#thankfully one of them is totally indoor only

[driftveilcity]

I want my cats to be indoor only and if it were just me they would be but my family just won’t keep them inside no matter what it’s infuriating

[kedreeva]

I have had a pretty terrible last three days. Saturday I finally made the decision to replace my car, which I am deeply attached to and have had for the past 19 years of my life, and found a replacement down in North Carolina near my family. I planned to take one last drive with him to go down, and turn him in at the dealership, only to be hit by a truck hard enough to total my car yesterday. I'm a little banged up on my shoulder and sporting a pretty tender bruise to the side of my head, but I'm otherwise fine.

After dealing with all of that and arranging a flight down instead, I got a bad feeling about the birds and the Cold after checking the weather report that said it would get to -30 wind-chill last night. I went out to check on the birds again, only to find Indie on the floor in cold shock. I brought him indoors and spent most of last night up and down checking on him and slogging out into the cold to check on the others. Thankfully my own birds are all very cold hardy and are doing fine, but Indie is a higher Spalding, and seems to be far less cold tolerant.

Thankfully, he survived the night and warmed up, and has gotten steadier all day. At 7:30, about when the lights go off in the coops, he promptly decided it was bedtime, turned around on the tray table and tucked himself into bed so completely in the way that I also went to bed a few minutes later.

After some discussion with his owners, I cancelled my flight and rented a car, and I'll be taking him back. They VERY kindly offered to let me bring the girls I was going to breed him to down with him, and they will do the breeding there instead. This is a relief that means I won't have to deal with any peachicks this year, but I'll still hopefully be able to get a bs split leucistic pair from him and my own birds, possibly a trio.

My brother drove out and helped me unload the stuff I'd gone to get yesterday, which was mostly supplies for the birds, extra bedding to keep them warm, and the few personal things I kept in the car. Since I'm moving three birds including one adult male to the south, I'm just going to condense the pens into the barn, where they'll have more room to be indoors through this cold, and have better insulation and be easier to access for me. Of course, that means Stan and co are boarding in Bug's pen and Bug's been relegated to her baby cage for when she must be contained if we leave the house (though that's mostly because it's Too Cold, less because there are birds in her house)

Still big enough to hold her! Thankfully it shouldn't have to hold her long.

She's also extremely jealous I'm paying attention to Indie and not just her. She's been alternating between guarding me and sulking all day.

Anyway. Send some good vibes this way, 2024 has not been treating me very kindly so far.

[saccharinesunsetretired]

Forever & Always | cowboy!Wilbur x Reader

Wrote this one over the course of the past week. Feels so good to write again :) Sorry for being so incredibly absent the past few months. Blame my university.

Summary: Wilbur finally makes it to the state championship in barrel racing, although he seems off afterward. Thankfully, you always know how to cheer him up.

Warnings/Tags: Smut, a tiny bit of angst and hurt/comfort (barely), oral sex (reader receiving), good ol' riding a cowboy, mostly fluffy, soft sex, reader is afab but gender neutral

Word Count: 4.8k

MINORS DNI - BLOGS WITHOUT AN AGE INDICATOR GET BLOCKED, NO EXCEPTIONS

Inside of a massive, indoor, horse-riding arena, you sat on the stands. It was a crowded event, the audience having come from a variety of places throughout the entire state. The crowds cheered and the announcer’s voice blared over the speakers. “And next up, our first-time, state championship competitor…”

You were hardly paying attention. Instead, your eyes searched for Wilbur, who you knew was just behind the gate to the arena, sitting atop his prized horse. The crowd was cheering, the place full of people. It was the yearly barrel racing championship. Your boyfriend had been preparing for this for years, trying again and again to make it to the state finals, but never quite doing it. 

This was finally his year—-you were sure of it. You’d seen him race barrel patterns a million times now, watched him and his prized mare wind effortlessly between the obstacles as if they were one being. There was a sort of majesty to the movements, a dance that seemed effortless whenever he did it. Sure, he’d taught you how to ride, but you couldn’t ride like he could. He’d been working at this his entire life. 

It’s rather stereotypical, he’d said once. The ranch boy who grows up wanting to be a barrel racing champion. And then he’d paused, biting his lip as he gazed nervously at his horse. I just hope I get to be one of the ones who actually does it.

There had never been a doubt in your mind that he could. As the gates to the arena opened, Wilbur and his horse came dashing into it. At a speed so quick that your eyes could hardly follow the movements, they rounded the first barrel, then the second. You watched as the horse dashed all the way across the area, kicking up dust in its wake. The crowd cheered. You joined them. Despite your anxiety for him (you knew how devastated he would be if he lost), you smiled and cheered louder than all the rest. 

There was no way that he could hear you; you knew that. And yet, you tried. At least he knew that you were there. You watched as he continued, the announcer carrying on his commentary on the performance.

And then, as soon as it started, it was over. Wilbur rode his horse out of the arena just as fast as he had entered it. The announcer called it “a perfect run.” The total time for the run was only eleven seconds, the fastest run so far.

The rest of the races crawled by. It seemed like an eon before all the races were over. You sat in the stands the entire time, watching the other racers, zoning out. Only one other racer had managed Wilbur’s eleven-second time, but she got a penalty for knocking over a barrel, meaning Wilbur still had more points. 

Your heart pounded. Wilbur had won, right? Or had you zoned out and missed one? You couldn’t remember. As the announcer walked to the center of the arena, microphone in hand, you waited, hardly able to breathe. So many hours put into this sport…you couldn’t bear to see Wilbur lose.

“And the winner of the state barrel racing championship is…” The announcer checked his notebook before looking back up at the crowd. “Wilbur Soot!”

You cheered so loud that you nearly gave yourself hearing damage. A couple nearby audience members gave you startled looks, but you hardly noticed. All you could think about was the fact that he’d finally done it. You stood up, clapping and cheering for him, watching as he walked into the arena and claimed his ribbon.

You’d watched him succeed at the local level, then the regional level, and now the state level. Next, he could go on to national championships if he wanted (and you knew he would). You couldn’t have wiped the smile off your face even if you tried. You saw the smile on Wilbur’s face even from your spot in the audience, the joy that radiated off every inch of him. He thanked the announcer before walking back out of sight.

After the audience filed out of the arena, you got a text from Wilbur.

Out by the truck. Meet me there

You smiled and tucked your phone back in your pocket before practically running out to the parking lot behind the arena. The second you caught sight of him, you rushed into his arms. He laughed as he picked you up off the ground. 

You giggled and wrapped your legs around him to help him hold you. “I told you you’d do it,” you said breathlessly. 

“I fucking did it,” he replied. His tone was almost surprised, as if it was a shock to him. And perhaps it was, but it certainly wasn’t a shock to you. “I still can’t process it.”

You laughed softly, giving him a kiss on the cheek before he set you down. “I’m really happy for you, Wil.”

Wilbur was absolutely beaming. In the weeks leading up to the championship, he’d hardly smiled at all. “Thank you, darlin’,” he said. He gave you a quick kiss. “Now give me a second. I gotta make sure the horse trailer is still hooked to the truck.”

You rolled your eyes. “You really need a better trailer…” Your eyes fell on the old truck, Wilbur’s first ever car that he still used. The paint was blue and peeling off its frame. Wilbur had called it a “proper farm truck,” although you saw it primarily as a safety hazard.

“I know, I know,” Wilbur said as he checked the hitch. “It all looks good, though.”

You wandered behind the truck to the horse trailer, where Wilbur’s horse could be seen trying to poke her head out between the window bars. You laughed and gave her nose a quick pet. “Looks like Annie isn’t happy being locked up,” you said.

Wilbur sighed. “She never is.” He opened up the passenger side door of the truck and motioned for you to get in. “She’ll be fine. She’s gotta be worn out, anyway.”

You shook your head, smiling as you got in the truck. “Nah. That horse has always got energy.”

“Maybe.” Wilbur shut the door and continued talking only when he got into the driver’s seat. “But I have been working her hard.” He frowned. “Poor girl hasn’t had many breaks.”

“It’s alright,” you said. “She’ll get a nice break after this.”

Wilbur started up the truck. “Yeah,” he said quietly. The truck’s engine roared to life, making a few concerning mechanical sounds as it did so. 

Something about Wilbur seemed…off. He looked almost deflated. You weren’t sure if it was simply the adrenaline wearing off or if there was something more to it. As he drove the truck out of the parking lot and started down the road, you couldn’t help but be worried at the sight of his expressionless and unreadable face. You could almost always read him, but you were at a loss.

“You alright?” you asked.

“Of course,” he replied. “I mean, I just won the state championship. I’ve been working at that for years.” 

“And yet,” you said, “you don’t seem happy.” 

“I am,” he said, unconvincingly. “I…it’s all I’ve ever wanted, you know?”

“Is it just not as good now that you have it?”

“It’s great,” Wilbur said. “It’s awesome. Now can we please just…talk about anything else?” He definitely looked tense, his usual, relaxed posture nowhere to be found. He’d also raised his voice the tiniest bit, which he never did with you before. It was a hardly noticeable change, but a change nonetheless. 

“Sorry,” you replied quietly. You looked out the window. It was late evening, and the sun was going down. The drive back to the ranch would take about two hours, and it seemed that it was going to be a long one. 

Wilbur turned the radio on. Some country song that you didn’t recognize played over the speakers—-an old Johnny Cash tune that you couldn’t place. Wilbur loved Johnny Cash, but he wasn’t singing. He wasn’t even humming. 

You thought he would be ecstatic. He looked ecstatic. Holding that ribbon in the center of the arena, he looked beyond happy. When he’d scooped you into his arms in the parking lot, he seemed happier than ever. 

What changed? The only thing you could think of was that your presence had somehow ruined things. The thought worried you. You glanced over at Wilbur, but he wasn’t even looking your way. Maybe you hadn’t been supportive enough. Maybe you’d pressed him too hard, given him too much pressure, stressed him out. You wanted to apologize, but you weren’t sure what to apologize for. You’d done everything right…or at least, you hoped so.

Two hours passed in near-silence except for the songs on the radio. You tried to make small talk, but your attempts quickly fell flat. It was a relief when the truck finally hit the familiar dirt road that led to the ranch. 

The truck rolled up the road and toward the barn. When it finally came to a stop, Wilbur murmured something about needing to put Annie in her stall.

You rested a hand on his shoulder. “I can take care of Annie if you want,” you said softly. “Just go inside and get some rest, maybe.”

He nodded and gave you a small, weak smile. “Thanks, darlin’.” He paused, glancing away before his soft eyes met yours again. “I’m sorry for…for being…”

“It’s okay,” you said, “but can we talk about it when I get inside?”

“Of course.” He gave you a quick kiss before climbing out of the truck. You sighed to yourself and got out as well. 

For a moment, you watched as Wilbur walked up to the house. You then turned to open the door of the horse trailer. Once you did, Annie looked at you curiously. “Hey, girl,” you said softly. “Time to get you home.” You approached her and slipped her halter over her head so that you could lead her into the stall. She nearly ran you over as you led her out of the trailer, so happy to not be cooped up anymore. 

She was a good horse. Caramel-colored, built sturdy, with a small, white spot on her nose. Wilbur had rescued her from a horse sale. She was so scrawny back then, a poor, mistreated thing. I’m gonna make her into a prize-winning barrel horse, he’d said. Everyone thought he was crazy trying to turn such a wild mare into a champion, but he managed to do it. Annie had become the sweetest horse around, with endless amounts of energy. The perfect horse for Wilbur.

You opened the gate to her stall and tucked her inside. You removed her halter, checked her water and her hay, gave her a few pats, and left the barn. Wilbur had a few horses, Annie and two others that he was training up to sell for a profit. After rescuing Annie, he’d decided to do the same for more horses, giving them better lives and then selling them to good homes. He’d promised that after those two were sold, he would buy you a horse of your own. Something sturdy. Good for trail rides, he told you. He’d been begging you to go trail riding with him, and you were more than excited for it. In the meantime, you just had to figure out what was bothering him.

You walked up to the house, coming in the back door. The ranch house was relatively small, cozy in a rustic sort of way. Wilbur had inherited it from some uncle of his who passed away, and there were still vintage photos and artwork on the walls. The kitchen cabinets were worn and faded, and the furniture had been in terrible shape until Wilbur saved up to replace it. The back door led into the kitchen, and from there, you could walk down the hallway, past the living room and to the bedroom.

When you entered the bedroom, Wilbur was sitting on the edge of the bed. He was still dressed in his rodeo gear. He looked up at you, and this time, his smile was less forced. “Hey, sweetheart.”

“Hey you.” You sat down beside him. “Annie is settled in the barn.”

“Did you double-check the gate latch?” he asked, “Because you know that thing doesn’t close—-”

“I checked it,” you said. “It’s all good.” You gently took his hand. “Now what’s wrong?”

He looked down at the floor, unable to meet your eyes. “...I don’t think I…no, I know I don’t want to go to nationals.”

You couldn’t hide the surprised expression on your face. “I…what? But you’ve been working at this for years.”

“I know,” he said. “I…I get that you’re probably confused. I just…” He rubbed a hand down his face. “I don’t want to do it anymore. I’m tired of it. It’s not fun. It all feels like a chore. And these past few months, I feel like all I’ve done is run barrel patterns again and again and again. I’m just so tired of it. It’s not worth it anymore.” He sighed. “And I don’t want to travel around, going to rodeos. I want to just stay here on the ranch with you rather than dragging you everywhere.”

“I never minded it,” you said. “I don’t feel like I’m being dragged.” You leaned against him, head resting on his shoulder. He leaned into the touch. “But, Wil, if you’re done with racing, I support you. I may not understand fully, but I support it.”

He was quiet for a moment. “Let me put it this way,” he said slowly. “I’ve found something else I want to do.” 

That made you perk up a little. “Really?”

“Yeah.” He immediately seemed a little happier, a little more himself. “Do you remember when I bought Annie from the horse sale, and she was all…you know. Not in good shape?”

“Of course I do,” you said. “You were so excited to train her up.”

“And I did,” he said. “And I…loved doing that. Rescuing a horse, giving her a better life, and training her up.” He smiled, more to himself than anything else. “I want to keep doing it. Keep buying horses out of shitty situations, training them up, and selling them to good homes. It makes me some money, but it also saves these horses from potentially being put down and gives them something to do, you know?”

You smiled softly at that. “You did really like training Annie. And she’s a fantastic horse now.” You gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I think it’s a good plan.”

“Yeah?” He looked at you, his expression somewhat worried. “What if…I don’t know. What if I’m not good at it?”

You laughed softly, bringing another smile to his lips. “I’ve seen you train horses, Wil. You were raised training horses. You’re good at it. And I think you’ll be really happy doing that. Plus, I think it’d stress you out a lot less than barrel racing.”

He let out a chuckle. “Yeah, that’s true.” He gave you a kiss on the forehead. “So you’re alright with it? Me shifting gears like that?”

“I’m more than happy with it,” you said. “I’m proud of you, Wil. You’ve worked hard, you’ve done good. You deserve to choose whatever path forward you want.”

He smiled at that. “Thank you, hun. Nobody supports me quite like you do.” He paused, and then a small smirk came to his face. “You know…I did just win the state championship today…”

“Oh? Does my cowboy want a reward?” you asked teasingly. You figured earlier that he’d eventually say something of the sort. You teasingly flicked the brim of his hat, nearly knocking it off his head. 

“I think he deserves one, wouldn’t you say?” Wilbur grinned, and just like that, he was back to the Wilbur that you knew, the Wilbur you fell in love with. Cocky, teasing, sarcastic, but simultaneously as soft as they came. 

“Maybe he’ll get a reward,” you said. You gently took off his hat, holding it in your hand as you wrapped an arm around his neck, pulling your faces close together. “If he asks nicely.”

Wilbur shrugged. “Seems to be a fair tradeoff.” He gave you a quick kiss. “So, darlin’, would you please give a reward to this poor, lonesome cowboy?”

You laughed. “I would hardly call you poor or lonesome.” 

“I would be without you,” he said. 

“Well, thankfully this ‘poor, lonesome cowboy’ asked very nicely,” you said. You gently took Wilbur’s hat off his head and set it on the bedside table. “So yeah, I think I’ve got a reward or two to spare.”

“Then he’s very lucky,” Wilbur said. He pressed his lips to yours, and you immediately reciprocated. His hand rested on your lower back before pulling you onto his lap. You wrapped your other arm around his neck, one of your hands playing with his messy curls. His hands both went to your waist, pulling you close against him. It was as if no amount of closeness would be enough, like he needed your bodies to melt into one in order for him to come anywhere near satisfaction.

His tongue met yours, and you let out a soft hum as he continued to kiss you. His hands on your waist were gentle: firm, but soft. You could easily get away if you wanted to (but of course, that was the last thing on your mind). You cupped his cheeks, gentle fingers resting upon his skin. His lips were soft, gently touching yours. Even with tongue, the kiss was lazy and soft, more a tender meeting than a passionate one. 

He sighed between kisses, pulling away just slightly to get some air. “I love you,” he said quietly. “Just wanted you to know.” 

You couldn’t help but smile. “I know. And I love you too.” Your lips met again, this time somewhat more desperate. You heard Wilbur hum softly against your lips as you kissed, a sound almost like a moan. He was often vocal in softer moments like this one, which you loved every time. 

His hands slipped beneath your shirt, and you held back a gasp. He pulled away once again. “Can I take this off?” he asked, brown eyes looking at you in the warm lighting of the bedroom.

“Please.” Your hands reached for the hem of your shirt as soon as he did, and you helped him pull it over your head. His lips immediately went to your neck, pressing soft kisses along the length of it. His lips went to your shoulder, your collarbone, anywhere he could easily reach. Your hands went back to his hair, running through his curls as you let out soft sighs and moans. You couldn’t help but start to rock your hips against him, grinding against his lap, to which he responded with a quiet laugh.

“Not very patient, are you?” he asked teasingly. 

“Not tonight, no.” You reached for the bandana tied around his neck and untied it before tossing it aside. “That's okay with you?”

“I’m definitely not complaining,” he said. His fingers started unbuttoning his shirt, an elaborate western shirt with fringe and embroidery. He had complained about having to wear flashy rodeo gear. You, on the other hand, were a big fan of it. 

It didn’t take long for you both to get his shirt off, then his undershirt. His belt went next, although you had some trouble getting it off considering how shaky your fingers had become. There was eagerness and excitement flooding through you, knowing what was to come. You unbuttoned his jeans as he unbuttoned yours, and without much more thought given to it, you stripped yourself of them. 

He gazed at you, eyes wandering your body. “You’re so beautiful,” he said. His voice was quiet, almost reverent. Many people in these parts were religious. Wilbur had never been that way. Why would I worship a god, he’d said, if I could worship you instead?

It seemed that the same thought was running through his head. His hands gently ran down your sides as he gazed lovingly at you. “Let me get you ready,” he murmured as he kissed your jaw. You nodded wordlessly, at a loss for what to say. He didn’t seem to mind, easing you onto your back and pulling down your underwear by the waistband until it was discarded on the floor along with the rest of your clothing.  

He kissed his way down your body, taking extra time with your chest and the insides of your thighs. You squirmed a little, frustrated by the tease, but he held you down gently with his hands on your hips. It only took him another few seconds to bring his tongue to your folds, licking and kissing the sensitive skin.

You moaned, lips sealed shut to try and prevent the sound from escaping. After a few more attempts to quiet yourself, you gave up and let yourself go. Wilbur became even more enthusiastic after that. His hand found yours, and he held it gently in his hand as he continued with his mouth. He alternated between licking your folds and teasing your entrance with his tongue to lightly circling your clit. Your free hand gripped the sheets. Wilbur moaned against you, and the vibration sent tingles up your spine. 

“Feels so good, Wil,” you said, panting. “Keep going.” Your hand got a small squeeze in response, a signal that he definitely wasn’t stopping anytime soon. He spent some more time kissing and licking near your entrance before finally focusing in on your clit.

He licked it a few times, light and teasing, before properly sucking on the skin. You cried out, hips twitching against his face. You thought you heard him chuckle, felt the vibration of it against your skin, but you weren’t sure. Your mind was too foggy, too lost in pleasure to fully process anything he said.

His movements got more eager, more rough. Before long, you were gasping, back slightly arched, gripping his hand tight in one hand and the sheets in the other. You murmured an incoherent string of pleas before finally climaxing, letting out a few moans and small cries as Wilbur slowed his movements to a stop. 

He kissed the insides of your thighs and let go of your hand. He got out from between your legs, opting instead to lay beside you and pepper your face and neck in kisses as you came back to reality. 

“You alright, darlin’?” he asked. His voice was hardly above a whisper and honey-sweet. 

You smiled, cupping his cheek before giving him a soft kiss. “Perfect,” you said. “Now grab a condom before I get impatient again.”

He laughed and kissed the tip of your nose before complying, rolling to the other side of the bed, opening a bedside drawer, and grabbing one. He tugged his boxers off, revealing how hard he was. You watched with thinly veiled eagerness as he rolled the condom on. 

“Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to stare?” he teased.

You shrugged. “My mother also told me not to date cowboys, so I’m not on a great track record when it comes to following her orders.”

Wilbur smiled. “Clearly I was right earlier when I said I was lucky.”

“That makes two of us.” You kissed him again. “Alright, lean against the headboard a little.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You takin’ charge tonight, sweetheart?” 

“If it’s alright with you,” you said. “You’ve been working hard. The least I can do is help out a bit.” You winked, and he chuckled in response.

“Again, I’m not complaining.” He leaned against the headboard as you got on top of him, straddling him. You watched his face as you sunk down onto him—-the way his breath hitched, his mouth fell slightly open, and his eyes closed. “Jesus…”

You giggled, leaned down to give him a kiss, and started to move. At first, your hips lazily moved back and forth against him. His hands rested on your hips, gently guiding your motions. You reveled in the way he looked at you. His lips were slightly parted, his eyes unfocused. You couldn’t resist leaning forward briefly to give him a quick kiss before starting to move again. 

You moved in small circles on top of him. One of Wilbur’s hands moved up to your waist, and he lazily smiled up at you. His smile quickly turned to an open-mouthed moan as you started to move up and down, slow and almost teasing.

His hand slid back down to your hips before sliding it between your legs and rubbing your clit. It took everything in you to keep moving despite the stimulation. You made a few clumsier movements as you tried to keep yourself upright. Wilbur chuckled at your predicament. “Too much, sweet thing?” 

You shook your head rapidly. Truth be told, you felt dizzy. The combination of Wilbur’s cock filling you repeatedly as you moved up and down and his fingers on your clit had you seeing stars. You looked down at him through half-lidded eyes and kept moving despite the fact that the muscles in your legs were starting to complain.

Your attempts to keep going faltered more as time went on and your muscles grew more and more tired. Wilbur kept rubbing your clit, circling it with his fingers. You were getting closer, but you could tell that Wilbur was having trouble getting there. You attempted to keep going, and gasped loudly when Wilbur thrust up into you.

“Let me help, darlin’,” he said between soft pants. He started thrusting up against your movements, keeping you going as he got you off. 

That was all it took for you to finish. You kept moving clumsily as Wilbur’s fingers continued to work magic on your clit, helping to prolong your orgasm. You were vaguely aware of how loud you were moaning, but it was the last thing on your mind. All you could think about was the shivers going up your spine, the overwhelming feeling in your core, his fingers, his cock…

You realized quickly that you had practically slowed to a stop. Before you could start moving again, you felt his hand wrap around your back. Your world tilted as he flipped your positions effortlessly. It always surprised you how strong he was: a side effect of growing up on a ranch and doing hard labor, you supposed.

You let out a breathless giggle, and so did he. He immediately started moving again, trying to finish himself off. Your arms wrapped around his neck, and your legs wrapped around his back. His breathing was heavy, and it only took him a few thrusts before he finished too. His hips stuttered, and you felt him twitch inside you. He groaned softly, burying his face in your neck. You rested your hand on the back of his head, gently combing through his hair as he settled against you, gasping softly.

For a few moments, you laid there, Wilbur resting against you. You played with his hair, and he kissed your neck softly. You could hear the quiet sounds of the crickets chirping outside and the whisper of Wilbur’s breathing. “I love you,” you murmured.

He kissed your jaw again. “I love you too.” He sighed softly before forcing himself to pull out. You let go of him as he moved away to pull off the condom and toss it in the bedside trash can. Before you could miss his absence, he was back by your side, pulling you gently against him. 

You laid your head on his chest, and he rested an arm across your shoulders. You felt his lips kiss the top of your head. “Alright, lovely?” he asked.

“More than alright.” You snuggled closer and closed your eyes. “You?”

“I mean…it’s been a pretty damn good day for me,” he said. “And, um…” He paused, and you opened your eyes to look up at his face. “Thank you for everything. Being supportive all this time. It means the world to me.”

“Of course,” you replied. He leaned down and kissed you, and when you parted, he was smiling softly at you.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “I’m yours, you know that?” 

“I know.” You laid your head back down. “And I’m yours.”

“Forever?”

You smiled and closed your eyes as he kissed your forehead again. “Yeah,” you murmured. “I could do forever.”

[amazingmsme]

A Good Golly Holiday Time

AN: Extremely loosely based on the squealing santa warmup prompt featherflake & basically just my excuse to write for The Solve It Squad/How the Grunch Cribbed Christmas. Ever since I first laid eyes on Scrags I knew he had to get wrecked. Hope you enjoy, merry Christmas & happy holidays to everyone! Really gonna try to pump out one more holiday fic but we’ll see about that won’t we?

Scrags... really wasn't having a good time. He normally tried to avoid the holidays because it only served to remind him of the family that didn't want him, and that fucking Maddie girl in his dad's reserved seat was just rubbing salt in the wound. He tried to keep his glaring to a minimum.

It seems his efforts failed because his friends very easily picked up on his sour mood, and it was obvious that they were walking on eggshells around him. They were in the craft portion of the planned activities, and it felt like his friends were coddling him rather than actually checking in. It was insulting damn it, he was a grown ass man! He didn't need their condescending praise about his crappy snowflake or the pitying looks they cast his way when they thought he wouldn't notice. Well news flash: he notices everything; he's a fucking FBI agent for crying out loud!

He heaved a heavy sigh as he glued a handful of feathers onto his snowflake. Keith walked behind him and off to the side, looking over Ester's shoulder at the iPad in their hands.

"So, what's the chat saying about me?" he asked, sweeping a hand through his hair. Ester rolled their eyes as they continued to scroll through the comments.

"Not much, they're all talking about what a sad sack of coal Scrags is being," they muttered, causing Kieth to furrow his brows.

"What? No way, Scrags is always high strung and snappy, they just don't know him like we do," he tried to justify. He glanced up at Scrags, his playful smirk falling when he saw the way their friend's shoulders sagged. He slapped a handful of feathers onto his snowflake in a messy, haphazard thud onto the table. "Okay yeah, he is being a classic Grunch, but it's not like we can cheer him up." Keith caught sight of a nearby camera and flashed a smile and wink.

Ester rolled their eyes. Keith stepped in front of her to be in the camera's full view and addressed the audience.

"Hey all you beautiful people at home! Our friend Scrags is having a little trouble getting in the holiday spirit, so we're taking suggestions on how to cheer him up!"

"Really Keith? C'mon, we got more important things to do! I need all you fuck nuggets at home to donate in my name, got that?!" Esther yelled, addressing the camera as they shoved Kieth out of the way. "Think of the children, first and foremost, but make sure I fucking win when you do!" they insisted, drawing the attention of Gwen and Scrags with the shrill pitch of their voice.

"Esther, try and keep it down, it's arts and crafts time and I do expect you to use your indoor voice," Gwen said in her classic cheerful tone with a dash of condescension and and a pinch of superiority. Thankfully, neither Esther nor Keith paid her any mind as they searched the comments for ideas.

"Wow you guys really have no sense of humor," Esther muttered as they scrolled past a few particularly bad holiday themed jokes. Keith grabbed their wrist and pointed at the screen.

"Hold up, go back I think I saw something," he said, not waiting for them to comply and snatched the iPad.

"Hey, give that back!"

"In a sec!" he said, scrolling until he found the comment once more. He froze and looked at Esther with an excited, sinister grin. "I think mrsclausgiantjuggs just gave us the solution to our problem."

"Ew, Kieth-"

"No, it's a username! Here look!"

"No I don't wanna-" they stopped mid sentence as they read the comment. A devilish glint flashed in their eyes. "Is Scrags ticklish? You guys should totally tickle him, I bet THAT will cheer him up!" They looked up from the screen and locked eyes with Keith. An evil chuckle slipped out as they slowly crept over to their gloomy friend.

"Gwen, your snowflake is looking picture perfect, just like you," Keith flirted, ever the suck up simp.

She flushed and giggled, "Oh stop!"

"Scrags, buddy! Yours is... coming along," he said, staring at the mess of paper, glitter glue and feathers.

"Gee, thanks. Gwen made me do this so she wouldn't be crafting all by herself," he teased lightly. "But y'know, I think it'd look better if you did it, Esther. Or even you, Keith."

"The hell do you mean "even me?" he asked incredulously. Esther smacked him from behind, reminding him they had a goal to accomplish.

“Scrags, I gotta be honest with you. You’re acting like a Grade A Grunch, and the chat’s picking up on your vibe. Now if you don’t change that, we’re gonna have to take drastic measures,” he warned/threatened. Scrags merely rolled his eyes.

“Sorry that I’m no happy enough to conform to your cheerful holiday standards,” he quipped, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly.

“Well that’s where we come in,” Keith said, sidling up next to him. Scrags looked him up and down skeptically.

“I’m not really in the mood for jokes…”

“Oh but this isn’t a joke!” Esther assured from his other side, making him jump. “If you ask me, this is a sure fire way to get your cheer meter filled all the way to the tippy top!”

Scrags scoffed, returning to his half-assed snowflake. He jerked away with a squeal when he felt something soft and fluffy flutter over his ear. He looked over to see Keith twirling a feather between his fingers, sporting a wicked grin. Scrags held his arms out in front of him as a weak defense.

“Dude, no, we’re live,” he practically pleaded.

“Uh, I know. This was a fan suggestion!” he chirped. Scrags choked on his own spit, sputtering and stumbling to his feet.

“Ex-excuse me? No, I don’t believe you!”

“Oh but it’s true,” Esther spoke up from behind him, making his blood run cold.

He stared at her, completely frozen for a solid few seconds before his brain caught up with himself. “What?” he reacted with his entire body, tossing his head around to look at her, placing his hands on his hips in his iconic sassy dad pose. “Who would want to see that?” he demanded.

“I think a better question is who wouldn’t want to see that,” Gwen joined in on the teasing, walking up behind Scrags and squeezed both his hips, making his twist out of her grip with a choked off giggle. “Great idea Keith!”

“Technically all the credit goes to mrsclausgiantjuggs, but I am the one spearheading this mission,” he bragged on himself, but still gave credit where credit was due. Okay, so maybe he wanted to say that username one more time.

“No, okay, I am shutting this down, it is not happenIIING!” his stern scolding morphed into a shrill squeal when Ester grew tired of waiting and dug their fingers in his armpits. He whipped around just in time to see their sinister grin as they wiggled their fingers in the air, getting ever closer. He desperately tried to fight off the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Not once up to this point in the livestream had he been so aware of the multiple cameras trained on them. He continued backing away from the threatening fingers… Right into Keith’s outstretched arms.

Strong arms, that immediately trapped him in a very tickly bear hug. “GOTCHA!” he yelled as he pinched and kneaded his sides and ribs, launching him into a full fledged giggle fit. He squirmed around like a fish on a hook, swatting and shoving at his probing hands.

“Aww, I can’t remember the last time you looked so happy, Scrags!” Gwen cooed, placing a hand over her melting heart. She wasn’t even meaning to tease, it was a genuine observation.

“Ihihihit’s fohohorced! Gwen d-don’t just stahahand there, hehehelp me damnit!” he snapped through his laughter. Before she could answer, Esther interjected.

“Uh oh, someone clearly isn’t feeling the holiday spirit!” He shook his head, eyes wide with panic as they lunged for him. Their fingers prodded his soft belly, causing him to double over in Keith’s grip.

“Oh I’ll help you alright! Trust me, when we’re through with you, you’ll feel like a million bucks! Just like when we were kids, right Mr. Giggles?” she asked and okay this time she definitely meant to tease. It had the desired effect and had him turning a rather adorable shade of pink.

“D-dohohon’t call me thahahat!” he cried indignantly, twisting around in his friend’s hold to hide his face from the camera, and hopefully protect at least a few of his tickle spots.

He realized his mistake when Keith took a deep breath and planted a loud, sloppy raspberry on his neck.

“OHOHOHO FUCK KEITH THAHAHAT’S SO GROSS, GEHEHET OHOHOFF!” Scrags’s hysterical laughter nearly blew out his mic before it tapered off into a less earsplitting volume as Keith pulled away, wiping a hand on his mouth.

“Sorry, could’ve sworn you said you liked raspberries,” he said with a shit eating grin. Scrags rolled his eyes, still grinning from ear to ear.

“Yeah, the fruit you dickwahahad!” his insult lost its edge when Esther drilled their thumbs in his hips, sending him back into helpless laughter.

“Hey, this is a charity livestream for children, watch your motherfucking mouth!” Esther yelled over him. Gwen gasped at the outburst.

“Well that’s the pot calling the kettle black!”

Esther smirked, cocking their head to the side. “Sorry Gwen, pretty sure you’re not allowed to say that anymore,” they said, shaking their head with a tsk. Gwen scoffed.

“Oh you are so asking for it!” And with that, she set her sights on a new target.

Needless to say, the chat was going wild, and they were gaining view by the second. It was a rare glimpse of the fun, bright eyed detective group they remembered growing up, and that was the greatest non denominational holiday gift anyone could ask for.

[aubreysheadspace]

Hi hi !! May I request Aubrey with a reader who's her little sibling? (Platonic, obviously :D )

Before Mari's death, Reader was always the one to stay by Aubrey's side waayy before she met Basil, and always listens to Aubrey whenever she's sad, because of this, Aubrey protects Reader from anything. Arguements, fights, she'll do anything that makes Reader safe and happy. Even when they both met the group (and no, this isn't a main cast request) their dynamic didn't change a lot ! They still stayed the same :)

Obviously, after Mari's death, when things became nothing but a mess, Reader decides to pay back all the things Aubrey has done to them by taking care of Aubrey now.. how would Aubrey feel about her sib in the past and now?

I'm really sorry for the wall of text ;; sorry if this is too specific....;

AUBREY WITH A LITTLE SIBLING (PLATONIC)

I DONT MIND THE WALL OF TEXT THIS IS SUPER SWEET OMG </3333 hope u enjoy!!

AUBREY

for as long as you can remember, AUBREY has always been there for you. she’s your big sister after all, she’s supposed to be taking care of you

but just because she is suppose to, doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to! she holds you very dear into her heart despite your home life situation

before the whole incident, while your home life wasn’t as bad as it is now, it was still a bit sad because you guys were still somewhat poor

she’d always make you food, makes sure you brush your teeth every now and then, and tries her best to make sure you aren’t hurt

since you were always there for you, you two have a close bond while AUBREY is super protective of you.

so when she meet her friend group for the first time, she wanted you to join them as well. so she introduced you and BASIL to the group, and everyone accepted you in!

AUBREY would always protect you from KEL while you try to stop her from arguing with him all the time, almost succeeding multiple times

now that MARI is gone forever from "suicide", the group has split. SUNNY is a shut-in and never goes outside anymore, BASIL avoids everyone out of fear and sometimes stays indoors as well, KEL looks like he moved on too fast and made new friends, and HERO moved away for college. thankfully you and AUBREY stayed close no matter what, even if your father left you and mother is neglectful

seeing AUBREY change into a totally different person with a new tough exterior, you almost never recognized her. but you wanted to stay with her because she’s been with you for so long and has taken care of you as a big sister should

as a thank you for everything, you would join the HOOLIGANS with her, made sure she needed anything like food or water, patch up any injuries she received from fights, or even attend church with her. her reaction to it was immediately decline anything you do, because she feels like she should do it for you instead

"seriously, [READER], it’s fine. i should be getting you some food, how about you eat it instead?" AUBREY said as she decline your offer to take the slice of pizza from GINO’s PIZZA which you bought for her only.

you were a bit stubborn and wanted to take care of her for a change, as the two of you went through a lot together and stayed close as a result. "no, come on AUBREY, i haven’t see you eat all day and i already had a slice of pizza earlier! it’s the least i can do for you, so take it!"

staring at you for a couple of seconds with a conflicted look, AUBREY sighed in defeat and closed her eyes, taking the pizza slice from her hand and takes a bite. "hmf, since when have you become the big sister?" AUBREY commented with her mouth a bit full.

the two of you shared a tiny giggle from the comment and sat down on the sidewalk, your feet resting on the streets. it was nice, with the two of you just laughing and bonding. sure it was fun hanging out with AUBREY’s new friends, but it was really nice for you two to bond as siblings, especially since what happened four years ago.

AUBREY then puts the palm of her hand on the top of your head, before messing up your hair. She smirked and grinned a bit before speaking up, her voice more softer, but still retaining the toughness.

"you’re the best little sibling ever, you know that?"

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Richard Dawkins

Published: Aug 10, 2023

If your belief is indefensible, your ignominious last resort is to accuse your critics of “-phobia”. I have long criticised all religions as irrational, and faiths as dangerous. Most of my attacks have been against Christianity, because I know it best. In spite of this I have never been accused of Christophobia. But I am regularly berated for Islamophobia, and I even had a radio broadcast in California (about a totally unrelated subject) cancelled because of my reputation for “Islamophobia”. Cancelled, mark you, not by Muslims but by American so-called “liberals”.

Phobia is defined as irrational fear, as in arachnophobia, agoraphobia etc. If Salman Rushdie fears Islam, it would not be an irrational fear, it would be eminently rational. At the whim of a nasty, bigoted old man in Iran (in character strongly resembling the Abrahamic God), Rushdie has lived much of his life with a massive bounty on his head. He has recently suffered a religiously motivated stabbing, which has left him blind in one eye. Rational fear is not phobia. In fact, Sir Salman has shown exemplary courage. The British system of awarding knighthoods, though often criticised, was vindicated with a vengeance when he was honoured by the late Queen.

The Rushdie fatwa tempts journalists to ask interviewees whether they get death threats. Interviewers possessing a modicum of intelligence can work out for themselves why it is an irresponsible question, which should obviously not be put. Unfortunately not all interviewers are intelligent.

I am not Islamophobic. I am certainly not Muslimophobic. Indeed I regard Muslims as Islam’s main victims, badly in need of defence against their own religion. If we temporarily redefine “phobic” not as irrational fear but as rational detestation, then I am phobic about the following:

Throwing gay people off tall buildings or crushing them under a collapsed wall. (CNN, Dailymail, Hindustan Times)

Or publicly caning them (note the laughing glee of the audience, including children (VICE News)

Whipping women for the crime of being raped, or the crime of being seen in public with a man to whom they are not married. (The Guardian, TORONTO STAR)

Stoning women accused of adultery to death. (THE WEEK)

Female genital mutilation. (Nursery World)

Compelling women to cover their hair and faces, leaving only a slit for the eyes.

Compelling girls to stay indoors, while boys roam free.

Schools in which boys are taught nothing except memorising the Koran, and girls even less.

Condemning novelists to death for the crime of doing what novelist do, writing a novel.

Killing cartoonists for the crime of doing what cartoonists do, drawing a cartoon.

Death penalty for apostasy. A religion so bereft of positive arguments that it needs to resort to death threats to keep its members, is ignominiously pathetic. Even Christianity no longer stoops so humiliatingly low.

“Honour” killing.

You can probably continue the list yourself.

If all, or even any, of that list could be laid at the door of any religion, then a profound dislike of that religion could be defended. It certainly is not the case that most individual Muslims would endorse the list – although it has to be admitted that more than a quarter of British Muslims (Harris poll 1989) wanted Salman Rushdie to be killed, and nearly two thirds thought The Satanic Verses should be burned.

It is often pointed out that Christianity used to be just as bad, and it still is just as irrational. But the worst excesses of Christianity now thankfully lie in the past. If only the same could be said of Islam. What is especially galling is those Western “liberals” who think Islam is a race, and are so terrified of being thought racist that they refrain from criticising the above horrors, even those perpetrated against women and gays.

“Islamophobia” is a deeply silly and pernicious abuse of language. And it’s not the only fashionable word ending in “-phobia” that condemns itself as a last-resort substitute for rational discussion.  In all such cases, I recommend the Hitchens Riposte: “I’m still waiting to hear your argument.”

Richard Dawkins

[londonspirit]

London Love

First day back home and it all feels 'wrong' *sighs wistfully*

Oh well, i had the most wonderful six days in my favorite place with my favorite people so I shouldn't really complain, right?! Still, always harsh to come back to reality after the time away... especially this time. What a trip it’s been!! Didn’t expect all that happened - did NOT expect to see a Kiwi live and in the flesh but that’s London for you - full of surprises!!!

Walked all the ways again (a total of 114(!!!) km's, that's 163621 steps!), saw all the beautiful things; just one play and one reading though and yet my whole being feels nourished and bursting with joy and happiness.

Trip started out a bit worried as my stomach did some weird things, and there was a strange pain on the lower right side (yes, I was instantly thinking appendix, but did the thing and it was fine). Nerves, maybe (it had been a while), I thought, or too much strain from carrying those last few boxes from mom’s place to mine and sis’s, and it did indeed settle a bit once I was over. Still, I felt a tad troubled so got some Ibuprofen and some Paracetamol and self-medicated. It didn’t get worse; got better over the past days but yeah, first day was a tad off.

Still, met with Nic and even tho we were both saying to not do THAT much walking we ended up with almost 28km’s! I love her, we barely see each other and don’t text much at all, but WHEN we met we have ALL THE THINGS to geek out over and it’s always great to catch up with her. I was soo happy I had her all day to myself. Oh, and running into/past the one and only Ali Plumb (sadly on his phone) had me off to a great start!!! *hehe* 

Day 2 was the calmest of them all, FINALLY seeing Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms after missing out on them for the past five years was the only booked thing on my agenda that day! And BOY is it worth it!

Soo soo stunning, I went twice!!! You only have two  minutes in the room but you can queue again, and on Monday early afternoon it wasn’t that full so that was no biggie at all! After that I was meeting with a friend but she was running late (I knew that, she’s a busy busy bee) so I sat outside her workplace and waited, the sun was out (I had sunscreen on), I had food and wifi, it was perfect.

I was aimlessly scrolling through Twitter when a tweet from Rosie popped up:

And I LOST MY SHIT!!! I mean, that was for like in THREE days!

I did NOT have ‘being able to see RHYS FUCKING DARBY LIVE’ on my bingo card for London AT ALL!

And suddenly there was the chance!!! OF COURSE I TOOK IT!!!

Cue a few freaked out texts to my Sally, a rushed check of earlier trains, and booking a ticket for STAND UP!!! I don’t do standup... unless it’s RHYS FUCKING DARBY!!! So yeah, there I was, cackling to myself like a total lunatic (thankfully Lex is used to me losing my shit (although it’s been a while since she’s witnessed that in person!)) with the prospect of seeing RHYS FUCKING DARBY LIVE!!! (and thankfully I had packed not only my Orange shirt (gotta represent) but also my newly made DJ shirt (which I KNEW could ONLY be appreciated my fellow OFMD fans!!!).

So having that sorted and having calmed down (barely), Lex and I spent the evening catching up until it was time for her to leave for home. Since I didn’t have any plans at all, I had a stroll round town before returning ‘home’.

Tuesday was ‘meeting Jo in Leeds’ Day! Only day it was raining in both cities, which was fine, we spent the day indoors, catching up (it’s been a year since we last saw each other) and just enjoying ourselves! We did see a bit of Leeds, but with it being very wet and very moist, there wasn’t THAT much walking and sightseeing happening! Although I spotted this, which made me laugh:

Starting your pirate BABIES early, I guess *hehe*

Wednesday was the only day with a play!!! Yeah, I know, I have no idea how that happened - too many things to see, too little time. Praised be matinees! Romeo and Juliet at the Almeida (first time there for me), seeing the lovely Toheeb Jimoh on stage, being all dramatic and shit? COUNT ME IN! (even though I’ve had my fair share of Shakespeare before Covid hit).

And since I had the morning to myself I naturally had to check out that Chilean restaurant in Paddington. Yes, THAT one. (And accidentally dressing like the Elizabeth line!) And goodness me, these empanadas are GOOD!! Even at 11 am in the morning (only time I could be there, they close at 4 during the week and as I said, too many things to do and see, not enough time!).

Walked them empanadas off on my way to the theatre, past Abby Road, had a GREAT seat for a VERY small price and managed to catch the darling man after before he was off to lunch. Didn’t know whether he’d do stage door but he did, and BY GOD, that man’s even more lovely in RL! Im soo happy I managed to tell him that (and how brilliant he was on stage, of course!) And he was - he was enjoying himself, and he ‘died’ VERY realistically! It was amazing! And that smile is fucking DEADLY when aimed at you!!!

Got me a Humble Crumble on the way back (SOOO GOOD!) and then it was already time for Elliot Page!

I've NEVER been in a room with this many queer people (aside from Pride marches!) and it was the most amazing thing; you could FEEL the happiness of being there; the reception for the man himself was INSANE and made me actually tear up a bit (he deserves ONLY THE FUCKING BEST (and all the fucking HUGS!)).

There was an energy in the room... can’t even describe it, just felt very special. Not a signing, a talk about the book and q's from the audience (pre-submitted).  Elliot felt very shy but also VERY naughty. Loved writing the sex scenes *grins* But by god, he's the happiest he's ever been. I've started reading the book, bit more than halfway through and GOOD LORD, he'd suffered soooo much!!! I can't even relate... which makes my HATE against people wanting to take away gender affirming care even bigger!!! *exhales* Anyhow, it was really good. Very inspiring. Soo soo powerful and soooo deserved!!!!

And then it was KIWI DAY!!  God, Im still sooo high on actually seeing him LIVE and SOOO close - even more amazing as I’d NEVER thought I’d ever get to see him (what with him being mainly US or Aotearoa based!)!!! Sometimes the universe works in mysterious and beautiful ways!!!

But first I went to Nottingham to see Sally and Pam! It was beautiful! They took me to Wollaton Hall which is fucking gorgeous, and we just had  a lovely wander around the park, seeing deer and blonde ducks, soaking up all the sunshine. After we went into Nottingham itself for some lunch before it was already time to leave again.

I arrived back in London around 6 and went straight into town, wanting to meet up with a friend who I knew back from the MTV awards (I was happy to actually know somebody at the show although I do NOT mind being on my own but it’s always nicer with people who know!)

Well, I totally forgot that the Mission Impossible premiere was happening at the same damn time!! Leicester Square was PACKED (and the Comedy Club is just around the corner!) So naturally I sneaked a peak, saw Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg (on a screen, they’re REALLY locking out normal people these days) but the excitement was too big so I went to the club.

And then the most magical thing happened: I met NEW people!!! (I mean, Ive had that ALL the time back in my old fandoms, but these days it happens so rarely so that made me REALLY happy). They approached me... because of the shirt and in the end we were four people, sticking together to watch the show - three of them with variation of THE Orange shirt!!!

First we sat 2nd row and then nobody wanted the 1st and then we just said, fuck it, we only get this chance ONCE (well, two of us) so we moved to the 1st row!!! God, that was close!! *lol* we weren’t too sure about it as neither of us wanted to get picked out for something  - it was stand-up so who knew! But yeah, the thing one does for that kiwi!! *cackles*

It was pretty packed, not sold out but still full enough. And a LOT of OFMD/Rhys fans!!!

Good Lord, I haven’t laughed this much in a VERY long time (and those who know me, know how much this was needed). Every act was different but all hilarious, and yes, everyone got ‘picked’ on, especially the poor guy stage right, he was on his own and by god, they REALLY went to down on him. All in good spirits but yeah, I felt a tad sorry for him in the end!

At one point, Thanyia (Moore), the host/mc started to 'target' us - she was amazing, charming, hilarious as fuck and soo gorgeous. Anyhow, she wanted to know whether we all knew each other (because of the shirts, I guess) and was slightly shocked that in fact, we did NOT know each other prior to the show. And then we told her WHY we were there (pirate show, duh) and she wanted a synopsis ... she got one (GAY pirates) and she made fun of it but she basically summed up our show! (I do NOT know whether or not she knew about it all, i figure she did but not sure!) Still, it was AMAZING!!! (Rhys later sort of went with it as well - asked who did NOT know who he is, and there were like 4 people or so!!! NEVER once mentioned the show tho).

And then it was time! Rhys fucking Darby took the stage!!! God, we were LOUD!!! *lol* And by GOD, that man’s gorgeous that close up!!! I mean, he’s lovely and all but seeing him from like a metre away??? BLOODY HELL!!! That SMILE?!?! GUH!!! And so fucking funny! (never really realized how HARD those sound effects are - his head looked like it wanted to exploded during them, which worried me a tad *hehe*)

There wasn’t anything new, had heard most of it here and there already but still, actually seeing him (THOSE LEGS ARE LETHAL, and THAT ARSE IS ASDFGHJKLÖÄ... dont come at me, he kept waving it into our faces, ‘kay!), almost being able to touch him... yeah, that was quite something!!! I LOVE that fact that he’s enjoying himself soo much as well, kept giggling at his own jokes which I LOVE!!!

It was over way too quickly. My stomach hurt, my face hurt and we floated back out into the night, gathering at the entrance in hopes of being able to see him. Sadly he got whisked away by the wife, but he waved at us in passing (and I feel he especially waved at us in our lovely orange shirts!) And then we all went our separate ways, having exchanged socials to find each other again!!!

I walked back home as I needed to burn that energy in order to get ANY sleep that night (even walked into hoards of people waiting at the back of the cinema for the MI cast).

What a night!!! So sad I couldn’t be there for yesterday or today, but hey, I never in my wildest dreams thought of actually seeing him live at all, so I shan’t complain at all!!!!

Plus, we got these (thanks to the very generous sharer over on Twitter!)!

first row is NOT made for taking sneaky pics so I’ll be forever grateful to them for sharing these!!!

*sighs* And Friday was leaving day... having to say goodbye to my beloved city is never easy but this time around even more so!

BUT I did have the most amazing time, met old and new friends, and once again 6 days felt much much longer!!! My heart is bursting with happiness and joy and it will keep me going until I can come back again - hopefully very soon!!!

[k-dokja]

just a dump of some hakim stuff i cut or don't plan on finishing.

year ten, your father has received what he wanted all these years.

after spending months away at times to work at the court, the king has rewarded your father with what he has always dreamed of achieving: to move to the capital and serve the royal family closely. father has been exuberant for days.

every step of the move, he is all smile and cheer. for a normally reserved man, your father has been more talkative than ever.

you remember the night he returned home after the news of the promotion arrived. he picked your mother up at the entrance, spun her around then kissed her. at least, you think he did. you were too grossed out by their public affection to keep watching. then, he picked up both you and your brother, the squeeze he made got you both protesting.

"dad!" you groan but even hakim has to laugh in exasperation.

"you're suffocating us!" hakim pats his shoulder in the hope your father would loosen his hold. thankfully for the two of you, he does. hakim sends you a victorious grin at being the one who saved you both. in turn, you stick out your tongue at him.

however, the two of you are swept up in your father's jovial mood again, and shared grins are shown on your face. you've yet to comprehend what this would imply for your entire family, but it's nice to see your father this excited for once.

turned out, it means a lot of things.

"cheer up, sister!" hakim pats your shoulder in reassurance but your pout remains petulantly. you cross your arms and sink further into your seat. no matter how much you try to deny it, the reality isn't changing. "it'll be great at the capitol, you'll see. life will be much more convenient and look, we'll get to study at the palace. didn't you always say you want to train with the royal guards?"

immediately, you perk up at the mention of the royal guards. however, soon as you did, you recognize his ploy for what it is. you turn away from hakim defiantly, "stop it, hakim. you don't have to baby me, i'll be fine. i only need to come to terms with it."

your mother glances back at you from the front seat. her smile is one of compassion. unlike hakim, she says nothing to coddle you further, but her acknowledgement alone is enough for you.

while you've been supportive in the beginning, once you realized moving would mean you won't get to be with your friends anymore, your moods are dampened a bit. hakim has told you that there will be many more friends to be made at the royal palace, but you have your own reservation.

you don't really know what to make of noble and palace kids. your entire ten years have accumulated a total of five times you have interacted with them. in the few visits you've made there, you've managed to become acquaintances with a few other kids your age. but none of them has grown close enough to be called a friend.

yes, your upbringing had allowed you to mingle with the upper class of your old city, but your friends aren't close to royalty. they are commoners or at best minor nobles.

titles have never been a worry for you, but now it will become your entire life.

you refrain from sighing. it will give hakim more to worry about, and this time around, your mother might even try to intervene. you don't want that. maybe you should trust him on this one and see it for yourself when you arrived.

turned it, it won't get better. not immediately, at least. you are agitated the whole time after your family settles into the new estate, but your father tells you to remain home for the day. he has arrived beforehand to handle the bulk of the move, the remaining of your family only needs to travel.

"the king had extended an invitation for our family to join him for dining," your father explains while keeping an eye on the servants carrying the last of furniture indoors. "then you can have the entire week after to explore before classes begin."

he smiles amicably at you. his negotiation does not fly over your head, but you don't even have the energy to fight back anymore. sitting in a car for that long saps the energy out of you. the only confirmation you give him is a tired nod, and that alone comforts him.

at least, you have time to rest before then. both you and hakim have chosen to lounge in the living room while waiting for the estate to get furnished. even he looks depleted. each of you takes up a sofa, sprawling out like

not for long, however. an hour before night falls, your mother shows up to drag you to your new bedroom. a lot of your old furniture has been replaced, sold or left behind. your new one is adorned with artisan wood and regal carving, accented in gold and black.

if it is not for the colourful decorations and your own belongings scattered about, you would've thought somebody forgot you were ten. while you remain hesitant at the doorway, your mother has no patience for it. she ushers you in gently, "we don't have time to dally," your mother sighs, "we need to dress up for the dinner."

"it's only dinner," you mumble, continuing to scan apprehensively around the room.

"with the royal family," your mother corrects, "we need to make a good appearance. maybe you'll get along with prince leona, he is hakim's age. your brother got on with him well the last time we visited, you might find him agreeable."

your mother says it is like age would make the two of you have an abundance in common. you scrunch your nose, not convinced by her reasoning. "maybe..." although you cannot see what has caused her to be this high-strung, you decide not to press her further while she tears open your closet. your mother takes a minute to rake through your selection of dresses before her hand settles on one.

"we need to match our colours," your mother says, "i've prepared the hot water, you should take a bath then change into this. i will go deal with your brother then come back for your hair."

before you can say anything, your mother puts the dress into your hand. she rushes out of the room, leaving a whirlwind of a closed door and hustled footsteps in her wake. you sigh. the day cannot be long enough.

by the time your family finished preparations, you've shown up at the doorsteps with your hair tied up, freshly bathed and dressed in finery. you might have fallen asleep once or twice in the bath, but your mother's timely intervention prevented that from happening.

you really, really want to be acquainted with your new bed.

"sleepy?" hakim asks when he sees you yawn without bothering to cover your mouth. his own eyes have become a bit sleep-addled, but he wears an easygoing smile.

you nod, too tired to answer properly.

hakim stretches, shaking the sleep out of his system. "you can get some shuteye in the car," he says, "nobody would mind if a kid fell asleep at dinner, we live in a monarchy, not a tyranny."

you deadpan at him.

‘how did you even become friends with the princeling?’

the nickname you have given leona put an amused smile on hakim’s lips, but he makes no mention of it. ‘we aren’t friends,’ he says breezily, ‘not in the traditional sense, at least, people don’t be ‘friends’ with royals.’

‘then what are you?’ you frown and clutch your pillows further. his reasoning makes little sense to you, but you suspect you would understand it in time.

hakim simply understands it better in the position of the older kid, but you have to account for his wisdom as well. only two years your senior, yet there are times when the distance between you and hakim is between land and sky. but you make up for it by vastly outpacing him in combat, to the point where you’re coined a prodigy.

at this moment, however, you feel no more than a child listening to her older brother’s explanation on the secret of the universe. ‘he and i…’ hakim stops to search for the correct word. his eyes continue to skim the letters on his book, but you don’t think he’s reading much at all. ‘we speak the same language yet wield it differently, we both strive for intellectual excellence. but whereas i’m happy to be in the shoes of a subordinate, his highness harbors ambition which outweighs his role.’

‘ambition which outweighs his role?’ your frown deepens at the confusing words. and while your confusion frustrates you, it only delights him with a lighthearted amusement.

‘maybe he will tell you in times,’ hakim pats your head gently, ‘but his highness is one for greatness, i’m eager to see what he will accomplish.’

his words make little sense to you, but there is one thing you can agree. something about the princeling exceeds even those that is celebrated in your country. and you tell hakim as much, ‘ugh, stop talking in a roundabout way,’ you grumble, ‘but… i agree, the air of him is different.’

you try to search for the words, but like your brother from earlier, you fail to find anything succinct enough to elaborate. ‘i don’t know how to say this but he’s like a regal monster from the myths,’ you purse your lips, ‘the powerful ones that always perch loftily on their high horses. he also has that self-assured look of a predator in his eyes whenever he looks upon others. it’s almost like—like…!’

hakim snorts, ‘an expensive house cat?’

your tail lashes in irritation, ‘yes, exactly like that, why didn’t i say that?’ you mutter. ‘i even thought the same earlier.’

hakim cackles. his ears twitch in response. ‘your mind is running miles a minute, dear sister. you have to allow it some breathing room to achieve brevity.’

‘hm.’ you harrumph. ‘you still haven’t explained the nature of your relation with him.’

‘ever the perceptive, little one,’ hakim muses, ‘well, our relationship is that of our father to the king, a subservient one between a servant and their master. but there is an understanding between him and i. he has places he wants to go, and i want to see him succeeding. there is a recognition of mutual usefulness between the two of us, which can be beneficial in long-term.’

your tail whips the air again, this time for another reason altogether. ‘…hakim, you’re not getting into anything dangerous, are you?’

‘not yet,’ hakim says airily, ‘we are children. if we misstepped now, it would be the fault of our parents. but in the future… who knows?’

your nose itches. ‘well, just don’t get into trouble before i got strong enough to fend off the entire royal guard yet. i can only protect you then.’

hakim pats your head again, but this time, he mushes your hair. ‘such a thoughtful little sister i have. i will have to repay your kindness by pushing back my plans for machinations a few years.’

you swat at him with your pillow, miffed at your hair’s expense, ‘or push it back your whole life so i won’t have to worry about you ever!’ ‘ah, mercy!’ hakim takes your offence in easy stride and laughter, but once you settle down, a somber expression takes his face, ‘we can’t stay children forever now, can we?’

you press your lips together. then once the thoughts get morose, you hug the pillow tight in your arms again. ‘i guess not, but i don’t want to grow up either,’ you glance out at the windows and lament at the gleam of light sporadically spreads on the night sky, ‘mother and father always care about so many things. they care about even more now that we live near the court. there’s always something bothering them, i don’t want to spend my entire life worrying.’

‘ah,’ your brother says sympathetically, ‘but such is the nature of life, resisting the inevitable only makes you more resentful when it comes.’

‘well,’ you turn up your nose, ‘it shouldn’t come then, let us stay children forever and never trifle with worldly concerns our entire life.’

‘would it be that easy,’ hakim muses, a bit distracted now that the conversation has reached a dead end. ‘would it be that easy…’

for once, you have nothing to say.

[187days]

Day Eighty-Five

It started snowing around 9:00 this morning, which meant the day instantly became more difficult because, even for north country kids who ought to be used to it, snow is a major distraction. Also, I totally jinxed the vibes in my Block 3 class. I should’ve known better, heh.

Two of the girls came in arguing about who knows what, and almost threw hands. I actually had to step between them and get my hands up to keep them from hitting each other (or me). And they’re frenemies, so afterwards they wanted to sit together, and I said no, not today, keep some distance. One of them yelled about the injustice of that for a good five minutes, when down to Dean 1′s office and attempted to yell some more, then came back to class and worked quietly. Meantime, the other got into an argument with a boy who’d been helping her to her project, so he stopped helping her, and there was drama between them for the rest of the block. And she’s stressed, so she yelled that she hated my class because that’s what students do when they’re stressed. I felt bad for the other students in the room, who were just trying to do their work, but, thankfully, that was the last outburst and the remainder of the block was peaceful. The key, as the teacher, is being as unfazed as possible. 

It’s difficult, in situations like that, but I’m relatively good at it. 

The rest of the day was fine, though, My GOV students had a test; it’s a full-sized AP exam, so they did the multiple choice section today, they’ll to the FRQs tomorrow. So, for me, that was low key. And my Block 2 section of World was awesome. I proofread a bunch of pieces, advised a few students who weren’t sure what to add to the work they’d done to make it more detailed, helped some fine-tune their research, and generally encouraged them to keep up the good work. Their projects already look so cool, even in incomplete form. 

Because of the snow, all after school activities were canceled- not that I had any today anyhow, indoor track is only three days a week at most- but Mrs. R and I had a quick chat about the students we’ll have next semester because our rosters basically just flip-flop. We’re going to continue that chat at a later date because it’s good to share information, but we left as soon as our contract hours were up to get home before the snow got worse!

[hocusbogus]

Seoul Blog: First Day at Myeongdong

First day in Seoul.

It’s been a month, a lil more than a month and I don’t know if I am still retaining the memories correctly to be able to pen them down here. I do have vlogs to go back to but the details can never be captured in the vlog.

Our flight to Seoul was around 11.30pm I believe, this was my first ever long distance flight albeit its only 6.5 hrs. We were separated during our journey because we couldn’t check in online and had to check in at the counter, when we did that most of the seats were already taken and they only have singular seats.

I had to sit next to a loud ass group of friends the whole flight, god bless my airpods (that I got as a birthday gift from Safwan), I was actually planning to self pamper with a sheet mask and read but I was literally sitting in the middle and we all know that’s no one’s favourite seat.

When we landed it felt surreal, I was expecting cold weather right away, silly me. We were indoors so of course it was heated. The immigration process was quite smooth and we picked our luggage up. 

Something interesting happened, I went into the toilet and somebody left their passport there, a Malaysian as well. I passed the passport to Diana because i urgently needed to pee, thankfully it has the stranger’s detail on it so Diana managed to return it to her. Random.

The nightmare begins when we took the train headed to our hotel, and realising that it was all stairs, they do have elevators but definitely not where it matters because all the exits are via stairs.

When we reached Myeongdong, Diana was left on the train because people were blocking her way! It was hilarious but stressful, the fact that the next station where she had to switch platform was full of flights of stairs must be traumatising.

We took exit 9 (yes I still remember) to get to our hotel, we stayed at L7 Lotte Hotel, and while carrying our 25kgs worth of luggage each two oppas came and helped us, although it felt slightly too late because it was literally a few more steps. But, we were thankful for the help though, because a lot of people just walked past us.

Thankfully the hotel were literally 100m away, or perhaps even lesser, it was like 50 metre away, I’m bad with distances as you can tell, how can 100m be 50m just a few words later. The cold air hit our faces like bricks, but it felt so nice.

The first 24hrs in Seoul felt so stretched, maybe because we had a full day and it felt like the day started at 11.30pm for us. We explore Myeongdong after dropping our luggages at the hotel, randomly went into a Michelin Star (Myeongdong Kyoja) restaurant and was so mind blown by their mandu and cold noodles, and the soup noodle I’m sorry I don’t know what it’s called.

Bookmarked a lot of places with “We’ll come back” and most of them we never did. We totally lost it at Olive Young, that was when I found out that my Wise Card was not fully activated, I even reminded Diana to activate her card learning from what happened to Hayley in Bangkok. I ended up not being able to use the card at all and had to transfer all my KRW to Diana’s card.

We also shopped at Baviphat and went to grab coffee at this newly opened cafe on the second storey of a building that I no longer remember the name of, just to wait till 3pm so we can finally check in to our room and freshen up.

It was pretty much just spending time at Myeongdong on the first day and taking in the people and night life by repeating our chant “can’t you believe that we’re here?”

Another core memory was standing in front of a closed down Banila Co. eating roasted squid and being so overwhelmed by it because it was like bottomless and never-ending.

It was the best. 

First Day Vlog here https://youtu.be/naZXzzWB7DA

[draftmare]

Saturday's dressage show was a bit of a hot mess express from start to finish. It began when I totally missed that there had been a schedule update on Thursday, so I missed my first test. Womp, womp. Except that I didn't realize this right away. Get to the show grounds and it is POURING rain. I quickly realize that I have come woefully under prepared for the weather of the day. When I checked the weather last it was a 40% chance of rain and a high of 77. When I got up in the morning it was only 55 degrees, so I tossed Sydney's BoT cooler in the trailer, and thank God I did, because it never got warmer than 55 degrees all day. I didn't even look to see if the rain chance had changed, so didn't pack anything other than shorts and a t-shirt for myself...and then had to deal with rain all day.

Thankfully my trailer is just wide enough that I can tack Sydney up without unloading her. The two times I have had to do this has made me love my Brenderup all the more. I get her tacked up and myself changed inside the trailer, and then make the walk to the indoor arena (thank goodness this barn has a sizeable indoor that we were able to warm-up in and hang out in to stay dry). Get warmed up, head to the arena at my ride time. Get told by one of the show workers that I am next in on my way to the arena. Halfway there I see the horse in going totally batshit crazy bucking. He leaves the arena, and best I could tell the rider got tossed into one of the HUGE xc jumps (looked to be at least novice, if not bigger) that was right on the edge of the arena. Horse takes itself on a tour of the xc field, and rider is injured enough to need an ambulance. Big delay, so I head back to the arena to stay dry. Finally get told to head back up to the arena, except when I get there, there is a confusion between myself and a couple of trainers and their kids about where I fit in-between all of their riders, especially because the arena has now moved on to Intro level tests and been made smaller. Finally, thanks to one of the trainers, I figure out that the schedule I had printed off was not the same schedule as the one currently being followed. FML.

Head back to the trailer, load Sydney back up so she can eat some hay while staying dry, and I go sit in my car for a bit. During this time my phone just....dies. Like, goes from 100% battery to dead for no reason, and doesn't want to recognize my power cord. Cue major panic because this is my first time at this show grounds, and while I knew I could find my way back to the barn once I got back to the main "country highway," I had no idea how to navigate the several turns I had had to make to get to the barn from the country highways. I had brought my iPad with me to read my book because I had several hours between all of my tests, but it wasn't much use without Wi-Fi.

Try to put that out of my mind and focus on my tests, which I thankfully have paper copies of because I typically read them on my phone. This whole time it has been POURING buckets of rain. Get Sydney ready for technically my second test of the day, but the first one I will be doing, get her warmed up, and it starts rumbling thunder. 30 min rain delay. So I hop off to give her back a break. Then I am told we are good to go again, so I hop back on and get her moving at a brisk walk to wake her up. Then I find out that the arena is 45 mins behind. Hop back off to give her back a break again. Finally get to go in to do my first test. The arena is literally underwater, which Sydney HATES. I don’t know if it’s the dirt/wet hitting her belly and legs, or that she feels like she is having to yank her feet out of the ground, or what, but when there is standing water she just doesn’t want to play the game. I end up pony club kicking her around the test for a 53% and a comment that we don’t belong at this level. My trainer shows up about halfway through this test, and afterwards I have a quick pow-wow in which I just about say I want to pack up my toys and go home. I am wet, cold, and I know Sydney is not going to do any better with the arena underwater. 

The afternoon starts moving along quicker because a lot of riders have indeed packed up their toys and decided to go home. I decide to stick it out because at least I will be done soon. During a trip back to my trailer to grab some water I discover there are now hornets EVERYWHERE. In my trailer, next to my trailer... Thankfully the cold and the rain had them moving slow, so I went on a hornet killing spree and frantically checked inside my shoes before putting them and anything else a hornet could fly into to hide in my car. 

Go back up to the arena to check in with my trainer to see if she could read for me and she has just....left....I guess? Thankfully one of her students was willing and able to read for me. I don’t know why 2-2 is so impossible for me to memorize while 2-3 is super easy. During our second test Sydney throws a bucking fit during our first canter and everything is just downhill from there. I honestly didn’t feel too upset because I expected very little from her. Somehow we got a 54% on that one, and uh...no comments from the judge. I think the judge was just done with everybody at that point. There were A LOT of 50s, but I also feel like some concession needed to be given to the fact that this weather was shit, everybody was cold and cranky including the horses, and the arena was literally under water in most places. 

Get back to the trailer and discover that my phone has righted itself while I was away, so thank goodness I will be able to find my way home. Get Sydney and I both undressed and loaded up. One of the show workers runs up to me with a huge sash to say that I won reserve champion for Second Level despite missing my first test and the bucking fit in the second test, which was a nice surprise for the day. Drive back to the barn was uneventful other than hydroplaning once right on through a red light. Thankfully there was no oncoming traffic, and yes I was already driving for the conditions. 

And then Sunday morning I discovered that the big front window of my trailer has sprung a leak. The continued rain overnight meant that everything in my trailer is totally soaked. Thankfully my saddle pads somehow managed so soak up all the water that leaked in and saved my saddle from getting wet at all. Yay Weatherbeeta saddle pads! Everything is coated in thick, white, clay like mud, so was going to get a through cleaning before going back to the barn anyway. But the window springing a leak was just one more cursed thing to add to the cursed things of the weekend... Ugh. Hopefully next weekend is better. 

[myhockeyworld87]

What Happens in Vegas...Doesn’t Always Stay There - Jacob Markstrom - Part 1

Word Count: 4,885

POV: Reader

Warnings: NSFW, Language, Smut, Drinking (all the good stuff)

Notes: Well here it is the new fic that’s been in my head. I tossed around a couple different guys for this, but some of you suggested Marky and well looks like it stuck. Trying to do this a little different and keep this in an all read POV, so we shall see how that works. I don’t see this being super long maybe between 5 or 6 parts. Hope you guys enjoy. As always feedback is welcome. Happy Reading!

They say that New York is the city that never sleeps but whoever 'they' is, well, they got it wrong. It has to be Vegas. Lights are always flashing whether you were indoors or out, the jangly sound of slot machines can be heard at all hours and the seven deadly sins seem to be on full display twenty-four hours a day. It's no wonder their tagline for years was 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.' If only that were true.

You wish you could blame someone else but you can't. Vegas was all your idea. As maid of honor, it fell to you to plan your best friend's bachelorette party, and in your mind, there was only one spot, Vegas. Now, you were second-guessing your choice as your head was pounding like there were a thousand drummers who decided to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, only in your brain. There was only one thought that made it through the marching band playing in your head. What the hell happened last night?

 Maybe you should start off small, like where were you first, considering that the little drummer boy was now doing backflips in your head. You were definitely in bed, which was evident as you could feel the mattress underneath you. You could also feel the duvet comforter covering your body, but there was something else. Something a bit heavier, almost as if a weighted blanket was covering your stomach and your breast, but it wasn't that. It was an arm slung across your midsection and a very large hand cupping your one boob. God, you hoped it was still attached to a body. You should really take a peek. It would be the only decent thing to do.

 As you gradually lifted one eyelid open, the first thing you noticed was that you were not in your hotel room, as the wall looked completely different. No reason to panic, you told yourself. Everything would come back to you as soon as this god blessed pounding ceased. Peering the other eye open, you got back to business at seeing if there was a body attached to the arm currently trapping you to the bed. Carefully, you turned your head to the side to see a very large and very naked man firmly attached to the aforementioned arm. He was gorgeous as he lay there sleeping ever so peacefully. You drank in his features, kind of like you downed drink after drink last night. His brown hair had this golden hue to it that made your fingers want to reach out and touch it, though you refrained. Then there was the beard covering his face, not too much and not too little, and now that you were thinking about it; you definitely felt some of that beard burn on your thighs. If you could only remember last night. The only logical thing to do was to go back to the start of this, back to a time when you were sober.

 It started months ago when your best friend Kennedy got engaged. You honestly didn't see it coming that fast. She'd only been dating Ryan for a little less than a year, but he asked and she said yes, and when she asked you to be her maid of honor you screamed and laughed and cried, and told her you couldn't wait to plan her bachelorette party. Everyone knew the bridal shower was only for boring stuffy old aunts so that they could buy her the latest air fryer or new dish pattern. The bachelorette party was where all the fun was, and what better place to have it than Las Vegas.

 Of course, everyone agreed with you. The only wrench in the plan was that Kennedy decided to up her wedding date and make it a nine-month engagement. That barely left time to find a dress let alone plan the most outrageous bachelorette party of the century. You would've said decade but twenty-twenty was fastly approaching. Thankfully, you had connections. Night one was more sedate since you all were just arriving at the MGM hotel at different times; eleven of you in total when Ryan's sister decided to join at the last minute. You booked a private room at Lago in the Bellagio for all of you to enjoy.

 It was the second night, that was the piece de resistance. A limo picked you all up and took you over to Excalibur to see the legendary Australian group, Thunder from Down Under. I mean what was Vegas without seeing a male stripper or two. The next day, a private bungalow was waiting for you at Wet Republic in the MGM Hotel. One would've thought the night watching men strip naked would've been your undoing but apparently, it all started poolside.

 "I seriously can't believe he pulled you up on stage and proceeded to dry hump you up there," Kelsey rehashed.

 "Really, Kels?" Kennedy said downing another mimosa. "How could you not see that happening? (Y/N) has known Nate for a couple years. I mean he did get us front row tickets." This was all true. Nate, the emcee for Thunder from Down Under and you were friends, had been since your firm had done their calendar shoot two years ago. He had generously given you prime seating to the show that night and also set you up with a few other perks for the trip. "The only thing I'm surprised at, is that this one," she bumped you with her hip, spilling both hers and your mimosas. "Didn't end up going home with him last night."

 "Oh my god, Kenny you did not just say that." She may be the bride and your best friend but really, she was pushing the line.

 "Come on, it's not like it hasn't happened before."

 At least four pairs of eyes turned towards you, Ryan's sister Gretchen being one of them. "Ok, admittedly, I slept with him, once." Both Kennedy and Kelsey gave you that look. "Ok, maybe it was twice, but he has a girlfriend now, and we are just friends."

 "I'll give you that," Jade spoke up in your defense and suddenly she was going to earn the title of new best friend, not that the lines weren't blurred in your little group as you were all sort of best friends. "But what about Edward, the one with the turtle tattoo on his hip."

 "You were so looking at more than his hip." Eva teased while Jade simply hid behind her champagne glass. "But yeah (Y/N), he was totally hitting on you."

 "He was not."

 "Oh, he was," Kennedy added her two cents. "And as the bride I take offense, they should've been hitting on me."

 "Wait, why would they hit on you?" Jade sputtered. "You're taken bitch." Of course, bitch was said in the most loving way.

 "I'm not dead."

 "No, but I'm sure my brother wouldn't appreciate it." Leave it to Gretchen to be the mood killer. "I think I'm going to go take a nap. I'll meet you at the pool later."

 She headed out the door, and honestly, you were ecstatic about it, for she was too judgmental for your liking.  "Wait, Gretch, that's not what I meant."

 "Leave her go, maybe a nap would do her good." They were Jade's words but your sentiments. "Now back to why (Y/N) did not take that beautiful man up on his offer last night."

 "There was no offer," you insisted.

 "Come on (Y/N), there was an offer. There's always an offer. Remember when you were doing promo for that Batman flick." You tried to shut Kennedy up with a death glare, but she continued to prattle on. "We all know you ended up doing the nasty with Superman."

 "WHAT?!?!" Yeah, that definitely came out of the other nine people's mouths in the room.

 "Thanks, Ken. No one knew that but you."

 "Oops, my bad." She had the grace to at least be embarrassed about the whole thing.

 "You mean you slept with that guy, the British one, tall, all muscular, extremely good looking. Damn it what's his name." You could see Eva wracking her brain for his name and you just didn't want to go there.

 "Hen…"

 "Yes, him," you admitted, stopping Jade before she could finish his name. "Can we please change the subject?"

 "Why, when we are all living vicariously through you," Kelsey added. "Especially poor Kennedy, who is now committed to spending the rest of her life with one man."

 "Geez, you make it sound like a death sentence. I love Ryan and I'm perfectly fine spending the rest of my days with him."

 You had to suppress an eye roll. Not because you didn't think that Ryan and Kennedy weren't in love. If you were being honest, you just thought they were rushing things a bit. The problem was telling your best friend that; you tried in the past and never succeeded. "We know you're in love Kenny." And then because you couldn't stop yourself, you added. "It's just are you sure you want to be tied down so young? We still have our whole life to live."

 "Jesus, (Y/N). We all know you're not ready for marriage and what comes with it, but we can't all be you with your fancy job in LA, meeting celebrities all the time. Some of us have real lives and want to settle down and have a family."

 "Kenny, that's not what I meant." The last thing you wanted to do was argue with her at her bachelorette party. "I only want you to be happy."

 "You have a funny way of showing it." The air in the room took on a chill and not from the air conditioning. If you didn't do something soon this party was going to go downhill.

 "Oh, would you look at the time," Jade chimed in. "We should probably be heading down to the pool." Everyone grabbed their stuff, Kennedy giving you the cold shoulder as you made your way out of the hotel suite. Jade came up and wrapped an arm around you. "She'll be fine. She's just on edge after the whole Gretchen thing. We'll give her a few shots and you two will be good as new."

 "I hope so." Unfortunately, things weren't fine. Kennedy seemed to avoid you and your attempt to make things right, even after a few shots. That didn't stop you from taking a few more. You had a strict one drink to one water rule, that you threw out the door today. Downing shots like it was your job. It was probably an hour later when you were in one of the private pools, with a few of the girls that a large group of very attractive men walked in. They were definitely different from Nate and the guys from Thunder, and at first, you thought it was some fraternity get together with how young some of them looked, but at second glance there were some gentlemen that were your age or older.

 "They've gotta be baseball players," Eva whispered over after they took up residence in the three bungalows next to you.

 "Nah, none of them have a dad bod." Jade was right, they were too fit to be in the MLB. You'd been around enough major leaguers to know while some were incredibly in shape, some were not. That didn't seem to be the case with this group.

 "I'm gonna rule out NFL as well," you told the girls. "None of these guys look like they're an offensive guard. Those guys are huge." You noticed a few of them staring at the six of you that were in the smaller pool reserved only for the bungalows. Grabbing another shot, this had to be your fourth in just sixty minutes, you downed the drink really starting to feel its effects.

 "Looks like we may just find out here," Jade said, nodding to let you know some of the guys were headed your way.

 "Ladies, care if we join you?" One of the men asked, you had to admit he was extremely handsome but also gave off an air that he had more than a few notches in his bedpost.

 A couple of the girls nodded, but when no one said anything, you found yourself saying, "Come on in."

 "So, what brings you to Vegas?" This from a different guy, who had quite a number of tattoos covering his arms, and you had to admit that the ink just made him more attractive, that and his height. He was well over six feet tall and you didn't mind looking up to see his face as he took the seat next to you.

 "Bachelorette party," Jade blurted out and you saw a few eyebrows raise.

 "Tell me you're not the bride?" His breath was warm or maybe it was the sun, either way, you definitely felt a warmth in your belly that wasn't there moments ago.

 "I am definitely not the bride." Shit that sounded desperate. "Though I am the maid of honor, at least I hope I still am." You looked inside the bungalow to see Kennedy in deep conversation with Gretchen.

 "Hmm, sounds like there's a story there. Care to tell me? I'm Jacob by the way, though the guys call me Marky."

 He held out his hand, the one that didn't have a beer in it, and you took it. "(Y/N), and I'll tell you though it's rather dull, on one condition." He quirked a brow at you. "You tell me what sport you play."

 He chuckled. "What makes you think I play a sport? Maybe I'm an investment banker."

 "Well, first there's your accent, though I suppose you could pull off investment banker with that. Second, you are all…how shall I say this…physically fit. A quality most athletes have and considering the number of you; I doubt this is some kind of investment banker convention."

 "Ok, I'll give you that, though we could be bodybuilders or…" the lights on the billboard on the strip changed to a Thunder From Down Under ad and you saw a light bulb in his head go off. "Or male strippers." Shit, you almost spit your drink out on that one. "What, too much a stretch? Maybe it's your lucky day." He started to sway his hips in the pool, one of his friends joining him while you and Jade tried to contain your laughter.

 "Nah, it's already been (Y/N)'s lucky day with them. She knows them all rather intimately."

 "Jade!" you yelled at your friend, or ex-friend, though you weren't in a position to be losing anymore at the moment.

 "Oops." She at least had the decency to look embarrassed. Alcohol made everyone do some crazy things and Jade was no exception to the rule.

 "Intimately huh?" Jacob asked as you splashed water on Jade causing her to shriek and hide behind Jacob's friend who you learned was someone named Erik. "Have I lost the competition before it even starts?"

 "There's no competition."

 "So, you're single then?"

 "Yes, though you still haven't answered my question." As soon as Jacob heard you say yes, he slid a little closer to you.

 "What was that question again?" He said with laughter in his eyes and before you could get annoyed with him, though you doubted that would happen, he added. "I remember, just giving you a hard time. Anyhow, we play hockey."

 "Oh, nice. Like professional level? Or are there minors in that sport?" You really weren't one hundred percent sure. You'd taken in a game here and there but not really paid any particular attention to it.

 "We're in the NHL, playing for Vancouver. Just came out to do a little team bonding before the season starts. So, are we going to talk about this intimate encounter or why you think your maid of honor duties are getting revoked?"

 "I think I need another drink to talk about either of them."

 Jacob flagged down one of the personal waitresses for the area, requesting a couple of shots and drinks for you both, and you had to admit you liked the way he worked. "Now that that's taken care of…"

 You blew out a frustrated breath, more with yourself than anything else. "I said something stupid right before we came down here." He kept silent, his eyes totally focused on you and what you were saying. A refreshing change from some of the men you spoke to. "I just think she's rushing into things. They've only known each other a year and we are too young to get married. She's only twenty-five, we have our whole lives ahead of us. You know?" He simply nodded his agreement before you continued. "I want to see the world, go places, and do things before I'm strapped down to one man forever. Not to mention being tied down with kids. How can Kenny not want that too?"

 "I totally agree. I've gotten to see a lot with hockey but there's no way I want to be tied down just yet."

 "Exactly, you totally get me." Your drinks arrived then and Jacob took one shot and handed it to you before taking the other.

 "Well, I say we toast to being young and free with no commitments."

 "I'll drink to that." He clinked his glass to yours and the two of you downed the drinks. It seemed like the DJ noticed the change in your mood, as the music got louder and the energy seemed to kick up a notch. You got up and started to dance in the pool; the other girls joining in. It wasn't long before you felt Jacob behind you. His hips grinding into your backside, as his large hands encircled your waist.

 Drinks flowed freely the entire day, and if you were being honest, you couldn't remember a time you'd been that drunk before the sun had even set. You were laughing and dancing, and quite literally having the time of your life; your maid of honor duties completely forgotten at this point. Gretchen came up to you at some point and told you that she, Kennedy, and Kelsey were heading up and would catch up with the rest of you later. Everyone else was having too much fun with the Canucks to want to leave.

 A few more drinks and an hour later, the party was winding down. Most of your friends had headed up to their room to pass out, only a few stayed behind. Jacob had somehow maneuvered you into one of the bungalows that was empty. You shared a few kisses here and there out in the pool area, but now that you were out of view of prying eyes things were getting a bit more heated. Jacob's hands were on your ass, as his tongue was down your throat; not that yours wasn't doing the same thing to him. He moaned into your mouth, the sound going straight to your core. Your bikini bottom was no longer wet from the water of the pool, but the press of Jacob's cock against it.

 You both stumbled back, landing down on the large daybed in the bungalow, though somehow Jacob's reflexes softened your fall. His hands went straight to your breasts, kneading the flesh there. He was just about to untie the string of your bikini top when someone walked in. "Jesus, Marky! Take it upstairs would you!" You squinted trying to make out who it was but at this point not remembering anyone's name besides the man that was on top of you.

 "Oh, shit…thought I was in my room." It was funny, you thought the same thing. "Sorry, Jay."

 "His name is Jay? Like the letter?" you mumbled as Jacob helped you off the couch. "What comes after J?" Fuck you were drunk and when you were drunk you tended to ramble. You once actually talked to a damn parking meter because you thought it was a person, and you were pretty sure you could talk to one now if there was one around.

 "Doesn't matter, babe," Jacob said kissing your lips. "Wanna head up to my room?"

 You had to go up on your tiptoes to loop your arms around his neck. "Yes, I do." He planted a kiss on your lips then cupped your ass cheeks causing you to jump a bit.

 "Let's go," he finally said breaking the kiss. You had enough sense to grab your things and tell your friends not to worry that you'd catch up with them tomorrow. They all winked and nodded or at least that's what it looked like in your head because that's when things started to get hazy. You had vague recollections of making your way through the casino, stopping here and there. Part of you thought that the two of you even stopped to play roulette only so you could have another drink.

 You did remember tumbling through the door of Jacob's suite. His lips were on yours and neither of you were paying attention as he unlocked it. Thankfully his quick reflexes caught you; apparently, even when drunk, goalies couldn't lose some of those natural instincts.

 His hands, you remember them being everywhere on your body, and how incredible they made you feel. His calloused touch lit a fire inside you, that had nothing to do with the alcohol. He rid you of your white swim cover-up easily, flinging the garment across the room, and then his lips were all over your body. It was easy to recall the way he made you feel, as he softly bit down on your nipple through the fabric of your bikini. You'd craved this all afternoon. It had been a couple months since you'd been with a man and Jacob was everything you'd been waiting for.

 You ripped off his shirt. Your hands immediately going to his chest and roaming down his tattooed arms. He was all muscle, hard and lean everywhere, but when you slid your hand down inside his swim trunks to his cock; oh, it was hard all right, but lean was not a word you'd used to describe it. You were barely able to wrap your fingers around his girth, and as you stroked him, you realized God had not only blessed him with height but length as well. The man was made to star in a porno, you thought as you shoved his trunks down.

 Somehow, during that time Jacob had managed to get your bikini top off, though you supposed with its simple string ties it wasn't a hard feat to manage. You dropped to your knees, licking your lips before taking your tongue and swirling it around the head of Jacob's cock. "Det kanns sa bra min vackra prinsessa (that feels so good my beautiful princess)." Jacob's mumblings had you pulling back and looking up at him. "Don't stop, baby." This time you knew what he said as you slowly sucked him into your mouth. There was no way that you could take him all in, so you pumped the rest of him with your fist. You hollowed out your cheeks as you sucked him inside, using every trick in the book you knew. Jacob muttered more in Swedish to you, things you had no clue as to what they meant, but judging by his reaction they were things he was enjoying very much. He threaded his hands through your hair, pulling it back so you could look up at him with big doe eyes. "Jesus," he swore, his hips bucking into your mouth at the sight of you with his cock in it, looking like that. After a few more thrusts, he pulled out shouting," Tillrackligt, enough. I think you're trying to kill me, princess."

 There was something about the way he called you princess. It wasn't anything you'd been called before and most times you'd preferred babe or baby, but the way the word rolled off his tongue did things to your insides.

 Jacob helped you off the ground, his lips ghosting over yours before picking you up and tossing you onto the bed. His large form handled you easily, arranging your body just the way he wanted to before slipping off your bikini bottoms. His large hands worked their way from your ankles to your calves, all the way up to your thighs; spreading your legs as he went. "So beautiful." He traced his fingers lightly over your pussy lips and you quivered in anticipation of what was to come. One long finger slid between your folds all the way up to your clit, once, then twice, and then once again. "So wet, prinsessa, and all because of me."

 "Mmm, yes, Jacob." He dipped that same finger inside you then. The digit slipping in easily and so he added another. Then his mouth was there. Tongue flicking over your clit in a way that made you squirm with pleasure. "Oh yes," you moaned, caught up in the pleasure that was coursing through your veins. "Just like that." Your hips lifted up on their own accord, seeking more of what this giant of a man was doing to you. Jacob never let up, making a come-hither motion with his fingers and you found yourself unraveling around him; legs shaking, breath panting as your orgasm overtook you.

 “So pretty when you cum, prinsessa.” He pulled his fingers from your pussy then brought them to your lips. You opened without any thought, licking your juices off of them. Before you could get them clean, Jacob’s mouth joined yours, kissing you while you sucked on his index and middle fingers. Your tongues mingled together, as Jacob positioned himself between your thighs. The head of his cock nudged between your folds and you sighed into his mouth at just that first touch. Slowly, he filled your pussy, until he bottomed out. Only then did he release your lips. “Fuck you feel so good.”

 Jacob loved the feel of you clenching around him. It felt like he was in heaven. Part of him didn’t even want to move that’s how good your body felt, but then you shifted your hips up just a hair bit and he had to suck in a breath at the pleasure that went straight to his groin for fear he would spend inside you right then and there. He willed his body under control and only then started to move.

 With every snap of Jacob’s hips, a wave of pleasure crashed over you. Your nails raked down his back, probably leaving marks, but it seemed to only spur him on. “Yes, Prinsessa,” he moaned out, as you bent your knees allowing him to go deeper. You moaned as he hit that treasured spot that had you seeing stars. “You like that?” Another moan was his answer, as he continued to fuck you.

 That peculiar feeling started to wash over you. Your pussy fluttering around Jacob’s cock as the orgasm finally broke. Back arching, legs trembling, you were moaning out his name as the climax seemed to continue, as Jacob drove wildly into you. As you came down off your high, Jacob found his. With a few erratic thrusts, he was spending deep inside you with a loud groan. He slumped forward, his sweety forehead resting on yours. “Det dar var otroligt.” You looked at him curiously, your brain not working at all but also knowing he was speaking something in Swedish to you. He smiled, a glorious one that you found yourself getting lost in and you found yourself returning it. “I said that was amazing.”

 “Yes, it was,” you breathed out. Jacob rolled you both onto your sides, tucking you into his. It wasn’t long before both of you were passing out.

 Now here you were, finally putting most of the pieces together from last night. You looked back over at the sleeping man, who had given you such pleasure even in your inebriated state. He really was gorgeous. You honestly wouldn’t mind going for round two, after a couple of Tylenol, of course. Speaking of which you needed to get up and see if you had any in your bag. If only you could move him without waking him. You carefully took your right arm and went to move his left which was slung across you, but then something caught your eye. There on his ring finger was a ring. Oh, it wasn’t just any ring, it was a wedding ring! You knew he didn’t have it on when you were in the pool. You were not the type of woman to go hitting on a married man, let alone sleep with him.

 You pulled your other arm out from underneath him, fully intending to grab your stuff and get the hell out of there when you noticed a bright and shiny diamond on your ring finger. There was also a matching wedding band. Then like a tsunami hitting the beach of a small island a memory came flooding back to you of the two of you entering the hotel chapel. This man wasn’t married to just anyone, he was married to you!  

.

[kokomochi]

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐘𝐎 | 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐨

"𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚. 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙞 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙙."

being the daughter of one of the big-shot mafia bosses out there, l/n y/n found it hard to take after her father despite being one of the 'debt collectors'. however, she saw the opportunity to break through the tradition of 'men can only rule' by seeking a fake marriage with the guy who crashed her bike.

06. househusband, shinichiro

in the course of the next few weeks of them living under the same roof- the two of them encountered little to none problems, always following their systematic format on who's in charge of which chore.

they would always have their alternations, y/n doing the household chores while shinichiro was away at work and vice versa- and none of them ever complained at this.

however, in this particular tuesday, the young woman was called in to work saying that she was needed to review certain files that were sent by sponsors.

and today was also the day that she's supposed to stay at home and handle all off the duties to be done indoors.

thankfully, shinichiro was kind enough to stay at home and do it for her- knowing how hard it must've been for his wife to stay in her company all night due to revising other files that were needed on the same day.

his shop can wait, his wife's work couldn't.

in all honesty, addressing minamoto y/n as his wife was still kind of surreal for the man himself- still not being able to process that he's actually 'married' now.

he was actually given permission by the woman herself to address her as his wife seeing that they needed to keep their image as a happily married couple in public, why not start practicing indoors to make it seem natural?

despite being rejected twenty times in his twenty-four years of existence, he totally had forgotten about them once he felt like he redeemed himself by having someone to call his wife.

"are you sure you're alright missing a day off on the shop?"

concerned (e/c) eyes pierced through his figure, the raven haired man humming in agreement as he pushed her towards the front doors where the woman's shoes was waiting for her.

"i own it anyways so what's the big deal. your job is much more important- do you have your lunch inside?"

the more that shinichiro spends his time inside of the house, he found himself doing domestic chores that he didn't even realize he was doing.

and honestly? the new feeling of being the one running the house for his hard working wife felt kind of good towards himself- feeling proud that he's actually helping around and not just on the financial expenses for them both.

y/n nodded, taking out the messily yet still cutely wrapped bento from her bag, putting it back inside when the man began shooing her out of the house.

"now off you go- don't wanna lose some sponsors just because it's your turn around the house right?"

now the (h/c) haired woman wasn't complaining at his sheer kindness, taking another day off from his work just to fill in the duties that she's supposed to do.

but she couldn't help and feel guilty for having to lie at him again. if it only weren't for some pesky rats that decided to steal money from them, then she would've been here resting and him doing what he likes- which involves his beloved bikes.

y/n would always excuse her having 'sponsors' whenever she gets called in by her father, shinichiro immediately understanding what she's going through and would always send her off with a bento- it's what husband's do.

even if it's half edible due to him burning the meat or overcooking the rice, she still gratefully took it from him since she couldn't bear to see that proud look on his face disperse into one of shame and embarrassment for not even knowing how to cook properly.

the young woman asked him why he was doing this in the first place when she can just make her own food. but according to him, since she would always prepare him lunch whenever he's out to work- it's only fair for him to make her a bento too.

sighing at his obvious stubbornness in sending her out of the house, she bid him one last farewell before walking past those doors.

"remember to call when you need someone to pick you up alright?"

oh, and did i mention that the young l/n had to give up on her lavish transportations as to not attract any harm that the two may cross on their journey?

this is the reason why she had to use the new cb250t that her father had gotten her and sometimes let's shinichiro ride it along with her on their way home.

"i will- and please don't touch the acids this time and leave it to me alright?"

"bye y/n, have a nice day!"

the man didn't even let her finish her sentence when he gently shut the door in front of her, ears pressed against the wooden surface in order to hear that all too familiar impulse that he had grown used too.

once he heard her motorcycle drive off, he let out a breath of relief and looked around him to see what he can do while she's away.

sano shinichiro didn't know when it all started, but i guess being involved in a fake marriage has given him traits of a married man.

and these things aren't those normal things like fixing the car or the leaking sink, no. the man knew that men would mostly handle the handy work around the house and leave the menial things like cooking to their wives.

but he said 'fuck the gender norms' and instead became a househusband whenever she's away at work.

he's painfully aware that he isn't that good in cooking, nor in cleaning, nor in- you know what you get the point.

but that doesn't mean that he can't try, right?

with his hands on his hips, he began going through each of the rooms to inspect what needs to be done.

"alright dust, time to feel the wrath of-" shinichiro was cut off when a knock resonated from the door, turning to look at its direction with his brows raised in confusion.

did y/n forget something? he knew that he should've had been the one to arrange that bag of hers.

sighing, he trudged his way to the doors, ready to scold the young woman for her carelessness and forgetfulness.

"y/n, how many times have i-"

he really did need to thank his siblings in training him for such a moment, immediately ducking when he saw a bat being swung his way the moment that he opened his door.

dark eyes landed on the biker gang jacket that the man in front of him was wearing- noticing that they wore the same jacket as the one's that cornered him in his shop a few weeks ago.

shinichiro cursed under his breath, closing the door immediately and locking it as he began looking around for things that can help him defend himself from the attacker.

it was a good thing that there was only one of them outside of his house- how did they even know where he lives in the first place?

his eyes landed on the katana that was mounted on the wall, taking it from it's stand and unsheathing it to see it's shiny blade come to light.

the raven haired male was rather shocked that it was even a real blade, thinking that it was nothing but a decorative katana that his wife owns.

he was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the loud bangs of his attacker, trying to pry down the door separating them to get to the man himself who was silently having a crisis.

shinichiro couldn't possibly use this katana even if it's to protect himself- he'll probably injure himself or kill the attacker in the process which he definitely didn't want.

the man was too cool to be in prison.

"what should i do-" he froze, noticing the sudden silence that eerily crept around the house.

trying to strain his ears to hear if his pursuer was still out there, he was taken aback when the door opened- fists clenching on the now sheathed katana and blindly whacking it around.

"shinichiro- are you okay?"

dark eyes opened themselves and was welcomed by the (h/c) haired woman who was standing there with a look of concern in her face.

the raven haired male let out a confused hum, looking at her and at the open door in sheer confusion before he scrambled to pull her away from the entrance and inside the house.

y/n quietly followed behind, letting him drag her to the living room with her katana still in his hands.

"you- why are you here?"

"... i live here..."

silence dawned upon the two of them, the twenty-four year old man taking a minute to understand what he had just said before mentally slapping himself repeatedly.

he should really think before opening his mouth or he'll die of embarrassment rather than an accident.

ignoring the confused and weirded out look that his wife was throwing his way, shinichiro walked to the windows and peered out of them to make sure that they were actually safe.

sensing no movement, he let out a sigh of relief and let the weapon fall from his hands and into the floor- y/n immediately going to his side to check if he's alright.

"shin, are you alright? did anything happen to you while i was gone?"

the man shook his head, looking at her with a grateful smile on his face that atleast she's safe.

but that doesn't stop the fear gnawing in his chest that something like this would repeat itself- and what's worse is that the (h/c) haired woman will be home with him.

"nothing happened. how about you? did something happen in work?"

he knew better than to lie, should've told her about the truth that he's actually a former leader and founder of a gang and because of this a lot of delinquents are coming after his head.

he should've came clean to avoid dragging down the young woman with him in his pathetic situation.

"no- but i did forget something."

"oh? did you forget to bring another spare blouse? you've already gotten wine spilled on your shirt- let me go grab you one from the laundry."

his stupidity was both a blessing and a curse, sweat dropping as she watched him disappear inside of the laundry room to get her a fresh blouse to wear to work.

l/n y/n isn't lying if she told people that his cute personality was one of the reasons why she actually enjoyed choosing him as her fake husband.

despite being all gullible and all, she felt the need to protect him from any harm that goes their way- even if that meant spilling 'wine' on her favorite blouse.

that reminds her to take out the trash that's hidden in the bush at the side of the house before flies would come their way and alert the authorities.

"how are all of your blouses stained with wine?!"

[meltwonu]

| 🎃 𝕸𝖔𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕸𝖆𝖘𝖍 🎃 |

↪ ✦ close your eyes ✦

this chapter pairing; sub!seokmin x vampire!reader

genre&warnings; vampire!reader, sub!seokmin, dacryphilia(crying kink baybeee)🥴, corruption kink kinda went brrr in this a little, lots of teasing, dirty talk, a little mutual masturbation, tiniest hint of orgasm denial, whiny needy seokmin, allusions to subspace.

he said:

notes; THE-- ☠️ I exposed my crying kink in sdpp so we out here living our best lives now 😗💖 also seokmin being a whiny baby and crying bc everything you do to him is new and just too much for him is so fuckin hot ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️ HENNYWAYS, you guys!! I cant believe monster mash is almost at the end, how the hell?!? this went by so fast 😭💕 and thank you for all the love and support on each chapter! even when tumb1r seems to hate me!! Lol, and for those in SoCal, be safe! stay indoors if u can, wear a mask if u have to be outside! And stay hydrated!! I’ll see y’all tomorrow! 🎃 👻 💕

word count; ~2300

chapters; 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - x - x - x - x - x

you take a drag, i take a sip;

i want your legendary kiss

you know i got designer taste;

and your design’s too good to waste

when the beast comes out at night;

yeah, it always wants a bite

and i try, try to resist;

but then the devil always wins.

Seokmin doesn’t believe in vampires.

He thinks Halloween is fun, but doesn’t believe in ghosts, demons or anything of the sort so he spends the night in; feet propped up on the coffee table as he watches another rerun of another vampire horror flick that he’d seen at least two times prior.

It’d been thankfully quiet for most of the night, despite the pouring rain and periodic thunder claps, but he enjoyed the way it added to the spooky atmosphere of the holiday.

Seokmin scoffs at the TV a few moments later, hand lodged deep in the bowl sitting in his lap. “Vampires aren’t even real.” He mutters.

“Says who?”

The bowl of popcorn in his lap is sent flying, and he acts quicker than he, himself, anticipates. “Who the fuck are you!? How did you get in here!?” His eyes dance over to the front door still locked and momentarily wonders if he left a window open.

He pales, realizing that it’d be impossible anyway.

Seokmin lived on the 17th floor of the building.

“Well!? Fuck---I’m---I’m gonna call the c-cops!” His shaky hands reach for his cell phone on the coffee table as you giggle.

You take a seat on his sofa, picking off a piece of discarded popcorn as you pop it into your mouth. “And tell them what? Exactly?”

“That there’s a psycho in my fuckin’ apartment and that you broke in!” Seokmin holds onto his phone a little tighter, palms clammy. He didn’t even hear the door open. You nod, pretending to think. “Oookay, so what are you gonna tell them when I do this?” You disappear in a puff of smoke and Seokmin feels like he’s going to throw up.

“Wh---”

“Boo!” You whisper from behind him, laughing when he runs roward and trips back onto the sofa. “What the fuck!?” His eyes show panic and confusion, shaky fingers letting go of the phone that was in his hand as it clatters to the floor.

“I--What are y-you? Please, don’t take my soul, it’s all I have left! I swear!”

You can’t help the laugh that bubbles up from your throat, doubling over as he watches in fear. “Why are you laughing!?”

“I---you--you’re a funny one!” You wipe a stray tear from your eye as you catch your breath. “No, I don’t want your soul, I just want something to eat, that’s all~”

Seokmin’s eyes only read confusion when he stares back at you. “You want… food?”

“Mmhmm~”

You smile wide and Seokmin finally understands.

Ah. That kind.

He doesn’t know why he agrees. 

Maybe it’s in his kind and innocent nature to believe you won’t suck him dry like a caprisun, but he agrees.

Maybe part of it is curiosity too and maybe part of him feels bad that maybe you haven’t fed in a while, but he introduces himself after you do and he finds himself trusting you a little bit more.

He’s not totally sure why.

“So----So how does this work, do I just---” He cuts himself off as he shakily turns his head to the side. “Wait, how do I know this isn’t a Halloween prank?! Did Jeonghan put you up to this?”

“Oh! Jeonghan, you know him?”

Seokmin’s eyes almost fall out of his skull. This couldn’t be happening. “Are we talking about the same Jeonghan? Yoon Jeonghan?”

“Yeah, lanky guy with brown hair, right? Super lethargic?”

Yep. That was Jeonghan.

Seokmin nods slowly, still a little perplexed. “So, why do you know him exactly? He hasn’t replied to my texts for the last three days... You didn’t... do something to him, did you?” You sit next to Seokmin on the sofa and he flinches almost immediately; scooting over a little more to put some space in between you two.

  He wouldn’t admit it right now, but he thought you were really pretty.

“Um, no. He’s out of town and maybe just ignoring you but he lets me feed sometimes, y’know, when he is around. Maybe that’s why I was drawn here, y’know? Familiarity.” Damn.

Seokmin does feel a little bad now; for himself and for you. He bites his lip as the heat rushes to his face. “How---how do you usually, um, d-do it with Jeonghan?” The heat rushes down his body at the same time at his unintentional innuendo. “I mean, no! Not---not that, I meant how you feed! Fuck, sorry!”

Grinning, you’re quick to make your move as you push Seokmin down onto the sofa and straddle his waist.

“Wh--”

The words are caught in his throat as he watches you lean over to the coffee table to pluck out a lollipop from the bowl of candy. You unwrap it, licking it once before you bring it down towards his lips. He shakily parts them, welcoming the cherry flavoured candy into his mouth.

“You see, Seokmin,” You start, hands already roaming down his torso as he moans around the candy. “When people think of vampires, they think vampires just feed whenever, right? Just a quick bite here and they’re done.” He nods. “But that’s no fun~ So some of us like to play a little first, y’know? Get the blood rushing~”

You cup him through his sweats as he whines and he’s quick to thrust his hips up into your touch before he can even think properly.

Oh, fuck! Don’t do that! He tells himself.

A giggle from you is all it takes for him to blush even harder. “It’s okay, Seokmin. I want you to feel good too. Don’t you wanna feel good?”

“Y-yeah… O-okay…” His voice is muffled slightly from the candy still in his mouth, but he allows himself to lean into your touch. In truth, he was a little scared and a little nervous and he knew you could tell.

“Have you ever done anything… with restraints? Or things like orgasm denial?” You pluck the lollipop from his mouth; a thread of spit connecting it to his lips before you bring it to your own mouth. You quickly bite down on the hard candy, breaking it down into small pieces before swallowing. Seokmin grimaces a little.

“Um…” He’d never even heard of orgasm denial before, much less even had a thought about restraints. “...No. I--I’ve only… um… done it twice...”

You grin down at him, eyes flashing red. “Oh, Seokmin… you have so much to learn.”

You like shy Seokmin.

Maybe even a little too much.

“A-ah, no… no more t-teasing, I--ah!” He lets out a choked sob, hips thrusting up as you continue to tease the head of his cock. You move frustratingly slow and you don’t even bother to wrap your whole hand around him, instead just rubbing your palm across the tip as the tears pool up in his eyes.

“I--I don’t---mmh!” Seokmin bites his lip. He’s never felt quite like this before and the feeling was good, but unfamiliar.

“Don’t even think of cumming either~”

“But--” He chokes up again, except this time he can’t stop the tear that slides down the side of his face. You smile down at him, licking your lips.

“You’re so cute when you cry~ So pretty~” You pity him a little so you wrap your hand around his cock, working your hand up and down his shaft as he lets out a shaky breath. He’s unsure of where to put his hands, so he keeps them crossed over his chest, sweater paws keeping his clammy palms contained as he watches you.

“I--p--please, can I c-cum?” He whispers, voice small and slurred. “Nope~”

He lets out a small sob as he tries to blink away the tears.

When you feel him getting close, you pull your hand off of him; easing off of his lap and to the other side of the sofa. Seokmin watches in confusion, sitting up slightly as he watches you slide your panties down your legs. You toss the material at him, laughing when it falls onto his cock.

“We’re gonna play a little game~” He watches with an open mouth as you spread your legs; gulping when you immediately run your precum covered fingers through your wet folds. “We’re gonna touch ourselves just like this, across from each other, and if you can hold off your orgasm for, oh let’s say, 10 more minutes? Then I’ll reward you.”

“And---and if I c-can’t?”

“If you can’t… Hmm~ Then I’ll have to bring my ropes next time~” You wink at him, fingers pinching your clit as you moan out loud. The noise is enough for Seokmin’s cock to twitch and he wraps a shaky hand around himself as he watches you touch yourself from across the sofa. He uses your panties too, covering them in the precum that leaks from the head of his cock. 

It falls into relative silence as Seokmin bites into the neck of his sweater to keep in his high pitched whines and cries. He watches as you sink two fingers into your cunt and he sobs as he thrusts up into the his fist and your panties wrapped around his cock.

This is unfair, he thinks. 

“Mmh Seokmin~ I’m already imagining your cock fucking into me so deep… Ah, my fingers just aren’t enough~” Teasingly, you curl and scissor your fingers inside of your tight warmth, genuinely imagining it’s Seokmin instead. He releases the sweater material from between his teeth, drool dripping from his lips and eyes pooling with tears ready to spill.

“Please, I, hic, I--I can’t h-hold off, hic, I need t-to, hah, c--cum… I--I can’t...”

In a flash, the air is knocked out of Seokmin’s lungs as his back hits the sofa and he’s staring up at the ceiling. His sticky fingers find purchase in the material of his sweater again as you crawl back into his lap. You pry off the soaking panties covering his cock, tossing them to the coffee table as he groans.

You wrap a hand around his leaking cock, moving your hand up and down a few times before you use your thumb and index finger to circle the base as you squeeze hard. “Just a whiny baby boy crying and begging to cum. So cute~”

He squirms underneath you as he tries to get you to do something but you hold steady, fingertips wrapped around the base of his cock to keep him from cumming. “Now now, Seokmin. I’ll let you cum. But you have to be patient~ If you cum without my permission, I’ll make you wait even longer~”

Seokmin nods feverishly, uncaring of what came after. You still hadn’t fed from him too and he could’ve cared less about that.

You let go of his cock as he releases a shaky breath and he watches through foggy eyes as you raise your body until you’re hovering just above his cock. You use your hand to position him right at your entrance and Seokmin lets out a sharp whine when you drop yourself down onto his cock in one fluid motion.

“A-ah, fuh--fuck!”

Your pussy is warm, wet and tight and Seokmin is really fighting a losing battle at this point.

He cries quietly, hips canting up to meet you bouncing in his lap.

“Mmh~ Seokminnie crying making me so fuckin’ wet~ Ah~ I’m gonna cum soon too~”

His head is fuzzy and every new sensation makes his body react in a way he never knew it could. The tears blur his vision but he can already feel his cock twitching and body tensing up slightly; a telltale sign that he was already close.

“I, hic, please…” He slurs out, already too far gone. His body felt weightless; a slight floating feeling overcoming him as he continued to fuck up into you. 

Your eyes flash crimson and you pry one of his arms away from his clothed chest, pushing the sleeve back as you kiss his wrist.

“Okay Seokmin~ I want you to cum, baby boy. Let me feel your cock throbbing and filling me up with your warm cum~”

Seokmin could die and be happy, thank you’s rolling off of his tongue through choked cries as he finally lets himself go.

The pleasure washes over him after a few more swivels of your hips and he barely even registers the fact you’ve already sunk your fangs into his wrist, too lost in his own bliss. 

You moan against his skin, drinking up just enough to get him lightheaded before you’re lapping up the wound.

Seokmin tasted extra sweet.

Licking your lips, you release his arm as it falls limp next to his body and you immediately bring your fingers down to your clit, rubbing harsh and quick circles on the nub to get yourself to cum.

“Oh, god, Seokmin!” You cry; walls fluttering around Seokmin’s overly sensitive cock as he whines and squirms underneath you.

You ride out your high, hips coming to a stop as you catch your breath above him. Seokmin, on the other hand, feels a little delirious and warm; fingertips twitching at his sides. “Ngh…” He whimpers, unable to even speak with how exhausted he felt.

You lift your hips, cum sliding down Seokmin’s cock as he groans in oversensitivity. “Ah~ Look at how much cum you spilled in me, Seokminnie~” His bleary eyes watch as you let the cum slide out of your pussy and right over his cock and he almost, almost hates the way his cock twitches as the sight.

Sitting back on his thighs, you watch him bask in his post-orgasm glow; smacking your lips as you reach for another lollipop from the coffee table. “So~ How did you like it?” You ask, a teasing lilt in your voice when you visibly see his cock twitch.

His throat feels dry, that’s all he knows. 

Seokmin’s clammy palms slide back into his sweater paws, pressed tight against his chest again as he gently leans up. You can’t help but smirk at his appearance; puffy red eyes from crying and cheeks stained with drying tears with his cock still curving up to his abdomen covered in his own cum.

“I---s--so what’re you g-gonna teach m-me next…?”

[alicemitch09writes]

lame

05.

there’s a scar you’re not telling

You almost thought you were running late. Well, you weren’t.

But you were late to miss the early train.

Fuck.

And the train was packed. Just fucking great.

With your backpack hung in front of you, you tried to balance within your personal space whilst avoiding bumping into others. Thing was, it was getting more and more cramped as it was rush hour.

Why the fuck did school have to be so damn far!?

Businessmen, students, workers slowly filled in and out the train, it was wall-to-wall of people, barely allowing you a breather. Still, it was fucking cramped.

Absentmindedly, you bunched your hair together, letting it drape over your left shoulder, fingers nimbly working on a braid through your (h/c) locks.

Just as you secured it with a tie, the train cart screeched, the sudden movement throwing you off balance, falling back. Thankfully, warm hands grabbed hold of your shoulders, steadying you.

Your eyes turned to the windows, wondering if there was an attack from villains, some people were muttering behind you, thinking the same thing. Overhead, the PA went off, apologizing for the turbulence then announcing the next stop coming up.

Everyone sighed in relief, realizing it was just a train momentum, people were now shuffling around at the announcement, some preparing to leave while many others struggled to remain in their current spots.

Looking over your shoulder, towards your captor, with a smile you offer your gratitude. “Whew, thanks- “then you met ash blond and carmine, smile faltering, lower eye twitching, but a gratitude was still in order. “Yeah, thanks.”

Bakugou Katsuki's response was a noncommittal hum, roughened hands slowly slipping off your shoulders. As the train came to a stop, there was a shuffling of people, you were just about to take a step back, allowing people to move, but remembered that he was behind you. Though you were steady on your feet, it was still rush hour and people tend to really rush into the train - not wanting to miss the train. One false move and you could find yourself squished against someone, or against the window, or be cornered by some pervert – all options made you shudder.

Damn it. This is why you take the early train!

“Here,” without waiting for you to argue, roughened hands gently brought you aside, your back against the wall, shoulder touching the railing, with him in front of you. Protectively.

The feel of his hands on you made you remember just how warm they were, how big they’ve become compared to before.

“Um,” you didn’t like the way his eyes bore into yours, especially when it felt like he was seeing through you. “thanks. Again.”

Okay, not counting the time you had to confirm it earlier, that was two times already. Two words of gratitude in one morning.

He just blinked, towering over you whilst the train filled. Just the mere fact that he was in front of you made you consider a lot of things. Now that you had a good look at him, you could see that in his UA uniform, he was dressed rather ruggedly with the top buttons undone, even his blazer’s not completely buttoned, and his pants were loose – Auntie Mitsuki must’ve given him hell for his appearance. It was a total contrast to Izuku, who dressed like a good schoolboy – granted, he’s always been one. He just didn't know how to work a tie.

Regardless, he looked every bit of a high schooler now. Physically speaking, he’s always been muscular in build and tall – because of his good genes. But in a matter of time, because of his UA education, he’ll probably build up more.

But wow, it’s only been a few months since high school started, he’s definitely gotten bigger. Izuku, as well, but Bakugou’s muscles were more prominent-

Shit, were you ogling him?

Geez, it’s too early for these thoughts. Leaning against the railing, eyes squeezing shut, tucking your chin in, you groaned angrily to yourself.

Thankfully, you had your bag in front of you, creating a respectable space between you both.

Also, you could just end up not talking right? That was a thing.

You barely know the guy anymore, after years of bullying under his command, years of distance – he was nothing but a stranger to you now.

It hurt, actually.

There was a time when you were so close, never apart.

Everything just had to change because he had a quirk, birthing this damn ego that propelled him further and further away from you. Izuku, too.

And though you had your own (longer than Izuku), you felt so behind.

Him and Izuku in their UA uniforms, you in your generic public-school uniform.

The two of them were going places you could never see yourself following.

“Hey,” he called, voice surprisingly soft, cutting you off your thoughts. “that mark on your neck,” due to the environment noises surrounding, he had to lean in so you could hear him properly. “how did that happen?”

Fuck. He was too damn close!

But at the mention of the mark, hands instinctively reached for it, just by the junction of your neck and shoulder, abnormally shaped like a heart. A tiny splotch, that was over years old.

“You wouldn’t remember.” It was barely a whisper, but it reached his ears, carmine eyes faltering.

“Try me.”

Lifting your head, (e/c) eyes meeting carmine, fixing him an almost pained look. He balled his hand into fists at that, gazes holding, unwavering - a thousand words could be spoken.

The train came to a steady halt, finally reaching your stop.

Not breaking eye contact, you told him, in one breath. “It was when you discovered your quirk in kindergarten.” Then the doors opened beside you.

Hurriedly, you exited, never looking back.

Absentmindedly, your hand reached for the mark. To others, it might look cute due to its shape, but to you, it was a reminder. One of the many, anyway.

(It burned when you touched it.)

Middle school was a rough time, especially when you were the quirkless girl, an easy target, or a punching bag. Little did they know of your martial arts prowess and of your quirk, that even though you were restless in the morning, you learned to conserve just enough energy to fight, it just made you extra tired the next day though.

One day, you were cornered by a bunch of girls, all of which were fangirls of Bakugou, they saw you as a threat because of your relationship as childhood friends, forgetting that it was rather strained.

It was a four against one, which you easily won - because they chose to approach you near dusk, that was when your quirk picked up, but not without casualties.

“E-Eh, (Nickname)!? What happened to you?” Izuku frantically hovered over you when you met on the way to school.

Chuckling easily, you scratched at your bandaged cheek. “Ah, you know…assholes with quirks.”

His expression only worsened; eyes filling with tears. “(N-Nickname)…”

“IZUKU, PLEASE DON’T CRY!” you cried out, tossing your shoes into your shoe locker, lazily slipping on your indoor shoes. “Don’t worry, Izuku, I got them all.” You assure, adjusting your bag on your shoulders. “Besides, you’re forgetting that I’m a badass who knows martial arts!”

That quells him a little, worry still in his eyes. “T-That’s true. I’m just not sure how to feel that you have to resort to actually using them to defend yourself. I mean, I know you’re good at martial arts, because it’s in the family, and you’ve always been kind of strong and quick on your feet-“

“Izuku,” cutting him off, you worked on a cheeky grin. “I’m fine.”

Unconvinced, he fixes you a look, brows knitting together. “Just promise me you won’t get into fights again,”

Ah, he’s so cute when he’s being serious.

Scoffing, you swiped at your nose with your thumb. “No promises, so long as loose assholes with quirks continue to run amok and mess with me, I’ll show them exactly how I’ll mess them back and worse!”

That only made him uneasy, somehow a bit assured. “(N-Nickame)…”

When you both entered the room, your eyes easily caught on the girls from yesterday, each sporting some cuts and bruises from yesterday. The corner of your mouth lifted into a smirk, whistling breezily towards your seat.

“F-For now, (Nickname), are you feeling better? Do you want some aspirin? Do you need to head to the clinic?”

You shook your head, smiling at Izuku’s concern, he can really mother too much. “Like I said,” you said in a sing-song “I’ll be fine~ This’ll all heal soon enough, you’ll see.”

As soon as you said that, a pair of carmine eyes looked your way, focusing on each and every bandage and bruise on your skin.

Feeling someone looking your way, you turned your head. “Can I help you, Bakugou?” you drone lazily, leaning back against your seat to give him a bored look.

“A-Ah, K-Kacchan! G-Good morning- “

“Should’ve stayed at home to rest, idiot.” He tells you, eyes never leaving the bruises and bandages.

“Fuck off.” You replied, knowing the girls from yesterday were watching. Hopefully, that assured them that your relationship was pretty non-existent. Dead.

For the rest of the day, you were teetering on sleep and academic dedication with the former winning at each turn – a drawback of your quirk. Thankfully, you managed to snag some sleep during Japanese Literature and Science.

“Ah, (Nickname), you look like you’re getting better. But it would be wise not to sleep in class next time…” Izuku tells you, beratingly.

Yawning, arms stretched upwards, you fixed your best friend a dopey grin. “That’s alright, I can always depend on you for notes!”

“Really,” he sighs, announcing that you two should probably head off to lunch.

Yawning, you made your way to the meat section, mumbling over and over the things you need to buy for dinner. Lately, because your grandfather’s been working with Eraser Head, he’s been quite antsy when it comes to food, and a bit demanding, too!

Tonight, he wanted steak. FUCKING. STEAK. IT WAS EXPENSIVE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! AND HE DIDN’T EVEN SPECIFY WHICH STEAK HE WANTED!

Grumbling under your breath, you were just about to reach for the Wagyu steak (on sale, lucky you) when another hand appeared, reaching for the same thing, making you halt.

“Ah-" looking up, you were met with familiar warm brown eyes. "Uncle Masaru!”

“Oh, (Name)-chan, it’s you!” Came his soothing calm voice, eyes brightening at the sight of you. “It’s been a while.”

“It has been, Uncle.” Your smile grew, turning to him fully before the cold wind gently whispered to your skin as if to remind you. “Ah, you can have it, by the way.”

“No, no, you were reaching for it first.”

“No, I insist!”

“Please, (Name)-chan, it’s the least I can do. Also, this at least gives me an excuse to make something else,” he replies sheepishly with a light chuckle.

You paused at that, processing the information shared. Bakugou must’ve wanted steak for dinner, but since Uncle Masaru gave up the meat, it was yours now. It was your win.

Pettily taking the win as yours, you happily took the steak and dumped it into your basket. “Thanks, Uncle Masaru!”

If he noticed the mischievous – almost devil-like expression on your face, he didn’t mention it. He just smiled, kindly, warmly, like how you remembered.

“How have you been?” he asks you.

Normally, the question would annoy you, because it was rather basic. But it’s not every day you run into sweet, mild, and good-natured Uncle Masaru.

“Eh, I’m doing very well, as you can see.”

“I’m so happy to hear that. You used to be the smallest thing, with scrapes and bruises on your pretty dresses. Whenever you and Izuku were over, it was either a riot or a party.” Okay, you had to laugh at that, but it was true. Uncle Masaru laughs with you. Having him remember those things were endearing, made you feel warm. And guilty.

“I know it might seem awkward, but Mitsuki and I would love to have you over for dinner sometime. If that’s okay with you? Of course, you can bring Izuku-kun.”

Glancing up, you met the man’s kind gaze, the one thing Bakugou never got from him – everything was from his mom, he only ever got Uncle Masaru’s spiky hair and height.

You didn’t want to say no, neither can you say yes, but you sure as heck didn’t want to disappoint Uncle Masaru.

“No promise, Uncle Masaru,” his expression fell, shoulders dropping. “but, I’ll see what I can do.”

He smiled weakly. “Then that’s more than enough for me. Just don’t be a stranger, (Name)-chan, okay?”

Smiling softly, you bowed at the older man and turned on your heel.

Cutting your losses with someone really hurts, especially when it involves certain people.

Cutting off from Bakugou meant you had cut off all contact with his parents, whom you loved so much since they took care of you for a time when your parents had passed – both taking turns to visit you when you were deep in depression. It hurt, but it was expected when you decide to cut someone from your life. Nobody is spared.

This time it was seven-against-one.

After having their asses served to them, those bitches managed to talk some filthy high schoolers into beating a middle schooler. A quirkless middle schooler.

Rolling your shoulders, you enjoyed the burn of your wakened muscles. “Wow, you bitches really want to make yourselves look bad in front of an audience, huh?”

So far, they’ve all showed to have power quirks that could be readily usable for the future, should they decide to make use of it. Sadly, their prized quirks turned out to be nothing but a waste for these fuckers.

You easily toyed with them for the first few minutes, allowing a few hits in before retaliating with a force and speed that was twice theirs. You made sure that the punches and kicks, especially to those bitches, stung and hurt, they were your own brute strength honed from training and your quirk.

A sickening crunch rang in your ear after some high school student punched you in the cheek, you made sure to return the favor by capturing his next punch, taking your legs up to strangle him by the neck, catching him completely by surprise, using your weight to swing your body towards an approaching somebody before jumping off.

Watching the two high schoolers stumble to the ground, you lazily walked up to the rest, fingers caked with dirt, grime, and blood, knuckles aching, a dark bruise forming on your arm, (h/c) hair was a mess.

Spitting blood on the ground, you wiped the corner of your mouth with the back of your hand, grinning at your next opponent, eyes glinting dangerously, menacingly, excitedly.

The rest of them faltered at your expression but didn’t back down.

That was alright, that meant they weren’t complete pussies after all.

Also, you liked fighting.

You came from a family of fighters, the thrill of it made your blood sing, made your instincts come alive – it made you feel alive.

“Hey, I’m a little disappointed,” you call out, watching the group – beaten and bruised. “you lot say you’re strong, an added bonus is your oh-so-cool quirks, so beating a measly, quirkless middle schooler like me should be no problem,” working on your most sickening grin, you tilted your head. “right?”

“Fucking bitch!”

“Now you’re really asking for it!”

“We’ll beat you black and blue!”

Falling into a stance, adrenaline rushed through your veins (and mentally preparing for a tongue lashing from your grandfather), when an explosion went off.

Clouds of smoke and sand filling the air, gushing furiously against the wind, making you squint.

“OI! IS THIS SOME DIRTY TRICK!?” you yelled, voice fading into noise of wind, sand, and explosions.

More explosions went off, going out at random – big, small, small then big. There was screaming and panicking on their end. Maybe they’ve probably found themselves in some yakuza turf and are being under attack? Shit, you had to make a run for it while you had the chance!

The sudden change of scene wasn’t good for your senses, everything was completely mushy and too much to comprehend. You at least remember where you put your bag, running towards a certain direction, you stopped at the sight of one of the fuckers. Their eyes widened at the sight of you, you readied a fist, but the gust was making your eyes water.

Falling to your knees, you covered your mouth as you coughed – having inhaled too much smoke and dust in your lungs, he saw this as an opportunity to attack you. But something grabbed him by the shoulders, some punches and groans followed, then an explosion could be heard before footsteps approached you.

Too busy coughing your lungs out, you were ready for any pain thrown at you, especially when you were at your most vulnerable.

Instead, a garb lands on your head, shielding you, arms easily scooping you off the ground, something lands on your belly, then loud hurried footfalls were taking you away from the scene.

The more you coughed, the more it felt like your lungs were going to give out, too strained to heighten your senses.

Eventually, your cough died down, your hands rubbing at your chest from coughing too much, throat dried out.

Ah, I probably will run into those assholes again, since we weren’t able to finish the fight.

You must’ve passed out – or dozed off, you weren’t sure – because the next thing you knew, you were being lowered down gently on a soft and cool sofa.

“W-Where…?”

Tugging the garb off your head, (e/c) eyes flinched at the light, strained to make out the furniture around you, the familiar TV set, the fancy-looking wall panel, the familiar staircase, that unmistakable family portrait – one brunette, two explosive blondes-

Wait, you were at Bakugou’s place?

What the heck, you haven’t set foot here in forever! Why’d he bring you here?

Fully coming to, you turned to the blond “Why’d you bring me here!?” you had to ask, demanding.

The sudden movement stung at your fresh injuries, making you coil in your seat.

“Where else was I going to take you?” he replied immediately, coolly, loud enough for you to hear as he was taking two bottles of water from the refrigerator. “My place was closest, yours takes a while to get there, plus, you wouldn’t want to worry your family, right?”

You stared at him, distrustfully, then at the water offered to you, shocked to find that he remembered how much your family would worry over your injuries – big or small. He was always the one carrying you home, almost witnessing first-hand how much your mother would be near tears, your grandfather giving you a murderous-worried look, and your father just ash-faced and pale.

Taking the water from his hand, you nodded your thanks, pressing the cool item against your jaw, hissing in pain from the punch thrown earlier.

Carmine eyes narrowed at that, an emotion crossing over them.

“Don’t move,” he orders, walking off somewhere, you don’t care, eyes wandering around the area. It’s been a while since you were here, the last time was when it was his 10th birthday. After that, though, you and Izuku stopped receiving invitations.

Twisting the cap open, you took gentle sips, relishing in the cool water running down your throat.

The Bakugous were loaded – because Uncle Masaru worked in the fashion industry and Auntie Mitsuki worked in a cosmetics company. The two adored you, treating you like a daughter they never had – Uncle Masaru would gift you cute dresses (which Bakugou would make fun of you whenever you wore them) whenever he can, and Auntie Mitsuki was a hard-ass woman you looked up to.

But since discovering his quirk, Bakugou had become unbearable to be with, a shitty friend to both you and Izuku, ties had to be severed. However, that also meant not being able to see Uncle Masaru and Auntie Mitsuki, who were surely saddened by you and Izuku’s absence.

Suddenly, Bakugou was in front of you, his gakuran unbuttoned, exposing his shirt underneath, a first aid kit in hand. Eyes meeting, a silent conversation was being held, carmine clashing against (e/c). Fixing him a dull stare, he clicked the first aid kid open. With a roll of your eyes, you allowed him to clean your wounds.

Silence filled in, nothing you both seemed to mind. Surprisingly, for a guy with an explosive, volatile quirk and a shitty attitude, he was rather gentle. Not like you’ll ever tell him that, eyes looking around the house, remembering the times you were over with Izuku, anything to avoid staring at him in awe.

“Do they always come for you…” having finished cleaning most of your wounds, his voice came out quiet, but you heard it, a statement rather than a question.

Blinking, you were unsure if he deserved an answer. He thought that was the case and asked again, dipping iodine into the cotton, “Do they always-“

“I don’t see how this is any of your concern.”

Noticeably, his fingers stilled. Then, something smoked, it was the cotton ball, now reduced to ashes. A beat passed before he found himself working again, getting another cotton, now applying ointment to your bruises.

“Do you always need to fight them back?” There was a slight edge to his voice, controlled yet on the verge of breaking.

(E/c) hardened down on him, a seesaw of options playing in your head.

“Have to.” You reply breezily, watching him snap his head up to meet your gaze, unfazed by the anger in his carmine eyes. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“No shit.” He growled, hands beginning to shake. “What I do understand is the disciplinary action you’re gonna get once people find out you’ve been fighting fellow students, even if it were an act of self-defense! Y-You,” he slammed his fist into the glass table beside him, cracking it a little, his head hanging. “you could’ve just called the teachers, told them, too. About those bitches…”

“Again, I don’t see how this is- “

“YOU’LL BE FUCKING EXPELLED, (NAME)!” head still hung low, you could feel his hot breath and tufts of his hair against your skin, making you tingle a bit. It scared you to be this close to him, after all this time. Scared of how he was still protective of you.

Hating how you could hear the guilt in his voice because, in a way, he caused this, he allowed this, he was the reason. He was scared for you.

And he called you by your name.

The seesaw in your head continued, teetering, options weighing one after another.

“…why do you care?” One option up, the other falls. In the end, you just destroyed the seesaw. “Why waste your breath and time on an extra like me, quirkless too, if I might add, why waste your time?”

His head snapped up to yours, his expression was a shock to you. Why…why did he look so devastated, so crushed, so- “(Name)…”

Unable to stay any longer, never mind your still healing body, you stood. “I’m going now. Thanks for treating my injuries. I’ll..." you gulp, hard. "I'll try to avoid getting into fights.” Without waiting for a reply, you grabbed your bag, heading towards the door. “Bye.”

The next day, extremely exhausted from the fighting, Izuku once again panicked at the sight of your bruised and beaten face. When you reached the classroom, you were more than ready to meet the gazes of those bitches – only to find out they had been suspended, as they were given serious warnings should they cause another fight with you.

Apparently, someone had reported their involvement in ganging up on a quirkless student. Plus, there was a video of them taunting you since first year.

Bakugou was in his seat, looking anywhere but your way. Returning the gesture, you quietly sat in your seat, listening to whatever Izuku had to say.

Since then, you swore never to get into fights anymore for the sake of Izuku, and because Bakugou practically begged you.

“How’s school?” your grandfather asked, helping himself to some bok choy.

Shrugging easily, you cut a piece of steak, gesturing for his bowl to serve it to him. “Could be worse, but I’m doing fine.”

“Clarify, silly girl.”

“Mathematics continues to chew me in the ass,” you tell him, avoiding the hit thrown your way.

(Name) – 1, Shihan – 0.

“You’re failing already!?”

“Translation: it’s difficult, not I’m failing. Geez, old man, context!”

You barely dodged the chop aimed for your head, making you wince from the pressure.

(Name) – 1, Shihan – 1.

“That’s no way to talk to your elders, silly girl!” handing you an empty bowl, you nearly pawed it off his hands.

Angrily, you scooped him his heaping, a mound of hot rice returned to him. “Where do you think I take it from!?”

(Name) – 2, Shihan – 1.

“Enough arguing, more eating, foolish girl! We have training to do!”

(Name) – 2, Shihan – 2.

Narrowing your eyes at your grandfather, you wished lasers would come out just to fry off the last of his remaining hair out of petty spite.

Regardless, you loved your grandfather and appreciated these banters. He was rough on you, only because he wanted to teach you to be strong and to be able to hold off whatever was thrown your way so you can repay them back twice, thrice, or ten times more.

You were his pride and joy the moment you were born and swore to your parents that he’d guide and protect you so long as he was still kicking.

“I ran into Uncle Masaru today.”

“Oh! How is the man?”

“Same as always. Not a single grey hair in sight, despite living in a household full of rabid Pomeranians and hitting his forties.”

The Yoruichi patriarch stared down at you, unamused. “Please don’t tell me you told him that.”

Snickering, you deftly avoided his chops.

(Name) – 3, Shihan – 2.

“Gramps, please, like I’d be so willing to break Uncle Masaru’s heart.”

“You don’t have a problem doing that to me.”

“Simple: you’re literally and figuratively old,” you pointed with your chopsticks, waving them in the air as you enumerated more. “you’re Shihan of our dojo, and you have to raise me!”

(Name) – 4, Shihan – 3.

You failed to block the flick on your forehead after finishing your piece.

“Don’t wave your chopsticks in the air, fool, it’s rude.” Snickering at your whining, knowing it’ll leave a mark, he ate more steak. “And easy there with your words, silly girl, otherwise, I’ll repay your kindness in training!”

Recovering, you smirk, helping yourself to some steak. “Bring it! You know I love a good challenge!”

“Oho? My, someone’s cocky.”

“I wouldn��t be your granddaughter, either way.”

You two laughed at that, dinner coming to a finish as your grandfather happily ate the last of the steak. Eyeing the leftovers, you delighted at the thought of tomorrow’s lunch.

Just as you were to clean up, your grandfather asked a question: “By the way, how is the young Bakugou boy?”

(Name) – 4, Shihan – 4.

You stopped at that, hands freezing in the air, feeling your grandfather’s stare on you.

“Dunno.” Came your reply, hands found themselves resuming their work. “Don’t care.”

He watched in silence as you arranged the empty plates, bowls, and chopsticks. “Still not in speaking terms, eh?”

“Yep.”

Your grandfather didn’t have to ask to know that something changed between the three of you, especially with you and Bakugou. What you two had was not something so easy to forget, especially when both of you had been so close. Since then, his name had been taboo in the house.

“He goes to UA with Izuku, right?”

At the mention, you feel the tension seeping away slightly, mouth fixed in a straight line. “Yeah…”

“Are they in speaking terms?”

That made you scoff, fixing your grandfather a dubious look. “Civil, to say the least. Izuku’s not a brute, not like that other one.”

The animosity was clear in your tone as you talked about the other boy, like a bitter pill. Strong arms, decorated in scars and tattoos, crossed against his chest, displeased yellow eyes fixed on you.

“Has he tried talking to you?”

Shrugging with one shoulder, you turned to a lone rice on the table, flicking it without care. “He has, but they’re pretty half-assed.”

“What makes you say that?” to which, he received another shrug from you, mouth twisted into a twisted pout.

Consciously, you reached for your mark, rubbing at it with your fingers. “Some things are better left unsaid, the same way that some things buried should never be unearthed. It’s better off that way.”

His eyes never left your form, taking in your slouch, the look on your face, the sadness in your eyes. “Are you talking about yourself? Because that’s a rather selfish line of thinking, don’t you think?” Shifting, he slowly stood from the table, you watched him stand and met his gaze, offering you a sad look. “In a way, aren’t you being half-assed, yourself?”

Winner: Shihan, Loser: (Name).

masterlist • six

[starshine583]

Concert Craziness

(Okay so I found this in a random document and don’t think I ever posted it, but??? it’s adrinette so have fun reading lol)

Marinette squinted underneath the flashing lights. Color invaded her vision- blue, yellow, green, red. Music pounded in her ears, so loud she could feel the steady rhythm in her chest. It drowned out the screaming fans around her, who squeezed together as much as possible to fit in the stadium.

Now I know why Jagged’s concerts are usually outside. She thought to herself, pushing a few people back to keep her spot at the front. Marinette didn’t mind the chaos, though. After all, it was a Jagged Stone concert, one of her favorite musicians who’d personally invited her to come tonight. The headache she was going to get afterwards would absolutely be worth it.

Another shoulder bumped into her, and she sighed.

“Look, sir, if you wanted to be closer to the stage, you should have gotten here earlier.” 

A chuckle came from her left- light and cheerful and something she’d recognize anywhere.

“Actually, I just wanted to say ‘hi’.”

Marinette whirled around, meeting a delightfully green pair of eyes. Heat rushed to her cheeks. “A-Adrien! I didn’t know you’d be here.” 

“Yeah, I managed to get a photoshoot done early so I could come.” He smiled. “It’s cool to see you here too. Concerts are always better with friends.” 

Marinette giggled, ignoring the small jab he accidentally made. At least he wanted to hang out with her, right? That counts for something.

“You know, this is Jagged’s last song for the night, but I have a backstage pass. Would you.. wanna come see him with me?” She asked somewhat shyly. 

Adrien’s eyes sparkled at the very thought. “Really? Can you do that?” 

Marinette’s insides blossomed with an overwhelming warmth, and she giggled. For that smile? I can do anything. 

“Course. I’m sure Jagged won’t mind one extra person.” She assured, waving her hand. So far so good. Adrien was going to go backstage with her! All she had to do now was remember to breathe. 

His shining grin widened, and wow, so much for remembering to breathe. She’s never going to know how to inhale oxygen again. “Ah, you’re the best, Mari. Thanks so much!”

“A-Anytime.” She managed, completely lost in his.. well.. everything. I mean, what was there not to love about Adrien Agreste?

The song ended a few minutes later, starting the rush of the crowds to either get Jagged’s autograph or exit the building. Marinette and Adrien tried to stick together, but with everyone moving in different directions, the task seemed impossible.

She nearly jumped onto the stage itself when the soft touch of Adrien’s fingers wrapped around her hand. 

“Sorry, I just don’t want to lose you. Is this okay?” He asked, ever so slightly brushing his thumb across the back of her hand.

Marinette sucked in a breath to calm herself. It would be plain embarrassing if she full-on fainted in front of him now.

“Sure! The hand, it’s great. I mean, you can handle me if you want to- I MEAN-” She cut herself off with a groan and pinched the bridge of her nose. Then, with all the dignity she had left, Marinette gave his hand a light squeeze. “This is perfect, Adrien.”

He simply smiled at her, so soft and vibrant and- gosh, how could anything be allowed to look so beautiful?

Despite the intoxicating feeling of his touch invading every corner of her being, Marinette guided them through the chaotic fans and eventually found the entrance to Jagged’s dressing room. She opened the door, quickly slipping through and pulling Adrien with her. People can be ruthless in their ways of getting Jagged’s attention. The last thing she wanted was to invite a throng of crazy people into his private space.

“Is this part of the backstage pass?” Adrien asked wide-eyed.

Marinette couldn’t help a smile. “Not exactly. You could say it’s part of my backstage pass.”

Before Adrien could question the comment, another door across the room from them swung open, and in walked Jagged Stone himself.

“Penny, remind me to never do an indoor concert again. Why didn’t you tell me we’d have less people in a closed area?” He said, setting his guitar on his chair. It was then he spotted the two of them, and Marinette gave a small wave.

“Marinette! How’s my favorite niece?” He beamed, coming over to give her a hug. She hugged him back, only a little disappointed that she had to let go of Adrien’s hand to do so.

“Niece?” The boy in question spoke up, jaw practically on the floor at this point. “You’re related to Jagged Stone?”

The two laughed at his expression, and Jagged quickly jumped in to explain.

“She’s my honorary niece. We’re not related by blood, but I count her as my lovely niece despite that.” 

Adrien nodded dumbly, seemingly too stunned to form words. 

“So who is this anyway?” Jagged continued, glancing at Marinette. “He a friend of yours?”

Marinette swallowed a nervous laugh and nodded herself. Yep. Friend. That is absolutely all he is. I totally don’t want him to be anything more. 

“Uncle Jagged, this is Adrien. He’s one of my friends from school.”

Recognition washed over his features. “Oh, yeah! He’s the boy you’re always telling me about, right?”

A squeak escaped her lips, the tip of the iceberg to the emotional turmoil he’d just thrown her into.

“I-I talk about everybody!” She blurted out, face burning. 

Adrien and Jagged gave her a questioning look which only made her want to sink deeper into a hole and never resurface.

“Well, I’m super excited to meet you.” The blonde remarked, graciously changing the subject. “I have all of your CDs.” 

Jagged straightened with pride. “Course you do, kid. My music is sensational. Would you like an autograph?”

Adrien gasped. “Really? I mean, yes! I’d love one! I don’t have any paper with me though.”

“Oh, that’s alright. Tell you what,” Jagged opened his vanity drawer, digging through it for a moment before pulling out two pieces of paper. “I’ll sign these two backstage tickets to my next concert, and when you come, you can get an official signature. My only condition is that you take Marinette with you.”

Marinette had half a mind to just curl into a ball and die on the spot, especially when Jagged winked at her. Thankfully, Adrien was too excited to notice the exchange and eagerly took the tickets.

“Deal!” 

Penny cleared her throat behind them, taking pity on Marinette herself.

Jagged gave his agent a disappointed look. “Aw, I’ve got to go. I promised a few interviews for the press.” 

He turned back to Adrien. “Don’t forget our deal, alright?”

Marinette face-palmed, but Adrien just grinned. 

“I couldn’t if I tried!” 

Jagged chuckled. “Then I’ll see you there. You too, Marinette.”

She forced a smile. “Yep, I’ll see you.”

Penny shoo-ed them out of the room after that, insisting they had no more time to waste. The door closed behind them, leaving Adrien and Marinette in the crowded area of the stadium again. 

Arms wrapped around Marinette’s shoulders, and she squealed despite herself as she was abruptly pulled against Adrien’s chest.

“Marinette, that was amazing! You’re amazing! Thank you so much!” 

Just like that, she was putty in his arms, dissolving into a stuttering, blushing mess. “Amaz- me? No, I- you’re the amazing one. I mean- Jagged’s amazing.”

“I can’t wait to go with you to the next concert!”

Oh, right. They were going to do this again. She was going to officially attend a concert with Adrien Agreste. Marinette supposed there were worse ways to die.

“I have to go before Father gets upset.” He said, finally pulling away from her and taking his warmth and sunshine with him. “See you at school.”

“At the.. Yeah..” She muttered. How her hand came up to wave at him as he passed she’ll never know. 

Adrien Agreste just hugged her. He held her hand, and told her she was amazing.

Oh, yeah. The headache was definitely worth it.