#so ch5 might take a while

[izzyfishie]

VANISH INTO YOU — CHAPTER FOUR IS FINALLY DONE!!!!!!!! AFTER TWO WEEKS OF HARD WORK!!

RELEASING TMRW AFTERNOON 🙏

its over 6k, going on 7k words. i’m sorry

[exhaslo]

Over-Time Ch5

(CEO!Miguel x Shy/Clumsy!Reader)

Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4

Warning: MINORS DNI, sexual thoughts, eventual smut, slow-burn, mentions of sex, bullying, cussing, fluff

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Today was the day. You were finally going to practice being on your own with Miguel while Lyla watched. There was a busy schedule, but you were confident that you could handle it. Lyla had prepped you pretty well for this.

Taking deep breathes as you prepared the meeting room, you did a double check to make sure that everything was perfect. Reviewing your notes, you smiled as you felt confident in your work. All you had to do now was survive the meeting with Miguel.

"Wow, someone is prepared." Miguel hummed as he entered the large office, "You're not working too hard, right?"

"O-Oh, um...no...I just want to make sure...that everything is perfect for you and your shareholders."

"Thank you, (Y/N)," Miguel smiled, patting your head gently.

You bit your lower smile, trying to hide your smile as you glanced up at Miguel. He was still so kind to you. These little moments made your heart flutter so much. It was hard to not think about Miguel liking you, but those were just thoughts.

"No problem, sir...I just want to make sure...that I do a good job for you,"

-------

Miguel inhaled sharply as he moved his hand away from your head. Why did you have to be so goddamn tempting? Lyla might not have been wrong about him eventually fucking you.

You were just so adorable and sweet. Miguel felt horrible about the thoughts he was having. Your soft voice crying out his name as he thrusted his dick inside you. Watching you flutter against him, begging him to go rougher.

The thoughts of you riding his dick while trying to prove yourself while calling him, 'sir'. Lord, Miguel could barely hold back his erections time and time again. Listening to your shy and honest thoughts was so refreshing.

"You always do," Miguel hummed and motioned you to the side, "Just take notes of the meeting. Don't let them intimidate you,"

"Yes, sir."

Sir. Oh Miguel was going to develop of kink for that if you keep calling him that. Quickly taking a seat to hide his erection, Miguel glanced at you from the side. You were sitting in your little desk, typing away on your tablet.

You were far too nice to be working for him. A shy little mouse that was being eyed as prey. Miguel had to hide his smile as he wondered what it would take for you to crack. It was nice to have to yearn for someone who didn't lust over him immediately.

---------

The tension in the air felt almost insufferable as scary looking men filled the room. Your heart was beginning to race as they all gave you a cold stare. You were starting to feel out of place. Like you weren't allowed to be there.

"What happened to your secretary, Miguel? The one who bites?"

"She's starting her several month long vacation,"

"Praise be. Does this one bite too?"

Biting? Lyla didn't tell you anything about that, but you could see her doing such a thing. Lyla was funny in her own unique way.

"I won't allow her too." Miguel said with a smile as he glanced towards you.

Oh! You hitched your breathing as you felt your cheeks warm up. You were prepared for such a comment from Miguel. That smile of his was so charming. Realizing that you were staring for too long, you quickly returned to your tablet.

The meeting felt like eternity. You had managed to not doze off, but you were worried that your notes were now lacking. You and Miguel were the last to leave the room. Once the other men were gone, you felt like you could breathe again.

"Good job, you didn't fall asleep," Miguel chuckled lowly as he approached you, "Did you play any games on the tablet?"

"Games?" You questioned. Miguel just gave you another charming smile,

"What a hard worker. I should reward you,"

---------

How cute could you be? Miguel watched as your eyes widen to his comments. That sparkle your lovely orbs gave captivated him. Miguel had to urge to cup your cheek, wanting to feel those lips against his. Did you even know the way you were looking at him?

"I'm just...doing my job, sir," You muttered, biting your lip as you glanced away.

Miguel groaned softly as he raised your head. His thumb stroking your chin as you continued to look at him with those curious eyes of yours.

"Um...Did Lyla really...bite people?" You asked. Miguel couldn't hold his laughter,

"Indeed. Even spooked me the first time," He chuckled, pressing his thumb against your lip, "Care to give it a try?"

"B-Biting?" You stuttered. Miguel watched his thumb rest against your lower lip, "I-I c-couldn't! T-That...that would be-ah! S-Sorry, sir! I didn't mean too!!"

You were apologizing profusely. As you were rambling about how you couldn't do such a thing, you had accidently bit Miguel's thumb. You panicked and grabbed his hand, rubbing it as you kept apologizing.

Miguel, on the other hand, needed to leave. His erection was growing tight as he started to have dirty thoughts of you again. It was a gentle bite, but Miguel had his fantasies explode. Imagining those eyes of yours tearing up as he asked you to bite him while bullying that pussy of yours...

"It's fine, (Y/N)...I merely tease," Miguel groaned lowly, "We have some time before my next meeting. Go report to Lyla about how you did."

"A-Are you sure? You're not hurt?"

"No, cariño (sweetheart). It would take more to hurt me," Miguel comforted you with a smile.

--------

You were a nervous wreck. Miguel told you that he was fine, but you still couldn't help but apologize. You didn't mean to bite him. It was an accident, but...the way he was looking at you. It was strange. Miguel said it as a tease, but it seem like he wanted you to bite him.

Perhaps it was watching too many romance dramas, but Miguel seemed like he was interested in you. Slapping your cheeks as you hurried to Lyla's office, you knew that it was just a silly thought.

Miguel was the CEO of Alchemax. He probably already had a line of women waiting to marry him. All of them much more mature and composed compared to you. None of them a clumsy, shy fool like you were.

"Hey, (Y/N)! How'd it go?" Lyla asked. You whimpered, covering your face from embarassment,

"I accidently bit Miguel's thumb!"

"Huh?"

Lyla was staring at you, dumbfounded, for a good minute before bursting into laughter. She motioned you over, moving your hands away from your face.

"Hehe, don't cry, (Y/N). I'm surprised you did such a thing. Normally I'm the one who bites people," Lyla laughed, "Now I know that you'll do fine."

"But-"

"No buts. Miguel could use a little snip back here and there. Listen, after today you will be all on your own with that Spider. Decorate this place how you see fit to comfort you, but don't let yourself get caught in the webs of this place."

"Didn't you say...that Miguel won't do anything?" You asked, a little confused now. Lyla sat beside you, sighing softly,

"It isn't Miguel I'm worried about. People around here fear me for obvious reasons, but you? You're fresh meat. They will do what they can to break you and get to Miguel."

"H-Huh?!"

"You'll have to wear Miguel's pants in order to keep them away."

"M-Miguel's p-p-pants?!" You squeaked.

Lyla, once again, burst into a fit of laughter. She had to explain to you that it was just an expression she used. After explaining a bit more, Lyla looked at the time and had you fixed up for the next meeting. You were thankful for having such a good teacher.

"Now, tell me how you managed to bite our stern CEO?"

---------

"And here I was more worried about (Y/N) falling for you, but you stooping this low?" Lyla huffed as she barged Miguel's doors open.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Uh-huh. And that little biting incident was truly an accident?" Miguel glanced at Lyla, "(Y/N)'s face was red as a tomato."

"Accident's happen." Miguel said with a soft sigh, "Besides, how many of my business partners have you bitten?"

"That's different. Don't you remember what we talked about?"

"I did. Whom I chose to spend my time with is none but my business. If anyone questions it, then they don't deserve my time. I merely want to protect (Y/N)-"

"By making her yours?" Lyla said with a smirk. Miguel exhaled,

"Aren't you on vacation time now?"

"Fine, fine. Don't miss me too much these next few months," Lyla said with a heavy sigh, "When I come back I don't want to hear about (Y/N) accidently landed on your dick-"

"LYLA!"

Miguel felt flustered as Lyla snickered on her way out. Groaning lowly, Miguel knew that Lyla had a point. They literally just talked about that snake that could come and hurt you if she found out that Miguel liked you.

But how could Miguel ignore his feelings? For the first time in a long time, Miguel wanted someone. He wanted you so bad that it sounded silly. The two of you just met and Miguel was ready to fuck you into being his girl.

"It'll be fine. It's just a few months."

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Next Chapter

@timidquindim @decentsoupperson @ivkygirly @reader-1290 @daddyfroglegs @eepybunny0805 @ddreabea @iamperson12280 @migueloharasoulmate @tojishugetiddies @koko-1025 @hyeinwluv85s @daisy-artfield @migueloharastruelove @a-lil-whore @hcqwxrtss123 @the-pan-liquid @tojisfav @pochapo @bubblegumfanfictions @brighterthanlonelythoughts @ghstypaint @mangoslushcrush @synamonthy @scaleniusrm @moonspectorx @dorck26 @a060403 @lunablackcosplay @soraya-daydreams @lovefanfic1 @mymrsweirdnessshipperstuff-blog @pretty-pink-princesss @corpsebridenightamare @razertail18 @gachagator @droolingmuttt @miguelsfavwife @ryzguy06 @raideaters-blog @manishkaworld @keidilla @byjessicalotufo @pigeonmama @k3ythesapphic @acesangels @stealingyourturts @angel-xx-1 @amberbalcom14 @ofmenanduhhhwellmen @oscarissac2099 @keepghostly @zeyzeys-stuff @k3ythesapphic @nightingale1011 @mari0-o @uncle-eggy @safixiovi @flaps200 @dahehow @weirdothatwritess @gerblinradio @electronicchaoschaos @mafiaanomaly

[ythankucaptainmccoy]

The Cowgirl and The Aviator Ch5

The next chapter baby! I posted this with a heavy heart as one of my cats died today. RIP Fives I'll always miss you. @smoothdogsgirl I will admit that I listened to How To Train Your Dragon Romantic Flight on repeat while writing this and it shows at one point ;) WARNINGS: Blowjob and Pussy Eating/Fingering

Jake wakes and realizes during the night he had tucked you into his chest and that your rear was firmly pressed against him. He was trying to go back to sleep when you made a small whimper and moved brushing your ass against him. That’s when he realized he was hard as a rock. As much as he wanted to stay in bed with you he also wanted to surprise you with breakfast. He willed himself to get up where he went to the bathroom to take care of his problem. After taking care of himself and washing his hands he went to the kitchen.

When you wake you’re alone in Jake’s bed, but you can already smell the food. You make your way to the kitchen where Jake has his back turned to you trying to fix a plate of food. You walk up and wrap your arms around his waist. He tenses at first until he realizes it’s you. You place a kiss on his back and relish in the way he shudders. “Darlin�� I’m tryin’ to make breakfast”, he drawls. His voice is a little gravely from sleep, and it makes you smile. 

You pull away as he fills the two plates he had set out. The food looks delicious as he sets the two plates on the kitchen table. You take a bite and moan with how good it tastes. Jake sits there, food halfway to his mouth, but looking at you as you take another bite of food. He is so turned on right now it isn’t funny, but he wants to take this slow. He might have to make another bathroom trip if you keep making those noises. 

“What’s wrong Jake?”, you say, trying to play innocent. “How’s your breakfast?”, he asks, shoveling food into his mouth so he doesn’t say anything dirty. “It’s amazing”, you reply. He beams with pride as he finally starts to eat. “So Bradley said you all have a mission coming up”, you say. “Yeah it should be pretty simple”, he tells you. “I know you can’t promise anything in your line of work, but try to come back in one piece”, you say.

“I’ll try my best darlin’”, he replies. After finishing breakfast Jake says something about going for a run. “Well I’ll head back and take a shower then get ready to lounge around”, you say. You watch as he gets ready to head out for a run and head to Bradleys apartment. This time when you get there Bradleys fuckbuddy is still there. You shower and get dressed as quickly as you can then leave. You were at a total loss of what to do when a text came through. ‘I know we are supposed to be taking things slow, but how about taking you out to lunch’ Jake’s text reads. 

‘Sure what time and where. I was going to run some minor errands today’ you text back. ‘How about noon at the taco place there by the base. I’ll send you the address’, he responded. ‘Sounds great’ you say. Sure enough not even two minutes later Jake has texted you the address. It’s only nine so you have some time to kill. You decide to go to an outlet mall where you buy some jean shorts, some tank tops, t-shirts and some work out shorts. 

You continue to walk down the sidewalk when a storefront window catches your eye. It was a lingerie store and an idea popped into your head. You quickly made your way inside and looked at the selection. One grabbed your attention. It was a two piece babydoll set and the lace was pretty. It also came in a variety of colors. You thought for a moment if your dates kept going well and anything were to happen you would want to be prepared right.

You looked through the color selection and found a navy blue one and headed for the counter. You paid for them when you realized what time it was. You quickly made your way to the parking lot and headed towards the taco place Jake had sent you the address to. When you pulled in he was already there so you went inside. You looked around spotting him and came to sit down in front of him. “I’m sorry I’m late. I was shopping and lost track of time”, you insisted.

“It’s alright I sat down maybe ten minutes ago so no big deal. What did you go shopping for?”, he asked. “I got some new clothes and some tennis shoes for work. Then I got sidetracked by another store before I realized what time it was”, you explained. “What store got you sidetracked that badly?”, he questioned. You didn’t answer because you couldn’t just say you were in a lingerie store trying to think of a set he would like. 

A laugh drew you out of your head when you realized it was Jake. “Was it a sex store because I could totally see someone getting sidetracked in one of those”, he joked. This was your chance to avoid the question and get back at him. “No it wasn’t, but I bet you would love to see which toys I would pick out for nights I’m alone”, you said, picking up a menu. “Darlin’ you can’t just say something like that to a man”, he responded. 

Now Jake was imagining you back at the apartment, when Rooster wasn’t there, getting yourself off and damn if it wasn’t a beautiful picture in his head. How your body would quiver and how you would whimper and moan. Then he imagined you calling his name when you fell apart. “Jake…Jake. Hello earth to Jake:, you said. He seemed to snap back to reality and looked at you with a questioning look. “He’ll have a sweet tea”, you answered. 

He then realized you had tried to get his attention so the waitress could take your drink orders. “What were you thinking about?”, you teased knowing damn well what he was probably thinking about. “You’re so cruel”, he said dramatically. “No this is cruel”, you stated and drew your boot up his leg under the table. Where had this boldness come from? Sure you were bold back in college, but never like this. It had to be Jake. Just being in his presence did something to you. 

You felt his hand grab your booted ankle and you swore you could see him straighten in his chair. “You okay?”, you hummed. “Yeah, figure out what you want yet?”, he asked. You put your foot back onto the floor and when the waitress came back you both ordered. “I thought we were taking things slow”, Jake stated after the waitress left. “We are but it doesn’t mean I can’t tease you every once in a while”, you replied. 

“You’re somethin’ else”, he sighed. This was something totally different than what he was used to and he was loving every bit of it. Your boldness and the way you would think of something to say to almost anything and everything he threw at you to try and embarrass you. You were cocky in your own way and that’s what drew him to you in the first place. He wanted this to work and hell for the first time in a long time he wanted something steady.

It scared him a little how much he wanted that, but his sister had always said “eventually you’ll find one that matches your own crazy”. You were watching as Jake got lost in his own thoughts again and when he did that he would absentmindedly smile. “Jake how will I get to talk to you when your on missions?”, you ask. “Well you can write me letters if you want. It may take em’ a while to get to me”, he replies. The way he said it made you wonder if anyone had ever sent him letters before. “Do you get a lot of letters when you're on a mission?”, you continue your questioning. 

“Sometimes but they are all from my sister asking how I’m doing”, he responds. “You’re parents don’t write to you”, you said. “No, my mom died before I joined the Navy and dad, well he didn’t like that I chose the Navy over the ranch back home”, he responded. “I’m sorry about your mom. If you don’t mind, would you tell me about her some day. When you’re ready that is”, you whispered. Jake felt like he was in a whirlwind of emotions today. “Yeah I would actually like that”, he replied.

“I can tell you a little bit about her before our food gets here. She was the most amazing woman ever. I mean she just knew when something was going on with her kids ya’ know. She would always tell me I was her favorite. I have three sisters and an older brother and she was always fair about things. She never judged people right away; she tried to get them to open up to her. She would have loved you”, he trailed off. 

“I would have loved to have met her”, you say. “I know my sister would love to tell you all of the embarrassing stories about me if you ever meet her”, he groaned. “I would love to hear all of them, but not all at once so I’ll have something new each time to tease you about”, you say trying to lighten the mood. “I bet you would”, he chuckled. The food arrived before he could tell you more and when you took the first bite of your taco you swore you had never had anything like it before. 

“Holy shit Jake why didn’t you tell me about this place sooner”, you cried. “Well since it’s so good, are we counting this as a second date?”, he joked. “Sure these tacos are better than sex”, you say. “I don’t know about that besides how do you know these tacos are better than sex. What kind of men have you dated?”, he laughed. “Apparently the wrong ones”, you replied. You both enjoyed your meals and talked for another hour before you left. You gave him a quick peck on the lips and turned to go back to your truck, but his hand shot out and grabbed your wrist pulling you back to him.

He kissed you slowly at first then it started to build as if he were a starved man. When he pulled away you were panting trying to catch your breath. “I’ll see you later”, he stated. “Yeah especially if I get more kisses like that”, you laughed breathily. He watched until you made it to your truck and started it before he went to his own truck. You smiled to yourself when you noticed the shopping bag on the floorboard of the truck. 

The next couple of days were uneventful as most of the Dagger Squad were too tired to come to the Hard Deck. You could see that Rooster was exhausted from training when you got home from your shift. “I brought you something to eat, it's on the counter”, you called to him from the kitchen. “Alright I’ll come get it in a minute”, he called out from his room. Then you grabbed the other box of food that you had brought home and made your way next door. You knocked on Jake's door and waited for a few minutes until he answered. “Hey I brought you some food from the Hard Deck. Bradley said you all have been training hard and I want to make sure you all are at least eating dinner”, you say. 

“Thanks you can come in if you want”, he offers. He looks just as exhausted as Bradley and you can tell his shoulders are tight as he keeps rolling them. He eats as you take up your usual spot on his couch. Once he is finished he comes to sit down beside you. “Are you alright? You keep rolling your shoulders”, you comment. “Yeah it’s probably just strained muscles from training so much”, he tells you. 

“Sit on the floor in front of me. Back towards me”, you say, gesturing to said spot. He gives you a raised eyebrow, but does as you say. Before he can say anything else you grab his shoulders and start massaging the tight muscles. He groans as you hit a particularly sore spot, and you focus on it until the tension melts away. Hell the noises that are coming from him make you wet, but you won’t admit it or acknowledge it. 

You continue until he is fully relaxed and all the tension is gone. Now when he looks at you he has a sleepy look in his eyes. “You should get some rest”, you tell him. He agrees and walks with you to the door where you share a couple of kisses. You eventually make it back and find that Bradley had also eaten and gone to bed. You knew they were leaving Monday for their mission and the Dagger Squad all agreed to come visit you on Friday at the Hard Deck. 

During the week you find out from Bradley that Fanboy and Payback got injured and that they were being replaced for the time being with new Top Gun graduates. That unsettled you when you realized that was like a football team losing their star lineman to protect the quarterback. Bradley also told you that Hangman wasn’t happy about him being team leader. When Friday rolled around you decided to change up your look.

You got your jean shorts you had bought along with a cute tank top that showed a modest amount of cleavage and your tennis shoes. You put the lip gloss that Nat had slipped to you and headed to work. It was unusually busy and you felt like you hadn’t stopped since you got there. When the Dagger Squad showed up you were so busy you didn’t even notice. Someone wolf whistled and you turned about to give them a piece of your mind when you noticed it was Nat. 

“Damn (Y/N) wait till Hangman sees this outfit, but seriously you look amazing”, she tells you. “Thanks is he not here yet?”, you questioned. “No he was having a very heated discussion with Mav about how he should be team leader this time”, she explains. That makes you frown as you wonder why he is so upset about it. From what you were told he was in reserve last mission and went against orders to save Mav and Rooster. “Well I will see you all in a minute when I take my break”, you explain. Nat waves you off as you go to the next table to take orders. 

The break never comes and you don’t tell Penny because it just means more tips by the end of the night. Jake had just gotten there and as per usual headed to the pool table with the rest of the Dagger Squad. He looks for you, but doesn’t see you at first glance. When he does spot you he has to do a double take as his eyes rake over your legs and then to your face framed perfectly by your hair. Jake continues to glance your way until your shift ends and you come to join the squad.

“Hey baby”, you say. “Darlin’ I gotta say you look damn good”, he praises. “Thanks” you reply. He thinks he died earlier and this is heaven, but it gets even better when you decide to play a round of pool with Nat against him and Javy. You lean over to take a shot and he swears you do it on purpose. Your ass is perfect in the shorts and he was starting to get hot under the collar. Nothing prepared him though for when you did it again, but gave you a perfect view down your top.

He kept reminding himself he was going to take things slow, but damn it did he want to take you home right now. You realized how distracted he was and used it to your advantage as you and Nat ended up winning. After another couple of hours you were ready to call it a night. “I’ll see you tomorrow for our second date”, you told Jake as you kissed him goodnight. Sleep was calling your name as you walked to your truck. You made it back to the apartment and showered the smell of food off you. 

You were laying in bed when a text rolled in you grabbed it expecting it to be Jake or Bradley, but no it had to be that damn number. ‘FOUND OUT WHERE YOU TOOK OFF TO. I’LL BE SEEING YOU REAL SOON AND THEN YOU'RE COMING BACK HOME WHERE YOU BELONG!”. “Not a chance in hell asshole besides you don’t have the money to make it out here”, you mumbled as you turned over in bed to fall asleep.

Saturday you slept in until noon then you got up to get some laundry done. Once all the mundane chores were done you got ready for your date. Jake had told you to wear your usual jeans, t-shirt, boots and old ball cap. You met him out by his truck as he opened the passenger side door like he always did for you. He hadn’t told you what you all were doing today so you made small talk until you arrived. It was a small airfield and you recognized one of the planes as Mav’s. 

“So what, we just gonna watch Mav do some of that pilot shit”, you say. “Nah I asked him if I could borrow it to show you what flying was like”, he replied. You hesitated for a moment as you had never done anything like this before. He got you a headset and put it on you. “You look so damn hot right now”, he said before stealing a kiss. You climbed up into the seat and he helped strap you in, which was very intimate touching for a minute.

Once he was seated he started the pre-flight check and radioed the tower for the runway and takeoff. You were nervous as the plane made its way down the runway and slowly lifted into the air. “Holy fuck”, you swore. “You okay?”, he asked. “Yeah, just not used to that feeling of taking off”, you explained. “Oh just wait”, he said. You were up for a short while and then Jake really turned it on with barrel rolls and the like. 

At first it terrified you, but then you started to enjoy it as you laughed each time he did it. Then he turned to take you out over the ocean. “It’s so beautiful up here. I wish I could fly with you all the time”, you said. Jake couldn’t speak because he had never been able to share this part of his life with anyone else. He made a mental note to take you flying more often. “I’m glad you like it”, he finally replied. “Usually it goes by a lot faster than this, but that's the difference between this and a jet”, he laughed. 

“I bet it’s such an adrenaline rush”, you say. “Oh for sure if I ever get a chance to take you up in a jet I’m going to”, he promised. You watched the sun set and when the stars popped out it was almost magical. He took you through some of the clouds and it was so beautiful you teared up. Jake heard you sniffle and asked if you were alright and you replied that you were and that you were just a little overwhelmed. 

Eventually he made it back to the runway and set her down. He helped you out of your harness and back down to the ground. When he caught you he slowly lowered you to the ground as you brought his face down to kiss him. “Thank you for sharing a part of your world with me”, you whispered. “Anytime darlin’ anytime”, he sighed. When you both made it back to the truck you realized there was a text from Bradley saying his now girlfriend was over.

“Well Bradley has company tonight”, you grin. “Ya know I’m starting to like this girl because when she comes over I get you all to myself”, he grins. “Alright flyboy lets go”, you smirk. “You are not calling me that”, he says. “Why not I think it’s cute”, you reply. “That’s why” ,he laughed. The rest of the ride was nothing but witty banter. You kissed him up the stairs, against his door and when you both made it to the couch. 

Jake pulled you into his lap as you made out, and it was like someone had poured gasoline over an open flame. You could feel him getting hard beneath you and of course you had to grind down. He gasped as you did it and he could feel your heat radiating through your jeans, but he slowed the roll of your hips and leaned his forehead against yours. “Not yet thought we were taking this slow”, he said. 

“Alright”, you panted. You kissed him again before getting up and getting ready for bed. “I’m gonna hit the bathroom”, you tell him. He nods and heads for his bedroom where he changes into some boxers. “You can do this. You are a confident woman”, you tell yourself. Looking in the mirror at the navy blue two piece lingerie set you are wearing right now. You put one of Jake’s oversized shirts you have claimed for yourself on over it and head into the bedroom. 

He looks up as you walk towards his side of the bed. You straddle him, which he doesn’t mind and kiss him. This time it’s slow and sensual, no rush and when his hands drift up your thighs he expects to find shorts, but he feels lace instead. He breaks the kiss as he stares at you wide eyed. “Are you wearing lace?”, he asks huskily. “Yeah what about it Lieutenant”, you challenge. You notice his pupils dilate when you use his rank. 

“I don’t want to rush you”, Jake whispers. “It’s okay you leave Monday and anything can happen. Just let me take care of you tonight. One blowjob”, you say. How is he supposed to say no when you're kissing his neck and running your fingers through his hair. “Alright”, he pants. With that one little word you sit up and gesture to the shirt you’re wearing. “Want to do the honors Lieutenant Seresin”, you playfully giggle. 

He grabs the hem of the shirt and pulls it over your head and he is met with the navy blue lace. He leans back taking you in. Certain that he crashed the plane earlier and this is his heaven. “Damn you’re gorgeous darlin’ “, he drawls. You smile and lean down to kiss him again slowly making your way down his chest. You lick down his abdomen like you have wanted to do since the first time you saw him shirtless. You can feel him twitch in his boxers as you nip at the v that leads down to your prize. 

You slowly glide your hand over his cock as he groans. You pull him out of his boxers and marvel at the shape and girth. The head is a darker pink and oozing precum as you slide your hand over him. He is watching intently as you work his shaft and when you give a kitten lick to the head he lets out the filthiest moan you think you have ever heard. He is slightly above average in length, but the girth is bigger than any guy you had dated before. 

You take his head into your mouth and suck hard. His hands immediately shoot for your hair. You moan as you slide a little further down testing the waters. Jake swears it’s great, but not enough at the same time. He bucks a little causing you to retreat. “Sorry”, he gasps out. “It’s alright”, you tell him then go back to what you were doing, but starting to build a faster rhythm. You listen to the way he moans and curses with little “that’s it just like that” thrown in. You swear you're soaking the panties you're wearing, but tonights about him. 

“Oh fuck (Y/N) just like that. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck”, he whines. You pull away as he curses again as his orgasm starts to slowly slip away. He gives you those puppy eyes and you take him back into your mouth. You start up your rhythm again and his hips are twitching as you pick up the pace a little more. “Oh shit (Y/N). I’m gonna’ cum darlin’ “, he rasps out. You bring your other hand up to massage his balls and that does it.

His hips jerk a couple of times and he is spilling into your mouth with your name spilling out of his lips like a prayer. When he comes back down from his high he watches as you swallow and damn if that doesn’t do something for him. He sits up and pulls you in to kiss you and you know he can taste himself. He groans as you both fight for dominance. He tucks himself back into his boxers as you lay on your back on your side of the bed. 

He rolls over you, caging you in as he begins to kiss you again. He starts to nip down your throat when you realize he isn’t stopping. “This is probably the worst time to ask this, but will you be my girl?”, he says between kisses. “Yes”, you whisper to him. He looks up at you and smiles and if that doesn’t have you melting. He goes back to kissing and nipping at your throat then down and he palms your right breast flicking the nipple through the lace. 

“Jake, you don’t have to do this. I’m fine with leaving it like this tonight”, you reassure. “Darlin’ it’s like you said I leave on Monday and anything could happen. So if you think I’m not going to at least taste your pussy you have another thing comin’ “, he replies. You moan at his words but you still try to dissuade him as he pulls your lacy bra down enough to expose your nipples. He swoops down without warning and sucks one into his mouth and flicks his tongue over it. You gasp as your fingers tangle into his hair and tug. 

He groans then switches nipples as his hand slowly travels down to cup your lace covered pussy. You moan and whisper his name then retract your hands from his hair to grab the sheets when he grazes his finger over your covered clit. He slowly starts kissing his way down your stomach and hooks his fingers in your panties to pull them off. He sits up to take them all the way off then grabs your leg to put it on his shoulder.

He slowly kisses his way down your leg to your inner thigh and you swear you have to be soaking by now. When he lays out on his stomach you feel his breath hit your core and he places your other leg over his other shoulder. You make eye contact with him right as he licks a stripe up your core to your clit. You throw your head back and whimper as he teases your clit some more, but then he closes his lips around it and sucks hard. 

You arch into his mouth as his arms wrap around your legs trying to pull you closer. “Jake!”, you cry and he lets go. “Yes darlin’ “, he taunts. “Please don’t stop” you whine. He laughs a little, but goes back to it and delves into your folds. You swear it can’t get any better, but he lets go of one of your legs to run a finger along your slick folds. He slowly pushed his middle finger in and back out repeating the action a few times before adding his ring finger. 

He groaned when your pussy spasmed around his fingers as he curled them upwards. He started making a come here motion with those two fingers and you started to writhe and whimper even more. “Oh Jake please don’t stop please”, you begged. “Oh darlin’ I don’t intend to”, he chuckles. You look down at him as he goes back to sucking on your clit and you swear you are two seconds away from the best orgasm of your life as you throw your head back again and body drawing tight as a bow string.

His fingers speed up their motion until you can hear the greedy sounds your pussy is making. Jake hasn’t stopped teasing your clit with his tongue, but it isn’t enough as you try chasing your orgasm. “Jake please more pleasepleaseplease”, you babble. He smirks but puts your clit between his lips sucking hard but also flicking it with his tongue. You cry out and arch off the bed as your orgasm rips through you. Jake doesn’t stop as your thighs snap shut around his head as you ride out your high. Eventually trying to pull away from him as you start to become overstimulated.

“Jake no more please”, you plead. He finally relents and you let your legs loosen as he sits up and looks at his fingers that are covered in your slick. You watch as he licks them clean and groans at the taste. Then he is crawling over you again to kiss you. The kisses are the slowest they have ever been as his thumb strokes your ribs. When he pulls away from you he gets up and disappears down the hall into his bathroom, and when he comes back he is holding a washcloth. He cleans you up and then he throws the washcloth in the hamper. 

He automatically grabs the shirt you were wearing previously as you take the bra off. He stares at your naked body admiring it before you slip the shirt over your head. “Come on babe you look like you're about to drop any minute”, you tell him. He was pleasantly tired as you beckoned him to bed. “Just a minute darlin’ I’m gonna clean up”, he tells you. He takes off his boxers and tosses them where he tossed the washcloth, grabbing a new pair and heading for the bathroom. 

When he comes back and lies down you can see the worry etched on his face. “What’s wrong Jake?”, you ask. “I’m worried about the mission and the two new guys assigned to us. What if I don’t make it back to you”, he says. You lean up to kiss him and pull him to you as he puts his arm over your waist and his head on your chest. “You will come back to me”, you say. He hums as you scratch his scalp and within minutes of doing so he is asleep. You smile at him and it isn’t long before you start to fall asleep too.

[cosmic-giraffe]

What’s your current opinions on the ch5 cast of tetro? Who do you think has a high chance of dying this chapter?

Honestly? I like them all!

I was Tamba's biggest opp for a while ngl, I was raking her over the coals for every murder case and had convinced myself each time that it was her. And I guess it was because I was salty that she got to live while most of my faves (Okazaki, Tsuno, Kazutoshi and Watari) all died while she scraped by not really doing much.

But now that there are fewer people and the spotlight is on her, I've found that I really do like Tamba now! Sure, she still irks me with her brashness and insistence on always being right all the time, but that's just part of the package deal when it comes to her. Also, I like how her lack of an arc has actually played a role in the story.

She hasn't lost anybody particularly close to her, she hasn't really changed her attitude since the start of the game, and her self-preservation has resulted in her fucking over everybody else, which is bound to ramp up the tension.

When it comes to everybody else, I like who we have as potential survivors! I kinda always saw Ken living to the end, especially after losing Kazutoshi; he'd need to carry on his memory somehow, especially since he was the only person that Kazutoshi ever really showed his vulnerable side to.

As for who I think might die...

There are only a few people it could be, so the cop out answer would be "anyone".

But I'm gonna go out on a limb and say either Ojima, Hiroaki or Mai.

I feel like Mai's death would be her ultimate (pardon the pun) sacrifice; she started out the game trying to protect everybody, lost her way after being traumatised by Kan, and now might see her taking the fall as the only way to protect the remaining students.

Ojima's death is a little harder to rationalise, though I think it has to do with the episode where he talks about how he feels he'll never grow up or something along those lines. If he does indeed die this chapter, then he would be figuratively frozen in time at the age he is now, never being afforded the chance to become an adult and move on from his trauma. Which would be a tragic ending for his story, but thematically consistent.

And Hiroaki, purely because he's undergoing his redemption arc and Tetro has a thing for killing off characters as soon as they're trying to grow and become better people 😭 Also because it would make him more sympathetic if people actually had to process their feelings for him and grieve, regardless of who killed him.

And I know you didn't ask, but I'm very sure Yanagi is gonna be the killer this chapter hehehehehe

Thank you for the ask!!

[authorautumnbanks]

Brat Tamer (6)

Read: Ch1; Ch2; Ch3; Ch4; Ch5

Yaga: Satoru has taken on a lot of missions since you have been gone. Sorry for intruding, but is everything okay between you two? Even the strongest needs rest, but he's getting an hour or two at this rate. And he hasn't been on the grounds in days.

Kagome frowns at the message. It's only been three days since she's been gone and Satoru is spiraling. She expected him to act out by sending her another video of himself jerking off or leaving her filthy messages about what he wants to do with her... not this. She sighs. What is she going to do with him? He's a pitiful, hopeless brat.

Kagome: I will be back today. And everything is fine.

Satoru must be really pushing it for Yaga to be reaching out. She's heard all about Geto Suguru and how he deflected. Maybe Yaga is afraid of Satoru doing the same.

She pockets her phone, placing it in her pink fanny pack since her green skirt doesn't have any pockets, and continues her trek up the mountain to Totosai. Why he has to keep it so hot is beyond her. She's sweating from the heat. Going up the mountain isn't taxing, at least not physically. No, it's the heat that will do a lesser being in. Guess that answers her question. Totosai isn't much of a fighter. She wipes her forehead with the back of her hand and breathes out a sigh.

Sheesh.

It's a wonder her tennis shoes don't melt off or something. She might need to get some special shoes made just to make it out here. Something tells her she'll be visiting Totosai a lot in the next couple of months. She pulls out a hair band and piles her hair on top of her head, at least to keep it out of her face.

"Totosai!" Kagome calls. "I know you're here. Is the collar ready?" Better be since he told her it would only take two days, and it's been three. Kagome rolls her eyes as she walks further into the mountain. The air inside Totosai's not so humble abode is crisp and a lot easier on her lungs. "Totosai!"

"Eh?" Totosai walks out of a room, which Kagome suspects to be his bedroom, with his hammer in hand. His big, bug like eyes blink repeatedly as if he cannot believe that she is standing in front of him. "Who are you?"

"Ha. Ha. Were you able to finish the collar?"

He rubs his chin, stroking the long gray beard that goes down to his chest. These days, Totosai keeps his beard long and his mustache just as eccentric.

"I did. But why did you need me to make one? If it is subjugation, then surely you could do it."

"I didn't intend for it to be subjugating beads," is all she says. Perhaps she could always gift Satoru a bracelet instead if it comes to that. For now, she simply wants something that shows he is hers and protects him while she's away. Satoru is reckless. He acts as though nothing, and no one can get past his infinity.

Stupid.

"So, it's done?"

"Is what done?"

Kagome plasters a smile on her face. "Totosai, I convinced Sesshomaru to leave you alone for the next century, but I can go back and tell him never mind."

"OH!" Totosai pounds a fist into his palm, clutching the long hammer between his chest and arm. "THAT COLLAR. YES, IT IS DONE. WAIT HERE!" he scrambles away like a demon that just got a whiff of Sesshomaru's scent. Around these parts or this realm, Sesshomaru is lord. There are some minor lords like Koga-kun, but Sesshomaru is the top dog.

She snorts.

To her, Sesshomaru is just Sesshomaru.

"Here you go," Totosai says, walking back into the room, though this is more like a hall. "It'll enhance their energy and strengthen their barrier."

She doesn't point out that Satoru's technique isn't a barrier. Instead, Kagome thanks Totosai for his hard work. Even though he likes to goof off and pretend he doesn't remember anyone, he makes good on his promises. Kagome takes the collar and runs her fingers over the leather, marveling at the brass loop and the sturdiness of it.

Simple.

She flips it over and smiles at the inscription Property of Kagome. She debated having Totosai write Property of the Shikon Priestess, but decided not to. There's no telling how long Satoru will be her brat, so it's best to not overcomplicate things.

Simple.

"And when you say it will strengthen their barrier..."

"If, for whatever reason, their barrier fails, another will erect in its place," Totosai sticks a finger in his ear as he yawns. "That's why I mixed some of your strands with theirs. The scent was different. Didn't smell like InuYasha."

Kagome blinks. "Your food is going to burn."

Totosai stares.

Kagome stares back.

"Ah...my food!" He knocks his head with a fist. "That's right! Can't let that burn!" Totosai laughs as he rushes off.

Kagome sucks in a breath as she clutches the collar in her hand. If she told Totosai that the collar was for another human, he'd balk and complain that he should have charged triple the price.

Or, he'd let it slip to InuYasha, and then she'll never hear the end of it. Best to let Totosai think it's a demon for now. Telling Sesshomaru is one thing, telling InuYasha and then Shippo is...yeah, that's not happening. Kagome makes her way down the mountain, not stopping for a water break. She still needs to stop by Sesshomaru's and then she needs to meet up with Satoru.

Maybe she should surprise him?

The collar is light and yet it feels heavy in her hands, or rather, the implication of it is heavy. Not even Hojo got a collar from her, and he was practically perfect.

Boring.

She shakes her head. That's not nice. Hojo was a good sub and yet she never felt the inclination to keep him. To mark him as hers. Satoru certainly hasn't earned the right, but she already told him what she was going to gift him, so she can't backtrack now. At the base of the mountain, Ah-Un lie. They stand and dip their heads in a form of a greeting.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," she apologizes, rubbing their heads. "Let's head back, okay?"

Ah-Un grunts and waits for her to climb on their back. The demon realm has some transportation like the human realm, but most demons prefer to use their physical stats to get where they need to go. Probably why the air is healthier in this realm. Less pollution and all.

More dangerous though.

Kagome stares at the collar again. Does she want to keep him? She lets her mind wander as Ah-Un flies them back to Sesshomaru's estate. It's not far from Totosai's mountain, much to Totosai's displeasure, but far enough it would take Kagome days on foot to make it out there. There is no teleportation rune on Totosai's mountain, so she couldn't use a portal if she wanted to.

Ah-Un slows down as they approach the estate, which looks more like a castle. Sesshomaru's lands are vast, though if you ask him, he'd say that the entire realm is his. Ah-Un lands in front of the stables. Sesshomaru doesn't keep a lot of lesser demons, but there is Cerberus, a three-headed dog that Kagome named, and Zenko, a fox with five eyes.

"Thanks again, Ah-Un. I'll bring some more crunchy carrots next time."

Ah-Un presses their heads to her side and growls with contentment. The two-headed dragon is too cute. Kagome gives them one last pat before walking into the estate through the side door.

The grass is green like that of the human realm, but the sky is more purple than blue. There are two suns and two moons. InuYasha always grumbles about it because he gets hit harder when it's a new moon. He usually spends his human nights at the shrine.

Her phone buzzes right as she places the collar in her pack.

Kagome quirks a brow. That's a name she hasn't seen in a while.

Hojo: Could we meet at the club? Tonight?

Kagome: I have someone.

She cocks her head to the side, watching as the three bubbles populate and pause every so often. What is he doing? Writing a paragraph? Kagome clutches her phone as she continues towards Sesshomaru's office. She flashes a smile at the other demons as she walks by.

"Stop stalling, Priestess."

She rolls her eyes. She wasn't stalling. Sesshomaru probably knew she was here before her feet touched the grounds. Kagome walks into the office, closing the door behind her, and takes her seat on the white two-seater couch. It's far too small for Sesshomaru, but just right for her.

"Just stopping by before I head out."

Sesshomaru does not look up from his computer. He's dressed casually today with his blue haori parted open. His hair is pulled back, and he's wearing his glasses. Not that he needs them. Must be a habit from when he visits the human realm.

"Sorry for tracking dirt in here."

"It is fine."

Kagome pouts.

"Speak, Priestess. Is this concerning your brat?"

"I got him a collar," she admits, looking up at the ceiling. A large painting of Sesshomaru in his dog form, surrounded by fire and bones of his enemies. Jaken had it commissioned. Her phone buzzes again.

Hojo: You're the only one I trust. I need to feel something. If it is alright with your sub, could you help me? I swear to never ask again after this.

Need to feel something? Since when does Hojo want pain?

Kagome: No promises.

She'll talk to Satoru. If he is fine with it, then it could be a good experience for him to see what he is getting into. But how to phrase it to him without him getting upset?

She turns her head and glances at Sesshomaru. "You ever have an old sub reach out to work through their stress?"

"It would be wiser to help your old sub find another than to help them in that way." Sesshomaru stops typing and leans back in his chair. "Unless you wish to provoke this brat of yours?"

Kagome's throat constricts. Does she want to provoke Satoru?

"I shouldn't. Trust is everything." But if they ever go to the club, then there is a chance of running into Hojo there. "I'll still talk to him."

Sesshomaru snorts.

"I'm not trying to provoke him."

"Lie to yourself, not to this Sesshomaru." He stands and places his glasses on the oak desk. "Come. I got the other items for you."

Kagome places her phone back into her pack and follows Sesshomaru out of his office and down to that room. It's heavily warded to keep Shippo out. Sesshomaru opens the door and flicks on the light. On the table are boxes. She doesn't need to open them to know it's whips, gags, and other toys to be used on Satoru.

"You mentioned he was not a normal human."

"No, he's a sorcerer."

Sesshomaru eyes her.

"What?"

"The strongest?"

Kagome's brows pull together. "How did you guess that?"

"What other brat would catch your attention?" Sesshomaru's tone is teasing, but his expression is stone-walled. He leans against the cobbled wall. This room resembles a dungeon with a bed that is more pillows than mattress in the middle. There are chains. A giant X to the right. It is as haunting as Sesshomaru.

"I went for Hojo."

"You gave in after he pursued you for years," Sesshomaru corrects. "Those should work on your brat. Sorcerer or not, he is still human. If it works on a demon, it will suffice for him."

Kagome balances the five boxes in her arms. She'll need to rearrange some things and make a space more pleasing for Satoru. She's seen the clothes he wears when he isn't working and the one thing that comes to mind is: spoiled.

"Thanks, Sesshomaru."

He lifts a hand and opens a portal for her. "This Sesshomaru has business in Tokyo next week."

"Got it." If Sesshomaru has business in the human realm, then so do Shippo and InuYasha. She'll need to keep Satoru away from them, Shippo especially. "Thanks again." Kagome steps into the portal and breathes out a sigh. As fun as it is visiting the demon realm, there is nothing like being at home in her own space.

She sniffs and then narrows her eyes.

Her bed is not made up and Satoru's cursed energy is all over her room. She sets the boxes down on the floor next to the closet and approaches the bed. She pulls the cover back, expecting a mess, but it doesn't look like he did anything but sleep.

Kagome: If you're going to sleep in my bed, the least you can do is make it up properly.

Satoru: You're back?

She chews on her bottom lip. There's a screw loose for sure. No one in their right mind breaks into someone's apartment. Nor did she give him permission to sleep here without her. She didn't think it had to be said, but clearly she gave Satoru too much credit.

Kagome: We're going out tonight to the club.

She texts him the details and the time. Guess she wants to provoke him, after all.

Just a little.

Satoru looks around the dark club, taking in the sensual music and how everyone is in various states of undress. This is where she wanted him to meet her? It doesn't take long to find Kagome. Even with her energy being muted, she still glows. He walks by the people mingling and dancing, ignoring the calls from others promising him a good time.

There is only one woman who can give him what he needs.

He comes to a stop in front of the section, swallowing hard at the sight.

She left out the house dressed like this?

Satoru regrets not snooping around her apartment. He's been so tired, completing missions back to back, that he only had enough energy to fall asleep in her bed.

Kagome's hair is pulled back, showing off her high cheekbones. Though he's mesmerized by how brown her eyes are. His eyes drift down. Her tits are pushed up, cradled by leather. He wants to pull the crisis cross straps free with his teeth. That dress is too form-fitting. Too short. He bites back a snarl. His body is hot. He can feel the eyes on them. Practically taste the desires of those around him.

"Sit."

Satoru unclenches his fist and sits next to her. He can't get rid of this tension in his shoulders. He's overreacting. He knows this, but he can't stop.

"I thought this would be a different club," he says after a moment.

Kagome crosses one leg over the other and leans forward, picking up her glass. He can't tell if it is vodka or water. The heel on those boots is lethal. He hopes she leaves them on when they fuck.

"We're meeting someone," she says, setting her glass down. "Hojo. He's an old sub of mine."

His body goes rigid.

"Thought it would be a good opportunity for you to see. If there's anything you don't like, you can always change your choices," she continues on, not looking at him.

He wants to kiss her. Wants to bite her.

Wants.

Wants.

Wants.

"But if you're not okay with that, we can get up and leave."

Satoru's shoulders sag. "I have a choice?"

"You always have a choice." She looks at him. Her lips are red. He wants that color smeared on his dick. "Satoru?"

"It's fine," he says, turning his head. Not really, but he is curious what kind of man Kagome is attracted to. Wants to see the man who dared to convert Kagome. "I missed you, Kagome-sama," he breathes, moving closer to her.

"You broke into my apartment."

He freezes. How does she know that? He was careful. Wait. She mentioned something about her bed when she texted him. He was so happy to see her name that he didn't think much of her words.

"I—"

"Kagome!" a brown-haired man greets.

Satoru's jaw ticks. First name basis. So, this must be the old sub. He rolls his shoulders back and pushes his shades up with his middle finger. The man doesn't even look his way.

And who wears a brown suit to a club?

"Hojo, this is Satoru," Kagome says, introducing them.

Hojo finally tears his eyes away from Kagome and looks at Satoru. "Nice to meet you, Satoru-san."

Liar.

Satoru opens his mouth to tell Hojo just how unpleasant this meeting is, but something stills his tongue. He's already in trouble for breaking into Kagome's apartment and while normally, he would look forward to the punishment, with Hojo here, Satoru doesn't want to push too hard.

What if Kagome decides he is too much work?

"Nice to meet you." His right leg jerks. It's too hot in here. He shrugs out of his jacket and places it over his lap.

Kagome grabs his face and pulls him down to her level. "Do you remember your word?"

"Y-yes." He winces.

Kagome lets him go and then stands. "Hojo, go get ready. Keep your boxers on." She grabs her purse, a clutch.

"Yes, madame," Hojo says, voice low.

Satoru decides right then that he hates Hojo. Hates how easily Hojo slips into being submissive. Hates the soft smile on Kagome's lips.

Her smiles should be reserved for him.

"Before we go, I have something for you." She looks down at him. "On your knees."

Satoru stuffs the anticipation down and does what she asks without question. Kagome reaches into her purse and pulls out a collar. His nostrils flare. His cursed energy rises.

What kind of collar is this?

There's something off about it. It doesn't quite feel cursed...it feels similar to those weird plants in her apartment. Demonic.

Kagome clasps the collar on him and pockets a key. "Good boy," she praises.

Satoru's cock twitches. He touches the collar and pauses. "Kagome-sama, what kind of collar is this?" Did he make a mistake? Shit. What if this was a ploy to take him out?

"Protection," she says simply. "And ownership. You're mine. Remember that."

Protection?

He doesn't need protection. He's the strongest, but...

"Come on. Hojo should be ready now." She crooks a finger.

Satoru goes to stand, placing one hand on his knee.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Kagome snaps her fingers. She reaches into her clutch and pulls out a leash.

Satoru's mouth goes dry. Later, when his mind is more at ease, he'll ponder on how she can fit so many items in that clutch and where she got this collar made.

Kagome bends and attaches the leash. "Now we can go."

It hits Satoru as Kagome leads him through the crowd to the back of the club where the playrooms are, that Kagome can lead him anywhere.

He's in too deep.

***

A/N: Well the Hojo meeting didn't go at all how I thought it would.

Happy Easter (If you celebrate)! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. Take care of yourselves! The puppies are 10 weeks old now. One went to her forever home (my cousin), so I've got three at the house now. The puppies decided to visit the neighbor on Friday (The fence panel got loose), and they want one, so at this rate, all the puppies will be within walking distance.

[seriouslycalamitous]

Okay, first of all, I’m absolutely in love with your writing style, it’s so good and you’re so incredibly talented!! I’m really enjoying your shapeshifter fic, and am very excited to see where it goes.

Secondly, I was wondering how you manage to write so much each week? I’m an aspiring writer myself, and would like to start writing my first long fic, but I’m having trouble with the long part…. Do you have any tips?

Again, love all your fics, am very excited to see how the shapeshifter one will end (my brain is theorising so many random things), and I wish you a very lovely rest of your day!

-✨

AWWW this is all very very sweet!! I’m so happy you enjoy what I try so hard to write for you guys, that really does warm my heart! I’m beyond excited to post the ending soon!!!!

And those are some really good questions! I can definitely answer, though i might ramble a bit!

Personally, I’ve been a writer for a really long time. Ten years — so i’ve got my fair share of experience with writing.

English is my line of study, something I could rant about for a while if asked. Because of this, some stuff comes more easily for me than it does for a lot of people. Practice and time are the best ways to improve, whether you have traditional school backings or not.

And, secretly, I actually DON’T write a chapter every week! I prewrite the majority of my fics, and I only start rushing if I post before my fics are completely done. With my last fic, BTDOM, I had only prewritten 4/9 chapters, and I started speed-writing like 9k words a week once the updates caught up to me.

It was rough, I don’t recommend putting yourself on a scheduled deadline like that unless you’re confident. I know I can write pretty consistently, so I don’t tend to worry. For example, two days ago, I decided to add 3.9k words to Ch5 of CWTT and i wrote it in under 24 hours and then slept SO HARD.

While I don’t think i’m out of this world crazy, I definitely am NOT the standard for a regular fanfic writer. I practically write every hour of the day. I have the google docs app downloaded on my phone, so I can write while I wait for the bus, write between classes, so on and so forth. When you’re used to operating like that, and it’s your only hobby, you become kind of obnoxiously quick.

As for advice, a general rule of thumb is to try and write a little every day. A friend of mine has a writing goal to write 1k words a day - but that could be shortened to 500 or even less depending on your comfortability, it’s just constant progress!

When it comes to long fics, you should sit down with yourself and figure out what exactly you mean by long. My fics are long in word count, but short in chapter count. This is ideal for me, as it takes away the pressure of planning things that I think might never end, and it makes it easier to reach a goal without carrying on certain plot elements for longer than is necessary. I really honestly do recommend this!

Something else that is important is not biting off more than you can chew. Especially for your first long fic, don’t try to add too many, if any, side plots should they be avoidable. Smaller cast lists can help with this. You want to make sure you can complete the main story itself without having to stress over a loose end you forgot was there. If you finish writing, and you realize there’s wiggle room that won’t interrupt the main plot, going back and adding things, or making spin-offs in the same universe can be a fun treat!

You don’t have to plot EVERYTHING either. I tend to start with the end, a few generalized middle scenes in my head, and the beginning in mind. The fluff in between is where cute scenes like pirates debating their captain’s love life can come in! It’s recommended that these fluff scenes still add something into the plot, obviously, like showing the reader how a relationship is developing, how outside people view it, how this person interacts with a magical feature, etc.

A scene of, say, Scar doing paperwork without acknowledging anyone else or anything else beyond the paperwork for a thousand words is boring to read and will be boring to write too. Spare yourself!

Anyway, as you can tell, I’m super big on writing and I know a lot and I CANNOT stop talking. If you have any more questions or want any more advice on specific things, I love analyzing writing, especially in fanfic, and I’m happy to help!

Good luck with your fic!!!

[anadrym]

Extended Author's Notes for Left Behind Ch5.

Spoilers!

Chapter title is from "Goodbye" from the Arcane S1 soundtrack.

I know a few of you thought it would take longer for our girls to reunite, and I did originally plan for Caitlyn to take some people out before finding out. But I just couldn't wait. They've been separated for three chapters and they're STILL separated even now.

Completely irrelevant, but Nasir's name was originally Dieter, but I decided I had too many obviously white characters. Petra and Nasir go way back. That's why Nasir gives Caitlyn another chance to back out; he knows Petra sent her, and he knows Petra well enough to know that she did so reluctantly.

Caitlyn is so fucking bad at revenge. She just immediately gives it up for Vi every time and I absolutely love her for it.

Caitlyn shows up mere minutes after the ambush. Very lucky for her. (Convenient coincidences? In my fanfiction? It's more likely than you think.)

Yeah, the guy with the knives totally deserved to die. With the way his crew reacted, this is far from the first time he's brutalized a body.

The man repeatedly stabbing the woman's body was actually inspired by the Purge house at Halloween Horror Nights. There was a room where some guy was straddling a mannequin of the homecoming queen and stabbing her nonstop. I was actually part of a group that got to skip the lines so we could go through all ten houses. I made it through the Purge and the first half of Insidious before I closed my eyes and then I didn't do any of the others. And I slept with the lights on for the next three days.

I probably overuse the bit where Caitlyn breathes before firing her rifle, but snipers do have to control their breathing and I like how it makes the reader slow down. Kinda like slow motion, but in writing.

I never understand why rifles are so shiny. In movies, they always see the glint of the rifle. So Caitlyn's doesn't do that. :)

God, the part where Caitlyn sees Vi for the first time? It makes MY chest tight and I wrote it!

Only one of you mentioned it in the comments, but "Ghost" becomes "Caitlyn" as soon as she realizes that Vi is alive. Vi is not going to remember her name for a while.

"Why didn't she come and find Caitlyn?" - That's the main reason she holds back. Because she knows that, if Vi was able, she would've come looking. So what kept her from doing that?

The idea of Caitlyn forgetting her mother's voice is just heartbreaking to me, and it comes up again much later.

Vi's memory of the spiked weapon is from the ambush in Caitlyn's bedroom back in Chapter 1.

I'm sorry, but just imagine being in Caitlyn's position, finally seeing the love of your life after five years of thinking they were dead, and then having to climb down the side of a building before you can interact with them.

Sorry, but Vi's memory is gonna take a while! It couldn't just come back as soon as she saw Caitlyn! We need more angst!

Vi can't even understand her own name. :(

Remember, this is loosely based on the Feeblemind spell. Vi knows that she trusts Caitlyn, even if she doesn't know why. But she still flinches back from her because... well, it's been five years since anyone touched her with anything other than apathy, distain, or cruelty.

Caitlyn doesn't know what they've done to Vi. She doesn't realize how hard Vi is fighting to disobey. Which will affect how she moves forward, especially with the information she receives in the next chapter.

Basically, the interaction between Caitlyn and Vi's handler is her telling him that she's the assassin known as Ghost and demanding to meet his boss. She surrenders because she's outnumbered and doesn't know what's wrong with Vi. She's trying to get more information and bide her time until they have a better chance to escape.

Yeah, as soon as Caitlyn hears them call Vi "Number 6," she's fucking PISSED. Might have snapped there if she wasn't already disarmed and cuffed.

Teaser for next week:

"I've wanted to meet you for a very long time, Ms. Kiramman," the Baroness says. Her voice is soft, but there is still something powerful in it. "And now, here you are. Perhaps fate brought us together. I am so glad you've come."

Caitlyn interrupts, her own voice like granite. "I'm here for Vi."

The Baroness sighs, smile softening into something sympathetic and regretful. Caitlyn's stomach twists as the woman says, "Yes. Yes, I know you are. Unfortunately, what you're searching for doesn't exist."

[jeanbie]

WORDLESS #5 ★ masterlist.

pairing: levi x reader

genre: sugar daddy & contract killer au | warnings: implied violence, establishing feelings, mentions/references to john wick & the continental | wc: 6.8k

note: who expected me to actually finish this? (answer: no one) i'm so glad that i got to finish "wordless" and put these two losers in a place they deserve to be in! this chapter is the finale and also almost entirely from levi's pov, and this one flows in a chronological order :)

★ ch1. ch2. ch3. ch4. ch5

⏤ Sometimes, saying “I love you” is inappropriate, and given your circumstances, you think it might send Levi over the edge if he hears them again. But maybe he's ready now.

(41) Giving them space when they express wanting to have some time alone.

It’s been a hot second since Levi saw you — and it’s killing him more than he’d care to admit.

Since the blow up in the shower over girls he wasn’t fucking in the first place, Levi hasn’t heard from you, and he hasn’t made much of an effort to reach out either.

Why did he even lie? There was no benefit from telling you he was seeing other girls; the only reason he said that so often was to manage the healthy boundaries between you, to remind you not to get too close, to remind himself that being with you is a risk.

Not that pushing you away has made his life any easier. On the contrary, he thinks it’s made everything worse.

It is almost dehumanising to admit it to himself, but he misses you. Since your rather unconventional first meet — which was a far cry from any ‘meet cute’ that normal situationships had — Levi has been telling himself that the circumstances surrounding you being in his life were unique at best, and that you weren’t permanent.

But now, he lives his life around a ghost of your body, making room for you in his home, making time out of his schedule, making arrangements to keep you happy. 

Okay. Maybe it’s a little bit too late to acknowledge the feelings he has for you. Levi knows they’re there — he’s not an idiot. But making those feelings real is something he just can’t afford to do. Not yet. Not while there’s too much going on in his life.

Still, he stares longingly at the door every night when he staggers back home, as if hoping you might take him by surprise and crawl back into his arms. Not that you do, at least not for a while; not until Levi grows fed up of waiting and finds you first.

But for now, he’ll grant you he space that you need, the space you deserve. And in the meantime, he’ll try and make peace with the waging war in his head.

(42) Holding their hand while walking, even if there isn’t a crowd.

“This is nice.”

The neighbourhood Levi now lives in is much smaller than the last one. It pales in comparison to the condo it took forever to finally move out of, but having consistent security breaches just for a tiring view of the river didn’t feel worth it for Levi anymore. It made no difference to him if the apartment he all but owns for you is much farther away — you’re barely ever there, anyway.

Since putting his angst to rest, and since making it known to you that you’re quite literally the only woman he likes enough to keep buying houses for and invite over, things have been calm between you.

There’s still a strange unspoken thing, the remains of an agreement made out of convenience so long ago, to feed both the lust and pride Levi wanted and the safety you craved; but in general, Levi acknowledges that what he has with you right now feels like the closest thing he’s had to a partner in a long, long time.

Levi looks over at you, feeling your hand tighten in his as you cross a cute little park covered in flowery bushes and beds of tulips. 

“I’m glad my neighbourhood has your stamp of approval,” he replies, tightening his fingers around yours before pulling up slightly to stuff your joined hands into his pocket. Though it’s spring now, there’s still a bite in the air, a chill that Levi is determined to shelter you from.

“Technically,” you start, and Levi can predict, like a robot, what you’ll say next, and mouths the words as they fall from your lips, “it’s mine, too.” Your eyes turn piercing as you scowl at him, “Hey! Don’t…predictive text me.”

“Then stop being so predictable.”

“I think we spend too much time together,” you mutter, looking back at the flowerbed you’re currently passing by.

Levi scoffs to himself and playfully scratches a nail against the hand lodged in his pocket.

“Then go away,” he says. No chance, is what runs through his head, and the coy smile you flash him is as equally predictable as the word he knows you’ll say next, starting with n and ending in o.

(43) Holding shopping bags that are too heavy for them.

Ever since Levi figured out how to share locations, he’s become obsessed with watching you move around on the map on his phone. Numerous times, he’s slipped up on spending hours watching your little circle move, sometimes not even moving at all.

If you had any complaints, he hasn’t heard them, though he very much doubts that you’ll complain in the future now that his stalking has worked out in your favour.

You might have initially thought that bumping into Levi outside the supermarket was a rather delightful coincidence — that was until he moved across the city, and has no real business in your area unless it concerns you.

“Perfect timing,” you say once you see him crossing the small car park in your direction. He has half a mind to pretend he hasn’t seen you and keep walking, but watching you struggle with your shopping is painful enough.

He grunts, reaching for the bag that is squeezing the blood from your fingers. “Don’t get proud about it.”

Sniggering, you happily let Levi grab the overweight bags and fall into an even step beside him. 

“Why do you have so much stuff?” Levi huffs. To be fair, the bags aren’t that heavy, but he can’t see any reason for you to have bought so much considering you live at his house more often than you do your own. “You gonna share this shit?”

“If you want,” you reply. “You paid for it.”

His tongue clicks. Levi hasn’t paid you a penny since he last felt guilty about the fact he rarely paid you, despite that being the very foundation of your relationship in the first place, but even with what he paid you and hasn’t since that point, he knows your bank account is more than comfortable. Paying for all of this has barely made a dent, but that’s what the money’s there for.

He makes his way to his car pulled up outside the car park turning in a layby and struggles in his pocket for his keys.

“I live five minutes away,” you remind him, steps slowing. 

“No, you just said you’d share it, so we're going to mine.”

With a sigh, you’re left with no other choice but to follow him to his car. “You know, the romance of you carrying my bags is lost now you’ve only walked it to the car.”

Before he pops open the boot of the car, he turns to you and sneers, “You want me to walk back and let you do it yourself?”

There’s no argument to be had. You get into the car.

(44) Standing between them and a busy road.

Habits. Levi hates to keep track of how many he’s developed since you entered his life almost two years ago. Time has gone by so quickly since the day he first met you, in the worst way possible, but since then, he’s transformed into a whole new person, a whole new paranoid man who overthinks everything because there’s no other option.

His habits as of late include worrying about you whenever you’re not around — whenever he’s at work, he’ll think of you. Whenever he’s in a different city or country, Levi will obsessively worry over what you might be doing, who might be on your trail, scenting your every move while you’re vulnerable. Another habit includes feeling like an overbearing parent even when he’s in the same five mile radius, but at least he’s self aware of it.

If you’ve noticed Levi becoming more clingy, less like who he swore he’d never change from, you haven’t mentioned it yet. Perhaps a small mercy to save him the mortifying task of admitting that he has feelings stored away for you. 

Today, Levi has fallen victim to his habits of worry and has walked himself all the way to your university just to walk you all the way back home. His home, not yours. In a sense, your home, too. In an unspoken way.

Levi stands waiting for you in the overhang, gaze trained on the thick grey sky until he hears your class file out of the building in a chatter. Sasha is who he sees first, followed by another one of your friends he’s never met but has seen on Instagram once or twice, and then he sees you, looking thankfully in good spirits, and all too beautiful for your own good.

When you see him standing with his hands in his pockets, he allows himself the pleasure of pride when you break away from your friends just to join him, the smile on your face so genuine and radiant that he has to scoff in amusement.

“Hey, you,” you call, falling into his arms. 

“Hey, yourself.”

“I didn’t know you were coming today,” you confess, pulling away to stare curiously at his withdrawn expression. Levi is already twisting an arm around your waist to walk you down the step and across the lawn. “I told Sasha I’d go to her café and wait for her shift to end. Didn’t you have that thing today?”

“What thing?” he mutters.

“The thing with Erwin. And some deadbeat called George, or something.”

“How many Korean men do you know named George?” Levi deadpans, though his arm does tighten around you in caution. “You shouldn’t even know about that. How do you even know?”

The busy road widens into view as you leave the closed campus. Levi’s pretty much counting the days before you graduate and never have to come here again, and the time is passing strangely slow in that department. It feels like it’s been ages since you enrolled, and he wants nothing more than for you to leave and become the greatest journalist in the world — or whatever it is you even want to do when you’re done. 

As you walk, you lean into Levi’s side, furthering the distance between yourself and the road bustling with cars and buses. He frowns.

One of your habits since the accident on the bridge with your family had been to avoid busy roads, as if convinced something might happen again. You’ve told him numerous times that it’s irrational, but Levi doesn’t think so. It’s a very normal thing to feel afraid of everything, even when those things are a little on the unrealistic side.

Naturally, it results in Levi sliding his arm from around your waist and replacing it with his other one, positioning himself between you and the chaotic lines of commuting cars going home.

His heart flips when you smile at him for it, linking your arm around his while moving your waist out of his grip. Levi tries not to let it get to his head how much you trust him, how much he cares for you. But by the minute, he’s losing the will to keep it hidden.

(45) Rubbing the back of their hand with a thumb.

Back to habits, there are some that Levi has that he’s not particularly as proud of. But, as expected, you’re as good as it gets, and any habit he thinks he might have gotten away with hiding, somehow you pick up on it.

Levi flicks through a blueprint laying flat over his kitchen table, his hands nervously drumming the edge of the tabletop as he tries to memorise the elaborate labyrinth of a building he’ll be breaking into later to find his next hit. Usually, Levi has you at his home before and just after taking a job, just to eliminate the threat of you being hurt as a punishment. 

He wishes that the company gave you unrestricted entry and protection without him being there to clear it, but in order for that privilege, Levi needed to address you as his partner, which just felt like an even larger target on your head. So, he settles for his home, though the worry does not cease.

This building is riddled with passageways and vaults, basement levels with so many access points that studying them feels intense. One wrong recollection could come at the cost of his life, and at the minute, his life has increased in value. Things are finally going right for him, it would be a shame to have it all taken away from him again.

A text from Erwin sounds next to him, and Levi all but glances at the screen to see what’s happening. All assistance available should he need it — he almost sighs with relief at the words.

In the past, Levi had thought he could never work in cohorts with other hitmen, but becoming partners with Erwin and his henchmen has been working in his favour. 

Still, it doesn’t hurt to learn the layout off by heart. So, Levi pours himself over the blueprints and maps, memorising every detail, becoming so engrossed in it that he barely even hears you letting yourself inside of his apartment.

Your shoes hit the wall with a noise that makes him suddenly aware of your arrival, and he glances up to see you peeking into the kitchen, eyes scanning the room for any unfortunate signs of Elio before you approach him.

He notices the street market bag and inhales the smell of spice before looking back at the maps. “Hope you’re gonna share that.”

“Of course,” you reply, offended he even thought you might not. You place the container of tteokbokki on the table before sliding around to his side, eyes glued to the rolls of paper. “Where’s this?”

“Less you know, the better,” he mutters, leaning his head into your mouth as you kiss his jaw. 

For a while, you say nothing, letting Levi memorise what he needs to while you assess the prints for yourself. Eventually, you shift your hand over his and squeeze, making him glance at you sideways. 

You’re looking at him already, though you can’t see his eyes from the way he’s hunched over. Spotting Levi’s signs of anxiety must be incredibly easy, because somehow you’ve caught on, and begin to rub the back of his hand with your thumb, nose pressed into his bicep. 

“Come eat,” you suggest quietly, after a while of basking in the silence with him.

He grunts, a typical Levi sound, and nudges you away. Though, you only shuffle to the drawer to fetch two forks — forks! He scoffs, rolling his shoulders as he rounds the table to take one from your fingers. 

“Easier to stab with a fork,” you offer as an explanation.

“If my mother was here to see me eating tteokbokki with a fork, she’d lose her goddamn mind.”

“Well…” You start, trailing off after a moment. You’ve got nothing to say; he’s won the argument just by bringing Kuchel up, and both of you know it.

Scowling, you stab another wedge of tteok and chew it furiously, meanwhile Levi smirks to himself, victorious.

(46) Giving them a back massage when they flop on the couch or bed.

“I need to retire. I’m getting too old for this shit.”

“No way. How old are you now, like, twenty eight?”

“…I’m thirty.”

“Best looking thirty year old I’ve ever seen. Roll over, I’ll massage your back, if you want?”

If he ever refuses a massage from you, he’s an idiot.

Levi rolls over ungraciously, hitting the mattress on his stomach with a low groan. He rolls his shoulders, the bones cracking comically loud, and as you shuffle up to straddle his back, he groans again.

“Oh fuck off, I’m not heavy.”

Levi sniggers into the pillow, though as soon as your hands start to work their magic, he moans, the pleasure instantaneous. 

“Make a house back there, if you want. Just don’t stop.”

(47) Staying up half the night to finish a game with them.

“I can’t do it if you’re not here, Levi. You need to get over here.”

“Do you not see that I’m trying?”

“You’re terrible at this game.”

Levi scoffs. He wouldn’t be so terrible if he actually knew how to play properly. His character begins to run in circles without him even asking him to, and Levi growls angrily.

“Fucks sake, this bitch is pissing me off.” Then, he wrangles the controller from your hands as you protest and says, “You be him instead.”

“But I don’t want to be Cody.”

“Me neither.”

As soon as you start moving little Cody around, Levi peers in scrutiny at the controller in your hand and how it so suddenly has stopped drifting on its own. There’s a circular dent in your inner cheek where your tongue is, and Levi scowls in your direction.

“You were sabotaging me,” he accuses, eyes focused back on May as she stumbles around uncoordinatedly.

“I think you’re just really bad,” you reply. Cody is moving fine, and finally, the mechanism moves and the story can progress. Hm.

Levi’s eyes bore into yours as you shift to face him, elbows snug in the blanket bundled around you both. Levi has been laying low for around two weeks now — he’s surprised with just how much he likes not having to work. Though, there have been a few times whilst playing this infuriating game where Levi has wished to be anywhere else. 

“You’re good at a lot of things,” you tell him sincerely, “but just not games. And that’s okay. You tried.”

“I’m good at games,” he replies, offended.

You raise your eyebrows, “Like what?”

“Your animal living game.”

“Animal Crossing?”

“Sure, that too.”

All Levi has ever done on Animal Crossing is make a character and proceed to hit everybody with his fishing net, not to mention dig holes around your front door so you can’t get out. Still, you say nothing — the look of disbelief speaks volumes to Levi and he rolls his eyes, turning back to May as she wanders off to the side of the screen and falls off.

Okay. He’s bad at games. That he’ll admit. But you like it, and by the time he’s gotten the hang of the controls, it’s already four in the morning.

(48) Getting them a coffee just the way they like it.

Remember those habits?

“You remembered!”

If not just to see your smile, Levi likes to bring you one of the expensive bags of coffee from Erwin’s studio. You could quite easily buy the bags yourself, but there’s no thrill in ordering something and having it arrive in due time, not like there is in making Levi steal three at a time as he leaves a meeting or training session.

Levi sets the bags with a loud thud by the coffee machine and hums. 

“And you got me a drink!”

Yes. He has also become a barista and familiarised himself with the exact way you like to drink your coffee. The takeout cup he also borrowed from Erwin is placed down by your laptop as you relentlessly type away at an assignment at Levi’s kitchen table, and he presses a kiss to your temple and mutters under his breath.

“Thanks, babe,” you say, already sipping at the steamy contents.

“It’s hot,” he points out. “You’ll only cry when you singe all your taste-buds off.”

“I will not—” You slurp, then hiss, “Ow!”

“I warned you.”

(49) Buying them a special treat when you go out shopping.

You know what? No. Levi has given up on pretending like he doesn’t enjoy you being in his grill all day, every day, which is the reasoning for why he ends up in an expensive jewellery store with Erwin one day after a long haul of inspecting an upcoming raid location.

In all honesty, Levi wants to put his work to rest once the raid is all over. It will be their riskiest ploy to date, and quite frankly, Levi’s tired. He’s been killing people for years, cutting at the humanity he has left, and back in the day he would have been very comfortable with being a monster, killing until he was killed.

But now he had you. Now, Levi had someone to care about, so deeply and so passionately that it often left him feeling sick.

“That’s called love, Levi,” is what Erwin had said when Levi chose the rare option of opening up when he tried to explain why he wanted to retire early. 

“Love,” he scoffed. But then Erwin had said something profoundly wholesome, leaving Levi with a bitter taste in his mouth.

“You’re not unloveable just because you loved nothing for so long. I know it took you awhile to get back to where you are now, but just because love went wrong once before doesn’t mean it has to again. Besides, almost two years of your bullshit and that woman is still there — I don’t think you need to be worried about her pulling away from you once you tell her how you feel.”

Which roughly translated to: Buy her something nice and quash until you can’t any longer.

Once Levi gets home, he hears you giggling at something and finds you with a book over your face, your legs kicking as you squeal like a goblin. His face twists and he asks, “That book got jokes in it, or something?”

You peer around the spine and look at him. “They kissed. They. Kissed!”

“Who kissed?” Levi makes his way to the couch and takes a seat where you were just lying down. The cushions are warm — you’ve been here a while, and the thought makes him smile. 

“Evangeline and Jacks. It’s all so perfect. I didn't like most of the book, but what matters is that they kissed,” you tell him, a little too excited. You plant your feet in Levi’s lap. “I love love, Levi. It is the greatest. I love books. Men written by women!”

“Why are you giggling over other men in my own house?” 

“I giggle over you when you’re not around, too.”

He hums once from the back of his throat, watching as you mark the page with your bookmark and close the book before crawling into his lap and curling into his arms. He welcomes you instinctively, the blocky shape of the ring he bought in his pocket.

After smooching your lips for a long fifteen minutes, Levi pulls away and reaches for the box. “Got something for you.”

“Ooh, show me!”

He produces the little box and hands it to you, but when your eyes round and you hesitate in taking it, he worries.

“I’m not proposing,” he says quickly.

“Thank god. I was about to be very upset,” you sigh dramatically, finally taking the ring box. “Most unromantic proposal ever.”

“The fact you think I’d be that lousy with a proposal is actually really offensive.”

The genuine grumble in his voice puts a flutter in your stomach, though soon after, it simmers into a cool pit of shock when you flip open the box and see the most delicate, gorgeous ring that you’ve ever seen in your life, not counting ones you ogle in shopfronts.

Cautiously, you lift your head to peer at Levi’s expression. It’s not a proposal — he’s just told you so, and considering you’re not even his girlfriend in official terms yet, it seems unlikely that anything like that will be happening soon. But it has to be more than just an offhanded purchase, and you’re determined to figure out.

Levi’s eyes tremble as he looks between you and the ring. “Is it ugly?”

You immediately shake your head, “Of course not!”

“Put it on, then,” he urges. The steady beat of his heart stutters out of tempo. Suddenly, he feels quite nervous as he watches you take out the ring and study its appearance up close. “Need help?”

“Yeah, it’s so hard, I can’t figure out how to put it on. Needs instructions.”

Levi tuts and gently takes the ring from between your fingers, grabbing your ring finger whilst trying to look as casual as possible. Somehow, he manages to slide the ring on without making a fool of himself, but when he looks back at your face and sees gemstones of your own lining your waterline, he frowns.

“I’m not gonna sit here and give a speech,” he starts. By now, you know him better than that. He’s never opened up about his feelings to you, at least not without feeling regretful of it the morning after, and you nod simply, eyes catching the glint of the diamond. “But you know why I’ve bought it. I don’t need to tell you what you already know.”

And he doesn’t. Somehow, despite Levi being tremendously unromantic, having no manners, and in general being a terrible companion, you at least know that he cares. And with his upcoming job creeping up on you both, it doesn’t require an above-average intelligence to work out why this ring came when it did, what it means if things go south, what it means regardless.

“I know,” you tell him. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

Instead of saying anything, Levi curls you tighter in his arms and presses a kiss to your forehead, closing his eyes when you snuggle your face into his collar and relax. 

His mind has been made, his plans set. As soon as the job is over, he doesn’t want to look back. Only forward, with the woman who has made him feel alive again.

(50) Giving them a tight hug that makes them lose their breath.

Something is wrong. Something is horribly wrong, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

It has been days since Levi told you he’d touched down in New York, working out some stuff in the very famous Continental until he was set to join Erwin on whatever mission they had planned and prepared for. Levi hadn’t told you the details this time because the risks were too high, and now, it feels like a major setback. 

New York is on fire, and Levi barely kept his life getting out of the Silver Sword compound. An entire mob wiped out by two guys with no backup — it was practically unprecedented, unseen or unheard of since John Wick was knocking around. 

The Continental had done everything right in the aftermath, including keeping Levi in their small infirmary for days whilst tending to his excessive wounds. Fuck, he had been so reckless, so vengeful, so stupid. It had almost cost him his life ensuring that no leads followed him and Erwin back to Seoul, and although he had succeeded in destroying every last bit of incriminating evidence, the risks had been too great. 

When Levi finally gets discharged from the infirmary, it is almost eleven in the evening, and New York has finally calmed down and settled in for the night. Erwin greets Levi in the lobby, a frown on his face, holding a destroyed black bundle of phone parts that bear a striking resemblance to Levi’s missing device. He swears.

Levi hasn’t heard from you since he got here. Since the last risky job he took in Gwangju last year, you’ve never been lax while he’s been away; he can almost imagine your fear, your paranoia, and before he can even hear Erwin’s well wishes, Levi’s crossing the lobby for the customer payphone and dialing in your number.

The line rings twice before someone picks up.

“Baby?” Levi asks, after three attempts of saying your name and no coherent response. He cranes his head around the curly wire and glares at the clerk, though she looks less than pleased being interrupted by Levi, “Is this a global line?”

“Obviously, sir. It’s a telephone.”

“I fucking know it’s a telephone, but if it’s global, then why the hell isn’t it working?”

The girl gives him grief about his manners and Levi is forced to give up on calling you, slamming down the phone angrily and feeling his body growing hotter and hotter with worry.

He knows you're fine, in his house with the big cat you hate to love, but he knows you. He knows how you operate, how you worry, how you love him too much.

“Look, we’ll catch the first flight we can,” Erwin assures him as soon as Levi has caught his breath and taken a seat on one of the black leather sofas. His hands are shaking violently. “She’s fine. I promise.”

“I know she’s fine,” Levi grumbles.

“Then get a hold of yourself,” sighs Erwin, his frown low and face tired. “There’s nothing you can do but wait. I’ve got people waiting on me, as well, you know.”

“It’s not the same thing.”

“Dogs miss their owners just as much as girlfriends miss their boyfriends,” Erwin protests, because that’s all he has back home these days.

There had been a time where you had offered to set him up with your friend, Sasha, who deserved to be with a man who could handle her energy but also make her feel safe after her last terrible relationship, but Erwin is basically married to his work, and had got a dog despite Sasha being deathly allergic.

Still, Levi’s not heartless enough to know that Erwin isn’t missed by his dog, and probably other people in his life. And he’s right, there’s nothing he can do about the connection problems. All he can do is reign in his worries and wait.

The earliest flight they can find is the next morning, and Levi spends every second up to that point and up until he pulls up outside of his house in a complete state of panic. Would you be there? Did you leave, thinking he’d never come back? 

Levi abandons his bag and leaves it in the backseat as he sprints from the car up the stairs, past his front door, and into his house. He kicks off his shoes once he’s in, the door hitting the wall with a booming slam.

He hears what he thinks might be scuffles, potentially even Elio’s claws, and right as Levi calls out your name, he sees you round the corner with a blotchy red face and feels his arms stretching out for you.

“What the fuck is wrong with you!” You slam into his chest, almost taking him to the floor, and encircle your arms around his neck so hard that the breath knocks out of his lungs. Still, he isn’t even annoyed; he squeezes you so tightly, tighter than he’s ever hugged anyone before, and shoves his face into your neck, inhaling the smell, feeling the way your body felt in memories while he was away. 

“I’m sorry,” he says in a whisper, his features tugged in displeasure as you whimper into him, no doubt crying over his shirt. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“I thought you were dead!” you blurt, “I even cried on Elio’s back because I thought you had died! What’s the point in having a phone if you never pick it up or charge it?” You snatch yourself from his arms and gently beat against his chest with your fist. “I’m so pissed off at you!”

“I’m sorry that my phone got crushed,” he says, affronted that you would even think he’d ignore your calls on purpose. “I was in a hospital bed for three days! And then the bitchy receptionist got smart with me about their shitty phone, and I called but the line cut out. Sounded like a goddamn robot, I couldn’t hear a word you were saying.”

Your jaw drops, “That was you? I thought you’d died and some enemy gang guy was trying to call me to kill me!” Levi has to laugh at the look of worry on your face. He hasn’t been cared for in this way in a long time. Never been loved to this volume. “I unplugged the landline, I was so scared! Jesus Christ, Levi!” Then, like you never left, you rush back into his arms and let out a shaky cry. 

“You did the right thing,” he tells you. Unplugging the landline was the silliest thing he could have ever thought of, but then he realises that you’re still here, and that you made peace with Elio just because you thought he had died.

Levi strokes the back of your head and shushes you, feeling your heartbeat hammering furiously against his chest. His is most likely the same, though he’s not so eager to acknowledge his own feelings.

After a while of standing there, and after Levi’s stroked behind Elio’s ears when he prowls towards them and rubs his head on Levi’s trousers, Levi looks back at you softly and takes everything in.

He has missed you more than anything, grieved the missing piece of his soul that is shaped like you. And, while he’s at it, yes! Fucking hell! He loves you!

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” you tell him, and Levi kisses you, his hands cradling your face. The kiss is firm, desperate, though he has no intention of walking you backwards towards the bedroom like he normally does after a job.

Instead, he pulls you in for a hug again. 

“I missed you,” he mutters. “So fucking much.”

“Me too.”

He says with his mouth pressed into your head, “I’m done with this shit. I’m not taking any more jobs.”

You twist out of his arms, eyebrows raised. “Really? Why? You love your job.”

“I hate my job,” Levi confesses. “I have too much to lose. I just wanna live my life. And make it all count for something.”

For a moment, you stand there, looking at his face so intently that he almost feels uncomfortable. But then, as a smile spreads over your face, Levi feels like he can finally breathe again, finally feel like himself.

“Alright. If that’s what you want, babe, then let’s do that.”

And we can do it together.

(51) Getting adjusted.

Levi forgot what it was like to be normal.

He now wakes up at whatever time he wants to, feeling next to him for the lump in the bed where you sleep. Once he knows you’re still there (because despite being retired, he doesn’t think the habit of making sure you’re safe will ever go away), Levi wakes up and starts his day. 

Coffee for one becomes coffee for two. Levi never has to eat breakfast on his own, never sits alone on the sofa or sits in silence at the kitchen table. Levi has lost half of his sink counter space to your belongings, lost half of his wardrobe to your own clothes. There are so many shoes by his front door that it looks like a storefront. 

Elio has a mother, in a strange, estranged, visitation-hours-only kind of way. Levi has made room for you in his life and you fit perfectly, so perfectly that he barely remembers what it ever felt like to live alone.

The shower is always filled with two people. Levi finds your things all over the house in the most bizarre places. He has candles on every coffee table, pictures in frames, finds your cardigans hanging over every chair. But he loves it. He loves it so much. He can’t imagine ever not having it, having you, having this life.

(52) Finally saying the words.

“This is my first time using this thing.”

“What?” you gasp as Levi comes to sit next to you on the balcony.

Elio yawns inside, sleeping on the couch. It is partly his fault that Levi’s out here in the first place, though the thought of being tucked beside you on the outdoor couch in a blanket, watching the sun sink behind the skyline, is thankfully rather appealing, and he voices no complaints.

Levi takes a swig of his whiskey and abandons the cup on the table, throwing an arm around your shoulder and pulling you close. It’s not exactly cold tonight, but he knows you too well, and knows that within an hour, you’ll be dithering next to him.

“Imagine having a balcony and never using it.”

“I’m using it now,” Levi huffs, pinching your neck. You squeal, “Fuck off, it didn’t hurt.”

You’ve been officially living in Levi’s home for two months now, although sometimes it feels like you’ve always been here. Still, despite you making yourself very much at home on the inside, neither of you have once come out to sit on the balcony, to bask in the lovely sun as it settles for the night, not until today. 

“When’s Erwin coming?”

“Bout an hour or so,” Levi says in a low drawl, his head tilted back and hand massaging the side of your head. It had been your idea to invite a bunch of people over to your house — the house you now shared — and frightfully, Levi hadn’t opposed. It would be nice to share the wealth of simply being alive with people he now had the patience to care about. 

You shuffle to look at him, and Levi picks up his head at the sound of you moving. Like always, Levi thinks you look beautiful, but since he’s made you his girlfriend, it has felt like every time he looks at you, he can’t breathe properly.

“I’m excited. This is our first time hosting a party together,” you grin, while Levi thumbs your ear and smiles. “Do you think Elio will eat Erwin’s dog?”

“No. Elio’s moved back onto a pescatarian diet, so I think Erwin’s mutt will be safe.”

“Good. I bought him a bone, do you think he’ll like it?”

“He’s a dog. Yes, I expect, why are you asking me this?” Levi asks, eyebrows scrunched, though he pulls you close to where his mouth is and kisses you straight on the lips. “Stop stressing.”

“I can’t help it. I’m nervous! It’s all so serious! What if nobody likes our house?”

He shrugs. “I don’t give a shit who does or doesn’t like our house. It’s ours.”

“Hnnngh. And I want you to have a good time!” you whine. “You deserve a bit of fun in your life.”

“My life is always fun now that you’re my girlfriend.”

He’s instantly won himself brownie points by saying that.

“Just tell me if it gets too much,” you mutter, lips on his, mouths together. “Okay?”

Levi hums. “Yeah.” Then, after he’s kissed you three more times and felt his heart shake, he nudges his nose against yours and says, “I love you, y’know that, right?”

You pause, eyes rounding wide as you take in the sight of him. Levi has never said those words before, not explicitly. But now is as good a time as any, right?

Levi has spent far too much of his life withdrawing from his emotions, hiding away from what matters most out of a fear of caring too much. In the past, he had cared too much and lost it all. You were never supposed to be something he cared about, but when it had happened, it happened so fast he hadn’t had the time to make sense of it all.

But now, now that he’s been through it all with you, ticked every box imaginable, become comfortable being vulnerable again, Levi thinks he’s finally ready to accept the love he deserves and dole it out to those who mean the most to him.

Your mouth moves against his, though he can’t understand the words coming out. He laughs, confused, and somehow manages to pull away and ask, “What’re you even saying?”

All for you to blubber out in a laugh, “I’ve been waiting for ages for you to say that!”

His heart bursts, chest soars. “You could have said it first.”

“I’ve said it before,” you protest, “in actions.”

He scoffs, “So have I.”

And he has, you really can’t deny it.

“Say it again, won’t you?” you ask sweetly, kissing the corner of his mouth, and Levi sighs, like asking that of him is simply too much.

“I love you. You make me very happy.” Levi groans when you cackle and squish the breath out of him with a hug, but this time, he sniggers too. Why waste the moment on pretending to be indifferent when he’s actually the happiest he’s ever been?

Levi Ackerman can finally say that he feels good. He feels safe, he feels content, he feels comfortable — and most of all, he feels loved. And in love. And totally at peace in the world with the person who makes him the happiest.

[qoldenskies]

Just read your canary continuity and holy shit was I not prepared. I actually had to step away and calm myself down from the brink of having a panic attack MULTIPLE times while reading it (that's not necessarily a bad thing, btw, it's just that hyperempathy towards a character that I admire got hands).

It's just....the slow escalation. The way you legitimately can't tell that something's wrong at first because yeah, sometimes brothers are kind of dickish to each other, it happens, no biggie, and then it starts getting into "wait, why are they being a bunch of ableist fucks all of a sudden", and then it gets into true psychological horror territory. The way the curse takes any frustration that they might have had about Donnie's behavior- maybe not even directed at him, but maybe frustration about "god, I wish I could make things easier for my autistic brother, it sucks that he has to go through this"- and twisting it entirely on its head to make them mad at HIM for showing those traits. The way it takes their existing personality traits and twists them into something more dark and sinister- like yes, this is making me realize Leo could genuinely be a terrifying villain if he had less of a strict moral code, because he gets people. He knows what makes them tick, and he knows how to potentially wear people down until they finally snap if he ever wanted to, and seeing the curse take that part of him and use it.....it was chilling, to say the least.

Not to mention that a part of them is never really going to be fully recovered from this. The trust that Donnie has had broken is probably going to take years to build back up, and they're probably going to feel like they have to walk on eggshells around him for a long ass time. Especially Leo, god. To know that you did that to your twin, the person who's supposed to be like another extension of you, to know that you broke their trust in you and their love so thoroughly that you might never get that bond back.....no wonder he's so desperate to try and fix things, and behaving irrationally because of it.

This is super long, but I just want to say that this is an amazing fic that you've written, and....if it's not too much to ask, can you give reassurance that things will at least go back to some semblance of normalcy at the end of all this? Like, they won't be permanently broken and their relationships will heal as much as they possibly can? I can tolerate as much hurt as you please as long as it has a happy ending [pleading emoji] (Also I have a theory that Donnie is suffering from nosebleeds either because of the massive amount of head trauma that he probably got in that last fight OR because severing his ninpo or w/e is doing fucky wucky things to his immune system and I am AFRAID)

!!!! I LOVEEEEE LONG ASKS HELLOOOOOOOOOO yeasss

i can guarantee a happy ending, yes!!! i do plan on writing an epilogue oneshot that takes place ten months after CW ends (and CW will end on a happier, hopeful note!), which will show the kind of normalcy they settled into after everything settles down!! they'll get there, its just going to be a . MESS first lmfao

and ohhh yeah writing leo has also helped me discovered how terrible he has the potential to be,,, even recovering and guilty he weaponizes these skills against them (when he lashes out at raph in ch5 and calls back to the family meeting is a very good example), its a side of leo i really like exploring!! he's so tactical in his manipulation and in canon that's usually used in harmless, funny ways, but it takes a NASTY twist here as the curse takes advantage of it. and its especially painful using it on donnie, who is the least perceptive and the most likely to fall for it :( he kind of slayed in caged lungs though he was so delightfully awful

anywhizzles EATING THIS ASK IN MY MOUTH IT IS ALL HIGH PRAISE!!! hope youre doing well!! <3333

[raindrop-21]

Scarred Love - Chapter Eight: Do You Wanna Know?

a/n: Took a long bit of writer's block, but I got it done!

Word count: 1,359

Cw: Ghoap x f!reader, soulmates, Simon's family, small mention of murder, a bit of angst with comfort(Tell me if I missed any)

Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4, Ch5, Ch6, Ch7, Ch8 ~ Masterlist

You laugh at Simon’s chiding. Your friends might be a bit over-the-top sometimes, but you still love them and their protectiveness of you.

“So, uh, when will I be meeting your guys’ parents?” You say as a way to try and bring the conversation back to what it was originally, “We’re already here in England, so why wait?”

“Well… You were given two papers right?” Johnny Questions.

“Yeap, one for England and one for Scotland. Figured I'd at least meet whoever's parents that are in England while I'm here.”

Simon looks away for a second, “... My Ma's no longer with us…” You see the sadness in his eyes and the sympathy given from Johnny.

“Could I still visit her? Let her know her boy's in a second set of good hands?”

“That's a good idea, Luv.”

Some of Simon's sadness disappeared and is replaced by something softer, something sweeter.

~The next day~

You've been riding in Simon's car for two hours now. It's an older car, one with a full row of seating in the front seat. You're seated in between Simon and Johnny. You half expected both men to place a hand on your thigh during the ride, but to your surprise they've both been really respectful to you, unlike men in the past. The radio is softly playing and you think you hear Take On Me by a-ha playing and Johnny humming to it.

Johnny taps you on the knee to get your attention.

“Lass, we’ve got about another two hours before we get to the ferry, if ye want ye can take a wee nap.”

“Got it.”

You nod and lean in closer to him, your side closer pressed into his. Johnny’s quiet humming is quite relaxing, the reverberations of his voice against your side makes you somewhat sleepy. You don’t think you’ve fallen asleep, but you’re awoken by a gentle hand on your shoulder lightly shaking you awake.

“C’mon Luv, wake up, we’re here.”

Simon’s voice, gruff, opposite of his touch, wakes you up.

“Hm?” You hum as you rub your eyes.

Once you’re fully awake, you grab the flowers you wanted to bring and your other items that you need. Johnny offers to hold the flowers for you, but you decline. You hold the flowers in one hand, and the other hand, well more like your pinky on that hand, is being held by Simon. You can tell it means a lot to him.

You go on a nice hike up the mountain, to a beautiful clearing, bare except for a singular tree in the middle and some flowers in the grass. Under the tree are four gravestones, the tallest one says “Liliana Riley, Loving wife and mother.”, the next on says “Tomas “Tommy” Riley, loving son, husband, father and brother.”, the one next to it says “Beth Riley, loving wife and mother.”, the last one has small picture of toddler on it and says “Joseph Riley, loving son and grandson.”.

“S'my mom, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew.”

Your heart breaks for Simon. His whole family is here, but gone. You hug Simon, the raw emotion flooding off the two of you. Simon wraps both his arms around you, its gentle yet strong; like he doesn't want to hurt you, but thinks you're going to get taken away from him. 

It feels like forever goes by before the hug ends. When it does the two of you walk over to where Johnny has already set down the blanket you guys brought in front of the tree and graves. You divide the flowers and set some on each of the graves. Johnny places a little toy car on Joseph's grave, there's already around three there, it must be a tradition. You look at the dates on the gravestones, all on the same day.

The realization that they were most likely murdered saddens you even more. Tears prick at your waterline, threatening to spill over, to betray the calm facade you wanted to portray today. Your hands instinctively search for Johnny and Simon's, you grasp their hands in yours, not wanting to let go. 

“S'okay Bonnie,” Johnny coos at you, “I wasn't much calmer.”

You lean into Simon and the hand that was holding yours wraps around your shoulders and pulls you closer to him. You want to ask what exactly happened to all of them, but you don’t. You leave it to him to tell you. The three of you spend a while just enjoying the slight breeze and quietness of the mountain top. 

“I bet yer Ma’s happy tha ye brought us both, Si.” Simon nods in response to Johnny's comment.

~Simon’s POV~

I’m nervous. So, so nervous. Not even Johnny was this quick to ask to see my family, but then again he knew me before we knew we were soulmates. It took a while before I offered for him to ‘meet’ them. But now I’m driving to the ferry to let her meet them. It’s nerve-wracking, it truly is. What will she think when she sees the graves? Sees the date on the graves? Will she ask why my father isn’t there too?

I’m barely pulled from my thoughts when Johnny tells her to take a nap for the rest of the drive. I get fully pulled from them when I hear Johnny call for me.

“Si. Simon? Hon? Luv? Honey-boo-boo-bear?”

“Don’t call me that.” I say in annoyance, hating the overly sickly sweet way he said it just to annoy me.

“Whatcha thinking abou’?”

“I know he’s worried, I’ve been silent, more silent than usual, “Nothin’ hun.”

He clicks his tongue, “It’s not nothin’. Yer bein’ deadly silent over there. The only time you’re like that is if yer lost in yer own thoughts. So, what’s weighin’ on ye Si?”

I sigh knowing I can’t win when he’s onto me, “I’m just worried s’all.” I say as I reach for my pack of cigarettes.

Johnny’s hand stops me.

“Two things; We dinnae ken if she’s okay wit cigarettes, and just tell me, dinnae keep it do yourself.”

I groan and stop my movements of reaching for the cigarettes.

“Just what I thought when I brought you ta meet them, ya know? The date on the graves, the graves themselves, the absence of my father’s grave.”

“Oh Si.” He says as he reaches over and grabs my hand before placing a soft kiss on it, “If she asks, ye can answer or say yer not ready to, I’m sure she’d understand.”

She probably would. I think she would. I hope she does. Johnny’s made me at least somewhat calm.

~A bit later~

She’s still asleep… I should wake her up. I decide to wake her up by gently placing my hand on her shoulder and lightly shaking her awake.

“C’mon Luv, wake up, we’re here.”

My voice, a bit gruff, opposite of my touch, wakes her up.

“Hm?” She hums as she rubs her eyes.

She grabs the flowers she brought for them and we head to the ferry. The whole time I want to hold her hand, but we haven’t discussed boundaries yet, maybe just holding part of her hand will be okay. I link my pinkie in hers. I can feel her jolt in surprise, did I make a mistake? Then I feel her relax and curl her pinkie around mine… thank god. 

Once we get there she looks over the scenery… And the gravestones. After a minute or two, she turns around and faces me, there are… Tears in her eyes? What surprises me more than the tears is when she hugs me; it’s tight, and warm… And needed. So, so needed. I hug her back, just as tightly, but a bit gentler so as not to accidentally hurt her; one arm around her waist, and the other holding her head. I look at Johnny and he gives me a sweet smile and a thumbs up as he sets down the blanket, once the two of us are done hugging, we sit on the blanket and I explain a small bit to her, all the while she hasn’t let go of my hand.

Maybe everything will be alright.

Taglist:

@under-the-dirt @littlebluespoon @actuallyhiswife @cassiecasluciluce @darling006 @cdej6 @whynotbad @kaoyamamegami @oooof-ifellforyou @aldis-nuts @fanngirl19 @zealouspursecowboydeputy @inarabee

[abitohoney]

Bend and Break (Not Just the Rules)

Chapter 1 of 5 - More Than Just a Crush AO3 link

CH1 || CH2 || CH3 || CH4 || CH5

Sevika x female reader

Rating: Explicit, MDNI, NSFW

Tags: Sevika/Reader, Modern AU, College/University AU, Professor Sevika, Student Reader, Humor, Porn With Plot, Eventual Smut, Teacher-Student Relationship, a lot of this is probably super cliché and a bit silly, but I don’t give two shits cause it’s fucking hot and funny, Drinking, Masturbation, Smoking, Teasing, Size Difference, Enthusiastic Consent, Dom Sevika (Arcane: League of Legends), Sub Reader, Light BDSM, Impact Play, Praise Kink, Degradation Kink, (yes I like the emotional whiplash of both kinks), Vaginal Fingering, Strap-Ons, Orgasm Delay, Choking, Multiple Orgasms, Cunnilingus, Aftercare

Word Count: 2.6k

Summary: When a hot professor in your field of study enters your radar, you’re quick to jump at the opportunity to get closer by taking her class. Temptations eventually lead the two of you to bend and break more than just the rules.

AN: This is already in process over on AO3. Trying to catch up here. Dedicated to the sweet and lovely @frooopsen (who makes much wiser choices in life than our silly reader does here 😆) Banner used with permission from @gabrielsellesty. You can find their original post here AAAnd one more thing. If you haven't seen it yet, please check out @sevikascrown's gorgeous artwork of Professor Sevika here.

The first day of a new class was always nerve-wracking, but there was one class that really set your nerves aflame, just in an entirely different way than one might expect.

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

You were the first one to arrive that day, and chose a seat closest to the professor’s desk. Nothing out of the ordinary, but you were rather excited for this class in particular. Not for the subject matter. Hell, you’d already taken the class the previous semester and passed with flying colors. But there was a new teacher that had taken over after the previous had retired. One you’d been dying to have a class with since you’d first spotted them when passing their office. Professor Sevika.

Though she was by far the most feared professor by a majority of your peers, known for her stoic appearance, short temper, and damn near impossible to pass exams, she was- at least in your mind- the most alluring woman you’d ever laid eyes on. She was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome, only she also held all the softness and delightful curves of a woman.

So when she strode through the open door, her attention on the pile of textbooks and papers in her arms, you couldn’t help but beam at her. You just prayed she couldn’t see how your legs bounced excitedly beneath the table.

“Evening Professor!” you chimed.

Sevika, not expecting anyone attending one of her classes to ever arrive early, glanced towards you in restrained surprise before her signature scowl set back in place. She continued towards her desk without a word before dropping her books on it with a dramatically loud thump . Without looking your way, she murmured a curt, “You’re early,” and took a seat at the desk.

So I can have more time with you.

“Just excited for this class,” you replied, still beaming and hoping she’d give you at least a small glance.

She did, but only that. Her gray eyes peered over her reading glasses your way briefly before dropping to one of the textbooks she’d opened. A murmured, “Hm,” was all she offered you.

Short on words. That’s fine. Plenty to just look at.

You fidgeted with your pen, slowly clicking the button to extend and retract it while you let your gaze wander over the woman before you.

She wore a dark red button-up blouse that fit snugly over her chest. Though you couldn’t see it from her seated position, you knew she always wore it tucked neatly into her pants. The sleeves were rolled back to reveal a sneak preview of biceps that she could easily use to crush a man’s head, or a woman’s- specifically yours if you had your way. She also donned a simple golden chain that hung teasingly low, slipping beneath her blouse and most assuredly resting between her cleavage. Gods, you were damn near salivating at the sight of her. How on earth did the other students not see this? Granted, most of your fellow students were male, and you were quite certain your professor was only into women. Not to judge a book by its cover, but her cover screamed ‘LESBIAN’ in all caps and bright neon letters. Mind still wandering over all those reasons, your gaze rose from her chest to her face, only to be met with a narrowed pair of gray eyes.

Shit!

She caught you gaping at her fucking tits.

“Do you mind?” she grumbled.

Your cheeks could not possibly get any hotter as you fumbled stupidly for an apology- an excuse- anything to cover your shameful mistake. “I- I’m so sorry I-”

“If you need something to keep that hand busy, I suggest you review the first chapter of your textbook.”

Wait. What? Keep that hand busy?

Your attention dropped to your hand, which you only then realized was rather frantically clicking the pen in it.

Oh. Oops.

You immediately set the pen down and mumbled another feeble apology. As suggested, you quickly opened your textbook; Fluid Mechanics. Yet another thing about her that drove your infatuation to such a high level. The fact that she taught such a class- that she was that fucking smart- was just so… hot .

Try as you might, you couldn’t focus on any of the text before you. Your mind was reeling at the sound of her voice in your head. At the words she spoke.

If you need something to keep that hand busy…

Dozens of alternative endings to that statement rolled through your head in that low, rich voice of hers, none of which were by any means appropriate for a professor to speak to their student. 

Curious if she had returned to her task, you slowly peered up from your textbook, only to quickly look back down when you found her narrowed eyes still on you from over the ridge of her glasses. Good god did she look good in those glasses too! But you could understand why most of her students were scared shitless of her. Given her large stature, noticeably toned muscles, and a stony glare mean enough to put even the mouthiest punk in their place, she was definitely a scary lady. However, to you, that was undeniably attractive. Hell, maybe you even preferred your women a little mean .

So began your silly little crush. Always the first to arrive to class, and always the last to leave. Greeted her each time with a big smile and received at least a glance from her, and at most a succinct reply. It did little to deter you though. If anything, it encouraged you to keep at it. Urged you to try breaking through that rock-hard exterior of hers. To find a weak point and grab her attention and approval. You started asking more and more questions during class- questions you already knew the answers to. You were the only student to excitedly raise their hand at any of her difficult questions. Surely she’d be fond of a student so engaged, eager to learn, and capable of proving they have learned.

It wasn’t until nearly halfway through the semester that you had the sudden realization that this had become something more than just a crush. That this had turned into a dangerous infatuation. One incident, in particular, became the real eye-opener. But, by that point, you were too far gone to go back.

In your typical seat front and center, you found yourself struggling to focus on the lecture. Not because it was boring or old news to you, but because Professor Sevika had apparently been rather warm that day, having undone one extra button on her blouse. Try as you might to keep your eyes locked on hers as she lectured, your attention repeatedly fell to the bit of cleavage revealed and the shiny gold chain that rested between it.

Her words quickly started to blur together as your mind drifted into a daydream. A fantasy .

Your eyelids eventually grew heavy as your surroundings began to blur and fade until it was only you and your professor in the room.

In your mind, she was no longer giving a lecture. She was speaking directly to you.

You couldn't quite make out what exactly she said, just the sound of her deep, sexy voice. You licked your lips as you watched hers move when she spoke. They looked so dark, soft, and… kissable .

She walked around the front of her desk to lean back against it, gray eyes on you as she spoke.

Your gaze drifted down to her legs, covered in the most deliciously tight gray slacks. They hugged literally the full length of her legs- from her toned calves to her thick thighs. Thighs you could imagine your head between. Thighs you did imagine your head between.

You could see it play out behind your closed eyes so vividly.

She sat at the desk chair, thighs spread wide as always. Her scowl quickly faded into a cocky smirk as she peered down at you from where you knelt between her legs. You eagerly, but obediently, waited for her approval to touch her. She ran the back of her hand- her so delightfully large hand- gently across your cheek. “Such a good girl. So patient,” she said softly. The praise left you rubbing your thighs together, trying desperately to relieve some of that ache- that desire. She gave you a simple nod and your hands immediately went to the tops of her thighs to run along the muscles beneath her pants. If only you could feel the skin beneath. Your gaze darted to the dark leather belt that rested along her curvy hips. You weren’t sure why she even needed a belt given how her pants fit like a damn second skin, but more importantly- it was an obstacle. Something preventing you from removing her slacks, from getting to that rich, brown skin of hers.

Your vision started to lose focus and the image behind your eyes blurred until you found her thighs positioned directly in your line of sight. That damn gold buckle on her belt taunted you. It made your fingers twitch with the urge to loosen it, remove it so you could slowly peel back her pants and reveal whatever treasures lie beneath. Your half-lidded eyes drifted further down, to the apex of her thighs where her pants fit so fucking tight .

Then, you heard your name- spoken in that low, sultry voice of hers- and as if with a mind of its own, your hand slipped between your thighs to ease the sudden throbbing that induced. Your lips parted, allowing a quiet, soft mewl to escape. Your eyes slowly drifted up to your professor’s, and you realized entirely too late that your little fantasy had gone way too far. That it had bled into your reality and you had made a terrible scene.

Without warning, Sevika’s hand came crashing down on your desk. The loud, resonating slap echoed through your muddled head and instantly ripped you from your little reverie. You were thrown back into reality, hit hard with the realization that you were rubbing your thighs together, touching yourself beneath the table, and fucking moaning while ogling your professor.

Oh god, shoot me now.

“I’d like to have a word with you after class,” she said sternly.

You peered up at her meekly, feeling terribly ashamed, cheeks red hot with embarrassment. "Y- Yes ma'am," you managed to quietly squeak out.

To your surprise, she didn’t really look angry. Just… confused? Concerned? Either way, it did nothing to ease the nauseating feeling that took over the earlier pleasant ache low in your belly.

As Sevika made her way back to her desk, you glanced around the room. It seemed none of your classmates were privy to what exactly you had done, but all eyes were wide and honed in on you.

You’d need to come up with a damn good excuse for your behavior, but as your eyes darted to the clock on the wall behind your professor, you found that was unfortunately not going to be possible.

“Test this Friday,” Professor Sevika called to the class as she took a seat.

While the entire class erupted into simultaneous groans and sighs, you sat quietly panicking over what the hell you were going to tell your Professor about your behavior. How the fuck do you cover up the fact that you were touching yourself to filthy fantasies of her?

As the rest of the class quickly filtered out of the room, you slowly gathered up your items and stuffed them into your bag, all while trying desperately to avoid eye contact with your professor or anyone around you.

Once only you and your professor remained, you reluctantly made your way to her desk, head hung low and eyes on the floor.

From her seat at the desk, Professor Sevika simply peered up at you, brows furrowed. In complete silence .

You’re not sure how long she let you simmer there like that, watching as you nervously shifted from one foot to the other, but it was long enough that you decided to finally lift your gaze to meet hers. You instantly regretted it, because she then removed her glasses, drawing your attention to those smoky gray eyes, which she had trained on you. Any words you’d had prepared to explain yourself vanished. Poof! Just like that. Gone. Replaced with useless thoughts. Thoughts that would only get you into deeper trouble.

Her eyes are so intense. So pretty.

Thankfully, your professor finally spoke up, breaking the awkward silence and disrupting your trailing thoughts.

“You’ve been paying less and less attention in class over the past couple of months, and I understand why now.”

Your heart sank back into the pit of your stomach again. You’d been caught acting horribly inappropriate and you were about to get chewed out for it. Maybe even kicked from the class. Your gaze dropped again and the heat returned to your cheeks.

“I’m so sor-”

“However-” she interrupted, grabbing your attention again, “-you’ve been outperforming your peers. Your test and quiz scores have been near perfect. I’m… impressed.”

Your eyes darted to hers.

Did- Did she just say she was impressed?

You remained silent, just waiting for her to get to the part where she scolds you for fantasizing and touching yourself during class.

“I looked at your transcript this morning. I see you’ve already taken this class. Passed with the highest grade even, so I can understand why you wouldn’t feel the need to pay attention.”

Wait- what?

You tried not to let her see how baffled you were, but it was damn near impossible to hide when you’d been so damn sure the conversation would go in an entirely different direction. How could she not have noticed what you were doing?

“What I don’t understand is why you’re taking this class again.”

Relief washed over you. Not only did she apparently miss your little show, she also seemed calm, not angry. She even seemed… intrigued ?

Thankfully, you were able to come up with something quick-witted, because you sure as hell couldn’t tell her the real reason.

“I needed extra hours for insurance purposes, and I really enjoyed this class.”

She simply stared at you for a moment– and good god that heated gaze of hers was somehow both terribly unnerving and incredibly arousing at the same time.

“Your talent would have been put to better use in a class you haven’t taken yet.”

You thought hiding your shock before had been difficult, but she’d just dropped the second compliment in the short span you two had been talking.

“I- I suppose so, but this is my last semester. I don’t need any more courses.”

“Hm. Interesting,” she replied, and you could have sworn you caught those dark lips of hers pull up at the corner just a bit, but it was gone so quickly you weren’t sure if it had just been in your head. “Well, I’d like to ask that you at least pretend to pay attention so as to set an example for the rest of the class.”

“Understood, ma’am. Again, I’m terribly sorry.”

With a simple nod, she dismissed you and turned her attention to the pile of papers on her desk.

You left as quickly as you could, desperately trying not to look as crazy as you felt.

CH2 >>

[exhaslo]

Over-Time Ch18

(CEO!Miguel x Shy/Clumsy!Reader)

Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4,Ch5, Ch6, Ch7, Ch8, Ch9, Ch10, Ch11, Ch12, Ch13, Ch14, Ch15, Ch16, Ch17

Warning: MINORS DNI, SMUT, sexual thoughts, slow-burn, mentions of sex, bullying, cussing, fluff, touch starved, cockwarming

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

"Oh?"

Your clumsy self did it again. During your whole panicked state when Dana was confronting you in your own home, you had somehow made yourself look even worse than you did. Miguel was too kind to you to not say anything about your mess. Right as you were going to open your phone, Miguel reentered your room,

"Here, drink some water to ease your worries," Miguel offered. You smiled towards your loving boyfriend,

"T-Thank you."

Drinking the water, you sighed heavily. This felt like a nightmare. Miguel sat beside you, gently pulling you onto his lap. Taking the cup away, Miguel rested his hands against your back, slowly soothing you.

"I hired a small moving company to come and get your things. They will be here in two hours."

"Thank you...but...but what about your meetings?" You asked, now having your worry return about his job.

"Cancel them. I'm going to stay with you."

"But-"

"Shh, relax," Miguel brought you in for a kiss, wanting to remove your worries.

Unable to complain, you melted against his body, sinking into the kiss. His hands stroking your body, releasing any bit of stress you had left. His touch comforting you in ways you couldn't do yourself.

His kisses grew more intense as his grip tighten. You whined, but Miguel kept you firmly in place. Shuddering as his tongue started to ravish your mouth, you began to squirm against his lap. Which, in course, turned him on.

Miguel grunted softly as he drew circles against your hips. Your body trembling under his touch, anticipating what was to come. Miguel began to kiss your neck, humming as you started to move your hips against his.

"(Y/N), you're still so stressed. I may have an idea on how to help," Miguel whispered with a chuckle.

You raised a brow towards Miguel. He hummed as he kissed your neck while removing your pants. His hands stroking your clothes clit as he removed his own pants.

"Migueeeeel," You whined softly, gripping his jacket.

"Shh, we haven't even gotten to it yet,"

You gasped and moaned as Miguel kept toying with your pussy. Your panties soaked. Right when you started to feel your high coming, Miguel stopped and took your panties off. He held your hips and motioned you onto his dick.

Moaning as you felt his dick slide into you, you enjoyed the feeling of Miguel stretching your walls. Right as you were going to move, Miguel held your hips tightly in place.

"Miguel~" You whimpered. Miguel just chuckled,

"Just stay still. Relax, mi amor (my love)."

"Mhm~"

You wanted to move desperately, but this felt good in its own way too. Your body was clenching against Miguel's dick, feeling every curve of his length. His tip pressing firmly against your cervix, sending shivers down your spine.

---------

Miguel sighed softly as he held you in place. Just having you sit on his dick felt comforting. Perhaps he might have to do this more often? You were starting to moan and whine, wanting to move.

"It's only been a few minutes, you're doing so good." Miguel chuckled and saw your phone, "Why don't we take a picture to celebrate?"

"Migueeeeel~" You begged, trying to move your hips.

"Almost," Miguel chuckled as he grabbed your phone. Once unlocked, Miguel's eyes widen, "(Y/N), did you know you had this on record?"

"N-No~"

"How long-" Miguel saw the time and started to think, "(Y/N), you beautiful, clumsy woman!"

"Ah~" You moaned as Miguel pinned you to the bed.

"Let me press stop," Miguel chuckled and put your phone down, "I'm going to fuck you so good that you won't be able to move for the next week. You just saved my ass."

"H-How?" You stuttered before gasped as Miguel's hips started to slap into yours.

"You recorded that entire conversation,"

Miguel grunted softly as he thrusted into you. Your walls clenching against his dick as you started to cum. A white ring forming against the base of his cock as you started to babble. Your body trembling as your moans grew louder.

"Fuck, gonna cum so much in you. Such a good girl,"

Miguel grunted and groaned as he raised your legs. Wanting to feel you deeper, Miguel pressed his body against yours more. His tip reaching further than before.

Glancing at your face, Miguel just chuckled as you nearly drooled from pleasure. You were so cock drunk that Miguel couldn't hold himself back. He was going to have to apologize to your later at this rate.

----------

Panting softly, Miguel leaned against your bed frame as he regained his energy. You were sleeping against his chest. Once recovered, Miguel was careful to pick you up and carry you to the bathroom to get you washed up.

His cum was still dripping down your legs. Miguel sure went overboard, but how could he not? You just solved his biggest thorn in his side.

Stepping into the shower, Miguel was careful to wash you. His hands gentle trailing over your weak body. Soft moans escaping your lips, making Miguel groan.

"Don't temp me again," Miguel whispered against your ear.

Once Miguel took care of the main issue, he set the bath water and placed you between his legs. Sitting in the tub, Miguel inhaled deeply as you kept sleeping. He reached for his phone and made a quick call,

"Hey, I have evidence for the lawsuit, but we might need to cut out the last few minutes of it."

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Next Chapter (Final)

@timidquindim @decentsoupperson @ivkygirly @reader-1290 @daddyfroglegs @eepybunny0805 @ddreabea @iamperson12280 @migueloharasoulmate @tojishugetiddies @koko-1025 @hyeinwluv85s @daisy-artfield @migueloharastruelove @a-lil-whore @hcqwxrtss123 @the-pan-liquid @tojisfav @pochapo @bubblegumfanfictions @brighterthanlonelythoughts @ghstypaint @mangoslushcrush @synamonthy @scaleniusrm @moonspectorx @dorck26 @a060403 @lunablackcosplay @soraya-daydreams @lovefanfic1 @mymrsweirdnessshipperstuff-blog @pretty-pink-princesss @corpsebridenightamare @razertail18 @gachagator @droolingmuttt @miguelsfavwife @ryzguy06 @raideaters-blog @manishkaworld @keidilla @byjessicalotufo @pigeonmama @k3ythesapphic @acesangels @stealingyourturts @angel-xx-1 @amberbalcom14 @ofmenanduhhhwellmen @oscarissac2099 @keepghostly @zeyzeys-stuff @k3ythesapphic @nightingale1011 @uncle-eggy @safixiovi @flaps200 @dahehow @weirdothatwritess @gerblinradio @electronicchaoschaos @mafiaanomaly @keyisloved @unwrittenletter @reader4life @leenasgirl200 @oscarissac2099 @mari0-o @cinnamoro1l @leryg0 @hizzielover @resident-clown @girl-of-multi-fandoms @sana-408-blog

[skunaskitten]

The Affair chapter 5

AU: human ceo sukuna x female reader

Contains: fluff, smut, cheating, lying, unfaithful sukuna, falling in love, oral, talk about kids, guilty heart sukuna, mention of gojo

Summary: since sukuna's wife has come back he has been switching back and forth between you and her, not knowing who to finally choose. The choice between you or his company. Something strange is happening with his wife, he is seeing her in a new way maybe he can stay with her but with you in his life things are more complicated. Now he seeks help through one of his best worker and friend.

Master list of stories

chapter 4 ch5 chapter 6

 Sukuna was so lost in thought he couldn't do any of his work right, having to retype emails that he kept messing up on and reorganizing his paperwork. 

 His stress was rising to more than what he would like it to be. He didn't know what to do now. His wife had come back too early that put an obstacle in his plans with you.

 That night he didn't come to see you now that his wife was back home he needed to attend to her needs but when she escaped to the showers he took the moment to go into another room to call you. You were so excited to hear from him his heart felt like breaking. He felt bad for not seeing you telling you the excuse and lying that it was overtime at work. All you did was smile and tell him not to worry and to get some rest.

 Sukuna laid awake for most of the night tossing and turning in bed all the worries and guilt eating him alive. When his wife felt him struggling to go to sleep, with the tossing and turning. She put an arm around his body and nuzzled against his chest trying to calm him to sleep. He was confused why she was acting this way. Why the sudden change? She never really liked to cuddle as they got older in their relationship. 

 With the little comfort he had got tonight he was able to fall asleep but with the lack of a deep sleep he didn't want to go into work. His wife however rubbed his head laying there with him "my love stay in bed today I am going into the office. You look drained of life." She told him with a smile on her face.

 He grunted and turned over hiding his face to get more sleep making her giggle. She slipped out of bed to get dressed then walked out of the home heading to the office.

 Sukuna wanted to go see you but he could not risk anyone seeing him sneaking out. This was going to be a new challenge for him.

 On her breaks and lunches she actually came back to him checking to make sure he was doing well but that meant he couldn't sneak out if he wanted to. He had to call you to tell you he can't not see you today.

 When you heard the phone ring you ran over to it and jumped onto the bed seeing sukuna's number. You smiled and answered with a flirtatious "hello kuna."

 He smiled and said "hey darling I am sorry but work is kicking my ass right now so I won't be able to see you today." 

 "Oh well then you can see after work its fine sukuna I don't mind if you come over late. It might give you better sleep." A smile formed on your face. He rubbed the back of his neck saying "yea I can't tonight at all im sorry they are keeping me over." But he liked the idea of being in bed with you getting a good night's rest. You let out a little breath saying "that's ok kuna I will wait for you. I love you. You stay safe though take care of yourself I will see you later."

 He could hear how sad you are but he could not risk anything too soon,  he had to keep you on the low. 

 "I love you beautiful, I have to go now." 

 You said goodbye to him then let out a sigh looking at the phone after hanging up then just laid down onto your bed. Sukuna rubbed his face and went to the kitchen to get something to eat, feeling horrible for even leading you into his life like this only to push you away.

 Later that night while he sat on the couch his wife walked in with a smile. "hello love hope you feel better I made reservations at the restaurant to go to. I will go get ready. That is if you still want to go." 

 He nodded to confirm he was still going then watched her disappear down the hall to their bedroom as he sighed, laying his head back then got up and walked into the room seeing her getting undressed.  Her body would never compare to the likeness of you. He loves the natural plumpness of your ass and thighs, enjoying the way they wrapped around him everytime he thrusted into you. The size of your breast are perfect to him and loves to feel them in the palm of his hands or pressed against his chest.

 His wife giggled snapping him from his thoughts as she said "sukuna save it for later go get ready." She walked into their bathroom while he went  to look at the suits to wear. He just grabbed a simple black vest and red under shirt for tonight, nothing  fancy just as his wife came out dressed in red heels, black tight dress and hair tied up with make up dusting her face. "Lets go don't want to be late."

 During dinner his eyes darted everywhere looking for any sign of someone being strange or trying to get his picture. His wife noticed how quiet he had been ever since she came back from her trip. 

 "Hey ryomen are you alright you've been quiet and closed off ever since I came back what is wrong?"

 He smirked to her saying "darling nothing is wrong everything is fine just I never seen you like this for a long time now. Why the sudden change?" 

 She smiled and slid her hand over and squeezed his hand. "I told you I want to be better for you and I had a lot of thoughts about us so I am changing." He sighed and held her hand in his then brought it to his lips kissing her knuckle. "I missed you."

 The whole dinner felt normal to him again it wasn't her flirting with random men that walked by her or got her attention. Her focus was all on him. She was actually laughing and smiling at him and he felt happy that he was finally becoming part of her life again. He chuckled hearing the stories she told about her trip while she laughed with him.

 When they got home it was lips locked and his tongue diving into her mouth grabbing at her hips pulling her against him. Sukuna roughly picked her up pushing her against the wall giving bites to her neck making her moan out. He let out a growl and dropped her onto the bed then began to strip himself down to nothing. It was not easy for him to find lust through her; he had to think of you during the intercourse with his wife. The shameful thoughts of you. All because the guilt is eating him alive.

 As he thrusted into her hearing her bark his name it was all thoughts of you. Remembering the way your breast bounced with every thrust. When your warm walls squeezed around the thickness of his cock. Feeling your body mold to his like a perfect piece. His heart was so guilty his wife noticed him losing his rhyme.

 "Sukuna..cum inside me." 

He looked at her with wife's eyes saying "what?" She smiled at him "I want to..to have a family with you." 

 With a few more thrust she came around him screaming his name but he wasn't close yet so he stopped breathing hard cursing at his inner self. She looked at him with a smile and ran a hand across his cheek. 

 "Ryomen its alright? We can do it again later. I know it was just brought onto you but I think we should start having kids."

 His wife left him alone while she was in the bathroom and he laid down covering his face with a pillow. How dare she say this to him after years of not wanting kids. After he found you to fall in love with, now she wants to be the wife he always wanted. He heard the door open and her quiet footsteps until he felt hands grab his cock. He shuddered and went to move but she grabbed his wrist saying "relax let me help you."

 He could feel her hand squeeze and jerk his shaft making him hard again only with thoughts of you. He let out a groan then felt her lips wrap around his tip taking him deep within her mouth. Feeling her suck and jerk him all he remembered was you doing it, the way you took your time to pleasure and tease every part of him. "Ahh fuck darling." Sukuna bucked his hips and released his seed into her mouth as she swallowed all of him. 

 He had to admit its been a while since his wife did this to him but seeing her didn't please him like you did. Seeing how shy you were with his cum still on your lips and when you licked it away face full of innocence. Sukuna hated this back and forth with his heart. A plan needs to come quickly but either way it's going to lead to heartbreak.

 Over a week you have not seen sukuna in person. You talked to him over the phone but it didn't feel the same. You also walked to the chicken wrap stand ordering two wraps hoping he will show up and surprise you. He didn't show up so you sent him pictures of you with the wraps telling him you have an extra for him to have dinner with you.  But he just responded that he is busy at work, to much over time. He missed you dearly and it hurt his heart.

 You texted him throughout the day telling him how much you love him and miss him. That night you ate both wraps alone reading your books while trying to keep yourself away from bad thoughts.

 However during the following days your mood was bringing you down to a depressing state. You took a walk after work through the mall with your friends as they continued to bug you about sukuna. As they dragged you through different stores you were brought into a girly store. Your eyes caught the jewelry that was on display filled with both men and women items. 

 Your eyes scanned the display case and saw a thick black leather bracelet with a golden tiger on it. A smile formed on your face wanting to give a gift to sukuna as a thank you for the book. You bought it and got a black box with pink ribbon to tie around. You wrote his name across the box with a silver marker and added a heart to his name.

 You wanted him to come over as soon as possible because you were too excited for him to get his gift but he didn't answer your phone that whole night. Maybe he is really busy with work.

 Sukuna had to put his phone on silent during another dinner date with his wife she wanted to go on a nice little candle lit dinner at a small restaurant. It was just him and her sharing smiles and sending flirtatious smirks. Sukuna was completely forgetting about you. 

 He is starting to see a new light over his wife. She was actually changing and just maybe if this continues he can be in a happy marriage. To not have that worry about having an affair and the damage to his company.

 Surprisingly to sukuna his wife didn't ask for sex and all she wanted to do was cuddle him in bed with a movie on in the background. When she went to sleep, Sukuna took out his phone and saw all the messages from you. The reality came sinking into his world. The reality that he is having an affair and seeing all your messages of you missing him. You want to see him. You're feeling lonely. Asking if he was upset with you. He can see how hurt you felt for him ignoring you. This was the first time that he has been pushing you away.

 He gave you a text saying that he was fine, just tired. Maybe he can find a way to sneak out to you. Sukuna put his phone away and laid down hugging his wife.

 The next day he was wondering why his wife was not getting up and groaning. She just started her time of the month so she pushed him away like all the other times feeling the cramps. He tried to help her but she groaned and pushed against his chest telling him to leave. 

 He sighed and said "fine I guess I am leaving now call me if you need me. I won't be in the office. I am going to a meeting outside the company. Love you." His wife just groaned at him as he sighed and left her alone.

 Sukuna did go to the meeting talking about plans and making deals with the other men from different companies he has regularly met with.

 However, it ended four hours early. He thought of using this time to finally go and see since he had pushed you off for a whole week.

 When he got to your apartment he looked to see if anyone was nearby he recognized then quickly went to your door giving it a loud knock. He realized you didn't answer so he called you hoping you would answer but then he heard the ringing go to voicemail after two rings. He pulled his phone away from him, feeling his heart get heavy. Were you mad at him?

 Then hearing the door unlocked from the other side he perked up excited to see you when the door opened he saw you and smiled. "Hey darling."

 You looked at him with tired eyes and gave him a weak smile as you stepped to the side letting him in. As soon as the door closed you jumped straight into his arms hugging him tight. 

 He chuckled and held you close to him feeling his body get warm and his heart flutter. Being away from you so long he didn't realize how much his body missed you. It had a mind of its own and it wanted you only. He never felt like this when seeing his wife.

 You held onto him then let out a whimper of pain, he heard the sound and put you down worried then watched you crouch down into yourself holding your stomach. He crouched down to your level saying "what's wrong?"

 You shook your head and looked at him with pout. "It hurts kuna. My cramps." He looked at you in disbelief that both you and his wife started it the same time. Thinking you didn't want him around he hummed then said "do you want me to leave."

 "What?! Why would I want you to leave? I hadn't seen you in a week and now you want to leave. No dumb ass, I want you to stay with me. Please, I missed you so much."

 He gulped as you lunged back into his arms telling him to take you back to your room. Sukuna picked you up carrying you to bed and placed you down with a smirk. "So needy, pretty little thing." 

 His wife still never liked him being around when it was that time, she claims it is not attractive and makes her feel gross. You smiled at him but then looked away scrunched your face from the pain. Sukuna wanted to make you feel better. His hand slides over your hip and under your shirt to press it to your stomach and give it a gentle rub. Your eyes opened to look at him, seeing his handsome face and body dressed in his suit, making you smile with so much love for him as you raised a hand to cup his face and ran your thumb tracing his cheek and to graze over his lower lip.

 "I love you my kuna."

 He could feel his heart clench and ache hearing those words sounding so sweet from you. In a tone that he never heard from his wife it always sounds forced from her even till now when she is trying to force it out. 

 "Y/n do you have tea here?" You nodded "yes it's in the kitchen." 

 He pulled his hand from you saying "don't move, stay here I am going to try to fix you." He stood up hearing your giggles and said "kuna I am not broken I am just cramping."

 Sukuna gave you a smile and left your room heading to the kitchen looking through the place finally finding your stash of tea. He rubbed his neck looking through the boxes then froze feeling the necklace still around his neck. "Shit." He quickly took it off and stuffed it into his pocket then went back to find the herbal tea he was looking for.

 After brewing some hot water from your electric kettle he put a bag of chamomile and lavender tea with honey into your cat tea cup. A smirk formed on his face seeing the cup then went back to you. 

 "Here drink this love."

 You sat up as he sat next to you holding your cup carefully handing it over. "Oh you found the ones I usually drink for my cramps. I was too lazy and in pain to move to get them. Luckily I have you to rescue me." You said, giving him a little laugh.

 Hearing your laughs always makes his chest flutter happily, knowing he makes you laugh and happy. Sukuna took off his suit coat laying it on your bed to the side then laid down while waiting for you to drink your tea. You drank most of it and put it down on the table not caring about it any more because you just wanted to be in sukuna's arms after not seeing him for a while.

  He watched you turn to face him and lay down getting cozy under his arm and nuzzling against his chest. It was just silence between the two of you but the love could be felt in your room. His hand soothing your back gently. 

 Maybe your body just wanted him around because the cramps eased up after, probably sensing your man next to you. "Sukuna, I want to tell you something." He gave you a hum, his eyes closed enjoying your comfort.

 "Where have you been? Has work really been draining that much?" 

 He let out a heavy breath of air escape through his nose then pressed a kiss to your forehead.  "Yes work is stressing me out a lot too much over time I can not get a break."

 Your hand rubbed across his chest and led to his back rubbing him softly. "That sucks. I am sorry if I have been really annoying lately in wanting to see you all the time. I feel like a burden to you. Because you have your own life but I want to be part of it. Because I love you. And I am just worried that…you would not want me because I am too attached to you. I am sorry…kuna".

 He could hear your voice croak and sniffles coming from you and he instantly felt his heart tear. He moved and softly rubbed your cheek making you look at him. 

 "No beautiful, do not say those things about yourself. I am happy with you. I love you with all my heart. It's me that feels like I don't not deserve you and I really don't. You have shown me what it is like to be in love to have a normal relationship. I appreciate you and everything you do for me. I don't want anyone else besides you."

 A whimper escaped you as you nuzzled your face against his neck holding him tight. "Ryomen I love you more than my heart can handle."

 Sukuna spills more and more confessions to you everytime he is with you because you make his heart feel what he really wants. His wife is already to far gone from him to want her back. He needs and wants you.

 "Kuna, I got you a gift." He hummed curiously watching you move and turn to get into a drawer on your bedside table then pulled out a little black box with pink ribbon. "Here open it."

 Sukuna sat up holding the box smiling at the colors you chose and began to unwrap the box. You held your hands together playing with your fingers feeling butterflies in your stomach worried if he was not going to like it.

 He pulled off the top of the box seeing the bracelet inside and took it out to see the gold tiger charm. 

 "I know it's not much but I thought of you when I saw it and I wanted to get you something." 

 He smiled and pulled you saying "c'mere. I love it darling". You smiled and hugged him as he kissed your cheek. "Do you want me to put it on?"

 "Of course, I need to see if it's going to fit." Sukuna chuckled and took the bracelet to slip it over his wrist and pulled the little ropes tightening it. He lifted his arm to you saying "how does it look?"

 You smiled and held his hand turning his wrist to look at it against his skin. "Its perfect on you kuna." As sukuna laid down holding your body close to him he felt worse for even having to take off any of the gifts. He knows you be more upset if he stopped wearing the bracelet and ask questions. He will just have to tell his wife that it was a gift from one of the men during the conference meeting.

 When the time passed sukuna woke up from a nap then looked at you. You were still by his side and in his arms he noticed you were asleep. He tried to wake you but you were passed out sound asleep. He smiled and gave a  long kiss to your cheek and pulled away whispering 'I love you beautiful.' Sukuna grabbed his coat then left a note by your pillow telling you he had to leave and he loves you more.

 By the time you woke up it was dark outside and sukuna was not beside you leaving you with a sad expression and whimpered when you saw the note he left. You placed the note in your drawer and held the pillow he was laying on, getting a smell of his scent that comforted you. 

 You couldn't come up with the courage to tell him how you feel about him. How much you needed him beside you every night. How your heart yearns for him. You had many thoughts wanting to be his wife. But you are always too scared to tell him because of the fear he would not want that. So you kept them aside.

 You texted him that night to see if he was alright but you got no response and that was because sukuna was on the couch cuddling his wife making her giggle. Kissing her neck gave light bites to her ear as he poked her side. 

 Sukuna is playing with two women he knows it's wrong and he has to choose but not knowing what part of his life he wants. 

 Sukuna again didn't come to see you and only texted you for a few days leaving you alone with no response. You laid in bed hugging your pillow wondering what you did wrong. He became so distant lately. Tears filled your eyes and hid your face away from everything.

 He finally saw the messages seeing  you desperately trying to talk to him and saw the last message.

 'Fine I guess I will leave you alone. If you don't want me any more then tell me. You don't have to keep ignoring me.'

 "Fuck." He tossed his phone onto the passenger seat of his car gripping the steering wheel. He didn't know he could be so caught up in this life. He is ryomen sukuna ceo of his company and he is letting some little woman like you control his life usually that will piss him off.

 But deep down he liked it because he loves you. Being with you all this time always weighed his heart to you and he can not think of anyone else to be with besides you.

 He took out his phone calling the one person he could talk to about anything. 

 "Hey satoru we need to talk, meet me at the ramen shop I like. Thank you. See you there." 

 Sukuna drove off feeling his nerves rise, when he got there he let out a sigh and texted his wife saying he has a meeting outside the office to go to and will be home late. 

 Sukuna walked into the restaurant, seeing satoru's hand raise up calling out to him. He sighed and walked over taking a seat and already saw a drink in front of him. "Is this alcohol?"

 "Why would I do that if I know you are driving? So what dirty secrets do you want to tell me?" 

 Gojo leaned over the table resting his chin onto the palms of his hands. As sukuna cleared his throat to say, "so this talk is only between me and you also nanami if you want to fill him in." Gojo took a drink of his tea and looked to sukuna waiting.

"I am in love with another woman." 

 "No shit". Gojo said with a smile as he pulled down his sunglasses to look at his pink haired friend. Sukuna growled and looked at his drink. "Can I speak fully before  interrupting me with stupid remarks?" Sukuna then glared at him to make sure he understood, seeing gojo flick his hand to continue the talk. 

 "I met this little woman after I had gotten into a fight with the wife, she came home with hickies on her neck and told me it was no big deal. Stating she knows I cheat. I had enough of it so I left to get a break from her staying at my house. Then when I went walking to get chicken wraps I crashed into this woman."

 Satoru chuckled saying "you could have killed her with that body of yours." "Shut up!" Sukuna snarled lowly at him then continued.

 "I saw how cute and shy she was so I thought maybe I could get her into bed with my charm. But she didn't fall for it like most women do. So I made it my mission to try to get with her. The more I was with her the more I wanted a life with her. There is a lot more in detail of why but I won't get into it if you are smart enough to know."

 He looked down and rubbed his face feeling stressed.

 "When I got forced into this marriage I was fine and happy with it. Getting to fuck this beautiful woman that I was tied with not having to worry about anything else. Now being older I see the way two people in love looked at eachother and it was not the same look my wife gives to me. I want to have that life with a woman to go home and relax with her and have her wash away my stress and not give me stress. The woman I could finally experience romance with and have a family."

 Satoru had already seen how his friend had been acting lately. He wasn't so grumpy all the time and he has a different energy. Sukuna looked at gojo then pulled out his phone to show him a picture of you. The white haired man smiled, saying "she is cute." 

"Satoru, she showed me what it's like to be in true love. Everything about her is amazing, she is beautiful, sweet, cute, lovely." 

 "What about the sex?" Satoru asked as sukuna smirked and leaned back in his seat. "This little woman is sexy. She drives me crazy. She makes my heart flutter, swell and twist with passion. The sex feels amazing, let's just say I fit perfectly inside her."

 Sukuna leaned back over the table to say in a low tone "I love the way she tightens around my cock every time I bring her to pure bliss."

 Satoru shook his head with a smirk and said "you never change with those words ryomen."

 Sukuna leaned away again and looked at his tea. "Fuck satoru I don't know what to do? Now my wife comes back after this trip stating that she did not cheat on me and now she wants kids with me and is acting differently."

 Gojo hummed while taking a drink then looked at sukuna being serious. 

"You know this is a serious matter, this affair can be big trouble for the company."

"You think I don't know that". Sukuna growled out.

"Well what are you going to do?"

 Sukuna sighed and rubbed his face. "Gojo this is why I called you here to help me with this. I know I need to stay for the company but y/n is what I deeply want. I fell out of love with yami. And being with her doesn't feel right. Is it because I am guilty? Man, I sound pathetic talking about this."

 Gojo let out a laugh then said "that is a good thing you are having feelings it means you are human and not a demon like others say." Sukuna smirked saying "thanks I guess but that doesn't help."

 His friend smiled and pulled down his glasses to say "look ryomen just do what you want to do. I know that is what you do best. Whatever you choose I am still here for you. But I will say that little y/n girl she does do something to you that I can see. You look more alive with her."

 Sukuna had left the little talk with gojo and went straight to your place, parking outside the building and staring at your door. Debating if he should should just go home after all. But his heart string was pulling him to you. 

 He made his decision when he got out of his car and to your door and gave it a hard knock so you would hear him. He looked at his wrist smiling at the bracelet you gifted him. His wife did question it but she didn't bother with it after he told her it was a gift from a meeting.

 You heard a knock at your door thinking it was your friendly neighbor trying to bring cookies again. You opened it with a smile then froze in shock to see sukuna giving a soft smile. "Hey darling."

 You crossed your arms, giving him an unamused look. "What do you want? I am upset with you. You ignore me for days, then you just show up thinking everything is fine." Sukuna gulped and rubbed his neck saying "I am sorry."

 "You never want to talk to me kuna. I want you to talk to me about your life. What are you feeling? Tell me about your day. Tell me about what is bothering you. Even if it's stupid just talk to me please." He could see your eyes glaze over with tears, he hates to see you cry.

 "No no please don't cry I am sorry. I am dealing with so much bull shit at work. I lose track of time and I am too tired. My ex is bugging me again." He quickly stopped talking from over saying things. 

 "Is that why you are ignoring me? Your ex wife is talking to you again. So you ignore me to have your attention on her. Are you cheating on me?"

 You stepped away not wanting to say that and not wanting to know if it's true.

 Sukuna walked inside pushing passed the door then closed it behind him locking it. "No beautiful I am not cheating on you trust me. Please. I love you." Why was it so easy for him to lie to you?

 You didn't say a word just looking at him annoyed with yourself and him, not knowing what else to say to sukuna. He gulped and said "please say something." "Why?" 

"Because I love you."

You looked away saying "do you?"

 Sukuna felt a sting in his heart. Fine if you think he doesn't then he will just have to show you. With the thing you love to have over and over again. He walked closer to you and grabbed your face then smashed his lips to yours. 

 You wanted to be mad at him but you couldn't stay mad not with his intoxicating lips trying to devour you when you opened your mouth letting his tongue pass through across your lips. You let out a desperate moan into his mouth. 

 Sukuna then grabbed your hips pulling you flush against him and quickly pulled his lips away only to latch them to your neck. You tilted your head back letting him attack your neck with love bites marking you. "Ryomen.." You love the way they feel against your skin. He makes you melt every time.

 "I am sorry for staying away from you because of work. But I can't stop thinking of you and having you in every way." He told you and went to squeeze your ass hearing a gasp coming from you. "Kuna hold on." He froze and pulled his hands away to watch you pull off your clothing just leaving you in underwear as he let out a growl mixed with a groan.

 Sukuna attacked you again with his hands and lips. You moaned letting him have full access to your neck then he started taking off his jacket and shirt leaving everything on the floor. Just seeing his bare chest and abs covered with his black markings on full display his pants hanging low around his hips. 

 "Sukuna takes me to the room." You jumped into his arms as he carried you to the bedroom and kicked your door closed then pressed your back against the door with your legs wrapped around his hips. 

 Sukuna continued to lick and softly suck your neck while grinding himself against you, his lips trail over your collar bone going down to your breast taking a nipple into his mouth. You could feel his tongue swirl around your peaked nub giving attention to the other breast. Moans escaped from you while arching your back wanting to be flush against his skin.

 The feeling of his hard length ready to break through with every push against you. Your hand ran through his hair lightly pulling on it. "Sukuna take me please I need you in me." He gave you a light bite to your neck then pulled you away from the door to take you into the bed and dropped you in it. Feeling your back lay across your blankets, you looked at him. He could see your cheeks tinted pink and breast perked.

 "Fuck your sexy baby." You shudder at his word as it sends a tingle through your body hearing that deep tone of his lustful voice. Sukuna took off his pants as you looked away sliding off your panties and spread your legs for him. He chuckled with a proud smirk while removing his underwear then grabbed his shaft pumping himself while getting onto the bed again. Your eyes drifted to him seeing his thick cock in his hand while you bit your lip. 

 "Be a good girl yea and play with yourself." He heard a whimper from you and watched your hand trail down your body and settled between your legs. 

 His eyes were on you, watching you rub circles over your clit then plunge a finger into yourself then back to your clit. Your hips bucked a little with soft moans leaving you but you ached for something more. 

 Sukuna licked his lips, jerking himself squeezing his cock with a groan. "Yea that's it, good girl. You are such a good girl that maybe I should reward you with this yea?" 

 You stopped pulling your hand away and looked to see him stroking himself then nuzzled his hips between your legs. 

"Sukuna, yes please. Just fuck me already".

"As you wish my love." 

 He gave you a smug smirk then pressed his tip to your entrance as he  braced himself with his hands leaning over the top of you. His eyes locked on yours, you could see the lust mixed with love through his eyes. As he pushed all the way in as you moaned feeling him stretch you to the thickness of him. 

 Sukuna already began to thrust his hips going deep into you. He went slow at first to build that high you love so much. Your hand roamed his chest and shoulders then found their way into his hair as he leaned forward to capture your lips in a deep loving kiss. Your legs squeezed around him then nudged him to talk. 

 "Kuna go faster and harder. I want you to fuck me." He grunted with satisfaction then raised up to grab your wrist and held them above your head while he slowly rocked into you.

 You never saw this side of him before seeing him be so dominant but caring at the same time it turned you on so much. He could feel you pulse around him from this new action making him smirk. "Oh you like this darling? Want me to go faster and harder?"

 You gave him a nod with a response "yes more kuna." He let go of your wrist and gripped your legs to hike then higher over him folding you. 

 With every hard and faster thrust of his cock pressing against that good spot bringing you closer to your release. Moans of his name spilled from you hearing his deep moans and hot breath against the skin of your neck. Your hands tried to grip every part of his body holding onto his neck and the other around his shoulder. This man is everything to you and you want nothing else in life besides him.

"Ryomen…ryomen don't stop, keep going." 

 Sukuna's thrust turned into a rut, feeling his cock swell ready to release. With every pound of his hips you heard your bed creak. Moans and heavy breathing filled your room. Your nails started to dig into his back feeling the knot twist inside you. Sukuna looked at you, his eyes half lidded and leaned up to get a deeper thrust letting his body take control.

 Staring into his eyes feeling so close and the tears formed, glossing your eyes from all the emotion. "Sukuna..s..sukuna." you called out to him as he did the same.

"Beautiful..love."

 Finally feeling that snap of pure bliss you threw your head back scraping your nails across his skin on his back pulling him closer to you. "Ryomen! Sukuna!..ahh sukuna!"

 You yelled his name creaming around his cock making it easier for him to slide all the way deep with the last few pounds he moaned deeply and louder than before slamming his hips against you and poured his thick milky seed into your womb. Sukuna pushed so far and gripped the blanket under you groaning your name. He hoped to breed with you for how deep he knows his seed went inside you, he wants a life with you.

 He carefully laid on top of you,still feeling himself pulse inside you and breathed heavily in sync with your breathing. Your arms wrapped around his neck keeping him close to you not wanting to let go. 

 Hearing your heart thump loud against your chest. As Sukuna slowly pulled out, you let out a breath of air feeling the pressure of his cock leave you and already missing the feeling of him. But he kept his face nuzzled in your neck and his arms snaked around your body.

 You didn't care about the pressure of his body resting on you weighing you down. You love him to stay close to you. Your hands went into his hair softly stroking his pink locks as the other drifted to his back to rub him. All your emotions started to hit you as tears filled your eyes.

 Sukuna felt you breath hard then heard you whimper and squeezed around him with more soft whimpers and sniffles. "Why are you crying beautiful." 

 You buried your face into his neck letting cuddling into his arms and held onto him, he could feel the hot tears against his chest escaping from your eyes. 

 "Ryomen all I want is you. I don't care about anything else in my life except for you. I want to be with you for as long as I live. You make me happy. You make me feel loved. Your arms are warm, and safe. I love to be in them. And I don't want to lose you. I am sorry if I upset you somehow. But fuck ryomen sukuna I love you. You are my home and my heart. You mean the world to me. I..I love you."

 Sukuna's heart broke and for the first time he wanted to cry because you are all he wants and he is going to lose you fast if he doesn't do something about it.

 His mind is finally set on the next step. After tonight when he goes back he needs to divorce and get you in his life. But that would mean he needs to tell you the truth

 "Y/n would you want to marry me? Am I good enough?"

 You moved back slightly to look at him in shock saying "what do you mean? Of course you are good enough I will marry you in a heartbeat. Why?"

 He smiled and pulled you back against his chest saying "just thinking. Let's get some sleep, love you wore me out."

 You giggled kissing his chest then leaned up out of his arms to grab an extra blanket to put over him and you. "Goodnight kuna I love you." He smiled, saying "love you more sweet dreams beautiful." In an instant with the comfort in each other's arms, sleep took you both quickly.

 His wife looked at the time seeing it was way past midnight and she was still up waiting for sukuna to get home. She scoffed and walked into the room. "This fucking stops now. He belongs to me." 

 She picked up her phone calling someone waiting for them to answer and when they did she smiled wickedly.

 "Hello I need a favor. Yes, to track something. Can you find where this number is located?" She gave the person sukuna's phone number and said "send me the address when you find it please and thank you. You will be getting a payment for being so helpful, thank you." 

 About a few minutes later she got a notification on her phone and smiled wide seeing the info. "Sukuna say goodbye to your little slut." 

oh what is this woman planning?! Things are about to go down. Sukuna just made his final moves in his mind to be with you.

Thank you for reading!

[hbyrde36]

Times Like These (The Anniversary Edition)

CH 1 CH 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch5 Ch6 Ch7

Chapter 8: Master of Puppets

WC: 5053 | AO3 link

Eddie woke to the sound of a phone ringing in the distance and his head throbbing. 

He rolled over, cracking one sore and puffy eye open to find himself surrounded. The two boys were already up—Max and Erica too. A graveyard of empty cereal bowls lined the coffee table in front of them, while Saturday morning cartoons played quietly on the TV. 

Despite how miserable he felt, something about seeing these kids just… being kids, filled him with a surge of renewed affection for the little shits, and reminded him of all the countless reasons he had to not fuck this up again.

He drug himself up off the couch, grunting with the effort like a 90 year old man with aching bones and deteriorated joints, and made his way to the kitchen—called by the siren-smell of good strong coffee. Steve appeared in the doorway as he approached, watching the scene just as Eddie had with a fond look in his eyes. He held two mugs, handing one off with a lopsided grin. 

Eddie looked down at the drink, finding it pale with too much cream for most people’s preference, but exactly how he liked it, and could almost smell the tooth-rotting sweetness of the excessive amount of sugar. It was perfect. How did Steve know?

“I love seeing them like this.” Steve said quietly, taking a sip from his own cup. Eddie didn’t need to look to know his was black. Blasphemy. “They don’t get to do it enough.”

Eddie offered a sad smile, humming his agreement. He looked back over his shoulder at the kids, and could only imagine how three years of fighting interdimensional monsters had cut pretty severely into each of their childhoods. Steve’s too, really. They often got caught up in worrying about the younger teens but Steve would have been what, 16 or 17 when this started? 

Babies, all of them. 

He turned back to say as much, but Steve tipped his head towards the kitchen, beckoning Eddie to follow. 

“That was Joyce on the phone.” Steve began, standing close—too close for so early in the morning when Eddie’s defenses were down, speaking low to make sure no one else overheard, the rumbling tone of his voice threatening to set Eddie’s skin on fire. 

“Owens’ people are sending a car to pick them all up, today.”

“What about Hopper?” Eddie whispered.

Steve sighed. “Well, she had to tell the Doc a little about our situation to explain why she was contacting him.”

“How’d that go?”

“She said he was weirdly accepting of the whole time loop thing, almost like he wasn’t surprised? Which, I guess they do research all kinds of weird shit in those labs, and he’s worked with kids like El for years, so maybe it just wasn’t all that unexpected. He knew some things about Vecna—Henry, whatever. Once they got talking she decided to tell him about the ransom note too, figuring he might have the resources to get Hop out, and they certainly owe us at least this much. He said they would handle it.” 

He shrugged, clearly trying to appear unconcerned, but suddenly wouldn’t meet Eddie’s eyes. Eddie knew him too well by now to be fooled. Something was bothering him about all this, even if he was trying to pretend like he was fine. 

“It’s okay if you’re worried. I know you don’t exactly trust these people.” Eddie said.

Steve tried to turn away, but like muscle memory Eddie reached out to lay a hand on his upper arm, giving him a knowing look.

“It’s stupid.” Steve said.

Eddie tightened his grip around Steve’s bicep, squeezing reassuringly as he rubbed his thumb back and forth. “I’m sure it’s not.”

“First I was worried about her going out there, and now—I know she’s right, they probably have ways to get to him that are much safer than her and Murray just fucking off to Alaska to meet with god-knows-who, and I’m happy that it’ll keep her out of the line of fire…” 

“But?” Eddie prompted.

“But, if anyone can bring someone back from the presumed dead, it’s Joyce Byers. I don’t know how much you remember from back when Will went missing, but she never gave up. Not when they found a body in the quarry, or when the whole town treated her like she was crazy for believing her son was still alive. Against all odds she fought for him, went into the Upside Down and brought him home. I just… Hopper deserves that. Someone who cares enough to bring him home no matter what.”

This time Eddie couldn’t stop himself from wrapping his arms around Steve. At least now the other boy knew they’d been close before—friends. Friends could hug. 

As he had so many times before, he wished he could tell Steve that everything would be okay—but he just didn’t know, and he couldn’t bring himself to lie and offer false words of comfort. 

To his surprise Steve hugged him back, tentative at first, but he quickly melted into Eddie’s embrace as though he were starved for touch. It felt wonderful and devastating all at the same time to touch Steve like this—and to have Steve’s arms around him again too. It was a painful reminder of all that he’d lost, but still he refused to be the one to let go first. 

“Thank you.” Steve said, pulling back and roughly clearing his throat.

All at once Eddie realized how quiet it was. Steve’s headphones sat down around his neck, which wasn’t weird in itself, it was something Eddie had seen Max and Chrissy do whenever their ears needed a break too, but they never let the music stop. Steve's song wasn’t playing at all, and Eddie couldn’t handle watching him be taken like that again. 

He reached up, lifting the earpieces back over Steve's head, fingers itching to caress his cheek as they brushed by. He clenched his fist instead. 

“Your tape stopped.” Eddie said, breathless, his heart hammering inside his chest. 

Steve’s wide eyes never left his face as he nodded absently. There was a sudden tension in the air stretched perilously tight between them and Eddie had to force himself to take a step back before it snapped. 

Shaking himself, Steve finally looked down, popping the tape out of his walkman to flip it and begin again, the volume set as low as it could be, and still be heard. 

Eddie took a deep breath and tried to pull himself together. “So, what’s on the agenda today?” He asked, managing to sound almost normal. 

“The kids should probably go home or something, spend time with their families and stuff before things get worse. We’re still going to need to stock up on weapons, right? Even if El gets her powers back?” Steve asked.       

“Yeah.” 

“Feel like doing some shopping today?”

Eddie shouldn’t have been surprised. It made sense for all the same reasons that it had in the last loop. The War Zone was closed on Sundays, and there hadn’t been a single murder yet in town to raise the alarms with the public or the Hawkins PD. Still, he felt a shiver make its way up his spine at the idea of the past repeating itself. Thinking not only of the store, but what happened after. 

He did his best to push those thoughts way, way down.

“Sure. I’ll let you break the news to your children.”

“Our children.” Steve corrected, grinning.

Fuck.

Eddie gulped, backing his way out of the room, stammering, “I-I’ll go tell Robin and Chrissy t-to get ready.”

-

Predictably, the kids fought back, having no interest in being separated now. As before, they all decided to go to Mike’s together, and it wasn’t until Steve picked up the phone to call and let Nancy know the plan that Eddie realized she and Mike hadn’t come back this morning the way they did last time. Funny how some things changed while others stayed the same, without obvious rhyme or reason. 

The trip to The War Zone went smoothly and pretty much as Eddie recalled. He’d racked his brain on the drive there, wondering if there was anything they could have used more or less of. Fire seemed to be the most effective weapon against the creatures of the Upside Down, so the molotov cocktails were still a good choice. 

If only they could source an actual flamethrower. 

Ultimately he didn't think any different number or type of weapons would be what turned the tides. This thing would come down to a battle of wills, he’d bet his life on it. 

Nancy got quiet as they were unloading the supplies after returning from the store, and Eddie could almost hear the gears turning over in her mind. It was no surprise to him when she eventually spoke up. 

“I want to go look for Fred.” She began, holding up a hand before anyone could argue. “And I know what you’re going to say. If we couldn’t find him last time what’s the point—but you said his body turned up in the trees behind his house right?”

“Yeah,” Eddie replied. “Sometime overnight or early in the morning they found him.”

“Okay so, that’s a clue we didn’t have before, and a place I’m sure I wouldn’t have looked.”

“How about this—the three of us,” Robin jumped in, indicating Nancy, Chrissy, and herself, “can go for a fun-filled hike in the woods, and we’ll leave you two here to hold down the fort in case Joyce or Eleven calls.” 

She met Eddie’s gaze, winking at him like she was doing him a favor. He grit his teeth and scowled. How she’d caught on already that there was anything going on between him and Steve, he had no idea.

…Not that there was anything going on since he was doing everything in his power to stay far far away from that possibility right now.

Steve didn't seem to notice their little exchange, thankfully, and was only watching the three girls with obvious concern. “If that's what you want to do. Just… be safe, okay?”

“Always.” Robin said, giving Steve a pat on the shoulder before getting back into the car with Nancy and Chrissy. 

The anxiety Eddie had already been soaking in all day reached a critical level as he and Steve were left home alone together, and more than once he found himself obsessively staring at the spot on the kitchen floor where he’d first held Steve, as he fell apart after Vecna had so ruthlessly attacked him on this same afternoon in another life.   

He had to find some way to distract himself or he was going to lose it.

There was only one surefire way to settle at least some of his nerves, but Eddie was too afraid to go outside and smoke—afraid to let Steve out of his sight for even a second actually, and so when he wandered away from him—for the dozenth time—to the living room, Eddie had no choice but to follow. As he did he recalled the bag of tapes he knew was stashed in the entertainment center—bingo.

He moved to the cabinet and pulled it out, digging for the only decent film among the bunch, not caring that he’d just watched The Goonies a week ago. Ironically, he thought the familiarity of it might even offer him some comfort. He glanced back over his shoulder to ask Steve if he minded, only to find him with his headphones off and silent, again. 

“Dude, how many times—” Eddie stomped across the room, his concerned frustration at Steve's carelessness spilling over to rage. 

How hard was it to keep a fucking tape going? 

He reached for the walkman clipped to the other boy’s waistband and yanked it off him—huffing as he popped the tape out, flipped it over, and shoved it back in, jamming his finger into the play button so hard he almost broke the damn thing, before shoving it back into Steve’s hands. 

“It needs to be playing to work, asshole, and you really need to start keeping those on your ears more.” He flicked the hanging cord of the headphones as he leveled Steve with a hard glare. 

“It’s–they–they’re uncomfortable.” Steve mumbled in half-hearted defense of himself.

It occurred to Eddie suddenly that this had never been a problem for Steve before. He’d never forgotten to keep his tape running, and never once had he complained about having to wear the headphones. 

He narrowed his eyes. “Really, Harrington? Because I’m finding it hard to believe that you can’t deal with a little mild discomfort to keep that fucking monster at bay after all the other shit you’ve endured.”

“Okay, fine. Just… listen, If Vecna doesn’t attack me before we go after him, how can we be sure I’ll be on his radar—that he’ll take me as bait?”

“Wait, were you–were you leaving the music off on purpose so he could get to you? What the fuck, Steve?!” Eddie shouted.

“What was your plan then, huh? To make Chrissy play the lure? How is that fair?!” Steve yelled right back. 

Eddie honestly hadn’t thought it through that far yet, and maybe Steve had a point. He certainly didn’t relish the idea of poor Chrissy being put on the chopping block again, but this certainly wasn’t the answer.

“It’s not fair to you either!” Eddie growled. “It’s not fair, period!”

“I can handle it!” Steve bellowed, smacking himself in the center of his chest. “And if it’s gotta be someone—why not me, huh? At least I have experience with this stuff! At least El knows me a little! If this whole thing winds up hinging on her piggybacking in someone's brain again, isn’t it better—easier if it’s someone she knows?!”

Again Eddie was brought up short. He shook his head—he couldn’t argue with the bulk of Steve’s logic, but–

“You don’t know what you're signing yourself up for! You have no idea what he’s capable of! Steve, don’t do this to–”

“Why does it matter so much to you if he takes me anyway?!”

Eddie recoiled, feeling the force of Steve’s words like a slap in the face.  “What? What do you mean why? Steve, you’re my—” He snapped his mouth shut, fighting to retain control of himself even as he spiraled further into panic. 

“We’re friends. I care about you.”

Right in front of his eyes, Steve’s face hardened into a cruel mask. 

“Friends,” Steve mocked with a bark of laughter, mouth twisting into an unfriendly smile. “We’re not friends, not really—you do realize that right? If you hadn’t gotten yourself caught up in all this, I would have never said two words to you. Why would I?”

All the blood drained from Eddie’s face. It felt like he’d been kicked off the edge of a cliff. 

It wasn’t anything he hadn’t thought of himself. A nagging fear in the back of his mind, that any feelings Steve was developing for him were circumstantial at best, nothing that would stand up to any sort of test—that it wasn’t real. That Steve had only clung to him because he was there—convenient and willing. 

He’d thought, after the kiss– 

Well, he’d started to hope he was wrong. Almost believed it when Robin gave him so much shit for doubting Steve when they’d spoken in the woods. But here it was in front of him. Proof that he’d been right to worry. 

“Honestly,” Steve went on, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “I’ve only been pretending to be nice to you so you’ll help us. Why else would I ever want to be associated with Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson?”

“Wh–what are you saying?”

Eddie’s eyes grew wet, hot tears threatening to fall. Oh god, what an idiot he’d been. 

“Poor thing,” Steve cooed at him, all pouting lips and false sympathy. “You should know, when you told me you were gay?” He paused, shuddering. “I was completely repulsed. I had to pretend otherwise of course, so you’d cooperate, but it made me sick having to lay next to you night after night.”

“Wait, I didn’t…” Eddie breathed, a barely audible whisper. “But, that didn’t happen this time.”

Something was very, very wrong here. 

He started to slowly back up, eyes darting between the doorway to the kitchen and the hall leading to the front door, trying to calculate his best move.  

“You’re not Steve.”

“Not quite.” The thing that wasn’t Steve smirked, folding his hands together locked behind his back. “Hello, Eddie. We meet at last.”

He was still wearing Steve’s face, but the voice coming out of his throat was becoming something deeper, darker, and far more dangerous.

Any relief Eddie felt for the fact that it hadn’t really been Steve saying those awful things to him was overshadowed by the terror of meeting his enemy in person for the first time, and in his own domain no less.

“Fuck you.” Eddie spat, projecting a bravery he absolutely did not feel. 

Steve—Vecna began to pace a slow circle around him. “I don’t know how you’ve managed this trick, sending yourself back in time over and over again, but it’s no matter. I’ve seen what’s in your head now. I know what you and Eleven and all your little friends have planned. It won’t work.”

A guitar riff Eddie would never forget, even if he lived a thousand lifetimes, began to fill the air around him. Someone, somewhere was playing Master of Puppets for him—trying to pull him out of this place. Trying to save him. Hope blossomed in his chest as he thought about what Chrissy had described seeing the first time he’d successfully pulled her out of her trance, and searched around frantically for any signs of an opening or portal. 

Either unable to hear the music or uncaring that Eddie was in the process of being rescued, Vecna kept taunting him. 

“Of course, you already know that, having failed so many times before. I wonder why it is you even continue to try and fight the inevitable. This is your fate, Eddie, and his.” The monster gestured to himself, to the suit of familiar skin he wore, drawing Eddie’s attention back. 

The eyes—Steve’s beautiful hazel eyes that Vecna had stolen to use against him rolled back and began to bleed. With a loud crack his jaw dislocated, hanging loose, mouth gaping open in a silent scream. Another snap and his arm bent back the wrong way, broken.

Eddie choked back a sob, his heart shattering into even smaller pieces as he witnessed first hand what he already knew Steve had gone through, knowing he'd never be able to scrub the image from his mind. 

“The sooner you accept that, the sooner your suffering will come to an end.” The words spilled forth from the gaping maw that Steve’s mouth had become.

Eddie cried out, screaming his pain wordlessly.

The music picked up suddenly, getting louder as the song reached its middle, giving Eddie the strength to look away—and finally he spotted it, a faint glow like the promise of sunshine coming in through an open window, emanating from somewhere behind Vecna, through the doorway to the kitchen. 

He took a few stumbling steps back, the disfigured visage of Vecna-Steve following his every move, and faked a run for the front door, pivoting at the last second to switch direction down the hallway, entering the kitchen from its other side and dove into the hazy mirage head first without hesitation. 

-

Eddie came-to with a shuddering gasp. He was on the floor, headphones shoved over his head and Metallica blasting in his ears. Strong arms circled him from behind, rocking him gently as a soft voice mumbled the same three words over and over again. 

“Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay.”

“Stevie?” Eddie wheezed, out of breath and a little disoriented from his sudden fall back to reality. Which was saying something, considering he’d died and come back as many times as he had. He reached up, hesitantly pulling the headphones down around his neck. 

“Oh my god.” Steve let out a rush of breath, sounding relieved as he slid himself around to Eddie’s side, still cradling him in his arms. He looked Eddie up and down, as if assessing him for physical damage, a haunted look in his eyes.

“You’re okay?” Steve said. Part statement, part question.  

When he didn't answer right away Steve pursed his lips, concern evident on his face as he raised a hand up to gently brush the tears from Eddie’s wet cheeks. He hadn’t even known he was crying.

Eddie blinked up at him, caught between wanting to bury himself in the other boy’s chest, and the instinct to shove him away. He had Vecna’s vicious words stuck in his head now, replaying over and over again.

He knew it wasn’t real. Steve hadn’t said those things, would never have said those things. They weren’t his thoughts or feelings even if they were said with his voice. Eddie knew all of that, but still it was enough to taint what little comfort he might have allowed himself to take from Steve’s embrace.

That bastard had stolen Steve's face and used Eddie’s own insecurities against him, and it’d worked like a fucking charm. 

He sat up slowly, pushing Steve away with a firm hand on his chest. Steve frowned, actually tried to push back for a moment, to keep holding Eddie, before realizing what he was doing and backed off to give him space.  

“Is that… that was Vecna, right?” Steve asked. 

“Yeah, it was him.” Eddie pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes hard enough to see stars. If only it would erase the image of Steve’s broken form from his mind.   

“I’m so sorry.”

Eddie dropped his hands from his face abruptly to stare at the other boy. “What do you have to be sorry for?” He asked, incredulous.

“You tried to tell me how bad it was and I–I argued with you. That was the most terrifying few minutes of my life, and I was going to force you to watch that—again! How many times did you have to watch it happen to Chrissy? To me? I’m such an asshole” Steve closed his eyes, sniffling as he shook his head. “I’d still rather it be me than you, or Chrissy, or any of the kids, but it was… selfish of me to put you in the position to have to save me again on purpose. So, I’m sorry” 

“It’s not—you’re not selfish, and you’re not an asshole either.” Eddie sighed heavily. “And I hate to admit it, but you may have had a point. We can’t bait Vecna with something he doesn’t want, someone he isn’t actively after. I guess now that someone’s gonna be me.”

“How will that work? You’re just as much of a stranger to El as Chrissy is.”

Eddie tightened his jaw, readying himself for another fight, but Steve quickly raised his hands in surrender. “I'm not–I'm not trying to—I'm just raising a concern.”

“I’m not letting anyone else go through that if we don’t have to, ok? We’ll ask El about it when we can, and go from there.”

Steve nodded reluctantly. “Okay.”

-

Steve searched through his closet and dug up his old walkman for Eddie to use since he’d given his own up for Chrissy. There was nothing wrong with it, just an outdated model. A new pair of batteries and he was all set.

They made Eddie’s tape in relative silence, save for the music itself which they kept turned low to save his head—a side effect of the Vecna attack being a massive fucking headache.

The girls returned a few hours later, looking completely dejected and exhausted. They still hadn’t been able to find Fred.

Nancy didn’t stay long, wanting to get back to her own house to keep an eye on the kids, and it wasn’t until she left that the other two noticed the change in Eddie, and what he now wore over his head. 

Chrissy came up to him first, throwing her arms around his shoulders and resting her cheek on his chest. “Oh no, Eddie, you too?”

He hugged her back, and as bad as the day had been, he couldn’t help smiling to himself a little. He’d been so sure that he had ruined any chance of friendship with her this time around, but the easy affection gave him hope that it wasn’t a lost cause just yet. 

“I’m okay, Chris.” He assured her as they separated. “Harrington had my back.”

-

In a bid for normalcy, and while they had nothing better to do, Steve ordered some takeout for all of them to share while Eddie put his movie on—hours later than intended, but better late than never. 

He tried to enjoy it—the food, the conversation, hanging out with these people he’d come to care for like family—but his heart was in the past. Instead of the TV screen in front of him he saw Steve fighting off a grin as he’d watched Eddie flutter around the kitchen cooking for them. In place of the drink in his hand, he felt the warm press of Steve’s palm in his, remembering the way he’d laced their fingers together and held on all the way upstairs that night. 

Giggles coming from the other side of the room were what brought Eddie back to the present, and he glanced over to see that Chrissy and Robin had drifted awfully close to one another on the couch they shared, even resting their heads together as he watched.  

Not thinking he nudged Steve's shoulder with his own to point it out, wondering when they themselves had gotten this close, and tilted his head in the girls direction. 

Steve glanced over, smiling at first but then his body went visibly tense, eyes guarded as he looked back at Eddie.

Oh.

“You don’t have to worry I–” Eddie only barely managed to stop himself from coming out, though he wasn’t sure why, and changed course mid sentence. “I'm cool with—Robin. I just think it’s sweet that they’re getting close again.”

Steve took him at his word, relaxing immediately. “Again?” He whispered back excitedly.

Eddie nodded and went back to watching the girls, glad that this particular thing was a staple of the loops. 

Once the credits rolled and the girls made their way up to bed, Eddie helped Steve clean up, picking up trash and carrying their few dishes to the sink. He fled as soon as they were done, saying a quick goodnight before rushing to the downstairs bathroom to change and laying himself down on the couch, the big one this time. Dustin had been right, it was a lot more comfortable. 

He assumed he’d gotten away with it, that Steve had already gone up the stairs, but less than a minute later Steve came striding into the room carrying two blankets. He tossed one to Eddie before wrapping the other around himself, and settled down on the other couch. 

“What are you doing?”

“Sleeping.”

“Steve.”

They both sat up, staring daggers at each other from across the room.

Steve broke the standoff first. “I don’t think you should be alone. What if something happens, or your tape runs out? Since you seem to have something against sleeping in a bed with me again, I figured I'd just join you down here. It’s fine.”

“Fuck’s sake.” Eddie grumbled. 

So much for keeping this one boundary, but he’d manage somehow. He suspected Steve still felt like he must have done something wrong before, and Eddie couldn’t live with him feeling guilty over something that wasn’t his fault. And, he supposed, there was no use in both of them sleeping on couches when there was a perfectly good bed upstairs.

Eddie reluctantly got up, flinging a throw pillow at Steve’s smug face as he did. “Come on then, big boy. Lead the way.”

-

In the familiar comfort of Steve's room, Eddie laid on his back and stared up at the ceiling, hugging his side of the bed to keep as much space as possible between them. He was exhausted from the attack, from the day in general, but his heart pounded as he found himself surrounded by all things Steve. His scent on the sheets, his pillow under Eddie’s head, his clothes strewn about the room.

He breathed it all in deep, and, still keeping his eyes pointed forward, finally dared to ask the question.

“How did you know what song to play for me?”

Steve shifted around, turning on his side to face him. 

“It was the tape from your Walkman. The kids took it out last night after they made Chrissy’s and left it sitting out on the table. It was a lucky guess, really. I just hoped that whatever you had been listening to last would work.”

Eddie’s breath caught in his throat. He’d survived by simple chance and dumb luck, and sure he was old hat at dying by now, but it didn't make the idea any less scary. He turned too, meeting Steve's eyes through the dark. 

“Thank you, that was… good thinking.”

“I was so afraid it wouldn’t work. One second we were screaming at each other and then you went so still. Your eyes rolled back and–” Steve’s voice cracked, unable to finish.

“I know.” Eddie whispered. And he did know, far too well, what it was like to feel so powerless.

He started to reach out, wanting so badly to cup Steve’s cheek or pull him close, but let his hand drop to the bed between them mid-motion. Steve slid his own hand closer, inch by inch until their pinkies touched, and then oh-so-slowly, he tucked his whole hand under Eddie's, entwining their fingers and gripping him tight. 

“I don’t know what I would have done if it hadn’t worked.”

Eddie swallowed a whine, praying Steve couldn't hear it, and squeezed back. He didn’t have the strength to pull away, though he knew with every touch came the potential to break him beyond repair. 

Chapter 9

Special thanks to @penny00dreadful for being the best beta, friend and cheerleader.

Reblogs are always appreciated and if you want to be tagged, just let me know! I'd be more than happy to do so 💜

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[reallylilyreally]

Can we do a series? Answer for the whole thing? I'm giving it a go.

I think about "In the Desert Again' all the time, especially Lewis.

So i already answered this for pt1 (here) so this one focuses on Cannot win this war.

My favorite scene

The moment that I realised I have a Latent OT3 Problem:

Four days after the retrieval, Easy’s moved out of their temporary camp, heading back down to Basrah. It’s a long drive. Nix manages three hours of sitting on the bench before lying on his stomach on the floor of the truck. 

“I had a lot of concerns while being tortured,” he says conversationally to Liebgott, who is closest to his head. “But I didn't ever consider how undignified travel might be in the aftermath.”

Liebgott does an excellent impression of a man who is unsympathetic. “More concerned about your modelling career, sir?”

“Always, Joe.”

By the time they stop to speak to a small army outpost, most of the men are sitting on the floor with him. Dick puts his head round the back of the truck and just about manages not to grin at the sight of them. Nix is asleep, presumably, with Tab and Liebgott by his head and the rest of them sprawled around him. 

“Want to switch places, sir?” Tab asks, voice low. 

Dick shakes his head, even though he'd much rather be here in the back of the truck with Nix than in a seat in the cab, and Tab knows it. “Better not,” he says. “I'm on the hook with Sink half the time and dealing with paperwork the other half. Let me know if he needs anything when he wakes.”

Tab nods, and Dick turns to leave, then pauses. “Put something under his head,” he says, refuses to sound embarrassed by the request, and leaves.

Tab takes his jacket off, folds it neatly and then very, very gently lifts Nix's head and slides the fabric under his cheek. Nix shifts a little and Tab rests his hand in the dark mess of hair, gentle and soothing, until he's sure Nix is properly back to sleep. Liebgott makes a derisive noise in the back of his throat, but he's thankfully quiet about it.

“Not you too,” he says, and rolls his eyes.

Tab gives him a sharp look. “He saved my life,” he whispers. “Twice. He saw the RPG and he yelled bail and I bailed, and then after being blown to fuck with all of about thirty seconds to come up with something, he managed to make it so I didn't die in the sand or spend days being tortured. He was so fucking quick you would not believe, Joe. And he went through hell, you saw the state of him. Forgive me for thinking he might deserve a little softness right now.”

Joe's quiet. “You're forgiven.”

With a strong second place to "Dick Winters hooked up with random men to practice in case he ever got to fuck the love of his life" because that's the most outrageous thing i've ever written.

My favorite chapter (if it's a multichapter)

ch5. It's got everything! Female characters, proposals, people being angry at authority, PTSD nightmares, ambiguous bedroom situations ft Don Malarkey, and ensemble shenanigans.

Hardest scene to write

The ending. I just suck at them!

Favorite character to write in the fic

KITTY WELSH, she who must be adored, always.

Favorite dynamic to write in the fic

This one I think my favourite dynamic is Easy as a whole. I fucking LOVE an ensemble piece, the whole reason i'm in this fandom is for The Squad. I love those moments in the show when the boys are sniping at each other and it feels so Real and authentic and I really hope i captured that a little.

Why I chose that title

Again, Brendan James' Hero's Song. Just... such a powerful and emotive piece of music.

A fun fact about the fic

I had no plot planned! and it shows! Also i was one strong drink away from making it an OT3. that shows too.

[eamesandbellamyaremyheaven]

Somewhere, Now and Then Ch5 || Arthur x Sansa (Kalots/GoT Outlander AU)

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword x Game of Thrones  Outlander AU (there’s no such thing as canon)

Warnings: Violence, blood 

Summary: England, 1945. After serving in the war as a nurse, Sansa Bolton (former Stark) seizes the opportunity of going on vacation with her husband Ramsay to rekindle their relationship. But what happens when Sansa finds herself travelling back in time, to the 6th century, where she meets the King Arthur and his Knights?

A.N.//- Needless to say, this is loosely based on the Outlander premise. The story is told through Guy Ritchie’s interpretation of the Arthurian legend, and for that locations and traditions - and the time itself - had to be adapted to work accordingly. Any questions you have, feel free to ask!

A.N.//- Thank you to the Anon that wrote that ask, this chapter is for you! Feeling validaded as a writer, I can't even begin to describe the feeling.... Much love, never change, you never know how much you can impact someone!

Prologue || Chapter One || Chapter two|| Chapter Three || Chapter Four

Chapter Five - Camelot

Petyr took his coat and hat, handling them to Mrs. Manderly, who greeted him with a smile.

“Any luck, Mister?”

“We asked around, but no one seen her. The police is setting up posters and a reward, that might spike the people’s interest.” Petyr replied with a weary tone. It’s been two days since Sansa disappeared. Lysa was a crying mess, wailing over her sweet darling niece, while he and Ramsay tried to work with the local police, pulling all their efforts and waking moments into find her as soon as possible.

Mrs. Manderly seemed apprehensive, as if she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure she should. She pursed her lips, looking around the room, and only when she made sure they were alone she spoke lowly, only for him to hear.

“There are old stories, sir, about the magic of the stones. It is said that Stonehenge marks a place on earth were powers come together, allowing certain people, on certain days, to travel in time”

The woman spoke fast, and Petyr had trouble in understanding exactly what she meant.

“Your niece went to the stones, but didn’t came back, at least not in our time.”

“She travelled back in time, you say?” Petyr snickered, his eyebrow arching in amusement “Do you have any idea to when?”

“They say that it is different, every time. Each traveller must make their own journey, but it is said in the stories that they often return.”

Petyr looked the old woman in the eyes. She truly believed in what she was saying, and she was not shy with her beliefs. The last thing he needed was his wife becoming more hysterical and his nephew-in-law more furious.

“Can you do me a favour, Mrs. Manderly? I wish to keep this theory between us. The rest of my family might not take the news very well.”

“So you believe me, sir?”

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

※※※※※

The road to Camelot had been long and exhausting, and by the time the towering walls of the legendary city came into view, Sansa could feel the tension in the group. Arthur rode ahead, his posture rigid, his hands gripping the reins too tightly, as if he were bracing for something. Even Bill, who had spent most of the journey entertaining her with stories, had fallen into a contemplative silence.

Sansa’s breath caught as they passed through the massive gates, the clang of iron echoing in her bones. The city beyond was unlike anything she had imagined - grand and bustling, yet hardened by war. Soldiers patrolled the streets, merchants bartered loudly in the markets, and children ran barefoot through the muddy roads, their laughter a stark contrast to the grim expressions of the men who stood watch.

She barely had time to take it all in before Arthur led them through the winding streets toward the castle. At the entrance, a group of women awaited them, their dresses more refined than the common folk, their eyes sharp with curiosity. One stepped forward, a blond-haired woman with a confident stance and an assessing gaze.

“You must be Sansa” she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Sansa hesitated before nodding.

“I’m Maggie. Welcome to Camelot.”

※※※※※

Preparations for Graybeard’s arrival began immediately. The halls of Camelot buzzed with activity - servants scurried to prepare the great hall, knights sharpened their swords with grim determination, and council members whispered in hushed voices. Sansa watched from the fringes, aware of the sidelong glances cast her way, feeling more like an outsider than ever.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Viking delegation arrived. Graybeard entered the hall flanked by his men, his presence like a storm rolling in. His cold, calculating eyes swept the gathering before landing on Sansa.

He smiled.

It was not a kind smile.

“Ah, a new face in your court” he mused, stepping closer “You do have the look of the North about you.”

Sansa forced herself to remain still, though every instinct screamed at her to step back.

“You know, there are many Starks in the North” he continued, his voice dripping with amusement. “Curious that you ended up here, of all places.”

“You are mistaken, sir. I did not end up here—I am from here” she cut, her voice steady but edged with frost.

Arthur cleared his throat, stepping between them “Enough. You wished for an audience, and you have it.”

Graybeard’s expression did not change, but he inclined his head slightly. “As you wish, Your Majesty. But the girl and I will speak again.”

Sansa exhaled, only realizing then that she had been holding her breath.

※※※※※

Arthur and Graybeard spoke privately in the great hall, the torches casting flickering shadows against the stone walls. As the others were dismissed, Sansa was about to leave when a hand caught her wrist. She turned, startled, to see one of the women from the court.

“Come with me” she whispered, urgency lacing her tone.

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Sansa’s hand and led her through a side corridor, down a flight of stairs, and into a dimly lit chamber hidden within the castle walls. Inside, a group of women sat in silence, their eyes fixed on a grated opening overlooking the great hall.

“Thank you Kay” Maggie said, as she gestured for Sansa to join them “We listen” she explained in a hushed voice "We may not be allowed in the room, but we still need to know what happens there"

Sansa hesitated, but then turned her gaze to the opening. Below, Graybeard swirled the wine in his cup, his voice casual but yet edged with something sharper.

“The North is full of Starks” he said “One of the oldest families, clever and ruthless as they can be.”

Arthur said nothing, but the flicker of doubt in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Are you certain that woman is not one of them?” Graybeard pressed. “Not a spy, sent to infiltrate your precious Camelot?”

A chill crept down Sansa’s spine. Around her, the women exchanged uneasy glances.

“If she was, why would you tell me that?” Arthur countered, his tone even “Revealing your upper hand doesn’t seem like a particularly wise move.”

Graybeard smirked, leaning forward “You killed my man because of her”

“They attacked her. Why?”

He took a slow sip of wine, his eyes never leaving Arthur’s “We are Northman. We take what we want”

Arthur’s expression remained impassive, but his grip on the goblet tightened “Not here. Not in my lands. Sansa is under my protection”

“For now,” Graybeard mused “But for how long?”

A tense silence stretched between them. Then, with a final, knowing glance, Graybeard set down his cup and rose. As he turned, his fur-lined cloak swept the floor, his footsteps echoing through the hall as he strode towards the door.

Kay exhaled slowly beside Sansa, while the other women exchanged worried glances.

Sansa’s stomach twisted. What was Graybeard’s plan? Why would he try to make Arthur believe she was a spy? What did he stand to gain from it? Did he actually think he could weaken Arthur’s reign through her?

Whatever game he was playing, the board was set.

And she was the piece being moved.

She just wasn’t sure how much longer she could stay ahead of it.

※※※※※

Later that night, she found herself wandering to the secret room, her mind racing. That was when she heard voices from the council chamber.

“She could be a spy” Bedivere declared, sharp and unyielding. “We know nothing of her, except that she appeared out of nowhere, conveniently in your path.”

“She saved my life” Arthur countered, though his tone was careful, measured “She had every opportunity to let me die. Would a spy save the life of her enemy?”

“She might, to gain your trust” another man suggested, Percival was his name “You think it was mere chance that Graybeard claimed her as one of their own?”

Sansa’s stomach twisted. She had expected distrust, but hearing it spoken so plainly, so coldly, stung more than she anticipated.

Arthur set his hands on the table and turned to the man on his right “Bill, you spent the most time with her so far. What do you think?”

“What I think?” Bill’s voice was quieter, but no less firm. “I think we cannot afford risks, Arthur. Not with Graybeard under our gates.”

Silence stretched long and heavy. Then Arthur spoke again, softer this time.

“I know”

Sansa backed away before she could hear more, bile rising in her throat. So, this was how it was going to be.

She was not safe there.

※※※※※

By the time Sansa returned to her chambers, her mind was racing. She had walked through the halls, her thoughts a storm, each one colliding with the next. She needed to think. She needed to act. She needed to find a way out of there before it was too late. But before she could process any of it, she saw a shadow move at the edge of her vision.

She knew it was him before anyone spoke.

Arthur.

He was standing by the window, bathed in moonlight, his face unreadable.

“You shouldn’t be here” she said, masking the unease in her voice.

“You shouldn’t have been there” he countered

Sansa swallowed, feigning obliviousness. Her voice was quieter when she spoke “I don’t know what you mean”

Arthur turned to face her fully. His eyes, darkened by shadow, locked onto hers“You were listening”

There was no point in denying it.

“Yes. Yes, I was” she admitted, crossing her arms in front of her in a shield rather than a stance.

A muscle in his jaw tensed “Then you know why we must be careful”

“You think I’m a threat” Sansa remarked, but it was not a question, and Arthur’s silence spoke louder than any answer he could have given. She exhaled slowly, nodding “Of course you do” She looked away, her chest tightening with something she told herself was not hurt “Why wouldn’t you?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. The weight of something unspoken settled between them “It’s not that simple, Red”

“Isn’t it?” She met his gaze then, holding it with quiet defiance. “You saved me from harm, but you don’t trust me, even though I saved your life. Twice. You offer me a place in your castle, but you don’t want me here. Tell me, Arthur, what am I supposed to do? Am I allowed to leave, or am I your prisoner?”

He hesitated, as if weighing his words. And hers. Then, finally, he spoke.

“I don’t know, Sansa. But we’ll make it up as we go.”

And with that, he was gone.

Sansa stared at the door long after it closed, the bitter taste of truth lingering on her tongue. Sansa had spent too long waiting for others to decide her fate. That was about to end. Arthur might not have decided what to do with her - but it no longer mattered.

She had.

She was getting out of there.

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