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aspenmissing · 3 days ago

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Okay. This one is specific and hyper indulgent. This past week (last Friday to today) I've worked 70 something hours. With two fourteen hour days back to back on days lol

Could we have some sweetness from Arcane boys for an overworked s/o who's in healthcare (working with folks with intellectual disabilities. If you don't want to get that specific I don't blame you, and a generic 'medic' of sorts would be fine, too)

ʀᴇꜱᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴇᴀʀʏ

ᴊᴀʏᴄᴇ | ᴠɪᴋᴛᴏʀ | ᴊᴀʏᴠɪᴋ | ᴠᴀɴᴅᴇʀ | ꜱɪʟᴄᴏ | ᴄʟᴀɢɢᴏʀ || ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ/ᴄᴏᴍꜰᴏʀᴛ/ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ-ɪꜱʜ || 3714 ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ || ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: ʙᴜʀɴᴏᴜᴛ, ᴏᴠᴇʀᴡᴏʀᴋɪɴɢ, ɴᴇᴀʀ ꜰᴀɪɴᴛɪɴɢ

ʀᴇQᴜᴇꜱᴛ ᴀɴꜱᴡᴇʀ: ʏᴀʀɴ! ᴍʏ ᴅᴇᴀʀ, ʏᴏᴜ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ʙᴇ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ʀᴇꜱᴛ ᴡʜᴇɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ! ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴇꜱᴇʀᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴏᴜɴᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇꜱᴛ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴡʜᴀᴛ ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴄᴏᴍꜰᴏʀᴛ ᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ <3

JAYCE

Y/N had always been the kind of person who pushed through. She had to be. Working in healthcare, caring for those with intellectual disabilities, was more than a job—it was a calling. But lately, it felt like the weight of the world had settled on her shoulders, refusing to budge.

Long shifts bled into sleepless nights, and exhaustion settled into her bones like a second skin. She barely had time to eat, let alone rest, and Jayce had noticed. How could he not? The dark circles under her eyes, the way her hands trembled when she tried to hold a pen, the distant look in her gaze when she thought no one was watching—it all worried him.

Jayce had never been one to sit idly by when someone he loved was hurting. And he loved her. He loved her in ways he couldn't put into words, but if there was one thing he knew for certain, it was this—he wasn’t going to let her burn herself out.

So when she stumbled through the door after another grueling shift, her coat barely making it onto the hook before she collapsed onto the couch, Jayce knew he had to intervene.

Y/N groaned softly, rubbing her temples as she lay sprawled across the cushions. Her entire body felt like lead. Just the thought of moving again made her want to cry.

Jayce crouched beside her, his warm hand brushing against her cheek. "Y/N," he murmured, his voice filled with concern.

She hummed in response, her eyes fluttering open just enough to meet his gaze. The sight of him, so soft and worried, made her chest ache.

"Have you eaten today?" he asked, his voice soft but firm.

She hesitated. That was answer enough.

Jayce sighed, shaking his head. "You can’t keep doing this to yourself."

She let out a tired laugh. "It’s fine, Jayce. I just need a little—" A yawn interrupted her words. "—a little rest."

"No," he said gently but firmly. "You need a break. A real one. Not just a ten-minute nap before you push yourself into another shift."

She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. "I don’t have time for a break."

"You don’t have time not to take care of yourself," he countered, his thumb brushing over her cheek. His touch was grounding, but it also made the guilt rise in her chest. "What if you get sick? What if you collapse in the middle of your shift?"

"They need me," she whispered.

Jayce’s jaw clenched, his expression softening even more as he leaned in closer. "And I need you," he said, voice barely above a breath. "You take care of everyone else, but who's taking care of you?"

She swallowed hard, staring at him like she wasn’t sure how to answer that. Because the truth was—she hadn’t thought about it.

Jayce ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly before standing up. He didn’t give her room to argue as he gently took her hand, coaxing her up from the couch. "Come on," he said, his voice softer now. "Let’s go to bed. You can sleep in tomorrow, and I’m making you breakfast. No arguing."

"Jayce, I can’t just—"

"Yes, you can," he interrupted, unwavering. "You deserve rest. You deserve to be taken care of too."

Her resolve wavered. Maybe it was the exhaustion, or maybe it was the warmth of his hand wrapped around hers, but she let him pull her into his embrace.

She melted against him, burying her face in his chest as he held her close. His arms were strong, steady, the kind of warmth that made her feel safe. He pressed a lingering kiss to the top of her head, and for the first time in what felt like weeks, she let herself breathe.

VIKTOR

The apartment was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single lamp casting long shadows against the walls. Y/N barely had the energy to remove her coat as she stepped inside, her shoulders slumping under the weight of exhaustion. Her limbs felt like lead, her mind hazy from another grueling shift. Healthcare was rewarding, but it was also relentless. The long hours, the emotional toll of caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities, the paperwork—there was never enough time, and yet, she pushed through.

The soft clink of metal against the wooden floor echoed through the quiet space, pulling her from her thoughts. Viktor stood at the end of the hall, his cane in hand, concern evident in his golden eyes. He didn't say a word at first, simply watching her as if assessing the full extent of her weariness.

“You’re home late,” he finally murmured, stepping forward with a slight limp. “Again.”

Y/N let out a breathy chuckle, though it lacked any real amusement. “Yeah. I know.”

She turned to hang her coat, but before she could, Viktor gently reached for her wrist, his touch featherlight yet firm. “Come sit,” he said softly, guiding her toward the couch. He was careful, mindful of the way her body sagged with exhaustion.

She didn’t resist. She couldn’t. The moment she settled onto the cushions, the weight of the day threatened to pull her under completely. Viktor knelt beside her, his cane resting against the couch, his hands finding hers. He traced slow, deliberate circles against her palm, grounding her.

“You do too much,” he whispered. It wasn’t an accusation, merely an observation, spoken with the quiet concern of someone who knew her far too well.

“I have to,” Y/N replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “They need me.”

“And I don’t?” Viktor tilted his head, lips twitching with something unreadable. “Because I do. More than you know.”

Her breath hitched at the sincerity in his tone. Guilt gnawed at her edges, but before she could argue, Viktor lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss against her knuckles.

“I am proud of you,” he admitted, his voice raw with emotion. “You have the heart of a saint, but even saints must rest.”

A lump formed in her throat. “Viktor, I—”

“Shh.” He shook his head, reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Let me take care of you tonight.”

For the first time in weeks, Y/N allowed herself to let go. She melted against Viktor as he guided her to lie down, resting her head in his lap as his fingers threaded gently through her hair. The steady rhythm of his touch, the warmth of his presence—it was enough to quiet the storm inside her, if only for a little while.

“You can’t keep going like this.” Viktor murmured, his brow furrowing slightly as he gazed down at her. He brushed his fingers gently over her cheek, concern laced in every touch.

Y/N exhaled, closing her eyes for a moment. “I don’t have a choice,” she muttered. “They need me.”

Viktor shook his head. “And I need you too,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “I see what this is doing to you. Let me help.”

Her breath hitched, and she felt Viktor’s fingers tighten around hers. She wasn’t alone. She had him. And maybe—just maybe—she could lean on him, if only for a little while.

JAYVIK

The apartment was dark when Y/N stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind her. It was late—too late—and exhaustion pressed against her bones like a vice. She exhaled a deep breath, rubbing at her temples as she toed off her shoes. The day had been long, draining, and thankless. She loved her job, truly, but some nights, it took everything out of her.

Her body moved on autopilot as she drifted into the kitchen, her fingers fumbling with the fridge handle. Food. Water. She needed something, anything to keep her from collapsing into bed on an empty stomach. But her hands shook, her limbs sluggish as she reached for a glass from the cupboard. She barely registered the way her grip faltered before—

Crash.

The sound of shattering glass rang through the apartment, snapping her out of her daze. Y/N blinked down at the mess, the broken shards scattered across the floor, twinkling under the dim light. Her heart thudded in her chest as frustration burned behind her tired eyes. She was too exhausted for this.

Footsteps—quick, concerned—echoed from down the hall. Viktor appeared first, his cane tapping softly against the floor as he approached, eyes wide with worry. Jayce followed close behind, his broad form shadowing the doorway.

“Drahá, what happened?” Viktor’s voice was thick with concern, his accent wrapping around the words as he immediately stepped forward. (Dear)

“Are you okay?” Jayce asked, already reaching for the broom in the corner.

Y/N let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “I—yeah. Just dropped a glass,” she mumbled, but her voice wavered, betraying her.

Viktor’s sharp gaze flickered over her, taking in the slump of her shoulders, the exhaustion in her eyes, the way she was barely keeping herself upright. He sighed, setting his cane aside carefully before placing his hands on her waist, grounding her. “You should be resting, not cleaning up broken glass at this hour.”

Jayce knelt down, sweeping up the mess without hesitation. “You’ve been overworking yourself again, haven’t you?” His tone wasn’t accusatory—just worried, just soft.

Y/N swallowed, guilt curling in her stomach. “I had to stay late. Some of my clients needed extra care today.”

Jayce huffed out a breath. “That’s always the case, isn’t it?” But there was no anger in his voice, only gentle exasperation. He stood, dumping the glass into the bin before turning back to her. “Come on, let us take care of you for once.”

Viktor tugged her closer, pressing a feather-light kiss to her temple. “Sit. I’ll make you something to eat.”

“You should be resting too,” she murmured, leaning into him despite herself.

He chuckled, a quiet, warm sound. “Ah, but I am stubborn. And you, lásko, are exhausted.” (Love)

Jayce wrapped an arm around both of them, his warmth seeping into her bones. “He’s right. You take care of everyone else—let us take care of you.”

Y/N wanted to argue, to insist she was fine. But her body betrayed her, leaning into them, melting against their touch. She sighed, finally letting the weight of the day slip from her shoulders. “Okay,” she whispered.

Viktor pressed another kiss to her hair before pulling away to start cooking. Jayce guided her to the couch, settling beside her, his hand never leaving hers.

VANDER

The streets of Zaun were quiet at this hour, the dim glow of the undercity’s lights casting long shadows as Y/N made her way back to the Last Drop. Her feet ached, her limbs felt heavy, and exhaustion settled deep into her bones, but she pressed on. She always did. The job was grueling, demanding, but she couldn’t turn away from the people who needed her—those who relied on her care, on her patience, on her unwavering presence.

By the time she reached the familiar door of the bar, the front was already closed up for the night. She slipped inside, careful not to make a sound as she locked it behind her and made her way toward the living area. The soft sound of Vi’s breathing, the occasional sleepy murmur from Powder, and the quiet shifting of Mylo and Claggor let her know that the kids were all safe and asleep.

Relief should have settled in her chest, but instead, the weight of the day threatened to crush her. Her legs barely carried her to the couch before she sank down onto it, head in her hands as she tried to steady herself.

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.

It didn’t help.

Her vision blurred as hot tears slipped down her cheeks, silent at first, then shaking sobs wracked her frame. She had been holding it in for so long—every frustration, every overwhelming moment, every pang of guilt for feeling like she wasn’t doing enough.

She didn’t even notice the soft creak of floorboards until a warm, familiar presence settled beside her. Strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close, and the scent of smoke and leather surrounded her.

“Y/N,” Vander’s voice was rough with sleep, gentle with concern. “What’s wrong, love?”

She couldn’t answer, not at first. She just buried her face against his chest, hands clutching at his shirt as if he was the only thing keeping her from shattering completely. And maybe he was.

He didn’t rush her, didn’t push for words. He simply held her, one hand stroking slow, soothing circles on her back while the other cradled the back of her head.

“You’re workin’ yourself too hard again,” he murmured after a long silence, pressing a kiss to her temple. “You can’t keep doin’ this to yourself.”

She shook her head against him. “They need me, Vander,” she whispered, voice raw. “I can’t just stop.”

“They need you, yeah. But so do I. So do the kids.” He pulled back just enough to cup her face, wiping away the tears with his calloused thumbs. “And you can’t help anyone if you run yourself into the ground.”

She let out a shuddering breath, her body finally beginning to relax against him. She knew he was right, even if the guilt still gnawed at her. But in this moment, with his arms wrapped around her, she allowed herself to let go—just for tonight.

“C’mere,” Vander murmured, shifting so he could pull her fully onto his lap, tucking her against him like she was something precious. “Rest, love. I got you.”

And for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to believe it.

SILCO

The dim glow of the flickering lamp cast long shadows across Silco’s office, illuminating the stacks of paperwork that awaited his attention. He sighed, rolling his sleeves up as he stepped inside, feeling the familiar weight of exhaustion settle onto his shoulders. But the moment he did, his sharp gaze landed on the worn couch tucked into the corner of the room. There, curled up in exhaustion, was Y/N.

His footsteps softened as he approached, his chest tightening at the sight of her. Her uniform was slightly disheveled, the fabric creased from a day spent tirelessly tending to others. The faint scent of antiseptic clung to her, mingling with the natural warmth of her skin. A clipboard lay discarded beside her, barely hanging onto the couch, a sign that she had likely intended to work but succumbed to exhaustion before she could even begin. The dark circles beneath her eyes, the way her body seemed so small, curled up against the armrest—it all painted a picture of just how hard she had been pushing herself. His jaw tightened, irritation prickling at the back of his mind—not at her, but at the cruel reality that forced her into such relentless dedication.

Silco crouched beside her, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face with the backs of his fingers. She was always so strong, so unwavering, yet here she was, fragile in her fatigue. Y/N stirred slightly but didn’t wake, only letting out a small sigh as she unconsciously shifted toward his touch. The sight of her like this made something in his chest ache in a way he rarely allowed himself to feel.

“Why are you here?” he murmured, more to himself than to her. He had expected to find her at home, asleep in their bed, not here—drained and vulnerable, asleep in his office like some exhausted soldier who never knew when to rest.

Y/N’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice. She blinked up at him sleepily, taking in the concern that lingered in the hard lines of his face. Her lips parted, voice hoarse from sleep, “Didn’t wanna wake you.”

Silco exhaled sharply, his expression shifting into something unreadable. “You could have.”

She gave a small, tired smile. “You work too much already… thought I’d let you rest.”

Silco shook his head, taking a seat on the couch beside her. He placed a hand on her back, rubbing small, slow circles as he let out a rare sigh of frustration—not at her, but at the situation. At how much she gave to others, so much so that there was nothing left for herself. He had seen it time and time again—the way she poured every ounce of herself into her work, refusing to acknowledge the toll it took on her.

“You push yourself too hard,” he muttered.

Y/N let out a breath of amusement, her fingers weakly grasping at the fabric of his sleeve. “Takes one to know one.”

His lips twitched, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he shifted until he was settled against the couch, pulling her gently into his arms. Y/N sighed as she melted into his warmth, tucking her head beneath his chin.

Silco’s hand continued its slow movements on her back, his fingers tracing absentminded patterns. He could feel the steady rise and fall of her breath against him, her weight pressing into his side in a way that felt so utterly human. He was a man who built walls, who allowed few people close enough to see past his defences—but she was different. She had a way of slipping past his barriers without effort, of settling into the spaces he thought had long since been abandoned.

“You need rest,” he murmured against her hair, his voice softer now.

“Mm. Just for a little while.”

Silco didn’t argue, simply holding her as the weight of the day finally pulled her back into sleep. His own exhaustion crept up on him, settling behind his eyes. The flickering lamp cast a warm, golden glow over them, illuminating the rare moment of peace they shared. And for the first time that evening, he let his own eyes close as well, allowing himself to rest alongside her, if only for a little while.

CLAGGOR (AU)

Y/N sat at the kitchen table in their small apartment, staring at the glowing papers that had been scattered in front of her. The documents, full of notes and reminders, reflected the exhaustion that had been taking over her lately. Another long day at the healthcare clinic, filled with paperwork and endless tasks. People needing attention, patients needing guidance. She had been working for hours already, but there was no end in sight. The piles were only getting bigger, a mountain that seemed impossible to climb.

Her shoulders ached from the weight of the work, and her head throbbed with the onset of a headache she couldn’t seem to shake. Every day, it was the same—overworked, pushing herself to do it all because she couldn’t bear to leave anyone behind. But tonight… Tonight, she wasn’t sure if she could keep going.

“Y/N?” The familiar voice of Claggor echoed from the living room. His deep voice was tinged with concern, his usual carefree nature now clouded by the realization that something was off.

“I’m fine,” she replied, her voice faint and tired, though she wasn’t sure if she truly believed the words herself. She heard him pause before he entered the room, his footsteps slow and deliberate.

Claggor stood in the doorway, his gaze soft as it landed on her hunched figure. His hand rested gently on the frame as he leaned against it, studying her. Y/N didn’t meet his eyes, keeping her focus on the work before her.

“You’re not fine,” he murmured, stepping closer. “You’ve been at this for days, haven’t you? Don’t lie to me.”

Y/N sighed, pushing the papers aside as she finally looked up at him. “Claggor, you don’t understand. There’s so much to do. The people I work with, they need me, and if I don’t give them everything I’ve got, who will? I don’t want to let anyone down.”

Claggor's expression softened, his lips curling into a small, knowing smile. He sat down beside her, his large hand gently brushing the back of hers. “Y/N,” he said softly, “you’re one of the strongest people I know. But even the strongest need a break sometimes.”

“I don’t know how to stop,” she whispered, her voice cracking with exhaustion. “I don’t know how to rest when there’s so much to do.”

He leaned in closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into the warmth of his chest. His comforting embrace felt like a safe haven from the storm inside her. “You don’t have to do everything alone. You don’t have to push yourself past your limits. I’m here for you.”

Y/N closed her eyes, leaning into him, letting his words sink into her. “I’m just so tired, Claggor. I don’t know if I can keep going like this.”

“You don’t have to keep going like this, love,” he said, his voice steady and comforting. “You’ve already done so much. Let me help you. We can face it together.”

He reached over, pulling the papers away from the table and tossing them aside. “For tonight, you don’t need to worry about them. I’ve got you.” He brushed his fingers against her cheek, wiping away a tear that had escaped without her noticing.

Y/N turned her head, her forehead resting against his shoulder as she let out a soft, relieved sigh. “Thank you,” she whispered, her body sinking into his embrace as if it had been starved for this kind of care.

Claggor pressed a kiss to her forehead, his arms tightening around her as he whispered, “You’re my everything, Y/N. Rest now. We’ll face tomorrow together, and we’ll take it one step at a time. But tonight, just let yourself be here with me.”

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Y/N allowed herself to just be. With Claggor’s arms around her, she didn’t have to be anything more than what she was—a woman in love, in need of care, in need of rest.

And for the first time in days, she finally allowed herself to sleep, knowing that she didn’t have to carry the weight of the world alone anymore.

#Arcane #arcane fandom #arcane fluff #reader insert #jayce x reader #jayce x you #jayce talis x reader #jayce x y/n #viktor x y/n #viktor x reader #jayce x reader x viktor #viktor x you #vander x reader #silco x reader #jayvik x reader #claggor x reader #claggor x you #Au!Claggor

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angstywaifu · 2 days ago

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Black Dahlia - 35. Just Sex?

Summary: Fucking War Games.

Garrick Tavis x OC (Dahlia Aetos)

Black Dahlia Masterlist | Masterlist | Links

I can’t help but glare up at the dais. Fucking War Games. Leadership had strolled down the halls at an ungodly hour this morning, ringing bells, banging on doors, and calling for us all to dress and head to formation. Which for those who got sleep was fine. Myself on the other hand… the multiple rounds Garrick and I had gone for had left both of us with very little sleep. And by very little. I got none.

I wanted to burn the memory of me trying to scurry off Garrick, hastily dressing in my dress uniform before I’d rushed out the door only to run into Xaden who was about to knock on the door, as well as Bodhi who had been following him like a lost puppy. Bodhi who was now staring a head with a shit eating grin on his face.

”What’s up with you two? You look like you want to murder someone and Bodhi looks like you’ve given him the best gift he’s ever gotten.” Austin comments as she looks between the two of us.

”Oh because she did.” He joyfully adds as he smiles down at me. I roll my eyes, ignoring his comment.

“It’s nothing. I just didn’t sleep well.” I say dismissively, Austin looking at me like she doesn’t believe me but slowly nods.

”I hardly think Garrick is nothing.” Bodhi teases from besides me, Austin’s eyes snapping to him. I on the other hand turn and narrow my eyes at him, catching a pair of familiar hazel eyes as I do so. “Remind me where I found you this morning?”

Austin grasps my shoulder excitedly. “Holy shit, did it happen?”

”Oh it definitely did.” Liz says happily as she pokes her head around Austin.

”For fucks sake, yes. Now keep your voices down.” I hiss at them as I turn my attention back to the front where leadership and wing leaders are talking.

”So are you two like together?” Bodhi whispers to me as he leans closer.

I shove him away jokingly. “It was just sex.”

Bodhi looks shocked at my words, looking between me and where I know Garrick stands. I don’t dare meet Garrick’s eyes though. I know if I do I’ll want to drag him away at figure out what the fuck we were now. And maybe go another round or two. Two weeks ago he’d essentially broken my heart even though I’d never given it to him. Then he’d come and defended me against my father like I meant something to him. And then I’d thrown caution to the wind and kissed him. Let him consume me, and give into the tension that had been there for the better part of the year. Though the few words we had spoken indicated this was more than just sex. But how much more I wasn’t sure. ”

I don’t think it was just sex, for either of you.” Bodhi states as he turns his attention back to me. “I might have only known you a year Dahlia, but I’ve never seen you like this. Go tell him.”

I look over and see Garrick looking directly at me. His hazel eyes piercing into mine, as if trying to read my thoughts, see what’s going on inside my head. I should hate him. Should want nothing to do with him after everything that had happened in the last year. But I didn’t. I wanted that handsome asshole more than anything. I wanted to leap into the unknown and see where the hell it took me. See what this could be, even if it meant getting hurt again.

”We have War Games to win first.” I tell Bodhi as I turn my head to look at him. “Let’s see if we survive that first before diving into my questionable love life.” A/N: And don't worry, I'm not that cruel to leave you hanging for a week. Post War Games coming tomorrow.

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess @taliyahvermillion @xadenswhore @fenixyrie @lagrandeourse @hellodarling1357 @iambored24601 @thegiftofacreativemind @fanfictionjunkie1112 @mysticalfuncollectorus

#fourth wing #fourth wing fanfic #the fourth wing #garrick tavis #fourth wing imagine #the empyrean #garrick tavis imagine #garrick tavis x reader #fourth wing x reader #garrick tavis x oc #garrick tavis x dahlia aetos #dahlia aetos #black dahlia #bodhi fourth wing #bodhi durran

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lesmiix · 1 day ago

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Can I ask for hyun-ju with a rich girlfriend like her girlfriend is slightly outta touch due to the insane amount of money she has

One Shot: Dirty Cash

Hyun-ju x Fem!reader.

Summary: You work at a very famous modeling agency around the world, which pays you a huge amount of money and you have a very high status. Hyun-ju still doesn't understand how you two are girlfriends.

Warnings: None

a/n: Sorry for taking so long to make this!!!😭 I've been quite busy, but hope you guys like it!!! English's not my first language so there may be some grammatical or spelling errors.

💗HYUN-JU REQUESTS ARE OPEN💗

You've been sleeping terribly these past few nights, waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep. You'd spend all night awake, reading a book, waiting for sleep to come over you.

Today, you had a terrible day, you were at work and your co-worker asked you to go out for dinner; ofc, you didn't want to, besides,, you already planned with Hyun Ju that you would go to dinner together, so you told him that you were busy. He started insisting, trying to convince you to go with him.

"Damn, come on, I can take you to dinner at places a thousand times more expensive than that girlfriend of yours can!"

You started to get on your nerves, you really hated the way some people looked down on your girlfriend because of her financial status.

"Hey David, listen, my girl does everything she can for me, alright? And she treats me way better than you could ever treat a woman, so fuck off." You replied as you walked towards your office desk, picking up some folders and your laptop.

"And I'm more than happy with paying for whatever my girlfriend wants." You said while taking your bag and leaving your office.

So now you were in bed, with your girlfriend beside you, sleeping peacefully after an amazing date. You got up, trying not to wake her up. You walked towards the kitchen, mind too blurry to think about what happended at work.

You came across the mirror in the hallway and you looked at yourself for a few seconds, noticing some hickeys on your neck. A giggle left your lips, remembering what happened just a couple of hours ago. Oh, that woman drove you crazy.

When you got to the kitchen, you grabbed a glass of water and took a sip, feeling the liquid go down your throat. You noticed a bill of about 50$ on the counter, you forgot you had to give them to David, as he bought you a luminous crystal ball for Vaneltine's day. A soft sigh left your lips, remembering that you had to see your co-woerker again tomorrow.

"What was that sigh for?" You slightly choked from fright. Damn military habits. Your girlfriend chuckled a bit while wrapping her strong arms around you. She was wearing some light grey sweatpants and a black bra, which made you slighly blush.

"It's nothing, don't worry." You muttered while leaving a peak on her lips. "Go back to sleep, my love, you have to go to work tomorrow."

"Is it about David again?" She asked, knowing all the times he asked you out.

You sighed again, frustrated at remembering David's attitudes towards you.

"Yeah, he's just... annoying, I don't know what else to do to make him give up." You groaned, hoping that your answer from before has put him in his place.

"Sweetheart, don't you think you'd be better with him?" She asked, burying her face in your neck.

"What do you mean?" You asked, slowly caressing her hair.

"Is just, I think you'd be happier with him. He could give you anything you wanted, he could give you really expensive gifts and take you out for dinner to fancy restaurants. I can't give you any of that and it's not fair that you're always the one paying for all my bills and surgeries." She answered, softly pulling away from you. "I feel like I'm taking advantage of you".

You looked at her in a slight shock. You? Be better with anyone but her? Please.

"Are you kidding? Do you really think I'd rather be with that idiot than be with you? I pay you for the surgeries because I want to, I want to see you happy, to be yourself. I don't care if you can't give me expensive gifts, I'm delighted to have you by my side, and that's enough for me, okay? I want you."

"But-"

"Haven't I already shown you a few hours ago how much I want you? Or do you need me to remind you again?" You teased, playing with the hem of her sweatpants. "Let's show David how much my girl cares about me." You said, folding the 50$ that were on the counter and putting it between her breasts.

"Idiot" She murmured as she followed you to your bedroom.

#cho hyun ju #cho hyunju x reader #hyun ju squid game #hyun ju x reader #hyunju #player 120 #player 120 x reader #squid game #squidgame x reader

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eyesof-kkomi · 14 hours ago

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Emergency Valentine

Emergency Valentine - Zayne

This is the first time I write a Love and Deepspace fic. My idea is, it's Valentine's day. As they were both busy on that day, so they both agree to have simple dinner together after work and have a reservation for romantic dinner. MC has finished her work early, so she waited for him to finish their work.

(Note: author is sleep deprived in between night shifts, so…)

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Emergency Valentine - Zayne

It was Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day had never been anything special to Zayne, but this year, he had made plans. A quiet dinner tomorrow—just the two of them. First time everything together always made his heart melt.

But then Zayne distinct hospital's ringtone rang - He had been called in for emergency surgery at the last minute. Right when MC had just arrived, sat down, and carrying warm cooked meals, hot cocoa, and assortments of their favourite macaroons.

Zayne shot an apologetic glance to her and pinching his nose bridge.

"It's 5 years old kid with protocore syndrome and recent MVA accident-"

"It's okay Zayne, no need to explain. Do your job well. I will be waiting"

"Promise that I will be quick and do it well, don't wait for me to start eating so you won't get sick."

MC just smiled reassuringly and waved at him dashed through the door"

MC understood, of course. They both had mutual understanding the nature of each others' job.

But surgery took longer than expected.

She had meant to stay awake, but exhaustion settled in, the warm air lulling her into a deep sleep on his sofa.

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Guilt. Guilt. Guilt.

By the time Zayne returned, it was almost midnight. But the patient had pulled through. Has she left yet? The room had already dark. Good for her, he hoped she could get rest properly at home.

He put down his ID card on table and about to collapse onto his sofa with tired sigh, until he saw her.

There, curled up on the sofa, was MC.

His gaze swept over the scene—food containers neatly placed on the table, untouched. A set of macaroons still neatly wrapped with ribbon. A thermos of hot cocoa and two clean sets of mugs. Her bag rested on her foot, her coat draped loosely over her shoulders, and she hugged a snowman plushie.

She had waited.

Zayne’s lips parted slightly, as if about to say something—though to no one in particular.

Instead, he walked over, crouching beside her.

A small crease formed between his brows. Her breathing seemed uneven.

Carefully, he reached out, the back of his fingers brushing against her cheek.

…Warm.

Zayne’s expression shifted.

Without hesitation, he pressed a hand lightly to her forehead. Too hot.

He took out a thermometer, the reading beeped at 39.5 C. A fever.

He moved quickly to set up IV and medicines. Blankets. He adjusted the room temperature, turning on the heater for good measure.

She barely stirred.

Zayne pulled up a chair beside her, arms resting on his knees as he watched her carefully.

His fingers curled slightly.

She had waited, in the cold, without eating. That was probably why her fever had worsened.

A quiet sigh left his lips.

Now he waited. And regularly checked her ear temperature.

"Zayne…?"

She woke half an hour later, blinking groggily.

"How's the kid?"

“You’re awake,” he noted, voice even.

"He's okay now but we still need careful observation on PICU." He paused, "But I seemed to get another new patient admission."

He reached over, pressing the back of his hand against her forehead again. Still warm, but slightly better.

She let out a small, weak chuckle.

"He's okay now. But I seemed to get another new patient admission"

“Did I fall asleep…?”

“You have a fever,” Zayne said simply. He proceeded to take out warmed foods from microwave and put down on table."

She gave a small, sheepish chuckle. “I just wanted to wait for you.” “You should have eaten first.”

She opened her mouth, but before she could argue, he blowed air and lifted a spoonful of warm soup to her lips.

“Eat, my love.” he said gently.

A pause. Then, she smiled.

He was always like this—quietly taking care of her in ways that truly mattered.

She let him feed her, her body relaxing with the warmth of the meal.

He measured her temperature once again, it had gone down.

"How do you feel? Any nausea or stomach discomfort"

She shaked her head. " I'm alright now, thanks to Zayne and doctor Zayne."

Zayne smiled softly. "I bet you skipped lunch during your mission today. You should take care of yourself well."

After a while, he spoke again.

“I’m taking you home.”

His fingers lightly brushed against her forehead again, checking her temperature. Still warm.

His voice was softer this time.

“You’ll recover faster with me.”

Her heart fluttered.

She reached out, lacing her fingers through his.

“You feel guilty, don’t you?”

Zayne didn’t answer immediately. He simply squeezed her hand.

"If you get sick, I feel like I get sick too", Zayne said sheepisly while looked away.

“Tomorrow, we’ll have dinner. I promise. If you had recovered, of course.” He brought her hand and kissed it.

She smiled, squeezing his hand back.

“Okay. Tomorrow. We have all the time in the world together.”

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I still have ideas for other LIs, maybe I will upload it once I've finished edited it.

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#love and deepspace x reader #love and deepspace zayne #love and deepspace #love and deepspace fics #lnds #lnds zayne #zayne lnd #zayne #lads #lads zayne #zayne lads #zayne love and deepspace #tender love

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lonely-ey3s · 1 day ago

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With All My Love : Chapter 13 | road trip - part one

Chapter 13 : Road Trip pt. 1

Pairings: joel miller x f!reader (no outbreak)

Word count: 11.5k

Chapter Summary: After your engagement party you struggle to understand how you feel. However, after meeting with your therapist a couple times, Joel thinks a road trip would do you all good.

Chapter warnings: Chapter warnings: SMUT (18+ MDNI), public-ish sex, unprotected piv, anxiety, flashbacks of traumatic memories, mentions of PTSD anxiety, mentions of thoughts of unaliving, FLUFF, joel being an absolute lover, soft!joel, possessive!joel use of Spanish but with translations, use of y/n, and therapy session.

a/n: requests are open! please send prompts or things you would like to see more of!

Dividers by: @saradika-graphics

Main Masterlist

Joel woke up before you that next morning, finding you still wrapped in his arms, sleeping peacefully. Your facial features relaxed, a small smile etched into your lips, nothing harming you in your sweet dreams.

He turned his head and looked at the time, seeing it was close to 10 am.

He gently kissed your head and stroked your cheek which caused you to make a hum in your sleep and turn off of him, cuddling up to the pillow as you turned around, staying deep in sleep.

He took that opportunity to get up and get some sweats and a t-shirt on before coming over and kissing your cheek, stroking your hair back, whispering, “I’m just going to make some calls downstairs… I’ll be back.” he kissed your cheek again as you sleepily nodded and smiled, “Ok cowboy…” you said heavy with sleep.

He brushed your hair back and then grabbed his phone from the nightstand and headed down the stairs dialing Diane’s number, Sarah and Elena were already up and cooking breakfast.

Within a few rings, Diane answered, “Diane speaking…”

Joel cleared his throat, “Mornin’ Diane, it’s Joel Miller, how are you?”

Diane smiled, “Joel, it’s so good to hear from you. I hear congratulations are in order!”

Joel smiled softly and chuckled, “Yes, thank you. I uh… I was wondering if I could talk to you however about somethin’ else, do you have a few moments to talk?”

Elena saw him coming down the stairs and went to greet him when she saw he was on the phone and looked at him, holding up the pan she was cooking with, nonverbally asking if he wanted any, he nodded and smiled, walking into the living room, sitting on the couch.

“I uhm, I know Y/N doesn’t have another session with you for another week but I think she may need an emergency session, we had an incident last night that may have knocked her back a few steps.” Joel held the bridge of his nose between his fingers as he explained your mental state, still feeling frustrated by it.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I appreciate you reaching out and would love to fit her for an emergency session today or tomorrow. What happened if you don’t mind me asking?” Diane asked softly.

Joel sighed softly and thanked her before explaining the chain of events. He also explained more in-depth where you seemed to be mentally, how you were anxiously telling yourself you were too much for him and worried that mentality could make you depressed or even potentially suicidal if it continued without intervention.

Diane agreed and said that was a concern of hers too after hearing how you were. She offered to see you sooner rather than later and said she had some time this evening to see you, said it would be best for him to come with, and depending on what you wanted, he could sit in the session or not, but she wanted him there in case anything happened with triggers. He agreed and said he would bring you to her office at 4 pm.

Joel ended the call and sat on the couch for a moment, thinking what he needed to do from now until then, he looked at his phone and dialed Tommy’s number as he said he’d call him this morning.

It rang a few times then Tommy picked up, “Hey, how’s she doing?”

Joel cleared his throat, “Still in bed but she’s ok. I just got off the phone with Diane, she’s worried about some things she said when I got into bed last night and is getting her in for a session later today.”

Tommy sighed softly, “What did she say? Is she going to be ok?” he worried he did something more than just trigger you. He knew the fragility of someone’s mental and emotional state once they got home and worried somehow he set something a lot bigger.

“She was sayin’ things like how she was too much, how she’s a burden. She kept apologizin’ too… like somehow her reaction to the trauma she went through was her fault.” he said softly, feeling anxiety creep into his mind now, “What if I’m not enough Tommy? What if she needs more than what I can give her?” Joel said quietly, almost close to a whisper.

“Joel, you’re kidding right? If you aren’t enough for her, then what does that make me for Maria? You are ten times the man I am… you move mountains for that girl, you’d rearrange the constellations and planets for her if it made her smile. You can’t seriously think you aren’t enough. You…” he sighed softly and chuckled, “Joel, she looks at you when you aren’t lookin’ like you molded the moon to hang for her in the night sky. She was lookin’ at you yesterday with every ounce of love that woman possesses in her heart… you’re it for her. Now you’ve got that ring on her finger, she’d go down to the courthouse in a matter of seconds if it meant becoming your wife. You never have to worry about bein’ enough.” he said bluntly.

Joel lightly chuckled and put his head in his hand, leaning on his knee, “I just always worry I’m not doin’ enough, you know?”

Tommy tsked and chuckled, “I constantly feel the same way. We are though, we just need to start believin’ it.”

Joel nodded and looked up at the wall in front of him, it had a photo of you, him, and Sarah hanging from one of her soccer games which made his heart warm and made him smile, “Anyway… I need to get back to things but I’ll keep you and Maria posted throughout the next couple of days. Maybe we can have you over for dinner or something, yeah?”

Tommy smiled and nodded, “We’d like that.”

Joel softly took in a breath and told his brother goodbye, sitting on the couch a moment longer before getting up and heading back upstairs with two plates of food that Elena had made for you two.

Joel had woken you up and made sure you were fed but after you had eaten you went back to sleep after taking a shower, the events of the last few days and especially last night wearing down on you.

Around 3 pm Joel softly woke you up and told you he got you an appointment with Diane to help with what happened last night but he needed you to wake up so you could get there on time.

You slowly got up, getting dressed in some oversized jeans, in a vintage sports pullover of Joel’s, and doing your hair up in a messy bun. The goal was to be comfy and get through the rest of the day.

To be completely honest you weren’t only sleeping because you were exhausted, you slept because it avoided the growing panic attack you felt growing inside your mind, feeling at any moment you were going to explode.

Elena said she’d stay another night to help out so that he wouldn’t have to worry about Sarah or the house when he got back. You two could focus on what you needed as she assumed this session would take a lot out of you that already was low and fragile.

Joel held onto your hand as he drove to Diane’s office across town, you focused on counting stop signs while he drove, trying to distract yourself.

He didn’t push conversation or try to talk, he knew you had a lot going through your head as he saw how quickly your eyes would move from one thing to another, how you were starting to pick at your cuticles again, and your knee would bounce when you sat still. He put the radio on low and let the music fill the air. Occasionally gently squeezing your hand or pulling it to his lips to gently kiss it as he drove.

He pulled into her parking lot, shut off the truck and turned to look your way, “Do you need a minute? We are here a little early if you need some time…” he gently ran his thumb over the top of your hand.

You looked at the office doors and shook your head, you knew you were safe there, you knew that Diane’s office was somewhere you could seek help in times like this when your mind wouldn’t stop.

“I’m ok. I think I’d like to go in now… sit down for a moment.” you said quietly, keeping your eyes on the door, reading the address and phone number on the door over and over again, not letting yourself think about anything else.

Joel nodded and leaned over, kissing your temple gently, “Ok mi vida, one sec, I’ll come ‘round and get your door…” he opened the truck door and was careful to close it gently, then walked around and got your door, holding out his hand.

You were staring at the door still, reading the numbers and spelling the street out letter by letter in your mind, your lips moving but not saying anything.

Joel looked at you then followed your eye line to the door, seeing what was on the door then looked back at you, “1124 Teterbeen Street, Suite B, what’s the phone number baby?”

You looked at him for a moment and saw his hand out, his big brown eyes eager to help you. You took his hand and got out of the truck, repeating the phone number to him softly.

“Good, now remind me what’s the address again?” he kissed your temple as he gently shut the door of the truck and walked with you towards the door, listening as you read out the address.

He opened the office door for you and walked with you inside.

Diane’s office smelled of lavender and eucalyptus which instantly calmed you. Joel could feel the rigidity in your body melt just a little as you held onto his arm.

Diane’s receptionist smiled at you and Joel and then pushed a button on the desk, which silently let Diane know her next appointment was here by illuminating a lamp in her office just a tad that sat behind her patients so it never felt like they were being rushed but let her know to start wrapping up the session.

“She’s just finishing up, please make yourself comfortable.” she offered softly.

You took a seat by the waterfall wall she had to bring a calm presence to the waiting area, it was somewhere you always sat before your sessions.

Joel had never been inside the office, just always dropped you off as Diane always recommended you come in alone so you wouldn’t build a co-dependence on him but today was different, today Joel was there if you needed him you told yourself. 'I'm not alone.'

Joel looked at the wall and moved his hand to take yours, “This is pretty… has it always been here?” he spoke softly.

You nodded, “She usually has it on. I think it’s to help calm us beforehand… she’s Pavlov-ing us.” you let out a soft snort.

Joel chuckled, “Pavlov-ing? Like the dog and bell thing?”

You nodded, “Positive reinforcement I imagine can be conditioned in many ways.” you shrugged, “After all, she is a psychologist, an expert in mind control…” you joked.

Joel shook his head softly and kissed your head, chuckling, “She’d find that funny…”

Diane’s office door opened and a young man walked out, thanking her and shaking her hand before he walked to the reception desk to schedule his next appointment.

Diane smiled at you and cleared her throat, “Y/N… it’s so good to see you.” she came over and you stood, putting on a fake smile for her.

“It’s good to see you too.” you nodded and put your hands behind you, starting to pick your cuticle, Joel sat and looked at Diane, smiling softly.

“Well, in today’s session I’d like to speak with you about what happened last night and you’re welcome to have Joel sit out here or if you want, he can come in with you, but the choice is yours. I’ll just have him leave for a few minutes towards the end for you and me to talk about a few things one-on-one.” she smiled kindly and held her notepad against her chest, waiting for you to lead the way.

You looked back at Joel and then at her, nodded, “Yeah um… can he come?”

She nodded and smiled, backing up a could steps, “Of course. Let’s take a seat in here.” she held her arm out to guide you into her office.

Joel stood and put his hand on the small of your back gently, “I’m right here…” he whispered to you, then walked with you as you hesitantly walked inside, all of a sudden feeling very anxious.

You came around and sat down on the couch she had against the wall facing her chair, Joel joined next to you and softly offered his hand which you took and gently squeezed.

She sat down and smiled at you, watching you very closely as you looked around and analyzed everything, zoning in on a new photo she had hanging behind her chair, “New photo I see… that’s uh… the Oregon coast, Lincoln city, yeah?” it showed a famous landmark from Lincoln City, Oregon’s beach.

You were deflecting and she knew it. It was something you did in the first couple of sessions you had with her when you started, she had a hard time calling you out on it without you getting defensive, telling her there was nothing wrong with making conversation.

She knew today was not a day to call you out, instead acknowledged but slowly crawled into talking about what was going on.

She nodded, “Exactly. You ever been there?” she smiled, leaning back in her chair.

You shook your head and softly exhaled, “No… but there’s a resident pod of whales that visit there every season… it’s a bucket-list trip Joel and I have talked about doing eventually.” you smiled and looked down at his hand holding yours.

She smiled and looked at Joel, who was watching you very attentively, gently stroking your hand with his thumb, “I hear it’s a beautiful place to visit. Maybe you two can go on your honeymoon…” She nodded towards your ring and smiled, “Congratulations by the way.”

You looked at your ring and then at her and lightly let out a breathy chuckle, “Thank you…”

“When did that happen?” she probed carefully.

You kept your head down, starting to fiddle with the ring, “Um… two days ago…” you smiled softly and cleared your throat softly, looking at her.

She nodded, “Joel told me that you guys had a lovely engagement party thrown by some friends and family last night, can you tell me about that? What was your peach, and what was your pit?” she smiled softly.

You two had used this term often, a good way to express the positives but also negatives of situations without tying them to negative ideas and behaviors. It helped you express things when thinking about it in this way, she seemed to get more out of you when you thought of traumas or events this way.

You nodded and chuckled, “Uh… peach was Joel’s toast. He uh…” you looked over at him and smiled warmly, “He has a way with words, knows how to make a girl feel like she’s god’s gift to this world.” you chuckled and he smiled, gently bringing your hand to his lips and kissing it.

“Just speak the truth, mi vida… you are god’s gift to my world.” he winked and smiled softly.

You blushed and looked down shyly, leaning against him, looking back at your hands connected.

“Sounds like a good peach. It’s a lovely experience and opportunity we get when we have someone love us that type of way isn’t it?” she said as she wrote something in her notebook.

You nodded and inhaled, “Makes the pits not so horrible.” you admitted softly, focusing on anything but her, feeling under a microscope by how she was unwrapping you and the last 24 hours.

She hummed in agreement, “I like that point of view.” she smiled and wrote something more down.

“Now, on the other end, what was your pit?” she looked up at you.

You bit the inside of your cheek, and focused on picking your thumb cuticle that was near raw, “I think you’re aware of what was the pit…”

Diane took a soft breath in and cleared her throat, “I do… but I need you to tell me it in your own words… what made it a pit?”

You stayed quiet, your foot gently tapping the ground, tears were starting to well up in your eyes, you didn’t want to relive what happened. You knew talking about it would take off the soggy Band-Aid you were using right now and that it would open up an already aching wound.

“I know it’s painful and perhaps a little hard to talk about…” she leaned forward, “What went through your mind when it first happened? Start there…”

You swallowed and looked at the corner of the coffee table in front of you, “When I was back in…” you jutted your jaw out and let out a breath, trying to keep yourself calm, “... on our last field assignment, we were out running a damn missile. Same… fuckin’ whistle when it comes down from the sky echoes the field.” rolled your shoulders back and tightened your jaw.

“Same sounds that fireworks make when they fly up, right?” Diane softly asked.

You nodded.

“Tell me why you took cover by the shed, what made that spot feel safe?”

You shrugged, looking up at her.

“What made you run to that place rather than inside?” she pressed.

Joel looked at Diane then you, gently squeezing your hand to give you a little boost of support.

You looked at him for a moment then looked down at your hands, again tightening your jaw, speaking softly, “Joel was in there… and for a moment I thought I wasn’t safe… that I was back in an active zone… which meant he wouldn’t be safe with me going in there…” you let out a breath through your nose, “So I went as far as I could from his point of location…” you admitted.

Joel looked at you as you admitted that and then looked at Diane who nodded at him, letting him know that’s what she suspected.

You looked at Diane, “I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

Diane wrote something in her notebook then bit the inside of her cheek, “I’m curious… let's say if Joel is with you when these moments happen- do you think he experiences the trauma you do, or do you know he isn’t in harm's way? Are you able to separate that in your mind?”

Your body went rigid and you shook your head, eyes going numb and cold as you looked across the room at her, “I… I don’t know but I don’t want to think about that… I…” you looked down at the floor, “...there’s a peace knowing he and Sarah never will know that fear…”

Diane nodded, taking a moment before asking, “Do you think that if he had been around when those fireworks would have gone off you would have felt safer?”

You shrugged, “I… I don’t know.” you had a few tears fall down your cheeks, “Sometimes I can’t separate where I am from where I’ve been…” you sighed softly.

She wrote something else on the pages then swallowed softly, “When you first took cover, what did you see, feel, hear that made you think you were somewhere you weren’t?”

You closed your eyes trying to remember, and your knee began bouncing anxiously, “I remember hearing a faint siren in the distance.” your eyes began scanning behind your eyelids, “... the air was thick and dusty, like something may have been hit nearby… I… I could smell something burning…" your lip trembled, "...someone burning…” you whispered, voice breaking, “I couldn’t move… I… I felt cemented into the ground, heavy and…” your breathing became uneven, small jagged breathes as you started remembering details, feeling right back there, making it all too much, “I couldn’t breathe… couldn’t think, couldn’t hear… I felt like…” you shook your head feeling overwhelmed and stood up abruptly, snapping your eyes open, “No… I… I need to get out...” you began looking for the door.

Diane and Joel's eyes snapped up to you, Joel gently reached out to touch your leg while Diane tried to hold your gaze, “Woah… ok… it’s ok… you’re safe.” Diane said softly, holding up her hands to ease you from her seat, using her hand to tell Joel to stay seated which he did, “Hey, eyes on me… let’s count down from 10…” she said calmly but firmly.

Your hands shook next to your side, fidgeting open and closed, “I can’t… fuck… I can’t do this…” You began to hyperventilate, eyes scanning for an exit, then quickly moving around the table, tripping slightly on the leg, hitting your shin, hissing, “Ah... fuck…” You kept moving and quickly opened the office door, making for the exit.

Diane pushed a button on her table next to her chair which signaled the front door to lock automatically. Her office was by a busy road, and she learned very early on with dealing with patients with PTSD to have this safety tool.

She followed you out calmly and slowly, putting her notebook down on her chair before leaving the room, Joel standing with her and following, eyes filled with concern.

You pushed the door to open it but weren’t able to open it, which just pissed you off and made you panic, "Open the door…” you jiggled the handle again, trying to open it, “Diane, open the damn door!” your breathing became faster and panicked.

Diane looked at the receptionist and nodded, she turned up the volume on some white noise that was playing around the office to help ease you.

“I’m not opening the door sweetheart, it’s not safe…” she said, easing her way closer to you.

You stood facing the door, placing your head against its cold glass, breathing frantically, “F-fuck… I…” you rolled up your sleeve and started flicking your wrist with a hair tie you had again and again, shutting your eyes. You were told that shocking your senses would help snap out of moments like this in the army.

Diane heard the band snap against your wrist and nodded, “Good. Senses needing to be shocked I see... good job… you’re doing great.”

You continued to snap the band against your wrist, slowly falling to your knees, “I can’t go back…” you whispered over and over.

Diane’s receptionist heard what she had said and reached into a mini fridge she had below the desk and handed Diane an ice pack, something to shock the senses that wasn’t so abrasive to you.

She knelt slowly, listening to what you were saying, “You aren’t going back… you’re staying here… staying safe. Shhh…” She waited for a moment then cleared her throat “Let’s try holding onto this, yes?” she said reaching out with the cold pack.

You turned around, your wrist red and raw from the continuous stimulus to it, and sat against the door, facing them, taking the cold pack and holding it against your forehead, after a moment letting out a breath of relief and shaky breathes being taken in and out.

Joel came and knelt by Diane, careful not to move too quickly, gently reaching out to put his hand on your knee, you looked up at him and saw how worried he looked, how he wanted nothing to do more than help you.

You looked up at Diane and sadly sighed, looking hopeless, defeated.

She softly smiled, “Whenever you’re ready we’ll go back and talk about how to help these moments, yes?” she reassured.

You nodded and closed your eyes, “I’m sorr-”

Diane cleared her throat, “What is our one rule in here about that…”

You opened your eyes and softly chuckled, “Right… no apologies are allowed if they are due because of a trauma response…” you mocked her voice teasingly.

Joel looked back at Diane then quickly back at you, “Ok, so that rule is carrying over into our home…” he chuckled and gently rubbed your knee.

You rolled your eyes jokingly and smiled softly, “How did I know you’d jump on that rule?”

He leaned forward and kissed your head, “Because you’re notorious for apologizin’ when it’s not warranted sweet girl…”

Diane nodded, “We've found that’s a good indicator a person has been in toxic relationships where you are constantly accessing people’s emotions and reactions.” she sighed softly, “You most likely have it from your parents but mostly Charlie.” she suggested.

You nodded and scoffed, “Lovely… one more thing from him.” you rolled your eyes and moved to stand up, handing the ice pack back to the receptionist who smiled and handed you a new one, “Keep it… seems to help.” she smiled kindly.

You nodded softly and slowly took in a breath after a few moments, “I’m ready to go back…”

Joel and Diane rose together from the ground and nodded as you led the way back into the room.

You sat back down where you were and held onto the ice pack, taking a few deep more steady breaths. Diane and Joel sat back down as well where they had been.

Diane pulled her notebook back out and talked to you a little more about what happened, and why it happened. She advised that if things happen like that again, you use things like the ice trick or something else to shock your system into snapping out of that mindset. She advised Joel on things he can do to help in moments where things like this could happen but advised him to avoid triggers if possible as the more you’re exposed early, can lead to bad habits of coping outside of your own timing.

She looked at the clock with 5 minutes left and looked at Joel, “Could you give us a few minutes to wrap up?”

Joel nodded and looked at you, “I’ll just be out by the waterfall, mi vida…” he kissed your temple softly and then hand before letting you go and smiled and nodded at Diane as he walked out and softly shut the door behind him.

The moment the door closed you looked at her and chuckled, “Am I in trouble or somethin’...?” you joked.

She chuckled, “No, not in any trouble. I just like to check on some things that people tend to not speak honestly about in front of their partners…” she smiled softly, “I need you to answer me honestly when I ask what I’m going to ask, and either way I’ll take your word for it.”

You bit your cheek, “Damn, sounds like you’re about to ask me if I’ve killed someone…” you joked, deflecting.

She looked at you and nodded, “Well... we’ve never talked about it, and it would help possibly explain some triggers you have." she tilted her head and then softly and calmly asked, "Did you have to take any life back in Afghanistan?”

Your breath got caught in your throat and you held tightly onto the cold pack, looking down shamefully, fidgeting with the edge of the square you held, nodding after a few moments of silence “4 lives…” you clenched your jaw, holding back tears.

She nodded and wrote it in her notes, then softly cleared her throat before clasping her hands together and softly, carefully asking, “Because of that, have you ever considered taking your own due to guilt?”

You kept your head down and tears fell before you looked up at her, “Once.” you cleared your throat, “It was for less than a day back before I got to go home. It was after I got back from Delta 42 and 30…” you looked away for a moment, looking out the window, “Maria had gone home, Reggie was pretty much unavailable from the time I got to base to when I left. The days got long… I was alone for a big chunk of it because they wouldn’t let me work.” you set the ice pack down on the coffee table and swallowed, “All your left with is your thoughts, you know?”

Diane sat forward, giving you her full attention, “Sometimes silence is the most terrifying thing we can be left with…”

You nodded and sadly smiled then bit your cheek, “I uh… I got low. Couldn’t sleep, kept having echoes of what happened in Delta 42 taunt me every time I closed my fuckin’ eyes it felt like.” you looked down at your hands, “Joel was busy one day, couldn’t talk much and without that… without having some connection to the outside, I felt so fuckin’ alone… so consumed by the loss and fucked up shit I’d done in the last 72 hours…” you lightly chuckled, tears welling in your eyes, “For no more than maybe an hour or so, I saw my pistol on the desk as a way to ease the pain, stop the chaos from swarmin’ my head…” you fidgeted with your hands, “But then something just clicked and it was like a switch toggled on in my head. I felt lighter, could fuckin’ think and breathe… I can’t explain why or what did it- but never touched that pistol again until I turned it in the day I left.” you looked up at her, eyes etched with regret, "Please don't tell Joel..." you said sadly.

She listened and nodded along with you, making notes here and there with details you had told her, making notes on things you said then looked at you when you stopped talking, “What's said in here, stays in here." she reassured.

After a few moments of silence, she asked, "Have you had any itch to harm yourself since being home?”

You shook your head and cleared your throat, “No… Joel… Joel’s been so…” you smiled softly at your hands, “He’s been so supportive and loving that I’ve not had much time to get that low, you know?” you looked up at her.

She smiled softly and nodded, “Joel’s a good one, he’s solid, has a big heart, and he adores the ground you walk on which adds to it all…”

That made you blush and smile. You couldn't have asked for a better partner, a better fiancé.

She lightly chuckled, “Compared to what we’ve talked about with regards to Charlie… Joel’s been good for you.”

You blushed deeper and nodded, “I’m really lucky to have him… consider myself blessed to have even met him the way we did, you know?”

She nodded and smiled warmly, “Now you’re engaged… how does that make you feel?”

You looked down at your hand, messing with your ring, “I honestly had no idea he’d ask this soon, but… it feels right, you know?” you looked up, “He looks at me like there’s somethin’ worth lookin’ at. Fills my life with color.” you shyly looked back down, “I’m just ramblin’ cheesy stuff now…”

She chuckled, “Rambling about what makes you happy, nothin’ wrong with that...” she smiled.

You nodded and cleared your throat, “He makes me happy. I… I don’t think I’ve ever felt this happy in my life… never felt so… free…?” you chuckled.

She nodded, “After what you’ve been through, that’s an understandable feeling.” she smiled and nodded a little then after another few moments of quiet she spoke softly, “I’d like to see you again in a few days, just for a short check-in, would that be ok?”

You nodded and looked down, “Am I free to go?” you chuckled and then looked up.

She nodded and stood, softly chuckling, “You call me if anything happens, even if it’s in the middle of the night, ok?” she opened her door.

You nodded and walked out of the room, “Thank you for your time today…”

Joel stood hearing you come out and smiled at you.

Diane nodded and looked at Joel then you, “Mind if I talk to Joel for a moment? Just to let him know how to best help you in the next few days?”

You nodded and swallowed, “Yeah, no problem.” you came and sat in the chair next to where Joel was sitting, crossing your legs, grabbing a magazine, and looking down at it.

Joel looked at Diane and nodded, coming into the room with her, standing with his hands in his pockets as she closed the door behind her. She cleared her throat and offered for him to sit, “Oh… it’s a sitting conversation?” he asked nervously as he sat down on the couch.

Diane chuckled softly, “Not necessarily, although what she’s going through is very serious… but nothing like… that.” she sat down and smiled softly.

“So, what’s going on? How can I help her?” Joel asked, clasping his hands in his lap nervously but eager to listen.

“She’s dealing with PTSD, so avoiding triggers will help, which I know can be done… you’re very aware of her environment and very protective of her.” she smiled warmly.

Joel felt empowered by that. To know his love and devotion to you traveled and was noticed by others.

“But what I’m concerned with is that if she gets to a low point she’ll… she’ll get low, really low.” she pursed her lips together to accentuate the meaning.

He took in a breath and nodded, understanding, “What are warning signs to look out for?”

“She’ll start to remove herself from normal social situations, she may start to say things that feel off... you’ll know what those are. I think the best thing is to keep her busy, check in daily, and maybe encourage her to write in a journal, she’d do well with that… but just, be there and let her feel her feelings but don’t let her be absorbed by them…” she said softly.

He nodded and cleared his throat softly, “Sarah has a break comin’ up... Y/N mentioned that beach in Oregon earlier. While ya’ll were talkin’ I made some calls… I was thinkin’ of doing that in a week when Sarah's off school, do something to keep her busy but also somethin' to look forward to? What are your thoughts?” he sat a little closer to the edge of his seat.

“I’m going to see her again in a few days, how about I let you know how she is then? She’s in no way to travel so soon based on today’s session but she might be ok in a few days after she settles mentally…” she said softly.

He nodded and bit the inside of his cheek, “Anything I shouldn’t do?”

She shrugged, “Ask her what her boundaries are. I think right now she just needs a lot of support, love, and patience. Some light distractions to keep her somewhat busy and not lame would be good. Things like movie nights, going to the grocery store, small car rides, things like that.” she suggested.

“My brother, the one that set off the damn fireworks, should I keep him away? Would he be triggering?” he asked, sounding concerned.

She shook her head, “Tommy and Maria… it would be good for her to be around them. She needs all the support she can get right now and Maria knows what she’s been through. Besides, what happened wasn’t anyone's fault, at least purposely, right?” she pressed.

He nodded, “Right… it was all done with good intentions… just poorly executed.” he shrugged and chuckled lightly.

Diane nodded, chuckling, “Tommy unfortunately has a record for poorly executing things like this doesn’t he?”

Joel chuckled knowing what she was referring to; a work incident that Tommy was a little clumsy in after taking the three of them out to lunch and all of them coming back a little under the influence, “James had a hand in that too, you know?” he teased.

She nodded and let out a louder chuckle, “I’ll never let him live that down.”

They both chuckled and then Diane stood, “Anyways, she’s doing great, she’ll have a rough few days, but I think she’ll be ok, just keep me updated if anything gets bad enough where you can’t get her out of a… funk, you know?” she started walking towards the door.

He stood and nodded, “I’ll keep you posted. Thanks, Diane.”

She nodded and smiled before opening the door. You were reading a cooking magazine, deep in thought that you didn’t hear the door open.

Joel smiled at you and walked over, sitting beside you, kissing your cheek then looking down at what you were reading, it was a recipe for a Tuscan Chicken pasta, “That looks good baby… wanna go to the store and get the stuff to make that tonight?”

You nodded and looked at him, “But isn’t your mom cooking?”

He smiled and looked at you, “If she is we can just cook it tomorrow but we can still go to the store? I’ll call her in the truck and ask…” he touched your cheek softly then tucked a strand of hair behind your ear delicately.

You blushed and looked back down at the recipe then pulled out your phone and went to take a picture when Diane cleared her throat, “Take it home, just bring it back when you come back…”

You looked at her and smiled, nodding then standing up, “Deal.”

A week later

You had gone in again to see Diane a few days ago and were doing much better. Elena stayed a couple of days after to keep you busy and monitor you while Joel had to go to work for a few important meetings regrettably.

You’d never admit it, but Joel going back to work and not coddling you was what you needed. The less that you felt like a baby, the more independent you felt and the faster you adjusted and adapted.

You still had a few hard moments over the past few days with being alone for too long after Elena had left. However, it pushed you to ask for help or reach out to friends like Rose or Maria.

You found yourself over at Rose’s offering to help with whatever she needed from day to day, not caring how small or silly it may be, you just sometimes needed to be around someone.

Joel found when he’d come home most days he’d need to go get you from Rose’s as you would stay there until you knew someone was back home.

After getting the 'ok' from Diane at your last session, Joel let you know that you guys were going on a road trip to the Oregon coast over the next two weeks and when you'd be leaving.

That in itself kept you busy as you packed for everyone, ran errands to prepare, and one morning instead of going on a run, cleaned the truck completely out.

---

His alarm went off at 5 am and you were already awake, buzzing with excitement. You leaned over and smiled as you kissed his cheek and brushed his hair back off his forehead, “Time to wake up, we gotta get goin’...” you giggled softly, kissing his shoulder.

He chuckled sleepily and turned off his alarm before he wrapped his arms around you, humming, “5 more minutes darlin’...” he pulled you to lay on his chest.

You giggled, “Joel you and I both know what ‘5 more minutes’ means and it’s not truly 5 minutes it’s another hour…” you tried getting out of his hold, smiling.

The more you tried, the tighter he held you, keeping his eyes closed, trying to go back to sleep, “Shh, just let it happen… shh…” he teased as he held you tighter to him, starting to wrap his legs around you.

“Damn it, Joel, you’re like a boa constrictor with your hold…” you couldn’t help but laugh and give up, “Fine, 5 more minutes…” you sighed and cuddled into him.

He smiled and kissed your head, letting go of his hold a little, “Good girl, smart choice…”

You blushed and laid your head on his chest, “How far are we drivin’ today?” you traced shapes on his chest.

He hummed, partially back asleep, “We’re drivin’ to uh…” he drifted back to sleep, his arms starting to go limp around you as he was taken back deep into sleep.

You smiled and chuckled and moved your head to watch the clock, letting 5 minutes go by before you sunk beneath the sheets and began kissing down his body, slotting yourself between his legs, dragging your lips across his bare cock making it hard quicker than you expected.

Joel stirred and took a deep breath in, still somewhere between being awake and asleep. You kissed the inside of his thigh before spitting into your hand and began stroking him slowly, letting your saliva coat him while you pumped him in your palm.

He groaned and turned his head in his sleep, feeling himself become aroused, smirking as he started to wake up.

You loved hearing those sounds come from him. It instantly made you wet against your panties.

You were satisfied with your work and dropped your head to take the tip of your tongue from the bottom of his shaft up to his tip, dragging him out of his slumber, “Mmm still need 5 more minutes, amor?” you smirked as you kissed his tip making him grunt, slowly starting to wake up.

“F-fuck…” he said as he felt your tongue swirl around his tip before sinking your mouth over him slowly, tongue flat against his shaft, softly moaning.

You slowly bobbed your head up and down his shaft, taking more of him every time you went down.

He grunted and smirked, “Oh fuck, you’re takin’ me so good.”

You moaned softly and pulled off with a small pop, licking your lips, “Mmm you taste so good baby…” You dragged your tongue up his shaft slowly, eliciting goosebumps up his body, “Can’t get enough of you…” you drew your lips back down and then started to suck on his balls softly.

He gasped and gripped the sheets, cursing under his breath. He shut his eyes and swallowed a groan, making you kiss the soft spot of skin in his groin, “Mmm don’t you dare hold back on makin’ those sounds cowboy…” you stroked him in your palm.

He chuckled and let out a groan, “Fuck…” he hissed and let out a strangled moan, “Want you ‘round me…” he pleaded.

You thought he meant your mouth so you went back to wrap your mouth around him, taking him deep and slow down your throat, gagging slightly at the size of him stretching your throat out.

He groaned and his hips involuntarily bucked up, making you cough and moan as he went deep down your throat.

You pulled off him and had saliva dripping out of your mouth, panting heavily, trying to catch your breath for a second, swallowing before you went to go back on him, starting to bob your head up and down again, this time a little faster.

Joel grunted in absolute pleasure but shook his head, “Oh fuck... I need you… need you on top of me…” he groaned, jaw dropped and letting out a moan as you went down on him, moaning around his cock.

You pulled off and smirked, kissing up his thigh, “You want me to ride you?” you asked breathlessly, slowly moving to kiss his stomach and up his chest.

He smirked and panted softly, moving the sheets off to see you before leaning up on his elbows, looking down at you with those big brown eyes full of lust, “We’re gonna be sleepin’ in the same area as Sarah for the next 4 days… which means I don’t know the next time I’m gon’ feel your pretty pussy wrapped around my cock…” the smirked and looked up as you straddled him, your face hovering over his.

You hummed and took off your panties, then took your shirt off, eyes bouncing back and forth between his eyes and lips, “I’m sure we can find ways… sneak around…” you started to grind him through your wet folds.

He panted and grunted, laying back against the pillows, putting his hands on your hips, “Yeah? How would we do that?” he moved your hips at a slower rhythm than what you were, wanting this to last.

You leaned down and started to kiss his neck sucking it softly, letting out a soft moan as his tip brushed against your clit, “We can always swing a quickie in the shower early in the mornin’ before she wakes…” you reached down between your bodies and lined him up at your entrance.

“Think you can be quiet enough to do that? We tend to…” he grunted feeling you tease him at your entrance, “...fuck baby… you’re bein’ a tease…” he groaned feeling your lips suck against his pulse point.

You grinned and kissed up his jaw then hovered your lips over his, “Finish that sentence handsome… we tend to what?” you looked down at his lips.

He smirked and was lightly panting in anticipation, “We tend to enjoy each other in the shower, be a little louder than usual in there…” he bit his bottom lip, looking at yours, hungrily.

You smirked, “I can be quiet if need be…” you sat onto his cock, slowly sinking him into your warmth, moaning softly against his lips, “I can be a good girl…”

Joel gripped onto you tightly, grunting as he felt you fully sit onto him before he sat you onto one of his elbows and cupped your jaw, “Yes you can be a good girl…” he said before pulling you down to kiss him deeply a few times before you pulled away by putting your hand on his chest and pushing him to lay down.

You started rocking your hips up and down on him, “Call me that again…” you panted as you softly moaned.

He smirked up at you and bit his lip before lowly growling, “That’s a good girl, ridin’ my cock like that…”

Your eyes fluttered shut and you smiled, nodding, leaning back to put your hand on his thigh then began riding him at a faster pace, up and down on him, moaning softly.

He watched and groaned, seeing your tits bounce and the sight of him going in and out of you, “Fuck... you like that don’t you? Bein’ called a good girl…” he moved his hand up your body slowly before kneading your breast and playing with your nipple, keeping one hand on your waist.

You gasped at the stimulation and nodded, “F-fuck that feels good…” you sat fully on him, his tip pressed up into your cervix, you swirled your hips, earning a grunt from him.

“Fuck baby, you like me that deep huh? Stretchin’ you out?” he cooed, sliding his other hand from your waist to between your bodies and using his thumb to draw circles into your clit.

You gasped and bit your lip, “Y-Yes sir…” you cried out softly, suddenly feeling that coil start to wind up tight.

He growled and he twitched inside of you, “Careful now…” he warned, “Callin’ me sir’s gonna get you in a different position where we’ll for sure wake up Sarah…”

You opened your eyes and grinned down at him, continuing to circle your hips, “We aren’t road-trippin’ yet are we… sir?” you moaned softly feeling him twitch again inside you.

His eyes went dark and he sat up quickly and smirked, before leaning forward and laying you on your back.

He pulled out of you, “On your stomach… now…” he growled.

You bit your lip and giggled then turned to lay on your stomach, “Yes sir…”

He smirked and grabbed a pillow from behind him, and put his arm under your torso, pulling your hips up and sliding the pillow under you. Your hips are now slightly elevated, creating the perfect angle for him.

He laid over you, squaring up behind you, lining up at your entrance, “You’re gonna be a good girl and cum for me?” he said lowly into your ear.

“Yes… yes please…” you begged.

He kept himself at your entrance and used his free hand to brush your hair to one side of your body before sucking softly on your earlobe and plunging deep into your warmth.

You gasped and your hips rose up a little into him, gripping the sheets in front of you.

He grunted and growled lowly into your ear, “Oh that’s it… fuck…”

He started rocking his hips into you, making you breathlessly moan as he whispered into your ear while letting out small grunts or groans,

“That pretty little pussy takes me so well…”

“Don’t cover your mouth. I wanna hear you…”

“I know you can be louder than that…”

“Such a good girl takin’ my cock like this…”

You’d come undone within the first few minutes of him rocking slowly and deeply against that sweet spot. Your legs would quiver under him, becoming weak and melting into the sheets, mumbling how good he feels deep in you.

He’d eventually start to buck into you faster and harder, putting his hand on your waist and one planted next to you to hold himself up, panting hard and quick, “Fuck baby you feel so tight around my cock…”

He’d look to where you both were connected and the way your ass would shake as he slammed into you and smirked “Fuck mi vida, tu culo se ve bien rebotando así mientras me follo tu apretado y perfecto coño…” (Your ass looks good bouncing like that while I fuck your tight, perfect pussy…)

You’d arch your ass up a little with what strength you’d have left and try to thrust back into him to give yourself some added stimulation which only made things more sensitive and launched you into euphoria, “F-fuck don’t stop baby…” You pleaded as you moaned into the mattress to muffle yourself.

Joel gripped onto you and grunted, “F-fuck…” he snapped his hips into you and then groaned as he spilled deep into you, his forehead falling against your back, panting as he stayed still inside you.

After a few moments of silence, both of you came down from your highs.

He smiled softly and leaned his head up, “You were askin’ where we gotta drive today…” he kissed your shoulder softly, “We’re drivin’ to Albuquerque…” he softly rubbed your hip, kissing your spine, “But we should leave as soon as possible… it’s an 11-hour drive…” he kissed down your spine softly.

You hummed and smiled feeling his lips, “We should get goin’ then… we already stayed in bed longer than we should of Mr. 5 more minutes…” you teased and turned your head to look at him as he kissed down your body.

He looked up at you with those big brown eyes of love and adoration and smiled softly, “Touche… soon to be Mrs. 5 more minutes…” he came up and met his lips with yours, kissing you gently.

After another hour the car was packed, and you guys were on the road towards Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The first couple hours were spent with Sarah sleeping against the window and you reading a book while Joel listened to the radio softly in the background.

Around the 5th hour, you put your book down and discussed some activities and stops along the way you all could take with Sarah and Joel needing some type of stimulation as the drive was getting boring.

Sarah insisted on stopping in Moab, Utah at Arches National Park as well as the Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. You agreed as you thought you could get some really good photos with your new camera and could get some practice taking photos of Sarah and Joel.

Joel said he had purchased some Boise football tickets as their football field is blue and he’s always wanted to go to one of their games, he also agreed about going to Moab and said that your motel would be less than 45 minutes away from the park, it would be a good thing to do on your way in from Colorado.

Sarah eventually got bored after the list was made and started going off with ‘eye spy with my little eye’ however there wasn’t much to go off of so you and Joel guessed things pretty easily.

She pulled out a portable DVD player after 5 rounds ended in less than 10 seconds, frustrated.

You chuckled and looked at Joel as she put headphones on, “Is this the longest drive we have for this trip?”

He nodded and took your hand, bringing it to your lips to kiss it gently, “Yeah, I think the longest after this will be 8 hours from Moab to Boise…”

You nodded and looked out the window, “You wanna switch after our next stop? I don’t mind driving…” you smiled looking back at him.

He smiled softly and shook his head, “No, I like drivin’... keeps me busy.”

You looked back to make sure Sarah couldn’t hear before you smirked and looked over at him, “I could think of a few things I could do to keep us busy while you drove..." you teased.

Joel chuckled, “As tempting as that might be, we aren’t as sneaky as you think…” he winked at you.

You giggled and smiled at him, “Well for the record, if you need to take a break, let me know.” you kissed his hand and then leaned against the window, watching the road as he drove.

—

With a few pitstops and several hours later, you drove into a quaint little motel in Albuquerque, NM.

By the time you got there, it was around 9 pm, all you were doing was sleeping the night there and then leaving tomorrow for your next stop.

When you all got checked in and into your room, the three of you took turns taking showers as you all felt gross from the drive.

You ordered some pizza for dinner and then you all watched a movie before passing out asleep around 11 pm.

Around 3 am you woke up sweating, feeling your heart pounding but don’t remember having a nightmare so you just assumed it was due to the room being warmer than you were used to.

You slowly got out of bed and went to adjust the A/C but seemed to not be working so you bit the inside of your cheek and tried to open a window but nothing was working to cool you off.

You came over and checked on Joel and Sarah, both seemed fine, most likely used to the heat. You leaned down and kissed Sarah’s head, pushing her hair softly out of her face, and then came over to Joel and kissed his head, making him stir but fall right back asleep.

You took the notepad on the nightstand and wrote, ‘Going to sit by the pool, A/C sucks’, then grabbed a room key, and your book, and left quietly to go sit by the pool.

You had short shorts on and a t-shirt, so you just walked out barefoot to the pool so you could put your feet in by the edge to cool off.

You sat there for a few minutes before another younger guy came in, lighting up a cigarette.

You smiled softly and nodded to be kind and acknowledge him then went back to your book thinking he would just smoke and then leave.

After a couple of minutes of lingering, he cleared his throat, “Too hot for you too?”

You looked up, “Pardon?” as you missed part of what he said, head stuck in your book.

He smiled and started coming closer to you, “I asked if it was too hot in your room for you as well…”

You chuckled lightly, “Oh, sorry. Yeah, it is.”

He came and sat a few feet from you, rolling up his pants to put his feet in as well, “Not from the heat?”

You shook your head and chuckled, “I should be used to it, I live in Texas but was born and raised in Washington.” you shrugged and looked back to your book, hoping he’d get the hint.

He nodded and took a drag of his cigarette, “Ah I see. What part of Washington?” he let it out, filling the air around you with the thick odor.

You kept your nose in your book, “Oak Harbor.”

He chuckled and smiled, “Ah, so cold Washington.”

You nodded and hummed.

He took another drag and then flicked his cigarette, “Whatcha readin’?” he nodded towards your book.

You took a breath, “Uh, just a self-help book… nothin’ exciting.” you smiled and then looked back at the pages.

He nodded and bit the inside of his cheek, “I’m Danny…” he stuck his hand out.

You looked up and said your name, taking his hand and shaking it firmly.

He chuckled and cleared his throat, looking up at the sky, “Nice night, huh?”

You bit your tongue to avoid saying something rude, “Yeah, it’s not too bad.” you tried to read the same passage you’ve had to go over now 3 times due to him trying to talk to you.

He turned and looked at you after a few moments of silence, looking down at your bare thighs that were showing due to the shorts you were wearing, “So, uh, what’s a pretty girl like you doin’ here in Albuquerque?”

You were about to say something when Joel came in through the gate and cleared his throat, hearing him hitting on you, “There ya are, mi vida…” making his southern drawl really evident.

Danny looked at Joel and then you, confused by the name, “Mi vida?”

You smiled immediately hearing his voice and blushed, “My life.” You looked at Joel and then Danny.

Joel walked over confidently, “It’s Spanish, somethin’ of a term of endearment that I call my fiancé…” he came and sat by you, sitting purposely between you and Danny, offering his hand to him, “Joel… and you are?”

Danny swallowed and smiled somewhat nervously, “Danny…” he took Joel’s hand to shake.

Joel clenched his jaw and nodded, gripping onto his hand quite firmly, attempting to send a message, “Pleasure to meet ya…”

He nodded, pulling his hand away, and then slowly rose to his feet, “Well I think I hear my buddy callin' for me..." it was silent, "But it was nice meeting you both." he nodded his head towards you both.

Joel nodded and chuckled lightly, “Nice to meet ya… Dan was it?” he smirked knowing he was making him uncomfortable.

Danny chuckled and nodded frantically, “Sure… yeah. Well have a good night.” he gathered his shoes and quickly made it out walking towards his room.

You chuckled looking at your book, starting to finally read again now that you felt safe, “You’re horrible, Miller…”

Joel chuckled and turned towards you, leaning down to kiss your temple then cheek, humming, “Just making sure he knew what’s mine and who I was, that’s all…” he smirked seeing you blush.

You smiled, “Why are you out here? You and Sarah seemed fine when I left…” You kept reading the page you were on but kept some of your attention to Joel.

“I have a hard time sleepin’ without you next to me…” he softly said, looking over his shoulder to make sure Danny left and there wouldn’t be any trouble.

You hummed and smiled moving the book for a moment to kiss his cheek.

After a moment, he stood and started to take off his shirt and pants, leaving him completely bare aside from his boxers before he walked into the water.

“Your note said you were too hot…” he swam up to you and floated in front of you, “How about you join me? It’s nice and cool in here…” he kissed your knee softly.

You looked down at him and smirked, “Are you skinny dippin', Joel Miller, or did you leave boxers on?” you couldn’t tell from the angle you were at.

He smirked, “I can gladly remove ‘em if it gets you to skinny dip with me darlin’…”

You chuckled put your book down beside you and smiled down at him, “10 minutes then we're out and dressed in case we get caught…” You bit your lip and blushed.

He pushed himself up from the edge and captured his lips onto yours, gently kissing you, before pulling back and nodding his head, “Strip.” he commanded.

You turned a darker shade of red and then got up to put your book on a lounge chair, then stripped and covered your breasts with one arm and groin area with your other hand as you ran to get into the water.

Joel removed his boxers and set them on the side of the pool then dunked his head under the water completely before slicking his hair back and swimming over to you.

You stepped into the water and smiled feeling the water wasn’t completely freezing, humming softly “Slightly heated I see…” you dove your head down and begin to swim deeper into the pool.

Joel nodded and chuckled watching you, seeing where you were going.

After a few seconds, you popped up in the deeper end, slicking your hair back, softly gasping for air.

“Did I ever tell you I swam for sport when I was younger?” he smiled.

You shook your head, “Wait like swimming laps?”

He nodded and smiled, “Exactly. Was pretty good at it too…” he said before he did as you did and dove down to swim towards you.

You inhaled to hold a breath then sunk into the water to watch him swim towards you, you waved at him.

You let out a giggle seeing him wave back and blow a kiss at you underwater before coming to the surface and gasping for air softly then looked down at the water to see him swim up to you and then breach the water in front of you and grin, “Come ‘ere you…” he gently grabbed onto your waist and pulled you close to him.

You wrapped your legs around his torso and arms around his neck as he held you as you both floated.

You smiled and played with his hair to slick it back, softly humming then smirking as you looked at him as you played with some curls at the base of his neck, “I seem to remember that the thought of me being wrapped around you in the water made you do some pretty naughty things in a specific boat’s bathroom cowboy…”

He lightly nibbled on your jawline, growling, “You are correct my love…” his hands wandered between your bodies and he pressed his thumb against your clit, slowly drawing circles, “You wanna help me make my fantasy become reality?” he moved to suck on your neck softly.

You gasped and let out a moan as you felt his thumb stimulate you, you felt like you melted with how slowly he was building you up, “Why don’t you describe to me what that fantasy was cowboy?”

He nipped your earlobe with his teeth lightly and groaned, “I wanted to feel every inch of you while you wrapped around me… kissing your sweet lips…”

You moved your head back a little and cupped his cheek, “These sweet lips?” you leaned in slowly and kissed him deeply and slowly, slowly tangling your fingers in his hair, pulling him closer to you.

His hands were everywhere, touching your waist, grabbing the meat of your ass and thighs. They’d carefully trial up your back and sides like he was afraid he might break you if he was too rough, continuing to kiss you passionately and deeply.

You started to feel him rock your hips as you felt his cock begin to harden up against you. He mumbled against your lips, “Wanna mark you up baby, wanna claim you right here…” he said as he feverishly kissed your lips, slowly moving to you were pressed up against the side of the pool and him.

He moved his lips to start marking up your neck, sucking small love bites into your skin.

You moaned softly and ran your fingers through his hair, slicking it back as he did this, grinning, “Danny got under your skin I see…”

He growled and pulled back a little, “Talkin’ to you when you have a ring on your finger…” he hovered against your lips, moving his hand down to line up his cock at your entrance, “Now that’s downright disrespectful talkin’ to a man’s wife like he was…” he panted and grunted feeling his tip sink into you.

You gasped and moaned, “Mmm fuck... you mean someone’s fiancé?” you teased.

He smirked, “When someone’s flirtin’ with you like that, you’re my wife…” he said as he sunk deeper into you and groaned looking into your eyes and watching your reaction.

Your jaw dropped and you could feel the air start to leave your lungs as he filled you so tightly, nodding, saying with a hoarse whisper, “I’m your wife…” you put your forehead against him and moaned softly.

“I didn’t get you a dainty small ring for a reason…” he whispered, groaning as he bottomed out, feeling himself completely fill you up, “I got this ring to make a statement…” he started to pump back and forth, slowly, “…to show every other man that you’re mine.” he gripped onto your waist with one hand and cupped his other hand on your cheek, lightly gliding his thumb over your bottom lip as he thrusts up into you, watching your lips part for him.

You moaned and lightly gripped his hair and shoulder, grinning as you felt his thumb on your lips, leaning forward just a tad, taking his thumb in your warm mouth, sucking on it as you moaned.

His eyes turned dark and he twitched inside you, making your eyes roll back into your head and pussy tighten around him.

“Oh fuck baby… that’s hot…” he growled and started thrusting up into you a little faster, holding onto your hip, to keep you as tight down on him as possible, hitting your cervix over and over.

You tightened your legs around him and moaned louder against his finger, panting quickly feeling yourself about to come undone.

He moaned and grunted feeling himself close, “Can you cum for my baby? I need you to cum for me…” he pleaded pulling his thumb out of your mouth, “What do you need?” he groaned feeling you tighten around him.

You panted as you moaned softly, then cupped his cheek, “Kiss me…” you whispered then pulled his lips to yours, kissing his lips deeply and passionately, moving your hips with his as he continued to thrust up into you deeply, needing more friction.

He put his hands on your hips and panted heavily as his lips crashed over yours, feeling a deep pull in his navel.

You pulled away from his lips and stalled your hips as you came undone, fluttering around him, tightening your legs around his hips, moaning and leaning your head back against the wall, feeling waves of pleasure crash over you.

He clenched his jaw and within moments of you tightening around him spilled into you, grunting and panting as he kissed anywhere his lips could touch; neck, jaw, cheeks, he was everywhere.

You chuckled as your head leaned against the wall and panted softly, humming, “I should let more men flirt with me if that’s the side of you I’m gonna get…” you teased.

Joel softly nipped your jaw and moved his hands up your body, groaning softly as he pulled out of you, “Nuh-uh… you’re all mine.” he smirked as he kissed your throat softly, “All mine…” he leaned up and connected your lips with his, kissing you deeply, holding you up against him.

You two returned to the room without being caught in the pool or Sarah waking up about 15 minutes later.

In the morning Joel’s alarm went off around 7 am. You all got up with some groaning and moaning, still tired but got showered and ready then left within the hour, grabbing breakfast on the way.

A little over 6 hours later you ended up in Mesa Verde National Park, driving to Cliff Palace. Sarah finally felt excited about something since driving up to this point was quite boring for her.

You all went and saw the cliff palace, Sarah took a bunch of photos with her phone, you had your camera out and were taking photos of not only the landmark but taking candid photos of people around you as well as Sarah and Joel.

Joel found you focused on taking a photo of an older couple holding hands as they watched the landscape together, it was a sweet sight to see, they both saw new things and enjoyed each other’s company. He snapped a photo of his phone of you in your element.

Once you were done outside, Sarah begged to go inside to see the museum they had in a building nearby to which you all three went in and finished within a half hour.

Sarah got into the truck as you were leaving and leaned forward between the two seats, “How long is it to the next stop?” she asked nervously, not wanting to be in the car longer than she had already been in the last 24 hours.

Joel looked at her from his mirror and chuckled, “Moab is only a 3-hour drive baby girl… I promise from here on it shouldn’t be so boring.”

She smiled and nodded then pulled out the DVD player, putting on a movie for herself.

You pulled out your camera and started looking through the photos you had taken, mentally marking which ones you may want to edit when you got to the hotel before you fell asleep against the window, feeling the sun warming you up as he drove for the last couple hours.

—

Almost 2 hours later Joel leaned over and kissed your cheek, “Hey, we’re here…” You opened your eyes to see you were starting to drive through Arches National Park after he paid a park ranger for entrance.

You sat up and smiled, eyes wide at its beauty, “Holy shit…” you rolled down the window and grabbed your camera, starting to snap photos of things as you drove by.

Sarah rolled down the window and looked at Joel, “Can I stick my head out a little?”

Joel looked back and saw there wasn’t any traffic behind them, “Yes but be careful…” he chuckled.

She stuck her head out and you turned and took photos of her laughing, and smiling, the red rock in the background.

You giggled and then turned in your seat and took photos of Joel, “Give me a smile, cowboy…” you smiled at him.

Joel looked at you and smiled as you took a few shots before putting his eyes back onto the road, putting his hand on your thigh, feeling utterly happy in this moment with the two most important people in his life.

You looked ahead and saw you were heading into a tunnel, you giggled and looked at Joel, “Roll down your window baby…” he looked at you a little confused, and you nodded, smiling encouragingly.

He rolled it down then you stuck your head out of the window as you entered the tunnel and yelled, “Woohoo!” letting it echo down the tunnel.

Sarah realized what you did and yelled as well and giggled.

Joel let out a loud whistle and shouted as well before chuckling to himself at how ridiculous this all could have sounded to the people in front of you.

The echo was filled with sounds of you and your family’s utter pure joy.

To you, this was the best sound in the world.

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a/n: this will be a three-part chapter i think instead of two, there are certain elements I want in the next chapter/part of this trip but don’t want to over wash it so just warning ya’ll there may be an extra chapter

taglist: @sarahhxx03, @blahkateisdone, @sunnytuliptime, @pedroscurls, @docharleythegeekqueen @pedritosgirl2000 @fancyyoouu @greendudenumber7

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sykesandskittles · 1 day ago

Text

CHAPTER 13

Harlow

I’M SHAKING when I sprint into my residence hall and up the staircase. I can't get away from Noah fast enough. My heart is still pounding as I make my way up the stairs. This shit with him is too much. I just want to be left alone and fade into the wallpaper, but he’s making that impossible.

And then there’s this shit with Talia . She seemed a bit down this morning when I saw her, and it occurs to me she might have intentionally fallen off the map for a while. She’s done this before. Once, when we were sixteen, and she’d just broken up with her boyfriend, she ran off for two days. Turns out, she was crashing in her cousin’s basement and had sworn that cousin to secrecy. And she did go back home eventually.

But what could have happened in the last day or two to make her want to go off-grid? It’s possible, I guess, but still doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Before going to my room, I head to Talia ’s room and knock on her door. It’s late, and I feel bad for disturbing Talia 's roommate, but I have to see if she popped up at some point.

I hear rustling on the other side of the door a few seconds before it’s pulled open. My heart leaps into my throat, and I pray it’s Talia on the other side, in her pajamas, looking annoyed.

It isn’t.

“What’s up?” Talia 's roommate asks, bleary-eyed like I just woke her up from a dead sleep.

I try to peer over her shoulder at Talia 's bed, but it’s pitch black inside the room. “Hey, sorry to wake you. I know it’s late. Did Talia make it home?”

She glances at the bed behind her and shakes her head. “Doesn’t look like it.”

My heart sinks. “Did she mention where she was going, or if she was planning on staying somewhere else tonight?”

She blinks at me like she’s trying to clear the sleep fog from her brain. “Shouldn’t you know? Aren’t you her best friend?” She doesn’t sound accusatory, just genuinely bewildered by my question.

I push out a breath. “If you see her, tell her to come see me. Doesn’t matter what time it is.” I pull her phone out of my pocket and hold it up. “And tell her I have her phone.”

The roommate holds her hand out. “You want me to give it to her?” “No, thanks. I’ll give it to her when I see her.”

If Talia is deliberately avoiding me, then I want a reason for her to come see me. And I know she can’t live without her phone. She’ll come looking for it sooner or later.

The roommate's hand falls to her side, and she’s already shutting the door. “Okay, cool. I’ll tell her you came by. ”

“Thanks,” I say just as the door clicks shut.

As I walk to my room, my stomach tightens, and I start to feel sick. If I don’t see the whites of Talia 's eyes by tomorrow, I’m going to the police. Period. I can’t do this on my own, and I now I know I can’t count on Noah’s help–he’s so damn unpredictable, I don’t know from one minute to the next what mood he’ll be in. Besides, his help comes with strings–strings that look a lot like chains.

I unlock and open my door quietly, so I don’t wake up Emily, but she’s not here. She must still be at the sorority party. I strip my clothes off and find my sweatpants. I don’t even bother brushing my teeth or washing my

face. I just crawl under my covers, and lie there, staring up into the darkness.

My mind immediately wanders to Talia —wondering if she’s safe, wondering if she’s okay—but I push those thoughts aside. Worrying going to help anything, and honestly, it’s just as likely she’s sleeping off a bender on someone’s couch. I mean, that’s what college is about, right? Making questionable decisions.

My thoughts shift to Noah. He’s such a mystery—and despite the serious ick his personality is giving me, I can’t help but be curious about him. He’s like a puzzle I’m itching to piece together.

I’d be better off not knowing what makes him tick, and just walking away—which, to be fair, is what I’ve been trying to do since the second I met him. Maybe I just need to try harder and be more forceful.

The guy is determined, though, and maybe that’s part of the appeal for me. His relentless pursuit. God knows I have a weakness for that quality in a guy. And look where that got me. Some serious emotional trauma, and hundreds of hours of therapy. Not to mention a seriously fucked up view of Noahtic relationships.

I manage to get a few hours of sleep, somehow, and when I wake up, my roommate is already gone, her bed made. Damn, I must have been dead to the world when she came back last night. And I know she came back because her computer and backpack are gone.

Sitting up, I rub the sleep from my eyes. My head hurts, like I’m hungover. I didn’t drink nearly enough to be truly hung over, so it must be from all the stress about Talia , and Noah, and just…everything.

I fish my phone out from under my covers and unlock it. No text from Talia . Though I don’t know how she’s supposed to text me without her phone—I don’t even know if she knows my phone number by heart.

I stick my phone on the charger while I hurriedly get ready, going down the hall to brush my teeth and take care of all my bathroom stuff in record time. Back in my room, I throw on some jeans and a T-shirt and put on some deodorant.

I grab my phone, Talia 's phone, and my backpack, then fly out the door. But I don’t go to my first class. Instead, I head straight to Talia ’s room. No answer. My next stop is the student services building. Inside the registrar’s office, a middle-aged woman is sitting at a desk, and I walk straight up to her.

“Hi, excuse me.” She looks up from her computer with a smile, and I continue, “I’m looking for my friend, but I don’t have her schedule. Can you tell me which classes she has today?”

I obviously know her major, but we hadn’t yet shared our schedules with each other. I could call her mom and ask if she knows, but I don’t want to worry her parents. It’s better if I just handle this myself, for now.

The woman’s smile falls. “I’m sorry, I’m not at liberty to share another student’s schedule. Is everything okay?”

“It’s just….she didn’t come back to her dorm room last night,” I say. “And I was hoping to find her in one of her classes.”

The woman shakes her head. “Sorry, I can’t help you. Is she an undergrad?”

“Yeah.”

“Have you talked to the Undergraduate Dean?”

I shake my head. “No, not yet. This was my first stop.”

“Okay, well, try that route first. If she needs access to your friend’s schedule, then we can pull it up at that point.”

I flash her a tight smile. “Okay, thanks.”

But as I’m walking out of the registrar’s office, I wonder if Noah could have gotten her to bend the rules and give him that schedule. Maybe I should have name-dropped him? He has an unbelievable amount of influence and power over the student body, but does it extend to the staff, too?

Outside the student services building, I pull my phone out of my pocket and stare down at it. I have Noah’s number. Shit ended badly between us last night, but he might still help me.

I suck in a breath and mentally shake myself. No. I’ll handle this through the proper channels. I’ll go to the Undergraduate Dean, or campus security, and see if they can help me.

My phone pings and I glance down at the screen. It’s Noah. Of course, it is .

Campus coffee shop. Five minutes.

It’s not even a question or a request. It’s a demand. Fucking asshole. I shove my phone into my back pocket without responding. Noah can go fuck

himself.

I head over to the Undergraduate Dean’s office to talk to her about Talia

, but she’s not in her office, so I end up having to leave a message with her assistant. I try to convey the urgency of the situation, but the assistant doesn’t look overly concerned. Still, she assures me Ms. Ramirez will get back to me as soon as she’s back in the office. I have my doubts, but I thank the assistant anyway.

My next stop is the campus security office. Again, I explain everything

—Talia acting weird, not texting me back, her phone found in the sand, and the security guy writes it all down, then adds the paper to a pile on the corner of his desk.

I blink at him. “So what happens now? Are you guys going to look for her? Ask around?”

He folds his hands in front of him. “Listen, students go missing all the time—they get stressed, and disappear for a couple of days. I’m sure she’ll be back. But in the meantime, I’ll get your note over to the head of security, and he’ll be in touch.”

That’s it. No sense of concern. No urgency. Just…we’ll be in touch. Wow.

Feeling defeated, I don’t know what else to do but head to my next class, and just pray someone calls me back. I’m five minutes early and find a seat near the door. As I’m pulling my laptop out of my backpack, someone slips into the empty chair next to me. I recognize the scent instantly. That fresh, masculine smell that can only be Noah Sabastian .

When I look up, he’s staring down at me, an amused smile stretched across his beautiful face. “Ignoring me, Little Rabbit?”

Fuckity-fuck-fuck. I should have known he would show up here, to my class. Following me around is his thing, apparently.

I put my laptop on the cracker-sized table in front of me, and push out a frustrated breath. “I thought I was clear last night. Stay. Away. From. Me.”

He ignores my statement, as usual. “I heard you were over at the student services building.”

For fuck’s sake.

I roll my eyes. “Let me guess, you have spies everywhere.” His smile broadens. “How’d you guess?”

I shrug one shoulder and open my laptop. “Having me followed is peak villain energy.”

“I don’t need to have you followed–I have people crawling over this campus.”

“Great,” I say with a frustrated breath. There’s no sense getting into all of this with him. “Why don’t you just tell me what the hell you want so you can leave?”

He leans across his micro-desk, and I swear to God, my heart actually skips a beat…or three. His intoxicating scent wraps around me, and I can’t help it, I suck in a deep breath. “Oh, baby,” he whispers with that devilish smile. “I love it when you play hard to get.”

This guy takes every ounce of patience I have.

“I literally hate you,” I say flatly, logging into my laptop, trying my best not to look at him. “Leave now, or I swear to God…”

From my periphery, I see him hold up a folded piece of paper. “You want me to leave? Really? Because…I have something you want.”

If he mentions his dick, I swear I’m going to punch him right in that perfectly sculpted jaw and take whatever consequences come. I’m so over this hyper-masculine show he puts on for everyone. It’s gotten really old, really fast.

I turn my head toward him slowly. “I highly doubt that.”

“Oh.” He pulls back, that cocky smile still on his face. “Okay, so you don’t want this class schedule for…” He unfolds the paper and glances down at it, reading. “...Miss Breanna Langley.”

The fuck?

I try to take it out of his hand, but he’s quick, and snatches it away, holding it just out of my reach. “Ah, ah. You want this, you come with me.”

I swallow and glance up at the front of the class, where the professor is unpacking his laptop. He has his back turned away from us.

“I can’t, I have class,” I say, hoping he’ll take pity on me, and just give me the schedule.

Noah turns his attention to the professor. “Yo, Prof.” To my amazement, the professor straightens and turns around to face us. “I need to borrow Harlow . Email her the class notes for today, yeah?”

The professor doesn’t even look bothered. “Sure thing, Noah. Say hi to your dad for me.”

“Cool.” Noah turns back to me with a self-satisfied smile. “Fixed.

Let’s go.”

The entire class is watching us at this point, including the professor, so I shove my laptop back into my backpack and stand up, sheepishly squeezing past a couple of people to get to the door with Noah right behind me.

Once we’re out in the hallway, and out of earshot of the class, I whirl on Noah. “What the hell is wrong with you? Do you have everyone in your fucking pocket?

He shrugs one shoulder. “My dad pays Professor Birk’s salary.” I blink. “What?”

“Well, I mean, not directly. My dad funds the grant that pays his salary.

Same difference.”

“Good God,” I breathe, exasperated. “Is nowhere safe around here?”

He leans against the wall, all casual strength. “I told you I own this university. I wasn’t exaggerating.”

I lift my arms, then let them fall in defeat. “Okay, here I am. You have me. Can I have the schedule now?”

“Coffee,” he says. “Everyone needs to see us.”

Welp, now I have nothing else to do. I might as well let him buy me a coffee. “Fine. This doesn’t mean you’ve won, though. I just like coffee.”

“Sure,” he laughs, and that laugh makes me want to punch him in that beautiful face. “Whatever you say.”

When we get to the campus coffee shop, it’s crowded, but our table is vacant, and already laden with pastries. It’s a little over the top, honestly, but I didn’t eat breakfast, so I’m not complaining. I grab a croissant and sit down.

Not three seconds later, someone brings lattes in mugs to our table. “I hadn’t even ordered yet,” I say between bites.

Noah just shrugs and watches as I finish off my croissant in two bites, then immediately tuck into a cheese Danish. He looks amused by my gluttony.

“I’ve informed food services that all your meals are to be charged to my account.” He pauses like I’m supposed to thank him or something, but I just blink at him instead.

“So, what, is this the treatment you give all your girls? Free meals and an excuse to ditch class?”

He’s watching me closely, and it makes me twitch a little. “Among other things.”

I hold out my Danish-free hand. “Well, I’m here, having coffee with you

—against my will, I might add. Hand over the schedule.”

He hands it over without an argument, thankfully. At least, he keeps his word. One very small point in his favor. I open the schedule and make note of her next class. “Three o’clock,” I say. “That’s her next class. Edmund West building.”

“Great,” Noah says dismissively like he doesn’t give a damn. And I guess he wouldn’t. Talia isn’t his friend, so why would he care? Whatever. I’m just glad I got Talia 's schedule.

What this does prove, though, is that finding Talia will be a whole harder without Noah’s help. So, fuck, I guess I need to play along with this consort shit for a while.

Still, it doesn’t mean I need to hang out with him for any longer than is necessary, so I suck my coffee down as quickly as possible .

Noah is leaning back casually, his arm slung over the chair next to him, watching me intently. And if I didn’t know better, I’d think he hated me. The look on his face is pure contempt, the edges of his lips curled up, his brows pinched. But a second later, it’s gone, replaced by that cold indifference I’ve come to know so well.

“There’s a get-together tonight. I want you there,” he says evenly. He hasn’t touched his coffee or the pastries, and I wonder why. Maybe he already ate? But then why invite me to what amounts to an entire continental breakfast buffet? I mean, damn, everything on this small table could feed at least fifteen people.

I take another sip of my coffee. “I’ll have to check my schedule,” I say evasively. I have to play nice with this guy, for now, but that doesn’t mean I have to be his puppet.

Besides, shit might be going on with Talia that I need to be available for. I mean, hopefully, she’s fine and just hungover somewhere, but…I have no real idea, so I don’t want to make any promises.

“I want you there,” he says flatly, another command.

Everything in me wants to get up from the table and tell him to fuck off, but he was able to get his hands on Talia 's schedule when I was told that it was impossible just minutes before. He has the connections I need.

I smile tightly. “Where?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says. “I’ll pick you up.”

I push out a breath–and search my brain for any possible excuse I can throw out there that he would accept. But, I’ve got nothing. “What time?”

“Eight.” He pushes back from the table and stands. “In the meantime, don’t go to the police about your friend. That would be a bad idea.”

I don’t even have a chance to ask him why, because he’s already out the door. He just left me here alone at the table, so I do what any starving

student would do, I flag down a barista and ask for baggies to go—then I pack all that shit up and head back to my dorm room.

But the whole time I’m walking, one question keeps circling in my mind like a record on a turntable—why shouldn’t I go to the police about Talia ? What does Noah know that he’s not telling me?

#bad omens #noah sebastian #noah sebastian smut #jolly karlsson #nick ruffilo #bad omens smut #nick folio #nick folio smut #noah x reader

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