#she's not ready to pose yet and it's absolutely stunning

[la-cocotte-de-paris]

Edwige Feuillère preparing backstage for a production of La Dame aux Camélias, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, 1953.

Photographed by Henry Clarke. Dress by Balmain.

[amirasainz]

I was wondering if you could write a Pierre x reader where it’s kinda like your lance one where they’re having a photo shoot but things get spicy

Oh my god. It's been so long since I wrote an Amira Sainz story. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to write one again.

Guys, you can always send me requests for anything❤️

Enjoy reading and send some requests

-xoxo, Babygirl 💋

No Part 2

The Perfect Shot

The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays shimmering off the azure waves surrounding the luxurious yacht. The gentle rocking of the boat created a soothing rhythm, the sound of laughter mingling with the soft lapping of water against the hull. Amira stood at the edge of the deck, the salty breeze playing with her long, dark hair. She wore a stunning black swimsuit that hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her figure. The elegant jewellery she adorned sparkled like stars against her sun-kissed skin, while her high heels lent her an air of sophistication even on a yacht.

Pierre leaned against the railings, wearing nothing but stylish swimming trunks that showcased his athletic build. He adjusted his sleek sunglasses, his heart racing at the sight of Amira. They were friends, of course—he had spent many weekends with the Sainz family, enjoying their hospitality and bonding with Carlos. But today, it felt different; the atmosphere was charged with a tension that made Pierre’s palms sweat.

“Are you ready, Amira?” he called, a playful grin spreading across his face.

“Just a second!” she replied, turning to face him, the sunlight illuminating her face. “I want to make sure I look perfect for these shots!”

Pierre stepped closer, trying to keep his composure. “You already look perfect. You’re going to steal the spotlight, not just from the yacht but from the ocean itself.”

Amira blushed slightly, her cheeks tinged with pink as she adjusted the necklace around her neck. “Stop it, you’re making me nervous!” She giggled, brushing her hair behind her ear. “This is just a fun photoshoot, right?”

“Fun? Absolutely! But also a chance for me to get some incredible pictures of you,” Pierre teased, stepping back to take a mental snapshot of her. “Just think of it as practice for when you become a model.”

“Me? A model?” Amira laughed, tilting her head in disbelief. “I think I’d trip and fall before the camera even clicked!”

“Not with me around to catch you,” Pierre shot back, his heart skipping at the thought. “Besides, you’ll be too busy stunning everyone with that smile of yours.”

With a playful eye roll, Amira joined him on the deck. “Okay, let’s get started before I change my mind!”

The photographer, a well-known professional with a reputation for capturing breathtaking moments, was already set up with his camera, ready to catch every smile, laugh, and spontaneous moment. “Alright, you two! Let’s get some warm-up shots. Amira, why don’t you sit on Pierre’s lap for the first pose?”

Amira’s eyes widened, and she shot a glance at Pierre. He shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant despite the rapid beating of his heart. “It’ll be fun, I promise.”

With a hesitant smile, she sat down on his lap, her heart racing for entirely different reasons now. The warmth of Pierre’s body radiated against her, and she couldn’t help but notice how close they were. “Is this okay?” she asked, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness.

“Perfect,” Pierre whispered, leaning in slightly so their faces were mere inches apart. “Just relax and have fun.”

As the camera clicked, Pierre wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her securely. “You know, you look absolutely stunning like this,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. “The sea has nothing on your beauty.”

Amira giggled, feeling a thrill from the compliment. “You’re just saying that to make me blush!”

“I would never lie about something so important,” he replied, his tone playful yet sincere. “Trust me, you’re the highlight of my day.”

As they posed, Amira felt more comfortable, her laughter mingling with Pierre’s teasing remarks. He whispered sweet nothings that made her heart flutter, each comment bringing them closer. “What if I told you I’d never want to take my eyes off you?” he murmured, leaning closer.

“Is that a line?” she asked, a teasing smile on her lips.

“Maybe it’s a promise,” he replied softly, his eyes sparkling behind the lenses of his sunglasses.

After a few more poses, the photographer suggested they change locations to the front of the yacht. “Let’s try a more dynamic shot! Amira, stand at the edge while Pierre holds your waist from behind.”

Amira moved to the edge, her heart pounding as Pierre stepped behind her. She felt his hands at her waist, grounding her, and the ocean breeze blew her hair back dramatically. “Are you scared?” he asked, his voice low, sending shivers down her spine.

“A little,” she admitted, glancing back at him. “But I feel safe with you.”

“Good,” he replied, leaning in closer, his lips almost brushing her ear. “Just remember to breathe. And if you fall, I’ll catch you.”

The photographer snapped away, capturing the moments of joy, laughter, and undeniable chemistry between them. As Amira leaned forward to pose, Pierre’s grip tightened, and he couldn’t resist whispering, “You know, if you keep looking that beautiful, I might just have to keep you on this yacht forever.”

“Is that so?” she teased, her heart racing. “And what would we do here? Just take photos all day?”

Pierre chuckled, his face lighting up. “Well, I can think of a few other things…” His voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air, thick with tension.

“Oh really? Like what?” Amira prompted, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Like maybe having a little dance party on the deck, just us and the ocean,” he suggested, the playful glint in his eyes making her laugh. “Or a sunset picnic, where I can show you my cooking skills… or lack thereof.”

Amira’s laughter rang out, bright and genuine. “I’d love that, but we might need to stick to takeout unless you plan to burn the yacht down!”

“Touché! Let’s focus on the photoshoot for now,” Pierre said, laughing. “But remember, I have plenty of ideas.”

As they continued to pose, the sun began to set, casting a warm golden hue over everything. Pierre’s playful side came out as he tried to make Amira laugh in every shot, pulling funny faces and whispering the most ridiculous compliments. “You know, if you don’t stop being this cute, I might really fall for you,” he joked, though a part of him meant every word.

“Good luck with that! I’m pretty clumsy,” she replied, laughing as she adjusted her hair.

Pierre smirked, ���Clumsy is charming! It’s like a bonus point in the dating world.”

“Oh really? Is that how it works?” Amira shot back, raising an eyebrow playfully.

“It’s my philosophy,” he said, “and I might just have to test it out someday.”

Amira felt a warmth spread through her at his words, a flutter of excitement dancing in her chest. “Maybe we should make a deal then,” she suggested, her eyes glinting mischievously.

“A deal?” Pierre raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“Yes! If you can make me laugh in the next few poses, I’ll agree to a sunset picnic,” she said, her smile infectious.

“Challenge accepted!” he grinned. “You won’t know what hit you.”

With renewed energy, they continued posing. Pierre made silly faces, spun around, and even tried to dance, making Amira laugh uncontrollably. The photographer captured every moment, but it was the chemistry between them that truly shone through the lens.

Finally, the photographer suggested a final pose as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of pink and orange. “Let’s do something romantic. Amira, sit on the edge, and Pierre, come behind her again, but this time, wrap your arms around her waist and pull her close.”

Amira’s breath caught as she followed the direction. She perched on the edge of the yacht, feeling the cool breeze against her skin. Pierre stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, his chest pressed against her back. “You’re going to fall!” she teased, turning her head to look at him.

“I’ve got you, don’t worry,” he whispered, his breath tickling her neck. “Just hold on tight.”

As they posed, Pierre leaned closer, his lips almost grazing her skin. “You know, this moment is perfect,” he murmured, a seriousness replacing the playfulness. “I can’t imagine sharing it with anyone else.”

Amira felt a rush of heat flood her cheeks. “You’re making me blush again!”

“That’s my job,” Pierre said, a playful smirk on his face. “Now smile for the camera, beautiful.”

As the photographer captured the moment, Amira turned her head slightly, and their lips brushed ever so lightly. Both froze, the air thick with tension as their eyes met. Pierre’s heart raced, and he felt a rush of boldness. “Amira, I…”

Before he could finish, Amira interrupted, her voice barely a whisper. “Maybe we should focus on the photos…”

But Pierre couldn’t resist the urge. “What if I told you I really like you, Amira? Like, a lot,” he confessed, his voice low and sincere.

Her eyes widened, a mix of surprise and delight. “Really?” she asked, searching his face for sincerity.

“Absolutely. You’re amazing—funny, sweet, and beautiful. I can’t help it,” he admitted, his arms tightening around her as if to emphasize his words.

Amira felt a rush of warmth in her chest. “I had no idea you felt that

°••°°••°°••°°••°°••°°••°°••°°••°°••°°••°°••°

The conference room buzzed with energy as Carlos and Charles sat across from each other, going over strategy for the upcoming race. The air was thick with anticipation until Carlos's phone buzzed incessantly on the table.

“¿Qué demonios?!” Carlos exclaimed, his eyes widening as he glanced at the screen. Photos of Amira in her black swimsuit, giggling and wrapped in Pierre’s arms on the yacht, flooded his notifications.

“Carlos?” Charles asked, noticing the sudden shift in his friend’s demeanor.

Carlos stood up, pacing the room, his fists clenching. “¡Maldita sea! This is unacceptable!” he swore in Spanish, frustration boiling over. “What the hell was Pierre thinking?”

Charles, looking pale, muttered, “I didn’t know… I thought they were just friends…”

Carlos shot him a look, his protective instincts kicking in. “Just friends? Look at those pictures! He’s all over her!”

Charles buried his head in his hands, his world crumbling. “Oh my God, please, no... Amira, no,” he murmured, instinctively praying in Italian, “Per favore, proteggila!”

Fred, sitting at the head of the table, sighed heavily, clearly done with the chaos. “Calm down, Carlos! You’re acting like a child. We have a meeting!”

“Not until I deal with this,” Carlos shot back, determination etched on his face. “I’m going to strangle Pierre!”

“Calm down before you end up on the front page of the tabloids,” Fred replied, exasperated, rubbing his temples.

As Carlos continued to pace, Charles whispered a silent prayer for Amira’s safety and asked God to give him the chance to do a photoshoot with her next.

[luvly-writer]

"But oh..Cara mia”

Ch. 14 Shamelessly in love

——————————————-

Dick Grayson x Latina Reader

Warnings: None

Status: Ongoing

Author's note: Honestly, I think this has been my favorite to write ngl. What do you guys think? Hope you enjoy it!

Taglist: @lorosette @nanas-teatime @prettyacademia00 @mxtokko @sarahkaliii @w31rdg1rl @Eurydicegrimes @writing-for-the-hell-of-it @alecmores

Series Masterlist:

—————————————

You were sitting on the floor in front of the full-length mirror in your room doing your make-up. Babs was sitting on top of your vanity table, straightening her hair in front of your vanity mirror. You loved moments like these where you both could slow down, relax, and not have to worry about anything related to superheroes. You were just two girls enjoying getting ready for a fancy party. You would play soft music in the background. As you did your eyes, you thought back on the past few days. The moment in the lab between Dick and you repeating constantly. It was frustrating, to say the least. Why would he get so close? Why was he so confusing? You rolled your eyes at the mere thought of him, how you hated Dick Grayson right now. You huff and decide to sing softly the song playing, "Oooooooooh only because I was in love, I opened up. Now I'll open up to your best friend, which one? Bitch like me, I just had to flip the switch on yo-" Your eyes widened. Dick had invited Wally. The same Wally who never passed an opportunity to flirt with you. You smirked. Years ago, when he heard of your "rivalry" with Dick, he took it upon himself to piss Dick off by flirting with you as a joke. You were good friends and had gone to the same camp at MIT. You hum in satisfaction and continue to do your makeup. Maybe one night of flirting for fun and without sttrings wouldn't hurt...

You and Barbara posed in front of the mirror and took a few pictures. She had taken your advice on wearing a green dress and looked absolutely stunning. You had opted on wearing a gorgeous blue dress that you had seen when you went shopping with Babs. Your hair was loose, letting it fall beautifully. You looked gorgeous. You were both looking at the pics and giggling when you heard Jason's voice come from the outside of your door. "Hurry up! We aren't getting any older here!" and you both roll your eyes. You noticed you didn't like your earring so you told Babs to go first and that you'd catch up once you changed them. Finally, you excited your room and walk down the stairs where everyone was waiting.

Dick stared at you as you walked down the stairs. You look ethereal. You smiled as you got to everyone and Dick swore his heart almost leaped out of his chest. You were wearing his color and you looked so SO GOOD in it. You all got in line to be introduced to everyone at the gala, Barbara and you stood side by side and talked with Jason and Steph. The protocol was to be announced and if you had a partner, they would be announced as well. First was Bruce, and Damian who entered. Then were Dick and Kory. As he walked he saw the flash of orange hair from his best friend who he had invited tonight. Then came Tim and Steph. Then Duke and Cass. Finally, Jason, Barbara, and you. As you walked, you smiled brightly and waved, smiling even more when you saw Diana next to Bruce. Then, Dick's heart stopped. Once you made eye contact with Wally, you winked at him, causing the speedster to smirk back at you. Dick watched the interaction closely...what the fuck?

Throughout the gala, Kory insisted on dancing and was holding up quite well with the rest of the socialites. Dick would constantly be by her side and would pull her to dance every once in a while, yet his mind was somewhere else. He would constantly turn back to see Yn and Wally. They would be found whispering to each other and laughing, flirting, and even worst, Wally had pulled Yn to dance quite a few times. Dick observed them viciously. Every time Kory would notice Dick falling away, she would add him to the conversation or ask for another dance. Things were going moderately fine until they weren't. Damian and Tim had begun to fight and it escalated so much that Damian pulled out a dagger. Steph and Jason were debating with a bunch of people and they were close to screaming their opinions, I think Steph even insulted Mr. Hikkin's wife. Dick thanked everything that Cass and Duke were the only ones not acting out. Bruce was trying to stop Tim and Damian and Duke and Cas ran to pull Jason and Steph away. The socialites were looking at the Wayne kids bewildered. Yn ran to the scene but Diana pulled her back when Tim's fist almost made contact with her face. Dick ran towards them and was able to get them to calm down after he dragged Damian away. They were all tugged back and Alfred came out to scold them. During that, Bruce's public relationists came running to him and warned him that seeing as this was a charity gala where the guest was supposed to place checks on their names, their little display plus the public scolding was making the socialites whisper and not in a fond way. Bruce groaned and asked her if there was something to do. "Well, we may need to call for desperate measures," she said nervously. And Bruce nodded for her to continue, "Operation young lovers always helps divert their attention and you know how much they eat it up every time..." She finished. Bruce looked at Dick and Yn tiredly and whispered a small please. Yn and Dick nodded. They knew what their roles were whenever it came to desperate measures in galas, didn't matter how they felt at the moment. Yn looked at Diana, who squeezed her hand and left to tell the band to change the song. Yn whispered something to Wally and Dick turned to Kory, "Sorry, Kor. This calls for desperate measures" he said and the girl reluctantly nodded, knowing that she shouldn't cause a scene in public. Dick walked towards Yn and placed his hand for her to take, "May I have this dance, Miss Prince?" he said loudly, making the elders around them gasp and smile. "You may, Mr. Grayson," she said softly and placed her hand on his. He could feel his senses tingling with her touch alone. He pulled her to the center of the ballroom floor and everyone made way for them. They stood in front of each other waiting for the waltz to begin. He placed one hand on her waist as she placed the hand that wasn't on his, on his shoulder.

"you ready?" he whispers softly, lowering his head so only you listen to him. You nod, too taken by his scent and touch to even speak.

"Don't speak

No don't try, Its been a secret for the longest time"

You begin to dance. You try to avoid his eyes at all costs. You knew that once you looked at those baby blues, you'd be gone. Unfortunately, you seem to have forgotten that when you dance avoiding his eyes, the flow of the waltz is not natural and sauve, its a little choppy.

"Yn, sweetheart, I need you to look at me," Dick says softly again and you shake your head softly. He sighs, "You know, you can trust me on this, bug, we've been partners ever since forever. Just trust me" he says, taking the hand on your waist and tilting your head so that you meet his gaze.

"Don't run,

No, don't hide, been running from it for the longest time"

Your (e/c) eyes meet his, its a dance of precaution, restraint, and, danger. His gaze softens, and he smiles once your gaze stays on his, "There we go"

"So many morning i woke up confused,

in my dreams, I do anything I want to you"

He twirls her and when he brings her back, he pulls her closer than she was before. They remain with their eyes locked. They begin to dance more fluidly. The people around them suddenly disappear and it felt as if they were the only two in the room. Dick breathes her in, trying to memorize how her body feels on his. Yn eyes soften (enter kate sharma's gaze) "why won't you let me go?" she whispers.

"My emotions are naked, they're taking me out of my mind"

She wanted to hear it. She knew it was wrong and he was in a relationship but she wanted to hear it. Maybe have some hope that he felt the same. She wanted to hear that he wanted her and that's why he couldn't let go. She wanted to hear that he craved her just as she craved him. The music began to speed up just a little, but they didn't miss a beat. The perfect waltz.

Dick looked at her and his eyes, glossed just a little. "We work together Yn, I don't think that we could ever escape each other" he answered and held her other hand. They pushed against each other, stretching their hands, and pulled back, now walking in circles. Yn hummed unconvinced and looked in his eyes, wanting sincerity.

"Right now I'm shameless,

screaming my lungs out for ya, not afraid to face it"

"I'm not convinced" she replied with a sing-song tone and he twirled her and they went to position one again. He looked away and she smiled softly. She taunted, "You have to look at me, Pajarito" and he turned to her again, "you have to trust me" she finished and he smirked. This woman..

"I need you more than I want to,

Need you more than I want to"

"Why are you not convinced?" he asked and Yn had an internal debate. Should she be bold, should she cower away? She had been thinking of confronting him for a while but Kory was always with him. Chances were she wasn't going to get another opportunity to have him alone, just to herself. Fuck it...I want answers

"Show me you're shameless,

write it on my neck, why don't ya"

He dips you and you hum cheekily, "I think you can't stay away from me and that's why you do not want to let me go." When he pulls you back up, Yn slid her hand from his shoulder to his neck, right on top of his pulse point. You felt his heartbeat get faster and smirked at him. Pink dusted his cheeks as chills go down his spine. He pulls you closer and grips your waist tighter.

"And I won't erase it,

I need you more than I want to"

"I..." he gulps, "I don't know what you are talking about," he said with his head a little cloudy. She began to twirl the hairs on the back of his head. "Do you not, Richard? " she said and got closer to his ear, "teams have been broken and replaced, people have left and returned, yet I ask you to leave, and you resist? hmmm, I think it's more" and Dick's eyes roll back, he closes them, and groans, all the restraint he had was failing little by little. She pulled back, happy with the reaction she got, and threw her head back as they danced. "Why do you want to leave so bad?" he asks, finally looking back at her, giving her puppy eyes, soft and vulnerable.

"Need you more than I want to

nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now"

"Why does it matter?" she quips back and he twirls her again, wanting to catch a break from her intoxicating presence. Once she is back in position, he answers, "Why would you ever want to leave?"

"Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now

Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now

Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now"

"I don't want to leave, darling" she softly laughs but then turns somber, "I want this confusion to end.." Dick takes a sharp breath, "What's confusing?" he asks. Surely she can't mean what he thought... She looks at him again wondering if she should answer

"So we're there,

Now, it's real"

"Yn, what confusion, what do you mean? Dick asks desperately. 'Tell me what I want to hear and I'll do anything for you' he thought. 'Is it worth it?' she thought. The world around them was lost. No one mattered except for the person in front of them.

"And i'm tired of loving somebody that's not mine"

"Richard-" "-Yes", he was desperate, tell me, tell me that you want me just as much as I want you. "Why do you care If I leave you?" she asks, eyes a bit glossy. She felt as if she wanted to throw up, scream, cry, all of the above? He takes a deep breath and squeezes her waist, "I'm afraid of the man I could become if you are gone.." Deranged. That was what he would be. Completely lost, absolutely gone. He was so used to orbiting around her light, whether it warmed or burned him, that if she was gone he would be insane. Her eyes snapped to his, searching for lies and she found none, "Don't leave me to burn alone" he whispered looking at her tenderly, desperately, lovingly, lost with no plans of returning.

"There's just inches in between us,

I want you to give in, I want you to give in"

Dick took her in his arms and lifted her. She placed her hands on his shoulders and looked down at him, both never breaking eye contact. She slowly started sliding down, Dick always keeping a hold on her, making sure the move looked smooth. Her body pressing against his deliciously.

"There is tension in between us,

I JUST WANNA GIVE IN"

Once she was on the floor, he slid his hands up from her waist, raising her arms. The two had their hands up, intertwined. They were pressed against each other as they walked in circles. Faces inches apart, he nuzzled his nose to hers, and she hummed, her heart in her throat. The world around them lost and forgotten. He flips her and now she was with her back to him, both of her arms extended, his hands on hers again. They keep on dancing and he lowers his head, almost placing it on her shoulder

"And I don't care if I'm forgiven"

"Tell me, Yn, what your confusion is, I'll clear it up, I swear, I will clear it up, ask anything, and it's yours" he whispers, voice raspy from the intensity of his emotions at the moment. 'What if what I want to ask for is you' She thinks. He flips her again and presses her against him. They waltz once again, but in a different position. His hand is between her shoulder blades, thumb caressing her back. Her arm is on top of his, hand placed once again on his pulse. Their other arms stretched into a straight line. This allowed them to get even closer.

"Right now, I'm shameless,

Screaming my lungs out for ya,

Not afraid to face it,

I need you more than I want to"

Dick twirls her and finally dips her. The song came to an end. When he pulls her back, they let go of each other, absolutely breathless. They stay standing in front of each other, gazes locked unable to look away. The ballroom is silent for a moment before it erupts in applause. They both snap out of it and look away, finally remembering where they were. Dick coughs and looks at Yn, who is hugging herself, smiling bashfully at their public and blushing. He smiles softly before he turns his eyes to inspect the crowd and there he sees it. The one thing he absolutely forgot. Kory.

"Show me you're shameless,

write it on my neck why don't ya

and I won't erase it"

He sees her fuming, anger and sadness present in her eyes. He starts to walk towards her but she storms off to the gardens. He knows that the fight is inevitable. He turns back to Yn, who is looking towards where Kory disappeared to. She then makes eye contact with him and looks away quickly. He goes to reach out to her but she hurries away from the crowd directly to where Barbara and Diana were standing. Diana gives her a knowing look and Barbara has her mouth open. She quickly takes Barbara's hand and rushes both of them out as she gives Diana a look that says, 'I'll tell you later when I sort it out'. Diana nods and begins to mingle again. Everyone goes back to their usual, chatting about the two young lovers and how it was always pleasant and most satisfying to see them dance. Dick looks back at his family, who are all looking at him in awe, wonder, surprise, concern, and shock. He turns to Wally who gestures to where Kory left and mouths, 'Fix that first." Dick nods and begins to walk over to the gardens. Would he be able to fix something that was cursed to fail?

"I need you more than I want to

I NEED you more than I want to"

[mightyflamethrower]

In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s stunning victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, in which he secured the popular vote on top of an Electoral College landslide, Democrats have been hosting tough conversations about the future of the party in its relations to transgender issues, specifically transgenders operating in women’s spaces, including bathrooms, locker rooms, and athletics. While Democrats like Bill Maher, Ben Dreyfuss, and others have called for Democrats to move away from transgender advocacy, others like John Oliver have argued they should move even further left.

“The Harris campaign failed to formulate a response, especially when it’s pretty easy to do,” Oliver said in a recent segment on his show. “There are vanishingly few trans girls competing in high schools anywhere, even if there were more, trans kids like all kids vary in terms of athletic ability, and there is no evidence they pose any threat to safety or fairness.”

Author J.K. Rowling (the Harry Potter series) publicly called the comedian’s arguments “bullshit” and cited a plethora of anecdotes to support her case. She also made clear that her criticism of John Oliver stemmed from nothing personal.

“Nothing about this feels good, because John Oliver generously gave his time for my charity Lumos and I liked him very much when I met him, but God knows, if you ever need an example of motivated reasoning and confirmation bias, this video’s for you. An undoubtedly intelligent person spouts absolute bullshit to support something he wants to be true, but isn’t,” she said in a post on X.

“According to the UN, female athletes have lost nearly 900 medals to trans-identified men competing against them in women’s sporting categories. Girls have been ousted from teams to make way for boys. Women have suffered serious injury playing against trans-identified men,” she added.

J.K. Rowling cited the case of Payton McNabb, who suffered a severe head injury after a transgender athlete spiked a volleyball into her face during a high school match.

“Again and again I’ve come up against men who argue exactly what Oliver does here, using the very same talking points. With a straight face, the ‘believe the science’ guys will say ‘actually, we don’t yet have enough data to say whether men and boys are stronger and faster than women and girls’. The ‘be kind’ crew can’t see what the issue is. ‘Why are you bothered, it only affects a tiny minority of females?'” argued Rowling.

“To prove to their progressive credentials – and (coincidentally, I’m sure) indemnify themselves against repercussions from cultural elites in the media, academia and publishing who’ve showed themselves more than ready to kick people to the kerb for failing to mouth the approved mantras – people with a lot to lose are currently prepared to make idiots of themselves,” she continued. “They’ll stare unabashedly into a camera and insist that their audiences’ eyeballs are incapable of seeing what’s plain as day, and that there’s something wrong with the great unwashed for believing that girls are being robbed of opportunities and put at physical risk.”

Rowling concluded her post by calling on those like John Oliver to at least be intellectually honest by admitting that women will be hurt through the initiative of transgender inclusion.

“If you want to tell the world you’re happy to watch females suffer injury, humiliation and the loss of sporting opportunities to bolster an elitist post-modern ideology embraced by a minute fraction of the world’s population, fair enough; you’re allowed your opinion,” she concluded. “But if you’ve just told girls they don’t deserve fair sport, maybe rethink using all too real and common sexual predation against young women as a punchline for your ‘edgy’ closing joke.”

Sara Higdon, who identifies as transgender, thanked J.K Rowling for her insight.

“I’m trans, and a high performing former athlete, including 7.5 years in the army. Been on HRT for 5.5 years, and I can still prove that if I competed against women in sports, I still have an advantage. I was on path to prove it by breaking the female squat record until an old Army injury sidelined me. But I still perform in the 80th percentile on a spin bike after never riding before 2020,” said Higdon. 

[andrewwtca]

I've been having Thoughts about Cloud Strife in a dress all day and this is my silly self-indulgent corner of the internet, so here we go! a silly scenario.

takes place between Kalm and the Temple of the Ancients. for some reason (post Cait Sith, Cid, and Vincent joining) - probably to gain info - the party has to infiltrate a party in some filthy rich mansion. Cloud needs to go inside to make sure the info is helpful, but he's wanted. he can't just show up.

and he specifically needs to go inside... the party is brainstorming when Tifa and Aerith lock eyes. Cloud groans. he knows exactly what they're thinking, but c'mon Cloud! isn't this the best way to sneak in?

Cloud is adamantly against it, but he can't openly protest it, because that would be suspicious and then they'd know. so Cloud finally huffs and agrees to it. the girls giggle and lock arms with him, looking at the others.

Aerith: hmm... he'll need someone to go in.

Tifa: it can't be us since we're wanted... can't be Barret either...

Aerith: and can't be Cait Sith either - sorry!

Tifa: that just leaves Vincent and Cid...

Cloud: ...do I get a say in this

Aerith: hush. which one of you would be better at a party?

Cid points to himself and Vincent looks off to the side. Aerith would clap her hands in delight and Tifa points to Barret.

Tifa: please get him in a suit! we'll be back in an hour?

Barret: a suit? Tifa, what are you- Tifa!

the girls giggle and drag Cloud off.

they're in the middle of the mart, and they break it up into three sections: hair, make-up, a dress. the hair and make-up is easy, but the dress? do they even have the gil for that?

so, regrettably, they can't get Cloud into an elaborate dress. it's probably for the best, anyway, because his goal is to fit in. after lots of dragging him around, lots of him protesting and whining, they finally have completed the look: a black form-fitting dress reaching down to his ankles; sheer black gloves reaching up to his forearm; black pumps; light lip-gloss; mascara; and an extension braid wrapped around the back of his head. so safe to say, Cloud is a fucking vision.

Aerith: wait, wait! we can't go yet! we need to come up with a name for him

Cloud, speaking in near mumbles, brain still reeling: why? girls are named Cloud...

Tifa: Aerith's got a point, Cloud. if someone finds you familiar, hearing your name could get you in trouble. we'll have to come up with something-

Aerith: Blue.

Tifa, Cloud: blue?

Aerith: yes, I've thought of this a lot! his eyes! or, well, her eyes. her mother saw those baby blues and just knew she had to name her Blue.

Cloud: Blue Strife?

Aerith: no, silly! you're not keeping your last name either.

Cloud: it feels like you're shipping me off for marriage...

Tifa: hmm... how about... Woolf?

Cloud: ...wolf.

Aerith: oh! I love it! because he's such a lone wolf, right?

the girls giggle while Cloud crosses his arms, looking absolutely stunning and absolutely annoyed.

Cloud: you want my name to be Blue Woolf.

Tifa: c'mon, Ms. Woolf, let's go see if your date is ready!

Cloud: kill me...

they drag him to where the rest of the party is. they managed to find Cid some really cheap suit, it's just well-put enough that no one would give Cid a second glance, especially not with his charming attitude.

Tifa: we're back!

Cait Sith: we were about to get worried! er, where did Cloud wonder off to?

Aerith, biting back a smile: he's right here!

Tifa and Aerith step aside to do a dramatic reveal of Cloud. he's not posing and refuses to look up at the shocked expressions of his friends. burning, he stomps forward, grabs Cid's wrist with as much rage as he can manage, and begins to yank him towards the party.

Barret: so that's how he helped Tifa out...

Aerith: bye Cid! bye Ms. Blue Woolf!

Cid: blue? wolf?

Cloud keeps mumbling under his breath for someone to kill him.

and of course, Cloud gets hit on a lot at the party <3

[hanako-kozume]

Fake it till you Make it - SakuAtsu | Chapter 03

Chapter Summary: Atsumu makes a plan on how best to annoy Sakusa's parents.

He meets the spiker's mother and it seems to be working perfectly. She hates him.

Chapter Warnings: Implied Homophobia

Video/Podfic/Audiobook version:

Chapter 03: Dress-up

They got ready to leave around early noon. It surprised Atsumu since the location Sakusa had given him was a fair distance away and he knew that if it could be avoided the spiker hated being late. This time however he seemed to almost purposefully stall.

"Well, I best get ready so that we can leave whenever," the blonde announced as he got up.

The ace barely acknowledged it and just gave a short hum. Atsumu couldn't tell whether he had actually heard him or not and simply ventured out to find the bathroom, his bag in hand.

The setter was by no means an expert in style and fashion but he did take a mild interest in trying various things to wear and experimenting with his outfits.

For this trip, he had a plan. Every day he'd wear something a little bit more outrageous in the eyes of someone with an old-fashioned mindset.

Starting with something basic, and classic but with a modern touch and the potential to become a thrust trap if he would post it on his Instagram in the right light and pose.

He put on black pants that were made from a light airy fabric, with subtle pockets, floating just the right amount of loosely around his legs.

They got wider toward the bottom adding a slight flamboyant touch. Nothing too provocative.

The trick of this outfit was the sweater. It was a black turtle neck and a very tight fit. It was something Sakusa would wear sometimes as well just that his weren't meant to show off as much of his figure as Atsumu's did.

The likeness was intentional to present them as a couple from the very start, a milder version of the pyjamas in a way.

To top it all off he added the kind of accessories he saved for photo shoots and to show off at fancy events. Flashy earnings that were simple in design but not nearly as subtle as a simple ring. And certainly, he would be doomed if he'd only have one piercing per ear.

The setter grinned at himself as he looked at his reflection. He wore black fidget rings on both hands and with a few quick movements added a subtle, straight, black eyeliner to the final picture.

Perfect.

He was fairly pleased with himself and grinned from ear to ear knowing that this was just the beginning. The truth was Omi was right, pissing off conservative assholes was one of his favourite hobbies.

He probably would have done him the favour even without anything in return yet he couldn't let him win so easily.

Besides, he had the feeling that Omi preferred it this way if the relationship was purely transactional for the time being.

Atsumu didn't know how to feel about that.

Personally, he thought the deal was perfect. Sakusa was a friend, even if a very grumpy one at that, his teammate and attractive too so flirting with him for the sake of annoying his parents would be a piece of cake. After all, he had plenty of practice from teasing him at interviews or sponsor events.

He was just a bit wary of how the ace felt about it.

He bit his lip, chewing on it, forgetting that he had the fidget rings to avoid such behaviour.

Sakusa often felt uncomfortable around others and Atsumu wasn't exactly known to be easy company, that much was sure.

He sighed again, shouldered his bag, and went to see if Sakusa was ready to go.

The dark eyes of the spiker zeroed in on him as soon as he set for into the living room again. His expression shifted from shocked to a scowl that Atsumu couldn't quite read.

"What? Jealous that I look absolutely stunning or just speechless?" he teased with his usual charm, and as usual got no decent reply as the other turned away.

"I'll prepare as well. We can leave in about 15 minutes."

"Fine by me."

He didn't know yet how this would play out or how his family would react. He felt fairly prepared for this and confident in his abilities but in all honesty, it felt a bit like he was walking into a forest blindfolded, constantly wary of the possibility of walking into a tree.

He knew close to nothing about the spiker let alone his family. All that he was aware of were their outdated ideas and apparently ignorant and mean-spirited attempts to scare people away. He knew that they were fairly wealthy and that's it.

Sakusa had a sister and a brother. He hadn't said my h about them so Atsumu assumed they either weren't coming or weren't the problem. He knew that Komori would attend but wasn't sure about his parents.

In the end, it was barely enough to guess.

Sakusa mentioned his strict upbringing only briefly but Atsumu had a slight inkling that as soon as he'd crossed the doorstep he'd have broken already ten rules yet when he asked him about it Sakusa said not to worry, that was the idea. After all, he wanted them to be bothered and not to earn their respect.

He was right, of course...

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

"Omi... This is not a house."

Sakusa glanced at him from the side, his hands clenched into fists and hidden inside the pockets of his dark coat. His dark eyes were vigilant and cold as he followed Atsumu's gaze. The closer they got to the house of his parents the more his tension had grown.

"This is a mansion! You told me your parents were wealthy, not rich enough to buy me and my whole family!" the setter complained.

Sakusa rolled his eyes.

"You're exaggerating."

"Hardly." he insisted.

"Is this a problem?" Sakusa asked.

There was a ting of nervousness adding to the already wild storm inside him. Would Atsumu back out now? Didn't he want to do this anymore?

He gulped. Sakusa didn't know how to feel about it if Atsumu would cancel the plan now. He wouldn't blame him. It was probably better if he didn't drag Atsumu down with him. He shouldn't have to endure—

The setter's boisterous laugh made Sakusa jump as the blonde suddenly seemed ecstatic. Did he become mad?

He looked at him in horror.

"This is gonna be more interesting than anticipated. Let's go, Omi!"

Atsumu grinned widely. Sakusa was stunned as he observed the mischievous glint in his eyes. He couldn't understand how Atsumu wasn't terrified when he was practically paralyzed by fear. Maybe he truly was mad.

"Oh, uh can I touch you? Don't worry I showered, I won't touch your skin, and I'll back off as soon as we're out of sight."

He nodded slowly but couldn't help but flinch when Atsumu's arm wrapped around his. His touch was gentle and careful. He made sure to keep a certain distance between them while looking as close as possible.

The front door opened revealing a lavish hallway and one of the housekeepers Sakusa had known for years. They were friendly and always made sure to gift him sweets when his parents treated him harshly. Now they looked at him and Atsumu with curiosity in their eyes and a smile spreading on their face.

The words of congratulations were already on their lips when the voice of his mother echoed through the room. She rushed over from the living room at the sound of the door, thrilled to see her son. If only this excitement would last when she saw them.

But of course, it didn't. Her eyes fell on Atsumu and the smile turned into a scowl. There was so much judgment in her eyes she didn't need to say a single word to convey how she felt about this but of course, she wasn't nice enough to grant them her silence.

"I didn't know you'd bring guests Kiyoomi."

She conveniently forgot that he told her of course.

Her voice resembled an icy blade as if she intended to cut the connection between them this instant. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked Atsumu up and down, lingering at the makeup and earrings, and pressing her lips tighter together with everything she didn't approve of.

"Mother, this is Miya Atsumu, my boyfriend. I hope you will welcome him since he's part of the family now," he replied equally as coldly.

"Not sure, I would say it like that."

She was never subtle about her disdain but the mask dropped incredibly can't today. No more games of pretend.

Was it the warning in Sakusa's voice that made her react that way? An attempt to show him that no she would not accept him no matter what or even so much as treat him nicely?

Or was it Atsumu himself? who admittedly dressed much more provocatively than anyone he brought home before.

"Oh of course, how thoughtless of me. I haven't even introduced myself. As Omi said I'm Miya Atsumu but please call me Atsumu. I have a twin and am used to it to avoid confusion," Atsumu chimed in as if oblivious to the tension.

First name, so informal. They would hate it.

Internally Sakusa smiled watching his mother getting increasingly more uncomfortable by nothing but Atsumu's presence.

She practically flinched as he addressed him with his typical nickname and for the first time, Sakusa was willing to admit that he liked it.

"Anyways, it is so nice to meet ya Sakusa-san."

He laid on the dialect heavily and extended a hand which she ignored. Aside from looking at him as though he was a dead rodent their cat had left in front of her feet she didn't acknowledge him at all.

"So how long will your... friend be staying, Kiyoomi?"

"Boyfriend." Sakusa corrected. "And he'll stay as long as I do. If you have a problem with that we'll leave this instance."

"Don't be like that baby. I want to get to know yer family," the setter cooed softly, then he turned to his mother again.

"He keeps everything about you such a mystery I guess he was always like that, wasn't he?"

She took a deep breath to calm herself before looking at Sakusa with pleading eyes.

"Does it really have to be like this? I prepared—"

"It does," Sakusa insisted.

His eyes narrowed and he almost wished she'd just sent them away so they could return home and forget about this whole thing but of course, she wouldn't. The preparations had taken too much time and she wanted him there and most importantly she couldn't convince him to break up with Atsumu if they left now.

"Your father will not approve of this."

"He'll survive it."

For a moment, they still battled each other in a staring contest before she sighed heavily and stepped aside.

"Fine then," she spat out. " Go inside and get settled. Your friend looks strong, why doesn't he bring your luggage to your rooms?"

"Room, we only need one. And why make him do it when usually this is done by the attendants?"

Every day here would be a battle and she wasn't willing to give in even an inch.

His mother was getting flustered in her rage and was about to spew some nonsensical argument at them when Atsumu saw the perfect opportunity to dig his grave just a little deeper.

"That's no problem, Darling. After all, I know how much you love watching when I use my muscles."

He winked at him and Sakusa was certain his cheeks never had changed colours from pale white to red so quickly. He almost choked on air but got hold of himself just in time. His mother had no such composure and quickly called over an attendant to handle their stuff.

"Thank you, Mother," he said as nonchalantly as possible while Atsumu feigned sadness at the lost opportunity but willingly let Sakusa guide him inside and upstairs.

-----------

The room he led him to was odd. Clean and white almost sterile looking, with little decor and only the occasional spots of colour.

"Omi if yer gonna tell me that this used to be your childhood bedroom I'm gonna weep. It's sad."

The taller looked at him unimpressed. He thanked the attendants for making such quick work of their luggage before turning to Atsumu again.

"It's not. I have no room in this house anymore. This is just a guest room I use when being forced to spend the night here," he explained.

Atsumu looked confused as he let himself fall onto the ned. The only bed. Sakusa tried not to think about what that implied.

"Then where is yer childhood bedroom? Surely ya had one. They didn't let ya sleep on the floor, did they?! Because that'd be—"

"Yes, I had one." he cut off his ramblings.

"It was cleared the day I came out. They disowned me for a week and decided since they didn't have their youngest son anymore there was no reason to keep my stuff. It was all thrown away."

"That's... awful."

It was the first time he heard Atsumu speak so quietly almost softly. He just shrugged his shoulder. It's not like this was a secret but since he never talked much with anyone especially not about his family it might as well have been one. Talking about it with Atsumu now felt... different.

"I got them back for it," he continued. "The week they kicked me out I went couch surfing with my best friend at the time. We fucked every chance we got so if at all they have driven me right into his arms."

Atsumu burst out laughing.

"That's hilarious. But please tell me he was in on it."

"He was... after the first time. I didn't want to use him like that. Still, I'm not proud of it. After a while, he asked for something more serious and I turned him down. We weren't friends after that anymore."

Why was he telling him this? This part certainly felt like it should be a secret yet he talked so freely when it was just Atsumu with him as though...

As though what? As though he could trust him?

"What a jerk!" Atsumu huffed.

Sakusa rolled his eyes at the setter's childish way of thinking.

"He wasn't. It was my fault. We could have been friends for longer if I hadn't opened that door and allowed him to catch feelings."

Atsumu stared at him dumbfounded.

"And here I thought you were supposed to be yeh smart one. Omi, you act as though catching feeling worked like a cold and you coughed at him."

Sakusa flinched.

"Sorry, bad analogy. All I'm saying is that I never thought you'd be stupid enough to blame yerself for how someone else feels. Ya always seem so aloof. So above everyone."

Sakusa didn't know what to reply to that and simply turned away.

"Shut up, Miya."

Atsumu clicked his tongue.

"Aw, you like me, admitted!" he teased.

Sakusa ignored him.

"Dinner is ready in a few hours. If you don't mind let's stay here for now. Keeping up the whole lovers' act is going to be exhausting enough later."

Atsumu sighed but agreed, his eyes strayed to the ceiling and he stared at something in the distance that Sakusa couldn't see. Was he already regretting his decision to come here? The worst hadn't even started...

He quickly got up before he could overthink it too much.

"I'll quickly take a shower. There is a bathroom connected to this room and another down the hall."

"I'll take the one down the hall then," Atsumu replied and got up swiftly, without Sakusa having to say anything.

He grabbed his shower products, a set of new clothes and of course, makeup. He was going to have fun with this.

[pechefarm]

Buttercup Baby Ch 8 SPECIAL BONUS CHAPTER!

Pairings: Sam/Male Farmer OC, Sebastian/Female OC, Shane/Female OC

Rating: T for Teen

Word count: 5,061

Content Warnings: Alcohol use

Authors Notes: Welcome to a special bonus chapter! I was too excited to wait to post this one so here you go!

If you have any questions, comments, or snide remarks, leave them in the comments here or on ao3!

Today was supposed to be perfect. Today was supposed to be fun and joyful. But instead of cheering his friends on for being the cutest couple at the dance, Léo was instead trying to decide if he wanted to play the role of peace keeper or not. The mess his friends had just left made him pretty certain that he wanted to just leave them to figure it out themselves.

The day had started out well enough. Elfie had been sending him selfies of her progress getting ready for the dance. She had made a beautiful sage green dress with white flower details. She was even wearing a petticoat to make it poof out more. Elfie looked absolutely stunning in a way that Léo wasn’t used to seeing on her.

“Do you think Sebastian will like it?” she asked, calling Léo moments before she left to head to Pelican Town.

���He’d be an idiot not to,” Léo said. “You look absolutely gorgeous. Anyone would be lucky to have you as their date.”

Elfie had arrived a little late, so she and Léo were the last to arrive. Everyone was already mingling, trying out the tiny desserts that Gus had made. Léo could hear Pam complaining about the size, and

Gus telling her that these were fancy treats typically served at a high tea. This was a special event that called for special food.

Pam picked up a ham and truffle vol-au-vent, and took a bite of the delicate savory puff pastry treat.

“Not bad,” she said, and Gus beamed. “Maybe you could make one the size of a plate next time.”

Léo felt his stomach growl, and Elfie looked at him. 

“You get some food, and I’ll find Seb and the rest of them, okay?” Elfie said with a smile. Léo gave her the thumbs up as he took a bite out of a small cake, and she flounced away, scanning the crowd.

Léo grabbed a plate and began putting different treats on it. Canapés and petit fours adorned the table, and he was sure to get one of everything.

“Wow, you must be hungry.”

Léo looked up in surprise, and smiled when he saw Sam standing there. 

“Oh, yeah I…” Léo’s voice died in his throat as he looked Sam up and down. His friend was wearing a powder blue suit with a matching tie, and a crisp white button down. His hair had been somewhat tamed into a small ponytail, and damn did it work on him.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” Sam teased, and then made a squawking sound as Léo took out his phone.

“I wasn’t serious!” Sam said.

“Aw, but you look so handsome!” Léo said with a grin. Sam’s golden eyes glittered, and he smiled gently.

“You do too,” he said, and took a step closer to Léo. 

“We should take a selfie together,” Léo said. “Gotta put our gorgeous faces all over the internet, yeah?”

Sam nodded, and the two struck a few poses as they took pictures. Léo felt Sam’s arm snake around his waist, and he tried to ignore the pounding in his chest as he took the last photo. Sam was giving the “rock and roll” sign with his tongue out, and Léo… Fuck.

Léo was staring at him like a goddamn idiot. Was this what Sebastian had been talking about when he said that Léo acted like a school girl around Sam? Unfortunately, it was the best picture out of the bunch, so it was the one they posted on their snapchat and instagram stories. Léo even put his on facebook, which Sam teased him for.

“Who still uses facebook?” Sam asked. “Oh wait, I know. Old people. You’re an old person now.”

“You can call me old next year when I turn 30,” Léo said. “But not yet. I’m still in my twenties, so I’m full of youthful energy.”

“Yeah okay grandpa,” Sam said, and Léo punched his arm.

“Hey, do you know where Sebastian and Elfie are?” Léo asked suddenly.

“Oh, when I saw Seb last, he was with Abby. They were standing near the water.”

The two turned and looked towards the river, but there was nobody in sight.

“That’s weird,” Sam said. “Well, it has been a little over an hour. They must be getting ready to dance.”

“You’re gonna dance with Penny, right?” Léo asked.

“For the traditional bit, yeah,” Sam said. “You can’t make fun of me though if you watch.”

“Why would I do that?” Léo asked, popping a chocolate truffle into his mouth.

“Because the dance looks dumb as hell,” Sam grumbled. “It’s so old fashioned. I hate that we have to do this every year.”

“I’ll do my best not to point and laugh at you,” Léo said.

“You better not!”

Léo was just about to respond when Abigail rushed over to them. There was pure panic in her eyes.

“We’ve got a problem. A snafu, as your dad would say,” she said, looking at Sam.

“What, are Pam and Shane already shit faced?” Sam asked, but the grin on his face died at Abigail’s serious look.

“Shane’s involved, yeah, but not like that. Seb really fucked it up this time and shit is going down.”

“What?” Léo said. He and Sam rushed off with Abigail who tried to fill them in.

“Seb has been freaking out about this date all day,” she said quickly. “I seriously thought he was going to have a panic attack this morning, and only barely managed to calm him down. I thought everything would be fine, but this fucker decided that instead of facing his fears, he would avoid them.”

“Wait, you don’t mean…” Sam said, eyes wide. Abigail nodded grimly.

“He hasn’t spoken to her once this whole time. Well, actually he has. One sentence. And do you know what he said? He told her he wasn’t going to dance with her because, and I quote, dancing is stupid and there isn’t any point to this festival. So she said that she’d find someone else.”

“Elfie…” Léo muttered, slapping a hand to his face. There was a good chance Sebastian would think she was joking. But if Léo knew Elfie, and he did, he knew that she was dead serious. She would find someone else in a heart beat, if only just to piss him off.

“You got to be kidding me,” Sam said, eyes wide. “I mean, I know Sebastian’s dumb when it comes to this kind of thing, but that’s a whole new level.”

“Yeah, you’re telling me,” Abigail said. They finally came to the area where the traditional dance was going to be held, and Léo could see Elfie talking with Shane. He heart dropped when he saw them together. Of course she picked Shane. The man that Sebastian was the most jealous of when it came to Elfie. The two of them were chatting idly, and were standing just a smidge too close together. Sebastian was standing off to the side, glowering at the couple. Sam rushed over to him, concern written all over his face.

“Seb, what’s going on? Abby said that--”

“My date is planning on dancing with someone else,” Sebastian snarled.

“After you abandoned her!” Abigail said, marching up to him. “After you told her that this whole thing is pointless and boring!”

“Yeah but she didn’t have to go find someone else!” Sebastian said angrily.

“I’m not defending her,” Léo said slowly, “Because what she’s doing is pretty grade school. But have you seriously been ignoring her this whole time? Obviously she was going to get fed up.”

“I already told her I’m not good at this kind of thing!” Sebastian snapped. He ran his hand through his fluffed up hair, clearly stressed out.

“Yeah, but not talking to her at all? Seb you probably really hurt her feelings,” Sam said with a frown. “You need to go talk to her.”

“Fine, I’ll talk to her,” Sebastian said.

“You should wait until you cool off. Seb! Sebastian!” Léo called out as Sebastian made his way over to where Elfie and Shane stood. He sighed deeply.

“Well this is going to end in tears,” Abigail said.

Sebastian finally approached the couple, who were seemingly completely oblivious to his sudden appearance.

"Really? You replaced me with this asshole?" Sebastian spat out. Léo cringed. Was that really going to be Sebastian’s opening line?

Elfie turned, looking at Sebastian like he was something gross she had found on the bottom of her shoe. Shane's eyes were narrowed slightly, but he said nothing as he took a sip of his mimosa. The crowd around them had grown quiet, and everyone seemed to be holding their breath.

"He's not an asshole," Elfie said, trying to keep her voice even.

"I'm not?" Shane asked, visibly surprised. Elfie's face softened as she looked at him.

"You were so sweet when Jas told you that I needed someone to dance with. And you didn't have to say yes when I asked. You totally could’ve said no. You're not as big a jerk as you and everyone else seems to think," she said, and Shane looked away, clearly embarrassed.

"If you can't see what a fucking asshole he is, you're dumber than you look," Sebastian said, fists balled at his side.

"I'm sorry, what?" Elfie said in a deadly tone, slowly turning her head and fixing him with an icy glare. Léo tensed. He knew this voice. It was the one she used before dealing a killing blow. 

"I said you're being an idiot!" Sebastian snapped. "He's just a pathetic loser who gets drunk every night and cusses people out for looking at him. What the hell possessed you to ask him to dance with you?"

"Does it matter?" Elfie said, teeth bared. "At least he wanted to dance with me. You invited me, but haven’t talked to me the entire time. I asked you to dance and you said no. I even told you I was going to find someone else!”

“Well I didn’t think you meant it!” Sebastian said, fists tightly clenched.

“I’m not going to sit here and let myself be treated like shit by someone who was supposed to be my date!” Elfie said angrily. “Just fucking leave me alone!”

Sebastian looked away and Shane smirked.

“Little Mister Edge Lord really fucked it up this time, didn’t he?” Shane said. “All you had to do was talk and dance with your date, but no. You’re too cool for that.”

Shane put his arm out and Elfie took it. Everyone around them was silent, pointedly not looking at them. The two walked away, Elfie looking haughty, and Shane looking at her like he had just won the lottery.

"What in the fuck was that?" Abigail asked, breaking the silence. “I thought you were going to talk to her!”

“Words were spoken,” Sebastian said, and Abigail sighed. 

“Yeah, but you were supposed to make things better, not infinitely worse!”

Sebastian snarled at her, and looked like a wild animal about to attack. Léo bit his lip. Who the hell should he be siding with? If he tried to comfort Sebastian and calm him down, Elfie would be furious. But if he ignored Sebastian in favor of Elfie, there was a chance that his whole friend group in Pelican Town would hate him. There was only one thing to do.

“You guys are both being immature. Have fun with this traditional dancing or whatever, I’m getting something to drink.”

“Wait, you’re not going to watch?” Sam asked, looking visibly distressed.

“I need some air,” Léo said simply. “I didn’t come here for high school drama, and I need to get something to drink before I leave the dance completely.”

“Okay,” Sam said, looking at the ground. “Well…if you’re able to, you should come watch. You can even laugh at me and Penny’s dance moves.”

Léo looked at Sam curiously. “You really want me to watch, don’t you?”

“I just want one thing to go how it was planned,” Sam said with a deep sigh. “Just one thing. Maybe this could be that one thing.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Léo said, and Sam nodded. Just as he was about to leave, Mayor Lewis strutted out into the center of the field, megaphone in hand.

“Alright folks!” he said, voice booming across the clearing. “The Flower Dance is going to begin! If you have a partner, come to the dance floor and get ready to dance the traditional spring time dance of Pelican Town!”

Sam looked at Léo with a pleading look in his eye, and Léo relented.

“Yeah okay, I’ll watch. And then I really am getting that drink.”

“Thanks Buttercup,” Sam said, and for some reason, Léo felt a flutter in his chest when he heard the nickname.

“Have fun Samico,” Léo said, and his friend smiled at him, joining Penny on the grassy dance floor.

A good amount of people had paired off, getting ready to dance. Haley walked by with Alex, saying something about hoping that she would be the girl crowned as the Flower Queen this year. 

“That’s not fair…why can’t I be the Flower Queen?” 

Léo looked around surprised, and saw Vincent standing by him, scuffing his toe on the ground.

“Who said you can’t?” Léo asked. Vincent looked up, startled. After making eye contact with Léo, Vincent stared at the ground, focusing very intently on a small rock.

“Lewis said all the girls should put their names in,” he said. “But that’s not me I guess. ‘Cause I’m a dumb boy.” Léo looked down at Vincent, and considered him. The poor boy looked genuinely distraught by this, and Léo wanted to help. 

“Well you could put your name in anyway,” Léo said.

“They’ll just tell me that boys can’t be queens,” Vincent said. “Everyone always tells me stuff like that.”

“Like what?” Léo asked.

“Things that boys can’t do,” Vincent said. “My mom said boys can’t wear dresses, or make up or grow their hair out.”

“Did she now?” Léo said. He fished around in his pocket and pulled up his instagram. After a few minutes of searching, he found a photo of himself. He was wearing a short dress, and had his hair curled. Léo was wearing fake lashes, and more make up than Dolly Parton. He passed his phone to Vincent who looked at it with wide eyes.

“Long hair, dress, and make up,” Léo said with a grin. “In fact, I still have long hair.” Vincent stared and then took a deep breath. He looked up at Léo with wide eyes.

“Are you a girl?” Vincent asked quietly, handing the phone back. Léo blinked in surprise.

“No,” he said. “Boys can wear this stuff too and still be boys.”

“Oh,” Vincent said. The gears in Léo’s head were turning fast, and he suddenly knew what he needed to say.

“But, sometimes girls are born with everyone thinking they’re a boy,” he said, trying to sound casual.

“Really?” Vincent asked. “That…that can happen?”

“Yeah! But those boys are girls, even though everyone tells them that they’re a boy. That can be super hard for them. But there are things that can help.”

“Like what?” Vincent asked curiously.

“Well, some girls are named things like ‘Josh’ but they want people to call them something like ‘Melissa.’ So they pick a new name, and people can call them that instead.”

“I…that sounds good. I want to do that,” Vincent said.

“You want a new name?” Léo asked. “A pretty name?”

“Yeah. Everyone would make fun of me if I did that though,” Vincent mumbled.

“What if it’s a you and me thing?” Léo asked. “Or a you, me, and Jas thing? I’m sure Jas wouldn’t make fun of you.”

Vincent perked up. “Just us though, right?” he asked. “Nobody else?”

“Just us, until you’re ready for other people to know.”

Vincent smiled shyly. “Sam read me a book once with a girl named Coraline in it. I like the ‘Cora’ part of that name. Maybe you could call me Cora,”

“Sounds good Cora,” Léo said, getting a brilliant smile in response.

“You can’t tell anyone about it, okay?” Cora said. “It’s Vincent with everyone else. Even Sam.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” Léo promised. “Cross my heart and hope for pie.”

“Even Sam?” Cora asked.

“Even Sam,” Léo said with a gentle smile. “Just us.”

“And Jas,” Cora said. “I hope she doesn’t think it’s weird.”

“She won’t,” Léo said, and watched as the dancers lined up. “If Jas is a true friend, and she is, she won’t care at all.”

Cora followed Léo’s gaze and gave him a mischievous grin.

“Are you watching my brother?” 

“What?” Léo said, and looked at Cora, a blush on his cheeks. “No! I’m looking at everyone.”

“It’s okay, you can look at my brother. He looks at you all the time,” Cora said. “Ms. Penny says it’s cute when he stares.”

“He…wait what did Penny say?” Léo asked, thrown.

“That he stares! I’m gonna go find Jas, I wanna let her know about my new name!” Cora said, and waved goodbye. Léo waved back, but found himself stuck on the idea that Sam had been staring at him so much that Penny decided to comment on it. And that she found it cute.

Lewis put a record on the nearby player, and the sound of the beautiful classical song Ave Maria filled the air. The dancers slowly began to move, and Léo instantly understood why Sam had been worried about him laughing. A lot of spinning and squatting, and swaying from side to side was going on.

Elfie was dancing with them, and she and Shane seemed to be having a good time. He was carefully guiding her through it, and the two of them laughed every time she fumbled a move. Léo looked around for Sebastian, and felt a twinge of sadness when he realized his friend wasn’t there. He wondered if Sebastian had left the dance completely. He hoped not.

A few more instrumental songs played before the traditional portion was done. Lewis proclaimed loudly that it was time to party, and suddenly high energy dance music filled the air. Everyone cheered, and the dance floor was swarmed.

“Are you going to come dance?” 

Sam was standing at the edge of the dance floor and motioned for him to come. Léo walked over a smile on his face.

“Well I guess I can’t deprive the people of my amazing moves,” Léo teased, and began to move to the beat.

“Damn you really can dance!” Sam said and Léo grinned. He did a dramatic body roll, and Sam looked away, flushing.

“It’s a good thing you never saw me actually perform,” Léo said with a laugh. “If that makes you embarrassed, you would’ve run out of the venue in shame.”

“What were you doing on stage?” Sam asked, sounding shocked.

“Let’s just say I put the burlesque moves I learned for a bachelorette party to good use,” Léo said with a wink. Sam blushed from his collarbone to his hairline, and Léo couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re so innocent,” he said.

“I’m not!” Sam spluttered. “It’s just…you…whatever,” he said, and looked away. “I need a drink. I’ll be right back!”

“See you soon!” Léo called out. 

A few more songs played, and Sam still hadn’t come back. Léo was exhausted, and decided he would go grab a drink as well. Maybe he’d see Sam over by the refreshments.

As Léo approached the table, the song turned slow, and he let out a pleased hum. It was a song he actually really enjoyed called Dandelions. He poured himself a glass of punch that he’d seen Pam spike, and a took a sip. He coughed slightly. Had she put whiskey into it? He hadn’t expected it to burn.

Making a note to take smaller sips, Léo closed his eyes and lost himself in the song.

But it's so good, I've never known anybody like you But it's so good, I've never dreamed of nobody like you 

Léo opened his eyes, and looked to the side, wondering where his friends were. To his great surprise, Sam was nearby and was staring at him. He gave his friend a wave and Sam waved back, a shy smile on his face.

“Hey,” Léo said as Sam approached.

“Hey,” Sam said back, cheeks slightly pink.

And I've heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime And I'm pretty sure that you are that love of mine 

“Enjoying yourself?” Sam asked, edging closer to Léo. 

“Yeah, it’s a nice day,” Léo said. “And I had a ton of fun dancing. I didn’t know that I needed to let loose until just then.”

“See, that’s the part I like about the Flower Dance,” Sam said. “Even though it starts out stuffy, people end up loosening up and just having a good time after the boring part.” He took a giant drink from his glass of punch and choked. “What’s in this?”

“I think I saw Pam pour a bunch of whiskey in,” Léo said, and Sam shuddered.

“God,” he said, shaking his head. “Her and her whiskey. I hope there’s something for Jas and Vince to drink.”

Léo nodded, and looked back at the dance floor. He noticed Shane and Elfie dancing slowly to the music, arms around each other. Other couples were doing the same, thoroughly enjoying the slow song.

“What’s up?” Sam asked after a moment.

“I wish I had someone to dance with,” Léo admitted.

'Cause I'm in a field of dandelions Wishing on every one that you'll be mine, mine 

“Yeah?” Sam asked, sounding a bit nervous. Léo looked over at Sam, their eyes meeting.

And I see forever in your eyes I feel okay when I see you smile, smile 

“Yeah,” Léo said. “I feel kind of dumb just standing here drinking punch and watching everyone. I mean, I know other people are doing that too but…I don’t know,” he finished lamely.

Wishing on dandelions all of the time Praying to God that one day you'll be mine 

“I want to dance with someone too,” Sam said, looking at Léo with blazing eyes. “I think it would be a lot of fun.”

Wishing on dandelions all of the time, all of the time I think that you are the one for me

“You should ask someone,” Léo said. “I’m sure they’d say yes.”

Sam took a deep breath and stepped closer to Léo. “Then would you--”

“Sam! Léo!”

The two men turned their heads, and saw Sebastian speed walking towards them. Léo tensed, and Sam breathed out hard through his nose, looking annoyed. 

“What’s up?” Sam asked, trying to sound casual. Sebastian began to say something, but Léo wasn’t entirely sure what was being said. His brain was still replaying what had just happened. He had said that he wanted to dance with someone, Sam agreed, he had told Sam to ask someone, and Sam…

Wait was Sam trying to ask him to dance?

No, that couldn’t be it. That wouldn’t make sense. Why would Sam want to dance with him? But if that was what was going on…would it really be so bad?

Whatever was being said was getting heated, but Léo couldn’t find it in himself to care. Sebastian was clearly trying to defend his actions.

“Look, Elfie is being a total bitch,” Sebastian said to Sam, frustrated.

Something inside Léo snapped.

“Is she? You abandoned her, you told her you didn’t want to dance with her, and you were the world’s biggest dickhead to Shane! What in the fuck is your problem? How dare you call her a bitch when you’re the biggest bitch here!” Léo shouted, throwing his arms in the air. Sebastian looked shocked, and Léo felt a fire raging inside him. He had more to say, but before he could, he felt a hand on his arm.

“Léo? Can we talk?” Sam asked. His voice wasn’t unkind, but it was firm. 

“Sure,” Léo said nervously, and Sam pulled him to the side. He felt like a kid being called into the principal’s office.

“What can I do to help you calm down?” Sam asked.

Léo stared up at Sam, completely baffled. He had expected Sam to give him a piece of his mind for calling Sebastian a bitch, but instead, he was being treated gently and with kindness. Of course that’s what Sam would do. Sam was always thinking of other people. He always put everyone else first, never himself.

“Then would you—”

“Dance with me,” Léo said, and Sam’s jaw dropped. “That’s what would help. It doesn’t have to be like…close slow dancing or anything, but I think dancing would get my mind off of things.”

“You sure?” Sam asked.

“Yeah, it sounds fun. I mean we don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Léo said with a shrug.

“No! I do!” Sam said a little too loudly. “Let’s go!”

Sebastian watched them go, and walked over to a tree to sulk. Léo felt a little bad for thinking ‘serves him right’ but his guilt was immediately replaced with butterflies as he and Sam reached the dance floor. The song had changed, but it was still a slow one.

“So um, how should we…?” Sam asked, looking around at the other couples. Elfie and Shane were dancing flush up against each other, and the rest of the couples had their arms thrown around their partner’s necks and waists. Léo couldn’t believe he had asked Sam to do this. Of course it would end up being weird.

“Well uh, I guess…okay, put one hand on my shoulder, and the other in my hand. I’ll put my hand on your waist. If that’s fine.”

“Yeah, go for it,” Sam said in a squeaky voice. They got into position and slowly began to turn on the spot, Léo taking the lead. 

“Your hands are soft,” Léo blurted out.

“What?” Sam asked.

“Your hands…they’re soft,” Léo said, blushing violently. “Sorry that was weird.”

“It wasn’t,” Sam said with a small laugh. “I was just surprised. I guess it’s just my fingers with the callouses.”

“Mine are probably pretty rough from all the farming,” Léo said. 

“They are, but it’s nice,” Sam said, and smiled down at Léo. His chocolate eyes were soft, and Léo gulped. Sam looked so sweet and handsome. It was like Léo was seeing him for the first time. What the hell was this feeling? 

“I like your suit,” Sam said after a bit.

“O-oh, thanks,” Léo stuttered out. “I feel like I stick out. Everyone else is wearing pastels and here I am in a black suit.”

“Seb is in black,” Sam pointed out.

“When is he not?” Léo said, and Sam laughed.

“You’re so right,” Sam said. 

The song came to a close, and the two men reluctantly let go of each other. The sky was turning a beautiful shade of pink and orange as the sun began to set, and Lewis brought out his megaphone once more to signal the end of the dance.

“Feeling better?” Sam asked as they walked back towards town.

“I am, but I need to walk Elfie back to the—oh.”

Sam followed Léo’s gaze, and it landed on Shane clearly leading Elfie to the bus stop.

“Guess she forgot about me,” Léo said, shaking his head. “I’m gonna have to yell at her over the phone later.”

“Go easy on her,” Sam said. “The silver lining is that Shane is happier than I’ve ever seen him. He usually gets completely trashed at these kind of events. But he doesn’t seem drunk at all.”

“Yeah, that’s a good thing,” Léo agreed. “Um, we passed by your house a while ago,” he said, stopping in the middle of the street. Someone made an annoyed sound and walked around him, and Sam gave Léo a sheepish smile.

“I was gonna walk you home,” he said.

“Oh, well if you want,” Léo said. “It’s getting dark, I don’t want you to walk home when it’s pitch black out.”

“It’s fine,” Sam said. “Let me walk you back to the farm.”

“Okay,” Léo said. They walked in comfortable silence, and Léo couldn’t help but feel happy as he replayed dancing with Sam in his mind over and over again. 

The two hugged at Léo’s doorstep, and Sam dawdled by the door until Léo told him he probably should head back.

“Your mom will wonder where you are,” he said.

“Right,” Sam said with a nod. “Well…goodnight then.”

“Hey, am I still allowed to stay when Robin does the renovation?” Léo asked as Sam started to turn away. “I completely spaced on telling you that I’m getting it done a week from today.”

“Of course!” Sam said. “We have a blow up mattress that we can stick in the living room if that’s okay. Mom was pretty excited about the idea of you staying over. She loved it when you came over those other times. She really seems to like you. And Vincent does too. I bet my dad would love you, if he ever comes back,” he murmured, and Léo felt his heart clench.

“He will,” Léo said firmly.

“You can’t know that,” Sam said.

“You’re right, I can’t,” Léo said. “Nothing is guaranteed, not even tomorrow is for sure. But I feel like I’m going to meet him at some point. I don’t know why I feel that way but…I just do.”

“Well if…no, when you meet him, he’s gonna think you’re great,” Sam said. “Because you are.”

“Thanks,” Léo said. They smiled at each other, and Léo couldn’t help but feel like something else should happen. But what should happen next he wasn’t certain.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” Sam said, and walked down the steps from Léo’s porch.

“Yeah,” Léo said, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe you could come fishing with me. I got a special order for a small mouth bass, and I’d like to get it done as soon as I can.”

“That sounds great,” Sam said. “See you then.”

[simp4wom3n]

Hidden Jealousy

Pairing: Jenna Ortega x Reader

Requested: Yes/No ~ request @madullaoblangata

Summary: Y/n and Jenna's relationship was a secret to the public meaning as far as everyone else knew, you were both free game. At the Wednesday premiere, a reporter gets a bit too flirtatious causing Jenna to feel... Jealous? ~ Word Count: 1.167k ~ Warnings: jealousy?? otherwise none

A/N: Hi!! the first of MANY jealousy related requests is hereee. Let me know what you guys think of it so I can hopefully perfect my jealousy writing skills <3

As much as you hated large and public events, you had a soft spot for premieres, especially this one. Working on Wednesday was easily the best 8 months of your life. It was without a doubt the favourite cast you’ve ever worked with, making so many wholesome memories on and off set. And of course the highlight, you met your girlfriend Jenna. The two of you haven't gone public with your relationship yet, wanting to keep it within friends and family for now, which sadly meant as much as you disliked it, at events like these you had to keep your affection to a minimum. It also meant that as far as everyone else was aware, you were single and up for grabs, much to Jenna's dismay.

Despite both of you getting ready in your shared apartment, the two of you arrived in seperate cars in order to avoid speculation. Arriving just before Jenna, whilst posing for a few photos you heard the crowd go absolutely nuts as she walked into the premiere looking absolutely breathtaking. Trying your best now to gawk at her, you watched with a pleasant smile as she approached you, pulling you into a small hug as if it were two friends reuniting.

To your disappointment her touch didn’t linger as she pulled away promptly, giving you a sympathetic smile as she returned her focus to the press. Before joining the rest of the cast, you two stood for a few pictures with your arms around each other's waists. You all eventually split off for interviews after taking some pictures with the whole cast, with you and Jenna appearing next to each other in separate interviews.

"Hi Y/n! You look absolutely stunning thank you for taking the time to talk to us" the young interviewer smiles as you approach her. "Of course! and thank you I love your outfit as well". You notice the warmth of her cheeks as she adoringly smiles at you. "Aw thank you that's so sweet of you", she replies giddily earning a tight lipped smile in return.

"So, your character in Wednesday is very unique" she explains as you nod along. "Do you think that is the reason for everyone being so in love with your character? Because talking from experience there is just something so enchanting about her, like I fell in love in the first episode." You chuckle politely as you bite your lip in contemplation. "I mean... I think a person being undeniably themselves is quite an attractive attribute, so in that way I guess I could see where the fans are coming from."

"And don't forget your looks! I mean I can barely take my eyes off of you". You gave her a polite smile despite starting to feel a little uncomfortable with all the compliments coming your way, but you knew you had to be friendly and respectful to the reporter, even if you've had enough. "Thank you". As you tried to compose yourself you couldn’t stop thinking about your girlfriend next to you, 'Jenna's not going to be happy when I tell her about this'.

Jenna was in fact not happy at all. Participating in her own interview adjacent to you, she had to contain herself from showing her distaste for what was going on. Standing next to you allowed her to hear everything the interviewer was throwing at you, all the compliments about being 'in love with your character’ and how she can ‘barely take her eyes off of you'.

Jenna felt sick to her stomach and assumed you would feel the same, but when she glanced over at you, you appeared to be having a great time. The kind smile on your face said it all. Her heart sunk a little when she saw your expression. A random interviewer who was clearly interested in you had the pleasure of seeing a smile that was usually reserved for her. Her sadness was quickly replaced by an unfamiliar feeling… Jealousy? No, she doesn't get jealous, that's ridiculous. All she knew was that she'd had enough of seeing you being shamelessly flirted with.

"So I noticed that both you and your character are currently single," your eyes widening slightly in surprise as you gave an uncertain nod. "Give us a rundown on your love life and the love life of you character". Chuckling to fill in the awkward silence as you tried to think of a response to the intrusive question. "Um... well I guess my chara..." "Hey honey" Jenna suddenly interrupts, leaning into your side and slipping her hand into yours, squeezing it tightly. You turn to her in shock, innocence written all over her face.

"Hey" you look at her with furrowed brows, confused by her interruption and her use of the endearing term considering you weren’t public yet. Jenna ignores your gaze as she turns to the reporter, "What was the question?" she asks with a smile. "Oh I was just asking Y/n about their love life in and out of the show." she replies innocently. "Oh that's a good question. Well I'm personally routing for her character and Wednesday to get together. As for in real life, well..." she turns her head to look at you with a cheeky smirk, to which you look at her with an amused yet puzzled smile. "She's taken" she states assertively, pressing a kiss on your cheek as she pulls you away.

You mouth a 'Sorry' to the reporter as you let Jenna drag you away. As soon as the two of you are out of sight, Jenna pulls you into a tight embrace and you can't help but laugh. "What was that about?" you chuckle. "I didn't like the questions she was asking you! She wouldn't shut up about how you were so attractive and how everyone is in love with you." she mocks as she pulls back from the embrace. "Your my girlfriend and she was obviously flirting with you and you were enjoying it." your face drops at her confession. "Hey" you comfort, tilting her chin up so her eyes meet yours, "I wasn't enjoying it I promise". "But you were smiling" she retorts "Only because I have to Jenna. I didn't want to seem rude. Also why would I have eyes for anyone else… I love you and you only" you apologise placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "Besides..." you look at at her cheekily, "you look hot when your jealous"

"I was not jealous!" she quipped, feigning offence. You smirk at her rejection a let out a small chuckle. "Mhm. Whatever you say". "Oh shush" she shoves you jokingly before walking past you back into the premiere. You stand there for a moment, you lips upturned in a gentle smile. 'I made Jenna Ortega jealous. Huh.' you giggled in disbelief before turning on your heals and catching up with your girlfriend, instantly intertwining your fingers, the position in which they remained for the remainder of the night.

Tag-list: @nitchxhdc @emeraldevan @looseheartedlady @the-night-owl-blr @badassjaguar @txmxav @oh-thats-cute @blckrwidow @cacciatricediartemide @flaiire1805 @rainbow-love4ever

[strwbnnie]

Sesshomaru x Black!Fem Chubby OC

word count : 7.5k

c/w: biting, mating, fingering, oral (m&f receiving) outdoor sex, Sesshomaru is a peeping Tom 😭, Sesshomaru’s inner beast makes a slight appearance

❀

It was just like the careless Neko to leave herself vulnerable in the middle of the forest.

The Inu shook his head, masking his youki and sliding right into her barrier. Undetected, he stood behind a tree, his eyes on the little Neko for the longest, since before she had even began to bathe. Now that he had confirmed it was actually her, his beast was raging, and he wanted out.

‘Mate.’

Normally, he would have let her be, she posed no threat and he did not want to seem lecherous and invade her privacy. He was no perverted scoundrel, but the Inu was almost certain he’d never see the woman again, since she had practically disappeared once before.

Though she bathed here often, whenever he’d pickup on her scent, it’d always be too late and even his immaculate senses could never trace her.

His beast raged inside him, and Sesshomaru fought hard to remain in control. The sight of her bare body emerging from the water was truly a sight to behold. He watched as she slicked her curly hair out of her face, midnight blue locks resting just at the underside of her buttocks, and slowly shriveling up to the mid of her back.

He was surprised that she had let it get so long, the last he remembered, she hated the maintenance of having long hair. Her hair was different, much different from his or anyone else’s outside of her clan, but that was the beauty of it.

Splitting her hair in half, she ran her hands through one of the large chunks of hair, lathering and removing any knots or tangles with a small comb, before doing the same to the other side.

Sesshomaru could watch this for hours, entranced by his Kitten’s beauty. Dunking herself under the water she emerged again, slicking her hair back the same way she did earlier.

Her cinnamon colored skin dripping wet and glowing under the bright full moon was absolutely stunning.

Her breasts were large and had a natural sag to them. Her areolas were a bit large as well, but complemented the size well, and Sesshomaru couldn’t help but wonder how the fleshy mounds would feel in his monstrous hands.  

She was a bit plump too, now carrying weight like a fully matured woman. Sesshomaru didn’t mind either, he just seen it as more of her to love…and caress and fondle.

‘She’s probably soft.’

Sesshomaru shook those thoughts out of his mind, feeling as though he’d somehow been influenced by that lecherous monk in his half-brother’s pack. But either way, he’d know by the time he was through with her.

The treasure between her thighs held a patch of blue hair, neatly shaped and groomed, yet still full. Her thighs were thick and her hips shapely and smooth. His kitten had the perfect body, the Inu’s mouth nearly watered at the idea of seeing her fattened up with his pups.

Her natural scent smelt of Sakura Blossoms and sugar cane, both fresh and organic. A scent he hadn’t smelt in what felt like centuries. A scent he had come to long for from the first time he had smelled it.

He could now smell hints of raw honey from her cleaning balms entangled within her natural scent as well, she didn’t smell as if she’d been doused in perfumes and fragrances, which his sensitive senses deeply appreciated.

A blur of white flew past her before wrapping itself around her and lifting her out of the water and placing her on her feet only a few inches away from the Inu.

The Neko let out a frightened gasp, as potent purple poison began to seep out of her claws, melting holes in the boulder the droplets landed on. She was ready to sink her claws into what she thought was a lesser demon, until she felt the luscious fur brush against her thighs. She had only felt fur that soft once before, and it had also almost gotten her wrist snapped by a particular demon prince, at the time.

“Fast, but not fast enough, Kitten.”

Just a simple sentence had brought back so many memories from back when they used to train together. There stood the said prince, now Lord, who reigned over the very lands she stood on. Older and as dashing as ever, she took in the looks of her childhood love interest. Time had clearly been good to him. She thought to herself.

“Was the effort I put forth in training you all in vain?” The Neko was at a loss for words, mouth opening and closing a few times, yet she stood still unable to form a coherent sentence. He reached a clawed hand to her face, caressing her soft skin and running his thumb over her full, pouty lips.

The Kitten he knew had a tongue as sharp as a blade and faster than a whip, yet here she was, quiet as a mouse. Had he sought the wrong Neko?

“Suki?”

The Neko demoness gave him a slight nod, just as shocked as he. Time stood still as the Inu studied his findings. He grasped her face between his thumb and pointer, tilting her head side to side, stopping to slide a lock of her hair between his fingers. He very well knew it was her, his senses would never deceive him, but he just felt as though he needed the assurance.

He pulled her into him, burying his face into the crook of her neck breathing in her scent. 

“Suki.” His tone of voice was different the second time he said her name. Full of assurance and something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Lust, maybe?

Sesshomaru fought for control as his world began to bleed red. He would not risk frightening her soon in their reunion. His eyes were tinged a slight crimson, yet his irises remained their usual honey-amber color.

“S-Sesshomaru?” She questioned. She knew it was him, his dark aura flared outrageously, so strong that she thought it’d smother her. She ran her thumb over the magenta stripes on his face, the velvety texture differential from the smoothness of his pale skin.

“Sesshomaru.” She said again, more confidently.

He hadn’t expected the Neko to address him with honorifics. She almost never did when it was just the two of them, and as much as he’d threatened her, she insisted on calling ‘Fluffy’ the wretched nickname she had bequeathed upon him after sneaking a stroke of his pelt when they were younger.

“Time has been good to you, Kitten.“ He hadn’t spoken to, or even seen his Kitten in years, it almost didn’t feel real. With her cheeks tinted red, she gave him a small smile at the compliment and the nickname he used to call her so long ago. “I can say the same for you, Fluffy, still as handsome as I remember.”

“But enough of this,” She grabbed his hand and pulled it away from her face. “What are you doing here? How did you make it past my barrier, and why did you just bombard my bath like that?” She was told that he had gone on an expedition to the eastern lands, however, what she didn’t know was when he’d be returning. Apparently he had returned earlier that morning and was well rested enough to have began patrolling his lands.

The Demon Lord chuckled, which made Suki’s eyes widen. She hadn’t heard him laugh since their childhood and she had honestly forgotten what that even sounded like.

“Foolish Neko, you dare call that a barrier? Did you, my little Kitten, think you were capable of materializing a barrier that is impenetrable against someone of great power such as myself?” Although his tone remained the same, she could clearly tell he was boasting.

Suki rolled her eyes, hating how the Inu lived to stroke his own ego. “You are lucky it was I who stumbled upon you, and not some blood thirsty-.”

“And you, Sesshomaru, are not blood thirsty?”

He wrapped his large hand around her throat, giving a deterrent squeeze. “Neko, I’d be wary of such attitude. Not only are you trespassing, but you fix your tongue to speak out of term to me as well.”

Arousal flooded her scent and a warm wetness flooded between her thighs.

She swatted his hand away from her, rolling her eyes. She had hoped to put a little bit of distance between them but his pelt felt like a ten ton chain wrapped around her, the heavy fur keeping her in place.

“Okay, I understand these are your lands, but trespassing? I have made this spring my designated bath place ages ago.”

“If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I’d deem you a liar. Who knew you filthy Neko actually bathed.” Sesshomaru said as he began to remove his armor. His haori was next to go, the beautiful white silk falling unceremoniously to the ground, revealing his chiseled abdomen and beautiful magenta markings.

She knew that was the demon Lords attempt at humor, and if it wasn’t a jab at her own kind, she may have been a little amused.

Suki gasped. “Well I’m sure anyone with a functioning nose would smell the stench of an Inu before a Neko. You little flea ridden whelp,” She began to wring the water from her dark blue locks, as the water began to drip down her back, soaking his mokomoko-sama, on purpose, in the process.

She gasped as the pelt unraveled itself from around her, covering her backside but baring her front to the demon lord’s hungry gaze. He almost couldn’t believe that his beast had taken so long to sought out the little Neko, however, seeing her in front of him, bare naked and dripping wet, justified it all. She literally radiated beauty, as she always had, but seeing her now a woman and fully matured, really did something to him.

“And I’ll have you know, our kind are able to keep clean without baths, I simply choose to bathe because I enjoy thoroughly cleansing my hair often.” She ended her rant with a ‘hmph’, folding her arms across her breasts, pushing them up and unknowingly accentuating her delicious cleavage.

“Apparently you enjoy basking under the moonlight completely bare as well. Were you waiting on a lesser demon to come take you by force, or did you know I’d be patrolling my lands this very night, and was anticipating that I would?” He questioned, taking a step closer. His tall stature dwarfed her exceptionally as the Inu was a good three or four heads taller than her and although he was very slender, he did still have a muscular build and toned physique.

“Oh please, I am more than able to defend myself against lesser demons, however I bathe in this spring because no demon is crazed enough to wreak havoc upon your lands, why not use that to my advantage? Plus, I was aware that you were on an expedition to the East. All I wanted was to cleanse myself, not be harrassed by a horny little dog boy in heat.”

The Inu gave her a slight smirk, and Suki could feel the chills creeping down her spine. Sesshomaru hardly ever smiled, but when he did, it was usually at his opponents before he ended their lives. Now he was here smiling at her, and Suki didn’t know whether to feel honored or afraid for her life.

“Be not a fool Kitten, there is nothing little or boyish about this Sesshomaru.” In an instant he was right behind her, his large bulge pressing against the arch of her behind.

Suki gasped. There was nothing little about the demon lord, indeed. Not his ego, not his beast and certainly not his member.

“Such prestigious, pure demon blood flowing through your veins, yet, you are as weak and frail as the next human wench.” The Neko wasn’t weak at all, although her power didn’t equal his, it was enough to rival his own.

“Weak?!” She fought hard to break free from his grasp, eager to show him just how weak she was.

The Neko gasped as his large, clawed hands began to trail up her torso, his right moved to cup her left breast and the left tangling in her long midnight blue locks, pulling her head back to bare her neck to himself.

He lathed his long tongue over her mating glands, pulling a deep moan from the depths of her and turning her body into putty in his hands.

“Yes weak. You won’t even attempt to fight me, yet I can hear your heart racing. Do you fear me, or do you just want me to fuck you that badly.” He teased, smirking at her frowning face. Sesshomaru just loved how his insults got her so riled up.

‘Yes, mate wants us. She craves us.’

Sesshomaru’s beast was on the verge of insanity. Since he was usually occupied with his studies and leading his lands, there was never much time for Sesshomaru to involve himself in sexual activity. It had been a good while since he had bedded a woman, and he needed this release. The way she allowed him to bare her neck like so, the Neko was far too gone and needed to be fucked like a bitch in heat.

Suki sighed, sucking up her pride and deciding to disregard his comment, for now.

“Sesshomaru, please don’t tease me, I have no desire to be the target of your arrogance.” She tried to keep her voice steady but her tone was laced with neediness. “So if you came here to play, I decline and I’ll be taking my le-.”

Suki’s breath hitched in her throat when the Inu slid two of his slender fingers through her folds. His fingers now coated in her essence as he rubbed back and forth over her bud of nerves.

She was practically begging him to have his way with her and Sesshomaru gladly took the hint. It had been years since she had been touched by him, or anyone for that matter, as he was her last lover.

Kami, she loved his fingers. He knew exactly which spots to rub and every single time he flicked her bud, her knees weakened.

“Kitten do you give this Sesshomaru permission to fuck you?”

Her breath hitched in her throat.

“Even though I am a Neko?” Suki pointed out.

“Remember, dogs don’t like cats.” It was something he often told her when they were younger, blatantly shutting down any thoughts she may have had about him actually being attracted to her.

Truth is, Sesshomaru was madly attracted to her, as was his beast and whenever he relieved himself, he often found himself thinking of her. He had simply told her that little lie to keep her focused on their studies and training. It was shocking to see hear she still remembered such trivial words.

“I am not a dog, Kitten, but of descent. But if that is how you see me, then so be it. I have no issue with Neko’s, however, I’ve heard that cats make damn great snacks, I may test that theory.” The Inu smirked, running his tongue along the shell of her ear.

“You’re going t-to eat me?” The Neko gasped, causing him to roll his amber colored eyes. The woman was still as dense as she was in her adolescence, but who could blame her, she was sure his demon form made her’s really look like a kitten and he could very well eat her if he so pleased to.

Sesshomaru had no intentions of eating her, at least not in the sense she thought, but he slowly saw himself reconsidering, especially if she continued to annoy him.

“I’m going to do more than just eat you, Neko.” He licked her again, this time her collar bone all the way to the junction between her neck and shoulder. The Inu was playing with fire at this point and the sheer will of his conscience was the only thing keeping him from sinking his teeth into her. She let out a small pant, and he knew then that she had caught his drift.

’We are going to do more indeed, we’re going to breed our little kitty.’ His beast spoke.

“We will not breed her unless we are permitted to, I will not allow you full control.” Arguing with his beast was essentially like arguing with himself, and it was also in fact an argument that he’d never win.

Sure, the Daiyoukai was very skilled at controlling his beast, but he was still an Inu, and sometimes even he couldn’t suppress his Inu instincts.

He felt his little Kitten shift against him as she squeezed her voluptuous thighs together, attempting to mask her arousal. He could smell her greatly, the aroma of her heat was too strong to mask. Her aroused scent smelled amazing, it tempted the Daiyoukai greatly and all he wanted to do was settle between her thighs and ravish her.

It had been forever since he had last touched her, which meant it had been forever since she was last touched. Suki chewed the inside of her cheek, the smell of fear overpowering her scent like a cheap fragrance. “What troubles you Kitten?”

“What will happen once I’ve given myself to you? Will I just be thrown aside and left a second time, will you continue to pretend that we were never friends, lovers even.”

‘Friends.’ The Demon Lord raised his brow. He did consider the Neko a friend long ago. Though he was very headstrong and had this no-nonsense attitude, she had literally forced herself into his life, and since then she had always had this hold on him. She had this appeal about her and he enjoyed their time spent together. The two were almost inseparable before his father met his demise and Sesshomaru grew cold to everyone, even her, causing them to drift apart.

“I cannot foresee the future, Kitten. However, I can assure you, I will not neglect you as I have in the past.”

She gave him a nod. “Then I shall allow you to have me.”

‘Mate, she is so beautiful, we will ravish her.’

His beast spoke to him, eager to rut with the beautiful Neko princess.

He knew his Kitten was timid and pure, as she had always been even back when the two of them were young, but seeing as she remained so bashful, just did something to him and his beast. “Kitten, I am not a gentle lover, but I can assure you that you will receive unmatched pleasure.” His hands caressed her plush body and while his claws were sharp and precise enough to split a strand of hair in two, he was being extremely gentle with her.

“Flu-,” The Inu let out a grunt and she quickly corrected herself. “Sesshomaru, May I..please you first?” She turned to ask him and instead of waiting on his reply, she simply dropped to her knees in front of the male. Sesshomaru raised a brow in question, peering down at the petite woman. “Neko, what are you doing?”

“Let me show you, and I promise you will enjoy it.”

“And if I do not, is this Sesshomaru permitted to punish you?”

The Neko said nothing, but she did give him a cute smile before slowly taking his length into her mouth. She was considerate, and wanted to please him, just what the Inu needed in a mate, but allowing her to take such a sensitive part of him into a mouth that housed fangs and noxious saliva had the Inu a bit skeptical.


‘Kami, when did our kitten become such a good little slut?’

She held his member in her hand, sucking each of his balls into her mouth, left then right, before trailing her tongue up the fat vein on the underside of his cock. The Demon Lord shuddered violently, his legs daring to give out on him at any given moment. She stared up at him, kissing the tip and swirling her tongue around it. Feeling bold she tried to take his entire length into her mouth, the bulbous head lodging deep in her throat, choking the woman a bit. An ambitious little kitten she was, but Sesshomaru figured it’d be more ideal to begin slow.

“Ease your throat, Kitten.” His tone was less taunting and harsh, now more reassuring and truly informal.

Suki resisted the urge to smile and focused on the male’s deep, silky voice advising her. Taking a slow, deep breath, she began to bob her head.

“Go slow and take what you can.” She made sure to keep her teeth raised and away from the Inu’s member as she took more of him into her mouth, twirling her tongue around his head, coating it with her saliva.

That pulled a deep, hearty groan from the male’s lips as he settled his pale hands into her dark hair.

Suki was practically beaming inside, having the demon lord in such a vulnerable position made her feel empowered.

Taking his advice, she began to ease his member down her throat, gagging when she had taken a little more than half of him. Not only was he an exceptional length, he also had quite a bit of girth too. She’d expect nothing less from a full fledged daiyōkai.

She felt Sesshomaru’s grip on her hair tighten as he leaned his head back.

She cupped his balls in her hand and used the other to stroke whatever couldn’t fit in her mouth. He held her hair in his hands, fucking her throat slowly, loving how she swallowed around him every now and then.

“You look so alluring with my cock down your throat, Kitten.” He could see her cheeks tint red as she stared up at him. He made a motion to pull away from her, bucking his hips until more of his cock slid into her moth. Suki’s eyes watered a bit and she continued to fondle his balls, breathing through her nose as he fucked her throat over and over again.

Squeezing his balls in her hand, Suki hollowed her cheeks around the head of his member, sucking hard and sloppily. Soon enough, she was gifted with his essence spurting out into her mouth. The look of contentment on her face as she swallowed his semen made the Inu want to smile.

His taste was sweet, yet tangy, a taste she didn’t mind at all. Coming down from his climax, Sesshomaru couldn’t help but wonder where she had learned such techniques, the thought of his Kitten bringing another man pleasure like that made his blood boil.

“Kitten, where did you learn such an act?”

He kept his hands in her hair, tugging slightly until her eyes met his. The way she stared up at him so submissively made his pride swell and even he couldn’t deny how cute she looked. How she could still portray such innocence even after what they had just done was mind boggling to the Demon Lord.

“I-I’ve never done it before. The hand-maidens in my castle, they share their stories with me. I’ve been dying to try it, but I’ve been too shy to seek out a partner.”

He dropped to his knees kissing her aggressively, sloppily, and probably with a bit more tongue than she could handle. But, the kiss was also filled with so much passion, she didn’t dare pull away. Sesshomaru hadn’t known back then, but he knew now. Suki was his Kitten. His soulmate. He loved her, he’s always loved her and he hated that it took so long for him to realize it.

He broke the kiss, leaving her breathless and flustered. He traveled lower, gazing his fangs over her neck and shifting his head lower until he was able to take on of her nipples into his mouth. Sesshomaru lathed this tongue over the brown bud, rolling the other one between his fingertips, loving the way his Kitten cried out in ecstasy.

The Daiyoukai unlatched from her breast with a small ‘pop’ before shoving her head down onto his fur pelt and keeping her lovely backside positioned upward. Suki opened her mouth to protest his manhandling, but nearly let out a moan as the silky fur brushed against her cheek.

It smelled just like him. Sandalwood and earth.

She began to run her fingertips against it, waiting on the Inu to begin his ministrations. His intentions were to tease her, make her beg for him to mount her, but all that had changed and the tables had turned when she began to stroke his fur lightly.

Sesshomaru began let out soft purrs, so soft that Suki had to hold her breath to hear them. She knew that the fur was alive to some extent—it bled when cut and maneuvered at its Master’s sway. But who knew that the big ball of fluff was also a vessel of pleasure to the male Daiyōkai.

“Kitten, please refrain from touching this one’s Mokomoko-sama.”

What a regal lord he was, he even referred to his fur pelt with honorifics. “But it’s soooo soft.” She retorted, snuggling her face deeper into it.

Shaking his head, he continued with ministrations but not before grabbing both of her arms and pulling them behind her back. Sesshomaru had never stooped to using his mouth to pleasure any woman.

He didn’t feel like any woman he had bedded was worthy of what could be such a talented tongue. But she just looked so delectable spread wide for him like she was, and her alluring scent was drawing him into her.

Suki let out a loud gasp as he went in for his first taste of her sex, drawing a long lick from her clitoris to her opening. She tasted better than he had expected, and Sesshomaru had never tasted anything like it. Yes, his Kitten tasted delectable and right now, he wanted nothing more than to bury his tongue inside of her and keep it there until her juices flowed.

“Kitten, you taste just as divine as you smell.”

Unintentionally, he had let go of her arms and was now using his hands to pull apart her round, full cheeks and bury his tongue deep inside of her. “Oh fuck..” She gasped out when his tongue began to thrust in and out of her tight channel. His tongue was warm, soft and so long that it reached depths her own fingers could not.

Completely over fighting it, Suki fisted the fur of his pelt again, poking her bottom up higher and grinding herself onto his mouth, which didn’t go unnoticed by the Inu. His tongue hungrily lashed at her as he ate her like she was his last meal, sending her into a pleasure fueled frenzy. His lips latched onto her clit and she let out a blissful sigh, tossing her right leg up a bit, curling her toes.

Sesshoumaru loved that his Kitten had finally submitted to him completely. It stroked his pride greatly. He slipped his tongue between her slick lips again, deep inside of her throbbing heat, as deep as he was allowed to go before he used his thumb to gently caress her hind entrance, pulling a deep, lovely moan from his little Kitten’s lips.

He smirked at how such dirty things turned the little Neko on.

He planted his flattened tongue against her clit, dragging it agonizingly slow, all the way until it reached the perineum. Suki’s eyes rolled back and wetness trickled down her thighs as his thumb continued to tease her rosebud making her shiver. Sesshoumaru smirked, continuing his ministrations, now holding the Neko still with the strength of his right arm. “Oh Sessh, that feels so good.” She whimpered.

“Does it, Kitten?” He questioned, quickly returning his tongue back to its previous spot.

“Uhhuh.” She moaned out, rocking her body back and forth, somewhat rubbing her clit against his tongue.

Suki’s second hole clenched every now and then, prompting him to sink his finger in just a little. The demon lord had no shame in pleasing Suki, therefore if she enjoyed having her asshole tampered with, then he’d definitely do it again in the near future.

“Sesshomaru..” She whined desperately when she no longer felt his warm, wet tongue against her.

“Do not fret little Neko, this Sesshomaru will make sure you find release soon.” He said, retracting his claws and plunging two large fingers into her warmth. She whimpered as the thick, long digits filled her up exceptionally.

“God, you take my fingers so well.” He curled his fingers, making her quiver. The middle and ring fingers of his right hand dug deeper into the warm, slick folds of her pussy, making lewd, wet noises as he twisted and pulled them in and out of her. “Are you going to cream all over this Sesshomaru’s fingers, Kitten?” He asked, a look of slight amusement gracing his angelic features as his dexterous fingers slid in and out of her, massaging her special spot.

She nodded her head as her lips parted to make soundless moans. She would have never expected such vulgar words to come out of the posh and well-mannered Demon Lord’s mouth. And she definitely would have never expected to hear them directed at her.

Her body began to jerk forward with each thrust, and Sesshomaru could feel her walls clenching around his fingers as he moved them faster. “Use your words.” He commanded before the tip of his tongue finally met her puckered entrance.

���Yeesss, please don’t st-ahh!” Her juices dripped down her thighs as she slumped over, now leaving her face pressed into his pelt, her thighs twitching and her breathing sporadic. Suki was in heaven right now.

The Neko gasped loudly as she was flipped onto her back, eyes wide as she felt his hot mouth over her mound again, his warm, wet tongue snaking itself deep into her. Spreading her lovely thighs open, he held them wide and flat against her as he ate her pussy with less gracefulness than he was associated with, but with as much enthusiasm as someone fulfilling their last dying wish. He made a meal out of his Kitten as she struggled to keep herself from going over the edge again.

Suki peered down at the Inu between her thighs, almost fainting when she saw that he was looking at her. With the stripes on his face now jagged and eyes now glowing a slight pink, she couldn’t help but inwardly praise how absolutely irresistible he looked right now.

The look he was giving her was enough to make her gush all over his tongue, his pink tinged eyes were slightly hooded and he gave her a look of pure lust as he thrusted his thick tongue deeper into the depths of her channel. It was then that she knew the Inu was on the verge of losing every ounce of control of his beastly instincts, and she couldn’t wait for his inner demon to have his way with her.

She cried out, loving the strange feeling of the muscle wriggling around inside of her. Sesshomaru couldn’t help but regret not tasting his Kitten sooner.

Suki’s eyes fluttered open when she felt herself being lifted off of the ground. The way he had positioned her, her buttocks were now pressed against his pectorals and her thighs were spread even wider as he gripped her ankles, pushing them forward and placing them on either side of her head.

"Delectable…" Sesshomaru murmured as he stared at her sex spread wide open for him. Suki blushed furiously, using her hands to cover her face in embarrassment. “Remove your hands Kitten, I would like to see your beautiful face contort in pleasure as I bring you to climax once more.”

With her juicy, wet folds just below his chin, Sesshomaru leaned forward and began to slide his thick tongue between her lips all while keeping his eyes locked on hers. The back of her thighs quivered as he continued his assault, licking her in the same manner twice more before drawing a long lick from her tight second hole all the way to her sensitive clitoris.

Suki gasped at the sensation, a violent shiver passing through her entire being. Sesshomaru knew just how to work her body, she was like putty in his hands.

He kept her shoulders planted on the fur of his pelt with his arms wrapped around her waist, now standing on his knees as he ate her like his last meal with his tongue now deeper than before.

She shuddered every time his nose bumped her clitoris and his tongue stroked her sweet spot while exploring her depths.

Soon enough Sesshomaru had layed her back down spreading her thighs even wider as he completely ravished her. He took her clit into his mouth, careful of his fangs, and sucked on the bundle of her nerves. It was as if he had taken her clit into his mouth with intentions of extracting her soul.

Suki switched between grabbing her own breasts and the fur of his mokomoko-sama until he grabbed both of her hands, settling them into his hair.

He effortlessly held her shaking thighs apart with his broad shoulders and barbaric strength, reaching one of his hands to squeeze her breast, rolling the hardened nipple between his thumb and forefinger.

“Sesh..Sesshomaru.” Her soft moans almost went unnoticed by even his immaculate hearing, but he had caught it and it brought a slight smirk to his face. “Climax for me Kitten.” He coaxed, as he switched to rubbing her clitoris with his thumb. Suki fought hard to contain her release, as she didn’t want to give the Inu the satisfaction of making her climax on command.

“Oh my-!” He felt her body spasm as she covered his face with her creamy juices. The demon lord was actually shocked, he didn’t know she would, or could, cum that much. However, it was deeply appreciated as he licked her clean. He slurped on her like a mad man, she had come to think that he was, but she was too high on pleasure to even care anymore.

The Inu rocked her back and forth allowing his tongue to stroke her bud over and over with little effort, letting her ride out her orgasm and building up another at the same time. He stuck his tongue deep inside her for the last time, licking her clean and making her tremble and climax all over his face a third time.

He lazily licked and slurped until her thighs twitched and she placed her hands on the side of his face and she begged him to stop.

Finally pulling his face away from her sex, he took in the blissful expression on her face and his inner beast smirked.

“Your face,” The Neko stared at the Daiyoukai with wide eyes. “Oh, Kami. Please don’t kill me.” The Inu grunted, rolling his eyes smugly. He had no intentions of killing the Neko, especially after she had just fed him the best meal he had ever feasted on. Sesshomaru snaked out his long tongue, licking the remnants of her juices off of his chin and upper lip.

He kissed the top of her womanhood and rested his head on her stomach, allowing her to catch her breath while he enjoyed being close to her.

’I am ready to mate our Kitten.’ He hadn’t quite lost the battle within himself yet, but it wouldn’t be long before his beast had complete control.

“Kiss me.” His deep, gruff voice commanded. He pulled her into yet another rough, passionate kiss.

“On your knees, Kitten.”

She took one more look at her Inu lover, his markings grown jagged and sharp. He was hanging on to his sanity by a thread. Sesshomaru’s mouth watered at the sight of his Kitten’s dripping wet folds spread open and ready for his taking.

He positioned himself to her entrance, gripping her hips tightly as he pushed in. Wow, his kitten, felt more amazing than she had tasted. He pushed into her slowly, showing her much more mercy than his beast liked. The Inu wanted to take his time and be gentle with his little kitten, but he almost couldn’t suppress his beast’s urge to hold her down and have his way with her.

His member stretched her deliciously, and the Neko felt as if she could feel him in her womb. “You’re so..so big.”

His mercy only lasted mere seconds as he pulled out, leaving only the head of his engorged cock inside of her before plunging into her repeatedly.

The Neko’s voice caught in her throat and her lips contoured into a wide ‘O’ as Sesshomaru began to absolutely destroy her.

She leaned forward in attempt to get him to ease up, but her attempts failed as he once again restrained her, holding her hair in one hand and her neck in the other.

“Don’t run from me, Kitten.” His deepened voice and the rumble against her neck sent chills down her spine. His thrusts never seized, in fact it felt as if he’d gone deeper than before.

“I-I can’t take it.” She whined. With the pleasure, he also delivered pain. While the girth of his member stretched her out so deliciously, she was sure she felt every single vein and vessel of his cock, the pain of his cock slamming into her was almost intolerable.

“You can and will.” Sesshomaru retorted, his gruff voice making her heart melt. Sure, Suki was a shy girl, but there was nothing she loved more than dominance from a worthy man.

Leaning forward, he draped his arms over her shoulders and locked his hands over her wrists before placing his knees outside of hers, somewhat caging her under his larger body. His member was now able to reach new depths as he sunk deeper into her, the angle allowing him to stroke perfectly against her sweet spot.

 He filled her to the brim with his impressive length, kissing her cervix with every thrust, the delicious mixture of pleasure and pain sending her towards the brink of another epic climax.

Her beautiful body trembled under his as he used nothing but the sheer strength of his hips to drive into her. Thrust after thrust her knees weakened and she found it harder and harder to fight off her climax.

“F-fuck me..” Her jaw went slack and her moans were reduced to little squeaks that accompanied each thrust, her toes curled and her eyes rolled back in sheer ecstasy. Before tonight, he was unaware that Suki had such a filthy mouth, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t like it. 

‘Let’s give our Kitten what she wants.’

Sesshomaru’s eyes were now completely red, the iris’ turquoise instead of their usual golden color. His claws elongated and almost doubled in length, yet he still kept a gentle hold on Suki’s neck as not to hurt her. He plowed into her hard and forcefully, almost as if she was a rag doll being used for his pleasure, and she was loving every second of it.

“Oh my-mmm. S-Sess..shomaru, I’m about to-,” She could hardly finish her sentence as a wave of pleasure washed over her when he continued to stroke her sweet spot. The Inu took the initiative to switch their positions, as he wanted to see her pretty little face when she reached her climax once again.

Lying her on her back with her legs on his shoulders he slid his length between her lips before he bottomed out inside of her in a single thrust. She let out a deep sigh-like moan, all she could muster after having the wind knocked out of her, squeezing her eyes shut as she adjusted to the depth in which he entered her again.

He fucked into her harder, staring down at her beautiful folds on full display and loving how she covered him in her juices with every thrust.

Sesshomaru made sure to slow down as he felt himself nearing his end, since he did not want to finish before she got her release. His eyes widened as he felt her small hand reach up to wrap around his neck. “Mmm..I’m so close. Don’t-don’t you dare fucking s-stop.”

The Inu was a little taken back, not only at the fact that she was crazy enough to challenge him in such a way, but also because he..liked it.

“Kitten, you are mine.” His voice was deep and gruff, lust filled and meaningful as he laid his claim over the Neko princess.

She knew it wasn’t a question but she nodded her head furiously anyway, afraid she’d lose her mind if he stopped thrusting into her.

“I’m all..fuck.” She moaned, catching her breath before trying again. “I’m all yours, just please don’t stop.” She begged, her voice shaky as he fucked her.

He leaned in closer to the juncture where her neck and shoulder met, licking his tongue over her mating glands, drawing a deep moan from her lips. Unhinging his mouth and plunging his fangs into that very spot, he sealed their fates forever. The pain from the bite was all it took to send her over the edge once more.

He kept hard, steady thrusts, gradually slowing down until he was no longer able to thrust anymore. Sesshomaru let out a deep growl, so fierce it shook the very earth they lied on, feeling his member twitch inside of her before his essence spurted out, coating her walls.

Lifting her up, he sat back on his haunches, holding her close and basking in the moment for a bit.

Moments later he maneuvered himself onto his knees, before standing, balancing his and his mate’s weight. He took them over to the spring, dipping one leg in and then the other, walking until the water was about waist level.

Sesshomaru sat himself on a boulder, Suki still in tow. The way she clung to him like her life depended on it made his heart want to explode. He loved the affection, even if he wasn’t exactly sure how to reciprocate it. Things were moving quite fast for the Inu, not only had he been reunited with his first love, but he had mated her as well, all in the same night.

“Suki.”

Called out of the slumber-like rest, she lifted her head, placing her hands against his cheeks. When they finally met eyes again, his eyes were back to their usual beautiful honey color. She ran her thumb over his stripes, leaning in to quickly peck his lips.

The Inu’s eyes widened a bit, but he quickly caught his composure.

“Your beast is very quiet, I like when you talk dirty to me.”

“My beast speaks in a language only Inu understand, Kitten.” He licked the two wounds he gave her, giving her a small nip on her jaw. She nodded in understanding, shrugging her shoulders. “I’d still love to hear it. I-I’m sorry I challenged you.”

“As you should be. I look forward to reprimanding such behavior, Mate.” The tone of his voice sent chills down her back, and she knew she’d look forward to it as well. Suki didn’t even know where to begin as she sat on the Inu’s lap, still staring into his eyes. “So you marked me..on purpose.”

“This Sesshomaru does everything with purpose. I do not regret what I have done, Kitten.”

Wow, they were really mated. The two of them were now one and he couldn’t wait to see his Kitten pregnant and round with his pups. Sesshomaru looked forward to spending the rest of his days with her. He had missed his friend—his lover, and they had a lot of catching up to do.

“I love you, Suki and I cannot allow you to slip through my fingers as you have once before. You are mine now, we are one.” He kissed her again, passionate and lovingly. “I shall be taking my leave soon, you are welcome to join me in my chambers if you are ready. If not, I will accompany you to the North.”

“Do you still reside in the castle in the clouds?” She questioned after she had dressed and gathered her belongings. The Inu simply nodded.

“Then, I shall be taking this.” She pulled at his Mokomoko draping it across her shoulder, mimicking the demon lord.

“I am Sesshomaru, ruler of the western lands.” She deepened her voice, trying to sound like the Demon Lord. The Inu almost cringed as his white pelt dragged behind her, her short stance almost making it it impossible not to be dragged on the ground .

“Oh Fluffy, I think your fur looks better on myself than it does on you.”

Sesshomaru’s mind wandered and he had come to the conclusion that maybe he wouldn’t mind seeing his Kitten’s naked body adorned in nothing but his MokoMoko-Sama.

“Neko,” He growled ferociously. “Unhand this one’s pelt.” His tone should have been enough to instill fear in his mate, however it only made her act out more.

“Unhand this one’s pelt.” She mocked him again, giggling. ��Why don’t you come take it from me, Lord Sesshomaru .” She taunted.

If his tone wasn’t enough, then maybe what she needed was a firm hand against her backside. Before he could do just that, she vanished into thin air. The Inu withheld a groan, shaking his head.

What was he going to do with his sneaky little kitten.

❀

This was so long for no reason 😭 but I’m absolutely in love with Sesshomaru so of course the longest fic I’ve ever written goes to him 🥹

[bonnieisaway]

scissor seven season 3 spoilers

ok i just i was editing something real quick and i. god i NEED to talk about the art in season 3

so like the artstyle of this show very much evolves over the course of it WHICH IS A THING I LOVE because while season 1's artstyle had its charming parts i didnt enjoy it as much compared to the other seasons

like here you can see a clear difference in how they draw seven

and this is one of the far less heavy detailed scenes but you can see it in mainly seven's hair and outfit and it's just. GOD i love it but the REASON i wanna talk about it is because of THE EXPRESISONS. THE EXPRESSIONS

and specifically thirteen's expression and how you can see what she's thinking in this moment AND ALSO HER BODYLANUGAGE GOD.

i'll get into why this scene makes me mentally ill in a second but GOD just look at her compared to her first expression in season 1

why was her hair black in her first appearance. like it's evident her hair didn't turn blue for animation reasons cus seven's stays consistently dark black it confuses me daily. also her swords used to have a beige handle?

ANYWAY I just. Would like to analyze the way they so excellently conveyed her absolute terror so quietly.

Before the oracle even blacks out the sky, Thirteen is visibly worried. Somewhere between shocked and worried, I think, and she's in this pose where she's ready to attack or move at any second.

And as he begins to black out the sky, the way her shoulders have moved it looks like she took a step back as she looked up, and she's stopped focusing on Seven and is trying to figure out what the FUCK is going on, and better yet, what to do.

I can't really tell exactly what she's thinking here, but she's obviously stunned. Usually when Thirteen is trying to process what's going on or what to do, she jumps away from the person/danger and narrows her eyes trying to focus, presumably, sometimes overwhelmed. But there's nowhere for her to run here, she's just frozen.

And then the prayer beads begin to fall, and she's horrified. She's realized what's about to come, and you can see her arms almost.. relaxed? I don't know if she was just so shocked that death was so imminent, or that her muscles instinctively relaxed when she knew there was nothing she could do, but god it's just so cool. Her expression isn't the normal fear we see on her in these situations, she's absolutely fucking terrified. Probably the most she's ever been, because unlike in other situations, it's coming so slowly she has time to react, but not enough to escape.

And then in the closeup she turns to Seven, presumably because he caught her attention although i'd like to think she was either looking for comfort in him or trying to check his expression i have to admit it was most likely him turning around that caught her eye

And you can see the shock on her face when she realizes what he's doing BEFORE WE EVEN KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING!! And it's so well illustrated because it's very clearly different from the fear she felt as the beads began to fall or as the oracle told her about the dark frost blade, but still VISIBLY shocked

And like,,, the way you can see how hard Seven is straining to get to her? The way his mouth moves in this cutscene it almost looked like he said something as he ran to her (though unlikely, i would've died on all levels if he yelled her name as he ran to her)

And this frame is visible for like a second tops but you can still see how surprised she is. She didn't think he would turn around to protect her.

And of course you can't see her face as they hit the ground but you can still see she's absolutely frozen by the way her arm is placed, but also YOU CAN SEE HOW TIGHTLY HE'S HOLDING ON TO HER. GOD.

Like yeah, this is a really tight timeframe and it's not like he'll spring up in seconds flat, but you can see how tightly he's clinging to her, and you can almost just,, tell how afraid he is? But it doesn't feel like he's afraid for himself, it's like he only cares that Thirteen is safe. And it's so fcking meaningful, because it's not that kind of "i broke the spell/curse because of the love" but it's "i love you so much that no matter how hard it is to fight it i will protect you" AND IT'S SO. FUCKING. GOD. AAAAAAAH. even the ORACLE couldn't understand

and the surprise on her face once he pushes himself up, the way he's breathing and straining because he put EVERYTHING into saving her. He didn't fight it like at ALL until this moment. And the first time I laughed cause he was saying "get out, please," and she just Sat There but in reality it's just. she was so surprised she could barely even THINK

and her face when she realizes THIS is what the blade is doing to him, and that he can barely even FUNCTION and just GOD i cant even fucking put it into WORDS. it doesn't need words it's just it's so beautifully illustrated and you can tell how much she means to him and the way she watches him run away to protect her, and the way that he only starts pushing through it and fighting it when she's around. and the fact that he used HIS SWORD, WHICH BACK IN SEASON TWO GREEN PHOENIX CALLS THE "ATTACK ONLY, THOUSAND DEMON DAGGERS."

AND ALSO I NEED TO TALK ABOUT SEVEN'S EXPRESSIONS IN THE NEXT EPISODE

AND THE WAY HIS EXPRESSION CHANGES WHEN THIRTEEN APPEARS.

HIS EYES. LITERALLY. FYCKING. LIGHT UP. HE REALIZES IT'S HER AND HIS EYES LIGHT UP.

AND HE WINCES AND SMILES THROUGH THE PAIN, AND EVEN WITH HOW HAPPY IT MAKES HIM TO SEE HER HE STILL TELLS HER SHE HAS TO GO. AND HE WINCES AND IS TRYING SO HARD TO FIGHT IT WHEN SHE GETS CLOSE TO HIM AND

SHE LOOKS SO SAD AND REMORSEFUL.

honestly the only thing the expressions and their bodylanguage is missing in this episode is i wish seven cried, before she showed up, because the coughs and wincing kept looking like he was crying to me and it fucked me up so hard

and his sad smile thinking of chicken island,,

and the way he smiles when he asks her to distract him from the pain. god. it hurts so much. you'd think in any other situation he'd be mad, or upset, and i think a little bit is because he understands, he knew it was always her mission to kill him. but it's also like dai bo said at the start of season 3 to xiao fei, "seven's dumb as a box of rocks, and i've lied to him a million times but he still trusts me as a friend."

he still trusts her. he still loves her. he doesn't care. he just asks her to help, and honestly i can't even tell if it's because he wants her there or if he wants her to stop feeling guilty, but i just. oh my god. god. i'm crying. i'm fr fucking crying. i'm crying over the silly little anime people.

and the way he looks at her when she says "that person is dead." like obviously he doesn't know who, or what happpened, but he sees the pain in her eyes and the hurt in her voice and he stops to think, he's careful not to upset her or put salt in the wound,

and instead of dwelling on it he jsut makes a joke he knows will make her blush. and he just sits back and falls asleep. and he tries to run first thing in the morning to keep her safe. fuck. god. damnit. hell. god. fuck. lord. fuck. Fuck

[finelinevogue]

for tour content, maybe you could do an imagine that’s like a series of small moments like little interactions on stage or picking tour outfits or nights in the tour bus/airplane ! just little domestic things <3

i’m going to do this because i have so many weird ideas and just no way of putting them all together ! ;

Grilled Cheese Conversations

The tour bus smelt like it was on fire.

You had been sitting in the living room with Harry for a couple of hours, both of you just skimming through photos from the Met Gala together - judging obviously, before Harry announced he wanted to make himself some food and so left for the kitchen.

He’d been in there for 45 minutes now and the smells that were diffusing from their smelt bloody awful. Harry could cook really extravagant foods, like caviar and lobster, but when it came to something as simple as making a sandwich he was absolutely terrible for some reason. The point was proven when he walked back into the room with a burnt coal looking sandwich.

“What, is that?” You laughed, still sitting with your phone in your hand and waiting for him to come back so you could continue judging these Met outfits together.

“It’s a grilled cheese sandwich?” He spoke as if you were dumb and you should have known that instantly. He walked over to you, sitting down next to you and resting the plate on the table in front of him.

“No, that’s a piece of char.” You raised your eyebrows disapprovingly and watched as he scowled at you for being mean to his culinary skills.

“Well i’m sure it’ll taste great.” He looked smug, up until he took a bite from the cheesy melted - burnt - bread. As soon as the food touched his tongue he was quick to spit it back out again, you groaning in disgust. He pushed the plate away and looked at it in anger. “45 bloody minutes and it tastes of burnt wood.”

“I’m not even going to ask why you know that.” You raised your hands and laughed, watching as he turned to scowl at you again. He had quite the angry face when he wanted to. “Sorry, alright! Do you want me to go make you one?” You asked, sitting up to go and make him one if he wanted.

Harry pulled you into his lap so you were sat with your back to his front, his arms looping around your waist tightly to keep you with him. His chin rested on your shoulder and he kissed your cheek because he could. “No. Stay w’me.” He got all cuddly and soft and you loved it when Harry was like this. He was like a life-size version of your stuffed teddy bear you used to sleep with at night - all cute and cuddly.

“Okay, okay.” You calmed him when he thought you were just going to get up and go. “Let’s judge some people again.” You pulled out your phone and opened it to a twitter account which had posted all of them.

“Where did we get up to?” Harry asked, fiddling with the skin on your stomach as his hands snaked beneath your hoodie.

“Um, Kim K.” You clicked on the image of her and tried to hold back the laugh. It was a dreadful outfit and highly meme worthy, so you’ve heard.

“Well…” Harry sighed, reaching his own hand to swipe seeing as he didn’t have anything more to say on this particular one.

“Billie looked beautiful.” You smiled as Billie’s huge dress came on display, looking a fluffy pink marshmallow dream. She looked very Monroe with her makeup and you were always so shocked when people told you her age, because she looked so mature.

“She must’ve taken inspiration from Marilyn Monroe.” Harry added, nodding in approval of Billie’s outfit.

“More so than bloody Addison Rae.” You laughed, thinking about how far that had been from the truth.

“Addison who?” Harry asked and it made you smile and turn your head around to look at him. He looked down at you, noticing the cheeky glint in your eyes and couldn’t help but steal a glance at your beautiful lips.

“This is why I love you.” You sighed happily and gave him a kiss on the lips, cupping his cheek to direct him better. You were only going for a peck, but Harry made it that you got the full taste of him and kissed you for a minute longer. He felt perfect against you and you really did just simply love him.

“Yeah,” Harry broke from the kiss for a brief moment to tell you something important, “and I love you.”

••••

All Things Sparkles

It was an hour before the Dallas show and Harry was getting ready for another big show.

Dallas were known for being crazy and you were so excited for the energy they’d bring for Harry tonight. Harry always enjoyed the shows more when the crowd was actually ecstatic to be there and he knew Dallas wouldn’t let him down.

He was putting on his silk trousers, Lambert just to the side as he was ironing the shirt to get rid of all its crinkles. Your Harry currently looked so funny in his Gucci silk trousers, his bright yellow socks with bananas all over them, his suspenders hanging down by his sides and no shirt on as of yet. It was the socks that really pieced everything together. He had just had his hair and makeup done, just needing to get dressed before he was completely ready.

He was really glowing tonight. It made you happy to see him like this.

You were watching him through the vanity mirror as you touched up your own makeup, adding highlighter to the areas you wanted to shine a little brighter. You also started adding some gems around your eyes, wanting to be a bit different tonight along with your glittery eye shadow that you didn’t normally do. You were glueing your gems when you felt your boyfriends presence behind you, the heat of his bare chest radiating against the skin of your back.

“You look stunning, m’love.” You looked up through the vanity to catch his gaze, he smiled and you smiled back.

“Thank you. Not too bad looking y’self.” You cheekily replied, motioning towards his bare chest. “Are y’going to be keeping that out all night?” You asked, being hopeful that he would, because fuck it was hot, but also wouldn’t, because you wanted this part of him all to yourself.

“You’d like that wouldn’t y’yeah.” He squinted his eyes at you and nodded, a clear sign that no his tits were not going to be out for Dallas. “Up.” He spoke, lifting you up from under your armpits and walking around the chair so that he could sit down himself. He plonked you right back on top of his lap and watched as you leant forwards to add another gem to the corner of your eye.

“Y’putting me off.” You whined, your ass leaning right back onto the hard of his cock. He couldn’t keep soft around you, that was his kryptonite.

“Oh i’m sorry. It’s not like m’girlfriend is just sitting there looking ridiculously beautiful and yet so innocent.” He leaned forwards to whisper the rest of his words, because they were only for you. “Just look so fuckable right now.”

You had to bite your tongue from turning around and shoving it down his throat, because god did his words make you want to jump his bones. “Shut up, before y’get us both in trouble.” You wiggled your ass back over his cock as you sat back to admire the work of the gems brightening up around your eyes.

“Then stop being a fuckin’ tease.” He grabbed your hips and stopped your from moving anymore. You just smiled and put the lid back on the glue before it went everywhere, especially over Harry’s expensive clothing - even the banana socks were £17.

You looked at him through the mirror to find him already looking at you. You blushed quietly as you watched him take in your beauty. It was quite hard to get over just how ethereal he looked tonight and it made you so feral knowing he was all yours and only yours. Looking down at the gems you got an idea.

“Do y’want me to put some gems on y’too?” You asked, pointing to the ones around your eyes and thinking that he’d looked even prettier with some around his.

“Only if i’m matching w’you yeah.” Harry nodded excitedly. You got up from the chair and swizzled yourself around until you were sat back on his lap, only this time straddling him. You were so close to him now that it was getting ridiculously harder to stop yourself from taking him here and now. You leant down, instead, and gave him a lasting kiss on the skin covering his heart. Your lips lingered there for a moment, before you moved back up to see him already staring down. He smiled when he saw the stain of your lipstick printed over where his heart beat. “I proper love you, Y/N.” He smiled and cupped your chin in his fingers to bring your lips to him.

“No!” Lambert shouted, making you two pause. “You two’ll never stop if you start, so don’t start until after the bloody show.” He rolled his eyes and continued with his ironing, making you and Harry chuckle feeling like high-school kids.

“Okay, now stay still.” You spoke as you glued the first gem and held it steady against the corner of his eye. He wanted to keep his eyes open to keep looking at you, because that’s all he ever wanted to do, but you instructed him to close them just to be on the safer side. It went on easy, sticking to the outer corner of his eye, in a soft white colour that matched his trousers. Yours were the same creamy white colour to match the colour of your dress.

“Do I look pretty yet?” Harry asked rhetorically, but you replied anyways.

“Y’look pretty always.” You kissed the top of his nose whilst you glued the other gem. He closed his eyes as you told him to, but he still smiled at your words. You concentrated as you stuck the gem to the corner of the other eye and sat back to make sure they were even. Harry opened his eyes to see you making sure they looked good. “S’perfect.”

“Like you then.” He hummed in appreciation of you.

“Let’s see then.” Lambert asked, making you both turn in the chair to face him and you readjusting yourself so you were sat back against his chest. “Oh yes! Okay this is photo worthy.” Lambert took out his phone and held it up to face you both, making sure you could see the gems.

“I don’t even have a shirt on!” Harry exclaimed, but held you close anyways as you smiled for the photos and his words making you belly laugh. You posed more seriously for a few and then took a few silly ones to. Your favourite one, though, was one where you were laughing so happily and Harry was looking at you and smiling in awe over you.

He set it as his lock screen. You set it as yours. It would stay that way until your new favourite photos became your wedding day photos.

••••

Sign Of The Times

Tonight was the first Love on Tour show you were attending, only having missed opening night in Las Vegas.

Harry knew that you were coming, but you’d told him to source you out within the crowds because you wanted a full fan experience. You’d gotten the all-clear from Harry’s security, allowing your from backstage and straight through into the cherry pit. You had your lanyard and your sign ready, as fans started to pile in. You were originally going to go straight to the barricade, but you thought the fans deserved that more than you so you hung back and stayed the ends of the crowds.

A few fans spotted you and came up to asking for photos, so you did. Posing with your mask on was weird because you still smiled underneath the mask even though it wouldn’t be seen in the photo. Some fans asked whether they could stay and dance with you ask night to which you were so happy for, because dancing alone would’ve been embarrassing even for you.

The intro for golden started and the crowds were deafening, but all you could think about was your boyfriend and his challenge to spot you within the crowds. Golden and Carolina came and went, you dancing like a crazed fan along with all your new friends. Everyone was so happy and some were even crying tears of joy.

There was just love, love, love, everywhere.

Harry came to his first pause and took a quick drink since he was already quite hot and the altitude in Denver was crazy.

“Good evening Denver!” He shouted into the mic, waiting for the screams of his fans to uproar and then settle before speaking on, “The altitude is crazy here. I’ve barely done anything and I can’t breathe!” He spoke, making you slightly anxious for him but you knew he would be okay because he had an oxygen tank on stage. “Now, m’girlfriend is somewhere here tonight and i’ve gotta find Y/N before I lose the challenge.”

The fans around you started screaming that you were here and the message kept on getting passed down the crowds until they reached the front. Harry was walking around your side of the stage until he met the fans at the front saying that you were behind them. Harry held his hand over his eyes to help him find you better and you held up your sign to help him. Your sign had taken you all of 5 minutes to doodle, but the message was clear;

“I want a kiss from the one in suspenders.”

“There y’are.” He laughed when he saw your sign, dropping his mic and leaning over himself to catch his breathe from the belly laugh that he just let out. You smiled when you saw him laugh, the fans around you screaming and thanking you for making him be this way. Harry stood up and looked at you, messing with his earpiece so he could hear the arena better.

“Kiss me!” You shouted and the people around you were also shouting for him to kiss you. Even with masks on Harry could clearly understand the message.

“I wanna kiss you but I can’t!” He spoke through his mic and his voice echoed throughout the arena, making everyone scream and you simply blush. You knew he couldn’t come and just give you a kiss, it would be too dangerous, but he sent you loads of blown kisses instead and you kept them all. You sent your own back and he stuffed them all in his back pocket, before moving on to his next song before he got told off.

“Damn, he really loved you.” One of your new fans friends says next to you and all you could think was; yeah, yeah he does.

••••

My Only Angel*

For four hours he had been gone.

Four hours since he was in this hotel room with you. Four hours since you had first started acting like a brat. Four hours since he’d gotten fed up of our attitude and tied you up and left a vibrator pulsing against your clit. Four hours since your first orgasm, four minutes since your last.

The whole time Harry had been on stage, all he could think about was you being bound tight in his hotel room and dripping wet from the number of orgasms you would’ve had. He knew you’d never be able to hold yourself for four hours, so he didn’t say you couldn’t cum only he forgot to mention that the number of times that you did cum would be the number of times he denied you later on in the evening. Harry had gotten especially hard performing Only Angel, because that was your song that he’d written for you and then fucked you countless times to. Fans noticed, but put it down to the adrenaline of being onstage rather than the thought of his girlfriend being tied up and overstimulated back in his hotel room.

You just came down from the high of another orgasm when Harry walked through the door. You sighed when you saw him, thinking this would finally be it and he’d let you go free now you’ve suffered your punishment. That was wishful thinking, however.

“Oh, I didn’t see you there.” Harry pretended, wanting to tease you as much as possible, as he walked past you and hung his jacket on the back of a chair.

“H-harry.” You sighed, squeezing your eyes when you moved and felt the vibrator hit and new and exciting angle. You moaned quietly and had to suppress the embarrassing cries you wanted to let out.

“Yes?” Harry moved so he was standing at the edge of the bed, undoing the buttons on his shirt one-by-one. He looked so hot with his sleeves rolled and the suspenders already dropped down to his sides.

“I-I please s-st- enough.” You whimpered, pulling on the restraints to try and stop it yourself but you’d already tried that one too many times and nothing has come of it.

Your wrists were slightly red and bruised from all the tugging you’d been doing and Harry noticed that as he peeled away his shirt from his body. He threw the silk shirt somewhere else in the room and walked over to the right side of the bed, sitting down to get a closer look at your wrists. He leant down to give it a gentle rub and a kiss. You sighed in delight at the feeling of his cool lips burn against your flaming skin. Harry sat up and tilted your face to the side so you could face him, slight tears in your eyes. He looked at you for a few moments, taking in the shear beauty of you and your glorious body, before making sure you were alright.

“What’s your colour, baby?” He asked you gently, stroking your cheek and then running his thumb along your bottom lip with a soft pull.

“G-green.” You nodded and he smiled, leaning in to kiss you on your desperate lips. You basked in the taste of him, closing your eyes like you needed to save this moment to memory forever. You loved him like this, when he was dominant with you. He let you be submissive like you wanted to be.

“That’s my good girl.” He leaned back from you and moved onto the bed more, straddling your bare body. The silk of his pants felt erotic against your hot skin and you moaned at the dreamy sensation. He ran his large, ringed, hands up and down your body, feeling every curve and crevice. He massaged your boobs lightly in his hands, up and down your stomach and to your inner thighs behind him. You hummed at the feeling, gasping when Harry finally turned off the vibrator and moved it away from you. You felt lighter from freedom all of a sudden.

“T-hank you.” You breathed out, opening your eyes to meet his electric green ones. Wow, he looked beautiful - still slightly sweaty and hot from his concert.

“Don’t thank me yet, angel.” He grinned as he took down his trousers and pants, pushing them to the floor with his foot.

He didn’t even wait for you to register what was going on before he slipped himself inside of you. You loved the feeling so greatly, but your clit was still so sensitive. You shuddered as he picked up his pace and thrusted into you harder and harder, faster and faster. The sound of his skin slapping against yours, made you arch your back and your toes curl and then feeling if him so deep inside of you was enough to make you cum already, again.

“Feel s-so good.” You looked at him and saw the desire within his eyes. He was so full of lust right now, because the sight of you tied up with him pounding into you is better than simply imagining it. Nothing could feel more euphoric than this, both of you were sure of that.

“Yeah? Feel me all around you? So perfect f’me. M’beautiful angel.” Harry moaned out, cupping one of his hands around your throat and pushing you deeper into the mattress, whilst his other hand went to cup your breasts and give them the devotion they deserved.

Everything felt everywhere.

His rocks became sloppier as he reached his high, yours approaching much sooner than you thought it would. You were surprised you actually had anything left in you. His cock hit a spot inside of you that made you scream out and he felt you collapse around him all at once, causing his own release to quickly follow. He continued to fuck you through your release and bent himself over to press his lips to yours. He felt and tasted amazing, you couldn’t get enough. It would never be enough.

“Love you so much.” You spoke the best you could and Harry released his hand from your throat, leaning down to kiss it softly. He reached over to your hands to untie them afterwards, giving them both a few kisses over your wrists when he saw the harsh marks. Your arms were so tired that they just fell to your sides, but Harry kept on touching you softly; stroking your messy hair away from your face and caressing your cheek softly as if he hadn’t just fucked you raw. He kept his face close to you as he whispered the words that would stay imprinted on your heart forever.

“I love you, Y/N.”

[writeroutoftime]

undercover feelings

pairing: jack thompson x reader (requested by: @rubesque)

summary: you and jack don't like each other in the slightest. but when an undercover mission throws the two of you together, what will become of your relationship? (aka - undercover enemies to lovers)

warnings: minor violence

words: 3.4k (not even sorry)

a/n: let me just start by saying, I know my action sequences aren’t the best, but I'm trying to get better. that said, I absolutely adored writing this story, and I hope everyone enjoys it! a lot of thought went into it, so please please let me know what you think!

oOoOo

As you strode towards Chief Dooley’s office, you noticed Jack coming up behind you out of the corner of your eye. Rolling your shoulders back, you tried to ignore his presence even as he was merely steps behind you, almost purposefully trying to catch the back of your heel. Right as you raised your hand to wrap your knuckles against the Chief’s office door, you let out a frustrated sigh.

“Is there something I can help you with?” you spit out, spinning around to face Jack, wishing you could wipe that smug smirk off his face.

“Never in a thousand years, y/l/n. It seems you’re in my way.” he said, trying to step around you and knock on the door himself.

Rolling your eyes, you blocked the door with your body. “Look, I know you think your daily suck-up sessions with the Chief will get you a promotion, but I was personally asked by Chief Dooley to meet with him, so move along.” you told Jack proudly, ready to see his anger bubble over.

To your surprise, Jack’s grin simply widened as he leaned in. “Me too, sweetheart.” he whispered, leaving you speechless, and pushing past you to knock on the door.

Collecting yourself, you quickly entered the office first, standing in front of the Chief’s desk with your hands behind your back. Every so often, your eyes flitted over to Jack, wondering what the Chief could possibly want with the both of you. It was no secret to any agent in the SSR that you and Jack had a strained relationship to say the least. From your first day, Jack had mistaken you as a secretary, thus beginning a long hate-hate relationship. Even to this day, Jack was one of the most pig-headed men you had the displeasure of knowing.

“Alright, I’ll get straight to the point. I’m sending the two of you on an undercover mission to retrieve sensitive, government information.” Chief Dooley explained. “The most opportune time to retrieve it will be during the American Gala in Washington D.C. hosted by a Mr. Mark Williams. The two of you will pose as husband and wife –“

“That’s a real funny joke, Chief.” Jack interrupted, looking shocked at the prospect of going undercover with you.

“Oh, please, Thompson. You’d be lucky if you could ever convince me to marry you.” you shot back.

“I’d rather go undercover as husband and wife with Krzeminski.”

Before you could move to smack Jack’s arm or throw another insult his way, Chief Dooley stood up, slamming his hands on his desk. “Enough! It’s like dealing with a couple of damn toddlers.” he scolded, instantly causing a wave of shame to wash over you and Jack. “Now, can the two of you act like the federal agents you are, or do I need to find two other agents?” he asked, staring both of you down.

“No, sir.” you mumbled, hearing a similar sentiment leave Jack’s lips.

There was a moment of awkward silence before Chief Dooley sat back down. “Now, as I was saying. The two of you are scheduled to leave in two days, and here are files with all you need to know on the target and your responsibilities.” he continued.

The moment you were dismissed, you stormed out of the Chief’s office and made your way back to your desk. Picking up the nearest piece of paperwork, you stared at the words for a moment before shoving it to the side, letting out a frustrated sigh.

“Everything all right?” Peggy asked, coming up behind you and setting a mug of coffee down on your desk.

“Chief Dooley is sending me on an undercover mission – with Thompson.” you explained, running your hands down your face.

Peggy looked amused by your so-called bad news and shook her head at your oblivious nature. “Perhaps, it will give you the opportunity to recognize your feelings for Agent Thompson.” she suggested casually.

“Feelings?” you nearly shrieked. “The only feeling I have for Agent Thompson is the feeling of dread every time I see him.” you argued.

“If you say so, dear.” Peggy placated as she walked away.

oOoOo

The entire plane ride to D.C. was filled with tense silence as you poured over the case file the entire time. The only noise that came from Jack was the tapping of his foot against the floor and his pen against the table.

“Do you have to do that?” you finally snapped, reaching forward to snatch the pen out of his hand.

Holding his up in mock surrender, Jack chuckled. “Woah, sweetheart, you might want to be a bit nicer considering we are married and all.” he teased.

“Listen,” you started, voice low and serious. “I know that you joke around and don’t always take everything seriously, but this mission is important to me. You have no idea how hard it is working in that office as a woman, and this mission is my chance to prove myself. I will not have it be ruined by the likes of you.”

For once, Jack had no quick remark to offer, instead he was simply stunned by your speech. Silently admitting defeat, Jack conceded to your wishes. “Alright, I’m sorry, y/l/n.”

You were slightly taken aback by how easy that had been. Perhaps you didn’t give Jack enough credit. “Thank you.” you responded, turning back to your files.

The rest of the flight followed in relative silence, Jack or you only speaking when you had questions or needed clarification from the files. It didn’t pass your mind the subtle looks Jack threw your way, but you ignored them, focused on the task at hand. If he had something to say, he could say it. However, the moment the plane landed, you were whisked away to your separate hotel rooms to prepare for the gala, watching Jack walk away.

oOoOo

It was only when Jack heard the clack of your heels against the marble stairs that he turned around and froze, watching your descent. The y/f/c dress you had donned flattered your figure in every sense, and Jack swore you were an angel in that moment. He suddenly felt aware of the way his breath had quickened, and the way his hands shook the tiniest bit from the nerves. So lost in his own mind, Jack didn’t even notice he had yet to take his eyes off of you.

“Is there something on me?” you asked, suddenly feeling very bashful from Jack’s gaze.

“No, no it’s just – uh – I mean,” Jack stuttered, running a hand through his perfectly gelled hair. “you clean up nice, y/l/n.”

“Not too bad yourself there either, Thompson.” you teased, flashing Jack a dazzling smile.

It was true that Jack looked absolutely dashing in his suit, making your knees just a bit week as you had walked down to meet him. His compliment sent a flutter through your chest, and you were brought back to Peggy’s comment about feelings. Perhaps, deep down, all the back-and-forth bickering had simply been a disguise for something else. But you couldn’t let yourself think about that now, not when you had a mission to complete.

Right as you were about to walk into the ballroom, Jack grabbed your wrist gently, stopping you in your tracks. Before you could question his action, he held up his hand and wiggled his finger, a metal band gleaming in the low light. “Now what kind of husband would I be if didn’t give you a ring?” he asked before pulling a small box out of his jacket pocket and producing a beautiful, sparkling engagement ring.

Carefully, Jack lifted your left hand and slid the cool metal over your ring finger until the diamond rested perfectly against your skin. It was difficult to fight the spark of energy when Jack grabbed your hand and the way he gently rubbed his thumb over the back of your hand.

“There.” he whispered, staring into your y/e/c eyes, a soft smile replacing that smirk that typically resided on his lips.

The two of you stood in the foyer for a moment, lost in the other’s gaze until other couples around you laughed and chatted on their way into the ballroom, breaking the spell. Ever the gentleman, Jack offered his arm, which you accepted, leading you both into the belly of the beast. Walking into said ballroom was breathtaking, the entire room being decorated from floor to ceiling with gold accents; however, you forced yourself to stay focused on the mission at hand.

A quick scan of the room showed you multiple entry/exit points, as well as a good estimate of the security posted throughout the room. Beside you, Jack was doing the same before his eyes widened slightly. Following his line of sight, you noticed your target for the evening, Mark Williams, surrounded by a group of people. While your first instinct was to go straight to the source, you knew that would raise alarms and potentially jeopardize the mission.

“Care for a dance?” Jack asked, having the same idea as you when he noticed Williams leading his wife to the dance floor.

Wordlessly, you allowed Jack to lead you towards the dance floor where he rested a warm, gentle hand on the small of your back while his other hand intertwined with your fingers. A small gasp left your lips from the proximity between you and Jack, and it was difficult to not become intoxicated by his cologne. For a moment, you allowed yourself to admire Jack’s strong jaw, piercing eyes, and the few hairs that had fallen out of place under the golden light the room provided.

The music began to pick up, and you let out a surprised cry of delight as Jack spun you around the floor, selling every bit of the perfectly happy couple. After one such spin, Jack brought you closer and whispered that you had caught the attention of Williams. Glancing over your shoulder, you saw the man staring in your direction.

“Trust me.” you told Jack under your breath before you took the lead and danced the two of you straight into your target. “Oh golly, I am so sorry, sir.” you apologized, feigning innocence. “I’m such a clutz, I don’t know why you bring me to these events, dear.” you said, aiming the second half of your sentence to Jack.

“Lord knows why, sweetie.” Jack responded, quickly catching onto your act. “Sorry again, sir. My wife said it herself – she can be a real clutz.”

Mark Williams flashed a quick smirk, looking your body up and down, seemingly sizing the two of you up. “No harm done, pretty lady. I’m Mark Williams. Mind making it up to me with a dance? That is, if your husband doesn’t mind.” he asked, though both you and Jack knew it was more a command.

“It’s the least I can do.” you giggled, accepting Williams’ hand, and letting him pull you away from Jack just like you thought he would.

Immediately, the band in the corner struck up a slower tune, and Williams placed a hand on your waist and began to awkwardly sway off beat. Unlike Jack’s soft, warm hands, this felt cold and unforgiving, and you forced yourself to swallow back the nausea.

“So, you must be used to all the glamor of these events, huh? Being a powerful man and whatnot.” you flirted, batting your eyelashes to help sell your act.

“You could say that, though they get pretty boring after a while. But having someone like you here helps to pass the time.” Williams said, slipping his hand further down your back.

Humming in response, you used the distraction to subtly reach your hand into Williams’ jacket pocket where you silently cheered when your hand touched a key – which you assumed unlocked his office. Carefully, you slipped it into your own pocket before squeezing William’s bicep with a smile to keep his suspicions down. Before he could slip his hand down any further, you pushed back gently and flashed an apologetic smile.

“Excuse me for a moment.” you purred, slipping away to the nearest hallway, keeping an eye out for Jack. Suddenly, an arm shot out and grabbed your wrist, pulling you further down the hallway. You nearly let out a shout of surprise before you saw that it was Jack.

“Are you done flirting or what?” he hissed, eyes narrowed, and chest puffed out.

Rolling your eyes, you flashed him the key you had slipped into the pocket of your dress. “Didn’t take you for the jealous type, Thompson.” you teased, scanning the doors for Williams’ office.

Once you reached the door, you quickly unlocked his office and ushered Jack in, quietly closing the door behind you and locking it. The office itself was spotless, leaving you no clue as to where the files could be hidden. Wordlessly, you and Jack split up, searching through every nook and cranny in order to complete your mission.

It wasn’t long before a soft “found it” came from Jack’s side of the room. Rushing over, you peered at the document in front of him to confirm that it was the correct document. Joy filled your body when you saw that your mission was a success.

Placing a hand on Jack’s bicep, you beamed at him. “Jack this is amazing, we did it!” you celebrated.

Jack let out a small chuckle, enjoying the way you were so excited. He glanced down at your hand on his arm, then back towards you where he locked his eyes with yours. Some unknown force took over you, causing the two of you to lean in towards each other, lips inching closer. Just as you could feel his warm breath on your face and almost touch his lips, loud rattling and banging came from the two, pulling the two of you apart instantly.

“Williams.” you both whispered, looking for a way out.

An open window caught your eye, and you ripped the file out of Jack’s hand as you pushed him towards said window. “Go, or neither of us are going to make it out of here.” you said through clenched teeth.

Jack hesitated a moment before he ran to climb out of the window, instantly turning around to offer you a helping hand. Right as you jumped out, the office door burst open, and Williams appeared with a half dozen bodyguards. He caught a flash of your dress and noticed the torn apart file cabinet, quickly putting two and two together.

“Shit! Get those two, dead or alive, and bring me back that file!” he shouted, pointing in the direction of your escape

It wasn’t long before bullets whizzed past your head as you and Jack ran through the garden towards the getaway car. Adrenaline pumped through your veins, minimizing the dull ache on the side of your arm you eventually felt. All you could think about was getting yourself and Jack out of there in one piece.

The moment the car came into view, you pushed yourself further and faster, sliding into the passenger seat as Jack started the engine and drove off with a squeal. There were still bullets that banged against the car, but once Jack stepped on the gas and swerved off the beaten road, you finally allowed yourself a breath of relief.

“Please tell me after all that, you still have the damn file.” Jack said, glancing to his side at your crumpled figure.

Slamming a, albeit slightly bent, manilla file folder onto the dashboard, you let out a dry chuckle. “You’re welcome. Maybe, for once, Thompson, you can just admit that I actually know what I’m – shit!” you suddenly groaned, clutching the side of your arm, and pulling away to reveal red, sticky fingers.

Jack looked over once more at your groan of pain and slammed on the breaks the moment he saw blood. “You got shot?” he all but shouted, turning your body so he could see where a bullet had lodged itself into the side of your arm.

“Thank you, Sherlock.” you breathed out, squeezing your eyes shut as Jack poked and prodded the area. “You’re gonna need to dig it out.” you told him after he continued to sit in silence.

“I know!” Jack snapped, before sighing upon seeing your reaction and approaching the situation softer. “I know, I know, I’m sorry.” he said before stepping out of the car and grabbing the first aid box from the trunk.

Jack quickly opened the passenger side of the door and knelt down so he could reach your wound. “This is gonna sting.” Jack whispered before he began to clean the wound with some of the alcohol from the kit, wincing along with you.

Jack felt his heart clench as you gripped his shoulder in pain, biting your lip. It became even worse when he started to remove the bullet from your arm, though there was nothing that he could do. There was silence between you and Jack, leaving Jack to his own devices. Seeing the blood on your hands and having to dig a bullet out of you made Jack feel as though he had been the one to be shot. In fact, he wished he had been to avoid you going through this pain.

“Got it.” Jack finally announced, throwing the bullet to the side and wrapping your arm in gauze.

“Thank you.” you said, letting out one more hiss of pain.

Instead of responding, Jack let his hand linger on your arm as he poured over every inch of your body, trying to determine if you had been injured anywhere else. There was such an intensity in his eyes that you couldn’t believe this was the same man you bickered with on an almost hourly basis. It had to be some kind of trick your eyes were playing on you from the pain.

“There you go, you’ll be alright.” Jack reassured you, tying the final strip of bandage around your arm, his hands lingered gently. “I gotta say, you really know how to give a fella a heart attack, y/n.”

“Oh please, I’m sure you would’ve forgotten all about me and reveled in all the attention you’d receive from the Chief.” you shot back, deflecting any emotions that could make you look weak and vulnerable.

Jack’s face morphed into one of hurt, and you felt guilty at the way his titled head and soft eyes made him look like a lost puppy. “Is that what you really think of me? That I wouldn’t care if you didn’t make it out of this mission?”

“You don’t like me, Jack. And I don’t like you. That’s how we’ve always operated, what else could I have possibly interpreted from that?” you argued, frustrated that he seemed to be dragging this conversation on.

“That’s not true, and you know it, y/n.” Jack countered, taking both of your hands in his grasp. “Both of us know deep down that this enemies act is self-defense, but I know that after tonight, I can’t pretend anymore. And I’m pretty sure you don’t want to either.”

For the second time that night, Jack cupped your cheeks in his hand, and leaned in. His lips hovered over yours for just a moment, giving you the chance to change your mind, but you launched yourself forward and finally kissed Jack Thompson. The kiss was sweet, but passionate, years of pent-up feelings bubbling over the surface. Jack pulled you close to his body while your fingers played with the hair and the nape of his neck. You had never allowed yourself to imagine this moment, but in that moment you knew you could get used to be kissed by Jack for the rest of your life.

Eventually, the two of you pulled away, foreheads leaning against each other, and your breath the only thing that could be heard in the night air. Jack’s thumb brushed against your cheek, and you leaned into his touch, now unable to reject his touch.

“Wow,” you breathed out. “maybe we should bottle our feelings like that again.” you teased.

“No, I don’t want to not be able to kiss you again.” Jack whispered, before he pulled you back in for another kiss, grateful you were safe in his arms, giving him the rest of his life to spend with you, and making Peggy five dollars richer.

oOoOo

tagging: @sarcasm-n-insomnia @bde-break-down-energy

[leftoverenvy]

Tastes Like Sugar (ch. 3)

Summary: India Mae, or Indi, is a music major, struggling to pay bills, tuition, work, and make good grades.  Emily Prentiss is a BAU profiler, as well as a DC socialite thanks to her huge family fortune.  The two enter into a mutually beneficial arrangement: Emily will pay for Indi's school if Indi accompanies Emily to her social functions for a few months, posing as her girlfriend.  As weeks go by, the lines between their arrangement and their true feelings start to blur.  But money can't buy love, right?

Pairing: India Mae Banks x Emily Prentiss; OC x Emily Prentiss

Warnings: eventual smut; sugar baby relationships; age gap (16 years - but all over 18); very slow burn

Word Count: 3.4k

Read on Wattpad | Ao3 | Previous Chapters

Taglist: @ssa-sapphic 🧸; @5raysofsunshine 🌮; @reidselle 🦭; @milfprotector 🐝💚; @gaelic-symphony 🎻 ; @scargarcia-magshotchner 💜; @sadgirlml🌻💌 ; @hotchs-bitch ; @multiverse-mxdness ; @spencersendgame

Chapter 3 - Butterflies

Even though I had a huge financial obligation hanging over my head, I woke up feeling lighter than I had in months.  I was beginning to feel truly excited about this.  It didn't hurt that I woke up to a sweet text from Emily: "Good morning, India. I hope you have a wonderful day."  Knowing that I was on Emily's mind first thing in the morning would ensure I had a wonderful day.

Phone in hand, I burst through my door and banged on Penelope's.  She opened it – cheerful as always, dressed brightly – and said, "Good morning, Indi.  I have to say I'm a bit surprised you want to talk to me this morning."

"Why?"

"Uh, well I feel bad about last night..."

"Don't!" I dismissed, last night already forgotten.  "Guess what!"  I was bursting with excitement.

"What...?"

"Don't gloat," I prefaced.  "But I took your advice and I-"  I was interrupted by Penelope's unholy, shrill shriek, and then she started jumping up and down.

"Oh em gee!  Indi!  Are you serious??"

"I haven't even told you what I did, Penelope," I pointed out dryly.

She inhaled largely, a sign she was holding in another shriek.  She raised her eyebrows at me, apparently dissatisfied by how long I was taking to share my news.

"I got on that sugar baby website."

"And?" she asked with restraint.

"And I maybe matched with someone," I continued.

"And??" she asked with increased volume, looking like she was about to burst.

"And we maybe talked last night and she maybe sent me this this morning," I said turning my phone around so she could read Emily's good morning message.

Penelope's loud "EEP!" and clicking high heels as she hopped up and down rang around my ears.

"Jeez, Pen!" I said covering my ears, "A little warning next time."

"Oh, you should know better by now, India Mae.  This is SO exciting.  Can I see her profile?  Can I see a picture?"

"I don't know, Pen..." I hedged.  I didn't know if I was ready to share her like that yet.  It was completely ridiculous – she wasn't even mine.

My phone vibrated in my hand, and Penelope – somehow – pried it from my grasp before I could stop her.  She gasped loudly.  "Indi!"

"What?!" I asked in a panic.

"Look at her," she said breathlessly.  I tugged her arm, angling my phone towards me.  I nearly fell over.  Surely this couldn't be real.  Emily had sent another photo and she was absolutely stunning wearing a white button up and precious, clear glasses.  I couldn't stop staring.

I had always been attracted to older women, and now the most beautiful woman on the planet was interested in me?  I couldn't fit the pieces together in my head.  She was divinely beautiful, unbelievably wealthy, and went to Yale for Christ's sake.  It made no sense.

"I'm being catfished!" I blurted.  It was the only way it made sense.  She had to be a fat, balding man still living in his mother's basement with five hundred dollars to his name.  I sighed at the realization that that was five hundred more dollars than I had.

"What are you talking about?" Penelope asked.

"Come on, Penelope.  Look at me," I said dejectedly.  "What in the world would someone like her," I said reverently, "want to do with me?"

"India Banks!  I will not stand for that.  You are a catch, and she would be lucky to have you in her life.  Don't blow this up before it even begins.  Now," she tugged on her dress, "I have to get to work.  I'll see you tonight and I will be expecting a major update about this."  She pushed past me.  I was incredibly jealous Penelope had a grown up job.  Two years my senior, Penelope was already graduated and working for a tech company.  No matter how many times I asked her what she did, I could never understand.  She was too smart and clever with a computer.

And then the thought struck me.  "Wait!!" I called after her before she could walk out the door.

"Yes?"

"Can you be a little late today?  Pretty please??"

"Why?  What's wrong?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

"I just need your help with something.  I really am worried I'm being catfished.  Can you just help me figure out if she's real?  Then I'll throw myself 100% into it, I swear!" I begged.

"Yesssss," she said, immediately walking to our table.  I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you," I breathed out, "You're a life saver."

"What are we working with?"  She pulled her computer out.

"Well," I racked my brain for all the info I had about her so far.  "I have this picture-"

"Absolutely gorgeous.  Let's hope you aren't getting catfished."

"Thanks," I said caustically.  "Here's her phone number," I flashed her my phone screen with her contact info.  "And I think she works in the FBI."

"Ooooh, GI Jane.  I like it," she teased.  "Let me start with a reverse image search.  Send that to me," she demanded, nodding to my phone.  I sent it to her as fast as possible, recognizing that she would be late to work just for me.  After scrolling for a bit and adjusting something or other with the search settings, she hummed and said, "This could be promising."

Impatiently, I asked, "What?"  She turned her computer to face me.

"Think that could be her?"  She pointed to a photo of Emily, holding a champagne flute, in a black formal dress with nude lace cutouts at the top.

Mouth suddenly dry, I swallowed thickly.  I had never in my life seen something so beautiful.  She was angelic; her smile was radiant.  Though it wasn't as genuine as the one in her profile picture, it was no less beautiful.  "Yeah," I whispered hoarsely, "That's her."  I didn't even dare blink; I needed to soak up as much of her as I could.

"Holy crap on a cracker!" Penelope interrupted my daze.  She pointed to a headline which read, "D.C.'s most eligible bachelorette arrives alone, once again, for Children's National Hospital charity ball."

"Click on it," I urged Penelope.  "No wait!"  I put my hand up.  "What does THAT say?" I asked pointing to the article two below it.

______________________________

DC's Most Sought-After Date Dateless Once Again Daily Star December 2021

DC's richest and most famous heiress, Emily Prentiss, was photographed alone last night at Senator Kane's birthday party.  Daughter of an ambassador, Ms. Prentiss – and FBI agent – has amassed quite a fortune.  Never seen photographed with a date, we here at the Daily Sun are left wondering if Ms. Prentiss is a reclusive shrew, or if she's merely protecting her fortune at all costs.  Regardless, Ms. Prentiss remains DC's most eligible, though unattainable, bachelorette.

______________________________

Penelope was as dumbstruck as I was. "Ho-ly-"

"Shit," I finished for her.  An heiress??  I felt inadequate all over again.  Now she was really out of my league.  But at least knowing she was real made me feel marginally better about talking to her. 

I read the short article twice more before Penelope said, "Okay, lovie!" snapping her computer shut, and with it, me out of this trance. 

"Hey!" I nearly yelled.

"Fear not, my besotted, young one.  I emailed you all that."

"Okay," I responded, still slightly dazed.  "Thanks," I said as an afterthought.

"See you later," she chuckled.

As soon as the front door closed behind her, I ran to my room for my own computer.  I furiously refreshed my email three times until I saw Penelope's email.  Dear lord she was so beautiful.  There was no way I was going to be able to see her in person; surely, I'd forget how to breathe.  I had been staring at her photo for about ten minutes when I realized I had never texted her back.

Indi: Good morning, Emily. I hope you slept well 😌 Thank you for the picture. I may or may not have looked at it for quite a while this morning...

As soon as I hit send, I wished I could take it back.  You're supposed to be playing it cool, Indi.  She's a fucking heiress for god's sake – she isn't looking for some silly, over-obsessed girl.

Emily: I may or may not have looked at your pictures for quite a while this morning, too ;) 

My heart stuttered in my chest.  I was dreaming – I had to be.  I pinched myself, but nothing changed.  I turned my phone off and back on again.  But when my slow, cheap, GoPhone finally booted up, Emily's message was still there.  Just as cute and smile-inducing as I remembered.  I decided since this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'd go for it.  I had promised Penelope I'd put 100% of myself into this, after all.

Indi: When do I get to see you in real life?

Emily: In a few days if you'd like. I'm sorry it can't be sooner; I got called away for a case and I am currently flying to Idaho. I'd love to take you out as soon as possible. I'm sure you have suitors lined out the door for the chance to take you out.

Indi: If you're flying, don't let me keep you! I know you need to turn your phone off. Whenever you get back, I'd love to go out. Because contrary to your belief, I do not have suitors lined out the door

Emily: My unit has its own jet. I don't have to turn my phone off. Not sure I believe you about the suitors...

Indi: Wow! Your own jet! Why's that?

Emily: We are often called on a case at a moment's notice. We don't have time to wait for commercial flights.

Indi: I take it this is what you meant about a demanding work schedule, then? What do you do about clothes? If you don't have time for commercial flights, do you have time to pack a bag?

Emily: Yes, this is what I meant about a demanding work schedule. We're often called to a case even when we're "off." As for clothes, it's simple: I just always have a bag packed and ready to go.  I call it my "go-bag."

Indi: A real life superhero, really. Always jetting off to save the world 🛫 

Emily: Can I ask something potentially embarrassing?

I didn't know what she had to be embarrassed about.  She held all the power here: she had the beauty, the brains, the money – everything.

Indi: Should I be scared?

Emily: Very... Emily: How do you use those cute little pictures in your texts?

I laughed out loud. She was so cute.

Indi: Emojis? These things? 😌☺️🙊🛫 

Emily: YES

Indi: There's a button to the left of your space bar with a little face or globe on it. If you click on that, it should pull up lists of emojis. They're organized in categories: faces/people, animals, food, sports, locations, and then a bunch of miscellaneous stuff.

Emily: 😀😃😄😁😆😇🙂🙃😉😜😚😘 Emily: Did I do it?

Indi: Yes! Go you 😜

I couldn't stop smiling.  She was so cute and she wasn't even trying.  And even though I knew she was moving through the first few emojis, her ending with a kissy face made me blush.  I was absolutely giddy chatting with her before I had to head out to class.  There was absolutely no reason for me to be so excited to talk to someone this early on.  Call it a gut-feeling, or call it loneliness, but I hadn't been this hopeful about anything in many months.  And I certainly hadn't been this optimistic about a person ever.

I thought back to all the times I had tried to date before.  Dating people my own age had never worked out.  And my only serious relationship obviously hadn't either.  She was immature – focused on the wrong things.  She even tried to pull me away from my studies, saying "music is just a hobby anyway."  It devastated me at the time, but maybe I just needed someone a little more mature.  Emily certainly seemed invested in my education and future career already.

______________________________

Emily and I continued to text over the next two days.  I quickly learned that, because Emily had a real job, it was best for me to get as much work done during the day so I would have nights free to talk to her.  The time zone difference wasn't helping either.  I pushed sleep off, just to hear back from her once more.  I was already addicted to learning about her.  Not usually one to be on my phone constantly, I now found myself waiting all day for her responses.

On the fourth day of her being away, she texted me first thing in the morning, as was usual for her.  But the conversation wasn't only focused on getting to know each other.

Emily: Good morning sweet girl ☺️ Emily: Indi, I'm really enjoying talking to you...

The ellipsis threw me off.  My stomach plummeted fearing the worst.  At least it had been a good week of imagining I could be good enough for her.

Emily: I was wondering if you are interested in pursuing an arrangement? I certainly am. I'd like to go over some terms if you're up for it.

My heart re-started; my breathing desperately tried to regulate itself again.

Indi: I'm very interested in pursuing an arrangement with you, Emily. What did you have in mind?

Emily: I know this is a bit unconventional, but first and foremost, I'm looking for someone to be my date to a few upcoming social events. Obviously, I would pay for all dresses and jewelry needs for such events. Ideally, you would live in my house (your own room and bathroom), keep the house tidy, and cook when I'm home. And keep me company when I am home. In exchange, I would pay you a monthly allowance of $3,000 and your tuition and school expenses for the duration of the arrangement. The monthly allowance is up for negotiation. It would be up to your discretion to spend however you'd like – no questions asked.

My eyes widened.  No fucking way.  No fucking way.  "Up for negotiation?"  As if anyone would actually say no to that obscene amount of money?  Just one month of this arrangement would pay my bursar bill.  I really wouldn't have to work this summer; I could focus solely on composing.  And all I would have to do would be to keep her company and cook her dinner?  I noticed she didn't mention anything physical.  Maybe she wanted to save that for an in-person conversation.

I felt horrible about the arrangement.  I couldn't accept this; it was way too much money for so little required on my end.

Indi: Emily, I'm not sure this is a fair deal...

Emily: Should we increase your allowance? This is new to me, I apologize. I'm not sure what a fair monthly allowance is.

Indi: NO! I don't want MORE money. Emily, you're asking for so little. Paying my tuition is more than enough

Emily: I disagree. You would be providing me numerous services (cooking, cleaning, company, not to mention the invaluable service of accompanying me to dreadfully boring social functions).

I thought back to the articles I read about her the other day calling her a hag and a shrew, unlovable and unattainable.  The press really was awful to single women.  But surely that wasn't worth $3,000 a month.  I looked at the clock and cursed.  I needed to leave for class in twenty minutes and I hadn't started getting ready yet.

Indi: I'm not saying no. I'd very much like to be your baby (is this the proper term?) I just think we should talk about the actual terms in detail. Can I call you later tonight? I need to head to class soon...

Emily: Ha I'm not sure what the proper term is either – I told you I was new to this! But I can do you one better than a call. I'm on my way to DC in a few hours. We wrapped up the case early. May I have the honor of taking you out tonight, Miss Banks?

Panic arose in me immediately.  She wanted to meet tonight??  I didn't have a dress or a plan.  What would I say?  Texting was one thing.  But over dinner, I wouldn't have time to think of something witty to say.  Hell, I wouldn't even have time to stop the stupid things from tumbling out of my mouth.  Well, India, I hope you had fun because you're surely going to ruin it all tonight.

There was no way I would be able to appropriately get myself ready for tonight.  I needed to call in reinforcements.  I texted Penelope immediately.

Indi💛👭: Pen! Emergency! Emily is back in town tonight and wants to meet up. Can you PLEASE come home early and help me get ready??Please 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Penny💞💖: AHHH!!!!! Say no more 🤚🏻 Of COURSE I will help. What are you wearing? How early are we talkin? Do we need to shop? You have to look your absolute best

Indi💛👭: That's the problem, Pen! 😩 I only have that one dress...

Penny💞💖: NO

Indi💛👭: I think it will be fine for tonight...

Penny💞💖: Take the afternoon off. We're going shopping. You are NOT wearing that dress

Indi💛👭: Thank you 😙😙 I owe you big time

Penny💞💖: HUGE 😉

I was ashamed, but I called into work "sick" and emailed my afternoon professors that I was sick and unable to come to class.  I would have to make up the studio time for my concert piano class, but this was well worth it.

Emily: Should I take your silence as not being interested in going out this evening?

Indi: No! I'm sorry! I definitely want to meet up tonight. Here's my address: 2730 Wisconsin Ave. Apt. 12.

Emily: See you at 7:00.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach.  I was going to see Emily Prentiss – in person – for the first time in less than twelve hours.

______________________________

My nerves didn't ease up all day.  In fact, the butterflies in my stomach grew more insistent the closer it got to 7:00.

"Stop fighting, Indi," Penelope grumbled as she tried to put eyeliner on my fluttering eyelids.

"I'm sorry.  I'm just so nervous.  What if she hates me?  What if I mess it all up?"  I looked down.

"Good.  Get it all out now.  That way you won't be stupid when Emily gets here."

"Penelope!" I objected.

"You've been talking for a week now, Indi.  She's obviously into you!  You have nothing to worry about.  Just be yourself and she'll be a goner.  Trust me."  She finished swiping eyeliner and handed me mascara.  "I trust you can do this one yourself?"

I nodded, unscrewing the makeup.  I quickly applied it and then stepped back to look at myself.  "Wow," I gasped, "Penelope.  You have truly outdone yourself.  I look hot."

"Well, I had a lot of good material to work with."  She nudged my shoulder with her own. 

I couldn't stop staring at my sultry, smoky eyes and pouty, red lips.  I hoped Emily would be appreciative of the look.  My eyes trailed down, inspecting the curves outlined by my tight, short, black dress.  Though it had a high neckline, it had a slit up the thigh from just above my knee to mid-thigh.  "I can't believe you found such a perfect dress," I whispered.

"I can!" Penelope gloated.  "I'm queen of shopping."  I chuckled.  This was absolutely true.  Penelope never went home without exactly what she had in mind.

I put my lipstick and my phone in my purse, strapped my shoes on, and gave myself one last once over.

"You look amazing!" Penelope reassured me.

"I know," I smirked, "You did my makeup."

And before she could respond, a loud, assured knock echoed through our small apartment.

– – –

Continue to the next chapter

[cheelduh]

How to get Hit-listed by a Stonehide Lawachurl (High School AU!)

Part 6 of the highschool au

Parts: 1 2 3 4 5

Pairing: Childe x fem!reader

Synopsis: Childe’s a menace to everyone when playing dodgeball. Even as his new girlfriend, you’re no exception to his affinity for raising hell during the most tranquil of circumstances.

Warnings: Swearing, bad humor, and absolutely horrid spelling mistakes.

Words: 5.3k

Note: Longest chapter yet sheeeesh 🗿

Negotiation is an art.

Childe, or "Tartaglia" has utilized the art of negotiations in his daily life. Whether that be scamming the ninth graders with fake weed, or convincing the teachers why he doesn't deserve detention for injecting random fluids from the chem department into the school's resident pet frog.

All in all, by becoming an expert in the field of negotiations, Childe is nothing if not a master, tongue silver and smooth as he takes on a new opponent.

Which is why he dutifully negotiates with you on this Monday morning in front of the History classroom, getting down on one knee and pulling out a—

"I hope to Barbatos you aren't proposing Childe," You hiss, panicked eyes landing on the velvet box he's pulling out. "Considering that we're sixteen and still in highschool."

As if remembering those meagre details, Childe gulps and shoves the box back into his pocket. "Uhhh yeah, I was just, tying my shoelaces?" It comes out as a question.

You let out a sigh of relief, overlooking how he undoes his shoe laces just to do them all over again.

The ring burns in his pocket as he gets back up.

"Why did you call me here?" You ask, hand on your hip, foot impatiently tapping. The tap tap tap isn't because of impatience though, it's because you need something to cover the nervous palpitations of your heart.

He gives you a vicious smile, sinister enough to shake the bones of anyone who's observing, opens his daring mouth to show the imaginary sharpness of his teeth. Then with the confidence of about a hundred shirtless tiktok boys, he finally demands:

"If you don't become my girlfriend, I will kill—"

"Yeah sure thing." You answer before he can finish, soft smile growing.

Childe chuckles evilly, "I knew you'd say that, but I've come prep—wait a minute." He snaps out of his villain origin phase, stumbles back a bit, then his eyebrows are furrowing in confusion. "Did you just say yes?"

You nod, cheeks flaring up. "Don't make me repeat it." Then you look away, too embarrassed to see his reaction.

For a second, Childe's internal conflict following the chain of this event causes him to temporarily malfunction, and all he can do it stare at you in amazement.

It's only when you tell him to stop staring and jump off the school roof is when he snaps out of his daze, a grin festering on his face.

He lunges straight at you, giving you no time to deflect him as he wraps his bone crushing arms around you, then lands a soft smooch on your forehead.

"Let go of me you idiot!" You barely wheeze out, light headed not only because of your lungs being squeezed like oranges, but also because of the sloppy kiss he's delivered so ungracefully.

He does so reluctantly, and you're unamused, wiping the stickiness off your forehead with a sleeve as he steps back.

"Ew what the fuck?" You say, glaring at him. "What's wrong with you?"

He completely ignores you, giddy with excitement. "Ah girly, you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that. I can't wait to introduce you to my parents and eat lunch together and kiss each other during break—"

"Slow down." You tell him, as red as a tomato towards all his suggestions. "We've barely started dating."

"Oh," Childe stops momentarily, then nods in agreement. "You're right. We should start small. How about I walk you to class?"

"We're already in front of class." You nudge your head towards the classroom, and catch Zhongli and Venti peeking from the side of the door, trying not to be obvious.

You narrow your eyes at them threateningly.

Childe tugs your arm, lovingly looking you up and down. "Let's walk to class together anyways. In a circle."

A complete waste of time, yet it's impossible to say no to the face he's making.

Before you guys depart he suddenly stops, gasping loudly, remembers something important. "I have to make a quick phone call."

Childe speed dials Scaramouche, and the latter picks up annoyed, answers the phone with muffled sounds in the back. Something that sounds a bit like pleading and whimpering.

He then mutters something that forces dread into your system. "You can release the hostages."

You hear Scaramouche groan on the other end, muttering a "such a pain in my ass", but choose not to question it immediately.

As soon as the phone call is done and you're back by his side, you point at his phone questioningly. "What hostages Childe?"

He gives you a close eyed smile, taking the fifth.

"What hostages Childe?" You repeat again weakly.

—

First period goes by smoothly for the most part. Lisa, your so called best friend, once again is bought off like a corrupted politician by your new boyfriend. She sits far away from you, leaving you without any defences against the menace that dotes on you a bit too much.

Throughout class, all Childe does is score Venti's colourful pens, and then writes you annoying little love notes, using the expert origami skills he's learnt from Anthon to deliver them to you.

Despite the threat of distraction these notes pose, the corners of your lips can't help but tug upwards at his enthusiasm and attempt at poetry.

Zhongli makes sure not to ask you two any questions the entire class, leaving you to your own accord.

Lunch comes around soon enough, and your usual table of Diluc, Jean, Kazuha, and Lisa is disturbed by the torpedo that is Childe, and he brings collateral with him.

Kaeya whole-heartedly ceases the opportunity to sit near his stoic statue of a brother purely with the intention to annoy the premature crap out of him, but one look from the redhead sends the chicken-shit right back where he came from.

When Childe forcefu—lovingly feeds you the smiley fries and dinosaur nuggets his stunning mom packed him, Diluc looks just about ready to hurl.

Lisa winks at you two, Kazuha doesn't even bother looking, and Jean tries with upmost effort to keep Diluc from launching himself at the whipped fatui boy basking in your attention.

"Quit embarrassing me." You whisper-exclaim sharply, noticing how Jean passes Diluc—all green in the face, a puke bag discreetly. "Shouldn't you be doing something illegal right now? Or vaping in the stalls?"

"I quit vaping for you girlie." Childe boops your nose with his finger. "Well, at least full time. I still need a puff when I'm around Signora, to like, get rid of her awful vibes."

While it is endearing how he quit vaping for you, it doesn't lessen the need for you to bury yourself alive right here and now.

Then you sigh, pick up a Dino nuggie, and shove it in his mouth, the tip of his tongue flicking your finger. You die inside.

"There, you happy?" The action of feeding him is so...intimate, it sets your heart aflame.

Childe's a lovesick puppy when he chews, imaginary tail wagging a hundred times a second. "Can I have a kiss too?"

Diluc slams his hands on the table and stands up, hurriedly picks up his grape juice and makes a break for it. You don't blame him.

"I'll kill you." You smack him with a napkin, blazing red. "I'll end your pathetic little life right here and now."

By the end of lunch, Lisa and Jean have to restrain you so you don't break the world record for the maximum amount of mutilations that can be done on a single body.

Fourth period is a break. A break from Childe you mean. It's expected of the school's resident bad boy aka menace to skip classes in order to skip over the bodies of his victims.

You bask in the momentary peace, until it's disrupted by a tap on the window. Reckon it's nothing, maybe a bird flew into it, because intentional taps are impossible from the third floor. Except your conviction is hindered yet again by another tap.

What a nuisance.

You finally turn to look outside the window, face down, and spot Childe waving incessantly, rocks in hand, oozing with excitement that can't be concealed and a grin that nearly takes you into cardiac arrest. Without meaning to, you send him a small smile, waving back as Baal drones on about quantum superposition.

Successful in gaining your attention, he moves aside to reveal the hefty corpse of a stonehide lawachurl with a destructive path in its wake. The ridges and bumps of its hide are enough to do a number on the road, ruining the school's playing field.

Your smile drops down into a horrified frown in the span of a few seconds.

"Wow." Albedo, your lab partner whispers from next to you, for the first time distracted in class.

"Yeah," Kaeya whistles from behind you two, one hand supporting his head. "What a gesture."

"Y/N, I'd be grateful if you could possibly obtain a black crystal horn for me from the specimen." The blonde asks, entranced by the corpse that your boyfriend is flaunting off to you with pride.

"Aren't those things endangered cutie?" Lisa makes sure to butt in, as per usual.

Yes. Your boyfriend with several issues and an affinity for chaos brought you the corpse of an endangered geo-infused creature that's five times the size of him. During school hours too, the fiend. Like a cat dragging the corpse of a dead mouse to its owner.

You groan into your hands, heart racing while the fire is coursing through your veins.

That idiot.

—

Childe is exceptional at a lot of things, like the switch and making weapons out of seemingly harmless things (e.g shiv out of a toothbrush), but what he prides in the most is physical education. With washboard abs, uber tall height, and a dickish smile to top it all, he has everything it takes to showcase his top tier athletic abilities.

He pounces at the opportunity to show off in front of you, wanting nothing more than to have you fawn over his strength. He's sure it'll be enough to have you all over him, wrapping your cute little arms around his muscled ones, passing him his water bottle and dabbing away at the sweat on his forehead. Most of all, he daydreams you planting your soft lips on his to congratulate him after a big game.

Physical education, for you, is a pain. You may be good with your brain, but games exert more energy than necessary, and coordination that lacks logic entirely. You're just here for the credit. The over-achiever part of you walks the extra mile to ensure a grade in the high nineties.

Although witnessing Childe clad in the school shorts and matching polo shirt is enough to make this worth your while, you'll die before admitting it. Especially when he gawks at you as if it's the first time you're wearing the sports uniform yourself. It has you fidgeting with your fingers and tugging your shorts down nervously.

You try not to flip him off like you usually do, especially since it's not even been twenty four hours since he's asked you out.

Mr.Zhongli blows a whistle, calling all the students over to surround him. It's odd that he teaches most of the subjects at this school, seemingly the only adult present, but no one questions it in fear of genshin logic. Moving on, he explains that you have a dodge ball game today.

Lisa groans beside you. She hates anything that requires the exertion of energy, oftentimes bringing a book to read while everyone else screams in the background.

You're relieved, mainly because Childe and Tohma are usually captains, and Childe always picks you to be on his team as a means to flex his skills. For you, it means sitting back and watching him carry your team towards a straight A.

However, all your dreams are crushed when Zhongli announces the team leaders.

"Y/N, I trust that you'll lead the blue team to the upmost of your ability. Childe, prepare to lead the opposing red team."

Your knees shake as you stare at him in disbelief. "But Sir—"

"No buts Y/N." He scolds you lightly, checking off your names on the clip board. "I'd like to witness your exceptional leadership skills."

In reality, Zhongli just wants to reenact a lovers-on-opposing sides trope, wanting to see how the two of you crack under the pressure. In a way, it is an exercise of leadership.

Instead of picking teams, Zhongli assigns teams for the both of you according to his own judgement, trying to make it as fair as possible.

Lisa pats your back after your teammates are assigned, trying to cheer you up. "It's going to be okay. You guys are dating now, so he'll go easy on you."

You look up to meet Childe's eyes from across the court. He gives you a charming smile, which turns downright barbaric as he lifts up a thumb and motions to slash his neck with it. Then he wickedly mouths "I'm going to destroy you."

You blink and turn away as fast as you can in fear. "We're fucked."

Lisa, witnessing the entire ordeal nods alongside you, doing nothing to reassure you because she herself has given up.

Suddenly a hand lands on your shoulder gripping you tightly. "Let's wipe the floor with that g*nger." The voice is ice cold, threatening enough to send a shiver down your bones.

You turn to meet Rosaria, who frowns at you. Most of the time she doesn't really put an effort in dodgeball, but she must've seen your crestfallen expression, trying to comfort you in her own detached way.

Rosaria is the other school nurse in training, alongside Barbara, but somehow her patients end up more injured, sick, or mentally defiled than before they entered the room. She also spends after hours beating up Chads in the school parking lot. Also runs a blog with her booby co-author Kaeya that emphasizes mostly on the dark knight hero.

Spotting the rest of your team behind her, you begin to criticize them one by one.

Standing against the wall is Kaeya, pushing both his biddies up with his crossed arms like an absolute whore. He's breaking about several dress code rules right now. Venti is next to him, drunk off his butt as he beat boxes with Tohma.

Eula mutters under her breath, on and on about seeking revenge on Zhongli for putting her beloved Amber on the opposing team, promising him an unfortunate fate. Xiao is miserably squatting on the floor, sharp eyes observing everyone in the gym, scowl not ready to dissipate anytime soon.

Then you look over at Childe's team in the distance. Jean with a determined look on her face as she listens to Childe's game plan, and Diluc crossing his arms with his brows furrowed in concentration. Even Amber, the best baller in the school, is stretching out her arms, assisted by the gifted princess of the school, Ayaka.

Not only that, but Childe has the king of dodging on his team—Kaedehara goddamn Kazuha. Beidou shoots you a wicked smirk, winking at you until she's disrupted by Ningguang's shove.

"Oh my god." You cry out when the realization hits you, falling to your knees in despair. "We're completely fucked!"

"No we aren't." Rosaria mutters lowly. "You're only fucked if you want to be. Don't you dare throw in the towel before the fight has even begun."

"But I—"

"Stop it." She grumbles again, rolling her eyes. "You're being annoying now. If you lose the game, that makes him the dom. Don't you want to be the dom?"

She's right. You do want to be the dom.

Her words of encouragement, and not at all veiled insults somehow allow you to find motivation deep within yourself. You get up and stomp towards the rest of your team, calling their attention with your newfound confidence.

"Listen here soldiers!" You shout out, determination clear as day. "I know I am not capable of leading. I know that I barely have the physical capabilities needed to defeat the opposite team."

You take a deep breath, pointing at your cutie patootie boyfriend across the gym as you seethe. "But that man, that harbinger of chaos, that instrument of war, is nothing but a tyrant. And I cannot let such a tyrant be a victor in this battle. Not when innocent lives are at stake."

Tohma speaks up, sending you a bewildered look. "What lives—"

"Shut the fuck up soldier!"

"Yessir!" He immediately stiffens, saluting you.

"Are you ready soldiers?" Your voice booms, and everyone reinforces their priorities, except for Kaeya though. He just lazily smirks.

After Zhongli places the balls in the middle, everyone prepares for the battle of the century.

'Gods, please let us win this war' you pray to the archons above, closing your eyes in concentration.

'Give me the strength to flex my superior skills' Childe wishes, then adds on quickly 'also I want to dominate this world.'

'Give me the strength to make it to Friday.' Rosaria prays for nobody but herself, rolls her eyes at all the unnecessary dramatics of this dodgeball game.

"3..." "2..." "1..."

Zhongli ends the countdown by blowing hard into a whistle, signaling the beginning of the game.

Not even two seconds later a ball whooshes past a few of you at the speed of light, followed by a tail of fire. The ball of death kisses Kaeya square in the nose, sending him reeling back into a wall with enough sheer force to cause an indent.

Everyone winces.

Before you all can reel in from the initial shock and make sense out of wherever the hell that asteroid came from, Zhongli's voice booms throughout the gymnasium.

"Mr. Ragnvindr, headshots are strictly forbidden. You are out!"

With a scoff, Diluc, satisfied with his work, leaves the court with no apparent qualms. He accepts his defeat with the upturned corners of his lips.

Rosaria pokes Kaeya's body with the tip of her heels, then cringes when he shakes awake, up from his short lived knockout and sends a wink her way.

"Getting handsy when I'm unconscious? I didn't think you'd be one to partake in such vulgar activities." His eye twinkles in mischief, and if his momentary defeat at the hands of brother has him fuming, he doesn't show it one bit.

The only thing that keeps Rosaria from knocking him out for real is the blood that trails down onto his lip. She doesn't want to clean blood off her shoes, especially since it's a pain in the ass to get off.

You're about to tell them to get up and take this seriously, but a softball does your job for you when it darts straight at Rosaria. With pristine accuracy, the girl manages to pitch herself away last minute.

You swivel in Childe's direction, who wears a remorseless grin, which only grows wider once you pick up a blue softball next to your feet.

The glare that he receives has him shaking in exhilaration. More so than the elation he'd felt when he took down that Stonehide Lawachurl for you, as a gift of promise.

You begin to bark out orders. "Eula, Xiao, and Rosaria cover the front and act as decoys."

They nod immediately, but Xiao still clicks his tongue in distaste as he starts following orders.

Then you offer Kaeya a hand. "Get up princess. You're on sniper duty."

With Diluc out of commission, the battle is fair and square now considering both sides have the same amount of people. Ergo, no one's at a disadvantage.

That is—until Lisa fake trips over pure air, landing on the floor in a dramatic slow motion.

You roll your eyes.

"Oh dear! I think I've twisted something." She cries out, crawling away from the battle field, acting as if she's paralyzed completely. "Don't worry about me. I'll cheer you on from afar. The battle has begun, and it seems as if I've become the first casualty."

You don't let the countless amount of Lisa's betrayals get to you, even this one. It's just her personality to flake out on anything and everything that requires her to do more than below the bare minimum.

Focusing on the match, your eyes are only on Childe, just as his are on you.

You aim the ball straight at his ribs, step back a bit, then propel the ball in the air with as much energy as you can, using your entire body as a power outlet. The ball spins in the air, reaching the awaiting victim.

Childe, unbothered, dodges the ball with perfect precision, the ball not even grazing his clothes at the least.

Your jaw drops open, and you're about to move for another ball until he grabs the same ball you threw at him. With the sharpness of a predator locking in on its pray, he focuses on you like a missile locks on its target, launching the ball in the air for power that has you trembling, second to the powerful ball that was thrown by Diluc.

With your pupils dilated at your impeding doom, it's Xiao that grabs you and thrusts away.

The ball lands on the floor, smoke rising.

"Holy shit!" You shriek over everyone else's grunts and shuffles. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"Isn't it poetic?" Childe shouts back while he slides away from the balls being thrown. "Lover against lover. Either you're by my side, or in my way. And right now, you're in my way." He narrows his eyes dangerously. "Albeit reluctantly, I will take the victory babe. Even if we are on opposing sides."

"There was zero reluctance in that throw asshole!"

You thank Xiao, who wipes his hands on his pants in disgust. "Filthy humans. So pathetic and weak."

Mildly offended, you roll your sleeves up and begin to fight with everything you've got as soon as he walks away.

The dodgeball game goes as expected for the most part, Eula carrying for most of it with the flow of her skills.

Tohma actually tries like the presumptuous asshole he is, aims straight for his girlfriend Ayaka, and takes her out completely. His only justification for that is "I ain't no simp!"

He shelves his cocky attitude when facing Childe with a sense of dignity and prestige you didn't think he had in him.

The two one of a kind fuckbois puff out their chests so that they look more hefty than they are, having some kind of an Alpha match. The 'me stronger than you. me dominant. me get all the women' type beat.

Unfortunately, Childe manages to fence him with his throws, and lo and behold, the square off ends with a dejected Tohma dragging his feet to the nearest bench.

Eula oversees that Ningguang and Beidou meet a quick end, taking their slower dodging to her advantage. You're actually rooting for her, tasting a sliver of victory that you haven't reached yet. So close, yet so far.

Amber trips on herself in the middle of throwing a what should've been coordinated ball, and it loses most of its momentum. Xiao is directly in front of it, and will probably be able to catch it with ease.

Ah, another short victory.

If Childe loses his expert baller, he's only left with Kazuha and Jean, whom's lack in the art of throwing is made up by their ability to dodge most of the fastballs.

However, all your plans and hopes are crushed when Eula slides in front of Xiao last minute, sticks out her foot, and let's the pathetic product of Amber's would-be downfall hit her on the leg with the total force of about 0.0000001 newtons.

Your chances of winning have just went down by a staggering 60%.

"Eula!" You cry out, collapsing on the ground. "How could you?"

Tohma cups his mouth and bellows obnoxiously from the bench. "SIMP!"

"I cannot avenge my clan if I win a false victory." Eula crosses her arms, casting her gaze down in visible uncomfortableness. "Amber will pay her dues in two business days. Mark my words."

It all a load of cap. She's sleeping with the enemy and you know it.

You grit your teeth. Fuming with an abundance of rage, you pick up three balls and throw them all back to back, taking out Amber and Kazuha simultaneously.

Childe's heart flutters in another kind of delight when you pluck out his team members one by one with no hints of remorse.

In retaliation, Jean and Childe work in sync to swiftly take care of a distracted Rosaria.

"Shit." You hiss underneath your breath.

It's Venti, Kaeya, Xiao, and you who are the only remainders of your short-lived team. It's still two more people than Childe and Jean, giving you the upper hand briefly.

It's a mystery to everyone how Venti is still standing. You reckoned you would've lost him as collateral during the beginning of the match, but it seems he's able to hold his own.

When you squint hard enough, you realize that Xiao has been t-posing in front of the nonchalant SoundCloud rapper that's about as high as a kite. He must've been defending him throughout the entire round.

His defenses are all in vain once Childe correlates another attack with Jean, sharp-shooting four rapid balls that are secured on their targets.

Xiao swerves to the side, avoiding most of them, until one is about to reach a nonchalant as shit Venti.

You scream at him, eyes widening as you run towards them in slow motion. "NOoOoOOOo-"

The yaksha doesn't waste a moment, shifting so that he's covering Venti's body with his own, which to be honest is a pretty heartwarming sight.

The ball hits his lean back, a sharp thud following when it hits the floor.

Xiao is out. But his sacrifice is so inspiring that it brings tears to Zhongli's eyes, makes everyone in the gym go silent in awe.

Even the sadistic Childe melts, cerulean eyes gaining back their light, halting his fire.

When Xiao finally uncovers Venti's body, he speaks from the bottom of his dead heart. "I'd do anything for you..."

Venti shakes out of his baked state, blinking at him stupidly with a nervous chuckle. "Ehe~? I don't even know who you are."

The entire class sweat drops. Whatever slip of compassion on Childe's face earlier has become nothing but a memory. Even your eyes dim.

The next time Childe aims and locks at Venti, it's not with malicious intent. It's a favour, for you. In a way it adds dimension to who he is and the lengths he's willing to go for you, even at war.

Venti steps away with a bounce in his gait, hands behind his head.

Kaeya and you are the only ones left standing now, and the game becomes too tight knit to tell which side's going to win. It becomes utter chaos, balls being launched every second, stamina slowly decreasing as everyone lurches away from their demise.

As laid-back  and charming as the boy presents himself to be in front of the ladies, he's not very patient when it comes to facing circumstances like these. He's side lined for most of the match, finding it boring. And when Kaeya gets bored, the intensity of the tide changes, and everyone knows they're going to get a run for their money.

Kaeya coasts a hand around your hips, pulls you real close, purposefully leaning his bust into the side your innocent arm.

When Childe's smile drops, and the glint in his eyes reads 'DANGER' in full caps, you know it's time to be properly scared.

Your blood runs cold, mouth opening briefly and then clamping shut immediately.

"I'm so glad to be on your team Y/N. Maybe this'll give us the chance to become...closer." His hot breath fans against your ear, voice loud enough to be heard by onlookers.

Suddenly everything stops, falling into an unsettling silence.

You attempt glance at Childe, being met with a glare that's directed at the Captain of the Skating team. The ball in the orange-haired boy's hand deflates from the sheer intensity of the squeeze.

The tension becomes unreadable. Even Zhongli is caught mid-sip with his tea.

Quickly, you shrug off Kaeya's arm. "Childe, he's just fucking with you—"

Childe cuts you off by hurling a ball with nothing but the objective of cold blooded murder.

Kaeya whizzes past you, successfully ducking to avoid the hit, and his amused laugh rings through your ears. He rolls away from the following attacks, chucking his own series of colourful balls.

The events that unfold are blood-curdling enough to make even Satan boil his pants with diarrhea.

You take the clear opportunity presented by their concurrent dumbassery to take out Jean, the ace of the other team.

Childe's rage blows over when Kaeya eventually loses interest and takes the L, playfully winking at you while walking backwards to the rest of your team.

Now that all the distractions are dealt with, Childe's eyes flicker to you, and you share a murderous glance.

"Finally," He slaps the softball with a free hand, lips thinning into a homicidal smile. "I've been waiting for this. You better not disappoint me."

While Childe may be a violent anarchist who's only aspiration in life is to become a government contracted killer, he's also supposed to be your sweet boyfriend.

Slowly, you inch towards the front. "We don't have to do this Childe. We can coexist peacefully."

"Peace was never an option Y/N." He sighs, cracking his neck. "Besides—how else can I prove myself in your eyes? You may be my greatest weakness, but you are also my greatest adversary."

"I don't know, maybe start with not trying to obliterate me?"

"I'm obliterating you out of respect." He counters with a playful pout.

"Well I'll be paying my respects to your grave!" You lurch ahead into a sudden assault, yeeting as many balls as you can his way.

"That's my girl!" Childe whistles, grin widening psychotically when he goes all out, leaving you with an absence in favorable openings.

Out of nowhere, the fire alarms start going haywire, along with a beep in the PA system, which stops you two in your tracks.

A panicked voice of who you assume to be Yanfei shrieks through the comms. "CODE ORANGE! CODE ORANGE! EVACUATE THE BUILDING, THERE'S A STONEHIDE LAWACHURL ON THE PREMISES."

As if on cue, the ground starts rumbling and a Stonehide Lawachurl bursts through the halls and into the gym, looking around for something. Or rather, someone. It's sharp bumps and ridges make an indent on the floor, cracking it in.

Everyone falls into a state of panic, Zhongli trying his best to evacuate the class from the emergency back door as quickly as possible. "Settle down class, we have to follow protocol."

You, devoid of any emotion or sense of fear, turn to your boyfriend in such a calm manner it strikes an ominous dread in his stomach.

You stare.

Childe stares harder.

“I thought you killed it."

"I did." He retorts slowly, switching to gaze at the raging beast in amazement.

"Then why is it in the school!" You seethe, glaring daggers at his side profile.

Childe chuckles sheepishly, scratches the back of his neck. "I may or may not have stuffed the body in the boys washroom. Y'know, for safe keeping?"

The Lawachurl locks it's gaze on you, the prey, and then roars furiously. Turning into its geo-enhanced state, it begins charging at you with all its might, the target being solely Childe.

Leave it to your boyfriend to get on the hit list of an endangered beast.

"Fear not my vibrant girlfriend. Our first date can be surviving this." Childe cheekily kisses the top of your trembling hand before grasping it tightly and making a run for it.

[cherryyharryy]

angst to fluff where y/n finds out she was originally just supposed to be a rebound type thing after he broke up with someone like idk something like he broke up with someone on the european leg of tour and she was supposed just be with him until he went on another leg but then he started to love her and brings her on the rest of tour with him and she finds out abt the rebound thing after the last show of tour where everyones drunk and celebrating and one person lets it slip

I tweaked it just a bit...hope that's ok:)

WC: 3.5K

****

“You look beautiful.”

I skim my nose across Harry’s cheek, his chin resting on my shoulder, and hum against stubble that wasn’t there this morning. “You’ve said that five times tonight.”

“And?” He slips around to face me.

His suit is a deep maroon, probably black if you’re far away, probably purple if you’ve had too much champagne. His chest expands when I slide my hand down.

“Love this dress.” He takes my hand off and pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my head.

“You two forget where you’re at?” Another foreign voice surrounds us, well, foreign to me.

“Fucker,” Harry says to the man. They pat each other’s backs as the guy walks away. “Tyler Johnson.”

“Oh.”

“He worked with me on the last album.”

“Okay.”

It’s like the fifteenth person that I’ve been introduced to tonight, all of whom pass by with quick hellos, inside jokes with Harry, and little interest in me. The fast paced world of the rich and famous doesn’t slow down, even for charity.

“Harry, so glad you could make it.” Another voice, another man. This one lingers, long enough to receive my name, and offer a cliche compliment about my patience to put up with this beautiful bastard on my arm.

I thank him with the smile I’ve learned to speak through. These celebrities never stop smiling. Never stop posing. Never stop.

Then he’s gone too, and Harry’s whispering yet another name in my ear, of which I’ll forget seconds later because these people ultimately mean nothing to me. They all seem to pass through each other’s lives whenever convenience allows, playing house and acting like grown ups who get the privilege of not truly growing up.

I feel like the Gucci dress Harry had tailored to my body doesn’t fit. My posture sucks. I’m too scared to eat any of the finger foods being carried on silver platters through the hall. I haven’t learned how to smile through food I don’t like or not make a mess or take small enough bites. I swear, not one glass of champagne has any lipstick on it. They’re like magic.

I look at Harry. He’s stepped away to converse with a face that I do know. He and Jeff speak animatedly, Harry’s arms gesturing to whatever story he’s telling. I step over to one of the dressed tables and place what little weight I can onto the chair, needing to cling to something. When I look back up I smile, the two of them now laughing, and probably a little too loud for this charity auction.

“Y/n...right?”

I whip around, a man I’ve seen in pictures on Harry’s phone holds out his hand.

I straighten my back and accept his greeting. “Yes.”

“Finally we meet!” He catches my confusion and chuckles. “I produced Harry’s last album.”

Something clicks in my head, and he’s suddenly more familiar. “Oh! I knew that.”

Tom Hull...Kid Harpoon I process just as he introduces his name.

“I—”

An arm slipping around my waist stunts my question, Harry tipping back a red drink with his free hand while the other squeezes my hip. “Just tell this one to leave you alone,” he jabs.

Tom rolls his eyes, patting the breast of his green suit to look for something, only to show off his middle finger.

“Can’t believe the two of you haven’t met,” Harry says.

“I know, I guess we just missed each other.” Tom nods to me. “Heard you went to quite a few shows.”

“As many as I could.”

An uneasy sting travels down my spine. I did go to many shows, practically following Harry around his entire tour...all on his dime. Lord knows the man can afford it, but I still felt weird about him dishing out thousands of dollars to add me to each plane ride.

“Well I’m happy to see you two kids together,” Tom jokes, patting Harry on his back. “I’ve told him he needs to date women who will fuck him up. That’s where the songs are.”

He saunters off like he did not just say that. No. Absolutely not.

My face burns and it hurts to turn my head, but I still manage to narrow my eyes at Harry.

“Do you want another drink?”

I wait. I give him more than enough seconds to explain what the hell that was. But he’s clueless—ignorant.

“No. I do not.”

***

I do not bother taking my heels off in the car. My plan is to storm into our hotel room the second we park. Possibly locking Harry out...haven’t decided on that part yet.

The vague chit chat he makes with the driver stirs my nerves. It shouldn’t make me angry, and it’s not so much the act as it is his demeanor. He’s too cheery right now and it’s pissing me off.

“Okay,” he grabs my attention from Los Angeles flying past my window, the partition rolling up to leave us completely alone in the back seat. “What’s wrong?”

I bite my tongue, literally. “Nothing.”

“You seemed...irritated.”

“Did I?”

“Y/n.”

I turn to face him, inhaling sharply to calm my coming words. “Why are you with me?”

His face pales, and not a muscle moves. He just stares at me until he finally blinks and starts jerking his jaw around. “What are you talkin’ about?”

I roll my eyes. “The fact that you don’t know, bothers me even more.” I sigh, fighting back tears because I am determined not to cry in front of him. “Tom said that you should date people that fuck you up.”

“O—oh. That’s all?”

I squint, curling my lip. “What do you mean, that’s all? Is that not enough for you? Because that was a lot for me to hear tonight.”

“Baby, he was just messing around.”

I don’t budge.

“Really, it’s nothin’ to think about.” He tucks my hair behind my ear, trailing his hand down to cup my jaw. “Promise. It’s just like when people told you that you could do better than me, or insult me to compliment you.” He shrugs. “It’s just party talk.”

I process his words, supposing he’s not wrong. He did receive quite a few insults in lieu of my praise tonight. Maybe I was just on edge because of the setting; being surrounded by the rich and famous while I struggle to pay my rent each month isn’t exactly grounds for positive thinking.

“Okay, I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to apologize for.” He leans over to kiss me, stroking my face as his lips skim over mine. “Did I tell you how stunning you look tonight?”

***

It’s funny how your brain works. How emotions swoop in and corral your thoughts, like a salesman who pretends to care about you so they can get what they want. My mind was desperate for relief, from hearing Tom’s nervy comment, and I naively allowed Harry to take what he needed in that moment.

Something’s not quite right. I don’t know what it is, but I can feel it.

I’ve been mulling over Harry’s words in my head all weekend, playing them on repeat, hoping they’ll start to make sense, but if anything their value keeps dropping. What worries me the most, is that I don’t know whether he’s trying to protect me or himself. I don’t know if one is any better than the other.

It’s golden hour when we pull up to the beach. I can hear the music before I even open the car door; a volleyball shoots up over the rows of bushes hiding the party, disappearing and popping back up a moment later.

I don’t really want to be here, but I also don’t want to be the girlfriend who won’t support their boyfriend.

“Ready?” Harry asks, and I nod.

The closer we walk, the clearer the music becomes. Harry’s voice takes over the private beach, and I wonder if they’re playing his entire album or just Golden on repeat.

A good bit of the people drinking and chatting I recognize form the event the other night, but there are still plenty of new faces. I take some fruity drink that was offered to me and down half of it before my feet hit sand.

And so the routine continues. I’m introduced to someone, they compliment me, laugh with Harry, congratulate him on pretty much everything he’s ever done, and then repeat with a new face. I do manage to find Sarah at one point after I’ve detached myself from Harry, and the two of us head for the water.

“Are you feeling okay?” Sarah asks once our toes are wet.

I hold my breath and count to five, finishing whatever the hell I’m drinking before I can answer her. “I’m great.”

“Harry said you weren’t doing too well after the auction?”

“Yes, Harry does a lot of talking with people when I’m not around.”

“Alright, spill it,” Sarah says.

I trace the rim of my glass, flicking my eyes over my shoulder to make sure we’re far away from the party. “It’s stupid, really, I’m just a little...I don’t know...Tom said something the other night that rubbed me the wrong way. And Harry doesn’t seem to care.”

“What did he say?”

“Just something about how Harry needs to have relationships with people who will fuck him up.”

“Ooh,” she nods, seemingly well versed in the statement. “Yeah that’s an Iggy Pop quote. Tom mentioned it in Rolling Stone when he was interviewed.” She sips her drink, eyes growing small over the rim. “It was just a cheap line of advice he gave Harry after he was torn up after his last breakup.”

“Wait, so he actually did say that before? Like before the other night?”

Sarah drifts her eyes up in thought, nodding. “Um hm. After him and Camille broke things off.” She shrugs, and gestures to the party exploding on the beach behind us. “Fine Line.”

I have no idea what I’m feeling. No clue what is coursing through my veins, but it’s not blood anymore. The corners of my jaw tingle until my face starts going numb, my breathing shallow and chest tight.

“You okay?”

“I uh, I gotta go.”

Sarah calls after me but I let my name die in the breeze as I march back to the crowd. It’s nearly dark now, and finding Harry among all his people will take forever. I try to look for him, but I’m so distraught I can’t concentrate long enough to make out faces. I give up and head back to his car, only to find it’s locked. The asphalt is warm on my legs as I lower down to the ground, careless to the dirt I’m getting on my clothes and the scratches on my skin.

I’m not in this position for long. Not long enough, at least. Harry rounds the corner of the bushes, speeding up when he sees me.

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

He moves to sit down beside me, but I jump up before he can.

“You’re a fucking liar.”

“Whoa! What!? What’s gotten into you lately?”

“I told you! What Tom said the other night!” I’m yelling, too loud for public, I know. But a small part of me wants someone to hear. I want to disrupt the bubble Harry lives in.

“And I told you that it was just nonsense.”

“And that’s why you’re a liar! Sarah just told me, that he said that to you after you and Camille broke up.”

“Okay...and?”

I inhale as deep as I can. It makes me dizzy, adds to my headache. “And, what the fuck am I supposed to do with that? With the knowledge that the only reason you’re even with me, is because I’m gonna fuck you up so bad you’ll get songs out of it?

“Y/n,” he pinches the bridge of his nose, “you’re taking this waaay too literally. Trust me.”

“You’re not in a position right now where I even want to trust you.”

“This has gotten completely out of control. I cannot believe you’re this upset over something so stupid.”

“Right there, Harry!” I point at him. “You keep dismissing how I feel! You don’t even care that this upsets me! That I feel like I need to reevaluate our entire relationship!”

“What is there to evaluate!? I haven’t even done anything! You’re blowing up about something that someone else said!”

“But you listened to him!”

“What,” he shrugs, “what do you want?”

“I don’t know what I want, Harry. I don’t know if I can do this.”

“Do what?” He pauses, swallowing. “Us?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, us. I can’t be with you if—if you’re just waiting around for me to ruin you emotionally.”

“You’re seriously gonna let someone else’s words do this to us? You’d break up with me because of something another person said?”

“Harry, if I break up with you it’s gonna be because of what you’ve done. I don’t care that he said it, I care that you agree to it. And quite frankly, it’s pretty insulting to Camille. You spent a part of your life with that girl, and you just capitalize off of it. I’m not gonna let you do that to me.”

“I’m not capitalizing off of anyone! What the hell am I supposed to write my songs about? I’m just supposed to not date then?”

“It’s the fact that you sought out a relationship in order to fuel your writing.”

“No, y/n, that’s not what I did.” He narrows his eyes at me, and even in the dark I can see his anger. “I sought you out because I was devastated after me and her broke up. You were only supposed to be a rebound.”

I feel like the wind’s been knocked out of me. The music overhead blurs into noise scraping my eardrum, my vision grows weak and foggy. He wanted to hurt me, and he did.

“I expect a thank you when you release your next album.” I spin on my heel and head towards the main road, yanking my phone from my pocket to call an uber. For the second time tonight, my name trails behind me in the wind. I can hear Harry’s steps pick up, and as fast as I walk, he still catches me.

“Y/n, please, let’s go back to the hotel. You can hate me and not talk to me, but please don’t leave.”

I ignore him, trying to set up my ride. “Where the hell are we?”

He glances at my phone, and I can tell he considers keeping the answer to himself, so he can keep me to himself. He drops his voice, much weaker than before. “Carbon Beach. Canyon road.”

Ten minutes.

“Y/n—”

“I am not interested in discussing this with you.”

“I’m so sorry. I—I was mad and was just trying to win the argument. Whichever way I could.”

“Congratulations on your win.”

“Y/n, please, honey. I don’t want to lose you.” He drags his hands down his face, keeping his palms dug into his eyes. When he lets them drop, there are tears spilling down his cheeks. “I can’t lie and say you weren’t, but yes you were a rebound for me, but that went away. Literally weeks after we started dating. I care about you so much. I wouldn’t drag you to every show and event I have if I didn’t. I’m so proud to call you mine. The last thing you are to me is—is just grounds for my writing.”

I stare out across the road. A jeep speeds by and the gush of wind it brings sends chills down my arms.

“Harry, I just...it’s a lot. You’re a lot. Your life is a lot.” I sigh and slowly turn to face him. “It feels like the significance of us being in each other’s lives are so different.”

He kicks a rock across the road, dust flying up around us. “Fuck. Y/n I’m begging—”

“They’re here.” I nod to the headlights approaching us.

“Baby, please.”

“I think I need to be alone right now.” I get in the backseat. “Enjoy your party.”

***

I text him when I’m back at the hotel, having nowhere else to go. I didn’t think my plan of leaving through, because he’ll come back here before the night’s over. But I’m hoping he’ll stay away for a bit, long enough for me to process everything at least.

Deep down I know there’s not as much to the comment as I thought. And Harry’s not that type of guy. But the lack of concern over my feelings...the fact that I was just used as a warm body while he got over Camille...that’s what hurts the most.

There’s a fine line between being sorry because you’ve been called out, and truly being sorry. How sorry can he be when he got what he wanted? Even if I’m not what he envisioned past a few quick fucks, he still comes out on top happy.

I feel like the lifestyle these people live is embedded with secret codes, all of which I’m not wired to pick up on. The money, the mistakes, the adoration... Everything is a lot, and playing catch up is nearly impossible.

I don’t get the alone time I’d wished for. There are curses and clicks of the doorknob right before Harry comes in. He stands at the entrance, staring at me on the lounge chair like he’s unsure if I’m real.

“Wasn’t sure you’d come back here.”

“Where else can I go?” I nod to his phone in his hand. “I texted you.”

“I was driving.”

I sigh, flinching when he turns the lights on. “I know you wanna talk, but I don’t even know what to say.”

“You don’t have to,” he says, dropping his keys on a table to come sit beside me. “I’ll talk though.” He inhales, holding his breath for a second before forcing the air out. “I know that me saying I’m sorry means shit to you right now. And to be honest, it probably is coming from me...in a way. You’re right about everything. And whatever you’re feeling, once you figure that out, you’re valid about that too.”

“How would you feel if you were only meant to be temporary in my life? You never mentioned why you were interested in me in the beginning. And no, I never would have gone out with you had I known. I would never want to be someone’s rebound. There’s just something sneaky about that.”

His head drops into his hands, and his shoulders shake right before I hear him cry. “I know, I—I get so caught up in myself sometimes. I’m such a fucking prick.” When he looks up, his eyes are burnt red, glassy and defeated. “I don’t deserve you, and I really don’t deserve anyone.”

“Harry,” I chastise, not expecting the downward spiral he’s ventured onto.

“I swear I care about you. I want you to be happy, and I want to make you happy. I don’t want to be the one to treat you this way. Ever.”

I inhale as deep as I can, holding my breath until it hurts. “I know.” I take his hand in mine. “And I know your heart, and I know you care about me. I—” I sigh, “I’m not comfortable with...just forgetting all of this though. I can forgive you, but I think we need to take a couple steps back. I’ve gotten so swept up in your life and your world, I’m losing my own.”

He nods slowly, accepting my words with a pained face.

“I care about you too.”

He looks up for the first time, catching the last few tears with the back of his hand. “I know you do.”

I offer a small smile and lean in to kiss his cheek. His eyes fall closed, and blindly he turns to press his lips to mine. Our kiss is salty and urgent.

“What did you say to everyone when you left?”

He frowns in thought, like the memory is too far away. “Nothing. Jumped in my car and prayed this is where you’d be.”

I take his hand and pull us both to our feet. “We should go to bed. It’s been a long night. Too long.”

We’re quiet and slow as we shed our clothes and brush our teeth, slipping into bed around two a.m.. Harry doesn’t waste a second in pulling me into his warm chest, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug that has me burying my face into his neck.

We lay there, silent, but when I know I don’t have much longer before sleep overcomes me, I kiss his shoulder, whispering how much I love him before I close my eyes.

[that-blue-vault-dweller]

Companions and sole making and launching fireworks? Their fun explosions!

Amazing idea and thank you for the request, anon!!! 🥰

Also, on a related note, it turns out that listening to Martina McBride's "Independence Day" on repeat seems to really inspire one to write Fourth of July stuff. 💙💛

Cait - Absolutely loves it and actually has a several tips on how to make explosives out of just a few ingredients. They both quickly manage to rig some fireworks together, and Cait cannot keep the grin off of her face as she helps F!Sole start to set them all off. When they hurry out of the line of fire, the explosives go up high in the sky, bursting into beautiful colors. F!Sole squeezes Cait's shoulder, letting her hand rest on the redhead's arm, and Cait reciprocates the gesture. They both are having way too much fun watching the big booms.

Piper - Is exceedingly enthusiastic about the idea. She knows how to rig some firecrackers, but does not know much about making actual fireworks. However, she is more than willing to help her Blue make them, and she is prattling on about all the different times that she had pranked people by putting firecrackers in strange places. When it is time to set them off, she is eagerly helping F!Sole and they both step back to watch the results of their efforts. Piper is almost breathless and is totally speechless as she stares at the gorgeous sparks in the sky. She puts her arm around her best friend, resting her head on her shoulder as she just enjoys the moment.

Curie - Is practically bouncing with excitement as she tells F!Sole the best combinations to create relatively safe yet very effective explosives. F!Sole does most of the putting together, but Curie has enough excitement to count for the both of them. When they finally get to watch them go off in the night, Curie hugs F!Sole tightly in the midst of her pure excitement, her eyes large as she gapes at the show. It is indeed a wonderful show.

MacCready - Looks like a kid in a candy store as he eyes all of the explosives that F!Sole is arranging. By the time it is night, he is practically beside himself with the excitement of it all, and he eagerly helps her set them off. As soon as the explosions start, he is laughing like a madman and he asks F!Sole quickly if they can do this more often.

Deacon - As long as it is not around Railroad HQ or any safehouses, he is perfectly fine with it and actually loves them. He's not a fan of the noise and how much attention they bring, but he thinks that the beauty of them is worth it. He actually knows a little about putting them together and he helps her throw together some interesting combos. They almost are in the line of fire when they ignite them, but they manage to escape mostly unscathed. As they're lying on the ground from where they had to throw themselves down and out of the way, he is just grinning ridiculously.

Codsworth - Is absolutely thrilled to be partaking and recreating something from Pre-War times. He is beyond excited and offers to help her in any way he can with setting them up, despite the fact that he knows absolutely nothing about making fireworks. When she is ready to ignite them, he assists her with that excitedly. When they go off, it gives him a true sense of satisfaction and contentment. They may live in a wasteland, but some traditions will always stay with them.

Hancock - Has never felt more patriotic in his life, and he eagerly takes notes of everything that F!Sole does when she is making the fireworks. He very excitedly helps her as much as he can during the process of making them and he enthusiastically helps her ignite them as well. When they finish and the explosions go off, he has a giant smile that just won't go away. He will definitely be taking advantage of fireworks for future Goodneighbor events.

Danse - Is somewhat worried about the dangers that these sorts of explosions may pose, so he makes sure to stay in his power armor while he and F!Sole are working. He strongly recommends that she gets in her power armor as well, but if she turns him down, he just resolves to grab her and shield her if something goes wrong. He does the best he can to help considering that he is in his power armor and his hands are much bigger than when he usually works on things. When it is time to set them off, he offers to do it for her, but they both end up doing it together. When they are blasting in the sky, he takes off his helmet slowly, just staring up at the sparks. He is completely flabbergasted and amazed.

Preston - Insists that they do the fireworks show at the Castle so the other minutemen can see. He also likes the patriotic feel of the location. While he does not know how to make fireworks, he catches on pretty quickly, and he gladly helps her with every aspect of the process. When the fireworks are in the sky, exploding in tons of stunning colors, he just stares, completely baffled by the beauty before him. He feels such a sense of hope when he sees them, and he then knows that they need to make fireworks more often.

Valentine - Greatly enjoys helping F!Sole with setting the fireworks up and setting them of. He likes the happiness that it brings to her, and he himself enjoys the nostalgia of it all. He easily finds many instances that the old Nick Valentine had watched fireworks and he had also inherited the old Nick Valentine's love for fireworks. When they get to ignite the fireworks, they both just stand there and watch. They soon end up sharing stories of past Independence Days gone by, recollecting the fireworks shows of Pre-War times.

X6-88 - Does not particularly enjoy the overwhelming noise and the attention that it is going to bring to their position. But he goes along with it for her sake. He does not help her, but he will assist in setting them off if she insists. When they start to explode in the sky, he is somewhat enamored. He does not say anything, but he is indeed paying quite a bit of attention to the show.

Dogmeat - Eagerly sits near her and looks at what she is doing. He senses that she is excited about whatever it is, so he feels pretty enthusiastic about the entire thing, too. Even if he doesn't understand totally. However, when she starts setting them off, he is a little less enthusiastic. He's not afraid at all, but he does not particularly enjoy how loud the noises are in the sky. But she seems happy, so he just gladly leans against her and enjoys her petting him.

Strong - Does not understand what she is doing, but when she tells him that it makes big booms, he is thrilled. He doesn't help her put them together, but when it comes time to set them off, he starts igniting them and throwing them up in the air as far as he can chuck them. When they explode, he is laughing heartily and having the time of his life. This is now his most favorite thing to do besides fighting.