#sorry this chapter took a while i've been so busy this week

[ahundredtimesover]

I Want You to Stay (03) | JJK

Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader

Genre/Tags: boss!JK x assistant!reader; idiot strangers to lovers; slow slow burn; k-drama feels; angst, drama, fluff, smut

Chapter (Series) Warnings: foul/explicit language; alcohol consumption & passing out, unhealthy coping mechanisms; family drama; minor injuries; power dynamics (JK starts off as a jerk); work-related anxiety, feelings of helplessness, insecurities; childhood traumatic experiences, nightmares; sexual harassment, prior incidence of domestic violence (PLS PLS BE CAREFUL WHEN READING); arts and business/property devt talk that’s probably inaccurate; commitment issues & emotionally constipated characters; cold and detached JK; explicit sexual content (specific warnings stated per chapter) (18+)

Chapter Word count: 14.8k

Series Masterlist

Status: Ongoing

Series summary: Working for Jungkook isn’t the same as working for Hoseok. For starters, Jungkook doesn’t smile, he doesn’t appreciate you, and he gives you too much work. It doesn’t help that he’s incredibly handsome and has women at his beck and call. But as the tension grows, it becomes impossible to resist him. You’ve dedicated yourself to your job for 8 years so when you finally decide to put yourself first, he asks you to reconsider. And while you know that leaving is difficult, you learn that when it comes to Jungkook, staying is always so much harder.

Playlist 🎶: on the way home

A/N: I've been thoroughly enjoying your asks and replies about this story (sorry I can’t get to each one!) I see that a lot can relate to what OC's going through and I'm sending you hugs! 🤗 Again, I appreciate your love and excitement. And uh... Golden JK in that white tank. YUP. 🤭 Hoping you enjoy this one!

And as always, my biggest thanks to @wonwoonlight  🥰

PS. If I can’t tag you, pls fix your settings!

The spring in your step tightens the closer you get to Jungkook’s penthouse the next Monday. Walking here to start another week, there’s a mix of emotions you’re carrying with you. 

You got to spend a proper weekend. On Friday, you made yourself some cold noodles and then watched a movie with Jimin and Soomin on video call, who’d said they’ll be visiting you in a week. You took the train to Daegu on Saturday, went to the park, then stayed in to enjoy Min-woo’s cooking and the girls’ stories about school and their youth clubs. You then buried yourself in your mother’s embrace as you told her about your week. You didn’t want to say too much, not wanting her to worry that her daughter isn’t being treated well at her job, but you suppose you said enough. 

“I wish I was strong enough to protect you from everything,” she’d told you softly. “All I can do is just give you hugs and say words of encouragement that might not even mean much.”

“And you still are, mom. I look forward to being with you because of those hugs. But more than that, you were strong enough to protect me from the bad guys,” you’d assured her. “Jungkook is many things but he’s not a terrible person. I can handle him.”

And you meant it. He may be hot-tempered sometimes but he’s not evil. But just because he made you go home early last Friday, it also doesn’t mean he’s suddenly redeemed in your mind. Sure, he didn’t email you at all over the weekend unlike last time, but he also still didn’t apologize to you nor show remorse. 

Perhaps that small nod after he called you telling you that you could go home was his way of saying sorry, or maybe it just isn’t in his vocabulary. You wonder if Hoseok had told him off but even then, it’s a pretty quick change, if you could call it that. 

Regardless, you felt like a human being again these past few days; you just wish Jungkook woke up on the right side of the bed this morning and doesn’t find a reason to complain about you. 

Unlocking the door, you’re surprised to hear silence - there are no grunts and deep breaths nor the sound of leather hitting leather from his morning workout. You scan the floor before walking around - a habit you’ve developed after finding that laced underwear last week - and then peep into the door on the right, only to find untouched equipment and no other traces of him. 

You’re in the living room when you hear another door close, prompting you to turn around and see a woman appearing from the hallway on the other side of the penthouse. Her hair’s a bit disheveled and she’s wearing one of Jungkook’s coats that you saw in his closet. 

“Uh, who are you?” The woman scoffs, her arms crossed and eyebrows raised now. 

Taken aback, you just stare at her, until you realize she’s not wearing anything underneath so you look away.

You try to make sense of who she is and how you could get out of this situation. You know for a fact that Jungkook doesn’t have a girlfriend, at least that’s what Lucas had told you, but who knows what Jungkook’s been up to since he got back? There was that red laced underwear from last week after all. Maybe he does sleep around like what Do-hyun said. Maybe this woman just doesn’t know Jungkook has a female assistant. Maybe he’s—

“Hey, I’m talking to you,” she says, sounding more annoyed now. 

“Oh. Uh, I’m Mr. Jeon’s—”

“She’s my assistant,” Jungkook answers, catching you off guard, given that you hadn’t noticed him walk in. 

He’s not in his usual workout attire, although him in a white tank top and gray sweatpants with mussed hair somehow seems more overwhelming than him in nothing but gym shorts. You glance at him as he stands next to the woman, whose face suddenly lights up. Not wanting to look at her, you shift your gaze towards the ceiling, trying hard not to look awkward as you’re rooted in place. 

The woman looks at you from head to toe and you feel her judging you, assessing you, while Jungkook stands there, yawning and combing his hair with his fingers.

“Just your assistant?” She asks, sounding incredulous. 

“Yeah. What else would she be?” Jungkook answers nonchalantly. Looking at you, he nods ever so slightly that you almost miss it, another hint of acknowledgement you’d seen last Friday. “Just eggs on toast. And coffee.”

“Yes, Mr. Jeon,” you say, exhaling the breath you were holding and then walking to the kitchen to start on his breakfast. 

“I don’t know, another one of your girls? I see you with a new one every time,” she huffs, sounding bitter, but Jungkook doesn’t sound amused.

“What are you still doing here?” He asks, walking to where you are then taking the glass of water you prepare for him. “I called a service for you last night.”

“I was too tired,” she says, and you don’t miss the sultry tone of her voice now. “You tired me out, Jungkook. I could barely get off the bed.”

“And why are you still here?” He asks, clearly not having it with her teasing. 

“Because I’m still tired,” she smirks, having followed him to the kitchen. 

You feel tense once more; you definitely don’t want to be part of this conversation in any way nor be privy to it, especially given what obviously happened between them last night. And especially not with Jungkook looking and sounding the way he does this early Monday morning.

“And I was thirsty,” she continues. 

He sets his glass down and opens the refrigerator and takes out a bottle of water that he hands over to her. 

“Ugh, how romantic,” she rolls her eyes, finishing it in a few gulps. 

“I have to go to work,” he tells her, frustrated that she’s being stubborn about not leaving when he no longer seems to want her around. 

“Actual work, or, you know, work?” She says, gesturing towards you.

You make the mistake of looking at her smug face, the insinuation not lost on you. It’s insane how she can just make claims like that, and you feel that just like you, Jungkook’s getting pissed.

“Can you just leave?” He says much more sternly now. “I can’t start my day with you still here.”

“Ooh, how rude,” she giggles. “Should’ve expected you’d be like that even outside of bed. I like that.”

She walks back to the room, leaving you and Jungkook on your own. You continue to work on his eggs while he stands by the counter, rubbing his temples. You’re unsure if it’s because of her or from last night’s alcohol, but you get aspirin and also a bottle of energy drink and set them in front of him before returning to preparing his meal. 

The woman comes back shortly in last night’s attire then walks towards Jungkook.

“I’m leaving,” she announces, tilting his chin so he would face her. “I’ll see you again, yeah?”

Jungkook turns away and does not respond, leaving her to laugh as if there’s a joke that only she’s in on.

“Going all quiet on me now, huh?” She says. “You weren’t like that last night. I can still hear your moans, actually. Fuck, they sounded so good and so loud.”

You almost hit your finger as you slice the apple, clearly not expecting for this stranger to say something so intimate, knowing there’s another person in the room with them. You don’t know if she wants to intimidate you for whatever reason or maybe just make you feel uncomfortable. Whatever it is, it’s working, as you’re unable to focus on the task at hand now. 

Jungkook still doesn’t say anything, and it’s what prompts her to finally say goodbye. 

“Fine, I’ll leave now,” she whines. “But that was an amazing first time. I hope it won’t be the last.”

Her giggle annoys you for some reason, even more when you mistakenly look her way. Her smug face unnerves you as she holds your gaze while she says, “I’ll see you again, okay? I’ll make sure you’ll scream my name next time,” the words obviously directed at Jungkook. 

She finally exits the penthouse but she doesn’t take the tension with her because in this large apartment with you and him, you feel a little too hot, a little too alert, yet somehow a little too curious.

Jungkook groans now as he finishes his energy drink, and he doesn’t know what he’s more frustrated about - the fact that the woman whose name he doesn’t remember didn’t go home, or that you’d found out about it in the most embarrassing way and he’d done nothing to stop her attempts at making you feel uncomfortable because that’s definitely what she was doing. 

He doesn’t know how it affected you but even he can tell that it wouldn’t have been good. Not that he’s ashamed of his lifestyle but it’s different when you, of all people, get to see what that looks like. You did see the laced underwear on his kitchen floor last week, and he knows you definitely tried to pretend you hadn’t. Perhaps the image of arrogant, playboy Jungkook just solidified in your head and the fact that maybe that’s what you think of him is making him feel uneasy. 

Not that he cares about what you think - he definitely does not - but he just doesn’t want that to affect how you would treat him in a professional sense, as if he’s some reckless man who works too hard and parties much harder, even if that’s kind of what he does. 

The hangover doesn’t help at all; he shouldn’t have chugged that wine while the woman was giving him head, which was amazing, he reminds himself. He just knows he won’t be seeing her again after this morning because she’d been stubborn and shameless, and definitely not because of how she spoke to you and the insinuations she made.

“Mr. Jeon, your breakfast is ready,” you inform him, breaking him out of his thoughts. 

He takes a seat on the table and you sit next to him, taking out your iPad to start your rundown of last Friday’s meeting and this week’s schedule. 

“So—”

“Wait, give me a minute,” he stops you, and he realizes just how little sleep he actually got and he’s gonna have to push through today’s busy schedule despite feeling physically out of it. 

“Okay, sir,” you say softly.

He munches on his toast with his eyes closed, and when he opens them, his gaze falls on you, sitting upright on the chair looking clean and proper in your blush blouse and beige skirt. You seem to be reviewing the reports from last week, your eyebrows scrunched as you scribble on the screen. He knows you took the hours-long trip to and from Daegu over the weekend; the visit, just like any, must have been tiring. Yet you come to his place everyday without fail, ready to do what he needs you to do, and he doesn’t even know if you’ve had anything to eat yet. 

“Have you had breakfast?” He asks.

“E-excuse me?”

“Breakfast. Have you had it?”

“O-oh. Yes, I had some crackers and fruit on the way. I ate on the bus,” you respond.

He remembers your address from your staff profile. You live about 40 minutes from him, almost double if you commute. You come at 6:30 everyday, so he can only imagine what it’s like for you every morning. 

“Why don’t you drive?”

“I don’t have a car, sir.”

“Shouldn’t that be part of your contract? Or a benefit of some sort?”

“It isn’t. I believe only the CEO’s assistant does,” you respond. 

“Bitna has a company car.”

“Ms. Jung requested that when she was still President.”

“Then I’ll request one for you. It's… it’s too early. And you can’t always be assured of public transportation. There could be delays. Or an emergency that would require you to drive.”

Of course, he’d want you to get a car so that you’re more accessible to him. Just when you thought there’s actually a bit of his heart working this time, he reminds you why there isn’t.

“That’s true, but nothing has happened so far. And there are other options should there be,” you say. “I also don’t know how to drive so there is no need, Mr. Jeon. I leave my apartment early enough to make sure I get here on time, and I’ll let you know if I will be late.”

Jungkook just hums, even if there’s more he wants to know. What about late nights? What if there’s a storm? Well, he does know - he did see you miss out on taxis and then just walk last Tuesday; he wonders how you got home then, and how many hours of sleep you had after all that. 

He lets it go; it’s too early to think about this.

“Good. We can run through the minutes now,” he says.

So you do, stating the points and confirming your actions for each one and then noting down his as well. You try to focus, and you’re able to for the most part, but it’s not easy when he sits just a few feet away from you, with his bare arms propped on the table that’s just hard to look away from. 

You’ve always liked tattoos on other people, and the art on his right arm looks so delicate and personal; you wonder what someone like him would value enough to ink permanently on his skin. Even his untouched arm is mesmerizing, toned like every other part of him, with beauty marks that you spot as well. It doesn’t help that his slightly long hair keeps falling over his eyes, prompting him to comb them with his fingers every time. 

What also doesn’t help are the woman’s words from earlier, as she’d managed to make you think of Jungkook in a very different way, given her descriptions of how he’d been last night. You don’t know what she intended by doing that, but you didn’t miss her insinuations about your relations with him, which are definitely far from the truth. Learning that he’s rough and loud in bed is also knowledge that you could’ve done without. Somehow, he sounds like how he looks - expressive of negative emotions, and the type to drain the other person. 

He also sounds like the guys you’ve slept with.

The thought alarms you. These are things you shouldn’t be thinking about your boss, about the man who pays you, about the one who makes you miss meals and buses and who makes you angry because of how he treats you. 

You try to dispel these ideas by coughing - the loud sound helps, and you also want to distract yourself from how distracted you are at your task because somehow he keeps getting more and more attractive after every glance. 

He stands up, and just when you thought he’d be angry after your disruption, he surprises you by placing a glass of water in front of you.

“You can drink, you know? You can make yourself a cup of coffee. You can even cook yourself breakfast if it’s just crackers you eat in the morning,” he says. 

Yes, you think to yourself. You’ve been wanting to try his coffee because of the fancy machine but breakfast sounds… too domestic. 

“Thank you, but I’m okay. I mean, the snacks fill me up just fine.”

“It’s not proper breakfast, though,” he argues. 

“With all due respect, sir, eating takes time away from all the things I have to do. I manage just fine.”

Expecting an annoyed expression from him because you did just imply that you do too much, you instead see the tiniest hint of guilt on his face, as if he actually feels bad that you’re unable to take care of yourself because of him. 

“You’re not a servant, Ms. Cho. You’re not disallowed to do basic things just because of your job.”

“You have standards, Mr. Jeon,” you say, throwing his words back at him. You don’t expect to see his face fall a little, and you’re surprised that you seem to care. “I need to meet them, and I’m still familiarizing myself with how you want things done, and that takes time. I don’t mean to imply that you treat me like a servant because you don’t. I just… I want to be able to do things right and I’m still learning.”

The words hit Jungkook. He knows he’d been too critical during these first weeks, and that’s more because he’s unable to manage the initial attraction that he’s trying so hard to temper. He could’ve gone on correcting you constructively, with no need for harshness the way he did with Lucas when he started. 

You’ve also been doing this for a few years. You’ve been working for the VP’s office longer than he has - you know the people and the processes more, yet you’re the one claiming you need to learn and do things right. Even he thinks his father, whom he never thought was the best at looking out for his people, wouldn’t be angry at those below him for irrational reasons. Somehow he thinks he’s worse than his old man now. 

But the word sorry isn’t in his vocabulary. He’d rarely ever said it, and the only reason he’d heard it a lot growing up was because people caused his inconvenience, and not because they’d hurt his feelings. He doesn’t know what that’s like - forgiving and wanting to be forgiven. They’re foreign to him, but somehow those are what you’re making him want to know. 

“I—”

“Can we move on, Mr. Jeon?” You interrupt him. “You have a scheduled check-in with your father before the 8:30 team meeting.”

“Right, that’s today,” Jungkook says, letting go of any form of apology he could muster. 

He nods then stands up to head to his bathroom, and you follow shortly after to arrange his outfits for the week. You clean up in the kitchen after and wait for him to come out, with you reflexively walking up to him to fix his tie and make sure all the creases on his clothes are fixed. 

Jungkook tries to remain still as you, like everyday, make sure he looks proper. It always took him a long time to get ready because he used to do all this on his own, but with you taking on the unofficial stylist role - which he admits you do a great job at - he’s relieved of that added stress of looking the part of a Vice President. It just also means that every morning, he has to look unaffected as you stand close to him like this, with you tightening his tie and your fingers grazing his clothed chest.

You smell like roses. It feels warm and nostalgic, like it’s familiar but also something new. It’s refreshing on you, and it wafts through his nose and paralyzes him a little. He tries to hold his breath like always, only briefly glancing at your focused eyes as you make sure he looks impeccable. 

He’s caught off guard when you look up and meet his gaze. He doesn’t react, but he does linger and surprisingly, so do you. He wants to apologize but he doesn’t know how to. He just hopes you feel it somehow with how he looks at you; he’d like to think you do, as you gently bow and step back, taking your things to go down. 

You go through his schedule while in the car, noting his dinner meetings and that the food tasting for next month’s event with the art industry professionals that you’re both organizing has been moved to next week, freeing up his Thursday lunch hour.

“I’ll schedule my visit at Taehyung’s tailor shop that day then,” Jungkook states. “I’ll have a few suits done.”

“Noted, Mr. Jeon,” you reply, adjusting his calendar. 

He doesn’t say anything after. He takes his leather notebook and sketches like he often does, looking out his window only a few times as he’s engrossed in his drawings. Even with all that he is, you can’t deny Jungkook’s talent. You only know he took an architecture course but you don’t know if he actually practices it. 

You start to wonder if Jungkook wanted that to be his profession but couldn’t pursue it because he’s expected to manage the company with his cousin. You wonder if he’d always been into drawing and the arts, if it was an outlet the way reading picture books was for you; you’d wanted to become an illustrator but your mother couldn’t afford drawing classes and that profession just didn’t seem like it could sustain you financially. You wonder what Jungkook thinks when he sketches and what his subjects are, if he feels at peace the way he looks, if he hopes he could just spend his days doing this. 

The seeming warmth in your thoughts about this man concerns you, prompting you to turn away from his direction and stare out the window instead. You remind yourself that this is the same person who’d made the past two weeks miserable for you; he doesn’t deserve warmth from you in any form, even if, for the briefest moment earlier after you fixed his tie, that’s what you gave him. You learned that he’s quite mesmerizing when he doesn’t talk or when he isn’t scowling. You also learned you’re quite quick to fall into it when you let your guard down a little. 

You groan internally. There’s a lot you don’t know about him and you don’t really care to know more; what you know is enough to put you off anyway. And so these moments of weakness - of curiosity, of concern -  should not happen again. 

Except, they do happen, over an hour later after Jungkook returns to his room from his check-in with his father. He sits on his chair, his eyes closed and jaws clenched, unmoving for a good few minutes, and you watch from your seat, wondering what transpired that’s got him this disturbed. 

It happens again an hour later. He moved the team meeting to the afternoon and he’s now furiously typing on his desktop, making calls, sketching, making calls again, then sitting still with his eyes closed once more. Hoseok walks in, merely nodding at you, then enters the room and speaks with the younger man. Jungkook closes the blinds, and you’re left to wonder what’s going on behind closed doors and what’s got him angry and frustrated.

You take your chance at finding out when Hoseok emerges, asking him if everything’s okay, if Jungkook is okay.

“Yeah, he’s fine,” Hoseok says, a half smile on display, something you’re only a tad familiar with. “He’ll manage.”

He rushes out, saying he has a meeting to get to, and you nod, glancing at the closed door and blocked window, wondering what troubles Jungkook is handling on his own. If it’s personal, it’s clearly not your business. But if it’s work-related, then it is. You’re there to make things easier for him, after all. You also don’t want to be surprised and be bombarded by new tasks just in case, so it’s better to know if there’s something you can help in resolving things as well.

You walk in his room then place the ginger lemon tea on his desk, a common home remedy for hangovers, just in case last night’s events are still affecting him. You inform him that you’ve sent the reports already for his sign-off, and he responds that he’ll get to them tomorrow.

Glancing at his drink, he halts his typing to look at you. 

“Do I look hungover to you?” He asks pointedly.

It’s clearly not what you meant, but you suppose the insinuation isn’t what he needs right now. You want to be swallowed by the ground. He was already calm towards you, civil even, and now there’s another reason for him to be upset at you. You wanted to avoid any possibility of that as much as possible, and now you’re here, at the verge of being told off again, just because your stupid brain decided to care the tiniest bit.

“I, uh, no, Mr. Jeon,” you stutter. “I just…”

You don’t have a reason. Clearly, you can’t tell him that he hasn’t seemed okay all morning - whatever that means - and that just in case it’s last night’s alcohol affecting him, there’s a cure. You stare back at him with worry, but instead of challenging or questioning you, he just sits back with his eyes closed again and dismisses you. 

“You may leave,” he instructs. 

“What about lunch, sir?” You ask. 

You’d never cared before, why the change now? 

“I’m fine,” he responds. “Call me when the meeting’s about to start.”

Your stubborn self takes the box of biscuits from the coffee table and places it in front of him. You’re pushing it, you think, but there’s a meeting he’ll be leading and he can’t be unfocused; when he is, it’s all the worse for you. 

He doesn’t react and you walk out. When you enter an hour later to call him, you spot the empty cup and the crumbs on the saucer, and you can’t help the tiny smile that you make internally.

It’s short-lived though, as that whole afternoon, he acts unusually - he barely makes comments at updates, he doesn’t make eye contact, and doesn’t ask further questions. He just nods when you say you’re heading out at 6PM, giving you no added tasks to keep you from leaving.

You enter his penthouse the next morning to the banging of leather hitting leather, prompting you to jerk from the loud sounds. He’s grunting and panting heavily, and you just know that whatever it was that transpired yesterday, he’s releasing all his emotions right now, through this. 

He exits the gym and walks to the counter where you are, finishing the water you laid for him in three gulps. 

“Do you need that tended to?” You ask. 

He looks surprised. You gesture towards his hands and he looks at his bruised knuckles; he really let it all out this morning, it seems. 

“I’m fine,” he shrugs. 

You didn’t think those two words from him would ever make you feel discouraged, but one thing you’ve come to learn about Jungkook is that he easily expresses his anger and frustration towards other people. It’s when he keeps things in that they seem more serious, and you wonder what words he heard yesterday that might have made him this closed off, this quiet, this much more distant.

But fortunately, your feeling of worry fades with each day that passes, as he slowly returns to his normal self after - the focus, the perpetually serious look, the attention to detail, the sketching on his notebook. Perhaps Jungkook just needed a particular kind of release and he’s maybe handling things better now. 

For his sake and yours, you wish the issue has been resolved, otherwise another blow up might happen and that wouldn’t be good for your newfound dynamic that’s a lot more civil than anything. 

It’s Thursday when you get a call at 5 in the morning, just as you’ve woken up to get ready for work, and Mr. Ri’s voice greets you on the other end.

“Hi, ___. How are you this morning?”

“Hi, Mr. Ri,” you yawn, curious as to why he’s checking up on you this early. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes,” he hums. “I was instructed by Mr. Jeon to pick you up today.”

“Why would CEO Jeon ask that?” You wonder, as you sleepily walk to the bathroom to wash up.

“He didn’t. Jungkook did.”

You stop on your tracks. You don’t recall being informed about this, nor do you know of any particular reason why you should be at his place so soon.

“Oh, uhm, okay. I should be ready in–”

“I’ll be there in about 50 minutes,” Mr. Ri interjects. “Sleep in a bit more and have some breakfast. I’ll see you shortly.”

You try not to think about what prompted Jungkook to have you picked up, so you focus on getting ready and then whipping yourself some fried rice using the leftover seafood from last night. You won’t lie, it tastes delicious. It might be that you just haven’t had proper weekday breakfast in a while, but it could also be that you’re energized enough and not pressed for time that you’re able to make this as good as it is. 

You decide to bring some to Jungkook’s place just in case you get there late. Sure, Mr. Ri will be driving you, but you don’t know how the traffic is at this time, and this change in schedule is somewhat making you anxious. But then again, there’s always bread or cereal for him to eat; you just think that a little act of thanks wouldn’t be so bad.

Mr. Ri arrives exactly 50 minutes later and he assures you that he’ll get you to the penthouse in half an hour. You trust him of course; he’s been with the Jeons for decades and he knows these streets like the back of his hand. Seated in the passenger seat, you try to figure out what about today has got your boss a little kinder than usual. 

“I arrived five minutes late yesterday,” you wonder out loud. “Is that why? He has a meeting with a local artist in the morning and he doesn’t want me to be late. That should be it. Ugh, stupid,” you groan. “I should’ve taken the first bus I saw, but it was so full and–”

“___,” Mr. Ri stops you. “Five minutes isn’t much. Plus, you always arrive 10 minutes before 6:30 and then just wait at the lobby. I don’t know why you do, you could always just go up to the penthouse when you get there, you know?”

“No, I don’t. Mr. Jeon has boundaries and clearly likes keeping his distance. Going to his penthouse before I’m supposed to be there feels like I’m intruding,” you argue.

“You’re literally his assistant, and you go to his bedroom and his closet, fix his things, prepare his meals… there’s no intrusion happening,” Mr. Ri counters. “I know the man. He’ll probably just look at you curiously then go about his routine.”

“Well, since you know him so well, then why did he have me picked up this morning?”

There’s a brief silence before the man next to you responds.

“He did note that you were late for the first time, but that wasn’t his issue,” Mr. Ri says, appeasing you before you react negatively and think that your tardiness was a big deal. “He asked if I knew how you got to Hoseok’s place before and I said you would just take the bus; it was closer to your place so it was fine. They have someone to make his breakfast, too, so you didn’t need to come early; plus, you only went every Monday.”

“What a change, huh?” You attempt to poke fun at yourself and the new arrangement you’re in. 

Not that you’re complaining; you know of other executive assistants who do much more for their bosses and what you have with Jungkook isn’t even that bad. But it is quite the shift compared to what you did for Hoseok. You’ve figured out your own routine, though. And the commute isn’t always terrible, for as long as you’re not one of the unlucky ones, given the recent incidents. 

“It’s quite the change. I don’t think he realized that until yesterday. He also asked me if I know if you eat properly in the morning. Maybe he thinks you don’t?”

“I’ve skipped meals…” you trail. “And well, I told him that I just eat crackers on the bus. Maybe he thinks I’m losing focus some days.”

“Maybe he’s just concerned.”

You snort at the absurdity of the statement. 

Mr. Ri sighs. He knows that Jungkook hasn’t been his best self since he arrived in Seoul, and especially towards you. He’s noticed the young man’s indifference, the occasional passive remark, the frustrated looks, and the tension every morning. He’s noticed your faraway eyes, too, your constant anxiety, and unusual lack of confidence in your usual tasks, given that you look to be second-guessing everything you do. 

As someone who’s worked for the Jeons for so long and who’d watched Jungkook grow up, he’s used to the detachment, but it was always because the young man often lived in his own head. There are always lots of thoughts and ideas, and lots of feelings he keeps bottled in. 

But he’s also seen Jungkook’s kindness that he doesn’t always show, the guilt and anger that restrain him from expressing his emotions, and the care that he seems to put a brake on when he shows too much of it to someone, and so it isn’t much of a surprise to him to him when the young man gave this specific instruction to pick you up, not just today but everyday moving forward.

“The news on the radio reported on the robberies and complaints of sexual harassment against female commuters last night,” Mr. Ri continues. “They attack at any hour now. I’m sure that’s why. He wants me to drive you home everyday, too.”

“Mr. Ri, that’s too much,” you protest. “That’s not part of my contract and it isn’t his responsibility.”

“Maybe, precisely why I think he’s concerned. It isn’t about making sure you’re not late to work or anything. He’s worried that something might happen to you. And I agree. It isn’t safe, ___.”

“It’s not safe for me anywhere. I just… it’s too much,” you sigh. “I don’t need this kind of service. I’m not entitled to it.”

“He’ll insist though. Will you argue with him over your own security? I mean, it’s either this or he’ll pay for your driving lessons and then request for a car for you to use.”

You sigh, knowing he has a point. You don’t think you deserve it but you also can’t deny that the concern makes you feel a certain kind of way for him; gratitude, for one, and something else you can’t exactly name. 

“Okay,” you say softly. 

“Good. It’s about time he makes it up to you,” he chuckles. “Boy’s been a brat these past weeks. I wanted to just knock some sense into him.”

“Hmm, not like I expected any less,” you huff. “He just looked grumpy or disinterested during the times I’ve seen him before. Unhappy people like that aren’t always the kindest. Has he always been that way?”

“I wouldn’t say he has. I mean, he just wasn’t joyful or expressive, not like his brother. Jungkook liked to keep to himself; Hoseok often tried to push him out of his comfort zone but the boy wouldn’t really budge. I think as he grew up, that just amplified. People who prefer being alone have their reasons, don’t they?”

They do. You know this just like anyone, perhaps as much as Jungkook. It’s comfortable being alone; there’s no one to hurt you and no one you could hurt. You wonder if his reason is the same, and if, like you, he feels the loneliness creep in every once in a while. 

You nod in silence and the conversation doesn’t continue until you arrive at Jungkook’s building. You have five minutes to get to his unit and you get there in three. When you enter, you hear grunting from the gym, and it’s shortly after when he exits and drinks the glass of water on the counter.

“What’s that?” He gestures at the plastic container next to you.

“It’s fried rice. I made it this morning because I had time to eat breakfast at home,” you say, softly smiling and then bowing at him to show your gratitude. Whatever his reason is, the act was appreciated. 

“And you’re gonna eat again?”

“I was actually–”

You stop midway. You actually meant to serve it to him in case you arrived late, which you realize is pretty ridiculous. 

“Actually what?” He asks, leaning forward on the counter now, with his bare arms from his tank top blinding you a little. 

“I didn’t know what time I was gonna get here so I thought as a last resort, I’ll bring this to heat up and serve to you but then I realized that that’s pretty stupid because it’s leftovers and definitely not high-quality ingredients and it’s… just silly. Plus, you don’t eat rice in the morning.”

With his scrunched brows, he asks, “is it good?”

“It’s pretty delicious,” you say. “I mean, I liked it. I don’t know how sophisticated your palate is… Mr. Jeon.”

You smack yourself internally for rambling. 

“What’s that got to do with anything? If it’s good, then it’s good.”

“I’m an ordinary person, Mr. Jeon. I have normal people’s taste buds.”

“So that makes me, what? Abnormal?”

“No… I–” you unknowingly pout. You shouldn’t have brought this in the first place. 

Jungkook is disarmed again at the sight of your pouty face. If this is your way of thanking him for this morning, he’ll take it. The fact that you’d brought something you cooked from your own place to feed to him is already enough to make him feel hazy, which is why he needs to get away from you right away.

“Just heat it up. I’ll have that. There’s not much food in here anyway,” he says, walking away, leaving you no room to resist.

You do as you’re told, not wanting to overthink and change anything. You do check the cupboard and see a stashed pantry, and you wonder if he’d wanted to find something to criticize about your cooking, too. 

He walks in and lets you fix his tie again, and for some reason, you feel more nervous than you normally do today. You sit and busy yourself with responding to emails as he eats his breakfast, careful not to look at him while he does.

“It’s good, a little better than how I do mine,” he says, surprising you.

“You cook?” You ask too quickly.

“Of course,” he frowns, looking a little offended. “I lived on my own for years. How do you think I survived?”

“Hiring people to do it for you,” you shrug. 

Peeking at him once again, you see that he’s almost finished with the dish, and you can’t help the little smile on your face at the thought that he might actually enjoy it. It’s just fried rice, but you let yourself feel the shallow happiness from this. He’s at least not berating you or anything.

He finishes his meal as you go through yesterday’s meetings. There’s not much about the Arts Center he says, just like yesterday and the day before, and you start to wonder if the issue with his father has anything to do with that. 

You let it go, opting to just follow his pace and let him talk about it when he’s ready, if he ever will be. 

The morning goes by smoothly. Jungkook meets with Yoongi in his office then reviews the reports you’d sent last Monday. He sends you an email, saying that they’ve been approved and for you to attach his signature for sign-off and dissemination, leaving you perplexed at the lack of any other comments again. 

He goes for a quick lunch at the dining hall while you eat a sandwich at the pantry, and not long after, you’re back in the car to head to Jungkook’s appointment with his best friend.

Kim Taehyung’s tailor shop boasts of classic European design. It’s elegant in all the ways that he is, as he stands by the desk in his working space, a smaller room on the mezzanine floor with an exquisite couch and displays of his work. He’s donned in an orange suit that you think only he can pull off, while his brother, Seokjin, sits on a chair in an impeccable black 3-piece. 

You know as much that Jungkook grew up with both men, but while the brothers are often a hot topic on the news because of their wealth, their successful businesses, and colorful dating lives, you now wonder how Jungkook managed to stay out of the spotlight despite being a lot of the things that they are. 

You bow at them after Jungkook introduces you as his assistant, and you’re surprised when Seokjin reaches out his hand to shake yours, bowing as well and offering you a kind smile. Taehyung does the same, and you can’t help but feel the warmth on your cheeks. They’re clearly incredibly handsome men with amazing styles, just like your boss, but they’re obviously respectful and gentle, unlike him. 

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Cho,” Taehyung smiles. “So, what events do I need to dress my best friend for?”

He looks warm, friendly, and you can’t help but mirror his smile as he offers you a seat and some tea. You take out your calendar and enumerate at least three big events in the next months, which would require standout designs. Jungkook also wants four additional everyday classic suits, and Taehyung starts sketching on his pad as you speak. 

“Make one for my event, too,” Seokjin says. “I’m launching my traditional alcohol brand in Singapore in September. It’ll be a big thing so Jungkook needs a fancy piece for that as well.”

“That soon?” Jungkook asks.

“Yeah, it got pushed early,” Seokjin replies.

Jungkook asks you to check his calendar for any activities in the Singapore office, and you state that there’s nothing scheduled during that time. 

“There’s a landscape designer I want to meet while I’m there. Schedule one with her later,” Jungkook instructs you, and you make a note to coordinate with Lucas, who will continue to serve as the assigned assistant for the Vice President’s Southeast Asia trips. 

Taehyung finishes the rough designs quickly, given that he’s already familiar with the style his client wants. He’s done a lot of Jungkook’s suits, which you know from all the weeks of preparing his clothes, and you do admit that he looks best in these custom-made pieces.

As Taehyung takes Jungkook’s measurements - given that, as per his words, Jungkook has gotten wider since the last time - he asks if you have something to wear for those big events, too. 

“Uh, yes,” you say. 

“Are they from company events from before?” Taehyung asks.

You nod shyly. It’s not like you’re paid enough to afford a new one every time nor can you wear them anywhere else; there aren’t exactly regular fancy dinners and social occasions you get invited to.

“Have new ones made, then,” Jungkook says, his back turned to you.

“Uh, there’s no need, Mr. Jeon. The gowns still look new and they’re well-made,” you insist.

“Store-bought?” Taehyung asks, his eyebrow cocked.

“Uh, yes, Mr. Kim.”

“Nothing beats custom-designed ones though. And I must say, I’m kinda good at them.”

“I, uh… it’s really not necessary,” you stutter, feeling a little too shy and definitely undeserving. It’s Kim Taehyung; his name is the brand.

“I believe it is,” Jungkook says now, turning to you. “They’re big events and we’re organizing one with the arts professionals. Some dignitaries will be coming, too, including the culture minister. I’d prefer if you looked the part of working for the Vice President, Ms. Cho. You represent me in that way.”

“I… uh, okay,” you sigh, knowing you don’t seem to be in a position to turn him down. 

“Great. Start thinking of designs, then!” Taehyung beams.

It’s some minutes later when Jungkook’s measurements have been taken and Taehyung calls for you. You sit on the chair facing his desk not far away while Jungkook and Seokjin talk about sports and this new club that opened in Gangnam. 

Seated in front of you, Taehyung takes his sketch pad and starts asking what design you want.

“Something simple and comfortable since I’ll be moving around,” you say softly. “And nothing form-fitting or revealing since, uh…”

“I understand,” Taehyung smiles, revealing a gentle side of him that the paparazzi and tabloids clearly don’t capture. 

He starts drawing your silhouette, glancing at you then at Jungkook before speaking.

“So, he’s been in this role for a few weeks now. Has he been nice?”

“Define ‘nice,’” you respond, earning you a chuckle. 

“I guess that’s my answer, then.”

“I don’t mean to say he isn’t,” you backtrack. “Mr. Jeon just has a different leadership style as Mr. Jung’s, that’s all.”

“I suppose that’s quite a difficult adjustment for you, huh?”

You purse your lips and Taehyung laughs, the soft way he does it is something new and refreshing to you. You didn’t realize how deprived you are of such gentleness, of such acts or sights as simple as a smile. Hoseok is no longer your source. Your team hasn’t been as jolly these past weeks. The only other person you talk to regularly at work is Yoongi, and while he’s definitely been smiling more, it’s a lot more teasing than it is comforting. You’ve been missing your best friends more because of that, you think - Soomin’s smile is blinding, Jimin’s is sweet and infectious. Perhaps it’s why you haven’t been smiling much yourself. 

“I won’t tell, don’t worry,” Taehyung assures you. “I just wanted to check on him. This whole move has been tough but he doesn’t say much. I’m guessing he doesn’t tell you, either, but he’ll definitely show it.”

“He has, actually,” you say softly, knowing now that even with his closest friends, Jungkook tends to keep things to himself. “He’s pretty stressed most days, always working and stuff. He’s been a little hard on me but I guess that’s a natural reaction for some.”

“That’s not an excuse though.”

“It isn’t, but… it’s okay. I can handle it.”

It’s not as much of a lie anymore as it used to be. Jungkook hasn’t been overly critical about things as he was just last week. He rarely makes comments on your minutes now, doesn’t correct the reports you reviewed, doesn’t talk over you or doesn’t yell. There’s been a change, definitely, and you wonder what triggered it. 

“He doesn’t really smile, does he?” You ask, your curiosity getting the better of you.

Taehyung’s laughter is one of disbelief and pure amusement, catching the attention of the other two men but he waves them off. 

“He still does, just not as much,” he responds. “It kinda stopped after the breakup with Chaerin but I guess that’s what heartbreak does, right?”

“I… wouldn’t know. I’ve never experienced it,” you shrug.

“Lucky,” he hums. “I don’t wish it on anyone.”

You glance at Jungkook, briefly letting yourself imagine a version of him that’s a lot more carefree, relaxed, perhaps happy. Maybe it’s the loneliness and that you’d understand; that, you’ve experienced. It’s both liberating and isolating. You wonder if that’s how he’s been feeling all these years since then.

“I’m done,” Taehyung announces, showing you three designs that are exactly what you asked for. 

“These look nice. And way out of my price range,” you laugh.

“Perks of having a rich boss,” he winks. “I don’t want you to worry about anything, okay? You’re my client and I want you to wear these with confidence. Now, if you’re okay with all this, I’ll get one of my female assistants to get your measurements.”

You nod in response. There’s absolutely nothing you would change about those designs. And if you’re being honest, you now can’t wait for those events just so you could wear them. Hoseok had obviously paid for the gowns you had to wear for the big events, but those were store-bought that A-yeong helped you choose. Some were your own purchases, but this is the first time that you’re getting measured for custom-made clothing designed by Kim Taehyung. 

You walk towards the fitting room at the corner where one of his staff meets you. She’s meticulous, which is why it takes longer than usual just to get this done. With her silence, however, you’re able to hear the conversation happening outside, with the brothers now asking Jungkook about the same thing you’ve been wondering about.

“By the way, what was up with you last Monday?” Seokjin asks. “I thought that was gonna be night 4 of you going home with a new woman. But you passed out before you could even ask. And that was just 9PM.”

“Four nights isn’t much, though,” Taehyung laughs. “Didn’t he do that with seven women on seven straight nights when he was in Singapore? That was wild. Was it that stressful there? Or were there just so many to choose from?”

“Shut up. I’m not proud of that,” Jungkook groans. “And that was one time. It never happened again.”

“It never happened seven times straight again,” Seokjin corrects. “You were really living your life out there, huh? Stressful job, a rooftop bar in your apartment building, chauffeur and butler services 24/7, women from all over the world begging to sleep with you…”

“It’s called the post-break up stage,” Taehyung says. 

“For six years?!” Seokjin asks incredulously. “It’s either you loved Chaerin that much, you blamed yourself too much, or you just really sucked at moving on.”

“I vote all of the above,” Taehyung states.

“Me, too,” Seokjin claims.

“Fuck you both,” Jungkook groans again. 

“I think he also just missed us too much,” Seokjin adds. “Lucas was cleaning up your messes every time, not snapping you out of it. But we’re here now so I guess three straight nights is as far as you’ll go.”

“Two, if you stopped me last Sunday,” Jungkook points out. “You both always insisted that Sundays are a no-no. You were too busy with your own women.”

“May we remind you that you didn’t even make it to our table. You stepped foot in the bar then left five minutes later,” Taehyung says. “But really, what was it about Monday? You seemed angrier than usual.”

“Just… a bunch of things my father said,” Jungkook huffs.

“Did he tell you off again?”

“Not really, surprisingly. He just delivered a message basically, about what the board members were saying about me and my project. Bullshit stuff, you know? I just wanted to forget about it.”

“Did you?”

“Sorta,” Jungkook says. “I still don’t want to talk about it.”

“But it’s still happening, right?” Taehyung asks worriedly. “The Arts Center, I mean. You’ve been wanting to work on that since the building was abandoned five years ago.”

“I don’t know,” Jungkook responds. “I guess. We already put money into it. I’ll just have to make concessions if my father doesn’t side with me on this. I hate to think he’s buying into what those old folks are saying.”

“Ms. Cho, we’re all done,” the staff member tells you, muffling the conversation outside that you couldn’t help but hear. 

It felt quite intrusive, hearing how life was like for Jungkook in Singapore, but then again, his personal life seemed to be the topic in the office comfort rooms, and you don’t know how to feel about getting confirmation about those rumors. It felt sad more than anything though, living that kind of life away from friends and family. You wouldn’t know what moving on from a breakup feels like, but you suppose people grieve a lost love in their own ways; you can’t blame them for how they choose to repair the parts of them that broke. 

But the bit about his conversation with his father is what bothers you. You’d hate to think that there’s a possibility that Jungkook’s plans won’t be fully realized, and whatever the reasons for that are, you hope they didn’t break his spirit too much. You know the plans now like the back of your hand and the more you learn, the more you believe in it. You hope Jungkook continues to believe in it, too.

You exit the fitting room, catching the end of a conversation where Seokjin suggests a wholesome weekend for the three men of just dinner and drinks. The two other men agree, and they all turn to you once you make your presence felt.

“All good?” Taehyung asks you.

“Yes,” you bow in thanks. 

“Great. The gowns will be ready at the same time as Jungkook’s suits will be. I’ll just let you guys know, okay?

“Sure,” Jungkook says. “But anyway, we have to get back to work. Thanks again.”

The brothers bid you and Jungkook goodbye, and you head back to the office with not much words said. Jungkook seems less frustrated, but the worry you feel suddenly returns. It’s the thought that maybe he doesn’t feel supported, that maybe what he’s doing isn’t enough, and that more than that, it's him choosing to deal with all this on his own, not even looking to his friends to comfort him.

Jimin and Soomin meet you for lunch at a restaurant that Saturday afternoon. The drive from Busan took longer than expected, they said, but you say you don’t mind. They’re visiting you like they always do every month, regardless of how busy they are back in their hometown, which was your home for a few years, too.

You were in the same class; your mom worked at the school, which was the only reason why you were able to attend a prestigious one in the first place. Even when you moved back to Daegu, you remained in touch with them. Despite the distance, none of you wanted to just let the friendship fade, and even when they had to stay back and you made a life out here in Seoul, they made sure to visit you as much as they could.

They’re why you were excited for the weekend to come and now, you’ll be enjoying a hearty meal, getting your nails done after, lounging at your apartment, and then heading to a club for a night out, which you only do whenever they’re around. 

“So, has the boss situation improved?” Soomin asks, her eyes soft and laced with worry “Or should I storm the jerk’s house and give him a piece of my mind?”

“It has,” you chuckle. “So no need to call him names or fight anyone. I’m okay.”

“Well, you did call him a grumpy old grinch with nice hair the other week,” Jimin points out. “So… did he get a haircut?”

“No,” you laugh again. “And that was in the heat of the moment. I… I mean, he’s still grumpy but he’s not… as grumpy or unbearable. He’s been—”

“Oh hun, please don’t say he’s been kind and then give him a pass for how he’s been to you,” Soomin reprimands. “Mean people don’t just become nice all of a sudden. And if they do, that’s a controlling tactic - they want you to think they’re capable of change so you’ll soften up to them and then give them a pass every time they do asshole-y things again.”

“You watch too many shows,” you frown, although knowing her statement isn’t wrong; it’s just not something you can relate with Jungkook.

Sure, he hasn’t been the nicest, but he also hasn’t been the meanest. He’s just been… him, you suppose - a bit in the middle; frustrated at worst, quiet at best, stoic on most days. He does seem to live in his head a lot, and while you won’t go so far as characterizing him as kind, he definitely hasn’t been insufferable these past few days. 

“I’ve just dealt with too many assholes, ___,” Soomin corrects. “They’re all the same. Men are shit.”

“Except for Jimin,” you correct.

“Except for Jimin,” she concurs. 

“I accept the honor,” he bows. “But seriously, ___. How has it been? You… you seemed really sad last week and I would’ve driven here then if we didn’t have that work emergency.”

“I’m okay, I mean it. I’ve experienced worse,” you try to assure them.

“You do know that having experienced something worse doesn’t mean it’s fine for you to experience something bad again, right?” Soomin points out.

“I know, but it also means that I know my threshold for bad behavior,” you say. “Jungkook was in a lot of stress and I did mess up. But I think he’s making up for that.”

“By apologizing, you mean?” Soomin cocks an eyebrow.

Your sigh tells her that’s definitely not what Jungkook has done. 

“Well, he approves my minutes and reviewed reports much quicker,” you reason. “And he doesn’t comment as much. But actually, I think he just pities me. And that’s worse.”

“Why would he pity you?” She asks.

“I don’t know. Maybe because I said that a tree fell on our roof and that mom got injured the weekend before my mishap,” you explain. “And then he found out how early I start my day just so I can get to him on time. He’s made adjustments after those and I… I think he’s guilty or something. And he’s just not being his usual angry self around me to make it up to me.”

“So in short, he’s still kind of an asshole,” Soomin says, prompting Jimin to snort and you to pout. “He could always just apologize if he’s guilty and realized he should treat you better.”

“Some things aren’t easy for other people to say, you know?” You say softly. 

“That’s not an excuse,” she points out.

“It’s an explanation,” you counter. “Or one of them, I guess. I don’t know him well enough, but it’s better to think that he’s a decent person who just struggles with emotions than someone who willingly makes people’s lives difficult. I mean, that’s easier to manage and accept.”

“If that helps you deal and he’s indeed improving, then maybe I won’t have to storm his place then,” she smiles, taking your hand and kissing it as she likes to do. 

She knows your habit of pressing your nails onto your skin, and she always said she likes to remind you that you deserve gentleness, too; she’ll give it if you can’t give it to yourself. 

The rest of the afternoon goes as you planned, with all the banter you’d expect from your best friends amid the pampering and then the chick flick in the background as you get ready in your tiny apartment. 

You smile at your reflection in the mirror. The high-waist trousers and sleeveless top ensemble is a refreshing sight for you, as you only really dress up like this for a night out. You’re in your usual pencil skirts and blouses otherwise, and in jeans and tops or oversized jumpers on a normal day. 

Soomin’s done your makeup and Jimin compliments you as he looks on, and soon enough, they’re ready as well to head out. 

“Where’re we going?” You ask from the passenger seat as Jimin navigates the busy streets of Seoul on a Saturday night. 

“Some new restaurant the guys discovered,” Soomin responds. “I think it’s not far from here.”

“Okay, good. Hajoon’s been texting, asking what time we’ll get there,” you tell them. 

“Geez, you were already with him last night. Tell him to be patient,” Jimin rolls his eyes. 

Soomin laughs from the backseat as she teases that he’s just being jealous, to which he points out that he just hasn’t seen you in a while so the man can wait. And you assure Jimin that you’d gladly skip a night with Hajoon to be with your best friends, no questions asked. 

You get there eventually, and you immediately spot the group because of the laughter coming from their table. There are four men; the two women are Soomin’s friends, which is how you got involved with Hajoon in the first place. You met some time last year and you’ve been hanging out with him since then - among other things - and you’ve been enjoying it, given the simplicity and lack of drama when he’s not being moody. He’s a warm body who knows how to use it and you’re a good type of relief, as he’d said; there’s really not much more you need as you just try to survive through life and make something out of yourself in however way you can. 

Hajoon waves at you from his seat, gesturing to his left to say he’s saved that spot for you. You head there after greeting your other friends, with Jimin and Soomin following you. 

Right as you sit down and greet the man next to you, you’re caught by surprise when he kisses your cheek and snakes his arm around your waist. 

“Hey, I missed you today,” Hajoon hums, smiling at you the way he did last night and this morning; it definitely wasn’t this sweet when he left for a work trip last month.  

“I… saw you today,” you frown, earning you a chuckle. 

“I know; I was still thinking about you, though,” he says. 

You give a smile - as genuine as you can make it - and then turn towards your friends to your left who are trying to hold in their laughter. 

You order a beer after he offers you a glass of wine, and then go for the pork belly when he says the salmon here is good. 

“Just craving for meat, that’s all,” you tell him. 

“Is there anything else you want? Just let me know, okay?”

You hum your yes and then turn back to your friends after Hajoon makes jokes with his.

“Since when was he this sweet to you?” Soomin whispers with wide, curious eyes. 

“Since never,” you reply. “I mean, we’ve never been affectionate outside of bed…”

“Is anything else different?” Jimin wonders, careful not to bring attention to your conversation.

You look back at how things were before Hajoon left and how it was when he was away. Nothing seemed different. You hung out at his place before he flew out, then you messaged each other every now and then during the one month he was abroad. He was more interested to talk, but given the time difference and the pressure and stress you’ve been under the past weeks, you didn’t bother much, neither did he. 

But you also think back to last night - how he picked you up from your apartment, which he’s never done before, and how he prepared a luxurious dinner. He made you breakfast this morning, too, whereas you both usually just sleep in in tangled limbs and then separate once you wake up.

“He cooked me fancy stuff but I just thought he wanted to show off what he learned during his cooking masterclass,” you shrug. “And well… he seemed sweeter than normal.”

“Maybe he hooked up with someone while he was away and he’s guilty about it,” Jimin suggests.

“He didn’t say anything about it and he knows I wouldn’t mind,” you say. “We’re not exclusive, even if I don’t hang out with other guys.”

“Maybe he’s over the fucking and wants to do the loving bit now,” Soomin offers. “I mean, he always seemed more into you than you were into him.”

“He’s hot and decent when he’s in a good mood; that’s all I need,” you admit. 

“But honestly, that’s probably it,” Soomin continues. “I think he’s hinting that he wants to be more.”

“But I don’t want to,” you whine. “I’m not ready.”

“You’re 30! When are you ever gonna be ready?” Soomin whisper-yells.

“Never!” You pout now. “I mean… Not with him.”

“Well, you’re gonna have to tell him soon, then,” Jimin sighs. “Before it gets messy. And you hate messy.”

“What if men just don’t have feelings?” Soomin wonders out loud. “That way, you can’t hurt them.”

“So that way, they can hurt you?” Jimin points out. “No. I’m not letting any men hurt either one of you, okay? I love you both too much.”

“We know,” you and Soomin say at the same time. 

“But I agree with Jimin, ___. You’re gonna have to let that man next to you, who’s thankfully deaf, go. And then just find another person who can give you what you need,” Soomin continues. “Like, uh…” 

She looks around the semi-packed restaurant to find some random man to just point to, her eyes widening in awe as she spots a table close by with the type of men she was just thinking about. 

“Like them.” 

You laugh at her, not taking her seriously, but still, you look towards the direction of her cocked head, only to feel your throat dry up and your heartbeat speed up. Your eyes widen in reflex as they meet the piercing gaze of the man who’d given you a headache for weeks. He also happens to look unfairly handsome in his white top and slicked back hair. 

“Shit, I would totally go for them,” Soomin adds, “and I only even like men a quarter of the time.”

Your best friends look at you as they wait for a response, only to see a nervous look on your face, as if you’re seeing a ghost or something, and the way you turn to them and stutter almost seems like you are.

From the other table, Jungkook pants quietly. You finally looked his way, and he didn’t know what to expect your reaction to be - maybe a bit of shock, but definitely not this worried. Granted, you’re out with your friends at a restaurant that he and his friends frequent. It’s not the type of place they’d normally go for - this is a lot simpler, less private, and more accommodating than the exclusive restaurants and hotels they go to for dinners before heading to a club. But Jungkook loves their pork belly; he orders it every week, and tonight, he was craving for this specifically before going to a private party of one of Taehyung’s clients. 

Jungkook had seen you when you sat down, and he’d been taken aback when the guy to your right immediately kissed your cheek; it seems he’s barely let go of your waist since then, too. Perhaps the man is your boyfriend - and Jungkook doesn’t know what made him think you wouldn’t have one - but it also seems that the one to your left is into you, too, at least based on how he smiles at you sweetly but rolls his eyes at the affectionate guy to your other side. 

But other than the embarrassing obvious affection that both of them are directing at you, what made him lose his senses is how you look, and you’re even more beautiful than he imagined. Your hair is styled, your makeup is bolder than usual, and he won’t even start with how you’re dressed. It’s a lot more skin than he’s used to - you’re out, after all, and if he’ll go by what your companions are wearing, he supposes this is your stop before heading to some club to party, too. Whereas when you’re at work, you have the skirt and long-sleeved blouse ensemble that you wear everyday - still pretty, perhaps just a lot more reserved than what he’s seeing now. 

He can’t take his eyes off you, even as you entertain your suppose-boyfriend, even when you engage in hushed conversation with the man and woman to your left, and even when you stare back at him, the initial shock now wearing down to a look of curiosity. Perhaps you’re wondering why he keeps glancing at you, too.

“I told you he’s got it bad,” Taehyung laughs from the other side of the table. 

He’s noticed how his friend hasn’t said much in the last 10 minutes, his gaze directed at the loud table close by. One glance and Taehyung knew why. 

“Well, we told him,” Seokjin corrects. “He only ever acts out when he’s threatened and he’s apparently threatened by his pretty assistant.”

“I’m not acting out,” Jungkook scowls, finally breaking the staring contest with you.

“You’ve never been this much of a jerk,” Seokjin says. “So yes, you’re acting out.”

Jungkook ignores them, his eyes turning back to you, and finds you downing two shots of tequila consecutively, then using the beer as your chaser. His knuckles unconsciously clench when your suppose-boyfriend scoots closer, whispering something in your ear, his lips grazing your skin. 

Jungkook exhales deeply, trying to get a grip of himself. He’s acting foolishly. You obviously have a life outside of work, and it obviously includes going out for dinner and drinks with friends, having a boyfriend, and enjoying your youth the way he is. There’s a world outside of the routine you’ve both created, of the silence you both share, and the time you spend together, unknowingly learning about each other without meaning to, without wanting to.

“___,” Soomin calls your name one more time. 

“Huh?” You answer, finally tearing your eyes away from Jungkook, who’d unfortunately captured your attention after you noticed he was there. 

You’ve been used to his impeccable looks in his fancy suits; you’ve even gotten used to his tank top and sweatpants post-workout outfits every morning, and while you’re still not immune to that look, his night out wear fit for a party leaves you more choked up than normal. 

Maybe it’s the black jeans that you spot as he sits on the edge of the couch, or the white button-up top with the rolled sleeves up to his elbow, or his haircut that makes him look a little more mature. Maybe it’s all that and the way he’s gazing at you, the look in his eyes something you can’t quite read. Perhaps like you, he’s surprised to see you here the way you’re shocked that he’d chosen this place to eat; it’s not exactly a fancy restaurant you know he likes eating at. 

But he’s here, and so are you, and suddenly you feel exposed, as if the world outside of work that you’ve kept to yourself is baring open to the man who stands at the center of what you do everyday. And you’re not sure how you feel about that.

“I was just saying… those men are pretty hot and they look interested, too,” Soomin wiggles her eyebrows. “ I mean, they keep looking here.”

“One of them is my boss,” you finally say. “Guy on the right. That’s… uh, that’s Jungkook.”

“Holy fuck, hun,” Soomin chokes on her drink. “Why did you leave out the part about your rude boss being a fucking god?”

“Does it matter?” Jimin scowls. “He’s still rude.”

“It’s different when the guy’s hot. It makes the anger more intense, you know?” Soomin says. “Attractive people elicit more passionate feelings sometimes.”

“Excuse me, that’s not why I was angry,” you pout. “He was really being unfair.”

“Well, he was. But I think my point also applies,” Soomin argues. “I’d just like to warn you that workplace hotties are a menace. Except for Yoongi - he was heaven sent. ”

“Ah, the man who could’ve been,” Jimin sighs. “We at least knew he wouldn’t hurt you. He didn’t seem like the type.”

“Yeah, this dude over here is hot but he’s mean. And that’s your type,” Soomin smirks.

“Can we… not talk about this while he’s there? And while this other dude is right next to me?” You glare at your friends, especially at Soomin whose insinuation wasn’t lost on you. “It’s so… weird.”

“Hey, we’re here for you, okay?” Jimin softens as he looks at you. “Just let us know if one of them makes you feel uncomfortable. We can always just stay at your place and watch horror movies until morning and you and Soomin can lose your voices from screaming and then I’ll lose my hearing because of it.”

His words make you laugh. There’s a tenderness in Jimin that you’ve never heard from anyone else before. Even when he’s telling you to stop yelling because you live for the thrill of a jumpscare, he says it so tenderly while laughing before pulling you both in his embrace. 

“I’m okay. I’m just… I don’t know, probably just not used to seeing him somewhere that isn’t the office or his home,” you reason. “And I feel a bit exposed, I guess. This is my world and his is… right there.”

You wrap your arms around your body subconsciously, realizing only you’d done it when Jimin asks if you’re cold, offering his jacket then taking it back because Hajoon might smack him or something.

You turn it down, knowing you actually feel hot more than anything. You’re dressed up and definitely dressed in less, and somehow having Jungkook see you like this is oddly making you shy, perhaps a little too conscious.

“Just don’t mind him,” Soomin advises. “It’s a restaurant. You obviously have a social life and he can’t fault you for it, nor make you feel weird about it. Just focus on us, okay? Or on Hajoon, if that’ll happen.”

You follow her words and try to block out Jungkook. You do slightly nod at him, as well as at Taehyung and Seokjin just to acknowledge their presence, but you continue on with your meal, as the dishes arrive soon after. 

The pork belly is a winner; you’ll probably come back here for that alone. You do manage to dodge Hajoon’s attempts at feeding you, and your other friends engage with the three of you at the other end of the table. It’s going well for the most part, until Hajoon starts to act a little wary, a little tense.

“Hey,” he says, leaning close to you. “The guy on the other table has been looking at you all night. It’s kinda annoying.”

You glance at Jungkook’s table and he looks away when you do. “Oh, just don’t mind him,” you wave Hajoon off. “Maybe I remind him of someone or something.”

There’s a beat of silence, and you feel him tense even more, as you look up and see that he’s staring down the man on the other side. Hajoon’s had a bit to drink, and you know he tends to be cocky and irrational when he is. You groan once he shakes his head, saying he’s gonna give “that stranger” a piece of his mind because “he can’t be looking at my girl like that.”

The initial annoyance you feel turns into panic once he stands from his seat and storms to the other table. You follow him, with your friends just looking in worry. His friends are more encouraging of what he wants to do though. 

“What the fuck is your problem staring at my girl like that?” Hajoon mumbles, acting all tough when he’s never threatened nor confronted anyone like this, even when he’s drunk. 

Jungkook seems taken aback. Perhaps it’s the aggression he didn’t expect, or maybe it’s finally having to acknowledge your presence in the restaurant, just in an unfortunate way. 

“Your girl?” He scoffs. 

The way the man is speaking to him is quite annoying, but he also knows your boyfriend is slightly drunk, so he dismisses him because Jungkook doesn’t need this drama tonight, especially not in front of you. 

Hajoon hates the way this stranger is looking at him and not taking him seriously. He’d seen how he kept glancing at you, perhaps trying to get your attention away from him, and he’s really had enough. His words are slurring but this is the courage he needs to stand up for you. You’ve said before how unwanted attention makes you uncomfortable, and he’s gonna do something about it before the man gets to try anything with you. 

“Yeah, my girl. You seem to have a problem with that, don’t you?” Hajoon grunts. 

“My only problem is you making a scene right now,” Jungkook shakes his head. “You’re drunk and insecure and you’re embarrassing yourself in front of your girl.”

Not that you expected him to back off, but you didn’t actually think that Jungkook would further press Hajoon’s buttons. The man is drunk and insecure and indeed embarrassing, but getting told so is a blow to the ego, especially in your presence. And so you’re not surprised that this just makes him angrier, and since you’ve never dealt with this version of him before, you don’t know how to pacify him.

You didn’t actually think that Hajoon had a daring bone in his body despite being the way he is, but when he attempts to lunge at Jungkook, you’re left in disbelief. You’re quick enough to pull Hajoon back before he lands a fist on the other man’s face, but he’d been worked up enough that he hits the glass of wine on the table, knocking it over and causing the drink to spill on Jungkook’s thin white top. 

“Mr. Jeon!” You shriek, pulling Hajoon back more forcefully before pushing him to the side so you can get ahead. 

You take the napkin from the table and wipe Jungkook’s wet clothed torso, slowing down immediately as you realize what exactly it is you’re doing. 

“I… uh,” you stutter, standing straight up and mirroring his questioning eyes. 

It was a reflex for you, considering that you constantly make sure that he’s dressed impeccably. 

“You know him?!” Hajoon asks in disbelief, tugging on your hand now so you’ll turn to him.

“He’s my boss, you idiot!” smacking him on the chest as you glare at him. “And you just put my job in jeopardy and for what?”

“Well, what can he do?” Hajoon challenges. “Get you fired because of me? Does he own the company and shit?”

“My father does,” Jungkook responds. “And I’m the Vice President.”

Hajoon just rolls his eyes but you aren’t amused. You glance at your table and gesture for one of his friends to take him, so one of them does. He stands up and pulls Hajoon away before he can do or say anything else.

“I’m so, so sorry, Mr. Jeon,” you say, your head bowed down as you apologize. “I…” 

The mess on his outfit is too much; the red has stained the white top and you know he feels sticky. He looks like he has somewhere to go after this and that makes it worse.

“I– I can call Mr. Ri to get the car in here. I can get extra clothes from your travel bag,” you say, knowing that Jungkook always has a bag filled with clothes for emergency flights or check-ins. 

You get your phone and make a call, telling Jungkook that his chauffeur will be here soon. You glance towards your friends who are still pacifying a drunk Hajoon, and you decide that they can handle all that. Right now, your priority is Jungkook.

You walk out towards the car that’s on hazard mode outside the restaurant and pick out the top that’s most appropriate for a night out, which happens to be a semi-loose black button-up. You head back inside, with Taehyung and Seokjin informing you that Jungkook has gone to the washroom, so you scurry towards there and knock at the door.

“Mr. Jeon, I have your black long sleeves here,” you say as your knuckles tap on the wood. “Just tell me–” 

You’re interrupted by the sudden opening of the door, the sight of Jungkook in his jeans hanging by his waist and his unbuttoned white top catching you by surprise. His hair’s a bit damp and so is his bare torso, as you see that he’s tried to clean the wine off his body. 

You catch yourself looking longer than you should, and you immediately look away as you hand him over what he needs. 

“Please let me know what else you need, sir,” you say, your eyes glued to the pretty wallpaper as you awkwardly stand outside the washroom. 

“Jungkook,” he says, earning him a curious look. “I mean, you don’t need to be formal. We’re not at work.”

You nod, realizing it does sound weird to address him as such in a casual setting. 

“Okay… Jungkook,” you mumble, but even the way it rolls off your tongue is a bit odd. You’re not used to it, and you hope you won’t ever be. 

He closes the door and you take this time to calm yourself down. You’ve been so worried since you saw the glass tip over and mess up his outfit, and given his hot-headedness, you’re a little surprised that he didn’t fight back. He does have a reputation to uphold but even then, stopping himself from punching Hajoon must’ve taken a lot. 

The door opens and you sigh in relief; his outfit still looks good and he’s fully clothed, so there’s no lingering looks this time anymore. You take the top that he gives you, and you take the chance to apologize.

“I’m so sorry,” you start. “I don’t know why he— I mean, he’s a bit drunk and he’s not usually like this.”

“You’re not the one who should apologize so don’t,” he responds. 

“Well, he won’t apologize so I will.”

“You didn’t spill the drink and you didn’t come at me. That was him,” he counters. 

You just shrug, choosing to just concede. “I’ll just return this to Mr. Ri.”

He calls your name before you turn around to leave. 

“I didn’t mean to cause a rift between you and your boyfriend,” he says, much too low and too gentle than you’re used to. “I hope I didn’t ruin anything.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” you answer softly. “We just, uh, we just hang out.”

You don’t know why you feel the need to correct this misinformation. Maybe you just want to remind yourself because you’re not anyone’s anything; hearing Hajoon claim you as yours made you want to just create that distance even more.

Jungkook wants to push it, to ask more. The man clearly acts like he’s your lover, given the physical affection and the way he tried to stand up for you. But there’s a bit of shame as you state that you and the man “just hang out,” and there’s that wonder he feels - how can you be with someone without being with them, and if turning away people who are clearly into you is a tendency you have. There’s Min Yoongi, after all, who’d liked you enough to remain as your friend when you needed one despite how he felt.  

“Okay then,” Jungkook nods. “And your job’s not in jeopardy. Don’t take responsibility for a stupid act you didn’t do.”

You bow in thanks, not much used to this side of him that’s understanding and even calm. You suppose he’d seen you worry about your job, had seen you look embarrassed over something that you didn’t even do, and perhaps he saw the discomfort over how Hajoon was talking about you. 

You’re about to walk out of the hallway when his call of your name stops you again, prompting you to turn around.

“About earlier… did I… did I make you feel uncomfortable?” He asks, the worry in his voice surprising you. 

You debate over playing it down or telling the truth, but you go with the latter. 

“A… a little,” you admit, looking away. 

You hear him sigh, and there’s a look of guilt in his eyes as you turn to him. 

“I’m so—”

The footsteps of another diner in the hallway disrupts him, and you both make way so he can use the washroom, too. Perhaps you and Jungkook had taken so long, and you don’t want others to conspire about what’s happening, so you walk out and tell him again that you’ll just return his clothing to Mr. Ri. 

From your table, Soomin and Jimin watch the awkwardness of your parting of ways, with you scurrying out the door and Jungkook returning to his seat with a deep sigh before glaring at Hajoon.

“He does sound and look like an asshole, aside from being hot,” Soomin observes. “That’s totally ___’s type.”

“Are you saying she likes her boss?” Jimin asks incredulously. 

“I’m just saying that’s her type, not that she likes him,” Soomin corrects. “There’s a difference. I still hate him for making things hard for her. I wish he would stop treating her like that. You and I know she won’t quit anytime soon. Especially because he’s a Jeon.”

“I know,” Jimin sighs. “I wish we could protect her from all this, too. But she’s always done what she wanted to do. And we wait for her to tell us when things are hard; we just hold her hand whenever it is.”

“That’s all we can do, I guess,” Soomin responds. “Sometimes though I wish she’d just… let someone else do more than just hold her hand, you know? It could’ve been Yoongi, or even Hajoon before all this mess. It could’ve been you.”

“You know that’ll never happen,” Jimin laughs bitterly, with Soomin knowing exactly what he means. “You’re only ever just her friend or her lover; you can’t be both.”

Soomin hums in agreement, as she’d seen you draw the line with the men you’d come across with. You’d make it clear if friendship is all you want; you’d be straightforward if it’s just sex you’re seeking. You give either just your heart or your body and you’re always careful not to give both. There are parts of you that you don’t want to share, that you don’t want to expose to them; there’s a kind of hurt that you don’t want to experience. 

They watch you walk back inside and then head to their table, where you sit next to a buzzed Hajoon who still has half a mind to look at you guiltily. 

“I think I’ll head back home after this,” you tell the group. “Kinda not in a partying mood anymore.”

Your other friends apologize on Hajoon’s behalf, proceeding to ask you if that was really your boss and if he’d threatened your job because of it, remarking that it would be such an asshole move of him to do that or to even get mad at you for something you didn’t do. 

You come to Jungkook’s defense; he didn’t say anything to that effect at all. Perhaps you’d been the unfair one who assumed that he would - that he’d demand that you apologize, that he’d use this against you. 

“He’s… not like that,” you say, meaning it. You turn to your best friends who have disagreeing looks. “He… he tried to apologize for making me feel uncomfortable,” you say softly. “No one’s ever done that before.”

“Look, ___,” Hajoon starts, but you cut him off. 

“I don’t really wanna talk about it,” you sigh. “I’ll just pay my bill and head out.”

You, Soomin, and Jimin all pay accordingly and then leave the restaurant, with you turning to Jungkook and his friends, bowing as a form of goodbye.

“Hey, why don’t we buy desserts at a convenience store and have our own party at your place?” Jimin suggests as you all settle in his car. 

“That would be nice,” you hum. “This outfit wouldn’t be such a waste then.”

So that’s what you do, as your best friends treat you to all the snacks you love - a usual occurrence, really, as they used to do that back in Busan to cheer you up during the days when you were feeling sad. It’s one of the things that you allow them to spoil you with and they take advantage of that, as you go home with weeks’ worth of goods for you to enjoy.

You also picked up some drinks on the way, so you play some music and dance around with your wine glasses and take shots in between. It’s too early to be drunk but 11PM might as well be 3AM. You’re all seated snugly in your tiny couch as you watch some variety show on mute, laughing at the hosts' antics even if you can’t hear anything. 

“Tonight wasn’t so bad,” you huff, leaning on Soomin’s shoulder as you doze off. “Both of you are all I need. Thank you for never disappointing me.”

They know you don’t always let yourself be this sentimental. They also know that when you do, all you want is for them to listen and to hold you. And that’s what they do, as you eventually clean up and fall asleep on the mattress with them, the events from earlier slowly fading away.

Series Masterlist

Permanent Taglist: @sherlynxx @di0rgguk @thequeen-kat​ @fan-ati--c  @cravingforhotchocolate​ @adoraminie​ @helenazbmrskai @weasleyswizarding-wheezes @gukssunshine​ @kookxin​ @petuliii @yoursthv​ @libra04​ @fancycollectormoon​ @twixxxpie @ignoretheskies @ohmydarlin-g @bids97 @minyoongiboongi @main-bangtansmauyeondan @bora-bae7 @investedreader @petalsofink @jvngkooker @stopeatread

Series Taglist: @xhazmania @ash07128 @rinkud @junniesoleilkth @junecat18 @peachytokki @baechugff @coralmusicblaze @jalexad @pamzn @hoseoksluv89 @familiarlikemymirror3 @kookies-n-spice @hyuneyeon @thisartemisnevermisses @jk97bam @nadzzzblog @xyarinx @megnugget98 @shameless-army @jkslvsnella @lvr2seok @nayashalouiseburrows @peterstarkchrishiddleston

[luciferlightbringer]

Love in a Hopeless Place

Chapter 12

Hey! I'm so sorry that this chapter took a while! This week was a lot and smut takes a lot of energy for me to write because I care about the details and all. But now it is here! Also, I was gonna put a more cute/loving gif of Lucifer for for this one but then I saw this was and I couldn't stop laughing, so here we are. Enjoy~

Chapter 11|Chapter 12 (FINAL CHAPTER)

Lucifer x prostitute fem!reader Word Count: 5.3 k CW: Slowburn, Angst, Prostitution, Hurt/comfort, trauma, fluff, depression, anxiety, insecurity, kissing, SMUTTTT (penetration, oral, handjobs, sub/dom, sex toys)

By the end of the day, all your things had been moved over to the hotel. Lucifer had offered to put your things in his room, but you had asked for your own, both because you wanted to have your stuff separate for now... and part of you wanted a separate place to be if you after Lucifer ever had issues come up. You didn't anticipate it happening, but the anxiety that came with a new relationship, especially your first healthy one, left you needing some time to adjust. Lucifer, being the good man that he was, respected it, but not without a little pouting, but you reassured him that you would still be spending every night sleeping by his side.

By the end of the day, you were tired, and honestly, so was Lucifer. The physical and emotional toll of the day had caught up to the both of you and you went to bed early that night. Snuggling up in each other's arms.

The next morning, Lucifer woke up early, excited, with a plan for the day. Lucifer got up and got dressed for the day, gave you a swift kiss on the lips as you laid half awake in bed and whispered, "I have some things I need to do today, but see you later. Ok? You're booked out with me starting dinner time, got it?" You nodded sleepily. He kissed you again, deeper this time. "I love you, Duckie." And then he left to go pick up supplies for his plan with you later.

A little bit later, you finally woke up and laid in Lucifer's- Lucifer and YOUR's bed... that would take some while to get used to. You heard a faint sound of commotion down in the lobby. You decided to get up to see what all the commotion was about, throwing on a basic shirt and shorts. It had been forever since you had gotten to have a slow day and wear clothes that weren't required to make you look like a sex toy, the change was really nice.

You skip downstairs to come face to face with a couple of familiar faces... some of your friends from the brothel! Gemma, Natalie, and Katrina, had all come also wanting to move into the hotel and give redemption a try. They saw how Lucifer and the others had fought for you, and they wanted in on that kind of support, even if they were still going to work at the brothel. You hugs them all and cried happy tears.

"You, uhhh... wouldn't be willing to spare one more hug, would ya, Babydoll?" You turned around at the familiar voice to see Larry standing behind you.

"Larry!" you hugged him, "What are you doing here?"

"Well.." he said sheepishly, "Truthfully, I've been losing the heart to run that brothel over the last several decades... Although business is already up a lot since it got out the Lucifer used my place, haha! We will see what happens... I am still running it, but... I might not be trying to find any new girls is all. Learning about this hotel here... gave me something else to try out... if... you are ok with me being here... that is..."

You smiled at Larry and hugged him again, "Of course I am! Every sinner is welcome here! Just one thing though... my new boyfriend might not be too fond of you calling me Babydoll anymore."

Larry laughed, "Fair enough, wouldn't want to upset him, I already know what that looks like, yeeshh," he said playfully pulling at his collar, "How about just 'doll'?" You nodded with a laugh, "That should work". You helped Larry and the other girls move in most of the day. Luckily you were distracted enough that you did not see Lucifer pop in and out the the hotel several times with supplies.

Eventually it came dinner time and you went off to your own room, to shower and get dressed for the event with Lucifer that night. You walked into your room to find a beautiful black and red dress with matching shoes and a bag next to it with a note saying:

Got you a little something for our first official date, I hope you like it. Love, Luci <3

Your heart swelled, you had no idea how your life had ended up like this, but you were the happiest you had ever been. You sighed happily and went to take a quick shower, did your hair with simple makeup and put on the dress. It fit your dimensions perfectly, like scary perfectly, and had no tag.

Did he have this made for you? This was going to be a lottttt to get used to, you were dating a King. Oh my god, you were dating a King. No... you were dating Lucifer, he could have been a sinner just like anyone else and it wouldn't matter to you. He could fall to an even darker pit of Hell and you would follow him. This must have been how Lilith felt all those years ago. You finished getting ready and you heard a knock on your door at your usual time.

You went to go open the door and saw Lucifer standing in front of you, wearing a more simple suit that was still just as sexy as his normally outfit, but with more black and red details to match you. As you catch his view, he catches yours, and you both look at each other with jaws agape as you take in each other's beauty. Lucifer was so happy that the dress fit you, and in all. the. right. ways. He gave you a prideful smile.

"I'm glad I got the measurements correct," he said with a smirk.

"So it was custom made, how did you know my dimensions?" you smirked back at him.

Lucifer raked his eyes up and down your body, "I'm just... good with spacial awareness." He wiggled his eyebrows.

You chuckled and nodded with a cheeky smile, "Wow, I never thought such a nerdy sentence could sound so hot~" you purred.

Lucifer got a little flustered, "Oh shut up," he grabbed your hand and putted you into a deep kiss. You two stood in the kiss and embrace for a few minutes before Lucifer pulled away, breathing heavily.

"I don't want to get too ahead of myself, we have an itinerary to keep to" Lucifer says as he taps his cane on the floor. Before you can ask what he meant, he teleports the both of you to a secluded room with large windows that overlook the Pride Ring, music softly playing in the background, Swan Lake.

You looked at the view and smiled, "All this for me?" you ask.

"Oh this is just the beginning of our night, my love. And yes, you deserve this and much much more," he kissed both of your hands before taking you to your chair. You and Lucifer ate dinner together, spent hours listening to music, flirting, and eventually got up and started dancing together. This made Lucifer think about how things used to be with Lilith, but he could appreciate that it was different, it was with you.

He dips you and kisses you deeply, running his hands down your frame. His body had been aching for yours all day during the preparations for the night, but he knew he had to be patient just a little longer. We wanted so desperately to claim you, but also, to fill you with all the love and pleasure that he could muster. It was the least you deserved.

Lucifer pulls his head back to be able to look at you as you look up at him, his eyes full of love as he smiled down at you, "I love you my darling, and from this day on, I will make sure you never go a day in your life where you doubt that."

You felt tears well in your eyes, "I love you too, King of Hell, King of my heart. I will do everything in my power to be by your side and love you." You kiss him again as he ends the dip, standing you back upright.

"Are you ready for the rest of the evening?" He said with some flirty mischief in his eyes, wiggling his eyebrows again.

You tuck a strand of hair behind his ear, "Oh I am."

Lucifer tapped his cane and you both teleported back to the hotel, in front of your door. "I have one more outfit for you tonight, get changed and come to our room in ten minutes," he asked trying to hide the excitement in his eyes at his plans for you. You nodded.

Lucifer kisses you again, deeper than all of the others, barely able to keep himself from taking you right there in the hallway. He parts and walks back to the room he called both of yours. You smiled and watched him walk away before going into your room. On the bed was another new outfit, who had put that there while you were gone? It was Angel, Angel wanted to help

On your bed, was a simple but elegant robe, the type of robe you would find at a spa or something, and nothing else. What was he up to? Before putting on the robe you also put on a set of lingerie that you had gotten a while ago, just for him to see if he had ever wanted to have sex with you back when he was still paying for your time, but now he got to see it for free, and that made you even happier.

You slipped on the robe, and after ten minutes, you walked down to your shared room with Lucifer and knocked on the door. Lucifer called for you to come in, and you opened the door to the room filled with lit candles, rose petals on the floor, a table over on the side that had stuff on it covered in a cloth, and Lucifer standing near the side of the bed, also wearing a robe that matched yours, this hat and cane off to the side. All you were able to see was his chest exposed down to the V in the robe and his black arms up to his elbows and his black legs to to the knee where they started to transition to white.

You laughed as you walked into the room towards Lucifer, "What is all this?"

Lucifer looked you over, Hells he wanted to rip that robe off of you, "Well... I wanted this all to be special. I know I could just toss you on the bed and probably have my way with you but... I want this to feel different... I don't this to feel like just another job... I want it to feel like love."

His words left a pang in your heart, you got close and cupped his face "You don't have to do all of this for me to feel like that, everything about you makes this feel like love... frankly... I struggled most of the time to see you as just a client... after a while I hated that you were because I wanted for it all to be real."

"Just for both of us to find out it was real the whole time," he said as he nuzzled into your hand, "I love you, and I'm going to spend the reset of the night and every day after showing you just how much I do." Lucifer then pulled you into a deep kiss. Both of you start to explore each other's bodies with your hands a little before Lucifer stops you again.

"Hells, you make it so hard to stop, but I have a plan here," he clears his throat, he is already shaking a little out of excitement and nerves, "You have spent a lot time using your body for others and I want to make you feel good, so I was going to give to a message. Does that sound ok?"

You melted, hell he was sweet and really hot, how could he possibly get more hot? "That sounds amazing actually..."

Lucifer's eyes lit up, "Great! And then uhh... whenever we move on to other activities... I may have uhh... gone with Asmodeus to get like... a bunch of new toys! Hahah... we don't have to use them now, if you don't want to. I just wanted us to have options..." he said pointing over at the covered table on the side.

You looked over at the table and then back at him with lust and mischief filled eyes, tucking a hair behind his ear, "We should probably get the massage started before I start perusing those toys," you purred.

Lucifer's face turn red and his loins stir, he gulps hard as he walked you over to the bed. As you laid down, you looked at Lucifer as you slowly shrugged off your robe and tossed it to the side, leaving you in only your lingerie as you laid down on the bed with your back and ass to the sky. Lucifer raked his eyes across your body and gulped hard again, this is the first time he had seen you this exposed since the night you met, and the memories alone did not do you justice.

He jumped up on the bed beside you, swiping your hair away from your back and covering his hands in massage oil before starting to rub into your back, and beginning his goal of feeling every inch of your body with his hands. He started to work his way down your shoulders, neck, lower back, and it felt amazing for him to touch and for you to experience.

As he moved his hands around your curves, he looked for points of tension and pain, and used a little magic to help in aiding his hands in relaxing you and making your body feel good. His touch feels incredible to you, even without the magic, and you can't help but moan and sigh as he worked your muscles. The attention he gave your back alone was already enough to get you turned on, even though you already had been pretty turned of from all the kisses, but you felt yourself starting to get more wet.

Lucifer held back a moan as he hear you start to sigh at the pleasure of his hands on you. He loved that he was making you feel good, making you feel pleasure. He wanted to worship you, your body. Your body was the alter to the entity that he now wanted to worship for the rest of his life. He felt himself already start to get drunk off the feeling of your soft skin, your beautiful muscles and curves. His hands started to explore more down an arm, down to your hand, working at your palm and trailing kisses down from your shoulder to your wrist before moving to the other arm and repeating the process there before doing the same down each leg.

You continue to moan and sigh as he moved across your body. The massage felt so good but your pussy continued to ache for him, every time he got close to your entrance, you started to shake and moan more. This was not lost on Lucifer, he loved seeing you quiver beneath him, and he wanted to badly to just dive into you... but not quite... he needed to torture you a little more.

He quickly snapped the back of your lingerie top and before you had time to talk, he quickly flipped you over and got on top of you. He straddled you as he slowly undid the tie on the front of his robe and slipped it off of him, leaving him completely exposed above you. You were now able to see the entirely of his well sculpted body, chest, back, hips... and his cock that was already hard and erect for you. Hells it looked incredible, you just wanted it in... so many places... He gave you a long and passionate kiss, with some exchanging of saliva between your mouths, tongues exploring each other before he starts to work to massage to front of your body.

The touch on your front was much more sensual thought than it had been on your body. Lucifer slowly kissed down your neck, your collarbone, your chest, down to you breasts. Lucifer removed the lingerie top the rest of the way before massaging around your breasts, playing with your nipples, kissing and nipping around one, before putting his mouth on it and sucking on it. The nerves in your nipples felt like they were on fire and that each flick of his tongue made your loins start to throb as you groaned. You started to weave you finger though his blonde hair tugged at it a little. He took his time before moving over at repeating the process on your other nipple.

You felt like you were going crazy with lust at this point, you had never been so desperate for someone to enter inside of you. You opened your legs a little, hoping for him to take the hint to just dive in... to devour you.

Lucifer chuckled to himself as he felt your legs shift open, he decided it was time to start ending your torment. As he finished his attention on your second breast, he traced a hand down your stomach and down to your mound, moving the fabric of your thong out of the way before starting to tease your entrance.

You start to pant and groan louder, "Luci, baby please... Please touch me... put your fingers in me... I can't take it... Mmmm.... pleas-uhhH!!!!" You moan louder as he cuts you off mid-plea by sliding a finger into you, and starting to pump it in and out. He was now able to feel just how wet you were.

"Mmm, all of this wetness for me? With how much fucking you do, I wouldn't think you would be such a dripping mess for me, I'm so honored," he purred as he stared up at you from your chest, mischievous lust dancing across him face, burning in his eyes. Slowly, Lucifer added a second and then a third finger into your dripping hole as he continued to finger you and he continued to kiss and nip his way down your stomach and down your thighs. curling his fingers up into your G-spot making you cry out with pleasure.

As soon as his mouth reached your thighs, he removed his fingers, getting better access to bite and kiss his way up your thighs towards your dripping mound, he was pussy drunk just looking at your gorgeous entrance. He looked up into your eyes as be positioned his mouth just above your folds.

"Oh my love, every inch of you is the most exquisite and radiant treasure... are you ready for my tongue to ruin you?" Lucifer growled.

"Yes... Luci, yes please... ruin me... eat me..." you whispered.

Lucifer gave you a wicked smile, "Good... because I've been starving since the day I met you, and it's time for me to eat my fill." Lucifer then enclosed his mouth around your folds and starts to swipe his tongue up and down your entrance before plunging his tongue deep into you.

You let out a scream of pleasure as his tongue assaults your entrance, it was incredible and he had barely started. Every touch from him set your body on fire. You grabbed onto Lucifer's golden locks as he lapped at you with a vicious hunger, as if he had not eaten in eons and your juices were his only source of food. Your screams of pleasure made him rock hard and he started to grind his own crotch against the bed to alleviate some of the need.

Seeing this, you make the decision that you wanted to take a more active role in the pleasure. You figure out how to flip Lucifer on his back, which caught him my surprise, and then you crawled up onto him so that you were hoovering your pussy over his face and were able to get access to his dick.

Lucifer grinned wildly at the sight of your mound hoovering above him, and grabbed both of your thighs to encourage you down until his mouth locked onto your folds again and his tongue was about to gain access to the inside of you again.

At the same time, you reached down and grabbed his dick, which caused Lucifer to moan deeply beneath you. As you started to stroke him more, Lucifer moaned more, and started to thrust his hips up into your hand. You guys try to match each other's pace with each other's pace of licking and pumping.

Lucifer pulled out his favorite trick, which was elongating his tongue inside of you and snaking it around until he heard you sharply inhale, indicating that he had once again found the sensitive bundle of nerves inside of you. He locked in on that spot and gave it as much attention as he could muster, even though he was finding it a little harder to focus due to the incredible feeling of your gorgeous soft hands on his throbbing shaft.

You and Lucifer continued like this for a while, an symphony of moans and sighs building between the two of you until you couldn't take it anymore, you needed him inside of you.

"Luci... uhhh... baby I need you... Oh hells... I need to feel you inside of me.." You sighed. Without another thought, Lucifer moved his hands up to your stomach and pushed you back onto the bed. He flipped around and crawled up to you, giving you a deep and hungry kiss as he spread your legs apart, finally ripping off your thong completely and discarding to the side so that it would not be in the way anymore. You loved getting lost in the taste of your juices on his tongue.

He broke off for a moment, panting, readying himself, teasing his cock at your entrance. He looked up into your eyes, a fire raging of lust and love as he growled.

"I've wanted this since the moment I saw that gorgeous sinful body of yours, since the day that the divine powers made it so that you were the one that ended up at may door, above anyone else. And now here we are, you naked in my bed, begging to feel the blessings of my cock inside of you? Oh well then I will RUIN you like this every day for the rest of your life, you hear me? This is your eternal punishment now, in my bed, slobbering, drunk off of my cock. Now tell me, darling, tell me what it is you truly desire?!"

You cried out, "I want you to fuck me Lucifer Morningstar!"

And at that, Lucifer started to slide into your entrance. You both moan loudly as you make connection with each other. Lucifer could on contain himself as his wings started to unfold from his back as he railed you. He looked down to see your head thrown back and your eyes rolling, and again he could not contain himself as his demon form emerged. Horns sprouted from his temples, eyes red, claws sharp, and a sharp black tail twisted out from behind him and wrapped its way around one of your thighs.

You looked up to see the new view of his, his angelic an demonic combination of features were so beautiful and terrifying in the sexiest way possible. His hands glided and squeezed along your body, kissing your legs as he held them up. You felt yourself starting to unravel.

"Luci-, oohhh... baby... it's soooo goodd.... I... I'm gonnnaa..." you tried so hard to hold yourself together a little longer.

Lucifer looked down at you with red eyes and growled with a smirk, "Cum for me, baby... let me finally claim that pleasure of yours... I'm so close..."

At his encouragement and growl, you threw your head back and moaned loudly as you felt yourself completely unravel, cumming and contracting around his beautiful cock. As you scream and your walls tightened around Lucifer, he felt himself also come undone as he felt waves of pleasure take him over at he hit his climax, emptying himself into you.

Lucifer then collapsed and rolled over to you side to breathe, "That... was... amazing..." he gasped.

"Ya... it was... fuck..." you weren't ready to had your hands off of him. You pulled him close and started kissing and making out with him again. He rolled back into your embrace to kiss your lips. After a few minutes, hands started to trail around each other's bodies again and you both started to let kisses roam as your bodies grinded against each other. You guys were both ready for another round.

You took Lucifer's shaft back into your hand and you started to pump un and down on it, and it did not take long before it was rock hard again in your hands. You then flipped onto you hands and knees at you continued to stroke his cock, still glistening and wet from your juices. A bead of pre-cum started to form at the tip, which you swiped off with your tongue, causing Lucifer to let out a pitiful moan and grab onto your hair.

"Oh baby... please.." he begged. All of the dominance and power he had earlier was gone, leaving the submissive desperate man you remembered meeting the first night. This reminded you of your plan from that night, you eyes glittered with mischief.

You slid your mouth around the head of his mouth, swirling around the tip before taking as much for his dick into your mouth. Lucifer was already losing it at the tip, but when you dove deeper around him he let out a long pitiful moan.

"Fuccckkkkkkk babyyyyy... ahhhh!!!!" he cried. You continued to pump your mouth up and down his mouth, some times removing your mouth completely to lick up the side from base to tip, and taking his balls into your mouth before returned back to filling your mouth with his cock. After several minutes of this, you stopped and slipped you way off of the bed.

Lucifer looked at you confused and in a happy daze as you walked over the the covered table and removed the cloth. The table was filled with more toys than you had ever seen in your life. The options were limitless, but you were looking for one thing in particular. You scanned the table until you found that you were looking for.

You grabbed a strap on and held it up, and gave a sly smile over to your prey that was still a slobbering mess over on the bed. Lucifer's eyes lit up and he gave you a dazed nod. You then took the strap on and started to secure it to you before strutting back to the bed, letting the shaft sway from side to side.

Lucifer slipped off the bed and got in his knees in front of you, taking the plastic phallus in his mouth to kiss and suck on it as well as the surrounding skin of your hips. You enjoyed the view of Lucifer on his knees in front of you for a minute, before you reach down his hand to tip his face up and make him you up at you.

You smirked at his submissive gaze up at you, "Up. On the bed," you commanded.

Lucifer nodded and scrambled onto the bed on all fours, his back arched and and up and ready for you. You grabbed a small tube from the table before slowly making your way back to the edge of the bed, putting a dollop of lube on your fingers before starting to massage his entrance. He gawked and moaned in response, especially he you started to work a finger in, and then two. It had been forever since Lucifer had been pegged, and hell did he miss it. He loved being at someone else's command, not needing to think for a minute. It was pure bliss.

You then started to spread some lube around the plastic of the strap on tip and shaft, making sure there was enough as not to hurt him. You positioned yourself to tease his entrance while you reached forward and grabbed around his throat, pulling him back, and you whispered in his ear.

"Now... are you ready for me to take you back to Heaven, darling?" you growled in his ear.

"Y-yes... yes mommy," he whimpered before you let go of the grip on his neck and slowly eased yourself into him. Lucifer let out a long moan as you slid into him. He dropped back down to all fours, and as you started pumping, he matched your pace in response. He felt so full and high on the feeling of you inside of him. As he got used to it, you started to pump faster and faster, his moans getting louder and louder. You waved your fingers through his hair, griping it and pulling his head back as you railed him, the grip of his hair making him moan and cry even louder, tears of pleasure running down his cheeks. Lucifer reached down and started to stroke himself as you pounded him. You took his other arm and held it behind him, forcing his face with squish into the bedding, muffling his cries.

After a while, Lucifer couldn't take it anymore, "Baby...oh hells... I need... mmmm... I need to fuck you... I beg of you." It made you so wet to see him like this, to have this power over him and to be pleasuring him in this way.

You cocked your head to the side and stopped you momentum while inside of him, and you pull him back up so you could whisper in his ear, "What is the magic word, Luci?" you purred.

"Mmmm... ahhh... p-please?" she whined. You obliged, removing yourself and replacing him on the bed on all four. Lucifer made quick of work of getting you in the same position you had just had him in, but with both hands behind your back as he quickly entered you and began pounding you again, screaming and moaning. You were sure the whole hotel could hear you, but you guys didn't care. It didn't take long until you both were reaching climax again and came at the same time before falling on the bed again in an exhausted heap.

Once he caught his breath, Lucifer pulled you in close, to cuddle against your naked body. Your bodies felt like magic against each other. He wanted to do nothing else other than hold you the rest of the night, you guys had the rest of time to try out the rest of the toys. He found your hand and laced his fingers in with your as he looked in your eyes. All you saw in each other's eyes was love and joy.

"y/n, I love you so much. Now and forever."

"I love you too, Lucifer."

You pulled Lucifer into another passionate kiss.

As you drifted off you sleep in Lucifer's arms, you whispered "I'm so happy we found each other, found love... in a hopeless place."

THE END

(unless?)

______________________________________________________________

Thank you all so much for the love I have gotten for this story! This is beyond anything I ever thought I would see from this and I am so happy. Some people are interested in a 2-5 years later chapter, would anyone be interested in that? This would be a chapter 13 that I would probably be posted in a few weeks. Let me know in the comments. Also! I will be starting my next Luci x Reader story in a few days, "Talk to Me", which will focus on a Fallen Angel Reader. Let me know if you want tagged in Chapter 1 of that! xoxo, dany ❤️

Taglist:

@froggybich @wonderlandangelsposts @glowinthedarkbones1150 @marydragneell @crescent-z @superdinosaurnacho @jam0001 @kyo-kyo1 @so-get-this-sammy @tiredlillypad @kelppsstuff @loquacious-libra @pinkhoneydrop @luleck @writer-girl99 @lavenz @stormz369 @littleladydemon @soujiswife @melday0105 @luluxx118 @sseleniaa @futureittomainn @cktkat @zaneyyyy @uravitsy @liecoris @starlitvenus @hannahrose130 @elleofdragons @butch-medusae @concentratedconcrete @erosamasan @stranger-chan @lxkeee @holyspacething @hulyenl @leximus98 @lu-ferri12 @mixplara @katnisspeetaprim @rebecca-hvnstn @roboticsuccubus83 @nekemewlita @femboyfatalle @thelethex @cryptidghostgirl @snowlotr @bangchansdirty-slut @glowymxxn @mcueveryday @hotvillianapologist @oneiric-rotaerc @wolfdaddyalphasworld @sleepypottersworld @wisterialagoon @theredviolets @theperfectmangovoid @lemonmoonmochi @sapphireravensworld @ezi0724 @undertalephanjackandmark-blog @apatcheworkofproblems @aquaamethyst96 @sashaphantomhive @randomstranger703 @cherry-4200 @herbalsingularitea @sophiaj650 @cimadreamer

[redfoxwritesstuff]

Misdemeanor of the Heart (Chapter 12) Human Alastor x Married Reader

Chapter Trigger Warnings: Domestic violence

AN: I'm sorry for the delay, I've been sick since Thursday and most of today. Please accept a 5k word chapter in exchange for being a day late.

(optional fucking off AN): I did try to quickly edit it quickly for posting today but alas, my illness quickly slipped out of control and I quickly slipped into a four hour nap and my condition quickly slipped worse. We must spare a moment of thanks to @redvexillum for quickly slipping in and quickly plunging her fingers into MisD's raw core. This is how I repay her.

Prev

Masterlist AO3 KoFi

The couch was uncomfortable under you. Was it the couch or the way you sat with your back straight and teetering  on the edge of the seat? Emotions curdled in your stomach, settling in a ball you struggled to identify as anything more than an overwhelming feeling of dread as you watched Laurence slip on his coat. 

For the majority of the week, your husband had hardly been home. At first, it was a welcome reprieve. You took solace in the peace and safety of having the home to yourself in the evenings. You made simple, small dinners that you enjoyed and didn’t require much clean up. The radio kept you company, the rich tenor of Alastor’s voice carrying through the house as you cooked and cleaned.

When Laurance wasn’t home, he wasn’t hitting you. When he was away, he wasn’t desecrating your body for his own carnal pleasures, leaving you sore and broken from serving your wifely duties. When he was away, you could eat to your heart’s content without his biting remarks about how much you ate and didn’t eat. You could indulge without having to hear his cruel excuses about why he refused to let you update your wardrobe to stay on top of the latest fashion trends.

How nice it was to have the house to yourself did nothing to change the simple fact that him spending so much time away from your marital home didn’t sit right with you. It was a wife’s protection to have her husband present in the evening. His absence left you vulnerable, even though his presence had its own danger, at least it was familiar and predictable. 

“Where are you going?” The question was out before you could stop it. You feared you already knew the answer, but what harm was there in letting him lie to you?

“Got a business meeting,” Laurence said despite not being dressed for a business meeting.  He looked too casual for that, open collar and sweater vest clinging to him, highlighting the frame that had once been nothing but muscle but now held a layer of softness.

It reminded you of how he looked when he would take you out to dinner during the courting days For a business meeting, he would wear a meticulously pressed suit, his hair perfectly styled, and every detail about him polished to a shine. 

“Is that so?”  It wasn’t your intention to question him but the murmured words were out before you could stop them. It wasn’t a wife’s place to question her husband’s whereabouts or his business. Stay home. Take care of the home. Raise babies when they come along. Don’t ask questions. 

Long strides took him across the room before you had a chance to soften your words or make yourself scarce. He loomed in front of you, reaching out quickly and for a moment, a panic you had never felt before flooded your body as his hand wrapped around your neck and squeezed. 

Laurence inflicted countless horrors on you throughout your marriage. He’d violated you against your will, used your body while you slept. He’d taken you against your will, he’d taken your body in your sleep. He’d struck you and thrown you, filling your days with screams and pain. But through all that, one thing he had never done was make you truly fear for your life - until now. 

“It’s not your place to question me,” Laurence reminded you, squeezing. Your hands reached out, wrapping around his arm as your eyes widened. Gasping breaths struggled to push through the constriction of his hand. Your heartbeat drummed against your ears, beating rapidly from the adrenaline that flooded your body as Laurence ensured your eyes had nowhere to look but at him. “Unless you want to piss me off again. Is that what you want, sweet thing?” 

“No, Laurence.” Your voice trembled as his grip slowly loosened around your neck while his lips curled into a sadistic smirk.

His thumb caressed your jaw as his smile suddenly softened. Leaning in, he closed the final gap between you. He pressed a sickly sweet, mocking kiss to your lips, a cruel imitation of the stolen kisses lovestruck girls would dream about.You had never understood the desire to have the lips of another on you. You were thankful when he pulled away and his hand completely dropped from your neck.

Laurence reached into his pocket, pulling his wallet free. It was a crisp leather billfold. It was newer, a recent gift from his father before he had passed. His final gift to your budding family was leaving Laurence, his only son, the family business. The clinking of coins was loud, almost louder than the heartbeat still thundering in your ears as he moved coins around, hunting for a few quarters.

“Here,” he grabbed your hand, turning it palm up after slipping his wallet back into his pocket. The weight of the coins settled into your palm and he curled your fingers around them, touch soft. It was nothing like the harsh way he had been grabbing you just minutes prior. 

“Don’t lose them,” he teased you softly. The smile on his face and the tone of the teasing had reminded you of the hopes and dreams you held in the past, when you were little more than a girl dreaming about what married life would be like. You could see the young man, hardly more than a boy himself sitting between his parents on the other side of the table from you and yours, looking at you with curiosity and hope. Was this what that young man had thought married life would have been like?  “Buy yourself something nice. Treat yourself.” 

“Okay,” you said as you watched him turn, making his way out of your marital home. A small voice in the back of your mind screamed that he was going to the bed of another even though you dedicated your life to being a good wife for him, taking beatings and affection without complaint. You took everything he gave you without complaint in the name of being a good wife. You silenced that voice, strange and out of place though it was. It was just a business meeting. Nothing more. Just a casual business meeting. 

It was like you were frozen in place as you waited for the sound of the car leaving the driveway. The memory of the kind man with sweet words you had met a lifetime ago warred with the still too fresh feeling of his hand around your neck.

As the engine faded in the distance, you finally stood and made your way over to the small table that held your purse. There was nearly nothing in it at the moment, it was a few more days until he would give you the money for the week’s shopping. The quarters clinked together as you dropped them into the small coin purse, rattling against a few pennies.

It would be nice to go out, you told yourself as you absently rubbed your hand against your neck, trying to rub away the memory of Laurence’s hand constricting around it. It wasn’t like he had squeezed that hard, you told yourself as you walked through the house, shoes echoing with each step. It startled you, that was all. You overreacted, you told yourself as you stepped out of the back door and onto the porch.

The absence of sun didn’t mean you were taking the day off washing. The air was cool but the clothes would dry just the same, as long as the rain held off, that was. First you would finish scrubbing the smear of pink off Laurence’s collar, ink he assured you, and then you would head to the pharmacy.  

The pink smudge on his collar screamed liar. It screamed that he was lying to you. It screamed that you were lying to yourself. 

It was just ink, he told you. Paint. Don’t be daft. . 

Don’t be a silly woman. 

Heavy clouds covered the sky for as far as you could see and the chill of early spring was biting in the air. If you were unlucky, they could mean rain for you but their light color told you it was doubtful, though not impossible. 

Excitement sparked in your chest, spreading through you as you saw a familiar mop of brown hair on an imposing figure. He looked tall and lean, even wrapped up in a long coat that would leave other men looking softer and wider.  

“Alastor!” You called out to him, waving your arm over your head to catch his attention. 

He turned toward you, his smile radiant and welcoming, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that way that made your breath catch. You hurried to his side, heart racing, though you had managed to maintain some semblance of composure despite the way you had called out to him on the street. It was something you’d normally never do, it drew attention. You had to remind yourself to walk, not run, no matter how much you longed to close the distance. 

What would people say?

“Darling! Lovely to see you.” Alastor greeted you, his warm smile making your pulse quicken, though you couldn’t understand why.  “What are you up to today?”

“Just finished at the pharmacy.” 

“And what’s next for your adventures of the day?” Alastor motioned for you to join him, walking down the sidewalk together. He kept himself between you and the street, ensuring you were shielded from traffic and the dangers that they could pose. There was nothing his presence could do to stop a car going off the road but he was far less likely to be overlooked than you. 

It was strange how the same action Laurance would do felt different coming from Alastor. Why was that? Was it the way he rested his hand on your back, ensuring you felt secure? When his hand would drop, he would take your hand and tuck it around his arm. Somehow, he was always connected to you, not just walking alongside you but walking with you. 

“Probably nothing,” you confessed before remembering, “Oh!”

“Oh?” Alastor mimicked the sound though it did not sound mocking coming from him as it would have if Laurance had done it. There was something about him that put you at ease. Perhaps it was his smile? 

You pulled your coin purse out and fished out two dimes. Again, propriety slipped your mind as you grabbed his hand, turning it palm up. His hand was warm in yours. The coins clinked against each other as you softly dropped them into his much larger palm.“I still owe you for how you took care of me.” 

“It’s unnecessary,” Alastor offered you the coins back, however you just pushed his hand back. “Helping pick the curtains was more than enough.” 

“Then to pay you back for the handkerchief,” Alastor could see that you were not going to let this go. The pace had slowed as you both gave each other near total attention.

“Please? I would feel better about it if you took it. I,” you hesitated, “I don’t want there to be any debt between us.” 

“If it’ll put your heart at ease,” Alastor smiled at you as he let the coins fall into his breast pocket. 

“It’ll put my mind at ease,” you corrected him, marveling at the fact that you felt safe enough with him to do so. If you had dared to do the same to Laurance you would have been swiftly reprimanded. It wasn’t a woman’s place to correct a man. If you were unlucky, it would be a painful lesson that would leave bruises healing over a few days. 

“That too,” Alastor’s smile twitched a bit higher. “I have a suggestion, rather than going straight home and wasting away as a lonely housewife, how about you and I pass some time? Or is he waiting for you?” There was a tone to the way he said ‘he’, refusing to say your husband’s name as if speaking of him more directly than necessary was poison or would ruin the day. 

“That wouldn’t be proper.” You pulled your lower lip between your teeth, feeling the twinge of pain as hard teeth grazed over a still healing split you hadn’t realized was still present. 

“So, he’s waiting for you?” Alastor looked at you, eyebrow raised. 

“No,” you admitted and his smile grew wider, beaming at you. 

“Wonderful, let’s get coffee.”

Your eyes grew wide as you looked around. It would be bad enough to be seen walking together so closely, you realized but to be overheard making plans? You couldn’t agree, this was already far too much risk. Temptation to agree wrapped around your heart. “Alastor, someone could see.” 

“Nonsense, the alley is just ahead. My car isn’t too far. You can wait for me, I’ll grab it, swing by for you and we’ll be off.” Alastor motioned toward an alleyway ahead.

“What?” 

“Just tuck yourself into the alleyway and you can jump in the car when I pull up.” He snapped his fingers, emphasizing his perfect plan, “I know a hole in the wall joint on the other side of the city. We can sit out of view, have a cup of coffee and pass some time. I can drop you off on my way to the station.” 

You hesitated as Alastor held the car door open for you. This wasn’t the best part of the city. Trash gathered, swept into the corners and against the curb by wind. People wearing tattered clothes milled about, some clearly intoxicated. Poverty colored everything, from the people to the buildings and yet the sound of children’s laughter carried down the street, reminding you that there was joy everywhere if you were just willing to see it. 

That didn’t make you hesitate any less when it came time to step out of the car. Eyes flitted around, trying to reassure yourself that you would be safe. Would someone run up and snatch your coin purse? Could you blame them when it looked like many of the people were rubbing pennies together?

“It’s alright,” Alastor’s fingers wiggled as he held his hand out for you. “There’s no one around here who would tattle to him about where you are or who you’re with. They’ve all got bigger things to worry about.”

“Is it safe?” After a moment more of hesitation, you offered him your hand, letting him enclose it in his. He steadied you as you braved stepping out of the car. 

“Of course, my dear! I’d never take you somewhere I wouldn’t be able to assure your safety.” Alastor tucked your hand around his arm as he led you from the car. Your heart pounded in your chest, only speeding up when his arm would brush your shoulder as you walked closely together as your simple heels clicked along the sidewalk along with his polished shoes. 

Part of it was fear. Part of it was something you couldn’t name. Maybe you could, if you let yourself think on it for longer but you were not sure if you wanted to. You were married. This was improper, yes, but it was still just a coffee shared between friends. 

The hinges of the door squeaked loudly, screaming in pain from years of lackluster maintenance as Alastor opened it. He held the heavy door open and ushering you inside with a hand on your back, just a bit too low to be proper. Was it intentional or accidental? Did it matter? Why did you care?

His hand remained on your back as he guided you to the counter. It was a small, informal cafe with lively talking filling the air. Most of the small tables were filled with people, talking, reading newspapers but almost all with a cup in front of them. It had a neighborhood feel that transcended social and financial class lines but lacked the suffocating weight of eyes found in your local cafes. 

“What would you like?” Alastor leaned into you as he spoke, shoulder brushing against yours, breath washing over your cheek and down your neck. Closing your eyes, you tried to ignore the feelings that were trying to spark to life within you. “Are you hungry? The beignets here are wonderful.”

“Oh no, I’ll just get coffee.” There was a tremble to your voice that you couldn’t understand. You didn’t want it there. You wanted to sound cool, calm and confident. There was no reason for Alastor to get to you as much as he did and even less reason to let him find out that he was. 

Alastor stepped up to the counter, keeping his hand on your back. You could swear that you felt it run a little lower down the small of your back as his attention was focused forward. Or was that your imagination? 

“Alastor!” As Alastor reached for the bell, the door to the kitchen burst open in a flurry, a woman with a curly crop of graying hair and rich dark skin carrying a tray of confections. “It’s been a minute since you’ve been around these parts.”

“I drive through these parts every day, Delores.” His voice was different talking with the woman, you realized. The showy transatlantic accent was softer, just a smidge and his words were lighter.

“And now you bring a pretty little thing on your arm? Oh, and she is a darling, isn’t she?” The woman may have been around for a few years but she was as sharp as ever, Alastor was pleased to see. It had been a while since he had stopped in, though as a young man he had frequented this cafe. 

“Oh, thank you, ma’am but-” 

Alastor’s voice cut you off, “Two coffees, Dee?” He held up two fingers as if his order was confusing before pointing at the steaming pastries on the tray. “Those fresh?” 

You could have protested being spoken over but instead simply let his words wash over your ears. It was strange to hear him now, his voice warmer and richer. Whatever this place was to Alastor, it was a place he felt secure enough to just be in, even a little. 

“Of course they’re fresh, boy.” Delores laughed, swatting Alastor’s shoulder with a towel. “Ya want some too?” 

“Of course,” Alastor laughed and it was lighter, “Two?” 

“One for you and one for your lady.” Dolores made quick work of setting the tray down and putting pastries in baskets. 

Alastor pulled the coins you had given him from his pocket and set them on the counter as Dolores worked. His hand dropped from your back as he pulled the wallet from his pocket. From his wallet he added a few more pennies and you realized with a flash of annoyance that he was paying for you both and using the coins you had given him to even your debt to do so. 

“Hey, wait a minute,” you rushed to grab your own coin purse. He didn’t wait for you in the slightest as he pushed the coins across the counter, ignoring your attempts to cover your half. 

“That was supposed to pay you back.” You protested as Delores took the coins, eyebrow raised and a slight smile on her face. She told you both to go sit down and wait rather than do anything to allow you a moment to cover your share of the bill. “Now I owe you again.” 

Alastor guided you, soft pressure on your lower back constantly keeping you connected to him as he led you away from the counter. You wanted to argue, to continue to protest but what good would it do? All it would do is cause a scene.

“Oh, no.” Alastor pulled out a chair for you, finally letting his hand drop from your back. He grinned at you, eyes dancing with mirth as you sat in the chair. “Whatever will we do. I guess that just means you’ll have to see me again.” 

“Alastor?” You wanted to ask him what game it was that he was playing. You wanted to ask him if he knew how he was acting. Did he know the way it looked? Any of the people here could look at the two of you and see you as a couple. He made it so easy for anyone to assume you belonged to him. Did he care at all about that? Did he care how the idea tried to worm its way into your heart? 

“What’s on your mind, dear?” Alastor’s warm brown eyes looked into you from across the table. In another lifetime, maybe this could have been your life. In another lifetime, maybe what everyone saw looking at the two of you could be true. 

“You know, Al-” Delores came up to the table, drawing attention before you had a chance to make a fool of yourself in the moment. She carried two mugs, hanging off her fingers with practiced expertise, a pot of coffee and two plates with beignets covered in powdered sugar in her other hand. “You two make a handsome couple. She’s a bit bright, you know, and well dressed but she must not be too bad if you got her on your arm.”

“Oh,” a flush climbed up your neck and face as you realized the misunderstanding. 

“You know, your dear Ma would be proud to know you finally married.” Dolores was all but beaming with pride at Alastor as she filled the coffee mugs. 

Oh. It was worse than you thought. 

You blanched, looking to Alastor with panic in your eyes. This had to be explained, corrected, somehow but you were at a loss how. Anyone could overhear such a bold statement and it could get around town. If you told the truth, right here and now to this kind woman, wouldn’t that look too much like an affair? 

“We’re only friends, Dee.” Alastor said with ease, as if he wasn’t digging your grave. 

“That so?” The older woman looked pointedly at the ring on your hand. Her eyes on it made the band feel more and more like a shackle as you covered it with your other hand. “Well, we’re not ones to talk around here, missy. What you two get up to and your so called friendship is between you and the Good Lord Above.” She flicked her hand up, waving away some unseen force for emphasis. “We got bigger things to worry about ‘round this neighborhood so don’t you get to fretting.” 

“We’re not-” You tried to protest.

Delores cut you off with a warm smile of her own, “It don’t matter to me. I just want to see that boy not alone for once, even if it’s just for a while.”

“It’s fine,” Alastor said simply as Delores walked off. “She’ll think what she thinks but she’s not one to talk.”

“You know her well?” You refocused your attention on him, only to dart your eyes down. It was too much to meet his gaze. It was easier to take in the scuffed and scratched table top and the swirl of the cream you poured into your mug. 

“Grew up around here.” Alastor had his transatlantic accent once again perfectly in place as he watched you. You could feel the heat of his eyes on you, burning into you. “I know how these people are, no one will talk. Plus, we’re just getting coffee and Mrs. Dee does make the best beignets.” 

“She thinks we’re…” you were scared to even voice what the kindly woman thought. “And that doesn’t bother her? Or you?”

Alastor shrugged and pushed the small plate closer to you. “You should try it, it’s lovely with coffee.” He was silent for a moment, taking a long drink from his still very black mug of coffee before speaking again. “Dee would look the other way if it’s what I wanted. Maybe not approve but she’d look the other way.” 

You ripped off a piece of pastry and shoved it into your mouth. It was the only thing you could think to do to keep words you shouldn’t, couldn’t say from tumbling from your lips. Sweetness exploded on your tastebuds, washed away by bitter coffee as you forced down the question that almost rushed past your lips: did he want that?

It was silly. Pointless. Don’t be a silly woman. You were just getting swept up in a fantasy. He was a friend and that was enough. A friend was more than you could ever dare to have hoped for. There was nothing wrong with having a male friend, you were sure, beyond appearances so why did you feel your heart beating faster? Why did your face flush so easily?  

“Is she close to your mother?” You asked instead, stealing a glance at the woman behind the counter. You had so many questions about her and her connection to your new friend. “You were right, by the way, this is lovely indeed.” 

Alastor’s lips twitched up, mouth opening slightly before closing again as he hesitated. You could see the gears turning in his head as he weighed if he wanted to answer. There were things he held back from people, you could have guessed that. A man like him, walking the line of too dark to be a welcomed member of polite society would have things kept to himself. 

“They were close for as long as I can remember,” he finally said, “Right up until she passed. Dee’s been like an aunt to me, regardless of if I wanted it.” He chuckled though it sounded dry, forced.

“She’s passed?” Reaching out, you rested your hand over his. Though you didn’t know the pain of losing a parent, it was etched on his face. His smile fell for a moment, lips twitching down and his eyebrows furrowed and then the smile he seemed to always wear was back in place. “I’m so sorry.” 

He looked down and a single eyebrow rose as he looked at your much smaller hand atop his. Instantly you realized the move was too much. Reaching out to hold his hand was too forward. That was something limited to female friends, family or your husband. 

You pulled your hand away quickly, as if the touch burned you as you looked away from him. He caught your hand as your fingers dragged down his, preventing you from making any real distance. It was his turn to be forward, weaving his fingers between yours.

“I miss her dearly,” he admitted, “She never stopped pushing me to make something of myself, to not let my blood limit me.” 

“She’d be proud of you,” you had no doubt at all of your words. Alastor’s smile, soft but bright, told you how much such a thought meant to him. 

“For some things.” 

“What do you mean?” You asked as Alastor popped a chunk of sugary beignet into his mouth. You couldn’t help but watch as his mouth worked, sugar dusted on his lips. 

“Not everything I’ve done is things that would have made her proud.” Alastor finally said, washing the sugary treat down with a sip from his mug.

“I can’t imagine the great radio host doing anything that would make his mother feel anything less than pride.” 

Alastor only laughed, a knowing glint in his eye before changing the subject to you and your childhood. As you sat, talking in that dingy cafe one cup of coffee became two, though eventually he did allow you to take your fingers back. 

While he hadn’t been willing to offer much of his life  story, what he would share fascinated you. You couldn’t imagine being raised without both parents with the bayou stretching out behind your home. He had come so far and found himself an informal family to make up for the lack of family connections. 

All the while, he didn’t make you feel ashamed for your much more comfortable upbringing. He listened attentively as you spoke of lessons and expectations that all resulted in your arranged match with the much more well off Laurence.

“If you don’t love him, why did you marry him?” Alastor asked and you were struck by the thought. Never had you questioned if you loved Laurence or not, you just expected that you did because you should and if you didn’t, you would. 

“I- I do love him?” A snort of disapproval came from across the table. “Why wouldn’t I love him? He’s my husband.” 

“If you say so.” Alastor smiled at you like you were the only one not in on the joke. 

“I do say so,” You protested as Alastor stood from the table, offering his hand to assist you out of the chair. It wasn’t needed but you indulged in the chance to touch him again. 

“I’m not sure,” Alastor admitted as his hand took up its guiding presence on your lower back while you walked to the door. “But I’m told love is something magical that can solve the world’s ills and if you have it, even for a moment, you’d risk anything for it. I don’t recall anyone singing the praises of the beatings one delivers on those they love though.”

“Maybe we’ve been told different things” you said, a hollow laugh escaping your lips, the sound shattering like glass in your own ears. “Your idea of love sounds like a child’s story I’ll never get to experience because it’s not real.” 

“Who says you won’t?” Alastor smiled down at you before looking up, focusing on bringing you safely to his car. As promised, he needed to deliver you home before it was too late and he would, though he was far from eager to be rid of your company. 

Oh well, he thought as he settled you into the passenger seat. There would be other times. He would ensure that he got to spend more time with you later. It would just be a matter of time. 

AN2: A note on word choice- I've spent way too much time on 1920's slang and phrases. Calling someone 'bright' in relation to another person was often how one would subtibly remark on differences of skin tone. While this is a Reader insert, by nature of social and class standing, it is needed that reader have some traits to be historically accurate. This is what Dee is remarking on, not Reader's brains.

Next

Join us at VoxTek for a Vox themed Hazbin Discord where we talk Vox, Hazbin, writing, reading, art and who knows what else. You may even catch some exclusive sneak peeks at upcoming fics from some of your favorite writers!

[sweetprfct]

The Hate Formula

Joseph Quinn x Fem!Reader

Summary: Living in the same building, across from each other shouldn't be much of a problem, right? But how come you and Joe tend to always push each other's buttons every day? Is it because you both truly just hated each other or is it because there was something more to it?

Author's Note: Well, look who finally decided to open up the last chapter and finish it. I'm so sorry for the delay! Anyways, I just want to thank you all for supporting this series. This one had been a lot of fun! Please let me know if you'd like to get tagged on my next one. Enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: 18+

Wordcount: 2.9K

part one - part two - part three - part four - part five - part six - part seven - part eight - part nine - part ten

“Oh, shit!” You cursed under your breath as you ran from the bathroom and towards the kitchen.

Wes and Sara, who were sitting on the sofa, turned their heads, their eyes following your tracks. You have left the mixer on for too long while you have occupied yourself in the bathroom, trying to calm yourself and hold in the tears that were welling up in your eyes. You have been trying to distract yourself by baking a cake but for some reason, your mind had wandered somewhere else and ended up at the thought of Joe. 

You tried your best to look strong in front of Wes and Sara because you didn’t want to worry them, so you left the mixer on for a while, thinking it was going to be okay while you go and collect yourself. However, you have taken too long and totally forgot about the fact that you were whipping some whipped cream. Now, here it was. 

Turned into butter. 

You turned off the mixer and took a deep breath, setting your hands on your hips and shook your head. 

“There goes the whipped cream turned into butter.” You complained under your breath, grabbing the bowl and dumping it on the bin.

“What is she doing?” Wes turned to Sara.

Wes wasn’t used to seeing you like this yet. He only had known you for a few weeks. Every time he had seen you the last couple of days, you were in the kitchen baking like you were catering to some birthday party. 

“Stress baking.” Sara replied, laying her head on Wes’ shoulder. “I don’t know what she has done to the other two double layer cakes she made the last two days.”

“Wait, those two cakes were already gone?”

Sara nodded her head, “Yeah, I don’t see it in the fridge, so I don’t know where it is.”

“Do you think she ate it all?” 

Sara laughed softly, gazing up at Wes. “No, she just bakes. She barely eats whatever she bakes.”

It has been two weeks since you haven’t seen Joe. He had been trying to contact you ever since that night, but you kept ignoring him. Whenever he saw you in the middle of the hall, you’d make up some excuse not to see him. You didn’t really know what else to do because your heart was still in pieces after what he had told you. How could you face him after that? How could you act like it was just nothing? He only wanted to hook up with you, and you wanted more than that. You had to cut it off before this could hurt you even more. 

“Hey.” Joe gave you a small smile when he saw you coming home from work one night.

“Hi.” You replied, nonchalantly as you unlocked your front door.

“How are you?” Joe asked. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”

It was small talk, and you couldn’t even look at him. You kept your eyes on your front door and forced yourself to not look at him at all.

“Yeah, I've been so busy at work.” You opened your front door when Joe grabbed your forearm lightly.

“Is everything okay?” 

You nodded your head, “Yeah, sorry I’m just really tired.”

You gave him a small smile before you slipped your arm away from him and entered your apartment. Seeing his face made your heart swell every time. You didn’t want to keep hoping when it came to Joe. You have already gotten your heart broken before, you weren't about to experience it again. 

So, here you were stress baking and trying to distract yourself with something else but somehow, it wasn’t helping at all. It usually would but this time, even baking wasn’t helping you mentally. 

“Hey, do you need some help?” Sara interrupted your thoughts as you poured heavy cream in the mixing bowl.

“No, I'm fine.” You said, your attention focusing on the mixer in front of you. 

“Hey,” Sara set a hand over yours. “I’m worried about you.”

You turned your attention towards her, finding Wes standing behind her with a concerned look on his face. He set a hand on Sara’s shoulder and squeezed it lightly.

“Joe’s been asking about you.” Wes added.

You raised your brow at Sara as she took a deep breath and said, “He knows.”

You slumped your shoulders, walking towards the dining table and pulling up a chair. You wiped your hands on your apron and sat on the chair, letting out a sigh.

“He thinks he did something wrong.” Wes said. “I’ve never seen him like this with anyone.”

You played with the fabric of your apron and hung your head low. Your mind had been running a thousand thoughts ever since you left Joe’s apartment that day, and you thought maybe Joe would be okay with you disappearing from his life. After all, you two were just hooking up right? Why would he care this much? It was easy for him to let go of those other girls he had before. 

“I just need… space.” You got up from the chair and excused yourself.

Wes and Sara watched you slide your apron off, setting it on the kitchen counter and walked towards your bedroom. Sara and Wes didn’t know what to say or do besides just let you and Joe solve your own battles at the moment. 

“Hey,” Wes greeted Joe that night when he had gone back home.

Joe was sitting on the sofa, his eyes focused on the television. Wes grabbed himself a bottle of cold beer from the fridge and settled himself next to Joe. He could see the concern in Joe’s eyes and the fact that he wasn’t even focusing on what was on the television said a lot about what he was feeling. 

“I think I found a flat a few blocks away.” Wes said. 

Joe immediately turned his attention to him, his eyes widened. “Wait, what?”

“Well, you know I was only here temporarily.” Wes stated. “You need your own space, mate.”

“I don’t mind you being here.” Joe shrugged, his attention back on the television.

Wes side eyed Joe for a moment before reaching for the remote from the coffee table and muted the television. He turned his body to face Joe as Joe threw his head back on the sofa. He already knew what Wes was about to say right before the words could slip off his lips. 

“I don’t want to talk about it, Wes.” Joe groaned softly.

“Seriously, what the fuck happened?” 

“I fucked up.” Joe shrugged. “When did I ever not fucked up?”

“So, what did you exactly tell her?” 

Joe took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment and said, “She asked me about the different women that I brought in here before, and I told her it was because I had commitment issues.”

Wes’ eyes widened from his explanation. “So, you’re telling me that you still haven’t told her that the only reason why you were doing all that was because you wanted to get over her because you fucked up when you first met her two years ago, and you have been trying to get over her since, but you can’t?”

“Yeah, exactly.” Joe exhaled a sharp breath. “I fucked up… again.”

“Talk to her.” Wes insisted. “Talk to her and tell her the truth!”

“She won’t even talk to me, mate.” Joe shook his head. “Just let it go. It’s over. I fucked it all up.”

“You’re not the only one who’s feeling like shit about this.”

Joe turned to Wes, his brow raised at him. Wes gave him a look as if he didn’t know what he was talking about. They both knew Joe knew exactly what Wes meant when he said that.

A conversation between him and Wes had flashbacked in his mind when Wes had first moved in the apartment building. Before Wes and Sara even dated. Wes had moved in the building because of the job opportunity he had accepted, and he was staying in Joe’s apartment temporarily. Joe had told Wes about you when Wes had witnessed Joe grumbling about you one night. 

“Who is that girl anyway?” Wes had asked him one night. “Why are you two always arguing?”

“I just like to tease her.” Joe chuckled softly. 

“You like her?” Wes’ expression had turned into excitement when he had seen the emotions that washed over Joe’s face. 

“I’ve been trying to get over her.” Joe murmured under his breath. “But every time I walk out my front door, she’s right there.” 

“Well, yeah. She lives across the hall.” Wes said sarcastically.

Joe rolled his eyes. “You know what I meant!” 

Joe shook off the memory of that conversation and saw Wes’ encouraging smile slowly creeping up on his face. 

“Talk to her, please?” Wes said. “Tell her the truth.”

Joe bit his lower lip and got up from the sofa, looking out the window for a moment. Wes had a point. Joe had been trying to get your attention ever since you ran out of his apartment a couple weeks ago, and he needed to tell you the truth. 

Grabbing his jacket, he gave Wes a thankful smile before walking out the door and walking across the hall. Knocking on your front door, it was Sara who immediately greeted him at the door. 

“Oh, hi.” Sara smiled. 

Sara could tell that Joe’s eyes were studying the empty apartment behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she pursed her lips and looked back at Joe. 

“She’s at Central Park. She said she needed some space.” 

Joe nodded his head and right before he could walk away, Sara called out his name. He paused in his tracks as she ran back inside the apartment for a moment, grabbing an umbrella and handing it to him. 

“It’s supposed to rain in a few minutes.” Sara said. 

Taking the umbrella from her, Joe gave her a thankful smile and said, “Thank you.” 

“Good luck!” Sara called out as she watched Joe walk away. 

As soon as Joe walked out of the apartment building, the dark clouds were already covering the city of New York. Light raindrops started falling from the sky as he made his way down the sidewalk and down to Central Park. 

The park was 840 acres, but he knew exactly where to find you. You had mentioned it to him once from one of the nights where you two would just cuddle and talk about anything that could fill the silence of your bedroom. 

He held the umbrella over his head as rain started to pour and made his way towards Bethesda Terrace. On a bench, he found you sitting alone under the old architecture, watching the raindrops fall from the sky. You gazed up at him as he slowly walked over to you. 

“Hi.” He murmured. 

“Hi.” You whispered. 

Getting up from the bench, you stood in front of Joe as he stared at you for a moment. He took a deep breath and gave you a small smile. 

“What are you doing here?” You asked. 

“Looking for you.” Joe replied, shrugging lightly. “What are you doing out here in the rain?”

“I needed some space.” You said, looking down at your feet. 

You wondered why Joe walked all the way here but then again, from the conversation that you had earlier with Sara and Wes, you sort of had an idea why. You took one step closer to him and took a deep breath. 

It was time. 

You needed to ask him this time. You needed to at least tell him how you really felt. 

“I heard what you said.” You muttered. 

“What exactly are you referring to?” Joe asked, taking a step closer to you. 

“The three little words that you probably only said because you were in the moment.” You fiddled with your fingers nervously. 

You could feel your heart beating right out of your chest as Joe stared at you. You didn’t know what was going on inside his mind, and it was killing you that he was just standing there without saying one word. You could only hear the raindrops hitting the pavement and the silence blanketed between you two felt like eternity. 

“Did… Did you mean it?” You asked, your voice shaking slightly. 

Suddenly, a small smile tugged on Joe’s lips. His eyes were filled with love and affection for you. 

“I meant it.” Joe stated. “I meant it with all my heart.”

You felt your lungs give out when Joe finally answered your question. Joe cupped your cheek with his hand, brushing your cheek softly. 

“I love you.” Joe murmured. “I love you so much it consumes every part of me. I love you with all my heart.” 

You hitched your breath, staring into his eyes. 

“But what about what you said…”

“The commitment thing?” Joe raised his brow. “Yes, I have a commitment issue but that was before I met you.” 

“R…Really?”

Joe took a deep breath and nodded his head. “I’m sorry if I made you take that the wrong way. The reason why I’m always bringing girls is because I just wanted to get over you. I know it was wrong. I didn’t mean to hurt any of them at all, but I wasn’t like this before.”

You bit your lower lip and waited for Joe to continue. 

“When I first met you when you first moved in, I fucked up.” Joe explained. “I stupidly brought home a girl the night before because I was drunk, but I didn’t mean to lead her on like that. Then, I met you the next day, and I thought I was still having a hangover because I saw this beautiful girl moving in across the hall—”

You couldn’t help but laugh softly as Joe did too. You shook your head, taking both of his hands in yours and intertwining your fingers together. 

“I’m serious.” Joe laughed. “Then, I went ahead and fucked it all up.”

“Yeah, you did.” You joked as Joe laughed with you, leaning his forehead against yours. 

“I’m sorry.” Joe murmured. 

You shook your head, smiling softly before pressing your lips against his. Smiling through the kiss, Joe kissed you back softly and pulled you close in his arms. 

“I love you too.” You murmured the moment you parted from the kiss. 

Joe smiled, grazing his nose over yours as you both chuckled together before he pulled you into a tight hug. Burying your face on Joe’s shoulder, you took a deep breath, feeling relief from all the overthinking thoughts you have been thinking of. 

Cupping your face between his hands, Joe grinned happily at you as he kissed you again, letting your surroundings blur around the both of you. The sound of the raindrops were the only thing you could hear as you smiled through the kiss. 

“Maybe I’ve loved you all this time too.” You laughed softly, letting your forehead pressed against his again.

Joe grinned widely, kissing your forehead softly before intertwining his fingers with yours. Holding the umbrella over the both of you, you both walked back towards the apartment building. Your eyes admiring the raindrops that were falling from the sky. Raindrops softly dropping from the leaves of the trees. The wet pavement shining as you both continued down the park. Your heart pounding in your chest as you enjoyed Joe’s soft fingers intertwined with yours. 

It almost felt like a dream.

Stopping in your tracks in front of the building, you gazed up at the tall skyscraper and smiled softly, remembering the first day you had moved in here with Sara. 

Who knew two years ago, it would be the beginning of something special in your life? Even if you didn’t know about it then. You couldn’t help but smile when you remembered all the times the both of you had bantered in the hall.

“What is it?” Joe paused in his tracks, looking over his shoulder. 

You shook your head and entered the building with him. “Nothing.”

The look on Wes and Sara’s face was something you would remember forever the moment you and Joe had entered your apartment. They were in the kitchen microwaving some popcorn when they had turned around and saw the both of you entered, fingers intertwined together. 

“Oh, good!” Wes exclaimed happily. “Finally!” 

You laughed softly as Sara quickly ran towards you and embraced you happily. You chuckled softly, wrapping your arms around her body and hugged her tighter. 

“Thank you.” You whispered to her. 

“I’m so happy for you.” Sara whispered, squeezing you softly before parting from the hug. 

“Does that mean we could do a double date movie night now without you two arguing?” Wes joked, shoving a piece of bread in his mouth. 

You looked over your shoulder and saw Joe shaking his head as he grabbed one of the throw pillows from the sofa and chucked it at Wes. You and Sara laughed softly as Joe walked up behind you, rubbing both of your arms softly. 

Looking around the room, you smiled happily before the four of you settled on the sofa. Wes browsed through the movies on the tv screen, while Joe had wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close against his side and planting a soft kiss on your hair. Sara gave you another happy smile before moving herself close to Wes and laid her head on his shoulder as he wrapped one arm around her shoulders. 

In here, you were warm and safe in Joe’s arms. In here, you were with the people you loved. 

In here, you were finally home.

The End.

*********

Taglist:

@palomahasenteredthechat @sunvick @eddies-acousticguitar @demonsanddemogorgons @joesquinns @mmunson86 @ghostinthebackofyourhead @corrodedcoffincumslut @figmentofquinn @tlclick73 @munsonluvrr @ali-r3n @quinnyficsy @capricornrisingsstuff @missonlypost @ali-in-w0nderland @amberolivia666 @lalalala-melmosworld @niallersfreckles @nanas-lasagna @emma77645 @indulgence-be-thy-name @readergf @ladamari68 @1paire2vans @d4rk4ng3l86 @paleidiot @josephquinnsfreckles @readergf @mvnsonlover @mdurdenpitt @siriuslysmoking @blueleonor @bejeweled13swiftie @reoalessandra

[snowy-vee]

ALL MINE (5) Re-Done. MUST READ AGAIN

CHECK MY PINNED POST!

DAILY CLICK!!!!

DON'T STOP TALKING ABOUT PALESTINE JUST BECAUSE THE STRIKE IS OVER! NOBODY WILL BE FREE UNTIL EVERYONE IS FREE!

oblivious loser bsf! ellie williams x posesive popular bsf!fem reader

INDEX

n/a: I'VE CHANGED THINGS AND I MIGHT'VE FOUND INSPIRATION after watching 'You' again, if my narrative seems like Joe's, so sorry, I am obsessed with the man. BARE WITH ME, much shorter chapter then the one before

You were running, feeling the sweat drops sliding down your face. Your legs felt tired, but you knew that if you stopped now, you’d likely collapse on the ground. Still, you kept increasing the speed on the treadmill, wanting to challenge yourself more.

“Are you done? We need to talk.” Jesse was beside you on another treadmill, but he was still, just leaning against it, watching you. You stopped the machine, gradually reducing the speed.

“I hope this isn’t bad news. I’ve had to put up with a lot from those two this week; I don’t plan on hearing from you that everything’s going wrong now,” you said before starting to drink water to hydrate your dry throat. The truth was, you had started frequenting the campus gym much more than before because it was unbearable to hear Ellie talk about Dina or see Ellie and Dina acting cute in the apartment.

Acting like it didn’t bother you was becoming a very difficult task, and there were times when you would simply cut Ellie off mid-conversation and lock yourself in your room. The next day, you’d have to lie about something. You couldn’t bear the thought that the small plan you had with Jesse would fail. You had been helping him with things like knowing where Dina was at any given time, if she was excited about some new show, if she had any other favorite candies, or to keep Ellie busy so he could have some alone time with Dina.

While Dina’s visits had been decreasing, you still saw her around the house. That wasn’t enough for you; she had to disappear from your lives.

“I’ve been thinking that maybe you should participate more too.”

“I already do. It’s not easy keeping them away.”

“No, I mean you should start seducing Ellie,” you frowned at his words, confused about what he meant. “I can win Dina back, but likewise, Ellie could give it a shot, as both are currently single and Ellie’s interest lies solely with Dina, I think.”

You nodded slowly, seeing the point of his words. You hadn’t thought about also having Ellie eating out of your hand; she had to desire you as much as you did her.

“Well, Ellie and I are going to my vacation home next weekend for Spring Break. I can try something there; we’ll be alone for two days before my family arrives.”

“I know. I have a date with Dina that and this weekend.”

“A date?”

“Well, she’s coming to my house to help me study,” Jesse clarified, handing you your bag. “Keep me informed if anything changes between you and Ellie.”

“The same goes for you” you grabbed your bag and waved him goodbye as you left the gym.

Whistling, you went through your phone, swiping insta stories ¡Bingo! They were on a date in some place so you had the house by yourself for maybe a couple hours. The bus took it’s time to arrive but the trip to the apartment was quick.

You were going to shower, sleep and maybe fantasize a little bit. You could wake up on a Saturday morning and start scheming from the very first ray of sunlight.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

And you did. Your whole week revolve around Ellie and being in her space more than anything, pleasing her, hanging out with her, making excuses just to have her by your side.

“I just need some help to prepare things for the trip” you would say declining the call of Dina on her phone while she was in the shower “I want to have a great time, I’m so tired of studying all my free time”

“I can help, yeah” Her voice sounded a little muffled because of the water running, you were mesmerized looking at her figure, at least, the shadow. “I just have to let Dina know, we’ve made plans, maybe you can tag along?”

You? Tag along? Why did it had to be you the one tagging along and not Dina? You huffed in annoyance.

“Can you pass me my towel?”

“You could always get it yourself, I’ve seen you naked before”

“I don’t want to wet the floor!” The water stop running and she popped he head and her arm, waving it so you could give her the towel. You were fast to leave the phone where she left it before, you threw the towel at her.

Sighs left your dry mouth as you remember. It’s been hard this week, so hard to balance cheer practice, studies, keep Ellie around, keep Ellie’s phone close, keep Jesse informed, keep Dina away, make Jesse inform you, stay pretty, stay consistent, don’t stop the motion.

The Friday morning, you were in the library, first time of the week that you actually spent time alone. Not fully since you met Jesse at first to talk about them and after collecting and exchanging information you went to the furthest table to study and concentrate in your work.

Now you were gathering your books and laptop because Ellie had sent you a message saying she was going home already, that she was going to pick you up, that you should be ready. You saw her at the door, but she wasn’t alone and seemed to be arguing with the other person.

With every step you took, you could see more of the other person’s face, it was Dina. They both fell silent the moment you opened the door and greeted them, Dina looked you up and down and turned her attention back to Ellie “Please don’t stop talking to me this week, we’re both angry about different things and it’s best if we calm down and talk another time”.

And with that she walked into the library bumping your shoulder on purpose, you opened your mouth offended and turned to Ellie “What is her problem with me? Just know that I’m holding back because it’s your something, but otherwise…”

“I don’t even know if we’re still a thing” she muttered grabbing your backpack and starting to walk “Come on, we need to pack our bags for the Easter trip.”

You nodded looking inside the library as Dina and Jesse seemed to be studying together while laughing, you couldn’t be happier. The plan was working, but it wouldn’t be complete until Ellie and Dina broke up completely.

When you got home, you went into your room and saw that your bed was full of clothes and your travel bag was almost full. You sighed as you got down to work and finished packing your bag and cleaning your room, once you finished you went into Ellie’s room only to find her lying on top of the pile of clothes. “What are you doing? We’re supposed to be out of here in less than two hours and I remind you that you’re supposed to drive there.”

“I don’t even know what to put in.”

“Ellie, you’re like an NPC, you always wear the same clothes, just put three pairs of trousers, five shirts, one pair of pyjamas and two swimming trunks, we’ll swap clothes if we have to.”

“I’ll pass, how about I stay here? I wouldn’t want to spoil your holiday with your family.”

“No way, you’re family too, my mother loves you as if you were her daughter, I’ll help you!”

‘Like a daugther soon to be in law’ you thought, pushing her to the edge of the bed and starting to look through her clothes to see what she could and couldn’t wear. It didn’t take long and Ellie took the opportunity to clean her room and prepare some snacks for mid-trip.

Soon you were both changed into comfortable clothes and inside the car ready for the journey. Oh, what a trip this one was going to be ¿Ellie and Dina upset with each other? The cream decorating the cupcake ¿You maintaining her occupied so she could barely have time to check on her phone and lose contact with Dina while Jesse did his thing? Cherry on TOP.

taglist;; @boobdrug @lovelyxbaby @pedropascalsbbg@cherryimaa @yumimak @amberputh @cattjull @carylinflors @ghostlyfangs @teawithnosugar @azxulaa @elliesexual @gato-chino @divinesdior @yumimak @abbystoy @gosomewjere @isitadinosaur @sourgummywormsss @rhehhwfehwfqd @bubblymilktee @mulan-but-gay @liasxeatt @lookforthelight1 @slynxs @doveocean @onlinelesbo @cinematicdilfs @icedsimpsayo @mikellie @angelicagellyka @hopeless-y @abbystoy

[be-missed]

Not Strong Enough (Chap 5)

Jenna Ortega x Fem!Reader

(pictures not mine)

Summary: Jenna was visiting her mom in the hospital to drop off the food that will be eaten for the hospital party, but she met a resident surgeon and she thought "God forbid I ran into an accident, but I want her to open me and stitch me up." While the surgeon tries her best to keep her fan girling low-key.

Warning: curse words.

A/N: 5th chapter, thank you for waiting. I'll be using a different POV her, please tell me if this is better or no. Also, I think if I start using this POV, y'all need to be guessing what's inside of Jenna's (in the story) mind.

Masterlist

Chap 1 | Chap 2 | Chap 3 | Chap 4 | Chap 6

______________________________________________________________

Chap 5

"Hey, thanks for today, I really enjoyed the concert. See you around!"

You kept on reading the last text message that Jenna sent you after the concert. In the past few days, you are trying to keep your distance from the girl that you have been liking for some quite time now. After the concert, listening to the songs, it feels like you are having a revelation; you can't and you won't be the love of her life you thought.

So what you did was to be more productive than you are to stop yourself from thinking of the other girl and checking your phone. In the hospital when Jenna visits, you try to lessen your interaction and dismisses her telling that you are busy and needed in the surgery room. But one time, Jenna caught you seating in the chairs and watching a video on your phone. You didn't know that she'll go visit and unfortunately she asked around and asked what time is your break.

You were watching Melissa Barrera's 'Get To Bed With Me' YouTube video for Harper's Bazaar. "So, you are on a break, right?" You heard from your side and that got you surprised, it is Jenna's voice and you answered "Hey, I didn't know you were coming." and she chuckles and said "I came to surprise you, you were always on the go when I visit" she said and sat beside you.

You look at her whole figure intently, nothing has change, still the same chipped nail polish from the concert, same chuck taylors that she loves to wear, her headphone hanging around her neck, that necklace she wears sometimes when she is in the mood and a few rings.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry... there's a lot that's been going around here" you said with a sad smile and Jenna answered "No worries, I'm just glad I get to talk to you." and smiled at you.

Why does she need to smile like you are the softest thing that she have ever seen. "So, I just noticed, I mean I don't want to assume, because like, you know, it's not good, but I would like t you know, ask maybe, or like no, I've been meaning to tell you-" Jenna started to rumble but you held her hand and squeezed it and said "Hey you're rambling, it's ok breathe."

"Okay, I noticed that you are kinda ignoring me. You haven't replied to my message last last week, you have been ignoring me when I go here, I mean yes, we talk in facetime but you end it so quickly. I just... I miss you." Those words came out of Jenna's mouth.

She misses you. SHE MISSES YOU.

"Oh..." You started "I'm sorry if you feel like that, but I have been really really busy." You ended. But you feel like Jenna knows that you are lying to her.

"Sure, I mean, I'm sorry to bother you." Jenna said and went up to stand but you stopped her "Hey, please don't think that you're bothering me, that can never happen" and you smiled at her.

"Okay..." Jenna said and accepted your answer "So, do you have any plans for Halloween?" she asked and you answered "Yes, actually My friends and I are having a Halloween Party, just the four of us since we can't handle big events" and ended with a laugh.

"That sounds really nice, what are you dressing up?" Jenna asked you with such curiosity and you answered "Well, I'll be dressing up as Mavis from Hotel Transylvania."

Jenna took a mental note on that. The both of you heard a blaring sound and a voice said "Code Blue" and that alerted you.

"Hey, I'll be calling you, I am needed, duty calls." You said and kissed Jenna's cheeks and hugs her and you bolted out.

---

"Y/N please stop walking around, please" Ava stated while you pace around the break room with you friends watching you like you were in a loop. Beatrice enters the room, kissed her wife and looked at you weirdly.

"What is happening here?" Bea asked and her wife answered, "Well your friend here kissed her little princess, IN THE CHEEK." Ava exaggerated the last words that made Bea chuckle and said "Wow, a kiss on the cheek made you like that, how about when you get to kiss her." and the wives made fun of you that made you stop from pacing.

"GUYS! This isn't even funny!" You said that made the both of them laugh even more, "Chill down Y/N, girl friends kiss each other in the cheek." Beatrice emphasize the space between girl and friends "And please calm your thoughts down, try to stay in the present and no overthink yeah." Beatrice added.

"Okay, sure sure, I will try" you sat beside them and drink your water.

"So are you ready for our Halloween Party?" Ava asked and you just nodded "Okay, I can't wait to see you in your costume."

---

"TRICK OR TREAT" Those are the three words that the four of them hearing while they are having a dinner and playing monopoly.

"Damn, it's so late and there are kids outside." Ava stated as you went up and opened the door to give them candies and give them compliments for the effort that they did for their costume.

As you take your seat again "You can't blame them. I'd be walking the whole neighborhood just to get lots of candies" and rolled the dice, you moved your character that landed on boardwalk. You hollered and celebrated as you got the most expensive property in the game.

"That's not fair Y/N, you need to leave some property for us." Camila exclaimed while pouting like a little kid, "Oh stop it, you almost owned all of the land on the other side."

Beatrice gave you a house and the card for the boardwalk. Another knock on the door and a "Trick or Treat" can be heard, with a happy feeling, knowing that you'll be crashing Ava and Camila in the game, you happily get the bucket of candy and opened the door, and it stunned you.

Jenna was the one that is in front of the door, with her little cousins.

As you scanned her face, you could also see a surprised look, she probably doesn't assume that you will be the one opening the door and will be giving them the treats.

"Hey..." you said with the brightest smile, feeling like a fucking winner even if the game hasn't ended, but looking at Jenna with her orange long sleeve under a yellow jersey T-shirt, cargo shirt, and on her adidas rubber shoes. You intake in everything that is on her and she replied back with a smirk on her face "Hey back to you beautiful."

"Can I get my candies now?" You hear a littlw voice and you looked down and answered "Sure sweetie, here get anything you want" and almost gave all of the candies to Jenna's cousin.

"Whoa there, that's a lot for you miss." Jenna exclaimed seeing that you almost empty the candy bucket that you have.

"Didn't know you live around our block?" Jenna said and you answered "Oh no, this is not mine, this is actually where Ava and Beatrice lives" and scratched your head, "You wanna join our party?" you asked Jenna and she answered "Oh I would like to, but as you can see I'm tasked to bring the kids to trick or treat"

That made you sad because you won't be hanging with Jenna.

"But... I can come after we round the whole block if that's alright?" She asked and that made you smile and you answered "Sure, that's great" and you watched them walking away. The both of you shared a small wave.

As you went back to the table, you said to the group " I hope it's okay that I invited someone later?" and that made them look at you "It's just Jenna, so I hope you don't mind?"

"Wow, so now you got the guts to invite her huh? But yeah, it's okay for me, how about you my love?" Bea said and Ava nodded because her mouth is currently full with m&m.

"It's about damn time I get to meet her. I'll show her how I fucking nailed Wednesday's dance" Camila exclaimed and both you and Beatrice said "Please no."

---

An hour passed and the four of you are just watching a horror film when the doorbell rang. When you opened the door, you saw Jenna standing with a wine on her hand.

"Hey you didn't need to bring something" you said and Jenna answered "I think it's good to impress your friends" and the both of you entered the living room that made the other three stare at you.

Beatrice paused the movie and Camila said "Wow, you got your whole costume planned huh?" and that made you look at her questionly.

You then scanned Jenna's costume, orange long sleeves under a yellow jersey T-Shirt, a cargo short, and a rubber shoes. That's where it clicked, SHE WAS DRESS AS JOHNNY, Mavis' husband.

"Surprise" Jenna said in a little voice and looked at you worriedly.

You bit your lips and said "Well good to see you husband." You kissed her cheeks again and pull her to the sofa to the spot where you were seated earlier and the movie continued.

"I hope it's okay" Jenna whispered and that made you look at her, you were so close to her face, the lights of the TV illuminated her face, and that just took your breath away.

"What do you mean?" You asked, a bit of perplexed on what she's asking. "I dressed up as Johnny" she said.

You thought, why would she feel sorry for dressing up as your husband, as Mavis' husband? Because what she just did for her costume, being in a couple costume with you, sent you heart beating impossibly fast that you fear it will just stop and Jenna will be seeing you body lying on the floor while your three friends are trying to perform a cpr on you.

"No worries, I kinda like how you played it off, it looks good on you." You said and if the lights were on, you will notice how the blush on Jenna's face creeps in. "You are beautiful as well Y/N" Jenna said.

"Can we please now watch" Camila said to the both of you because she is just literally seating close to the both of you, which made the both of you said your apologise quietly and sat comfortably beside each other.

The night went on, and the five of you finished two movies. Beatrice and Ava are now cleaning the living room while you clean the dining room which leaves Camila and Jenna in the living room.

Camila broke the silence and said "I really liked you on Wednesday." and that made Jenna smile and said a thank you, Camila then continued "You know, if I may, I can show you how I perfected the dance you did in the ball" Camila stands up in the middle of the living room and within a second you tackled Camila into the floor, not wanting to make Jenna feel uncomfortable since you have watched a lot of her interviews about the Wednesday dance and also you are concerned about your friend who can't really dance to save her life.

"WHAT THE FUCK Y/N" Camila exclaimed and pushed you off of her "I'm sorry, I just missed you" you answered while you are still lying on the floor.

Jenna went to you and helped you up "Are you okay?" she asked and you just nodded.

"That was not fair Y/N, I was about to show Jenna my dancing skills" Camila said with a pout on her lips, and that just made you giggle.

Jenna buts in and said "Maybe you can show me next time when we meet each other again."

But that just made your head shakes for a no, earning a few "no" that can be heard from Bea and Ava.

Finishing up and gathering your things, you said your goodbye to Ava, Bea, and Camila. Jenna by your side walking towards the street.

"Thanks for inviting me tonight" Jenna said kicking stones that got in her way.

You looked at her like a little kid, thinking it was fun to see her like this, enjoying herself and being young & free. "No problem, I love having you around and the girls have been wanting to meet you since they only got to greet you in the hospital" you said.

"Really? I'm glad to hear that. I also enjoyed spending time with them" She said.

Walking a few more streets and you were nearing Jenna's house. No small talks were made, only the noise of the neighborhood can be heard and your small hums.

Jenna the breaks the silence "I just noticed that you always invite me to do something while I just go and say yes."

"Well, I like hanging out with you" you answered, because it is true. You know for yourself that even if you don't have any feelings for Jenna, you would enjoy her company.

"How about if you come to our Family dinner next time, sounds good?" Jenna suggested and it surprised you. How come you got invited to a Family Dinner and that made you super shy because you will gonna be surrounded with Jenna's family and you were scared that they will not like you. But then you reminded yourself to calm down and live on the now.

"Uhmm sure, if that's okay with your family, I don't want to intrude" you answered and Jenna smiled and said "Oh trust me they would love you there, my mom was also planning in inviting you, she said you are like a daughter to her"

Wow, Natalie has plans on inviting you, that was the first time you heard that. You know that you and Natalie have this bond and you feel so treasured and loved, thinking that Natalie thought of you more like her daughter.

Stepping in front of the Ortega's front door, you and Jenna faced each other earning a sweet smile on both of your faces.

"Thank you for tonight" Jenna said.

That moment, this moment, you were so sure that you wanted to kiss Jenna, you are thinking, you have stopped yourself many times to not kiss her so maybe this is a good chance to let go and just kiss her. Live on the now, you think. Your heart beating loud and you try to block the negative thoughts.

So one of your hand went into Jenna's side, you were slowly leaning in, waiting for a movement from the other girl to pull away and you felt none, so you persisted and you felt that Jenna was also leaning in, placing her hands into your shoulder.

A flashing of lights and a honk is heard that broke you apart. The windows rolled down and you saw Jenna's dad waving, getting down the car and going towards the both of you.

"Hey girls, hope I'm not interrupting something?" said and hugged Jenna and looked at you.

You introduced yourself "Good evening Sir, I'M Y/N, Jenna's friend and Natalie's co-worker.' and stretched your hand to shake his hand which he did shake and exclaimed "So you are who's Jenna is talking about, huh?"

Jenna nudged her father "Dad, please stop" which made her father laugh and said "Well, if you are hungry you can go inside and dig in." and leave the both of you outside again.

You broke the silence and said "Well, I'm gonna go home" you take Jenna's hand and kissed the back of it, "Good night my husband" You said with a teasing smile referring to Jenna's costume and you started to walk down their front yard.

Jenna then said "Good night to you my wife, call me when you're home" and blow you a kiss which you catch and kept it in your pocket that made Jenna laugh.

And that maybe was the greatest Halloween that you could have ever have in you whole life.

______________________________________________________________

Chap 6

A/N: an update, hope this was good. Thanks for reading!

[bldhrry]

A Court of Passion and Daydreams

Chapter Ten | Glitch Azriel x OC!Reader Previous Chapter | Next Chapter Series Masterlist | General Masterlist

word count: 9.6k

warnings: cursing, blood, violence, smut (18+, minors DNI)

author's note: it's finally here!!! i'm sorry it took so long; i've been busy n then while writing it i had some writer's block. but it's here and i'll work on the next chapter this week. lmk what you think!

Celestia flinched and looked at Azriel with bewildered eyes.  He knew what had happened and by her reaction, she didn’t seem to comprehend or accept it.  

The bond grew stronger in Azriel and the connection between them solidified like a bridge connecting their two souls.  He looked at his mate with hopeful eyes, but she just looked at him confused.

She stumbled as she got up and pushed the bowl of stew in his hands.  “You need to eat,” she mumbled and quickly left, not even shutting the door. 

He saw her rush up the stairs, her hand to her mouth.

She threw up upon arrival to her bathroom and didn’t stop for what seemed like hours.  The emotions coursing through her veins and coating her bones were suffocating and she didn’t know what to do with them.  He was her mate and while her heart rejoiced in the fact and the bond shone brightly, her brain was in denial.  This was the same male who had left her without so much as a rhyme or reason.

She accepted the bond, which meant he knew.  Did he know before she did?  Is that why he left?  Did he not want her as his mate?  The questions swirled in her, making her dizzy.  She was a mess and she didn’t know what to do with the information and the shift in her world.

She began to sob, choking on her tears.  This had to be a mistake; she couldn’t be his mate.  He didn’t love her and the fact made her clutch at her chest and gasp for air.  How could this be?  The Mother was cruel and twisted.

Despite her pain and utter confusion, her body betrayed her as it savored the warmth the bond brought to her icy bones.  It sang in her gut and it didn’t move around as it once had, but it held firm and taut and she could picture it laid out on the floor, leading to Azriel who laid just a floor below.  She saw its detailed fibers and could feel the vibration it emitted as she held it and studied it.

This had to be a mistake.

Despite what happened, they didn’t speak for a week.  She emerged from her room the next morning, keeping her eyes on the floor.  If she looked at him she would collapse and give in, but she was angry about the chain of events.  She was angry that he left her, that he possibly knew of the bond and left anyway, and she was angry that she was weak enough to even consider accepting him back in her life if he asked.

She had never been this way before.  She was strong and wild and fierce, intimidating everyone she met.  She bore battle scars with pride and was quick to fight anyone as long as the cause was just.  She was the first female Illyrian to train, enter and win the Blood Rite, be ranked in the army, and lead a legion.  She was a powerhouse, but here she was desperately in love with a male that wanted nothing to do with her.  And not just any male, but her mate.

The word stung her body like a hot rod branding her skin.  Despite the accidental acceptance of the bond, she was not sure if this is what she wanted or if it even was right.  Maybe it got confused and went to the wrong female?  The question was ludicrous, but she couldn’t help but ponder it but the more she thought about it, the angrier she got at the idea of Azriel being with another female.  The thought made her blood boil and she could see nothing but darkness coating the corners of her vision.

Azriel was already in the kitchen when she came down, a bowl of porridge in front of him untouched.  He was moving his spoon around the bowl seemingly deep in thought.  He jumped up when she walked in and watched as she poured herself a cup of coffee.  She leaned against the counter and drank it, continuing to stare at the floor like she had never seen it before.

Azriel hadn’t slept the previous night and he was sick with worry that Celestia would change her mind and reject the bond; she still had that option and it scared him.  She hadn’t looked happy as the truth was revealed to her and when he tried to reach for her she had flinched back like she couldn’t bear the idea of him touching her.

His shadows stayed close to him as he watched her take small sips of her drink.  He wanted to know what she was thinking and feeling and what she would decide.  He couldn’t imagine a life without her and the past two years apart had been agonizing for him.  But the way she danced and looked at Tarquin during Starfall made him think that maybe she could imagine a life without him.

He had been beside himself when he had left on the scouting mission and the only relief he felt was when he was torturing his captive enemies for information.  All the frustrations he had bottled inside were let out with each punch and chokehold.  The job needed to be done, but afterwards he thought of what Celestia would think of what he was doing and what he had done and suddenly he would feel ashamed, clenching his bloodied hands into fists.

She avoided him for weeks until they were called back to Velaris.  Rhysand was sure war would come soon and he needed his Court more than ever.

Azriel’s heart broke when she avoided his gaze and when she did look at him it was with contempt.  Azriel desperately wanted to tell her the truth but the fear that she would reject him regardless loomed over his head and he stayed quiet, savoring any moment they were together.

Celestia felt like she was going mad without Azriel and she hated herself every time she was angry with him or ensured they were nowhere near each other.  Her heart and the bond ached with need and yearned for him in every sense of the word, but her pride kept her head high as she passed him without a glance.  However, she would take a deep breath when she passed him, memorizing his scent and enjoying their proximity; it was the only thing that kept her slightly sane.

It was a hot Summer day when word came that the Summer and Winter Court had been simultaneously attacked.  The Illyrians were sent to the Summer Court and the Darkbringers to the Winter Court; the Inner Court was split up with Azriel, Cassian, and Celestia to the Summer Court and Rhysand, Feyre, and Mor to the Winter Court.

The battle was strenuous but they held their own as the Summer Court’s navy worked to defend the sea and the Night Court worked to defend the city.  Azriel lead part of the Illyrians in the sky while Cassian and Celestia lead the Illyrians on the ground.  

While Azriel fought from the sky, his siphons blazing blue power, he kept Celestia in sight watching as her 12 green siphons decimated the enemy; it also helped that she was one of the strongest soldiers in the army.  Despite her gender, the Illyrians followed her lead and command and soon enough they were able to clear part of the city.

She had moved part of the army and herself to Cassian whose legion were still fighting off Hybern’s forces.  Cassian and Celestia fought side by side, their combat abilities complimenting each other and they pushed the Hybern’s army forward until they had nowhere to go and were forced to surrender.

As Celestia and Cassian instructed their legions on what to do with the soldiers and the city, he felt a horrible pain shoot through the bond and he saw Celestia fall to the ground with a scream.

“Cover her!”  Cassian bellowed as his legion rushed towards the enemy; they had glamoured themselves and were shooting arrows from a high vantage point across the town square.

Azriel shouted for his second to take command as he swept down to Cassian.  She was being carried by four Illyrians; she had caught a faebane tipped arrow to the thigh.

“Get off of me, I’m fine.”  She kept saying but the Illyrians ignored her.  Nobody liked Cassian but they weren’t about to ignore their General.

Azriel landed and made his way towards the group.  “I’ll take her to the medic.”

Some of the Illyrians recoiled at his presence, but dropped her in his outstretched arms.

“Oh please.  I don’t need to go.  I’m fucking fine.”  She growled.  But her face was starting to go pale and the blood from her thigh was not stopping.

Without another word Azriel winnowed to the medic and the healer rushed over instructing her team to get the supplies necessary to stop the spread of the poison.  

Celestia fought off the healers, demanding to be released so she could preside over her legion.

“The fight isn’t over,” she had growled, struggling against the healers.

“Knock it off girl,” the healer hissed.  “You’ll die if we don’t stop the faebane from taking over.”

Fear flashed through her eyes and she looked at Azriel for comfort and he just placed a hand on her ankle and nodded.

She drank the antidote and they left her in the tent, promising to come back and check on her to make sure it worked.

She laid on the makeshift bed with her eyes closed.  The faebane was doing its work; she was groggy and in pain and she couldn’t feel her powers anymore.

“What are you still doing here?”  She lifted her head to look at Azriel who sat at her side, watching the commotion outside.

“I’m staying with you.”

“Don’t you have a job to do?”

“I am doing my job.”

She rolled her eyes.  She couldn’t tell if he was being genuine for she couldn’t even feel the bond anymore.  Part of her was glad.

She sighed and tried to get up so she could sneak to the city, but her body was heavy.  Before she could fall back on the table, Azriel caught her and gently laid her down.

“Please stop getting up,” he whispered, cradling the back of her head.

She attempted to wave him off, but she could barely raise her hand.

“Fuck off.”

Azriel pursed his lips and just stared at her.  He wanted to confess so much to her, but now wasn’t the time because he knew she would take it as him pitying her.

“Just let me stay here with you.  Please.”

She could tell he was being earnest in his request, so she just sighed through her nose and closed her eyes and fell asleep.

“We came as soon as we heard,” the voice was distant and urgent.

“The antidote worked; she’s just been tired and asleep since we got here.”

She groggily opened her eyes and looked around trying to focus her vision. 

Someone appeared in front of her and they grabbed her face.  “Are you okay?”

She groaned and moved her head to the side.  “Fuck off,” she muttered.

“Yeah, she’s fine alright.”  The voice chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Her vision focused and she looked at the person and it was Rhysand.  He was clad in his Illyrian fighting leathers, but no siphons to be found; show off.

Feyre stood next to Rhysand and she was holding his arm, worry etched into her features.  Mor and Azriel were there too, peering at her from the foot of the bed.

“I didn’t die so stop looking at me like that.”  She attempted to get up and Rhysand helped her.

“Did anything else happen?”  She rubbed her eyes.

“The navy defended the port and we have prisoners, but the city is destroyed.”  Rhysand looked outside and flinched at the destruction.  From the tent you could see collapsed buildings and smoke.

She groaned and threw her head back.  She should’ve been out there.

“It’s not your fault,”  Mor said with a soft smile on her face.  “You guys did what you could.”

She rolled her neck.  “Cassian?”

“He’s still down there directing the placements of camps and whatnot.”

She nodded and glanced at Azriel.  She could tell he had been crying and he was chewing on his lip to prevent from crying again.

Celestia gave him a sympathetic look and despite their recent mishaps, she couldn’t help but tug at the bond and send a wave of reassurance through it.  I’m fine, she let the statement float towards his mental shields and he visibly relaxed.

“Is there anything I can do?”  Celestia asked and attempted to get out of the bed but her body screamed in pain and she gasped; she had completely forgotten about the arrow.

They had removed and it was bandaged with a blood spot in the center and they had cut her pant leg off.

“Rest.”  Feyre said with a commanding tone in her voice.  “As your High Lady, sister in law, and friend.”  She gave Celestia a smile and placed her hand on her leg, rubbing it softly.

Celestia scowled.  “You get shot with an arrow and everyone is planning your fucking funeral.”

Azriel made a noise that was half laugh and half sob.  He had his arms crossed but she could see he was digging his fingers into his biceps.  His back was rigid but he was leaning forward as if he was waiting for the first opportunity to come back to her side.  

Celestia tilted her head at him, her eyes soft, and studied his face.  Concern, worry, and love were circling his bloodshot eyes and she felt bad that he was feeling this way and she searched internally for a way to fix it but as she contemplated her next move her brain began knocking in her head reminding him of his transgressions.

Shaking her head and drawing her lips into a straight line she turned her attention back on Feyre and she couldn’t help but notice that the entire group had been watching Azriel and her with an understanding look.  They had all smelled the bone upon their return from Windhaven, but, right now, it was the strongest it had been since it fell into place all those weeks ago.

She waved at Feyre and the rest of the group in a dismissing manner.  “Fine.”

Rhysand helped her lay back down and she passed out.

By the time she woke up it was dark outside and she could see fire pits lighting up the surrounding areas.  A healer was at her side changing the bandages on her leg and putting ointment.

She flinched as the healer put the ointment and she looked up, her eyes apologetic.

Celestia just nodded.  She felt pressure on her arm and looked over to see Azriel asleep.  He had his head on its side on her forearm and he was holding her hand.

“He’s been here all night.”  The healer looked at Azriel and then at Celestia.  “It must be nice to have a mate like that.”

She couldn’t stop the smile that creeped up her face as she ran her fingers through his hair.  “Yeah,” she trailed off, lost in thought.  She let her eyes wander from his face to his back and then to his hand that held hers.  Despite him being asleep he was clutching it tightly.

The healer patted her leg and said she would be back later to change the wound; Celestia thanked her and shifted on the bed, getting comfortable.

The movement woke Azriel and he looked at her with tired eyes.

“How do you feel?”  He asked.  His voice was raspy and heat coursed her body.

“Fine.”

He lifted her hand and kissed her palm and rested his face on her knuckles.  Celestia couldn’t help but make a face at the display of affection.

He was fake.  His obligation to her was because of the bond and it kept him here, but he truly didn’t want to be.  If he did he would have apologized by now.

She took her hand back and rested it on her stomach, staring at the ceiling.

“I’m here because I want to be.”  He declared like he was reading her thoughts.  He moved closer to her and tried to touch her cheek but she flinched.  

“Don’t,” she begged.

He sighed, clearing his throat and crossed his arms on the bed and laid his head back down on them.

She let him.

Celestia was on crutches for the next six weeks and Azriel took care of her in the meantime.  She had tried to get him to go away and leave her alone because she was “very much capable of taking care of herself,” but when she fell trying to walk on her own he decided if it were best he helped her while she healed.

They’re relationship didn’t get better, however.  She still was emotionally distant and ignored the bond as much as she could.  Tender moments were shared from time to time from stolen glances to feather light touches, but she regretted it every time.  She was getting her hopes up and he was following the bond’s demands.

They were at a meeting with the High Lords of Prythian and much to the shock of everyone Beron and Tamlin showed up.  The atmosphere was tense as everyone showed force and shared threatening glances.

Nobody trusted Beron and Tamlin so there was hesitation on sharing whatever intelligence they had on Hybern’s plans and future movements.  But they found that the meeting would go nowhere if they didn’t start talking so, talking they did.

Celestia had her own grudges towards Tamlin for what he did to her mother and cousin and she made sure he was aware that if given the chance she would gladly kill him.  Her brother had mercy, but she did not.

Celestia had made sure to shield her and Azriel’s mating scent from the group.  Not only did she not want anyone to know about it, but it posed a threat to her, him, and the rest of the Night Court.  So, here she sat, three seats away from him ignoring the pleas from her soul to be with him.

“I just don’t think Hybern is capable of what you all are saying he’s planning to do,” Tamlin threw his hands in the air, clearly frustrated.

Celestia rolled her eyes.  “Of course you don’t think he would do something this heinous; he’s protecting you and you’re protecting him.”  She sneered.

Don’t agitate him, Rhysand commanded in her mind, but she didn’t care.  She was fed up with Tamlin living the perfect life when his family ruined hers.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I don’t?”  She laughed.  “Nobody respects you after you sold yourself to him.  Nobody here even trusts you; you were just invited as a courtesy.”

It was Tamlin’s turn to laugh and it quickly turned into a sneer.  “You’re lucky you’re even part of this demonic court.  You’re nothing more than the daughter of a whore and a drunk.”

Everyone paused, the room becoming still.  Celestia pushed her chair back to make a move but it was Azriel who leaped over the table and tackled him.  His own blue shield wrapped around him and Tamlin as he rained punches to his face.

“Oh Gods, Azriel stop!”  Celestia shrieked, but he kept going.  

She pleaded through the bond.  “You’re going to kill him and we need him.  Please stop.”

But it was Feyre who cut the attack short.  Nobody really respected her as High Lady and instead of addressing her and Rhysand, they only spoke about important matters to him, seeing her as an ornamental figure of the Court.

“Azriel.  Get up,” she spoke calmly, but with enough force that Azriel got looked up, his eyes black with rage.

His chest heaved and he bared his teeth as he got up.  “Careful how you speak to my mate or next time I will kill you.  Consider this a warning.”

Godsdamnit.

A blanket of quiet fell over the room as Azriel made his way to his seat both with shock at the assault and surprise at the announcement.  The High Lords looked between him and Celestia like they were trying to piece the puzzles together.

They were trying to figure out how they were mated when no scent could be found, so with a nod from Rhysand she dropped the shield around her and Azriel and the scent flooded the room.  She couldn’t smell it but Feyre had said it was like a mixture of his scent of fresh linen and her scent of the ocean.

Thesan was the first to speak.  “Congratulations.”  His smile was genuine but mischief lit in his eyes.

She couldn’t even respond because she just kept staring between Azriel and Tamlin; she looked at his bloody fists and his heavy breathing and Tamlin’s disfigured nose and busted lip.

Would a male who seemed to want nothing to do with her defend her like that?

Mor took over the training at Windhaven and Celestia and Azriel remained in Velaris to figure out the next move.

They still hadn’t spoken properly about their recent circumstance despite Azriel trying.  He had gotten her alone a couple of times and attempted to explain himself but she always avoided the conversation with the excuse that she was busy.  She was never busy.

The rest of the Inner Court had figured out the bond when the pair initially came back from Windhaven; Celestia hadn’t thought about the shield idea until the meeting with the High Lords, so everyone smelled it the minute they walked through the door.

Nobody was shocked but everyone was surprised when Celestia acted oblivious about it and Azriel constantly looked like he was being stabbed.

From the look on their faces, they figured it hadn’t gone well so everybody made the decision to not congratulate or ask them about it, but when they got back to Velaris from the attacks at the Winter and Summer Court it was all they could talk to them and each other about.

“So, you and Azriel?”  Nesta smirked.

“What about it?”  Celestia raised an eyebrow, chewing on a croissant.

“You two are mated,” she emphasized.  “That means something.”

“Not really.”

“You are only hurting yourself by acting this tough and aloof, girl.”  Amren pointed a finger at her.

“I’m not behaving in any type of way.”  

Amren clicked her tongue and shook her head, silently criticizing her.  “Nothing good has ever come out of two people ignoring the bond.”

Celestia shrugged nonchalantly.  There was a first time for everything.

If she was being honest with herself she was constantly feeling home sick despite being in her home.  She would sit in her apartment and have a sense of loss that she couldn’t satisfy.  Deep down she knew her home was Azriel with his starlit eyes, broad shoulders, and personality that only welcomed her.  But something still gnawed at her that this was wrong; the bond was wrong, her feelings were wrong, and he was wrong.  She felt like she was being thrown in every direction but the one she needed to go in.

Sometimes she’d sit and focus on the bond, feeling its threads and wondered just how far it could go.  She thought of all the places Azriel could be and how the bond would look as it traveled with him, transmitting his thoughts and feelings to her.  She wondered if the bond found it difficult to keep them together when they never spoke, touched, looked at each other, or spent time together.  Would it break if they kept this up?  If it did, then what would happen to them?

Azriel sat on the balcony and thought of all the same things.  He would peer over the side of the House of Wind and imagine the golden thread traveling to her and snaking its way up her body and whispering the truth to her.  He tugged on it occasionally, sending inquiries of where she was, how she was, and how her day was going but it always went unanswered.  It always felt cold when he reached out and in turn he began to feel it wither and shake from the duress of trying to keep two people together when one couldn’t even be bothered to try.

Azriel would never stop trying, though.  He would think long and hard how he would drop to his knees and beg at her feet for another chance.  He played out his apology and fantasized about making it known to her his feelings from the time they met to now.  He would divulge his experiences while he was on his missions and how much he thought of her and how desperately he wanted to feel her again.

He sent a comforting caress through the bond and immediately felt a spark come through, making him flinch in his seat.

What do you want? She shot down, clearly annoyed.

I wanted to let you know that I’ve been thinking of you today.

Okay.

Do you want to get dinner tonight?

No.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

So you can have dinner with me.  Azriel grinned, proud of himself.

She laughed.  I do not want to see you.

Why not?

Because I just don’t.

That's not a real answer.

She laughed again.  He was annoying.

What happened to dark, brooding, and quiet Azriel?  I miss him.

He snorted.  I love you.

The bond went cold and he chastised himself for being so forward so soon.  But what did he have to lose?  She hated him regardless.

Why must you torment me?  She sent after a couple of minutes of silence.

I’m not.

You are.

Not intentionally.

She went quiet again and he could feel anxiety bouncing back and forth about the bond, seeming to try and decide what it wanted to do.

I think you have been so deprived of everything good that you don’t know what you want and will cling to anything that looks your way.

Her statement hit him like she had physically struck him.  That wasn’t true.  He clung to her because he loved her; he had loved her for years.  All he’s ever wanted to do was protect her and he did what he did to accomplish just that.  He wished she would give him the time to explain.

You are the good that I have been deprived of and cling to.

A dark chuckle floated to him and his skin went cold.  Sad to see you’ve resorted to the Cassian school of poetry.

Please.  He begged.  He was swooping to new levels of low.

There was a hesitation and the same anxiety showed its face.  I cannot keep doing this.  I think I am going to explode.  I feel pathetic for wanting you and thinking I need you.  You left me and I was a shell of who I used to be.  Part of me died and you think a bond is going to make me think you actually care.  The mating bond drives people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do.  You left me before the bond and you are only coming back because of it.  Leave me be Azriel.

The bond’s golden hue dimmed and he could see walls and smoke cloud his vision and his view of her.  He hadn’t realized it but he was crying.  Despite the love she had for him before the bond and the love that grew because of it, she had decided she wanted nothing to do with him.  He couldn’t blame her, but he wished she understood that he was not worthy then and not worthy now of her and while he knew he hurt her and was hurting her he thought it would be better for her in the long run.  He had hoped she would never recognize the bond and would move on and find someone else, like Tarquin, but instead fate fell into place and she was now bound to him for life and she was probably more miserable than she was before.

Azriel let her be and it tore him apart.  He distanced himself from the Court and secluded himself in his room.  His shadows kept him company, traveling up and down his body and twisting around his limbs.  They were agitated and stressed, never ending their route around his body.  He would swat them away when they would report her whereabouts; he didn’t want to know for she didn’t want him to know.

Celestia kept to herself too, only traveling between her apartment and the Manor to help Feyre with Nyx while Rhysand prepared for an inevitable war.

“I wish you’d hear him out,”  Feyre said after putting Nyx down for a nap.  The two had spent the entire morning entertaining the babe with books and toys and playtime by the water.

“I don’t want to talk to him.”  Celestia snapped.  She was tired of everyone trying to make her fix the situation.  She had done nothing wrong.

“He’s tried talking to you,” her sister in law reminded her.

Celestia flared her nostrils and rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck.  “I’ve seen what he’s wanted to say and it’s enough.”

“No it’s not,” Feyre gave her an exasperated look.  “There’s more that you don’t know.”

“And you do?”  Celestia raised an eyebrow.

Feyre gave her a sympathetic look and let her shoulders sag.

“So, he can talk to everyone but me?”  Celestia laughed and looked at the House of Wind.

“You’re not easy to talk to.  You’re letting your pride ruin this.”

“He left me,”  she snarled.  “What exactly am I ruining?”

“He thought he was doing the right thing.”

“That makes no sense.”

“It’s not my place to tell.  Just talk to him, please.”

Celestia sucked at her teeth and shook her head.  If he cared for her as he claimed then why leave and avoid her for so long?  Maybe her pride was ruining everything and maybe she was being immature in wanting nothing to do with him and refusing to speak with him, but what else could she do with the emotions twirling around her heart and soul?

She could still feel the bond and it made her cold nature turn warm and she fought a smile.  Its constant presence was comforting and when she laid in bed at night she would feel it and touch it, letting it fill her body.  It would sing to her and when she touched the bond, feeling the threads and watching as the glow dusted her fingers, the melody would crescendo and she felt at peace.  During times like this she wished to tell Azriel how it felt to have the bond and she wondered if it felt the same for him.  She wondered if he suspected the bond before it happened like Cassian had with Nesta.  When she thought about it and examined their interactions from the time they met until the day the bond snapped, the thought had never crossed her mind.  She never expected to have or find her mate, so the idea was never an option to her.  But the more she thought about it the more it made sense that this was meant to be; their quiet understanding and shared silences, their consistent defense of one another, and their recent inability to leave each other alone and get each other off their minds and bodies were all signs of the bond and the signs had been there since the beginning but she had been too blind to see it due to her naivety.

She continued to look towards the House and tilted her head.  The bond reached out to Azriel on her behalf and it rang like a bell, announcing its arrival.  A light flickered weakly but it began to grow brighter reaching out towards her until it hit her soul and warmed her, extinguishing her pain, sadness, and bitterness.

Yes?  Azriel had learned from his previous mistake of being too forward so he opted to be more nonchalant.  It was a shock to Azriel that he behaved so out of character around her such as being playful, affectionate, and tender but he found it to be easy, almost like it was his true nature to be loving.  He missed being free in her touch and gaze and without her he found no escape for all the love he had inside; his only defense was to coil into his shadows and let them do the talking, telling the world that he was to be feared and dangerous.

Dinner with me tonight?  The response was slow to come and sounded shy.

Why?

I’m sorry.  The declaration was shocking to them both but Celestia was at a loss of what to say to him.  In how many words could she describe her anguish and anger?  Anguish for the separation, albeit his fault and hers, from her beloved ghost and anger for the destruction he had caused her.

I’ll see you soon.

The bond went quiet and she excused herself from the Manor and walked to her apartment with her heart racing in her chest.

She stood at the railing of her apartment’s balcony and watched the blue sky for the figure of a winged male.  The bond was becoming less taut as the time passed and she knew he was near; her ears buzzed as she saw his shadow and she let out a breath that she didn’t know she was holding.  

She turned around as he let himself in, kicking his boots and taking his jacket off like he’d done thousands of times before.  Without looking up he made his way to the balcony.  His steps were slow and calculating but also casual.  He had his hands behind his back and she turned to face him fully, bracing herself against the railing.  He looked stunning, maybe even more so as day turned into dusk and the golden rays of the setting sun washed over his face.  He looked up and time seemed to slow as their eyes met.  His eyes were gold in the sunlight and while they were tired with bags accentuating their current state they still looked over her body with care.  He stopped in front of her and she felt small as his body loomed over hers.  He studied her face like it was fine, detailed art and the scrutiny made her blush.

“I’m also sorry.”  His voice was hushed with shame.

She let out a breath and looked down; her chest felt like it was caving in.

She let out a hum and admired his hands.  Despite the scars, she always found them to be his best asset; they were delicate but firm and confident when they held and touched her, always knowing exactly where and what to do.

“Tell me what happened.”

He told her everything.  From the spark in his body when she completed the trials for the Blood Rite to the day he left her.  She had looked magnificent that day fighting and beating her challengers and moving through the obstacles with ease.  He told her about the way he acted without thinking when she was taken for the Blood Rite and the way he was in shambles until the night she returned.  He told her about the way he thought of her everyday when she was at the Summer Court and the way he finally felt relaxed and at peace when they visited.  He told her that when she came back home the feelings intensified and he would feel his entire body shake in her presence; it took everything in him to not keep them physically connected.  He even told her about the lust he felt for her and it was unlike anything he'd experienced before; once was never enough and the millionth time was still not enough for he could never truly feel satisfied and always craved more.  

The entire time he had been staring in her eyes but when he got to the part of where he needed to explain his sudden departure from her he looked down in shame.  

“I felt the bond the night we laid together before the Winter Solstice,” he confessed and she looked at him with wide eyes.  “I didn't leave because of it, but I didn't think I deserved to be your mate.”  He took a breath and looked at her.

“I've done horrible things and I didn't want to tarnish you with my sins.”  He looked at his hands that were the cause of thousands of deaths.  “You deserve the moon and stars, the entire universe really, but I can't do that for you.  I’m a monster and you,” he trailed off trying to find the words and to keep from crying, “you are the light of my life.”  He breathed out.

Then he dropped to his knees and held the back of her thighs.  “I’m so sorry.  Forgive me or not, leave me or not, but I never meant to hurt you.  I was trying to protect you from myself.”  He was crying now, his bottom lip quivering.

And then she leaned down and he prepared for the verbal assault.  He prepared for her to tell him to and leave and never speak to her again and to feel the bond breaking.  But instead she grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him.

It wasn't the kisses they'd share while taking their clothes off, but the kisses they'd share when he came back from his missions.  A kiss of longing that told him that she had missed him and that she loved him and most importantly of all, that she forgave him.  

He sighed into the kiss and held her close to him by the back of her neck.  He wanted to keep her close and he didn't want this to end.

She pulled away and looked him in the eyes.  Her face was one of anguish but not in the way that she was upset but in the way that said she had felt the same for as long as she could remember.  Without any words, she accepted him and his sins and the bond.  

The bond was as bright as the sun now and both ends of it held the same intensity and it only grew spreading to their fingertips and toes.

“My sins are not absolved just because you think you've done worse.”  She bit her lip and sighed.  “I have killed and to this day I don't regret it; I have blood on my hands and yet you want and love me.  I want you regardless of what you've done.”

His entire body felt like it was jelly and he sagged in relief, his lips swollen and parted and wings on the ground.  He looked at her like it was the first time; the sun was touching her hair, accenting the brown highlights and this time it looked like she had a real halo around her head.

Her words struck him and he gripped her hands.  He didn't know what to say and he didn't know what to do with her declaration.  She wanted him.

As the bond clicked properly into place, he saw her eyes dilate and widen a fraction of an inch and she squeezed her thighs slightly.  Her breathing quickened and her brows came together.  She opened and closed her mouth, trying to speak but not knowing what to say.  He knew what was coming.  The scent was all too familiar from all the times he had her against the wall biting her lip as his fingers worked in and out of her: pure lustful desperation.

She could sense his arousal from the way his pants were tightening and he was shifting on the floor to ease the pressure.  His eyes were shifting from a look of devotion to one of primal possession and she suppressed a moan.  So this was the mating frenzy Feyre had talked about.

He stood up, his hands trailing from their previous position on her thighs to the curve of her ass and up her spine.  He toyed with the bottom of her shirt scanning her body and then her face for approval.  She just swallowed and bit her lip, pleading with her eyes.

They stood like that for an agonizingly long time and Celestia fought every whimper and whine for him to take her.  And then he did and she felt like life was being breathed back into her.  She was capturing a sensation that she hadn't felt before and didn't think existed.  They had been together before and she knew him inside and out but this was different; his mouth on hers and the feel of his tongue greeting hers was different than before and the grip he had on her waist was firm.

They walked back through the balcony doors and he moved his hands to her thighs and she wrapped her legs around his waist and while she nipped and kissed his neck he carried her bedroom where he set her down.

While the beginning of this endeavor had started slow and they savored the taste and smell of each other, the moment she hit the bed and parted her legs for him to come to her is when it all really began.

Azriel was already breathing hard and his shadows stayed at his feet, giving him the room and privacy to kiss her as he unbuttoned her pants.  She whined the whole time, moving her hips for any and all contact.

He pushed her further up the bed and she watched as he took her pants off, then her underwear, and then he finally took his place, his home, between her thighs.

He locked up her slit and she spread her legs wider and he smiled as he tasted her.  He circled her clit with his tongue and she bucked her hips and he kept going, alternating between sucking and licking it.  He teased her entrance with his finger and as she gasped was he slid it in, never ending his torture on her clit.  She threw her legs on his shoulders and dug her heels in his shoulders, egging him on.  He obliged and kept going, licking her clit and fingering her and with the reentrance of his middle finger he slid his ring finger in and curled his fingers, hitting her g-spot with the flick of his wrist.

Her back arched slightly and she groaned.  “Oh Gods Azriel please.”

He kept going but faster this time keeping an eye on her as her chest rose and fell, letting out high pitched moans.  She had one hand in his hair and the other gripping the bed sheets and as he circled his lips around her clit she let out a gasp and then a cry, gripping the sheets and his hair as her orgasm rolled over her.  She covered her mouth to stifle her moans, but it was no use as he kept going at the same speed as before and another orgasm struck her and she called out his name over and over until she was panting.  She opened her eyes and the sunlight filtering in her room was bright, making it difficult to see but she saw clear as day Azriel kissing her thighs and looking at her; the sight alone made her thighs shake and her core warm again.

He crawled his way up to her, placing big, wet kisses all over her body.  He had missed her as a person more but he definitely missed her as a lover.  Her body looked like it was made in the image of an ancient goddess and the way it reacted to his touch and gaze, like she was made for him and him only, made his body hot and blood travel straight down to his cock. 

He had made it to her chest where he palmed on one breast and sucked on the other one leaving hickies and nipping at her nipple, running his tongue around it in a circle.  She hummed at the contact and pressed her body further into the bed.  She had already recovered and ran the side of her knee down his body, wrapping it around his thigh and pulled him closer.

He kissed her neck and left marks and when he had kissed her entire face she ran her fingers through his hair and captured his lips with her own.  The kiss was soft and slow and she ran her fingers up and down his back, leaving scratch marks.  He growled at the pleasure and she let out a breathy laugh against his lips and did it again and this time she lightly grazed the arch of his wing and it twitched and flared out, drooping over the side of the bed.

“Be careful Princess,” he warned and deepened the kiss making her let out a small moan at the change in pace.  

She couldn’t help but do it again, testing his patience, and his eyes rolled back and pressed her body against hers in response.  He gripped her wrists and pinned them against the bed and stared at her while she bit her lip to suppress the giggle that was building in her chest.

“Do you think this is funny?”  He was sucking and biting at her neck and she sighed against his ear and nodded.

He growled.  She always toyed with him until he couldn’t take it anymore and fucked her so good that it would put a whorehouse to shame.

Her eyes were mischievous and a small grin was tugging at the edges of her full lips.  She was moving her legs side to side, making her knees hit his hips.   “I want you to fuck me and cum in me Azriel.”  She smiled and lit up at her announcement like she was proud of her boldness.

If he wasn’t hard before now he was now, so much so that his cock was starting to throb and ache and he could already feel precum coating his tip.  He was looking at her with wide eyes and a million positions and kisses and the sound of her moans were filling his mind and his breathing was becoming ragged.  He grinned at her back and flipped her around and pulled her hips upwards.  She gasped at the sudden movement and turned to look at him and as he lined himself up to her entrance and looked up at her.  She was biting her lip so hard it was drawing blood and her eyes were dark with lust and she nodded her head.  Yes please.

He slid into his favorite place in the world slowly and he watched as her eyes rolled back in her head and she buried her face into the sheets.  When he had filled her completely, he pulled out halfway and began to move in and out of her and she arched against him, begging for more.

So he gave her more quickening his pace until the only sound filling the apartment were her moans, his moans, and skin hitting skin.  He had never been too loud before but he couldn’t help himself now for he had missed this terribly.  He missed the way her walls were always warm and tight and inviting and the way his name flowed from her lips like it was second nature; his hand could never amount to the pleasure that she brought him.

She was moving with him now ensuring that he was filling her completely before pulling back out and he threw his head back, groaning her name and praises.  You feel so good, and you look so pretty taking my cock, and you’re doing so good Princess.

She whimpered at every praise and he could feel her tighten around him.  He kept going until his thrusts were becoming sloppy and her cries for his seed were becoming louder and louder.  He reached over and grabbed her hair softly, balling it into a fist, and she looked back at him, her eyes were hazy and her lips were parted and she was biting her lip again trying to quiet her moans and whimpers.

He gave her a cocky grin and slammed into her and she let out a groan.  “Can you scream for me Princess?”

Her eyes widened and she nodded absentmindedly and he continued to slam into her, making the bed shake and she cried out, falling back on to bed.  He let go of her hair and instead gripped her hips tightly until he was panting too, his orgasm building in his gut and he gripped her even tighter ensuring bruises and he with a loud howl he came, filling her to the brim until it was coating his cock and spilling out of her.  He kept going until she arched her back against him and screamed and gripped the headboard, curses and his name, always his name, echoed off the walls.

He slowed his thrusts and pulled out and they both groaned at the loss of contact.  He kneaded her ass, watching her shudder and shake beneath him and with a small pat she rolled over.  She was breathing heavily and was staring at the ceiling with her hand on her stomach and when she looked at him, kneeling on the bed with both of their orgasms coating his navel, she found him to be the most beautiful person she had ever laid her eyes on.  She needed him again and she asked for it again by spreading her legs, showing herself and the mess he’d made.  A chuckle rumbled through his chest and he swatted at her knee and crawled and laid next to her, pulling her into his chest.

“Need a minute Princess,” he mumbled against her head and he felt her pout against his chest.

Their bodies grew heavy and they sagged into the bed with deep breaths.  His eyes were heavy but he kept them on the wall in front of him, basking in the silence and the feel of her skin beneath his hands.  His shadows had come back, swirling between the two.  They were warm as they danced on her skin and followed the movement of her hands as she rubbed Azriel’s chest.  She looked up at him while tracing his tattoos and he felt her stare for he looked down at her and gave her a lazy smile.  She couldn’t help but return it and they stayed like that for a few minutes, admiring each other and savoring the tender touches.

“I’ve missed you this entire time, you know.”  She whispered.

“Didn’t act like it,” he chuckled.

“Because you didn’t act like it,” she shot back with a smile.

“Because you didn’t.”  he quirked an eyebrow at her and she laughed through her nose and placed a kiss on his chest, letting her lip drag slightly.

“How much did you miss me?”  Her tone was timid.

“I felt like I was going to die.”  He whispered back, his fingers pulling at her curls.

“Me too,”  she mumbled, focusing on his tattoos.  “I felt like something in me was rotten.”

He hummed and looked at the ceiling, blinking back tears.  

“I felt the bond the night you stayed with me at the Manor.”  She confessed.

He quickly looked down at her in disbelief.  

“I didn’t know; I thought it happened at Windhaven, but I think I just accepted it by accident.”  He flinched and she looked at him.  “Not like that; I just meant that I didn’t know I did.  But that night at the Manor I felt it.  It was like a physical rope and I felt it go from me and you.  I just thought I was happy.”  She mused, recalling the night.

He rubbed her scalp and started to laugh.  “I knew it my entire life and here you were mistaking it for every emotion on the planet.”

She got up, giving him a big kiss.  “Don’t,” she said in between laughs.  She sighed and looked at him.  “You’ve known that long?”

“I felt something when you won the trials, but I thought it was because I had a crush on you,” he tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear, “but the night you left for the Rite, I couldn’t feel it anymore and that’s when I knew.”  He kissed her forehead, then her nose, and then her lips.  “That day during the Great War, I felt your anger; same when your mother died.”  He kissed her again.  “When you left for the Summer Court it went away except when we visited, but when you came back it was so strong I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

She giggled.  “I felt something when I came back, but I also thought it was because I had a crush on you.”

She moved the hair from his face and kissed him and he sighed into it, relieved from the conversation.  It felt like a weight had finally been lifted from his shoulders.

She deepened the kiss, gracefully moving her tongue in his mouth relishing in the way he tasted.  He grabbed her hips lightly and she moved and on top of him, straddling him.  They stayed like that for a while, sharing kisses and moans and enjoying the new found peace between them.

He had grown hard underneath her and she couldn’t help but grind on it slightly, her body begging for contact.  He sat up in the bed and grabbed himself and she took the cue and lifted herself and slid on to him and sighed.  He bit his lip and watched as she adjusted to his size and looked at him with hazy eyes.

He watched her as she moved on him, rocking her hips back and forth agonizingly slow and he wanted her to move faster and harder, but instead he guided her with his hands and she grabbed them, interlocking their fingers.  Her moans were softer this time, abandoning the cries from earlier, and she focused on the warmth of his hands in hers and the way he looked at her with admiration.  She had missed the way he looked at her and she felt tears prick at her eyes.  She had missed him with her entire soul and finally they were truly bound together and the bond sang at the reunion.

She quickened her pace and he wrapped his arms around back and pulled her close until they were chest to chest and moved to wrap her arms around his neck.  She focused on the feeling of his cock as she alternated between grinding and lifting her hips up and down on it.  She had never felt this good in her life and she knew she never would.  He was made for her and it was fate that brought him to her all those years ago.  She pressed their foreheads together and she couldn’t help the whimpers that escaped her lips as she felt her gut contort with her growing orgasm.

He wanted to devour her entirely.  His love for her had no limits and as she moved on him, careful and slow, he felt the love grow until he was kissing her again trying to give her some of it.  He moaned in her mouth and she twitched, her hips faltering their movements slightly, but she continued, breathing heavily into the kiss.  As he guided her she put her hands back on his chest and they were looking at each other again with an intense devotion and promise of being together forever, until death do them part.  She closed her eyes and bit her lip, continuing to move on him and he heard a small gasp, as she twitched again and tightened around him and he groaned at the feeling.  She buried her head into his neck as her orgasm crept up on her and she sucked on his neck, claiming him as he had her.

He welcomed the feeling and moaned.  His own orgasm was building and with each stroke he could feel himself throb and jerk inside of her.  His cock was begging to claim its home again, but he waited, prolonging his inevitable combustion; he wanted to feel her for longer.  Her moans came in rapid succession, their pitch growing higher and higher until her hips started to fail her as she started to shudder; she was so close but she was trying so hard to keep going.  She needed to feel this for longer and she needed to love him for longer.

She pulled back and looked at him, cupping his face.  She searched his eyes for the same courage he’d had this entire time he loved her when she didn’t, or couldn’t, do the same.  His eyes were so warm and bright and she loved them the most.  She loved the green and brown that decorated around his pupils and the way they never missed a thing.  She hoped they saw how much she loved him and how it made her chest swell with pride that he was her mate.

Her orgasm was pounding at her door and she tried to hold it off for longer.  She needed to tell him; he needed to know how long she’s loved him. And as her fingertips stung with electricity and her hips trembled with the pressure, she told him, over and over and as she came she screamed it, cementing it on the walls of her apartment, her soul and his, and all corners of the world.

“I love you.”

[guccixstyless]

Intern (Pt. 4)

Author’s Note: My lovies, I want to sincerely apologize for delaying so much. This series started in 2018 then I started getting busy with university and other problems, I didn't know how to continue Part 4 of the series after keeping it hanging for years. I got major writer's block and lost motivation to continue. But I've been getting so many requests to continue this, so the last week I brainstormed a lot and came up with this. I lost my writing charm, so I'm very nervous posting this after these many years. I truly hope you enjoy this, Intern Series will have 2 more chapters before the ending. Thank you for sticking through, I love you all so much. xx

Word Count: 3033 words

Pairing: Harry Styles X Reader

Masterlist

***********************************************************

You reached Manchester by catching the earliest flight with Harry.

The whole plane ride he was panicking and you tried to reassure him everything is gonna be okay.

While in the plane he explained you that he couldn’t have done this alone, he had to bring someone but he cannot bring Camille, since his mum is still pissed at Camille for breaking her son’s heart.

You understood and held his hand in hopes to comfort him.

Gemma had a bad accident and right now she was in coma.

When you reached the airport, Harry looked around as one of Gemma's bestfriend said he's going to pick you both up from the airport.

"Ben," Harry called out weakly and dragged you towards Ben.

"Harry," Ben hugged Harry tightly before saying, "I'm so scared."

You heard Harry sob. You lightly patted on his shoulder.

You both got in Ben's car after Harry briefly introduced both of you.

"How is mum," Harry spoke, sniffing lightly.

"She's been crying non-stop, H, I'm worried about Anne.."

After reaching the hospital, Harry quickly rushed to the floor where his sister was.

He saw his mum, Michal and his grandma waiting in the visitor lounge.

"Harry," his mum quickly got up from his seat and rushed towards her youngest child.

"Mum, it's gonna be okay, alright? Gem's so strong, she will wake up," Harry said hopefully, hugging his mum tightly.

"I'm so scared baby," Anne sniffled.

The doctor came out of Gemma's room and Harry walked towards him, desperately asking him, "how is she? When is she gonna wake up?"

"Unfortunately, it was a serious accident, she lost a lot of blood, she also suffered mild brain stroke, we're trying our best." doctor assured him.

"Harry, take a seat dear," his grandma softly called out to him.

Harry walked towards her and kissed her forehead, his grandma spoke again, "and who is this pretty lady here?"

Harry looked at you before saying, "Y/N, please come here."

You walked towards them, seating in the empty seat beside Harry.

Harry took your hand and his other hand was intertwined with his grandma, "Granny, this is Y/N, my bestfriend, and Y/N, this is my beautiful grandmother," he said before placing a kiss on his grandma's knuckles.

"Also his forever love," his grandma said laughing lowly.

Harry chuckled before saying, "that's true!"

"It's so nice to meet you," you kindly replied, "H, you stay with her, I'm gonna go check on your mum, okay?"

Harry nodded slightly smiling.

You walked up to Anne, she was staring into space, a light frown between her eyebrows, that resembled Harry so much.

"Hello, Anne, may I call you that?"

She seemed to break from her stance and looked at you smiling softly, "of course my dear, you must be Y/N? Ben mentioned you were accompanying Harry."

"Yes I am, I'm so sorry this happened, but I know it'll be alright again, Gemma will be back to being healthy again."

"I so hope so my love, I wish we met under different circumstances, Harry talked so much about you, I was hoping to meet you someday, not like this though," she said sadly.

You hugged her. Also you were flattered, Harry talked about you? He probably talks about all his friends, don't be so dramatic, you thought to yourself.

You looked over at Harry, he was hugging Michal.

You looked back at Anne before saying, "did you eat anything?"

You saw her shaking her head no.

"This is not right, you have to come with me right now to the canteen and have something, alright?"

Anne tried to protest but you cut her off, "no excuses, you have to eat, imagine how bad Gemma will feel if she wakes up and hears you starved yourself."

"You're not going to take no for an answer, are you?"

"Nah-uh," you replied, she chuckled before agreeing with you.

"Hey Harry?" You called out to him, he approached you both, smiling at how you and his mum were hugging each other.

"Yes?"

"I'm gonna take Anne to the canteen, she hasn't ate anything!"

"Mum, that's not right, go eat something, and don't worry we will be here," Harry said.

"Harry, mate you had a long flight, you also go with them and have coffee or something," Michal said.

"But-"

"Yeah go, we will be here, don't worry," Ben assured him.

"Okay then, grandma, will you join us?"

"No dear, you guys go, I'll be here."

"Let's go."

****************************************************

You spotted an empty table and made your way towards it.

You asked Anne what would she like to have, "just coffee and a sandwich will be fine."

"and H, you?"

"Y/N, you sit, I'll bring the food," Harry said.

"No, shut up, you sit here, I got this."

He started to protest again but you sprinted away before saying, "no need, I know what you'll order anyway."

Harry shook his head chuckling.

"Harry, she's wonderful," Anne gushed.

"She is," he agreed.

You brought the tray of food over and passed on to Anne and Harry before taking your coffee cup.

"Thank you dear," Anne smiled at you.

"You're most welcome," you replied smiling.

After eating quickly, you three returned to Gemma's floor.

You saw, Michal talking with the doctor. Seeing his demeanor it seemed stressful.

The doctor returned back to the room, Michal approached you guys before saying, "they're saying she might lose her memories as well," Michal had tears welled up his eyes.

Anne hugged him, Harry slumped before taking a deep breath.

You looked over around the room and your heart broke seeing all of them at this state.

Soon enough it was getting late and Anne suggested you and Harry take his grandma and go back to Harry's childhood home.

You both agreed and once you arrived at his place, you quickly settled the grandma at her room. Then Harry showed you your guestroom. He told you several times to make yourself at home and feel free to grab snacks or beverages from the kitchen whenever you want.

After taking a quick shower, you came downstairs to drink some tea, in the kitchen you saw Harry staring off at space, the kettle's sound confirmed he was making tea.

"Hey H," you said softly, going up to him and putting your head on his shoulder.

"Hi," he replied, "you want some tea?"

"Yes please," you answered.

He quickly made you both cups of tea, he went on to sit beside you.

"She's going to be fine, right?" he asked quietly.

"H, yes, I fully believe she will be fine, it might take some time, but she will be healthy again."

"I-i can't lose her," he sniffled.

"H, hey look at me," you cupped his face to make him look at you.

The low light in the kitchen made his emerald eyes so stunning, but the sadness made you want to hug him and protect him.

You got lost in his eyes, he was so beautiful, so ethereal.

"Y/N?" He spoke, breaking you from your stance.

"Sorry, yeah listen to me mister, your sister will fight and will be back to us real soon, I can't wait to meet her and together we can bully you," you smirked.

Harry chuckled, "yeah you both will get along well."

"Hmm," you slowly let go of his face and started sipping your tea.

You felt so strongly about him and it pained you that you couldn't do anything, he has a girlfriend afterall.

You sighed and told him you're going back to your room.

*************************************************

Ben chuckled at the tour incident that you were telling him.

"That's really funny though," Ben said sipping his coffee.

"Just one of the many stories," you chuckled shrugging.

You guys were at the hospital, just you, Harry and Ben. Anne and Michal went back home to get some rest and freshen up.

The doctor came out of Gemma's room and he looked hopeful, Harry sprinted towards him and the doctor informed him, Gemma is showing a lot of progress, it was a miracle.

You all sighed in relief.

"I'm gonna call mum," Harry said smiling.

Ben looked over to you and asked, "now since the tour is over, I'm guessing so is your internship?"

"Yeah, I wish it lasted forever though, it didn't feel like work."

"Yeah I bet, Harry is a really chill guy," he said.

"He is!"

"Would you be interested working in London? My brother works at a fashion company, I can hook you there?"

"That sounds wonderful, well if it works out then why not?!"

"Great! I'll tell him 'bout you then."

Harry comes back and sees you both chuckling, you both were getting in his nerve, he wished only you and him were here not Ben. You're his bestfriend, he won't let Ben steal you.

"Ben, if you want you can go back home to rest," Harry said politely.

"Nah man, it's okay, beside I got great company." He smiled looking at you.

You shyly smiled back.

Harry felt his blood boil. He saw how well you and Ben got along and it made him upset. He opened his phone and saw Camille's text, she asked about Gemma's condition and Harry started typing a reply.

***************************************************

After few weeks Gemma recovered well. She fortunately didn't lose her memory as doctors feared so now she's in her recovery phase.

In these few weeks Harry rescheduled the tour dates, so your internship will drag on two more months. You also bonded well with Ben. Harry showed you his favourite places in his hometown. Overall it felt nice.

Currently you all were sitting in Gemma's room at Anne's place. You sat beside Ben in the sofa while Gemma sat on her bed, head relaxing on the bed's headboard. Anne was feeding her fruits and Harry sat beside her. Laughter filled the room while you all were talking. You and Gemma got along well, and you were staying in Anne's guestroom, you wanted to book a hotel but ofcourse Harry and Anne didn't let you.

Ben joked about something and Harry rolled his eyes. Harry was pissed nowadays with Ben. Especially seeing you and Ben bonding was something he despised. Normally he wants his loved ones and friends to get along but this one didn't feel right. He was more annoyed with how close you and Ben sat, like personal space please?

"Hey Harry, let's talk?" You asked him.

"Yeah sure," he said getting up from bed and following behind you in the living room.

"What's up?" Harry asked.

"I think I'll catch a flight tomorrow to Paris, Lambert wants me to go over some designs." You said.

"What? No you're going with me, I'll leave in 3 days," Harry protested.

"That's too long! I don't think Lambert will agree, I did some work online, but I have to be present there," you said.

"Okay then I'm coming with you," he decided.

"What? No, you stay here with your family."

"It's fine, I need to go anyway for the show," he shrugged.

"No, stay!"

"I can't leave you alone, you accompanied me, so I need to make sure to be on the same flight as you." He stubbornly said.

Ben interrupted coming into the living room, "I can accompany you Yn."

"You guys need to chill, I can travel alone, been doing it all along" you chuckled at the two men.

"No Yn, it's fine. I was planning a trip anyway," Ben said, "I'll be happy to accompany you, it'll be fun."

"Okay if you insist," you sighed but happily agreed.

Harry was shocked, that easy for Ben?

Later that night when you're packing in you room, Harry entered with two cups of tea.

"Hey," you smiled at him.

"Hi sweets," he smiled back handing you a cup.

"Ah thank you, I needed this," you smiled gratefully.

"So, done packing?"

"Yeah almost."

You sat on your bed, sipping the tea Harry had brought, trying to avoid the tension that hung in the air like a heavy storm cloud. You could feel his eyes on you, the silence thick between you two as the room felt smaller by the second. You���d been avoiding this conversation for days now, but it was inevitable. You knew it, he knew it.

"So, you and Ben, huh?" Harry finally asked, his voice laced with a quiet anger you couldn’t quite place.

You froze mid-sip, setting the cup down slowly on your nightstand. You couldn’t ignore the tightness in your chest, the nervous flutter in your stomach. "What about us?" you asked, looking up at him cautiously. His eyes were already on you, the familiar warmth in them now replaced by something darker.

He shrugged but there was no mistaking the edge in his tone. "I just don’t get it. You two seem… really close lately. It’s just weird."

You tried to laugh it off, but it came out forced. "Harry, we’re just friends, alright? He’s your cousin, for god's sake."

Harry clenched his jaw, stepping further into the room, his eyes never leaving you. "Yeah, well, that’s the problem, isn’t it? He’s always around. And you two are—" He gestured vaguely in the air, clearly frustrated, the words stuck on his tongue.

You raised an eyebrow, irritation creeping in. "What, Harry? You don't want me to get along with your cousin now? What’s the issue?"

He paced a few steps in the small room, running a hand through his hair. "You don’t get it. It’s not just that. It’s how much time you’re spending together. You know, like the way you guys sit so close, how you’re always laughing at each other's stupid jokes—" He stopped and turned to face you. "And then you just let him walk in here and offer to travel with you like it’s no big deal. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?"

Your heart began to race. Was this really about Ben? Or was there something else?

You stood up, the anger bubbling in your chest now too, your voice rising. "I don’t need you to make decisions for me, Harry. I’m not a child. I don’t need you to dictate who I spend time with. Ben’s a good guy, and I’m fine with him being there for me. If I want him there. You’re the one acting like I’m doing something wrong."

Harry’s eyes flashed with frustration, and you could see the hurt in them too. He shook his head, taking a few steps closer, his voice quieter now but still heavy with emotion. "I’m not trying to control you, Yn. I just—I don’t like seeing you so close to him. Don’t you get it? It’s just… it doesn’t sit right with me."

A pit opened up in your stomach, the words you had been holding back for so long suddenly spilling out before you could stop them. "You’re jealous, Harry," you said, the words tasting bitter on your tongue. "You’re jealous because you think something’s going on between me and Ben, when really, it’s just… friendship."

He flinched like you’d slapped him, his face falling. "I’m not jealous. I just care about you. You’re my best friend. You think I don’t want you to be happy? But this whole situation is making me crazy, Yn. And I don’t know how to deal with it."

You stared at him, the hurt and anger mixing in your chest, twisting into something almost unbearable. You didn’t know how to make him understand without sacrificing a part of yourself. "Harry," you said, trying to keep your voice steady, "I am happy. But you need to get over the fact that I’m allowed to be happy with other people too. You’re with Camille. You’re dating her. Why are you so bent out of shape about me and Ben?"

He stepped back, his face going pale. "This is about more than Ben," Harry muttered, his voice breaking slightly. "It’s about you and me, Yn. I’m not ready to lose you. And I don’t think I can just watch you go on without me, like it’s nothing. It hurts."

The words hit you like a punch to the gut. You stared at him, lost. "You think I’m just going to forget about you? Is that what you think? Because you’re dating Camille, you think I’m supposed to just—"

"That’s not what I mean!" Harry cut you off, his frustration boiling over. "I just don’t want you to think that I’m fine with you replacing me with someone else. With Ben." His voice cracked at the end, the emotion raw and unfiltered.

The silence that followed was thick and suffocating. You both stood there, words stuck in your throats, unable to bridge the gap that had suddenly opened between you. You felt the tears welling up in your eyes, but you refused to let them fall. This wasn’t about tears. This was about trust. About needing space and respect for each other’s choices.

"You know what, Harry?" you said, your voice shaking slightly, "I need to go. I need to get away from this for a while." You grabbed your bag from the floor, stuffing it with the last of your things, barely able to keep yourself together. "I can’t stay here and keep dealing with this. I’m going to Paris tomorrow, and I don’t need to be reminded of what’s wrong here every second."

"Yn, please," Harry’s voice was strained, desperate almost, as he stepped toward you. "Don’t do this. I don’t want to lose you."

You shook your head, not trusting your own voice. "You are losing me, Harry," you whispered, fighting back the tears. "But not the way you think."

You walked past him, the door of the room open, your heart aching as you turned back to look at him one last time. His face was a mixture of confusion and pain, but you couldn’t fix it. Not right now.

Without another word, you stepped out of the room and left the house.

And as you made your way to the car, the air felt colder, the distance between you both unbridgeable for the first time.

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

Taglist: @ever-since-the-kilt @pxrrishly @jld20047 @thecraziestcrayon @emma1998sblog @lovrrysworld-ally @jackiehollanderr @sassamanda77

[wolfjackle-creates]

WIP Wednesday

So I'll be sharing a snippet from a different fic today! If I share anymore of Bring Me Home, I may as well just post the entire first chapter. (Which, I will be looking for a new job and hopefully moving in 2 months or so, so I'll probably try and start posting after that. Get another chapter or two written in the meantime.)

This fic is also from a prompt that was submitted by @regonold to @stealingyourbones. I did part of a collab fill previously, but the idea has been living in my mind rent free and I couldn't help but want to take it on more fully. I've written 5.5k and this snippet is just under 900 words.

----------

The formal gardens beyond the iron gate filled Danny with dread. Vlad’s mansion had looked like this, too. But Jazz had promised him, over and over again, that the Waynes were nothing like the Fruit Loop while begging him to come. Besides, he’d spent weeks making sure his schedule was clear and making deals to prevent any interruptions. No backing out now. With a sigh, he pressed the button for the intercom.

“Good evening, may I ask your business?” asked a man with a British accent.

“Um, yeah. Good evening.” Why was it so much harder to communicate with other people as human Danny than ghost Phantom? “Um, I’m Danny. Jazz’s brother?”

“Ah, yes. Of course. We’ve been expecting you. Follow the drive up to the house and welcome.”

Motors activated and the gates slowly opened. Danny started the trek up the long driveway. His anxiety wasn’t relived when he saw the manor with it’s dark stone facade and literal tower. If it was made of lighter stones, it could have been a copy of Vlad’s castle.

“This is for Jazz,” he muttered under his breath as he walked up the stairs. Before he could knock on the doors, they opened and Jazz ran out to hug him.

“Danny! Thank you so much for coming! How’ve you been? I know you’re busy, but you need to call me more often.”

Danny hugged her back tightly. “Sorry, Jazz. You know how I lose track of time. So where’s this famous Jason?”

A man stepped forward and started speaking, but hanging off his back was a ghost. The ghost of the dead Robin, to be exact. Shit.

At least the position of the ghost meant he appeared to be looking at probably-Jason. Even if he didn’t hear a word the man said. To make it worse, Robin realized he could see him and was sending out help-me trills.

Danny had to bite hard on his tongue to keep from vocalizing his own comforting chirps.

He was so focused on Robin that he almost didn’t notice probably-Jason holding out his hand to shake. Laughing self-consciously, he took it. “It’s great to finally meet you.”

The other man hesitated a moment and asked, “Is everything all right?”

But all Danny could focus on was Robin hanging off Jason’s shoulders and sending out happy-sad-helpless feelings. Danny relaxed the hold he had on his ghost self and tried to sense what was going on. But he had to reassure the human, too. “Yeah, I’m fine.” But wow, was Jason not. Where had he come into contact with such weird ectoplasm? It seemed to twist every emotion into anger and fear and violence.

Even worse was Robin. He was barely perceptible even to Danny’s enhanced senses.

Of course, Jazz was liminal enough to realize he was doing something. Quietly, she chirped a question.

Danny just shook his head and pulled back his power. “Later,” he murmured.

“I’ll hold you to that,” she said back, just as quietly.

Louder, Danny said, “Sorry. I just have bad memories about large manors like this. Has Jazz told you about Vlad?”

“He’s come up a time or two. With the black hair and blue eyes, someone will probably make an adoption joke at you before the night is over. But I’ll stab them if they do.”

Danny's laugh would have been much less forced had he not just felt the twisted anger inside probably-Jason. “Just don’t hit anything vital,” he said, hoping it sounded like a joke.

Robin rolled his eyes—and how could he do that so obviously with a mask on?—and tried to pull on Jason to lead him inside.

“Well, it might be summer, but Gotham is never warm. Come on in and I’ll introduce you to everyone,” said Jason.

Jazz grabbed his hand as they made their way inside where they were greeted warmly by an elderly gentleman.

“You must be Mr. Danny. Welcome to the Manor. I’m Alfred. Dinner will be served in one hour and please let me know if you need anything. Your sister stated you didn’t have any dietary restrictions?”

“What’s that?” Danny was trying not to stare at Robin who was now hugging the older man. Before Alfred could repeat himself, however, Danny’s brain caught up to the human conversation. “Oh, uh, no. I don’t. Jazz is right.”

“Very good. Can I take your coat and bag?”

Danny did shrug off his backpack, but only so he could also take off his coat. “Can I keep the bag? I don’t feel comfortable without it on me.”

“Very well.” Alfred hung the coat up on a rack right next to the door. “Master Jason, be sure to show him where the bathroom is on your way to join the others. Mr. Danny, there are plenty of drinks in the sitting room where everyone is relaxing should you need a refreshment.” And he finally had confirmation that this was Jason!

“’Course I will, Alfie.”

“Thanks,” said Danny, though he was more focused on the desperate chirps Robin was sending out.

I’m here-notice me-I love you.

Looks like he was breaking his promise to Jazz to not do any ghostly business tonight. Of course Jazz’s boyfriend would be haunted by a ghost that needed help. Why was he even surprised?

---------

As far as I know, there hasn't been a lot of requests for a tag list on this one. @addie-lover-of-stories is the only one I noticed. But let me know and I'll start one!

Next Part

[paintyoureyeswithavividmind]

close to home | chapter forty

close to home | chapter forty

plot: the reader joins Abraham and Eugene on a run, and they find themselves surrounded by saviors

series masterlist

Pairing: Eventual Daryl Dixon x f!reader Word Count: 3,603 Warnings: violence, blood, typical twd A/N: thank you for reading!!! Let me know what ya'll think so far? Sorry updates have been slow; I've been so busy! I'll try to update as much as I can this week, but I'll be in Boston for a long weekend :) so updates will be slow this weekend (if any at all, tbh)

It was nearing dawn; you probably only had another forty minutes before sunrise. You knew the plan, and you knew exactly what to do. Daryl had tried to talk to you about staying home, but this time you refused, and he didn’t ask a second time. 

You were against the compound’s wall with Michonne and Daryl, waiting for one of the saviors to bring out Craig. The other savior was already killed by Daryl. 

As soon as Michonne found her moment, her katana pierced through the savior, and everyone swarmed in. You followed Daryl and Rick into the building, walking swiftly with your AK-47 raised. Your heart was pounding, and your stomach was a knot. You hadn’t been able to eat anything the past day. 

“Check the doors, find the arsenal,” Rick whispered. 

Everyone was in pairs for the mission, and everyone had a job to do. Naturally, you were paired with Daryl, and your job was to cover while certain groups went into the rooms and took care of the problems. 

You glanced at Daryl, who looked like he was entirely in control. You knew he was worried because he had asked you to stay behind, but he seemed fine now. In fact, he seemed capable. You felt safe with him by your side. 

The group slowly worked from room to room until the fire alarm blasted. You swore silently to yourself as Rick led you, Daryl, and Michonne down the hallway. 

You were in some corridors and heard machine guns echoing down the long hallways. When bullets hit the wall closest to you, Daryl pulled you backward, and you all ducked for cover. 

Somehow, you and Daryl got split from Rick and Michonne, and he pushed you forward. You could hear him yelling at you to run, but you kept looking back to back, sure no one was gaining on you. 

You checked your left before hesitantly turning the corner when someone grabbed you. You brought your elbow back hard, and the man dropped you. Your knees hit the ground, and you swung around, aiming your gun. 

But Daryl beat you to it. He hit the guy in the face with the butt of his gun and continued the assault after the man fell. “Don’ ya ever touch her!” He yelled, mercilessly caving the man’s face in. 

“Daryl, (Y/N)!” You heard Michonne yelling. 

You stood and grabbed his arm, pulling him. “We gotta keep going!” 

At the end of the hallway, Rick and Michonne stood above a few dead bodies. You and Daryl ran over, and followed them to further push into the building. 

***

The sun was up when you stepped outside. You were dripping with blood and sweat and breathing heavily. But you did what you came here to do. The group quickly scoped out the area, checking out the cars before you started to breathe easily. 

Tara and Heath decided to leave for their two-week run, and after a quick goodbye and good luck, they were gone.

You were leaning against one of the cars with Glenn, sitting silently and taking a moment to collect your thoughts when you heard an engine rumble. 

You and Rosita opened fire when you saw a man on a motorcycle taking off and then quickly getting shot off. You and Glenn joined everyone else in running and watched as Daryl tackled the man and punched him a few times. 

“Where’d ya get the bike?” He asked. 

When you looked at the bike, you realized it was the bike Daryl had lost, but you weren't know how the saviors got it or how he even lost it to begin with. You were so focused on that that it took you a second to realize a woman was speaking over a walkie-talkie.

“Fuck,” You muttered, feeling your stomach tighten when you heard who she had captive. You closed your eyes briefly to control yourself and glanced at Glenn, who looked like he would lose it. 

Rick attempted to make a deal with her, but it didn’t work, and when she stopped answering, both Daryl and Rick tried to get the answers from the man on the ground. 

“Guys, guys!” You yelled, “Stop it. There was no static on the walkie, meaning they were close. If they had taken a car, we would’ve heard it. That means they’re on foot in the woods. Daryl and I can track them,”

“Good idea,” Rick said, “It’s gonna take us a while to find it, though.”

“Then we better get moving,”

***

You were the first to find the trail. You almost didn’t believe it after nearly an hour of searching. But everything Daryl taught you was right in front of you. The trail was human, and you counted six different footprints. 

So you and Daryl led the group while tracking. It was almost two miles before you found an old slaughterhouse, and the irony of it didn’t escape you. 

There was a small argument about what to do, you and Glenn being at the forefront of going in. Eventually, you won over and were about to open the door when it opened itself, revealing Maggie and Carol. 

You breathed a sigh of relief when you saw them, and after Glenn hugged his wife, you wrapped your arms around her. You could tell something was wrong, so you didn’t say anything to her. You cupped her face for a moment before letting her hug Glenn again and going over to hug Carol--who seemed much worse. 

“Your friends are dead, all of them. So you might as well talk,” Rick said to the savior. 

“Let him burn,” Daryl said. 

You watched Rick interrogate the man as you grabbed Daryl’s arm. He glanced at you, at your pale face, and gave you a nod. You knew he was asking if you were okay, so you gave him a nod. 

“I’m Negan, shithead,” The man said. 

You flinched when you heard the gunshot and the man’s body drop to the floor, but you knew it was over. It was over; you would get the rest of the food from Hilltop, and everything would be okay. 

***

You didn’t return to Alexandria until after dark. You had to go back to the outpost, scavenge everything you could, and then drive home. You were exhausted as you and your family walked up to your house. 

Michonne cooked a speedy dinner while a few of you cleaned yourselves up, yourself included. Carol chose not to eat and instead tucked herself into her room. 

Michonne and Rick ate upstairs, so you ate in the kitchen alone. Although Tora joined you, and you shared your food with her. She had put on all the weight she had lost, and you knew it was because a lot of the neighbors fed her too. 

After eating, you were about to go upstairs before you paused, hand on the railing and one foot on the first step. Your mind consumed you with images of the day and the people you murdered. You shivered and turned around, headed to see Daryl. 

By the time you reached his door, you were crying, and when he answered your knock, you managed to choke out. “Can I sleep with you?” 

“C’mere,” Daryl said, pulling you into a hug. 

You cried harder at the contact and hugged him tightly, wrapping your arms around his waist and leaning your cheek against the center of his chest. His hand pressed against the back of your head, and you closed your eyes, relishing in the feeling of him. 

The two of you stood there for a few minutes as you calmed down, and when you finally pulled away to brush away your tears, you lightly laughed. “I’m sorry, I’m okay…”

“No, ya ain’t, that’s okay,”

You nodded and took a deep breath. “Thank you, Daryl.”

He led you over to the bed before turning off the lights. The bed was cold as you climbed in, and you didn’t waste a moment before cuddling up next to him when he laid down. He didn’t flinch once, and he didn’t seem to tense up at your touch. 

“I didn’t like it.” You quietly said. “I know we had to, and I know I made my own decision. But I didn’t like it.”

You felt him nod. “I know, ya shouldn’ like it. It’s good that ya don’.”

You looked up at him, his soft shirt against your cheek. Aside from the soft glow of a clock radio on his desk, you couldn't make out his features in the dark. Daryl turned to look at you and then leaned forward, kissing your lips quickly. 

You smiled when he pulled away; he’s only initiated a few of a few kisses you’ve shared, and each one was sweet. It was like he knew when you needed it most, and that’s when he gave it to you. 

Daryl kissed you again before letting his head fall back against the pillow, and you made yourself comfortable in his arms. 

***

The following days after the outpost was quiet. Life continued on in Alexandria, with a bit more food to go around. You could sense that everyone’s energy was picking up at that, and more run groups were going out to bring stuff in. You went on a few of them but mostly stayed in the community. 

Carol was going through something, and you tried to be there for her. She told you she was sick of the killing, and you agreed with her but didn’t know how to stop. You didn’t know if you could stop. Because you didn’t have the choice to. 

You spent each night with Daryl, quickly becoming your favorite thing in the world. After the night you shared, you asked for one more. And then the night after that, he asked you where you were going when you tried to go to your bedroom. After that, you followed him down there each night. Now Tora followed you down and slept with you at the foot of the bed. Michonne noticed your absence and only teased you a little.

It was comfortable. You loved it. And it meant your relationship with the man was growing, which was all you wanted. You weren’t sure what the two of you were. You didn’t even think you’d ever have a title for it. You just wanted to be with him. 

Unfortunately, that day wasn’t today. You were going out with Abraham and Eugene, and you were running late. You were supposed to meet them at the gate ten minutes ago. 

The door slammed shut behind you, and you jogged down the porch steps. Daryl was sitting out there, working on the motorcycle he had received. 

“Hey,” You smiled at him. Daryl looked up at you and, in his own way, smiled back. You laughed. “I’m going out with Abraham and Eugene, so I won’t be back for a while.”

“Why they ask you again anyway?”

You shrugged your shoulders, knowing he didn’t mean it offensively. He was worried about you. “I guess 'cause I wasn’t going out on the run today, and Abraham wanted another person with him. You know how Eugene is.”

“Yeah, well, Eugene likes to stare at ya legs, so if he starts make sure ya smack him,”

“I know. Why do you think I wore these jeans today?” You sarcastically asked. "Figured I'd give him something to look at."

Daryl looked up at you with a glare, and you started laughing. “I’ll see you later tonight.” 

You were smiling as you left and chucked when you heard him yelling at you to be safe. Your heart fluttered as you picked your speed up to a jog and rounded the street to the gate. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” You told them as you approached. 

“With the community having power, I assume it’s safe to say that each house comes equipped with a clock. Both digital and analog. I know you to be a smart woman, so I know you know how to reach them. We were supposed to meet when the big hand was at the twelve, not the three.” Eugene told you. 

“Oh, shove it, you wanna do this or not?”

***

About an hour later, you walked a few paces behind Abraham and Eugene. Your gun swung slowly as you walked, and you kept your eyes open. It always felt good coming out here after being locked up in Alexandria for so long. You didn’t like it, but you felt more in control when you were. You knew it was because you were so used to fighting to survive that this is what you were now. 

And besides, the two of them have had tension for weeks now, and you didn’t want to be there when the hammer dropped. 

Unfortunately, you were, and you tried to get Abraham from leaving after Eugene said he didn’t need him anymore. 

“Real nice,” You said to Eugene. “I’ll keep watch; you look around for what you need to, okay?”

You ignored the response he gave you as you walked around the ground level of the building. After ensuring you and him were safe, you sat at one of the bench tables and dug through your bag for the food you’d packed. 

Eugene took forever looking at the area and rattled off things about the equipment that you vaguely understood from chemistry class in college. Still, it had been a lifetime ago, so you didn’t pay much attention. 

Finally, he ate, and you thought he was done, but he continued for another hour before he was ready to go. You locked up the place tight before heading back to Alexandria. 

It was at least a few miles, but you’d make it before sunset. 

You were about a mile into your journey when you started to feel odd. You couldn’t place it, and Eugene didn’t notice anything. 

You heard someone whistle and you both froze. You grabbed your gun and brought it to eye level, scanning the surrounding area. A few more whistles sounded and then a group of people appeared from the woods off the road, all with guns pointed at you. 

“Put the gun down, baby girl,” One of the men said, approaching you with a gun that was much more powerful than yours. 

You dropped the gun to the ground. 

“The other one,”

You gave the man a look before taking your pistol out of the holster and putting it on the ground. The same man came to you, took your machete, put it in his belt loop, and then patted you down. His hands lingered too long on your ass, and you bit your lip to keep yourself from doing something stupid. 

Eugene was shaking next to you as he was searched, and you could already see him sweating. 

A different man approached you with shoulder-length blond hair. Half his face was a burn scar. You would’ve focused on that if you didn’t recognize the crossbow he had. You recognized it immediately, of course. Which meant that the people in front of you were saviors. 

“Well, we were tracking somebody else but look at this,” The blond said as he circled the two of you. “Where are you guys heading?”

Neither of you said anything. You were still as ice while Eugene was shaking. 

“That’s okay; we know who you guys are,” The man said. “This is actually perfect; I’m so glad we found you guys.” 

He approached you first and grabbed your arm. “Let’s go, move.”

His grip on you was so tight that it hurt, and he pushed you forward. Eugene was a few feet behind you, and when you looked back, he pushed you forward so hard you fell. You felt your knees sting against the asphalt and knew it was scraped pretty well. 

“Jesus,” The man mumbled, dragging you to your feet and pushing you forward again. 

“You’re confusing us with someone else,” You tried. “I don’t know who you’re looking for.” That part was true. The run group went in the opposite direction, and no other groups were scheduled to go out today. 

“We’re not,” The man said. “Unless you’d rather just take us back to your camp. Seems like you guys are doing pretty well.” 

“Bite me,” You said, pulling your arm away from his grip as you walked. 

The saviors led you off the road and into the woods, where they picked up the pace. You could hear Eugene struggling behind you, and nearly whimpering when he was pushed forward. If he weren’t such a coward… but that wouldn’t matter. There were only two of you. 

“Whoa, whoa, there they are,” The man said. He grabbed your arm and dragged you down. “You know them, right?” He nodded his head. 

You looked at the train tracks, and your stomach dropped when you saw Daryl, Rosita, and Denise. What were they doing here?

“No, I don’t, go to hell,” You spat at him. 

The man turned, pulling a gun out and pressing it against Eugene’s head. “Do you know them?” He asked him. 

“Yes, yes, we do.”

You sighed as Eugene folded, but you didn’t exactly expect anything better. The man chucked and grabbed Daryl’s crossbow, standing up to aim. 

You moved to stop him, but another one of the guys grabbed you and pushed you onto the ground. You groaned against the ground, dirt caking your face. He was putting pressure on your spine and face, and you couldn’t fight him off. 

You heard the arrow fly and closed your eyes, hoping someone missed. But you knew it was a direct hit. You knew the sound of the weapon too well.

The blond man grabbed you by your braid and pulled you up, holding a knife against your throat. He walked directly behind you, using you as a human shield to climb the small grassy hill. The other men had already made themselves known, and the one beside you had Eugene with a gun to his head. 

Your eyes met Daryl’s, and you shook your head slowly, trying not to tell him to do anything stupid. God, he looked pissed. You could see him fisting his hands repeatedly and his chest rising and falling quickly.

“Drop the guns, now!” The man holding you said. “Now!” He kicked the back of your knee, and you dropped. You felt the tip of an arrow against the back of your head, but you didn’t close your eyes.

You’d never seen that look on Daryl's face before, and it scared you. He reacted off his anger so much, and you prayed that he wouldn’t do that now. You would be dead before you knew the man fired the crossbow. 

The man holding Eugene had him kneel next to you. 

Daryl was visibly shaking with anger, and it only worsened when the man started speaking again. 

“You got something to say to me? You gonna clear the air? Step up on that high horse? No. You don’t talk much.” The man said. 

You curled your hands into a fist and closed your eyes momentarily, willing yourself to breathe. Two men collected their weapons as the man talked about the crossbow. 

“I should’ve done it,” Daryl said. 

“Oh, what’s that? Seriously, I didn’t catch what you said.” 

“I should’ve killed ya,”

The man pushed the crossbow into your head a bit and you winced at the sharp point of the arrow. “Yeah, you probably should’ve.” The man said. 

He continued, taunting the two of them about who he was aiming at and something about business arrangements. The only thing you registered was that the man holding you hostage was named Dwight. You could only stare at Daryl. You were always safe with him. He wouldn’t fail you. And neither would Rosita. 

Dwight threatened to kill Eugene if Rosita and Daryl didn’t comply, and you looked over to watch as he began to freak out. 

“You wanna kill someone, start with our companion hiding over there behind the oil barrels. He’s a first-class a-hole and he deserves it so much more than us three.” Eugene said. 

Your first thought was Abraham, and you wanted to scream at Eugene for being such a coward. And as Dwight sent a few men to check it out, you couldn’t believe your eyes when Eugene bit down on Dwight’s dick. 

As Dwight started screaming, bullets fired, and you ducked, rolling down the hill. You landed next to someone who’d been shot and quickly grabbed the gun. Your body shook as you pressed the trigger, firing at the saviors around you and breaking towards the tree to cover. 

Once hidden, you looked back and watched Daryl slit a man's throat to get a gun, and Rosita took down another savior. 

“Daryl!” You screamed. He wasn’t taking cover. 

You angrily shot at more saviors, who’d also taken cover. Walkers were drawn out by the sound, and you turned, firing at a few that got too close for your liking. When the gun clicked empty, you swore and reached for your machete before you realized it had been taken. 

You turned to look behind the tree to see where your family was when you felt the presence of someone behind you and felt something hard hit the back of your head before it went black.

[superlarva]

Fives, Tup, and Dogma in a fort!

Soooo sorry about last week, I've been ridiculously busy, but we're back to my usual weekly Sunday updates of Raising Dominoes for the foreseeable future!

Anyways, here is Chapter 8 - Furniture and Forts. It was mostly just an excuse to draw the boys in a blanket fort :)

Prologue: 00 Previous chapter: 07 Next chapter: 09

Summary: Tup and Dogma help Fives set up his new room before a power outage frightens them.

CW: Implied/referenced child abuse, panic attacks, power outages

Chapter 8 - Furniture and Forts

Fives had not been able to fall back asleep after his nightmare, so after Cody left they spent the rest of the morning playing with the toys that Rex had bought the day before. At first Fives seemed to have trouble with the concept of playing. He would just sit in front of the toys staring at them blankly until Rex told him to do something specific with them, at which point he would comply, but after a while he seemed to get the gist of it. He began to make up little scenarios with the action figures and would have them battle each other.

It did not sit well with Rex that fighting seemed to be the only thing his son knew well enough to recreate in play, but Fives did seem to be having fun, so he tried not to intervene. Well, he might have been trying to coax Fives into helping him build a racetrack out of Legos for the matchbox cars, but the boy was too busy bashing the small plastic soldiers together and making blaster noises to notice.

By early afternoon Fives seemed to be running out of energy. The workers also arrived to deliver the boys’ furniture, so Rex turned the TV on to a random cartoon channel and let Fives curl up on the couch and watch it while he helped the guys set up the room.

When they were done the workers left and Rex found Fives still watching the show. He had hoped the boy would have fallen asleep, but he supposed it had probably been a little loud for that.

“Hey, buddy,” Rex sank down on the couch next to Fives.

Fives quickly turned his attention to Rex, television forgotten, “Are they done? Can I see?”

Rex chuckled, “Yep.”

Fives grinned and jumped up. He ran to his new room and stopped in the doorway. Rex joined him.

The furniture was all from the same set, so every piece had the same dark stained wood. It was a little weird to see the room with just furniture and no decorations, but Fives did not seem to mind. The kid was practically trembling with excitement.

Each side of the room had a bed with a bare mattress sitting in the far corner, and a nightstand, desk, dresser, and bookshelf up against the wall. Fives looked up at Rex, “This is really all just for me and Echo?”

“This is your room, yeah.”

“Wow.”

Rex grinned and pushed Fives lightly into the room, “Go on. Pick which side you want.”

Fives looked around the room and took a tentative step forward before looking back to Rex uncertainly.

“It’s okay,” Rex tried to reassure, “Just pick which bed you want to sleep in.”

Fives looked like he was making the hardest decision of his life before stepping over to the bed on the left and turning back to Rex, “This one?”

“Perfect.”

Fives beamed, “Can we-”

He was cut off by the sound of muffled voices:

“No, you have to knock louder, Tup. He’s not gonna hear that.”

The second voice was too soft to hear through the walls, but a loud knock rang through the apartment.

Fives looked up at Rex, his brows drawn together, and a tight frown tugged down the corners of his lips.

“It’s alright, those are my friends,” Rex said, flicking on the light in Fives’s room and motioning for the boy to follow him as he made his way down the hallway towards the door, turning on all the lights as he went. “You remember Hardcase?”

“Y-yeah,” Fives answered.

“These are his little cousins Dogma and Tup. They’re just a bit older than you.”

Fives nodded, but hesitated as they reached the entryway, “Why’d you turn on all the lights?”

“Oh, uh, they don’t like the dark,” Rex said softly, opening the door before Fives could ask why not.

They were met with a scowling preteen with close cropped hair and a boy with longer wavy hair that could have been the other’s twin if he was not a few years younger standing in front of a large box.

It took Rex a second to register, but when he did he grinned, “Thanks. This is your guys’ old stuff?”

The boys nodded.

Rex pulled the container into his apartment, “Awesome. This is great.”

Fives peered out from behind Rex and gave the older boys a small wave. Tup offered a shy smile and inched a bit closer to Dogma, who wrapped his arm around his brother and attempted a smile of his own, but it did not quite reach his eyes.

Dogma craned his neck to see into the apartment, “What were all those people doing?”

“Setting up Fives and Echo’s new room,” Rex said, ruffling Fives’s hair.

Tup’s eyebrows raised in interest. Rex new the look well and smiled at the boy, “If it’s okay with Fives, you guys can check it out. It’s not finished or anything though.”

Tup and Dogma exchanged a glance before looking to Fives.

“It’s okay,” Fives said, shifting a little behind Rex even as the words left his mouth.

Tup smiled and followed Dogma as he made his way into the apartment.

Dogma puffed out his chest and turned to address Fives, “My name is Dogma, I’m twelve years old and 3 months. This is my brother Tup. He’s ten.”

Fives’s large brown eyes darted between the boys, “I’m Fives.”

Dogma and Tup stayed to help unpack and decorate the bedroom. Dogma was helping Rex make the beds and the younger boys were putting Tup’s hand-me-downs in the dresser. Fives pulled out a shirt and passed it to Tup, “Echo.”

Tup hesitated, “Are you sure? You’re giving way more clothes to Echo than to yourself.” Fives shrugged, “That shirt is red. Echo likes red.”

Rex looked over to the dresser and saw that Echo’s was full and Fives’s practically empty, “Tup’s right, Fives. You need clothes to wear too. Why don’t you start putting more things in your dresser.”

Fives’s eyebrows pushed together, and he looked down into the box of clothes, “But- but what if Echo wants them?”

Rex shrugged, “When Echo gets home you guys can trade if you want, but for now you need to give yourself more clothes.”

Fives still looked a little confused and when Tup moved to place the red shirt in his dresser rather than Echo’s, he shook his head.

Tup froze, looking from Fives to the dresser to Rex, who was busy tucking in sheets. Dogma had been listening to the exchange while making Fives’s bed and looked up at the silence. He caught on quick and scowled at Fives, “Rex said-”

“But Echo would really like that shirt!” Fives interrupted, voice hitting a whiney pitch.

Dogma’s scowl deepened and Tup looked like he would rather be anywhere than caught in this crossfire.

Rex looked over and was about to say something, but Fives beat him to it, “I-I’ll take the rest of them, just- just Echo would really like that one.”

“But-” Dogma started, confusion replacing his scowl.

“It’s fine,” Rex interjected, he had heard the panic in Fives’s voice, and he did not want to make it any worse.

Dogma opened his mouth to say something.

“It’s fine, Dogma,” Rex repeated with a bit more force.

Dogma mumbled out a quiet apology and turned back to Fives’s bed, his ears turning red.

“Tup, why don’t you put that one in Echo’s drawer,” Rex nodded to the red tee still clutched in Tup’s hand. The boy obliged and Rex continued, “But the rest go to Fives, okay?”

Fives nodded seriously.

With four sets of helping hands, they were able to finish setting up the room fairly quickly. After learning that Jesse was out taking Hardcase to his drum lesson and Kix had picked up an extra shift at the hospital (which Rex could not help but feel responsible for), Rex insisted on Dogma and Tup staying for dinner. The boys did not complain.

While they were eating Dogma suddenly pointed out the window, “Hey, it’s snowing!”

“Really?” Tup jumped up and ran to the window.

Fives joined Tup, “Whoa, it’s so fluffy.”

Dogma’s eyes darted between his plate and the window, clearly debating something. Rex felt an odd pang in his chest at how hard this decision seemed to be for the kid. He smiled gently, “You can go take a closer look.”

Dogma’s eyes snapped to his, “But we’re eating?”

“The food will still be here after you take a look.”

“Come on, Dogma!” Tup exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement.

Dogma slowly and a little rigidly got up from the table and made his way over to his brother, glancing back uncertainly at Rex every few feet.

Rex nodded encouragingly. He had known Dogma and Tup ever since Kix had taken them in six years ago. The boys had been scared and nervous and so afraid of the dark that they refused to sleep until they all but collapsed. As the years went on, they acclimated to their new environment as well as one could expect, but Tup was still a shy bundle of worry and Dogma was still overly compliant to what he believed the “rules” were. And they were both still scared of the dark.

“It’s windy,” Fives noted.

“Really windy,” Dogma breathed, sounding lost in thought.

Tup turned from the window to look at Rex, his face scrunched up with worry, “Do you think the power’s gonna go out?”

Rex shook his head, “Probably not.”

Tup turned back to the window and Rex grimaced; he could hear the wind howling outside.

The boys had taken to playing in the twins’ room after dinner while Rex cleaned up. From what he could hear in the kitchen, it sounded like Dogma was teaching Fives some sort of card game. Rex smiled; he was glad they were getting along.

As soon as he finished scrubbing the last dish, the lights flickered in the apartment. Rex dropped the plate back into the sink and ran to the bedroom.

Dogma sat cross legged on the floor in front of a game of palace, back stiff as a board, eyes wide and focused on a space just in front of Rex. Tup had thrown himself over his older brother and was clinging to him, eyes just as wide and filled with terror.

Fives’s back was to Rex, and he turned, a frown tugging down the corners of his lips, “What-”

Just then the lights went out and they were plunged into darkness.

Rex moved quickly, scooping up Tup and pulling him into his lap, just as he had seen Kix do a million times before. The boy was already hyperventilating, his small chest rising and falling quickly with each shallow, ragged breath. Rex pulled his hand through Tup’s wavy hair, and exaggerated his breathing in the hopes that Tup would feel it and it would help him regulate his own.

“You’re safe, Tup. It’s me, Rex. You’re in my apartment.”

Tup clung to Rex a little tighter, but his breathing remained quick and shallow.

Rex turned to Fives, whose outline he could see in the dim light from the window, “Fives, there’s a flashlight on my nightstand in my room. Do you think you could get it for me?”

Fives made an affirmative noise and scurried into the darkness.

“How are you doing, Dogma?” Rex asked, turning his attention to the older boy for a moment.

Dogma did not respond, so Rex pulled him in close to his side, “I got you, you’re safe.” Dogma rested his head against Rex’s shoulder and trembled, speaking softly, “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to.”

Rex felt hot tears seeping into his shirt and could not help but feel like he was in way over his head. He had no idea what Dogma was apologizing for, but he supposed that did not matter.

“I know,” Rex said gently, even though did not, “It’s alright.”

Fives reappeared with the flashlight in hand and passed it to Rex. Rex switched it on immediately and it flickered to life, bathing the room in a golden light. He felt Dogma relax a bit beside him and gave the sniffling boy a quick squeeze before turning his attention back to Tup.

Tup was still in the throws of a panic attack and clung to Rex with a force and determination he did not know the ten-year-old had. Rex gently pried one of Tup’s hand off him and pressed the flashlight into it, “Here, have the light.”

Tup clutched the flashlight and slumped against Rex, his breaths erratic as he struggled to calm down.

“Breath with me, Tup. In,” Rex took a deep breath in before letting it out slowly, “Out.”

Rex kept inhaling and exhaling with Tup and eventually got the boy to slow his breathing. All the fight left Tup’s body and he slumped weakly against Rex.

“You want me to call Kix?” Rex asked gently.

Tup shook his head.

“Jesse?”

“No.”

“It wouldn’t be a bother.”

“No. I’m- I’m okay now,” Tup said shakily.

Rex frowned, Tup was far from okay, “You’ll stay here until Kix or Jesse get home.”

Tup nodded against him.

“Um, excuse me, sir?” Fives pipped up from the doorway of his bedroom where he had watched the scene unfold.

“Yes, little soldier?” Rex said the joking nickname coming automatically.

“Can we build a fort?”

“Like a blanket fort?” Rex asked, a little surprised Fives even knew what that was.

Fives nodded, “When we were scared like this, we would hide in a fort.”

“Yeah,” Rex said slowly, wondering how many times the twins had been “scared like this.”

Fives grinned and turned to Dogma, “Dogma, there are extra blankets in the closet in the hallway. We need three.”

The preteen sniffled and wiped his face, but got up and swiftly made his way out of the room, following the orders like his life depended on it.

Once Dogma had his mission, Fives sat down next to Tup—who was curled up in Rex’s lap and did not seem like he planned on leaving anytime soon—and explained his architectural vision for the fort. The plan distracted Tup from the power outage and Rex had to admit that there was no way he could have handled the situation better than his seven-year-old son currently was.

Dogma returned from the dimly lit hallway quickly and handed the blankets over to Fives.

The construction of the fort was left mostly to Fives and Dogma, but Tup did seem to be taking an interest in it. Rex nudged the boy in his lap as the other two finished up the fort and began crawling around in it, “Want to play with Dogma and Fives?”

Tup hesitated, “Can I keep the flashlight?”

“Of course,” Rex nodded, giving the kid a gentle push towards the others.

Tup crawled over to join his brother and Fives, who were now talking enthusiastically about “defense systems” they could put in place to fortify their creation.

Rex could have sworn he even saw Dogma smiling.

@marierg @stressed-cherry @ffdemon @renton6echo @bambambunny @tearfulsolace @rndmpeep @brokenphoenix99 @nerdy-valkyrie @xylionet @tazmbc1 @eyayah123 @the-bad-batch-baroness @sarcastic-nebula @ihaventpickedausername @sexysmeagolshitposting @emma-1409

[nethhiri]

Chapter 60: 2 Eyes, 2 Furious

Sorry this took so long, everyone! I've been incredibly busy at work and have a lot of presentations coming up, so it may be slow for a while. Thank you so much for sticking around and being patient <3

Warnings: Sexual violence, torture, gore, body horror

The second you got your full vision back, you knew exactly what you wanted to do. It was exactly what you promised to do. Warthin was waiting for you with bated breath in the brig and you didn't want to keep him waiting much longer. You wouldn't want him to forget how much he should fear you. Kid was reluctant to release you, finally fully absolved of his asshole crimes. You could tell he really wanted you all to himself after being shut out of your company for a while. You had missed him, too, as much as he angered you. While you enjoyed being alone in the dungeon, free to do whatever fucked up thing your heart desired without judgement, it did get lonely. And you did want some recognition for your excellent torturing skills. 

"Captain?"

"Yes, doll?"

"Would you like to come downstairs with me?" 

"I thought ya'd never ask." Kid grinned and set you down on the deck. "Meet ya in five minutes."

You continued to the brig without him, wide smile creeping across your face. It was going to feel so good to watch those fucks squirm with both of your eyes. You kicked open the door to the brig, sauntering in with wicked thoughts brimming from your mind. You paced back and forth waiting for Kid, grabbing a cat o' nine tails off the wall. You may as well warm up while you waited. Warthin was still on his hands and knees in the position you had left him in. His back was a canvas begging to be painted red. Some days, you thought about trying to erase the memories of your captivity. If you did that, however, you wouldn't have the fuel to dole out the retribution these people deserved. 

"None of you noticed my new eye. I'm offended." You slapped the handle of the nine tails in the palm of your hand. "Today, I thought we could start with some light whipping, then move on to couple's therapy, then finish up with group brutality. Any thoughts, questions, concerns? No? Good."

For the better part of a  half-hour, you introduced the cat o' nine tails to Warthin's back, admiring the criss-crossed welts and lacerations that bloomed across his skin. Where the fuck is he? Kid was sure taking his time. Maybe he had gotten called away to take care of something. They had been talking about some abandoned island they'd heard about recently. It was probably something about that. Warthin's whimpering and sobbing brought overcame your thoughts. With one last, hard, lash, you left him to leak tears and blood onto the floor. The precious few marines you had left were very nearly broken. Their faces were fully drenched in dread and dripping with misery. Only the tiniest glimmer remained in their eyes, and you would make sure it was snuffed out.  

You put your full body into their flogging. The sharp points on each end of the whips were invisible as they whipped through the air and the fleshy, wet impact was satisfying to your ears, though you wish you could hear more of it through their complaining. By the time you were out of breath, Kid still wasn't there and you felt like that was enough of a warm up. It was fine to switch your schedule around. You paced the wall of prisoners, sticking your fingers into their wounds while you thought about how you were going to do this. Warthin was in perfection position already. As promised, everything they did to you was going to be done to them.

"I hope you've all decided to cooperate." You bent down and jerked Warthin's head back by his hair, hissing in his face. "Aren't you excited? What's wrong?"

"P-please. Don't do this. Kill me fifty, no, one thousand more times but d-don't do this."

"I'm confused. You seemed to love it a few weeks ago." When he didn't reply, you continued, "Oh! I get it! You don't like being on the receiving end. Hold on. Let me check to something." You addressed the marines strung up on the wall, pointing at them as you spoke. "Remember when I said you needed to choose to fuck him or get fucked? Did anyone choose to get fucked? No?" You turned attention back to Warthin. "Yeah... unfortunately it seems like that's too fucking bad." You slapped him on the cheek and grinned. "I don't enjoy doing this, so you know. But I will enjoy your suffering." 

The marine that seemed to have something against Warthin would be first. You took him from the wall and shackled him behind Warthin, with room to move. The one that won your little race went in front. The last remaining marine had a very special job. You had pruning shears for him to use later. They were a little rusty, probably not sharp, and had dried blood in the crevices. Warthin could dish it out but he couldn't take it. Suddenly, his manhood left his body and turned him into a sniveling bitch. So he would be taken like a bitch and you would have his manhood permanently removed. 

"I want him in tears." You gestured for them to begin.

When you said you didn't enjoy doing this, it was the truth. It made you feel like a hypocrite in some respects. You were true to your word, however, and stuck to your "eye for an eye" ideology. Warthin deserved to feel everything that you had gone through. Maybe he would feel even a sliver of remorse for everything he had done if he knew how much pain it caused firsthand. Judging from his screams, he was learning. Soon, even his screams were muffled and occasional gagging replaced them. 

It took them a minute to get started. Something about raping their superior had them shy. Funny, it didn't seem to stop them when it was you. A little persuasion helped them get into the mood, that and you manipulating them with your devil fruit. They would probably last a few hours, again thanks to your devil fruit. While they weren't grateful in the beginning for that, they were after you told them the first one to finish would win a unique prize. They knew by now that your promises were never good. Honestly, you got bored pretty quickly since you weren't the one directly inflicting pain. 

"Tell me where to find Von Kossa and I'll make it stop," you addressed Warthin.

He didn't have an answer for you.

"Every time you refuse to answer, I'll make his dick bigger and your asshole smaller. So tell me what I want to know."

Warthin was struggling to stay conscious, or more likely, trying to retreat into the recesses of his mind. Something you were quite familiar with, thanks to him. 

"Where is he?"

He was still present, but gave no answer. 

You followed through with your threat, causing the marine fucking his ass to wince and a despair-filled wail to come from Warthin. "Tell me," you commanded him. 

This went on a few more times before he crumbled. He started to say something, but there was a cock in the way, so you paused the mouth fucker and allowed Warthin to speak.

"I d-don't know where..." He paused to retch. "...he is." He saw the displeasure cross your face. "BUT! Hang on!" He weakly held his hand out in the universal gesture to stop. "Your ship. I can t-tell you where it is." 

"Go on."

"Gomori Island."

"Okay." You clapped your hands. "Continue."

"BUT I TOLD YOU SOMETHING."

"And? That's not what I asked for, is it?" 

"B-but it's your ship!"

There was still a part of you that longed for your ship deep down. "This is my ship." Not literally of course, but this was your home now. "Anyway, continue."

"NO! N-." He was cut off by the resumed throat fucking.

That pissed you off. Your arms were folded and the more you thought about it, the harder your hands clenched into fists. Warthin thought he could buy you. He thought he was still in control of what was happening here. You walked closer to him and healed his back, leaving only fresh, unmarred skin. Other torturers probably wouldn't have the balls to put a blade in the hand of a prisoner. But you weren't like other torturers, nor were you ignorant enough to let a prisoner get the upper hand. You gave a small knife to the butt-fucking marine and pushed the face-fucking one away. The, you kicked Warthin in the head as hard as you could. You really wanted to bludgeon him to death at the moment. You settled for one solid kick.

"You must think I'm stupid," You sneered. "I always get what I want and you don't get to compromise with me. So tell me where Von Kossa is or keep your worthless mouth shut." 

A bright red and purple bruise bloomed on the side of his face and one of his eyes had blood leaking into the whites. The bones of his cheek and eye socket were collapsed, deforming his face. 

"You're going to write me an apology, and since you're otherwise occupied, Lieutenant Buttfuck over here is going to write it down for you. Start telling him what to write." You motioned to the knife and Warthin's back. "You, write. And don't stop fucking him."

Between the kick in the head and his asshole ripping, Warthin could barely focus on thinking of an apology. Several times he had to restart because his buddy's handwriting wasn't legible. It ends up taking quite a long time. At least this was less boring than before, and maybe now you would have something worth mailing to the marines. Something like this might force Von Kossa out since it was essentially a written confession implicating him. Would it be like kicking a bee's nest to taunt the marines this way? Probably, but the idea brought a smile to your face. If they didn't already know you were alive, they would. 

While they were busy doing that, you didn't want the other two to miss out on any fun. That wouldn't be fair. You wished Kid would show his face. It was tiring having to torture four people simultaneously by yourself. You really were an artist, a director. A director of the most gruesome play on a private stage. The other two, you decided, would be sewn together in a sort of ouroboros sixty-nining situation, constantly choking and gagging but unable to pull away. They rolled around on the floor, desperate to find a position that offered any relief. You had to stomp them or kick them away a few times when they almost interrupted your other venture. When your written apology was finished, you kicked your prisoner away from Warthin, dick popping out of Warthin's ass with a wet popping sound. With a wave of your hand you incapacitated him with the exception of his arm and his cock. 

"Cut your cock off. You don't need it anymore."

He hesitated, eyes wide. 

"Cut it off or I'll make it explode. No. I'll make it implode. That's right. Implode." You didn't actually know what that entailed. Something like the penis involuting back inside his body or folding in on itself you imagined.

He started sawing the thing off immediately, which was taking much longer than expected since all the letter carving dulled the blade. You were impressed that he held in his screams even a little bit. Not long after, he was spitting and screaming and wailing, cursing your name. While your wards were busy, you started meticulously skinning Warthin's back. If you could dry and tan the skin properly, it would look sick. You couldn't very well send it fresh or the rot would mess the words up. 

Engrossed in your detailed work, you almost didn't see the door open. Kid stood in the doorway, taking in your activities. His expression ranged from shock to bewilderment to acceptance, all in swift succession.

"Where the fuck have ya been?"

"I was about to say the same thing!"

"Was waitin for ya in my cabin."

"I said- oh you thought downstairs meant-" You rolled your eyes. "You were waiting this whole time? It's been hours."

Kid scoffed. "I only waited like twenty minutes."

"So what were you doing the rest of the time?"

"Jerking off? Duh."

"It's been hours."

"I was edging in case ya showed up."

"There's something wrong with you."

Kid looked pointedly at what you were doing.

"What? This is my craft." 

"Jerking off is my craft." Kid noticed the two guys still struggling on the floor. "Nice."

This perked you up. "Do you like it?"

"Ya know I like when ya do fucked up shit." Kid's eyes drifted among your victims. "Damn, did ya leave anything for me?"

You freed the two marines who were attached mouth-to-dick with your fruit, separating them. They were in mostly good shape. "I thought we could try something new." 

"Oh fuck yeah! Like pegging?" 

"New torture. Torture." 

"So is that a firm no?"

You stared incredulously at him. "Do you think you could focus?"

"Whatever, doll." Kid huffed, coming over to pat your head. "What does yer little heart desire?"

You were finishing up removing the skin from Warthin's back. "Remember a while back, when I suggested that you could probably control blood?"

"Aye, that was right before we-"

"Yes. Right before that." You cut him off, not really wanting to share any of those details with the ears of prisoners. 

Kid's wide grin flashed. "I've been curious about that myself."

After you hung Warthin's skin up to dry, Kid and yourself put the prisoners back on the wall. You grabbed the dismembered... member, and shoved it into its owners mouth, not with your bare hand, of course. Then you gagged him, hoping he would slowly choke to death. You didn't forget to take the knife away from him either. Kid was exceedingly rough when he put Warthin back into the wall shackles, making sure his raw back was touching the rough wall as much as possible, and stretching his joints to their limits. Actually, you were certain his shoulders were dislocated. They were all screaming, yet you could mostly tune it out since you were so used to it. 

Starting simple, you put a small cut in one of the marines. The blood trickled out slowly. Kid tried to focus on feeling the blood, like how he could feel metal objects. It was a much fainter sense than he was accustomed to, yet he was certain he could feel it. Kid put all his effort into redirecting the drip horizontally, defying gravity. It paused for half a second, possibly moving almost indiscernibly to the right. Seeing this, Kid gained confidence that this was something he could do. If he could learn it, and control it, it would prove to be a very dangerous power. And he could keep his dick hard longer. This new thought motivated him. He wasn't even going to think about trying it until he was sure he wouldn't blow his cock off, even though he had some incredibly detailed plans for a mechanical replacement penis with a bunch of awesome attachments, including but not limited to, a flamethrower and nail clippers. If it ever came to that.

Whenever Kid got frustrated with his lack of progress, there were very stress-relieving meat punching bags ready to take his anger out on. All you did was heal them enough so that they would live, not live really, but so they would die differently later. You noticed that he would hit Warthin much harder than the rest of them. It was touching that he still harbored rage for him on your behalf. It must have been an hour before Kid managed to move a finger. After he moved the trickling blood stream, he graduated to trying to move blood still inside the person. He was stuck on moving the fingers ever so slightly. He couldn't do more than that.

"This shit is too fucking hard!" 

"Are you a quitter?"

"NO!" Kid growled. "What's the fuckin point? Yer power can do this!"

"What if I'm not around and you need to use it?"

"When are ya not gonna be around?!"

"I don't know! It's a hypothetical!"

"YER NOT LEAVIN MY SIGHT! Ya keep getting lost!"

"Technically, I was stolen."

"DON'T FUCKIN REMIND ME!" Kid turned his attention to Warthin, barely restraining himself from ripping him apart.

"I'm not planning on going anywhere." You put his attention back on his task. Maybe later you would let him have a turn with Warthin. It might be fun to watch Kid and Killer take their anger out on him.

Kid struggled for a while longer, getting more irritated with every passing second. You figured it might be like this. You could always take a break and try again some other time. No one can master a technique in a day. You suggested taking a break but he shot you down, now too stubborn to give up. Kid was predictable. As such, you thought of something that may help. 

"Hey."

"WHAT?!"

"If you can move his arm, I'll peg you."

Kid blinked and turned back to the marine. Without warning, the marine's arm popped off his body and flew around the room like an untied balloon, spraying blood over both of you. 

His amber eyes glanced at the stump of the marines arm and the lifeless limb on the floor. "HA! LET'S GO!" He ran and grabbed you around the middle, barreling toward the door.

"Wait! Wait." He set you down. "I almost forgot." You found the long gloves that were kept for messy situations and donned them. Then, you grabbed the pruning shears and held them over a flame until they glowed molten orange. This was meant to be done by the leftover marine since you didn't really want to touch Warthin's dick at all. It still made your skin crawl to think about. The pleasure of chopping his dick off and shoving it up his ass should really be yours and no one else's, however, so you made the sacrifice.

You imagined it would be one clean chop. To his dismay, it took several chops to get the thing off, quite a lot really. It just kept getting jammed between the blades, folding over them, instead of being cut, like when you cut plastic ties with dull scissors. The entire point of heating it was to cauterize the vessels so it didn't make him bleed out. That didn't really pan out since it cooled down over the period of cutting. You feigned an apologetic expression as you mangled it further. It looked like you stuffed firecrackers in one end of it by the time you had actually severed it completely, or maybe like a small dog had gnawed on it for a while. It mattered little what it looked like because you held it in your fist and punched it straight up his asshole, reaching as far as you could go and jamming it there. The disgust hit later. In the moment, it felt good to hurt him. You wanted to rip him apart from the inside. You wanted to shove both your arms up his ass and tear him in two. And you could probably do it. But it was almost time for dinner and you didn't want to spoil your appetite. 

Tag list: @bbnbhm @nocturnalrorobin @wgwingguns

[boredgrace23-gracepotts]

Sharing a drink at 5pm - Page 5

[Cover] [Russian translation] Intro/Chapter 1 [Page 1] - [Page 2] - [Page 3] - [Page 4] - [You are here] - [Page 6]

I'm so sorry it took so long to get this out, I know I keep repeating this, but I've been busy for the past months with personal stuff, personal projects, school and just everything. But don't worry, it won't take a month again to update the next page! Actually, I got a wip if you just click read more!

Anyway, ooooOOoOoh, Flowey makes an appearance~! I wonder what he's here for? I wonder if he'll be the bad guy in this series and will either torture or be tortured and get some sadistic glee out of it like he's depicted in most fanfics and fancomics? BUT WHO KNOWS!

=========== ↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺ ===========

Just a wip to show that I'm actually getting it done! Give me like a week or something??

Shameless promotion while you're still here, check out my fanfic We're Screwed

[mayajadewrites]

Sweet Secret (Levi Ackerman x Reader)

Pairing: Levi Ackerman x F! Reader CEO Levi Ackerman coming in hot. I've been wanting to write a CEO Levi/Sugar daddy Levi story for a hot minute. Enjoy! Summary: You needed a job. Ackerman Inc was hiring for an in house assistant for none other than the CEO: Levi Ackerman. He's known to be essentially the worst to work with, you decide to take the job and take on the challenge that is Levi Ackerman. Will your relationship remain professional, or will their be monetary value added to the stakes? Or possibly even... love? ao3 Chapter Eleven: Lucky

It's the last night of vacation. Or should you say, 'conference'. You and Levi have kept from touching each other for both of your sanities. He only had one nightmare within the last couple of days when he had his arms around you.

"I can't believe we have to go home tomorrow morning." You zip up your luggage and prop it up against the wall. "I'm gonna miss the sun." 

"We can always come back." Levi sipped his 3rd tea of the day. "Besides, our client has been happy with our work so far so I don't see the deal falling through."

You nod, sitting on the edge of the bed. You've been able to be a completely different person here. Soon, you'll be back in reality. Back to being the assistant to CEO Levi Ackerman.

"Hey." Levi waved his hand in front of your eyes. "What's wrong with you?"

"Sorry." You snap out of whatever trance you were in. "I'm just not looking forward to going back to New York."

"You act like I give you a ton of work." Levi sat next to you, his thigh touching yours.

"Not at all." You giggle, your head leaning back. "It's not like you don't pile on enough work for me to be busy for 2 weeks."

"You must have a different boss then. That doesn't sound like me at all." Levi's voice vibrated from his throat.

"Yeah, he's a lot hotter than you." You turn your head to look at his face. His side profile was carved by Renaissance artists. His skin supple from the moisturizer he just put on. 

"Damn." He chuckled, watching your face as you lean back. "He's lucky he gets to look at you all day." 

Your eyes find his as you sit up, holding each others gaze. You held your breath as Levi inched closer to you, his hand resting on your cheek. His hands felt hot on your skin - like his touch was taking your breath from your throat.

"What color is the light?" Levi's lips ghosted in front of yours.

"Green." You whisper, your eyes fixated on his mouth. "Green light."

Levi's minty breath kissed your lips before his lips did. He kept his left hand on your cheek, moving his thumb back and forth softly. You lean forward, letting the straps of your tank top fall off your shoulders, your full breasts now on full display.

Levi's other hand snakes to your waist, his large hands pulling you into him. You moan at his touch which gives Levi the perfect in for his tongue. You press your hand on his thigh, letting your nails drag against the fabric of his sweatpants. 

You feel the palm of his hand slide up your body - pasts your breasts, to your neck. As he kisses you, he wraps his hand around the front of your neck - squeezing gently. You moan softly as he squeezes, your tongue dancing with his. He then moves his hand to the back of your neck, pulling you into him. "God, I've been thinking about that mouth of yours for days." 

"What about it?" You whisper, moving your hips to straddle Levi's waist. This is the first time you took charge while being intimate since Levi always seems like the more dominant one. "Tell me what you love about my mouth, Levi." 

"I love how swollen your lips look after kissing you. I imagine them wrapped-fuck," He says as your mouth wraps around his tongue, sucking on it gently. "I imagine how those lips feel wrapped around my cock."

"Is that so?" You feel wetness in your core. You can't help but be turned on by him fantasizing about you. "Well, let me make that your reality." You push your right hand on his chest gently, letting his body fall onto the plush bed. 

You hook your fingers on the elastic of his sweatpants and pull them down to his ankles. Next, you slide his briefs down, revealing his long, girthy cock. You hear it slap against his stomach as your eyes watch in amazement. You've never seen a dick like his before. You're not sure if he could even fit inside of you. 

Levi's breath hitches as your fingertips touch the base of his cock. You're now on your knees, your doe eyes boring into his half-lidded ones. He watches as you grab the base of his cock, leading the tip to your lips. You give it a quick kiss before sliding your tongue along the slit. 

"Fuck." Levi's breath is shaky as he watches you pump his cock with your dainty hand. You don't break eye contact as you take his cock inch by inch into your mouth. His hands travel to your hair, gripping it roughly as you take more of him, quickening your pace. You close your eyes as you start to feel tears in them. But his cock feels so good in your mouth, and the look on Levi's face as you suck his soul out of his dick is so rewarding.

"Just like that, take my cock in your pretty little mouth." Levi peered through his eyes, watching you drag your tongue along his length, massaging his balls with your other hand. You feel his cock twitch in your mouth before he pulls out of you quickly.

"Why did you stop?" You watch Levi as he sits up, patting the comforter, seemingly looking for something.

"Do you have a condom?" Levi says with a low tone.

"I don't. Usually men keep those around."

"Let me check my bag." Levi got up, grabbing his backpack. To be honest, you want to feel all of Levi. But this is the first time he'll be fucking you, he'll be inside you, so it's better to be safe.

At least that's what you tell yourself.

Levi sits on the bed, a condom between his index finger and middle finger. "Found one. I brought only one, just in case. And for self control." 

"I haven't slept with anyone else." You look down at the wrapper. 

"I believe you. But, lets be safe." 

"You have way more clothes on than I do." Levi said huskily, throwing his t-shirt on the floor. 

"Let's fix that." You grab the bottom hem of your shirt, sliding it over your head and revealing your plump breasts. You kick your shorts to the side, crawling towards Levi on the bed.

"I like the view from here." Levi's voice is low, his mouth curved into a half smile. "I like when you crawl to me." 

You glance at Levi, then his mouth, then his cock. Your core is throbbing with need. You watch his hand slide the condom on his length as he pulls your arms closer to him.

"Light?" He whispered.

"It's green. Green as in go." You press a kiss to his lips as his arms wrap around you tightly, flipping you on your back. 

You stare at Levi as he lines his cock at your entrance. His eyes are locked on yours as he caresses your cheek with his index finger. "You are so beautiful, you know that?" Levi smiles.

"You're beautiful, too." You kiss his nose, trying to distract yourself from your throbbing core. "I need you, Levi."

"Impatient are we?" Levi plans kisses down your ear to your neck. "We talked about that, didn't we?" He growled.

"Levi, please." You wrap your arms around his neck, bringing his body closer to yours.

"I really created a spoiled brat." Levi pressed his tip against your soaked pussy. He almost slid right in, but he stopped himself. His hand dipped to your slit, your arousal coating his fingers. "So wet for me already, princess?"

"Yes." You moan, digging your nails into his skin. "I want you inside of me, Levi." 

"How can I say no to that?" Levi pushes his entire cock into you, a loud moan escaping your lips. Levi watches as his cock disappears inside of you as he thrusts in and out of you. 

"You feel so fucking good." Levi cages your head between his arms. "This pussy was made for me."

"Just for you, baby." Almost inaudible noises leave your mouth. You didn't mean to call him baby, but it just... came out. Levi liked the sound of it though because he started thrusting faster. You felt his bicep against the side of your face as his dick reaches places in your pussy that you didn't know existed.

"Right there, Levi." You moan as he hits that spot. "Keep going." You press your palm to the back of his head, your fingers lacing in his jet black hair. You cradle his head in your palm, gently caressing his scalp. Even while he's fucking your brains out, you want to take care of him.

"Fuck, princess." Levi's pacing got quicker, and sloppier. You felt your walls pulsate around his cock and your eyesight going blurry. "I want you to come first. Can you do that for me?" 

You close your eyes and nod as you feel yourself come undone under him. The lining of your eyes went white and you saw spurts of rainbow as you reached your high. Levi pounded into you as you came, his own high coming soon. You pull Levis bare chest down to yours as he reaches euphoria, a moan of your name leaving his lips.

You're both panting as you come back down to earth, not wanting to move. Levi is still on top of you, the sweat sticking you together. You open your eyes and see Levi is already staring at you, his hand caressing your hair. "Are you okay? Was that okay?" 

"It was more than okay." You nod, kissing his nose. "I've never came like that. So fast."

Levi only nods, lifting himself off of you. "Go shower." His tone was back to being cold as his back is to you. You sigh and get up to the bathroom, your legs slightly shaking. You turn around and watch Levi stretch, his back covered with marks of your nails dragging on his skin. You watch the muscles contract before he turns to look at you. "You really have a bad staring problem."

[felice-jaganshi]

My Fallen Apple

Lucifer X Reader

Chapter 3

It's been a week, and you've been texting Lucifer every day since you left. You sometimes send him selfies with your friends or new places around heaven, and he does the same, sort of introducing you to the seven sins and the other rings through the pictures. It's a great time, really!

But now comes the hard part. You told your friends you had a “secret date” with someone and refused to say who. You also told them not to worry if you didn't answer anything till the next morning, as that just meant the date went really good.  

You made your way to where Adam had shoved you off before. You thankfully had managed to avoid him for the week. He was apparently “very busy” with higher angel stuff, not that you cared.

 

You took a deep breath, making sure your phone and backpack were secure before taking the leap!

You were free falling for a majority of the fall, pulling out your wings only when the castle was in sight. But before you could get too close something like a white missile came zooming up to meet you!

 

“You came! You really came back!” It was Lucifer, he'd come up to meet you halfway. He looked stunning, his wings out and on display. You can't help staring.

 

“wow… I've never seen someone with six wings before! Everyone I know has two or four.” He chuckled and danced around you in the air, showing off.

“Well, I am the strongest angel ever created by the OG big man himself.” You giggle at his antics, he was such a charmer. Suddenly you find yourself scooped into his arms, “come on, I got something really cool to show you!” 

You tuck in your wings and let him carry you around. He opened a portal and flew through. “Now, normally human souls can't go to the other rings, but since I'm literally the king , I can get you special exceptions to go anywhere at all, as long as you're with me.” 

He smiled, it had a smugness to it. Pride. But it was different from when Adam was being prideful and showing off, this time it was endearing and charming. Rather than obnoxious and irritating.

 

Next thing you knew, he was landing in front of a fancy restaurant. “A good friend of mine runs the place. I booked us a reservation.” As you entered there was sensual music playing and demons everywhere. But really, they didn't look that much different from angels. Other than a darker color palette on average.

As you were seated, almost immediately a giant demon made mostly of blue fire rushed over to your table! 

 

“Luci, baby! Oh it's been so long since you dined at my place!” He scooped the king up in his arms and squished him to his chest, rocking back and forth and looking so happy!

 

“Oh come on Ozzy! Has it really been that long?!” He laughed, and hugged back. Ozzy frowned and set him back down.

 

“Yes. Ever since you and She had a fight here, you haven't been back. That was 30 years ago, luci.” You hide behind the menu while this back and forth occurs. Another demon suddenly comes up behind you and grabs your chair, leaning over you and looking upside down! You drop the menu and try not to scream from surprise.

 

“And who's this little cutie? Is she the one who finally got you to leave pride and visit all of us?” His voice was raspy and he looked like a clown. 

 

“Hi… I'm-” before you can say your name, he turns your chair, making you spin round in circles for a bit. 

 

Lucifer smiled, “yeah she is, my new best friend.”

 

Ozzy gasped, “new best friend? Am I being replaced?!”

 

“Hey hey, no! Buddy! You're my brother, all, well, 5 of you are my family! I love you guys! She's just the newest addition to that family. That's all.” He then smiled at you. You were so dizzy you could hardly hold his gaze. “Yo Fizz, I think you overdid it.”

 

Fizzarolli looked you over, “oops. Sorry babe, you alright? No hurling on me now.” He made his way back to Ozzy's shoulders.

 

“I'll… be fine. Just gimme a second.” You take a few seconds to reorient yourself and take a sip of water before smiling at him. “All good.” He smiled back at you.

 

“Good, I hope this isn't too much for you. This is only your second time hanging out with me.”

 

“Hm, only second time and you brought her to my place? Luci, you certainly do move fast! And I thought I was the master of lust~.” He teased Lucifer, then went to your side. “Thanks for getting him out of the house sweetheart, we owe you a big one.” His voice was really sweet and he placed a warm hand in the middle of your shoulders. 

 

“It's been a pleasure to know him. Did you say you're the master of lust? Would that make you…”

 

“Asmodeus, the sin of lust, at your service baby girl.” He winked. “Would you like any recommendations for dinner? I can tell you all of Luci's favorites.”

 

“Oh, sure.” You were a little nervous now. “I'm not used to being anywhere this fancy. I feel like I'm underdressed for this kind of place…” 

 

“Oh honey, don't worry about that. You're literally here with a king. You can get away with anything when you're with him .” 

_______

 

After dinner, Lucifer took you back to his castle and you looked at more duckies together.

When he turned his back, an impulse came to mind. Hide in the pile of ducks. And well, why the hell not?

 

“Oh and this one- Becca? Hello?” He looked around and didn't see you. He then heard a squeak from your pile as you accidentally squish a duck. He grins, his voice going low, “oh my, looks like i got a rogue angel to hunt down.” He then chuckled and you felt butterflies in your gut. Oh no, why was that hot?!

The next thing you know, he's diving into the pile of ducks! He quickly finds you and you're now pinned beneath him, “So, what was the plan from here? Wait for me to leave so you can run around my palace unsupervised?” He smiled like the cat that caught the canary and tilted his head to the side.

 

“Um… there wasn't really a plan. Just sounded like a fun thing to do.” You were blushing and nervous, you placed your hands on his shoulders, not sure if he'd try to make a move or not. Would you even be upset if he did? He seems to suddenly become aware of your positions as you touch him. He pulls back quickly!

 

“Oh, whoops! Sorry Becca, didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.” He adjusted his tie nervously, standing up. You get up as well.

 

“I'm not uncomfortable Luci. But, if you wanted today to be a date, you should have said so. I would have dressed nicer.” He looks shocked by your words, a blush forming on his cheeks.

 

“No no no no!” He waves his hands dramatically before pointing to his ring. “I- I just wanted you to meet my friends! I'm totally married!” He was panicking now.

 

“But your wife has been missing for seven years?” You have to ask, “Did she take your daughter with her?” He sighed and shook his head.

 

“No, Charlie is an adult doing her own thing, that's all. And lilith… She and I… I don't know anymore. She promised me forever, and I want to believe this is just a rough patch and we'll get through it but… she hasn't even spoken to Charlie all this time either…” He looked more upset by that than her leaving him.” 

You give him another hug, “mind if I stayed the night? I brought a change of clothes and a toothbrush. I wanna spend more time with you.” He hugs back.

 

“Yeah, I have a guest room you can stay in.”

[knightyoomyoui]

The Tale Of The Bloodline | TWICE MiSaMo (Mina, Sana & Momo) x M/F Reader- CHAPTER 11: “The Myoui's Acknowledgment Celebration Goes Wrong”

I'm back!

I know I've said this when I updated the TWICE x Reader one-shot book on my actual return, but lemme do this as I began to revive all my works that were left undone during my hiatus.

Speaking of hiatus, I'm sorry if yours truly took months of break away from writing. Your boy wasn't been treated well by the world but you know, you gotta find ways to keep on going and nevermind everything that's stopping you from making your life goes on, right?

Anyways, let's get these right back up as here you go, it's been since last year when I last updated this book, and boyyy the story is about to expand more as what's also been going on with The Bloodline's storyline right now in WWE (which is fucking fantastic again, if yall gonna ask me what I have to say about it. Can't wait for WrestleMania XL btw!)

I hope you enjoy the return of The Holy Trinity back in the ring to continue the tale, everyone!

PREVIOUSLY ON TTOTB CHAPTER 9 [The Reason Why]...

"Here's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna take that "Honorary"away, and I'm gonna make her our official Bloodline's muse." Yuta said as he points out at Sana's scarf around her neck, with YN now back at being seriousness even though the glimpse of how he surrendered herself from Sana's irresistable effect is still visible.

YN gave Yuta an incomprehensible look, muttering "You can't be serious, cous?!" but Yuta just nodded back at him and points his head. "Use the time well, think wisely."

"Well ladies and gentlemen, I think The Empire Chief has called an end to this segment. Please catch your Empire Chief LIVE and in person from all around the world next time on Friday Night Knockdown." Jinyoung said as he gave his closing remark in regards to The Bloodline, doing a mic drop before the arena played Yuta's theme again.

The show ended with The Bloodline as Yuta walked out on the ring first followed by Jinyoung, Mina, and Momo until YN and Sana were the last ones. Sana gave a cheeky smile on him in which he blushed before quickly rolling his eyes back and ignoring her to hid it away.

1 WEEK LATER | November 4, 2022

The camera switches to the Bloodline members gathered around in their locker room. Momo is in her usual pose, elbows tucked against each other along with her poker face, Mina with her cool demeanor, YN with the angst and Sana looking hyper as ever.

"Girls, we are rolling, we are rolling, we are ROLLINGGG!!! Oh, The Bloodline is rolling right now!" Sana exclaimed in glee. "Roman is current handling business on his own..."

"Yup." Mina goes along with Sana's speech, responding to the words she's saying while nodding her head at the vibe.

"So are you girls against BLACKPINK..."

"Yeah."

"And when you do, you girls were on the verge of breaking the all-time record as the longest Tag Team Champions in the history! You're there!" Sana clapped as she gave much emphasis at how important the last words should mean for the twins who are gonna face BLACKPINK tonight for the said mission.

"Yeah we're near there, and that means we're about to go out there right now and tell BLACKPINK what's about to happen tomorrow when they mess at us!" YN answered. Sana paused for a second as she looked confused. Mina and Momo looked at you too.

"With there? At the ring?"

"Right now."

Sana snorted and nervously laughs before proceeding to speak. "Uhm, YN... we talked about it okay?..."

Another complain coming from the Honorary Muse, blocking away your intention to do what you think is the right thing to do. That prompted you to remove the Tag Title belts on your shoulder frustratingly as blood began to boil again on your head.

"...and I feel like we're making some absolute progress here hmm?" Sana continued as you tried to intimidatingly staredown at her while waiting for her to finish talking. Mina is just watched the two's tension starting to grow again between each other.

"Can you please not do that? Going out there in the ring? There's no need the reason for it, the match is made, you get a good night sleep, you go beat BLACKPINK, you go on the record that's right there at the corner. There's no reason-" Sana's enumeration got interrupted when YN burst out the anomaly spotted behind those lines.

"Okay okay, so just because you're only one step ahead on becoming an official muse of The Bloodline, you think you're in change of me?" YN mocks Sana. Mina and Momo are just guarding them stressfully. "Because of what Yuta said huh? Hey, check this out: this ain't no Bloodline thing, it's exclusive only as The Myouis thing. We are tag team champions before you, and we will be still the tag team championship long after you're gone, Sana.", you pointed at her.

Sana only stared at you seriously who nudges your elbow at the back of Mina's arm to signal yourselves that they have to leave. As you disappeared at the scene, it left Mina looking at Sana apologetically.

"He's got a point, Sha." Mina's lips tilted and she shrugged before she departed too.

Sana and Momo were the ones left remaining inside the locker room. "Wait, Mina please don't go, girls don't go..." Sana beggingly tried to call their attention but went no effect.

"Why why why...oh well, they're gone." She slumped her hands on her waist, head bowing down in disappointment.

Meanwhile, The Myouis exit backstage to appear inside the arena, making their entrance to the ramp as they are scheduled for a segment tonight in the ring. They posed and bragged with their Tag Team Titles on the ropes before they grabbed microphones eached for their speech to be heard.

As their theme ended, it revealed the echoing boos from the crowd they received. The twins remained nonchalant, as it's part of being their bad guy routine anyway to piss people off but still remain undeniable.

"HEY HEY, THE BLOODLINE IS NOW IN YOUR CITY!!!" You shouted before you raised your finger to the sky followed by Mina to perform the signature gesture of your stable.

"Hey, brother / sister, we are on our way baby" Mina said to you with a large interested grin plastered in her face.

"To what?"

"We are on way to a history-making when it starts tomorrow night at Crystal Doom as the longest reigning Tag Team Champions EVER!" Mina clarified, hitting a preview for the viewers for what's most likely about to come this coming Saturday as they go on a fight with BLACKPINK in another pay-per-view event.

The crowd was divided in the chant, some are continously throwing boos while others began mentioning the unintentional joke that Sana made you embarassed and almost laugh at how silly it is.

You rolled your eyes at that flashback and avoided your gaze away at the crowd as shyness starts to become evident on your expression. "And it all starts with BLACKPINK. Yeah, that color group because YOU THE TWOS, AND WE... THE... ONES!" Both you and Mina proudly raised your fingers again before the crowd got uplifted as the titantron and the theme of MAMAMOO played in the arena.

The Myouis gazed annoyingly at the stage, watching the duo Solar and Moonbyul make their way into the ring.

"Hold up hold up hold up..." Solar was the first to speak while they're walking.

"Let's pump the brakes right now." Moonbyul followed.

"Slow it down...

"Take a second..."

"Just stop, stop..." Solar tells the twins. "At Crystal Doom, it's gonna be The Myouis vs. The BLACKPINK for the Japan Federation Tag Team Championships, and to be honest... we all root for BLACKPINK." she made it clear who they despise as they reached the ringside and approach the steel stairs.

They entered the ring, and stepped foot in front of The Myouis letting them talk their talk. "But if there's some Bloodline luck on yall and win against BLACKPINK then retain those titles, then we need you both to understand one thing." Moonbyul said as Mina following her glares.

"When you're on that plane, flying back home, as soon as you both got back down and step here in Japanese soil, you will have the longest reigning World Tag Team Champions waiting to tear you both from limb to limb in order to protect our legacy!"

The crowd cheered. Mina and YN nodded and smirking impressively at their challenge while being too boastful deep inside of them that they're just gonna be another obstacle to pass in their journey.

"In other words, we got next!" Solar simplified their plans in one sentence. They want the turn for the titles.

Moonbyul raises her mic to make the crowd cheering for their team name to be heard louder. Mina and YN mocked them as they presented the titles gripped around their hands. They went away from the microphones and traded barbed words at each other off mic as things slowly get fuming up between the two most legendary tag team in the company's modern history.

In the middle of their confrontation, it was surprisingly interrupted by a sudden blindside attack by BLACKPINK who hit both Mina and YN on their backs, sending them down on the mat.

Rosé and Jisoo are now standing face to face with Moonbyul and Solar who met their arrival.

After seconds of silence and staredown, their minds had one thing in common, and their intrusive thought won as each pair attacks The Myouis. Moonbyul and Jisoo is stomping YN while Solar and Rosé is doing the same thing on Mina.

"MAMAMOO and BLACKPINK are teaming up against The Myouis!" commentator Knight Yoo calls the scenario on the ring.

"Both in kahoots with their common enemies!" his partner Lee Kwang-soo added a remark as they watch the ongoing outnumbered advantage of attacks being given to The Myouis.

That didn't last long when Minatozaki Sana and Hirai Momo of The Bloodline came down rushing to the ramp to help their members.

MAMAMOO turned around as they noticed additional footsteps from behind. They were then met by a strong clothesline by The Fighting Machine of The Bloodline.

Sana then charged at Rosé and the two traded hits around their bodies. Jisoo then ran at Momo and cradled her from behind, trapping her into a choke.

Momo grunted as she uses her full strength to push Jisoo upwards until she got placed on top on her shoulders before being slammed down hard on the ring.

Sana dodged Rosé's hit and pushed her towards Momo who greeted her with a loud superkick straight to the face.

Momo is completely decimating the chaos in the ring. She picks up Jisoo and throws her out of the ring through the ropes while Mina goes for a superkick also on Moonbyul.

Joining your twin, you superkicked Solar also as soon as she got right back up on her feet, having her rolled out of the ring. All of The Bloodline members remained and the only enemy they have left with them is Rosè who is still hurting from Momo's superkick.

They all pointed at the poor helpless fighter. Momo and Sana picks up Rosé while you and Mina readied yourselves in a distance. They pushed her to receive a thunderous double superkick from The Myouis.

Rosé was knocked out while The Bloodline marches around the ring to boast at everyone watching who owns the show and who is on the top here.

Sana then directed Mina and YN to climb up to the ropes to do one more devastating assault. They followed the Honorary Muse and they both prepared to jump high for a double frog splash down through Rosé's broken body.

However, it didn't happen when thankfully Jisoo came back in for a rescue and this time in a much more effective way. Bringing the classic strong style in her, she brought a steel chair with her and quickly smashes it on Momo and Sana before she scares off The Myouis out from the turnbuckles.

She was so distracted that she didn't realized that Momo came back up and surprises her with a superkick to shut her off. She they hurriedly hooks Jisoo and performs her finisher Spinning Momo as she slams her hard again on the ring.

Momo lets out a battlecry before she checks upon her co-members. "And tonight, The Bloodline unifies. Tonight, on the same page. Tonight, protecting the family." Knight Yoo reacted.

The Bloodline members rolled out of the ring, leaving the damage they have done on their opponents as they end their segment for this week's episode of Knockdown.

3 DAYS LATER | November 7, 2022

Following Monday Night War, The Bloodline opened the show with the still defending Japan Federation World Tag Team Champions The Myouis with Hirai Momo successfully defended the titles against BLACKPINK this past Saturday at Crystal Doom pay-per-view event held in the Philippines.

They were interrupted by MAMAMOO who still has scores to settle against them after receiving attacks last Friday night.

"Ladies and gentlemen, in just 4 days on Friday night, you are looking at the longest Japan World Tag Team Champions in history defending our reign against the current Tag Team Champions, The Myouis." Moonbyul confirmed to everybody about their upcoming match this week with them.

"But... but... listen to us when we say you both the truth that after match, we will become the champions once again and most importantly, our reign of 483 days before will never be broken." Moonbyul smirked.

"Look, wait... we gave yall your promise right? Hell of a tag team."

"Also record-breakers." YN agreed to his/her sister.

"Breaking down barriers..."

"And multiple tag team champions too." They kept continuing on mentioning MAMAMOO's accomplishments before. "You know, I'm proud of yall."

"I'm really proud too."

"Yeah, and these people must be so proud of yall too." Mina included the crowd who proved her thoughts correct as they cheered. "Even me would be so proud, it must have feel so great to become... the SECOND greatest tag-team champions of all time."

Mina laughed as the crowd switched into boos.

"Wait, did they said 'second best'?" Moonbyul asked with a weirded reaction. "You two must have forgotten: we still hold the record, so that means YOU are chasing US." She said as she pointed back and forth at them to theirs.

"That means you're chasing the girls who built this place from ground to up. You two are chasing the girls who changed what Tag Team wrestling should be in Japan. Lastly, you two are chasing us who are first-generational superstars." Moonbyul referred to their team.

"You see, you all had people cuddling and holding you two around teaching you how to do this. You both got tryouts baaed from what your families did before you!" Moonbyul continued to spit some facts against their famous rivals. YN and Mina are getting sour at their reality check.

"You two have built your legacy from the backs of your cousins, your uncles, your fathers, grandfathers while WE built our legacy from our OWN BACKS!" The crowd then cheered louder at how harshly true she's beginning to be.

"You don't know about the pressure we've been on before!" Mina argued back, not letting theirselves getting humiliated. "What do you know about pressure, huh? What do you know about making a name for yourself, coming from a family like ours!"

"They don't!" YN assisted. "Yall have never been in the ring with our family before!"

"Nope!"

"Do you know who belongs in the ring here with you now?"

"Talk to them!"

"It's the perfect definition of what two tag-team are!"

"Yeah!"

"Since day one, we the ones!"

"Yeah!"

"YN and Mina... we are THE MYOUIS!!!" YN exclaimed as loud as he/she can get to release the fire building up inside of him/her.

"NOW THAT'S PRESSURE!" Mina bragged about the intensity of the exchange of their lines to slap back against these two biggest haters of their careers in front of them. The crowd were very impressed at their mic skills and how they were able to return back the favor after being destroyed by Solar and Moonbyul earlier.

Moonbyul stepped forward and eyed sharply at both YN and Mina. "Do. Not. Speak. To. Us. Like. You. Know. What. Pressure. Is.

PRESSURE is when you are roaming at the backstage, not knowing if you'll get fired someday. PRESSURE is when you want to try other things outside of this company just to see if it'll work and provide you higher rate of survival in your daily life. PRESSURE is when you put three of the most important women together in one team only to get booed at first, so don't you both dare speak to us like YOU KNOW WHAT REAL PRESSURE FEELS LIKE!"

The crowd is getting wild from their positive reactions at the sight of this masterclass of a segment between these two professional teams going personal within each other.

Moonbyul and Solar heard their names being chanted and they appreciated it wholeheartedly. "Do you hear that? Because they know what we've been through. That all those pressure has what turned us into DIAMONDS!"

"DIAMONDS? You talking about those diamonds in your crown?" Mina retorted, referring to when Moonbyul won a tournament before and crowned as the 'Queen of the Battleground' only to get destroyed by The Bloodline, especially Yuta Nakamoto who smashed her accessories.

"Those diamonds must be those jewels that our cousin Yuta Nakamoto stomped in?" Mina and YN scoffed and chuckled as they teased Moonbyul who is getting offended.

"Poor you, cuz look at us, we got the real diamonds around here now!" Mina and YN then raised their title belts above.

"And about you, Solar..." YN focused on her this time after being quiet while letting her friend Moonbyul talk about their frustrations. Solar's attention got taken, as she stares directly at YN.

"If we haven't forfeited in that turmoil years ago, there will never be a WrestleTopia moment for you!" The crowd ooh-ed at how brutal that fact was. The Myouis were talking about that moment 3 years ago when they were babyface at that time, they helped Solar win the whole gauntlet match by forfeiting their spot so that she can advantage on the last opponent in which she won and granted her a world title match at the main event of WrestleTopia. Months later, she won and had her first world title win.

"Remember that? We gave you that chance and that moment! Having your kids running around and taking pictures with you, so you're welcome Solar!" YN sarcastically told her. "As a matter of fact, don't even show up on Friday.  Just stay home with your kids and let us do what we always do."

Solar sneezed and shook her head before replying to YN. "Stay home with my kids, huh. What kind of mother would I be if I chose to forfeit such an important match from the likes of... you?"

YN got insulted, her smirk shrinked. "You don't understand what this reign means for us. For yall it's just another accomplishment, another championship but for us, this represents us back in the times when we started with a lame concept that nobdoy should've ever overcame that, BUT WE DID!

It represents a time when we come for work, clawing and scratching all we have just to fight to attain a resemblance of what a success of  team should be like for this industry, all to be told by many that we suck but we did that!

And lastly, it represents a time... that might be the last time that us, MAMAMOO as whole who will elevate you in the process so... no. We will not forfeit in this match just to let yall continue to reign."

Solar and Moonbyul has made their final decision, dropping their mics as well as The Myouis who has no other chouce but to accept the determination and bravery of these two tp step on the plate and challenge them for one of the richest prize in the industry.

They raised the title belts and they all looked up at it, mesmerized and motivated that either of them will become a champion this Friday night on their showdown.

4 DAYS LATER | November 11, 2022

The Bloodline once again opens up the show but this time, for this weeks Friday Night Knockdown and it is understandable when the people know that it has been announced that tonight, The Empire Chief is gonna pay another city a visit to lead a "Bloodline Acknowledgment Ceremony" for The Myouis once they win against MAMAMOO (in which they did, making them now the longest reigning Tag Team Champs of all time earlier at the show), and for them to...

"...RECOGNIZE ME!" Yuta Nakamoto yelled on his command, making the rest of The Bloodline (except for Sana who is absent for a day-off due to personal matters) and most of the crowd raising their ones to the sky for the current World Champion. YN felt a weird reflex when your head moved on it's way and your eyes lingered around, someone's missing beside you. You realized that Sana wasn't there. Furrowing your eyebrows, it had your perplexed why of all the members of your group, she's the one you sought to find first.

The special adviser for The Bloodline, Park Jinyoung took the opportunity to speak next about the topic he has in store for the public. You shook your head to focus yourself back on the most relevant subject here. "Ladies and gentlemen, your Empire Chief and I were having a discussion on the private jet flying onto this hellhole..." The crowd of Yokohama then booed loudly at him for insulting their city. Jinyoung was shocked as he spun around to witness the whole audience hating him.

He went silent to enjoy the whiny voice echoing around the arena before proceeding to speak. "MAMAMOO vs The Myouis is not a good sports rivalry. MAMAMOO aren't gonna compare to The Myouis. No team can! The longest reigning tag team champions in the history lives on the Island Of Relevancy and now, MAMAMOO has been cast out of the Ocean of Obsecurity like any other beings who stepped up against The Empire Chief... Tbe Highness Of The Land... and your Japan Combat Federation World Champion, Yuta Nakamoto."

Jinyoung said, praising the stable he's managing. He then passed the mic on Yuta after gesturing him to do so.

"It's not easy to be my cousin. Our whole lives, everyone has been acknowledging me for my greatness. And honestly, I never thought I'll see this moment to come." Yuta said as he walked back and forth on delivering his speech. "YN... Mina..."

Yuta paused when they heard the theme of BLACKPINK play, ruining their celebration. Rosé and Jisoo came out with microphones in their hand.

"You see, we're sick of The Bloodline using numbers game every week." Rosé spoke up. "Well, tonight... it's fight night! And we... got some backup."

A familar theme hits the speakers, causing the crowd to erupt in joy. Rosé and Jisoo got hyped up to see a close friend return in one piece.

Lisa Manoban confidently makes her appearance, with a bandage wrapped around her arm.

"It is indeed fight night! The woman who The Bloodline took out of action with a fractured elbow is back!" Knight Yoo exclaimed on the commentary.

She began to speak, but the crowd nor even The Bloodline can hear what she's saying. The microphone is having a technical difficulty, but Lisa kept on continuing to speak through stutters.

Yuta laughed out loud. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA what is this? Y-you can't even get the microphone work, I mean come on! What are you gonna do now?"

Lisa sighed and got a little bit pissed off at the technical team for embarassing her at her return but she just placed it aside and walked with Rosé and Jisoo on the ramp, approaching the ring.

"You see, Yuta..." Lisa's voice is now loud and clear. "I have no problem saying it to your face when the truth of the matter is that..."

Rosé and Jisoo instead sprinted through the ring as Lisa secretly tasked them to get distracted. She follows her friends as BLACKPINK collided with The Myouis while she went forward against Hirai Momo.

Yuta Nakamoto disgustingly watched the whole mess around him before he decided to join the fray by stomping on Jisoo. It has became a 4 on 3 assault, with The Bloodline slowly punishing BLACKPINK.

Yuta was about to boast the domination they're having in the ring but he got interrupted when the titantron plays the theme of "The Korean Warrior" Kim Jennie, eliciting another loud cheers from the fans.

All reactions from The Bloodline was shock and disbelief as they didn't expect that Jennie would help her former friends, but little did they know that because of the assault and what they did on Lisa's elbow a month ago has  made BLACKPINK to change from heels to babyfaces in order to battle against The Bloodline.

Mina came rushing on Jennie but she presented her with a big boot, then rapidly rushed through the ring before YN approaches her next, only to receive a beadbutt.

Jennie then goes face to face with the woman who costs her the World Championship back at her homeland in Clash In The Combat months ago, Hirai Momo. The two stares down at each other before they unloaded exchange blows at one another.

Momo slapped Jennie hard but she bounced back on the ropes and clotheslined Momo. She then received a sneaky big boot by Yuta who was watching their fight.

Yuta then knuckled Jennie's top of the head until Lisa gets back up and spun Yuta around, turning his attention on her as she passed couple of hits around his face.

He then stopped her attacks by wrapping her around the waist and carried her on the turnbuckle to unleash some bumps on her midsection. The rest of the Bloodline and BLACKPINK then went on to continue attacking each other around the ring, giving the viewers a possible hint of a future feud and a match to come.

The show ends with the security and backstage personnels arrive in the ring to break up the brawl beween The Bloodline and BLACKPINK as the time runs out to air.