#slight politic warning for below the cut

[asktheartpone]

A vent redraw to act as some vent art. Things have been rough of late and it's hard to keep myself afloat anymore.

This is for anyone who cares to read about what's going on, but I've had a rough start for 2025. Three days ago, we lost a family dog to an autoimmune disorder that randomly and rapidly happened. Add that with the "inauguration" (if you can even call it that, we all know now that the election was rigged and there's nothing that anyone's gonna do about it) coming up, I'm scared of what's to come. Make no mistake though, I will not be doing anything dire. I just needed to get it out there is all.

[misswynters]

𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐠𝐞

featuring. Ekko x fem!reader

wc. 15.5k

synopsis. Born from house Arvino, one of the richest and influential families of piltover. You had it all from luxurious gifts, fancy meals, a magnificent bedroom and much more. You’re parents gave you everything you asked for. However still never satisfied you. You’re mind always looked at the injustice and suffering zaun was going through. That’s when you first met ekko, the firelights’ leader. Not very happy to have a pilty messing stuff up.

trope. “enemies to lovers”

warnings. slow burn, cursing, blood, kissing 0-0, suggestive

requested. by anon

a/n. slight spoilers for arcane s2, it’s more like enemies to friends to lovers (sorry) if there’s mistakes you don’t see it! aka not proofread (read it thrice) also there’s no war in this :)

Above, the shimmering towers stood tall, their wealth and power casting long shadows. Below, Zaun suffocated in its neon haze, its people forgotten in the depths of the city’s ambition. Whereas the glow of Piltover’s lights filled the skyline. From the balcony of your family estate, the stark contrast between Piltover and Zaun was undeniable.

“You think your actions are noble, but you’re a fool,” your father’s voice thundered from the dining room. His words, sharp and unyielding, echoed through the halls as you stood silently by the doorway. “Consorting with the undercity rabble is not only dangerous, it’s treacherous.”

“They’re not rabble. They’re people,” you countered, stepping forward with clenched fists. “You act like Zaun doesn’t exist, but they’re suffering because of Piltover’s greed.”

“You don’t understand the world you live in,” your mother added, her tone softer but no less cutting. “House Arvino holds power because we uphold order. Piltover thrives because of people like us. You risk everything with your reckless defiance.”

Frustration boiled within you. “Piltover thrives at the expense of Zaun. Those people deserve better.”

Your father slammed his fist onto the table. “Enough! You are an Arvino, and you will act like one. This rebellion of yours ends now.”

His command hung in the air, suffocating and absolute. You didn’t argue further. Instead, you turned on your heel and left, the weight of their disapproval bearing down on you. You wouldn’t stop. You couldn’t.

Zaun had become a second home to you, even if it was a dangerous one. It was there, in the grimy depths of the undercity, that you had met Ekko. The boy with paint-streaked cheeks and a fire in his eyes had been as wary of you as you had been of him. Unfortunately, you had been too blinded by your own self-righteousness to notice the fire in his eyes. You thought your mission was noble, an act of goodwill to deliver medical supplies to Zaun’s struggling districts. Your family, House Arvino, had always prided itself on maintaining a veneer of philanthropy, even when their true motivations were rooted in politics. You had accompanied a group of Piltover enforcers on the trip, believing your presence would emphasize the importance of the task. You were wrong.

The moment you stepped into the heart of Zaun, the air itself seemed hostile. The tension was palpable, the sharp smell of chemical fumes mixing with the weight of countless wary stares from Zaunites who lined the streets. Your voice was soft and unsure as you addressed the gathered crowd, holding out your hands to show the crates of supplies. You thought you were doing something good, offering some small relief to people who had been forgotten.

But the enforcers who were armed and stoic, turned the scene into something far more sinister. They barked orders at the crowd, waving their weapons to ensure no one got too close. You had tried to intervene, to tell them this wasn’t how it was supposed to go, but your voice was drowned out by the chaos they had already sown.

That was when the boy appeared, the one you heard slight rumors about. At first, you didn’t know exactly who he was, only that he seemed fearless as he stepped forward. Placing himself between the crowd and the enforcers. His voice rang out, cutting through the noise like a blade.

“Another topsider playing savior,” he said, his tone dripping with disdain. “You think you can fix Zaun with scraps from your table?”

You had never been spoken to like that before. His words, sharp and accusatory, made your cheeks burn with anger and embarrassment. You turned to him, trying to keep your composure despite the growing crowd that was watching the confrontation unfold.

“I’m not here to play savior,” you shot back, your voice steady even though your heart was racing. “I’m here to help.”

“Help?” He laughed bitterly, the sound harsh and mocking. “Your kind doesn’t help. You just come down here to feel good about yourselves, then leave us to clean up your mess.”

“I’m trying to make a difference!” you snapped, your frustration boiling over.

His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his posture radiating defiance. “If you really wanted to make a difference, you wouldn’t bring enforcers with you like we’re criminals. You’d be standing with us, not above us.”

The words hit harder than you expected. Somewhere deep down, you knew he was right. The enforcers’ presence had turned an act of charity into a display of control, a reminder of Piltover’s dominance over Zaun. But admitting that felt like defeat, and you weren’t ready to back down.

“This isn’t about standing above anyone,” you argued. “I came here because I care. That’s more than most people from Piltover would do.”

“And that’s supposed to make you special?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “Newsflash, princess, Zaun doesn’t need your pity. We need change.”

The enforcers stepped in before the argument could escalate further, pushing the crowd back and ordering you to return to the transport. You left with the weight of his words pressing heavily on your chest, his voice echoing in your mind long after you were gone.

Over the weeks that followed, you found yourself returning to Zaun despite the tension and despite him. Every time you came, he was there, watching you with that same guarded expression. It seemed like he could sense your discomfort, the guilt you carried for what Piltover had done to his home.

“Back again?” he would say, leaning casually against a wall with a smirk that made your blood boil. “Guess you didn’t get the message last time.”

“I’m not here for your approval,” you’d hiss back, your tone dry. “I’m here for the people who actually need help.”

“You think you’re helping?” he’d shoot back, his voice low and laced with frustration. “All you’re doing is putting a bandage on a bullet wound.”

His words stung, not because they were cruel, but because they forced you to confront truths you didn’t want to face. He wasn’t wrong. Everything you did felt small, insignificant compared to the scale of Zaun’s struggles. And yet, you couldn’t stop coming back.

Ekko was unlike anyone you had ever known. He was quick-witted and determined, a rebel who refused to back down in the face of injustice. But he didn’t trust you, not completely. “You’re just another Pilty trying to fix a world you don’t understand,” he had told you once, his voice filled with disdain.

“And you’re just another rebel too angry to see the bigger picture,” you had shot back. Yet despite the constant sparring, you found yourself drawn to him, to the hope buried beneath his frustration.

That hope turned to chaos one night when enforcers raided the Firelights’ hideout. It happened so fast. One moment, you were in the Firelights’ hideout, quietly listening as Ekko outlined plans for their next move against Piltover’s oppression. The next, chaos erupted.

The sound of boots echoed sharply against the metal grates of Zaun’s narrow passages. The enforcers had found the hideout. Your breath caught as the unmistakable clatter of their weapons reverberated through the space. You stood frozen, staring at Ekko as he barked orders to the Firelights around him, his voice sharp and commanding.

“You brought them here, didn’t you?” His words were like a blade, cutting through the noise. His piercing gaze locked onto you, and your stomach churned with guilt.

“I didn’t mean to,” you whispered, but your voice was drowned out by the growing commotion. The enforcers didn’t give anyone time to explain. They swarmed in, their heavy armor gleaming under the dim light, weapons raised. You reached for the nearest object which was a dainty metal rod. And tried stand your ground. You weren’t going to let them harm anyone, not here.

Ekko was already moving, his quick reflexes guiding him as he darted through the chaos. The Firelights fought back, using their intimate knowledge of Zaun’s layout to their advantage. Smoke bombs went off, shrouding the room in thick, stinging fog. He towards you with a slight disgusted look and yelled, “You have to leave, Now!”

“I’m not leaving,” you said, your voice defiant.

“You’ll just slow us down,” he snapped, the frustration in his tone cutting deeper than he intended. “They need me. And you need to go back to your perfect little life, staying safe.”

His words stung, but before you could argue, he vanished into the fray, leaving you behind. You tried to follow, weaving through the chaos, but you weren’t quick enough. An enforcer caught you in the shadows, his grip like iron as he slammed you against the wall. “Here you are.”

However the enforcers were relentless. One of them caught sight of you, his eyes narrowing as he grinned. You swung the rod with the little strength you had left, but it was no match for their training. Pain exploded across your abdomen as he shot you. It nearly missed your stomach, however you crumpled to the ground. Gasping for the little air you could muster.

Through the haze of smoke and pain, Ekko pull something from his belt. A device crackling with vibrant green energy. “Firelights, cover your eyes!” he shouted. The device emitted a blinding flash, followed by a wave of sound that sent the enforcers reeling. Their yells of confusion filled the air as they stumbled back, disoriented and clutching their helmets.

The Firelights seized the opportunity, retreating deeper into the hideout and disappearing into secret tunnels. Ekko crouched beside you, his hands shaking as he lifted your chin. “You okay?” he asked, his voice rough but laced with concern.

Without replied to his question, you stumbled out of his grasp. Going into the streets of Zaun, clutching your side as every step sent searing pain through your body. The world around you blurred, a mix of dim lights and the shadows of the towering structures above.

He was shocked to say the least. ‘Why did you leave so abruptly?’ he questioned himself. Ekko didn’t waste a second, he truly did try to hide it. But as soon as the enforcers were gone and the Firelights were safe, he was out the door. Searching for you and he didn’t want to admit it. He knew didn’t know you as much, but he knew you were stubborn. Matter fact for the short period of time he was with you, he knew you were too stubborn to admit how badly you were hurt.

“Where the hell did you go?” he muttered under his breath, scanning the narrow alleys and dimly lit corners of Zaun. His mind raced with possibilities, each one worse than the last. You were nowhere to be found.

The beating left you crumpled on the ground, your vision blurred and your body trembling with pain. Somehow you managed to drag yourself back to Piltover, every step a battle against the agony that wrecked your body. By the time you stumbled into your family’s estate, the grand halls felt like a mockery of your suffering. Your parents returned hours later to find you collapsed in the foyer, your bruises stark against your weak skin. Their shock quickly turned to anger, though it was born of fear.

“This is what happens when you defy us,” your father said, his voice shaking with fury. “Do you see now? You can’t change the world. You can only get yourself killed.”

“I trying to help,” you murmured, your voice weak but resolute.

“They are not your people,” your mother said, her tone filled with a mix of pity and frustration. “You are our only child. We can’t lose you to some pointless crusade.” Their words lingered, but they didn’t understand. They couldn’t. The divide between Piltover and Zaun wasn’t just physical, it was ideological. You were caught between two worlds, neither one willing to accept you fully. The summons to the Council came the next morning. As you stood in the grand chamber, the weight of their judgment bore down on you. Ambessa Medarda, seated at the center, regarded you with cold disdain.

“You stand accused of undermining Piltover’s authority by associating with the undercity,” she said, her voice sharp and unyielding. “Do you deny these charges?”

“I was just trying to helping people,” you replied exhaustively, your voice steady despite the pain in your ribs.

Ambessa’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “Helping? Piltover thrives because of order. And you, as an Arvino, have brought chaos to our city.”The council murmured their agreement, their disapproval a suffocating presence in the room.

“Your actions were reckless,” Ambessa continued. “And your injuries are your own doing. You clutched the knife and cut yourself on its blade, all in the name of some misguided sympathy for the undercity." Her words felt like another blow, each one landing with precision and force.

You straightened your back, though the pain flared at the effort. "I acted because the people of Zaun are ignored and oppressed. Piltover turns a blind eye while it prospers off their suffering. That's not order, it’s exploitation." The murmurs grew louder, some council members shifting uncomfortably in their seats. But Ambessa didn't waver. Her gaze bore into you, her lips curling with faint amusement.

"Such passion," she mused. "But passion without purpose is just noise. You may think yourself a savior, but all you've done is tarnish your family's name and threaten the stability of our city."

Before you could respond, the chamber doors swung open with a heavy groan, and your parents entered. Dressed in their finest, House Arvino's patriarch and matriarch carried themselves with the grace and dignity that Piltover revered. Yet the tension in their features betrayed their unease.

"Ambessa," your father began, his tone measured but firm. "My child's actions, while impulsive, stem from a place of compassion. Surely the Council can recognize that their intentions were not malicious."

"Compassion?" Ambessa's tone was mocking. "Compassion does not excuse rebellion. House Arvino has always stood for loyalty to Piltover's ideals. Is that no longer the case?"

Your mother stepped forward, her voice calm but resolute. "Our loyalty has never wavered. But to degrade my child in front of this council as if they are a common criminal is unacceptable." Ambessa's expression darkened.

"Unacceptable is your heir jeopardizing the balance we've worked so hard to maintain. Zaun is a powder keg, and actions like theirs threaten to ignite it." You bit your lip to keep from speaking. The words you wanted to hurl at her-at all of them-burned on your tongue, but your mother's warning glance silenced you.

"House Arvino will address this matter internally," your father said, his voice brooking no argument. "We will ensure that such actions are not repeated."

Ambessa leaned back in her chair, studying your parents with a calculating gaze. "See that you do. Piltover cannot afford dissent from within its own ranks." The council murmured their agreement, and the session was adjourned. As you were escorted from the chamber, the weight of the council's disdain hung heavy over you.

Back in the confines of your family's estate, the anger you had suppressed boiled over. You slammed your hands against the polished surface of your desk, the pain in your ribs flaring with the movement. "They're cowards," you spat, your voice trembling with fury. "All of them. Sitting in their gilded towers while Zaun suffers."

"Alright thats enough," your father said sharply, entering the room with your mother close behind. "You don't understand the position you've put us in. House Arvino cannot afford to be seen as weak or disloyal."

"I don't care about any of that!" you shouted, turning to face them. "Zaun doesn't have the luxury of appearances. They're dying while we live in luxury!"

Your mother's expression softened, but her voice was firm. "We understand your frustration. But your actions cannot continue. They will destroy you, and us." Their words echoed Ekko's from the night before, and the parallel struck a chord. You sank into a chair, the fight leaving you as exhaustion took its place. "I can't just stop. Not when I know what's happening down there."

Your father sighed, placing a hand on your shoulder. "Then you must find another way. A way that doesn't make enemies of those who hold power." The conversation ended there, but the fire within you didn't dim. If anything, it burned brighter. You couldn't stop. Not now.

Months have passed since your bruises had faded were a careful balancing act, though you still visited Zaun, slipping away under the guise of errands or charitable outings. But you couldn’t risk your parents catching on. To lessen their suspicions, you began inviting Ekko to your home. It was a calculated move, one that made your absences less frequent and gave the illusion that you’d abandoned your cause entirely.

Your room was a testament to Piltover’s grandeur, a lavish blend of opulence and elegance. High ceilings adorned with intricate gold detailing framed the space. The sheer curtains cascaded from tall windows, filtering moonlight across the polished marble floor. A canopy bed, draped in silken fabrics, sat at the room’s center, its pillows and blankets impossibly soft. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with volumes ranging from engineering texts to poetry. A chandelier, all crystal and gleaming light, hung overhead, casting a warm glow over every corner.

It was in this very room that Ekko sat now, hidden behind the lush velvet curtains of one of the tall windows. Your father had come to check on you earlier, his heavy footsteps unmistakable in the hallway. When he entered, you were seated at your desk, feigning focus on a mundane ledger. He lingered by the door, his gaze sweeping over the room before settling on you. “You’ve been staying home more often,” he observed.

You offered a nonchalant shrug. “I realized it was pointless to keep going there. It’s useless trying to fix what can’t be fixed.”

Your father’s face betrayed nothing, but there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes. “A wise choice,” he said simply, and without another word, he left.

The door clicked shut, and you exhaled slowly, waiting until his footsteps faded down the hall. Then, turning your head slightly, you murmured, “You can come out now.”

Ekko stepped from behind the curtains, his movements silent but confident. He was a great contrast to your room’s pristine elegance. His clothes patched and worn, his presence a reminder of the worlds you tried to somehow balance. “You’re getting good at lying,” he remarked, a teasing edge to his tone.

You rolled your eyes, motioning for him to sit on the plush chair near your desk. “I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t insist on brainstorming plans here.”

“It’s safer,” he replied, settling into the chair and pulling a small notebook from his pocket. “Besides, you’re the one with the luxury of access. If we’re going to unite the cities, we need someone who can work both sides.”

You hated how his words made your heart race. Not because of their weight but because it was Ekko saying them. Somewhere in the months of sneaking around and strategizing, you’d grown to like him in a way that went far beyond friendly admiration. You buried those feelings deep, telling yourself there was no time for distractions.

The hours passed as the two of you pored over maps, scribbled ideas, and argued over logistics. The moon rose higher in the sky, its silver light pouring through the windows and bathing your room in an ethereal glow. Ekko grew quieter as the night wore on, his usual sharp wit replaced by a pensive silence. You noticed his gaze flickering to you more often, lingering for moments too long before darting away. At first, you ignored it, chalking it up to exhaustion. But when you caught him staring for the fifth time, you couldn’t help but smirk. “Something on your mind?” you asked, leaning back in your chair.

He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Just thinking.”

“About?” you questioned, leaning back against your chair.

“About how strange it is, being here,” he admitted, his voice softer than usual. “This room, this world…it feels like it shouldn’t exist. Like it’s too perfect to be real.”

“It’s not perfect,” you said quietly, your gaze dropping to the papers on your desk. “It’s a gilded cage. Nothing more.”

His eyes softened, and for a moment, neither of you spoke. The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken words. Then, slowly, he stood and crossed the room to where you sat.

“I hate to say this. But atleast i’m here…” he said hesitantly, his voice low and steady.

Something in his tone made your breath hitch. You looked up at him, and the intensity in his gaze sent a shiver down your spine. Before you could think, before you could stop yourself, you leaned in.

Ekko met you halfway, his lips crashing against yours with a hunger that left you breathless. His hand found the back of your neck, his fingers tangling in your hair as he deepened the kiss. It was nothing like you'd imagined. It was raw, desperate, and full of the emotions you'd both kept bottled up for too long.

He pulled you to your feet, guiding you back toward the bed without breaking the kiss. The world blurred around you, your senses overwhelmed by the warmth of his touch, the taste of his lips, the way he made you feel alive in a way you never had before.

You fell onto the bed, the soft blankets and pillows cushioning your back as he leaned over you, his weight a comforting pressure. His hands framed your face, his thumbs brushing your cheeks as he kissed you again and again, each one more passionate than the last.

It wasn't until his arms braced on either side of your head that he pulled back, his chest heaving as he stared down at you. The moonlight cast shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the softness in his eyes.

"Do you want me to keep going?" he asked, his voice hoarse. You reached up, your fingers brushing against his cheek. "You might as well…" And as he leaned down to kiss you again, you knew there was no going back from this.

Golden hues of the afternoon sun spilled into your room through the tall, arched windows, painting the polished wooden floors in a mosaic of light and shadow. Outside, the tranquil sounds of Piltover carried through the crisp air. The distant hum of mechanized carriages, the faint chatter of passersby, and the melodic chirping of birds perched along the grand gardens that surrounded your home. Everything was perfect, picturesque even, but it all felt hollow.

Your bedroom was a masterpiece of luxury, a reflection of House Arvino’s status. Elegant bookshelves lined the walls, filled with leather-bound tomes you once eagerly devoured. A velvet armchair sat by the fireplace, its cushion still as pristine as the day it arrived, and your grand four-poster bed was draped in silk, untouched except for the rumpled corner where you sat. Yet, despite the warmth and beauty of the space, it felt cold.

You hadn’t touched your breakfast that morning, nor the one the day before. The silver tray your maid brought hours ago sat untouched on your writing desk, the tea long gone cold. Your appetite had vanished with him.

“Miss,” came a tentative voice from the doorway. You turned to see Anya, your maid, standing there with a concerned expression. She stepped into the room, her brow furrowed as her gaze swept over you. “You haven’t eaten again. This isn’t healthy.”

You waved her off without meeting her eyes. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not,” she pressed gently, her voice tinged with worry. “You’ve barely touched your meals for over a week. If this continues, I’ll have to tell your parents.”

Her words sent a jolt through you. The last thing you wanted was for your parents to get involved. They wouldn’t understand. They never did. But you knew Anya was serious. Her loyalty to you didn’t outweigh her duty to ensure your well-being.

“Alright,” you relented, forcing a weak smile. “I’ll eat later.”

Anya didn’t look convinced, but she nodded and left the room. The heavy door clicked shut behind her, leaving you alone with your thoughts once more. You leaned back against the plush pillows of your bed, staring up at the intricate carvings on the ceiling. Days had turned into weeks since Ekko had kissed you in this very room. Weeks since you’d seen him, since you’d spoken to him. At first, you’d waited eagerly, expecting him to climb through your window with that same confident smirk he always wore. But as the days passed, hope turned to disappointment.

However, the first week had been agony. Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle of the trees outside, had sent your heart racing, only for it to sink when you realized it wasn’t him. You told yourself he was busy, that Zaun demanded too much of him to spare a moment for you. But as the second week came and went, you began to question everything.

Was the kiss a mistake? Did he regret it? The thought gnawed at you, leaving you restless and irritable. Eventually, you stopped waiting. You stopped glancing at the window, stopped listening for the familiar sound of his footsteps. If he didn’t want to see you, then fine. You wouldn’t waste your time waiting for someone who clearly didn’t care.

But despite your best efforts to move on, the ache in your chest remained. It showed in the way you pushed away your meals, the way you avoided the social gatherings your parents encouraged you to attend. Your mother had noticed, of course, her sharp eyes taking in your pale complexion and listless demeanor. “Are you unwell, darling?” she’d asked one evening, her tone as polished as ever.

You’d smiled and lied, assuring her it was nothing more than fatigue. She’d accepted your answer, but her gaze lingered, skeptical.

Now, as you sat in your room, the weight of it all pressing down on you, you realized you couldn’t keep living like this. You couldn’t keep letting his absence control your life. If he didn’t care, then neither should you. But no matter how much you tried to convince yourself, the truth was undeniable. You missed him.

The days stretched on, blending into a monotony of forced smiles and empty conversations. You threw yourself into the routines of Piltover’s elite. Attending social calls, charitable luncheons, and the parties where everyone whispered behind jeweled fans about alliances and intrigue. On the surface, you seemed like yourself again. You laughed when expected, nodded politely during dull conversations, and played the part of the perfect child of House Arvino.

But beneath the carefully constructed façade, a storm brewed. No matter how hard you tried to bury it, the memory of Ekko lingered, sharper and more vivid with each passing day. His voice, his touch, the way he had kissed you. It all haunted you. It didn’t make sense, you told yourself. He was just a friend, nothing more. Yet the thought of him ignoring you, of deliberately staying away, clawed at your chest.

One night, long after the rest of your house had gone to bed, you sat by your window, staring out at the glowing lights of Piltover. The thought hit you with the force of a hammer. You know deep down that you couldn’t keep waiting. If he wouldn’t come to you, then you would go to him.

The decision wasn’t easy. It took days to build up the courage, to push aside the fear of what you might find. But when you finally made your way to Zaun, the heavy air and dim light of the undercity greeted you like an old adversary. You navigated the twisting streets, every step bringing back memories of the times you’d spent here. How he had carefully and slowly opened this world to you, how you’d fought for it together. Well atleast try to.

When you finally reached the Firelights’ hideout, you felt your stomach tighten. It looked the same as ever, but something about it felt different. You spotted him almost immediately, standing near a table strewn with maps and tools, his back to you. “Ekko,” you called out, your voice steady despite the tremor in your chest.

He turned slowly, his face unreadable. For a moment, you thought you saw something flicker in his eyes. Was it surprise, maybe even relief. Either way it didn’t matter because it was gone in an instant, replaced by an icy look. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his tone cold.

The words hit you harder than you expected. “I… I came to see you. It’s been weeks, and—”

“And what?” He cut you off, turning away to fiddle with something on the table. “You’ve got a life up there. What do you need me for?”

Your chest tightened, anger bubbling to the surface. “Don’t do that. Don’t act like I just forgot about you. You’re the one who stopped coming around.”

He scoffed, finally turning to face you. “Stopped coming around? You think I’ve got time to play house? I’ve got real things to deal with here, things that actually matter.”

The words stung, but you refused to back down. “And I don’t? Do you think it’s easy for me to come here, to fight for a place I don’t even belong to? I thought we were doing this together, Ekko.”

He stepped closer, his voice rising. “You don’t get it, do you? You don’t belong here. This about you. You can go back to your fancy dinners and your perfect life anytime you want, but this is my reality.”

You clenched your fists, your own voice shaking with anger. “Don’t you dare act like I haven’t sacrificed anything! Do you know what it’s like to lie to everyone you care about, to pretend you’re someone you’re not, just so you can try to make a difference?”

“Sacrifice?” he shot back, his voice dripping with disbelief. “You don’t know the first thing about sacrifice.” The air between you crackled with tension, the weight of everything left unsaid pressing down on you both. For a moment, neither of you spoke, the anger simmering in the silence.

Finally, you took a shaky breath, your voice softer but no less firm. “You don’t get to decide what I care about, Ekko. I came here because I thought you were my friend.”

He looked away, his jaw tight. “I didn’t ask for you to come.” The words were like a slap to the face, but you refused to let him see how much they hurt. “Fine,” you said, your voice cold. “If that’s how you feel, then I won’t bother you again.”

You turned on your heel, walking away before he could see the tears starting to swell in your eyes. But just as you reached the door, his voice stopped you. “Wait.”

You hesitated, your hand on the worn wood, but you didn’t turn around.

“I…” His voice faltered, the anger replaced by something softer. He inched his head as he paced around, “I didn’t mean it like that.”

You looked back at him, his expression finally cracking. There was pain in his eyes, the same pain you’d been carrying for weeks.

“Then what did you mean?” you asked quietly, your voice trembling.

He didn’t answer right away, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I just… I didn’t know what to say. After what happened, I thought it’d be easier if I stayed away. But it wasn’t.”

Your shoulders sagged, the fight draining out of you. Looking at with with complete disbelief. “Seriously! You could’ve just told me.”

He nodded, his expression filled with regret. “Yeah. I should’ve.”

For a moment, the two of you just stood there, the weight of the argument lingering in the air. But as you looked at him, at the boy who had opened your eyes to so much, you felt the anger fade, replaced by something else. This was something you weren’t ready to admit to anyone.

A few months have passed and things were relatively calm, much hasn’t happened since then. The suffocating air of Piltover’s council chamber lingered in your mind as you strode through the bustling streets of Zaun. The conversations in those hallowed halls always left a bitter taste on your tongue. They spoke of progress and prosperity, but beneath the gilded rhetoric, it was all about control. To control of resources, people, and power. It was a game you were born into but had grown to despise.

You moved swiftly, your hood pulled low to shield your face from prying eyes. The undercity was alive with its usual chaos, but you’d long learned to navigate its labyrinthine streets without drawing attention. This was your escape, your solace. The world of House Arvino, your family’s wealth, influence, and ties to the Council. It all felt more like chains with each passing day.

The hideout was tucked deep within the shadows of Zaun, a sanctuary for the oppressed and rebellious. It had become a second home to you, a place where you could finally breathe. Ekko had been wary of you at first, rightfully so. Your name carried weight in Piltover, and trust wasn’t something he gave freely. But over time, you’d proven yourself.

Today, the air in the hideout was thick with tension. Ekko was at the center of it all, his voice calm but commanding as he gave orders to his crew. He noticed you immediately, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as you approached.

“Back again?” he asked, leaning against a makeshift table. His tone was teasing, but there was an edge to it, a quiet concern he rarely voiced outright.

“I can’t seem to stay away,” you replied, offering a small smile.

His lips twitched, almost forming a grin, but he shook his head instead. “You’re playing a dangerous game, y’know?”

You shrugged. “I know.”

He studied you for a moment, his gaze lingering as if he was trying to decipher something. Then, with a sigh, he gestured for you to follow him to a quieter corner.

“What’s really going on?” he asked once you were alone. “You’ve been coming here more often, and I know it’s not just to check on the Firelights.”

You hesitated, your fingers gripping the edge of your cloak. “I… I don’t know if I can keep doing this. Pretending like everything’s fine topside when I know how much blood is on their hands. My family’s hands.”

He frowned, his usual confidence giving way to something softer. “You’re not responsible for what they do.”

“Aren’t I?” you countered, your voice rising. “I’m part of them, Ekko. Every time I go back to that house, every time I sit in those meetings, I’m complicit. I’m part of the system that’s crushing this place.”

The intensity of your words caught him off guard, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he placed a hand on your shoulder, his touch grounding. “Then why do you keep going back?”

“Because…” You trailed off, your throat tightening. “Because I thought I could help. That I could use my position to make a difference. But now, I’m not so sure. The Council sees Zaun as nothing more than a problem to be solved, more importantly, destroyed.”

Ekko’s jaw tightened, his anger barely contained. “They’ll never stop. Not unless we make them.”

You couldn’t stop thinking of the face ekko made when you told him what you were internally thinking. How the council thinks so poorly about zaun, how it can be something that wouldn’t be missed if it was gone. It was horrible that most of the topsiders thought the same way, had the same mindset.

You walked briskly, the streets unfamiliar under the heavy shadows of the evening. You had chosen this route for its discretion, a calculated decision that now felt dangerous in its isolation.

Your heart pounded in your chest, though you didn't want to admit why. It wasn't fear of being recognized or stopped by one of Zaun's residents. No, this was something more insidious. A seed of doubt planted by weeks of balancing on a blade's edge between two lives. House Arvino's influence was undeniable, and it had kept you shielded from true danger for so long. But here in Zaun, your family name meant less than nothing. To most, you were just another noble, another cog in the machine grinding them into dust.

Ambessa had recently cornered you in Piltover's glittering council halls, her words honeyed but laced with venom. She had offered you promises of power, privilege, and security for your family. In order to gain immunity from suspicion, all in exchange for complete submission. You'd nodded and played your role, but the encounter left you hollow. The high society life you'd once cherished now felt like a gilded cage, and her offer only tightened the bars.

Yet, her influence was terrifying. Under Ambessa's direction, the Council had started scrutinizing House Arvino with an alarming intensity. The Firelights, they claimed, had spies in Piltover. And somehow, House Arvino's connections to Zaun became their scapegoat. You were well aware of what that scrutiny meant-your family was being squeezed, maneuvered into a position where betrayal seemed the only way to survive. A betrayal by who? you thought.

As you turned a corner into an empty alley, those doubts turned into a growing unease. The silence around you felt oppressive, unnatural. You hesitated, glancing over your shoulder. That was when the first strike landed, the butt of the gun hitting your head. You staggered, gasping in pain, only to be shoved against the damp wall. A rough hand grabbed your cloak and yanked it back, revealing your face to the enforcers.

"Well, well," one sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "A little lost noble playing savior in Zaun yet again."

"Let go!" you hissed, trying to pull free. But there were too many of them, and their grips were forceful and rough.

"We know all about your little meetings with the boy," another enforcer said, driving his fist into your stomach. "Did you really think you could run around down here without consequences? Or did your family forget to teach you how the real world works?" The pain blurred your vision as you crumpled to the ground. You clawed at the dirt, trying to crawl away, but another blow landed, then another.

Laughter echoed around you as they kicked and struck without mercy. The worst part wasn't the physical pain. It was the guilt, the sickening realization that you'd been naive enough to believe there could be change. Especially from within the Council's walls. You'd hoped that by walking the line between your family and the Firelights, you could create something better. But this? This was your reward for dreaming too much.

Tears blurred your vision as you curled into yourself, trying to shield your head. "Stupid," you whispered through clenched teeth. "Stupid, stupid, stupid." You slammed your fist against your temple, desperate to drown out the pain, the voices, the failure.

The enforcers stepped back momentarily, likely to assess whether you were still conscious. But before they could strike again, a loud crackling sound filled the air. "Back off," came a familiar voice, sharp and commanding.

You barely managed to open your eyes, but the sight was unmistakable. Ekko and his hoverboard gleaming as he charged forward. Behind him, several Firelights emerged from the shadows, their makeshift weapons glowing in the dim light.

"What the-" one enforcer started, but Ekko was already upon him, a precise swing of his bat sending the man sprawling. The Firelights fought with a ferocity that sent the enforcers scattering, though Ekko's eyes never left you. He reached your side in moments, dropping to his knees. "Hey," he said, his voice softer now. "Don’t go close your eyes, stay with me now."

You tried to speak, but all that came out was a choked sob. Blood trickled from a huge gash above your brow, staining your face. Ekko pressed a hand to your shoulder to steady you, but you flinched. Your fist weakly hitting your own head again. "Stop it," he said firmly, grabbing your wrist before you could hurt yourself further. "Hey! Don't do that."

"I'm an idiot," you mumbled, your voice barely audible. "| thought... I thought they could change. That Piltover could change. But I was wrong. They'll never stop."

His expression softened, though his jaw was still tight with anger. "You're not an idiot. You're just optimistic... too hopeful for your own good."

The Firelights surrounded you, their movements tense as they prepared for more enforcers to arrive. Ekko lifted you carefully, his arm supporting your weight. "We need to move," one of his crew said.

"Yeah i know," Ekko replied, his eyes still on you. "Let's get out of here."

As he carried you to safety, the weight of your choices pressed down on you like never before. Your family would demand answers. The Council would escalate their efforts. And Ambessa? Oh, she’s gonna have a fieldday with this. She would stop at nothing to make you pay for what she'd see, see it as a betrayal to your own people. But as Ekko held you steady, his presence a grounding force amidst the chaos, you realized something else. You were no longer just caught between two worlds, you were tearing one down to build the other.

Ekko’s chambers weren’t lavish, but they were purposeful, an organized chaos that spoke of a leader always in motion. The space was tucked inside one of the largest branches of the Firelight’s sprawling treehouse hideout. The soft glow of lanterns filled the room, their light reflecting off walls adorned with maps, sketches, and scattered tools. From the small window, you could see the hideout below, a buzzing network of walkways, platforms, and people moving with quiet purpose.

The bed you lay on was makeshift but sturdy, piled with blankets and pillows that smelled faintly of Zaun’s metal-tinged air. Your body ached everywhere. Sharp, stinging pains in some places, a deep, relentless soreness in others. Slowly, you tried to sit up, wincing as the movement sent sharp jolts of pain through your ribs.

Across the room, Ekko stood at a workbench, tinkering with something that sparked faintly under his fingers. His braids were tied back, and his jacket was slung over the back of a chair, leaving him in a simple shirt that clung to his frame. When he glanced over and saw you struggling to rise, his eyes widened, and he immediately abandoned his project.

“Hey, whoa—what do you think you’re doing?” he asked, crossing the room in a heartbeat.

“I’m fine,” you mumbled, your voice hoarse as you tried to wave him off.

“You’re not fine,” he countered, his hands carefully but firmly guiding you back down onto the bed. “You’ve been out for two days, and you can barely sit up without wincing.”

“I can handle it,” you said, though your body betrayed you with another sharp wince as you tried to adjust yourself on the pillows.

“Yeah, I can see that,” Ekko replied dryly, but his voice softened as he knelt beside the bed. “Seriously. You need to rest. Let me help.”

There was a quiet moment as he adjusted the pillows behind you, moving with surprising gentleness. His hands lingered briefly, his eyes scanning your face as if double checking for signs of discomfort.

“Thanks,” you murmured, feeling heat rise to your cheeks.

He shook his head, leaning back on his heels. “You don’t have to thank me. I just… You scared the hell out of me, y’know?”

You glanced away, guilt stirring in your chest. “I didn’t mean to. I just… I didn’t think it would get THAT bad.”

Ekko sat back on the floor, his arms resting on his knees as he studied you. “Why did you do it?” he asked, his voice quieter now. “When I found you, you were hitting yourself and saying all these… awful things. About yourself.”

Your breath hitched at the memory, shame washing over you. “It’s just… something I do when I’m frustrated,” you admitted, not meeting his gaze. “I was angry, at everyone and everything. Y’know, I thought I could make a difference, but I was wrong. I let everyone down.”

“Oh come on don’t say that,” Ekko said firmly, cutting you off. “You didn’t let anyone down. You’re one of the only people from Piltover who actually cares about Zaun. And yeah, maybe you were too optimistic, but that’s not a bad thing. You don’t deserve what they did to you.” His words hung in the air, and for a moment, neither of you spoke. Then, he added, “It’s not safe for you to go back to Piltover.”

You frowned, meeting his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve been hearing things,” Ekko said, his expression darkening. “Rumors. Ambessa’s pissed. She thinks you’ve betrayed the Council, and she’s not the kind of person to let something like that slide. Word is, she wants your head.” The weight of his words settled heavily on your chest, and you slumped back against the pillows. “So that’s it, then?” you said bitterly. “I can’t go home. I can’t go back to Piltover. What am I supposed to do now?”

Ekko leaned closer, his gaze unwavering. “You stay here,” he said simply. “With me. You’ve got people who will vouch for you for the most part. I’ll fight for you.” Something in his tone made your chest tighten, and for the first time in days, a small, hesitant smile tugged at your lips. “Thanks, Ekko. For literally everything.”

He reached out and gently squeezed your hand. “Anytime .”

, marked with red ink, highlighted the areas where House Arvino’s trade routes intersected with Zaun’s underbelly.

A grizzled Baron leaned forward, his metallic fingers tapping against the table. “House Arvino’s little noble has gone rogue,” he rasped, a sly grin tugging at his lips. “The Council’s after them, sure, but that just makes this all the more interesting for us.”

Another Baron, her voice honeyed but sharp, chimed in. “If we get our hands on them, imagine the leverage we’d have. Not just over Arvino, but the Council and even the Firelights. They’re a walking, breathing key to the chaos we’ve been craving.”

“They’re already in Zaun,” another added, her tone laced with confidence. “All we need is patience. When the time is right, we’ll make our move.” The Barons exchanged nods, their plan unspoken but clear. For now, they would wait, watching, their web of spies and informants slowly tightening around you.

From across the platform, Ekko leaned casually against a railing, watching the interaction unfold. His arms were crossed, but there was a noticeable softness in his gaze, a flicker of something close to admiration.

In the days that followed, the children of the hideout began to gravitate toward you. They tugged at your hands, peppering you with questions about Piltover and laughing at your awkward attempts to keep up with their boundless energy. You found yourself helping where you could, organizing supplies, assisting with small repairs, and even attempting to teach some of the younger ones how to read.

Though the older Firelights were slower to trust, you noticed their glances were no longer as sharp, their whispers not as harsh. You were earning your place here, bit by bit, though it was a far cry from the life you had once known. Piltover, with its grand halls and polished façades, felt like a distant memory now, one you weren’t entirely sure you wanted to cling to.

Ekko, ever watchful, seemed to take quiet satisfaction in your efforts. He didn’t say much, but his presence was definitely there. Whether he was checking on you or working alongside the others. There was a rhythm to life in the hideout, and you were beginning to find your place within it.

Unbeknownst to you, danger loomed closer than you realized. The Chem Barons’ spies were everywhere, watching, reporting back with meticulous detail. Every interaction you had, every movement you made, was noted. To them, you were a pawn in a much larger game, one that could tip the balance of power in Zaun.

“They’re softening,” one spy reported back, his voice low as he spoke into a communicator hidden beneath his cloak. “The Firelights trust them more every day. If we move now, it’ll be too obvious.”

“Let them feel safe,” came the reply, cold and calculating. “When the time is right, we’ll take them. And when we do, House Arvino will learn what happens when they meddle in Zaun’s affairs.”

It was another ordinary morning in the hideout when you decided to venture outside Ekko’s chambers. The soreness in your body was a dull ache now, manageable but constant. As you stepped onto the main platform, the sunlight filtering through the leaves felt warm on your skin, a stark contrast to the chill of Piltover’s marble halls.

You hadn’t noticed Ekko watching you until you caught his reflection in the metal plating of a nearby railing. He was perched on a ledge, his goggles pushed up onto his forehead, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“You’re staring again,” you said, your tone teasing as you turned to face him fully.

Ekko smirked, hopping down from the ledge with practiced ease. “Just making sure you’re not overdoing it,” he shot back. “You’ve got a habit of biting off more than you can chew.”

You raised an eyebrow, crossing your arms despite the ache in your shoulders. “I’m fine, Ekko. I’ve been fine. You don’t have to keep hovering.”

His expression softened, but he didn’t back down. “Someone has to. If it weren’t for me, you’d probably still be lying in the street.” The reminder stung, not because it wasn’t true, but because it forced you to confront just how fragile your position had become. You looked away, scanning the hideout below where Firelights bustled about their tasks. The children’s laughter floated up, a soothing balm to the tension that threatened to settle between you and Ekko.

“I’ve been trying to help,” you murmured. “I don’t want to be a burden. It’s just that…” You trailed off, unsure of how to put the conflict in your heart into words.

Ekko stepped closer, his voice low and steady. “You’re not a burden,” he said firmly. “But you’re not invincible either. And if you keep throwing yourself into danger like this, someone’s going to take advantage of it.” His words hit harder than you cared to admit, but before you could respond, a group of children came running up, dragging you into their latest adventure A game that involved climbing ropes strung between the platforms. You gave Ekko a grateful smile, silently promising him you’d be careful, even if you weren’t entirely sure how.

That night, as the Firelights settled into the quiet hum of evening, Ekko pulled you aside. His chambers felt more like a refuge now than a room, its warmth amplified by the soft glow of firelight reflecting off polished metal and glass.

“You’ve been doing good here,” he began, leaning against his workbench. “The kids adore you, and even the older crew is starting to come around. But it’s not just about fitting in, you know?”

You tilted your head, unsure where he was going with this. “What do you mean?”

He hesitated, his fingers drumming against the table. “The Chem Barons,” he said finally, his tone heavy. “They’ve got their eyes on you now. Your family’s deals with them? Those don’t go unnoticed. And with the Council already hunting you, you’re stuck between two very dangerous sides.”

The weight of his words settled over you like a shroud. “So what do I do?” you asked, your voice quieter than you intended.

Ekko stepped closer, his gaze meeting yours. “Like i said earlier, you stay here. The Firelights are your best chance now. We’ll protect you, but you’ve got to let us.”

You swallowed hard, nodding despite the fear gnawing at your resolve. “And my family?”

“Well they already made their choice,” he said, his tone softening. “Now you’ve got to make yours.”

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The firelight flickered, casting long shadows on the walls. Ekko’s steady presence was a comfort, a reminder that you weren’t as alone as you felt.

You have spent the last few weeks peacefully managing your new life in zaun. As for today, it was surely a day to remember. It had been long but rewarding. You’d spent most of it helping around the hideout, patching up clothes, organizing supplies, and entertaining the children with small stories and makeshift games. Their laughter had been infectious, warming a part of you that you didn’t even realize had grown cold. But now, as the sun set and the last streaks of orange faded from the sky, exhaustion crept over you like a heavy blanket.

Returning to Ekko’s chambers felt like stepping into a sanctuary. The room was quiet, the gentle hum of activity outside muffled by the thick wood and steel walls. The soft glow of a makeshift lamp illuminated the space, casting warm shadows across the worn furniture. The room smelled faintly of oil and smoke, mixed with something earthy. You didn’t even bother taking off your boots, flopping onto the bed with a sigh and burying your face in the worn but surprisingly soft blankets.

Minutes passed, or maybe it was hours. You weren’t sure. You only stirred when you heard the sound of the door opening and closing quietly. Lifting your head, you spotted Ekko standing near the entrance, his figure backlit by the dim lights outside. His jacket was off, his sleeveless shirt revealing the lean muscle of his arms. His hair was tied back tonight, though a few strands had fallen loose, framing his face in a way that made your chest tighten.

“You look dead,” he teased, though there was no humor in his voice. His eyes swept over you, his usual sharpness softened by concern.

“I feel dead,” you replied, your voice muffled by the pillow.

Ekko crossed the room in a few long strides, pulling a chair closer to sit by the bedside. “Long day?”

You nodded, not bothering to sit up. “Rewarding, though. The kids are exhausting, but in a good way. I think I’m finally starting to feel like I’m… I don’t know, contributing?”

He leaned back slightly, his arms crossing over his chest as he watched you. “You’ve done more than enough already. They’re warming up to you faster than I thought they would. Guess you’ve got a knack for making people feel safe.”

His words brought a faint smile to your lips, but your body felt too heavy to do much more than that. “Maybe. Or maybe they just like the shiny Piltover noble playing dress-up as a Firelight.”

“You’re more than that,” he said softly, almost too softly for you to hear. The weight of his gaze drew your attention. Turning your head, you found his eyes fixed on you, dark and intense in a way that made your stomach twist. There was something unspoken in his expression, something raw and magnetic.

“Ekko,” you said, his name slipping from your lips like a warning. He didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he brought himself closer to your level. The air between you grew thick, charged with an unspoken tension that neither of you seemed willing to break.

Your breath hitched as his hand moved, not to touch you, but to hover near your face, as if he wasn’t sure he had the right. “You should rest,” he said finally, though his voice was strained, as though it was the last thing he wanted to say.

“I’m fine,” you murmured, though your voice betrayed you. There was a nervous tremor there, one that you couldn’t quite suppress.

“You’re not,” he replied, his tone sharper this time, though the edge was softened by the way his hand dropped to his lap, curling into a fist. “And you shouldn’t have to keep pretending you are.”

You swallowed hard, your heart racing in your chest. He was too close, his presence overwhelming in a way that left you both yearning and terrified. For a moment, you thought he might lean in, that he might close the unbearable distance between you. And part of you wanted him to. But you couldn’t.

As if sensing your hesitation, Ekko pulled back, though his expression betrayed the conflict raging inside him. He rose from the chair abruptly, turning his back to you as he ran a hand over his face. “I need to check on something,” he said, his voice tight.

You sat up slightly, confusion and guilt warring within you. “Ekko, wait—”

“There’s food on the table,” he interrupted, not turning to face you. “You should eat. And…” He hesitated, his hand resting on the doorknob. “I left something for you. Thought you might like it.”

Before you could respond, he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him. You stared at the space he’d just vacated, the room suddenly feeling much larger and lonelier than it had before.

Rising from the bed, you made your way to the small table in the corner. A covered plate of food sat there, still warm, alongside a neatly wrapped package. Your fingers trembled as you opened it, revealing a small, intricately carved pendant in the shape of a firefly. The sight of it brought a lump to your throat. You clutched the pendant tightly, sinking back into the chair as a wave of emotions threatened to overwhelm you. Ekko had left, but his presence lingered in every corner of the room, in the care he’d shown you, in the gift he’d left behind.

You closed your eyes, the weight of the hectic day and the unresolved tension between you pressing down like a heavy blanket. But even as exhaustion pulled you under, you couldn’t shake the memory of his eyes. The way they had looked at you, filled with longing and restraint.

Hours ticked by like an endless parade of thoughts that refused to settle. You sat in Ekko’s chair, knees drawn up slightly as your elbows resting on them. cradling your head in your hands. A sigh escaped your lips, heavy and full of frustration, as your thoughts spiraled into overthinking once again. Why hadn’t he kissed you earlier?

At first, you tried to dismiss it as if it was nothing, just a fleeting moment, something that could be easily explained away by the heat of the moment. But deep down, you knew better. The way he had looked at you wasn’t casual or friendly. It was something more, something intense and unspoken.

Still, you couldn’t help but doubt. Maybe he had been teasing, the way friends sometimes did to lighten the mood. Maybe he didn’t feel the same, and you’d simply read too much into it. But then your mind wandered back to that day in your bedroom. The memory of his closeness as the tension that sparked between you like lightning in a thunderstorm.

Friends don’t act like that.

But then again, why had he ignored you for weeks after that moment? Why hadn’t he said anything or even done anything, to give you some clarity? The questions swirled in your head, each one feeding into the next, until your chest felt tight and your breathing shallow.

You let out another sigh, leaning forward until your forehead almost touched your knees. “What are you doing to me, Ekko?” you murmured to yourself, the words barely audible in the quiet room.

You glanced at the door for the hundredth time, wondering where he’d gone. What was keeping him out so late or rather so early, given the faint light of sun beginning to creep into the room. Would he even come back tonight? Or was this going to be like before, where he disappeared for days, leaving you to piece together the fragments of what you thought you understood about him?

The thought of being ignored again made your chest ache in a way you weren’t prepared to admit. You leaned back in the chair, closing your eyes against the onslaught of emotions. Sleep pulled at you, but you resisted, stubbornly staying awake as if you could somehow summon him back to you. Eventually, though, your exhaustion won. Your head lolled against the back of the chair, your breathing evening out as sleep claimed you.

Ekko slipped into the room quietly, his footsteps barely making a sound against the wooden floor. The sight of you hit him like a punch to the chest. There you were, curled up in his chair, fast asleep. Your face was soft in slumber, but there was a faint crease between your brows. Almost as if even your dreams couldn’t fully erase the tension you’d been feeling. His gaze softened as he took you in, a pang of guilt threading through his chest.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Jeez…” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. Carefully, he crossed the room and crouched beside you. You stirred slightly at his presence, murmuring something incoherent. Without thinking, he slid one arm under your knees and the other around your back, lifting you effortlessly into his strong arms.

You mumbled something again, your head lolling against his shoulder. Which caused him to freeze for a moment, waiting to see if you’d wake up. But you didn’t. He carried you to the bed and laid you down gently, pulling the blanket over you.

As he turned to step away, he felt your hand grab weakly at his shirt. “Don’t go,” you murmured, your voice thick with sleep. He froze in place, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked down at you, your eyes half-open and drowsy but locked onto his.

“You shouldn’t sleep in a chair,” you continued, your words slightly slurred. “And you… shouldn’t leave me like that.”

His breath caught. “I wasn’t going to leave,” he said softly.

You tugged at his shirt again, pulling him closer. He sank down onto the edge of the bed, his face hovering close to yours. “Why didn’t you kiss me earlier?” you whispered, your voice barely audible.

The question hung in the air, heavy and electrified. Ekko’s eyes widened, his cheeks flushing a deep red. “What?”

“When you had the chance,” you mumbled, your voice fading as sleep pulled at you again. “You looked like you wanted to, but you didn’t. Why?”

He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. The proximity, the softness of your voice and the vulnerability in your question. It was almost too much to handle. He didn’t know how to answer. Hell, he didn’t even know if he could answer it.

“You were exhausted,” he said finally, his voice hoarse. “I didn’t think it was the right time.”

You hummed softly, a small smile tugging at your lips. “You’re so stubborn,” you whispered, your eyes drifting shut.

He exhaled shakily, his heart continued its rapid pace as he watched you fall back into sleep. For a moment, he just sat there, his gaze tracing the outline of your beautiful face. He wanted to kiss you. God, he wanted to kiss you so badly it hurt. But he wouldn’t. Not yet. Not like this.

Instead, he stood and grabbed the chair, dragging it closer to the bed. He sat down and rested his head in his hands, trying to steady his breathing, to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside him. He stayed there until the drowsiness claimed him too.

You woke to the warmth of sunlight streaming through the cracks in the wooden walls, a golden glow bathing the room. It was already late, half the day gone, by the looks of it. You woke up to the warmth of the sun shining through the cracks on the wooden walls. It bathed the room. You stretched lazily under the blanket, the aches in your body from the past few days reduced to a dull throb. Turning your head, you saw Ekko. Who was still slumped in the chair beside the bed, asleep.

Your brow furrowed as you watched him. His head rested awkwardly on one hand, his legs stretched out, his shoulders slightly hunched. How could he sleep like that? He must’ve spent the entire night sitting there just to keep an eye on you.

How can he sacrifice his comfort like this?

You studied him, taking in the faint lines of exhaustion etched into his features. He looked so tired, so worn down. Ekko carried so much on his shoulders. The Firelights, the fight for Zaun’s freedom, the safety of the kids who looked up to him. And not to mention you as well. It wasn’t fair, you thought. He gave so much of himself and rarely took a moment for his own peace.

You slid out of bed quietly, wincing at the soreness in your muscles, and approached him. Gently, you placed a hand on his shoulder and shook him awake. “Ekko,” you said softly.

He stirred slightly, his eyelids fluttering open, and then he bolted upright, instinctively swatting your hand away. His palm struck yours with more force than he intended, making you hiss at the sting.

“Shit,” he muttered, sitting up fully now, his face a mixture of alarm and regret. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay,” you interrupted, shaking your hand out with a small wince. “It happens.”

He ran a hand over his face, sighing heavily. “I shouldn’t have—”

“You shouldn’t have spent the whole night sleeping in a chair,” you cut in, your tone playful but firm. “Are you crazy? You’ll wreck your back.”

He shrugged, his lips twitching into a faint, sheepish smile. “It’s not the first time.”

“That doesn’t make it better,” you said, crossing your arms.

He gave you a tired chuckle, leaning back in the chair. “I’ll survive. I’ve been through worse.”

But that wasn’t enough for you. Watching him now, the weariness in his eyes even as he tried to act like everything was fine. An idea sparked in your mind, one that you knew he’d hate at first. But it was for his own good.

You grinned, your excitement bubbling over as you clapped your hands together. “I have a surprise for you!”

Ekko raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. “A surprise?”

“Yep!” you said, bouncing on your heels, your eyes alight with mischief. “But I’m not telling you what it is. You’ll just have to trust me.”

His skepticism deepened. “That sounds like a bad idea.”

“Oh, come on,” you teased, leaning down slightly to meet his gaze. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

He gave you a flat look. “I think I left it behind when I became the leader of the Firelights.”

You pouted dramatically, placing a hand over your heart. “That’s tragic. Guess I’ll have to help you find it again.”

Ekko shook his head, laughing softly despite himself. “You sure are something alright”

“Yep!” you chirped, grabbing his hand and tugging him to his feet. “Now, come on.”

He resisted, planting his feet firmly. “Wait. I have things to do. The kids—”

“They’ll survive without you for a few hours,” you said, cutting him off with a pointed look. “You need this, Ekko. Trust me.” He opened his mouth to argue, but the determination in your eyes stopped him. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. But you’d better not get me killed.”

You grinned triumphantly, grabbing a scarf from the nearby table. “Oh, and one more thing.”

His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What?”

You stepped closer, holding up the scarf. “You’re getting blindfolded.”

“Nope,” he said immediately, crossing his arms.

“Yep,” you countered, your grin widening. “It’s part of the surprise.”

“I’m not letting you blindfold me,” he said firmly.

“Aw, are you scared?” you teased, leaning in closer.

His jaw tightened, and you could tell he was trying not to rise to the bait. “I’m not scared. I just don’t like surprises.”

“Well, too bad,” you said, wrapping the scarf around his eyes before he could stop you. He grumbled under his breath, but you could see the faint hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

“You’re lucky I’m weak for you,” he muttered, his voice low and resigned. Your heart skipped a beat at his words, but you quickly brushed it off, tightening the knot of the blindfold. “You won’t regret this. Promise.”

He sighed dramatically. “I already regret it.”

You laughed, grabbing his hand and leading him toward the door. “Come on, leader of the Firelights. Let me lead you away to freedom.”

He followed reluctantly, grumbling the whole way, but you could feel the tension in his hand slowly easing as he let himself trust you. And deep down, you knew that despite his protests, he didn’t truly mind.

Ekko groaned softly as you guided him along yet another bend in the trail. The blindfold tied snugly around his head meant he couldn’t see where he was stepping, which made the journey feel even longer. His feet ached from the uneven terrain, and he couldn’t tell how far you’d dragged him from the hideout. “How much longer?” he asked, a playful but weary edge in his voice. “I’m pretty sure I’ve walked enough to circle Zaun twice by now.”

You laughed softly, your tone teasing. “Not much farther. I promise it’ll be worth it.”

He scoffed but didn’t pull away from your guiding hand. “You said that an hour ago.”

“Well, this time, I mean it!” you chirped, your excitement palpable. “And quit complaining. You’re a leader, remember? A little hike shouldn’t break you.”

Ekko grumbled under his breath but didn’t argue. He trusted you, blindfold and all. Still, his curiosity was killing him. The journey had been filled with faint sounds of nature, quite the opposite to the chaos of Zaun. The air was fresher here, the scent of greenery blending with faintly damp earth. Birds chirped somewhere above, and there was an unfamiliar stillness that made him uneasy in its serenity.

Finally, the sound of running water reached his ears. It was gentle but distinct, the rhythmic splash growing louder as you led him forward.

“Is that a waterfall?” Ekko questioned as he looked around blindfolded, listening with his ears.

“Nope,” you said cheekily, your grin audible in your tone.

“Uh-huh. Sure.”

The moment his boots scuffed against flat, smooth rock, you stopped. You squeezed his hand and stepped in front of him, your fingers brushing against the scarf as you untied the blindfold. “Okay, are you ready?” you asked, your voice playful.

“Depends,” he shot back. “Am I about to fall into a pit of snakes or something?”

You rolled your eyes. “Just hold still.” With a dramatic flourish, you pulled the blindfold away. “Ta-da!”

Ekko blinked a few times, his eyes adjusting to the light. The sight before him was breathtaking. The waterfall cascaded gently down smooth stone, its waters pooling into a crystal-clear basin surrounded by moss-covered rocks. The greenery around it was lush, vibrant, and untouched, with delicate vines draping over the edges of the falls like curtains. Shafts of sunlight streamed through gaps in the canopy, casting a golden glow over the scene. It felt like another world. Like something out of a dream. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just taking it all in.

“Well?” you asked, bouncing slightly on your heels. “Do you like it?”

“It’s… something,” he admitted, his voice softer than usual. His gaze lingered on the water, the way it shimmered in the sunlight. “I didn’t know there were places like this between Piltover and Zaun.”

You smiled, feeling proud of yourself. “Told you it’d be worth it.”

He turned to look at you, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I’ll give you that. But…” His expression shifted, concern creeping in. “Should I really be out here? The hideout—”

You cut him off, your tone firm but not unkind. “Ekko.”

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly.

“I’m serious,” you continued, your voice softening. “If you really feel like you need to go back, you can. I won’t stop you.” You hesitated, your hands fidgeting at your sides. “I mean… I’ll understand.”

He studied your face, noticing the way your eyes darted away as if you were trying to hide how much the thought bothered you. You were giving him a choice, but it was clear how much you didn’t want him to leave.

Ekko let out a small sigh, running a hand through his hair. “You’re really bad at hiding what you’re feeling, you know that?”

You glanced up at him, startled. “Who, me?”

“Yes you. But relax,” he said, his tone gentle. “I’ll stay.”

Your eyes lit up, and before he could say anything else, you were practically jumping in place, your joy spilling over. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he said with a small chuckle, watching you with amusement. “Don’t make me regret it.”

You grinned, grabbing his hand and tugging him toward the water. “You won’t. I promise.”

For the next two hours, the two of you wandered the area, exploring the hidden beauty of the place. The tension from earlier melted away, replaced by a comfortable ease as you talked and laughed together.

Ekko, ever curious, peppered you with questions about your life topside. “So, what’s it like being a noble?” he asked, kicking a stray pebble along the path. “I’m guessing it’s all fancy parties and expensive clothes?”

You snorted, shaking your head. “Not quite. Sure, there’s all the glamour, but it’s not as fun as it sounds.”

“Oh?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Do tell.”

You sighed, nudging a rock with the tip of your boot. “My parents had this… idea of what the perfect daughter should be. Polished, obedient, always smiling. I never really fit the mold.”

Ekko tilted his head, studying you. “Doesn’t sound like you.”

“Exactly,” you said with a wry smile. “I was always too stubborn, too opinionated. They wanted me to follow their rules, and I wanted to make my own.”

“Sounds familiar,” he said, a hint of understanding in his voice.

You glanced at him, curiosity sparking. “What about you? Ever feel like people expect too much from you?”

He let out a short laugh, shoving his hands into his pockets. “All the time. Being the leader, people look to me for answers. For direction. It’s… a lot.”

You nodded, your heart aching for him. “And yet you never take a break.”

“Someone has to keep things running,” he said simply.

You stopped walking, turning to face him. “And what happens when you burn out? What then?”

He opened his mouth to respond but closed it again, your words sinking in.

“See that’s what this is about,” you said gently. “You need to take care of yourself, too, Ekko. Not just everyone else.”

He looked away, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he gave a small nod, the vulnerability in his expression making your chest tighten.

Soon the peace of the waterfall was shattered by the faint sound of voices approaching. Ekko froze, his head snapping toward the direction of the noise. You followed his gaze, your heart sinking as the muffled conversation grew clearer. It wasn’t just random passersby. The tone was too low and suspicious.

“Get down,” Ekko whispered urgently, grabbing your arm and pulling you toward the water.

“Ow, hey-!” you hissed back, but before you could argue, he tugged you forward.

The two of you splashed quietly into the cool water, wading toward a large rock near the waterfall’s edge. Its size provided enough cover to hide you both, but your movements felt clumsy and loud in the stillness of the moment. Every splash made your heart race, and every breath felt too loud.

You crouched low, gripping the edge of the rock as you peered out cautiously. The voices were clearer now, distinctly rough and laced with malice.

“… shipments are in place. Should be an easy job if everyone keeps quiet,” one of the men said, his voice gruff.

“Easy? You think dealing with Piltover’s dogs is ever easy?” another sneered.

“Relax. It’s all set up. By the time they realize what’s happening, we’ll already be gone,” the first man replied with a dismissive chuckle.

Your ears were ringing, the adrenaline coursing through your veins making it hard to focus. Your breathing quickened, and the world around you felt distant, the voices blending into an indistinct hum. “Hey,” Ekko spoke quietly beside you, nudging your arm. But you didn’t respond, your mind spinning.

“Hey!” he whispered again, more insistent this time. He leaned in closer, his face only inches from yours. Finally, his voice broke through the fog in your mind. You turned your head slightly, meeting his sharp gaze. Before you could say anything, his hand clamped over your mouth, silencing you.

“Don’t-” he mouthed, his tone firm but his touch surprisingly gentle. His eyes were steady, reassuring, even as they flicked toward the Chem-Barons’ direction.

You nodded, your breathing still uneven but quieter now. His hand lingered for a second longer before he slowly pulled it away, his fingers brushing against your skin. The tension between you was palpable. The closeness and adrenaline, it all made the space between you feel charged with something. You were about to whisper something when the sound of boots crunching against the rocky terrain snapped your focus back.

“Keep it moving,” one of the voices barked. “We’re wasting time.”

The group of men moved on, their voices fading into the distance. Only when the silence stretched did Ekko exhale, his shoulders finally relaxing. He peeked cautiously around the rock, ensuring they were truly gone before turning back to you.

“We’re clear,” he whispered, though his voice carried an edge of lingering tension.

You nodded, still crouched behind the rock, your limbs stiff from staying still for so long. Ekko moved toward the water’s edge and helped you climb back onto the bank. You followed his lead, water dripping from your clothes and pooling at your feet as you tried to steady your racing heart.

“Chem-Barons,” he muttered, more to himself than you. He looked toward the direction the men had gone, his expression hardening. “They’re up to something. And if they’re this close, it’s bad news.”

You wrung out your sleeves, watching him warily. “Do you think they saw us?”

“No,” he said firmly, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. “Still… we need to get back.”The urgency in his voice left no room for argument, and you agreed without hesitation.

The journey back to the hideout was tense. Ekko moved swiftly, his steps purposeful and his gaze darting toward every sound in the dense trees. You struggled to keep up, your thoughts spiraling as your footsteps lagged behind his.

What if the Chem-Barons had seen you? What if they followed you back? Your chest tightened as the weight of your continuous overthinking pressed down on you. You replayed the encounter in your mind, picking apart every detail. Had you been too loud? Too slow? What if something went wrong because of you?

“Keep up,” Ekko called over his shoulder, his voice low but urgent.

You blinked, realizing how far behind you’d fallen. Quickening your pace, you forced yourself to focus on his figure ahead of you, his steady movements grounding you in the moment.

When you finally reached the hideout, the familiar sounds of laughter and the hum of activity greeted you. The Firelights’ sanctuary seemed untouched, the chaos of the outside world unable to penetrate its walls. Relief washed over you, but it was short-lived. Ekko headed straight for Scar, who was leaning against a rusty table, tinkering with a small device.

“Everything okay?” Ekko asked, his tone sharp.

Scar glanced up, his brow furrowing slightly. “Yeah. Quiet as usual. Why?”

Ekko hesitated, his jaw tightening as he glanced over his shoulder at you.

“Oh nothing, just checking.” he said finally, though the tension in his posture remained. Scar gave him a curious look but shrugged, returning to his work.

You lingered near the entrance, your damp clothes clinging to your skin as you scanned the area. Everything seemed normal, the kids laughing, people working on repairs, the occasional drone zipping by. But you couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in your chest.

Later that evening, you sat by yourself in one of the quieter corners of the hideout, staring blankly at the firelight lamp in front of you. Your mind was still spinning, your earlier overthinking creeping back in.

“You okay?” Ekko’s voice broke through your thoughts, and you looked up to find him standing nearby, his expression softer now.

“Yeah,” you said quickly, though the tightness in your voice betrayed you.

He frowned, stepping closer and crouching down so he was at eye level with you. “You’ve been quiet since we got back. What’s going on?”

You hesitated, unsure how to put your thoughts into words. “I just… I can’t stop thinking about what happened earlier. What if we were seen? What if they followed us? What if—”

“Hey,” he interrupted, his voice firm but kind. “Nothing happened. Everything is fine. The hideout is fine.” You nodded, but your shoulders remained tense.

Ekko sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. “Worrying until you exhaust yourself i see.”

“I just can’t help it,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

He sat down beside you, close enough that his knee brushed against yours. “Look, I get it. It’s a lot to deal with. But we can’t let them get in our heads. That’s what they want—to make us paranoid, to make us slip up.”

You looked at him, his calm determination grounding you once more. “I just don’t want to fuck things over for the millionth time.”

“You won’t,” he said simply, his confidence in you unwavering. For a moment, the tension between you eased, and you allowed yourself to breathe.

The night stretched on, the two of you sitting in comfortable silence. When Ekko finally stood, he stretched and yawned, his usual energy dimmed by the day’s events.

“Well, I’m gonna check on a few things,” he said, though his tone lacked its usual conviction.

You joking said, raised an eyebrow. “Here you go again, always busy.”

He smirked, his usual charm peeking through. “Says the person who can’t stop worrying.” You rolled your eyes but smiled. As he walked away, you found yourself watching him, your chest tightening with admiration. You couldn’t quite name why. The hideout was quiet now, most of its inhabitants having turned in for the night. You eventually made your way to your small corner of the space, lying down on your bed and staring up at the ceiling.

But sleep didn’t come easily. Your mind kept drifting back to Ekko. The way he had looked at you by the waterfall, the way his hand had lingered on your arm when he pulled you out of the water, the way he had stayed by your side despite everything. Ekko, it’s always him. He always even if you tried to deny it, has an affect on you. You sighed, closing your eyes and willing your racing thoughts to quiet.

A wind of cool night air hit you as you slipped out of the hideout. The faint scent of distant rain mixing with the scent of metal and smoke that always lingered in the air of Zaun. Ekko had been out helping with a situation that had gotten out of hand. It had something to do with one of the Firelights getting into trouble, as usual. He hadn’t been there to protest when you quietly slipped out of the hideout, and part of you was relieved. You needed to clear your head, to have a moment of peace where you didn’t have to think about the danger you constantly felt closing in around you. It slowly suffocating you. Unbearable.

You had heard rumors, of course. Whispers and murmurs of people coming after you because of who you were, because of your connection to the topside. They had no idea who you were, only what they thought you were. You couldn’t allow them to find out. But tonight, you weren’t thinking about that. You were thinking about how to live in the moment, even if it was fleeting.

The Last Drop was not your first choice, but it was the closest. The faint buzz of people laughing, drinking, and shouting hit your ears as you stepped inside. Your heart raced slightly, but you pushed it down. You’d taken precautions, after all. The cloak you wore concealed the colors of your family, the opulence that could mark you a target from a mile away. With your hood low, you blended in with the crowd, keeping your gaze focused on the bar, where the noise was loud enough to drown out any attention.

“Drink?” the barkeep asked, raising an eyebrow at you, the flickering light of the bar casting long shadows across his face.

“Something strong,” you replied, trying to sound casual, though your nerves were anything but.

A quick, hard drink was what you needed. You knew the risks of coming here. This wasn’t the safest place in Zaun, but it was the only place that wouldn’t ask questions about who you were. The clinking of glass and the murmur of conversation surrounded you, a blend of voices that blurred into one singular buzz in your head.

You let your gaze wander as you took your first sip. The bitter warmth of the alcohol spread through your throat, giving you a momentary sense of relief, but it didn’t last. Your eyes flicked to the edges of the bar, noticing the way people moved. There was a tension in the air, something off, but you couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Your fingers tightened around the glass as the sensation of being watched crept down your spine.

Before you could dismiss the feeling, something sharp pricked your neck. You froze, the sensation like a needle pushing into your skin. A wave of dizziness hit you instantly, disorienting and deep. You jerked your hand to your neck, but there was nothing to see. No blood, no sign of injury. Just a strange, heavy heat creeping through your veins, seeping into your bloodstream, clouding your thoughts.

The world around you tilted. It was a slow shift at first, just a sense of things being slightly off, but soon it became overwhelming. The air felt thicker, the sounds louder, as though the entire bar was buzzing, vibrating against the space between you and them. Your chest tightened, and a cold sweat broke out across your skin. ‘No. No, this couldn’t be happening. Not here. Not now.

Shimmer. You realized it too late. The telltale signs were unmistakable. That feeling where your body was being pulled apart, your thoughts slowly being smothered by a fog. You clenched your teeth, trying to fight it, trying to keep yourself from losing control.

“Hey, you okay?” a voice broke through the chaos in your mind. One of the patrons had noticed, a man with wild eyes and a drink in his hand. He was staring at you with concern, but you barely registered his words.

“I’m fine,” you said, though it came out more like a growl. You stood up quickly, the motion far too fast for your brain to follow. The room spun around you, the floor swaying beneath your feet like the deck of a ship caught in a storm. Your hands shot out to steady yourself against the bar, but it felt like everything was slipping away.

The bartender moved closer, his voice urgent. “You need to sit down. You’re not looking good.”

But you couldn’t. You couldn’t let them see you like this. You tried to move toward the door, but your legs wouldn’t obey. Each step was like wading through thick tar, the world warping around you. Your vision blurred, and before you knew it, you were on the floor, struggling to push yourself up, your limbs stiff and heavy.

“Help!” someone shouted, but the word sounded distant, muffled, as if coming from underwater.

You didn’t know what was happening to you anymore. The pain in your head started to intensify. No. Don’t lose control. But it was too late. The shimmer was already twisting your mind, and it wasn’t long before the voices began. They started quiet, like whispers in the back of your head, but soon they became clear.

Someone spoke your name. Your father’s voice.

“You never lived up to my expectations, did you?” The accusation burned in your ears. “Always the disappointment.”

You wanted to scream at the voice to shut up, to make it go away, but all you could do was stand there, shaking, your hands gripping the counter as you tried to steady yourself.

“You think you can escape me? No one escapes me,” your father’s voice mocked. “No one escapes their blood.”

The voices overlapped. Shut up. You couldn’t make out the words. You only felt the anger, regret, and shame. You felt like you were drowning in it. The voices kept yelling, taunting you, until you couldn’t tell what was real anymore. You swung at the air, trying to bat them away, but there was nothing there.

Why don’t you listen? You never do what I ask, do you?

Another voice, it was your mother now, cold and distant. “You’re useless to me. Always have been.”

The pain was unbearable. Your head throbbed as you sank to your knees, clutching at your skull, your fingers digging into your scalp in a futile attempt to stop the onslaught of voices. Get out of my head!

You screamed, but it was a scream that only echoed inside your mind. Your body trembled, and you stumbled backward, falling into the chaos that surrounded you.

“Someone get them out of here!” someone shouted, but it was like the words couldn’t break through the fog that had settled over your mind. You could hear them, feel them moving around you, but they were all far away. Then, another voice. This one was different. It was familiar.

“Hey, listen to me.” Ekko. His voice, clear and strong, cut through the chaos. You tried to focus on it, on him, but it was so hard. Your mind was a warzone. You gasped for air, your hands pressed against your chest, your body still trembling from the aftershocks of the shimmer. You looked around, and for a brief moment, you thought you saw him standing there, reaching out for you, but when you blinked, he was gone.

Your vision darkened, the last remnants of the shimmer clouding everything. You couldn’t stand anymore. You collapsed against the ground, your breath ragged as the world spun out of control.

“Ekko…” you whispered, but you weren’t sure if you said it out loud or if it was just another hallucination. The voices faded as everything went black.

part two soon!

taglist: @diffusebread @xxblairslairxx @thesevi0lentdelights @chic-beyond-the-wall-oc-acct @celineandtulips @stuckinaoaktree @fxxvz @jadziulaa @luclue @1intrustivethoughts @finnsky666 @blkmystery @serena6728 @mvistl @kaedeprinz @alientee @ametheslime @turquoizxe @emforjin

banner: @anitalenia

[hazbinhazmeinachokehold]

The gang + powerful overlord reader who is trying to reform

A/n: Tbh I don't have the strongest grasp on what makes an overlord an overlord but I tried. Everything here is platonic!

Warning: Very slight alluding to suicide. It's in one sentence and not supposed to be about suicide but I just wanted to warn y'all in case.

(Not beta read!)

You honestly didn't want to be an overlord. But if you had some power maybe the citizens of hell would leave you alone. And you were admittedly powerful. Which wasn't by your own doing, just like in the living world everything was down to luck. And you won the lottery. So you decided to spend the money and became an overlord. Just to lower the chance of demons pestering you.

It worked. It worked too well. You took out a few overlords, it was dirty. You caught them off guard in the middle of going about their life. You don't keep up with politics. To your surprise, you took out two heavy hitters. Which did result in people not pestering you. But not just that it resulted in them outright avoiding you. You didn't feel good about killing them, you just killed as many as you thought would need to make you noteable. If you had just killed the two it would have removed more unnecessary deaths that you caused.

People would literally light themselves on fire rather than be near you. Out of fear of what gruesome way you would kill them. Not that you would kill them but rumors spread. It went from you just stabbing the overlords to torturing them in the most messed up way possible. You being this insanely powerful and sadistic being. That was the only way they could imagine you killing some of the most powerful creatures in hell.

So it was like that for years. As you were walking around the death and carnage you didn't mean to cause. Amidst all the screams you heard a TV playing. You check it out and it was some sort of ad. You recognized Angel from Val. Whenever Velvet was the one to show up at meetings she would always manage to bring up her and the other Vee's social media presence. Which with Val would involve his pornos. At least he's able to escape from that prick sometimes. Despite the glitch he was somehow causing and his face being hidden you also recognized Alastor.

You didn't know much about your colleague's personal lives. You barely showed up at the meeting but this piqued your interest. But it was quickly cut off by the news.

"Breaking news in hell today!" One of the broadcasters, Katie, spoke, "We have just received word from the Heaven embassy that the next extermination is happening sooner than ever before!"

Well fuck you guess. You were never worried about exterminations. Not only did you have a safe area then none of the angels seemed to visit, if they killed you you'd be out of this dumpster fire. Granted you could go to an even worse dumpster fire but you didn't know that for sure.

But you were interested in whatever that first ad was for. Granted everyone was panicking so it wasn't like you could ask anyone about it. However, the news cut right back to the ad.

"Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel!" A woman with an x over her eye spoke.

It cut to Husk (Who you've only heard snippets about from Alastor.) and Angel.

"Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel." Husk's eyes lingered below him. Clearly reading a script. If his eyes didn't give it away his monotone voice certainly did. "Can I help you with anything?"

"I've been a bad boy. And I need a big strong daddy to put me in my place." Angel moaned. There was a slight sigh coming from behind the camera. Okay ew. You were not trying to see porn while going for a walk. Just as you were about to walk away Angel spoke up again, "On the path to redemption!"

Oh! That sounded... quite nice actually. You didn't exactly believe in the idea. But a chance to get away and even a chance to redeem yourself was a very nice idea.

You went to the hotel's door and racked against the door. Which was kind of stupid. Hotel doors don't need to be knocked on but it still felt like the right thing to do. The fucking princess of hell herself opened the door with a somewhat panicky smile plastered on her face.

"Hello-" She bit her lip "One second." She left but left the door open a creek, "Vaggie it happened again!" She yelled you could hear the rest of what she was saying but you saw a red glow approaching the door.

Before you knew what was happening your hand (and whole body was being shaken by the Radio demon himself, "Why hello y/n!" His staticky voice greeted, "Are you here to watch this wayward adventure fail as well? Or perhaps you aim to entertain it?" Alastor unnerved you. While you were the same on power level he was unpredicted any vengeful thoughts he had were hidden behind his smile.

He was gently pushed away by Charlie. "So sorry about the wait, just wasn't expecting another powerful overlord." She vaguely gestured to Alastor, "So do you want to check in?" Her voice was cautiously hopeful.

"Yep!"

Her eyes turned the size of saucers, "OK! Great so um sorry I'm just so excited! You can go choose your room! A few are already occupied by our guests and staff! But it's pretty easy to tell which rooms are taken." She rambled. As she guided you through the hotel the woman with an x over her eye pointed a spear at you as you passed by.

A short one-eyed girl scattered around. The exact opposite of how she was in the ad. She stabbed a bug with a whole knife getting dangerously close to Husk being at the end of her knife in the process.

Angel glanced at you and any color his already pure white face had drained. Uh oh.

"One minute." You said and walked over to the spider demon, "Fyi just to let you know I also want to kill Val. Just say the word and I might finally be able to go through with it." You said in a hushed voice. He was still tense but visibly relaxed.

You soon found a room and got somewhat set up. You'd have to bring some stuff from your house tomorrow. But today you decided to just collapse onto your bed. While your first impressions weren't of a super chill place, it did give the impression of a family. Maybe your life wouldn't be so much of a living hell here.

[kiestrokes]

Day 14: Duplicity | NSFW

▸ Idol: Yang Jeogin of SKZ ▸ Rating: NSFW. Mature (18+) Minors DNI. ▸ Genre: a hard hour that got away from me, drabble, smut, little brothers best friend AU. ▸ Vibe: reader has a corruption kink and their little brothers best friend is really testing their control this holiday season. ▸ Warnings: language, slight age gap like five-ish years, drinking, club scene.

Sexually Explicit Content: CORRUPTION KINK DNI if this is not something you vibe with, kissing, groping/fondling, slight sub/dom dynamics, masturbation (male), mischievous turn of events.

🗝️ Note: Has not beta-ed by me or anyone else. Happy wipmas 🤗 @minttangerines is once again at fault for their bby bread agenda, thank you to Luce, @chans-room and @minisugakoobies for your input on the direction of the story.

Disclaimers: This is a work of fiction; I do not own any of the idols depicted below.

「 25 Hours: Hard, Soft and WIP-mas Masterlist 」

Jeongin.

Your brain hissed the name of your little brothers best friend, as he appeared in your line of sight. Through the undulating bodies, strobing multicolored lights and pulse of the speakers.

In the last week of being home for a visit with your family, he had been everywhere. Inescapable. No longer the thin, shy boy with sometimes snarky remarks. He had grown into his body.

A body that apparently he had no issues in constantly showing off. You were downstairs meticulously pouring creamer into your coffee, watching it for the right shade of caramel, when he appeared. Shirtless. Gray sweats hanging loose around his cut hips. Creamer spilled across your hand and on to the counter.

Jeongin had laughed your name then, rushing over to help you clean the mess. When all you wanted to do was scream for his half naked body to get away.

The pattern continued on like this over the last week. Jeongin choosing to nestle himself between you and your baby brother on movie night. The heat of his warm thigh seeping into your toes through the protective blanket shield, as you had your knees tucked under you for comfort. How he had sweetly asked to share the blanket with you, his hands underneath, resting on your bare ankle.

Your control and grip on reality slowly slinking away as your urge for depravity started to rear its ugly, seductive head. After watching polite and coy Jeongin interact with your other family members and childhood friends. Your teeth tingled at the thought of showing him an taboo side of things he probably never knew to exist.

"Noona!"

Suddenly that timid pup, turned sly fox had made the decision to approach you first. You assumed it was out of courtesy, being you had been gawking at him for the last five minutes.

"Jeongin, my friends and I have a private room upstairs would you like to join us?"

A familiar dimpled grin greets you in answer, you take his hand and guide him towards the stairs for the bottle service suites.

The two of you spend the night with your friends, catching up on his new role at work, introducing him to new liquors and tinctures of familiar ones. His thigh purposefully pressed into yours at all times. You read this as his bashfulness still bleeding through, and your stomach tightens as the urge to exploit flames across you.

"Noona," Jeongin calls, hand tugging your arm so that you will turn back to him from your conversation with a previous male classmate.

"Can I have a sip?"

He is pulling the wrist holding you glass towards him, your knee slots ever so slightly between his thighs to accommodate the angle he is asking and your willpower dissipates when he opens his knees to you.

"You're being quite needy," you tease, leaning in to squish his flushed cheeks and place the cup to his lips.

Jeongin drinks the entire glass under your unspoken instruction. His foxlike eyes boring into yours, asking, begging for more. You arrange a ride on your phone before pouring yourself another, much stronger drink.

The car ride is thick with the promise of more, Jeongin's hand interlaced with yours on his thigh. A quiet move, stating you were the one in control and that he was your submissive.

The two of you stumble into your bedroom, the house empty tonight as the rest of your family was attending your Aunt's annual holiday party. Jeongin sprawls to a sitting position on your bed, legs opened wide, head lifted and eyes on you, calling you in.

"Jeongin-" you step between his open thighs, raking a hand through his shaggy hair.

He tilts his face upwards, sitting up taller, "noona."

His hands ghost on the outside of your body, not touching, but asking wordlessly for permission to touch. You groan, climbing into his lap and grasping one of his hands to press it into your ass. That is half bared to him, where your dress rucked itself up.

Jeongin moans your name, fingers biting into the bare cheek of your ass as he tumbles back onto the bed just as your lips ghost over his.

"The room is spinning."

You cannot stop the tipsy giggle that leaves your lips at his confession. A paradox for how his hands are greedily trying to roll your hips into his trapped erection.

Sitting up, you press your full weight into his pelvis, hands moving to undo what few buttons are left to be opened on his shirt. Jeongin groans underneath you, bucking into your weight.

"Shhh, don't get so worked up just yet," you kiss his cheekbone before sitting back, "sit up for me."

Jeongin obeys, and you help him out of his shirt, leaving his lap to carefully drape it across your desk chair. Stripping out of your clothes as he watches, until you're naked in front of him and he moves to reach for you but you brush him off.

Bipassing his reaching arms to rifle through your suitcase, plucking out a pair of soft boy shorts and your favorite oversized t-shirt.

"Noona-" Jeongin calls, his voice tainted with the faintest whine.

You come into his space then, planting a soft kiss to his lips and down his cheek, along his jaw and neck. As your hands work to unbutton his jeans, he lifts his hips with your guidance and you gift him another soft kiss before pulling away to neatly fold his pants and place them on the chair with your other discarded clothing.

Jeongin rolls his socks off himself, standing up and placing them to join the others. The air between the two of you fizzes with anticipation. Slowly, tauntingly you reach up to cup him through his briefs, watching as his head kicks back with a pitchy groan.

"Oh," you cannot help the disappointment that bleeds into the word.

"Just give me a minute, its all of the alcohol."

"Come on."

You lead him to the bed, "I expected something like this, lets just sleep it off for a bit."

Jeongin nods in disappointment as he climbs in next to you under the covers. You groan, wrapping yourself around him as planting another kiss to his lips but pulling away before he can deepen it. Jeognin nuzzles into your chest, the booze effectively pushing him into a deep slumber

Your awoken to the sound of a car door slamming the next morning, jerking back into Jeongin. He grumbles nestling his erection into you ass as his arms tighten around your stomach.

"Jeognin-"

He lets out a sleepy click of his tongue, one hand slipping under your shirt to trace circles with his thumb on your stomach and the other roughly cupping your breast through the threadbare t-shirt.

You gasp, ass kicking back into his hips as he pinches your nipple. His other hand teasing he band of your panties. You clutch his hand to stop it and he groans, rubbing against you with this newfound embrace.

"I think everyone is home."

"I don't care-" Jeongin's teeth tug at the shell of your ear and you pant quietly in response.

Your hips rocking right along with his, teetering on the edge of your corruption kink and being the respectful eldest daughter. The first winning out when he whines your name into the side of your throat.

His fingers drift over your thighs and you tug them away from their destination and he moves off in a different direction. Palming your bare breast, stroking your lips, fisting your ass.

You groan, rolling over in his arms to caress every inch of his toned front. Finally letting him pull your mouth to his is a desperate kiss. Mouths open to each other, tongues swirling and teeth biting. Your fingers travel across his toned back, down to squeeze his firm ass.

Jeongin moaning into your mouth, melting at every touch and stoke of your tongue. His impatient hand grabs your wrists, pressing it into his still clothed erection. You give it a firm squeeze before pulling away.

"We can't- not now."

Jeongin lets out a long whine, snatching both wrists and pinning you on your back to the bed.

"In-ah," you gasp.

His head diving to leave open mouth kisses down your neck, his hips rolling into your pelvis, cock pressing into your damp panties, pushing up your shirt to squeeze your breast.

"Noona, just let me-" he finally succeeds in cupping your pussy, lifting his head to watch as you bow into him with a silent gasp.

"We can't."

Jeongin drags his knuckles roughly over your clothed clit, causing you to convulse. Your nails biting into his forearm, as her hips rut on their own accord into his fist.

"You sure?"

Jeongin grips your jaw, diving in to kiss you again when someone walks past your locked door. You freeze, cheek snapping towards the noise. You know its your brother by the sound of his dragging feet and you have his best friend on top of you.

You press both hands to his chest, "we can't, not now."

Jeongin stiffly moves off of you and you slip out of the bed, not even glancing back or speaking to him. You strip out of your clothes, leaving them scattered on the floor and slip into your on suite bathroom for a shower.

Jeongin groans, raking a hand down his face, down his abdomen and into his boxers. He can't believe after all his planning he still didn't get to experience you.

Jeongin had caught glimpses over the years, behind doors that hadn't full closed, in the school theatre when you and whatever lucky partner happened to be with you thought no one was home. How you teases and taunted the shy (fit) boys into submission. Had them coming so hard from orgasm denial, all over themselves.

You had a type and Jeongin knew he was halfway there, he just needed to focus on building his body. But he had accomplished that by twenty-one, yet you still wouldn't give him the attention he so desperately sought. So he decided he would have to use your own kink against you, slinking into a little corrupting himself.

Things were going so well until the alcohol hit his dick last night. He grunts, fisting himself hard, giving himself a frustrating tug when another idea hits.

Jeongin sits up, quickly kicking out of his boxers, he tucks them under your pillow, damp with your own arousal and his precum. Stiffly he walks over to retrieve your discarded panties from the floor. Lifting them to his nose, the salty almost cloudy scent of your essence floods his tongue and goes straight to his balls.

Jeongin reclaims his seat on the edge of your bed, your boy shorts clutched in one hand as he steals a pump of your lotion from the bedside table. Moaning as your scent fills the room, jasmine and ylang ylang. He strokes the lotion over his leaking cock. Head kicking back as the thoughts take over.

You're pinning him to the bed, soft pussy slicking up his cock until he's delirious, begging you to let him inside. You want him to come first, but he wants to come inside you to mix his release with yours, to claim you. He's fighting himself not to give in to your touch.

Jeongin's hips buck into his hand as he barrels towards his release, teeth biting into his lip to trap his whines inside until one last thrust he releases into your panties with a winded cry.

Chest heaving, he folds them neatly, setting your soiled panties aside so he can dress, sans boxers before stashing your underwear into the back pocket of his slacks and exiting your bedroom.

You cannot stand when things aren't in your control, when things are messy and especially when your favorite pair of sleep panties go missing.

Jeongin's heatbeat is in his throat as he sneaks out of your families home, a place he is much more accustomed to sneaking into. Both of your parents groaning about hangovers around the coffee pot in the kitchen. Your brother was probably sleeping face down in his unmade bed upstairs, winter coat still on.

Now it was just a waiting game.

© COPYRIGHT 2021 - 2024 by kiestrokes  All rights reserved. No portion of this work may be reproduced without written permission from the author. This includes translations.

[guinea-pig16]

House Call

Harvey x Farmer!Reader

Fic is below the cut! Please enjoy!

Summary: Harvey gets calls from people in Pelican Town who are concerned for the new farmer's health. Harvey goes and pays the new farmer a visit.

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Word Count: 2100+

Warnings: Wounds, bruises, burns

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Harvey walked past the bus stop, medical bag in hand, enjoying the warm breeze. It was late spring, the days getting warmer and longer as summer attempted to take over. He was on his way to the old farm that had been taken over by a newcomer a couple months ago. The new farmer, named Y/N, had already gained the reputation of being incredibly friendly. They would come into town frequently to get tasks from the help board, buy supplies, donate items to the museum, or just to chat with the townsfolk. Harvey personally didn’t talk to them much, not that he avoided them of course, he just tended to stay inside his clinic, oftentimes missing their visits into town. 

He was on his way to the farm because he had gotten a series of calls from his fellow townspeople concerned for Y/N’s health. Apparently, they had gone to the saloon late last night appearing battered and bruised after an adventure to the mines. Harvey was fairly certain that they were fine as he’d heard they frequented the mines quite often, but being a doctor, he couldn’t say they’d be fine if he didn’t at least check on them. 

Harvey entered the farm and looked around in slight awe. The last time he saw the old farm it was overgrown with gnarled trees, weeds, and stones. Now it was nothing but a clear field (with the occasional large stones and logs) with plots of crops growing happily in the soil. Something was off though as he stepped closer. He was no farmer by any means, but the plots didn’t appear to be watered yet. He looked to his left. The mailbox still had its flag up, meaning the mail hadn’t been checked. He furrowed his brow and checked his watch. It was about 15 minutes past 9.

Odd… I thought they were usually up and about by this time. He thought as he climbed the steps to the porch. Their house was quite small, looking more like a cabin than a house. It seemed as though they had attempted to repair some of the cracks and holes on the outside themself. He knocked on the door. 

From inside he heard shuffling and a quiet groan, then a muffled coming. As he heard footsteps approaching the door, he quickly gave himself a once over, smoothing his coat and readjusting his collar. The door swung open and a tired (slightly annoyed) Y/N clad in pajamas greeted him. They stared at him blearily before recognition flashed in their eyes. They quickly straightened and cleared their throat.

“Uh, Dr. Harvey. What a surprise, I didn’t expect to see you.” They said, fixing him with a slightly strained polite smile. Harvey quickly glanced them over, trying to see any injuries. They were wearing a loose long-sleeve shirt and baggy pajama pants with slippers. He didn’t notice any physical ailments.

“Please, just call me Harvey. I came today because I’ve received several phone calls from people in town concerned about your well being.” He said. He watched as their face flushed slightly. They brought a hand to the back of their neck and glanced at the floor, shuffling slightly.

“...Ah, I see… Well, I’m doing fine, just a lil’ worn out from last night. Nothing some rest can’t fix, y’know?” They said sheepishly. Harvey raised a brow at them, causing them to shrink slightly.

“I was told you looked like you had gotten into a fight with a bear last night.” 

“...Oh… well… yeah…” They stared at their feet.

“Have you treated your wounds at least?” He asked.

“Um… yeah…?” They said, sounding unsure.

“May I check?” Harvey asked. He saw them hesitate to answer. “It won’t take long, I just want to make sure your wounds don’t get infected.” He clarified, giving them a small smile. He watched them consider his offer. After a moment, they sighed and stepped to the side.

“Alright, you make a good point. Come in, I’ll make some coffee.” With that, they walked inside letting Harvey follow. He closed the door behind him and looked around. It was fairly small, but cozy. Their bed was pressed into a corner, the sheets a mess. There was a fireplace against the far wall and a box tv sitting next to it with a pillow in front of it to act as a chair. Against the right wall was a small kitchenette, a table with two chairs, and a door which he assumed led to the bathroom. 

Y/N gestured towards the table. “Go ahead and have a seat, make yourself at home.” Harvey walked to the table and set his bag down. He sat and observed them as they rummaged around to find coffee grounds. A slight frown settled on his face as he noticed their movements. If they moved too fast, they’d wince and slow down. There was the slightest limp to their steps as they went to the sink to fill the coffee machine. They sat down in the other chair, moving slowly as if going faster would hurt too much.

They watched Harvey as he shrugged off his coat and opened his bag, pulling out a thermometer. He turned to them. 

“Alright, to start I’m going to take your temperature.” He leans close and places the thermometer against their forehead. “Have you been experiencing any headaches, tiredness, or nausea?” He asks. He doesn’t notice how Y/N begins to flush. 

“Um… no, not that I know of…? I’m just kinda… sore.” They say, letting out a breath as Harvey leans back and checks the thermometer. Their temperatures normal. That’s good, it doesn't seem as though they have an infection. He glances at them. I’d better still check where they’ve been injured though. He places the thermometer back in his bag and rolls up his sleeves.

“Your temperature is normal. Where have you been feeling sore?” He asks. They rest their head in their hand, drumming their fingers, appearing uncomfortable. 

“Um, mostly my back and legs. My arms are pretty sore too.” Harvey nods.

“So, what exactly happened last night?” He asks.

They look at the table, appearing embarrassed. “Well… I went mining and uh, might’ve gotten a bit in over my head… There were a lot more monsters than last time and… I think you can guess the rest…” They traced patterns in the wood of the table. Harvey grimaced. He knew the mines were full of dangerous creatures. Slimes, bats, rock crabs, huge flies, shadow people and more.

“May I see?” They stare at him for a moment.

“...See what?”

“...Your injuries…?” He says, raising a brow. Y/N flushed, eyes widening.

“Um, they’re not that bad! Don’t worry about them, I’m fine! Probably just need some pain pills to be honest…” They say quickly, tugging on their sleeve. Harvey had a feeling that they didn’t want him to see their wounds. Either because they were embarrassed, or they were that bad.

“I just want to make sure you’ve properly dressed them.” They looked down at the table. “I’ll leave as soon as I see you’re okay. That’s the only reason I’m here.” Harvey said. They nervously tapped their fingers on the table and then let out a sigh.

“...Alright…” With that, they began to lift their shirt off. He sees them wince slightly as they raise the shirt off their torso. He grimaces as he sees black and yellow bruises adorning their sides and stomach. They had shoddily wrapped a bandage around their middle and upper right arm, dried blood having bloomed to the surface. 

“May I remove the bandage?” He asked. Y/N nodded slightly, looking to the side, embarrassed. Harvey stood and gently began to remove the bandage from their arm. He stopped when they winced, and then proceeded even slower. 

Harvey winced himself when he fully removed the bandage. There was a large burn on their upper arm, it appeared to be an acid burn. Y/N glanced at him and cleared their throat, looking sheepish.

“Yeah… A slime got me when I wasn’t paying attention. Could’ve been worse, my shirt took most of the hit… Bastard ruined a good shirt…” They trailed off. 

“...I see. And you know how to treat burns like this?” He asked, opening his bag. He pulled out a fresh bandage and some petroleum jelly and a sterile cloth. They tapped their fingers nervously on the table.

“...Wrap it…?” Harvey smiled slightly and went to the sink and ran water over the cloth. 

“Yes, but you’re supposed to rinse off the burn first with water to clear any harmful residue. Then you wrap it loosely. You wrapped yours too tight. Wrapping it too tightly could cause it to swell.” He sat back down and began to gently wipe the burn. He frowned, the burn had already begun to swell slightly. 

“...Oh…” Y/N’s face was flushed as they stared at the floor. The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes as Harvey treated the burn, wiping it down and then spreading petroleum jelly on it.

“...You didn’t think to call me?” He asked quietly, wrapping the burn loosely with the fresh bandage. He waited for a response, not fully expecting one.

“...I didn’t want to bother you…” They said softly. Harvey halted at that. He looked at them incredulously.

“You didn’t want to bother me, a doctor, who’s whole job is to treat people?” Their face blazed red.

“I don’t know! It was late, the clinic was already closed! And I… I thought I could deal with it myself…” They trailed off, brows furrowed.

Harvey sighed and finished wrapping the bandage. He began to unwrap the bandage around their middle, taking care to go slow. 

“Y/N, I am your doctor. Even when the clinic is closed, you can always call me and I’ll take care of you. It’s my job, and I’m happy to do it.” He finished unwrapping the bandage and assessed the wound. It was a decently sized gash. He retrieved some rubbing alcohol from his bag and began cleaning it. Y/N was silent.

“...I know I don’t know you very well, but you can come to me for anything. Doesn’t matter if it’s because you’re sick, or if you’re just in need of some company, I’m here for you, alright? My door’s always open.” He paused. “Well, at least til’ 3, then you’ll need to call me so I can let you in.” Y/N chuckled at that, making him smile. He finished cleaning the gash and put some petroleum jelly on it as well, then wrapped it in new bandages. 

“There, good as new!” He said, leaning back. “Your cut on your side was shallow enough to not need stitches. Your burn should heal in a couple weeks, as well as the cut.” He pulled out some pain medicine from his bag and handed the bottle to Y/N. “Take this once every 4 hours for your soreness. It should help.” 

“...Thanks, Harvey. For checking on me and everything.” They said, a soft smile on their face. Harvey returned the smile.

“Of course. What kind of doctor would I be if I let a member of the town go without treatment?” At that, the coffee machine beeped, making the two of them turn their heads.

“Oh, coffee’s done.” Y/N stood and put their shirt back on. They grabbed two mugs from the cabinet. “Are you able to stay for a cup? I know you still have to run the clinic and everything, but it wouldn’t be long if you’d like to stay.” They asked. Harvey mulled it over in his head. He probably should be getting back by now… But Maru was working today, and he left a note behind explaining where he was. Besides, one cup wouldn’t hurt, right?

He smiled. “That sounds lovely.” Y/N returned his smile and poured him and them a cup as he packed away his supplies and set his bag on the ground. They set his mug in front of him and sat down. He picked it up and took a sip, savoring the warmth and roast.

“So…” He said, catching Y/N’s attention. “What’s it like in the mines?” A grin spread across their face, their eyes lighting up.

“Well, it’s pretty awesome! The caves are beautiful! And there’s tons of ores and minerals, oh! And if you like fighting, that’s the place to go!” They kept talking, Harvey listening, taking occasional sips of his coffee.

One mug, turned into two, then three. And eventually the pot was empty, but they both kept sitting there, talking about any and everything. Eventually, Harvey had to bid them goodbye and head back to the clinic. 

As he walked past the bus stop, enjoying the breeze, he thought back to their smile and laughter as they told him about their adventures to the mines. He smiled to himself. He couldn’t wait to see them again.

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Hello hello hellooooo !!! it's been awhile since I last wrote a fic huh?? This is my first time writing a Stardew fic too !! Hope yall liked it !! Ciao !!!

xoxoxoxo

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tagged people:

@dokoni-mo @minnieplier-blog @takashi747 @justsomedirt @kieropal @marvelluvv @0bs1d1ankn1ght @punkghost141

[sserasin]

cw nsfw below the cut, female reader, omorashi, slight humiliation but not really lol

“unnie,” you mewl pathetically, eyes squeezed shut as you turn your face from yunjin. she’s straddling your lower half, putting as much pressure as she could on your bladder with her knee. you swear you’re throbbing, fingers twisting in the sheets as the urge to pee grows and here you are, under yunjin with her knee against your bare lower half. it hurts so bad, but it feels so good. “please…”

you can’t tell if you’re pleading for her to go further or to let you get up. either way, she likes it.

“please what?” she hums, eyes darting away from yours to watch her finger trail down from your collarbones to your ribs to your hip bone, going past your pubic bone, and then pausing there. her finger swipes teasingly over your clit and you let out an embarrassingly loud moan, back arching into her touch before she retreats.

“please …” you whimper, bladder feeling like it’s about to burst, “please let me go to the bathroom.”

“you can go to the bathroom any time you want,” she smiles, finger circling around your nipple lightly.

“no!” you shake your head, “no, no… too embarrassing.”

“you don’t want me to see every side of you?” yunjin pouts, “i do. i’ll love you no matter what, baby.”

you let out a whine, “but i-it’ll be sticky and messy and i-i- just let me up!”

yunjin tuts, “that’s not polite,” she doesn’t give you a warning before she’s spreading your folds, eyes taking in your clenching hole eagerly. “i think you’re not telling me how you really feel. you like this, don’t you?”

“no,” you shake your head, tears falling down your cheeks as a sob racks your chest. “unnie, no…”

“it feels too good,” she coos, “all this pressure doesn’t hurt, does it? you’re getting off on being denied.”

“i don’t like it,” you stubbornly deny, choked sobs leaving your mouth as you feel the added pressure in your core. “now please let me up! i really have to go.”

“you’re so cute,” she ignores your words, “acting like this isn’t getting you off. you like that unnie wants to see every side of you, huh? that unnie loves you so much she accepts every nasty kink of yours,” her voice lowers to a whisper as she keeps her knee pressed down on your clit. with red cheeks, head thrown back, eyes squeezed tight as you try to hold your pee in. you remember every doctor telling you that it’s unhealthy to keep your pee in, but god— does it feel so good. “unnie wants it all— all of you. so give it to me, baby.”

yunjin is quick to move further down on your body as she senses you finally giving in, body tensing and untensing as a stream of pee gushes out of you, and all over her awaiting opened mouth. she gasps in delight, shocked that you actually did it. when her eyes open, your hands are covering your face as your legs cover your body.

yunjin takes your hands away from your face, and you let out a choked moan when you see your release all over the bottom half of her face. she grins, “you made a mess all over unnie, baby. won’t you clean it up?”

[cozymoko]

plz make a part two of your Yandere Diabolik lovers x sister reader were yui discovers reader

THE SECRET SAKAMAKI pt. 2

Note: Of course, of course!

Btw; I had to stop this at some point before I lost all my sanity. I will update later.

Part one! synopsis: Yui finally meets the only sister of the Sakamaki family who has been hidden away by her brothers. This but part two.

Format: Scenario; 3rd person and 1st person (some)

Word Count: ???

WARNING(S): slight platonic yandere themes.

Want more Diabolik lovers? → Masterlist! ★

Please proceed below the cut.

CREAAKKK—!

An unpleasant sound tore through the air, loud and haste. “Oh, it seems they’ve returned,” [Name] sighs, slowly rising to her feet. “Come now, there’s no need to keep them waiting, is there?” Her words came off as more of a demand than an inquiry. Even so, it was not Yui’s place to refuse her.

The walk was short, but to Yui, it felt much longer. She struggled to keep up with the strong strides of the woman in front of her, as they were brisk and confident. Despite just barely looming over her (and her rococo dress), Yui had nearly slipped countless times. Oh, how embarrassing!

[Name] paid no mind to the trembling girl at her side, nor the thin layer of sweat sandwiched between their palms (thanks Yui). Her sleek pumps served as the perfect distraction for the eerie silence that fell between the two of them, and so did the audience so joyfully awaiting their arrival. Well, Yui's arrival.

A loud huff escaped the woman’s lips, for they had finally reached the end of the hallway. Excitement surged through the vampire’s veins like an unhinged drug, slowly eating away at her polite front. And with one swift motion, her palms collided with one another, their sound commanding the attention of the brothers.

“Boys, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” She smiled.

Their reactions were rather strange, to say the least.

That's if they had one.

For what felt like the first time in history the boys were silent, like mice. Various of emotions were brewing amongst them, yet very few of them made it to their faces. Once growing bored of the silence, Laito let out a low whistle before shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Well this is definitely a surprise. Who would've thought the two of you would meet this soon~?”

“What is the meaning of this?” Reiji pushed Laito aside with a dismissive hand, gazing intently between the two girls before him. His lean arms tightly crossed along the front of his chest, waiting expectedly for a response.

Despite being at the mercy of the second eldest, Yui could not help but allow her mind to foolishly drift to the conversation she shared much earlier with the beautiful woman. [Name] Sakamaki, the one who'd seem to hold all the truths of this wretched place...

⠀⠀⠀⠀“Why do you continue to waste your time with them, with Shu?” Reiji had often asked me in our youth. Though we’re all related under that man, solely Reji, Shu, and I shared the same mother. Thus, we were arguably the closest.

⠀⠀⠀⠀As a child, Shu cared very little about being the heir, that much we knew. But my mother, Beatrice, wasn’t very pleased. The thought of the three of us not surpassing the others pained her greatly, and I often suffered for Shu’s defiance. I suppose Reiji took note of that.

⠀⠀⠀⠀That day, he took my hands in his own. “If you stick by me we can surpass them all,” He lamented, tucking a loose strand of hair away from my eyes. At that time, that was the most passionate I’d seen him. “We will no longer be overlooked, we can be together. Shu Won’t you join me?”

⠀⠀⠀⠀The offer was tempting, but my answer remained “No,” in the end. I knew, his motivates had very little virtue. Seeking validation at the demise of out own flesh and blood.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Reiji’s proposal was driven by resentment and envy. That I could not condone.

The clearing of Reiji's throat brought the girl back to reality. From the looks of it, his patience had been wearing incredibly thin. Poor girl, thinking everyone will help her in life. With a woman so well-spoken at her side she must've expected her to take the lead. How foolish!

Glancing to her side, Yui's eyes widened; frightened and in utter bewilderment. The woman she had met merely hours ago was watching her, also waiting for the mortal's response. She alone could get away with being silent, but Yui could not.

Angst had begun to well up in her stomach in the form of warm bile. Her lips drew into a taut line, swallowing her anxiousness as well as she could. Even so, that was not enough. Sensing its arrival, the girls was quick to place a hand over her mouth. Further and further it crawled; closer and closer it drew.

But of course, someone came to her ‘rescue’.

“I'm also curious~!” Laito chimed, that same sing-song playfulness was laced in his tone. Yet there was some malice lying deep beneath it. “You just had to go and stick your nose in other peoples’ business didn’t ya, little bitch? I warned you already; what a shame~!”

His eyes flashed a quick tint of red, narrowing ever so slightly. Laito circled the girl, who's expression mimicked that of a caged mammal. It was a laughable sight, her anguish and fear. And to some, Laito's disdain may have been far more entertaining. However, [Name] knew better than to let this go on for much longer.

In one swift motion, [Name] had swept the mortal to her side, successfully out of her brother’s grasp. In her eyes, it was just an accident waiting to happen. That look in his eyes was one she'd been well acquainted with from a young age.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Now Laito is an interesting one. He wasn’t unbearable, that I can admit. There was just a bit of clinginess and I suppose he was a bit selfish at times. Nonethenless, I loved spending my time with him, there was never a dull moment.

⠀⠀⠀⠀That was in the beginning.

⠀⠀⠀⠀As we were approaching our “teenage years”, his behavior had become rather bizarre. All my friends at the time, male or female, had begun to disappear: one by one. I remember running home and sobbing to my brothers, asking what was wrong with me. What had I done wrong? That boy is surely Cordelia’s son, for they manipulate all the same.

⠀⠀⠀⠀“It’s okay, [Name], don't cry!”  Laito had been quick to comfort me, rubbing comforting circles into my back. “I hate to see you like this but it's your fault.” He scolded me very often.

⠀⠀⠀⠀“The world is filled with ugly people who want to take you from those who love and care about you as I do. Now, come with big brother. Let's get you cleaned up, you’ve stained your new dress~!”

⠀⠀⠀⠀It was evident, my naivety at the time. My mother had regarded me as a fool for lacking better judgment for the words of others. Looking back on it, I suppose that witch was right about something. Laito had successfully filled my head with lies, leading my dependency to increase tenfold.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Hah, what a bastard. Yet I cannot bring myself to hate him despite his actions. Perhaps it's due to his upbringing? The abuse he went through in comparison to mine? Hm, what do you think Yui?

A sharp pain shot through the hip of the mortal girl, the connection of another one, pulling her from her thoughts once more. “No need to punish this one, I quite like her.” [Name] cooed, rubbing her cheek against Yui’s. “It’s been so long since I've last talked to a girl my age. Can’t you just let me enjoy this opportunity?”

Though your question came off as more of a statement, it had somehow managed to detear him. You in no way needed their approval to do as you pleased, but seeing as the sacrificial bride already knows of your existence, what's the harm in roaming around a bit?

Reiji’s face contorted in pure disgust, “Absolutely not—”

“Hah- Pancake? Why her?” The redhead threw his arms up in exasperation, he was baffled rightfully so. “Man, and here I thought Kanato would be the most annoying bastard I’d have to deal with.”

Reiji didn't look pleased in the slightest at the interruption, as hypocritical as it is. Yet he kept his lips sealed. His mood had visibly soured, and by the looks of it he's not the only one.

⠀⠀⠀⠀I swore those two would’ve killed one another if not for my interference. They absolutely loathed the idea of sharing me, let alone my time. Somehow that had not been Ayato’s biggest issue. I’m sure you’re surprised.

⠀⠀⠀⠀No matter what we did or the few events Father took us to, Ayato always had to be the best. Initially, I thought it’d be for Cordelia’s approval but I couldn’t be more incorrect. He wanted me to see him, see the success he displayed.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Regardless, of how much I congratulated him, he wanted more. His stunts became more extreme. His motives were no longer crystal clear. There were times I found him antagonizing his brothers in hopes that I would scold him.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Thankfully, he managed to even out over the years. Even if it was only a little bit. Ayato is still competing with our brothers, mainly Kanato, but old habits die hard. Especially for people like Ayato.

"Sister!" He wailed, glaring at Ayato through misty, dewy eyes. "Are you going to let him speak to me like that?"

Streams of tears began to descend down his fair skin. If not for the bags beneath his eyes, one could say he looked like a doll. With his free hand he pointed accusingly at the older triplet, using his other arm to clutch the teddy bear closely to his chest.

“Fight your own damn battles for once!” Ayato scowled. “You're always running and bitching to her about the dumbest shit."

⠀⠀⠀⠀Kanato, my dear older brother Kanato.

⠀⠀⠀⠀His clinginess never ceased to amaze me. Despite Kanato being older than me by at least three years, it often felt like I was his older sister, comforting and consoling him as his pitiful mother had failed to do.

⠀⠀⠀⠀If anyone were to hog my attention the most, it'd be him. We met when I was four, and at first he didn't really like me because “Babies are loud and gross!” But he changed his mind in the future, clearly.

⠀⠀⠀⠀The way he used to scream and shout when I spent time with the others was hilarious. Sometimes, I even detour bad for laughing at him.

⠀⠀⠀⠀“Uu...You love Ayato more, don't you?” He sobbed, gripping the hem of my frilled, violet dress. “Thats why you're leaving, you're going to play with him!”

“Shut the hell up, all of you!"

⠀⠀⠀⠀I cannot count the times I spent feeding his clinginess, enabling him. I never truly became close with Ayato until a year later because of it. It's a shame, truly. And honestly, he's no better now as I'm sure you already know.

Here we go again. [Name] sighed internally.

There, hiding in the shadows, stood Subaru Sakamaki. His arms were crossed securely along his chest, whilst his cherry red hues narrowed in discontent. His lips were pulled into a taut line, just barely exposing his fangs.

“You're the loudest one!” Kanato cried out, sending a glare of his own to the distant male. His nails began to dig in his skin just enough to leave little crescents in its place.

"Eh—?" Subaru pushed himself off the wall, pale fingers coiling into tight fists. “What the hell are you on about? Tch, you're a fuc—"

Admist the chaos, his frantic faze hadlanded on [Name], lingering just bit. The shock on his face was evident, as though his heart had dropped at the sight. Almost immediately, the corner of his mouth dips into a deep frown, shame slowly flooding his being.

He averted his gaze, finding his sheen coating of his boots to be rather interesting. Nonetheless, he could not dare to meet the eyes of his beloved sister, the ones burning and simmering through him like a heated torch.

This was a sight, [Name] hadn't seen from the young Sakamaki more than two times, counting. Seeing how they often visited one at a time, on their own accord, there was no true reason to do such. Yet, there went this perfect facade he tried so desperately to hold together; crumbling into thousands of pieces, collapsing at the feet of his beloved sister. The one he'd give the world to.

⠀⠀⠀⠀And Subaru, I couldn’t help but coddle him. He’s the only one younger than me, and the only child of Christa at that. I thought I could perhaps be the older sibling he needed.

⠀⠀⠀⠀“Why do you have to leave?” Short, fragile arms had made a home around my waist. Despite his lack of muscle, his grip was almost bone-crushing. “Can't we just stay together?”

⠀⠀⠀⠀Times were tough, my family which had once felt whole was gradually being torn apart like an old, tattered piece of cloth. I’d spent most of my days with Subaru, he was the youngest so I thought he might need extra support. And I couldn’t help but coddle him. Unfortunately, that caused him to grow a bit too dependent on me.

“Fufu, Subaru, it's so nice of you to finally join us~!” Laito breathes out sarcastically, resting his chin in the palm of his hand.

⠀⠀⠀⠀He’d always do this when it was time for me to return to my mother, frankly, it broke my heart each time.

“No, it's really not,” Kanato frowned. “leave already.”

“That's the only thing I'll agree with him on.” Ayato cackled, hoisting himself onto the back of the vacant loveseat. “Why do you always have to be so damn loud? I'm the star of the show; Yours Truly.”

“Shut the hell up already! No one calls you that!” Subaru snarls, picking up a nearby vase. Poor thing.

“Can't you all just be mature for once?” Reiji sighs, and yet it doesn't take away from the vein in his neck practically threatening to burst.

“Heh, I should've known you wouldn't listen,” The champagne-haired man chuckled humorlessly. “Troublesome woman.”

The blonde blinked rapidly, as though surprised at the idea of her being addressed. Knowing the closeness of the two, she didn't think it would happen. Instinctively, she gripped the ends of her brown shorts, nervous and without an answer.

Shu merely chuckled, drawing his attention to the woman kneeling by his side. His youngest sister; his only sister.

“Yui,” [Name] called, reaching out to gently grab her hand. “Do you remember what I told you earlier?”

“U-um...huh?”

Yui hadn't noticed it before, despite the stories she'd listened to from the kind woman. But the two of them shared some uncanny resemblance. In face shape and hues alike. Both were gifted the same soft blue eyes, cold yet vivid in color; mimicking the tranquil waters freezing over in an unforgiving winter.

⠀⠀⠀⠀“Mother look! We all have the same eyes!” Shu shouted, shifting on the balls of his feet in sheer excitement.

⠀⠀Upon my birth, Shu had never been happier. This was before he became so cold, so it wasn't that far fetched at the time. I remember mother shushing him for being too loud around me when I was a baby. But that didn't seem to stop him.

⠀⠀⠀⠀“It feels nice to look like someone for once,” He mumurs, lightly poking the plush flesh of your stomach. A soft smile overtook his lips as your giggled at his antics. “Well, besides mom, but she doesn't count!”

⠀⠀⠀⠀Our mother always said we looked like twins, hah, at least a little. Our eyes were the same, and our face shapes were too. The first and the sixth born being so alike was truly an anomaly to us all, but I suppose that's what makes it amusing.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Surprisingly enough, my hair was a similar to his when I was younger too. Though it wasn't that noticeable, in my mind. Faint, platinum strands littered among the rest of my hair. Everything else, was all my own. That's all I had to my name in comparison to Shu.

“So noisy,” Shu moved to place his other earbud in, allowing his pale lashes to flutter over his cold eyes. He released the hand of his younger sister, finally giving her the ability to move once more.

⠀⠀⠀⠀“I'll protect you, forever, [Name].” Shu grins, craddling you in his small arms. “I won't let them hurt you like they tried to hurt me. We can be happy; you'll be happy. I promise.”

[Name] shrugged at his laziness. It was nothing new. Leaning over, she poked at his cheeks, digging into the softness hidden deep within them. “Stop.”

“Hah, no way!”

Yui could not help but admire the scene before her; it was warm and sweet. Bickering amongst the six was not a rare occurrence, yet something about this seemed different. (Even if Subaru threw a vase at Ayato) The air around them felt light and clear, the boy’s faces looked to be much younger and youthful. Almost as though she was peering into their past.

Sighing, [Name] raised to her feet, placing her hand upon the curve of her hip. Her cheeks were lightly puffed out, upset, after Shu had swatted her hand away. “Ahem,” She cleared her throat.

Silence.

“Now, you all know how much I hate seeing you fight.” She started, slowly approaching Yui (standing by the door). “Without me.”

“W-what?!” Yui cried out.

“I want to be involved too! It's been so long since we've all been in the same room.” [Name] smiled mischievously, running her manicured nails along Yui's slim arm. “So, let's have some fun.”

⠀⠀⠀⠀I know what you might be wondering. Why did they keep me in this room? If they love me so much then why did they act the way they did? The answer is simple really, it wasn’t their choice (entirely).

“Catch us if you can!” She shouted, making a beeline down the long, dark hallway. “C'mon Yui!”

⠀⠀⠀⠀Despite being the only one to comfort them when they were down, hug and nurture them with genuine worry - love. Ever since my father proposed the idea of a sacrificial bride, I was tucked away. He feared I would influence them far too much and they wouldn’t be able to rise to their ‘fullest potential’. 

⠀⠀⠀⠀Realistically speaking, they just had to come to terms with that.

“Yui,” [Name] says, gently clasping the mortal’s hand once more. A small smile tugged at her painted lips. “Don't think you're safe because of my arrival. You'll surely be feeling the affects later on.”

“W-what?!”

[Name] merely giggled, loud and filled with glee; ignoring the question of her mortal friend. “Run, quickly, before they catch up!” Kicking off her troublesome heels, the woman dragged her down the hall. Their hands locked tightly in one another, and their smiles sewn onto their faces.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀THE END!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀—いつも、いつまでも♡

[seranextdoor]

TIPSY ~ LEON S. KENNEDY

Summary: Fucking a bartender in the back seat of his car was the last thing Leon had in mind after successfully retrieving Ashley back to safety.

Word count: 4.495k / Warning: Mild dubcon because Leon is tipsy. Anything is just pure filth.

Pairing: Post Re4 Remake! Leon S. Kennedy X Fem! Bartender! Reader.

Author note: got horny and accidentally vomit out 4k words of leon fucking you. sorry, it's just the girl tendencies in me. read the tags to know what to expect!!! 🤍

mature contents below the cut. mdni.

Leon needed some sort of a quick stress reliever.

His knuckles gradually turned white as he tightly gripped his steering wheel. His chin leaning on his other hand, the faint buzzing noise from the radio accompanied by his soft breathing was the only company he had. Leon had debated with himself, a part of him missed his bed like crazy, all he wanted to do was bury his body between the soft cushions and dozed off into a long, serene slumber. But a part of him itches for something. He needed a drink, anything to get that surge of dopamine in his body. Need the familiar bile taste to settle in his mouth as he chugs it down his throat, letting it burn his chest.

Leon Scott Kennedy needs some alcohol in his system. Desperately.

Running his gloved fingers thru his damp hair, Leon let out a soft chuckle upon seeing a bar from afar, almost as if his desperate plea was answered by God himself. Its neon sign flashing OPEN 24/7 in bright red LED lights, he could see a few drunkards already passing out on the sidewalk, holding onto their beer bottles before he parked his car around the corner. Putting his car keys in his pocket, Leon budged open the door of the bar, greeted by the sound of the bell atop the door chimes. The heavy scent of tobacco, hard liquor and sweat was evident as it clings to the air— not to mention the odour of sex grows stronger and pungent as he goes even deeper into the crowds to reach the counter.

Leon finds himself a seat on one of the stools, an exasperated sigh leaving his lips before the feeling of someone standing over him crept onto him. He lifted his face, sparing a small, tired smile at you as you returned with a polite one.

‘Cute,’ He thought.

“You look tired, want me to fix you up with something?” You raised your voice a little, making sure he can hear you amid the blasting music as you leaned closer to him, Leon got a slight whiff of your refreshing, floral perfume. It was pleasant, a stark contrast from the stench that the bar seemed to be festering with. You were pretty, clad in a black blouse with your sleeves rolled to your elbow, a beige apron wrapping around your waist as you pressed your hands on the counter with a bright smile on your face.

“Just a shot of Vodka, please,” Leon replied, his eyes remaining trained on your face. You give his request a firm nod, turning your back to Leon as he watches you step on a stool before reaching for the bottle of Vodka on the top shelf.

“Need some help there?” Leon teased, a soft chuckle emitted from him as you rolled your eyes teasingly. “Thanks, but no thanks.” You replied to him, getting off the stool before you turned to face him again.

Putting the shot glass in front of him before you pour the Vodka in, making sure not to overflow the shot glass. “Thank you, pretty girl.” He whispered, his voice dropping an octave lower before you flash him a grin, your cheeks heating up before you remain your composure.

“Anytime, handsome.”

Sure, you’ve been flirted by your customers before. Mostly by married older men who're too drunk to even form a proper sentence, easing you into coming back home with them and they’ll show you a great time. You wouldn’t be too phased with it, assuming it was just the liquor talking— but this? This was different.

Somehow hearing this attractive man you have never seen before calling you a pretty girl sent heat coursing up your cheeks. Maybe it’s his looks or his voice, or the fact that you hadn’t been able to fuck for weeks since you were too busy with bartending and college classes hence you being fairly sexually frustrated but you paid extra attention to him.

Not that he’s complaining, Leon’s not the type to turn a lady’s attention away from him.

“You’re new here?” You strike up a conversation with him which is something you would normally avoid to do so. Leon smirked at you, chugging down the Vodka shot in one go before he let out a sharp breath. His eyes met back to yours before he cocked his head to the side, “Yeah, just wanted to find somewhere to rest, past weeks have been crazy.” He replied, his eyes shifted to the empty shot. “I might be here for a while, mind keeping a tab for me?” Leon poured himself another shot, his finger grazing around the rim of the shot glass before looking up into your eyes.

“Aren’t you too young to be bartending?"

“What are you a cop or something?” You raised your eyebrow with a teasing smile on your lips, jotting down his tab before pushing it to the side. A chuckle left his lips before Leon speaks again, “Eh, kind of. So how old are you?"

“21. No breaking laws here, officer.” Slightly raising both of your hands in the air jokingly, Leon grinned at your antics, chugging his second shot of Vodka.

“No worries, pretty girl. But why here, though? Why work in a bar?”

“It pays me well plus I needed some quick cash. My dad isn’t too keen on giving me some money so here I am.” You said, pouring him his third shot of Vodka as he smiled at you.

“How come?”

“Let’s just say he's not the nicest.” You shrugged, watching as his adam apple's bobs every time he chugged the Vodka shot down his throat. His pale cheeks already began to redden up a little, adoring his porcelain skin with a pink tint. Leon extended his hand to you and you happily accepted it, giving him a firm handshake before you exchanged introductions with each other.

“Leon Kennedy. And you are?”

“[Y/N] [L/N].”

The two of you converse for hours, pouring him shot after shot and with every shot he takes, Leon would flirt with you. He’s still pretty sober despite the high intake of Vodka shots, he seems pretty calm in his seat— occasionally winking at you when you’re serving other customers and throwing cheesy pick-up lines between the conversation.

Leon can’t lie but finds himself attracted to you, ordering more and more drinks in hopes of keeping your attention on him. He loves the way you blushed at the slightest contact of his hands or the way you would look at him back with a twinge of desire circling behind those eyes of yours. Fuck, you’re too hot for him to be this tipsy.

Once in a while when you were talking, his eyes would shift down to your lips, cock straining against his pants as you licked your lips and looked up to him with that evident obliviousness plastered all over your pretty face to his impure thoughts.

“Your total is 200 dollars. Cash or card?” You smiled at him, handing him the tab you had for him with a card reader in your other hand. Leon ran his card swiftly on the card reader before he put them back into his wallet and stuffed them back into his pocket. Shifting your eyes to the clock, a hint of disappointment could be seen on your face before you quickly muster a small smile for Leon.

“It’s already twelve? Well, it’s been nice talking to you, Leon." Untying the beige apron around your waist, you placed it on the lower counter. Leon was quick to wrap his fingers around your wrist to stop you in your tracks.

“I can give you a ride back home if you want.”

You can definitely say this was a different type of a ride back home.

“Your lips taste so fucking sweet."

Straddling his hips with your thighs wrapped around his waist at the backseat, Leon has his arm around your waist. His other hand cupped the right side of your face, circling his thumb on your cheek as you intertwined your lips with him. His tongue goes past your slick lips as his hand guides your head to tilt a little to deepen the heated kiss. Leon breaks away from the kiss, leaning his head back on the car seat as you look at him with a dazed smile.

“Shit, this is insane.” He muttered, his fingers running thru his dirty blonde hair. “What’s so insane about this?” You softly replied, your lips finding their way back to him as he happily reciprocated, kissing you back with his tongue swirling with yours. His hand on your cheek moved to the back of your head, keeping your lips locked with his as you moaned into the kiss. Pulling away from the kiss for air, Leon strokes your hair as he runs his fingers thru your locks.

“Never really made out with a girl prior after knowing her for a couple of hours." Leon chuckled, his head slightly tilted as he looked back into your eyes with a half-lidded stare. He can feel the heat radiating from your cunt and God knows how much of the effect you had on him. “Well, I don’t usually accept a ride back home from a stranger but here we are.”

“It’s a first for the two of us then.” He grinned, a devilish smirk playing on his lips before his hand removed his hand from the back of your head. Unwrapping his arm around your waist, Leon moved both of his hands and settled them on your hips. His thumb makes a circular motion on the surface of your stomach as hummed with satisfaction. “You can do more than that, can you, officer?"

Right. You don't even know what he actually works as. That’s how little you two know of each other and yet his bodies and yours slotted perfectly like two pieces of puzzles. As if the two of you had known each other forever. Leon preferred the anonymity between the two of them.

“You’re going to make me lose control if you keep calling me that," Leon chuckled, the sound of his husky voice ringing in your ears. You noticed how your lipgloss was all over his lips, the beautiful pink sheen smeared on his lips down to his chin. “What should I call you then? Daddy?”

Leon let out a groan, his smile widening at the way your voice sounded when you rolled the word daddy off the tip of your tongue smoothly— you’re can’t be teasing him when he’s this horny and tipsy. He can't even think properly, too fixated on the positions he can put you in at the back seat of his car, clouding his mind with endless indecent imagination. He swallowed thickly, looking back at your eyes as you bit your lower lip back at him and flashed him a playful smile. “Say it again.”

“Daddy.” You breathed out, eyes shooting wide when his fingers brushed against your collarbone as he pried your blouse open, sending the buttons of your blouse to fly everywhere. Your body tensed up from the sudden action, his warm breath hitting against your skin as he kissed your collarbone and stopped between your chest. “Yeah, call me that.”

“Gladly.” Pulling away from your chest, he leaned in closer to your face, pulling your face into his as he smashed his lips on yours— engaging you into a messy, sloppy kiss. His tongue forcefully parted your pursed lips, exploring every corner of your mouth as you let out a pathetic whine when he pulled away. “God, you’re so needy. My needy little girl,” You can feel the ache between your thighs building up when he called you a little girl. Your cunt throbbed against the thin fabric of your cotton panties as he slipped his hand down your pencil skirt, his index finger teasing the pulsing little clit thru the fabric of your panties in a circular motion as he softly chuckled when you began to squirm in his grasp.

“You're already so wet. You’re excited for daddy to fuck you stupid?” He whispered into your ear, shooting shivers down your spine as you nodded at his question. “Let me hear your voice, pretty girl.” Leon landed a firm spank on your ass, sending your back straight as your fingers cling to his black T-Shirt. “I-I am excited...”

“There's my good girl. Open your mouth for me.” You obeyed him, parting your lips before he stuck the same index and middle finger he teased your clit earlier. “Get it nice and wet for your pussy, baby.” Leon smiled, occasionally letting out a grunt as the warmth of your mouth and your hot tongue wrapped around his digits.

All Leon could do is wish it was his cock you were sucking, taking every inch of his shaft down your throat. He wanted to see the outline of his cock on your throat, fucking your mouth while his balls slapped against your chin as he leaves you breathless. But for now, he’d settle with fingering your pretty pussy open.

“You’re so cute sucking my fingers like that,” He breathed out, pulling his fingers out from your mouth as it let out a small pop. “Thank you, daddy.” You shyly muttered, cheeks heating up upon feeling his cock twitching in his pants and grazing against your clothed sex.

“Spread your legs up a little for daddy, baby.” Your knees dug into the cushion of his car seat as you leaned your body on his front seat. His hands helped you roll your skirt up to your pelvis. Your fingers reach down to push your panties aside, spreading the lips apart as his breath hitches. Leon mumbled a curse, his pants getting tighter and tighter by each time as he salivates over the sight of your sopping cunt.

“All this pretty pussy just for me?” You nodded at his question in which he slipped back his hand between your thighs. Leon removed the gloves from his hands before throwing them to the front seat.

“S’all for you,” Your words were slurred from fixating on the ache between your legs so much. He grinned upon hearing your answer, inserting two digits past the tight muscles as your body shuddered in pleasure. His thumb makes its way to your clit, rubbing them at a slow pace and in a circular motion. Arching your body into his touch, Leon let out a chuckle— his other hand pushing your bra up your breast before the rough surface of his palm quickly fondled your tits.

“F-Fuck... Just like that...” You moaned out, throwing your head back from pure ecstasy as his hand massaged your tit while his fingers were pumping in and out of your pussy. Apart from the sound of your wanton moans, the squelches of your cunt sucking in his fingers and the low buzz coming from the radio filled the limited space of his car. “You like that? You like getting fingered by a stranger? God, I bet you did this to all of your customers, don’t you?”

You should’ve found that disrespectful, should’ve snapped back at him for thinking that way but somehow it made you wetter. His voice was soothing and had the right amount of hoarseness that you can’t help but get off from him shaming you. Either way, you shook your head in the heat of your bliss, looking back at him with misty eyes. “No, just you, Leon... You’re the only one that I-I let you do this...”

“Good. That's what I wanted to hear from you.” He smiled before he picked up the pace of his fingers, rubbing your clit in a rougher and sloppier manner. Lips parting slightly, you gasped for air, seemingly taken aback by the sudden change of pace as your nails dug deep into his shoulder blades, gripping him tightly with the familiar knot in your lower stomach threatened to break. He loves the feeling of your spongy walls wrapped around his digits, pulsing and sucking his fingers deeper and deeper until his fingers brushed against your sweet spot.

“Oh, you love that, don’t you? Filthy whore.” The name-calling made your pussy clings onto his digits tighter as a sly smirk painted all over his lips. “Such a slut for getting off to me calling you a filthy whore, huh?” You weakly nodded, feeling yourself nearer to your limit as a whine left your lips when his fingers were pumping deep inside of you, abusing your sweet spot to its limits. Your teeth bite back your lower lip when he spits on your clit, smearing his saliva all over the bundle of nerves with his thumb.

“You’re so fucking hot, I can’t wait to have you crying on my cock.” He said in a whisper, making sure you heard him despite the overwhelming pleasure you were feeling at the moment. “L-Leon, I'm... Fuck!... C-Cummin’” You cried, not caring if anyone that walked past his car would notice how your bare body is played by Leon like a piece of instrument. God, being seen nude by people now was the least concern you had, the only thing you could think about now is finishing on his fingers.

But what’s the fun in letting his little girl have everything her way?

“No, no, I’m not letting you cum, yet.” Leon pulled out his fingers out of your sensitive cunt, wrapping his tongue around his digits as he cleaned your juices off his pruney fingers. You pouted at his words, a frustrated sigh left your lips as you leaned your head on the window. “Why not?” You asked with your eyebrows furrowed into a small frown, it was clear you weren’t happy with him suddenly edging you. His eyes on you softened before he wrapped his arms around your body, his lips pressed on your bruised lips before he gave it a little lick.

“You don’t want to cum all over daddy’s dick?” Leon asked, once again, his thumb rubbing the bone of your hip in a circular motion. His eyes looked back at yours as he put his finger under your chin, lifting your face up to make you look up at him.

“It's going to feel nicer, princess. Don't you want that?”

He was right. God, why does he always know what to say to you? He arranged words in a way that weakened your knees and sent the same aching mess rushing back between your legs.

“I do, I do want it...” You weakly replied to him. Leon doesn't think you know how pretty you are now, looking up at him with those dew eyes, the clear desperation painted across your face and the way you already began to rub your thighs together. Getting you off his lap, he opened the right door of his car. You couldn’t help but stared at his erection, straining against his black jeans as Leon unbuckled his brown, leather belt. “Come here, princess.” He gestured for you to be closer as you listened to him, inching closer to him as the cold air from the outside hits your skin. His hand reached down to tease your hardened nipples, letting a glob of his spit fall down to your chest as he lathered your nipples with his saliva and pre cum using the tip of his cock.

“It's cold, isn’t it? Don’t worry, I’d heat you up just in a sec. Ass up, face down, pretty girl.” You nodded, turning your back to him before bringing your hips higher as the leather of his car seat sticks to the sweat on your face. His cold fingers removed your panties, letting them hang just above your knees as his eyes stared at your dripping cunt with hungry eyes. A small gasp emits out of you when he tapped his cock on your slit several times, teasing your swollen clit with the head of his dick as you bite your lips back.

“Keep quiet, okay? I need you to take every inch of me like a good girl. Just let me know if it hurts.” A grunt left his lips when he pushed the tip past your lips, his other hand holding onto the doorframe of his car while the other settled around your waist. Leon wanted nothing but to push his cock and filled every corner of your tight cunt but he controlled himself from doing so. After all, the last thing he wanted to do is to hurt you after how sweet you are for him this whole night. “The head’s in... I’m going to start pushing more and more, okay?”

“O-Okay...” You whine, breathing heavily as your chest heaves up and down in an erratic pattern.

“Fuck, [Y/N], you need to stop sounding like that before...” Leon cut himself short, by now he was already halfway in you, the feeling of your velvet walls throbbing around his cock made his mouth dry before a shaky breath left his lips. A low whimper guttered out of his throat as you trembled under him, allowing him to bury his cock deeper and deeper into your pussy until your ass met his pelvis. “Feel that, princess?”

You moaned out a high-pitched yes to his question, throwing a glance at him over your shoulder as you looked at him through blurry vision. Salty tears clinging to your lashes with your bruised lips parted slightly, your eyes looking back at him with nothing but sheer desire. Leon spared you a smirk, pushing back his hair from his face before his hand landed yet another spank on your ass— seemingly turned on by the way you yelped and squeezed around him.

“Keep your eyes on me while I fucked you like the filthy whore you are.”

Leon begins to rock his hips at a slow pace, making sure you’re still adjusting to his size, his eyes shifting back and forth from your face to the way your cunt wraps snugly around his cock. Leaning closer to you until his chest pressed against your back, Leon planted a kiss on your earlobe. “You’re making me drunk from how good your pussy is, baby.” He said, kissing down the nape of your neck before he stood up back straight and began to move his hips faster.

This might just be the relief Leon needed after all of the fighting he had to endure.

“Hey, no looking away.” Every so often, he’d spanked you for not looking him in the eyes. He needs to see every contortion of expression on your face while you locked eyes with him. Leon knows you struggled to keep your eyes open, losing yourself in the pleasure as his throbbing cock goes in and out of you at a steady pace. And Leon loves it. He loves making sure your eyes are still on him, whether by spanking your already sore rear or suddenly thrusting deep inside of you to hear the small little scream you make when you’re surprised.

“Sorry, daddy.” And every time he does that, you never fail to apologize to him between your choked sobs and broken moans. It was endearing to watch, seeing you try your best to not disappoint him while he’s fucking your pussy raw in the back seat of his car. The shape of his fingers is already bruising into the skin of your flesh, the mixture of both pain and pleasure sending you over the edge as you curl your toes every time the tip of his cock grazes against your cervix. The prominent vein on the side of his cock rubbed against your walls with every thrust, fishing muffled moans out of you.

“Touch your clit for me, baby.” You’re so pathetic like this, being fucked in the backseat of a guy you just knew a few hours ago. But you knew what would happen the second you agreed to a ride back home from him. Not that you regretted it, being dicked down by Leon has been nothing but heaven for you. Obeying to his order, your hand travelled down between your thighs, putting your index finger on your swollen clit before easing it in a circular motion. “Good girl.” He growled, picking up the pace of his thrusts before he stopped in his tracks. Sweat hanging at the tip of his hair as he looked down to the ground, the pleasure was too much for him.

He can just cum any second now if he moves. Taking notice of his sudden pause, you grind your cunt into his dick, pushing him back into the warmth of your pussy as his eyes shoot wide. “F-Fuck, baby, you can’t…” He stuttered, the feeling of your tight cunt pulsing around his cock and the way your ass bouncing on him was too much for him to handled. Gritting his teeth, Leon pushed your head back down onto the leather seat, his other hand keeping a firm grip around your hips as he started to snap his hips at a rougher pace.

“Fucking slut, can’t even give daddy a rest.” He cursed under his breath, his cock ramming into your pussy deeper as if he were moulding the shape of his dick into your sweet cunt. Every last of self-control left his body the second you started bouncing on his cock. Leon couldn’t care less at the fact that you had already cummed on his cock once or how he rendered you into nothing but a crying mess— all he cared about is the high he was chasing.

Leon needed that sweet release. He needed to cum deep inside of your pussy despite having no rubber on. “I'm going to cum inside, baby, fuck, fuck, fuck….” You probably can’t hear it but Leon finds it adorable how you’re nodding your head to whatever he said. Throwing his head in pure bliss, Leon finally comes undone inside of you, shooting sticky webs of his seed deep into your cunt before he stays inside of you for a couple of minutes as he catches his breath. His cum overflows out from your pussy the seconds he pulls out, dripping down between your thighs and dirtying his leather seat with his cum and your juices.

“You're so pretty like this, [Y/N].” He groaned, putting his pants back up. Leon fished out his cell phone from his pocket, pressing the camera icon as he started recording.

“You’re recording…?” You asked, instinctively hiding your face from the camera as he laughed. “Yeah, I wouldn't want to forget a moment like this.” Leon calmly said, his fingers running between the lips as he scooped up his cum and started writing his initials on your lower back. He dragged the white, translucent liquid as he formed the L. S. K. alphabets on your skin.

“Perfect.”

p.s send me any thirsts (dc are welcomed) abt leon pls or carlos or any cod members. thank u ♡ english isn't my first language so if any of the sentences sound weird, just ignore it!!!!! anyway, thank u 4 readin’ this messy pornfic lol

[evvyyypeters-fics]

“You Will Never Break the Chain”

Kai Anderson x gn?reader

Warnings! ANGSTTTTTT, manipulation, cult stuff, Kai Anderson

Reupload of an original fic inspired by the song below (yes it is required to listen while reading, no I will not pay for emotional damage)

“Tell me, what’s your biggest fear?”

His eyes, dark pits that seemed to be endlessly deep, like a well where you can lower the chain and never fill the bucket with water, bore into me. His face was shadowed by the low light hanging over the small round table we were sitting at. His pinky was attached tightly to mine, his large finger encapsulating mine, not letting me go and yet somehow the touch was comforting.

I swallowed the pit of fear deeper into my stomach, my mouth dry as I spoke, my lips feeling slightly more chapped than usual despite having reapplied my chapstick at least 10 times before arriving at Kai’s house for this meeting.

“Truthfully?” I ask, mostly just stalling.

He nods silently, clearly becoming a little impatient by my small deflection of the question.

“I’ve already met my biggest fear.” I answered, my heart fluttering with anxiety as I read his expression as it brightened with a dark amusement and curiosity.

“Tell me more.” He says, a big grin painted his face despite trying to keep a stoic expression. His amusement and excitement were clear to me.

“My biggest fear…” I trail the words slowly, taking the time to swallow a tightness threatening to close my throat and keep the words choked. “...was losing the Kai I knew.” Now his eyes were wider, flashing open. There was a subtle glow to them and I tried to look deeper into them, thinking–hoping I could reach down and see the slightly timid, kind brown-haired Kai Anderson I had known since I was young, the one I had remembered before seeing him on the news with his blue hair and strong political rhetoric, wondering where it all went wrong–and what I might have had to do with it. What I could have done to change it all. But to my dismay, it seemed he was completely gone.

And that’s when the pit got deeper, just like the pit in his eyes.

“You still have me,” He says, an attempt to soothe me. But it only felt cold and frigid, like the porcelain details of dolls in the ‘good days’ morphing into the plastic, simplistic barbies that you see at every store. Mass-produced and cheap.

“I haven’t been lost, I’ve just…become better. More awake.” He says, my stomach churning. I was going to throw up soon, I knew.

“Enlightened.” He added, as if he had the word on the tip of his tongue and the word finally came to the edge of the cliff and toppled over. That’s how I felt the longer I spent time with Kai in this moment. Standing on the edge of a cliff, drunk and teetering over it.

I wanted to shake my head and scream at him, tears threatening to burn my eyes as my throat tightened again. I wanted to shake him and call out for the Kai I once knew to come back out, to remove the shell of a person he’s become from himself and reveal the real Kai I knew—hoped, was still hiding inside of it. But I kept my composure, and just complied. My face flat as I stayed silent. I refused to remove my pinky from his. I wanted to reach further. I would not give up on the Kai I knew.

I think he realized my game as we stared into each other’s eyes intensely for a moment, the only sound was the stagnant basement air like an ambience in our ears.

“You deserve more than that,” He finally chimes, cutting through the silence.

I tried to keep my face from contorting quizzically.

“What do you mean?” I ask, a slight offense to my tone.

“Your boss. He underestimates you, doesn’t he? You deserved that promotion. But strong men always win, they always get the big CEO job. Just like they get the big writing gig.” He says, and that’s when I finally begin to feel the chunks rising in my throat and really have to swallow down. How did he know any of this?

“How do you–” He cuts me off.

“I know everything, Y/N.” He says with a sweet smile, and he brushes my cheek gently with the thumb of his free hand, pushing it back to meet my hair and neatly tucking it behind my ear.

“I’m destined for greatness, just like you.” His words made my head pound from the sickness continuing to stir like a pot of soup in my gut, but the gentleness of his familiar touch made me melt. My heart swelled a bit again, and when I flashed my gaze back into his after breaking away, I swear for a moment I saw a glimpse of the man I once knew in that pit. Like I had almost seen the bottom of the well, a sparkle of the fresh water at the bottom after staring so long and hard.

“That’s why I think we would make a great team. You should join me, I need you. In my campaign.” He says, but I knew this wasn’t a real offer. It was a deal. A demand. But all I could think about were the words ‘I need you’ echoing in my head over, and over, and over again until I was practically hypnotized.

“For old time’s sake,” He smiles, something evil inside of it. But all I could think about was that Kai I knew all those years ago, he needed me then. He needs me now, in more than one way. And if I had to join his campaign effort to see a glimpse of him again like I had before, if I had to help him in his campaign to bring back that version of him, I would do it. Without hesitation.

We give each other a mutual deep stare, an agreement. A pact formed through that singular electrical current of our heartbeats intertwining in our wrapped pinkies.

That day is the one I will always remember as the one when I realized that I can never free myself from the chain attached to me that is Kai Anderson. It was welded to me the moment I met him, and would continue to drag me down into my grave.

Taglist (you can be added or removed at anytime):

@fear-is-truth @xkaisxjazzxsingerx @lemoniiiiiii @jazz-berry @marchsfreakshow @colinzabelswife @dearlizzies @am3ricanh0rrorwh0re @xrag-dollx @lacucarachapisser @alittleobsessedbitch

[shadowdaddies]

Ouu, wb Amren x a reader who speaks a different language and very little Prythian(idk, whatever they speak) and struggles trying to get across what she wants from Amren(in bed) but eventually they work it out and it's all smutty 🤭😏

I love your mind omg

Foreign Tongues

Amren x f!Reader

warnings: laborious faerie political ramblings above the cut, smut below the cut, breath play, slight blood play? (it is Amren, after all), tribbing, oral f!receiving

The moon had risen high in the night sky by the time Rhysand decided to call the meeting to an end. Your eyesight was blurred, vision struggling to stay focused on the heavy texts you’d pored over for the better part of the day. 

You’d been in the Night Court for several days now, working officially on behalf of Vallahan to discuss trade relations, but your king and queen did not know of the spy in their midst. 

When Morrigan had come to Vallahan to seek aid in the war against Hybern, you’d seen both the cruelty of your people towards humans, and your own opportunity to give Prythian the advantage to leverage an agreement that banned slavery from your lands.

The issue laid in your lack of time - you were only given four days in Prythian to devise a plan with the right amount of leverage to achieve both countries’ goals - and the language barrier. Vallahan had spent so long secluded from negotiations with the other territories that the dialect had changed greatly, and you knew little of Prythian’s language as well.

Mor spoke enough of each tongue to work as translator, allowing you to work with her and Rhysand - along with Rhys’s second in command, Amren - in your research and deliberations. 

From the moment Amren had introduced herself, steely silver gaze meeting yours with an unwavering confidence, you desired her. Her low, smooth voice as foreign words rolled off her tongue and the intelligence with which she quickly picked up on your language was as arousing as the glances she would flash in your direction when she thought you weren’t looking, the slight flush of her skin when you would notice.

It was as Rhys nodded to you in farewell, Mor standing to follow him toward the door that you caught one of those looks - but this time, Amren didn’t look away. Instead, her eyes seemed to glow like molten silver, bottom lip tugging between her teeth as her scent of black cherry and merlot grew darker.

It was your skin that grew flush this time, eyes darkening at the silent understanding that passed between the two of you. Looking over your shoulder, you realized that Rhys and Mor had already left, and the air grew thick with tension as Amren stood from her seat across the table, hands spreading on the wooden surface as she leaned closer.

As though a magnetic force were drawing you to her, you matched her movement, mere inches separating your mingled breaths. A delicate finger tucked underneath your chin, dragging slowly up to run over your lower lip as her brow arched in question. 

“Yes?” she asked in your language, eyes searching eagerly for permission, the leash on her restraint growing taut. 

“Yes.”

No sooner had your broken attempt at her language left your lips than she swallowed the sound with her mouth, hand moving to your jaw in a firm grip as she slipped her tongue through your lips. 

A lewd moan escaped you as she caressed the roof of your mouth, your lips sucking on her tongue in response as you pulled away to see her wild expression. “Here,” she murmured, pointing to her side of the table before urging you to crawl over the furniture towards her.

Perching on the edge of the table, your hands found purchase in her silky black hair, legs winding around her trim waist to pull her as close as possible. Soft hands slid up your thighs, squeezing the flesh of your ass as Amren’s head dipped to your neck.

A harsh bite pierced the flesh there, her tongue flicking out against the quickly-healing wound as she sucked hard enough to mark you as her own. Teeth and tongue taunted your skin in a symphony of pain and pleasure as she worked her way further down your body.

Fingers softly trailed from your ass, tracing light patterns up your body to draw sharp nails down your sternum, around your breasts to rest at the top of your pants. Lips left your skin when you tugged on Amren’s hair, her gaze lifting to yours in question once more as she snapped the waistband of the fabric.

You couldn’t have found words of any language in that moment, breath catching in your lungs as your need grew into a frenzy. You granted her a frantic nod, your own hands fumbling with the fabric of her top as you hastily undressed each other.

Eyes roved hungrily over your body for a brief moment before you wrapped your legs around her waist once more, one of your legs dropping to the ground so you could lean against the table’s edge. 

Amren’s lips found yours once more, the kiss tantalizingly slow as your hand dipped to her thigh, hoisting it over your hip to pull her body fully against yours. A high-pitched whine left her lips as you wound your hips against her own, the crack in her smooth facade making you smile.

Her clit rubbed against your own, nails raking down your back while you twisted and thrust against her. You were coated in each others’ slick, sticky warmth making a mess over your bundle of nerves as you chased your high. 

Amren’s small hand wrapped around your throat, squeezing gently as your eyes rolled back at the pleasure. The coil in your stomach began to tighten, legs shaking in attempt to hold yourself upright. 

Just as you felt the pleasure begin to crest, Amren pulled back, hand keeping you in place against the table as her fingers dipped into your folds. Lifting the digits against her lips, pink tongue flicked out, a wicked smirk spreading across her face at your low moan.

She never released her hold that gently pinned you to the wood as she dipped her hand between her own thighs, collecting the slick there before pressing those same fingers to your lips.

You accepted them eagerly, tongue flicking to collect your shared juices, cheeks hollowed as you aimed to suck every last drop. Amren’s chest heaved, lidded eyes shining down at you with approval.

You released her from your mouth with a pop, grin turning wild when she released your bruised neck in favor of tapping the table. 

“Here,” she directed in your language, hand sweeping flatly to indicate for you to lay down on the hard surface. Quickly sliding up onto the furniture, you laid on your back, craning your neck to see her climbing onto the table as well. 

You practically writhed under her, pussy dripping to the surface beneath you as she straddled your face, round ass perched perfectly above your mouth.

Wasting no time, Amren’s hands wrapped around your thighs, pulling them apart as her tongue licked a broad stripe against your clit. Back arching against the wood, your parted lips were soon smothered by her warmth, hole perched atop your nose as her clit nestled between your lips.

You sucked the bud on instinct, hips rolling against her mouth as the two of you pleasured each other. Fingers parted your folds, spit landing on your clit before being spread by those soft hands. 

“Amren,” you moaned, the foreign name pleasant on your tongue when her fingers dipped inside of you, stretching and curling, bringing you to your high incredibly quickly.

Spurred on by her movements, your own tongue flicked and sucked her bud, moving to thrust inside of her as you lapped at her flavor. 

“I- now,” Amren stuttered, the only words she could manage as her legs shook. 

Your name spilling from her mouth as she reached her high sent you spiraling into your own, heart pounding at the intense ecstasy rolling through your body in waves.

Sweaty limbs tangled, Amren twisting around just enough to be face-to-face with you while you caught your breaths. Thumb sweeping softly across your cheek, Amren pressed a chaste kiss to your lips, her own expression shifting into a rare, bright smile.

Biting your lip, you found it impossible to tear your gaze from her, instead finding any excuse for small touches, admiring the planes and curves of her bare body beside yours.

“And now?”

You knew what Amren was truly asking with that question - but you were set to return home tomorrow, back to a land where you were now a traitor. Nothing was sure anymore, no future could be predicted. 

All you knew was what you wanted next, so with a sheepish grin, you interlaced your fingers with hers and pulled her palm to your lips. “Now, your bed?”

Loud laughter rang out, Amren shaking her head with amusement as she muttered something in her language that you couldn’t understand. Collecting your clothes, she reached out her hand to you in invitation. “My bed,” she nodded.

[sapphire-writes]

Sweet Fruit ~ Jace x Snow!Reader

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4

summary: You and Prince Jacaerys cannot stay away from each other, no matter how much you need to.

rating: 18+ (detailed warnings below the cut)

note: specifically for my love @osferthsbussy😘

warnings: p in v, spanking, choking, size k*nk lowkey, slight humiliation, punishment, fem receiving oral, breeding kink

Since the encounter in your chambers, you waited with bated breath for Prince Jacaerys to arrive at your door later that night. You’d taken a hot bath to prepare, lathering yourself in sweet oils and wrapping yourself in your favorite shift. 

You seated yourself in front of the fire, wrapped in furs, and waited. 

And waited.

And waited.

The night grew longer and your candles burned until the wicks were spent, a hole gnawed in your gut at your empty bed. 

You try not to appear too disappointed, though you do not see the Prince for several days after this incident. He has gone with Cregan to hunt, and does not return for nearly a week’s time. Even then, he avoids you, until Cregan announced a feast at the week’s end. 

There was no avoiding you then. You’d dressed in your best gown for the occasion, a deep maroon, with an exceptionally tight bodice. Your brother, with the dragon prince by his side, greeted you as you entered the hall.  

“Surely you’ve heard the news sister,” Cregan says while embracing you.

Your eyes flicker to Jacaerys before you shake your head. 

“We shall ride south, in the name of the true Queen of Westeros, Rhaenyra Targaryen,” Cregan tells you, lifting his goblet high. 

You smile incredulously, eyes flickering toward the prince, who shall not meet your eyes.

“Congratulations, my prince,” you tell him bitterly, “The North is truly yours.”

Jace mumbles a thank you, nodding his head politely. He is nothing if not a gentleman. 

“I suppose you must be thrilled to head back to your betrothed,” Cregan says, clasping a hand on his back, “I understand Lady Baela was not pleased with your plans to wed her after the war, rather than before.”

“No, she was not,” Jace agreed, brown eyes finally meeting yours.

“She may rest easy knowing you shall be wed soon,” Cregan says, smashing his goblet against Jace’s, “For when the wolves ride south, we shall take your mother’s throne back within the fortnight!”

The hall cheers at Cregan’s words but your eyes are locked on Jace’s. What about me, your eyes ask. What about me? 

“Congratulations again, my prince,” you tell him, smiling tightly and curtseying. 

You turn away from him, moving into the crowd, but you feel his presence close on your heels.

“Y/N-”

“I’m sure Lady Baela is wonderful,” you tell him, “She shall make a lovely bride.”

Jace reaches out, grabbing your arm. You stop, looking back at him, eyes flickering from his hand that clings to you to his face.

“Careful, my prince,” you tell him, tugging yourself free, “Wouldn’t want people to get the wrong impression.”

You continue moving away from him, deciding to spend the rest of the night dancing, frolicking about, and kissing any man and woman you can get your hands on. Greedy, bastard girl, that’s what you are after all isn’t it? Nothing more, nothing less, least of all to the son of the heir to the Iron Throne.

Hours later a knock comes at your door. You pout, having been ready to drink yourself to a state of dreamless sleep, before opening the door. Jace pushes his way instead, closing the door swiftly behind him. You move away from his grabbing hands, unable to keep the disappointment from your face.

“Careful,” you tell him, “Someone could see. Wouldn’t want any word getting back to your lady wife, now would we?”

Jace stands by the door, hands curled into fists by his side, lower lip held firmly between his teeth. You watch him through watery eyes. His hair has grown longer since his time at Winterfell, the curls falling onto his shoulders. Your hands twitch at your sides; you’d like nothing more than to run your fingers through them.

“What are you doing?” he asks, softly.

“I’ve no idea what you-”

“No,” Jace interrupts, his voice calm, “What are you doing?”

You don’t speak. You just watch him, heart beating erratically in your chest. 

“You’re leaving Winterfell,” you tell him.

“Yes,” he says, brown eyes meeting yours.

“Leaving me,” you clarify and he doesn’t answer this time.

You scoff, moving to fill a goblet with wine.

“You’ve acted inappropriately,” Jace tells you, “Tarnishing your reputation, your name-”

“Snow?” you ask, “Tis already tarnished. A bastard is born stained. I shall be this way all my life.”

His nose twitches. 

“As shall you,” you hiss.

“The words you speak are treasonous,” he tells you.

“Kill me then,” you demand, “You rather enjoyed my treacherous mouth the other night.”

“Y/N-” he begins, but his voice trails off.

“Lie to yourself all you want,” you tell him, stepping closer, “Go to Dragonstone, marry Baela, father a dozen silver babes, and die.”

Your lip trembles, the word die coming out in almost a whine. Jace looks at you, eyes flickering about your face. He brings his hand to your cheek, stroking away a tear that falls. You close your eyes, trying to turn your face away but he holds your cheek firmly.

“Die,” you repeat, and he brings his hand to cup your other cheek, “Die.”

His lips are on yours and he greedily swallows your heated threat, slipping his tongue into your mouth. You kiss him back, grabbing the front of his shirt, and pulling him against you. It’s hungry and needy and aggressive but you don’t care. In here he is yours; within the walls of Winterfell, he belongs to you. 

You tumble backward onto the furs of your bed, letting his weight fall on top of you, stealing the breath from your lungs. You move to remove his clothes, nails scratching at him desperately, one hand winding in his curls. Your center aches without him, you need him inside you desperately.

You’re not a maiden, haven’t been for some time. You’d gifted your maidenhead to a sellsword from White Harbor years ago.

Jace grabs your wrists, pinning them over your head, breathing heavily as his eyes meet yours. Your legs are wrapped around his waist, night shift bunched at your middle. 

“You’ve not been kind this evening,” he murmurs in a rough voice, “You’ve tormented me yet again.”

“Tis because you are mine to torment,” you hiss, and he brings a hand to rest at your throat.

“When shall you learn?” he asks, applying the slightest pressure, “What must I do to make you behave?”

“Your cock is a good start,” you tease, feeling the mood begin to lighten, the heat beginning to pool between your thighs. 

“You’re a mad woman,” he says, connecting your mouths once more in a passionate kiss. 

As soon as he kisses you, he moves from on top of you, dragging you across his lap. 

“You do require a lesson,” he tells you, moving your small clothes from your bottom half.

Your breath hitches as your small clothes pool around your ankles. Jace brings his hand down, harshly spanking you, the sound echoing like the cracking logs of your fire. He continues spanking you, one brutal slap after the other, his large hands squeezing and rubbing your aching cheeks between each blow. 

You can feel yourself dripping on his thigh, the delicious sting only fueling the ache between your thighs. Your whimpers and sharp cries only spur Jace on as he continues to deliver your punishment. 

“Tis not even a punishment,” Jace says, clicking his tongue and running a finger along your soaked folds, “Look how wet you are.”

He releases you then and you crawl off him, slumping to the floor. Humiliation tingles through you as you glance up at him. Jace runs his fingers against his leather-clad thigh, gathering the wetness that pooled there. 

His eyes flicker to your face.

“Clean me up,” he orders.

You pause for a moment, before reaching for a handkerchief. 

“With your mouth,” he instructs. 

You blush scarlet, surprised by his lewd command. But you do as you’re told, positioning yourself between his thighs, bringing your mouth to his leather pants. You lick and suckle, tasting your arousal, whimpering as Jace moves some hair from your face. He’s soon satisfied, pulling your face away and kissing you, dragging you back to straddle him. 

“Fuck I love the taste of you,” he says, sucking on your lower lip, “I couldn’t eat, couldn’t drink knowing this is what awaited me.”

He flips you onto your back, kneeling between your legs.

“How does one go back to the food of this realm when they’re tasted ambrosia?” he murmurs, moaning as his mouth covers your dripping slit. 

A strangled cry rips through your lungs as his tongue curls against your inner walls. He laps his tongue against you desperately, as though he’s been wandering around the sandy dunes of Dorne, with nothing to quench his thirst. Though he enjoys the sounds you make with his tongue buried as deep as it can go inside of you, he prefers the small moans and pants that are elicited when he circles the tip of his tongue around your needy pearl. 

He settles there, at the top of your mound, suckling in your pearl in his mouth until you’re crying out, scraping your nails against his scalp hard enough to draw blood. 

Jace moves to lay on top of you, his nose brushing against yours. You wrap your legs around his waist, pulling him against you. 

“Please,” you murmur, “Please, please.”

His brown eyes meet yours, lips brushing against your own as you keep whispering into his mouth. 

“Your maidenhead-”

“I’m hardly a maiden,” you admit, cheeks rosy with the confession.

Jace looks at you, eyes wide, not with judgement, but with something else.

“I…” he begins, “I have never…” he trails off, blush blooming on his cheeks.

You smile softly, smoothing his curls away from his face. 

“You mean to tell me you are a maiden, my prince?” you softly tease, nails trailing down the side of his throat.

“I just have never…” he struggles to find the words, “Yes, I suppose I am.”

A giggle leaves your lips and Jace finds himself chuckling as well before capturing your lips in a heated kiss once more. You bring your hands to his breaches, feeling the hardness of his manhood eagerly pressing against the constraints of his pants. You free his cock with ease, letting it slap against your hand before wrapping your fingers around him. 

A shiver rolls through you at his the thickness of him, the arousal pooling between your legs even more so at the thought of him inside of you. 

“Will it…” Jace asks, face scrunching in pleasure as you stroke him, “Gods…will it fit?”

“Mhmm,” you assure him, though you are unsure, “The gods made us for each other.”

Jace kisses you as you guide him towards your throbbing center, running the fat tip of his cock along your soaked slit. Jace’s hips buck as the contact, and he begins to ease himself inside of you.

“Seven above,” he gasps, jaw slacked with pleasure, “Oh Seven save me.”

“Fuck,” you hiss at the burning stretch of him.

It is deliciously painful as he bottoms out, breaking you open, nearly splitting you in half. 

“Are you…?”

“A moment,” you tell him, through clenched teeth, “Just a moment.”

“Take all the time,” he assures you, placing soft kisses across your face.

You wait, letting him rest within you before you begin to return his kisses, nodding for him to move. Slowly, carefully he lifts his hips, dragging his cock along your tender walls, before rolling them against you. The sounds you begin to make have Jace trembling above you, continuing his thrusts.

“Seven hells,” he grunts, the sound of skin slapping filling the room, “So tight, so warm, fuck.”

You claw desperately at his shoulders, his back, anywhere that brings him closer to you. His cock feels so perfect inside of you, the pain nearly completing gone and replaced by white hot pleasure. 

Jace glances down between you, where you both are connected, watching his soaked cock slide in and out of you. He moves a hand to your lower stomach, pressing down. All the pleasure seems to zero in where he presses, as though he can feel with his hand the bulge of his cock through your lower stomach. 

“Jace,” you whine, feeling your limbs tingle with the promise of your imminent release.

“Squeezing me so tight,” he moans, “Fuck, I can feel it.”

Your legs tremble around him as your second climax washes over you, constricitng his cock in a vicelike grip. 

“You’ve peaked?” Jace asks, noting the way your face scrunches, the way your cunt constricts him, “Seven hells you’re fucking perfect around me.”

He moves your left leg then, hooking it over his shoulder as he continues to plow into you. Each thrust in your quivering cunt sends heat pooling in your belly. 

“Taking me so well,” Jace says, eyes trained on his cock dissappearing inside you, “Seven hells, I’m close, what…”

“Stay,” you beg him, “Stay inside me please.”

Jace’s answering kiss is ferocious, his hips desperately slapping against you, his pace increasing. 

“I’ll stay,” he tells you, mouth pressed against yours, “I’ll stay with you.”

Your arms wrap around his neck, kissing him hungrily. Jace moves his lips across your face, down the crook of your neck. 

“Seven hells, I’m going to fill you with my seed,” he moans, “Watch you swell with my children.”

“Please,” you tell him, “I’ll give you many sons.”

“How many?” he questions.

“However many you desire,” you whimper, “Keep me full always with your seed, swollen with your child.”

Jace’s answering moan and stuttering of his hips tells you that’s exactly what he intends, as you feel the warmth of his seed fill your throbbing cunny. As he unsheathes himself from you, you can feel your mingled releases dripping from your center. 

The unpleasant empty feeling is short lived as Jace plunges two thick fingers inside of you, curling them against your sweet spot. You gasp as he fingers you towards your third peak, utilziing his thumb to tap at your sensitive pearl. 

“You must keep it inside you,” he murmurs, “Your cunny responds so well to me.”

“Fuck, fuck!” you squeak, legs thrashing as your peak washes over you. 

Jace keeps his fingers sheathed in your cunt, but moves to lay on top of you. Your cunt clenches around his fingers, uncosciously.

“Does my lady need more?” Jace asks, gently curling his fingers, stroking your most sensitive spot. 

A sharp whine leaves your lips and you burrow your face against his chest. He chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. 

“No please,” you tell him, “Too much.”

“I shall stop,” he tells you, uncurling his fingers. 

“Stay,” you tell him, placing kisses across his chest, “Stay with me.”

Jace doesn’t answer with words, he doesn’t need to. He stays with you the remainder of the night, and the following evening you are bound together beneath the Weirwood tree in the godswood, before the eyes of the Old Gods and the New.

note: hope you liked it! just realized I don't have a Jace taglist so will be reblogging with general HOTD tags!

[fireflyskywalker00]

Hi! This prompt is top tier! 👌I’m really bad at flirting irl, thankfully writing comes a lot easier to me, lol! NSFW below the cut! Minors dni!

Summary: You and Luke attend a formal ball, however, you have your heart set on seducing the Jedi Knight.

Warnings: Smut, this is filthy, reader has female parts, fingering, I can’t think of anymore warnings…

Music fills your ears as you walk into the ballroom. You and Luke had been invited to a formal ball on some distant planet as a thank you for saving them from pirates. Though a party wasn’t exactly worth the risk, you were grateful for the free food.

Luke and yourself were dressed for the occasion. Your hosts were kind enough to let you borrow formal outfits for the ball. You wore a black silk dress, and Luke wore a black suit and tie.

You couldn’t keep your eyes off Luke, he looked extremely handsome in the suit. Every time you pulled your eyes away from him they would naturally wonder back to him. You and Luke had known each other for awhile, you figured being a Jedi he wouldn’t be affected by flirting. Maybe, just maybe… you could still shoot your shot…

You stood near the buffet, picking at some of the interesting looking foods. You see Luke talking with someone, a Duke, perhaps. Luke looks bored, doing the bare minimum to be polite. Luke excuses himself from the conversation and walks over to you.

“Having fun?” You ask sarcastically. Luke let’s out an exaggerated sigh,

“That was the most boring conversation I have ever had.” Luke grabs a piece of fruit from the buffet. This is your chance to flirt with him…

In a low seductive tone you ask, “Maybe I can entertain you…?” Luke goes silent, his cheeks starting to flush. He tries to say something, anything, but he is speechless.

You didn’t expect him to react, let alone be speechless. You smile to yourself, and grab a piece of fruit. Luke watches you take a small slow bite. You fully intended it to look sensual. You stare at him with doe eyes as you take another sensual bite. Luke’s mind goes wild. He tries to compose himself, but all he can think about you and that piece of fruit.

Luke takes a deep breath and does his best to compose himself. It’s his turn now… His eyes slowly go over your figure, his eyes lock onto yours, his voice now low and sultry…

“I forgot to mention how stunning you look…” You blush at his words, thankful he didn’t reject your advances.

You return the compliment, “You don’t look half bad yourself.” Luke steps closer, your eyes stare at each other’s lips. The music gets louder, reminding both of you that your in a public area.

Luke takes your hand, “Would you like to take this somewhere private?” He asks hoping he isn’t being too forward. You find yourself nodding your head, desperate to take this elsewhere.

Luke leads you out of the ballroom, though he isn’t sure where he’s going, he finds an empty room. It seems to be an office or study room, is doesn’t matter which. It’s quiet and it’s empty.

Luke quickly turns his attention back to you, he hold both your hands. Neither of you are quite sure what to say. The two of you stand close, eyes staring into each other’s. Your faces move close, once again staring at his lips. You close your eyes and leaning in, gently placing a kiss on his lips.

You pull back slowly, determining his reaction. Luke quickly leans back in kissing you, his hands find their way to your waist keeping you close. The two of you kiss passionately, your fingers run through his hair to the back of his head.

Luke picks you up by your waist and sits you down on the desk, without breaking the kiss. His hands start caressing your arms feeling your soft, smooth skin. Luke couldn’t believe he was kissing someone as beautiful as you, meanwhile, you couldn’t believe that you actually seduced the handsome Jedi knight.

Luke moved his mouth from your lips to your jaw, slowly making his way down to your neck. You let out a slight gasp at the feeling of his lips on your neck. In retaliation, you unbutton his suit jacket and pull it off his arms with some help.

Luke continues his assault on your neck, trying to find your sweet spot. Your hands undo his tie when you gasp. Luke found where your neck is most sensitive, he begins to lightly suck the skin, just enough to gage your reaction. When you don’t stop him, he begins to suck harder, wanting to leave a deep purple bruise.

After he is satisfied with his work of art, Luke’s kisses begin to move further down, reaching your collarbone. His hands find the zipper on the back of your dress, “May I?” He asks before taking it off. You nod your head, “Yes,” you say in a hushed tone. Luke unzips your dress and slips it off your shoulders revealing your bare chest.

Luke’s eyes express what can only be describe as amazement, he couldn’t believe how beautiful you were. Your hands started fidgeting with his shirt buttons, Luke got the hint and took off his shirt revealing his toned chest. His years of training showed, and you appreciated the sight. Your desire for him grew, you couldn’t wait any long, and neither could he…

You slip your dress off the rest of your body, and Luke took off his belt and pants. The two of you were now desperate for each other. Luke’s hands caress the hem of your panties, “May I?” You nod your head.

“Please…” You say breathlessly. Luke pulls your panties off your legs, and caress your thighs. Your breathing becomes labored, you wanted him so bad. Luke’s hand wander to your pussy, running a finger along your folds.

“You’re so wet…” He comments. Finger finds your clit and circles it, his other hand finds your hole, slipping a finger inside. “So tight…” He whispers. You moan at the sensation, your hands grip whatever you can find.

Luke’s rubs your clit with his thumb while slipping another finger into you. He starts fingering you slowly, you already close to climax. “Faster, please.” You beg him for release, and he complies. His fingers work faster, curling at that right spot. You moan loudly, you feel the coil inside you snap. Luke works you through your orgasm, lengthening your bliss.

After you regain your senses you see Luke smiling at you with awe. You already know it’s going to be a long night…

[drunk-on-dk]

1-800-CUPID | Boo Seungkwan (m)

Pairing: Boo Seungkwan x fem!reader

Genre: Fluff/Romance, Slice of Life, f2l, Smut (18+ only, Minors DNI)

w/c: ~7.0k words (editing was hard on this, sorry if there are any mistakes)

a/n: Happy Valentine's Day to all you lovely people! This is part of the @svthub The Story of Pink Eros ~ A Valentine’s Day Collab, please go support all the other wonderful writers who have written for this collab as well as eve4ryone in the network. They are all such wonderful, talented people, and I was very excited for my first collab ever!

content warnings below the cut!

c/w: protected sex!; some fluff, some romance, reader is having a tough few weeks and is a bit cynical; teasing; a bit of unrealistic scenarios but it's all for fun; mutual pining; hotline bling boo; (reunited) friends to lovers; some Jun x reader mention, but minor plot; alcohol mentions; explicit smut but relatively vanilla; love-making of sorts; lots of praise and whining; a bit of marking if you squint; please let me know if i'm missing anything big!

Today had to have been a cruel joke on top of your, for lack of better words, already shitty-ass week. Work was more stressful than usual with the end of the year reports still piling on your desk even though it’s already February. The sad part was even if you wanted to cut lose after work, you didn’t have any friendly enough coworkers to grab a drink with and complain about the amount of work you’re drowning in together. Nor did you have any friends who lived close enough to invite out last minute.

The cherry on top was the painful reminder of your lackluster love life upon passing the local flower shop on the way home from yet another late night in the office. You scoffed at the array of gorgeous red-rose bouquets and tacky heart shaped chocolate boxes when you had passed the cute shop. The disdain you felt must have made you black out a bit because, before you knew it, you found yourself in the convenience store a few blocks down with two of your favorite wine bottles in hand.

Thank God it’s Friday, you thought. At least you can unwind tonight.

Coming to reality and humming in approval, you settle on grabbing a pack of your favorite ramen as well, grumbling slightly to yourself before heading to the self-check-out. “Well deserved, right? Who says I can’t enjoy my own presence. I don’t need someone to buy me flowers or chocolate. Wine and ramen will suffice.” 

Sure – maybeyou were being bit cynical, but after the week you had you didn’t care if you were going a bit crazy. It was well justified.

However, the questioning look that the cute old lady gave you in the checkout next to yours did make you feel a bit sheepish, apologizing slightly for your off-putting behavior and giving her a bright smile in return when you politely bid her a good night.

By the time you got home, you were already kicking your heels off your sore feet before you even made it past your apartment door. Quickly making a beeline for the wine opener tucked away in the depths of the kitchen drawers and shedding your work clothes after pouring yourself a hefty glass of wine. Tonight was going to be a movie night you determined, opting to change into your usual movie-watching uniform - everything is oversized and enough to keep you cozy and warm.

Letting out a sigh, you sink into the anticipated comfort of your well-lived-in couch. It was soothing to cozy up with a blanket after a long day, taking a sip of your wine and letting the warm, tingly feeling of the slightly tarte liquid wash over your body.

Even with your pessimistic, slight mental breakdown over the Valentine’s Day gifts earlier, you found yourself pulling up The Notebook. Why the hell not at this point? You sure could use a good cry.

And you sure did have a good cry. About a wine bottle and a half into the movie, the crocodile tears were rolling uncontrollably down your cheeks. To be fair, you never cried this much during an inane romance movie, but this week had you craving affection, like would you ever find the Noah to your Allie? You could really use a good hug right now, at least.

It was almost a sign from the heavens above when a number for the local relationship advice hotline came up as an advertisement on one of your social medias after the movie had ended.

Honestly, your algorithms were getting a little too accurate lately.

However, rather than being freaked out by the oddly direct ad, something possesses you to give the line a call. Maybe it’s the wine, maybe it’s the movie, maybe it’s been your wildly stressful week. Maybe it’s the shitty dating app that somehow always lands you a crap date. But, with your nth bereaved sigh of the day, you slowly tap the 1-800 number into your keypad. It seemed legitimate enough, unlike one of those ‘Find Hot Sexy Singles in Your Area’ sort of advertisements.

1-800-CUPID – a quick tap of the phone button has you dialing the hotline. You almost fly off your couch when the line starts playing an elevator-esque soundtrack rather than the usual ringing sound.

There was time to back out. There is time to hang up the phone. Surely the operator wouldn’t be offended if you just hung up.

Just like that the music cuts out – a cheery voice now introducing themselves on the other line, and much to your dismay you found yourself unable to end the impulsive phone call after somewhat recognizing the voice.

“Hello, you have successfully reached Cupid, the hotline for all your relationship and dating questions. Please note that all calls are recorded and monitored. This is Boo talking, how may I assist you today?”

“Boo?” You mutter out dumbly after a beat goes by. Your mind is racing, becoming a bit dizzy from how hard you’re thinking and the foggy haze of the sweet alcohol, swearing you could identify the voice on the other side of the call.

“Yes, this is Boo!” He chirps. “I am one of the local cupids right in your area. How can I help you?”

There is a slight cadence to his tone that has the lightbulb going off in your head, actually making you jump up from the couch this time, needing to stabilize yourself a bit before talking again.

“Boo?” You almost shriek. “Could this by chance be a Boo Seungkwan I’m speaking to?”

You can hear him hum hesitantly over the speaker, only encouraging you to keep pressing for an answer.

“This is Y/N Y/L/N,” you continue, starting to doubt if you should be sharing this information, but screw it. You swear you hear him gasp in slight recognition, but you continue regardless. “From university? I’m not sure if you’d remember, but you still owe me that drink you promised me on graduation day.”

For a second, you find yourself smiling, reminiscing on your college days, and thinking of the bright boy that you adored so much. Boo Seungkwan had your heart for most of your college years, but you never dared to act upon it. Afterall, he was too busy meddling in other people’s business, including yours. He used to tease you incessantly, poking and prodding at your plans, constantly trying to set you up on blind dates, but never noticing how much you doted over him.

Your heart was pounding at this point, unsure of how you ever lost contact with Seungkwan, and how stupid you’d feel if it wasn’t him.

“Ding ding ding,” he sing-songs. “I remember the drink I owe you. You bet that Kim Mingyu would trip over his own feet during his diploma acceptance and you won.”

You were literally happy dancing, feet quietly shuffling beneath you after receiving confirmation that you were right. You somehow ended up reconnecting with Boo Seungkwan over a damn relationship hotline call.

“Sorry, Y/N, but why’d you call the 1-800-Cupid hotline?”

Shit, you’re faced with reality again, aren’t you? Thanks, Seungkwan.

“Well, Boo,” you teasingly emphasis his call name, but exhale sorrowfully before continuing. “My love life isn’t so great post-undergrad life either. Surprise, surprise.”

“Ah, still prioritizing work just like you did in uni? You know you always worked too hard, but I think that’s why we were two peas-in-a-pod back then.”

A shy smile falls on your features, “maybe, but honestly, I don’t really know why I even called. Just a bit glum about my dating life, and this call was a spur of the moment thing. Speaking of, why are you working for a relationship hotline?”

“It’s a fun side-job,” he simply states, and you can almost imagine the satisfactory purse of his lips and shrug of his shoulders. “Anyways, is there a way that I can assist? Once again, the call is recorded and monitored.”

You let out a bit of a chuckle, “actually, yes, why not? Do you have any suggestions on how I can land myself a valentine this year?”

There is a bit of a flirty lilt to your tone, but, unless he ignores it, it seems to go right over Seungkwan’s head. Shit, maybe you do need dating or relationship advice.

“Well, Y/N, where do we begin? What are your plans for this weekend?”

“I was just going to stay in and – “

“ACK,” he cuts you off before you can finish your sentence. “Wrong answer. First of all, you need to get out and meet new people, make some attempts at flirting. It doesn’t mean you have to go clubbing and all of that, just try getting out to your local coffee shop and making eyes with the cute barista. Second of all,” he huffs slightly before continuing, “put your work down for a night and focus on yourself. Some good self-care can really help more than you’d think. Treat yourself with something good for you. Finally, maintain a positive attitude, don’t be so grouchy about love like I know you are. Go out and after applying those rules, and I’m sure you’ll have someone falling head over heels for you.”

You hum in consideration, taking note of what he said, but not sure how much it all helped. “Thanks, Boo,” you can’t help but tease him. “I’mnot sure how much I can accomplish in a weekend, but I can give it a shot.”

“My pleasure, is there anything else I can assist with? Any other dating questions?”

“I think that is enough for one night, Boo. I’m shocked I even called, but I’m glad it was you somehow.”

The line goes silent for a bit, unsure if you accidentally disconnected, wondering if maybe there was a time limit on the hotline, but then he speaks again.

“I’m glad I could help,” he sighs, but you could almost picture the smile on his face. “Well, this will complete your call with your local cupid, Boo. Have a wonderful evening!”

Just like that the call is over. Part of you feels a bit better, enjoying connecting with an old friend, but also slightly dejected that it was just over a one-time, freak accident call to a love hotline.

This had sent you into an hour long spiral, searching through your phone for his old cell number, but finding that you had lost it upon purchasing a new phone and losing all your backup data. You scoured the internet for his social medias and came across some of his accounts. However, you refrained from reaching out just yet, determining that it may be a little too soon to pounce on the idea of reuniting in person after the hotline call.

However, you did have a new fervor after speaking with Seungkwan. He was right, you really should just get out in the world, take some time with yourself, and drop your glum attitude.

You found yourself doing some self-care the next day, just as he suggested, deciding to take baby steps before you enter the real-world. Really, you took your time, deciding to make a full-course breakfast and finally sitting down to read the book you’ve had on your shelf for month now that you’d been dying to crack open.

You felt a bit rejuvenated after just doing that in the morning. Usually, you’d find yourself pulling out your work laptop, the curse of remote work still haunting you even on the weekends though you didn’t have to put time in during them, you just felt obligated to work.

However, taking the morning for yourself had been nice, and was a good kick-start for a full day of self-care routines. You cleaned up your apartment; washed your bed sheets and pillows; practiced some mindful meditation; and even pampered yourself with an at-home spa treatment.

Truthfully, when you woke up the next day, you were feeling brighter than ever before on a Sunday. For the first time in a while, you took your time getting ready, rather than following your dull work routine, and drove yourself to your local coffee shop.

You had followed Seungkwan’s advice so far, taking on self-care and attempting to go out and meet new people. But, oh how hard it was to stay positive though, especially when the coffee shop was flooded with couples sharing cute, themed drinks and pastries.

You reigned yourself in though, trying not to roll your eyes at the lovely couples, but rather smiling brightly at the admittedly cute, blonde barista behind the register. Allowing your eyes to dart to his name tag, you noted his name was Jun, and he had a couple of endearing moles dotted on his face.

“What can I get for you today?” You can tell he’s a sweetheart just by his tone of voice, and his kindness travels to his eyes.

Hey, maybe Seungkwan’s, AKA Boo from 1-800-Cupid’s, advice would work, maybe you could find yourself a valentine out in the wild like this. Why not flirt it up with the cute barista like he had mentioned?

“Just an iced Americano, please,” you respond politely, gently handing him your card when he gives you your total.

“It’ll be ready in a few minutes,” Jun says with a shy smile, nodding to the corner of the counter where he’ll place your drink once it’s all set. Whilst he prepares your drink, you two continuously make brief eye-contact, each time making Jun’s ears turn a darker hue of red.

Is this flirting? Are you doing a good job at making someone flustered? Uh-oh, maybe you’ll have to buy Seungkwan a drink for giving you helpful advice. You’re not really doing anything out of the ordinary, but he was convincing enough to get you out from under your rock.

Your suspicions are confirmed when Jun hands you your drink, a phone number scribbled on the cardboard sleeve wrapped around the cup with his name.

Oh shoot, he just gave you his number.

He’s quick to turn away, seemingly shy by his bold attempt at giving you his number, but you politely respond with a thank you, acknowledging the number on the cup with a small ‘cheers’ motion.

There is a bit of a pep in your step when you leave the coffee shop, wandering down the block and breathing in the crisp winter air until you find yourself a comfortable park bench.

Mmm, an Americano has never tasted so sweet.

You’re about to enter Jun’s number into your phone to text him until someone jumps in front of you, their shadow blocking the sun from your face and illuminating their figure when you look up at them.

Low and behold, it’s Boo Seungkwan in the flesh, a sun halo surrounding his frame and making the boy look more angelic than you remember him being, his cherubic features lighting up in delight when you finally recognize him.

You’re leaping into his arms at this point, your own arms wrapping around him and almost losing your iced americano in the process.

Apologizing profusely for almost spilling coffee all over him, you excited greet your old friend, “Seungkwan! You’ll never believe how my weekend has gone so far. Or should I say, Boo from 1-800-Cupid, because your advice worked. I was given someone’s number today!”

You can tell Seungkwan is trying to process your excited rambling, shaking his head upon receiving your praise with a pshhh sound escaping his rosebud lips. However, his smile widens once he realizes just how happy you are. “I’m glad to hear it helped, Y/N.”

Once again, there is that silence between you two, the only sound being the swirling wintery wind and the sound of your breath as you calm down from your excitement. Your stomach is doing flips and you swear your entire body has heated up an additional 20 degrees even though you’re drinking an iced americano in cold weather.

Something about Seungkwan still makes your brain and heart short wire even after all these years. You’d like to think that maybe you have a similar effect on him, especially when he seems to attempt to speak, but can’t seem to form a coherent sentence.

Little did you know, Seungkwan was shocked just by how beautiful you were a year or so after graduating. You sounded even more mature than you had been before over the call he had with you, and he could only assume how well time had treated you. He was correct, you were still just as stunning to him, if not, even more than before.

“It’s good to see you in person, Seungkwan,” you finally breathe out, deciding to encourage some sort of conversation rather than staring blankly at each other.

“It’s a bit of an odd coincidence, isn’t it?” He jokes, “Somehow you ended up calling my side-gig, and somehow I’ve ended up walking past you on my way to the shops.”

“Maybe it means we should be friends again?” You nudge him slightly, enjoying the way he leans into you to push you away a bit, a slight blush shading his cheeks when you continue to reminisce on your college years.

Such as that time Vernon spilled his coffee all over the tech room keyboard, earning him a $50 fine to replace the new one after he had spent all his money on new headphones. Or that time that Mingyu fell down a flight of stairs at a frat party, only to pop up after the entire crowd gasped and chug an entire beer. Mingyu and you had kissed that night, which that memory earned a slight roll of the eye and snarl of the lip from Seungkwan.

You two had found yourself in the coffee shop again after Seungkwan had slurped down your americano, even though he had only intended to sample it. Jun was still working the counter and seemed a bit surprised at your reappearance, especially with a new friend this time, but greeted you just as charmingly as earlier.

Seungkwan found himself meddling in whatever you and Jun had going. You begged him not to say anything to the unsuspecting barista, but Boo, AKA Mr. Cupid as you’d like to dotingly refer to him as, couldn’t hold back his attempt to strike the boy with his arrow.

Oddly enough, Seungkwan had somehow landed you a date for tonight with Jun. Unsure on how he could have ever accomplished that, but that was Seungkwan for you.

Admittedly, Seungkwan did it just because you were so cute when you were flustered. It was just like how he’d mess with you in college. He liked the way your cheeks blushed when you were informed that Jun agreed to a date with you. He liked the way that you suddenly got nervous, slightly panicking over what you could possibly wear to a dinner. He really liked the way you pulled him into a tight hug, basking in your warm scent as you nuzzled into him before saying goodbye.

Of course, you two exchanged numbers again, letting him know that you had lost his, but you’d like to catch up some more. Seungkwan obliged, hoping you’d ask to do so, and that maybe he could buy you that drink he owed you. However, you insisted you now owed him a drink after successfully landing you a date around Valentine’s Day.

Seungkwan wouldn’t admit it, but he could feel his heart strings pull at the thought of you going on this date. It was unfair to him how he suddenly had you back in his life, but here he is, self-sabotaging, and encouraging you to take a path in your love life that does not lead you back to him.

He sighs dejectedly as he watches you walk away, that bright smile of yours burning into his memory as you turn around to wave him one last goodbye, shouting out a “no good luck?” and only turning back around once Seungkwan lets you know to “break a leg, you’ll need it.”

Seungkwan’s heart broke a little more when he didn’t hear from you that night. He assumed the date went well, and that his job here was done. Maybe he finally had a successful intervention in your love life, even though he didn’t have the guts to approach you himself. Maybe he was just projecting onto you, he should really take his own advice sometime.

Interestingly, you had texted Seungkwan the next day with no mention of the date. He tried to ask about it, but you didn’t spill any details.

Honestly, you were a bit embarrassed. Jun and you quickly realized you were not at all compatible romantic relationship-wise, and he kept making comments about how close you and Seungkwan seemed, no matter how much you insisted that this was the first time you’d seen him in a while.

Jun had given you a dubious look, sighing and offering some of his own advice. “How about rather than meeting new people, maybe you should focus on rekindling what you already clearly have.”

Jun’s words stuck with you; the date had gone well, but not romantically. He was a great guy, but he was right. You could not get Seungkwan out of your head, and everything in you was refraining from typing up a long-winded paragraph to the boy you had just reunited with, confessing your everlasting feelings that just can’t seem to be shaken off.

Cupid got you good. However, it seems as if his arrow misfired and hit you, inevitably making you fall deeper for Mr. Cupid himself.

Seungkwan couldn’t shake the aching feeling, he was anxiety ridden about your date, constantly asking if you’ve seen Jun again, or begging you to let him know if it went well.

God, Seungkwan thought, maybe he was a bit too powerful in his meddling after all.  

It had been a week since your first date with Jun. Jun was right, you shouldn’t be meeting new people, not when you had Seungkwan back in your reach.

It was another horrible week at work and Valentine’s Day was approaching. However, this week when you saw the Valentine’s gifts on your walk home, part of you yearned to receive them. No longer scoffing at the chocolate and flower arrangements, but now dreaming of receiving them from you-know-who.

Seungkwan was also driven a bit mad. Growing increasingly infuriated at your lack of information, especially since he had helped you land the date in the first place. Especially not because it was internally making his heart shrivel with each passing day. Nope, he refused to admit the continuous ping of his heart with each text message he received from you.

 Seungkwan (Boo AKA Mr. Cupid): earth to Y/N? any updates? V-day is coming up and I need to know if I’ve done my job

Y/N : no details that are of any interest to you!!!

Seungkwan (Boo AKA Mr. Cupid): umm hello? they are all of interest to me

Y/N: now why would that be?

Seungkwan almost believes he is caught red-handed until his phone pings with another message from you.

Y/N: What about that drink you owe me? Maybe I can fill you in then

Seungkwan (Boo AKA Mr. Cupid): Deal… meet me at Barry’s Bar at 7 pm and I’ll get you that drink in exchange for an update

Y/N: see you then!! no promises though! This is a drink from an old bet, there is no obligation to update you on my dating status

Seungkwan scoffs, but he’s always loved the banter that came naturally between you two. Even though he knows it will be like pulling teeth to get any information from you, Seungkwan is still looking forward to getting drinks with you, finally having the opportunity to spend time with you in person again.

Seungkwan doesn’t know it, but you make the extra effort tonight. You go through all your self-care steps before catching a cab to Barry’s Bar, even going as far to spray your special perfume before heading out.

You don’t’ know it, but Seungkwan’s breath catches in his chest when you arrive. Did you just get more beautiful every time he saw you? Did you have a glow because you were dating Jun?

Seungkwan is quick to buy you your first drink, clinking your two beer bottles together in a toast.

“Cheers to Mingyu tripping and falling at commencement!” You joke before taking a sip, almost getting sprayed by Seungkwan who had already taken his own sip and choking down his laughter and drink.

Once he settles, he almost curses you out for saying such a thing when he had already taken a drink. You chuckle almost maniacally, loving the rise you get out of him from embarrassing him slightly, finding it endearing how his lips purse to hide his impending smile, and noting the way his cheekbones rise even higher from holding back more laugher. Fuck – he’s cute.

Everything is so natural between you two, you quickly notice after a couple of more drinks. Seungkwan refuses to let you pay for any, especially when you finally drunkenly admit that there is nothing between you and Jun.

You almost swear he seems relieved when you dish the news, noting the way his tense shoulders relax and how one side of his lips quirk upwards. His reaction deserves a teasing smack to the arm, earning a pathetic whine from you as the thought of Jun possibly reading the situation incorrectly may land you back in no-love-life-ville. Seungkwan not reciprocating your feelings floods your mind and sends you into a considerable twist of emotions.

Seungkwan isn’t sure what to do when suddenly you’re tearing up. He swears you haven’t drunk that much, nor did he think Jun mattered all that much to you.

“What’s wrong?” He’s quick to soften, fingers instinctively reaching out to brush away the tears staining your cheek, and eyes darting around to make sure there are no concerned on-lookers. “What happened, Y/N?”

It doesn’t go unnoticed how you lean into Seungkwan’s hand, the palm of his hand burning up as you press your soft cheek further into his touch. It makes Seungkwan’s heart skip yet another beat.

“Could you please not meddle with my love life anymore? I know it was my fault calling that hotline, but I didn’t think it would have been you. Can you not do what you did in university? Just please stay out of it?”

“Of course, is there anything I can do though otherwise?” His voice is quiet, almost hard to hear if it wasn’t for the fact that he was slowly leaning closer towards you from where he’s sat on his own barstool.

“Can you just give me a hug?”

Seungkwan is quick to pull you into his embrace, gentle hand brushing through your hair as he soothes you. He’s not sure where this is all coming from still, but he doesn’t have it in him to banter with you, especially when you just started crying in a public place.

“Anything else, Y/N?”

You’re deciding to be bold, attempting to test the waters even though you fumbled the bag a bit. Really, you wanted to confess that you couldn’t date Jun because you’ve come to about your feelings about Seungkwan, but you broke down before you could even mutter a confession.  You sniffle, pulling back from the boy and emboldening yourself, “could you come home with me?”

Seungkwan almost chokes but refrains from questioning your intentions. He doesn’t want to assume anything, but his heart quickens even faster than the rate it’s been at all night with you.

Once again, when Seungkwan fails to speak, you speak up again. “I don’t feel like drinking much more. Just for comfort? It’s been another long week and I just need a friend.”

Seungkwan almost feels disappointed at the word friend, but he could never reject you, even if it meant you two were forever on ‘friend’ terms. “Of course, let’s go, Y/N.”

Seungkwan takes you home safely, offering his shoulder to lean on throughout the cab ride home. His thumb rubs comforting circles into your thigh the entire way, which is enough to make heat pool in your belly, but you try to suppress it.

The tension is thick when you two enter the elevator, neither of you know how to decipher it, but something has clearly changed. Seungkwan’s hand never leaves your waist, thumb still rubbing your body soothingly, but you assume it’s more of a protective thing rather than an advance on you.

Of course, he is painfully respectful. He patiently waits for you to shower, setting up camp on your couch and flipping on whatever show is on TV. For now, you find refuge in the shower, trying to cool yourself down and get your head on straight.

Seungkwan bites his lip when you pass by in a towel, a shy look on your face when you notice he’s caught you. You change into your normal pajamas, grabbing him a loose t-shirt and sweatpants, and deciding to continue your emboldened actions.

Maintain a positive attitude, like he once said. Stop crying and wallowing in self-pity and get your act together.

You plop down awkwardly next to him on the couch with the folded clothes, only to turn and present them to him with a question. “Stay the night? Maybe we can share the bed like we did in college a few times when we’d all pile into one dorm room after a night of drinking?”

You try to make it sound innocent, but you yearn for his touch.

Your heart almost flips when he wordlessly agrees, grabbing the clothes out of your hand and letting you know he’s going to change.

Once Seungkwan has changed, you can’t help but giggle at the clothes on him. Your ratty t-shirt looks awfully cute as he models it for you, claiming “it’s the softest thing I’ve ever put on,” when you let him know he looks ridiculous.

 Seungkwan pulls you into a bear hug when you continue to tease him, tugging you into an endearing embrace as you two giggle in unison.

It’s all too cute for you and it has you pulling away to prevent yourself from cracking again. Seungkwan seems to feel the same, clearing his throat before releasing you, and awkwardly peering at the ground beneath his feet.

“I’m pretty tired, I don’t know about you,” you fake yawn in between your words, “but I’m ready to go to bed.”

“Of course,” Seungkwan agrees, nodding promptly and following you to your room. “I’m pretty tired too.”

You slowly pull your sheets up, slipping beneath the warm comforter and looking at him expectantly.

“Are you sure you want me to sleep in your bed?”

“Why not? For old-time’s sake.”

Seungkwan nods again, seeming to be in deep thought as he slowly joins you under the covers, repeating what you had already said, “for old-time’s sake.”

Once again, it is all too natural the way his body finds yours, pulling you experimentally against his body. He’s so soft and so warm, and your skin is littered with goosebump with each warm breath of his against the shell of your ear.

You’re not sure if you can fall asleep, but you find yourself dozing off into the best rest you’ve had in weeks. With Seungkwan you’re not as stressed, he’s always had that effect on you even if he pushes your buttons and is a bit too nosy.

Maybe it was a bad decision inviting him into your bed because you only dream more about what you two could be, the damn cupid character haunting you even in your dreams.

When you wake up the next morning, you’re still wrapped tightly in Seungkwan’s arms, his rhythmic breathing continuing to send shivers throughout your entire body. Carefully, you shift in his hold, coming face to face with the boy you yearn so badly for.

You take him the soft swell of his cheeks, his adorable nose that you just so badly want to poke, and all the way to his plush lips - that if you so slightly leaned in closer, you could peck with your own.

You quietly gasp when Seungkwan’s eyes flutter open, crumbling in his grasp slightly as he groans before covering his face.

“Y/N,” he whines, and you can tell he’s pouting beneath his hand, “don’t look at me like that. Not this early in the morning.”

He’s peeking through his fingers at you now, noticing how your eyebrows raise questionably, but you opt to tease him, “are you being shy, Seungkwan? I didn’t expect Boo would be so shy in the morning.”

You poke at his sides, attempting to tickle him and continuing to tantalize the poor boy who’s wrapped up in your sheets with you, “what would 1-800-Cupid Boo offer as advice to someone so shy?”

Seungkwan irrevocably fights back, pinning your arms on each side of your body, feeling way more intimate than usual because of your proximity and setting.

Shit, there is that silence as you stare at each other again, but you could swear you could hear the pounding of your heart in your ears.

With that, you’re craning your neck up and crashing your lips against his. Fuck it – his lips feel all too perfect against yours, the buds molding together as he reciprocates just as much hunger and desire.

You should have known Seungkwan would be a whiney lover, shivers running down your spine as he moans into your mouth. You can’t stop yourself from bucking your hips up towards him, brushing your pelvis against the hardening bulge contained in his sweatpants as he becomes even whinier when you pull your lips away from his.

“Any advice, Boo? Anything you’d share on the 1-800-Cupid hotline?” You’re teasing him even though he has the upper hand, body steady over yours as he tries to chase your lips.

Seungkwan groans, growing old of your teasing and getting even more turned on by the second. “Shut up, you smartass. Just kiss me again, don’t ruin the moment.”

With that, you’re smiling and allowing him to reattach his lips to yours, granting him entry when he licks and nibbles at your bottom lip. You’re both whining messes, pathetic sounds being exchanged when Seungkwan grinds down after shifting his weight between your legs.

He’s already so needy, even when you two still have layers separating your most intimate parts. His grinds down so desperately against your clothed core, but you can already feel the heat building between you two as he continues to fight your tongue for dominance. You can feel how hard he is; you’re amazed how fast he was turned on just from an attempted tickle fight turned sexual.

You break your lips away from his once again, giving him access to the expanse of your décolletage when one hand keeps a single arm of yours pinned down, whilst the other travels to cup behind your neck, only encouraging you to reveal the delicate skin to him.

You let out a soft gasp when his teeth nip right below your ear, hand gripping the side of your neck even tighter. His lips are so warm and soft on your skin, you find yourself in a dizzy haze when he slowly starts undressing you.

Before you know it, you’re stripped down for him, delicate lips trailing all over your body as he hums and sighs in approval, removing his own clothes as well.

“Kwan, how are you already so hard?” You purr, your small hand wrapping around his brooding cock whilst he remains situated between your legs, making him shiver when your thumb trails over the tip and spreads his pre-cum further down the shaft. “Is this all for me?”

He whimpers as you continue to work at his shaft tantalizingly slow, bending over to now spread kisses from your collarbone down to your perk nipples. He has barely spoken, only humming ‘yes’ in response whilst suckling at your nipples. The feeling is so euphoric how slow and gentle he’s being with you, but you already need more.

He’s surely leaving bruised marks over the expanse of your chest. He seems lost in the valley of your breasts until your hand starts working a little faster, making him buck into your fist and let out a desperate sigh.

Seungkwan’s hands travel down your bare body, eyes scanning every part of your skin slowly and almost as if he is memorizing all the curves and little bumps along the way. You’d feel a little sheepish if it wasn’t for his constant praise.

“So pretty,” he hums, jerking into your touch and almost lost in the pleasure until he lets out a loud cry. “So perfect, but please stop touching me, baby. You’re going to drive me crazy.”

You oblige, but only because his eyes pour into yours, silently begging you to let him last. You’d like to see him beg, but that is for another day.

He’s kneeling between your legs now, fingers experimentally trailing between your thighs until they land at your core. You can see him shiver when you immediately react, especially when it’s very clear how wet you’ve become from your prolonged foreplay.

“So, so pretty,” he moans, replacing his fingers with the tip of his cock, seemingly using all his self-restraint before he asks you his next question. “Do you have a condom, baby?”

You nod desperately, pathetically sighing when he pulls his tip away from your center, “in the top drawer. Please, Kwan, I need you now.”

He’s quick to pull the condom on, rolling the latex onto his shaft before finding his home between your legs yet again. He takes his time, running the bright red tip leisurely between your folds and spreading your wetness. Without warning, he lines back up with your core, sinking right in between your walls as if they were made perfectly for him.

Moaning in unison, Seungkwan’s body weight falls onto yours as he bottoms out, lips passionately finding yours to pull you into another heated kiss. You’re swallowing each other’s noises, breathing and heart rate becoming one as you soak each other in.

You need more, so you start to grind up into him, taking his perfectly sized cock even deeper. Seungkwan’s pulls away, leaving you both gasping as he pulls out just to snap his hips right back, drilling his length even deeper into you.

Everything had been so slow up until now, but Seungkwan’s quick to find his rhythm, hammering his cock between your walls with each harsh roll of his hips. The pleasure has you screaming, hands running up his shoulder blades to find purchase in his bedhead.

“Fuck, Kwan,” you cry out, “you feel so good.”

There’s a whirring sound, a grumbling coming from his chest as he agrees with you. It’s incredibly hot, especially when his voice still sounds whiney as he reciprocates the praise. “You feel so good, baby. You’re so warm and tight.”

You’re lost in each other, the sound of wet skin slapping against each other becoming drowned out by your whimpers and cries. His hands are warm around the nape of your neck, addicted to pulling you into desperate kisses as he continues to be sucked in between your folds, pussy clamping even tighter around his length with each direct hit to your sex.

You don’t want it to end, but you feel the tidal wave beginning to wash over you. Seungkwan can tell by the way your body begins to go limp, one leg hooking around his waist to keep him deep inside of you.

“Finish with me, Kwan. Please.” You mumble against his lips, hands grabbing at his shoulders as you try to keep your orgasm at bay.

“C’mon, baby,” Seungkwan coaxes, another accurate and deep roll of his hips pushing you both over the edge, the tidal wave of both your orgasms hitting you like a tsunami. “That’s it, come with me.”

Just like that, your both writhing and shaking in pleasure, back arching up to press your chest even tighter against his as your bodies and lips continue to mold. You can feel the throb of Seungkwan’s cock inside you, milking both of your orgasms until he reluctantly pulls out, body falling flat besides you as you both let out a sigh of delight.

“Good job, Cupid,” you sigh dreamily, rolling over to drink in his blushed features. “Was this your plan all along?”

Seungkwan lets out a joyous laugh, drawing you into a sweet kiss before ensuring you’re sated, absolutely prioritizing taking the upmost care of you after having you so early in the morning.

Maybe Valentine’s Day isn’t so bad after all. Maybe you really did want those chocolates and flowers in the window display. Maybe all it took was for Boo Seungkwan to meddle in your love life even after college for you to realize your life wasn’t so lackluster in love.

You’ve never felt more loved than when Seungkwan showed up at your door on Valentine’s Day, bouquet and chocolates balanced precariously in one hand, only to reveal what his other hand hid behind his back. A convenience store bag containing ramen and wine.

Life, adulting, and Valentine’s Day didn’t seem all too bitter with your own cupid back in it. Maybe, just maybe, you’d recommend the 1-800-Cupid hotline to those looking for some meddling in their love life.

[cedric-k-rossignol]

Something that makes me confused with the ut=cedric thing is that why would ut have children with her at the first place? I've seen some people saying that he wanted to have children to rogue against the queen and use them as a political weapon😕 and also the whole fact that interacting with humans at any form is forbidden for grim reapers, let alone having children with them! And we know that ut respectfully doesn't give a fuck about the rules so he made SURE to have some children with claudia as a middle finger to higher ups. But I do wonder if even undertaker himself knew that he could produce children?! And was shocked to find out, but If this wasn't the case and he knew about this possibility I think it was a completely selfish act because I think bearing the child of a reaper comes with great dangers, it would probably make *god* angry and when higher ups find out about it they would get rid of the baby i wonder how she survived this pregnancies (maybe ut was with her the whole time to protect) ,but putting the person you love in this big dangers is not very caring to say at the least. Also I do NOT think claudia was married(I hate the idea of her and ut having an affair outside her marriage and the whole cheating stuff also her children have her surname if she had a husband they would have his) so not only she would have to face this dangers but also deal with the whole having children as a single woman in that era. But Oh god they didn't stop at one and made a second one,that can't be an accident anymore😅.this got very long im sorry, just wanted to know your opinion🙏

You're talking to the Queen of things getting long (😏😏😏) so no need to apologize! This is a favorite subject of mine and I've written many a ff about it so thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about this even more.

Also just to be unserious for a second... Check out this big brain theory.

Why did Yana name the Phantomhives the Phantomhives? She was giving us ✨claudiataker sex ed✨

Bees = Phantomhive = Claudia

Birds = Rossignol (Nightingale) = Cedric/Undertaker

🐦🐝 warning for allusions to baby making below the cut 🐝🐦

why would ut have children with her at the first place? I've seen some people saying that he wanted to have children to rogue against the queen and use them as a political weapon and also the whole fact that interacting with humans at any form is forbidden for grim reapers, let alone having children with them! And we know that ut respectfully doesn't give a fuck about the rules so he made SURE to have some children with claudia as a middle finger to higher ups.

While I think his initial involvement with the Phantomhives/Claudia was to manipulate them to his advantage, I don't think he purposefully got Claudia pregnant to be able to use their child as a political weapon. For one, that would be planning for Claudia's death and her heir replacing her as the Queen's guard dog, and I think Undertaker avoided thinking about the inevitablility of her death whenever possible (very healthy strategy for dealing with things, slay king). I think Undertaker fell in love with Claudia pretty quickly once she took over the role of guard dog, and with that would have come a slight reshuffling of priorities. His life would have no longer just been in single-minded pursuit of an abstract goal. There would have been room for joy and tenderness and pleasure. And baby making. Lots of time for baby making.

But I do wonder if even undertaker himself knew that he could produce children?! And was shocked to find out, but If this wasn't the case and he knew about this possibility I think it was a completely selfish act

That's where I've gone - Undertaker was shocked to find out he could produce children. Yes, it was probably a thought in the back of his mind, a possibility - but one he didn't want to deal with. Once again, you dropped your crown, king of unhealthy coping mechanisms 👑 Ignore the problem until the strip turns pink, that's what I always say. I doubt Undertaker had any evidence of a child between a reaper and a human being possible - after all, at the end of the day, he is a dead man.

It's giving Twilight, lmao.

Undertaker is not above being selfish, but I don't think this was an area where he wanted to purposefully put Claudia in danger - because yes, having children with a grim reaper certainly was a dangerous move, and I think it painted a target on Vincent's head, as I discussed in my Omen of the Dragons theory.

I think bearing the child of a reaper comes with great dangers, it would probably make *god* angry and when higher ups find out about it they would get rid of the baby i wonder how she survived this pregnancies (maybe ut was with her the whole time to protect) ,but putting the person you love in this big dangers is not very caring to say at the least.

Oh, Undertaker's neuroses during Claudia's pregnancies, you are so dear to me ❤️❤️❤️ yeah, I think Undertaker was terrified. He would have appreciated the danger of their situation far more than Claudia would have. There would have been so many unknowns to a half reaper half human baby. However, keep in mind that the reapers and their higher ups are not omniscient - Undertaker has been living in hiding successfully for decades. Even upon reviewing the cinematic records of people he would have interacted with he hasn't been found out - though, it's hard to imagine Claudia's or Vincent's cinematic record wouldn't have revealed Undertaker's true identity - and that makes sense to me, because I think something funky is going on with the nature of Claudia's death and with the collection of Vincent's soul.

Also I do NOT think claudia was married(I hate the idea of her and ut having an affair outside her marriage and the whole cheating stuff also her children have her surname if she had a husband they would have his) so not only she would have to face this dangers but also deal with the whole having children as a single woman in that era.

I know the infidelity makes some people uncomfortable, but marriage was much more a financial and political arrangement than a romantic one, especially for titled men and women. 'Legitimate' children inheriting their mother's surname instead of their father's was exceedingly uncommon but not unheard of - and to do so required royal assent. Specifically for inheritance reasons, or to preserve the lineage of prestigious houses from dying out, children would take their mother's last name. If Claudia was the last Phantomhive, her children would have needed to take her last name to allow the Phantomhives to continue being guard dogs to the Queen. This might have been important to the Queen for "reasons" - or perhaps she was just sympathetic to a young woman at the head of her family, much like she herself was, and it was for that reason that she granted Claudia permission to name her children Phantomhive.

But Oh god they didn't stop at one and made a second one,that can't be an accident anymore😅

Yeah... No excuses for that one. Undertaker needed to learn how to pull out, and I guess when one popped out looking like him he finally wised up 🙄

Joking aside, I think Claudia was the one who was doing the family planning. I headcanon her as an only child, who would have wanted Vincent to not only have the company of a sibling growing up, but also their support in his role as watchdog. I think Claudia got pregnant by Undertaker both times on purpose - and I think if anyone considered the practical advantage of their children being half-reaper, it was her.

Thanks for the ask anon! I love talking about Undertaker, Claudia, and their fucked up little family ❤️

[saturninelove]

The Executioner

(NSFW?) 18+ Minors DNI:

I love my little pyramid head baby and there’s not nearly enough of him on this site. Warnings: Suggestive language, hints at NSFW. Slow burn. (Words: 1363)

~~~~~~~~~~

The blackened veil was slowly lifted, starting at your feet and quickly revealing the rest of your body to the world as well as the world to your eyes. A few disoriented blinks later, you find yourself shifting your footing around the murky and muddied grounds of the Backwater Swamp, none other than the Pale Rose’s delightfully dull scenery staring back at you. With a hushed sigh, you broke into a half-hearted sprint towards the main building, seeing Meg already ahead of you and beckoning you closer and onto the generator. With a tight lipped smile, you gave a polite nod of your head. Your heart was beating steadily but not in the way that you’d assume the killer was already near, you were excited to see whoever was trying to execute you from this trial. It was a terrible thing really but you insisted it was some form of adrenaline high that you got from being chased. You were one of the best at keeping the killer's attention without getting a scratch on you and very few killers could break that string of skill and power you possessed. As you thought so highly of yourself, a terrifying sound seemed to tear through the sky, paired nicely with Dwight’s cry of pain. There were only so many noises the killers could make that were that loud. That was either The Deathslinger’s gunshot being fired off or The Executioner’s blade cutting through terrain. It was clarified in only moments when Dwight inevitably let out another painful scream, this time emerging only seconds later behind the two girls entrapped in a cage full of spikes, threatening to impale him with every move he made in his haste. Meg tossed her head to the side as if telling you to set him free while she finished. You gave Dwight a sad smile. 

“You did great, that lasted a while!” You tried to be optimistic but he wasn’t buying it, he only gave a slight shrug as you bandaged him up as best you could with the first aid kit Dwight had brought. Meg had long since finished the generator and had headed to the next, hearing an additional generator sing out in the distance. Unsure as to who your other ally was, you set out to find them as well as another generator. In mere seconds, your heart began to race and you turned the corner only to come face to face with the behemoth himself. His ragged breathing seemed to only grow louder as he slowed to a halt in front of you, his chest heaving as he rested his blade against the wooden paneling below. You swallowed abruptly, your entire mouth seeming to dry as you took an unsteady step backwards. Of course, you tripped over the rotting animal carcass the entity liked to keep around and slipped into the gaping hole in the floor. Unsure as to what exactly was happening, you shook your head and assumed autopilot as you sprint out of there as quickly as your feet could carry you, your heightened adrenaline taking you too far out to see what he’d do when you fell. You could still hear his heavy footsteps behind you and the ominous way that metal screeched against the rocks and gravel. With your own chest heaving, you stopped sprinting for long enough to hide underneath the docks, knowing he should’ve lost your trail. You held your breath as you heard him walk above you on the docks, dirt and debris falling through the planks of wood as you crouched into a corner, willing your breathing to be quieter as he kept looking around, taking much longer than you’d think he would. Two different generators rang out in the distance and with all three teammates still alive, you knew the last was soon to follow, but he still hadn’t left. You knew the entity was up to no good when one of the crows nearest to you flew a little closer and made a loud croaking noise. You tried to quietly hush it, shaking your head as you crept closer into the corner. You couldn’t hear his footsteps anymore but you really didn’t trust it. As soon as you went to peek around the corner, you let out a harsh gasp as you were grabbed abruptly, feet being pulled off of the ground as you were lifted by the throat, coughing and gasping. Your eyes settled onto the metallic, rusted cage that seemed to leer at you as your vision blurred, your nails digging into his fleshy wrist harshly in an effort to get him to let go. 

“P-please!” You cried out, which seemed to shatter the immersion surrounding the two of you. You were dropped immediately and you crumbled onto your hands and knees as you heaved, coughing violently as tears filled your eyes. This wasn’t normal, you’d seen him chase other survivors and you’d seen the way he killed. Strangulation was not his strong suit, nor was it something he had ever done. The sound of his blade being sheathed into the dirt scared you, causing you to jump at just the sound alone. Just as you were ready to recover and as you stood, that same hand stretched down to you, this time much softer as it caressed the tresses that surrounded your face. You swallowed roughly and tried not to jump or pull away from the creature in front of you. The hand was gone in an instant and you heard the last generator roar to life in the distance, looking up as that familiar burst of speed filled your veins, your eyes glancing around for a way to escape. As if reading your mind, he pressed closer, his breathing loud and it filled your ears as he caged you against the rickety boards with his body, firmly pressing your legs apart with his own body. With your eyes wide, you looked up at him, your brows furrowed in question. You’d heard the legends of ‘The Executioner’ and ‘The Pyramid Head’, this creature was ruthless and cold, his methods of torment were unmatched. And yet here he stood, pressed between your legs and you couldn’t deny the throbbing of your clit. With another strangled gulp, you tried feebly to pull out of his grasp which enticed a low growl to come from underneath his head piece, your eyes widening further as you stilled your movements. The sound of one of the exit gates being powered filled the entirety of the trial, signifying the end of the trial being near. With your widened doe eyes, you wondered if he would keep you here for some sort of sick sense of satisfaction. You were answered immediately as he reacted to the sound of the exit gates being opened. He hoisted you over his shoulder giving another low and quiet groan as if to tell you to hold still. You weren’t even going to bother trying to move, too dumbstruck to catch up with what was happening. He set you gently onto your feet at the opened exit gate, seeing as all of your teammates had already left you behind. He stood directly in front of you, his chest heaving and his arms seemed to be itching to move. When you didn’t make any move to run or exit the trial, he stretched his arms down and onto either one of your hips, the firmness of his grip was exhilarating as he pulled you just a little closer, ensuring you felt the stiffness at his groin as he held you, his palms searching your rear excitedly, groping handfuls as he began to grind your body against his. With a soft moan, you ran your hands up his muscled chest, marveling at how warm he was. The whispers of the fog surrounded the two of you and he gave you a gentle shove towards the safety line in the exit gate, his chest seeming to be heaving harder than before. With a blush on your cheeks, you stepped away from him and into safety, excitement running through your veins at the promise of your next trial.

[acacia-may]

For What It's Worth (Black Clover Fanfic)

A shadow looms over the dining room when the Golden Dawn gathers for the first time after tragedy threatened to destroy them. Even Yuno who has strived to remain emotionally detached feels its bitter sting, but his attempts to push it aside are thwarted as soon as it becomes abundantly clear that a certain flower mage is in desperate need a friend.

OR

Yuno has always considered himself ill-equipped to deal with emotionally charged situations, and, despite Langris' apparent insistence to the contrary, he doubts that he is in any way qualified to act as consoler. He finds, however, that, for Mimosa at least, he is willing to try.

Yuno & Mimosa’s Friendship and Hurt/Comfort. Also, Yuno & Langris’ Friendship and the Golden Dawn as family.

Characters: Yuno (POV Character), Mimosa Vermillion, Langris Vaude, Klaus Lunettes, William Vangeance, and the Golden Dawn (David is mentioned which is important to me)

Relationships: Yuno & Mimosa Friendship, Yuno & Langris Friendship, Yuno & The Golden Dawn Friendship

Genre: Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, Golden Dawn as Family, Post-Spade Arc, William Vangeance is a Softie (Change My Mind), and Yuno Can't Feelings But Is Trying His Best.

Warnings: Implied/Referenced Canonical Character Death, Grief, Black Clover Spoilers for the Spade Arc.

Rated: G

Word Count: 2,612

A/N: This fic is the first and only time I ever wrote in Yuno's POV (apologies in advance to all my Yuno enthusiast friends. I hope I've done him justice 😅). I mentioned this fic in an answer to a recent ask and realized I never cross-posted it to Tumblr. After rereading it on AO3, I thought it was deserving of a home here too. I hope you all enjoy it.

Link to Work on AO3. Full Text Below the Cut. Thank you for reading!

With a sigh, Yuno pushed the food around his plate. It looked delicious—far more decadent than anything he had experienced growing up in Hage Village where most meals consisted of only potatoes. Yuno sighed again. That seemed so long ago now, and so much had happened since then leaving Yuno feeling hardened and weary—old, his mind finished for him.

He placed his fork at the side of his plate. He didn’t feel like eating.

Neither did many of his squad mates, it seemed, as the dining table was filled with picked over plates of food. Klaus, who was seated to his right, had barely touched his besides to take a few bites of steamed green beans and Yuno couldn’t help but wonder if that was only to be polite.

The seat to Yuno’s left was vacant as was the seat to Klaus’ right, but place settings had been laid out in front of them anyway. The sight made Yuno’s stomach churn, and the quiet conversations of his squad mates faded as Yuno’s gaze drifted to the many untouched place settings and empty chairs around their table. His chest grew tight, and he swallowed hard.

Klaus gently nudged his elbow as he reached for a knife and gave him a sympathetic smile before returning to his green beans. David’s voice carried from the other end of the table telling a story not nearly as exuberantly as Yuno had heard it before. Directly across from him, Langris pursed his lips together and grabbed for his glass of wine. He met Yuno’s eyes with a slight tilt of his head. Yuno knew he was thinking the same thing. They all were. 

It was the first time the Golden Dawn had shared a meal together since rescuing Captain Vangeance from Spade, and it was palpably quieter than it had been before. Something twisted in Yuno’s chest as he remembered some of the meals they had shared together in a past that was growing more and more distant—the clanging of glasses as Hamon made a toast; the applause as Shiren stepped in to cut generous portions of turkey for everyone; the raucous laughter and friendly conversation. Now there were only hushed tones, the sounds of silverware scraping against fine china, and a somber pall hovering over the dining room.  

Langris coughed drawing Yuno’s attention. His look conveyed more sympathy than any words and asked ‘Are you alright?’ Choosing not to think too deeply about the question, Yuno nodded with a slight shrug of his shoulders. Langris’ face softened, but he gave him a brisk nod before pointedly tilting his head towards Mimosa who was seated on his right. Though she stared intently at her plate, her gaze was glossy as if she wasn’t staring at anything at all. She hadn’t appeared to have eaten anything.

Langris looked back at Yuno then to Mimosa then to Yuno again. Yuno did much the same and they continued their nonverbal back-and-forth until Langris, seemingly exasperated with Yuno’s blank blinking, sighed and met his eyes with a pointed look that screamed ‘she’s your friend.’ Yuno sighed. He supposed he had always been closer to Mimosa than Langris was but that did not mean that Mimosa wasn’t Langris’ friend too. Yuno decided now was not the time to argue about this, however, and conceded that, yes, even though he still wasn’t entirely sure why Mimosa had adopted him as a friend in the first place, she certainly was now and he should probably do something—anything, his mind corrected—to help her. The only problem was, of course, that he had no idea what that ‘something’ or ‘anything’ was.

With a wish and prayer that the words would eventually come to him if he just started talking, Yuno cleared his throat. “Um…Mimosa?” 

It took her more than a few seconds to look up. Something panged in Yuno’s chest at the sight of her usually laughing eyes so dulled by grief.  “Yes?” she asked.

“Um…” Yuno’s mind suddenly went blank as she gave him the slightest most heartbreaking bittersweet smile. It was then that he noticed something glistening in the corners of her eyes. His heart sank. She was blinking back tears. 

Panicking more than he cared to admit, he glanced over at Langris who merely offered him a look that said, ‘Why in the world are you looking at me of all people?’ before he reached for his wine again with a bitter shake of his head. Yuno supposed Langris had a point. As much as Yuno had never considered himself adept with feelings due to his generally blunt and standoffish demeanour, Langris was much the same way and had insisted time and time again that he was cold, callous, and utterly ill-equipped to deal with these kinds of emotionally-charged situations. In other words, Yuno presumed, he was likely feeling just as helpless.

“Um…” Yuno repeated. “Are you…?”—his heartbeat pounded in his ears and something twisted in his stomach—“feeling okay?” The words felt stiff and unnatural as they fell out of his mouth.

Mimosa turned away from him abruptly but nodded. “Just not very hungry…”

Yuno swallowed hard at the pitiful hitch in her voice, and Langris having reached the bottom of his wine glass tilted his head towards Klaus, presumably suggesting that he would be better at handling this than either of them. In his best attempt to do so without appearing like a backwoods bumpkin from Hage or alerting Mimosa who was once again staring at her plate, Yuno gently nudged him with his elbow.

Klaus turned to him in confusion before Yuno tilted his head just slightly in Mimosa’s direction. “Are you alright, Mimosa?” he asked immediately with an ease that both baffled and impressed Yuno and, judging by his expression, Langris as well.  

Mimosa’s cheeks flushed almost as if she was embarrassed. “I’m fine,” she stumbled in an obvious lie. 

“Can I get you anything?” asked Langris who, Yuno presumed must have finally felt compelled to at least try something. 

“Um…maybe some butter, please?”

Dishes and silverware clanged as Langris, Klaus, and Yuno all bumped into each other reaching for the nearby butter dish at the same time. The room grew thick with silence, and Yuno became painfully aware of where all of his companions had suddenly turned their attention. A faint blush filled Langris’ cheeks despite his stern frown, and Klaus flushed as he cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses, which had been left askew in the kerfuffle. Yuno who had managed to reach the butter dish first, simply blinked at his squad mates before turning back to Mimosa and handing her the butter she had requested.

Her mouth had twitched in the corners though her blush had deepened. “I’m sorry, she whispered. “I didn’t want to cause…”

“Well, now that I have everyone’s attention,” said Captain Vangeance clearing his throat and, Yuno presumed, kindly trying to save them any further embarrassment while having no idea he had cut off Mimosa. Everyone turned to their Captain and raised their glasses as he tapped his for a toast. 

“I know this has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone. I don’t have to tell you all how hard it is to look around this table at all of the empty places and to think of all of the people who couldn’t be here with us tonight." As the Captain paused, Yuno’s eyes burned. Across the table from him, Langris stared at his glass and Mimosa’s fingers gripped the butter dish until her knuckles turned white. “Even though they may not eat at this table, they will always be a part of this squad.” Captain Vangeance’s voice hitched, and Yuno could have almost sworn he heard him sniffle, but he couldn’t bring himself to look up from his plate. “And as I look around at all of you here—my comrades and my friends—I am reminded of what an honor and a privilege it is to serve as your captain and I know that the Golden Dawn will endure”—he raised his glass—“To the Golden Dawn.”

“To the Golden Dawn,” repeated Yuno in unison with the rest of the table. As he held his glass to his lips, he noticed Mimosa hurriedly folding her napkin and rising from her seat, quietly excusing herself. Yuno’s stomach dropped as he caught sight of the tears which broke free of her desperate attempts to dry her eyes. He swallowed hard and watched her leave the dining room before he exchanged equally concerned glances with Klaus and Langris. Before either of them could say anything, however, Yuno’s body seemed to move on its own and he stood up from his chair.

Klaus tilted his head and Langris quirked an eyebrow at him, but Yuno somehow managed a reassuring nod that he could only hope conveyed, ‘I’ll go talk to her.’

*-*-*

Yuno found Mimosa sitting alone in the courtyard illuminated only by the light of the moon. Her shoulders were shaking as she buried her head in her hands. Yuno felt that familiar pang in his chest as he realized she was crying.

He stopped in his tracks unsure of what he should do. If he was being honest with himself, he hadn’t thought this far ahead. Leaving the dining room after her had been an impulsive thing—something Asta would do, he thought with a tilt of his head and the slightest twitch in the corners of his mouth—and he hadn’t given the slightest thought as to what he would do or what he would say when he finally caught up to her. What would Asta do if he was here instead, Yuno wondered.

For the next several moments, Yuno contemplated walking up to Mimosa and offering her some motivational pep talk about ‘never giving up’, giving the idea much more consideration than he knew that he should have. Mimosa probably didn’t need reassurance—she probably just needed a friend.

“Oh, Yuno?” she asked as she finally noticed him standing there. She wiped at her eyes, not that it made much of difference. He already knew she had been crying.

“Hey,” he said taking a seat next to her. “You okay?”

Mimosa nodded though her tearstained face and bloodshot eyes said otherwise. “Yeah…um…I just needed some air…”

Yuno blinked at her obvious lie. “Everybody’s worried about you,” he said in his blunt, matter-of-fact way, and Mimosa’s face blushed a beet red.

“I’m sorry,” she said twisting her hands. “I didn’t mean to worry anybody.”

Yuno shrugged. “It’s no problem. We’re your squad.”

Mimosa whimpered, and her shoulders began to shake again.

“Hey, please don’t cry,” he said—the even tone of his voice not at all reflective of his level of concern at seeing her cry again. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” she apologized frantically swiping at the tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just can’t stop thinking about—” Her voice hitched as if the words were getting tangled in the back of her throat. Yuno swallowed and nodded. She didn’t need to finish.

“I know,” he said softly. “Me too.”

“It’s all my fault,” cried Mimosa, no longer even trying to stop her tears.

“No, it’s not. It’s Zenon and his generals’ fault for attacking our base.” The words felt as forced and mechanical as they did when he told them to himself over and over, and he knew better than anyone that they were going to do very little to make her feel better.  

“But I wasn’t even here,” Mimosa argued. “If I was, maybe I could’ve saved them.”

“Mimosa…”

“You saw what happened at the end of our battle in Spade,” she cut him off with a forcefulness that almost startled him—it was so unlike her. “All those people—they almost died…”

“And they would have if it wasn’t for you,” Yuno interjected.

Mimosa caught her breath—swiping at the tears cascading down her cheeks, and the words tumbled out of her mouth so quickly Yuno struggled to keep up with them. “But that’s the point isn’t it? If I could save Captain Yami and Gadjah and Nacht and all of those other people, why couldn’t I save Shiren or Hamon or the rest of our squad? They needed me, and I wasn’t there. If I was, I could’ve saved their lives too.”

“You don’t know that…”

“Yes, I do,” she argued curling her hands into fists.

“No, you don’t.” Heat rose in Yuno’s chest. He could hear it infecting his words as he spoke. “If you had been here, they would’ve just killed you too. We all would’ve died if it wasn’t for Captain Vangeance’s magic—back then…back then, there was nothing any of us could do.” As Yuno’s words echoed through the courtyard he wondered if he was speaking more to Mimosa or to himself. She must have been wondering the same thing because she turned to stare at him with kind and sympathetic eyes.

He turned away from her with a sigh. “Listen,” he said. “I know it’s hard not to second guess yourself. You’re an amazing mage, and you have incredible power—but this was not your battle to fight.”

Mimosa huffed and stood up from her seat—a fire and determination in her eyes that Yuno wasn’t used to. “I’m as much a part of the Golden Dawn as you. If my squad was fighting for their lives, I should have been there.”

“If you had died there, nobody you saved in Spade would’ve survived. Nobody, Mimosa,” said Yuno bluntly. His face softened. “And I know that’s not what our fallen comrades would’ve wanted.”

Mimosa sighed and took her seat again. She wiped at her eyes, but her shoulders had stopped shaking. After what felt like an eternity, she finally conceded in a small, quiet voice, “You’re right.”

Yuno felt no satisfaction in having won the argument. He certainly didn’t feel like a winner as he gave her a curt nod, and they sat side-by-side in the courtyard as she quietly cried—Yuno’s own eyes burning all the while with tears held back only by sheer force of will. He wasn’t sure how long they had sat there when he felt her hand brush up against his. He took it—giving it a gentle squeeze as if to remind her that he was still here, for whatever that was worth. When she squeezed his hand back, he wondered if she wanted him to know the same.

The words began to tumble out before he could stop them though they were so quiet he wasn’t sure she could even hear him. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you weren’t there…” His voice trailed. “I don’t think I could’ve lost you.”

Mimosa sniffled, and Yuno turned to her with wide, concerned eyes. How had he made her cry again?

He was wondering how he could take back what he had said when she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a hug. “I don’t think I could’ve lost you, either,” she said as she pressed her chin to his shoulder. 

Yuno’s eyes widened, but before he could even begin to process what was happening, she pulled away from him again. Though her eyes were teary, she smiled at him.

“Thanks, Yuno,” she said before she sniffled and wiped her eyes. 

“Are you ready to go back in?” he asked.

“I’m ready if you are,” she said as she slipped her hand into his.

Yuno sighed with relief and nodded at her before they walked back into the dining room hand-in-hand.