#something is cooking but it's still in the pot and not ready to be served

[i-mybrunettelady]

I am suffering from Needy Bitch Disease with a comorbidity of I Don't Want to Annoy People w/ OCs disorder

[ramblings-of-a-chaotic-neutral]

Hello again everyone! Since the "Merlin accidentally conquers Camelot" au won the continuation poll, here's part 2!

NOTE: Part 1 can be found here!

EDIT: Part 3 can be found here!

As a quick recap of this au, during the season 4 finale Merlin was caught by Morgana while trying to plant the burning doll curse that would temporarily lock away her powers, and they have a magic battle that ends with both Morgana and her army slain. Merlin thought that no one saw what happened, but Camelot's lords who serve on the council secretly saw everything. So, when Arthur storms Camelot, ready to take back his throne, he's met with the news that Morgana's already dead and a new sorcerer has claimed the throne of Camelot through the right of conquest, and the lords have unanimously agreed to make this powerful sorcerer king in order to appease him. To everyone's shock, Geoffrey then puts the crown of Camelot on Merlin's head, and Merlin promptly passes out.

And now, onto the new stuff!

When Merlin finally woke up, he jolted awake with a start, frightened by what must have been a terrible nightmare! And truly, it was one of the most horrifying scenarios Merlin's sleeping mind had ever conjured to torture himself with: everyone finding out about his magic, Arthur thinking that Merlin betrayed him, and unintentionally stealing Arthur's kingship!

If the idea wasn't so frightening, Merlin would almost laugh at the absurdity of it: Merlin, king of Camelot! What nonsense! Merlin was Emrys, the other side of the coin to the king; he was certainly never meant to be king himself.

Still, the idea gave Merlin a slight chuckle as he climbed out of his bed and changed into his usual clothes, the soft light of the dawn flittering in through his window. Thank every god out there that his outfit didn't involve a crown!

After he finished tying his neckerchief and pulling on his boots, Merlin opened the door into the main area of Gaius's chambers, ready to eat a quick breakfast with Gaius before collecting Arthur's breakfast and starting his work for the day.

Stepping out into the main chamber, he couldn't find Gaius anywhere, but that wasn't too unusual, given how busy Gaius could be with sudden injuries or illnesses popping up in the lower town at all hours of the night. Humming a bit to himself, Merlin began fixing himself a small bowl of porridge in the chamber's cooking pot, making sure to leave an extra portion for Gaius whenever he returned from his duties.

Merlin ate his breakfast quickly, enjoying the birdsong outside and the beautiful sunrise. Yes, this was exactly what he needed to wash away the awful ideas that his nightmare had conjured up.

After cleaning up their dining table, Merlin made his way towards the door, ready go about his day and do his job as a manservant to moderately acceptable standards! Besides, on the heels of Morgana's invasion, Arthur would need a supportive friend far more than a manservant today.

As Merlin opened the door from Gaius's chambers, however, something was conspicuously different. Namely, the fact that there were two armed guards standing on either side of the door, standing with their backs to the door.

The two guards stiffened and stood at attention as soon as he opened the door, uncrossing their polearms so that they would not be blocking his path as he left Gaius's chambers. Merlin froze at the sight of the guards, staring at their backs. What... what was going on?

"Is... is everything alright? What's this about?"

Was it just him, or did the two guards somehow stiffen up even more at Merlin's words?

After a tense beat of silence, one of the guards cleared his throat and replied, "We were assigned to stand guard over these chambers."

Merlin's brows furrowed with confusion for a moment before he figured out what must have happened, realization dawning on his face.

"Oh, I see! Arthur must have increased security around the castle since Morgana's latest attack. I'm not sure why he considers the physician's quarters to be a potential target, but I'll ask him about it later. Well, I'd better get going or else I'll be late to wake the prat up. Say hello to Gaius for me when he gets back!"

The guards looks confused at his words and opened their mouths to call something out to Merlin, but Merlin was already down the stairs and halfway down the hall before either of them could blink.

Merlin got a lot more strange stares than usual today as he made his way towards the kitchens, with many people outright stopping to gawk at him as he passed. Did he have something odd stuck to his hair or something?

Merlin shrugged off the strange stares for now. He'd have time to look in a mirror and figure out what was so odd about how he looked later, after Arthur had eaten and gotten dressed.

Merlin was still a few minutes away from the kitchens when a caped figure emerged from a servant's passageway and barreled into him, drawing him into a sudden hug. Instinctively, Merlin tensed up at the perceived attack, but he quickly relaxed at the familiar smell of ale and apples that surrounded his laughing "attacker".

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you, Merls!"

Merlin sighed with both relief at seeing his friend in one piece and in high spirits, but also is exasperation.

"Gwaine, I'm very glad to see you again, but what are you doing here? You just spent a week in captivity under Morgana, you're supposed to be resting and recovering, not ambushing unsuspecting servants!"

Gwaine pulled back at Merlin's words, wearing a look of confusion as he studied Merlin's face.

"Ah, but I'm not ambushing a servant, am I?"

"Yes, yes, you're ambushing your friend, since friendship gives you more rights to pull stunts like this and give me more reason to worry over your health."

At that, Gwaine's face pulled into an outright frown, a rare sight to see on the perpetually-grinning knight. Merlin shifted around a bit nervously, unsure of what exactly was happening. Finally, Gwaine spoke again, this time very slowly and gently, as if he was trying to calm down a spooked horse.

"Merlin, what do you remember from yesterday? What was the last thing you remember before falling asleep?"

This time, it was Merlin's turn to frown in confusion at Gwaine's odd questions. What did any of that matter?

"Well, I suppose the last thing I remember was... was storming into the throne room with Arthur and Gwen and being informed of Morgana's death anything after that... I don't quite recall."

He must have hit his head or something after that point, because everything after that was what happened in his nightmare, and there was no way any of that was real. Right?

Merlin watched as Gwaine's frown pulled into a strained smile, his confusion only growing. What was Gwaine so nervous about?

"Well, Merls," Gwaine began, slinging an arm around Merlin's shoulders as he started to lead Merlin away from the kitchens, "a lot happened in between then and now, including some great news!"

Gwaine turned to face Merlin, his smile genuine and mischievous this time, and Merlin knew that grin. That was the grin Gwaine wore right before he was about to get himself into some trouble for a noble cause but would hide it under the guise of "fun".

Merlin sighed deeply, not awake enough to deal Gwaine's antics, even if they was coming from a good place.

"Alright, what's this news of yours?"

If it was possible, Gwaine's mischievous grin grew wider.

"For starters, I got a promotion!"

Merlin stopped in his tracks with shock, halting their walk to... wherever Gwaine was leading him.

"A promotion?! How? Why? What's your new title? Will you be leading other knights?"

Gwaine just shook his head, his hair whipping around and smile still present on his face. He started leading Merlin again as he answered Merlin's questions.

"I know, I had hardly believe it myself! But I took some initiative when it really mattered, and I landed myself this new job! It's not really a leadership role, but I might be leading some knights, and probably some guards too!"

Gwaine finally started to slow their march down as they reached what Merlin assumed was their destination: the doors to the main throne room, where Arthur took his audiences.

As Gwaine stopped before the doors, he turned to look at Merlin again, his smile still bright, but his eyes, Merlin noticed, growing strained again, like there was something greatly troubling him.

"You still haven't told me what this new job actually is though."

This time, Gwaine's smile faltered a bit, and Merlin knew at once that this new job was what was causing Gwaine so much inner turmoil. What job could possibly give Gwaine of all people so much stress?

"Ah, silly me, how could I forget! You'll want to hold onto something before I tell you this, because this will blow you away my friend! I got promoted..."

Gwaine leaned in close, almost like he was about to share a secret with Merlin. Merlin leaned in as well, curious about what position Gwaine's surprising promotion had been to.

"to the king's official bodyguard!" Gwaine revealed in a stage whisper, playing the moment up for dramatic effect in a very Gwaine-like manner.

Merlin jerked backwards in surprise, startled by such unexpected news, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

Arthur did seem to be stepping up security in the aftermath of Morgana's latest invasion, so it made sense for him to appoint a loyal and trusted knight to look after Arthur's own safety.

Merlin was strangely pleased with Arthur's decision on this. Arthur was finally prioritizing his own safety, and he had picked a great knight for the job! This might make Merlin's own secret job of protecting Arthur much easier! Gwaine would certainly take any of Merlin's warnings of danger to Arthur seriously, and he trusted Merlin enough that he wouldn't question where Merlin got any of his information.

Merlin smiled back at his friend, happy about both this new opportunity for his friend and about the changes it would bring. Yes, this was great!

"That's amazing Gwaine! Do you want to stop by the tavern tonight to celebrate?"

Gwaine laughed a bit at that, still looking oddly tense. For some unknown reason, apprehension started pooling in Merlin's stomach, telling him that something wasn't right here. No, there was something else going on.

"Thanks for the offer mate, but I'm afraid that it wouldn't be a good look for me to be seen drinking on my first night on the job. Besides, I have a feeling that you'll be a little busy this evening too."

Merlin's confusion only grew with each passing second.

"What do you mean by that?"

Gwaine didn't answer him, only giving Merlin a small, almost sad smile. It looked disturbingly out of place on the boisterous Gwaine, ratchetting Merlin's confusion and dread up even further.

Without another word, Gwaine turned and opened the doors to the throne room, revealing the entire council of lords congregated within, giving Merlin rather violent flashbacks to his nightmare.

No, no, nothing as disastrous as Merlin being publicly announced as a sorcerer and then getting crowned king in front of Arthur and Gwen could ever happen in real life. It was simply too absurd.

Merlin watched, frozen at the threshold of the room, as the lords' heads all turned towards the door at the sound of it swinging open. To Merlin's rising dread, they all rose from their seats at the sight of him.

No no no no....

Merlin frantically looked around, hoping to all of the gods of the Old Religion that Arthur was somewhere nearby, because the council only rose for the entrance of the king...

Merlin turned around, hoping to find Arthur standing around somewhere, anywhere, as dread began closing its claws around his heart, which was beating at the rating that Merlin would be concerned about if he could process anything other than his own all-consuming terror at that moment.

Because it wasn't a nightmare, was it? No, that was real. His worst fears had come to life in the most horrifying way possible, and he was powerless to stop it now.

If the lords of the council noticed Merlin's frantic terror, they didn't acknowledge it. Instead, apparently, they decided to only confirm Merlin's deepest fears. After a tense moment of utter silence in the room, broken only by Merlin's jagged breathing, Geoffrey finally stepped forward.

"Ah, welcome Your Majesty! I hope you're feeling better now after you've rested and recovered from your battle against Morgana. There is much to discuss concerning these first crucial days of your reign, including your public coronation, having all knights who are willing to renounce the Pendragon line swear their fealty to you, and determining the fates of those who already refuse to accept your rule."

For what felt like an eternity, Merlin simply stood there, his mind refusing to cooperate or even process what he was being told. He couldn't move a single muscle in his body, paralyzed by horror. He was only snapped out of his fugue state by Gwaine taking ahold of his arm and guiding him towards the table.

Inhaling sharply as he was pushed by Gwaine closer to the lords, he finally processed what Geoffrey had told him. Oh gods, a coronation?! So all of Arthur's kingdom could see how he had stolen Arthur's throne?! Forcing knights to turn their backs on Arthur and renounce their loyalty to him?! This was madness and, not to mention, the exact opposite of what Merlin wanted!

And what was that about punishing people for refusing to accept him as king? Hell, Merlin should reward the dissenters if anything, since they were apparently the only ones who still had any good sense left in this kingdom! Who in their right mind would immediately accept Merlin as their king anyway?!

Right, Merlin thought as his eyes wandered over the faces of the lords, spineless cowards with no loyalty who would turn their backs on their true king to save their own hides, that's who.

Well, the applied to the lords at least, but that still didn't explain what Gwaine was doing here, by Merlin's side, when he should be with Arthur and the other knights!

... Where were Arthur and the other knights?

A jolt of fear once again shot through Merlin, this time alongside guilt. Where was Arthur? What had happened to him? The council had foolishly stripped him of his title, and then what?

Clearing his dry throat, Merlin finally responded, "Geoffrey, what happened after I lost consciousness yesterday? Where is Arthur?"

After Merlin was finished speaking, the lords started shifting around nervously, which began to set of warning bells in Merlin's mind.

Something had happened after he fainted yesterday. Something that involved Arthur.

"Well, Your Majesty, following your loss of consciousness yesterday, the former King Arthur lost his temper and began yelling, shouting everything from accusing us of lies and treason to cursing out the sacred laws of the land. He then ran throughout the castle and began calling upon his knights for aid, explaining the situation to them in crude terms and demanding that they take back the crown from you by force."

Merlin grimaced at Geoffrey's monotone explanation, horrific visions of Arthur calling for his execution as a sorcerer and traitor running through his mind.

"Many of Arthur's knights rallied to his cause, but there were some who were hesitant to turn their blades against you, no doubt recognizing your power and your true claim to the throne. It was from that group that your loyal Sir Gwaine arose, leading a small group of knights and guards in a surprise attack that concluded with the former king and his knights locked in the dungeon cells, awaiting your judgement."

Merlin eyes flew wide at Geoffrey's words, his heading whipping around to meet Gwaine's gaze. Gwaine had betrayed Arthur in such a terrible way? For him?

In response to Merlin's horrified stare, Gwaine simply gave him his most innocent smile, as if nothing was wrong at all and Merlin's world wasn't crumbling around him.

No, this wasn't happening. Merlin had to fix this, and he had to fix it now.

"Look, Geoffrey, I am honored that you and the other lords feel so strongly that I am supposed to be Camelot's king, but that is not meant to be. I was never meant to rule over anything. This is Arthur's kingdom, and I will not be the one to take it from him."

All of the lords around the table look utterly confused, as if Merlin was speaking a completely different language. That was expected, Merlin supposed, if they had never seen anyone willingly give up power. Gwaine, however, just looked amused, like he knew that this was exactly what would happen.

"While that is a most gracious sentiment Your Majesty, I'm afraid that it isn't that simple."

Merlin groaned at Geoffrey's words, bemoaning the fact that the world could never let anything in his life be simple.

"Shouldn't it be?! I'm apparently the king now, so I order you to release Arthur and the knights from the dungeons and to give Arthur his kingship back!"

This time, it was Geoffrey's turn to sigh deeply, as the old man pulled a rather hefty- and dusty- scroll from his bag.

"This," Geoffrey began as he unrolled the yellowed parchment, "is Bruta's code, written by the Great King himself. This set of laws are the foundation on which all of the five kingdoms are governed, and Camelot is no exception. All kings of this Isle, no matter how powerful, are subject to these laws, lest the entire realm fall into anarchy."

Merlin was valiantly holding back the urge to bash his head into the council table. Why couldn't he clear this situation up as painlessly as possible?!

"The code addresses many subjects, and both the right of conquest and the rules of succession are outlined within. I'm terribly sorry Your Majesty, but the code clearly states that when a king who is not of royal blood ascends to the throne through the right of conquest, the previous royal family loses any and all claim to the throne, alongside their lands and wealth, essentially leaving them with no titles or claim to nobility at all. This measure was originally put in place to ban the defeated family from endlessly challenging the victor of the conquest in a bid to regain their former throne and wasting the new ruler's precious time."

Merlin's heart dropped even more at Geoffrey's words. Great, he had not only stolen Arthur's kingdom, but he had also stolen everything Arthur owned! Gods, what did Arthur hate Merlin more for at the moment, being a secret powerful sorcerer ever since they met or inadvertently stripping him of his title, lands, and all his possessions?

"I still don't see why this would forbid me from freely giving Arthur the throne back."

"Your Majesty, the former king is no longer a noble, as the Pendragon line is no longer recognized as a noble house. As such, Arthur is now, by law, a peasant, and it is against Bruta's code for a ruler to cede their throne to anyone but a noble for any period of time."

Merlin bit back a frustrated scream. Why, why?! Why couldn't he just make Arthur a noble again and be done with this farce and-

Wait a minute.

There was a way to make Arthur a noble.

Oh no, Arthur was going to hate this. But, Merlin steeled himself, this was the only way to make things right.

And that's all for now! I had a lot of fun making Gwaine the ultimate "ride or die" bestie for Merlin in this situation lol! I'll definitely be doing a part three of this au soon to resolve this cliffhanger!

Please let me know what you all thought of this continuation!

A huge thank you to everyone who supported my last au post and asked for this continuation! I'll try to tag you all here, my apologies if I missed anyone!

@cookie-player , @miyriu , @nebulousconstellationwriter , @insane-multifandom-brainrot , @elementalpirate4 ,

@tidalwavesandthunderstorms , @gaiussleechtank , @arrowlovesdragons , @lordmushroomkat , @bucketheadpunk14 ,

@retro-wallflower , @ryeallytired , @verxen , @mind-of-a-crow , @aostrek-236 ,

@thedragonkinproject , @orliththedragon , @theroundbartable , @my-own-quiet-corner , @tireddruid ,

@coffee-shop-gay , @sable-nakahara , @deadhotpocket , @bennedict , @samwinjester ,

@linotheghost , @aerismoon , @merthurogies , @ahumoki0 , @chairwiththreelegs ,

@achillesuwu , @pancakesandpigs , @the-king-and-the-druidess , @sugar-coated-prat-dragon , @isaidno ,

@justaz , @auldsusie

And, as always, thank you for reading through my ramblings! :D

EDIT: A question for those of you I'm tagging, I'm not sure if this is a tumblr issue or if I'm screwing something up on my end, but after the first few tagged blogs, it shows up on my screen like the tags are just plain text and not linked to anything. So, for those of you that are tagged, can you confirm that you're getting a notification when I tag you? I want to make sure everyone who requested a continuation knows when it's posted!

2nd EDIT: I've tried to fix the tag problem, I'm very sorry if you already saw this post and then got a notification!

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

The House Guest 10

Warnings: non/dubcon, and other dark elements. My username actually says you never asked for any of this.

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: Bucky Barnes

Summary: an old acquaintance calls in a favour, leaving you with an unexpected house guest.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

You stare through the window as hammering echoes through the glass. Despite the muffling of the barrier between you, it’s loud enough to put you on edge. Or maybe that’s because of the man calmly bringing the iron down on the nails. 

As if he can sense you, he looks up, his dark hair flopping back. You quickly spin away. You have to be going stir crazy. Bucky was just concerned. A lot of people come up this way and get freaked out by the wilderness. You used to when you visited as a child. 

You go back to the kitchen and take out the ingredients for your grandma’s classic turkey stew. It’s always a comfort as the temperature starts to drop. Still, it’s never as good as she made it. One day, you might figure out the secret. 

Cooking is a good distraction. There isn’t much to do up here. Often, you enjoy that facet of your existence. You work then disconnect and just do your own thing. Now you can’t help but feel the desolation. 

Thunk, thunk, thunk. The hammering continues. You put the turkey into roast. It’s always better to season and cook it first then shred it up for the stew. You set the broth to simmer with the chunked veggies and pace the kitchen as you wait for it all to come together. 

You use a fork to pick the meat of the turkey legs and dump it all in the boiling pot. Another hour to meld together and it’ll be ready to serve. The longer you let it, the better. It’s always best the day after. 

The silence doesn’t hit you until you hear the back door. The smell of pine follows Bucky inside. You put your attention to the pot and stir it. 

He sniffs and sighs loudly as he enters. “Ah, smells delicious. Chicken?” 

“Turkey,” you correct him as he twists on the faucet and squirts soap into his hands. He lathers up and looks at you. “It’s funny. Back in my day, not to sound like a crotchety old geezer, women cooked. They had recipe cards on the counter. These days, half the girls I talk to can only use some app to order pizza that tastes like ketchup on cardboard.” 

“Oh, yeah? I kinda miss fast food,” you say dully. 

“Huh. ‘Cause I miss the home cooking. It’s just... simpler.” He shuts off the tap and shifts closer, drying his hand on the dishcloth as he looms. “If it hadn’t all gone to shit, I probably woulda found a good woman. Settled down, lived the good life.” 

“Right,” you nod awkwardly and set the spoon down.  

He clicks his tongue and turns, putting his hand on the counter as he leans on one foot. His other hand goes to his hip. “But then I wouldn’t be here.” 

“Fair,” you say, distancing yourself as you step around him to get to the fridge. “I got some cider left over? Want some? It’s mulled. Julian down by the Rocks makes it--” 

“Think I’m good,” he says. 

You put the large glass jug on the counter and open the cupboard. Bucky catches it and shoves it closed with a snap. You face him in surprise. He’s strong. You know that but feeling it is something else. 

“Sorry, I... I’m in your way?” You wonder. 

“No, you’re right where you should be,” he says. 

You try not to lean away from him. Your heart is racing. You swallow and peer over at the dimming window. 

“I could help you cover up the lumber before--” 

“Already did that,” he interjects. “You know, I think I’m where I need to be too,” he edges closer. “Think after everything, I did find that good woman.” 

You blink, speechless. You can barely think above the tempo behind your ears. 

“I hear it.” He puts his fist to his chest and knocks on it. “I know you feel it too.” He stills his hand and holds it over his heart. “I was pissed when Sam brought me up here. Dropped me off like some stray dog. The longer I’m here, the more I realise he did me a favour. He didn’t dump me on you...” you wince as he pulls his hand away from his chest and opens it to cradle your face, “he gave me you.” 

“Bucky,” you latch onto his wrist but can’t move it. “I think we need some space. Don’t you?” 

“No,” he says flatly. 

“You spend too much time in the same proximity, and it starts to get weird--” 

“No,” he repeats. “I’m right. It’s perfect. You’re strong, you cook, you’re handy, not afraid to get a little dirty,” he slides his hand down to cup your chin. You flinch but can’t pull away. “And you got a nice ass.” 

“Bucky,” you breath and gently shove his chest. “I’m saying to you that you’re wrong. I’m flattered and all but no.” You push harder as he squeezes tighter. You whimper, “ow, let me go. I’m calling Sam-” 

“Shh,” his other hand swoops up to back of your skull. He lurches you closer, bringing you to your nose as he snarls down at you. “You’re not calling anyone.” 

“Bucky--” 

“It’s the way you say my name,” he growls. 

“Please, you’re hurting me--” 

He hushes you again as his thumb rubs behind your jaw. He turns you so your penned in against the counter. You splay your fingers across his chest, dragging them down to his stomach as you push on him. He stands unmoving. 

“Let go--” 

“You. Let go,” he insists calmly. “You built this wall around you. Let it down,” he drops his hand from your head and lets it trail down your back, “let me in.” 

“No, I’m telling you.” You squirm against him. “Stop this, right now.” 

“I know you want me. I found that toy. The little flower, hm?” He tickles along your side, your jaw aching in his grip. “You wanna feel the real thing? Huh?” 

“Please,” you clasp the fabric of his shirt in your fingers. 

“Doll, I want you think about this,” he buries his thumb behind your jaw until you whine. “You’re up here all by yourself. Lonely days, lonelier nights. Anyone could catch on. They could figure out just as fast as I did.” He leans in until you’re nearly bent backwards. “You need a man because any old beast could snatch you up.” 

Your eyes glisten and you search his face. He doesn’t look human. He’s animalistic. His eyes are dark and dilated and his jaw is set with slathering hunger. Your lip trembles. 

"Wouldn't you rather have the beast on your side, doll? Instead of tearing it down?” He purrs and shifts his hand around your chin, bringing his thumb up to poke at your lower lip. “I can be good for you, all you gotta do, is the same.” 

[babybatss-blog]

DOMESTICS

Sirius black x reader, 1100  words

summary: all you wanted to do was cook Sirius some chicken for dinner, but perhaps things don’t always go your way.

c/w: established relationship, alcohol consumption, swearing and crying, argument between Sirus and Reader. Practically just tame, basic relationship angst that turns into fluff :)

The classic casual Friday night is always a big step in any intimate relationship. Stepping out of uncomfortable outfits and delicate table foods into comfy hoodies and junky snacks creates a whole new level of intimacy with a partner, and can be quite nerve wracking for at least the first few instances. 

But you and Sirius are way past that.

On the first date, you stayed the night at his for two whole days. You met his best friends on that second day, and he met yours just four days later. James said you were funny, and Lily said Sirus was smitten. He admired your comfortableness with him while you appreciated his lack of care towards your groggy state every morning, and a week in you both shared your deepest traumas with each other. On some random Wednesday your parents turned up unannounced in your apartment, which is when he met them both shirtless and slightly hungover (though he concealed the latter expertly).

So, two months later it is entirely expected to have Sirius lounging on your couch, watching some Netflix overproduced action show and as you cook dinner. Usually he prefers taking control of the kitchen because he “likes to spoil his girls”, but he did not impose when you insisted it was your turn to give him some love. The kitchen smells like a variety of spices and mouth-watering flavours, and despite the simple dish you are preparing the kitchen looks like a professional chef is making a world-famous meal. Plates, pots and pans are spread around, ingredients spilled on any and all surfaces and your state decreased to completely dishevelled, huffing and puffing at every slight inconvenience to come your way. “This needs to be perfect for him.” You think, anxiously managing every element with not a moment to spare. Unbeknownst to you Sirus has now snuck over, and softly places his chiselled chin on your shoulder as you peer over the cooking meat.

“Looks raw.” He states nonchalantly, arms creeping around your waist. “I know. It’s not done yet.” You explain bluntly, words leaving your mouth slightly more harsh than you intended. But you don’t take them back, as your focus is entirely taken up by the meal in front of you.

Wait, I thought it was done? What’s it meant to look like if it is done? What does it taste like? What more does it need?

He soon releases you, walking away to the bathroom as he calls out. “Sorry for not wanting to be poisoned I guess!” You huff, opting to not fight back in fear of putting too much energy into something that doesn’t really matter in the scheme of things. You and Sirius are both painfully stubborn when you want to be, and are often laughed at by your friends for getting in ridiculous arguments. Once, you needed to go on a walk and clear your head after the two of you debated which Barbie movie is the best.

As he returns from the bathroom he subtly side eyes the chicken, seeing you have now placed it on a plate ready for serving. Against his better judgment, he calls out, in a half cough half word amalgamation which complains “still raw”. Would it be smart for you to reply? No, of course not! But do you do it anyway? Obviously!

“WELL WHY DON’T YOU COOK THEN MR PERFECT?!” You snap, eyes erratic and wide as you face him. He scoffs, hands placed on the kitchen counter opposite you.

“I’d be happy to, but you didn’t fucking let me!”

”Didn’t let you? I’m not your mother, I’m sorry I wanted to do something nice for you!”

“Well it isn’t nice if I’m too sick to go to work tomorrow!”

“Relax hard ass, you start work at three!” The argument quickly escalates past the point of reasonable, as Sirius’ arms flail widely about and the vegetables are left to burn in the oven.

In a closing statement you call Sirius a “spoilt brat” and he storms off, slamming the bedroom door behind him so he can no longer hear you if you try to apologise. Tears well in your eyes as you look around, realising what just happened truly as your brain finally processes. How can your worst argument be about some stupid chicken? You rush to repair the damage of your distractions to the meal, pulling the vegetables out of the oven as your salty tears fall within. You can barely see through your exaggerated sobs, mad at yourself for all manner of things.

Why did you let his simple comments go to your head? What if he’s right, and the meals a disaster? Will he despise you now for going so off the handle? Is this the last night of your fleeting romance?

You quietly serve up the food as these thoughts run through your head, wiping away gushing tears and snot as you go. Once it’s done, you tentatively go over to the closed door of the bedroom and knock a few times. You hear some shuffles, and the door is opened to reveal an unimpressed Sirus. “Sorry…” You mumble, eyes glued to the wooden floor between you. He pushes past you in silence, grabbing his plate and sitting down on the plush couch. As much as you would like to beg for forgiveness and list all the reasons you should stay together, you don’t deem that important when he pats the space next to him to sit down, handing you a sympathetic yet weak smile. “I know you didn’t mean it.” He finally gets out, eyes drilling into your still shy figure. “I just was trying to help.” “I know. But I didn’t want you to have to worry. I wanted to spoil you; you know?” His hand falls onto your thigh, the other placing the chicken in his hungry mouth. You join him in eating the meal, and reluctantly admit what you wished wasn’t true.

“It’s not fully cooked.” You pout, tears still glossing your eyes. He chuckles, placing his plate down and enveloping you in a hug. “That’s fine gorgeous. UberEats it is.” You pull back and quickly peck his lips, a smile forming on both your faces as you respond.

“Only if it’s Mexican.”

“Deal.”

[iluvmorales]

Earth 42, Miles Morales

summary you’re practically part of the family.

a/n none

word count ??

You placed a lid over the pot of arroz, allowing it to steam while Rio, mrs.morales, played her reggaetón. “Mija, you can leave it now it’ll be a couple minutes before it’s done for sure.” She called out, waving you towards her.

You nodded and smiled, making your way over to her. “Miles and Aaron should be back before it’s ready, thank you for helping me mija.” She smiled sweetly. Mrs. Morales was always so sweet to you, she believed you were a great influence on her son and an even better future daughter in law.

“Ah I’m not in a rush anyways, I love cooking with mi suegra” you took a seat next to her. She beamed at the name, she couldn’t wait til you and miles married, even thought that would be years from now since you both are still teens.

Just as she was about to get up to finish laundry, the front door open and a sweet familiar voice called out. “Mamí we’re home!” Miles.

Rio walked over to greet her son with a warm hug and a side hug to uncle Aaron. Miles walked over to you with open arms as Aaron and Rio walked to a back room. “Hola mi hermosa” he rolled his r’s and his voice was deeper, but you got up to give him a big hug anyways. “How was it today?” You asked, a smile across your lips.

You knew who miles was, even after a big fight when you found out, you both came to an agreement. The terms being he made it home safe every night, No killing innocent people, and he’d text, call or tell you in person about every job he worked.

“It was smooth actually, no fighting, no ambushes just an honest transaction.” He huffed, his hands slowly sliding off your waist before falling back into the chair.

You just hummed as you went to check on the rice once more, peeking into the room and seeing Aaron slide Rio some cash, to which she reluctantly accepted after he told her to take care of his nephew.

You went back to minding your own business, watching miles walk to his room to change. After a good 10 mins, the rice was finally done “Food is ready!” You called out. Rio and Aaron walked to the kitchen. “Smells good as hell” Aaron laughed, causing rio to laugh along. “All cause’ of Y/N! I think she’d make a perfect nuera para mi” she winked at you, and you smiled.

“You all can sit down I already started serving plates.” You hummed. It was Arroz con gandules y bife, nothing too special. You set their plates down before looking around, noticing miles was still not back.

You turned to Aaron with a puzzled face ; “did he eat at all today?” The man shook his head before gesturing for you to go after him. You huffed before marching towards his room. “Get on his ah mija!” Rio jokingly called out causing a laughter.

You knocked lightly before opening the door. It was dark, and all you could see was clothes all over the place and his silhouette laying on the bed. “What’s the point of knocking if you’re just going to come in anyways?” miles joked, his voice strained.

“Miles are you alright?” You walked up to his bed, sitting next to his lap. “Yeah I’m just tired, really sleep for some reason.” He yawned mid way through his sentence, his shirtless chest rising and falling.

You placed a hand on his leg, patting it; “Can you eat something before you pass out then? Uncle Aaron said you haven’t eaten, and I cooked for you.” Your voice laced with concern and a hint of pleading.

It wasn’t all too uncommon for miles to forget to eat, his job took up a lot of his time. “Yeah, yeah.” He sat up, rubbing his eyes before placing a hand around your waist. He pulled you with one hand and another lifted your chin and placed a kiss on your lips.

“I knew the food smelt too good for it to be my moms cooking.” He joked, causing giggles to erupt from the both of you.

[hotluncheddie]

For the @steddie-spooktober day 22 prompt : leaves

rated: E (?) | cw: none | tags: housewife role play, feminisation, established relationship

🍁💕🍁💕

Eddie bought the place from a guy Hopper knew. A plot of land in Illinois, just outside Kentucky. A place to rest, to build roots. A new home.

After four platinum albums and near constant touring, Eddie made his lawyer find a clause in his contract titled ‘give me a fucking break.’

So after a final summer of shows. Eddie bought the land officially and did the closest thing he could to marrying Steve Harrington.

He bought a home for Steve, to get him away from the city. He was always complaining about it, about wanting a change - especially now that Robin had settled in an apartment with her girl and had gotten comfortable at her job with the museum. (Eddie flies them out during holidays. He’s rich now, and he’d do anything to put a smile on Steve’s face.)

So Eddie bought Steve a house, and a ring. And it was all very wholesome, and sweet. And Eddie always looks forward to coming back once he’s finished whatever show, interview or meeting that whisks him away. He’s always craving his little bit of wholesome, his little life of sweetness.

He’s also usually craving something else. Something that’s maybe less wholesome, and sweet, depending on how you look at it…

Eddie wipes the sweat from his brow, leaning over the pot of canned sauce he’s stirring. He still can’t cook, and every time worries it’ll mess with the fantasy.

But he can’t think about that now, checking he definitely set the timer for the garlic bread in the oven. He did, 5 more minutes.

He hears Steve kick his boots against the wall outside the frontdoor. He’d wanted to finish moving all the fallen leaves together to be readied for compost. They no doubt tacked themselves to the bottom of his shoes.

The door unlocks and Eddie scrapes a hand through his hair. He hears Steve shuffle around, taking off his jacket and hat. Eddie re ties his apron, pulling the strings tighter around his waist.

‘Honey I’m home!’ Steve calls.

Eddie tenses for a moment, then goes back to stirring. He shivers as Steve’s thick, work worn hands slip around his waist and squeeze. The smell of Steve’s hard earned musk making Eddie’s knees weak.

‘Hey baby.’ Eddie murmurs, as Steve kisses up the side of his neck.

The timer going off makes Eddie jump.

He shoos Steve into a chair and bends to take the garlic bread out of the oven, arching his back a little more than he needs to.

‘Okay, I, uh, think I just need to dish up.’ Eddie says, slightly frazzled, making sure everything is turned off and grabbing plates out.

‘C’mere a sec?’

Eddie turns, smoothing down his frilly apron and stepping over to where Steve’s sat, legs spread. In his flannel and blue jeans he’s as close to a cowboy as Eddie’s ever seen. (The tabbed off page of his old play girl doesn’t see much action anymore, rendered useless by the man before him.)

Steve pulls at his wrists, making Eddie sit straddling his knee. Eddie bites his lip at the friction on his cock through the thin cotton shorts he’s wearing.

‘How’s my best girl huh?’ Steve asks, pulling Eddie flush against him.

Eddie whimpers. ‘Good.’ He rasps. ‘Missed you.’

‘Missed you too, did you cook me something nice?’ Steve tucks a lock of hair behind Eddie’s ear.

Eddie opens his mouth to answer but Steve shifts his thigh and grips Eddie’s hips to grind against him. Eddie moans.

‘What was that?’ Steve asks.

‘Yeh, yes.’ Eddie manages. ‘Pasta.’

‘Ah, just like a good little housewife huh? Go serve it up then.’ Steve says, lifting Eddie’s writhing form off his leg and smacking him on the ass.

Eddie serves up two plates, hands shaking, dick tenting his shorts.

He can’t wait to see what Steve has planned for desert.

🍁💕🍁💕

Tag list (lmk to be added / removed) : @scoops-aboy86 @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @pearynice @marvel-ous-m @thecatkingsthrone

@cheesedoctor @chickensinrainboots @chameleonhair

[kcrossvine-art]

Heya folks n friends! Today on our LotR cooking series, we're going to be making something inspired by Mrs. Maggot, wife of Farmer Maggot. Originally we were going to do a cream of mushroom soup, but the idea of adding meat as a cheeky lil joke on their last names was too good to pass up. In my mind meat goes better with thin soups than creamy ones.

And thus Mrs. Maggots Meat 'N Mush Stew was born.

(As always you can find the cooking instructions and full ingredient list under the break-)

MY NAMES CROSS NOW LETS COOK LIKE ANIMALS

SO, “what goes in to Mrs. Maggots Meat 'N Mush Stew?” YOU MIGHT ASKFor the stew portion itself we're going to be using a hearty base, aiming for a layering of flavors. If you feel comfortable making a roux, feel free to do so, but I did not due to energy levels and thus the flour in this recipe is only used for searing the meat before its added to the pot.

Cubed beef

Flour

Peanut oil

Beef stock

Dried porcini mushrooms

Carrots, chopped

Onion, diced

Garlic, crushed

Scallion, chopped

Bay leaf

Salt and pepper

Ground red pepper

Cumin

Zatarins gumbo file

For the other mushrooms, were going to cook them separate and throw them in at the end (but they'll have friends to keep them company!!).

Cremini mushrooms, sliced

Half an onion

Carrots

Garlic

Salt and pepper

Thyme

Olive oil

This took about 4 hours in total. If you have a slow cooker itd probably be easier to use that, but as is isn't too bad either. I mostly worked on commission stuff in the kitchen in-between stirring. "The best food is the one you don't have to make, the second best food is the one you don't have to think while making."

AND, “what does Mrs. Maggots Meat 'N Mush Stew taste like?” YOU MIGHT ASK

HOT HOT HOT

Tastes like walking from the cold into the cramped but cozy bar your friend works at

Meat was so tender and juicy, melts in your mouth. Makes you cry

It wanst actually carmelization but the onions had a hint of tasting caramelized

Mushrooms- a strong umami flavor with a bit of smokeyness

Once you get that Perfect level of gumbo file, it just makes every other element stick out more

Like an energy booster for the ingredients

A spotlight on the bay leaf, and oils, and spices

. If you don't want to use beef, feel free to use vegetable stock instead and replace the cubes with strips of king oyster mushrooms. Exclude the flour but still cook them in the pan. . this isnt officially part of the recipe since im not sure itd be 'on theme', but feel free to start your rice cooker around the 3 hour mark so you can have some hot rice ready for serving as filler.

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When I was looking through food and food mentions in LotR, Mrs.Maggot just stook out to me. 'Queen amongst farmers wives' is both really sweet and a fuckin killer description. What a legend. I wanted to do something based on her and our two options were either beer, bacon or raw mushrooms. Beer while very appealing is also not something you can whip up in a day, while raw mushrooms have a chance of killing my beloved readers. I don't want to talk about me and bacons sordid past.

And so as praise to this funky farmer women, may you add this stew to your collection of potpie, lasagna, and roast recipes.

Did i mention i started my first grease fire when making this? Yeah. Don't cover any empty greased pan even if your intent is to keep water from splashing into it.

Anyway, this recipe is a solid 10/10 (with 1 being food that makes one physically sick and 10 being food that gives one a lust for life again.) The partner has already made me pledge to cook it again hehehe

🐁 ORIGINAL RESIPPY TEXT BELOW 🐁

Ingredients:

2 lbs cubed beef

A little bit of flour to 'tumble' the meat in, in a bowl

Peanut oil to sear the beef, as needed

3 kilograms beef stock

28g dried porcini mushrooms

4 carrots, chopped

1 white onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 scallion branch, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Ground red pepper to taste

Cumin to taste

3 bay leafs

A pinch of Zatarins gumbo file

Ingredients… . . TWO:

1 lb cremini mushrooms

Half of a white onion, diced

1 carrot, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

Salt, pepper, and thyme to taste

Olive oil as needed to pan-fry

Method:

Put the porcini mushrooms into a bowl, add enough warm water to cover. Give them roughly 20 minutes, or until softened and the waters turned color.

Cut the carrots, onion, and garlic.

Get a large pot with a lid, pour in your stock (or water and bouillon cubes). Pour in the porcinis and the mushroom water. Turn the burner to medium-high.

Add your bay leaves, carrots, onion, and garlic to the pot. Add extra salt if you'd like.

Tenderize and cut your beef into roughly 1 inch cubes.

In a small bowl, pour a handful of flour along with pepper, cumin, and ground red pepper. Mix until combined.

Lightly toss each cube of beef in the mixture, get a little coverage on each side.

Heat a frying pan to medium heat and add peanut oil. If using an electric stovetop it will take time to heat up.

Add some of your beef cubes to the pan, don't overcrowd it. Flip to check sides are a light brown with dark brown edges, its good for some pink/red to poke through.

Add beef cubes to the pot when done, careful of splashing.

Keep doing this in batches until all beef cubes are added. 

 Once the pot has reached a simmer, turn the heat down a few notches and cover.

Set a timer for 4 hours. Taste test every so often. Aim to stir the pot every 10-15 minutes.

(You can do steps 14-21 immediately or optionally wait a bit)

 Rinse and dry your cremini mushrooms.

Slice them vertically. Cut the carrots, onion, and garlic.

In a frying pan on medium-low heat, add olive oil, carrots, and onion. Keep the vegetables moving! When they start to change texture, add your cremini mushrooms.

Bring the pan up to medium heat. 

Once your mushrooms have cooked off the liquid inside, theyll start turning a deeper brown. Add the garlic. Keep! the! vegetables! Moving!

If the pan gets overcrowded, take some out and set it aside in a bowl. Smaller batches.

This process took roughly 15 minutes, but youll know its done once everything has a nice sear on it and the garlic is brown but not burnt. Add salt, pepper, and thyme to taste.

Set everything aside in a bowl.

Once the 4 hours are up the meat should be cooked all the way through and tender enough to pull apart. Strain the bay leaves out. Cut and add scallions. Add the bowl with cremini mushrooms.

Add a pinch of gumbo file to start, stir and taste test.

[kat-thepoet]

Veins of Violet

Logan Howlett x Female Reader

Part 17: Finding my place

A/N: if you are reading this, say hi. Enjoy!

Previous chapters ☞ HERE ☜

5.1k words

After my nap that was very much needed, selene gave me a tour of the place. She led me through the sanctuary, her footsteps light but purposeful as we navigated the maze of pathways and structures that made up this hidden world. The first stop on the tour was the dining hall, a large, open space filled with long wooden tables and benches. The room was simple but functional, with the scent of freshly cooked food lingering in the air. A few mutants were scattered around, eating quietly or talking in low voices, their expressions a mix of weariness and determination.

"This is the dining hall," Selene explained, her tone matter-of-fact. "It's where we all gather for meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served here, and everyone is expected to pitch in when it's their turn."

I nodded, taking in the space. It was different from the sterile, isolated environment I'd been living in at the X-Mansion. This place felt more... lived in. Like a community, albeit one that was built on survival.

Next, we moved on to the kitchen, which was located just off the dining hall. The kitchen was a bustling hub of activity, with several mutants working together to prepare the next meal. Pots and pans clanged, and the air was thick with the smell of cooking food. Selene pointed out the various stations—cooking, prep, cleaning—and explained that everyone rotated through the different roles.

"Everyone here has a job to do," Selene said as we continued the tour. "It's how we keep the sanctuary running smoothly. Some work in the kitchen, others handle gardening, crop picking, and planting. There are also those who focus on cleaning, maintenance, and other essential tasks. You'll be expected to pick something you're good at and contribute."

I listened carefully, absorbing the information. The idea of having a job, something to keep me busy and give me a sense of purpose, was oddly comforting. It was a reminder that even in this strange new environment, there was still structure and routine—things I could hold on to as I navigated this new chapter of my life.

Selene led me down a narrow hallway to a small, sparsely furnished room that she told me would be mine. The room was basic—a bed, a small dresser, and a window that let in a sliver of light. It wasn't much, but it was a place to call my own, a space where I could retreat when I needed to think or rest.

"Here's your room," Selene said, gesturing to the space. "It's not luxurious, but it's private. You can make it your own."

I nodded, grateful for the small bit of privacy. "Thank you," I murmured, already thinking about how I could make the room feel a little more like home.

We continued the tour, stopping by the communal bathroom, where the other residents of the sanctuary took turns cleaning and maintaining the space. It was practical and clean, with everything needed to keep everyone comfortable and healthy.

Finally, Selene led me to the training area, a large, open space that was clearly designed for combat practice and honing mutant abilities. Several mutants were sparring or practicing their powers under the watchful eyes of instructors. The air was charged with energy, and I could see the determination in their faces as they pushed themselves to improve.

"This is where we train," Selene explained, her gaze sweeping over the room. "It's important for everyone here to be ready—to be strong. We never know when we might need to defend ourselves or the sanctuary. You'll be expected to join in the training sessions as well."

I watched the mutants sparring, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity. I knew I had power within me—more than I fully understood—and the thought of learning to control it, to channel it into something useful, was both exciting and terrifying.

As we walked back toward the main area of the sanctuary, Selene turned to me with a thoughtful expression. "You'll need to choose a job, something that suits your skills and interests. It's part of being here—everyone contributes."

I thought about it for a moment, considering my options. I wasn't sure what I was good at anymore, not after everything that had happened. But I knew I needed to do something, to find a place for myself in this new world.

"I'll think about it," I said finally, my voice steady. "I'll find something."

Selene nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "Good. Take your time. There's no rush, but don't wait too long. The sooner you find your place here, the better."

With that, the tour was over, and I was left to wander the sanctuary on my own, to explore and begin to find my footing in this strange, new place. The future was uncertain, and the path ahead was filled with challenges, but for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of purpose, a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to make a difference—both for myself and for those around me.

☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒

As dinner time approached, the sounds of chatter and clattering dishes filled the dining hall, but I wasn't in the mood to join the crowd. The weight of everything that had happened—everything I had seen—still hung heavy in my mind, and the idea of sitting among a noisy group of mutants felt overwhelming.

Instead, I decided to take my meal back to my room. Selene didn't seem surprised when I told her, and she simply nodded, understanding that I needed some time alone. Before I left the dining hall, she handed me a charger for my phone, which had been dead since my arrival. It was a small gesture, but it meant more than I could express. 

Back in my room, I plugged in my phone, watching as the screen flickered to life, showing the familiar charging symbol. I placed it on the small table beside my bed, where my dinner tray was already set up. The food looked good—simple but comforting—but I couldn't muster much of an appetite.

I sat on the edge of the bed, picking at the food absentmindedly as my thoughts drifted back to the vision Selene and I had shared earlier. The images of fire, smoke, and the lifeless bodies of the people I cared about flashed through my mind, making it difficult to focus on anything else. The version of myself that had spoken those chilling words haunted me, her voice echoing in my head."This is our future, Violet. And there's no stopping it."

I pushed the plate of food away, unable to eat. The quiet of the room offered some solace, but it also left me alone with my thoughts—thoughts I wasn't sure I was ready to face.

The phone buzzed softly as it finished powering up, and I glanced at it, half-expecting to see messages from Charles, Vanessa, or Wade. But I wasn't ready to deal with that either, not yet. I needed time to process everything, to figure out what my next steps should be.

I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, the sounds of the sanctuary muffled by the walls of my room. I knew I couldn't avoid what I had seen forever, but for tonight, I just needed to be alone—to think, to rest, and to try to make sense of the path I had chosen.

Tomorrow, I would begin to find my place here. Tomorrow, I would confront whatever lay ahead. But tonight, I just needed a moment to breathe.

☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒

It was the middle of the night, and I found myself lying in bed, wide awake, unable to shake the vision from earlier. The darkness around me felt suffocating, closing in like the shadows of my own thoughts. I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position, but no matter how I shifted, sleep refused to come.

The images of fire, smoke, and death haunted me, playing over and over in my mind like a nightmare I couldn't escape. But it wasn't just the vision that kept me awake—it was what the other version of me had said, the chilling declaration that I was meant to be the Enchanted Witch.

The words echoed in my head, each syllable sending a shiver down my spine. The Enchanted Witch. It sounded like something out of a dark fairy tale, a name whispered in fear and reverence. But the way she had said it, with such cold certainty, made it clear that this wasn't just a story—it was my destiny, a role I was somehow fated to play.

I couldn't accept it. I didn't want to believe that I was meant to become something so powerful and terrifying, something that could bring about the destruction I had seen in the vision. But the other me had been so sure, so confident in the path that lay ahead.

Frustration bubbled up inside me, and I threw the covers off, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I couldn't just lie there, trapped in my own thoughts. I needed to do something, anything, to distract myself from the turmoil inside my head.

I stood up and paced the room, my mind racing. What did it mean to be the Enchanted Witch? Was it a title, a curse, or something more? And why did that other version of me seem so willing to embrace it?

The more I thought about it, the more questions piled up, each one more unsettling than the last. I was supposed to be here to find answers, to prevent the future I had seen, but instead, I felt like I was sinking deeper into uncertainty.

I stopped pacing and took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. I had pledged my loyalty to Magneto, hoping that he could help me control my powers and prevent the nightmare future from becoming a reality. But now, I wasn't sure if even he could help me with this.

The vision, the other me, the title of Enchanted Witch—it all felt like a puzzle with pieces that didn't quite fit together. And the more I tried to make sense of it, the more lost I felt.

I walked over to the window and looked out at the dark landscape of the sanctuary, the moon casting a pale light over the quiet world outside. The stillness of the night only made the chaos inside me feel more intense, like a pressure building up with no release.

I couldn't stay in that room any longer. I needed air, space to think, to try and clear my mind. Without a second thought, I grabbed my jacket and quietly slipped out of the room, hoping that a walk under the stars might bring some clarity to the confusion that plagued me.

The night was cool and still, the air crisp against my skin as I made my way through the quiet sanctuary. The darkness was comforting, wrapping around me like a blanket, the stars above offering a small measure of peace. I found myself drawn to one of the balconies, a place where I could see the sky and maybe find some solace in its vastness.

As I stepped onto the balcony, I was surprised to see a figure already there. Magneto—or Erik, as I had learned to call him—was sitting at a small table, a mug in his hand. He seemed deep in thought, but as I approached, he looked up and met my gaze. There was something calm and almost inviting in his expression, and without a word, he gestured for me to sit next to him.

I hesitated for only a moment before taking the seat beside him. The night was silent, save for the soft rustling of leaves in the wind, and for a while, neither of us spoke. Erik sipped from his mug, and I found myself wondering what it was he was drinking. But the question that came to my mind wasn't about his drink.

"Where did you get the name Magneto from?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Erik set down his mug, a small smile playing on his lips as he considered my question. "It was a name given to me," he began, his voice low and reflective. "A name that came to define me and the cause I chose to fight for. In the early days, when I first began to embrace my power, I needed something that would strike fear into the hearts of those who sought to oppress us—something that would remind them of the force they were dealing with."

He paused, looking out at the night sky, his eyes distant as if he were recalling memories from a lifetime ago. "Magneto became more than just a name. It became a symbol of resistance, of the strength we mutants possess. It was a way to remind the world that we are not to be trifled with, that we will not bow to those who seek to destroy us."

I nodded slowly, taking in his words. There was a certain power in the name, an undeniable strength that came with it. But there was also a weight, a burden that Erik carried with him—a burden I could see reflected in his eyes.

"And now?" I asked softly. "Do you still see yourself as Magneto?"

He looked at me then, his gaze intense and thoughtful. "Magneto is a part of me, just as Erik is. But I am more than a name, more than a symbol. I am a man who has seen the horrors of this world and who has chosen to stand against them. And now, I find myself in a position where I must guide others, help them find their own strength, their own path."

His words resonated with me, and for a moment, I understood a little more about the man who sat beside me. 

After a brief silence, Erik turned his gaze back to me, his eyes searching mine with a quiet intensity. "What's your story?" he asked, his voice gentle yet probing.

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, I wasn't sure how to answer. My story—where did I even begin? I took a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts, and then I started talking.

"It's... complicated," I began, my voice shaky as I tried to piece together the fragments of my life. 

"I got my powers from a gem, something ancient and powerful. It wasn't something I chose—it just happened. Ever since then, I've been hiding, running from a man named Strucker. He's... he's the one who did things to me, who experimented on me, who made me into this."

Erik listened intently, his expression unreadable but his focus unwavering. I continued, feeling the weight of my words grow heavier with each sentence.

"When I moved to New York, I thought I could start over, live a simple life. And for a while, it was—well, as simple as it could be, given everything. But then, out of nowhere, two months of my life just... disappeared. My memories are gone, and my head feels like it's going to explode. I hear voices all the time, and they never stop."

My voice started to waver as the panic that had been simmering beneath the surface began to rise. "And now... now I'm supposedly going to be responsible for the deaths of my friends, of the X-Men. I saw it, Erik—I saw their bodies, their blood everywhere. And it's all because of me."

The words tumbled out faster now, my breathing becoming more erratic as I tried to hold myself together. "My life... it's been an endless cycle of pain ever since I was five. Every person I've ever loved has died or been taken from me. My parents, my friends... it's like I'm cursed, like everything I touch turns to ashes. And now, I'm watching it all happen again, and I don't know how to stop it. I don't even know if I can."

My heart raced, and I could feel the familiar weight of despair closing in, suffocating me. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but before I could completely lose myself to the panic, Erik's voice cut through the storm in my mind.

"Violet," he said firmly, his voice grounding me in the present. He reached out, his hand gently caressing my cheek, the warmth of his touch grounding me in a way that nothing else could."Breathe," he whispered softly, his thumb brushing against my skin, wiping away the tear that had escaped. "You're not alone in this."

I looked up at him, my vision blurred by tears, and saw the steadiness in his gaze. He wasn't overwhelmed by my panic—if anything, he seemed determined to pull me out of it.

"Your life has been filled with pain, yes," he continued, his voice steady and calm. "But that pain has also made you stronger. You've survived what most people could never endure. And that strength, Violet, is what will help you face whatever comes next."

I blinked away the tears, focusing on his words, letting them sink in. His hand on my cheek was a comforting presence, a reminder that I wasn't as lost as I felt.

"You are not responsible for what others have done to you," Erik said, his thumb still gently stroking my cheek. "And you are not alone in this fight. You have people who care about you, who want to help you. And now, you have me."

His words, combined with the softness of his touch, began to chase away the darkness that had threatened to overwhelm me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, feeling the warmth of his hand against my skin.

"You are stronger than you know," he continued. "And together, we will find a way to ensure that vision does not come to pass. But you must believe in yourself, Violet. You must believe that you have the power to change your fate."

I nodded slowly, the panic in my chest beginning to loosen its grip. Erik's touch, so unexpected and gentle, was a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice trembling but steadier than before.

Erik gave me a small, reassuring smile, his hand lingering on my cheek for a moment longer before he let it fall. "You're not alone in this," he repeated softly. "Remember that."

We sat in silence after that, the cool night air soothing the last of my frayed nerves. I wasn't sure what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I had a chance to face it head-on. And I knew that, whatever happened, I wouldn't have to face it alone.

☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒

I don't exactly remember going to bed, but I think I slept pretty late. The exhaustion from everything that had happened must have finally caught up with me. When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the faint light streaming in through the small window in my room. It was morning, and the sanctuary was beginning to stir with the sounds of people starting their day.

I reached over to the small table where I had left my phone charging the night before. It was now fully charged, the screen glowing softly as I pressed the power button. As the device came to life, I felt a mixture of anticipation and unease. I hadn't checked my messages since I left, and I knew there would likely be messages waiting for me—some that I might not be ready to face. 

As my phone powered on, the notifications began to appear, each one a reminder of the world I had left behind. My heart clenched as I saw the names—Charles, Vanessa, Wade, and Logan. I hesitated for a moment, then started with Charles's message.

His message was long, filled with words of concern and hope. He urged me to come back, saying that the X-Mansion was my home and that they could help me, that *he* could help me. But the more I read, the more my frustration grew. His relentless optimism, the way he tried to convince me that everything would be okay, felt like it was mocking my reality. We both knew he couldn't fix this, that the answers I needed weren't at the mansion. His well-meaning words started to piss me off, and I had to resist the urge to just delete the message without replying.

Next was Vanessa's message. It was short but sweet, filled with her usual warmth. She told me she missed me and hoped I was okay, that I should take care of myself and that she was here if I needed to talk. Her kindness made my heart clench with guilt, but I didn't give in. I wasn't ready to reach out, not yet. Not until I had more answers.

Then there was Wade's message. True to form, it was a mix of concern and humor, with him trying to make light of the situation. He asked if I was off on some grand adventure and made a joke about how he and Vanessa were holding down the fort. His message brought a small, reluctant smile to my face, but it also reminded me of the chaos I had left behind. Still, there was a part of me that appreciated his attempt to keep things light, even if it was just his way of coping.

And then there was Logan. I stared at his name for a moment, a wave of confusion washing over me. I didn't even remember having his number in the first place. How did he get my number? The message was brief, almost gruff, asking where I was and if I was okay. There was something about the tone that made me pause—like he was trying to care, but didn't quite know how to say it.

I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. The messages from Charles and Logan irritated me, each for different reasons, while Vanessa's and Wade's made me feel guilty for leaving them in the dark. But I knew that I couldn't go back, not yet. Not until I had some clarity, some control over the chaos that had become my life.

For now, I turned off the phone again, deciding that the world outside could wait. There were bigger things to focus on, and I wasn't ready to face any of them yet.

☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒

After turning off my phone and setting it aside, I decided that staying isolated in my room wouldn't do me any good. I needed to start integrating myself into the sanctuary, find my place here, and that meant stepping out and interacting with the people who were now part of my life.

I made my way to the dining room, which was already bustling with activity as mutants gathered for breakfast. The atmosphere was lively, with the clatter of dishes and the hum of conversation filling the air. I grabbed a plate of food and scanned the room, looking for a place to sit.

I spotted Selene sitting at a table with a few others. They seemed friendly enough, so I approached and took a seat next to her. Selene smiled as I joined them and introduced me to the group. They were a mix of personalities—some quiet, others more talkative—but all of them were welcoming and eager to make me feel at home.

As the conversation flowed around me, I couldn't help but feel a little more at ease. It was nice to be around people who understood the complexities of this life, even if I was still struggling to find my footing. They talked about their daily tasks, their powers, and the oddities of living in a place like this. It was almost... normal, in a way that I hadn't expected.

But then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Erik sitting alone at a table across the room. He was drinking from the same blue mug I had seen him with last night, his expression thoughtful as he observed the room. There was something about him that drew me in—a quiet strength, a sense of purpose that I found myself gravitating toward.

Without really thinking about it, I excused myself from Selene's table and made my way over to Erik. He looked up as I approached, and I offered a small smile before taking a seat next to him.

"Mind if I join you?" I asked, even though I had already sat down.

Erik gave a slight nod, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Not at all."

We sat in companionable silence for a moment, the noise of the dining room fading into the background. There was something calming about being near him, something that made the chaos in my mind quiet down, even if just for a little while.

"Good morning," I said softly, glancing at the blue mug in his hands. "Same drink as last night?"

Erik looked down at the mug and then back at me, his expression unreadable. "Yes," he replied simply. "A habit of mine."

I nodded, not pushing for more. There was no need to fill the silence with unnecessary words. Instead, I took a bite of my breakfast, feeling a small measure of comfort in the routine of it all.

As we sat together, I couldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, this place could become something close to a home. I wasn't there yet, but with Erik's quiet presence beside me, it didn't feel so impossible.

☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒☒

After breakfast, Selene approached me, her expression thoughtful. "Have you decided what you'd like to focus your time on here?" she asked, her tone gentle but direct.

I paused, realizing that I hadn't really given much thought to how I would contribute to the sanctuary. Everything had been so overwhelming since I arrived that finding a role here hadn't even crossed my mind. But as I considered her question, a memory surfaced—something from a life that seemed so distant now.

"I used to work at a flower shop," I said, almost to myself. The memory of arranging flowers, tending to plants, and working with my hands felt like a distant echo of something comforting. 

"Maybe I could work in the garden?"

Selene's eyes softened, and she gave me a small nod. "That sounds like a perfect fit," she said. "The garden could always use more hands, and it's a good way to connect with the earth, to find some peace."

I felt a small sense of relief at her words, as if I had finally found something solid to hold onto in the midst of all the uncertainty. Working in the garden—taking care of plants, nurturing life—felt like a step toward finding some semblance of normalcy, even here.

"Thank you," I replied, feeling a bit more grounded now that I had a purpose, something to focus on besides the chaos in my mind. 

"Come with me," Selene said, a hint of warmth in her voice as she led the way. "I'll show you where you'll be working."

Selene led me through the sanctuary, taking a path that wound through the trees and away from the main buildings. As we walked, the noise of the dining hall and the bustle of the sanctuary began to fade, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. The air here felt fresher, more alive, and I could already feel a small sense of peace beginning to settle over me.

Eventually, we reached a small, weathered shed nestled among the trees. Selene pushed open the door, and I followed her inside. The shed was filled with gardening supplies—tools of every kind, from shovels and spades to pruning shears and watering cans. Shelves lined the walls, stocked with bags of soil, fertilizer, and seed packets, all neatly organized. The air inside was cool and smelled faintly of earth and greenery.

"This is where you'll find everything you need," Selene said, gesturing to the various supplies. "The garden is just beyond those trees, and it's yours to take care of. You'll have help, of course, but this will be your space."

I looked around the shed, taking in the sight of the tools and supplies. There was something comforting about the simplicity of it all—working with my hands, nurturing life from the soil. It felt like a small return to normalcy, a piece of the life I had left behind.

"Thank you," I said, my voice soft but sincere. "This... this is exactly what I need right now."Selene smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "I thought it might be. The garden is a place of peace for many here. I hope it becomes that for you, too."

With that, she left me to explore the shed on my own, giving me the space I needed to get familiar with the tools and supplies. I ran my fingers over the handles of the tools, feeling their sturdy weight, and breathed in the earthy scent that filled the shed. This was a place where I could find some solace, a way to reconnect with something simple and pure.

It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Two hours of hard work in the garden felt like a kind of therapy, the repetitive motions and the earthy scents grounding me in a way I hadn't felt in a long time. But by the time I was done, I was drenched in sweat, dirt streaked across my skin, and I knew I needed a shower—badly.

I walked back to my room, eager to clean up and wash away the grime of the day. Selene had generously given me some body wash and shampoo when I first arrived, and I was looking forward to finally using them. As I grabbed the bottles from the small table by my bed, my phone suddenly started ringing.

I glanced at the screen, and my heart sank when I saw the name: Logan.

I hesitated for a moment, torn between ignoring the call and answering it just to tell him to leave me alone. The frustration I felt toward him, mixed with everything else I was dealing with, bubbled up to the surface. Deciding I wasn't going to let him off easily, I answered the call, ready to yell at him.

But before I could say anything, Logan's voice cut through, sharp and urgent. "We know where you are. We're coming to get you."

And then, just like that, he hung up.

I stared at the phone, the shock of his words sinking in. My heart raced, a mix of anger and panic rising within me. They knew where I was. They were coming here.

The peace I had just begun to find shattered in an instant, replaced by the familiar sense of dread. I had no idea how they had tracked me down or what they intended to do, but one thing was clear—I wasn't ready to face them, not yet.

Part 18: Under pressure

[acute-crashout-jeyuso]

Between the Ropes.. a Jey Uso x Rhea Ripley fanfic.

Chapter 36: Moves

After the boys finished tearing through their gifts, Rhea and Jey revealed their final surprise: a brand-new PS5. Jaciyah and Jeyce’s eyes lit up as they eagerly set it up in the living room, already debating which game to play first. With the boys happily occupied, Rhea made her way to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

As she began chopping vegetables, Jey slipped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He pressed a gentle kiss to her neck, his hand resting protectively on her belly. “The car can be fixed, baby,” he murmured, sensing the lingering tension in her.

Rhea sighed, pausing her work. “I know, it’s just… I want this all to be over with. I want to feel safe here, you know?”

Jey held her a little tighter. “Remember what Hunter said? Things might get complicated before they get easy. But as long as we have each other, we’ll make it through.”

Rhea turned in his arms, looking up at him with a soft smile. “I love you, Joshua.” The use of his real name always caught him off guard, making his smile deepen.

He leaned down, capturing her lips in a tender kiss, his hand resting gently against her cheek as he poured all his reassurance into that moment. She kissed him back, losing herself in the warmth of his embrace, until— “Dad?” Jeyce’s voice broke through, and they turned to see him standing in the kitchen doorway, holding up a pair of new Vans in his hand, looking a bit sheepish.

Jey chuckled, stepping away from Rhea but keeping his arm around her waist. “What’s up, buddy?”

Jeyce looked down at the shoes. “They don’t fit.”

Jey smiled, patting him on the shoulder. “No worries, we’ll get you a size up. Come on, let’s see what we can do.” He gave Rhea one last look, his eyes filled with love, before heading off with Jeyce.

As they walked away, Rhea couldn’t help but smile, watching Jey guide Jeyce back into the living room, handling the small problem with ease. The sight of her growing family filled her heart, even with all the recent worries.

She turned back to the stove, stirring the pot with renewed energy, feeling lighter. The worries about the car, the fears lingering in the back of her mind — they all faded as she focused on the dinner she was making for her family.

—

“Babe!” Jey’s voice echoed from the living room, a hint of exasperation in his tone.

“What?” Rhea called back, stirring the sauce on the stove.

“The Netflix password!” Jey yelled, frustration evident in his voice.

“It’s your birthday!” Rhea shouted over her shoulder, trying not to laugh.

“I’ve been putting that in!” he replied, clearly exasperated.

“Try our anniversary!” she suggested.

A moment of silence hung in the air before Rhea peeked out from the kitchen to see Jey scratching his head, clearly struggling. “You don’t know our anniversary, really?” she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Jey glanced up, grinning sheepishly. “Which anniversary? When we started our… you know, thing? When we got serious? When we got engaged?”

Rhea opened her mouth to respond but found herself stumped, realizing he had a point. “You right,” she said with a chuckle, shaking her head before turning back to finish cooking.

After a few moments, she called out, “Dinner’s ready!”

Jaciyah emerged from his room, freshly showered and dressed in the new Nike set Jey had picked out for him. Jeyce came bouncing out of his room, his excitement still evident from all the gifts. Jey joined them from the living room, still muttering something about the Netflix password under his breath, which earned him a playful roll of Rhea’s eyes.

As everyone settled around the dining table, Rhea served up their plates, making sure each got a generous helping. She poured fresh sweet tea into their glasses, the aroma of the food filling the room with a sense of warmth and comfort. They each took a moment to breathe it in, savoring the family moment.

“Alright, let’s say grace,” Jey said, nodding toward Jeyce.

Jeyce looked around, clearly a bit nervous but determined. He cleared his throat, closing his eyes and clasping his hands. “Um, thank you, God, for… for the food,” he started, glancing at his family members for reassurance, “and for… um, our family, and for all the good things we got this year. And… and thank you for my bonus mommy and for the baby growing in tummy, and for Dad getting better. Amen.”

Rhea squeezed Jeyce’s hand, her heart swelling with pride. She glanced at Jey, who looked equally moved, giving their son a nod of approval. Jaciyah gave his little brother a pat on the shoulder, and a warm smile spread across the table as everyone took a moment to appreciate the prayer.

With the warmth of family and laughter surrounding them, they dug into the meal, sharing stories, jokes, and a few lingering glances that reminded them all how lucky they were to have one another.

—

As the family continued to enjoy their dinner, laughter and conversation filling the air, outside the hidden figure crept back into the yard, intent on sabotaging Jey’s Mercedes just as they had done to Rhea’s Jeep. The figure stealthily approached the vehicle, but was suddenly interrupted.

“What are you doing over there?” The voice cut through the darkness, causing the figure to freeze. It was Jey and Rhea’s neighbor, Chief Warrant Officer Vincent Valadez, who had noticed the suspicious activity. Startled, the figure attempted to bolt but accidentally collided with the side of Rhea’s Jeep. Vincent approached the figure and in desperation, they lashed out, kicking Vincent hard in a vulnerable spot, doubling him over in pain.

“HELP! STRANGER!” Vincent managed to shout, his voice loud and urgent.

Inside, Jey immediately perked up, hearing the cry for help. He quickly told Rhea and the boys to stay put and grabbed a knife from the kitchen, rushing to the door. As he opened it, he saw Vincent on the ground, clearly in pain, and a shadowy figure sprinting away down the street. The sight stunned him momentarily, but he quickly collected himself, sprinting to the edge of the driveway, his eyes scanning for any sign of the intruder. But the figure had vanished.

“Fuck!” Jey shouted in frustration, clenching his fists. He turned back toward the driveway and noticed Vincent, still curled up on the ground. Setting the knife down, Jey hurried over to his neighbor and crouched beside him, offering support. “You alright, man?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Vincent gritted his teeth, still wincing from the pain. “Sir… no, sir…” he managed to reply, his military discipline slipping through despite the situation.

Jey raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You… enlisted?”

Vincent nodded weakly. “Chief Warrant Officer Vincent Valadez, sir. Navy SEALs. Home for break.” He let out a strained chuckle. “Damn, that son of a bitch got me good.”

Jey shook his head in admiration and sympathy, helping Vincent to his feet. “Thanks for stepping in, Valadez. That took guts.” He looked Vincent in the eye, a sense of respect passing between them.

Vincent gave a slight nod. “Just looking out. I saw someone by the car… thought something was off.” He paused, regaining his composure. “Didn’t get a good look, though. Only caught a glimpse of his eyes…”

Just then, Rhea’s voice called from the doorway, her tone filled with worry. “Babe! Is everything alright?”

Jey glanced back, then turned to Vincent, his voice low and urgent. “Please, don’t say anything to my wife about this. She’s been through a lot lately. I don’t want to add to her worries.”

Vincent gave a small, understanding nod. “Understood. I won’t say a word.”

With that reassurance, Jey straightened up and turned back toward the house. “Coming, babe!” he called out, doing his best to sound calm. As he approached, he flashed her a reassuring smile, trying to mask the turmoil beneath.

Vincent gave a silent nod before heading back toward his own house, silently vowing to keep an eye out for any more suspicious activity.

—

As the evening settled in, Jey and Rhea entered their bedroom, the air heavy with unspoken tension. Rhea’s mind was racing, still shaken by the events of the night. She took a deep breath and turned to Jey, her brow furrowed with concern. “You need to tell me what happened out there, Jey. I want to know everything.”

Jey hesitated, running a hand through his hair, trying to find the right words. “Rhea, it’s really nothing—”

“Nothing? Jey, you just ran out of here with a knife! Something happened!” she pressed, her voice rising slightly. “You can’t keep this from me.”

He sighed, realizing he couldn’t avoid it any longer. “Okay, okay… The neighbor—Vincent—he saw someone messing with my car. When he confronted them, the guy kicked him and took off. I didn’t see the guy’s face but Vincent saw his eyes as he ran away.”

Rhea’s expression shifted from worry to anger. “What if he comes back? What if he comes after us again?” She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper. “What if he comes after me?”

“That’s why we need to take precautions,” Jey said, attempting to comfort her. “Maybe we should start parking the cars in the garage.”

“Exactly! And we need to talk to Hunter tomorrow about using the housing assistance in Connecticut,” Rhea insisted, her voice filled with urgency.

Jey shook his head, still not fully convinced. “Babe, there’s no need to move now. We can handle this.”

But Rhea’s expression changed, and tears began to spill down her cheeks. “You don’t understand,” she said, her voice trembling as she cradled her stomach. “You weren’t there when he kicked me! You weren’t there when he dragged me by my hair and threw me out of the house, Jey!” The memory of her assault by Matt flooded back, her voice breaking as she recounted the tragic event that led to her first miscarriage.

Jey’s heart sank, and he rushed to her side, wrapping his arms around her as she cried. “Okay, okay, okay,” he murmured, holding her tightly. “I’m here. I’m so sorry, Rhea. I wish I could have been there for you.”

She leaned into him, seeking comfort in his embrace. “It just feels like everything is falling apart. I can’t do this alone,” she whispered, her vulnerability evident.

“You’re not alone. I’m right here with you,” Jey assured her, kissing the top of her head. “We’ll figure this out together, I promise.”

As they stood there in the quiet of their room, Rhea felt the weight of her fears slowly begin to lift.

—

Jeyce and Rhea sat at the kitchen table, enjoying a breakfast of hotcakes and hash browns from McDonald’s. The smell of syrup wafted through the air as they ate, and Rhea scrolled through listings for houses in Stamford, Connecticut. She felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about the potential move, wanting to find the perfect home for their blended family.

“I like that one!” Jeyce exclaimed, pointing excitedly at a house displayed on Rhea’s laptop screen.

Rhea turned to look at the image he was referring to. “I like it too,” she agreed, noting the spacious yard that seemed perfect for the boys to play in.

Jeyce’s expression shifted slightly, and he asked, “Are you and dad moving again?”

Rhea reached out to take his hand, wanting to reassure him. “No matter where we go, you and Jaciyah will always have a room because you’re my bonus sons,” she replied, her voice warm and filled with love. She wanted him to know that no matter how their living situation changed, their bond would remain strong.

“Thanks, bonus mommy,” Jeyce said, a smile returning to his face. The term filled Rhea’s heart with joy, knowing she had a special place in their lives.

“Now finish your pancakes before they get soggy!” she teased, nudging him playfully.

Just as Jeyce dug back into his breakfast, Rhea’s phone buzzed with a FaceTime call from Dominik. She glanced at Jeyce and asked, “You wanna meet Dom?”

Jeyce nodded eagerly, excited to connect with Rhea’s friend. Rhea answered the call and prepped the camera, making sure everything was set.

“Hey, Jeyce!” Dominik greeted, doing some playful kayfabe antics that made Jeyce laugh. After a few moments of joking around, Dominik looked serious and said, “Hey, Rhea, can we talk privately for a bit?”

Rhea nodded, sensing the shift in tone. “Sure, just a second,” she replied, telling Jeyce to finish his breakfast as she stepped out into the backyard for some privacy.

Once outside, Rhea leaned against the patio door, curious about what Dominik had to say. “What’s up?” she asked, noticing a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Dominik took a deep breath before speaking. “So, I wanted to let you know that I’m interested in dating Liv,” he confessed, his tone earnest.

Rhea couldn’t help but laugh at the sudden revelation, thinking about the last conversation she had with Liv. “Really? Liv? That’s interesting,” she replied, her mind racing with thoughts of how Liv would react.

Dominik chuckled, “I know, right? I just think she’s amazing, and I wanted to get your thoughts on it.”

Rhea smiled, touched by his honesty. “Well, Liv deserves someone who appreciates her. Just make sure you treat her right,” she advised, hoping that this budding interest would lead to something special for both of them.

“Thanks, Rhea. I really appreciate your support,” he said, relief washing over him.

As they continued their conversation, Rhea felt a renewed sense of hope. She knew Dom went through hell just getting his marriage annulled, she hoped Liv would give him a different view on what it means to be valued and cherished on a different spectrum.

—

As Jeyce joined Jaciyah in their room to dive into the exciting world of gaming on their new PS5, Rhea remained focused on her laptop, determined to find the perfect house through the approved Housing Assistance program. She scrolled through listings, searching for a spacious home that would also offer her the privacy she desired. The search was exhausting, and she needed something that was available for immediate move-in.

Just then, Jey approached her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist and planting a gentle kiss on her neck. “Have you found anything yet?” he asked, peering at the screen.

Rhea sighed, shaking her head. “Not yet. I’m on page 36 of 37,” she replied, her voice a mix of determination and frustration.

“Babe, all these houses and you can’t find anything?” Jey teased, raising an eyebrow.

But just as a lightbulb went off in her head, Rhea exclaimed, “Wait! I think I found it!” She clicked on the link, and her eyes widened with excitement as she read the details aloud.

The house was in North Stamford, perfectly situated on over 2 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds along the New Canaan border.

“This one is exactly what we need! It’s for those seeking a serene, private, and upscale lifestyle,” she continued, her enthusiasm growing.

Jey leaned closer, intrigued as Rhea detailed the property. “It boasts a covered outdoor kitchen, a charming brick patio, a cozy fire pit, and even a vibrant greenhouse—perfect for year-round enjoyment!” She could hardly contain her excitement.

“Wow, that sounds amazing,” Jey replied, genuinely impressed. ���What else?”

Rhea scrolled down, reading the rest of the listing. “Upon entering through a gated drive, you’re welcomed by a grand 2-story foyer with an elegant staircase and windows offering picturesque views of the lush outdoors. The spacious sunroom flows seamlessly into the living and dining rooms, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.”

“Sounds like a dream,” Jey said, imagining their family gathered in such a beautiful space.

“The gourmet kitchen is perfect for culinary enthusiasts,” Rhea continued. “It even connects to a unique private office or a perfect in-law apartment via a covered breezeway.”

“That’s definitely a plus,” Jey agreed, already picturing family gatherings and holiday meals.

Rhea moved on to the upper level, her excitement palpable. “The primary suite is a haven of relaxation, complete with a fireplace, a luxurious spa bath, a steam shower, and an expansive walk-in closet. And there are three additional bedrooms, a full bath, and a convenient laundry room up there too.”

“Wow, that’s perfect for the boys,” Jey said, nodding appreciatively.

Rhea clicked through the images, showcasing the expansive blue stone terrace, pergola, and surrounding mature gardens, all providing multiple areas for outdoor leisure and gatherings. “And there’s a detached, heated 3-car garage with lots of extra parking!”

Jey smiled, wrapping his arms around Rhea from behind. “This sounds like it could be our new home. Let’s check it out.”

“Absolutely! I’ll put the application right now, I know I’ll be approved for this one.” Rhea said, her heart racing with anticipation as she prepared to take the next step toward finding their new family haven while being financially secured.

Later On-

Rhea stood outside, watching her Jeep being towed away to the garage, her heart heavy with frustration. It felt like yet another setback in an already tumultuous time. Jey approached her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, trying to reassure her. “Everything will be okay, babe,” he said softly, sensing her unease.

Jeyce, sitting on the steps, looked up at Rhea with a curious expression. “Are you taking away to get more purple?” he asked, referencing her beloved Jeep’s vibrant color.

Rhea couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “Yes, Jeyce, I’ll be sure to get it some more purple.” She leaned down, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, how about we watch a scary movie tonight? Would you like that?”

Jeyce’s eyes lit up. “SAW?” he exclaimed excitedly.

Jey immediately interjected, “No way, not happening.” He shot a stern look at Jeyce, wanting to protect his younger brother from the horror he thought too intense for him.

Jaciyah, who had been listening from the doorway, chimed in, “I’ve seen it.”

Jey turned to his oldest son, slightly exasperated. “It’s different for a kid like Jeyce watching it. Trust me,” he replied, trying to emphasize his point.

Rhea chuckled, enjoying the playful banter. “How about we compromise and watch Insidious instead?” she suggested.

Jeyce nodded eagerly, his excitement palpable. “Yes! I’m in!”

Jey looked at Rhea, raising an eyebrow. “Isn’t that PG-13?” he asked skeptically.

“It is,” Rhea replied, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “But it’s still a lot of fun!”

Jey rolled his eyes in mock defeat, knowing he wouldn’t win this argument. “Fine, Insidious it is. But if you get scared, it’s not my fault,” he teased, and Rhea playfully nudged him.

The three of them headed inside, the atmosphere lightening as they prepared for their movie night. Rhea felt a small sense of relief as they settled into the couch, knowing that moments like these with her family were what truly mattered, even amidst the chaos. As the opening scene rolled, she couldn’t help but smile, grateful for the laughter and togetherness, if only for a little while.

—

Friday. 7:17 AM. December 20th, 2024.

Rhea turned in the bed, feeling the familiar warmth of Jey beside her. She opened her eyes slightly, just enough to see him easing the comforter aside as he climbed in. Jey wrapped his arms around her, a comforting presence that made her feel safe. “I just dropped off the boys at the airport,” he murmured softly.

Rhea smiled sleepily, snuggling deeper into his embrace. “That’s good,” she replied, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. The red numbers glowed 7:17 AM, and she attempted to drift back to sleep. Jey held her close, matching her rhythm as he began to relax, but their peaceful moment was soon interrupted by a loud knock at the door.

“Did you lock the doors?” Rhea asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

“Hold on,” Jey replied, reluctantly letting go of her as he reached for his phone. He unlocked the phone and checked the ring app, his brow furrowing as he saw the mailman standing outside.

“What does he need?” Jey muttered, tapping the app to speak to the man through the door. The mailman explained that he required a signature to release a certified letter.

“Alright, I’ll be right there,” Jey said, getting out of bed and quickly making his way to the front door. He unlocked it and signed for the letter, taking a moment to glance at the mailman before closing the door again.

As he tore open the envelope, his heart raced a little. Inside were the contracts he and Rhea had been waiting for: his renewal for five more years with a significant salary increase and hers for her new executive writer position.

“Perfect timing,” Jey murmured to himself, a smile creeping onto his face. He locked the door back and placed the papers on the couch before heading back to the bedroom.

Once inside, he quickly drew the blackout curtains to shield them from the early morning light and climbed back into bed, pulling Rhea close again. “Guess what just came?” he said, a hint of excitement in his voice.

“What?” Rhea mumbled, burying her face into his chest, still fighting the urge to sleep.

“Our contracts,” Jey replied, wrapping his arms around her tightly. “We’re officially set for the next five years.”

Rhea’s eyes fluttered open, curiosity piqued. “Really? That’s amazing!”

“Yeah, and yours is for the executive position,” Jey said, grinning. “We’re on a roll, babe.”

“Now that’s worth celebrating,” she said, finally fully awake, a playful smile spreading across her face. Rhea shifted to look into his eyes, feeling a renewed sense of hope for their future together. “But first, sleep now..”

“Absolutely,” Jey replied, chuckling softly as he pretended to be nestled into her, the weight of their new contracts feeling light compared to the love they shared, and the intimacy building in him since they were both kind of up. “Or we could do something else…” Jey said as he kissed her neck. Rhea looked over at her fiancé and said, “You have to eat your breakfast before anything..” She grinned sheepishly.

“Yes mam…” He said while going underneath the comforter. Rhea propped herself up a bit as she felt his hands spread her legs and push her underwear to the side and let Jey’s tongue do his magic.

—

Rhea turned on the shower, rinsing off the remnants of the morning’s intimacy. As the water cascaded over her, she glanced down at her stomach, imagining it growing over the months to come. She placed a gentle hand over her abdomen, a faint smile tugging at her lips as the possibilities danced in her mind.

After drying off, she dressed in a comfortable outfit, ran a towel through her hair, and stepped out of the bathroom. The scene that greeted her made her chuckle — Jey was sitting on the floor, playing with Bella, their sweet pup, who was enthusiastically licking his face.

Jey looked up, catching her gaze with a smile. “What do you want to do today?” he asked, still playing with Bella, her tail wagging in excitement.

Rhea shrugged as she walked over, leaning against the doorway. “That depends. What kind of day are we planning?”

Jey thought for a moment, petting Bella’s head. “I think we should be productive. We’ve got a lot to figure out with the move and everything.”

Rhea raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Like what exactly?”

Jey gave her a grin and gestured for her to grab her phone. “Alright, let’s make a list of everything we need to do.”

She pulled out her phone, opening the notes app, and looked up, ready. “Okay, go.”

Jey held up a finger, organizing his thoughts. “First, we have to call Brenda Vernado, the Housing Assistance representative, to see what we need to submit to get started on the house paperwork.”

Rhea nodded, typing as he spoke. “Got it.”

Jey continued, his tone serious. “Then we need to look up doctors in Stamford for our appointments. You need a neurologist and an OB. I need a physical therapist.”

She added it to the list, feeling the weight of the tasks but also a strange sense of excitement. “Check. Next?”

Jey glanced around the room, considering. “Depending on what Brenda says, we’ll need to start packing, even if we’re waiting on approval. And we should look for state-to-state movers for the cars and furniture.”

Rhea typed that in as well. “Check, check. Anything else?”

Jey’s expression turned a bit more serious. “You also need to figure out when you want to announce your retirement. You have either this Monday or next Monday in Houston.”

Rhea’s fingers hovered over the phone screen for a moment. She nodded slowly, adding it to the list. “I’ll think about it.”

Jey reached out, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “And then we need to call the rental agency here to cancel the lease.”

Rhea finished typing, then looked up at him with a small smile. “Okay. That’s everything for now, I think.”

Jey nodded, satisfied. “Once we’ve got the house stuff situated, we can handle the rest more easily.”

She returned his smile, opening her email to search for Brenda Vernado’s contact info. As she scrolled through her messages, she felt a sense of determination settling within her. This was a big step, but they were doing it together.

“Found it,” she announced, showing him the email with Brenda’s contact details. “I’ll call her first and get things moving.”

Jey leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “We got this, babe. One step at a time.”

Rhea took a deep breath, her fingers tapping nervously against her phone as she dialed the WWE Housing Assistance representative, Brenda Vernado. She knew they had already chosen a house in Stamford, which typically sped up the process. Jey sat beside her, offering his support with a reassuring squeeze on her knee.

The phone rang for a moment before Brenda’s warm voice greeted her. “Hello, this is Brenda Vernado with WWE Housing Assistance. How may I assist you today?”

“Hi, Brenda. This is Demi Bennett,” Rhea began, her voice steadying. “I recently selected a house in North Stamford, and I wanted to discuss the next steps for the housing assistance process.”

“Hi, Demi! It’s great to hear from you. I have your case on file. Since you’ve already picked a property, that definitely makes things smoother. Let’s go over what you’ll need to finalize your move.”

“Absolutely. I want to ensure we have everything covered,” Rhea said, feeling a sense of urgency. “Are there any specific documents or requirements you need from us?”

“First, we’ll need proof of your income over the past six months, along with any employment verification documents,” Brenda explained. “Additionally, if you have any assistance programs or financial support, we’ll need that documentation as well.”

“Got it. I’ll gather those right away,” Rhea replied, taking notes. “Also, we’re hoping to find medical professionals in Stamford. I have ongoing medical concerns, and Jey needs a physical therapist. It’s important for us to continue our care as soon as we get settled.”

“Of course,” Brenda said, her tone reassuring. “I can compile a list of local doctors, specialists, and physical therapists in the area to send to you. I’ll make sure you have that information along with the other documents.”

Rhea felt a wave of relief. “Thank you, Brenda. That would be incredibly helpful.”

“There’s one more thing I wanted to mention,” Brenda added. “As an executive with WWE now, you’ll have additional benefits to assist with your move. We provide a relocation package that covers moving expenses, including professional movers and transportation for your vehicles. We want to make this transition as smooth as possible for you.”

Rhea’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? That’s amazing! I had no idea.”

“Yes, and it includes a stipend for temporary housing if you need it while settling into your new home,” Brenda explained. “Just make sure to keep any receipts for moving expenses, and we’ll reimburse you accordingly.”

“Thank you so much, Brenda,” Rhea said, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. “This means a lot, especially during such a big change for us.”

“Not a problem, Demi. I’ll get everything compiled and sent to you within thin the hour. Just remember to send over your documents as soon as you can, and I’ll prioritize your case.”

After confirming a few more details, Rhea hung up the phone, a smile spreading across her face. “We’re really doing this, Jey. They’re going to help us with everything!”

Jey’s grin mirrored her excitement as he pulled her into a tight embrace. “See? I told you it would all come together. We’re one step closer to starting our new life in Stamford.”

—

Jey and Rhea sat comfortably on the couch, a steaming container of Chinese food nestled between them as they watched Titanic. The movie flickered on the screen, but their attention was mostly on each other, sharing playful banter and stealing bites from one another’s plates.

“This part always gets me,” Rhea said, trying to stifle a laugh as Jack and Rose stood on the bow of the ship, arms outstretched. “I can’t believe people still think they could fit on that door!”

Jey chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m telling you, if I were Jack, I’d have pulled her up, and they’d both be alive and making beautiful babies somewhere.”

Rhea nudged him playfully, her heart swelling with affection. They had crossed off every item on their to-do list, and Brenda had even given them a timeline for their move. “Can you believe we have an expected move-in date of January 27th? It feels so surreal!”

Jey took a bite of his food, glancing around their cozy living room, which was adorned with Grinch-themed Christmas decor—fluffy green garlands, twinkling lights, and a stuffed Grinch lounging on the mantelpiece. “Yeah, and we’ve got a whole month to get everything ready. I’m really proud of how smoothly everything’s gone so far,” he said, smiling.

Rhea nodded, her expression softening. “You did great with the lease cancellation, by the way. I thought they’d hit us hard with fees since we broke the contract early.”

“Honestly, they were surprisingly reasonable. I think they saw the value in keeping me as a tenant, especially since I brought in more business for them,” Jey replied, pride lacing his tone. “Once I explained our situation and when we’d be moving, they didn’t charge us nearly as much as they normally would have.”

“I’m glad we’re getting to save a bit of money, too,” Rhea said, her voice thoughtful. “It’ll help with the moving expenses. I still can’t believe we’re going to be homeowners soon.”

“Yeah, and once we’re settled, we’ll have a place that’s truly ours. No more leases or worrying about rules,” Jey added, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “We can decorate however we want, have family over, and—”

“Host epic movie nights!” Rhea interjected, grinning. “Just imagine, we could even have a projector outside for movie nights in the summer!”

“That’s a plan,” Jey said, laughing.

They both fell into a comfortable silence, the warmth of their food and each other’s presence wrapping around them like a blanket. Rhea leaned her head against Jey’s shoulder, and he draped an arm around her, pulling her closer.

As the movie played on, Rhea felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. “You know, I really couldn’t have done any of this without you. You’ve been my rock through everything,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

Jey looked down at her, his gaze softening. “We’re in this together, Rhea. Always have been, always will be. I’m just glad things are falling into place for us.”

Rhea smiled up at him, her heart full. “Me too, Jey. I can’t wait to start this new chapter.”

The iconic movie scene continued to unfold on the screen, Jey and Rhea were lost in their own world, dreaming of the future they would build together.

—

The attorney leaned back in his chair, a confident smirk spreading across his face as he reviewed the case file for The State of Florida vs. Matthew Addams. The courtroom buzzed outside his office, but he was lost in his thoughts, focused solely on the notes before him. He had seen cases like this before—cases fueled by emotion, driven by impulsive actions that could be portrayed as a temporary lapse in judgment.

As he flipped through the pages, the details began to crystallize. Matt’s actions, while undeniably violent, stemmed from a moment of passion—jealousy, betrayal, and raw emotions swirling together like a perfect storm. The attorney could already envision how he would frame the narrative to the jury.

“Passion-driven, not premeditated,” he murmured to himself, tapping a pen against the desk. “This wasn’t murder; it was a crime of passion. A momentary blunder.” He knew how to leverage that angle, how to make the jury empathize with Matt instead of condemning him.

He noted the evidence against Matt: the 911 call, the witness statements, and the physical evidence. But there was also the mitigating factor—the testimony from Matt’s friends who could speak to his character, his previous peaceful demeanor, and how the incident was a deviation from the norm.

“Get the right witnesses, paint the picture, and it’s a done deal,” he thought, his mind racing with possibilities. “We’ll focus on how his state of mind was compromised—how he was pushed to a breaking point.”

The attorney grabbed a notepad and began jotting down his strategy: contact character witnesses, gather evidence of Matt’s mental state before the incident, and explore any potential defenses based on provocation. He could see it now—how he would stand in front of the jury, appealing to their sense of justice, their ability to understand human emotion.

“Not guilty by reason of temporary insanity,” he whispered, satisfaction coursing through him. “This is a case I can win.”

He leaned back in his chair, envisioning the courtroom drama. The murmurs of the courtroom, the expectant faces of the jury, the impact of his arguments. With each passing moment, his confidence grew. This was more than just a case; it was an opportunity to showcase his skills and turn a desperate situation into a triumph.

With renewed determination, he began drafting a list of witnesses he needed to contact. If he played his cards right, he could transform Matt’s dire situation into a compelling story of redemption. As he scribbled down names, he felt the thrill of the challenge ahead, ready to fight for his client’s future with everything he had.

[chaos-chloe]

The Kindhearted King's- Droid x Reader, Clooless x reader

Summary: ___ just had surgery, and The gang turned their cooking stream into making dinner for her.

TW: fluffy, Established relationship, platonic friendships

“Hi, chat!” Droid greeted the camera as he went live on Twitch. “So as yall know we are going to be doing a cooking stream and instead of doing something sweet, we are actually going to make dinner. Now why the change you might ask?”

“The change of plans happened since my lovely girlfriend, as yall know _, had to have emergency surgery on her knee.” Droid gives the information out as he was pacing on the camera

“So, let’s make this dinner extra special for____,” Droid added, peeking into the living room where was sound asleep with Sly, recovering from her surgery. “She deserves the best chat, like come on, look at me.”

Grizzy, with his chef’s hat perched precariously on his head walks into frame, boomed, “Alright, team! What are we going to whip up? I vote for a feast worthy of a queen!”

“Let’s make _’s favorite! Fettuccine Alfredo with garlic bread,” Droid announced, flipping through a digital cookbook app. The chat exploded with excitement.

As they gathered ingredients, Pezzy took charge of boiling the pasta. With a flourish, he tossed the noodles into the pot, making an exquisite splash that soaked his apron. “It’s a part of the cooking process!” he proclaimed, as viewers laughed along.

Meanwhile, Grizzy was in charge of making the sauce. “Butter and cream—a classic combo!” he sang, mixing in zest and a touch too much salt when he wasn't looking. Puffer, working beside him, tried to keep the peace. “Easy on the salt, Grizzy! We don’t want _ waking up thinking she just bit into the ocean!”

Across the countertop, Droid managed the garlic bread. He topped the slices with butter and herbs, all while playfully pretending to be a food critic for the stream. He raised an imaginary glass, saying, “I declare this garlic bread ready for the finest of palates!”

As the aroma of buttery, garlicky goodness filled the kitchen, Grizzy stirred the sauce with enthusiasm, and viewers began to leave comments about how amazing everything looked. Their streaming chat was alive with advice, encouragement, and playful banter.

“Maybe we should add a surprise ingredient?” Pezzy suggested, mischievously. “What if we make it fancier and add a little mushroom?”

“Or some peas?” Puffer added. Grizzy feigned horror, “No green—this is a classic!”

Just then, a soft snore echoed from the living room, causing everyone to stop and look over. “Shhh the baby is still sleeping!” Droid whispered, trying to keep the atmosphere calm. “Let’s finish up before she wakes up craving the food we’re cooking.”

Finally, after much laughter, splashes of sauce, and a tiny kitchen fiasco involving an overturned bowl of cheese, the feast was complete. They plated the fettuccine Alfredo alongside the golden garlic bread, and it looked like something out of a five-star restaurant.

“Let’s bring it to her together!” Droid said, excitement bubbling over. They carefully tiptoed towards the living room where _ lay sound asleep, surrounded by her cozy blankets.

As they approached, Sly was tucked into ___’s blanket then, _ stirred slightly but remained blissfully unaware of the deliciousness unfolding before her. Droid gently placed the steaming plates on the table nearby. “! Dinner is served!” he said softly.

With the four friends gathered around her, the aroma wafted through the air and finally stirred _ awake. Her eyes fluttered open, and she took in the sight of her friends, laughter in their eyes and kindness in their hearts. “What’s this?” she asked, her voice still sleepy.

“Your favorite!” Puffer declared with pride. “Made with love and hate.”

The joy on _'s face melted their hearts. They laughed and shared stories of their cooking escapades and streamed the moments that followed—her delight at the pasta, the playful teasing between friends, and even a few bloopers they had captured along the way.

As the evening wore on, the chat flooded with heart emojis and encouragement, each viewer feeling a part of the unlikely family gathering taking place. _, feeling cared for and cherished, recognized just how lucky she was to have friends like these and a loving partner by her side.

As the stream wrapped up, viewers couldn’t help but feel like they were part of something truly special—a celebration of friendship, kindness, and delicious food. They knew they'd be back for more adventures with The Clooless Gang, and that this was just the beginning of many more culinary capers to come.

[thus-spoke-lo]

Worth the Wait || Sanji Vinsmoke x f!reader || NSFW [minors DNI]

CW: bratty afab!reader (no pronouns used for reader); soft dom/sub undertones; teasing; light spanking; begging; vaginal intercourse WC: 2.7k AO3 Link

A cook’s job was never done—certainly not aboard the Sunny, and definitely not after a dinner as lavish as the one that had been served this evening, where Sanji managed outdo himself yet again, to the surprise of absolutely no one. He let out an extended sigh as he examined the mess in the kitchen before rolling up his shirtsleeves, ready to dive into returning his kitchen to its normal splendor. He kept his head down, diligently scrubbing each plate to a sparkling sheen, struggling to pretend not to notice that you were still lingering in the dining room. He glanced up every now and again to watch you dragging your feet across the floor, arms crossed tightly over your chest, loudly huffing and puffing to attract his attention. Everything in him told him to set the pots and pans aside—they could surely wait a little while longer—and fall to his knees to give you all the attention you so clearly needed, to take you right there on the hardwood floors, worshipping every inch of you like you so rightfully deserved.

There was something awfully charming though, Sanji thought, at the sight of you restlessly trying to catch his eye, not wanting to say out loud all the filthy things you wanted him to do you, hoping that your displays of impatience would be enough to lure him away from his duties. He hated to admit that it was working, and he cleared his throat as he set a clean dish to the side, realizing he was gripping it so tightly it might break under his grasp. He felt his cock twitching in his slacks, and took a deep breath to try to calm himself—he couldn’t give into you all of the time, he told himself, lest he spoil you with his affection.

You had clearly had enough waiting around for the moment, however, and Sanji turned to see you sauntering into the kitchen, your skirted hips swinging with every step. Without a word, you hopped up on his sparkling, freshly-cleaned counter, swinging your bare legs and batting your lashes at him, your expression begging him to set down the dishrags for if only for a moment. He felt his eye twitch as you settled yourself on the just-scrubbed surface, but he quickly softened at the sight of you and how your pretty skirt laid so softly on your plush thighs.

“My love, I’m almost done,” he said as he made his way over to you. “Just a little longer, okay?”

“But I miss you, Sanji,” you pouted, tilting your head.

He set his hands on your knees and pushed them apart so he could slot himself between them. “Well I’m right here, sweet thing, no need to miss me.”

“No, I mean I miss you, miss you.”

He smirked and took ahold of your wrist, guiding your hand down to the bulge in the front of his trousers. “You miss me or you miss this?”

You beamed at him sweetly as you pressed your palm into him, feeling him pulse under your touch. “Can’t it be both?”

Sanji exhaled sharply, feeling all the air push out of his lungs as you gently massaged him. “I’m all yours in just a little while, my sweet, just let me finish cleaning up first.”

You looked at him with a soul-crushing sadness in your eyes, one that made his heart ache but his cock ache more, as you slowly dragged your hand away from his clothed cock. “But Sanji, I’ve been so lonely all day.”

“I know I’ve been neglecting you, my pet,” he cooed, lovingly stroking your cheek with his thumb, “but I’ll be done soon, I promise. Just wait a little longer.”

You wrapped your legs around his waist and pulled him into you, your fingers gripping his tie to hold him in place. “Are you sure I can’t convince you?”

Sanji almost choked on his tongue when he felt the warm heat of your cunt pressing against his midsection. “M-my love, what are you doing?”

You leaned up and kissed along his jaw, nipping at his neck. “Just trying to change your mind, handsome.”

“Mmm, you really are impatient aren’t you, my little minx?” he groaned, the softness of your lips sending jolts of pleasure down his spine. You were becoming a pleasant distraction from the clutter in the kitchen, and it took every ounce of composure he possessed not to bend you over the counter and fuck you amongst the dirty dishes.

“Just a bit,” you whispered, your warm breath like heaven against his skin. “Can’t the dishes wait just a little longer, love? Don’t you want to make me feel good?”

“Oh my darling,” he groaned as he wrapped one lithe arm around your waist, his hand snaking its way up the back of your shirt. “You know that’s all I want in life is to fuck you into a state of exquisite ecstasy whenever you wish. But—”

“But? But what?” you interrupted.

“But,” he continued, his voice low and heavy with lust, “the more you whine, the longer I’ll just have to make you wait.”

You leaned back, gasping in mock surprise. “Sanji. Are you telling me you can resist me?”

He sighed, smiling softly as he raised an eyebrow at you. “I do spoil you, don’t I, my sweet? Giving you this cock whenever you want?”

“You certainly do,” you purred, running your finger up the length of his arm.

He paused and chewed on his lower lip for a moment. “Well, perhaps it’s time I taught you some patience then.”

“What do you mean?”

He wrenched himself out of your wicked grasp, and leaned against the counter behind him, crossing his arms. “Get up. Go stand at the end of the table over there.”

“But—”

“No ‘buts,’ go hike up your skirt and bend over the table, and wait there for me like a good pet.”

You stared at him, mouth agape, eyebrows raised high. Sanji was as shocked as you at the words that came out of his mouth; he couldn’t remember a time where he’d so much as denied you a kiss, let alone kept you from pleasuring yourself on his cock, but something stirred in him as he ordered you out of the kitchen. If giving into your every whim and desire was fun, surely making you wait until you were desperate and needy and insatiable for him would make things even more exciting. His heart thrummed in his chest as he watched you traipse leisurely out of the kitchen, slowly pulling up your skirt inch by torturous inch as you moved, exposing more and more of your luscious ass as you walked. You arrived at the end of the dining table closest to the kitchen, and exaggeratedly leaned forward, placing your palms flat on the surface.

“Like this?” you inquired, your voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Watch your tone, darling,” Sanji growled, “or there’ll be consequences.”

You grinned mischievously. “Sounds like fun.”

“Maybe for me.” He smirked, walking back over to the sink. “I want to see those legs spread, too.”

Your shoes squeaked against the wood floor as you shuffled your legs apart. “Better?”

“That’s much better.” He picked up a plate and his dishrag, and tried to return his attention to cleaning, despite the raging erection that strained the fabric of his pants. “Now, you be good and wait there for me.”

He steeled himself as he resumed his duties, telling himself over and over again he was doing what was best for you, his voracious little vixen. You could both stand to learn the lesson of delayed gratification, and he reminded himself that the longer he made you stand there, the longer he made you pose for him in agonized silence with your pussy on display, ready and waiting, the more and more ravenous your hunger would be when he was finally ready to give you exactly what you desired.

“Sanji…”

“Hm? What’s that?” He slowed his dish-drying to a near-halt as he glanced up at you, his poor, pathetic darling. “Did you want something?”

“You know what I want,” you murmured, winding your hips as you spoke.

He quickly lowered his gaze back to the counter. “Then do as you’re told and you’ll have it.”

“But—can’t you hurry up?”

“The more you whine,” he said firmly, “the slower I’ll go.”

“Fine,” you grumbled, extending the word out into multiple syllables to show your frustration.

He chuckled to himself as he listened to you grouse and whimper some more before you finally quieted yourself, finally seeming to accept that no matter how much you stamped your feet and demanded his affection, you simply weren’t going to receive it until Sanji had decided it was time. He refused to look at you, knowing he would leap over the counter at the sight of you suffering and rush to provide you whatever it was you wanted and needed to relieve yourself of the ache you so clearly felt in your core. He was reaching the bottom of his well of patience, his need for you becoming ever more maddening, a roiling fire burning deep within him that only you could quench.

Sanji finally allowed himself a peek at you while he finished the last of the dishes, setting them aside to dry. You were near-silent, your breathing steady, as you held yourself in position and looked down at the table. He felt himself swell at the sight of you, so compliant and so docile for him; he reached down and palmed himself through his trousers at the spectacle of your submission, wondering just how far he could push you, just what you’d be willing to do for him in the pursuit of pleasure. Tonight, however, was not the night for exploring boundaries, as he was nearly feverish with his desire for you and wanted nothing more than to finally give you what you’d both been longing for.

“You did so well, love,” he cooed as he walked towards you. “So patient for me.”

You laughed quietly, your gaze still on the table. “Did I have much of a choice?”

He sidled up behind you, laying one warm hand on your ass cheek, your skin cool to the touch. “You are being such a brat tonight, my sweet. Something gotten into you?”

“No,” you murmured as you swayed your hips back and forth. “Just need you so much, Sanji. It’s not fair you made me wait.”

“Oh? It’s not fair, huh?” He bit his lip, gazing down at the perfection that was your lush backside. “I’ll show you what’s fair.”

Sanji steadied himself, running his hand over the tantalizing curve of your ass, before winding up and landing a sharp swat on your left cheek, feeling your skin ripple under his palm.

You kicked your leg up at the sting, almost grazing him. “Sanji, that hurt!”

“What? You gonna whine about it?” he challenged, sinking his fingers into the meat of your hips, so hard he could almost see the bruises blooming.

You whipped your head around to look at him, and his heart nearly thumped out of his ribcage at the sight of your lust-blown eyes: you were enjoying every moment of this. “What if I do?”

“Oh yeah?” He landed another sharp swat on your right cheek, then alternated one more on each, feeling himself throbbing with every smack, nearly drooling at how your body quaked under his firm hand. “Had enough?”

You pushed yourself back against him, started to grind desperately against his clothed erection. “Sanji, please, I can’t take this anymore, won’t you please fuck me?”

He leaned over you, his chest pressed against you, pinning you down to the table. “I want you to beg for it.”

“Please Sanji, won’t you fuck me?” You started to quake under him, your chest heaving as tears started to well in your eyes. “I was so good and I waited and I waited just like you told me, and now I want you to fuck me.”

“Again,” he rumbled into your ear, letting more of his mass settle on you, until you were completely flat against the table. “Like you mean it.”

“Please, Sanji, I need your cock in me so bad,” you keened through staccato breaths, body writhing rhythmically under his weight. “Just please, please take me, I can’t stand it anymore. I need you so fucking much, don’t make me wait anymore.”

He kissed the nape of your neck, ran his fingers softly over your hip and up your side. “Well since you asked so nicely, how could I say no?”

He stood up and hastily undressed, finally freeing his aching cock from the confines of his slacks. He palmed his length with one hand, watching the head swell, as he dragged two fingers up the length of your slit. A depraved moan escaped him as he felt the copious slick drenching his fingertips; he was almost taken aback but just how well you had responded to him, how absolutely soaked you were from his perverse punishment.

“My darling,” he whispered hoarsely, “if I’m not mistaken, I’d say you enjoyed being made to wait for me, hm?”

No words formed, only a fervent nod of your head and a soft whimper, as you slowly moved your hips from side to side, tempting him, practically calling him home to the heaven between your legs. He ran the pulsing head of his cock along your folds, coating himself in your wetness, before eagerly plunging into you, pushing himself inside as far as he could, groaning obscenely at the feeling of the sweet warmth surrounding him. Sanji was a man who loved to take his time with you, to make love to you and bathe you in pleasure, drown you in tenderness until you were a beautiful mess spread open on his mattress—but this was not the time for softness. He gripped your hips and pulled you against him, making sure you could feel every pulse and throb of his length, before sinking himself into you again and again with a wild intensity.

“Is this what you wanted, my sweet?” he growled, nearly delirious from the sensation of your walls fluttering around him with every impassioned thrust.

“So good,” you murmured repeatedly, barely audible over the lewd sounds of Sanji’s cock driving into your wet cunt over and over. You rocked yourself against him, your sweet whimpers slowly becoming loud, wanton moans, as he felt your body start to tense under his grasp, your muscles tightening and legs quaking. “Fuck, you’re gonna make me cum.”

“Fuck yes, cum for me sweetheart,” he groaned, the thought of you taking your pleasure from him making him throb powerfully. He felt a strong clench around his length as you let out a euphoric sob, and you came in profound, pulsating spasms, your body twisting and bucking under him as you wailed. The hypnotic pulsing of your cunt around him was pulling him closer and closer to reaching his own pleasure. His hips snapped against you, his pace becoming more and more erratic and frenzied, unable to control how much he wanted—no needed—to cum in you after how long he’d waited, how long he’d stood there in the kitchen, his cock aching and an all-consuming fire burning away in his core, as he watched you become so magnificently needy for him. He dug his fingers into your soft flesh and panted, ecstasy in every breath, and let out a deep groan as sparks of pleasure rocketed through his body. With a great shudder, he poured himself into you, filing you entirely, pushing himself deeper into you until he felt it dripping out of your quivering cunt, coating both of you in a sticky mess of your mingled juices.

He collapsed on top of you, nuzzling against your neck as he tried to pull in lungfuls of air. “You alright, my love? Was I too rough with you?”

“Mm, no,” you uttered through labored breaths. “That was fun, I liked it.”

He grinned into the soft skin of your shoulder, feeling his softened cock twitch to life again at the possibilities. “Would you say it was worth the wait?”

“Always,” you sighed.

[sanjisboyfie]

I don’t see much Connie springer x male reader sooo that’s why I’m here😚. So I was thinking something like Connie coming home from work and it’s just male reader in the kitchen making dinner for them. And Connie sneaks up on reader and wraps his arms around his waist and laughs into his neck as they greet each other after a long tiring day. And it ends with them sitting down and having dinner with each other, smiles and all. Honestly just fluff, I want my bookie to be happy.

LJ:LKJLKJAIDJOIJAD i love connie springer guys hes just a silly guy please send him more love

connie springer x male reader !

-> can be read as modern!au or in the canon universe

rating: fluffy <3 hes just baby guys

by some miraculous chance, you don’t hear the front door of your humble home open. perhaps its purposeful of connie to open and close it so gently. he had come home later than usual, so he was anticipating that you would be getting ready for bed — which is why he was being so soft with his actions. but when the smell of a home cooked meal greets his senses, he sighs in delight and grins to himself. he now knows you’re in the kitchen. he quietly takes off his shoes, jacket, and hat from his head, running his hand over his buzzed hair and walking to the kitchen.

his body moves quietly from the front door to the kitchen before he’s placed himself right behind you. you don’t notice him, too immersed in cooking, and it takes him sneaking his arms around your waist and pulling you backward to even notice.

a weak yell escapes your mouth, immediately turning around to slap his chest and shoulders for scaring you so bad. you weren’t alarmed, familiar with the hands and arms around your torso, but you were pissed at him for being so mischievous.

“connie! i could’ve gotten burnt! i was right in front of the soup!” you scold, slapping his chest a couple of times. he only smiles softly, moving his arms to rest loosely on your shoulder.

“i know, babe, but i did purposely wait till your hands were not stirring the pot — so i was aware and considerate!” he defends himself, leaning down to kiss away your frown. his action successfully distracts you because you still did miss your man after a long day of waiting for him at home.

he smiles into the kiss, moving one of his hands to rest on your jaw, keeping you steady and close to him. the other falls to your hands, squeezing it and holding it as he kisses you with passion. it was normal and familiar - to be so drowned in his overwhelming amounts of love and affection. he forces himself off of you, pecking your lips one last time before stepping away, “what’d you make?”

“your favorite soup and i have the bread already heated up. it’s a simple dinner, my love, but i made do with what we had,” you say, sounding apologetic, but he immediately washes your worries away by pinching your cheek gently.

“we can go down to the market tomorrow, early morning, maybe miss janet will give us a discount for being her first customers,” he winks, “besides, you know i love anything you make, no matter how simple you think it is,”

“thank you, baby,” you smile and he beams a blinding one right back at you.

after a couple of minutes of talking about his day at work, the soup was finished and you two were serving each other. you had exchanged your plates with one another and walked to the living room, collapsing onto the couch. connie sighed, feeling relief to finally be off of his feet and immediately patted the cushion beside him. you took it in a second’s notice, smiling to yourself to feel his arm wrap around your shoulder.

“thank you for the food, baby,” he says, before immediately diving into his thick sandwich. you had assembled it, knowing of his love for meat and packed on as much protein you could. and to hear and see his satisfaction after the first bite, you smiled to yourself in accomplishment.

after finishing the quick meal, connie immediately collapsed into your body, his empty plate and bowl placed on the table.

"c'mere," he groans, wrapping his arms around you and diving his head into your neck. the weight of his body on yours makes you collapse into the soft cushioned sofa beneath you. his warm breath is cascading down onto your exposed neck. "ugh, i missed you today,"

"you say that everyday,"

"and i'll say it again tomorrow and the day after and the day after and the day after-"

"okay, i get it, connie," you laugh, slapping his shoulder to signal him to move his entire body off of you, but he shakes his head into your neck.

"don't wanna move, don't make me," he says, whiny tone obvious and audible.

"alright, you big baby, stay there and suffocate me," you say with a rolling of your eye that he doesn't even see.

instead, he just hums happily and continues trying to bury his head deeper into the crevice of your neck and shoulder - as if he's trying to melt his body with yours.

the prickly sensation of his buzzed hair against your skin is not unpleasant or pleasant, it's just something you've grown to have a fond familiarity with. and to feel his breathing slow down, to show he was slowly turning sleepy, it made your smile stretch even wider.

"we gotta get to bed connie, you still have to take a shower and stuff," you tap his back to show he has to get up, but he only groans and falls even more limp into your hold.

"five mins," he says softly, kissing you on your neck several times, as if to goade you into agreeing.

and it does work. because now you're running your hand up and down his back while the other ghosts over his spiky hair, a content look on your face. and you can't see it, due to his face being hidden in your neck, but he's also sharing a similiar look of relaxation and happiness.

[sopiloveshobi]

Back theory

Inspired by insanely buff Joon pictures that dropped today. Also I needed to make sure my friend can imagine what is like to feel a heavy, buff Joon on her 🤭 Love you Sam!

!Warnings: +18

Your phone buzzed in your pocket. You took it out and saw a text message from the man you have been missing so much lately.

KNJ 8:45pm I can’t wait to get out of here. Another day where I felt useless as fuck. Honestly get me out of here already.

You chuckled reading the message. You received a message like that twice a week at least. He would moan about feeling useless and wanting to get out of his military service often. There were days when he felt proud to serve and when he achieved something, you would know about it the same evening. His free time was limited and so was his time off. Because of that last time you have seen him was few months ago and when you did it was only for a short amount of time. You had a coffee and a short walk around the park and then a meal together. There wasn’t enough of alone time. One on one time. Any sexy time. You have seen he has changed. Physically and mentally. Mentally he has been softer, there has been much more yearning going on, he was needy and he would occasionally send you a text or a picture with him admitting how much he misses you. Physically he has gotten bigger, bigger in general. At first you thought it was because he wasn’t dealing well with the fact that he was locked up there for a year and a half. He would just eat more than usual and skipped workouts. But you couldn’t have been more wrong, because he spent so much time exercising that all the weight he gained was already turned into muscle. At least that’s what you saw on the very last picture you found of him online. You weren’t doing it often but you knew you could find some of the more recent pictures of him floating around the web, because the fans just like you were yearning to Kim Namjoon. They were curious how was he doing and if he has changed at all.

KNJ 8:55pm I swear the day that I am out of here will be happiest day of my life. Second happiest. The first one was when you agreed to date me.

Another messaged popped on your phone. You smiled again. You were still thinking how to comfort him through the screen of a phone. What could you possibly say to him to make him feel better, less lonely, less like he should escape that place.

‘I miss you so much, when can I see you next?’ you responded to his text and locked your phone. You were in the middle of cooking yourself very late dinner. You were so busy all day and stayed at work longer than usually and completely forgot to eat. Your phone chimed again.

KNJ 9:01pm Soon angel, soon.

You didn’t know what kind of soon he had in mind. You didn’t want to know either. The days would only go by longer and as much as you would love to count them down, it was just easier not to. You have pulled the pasta out of the pot and strained it in the sink. The sauce was also ready and you poured it all over the pasta, grabbed glass of wine that has been your cooking companion since you got home. Tomorrow was Saturday and you were really looking forward to your weekly cleaning schedule. Religiously, every Saturday you would go around your entire flat and clean every nook and cranny. It was part of your routine that helped you feel grounded and in control. Because if you didn’t manage to ground yourself this way, you would be upset, ugly crying in your pillow all day missing Joon. It was difficult. It was worse than you thought it would be. When he announced that he will have to enlist, your heart broke into millions of pieces. You were unsure whether he would even continue your relationship in this scenario. Being away from him wasn’t unusual, but it felt more restraining. You knew you wouldn’t be able to be surprised by him coming from tour one day early, or fly you over to a random concert so you could watch from backstage and spend few hours together. But this felt different. It felt like he was further away than when he was on the other side of the world. You felt empty without him, because he was your home. You didn’t live together and there weren’t any recent mentions of this to change, yet still he was your comfort. Your home. And you were his. He very rarely would open up in front of you, but when he did, he made you realised how much he appreciated you, how much he loved you and how much of a safe zone you were for him.

You finished your pasta and your wine and were considering having another glass. But you decided against it, got up from your table and cleaned up after your dinner. Your phone buzzed again and you were hoping it was Joon but it was just a junk mail, about free vouchers you can claim. Since you already had your phone out you decided to snoop about the internet again and see if there was any newer pictures of your own boyfriend. How low have you stooped and how much have you been missing him to resort to looking him up. But you couldn’t find anything new. It was getting even later in the night and after a really long and tiring weekend you decided to get in bed and unplug. You have gotten ready for bed, brushed your teeth and completed your extended skin care routine, which you have always done on the weekends. You looked at the time and it was past 10 in the evening already. You turned all the lights in the apartment and got into your really cosy bed. You thought you might have trouble sleeping, but the second your head hit the pillow you felt like you’re floating and sailing away. Before you did actually fall asleep you sent a text to Namjoon: ‘Goodnight my love’. But you didn’t wait for an answer. You knew the answer might never come, at least not this evening. You put your phone away and closed your eyes. It was time for a sweet rest you felt like you deserved after the entire week of hustling.

The door lock clicked and a pair of heavy boots walked into the flat. The thumbing didn’t last very long and it got changed for a very quiet sliding noise. Quiet steps making their way to your bedroom. And you had no idea, sound asleep. Occasionally snoring and turning around. He walked into your bedroom and stood by the door. The moonlight poking through your unevenly closed curtains, straight at the bed, lighting your sleepy face. He would of sworn he could have looked at you like that for hours. But there was no time to waste. He slowly made his way around the bed towards the somewhat empty side of the bed. He slowly put his legs on top of the duvet and slowly put all of his weight on that side of the bed. You felt it but you only moved a little and turned around to face away. You were a heavy sleeper and at this very moment Joon wished you weren’t. He slowly got himself lower on the bed and moved towards your back. He put his hand on your side and the other slid behind your head, which you automatically lifted. Like it was natural, like it was a habit of yours. He put his chin as close to your ear as he could and whispered:

‘Angel, I’m home’ and he slowly glided his hand up and down the side of you. You didn’t budge. Nothing. Still sound asleep, sweetly unaware of the surprise waiting for you in your own bed. He repeated himself one more time but still nothing. It made him chuckle, it was so endearing that you were just so fast asleep and he was also amused by his own inability to wake you up. He decided kisses surely will be the way to go. He pressed his soft lips on the nook of your neck, and he kept peppering your cheek and neck with them until you finally started moving. You turned around, feeling another person around you and his smell surrounded you. You thought you were dreaming.

‘Joon?!’ you finally got your vision back after it has been blurry for a few seconds.

‘Yes angel, I told you I will see you soon’ his low raspy voice answered you and soon after you saw his gorgeous smile, his dimples on his face and his eyes turned into half moons.

‘Is this a dream?’ you asked him, not really fully believing your luck.

‘Not a dream, im off until Sunday and I will be staying with you until then if that’s okay’ he admitted and peppered another few kisses on your cheek. It was more than okay. You were in a little bit of a shock but once you managed to process the information you jumped on him. You lifted yourself slightly and crawled on top of him, wrapping both of your arms under his back and placing your head on his chest.

‘I’ve missed you so much’ you finally spoke, hearing his heart beating really fast in his chest. You looked up and locked your eyes with his. He smiled again and leaned his head down to reach your lips. And you reached back to him and his soft lips met yours. It started sweet and soft but it very quickly started turning fast. The both of you were yearning for each other for so long and the day has finally come. Neither of you would even come up for air, you would just take quick breaths in between the rushed kisses. You quickly felt him getting excited, as you were still laying on top of him and you were sure he could felt your excitement as well, through your very thin pj bottoms. You broke the kiss and got from him and from the bed.

‘Where are you..?’ he got really confused and instantly felt abandoned, missing you next to him.

‘I need to see you. I want the light on’ you answered, turning the corner light on. Still moody, not as obnoxious light as the top light would have been. You turned around and saw him laying in your bed, in his uniform. The expression on your face changed from excited to in awe. You couldn’t comprehend that he was there, he came home, he came to see you. He woke you up in the middle of the night to see you. You walked back to the bed and sat right next to him. He pulled himself up and was now half sitting with his back to the headboard, following your every move with his eyes.

‘Here I am’ he chuckled and made a funny ‘ta da’ like pose showing himself to you. And you giggled. He was so cute and so adorable yet so insanely hot.

‘Would you mind taking this jacket off? I need to check a theory’ you said with a cheeky smile on your face and he looked puzzled. A theory? Theory of what?

‘Theory of what exactly?’ he asked slowly unbuttoning his jacket. He took his time with it, knowing exactly what he was doing to you. He knew it would drive you crazy, as much as he played such an innocent soul, he knew all the weapons he was carrying.

‘Back theory’ you answered with a smile, as your pupils grew wider and wider, whilst he was working on unbuttoning his jacket. And he finally did, dog tags fell out dangling around his neck on his black undershirt. You spotted them but then you also noticed how they are dangling in front of his now huge chest. He has definitely changed. He is bigger now. Stronger. And your brain couldn’t handle it. You squeezed your eyes closed and opened them again just to make sure you aren’t actually dreaming. He took the jacket off completely, uncovering his really broad shoulders and incredibly buffed arms.

‘Do you want me to..?’ he asked, knowing you will not be able to say no to him continuing stripping for you. The black ROKA t-shirt that was now very tight around his upper body, slowly started rolling up as he kept pulling at the top of it. And with one fast move he pulled it fast, through his head and it landed on the floor. His dog tags still around his neck, now in front of his naked huge chest.

‘FUCK’ you only managed to squeak out when you saw him dropping the shirt on the floor. He was insane. He looked insane. All those pictures you have seen of him recently didn’t give him his justice. He looked even bigger in person than on those photos. You put your hand over your opened mouth and shook your head.

You sat there, feeling your underwear getting wetter and wetter. You could call it an ocean at this point. He got up from the bed and walked all the way around it to get to you. He helped you stand up on the bed and he was still somehow taller than you, even when you were on top of the bed. You bit your lip staring deeply into his eyes and you saw he wasn’t smiling anymore. You have also spotted a tent in his camo trousers. He grabbed you and pulled you to himself and you felt his strong arms around you now. He slowly glided his hand from your knee through your thigh and slipped his hand into your bottoms. He didn’t have to look for it long and his fingers felt the ocean that was currently drowning your cunt.

‘Fuck. Youre so wet’ he whispered into your ear and pulled your bottoms completely down. You unbuckled his belt and unzipped his trousers, slowly pulling them down. And they fell down, stopping briefly at his perky ass but you helped them make their way down. He stood out of them and was now standing in front of you, only in his underwear with a very visible and feelable boner at your service.

He grabbed you, and you wrapped your legs around his hips. He turned away from the bed and pushed you to the wall. He nearly squeezed you at that wall. And started attacking your neck. Your wetness now coating his still hidden away but hard length. You wrapped your arms around him, and started exploring his back. It was rock hard, you could feel the muscles tensing whilst he was holding you and you enjoyed every second of it. You also moved your hands to his shoulders and arms to feel his soft skin and also all the places he grew. To remember it. To keep it in your closest memories. As he kept kissing your neck, he finally slowly put you down, on the floor this time, still pinning you to the wall. And he took both of your wrists into his hands and held them for a second above your head, kissed you aggressively and let go. He lowered himself on his knees and burrier himself in between your legs. Slowly moved on them onto his shoulder and held onto your other leg, slowly kissing your lower belly and reaching the sweet spot. He nudged your clit with his nose and started peppering the entire area with kisses, eventually stopping and slowly licking your folds. Very gently at first, almost like saying a polite hello to your body, acknowledging that he was gone from it for too long. But then he picked up his pace and started circulating around your clit, eventually adding a finger or two and sliding it inside you. You banged your head on the wall and moaned the second you felt his lips on your lower area. Your leg on his shoulder drove you mad but gave him more access. You put both of your hands on his head and let him explore. And be explored and took his time, like a thirsty adventurer who hasn’t been home in weeks. Like his life depended on it. And when he felt like he was finished and your knees started to shake and he was slowly pushing you into an orgasm he stopped.

He pulled himself out of you, smirked and slowly moved you from the wall to the bed. And he pushed you, delicately but he still pushed you on the bed and you fell on your front. He followed you right away and trapped you under the weight of his body. He laid his body on yours, pulled his hard length out of his underwear and aimed it right at your entrance. Slowly slid inside you, grabbing you into his arms and pushing into himself. He kept sliding until he got to your cervix. Balls deep inside you. But he didn’t move, he freezes there. He lets you adjust to him, and when he does he can hear your whimpers and moans. When he feels you relaxed around him he started moving his his hips and he started thrusting into you. And he didn’t take him time, he picked up his pace at the same time kissing your back, up your spine.

‘Joon…’ you whimpered, feeling his huge bulky body on top of yours, thrusting the life in and out of you.

‘Little bit longer angel’ he grunted into your back. He pulled out of you and entered again, really deep, reaching the deepest ends of you. And be picked up the pace again, now ramming into you. Wet skin sounds slapping fills the room, mixed with his grunts and your moaning. And he finally reaches forward with his arm and putting his fingers on top of your clit. That was when you couldn’t hold it anymore. You closed your eyes and pushed your ass higher up almost trying to escape him and your body got flooded with ecstasy. You kept moaning and whining and he wouldn’t stop. He kept going and then be pulled himself up and grabbed your hips and added another thrust or two before he reached his top and painted you inside. Painted you white and kept going for a few more minutes.

Your heavy breathing filled the room and he pulled out, slowly turned you around and placed you on the bed. He cleaned himself up with his black tshirt that was still on the floor and disappeared in the bathroom. He came back with warm towel and he wiped your legs and tummy with it.

After that he moved you slightly to the side and got into bed right next to you. His strong arm wrapped you around and you folded forward laying your head on his chest again.

‘Your back is ridiculously buffed Joonie’ you whispered slowly petting his chest with your palm.

‘There is nothing better to do in that shithole angel’ he murmured back ‘but i also liked the look of your back tonight angel’ he added and put his hand into yours and planted a soft kiss on your forehead.

‘I’m so happy you are here’ you added, you closed your eyes and wrapped yourself around him, dozed off back to sleep.

[luceracastro]

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐭

Part 6

Esteban Kukurickza x reader

Summary: After a few months of starting your literature course you seem to find it harder with time to ignore your professor, little did you know you were driving him crazy as well.

Warnings: a non appropriate relationship between professor and student, nothing dirty yet but patience my loves!

Masterlist

“Mira lo que te hice” you waltzed into the class with a smile as you held a beaded bracelet with your initials, a friendship type of thing “esta re lindo amor” you slid it on his wrist and he thought it was the cutest thing ever, ever since your little sleepover you both progressively got even closer as he had you over to have dinner, watch movies since you both found out about your similar movie and show interest, to just talk and smoke a cigarette, drink some mate even

It was the best moments of your day, you and Esteban were considering each other close friends rather than student and teacher which was very problematic which of course you both were aware of but frankly you both didn’t care anymore, “Que cocinamos hoy?” He asked and you thought about it “sabes que, vi una receta de una pasta que se veía bueno y creo que lo voy a cocinar hoy” you said excitedly

“Bueno eso hacemos” he chuckled looking at you with adoration, you moved to sit in your seat once you heard someone coming down the hall. After class you waited out back behind the school where Esteban began to park his car so you could walk over and he could give you a ride, “ahi esta la mas hermosa del mundo” he said teasingly as you looked over at him rolling your eyes with a smile

“Aye tampoco ni al caso” you chuckled and walked to the passenger side but he reached to open the door for you, he had driven to a secluded grocery store, he pushed the cart while you looked down at your notes app where you copied down the recipe and your eyes scanned the shelves for your ingredients, “ten” you passed him a box of pasta and he placed it in the cart as you both continued strolling down the store.

During checkout you had learned not to even think about paying because somehow Esteban always managed to swipe his carb before you could even get your wallet out, he carried the bags as you walked beside him to the car, you looked down at your shoes as you were still worried about the fact that someone could possibly see you both.

Luna had immediately came to greet you both and you scooped her up into your arms planting a small kiss on her head, “te extraño” Esteban teased before putting the bags down on the counter, you had put the small cat down and took off your jacket and shoes “Te ayudo?” He offered and you nodded

You had gotten to putting oil to heat in a pan while you instructed him to cut onion and tomatoes, though raw chicken was something that made you slightly uneasy you were the one to put it to cook. Luna hopped over the counter curling in a ball observing the cooking

“Y tu sabes cocinar?” He asked “un poco, no lo creo tan difícil si nomas es leer un receta y seguir la“ you shrugged making him smile “pero yo creo que eres el mejor cocinero” you admitted, his cooking was amazing it was something you looked forward to everyday

“Ah si” he chuckled softly pinching your sides making you giggle “si, y ya me acostumbraste entonces vas a tener que cocinar para mi toda la vida” you told him stirring the pot full of cooking pasta “seria un honor” he pressed a kiss to your cheek making you blush and smile uncontrollably

The pasta was ready and the house smelled great or so that’s what Esteban said, you had served the both of you placing the plates on the table beside one another

He served you both wine, it made you giggle since he mentioned wine and pasta are the best together

“Como está, te gusta?” You watched as he chewed on the pasta furrowing his brows and you couldn’t decipher the look on his face “Esto es la mejor pasta que había probado en la vida amor!” You let out a sigh of relief

“Mira” he gave you a fork full of pasta and you took the bite and he was right this pasta was probably the best thing you have ever tasted “Ahora eres tu quien va tener que cocinar para mi todos los días” he chuckled taking another bite

You smiled taking a sip of wine, “y esto?” You grabbed a hold of the polaroid camera on his counter, you’d noticed it a while ago but barley got enough confidence to ask about it or even touch it

“Una camera que me regalo un amigo” he told you “puedo?” You quipped a brow suggesting to take a picture and he nodded

You pointed the camera in his direction with a smile on your lips as he chuckled posing awkwardly yet cutely before you snapped the picture, it popped out still processing and you carefully held it between your thumb and pointer finger shaking it before it fully developed and processed

“Te ves hermoso, mira esa carita” you cooed teasing him before he took a hold of the camera to snap a picture of you too “dejame tomarte photo” you giggled shaking your head “ven” he smiled and you denied stepping back

He stood up and walked closer making you make way around the kitchen counter, it was like a predator stalking his prey and it felt like a game to you, “que vengas” he said raising a brow, you giggled more excited by the minute “No!” You made a run for it but you didn’t even get past the sofa before he grabbed you by the waist attacking you to the sofa, he made way between your legs tickling your sides before snapping the picture

He laughed loudly before putting the camera to the side holding you down on the sofa, as your laughter died down you both grew a realization to the position you both were in, he was resting between your parted legs, on top of you, closer than you both have ever been

It was wrong but felt so right

He had gotten closer to your face, noses only inches apart, eyes connected in a trance almost

“Esteban” you quietly murmured, “Y/n” he was quiet as well like if you both made any sudden movement or noise the moment would end

Esteban knew deep inside he shouldn’t do what he deep down wanted to, he should ignore his feelings and do the right thing, back away and put a stop to this very inappropriate relationship he held with his student, he used to make himself believe it was all innocent but it wasn’t, there was so much more to it,

But even though all those thoughts rushed through his head, he still kissed you

Your lips molded together perfectly, he felt your smaller hand move to hold the back of his neck bringing him even closer, your kiss was slightly rougher and it was so wrong but so right to you both

He had to stop this, it was completely wrong to keep on going, to indulge in this

But your lips made him weak, bewitching him almost

But he stopped, he didn’t move but he separated both your lips, he looked at you eyes flickering to your lips as you both quietly gasped trying to catch your breaths

“No podemos hacer esto,” he breathed out and you held him closer “Si, si podemos,” you pulled him closer once again and he melted into the kiss

If you were so sure of it, then surely there was nothing wrong with it.

A/n: I am so happy to be back writing and updating my fics!!! I am sorry I have not been here writing and it may be possible you all got uninterested in this fic but I hope some of you still want to read and enjoy ❤️

Comments, reblogs, and likes are super appreciated but not needed just as long as you enjoy I am more than happy with that loves❤️❤️❤️ let me know if you’d like to be tagged!!!

Taglist: @madame-fear @castawaycherry @luv4fati @theoslove @fudosl @catiwinky

[nomoreusername]

The Best He Can

Pairing:Frypan x male reader

Summary:Even though you sometimes forget to eat, Fry never minds helping you remember.

He does his best, and that's honestly all we can do in life. Our best. If we could do any better, then we wouldn't actually be doing our best.

He’s honestly doing everything that he can do to remember, but he gets sidetracked or ends up having to do something else. That ultimately means he forgets about eating.

I don't mind reminding him. Even if he gets inside his head about it and thinks of it as being a burden, I’ll always correct him by telling him otherwise without a second thought.

He had been on the go all day. When I woke up he was already out in the garden, working hard without even remembering breakfast.

It's a little odd, seeing as he's around a lot of food all day, but it just makes no difference. Meals just skip his head. To him, plants don't actually equal food until they're cooked into something good.

I hadn't wanted to push him so early in the morning so I let it be, thinking he would come up for food eventually.

As everyone came at the lunch bell and he didn't though, it was clear it was turning out to be one of those days.

I had served everyone in line, pretending I wasn't just waiting for Y/N to realize.

He didn't. Even when everyone else has their meal, he was still out in the garden, working hard as always.

I guess I’m taking him his meal today.

Stiring up the pot, I found a lot of vegetable or as he calls them “the good parts of the stew.” Knowing he was going to need it, I added an extra scoop in his bowl before walking out of the kitchen and to the garden.

“Hey. Have you been busy today?”I asked.

“Just been on a roll,”He shrugged, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his shirt.

“And how have you felt?”

“Hot. Sweaty. Ready to go,”He listed.

“Nautous too?”I suggested.

“Yeah. Yeah. A little bit,”He confirmed, his face flushing as he took in the fact that he had forgotten again.

“Here. This should fix that up,”I promised, taking a spot beside him. He let out a small sigh as he accepted it without looking at me. “It's okay. It happens sometimes,”I assured him.

“Yeah. It does,”He nodded, a hint of bitterness in his voice.

“Don't beat yourself up about it. You're eating now, and there's still a chance to remember dinner. The day isn't over yet.”

“I know. It just gets frustrating sometimes,”He admitted.

“I know, but you're doing great. Honestly, and you should feel proud of yourself for that.”

“You think?”He mumbled.

“I know,”I promised, placing my hand on his shoulder. He let out another sigh, though this was seemed more of relief, as he placed his over mine.

“I’m always glad to have you here. You're a lot of help.”

“Well, I’m always glad to be here.”

[shirohige-pirates]

Hey Doll

CisFem Reader x Thatch

CW: toxic parents, manipulation, The Plan™, smut, mdni, I'll add as we go I'm kind of fly by the seat of my pants on this one.

tag list: @mfreedomstuff @harahettania @clumsyraccoon

Chapter 16: Springs Eternal

When you wake up there’s a heavy blanket over you, your injured arm placed carefully on top of it. Haruta is sitting nearby and smiles when your eyes open.

“You’ve got a good ten minutes still, if you want to doze more.” He explains. “I’m just here to make sure your fingers didn’t turn colors while you napped.”

You sniff and the smell of food alone wakes you up more. “Where’s Thatch?” Your tone isn’t nervous, you’re pretty sure he’s cooking, but you’re surprised he wasn’t beside you when you woke.

“Cooking like a man possessed.” Haruta answers. “I think… well, I don’t want to put words into his feelings, but whenever he was struggling with his emotions as a kid he’d start cooking. Good ones or bad ones, cooking helps him stay calm.”

“He must be tired.” You murmur, wiping your eyes clear of the heavy sleep that took you, and sitting up slowly. Haruta moves to help, but only ends up hovering while you sort it out well enough with one arm.

“Thatch? Nah, he’d need to be awake at least two more days before he’d really start feeling it.” Haruta takes the blanket for you, folding it up and setting it aside. “Pops used to tease that he kept snacks in his hair to help keep him going.”

The idea of Thatch pulling trail mix out of his pompadour makes you giggle.

“Oh - ah, hey, dinner’s almost ready, yoi.” Marco says, stepping into the living room. He smiles as he turns back toward the kitchen. “Thatchie boy, your girl’s smiling!” 

There’s a bit of a commotion that follows Marco’s declaration, and you aren’t entirely sure what just happened. Haruta offers you help in getting out of the massive chair, and the laughter you can hear from the kitchen sounds like the commotion wasn’t bad, at the least.

Haruta makes sure you’re steady on your feet and then escorts you into the dining room. There’s pots and platters set along the inside of the table, and place settings at each chair. Haruta shoos Marco away and pulls out your chair instead, bowing a little once he scoots you into place.

“Enjoy your meal, madam,” he offers with a wink, before moving a few chairs down and seating himself.

Izou and Marco sat across from you, and Thatch sat at your left, and on your right was Edward Newgate, at the head of the table. There were three new faces you didn’t remember before and introductions were brief, but you got the names of Jozu, Vista and Curiel before everything begins.

Platters, plates, bowls, pots, and glasses are moved around the table as everyone passes stuff around. Newgate and Thatch keep reaching over you, so you don’t have to try and hold the heavy platters, and Thatch asks if you want something before putting some on your plate and then serving himself. The process repeats almost a dozen times while all the options are passed around.

With a little help from Thatch you get some butter and gravy to go with your choices, and end up with three glasses of water at some point.

“You’re going to drown the poor thing,” Vista says, “give me one of those glasses, I don’t have one.”

“Look just one firecracker shrimp-.” Marco starts.

“Absolutely not,” Thatch snaps, swatting Marco’s hand with a wooden spoon that has mashed potatoes on it. “We still haven’t talked preferences and I made that with Jozu in mind.”

There’s a brief pause at the table and Haruta gives his shrimp to Izou. Marco gets up and comes back with a small plate of pineapple slices, putting the spicy shrimp between them before returning to something else.

“That’s not gonna save you,” Jozu teases, breathing out in satisfaction after eating a shrimp.

“It’ll make the suffering tastier, yoi.” Marco quips and the others laugh.

The idle chatter dies down as everyone begins eating in earnest. The clink of cutlery against the plates is broken up by the occasional grunt of satisfaction from Jozu regarding the spicy shrimp. You could probably shovel the food into your mouth and no one would notice, since most everyone was focused on their own plate.

“S’only time some of these guys shut up.” Thatch muses, looking over at you with a smile. “Half the reason I took up cooking was for some peace.”

“The other half was cause you’re a picky bastard,” Curiel adds and the others grunt. “Thank the seas too, cause tryin’ to choke down the crap Fossa called curry was gettin’ harder by the day.”

“At least he didn’t set the galley on fire.” Vista grumbles and Izou almost chokes on his food.

“Who did that?” You question automatically.

“Vista.” Marco answers and everyone breaks into laughter.

“Glad you’re enjoying the meal, Miss Kakusho,” Newgate says, the soft baritone still rumbling over everyone else with ease.

“Indeed, this may be the best meal I’ve ever had.” You admit cheerfully. “I never knew dinner could be like this.”

“Like… noisy?” Jozu asks. “Ow, dammit, who kicked me?!” He grumbles, looking under the table as Haruta sits back up in his chair.

“Mm, that certainly,” you admit. “It’s like a holiday feast, but it’s just a normal dinner.”

“Ah. With only three people you weren’t making big platters of food for every meal.” Izou hums.

“Wait until the holidays come around this year,” Haruta says, leaning forward to catch your attention before he smiles. “We set up tables out in the courtyard because there’s so many people. Thatch starts prep two days in advance, and the kitchens in the other wings are fired up just to keep up.”

Your eyes go wide at the idea of it. “How many people…”

“Almost two thousand.” Newgate answers. You’re glad you weren’t eating or drinking anything, you think you would’ve choked.

“Pops adopted four hundred and six kids over the last forty years or so, yoi.” Marco explains. “Some of them have adopted kids, most of ‘em have married and had kids.”

“The count just goes up and up.” Curiel says. “Ah, speaking of, we’re expecting again.” 

The explosion of congratulations get so loud your ears ring a little and you wince against the sudden sound. It doesn’t last too long, and you’re sure what you witnessed was the true scale of just how loud this family can get.

No wonder Pops could bellow the way he had.

The energy of the dinner stays mellow after that outburst, and once the meal was done, everyone but Thatch and Newgate went about the business of clearing the table and cleaning up. You started to move to help, but Thatch moved your plate away with one hand and put another on your shoulder.

“Injury aside, you’d be crushed.” He says, patting your shoulder gently. “Let’s go to the tea room. The others will join us soon enough.”

You, Thatch, and his father head out of the dining room and head down the hall. The three of you barely get seated when Izou comes in with tea, and shortly after him the others come in. You’re seated between Thatch and Newgate, with Izou and Marco across from you again. Haruta, Curiel, Vista and Jozu come in and settle in a moment later.

The smaller chairs and more intimate setting have you feeling nervous before Pops even begins speaking.

“What I have to say, Miss Kakusho, will be unpleasant, but you deserve to know the truth of things.” Newgate clears his throat and sighs. “I don’t know exactly what this plan is that your parents have been working on for so long, but what I do know is that when they brought you here to meet my son they offered me a proposition.”

The look of disgust that finds its way to his face, despite his obvious efforts, is enough for you to turn to Thatch. You put your hand in his, and he wraps his fingers around it just enough to let you know he’s there.

“They suggested that I utilize the connections of my company to secretly sell you off.”

Your mind stutters.

One of Pops’ sons swears, but you aren’t sure who. Thatch’s fingers twitch, but he doesn’t grip your hand any tighter than before.

After a moment your brow furrows and you shake your head. “That… doesn’t make sense.” You start to speak, stopping again and searching for the words you needed. No one interrupted you and you eventually found what you were looking for. “I owe them money,” you say, looking up to Edward Newgate. “Not you. My parents’ plan was so they could get what they were owed from me. Not to make someone else money. I’m confused.”

“You owe them?” Thatch asks, sounding just as confused as you feel.

You nod, but then turn back to Newgate. “I believe you. I’m not saying you’re lying, but it doesn’t make sense.”

“Did you borrow money from them?” Izou asks, his tone less confused than Thatch’s.

“N-no, I… I’m…” You swallow thickly, but before Thatch can tell you that you don’t have to say anything the words come out before you stop them. 

“I’m useless.” 

The silence that follows feels damning. They gazes centered on you were heavy, you couldn’t bring yourself to face any of them. They’ve been so nice they don’t want to agree with it, so they’re not saying anything. Trying to smile you continue.

“I-I was. I was, but my parents did so much for me, and it was - I mean, it was a lot, and they g-gave their whole lives to making sure I was worth, you know, enough.” Your stammering words quiet as shame rushes into your face. It’s everything you have to keep the tears locked in.

“I owe them.” You assert in a tiny voice. “It… it takes a lot to make a decent daughter.”

There’s a long silence. Your gaze is in your lap. You want to pull your hand out of Thatch’s, but you don’t want him to leave your side either. You can’t shake the feeling that you’ve somehow managed to let everyone down all at once.

The sound of shattering porcelain makes you, and most of the table, jump.

“I’ll get towels.” Haruta says, darting out of the room.

“Don’t move, Thatch.” Vista says. “Let me get the pieces so you don’t cut your hand worse.”

“Worse?!” You look up at Thatch, who is only looking down and giving you a reassuring smile.

“It’s okay doll,” he says evenly. “It’s not the first teacup I’ve broken.”

“You’re… angry.” You start to phrase it as a question, but settle on the word as a statement. Thatch’s hand around yours twitches, but he doesn’t pull it away. A gruff sigh escapes him but he gives you an apologetic look as he nods.

“Not at you.” He clarifies.

“What a terrible set of parents.” Marco grumbles.

“The more I hear of them, the more I regret every act of civility toward them.” Izou adds.

“I’m, I’m-.”

“Don’t.” Izou snaps icily, interrupting you sharply. His gaze stills you more than the word, and there’s authority in it that you can almost feel gripping your face. “Do not apologize for your parents. Unless they grovel on the ground like the vapid troglodytes they are, and beg your forgiveness, they do not deserve the sincerity of your apology.”

The cold silence in the air doesn’t feel as heavy as you think it should, but Thatch’s words from earlier ring in your mind.

“Oi, Izou, don’t intimidate the poor girl.” Jozu scolds. Izou only scoffs, returning to his tea.

“Thatch… said the same thing.” You murmur and Izou’s irritated expression breaks into incredulous disbelief.

“Haah?” The noise he makes is as close to undignified as you think Izou would ever allow to pass his lips. He’s looking over at Thatch, who is looking down at you.

“I didn’t go sayin’ all of that.” He insists. “I just said your parents ain’t worth you apologizing for them.”

Marco snorts a laugh, looking away from Izou and covering his face as he tries not to laugh openly.

“You two really are on the same page more than either of you care to admit.” Curiel points out and it’s all it takes for Marco to finally crack, head down in his arms laughing.

Izou raises a hand, but Newgate clears his throat and he stops from smacking his brother.

“Forgive them, miss Kakusho.” He says and you shake your head.

“No, it’s alright. I… I appreciate it.”

“Mm, if it is as you say, however, that does not leave us in the best place.” Newgate pulls the conversation back on topic, concern furrowing his brows. “If your parents’ focus was on profiting from your existence, then their initial proposition doesn’t make sense.”

“Unless they were going to discuss a finder’s fee after.” Haruta offers, nose crinkled in disgust at the idea.

“Or it could’ve been a false opener.” Jozu suggests.

“Yes, but they would have to have expected father to agree.” Izou adds.

“That,” you begin, pressing your lips together. “Would fit.”

“Really?” Marco questions, looking up.

You nod. “My parents feel that everyone is… er… that everyone shares their aspirations. That everyone is out to make a profit, no matter the cost.”

Everyone at the table makes a face. The synchronized disgust is almost comical.

“Well, the only…” Haruta grimaces, closing his eyes before continuing. “The only commodity they believed they possessed was you, Miss.” He looks between his brothers and father. “The NWO’s visit tonight is proof they’re still set on attempting to turn a profit. Which means she’s in a precarious position.”

“We could learn more if we play along.” Izou admits. “The whole push to get them both out of Thatch’s apartment.”

“Do you think petty theft of Thatch’s stuff is going to be what they’re after?” Marco questions, and Izou shrugs.

“That’s the problem, isn’t it?”

“There’s also the concern of who is helping them.” Newgate says. “And why.”

“Helping them?” Vista questions. “Why do we think they’re getting help?”

Thatch’s free hand clenches, and the table goes silent. It only takes a moment for you to realize what the cause of the heavy feeling is.

“Because…,” you begin. “My parents messed with the Match Program.”

“Eh?” Curiel’s jaw goes slack. 

“Whether they did or not,” Pops says, putting a hand up toward you and Thatch. “There’s no doubt you two are compatible. But that is something we have to consider, however we decide to handle this. Before you two are married a Rematch is possible, and if the NWO declares the match invalid during that time, it could also cause issues.”

Newgate reaches over, putting a massive hand over yours. He might only be a little taller than Thatch, but he seems larger than life right now. There’s a twinkle in his deep blue eyes that feels both like reassurance and rebelliousness. 

“We will not abandon you. Even if circumstances complicate things, your home is here if you wish it.” He promises you.

The warmth. The genuine tone. The expression on his face. There’s no room for doubt. There’s no place for your parents’ words to weave between this man’s declaration and your own apprehension. The emotion that swells in your chest, the feeling that floods into your eyes, is something you don’t know that you’ve felt before.

This small, tender feeling shivers in its own new, fragile existence, but it is infinitely warm. 

Before you can even say thank you, six brothers are holding out handkerchiefs for you. It’s not a sob that breaks you, but a small laugh that’s rushed from your lungs by the alien feeling behind it. Accepting the cloth from Thatch you carefully mop the tears from your eyes, taking a few moments to hide behind the cotton square.

It might be small and fragile, but for the first time in your life, you had hope.