#should i really tag the rest of the gang if we only see the back of their heads. prob not

[1alchemistart]

haven't done one of these in a while KSDFJKSD

[stall1iion]

champion's love - eight

Content Warning: the following chapter is intended for mature audiences only, contains strong language and profanity that may not be suited for children and sensitive adults. I will mark when the smut starts and ends for those who wish not to read that part. Thank you. 

tags: smut, needy max, equally needy reader, teasing/banter

Minors dni!! Warnings below!! 

warnings: cunnilingus, p in v, dirty talk 

liked by maxverstappen1, bsf1, bsf2, victoriassecret and many others

y/nofficial thank you Victoria Secret for allowing me to showcase your newest summer bikini! Link in my link tree, get 30% off using my code!

tagged: victoriassecret

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username9 HELLO?? THE BODY IS T 😫😍

username2 😫can max fight??

username34 the way my jaw just dropped

username123 why did she think anyone would want to see her skinny ass? It’s barely giving curvy

⤷username55 first of all, she’s an athlete, of course she’s going to be skinny and lean, second that gives you no right to talk about her body like that, it’s giving jealous

ynsteponme: y/n could run me over, beat me with a bat, set me on fire, please just do anything to me i really don’t care

⤷username99 literally so down bad for her

landonorris you look gorgeous.

⤷y/nofficial i appreciate this, but i post for the bad bitches only.

⤷landonorris i am the bad bitch you speak of.

⤷y/nofficial my bad gang 💪

username1 just looked at myself and sighed

username78 max watch out bc you and i are not friends

⤷username45 so we all in love with y/n right?

⤷username8 of course we are!

⤷username7 i mean LOOK at her 😻max can’t handle all that fr

maxverstappen1 GOD DAMN

⤷bsf2 HELLO??

⤷bsf1 my brother in christ…😀

⤷OscarPiastri oh he’s down bad…

⤷danielricciardo oh max…

⤷georgerussell63 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

⤷charlesleclerc why have you never publicly declared your love for me?

⤷y/nofficial charles your not beating the lestappen accusations, my dear

username59 BRO MAX’S COMMENT?? 😭

lilymhe it should be illegal to look this good 💗

⤷y/nofficial says you 😘🤤

⤷lilymhe don’t make me wife you up 🤭

⤷y/nofficial when’s our wedding baby?? 🤭

⤷alexalbon I will throw you in the ocean 😻

→ smut starts here

Twenty minutes later you were both amused and in disbelief when you heard the front door to Max's house open. Sitting up and turning to look at the door, you spoke before you even saw him with a laugh. “Stop, what are you doing here?”

Max let out a chuckle, getting closer to you with a grin on his lips and a fervent look in his eyes. Reaching you, he placed his hands on either side of the couch, caging you in as he looked down into your eyes. “I said I’d come and show you who bro was, didn’t I?”

“I was just joking around though” you said with a chuckle, not moving the rest of your body now as the living room felt heavy and intense.

“And I said sorry wasn’t going to save you” his face was so close to yours, literally hovering above you. “Plus, you didn’t seem against it earlier”

“Oh so you did read my message?” you raised an eyebrow at him, your eyes watching as he licked his lips at the question before looking down at your body - his shirt, one of the few that didn’t brand red bull on it at least, draped over your body for the most part. Fulfilling the objective of being oversized but tight enough that he could see the faint outline of your boobs, more than enough for his hungry eyes.

Max leaned back, opening his skirt up and exposing himself to you more, a silent confirmation that he was allowed to do what he said he would - and one he wasn’t fully sure you’d give him. He knew you were both being careless and playful, but this would be their first time together, and he didn’t want it to be the result of him pressuring you. He was fine with stopping here and cuddling if you wanted, he would deal with his own desire and they could put on a movie.

You knew he was giving you that option, that cop-out if you felt like it; but surprisingly…this process felt natural to her. No nerves, no fear, just pure attraction and desire. So after staring at his body for a while, you reached your hand out and placed your palm on his chest first, noticing how his heart pulsed against her hand rapidly with the concealed strength he had been using to control himself. Looking up at him, your hand slid up his shoulder and down his arm before wrapping around his wrist.

Slowly you guided his hand to grab your boob through the shirt. It might’ve seemed weird from anyone on the outside, but between the two of you, alone with your desires, he knew that this was you giving him that confirmation and his hand slowly grabbed at your boobs, fondling them through the shirt for a few before, albeit hesitantly, reaching under his - your shirt and feeling your bare skin.

A small shiver went up your spine at the difference in temperature, his hands just a bit colder but he seemed to be enthralled with your boobs now, a groan leaving him causing you to giggle. “What’s so funny?” he asked with a smile as he glanced up at you.

“You seem so engrossed in my boobs” you said with a smile and a chuckle and he chuckled and pulled his hands away, sliding himself in between your legs with a smile

“Their nice, saw a glimpse of them in that post of yours” he said and you chuckled, “God you're totally a tits man”

“Wouldn’t you like to know, weather boy” he said in retort and you laughed

“Are you daring me?” you asked as you looked at him before reaching and pulling your shirt up, Max finally able to see your boobs in all it’s glory and he folded like the man he is, letting out a deep groan as he looked and she laughed. “Mystery Solved!” you said, pulling the shirt back down with a shit eating grin as you looked at him and watched him run a hand through his hair.

“Don’t do this to me” he said, pushing himself against you so that you could feel his erection against your clothed pussy. “I’m not doing anything” you said with a giggle and almost in defeat, he leaned his head on your shoulder. Part of you thought he was going to beg and sat up a little straighter to pull him closer. Yet, like always, Max was unpredictable and said something she didn’t expect.

“You want this as much as I do” his head raising again and staring right into your eyes - that matched with one of his hands now being placed on your thigh, thumb caressing it softly, contradicting the needy pressure he was applying with it. It was no surprise when your body started vibrating with sensations that spread across your skin and honed into a throb, and you both crumbled at the same time.

Max lost his control first though, bringing his lips to yours, kissing you roughly like he planned on consuming you, as if he was containing an urge for too long and could do nothing but let it explode out. Your body melted as you reciprocated his kiss, his tongue grazing your lips before biting you, a whimper escaping your lips as he did so.

“You like that?” he mumbled, his hips grinding against you already, anticipating traveling throughout his body. You could only nod in affirmation as he leaned back to look at you before leaning you down onto your back, his hand sliding up your leg in the process as if in preparation.

He let his hand explore your body, moving upwards and upwards before reaching your underwear. Through it, he could feel the damp spot already seeping through, exposing how wet you were, and he let his fingers softly caress your clit with a triumphant smile. “Mystery solved” he said, throwing back your own words at you and you rolled your eyes, your back arching just a little bit. “Screw you” you managed to say between breaths as he sped up his movements.

“Oh trust me, I plan to” he replied, and the way he managed to be so cocky just intensified your need for him. As if guessing this just from your blissed expression, he pulled his hand away, accompanied by your whines as you looked to see what he was doing. His hands moving up and grabbing the band on your underwear before pulling them down, you lifting your hips to help as he slipped them off your feet and then reached for your shirt, leaving you fully naked on the couch.

“Fuck” he cursed, his cock throbing in his pants. Desperate, he almost gave up on his attempts to control himself. However, he did not want to stop teasing you, looking at your flushed cheeks and open mouth, it was worth the self control he had to possess. Looking down at your body, his eyes zeroed in on one thing he didn’t expect, a tattoo. It was on her v line, properly hidden by underwear and most outfits.

“When did you get this?” he murmured, lowering his face down as his lips hovered over it, his breath warm against your skin.

“Um…2018…after the olympics” you answered, your voice sounding out of breath as you pushed up on your elbows to watch. His lips slowly leaning down to kiss the spot. “It’s pretty” he said as he looked up at you, and god if only he knew how pretty he looked like that, his teeth grazing against it teasingly causing your breath to hitch. He chuckled before his arms linked under your legs and pulled you up to his face, glancing up at you before diving in like a starved man.

The way Max ate pussy was almost disgusting, like he was trying to suck your soul out of your body. Your hands dropped to his hair, sliding through the strands and bucking your hips up to meet his tongue. He looked ridiculously good while lapping at your pussy or sucking your clit in his mouth, his eyes shining, his hair being pushed back and the way his shoulders were wider than your hips, giving a good place to rest your legs on. You were so distracted by his looks that you only realized he had slipped a finger inside you when it curled into your cervix and you let out a loud moan.

“Can I put a second?” he mumbled against your skin, kissing your thigh as he looked up at you and you nodded, encouraging your boyfriend’s movements and easily enough, he pushed a second finger inside. His fingers curled even better as his mouth worked exclusively on your clit, his left arm reaching to press down on your hips to keep you still, making you feel his movements even more intensely. You threw your head back as you arched off the couch, your fingers keeping a merciless grip on his strands, hard enough that you might have been worried about pulling some out as he worked you up. He could feel when your legs started tensing around his neck and how your walls tightened around his fingers, both signs that you were close to release so he sped his movements. It was a particular deep stroke of his fingers to your insides that had you coming for him, your legs shook around him as you experienced an unexplainable strong orgasm. Max continued to eat you through your orgasm and it was only when he pulled away did you notice his face was covered in a transparent liquid, realizing you had squirted on him.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry” you said, covering your face to stop the embarrassment you felt as Max sat up

“Sorry for what, baby?” he asked, kissing up your body before pushing his shirt off his shoulders, “didn’t know you could do that, huh?” he whispered into your neck and you shook your head.

“No” you said, burying your face into his neck, “it was embarrassing”

“That’s okay baby, you don’t have to apologize for that. It was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, you look so pretty when you cum, darling” he said and you chuckled before letting out a sigh

“Still embarrassing” you said and he chuckled before leaning back and kissing your forehead.

“Whatever you say, do you still wanna continue? Or are you all good here?” he asked and you shook your head

“No- no, i can keep going” you said and he looked to make sure you were sure before he nodded

“Alright, if you say so baby” he said with a nod before unbuckling and taking off his pants. Your eyes watched religiously as you watched him kick them somewhere on the floor before grabbing his boxers, and sliding them down. You watched as it bounced back up and rested against his stomach with a small gasp before she looked up at him. “You can touch baby, only fair” he joked and you reached down, your fingers wrapping against the base before giving it a nice pump which caused him to hiss.

“Fuck” he cursed, and you stopped for maybe a split moment before he interrupted you. “No, no- keep going…it’s just, it’s been a while” he said and you nodded before you continued, jerking him off for a few moments before he stopped you, way too close and he wanted to wait. You were a little sad you weren’t able to taste him but you figured you could do it another time. He reached for his pants again, pulling out a condom from his pocket and rolling it on before he slid back in between your legs.

“You ready?” he asked and you nodded. He brought his tip to your wet pussy, sliding so well that he couldn’t help but moan. Your gasp of pleasure made it all worth it, and your cry of frustration as he pulled himself out drove him absolutely insane. The way you craved him made him dizzy, intoxicated with your drunkenness of him, having you all for himself the way you were in that moment being almost a dream. He pushed back in, his large cock filling you and the small pain from stretching was overtaken by pleasure as you felt his hips grind against yours. The rhythm was nothing like his fingers, nothing like his tongue, it was slow. He was slow, like he was savoring every moment of this.

You clenched, you squealed, begged, anything flowed out your mouth and none of it was coherent, but Max liked that. In fact, it only quickened his pace as he watched your eyes roll to the back of your head and moan his name.

"you're taking me so well" his voice is raspy, husk and faint. “Such a good girl…”

A moan rippled through your body at the sound of him, every thrust from him sending butterflies into your stomach until one in particular hit your cervix and you let out a cry as you came on his cock.

It takes a few more thrusts from him before he’s spilling into the condom with a low groan, his face leaning into your neck as he trembled a bit. The two of you panting and getting your breathing under control as you came down from your highs. He slips out after a few minutes, tying the condom before getting up to throw it away, and coming back with a warm wash cloth, sitting next to a relatively fucked out you and after wiping your leg to warn you, starts to clean you up, even if it’s your own fluids.

→ smut ends here

liked by maxverstappen1, bsf1, bsf2 and many others

y/n.jpg Been at home all day, Jimmy is especially obsessed with me as you can see (shoutout to waking up with sassy behind my knees) 

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username7 stop 💀is she in the bath and jimmy and sassy are staring at her?? 

bsf2 awww look at Jimmy on your chest 🥹

maxverstappen1 tell jimmy to get out of my spot 

⤷username6 hello?? 💀is he talking about your chest

⤷bsf1 ignore him, he’s different without his meds 

username23 is it just me or is max and y/n like suddenly really affectionate? 🤔like no hate, I love it, it’s just a crazy shift 

⤷username2 nah you're so right moot, especially max 💀were they released from pr jail or something?? 

⤷username4 well y/n sure as hell wasn’t 😂she’s always been unhinged, it might just be her influencing max 

lilymhe never wanted to be a cat so badly 

⤷y/n.jpg don’t worry baby, I got you 💋

⤷alexalbon I give up 

⤷maxverstappen1 a wise choice truly

charlesleclerc how come sassy is nice to you?? 

⤷y/n.jpg girls just recognize girls 

⤷bsf1 lies, she’s just freakishly good with animals 

OscarPiastri can I pet them? 

⤷y/n.jpg osc! of course you can, just tell me what day you plan to swing by bc I wanna make snickerdoodles 

⤷logansargeant I heard snickerdoodles 

⤷y/n.jpg 💀yes logan, you can come too i guess

→ we have a contact name change for max, goodbye max, hello maxie 

→ Jimmy and Sally love their new mommy, especially Jimmy 

Author’s Note!! 

Hey Guys, sorry about the wait for this chapter, I lowkey didn’t know how I was going to do this and switched the format at least 7 times. I also broke my wrist on my dominant hand 🙂(didn’t know the ao3 curse applied to tumblr too) thankfully I can type with both hands but finishing out my first smut chapter with one hand was difficult. Speaking of smut, this was my first hand at writing this stuff so 🥹hopefully it’s good, I did not reread it bc one hand but also bc I’m indecisive and will change it, anyways hope you enjoy this chapter!! 

taglist: @boiohboii @ale-522 @ietss @theseerbetweenus @jaxx-7 @sainzluvrr @the-untamed-soul @ashy-kit @hc-dutch @nichmeddar @delululeclerc @sweate-r-weathe-r @dhanihamidi @tellybearryyyy @luvsforme @samantha-chicago @theblueblub @woozarts

༉‧₊˚  CHAMPIONS LOVE ༉‧₊˚

⤷ Following the messy breakup between Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet, Max’s manager comes up with a solution to divert the attention – a fake relationship. His new girlfriend? Two time olympic gold medalist figure skater, y/n for the USA team. Easy? Well…

[mono-dot-jpeg]

child! reader w/blade, yanqing, natasha, & gepard

summary; thoughts being thunk about cute scenarios with child! reader

genre/extra tags; fluff, blade is probably ooc, don't give blade a child, yanqing being a big brother, yanqing and reader gang up on jingyuan, natasha my beloved, gepard big brother arc, but gepard is an awkward big brother, whoops my hand slipped now there's angst (natasha's part), blade wants to punt a kid (/hj)

[gender neutral! reader] [child 7-9! reader] [platonic]

[warnings; implied for reader to be heavily sick often (natasha)]

a/n; *smacks my head* this baby holds loads of child!reader ideas, thanks to their family being the way their family is. good ol' trauma. you didn't pick any characters in particular other than just non-express crew characters. hope you enjoy

it's a fucking miracle that you're even standing next to this man. kafka just had to give you to him. luckily, blade is less violent than he looks. and luckily for you, you hold no fear.

"you look ugly like that." you point at him, your tiny finger inching a little too close to his eye. "why do you look like that?" kafka stifles a laugh as she watches from afar.

"i can't believe i want to punt a child." he mutters. "i don't know, why do you look like that?" he retaliates.

"look like what? ms. kafka says i'm cute!" your hand goes limp to rest on your lap.

"you are anything but cute, you devil spawn."

you gasped, "ms. kafka! blade is being mean!" you get up to run to the woman, who is laughing silently. "he called me a devil spawn... whatever that means!"

"it means you're tiny. and stupid." blade says, watching as you hide behind kafka's leg.

"no, you're stupid!" you stick your tongue out at him.

"you little sh-"

"curse jar!"

"yannie!" you cheered loudly.

"y/n!" he cheers back. you run to him as he picks you up. "do you want to walk around today?" you nodded. "let's go get some allowance from the general first!"

"jing!" you and yanqing arrive at the general's office.

"if it isn't our little cloud knight." jingyuan watches as the young blonde puts you down to go run at him. "i could only wonder what you are doing here with yanqing."

"i wan' to explore with yanqing!" you climb up jingyuan's legs as he watches with a fond gaze.

"is that so?"

you nodded, "but me 'n yan need help." jingyuan looks at you confused before turning to look at yanqing.

"we need some money, general..." jingyuan raises an eyebrow, glancing at you who shows him puppy eyes. and then yanqing tries to play off his ask with an innocent grin.

jingyuan can't help but sigh, "for a lieutenant and a little cloud knight, you two sure are sly." he smiles gently.

"you think we can annoy serval?" an impish grin starts to grow on your face.

"we really shouldn't do that." gepard chides you. you groan.

"but i'm so bored! she's got cool ga- gad-gets."

"gadgets."

"yeah! i wanna see them! i wanna watch serval work!"

"she's probably busy, y/n." you huffed as you struggled in gepard's arms, "stop it!"

"what can we do then?" you pouted. "what do you wanna do?"

awkward silence...

"my idea is better! let's go see big sis!" you tug on his clothes as if it would anything to make him move faster.

"how about we make something for serval? wouldn't that be fun?"

"hm? making something like a gad-gets?"

"gadget. yeah, maybe something like that. or we can draw something for her, and she can put it up somewhere."

"yeah, let's do that!" you cheered, walking alongside gepard and putting your hand in his.

it's no doubt that your parents would leave you in the care of the nicer-est nurse in town (your words, not hers). even if you were a not so amazing state, you can't help but still be happy.

"i think you're a superhero, ms. natasha. i wanna make a story about you!" you've always been a creative soul, it was one of the few things you can do with being bedridden for days on end. writing was a favorite. but you really liked making comics.

"i'm just doing my job, dear. i think you should make a story about yourself." natasha speaks with fondness as she distracts you from getting a shot. "you're just as strong as a hero." her voice is bittersweet but you don't notice it.

"how about i make a story about us? we can be the best-est heroes in the world!" you beamed at your own genius suggestion. "i can be your sidekick!"

"i would love to see that story someday." she smiles. "i know it will be amazing as always." she places a band aid where your shot was taken. her thumb brushes over it once, then again. "i'll even put it up by your bed. framed and everything."

she just hopes you live to see another day.

[justmystyles]

Now You're In My Life - Part 5

catch up here

pairing: Harry Styles x plus size reader

word count: 3.5k

summary: a chance meeting at a diner turns your world upside-down.

warnings: some curse words, but other than that it's tame.

a/n: hey gang, remember how fluffy this has been? well, we took a bit of a turn at the end here. sorry about that. i promise, i'm going to fix it though!

*i say it's a plus size reader, while i don't focus a lot on that aspect (because your size should not define you), it will come up, so i just wanted to be upfront about it.

tags (thank you forever, from the bottom of my icy cold heart to anyone who has asked to be tagged, or interacted/read this story at all. it means the absolute world to me.): @allthelovehes @ameerakane20 @ash-craze @bethanysnow @blue-ballad @brightlightsinlife @cute-as-ducks420 @gem1712 @golden-hoax @groovychaosavenue @iceebabies @indierockgirrl @jerseygirlinca @jooniesbabie @kaverichauhan @n0vaj3an @stylesfever @superchrystaldrug @tenaciousperfectionunknown @thechaoticjoy @theekyliepage @walkingintheheartbreaksatellite @youknowwhaaat

Your eyes flutter open as you stretch the sleep out of your body. You reach the king sized bed, pulling your phone off the nightstand to check the time. Instead, you are distracted by a text notification. It’s from Harry. You rub the sleep from your eyes so that you can read the message carefully and unlock the phone. 

I know you said you were just tired, but it felt like more than that. I want to be your safe space, but understand if you are hesitant. I won’t bring it up again, just know that I’m here for you. I’ll see you in a few hours. 

He sent that text at four in the morning. You had Harry so worried about you that instead of resting for his show, he was thinking about you. You needed to find a balance, you didn’t want to get any more attached to him than you already were, but you also didn’t want to be a distraction from his tour. 

You got out of bed and started getting ready, the whole time coming up with a plan for the best way to get through the day. You decided that you had to just go back to how things were this time yesterday. It was your last day with Harry anyway, if this was going to be your last memory of him, it might as well be a good one. 

You hadn’t been told what time to get to the venue today, so you figured you were supposed to get there around the same time as yesterday. Since you had some time to kill, you relaxed on the bed in your leggings and a tank top, watching television until you had to get dressed and head out. 

You were startled by a knock on the door, you weren’t expecting anyone and you definitely had your do not disturb sign up. You approached the entrance and leaned up, looking through the peephole. It was Harry, his hands were behind his back, and he seemed nervous. 

You took a deep breath before opening the door. He looked at you with a questioning expression, and you smiled softly at him, signaling that you were better. He sighed in relief and removed his hands from behind his back, unveiling two Starbucks cups. 

“Trick or treat!” He says, his dimples on full display. 

“Aww Harry, that was really sweet but I don’t–”

“Drink coffee,” he interrupted you. “You told me. It's hot chocolate, the only hot drink you like.” He extended one of the drinks in your direction. 

Fuck, this was going to be a hard day. 

“Thanks,” you took it with a smile. 

As you turned to walk back in the room, Harry cleared his throat, you turned to see he hadn’t entered yet. “What, are you some kind of vampire or something? I’ve gotta invite you in?” 

“Nope, just waiting for my delivery fee.” He arched a brow and tapped his lips with his index finger. 

You chuckle and step up to him, placing your lips to his. “Good morning, Harry.” 

“Good morning, princess.” He smiled before pulling you in again, kissing you deeper this time. “Now, let’s see this room, shall we?”

You guide Harry inside, he lets out a low whistle as he take a look around. “Nice digs.” 

“It’s fine, I’m sure it’s not half as nice as the hotel you’re staying in.” You take a quick glance around the room in case there’s anything you might not want Harry to see.

“Oh, I’m not in a hotel. I have an apartment here.” His eyes catch it before you do, there’s a panic in your face as you rush to the bed, but he gets there first. “Who do we have here?” He pulls a stuffed fox off the bed and looks it over.

You snatch it out of his hands, your face going bright red. “Don’t worry about it.” 

“Hey, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, princess.” He brushes a stray hair behind your ear. 

Your gaze drops to the floor, but he puts his finger under your chin, forcing you to look at him. “I uh… ugh, this is going to sound so lame and needy.”

“Try me,” he encouraged. 

“When I sleep, I need to have my arms around something. I’m a hug sleeper, so I sleep with that every night.” You look back down at the floor. 

“I knew you were a snuggler,” he smiled, pulling the fox from your hands and dropping it  on the bed before pulling you in close. “I’m going to get you a body pillow with my picture on it. It seems like the only logical solution.” You laugh into his chest and he holds on tighter. “I love making you laugh.” He placed a kiss on the crown of your head. 

“So did you come by just to deliver me a hot chocolate?” You change the subject. 

“Nah, we don’t have to be at the venue until later, so I thought we could go out. Maybe grab a quick lunch, sightseeing, something like that?” 

“That sounds fun. Should I bring my costume for tonight?” You move to your closed while you talk, pulling a long sleeved tee out and over your head. 

“Sure, we can drop it off there on the way. One less thing to worry about later.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket, smiling when he looks at the screen. “Goddamned paparazzi.” He laughed. 

“Is everything okay?” You ask, taking a seat at the desk to slide your shoes on. 

“Great actually. Did you know we were being filmed last night?” He holds up his phone, showing you the pictures that Jeff took in Harry’s dressing room. “How cute are we?” 

“The cutest,” you reply, feeling yourself get emotional at the pictures. That moment meant everything to you, and there was photographic evidence of it. 

Harry sends you the pictures and the two of you go on your way. He once again insists on carrying your backpack for you. After dropping it off at MSG, you head to Central Park. Harry’s hand seems glued to yours the whole time. Though you heard a few ‘is that Harry Styles?’ mumbles and some gasps as you travel the streets, people were respectful for the most part, giving you both your space. 

“Y/N?” A voice calls as you stroll through the park.

You and Harry both freeze. “How is it that I’m the celebrity, and you’re the one people are calling for in the streets?” He whispers to you as you turn around. 

Your eyes go wide, and you break into a grin when you see your good friend Andy approaching you. “It is you! You didn’t tell me you were going to be in town!” He wraps you in a bear hug and lifts you off the ground. 

“It was a last minute thing,” you respond as he places your feet back on the ground. 

“Are you here for a concert or a show?” 

“I… uh,” you know if you say concert, he’s going to ask you who, and you’re not sure how to even begin to tackle that. “Uh… a boy actually.” You shrug with a blush. 

Harry takes that as his cue. “Hello, I’m Harry.” 

The men shake hands and Andy looks at you curiously, you know what he’s asking and nod your head. You fall into a bit of small talk, and Harry excuses himself to use the bathroom, allowing you and Andy to catch up for a bit. 

“Y/N, are you dating Harry Styles?” Andy asks once Harry is out of earshot. 

“I honestly have no fucking idea,” you answer, shrugging your shoulders. 

“It sure seems like you are, he’s kind of all over you.”

You blush, loving the idea that other people see Harry being affectionate with you. If other people see it, maybe it is something more. You redirect the conversation, afraid to dig too deep into your feelings for Harry, and speculations on his feelings for you. 

Before long Harry returns, stepping up behind you and wrapping his arms around your shoulders. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Princess,” Andy shoots you a knowing look at Harry’s nickname, you shrug him off. “But I think we should be going.” He nods to a few people standing around who have started to pull out their phones, undoubtedly to take pictures and videos of him. 

He knew he was being filmed, but he was still openly affectionate with you. That’s not nothing. 

You said your goodbyes to Andy and went on your way, stopping for a quick slice of pizza before moving on to the Garden. They didn’t have a full sound check like they had the previous day, but there were a couple of songs they wanted to run through before the show. 

Much like the previous day, Harry made sure you weren’t too far from his side the entire time; watching rehearsals from the stage, hanging out with the band and crew at craft services, and even a little makeout session in Harry’s dressing room, until you kicked him out so that you could start getting in your costume. 

He begged to stay at least while you did your hair and makeup, but you insisted it would give everything away. When he pouted and complained, you reminded him that it was his idea to surprise each other with your costumes. You laughed when he stomped out of the room like a child having a temper tantrum. 

You were pretty nervous about this costume, it was a bit of a departure from your princess costume the night before. It was either going to be a huge hit or a fantastic bomb. You gave yourself one final look in the mirror, hitting your hair with a little more texturizer before texting Harry that you were ready. Before he could get to you, you went into the bathroom and shut the door, allowing yourself the opportunity for a proper reveal. 

“Let’s have a look,” Harry said as he entered the room. His face dropped when you were nowhere to be found. He saw that the bathroom door was closed and ran over tapping on it softly. “Princess? C’mon out. Let’s see what you’ve got.” 

You take a deep breath, turning the knob and stepping out into the dressing room. Running your hands through your hair and flopping it to your right side. You stand frozen in place, waiting for Harry’s reaction. 

He studied you carefully, starting with your messy hair and running down to the white t-shirt with rolled sleeves, and tight black skinny jeans down to your brown Chelsea boots. “Are you…”

“I’m you,” you said tentatively. “Well, I mean like old you. Young you? One Direction you.” The words spill out of your mouth so quickly you don’t even know what you’re saying. 

Harry remained silent as he stepped up to you to get a closer look. He walked around you, wanting to see the costume from all angles. He stopped when he got to your left arm, lifting it and examining it closely. “You even have the tattoos.” He marveled. 

“I uh… yeah. I cut up a pair of tights to draw them on.” You answer nervously. “Is it… are you…”

“This may be the greatest costume I’ve ever seen.” He says. You look over and see his wide, dimpled grin. “You look… I mean wow.” He ran his fingers through his hair. 

“Really?”

“Absolutely. There is one problem though.” Your brows round in question. “It’s a little alarming how much this is turning me on.” You burst out laughing, swatting at his chest, he grabs your wrist and pulls you close, cupping your cheek with his free hand. “I’m not joking.” He says just before pulling you into a heated kiss. 

Harry practically dragged you down the hall, eager to show everyone your costume. You felt a huge relief knowing Harry liked your costume, it was just icing on the cake that everyone else went wild for it as well. They were all taking pictures of you while Harry tried to instruct you on how to pose and what face to make to be the most authentic. 

Once the excitement of your reveal died down, everyone went their separate ways to get ready for the show. You sat on the couch in Harry’s dressing room, scrolling through your phone as he changed in the bathroom.

The sound of the door opening pulled your attention, you looked up and smiled as he moved towards you in a sea of ruffles. 

“Well?” He held his arms out and did a quick spin to show off the costume. 

You chuckled as you jumped up and ran over to him, playing with the ruffles around his neck. “Very bouncy. This is going to look amazing on stage. Especially with the way you move around.”   

“Ah, so you’ve noticed my moves?” He says slyly.

“Well you drag me to these shows to watch you perform, I kind of can’t help it.” You say sarcastically, making him laugh and pull you close, smothering you with kisses. 

“I’m going to make you a fan whether you like it or not,” he joked. 

You’re interrupted by a knock at the door, notifying Harry that he needs to start making his way to the stage. He gives you one last lingering kiss before taking your hand and leading you out of the room.

Walking a few steps behind him, you finally catch a glimpse of the back of his costume. “This part kind of looks like a diaper though,” you chuckle. 

He turns around, eyeing you curiously, you tap your hand against his rear and he arches a brow at you. “Does it? Or were you just looking for an excuse to touch my bum?” 

“I have moves too,” you shrug. 

Harry smirks, shaking his head at you. “I’ve noticed.” 

You're led to the same area you were in the night before, waiting for the show to begin. A lot of people seemed to notice you, you had people calling out to you telling you how much they loved your costume, a few even snapped some pictures. It was sweet, but you hate having attention on you, so you were a bit uncomfortable. 

Jeff noticed and stepped a little closer to you. “I know it’s weird, but you’ll get used to it.” 

You smiled and nodded politely, but you knew there was nothing to get used to. After tonight, you’d go home and the past week will all just be some crazy memory. Harry would just be a memory. 

The show was electric, the crowd was rowdier than you had seen at the other shows, and you could tell Harry was absolutely feeding off their energy. He would glance your way often, offering a wink or a smile which you would happily return. When his eyes traveled in your direction during What Makes You Beautiful, he could barely contain his laughter, looking at you, dressed like him during that period of his life. 

When the opening notes of Sign of the Times started, you were hit with the realization that your time with Harry was coming to an end. You had done a good job of keeping your feelings at bay, but the truth of the matter is that you had fallen in love over the last seven days, and when you woke up in the morning it was all going to be over. 

You hadn’t even noticed that you started crying until you saw Harry’s face drop when he looked at you. He immediately pulled the microphone from the stand and moved to your side of the stage. You brought your hand up and wiped away the tears, he held up a tentative thumbs up, asking if you were alright. You nodded in response, but he didn’t move. You took a deep breath, wiping away some more tears before returning the thumbs up. He smiled softly at you before moving on. He would continue to shoot you worried glances for the remainder of the show. 

When you got back to Harry’s dressing room the door was already shut, you assumed it was because Harry was in there. You knocked gently, Harry immediately called for you to come in. 

He was pulling his hoodie on as you entered. When his head popped out, your eyes immediately locked and he gave you a sad smile, “Was I really that bad?” He said, trying to keep the mood light.

You shook your head with a humorless chuckle. “No, I think that was the best of the three.” You say, referencing the three shows you had been to. 

“All the shows you’ve been to have been the best ones,” you eye him curiously. “You being there makes me better, I want to impress you.” 

“Mission accomplished.” You say quietly, you were barely able to hear yourself over the sound of your heart breaking. 

“Excellent, I’ll announce my retirement immediately.” He joked. When you didn’t laugh, his face fell and he stepped up to you, placing his hands on your hips. “Hey,” you keep your eyes trained on the floor, afraid you’ll fall apart if you look at him. He lifts your gaze, kissing away the stray tear that had broken loose. “Talk to me, princess. What’s wrong?” 

You shrug, taking a shuddered breath to try to compose yourself. “I’m sorry.” 

“Shh,” he coos softly. “You don’t ever have to apologize to me for expressing your feelings. I just want to know what’s wrong so I can help.” 

“I… I just…” Your breath hitching with each word. 

Harry guides you to the couch, sitting you down before sitting beside you and wrapping you in his arms. “Take your time, I’m right here.” He holds you, rubbing soothing circles on your back. 

“It’s so stupid, I’m not this girl, I don’t do this.” You mumble between sobs. “I just, it hit me that I’ve gotta go home tomorrow, and you’re going to fly off and keep touring, and I’m just really going to miss you.”

“Oh honey,” he squeezed you tighter. “I’m going to miss you too.” 

“Really?” 

Harry pulls back, taking your face in his hands. His heart sinks when he sees your red rimmed eyes and tear stained cheeks. “So. Much.” He punctuates each word with a kiss on your lips. “But just because we aren’t going to be in the same place doesn’t mean you’re getting rid of me. I’m still going to blow up your phone every day, and FaceTime you after every show. Though I’m heading to the west coast, so the calls will be a little later.” 

He gives you a wink, making you laugh. “There’s that beautiful laugh.” He rubs his thumbs over your cheeks to wipe your tears and pulls you close to kiss your forehead. “We still have a little time. We can spend it crying and already missing each other, or I can take you back to your hotel and we can watch a silly movie, or just talk, whatever your sweet little heart wants.”

You nod, surging forward and crashing your lips against his, pouring all your feelings into the kiss. He returns it with just as much fervor. You pull away breathlessly, sighing at the sight of Harry’s wide grin. You can tell he’s about to say something stupid. 

“Except for that you little minx,” he chuckles. “There’s not nearly enough time for us to do that properly.”

You laugh, ignoring the butterflies that stirred at the thought of taking things further with Harry. He was right, this wasn’t the time for that. Besides, leaving him was already going to be hard enough. 

You changed out of your costume and went with Harry back to your hotel. You put on the television, but it was mostly just there for background noise, you two stayed up until sunrise talking. Whenever Harry would see your mood start to shift, he would hit you with one of his corny jokes, doing whatever he could to make you smile. 

When it was finally time for your goodbyes, they were tearful and much more emotional than you had planned. You had hoped that you had gotten it all out of your system after the show, but as soon as he stood from the bed, your emotional dam burst once again. 

It was a long goodbye, Harry doing everything he could to make sure you were alright. There were plenty of hugs, whispered ‘I’ll miss you’s and promises of seeing each other soon. Then, with one final kiss, Harry was gone. You watched him as he walked down the hallway, before he turned the corner, he looked back once more blowing you a kiss which you pretended to catch and place on your cheek. He shook his head and pointed at his lips before blowing another kiss, this time when you caught it, you placed it on your lips. He gave you that signature smile once more, paired with a thumbs up, and just like that, he was gone. It was a perfectly Harry way to say goodbye, and it left you perfectly heartbroken. 

[yuyuconfessions]

"I've noticed that younger fans seem to have trouble connecting the dots that a lot of adults on this website were kids younger or close to the age of Yusuke when this series was originally airing back in the 90s in Japan and the 2000s in the west.

Although these fictional characters' stories ended for them at 18 it doesn't mean that Yusuke and the gang stop being important, interesting, or compelling to us. It also doesn't mean that we have to stop loving these fictional characters and their stories after we turn 19.

If you as a minor 14-17 or someone aged 18 - 25 thay feels comfortable shipping these characters, viewing art of them, and reading fic about them ESPECIALLY NSFW art/fic; but your skin crawls that people older than you are creating that content, then you need to sit down with yourself and ask yourself if fandoms that are literally older than your existence are places that you are ready to be socializing in.

Fandoms that are older than your existence will have fans that are MUCH older than you and they are making content and having interactive conversations.

Yu Yu Hakusho is not an Adult Only fandom but it is a fandom that is Mostly Adults.

I fell in love with this show when I was a pre teen. I'm in my mid 30s. The show's target audience is teenagers. But here is the thing: it's target audience was teenagers back in the 90s and 2000s and that's still most of its audience today because Togashi told a fun and resonant story that tends to stick with its audience.

If you can't handle shipping content or adult conversations (conversations about mature topics and themes not necessarily 18+/NSFW but these are definitely present also) about Yu Yu Hakusho then you should try to avoid adult spaces when searching for discussion or content and stick to spaces specifically for minors.

A space specifically for minors would have a ban against all 18+/NSFW content that is strictly enforced. It would not have an 18+/NSFW section at all.

Tumblr and most of the discord servers for YYH that I've seen are adult spaces. Because there is an expectation that while minors are allowed on the websites they must be over a certain age with parental permission because adult conversations happen here where minors could see them.

All of this to say: Unplug from the adult spaces if you feel uncomfortable with adult themes and content or 18+/NSFW content.

Talk to friends irl about Yu Yu Hakusho or find a minor focused space online to talk about it. Come back to the adult spaces in a few years.

This applies to the 18 - 25 crowd also. If you can't handle seeing someone ship these characters or if someone ships them in a way that you don't agree with and it's so upsetting to you that it's causing you a great deal of anger or distress then you need to consider if you really want to be in the Greater Online Yu Yu Hakusho Fandom at this particular point in your life. Or if maybe you want to filter tags on tumblr and drop sites that you can't filter to make your fandom experience more smooth.

If Yu Yu Hakusho has lasted 30 years then it'll last another 3 or 5 years while you get adjusted and engage with Yu Yu Hakusho in minor focused or safely filtered fandom spaces. Trust me. Yu Yu Hakusho will be somewhere on the greater internet when you're older and you've gotten better at self regulating your intake of content online and your response to seeing content online that you don't like.

Yusuke, Kazuma, Kurama, Hiei, Keiko, Botan, Shizuru, Yukina, Genkai and the rest will be here when you get back. That's the great thing about resonant media. It sticks around because people connect to it.

You can love them as long as you want to. They'll always be there. They're not going anywhere."

This mod would just like to add

No one shipping Yusuke x Keiko is sexualizing or exploiting minors; yes, even if the person shipping is 35 years old. These are cartoons, fictional, 2d drawings. If you want to play cute with "but they're 14!" No. Yusuke was created in 1992. He is 31.

If any of the above makes you, a minor, uncomfortable, then get out of adult spaces. Back in myyy day (que groans), any show I liked and looked at online had adult content, like Inuyasha or Naruto, even Teen Titans. I'd be 12 and see suddenly complete porn of Raven, and as a teen, I'd just exit out of it. Now, kids see things online, things they shouldn't see because the internet is NOT safe for kids without parental oversight, and their response is to... yell at the people making the content... for other adults.

If you wouldn't walk into Spencers and yell at the employees there for the vibrators, don't yell at adults drawing porn of Yukina and Hiei fucking. Exit out, or ask your mommy and daddy to put restrictions on what sites you can access. The internet is NOT your babysitter.

[babybatscreationsv2]

Neighborhood Entertainment

Marvel | Peter/Everybody

With little to do in suburbia, gatherings at the Stark household are a regular thing. The wives gather to gossip around plates of food while the husbands slip into the basement to catch the game. Or at least, that's what their wives think.

Rating: Explicit

Warnings and tags below

Warnings/tags: cheating, gangbang, phone sex, rough sex, double penetration, spit roasting

His phone lit up where it rested on the kitchen counter. Tony Stark with a groofy grin on his face under the too bright lights of the Vegas casino from his bachelor party greeted him. Steve swiped to answer the call and put the phone to his ear.

"Hey, Tony! What's up?"

"Stevie! Hope it's not too early for ya," Tony answered.

"Not at all. Me and the wife were just making breakfast." Steve smiled at Peggy as she looked over her shoulder at him. He inhaled the savory scent of thick cut bacon as she dropped it onto the hot pan.

"Perfect," Tony said. Steve frowned.

"Are you okay? You sound-" he stopped as he heard an unmistakable wet, gagging noise. Then a slurping sound.

"Hey Steve!" Peter's voice called, not far away, but not close enough to the phone either. Then the wet noises continued.

"H-hey, Pete..." Steve answered. He swallowed the flood of saliva in his mouth.

"Is everything okay?" Peggy asked.

"Yeah, of course." Steve gave her another smile. "Tony says Peter has a bit of a cold, that's all."

Tony snickered into the phone. "He certainly has something in his throat." He moaned luxuriously. Steve could just imagine them, Tony's hand combing through Peter's hair, but he never needed to pull the boy closer, not when Peter loved to gag on it. He bet his chin was soaked with spit and his back was arched and he's probably wearing nothing but Tony's T-shirt.

"Anyway," Tony sighed. "We called to invite you and the missus over this weekend. We're having one of our barbecues."

"We'll be there," Steve said quickly. Peter stopped his sucking to give a 'yay' only to get his mouth stuffed full again. Steve turned toward the kitchen counter to hide himself.

"Fantastic," Tony agreed. "Don't forget to bring a dish or at least something to throw on the grill."

"Who's grilling this time?"

"Oh, another barbecue?" Peggy asked. "That sounds lovely. The weather is supposed to be perfect this weekend."

"What did she say?" Tony asked, cruel little bastard that he was.

"She said the weather should be perfect," Steve said quickly. He tried not to flinch when his wife came closer. She brought her face right up to the phone.

"I can't wait to see you boys again! We'll bring that cod Peter liked the last time," she said.

Steve's heart beat in his ears. He assumed that was the reason the obscene noises stopped until he realized Tony must have noticed she was by the phone.

"That sounds great, Peg! I'll tell him."

"See you soon!"

"Can't wait!"

Peggy went back to the stove and Steve took a slow, deep breath. "You're grilling this time right?"

Tony laughed. "Yeah yeah, I've got these holes all to myself right now. Saturday, he's all yours."

Maybe it was wishful thinking, but he thought he heard Peter moan.

"Well, if that's all, we have preparations to make," Tony said coyly.

"Who else is coming?" Steve asked, refusing to let him hang up. Not while he could hear Peter's throat getting flossed. That boy was made for cock.

"Oh the usual gang. Bucky and Nat, Sam and Sharon. Happy said he might stop by."

"May's coming?"

"Definitely."

Steve closed his eyes and breathed through his nose. It was so much better when Peter's aunt was there. That wet squishing sound was already gonna make him come like a teenager. Thinking about Peter's mother figure in the next room was really making his head spin.

"Good boy," Tony purred. "You want Stevie to hear what a good job you do? What a good little cock sucker you are? Aw, that's so sweet, baby. He's looking at me with those eyes, Steve. He wants me to cum down his throat.

"Do it," Steve growled.

Tony chuckled. "Careful, big guy. You'll burn your flapjacks." Then he gasped and Steve knew too well what Tony sounds like when he cums. The way his breathing gets heavy, then stutters, that growling moan, and a sigh like he just sipped a cool drink on a hot day.

"What a good boy," Tony praised.

"Thank you, sir." Peter's voice, so ragged and cracking, the way he coughed a little after he spoke... Steve held it together but only just. He could wait for the weekend.

Peggy's hand touched his shoulder. Steve hoped he didn't look as horny as he really was as he looked at her. "Are you sure everything is okay?"

"Yeah," Steve smiled. "May's coming for the barbecue."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" She gave him a quick kiss that had him gripping the counter for support. He watched her turn away to tend to the bacon.

"Let me help you finish up. I'll just wash my hands." He hurried to the bathroom and turned on the sink. He splashed cold water on his face until his body cooled and dried off before returning to the kitchen.

Peggy stood there, arms crossed, watching him with a scowl.

"What's wrong?"

She pointed to the kitchen sink. "What's gotten into you this morning?"

Steve laughed. "Sorry, I'm just thinking about Peter's potato salad."

"I don't know what he does, but it's addictive isn't it?"

Steve grabbed the eggs from the fridge and joined his wife at the stove. He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek, but in his mind he was replaying the phone call.

Smoke drifted up from the grill making the bright afternoon hazy. Tony picked up his tongs and turned over the chicken breasts, enjoying how they sizzled. He closed the grill and set the tongs aside just as two new faces came through the back fence.

"Hey! Steve, Peggy, you made it!" Tony greeted the couple. He crossed the grass to give Peggy a hug and Steve a firm pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you for inviting us," Peggy said politely. She offered him a plate wrapped in tin foil. Tony took it with a smile.

"Perfect! I'll pop this on the grill. It won't be long before we eat."

"I can't wait," Peggy said before interrupting herself. "Oh, Sharon and Natasha are already here!" She wandered away to join the other ladies as they sipped fresh lemonade under a canopy set up in the yard. A folding table was set up beneath, surrounded by chairs.

"Where's Peter?" Steve asked once she was gone.

"In between Bucky and Sam last I saw. Better go on before he gets tired."

Steve scoffed. "He's passed out before. He doesn't mind it."

Tony laughed. He started walking toward the house with Steve close to his side. "Are you kidding? We watch that one back all the time."

"You really gotta send me the footage."

"Nope. We've got one rule."

He opened the door to the basement. They passed the lounge where the TV blared the sports network in case the women came poking around. Through the door that only Tony had a key to, they found Peter.

His pretty little husband was caught in the middle of what looked like a fight to the death. Bucky pounded his ass, hands squeezing his thighs, pinning his legs to Bucky's chest. While Sam violated his throat, making it bulge big enough to be seen from the doorway. Peter's own dick was hard, but his orgasm was mercilessly trapped by the expertly tied rope that pulled his balls down and away from his body then came up to squeeze the base of his cock. His hands were pinned to the mattress beneath Sam's. The sounds he was making could make a monk cum in his robes. Tony was certainly struggling to hold it together, at least.

"Fuck," Steve swore.

Tony joined them on the bed. He pet Peter's chest, then he slid his hand down his belly, pressing down until he could feel Bucky's cock. Peter squealed, gurgling as he choked on Sam.

"That's my good boy," Tony cooed. "You're doing perfect, baby."

"One of you better move over," Steve snapped. He slipped off his belt and let it drop to the floor. He approached the bed, already taking himself out.

"Or what?" Bucky grinned. He stopped his furious fucking, to instead pound the boy with thrusts that shoved him up the bed and made him moan and grab at Sam's wrists for support.

"Move over," Steve growled.

"No fighting," Tony warned. "There's plenty of room for everybody. You two will just have to cuddle."

"Excuse me?" Steve snapped.

Bucky laughed. He bent Peter's knees to put his legs around him and leaned forward hands up by Peter's head.

"There's room for two."

"You sure?" Steve looked at Peter, then at Tony.

"Hey, Pete?" Sam let go of one of Peter's hands as he wiggled his fingers in answer. "Steve and Bucky want to DP you. How's that sound?" Peter gave a thumbs up.

Tony grinned. "See, he wants it."

"Hell," Steve swore. He climbed onto the bed behind Bucky, between both his and Peter's legs. He shoved Bucky forward to get better leverage, but he didn't complain. It took some maneuvering, but he had no trouble stuffing the head of his cock into Peter's already stuffed hole.

Peter whined beautifully, the sound growing whimpery like a puppy the more Steve pushed his way inside him. Sam stopped his throat fucking to let him breathe and to watch what Steve was doing.

"Fuck- shit," Peter gasped. Tony bent down and kissed his neck. "Please please please-" he started to beg.

"Not yet," Tony said. His hand stroked Peter's chest again. "Be a good toy."

Peter nodded weakly, voice gone like Steve was pushing into his throat. "Yes," he gasped.

"That's my good boy."

Steve reached around Bucky with one hand to hold Peter's hip. The other hand held Bucky's shoulder.

"You ready, sweetheart?" Bucky asked.

"Yeah, please," Peter gasped. He moaned as Steve started to move, the sound turning into pathetic whimpers and gasped pleas. He looked entirely lost and helpless, hanging limply off of both of their cocks.

"Better quiet him down before we're interrupted," Sam said. He stuffed Peter's mouth full of cock again while everyone laughed.

"I better check on the food," Tony said "I'll be back in a bit. Take care of my boy."

"Oh yeah, there's a barbecue happening," Bucky laughed.

"Won't be long before it's time to eat," Tony said from the doorway. He shut the door and locked it behind him. He checked to make sure he was presentable before heading back outside.

He took his place at the grill. The wives were still chatting away. Up until Sharon tapped his shoulder.

"Hey, we're out of lemonade. You don't mind if I run inside for a second do you?"

"Uh," Tony hesitated, thinking it through as fast as he could. "Why don't you man the grill and I'll grab it?"

"Sorry, but the last grill I touched burst into flames," she laughed.

Natasha stepped in behind him. "I've got it. Go get us drinks, big guy." He nudged him out of the way with her hip. Tony looked at her for a moment. He could see it in her eyes. That son of a bitch, what did Bucky tell her?

Tony went inside, admittedly sweating. He grabbed another cold pitcher of lemonade from the fridge, barely stopping to enjoy the sweet sounds coming from the basement. She wouldn't say anything to the others would she?

He went back outside and brought the pitcher to the table, beneath the shade of the canopy. "Pretty day, huh?" he said.

"It's beautiful," Peggy agreed.

"Thanks, Tony." Sharon poured herself another glass.

Tony went back to the grill. Natasha just smiled and shook her head. She patted his shoulder. "Boys will be boys, right?"

Tony raised his eyebrows, completely speechless.

"They're happy. They have good relationships." She pointed at the house. "That keeps them where I know where they are. They go anywhere else-" she snapped the tongs at Tony's crotch and he jumped. She laughed.

Tony swallowed. "Yes, ma'am."

"You're kinda cute when you're nervous."

"I'm flattered, but I'm married."

She laughed again. "Keep it that way."

She went back to the table, leaving Tony stunned. At least she knew her way around a grill.

It wasn't long before Bucky came outside. He stretched and breathed in the fresh air looking like he'd just left a spa. Nat gave him a kiss and pulled him down to sit beside her. He rested his arm along the back of her chair, the pair of them the portrait of a happy marriage. Sam followed right after, greeting the group with an 'evening ladies.'

Then Happy entered the gate. Tony took his plate of very much store bought cookies and set them with the rest of the food.

"Is May here, yet?" he asked, eyes searching the yard.

"Nope, you've still got time. Come on." Tony led him up to the house.

"Oh, good good. How's Peter?"

"He's great. He's really gotten into gardening lately."

"I noticed that!" Happy said as they entered the locked room. "Those tulips are stunning by the way," he said to Peter.

Peter smiled, looking up at him with head hanging off the bed. Steve was taking his time, riding his ass with deep, lazy thrusts.

Happy pulled his cock from his pants and joined the party. "Let's make it quick, kid. Your aunt's gonna be here any minute."

Peter opened his mouth and obediently sucked as Happy put his cock inside. He didn't have a lot of leverage, but he never lacked enthusiasm. Happy stood over him, letting Peter do the work, while he toyed with his nipples to make him whine, playing him like an instrument.

"God," Steve sighed.

"He's pretty isn't he?" Happy agreed. "Fuck, I never last long in this kid's mouth."

Peter reached up to play with Happy's balls, getting him worked up and on the edge in no time.

"He fucking squeezes when you pinch them like that," Steve groaned.

"Yeah, like this?" Happy pinched Peter's nipples until he whimpered. Steve moaned. "What a good boy. Let's get another load in you, kid. You know you need it."

Peter moaned. Steve fucked him faster, the week of build up finally catching him to him as he listened to suck that cock. He squeezed his waist, putting bruises above the ones Bucky had left on his nips, and came as deep as he could get, adding to the mess already inside him. He could see Peter's cock jump against his belly, desperately trying to cum with him. It almost had him going back for another round.

Happy took his cock from his mouth to jack off over his face. Peter laid still, mouth open and tongue out. He moaned along with Happy as he came all over his face. Then he sucked the tip clean for him.

"Good boy," Tony praised. "Get dressed, I'll grab the guys for the finale." He hurried back outside, eager to let go of what had been building since that morning. Especially since Peter spent the morning between his legs like the persuasive little brat he was. He just couldn't wait to have cock in his mouth even though he knew neither of them would be getting off for hours.

"Hey, fellas! The game's almost over!" He called to the group. They immediately disengaged from their wives and started up the lawn, making half baked excuses about not wanting to miss the final play. The women rolled their eyes and laughed fondly as they watched them go back inside the house.

Tony all but ran back inside. He unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants, leaving both hanging. Everyone gathered around the bed and watched as Tony stuck his cock inside his husband, feeling the cum already inside him.

"Please," Peter moaned.

"Begging already, baby? You know you're not done yet." Tony fucked him hard and deep, lost in the perfect squeeze of his ass. Peter's cock was turning sore and red. He couldn't resist giving it a stroke. Peter screamed and clawed at the bed. Bucky was the quickest to jump forward and cover his mouth.

"Shh, sweetheart. They'll think we're torturing you."

"Might as well be," Steve said. "Look how much he loves it, though."

"He's such a good toy," Tony agreed. "Just a chew toy for all the men in the neighborhood, aren't you?"

Peter nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Good boy." Tony stroked his cock again, before beginning to unwrap him.

"Please please please," Peter gasped.

"Use your big boy words," Tony mocked. He pulled the rope free. It was a visible change as blood rushed to further fill out his election. It must have hurt.

"Please, sir," Peter moaned. "Please can I cum, can I cum for you sir, please-"

"Cum."

Bucky's hand nearly covered his whole face as it clamped around his mouth. The rest of the room clapped and cheered. Peter screamed, back arching, cum spraying like a hose, making a mess of himself from his head down to his thighs. And he kept cumming while Tony kept fucking him, far longer than it should be possible.

"That's our boy," Sam praised.

"Fuck, Peter. That was gorgeous," Steve said.

Bucky took his hand away. Peter's face was red and sweaty. He whimpered as Tony continued to fuck him. His hands searched the bed and ended up with one hand holding Tony's and the other holding Bucky's.

"He's already getting hard again," Happy commented.

Tony was beyond words, merely panting as he fucked him, chasing his orgasm while Peter mewled beneath him. He wrapped a hand around Peter's spent cock and found it still half swollen. Peter whined pitifully at the touch, it was clearly painful but no less pleasurable for it at this point.

"Please please please please," he begged again.

Tony waited until he was on the edge. "Cum," he growled, filling Peter's ass himself, cumming hard and so much that he felt the mixture of fluids squishing out onto his jeans. He swore and bent his head to give Peter a kiss as the boy tried to keep quiet and still helplessly whimpered. The room burst into further applause.

Everyone filtered out only for Steve to return a moment later. He cleared his throat.

"Hey, Pete. Your aunt's here," he announced.

Peter blinked at him with wet eyes. "Can you tell her I'm sick?"

Steve laughed. "No, I was thinking of telling her that her nephew got gangbanged by the whole town."

Peter narrowed his eyes. "Don't you upset May."

"He's just teasing," Tony laughed. "We'll have a quick shower and we'll be right out."

"You got it." Steve shut the door and left them alone.

Tony kissed him and held him in his arms. "How are you feeling?"

Peter smiled and rubbed his face against Tony's shirt. Tony feigned disgust.

"You're the cum bucket, not me," he complained.

Peter smiled. "You're gonna have to carry me. I don't think I can walk."

[supercorpkid]

Powergirl Should Die - Final

Supergirl. Powergirl. Kara Danvers x BabyDanvers!Reader, Alex Danvers x BabyDanvers!Reader, Lena Luthor, J'onn J'onnz, Winn Schott.

Word Count: 2750.

Part 1. Part 2.

Powergirl is gone.

"Boss." You nod at J'onn when you fly into the DEO. Alex hears your voice and makes her way towards the both of you. "Tag me in tonight. I've got a good night of rest. I'm ready to patrol the hell out of this town."

"I'm sorry, Powergirl." J'onn, whose voice displays no emotion at all, says. "I'm taking you out of this case. You're too close to the cause."

"What? Of course I'm too close, it's about me!” You speak a little too loud and notice all the other agents pretending they can't hear you. "You can't get me out of the case of someone trying to kill me."

"Are they? Trying to kill you?" You hear Winn's voice on J’onn’s back and you turn your head to look at him. You must be making some face because he looks scared when he sees you. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't butt in."

"Yeah, you shouldn't, computer guy."

"Hey!" Alex defends him and you roll your eyes.

"I just –" Winn continues even after seeing you scowl. "They haven't done anything. You have been getting those messages for a couple of weeks now. You should think someone would have tried something. Did anyone try anything?"

"No."

"Besides," Alex chimes in again. "It's not wise getting yourself in danger for it. Wait around, when we catch them you can do the interrogation yourself."

"Is this for real?" You look at the three agents ganging up on you, looking dead serious about it. You shake your head in disbelief. "This whole place is a joke!"

You go to L Corp for lunch. You show up with a bag of Belly Burgers and a whole speech for Lena. The thing is, Lena truly helped you sleep well the night before. With her you felt safe and yourself. Even with her finding out that you are Powergirl, you could let yourself forget about it, at least while you were in her arms. But still you can't help but feel like you took advantage of her. 

You decide to save this whole conversation until after you both finish eating.

"Hey," Lena slides in a little closer, reaching for your hand on top of the couch. "You were quiet all throughout lunch. You know you can trust me with your secret, right?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm not worried about that." You give her a truthful smile and she slides in even closer, grabbing your hand and holding it between hers. 

"What are you worried about, then? Let me in." Lena requests so softly, there's no way you can deny her. "I know the writing is keeping you awake," She makes sure. "but what else is keeping you closed off?"

"Lena." Her name comes out as a whine, and as result she kisses your temple while squeezing your hand in comfort. "What if the writing is coming from someone I know?"

She furrows her brows, but doesn't press you further. "Then you can do something about it, right? You're Powergirl! You're the strongest person I know!"

"Really?" She agrees with her head. You don't buy it. "What about Supergirl?"

"I mean, don't you and Kara have the same powers? Why would she be stronger?" Lena seems sincere, like she truly doesn't think that Kara is better than you in any way, including being a superhero.

"Yeah, I guess." You don't wanna tell her that you think your own sister is writing those things. Lena is Kara's best friend too. You can't poison that unless you know for sure. And the only way you can know for sure is if you confront your sister. "I guess I do have to do something about it."

You're not exactly thrilled to have this conversation with Kara, but it seems to be overdue. 

"Hey," Lena whispers a bit closer. "I'm here for whatever you need. Always."

"I thought you would be mad that I didn't tell you I was Powergirl." 

"I was. It lasted half a second." Lena says and you smile widely at her. 

"I'm sorry about yesterday. I was so sleep deprived I just made you uncomfortable with the whole nonsense about you getting me naked. I mean, obviously you wouldn't wanna kiss–"

Lena interrupts you, with her lips crashing into yours. You first widen your eyes in surprise, but when her hand makes way to your neck, you're quick to close your eyes and melt into the kiss. 

"I wasn't gonna kiss you yesterday." She whispers, breaking the kiss, and you slowly open your eyes. Your faces are so close you see every single color in Lena's iris. She's so damn beautiful. "You were so tired, it was like taking advantage of a drunk girl." 

"I would've let you, though." You joke and she laughs before kissing you again. "Thank you, darling. You have no idea how much you've helped me last night. It was the first night in months I haven't had a single nightmare." 

"Glad to be at service." Lena kisses your cheek, and you move your hands out of hers to snuggle her into your embrace. "Same time tonight?"

"Can't wait." You punctuate it with kisses on her face, and finally breathe deep. At least a good thing since you can't patrol the city tonight. Although, you don't think there will be any writing done. Not after you confront Kara about it.

It's after work when you fly through Kara's apartment window, unceremoniously.

"Oh hey!" Kara opens her arms excitedly when she sees you and you give her a forced smile. "You were reading my mind, I was about to call you and ask you to come over." 

You make your way inside, but not before your sister pulls you in for a hug and a kiss on the top of your head. 

"Why?" You untangle yourself making way to her couch. She furrows her brows when notices that you don't hug her back, but you're already throwing yourself on the couch, supersuit and all.

"Alex told me J'onn decided to take you off the case." You raise your head at her when she comes closer, a clear scowl. "I'm sorry, mini me. I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make the writing stop, ok?" Kara kneels in front of you, reaches for a loose strand of hair, and puts it behind your ear. "It will be alright."

"Will it?" You glare at her, crossing your arms in front of your chest.

"It will." Kara gives you a trying smile. "In the meantime, maybe you can talk to Lena about having more sleepovers, so you can continue sleeping well. I'm sure she won't mind."

"Why are you so worried about how well I sleep?"

"Because!" You hear her heart picking up the pace, so you wait for the rest, sure you must be closing in on her real reasons. "Sleep is important, and I know you were having a hard time with it. Nightmares ain't fun." You raise an eyebrow at her, she licks her lips. "And you said you were having them for a while. How-how long again?"

"Months."

"Right. Months with no good sleep, having to work and be a superhero. It takes a toll."

"You know what else takes a toll on people?" Kara raises an eyebrow in question. "Lying."

"Um, I guess. Have you? Been lying?" 

"Me?" You can't believe she won't admit it. And she thinks you're the one lying. What the hell. "Oh no, I'm not the liar. You are."

"What?" Kara's mouth opens and closes a few times, like she can't believe she got caught. Like she didn't think you would find out. "What are you even talking about?"

And then, just like that, you snap. Anger starts boiling your blood, and you get up in a swift movement, ready to unleash hell. She stumbles back in surprise. It takes her a few seconds to get up too.

"You made me a superhero. Forced me into this life." You spit out greeted teeth. "Have you ever thought I could want something else? Have you ever thought of me as something other than a mini you?"

"What?" 

"You got me to work for you and Alex! So you could both control my every step! And now what? Now you don't want me to be Powergirl anymore?"

"What?" She repeats, looking so surprised, you don't know how she can fake it so well. When did your sister become such a good actress? "What do you mean? Of course I do!"

"Then why have you been writing on fucking billboards and buildings that Powergirl should die?" Kara's eyes widen so much, you can't help but to roll your own. "Oh Rao, stop playing dumb already! I saw you, ok?"

"You saw me?"

"Red cape, blonde hair flying in the wind. All of it." 

Kara furrows her eyebrows, "Really?" You agree with your head. "Red cape like this one?" She grabs your cape, pulling you to the direction of the mirror. "Blonde hair like that one?" She points at your reflection.

"Oh yeah, that makes sense." You can't stop the irony thick in your voice. "Yeah, sure. I'm the one writing that I should die."

"You are." Kara holds your face between her hands. "You haven't been having nightmares, Y/N. What you think you're dreaming, it's really happening. And the red cape you saw was yours."

"No."

"It's not the first time, either. You used to have them in Krypton too. Used to go around doing things you wouldn't remember and blame them on me."

"You're lying." You push Kara away from you so strongly, you're amazed she doesn't fall. "Just admit you did it! Why won't you?"

"Because I did! Our whole lives I would take the blame for everything you did while you were sleepwalking. With mother and father, Eliza, even with Alex. Gosh, Alex is still mad at me for destroying her chances to go to Europe when you were the one that did it!" 

"No, you did it! You – You exploded Alex's stuff with your heat vision and Eliza thought you were feeling left out, I saw your blonde hair!" You stop yourself, walking backwards until your legs hit the couch again and you fall in it, wordless. 

"You hate being Powergirl so you want her dead." Kara whispers lightly not to startle you. "I can't take the blame for this, because it won't stop it. You're the one that has to stop this now." She clears her throat to make sure you're still listening. "Kid, I can protect you from all the monsters and villains and planet explosions, but I can't protect you from yourself."

Your mind is screaming at you. Short-circuiting being overflowed with memories. She is right. Oh no, Kara is right. It was you all along. 

When Kal was born you were jealous of the attention he was getting, so you stole his baby blanket and hid under Kara's bed.

You lost your spy beacon, so aunt Astra could only communicate with Kara afterwards. But you blamed Kara for having stolen yours and everyone believed you. 

Alex said she wouldn't be back from college that year. Instead, she was going to Europe for the summer. You got mad and sad, you missed your sister so much and was so anxious to see her, yet she wasn't coming home. So you did it. You exploded Alex's side of the room and said Kara did it. 

And Kara took the blame. She took the blame for you again and again. She would have people yelling at her, mad at her, but she wouldn't accuse you. 

Oh my God, you just blamed your sister for wanting you dead when she was only trying to protect you from yourself again.

"Kara," You raise your tear-soaked face at her. "I swear I didn't know. I – I didn't do it on purpose."

"I know, baby." She whispers, one lonely tear rolling down her cheeks. 

"No, I – Kara, I –" You can't talk. Can't breathe. It's all too much. "I'm sorry." You fall on your kneecaps, head hanging low. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll tell Alex, I'll call Eliza and tell her too, I wish I could tell mother and father, I wish I –"

Kara kneels in front of you, pulls your face to her chest and hugs your head. "You're ok. It's ok." She kisses the crown of your head. "It's what I'm here for. I'm here to protect you. I'm here to prevent you from getting hurt. I would've taken the blame for this too, if I could. But if I did, the writing would never stop."

"You took the blame for everything." You cry harder. "Oh Rao, I've been hating you for weeks. But it was all my fault. And you," You look up to her, though you can't see right with all of the tears blurring your view. "You knew. I was treating you so badly, and you knew exactly why."

Kara shrugs. She doesn't care that you've been blaming her. Why doesn't she care?

"I told you," She answers the question right out of your mind. "I will always protect you. And I won't stop just because you're being mean to me. I'm your big sister and I love you."

You hold her tight, crying non stop, unable to tell her how much you love her too. But she knows. She knows by the way you're sobbing and giving her a bone-crushing hug at the same time. 

"It's time to let Powergirl go, baby." She cleans your tears, and helps you up. "Come on, let's let her go."

"But – But you need my help, you need me to be her." You whine, even though you are making it easier for Kara to detach the cape from your back. 

"No." Kara speaks softly and kisses your temple, soothing. "I don't need Powergirl. I need my sister. I need you, Y/N."

She helps you out of your stupid gloves and boots, while you cry. You don't know why you're crying. You're happy, you’re finally free of this gigantic responsibility that was placed on your back. You’re happy you won’t have to lie anymore. And yet, you cry.

“Come on, it’s over now.” Kara shows up in front of you with one of her baggy hoodie and you’re out of skin tight suit soon after. And so you can finally breathe again.

You watch Kara carefully folding your suit and placing them in a box. She gives it to you so you can decide what to do with it. You don’t take the box from her hands.

“You keep it. In case of an emergency.” 

Kara looks at the box in her hands. “I’ll not ask you to put on this suit again, I promise.”

And you believe her. But you also know that if any of your sisters or Lena are in danger, no one will even have to ask you. 

“You take it to the DEO then. I’m sure they’ll keep it safe.” You hug Kara tight, one last tear falling from your eye. “Thank you for everything. Thank you for keeping me safe and always protecting me. El Mayarah."

"El Mayarah, mini you. Mini sis? Minnie Mouse!" Kara says and scrunches her nose at it.

"Yikes."

"I'll think of something else." Kara guarantees, kissing the top of your head. And you make your way to the door. "Wait," She says before you leave. "You're not wearing pants."

"Oh," You look at the large hoodie reaching mid thighs. "It's fine, I don't think Lena would mind."

"I knew it!" Kara says excitedly, and then she furrows her brows right after. "Can't let you leave the house with no pants, though. Especially now that I know where you're going."

"Fineeee." You pretend to be annoyed, but you're not really. It wasn't a good idea leaving the house without pants. Kara gives you matching sweatpants and kisses your head one more time before you leave.

"I'm happy for you and Lena, little one." Then she smiles brightly, eyes lightning up as well. "I think I got it this time."

"You've got it." 

Powergirl is gone. Not dead. But definitely gone. And that lifts a huge weight from your shoulders and you're completely sure you won't have nightmares and won't sleepwalk again. At least not for that reason.

But hey, who are you to skip a sleepover date with your beautiful girlfriend, right?

[eveandtheturtles]

Massage

Yay, this one is finally donezooo. This was a request from.... I don't remember who, I'm very sorry but it's past midnight on Sunday night and I need to get to shower and sleep REALLY soon. Enjoy y'all! And lemme know if I did any good lol Reblog! Don't repost!

Tag for: @madammuffins @turtle-babe83 @thelaundrybitch @pheradream15 @dilucsflame33 @sharpwindow (anyone else who wants on this list let me know!)

Rating: E, like Explicit. Like Eyyy, this is some smut!

Pairing: Leo x fem!Reader.

Summary: You were stressed, Leo got ideas.

You were stressed and anxious. It was nearing the end of the finals, your job was trying to cram more shifts into your already busy schedule and your old ass mattress wasn’t helping you get proper sleep. On top of that your vigilante boyfriend was busy trying to bust some gang operations in the city. It all resulted in you being a bit more on the cranky side.

You tried to stay strong, it soon should all clear out and you’ll get your long overdue cuddles. Yeah, you could do that.

You pulled your headphones back on and tried to focus on the text. When 10 minutes later a bottle of soda got placed in front of you you jumped up a little turning to see who the intruder was.

“Leo!” You exclaimed tearing your headphones off of your head. Immediately you stood up and wrapped your arms around his neck. “I missed you so much.”

Leo leaned down to make it easier for you but his hands were a bit too busy holding pizza and a plastic bag of snacks to hug you back. 

“We bagged the baddies early, I thought I might surprise you,” he said and you two kissed sweetly.

“So thoughtful.” You chuckled relaxing against him for a second, then you snatched the pizza. “What did you get?” You opened the box all giddy. The smell reminded you you haven’t really eaten in the past couple of hours. Truly, Leo had the best timing. “Pepperoni!” You answered your own question and he huffed a little laugh.

Soon you both were on your bed with your laptop in his lap as you watched some new Netflix show. You were only half watching, enjoying how his fingers felt over your shoulder and neck while he stroked your skin absentminded. His cheek was resting over the top of your head and he’d kiss you from time to time. He really enjoyed the texture of your hair.

You tried to snuggle even closer despite almost laying on top of him but the angle you chose was a bit off and your back decided it will not have that.

You hissed and sat up.

“What’s wrong?” Instantly, Leo was alert.

“It’s just my back. It’s been difficult couple weeks,” you explained. “Not - crime-fighting, life-risking difficult but y’know.”

“Hey, don’t sell yourself so short, okay?” He frowned. “Just because we deal with different things doesn’t make it more or less hard. Let me see.” He coaxed you gently to turn your back to him.

“Is this going to be the bit of a sexy massage montage?” You joked and then hissed as he pressed his finger to a particularly hard knot on your back.

“Nope.”

“Aww…”

He was right. It wasn’t, it hurt like hell before it felt good. And when it felt good you quickly fell asleep. Then Monday rolled by you wrote your exams and the week just blurred until it was the weekend again. 

You finished your shift at work and were about to head back home when your Donnie-issued cellphone dinged with a new text. From your boyfriend. You smiled and opened it.

FearlessInBlue: "Do you have time tonight?"

You wondered what he could be planning. 

"Yeah, what's up?"

FearlessInBlue: "Drop by the lair. Everyone will be out."

A thrill bloomed deep low inside your belly. 

"I'll be there in 3 hours?" 

FearlessInBlue: "Awesome."

You raced to your place to get ready and then to get to the lair. You looked around and confirmed that indeed everyone was out.

“You’re early.”

You almost jumped out of your skin when you heard Leo’s voice right next to your ear. You spun around to face him and felt a rush of blood to your head. The way Leo was looking at you was simply dangerous. The intense blue gaze eyed you head to toe, hungry.

“Y-yeah.” You swallowed hard. “So, um- where is everyone?”

“They all went to watch a game,” he said. His body swayed a little as he wrapped one arm around your waist. “I said I had plans with you.” He pulled you close and nipped at your ear.

“O-oh.” You bit your lips.

“Come on.”

He pulled you with him to his room. When you stepped inside it you let out a deep sigh. It looked so intimate. Leo placed some loose red fabrics on the walls and lit up candles giving the room a soft glow. There were rose petals scattered around; elegant, white bottles, towels; a brown, mystery basket and soft pillows all of it around the centerpiece that was the mattress. The room also felt warmer than usual.

Leo stood behind you, his hands on your arms, and he kissed your shoulder.  

“You did all this?��

“I just ran with your idea,” he admitted with a low chuckle.

“Sexy massage?” You raised your eyebrow, amused.

“Sexy massage,” he nodded sagely.

You both smiled, Leo breaking character a little, as you pulled him further in with you. 

“Will you help me undress then?” You wrapped his arms around his middle looking up at him.

“I was planning to, yes.” He leaned down for a sweet kiss.

His wandering hands were already attempting to remove your shirt. You parted but held each other's gaze. The shirt slipped off of you to the floor. Next, Leo knelt down in front of you. He kissed your bare stomach, while his hands slipped around your waist. Off went your bottoms and underwear. His palms glided down your legs and took off your shoes.

Your breath hitched watching him work. The gentle way he moved made you feel like a deity. Worshipped.

“Lay down,” he whispered. “On your stomach.”

You obeyed and waited. 

Leo moved on his knees closer to the mattress. He opened the basket first. You eyed him curiously. The very first thing that came out of it was a feather. He tickled your ear and you giggled. He smiled softly and trailed it over your shoulder blades, down your spine, setting pleasant shivers in your body. The feather ghosted over the small of your back, circled each of your cheeks and down your legs. Your toes curled a little as he did all that and managed to make it so sensual. 

You certainly wouldn't be falling asleep any time soon.

Next he took one of the white, ceramic bottles and some kind of liquid dripped onto his hand. He worked it between his fingers for a moment, warming it up. You were getting excited just by watching him. So focused on his task. He noticed your look and huffed a chuckle. 

“What?” He asked.

“I love you.” You smiled

“I didn’t do anything yet.” He shook his head but leaned down to kiss your head. “Let me know if you ever feel uncomfortable, okay?”

“Okay,” you agreed.

Soon you felt him touch your back, slowly working your back muscles. From your shoulders moving down. The gentle kneading, the way the heel of his palm and fingers were undoing all those kinks you got over the week. The oil made it all smoother, the repeated motions warming you up.

“Mmm, god you are so good at this,” you sighed.

“Thank you. This is just a start," He promised. 

That's when he slipped over your ass. The thumb and forefinger spread pressing over the cheeks and going down. Then with a stronger grip of his whole hands. 

You let out a soft groan. It was getting to the good part. You felt his nails getting in on the action with gentle scratches over your skin. 

"Turn around," he told you and you eagerly did so. 

Now you had a much better view of him as he began to massage your arms. The slow, circular motion was turning your bones into goop. Then he got to your hands. A gentle press of his thumb, a kiss on each knuckle. He basically studied and explored your hand. And then sucked on a digit. His eyes were on you with such intensity… the way he slowly took your finger in his mouth, the sensation- you couldn't help but moan. 

A victorious, lustful smirk bloomed on his mouth. 

"Tease," you jokingly complained.

"That is the point." He said, proud of himself.

Then he repeated his magic on your other arm. 

Next, his thumbs rubbed over your clavicle, loosening the muscle there. You were already feeling like putty in his hands but were not protesting. You shivered as his hands slid down between your breasts. With the back of his fingers and knuckles, he circled lightly over them, stroking the undersides then squeezing them lightly. Always avoiding the hardened, dark peaks of your breast. You whimpered and shakily inhaled. 

He continued to tease for a minute, two, it stretched into infinity. Your nipples stiff almost painfully from the anticipation. You groaned, impatient.

"Leo."

"Shh," he shushed you. "Patience."

But he rewarded you. When he lightly pinched them between his knuckles, you moaned loudly. He lowered his mouth, helping himself to you. 

Feeling the rough texture of his tongue on you, you arched and cried out. Your oiled fingers tried to grip on his head but you kind of slipped. 

He chuckled, then took your hands then placed them back down. 

"No touching, sweetheart~" he kissed you sweetly and you whined in protest as he moved away.

"Fiiiiine."

He moved back down, slowly rolling your nipples between his fingers, pinching and pulling. He tested different strengths and watched your reactions. He implemented his tongue, slowly rubbing it over the stiffened peaks, making your toes curl. You were panting, gripping onto the fabric underneath you. 

Regretfully in your opinion, he moved away from your breast. Now it was time to knead your sides. He tickled your belly a little and made you laugh, giving you time to catch your breath in this high-intensity situation. 

You inhaled and exhaled as he positioned himself between your knees. He now was rubbing circled over your hip bones and traced kisses over your underbelly. 

You bit your lips. The next sensation was his nails lightly scratching the insides of your thighs. The knowledge of how close he was to your sex built up the anticipation further. You suspected that you were going to fall apart the moment he'd touch you there.

Leo could see the wet stain you created on the sheets and felt incredibly proud of himself. You were shivering with pleasure under his touch. All he did to you was making you breathless and the thought of that just swelled inside him. 

"You're gorgeous," he said and kissed your thigh. "You're like my personal deity." He kissed the other one. "I wish to worship you every day of my life."

You moaned hearing his honeyed words.

"Leo… please."

"As you wish," he said and kissed your nether lips, making you jump a little. 

Gosh!

He was definitely taking his time, frustrating you further. You could feel your core just scream for him already. His tongue, his finger, his cock. 

"Just fill me up," you whined but he didn't obey. 

He licked over your folds, then kissed over them. His tongue slowly pried them open to trace the edges. You realized he was tracing his name over you. Each letter was precisely licked and engraved over you. L, E, O, N, A, R, D, O. With one hand up he reached up to your breast, to tease it while he worked. 

Then with the tip of his tongue, he rubbed the seam between your clit and entrance. He put more pressure in there, movements rougher. He was tracing the now sensitive muscles that led inside you and you begged the gods for him to breach it. You were so fucking close. 

He didn’t. Instead, his mouth wandered up again. Wrapped around your pearl and gently sucked.

You cried out, your legs wrapped around his head, locking him in a tight prison and you wouldn’t let go. What’s more important he didn’t. He continued to stroke and suck on your clit, stronger, harder, with a vicious purpose. Your body was victoriously wrecked with wave after wave of orgasm. You didn’t even know you were crying out until you stopped, whimpering helplessly and your throat burned.

You laid there before him, completely boneless, head empty, twitching and whimpering when he pulled back as he gently pried your legs from around his neck.

He must have seen something in your eyes because he hovered over you and gently kissed you. His whole beak was soaked in you and you could taste herself on his tongue.

You couldn’t talk. You were just in pure bliss.

“Was it good?” He asked and you nodded. “Good,” he chuckled with a sense of accomplishment and a job well done.

He tried to pull back but you stopped him. A question appeared on his features.

“More,” you managed to utter. Your jelly knee nudged his waist. You were not going to let him sleep after that.

He pushed down his pants, stiff and ready after all that he did to you. He laid between your legs and slowly pushed himself in. 

You moaned, hands going around his neck and nails into his skin. 

“Yeeeessss,” you moaned into his ear. 

Oh, god this was so good. Just to feel him stretch you, fill you. You nearly sobbed you wanted him so close. 

“Don’t let me go,” you begged him. 

“I won’t,” he replied. He remained still for a moment, letting take it all in. Your breath evened out and you nuzzled his cheek.

“Move,” you ordered and he did.

He tried to be slow, but you could tell he wanted to chase his pleasure as well. He was so good to you.

“Please, Leo, fuck me,” you hissed into his ear. Your inner muscles squeezed him tight. You heard him moan and you knew you won this time. He may have still been going slow, but the hard and sharp thrusts were bringing stars into your vision as he bent you in half. Your tights were going to have his imprint on them and you definitely ruined all the fabrics he had gathered for the scene. And by God, you loved every second of it.

Hours later, both of you sweaty and barely conscious, laid on the mattress, entwined together in a way you couldn’t quite tell where you ended and he started. You were so happy.

“So,” you spoke from atop his plastron, “I will rate this massage experience 10/10, will you write me down in your books for another appointment?” 

“Sure, let me just check my calendar,” he replied.

Your eyes met and you both started laughing. You kissed but kept on giggling. Mmm, yes, an experience to repeat for sure.

[written-in-flowers]

Kimura Delivery Service: Pt. 1

Pairing: OC x S.W.O.R.D leaders (yes, you read that right)

Genre: smut, fluff, angst,

Word Count: 9k

Fandom: High & Low: The Story of S.W.O.R.D

Summary: After a life of swinging her fists, Sakyia is hopeful about her easy going job of delivering packages…However, her aunt neglected to mention the “regulars”: The gang leaders of S.W.O.R.D. and the undeniable affection they all grow to have for her.

Overall Warnings: blood and violence, fighting, gang activity, crime, mentions of death, multiple relationships, girlboss being a girlboss, not really ‘poly’ but girl has a string of lovers.

Prologue < | > Part 2

Tagged: @belle643

Chapter 1: S is for Sannoh Hoodlum Squad

The apartment above the store was smaller than her old home, but it looked cozy. Even with the old furniture, chipped wallpaper and musty carpet underneath her feet, she felt a sense of warmth throughout the room. Looking around, they’d certainly have to fix it up to be comfortable. With a separate bedroom on the side, the bathroom remained the only other room. She figured her and her mother would be sharing a room until they could afford a bigger place. She didn’t mind. It was better than having no bed at all. She opened a window to let out the stuffy air, and saw the spectacular view…

A small courtyard and the opposite building behind them. 

When her mother and aunt came back up, Sakyia noticed they’d brought two young men with them. One was tall with long black dreadlocks, and his companion was darker and shorter. She guessed these were Junpei’s friends. The boy with the dreadlocks smiled when he saw her, then nudged his friend, who also grinned. 

“Sakyia,” Hana said, “I’d like you to meet Tettsu,” the tall one waved, “And Dan,” the short one bowed slightly. “They come and help me from time to time.”

“Because Junpei tells them too.”

“Cobra doesn’t force us to do anything,” Tettsu immediately said, placing down one of their boxes. “We’re always here for our neighborhood. It’s what Sannoh Hoodlum Squad is about: protecting and caring for the town.”

She tried to stifle a laugh, “Sannoh Hoodlum Squad? That’s your gang’s name?” It wasn’t the worst name she’d ever heard. 

“Yeah,” he replied. “Cobra is our leader.”

“His nickname is ‘Cobra’?” she snickered, picking up the box of kitchen items. “It would be.” 

“Sakyia!” Midori furrowed her brow, “Stop being rude.”

“I’m not being rude,” she put it on the counter, giggling softly, “Just voicing an opinion. You told me Sannoh is a good place to live.”

“It is,” Dan told her reassuringly. “You’ll see once you’re settled in. Sannoh Hoodlum Squad isn’t like the ones you’re probably used to seeing. We take care of our people.”

“You can come to the diner and see for yourself,” Tettsu suggested. “It’s called the Itokan Diner.”

“Ooh! That sounds nice!” Midori said. “Is it a new place? I haven’t been home in such a long time; everything’s changed around here.”

The pair began explaining it to her as Sakyia helped unload the car downstairs. They seemed nice, but most gangsters did. However, looking them both over, and listening to them talk, they did not seem the type to be in gangs. They were friendly and helpful to her aunt, who appreciated them enough to offer rice balls the next time they came. They didn’t brag or flaunt any fancy things they’d bought. Should she have passed them in the street, they’d appear like any normal youths. Sakyia knew more than most that appearances can be deceiving. She decided she’d leave her judgment for more contemplative hours; she had work to do. 

Sakyia spent the rest of the day putting things away and trying to make something of a home in the apartment. She made shelf space for her art supplies and books; her mother brought small potted plants to place along the window sill for some life. Family photos went on shelves and walls; they’d put her father’s remains in an ornate wooden box on the bedroom dresser. By the time they’d finished, night fell and the apartment seemed less empty and shabby. 

“We need food,” her mother frowned when she saw the empty fridge. “I’ll order take out for tonight. Burgers, Blossom?” 

“I guess,” she shrugged. 

“Don’t get burgers,” Hana said, unpacking the last kitchen box. “There’s a perfectly good diner down from here that serves way better food.”

“That diner your friends mentioned?” asked Sakyia. 

“You’ll love their food,” she insisted. “Naomi is such a great cook, and the prices are reasonable.” Midori looked at Sakyia with raised eyebrows, and Sakyia shrugged again. They turned to Hana who nodded, “I’ll place the order. Sakyia can go pick it up. You can walk there, it’s not too far.”

“Ugh, Auntie,” she groaned, plopping onto the couch. She let her body sink into it as she said, “I’m so tired. Can’t they deliver?”

“They don’t do that,” Hana replied. “Stop being lazy. You’re young. Besides, Junpei might be there.”

“Um okay, so?”

She caught her mother and her aunt looking at one another. She groaned and let her head fall back on the couch. It was inevitable that this would come up: Cobra was a young man. Sakyia was a young woman, new in town. “He’s a man of few words, but he’s very nice-” Hana began, but Sakyia cut her off. 

“-I literally just arrived,” she said. “I’m not looking for a boyfriend. I’m looking to sit down and never get back up again.”

“We weren’t thinking that at all,” her mother said unconvincingly. She grabbed a bottle of wine that Hana brought, and said, “Your aunt was telling us what a nice young man Junpei is, that’s all.”

“Mh-hm, your mom keeps complaining to me about how you’re always at home, you don’t go to school, you don’t have a lot of friends-”

“-Well, I wasn’t really in a place to make any friends.”

No, she hadn’t been. Yes, there’d been fighters she became friendly with in the warehouse, but nobody she saw outside of the place. Twelve years fighting on dirt and sawdust, her hands and wrists wrapped up, forged her into something. A weapon. Jiro took up most of her time, so she never went out with friends or her mother all that much. The one person she'd grown closest to sat in a Rasen prison cell. Sakyia recalled the times she’d tried fitting in with girls at her school: going shopping, wearing makeup and pretty clothes; talking about boys they liked and things they did over the weekend. She wanted that life. She wanted a circle of friends who stuck by her side, and lifted her up. Often, she imagined going shopping with a group of friends, and visiting her mother's salon togethet. 

But, Jiro pulled her away from that to fight in the pits. Plus, the bruises kept people at a distance. Thinking of the endless fights night after night already tired her out. She withdrew the small sketchpad from her bag with a pencil, and returned to her drawing. 

She was done with fighting. She did not mind a bit of practice to keep herself in shape, but fighting people? Sakyia refused to do it ever again. She’d wasted her life on pointless fighting. She’d only done it because of Jiro; otherwise she might’ve given up on it entirely and focused on her art. Martial arts used to be something her father and her shared. When he died, it felt meaningless to continue. Sakyia looked forward to helping her mother in the salon, doing simple tasks and meeting people. Maybe she can enroll in a beauty school and become a stylist herself. She could still go, if she wanted; she was only twenty-five. She still had so much ahead, and with Jiro and the warehouse gone, she could be something more than that.

“-Alright, she’ll come by to pick it up,” Hana said over the phone. “Thank you, Naomi. Have a good night.” She turned back to Midori and Sakyia by the television, “Alright you, time to go. Here’s the address,” she scribbled it down on a piece of paper and handed it to Sakyia, “She says it’ll be done in thirty minutes or so.” 

“Then, I’ll go in thirty minutes.” 

“No, young lady,” said Midori, picking up her glass of wine from the coffee table. “You’ll go now. That way it’ll be hot when you bring it back.”

“You two just want me out of the house so you can have the wine to yourselves,” Sakyia accused, putting her pad and pencil aside. 

“That’s right,” she smiled, pouring her sister a glass. “I haven’t drank properly since I married Jiro,” she said to Hana. “He said he thought women drinking was an ugly trait. I can’t believe I actually listened to him.”

“I can’t believe you married him!” said Hana, sitting on the sofa between her and Sakyia. 

This was her cue to leave. She slowly stood from the couch, slipped on her jacket and shoes, and headed out the door. Once outside, she entered the address into her phone and began walking. The sky started changing from day into night, and she saw businesses already closing. She did receive curious looks from locals who’d never seen her, but she nodded politely. Walking down the street, Sannoh did not seem like such a rough place. It did appear a bit run down in places, yet she liked that. It felt real. Sakyia saw herself living in this small town. She could inherit the salon or start her own art gallery and sell her drawings, if they were good enough. She smiled softly. This could be a good place for her and her mother.

She found the Itokan Diner wedged in a corner of the street with a small sign bearing its name in bold letters. Sakyia took a deep breath, and then pushed on the door. Her stomach growled at the scent of savory food in the air. She took a look around the small diner: it had bench tables, posters and words plastered on the walls, and chandeliers made from glass bottles. The rustic, comforting look must draw in a good amount of people during the night. She then noticed the room going quiet when she walked in. 

“Hey, Sakyia!” Tettsu called to her from one of the tables, “You actually came!”

“Um, yeah,” she said, caught off guard by his grin, “My aunt ordered some food and I’m picking it up.” 

Behind the counter, a short slim woman with brown hair stirred a pot over the stove. Sakyia guessed this was Naomi, the woman her aunt mentioned. She turned around when the door opened and smiled at Sayika. 

"You must be Sakyia," she said. "Hana said you'd be coming by to pick up the food. It won't be ready for a while, so if you want to sit and have a drink, you're welcome to."

"Thanks," she took a seat at the bar. "They kicked me out so they can have all the wine to themselves. What do you have to drink around here?"

"Beer mostly," she replied. 

Beer wasn't her favorite, but she asked for one. She gazed around the diner and noticed a drawing on the wall. It was a crown with two tigers on either side with the gang's name on a banner. She snorted. It was a decent design. She'd still seen worse. She took a swig from the beer Naomi placed in front of her and noted the photos on a shelf nearby. Two men stood together in front of a familiar logo on the wall. Two snakes tangled together in a circle underneath the words "Mugen" was a familiar sight to her.

"This used to be Mugen’s place?" the question came out before she stopped herself. 

Naomi finished wiping a glass and said, "Ah, no. My brother, Tatsuya, was in it before he started the diner. The other man was his best friend, Kohaku. Why? Did you know them?" 

"Not personally, but guys in the warehouse used to wear their vests and talk about them." She took another drink of beer when Naomi moved closer to her.

"Warehouse?"

She'd said too much. If this woman's brother was part of Mugen, she might not know about their part in the fighting rings. "I used to be a secretary in a warehouse in the bay area. With so many men around, they all try to impress you and say they know guys in Mugen or are a part of it."

"A lot of guys used to do that," said a male voice behind her. 

She turned to see a dark haired man sitting not too far away, his own plate of food in front of him. His wide shoulders slimmed down his torso, though hidden behind the green sweater he wore. Judging by his face, he didn't like what Sakyia was saying. 

"Doesn't mean Kohaku was involved," he said. "Guys in Mugen used its name to do bad things like deal drugs and women. But we weren't involved in that."

"Never said they did," she replied, a bit taken back by his reaction. "Just things I heard." She noticed another photo with Cobra and the other man with the first two. They also wore Mugen vests. It explained the man's reaction. 

"She was only saying, Yamato. She didn't mean anything by it," Naomi defended her. 

Men were so sensitive. She wondered what Yamato might say if she told him that Mugen members liked to fight and bet in the warehouse. Drinking her beer, she remembered a boy she'd fought who boasted about being part of Mugen. He made it sound as if she should've been scared of him. Sakyia would admit he dislocated her shoulder, broke her upper lip, bruised up her stomach and nearly choked her, but she'd beat him. He lost when a swift kick to the temple knocked him out. Sakyia smirked to herself. She recalled what she'd said to his manager. 

"It appears that Mugen isn't as tough as they say."  

"You were a part of Mugen, then?" she asked. 

"Cobra and Yamato were," said Tettsu, coming over to her side, "But the rest of us joined them when they started the Sannoh Hoodlum Squad."

"Is there a signup sheet or something? How do you even join a gang?" The idea amused her. Naomi laughed as she turned back to the stove. 

"Well, um, you sort of show up to the base and, kind of, join?" 

"Why? Are you interested?" a deep voice asked from nearby.

She turned around to see Cobra sitting in a corner booth, a motorcycle magazine in front of him. In the dim lighting of the diner, his hair shone a dark gold color and softened his features. She understood her mother's suggestion at once. Even Sakyia wouldn't deny it: he was handsome. He didn't smile and spoke in a low voice. 

"What if I was?" she asked, leaning back on the bar. "Do you accept women?"

The men in the bar laughed, but Cobra gazed at her. She tried not showing her uneasiness at his silent staring. His eyes remained absent the usual flirtatiousness; they observed her closely, as if they could see through her act. He studied her and she didn't like it. It reminded her too much of the men at the warehouse, who examined her like a horse for sale. The men who trained her said she had a slim body good for dodging and speed. She often fought men and women larger than her and her size came in handy. Cobra looked at her the way they did now. 

"Depends," he said, "How good of a fighter are you?"

"Fighter?" Dan furrowed his brow. 

Yamato turned to him in surprise, "What do you mean by that? She's a girl."

"That doesn't mean she couldn't fight any of you," said Naomi, who continued stirring her noodles. "She's got the body for it. She’s smaller and probably quicker than you, Baldy."

“Hag,” Yamato spat back, though his smile gave away the affection. 

"Oh, I can't fight to save my life," Sakyia fibbed, finishing her beer. "I can't do all that fancy, tough guy martial arts stuff that guys do nowadays." It wasn't anyone's business what she could and couldn't do. Her father used to tell her not to show off or boast about her skills; that way she had the element of surprise. "I don't mind watching though. It’s kinda hot when guys fight each other," she added, winking at him. She expected a reaction, but didn't get one. He continued staring, and she stared right back. "What about you guys? What's your gang all about?"

"We protect the town," Cobra said. "There are other gangs around here who like hurting people and stealing. We stop them. We look after each other and make sure everyone is safe."

"How admirable. Most gangs I know deal drugs and fight all the time."

"Don't be fooled," said Naomi, putting rice into a small styrofoam container. "These guys use their fists to solve their problems all the time. You won't believe the amount of times they walk in here all bruised up and bleeding."

"But we win," Yamato quickly added, digging back into a hot plate of food. 

"That’s not why we fight though,” said Cobra, going back to his magazine. “We fight hard because this town is worth fighting for. We all came together because of that shared love for our town. If you stick around long enough, you'll see it for yourself."

"Who could possibly want to mess with this little place?" she asked, the smell of the food making her hungry again. "There isn't anything here."

"People who want to step on the weak," he said. "The people who steal from those who already have nothing." 

“I suppose my mom and I should be glad we moved into such a well protected area then,” she said, smirking at his righteous statement. She found it funny how serious he sounded. “So, do I call you if I ever need ‘protection’ or do you guys operate like Batman, and you happen to show up at the right time?”

The younger members chuckled at the joke, but stopped once Cobra stood up. All the nerves inside Sakyia lifted her shoulders slightly. She didn’t want to fight. Cobra came a few feet to her, then said, “I don’t think someone like you needs protection in the first place.”

“Meaning?”

“You claim you don’t know how to fight,” he said, “But then explain the scars on your knuckles.” 

Sakyia looked at the hand on the bar, where a long scar stood out against her skin amongst smaller ones. “Accident,” she answered quickly. “It’s how I got this too, if you were planning on mentioning it,” she tapped the thin scar where Yoshi busted her nose. It healed well enough, but left a mark. “I was riding on a motorcycle with a friend, and it turned over. I broke my knuckle bone and my nose. Nothing suspicious about that.” 

Cobra’s seriousness broke into a shadow of amusement. “I’ve been riding my motorcycle for years. I’ve never seen people get such specific injuries from an accident.” 

“Are you some kind of motorcycle accident expert or something?” she spat back, “I got them from an accident, that’s it.” 

"Your mom said she was opening up Sungmi's salon," Tettsu said, taking your attention from Cobra and his questions. "Will you be working there too?" 

"Yeah," she nodded, peeling her eyes away from Cobra. "I'm not a stylist or anything, but she says I can clean and do reception."

Naomi came to her holding three styrofoam boxes. "Oh, she's opening back up the salon?"

"She'll be helping run it, yeah."

"Thank god!" She sighed in relief, "All the women around here have been going to the barber because the salon’s closed. It'd be nice to get a proper haircut."

"And a manicure or pedicure," Sakyia added. "My mom is hiring some nail artists to bring in more clients. She's going to have it properly running in a week or so. She actually does my hair," she showed off her short wavy bob, the ombre colors of brown and black fading out. "You should stop by when it's open."

"I definitely will," she said, "And I know plenty of other women who will stop by."

"I can come too," Tettsu chimed in eagerly. 

"Salons are for women, Tettsu," Yamato rolled his eyes. 

"There's nothing wrong with a man going to a salon," Sakyia said to him. "Same as a woman going to a barber shop.”

"Then I will come by," Tettsu smiled. "And you can come to my family's onsen."

"Your family's bathhouse is for men," Naomi told him. 

"We could make a private space for her." 

Sakyia chuckled, "The offer is nice, but no thank you." 

"Well, if you change your mind…" he blushed, turning away. “You can just, you know, drop by or whatever.”

"What's with your nickname anyways?" She turned to Cobra again. She hated how he’d seen her scars and deduced their cause. She needed to prod him back. Her mother might scold her, but she didn’t care. "Is it supposed to compensate for something?"

Yamato nearly choked on his food. Dan and Tettsu stifled laughter and Naomi busied herself with putting the food in take out bags. Cobra didn't smile but he didn't glare either. His lack of reactions had begun to annoy her. Also, his stare made her squirm inside. 

"In school," he said, smiling somewhat when he saw she wasn't being malicious, "There was this grapple I learned how to do. People said I did it so tight, it was like a cobra squeezing them. Someone said it and the name stuck," he shrugged. 

"Maybe you can show me," she suggested, picking up the plastic bags Naomi handed her. "You know, since this town is so dangerous and I'm a defenseless woman wandering the streets at night." 

Yamato gawked at her, "Wow, this girl's bold!" 

“I doubt you’re defenseless,” Cobra smirked. 

She tried not laughing at their reactions. She paid for the food and drink, thanked Naomi and said her farewell. Once outside, she giggled to herself. Men were so easily shocked by bold behavior. They seemed like a decent group. She decided she might stop by the diner more often. 

That was how people made friends, right?

When she returned to the shop, she climbed the stairs and heard her mother laughing behind it. Sakyia stood outside the door for a moment to listen. She hadn’t heard her mother’s laugh for a long time. Full of mirth and giddiness, she’s sure the wine is helping it along but Auntie Hana’s presence adds to this. A surge of hope actually swirled in her chest. Maybe things will work out for them in this little town. 

“Ma, I’m back,” she called into the apartment as she entered. 

“Oh, good! We’re starving!” Hana sighed in relief, coming to the kitchen counter where Sakyia placed the bags. She began opening the bags, deeply inhaling the food, “Perfect. Naomi is a great cook. You’re both going to love her food.”

“Okay, okay, let’s get to eating.”

Her mother grabbed utensils, and passed them around. Sitting at the small dining table next to the kitchen, the women dug into their meals. Sakyia agreed with her aunt about the food: it was delicious. The tender chunks of meat stew melted in her mouth, full of seasonings and spices that complimented the bed of rice underneath. Only her mother’s own cooking surpassed it. Dipping a piece of broccoli in the sauce and eating it, her mother spoke. 

“Sakyia,” she began, “Your aunt and I have been talking while you were gone.”

“Uh-oh.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hana asked, affronted. 

“Because whenever she starts a sentence with ‘your aunt and I have been talking’, it’s about to be something crazy.”

“Ah, hush you,” her mother nudged her with a smile. “I know we talked about you working with me in the salon, but Hana here told me she’s been looking for a delivery person for the store.”

“Okay…” she listened, eating another piece of saucy steamed vegetables. 

“I think it’d be a better fit for you,” she stated, eating a bit of her own rice. “You’d be bored in the salon. You used to whine and wail about it when you were little, and you haven’t changed since then. Going around the districts, seeing the different places and meeting new people might be better for you. You’d be occupied and stimulated instead of sweeping floors and listening to gossip.” 

“I wanted to sweep floors and listen to gossip,” she said. After the years she spent in the rings, she’d somewhat looked forward to ‘boring mundane work’. 

“No, you didn’t,” her mother said. “You only want that because of, you know, your last…job.” She watched her daughter for a moment, seeing the way she avoided her gaze. “It’d be good for you,” she added. “You might make some friends that way and have a normal life.” 

It sounded convincing, she wouldn’t lie. Sakyia knew deep down she’d get tired of working in the salon. It’d been the same during her childhood. She looked at Hana, “What would I be doing? Just delivering stuff to people?”

“Yes,” she nodded, drinking some of her wine. “People drop off their packages or send them in through other people; I charge and stamp them, and you’d take them where they need to go. Before you ask, a lot of these people don’t have the means or the time to give the packages and letters themselves. The family service is there to help them out. Besides, it’s good money,” she eyed them both before eating from her bowl. “It’ll help you greatly to have two incomes instead of one.”

“She’s got a point,” her mother agreed, washing down her food with water. “It’ll be good for us to have extra money coming in; then we’ll be able to get our own place quicker.”

Sakyia mulled this over while she ate. Her mother and her left their old home in a hurry, leaving them with little chances to find a proper and affordable place. If they save enough money, they can move into an apartment and leave the dingy flat above the postal shop. 

“How would I get around?” Sakyia asked, seeing the flaw right away. 

“You can use Koichi’s scooter,” she said. “He left it behind when he moved out of town. It’s in the courtyard between our building and the ones behind it.” She saw Sakyia’s hesitancy. “It’ll be good for you. Trust me. Not to mention,” she smirked to herself, “Some of my regulars are rather handsome.”

“Ooh!” her mother smiled, eyebrows raised at Sakyia. 

“I’m not interested in that.” 

“Oh please! A heartbreaker like you? I doubt it,” she rapped her arm and Sakyia smirked. “I remember all the little boys your mother used to tell me about; all of them trying to gain the attention of Tanaka Sakyia and being ignored. You don’t have to marry them, but,” she sneered, “It doesn’t hurt to have some fun.”

“My daughter is not that kind of girl, Hana.”

“I never said she was, but come on, Midori. We used to do the same when we were her age. You didn’t have a proper boyfriend until you met Kenji. But, that’s not important,” she said. “The job is easy and simple. The clients tip well for the service, and they’ll tip twice when they see how pretty you are. You won’t be fighting anyone or be in any sort of danger.” When Sakyia did not appear convinced, she continued, “Look, try it out for a week. I have clients around the district here, so you’ll at least get familiar with the area before you make a decision. How about it?” 

Sakyia weighed the pros and cons of this job. It’d include a lot of travel and talking to strangers, going into places of the district she’d yet to explore. Yet, she’d be making her own money, and contributing to her home rather than sweep floors and take calls in a salon for free. This new job will give her something to do, since little Sannoh did not appear to offer much. She looked to her mother, who smiled at her encouragingly. Sakyia felt slightly disappointed. Boring work sounded so nice. No bloody fists. No broken bones or bruised skin. No rings. She’d have only a broom and dustpan; a phone and a computer to write down appointments. With this little bike and parcels, she may run into trouble, which she wished to avoid. But, looking around their new home, they needed the money. 

“I’ll give it a shot,” she finally said. “How hard can it really be?” 

Hana cheered and smiled widely, “Excellent! Oh, you’re gonna love it! It’ll be an easy gig for you, I promise.”

“You’ll do well,” her mother added, gripping her hand gently. 

“I hope so.” 

The three women finished their dinner, and then Hana left for the night. Sakyia felt too tired to unpack anything else, so she showered in the small bathroom and crashed onto her new bed. The full mattress squeaked, and felt slightly firm underneath her. It was better than nothing. Her mother took the bed on the other side of the room, and both of them fixed their beds for sleep. 

“I think this will be good for us,” her mother said, her voice breaking the silence in the dark room. “This is the new beginning we needed. No debt collectors. No punks. No Jiro. Just you and me and this shabby apartment.” 

Sakyia smiled to herself, turning her head to look at her mother a few feet away. “We’ll find a way to make this apartment a home, until we find our own. You’ll buy Sungmi’s salon and have your own business again.” 

“And maybe you’ll finally make friends.” She then hesitated, “Possibly even boyfriends.”

“Boyfriends?” she scoffed. “As if.”

“Eh, well, you’re a lot more popular with boys than you’ve ever realized. Jiro kept you so close and isolated, you never noticed the boys. Maybe now that you’re older you’ll become the little heartbreaker your father said you’d be,” she snickered at the last point. 

She snorted, pulling the covers to her chin. “He never said that.”

“He did,” she insisted. “He kept saying he’d have to train more to fight off the line of boys that’ll be at our door.” She then said, “Just make sure he’s a nice boy? You know, who comes from a good family, has a job, is kind and gentle with you. A real gentleman.”

“Oh, Ma, can we stop the boyfriend talk, please?”

Midori laughed at her daughter’s groaning, remembering briefly how her husband used to do the same. “Alright, fine. Goodnight, Blossom.”

“Night, Ma.” 

****

Her mother busy with setting up the salon and acquainting herself with employees, she’d left Sakyia to her own devices. She ate a quick breakfast of leftovers and washed up. Pulling on her father’s bomber jacket, dark navy and worn in the seams, she tied up half of her hair and went downstairs to find stacks of parcels left on the counter. Hana moved around them, smiling at her. 

“Ah good, you’re here,” she said, kissing Sakyia’s cheek. “I got some packages that need to be sent as soon as possible. Don’t worry, I picked out local places so you can get familiar with Sannoh first. That way, if you decide you don’t want the job, my regulars won’t be accustomed to you.”

“Sounds good to me,” she nodded. “What do I do with them? Can that little bike hold all these?”

Hana began explaining the job to her. People normally made calls to have packages picked up or dropped off from one place to another. Sakyia only needed to drop it off, have them sign for it, and she went on to the next place. To pick up orders, she’d have to go to the address on the appointment sheet, and make sure to be there on time since the longer she took, the lower her tip is likely to be. The job sounded easy enough, especially with the bike in the back. 

“Here it is,” Hana led her to the courtyard behind the shop, each woman carrying stacks of boxes. 

Against a wall leant an aquamarine and white motor scooter. The previous owner painted orange and red flames on the back, and plastered bumper stickers that were later scratched off. Sakyia never rode one before, but it could not be much different from a motorcycle, which she knew how to navigate decently. Attached to the back was a wire cart, which she guessed added extra space for parcels. 

“It’s not the fanciest thing in the world,” Hana said, putting her stack carefully in the cart. “But it runs well. If you ever have trouble, there’s a little mechanic shop in town where you can go. Yamato is very good at fixing bikes.” 

She recalled Yamato from the previous night. “Hm, noted,” she said, adding hers beside them. 

“Here are the keys,” she handed her a small set of keys. “The first place on your list is the Dan Convenience store. The owner is a good friend, but he’s too busy with the store to pick them up. Make sure they get there in one piece.” 

Sakyia looked at the clipboard her aunt put on top of the parcels. On it were several names, addresses, and times to be delivered. Her aunt must’ve spent the early morning making phone calls to get them. She supposed she should start right away. Putting on the matching helmet hanging off the handle, she guided the bike around the side of the shop and onto the street. She typed the address into her navigation app, and saw a clear path to the little store. She planted herself firmly on the seat, nerves starting to numb her fingers and toes as she turned on the engine. It hummed to life underneath her, and she pressed the pedal to jolt forward. The first few starts startled her, but once she finally turned onto the street, she got the hang of it. Thankfully, years of maintaining balance helped. 

The app took her to a small store a few blocks away. It appeared to be the typical convenience store, with the wide windows displaying special deals or sales. She turned off the bike and removed her helmet. She went over what she’d say as she picked up the first of the big boxes. A simple ‘hello, package for you’ might be a good start. It did not need to be a whole conversation. Though, being the newcomer in town, she might have to actually have a conversation. She’d done fine the other night in the diner. This won’t be any different. Keep things easy. Keep things flowing. 

“Welcome!” Two voices said in unison. 

Twin girls stood up from the register counter, hands behind their backs and formally bowing their heads when she walked in. She noticed they wore pink and black jackets, and long pink aprons. They were also tall. They almost towered over her. 

“Um, good morning,” Sakyia said, “I have some packages for the owner…” she looked at the name on her clipboard, “Dan?”

“Dan’s not the owner,” said the twin with long brown hair. 

“His dad is,” said her sister, who had shorter hair in two braids. 

“He’s not here right now.”

“You can leave the packages with us.”

“Alright…” she said, but then someone else came up. 

“Oh, Sakyia, you’re here.”

It was Dan, one of the Sannoh members, she remembered. Tall with black hair parted to the side, he gave her a smile as he wiped his hands on his apron. 

“Morning, Dan,” she said, showing she hadn’t forgotten his name. “I take it by the name, this is your family’s store?”

“Yes, it is,” he nodded, taking the box from her carefully. “My dad’s not here, but I can sign for the packages.”

“Okay, good.” 

She handed him the clipboard, and stared around the store. She recalled the empty fridge back home, and considered picking up some of the basics. Sakyia knew she had time in between locations to put the things back home. “Do you sell ready-to-eat meals?” she heard herself ask, peeking the fridges along the wall. 

“We do,” he nodded, handing her the clipboard. “We sell lots of things here for a lady on the go,” she noticed his friendly smile, “As well as necessities.”

“Hm, good,” she nodded. “My mom and I moved in yesterday, and neither of us has had time to shop.” She checked her phone for the time. She could do a bit of shopping. 

“Oh, so you’re the newcomer,” said the long-haired twin. “Naomi mentioned you. I’m Oshiage-”

“-And I’m Shiba,” said the short-haired one. “She said your mother’s a hairstylist-”

“-And that she’s opening up Sungmi’s salon.”

Did they always do that? Sakyia nodded slowly, “Yeah, she’s working there. She’s really good at what she does. Her salon back home was really popular.” 

“Where was, um, home?” Dan asked, hands in his back pockets. “Ms. Kimura mentioned you came from another district.”

“Chikuni Bay,” she answered. “We lived near the warehouse district by the water until we had to move.” 

“Gosh, it must’ve been nice living by the water,” he smiled, gazing over her face. Why was he doing that? It unnerved her. 

“She’s not interested,” said Shiba, irritably. 

“Stop being a creep.”

“I’m not being a creep!” he exclaimed, mouth agape and a blush tinging his cheeks. “I’m only being friendly, that’s all. She’s new and as part of the Sannoh Hoodlum Squad, it’s my duty to make people feel welcome here.”

They rolled their eyes together, unconvinced by his argument. “I think I’ll go, um, get the rest of the boxes-” she began to say, backing away to the doors. 

“-No, no, I’ll get them,” Dan insisted. “You can take a look around the shop in the meantime.”

“Alright, thanks.”

She left him to get the packages, while she picked up a basket. Scanning the different aisles, she picked out bread and fruits for the home. She’d been looking at the refrigerated area, examining the different types of ready-to-eat meals on the shelves, when she heard another person enter the store. 

“Hey Junko,” the twins said together. 

“Hey Twin Towers.”

Sakyia did not really pay much mind to the women who walked into the store. She’d been deciding between a curry meal or a bento box when footsteps approached. The chicken curry and rice sounded more to her mother’s taste. She’d be fine with a bento.

“Hey,” a voice caught her attention. She looked to see two girls dressed in black with long pink and white jackets standing a few feet from her. The one with the short black hair seemed to have spoken. “You’re Ms. Kimura’s niece?”

“I am,” she nodded, putting the two items in her basket. “Who are you?”

“I’m Junko,” she said. “This is Asuka,” she nodded to the girl wearing a long ponytail behind her. “We’re part of Ichigo Milku.”

“Strawberry milk?” 

“It’s our favorite drink,” said Asuka. “It's our gang name.”

Ah, another Sannoh gang. “That’s…cool,” Sakyia said, “I wasn’t aware Sannoh had a girl gang.”

“We’re the only ones,” Junko said proudly. “We take care of the women in Sannoh, and make sure they’re safe.” 

“How admirable,” she checked her time again, and saw she was running out. “It was nice meeting you guys, but I gotta check out and then get back on my route.” 

“We heard your mom’s opening up Sungmi’s salon,” Junko said. “Is she any good?”

“She’s amazing,” she told them honestly. “She does my hair all the time.” Like with Naomi, she showed them her hair cut. “It’s faded out, but she retouches it for me when she has the time,” she added, in case they thought the dye job was bad. She walked over to the register, putting down her items. It wasn’t much, but enough to get them until they could shop together. “She’s hired nail artists too, if you all are interested in that,” she said, “and all the old stylists that used to work there before Sungmi left.”

“That sounds great!” Asuka beamed, “I’ve been dying to get my nails done!”

“Us too!” the two twins said. 

They began scanning her items when she spotted the cupcake display. Vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with different colored frosting and sprinkles lined a small case by the register. They looked good. Sakyia could not remember the last time she ate anything sweet. Jiro often kept her on a strict diet, and prohibited sweets. She knew if he stood next to her, he’d sharply scold her for thinking about it. It made her want one even more.

“-Junko,” Asuka whispered her name and nodded to the door. 

Sakyia saw Junko’s hard exterior melt once she looked at the door. She turned to see Cobra walking into the shop, hands in his pockets. Sakyia guessed Junko liked him by how she stared at him with dreamy eyes. It reminded her of the girls she used to know in school. She recalled how they acted around boys they liked, and the stupid things they did to get his attention. Sakyia never had time to care about boys; Jiro took up most of it. Cobra noticed them all in the shop, and his eyes locked with hers for a moment. He was as broody today as he’d been last night. Still such a mystery to her. 

“Morning,” she said politely, nodding her head at him. 

“Morning, Sakyia.”

He took a spot behind her in line, and she noticed the nervous glances Junko and the other girls gave one another. She turned back to the twins, who finished scanning and bagging her meager selection. 

“You’re taking up Koichi’s job then?” Cobra asked her, much to the shock of the other girls. 

“I am,” she nodded, fishing for her wallet in her jacket pocket. “It helps out my aunt’s business and gives me a little extra money.”

“I’m glad Hana’s back in business,” he said. “Her service helps a lot of people in Sannoh.” 

“And helps me out at the same time,” she said, trying her best to joke. He made her nervous with his stare and his handsome face and his presence. She looked at the dessert display again. “How much are the cupcakes?” she asked the twins. 

“216 yen each,” said Shiba.

She sucked her teeth. Her slight against Jiro would have to wait another day. She paid for everything, and stepped aside. Another check of her phone told her she needed to get going before her next appointment. She hated her impulsive decisions. Dan having removed his packages, she had space for her bags. 

“I’ll see you all around,” she said. That’s something friendly people say, don’t they? 

“See ya, Sakyia!” said Asuka and the twins. 

“Bye Sakyia!” Dan popped out from the back with a wide smile. “Come back whenever you want, really!”

“Ugh, you’re so pathetic, Dan,” said one of the twins. 

Junko seemed too transfixed on Cobra, who only nodded at Sakyia. She felt his eyes on her still as she left the shop. It bothered her so damn much. Why did he have to stare? It made her hot under the collar, and her cheeks flushed pink. She set her bags down inside securely, then looked to see that she needed to get to her next location soon. She entered the next address on her phone when someone came up beside her. 

"Here."

Cobra stood next to her bike, handing her a small bag. Inside, on a plate, sat a vanilla cupcake with baby blue frosting. Sakyia looked between him and the cupcake, a bit confused and stunned. 

"Thank you," she said, gingerly taking the bag. "You didn't have to do that. I would've gotten it another time."

"I wanted to," he replied, shrugging. 

She straddled her bike and put on her helmet with urgency. The small gesture reminded her of another person she’d known. He liked to give her random gifts as well; he used to brush it off too. Jesse was never one for grandiose gestures of affection even at fourteen. She placed the cupcake bag with the ones in the cart, and looked back at him. 

“Why?” 

“You looked like you could use it.” 

“I could use a lot more things than a cupcake.”

“Still, we can find happiness in the little things too, you know.” Her phone pinged, and he said, “Looks like you have a busy day ahead.” 

“Seriously busy,” she said. “My aunt’s orders are super backed up; there’s more waiting at the store. I’m sure it would’ve been worse if your friends hadn’t helped her before.” 

“Your family’s business helps a lot of people around here, and Hana’s a good friend of my parents,” he said. “It would’ve been cruel of me to not lend a hand. She also helps keep the balance around here.”

“Balance? What ‘balance’?”

“Between the gangs in SWORD,” he answered. “There are five gangs in Chikuni, and we all use your aunt’s business when we want to deal with one another. That way, nobody walks into each other’s territories without warning first.” 

“SWORD? The city’s Chikuni though.”

“It’s the nickname. I thought your aunt told you?”

“She neglected to mention it to me,” she grumbled. “Five gangs? Are they dangerous?”

“They can be, if you’re not careful. But, I’m sure once you tell them who you work for, they’ll lay off you,” he explained. “I’m sure Hana’s already informed the other leaders about you too.”

“Lovely. She warns them, but not me.” 

“She probably didn’t want to scare you off the job,” he suggested. “Besides, perhaps she thinks you’re capable of handling it. Koichi was a pretty good fighter too.”

“Fighting?”

“Like I said, ‘five gangs’.” He stepped forward, “I could, you know, come with you? That way, you’ll have some protection.”

“I don’t need it.” She said this quicker than she meant to. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Her sudden rejection didn’t upset Cobra. He smirked and said, “Yeah, you will be, huh?” 

She hated the feeling that smirk gave her. Cobra’s gentle eyes and words made her nervous. Not in the ‘fight-or-flight’ way she’d become so accustomed to either. Her mother used to call it ‘the butterflies’, and she didn’t like them. They made her warm and hopeful, like she’d been as a girl in school. 

“See you around,” she said quickly. “Thanks again for the cupcake."

"No problem."

Sakyia started the scooter and went on her way. Chikuni City had five gangs, all controlling different parts of the city, and her aunt’s little delivery business kept them from fighting. Sakyia knew the job sounded a bit too good to be true. She decided she’d ask her aunt about it later, but she’ll keep it from her mother. Her mother worries plenty about everything else; Sakyia won’t pile on any supposed possibilities. She just hoped she did not have to fight. She was done fighting. Sakyia pushed Cobra and the gangs to the back of her mind, then carried on with her day. 

She dropped off a few more packages to different locations, meeting her aunt’s customers and people around the town. The gangs aside, the people of Sannoh greeted her with friendly smiles. Mrs. Saito owns an antique shop, and she gave Sakyia a small beckoning cat keychain for good luck. Mr. Ito runs a grocery store, and told her amusing stories about his youth in Sannoh whilst she waited for his signature. People seemed to know all about her parents, and her mother opened the salon. Sakyia did what she could to spread the word herself, hoping it’ll help. She’d gone to the salon for lunch, giving her mother one of the meals she’d bought, and told her about her morning. 

“Ah, I remember Mrs. Saito. Your grandmother loved going into her shop. She has a lot of interesting things in there,” she smiled fondly at the memory. She sat across from Sakyia on one of the hair drying chairs, who sat on the barber chair. “I missed this place,” she said, chewing a piece of chicken curry with rice. “I always meant to bring you here one day so you can see where your father and I grew up, but I never got around to it.” She noticed the cupcake Sakyia had sitting with the rest of the groceries. “You bought a sweet treat, huh?” she smiled, “Jiro would’ve scolded you if he was here.”

“It’s why I wanted it, but I didn’t have enough for it.”

“Then how did you get it?”

She slurped some of the chicken broth in her cup, then said, “Junpei.” Her mother hid her grin behind a scoop of rice. “Ugh, it didn’t mean anything. He was only being friendly.”

“There’s a difference between ‘friendly’ and ‘friendly’, she smirked. “Your aunt tells me he’s a very nice boy.”

“Ma…” she said warningly. 

“Alright, alright,” she finished off her meal, and dumped it in the trash. “I’ll lay off. But, you can at least try making friends your own age. I know that’s easier said than done, but I…I want you to have a life, Sakyia.”

She knew this. Jiro robbed her of a proper social life and childhood. From thirteen to twenty-five, Sakyia cannot say she had any ‘proper’ friends. 

“You know who you should call up one day?” her mother broke into her thoughts. “That boy you used to hang around with when you were younger. What was his name? Skinny boy with black hair? Never wore his shoes the right way?” 

“Jesse?”

Sakyia’s stomach rumbled, and she stopped eating her ramen. She remembered Jesse vividly. A lot of teenagers fought in the warehouse pits during her time there. The managers often pitted them against one another to keep things fair, but occasionally she’d fight people bigger than her. Jesse was one of the kids she often fought against. Strong and fast with lots of stamina, it always took several rounds before either of them went down. Jesse never yielded. He either knocked her out or she knocked him out. One night, after a fight, they got to talking in the locker room and clicked. She often met up with him at the warehouse since he lived in Little Asia, and she lived near the bay. He liked her. She didn’t know at the time, but as a woman now, the signs were obvious. He went easy on her in fights; he often tended to her wounds afterwards; he hung around her before and afterwards, and even brought her a flower for her birthday. 

“I heard he’s in prison,” she said, remembering the boy who wore his sneakers like sandals. Word spread that he’d been lifted by police and gone to Rasan Prison, where he’s been for a long time. “So, there isn’t any way of ‘calling him’.” Not that she would. It’d been so long ago, she doubted her recalled her at all. 

“What a shame,” her mother mused, going back to fixing up the hair station. “He’d liked you a lot.” 

Her phone rang in her pocket, and Sakyia sighed. “I have to go, Ma,” she told her, cleaning up her spot and dumping the garbage. “Auntie Hana gave me a long list of drop-offs for today, so I might not be back until later.”

“Be careful, Blossom,” she said, kissing her daughter’s cheek. 

They said their farewells, and Sakyia went back on her route. Sannoh didn't seem like a bad place. People were friendly in a way that threw her off at times. She blamed it on the places where she received nothing but grimaces of pain or dirty glares. She briefly remembered Jesse, who'd always smiled at her approach. He did it when he fought her too, teasing and goading her into charging at him. Sannoh might've been different after all. 

The sky turned dark by the time she finished delivering packages around the area. She’d driven back towards home when she noticed the gas tank dial. The tiny yellow hand pointed dangerously close to the ‘empty’ symbol. She’ll admit she’d put off getting gas since she wanted to get to her drop offs and pickups on time. Yet, cruising through the streets, she worried she may not make it home on a near empty tank. She remembered passing a gas station on her way southwards, so she searched on her phone for the station and drove in its direction. 

‘Hina Gas’ went across the top in bold letters. It appeared a bit run down, but nothing that threw her guard off. Sakyia parked the scooter by a pump, then went inside. ‘The butterflies’ made their return. Cobra sat behind the register, magazine in his lap and his feet propped on a counter. His head poked up when the doorbell jingled throughout the small store. 

“Hey,” she heard herself say out loud. 

“Hey,” he said. “It’s late. Shouldn’t you be home?”

“Shouldn’t you?”

“I live nearby.”

“So do I.” Why is everything an inquest with this man? “I just needed gas,” she nodded to the pumps outside, “Otherwise I’d get stranded.” 

She walked up to the counter, and he stood from his chair. The air remained tense and quiet. They didn’t have to talk. It’s not needed. Yet, the butterflies continued fluttering in her stomach. Cobra put in the gas charge, and she fished through her bag for the cash. 

“How was it?” he asked, processing her payment. 

“Huh?”

“Your day,” he specified. “How’d it go?”

“Oh, um, it went well. My aunt kept most of the addresses in Sannoh, so at least I can see the rest of the place,” she said, fiddling with the strap of her bag. Her fingernails picked into the polyester strap, dragging over the prints nervously. “It’s actually a nice place. The people I’ve met are nice, at least. Mrs. Saito from the antique store gave me this little cat charm,” she showed it to him, the golden cat hanging from her keychain. “For good luck,” she continued. “Overall, not a bad day. How was yours?” it only felt right to ask, since he did first. 

The corner of his mouth twitched at the cat. He handed her back the bills, and said, “It’s been a quiet one, that’s for sure, but not unpleasant.” He hesitated, about to add on to it before stopping himself. “It is, um, you know, getting late though. Sannoh isn’t always as pleasant at night. You really shouldn’t go on your own.”

“I have my scooter. No worries,” she insisted, putting her money away. “I can just ride away if danger comes near me.”

“Still,” he said, looking over her face, “Be careful.”

“I will, thanks. Night.”

“Night.”

She moved to leave when someone else entered the shop. Seeing his black hair hanging over his eyes, dressed in a hoodie and jeans, Noboru leaned on a walking stick as he walked in. He looked different from the young man who’d come to her old house a month and a half ago. His eyes met hers, and he gave a friendly grin. 

“Oh, hello, Sakyia,” he said, giving a bow of his head. “I heard you and your mom moved into the neighborhood.” He went over to the counter, giving Cobra a fist pump. “I hope you settled in okay.”

“We did, thanks,” she said. “What happened to your leg? You weren’t injured when we met.”

“You’ve met before?” Cobra asked, looking between them. 

“An accident,” he answered Sakyia. “It’s a bit of a complicated story, but I no longer work for the Iemura family.”

Sakyia did not need him to tell her more. He must’ve upset them somehow, and they’d punished him for it. She pitied him. “I’m sorry that happened to you,” she told him. “You and Kawata helped my mother and I a lot. She told me later you’d been the one who suggested the exchange.” 

“I thought it’d benefit everyone involved,” he shrugged. “You and your mother could have a new life somewhere else, and Iemura would get their money.”

“And Jiro?” she asked cautiously. 

“I don’t know,” he shook his head. “They’re still looking for him, from what I heard.”

Jiro escaped them. She figured he would. He’s too cowardly to own up to his mistakes. It was why he forced Sakyia to do it. “I know this might sound harsh to say, but I hope they do find him,” she said. Knowing Jiro, he’ll crop up somewhere eventually. “He deserves whatever they give him.”

“That is a bit harsh-”

“-I’m sorry, but how do you two know each other?” Cobra asked a second time, a bit louder. 

“Sakyia’s mother sold her salon in Chikuni Bay to Kuryu,” he told him before Sakyia could intervene. “I heard she’s managing Sungmi’s salon though,” he looked at Sakyia. “I was just talking to Naomi, and she told me.”

“She is.” 

“Why did she sell her salon?” asked Cobra.

“Because we were moving,” Sakyia lied. “She couldn’t manage it from somewhere else, so she sold it to start over.” 

Cobra did not believe her. She could tell in the way he slightly raised his eyebrows. “I gotta go,” she said hurriedly. “It’s getting late, and my mom’s waiting. I’ll see you guys around.”

“Night,” Noboru said innocently. 

“Night.” 

She left the gas station before any more questions came up. Her mother waited for her at home, and she’d been out too long already. She didn't have time for anyone’s prying questions. 

Especially not Cobra’s.

[winterfireice]

Chapter 4!!

Now there are only two chapters left before this story is over, I hope you're enjoying it so far.

Tag list: @amandayetagain @doodle-do-wop @tiana4evahh

Rest of the chapter is under the cut

“I am not that clumsy!” Sophie basically shouts out of annoyance,

“We once watched you almost trip on your cape and as you were falling you tripped again on the air around you,” Biana responds, “I didn't even know that was possible before I met you,”

“Ok that did happen, but I hadn't slept in days, so it wasn't my fault,” Sophie tries to defend herself,

Stina makes a face, “You hardly ever sleep, that's not a valid argument,”

“Or does that mean I’m always tired, so I always have an excuse? Maybe the trauma is finally helpful for once,”

“No, you’ve gotten pretty good at being functional without sleep, plus I’ve seen you right after a good night’s sleep and you still trip,” Dex says not helping at all,

This specific post-Team Valiant meeting was not going according to Sophie’s plan at all, they had all ganged up on her as they were walking out to the Council Hall, and she tripped on a rock. They had carried on even after they had gotten settled in their “Fancy Hangout House” as Keefe had dubbed it.

Just thinking about her boyfriend summoned him apparently because all of a sudden, he was knocking at the door,

“Ooo Sophie your boyfriend is here,” Biana taunted, she had always been their biggest fan and the most annoying person regarding their relationship,

With the loving taunting as background noise, Sophie opens the door welcoming Keefe into the room pulling him over to one of the couches without saying anything,

“The Lady Foss-Boss is really coming out in you right now,” Keefe says as he lets himself be pulled around like a rag doll,

“You don't have a single thought going on behind your eyes when they're on Sophie do you?” Stina asks watching Keefe,

“Nope,” Keefe responds confidently,

“At least you’re self-aware,” she mutters,

Sophie and Keefe share a look holding back laughter,

“Well definitely one of us is self-aware,” Keefe says slyly,

“You’re talking about how it took me forever to realize I had a crush on you, right?” Sophie nudges him,

“Oh of course,” Keefe smiles, “Who else would I be talking about?”

“I am going to kill you” Sophie transmits with a smile on her face,

“I would die a happy man,” Keefe responds,

Wylie coughs as Biana rolls her eyes,

“We may not be able to hear you, but we can see you two obviously flirting in your heads,” Biana says,

“You have no idea what goes on in our heads, we are very complex individuals,” Keefe nods,

“This reminds me that Sophie is part horse,” Stina adds,

“How! How did that remind you of that?” Sophie exclaims,

“It’s my favorite fact about you, it always makes me laugh. It's the reason I’m able to be around you,”

“I have so much blackmail that I could use right now, you’re lucky I’m a good person,” Sophie snarks

Stina looks horrified, she opens and closes her mouth at least twice before giving up on speaking all together,

Biana just stares in wonder at the rare sight of Stina’s silence, “What do you have on her?” she asks, “I have never seen her this silent before,”

“Oh shut up,”

“There’s the Stina we all know and love,” Dex says, eyes widening and avoiding Stina’s entire body. Stina’s cheeks start to blush and one of her hands starts tapping against the side of the chair,

Sophie feels Keefe’s hand bumping against her side and takes that as a hint to enter his mind, “I think I can feel their hearts about to beat out of their chests,” he transmits,

“They are hopeless,” Sophie responds, “And adorable, I’m rooting for them,”

“You’re not the only one, we should make posters,”

“That say what? ‘Stinex’s number one fans?” she asks,

“Yes, exactly that, it's almost like you can read my mind,” Keefe jokes,

Sophie smiles, “Almost like I’m reading it right now,”

“At this point, I’m just going to stop asking because you all confuse me,” Biana says annoyed, looking around the room. Stina and Dex are still avoiding looking at each other while Sophie and Keefe are cuddled on the couch,

“Sorry,” Sophie tells her sparkly best friend,

“I’m only partly sorry,” Keefe says in return, “I’m quite bad at owning up to my actions, but I will repay you in quick-witted comments in the future,”

“It’s days like these where I wonder why I’m friends with you guys,” Biana says smiling,

~~~

“When did you know you liked Keefe?” Stina asks after taking a sip out of her juice. She had called Sophie a couple of days ago asking to get lunch and be able to talk a little bit without being observed by all their friends.

So now they were in Atlantis trying to find a restaurant they could both agree on, which meant they were mostly walking around the underwater city and vetoing each other’s ideas,

“I guess I didn't fully know until right before we kissed” Sophie admitted, “That doesn't mean that’s how everyone feels at the beginning of their relationships though, I was in denial for a long time, but Keefe knew how he felt for years before we ever got together,”

Stina looks surprisingly vulnerable, “But what made you confident enough to tell him?”

“It just got to the point where I couldn’t take having him not know how I was feeling or what I was thinking anymore,” Sophie says, “I had overthought every possible thing up until that moment where his lips were on mine. But I had the extra add-on of my crush running away from everyone and everything he knew before I confessed,”

“Only half of your response was helpful,” Stina sighs, “and even when you’re being helpful it feels weird. You basically just said that the only reason you’re dating Keefe is because you annoyed yourself into telling him you were in love with him,”

“Who said anything about love?” Sophie smiles, “I think you Stina Heks are starting to become a romantic,”

Stina starts to look horrified which Sophie is starting to get used to, “There is absolutely no possibility that I ever become, that word,”

“Wow, you can’t even say it! I think we may have another Great Oblivion on our hands,”

“Stop enjoying this so much!”

Sophie is in the middle of laughing when she spots two teenage boys walking closer and closer, “Oh I don’t think that will be happening any time soon. Look over there,”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Stina says under her breath after she sees their friends notice them,

“Oh, hey girls, fancy meeting you two here,” Keefe says genuinely surprised,

“Did either of you have something to do with this?” Stina whispers,

“No, I seriously didn't know they were going to be here,” Sophie whispers back so only Stina can hear,

Luckily Dex looks as terrified as Stina does so there is a very small chance of him noticing this very obvious conversation, “What are you guys doing here? Not that you can’t be here! You are your own people that deserve to be anywhere whenever they want to be,” He spurts out anxiously,

“Smooth dude,” Keefe comments,

“We were trying to find somewhere to eat, do you guys want to join us?” Sophie asks as she ignores Stina’s glare,

“I think we’re go-” Dex starts as Keefe interrupts him, “That sounds amazing,”

“Perfect where should we go?” Sophie asks before Stina or Dex can come up with an excuse to leave, “Stina is picky so it's taken us forever to find a place,”

“What about that sandwich shop that I took you to last month? Plus, it's super customizable so Stina will have to find something edible there,” Keefe walks around Dex’s frozen body to Sophie so he can take her hand in hers,

“I think that is a great idea, Stina, Dex? How do you guys feel?” Sophie says as she leans into her boyfriend,

“Fine,” Stina grumbles as Dex seems to realize he hasn't been functioning like a normal elf and just simply nods along, Sophie smiles as she pretends the others are genuinely excited about the next few hours of their lives, “Yay, this will be great!”

~~~

“Ok, this place is pretty good,” Dex mumbles as he continues to inhale half of his sandwich,

“I told you I have the best date spots,” Keefe exclaims after stealing another slice of something that looks like a pink yam but tastes like French fries off of Sophie’s plate,

The tips of Dex’s ears turn bright red at the comment and Sophie can guess how that topic came up before they ran into Stina and herself,

“I still refuse to believe that Keefe is actually good at being a boyfriend,” Stina complains even though her plate is near-empty,

“As someone with first-hand experience,” Sophie starts, “I can definitely disagree with you,”

“Foster, are you complimenting me?” Keefe asks with sarcastic surprise, his hand coming up to clutch fake pearls,

“Yes love, I am. You would think after three years you would have gotten used to it,”

“Nope, maybe keep trying,” he smiles,

“I can’t figure out if I find this adorable or nauseating,” Dex says putting down his food for the first time,

Stina looks equally disgusted but not any more than normal, “I’m going with the second option,”

“You two don’t get to have an opinion about this,” Sophie almost laughs, “They are borderline hypocrites,” she transmits to Keefe,

“I don’t think that’s a thing,” Keefe says out loud causing both Dex and Stina to look at him confused,

“I think you forgot to clue us into part of this conversation,” Stina tells him,

“Forget that part, it doesn't matter right now,” Sophie waves her hand in the air as if pushing the conversation away,

Dex ignores the handshaking, “I thought you were trying to keep fewer secrets between us?”

“I’ll stop when you guys stop,” Sophie says, enjoying her friend's embarrassment, “I have no clue what you’re talking about,” Stina manages to squeak out,

Sophie and Keefe only look at each other in response trying not to laugh at their friends.

“You guys are hilarious, one day we’re going to look back on this and laugh about it with Sophie and me,” Keefe chuckles,

“I hate you,” Stina grumbles, and Sophie is sure she can hear Dex whisper his agreement,

[transgenderknothead]

Oh sweets do I got a request for you! Allow me to paint a picture for ya, David x rival gang vampire! Reader like the reader is part of arrival vampire gang from out of town and for some reason her gang has business with Max so they all kind of show up, and her and a couple of her pack members run into the boys at the boardwalk. Like some rivals to lovers type shit hehehe:) (sorry if that's a lot of info this idea is just been rolling around in my head for a while lol, please tag me in it if you decide to write it if not that's cool I hope you have an amazing day!!)

Pairing: David x Rival gang! Reader

Pronouns used: They/Them

Type: Semi-angst? to fluff

POV: Reader

"Alright Y/N, are you ready?" One of the girls asked.

"Let's get this over with," I rolled my eyes. We'd gotten some business in Santa Carla, old debts, to settle. Which unfortunately meant we'd be running straight into our rival gang's territory.

When we'd arrived at the old CD store our boss had told us to wait for him outside, that he'd only be a minute. A small group of us leaned against our bikes, people watching meant something entirely different for a gang of vampires.

"Well, well, well," a blondie wearing a brightly patterned jacket smirked, "look what we have here."

It wasn't until the fourth boy showed up that any of us recognized the group. His whiteish blond hair and leather jacket glistened in the bright lights of the city. He wore a smug look on his face as he eyed me carefully.

"What are you doing here?" David raised an eyebrow.

"None of your business," one of my partners hissed.

"Oh, but you're standing in front of a shop run by our boss," his stupid grin grew wider, "which leads me to believe it is."

I shifted on my feet; I was the oldest in our group and that meant being the one our boss trusted the most. Which is why I knew that the man we were here to see was our bosses father, from before either of them had been turned. I was not excited to figure out what 'settling old debts' meant anymore.

"Boys, play nice," a tall man walked out behind our boss, his hand on her shoulder.

"Why are they here?" David asked Max.

"Well, my daughter here owed me something, just a few years of commitment here in Santa Carla is all," our boss did not look happy, understandably so.

"You mean she'll be here with us for the next few years," the blond with fluffy hair pointed at our boss.

"They all will," a few of us started to stutter, but I couldn't seem to form any words inside my head.

By the end of the first few months our rivalry had settled a little bit into minor disdain. And I was forced to admit that the Lost Boy's leader had kind of grown on me.

"Hey Y/N," David called me over from his wheelchair. I had been off duty tonight so I was stuck in the cave with him until the others got back.

"What?" I crossed my arms, stopping just a few feet in front of him.

"You've been staring at me since we left," he leaned on one of his armrests, "and one of you friends informed me that you appear to hate us slightly less than everyone else."

"Okay? What's your point?"

"My point is, if you wanna stay I don't think anyone would be upset with you," he winked. I was flabbergasted to say the least, but I would be lying if I told him he was wrong. So, I screwed my mouth shut and walked away, listening to his light chuckle as I did.

After another few weeks had passed I decided that I should talk to my boss about what he had said. My boss explained that it was actually them who told David what they saw, and that he was right, no one would be upset at me for staying after the rest of the group left. I sighed in defeat, I knew that I would have to talk to David again after that. No doubt my boss would say something.

And I was right, because later that day he'd walked up behind me and sat next to me on the rocks.

"Your boss told me you're staying," David's eyes bore into mine.

"Yeah, guess I am," I looked back at the water. I barely felt it when he put his hand on my lower back, really only knowing he did it when he fully wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into him. I guess I could get used to him.

[bullet-prooflove]

Past Mistakes Part 5: Choices - Mike Duarte x Reader

Tagging: @nessamc​   @xmoonknightlyx​   @jayblackpanther​   @crazy4chickennuggets​   @annetje​   @mysoulisasunflower​    @littleone65   @thesandbeneathmytoes​    @storiesofsvu​   

Part One: Try  

Part Two: Hope (NSFW)

Part Three: California

Part Four: Favours

McGrath’s office was larger than Mike expected however he could still see the echoes from his tenure as Deputy Chief of the Bronx Gang Unit. The walls were painted navy blue, the hue making the room feel more enclosed, suffocating. The commendations were framed, the stark white certificates practically shining against the paintwork. The American flag sticking out from beside the mahogany bookshelf. Each and every single one of the books was a leather bound classic he had never read. The desk was large and ostentatious, neat, and orderly unlike his own. Everything seemed to have a place, and nothing deviated from it. Mike fought the urge to pick up the stapler, he knew how McGrath hated others touching his things.

The other man was standing by the window, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared through the blinds at something on the street below.

“It’s been a while.” McGrath said, inclining his head towards Mike

“Over two years since you were promoted and moved to Manhattan.” Mike responded, tucking his hands deep into his pockets. “Shall we get this over with?”

“You wanna tell me what this is all about?” McGrath asked before returning to his seat. The chair was tall backed and made of brown leather. It was built like a throne and when McGrath sat in it, he clasped the arms of it like a monarch overseeing his territory.

“Three years ago, you wanted me to confess, to tell the truth about what really happened when I was under.” Mike reminded him.

“And you didn’t.” McGrath recounted stiffly. “What you did almost cost me my career.”

Mike leaned forward, his hands coming to rest on the surface of the desk. “I am willing to give you what you want, I will talk to IAB, I am willing to go to jail if that is what it takes but you need to let her go.”

McGrath tipped his head back and laughed. It was a harsh sound, it grated across Mike’s nerves causing him to grind his teeth as McGrath rose to his feet.

“Do you think you’re that important?” The left side of his mouth tipped up into a smirk as he shook his head. “That this is all about you?”

“Why don’t you tell me?” Mike said quietly, his dark eyes boring into McGrath’s. “What this is all about?”

McGrath stared back.

“She made the choice…” he began.

A choice…

You’d had no choice. He knew McGrath well enough to know how the options would have been presented to you, the way he would have twisted those words. He’d had you between a rock and a hard place and you’d picked the only way out you could live with. It infuriated him because he should have known, he should have had some sort of grasp on the situation, but he’d been ruined after that last stint undercover, too self-absorbed to see what was happening right in front of his eyes. At the time he thought he deserved the punishment, that you’d finally seen him for who he was in the aftermath of the assignment. He thought that was why you’d left, and it had sent him careening off the deep end.

“What other choice did she have?” Mike snarled, jabbing his finger at McGrath. “Turn on me, the man she loved or end up dead or brutalised by the First Nationals.”

“Love?” McGrath snapped with indignation. “You think she loved you? A Lieutenant in the Bronx Gang Unit, what did you even have to offer her? A ride in your vintage mustang?” Mike felt the muscle in his jaw twitch, a low growl escaped his throat, it was everything he could do not to wipe that smug fucking look off of McGrath’s face. “She was fucking me, a Deputy Chief, a man who was going places. She took the assignment because I asked her too, because she wanted to please me.”

Fury tore through him like a concussive wave, threatening to destroy everything in its wake. His fist clenched, the skin over his knuckles turning white, his muscles taunt as the rage simmered underneath the surface of his skin.

“You’re lying.” He said, his voice raw with emotion.

“She tasted like cherries.” McGrath’s forefinger glided across his lower lip as if in memory. “She smelt like Dior perfume. And she felt like a fucking dream.”

Each word was like a gunshot to Mike’s heart, because every single one of them was true. It was like the other man had jammed a Colt 45 between his ribs and pulled the trigger. It was agony, it was anguish, and it was grief exploding through him like an IED. He could see a glimmer of the truth now, that crucial piece of information he had been missing.

“When I told her to drop you, she did it so fast it was pitiful.” McGrath’s smile twisted cruelly across his face. “You were like a fucking dog, pining for her. It was pathetic.”

“You’re right.” Mike said quietly. “This was never about me.”

He could see it clearly now, how it had all played out. When he’d come back from those few weeks undercover, he had been a mess, too blinded by his own demons to see what was going on with you. He remembered the way you looked that night, when he’d come home to find you in his apartment, you’d let yourself in with the key he had given you. Your skin was pink from too much hot water. Your eyes were red rimmed and bloodshot. Allergies you had told him at the time. When he curled up with you that night your scent had been different, instead of the fruity shower cream you used, you smelt like his soap despite the fact you complained it dried out your skin. You were wearing his clothes, his sweats from the academy and one of his V-neck t-shirts. He’d found your dress in the trash a few days later, he thought the chiffon must have torn when you’d caught it on something.

“This was about punishing her because she didn’t choose you.” Mike said as he fixed McGrath with a scathing stare. “I remember that you don’t like being told no, and you certainly don’t like other people touching your things. Even when they don’t actually belong to you. That’s what happened isn’t it, Tommy? She said no.”

There was silence between them. Two wolves, locked in a battle of wills, each one vying for the prize. McGrath was the first to look away.

“You’re disgusting.” Mike spat as he turned his back on the other man.

“Don’t ruin your career for her Mike, she isn’t worth it.” McGrath warned him as his hand enclosed on the door handle. Mike twisted his head, his eyes burning with ire as a savage smile crossed his features.

“The both of us wouldn’t be here if that were true.”

Love Mike Duarte? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[xkittypunkerx]

SCREAM - A Beautiful Lie

Chapter Summary and Gang Members: Punk and his gang realize that AJ Lee has returned and begin to make their plans.

Gang Members

2009 Heel CM Punk

SOA Season 1 Jax Teller

James Keenan aka Corey Graves

The Shield Seth Rollins

Jimmy Jacobs

Chapter two

-April Mendez-

Within the next week or so, any stranger would think that we've been living here for years. We installed an amazing improved stereo system, flat screen TV, and a few other needed appliances and such. I guess you could say that our parents really love us.

I groggily opened my eyes to the smell of bacon and eggs flowing through the house. Kofi must be over here showing off his secret culinary skills. I stretched as I got out of bed, and made my way down to the kitchen. "Well look who finally decided to get up," Kaitlyn laughed as she swallowed a forkful of hash browns.

I rolled my eyes, "C'mon, I didn't sleep in that late!"

I noticed that both Kaitlyn and Kofi were staring at the oven clock and suppressing laughter, so I followed their stare and saw that I had slept in until 10 AM! I was supposed to be at an illustration intern meeting in exactly 30 minutes...

"Shit!" I cursed as I ran down the hall to my room and quickly changed into a black and grey pinstriped business suit, straightened my hair, and applied just a slight amount of makeup, enough to look like myself but not so "scary."

I rushed to the kitchen again, noting I only had 10 minutes left. Good thing that this event was on campus, otherwise I'd be mega screwed.

"Ok, I should be back around one, so you guys can go to lunch without me if you want. Um...don't forget to clean up. Peace out!" I yelled as I ran out the door to the truck.

If I wasn't in such a rush, I could've had just enough time to laugh at myself. Seriously, I just sounded like their mother! All humor aside, I pressed the pedal to the metal and pulled into the parking lot mere seconds before the meeting was about to begin.

When I walked in, it turned out that they were still distributing name tags. And much to my surprise, people were still stumbling in after me. Sometimes I honestly believe I worry way too much.

The meeting itself was a great success. I ended up meeting some pretty cool people, some of which I had common classes with this semester, got brochures for internships, and even received a couple of compliments on the drawings I've gathered thus far for my portfolio. Anyone near me could tell that I was excessively ecstatic as I practically skipped back to the truck. At this rate, tonight would definitely be a party night.

I drove home to find two very strange things: it smelled like shit and Kaitlyn had left a note. I plugged my nose in suspicious disgust as I crept into the bathroom to see if I could figure out the source of the massive stench.

I groaned as I looked at the chunk of nastiness resting at the bottom of the toilet. The water was raised unnaturally high, and something told me this thing was clogged. My suspicions were confirmed after four flushes, and no success. No matter how many times I tried to flush afterward, it didn't go up or down...now that's really gross. That note better explain what's going on here.

The note was written on the back of some receipt and resting on the corner of the counter.

It read:

AJ, I'm leaving to go look for a job. Kofi said he'll stay here a little longer, but he'll probably be gone before you get back home.

Love, Kait the Great

I rolled my eyes after reading her signature, but then realized that it must've been Kofi who was the one responsible for the clogged toilet, though it doesn't really seem like something he would do...

I groaned as I pulled the phone book out from under the kitchen desk and looked for a plumber. I dreaded the thought of some gross fat man coming here while I'm helpless and alone - talk about paranoia. Remember: keep the past where it belongs.

I forced myself to dial the number and sat on the couch waiting for him to arrive.

-Jax Teller-

"Is anyone else ready to go look for new prey? I need someone to fuck with," I asked in a bored tone as I skimmed through some text messages in my cell.

All of the guys agreed in their own way as we chugged our liquor besides, as if it were water. At this point in our world, liquor was almost necessary to keep the entertainment and creativity flowing.

As I lounged back in the leather recliner, a random memory suddenly entered my mind, causing some beer to slip past my lips as I began laughing. "What's so funny, man?" James asked, eyeing me strangely.

"Do you guys remember April Mendez, from like 3 or 4 years ago? Damn, I would just love to go hunt her down and finally finish off our first project," I suggested.

Punk had a thoughtful look on his face, as if he was reliving memories, before he finally ended up cheering for the idea. He should be the one to support the idea the most, considering the fact that AJ Lee was his girlfriend at the time.

"You know, that would probably be way better than any of the kills we've done lately. It would be challenging to find her, but damn would it be worth it."

Seth stood up and walked over to the computer nearby. He was always the pro when it came to stalking people. "Don't worry, I'm on it!" he announced with a confidence-filled grin.

He quickly typed April Mendez's name in some weird college database and you'd never believe it, but we found her. It would seem that AJ Lee must have forgotten all about us, because she was stupid enough to return to the neighborhood for her college education.

It's a shame she has no idea what she's in for. And I can promise you that she will greatly regret the day she ever decided to return to Chicago. We each exchanged pleased looks as we gathered around the kitchen table, shoving all the fast food wrappers and bloody utensils out of the way so we could plan properly.

The following morning, Punk, Seth, and I decided to go gather some dirt on AJ Lee, find out where she lives, and create a reason for us to return to her new home later tonight. AJ Lee attended a rather prestigious college located right in the heart of Chicago. It was a sprawling campus, with several residential locations.

Of course, since AJ was so much classier than the other freshman, she's living in the gated community of condos. Luckily, the community was along the edges of the campus, right near a thick forest

Seth drove the van off the main road and down the bumpy, grassy hill to the right. If our calculations were correct, then we should be close to her condo...number 233 A. Once we saw the black rod iron fence, we decided to jump it and try our luck.

"Hers is just a couple feet down the street," Punk noted as we walked slowly down the sidewalk.

I decided to go ahead of the other two slightly, just to get a sneak peak inside the house. As it turns out, it would seem we weren't alone. A girl and a guy were both sitting at the kitchen table, chatting. Looks like all we can do is sit and wait until these little inconveniences disappear.

"Hmm, maybe we could snag that chick as an encore or something?" Seth suggested, nodding toward the black and blond-haired girl.

"That could work...or we could just use them against AJ somehow. I don't really give a shit what we do with them, I just want this to be the best work we've ever done," Punk said.

I nodded, "Don't worry, man. We'll use all our tricks on this one!"

We waited in the bushes until we were sure that both people left the condo. Then, we picked the back door lock and made our way inside. Seth whistled and said, "Check out this place!"

I made my way further into the condo, walking down the short hallway until I ran into two closed doors. "Which one do you think is hers?"

Punk shrugged and kicked both doors open with just enough force to get the job done, yet keep the doors' hinges intact. One room was green and the other was black and white. "This one's definitely her room," he confirmed as he stepped into the green room. Oh that's right, green was her favorite color.

She had tons of band posters plastered across the walls, a HIM comforter on the bed, and framed pictures of her with those two other people along the shelves attached to her desk. Punk stared hard at the photos, his eyes holding a hint of resentment.

He shook his head and placed a hand over his heart and said with a tone of false pain, "She doesn't even have a picture of her and me together! I'm devastated." I humored him with a laugh as I scanned the rest of the room, memorizing every bit of it for our return tonight.

"Hey guys we don't know when the bitch is gonna be back so we better work fast," Seth pointed out, leaning casually against the white door frame.

I got up off her bed and found my way down to the basement to mess with the electric system. And just for a little bit of entertainment, Seth decided to run over to the bathroom and take a massive dump to give me a reason to return as a plumber before the real fun begins.

Before we left, Punk changed the locks around so that we had easy access to the condo tonight, regardless of whether or not little defenseless AJ thinks that the door is locked.

"How'd it go?" James asked, briefly glancing up from his Sports Illustrated magazine.

"It's perfect! We've got the whole house rigged for our benefit and Teller's is gonna head back over there in a couple hours just to fuck with her," Punk exclaimed, reaching into the fridge for an ice cold water bottle. "Also, she doesn't live alone. A girl and guy were there earlier today, so we have a couple toys to use on the side."

"The guy actually lives across the street, but the girl does in fact live with AJ. I think we should take her too for a little extra fun for the rest of us," Seth added, showing off his stalker skills once again.

"I agree with Seth. Do you think you two can keep this chick out of the house until we give you a call confirming AJ Lee's capture?" I asked James and Jimmy.

"Her name is Kaitlyn," Seth interjected.

James smirked, "Sounds hot. Besides, Teller, you know we're the best at stalking, distracting, and capturing!"

I assumed that AJ had to be back home by now, so I drove over to this plumbing place downtown that we had a special connection with. Clearly, we've pulled this particular maneuver before.

Before entering the building, I changed into the navy blue jumpsuit and pulled the hat down low over my forehead. I nodded curtly at the young guy working at the front of the counter.

"Tell... Teller, what are you doing here?" he asked, just barely above a whisper.

I stared at him intently, savoring the fear in his eyes. "Relax kid there's nothing to worry about. I'm actually doing the job this time. No bloodshed involved."

He knew all too well that in most cases I used this cover up to sneak inside homes and steal the beautiful women inside. Technically, I wasn't really lying. AJ would stay safe and sound while I fix her toilet. I wouldn't be using a disguise to take her away tonight.

Ten minutes after my arrival, the phone rang shrilly through the tiny building. "I've got this one," I said reaching excitedly for the phone, clearing my throat to sound professional. "Hello, J T Plumbing. What can I plumb for ya?"

"Um, yeah, my toilet won't flush and, well, someone...you know...emptied a little too much and it won't budge. Do you think you can come out here and fix it?" she asked timidly.

I smiled as the tone of disgust in her voice reached my ears. "Sure, thing darling, that's our job. Can ya give me an address please?"

She told me the address and even gave me the code to get past the gate. I told her I'd be there momentarily and hung up the phone. I loaded a few things into the van and headed back over to the campus.

I arrived at her place a few minutes later and had to silence a laugh as I rang the doorbell and waited to see her filthy little face. The hardest part of this whole thing would be pretending to be nice to her, but it would all be worth it in the end.

I formed a perfectly fake, business-like smile on my face once she opened the door. Her eyes widened momentarily and she hesitated to speak after first seeing me. I knew she didn't recognize me... probably assumed I'd be fat and creepy...even though I didn't think all men of this profession were like that.

But then again, I'm not really a plumber.

In the next Chapter: The Gang Kidnaps AJ Lee

[apocalypticavolition]

Let's (re)Read The Eye of the World! Chapter 42: Remembrance of Dreams

Rest easy, child. Moiraine is keeping you safe from the spoilers. This post is filled with spoilers for the whole of The Wheel of Time series and I am trying to get them stabbed into you, but you can avoid your fate! Just block the tags! Leave this post! Read the damn books or whatever! And don't blame me if you see spoilers from here on out.

This chapter's icon is the ravens, a way of representing the Shadow that the gang is desperately trying to find a way to escape. Luckily, there's nothing really going on to threaten them in this chapter.

He took five steps into the library before he realized that everyone else had stopped, crowded together in the doorway, openmouthed and goggling. A brisk blaze crackled in the fireplace, and Loial was sprawled on the long couch, reading, a small black cat with white feet curled and half asleep on his stomach. When they entered he closed the book with a huge finger marking his place and gently set the cat on the floor, then stood to bow formally.

Aww, Loial snuggles with kitties too. This book doesn't have enough kitty snuggles, there should have been one in literally every chapter.

(Also it's cute that Rand forgets how unusual Ogiers are from everyone else's perspective because he's just that buddy-buddy with Loial already. Rand's a good friend.)

Loial liked to talk, and talk at length when he had the slightest chance, though he usually seemed to think a story needed two or three hundred years of background to make it understood. His sense of time was very strange; to him three hundred years seemed a reasonable length of time for a story or explanation to cover.

To an Ogier, this is only providing a decade or so of context, which isn't anywhere near as much.

“You always were crazy,” Perrin said, and for a moment he, too, sounded as of old. “No,” Nynaeve said. Tears made her eyes bright, but she was smiling. “None of us blames you.”

Dammit people, more hugs! Hug Mat! Hug Moiraine! Hug Loial especially and then tell me how fluffy it was.

“Yes,” Moiraine said quietly, “he still has the dagger.” The laughter and talk was still going on among the rest of the Emond’s Field folk, but she had noticed his sudden intake of breath and had seen what had caused it. She moved closer to his chair, where she did not have to raise her voice for him to hear clearly.

Rand again shows he's the overall cleverest of the group in that he notices what's up right away, and Moiraine briefly flirts with being the kind of assistant to Rand that she should be by telling him the facts straight out. See how well you two get along in this conversation, Moiraine? All of your conversations could have been like that!

Rand made a sound, and Moiraine raised an eyebrow at him. “I thought they were looking for Mat and me,” he said.

Rand's reacting to Moiraine's infodumping, which again shows just how great a team they are when Moiraine is providing all the facts instead of trying to manipulate them! This sequence is really good in the trust she offers to everyone and it's a shame she reverts to her old habits again by the second book. I blame Siuan showing up, it made her feel young again.

“That’s what I always say,” Mat said blandly, though he was suddenly grinning hard, and Egwene asked in a decidedly neutral voice, “Who’s Elayne?”

Egwene, you spent several weeks dancing with the hottest boy you could find. You don't get to be pissy about Rand interacting with another girl. It's just annoyingly hypocritical and we are leaving the part of the book where romantic misunderstandings are fun.

I met some Tuatha’an a few years back, and they wanted to learn the songs we sing to trees. Actually, the trees won’t listen to very many anymore, and so not many Ogier learn the songs. I have a scrap of that Talent, so Elder Arent insisted I learn. I taught the Tuatha’an what they could learn, but the trees never listen to humans. For the Traveling People they were only songs, and just as well received for that, since none was the song they seek.

Please internalize this, WoT fandom. The Tuatha'an aren't stupid, they're well aware of the Ogier songs, and the Ogier songs aren't what they're looking for. No song is actually what they're looking for, but the Ogier songs can't even be sung properly by people so there's no match here at all.

“That’s what the Tinkers told us,” Perrin said. “Yes,” Egwene said, “the Aiel story.” Moiraine turned her head slowly. No other part of her moved. “What story?”

See what it feels like when people won't communicate useful information, Moiraine?

(Also I am 90% certain that it was only the Three Oaths that kept Perrin and Egwene alive through this exchange, and also Mat and Rand once the dream info comes out.)

Had I known after the first such, I might have been able to. . . . There has not been a Dreamwalker in Tar Valon for nearly a thousand years, but I could have tried.

I'm pretty sure that the real reason the boys don't tell Moiraien, Pattern-wise, is that she would have worn herself out trying to help. She sadly cannot.

He can still send Halfmen against you, and Trollocs, and Draghkar, and other things, but he cannot make you his unless you let him.

I'm mostly quoting this bit to show that Moiraine and Lan are in definite philosophical disagreement here. She's way more hopeful about the task at hand than he is, though these Two Rivers folk are probably making her less optimistic by the millisecond.

Out of the mass of humanity, the Dark One can touch an individual only by chance, unless that person seeks it. But for a time, at least, you three are central to the Pattern.

Also of course, the boys aren't being touched by the Dark One. They're instead being influenced by Ishamael, who is now free enough to do whatever he pleases.

“The Father of Lies is a good name for the Dark One,” Moiraine replied. “It was always his way to seed the worm of doubt wherever he could. It eats at men’s minds like a canker. When you believe the Father of Lies, it is the first step toward surrender. Remember, if you surrender to the Dark One, he will make you his.”

And this is the part where Moiraine loses the trust again. She could have told Rand the truth, but she sidesteps so blatantly instead that he has no choice but to distrust her.

“The Pattern presents a crisis, and at the same time a way to surmount it. If I did not know it was impossible, I could almost believe the Creator is taking a hand. There is a way.”

I wonder if Robert Jordan read much of Asimov's Foundation. In those stories, a man had deduced a way to predict the future in broad strokes and had established the titular Foundation to avert the 30,000 years of barbarism he foresaw. As the project would still take a thousand years, he left behind recordings identifying various turning points and leaving hints for the Foundation's members to use to swing events the proper way - they were referred to in-universe as "Seldon crises".

Much like Wheel of Time, Asimov died with this story unfinished and had later authors revisit the series, though sadly they only did a prequel trilogy instead of resolving the cliffhanger of the final chronological novel. It also is getting adapted these days and attracting a lot of alt-right rage for having women and people of color in the cast instead of the series of interchangeable white dudes - and hopefully Amazon's Wheel adaptation will continue the parallels by having a much stronger second season after a shakier first one.

Anyway I dunno why this notion struck me here, it's just something about the way Moiraine said it. Fun fact: the Creator can intervene and we'll be seeing that before the book ends, though he won't be doing much useful.

“No!” Loial said, an emphatic rumble like thunder. Everyone turned to look at him and he blinked under the attention, but there was nothing hesitant about his words. “If we enter the Ways, we will all die—or be swallowed by the Shadow.”

Oh yeah, this is probably another thing that the chapter icon was referencing. But we'll see more about that soon. Next chapter: more bad dreams!

[drawing-way-outside-the-lines]

➖ Mature content, 18+ ➖ check the trigger tags each time ➖      

Chapter 5 - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Episode 1.

Evan: At Christmas day the whole gang was gathered, and I should probably do a quick introduction of them all? You see we are this group of people, we are more or less like a family I guess, some of us knows each other better, but isnt it that way with family members as well? So, you already heard a bit about Andy, Congo, Daniel and I…. Well at least we have already covered that Andy, Daniel and I used to be in a band together, nearly 15 years that is. Besides that, you know Daniel has ADD. He is a pretty cool guy tho, just imagine a 32 year old toddler. Nah, he isnt half as bad as we say he is. He just forgets things, has trouble concentrating, and he is pretty hyper, even if he smokes about 5-6 medical joints per day. Daniel doesnt believe in medicating himself to keep his feet on the ground. And I cant say I disagree. Although he at times can be very social awkward, he is a bit of a skirt chaser as well, not nearly as bad as Andy ever were, but as Daniel puts it himself, he just isnt fit for a relationship, and doesnt wanna burden anyone with the irresponssible grown up toddler he is. Well anyone but me. You see we live together, or lived together now that I spend my time at Andy and Congo's new house… but at least he is located in the house just next door so I still get to keep an eye on him. Alongside Andy, Daniel and I, there were a fourth member of our band, Tomas, a sweet guy really, more down to earth than Andy and Daniel… well even more than me. He always kept a bit in the background, pretty shy guy at times. Hopeless romantic, always on the search for the one. Truth to be told, he wanted out of the band years ago, settle down, start a family. But the rest of us kept our claws in him. Thats until Andy couldnt handle the pressure any longer, and broke up the band about a year ago. Now Tomas is back in college, trying to get a degree as he wants to become a teacher. He is 29 years old. Then there is Sparkle, one of Andy's oldest female friends… no oldest I believe, although she is years younger than him, her being 27 years old and Andy being 31. She's a sweet girl, all in one I would say. She is both tomboy and girly at the same time. She has a great sense of humor, book worm, nerdy and very artistic. A bit of a trouble maker though, so her and Andy often ends up in fights. There is several reasons for that, but it all comes down to them more or less having a big brother/little sister relationship. Moving on to Gizmo, which then should be more or less Spakles little brother, although they arent blood related. 24 years only he is the second youngest of our little group. Big time geek, very much into science, fulltime student at the local college, we often joke that he will study till the day he dies of old age. Bit of a health freak, deeply into all sorts of fandoms, and a bit awkward at times. Really great guy with his heart in the right place. Clover is a woman who is more or less in an on off relationship with Gizmo, and here I say woman as she is 36 years old, as far as I recall. She is very openminded, free spirited, and not into relationships, which fits well with Gizmo, since he isnt either. And thats the whole reason for their on off thing. When they do date, they only date each other, but they never really settle for a long term relationship, as they both like to try out new fields so to speak. Clover is a very talented photographer, very smart, loves the outdoors and is a bit of a mother type to all of us. Lastly but not least, the youngest of us all. Jenna, a year younger than Gizmo, making her 23. Student as well, very smart girl, quiet, shy, doesnt talk much, but who am I to point fingers, normally I dont talk much either. Come to think of it, I actually know very little about her.

[dimonds456]

Fucking nailed it right on the head here.

I did have tags on this post but they got cut off so they're going into a reblog instead, sorry.

God i wish bendy were good. its one of my special interests and also one of my special hatreds. the worldbuilding was so captivating and they did NOTHING with it

bendy barely appears and the ink machine LITERALLY only has an effective role in chapter 1, the name of the game is rendered meaningless entirely by chapter 4, and the ending does nothing to serve the narrative whatsoever.

like the idea of sammy's cult or that the cartoon characters were living souls who got killed is interesting, and by the time we get to chapter 4 its completely forgotten about.

hell, chapter 4- which is one of the best chapters- SHOULD HAVE BEEN CUT ENTIRELY. it adds NOTHING to the game and the entire setting feels like an excuse for bertrum's boss fight and that's it. also it renders the decision to kill the projectionist in the previous chapter meaningless since it brings him back just to kill him again.

like what are they trying to say here

plus in putting all their eggs into the theorybait basket they literally “made characters and moved on” and never considered their place in the story as a whole. like the implications of allison being the one to kill susie (TWICE) are really bad if you think about them.

not to mention the accidental trans allegory they created by having 5/6 cartoon characters being male and a studio full of female employees and only two alice angels. like a lot of those other characters and borises and butcher gang members were probably women and the game never mentions this at all. it's only brought up in the books as a one-off thing and then completely forgotten about

sorry i'm going off about bendy specifically but you're so fucking right op. like imma be honest, i LIKE the idea of poppy playtime. genuinely i do. like it's been done before (and i remember describing it as “bendy but better” to a friend) but nothing is purely original, no story is. but then they made it blatantly clear they just want money with the whole nft... THING they did once the game blew up, and then none of the rest of the game truly *matters* anymore because we KNOW they're just chasing that game theory video

so matpat was honestly correct... he really IS killing indie games. which isn't his fault, like his channel is based on theorizing so theorizing about popular games will keep the lights on, but it's created this expectation that if you're an indie horror game then you should appeal to game theory's audience if you truly want your game to sell- which is a good goal to have since you should get money for all your hard work- but it just creates clones of previous games rather than anything truly innovative

what i want to see is poppy playtime completely blow our minds. i want to see them tell a good story with plenty of foreshadowing that can build to a good ending that makes you go "ohhhh" on replay.

Psst, psst, indie writers, I have a secret for you. If you are releasing your game in chunks and your players can figure out the ending before the game is fully out, then you've done your job correctly as a writer. That's a GOOD thing. Throw us theorists a bone, eh?

It really comes down to having a good narrative with interesting characters. Do the same old rinse and repeat story that's been told a million times over all you want, but if your characters are fun and the story is solid and the worldbuilding is at least halfway interesting, then congrats! You have, in theory, a good game!

Like, Star Wars is just your bog-standard hero's journey, a story which has been told millions of times over and over and over, but because the characters were interesting and it took place in outer space (which was REALLY COOL for the 1970s), it was successful. Literally the story of Star Wars is nothing special, but everything else was.

The reason fnaf did so well is because it's first and foremost a GOOD HORROR GAME. The game was very innovative for the time and flipped the lip on what the horror game genre was doing at the time, which was mostly freeroam while a monster hunted you in a map. In FNaF, you were forced into one room you couldn't leave while you waited for the monsters to come to YOU. It was unique, it was terrifying, and it built genuine paranoia no other game could at the time.

The lore and secrets were SECONDARY to the gameplay, which had come FIRST. The lore was intriguing, sure, but it was also nothing to write home about. The lore of FNaF 1 was "the robots are haunted, and here's why." That's literally it. 'Course, Golden Freddy is his own entity, but I don't think Scott had much of a plan for them in mind while making the first FNaF game (considering it was supposed to be his last game ever).

Modern indie horror games are making the mistake of putting the mystery above all else, which is easy to pull in an audience over. That's the true pitfall here. I don't care what the character designs are or how cartoony the setting is, they're not the main issue here.

Yes, kids were attracted to FNaF (I was one of them). But that's not FNaF's fault. The whole "horror for kids" genre is fine on its own, but it needs to fully embrace the horror elements again and let go of the mystery if that's truly gonna become its own genre. I don't like people calling mascot horror "a FNaF clone" because that misses the point of fnaf and what made it special in the first place.

Yes, Bendy should have been better. But they at least tried to innovate for the first two chapters. It's a mistake on their end that they dropped the ball. But it's also not their fault that kids picked their game up in the first place. BATIM never advertised itself as a kid's game, and only started to become that once they realized toys sell. Once they realized that, then suddenly Bendy became a product first and a piece of art second, which is where the game began to suffer.

I need to stop talking, but the point is indie horror needs to embrace the horror genre again, and "mascot horror" needs to embrace the story again. Once both of those things have been achieved, then the actual horror for kids genre can thrive on its own.

I'm not explaining this well and it's 6 AM (bing bong bing bong, yayy), so just. have this. I'm planning on making my own in-depth analysis on this whole issue at some point later down the line, but no promises.

Don't chase the game theory video- chase the analysis video.

k goodnight

“extremely marketable and only slightly scary horror game meant for ipad children to watch letsplays of” is a very unfortunate genre to watch the development of