to add to the schedule included:

"boy girl" week, where you max out your gender

Great Depression week

World War II week

[americasass91]

The Shield and the Sweater

Hello lovelies! This little fic came to me when the lovely, beautiful, talented @stargazingfangirl18​ asked a very important question on her blog. Would you rather be enemies to lovers with Steve Rogers or friends with benefits with Ransom Drysdale. Well my greedy ass wanted both. Thus the birth of this story. I also turned it around a little to make it fit into Siri’s 5k Soft Dark Challenge! I’ve never written anything dark before. Also not sure if this classifies as soft!dark or if it’s more dark. But it’s one of those! If that makes you uncomfortable, then please don’t read it. This is also my first time writing a threesome, so let me know if it sucks! I hope you enjoy it! 😘

General prompts:

8)The town golden boy isn’t as sweet as everyone thinks.

Dialogue prompts:

3)”Oh, honey, you weren’t supposed to see that.”

11)”I’ve waited a long time for this, sweetheart.”

Rating: Explicit(if you’re under 18, please leave)

Words: 6.2k(this one got away from me, sorry)

Warnings: soft!dark/dark themes, unprotected sex, anal sex, vaginal sex, threesome(M/M/F), manipulation, language, model!Ransom being an asshole, Steve not being who you think he is

“And I really think if everyone pitches in to make these changes, it’ll really make a difference in the long run.”

Wow, so this is how you were going to die. In your whole 20 something years of existence, you never thought boredom would be your cause of death.

Sure, you were the lead Accountant at Stark Tower and these monthly meetings were mandatory. But did you really have to be here to listen to Rogers go on and on about how we can ‘improve our working environment’? Why did he even care anyway? He was barely ever here as it is.

You must have been zoning out worse than you thought because next thing you know your coworker, Janet, is poking you in the side and pointing towards Steve.

With a quick glare sent her way, you move your gaze to the Captain. He is giving you the same look he always does. Like he’s disgusted with you. “I’m sorry Miss Y/L/N. Am I boring you?”

A scoff escapes your mouth. “No, not at all Captain Rogers. I just love when people who are never here seem to always have an opinion on how things are run and how they could be better.”

He narrows his eyes at you. “Do you have a problem with me, Y/N? Cause if you do, I’m sure there’s a way to solve that.”

You stand up and match his expression. You lean forward with your hands resting on the table. You can’t help but notice the Captain drops his gaze to your cleavage that’s now on more display than before. But just as quick as it was there, his gaze rises back up to meet your face. “Is that a threat, Captain Rogers?”

“Oh, it’s more than a-“

Tony quickly stands up and claps his hands together. “Okay! Meeting adjourned! You two, come here!”

You quickly straighten yourself up and make your way over to Tony. You always try to make sure you show him as much respect as you can. He’s your boss after all.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Stark. My emotions got the better of me. It won’t happen again.”

He nods to you. “Thank you, Y/N. I accept your apology. But what I’m not understanding is why Steve here wanted to fire you?”

You both turn to look at Steve who has a sheepish expression on his face. “Yeah, sorry about that, Tony. She just seems to bring out this ugly side of me. I’ll try to keep it more contained next time.” He then moves his gaze to you. “Sorry, Y/N. I promise to be more professional moving forward.”

He makes a quick exit, leaving you shocked that he apologized at all. Ever since you started here almost a year ago now, you’ve been at each other’s throats. It was your fault really.

It was your first week and you were in the break room grabbing some coffee when you overheard a few of your coworkers making fun of Steve for being a virgin. Now, you weren’t sure if it was true but you wanted to fit in so you made your way over to the group and asked if anyone calls him Captain Virgin. That earned you some big laughs. But the laughter died down quickly as Steve entered the room to grab some coffee. Judging by the glare he gave you, he heard what you had called him.

You went straight to Tony after that to apologize. You really didn’t want to get fired. But you wanted to make sure Tony heard the story from you before Steve got the chance to talk to him. To your utter surprise, Tony found the name hilarious and gave you a high five, saying you were going to fit right in.

Well long story short, it’s almost a year later and Steve is still getting called Captain Virgin. Oh but don’t worry, he has names of his own for you. His favorite is Tony’s Pet. For some reason, it really eats at you when he calls you that.

But the one thing you hate the most about Steve?

Is how utterly, hopelessly, and desperately attracted you are to the son of a bitch.

That happened in your second week when you went to use the complimentary gym and saw him beating the shit out of some poor punching bag. Your panties and your workout were definitely ruined after that.

The more you fought with Steve, the more you just wanted him to bend you over any surface and have his way with you.  

It was despicable how horny you were for him. You were pretty sure all he’d have to do is snap his fingers and point to the floor in front of him and you’d happily drop to your knees and take him down your throat.

So that left you leaving work every day in a horny state. You started by taking care of it yourself when you got home. But after a while even that wasn’t cutting it. Then you started bringing home one night stands. But after the 4th disappointing non-orgasm, you gave up and just learned to live with it.

Sure, you could attempt to start being nice to Steve and maybe ask him out. But you were pretty sure he hated you. Plus you have way too much pride to actually do that.

So that leads to now. It’s Friday night and your workday is almost over. You’re inputting the last few numbers from the last expense report in your pile.

You get the last number put in when Janet approaches you. She sits on the corner of your desk. “So, you coming tonight?”

You take your glasses off and lean back in your chair, stretching your arms over your head. “Coming where?”

She rolls her eyes at you. “Oh, come on Y/N! You know we go out almost every Friday night. You never come and you always say you will!”

You start to clear off your desk and put things back in their place. “Yeah well I could. Or I could go home and sit on my ass and do nothing.”

“Well, that explains why it’s looking a bit bigger lately.”

Janet’s jaw drops as she directs her gaze at Steve, who is now standing in front of your desk.

You smirk and lean on your elbows towards him. “You like looking at my ass, Rogers?”

He scoffs. “Well when it takes up that much space, it’s hard not to notice. But here, I came to give you this.”

He hands you what looks to be a 10 page expense report. “Sorry it’s late, I’ve been busy, you know. Saving the world.”

You ungraciously take it from him and throw it in your to-do pile. “That can wait until Monday. I’ve got plans. We’re going to-” you look towards Janet for clarification. “Lavo.” You turn your gaze back to Steve. “Yeah, we’re going to Lavo. So this will wait til Monday if that’s okay with you, sir.”

Steve does his best to move his bag and jacket subtly towards the front of his pants so you won’t notice his growing hard-on. He hates how turned on he gets when you guys get into it. And then you call him sir? Jesus. He clears his throat. “Of course, I'm the one who turned it in at the last minute.”

Janet speaks up quickly. “You could always come with us! It’ll be fun!”

You grin widely at him. “Yeah! You could finally get your cherry popped, Captain Virgin.”

Steve can’t help the blush that covers his cheeks. “Uh, I can assure you my cherry has been popped since the 40’s. But thank you for your concern. And thank you for the invite, Janet. But i think I’ll stay in tonight.” He takes out his phone and sends a quick text before turning around and walking towards the elevators.

Wow. He didn’t even try to retaliate. You shrug your shoulders and grab your purse before standing up. “Alright, I’ll go! But on one condition!”

Janet claps her hands in excitement and starts walking with you towards the elevators. “Sure, anything!”

You press the button for the lobby. “You are going to be my wingwoman. Cause this girl definitely needs to get laid.”

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Lavo is super packed by the time you guys arrive. Of course you all had to go home and change.

You decided to go with a simple, yet effective, little black dress that showed off just enough to get men’s attention.

Thankfully you are able to score the last table. The waiter comes over and gets everyone’s drink order. You decide to stick with your favorite. You don’t want to get too drunk on the off chance you find someone to take home.

About a half hour into hot office gossip, Lucy, who is sitting across from you, taps your arm. You raise your eyebrows in question towards her.

She subtly nods her head towards the bar. “Okay I’m pretty sure the hottest guy I have ever seen is checking you out.”

You can’t help the smirk that crosses your face. “Yeah? Which one?”

“You can’t miss him. He’s fucking hot. Like no comparison to any of the other dudes sitting up there.”

You glance down at your drink and quickly finish the remainder. You stand up and adjust your dress, pushing up your breasts in the process. “Well, then I guess it’s time for a refill.” You wink and turn to make your way towards the bar.

It doesn’t take long for you to spot him. And boy was Lucy not kidding. He was fucking hot. Brown hair, blue eyes, and a smug smirk that would normally turn you off. But on him it worked. And who even looks that good in a fucking cream colored cable knit?

You go up to the bar, not too close to Mr. Hottie of course, and patiently wait for the bartender.

Hottie McHothot not so subtly moves his gaze up and down your body. He must like what he sees. “Hey honey, have you ever raised chickens?”

Uh. That’s definitely not the first thing you expected to come out of his mouth. You look over at him with confusion on your face. “Uh, no. Why do you ask?”

He just shrugs his shoulders. “Just kinda figured you might. Cause you sure can raise a cock.”

Okay, you’ve definitely never heard that line before. You crack up. You’re pretty sure you even snorted on accident. Once you collect yourself you ask, “Has that line ever worked for you?”

The bartender makes his way over to take your order. After reordering what you had before, you turn towards Hottie and wait for his answer.

“Not sure, my buddy told it to me yesterday so this is the first time I’m using it. Did it work?”

You shrug your shoulders. “I don’t know. It was pretty cheesy.”

“Yeah, maybe. But it got you to laugh. So I’d say mission accomplished. Name’s Ransom. What’s yours, pretty girl?” He holds out his hand for you to shake.

Ransom. Now where have you heard that name before? You accept his hand shake. You can’t help but notice how much bigger his hands are than yours. Jesus. You could already feel your panties getting wet.

“My name’s Y/N. Ransom, that sounds familiar. Do I know you?”

He releases your hand and goes to take a sip of his bourbon. “Well, I guess that depends. Do you read magazines or have you seen the side of the city bus lately?”

You quickly wrack your brain. You don’t read many magazines. But the bus drives by you everyday on your walk to work. Holy shit! That’s it! He’s in his underwear on the side of the bus. You’ve drooled over that picture plenty of times.

“Oh, yeah! I remember now! I’ve seen you on the bus! What’s it an ad for? I can never really get past the almost naked man. A bit distracting on my way to work.”

He smirks as he briefly glances down at your breasts. “I’m glad you know my work. It’s an ad for Calvin Klein. For their new line of men’s briefs. Sorry I’ve been a distraction.” He sends you a wink.

Fuck. He was a model. And a popular one at that if he’s in an ad for Calvin Klein.

“I didn’t say I minded. You can make it up to me you know.” You wink back. Holy shit. Were you really flirting with a model?

“Yeah? Well, how about we get out of here and I’ll show you a fully naked man.”

Okay. Cheesy line number 2. Was that really going to work on you?

Yes.

Yes it was.

“Let me just go grab my purse.”

Drink forgotten, you go back to your table as quickly as you can without looking desperate. “Sorry, girls. But this is where I leave you.”

Janet glances down at her phone. “We haven’t even been here an hour yet! Where are you going?”

You send her a wink. “I’m leaving with that guy! You guys know him! Remember that ad on the side of the bus?”

They all turn their gaze to him. And they all make it very obvious. He just waves and sends them a smirk.

“Holy fucking shit! That’s the new Calvin Klein guy! Oh my god you lucky bitch!”

“Wait! Listen. We’ll let you go on one condition.”

You furrow your brows in confusion. “Okay?”

Janet gives you a naughty smirk. “On Monday I’ll need a report on if they had to stuff his briefs to get that delicious looking bulge or not.”

You give her a naughty smirk of your own. “I can totally do that.”

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Monday morning you were all smiles as you stepped off the elevator and headed towards your desk. You give Janet a wink as you pass by her. She quickly makes her way over just as you sit down. “Um, excuse me hoe. But is that the same dress you were wearing Friday night?”

You quickly grab the cardigan you always keep in your desk out and put it on and button it up, attempting to look a little more professional. “Maybe.”

Janet opens her mouth in shock. “You stayed the whole weekend with him? You little slut! How was it?”

You turn on your computer and grab for the expense report of Steve’s you left in your to-do pile. Then you turn towards your nosy coworker. “Well, if you must know, yes. I did stay the whole weekend with him. And I’m pretty sure I was in an orgasm-induced coma the whole time. It’s all kind of a rough, sticky, mind-blowing blur.”

“Are you going to see him again?”

You shrug your shoulders as you put in your login information on the computer. “I haven’t decided yet. While the sex was the best I’ve ever had, he’s kind of an ass. Talked about himself and all the famous people he’s hooked up with since becoming a model. I honestly kept initiating sex just to make him shut up.”

She gives you a look like you’re stupid. “I’m not seeing the issue here. So what if he talks about himself a lot? The sex was amazing. You need to lock that down girl.”

You roll your eyes at her. “That’s the thing, Janet. He doesn’t do relationships. He told me so multiple times. Plus I’m pretty sure he was texting another chick in between our ‘sessions’. I suppose if I’m desperate, I’ll get a hold of him.”

“You know you could always just have him on backup for sex. Like a friends with benefits situation.”

“Janet, I’m in my late 20s. I’m too old for that kind of relationship.”

“Exactly, you’re in your late 20s! This is the perfect time for that kind of relationship before you settle down and get married! Have one last final hoorah!”

“I can’t have this conversation before caffeine. I’m going to get coffee. You act like I’m dying soon or something.” You turn to walk away but then remember you were supposed to tell her something. “Oh yeah and by the way. The bulge is definitely not stuffed.”

You give her a wink and then head to the break room for some much needed coffee. When you see who’s in there, you almost contemplate going downstairs to a different break room.

Steve is standing at the counter, preparing his coffee. He turns when he hears you come in and gives you a once over. “Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

You grab a mug out of the cabinet beside him. “Sorry my appearance isn’t up to your standards today, Rogers. I was a little...busy this weekend.”

He takes a sip of his coffee to make sure it’s right. Then he moves out of your way so you can get to the coffee, but still staying close. “Busy getting run over by a truck? Cause that’s kind of what you look like.”

You pour yourself a generous amount of coffee and take a long sip, letting the bitter liquid slowly make you human. “Yeah, well. I was busy getting fucked all weekend, Rogers. But I know your little innocent mind wouldn’t know what that’s like.”

That wipes the stupid little smirk right off his face. He almost looks pissed. He moves even closer to you. Almost pressing himself right up against you. So close that you can smell his coffee-scented breath. If you were wearing panties, they’d be ruined.

“Not all of us feel the need to sleep around. Some of us are looking for a real connection. Not just a one night stand of meaningless, mediocre sex.”

You press yourself just a little closer to him, his chest now touching yours. “Oh, it was anything but mediocre. Maybe if you actually got some, you’d know what that feels like.”

He leans his head down until his mouth is next to your ear, his left hand now resting on your hip. “You really need to stop insinuating that I’m a virgin sweetheart. If you were nicer to me, I’d show you that I know how to fuck.” With that he backs up and heads out of the break room.

You let out the breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding. Jesus Christ. You swear you almost came.

And if you were nicer to him? Fuck him. He’s not nice to you either. That’s okay. You have someone who can scratch this itch.

You pull out your phone and send a quick text.

To: Fuckboi

You busy tonight? I could really use a release.

The reply came almost immediately.

From: Fuckboi

Didn’t get enough of my cock this weekend huh? I suppose I could make myself available.

You roll your eyes and quickly reply with your address and what time to be over.

The rest of the day passes by slowly. It takes you half the day to enter Steve’s expense report. God he’s descriptive. At least it’s completed. You can’t really say that much for the other Avengers. They usually half assed them and made them barely acceptable.

You are shutting down for the day when Steve approaches your desk. You remove your glasses and look at him expectantly. “Is there something I can help you with, Steve?”

A blush creeps it’s way across his cheeks. “Um, I was actually just wondering if you had time to go over the new expense report forms? They should be a lot easier to fill out.”

You glance down at the clock on your computer. Ransom is going to be at your place in about 20 minutes.“Can we do it tomorrow? I have company that’ll be showing up at my apartment in like 20 minutes.”

His hopeful smile falls. His face is now unreadable. “Would your company happen to be whoever you spent the weekend with?”

Confused, you grab for your purse after getting your computer shut down. “Actually, yes. Should I have asked your permission first?” You attempt a joke to ease the sudden tension.

He pulls out his phone and starts typing furiously. Wow. You weren’t aware he knew how to text. You hear it ping with a reply before he angrily puts it back in his pocket. “Sure, we can do this tomorrow. Wouldn’t want to get in the way of your whoreing around.”

Your jaw drops in surprise. Sure you guys were always throwing jabs at each other. But he’d never said anything like this before. And in such a mean tone.

You round your desk and stand right in front of him. “Fuck you, Steve.”

You hurry towards the elevators before he can see the tears that have welled up. You couldn’t let him know he had that power over you. Asshole. Thank god Ransom was coming over. Hopefully he could fuck what Steve just said right out of your head.

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You’ve lost count of how many orgasms Ransom has pulled from you with his mouth when there’s a knock on your door.

Ransom looks up at you from his kneeling position on your living room floor. “Did you invite someone else to join us, pretty girl?”

You scoff and push him away so you can stand up. You pull your dress down as you make your way towards the door. “Yeah. I can barely handle just you. I’m pretty sure if we added someone else, I’d actually die.”

You open the door and gasp in surprise. “Steve? What are you doing here?”

He rubs the back of his neck nervously. “Look, I know you probably already have company but I felt really bad about what I said to you earlier today and wanted to apologize.”

You have so many questions. “How did you know where I lived?”

That sheepish smile makes its appearance again. “I may or may not have looked in your employee file.”

You shake your head. “And you felt the need to come all the way here and apologize? Why not just text me?”

“It would only have felt right to me to do it in person. I really am sor-”

You feel a pair of arms wrap around you from behind. “Well, who do we have here? Why is Captain America at your door?”

You turn your head to address Ransom. “He just came by to apologize to me. I think he was just leaving.”

Steve has a disappointed look on his face. “Yeah, I suppose I was.”

“Awe, what a shame. I thought you were gonna ask him to join us, pretty girl.”

Steve’s eyes grow wide at the thought. You quickly speak up. “No, I don’t think he’d be comfortable with that. He’s a little old fashioned.” You give him a sincere smile. You didn't think that was a bad thing.

Steve looks back towards the elevators and then back to you. He clears his throat. “What if I wanted to join you?” Seeing your wide eyed look, he quickly adds, “Only if Y/N would be comfortable with that of course.”

You contemplate what the consequences could be in your head. But then you get distracted when Ransom starts grinding his hard on against your ass. “Come on, pretty girl. Make a decision.”

The next word comes out of your mouth faster than what your brain can process. “Okay.”

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Now you were standing awkwardly in your bedroom with Steve and Ransom looking at you expectantly.

You’ve never done this before so you’re not sure how this is supposed to go. “So, um. How do we start exactly?”

Ransom smirks and comes up behind you. “I think you should call the shots, pretty girl. If you’re okay with that, Steve?”

With the mention of his name, he walks towards you and places his hands on your hips. “I think that’s a great idea. Can I kiss you now?” He places his hand under your chin and raises your face up to meet his. “I’ve waited a long time for this, sweetheart.” With that, his lips meet yours. It’s explosive. You quickly wrap your hands around his neck and press yourself up against him.

You get so lost in the kiss, you forget that Ransom is there. That is until he presses his lips against your neck and presses himself against your ass. It presses you even further against Steve, making you feel his excitement against your lower belly.

You’re so overwhelmed already and you’d barely started. You may not survive this evening.

As you move your hands down to remove Steve’s shirt, Ransom is unzipping your dress, pressing kisses to every inch of exposed skin.

Without breaking the kiss, Steve moves his hands around to unhook your bra so he can get his hands on your breasts. He pinches your nipples, causing you to moan into his mouth. He moves his lips to your neck, sucking on your pulse point.

After successfully removing your dress, Ransom stands back up and turns your head to connect your lips. He starts rutting his clothed hard on against your naked ass. His left hand reaches around to bat one of Steve’s away so he can squeeze your breast.

Steve takes the hand that had been swatted away and moves it down to your soaking wet core. He starts lightly circling your clit. Just enough pressure to make you mewl.

You reach behind you with your left hand and tug at the waistband of Ransom’s briefs. “Off.” You moan out as you take your right hand and start attempting to take off Steve’s jeans. He smirks into your neck and helps you out. He barely gets them unbuttoned and unzipped before you’re reaching your hand into them and his boxers to grab his cock. It feels big.

Ransom grabs your left hand and places it on his now free cock. You wrap your hand around it and give it a squeeze before you start pumping your hand up and down. You do the same to Steve’s, making the both of them let out grunts against both sides of your neck. Steve increases the pressure on your clit a little. Still not enough.

“Nee-need, you. Please.” You weakly moan out. Ransom moves his mouth up to your ear. “How do you want us, pretty girl?”

You reluctantly pull away from both of them so you can think. You decide to be greedy. You point to Steve. “I want you to lay on the bed, please.”

He does as you ask. Putting his hands behind his head as he awaits further instructions.

You get on the bed and straddle him. You turn around and reach your arm out for Ransom. “Want you behind me.” You lean over and open your bedside drawer to grab the lube and toss it at Ransom. He smirks as he straddles Steve’s legs and gets behind you. He uncaps the lube and starts coating his cock with a generous amount. “Need my cock in that ass, pretty girl?”

You hold up your hand. “Wait.” You lean down towards Steve and give him a quick kiss. “Are you okay with this?”

He nods his head. “As long as you are.” You raise back up and smile at him. You turn your head and look at Ransom. “I’m assuming you're okay with this?”

He just smirks and squeezes some lube out so that it slides down the crack of your ass. “More than okay, pretty girl. Need me to stretch you out first?”

You smirk and pull him in for a quick, filthy kiss. “I think it got plenty stretched out this weekend.”

He matches your smirk. “You little slut. Wanting both of our cocks stuffing you full.”

You whimper as he lands a smack on your ass. Leaning up on your knees, you grab a hold of Steve’s cock and start running his tip up and down your folds. He places his left hand on your right hip and his right hand on your left thigh. “Condom?”

You quickly shake your head and pause your actions. “On the pill. Unless of course you’d be more comfortable with one.”

He shakes his head. “No, just making sure.”

You turn back to Ransom. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready for you.”

He nods and places his hands on your shoulders, waiting somewhat patiently.

You slowly sink down on Steve’s cock. He’s stretching you out so deliciously. It burns in just the right way. Ransom may be longer, but Steve is definitely thicker.

After you get fully seated on him, you take a minute to adjust. It only takes a few seconds. You turn your head towards Ransom. “Okay, I’m ready.”

He removes his right hand from your shoulder and grabs the base of his cock and starts pressing against the tight ring of muscle. He’d been in there a lot over the weekend. But it was still a tight fit regardless. He doesn’t go as slow and sheaths himself to the hilt, causing you to moan out in slight pain and pleasure.

Holy fuck. You feel so full. You think you might die. That is until Ransom removes his cock until just the tip remains and then forcefully thrust back in, causing you to grind on Steve’s dick.

Steve grunts out from the movement and starts thrusting up into you the best he can from his position. Ransom wraps his left arm around you and continues his thrusts, not letting up his pace. You don’t even really have to move, the both of them doing it for you. They somehow find the perfect rhythm. Each of them pulling out and pushing in at the same time. One of your hands is behind you, resting on the back of Ransom’s head while the other is resting on Steve’s chest.

Steve sits up suddenly and pulls you in for a kiss. “Like being stuffed with both of our cocks, pretty girl?” You hear from behind you. “Yes. So good. So full. Gonna cum.”

Ransom removes his arm from around you and reaches down and starts circling your clit. “Do it. Cum all over us. Make a mess.”

Steve can feel you squeezing him. “Please, sweetheart. Need to feel you cum on my cock. You’re gripping me so good.”

You explode. You clamp your eyes shut, seeing stars behind your eyelids. You let the both of them fuck you through it.

Ransom’s hips stutter. The fluttering around his cock is too good. He cums with a shout of your name, filling up your ass to the brim. He gives you a few more thrusts before he pulls out and collapses beside you two.

Steve’s been patient while you come down from your high. He lays back down, pulling you with him so that your chest to chest. He bends his knees and grabs onto your hips. “You ready, sweetheart?” You raise up, both of your hands on each side of his head. You give him a nod.

That’s all he needs. He starts fucking you, hard and fast, chasing his release. He can feel it building. He just needs to feel you come undone around him again. He moves one of his hands and starts circling your clit with his thumb. “Need you to cum for me again, Y/N.”

You shake your head. “Can’t. Too much.”

Ransom sits up beside you. “I know what she needs.” He reaches over with his left hand and wraps it around your throat, squeezing gently.

It makes you clench down on Steve’s cock. “Yeah? That all you needed, sweetheart? A hand wrapped around your pretty throat? I know you like it. Can feel you squeezing me.” He picks up his pace. The only sounds that can be heard are his grunts, your breathy monas, and skin slapping against skin.

It doesn’t take long for your orgasm to hit you. This one is somehow even more intense than the last.

You must’ve blacked out for a few seconds because the next thing you know, you’re waking up in between Steve and Ransom.

Steve smiles down at you. “There she is. We lost you for a second, sweetheart.”

You feel drunk. You smile goofily up at him. “Did you cum?”

Just as you ask that, you can feel his release seeping out of your overused cunt. Then you feel cum leaking out of your ass. You hide your face behind your hands in embarrassment. “I can’t believe we just did that.”

Ransom removes one hand while Steve removes the other. “Nuh uh uh. No hiding allowed, pretty girl. I have no regrets.” He looks at Steve. “Do you?”

Steve smiles down at you and leans down to press a soft kiss against your lips. “None from me. You tired, sweetheart?”

You let out a big yawn and nod your head, slowly closing your eyes. “Get some rest, pretty girl.” That’s the last thing you hear before sleep takes you.

😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈

You wake up sometime in the early morning, stretching out your sore limbs. You know you have a dumb smile on your face. But you can’t help but notice your empty bed.

You sit up and hiss at the deliciously sore feeling between your legs. You grab your robe and slip it on. You can smell coffee coming from the kitchen. You giddily make your way out of the room and down the hallway. They both barely just come into view, still unaware you’re there, when you hear Steve speak.

“I thought you were going to be an asshole to her? Make her see I’m not that bad.”

You hear Ransom next. “I was an asshole to her. I’m sorry I dicked her down so good that she wanted more.”

Steve scoffs. “I never gave you the okay to fuck her!”

“You also didn’t tell me it was off limits. Look you got what you wanted right?”

“No, actually I didn’t. I didn’t pay you so we could have a threesome together.”

What the fuck? Steve paid Ransom to help him get in your pants?

“Ok, how about this? I’ll give you all of your money back if I can fuck her one more time before I go? Then we’ll be squared away.”

Steve seems to be conflicted. “Fine! But this is the last time Ransom. I have to get to work anyway. After this, she’s mine. And make sure she’s not late for work herself.”

Before you have time to react, Steve rounds the corner and sees you standing there. He has a deer caught in headlights look. Ransom comes up beside him and sees you. “Oh, honey, you weren’t supposed to see that.”

You slowly start backing up towards your bedroom. Steve moves towards you, stopping once you put your hands up. “Stay away from me! Both of you! I want nothing to do with either of you!”

Ransom moves past Steve and grabs onto your arms. “Oh, please. You’d fuck us again if we wanted. Wouldn’t you?”

You spit in his face. “Fuck you, Hugh.”

He gets a sinister look on his face. “Wrong move, pretty girl.” He looks toward Steve. “Don’t worry, I’ll fuck the brat out of her. You better tell her boss she won’t be in today.”

Your eyes go wide at his words. You start thrashing against him, trying your best to get away. Steve has had enough. He comes over and yanks you away from him and presses you against the wall. “You better calm down, sweetheart. I’ll treat you like a princess if you can be my good girl. Can you do that?”

You shake your head. “Why would you think I’d want anything to do with you after finding out you paid someone to help get into my pants?”

He gives you an evil smirk. “Because if you don’t, I’ll just have to release the tape of last night on the internet. Let everyone see how much of a slut you actually are.”

You narrow your eyes at him. “You’re bluffing.”

He smirks and turns his head towards Ransom. “Show her.”

Ransom gets his phone out of his pocket and swipes at the screen for a second before turning it in your direction.

Holy shit. They weren’t bluffing. There you were, getting fucked by the both of them. That would ruin you if it got out. Not only would you get fired, but your parents would probably disown you. You’d never have a normal relationship again. You’re fucked. Even more than you were last night. How had you not noticed they were recording it?

Ransom must have read your mind. “I set my phone up while you were busy with Steve’s fingers on your cunt and his tongue down your throat. I think you need to ask her again Steve.”

Steve grabs your chin and moves your gaze onto his face. “I’ll ask you again. Are you going to be my good girl? Let Ransom fuck you one more time and then it’ll just be me and you?”

You drop your gaze to the floor. You feel a tear run down your cheek as you whisper out, “I’ll be your good girl.”

Taglist: @stargazingfangirl18​ @drabblewithfrannybarnes​ @harrysthiccthighss​ @lllols @patzammit​ @quxxnxfhxll​

Steve Taglist: @donutloverxo​

[theladyofdeath]

Life As We Know It {Chapter 22}

Summary: After the sudden deaths of Nesta’s sister and Cassian’s best friend, they gain guardianship of their nephew, Nyx.

Based on Life As We Know It (2010) and a prompt sent in by anonymous for our Nessian fanfic contest. This is a modern au.

Instead of doing a tag list for this story, we have decided to have a set posting schedule. Chapters will be posted weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Occasional surprise chapters could be posted at miscellaneous times. Chapters will be posted on both my and Shelby’s blogs! >> @snelbz​​

Life As We Know It Masterlist

Shelby’s Masterlist

Tara’s Masterlist

Cassian was happier than he ever thought he’d be.

Over the past few weeks, he, Nesta, and Nyx had really become their own little family. It seemed that after all the heartache, after all the awkwardness, everything was falling into place. 

Since that night they had slept together, again, Cassian had spent every night with Nesta in her bed, and awoken to her face every morning. 

Cassian had been training his replacement at the bar, and the opening of his bar in Nesta’s restaurant was quickly approaching. 

Perfect.

Everything was going perfectly. 

It was a Saturday and both he and Nesta had off, which meant they got the rarity of spending the entire day together, just the three of them. 

And it was Halloween.

There was a little Halloween carnival going on downtown, just outside of the Rainbow along the Sidra. 

And although Cassian was happier than he ever thought he’d be, he did feel completely and utterly ridiculous as he looked in the mirror and saw his reflection, dressed in the Halloween costume that Nesta had bought for him. 

It could have been worse, he decided, donning the floppy hat it had come with. He didn’t have paint all over his face and he wasn’t dressed as a dog, like Rhys had been the year prior. Just a smidge of eyeliner Nesta had coerced him into letting her put on him. And he may only have one hand, thanks to the “hook” he had to wear, but at least he had a bad ass looking sword.

Even if it was plastic.

Nesta appeared in the doorway, wearing a green dress and matching slippers, complete with white balls of fluff adorning the toes. “You about ready to go, Captain Hook?”

He slowly turned to look at her. “Is it the hair? Hmm? Are you one of those girls where long hair automatically means pirate?”

Nesta raised a brow as she crossed her arms. “Are you complaining?”

Cassian blinked. “These leather pants are so tight that I don’t think my balls are going to survive the day.” 

Nesta’s grin was feral. “I promise to make it up to the boys once we’re back home.”

Cassian’s eyes narrowed. “Tease.” 

“Not a tease,” she crooned. “A promise.”

She gave him a wink before leaving the room and walking down the hall. After a curse about how turned on he now was, Cassian followed. 

At the bottom of the stairs in the living room, Nyx was standing up in his little Peter Pan costume. Cassian laughed, quietly. “You put the poor kid in tights.” 

“He looks adorable!” Nesta hollered, from where she had disappeared in the kitchen. 

Nyx looked at Cassian for a moment, slightly confused, but then recognition lit his eyes and he giggled, reaching up for his uncle. The second Cassian picked him up, Nyx was playing with his floppy hat. 

“Pretty damn cute, alright,” Cassian said, chuckling. “Ready, Nes? Bands start playing soon. A couple of local bands I know will be playing, I think you’ll like them.”

Nesta swept out of the kitchen with a tiny cooler bag full of water, juice, and snacks. “Then let’s get going.” 

After a short ride and a short walk, they entered the carnival and spotted Elain, Azriel, and Seph sitting in the grass, listening to the music. Azriel was dressed as Tigger, Elain was Pooh, and Seph was the cutest Piglet they had ever seen.

Cassian plopped down by Azriel and chuckled. “And I thought my costume was bad.”

Azriel looked over at him. “Shut up, Captain Jack.”

Cassian gasped indignantly. “I’m Captain Hook, you heathen.” He held up his left hand and shook the cheap, plastic hook in his face. “Get your pirates straight.”

The cousins were instantly squealing at each other, Seph having recently started crawling and Nesta couldn’t help but smile down at them as she sat next to Cassian. He slung an arm around her and pulled her into him, kissing the top of her head.

Nesta looked at Elain and caught her small smile, even though she tried to turn away before her older sister caught her. “What?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Elain shook her head, but that smile was still on her face. “Nothing.”

“Tell me,” Nesta said, leaning forward to see her around Cassian and Azriel.

“It’s just…” Elain blinked and Nesta could’ve sworn she saw tears shimmering in her sister’s eyes. “It’s just nice to see you happy.”

Nesta stilled for a moment. Was she happy? She supposed she was. It had all happened so quickly that Nesta hadn’t hardly realized.

She was happy. 

Judging from his laughter with Azriel, and the way his fingers brushed along her skin, Nesta assumed that Cassian was happy, too.

“It’s a good thing, you know,” Elain whispered, when Nesta said nothing. “A very good thing.”

Nesta remained quiet, but she leaned into Cassian’s side with a little smile of her own.

The music began to play, and Nyx was having the time of his little life. He stood and danced, having no idea what was going on, but loving every second of it.

There were small tents set up around the carnival, passing out candy and other little toys and treats for the kids. Helion was there, at a tent sponsored by Nesta’s restaurant, handing out cookies and brownies she’d spent the past few days baking. Nesta had always loved Halloween, and having Nyx to enjoy it with made her love it all the more. They walked around while the bands continued to play, Nyx’s little bucket filling up with more candy and treats than the little boy could ever eat. Cassian ensured Nesta that it would not go to waste, but she just rolled her eyes.

“You know, I’ve always been a fan of Tinker Bell,” Cassian said, while they were eating candy apples.

Nesta looked at him, brow raised. “Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Hook.”

Cassian chuckled, looking at Nyx while he nibbled on some goldfish that Nesta had packed in the cooler bag. “And what about Cassian?” Cassian asked. “Are you a fan of him?”

Nesta laughed, softly. “Are you asking me if I like you, Nazari?”

Cassian’s eyes lit with amusement. “I care about you, Nesta. That’s what I’m saying.”

The words she longed to say got stuck in her throat. The truth she’d wanted to tell him since his birthday over a month ago, when they’d finally succumbed to their desire for each other. But she wouldn’t. She couldn’t, not here, not right now, with strangers around them. Elain and Azriel weren’t far, but…

Something about those words. She wanted it just to be the two of them.

So Nesta chose to smirk instead, reaching over and rubbing caramel off his cheek. “You aren’t half bad, I guess.”

He sighed, dramatically, looking up into the sky. “I knew it, you’re only in it for the sex.”

“Cassian!” She blushed furiously, hoping no one had overheard him.

Grinning, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Nyx threw a goldfish at them, hitting Cassian in the side of the face.

Nesta couldn’t stop her laughter as she pulled back.

Even after a month, Nyx didn’t like Cassian kissing her. The fit he threw the first time he’d seen them kiss on the couch while he was playing with his toys on the floor and they watched a movie would go down in history as the worst meltdown the two of them had seen.

Nesta thought his continued, but lessening, tantrums were hilarious. Cassian could only roll his eyes.

“Was that necessary?” Cassian asked.

“Da,” Nyx said, popping a goldfish into his mouth. It was the closest thing he’d come to yes thus far.

“He used to like me, you know,” Cassian said, looking at Nesta, “before the two of us were together.”

Nesta shrugged. “He’s protective, what can I say?”

“You can say, to him, that you like it when I kiss you,” Cassian replied.

Nesta laughed as Nyx threw another goldfish at Cassian. “He’s smart, Cass. He may be a baby, but he knows you’re talking smack over here.”

“I would never talk smack about a baby,” Cassian said, taking a bite of his caramel apple. “Even if it’s true.”

It wasn’t too much later that Nyx was falling asleep, his little, green cap long forgotten and tucked into the pocket of Cassian’s obnoxious coat. He gently rubbed Nyx’s back as he slept on the blanket they’d laid out on the lush grass. Footsteps and a groan alerted him to Azriel’s presence as he sat down next to Cassian. Seph, in a carrier strapped to his chest, had been asleep for nearly an hour already. Cassian couldn’t help but smile at his brother and niece.

“So you two are actually making this work, huh,” Azriel said, smiling down at Nyx.

Cassian’s laughter sounded as if even he had a hard time believing it. “I guess so. It’s just…so easy with her.”

“I get it. I completely get it,” Azriel said, looking at something over Cassian’s shoulder, and from the way his eyes softened, he knew his brother’s gaze had found Elain.

“I think she feels the same way,” Cassian said. “She’s hard to read, though. Easier than she used to be - thank the Mother - but sometimes… I just want to grab her by the shoulders and ask her what the hell is on her mind.” 

Azriel snorted. “Nesta is…”

When he didn’t complete his sentence, Cassian raised an amused brow.

“An interesting woman,” Azriel finished, at last.

Cassian laughed, quietly. “Yeah, she is. But, that’s what I like about her. She’s not a surface-level person, you know? She’s like an onion.”

Azriel blinked. “An onion?”

Cassian nodded. “A lot of layers.” 

Azriel laughed, quietly. “I would keep that one to yourself. Not sure how Nesta would feel about being called a vegetable that makes you cry.” 

Cassian chuckled, and shrugged. “I think it sounds nice.”

Azriel grinned and looked down at Seph. “Do you see it working out long term, then?”

“You make it sound like a legal document,” Cassian replied, snorting.

Azriel shook his head. “Fine. I’ll ask it simpler, then. Do you love her?”

He hesitated. “It’s only been a month.”

“And?” Azriel asked. “You’ve lived together for half a year. You've known her for over five years.”

Cassian was quiet. He contemplated Azriel’s question, watching the gentle rise and fall of Nyx’s breathing. “I don’t know.”

“You still think Rhys and Feyre didn’t know what they were doing when they set you up all those years ago?”

Looking up at Azriel, Cassian wasn’t expecting to find him smiling softly. “I still think they were bat shit insane,” he chuckled. “But… No. I get it now. They… They just wanted to give us the chance to be as happy as they were.”

“And are you?” Azriel asked, curiosity on his face.

Cassian looked around, finding Nesta laughing with Elain and Mor and Emerie and Gwyn. The smile as he watched her wasn’t faked. “Yeah. I am.”

Azriel’s smile was as genuine as his own. “Then I think you know.”

*

It had been a good day, and an even better night. 

Nyx fell asleep in his carseat on the way home, and Nesta had gotten him out of his costume and into a fresh diaper and pajamas without him hardly stirring. After that, when Nesta meandered into her bedroom, she found a half-dressed pirate with a mischievous glint in his eye. He had made a show of taking Nesta’s costume off with his hook, which had her unable to stop the wide smile, the giggling, that escaped her control. 

It was all sweet, adorable play until his lips found her skin, and then Nesta’s giddiness faded away as complete euphoria took control of her body. 

They laid together as Halloween faded away and November 1st approached. Nesta’s fingers danced over his bare chest. 

“Today was a fun day,” she said, quietly, as she watched her fingers move along his tattoos. 

“It was,” he murmured, already half asleep, his arm wrapped around her, tucking her into his side. He had spent most of his day chasing down Nyx, while Nesta had watched, a smile on her face, as Elain took picture after picture. She’d promised to email the best ones to Nesta as soon as she’d edited them.

She could tell Cassian was exhausted as she looked up into his handsome face, the eyeliner still smudged under his eyes. Sensing her gaze on him, he cracked an eye open and looked at her. “What?”

She shook her head, laying it back down on his chest. “You still have make-up on,” she chuckled.

“What?” He asked. “You don’t think I look pretty?”

Snorting, she nestled into his warm body, settling as his calloused fingers scraped over bare waist. She felt his lips press against the top of her head and in that moment, she realized that this was how it was supposed to be. Nothing had ever felt as…right as this did. As being with him did.

“Cass?”

He grunted in answer, and Nesta realized he was just about asleep.

She decided not to reveal the bit of truth she’d been about to, not when he very well might not remember it the next day.

Instead, she settled her head back on his chest, and said, “I had fun today.”

He mumbled something that sounded like me too, but within seconds, his breath had evened out, and he was asleep.

She wouldn’t reveal that bit of herself, not tonight. But tomorrow…

Tomorrow, she would tell him.

And she prayed he felt the same way.

*

It was hardly after eight when Nesta woke up and found Cassian beside her, in bed, with a sleeping Nyx on his chest. He was scrolling through his phone, his back propped up against the headboard, his sweatpants nearly blending into the navy blue comforter. 

Nesta blinked a few times before she yawned and said, “Good morning.”

Cassian’s eyes darted away from his phone, to her. He smiled. “Good morning. Little man woke up about an hour ago. Fell asleep again five minutes ago or so. Apparently he got worn out yesterday.”

Nesta chuckled. “I’d say so.”

“I was going to put him in his crib but he seems comfortable,” Cassian said. “I can, though, if you want me to make breakfast.”

Nesta shook her head as she propped herself up on her elbows. “That’s okay. I can make breakfast. I was in a french toast type of mood.” 

“Sounds good,” Cassian crooned, and Nesta reached up to kiss him, softly, before dragging herself out of bed. After slipping on some cozy shorts and one of Cassian’s oversized t-shirts, she was headed downstairs. 

Sunday mornings were her favorite, nowhere for either of them to be. Just time together and time with Nyx. She was humming quietly to herself after she’d made a pot of coffee, pulling what she needed to make French toast and bacon out of the fridge when there was a sudden knock on the front door.

Nesta froze, listening to ensure she had in fact heard—

Another knock, just as insistent as the first.

“Was that the door?” Cassian was carrying Nyx downstairs, the baby’s pacifier barely staying in his mouth as he sleepily leaned his head on his uncle’s bare shoulder.

“Yeah,” she replied, eyebrows furrowing as she reached the door and opened it.

Nesta froze as she found Alis Birch on the other side.

“Ms. Archeron, good morning,” she said, eyeing her choice of attire.

“Ms. Birch, good morning. What a surprise,” she said, trying not to panic.

“I hope it’s a good time,” she said, looking past Nesta to see what chaos she could find. “This is the last of my surprise visits.”

“I see,” Nesta said, then cleared her throat as she stepped aside. “Come in, please.”

Alis did not need to be told twice. She swept past Nesta and into the foyer, where Cassian caught sight of her. He stopped as their eyes met, and he hesitated.

“Ms. Birch,” he said, as if it were a pleasant surprise. “Nice to see you again.”

“You too,” she said, looking at Nyx. “Big Halloween, was it?”

“Fun Halloween,” Cassian corrected. “We were at the carnival downtown for most of the day. He had a blast.”

Alis nodded, but said no more.

“Have a seat,” Nesta said, gesturing to the living room furniture. “Please.”

Alis sat in a chair while Cassian carefully and slowly sat back on the couch, Nesta sitting beside him.

Before anyone could say anything else, Alis said, “The two of you have become intimate.” 

Nesta swallowed roughly while Cassian could only blink. After a moment, she collected herself. “I—We…”

“It’s fairly recent,” Cassian admitted, taking over when it was clear Nesta was floundering.

She wanted to demand how she could tell, but she was very clearly wearing his shirt while he wore nothing at all, aside from his sweats. They were cooking breakfast while the baby dozed. It was all so…domestic.

Alis would have been blind not to notice it.

She hummed once before opening her notebook and scribbling a few notes down. “The two of you have come a long way in a few months then, since you were barely even friends the last time I was here.” She threw Nesta’s own half-drunk words into their faces.

“Things have changed,” she breathed, yearning to reach over and take Cassian’s hand, but not wanting to look weak in front of the woman.

The woman who controlled whether or not they’d be keeping Nyx.

“So, this is not a fling, then?” Alis asked.

Cassian opened his mouth, but it was Nesta who politely said, “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure how our romantic life is an appropriate topic-.”

“Oh, it is most appropriate,” Alis assured them both. “If this is nothing but a fling, it could create a lot of drama in the home, which could in turn affect Nyx’s well being. However, if this is love, something that will become steadier day by day, then I could not be more overjoyed.”

You don’t sound overjoyed, Nesta wanted to say, but didn’t. 

“We are aware that everything we do affects Nyx,” Cassian said, not unkindly. “We thought it through before we decided to get together.”

Nesta almost wanted to laugh. Thought it through? They hooked up twice, and the second time it stuck. She wasn’t sure that was exactly thinking it through. In fact, there hadn’t been much thinking at all.

It just kind of...happened. 

Nyx had indeed lost his pacifier at some point and patted Cassian on the cheek.

“Babababa,” he chanted, which the two of them had learned meant he wanted his bottle and Cassian stood.

“Excuse me, I’ll be back,” he said, carrying Nyx into the kitchen.

Alis held Nesta’s stare, eventually asking, “Does Nyx have a support system, outside of the home?”

She blinked. “I’m afraid I don’t follow.”

Alis set down her pen and looked at Nesta as if she were the child in this situation. “Let’s say things don’t last. Let’s say whatever is between you and Mr. Nazari isn’t a love match and it falls apart. Aside from the two of you, does Nyx have other people who could step in to take care of him?”

“I don’t see why he would need it,” she replied, her voice cold. “Even if things don’t work out, Cassian and I will still take care of him. Nyx is our responsibility now. We love him.”

“And will you do that from one home?”

“We… I…” Nesta shook her head. “Ma’am, with all due respect, we haven’t even had time to figure out what exactly this is between us.”

Alis scooped up her bag and tucked her notebook against her chest as she stood. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of. And I’d like the two of you to have that figured out before my next visit. I’ll reach out a few days before, so you can expect me. But I’d like this…” She gestured around her, “situation to be more straightforward before I return.”

She turned and headed for the door.

When Cassian came back, Alis was gone. He blinked, Nyx now awake, downing his milk. “Where’d she go?”

“She left,” Nesta said, quietly. “She’ll let us know when she’s coming next time.”

Cassian’s brows furrowed as he sat next to Nesta on the couch. “What’s wrong?”

Nesta hesitated, then said, “I think she thinks that us getting together is a mistake.”

Cassian looked at Nesta for a moment, then snorted. “She also thought that us living together, unromantically, and raising Nyx was a mistake.” 

Nesta said nothing as she watched her hands, quietly.

Cassian’s smile faded away. “What? You don’t think us getting together is a mistake, right?”

“No, of course not,” Nesta said, but it lacked passion.

Cassian watched her. “Nesta.”

“She brings up some good points, Cass,” Nesta breathed.

Cassian’s jaw ticked. “What does that mean?”

Nesta closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Well, what if we don’t work out? What will happen? We should at least have a plan.”

“You don’t think we’re going to work out?” Cassian asked. 

“I don’t even know what we are, Cassian,” she breathed, opening her eyes, but continued staring at her hands. “Am I your girlfriend? Are we exclusive? Is this just what’s convenient for us both?”

Cassian was staring at her, unable to think of anything to say, barely able to understand what had happened in the past thirty minutes since he’d gotten out of bed. “This sure as hell isn’t just about convenience, not for me. But if it is for you, I guess I’d like to know now.”

She still didn’t look at him. “I don’t know, Cass.”

He had no idea what to say, no idea what to do. He shook his head. “I’m going to take Nyx on my jog with me. When we get back, you let me know if this is still convenient for you.”

His voice was colder than she’d heard it in months, barely recognized it as he silently made his way up the stairs. She didn’t move, could hardly think as she heard him get changed and then dress Nyx as well. 

Her face fell into her hands.

This isn’t how she wanted the morning to go.

As she laid in bed with him the night before, listening to the steady beating of his heart after he fell asleep, she had a long list of things she wanted to say to him today, had a long list of emotions she wanted him to feel.

Pissed wasn’t one of them.

Unsure wasn’t one of them.

Nothing was going as planned.

It wasn’t until Cassian was carrying a babbling Nyx back down the stairs that Nesta looked up. Cassian wouldn’t meet her eyes.

“Cass-,” she began, but he strode through the living room and out the door, the door closing just a little too hard behind him.

No, this wasn’t how she wanted the day to go.

She didn’t get to tell Nyx goodbye.

She didn’t get to tell Cassian goodbye, or any of the other things she had planned.

But maybe it was for the best. Maybe things would continue to fall into place, just not the place that she had planned.

Nesta sat back on the couch, her face falling back into her hands.

As the first tear fell, she wondered if this was a part of Feyre’s plan. 

[andie-cake]

Right, so it's pretty well-agreed upon that there's literally NO way Emma could've been the android in TGWDLM.

But like, can you imagine how fucking hilarious it would've been if she WAS?

Like, Cup of Poisoned Coffee starts up, and Emma 2 just IMMEDIATELY grabs Nora and Zoey by their necks and YEETS them over the counter. Paul is watching on completely dumbstruck, and Emma 2 is just like

And then they go to alley and Paul's just like "what the FUCK was that about!?", and Emma 2 says "So, funny story! I'm an android from the future, and I murdered the original Emma so I could take over her life! Nbd, nbd". Meanwhile Paul's over here on the verge of a mental breakdown bc on top of this musical apocalypse, he just found out that the woman he's been crushing on for an undisclosed amount of time is a Murder Toaster from the Future.

So Bill, Ted, and Charlotte pop out, and they SUPER overheard that ENTIRE conversation. But before anyone can really say anything about it, Sam and the cops show up. The SECOND a note leaves Sam's mouth, Emma 2's just like "oh FUCK that", and whacks him over the head with the trash can lid, and probably kills the other cops too. Ted's immediately like "Okay, yeah, she's staying" bc if this really is the apocalypse, having a hyper-competent death machine on your side is a VERY good idea.

They go to Hidgens, and things proceed pretty normally for a while. Paul and Emma's conversation proceeds,,, differently, not really sure what they'd talk about. Anyways, Charlotte comes in.

Infected!Charlotte: It is time, TO DIIIIIIIIIIII-

Emma 2: I THINK THE FUCK NOT, BITCH *immediately beams her in the head with a chair*

She makes quick work of Charlotte and Sam, with No Hesitation I might add. She's a robot, she doesn't give a shit, man. Everyone is slightly horrified, and when Hidgens comes in, still with his cigarette and shotgun, he's VERY disappointed that he didn't get to shoot anything. But he doesn't suspect anything's off. Bill gets the call from Alice, and instead of the debate being "Should Bill go to save his daughter?" it's "Let the goddamn death bot go with you, dude." But she has to stay behind to assist Hidgens in the lab.

Emma 2 is listening to Hidgens go on about the Hive's origins and world peace and all that, and then...

Emma 2: -So if we take it out, will all these things just die?

Hidgens, pulling his syringe out: That's a sound theory, Emma. Which is why it must never leave this room...

*he injects the needle into her neck*

Emma 2, COMPLETELY unaffected: ?

Hidgens: what the fu-

So Emma 2 just straight up fucking STRANGLES Hidgens for trying that shit, he's dead now, no Workin' Boys pitch for him. Paul shows up, and they grab the still-drunk-because-he-wasn't-knocked-out Ted so they can get to the helicopter in Oakley Park. Since Workin' Boys didn't happen, Jreg doesn't show up and drag Paul off and cause Ted to run away like a lil bitch, so they ALL meet the Infected PEIP at the same time. MacNamara shoots Ted, and at first Emma 2 is like "good riddance, honestly", but then Mac starts singing, and yeah she goes FULL Birdhouse scene on the PEIP soldiers (+Ted).

They get in the helicopter, SIGNIFICANTLY more blood-soaked than they were in the actual show at this point. Zoey, still piloting the helicopter but with a 100% more broken neck, points the gun at them, the helicopter crashes, yadda yadda yadda. Emma 2's leg is damaged, instead of blood, there's like sparks and motor oil and damaged circuitry and shit. When she and Paul try to kiss, she coughs up motor oil in his face, which is somehow MORE gross. Paul leaves to go blow up the meteor.

Two weeks later, Emma 2's in the hospital in Clivesdale, and PEIP has repaired her leg. Emma 2 asks if Colonel Schaeffer is gonna say anything about her being an android to the public.

Schaeffer: Your secret's safe with us, Kelly.

Emma 2: Okay thanks, but why'd it have to be Kelly? I liked my old name!

Schaeffer: Well, last I checked, it wasn't YOUR name in the first place.

Emma 2: wow, okay, rude

Schaeffer tells Emma 2 that she'll be escorted to Colorado by "Ben Bridges", Paul comes in, he and Emma 2 hug it out, and then...

Infected!Paul: 🎵 Emma, I'm sorry, you lost... 🎵

Emma 2: Paul?

Infected!Paul: 🎵 Emma, I'm sorry, you lost your way- 🎵

Emma 2 yeets him through the window, roll credits.

Basically, with Emma 2, TGWDLM becomes the absurdist comedy story of the android from the future who survived the musical apocalypse through sheer lack of tolerance for the Hive's bullshit. Thank you everyone, I'll be here all night.

[adonis-koo]

tease

| 7 |

↳ Summary: You came with the intentions of your best friend landing a job as a stripper. You never meant to catch the eyes of the king stripper of the establishment- Jeon Jungkook, yourself. With what was supposed to be a harmless way of paying off college debt faster you find yourself falling into a very odd and passionate relationship with your new mentor. Between infidelity, passion and jealousy there’s never a dull moment at Cherry Bomb.

↳ Pairing: Stripper!Jungkook/Reader

↳ Genre: Smut, fluff, angst, drama, slice of life, relationship problems without the relationship, reader is such a shy baby protect her, MUTUAL pining, so much sexual frustration,  

Word count: 16k

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Song mood

Tags: Attempted thigh riding, semi dry humping, lots of teasing, JK and MC can’t keep their hands to themselves, daddy kink, mutual masturbation, thigh riding, dirty talk, dom!kook, sub!mc is anyone surprised? Heavy degradation, light spanking, MC has a big praise kink, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, lots of cum, JK is soft with aftercare :(

Warning: This story touches on both sexual harassment and abuse, please read with caution if any of these things are triggers to you. Additional warnings will be given when a chapter presents them.

Weeks had flown by, and before you knew it. You had been working at Cherry Bomb now for a little over two months and thankfully after your last altercation with Jungkook, your relationship with him had taken a turn for the better. Things weren’t perfect by any means and you still argued and bickered a fair bit, but nothing had ever lasted more than a few hours at most.

Performing had also gotten better as your confidence grew, unfortunately God just couldn’t let you have one victory without a major fail in the process. Your first private dance- went horrible.

Even weeks after the event you still cringed at the memory, you had a bad stomach bug at the time but insisted on working that week- to be fair it just ached most the time! You couldn’t even consider yourself sick! ...Unfortunately you had been incredibly nervous that day and the stomach bug you had made it even worse...the early dinner you had that day made its way up during your lap dance for the client….

You cried for over three days after it happened and just the thought made you burst into tears from pure humiliation. Jungkook had started cracking up when the client had went directly to him afterwards, covered in pile and his face twisted into the most vile and pissed expression you had ever seen, the client then proceeded to give him a full, long listed complaint as to why you were a horrible dancer.

He found it hilarious and the client ended up storming the building threatening to sue though it never happened- Jungkook was a laughing mess until he saw you were in tears and had since tried to be sensitive with the topic, though occasionally he still can’t help but let a snicker escape at your misfortune.

You’ve been sparse with your private dancing ever since, still scarred over the experience despite the countless times Jungkook coddled you saying ‘he just had his balls in a knot’ and your dancing was perfectly fine, as he’d also remind you accidents happen all the time.

Regardless you had still been reluctant to take on a ton of private dances still not quite gotten over the fear of it Jungkook had told you it was just bad luck and they’ve all had a few bad experiences with private dances and you shouldn’t let it stop you. But regardless you still had a few reservations.

Sweat had currently beaded down your neck as you finished your routine, laying on the floor as you sighed, pushing the strands of frizzy hair away from your head in frustration, why couldn’t you just get into the feel of the music? This was the fourth time you had tried and you still couldn’t get into the rhythm of it.

It was currently July and you were on break from college which allowed you to dedicate all of your time to Cherry Bomb but even now, you still seemed to struggle.

You thought for sure when you finally got the time off to dedicate yourself you’d become better but you still felt stiff in your movement and fillers had yet to get off your back about it, maybe you could run it again? Maybe then you’d finally channel your inner sexy stripper.

“Babygirl it looked fine,” Jungkook called from his spot, his manspread open and hands resting on his thighs, he had been patient enough to watch each time while giving corrections but now even he sighed not understanding why you were being so critical of yourself when you danced just fine, “Stop pushing yourself so hard, that’s my job.”

Groaning you sat up before scooting to the edge of the stage, letting your feet hang off it’s edge as you frowned, “I’m never gonna improve if I don’t, besides you used to make me go through it all the time.”

Jungkook clacked his tongue at you, not looking particularly sold on your words as you hoped he would, “That was back when your form needed heavy work and you weren’t used to sexualizing choreography.” He stood up as he walked up to the stage, grabbing your waist as he pulled you down before turning his chin down to look at you, “And furthermore I know when you need to be pushed and when you need a break. All you do is push yourself until you can’t go anymore, that’s not healthy baby.”

You were already rolling your eyes as you pushed past him mimicking his words silently with a childish expression, “Healthy my ass you’re the one who smokes half a pack of cigarettes anytime you make less the seven hundred a night!” You knew he had a point but that didn’t change the fact that you also had a point, improvement only came from hard work, that had been hardwired inside you long before you ever started working at Cherry Bomb, it was just who you were.

Jungkook unhinged his jaw in offense as he raised his brows, quickly hightailing you because he was never about to let you run your mouth without a fight of some sort, just as he told you when you first signed the contract, he wasn’t about to deal with a brat, “I could smoke a whole pack if I wanted too but I don’t baby! It’s called self control and that doesn’t have anything to do with my point!”

“Self control!?” You shouted whirling around. Nearly everyone in the room more interested in your bickering as they turned their heads back and forth between you both, “Smoking a half pack instead of a whole isn’t something to be proud of- the fuck!?”

You had only recently found out Jungkook was a stress smoker and had been on his ass ever since about it. Even if he didn’t have an addiction it wasn’t healthy and he could very easily become addicted if he wasn’t careful. You couldn’t help but worry about his health. But in another way you didn’t feel sorry for him given you were lucky if you made 200 in a night, let alone less than 700.

Jungkook’s lips puckered as if he had sucked on something sour and his eyes squinted into an irritable look as he huffed, “Don’t make this about me babydoll, this is about you being a perfectionist, push yourself any harder and you’re bound to pull a muscle- potentially rip one, or end up collapsing on stage from exhaustion and I am not letting that happen. So sit your little ass down and take a break this isn’t up for debate.”

You opened and closed your mouth several times, an indignant expression twisting on your face in offense as he raised his brows, daring you to put up a fight before you ultimately stomped your foot sending him a pouting glare before sitting between Rosé and Jimin.

“He isn’t lying Y/n,” Rosé hummed as she wrapped an arm around your shoulders, giving it a comforting squeeze, “You’ve improved a lot over the past few months, but things take time don’t worry about it. Honestly, if you keep it up you’ll probably get picked for Seasonella.” She sent you a wink making your lips quirk up though you weren’t sure what she meant.

Furrowing your brows despite your smile you tilted your head, “What do you mean?” You had heard the term thrown around a few times in the past but more and more recently the name Seasonella had started popping into filler conversations you had overheard.

Jungkook had a large frown on his face, a harsh line between his brows with an unappreciative glare towards Rosé making you all the more curious from his look, was Seasonella something bad? “Rosé don’t.”

She curved a brow at him as she scoffed, obviously both annoyed at his expression and not feeling threatened as most would in her shoes, if there was one person who never cared about Jungkook’s moodiness or glare’s it would be her, “What, don’t tell me you seriously don’t think they’d pick her.”

You glanced between them both, even more confused than before as you frowned, what did they mean? Why would you be picked, and what for? Was it some sort of competition like SSU?

“Oh I don’t doubt she would be picked but that doesn’t mean she’s actually ready,” Jungkook replied, an odd defensive note in his voice before he turned towards you, his shoulders relaxing a little as he continued, “Beside’s we’re aiming for SSU, right babygirl?”

The Solo Step Up, was a competition held every year to pick a new soloist and was won through crowd favor. It gave everyone a fair chance though you had learned that wasn’t the only way to be moved up. The competition was still well over two months away but that didn’t stop people from already prepping, you included.

Jungkook and you had equally agreed it was an attainable goal, you weren’t necessarily set on winning. As the only person who had ever won in under a year was Jungkook himself which was how he had earned his title as the King. He had pure, raw talent honed with technique from Namjoon, you doubt you could replicate that, let alone in less time than him.

Jungkook had agreed you’d most likely need more time but winning crowd favor, even if it wasn’t enough to win, was still a good plug for yourself and would make chances of winning next year close to unbeatable.

That being said, perhaps that was why you had been pushing yourself so hard. You wanted to come across as desirable as you could and win as much of the crowd over as possible. Chan Hee, had been absolutely dominating the stage and even you couldn’t deny that. She always made things difficult when you got paired in group dances together and often times, you’d make even less money a night because of her.

Not only did she have the body to flaunt but she was inherently sexual, which wasn’t a bad thing, clearly, but she had a much easier time with it than you. Rather then vehemently denying her talent like a lot of other fillers, you had found yourself often studying her, trying to figure out how she did it. But you always ended up coming to a dead end, she was just a natural and would definitely win by a long shot.

“Yeah, but- what’s Seasonella?” Jungkook groaned at your curiosity as you tilted your head once more, glancing around everyone as you shrugged, “Well I’ve just heard a lot of the other fillers talking about it, seems like a big deal.”

Jimin was the one to speak up as a smirk coiled on his face, “Well that’s because it is- for fillers. Seasonella is kind of like a big VIP party one of Cherry Bomb’s biggest clients and sponsors throw in Las Vegas USA every year. Soloist’s are automatically on the ‘list’ of entertainment, so it’s just another job for us. The client and his son come every year though to hand pick some of the fillers they want to work the party as well, outside of SSU it’s another really good way of getting recognized by upper management here and possibly promoted.”

Your lips parted in almost delight at the idea. You weren’t honestly sure why Jungkook thought you couldn’t handle it. You wouldn’t question him though mainly because you were still stuck on private dancing even after two months and you still only made 50 a night any time you danced next to Chan Hee, the reason he didn’t want you to go was obvious. Even if it was a good way to get recognized and despite Rosé’s words. You just didn’t see that happening for you, realistically speaking.

Not only that but you’d agree you didn’t necessarily feel ready for anything big like a VIP party for Cherry Bomb’s biggest clients and sponsors. Talk about pressure to perform well. Jungkook only frowned as he leaned back on his hands, “It’s a good way to get recognized but half the fillers don’t know what they’re signing up for. Baby if I’m being honest, it’s not even your dancing I’m worried about,”

He looked as if he wanted to explain himself briefly, as if not wanting you to assume he doubted your ability though that wasn’t even your problem, “Strippers are bought there and even though it’s technically your choice, you don’t really get a say so. Not to sound like an asshole but…” He glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck as he sighed, eyes looking a little hesitant, “You don’t have the sexual experience or personality to handle being thrown into that your first year.”

You could tell he had no intentions of offending you as you watched the concern wash in his eyes, if anything you could feel your cheeks burning up at his words. Did he...really think you were that inexperienced? Sexually? That wasn’t even his point, but you were stuck on those words in particular.

For the first time, you found yourself not wanting to be seen so childishly. You glanced away from him, struggling to keep your face from showing any emotion as you replied, “No I get it- It’s not like I really wanted to go anyways, I was just curious on what it was.” It was the truth, you had no plans of going against him on that but still...Inexperienced?

For the first time in your life, you found a fire burning inside you wanting to desperately prove him wrong. Maybe that would be your motivation tonight.

Jungkook stayed up by the bar thumbing the ring around the beer he held as he sat on the bar stool, having got off an hour ago, but he couldn’t help himself to stay longer just to watch you dance. Eyes focusing on the performance ahead, you where in the last half of your dance as you turned your back to the audience, pushing down the shorts you had been teasing the crowd with the whole time to reveal the black lace cheeky panties.

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight as the whistles rang out in the crowd, money being thrown at you left and right as he shook his head.

If only you could see how much progress you genuinely made compared to your first week and now. He clacked his tongue, the small proud smirk coiling on his face as the bright smile adorned your face as you left the stage, dancing through the audience, nipples perked at the air of the room and your pretty hair messily over your shoulders.

The one thing that had changed the most about your performance, in Jungkook’s eyes, was how much you seemed to enjoy it now, compared to when you first started. And from an outside perspective no matter how sexy a filler was, it just couldn’t compare to that bright smile on your face when you’d slut drop down before sticking your ass out right in front of the clients chair. The money almost hurriedly shoved into the hem of your stockings as you quickly turned to the next chair.

It had took him forever, but Jungkook had finally figured out what your strong suit was when it came to stripping. Everyone had a strong suit needed to be played up. And after last month he realized what yours was.

You probably didn’t even realize it but you loved teasing the audience. Those semi shy smiles but they had a coy cool tone to them compared to normal, the winks you’d throw their way while running your hands over your body. Your whole disposition changed, you had fun on the stage and it showed. That’s when Jungkook started catering choreography more towards your strong suit, making sure your costumes suited your stage personality. And that’s when real progress started being made.

The rest had been history. You were good, you just didn’t see that yourself yet.

Heading to the stage you couldn’t keep the grin off your face as you collected the money, so many ones laid all over the ground and you knew you had done well tonight. There had to be over a hundred at least tonight. Piling them up you pulled them into a messy stack as you pranced to the staff area ready to count your earnings for the night.

You had been looking forward to tonight as it was Jimin’s birthday and he wanted everyone over to celebrate and there was no better way to end a day of work like having a hands filled with cash.

What you hadn’t expected though was the person who called out your name, “Y/n.”

Freezing where you stood you felt your heart rate spike at the sound of the voice as your lips quivered, turning around you had never felt more exposed then the moment you turned around to meet the hellfire gaze of your ex boyfriend, “Hanjae?” How in gods name did he even think to come here, of all places to look for you?

You knew it didn’t look good, you were in nothing but cheeky panties and a pair of clear stripper heels, piles of money in hand as you skittishly backed away, self consciousness suddenly lighting through your veins like wildfire at his disgusted, sneered glare, “So this is what you’ve succumbed to huh?” Hanjae snapped out, stalking closer to you as you feebishly backed away, “Dancing like a whore for money? God what the hell happened to you Y/n? You used to be so innocent and you’ve let the wrong people fucking ruin you.”

He sounded as angry as he looked before suddenly grabbing at your arm in an iron hold,pain shooting against your skin as you winced, his voice steel and low as he spoke, “Come on, get dressed, if you needed money that bad you should’ve told me instead of trying to push me away and sell yourself.”

“I-I…” You were in shock at first before quickly pulling away, anger flooding your body as you felt a pang an indignant pang in your stomach, “I’m not selling myself you dick!” You had never seen Hanjae’s brows shoot up the way they did at your uncharacteristic words before you gave another tug on your arm in an attempt to pull away from him, “This is my job and I’m not going anywhere with you! Now get the fuck out of here before I call security.”

How dare he! Just because you were a stripper didn’t make your work any less hard, your feet were scarred with blisters, had bled from them digging into your feet, you couldn’t count the amount of pulled muscles you had gained and the amount of creeps you dealt with on a day to day basis. Being a strip worker didn’t make your job or you any less valid! How dare he insinuate that it wasn’t!

Hanjae’s glare sharpened as he squeezed harsher on your arm, a pained whimper escaping your lips and tears threatening to sting your eyes at the throb in your arm as he snapped, “This is not your job, you’re making yourself so easy for men and that’s not who you are. Get a fucking hold of yourself.”

You had parted your lips once more to snap back at him but before you could even say anything Hanjae was suddenly pulled away from you, hauled up into the hands of Jungkook’s tight knuckled grip on his shirt, his broad back facing you as he growled, “Listen here you little freak, if I ever fucking see you touch her like that again, I will personally break every finger on your hand. Now you heard her, get the fuck out of her.”

Jungkook had let go of his shirt, intending to turn around to check on you before he was suddenly shoved back, “Oh, I should’ve known you were the cause of this, what are you?” Hanjae sneered, “Her little fucking puppy? You know she doesn’t love you, right?”

You swallowed thickly at the way Jungkook’s shoulders tensed and before you could even reach out to calm him down his knuckle had already curled into a fist that was sent directly into Hanjae’s path and just as you had seen countless times, Jungkook never missed his target.

Everything happened so fast, Hanjae had stumbled back and before he could even recover Jungkook had already hauled him up, shoving him against the wall where another punch was thrown, and another, and another one after that.

Before you knew it security had hurried over and it still took Hoseok pulling Jungkook away to get him to stop, his knuckle swollen and blood trickling down your ex’s face but Jungkook didn’t relent as he growled, “Next time I see you, you’ll be fucking lucky to have them stop me.”

“Next time you’ll be the one eating dirt you whore fucker.” Hanjae sneered out, Jungkook was quickly riled up again as he struggled to lunge back at him, Namjoon had already been hurrying over, quickly grabbing Jungkook as well to hold him back while Hanjae tried to reach back for him, the security hauling him away as he thrashed.

“Easy Jungkook, cool down.” Namjoon sighed, both him and Hoseok still struggling to keep him back as he glared holes into Hanjae’s figure. Jungkook quickly snapped at them both to let him go, and reluctantly they did so as his eyes quickly locked onto your figure, anger residing briefly before concern took over, “Are you okay babygirl?” He quickly pushed away from both friends as he gently grabbed your forearms, eyes washing over your body to check for any marks left behind, “Did he hurt you?” His words had a sour tone now, as if pissed at just the idea making you swallow before quickly shaking your head.

“Hey, hey, hey! Look at me,” You quickly grabbed his attention that was now redirecting to where Hanjae had been dragged off too, “I’m fine Guk, it’s fine.” He still didn’t seem sold on your words, his jaw still clenched and his eyes lingering on the exit, almost looking as if he wanted to follow just to continue beating the life out of your ex.

He huffed before glancing back at you, his grip on you opposite of his sour gaze, “Come on, get dressed in my room, that was your last dance right?” You nodded as he quickly wrapped an arm around your shoulder, pulling you along back into the staff area of the building.

You had gathered your bag, packing up before pulling on the robe and making your way to his dressing room. Opening the door you peaked in before coming in fully, Jungkook had been pacing, running a hand through his hair, still huffy at what had happened as he glanced at you briefly, “Honestly Y/n, how could you ever be with such an asshole?” He huffed, jaw clenched as he collapsed down on the couch, almost looking like a brooding child as he tucked his tongue into his cheek, “What a fucking dick, why didn’t you come get me?”

You clacked you lips, raising your eyebrows as you set your bag down on his vanity, taking off your robe as you sat down and began to get changed, “Jungkook you got off shift an hour ago, how was I supposed to know you were still at Cherry Bomb?”

You glanced in the mirror to watch his lips part and close several times, wanting to object before his face soured again, looking away from you as he huffed once more, obviously knowing you were right before he muttered, “Still, he’s lucky I didn’t break his jaw right there. Has he been stalking you?” He suddenly demanded, as if fired up again at the idea, “We’re going to get a restraining order if he keeps this shit up.”

“Yeah, yeah okay,” You replied dismissively, more focused on your stockings you unclipped from your garter belt as you pulled them off, “I’m being serious!” Jungkook snapped though his tone held no real bite, you only waved a hand, making his lips part indignantly at your dismissal. Sighing you stood up as you faced him, “Jungkook it’s fine, really, outside of the occasional wall of text he sends me he hasn’t tried to get into my apartment-”

“I’d hope to fuck he hasn’t!” Jungkook cut you off with a growl, as he shifted around in his seat. You had learned to never take him completely serious when he got like this, thus your dismissal though you’d admit. Hanjae finding you at work did have you a little spooked. Jungkook had changed the lock out on your door after the last incident two months ago and since then you didn’t have a problem.

Occasionally Hanjae would find you out in a diner or at the mall but he’d never actually had the chance to really argue with you. Sighing you grabbed the bra from your bag before hooking it and pulling it over your shoulders, “Jungkook!” You chided him making him look away from you, refusing to let his broody expression go, at times, he truly was like a child, “Look at me, I’m completely fine. I was just taken aback at him being here, that’s all. Besides I doubt he tries anything after what you did.” You adjusted the bra before pulling the sweat pants out of your bag.

“He’s lucky Hoseok got there when he did,” He replied lowly, eyes now casted on his knuckle which was red and appeared a little swollen, “Would’ve did a lot more than that if they had let me. Little bitch deserves it.”

Sighing you pulled the shirt over your head before walking over, taking a seat on the couch beside him, he still refused to look at you, not wanting to let go of his broodiness which truly did make him look like a toddler, “Koo,”

“I told you not to call me that,” Jungkook turned away from you, his brows furrowing making you snort a laugh which made his shoulders more tense, obviously still not over the situation.

Sighing you let your gaze soften slightly before scooting a little closer, “Look at me,” He still refused making you clack your lips before delicately grabbing his jaw, feeling his warm skin beneath your touch and the tension that held in his jaw, “Come on, look at me I’m fine,” You pulled his gaze towards you, his broody expression threatening to drop as you cupped his face, letting your fingers graze down his jawline, “You already threw hands with him, you stopped him from hurting me, what more do you want?”

Jungkook tried to sport his brooding expression but couldn’t at the feeling of your small hands practically petting against his jaw forcing it to relax against your touch, “Maybe a thank you,” He replied with a murmur, though you could tell he was just using that as an excuse to keep being huffy, laughing you gave a nod before crawling up into his lap, hands suddenly wrapping around you as you buried down into the crook of his neck, pressing a shy kiss against his skin as you smiled, “Thank you Guk.”

You felt his nose bury down into your hair, his body finally relaxing as he murmured, “Always babygirl.”

“Come on, don't be a little bitch,” Jimin tried to coax you as you laughed shaking your head as you held your arms in front of you. Most people usually went out partying for their birthdays, but given you and all of your friends worked in a strip club the inclination was not there.

Instead everyone was in comfy clothes or pajamas, a bottle of half drank whiskey was out and a movie had been running in the background, it was perfect.

The vanilla cake with buttercream frosting had been cut into and admittedly, you were part of the reason it was nearly gone, and already working on your third slice as Jimin tried to coax you into a line of shots, “I’m a lightweight Jimin once I start I won’t stop.”

“Oh so you’re basically Namjoon but smaller?” Seokjin snorted, taking the bottle to put more in his cup of soda as Namjoon shot him an unappreciative glare, “Come on live a little Y/n, Jungkook can take you home if you get wasted, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen you drunk.”

Drinking together had happened quite often, so you’d give him merit to his words. You weren’t a drinker yourself and always suffered terrible nausea afterwards, thus forcing you to not partake as you always had a bad hangover the day after.

You pouted before sighing, watching Jimin throwback another shot, his cheeks already flushed and you could tell he was beginning to walk the fine line of sober and drunk, “I’m not going to force Jungkook to be my babysitter while we aren’t at Cherry Bomb, I’m cool just eating cake,” You pointed at your half ate slice before smiling, “In fact, I’ll probably go for a fourth here soon.” Plopping another piece in your mouth you gave a smile. Namjoon sat down beside you as he pulled an arm around your shoulder, “Not all of us have to get wasted to have fun.”

Namjoon was usually the only other sober person besides yourself and Jungkook and therefore you had shared the bond of the few sober people left, Jungkook, you had found out wasn’t particularly fond of drinking either, though according to Jimin he wasn’t a lightweight.

“Alright that’s it,” Seokin stood up as he grabbed an empty shot glass, making you instantly object as he poured the contents into it, walking over as he put the shot in front of you, “It’s my personal task to get you to loosen up and get wasted tonight.”

Your expression puckered into a sour one as you glared down at the shot, you could hear Seulgi laughing near the couch with Hoseok as she called out, “Y/n never cuts loose, that’s a lost battle Seokjin.”

Whipping around your lips parted, slightly offended at her words. You could relax! You just didn’t need to be wasted to do so! Huffing, you could tell Jungkook had been rubbing off on you as the need to prove her wrong rose in your stomach. You could drink, just because it wasn’t your go to didn’t make you any less fun. Clacking your lips you suddenly grabbed the shot before knocking it back.

Your face distorted at its taste and your throat burned but you took it like a champ before waving Seokjin for another round, his grin brightening as he brought the bottle over and Jimin was already cheering you on, “Uh are you sure Y/n?” Namjoon asked, a little concerned for you as Seokjin gave less than two shits and preferred enabling you.

You gave a relaxed nod as you smiled, “I’m fine! I know what to call it quits.” You cheered your shot towards him before taking a second one, you could relax perfectly fine. Maybe they were right, it had been forever since you drank anyways and tomorrow was Sunday anyways, one of the few precious days off to sleep in.

“Look this is important to me okay?” Jungkook raised his brows as he sat out on the bed, having been pulled aside by his bestfriend who was pacing around the room, that signature anxious look on his face he only dawned when it was about his lover.

Sighing Jungkook shrugged before asking, “Okay? What’s up?” He knew he was in for the long haul when his best friend sighed, pulling out the black velvet box from his pocket, Jungkook’s eyes widened as he spoke, “Oh shit, you were serious?”

Taehyung had been debating the idea for countless hours to him about proposing and honestly? Jungkook didn’t really care but he’d be supportive regardless of his friend’s decision, but to see the pretty diamond ring sparking in it’s holder still had him a little taken aback, Taehyung only groaned at his expression, wondering why he expected anything less, “Of course I was being serious. I love her man, I just, we’ve been living together for awhile now and I figured, let’s just tie the knot, y’know? Yeri’s cousin just got married recently and she’s been talking non stop about when we do one day, I just figured...Why one day when we can now?”

Sighing Jungkook leaned back against his hands, still apprehensive about the idea, he had been an ass when they were younger sure and he gave Yeri a hard time definitely, he could always owe up to when he was a dick. But still, marriage was a bit...Maybe he just didn’t understand? Shrugging he decided to give as neutral of a reply as possible, “Sure I guess.”

“Oh my god,” Taehyung muttered under his breath, irritated at both Jungkook for his lack of real opinion and himself for expecting more of an answer, Jungkook only gave a hum as he shrugged again, watching his best friend pace back and forth before running a hand through his hair, “Dude can’t you be a little more helpful?”

Holding up his hands Jungkook raised his own brows before scoffing, “You think I know shit about girls let alone proposing? Just ask Y/n, she’d probably be more help than me.”

“Just you wait you little shit,” Taehyung huffed, running a hand through his hair once more as he rolled his eyes, almost daydreaming about the day Jungkook wouldn’t be such an emotionally constipated idiot, “You’ll be in my position eventually.”

Clacking his lips Jungkook mirrored his expression as he rolled his own eyes, just the idea made him shudder and everyone knew he was not about that kind of life. Opening the door to the closed room as they both began to walk down the hallway, “Doubt it, you know how I feel about marriage.”

Snorting Taehyung glanced at him in disbelief, “What the one where you actually wanna get married and have a traditional wedding because you’re that guy?” Taehyung placed the small box back in his pocket, a small anxiety still in his heart unsure of when or where the right time would be to pop the question.

“The one where I doubt I’ll find a girl to even marry dipshit,” Jungkook replied, sighing as he gave a careless shrug as they walked down the hall, “Besides I have too much baggage for anyone to want to deal with anyways. I don’t see the big deal, just ask her, she’d say yes regardless.”

Taehyung glared at him briefly, “You can’t just ask a girl to marry you Jungkook-”

“Hell yeah you can,” Jungkook snorted back, a dumb grin on his face that made Taehyung glare at him with the strong urge to punch it right off his face, ignoring his friends over dramatization Jungkook jabbed him with his elbow, “Imma fucking propose while eating my girl out just to prove your ass wrong, just you wait.”

He only facepalmed as Jungkook laughed, patting his back reassuringly before he continued, “All jokes aside you’ll know when the time is right, don’t rush anything, it’s not like you guys don’t have forever.”

Sighing Taehyung looked a little downcast but nodded his expression however, quickly twisted into mild shock as his eyes suddenly perking up as they entered the living room, sighing as he muttered, “Oh jesus christ.”

Confused Jungkook glanced up as well, eyes widening to saucers at the hot mess the living room had become under the twenty minutes they both had been gone.

Yeri had long since become drunk, sniffling in front of the mirror as Rosé continuously gave her an empowering speech, though her own words were jostled and slurred as Yeri cried while nodding in the mirror. Hoseok had already been passed out on the couch and Seulgi was on her way out as well.

The more horrifying sight was his own trainee on the barstool straddled in Jimin’s lap, his lips attached to your neck but your focus was on the near empty bottle of whiskey that you shakily poured into your cup, accidentally spilling most in the process, “M-mm!” You whined with a hiccup, his plump lips working down your neck as you closed your eyes, finally dropping the bottle on the counter as it’s contents spilled out.

You couldn’t even remember how many shots you had took and your mind was hazy, body burning up and wetness pooled between your legs at the feeling of Jimin’s swollen erection in his own sweatpants that brushed against your thigh.

Jimin placed his hands on your hips, encouraging you as you bucked against him, giving another whimper at the friction that pressed into your clit, your mind hazy and not even properly realizing what position you sat yourself voluntarily in. You gave an even bigger whine at suddenly being picked up, the pleasure you had been chasing after quickly disappearing, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Jungkook growled between you both as he held you close, his grip tight and had you been sober you would’ve noticed both the protective and jealous leer in his expression.

You however, weren’t sober at all and therefore struggled against him uselessly in attempt to sit back in the warm lap that made you feel so good. Jimin’s cheeks were flushed as he drunkenly stood up, swaying a little before poking Jungkook’s chest though he himself looked more affected by it as he laughed, “Jealousy isn’t a good look of you Guk (hic) you should get that checked out.”

You let out a small whine, kicking to get out of Jungkook’s arms but he didn’t relent, in fact, it seemed to make him only squeeze you tighter as he glared down at the blonde, “Fuck off. We’re leaving Y/n.” Your lips parted several times at the use of your name before pouting, letting him grab your phone before saying goodbye to Taehyung and Namjoon, the only two sober people left before making his way out of the apartment.

Jungkook set you down, swaying you suddenly giggled, taking a wobbly step forward, the world around you seemed to be spinning yet it only seemed to make you laugh, what a strange world! “(hic) Why is the floor spinning Koo?” Accidentally leaning too far back you almost fell down before Jungkook quickly herded behind you, catching you as he sighed, maybe he shouldn’t of been surprised but he didn’t honestly think someone as tiny as you could actually get so wasted in such little time.

But clearly you weren’t lying all those times you told him you were lightweight. But this? No this was featherweight. Sweeping you off your feet he carried you with ease as he glanced down at your figure, “Fucking hell baby, how much could you drink in twenty minutes?”

“Mmm,” You ignored him, your eyes glassy and dilated, looking spacey and more interested in the bulge of his muscles that proudly flexed while carrying you so effortlessly, your arms happily wrapped around his neck before pressing your nose into it’s crook as you swung your feet, “You’re so (hic) strong Koo.” he sighed at the feeling of your soft lips peppering his neck in kisses with another little hiccup, “Are we (hic) getting food?”

Jungkook wrinkled his nose as he carefully walked down the stairs of the apartment complex, making sure to hold onto you a little tighter (much to your delight) as he sighed, “No babydoll, you need some water and sleep.”

His words made your mouth gape before twisting into a big puppy pout, you kicked your feet around before whining into his neck, Jungkook didn’t relent though despite your childishness, not wanting to have to clean up the bile that you would undoubtedly throw up if he took you out to eat, “No buts, you already had way too much cake, you’ll be lucky to keep that down on the ride back home.”

You were already whining again, your grip on his neck tightening as you begged, your tummy rumbling though you weren’t sure if that was a good thing, eyes watery as you whimpered, “But…! I-I’m- (hic) but I’m hungry!” Jungkook paused at the bottom of the stairs, closing his eyes as he inhaled through his nose, feeling the wet substances of tears trickling against his neck, “Guk!” you cried softly before giving another pathetic little hiccup that had been breaking your voice anytime you spoke, had he not been so focused on taking you home he would’ve found a moment to laugh and address how cute it was.

Jungkook felt a piece of his will chip away at your tears, mainly because he couldn’t stand to see you cry, even if it was because you were completely drunk and just wanted to impulse eat, “Baby no,” He concluded softly, walking towards his car as he shifted his grip on you to one hand briefly to pull his keys from his pocket, “You’ve had too much to drink, we can get something to eat in the morning.”

He almost wanted to groan at the sob that emitted from his neck, your hands now coiled around him tightly as you threw a fit, Jungkook let out a silent sigh, feeling as if he should’ve known you’d be ten times more melodramatic than when you were sober when you didn’t get your way. Unlocking the car he set you down in the passenger side, struggling to get you to let go before he paused, kneeling down “Hey, look at me baby.”

Hiccuping you finally looked at him, your eyes bloodshot and pupils dilated more than normal, you looked like a sad little puppy with watery eyes and fat crocodile tears running down your cheeks as he cupped your face, “You can’t eat baby, you’ve had a lot of cake already and I don’t want you getting sick,” he explained softly while wiping your tears as you let out a string of ‘But’s’ along with another hiccup, “Shhh,” He hushed you as you softly shed a few more tears, “We’ll get something to eat in the morning, but we need to get home baby.”

Letting out another gentle sob you finally let go of him while defeatedly curling your knees into your chest, shutting the door Jungkook groaned, running a hand through his hair. He left you for twenty- not even twenty it had to be fifteen minutes and they...He forced his jaw to relax as he sat in the drivers side, deciding to not think about it or else he’d go back in there and find out who put you up to drinking.

The car ride had went smooth for the most part, after three minutes you had forgotten why you were crying to begin with and had happily talked about dogs almost the whole way home before you started crying again, mainly about dogs and why you were allergic to them and how life wasn’t fair. Jungkook couldn’t help the snort that escaped his lips in the process, which caused an ocean of tears from you making him hurriedly attempt to soothe.

You were half passed out by the time he got you out of the car, pulling out the key to your apartment before unlocking the door and carrying you inside, letting out a sigh he laid you down on your bed as you murmured in a sleepy, small voice, “(hic) you aren’t leaving me. Right?”

“You need to get some sleep babydoll,” Jungkook tried to stand straight but your grip on him coiled suddenly babbling about how men were heartless and women should create a harmonic society like amazons where women would never have to deal with men again, all because he said, you. needed. sleep.

“Okay, okay, fine.” Jungkook sighed, making you scoot over excitedly, your grin was hard to deny as you bounced in your spot as he laid down, almost immediately crashed down on top of him, nuzzling into his neck as he wrapped his arms around you, “You’re a handful you know that?”

Fumbling you placed your hands on his chest, propping yourself up a little to look at him as you replied, “But I’m (hic) your baby, I’m worth it.” You flashed him a closed eye smile.

Jungkook couldn’t resist the urge to laugh as he rubbed a hand down your back, his gaze soft and affectionate at how silly and cute of a drunk you were, unable to deny your words he let a small smile pull on his lips, “My baby huh? Still doesn’t make it easy for me.”

You wiggled against his touch, looking like a stretched out cat who’d be purring by now at the affection he showered you in, what Jungkook hadn’t expected was your legs to slot on either side of his thigh before wiggling your hips, giving a little whimper in the process, “What do you think you’re doing babydoll”  Jungkook raised an eyebrow, unable to keep the smirk off his face as he let his hands find their way to your hips.

He watched for a moment, almost mesmerized at the way your hips so fluidly rode down against his thigh even while drunk, letting out a soft moan at the friction in your clit building up, heat pooling between your thighs and the lacy panties you wore ruined by wetness, “Mmm! Feels so good daddy.”

You dragged your hips down his thigh with a soft whine, it took nearly every fiber of strength Jungkook had to lay still before groaning, the feeling of your little, messy, wet cunt spread open while riding along his thigh almost too much to bear, those pretty cheeks dusted red and those watery eyes could have him on his knees in seconds as you let out a soft whine, “Daddy, touch me.”

Before you could even beg Jungkook suddenly grabbed you, flipping you onto the bed. You body flooded in excitement at being underneath him, what you hadn’t expected though was for his crushing weight to be on top of you rather then hovering over you, “Guk!” You cried out, your body begging and burning up in need of friction, making you frantically try to rub your hips into his but his weight prevented you from doing so, the only thing you could feel was his hardened length teasingly pressed into the top of your thigh.

“You’re way too drunk for this babydoll, get some sleep.” He pressed his nose into your neck while closing his eyes, ignoring your pleas and cries as you tried to shuffle underneath him,

“B-but! I’m so wet! I need you, now!” You whined out with another hiccup, tears trickling down your face again at being unable to sate the crave your body burned for as you begged, “A-and you’re so hard Guk please, please, (hic) please! I need your cock inside me so bad daddy.”

Jungkook assumed when he got you home it would get easier, now laying in bed with you begging for his dick he realized that obviously wasn’t gonna be the case. Sighing he ignored the drunken filth you’d be mortified at on any other occasion, “Tell you what babydoll,” he lifted his head to acknowledge you, secretly hoping you’d stop because his dick was beginning to throb in pain and at this rate he’d just have to blow a load in the bathroom by himself once you fell asleep, “If you’re really that horny in the morning you can ride my cock before I even wake up, sound good?”

You stayed quiet for a moment, almost looking adorable before murmuring, “But I want it now…”

“Well too bad,” Jungkook replied, snuggling back into your neck, your perfume now competing with the smell of alcohol, “You’re just gonna have to be a good girl and wait baby.”

You had never ran into the bathroom faster in your life, your head was pounding, stomach churning in the most disgusting way, the way when you knew you were gonna throw up and it was a race against time to reach the toilet. You didn't have time to question why the hell Jungkook was in your bed when the strong waves of nausea hitting you were enough to drown in.

Your eyes were near glossed over by the time you finished throwing up, groaning as you coughed, spitting out as much of the disgusting taste as you could before brushing your teeth a good three times, tongue and all before sighing. God you felt like such shit, why did you even consider drinking? Rubbing your eyes you let out a groan before adjusting to the light fully, your lips instantly parting in horror at the bruising purple marks on your neck.

“Jungkook what the fuck!” You shouted not caring what time it was or if he was asleep. This man had hell to pay! You didn’t care what the circumstances where, you weren’t even sober enough to remember doing it! You didn’t actually care that he did it, he was your mentor and you trusted him but…! Fucking hell could he have at least waited until you were a little more sober, sober enough to at least have some memory of it.

Walking back into the room you crossed your arms with a growl as Jungkook shifted, eyes lazily opening as he yawned, “The fuck did I do?” He asked quizzically yet not actually caring, grabbing your pillow cuddling before it close, closing his eyes once more while nuzzling his nose into the material.

You would’ve thought it was a cute gesture on any other occasion had you not just seen the hickey marks on your neck, “The fuck did you do? What the hell is this?” You pointed to your neck in accusation, cheeks bright red and embarrassment washing over you, you didn’t even remember how you got home or how Jungkook got in your bed. What the hell happened?

You both were dressed, which eased your nerves but you were still on edge, Jungkook only rolled his eyes, grabbing your wrist to pull you down into bed making you yelp, both of you wrestling for a moment before Jungkook forced you beneath him, “I left for fifteen minutes and suddenly you were eight shots of whiskey into Jimin’s lap,” You groaned under his weight as he laid his head down on your chest, “You cried almost the whole way home, and then got even more pissy when I wouldn’t let you thigh ride me, any more questions?” He heard an indignant huff from you, one that was usually from embarrassment that made him smile, closing his eyes again.

“Shut up.” You muttered, shifting beneath his weight before letting out a small groan. Rubbing your forehead that pounded as you let out a small whine, not wanting to even think about what Jungkook probably had to endure, you were always embarrassing when you drank. God only knew what you did this time.

It was quiet for a moment, your head still aching and you closed your eyes but the irritation persisted before you felt the weight of Jungkook’s body lift, hands on either side of you as the familiar smirk coiled on his lips, “You still in the mood to ride me babydoll?”

“The fuck!?” You yelped, quickly squirming underneath him despite his hands still caging you into your spot, your cheeks bright red at the realization you definitely became a little too horny last night, it was both a surprise and yet not at the same time to know he had the restraint to not jump your bones last night.

Jungkook had already let his lips press down against your neck making you whine, cheekings burning in embarrassment as he spoke, “You know how hard it was to ignore you?” You let out a small breath at his hands grabbing onto your waist, squeezing tightly as he licked a strip up your neck, “You were begging for daddy’s cock last night while riding that needy little pussy over my thigh.”

“Jungkook!” You cried out with a whimper, your cheeks bright red and your head throbbing more, you had already began to rub your thighs together, heat pooling between them as he sucked gently against the skin right above your hickey.

His hands slid under your shirt, petting down the sides of your body as he huffed, “I didn’t realize you were such a horny drunk, you were all over my dick last night babygirl,” You whined in frustration, letting your head knock back against the bed as you kicked your feet, “So needy,”

Jungkook clacked his tongue, a little half smirk pulling on his lips as he cupped your heat making you jolt with a whine, hips instantly rocking into his hand, “God even hungover you still want my fingers, isn’t that right baby?” He cooed out, his fingers brushing up your dripping folds, your panties ruined as he pressed little circles into your clit, the sudden cry escaping your lips as you squeezed your legs together, “Right baby?” He teased, asking you once more.

“Y-yes!” You finally relented with a rapid nod, your body's need bigger than your dignity at the moment, “Please!” you whined with a plea, Jungkook let the pad of his finger pressed down harder against your sensitive nub in reward as he rubbed it in circles.

“What a good girl,” He cooed out making your hips buck into his hand once more with a frustrated whine, pleasure rolling through your body at the way his single finger instantly found your sweet spot, “You’re so wet baby, you’re making a mess,” He clacked with a small laugh, and he was right of course, your wetness had seeped through your panties, creating a wet spot on your sweatpants making your cheeks burn as you whined, “Does baby wanna cum?”

Your hips were rocking in sync with his fingers that prodded along your clit sending little flickers of pleasure through your body as you let out a breathy moan, your orgasm building as you nodded, “P-please! Please!”

Jungkook let his fingers speed up causing your thighs to quiver and moan to brokenly leave your lips, “You really wanna cum babydoll?” He teased, eating up your little gasps and whines, your body rocking into his hand needy for more of the friction he gave your little clit, nodding you spewed out another string of pleas, your body unable to take anymore teasing as you felt your orgasm ready to snap, “Well too bad.”

A near sob escaped your lips as Jungkook replied casually, pulling his fingers away from you as he sat up with a stretch. Kicking your feet you let out several breathes and whines as he started laughing. Opening and closing your lips a few times as disbelief glossed in your eyes making him laugh harder, “Don’t give me that pout babydoll, I’m just doing to do what you did to me last night.”

“I was drunk!” You shouted with a cry as he got up dismissing you with a wave of his hand before leaving the room, sulkily you threw yourself back down on the bed as you kicked your feet, what a rude ass! Your body was sensitive from being edged and denied, glancing at the door to make sure he hadn’t returned you dropped your hand back down your body before letting it trail to the hem of your pants.

“You better not be touching yourself in there,” Jungkook called from the kitchen making you whine as you flopped onto your stomach, he teased you relentlessly and now you couldn’t even finish yourself!? Your head ached in dull pain and you felt even more like garbage then before as you buried your head under your pillow.

Footsteps padded through the room again as Jungkook snorted, “You are such a baby, take your medicine and remember to drink some water, I doubt hangover sex is the way you want our first time to go.”

“You don’t know that.” You sulked from under your pillow, this wasn’t the first time this had happened. Being teased, aroused, then edged and denied your release only for him to casually take his leave, it wasn’t fair! He had plenty of girls to go to and all you had was him and your fingers which in comparison weren’t cutting it anymore,

Jungkook let his hand pet down your waist as he replied, “Oh but I do babygirl, I do. Anyways I have to prep for that bachelorette party at Cherry Bomb scheduled for later today so you probably won’t hear from me until tonight.”

Ah yes, apparently some rich clients threw their money together and rented out the whole damn building and hired on all the male soloists for one of the client’s bachelorette party. You only shuddered at the idea of having to work one of the few days you got off. You waved him away with a groan, making him give another laugh as he left, obviously successful in his tease attack on you. You were gonna kill that man.

You couldn’t keep the dumb smile from your face as you curled back up in bed, letting the soft fuzzy blanket rub against your warm cheeks as you stared at your phone. You thought Koo was the cutest nickname and knowing he’d tolerate you using it made you all warm and fuzzy inside.

Stretching out you turned off your phone before honing in on the show you had put on.

“You’re awfully happy,” Yeri who was sprawled out on the foot of the bed took note in your beaming expression, a lot of nights when Cherry Bomb had been booked for the boys Taehyung would often have to work the bar leaving you and Yeri alone and bored most of the night.

To cure the problem she had offered one time if you wanted to spend the night, it had become routine ever since when they were at work.

It wasn’t like you minded, in fact, you had been considerably more upbeat the last few months as Seulgi always had other friends and didn’t necessarily have time for you most days, having both Yeri and Rosé to keep you company when any of your male friends were busy left you bright and happy.

Rosé who was also bored with nothing to do that night had also stayed at your house, mainly complaining that those ‘three headed wenches’ stole Jimin from their movie night and left her with no other plans but never not in the mood to drop in to visit with you. She even gave a pout when she found out you and Yeri had been getting together with out her on your newly appointed girls night.

She was currently on the floor, feet spread out in front of her as she continued to paint her toenails, clacking her tongue she gave a knowing smile, “Koo is Y/n’s nickname for Jungkook,” she gave a sing song tone making your cheeks flush, she didn’t have to say it like that! “He said she’s the only one he’s okay with calling him it.”

Yeri gave an ‘Oh’ making your cheeks flush further as you grabbed the pillow from your side, cuddling it close as you nuzzled your nose into the soft fuzzy fur, “Shut up guys.” You whined making them both laugh. You knew what they were hinting at but didn’t want to confide anything.

It wasn’t necessarily them, but it was yourself. The main reason you had yet to jump into anything with Jungkook was simply because you wanted time, making sure you eased out of your breakup with no strings attached or any regret. Jungkook being who he was, wasn’t about to pressure you into anything, especially after you told him you just wanted time to recoup from your break up, understably, it was also the main reason he held off from any advancements on you, physically and...you supposed romantically. You swallowed at the idea, making your cheeks burn hotter.

You couldn’t help but feel a little excitement rush through you at the thought, you supposed, you had developed a little bit of a...crush on your mentor. But it was hard not too, all the petnames, cuddles and affection, he’d take you for breakfast most days and endured your delicate temperament, it would be hard to not have at least a tiny crush on him.

It was why you avoided the group chat so heavily, you didn’t like being taunted by all of his one night stands even though that was never his intention in the first place. It didn’t take a genius to figure out Jungkook had a high sex drive and to be fair you did want time on your own, no relationships or beneifcal friendships. But still. Maybe, just maybe, he liked you too?

You rubbed your cheeks as Yeri gave a hum, “When do you think they’ll get in? You said Jungkook left here around twelve right?”

“Mhm,” You shifted against the soft pillow with a nod, “He went to Cherry Bomb earlier to get everything set up, probably stopped by his apartment and got showered first though. Pretty sure it didn’t start until around three I think?”

Rosé nodded as she dipped the handle back in the nail polish bottle, “Mhm, those girls have to be wasted by now, hopefully they didn’t get any of the guys to drink too much.” You couldn’t help but let your face scrunch slightly, that had also happened before and was never a pretty sight.

Not as though you had to deal with it for very long, you had never even seen Jungkook drunk before but he was also extremely adamant about it and had simply told you he didn’t need to be wasted to have a good time. You weren’t about to complain when Jimin and Hoseok had been up on the bar attempting karaoke, shockingly enough, they were actually pretty decent.

Yeri sighed as she curled up on the bed, the poor thing obviously wishing her lover was with her as she circled patterns on the soft comforter, “I can only hope.” You gave her a tiny, sympathetic smile, you could understand in a way. On nights like these you’d prefer to be lounged out with Jungkook annoyingly eating all of your chips, though you secretly loved it, while you browsed on your laptop.

It was the little things you enjoyed the most.

“You know what,” Rosé clacked her lips, opening her phone as she gave a hum, “I'm gonna see if I can yoink some selfies from them.” You groaned, curling into your pillow you held, they often had a weekend ritual of sending borderline nsfw selfies into the chat, or sometimes they were nsfw.

Just as she finished her message your phone buzzed, curiously Yeri crawled over to you as you let go of your pillow, letting her look over your shoulder as you facepalmed.

Yeri and Rosé were wheezing as you whined, throwing your phone on the bed as you cried out with a loud whine, burying yourself in the piles of blankets. Your cheeks on fire and a whimper escaping your lips from embarrassment. God why did you ever think taking that photo was a good idea?

You had just gotten out of the shower yesterday morning when you took that photo, feeling cute and just taking it to take it without any intention of ever letting it see the light of day for someone else's eyes. Just the idea of Jungkook seeing it made your face blush wildly and your humiliation want to dive off a cliff.

“Why did you even have that on your phone if you didn’t wanna send it?” Rosé howled out, standing up as she waddled over to the bed, careful to not ruin her freshly painted toenails, “Was it for someone else?”

“No!” You cried out making them break into a whole new fit of laughter, “I-I just! I felt cute that morning!” It was the truth, you had thought maybe it would help your esteem by taking a cute panty picture but now all you felt was embarrassed. It was dumb given your friends had all seen you in even less then that before, on a daily basis. But this was different, it was private, for your eyes only.

It wasn’t a big deal, and it was your own fault but still. You wouldn’t deny the stir between your thighs at Jungkook’s messages though, obviously riled up at the ten second glance he gained from your picture. If your cheeks weren’t red before they definitely were now.

Sighing you ignored their laughs as you crawled out of bed, shuffling to the bathroom in an attempt to recompose yourself. Shutting the door you sighed, dropping your head against it before letting out a whine, note to self: delete those pictures.

At that thought your phone buzzed making you jump, not sure if Jungkook stole someones phone to text you or- Oh.... you sighed in relief at the text from your mother, they had been talking about taking a trip to visit you here in Seoul next month and honestly? You had been happy to know, you had been so buried between class and work that you rarely had time to talk to your mom anymore. Knowing they’d be visiting next month made you all giddy and excited, steering your embarrassed thoughts away from what had just happened.

Taking a moment to recollect yourself and text your mom back you took your time, getting ready to open the door when it suddenly rapped from the other side, “Y/n!”

Opening the door your heartrate spiked at Rosé’s fretting tone, confused you glanced between her wide frantic eyes and Yeri who was putting on her shoes, “What’s up?”

“Jimin just called, Namjoon took a bad fall from the stage, they’re on their way to the hospital right now.” She had already turned to put her shoes on as you quickly followed suit. A bad fall? What was that supposed to mean, did he hit his head? Was he okay? Had he overworked himself? They did have a lot of numbers for that bachelorette party. Wasting no time you put your shoes on, grabbing your cardigan and keys before heading to the car, looks like a day off just didn’t exist anymore.

It was nearly two AM and your eyes had that familiar sting of tiredness in them, it hurt to blink and the bright fluorescent lights of hospital almost made you squint. You had been curled up against the familiar side of Jungkook who had an arm around you, looking tired himself as he yawned, running a hand through his hair, “Didn’t think it would take them this long to get xrays done.”

“He’s probably giving them a hard time with how much he drank,” Jimin snorted from the other wall, Rosé long past out on his shoulder with a small snore, “We still have training tomorrow and Cherry Bomb’s a fucking mess, Seokjin is still on the phone with Sejin and hell- maybe even Bang, might get the day off but who knows.” He stretched out as much as he could without disturbing Rosé, his eyes also tired and honestly you were surprised Jimin was the sober one given how often he drank too much.

“Was Yoongi not there tonight?” You asked quietly, rubbing your eyes as you let out a yawn yourself shuffling in Jungkook’s grip as he pulled you closer, usually you’d still be fairly bright eyed at Cherry Bomb but it was different when you were in sweats and a t-shirt compared to a bodysuit with a margarita in hand.

You felt the urge to shut your eyes when Jungkook ran his hand against your arm, “No he’s visiting family in Daegu for the weekend, he won’t be back until tomorrow evening to cover regular shift. I can head back over and clean up, I doubt we’ll hear anything about Namjoon until the morning.” Jungkook stood up making a muffled whine escape your lips at the loss of heat his body served as your own personal heater, his lips quirked into a small smirk as he glanced down, “You wanna come help baby?”

Groaning you sunk into your seat, not at all appealed to the idea of spending your night, the one you where you should’ve been in the warm covers of your bed, at Cherry Bomb once again, except cleaning up a room that looked like a frat party no doubt, “Oh yeah just how I wanted to spend my day off.” You sighed as you stood up, rubbing your eyes as you bidded everyone goodnight, following behind Jungkook with another yawn.

Cherry Bomb, just as Jimin said, was a literal wreck.

Bottles scattered over the floors tables had been put up and chairs littered the main floor, glitter and holographic confetti covered the floor and splatters of white substance...presumably cum- stained the floor, god you hated bachelorette parties, “This is so disgusting.” You groaned, ignoring the white substance as you continued sweeping up the confetti.

“Hey I kept my dick in my pants the whole time, blame Seokjin for half of this.” That was the last excuse you even wanted to hear as Jungkook defended himself, “You should’ve seen it, almost three of them got in a fight to suck his dick.” Closing your eyes you inhaled sharply as he laughed at your expression, “Speaking of…”

You felt your face flush as you flashed him a warning glance, focusing down on the floor as you continued to push all of the litter into a pile, “Were those new panties? I’ve never seen you in them before.”

“Jeon Jungkook!” You snapped out turning around, stomping your foot in embarrassment, your face bright red as your free hand curled into a fist making him laugh even harder, “I don’t wear all of my underwear at work!” In any other situation and setting, you were dully aware it would’ve been a weird statement, however you were in fact, strippers and that was a perfectly valid statement, you had come to appreciate wearing pretty panties and didn’t like showing all of the ones you owned off where you worked.

“Oh so you won’t mind showcasing those for me privately then?” Jungkook raised his brows, his smile cheeky as he leaned back on his feet making the scowl twist further on your face, he really did get on your nerves some days...“What’s with that look babydoll? Am I not allowed to be curious?”

Stomping your foot once more your lips quivered into a pout as you angrily swept the floor, “You aren’t curious, you’re shameless!” He really was and the fact that he knew it, even proudly flaunted it made you all the more embarrassed and angry.

Jungkook exasperatedly clacked his tongue as he propped himself up to sit on the edge of the stage, “Me shameless? You were the one that sent your cute little ass into a groupchat- who was it for?” You furrowed your brows at the sudden edge in his voice.

“What?” You turned around at his words, not expecting the abrupt question nor the slight change in his tone, leaning against the broom as Jungkook curved a brow, mildly annoyed as if he didn’t like having to go in more detail, “Who was it supposed to be for if you didn’t mean to send it into the chat?”

Your lips quivered into an even bigger pout, cheeks flushing as you turned back to the path you had created, flustered at just the idea of ever sending something like that to someone, “No one Jungkook. I just thought I looked cute yesterday morning, it wasn’t meant for anyone.” You weren’t sure if you were embarrassed at his question or your own answer. You didn’t have any booty calls like the rest of your friends and you weren’t sure if you even wanted any.

Leaning back against his hands Jungkook hummed, shoulders relaxing as he replied, “Feel free to send them to me babygirl, I’ll put them to good use.” Your nose wrinkled at his purred words, cheeks burning as your refused to glance at him.

“Jungkook,” he hummed as you finally turned around, unable to hide his grin at your quivering lips, big puppy eyes and red cheeks as you murmured, “Please shut the fuck up.”

~~~~~

You felt oddly well rested, taking in a big breath before nuzzling in closer to the mass of heat, legs tangled together and you loved when you woke up to your hair being played with just like today. Things felt too comfortable though.

You were well aware it was Jungkook who had accompanied you in bed, he insisted on staying the night and before you could even put up a fight he had crashed down on your bed, sprawled out with a sleepy smirk, the one he always wore when he was tired and ready to drown you in a warm cuddle you just couldn’t say no too.

Letting out a soft breath you shifted in his grip as you yawned, grabbing your phone before your eyes almost popped out of your head, “Jungkook it’s almost 9!” You were two hours late to practice and he just let you guys sleep in!? You had barely shot up before you were forcibly pulled back down, standing no match for the muscle pig that pulled you back against him, “Calm down baby, we got in late last night,” His voice was a note deeper and raspier against your ear setting an uncomfortable warmth between your thighs, “I figured you’d be happy to sleep in.”

“We didn’t get in any later then we usually do!” You huffed as you struggled to get out of his grip, Jungkook held you firmly though, not even looking affected by your efforts as he kept his eyes closed. In admist your struggling though you paused when he let out a small moan, “Fuck… would you stop that?”

That's when you felt the prominent hard line of his boner pressed snuggly against your ass making you let out a whine, trying to keep your thighs from rubbing together at the feeling as you whined, “Let me go! We need to go get ready for practice.”

“Five more minutes,” Jungkook replied, burying his face in your neck, “God I didn’t realize how much you enjoyed practice for as much as you complain.” You jumped at the feeling of his hips slowly grinding into yours.

You tensed as you bit your lip, arousal flooding your body as it stuck uncomfortably to your panties, “Stop rubbing your boner against me.” You huffed flusteredly, suddenly letting out a whine at his hips thrusting into yours, his deep sleepy moan in your ear.

Jungkook only wrapped his arms around you further, hands playing with the band of your sweat pants as he let his lips drag against your ear, “Take off your sweats.” You had already been turned on before, but hearing him command those words, sounding half asleep and that raspy tone working your body all on it’s own had made you quickly push them down, “Mmm good girl.” He inhaled against your neck as you whined, your panties embarrassingly wet as they clung to your folds, body unable to keep still as your ass nudged against his cock that throbbed in his own sweats, “Now take off your shirt.”

You let out a shaky breath, your cheeks on fire as you quickly obeyed, his arms letting go of you briefly as you pulled the material over your head, your tired gaze on the floor as the fabric of your comforter brushed against the skin of your breasts, “Ah fuck, such a good girl.” Jungkook praised, his eyes still shut as his hands roamed over your body, “Are you gonna be good for daddy?”

Your body burned with need as you whimpered a yes, his cock rubbed against the cheeks of your ass, You could feel Jungkook’s smirk on your skin before pulling you on top of him, “Then show daddy what a good girl you are and ride his thigh.”

You were straddled against his stomach, cheeks bright red as your nipples hardened, arousal soaking your panties as he cracked his eyes open, drinking up the sight before him as he let out a breathy laugh, “You’re already soaked babydoll. Look at those wet panties, such a messy baby.” He clacked his tongue as you dropped your chin down, staring at his chest as his hands squeezed against your sides, “They have to be uncomfortable against that pretty pussy, you wanna take them off?”

You didn’t think it was possibly to become anymore aroused, shaking your head he let out a laugh, grabbing your hips as he forced you into action, pulling between his thigh as he let out a soft moan, “Such a pretty baby, go on, make a big mess over daddy’s thigh I wanna see my baby cum.”

Letting out a breathy moan you placed your hands against his stomach, feeling it’s chiseled muscles tense beneath your fingers as you testingly rubbed your hips down his thighs, a sudden whimper escaping your lips at the feeling of your clit rubbing into his thigh, Jungkook ran a hand through his hair as he sighed, “Fuck you look so hot, such a needy baby, your cunts practically dripping.”

His filth instantly made your hips buck, any reservations you previously had gone as you harshly pressed your hips into his thigh, your clit rubbing in delicious friction between your panties and his sweats, a big wet spot quickly growing as you whimpered, “F-fuck- Daddy…!” You felt dirty for whimpering those words but your body only grew hotter as your orgasm quickly approached.

You nearly choked on your own spit when Jungkook’s hand came into sight, hand palming his hard, aching cock in his sweats as you whimpered, “What baby?” Jungkook let out a sadistic smile, “Want daddy’s cock?”

He watched your hips buck into his thigh faster, another high pitched moan escaping your lips as you nodded. Your lips parted as he pushed his sweats down just enough to release his swollen cock, it was so big his shaft was thick with a protruding vein, slightly curved and his bulbous head beaded with precum and was such a pretty shade of red.

You jumped out of your skin at the feeling of Jungkook’s hand entering your panties, nearly moaning as he palmed your clit, a cry escaping your throat as you whimpered, “Please daddy! I’ll be a good girl, please!”

Your juices messily spilled all over his hand, your hips pressing harsher into his palm to rub further against your needy clit as you leaned forward, tits bouncing and hair slanting view of your face as you whined, desperate for his cock to fill your aching body.

“Fuck thats hot.” Jungkook muttered, eyes fixated on your hips fluidly pleasuring yourself against him, you let out a loud whine as his fingers dragged up your soaked slit, teasing past your clit as you nearly cried out, “P-please! Fuck please!”

Instead of rubbing your clit like you had hoped he only used your arousal for his cock, grabbing it as he began to squeeze against his base, “You have to earn daddy’s cock, make me cum without doing anything and I’ll consider it for next time.”

Your eyes glossed at his words, ready to cry despite your hips rubbing for more friction, unable to take your eyes off his swollen cock that he held in his hand, pumping it at an eased paced that made you clench around nothing but the thought of his fat cock filling you up, “You said you were daddy’s good girl right?”

You threw your head down at his words, you thighs squeezing against his with a whine, Jungkook managed a breathy chuckle as he hummed, “Oh so you like being a good girl?” You let out a whine, your cheeks on fire as your orgasm began to build, “You like being told how much of a good girl you are for me, how well you ride daddy’s thigh? You gonna be a good baby and cum for daddy?”

His words were almost too much to bear, your hips beginning to stutter as pleasure began to bloom throughout your whole body, “F-fuck! I-I wanna be daddy’s good girl! I wanna make daddy’s cock feel so good, wanna be stuffed full and fucked until my pussy is dripping.” The words fumbled from your lips as your pace became more messy, pleasure suddenly twisting and snapping in your body as you cried out, “Mmm! Fuck me daddy! Please! Please! I need your cock so bad I want it splitting my pussy open and stuffing me full, please!”

You couldn’t keep the filth from pouring out of your mouth as you breathed heavily, crying out at the orgasm that snapped throughout your body, whimpering at the sharp twist of pleasure filtering through your body as you shakily held onto his stomach, barely registering Jungkook’s breathy moans, “Be a good little cockslut and stay still,” He suddenly growled making you whimper, obediently forcing your trembling body to lie still as he quickly pumped his shaft, his tip aiming at you, licking your quivering lips at his daunting bulbous tip aimed directly at you as you whimpered, “Pl-please just let me suck it, I’ll be daddy’s good girl and-and take it,”

Jungkook squeezed against his shaft, another moan escaping his mouth as he tucked his tongue into his cheek, dominance rolling off him in waves at the sight of you trying to keep still against his thigh, panties completely soaked with those pretty tits on display, it was your face that got him the most though, the way your cheeks burned bright red and your pupils blown out and eyes doe like, “I said: No, you fucking cockslut,”

You let out a quiet whine, eyes dropping back down submissively to his throbbing cock that he held with a tight grip, his palm roughly squeezing his head as he growled, “You haven’t earn the right to suck daddy’s cock. Now be a good girl and keep riding my thigh.”

“B-but...” Your body was so hypersensitive already your hips were trembling at just the idea, Jungkook used his free hand to suddenly strike your thigh making you give a loud yelp as he snarled, “Ride my thigh you slut, don’t make me repeat myself.” He bounced his thigh up to your aching core, making sure to hit your clit as you whimpered a moan, “If you can take daddy’s cock you can take daddy’s thigh.”

Letting out a shaky whine you obediently let your hips drag back down his thigh with a whimpered moan escaping your lips, “D-daddy it hurts.” Despite the oversensitivity your hips were quickly bucking further into his thigh, your clit throbbing in pain and pleasure as the need for his skin to be in contact with your clit burned in you harsher.

You cried out at his hand slapping over your thigh once more as he growled, “Then why are you still going huh? Don’t pretend like you don’t like using daddy’s thigh you slut,” His degradation was making your folds practically drip but you couldn’t feel an ounce of shame as you moaned, “Look at you getting off on daddy’s thigh while begging like a little whore for his cock, are you daddy’s little whore?”

You whimpered, nails dragging down his abdominal, having never been spoken to with so much degradation yet your body was begging for more as your face burned brighter, “I-I love being daddy’s whore, pl-please daddy,” You tugged at the band of his sweatpants that had been pulled past his hips.

Jungkook let the wide smirk pull on his lips, “Such an obedient baby, you wanna ride the skin of my thigh don’t you baby? Pull them down further.” You nearly jumped for joy at his permission as you quickly shifted to pull his sweats to his knees. What Jungkook hadn’t expected was you to pull your panties to the side before quickly lowering down to the warm skin of his thigh, letting out a long shaky moan in relief.

Jungkook nearly lost it in that moment, forcing his hand to stop to keep himself from cumming at the feeling of your dripping wet cunt split and dragging over his open thigh, now wet and messy covered in your juices, “Look at my needy baby,” He cooed out, voice finally relaxing as he let his throbbing cock rest on his stomach, “Such a good girl,” you let out a shaky moan, hips stuttering as you pressed your clit down against his warm skin, dragging it down his thigh as your slick arousal glistened against his tan skin, “Does babygirl need my fingers?”

He let out a breathy chuckle as you whimpered, “P-please daddy! I’ve - I've been so good!” hips quickly bucking into his thigh as he let his hand slide down making you whimper as he let his pads drag in little circles over your clit, “Mmm! F-fuck it-it hurts daddy.” Your lips quivered with a moan.

Jungkook only grabbed his cock with his free hand, pumping it with ease as he let out a breathy moan, “If you’re daddy’s good girl then cum again, be a greedy little cumslut for daddy and make a big mess over his thigh.” You let out a high pitched moan as his fingers dragged over your swollen little nub, finding it’s sweet spot as he pressed down into it, quickly letting his fingers pace pick up as he rubbed into it.

“Go on babygirl, cum on daddy's thigh, are you gonna be a good girl and hold still to take my cum?” He let a haughty smirk pull on his lips as you cried out, rapidly bucking into his hips as your thighs squeezed against his, your second orgasm nearly taking all of the energy out of you, every little touch of his thigh on your clit had you whining and whimpering as you tried to stay still, “Y-yes...I’m daddy’s good girl…”

Jungkook finally relaxed, letting out a deep, raspy moan as his orgasm finally broke inside him from your words, pleasuring streaming through his veins as the spurts of cum shot out covering your body in the pretty white substance, and you were such a good girl, staying still as he covered you in his cum. Jungkook pumped every last drop out, making sure it all splattered against you as you let out a soft whine.

Flecks of white covering those pretty red cheeks as your body trembled gently, your breaths shallow and refusing to meet his, “Mmm such a good girl,” You jumped a little at his hand that placed on your cheek softly, thumbing the cum away from your cheekbone, “Not bad for a little masturbation play. Come let me get something to clean you up with.”

Jungkook sat up, intending to go to the bathroom but paused at the sound of your soft whimper, wrapping your arms tightly around him as you buried into his nose, a little sniffle escaping you as you let out a small whine, “No! Please don’t go.”

“Baby I’m not going anywhere-” You let out a soft sob, legs wrapping around his waist, afraid he’d leave you just like he did all of his other one night stands even though the rational side of you knew that wasn’t the case, fear had took over as you held onto him as if he’d disappear.

Jungkook let out a soft hush as he wrapped his arms around you, “Shhh, I’m not going to leave babygirl.” He shifted to lay back down, letting you rest on his chest as you gently sobbed into his shoulder, little tears trickling down your cheeks at the idea as you held onto him tightly, “You were such a good girl for daddy, was I too rough?”

He sounded a little worried, Jungkook had experienced a lot of different reactions from both subs and littles after sex but to have one crying afterwards was not something he ever thought he’d experience and he definitely wasn’t sure if it was a good thing. You only let out a small sob as you shook your head, tightening your grip on him as you buried your nose into his neck.

Jungkook only soothed you, rubbing your back gently as he pressed small kisses into your kiss, “Shh, I’m not going anywhere babygirl. What’s wrong?” You only sniffled further, rapidly shaking your head as you nuzzled further against him. Letting out a soft sigh Jungkook pressed another kiss into your skin, soothingly rubbing the bright red mark on your thigh from his hand, his free hand tangling in your hair to stroke it as he held you close.

Eventually you came down from your high of sex, body no longer trembling and your cheeks still stained from tears yet all you felt was embarrassment, you had never had such an episode of fright after sex let alone one that would push you into tears, “We’re late…” You finally rasped weakly, and much to your surprise Jungkook snorted a laugh.

Hesitantly you propped yourself up on his chest, cheeks beginning to flush as he looked up at you, both amusement and haughtiness on his expression, hands gently rubbing against your back as he asked, “I’m sorry but you just bawled your eyes out for twenty minutes, and that’s your first concern after? Are you okay baby?” Your lips quivered into a pout as the concern that drew in his eyes, “Was the degradation too much? I should’ve probably asked first, some girls get extremely turned off by that- or was it the spanking-”

“Jungkook,” You cut him off, rubbing the sticky cum from your cheeks as you shyly shifted off of him, curling your knees up to your chest, “I’m fine, if I didn’t like anything I would’ve told you, I just...I don’t know why I cried okay? I just....” your cheeks burned heavily as your lips trembled once more, “I don't know!”

Jungkook gave a soft laugh, sitting up as he tucked his members back into the confines of his boxers before fixing his sweatpants, “Alright baby, no need to be so defensive, I just wanted to make sure I didn’t hurt you. Unless you’re just upset I didn’t actually fuck you? If that’s the case then just give me ten minutes I-”

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” He laughed even louder as you pressed your hands into your ears with a whine, standing up as you waddled to the bathroom, to get a washcloth, “Like I said, we’re late!”

Jungkook groaned as he stretched out, following you inside the bathroom before casually shrugging, “Oh yeah forgot to mention practice got cancelled today,”

“What!?” You hissed out, whipping around to glare at him, he couldn’t have told you that before he whipped his dick out!? You glowered sulkily, making him laugh as he ruffled your hair making you stomp your foot, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Jungkook began fiddling with the knobs of the shower, brows pressing together a little in confusion as he tested the water with his hand, “Well you didn’t give me a chance babygirl, y’know if you just said fuck off when I told you to take off your sweats I probably would’ve told you then.”

Your lips tugged into an angry pout as you glared at his broad, muscular back that was revealed as he pulled the shirt over his head, your mouth suddenly gaping as your cheeks flared, “What…! What do you think you’re doing!?”

Jungkook ran a hand through his hair, glancing over his shoulder as he let the half smirk curl on his lips, “Showering?” if he had told you to get on your knees that very second, without a doubt, you would’ve did as told. The idea made your own knees weak as he ran his hand under the water once more, “You practically covered me in cum, kinda gross to be honest.”

You gaped like a fish before stomping your foot making him laugh as you pointed an accusing finger at him, “You…! You were the one who covered me in cum!”

You couldn’t even hold your ground though as Jungkook strode towards you, suddenly hauling you up by the thighs as he set you on the bathroom counter, “Oh hush you were the one who was practically begging to suck my dick. On god, I’ve never seen a girl look so happy to be covered in cum,” you whined for him to stop, feeling your cheeks flush at the chaste kiss he pecked on your neck, grabbing at the band of your panties before pulling them off in one swift motion.

Embarrassed you squeezed your thighs together, still hypersensitive and cautious making him pat the side of your thigh, “You’re so adorable,” your lips pulled into a big angry pout once more at his finger that bopped your nose, his eyes crinkled slightly with a smile, “Now come on let’s get showered, Namjoon wanted to talk to you at the hospital, it’s pretty important.”

You furrowed your brows at his words, tilting your head before nodding, hopping off the counter as you waddled into the shower, ignoring the arousal that slid down your thighs. Not before complaining about how hot the water was, “What’s it about?”

“Ah…” Jungkook gave a hum, pulling off the rest of his clothes before he shrugged, “It’d be easier to just let him do the talking,” He stepped into the shower with you, being in such close proximity of him made you slightly sheepish as you curled against yourself.

Feeling arms wrap around your waist you let out a soft whine as Jungkook nudged his nose into the crook of your neck, “Hush, I see you nearly naked every day. Now let me take care of my baby.” your cheeks had to be rosey at his words but you weren’t about to stop him when his fingers massaged into your scalp. Exhaling softly you finally leaned into his touch as your muscles relaxed, you had to admit, this was nice.

~~~~~

“What?” You were sure if you had even heard Namjoon right, everyone sat around in chairs, he looked definitely hungover and in an itchy looking hospital gown, hair ruffled and his foot wrapped in a splint. He had definitely seen better days and in light of the situation you could tell no one was going to let him live this down.

Namjoon couldn’t help but give a soft laugh at your shock expression as he explained, “I have a hairline fracture in my ankle, Doc said it might take up to 8 weeks to heal and given how much I’m scheduled at Cherry Bomb for this and next week, we really can’t afford to have gaps in the shows,”

“And trying to throw a shit ton of choreography at the girls would be a nightmare,” Jungkook chimed in, arm loosely draped around your shoulders, “Not to mention taxing for us.”

You could understand where they were coming from but still couldn’t quite believe the situation, almost surreal and any other girls dream come true. Or strippers dream come true.

Namjoon nodded in agreement with him as he directed his gaze back at you, “It’s up to you of course, but I think you’re ready. And it’s only temporary, just for the next few weeks so we have time to get the girls put on for extra dances.”

You nibbled on your lip, fidgeting with your fingers as you frowned, “Are you sure you don’t want someone else to do it?” This was a big leap from just being a trainee and you knew for a fact, there was a lot of other girls who’d probably do a better job than you, not to mention you’d be given shit from absolutely everyone within the next few weeks if you took this on.

Namjoon only smiled encouragingly, “No I’m pretty sure I want you to take my place Y/n, you’ll do just fine. Beside’s like I said, it’s only temporary and it’ll be good experience under your belt.”

The moment felt so surreal to hear, Namjoon really thought you’d be able to pull it off as a temporary soloist, swallowing thickly you finally gave a bashful smile, “Well, it's not like I can really say no, where do I begin?”

Letting his hand drop to your waist Jungkook gave it a squeeze as he gave you a confident smile, “You’ll wanna find some music first, soloist’s choose their costumes, choreography and music so you have your work cut out for you baby, if you need any help you know I’ll be there. Better get to work.”

~~~~~~

Note: Whew boy, tumblr headass was about to die with how much I shoved into this chapter, nearly spazzed at all of the images too LMAO. Anyways sorry for such a long wait loves I hope it was worth it! I’m extremely excited for next chapter!! Things get....interesting :)

Taglist: @loveherpersona @megladon1616 @pearlneedstosleep @sincerelyjeohn @jungkookies-golden-noona @ironically-indifferent96 @epiphany-playingwithfire @maboiisuga @kookphoria91 @taehyungiev13 @134340ismybitch @appreciatethefoolishness @hanhannguyen98 @lurkerarmy @lovelyjikook @repeating-seesaw-game​ @serendipity-secrets​ @kimvantaee​ @forevermoremagcon @timestandstillalittle​ @yanmi1​ @expensive-bangtan-girl​ @blxckeffect​ @egyptianwitchbutwithab @kimcheeeee​ @rather-not-sayy​ @pastel-i-decay​ @taeass​ @caitlinmarieeblossom​ @bokuandcoconutsarelife @desires-ss @jishookedout134​ @369girlswannadrinkwine @flowingwiththewater @w-ing-ss​ @rjsmochii​ @lovethatforme97 @bunnyboyenthusiast​ @adelina1299​ @rainbow-zebra-unicorns​ @namjoonies-dimple @rubydotexe​ @keyaqua123​ @kai1697jeon​ @mochibabycakes​ @min-chimchim03​

(Let me know if you’d like to be added! We still have a few spots left!)

[lebenspurpur]

33 and 21 bestie

33. what is the best way to spend Halloween, in your opinion?

I love just strolling around my city's streets, dressed in a costume but one that captures my original personality. I love scaring other "older" people out in the streets and I love gifting the trick-and-treating children my candy, I have a really weird soft spot for kids.

21. is there a scary story that really frightens you or that just really stuck with you? a legend, a myth, something purely fictitious?

I know so many scary stories, sometimes it's really difficult to keep track of all of them.

Something unfortunately really real that stuck with me until today though (TW religious trauma??):

Also haha long story ahead, I think it's worth reading but hey, your decision, champ. My therapist would be so proud of me for sharing this *wipes tear*.

As a child, around 8 years old or so, I was in a summer camp around an hour's drive away from my town. It was for around 7 to 11 or 12-year-olds.

I didn't know anyone in the camp but it was about horses and trust me, at that time, horses were the shit for me. It was organized by this free protestant church. I wasn't raised as a catholic and I remember being worried about them finding out. My mom reassured me that nothing would happen to me.

So everything's fine, I arrive there, my mom leaves and I meet my "tent mates". They've been at this camp before and I asked them how it was, hoping for a good time.

They told me it was a great camp and I, relieved, proceeded to enjoy my first day. The camp was around 10 days long and after one night, I already noticed weird things.

Not only did we have to pray in silence every single morning at 7 o'clock and before meals, riding was also really not the main focus of the camp. We spend maybe an hour a day doing it.

The main supervisor told us he wanted to surprise his girlfriend and propose. He also told us he'd need our help. We'd have to make a "hallway" out of our hands that she could walk through.

Excited, we all did as he asked. She walked through our little tunnel, super confused. He asked her the question and she... said no.

Heartbroken, the main supervisor started crying and we all confusedly watched his girlfriend rush away into the fields behind our tents. That was the last time we saw her.

The next morning we overheard the other counselors whispering over her disappearance and how they saw her leave in a black van with a stranger. They joked about a secret boyfriend but most of them were truly concerned, thinking about a possible kidnapping.

We were in the middle of nowhere so everything seemed a little more threatening.

During the next two days, things got worse.

The girlfriend didn't show up not did she contact anyone. By now we were sure it was a kidnapping. The counselors told us they knew about who might've kidnapped her and we had to help them find that person.

Worrying about our all safety, all the children agreed to help them. By now, more supervisors, as well as children, had started to disappear.

The counselors proceeded to send us on these very long searches in the middle of the night. They made it seem like a scavenger hunt, something fun, but they had us search for ominous, threatening notes sometimes hid in bushes, human-looking dolls,, or traps (I don't think they were dangerous but they looked real.).

I went on one of them but it scared me to death.

The second night I stayed home, much to the dismay of the supervisors. They shamed everyone who wanted to stay in the tent, threatening them to leave them alone in the camp.

I stayed in my tent anyway, too frightened to leave again. It didn't help that these little "scavenger hunts" took place in the forest.

They told the truth, I was left alone in the tent for the time of the hunt, which was around two to three hours.

The only thing these notes we found told us anyway, was that there was this huge, powerful, and influential person that kidnapped the one girlfriend.

Suddenly the supervisors told us a different story. Apparently, this influential person didn't mean anything bad, and we were supposed to help them.

So the next day we made a shrine with the notes, we even picked flowers. This person was a god now, we even kind of had to pray to it.

The camp was nearing its end and I could not have been happier. I don't think I had ever felt that scared before.

The last evening we made a giant meal. They had us hang a huge cross on the wall across from us.

We ate, everything seemed calm for once. Then, one adult stood up and told us that they'd made a speech.

It was about the influential person, the missing people, and how we'd fix all this.

The solution was easy, the person wanted an offering, a sacrifice and it'd have to be one of us children.

The table went quiet as the supervisors walked through our seats, looking for a fitting offering. They had an unbelievably frightened little girl in their grip as everything stopped. And they laughed.

The next hour was spent with the supervisors explaining that this all had been a joke, a story they told. They read the bible to us, especially the story they based this whole shit off was read multiple times.

At that time, I only felt relief, not anger. Nowadays I feel mad at how delusional someone has to be to scare little children into believing they're not safe for a whole fucking week.

End of the story, the children and the adults reappeared, healthy and having a good time. The man who wanted to propose told us the, apparently hilarious, story of how he had to dribble lemon juice into his eyes to get that "i-cried-the-whole-night" look.

My mom got me the next morning, interested in what I had to tell. I didn't say anything until we were in the car, numbingly explaining the events that had happened to me.

My mom was shocked, too shocked to confront them about this. She drove me home, I felt safe again and it slipped to the other memories from my childhood.

In the end, the thing that I keep wondering about is the other children. There were definitely kids who had been at this camp before. Why didn't they tell anyone about this story? About the supervisors plan?

What did they get bribed with? Or... in the worst case, threatened?

The camp doesn't exist anymore. The church who planned it, does.

I still play with the thought of revisiting the whole place, see if it brings up any other emotions. My therapist loves that idea but we don't listen to her here.

I hope you got freaked out hah.

ʟɛɮɛռֆքʊʀքʊʀ

[julieoftarth]

If you're still taking prompts: The 5 times Jaime blew it + the 1 time he got it right.

Okay, it’s been way more than a year since this prompt, so I apologize. I’m just now diving into all the ones in my ask box! So hopefully you will see more stories soon. 

Reformed Idiot

 1.     Jaime was still full of adrenaline and completely pissed about losing that hesaid the worst thing possible to a player on the opposing team. “You’re muchuglier without your helmet. You should probably put it back on.”

2.     When he overheard her own teammates make fun of her, he felt immediatelyguilty. She was the best player on their team, and they were dishonorable trashfor speaking that way about her. He tried to apologize for his earlier comment,but it came out wrong. “I didn’t realize you were a woman, you looked like aman in your mask.” Jaime wished she could take back the words once they wereout of his mouth, but she was already stomping away.

  3.     A few weeks later, he was excited to see her at the state tournament after all thenights he had dreamed of her strong body and brilliant blue eyes. When his team’sbus broke down and they all had to cram into their opponent’s for a ride home,he squeezed in next to Brienne. He decided to put on his signature move andstretched his arm and then placed it around her shoulders. “There, now weshould fit better,” he said and immediately she scowled at him.

“If you wanted more room, you should havesat by someone smaller.”

  4.     Their freshman year of college they were miraculously finally on the same team.Though  Brienne FINALLY became hisfriend, he never stopped frequently annoying her, because he had grown quitefond of her scowl. He had taken to calling her “wench” after a hilarious role-playingsession in their history course. But when Ron Connington insulted her andcalled her the same, he punched him across the face.

“You started it,” Brienne accused him before running away from the party. Didn’tshe realize that from him it was a term of endearment?

  5.     After Jaime lost his hand in the car accident,and subsequently his sports scholarship – he laid depressed in the hospitaluntil Brienne started visiting him every day. She helped him find the will tolive again, and function as a normal human being.

 His family, however, seemed intent onputting him in a perpetual bad mood. His father was gleeful at the developmentand used the opportunity to demand Jaime leave the history program he was inand take up finance studies. And he would then pay for his schooling, of course.

 His twin sister Cersei came in to complainabout how this injury impacted her, that all the attention would be on hismissing limb for all their future family photos. And this ruined his identityas her exact twin. They were fraternal twins, so he didn’t know what the hellshe meant anyway. He only read her disgust at his stump and it put him in afoul mood.

 And then Brienne showed up to see him withher new boyfriend in tow – the annoying Hyle Hunt who treated her like crap.She made so much effort to change and not be the amazing person she was whenaround that dude. Jaime hated it. When Hyle made a particularly annoyingcomment, Jaime snapped and told them both to get the hell out.

 Brienne didn’t come back for a week.

 He hated that worse.

   1.      

Jaime loved living with Brienneafter college. Though they were just roommates, he was working up the nerve tosomeday tell her how he felt. Things were going great. Hyle Hunt was finallyout of her life. Jaime had finally left his family behind and was working atthe front desk of a local museum. They had a great life together. All that wasmissing was that he didn’t get to kiss her goodnight.

And then that guy at their gymasked her out. Tormund something or other. Jaime hated him of course, but afterhe lost her for a while when he said something about Hyle, he was not willingto risk it again. He just ground his teeth while she got ready for her date.

“What’s wrong, Jaime?”

He wasn’t going to do it. “Nothing.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Jaime,I know you, and you are literally covering your mouth right now so that youaren’t talking.” It was true, he put his prosthetic hand over his lips so hewouldn’t have an outburst. When he still didn’t speak she pulled it off hismouth. “Jaime?”

“He’s not right for you! Youshouldn’t go out with him.”

Brienne looked at him with sadeyes. “I know.”

Jaime gasped in surprise. “Thenwhy are you going.”

Brienne threw up her hands infrustration. “Because I don’t want to be alone. Because maybe going out withsomeone I don’t like but is crazy about me is better than always pining forguys who could never love me!”

She shouted the last part, andJaime froze. “Who?”

“What?”

“Who Brienne. Who are you piningfor that can’t love you back?”

Brienne abruptly turned andgrabbed her purse and tried to leave the apartment. Jaime grateful he hadburned off his angry energy at Tormund on the treadmill at the gym because hewas able to run and beat Brienne to the door.

“Who, Brienne?”

“Let it go, Jaime.”

But he couldn’t, and he finallygave in and told her. “Because I can, Brienne, if it’s me. I can definitelylove you back.”

She looked at him like he hadgrown two heads. “What?”

“I can love you back. I do,actually. I have probably since the beginning.”

She gave him a scowl. “You calledme ugly.”

“I was an idiot.”

“So what changed? I’m still ugly.”

“You’re beautiful to me.”

She sighed and he knew she did notbelieve him. “So what changed, Jaime,” she asked again.

He shrugged. “I decided to stopbeing an idiot.”

And then he did the smartest thingin his life – he kissed her.

And miraculously, she kissed himback.

She finally pulled away andgrinned at him. “I do enjoy a reformed idiot. It took you long enough.”

He kissed her again. And every dayafter that for the rest of their lives.

[toruhalo]

Psychotic (1/?)

Pairings: Ledger!Joker x Female OC

Wordcount: 1445

Warnings: conversations of violence/murder, explicit language

A/N: A special thank you to my friends @fallingthroughstairs​, @ladyoftheseastuff​ !!

previous chapter: prologue

next chapter: 2

masterlist

On the daughter's eighteenth birthday, she was transferred to Arkham Asylum from her in-patient psychiatric unit. The doctors confirmed her mental state did not improve, and psychiatrists within the asylum agreed they would handle her case. Passing cells, the girl recognized notorious criminals from the news. As she settled into her cell, she heard many cellmates yelling across the hallway at each other. She cowered into the corner where her bed sat, hoping to not encounter anyone.

"Hey, you," a voice called.

She looked up to discover a man in the room diagonal from hers. He was covered in gnarly looking scars and wore an unsettling smile. She quickly looked down, pretending she couldn't hear. The man huffed and banged against the bars, "I'm talking to you, plum tips." Until that moment, she had completely forgotten the ends of her hair were purple.

She finished blow-drying her freshly dyed hair, feeling defiant yet gratified with herself. A part of her was shaking in fear of how her parents would react, but that was the point. It was a symbol of recalcitrance.

Tiptoeing out of the bathroom, she ran straight into a body. The body disclosed itself as her one and only father. He seized her by the shoulders, ready to ram her to the side until he saw her head.

"You look like a fucking eggplant," he said while staggering away.

That had been three years ago, only a week before the incident. The doctors never bothered cutting her hair, and it never crossed her mind. The man within the enclosure crossways from hers began to spit out profanities, causing a guard to rush over.

"Shut the hell up!" the guard yells.

A soft snicker was then heard from the pitch-black cell directly across from the girl's own. She tried to see who belonged to the sound but detected no movement within. Her environment might be affecting her mental state, she thought.

Standing in line at the cafeteria, the girl directs her eyes to the ground. She hastily obtains her food and secures an unoccupied table, next to a couple of guards. She picks at the poorly made steak fingers, not finding anything appetizing. The room began filling with muffled laughter and the occasional one-sided conversation. Guards strolled between tables but paid no attention to the inmates. Some were pretending to write on the walls, while some just stared off into space. She was gratified she wasn't at that level of insanity, at least not yet. After a while of taking small bites of food, a towering broad-shouldered man approached her table.

"Is this seat taken?" he asked. She shook her head in response. He smiled politely and set his tray down beside hers.

The air between them infused with uncomfortable silence. The girl never once looked up from her lap, playing with a stray string on her striped outfit. The man coughed once he finished his lunch.

"Are you going to eat those?" he points at her tray. She follows his finger to the baby carrots rolled off to the side. She repeats her head shake from the first encounter. The man whoops in delight and scarfs down the orange vegetables.

"I'm Matthew, but my friends call me Sharpener. Nice to meet you," the man grins while extending his hand. The girl pulls her sleeve over her hand and mutually gives a handshake.

"W-where did you g-get the name Sharpener from?" the girl mumbles in question. Sharpener turns in surprise, not expecting her to talk. He laughs, "Oh, I put this guy's finger in one. It was hilarious." They both started laughing together, not aware they were being watched from afar.

“I want a nickname," the girl whispered to herself while lying face-up in her cot. She hated her birth name, Lauren, for several legitimate reasons. One, her parents administered it to her. Two, it sounded like a stuck-up popular girl's name. She sat up and began looking, maybe something would come to her. She gazed at her reflection from the metal frame of the cell bars and saw her aqua eyes. "Blue? No..." She caught a glimpse of her long hair, "Purple? Plum? Violet?" The preceding one caused her to stop. "Violet," she repeated. Purple was her favorite color after all.

“I like it."

Violet yelps and jerks her head around. A resounding cackle follows after her evident panic.

"Why you all... jumpy?" The voice continues. The man who bothered her not even five hours ago has been relocated for violent behavior, so she was the only one left in the hallway. Violet registers that the sound is coming from the dark ominous cell directly across. She grips the edge of the blanket, shifting it up closer to her chest.

"W-who are you?" Violet asks.

"Me? I'm a voice... a voice you've got buried so far down in your pretty little head. Or maybe it's coming to the surface... Stuffed under layers of societal teachings, that is just itching to get out..." After the last word fades into the depths, the owner of the strange vocalization came up to the bars.

He was lean and wiry, with an angular jaw and impressive bone structure. His sinister brown eyes were hooded with interest and adorning a broad charming smile. Atop his head was unwashed shoulder length dirty blonde hair with a hint of green. Attached to his cheeks were deep scars stretched from the corners of his mouth to his ears. People might say the scars were ugly, but Violet thought they merely added to his allurement. Violet could feel her heart pounding fiercely within her ribcage, but was she excited or scared?

 "Joker...?" Violet recalls doctors gossiping over that name during her hospitalization. They described him as a man who had a sharp Glasgow smile and wore clown makeup. Rumored to be the one who pushed Batman to kill Harvey Dent.

“One and only..."

“Are y-you not allowed to wear f-face paint here?" Violet questions.

The Joker smiles even wider, "No... It's against their code." He pauses to tilt his head. "Why do you ask? You want to see me in my best moments?" The accusation makes Violet flush a fiery red on her cheeks. In all honesty, she did want to see that. She wanted to see what made him... him.

"N-no, I was just curious..."

"Well ya know, curiosity killed the cat. Slaughtered him in pieces actually..." He giggled to himself. The joke made a small smirk to appear on Violet's face.

The Joker hummed to himself and itched his greasy head. "So... Why you in the loony bin? Ya got a... mental problem?"

 Violet averted her eyes and swallowed what felt like a thousand needles in her throat. "I-I killed someone."

"Classic... Who was it? Boyfriend? Girlfriend? Stalker?"

"Dad."

He chuckled and leaned his forehead against the cold bars. "Tell me more."

"My parents... abused me all my life. I never knew happiness around them. I began to have dreams about killing them and decided to go through with it. My mother got away, and I still think about it every day. And I don't regret killing him, not one bit. He deserves to rot in hell for all I care." Violet grips the edge of the bed harshly with whitening knuckles.

The Joker licks his lips and whistles lowly. "Quite a story... You want to... uh... know something?" Violet looks up in interest.

"You didn't stutter," he says with half-lidded eyes.

Violet straightens her posture, "O-oh. I-I guess I got too focused." “Mhm." Joker slowly sits down, laboriously dragging his hand against the bars. Violet leans eagerly closer to observe his hands in motion. His fingernails were overgrown and hid some dirt and grime underneath. The creases on his palms were discolored, might've been from all of the face paint and a distinct lack of hygiene. "So," Violet clears her throat," H-how did you get caught? O-or was it your plan?" The Joker huffs and picks at his pant leg. "I wouldn't call it a... plan. I'm flexible, and uh... very unpredictable." She also overheard rumors he was a genius in planning his next move, especially with Harvey Dent and the girl named Rachel. His previous statement puzzled her, but maybe he didn't see himself as a guy who made plans. "The Batman hung me upside down on a ninety-story building... the uh SWAT team got me," he interrupts her thoughts. "T-that must've been s-scary."  "Not if you're the scary one."

[marshmallowprotection]

Cause im a slut for aus, in an Anastasia au do you think Saeyoung and Vanderwood would be the con artists, or do you think Saeyoung and Saeran would be in Anastasias place? Or somewhere else? Or Saeyoung and Judas could be the con artists and Minji could be Anastasia, but then I don't know where Saeran and Lila would fit in. Though maybe Saeyoung could be Dimitri AND "the" lost child, and he only starts to remember while teaching the fake. And then remembers his twin? What are your thoughts?

Actually, I’m a slut for this too so I had all night to think about this because I saw it right before I went to bed and I think that I managed to put together something that I think will be unique but still consistent to the original story just in a way to fit in all of these dumb kids. I did like your initial takes on it and it would be kind of hilarious to think that Saeyoung is helping someone and then he gets hit with a “Wait, no, it can’t be me!” 

I thought it would be interesting to change things up a bit from my usual form of thinking when it comes to transitioning AUs over. I’m thinkin' that Saeyoung and Saeran would be the ones to take Anastasia’s place because the theme of those boys always being separated just comes fast and hard no matter what you do for it. Alright, the boys come from the royal family and all was well as they began to grow up bit by bit. 

That was, until, the family’s healer and advisor, Rika, was not given something she wanted and they turned against her, casting her aside. She was only around as they assumed she had healed the sickly Saeran but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. So, in her fit of revenge, she comes back to destroy all of them for what they had done to herself. The castle is under siege and everyone is in harm's way. 

Saeran, having been mostly sickly as a child and unable to go out often, realized as he and his brother were trying to escape that he had forgotten a gift that he had received, the music box, of course. There’s no time but Saeyoung can’t tell him no, so they go back. The castle is quickly made worse and worse by the second and by the time they recover the item, there’s worse things than Rika to worry about, angry civilians too. 

The boys are fortunate when a servant girl steps in and shows them one of the hidden passageways. The two manage to get out of that place thanks to her but they are ultimately separated during the chaos and Saeyoung is on the way to safety while Saeran is left lying in the dirt, cursed with amnesia from the blow to the head. 

That’s right, this AU means that Lila is Dimitri and Judas is Vlad, it seems rather fitting, wouldn’t you say? Vlad was, after all, a nobleman turned con-artist and an AU where he and Lila are partners in making chaos just needs to happen for me, okay? 

Now, Ray is left alone for years trying to move on from the past that he did not know and where the hell he came from. He can’t remember a thing, all he knows is the message on the necklace that he was found with. He finds himself taking the wrong path after a dog seemingly tells him that he needs to go another way instead of to the job given to him. So, he does, and he finds himself in the big city wandering the streets with no way to travel to where he needs to go except for a hint from a shady dealer about two partners who can give him a pass. 

He finds himself wandering the castle and weird memories springing up in the back of his head. He doesn’t understand them but he knows that they feel kind of important. When Ray thinks that he may know what they are, he’s interrupted by Lila, dejected by the failed auditions that they were going to use to get rich quick. She and Ray have a bit of a back and forth, but she’s smooth and sweet in a way that feels acquired after years of putting up a front. She easily overwhelms him and his face feels hot as she inspects him closely. 

Judas appears, and the two of them comment on how Ray looks a lot like the lost prince, Saeran. “Same facial structure, same lips!” Judas comments with a warm tone. So, with a lot of reluctance, Saeran decides to go with them because it feels like he should. He learns fast that Lila knows a lot more than she’s letting on and Judas does too. As they head for Paris, he’s put through the ropes to learn about the royal family and about Saeran. 

He gets to hear story after story from Judas about how he has had flings with the prince looking for his brother, Saeyoung, often. He insists that Ray has to be the lost prince, as he’s known that face anywhere! He’s a little too touchy-feely for Ray’s taste. Lila tends to stop him if he paws at Ray too much. But, her attitude is just as strange. She’s kind to everyone they come into contact to but a lot of that has to be a con-artist front, right? 

They keep having these chance moments when they're talking to each other where it feels like there’s some kind of connection there he can’t quite put his fingers on. She’s prone to teasing him and making him work hard to learn the person he’s supposed to be. This little traveling mission is going to take some time so there’s a lot of this going on. 

Rika is after them, though. She promised to end the family and the boys are still in her way. So, there’s that to deal with as well. There are numerous close calls along the way but they manage to make it to Paris after a few weeks where they find themselves with someone close to Saeyoung, as Judas knows the prince’s partner. Much to Lila and Ray’s surprise, of course. 

It seems he’s been having a fling with more than just Saeyoung... Nobody comments on that, but there’s no denying that there’s something going on with them. It seems like, through Minji and Judas, they may be able to pull this off yet for sure. Saeyoung, however, has dealt with many fakes in the past and finds himself closed off to another chance. Minji really thinks Ray is the one so she decides that she’ll help them in spite of how closed off Saeyoung has become to this. 

Lila realizes that Ray answered question after question about things that she and Judas had never prompted. She understands that Ray really is the prince and the boy that she hopelessly had a crush on as a child... who she knew she would never have a chance with as the spoiled and kept away royal that he was compared to the others in the family. She doesn’t say anything more but it is clear that she had to really see this through now. 

For Ray. 

So, they try. Minji and Judas take Ray out to get him ready. It seems like things might work out for the best. Lila can’t deny that Ray doesn’t look the part after Judas is done with him. The two of them have gotten very close throughout this process and there’s obvious... tension until the last moment. Lila stops before they kiss when she spots Saeyoung. She tells Ray to wait there and goes to see him first. 

Lila tries to slip in to have a word with Saeyoung. Saeyoung knows who she is and what she has been doing in their home country, how she’s been training fakes for cash to get money quick. Lila knows she’s in the wrong for that, but when you’ve been a servant and a beggar, you do what you have to do. She insists up and down that he has to believe her but Saeyoung pointedly refuses. His brother is... gone, and he wants to move on. 

It would have been okay but Ray overheard everything and is upset about what Lila did. She never mentioned money. It hurts him a lot. He thought that she and he were... he stops at that thought and abruptly leaves after telling Lila that he can’t do this anymore. Lila is dejected but knows very well what she did and that she deserved that. 

Well, after a quick pep talk from Judas, she decides that she can’t just let Ray leave without seeing Saeyoung. She and Judas manage to subdue him and bring him to Ray. Judas manages to calm the situation since, to Lila’s surprise, they were having a fling. Lila is firm about this and Judas agrees, leaving Saeyoung no choice but to agree with this. They arrive at Minji’s place and she lets them know that Ray is there. 

Saeyoung goes in and he and his brother finally reunite. There is no denying their connection after al of that. Their family is finally back together and nothing is going to do that ever again. Lila quietly slips out after that as the boys are happy again and taken care of with Judas and Minji, and Ray and Saeyoung get ready to reveal that he’s been located. 

Well, it seems like everything should be well but it isn’t. Ray just doesn’t feel right without Lila around. He missed his brother and he didn’t want to lose him but at the same time, he couldn’t lose her, either. She’s very well on her way out of that place at this point, already having refused the money from Minji and the prince, despite the fact that they both realized who she was. The servant girl that had helped both of the boys escape that night. 

Saeyoung realizes Ray’s feelings when he is pacing back and forth at the gala, nervous energy ablaze. The two of them talk about it and Ray is surprised to learn what she did, and it’s that point that he and Saeyoung share a look and his brother steps aside, “Go, go and get her, okay?”

Ray rushes off to go and find Lila, but he finds himself lost in the gardens with Rika’s voice haunting him. She confronts him and you know how this goes, it is a struggle for life and death until the last minute. Ray trying to protect himself but ultimately inching closer and closer to danger. He thinks that he’s going to die after the bridge he’s on starts to collapse but low and behold, he’s saved at the last second by Lila. 

Rika made quick work of her, leaving the girl unconscious and unable to do anything. Ray decides enough is enough, and he manages to get his hands on the item that is keeping Rika alive, destroying it for good and leaving her to rot and turn to dust. Lila was only knocked out, not dead, much to his relief and they have a great reunion and express their feelings. It finally seems like their story has come full circle. 

It’s likely that they spend some time together away from the poly trio that’s been put back together, but ultimately, they will return back to Paris after a short time for just the both of them. 

[im-not-corrupted]

Safi, No (A Witchlands Fanfiction) - Chapter Twelve

Also written with @un-empressed!

Read other chapters here: Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six | Chapter Seven | Chapter Eight | Chapter Nine | Chapter Ten | Chapter Eleven

Chapter Summary:

There's a photoshoot and Vivia has a revelation.

Also on Ao3!

Safi had arranged for a photo shoot.

Of course, none of them knew that at the time. No, they had only got a message from Safi in the Bribery and Corruption group chat - Meet me at my house, 6pm. Bring your jackets or you'll be the receiver of the revenge plan.

Iseult was the only one who had replied. Saf, you shouldn't threaten the people who you need to complete a revenge plan. She had given up after Safi replied with I fail to see how that matters.

So, as one does when one is threatened with a plan to ruin your life, they all went. Iseult knew Safi wouldn't follow through on her threat, but she went anyway just to make sure Safi didn't kidnap Merik or something.

Maybe that was a little extreme, but it was Safi. She loved her, yes, but Iseult was not going to take any chances. Just in case.

6pm came, and they were all gathered outside Safi's house, confusing Iseult, who was a few minutes late. Apparently, being threatened with a revenge plan made one very willing to be on time and follow directions. Everyone wore their jackets - even Vaness and Aeduan, both of which Iseult hadn't seen wear the damn things until now.

Iseult approached the group, frowning slightly. "What are you all doing out here?" She stood next to Aeduan.

Aeduan sighed when she approached. "Thank God you're here. Safi said we had to wait here for a few minutes, and that she'll join us in a minute."

"That doesn't sound good."

That was when a van pulled up outside Safi's house, the words Mark's Photography painted onto one of the doors, and Iseult realised what was actually going on.

Safi, grinning widely, joined them outside, ignoring the group's confused stares.

A man got out of the van and walked over to them. "Hello, hi, I'm Mark. I'm going to be your photographer for today. Where should I set up?"

Safi stepped forward. "Can you set up in the garden?" Mark nodded. "Thanks."

Mark headed back and opened the back of his van, bringing out a bunch of equipment while the others looked on in either shock or confusion. He was clearly professional, and very good - he had all the right equipment, plus a fancy camera.

"Safi," Iseult began. "We are not doing a photo shoot."

Safi grinned. "Iseult. We are definitely doing a photo shoot."

Vaness rolled her eyes. "You dragged us here for a fucking photo shoot? In these things?" She gestured to the jacket she was threatened into wearing - God, Bribery and Corruption truly worked miracles, though she would never tell Safi that.

"Yes," Safi replied. "Now, come on." She ran into the garden, where Mark had set up the things they needed. Apparently, they weren't using any backdrops and they were only using natural lighting, because Mark had only set up the camera and nothing else. Which seemed like a waste of time, considering how much equipment he got out of his van.

Safi pushed everyone in front of the camera, and while everyone but Leopold and Stix complained about it, they did as she wished. There was no point fighting it. "First photo is a group photo," Safi announced, as if that wasn't obvious.

Mark raised an eyebrow. "What's this for, anyway?" he asked her. "There's quite a lot of you."

"Well," Safi began, and everyone groaned because they had heard this story far too often. "It began when this boy spoke over me in geography. I actually knew the answer, too! But no, he had to speak over me. So I came up with a plan to make his life hell and recruited these people to help me."

"I don't think 'recruited' is the right word to use," Aeduan said.

Iseult snorted. "More like most of us were forced into joining, bribed or corrupted."

Mark looked rightfully disturbed by the turn the conversation had taken. "Uh...Okay then?" He seemed to ignore everything Safi said, though, because he squinted at the camera and pointed towards Vivia and Vaness, who were standing at the sidelines. "Could you two get closer to the others, please? I can't get you in the shot."

Vaness looked ready to protest but Vivia just sighed and said something that had them both moving closer so they were in the shot.

"Perfect," Mark said, and took the first shot.

Leopold had screwed it up, though, by sticking out his tongue at the camera, so Safi forced them to take the same one again until it was perfect.

'Perfect' by Safi's standards was incredibly hard to meet. By the time they were ready for the next photo to be taken, it was already half six and Iseult's legs were hurting from standing up so long. But that didn't stop Safi.

"The next photo will be of the original crew - me, Leopold, Iseult, Caden, Lev and Zander," Safi announced. The people who were not needed went away, and Aeduan almost made it, until Safi spotted him. "Wait! Aeduan too!"

Aeduan came back and stood next to Iseult for this photo, too, though he had a very confused look on his face. "I'm part of the original crew?"

Iseult laughed and shrugged. "I didn't know there was an original crew. Just go with it. It can't go on for much longer."

She had been very, very wrong about that. Safi forced them her to do a picture with Aeduan, winking at her from where she stood next to Mark. Safi had pictures of her, Leopold, Caden, Lev and Zander done. She had Mark take a picture of herself with her arm around Vaness shoulders - the perfect picture of friendship, if Vaness wasn't glaring at her. That glare made Safi take the picture again and again, until Vaness actually smiled for the picture.

Vivia and Stix had their own picture taken, for a reason Iseult didn't actually know until she saw the photo itself. By the looks of things, Stix had decided last minute to place a kiss on Vivia's cheek, leaving the other girl's face bright red. Iseult found the picture quite cute.

By the time Safi finally said they could stop, they had been taking photos for an hour and a half, and they were all pretty exhausted. Iseult and Aeduan had spent most of the photos talking about whatever they could, so when Safi said they could all go home, Aeduan came up to her and asked to walk her back home.

Iseult had smiled at him and nodded. "Okay," she agreed.

Safi apparently overheard because when Iseult went to say goodbye to her, Safi had grinned wickedly and winked at her, something Iseult made an effort to ignore.

Aeduan did walk her home, and Iseult had a good time. The two laughed at whatever was said between them, or simply walked in silence. Iseult didn't mind either of them.

When they reached her house, Iseult paused, sad to put an end to it all. "Well, this is my place," she told him, a little crestfallen. She loved being in Aeduan's company.

Aeduan nodded. "See you tomorrow?"

She smiled. "Of course."

[x]

Vivia Nihar's week had been strange.

A very entertaining but strange week, anyway. She had pushed Corlant off his damned table not too long ago. The other students in school cheered for her. Safi had called her 'corrupted', but Stix had said she wasn't corrupted. Merik decided to...To what? To talk to her, to make amends? She wasn't sure, and it was strange. It was their first conversation that was, well, civil, and it was strange. Safi had got them all jackets. Jackets. They were practically advertising the fact that they're part of a group that worked to make Merik's life hell - and 'Bribery and Corruption' wasn't even subtle.

The jackets were decent, she supposed, considering what they represented. She didn't plan on wearing it often, though - that felt a bit too extreme.

After another talk with her father, Vivia holed herself up in her room and sent a quick message to theriverstix. The two talked almost every day, now, and Vivia loved it. Theriverstix, whoever it was, was such an interesting person. Funny, too. Vivia talked to them for hours a day, and it was always the highlight each day. She felt at peace when she talked with them through messages. She could talk about anything, and theriverstix never judged her, and Vivia did the same.

Though, to be fair, theriverstix didn't say that much that Vivia could've judged her for.

She got a reply quickly. Not for the first time, Vivia admired how often the two of them could actually talk. She knew all about time zones, and was incredibly thankful that theirs seemed to be the same.

theriverstix: Hello to you too! How are you?

Vivia smiled at her phone and typed another reply. Great, actually. You?

theriverstix: Amazing. Oh, did I tell you what happened recently? Because it's a funny story and everyone should know it.

Vivia laughed. This was just like her friend. Theriverstix always had the best things to talk about, and their stories were always hilarious. No, you certainly didn't.

theriverstix: I didn't? I have failed you. I shall tell you the story now.

The next message came after a minute or two.

theriverstix: Okay, so, there's this kid at school, yeah? He's super annoying. Everyone hates him. He seems to be part of this strange religion that worships himself? Idk what his deal is, not really. So the other day, he gets up on a table and some asshole gave him a microphone so we couldn't ignore him and he started ranting on about how we were all 'impure' and all we had to do was follow him in order to regain purity.

Vivia frowned, rereading the message, a strange feeling in her chest. The story felt too familiar - the boy on the table with a microphone, talking about purity? It was too familiar. Maybe it was a coincidence? Or did theriverstix actually go to her school?

She didn't reply, though. She didn't want to take that chance in case she was wrong. And it didn't matter, anyway, because theriverstix continued on.

theriverstix: Of course, everyone at school really hates him, but none of us ever thought of doing something about it until someone did. There's this girl, and she was waiting in line to get her food, but the annoying kid didn't shut up so she marched over to him, rips out the book in his hands - idk what the book is tho, don't ask - and she fucking HITS HIM WITH HIS OWN BOOK AND THEN SHOVES HIM OFF THE FUCKING TABLE

theriverstix: IT WAS THE BEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN AT MY SCHOOL

theriverstix: FUCKING ICONIC, I WISH YOU COULD'VE SEEN IT

Vivia stared at the phone in her hand, rereading the messages again and again. But the words remained the same - they never changed. They were still arranged in the same way, still said the same thing. Still talked about Corlant and Vivia pushing him off a table from the point of view of a bystander who thought what she did was iconic.

She was right. Theriverstix went to her school. Had probably been at her school this whole time, and she hadn't known.

She dropped the phone on her bed, unsure what to do. Did she tell theriverstix who she was? What if theriverstix was actually someone she already knew?

If she told theriverstix who she was, would they want to be friends with her? Very few people did.

But what if they were a friend of Merik? Vivia had no idea what her brother told anyone about her, though she was fairly sure most people didn't know she existed. She didn't know for sure, though, and that was the only thing stopping her from sending theriverstix a message saying It was me. I was the one who pushed Corlant off a table.

What if she could find out who theriverstix was? If they didn't know Merik, maybe Vivia could tell them. Maybe they could be friends in real life, not just online. But how would she do that? She didn't talk to many people - but the people she talked to did.

She grabbed her phone again, scrolling through her contacts before finding the one she wanted. Her contact list wasn't usually so full, but since she joined the Bribery and Corruption group, there was suddenly a lot more people, all of which got her number from the Bribery and Corruption group chat. But she clicked on only one name - Vaness'.

Vaness answered her phone immediately. Vivia always wondered how she managed to do that, with her social life being so big and all. It seemed like a lot of effort. "What is it?" she answered, forgetting 'hello'. She sounded mildly annoyed, and Vivia felt a little guilty for ringing her.

"I need your help," she said. If anyone could find theriverstix, it was Vaness. At least, she hoped so.

This seemed to get her attention. Vivia rarely asked for help. "What with?"

"Can you find someone for me?" she asked. Her voice sounded desperate even to her ears.

"I don't know." Vaness didn't say anything for a few minutes, and Vivia hoped she was considering it. "Do you have a name? A social media page? Or anything else to use."

Vivia hesitated before replying, "Yes." Theriverstix was a secret. She hadn't told Vaness about them - was that selfish of her? She didn't really care. "Remember that app you forced me to get? I met them on there. Their name is theriverstix."

"I'll see what I can do."

*

Read the next chapter here: Chapter Thirteen

[timetravelingheart]

Consequences Chapter Four: A.M. Imagine

“T, would you please put that poor boy out of his misery already?” Lydia asked, reaching for Tessa’s phone that had been lighting up like crazy over the past four hours that the girls had been cooped up in the school library. 

They were supposed to be working on their lit reviews, and while Tessa could seemingly ignore the incessant attempts at communication coming her way, Lydia was struggling. Tessa reached out to snatch the phone before Lydia could get to it, but she was too late. She sighed as she watched Lydia scroll through the various notifications on her lock screen. 

“Wow, he’s really something,” she alluded, eyebrows raised. “I didn’t realize you were into that kind of kinky shit, but to each their own.”

“What?!” Tessa struck an arm out and snatched the phone from her pleased friend’s grip. 

“Shh!” came from the surrounding people, unhappy with her little outburst. 

Tessa scrolled through the notifications, not finding anything worthy of being deemed kinky, to say the least. 

“Hilarious,” she deadpanned, not even rewarding Lydia with a look. Lydia simply smiled proudly and returned to her paper. 

Tessa scrolled through her phone. She had more missed notifications than she was used to. Missed calls, voicemails, and texts from Auston. She also had Instagram DMs from him, since he had tracked down her private account and she made him wait over a week before accepting his follow request - only to then not follow him back yet. To Auston’s annoyance, she had not only accepted Mitch, William, and Kasperi’s follow requests instantly, she also followed them back. They of course loved to point that out whenever she liked a post of theirs. 

Those notifications didn’t surprise her. He had definitely made good use of having her contact information over the past couple of weeks and had sent her at least one message a day, usually a ‘good morning Tess’ and/or a ‘good night Tess’ text that she now looked forward to - though she didn’t think she’d ever admit that to anyone, least of all him. 

What surprised her were the new notifications from other Leafs members and even some of their significant others. She had unread texts from Mitch, William, and Kapanen, as well as Instagram follow requests from Zach, Morgan, Andreas, Travis, Freddie, Tyler, and Mitch’s girlfriend Stephanie. 

Apparently, her constant reminders to Auston that whatever was happening between them would have to move slowly had not quite gotten through to him. Even though he had refrained from specifically asking her out on a date since he got her number, he hadn’t let up on being ridiculously nosy and asking her tons of questions about herself. And unlike her, who waited a few minutes or sometimes even an hour before replying to him, he answered her the instant she replied to him unless he was in a game or practice. It was like he was waiting on her response, watching his phone for any sign that she was open to him. 

Despite her best efforts, it felt like they were getting to know each other better and she couldn’t help but feel a little flutter in her chest every time she saw a message from him. Unfortunately for Auston however, his public life can be a little too public sometimes. Just as she was feeling like she could trust him, she overheard a volunteer at work the other day talking about a friend of hers who Auston had been chatting up all night at the bar the previous weekend. While Tessa wasn’t naïve enough to believe that all stories about athletes and hook-ups were true, she also wasn’t naïve enough to believe that none of them were. 

And so, just like that, her guard came back up just slightly. 

Hence why Auston and his friends had been sitting with unread messages for the past four hours. Auston had actually been sitting with read messages since the previous night, but Tessa decided to stop reading anything from him once she got to the library. 

“T?” Lydia’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “Are you okay? Those messages looked pretty harmless.”

Tessa nodded, turning off her phone and tossing it in her bag on the ground. 

“Let’s just get back to it, eh?” she tried to smile at Lydia, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She turned back to her open laptop, trying to remember what she had been typing before the interruption.

“Actually, I think I’ve done all that my brain can handle today. Nine unedited pages down, but I think I need to edit with a clear brain. Let’s go get some dinner? My treat?” 

Tessa nodded, gathering up her books and laptop. She knew that she was using school and work as a coping mechanism and an avoidant tool, and she also knew that with Lydia, those choices could only go unchallenged for so long. 

__

Once the girls had grabbed their take-out, they started on the short walk back to their shared apartment. It was nearing the beginning of October, but the weather was still holding on to that last little bit of summer with a warm night. 

“So what’s the deal, T? What did that poor boy do to get himself ignored this time?” Lydia linked her arm through Tessa’s, knowing she liked physical contact and proximity with loved ones when she was stressed or worried. 

Tessa let out a deep sigh and rested her heavy head on her best friend’s shoulder. 

“You know Andrea, one of the volunteers at work?” 

“Mhm,” Lydia nodded, even though she wasn’t 100% sure who Tessa was talking about. She knew that it didn’t really matter though. Who the girl was wasn’t the point of the story. 

“So yesterday the team and I were all stuffing envelopes and getting all of our event flyers together when she starts telling Erica a story about their night at the bar. I guess they were at the same bar as Auston and the guys, and Andrea’s friend was hanging out with him. According to Andrea, he was ‘smitten’ with her and kept buying her drinks and flirting with her all night.”

Lydia didn’t say anything, knowing more was coming if she just waited. 

“Which is fine! Obviously. I mean, he’s single and he’s a star in this town and he’s young and why shouldn’t he be flirting with girls?”

“Mhm.”

“And it’s not like him sending me flowers means anything or means that he has to stop doing those things. I’m the one who turned him down, for crying out loud! So of course he’s free to do whatever and whomever he wants.” 

“T-”

Tessa lifted her head from Lydia’s shoulder, still powering through her pent-up rant.

“So who am I to be bothered by this? But then, who the hell is he to keep messaging me and sending me ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ texts if he’s doing the exact same thing to twenty other random girls. Because that’s probably all I am to him, right? That’s why I’m upset. Not because I like him or own him or anything, but at least have the fucking decency to not lead me on!”

Lydia bit her lip to hide her smile, giving Tessa’s arm a little squeeze. 

“Do you feel better now?”

Tessa let out a little laugh. Fuck him. 

“No.”

“T, do you really think you would be this upset with him for ‘leading you on’ if that’s even what he’s doing if you didn’t at least like him a little bit?”

“I don’t know.”

“T.”

“I guess not,” Tessa shrugged. She hated when other people told her how she felt before she admitted it to herself. 

“Right now, we don’t even know if what that Andrea girl was saying was true. You’ve been around athletes long enough to know that sometimes it’s more about clout than it is about truth. Why don’t you just ask him?”

“I can’t do that! If I ask him, then it looks like I’m jealous.”

“But you are.”

“Yes, but he can’t know that! Lydia, really,” Tessa admonished as they reached their apartment building. “And it’s not even just about jealousy. It’s about trust. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that I don’t know if I can trust him.”

“You haven’t even given the guy a chance, T. Not really,” she shook her head as she dropped her bags in the foyer before moving into the living room to place down their food. “Sure, you text him, but you haven’t agreed to any of his offers to get together. You haven’t really asked him anything about himself, you mostly just answer his questions.”

Lydia was right. Tessa’s way of keeping herself at bay was by not asking him anything. The less she knew about him, the less likely she was to fall for him. She thought it was working for her. Apparently she was wrong.

“So what are you suggesting? That I just ignore what Andrea said and keep responding to him?”

“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting, at least if you’re unwilling to ask about the other night at the bar. But don’t shut him out because of that unless you’re willing to hear his side too,” Lydia shrugged, retreating to her room to change into comfy clothes. 

After dinner and an episode of Queer Eye, Tessa got ready for bed before plopping face down on her bed with a bounce. She rested her head on her hands, mulling over Lydia’s words and thinking over the past few weeks of conversations with Auston. Was Lydia right? Had she not given him a chance to prove that he was trustworthy? But the risks that came with giving someone the chance to prove their trustworthiness felt too great to bear sometimes - what if she gave him the chance and all it did was confirm her initial suspicions and hesitation? Was that risk worth it? 

It was time to find out.

She reached down to her bag and pulled out her phone. Ignoring all of the notifications except for Auston’s, she started reading through his texts starting from the previous day. They consisted of their usual greetings and some random thoughts he had throughout the day or funny stories about the guys. She reached the end of his messages, and felt a little twinge of guilt. 

Auston: I hope you’re okay. Let me know if you need anything. 

Auston: Is this about everyone following you on Instagram? I’m so sorry about that. I told them not to. I think Steph was just excited to potentially have another girl to complain about us with. 

Auston: Call me if you need anything. xo

Finally, she listened to his voicemail. It didn’t do anything to help her guilt. 

Auston: Hey Tess, it’s me, Auston. I, uh, I know we don’t usually call but I was starting to get worried. I know you read my messages yesterday, but I don’t think you’ve read any from today. I’m sorry if the guys are doing too much. They’re just having a bit of fun giving me shit for how much I like you. I think they really like you too, otherwise they wouldn’t even bother. But, uh, yeah. I don’t really know what to say other than I’m sorry if that’s why you’re ignoring me. I can ask them to stop. I know we can all be a bit overwhelming, but that’s part of our charm too, right? *awkward laugh* Uhm, so yeah, please just send me a text or call me back when you get this. I’m starting to get a little worried that you’ve fallen into a ditch somewhere or something. And I guess I just miss talking to you. Anyway, I, uh, I hope you’re well and not too stressed with work or school. And again, I’m really sorry. Talk to you soon I hope.

Your move, Tess, she thought. 

She started typing a message only to erase it and start over. And over. And over. 

Finally, she clicked on his name and waited for the rings to start. 

One, two, three. 

“Tess! Hey!” Auston answered loudly, obviously out of breath. 

“Hi,” she started softly. “Sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No, no, not at all,” he rushed out. “I just got out of the shower. I left my phone on so I could hear if you - uh, if anyone called.” 

Tessa bit back a small smile. He was waiting for her call. 

“Are you okay? Did you get my message?”

“I did,” she laughed lightly. “All 20 of them.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. You had me going crazy.”

“I could see that. I’m sorry for not responding.”

“It’s okay,” he waited, hoping she would elaborate. When she didn’t, he pressed forward. “Is everything okay? Are, uh, are we okay?”

Tessa hesitated. Did she ask about the bar? Did she carry on like nothing happened? What was the right move here?

“Yeah, we’re okay now. I think maybe I was getting in my head a bit about everything. It’s not easy when you’re so famous around here, you know? I’ve never really known anyone I could Google,” she tried to tease. 

“Oh, God. Please don’t Google me. And please don’t believe everything you read.”

“But if I didn’t Google you, how would I have ever come across those videos of you being terrified by an egg or Carlton?” 

She laughed when she heard a massive groan from the other end and knew he was probably turning beat red. 

“Those videos will be the death of me,” he sighed. “But getting back to it, did something happen to make you worry about me being known here?”

Out with it, Tess. 

“Okay, I don’t play games so I’m going to be as honest with you as possible right now,” she stated firmly. She’d been blunt with him so far, why not now?

“Uh, yeah of course. Give me a sec, I’m going to sit down for this one.”

When he gave her the okay, she went into the same story she had recounted for Lydia earlier in the evening. She was impressed when he didn’t try to interrupt her, but just let her tell her side. When she was done, she heard his deep breathing on the other side. 

“So, I don’t know. I guess just after the past few weeks of you messaging me, and then hearing this, I thought maybe you really were the guy I was worried you would be.”

Auston wanted nothing more than to be excited as the prospect of Tessa being jealous over him with another girl, a small indication that she was into him, but he knew that wasn’t the point here. The point was that she felt like he wasn’t trustworthy, that he was going to be that asshole who used her and hurt her. 

“Tess, I don’t know what I can do to make you believe me, but that story’s not true. I didn’t buy anyone but the guys drinks that night. And I did talk to people, but I didn’t flirt with anyone. And I didn’t leave with anyone. That was the night we had been texting about Endgame because you had just watched it with your friends and you were teasing me with spoilers. I was texting you most of the night, and then I texted you when I got home.

I know that might not mean anything to you, but I swear, I wasn’t trying to get with anyone else. I haven’t since I met you. I wasn’t lying when I said I wasn’t going to hurt you. I’ve been so happy lately because I’ve been learning so much about you and I love hearing from you every day. Those are some of my favourite moments. I’m not going to ruin that for some random girl at a bar.”

The silence lingered for a few minutes while Tessa mulled over his words. She knew he couldn’t prove anything, so it was up to her whether or not she chose to believe him. But what if she made the wrong choice? 

“Thank you for explaining,” she said softly, not knowing what more to say when she was still so unsure of herself and of him. 

“Thank you for letting me.”

“I’m sorry for ignoring you. Sometimes I just need some space to think things through on my own,” she rolled over in her bed, cradling her phone under her chin and hugging her blanket to her chest. 

“That’s okay. I was just worried I had done something wrong,” he paused, moving to his bedroom and rolling himself into the blankets. “But you know what I learned tonight?”

“What did you learn, Auston?”

“Two things. 1) I love hearing your voice over the phone. It’s not quite as good as in person, but it’s definitely better than texting.”

Tessa laughed, hating herself for the blush she felt creeping up her cheeks. 

“What. A. Line.” 

“It’s not a line! It’s the truth. You have no idea how happy seeing your name pop up on my phone made me.”

“Mhm. Okay. And the second thing you learned?”

“And 2) You like me,” he sing-songed smugly. 

Tessa froze. What. 

“What? Why would you think that?” she thought back to if she had unknowingly admitted that anywhere in her explanation to him. She was significantly calmer when she explained it to him than she was with her rant to Lydia earlier. She was so careful. 

“Why would you get so worried about me with another girl if you didn’t like me?”

“Maybe because you have been texting me and acting like you’re into me, only for me to hear you might be doing the same with another girl?”

“Right, which I’m definitely not doing, by the way. But you wouldn’t reeeally care that much if you didn’t like me. It’s okay, Tess. I’m a catch. You can admit it!”

“I think all of those hits on the ice have gone straight to your head.”

“You liiiiike me. You really, really liiiiike me.”

“Whatever you need to believe to get you through the night, Auston.”

“I know something else that could help get me through the night,” he smirked. 

“Auston Matthews! On that note, good night, jerk.”

“You know you like it. Thanks for calling, Tess. I hope you do it again sometime.”

“Maybe I will.”

“I’m counting on it. Sleep well, Tess.”

“You too, Auston.”

Tessa ended the call and placed her phone on her nightstand, letting out a contented sigh. 

Fuck him for being so cute. She did like him. She really, really liiiiiked him. Dammit. 

[wolfpawn]

Once Bitten Twice Shy, Chapter 17

Previous Chapter

Chapter Summary -  Mark's wedding comes and Paige and Tom face a new challenge.

Tag, @wolfsmom1 @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog @damalseer @nonsensicalobsessions  @standing-onthe-edge @hiddlesbitch1

anyone else who wishes to be added to the tags, just ask :)

Tom could see why Paige warned him about Fiona’s family. They were a lot like how his family was but the other way around, in that in his family Uncle George was the only ass, in her family, Fiona seemed to be the only nice one. They clearly saw themselves as better than the Winters’ family as their money was longer in the family whilst Paige’s parents had been born to very modest homes, but Tom, they seemed to feel was more to their standard. He looked at Paige who was smirking at him as he listened to an overdramatic sister of Fiona’s who seemed adamant to inform him as many times as was humanly possible, that she was going to make it as a model any day now and more importantly, she was a better partner to have than Paige, more in keeping with his place in society. Tom did everything in his power not to laugh in her face, which was a difficult ask considering he had heard her speaking throughout the meal and to say they were not compatible was an understatement. His years of training as an actor never felt more required than when she said that. When she stated that Paige was boring and unexciting, he stopped her with the statement that if she was such, then he was even more so. She ceased her attention to him after that.

“Dare I ask?”

He turned to see Paige standing behind him after he tried to flee to the bathrooms.

“Caroline...I think?”

“It’s Carolina. She was Carol but it wasn’t fancy enough for the world of high-fashion so she changed it.” Paige laughed. “So, what did Carolina do or say to make you try and break into the ladies bathroom?”

Tom looked at the door and sure enough, the symbol of a woman was there. “Shit...Only how we are so well suited and to ditch you.”

“Odd, she said that when she met Derek too. Though going by the comments she said both at the time and after I dumped him, I think he got a sniff, if not the full shag out of her.”

“Wonderful individual by all accounts then?”

“I am just grateful that I didn’t catch anything from him as a result of everything,” Paige sighed. “That would have been only icing on the cake.”

Tom gently rubbed her hand. “Don’t, don’t think such terrible thoughts right now. Not on the night before your brother’s wedding. Not on such a joyous occasion.”

“You’re right. You’re a hundred per cent right. What would I do without you?” She smiled.

Tom gave a small smile and looked away, not trusting himself not to say anything.

*

When the end of the night came, Tom put his arm around Paige’s waist as they said goodbye, promising to be ready on time in the morning as they did. When they got to the room, they both prepared for bed, both having brought sleepwear as they both knew that at the very least, they would be sharing a room.

“Those look brand new.” Paige laughed as Tom attempted to find the tie for his sleep pants.

“They are. I don’t own too much bedwear,” Tom admitted before looking at her with a raised brow, seeing her in some form of cartoon nightclothes that he was sure his sisters liked as children.

“Judge me, I don’t care.” Paige shrugged as she walked over to her side of her bed and got in. “I will probably crash quickly enough. You don’t need to worry if you want to continue reading or anything. I am not bothered by lights and such,” She assured him as she got into the bed.

“Honestly, I am similar. I had a long week, as I told you already.”

“You should have just gotten some rest, flying to China to the US and then back for this. It’s madness.”

“I wanted to get Bobby ready for quarantine. Besides, how could I ever decline a chance to see what I am missing with Carolina.”

Paige snorted in laughter. “So true.”

Tom smiled as he saw her get comfortable. He watched as she got her book, one of short poems and began reading. He got into the bed too and groaned as he felt his aching muscles from all his travels begin to rest on the mattress.

“You sound like you need this,” Paige commented. “I’m sorry you don’t get to relax fully and instead have me here, annoying you.”

“Darling, the last thing you could ever be accused of being is annoying. No, trust me. Through the years, I have had some annoying bedmates and you don’t even register on the scale.”

Paige turned to look at him. “Okay, I need to know what sort of madness you are referencing. Please tell me it is not just crazy-ex stories?”

“No, all the madness of this job. There was a time during the Thor, Ragnarok tour that I slept on the sofa part of a small airplane groin to ass with Taika Waititi.” She snorted in laugher at that. “Then there was a time when I went away with the college drama society and I drank myself into a stupor, as did everyone else, because, of course, you know…”

“Par for the course.”

“Exactly. Well, I woke up the next day, close to death, in Edinburgh.”

“Where did you start?”

“Manchester.”

Paige laughed but shook her head. “Not the worst.”

“Really? Look, I know I was out of college the time of that infamous urban myth of the Cambridge drama society weekend but this, at least, was real.”

“So was the Cambridge DramSoc weekend,” Paige argued.

“No it wasn’t,” Tom scoffed before he realised her face was entirely stoic. “Was it?”

“Friday afternoon, drinks in the college bar, three am, I am wandering around Amsterdam looking for a place to crash for the night and ringing my Dad to give me his credit card number so I can stay in a hostel with a few of my mates,” Paige informed him.

“Fuck off.” Tom became far more animated at her admitting such. “How did you all get there, what the Hell were you all doing?”

“So, drinking, obviously. And then Brianna, the Soc secretary started giving out that she never got onto the continent, so Piotr, one of the exchange students was saying how England knew how to drink, but the Netherlands knew how to party, and to this day, I have no idea who suggested he put his money where his mouth was but somehow, I am giving my date of birth and associated details to Jack, our society chair and getting a fucking flight from London to Schipol. Cheap EU flights were a dangerous thing.”

“But...We always thought…”

“You thought wrong.”

Tom stared at her in disbelief. “And that bastard had the audacity to accuse you of being boring?”

“Because I was young and stupid when I was young; when it came time to consider being a responsible adult, I was actually looking forward to being such. I had my ridiculous time, I had time to figure me out and what I wanted, and now I get to do exactly that, whatever that entails. Hence why I am not ever bothered too greatly by silly things.”

“You are to be commended,” Tom commented. “If not slightly mental, Amsterdam?”

“We ended up staying the weekend, it was lovely.”

“You are insane.”

“And proudly so.” Yawning slightly, Paige turned and started to settle to go to sleep.

Tom, taking her cue, did similar, laying back and reading a little before trying to get comfortable himself, not wanting to keep her awake with his reading or light.

Through the night, neither slept much. Both facing the opposite wall to one another, their backs almost touching and the heat of the other clear to feel. They both moved very little through the night, both conscious of the other behind them, not certain if the other was awake but both thinking the exact same thing, if they should say anything of their feelings to the other. Not crippled by the fear of their past experience and the rejection of one they loved.

*

The next day was as most every wedding was. Nothing overly exciting in the grander scheme of things. Paige joked and smiled with Fiona through the times she was required to assist in her bridesmaid's duties but the rest of the time she stayed close to Tom, knowing how awkward it was to be a plus one at an event and nothing was worse than being one at a place where you knew no one else.

When Tom bumped into Mark during the evening, both of them in good humour and a couple of drinks in. Mark embraced him as Tom congratulated him.

"I spent too long farting about. I should have asked her ages ago. I was lucky. Not everyone is as lucky. Take you, for example, farting around Paige."

Tom looked around, slightly worried that they would be overheard.

"Taking so long to ask Paige out, I mean, I thought I was bad." Mark kept his comments fairly vague purposely and Tom noted such too.

"I…"

"No, really. Not realising she felt the same and whatnot. If it wasn't heartbreaking to watch, then it would have been hilarious."

Tom frowned.

"I better get back to my wife, Jesus, it's odd calling her that." There was a surprised smile on Mark's face at his small revelation. "And you better get back to Paige, especially if Carol is about. She likes to try and get her claws into other women's partners if they are dumb enough to allow her to or try and imply she did with the ones that decline her and the added thing where she would brag you more than others and probably more publicly too. Honestly, I don't know you deal this sort of shit."

"It's sadly par for the course with my life these days. Honestly, I never thought it would come to this. It's a tad overwhelming, even for me," Tom sighed rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not fair to expect others to endure that for me."

"Yet when someone loves you, then endure it willingly."

Tom said nothing as Mark slapped him playfully on the chest before saying his farewells and heading back to find Fiona.

Tom thought over his words for a moment, both of how Mark felt that perhaps Paige could feel something more got him but also of the madness that was his life and how it was wrong to expect anyone to endure that for him, when he spent so much time working and knowing she would forever have to concern herself with wondering if he would do as her ex had done and cheat on her. She tried to act as though it didn't bother her but there was no denying she had been affected by it. It would never be fair to expect her to endure his work life.

He went back to Paige who was talking with her parents. He had to remind himself that this was all a charade when he wanted nothing more than to show her the affection he so desperately wished to bestow on her. While he sat with her and her parents, he felt as though it was organic, that there was no falseness to how they interacted, making it all the harder when he had to remind himself that her smiles and other acts of affection were merely put on.

When the wedding had come to a close and time came to rest, they bid farewell to her brother, her now sister-in-law and her parents before going back to their shared room.

“Thank you.” Tom glanced at Paige as she walked out of the bathroom in her nightclothes. “For coming to this. You really are incredible and the greatest company. I will be lost when you go to New York.”

Tom swallowed as he thought of the soon-to-be future. “I know the feeling. I will miss our talks.”

“Just remember, I am often reachable if you want to talk. If I go into a writing flow though, please don’t hold it against me.”

“How is the book going?”

“It isn’t.”

“Oh, everything alright?”

Paige could not answer immediately, to say things were fine was a barefaced lie, to say no opened her to admit that she had a countdown on her wall to the day he was leaving and when she looked at it, it made her feel like she was shot in the stomach to think he would leave and she would be alone again. “Writing inspiration comes and goes. I simply have to embrace whatever happens.” It took more than she was willing to admit to keep her voice steady as she said the second sentence. It was as much about the current situation as it was about her writing. Feeling her throat get tight, she cleared it and went to her side of the bed.

Tom, sensing the tension, went into the bathroom to ready himself for bed. When he came back out, having decided to try and speak about what Mark had said and with the few drinks he had giving him courage, he looked at Paige but noticed her even breathing and thought her to be asleep.

As he got into his side of the bed, Paige did everything in her power to keep her breathing steady as she willed her tears to stay at bay.

[luxurylives]

Missing Pieces Part 4

Pairing: Logan x Vanessa Kingsley

Book(s): Ride or Die: A Bad Boy Romance 

Word Count: 3,210+

Rating: No rating

Summary: Questions are answered and the truth is revealed.  

Author’s Note: The fourth and final part to Missing Pieces. If some names are unfamiliar, the characters are from Hollywood U and/or High School Story. Pixelberry Studios owns the characters. Thank you so much to the hosts for Ride or Die Appreciation Week! I wish I had this uploaded in time, but summer classes are a pain. Thank you to everyone who read!

Tagging: @brightpinkpeppercorn @desiree-0816 @leelee10898 @lilyofchoices @emceesynonymroll @client-327 @cora-nova

Vanessa awoke to rays of sunshine hitting her face. As she rose from the couch, she stretched her arms and legs and took a deep breath. Today was the day for their trip to Boston and she felt more confident. Vanessa opened the curtains, allowing the sun to light up the room. As she neared the bedroom she froze and pressed her ear against the cracked door. Logan was on the phone with someone. 

“I can’t even begin how long I have been wanting to hear your voice,” Logan said as his eyes began to water. 

“Me too,” Ellie said tearfully. 

For a moment, there was silence between them. “As soon as I got back to L.A. I went by the garage, but it was like a ghost town…Colt wasn’t even there”.

“That’s weird…maybe he gave up…or something happened to him…” Logan suggested. He knew Colt was hellbent on continuing his father’s legacy and revenge. 

“I doubt it...he’s resourceful” Ellie’s voice trailed off for a moment. “Anyway, that’s not why I called you…I came back looking for you”.

Logan felt his heart race as every memory he shared with Ellie came rushing back to him. 

“Where are you?” Ellie asked.

“I’m in Birchport, Massachusetts”. 

“What are you doing there?” 

“It’s a long story…but I promise I will tell you everything when I get back”. 

“I hope you come back soon…I’ve missed you so much”.

“Ellie, listen to me, as soon as I get to Boston and meet her, I promise I am coming straight to you,” Logan said, his voice full of determination. 

“I will be right here waiting” Ellie replied. 

“When I get back, we can start over, just you and me”. 

“What about…well…the Brotherhood? Toby and Ximena were just telling me about this other gang and— “.

“We’ll figure it out when I get back, but right now all I care about is finishing up here so I can see you again”.

“Hurry back okay?”

“I will,” Logan said. “Promise me one thing?”

“Anything”.

“You’ll wait for me at the train station on Friday”. 

“I will be there,” Ellie said. 

Logan smiled, imagining the look on her face and how it would feel to hold her once again. 

“There is one more thing…”.

“What is it?”

“I love you”.

“I love you too, Troublemaker”. 

Vanessa closed her eyes and backed away from the door. Her heart shattered into a million pieces, Chelsea had been right all along. She settled back onto the couch and gazed out the window. Once again, someone had played with her heart and stepped on it. 

Later on that morning, Vanessa and Logan caught a taxi to her grandparent’s house. Logan tried to talk to Vanessa, but she kept distancing herself from him. Once the driver dropped them off, she quickly walked up to the front door with Logan following behind her. 

“Vanessa, can we talk for a minute?” Logan said.

Vanessa brushed him off and took out the key she had and began unlocking the door. It wouldn’t budge so she tried another one she had. Ignoring Logan completely. 

“Vanessa, what’s wrong?”

“Wait outside while I grab the keys,” Vanessa said coldly.

Logan was taken aback by her sharp tone and started to respond but figured she needed some space. He took a few steps back as he watched her enter the house and close the door behind her. 

Once Vanessa got the keys to the car, they began the two- and a half-hour trip to Boston. As soon as they arrived in the city, Logan began taking in the downtown scenery, noticing how much cleaner and larger it was compared to Las Mente. 

 “Where did you say this was?” Vanessa asked. 

“2612 Russell Street” Logan answered. 

Vanessa sighed, remembering how confusing it was to navigate through Boston from the few times her family visited. 

“Maybe we can ask someone for directions?” Logan suggested. 

“I would not ask a local for directions,” Vanessa said coldly and looked at the address again. “I’m pretty sure that is in the Whitewood neighborhood”. 

“Vanessa—” Logan began but stopped himself. There was no use, she wasn’t going to listen to him. He sighed and turned to the window, watching the pedestrians and buildings pass by. 

After a while, they arrived in Whitewood, which appeared to be a more suburban and smaller version of Bay Village. Logan nervously tapped his hands on his thighs as Vanessa slowly pulled to a stop in front of a small brick home with black shutters. 

“This must be it” Logan took a deep breath and turned to look at Vanessa.

Vanessa looked back at him. She desperately wanted to question him about the conversation she overheard this morning, but she figured it was best to let it go. He had made his choice…and it was not her.

“I guess we should say hi,” he said and gestured towards the front door. 

Vanessa shook her head and both of them got out of the car walked up to the front door. Once they got to the front door, Logan rang the doorbell. 

A few minutes went by and no one answered the door. Vanessa took out her phone to check the time, only to see twelve missed text messages from Chelsea. “What the hell…?” she said to herself and looked around at the other houses. There wasn’t a single person in sight and an eerie silence swept through the neighborhood. Another text from Chelsea began to come in, Vanessa was about to open it but looked up to see Logan staring at her.

“No answer,” he said with a frown.

“Try knocking,” she said and slid her phone into her purse. 

Logan shook his head and knocked on the door and there was still no answer. He backed away and thought back to what Zoe and Rita told him, fearing the worst. 

“Maybe she went out?” Vanessa shrugged and rubbed his shoulder. 

“Excuse me, can I help you two?” 

Both of them turned to see a middle-aged woman with light blonde hair emerge from a taxi carrying a bag of groceries and walking up to the house next door.  

“Yes, I am here to see my Grandmother…do you know where she is?”

The woman stopped at the bottom of the steps as Logan and Vanessa joined her. 

“Oh, dear…I’m sorry”. 

Logan looked between her and Vanessa and furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”

“She passed away a month ago”.  

Logan swallowed looked at the ground, suddenly the world seemed darker to him. 

Logan absently stared out the window deep in thought, he had traveled nearly three thousand miles across the country only to be let down. Vanessa came up behind him and rubbed his shoulder before stepping away from him. 

“I’ve been picking up her mail for the past few weeks. Her son and niece were supposed to come by and get the house cleaned out and take care of things…but I have yet to hear from either of them”. 

Logan turned around to see the woman walk out of a room carrying a small box. 

“My name is Hilary Williams by the way,” she said as she set the box down on the coffee table. “I lived next door to Teresa Martinez for years, she was so kind, warm, loving…”.

“I’ll give you two some privacy” Vanessa said quietly and exited the room.

Logan reached inside the box pulling out a photograph, it was similar to the one he saw back at Zoe and Rita’s, except this time it was Hilary sitting at Teresa’s bedside with another man in the photo. 

“Who’s the man in the photo?” Logan asked. He pulled out the photo he had in his pocket and held them side by side. 

“Dr. Ethan Ramsey,” Hilary said. “He and another young doctor were caring for Teresa while she was at Edenbrook”. 

Logan set the other photo down and Hilary picked it up, smiling. “I took this one, that’s Marlene and Sarah”. 

“Do you know what happened to her…or how she passed?”

“She had Rhodes disease,” Hilary said with a sigh and proceeded to take out a few more photos that she had of Teresa and passed them to Logan who flipped through each one slowly. “They did everything they possibly could, the younger doctor, Casey Valentine, gave her an experimental drug, but it didn’t cure her”. 

Logan remained silent and took in each photo that Hilary had of Teresa. There were a few of Teresa with her son, one taken at the Boston Common and Public Garden, and another at the Symphony Hall. 

“The last time I visited her, she said she wished that she could have done more for you”.

“Wait…she knew about me?”

Hilary shook her head. “She did, she knew your mother was not well, your father was gone, her son couldn’t care for you either…but she kept hoping that one day she would get to see your face”.

Logan felt a tear slid down his cheek and wiped it away. 

Hilary reached over and patted his knee. “When Teresa passed, she did leave a will and made sure to include you”. 

Logan looked up from the photos. “Where is it?”

“With her lawyer, I’m pretty sure I have his contact information…” Hilary reached into her purse and took out her wallet. After a few minutes of searching, she handed Logan a business card.

“Duke Oakley, Darrow & Lockwood Law” Logan flipped it over, seeing a phone number written on the back. “Is this her attorney’s cell phone number?”

Hilary shook her head and then looked at the clock on the wall. “If you hurry, you might catch him before he leaves for the day”.

Logan stood up and shook hands with Hilary. “Thank you,” he said. 

Hilary smiled and pulled him in for a quick hug. “Good luck,” she said. 

A while later, Logan and Vanessa arrived at the law firm in McCord Bend, one of Boston’s influential neighborhoods within the downtown area. After convincing the parking garage attendant they had a meeting with one of the attorneys, Vanessa parked the car and they headed inside. Soon they approached the elevator and rode it to one of the top floors. Logan was nervous and kept wondering what Teresa wrote and left him, his heart was racing. After a few minutes, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened to an empty hallway. As Logan and Vanessa stepped off, a few lawyers stepped on talking amongst themselves. Soon they reached the office that belonged to Duke Oakley.  

“Well…this is where I leave you” Vanessa took a step back and pushed some of her auburn hair behind her ear. 

Logan took a deep breath and turned to look at the door to the office. He started to knock but stopped himself. Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead and his breath quickened. 

“Vanessa…I…” he started to say but his brain was not functioning, and he couldn’t speak. 

“I’ll wait downstairs” Vanessa coldly turned on her heel and walked down the hall, momentarily disappearing as she turned the corner. 

Logan knew she was upset with him, she had every right to be. Especially since she got him this far. He turned back to the door and knocked a few times. 

“Come in,” said the voice on the other side. 

Logan took a deep breath and opened the door. The moment he had been waiting for was happening right now.

“Can I help you?” the man asked. He was sitting at his desk putting some files into his leather briefcase. The sleeves of his dress shirt were rolled up and his tie was loosened. 

“My name is Logan and I believe you were my grandmother’s attorney…you must be Duke Oakley” Logan showed him the business card he received from Hilary. 

“Yes, I am…who is your grandmother?”

“Teresa Martinez” Logan answered. 

Duke stared at Logan for a moment and shook his head, trying to place him. 

Logan quickly took the photos he had out of his pocket and handed them to Duke. “I just met with Hilary Williams before I came here and she— “.

Duke took the photos from him and studied them closely, after a moment he looked up at Logan and gestured to the chair across from his desk. “Please, have a seat”. 

Logan slowly sat down as Duke walked over to a file cabinet and unlocked it. After a few minutes, he pulled out a file and sat down across from him.

“Teresa showed me a picture of you that was taken at your tenth birthday party,” Duke said as he opened the file and took out Teresa’s will. “She wanted you to come to Boston, but her health was failing, and she knew she couldn’t take care of you”.

“I know, Hilary mentioned she had Rhodes disease,” Logan said. “She also mentioned she had a son and niece…my cousins”.

Duke shook his head. “Yes, Raquel and Luis”. 

“Do you know anything about them?”

“Eh…Luis has had a few run-ins with the law so to speak and Raquel keeps to herself. They joined Ms. Williams for the reading and that was the only time I saw them”.

Logan shook his head, it wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear but he was comfortable knowing he had some relatives out there. “Do you know if they live in Boston?”

Duke stroked his neatly trimmed beard and rested his elbows on his desk, clearly thinking back to the day he met with them. “I’m pretty sure they do, not sure where exactly but rest assured, they are in the city”. 

Logan shook his head as he began to soak everything in. He wished there was a way to meet his cousins but figured there may be a reason as to why they didn’t want to be bothered. 

“I tell you what, I will see what I can do on my end to get all three of you in the same room…I know Teresa would have wanted to see you all together”. 

Logan looked up his heart racing. “Mr. Oakley, you don’t have to—”.

Duke held up a hand to stop him. “Teresa wrote to me before she passed and wanted to make sure you met your cousins…and I visited my father and brother in Montana not too long ago, so I understand how important this is.'' 

“Thank you,” Logan said quietly. 

“You’re welcome, and now without further ado…Teresa’s will” Duke tightened his grip on the will and began reading. 

Logan took a deep breath and leaned forward, carefully listening to every word. 

Vanessa stood at the elevator impatiently, after a few minutes she gave up and bailed towards the stairs. She flung the door open and as she descended the stairs, she felt her legs give out. She couldn’t hold the tears back any longer. As she reached the second landing, she stopped and leaned against the wall, sobbing. How could she have been so stupid to trust him? Why did she let her guard down? Did she even have a chance with him? Vanessa wiped her eyes and took out her phone—Chelsea was calling. 

“Hey Chels” Vanessa answered. 

“Vanessa, where the hell are you?!” 

Vanessa sighed and lowered the phone, after a moment she raised it back to her ear. “I’m in Boston with...Marco”.

“Oh my god Vanessa, you…oh my god…”.

Something about the tone in Chelsea’s voice sent a chill down her spine, Vanessa took a few steps forward and continued down the stairs. 

“Vanessa, you need to get away from him…you have no idea who he really is”. 

“Wait…I…what are you talking about?”

“His name isn’t Marco, it’s Logan!”

Vanessa froze and gripped the railing. “What...?”

Chelsea sighed impatiently on the other end of the line. “I met up with Ingrid and she was showing me the pictures she took at prom, one of the photos had that girl, Ellie I told you about in the background and Marco or Logan was in the photo! She was draped all over him!”.

Vanessa breathed slowly, her heart thumping in her chest. 

“Ingrid told me they were hooking up, but that is beside the point! Logan is involved in a gang called Mercy Park Crew and they have pissed off a lot of dangerous people and are wanted by the police! That Emilio guy I told you about? Was in on it too! He was murdered by someone in a gang that was after them!”

Vanessa paced the landing nervously, “But…how…?”.

“Ingrid went to prom with Brent, who threw a party and invited Logan. Logan sold him stolen cars and set him up for a drug bust!”

Vanessa’s head was spinning, and her heart was racing. She looked up seeing the door starting to open and quickly hurried down the stairs. 

“You need to get away from him! I went by the Lilac Palm and the manager said Javier has not been there in days!”.

Vanessa felt beads of sweat forming on her forehead…today was Thursday…she had lost track of the days with everything going on. She looked up hearing footsteps and hushed voices speaking in Spanish. 

“I think Javier is involved in a gang…a different gang that is after anyone in the Mercy Park Crew”.

Vanessa’s mind raced back to the night she was at Ingrid’s house with Chelsea and how she mentioned the gun and the pictures of the two cars. Javier was probably planning a hit or was sent by someone who had put a hit on Logan. 

“Vanessa, tell me where you are! Something is going on and I’m sure these people who are out to get Logan and anyone else involved with that crew will not hesitate to kill you too!”

Vanessa felt tears running down her cheeks. She was about to speak, but froze, the voices and footsteps above her had stopped.

“Vanessa?!”

“Chelsea…I don’t think I’m alone” Vanessa whispered into the phone and crouched on the stairs. She tried to see who was up above.  

“Vanessa, where are you?” 

Vanessa slowly lowered her phone and swallowed, her heart was racing. She didn’t even know what floor she was on but she was certain of one thing, she wasn’t close to the ground floor. 

“Vanessa!”

Vanessa slowly moved down a step and then another, just as she reached the next landing, she jumped as the door flew open. An older man in a grey suit carrying a briefcase stood above her.

“Can I help you?”

Without thinking, Vanessa shoved the man out of her way and took off running. She briefly looked over her shoulder and saw three masked figures emerge from the stairwell, in hot pursuit. A scuffle broke out as one of the figures threw the man who stopped her down the stairs. Vanessa winced, as she heard a gunshot follow. The other two bolted towards her, reaching for their guns.

“¡No la dejes escapar!” she heard someone shout. 

“Vanessa! What is going on?!”

Vanessa quickly disconnected the call and continued running, blinking back tears. She hated herself, this is what she got for trusting a bad boy and developing feelings for him in the process. He had dragged her into his mess and there was now a dark road ahead of her. 

[solange-lol]

tell me im special (since no one else will)

Summary: He was dressed head to toe in Will’s clothes.

Lou Ellen, who had long since abandoned her name tag station, was already standing near Will when he walked in. “Is that-?” she asked quietly, and Will nodded.

A little boy named Connor ran up to Nico and tugged on Nico’s hand. “Mr. Nico?” he asked. “Which superhero are you dressed up as?”

Nico smiled, but it was directed straight at Will rather than the boy.

Word Count: 997

Prompt: “Hero/Captive” for Day 3 of Solangelo Week

Read On AO3

Will first met Nico when he got a job at a local daycare center; the same daycare where Nico was already working.

   (Technically it’s not where they first met since they’ve been going to school together for almost twelve years. Even if they never talked outside of school, they were probably paired up for projects throughout the years. But Will doesn’t count those times because this is where he met the real Nico)

   It was almost weird to see Nico working there considering his rep at school. His constant all-black attire gave off a very “parents hate me,” vibe. (Which is also a lie; Naomi Solace and Sally Jackson love Nico to pieces). Will was surprised that Lou Ellen never mentioned anything specifically about him in any of her work stories when she was convincing Will to apply. She never really bothered to even give Will the names of the other people who work there. Then again, Lou Ellen isn’t one to judge people she doesn’t know.

   It was surprising to see how easily he and Nico clicked. Something about working alongside each other for six hours a day every Saturday. It took Will a few months to build up the confidence to ask Nico out, but thankfully Nico accepted when he did.

They had been dating for around six months when Nico walked in late that day to the daycare.

Once a month, they had a “theme” day on the last Saturday of the month. Everyone who worked there tried to make an effort to dress up so they could influence the kids to do it as well. Nico always strived for something dark, Lou Ellen liked to go all out, and Will just tried to find the most ridiculous thing he could to get a laugh out of the kids.

That specific Saturday was “superhero day.” Almost all of the kids came in capes and costumes. There were many classic DC and Marvel heroes, and some that were just made up or creative interpretation. One kid came as Where’s Waldo, which made Lou Ellen and Will’s day. There were name tags at the front, and Lou Ellen was in charge of asking everyone who they were so everyone would know who they were. (It was more for the sake of them and not the kids.)

   Lou Ellen, who was dressed as Robin, was taking photos of Will in his Wonder Woman snuggie, finally commented on Nico’s absence.

   “I can’t wait for that darling boy of yours to see this outfit,” she snickers as Will mocked-model posed. “Where is he anyway.”

   WIll shrugged. He would be lying if he didn’t notice that the Italian had yet to arrive. However, Nico had a habit of being late (he was the best with the kids, so nobody ever commented on it) to work, so Will wasn’t really that concerned.

   Will was breaking up two kids who were fighting about which one of them was the real spiderman when Nico walked in.

   He was dressed head to toe in Will’s clothes. A pair of grey sweatpants that Nico had borrowed once and never gave back. A yellow shirt with the words “save the bees” across the front that Will had accidentally left at Nico’s house. A blue sweatshirt that Nico stole back when they were first dating. He was even wearing Will’s socks, the pink ones with avocados that Will had been looking for, for weeks. He looked like he had just rolled out of bed, and Will was in love.

   Lou Ellen, who had long since abandoned her name tag station, was already standing near Will when he walked in. “Is that-?” she asked quietly, and Will nodded

   A little boy named Connor ran up to Nico and tugged on Nico’s hand.

   “Mr. Nico?” he asked. “Which superhero are you dressed up as?”

   Nico smiled, but it was directed straight at Will rather than the boy. “I’m dressed up as my boyfriend,” he said. “He’s the biggest hero in my life.”

   While the kids who overheard awwed and cooed, Will could feel himself melting into the floor. This boy is too perfect.

   “Damn,” Lou Ellen snorted quietly so only Will could hear. “That was smooth.”

***

   It was an hour or so later during snack time when Will finally found the opportunity to drag Nico into the bathroom with him. By that point, he had changed out of the Snuggie (which Nico found hilarious and made sure Lou Ellen sent him some of the pictures she took) and instead was wearing a faded Captain America shirt and a pair of khaki shorts.

   “A bathroom, how romantic W-” before Nico could continue, Will brought their lips together.

   They kissed for what felt like centuries. Will’s hands traveled from Nico’s hair to his shoulders, his hips, and fingers traveling under the fabric of his- Will’s shirt and running over the waistband of his sweatpants.

   Finally, Nico broke them apart, chuckling as Will nuzzled his jaw, his neck. “Man, if I knew this is how you would react, I would have worn your clothes sooner.”

   Will didn’t respond, just let his lips trail from Nico’s collarbone to the shell of his ear.

   “Can you believe I found a boy so perfect,” Will whispered. He could feel Nico shudder underneath him, so he continued. “What did I do to deserve you.”

   He could feel Nico’s lips stretch into a smile. “I could say the same for you, hero,” he said, bringing Will’s mouth back for another kiss.

   After a few seconds, when Will’s hands started wandering, Nico shoved him back playfully. “Keep it in your pants, dumbass. We are at a children’s daycare after all.”

   They emerged from the bathroom after that. Lou Ellen took one look at Will’s ruffled hair and Nico’s wrinkled clothes before muttering something under her breath so only they could hear.

   Nico snorted while Will smacked her, and Lou Ellen just smiled. She was the true hero here.

[literaryspinster]

Fovever Yours, Iris West

The first chapter of the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before AU I promised. These won’t be very long at the beginning, but another chapter should be posted very soon.

Chapter one: Scott, The Boy From Picture News

Scott  and Linda are here again. I can remember a time not too long ago when Linda was just Linda and Scott was just Scott. Now they’re a pair, never one without the other. And since the three of us have been bffs since elementary school, Scott and Linda becoming Scott and Linda has since turned three best friends into the couple and the third wheel, i.e. me. 

The day they announced their boyfriend and girlfriend status, we were all sitting together in Jitters, the two of them shoulder to shoulder on a cushy padded bench. I sat in the single metal chair across from them because the bench only had room enough for two. I should have taken that as a sign. We’d been working on a big expose for the school newspaper together, and needed some time to unwind after nearly a full Saturday of grinding toward our deadline. I was prattling on at a mile a minute about the project between sips of my nitro brew, and I guess I hadn’t noticed how quiet they’d been the whole time, because Linda cutting in with “Iris, we need to tell you something,” startled me out of my excited rambling. They’d never been a we before, not without me, and still I wasn’t prepared for the words that followed.

“Linda and I are dating,” Scott said, because Linda couldn’t seem to get it out herself.

I just sat there, my eyes darting between the two of them, my hands clasped tightly around my mug like it was the only friend I had left, because that was what it felt like, like they were disappearing in front of me and nothing would ever be the same again, and the longer Scott talked, the stronger that feeling became.

It wasn’t Linda’s fault, she had no idea how I felt about Scott Evans, beautiful, brilliant Scott Evans, who was going to change the world one day with his words. I never told her how something in my chest went all screwy every time he smiled at me. I never told her how I liked to read his articles while wearing nothing but my cutest underwear. I never told her any of it.

If I would have admitted how I felt about Scott Evans, it would have changed things between the three of us, no matter which one I was admitting it to, it would have shifted something out of place and turned our perfect, comfortable union into something strange and foreign. So I kept it inside. But I never expected that hiding my feelings about Scott would allow Linda to explore her own.

They told me that they wouldn’t let it change things, and I guess that’s why they’re here right now watching Last Week Tonight with me even though I’m sure they’d rather be someplace alone, making out. They’ve been together for over a year, and yet I still feel like every moment they spend with me carries an apology in it.

Linda snorts and guffaws at a joke that John Oliver just made. Scott smiles and nearly lets out a chuckle. As serious as he is all of the time, that almost-chuckle must mean that the bit was perfectly hilarious, and I can’t believe I missed it because my eyes were stuck on their fingers laced together.

“You’re laughing awfully hard. Is this why you’re moving to England babe?” Scott says. Linda is a year older than us, and bound for Oxford in three weeks while Scott and I will be returning to school for senior year. Scott tries not to let it bother him, getting emotional about things that aren’t world hunger or human trafficking isn’t his style, but I know he’s sad about it because I know him more than anyone, maybe even Linda.

“John Oliver doesn’t even live in England anymore Scott,” she says, and my brow knits in mild confusion. Whenever Scott calls her babe, she always calls him babe right back. If I noticed it’s only because I’m an investigative journalist, not because I’m still in love with Scott or anything.

“I know,” Scott says. “But every guy there is going to have that accent.”

“Don’t be jealous,” she says, kissing him on the cheek. She then stands up, putting his hand down. “I’m going to get a water, you two want anything?”

“Dr. Pepper” we answer at the same time.

“That stuff will rot your teeth you know,” she says.

“My 16 plus years of perfect dental checkups would argue otherwise,” I say.

“Just a matter of time,” she says, slipping into the kitchen. It’s my house, but Linda is practically a sister to me, which practically makes her another daughter to my dad, which practically makes it her house.

I turn to Scott and speak under my breath. “You know you can talk to me about it right?”

“Nothing to talk about,” Scott says. “We’re going to be just fine, she’ll spend a year at Oxford, I’ll spend a year absolutely killing it as Editor in Chief of Picture News—

“Co-editor in chief,” I remind him with a nudge. Our adviser Mr. Bridge couldn’t pick between us, while Scott’s stories are always airtight with data and compelling statistics, my stories have all of the color and humanity. It’s why he chose us both to succeed Linda, together we’re the perfect team. Sigh.

“Okay, Co-editor in chief,” he says begrudgingly. “And with my perfect grades and almost perfect test scores, I should be able to write my own ticket to Cambridge.”

“You’re going to Cambridge?” I ask, how did I not know this? How did I not realize that both of my friends were planning on ditching me? My grades are good, great even, but they aren’t Oxford or Cambridge good, too many Bs in science and math courses over the years. Besides, I’ve had my heart set on Howard university since I was a little girl, they both know that. Part of me even hoped that maybe Scott would choose Howard too, especially after that profile on HBCUs he put his whole foot in last year.

“I think it’s the right thing. Cambridge has a rich history, stellar academic programs and its student body is more diverse than you’d think.”

“85 percent white is diverse?” I argue.

“How do you know so much about Cambridge?”

“John Oliver went there,” I say with a shrug.

“Damn,” Scott says, shaking his head.

“Look, plenty of colleges in the US have rich histories and stellar academic programs, tell the truth Scott.”

He lets out a breath. “I don’t want this to end,” he admits. “I know, I know that isn’t like me, I don’t do impractical things but…”

“But you love her.”

He starts a slow nod, “But I love her, I mean. Why not try the expat life together and see where it takes us? It’ll be like Hemingway, only seasoned.”

“Don’t Hemingway novels usually end badly?” I argue, but before he can shoot back we hear a voice behind us.

“You’re going to England?”

We turn our heads swiftly to see Linda standing there, a bottled water and two Dr. Peppers balanced between her hands. Scott stands up and goes around the couch to meet her there. I can’t figure out her face, but she doesn’t seem excited by what she’s just overheard. How could she not be? If I were dating a guy like Scott, I’d be absolutely floored to know that he was following me to England.

“I was going to tell you,” Scott says.

“But what, you just forgot?” Linda says, her voice going higher, not with anger, it seems more like nerves, but judging by her expression it could turn into anger at any moment. This is going to turn into a fight, and I don’t want to be here for it.

“I thought you’d be happy, I mean…” there’s a pause, and he looks at me quickly, then back at her. “I mean why aren’t you happy?”

I get up quietly. “Iris, you don’t have to leave,” Scott says.

“Actually,” Linda says. “I think maybe we should go. There are things I need to say to you Scott. Only you.”

He scrubs a hand over his perfect waves, and nods. He takes her hand then, almost like a plea, and she holds it back, pulling him behind her and out the door.

“I look toward the kitchen while my dad steps out, drying a glass. “What was that all about?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “But I don’t think it was good.”

 ****

I haven’t gotten a text from Scott or Linda. It’s been hours since they walked out and I wish I knew what was going to happen. Linda looked so upset, Scott so confused. And I don’t think I’m happy about it. Yes, I may love Scott, but I love Linda too, and I don’t want to see either of them unhappy. I always thought of my crush on Scott as something just for me, something to tend to silently, and inwardly, like a succulent I keep in my closet with a UV lamp, only opening it every once in a while to give it water. This is why the day I found out that he was seeing her, I made a secret vow to never, ever tell him how I really felt. But I needed a place to put all of those feelings, to finally end the cold war I constantly fought with myself over him. So I wrote him a letter.

Every time I love a boy so much that I can’t take it, I write down everything that I’m feeling. Each one is sealed with an envelope, and addressed to the object of my unrequited affection. There are five in total, written over a period of 6 years. I would never think of sending them, but it comforts me to know that they exist. My emotions can’t crush me if I keep them in a box.

I start to get a little restless when the clock on my phone hits ten with still no text. So I stand up and walk to my closet, I pull the chain to switch the light on and take down the box on the top shelf. It belonged to my mother. When she married my father she wore a beautiful long veil with beaded embroidery around the edges. It was sold to her in this box, white with dusty rose stripes. I swallow hard and open it, looking down at the letters. Scott’s is on the very top, and while I’ve sealed the rest, I haven’t been able to bring myself to do that with his just yet.  So I slip it out of the envelope and read.

Dear Scott.

I remember the first time I ever saw you. You were protesting the use of genetically modified vegetables in the cafeteria. We were seven, and I was smitten. Now we’re the best of friends, and you love someone else.

I’ve decided I’m not going to stand in your way. When you really care for a person, you want them to be happy, and that’s all that I’ve ever wanted for you. But you have to understand Scott, even though I wish you all the best in the world, this is silently killing me. Every time I see your face, something inside of me flips, like I’m being switched on and everything works all of a sudden. I don’t want that feeling to go away but I know that it has to now.

Whenever we’re talking, just the two of us, whether it’s about the plight of Syrian refugees or how ridiculous Barry Allen looks in his track costume, I feel like I’ve known you before. I feel like I’ve known you in every life that I’ve ever lived. Do you feel that way about Linda? Do your eyes follow her when she leaves a room the way my eyes follow you? If you really feel as happy and at ease and challenged at the same time when you’re with Linda as I do when I’m with you, then maybe she deserves you more than I do. Just know that if you would have loved me first, I would have given you everything. I was simply too late.

Forever yours,

Iris West.

Next chapter: Barry Allen, the boy at the party

[some-cookie-crumbz]

Aliens

Aliens Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender Pairing: Kidge Summary: Implications of torture! After getting booted from a summer camp, Katie has to tag around with her dad at the Garrison base. Things get slightly more interesting, however, when she starts following around a different Garrison emlpoyee. Standard Disclaimer: If you read and enjoy this, please give it a like/ reblog so I know if I should write more. AN: So, this prompt ended up getting ridiculously involved for me, and I’ve decided I’m gonna write this as a multi-chapter story. For now, consider this a preview and I’ll include more information about the full story in my next update post. :3

She watched everything around her with a sharp eye and keen interest.

Bringing your child into work wasn’t something that a lot of Garrison officers typically did – mostly because they weren’t supposed to – but this was a special case. “You see,” Her dad explained to his superior officer with a small, almost-nervous chuckle, “my wife is away visiting family. Her father is terribly ill and, well, we decided it would be better for Katie to stay here. It would be too hard for my dear Colleen to help her mother, whom is also terribly frail, take care of her father as well as keep a seven year old entertained. And it’ll only be for seven, eight weeks, at most!”

Commander Sampson eyed her wearily as her father spoke, still seeming unsure, before turning his attention back to her dad. “Are you sure that she will behave herself, Samuel?” He asked calmly.

“Oh, absolutely! I’ll keep her stuck to my hip like glue!” He promised, smiling wide and reassuringly at the other.

“Will your son also be following you along?”

“Oh, no, Matthew is away at a science summer camp until late August. Colleen should be home by then,” He said. Katie had originally gone to a science summer camp, too, but been kicked out after she stuffed another kid’s bunk with honey to play a real-life game of Ants-in-the-Pants. She was accused of being too rowdy and mean-spirited; she argued that she was standing up for herself against one of the kids bullying her, since none of the camp counselors had tried to help her at all. Samuel had stood beside his daughter, saying something about “bad press” and “negligence lawsuits”, which successfully got both Katie and the other child booted from the program.

Which had left her preening in delight. She may have gone down, but at least she took that jerk down with her.

With a slow exhale through his nose, Commander Sampson turned to Samuel again. “I’ll allow it, but make sure you keep her close at hand. The Garrison is not a daycare; it’s a military organization that trains space explorers,” He said strictly, sizing Katie up one last time, before heading back off to resume his duties.

“Thank you, Sir!” Samuel called after him before beaming down at her. He reached down and ruffled her hair before taking her hand. “Well, looks like you’re going to be getting the grand tour of the Garrison a few years early! You excited?”

“Yeah! Can I sit in for your lectures?” She asked eagerly.

He chuckled and gently steered her towards his office. “Absolutely! But do make sure to behave and stay quiet; can’t have you giving my students all the answers, now, can we?” He chuckled as they headed in. He gathered up his laptop, folders and a few other things before handing her the little messenger bag with some of her things in it. Once she had properly settled the strap on her shoulder, he took her hand and they headed along the halls towards the lecture halls.

And for the first two times she watched his lecture, she’d been enthralled. The third time, however, her interest started to wane. She tried her best to stay quiet – really, she did – but she was bored with this and flopped about in her father’s office chair. Sometimes, when he asked a question and there was a long pause between volunteers to answer, she’d let out a long, pitiful sigh. The students found this hilarious each time she did it, but she could tell her dad was reaching the ends of his patience by the time the lecture was over. “Katie, darling, you promised to behave,” He said, keeping his tone gentle as he knelt down and spun the chair around so she was facing him again.

“But I’m bored!” She whined loudly, feeling no need to tone it back now that there were so few students left in the room. The last couple chuckled a bit at her but she ignored them. She flipped around so that she was sitting in his chair upside down. “I like your lecture, but why can’t you do a different one for the next class?”

“That’s not how a teaching plan works, Katie,” He said patiently. He reached down, picked her up, and set her back down in the chair so she was seated properly. “I have to make sure all my students in all my classes are on the same page so they can work together or seek me out if they need additional help with something.”

“Showing the future head of our department a thing or two, Samuel?” A warm voice teased from the large doors leading into the classroom.

Sam chuckled and glanced over. “Hello, Hannah. And I’m just trying to convince my daughter, Katie, to behave despite being bored with my lecture for the day,” He explained, motioning the woman over. Katie thought she looked kind of familiar; an adult she’d probably seen at one of those boring work events her dad had to attend a lot. “Katie, this is Hannah Curtis. She’s one of the head researches in life on other planets.”

Katie perked up at that, eyes getting bright at that. “You mean you get to study aliens?” She asked.

Hannah giggled politely as she walked down one of the aisles to the table. “Well, so far we haven’t found any in the way you’re thinking; mostly just alien plant life. But it’s still pretty interesting stuff,” She said happily. She then turned her attention back to Sam. “I was wondering if you had a spare tablet charger. I’m working on a new project with a lot of complicated data and, well, I’ve never been good about remembering where I keep those chargers.”

Samuel chuckled and nodded, opening a drawer of his desk and rummaging through. “I swear, between you and the Douglas’, I’m gonna run out of spare charging cables,” He teased lightly, pulling out a small, bound black cable and offering it to her. “What projects are you working on right now, anyway? I heard they’d transferred you off of the Callisto research study to put you in charge of another program, but didn’t hear any specifics being mentioned.”

Hannah chuckled a bit as she fiddled with the cord. “Oh, just your run-of-the-mill research on a foreign organism located a few miles off. They think it has something to do with that meteor shower a few weeks back but I’m still not sure. You know, Samuel,” She said, her gaze shifting to Katie as she spoke before snapping back up at him, “I could take Katie with me back to my lab, if you’d like. I have some samples and tests to run that I could use a little bit of help with. She could take notes for me and maybe even get to see some of the results up close and personal.” She offered, fiddling with the cable in her hands.

Katie gasped and sat upright immediately, clutching at the arm of the chair and looking at Sam with large, pleading eyes. “Can I, Dad? Pretty, pretty please?”

He looked down at her and scowled. “Katie, darling, I told Commander Sampson that you would stay with me,” He said.

“Aw, Sam,” Hannah laughed lightly, “I’ll deal with Derek. I’m sure he won’t mind so long as she isn’t wandering the halls aimless and alone.”

He still seemed a bit unsure, turning his attention back to Katie. He reached down and gently pushed her unruly copper-tinted bangs from her face. “Do you promise to behave yourself for Hannah? Meaning you’ll mind your manners and do as your told and not act out?” He asked.

“I promise I will if you let me go with her!” She insisted, sticking her lower lip out just enough to make it quiver.

He chuckled and ruffled her hair affectionately. “Okay, you can cut it back on the theatrics. Just make sure you keep your promise to listen, because if you don’t, Hannah will bring you back to me in a heartbeat, understand?”

She beamed up and held her arms up, embracing him tightly once he leaned close enough to be reached. “I will! Thank you so much, Daddy!” She slipped out of the chair and took the hand Hannah offered to her, staring up at her excitedly. “Will I really get to look at samples if I behave?”

“Of course! Oh, and I’ll bring her back for lunch, too. I figure, depending on how interesting she finds everything, I could keep her with me after that, too, if it’s okay,” Hannah suggested.

“Let’s just see how she does between now and lunch,” Samuel said, picking her bag up off the floor and gently draping it over her shoulder, “and determine where to go from there, okay?”

“Thank you, Daddy! I’ll see you later!” She called as she walked along with the older woman, waving back at him as they headed out. She looked up at Hannah curiously as they stepped out into the hallway, weaving between the throngs of students darting here and there before the bell could chime again. “Have you ever seen a real alien before? Because my Dad says that aliens are real but that we just haven’t gotten enough proof yet.”

Hannah giggled a bit. “What if I told you that I have a real life alien in my lab, right now?” She asked, leaning down a bit and lower her voice to avoid being overheard.

“Really?” Katie nearly shrieked, eyes shining with excitement.

Hannah gently pressed a finger to her lips but giggled despite herself. “Settle down, dear. We can’t have the whole place finding out about it,” She said gently. Katie gasped quietly and clapped a hand against her mouth, nodding in understanding. “But yes, we did. It’s a small thing and we still don’t know a lot about it, but we’re doing the best we can to learn more about it and why it came to Earth.” She explained before fishing a key card from her jacket pocket and sliding it through the elevator. She let Katie enter first, then stepped in herself.

The ride in the elevator was mostly quiet, with only Katie’s excited humming to fill the void. When the doors opened, they were in a lower floor area that was filled with transparent cells with cots and toilets but nothing else. It reminded her of a scene she’d seen in a movie she and Matt had watched one night when their sitter fell asleep on the couch while their parents were out. The rooms had transparent, glass doors with multiple little holes in them for oxygen and, if she were to guess, communication. There were tons of other Garrison scientists running about, but they had swapped out their Garrison golds and olives for traditional scientist white coats. Hannah approached an area with desks to their left, already starting to shrug off her blazer. Katie followed after her, unsure of what else to do. “Let me just slip into my proper coat and I’ll take you to see it, okay, Katie?” Hannah said politely.

“Dr. Fritz, there you are! We’ve been looking all over-!” Another scientist, a younger looking fellow with hair that looked like it had just been rubbed against a balloon and wild green eyes darted over, a tablet clutched tightly in his grasp. He cut off, however, when he saw Katie and let out a terrified squawk. “Dr. Fritz!” He voice grew high and cracked with anxiety.

“Oh, settle down, Andy! This is Katie, Commander Holt’s daughter. I’m sure you remember her from the company picnic a few weeks ago, right?” Hannah said with a small wave, finally shrugging her blazer off completely and moving to grab the white coat tossed over the back of the chair. Katie waved politely at Andy before her attention shifted to a picture of Callisto on Dr. Fritz’ desk. She seemed to notice, by how she plucked it up and offered it to her. “Here, if you’d like a better look. Pretty neat, huh, Katie?” She giggled.

“Doctor Fritz, this is highly problematic! We can’t have a child wandering around here with that thing in here! What if word got out? If Commander Wickler found out what we were doing-!” He yelped again when Hannah grabbed him by the lapels of his coat and pulled him closer.

“Commander Wickler won’t find out anything if you keep your mouth shut and let me do my damn job. I know what I’m doing, unlike the rest of you,” She said, keeping her voice quiet to avoid attracting Katie’s attention. She then shoved him back and glared at him. “Now, Andy, why don’t you go make sure our guest is awake and ready for visitors? I promised Katie that she could see it for herself.” She said evenly, turning her attention and a bright smile back to the young girl beside her.

Andy still looked uncomfortable but nodded. “Of course, Dr. Fritz,” He said quietly, rapping his fingers along the tablet as he headed off.

“So you’re a doctor? Do you specialize in aliens?” Katie asked, offering the picture back to Hannah.

She smiled and nodded, calmly placing the picture back on her desk. “Indeed I am. Well, the degree technically says I’m a doctor of Biology, but I’ve always been more interested in the anatomy of foreign entities. This is the first time it’s been something more than a plant or a root. This one… This one could yield some real information about what space is like,” She said, her voice becoming awestruck the longer she spoke.

Katie smiled wider herself. She hoped that someday she could be as passionate as Hannah was about her work.

Hannah seemed to snap free of her moment and led Katie along. “Now, I want you to stay close to me. It can get a little aggressive if you get too close to the glass of its cell,” She explained as they walked. Most of the units were empty but the farthest one back was where Hannah finally stopped. “It usually tends to duck under the cot and stay in the corner, but if you look you should be able to see it’s eyes.” She advised, pointing at the area in question.

Katie looked down to see two narrowed, glowing gold eyes watching her from beneath the mattress of the small bed. She gasped and immediately scrambled down, sitting cross-legged and leaning a bit closer to the plate-glass of the cell. Hannah stepped back a bit further as she observed Katie’s behavior, going until she was nearly pressed against the glass of the empty cell across from the one the subject was being held in. “Hello,” She said with a soft gasp.

The eyes widened a bit before she could see the silhouette of whatever it was moving. She heard Hannah mumble something under her breath but she couldn’t make out exactly what she said. The figure shifted out, crawling out while staying low to the ground, and she blinked in surprise at the alien staring back at her. It’s eyes were a bright gold with slim pupils, but the eyes were set in a humanoid face of pale purple skin. There was also a mop of inky hair with two cat-like ears sticking out, the ears covered in a purple fur that match his skin. The ears also had two little tufts at the tip, the fur there a slightly darker purple than the rest. It was wearing Earth attire, which she found a little strange,  and the bright red shirt paired with tan khakis seemed like an odd fit. She also noticed a long, fluffy purple tail curling behind it and a strange collar of some sort around it’s neck.

She shifted a bit closer herself, starting to reach out to touch the glass, when Andy darted back over and gasped. “It came out!” He sputtered in alarm.

Immediately, the alien hissed violently, revealing long and sharp looking fangs, before scampering back under the bed. Hannah growled and whipped her head around to glare at him. “You simple-minded idiot!” She hissed, walking over to him.

Katie watched them for a moment then scooted a bit closer, leaning up a little so that she could speak near one of the vents. “Hello, my name is Katie,” She called lightly.

Hannah paused in her berating of Andy and watched, shifting her attention from Katie to the alien inside the cell whom had perked back up a little bit from the other speaking to him.

“I take it you haven’t spent a lot of time on Earth, but it’s good that you at least got some clothes. Hopefully it not too bad, since I’m not sure how comfy it is with your tail and all. I mean, unless a hole was cut in the back so that your tail could come out easier? I can’t really tell, since you seem to like hiding under the bed,” She said.

The alien shifted inside the cell, moving to lay down on its belly. It was the most at east that it had been since they’d found it half-dead on the side of the road nearly three weeks back.

“So, like, I take it your type of alien are kinda like cats? My Aunt Lucy has a cat that runs under the couch or the bed whenever visitors come over. She says that he’s a scaredy cat, but I think it’s just more that he doesn’t like Matt cause he pets him weird,” She said, tapping her feet together as she spoke. She leaned back a bit on her hands, getting more comfortable. “Matt’s my big brother. He’s okay when he isn’t being a total jerk. Sometimes he calls me Pidge, cause he says I’m small like a pigeon, and I hate it.” She continued to prattle on for as long as she was allowed, promising that she’d draw a picture of the new puppy they’d just gotten for him to see while she was eating her lunch.

Hannah dropped her back of with her Dad after about two hours, promising to come get her again a little later.

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

“Dr. Fritz, I don’t understand why you brought that little girl in here. She could tell Commander Holt about the alien and blow the whistle on our research studies!” Andy squeaked out anxiously, clutching the tablet so tightly that it looked like the screen might crack. He was standing beside her desk as she turned her tablet back on, humming quietly as it loaded. He glanced down at the tablet in his hands, at the near-empty document regarding the alien they’d found. He didn’t have much to say about it other than it’s appearance and the accelerated rate at which it’s injuries had healed.

“Andy, we have a lovely little opportunity placed before us,” She said evenly, plucking out the stylus and beginning to write down some information. Added to her own list of information – which also included the alien’s hostile and volatile temperament, as well as its apparent lack of Earth knowledge or speaking capabilities – she added a few notes to her file.

“What do you mean?” He asked, trying to peer over her shoulder at what she’d written. Instead, she turned her chair around with a quick snap and pointed her stylus at him, less than an inch from touching his nose. He took a step back and gulped.

“How about instead of questioning me,” She mused, her tone sugary sweet and fatal, “you follow my orders to assure the integrity of our research? Katie Holt can be an interesting little pawn that can help us figure out where this thing came from. That kind of information could be invaluable to the Garrison.” She glared before tilting back in her seat, adjusting to reread the report she had drafted up about her research for the day.

Subject is a potential juvenile specimen of species; more data needed to confirm. Subject seems to have a higher tolerance for pain than humans; electrocution caused clear pain, but had a higher tolerance than human before pain reached excessive levels. Heightened healing element continues to be prominent factor; wounds caused by electrocution assessment seemed to heal more effectively than would heal for a human specimen once current was shut down. Healing element only seems to take effect once injury has ceased but will need to conduct further research to confirm. New assessments are being completed to determine the intelligence and amount of knowledge the subject has about Earth culture and habits. As of now, seems to recognize inflection and volume as indicators of intent of words; ability to understand the language has yet to be determined. Assessment schedule shall be properly scheduled and finalized to determine.

She smirked and picked her tablet back up. “Andy, go get a testing room and tranquilizer gun ready, would you? I want to run a few more tests on the subject’s limitations in regards to pain tolerance and the healing aspect of it before I start figuring out a proper schedule for the rest of the tests,” She said while standing up.

The other nodded and headed off, glancing back over his shoulder as she headed down along the aisle to the cell it was resting inside. Shortly after Katie had left, it seemed to go back on the defensive, its anxiety hyped up. “You must be so lonely, aren’t you?” Hannah giggled, lightly wrapping her knuckles against the glass.

A hiss that was most likely meant to sound threatening was her answer.

“Don’t worry now, little one. I think I can schedule regular play dates for you and Katie. Would you like that? Having a little friend to talk to?” She mused, pushing away from the glass to close the tablet and tuck it into one of the large inner pockets of the coat. “So long as we keep things under wraps, Katie will continue playing into our hands quite nicely. We can assess of how much use you’ll be to use. And who knows! Perhaps we’ll even be able to locate whatever kind of ship you came here on! That would certainly be a discovery worth something to Commander Wickler, maybe even keep us from getting read the riot act for keeping you under wraps!” She said with a happy sigh, pressing one hand to her chest.

If she could just make that reality, everything she’d been through would be worth it.

Andy reappeared a moment later with the gun she’d asked for, passing it over uneasily. “Dr. Fritz, I wasn’t sure what you wanted to check so I just set out a whole bunch of different options. I hope that’s acceptable,” He stammered out uneasily.

Dr. Fritz turned and smiled, a cruel little thing, and gave his cheek a little pat. “Thank you, Andy. I’ll meet you in there in a moment,” She said before pulling a small key card from her pocket. This one was different from the one she used for the elevator, a bit smaller and was a pale blue hue, so that she distinguish them and avoid getting asked questions about the smaller one. She slid it through the card reader beside the cell and beamed as the door slowly slid up.

The subject, as she had learned once before, was surprisingly quick, but luckily she was a faster shot.

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

Katie had been thrilled to bits when Hannah offered to take her for half the day to make things easier on Samuel. “I can see why you wanted to bring her with you, Sam,” Hannah had said with a bright smile. She reached down and gently gave Katie’s shoulder a squeeze. “She’s such a good little helper!”

Sam stared at her surprise, blinked, then chuckled a bit. “My, you must have really been able to keep her interest then! If she doesn’t enjoy something, she tends to become a bit unruly!” He said.

“Alien plants can be rather interesting, I’ll have you know,” She teased lightly. “If it’s okay, I’d like to take her on for as long as she’s here as my helper. I could take here around the same time every day, bring her back up for lunch, take her back to my lab afterwards, and then bring her back in time for your last lecture of the day. Would that be okay?”

“So long as she wants to go and you don’t mind having her, I suppose there isn’t a problem with it,” He said, smiling at his daughter. There was comfort in knowing that she was gaining more knowledge despite not being in the camp still. At least this way he didn’t have to worry about her getting bullied by a bunch of immature little ingrates. He smiled and waved as the two of them headed back out of the lecture hall.

“Can I ask a question, Dr. Fritz?” Katie asked curiously as they walked along.

“Katie, you can call me Hannah. We’re friends, after all,” She said, her smile and voice warm to the younger beside her.

The younger beamed up at her. “Okay, Hannah. I wanted to ask about… Um… The alien,” She said, lowering her voice and mouthing out the last bit. Hannah hummed and nodded as they got into the elevator. “Well, where did you find him? Was he out attacking people? Or was he, like, eating power lines or something?” She asked curiously.

“Oh, I found it while doing some additional work. See, I had driven to a separate Garrison base to assist another researcher with examining some samples they acquired from a meteor,” She explained as she slid the card key through and began the descent. “I was driving home to my hotel late one night, and it ran out into the road from the treeline nearby. At first, I thought I had just hit a large dog or something, but when I stopped, I found that I had actually hit it. I figured this would be a wonderful chance to learn a bit more about the life forms we share the universe with.”

Katie’s brow knitted a bit at her words. “Do you think… Do you think it was lost? And that was why it ran out into the road?” She asked worriedly.

“Katie, darling, it is much better that it be here. After all, it clearly knows next to nothing about human culture or life on Earth. And the poor thing was terribly injured from being hit! If not for me bringing it here, it probably would have died. I, in a way, have saved its life,” She said calmly as they reached their floor. The doors slid open and she gently ushered Katie out and into the front room. “It’s a win-win situation for us all, really. It stays alive and well-fed; we gain more knowledge about what aliens in our universe are capable of.”

Katie nodded mutely but said nothing. Taking her silence as anticipation, Hannah hurried her along to the cell.

Andy was there, carefully shoving a tray of food into the cell through a slim slot on the floor. He looked over and plastered on a nervous smile. “A-Ah, Katie Holt! Welcome back to our neck of the woods!” He said, glancing from her to Dr. Fritz uneasily.

His response from his boss was a curt nod. “We’ll have to see if he’ll come out to eat. He hasn’t seemed too keen on having guests to talk with him while he eats,” Hannah advised Katie as she settled on the floor in front of the cell, much like she had the day before.

“Maybe none of the things you’ve wanted to talk to him before are things he wants to talk about,” Katie said as she opened her little bag and fished out her drawing pad and crayons. She flipped to a new page, opened her box, and pulled out the brown crayon first. “I mean, I know I’d be less likely to want to eat without someone to have a fun conversation with.”

A quick glance over the top of her page revealed two gleaming yellow eyes keyed in on her. Good, she had its attention. That was a start.

She turned her attention back towards her drawing as she started to drag the crayon along the pages. “So, it’s clear you aren’t from Earth. So you must be from some place really far away and really cool, huh? But I guess Earth is kinda cool to you, huh? Since you’ve never been here before?” She said. After a small pause, she switched the brown crayon for the gray one instead. “That’s one of the things me and Matt like about when we do big family trips, anyway. Getting to see all the different places we’ve never been before, I mean,” She said before lifting her head again.

The alien had crept out a bit further and settled to imitate her posture, sitting on the other side of the glass to watch her in exchange.

She smiled and giggled. “So, my name’s Katie. What’s yours?”

Silence for a beat, before the alien cocked it’s head, mouthing out its response of, “Keith.”