#the way Chilli tackles him

[ifwebefriends]

I am not the same person I was before seeing this scene in particular (Major Spoilers for The Sign!!!!!!)

[Video ID. A clip from the Bluey episode “The Sign,” Lazarus Drug by Megan Washington is playing which drowns out all other sounds and dialogue. Bandit looks sad as he’s about to open the drivers side door to the family car. Chilli is in the front passenger seat also looking sad. She looks at Bandit just as gets a call on his smartphone and silently excuses himself to take it. The phone conversation starts as Bandit walks around to the other side of the car from the front. He continues to the sidewalk a few yards away from the car. Chilli looks at Bandit right before the phone call ends and Bandit puts down his phone with a surprised look on his face. He slowly walks to the large “For Sale” sign in the front yard before ripping off the big yellow “Sold” sticker, which confuses Chilli and gets the attention of Bluey and Bingo in the car, Bingo with a raised brow looking confused. Then Bandit turns to look at his family in the car, contemplates for a moment, then dons a determined expression. He then turns back to look up at the “For Sale” sign with clenched fists as we see the sign tower over him, casting a shadow. After a moment, he looks level at the sign and then fiercely grabs the sides of it as Chilli, Bluey, and Bingo look on in shock. He starts to gradually pull it out of the ground with all his might with clenched teeth, a furrowed brow, and a slightly quivering lip. After he finally gets it out, Chilli, Bluey, and Bingo stare at him, eyebrows raised and mouths agape. As the lyric “as I start to break into a billion pieces” plays, Bandit looks backwards, turns a bit, hobbles backwards a bit, and then throws the sign into the middle of the cul-de-sac with what seems like a yell, looking down angrily at it. Zoomed in, Bandit pants for a moment before Chilli tackles him to the ground when the word “shatter” is sung in the song. From an aerial view, Chilli and Bandit are on the ground and Chilli seems to be crying into Bandit’s neck while he grins, putting a hand on her arm. End ID]

[hollandsfavbabe]

Heart Over Hooves

pairing: tyler owens x reader

synopsis: in which you and tyler recount to the wranglers how exactly you began dating at a local rodeo in your home state

warnings: established relationship, cliche mean girl, cowboy charm, slight enemies to lovers

word count: 6.8k

masterlist

I just saw Twisters in 4dx and I know I'm late to the trend, but I have finally joined the Glenissance!! Please send me all of your Tyler Owens requests, I literally can't stop thinking about him. Here I present to you the fruits of a sleepless night. I hope it's decent!

The Oklahoma air was unusually chilly for a summer night as you felt a light breeze brush against the skin of your bare arms, raising rigid bumps in its wake along any part of you that wasn’t concealed by your tank top and denim jeans. But it didn’t matter how much of your body was covered; in all honesty, you could’ve been in your favorite bathing suit. The cool air was no match for the warmth of the toned arms of your husband that wrapped around you, keeping you glued tightly to his lap so that he too wouldn’t fall victim to the cold. Your cowboy, Tyler Owens, could never inhabit his own chair alone so long as you were around.

“You doing okay, baby?” he whispered into the cusp of your ear as the heat from his breath spread all the way down to your neck. Though a cluster of goosebumps had sprung from a patch of exposed skin on your forearm, it wasn’t long before the discomfort was extinguished by the gentle caress of Tyler’s wandering hand and he leisurely traced the length of your arm in an attempt to keep you content within his embrace.

“I’m just fine, thanks.” you smiled, though the summoned words weren’t nearly as effective at communicating your gratitude for him as your attempt to snuggle closer to him despite the fact that it wasn’t physically possible. Tyler got your message all the same, the clear sign that you couldn’t imagine a place on Earth that would fill you with an equitable amount of enjoyment.

Though you couldn’t see his face, you could picture Tyler’s grin more clearly than the speckled tile bottom of a shallow pool before his lips met your hairline to place a soft kiss near on your temple.

“Alright lovebirds.” Lily stated abruptly, interrupting your moment of intimacy as you were suddenly reminded that you and Tyler were not the only two people gathered around the dim glow of the small bonfire.

It had been a long day of chasing storms for all of you. In Tyler’s case, he had been the leading man in three Wrangler live streams that day as EF1s and EF2s sprouted from the clouds like flowers in the spring. His team had worked just as hard, aiding in each chase and keeping all channel content at its peak. While there were occasions when you enjoyed joining Tyler in his pick up as a special guest, the reason for your exhaustion was not quite as intense as chasing after tornados, though the role you assumed was equally as vital.

Lacking in Tyler’s lust for natural disasters that was very much necessary in order to tackle twisters head on, you became the team’s marketing expert instead. While it was considered more of a bench seat compared to the other Wranglers duties, you had proven yourself to be most useful during the recovery process once the storms had vanished in something you liked to call the ‘After Effect’. Backed by your wit and Bachelor’s degree in psychology, you maintained the channel’s engagement levels and ensured that there was more international visibility for your cause as well. The numbers added up overtime and you were proud to boast that you had managed to raise thousands of dollars from online donors that went entirely towards helping the people of Oklahoma rebuild their destroyed homes.

Such a busy day had left all of you much too tired to make it to the nearest motel that was more than a couple hours away and instead you resorted to gathering around a bonfire in the dirt ridden clearing of a wheat field. It wasn’t ideal, but you were all more than used to camping together after years of being as close as a family.

Traditions had formed after countless nights just the same. Tyler always placed his chair directly beside yours as it was never long before you gave in to sharing with him. The other Wrangler’s sat further away from each other scattered around the fire, but always in the same arrangement. The seat next to your discarded one was occupied by Dani, with the next supporting Dexter, and the one after belonging to Lily who was eagerly leaning towards you as she brought her can of beer back to her lips. Boone completed your inverted circle as he planted his chair dangerously close to the fire in between Lily and your husband who doubled as his longtime best friend.

Usually your group consisted of only the six of you, but tonight you welcomed an extra guest into camp. Ben, a British investigative journalist, had been traveling with your crew for months now and though he preferred to linger behind as an outlier, you could tell from the way he sunk into his seat that he had grown to be very comfortable with you all. You weren’t sure if he would ever leave at this point, but none of you minded his extended stay.

“Something wrong?” you asked Lily, lifting your head to gaze at her as the flames seemed to lick at the sides of her face from your perspective. You worried the team had grown tired of Tyler’s need to share his seat with you (as well as your reluctance to turn him down), but of course no one paid any attention to your couplish antics.

“I just can’t go on one more minute without knowing the story,” she explained.

“Story?” Tyler repeated, sharing your befuddlement.

“What story?” you asked.

“Your story,” Dani clarified, pointing to the foreign man that had settled just behind her outside of the circular formation. “Ben here wants it for his tornado piece.”

“It’s just intriguing,” Ben reiterated, his stumbling British accent a stark contrast from the southern you were so used to. He cleared his throat before continuing, eyeing you and your husband. “Everyone else here met while you were forming your chasing team. Everyone except you two.”

“And me!” Boone shouted, raising the hand that wasn’t occupied by his second beer of the night. “I knew Tyler before any of you.”

“Easy Boone, no one’s forgotten.” Tyler laughed, not bothering to point out the inaccuracies in his best friend’s claim. While Boone had befriended Tyler decades before you’d shown any interest in him, the three of you all grew up together in the same tiny Arkansas town.

“I don’t see how that’s relevant to your paper.” you pointed out as Ben had made it clear that he wanted to write only about Oklahoman tornados and the recent uprise in storm chasing tourism that was a direct result of your husband’s online presence.

“It isn’t,” Ben admitted. “But it would be helpful for context. Just so my readers can better understand your dynamic. It frames how your team operates.”

“And I’ve always been dying to know!” Lily added with such enthusiasm you would’ve guessed a tornado had suddenly formed right behind you.

You sat up from your nestled position on Tyler’s lap to look back at him, delighted as you discovered an expression matching the one upon your own face: a knowing smile. He was more than happy to share how the two of you ended up together. All he needed was a signal of your approval, one you gave him with the loving squeeze of your hand against the taunt muscle of his bicep. 

“Alright,” you agreed, turning your head to face the group once more. “But I get to tell it.”

“Fine by me.” Tyler nodded to your condition.

“With help from me at least!” Boone interjected to which you sent him a playful glare.

“You best not.” you threatened as Boone broke out in laughter beside you.

“Fine,” he grinned. “Woo, y’all are in for a real treat!” he hollered, already very well versed in the tale as he was there to witness its unfolding.

“Just start already.” Dexter demanded as he spoke for the rest of the group. Even with the whole night ahead of you, there was no time to waste.

You thought back to the moment at once, recalling the fateful day as if it had only happened just yesterday rather than several years ago. You sighed happily at the memory, collecting your thoughts enough to be able to share it justly.

“It all started in our hometown,” you began setting the scene as you rose from your husband’s lap, standing beside the fire so that everyone could see you. “Y’all know that Tyler and I grew up together, but we had what you might call a rocky start. He liked to bull ride and I was too busy caring for my horses to pay any attention to him. I used to barrel race back then and I got so into it that it was all I ever thought about. It wasn’t until much later that we finally got together, during the biggest rodeo in all of Arkansas…”

“Whoa, Cyclone!” you shouted to your horse as you yanked back on his worn leather reins. Your mighty steed, a chestnut brown stallion that had been racing at his fastest gallop, halted at your command just in front of the last yellow barrel. Dirt flew from the power of his mighty hooves and at once he neighed in protest to the sudden loss of speed. He was just as bothered as you were when the sound of nasally cackling came from outside of the practice corral, your head turning in sync with your horse towards the disturbance even though you already knew who it was.

Propped atop her luxury racing horse and adorned in a custom made, spotless, metallic pink riding outfit was your arch nemesis, Addisyn Claire, with a wicked smirk so evil it could wilt rose petals and an ugly laugh that echoed even out to the hills that surrounded the rodeo set up.

“Looking rusty out there!” she called out to you.

You scoffed at the remark, narrowing your eyes at the girl before clicking Cyclone towards her.

“I’d rather look rusty than like I skinned a pageant girl for my clothes.” you nodded at her sparkling get up though really you wished you had enough money to buy new clothes for every competition. At least you didn’t waste so much money on something so needlessly tacky.

You and Addisyn had been in competition since you were old enough to stay on a saddle, your hatred for her bubbling at just eight years old from the first moment you had suffered at the hands of her ego. It only got worse as the years ticked by as she transformed from a bratty little girl into the spoiled bitch she was today and now as a young adult, you weren’t sure how much more of her classic mean girl attitude you could take. It just wasn’t fair. She had the money and the privilege to buy her way into winning most of your past races with horses just as prissy as she was. But even so, you hoped that this year everything would be different.

You had happened across Cyclone by complete accident during a storm that eventually became his namesake. After saving him, you’d searched endlessly for his owner, but as luck would have it, he remained unclaimed.

Your family joked that it was almost as if he had been gifted to you, pushed into your life by a deadly storm so soon after the tragic passing of the horse you had grown up riding. You didn’t plan on riding him, not after all he had been through, but after his minor injuries and habit of being spooked by the very non-threatening barn latch had cleared, you discovered that you didn’t really have a choice. He was the sweetest horse you’d ever cared for, never ornery and always affectionate. It was curiosity that finally convinced you to saddle him up for a morning ride.

Much to your delight, Cyclone was a natural at taking commands and so morning rides turned into teaching him how to barrel race. He was quick for a stray, so much so that you were sure he was the fastest horse in the whole state. But of course with such a gift, he had the only stipulation that prevented you from beating Addisyn in so many previous races where her professionally trained horses always stole the blue ribbon. He struggled with each turn.

It wasn’t entirely his fault, such a feat was hard for the average horse to pull off. With Cyclone’s super-speed, it became damn near impossible. Regardless of the facts, you trained every chance you got and without fail, your horse was forced to slow to a losing time in order to make the tight turns.

”If I had known it was gonna be so easy to win, I wouldn’t have bothered training this one at all. You can’t even make it to the last barrel.” laughed Addisyn as she flipped a handful of long blonde curls behind her shoulder.

“That’s funny coming from a gal who doesn’t even know how to use a coat brush.” you shot back. Cyclone snorted and tucked his head down as if he had understood your come back.

“Mark my words,” she snarled with gritted teeth. “You’re going to regret speaking to me that way. There’s a lot more on the line today than some flimsy ribbon.”

You hated that she was right. Not only did the winner of each rodeo event get massive bragging rights, but the first place spot came accompanied with a large sum of money this year. While Addisyn had enough cash to fill the colossal space inside her skull a million times over, you weren't as fortunate living off a small farming family’s wage. After a long two years out of high school, you finally had the longing to continue your education, but even admission into the local state college came with a tuition that was too big for you to pay all on your own. You needed the prize money to cover the rest.

You bent over to stroke the white stripe that covered Cyclone’s nuzzle, attempting to calm him knowing that he could feel the animosity steaming from the blonde. “Don’t listen to her,” you whispered. “You’re gonna do just fine.”

“Petting your horse ain’t gonna make it any better.” Addisyn smirked.

“And talking at me ain’t gonna make you any smarter, but you’re still trying.”

Addisyn huffed as she took hold of her own pristine white horse's reins, kicking it hard in the side until it was facing the direction of the rodeo arena.

“Whatever,” she spat, tossing her perfectly styled hair in retort. “You know you’re not going to win.”

Your steel glare faded as she trotted away, resting in a hopeless frown as you realized how right she was. You hopped off your horse and led him to the edge of one of the wooden fences to tie his reins to. “I know.” you mumbled sadly.

“Hey, stranger,” sounded a deep voice from beside you, in fact it was the same voice that had plagued you since your first acquaintance long ago. “What’s with the frown?”

You turned to face him, the only person you'd ever avoided at the rodeo besides Addisyn. The cockiest bull rider to walk on Arkansas dirt, Tyler Owens. And while the hatred you felt around Addisyn didn’t bubble through your veins around Tyler, you considered him just as annoying. The worst part about him: he never could leave you alone.

“Don’t you have anywhere else to be?” you asked, commenting on the impending closeness of his event as you guided Cyclone’s head to the nearest water trough that was only a few inches from Tyler. He shrugged as he answered.

“My event’s not for another hour,” he paused to check the time on his nonexistent watch, something cowboys never wore for fear that it would break under the pressure of the thousand pound beasts they endured riding. “I wanted to stop by and say hello.”

“I hope you don’t mean to me.”

“Of course not. I meant your horse,” Tyler grinned as his hands tickled beneath Cyclone’s ear forcing the horse to lift his majestic head and give a hearty neigh. You never understood your horse's bond with the man as, though it sounded insane, Cyclone tended to reserve the same opinions about people as you. Even so, they got on so well for a cowboy and an animal that didn’t even live remotely close together.

You rolled your eyes at the pair.

“C’mon, you better leave us be,” you climbed over the fence to shoo Tyler away, ignoring the sign of discontent from your horse. “We’ve got a big race today and Cyclone has to be in the best condition possible.”

“Well, if I’m being honest,” Tyler began, holding his ground. “- there might be another reason for my coming here.”

You waited for him to explain, leaning on the nearest fence post as Tyler sent you a signature grin.

“And?” you prompted.

“I’d like to propose a little wager, just something to help motivate ya.” smirked Tyler.

As annoyed as you were by his cocky grin and suffocating charm, you couldn’t lie, his proposition intrigued you.

“Explain.”

“I know you’re really fixing to beat Addisyn today, even more than usual, but I don’t think you have enough on the line. I was thinking maybe I could help raise the stakes a bit.” he explained.

While you and Addisyn’s rivalry didn’t qualify as even partially a secret, you weren’t sure how he found out about the significance of today’s race. You sent him an expression of confusion as you tried to figure out how he knew. Tyler seemed to understand immediately.

“Boone.” he shrugged.

You rolled your eyes.

“Of course.”

Other than being Tyler’s best friend since middle school, Boone harnessed the talent of figuring out people; their likes and dislikes as well as their desires and motivations. Though he was a few years younger than you and Tyler, he preferred your age group over his own.

“So how’s about this,” Tyler started as he pulled off his sunglasses to stare you down with daring eyes of emerald, briefly wetting his lips. “If you win today, you can ask me for any favor. And nothing’s off the table. I’ll even leave you alone if that’s what you’d want…”

You tried to imagine a world where Tyler Owens didn’t pester you at every waking moment.

“Okay,” you agreed. “And if I lose?”

You were sure that no punishment from the brilliantly smooth brain of the cowboy before you could ever be bad enough to motivate you to win. Boy, were you wrong.

”If you lose,” Tyler repeated as he paused to lean in closer to you, pulling on the tension between the two of you like a rope around a bull’s neck. “- you have to kiss me.”

You backed away with wide eyes disgusted by the grin that seemed to stick on Tyler’s mouth like dirt on a dew drop.

“What?!”

“You heard me.” Tyler shrugged. “If Addisyn beats you today then you have to kiss me. A long one too, mouth to mouth.”

“And why on Earth would I ever do that?” you asked, forcing the urge to gag at the mention. You couldn’t even think about voluntarily kissing Tyler, not to mention being forced to do it after a devastating loss.

“Simple. I know you hate me and I know that you want this more than anyone else here and he’s good enough to win it,” Tyler nodded towards Cyclone who was loudly drinking from the water trough. “But I know from experience that as badly as you want it, you‘ll never try hard enough if you’re not risking more.”

“I don’t think you understand how much is on the line already.” you glared.

“Sure I do,” Tyler argued and you knew that he was telling you the truth. While the Owens family owned the property neighboring your farm, they had as much as your family did. Everything they earned went back into their crops leaving nothing for Tyler or any of his siblings to go to college, if that was something he even wanted. You doubted he ever would. “Losing the money alone would be tough, but it’s just not enough.”

“Why are you doing this?” you couldn’t help but question.

“I thought that was obvious,” he chuckled softly. “I want to see you win today. And if I’m being honest, I’m sick of seeing Addisyn win on her professionally trained horses. Lord knows you deserve it more than her.”

You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. You knew from casual eavesdropping that your worst enemy had a terrible crush on Tyler, one so bad that she had nearly begged her father to pay a dowry for him until one of her cronies informed her that purchasing people was very much unethical and illegal.

It was one of the reasons you couldn’t stand the cowboy. Any man that caught the attention of a brat like Addisyn wasn’t worth more than a second of your time. If you had known that Tyler shared your disliking for the blonde, perhaps you would’ve grown up closer. But the past was in the past and changing it was a feat best left unattempted.

“If I win,” you began, crossing your arms and staring him down. “- then starting tomorrow, you can never talk to me ever again.”

You thought you saw a hint of regret in Tyler’s eyes as remorse bloomed in your gut, but he hid it behind acceptance before you could comment on it.

“Fine,” he nodded, holding out one of his hands for you. “Shake on it?”

You took his hand in your own, taking in the leathery calluses on his palms that matched your own before you let go to jump the corral fencing once more and untie Cyclone’s reins for another round of practice.

“What about your event? Why aren’t we betting on you too?” you wondered aloud.

“Oh darlin’,” Tyler smiled which caused you to flush into a heated fury of both annoyance and embarrassment as the name slipped from his lips. “I’m gonna win. Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that. You need a boost?”

You glared at him as he held out his hands in a makeshift step exactly in time with you as you expertly mounted Cyclone, snapping his reins so he would return to the start of the course, dodging all three barrels as you called back, “Good luck Owens!”

As promised after a long hour of anticipation, Tyler Owens had taken first place in bull riding by a landslide, not only earning him a ripple of cheers from the giant crowd (along with a few girl’s numbers), but also his share of the coveted prize money.

You had taken a break from the more and more dreary barrel practice to watch him do it, sitting in one of the nosebleed seats surrounded by far too many girls who couldn’t have been there for any other reason besides to see Tyler. Still, you were amazed by his talent. More surprised still when he had a whole arena of girls screaming for him and his roaming eyes still managed to find you clapping quietly near the back. He sent you a grin as soon as he caught sight of your unenthused scowl, brushing the dirt from his chops and sending a wink your way as if to playfully say, told ya.

It was then you noticed another woman in the audience jumping for his rewarding gaze, though it was never won. Tyler was simply too busy looking at you to pay any attention to swirling Addisyn.

Heat blossomed in your chest as you felt a sensation like a swirl of wind blow throughout your stomach, a feeling you horrifically identified as affection.

It wasn’t often that people chose you over Addisyn; you were confident that most of her friends were hired. And while there was no doubt that Tyler was the cocky bastard you couldn’t stand, perhaps you had judged him too harshly as there was evidently more that lay beneath the surface. As much as you hated to admit it, the charm he had been using on you for months was starting to work.

You fled the stands, not wanting to delve into your change of heart any longer. That was one of the best parts of barrel racing; training Cyclone served as a great distraction. And you had much to figure out before he could compete.

It was the same problem over and over again, Cyclone’s speed being both his greatest asset as well as his worst setback. He would build up so much speed that by the time he had to round the barrel, it was virtually impossible for him to slow down enough to finish the race. There had only been two outcomes during practice, both of which were not nearly good enough to win. Your horse was forced to either stay at a slow, but steady pace or face flipping over a barrel, both of which kept you from winning the title by making you too slow or disqualified.

You felt hopeless as you walked your horse to the arena, as no amount of practice could cure your dilemma. You had only managed to sire one good run out of Cyclone, but even then, it wasn't nearly fast enough to beat Addisyn past times on her purebred horses that were bought at the highest price with intent to win.

She and her horse were just before you in the lineup, sending you dirty looks as you sunk glumly into your saddle. The line was moving too fast for your spinning head to keep up with, the dread pooling in your gut intensifying by each lost second. You and Cyclone were going to be the most disappointing finale act in history, this you were sure of. A horrid ending for what had been a fantastic rodeo. At least until this point.

It was by pure chance that you found Tyler in the crowd.

He was all the way on the other side of the arena from the entrance closest to you, seated at the front with a big blue ribbon pinned to his button up flannel shirt. Despite the distance and the spectacle playing out before him as Addisyn began her race, he only had eyes for you.

Though he was too far away for you to make out his grassy green irises from the deep black of his pupils, he acknowledged you with a simple tilt of his head that was neither patronizing nor teasing. The cocky bastard you thought you knew was nowhere to be found. Comfort swirled around you like a gush of warm wind in the field by your farm. Familiar, yet something completely foreign all the same. An indescribable mix between encouragement and understanding that you didn’t think a cowboy like him was capable of. It sent a wave of excitement through your spine, a damper on the constant anxiety you had been suffering from, that he knew you were suffering from. Maybe your race wasn’t hopeless after all.

If Tyler Owens thought you could do it, certainly the win was well within your reach.

His motivating expressions were so distracting that you had nearly missed Addisyn’s fatal move if not for the large gasps that erupted from the arena crowd. Her horse, so pristine and primed to be absolutely perfect, had turned just slightly skewed too far to the right, kicking over the last barrel with its hind legs as it attempted to recover into a sprint. But there was no coming back from the five second penalty.

As Addisyn finished, her time shone above the dirt arena in the digital shine of red numbers and it would’ve been perfect if not for her mistake. You could hardly believe it as the bitter sting of karma finally bit the girl who deserved it the most.

You fought the urge to cackle as Addisyn exited the arena, sending her a taunting smirk instead. It was as if she was waiting for it, shooting you a scowl so nasty that you were certain all she wanted was to hurt you. Her face had turned so red that even the expensive power couldn’t hide her reaction and her premium pick riding gear started to seem much less impressive.

“Hard to beat, Addisyn.” you joked. While it wasn’t like you to poke fun at the people going through the worst of times, you didn’t exactly count Addisyn as human. Only equal to the devil with too much money for her own good.

“Can it,” she hissed as she hopped off her horse to drag it back to the corral, dirt scuffing up her shiny new boots as she stomped away.

“C’mon, boy.” you whispered to Cyclone, a wave of new motivation washing over you. Even if he didn’t win, at least you couldn’t do much worse than Addisyn. No matter what, you'd walk away victorious over her. “Let’s show her.”

Steadying your foot in the stirrup, you swung over him and pulled his reins back before leading him a lengthy distance away from the entrance of the arena. You knew what would happen as soon as you crossed it, the Cyclone would instantly set off the motion sensor and officially begin your time. While many liked to build as they raced, you found starting in a sprint to be more efficient. That is, if Cyclone could make every barrel.

You tried to block out any last minute doubts that tried to claw through your mind as the announcer called your name and your hometown.

“The duo from Atlas, she’s riding her trusty horse Cyclone!”

Eyes fluttering closed, you searched for any last second serenity as you sucked in a breath, the last before you would find out the results of the competition. There wasn’t anymore time for you to obsess over everything that could go wrong and you tried to not let that bother you. A sudden flash of Tyler’s face popped into your mind forcing you to grin as you were reminded of his faith in you. With no more inhibitions left to act as a hurdle between you and your goal, you tightened your grin on Cyclone’s reins and gave them a hearty tug. He was off at once, soaring through the open gate and into the arena.

Everything felt like it spun by in a flash as Cyclone rounded the first barrel. It was as rough as expected, but he was able to recover faster than before, no doubt motivated by the pressure of the competition and encouraged by your commands that were accompanied by guiding kicks to his side.

Focused on your race and entranced by Cyclone’s quick adaptation, you didn’t think to look over to Tyler as you rounded the second barrel. He was up from his front row seat, hollering for your success and beaming with pride as Cyclone sped up again, an even steadier repeat of his last.

“Cmon Cyclone!” you cried as he galloped towards the last barrel, utilizing every skill you’d taught him during practice to the max. He’d only lost some of his speed and not an ounce of his momentum as he steered straight for the last.

It was as he began the final loop that you realized he was going too fast, speeding into the circle so quickly that there was no sustainable way for him to complete the turn without flipping the barrel. You braced yourself for the mistake, heart skipping a beat as your horse nudged the orange plastic with his flank. Though it all happened in a flash too quick for you to keep up with, you swore the sound of it toppling into the dirt echoed through your mind and you couldn’t bear to look back.

“Fast!” you commanded, hoping to end on a high note despite the fact that you had failed. The fact that you weren’t any better than Addisyn anyhow. You hadn’t proved yourself. The least you could do was lessen the losing time as Cyclone sprinted for the finish line at your command.

The deafening beat of your heart pulsed so loudly in your ears that you could barely hear the cascade of cheers in the arena you had left behind. You turned Cyclone around, collapsing upon your saddle as you saw it. The last orange barrel had miraculously stayed in place. You couldn’t believe it. You’d actually done it.

“And it looks like we have our winner!” the voice of the announcer boomed from the speakers. “With an Arkansas State Rodeo record of 13.62!”

“We did it!” you screamed in disbelief as you dismounted Cyclone, turning to the horse with a wide grin and new found energy. Your exhaustion faded away like the moon with the sunrise. Every hour put into training, all the hard work for the best of outcomes. You were going to be able to afford your education. “You won, boy!”

Not only had you won, but your horse had run a state record time. It was almost like a fever dream, but the pang of your heart in your chest was all you needed to know that it was all real. Now all that was left was to remedy your bet with Tyler.

You were obligated to be honored with your prizes before you could search for him. He seemed to appear out of thin air as you tied up Cyclone back in the corral with a wide smile on your face, turning to find just the cowboy you’d been searching for.

Tyler Owens didn’t have his usual confident swagger as he approached you, the loss heavy in his two booted feet. While he was proud and rooted for win, it seemed the weight of the cost was starting to get to him. He hated that you wanted him gone, but if that was the price you wanted him to pay, he’d do it solemnly and willingly.

“Good race out there.” he congratulated your success, his face tinged with the slightest shade of pink. It was a strange sight for you to see, a cowboy blushing at the thought of your loss.

“You too, champion.” you grinned.

“That’s nothing to a record holder. You could go pro with a time like that.”

“True, but I have some bigger dreams.” you admitted as you started to picture how Tyler could fit into them.

 “You’re not gonna stick around another season to torture Addisyn come more? I just know she’d be devastated.” he jested.

“As much as I love the sound of torturing her, I’m afraid my calling is elsewhere now.”

“Right,” Tyler nodded, his smile dipping. There was no doubt he was wrapping his head around the outcome of your bet, how as requested, he’s no longer be allowed to speak to you once the sun would set down on the grassy horizon. Dusk was already upon you as the lights around the arena shone a little brighter, casting an artificial glow on the darkening sky. “Well, I guess this is the last time I’ll see you.”

Unlike Tyler, your grin only intensified, but not for the reason he must of suspected. The more you started to ponder the prospect of him truly never speaking to you again, the longer you wanted the day to last. You weren’t ready to let him go, and maybe you didn’t really have to.

“Uh huh, because I won,” you stated with a knowing smile, stepping just a hair closer to the cowboy.

“You sure did. And now I’ll leave you alone like you wanted. Just like I promised.” Tyler agreed, but you could tell his heart wasn’t in it.

His discontent reminded you of what he had requested from the bet had it turned in his favor. At the time you thought it was all one big joke, another way to motivate you by making fun of you. But now, seeing him trying to hide the tears in his soul from the thought of leaving you increased your certainty that it was more than that. Perhaps the consistent years of harmless teasing and never leaving you a moment of peace were in lieu of the words he really wanted to say.

“Right.” you took another slow step closer, leaving only inches of space between the two of you.

You thought your excitement had made your intentions obvious, but as Tyler pointed back towards his truck, you realized he was completely misinterpreting the message.

“So I’m just gonna do that now…” he stumbled over his words, waiting for you to give him a reason to stay. Just like in your race, you didn’t waste another second.

“Just kiss me already,” you ordered, watching as his folded features brightened at the invitation.

“Thank god.” he breathed as he finally closed the gap between the two of you, sealing his lips to yours with a searing kiss.

“That’s when I knew Tyler was my home,” you finished your story, looking away from the camp of your friends and towards the cowboy who had captured your heart. “We went to college together the next year, sharing a couples dorm and when Tyler proposed moving to Oklahoma, I knew I’d follow him wherever he wanted.”

Tyler reached out for one of your arms from his chair, pulling you in to press a kiss into your knuckle, touched by your interpretation of the story.

“Even if it meant facing God's wrath everyday,” he chuckled, referring to the storms you chose to spend your life chasing alongside him.

“Where’s Addisyn now?” Ben inquired, looking up from the scribble of notes he had jotted down in his worn notepad. You doubted much of it would make it into his article with all the rush of storm chasing that was intended to be the focus, but it was a flattering gesture nonetheless.

“Exactly where you’d expect,” Tyler shrugged, answering for you. “Housewife to some politician. She quit racing after she failed to beat Cyclone’s record time.”

“She even tried to buy him off me the season after we’d left for college,” you explained. “It was more than 15 times the prize money amount, but I couldn’t sell him. He still lives with my folks back home, happily grazing wherever he pleases.”

“What did you have to do with any of this?” asked Dani pointing at Boone who had moved onto his third beer of the night.

“Who do you think gave Tyler the courage to make the bet? I orchestrated the whole thing.” he claimed, smiling with such pride, you would’ve thought he was in on the whole thing.

“Did not!” your husband protested. “There would’ve been nothing to orchestrate if I hadn't liked her in the first place.”

“Yeah and it was my decision to kiss him in the end.” you added.

Boone only rolled his eyes. “Sure, take the credit,” he groaned drunkenly. “-that’s what they all say.”

Shaking your head at the display, you couldn’t help but chuckle as you found your seat again in Tyler’s lap. No matter who the credit went to, a better outcome to your’s and Tyler’s childhood feud was impossible to imagine.

“Last time I saw her,” Tyler began, changing the subject back to your past arch-nemesis. “- was when we invited her to our wedding. She wasn’t doing too hot, nearly had to kick her out for all the trouble she caused.”

“That reminds me!” Lily straightened in her seat. “Y’all have never told me the story of how Tyler proposed. I’ve been wanting to hear it for ages!”

“Well, that’s definitely a story for another time.” you laughed, as a whirlwind of memories played in your head from the day you two got engaged.

“How about instead, Boonie shares the time he got so plastered that he woke up backstage at a Dolly Parton concert.” Tyler suggested.

“Oh c’mon, you know I hate telling that story.” Boone sighed.

“No you don’t.” you and Tyler argued in true couple unison.

“Ahh who am I kidding. It’s the coolest thing that ever happened to me. It all started when we were pregaming in Dallas…” Boone began rambling, recounting the event with such detail and focus that it was difficult to tell that he had been drinking.

You and Tyler were silent for your best friend’s story, though neither of you were really listening as it was an event you had been present for. Instead you held your cowboy close, grateful that fate had thrown him so far into your path that you never couldn’t pass him by.

[moonchild9350]

Coffee, Love, & Messages

summary: you take interest in the barista at the cafe down the street after he wiggles his way into your heart

pairing: Lee Felix x gn!reader

genre: fluff, suggestive

word count: 2.2k

warnings: none

notes: just cute and cliche Felix :)

If you enjoyed please reblog, comment, and like!

Please do not copy, translate, modify, or use this work elsewhere without my permission. ©️moonchild9350 (2025)

It’s another early morning, the sun slowly rising in the sky, warming the world up after a chilly night. You walk along with the others on their way to yet another work day. You keep your head down until you pass Isle Street, your eyes searching eagerly for your little cafe you stop at everyday to buy a coffee.

You perk up a little as you pull the door open, the scent of fresh roasted coffee meeting your nose as you step into the facility. The cashier, Darcy, gives you a smile and begins to ring up your order, as they’re already familiar with your go-to’s since you’re a devoted customer. You pay and thank Darcy and walk to the pick up area, your heart pounding in your chest.

Rocking back and forth on your toes, you watch the black haired barista skillfully make your drink. His lithe fingers tap the side of the cup before wriggling his wrist to make a design with the milk to finish up your drink. You find yourself holding your breath as you watch him pick up a black pen and begin to write, his eyes focused and tongue slightly sticking out in concentration.

Butterflies tickle your belly as he hands you your drink with a smile, the freckles that litter his face highlighted due to the rays of sun shining through the window. You smile and nod before walking out of the cafe, not daring to look at your cup until you’re safely back on the sidewalk.

Taking a breath you look at your cup and giggle at what is written:

“The sun may shine, but not as much as your smile”

You blush at the message, silently chuckling at how cheesy it seems. The first sip tastes amazing, just the way you like it. You continue on your way to work, ready to tackle the day.

— —

The next day you enter the cafe, going through the motions as always. While waiting for your drink, you take a moment to watch the barista, eyeing his name tag that read out Felix. He had decorated it with stars and a moon today, the precision impressive.

As he finished up your order, he caught you staring. A wide grin spread across his face as he set your cup down.

“Y/n” he said all the while staring into your eyes.

You felt your cheeks heat up and your stomach do a flip. Grabbing the cup, you murmured a quick thanks and dashed out of the store. As you blended in with everyone else walking to work, you took a look at the cup to see what was written.

“Your eyes are like the stars twinkling in the night sky.”

You couldn’t help but think back to his name tag, filled with stars. It was enduring to think he thought of you like the stars that litter the night sky as beautiful and bright as always.

But wait, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Who’s to say he thinks of you in that way. He probably writes down little messages on all his customers cups.

Shaking your head, you looked straight ahead and walked with renewed purpose. You would not let these little messages and his pretty face get to your head.

— —

Everyday, Felix wrote on your cup, filling it with phrases that made your heart beat faster and your palms to sweat. He smiled his brilliant smile and eyed you like you were a precious pearl.

You tried to not let it go to your head, but it proved difficult to do so when you see him everyday. Slowly, you found yourself falling for him, wanting to get to know him more. The feeling terrified you and you wanted nothing more than for it to go away.

So you decided to stop going to your favorite cafe and instead go to one a little out of the way. Despite the distance, it was perfect as there was no Felix.

Your mornings were now filled with a typical coffee run. It was a little disappointing that you had to get to know the workers there and they you, but found it necessary for your heart to do so.

As time went on, you began to slowly forget about Felix, about his radiant smile, hundreds of freckles and his gentle hands that were skillful in what they do. But that was okay with you, as it was just another person you’d come across, one that you would meet and forget just like with all acquaintances.

— —

One morning as you grabbed your daily coffee, you found yourself looking at the side to see what was written, just to find it blank. Staring at the blank space, you felt your heart twinge and your smile fade.

There should be a quirky little phrase there. One that is so cliche but cute at the same time that it makes your stomach do flips but in a good way.

You couldn’t help but think of Felix, how he’d carefully make your drink. How he’d hand it to you with a smile, his beautiful black hair falling in his eyes as he gazed at you.

As you took a sip, your pace slowed, annoying those around you as everyone stepped around you. It wouldn’t hurt to stop by and see him right? Who’s to say he even still works there? It has been a while after all.

But, you’ll never know if you don’t go back and see. Tomorrow you will stop by your old cafe and see if he still works there. Hopefully he won’t be too angry with you for basically deserting him.

— —

The next day you got ready with extra care, styling your hair perfectly and dressing in an outfit you think he’d like. You decided on a neutral look for your makeup, the gold and bronze blending beautifully on your skin.

As you walked to the cafe, your heart raced, the feeling intensifying as you got closer to your destination. There was no reason to be nervous, you’re just getting coffee after all. But the thought of seeing Felix again made you nervous, excited, and cautious all simultaneously.

Arriving at the spot, your hand reached for the door. ‘You got this,’ you thought as you entered the cafe.

You were greeted with the roasted beans and a hint of vanilla, a scent that seemed to be solely in this shop. It was comforting, as if you were coming home which in a way you were as this was your favorite shop.

Darcy looked up from the register to greet you, but stopped in her tracks at the sight of you.

“Y/n! Hi! Long time no see. Your usual?” She asked with a warm smile, her fingers already tapping away on the screen.

“Hi. It’s been so long. Yes please, I’ll take my usual,” you responded.

You didn’t dare look to see who was behind the bar, not wanting your heart to be crushed if Felix wasn’t there. After paying, you walked to the pick up area with your head down.

Your phone was your distraction as you waited for your drink, pretending to be interested in some article that had popped up. Finally you heard your name, the persons voice ringing deep but softly.

You gasped and looked up, your eyes meeting the dark brown ones that were staring at you. Grabbing your drink, you felt your cheeks grow hot and you’re sure they were a shade of red that is surely embarrassing.

Felix continued to stare at you, his eyes taking you in, roaming from your head to your waist.

Suddenly he cleared his throat and said, “enjoy,” gave you a smile and turned away to prepare the other drinks in queue.

“Thanks,” you mumbled and walked out of the cafe, your chest tight and armpits sweaty after the encounter.

You grasped your drink tighter in your hand before glancing down to see if anything was written there. What you saw took your breath away and made you stop, those around you grumbling at the sudden obstacle.

“your heart beats, your blood flows, your love blooms like a flower in spring.”

Below that was a phone number, his you’re assuming. Felix gave you his phone number and you’re sure he was waiting for you to notice in the shop…and you didn’t. Shit.

You picked up your pace, hurrying to get to work, your mind on what you will say to Felix when you text him. Once you were settled in, you picked up your phone and opened your messages.

It took you forever to figure out what to say, your nerves getting the best of you. Finally you decided on a message and pressed send.

Hot barista:

Hi, this is y/n :) Sorry I didn’t look at your message before I left the shop 🫣

You sat back in your chair and waited. Would he respond? Or would he just delete your message? But surely he wouldn’t right? After all he’s the one who gave you his number. You went back and forth in your mind, arguing about whether or not he’d respond.

Finally, your phone dinged and you scrambled to read the message that was on your screen.

Hot barista:

Felix: lol it’s ok. I didn’t say anything either. I’m glad you texted me though!

Biting your nails you let out a chuckle.

Hot barista:

Omg of course! I love the little quotes you left on my cup. I always looked forward to them.

Hot barista:

Felix: Oh good. I thought they may have been too cheesy lol. Which leads me to my next question. Want to grab a bite to eat tonight?

Hot barista:

Yes, I’d love that!

Hot barista:

Felix: Perfect. Come by the cafe at 7?

Hot Barista:

I’ll be there :)

You were going on a date with Felix. You repeated the phrase in your mind over and over, giddiness taking over the linger you sat there and thought about it. You were over the moon that he felt the same way as you do and you couldn’t wait to see what the night had in store.

— —

You met Felix at seven as agreed at the cafe, Darcy giving you two a smirk as she watched him approach you. You couldn’t help but smile, the gesture reaching your eyes as you stared at the man in front of you.

“Ready?” Felix asked, returning the smile.

You nodded and followed him out of the door. The walk was quiet, both of you nervous to say something that would embarrass you. However, it didn’t last long as Felix pointed at a truck and said, “that’s where we’re going. Best tacos in town.”

“I love tacos!” You gushed, excited to eat the treat.

“Yeah? Well good. I thought you would.”

From there, you both chattered, asking each other questions to get to know each other. Felix paid for your food, pouting when you tried to stop him. The pout was so cute though, his eyes downcast, and his bottom lip jutting out to give him a puppy dog look, that you just couldn’t say no.

He was a perfect gentleman, ensuring you had everything you needed, helping you with your trash, and making sure you were on the inside of the sidewalk on the way home. You had such a great time that you really didn’t want the night to end.

Once at your apartment building, you both stopped in front, unsure of what to say. You looked at Felix, searching his eyes for anything at all. He seemed to be thinking, his gaze far away even though he was technically looking at you.

Moments passed before he snapped out of his reverie and cleared his throat. “I had fun y/n. Can I…” he paused for a moment and blushed, the red accentuating his freckles.

“Uh sorry, I’m nervous. You’re so pretty y/n. I’ve like you for a long time. That’s why I always wrote those phrases on your cup. I’d love to see you again.”

He ran his hands through his hair and then looked at you with hope in his eyes. He had said all of the things you’d hope, that he liked you just as much as you liked him, that those messages were indeed a way of flirting with you.

“I like you too Felix. I’d like that,” you replied and smiled.

Felix let out a sigh of relief and chuckled. However, once the moment passed you both stood there, neither one of you moving. You held each other’s gaze, as if it were a contest to see who would break contact first.

Your eyes darted down to his lips as his tongue brushed against them, before looking back into his eyes. You felt your heart flutter as he step closer, and closer until he was directly in front of you with barely any space in between.

His hands grasped your chin gently, his fingers soft against your skin. You held your breath as he slowly leaned down until his lips touched yours for a gentle kiss. He held his lips there for a moment before withdrawing just to lean down and kiss you again.

The fireworks went off in your head, the warmth settling around your heart within your chest. This moment was perfect. And as Felix stood back and grinned at you, his hands tucking a stray hair of yours behind your ear, you couldn’t help but think how he’s an angel from above.

Now you had another reason to love coffee.

divider by: @cafekitsune

taglist: @jehhskz @jeonginsleftcheek @armystay89 @palindrome969 @slut4hee @ivydoesit23 @amarecerasus @kaysungshine @fun-fanfics @baby-stay92 @velvetmoonlght @possum-playground @katsukis1wife @my-neurodivergent-world @hanniebaeee @hwanghyunjinismybae @channiesrightasscheek @skzdreamer13 @lezleeferguson-120

[last-words-ofashootingstar]

Hiii!! Here for the 'ask and receive' thingy you're doing! I'm thinking allure!MATZ (maybe seonghwa focus? 😏) with the prompts 120, 122, 214, 220, 221, 224. What do you think?? Love your fics btw 💕💕

➯a/n: OOOUUUH WHAT DO I THIIINK ? i think- shit, where'd my clothes go ? kkkkk its about time i did some pure smut in this universe !! thank you very much and enjoy <33

Allure

Scent of You

❥Park Seonghwa x fem reader x Kim Hongjoong

120 + 122: "faster, faster — please ! " + "just like — oh, fuck ! just like that ! "

✫彡wordcount: 2.6k

(>ᴗ•)genre: smut, a/b/o au

ಠ_ಠwarning/content: 214: cnc, 220: manhandling, 221: creampie/breeding, 224: knotting, predator/prey chase, clothed/naked dynamic, outdoor sex, double penetration, pet names, dirty talk, multiple creampie, this adds almost zero to the plot/universe imma be real; they just fuckin, not proof read

♫Allure Soundtrack♫ "Just howl all night, like we got nothing to lose." &TEAM, Scent of you♫

♡masterlist !♡

MINORS GO AWAY

˚➶ ｡˚

It's been a long time since your adrenaline was so high.

You can feel your heartbeat in your throat, in your ears, in your finger tips — in your cunt.

The chilly fall air burns your lungs as you push yourself. You're so far into the woods and away from the farmhouse that you wouldn't be able to find your way back even in the broad daylight; forget about doing it now, in the middle of the night with only the moon to guide you.

Good thing Seonghwa is hot on your tail and ready to drag you back home after he catches you.

His footsteps crunch the fallen leaves as he makes his way to catch up with you; not even trying to be quiet in his pursuit. Both of you know that he's faster, that he's eventually going to get you. But that doesn't matter. That's, in actuality, the whole point.

He and Hongjoong opened up to you a few months ago, about how they had some... peculiar interests. Things they wanted to try. Things their wolves wanted to do. At the top of that list, just below 'breed' — was 'hunt.'

It's no secret that alpha's are more in tune with their wolves natural instincts, their natural urges. The stronger the wolf, the stronger the urges. And you happen to have two very strong alpha's as your mates.

Seonghwa is the strongest wolf of your entire generation, he was the first born. When you agreed to this, he literally howled with joy at the fact that he would be able to chase you down and 'earn' what he took.

Hongjoong was just as excited, he nearly pounced on you then and there.

You can't lie. It's fucking exhilarating. Your wolf is prancing in your head at the knowledge that your mates are hunting you down with the intention of knotting you as roughly as they please.

You catch yourself by grabbing onto a tree as a lighting fast shadow crosses your vision up ahead, making you stumble. Hongjoong, it had to have been; because Seonghwa is still right behind you — oh, fuck.

You're tackled, Seonghwa's arms wrapping around you tightly and pulling you on top of him before you can collide with the dirt. "You cheaters!" You pant as you fall over him bonelessly, "he cut me off."

"We got you fair and square," he growls as he grabs the back of your sweater collar. Not another second is wasted as he riiiips the clothing down your back, "there wasn't a rule saying we couldn't corner you. Should have thought of that, Omega."

You gasp as the cold air hits your torso, exposed as he yanks the fabric off your arms. A yelp follows, having been pulled straight up and off him by Hongjoong.

He shoves you belly down onto the ground, "you're just so naive, Dolly~" He giggles, yanking your bottoms down. Not even bothering with your shoes as he pulls your pants off you. "Didn't you realize only one of us was behind you?"

"Get-" Your mind comes back to you after your initial shock of being caught and nearly stripped so fast, "get off me!" It's a little less convincing than it could be, but that's because you want them just as badly as they want you. Your ankle is immediately caught by a clawed hand as you go to kick at him, his other-worldly sharp nails threatening to press into your skin.

"I don't think so." He smirks as you look over your shoulder, wide eyes meeting his blackened ones. "You're ours. If you didn't want this, you should have ran faster~"

His words, although you know they are truly nothing but play pretend, make your heart thud in your chest harder and harder. You know you can end this with a single word. But you don't want to. "Wh- what are you gonna do?"

"We're gonna fuck you," Seonghwa's voice echos in the woods with a deep, dark purr laced in it as he stands infront of you.

The full moon is shining bright through the trees behind him, casting you in his shadow as Hongjoong plays with your hair teasingly.

"And you're gonna take it like the good little Omega that you are."

You couldn't respond even if you knew what to say as Hongjoong uses his claws and cuts your bra off of you, his palms immediately on your breasts as he grinds into your backside, making your jaw drop.

     "Maybe, if you behave," Seonghwa hums as he crouches, red eyes locked on yours, "I'll give you my puppies."

    You want to beg, 'please, please, fill me up!' Instead, you give him your best pout, finding yourself slipping more and more into the role of helpless prey. "You perverts..."

     "Ah, we're the perverts?" Hongjoong chuckles as he continues to grind his jean clad bulge against your panties. The texture is so rough and nice. That, along with the chase — has you soaking through the fabric.

    He sits up, holding you down by your shoulders as he leans his head back and takes a deep, purposeful breath in through his nose. "Mmmm," he bites his lip. You smell so tempting. So delicious. "You smell that, Baby?"

    Seonghwa smirks at his question. Of course he does. "Hm? You mean that sweet smell of our Omega's cunt begging for us?" You whine, genuinely embarrassed. Curse their stupidly strong senses.

     "I bet I could slip right in." Hongjoong's words make your eyes widen, and Seonghwa grins darkly, kneeling in front of you and leaning right to your face.

    "I bet so too. I bet she'll let you right in~ Her pussy is telling the truth, even when her mouth is lying."

   "No!" You try to push yourself up, only succeeding in pushing your ass against Hongjoong's bulge and making them laugh.

    "Oh, yes, Dolly~" He unbuttons his bottoms and is hurrying to free himself while you struggle lightly beneath him. "I'm not a very patient man, you know that by now."

     "Hongjoong, Hongjoong, wait! Wait a second, please!"

    Seonghwa grabs the back of your neck, tilting his head as he looks down at you. "What? Why should we wait? Hm?"

      "Y- At least stretch me out..." You feel so filthy for the words that leave your lips; but the harmonious rumbles from your Alpha's tell you that you definitely just did something right.

     In truth, you were already more than ready to take one or even both of the them. They'd been teasing you for hours before the moon rose and the chase began. 

    They didn't want to hurt you, after all — not that badly.

     "Oh," Hongjoong lets out an amused breath from behind you. You're just as into this as they are, slipping more and more into the game. "I'll stretch you out, alright."

      He shoves your panties down your thighs, barely giving him enough room to slam into you. And slam he does. Knocking every thought from your head and your breath along with it as he settles his member as deep as possible.

      It was only a slight hint of pain, the rest of what you were feeling was pure, unadulterated pleasure.

     Seonghwa could see it in your face. Your brows pushed together and your eyes glazing over as small howl gets broken off in your throat. "That's it, Starlight," he breaks the facade with a soft praise, cupping your trembling jaw. "Let our mate fuck you in the dirt like the animals we are."

    "F-uuuuck!" You scream as Hongjoong begins hammering into you, his growls reverberating off of the trees around you. Even as he gets lost in the clenching grip of your heat, he's careful with his claws as he grabs onto your shoulders; pulling you up to your knees.

    "Hongjoong, be gen-gentle!" Don't be gentle. Don't be gentle. Fuck me like the Alpha you are.

    His eyes roll back into his head as your thoughts reach him.

    They reached Seonghwa as well, who now cups your face with both hands and squishes your cheeks together roughly. "Gentle? You want gentle? Too fucking bad, pup. You're gonna take us like the Omega you are."

Oh, you could faint. They're always rough. It's in your nature. But this is all new and dizzying and making you drip around Hongjoong's pistoning cock.

     Seonghwa is grinning like a madman as you gulp, he can hear your heart thrumming like crazy as he comes closer. He shoves your face in his shoulder and holds you there with one hand while the other grasps onto your hip and guides you to start pushing back on Hongjoong.

     "Fucking hell-" The blond hisses, his clawed hands wrapping up in your hair and holding onto you tightly. Not pulling, just grounding himself with you roughly as Seonghwa pulls you back and forth to meet his hard thrusts.

      You wail into his shoulder, biting his hoodie and letting out a pathetic growl.

    Hongjoong is continuing their tradition of trying to mold the shape of his cock into you so that Seonghwa can do the same and see which sticks longer. He's hitting every deep, sensitive part of you as he slips in and out at a brutal pace with the help of your shared mate. 

    "Just like that, Baby," Hongjoong purrs deeply, one of his hands finding his on your hip and settling on top of it. "Just like —" A breath hitches in his throat as you tilt your hips, and he's suddenly pounding into you impossibly harder while holding you at the new angle. "Oh, fuck~" He laughs breathlessly, "just like that!"

      You slap your hands against the ground to cope with the new and intrusive feeling of him pushing himself somewhere... deeper. "Joong!! Too deep!" Every thrust is making his fat tip kiss the entrance of your womb. Don't stop. Don't stop.

"Cum inside of her," Seonghwa groans as he lets go of your head, eagerly yanking at his belt and locking eyes with the near feral man inside of you. "Lube her up nice and good so we can knot her together."

"Wha-aaaah," you squeal as Hongjoong pushes your face to the ground, one cheek to the dirt and your back arched deeply. His hand is on your other cheek, pining you to the ground with your ass in the air as he fucks you like he needs to breed you more than he needs to breathe.

It's almost like he does. As his pleasure slams into a peak almost as violently as he's slamming into you — he doesn't even realize he's holding his breath as he's shooting his load deep inside of you.

Not until Seonghwa's hand finds his shoulder, and he unlatches his jaw to snap at him before he realizes that's his mate too.

    "Easy, tiger," Seonghwa smiles devilishly as he pushes back Hongjoong's hair, "aren't you gonna let me in?"

     Fuck, yes, he is.

   Hongjoong reaches down and tucks his arms under your shoulders, yanking you up as you whimper, "hurry, Alpha... Need you~"

     Any part of you that was trying to hold onto the act is gone, your wolf is demanding to be knotted full by your mates. And they are more than eager to comply.

A small yip from you makes Seonghwa chuckle, watching you be jerked around with a primal satisfaction settling in his gut. Even though he knows, in reality, you wanted them this whole time — there's something so satisfying about the way they've gotten you so pliant and begging for their knots.

Your panties, still caught around your knees, stop your legs from opening all the way as Hongjoong lays back with you on top of him. He twitches inside of you, reaching around and using his claws slice the fabric. "Open up for your Alpha's, Dolly~"

As Seonghwa climbs over you, stroking his member slowly as he eyes you like a predator, Hongjoong holds your thighs and spreads you wide.

"Pretty Omega wants our knots, hm?" Seonghwa hums as he grips your jaw with his free hand, leaning over you with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Yes..." You answer breathlessly, blinking at him slowly and letting a pout form on your lips.

"Fuck — how can I say no to that?"

Your wail echoes in the silent night, your head thrown back and your small fangs gritting together as he all but shoves his bulky tip into your stretched hole. Hongjoong is panting like a dog underneath you, his eyes squeezing shut in focus as he forces himself to retract his claws. When he's successful, his fingers immediately find your clit; bombarding you with pleasure and sending mixed signals to your brain.

Seonghwa is stretching you out in an incredible and punishing way as he joins your mate inside of you, Hongjoong is flooding your body with dopamine. All of your wolves are noisy beyond belief in your mind as they howl with joy at being so undeniably close.

     You hadn't come to expect gentleness from the eldest alpha, and you aren't surprised in the slightest bit that your chase had worked him up. He only gives you a single split second, while he grabs ahold of your hips, before he's done waiting and starts rutting into you.

     You and Hongjoong are equally wrecked as Seonghwa grinds against him rough and deep inside of you, the sounds of his previous release squelching while being pounded back into you stirring him on.

    He uses his grip on your hips to drag you up and down, his lip snarling upwards as he growls, "our perfect Omega takes it so good-"

     Hongjoong is growling louder than he is now, cutting him off as he starts thrusting in time with how he moves you. "Faster."

    "We don't want to break her~" He laughs lowly as the younger wolf's pout.

    "She can take it," Hongjoong whines, "right, Dolly?" He rubs his hands up your torso, abandoning his teasing of your clit now that you're falling apart on their lengths. 

    You nod quickly, hands scrambling for anything to hold onto you. You find Seonghwa's hoodie; grasping it tightly in your fists as you look up at him. "Faster, faster — please! Please, Alpha!"

    You know just how to press their buttons by now — which is exactly why you get just what you asked for.

Faster. Harder. They're animalistic in the way they take you. You can hardly think. But you don't have to. All you have to do is take it and revel in it.

A small howl leaves your pursed lips as your back arches off of Hongjoong's chest, thrusted about by their intense in-and-out and only held in place by Seonghwa's rough hands on your hips.

Your claws are dug into his hoodie, the tearing sound going completely ignored because the feeling of Hongjoong's knot swelling up and making the space they occupy even snugger.

"You gonna take it, Starlight?" Seonghwa hums a moan as he leans over you completely, crushing you between them, "gonna have our puppies?"

"Yes! Yes, pl-ease!"

Your yowl as Hongjoong's knot finally locks up inside of you — spurting even more hot cum — is muffled as Seonghwa latches his lips to yours. He keeps you right there, kissing you heated and messy as he copies the younger alpha's actions; stuffing you beyond completely and finally making that burning pleasure inside of you snap.

He rubs your stomach softly as you tremble and convulse with ecstasy, smiling against your lips as he feels their knots inside of you.

When he pulls away, he rest his head in the crook of your neck — purring loud and proud as he kitten licks at your mating mark. Hongjoong is rumbling happily below you, his arms wrapped around your waist softly and eyes closed blissfully.

"Such a perfect Omega," Seonghwa purrs, "we're so lucky."

˚➶ ｡˚

[twiixr4kidz]

had a specific vision of giving the members of la squadra hugs......... have me being sappy over my boys

shoutout to those of you who followed during my naranchuu days when i was just a jjba blog LMAO (when my requests open back up please send me jojo asks i miss writing for jjba) (also assume that sorbet and gelato are still together in this i just wrote them seperately for the sake of giving them personalities outside of each other)

risotto nero:

a hug from the capo is a special thing to get.

they're suffocating in the best way from just how tall and strong he is

he'll let you bury your face into his chest as his fingers run through your hair

he always smells so comforting; he smells like home

some of his hugs will be coupled with a kiss on the forehead

others will be coupled with a "you're alright, i've got you"

prosciutto:

he says he's not a hugger, but the fact that he indulges so often says otherwise

prosciu's hugs are tender; so impossibly calming, you could melt in his arms

he keeps a hand resting on your lower back, the other running through your hair

he smells like fancy wine, expensive cologne, and cigarettes

he rocks you back and forth, telling you how much he loves you and appreciates you

pesci:

although nervous about them, he's such a huge hugger

he's big, warm, and so fucking cozy

pesci truly gives some of the best hugs imaginable

he hugs you to make sure you know you're safe with him; he'd never let anything bad happen to you, and if something bad DID happen, he'd make sure it'll never happen again

his fuzzy coat is just a plus!! take advantage of it and nuzzle your face into it, he thinks it's adorable

formaggio:

he's a big hugger, and all of his hugs feel almost playful

he likes to jump out at you and tackle you to the floor, peppering your face with kisses as he tickles your sides

formaggio hugs you a lot for his own comfort

he likes to shrink you down when he hugs you - it's like he's trying to swallow you whole

he's always so warm and cozy, and you if you aren't standing up, you'll be able to fall asleep on him

illuso:

believe it or not, he's shockingly clingy.

yes, he's a giant, cocky asshole who thinks he's better than everybody else. no, he can't get enough of your touch. those concepts can coexist...................

he likes to pop out from behind dark corners and wrap his arms around you tightly

illuso will bury his face in your hair, mumbling what you can only assume are compliments that he's too embarrassed to say out loud

his hands press tight against your sides, thumbs rubbing small circles on your waist

melone:

he gives some of the most comforting, genuine feeling hugs

sure, he might seem a little creepy on the outside, but he can read you like a book

he'll come up from behind you and wrap his arms lazily around your neck

"come here, tesoro. i know you need it."

and he's right damn near every time

sometimes he'll give you a gentle kiss on the cheek before wandering elsewhere

other times, he'll drag you to the couch and force you to cuddle with him

ghiaccio:

he's not good at hugs; he gets nervous and then he stiffens up and freezes

ghiaccio gives you the biggest hugs when you come back home from rough missions, though

his arms wrap around you tightly, face buried in your neck as angry worries pour from his lips - he thought you were a goner

he's scared that you're going to disappear on him, but hugging you makes him feel better

he's nice to hug in the summer months when the heat's getting to you

he's always nice and chilly and if it's you asking, he's happy to oblige (but he'll never say it)

sorbet:

similar to risotto, sorbet's hugs feel like he's suffocating you

he's built like a fucking wall; tall, broad shoulders, wide chest, very muscular

his hugs are few and far between, but he always hugs you like he's trying to kill you

he likes when you're giggling over being stuck in his arms, playfully scratching him and begging him to let go

he gives you a tight squeeze before letting you go, ruffling your hair before wandering off

gelato:

he gives some of the most playful, gentle, warm hugs you could ask for - ironic for such a cold-hearted killer

he likes picking you up and spinning you around before pulling you into his chest

he'll tickle you side with one hand while the other arm stays wrapped around your body so you can't escape his torture

he also likes to bite :3 every hug comes with a little nip on your neck just to hear your squeal

he drags you to cuddle with him after every hug though - you're just sooooo cute and cozy, he can't help it

[megs-1800]

No Strings Attached

Summary: Friends with benefits is always difficult especially when one of you catch feelings. Will Mason have the same feelings or will you lose him forever?

Pairings: Mason Mount x Reader

Word Count: 11.2K

Warnings: Angst, Fluff and Smut

“T-that was i-incredible” Mason pants as he rolls off me and flops himself on the bed next to me trying to catch his breathe. “Our sex always is incredible” I say rolling onto my stomach crashing my arm onto his chest whilst he tickles up and down it. I look into Mason’s eyes which I can see the spotlight from the ceiling are making them sparkle. Fuck he is so gorgeous. Mason sits up and looks at the time “I probably should make a move, I got training early tomorrow morning”. I give him puppy eyes hoping he would stay but I knew what I signed up for. Mason and I met a year ago, my best friend Paige is dating Ben Chilwell, she introduced me to Mason at a party of theirs. At the time I was happily engaged but the bastard ended up cheating on me, well turns out he was cheating all along. Me and Mason got drunk and ended up sleeping together, but from there we kind of just stayed a type of friends with benefits, he was there for me when I needed and vice versa. ‘No strings attached’ we said. “When am I next seeing you?” I ask and Mason gives me a smirk as he looks me up and down. “I will call you yeah”. I wink at him knowing he always calls.

I didn’t hear from Mason for the next couple of days but that’s not out of the ordinary, we go days not talking then we can go days with non-stop talking. I could say he is on the border of being one of my best friends, if I being honest he knows me better then I know myself sometimes, but I feel like we could never be proper friends due to our activities together. I throw myself on the sofa after a awfully long week, I turn on the TV and see that United are playing, it’s a Saturday early game so not much else to watch and thought it would be nice to show Mason some support. That’s why Mason hasn’t been talkative he has been putting his all into preparing for the game I thought. However 38 minutes into the game I watch how the opposition player tackles Mason and takes him completely down, I watch how he is screaming and rolling around in pain. I can see the pain in his eyes, I know he is more annoyed at being taken off rather than the pain of the tackle, he has worked so hard to get back and already being subbed must kill him. I quickly text him knowing that when he is free he will respond:

Y/N: How you feeling? x

I couple of hours passed and I hear my phone buzz and looking down and seeing Mason has replied:

M: Like shit how do you think I am feeling

Y/N: sorry silly question x

I feel bad for him but I didn’t know what else to say, I am taken back by his bluntness but I know he is hurting right now, I know deep down he doesn’t mean it. Another hour passed and my phone buzzes again:

M: Sorry y/n/n its just so frustrating you know I worked so hard for what, to play 38 minutes its just shit. The press has already slaughtered me, I just feel like shit but I don’t mean to take it out on you xx

Y/N: Don’t listen to the stupid press they just want a story. You are amazing Mase, injuries happen that’s the joys of being a footballer but don’t let them get you down. You know I am always your number one fan. I will whip you back into fitness in no time ;) xx

M: I can always count on you to make me laugh. Chilly said you are out with Paige tonight but I don’t suppose you can come here beforehand please? You can get ready here, I just hate being alone right now xxx

Y/N: I am already on my way superstar xxx

I quickly pack all of things that I would need for the night and then make my way to Masons. Everytime I go there it leaves me speechless, it definitely puts my one bedroom flat to shame. Mason opens the door, I can see he is wearing a pair of shorts and has he left ankle wrapped and is limping to the sofa. “Can I do anything?” I ask assessing his wounds. “you can do a lot of things” he raises his eyebrows and smirks seductively, he quickly continues “I am joking, you can get me a jumper please I just cannot bring myself to tackle the stairs yet”. I nod and quickly run upstairs and grab my favourite hoodie of his. I run back down the stairs and give it to him, he looks at me and smiles “how did I know you were going to get me this one” he laughs “am I that predictable?”. I make me and Mason a cup of tea and come join him on the sofa. He puts his arm up so I can turn my body into his chest, he has his ankle rest up in front of him. He continues to stoke my hair and we sit there in silence for what feels like forever. I go to look at the time, “jheez I gotta start getting ready” I start to move which Mason holds me tighter. “5 more minutes you have no idea how easy you take away the pain”. I smile into his chest, I love that I have that impact on him.

I look at myself in the mirror as I make one more curl in my hair, I am wearing a short black dress with laced sleeves and I matched it with a pair of black heels. I carefully make my way downstairs, I watch as Mason’s eyes look up from his phone and his eyes follow up and down, as I do a little playful swirl “you look insane” Mason states and I can feel myself blush. As I walk over to get my bag I heard my phone ding, I walk over to check it and my face drops “whats up?” Mason looks at me concerned. I take my heels off and flop myself on the sofa next to Mason “well that’s Paige cancelling last minute- again!” I groan. Mason looks at me sympathetically “has she cancelled on you a lot?”  I nod to his question “yeah since she got with Chilly she has all her WAG friends now so I am kind of second best. I still love her but I guess she has more important places to be” I say defeated feeling sorry for myself.

Mason smiles “well we can party here?”  I look at him and laugh “what with you that has one leg and is on strong painkillers so cannot drink? Great party!” I joke back. Mason clutches his chest where his heart is like I hurt his feelings “ouch!” I jab him in arm “thank you for making me feel better. Well I guess one good thing is I could go and put a tracksuit on and stuff my face now” I start to make my way upstairs when I hear him shout “You can wear that new tracksuit of mine that you like, I will order your favourite”.

I am laughing away with Mason, I am wearing his new Gucci oversized tracksuit, its massive on him so it drowns me but I am so comfortable. “I have never known someone who looks as beautiful all dressed down as they do all dressed up. You are going to make someone a real lucky guy one day”. I can feel myself blush at Mason’s words, he always knew how to pull on the heart strings. “Why you being so cute Mount? You wanna get into my knickers or something?” I heard him laugh and then lean in close to me “Maybeee?” I snigger at his comment “well you are in no state to ‘rock my world’ tonight Mase” he learns back and raises his eyebrows at me “Maybe but I bet even with my injured ankle I am still the best sex you ever had”. I laugh, I love how he has such a big ego.

Another hour passes, “its getting late I best get going” Mason gives me pleading eyes “please stay y/n. I need help to get up the stairs please” I nod “okay  I will help you up the stairs and into bed then I am leaving”. Mason gives me a slow nod in response but I can tell there is something deeper in his eyes. I help him hobble up the stairs as I allow him to put the pressure onto me, I am struggling under his weight but I am determined to get him there. We eventually make it to his bedroom and I help him walk over to the bed. “I still cannot get over this room, this room is the size of my whole flat”. Mason shrugs his shoulders “perks of being a footballer I suppose”. He starts to get underdressed and I quickly shield my eyes “right I need to be going. Thanks for tonight Mase”. Mason pats the spot next to him in bed “why do you hide away its not like you haven’t seen it all before, but come join me” I hesitate for a minute but I know he will win. “There is a pair of my boxers and tshirts in the drawer you can wear for now” I thanked him and put them all.

His glaze doesn’t leave mine as he watches me get into his clothes “I have never known someone to look so fit in a pair of mens boxers you know” I am taking that compliment. I throw the covers back and join him in bed “I never get over how big and comfy this bed is” I stretch out as I show gratitude to the bed. Mason leans in and tickles up and down my sides which gives me goosebumps, he then extends his hands strokes the sides of my face “you are so beautiful never let anyone tell you different” I lean in closer to Mason so our lips are brushing against eachother “you are full of compliments tonight Mount”.

With that our lips come crashing together, our tongues fighting for dominance which I eventually allow Mason control, I always end up giving into him. I can feel Mason grinding his hips into mine and the blunge between us becoming apparent, Mason moves him lips to my neck and I cannot stop the moans that come out. I reach down to take him in my hands and I feel Mason stop my hands, I look at him confused. “I am not going to last long I need to be inside you” I nod knowing exactly what he means, I am in no mood for foreplay I need to feel that dick stretch me out. He removes his pants and climbs on top of me and puts legs so they wrap around his waist he slides the boxers I am wearing to the side and slowly lines himself up with me. “F-fuck” he moans into my neck “I love feeling that pussy stretch out for me” Mason starts a slow pace then it hits me “Mase your ankle lets swap” I offer. Mason shakes his head and continues his pace, I can hear him getting harder and faster and I know that he is close and he is edging me closer too. I can then feel his pace slow down and then I see him wince “swap” I demand and Mason gives him and flops down next to me “sorry I want to ruin you right now, bloody fucking ankle”. I kiss him to shut him up as I climb on top of him, I usually hate being on top as I am insecure about my body but Mason makes me feel so comfortable, I have no objections. I line him up with my entrance and slowly lower myself down, we grown in unity as I start to bounce up and down on his dick. He removes the tshirt I am wearing and starts playing with my tits, I can feel his fingers grazing over my nipple as he is inching me closer to my orgasm. “uh right there M-Mase r-right t-there” I moan as I come undone all over his dick, with that I feel Mason’s dick twitch inside me as he moans my name into my neck.

I flop off him as we both catch our breathe “see injured and I am still the best sex you ever had” which he winks at me. “Who said that you was the best sex I have ever had?” I tease as we both know he was the best guy I have slept with, “I think from the way you just screamed my name as you cum all over my dick had something to do with it”. I quickly get up and get cleaned up and bring Mason in some tissue as I know he is going to struggle to get out of bed. I go to get dressed as Mason stops me “what are you doing?” I look at him confused “I am getting dressed what does it look like I am doing?”

Mason shakes his head “stay with me tonight”

“Isn’t that breaking one of our rules ‘no sleepovers’ remember you were there when we set them”

“Yes and now I am saying lets break this one just for tonight. Please it will be nice not to be on my own. You know in case I need the toilet or something” I know there is more to that but I am not going to argue.

“Okay just this once” I reply as I throw back on the tshift I was wearing earlier and climb back into bed with him. Mason grins like the Cheshire cat as he pulls his arm out so I can lay on his chest. The small sound of his heart beating sends me to sleep.

A wake up as I see the sun drifting in through the blinds, I see Mason hobbling out the bathroom “Hey you are not supposed to be walking without support” I scold him.

“Well if I waited for sleeping beauty to wake up I would of exploded I have a bladder of a child” he giggles as he hobbles back to the bed and throws himself next to me. “Whats your plans for today?”  he asks

“Not much I am helping one of the girls I work with move this afternoon, so probably have to leave soon” Mason pouts at that statement, “what about you Mount?”

Mason looks down like he doesn’t want to tell me the next part “Rebecca is coming down to spend time with me today”

I look at him confused as I bring his chin up to me so our eyes meet “whos Rebecca?”

Mason looks back down again as he didn’t wants to meet my gaze “she is a girl I have been seeing?” I jump out of bed at this comment.

“What the fuck are you talking about Mason? We just had sex and now you wanna tell me you are seeing someone. What the fuck Mason!!!” I am now screaming and throwing my hands around. I am starting to get dressed as I am shouting.

“We said no strings attached Y/N”

“I know that Mason! I don’t mean it like that, I mean that you have cheated on that poor girl with me. You have made me the other women that’s disgusting Mason! You know I have been cheated on why would you do that to me!” Mason gestures for me to sit at the end of the bed so I do, hoping he will let me calm down.

“We are not exclusive, we have only been on a couple of dates. We haven’t even slept together yet. I know its wrong Y/N you just do these things to me, you make me feel so much better and I know I do the same for you. I am sorry we can stop now if it will make you feel better.” I give him a look so he knows I am not impressed but I know nothing is going to change what happened so no point dwelling on it, so I nod in agreement.

“No more sex but still friends yeah” I lean to him and put out my pinkie finger. He wraps his pinkie around and places a kiss to it. “the best of friends” he replies.

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

A year has passed since that morning and Mason and I have kept our word and haven’t slept together. We are still close and talk near enough everyday but we are just keeping it to friendly flirting and not taking it any further than that. I miss that closeness though, I feel like I haven’t been able to feel that closeness with anyone else. Even with my partner James its different, we have been dating for nearly a year, I met him shortly after Mason and I’s ‘no more sex’ pact, Mason is still dating that Rebecca, it seems to be going well. I am happy with James, he is successful and passionate and loving and everything I should want in a man, but I don’t know I feel like something is missing. Maybe that’s just me being silly, always looking for a ‘but’ in a relationship. Maybe this will be my happy ever after, after all.

“Pleaseeeeee come out tonight y/n/n! It won’t be the same without you” Paige begs on the phone.

“I don’t know Paige. It’s a very A list party I am not sure I would fit in babes”

“Oh come on Y/n you said that James is working so what else are you going to be doing on New Years Eve. I hate the thought of you sitting at home on your own pleaseeee. You know us and Mason is going to be there.” The thought of Mason there does heal the anxiety of going a little bit.

“Okay Paige I agree I will think about it okay”

“That’s all I am asking babes. Love ya”.

I am still not sure if I want to go or not, I am constantly fighting with my head. Paige is hosting a New Years party at Ben Chilwell’s but my anxiety is going through the roof of the thought of going to the party with all these famous people and I am just little old me. I just got home from work when I get a text message:

M: Please tell me you are going to Chilly’s NYE Party! Paige said you haven’t got back to her yet. Please I need to see drunk y/n, I haven’t seen her in a long time. She is a laugh, give the people want they want!!! Drunk y/n drunk y/n! xx

I giggle at his message and quickly hit reply.

Y/N: I don’t know, my anxiety isn’t great Mase there is going to be a lot of people there and I will literally know Chilly, Paige and you. But at the same time work has been mad recently so would be nice to let my hair down. Aww I don’t know Mase xxx

M: Pleaseeeee do it for me xx

Y/N: Okay you have persuaded me. You are my weakness Mount. I will see you there xx

It takes me days to decide what to wear for New Years Eye, I don’t want to be too dressed up as its only a house party but I don’t want to show up not making an effort. Its got to NYE, I finished work early so I got time to get ready but I still have no idea what to wear. I have finished my hair and makeup but just no outfit.

M: What time are you getting there for? I am staying the night so I can come and get you on the way if you want? X

Y/N: Thanks that would be great. I will be ready for whatever time you want me ready for xx

M: Ready for 7? X

Y/N: Perfect! Well it would be if I knew what to wear x

M: You look amazing in anything! Wear that white thing with the trousers and the fluffy bits I like that one x

Y/N: Thank you but I have put some weight on since I last worn that so I don’t know x

M: Well try it on and see I bet you will still look amazing ;) x

I quickly find the outfit he is talking about and snap a photo of me in it. I really don’t know about it but I send it to Mason and see what he says.

M: See I knew I was right. I am leaving mine now so see you soon xx

Mason messages me when he is outside, and I make a way to his car. He is wearing a pair of baggy jeans and a nice top. “See I knew I was right you look lovely” I can feel myself blush “thank you Mase you look really nice too. I just don’t know if it’s a little tight around the stomach” I say trying to grab the material away from the stomach feeling insecure. I watch Mason’s eyes flicker up and down over me “you look amazing! Now stop it we going to have a great night!” I nod knowing he was right, tonight is going to be the best.

The rest of the night is amazing, Mason barely leaves my side as we speak to others at the party. I know he can sense my anxiety I even feel his hand rub my waist when he can sense I am uncomfortable, he always knows how to make me feel safe. I am on drink ‘I cannot even remember’ now and I can feel myself start to get a little tipsy. Mason looks over me with his hand wrapped around my side as he looks down at me “so where’s James tonight?” for a second I want to say ‘who is he talking about?’ due to the alcohol consumed. “He is working tonight. What about you? I am sure Rebecca would of jumped at the chance to be at a NYE party with you? I like Rebecca she is sweet”.

I can feel how tipsy I am with how unstable I have become on my feet “she is a nice girl. She is with her family tonight though. She thinks a lot of you though y/n, she really likes you too”.

I pull away from Mason’s grip “yeah she wouldn’t like me though Mason if she knew we slept together when you first got together”. I watch Mason’s face drop as I know he feels as guilty about it as I do. “Come on lets not dwell on that, lets just enjoy the night” which with that he grabs his arm around my waist.

The rest of night I can feel my anxiety start to fade with the amount of alcohol consumed. I loose Mason for a little while but with the liquid courage I have brought myself to chat to other people. I am dancing with a couple of girls that I have got chatting too when I can feel someone behind me and wrapped their arms around me, at first I thought it was Mason so I settle into it a little but then I felt their hands roll down the outside of my thighs and pushes their body into mine. I hear them whisper into my ear “I love the little show you put on for me. Shake it for me baby”. I quickly tense up and I turn around realising I have no idea who this guy is. “Who are you? What are you talking about?” I suddenly feel uneasy and try and back away from the guy. “Come on don’t be a tease baby. I know you were shaking it for me”. I watch how his eye darken and he grabs my waist. I can feel his fingers digging into me whilst his other hand wraps around my wrist. I suddenly begin to panic. “please let me go” I beg, but he doesn’t reply he just tightens his grip.

Suddenly I feel another’s presence “If I were you were mate I would let her go”. I feel the grip loosen slightly. I know that voice, Mason!  I see the guys face turn from lust to anger “and who are you mate? She wants it! She has been dancing in front of me all night telling me she wants it. Look at her of course she wants it!” I can feel my heart drop do I really look like a slut? I was just trying to have a good time. I watch the rage in Mason’s eye’s “I will say it again I suggest you let her go before we got a problem.” The guy lets me go and squares up to Mason “yeah is it now. I suggest we take this outside”. I know Mason isn’t a fighter and I really don’t want him to get injured over me. I take Mason’s hand “come on just leave it Mase its not worth it.” I plead for Mason to drop it, not wanting to make more of a scene about it. ”Stay out of this you little slut! If the famous Mason Mount thinks he can try it with me, then lets go!” Mason doesn’t reply all I see is a swing and Mason’s hand colliding with the guys cheek which knocks the guy onto the floor. Chilly and a couple more people seeing the commotion quickly dragged the guy out whilst Mason looks at me and then quickly storms into the kitchen. Feeling embarrassed with all eyes on me I quickly run to the bathroom.

I can feel my heart beating in my chest, I cannot believe Mason just hit that guy. I can feel my eyes starting to water. Mason is always there to save me, but he didn’t need to do that. I compose myself after a couple of minutes and make my way back to the party. I bump into Paige “are you okay babes? I don’t know who that guy thinks he is? I don’t even know who he is I think he is a plus one”. I wrap my arms around Paige and settle into the hug “I am okay Paige, honestly. Well thanks to Mason I am. I am probably going to make a move though that guy has ruined my vibe”. Paige pulls away from the hug “no please y/n/n don’t leave!” I hesitate “I need to go find Mason and check he is okay”. Paige nods “I think he is in the kitchen”. I thank her and made my way to the kitchen.  

I turn the corner and I can see Mason having a conversation with a couple of the boys “come on man! There was no need to punch him” I hear one of them say, I hear Mason grunt “he was groping her! Then you should of seen the way he spoke about her it was fucking disgusting I didn’t mean to hit him I just flipped”. I hear one of the cough and they all look up to me which the other men remove themselves from the kitchen.

“How you doing?” he asks me, I melt at his compassionate.

“You are asking me how I am doing? You are the one who punched someone. Hows your hand?” He lifted his hand up so I could inspect his knuckle. He winces as I touch the wound. I grab the bag of ice that is lied on the side and put it back onto the knuckle, which Mason hisses and swears. “I’m sorry”.

Mason looks at me and grabs the side of my face “what are you sorry for? He was the asshole and it was my choice to punch him. None of this is your fault”. Mason uses his un-injured hand to place a stand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t listen to a word he said. You look incredible and you deserve to dance and have a good time without being harassed.” He shoots me a reassuring smile. Which I return.

“Thanks Mase for saving the day! I am probably going to make a move now tho. I just want to forget tonight ever happened”. I see the sadness in Mason’s eye.

“What?! You cannot leave now. Its New Years in an hour come on just see the New Year in then I will let you go. Please I punched a guy for you, the least you can do is stay for me”. He jokes the last part but still it has persuaded me.

“Okay Okay you really are my weakness Mount. I will stay for you, but just until midnight” Mason gives me a toothy smile in return. “Just until midnight” he repeats back.  

The rest of the evening is a laugh, I continue drinking  and I am now totally smashed, which looking at Mason he is the same. We are dancing away together, chatting away with everyone. It gets to the New Years countdown and we are all cramped into the living room counting down together. As the numbers are getting smaller, I am not sure what to do. 12….11..Should I kiss Mason? 10…9.. Mason looks down at me, I am wondering if he is thinking the same? 8….7 Mason wraps an arm around my side and holds me closer. 6…5.. He closes the gap between us I look between his lips and his eyes. 4…3…2…1… before I know it our lips are connected. I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him closer as we continue to kiss. He pulls away and I see him bite his lips “happy new year beautiful” I lean in again which Mason returns the kiss as we pull away I talk “happy new year Mase”. I can feel butterflies in my stomach, right now in this moment, everything feels right.

Another hour passes and I can start to feel the alcohol wearing off, I say my goodbyes to Paige and Ben and I continue to walk round trying to find Mason. I haven’t seen him for the last 20 minutes which was weird as we have been attached at the hip during this party. I really don’t want to leave without staying goodbye. I look everywhere I can think of but he is nowhere to be found where can he be? I thought. My uber messages to say they are outside and I know I need to go, I check one more place before going Ben’s spare room. I knock lightly on the door and slowly open the door. I see Mason sat on the bed smiling at me “there you are!” I grin “I have been looking for you”.

Mason gets up and comes to meet me at the door, “I came to say goodbye, my uber is outside”. I explain. Mason doesn’t say a word and continue to look at me. We continue to stand there in silence, “okay well thank you for tonight. Its been the best night, and you know thank you for saving me and all that. So I guess I will see you soon”. Mason still doesn’t say anything and I can feel the air between us is weird, its never like this between us I wondered what’s happened. Mason then closes the gap between us, he brings my chin up so I am looking into his eyes. There is a sparkle in his eyes, Passion! He slowly lowers himself down and I can feel our lips brushing against eachother, it’s a slow loving kiss. It’s a kiss we have never had before. Mason hands lower and I can feel them brushing against my bum, he gives it a little squeeze before he continues the kiss. This time the kiss is needy as I can feel his tongue dominating my mouth. We both pull away fighting for breathe “I really gotta go my ubers waiting” Mason hums into my mouth as he continues the kiss “then go then” he kisses me, another deep kiss “or I can refund you the money you paid for the uber and you can stay here”. Mason and I continuing to kiss and right now in this moment all I can think about is the growing bulge between us. I can feel myself fighting with my head.

Mason rips his shirt over his head and exposes his toned chest, my lips water at the sight of it. We haven’t been this intimate in a year. I run my fingers down his chest as we continue the kiss, I can feel him moaning into my mouth. Mason turns me round and I can feel him grinding into my bum, which his dick is now rock hard. He starts to kiss down my neck and I know he is leaving me a hickey, I can feel the zipper of my jumpsuit and before I know it I am left in my underwear. Mason turns me around and looks me up and down “fuck you are so beautiful” he says making me blush and my instinct is to suddenly try and cover up. He grabs my arms away “come on its me. No need to hide away”. Our lips are connected again, I help Mason remove his trousers so we are both left in our underwear. Our hands are exploring eachother’s bodies, I can feel myself moaning as he brushes over the spot I need him most. That’s when reality hits me I quickly pull away “Mase what are we doing? We cannot do this?” Mason pulls away and takes a deep breath “I don’t know y/n you just do something to me. I just can’t handle myself around you. If you don’t want to do anything then its fine you can do home.” We both stand there, staring at eachother. My heart bonding through my chest whilst my head is fighting with my heart.

I wrap my arms around his neck “Mase I don’t know! I got James and you got Rebecca. We cannot do this to them. What if they find out?” Mason is continuing to tickle up and down my back “I will repeat y/n if you don’t want to do anything we don’t have too. But why are you worrying about them finding out? Its only us here”. I know he was right, I jump onto Mason which he catches me and wraps my legs around his waist. We both look into eachothers eyes and I can feel my heart melt, “I’m guessing that means you have opted in for the best sex of your life”. I roll my eyes as Mason walks me over to the bed and throws me down.

He quickly joins me and climbs inbetween my legs, I know what I am doing is wrong. I know I shouldn’t be doing this to James, but its Mason, its like he has a spell over me. All thoughts of James disappear as Mason kisses down my body, he unclips my bra and I can feel him flip my tipple through his tongue and slowly grazes them with his teeth “m-mase” I whimper. Mason continues to kiss down my body until he is finally at my core. He lifts my hips up so he can remove my thong then leaves a trial of kisses up my thighs, I try and contain my moans as I know we have to keep quiet but its so hard when I can feel his hot breathe on my pussy. He gives me one long swipe with his tongue and I scream out his name. He giggles and looks up at me, I give him pleading eyes begging him to go back to where he was “as much I love hearing you scream my name y/n we need to be quiet so we don’t get caught okay”. I nod in agreement hoping he will quickly return to where he was. Mason focuses on my clit and I can feel myself coming undone underneath him, Mason quickly inserts 2 fingers inside me as his tongue pays attention to my clit. I grab the pillow next to me and place it over my mouth to give me something to bite down on to stop me from screaming, I am a mess from Mason’s touch “fuck I have missed your fingers and mouth. Its so fucking good!” I am able to mutter which I can feel Mason smile into it. I am so close “go on baby let yourself go I know you wanna”. I relax my body and I can feel myself hitting my high, I try my hardest to be quiet but his name escapes my lips a little too loud.

Mason hovers back over me “I am sorry I didn’t mean to be so loud” I cover my face a little now feeling slightly embarrassed. Mason shakes his head “Baby girl you screaming my name is my weakness”. I smile into Mason as connect again, I can taste my cum in his mouth. I help Mason remove his boxers and his dick suddenly springs free I reach inbetween us and start to slowly pump him. I can feel him moaning into my neck from my touch which is giving the confidence to keep going. I connect my mouth to his neck and I start sucking away giving him a matching hickey to the one he gave me earlier “U-uh y-n d-don’t stop” he moans into my neck. I quickly flip us over so I am now in control, I can see the lust in Mason’s eyes as he watches me kiss down his toned body. I reach his cock and play around with it in my palm, I give the top small kisses and licks and then put it into the back of my throat as I choke on it, I know Mason loves it when I choke on it. I can hear Mason mutter words of recognition which is urging me to go harder and deeper. Mason reaches down and starts playing with my hair as he pushes my head down onto his cock when I hear a loud moan escape his lips. He quickly brings me back up so we are eye to eye again. “I need you” he begs.

Understanding exactly how Mason feels I climb back into my seated position and line myself up with him. Mason quickly stops me, looking at him confused “whats wrong?” I ask. Mason quickly shakes his head so I know its nothing that I am doing wrong. “Last time we slept together, me ankle was all messed up. So this time I wanna be on top, I need to absolutely ruin you y/n”. With that Mason flips us over so he his hoovering over me, placing all his weight on his arms that are either side of my head. Mason lines himself up with me and we both watch eachother as it goes in, I can feel myself stretching due to his size. Mason gives me a couple of seconds to adjust and then starts his rhythm. He is starting to speed up and I know he has got the pace that he wants, he starts hitting the spot and I can feel myself seeing stars “fuck your cock is so good”  I manage to get out. “Believe me its nothing compared to this pussy, fuck yeah just like that”. Masons thrust have become sloppy and I know he is close. “You got another one in there for me baby” I nod my head as I cannot manage any words, Mason is destroying me. He pins my hips down and gives another couple of hard thrusts and with that I unravel onto his cock. This helps Mason hit his high as a couple of seconds later he quickly pulls out “fuck yeah shit so f-f-ucking good!”  he moans as he cums all over my stomach and flops next to me on the bed. “Have I told you before how incredible our sex is?” Mason asks, I giggle in response “Yes, you have actually a couple of times”.

It’s the best night sleep I have had in ages, I roll over and Mason has his back to me. I allow myself to trace his the outline of his muscles with my fingers as he groans in appreciation. He rolls over to meet my eyes. “I gotta get going soon” Mason says bringing me out of my daydream. I look over at the clock and see its 11am “Yeah I need to as well. I need to sneak out before anyone sees me here”. Mason laughs knowing I am right. I get myself out of bed and force my feet into the ensuite, I gasp as I see the purple bruise that is glistening on my neck “Mason what the fuck! How am I going to go home with that?” Mason is quickly behind me, and laughs. I turn around and give Mason a stern look “Its not funny Mason how am I going to explain this?” Mason shrugs and turns his neck so I can see the matching hickey on his too “see you got too carried away as well y/n. You are not the only one who has explaining to do”.

I groan and storm back into the bedroom and flop onto the bed “we are horrible people Mason, I cannot believe we did that. I cheated on James. I hate myself”.  I can feel the tears pricking in my eyes, Mason crouches in front of me so he is in between my legs, he quickly uses his thumb to wipe away the tears “come on don’t cry. We both had a lot to drink and got carried away. No one needs to know okay it can be our little secret. I hated doing that behind Rebecca’s back but last night was amazing I am not going to regret that”. Mason always knows what to say to make me feel better. He brings me to stand so we are facing eachother “No more sex” we both say together. My head is all over the place, I don’t know why I let myself do this to James but Mason has something over me I cannot explain. I just wish it wasn’t this complicated.

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

Another 6 months has passed and Mason and I kept our word ‘no more sex’, its been like before NYE. No awkwardness has occurred and we have pretended nothing ever happened, we have never spoke about it since, we still talk everyday he is still my best friend though. Just to me this time feels different. James and I have been amazing, he is so kind and caring and I still beat myself up for what happened but I cannot change the past, I just need to focus on the future so I have decided to put my all into the relationship. I know James loves me as much as I love him, I never knew how I got so lucky with him. We had the best day when he asked me to marry him, I was so shocked as it was totally unexpected but of course I said yes, I would be stupid not too.  Paige is having some girls over tonight and invited me over too, Lauren, Declan’s girlfriend was there and few other WAGs.

I sat with Lauren chatting away about life and I was telling them all about the engagement and them all gauging at the ring. That’s when I heard the whole group conversation turn about Mason. “I cannot believe Mason and Rebecca broke up like what the fuck” Paige says.

“I would snatch him up in a moment” one of the single girls of the group who I know as Monica contributes. I look at everyone confused, they broke up? Why didn’t he tell me?

“What they broke up?! Why what happened?” I turn to Lauren thinking out of all the girls she would know the answers.

Lauren shrugs “I don’t really know much. Apparently Mason became really distant and Rebecca thought there might be another girl. Mason always denied it but I agree he really didn’t seem that invested in the relationship recently, he seemed pre-occupied.”

“So what who ended it?” another girl asks but I am sitting at the edge of my seat waiting for Lauren to reply.

“Mason ended it, apparently he couldn’t deal with her constantly accusing him of there being someone else. I agree with Rebecca though Mason has seemed different its only been recent I would say since like New Year. He has totally distant himself from the relationship, maybe its for the best they both weren’t happy”. I can feel my heart beating in my chest.

“I’m surprised Mason didn’t tell you. Usually he tells you everything” Lauren continued turning to me.

“Yeah I guess he has decided to keep girl troubles out of our conversation this time”. Which I gave a little laugh which the whole giggle in reply. The conversation changes topic and everyone is engaged in conversation, I go to make myself another drink when I feel a presence behind me, I saw Lauren standing there. “What happened New Year?” she asks, I can feel my heart pounding, I like Lauren and I don’t wanna lie but I am not sure what Mason told her or not?

“I-I um-um not sure what you are talking about Lau” I try and act dump

“You know Declan and I stayed at Chilly’s that night too. When the party finished we walked past the room where Mason was staying and we could hear muffle sounds, it sounded like he was sleeping with someone. Then first thing in the morning I was downstairs when you tried to sneak out. So what happened? I am not dumb you know. I won’t judge whatever it is. We tried to ask Mason about it but he wouldn’t give us a straight answer”.

I look at Lauren in defeat I know she has found out our secret. “Okay okay I slept with Mason on New Years Eve.” I look down trying to not meet her eye, admitting it now makes it feel real.

“WHAT!!”  I quickly grab Lauren and move her to the other side of the kitchen away from where the other girls are sitting. “Shhh will you keep your voice down no one else can know please”. I plead with her.

“Why didn’t you just tell me. What happened? How did you two randomly just get into bed together. Tell me everything”. Lauren picks up the glass of wine next to her and starts taking a couple of sips, knowing that she wants the gossip.

“Okay me and Mason had been a kind of friends with benefits since we first met.”

“Nooooo shut up!!!” she squeals

“let me continue…” she makes the action of zipping up her mouth and lets me continue.

“So well remember when he hurt his ankle..” she nods “well that’s when everything changed. I went round there to comfort him and well one thing let to another and we ended up in bed. I actually stayed the night which never happened. The next morning he told me he was starting to see Rebecca so we called it quits. Shortly after I met James and everything was fine, me and Mason were just friends and no lines where blurred”.

Lauren took another sip of her drink “so what happened New Years then?”

“Well obviously we both had a lot to drink, and then it kicked off with that guy started to make advances to me and he called me a slag and all that then Mason punched him and I don’t know maybe it was the heroic action or the amount of alcohol consumed I generally don’t know. I went to say goodbye and one thing let to another and we ended up in bed together. We woke up both feeling like shit so we agreed to not discuss it. Please I already feel awful about it, please don’t say anything to James.”

I am now starting to panic but Lauren is quick to assure me “babe my loyalties are with you not James. So whatever is said in this room stays in this room okay. So whats happened since because Mason has been all over the place have you guys continued to sleep together or what?”

“No nothing like that Lauren. We have agreed nothing will happened since that night and me and Mason are still close and talking everyday but nothing like that. Well I thought we were close but he didn’t tell me he broke up with Rebecca so god knows”.

“I have no idea what goes on in that guys mind. So whats Mason like in bed anyway? I would feel like his ego couldn’t match his performance if you know what I mean”. She is now giggling away like a little school girl.

I take another sip of my drink now feeling the after effects of the alcohol. “he is amazing Lau! Like obviously I would never tell him this because I wouldn’t want to boost his ego more but he is the best sex I have ever had. The way he makes me feel damn no one comes close”. Lauren smirks at me.

“So tell me again why you and Mason are nothing more then ‘just friends’?”

“I am engaged Lauren” she nods slowly but I can tell she knows there is lot more to that answer.

“Come on we should go back before the girls wonder where the hell we are?” I nod in agreement.

“I will be right in just need another drink”. I wait for Lauren to leave the room before I let out the deep breathe that I didn’t realise I was holding in. I cannot believe he broke up with Rebecca but why didn’t he tell me? Was it because of me? I need answers.

The next couple of hours I am completely distracted, all I can think about is Mason. I have drink after drink before I am completely tipsy. I say my goodbyes to everyone as my taxi notifies me they are outside. I wrap my arms around Lauren and thank her as it has been good to get it all out, “call me if you need anything”. She says and I know she means that. Before I knew it the taxi was pulling up outside Mason’s house, I hesitate for a minute. I don’t even know why I am here. Before I even walk up the steps I see Mason emerging from house, he looks confused until he recognises it was me. I go to say something but the taxi man interrupts “love you need to pay” I quickly look for my bag and then the realisation hits me “shit I left my bag at Paiges”. The taximan does not look amused but Mason just giggles “typical y/n. No worries I got this mate”. He turns to the taximan and chucks some cash at him and helps me inside.

“Soooo I-I heard you b-broke up with Rebeccaaaa” I slur before Mason even shuts the door, I am struggling to get my words out due to the alcohol consumption. Mason stops in his tracks.

“that’s why you are here”.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I say pouting

“It wasn’t anything to really tell. Rebecca kept accusing me of being absent and had it in her head I was cheating on her. It was constant arguing I couldn’t be in that toxic relationship, I have had them with my exs I couldn’t do that again.”

“Well she wasn’t wrong about the cheating” I say plopping myself on the sofa, Mason rolls his eyes and sits next to me.

“I am sorry I didn’t tell you. I have just had so much going on it kind of escaped my mind but I am sorry. You look lovely tonight you know”.

I can feel myself blushing. I hate that he has that impact on me. “So now tell me y/n why are you here and not at home with your fiancé?”

I take a deep breathe “I don’t know”

“Come on y/n of course you do”.

“I spoke to Lauren tonight. She said she heard us on NYE then saw me leaving the next morning she asked about us. It actually felt good to tell someone the truth. I am sorry I know we agreed to keep it a secret.”

Mason is tracing lines across my cheek and smiles “its fine y/n I am not angry. Before I broke up with Rebecca I came clean to Declan so chances are Lauren already knew she was probably just giving you the chance to tell her the truth. I had to talk to someone I had to get it out”.

“I love you Mason” I blurt out.

Mason drops his hand from my cheek, and shuffles back. “What do you mean you love me? You are engaged y/n”.

“Mason I have loved you from the first night we met. The way we connected, the way you made me feel. The only way we could ever be close enough was ‘friends with benefits’ so I accepted that’s all we are going to be. But now Mason I am not sure if that’s enough, I fucking love you Mason. I love the way you make me feel, the way you know me better then I know myself. Come on Mason you cannot tell me you don’t feel the same”. I don’t know where this courage as come from I am guessing its going something to do with the amount of drinks I have done.

“Y/N I will repeat it again it doesn’t matter how I feel you are engaged.”

“Lauren said the reason why you broke up with Rebecca was because you became distant like you were focussing on someone else. Are you seriously going to tell me that wasn’t me?”

“No y/n me breaking up with Rebecca had nothing to do with you! Not everything is about you. We had sex y/n that was all it was. No feelings, no strings attached remember that’s all we were. We used eachother to make eachother feel good at our time of need that’s what we were y/n. I am sorry if you caught feelings but this is what we were, nothing more.” Mason spat out. I wanted to be sick and I can feel tears starting to prick in my eyes. I hate myself how could I let myself confess my feelings for someone who doesn’t care. I start to sniffle to hold in the tears and make a beeline for the door.

“Y/n wait!” I hear Mason shout. I quickly turn around on my heals.

“No you are right Mason. That’s all we were, it was me being stupid. How could someone like you ever catch feelings for silly little m-m-me”. I stutter the last part and the tears are now completely falling down my face, I run out the house and never look back. I can feel my heart shattering into a thousand pieces, how can I have these kind of feelings for someone who I am not even engaged too? How can I feel this way about someone who doesn’t love me back.

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

Mason’s POV- 6 Months later

 After a couple of rings Declan picks up the phone “Mason I got your messages mate, I am not replying for a reason, please you cannot do this”.

“Please Dec understand she needs to know how I feel. She needs to know how I feel before she marries the wrong person”.

“Mase don’t you think you have put that poor girl through enough. Just let her be”.

“I can’t Dec. I have tried to put her out of my head. I can’t please Dec. I love her”.

“Then if you loved her Mase you wouldn’t hurt her, on her wedding day on all days”.

I know deep down Declan was right, I just cannot let you go. I cannot let you make the worst decision of your life. Ever since that night I have beat myself up with how I acted, I just never thought you ever felt that way about me. Please, look at you, you are the most perfect women and I never thought you would get with a guy like me. I tried to ring and text you everyday since that day but you ended up blocking my number and I even showed up at your flat which you refused to open the door eventhough I knew you were home. I would give anything to go back in time and admit my feelings too, I should of never let you go. And now its probably too late.

Chilly was invited to the wedding as Paige was the Maid of Honour, I asked Chilly to give me the address of the wedding. He fought very hard to not give it to me, I am not sure if he knew what happened between us but he must know me asking for the address of the wedding will not end good. Eventually I got it out of him. I couldn’t sleep all night I was so worried about what I was going to say to you tomorrow, I have to give myself a chance, a chance for love.

I walk through the venue and its absolutely breathtaking, I look at all the little details and I know that is totally your input. I know you would have everything looking perfect. I pump into one of the waiters “oh sorry” I quickly apologise. He looks completely shocked.

“Oh my god! You are Mason Mount! Can I get a picture?” I agree and he quickly snaps a selfie and thanks me.

“What room is the bride in?” I ask

“Down the hall and to the right is the bride’s suite”.

I thank him and quickly hurry down the hall. I can feel my palm’s sweating I don’t want to burst into the room with a load of people in there. I wait outside hesitating if whether I should do this when Paige comes out. She scowls at me, she definitely knows what has happened. “what are you doing here Mason? If its what I think don’t even think about it. I will tackle you to the floor now”. She laughs but I know she is totally serious.

“Please Paige, 5 mins that’s all I am asking. Please.” I see Paige hesitate but looks around down the hallway.

“ 5 mins okay. She is on her own but we all coming back in 15 minutes to get photos done and I want you gone by then”. I nod grateful for her.

“Thank you Paige” I hug her and then make my way to the door.

I hesitate again but I know I am wasting precious time, I quietly knock as I hear the ‘come in’ from the other side. You quickly spin around as our eyes meet. You looks absolutely incredible, I have never seen someone so beautiful. I can feel my mouth go completely dry.

“Mason? What are you doing here? I thought me blocking you was enough of an understanding for you.”

I am stood still in my tracks, I still cannot get over how mesmerising you look. “I-I’m sorry you look unreal. Wow absolutely incredible”.

I took a step forwards in which you take a step straight back to remain the distance between us. “Thank you but I will repeat Mason what are you doing here?”

“I-I’m an idiot” is the only thing I can get out. I have never been this nervous my mouth is totally dry.

“Yeah no shit” you spit back. I kind of deserved that.

“5 mins y/n please” I grab your hands in mine and this time you don’t pull away. “I love you y/n”

You let go of my hands and shove me away I can see the tears starting to appear in your eyes as you try to look up to prevent them from falling down. “No Mason. No fucking way you don’t get to do that. You don’t get to par me off when I confess my feelings then want to wait until my fucking wedding day to confess yours fuck you Mount!” You are now starting to get heated.

“I tried y/n. You blocked me remember and refused to open the door. This was my only chance”

“D-Don’t you think you hurt me enough. Now you g-gotta come and ruin my wedding day too why Mason”.

I hate that I am making you cry, especially when you look that beautiful. I slowly close the space between us trying to not make you flinch, I slowly wipe away the stray tears that have fallen down. “I needed you to know how I feel before I lost you forever.” You start to sniffle and I can hear you trying to control your breathing, you do not incept so I continue. “Y/N I have always loved you. From that first moment I met you, I was taken back by how someone could be that beautiful on the outside was so beautiful on the inside. Our sex is amazing, I have never connected with anyone on that level before. But its not just the sex y/n, I love how you listen and understand me. You are always there when I needed you. You know me better then anyone else. I was stupid y/n and I shouldn’t of said what I did. I didn’t mean it none of it was true. The reason why I left Rebecca was because of you, I guess I started distancing myself from her because every time I looked at her I started comparing her to you and I saw everything that she wasn’t. Fuck I love you y/n and I am a stupid stupid man for not confessing my feelings to you that night. I was scared I have never felt for someone the way I feel for you and it scared the absolute fuck out of me. Please y/n you cannot tell me those feelings have just gone away”.

I can hear your breathing now as your struggling to breathe, I rub your hand trying to get you to calm down. “Please y/n even if you don’t want this, then please can we still be friends. I cannot live my life knowing that you are not apart of it. These past 6 months have broken me, you can ask anyone”.

“M-Mase I cannot do this now. Why did you wait until now to tell me all of t-t-this. I-I g-get m-married i-inn 30 m-minutes.” You are struggling with your words and all I want is to wrap you up in my arm and take away the pain. I know there is nothing I can say or do, its too late you have made your decision and you are marrying him. I can feel the tears starting to fall down my face as I watch the love of my life marry another guy.

“I-I’m sorry for everything y/n. If I could rewind time I would do this so much better I promise. If your change your mind I will be at the docks in an hour waiting.”  I place a small loving kiss to your lips, I know I shouldn’t but I needed to feel the softness of your lips on mine one last time. I can feel both our tears running down our faces onto our lips as we pull away. With that I turn around and walk straight out the venue, knowing deep down that I have lost you forever.

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

I look at the time, and I see its 3pm. The wedding was taking place an hour ago. I look around the docks but I cannot see you. I look down and flip my hoodie over my head as I let the tears fall down. A small part of me thought you would change your mind, but here we are I am wrong again. I walk a couple of steps and I feel a tap on my shoulder.

I turn around to see you standing there, you still have your bridal hair and make up on but you have got changed into a tracksuit. Looking over the tracksuit I actually realise that’s mine that I have been looking for, for ages, but that’s a question for another time. I am stunned that you are stood in front of me. You were first to speak “you were right Mase. I couldn’t walk down the aisle knowing the love of my life is here. I couldn’t do that to me or James. Sorry I am late I had to speak to James and then my dad. Both understood actually it was a lot easier then I thought, my dad just upset about the money paid for the wedding.”

I quickly respond “I will pay your dad back every penny he spent on the wedding. It will be a clear slate I promise”. It’s the least I can do I suppose, I am the reason the wedding was ruined.

“Thank you but I am not here for your money mase. I want you. I fucking love you” you jump closing the gap between us and our lips connect. For the first time this kiss feels right, like everything is happening how its supposed to. As we pull away I gather my thoughts, you still unreal even in my tracksuit. That when the sun reflects on the necklace you were wearing, it was a small sliver heart with your birthstone in it, looking at it I remember what it is.

“You were going to get married in the necklace I got you”. I run the necklace through my fingers as I caress your neck. “What did James think about the necklace it literally has the number 7 on the back of it?”.

You giggle at me “please can we not speak about my ex-fiancé who I literally just left at the alter. But I told him the number 7 was my lucky number. Well I guess it still is”. You wink at me and pull me in for another kiss. Our tongues fighting for control, I finally give in and allow you the control. We quickly pulling away remembering where we are.

“Shall we get out of here.” You wink at me.

I grab your hand in mine as we begin our walk along the docks “yeah lets get out of her before you change your mind”. I joke. You look up at me and playfully punch my arm. You link your arm into mine. We stop walking and you look up into my eyes “here’s to forever”.

[hoshifighting]

— Synopsis: Where you find out you were a bet. — Preview: "So it was all a bet Seungkwan? Who makes you feel like this, hm?" you taunted, "Who else are you going to find out there that can do the things I do to you?" "That's right," you continued, your voice low and fierce. "No one. No one can fuck you like I do. No one knows your body like I do. No one else can make you beg like this. And you know it!"  — WC: 3.3k — WARNINGS: Smut, RAGE SEX, humping, penetrative sex, angst, hair pulling, riding, possessive words & etc.

For the past few months, you and Seungkwan had been living a secret life filled with youthful exuberance and passion. Despite your differences, there was an undeniable chemistry that kept pulling you back together. It all started innocently enough, with shared interests in theater and park outings, but it quickly escalated into something much more intense.

You and Seungkwan had a routine. You’d meet up after work or on weekends, sneaking off to hidden corners of the city to spend time together. The theater was your favorite escape. There, you could lose yourselves in the drama unfolding on stage, only to create your own dramatic scenes afterward, both playful and passionate.

[...]

One chilly evening, you both found yourselves at the local theater, watching a comedy play. You sat next to each other, sharing a bag of popcorn and exchanging sarcastic comments about the actors’ performances. Seungkwan leaned over, whispering a joke in your ear, and you couldn’t help but burst into laughter, drawing a few irritated glances from other theatergoers.

“Shh, you’re going to get us kicked out,” you whispered, trying to stifle your giggles.

“Oh, please, like you can keep quiet,” Seungkwan shot back, a mischievous glint in his eye.

After the play, you both headed to the park. The night was cool, the stars shining brightly overhead. You walked side by side, occasionally bumping into each other on purpose. It was your little game, a way to provoke and tease.

“Bet you can’t catch me,” Seungkwan said suddenly, breaking into a sprint.

“Oh, you’re on!” you shouted, chasing after him.

You ran through the park, laughing and shouting, until you finally tackled him to the ground. You both lay there, panting and laughing, the world around you forgotten.

[..]

Your relationship was like a roller coaster. One moment you’d be laughing and joking, and the next you’d be bickering like children. Your friends found it amusing, but they also knew it could escalate quickly.

“Seriously, you two are like an old married couple,” Mingyu said one evening, watching as you and Seungkwan argued over who had won the last game of mini-golf.

“Am not!” you both shouted in unison, glaring at each other before bursting into laughter.

Despite the arguments, there was a deep connection between you. When you were alone, the bickering turned into something else entirely. The passion between you was undeniable, each encounter more intense than the last. You’d find yourselves in the most unexpected places, unable to keep your hands off each other.

[...]

One evening, after another heated argument, you found yourselves in Seungkwan’s apartment. The bickering had turned into something more playful, and before you knew it, you were kissing, the tension melting away.

"You're impossible, you know that?" you said breathlessly between kisses.

"And yet, here you are," he replied with a smirk, pulling you closer.

The night was a blur of passion. Your bodies moved together with a familiarity that came from months of secret meetings. You’d always been able to push each other to the edge, and tonight was no different. The intensity of your lovemaking was a stark contrast to the playful bickering that usually defined your relationship.

[...]

But just like you said. It could escalate quickly. 

You and Seungkwan had always been able to handle your arguments with a playful edge, but this time was different. You didn’t even remember what sparked the fight, but the words that came out of his mouth stopped you cold.

“It was all a bet.”

You froze, staring at him in disbelief. “What did you just say?”

Seungkwan’s eyes widened as he realized what he’d said. “No, I didn’t mean—”

“You didn’t mean what? That this,” you gestured between the two of you, “was all a joke to you? A bet?”

“No, it’s not like that—”

“Then what is it, Seungkwan? Explain it to me!” Your voice rose, trembling with fury. “Because right now, it sounds like you’ve been using me this whole time.”

Seungkwan’s face paled. He reached out to you, but you stepped back, your anger intensifying. “Don’t touch me,” you snapped. “I trusted you. I thought this meant something.”

“It does mean something,” he insisted. “I swear, it started as a stupid dare from the guys, but then—”

“Then what? You decided you’d string me along for fun?” Your voice was loud now, echoing through the room. “Do you have any idea how humiliating this is? To know that I was just a game to you?”

Seungkwan looked panicked, desperate to make you understand. “Please, just listen. It started as a bet, but it’s not like that anymore. I care about you. I—”

“Stop,” you cut him off, tears of rage and betrayal filling your eyes. “I can’t believe I let myself fall for this. For you.”

The venom in your words made him flinch. “Please, don’t say that. I care about you more than anything.”

“Caring about me? Do you even know what that means? Because right now, it feels like you’ve just been laughing at me this entire time.” Your fists were clenched at your sides, your whole body shaking with anger.

Seungkwan took a step towards you, his own eyes glistening with tears. “I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.”

"Fuck you, Seungkwan," you spat, pushing him back until he was sitting on your bed. He looked up at you, shocked and uncertain, as you began unbuttoning and unzipping his pants with trembling hands.

"What are you doing?" he asked, but his voice was weak, almost pleading.

You ignored him, pulling your panties off and straddling his lap, feeling his length harden beneath you. You started to grind against him, your movements hard, and fast. "It was a bet, huh? It was all a fucking lie, right, Seungkwan?" you snarled, your teeth gritted with rage.

His hands instinctively went to your hips, but he didn't try to stop you. "No, it wasn't like that—" he began, but you cut him off, swirling your hips hard, causing him to gasp.

"Fuck you," you repeated, your voice shaking. "You think you can just apologize and make it all better? You think you can just say sorry and I'll forget everything?"

Seungkwan's grip on your hips tightened, his breath hitching as you continued to grind against him. "I never meant to hurt you," he whispered, his eyes locked on yours, filled with regret and sorrow.

"Too late," you hissed, moving faster, your anger boiling over. "You already did." You could feel the heat building between you, the wet friction driving you crazy, but you were determined.

Seungkwan's face contorted with a mix of pleasure and anguish. "Please," he begged, "don't do this."

"Why not?" you shot back, your voice breaking. "You did this to us. You made me feel like a fool."

He tried to speak, but you silenced him with another hard hump, making him groan. "Just shut up, Seungkwan. Just shut up and take it."

As you continued to move against him, you could see the conflict in his eyes. He was torn between the pleasure you were giving him and the guilt he felt for what he'd done. It was a twisted form of revenge, but in that moment, it was all you had.

As you sank down on him, stretching yourself to take all of him inside, Seungkwan gasped, the air leaving his lungs in a rush. You gripped his hair roughly, yanking his head back. He hissed, the pain mingling with pleasure, making his eyes flutter shut for a moment.

"Who makes you feel like this, hm?" you taunted, your voice dripping with venom and lust. "Who else are you going to find out there that can do the things I do to you?"

Seungkwan's eyes were wide, filled with a mix of pain and desire. He tried to speak, but you cut him off with a harsh roll of your hips, drawing a guttural moan from his lips, he could only whisper a "No one." his voice leaving weak from the position you held his hair, head back. "Only you. Only you, please."

"That's right," you continued, your voice low and fierce. "No one. No one can fuck you like I do. No one knows your body like I do. No one else can make you beg like this. And you know it!" 

You rode him harder, your movements fueled by a blend of anger and desperation. "Do you regret it, Seungkwan? Do you regret fucking with me?"

His hands gripped your hips, his nails digging into your skin as he tried to ground himself in the storm of sensations you were unleashing on him. "No!" he gasped, his voice strained. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

But you weren't done. You pulled his hair harder, making him look up at you, his eyes glazed with lust and guilt. "Sorry isn't enough," you spat. "You're going to remember this. Every time you try to touch someone else, you're going to think of me. You're going to remember how I made you feel. How no one else could ever compare."

Seungkwan's breaths were ragged, his body trembling beneath you as you continued to ride him with a furious intensity. "Please," he begged, his voice cracking. "Please, I can't—"

"You can't what?" you snapped, your pace relentless. "You can't handle it? You can't handle what you started? You're going to take it, Seungkwan. You're going to take every bit of it."

His eyes fluttered closed, his mouth falling open in a silent cry as he teetered on the edge of release. "Fuck, I'm going to—" he started, but you cut him off again, tightening your grip on his hair.

"You're not coming until I say so," you growled. "You don't get to have that. Not yet."

Seungkwan's body shuddered, his muscles straining as he fought to hold back. "Please," he whimpered, his voice barely more than a breath. "Please, let me—"

His lips parted, a moan escaping as you ground against him, your nails digging into his scalp. "I-I need you," he stammered, his voice cracking with desperation.

You leaned in closer, your breath hot against his ear. "Need me?" you whispered, your tone mocking. "You think needing me is enough? After everything?"

Seungkwan shuddered beneath you, his grip on the sheets tightening. "I'm sorry," he pleaded, his voice a mixture of pain and pleasure. "Please... I need you so much."

"Pathetic," you spat, pulling his hair harder, making him groan. "You don’t deserve me, Seungkwan. You don't deserve this." You punctuated your words with a sharp thrust, making him gasp.

His eyes were wild, filled with a mixture of regret and lust. "I know," he breathed, his voice barely audible. "But please... please don’t stop."

You felt a twisted sense of satisfaction at his desperation, at the way he was unraveling under you. "Remember that," you said, your voice low and dangerous. "Remember who makes you feel this way. Who owns you."

Seungkwan's breath hitched, his eyes wide and pleading. "I will," he promised, his voice a broken whisper. "I promise."

You could feel him getting closer, his body tensing beneath you. "Say it," you commanded, your voice a growl. "Say who you belong to."

"You," he gasped, his hips bucking beneath you. "I belong to you."

Seungkwan was prepared for the best orgasm of his life. He was trembling, his entire body on the edge of ecstasy, every nerve ending alive with sensation. As you rode him with unmatched ferocity, his breath came in ragged gasps, his chest heaving with the effort to keep up.

Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, pleasure and overwhelming emotion. He cried out loud, unable to contain the sheer intensity of what he was feeling. His voice cracked as he moaned your name, each syllable filled with a desperate longing.

His eyes were fixed on you, drinking in the sight of you above him, your body moving with a rhythm that drove him to the brink of madness. He fought to keep his eyes open, wanting to capture every moment, every sensation, every flicker of emotion that passed between you.

His legs quivered beneath you, his muscles straining as he struggled to hold on. But even as his body trembled with the effort, he knew he was powerless to resist. You were taking him to heights of pleasure he had never dreamed possible, and he surrendered himself completely to the overwhelming ecstasy coursing through him.

Seungkwan couldn't hold on anymore. The sensation of you clenching around him, the sound of your voice echoing in his ears, it was all too much. With a final, desperate cry, he let himself go.

His body tensed, every muscle straining as he reached the peak of ecstasy. He cried out your name, his voice raw with emotion, as he spilled himself inside you, the release so intense it bordered on pain.

You steadied yourself on him, feeling the rise and fall of his chest beneath you. Your head rested against the side of his, hiding your face from view as you waited for your nerves to calm down. 

But then it hits you, the reality of what just happened, the anger and hurt resurfacing. You get off him, his cock slipping out of you, leaving you both feeling empty and exposed. Without a word, you start to dress yourself, your movements quick and determined. Seungkwan watches in desperation, his eyes wide with panic as he realizes what you're doing.

Seungkwan, sensing the shift in your demeanor, gets desperate. "Wait, what are you doing?" he asks, his voice tinged with panic. He sits up, trying to reach out to you, but you pull away, focused on gathering your things.

You walk to the living room, ignoring his pleas. "Please, just listen to me," he begs, following you. "We need to talk about this."

You grab your bag and turn to face him, your eyes cold and determined. "There's nothing left to say, Seungkwan," you reply, your voice steady despite the turmoil inside you. "This...whatever we had...it's over."

[...]

On the week, you received multiple calls from Seungkwan—you didn’t answer any. Even his friends—who you suppose to be the ones who participated in the bet—called you, messaged you.

And now you are doing your dinner, didn't even have time to take off your work clothes, when you hear your doorbell. You dry your hands on the dish cloth, to open the door. It was Soonyoung. You frown, Soonyoung had contacted you during the week, but showing up at your door?

You lean on the doorframe, and ask him, "What are you doing here, Soonyoung?"

Soonyoung shifts nervously, his hands shoved into his pockets. "I know I called and messaged, but you never responded. I needed to talk to you in person."

You raise an eyebrow, crossing your arms. "About what?"

He takes a deep breath, looking genuinely distressed. "About Seungkwan. And the whole bet thing. You need to know it wasn't what you think. He didn't mean it like that."

You scoff, feeling the anger bubbling up again. "Didn't mean it like that? How else am I supposed to take it, Soonyoung?"

Soonyoung steps closer, his expression earnest. "It started as a stupid joke, but for Seungkwan, it changed. He fell for you, really fell for you. None of us thought it would turn into something real, but it did for him. He's been a wreck since you left."

You feel a pang of something—not quite guilt, but a heavy sadness. "So he sends you to do his dirty work? Why isn't he here himself?"

"He wanted to come, but I thought you'd slam the door in his face," Soonyoung admits. "He's been miserable. Just...can you talk to him? Please? Hear him out?"

You sigh, the weight of the week pressing down on you. "I don't know, Soonyoung. I'm still so angry."

"I get that," he says softly. "But just give him a chance to explain. If after that you still want nothing to do with him, then fine. But at least you'll have heard the truth from him."

You hesitate, the conflicting emotions warring inside you. Finally, you nod. "Fine. I'll talk to him. But this better not be a waste of my time."

Soonyoung's face breaks into a relieved smile. "Thank you. I'll let him know." He heads toward the door, pausing before he leaves. "And for what it's worth, I'm really sorry about everything. We all are."

You nod again, closing the door behind him. As you lean against it, you take a deep breath, trying to prepare yourself for the conversation ahead.

It didn’t even take twenty minutes after Soonyoung left for another knock to echo through your apartment. You sighed, already knowing who it would be. With heavy steps, you walked to the door and opened it.

Seungkwan stood there, looking disheveled and anxious. Normally, he would give you a hug, but he seemed to sense that this wasn’t the right time. Instead, he stood there awkwardly, respecting your space as you stepped aside to let him in.

You closed the door behind him, folding your arms defensively. “Soonyoung was just here,” you said, breaking the silence.

Seungkwan nodded, his eyes filled with guilt. “I know. He texted me. I came as soon as I could.”

You walked to the living room, sitting down on the couch, and gestured for him to do the same. He hesitated but then sat down, maintaining a respectful distance.

“I don’t even know where to start,” Seungkwan said, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “I’m so sorry, for everything. It was never meant to be a bet, not in the way you’re thinking.”

You raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. 

He shook his head vehemently. “It started as a stupid dare, something the guys and I joked about. But from the very first moment I spent time with you, it stopped being about that. It became real, so quickly, and I didn’t know how to handle it.”

You looked away, the anger and hurt still fresh. “And you didn’t think to tell me? To be honest about it?”

Seungkwan sighed deeply. “I should have. I know that now. But I was scared of losing you. I was scared that if you knew how it started, you’d never believe how much you mean to me.”

The vulnerability in his voice made you pause. “Soonyoung said you love me,” you said quietly, not meeting his eyes.

“I do,” Seungkwan replied instantly. “I love you more than anything. I was an idiot for letting it get this far without being honest with you.”

You finally looked at him, searching his eyes for any sign of deceit. All you saw was regret and sincerity. “I don’t know if I can trust you again,” you admitted.

Seungkwan nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. “I understand. And I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your trust back. Just please, give me a chance to make it right.”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging between you. Slowly, you began to nod. “Fine. I’ll give you a chance. But this is going to take time, Seungkwan.”

Relief washed over his face as he nodded. “Thank you. I promise, I won’t let you down.”

You leaned back on the couch, the exhaustion of the week catching up with you. Seungkwan stayed there, a respectful distance away, but his presence felt different now—more honest, more real.

As the minutes ticked by, you both sat there in silence, the first steps of healing beginning to take place. There was a long road ahead, but for the first time in days, you felt like things could be okay again.

[sturnsblogs]

FIRST KISS

—

Matt was your boyfriend now—your new boyfriend. You’d been officially dating for just two weeks, but you two had been talking for seven months. It was clear Matt was a little nervous, but he was also sweet and caring. You’d made almost every move so far—holding his hand first, initiating the hugs, even asking him to be your boyfriend. It had been a slow burn, but it felt worth it.

The conversation when you asked him out had gone something like this: “Maybe… next time we can actually be together, the next time we go out?” you said, your voice soft but hopeful. Matt’s face turned a deep red, and he avoided eye contact as he stammered out, “I mean-.. y-yeah…” You smiled to yourself then, knowing that he was just as nervous as you were.

Now it was December. You and Matt were walking hand-in-hand through a park, the air crisp and fresh. The snow crunched beneath your boots as you sipped your hot cocoa, a warm smile on your face as you glanced at Matt. The steam rose from your cup, but it couldn’t compete with the warmth that spread through your chest whenever you were near him. Matt, looking at you with a shy grin, giggled softly.

“You have something on your face, baby,” he said, his voice stuttering slightly as he fumbled with the nickname, still getting used to calling you that.

You blinked, confused. “Oh, where?”

Matt hesitated for a moment, then gently cupped your cheek with one hand. His thumb brushed over your upper lip, and his fingers lingered just a little too long as his eyes locked with yours. A shiver ran through you at the contact, but it was a good shiver. His touch was warm, and you could feel his nervous energy in the way his hand trembled just slightly.

“There, got it,” he said, his voice a little quieter now. He cleared his throat and immediately looked away, his cheeks flushing. You smiled softly, charmed by his awkwardness.

“Alright, Matt… thank you,” you said playfully, feeling your heart flutter at his innocence.

You both turned to face the snow-covered landscape, letting the cold air fill your lungs before you started a playful snowball fight. The laughter rang out through the park, the soft crunch of snow underfoot mixing with your playful shouts. Eventually, you got a little carried away and tackled Matt to the ground, ending up on top of him in a heap of laughter and snow.

Matt’s giggles were contagious, the sound pure and light. But then, the two of you fell into an unexpected silence, both of you catching your breath as you made eye contact. Your face was only inches from his, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

You hadn’t kissed yet. Not even once. You both had avoided that step, unsure of how to cross the line into something more intimate. You knew you wanted it, and deep down, you could tell Matt did too—but neither of you had dared to make that move. The tension between you was palpable, yet neither of you had ever spoken about it.

“Fuck, it’s cold,” Matt murmured, his breath visible in the chilly air. “My lips are gonna crack.”

You smiled at his attempt to distract himself from the obvious chemistry between you two, and without thinking, you leaned in closer. “Maybe we can fix that…” you whispered, your lips brushing against his as you spoke.

Matt’s lips parted in surprise, and for a second, you both just hovered there, unsure, the world around you completely still. His eyes searched yours, his nervousness written all over his face, but so was something else—something deeper, something more vulnerable.

Then, finally, he closed his eyes and leaned in, his lips meeting yours for the first time. It was tentative at first, a sweet, shy kiss, the kind you both had been wanting for so long but had never allowed yourselves to have. You could feel his heart racing against yours, and as the kiss deepened, you both let out a breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding.

The cold air felt miles away, and for the briefest moment, nothing else mattered except the warmth you shared. It was perfect. So much more than you had imagined. And as you pulled away, a soft smile tugged at the corners of your lips, both of you still processing the moment.

“That was… perfect,” Matt murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, his cheeks still flushed with embarrassment but his eyes shining brighter than ever.

—

A/N- woah. locked tf in.

My beautiful babies- @blushsturns @starrii-sturns @izzylovesmatt @chrisslut04 @jimmasterflashh @oopsiedaisydeer @csturnioloswifey @just-a-girl-1 @sturdyyolo @sturnslvtt @sturnbows @sturniolosrtewsexy @chriss-slutt @franticroads @thecrawlys @ribbonlovergirl @freshlyinlovewchris @whore4chris @matts-girlfriend @ariana3lovesu @cass-sturn

[maraudersilver]

despise you (Sirius Black x Potter!Reader)

Sirius Black x Fem!Potter!Reader - Chapter 4

Series Masterlist

wc: + 3,5K

cw: angst, broken moral compass. I'm really sorry.

It started slow. Disappearance of quills, shredded clothes, shut curtains that hid the first rays of sun during the week… Nothing too obnoxious, yet stressing enough to have the four Marauders trundling around the castle in less than a week. Oh, how delightful it was when you heard from Dorcas that the four of them had been assigned detention after two undelivered essays to McGonagall. 

You had seen Remus roaming the library more often than not, his hair matching James’ disheveled level of messy. In other circumstances, you could have sympathized with him, being the only tolerable one of the toll. However, if one knew, the others too, so in your page Remus Lupin was as guilty as the other three twats. 

Nothing would have made you happier than priding yourself in their misery produced by you and you alone, though Barty had been a participant in a handful of the pranks; the stink-bombs in the Gryffindor common room had been his own piece of art. 

Pandora had pointed out a few times the glares you were receiving from the core of the Gryffindor table in every meal, and had been concerned when you laughed maniacally. Of course they suspected you, they thought you did it, but they just couldn’t prove it. 

“Still tormenting them?” Regulus asked about a week after your revenge started, both of you perched on the branches of a billowing chestnut tree near the Black Lake. 

“Until I have what I want? Yes.” You shrugged your shoulders absentmindedly, and your friend just snorted.

It was chilly, the wind nippy against your covered skin. If the obscure clouds surveying the castle were any indication, snow would be blanketing the lands soon. You shuddered when the breeze mixed with that of the lake caressed your face in a sharpened tune.

“Have you considered that —and I can’t believe I’m defending my tosser of a brother— they have nothing to give you because they haven’t poisoned you?” Regulus tackled, as if he had been meaning to say it for long, and a peeved sneer made its way to his mouth, nose scrunched up, at the mention of Sirius.

You pinched your brows, narrowing your eyes towards Regulus, who had kept his eyes fixed on his book. “You think I’m making shit up?”

The boy sighed tiredly, putting the book down in his lap. “No,” he drawled. “But I do think you might be confusing those… symptoms.”

Bemused, you tilted your head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Look—” Regulus started before voices raucously cut through the wind beside you. Looking down, you saw the four Marauders paddling to the shore, clothes disheveled and ties forgotten who-knows-where. 

And there he was. Sirius was strutting down the path as if he owned the place, confident steps paving the wave of his dark hair, which was dancing to the beat of the breeze beautifully. Your heart fluttered against your chest, belly churning with a feeling you couldn’t quite place. The air around you turned warm, caressing your skin ablaze. It had to be poison. Regulus, who you had forgotten for a moment was on the same bough as you, gave you a pointed look.

Disregarding him, you took out your wand, fiddling it between your fingers. You considered hexing them. They were near the sloshing water, which rippled due to the awful weather. It would be easy to stagger them to the awaiting mouth of the Giant Squid, yet the looming threat of being expelled thwarted your efforts. And in death they would never be able to provide you the awaiting antidote. 

“Merlin’s saggy balls,” cursed Regulus, craning his head toward the trunk of the tree in vexation, voice sharp and tight.

You threw him a knitted glare, afraid the four Gryffindor boys had heard his not-as-quiet-as-required tone. For your relief, they were too engrossed in whatever terrorist mission they were planning by then. 

Suddenly, more footsteps crunched the remaining leaves scattered on the floor. By the sound of it, just one person was approaching your hidden fort. It didn’t take long for a Ravenclaw girl to jag down the path towards the Marauders, who, for the most part, looked as annoyed as ever at her presence. 

And then, the girl -who you had recognised as a fifth year- made her way towards Sirius. From where you stood, you could see his characteristic charming smirk that he used whenever he had a new conquest, the one that until very recently made your skin crawl. He leisurely placed one arm around her shoulder, perching her against his chest. She giggled, strutting along with him towards the water. Her screeching voice ringed across the forest, birds flying away at the sound.

Something in you shifted at the sight, your stomach dropping into a void you had never been aware of in your own body. It was morose, the way claws were scratching the inside of your chest as if your heart needed medical attention, bleeding out at the very branch you had plopped yourself on with Regulus an hour before. 

When Sirius pressed a quick peck on the girl’s lips, your mind snapped. A daunting fear settled on the pit of your stomach, and the blood rushed into your ears. You could hear your heart’s frantic pulsing. With sweaty hands, you grabbed your wand tightly and pointed it towards the target, all previous wishful thinking retired to the back of your frenzied mind. 

“Y/N?” Regulus' voice came in as if he was underwater, muddled by the white noise fuzzing your eardrums. 

With a flicker of your wand, you murmured, “Sacrificiaque pellis”. Your voice was laced with seeth, and a blue light left your wand and hit the focus of your wrath.

Regulus’ lips pressed into a line as he saw the Ravenclaw’s skin covered in a disgusting, cornflake texture. When Sirius noticed, he grimaced and pulled himself away from her, a chagrin countenance stretching on his lips.

It didn’t take much time for the girl to see her measly state, gasping in horror at the sight of her own hands. Antsy and with tearful eyes, she scampered up the path from where she came from, the snickering from the other three Marauders following her up until she disappeared. You still saw red, but the pride looming on your chest was greater than the fury that had taken over you.

“The hell was that!?” Sirius gagged, and James howled in laughter.

“I promise it wasn’t our doing,” Peter added, still chuckling and face pink from the effort of restraining himself. “Although it would have been hilarious.”

Sirius groaned in annoyance. “There goes my date.”

James patted his shoulder sympathetically, Remus smirking widely next to him. “There are more mermaids in the lake, dude.”

The three of them laughed again at Sirius’ wry face, sulking on the shore while the others went back to their previous task, not at all worried about the jinxing of the girl. A very tiny part of you wondered what kind of person could be so indifferent to the attack of someone nearby, yet it flitted away from your mind as soon as the thought had appeared. 

Regulus shook his head with a lazy smirk. “Jinxing muggle-borns now? Didn’t know you had it in you, Potter.”

Those words pulled you out of your tantrum vendetta. Your stomach was still churning. However, the void had disappeared and your heart just fluttered as it usually did whenever Sirius was nearby. You didn’t know what had come over you, why you had that impending need to hurt a stranger girl. And the most sickening part of it all, was that you didn’t regret it.

It wasn’t because she was a muggle-born, though you didn’t feel like bringing it up to Regulus. After years of being friends, you had come to the conclusion that to maintain said friendship it was best to leave the purity of blood out of any conversation. The same happened with half of your group of friends. So you just nodded, tackling your wand back in its place before anyone saw you.

A few minutes later, when the Marauders were too distracted to notice any of you, both Regulus and you bounded down the tree and silently hiked towards the castle. And there, loitering in the roots of the chesnut, was a white cat, blue eyes surveying you with uncanny curiosity. 

Back at the Common Room, you fell into easy conversation with Pandora and Dorcas, your mind dribbling back to that afternoon, to the impending doom of seeing Sirius with another girl. Maybe what Evan had suggested a week prior was the right thing to do: brewing your own antidote would be the only way to escape the torment. 

From the entrance of the Common Room, a jaunty roar called your name. “You really did it!” Barty sauntered towards you with open arms, a grin as wide as the entrance of the school. “I’m so proud of you, Potter.” He launched to your lap, and you squealed in annoyance. 

“What are you talking about?” you snarled, both girls now looking at you two in bemusement. 

“You jinxed a muggle-born! Regulus recounted everything, I wish I had been there to see it.” He sighed in delight, while you bent down, asking for the couch to swallow you. More eyes than you had expected had fallen over you. “At last you turn to the good side, Potter. Oh, we should definitely celebrate! Meadowes, do we have any booze left?”

Dorcas, who had remained quiet for the whole interaction, just swindled her eyes from you to Barty once and time again, scrutinizing you. You flinched at her hard stare, and she opened her mouth to reply sharply, “No.”

“Fuck,” Barty cursed, standing up rapidly from your lap and running towards Evan, who had been quietly reading in the loveseat by the fire.

You could feel the girls’ eyes burning on you, as if trying to pierce your skin with their stare. You turned around slowly, almost unnerved.

“Care to explain?” Dorcas asked, her voice laced with judgement.  

You knew you were on a winding path and had to be careful with your words. However, at that time, it was risky enough to speak about purity matters, especially in a Common Room where you knew of the existence of You-Know-Who supporters. Pressing your lips tight, you sighed through your nose, swamped by the possibility of a scuffle coming from both sides of your group of friends. 

“I’ll tell you in our dorm,” was all you said, fiddling with the loose threats of your sweater. At least most people had turned back to their own affairs. However, the silent prejudice of your friends was enough to make the hairs of your nape stand. 

Out of the corner of your eye, a brown cat was stretching lazily on the carpet underneath you.

“So you didn’t do it out of hatred to muggle-borns,” Dorcas stated with narrowed eyes, glaring at you with an unnerving incredulity.

After an hour or so of loitering in the Common Room, you had deemed it appropriate to leave to your dorm without raising any suspicion on the others. You had tried to narrate the blip with as much clarity about your reasons as you could, leaving out the crestfallen ache that had wrapped around your heart at the sight of Sirius with another girl. 

“The doubt offends me,” you scoffed, keeling down on your bed with an arm draped over your eyes. “Of course not!”

Pandora hummed, and even if you couldn’t see her, you knew she was tilting her head the way she always did whenever confusion settled on her mind. “Then why?”

You shrugged your shoulders uncomfortably. “Why not?”

“But did she do something to you or what?”

“More or less.” Dorcas huffed at your answer, and you pulled your arm away from your eyes in time to see her shake her head. “What?”

“I think you’re spending too much time with Junior, that’s all,” Dorcas said with worry laced in her voice.

“I don’t enjoy torturing muggle-borns,” you drawled your words tiredly.

“Just- be careful, okay? Some people here can be… influential.”

You knew it very well, one of them being your best friend. You never enjoyed their hatred towards muggle-borns, but you had yet to see them torturing one. There were rumours around the castle, about your friends and some older students' love for dark arts and their effect on those they considered impure. However, it was all speculation, you had never witnessed any attack from them. So, if you didn’t see it, certainly it didn’t happen, right?

“Everything’s under control.” Your tone didn’t leave space for any counterargument, deeming the conversation finished. Why you had hidden the effects of the poison from your friends, you didn’t know.

For some reason, now it was Umbridge who looked in your direction rather than the other way around. You hadn’t asked again about the army of cats Regulus was so sure about, but the wind-up gleam on Miss Pinky Winky’s eyes whenever she laid her eyes on you was starting to get on your nerves. During classes that day, you had caught her staring at you with a haughty look more often than not.

“The hell is wrong with Strawberry Cupcake?” you grumbled while walking down the corridor towards DADA with Regulus.

He just shrugged his shoulders. “Dunno. Only Merlin knows what crosses her mind.”

“Strawberry syrup. I thought we had agreed on that.” 

Regulus just chuckled silently, his shoulders shagging with restraint. 

There weren’t many students in the hallways, most of them making the most of the very few rays of sun that pierced through the clouds that seemed to never leave.  

One moment, you were laughing with Regulus, and on the other, you were grabbed by someone by the wrist and pulled into the closest broom closet. You were about to scream, but a hand placed itself on your mouth, thwarting your efforts.

“I’m going to drop my hand. If you scream, I’ll jinx you like you did with Pen.” Sirius' voice was warning, almost leaning on a threat. 

You didn’t nod your head nor did you make a sound. He may think he knew things, yet as a Slytherin, you knew exactly how to proceed to blackmail. Especially because blackmailing was your thing. You also hoped the erratic drumming of your heart ceased and that he couldn’t feel the warmth of your cheeks underneath his palm. Thankfully, it was so dark inside you could barely make out the shape of his body, so hopefully it would be the same with you. 

Slowly, almost reluctantly, Sirius dropped his hand and waited for you to make any frenzied movement. Amateur. When he was sure you would stay quiet, he proceeded to yell-whisper.

“Why on Godric’s saggy balls did you jinx my date!?” he snarled, grey eyes lost to the darkness glaring at you frantically.

You kept yourself steady, face neutral and breathing as calm as Sirius’ presence would let you, not wanting to give any clues. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Don’t play coy, Potter,” he hissed, and by the shuffling of clothing, you could only assume he had crossed his arms over his chest.

“I really have no idea what you’re on about. So, if you excuse me, I have classes to attend.” You were about to grab the handle, but Sirius gripped your wrist with more force than before. “Hey!” You tried to pull away from his hold to no avail. “I know you don’t give a fuck about your grades, but I do. So drop my hand or I-”

“You what? You’ll hex me?” he mockingly cooed. “Poor Pen is still at the Infirmary, you know? Poppy’s having a stroke trying to heal her.”

You wanted to laugh at his hypocrisy. Acting all worried when he had sulked by the shore at the potential loss of a snog. “Who’s Pen?”

“My date.”

“What date?” You knew you were getting under his skin, but with Sirius the best way to proceed was setting him ablaze until he lost control of his own body. Then, you would escape.

“The girl you jinxed at the Black Lake yesterday afternoon. Recalling now?” he spat with obviousness lacing his voice.

You rolled your eyes, still trying to pull your wrist away from his scorching touch. “You should quit drugs, Black. You’re starting to trip.”

“Careful, sweetheart,” he snarled again, although it sounded more like a purr of a cat. “You’re not as good of a liar as you think,” he whispered against your ear, goosebumps arising in your skin.

You stepped back as much as you could on that tiny space, wanting to be as far away from him as possible. You hated what their prank was doing to your body whenever Sirius was present. “I’m not lying, you’re just nuts.” Sirius breathed in, as if preparing to argue his defence, yet you beat him. “And sincerely, since when do you care about the girls you date? Acting as if you were ‘boyfriend of the year’ when you’re actually a manwhore.”

Your breath was taken away from your lungs brutally when Sirius shoved you against the wall. You could feel his breath fanning over your face, and in such a short distance you distinguished his snarling fangs and infuriated grey eyes, darkened by his own wrath and the lack of light of the closet. Your heat betrayed you when it pulsed in pleasure.

“That you don’t get any bitches doesn’t mean the rest of us have to live as hermits.” A black curl teased your cheek, gentle in contrast to the man before you. “Blood purist and fucking muggle nun behavior. You’re disgusting.” Your stomach dropped against your will, a pang punching your chest. “You really have nothing to do with the Potters. It wouldn’t surprise me if they disowned you once I tell them how you love torturing muggle-borns.”

His words were as sharp as a knife, and you tried to keep your tears at bay for the sake of the little dignity you had left. Sirius had never been on your good side. However, cruelty wasn’t something he tended to lay on you. Your hands were shaking, even the one still clasped with his, and your mind was starting to get foggy. “You have no proof,” was all you could whisper, voice clipped and heart bleeding by his hands. 

“I don’t need any. Since the moment you were placed in Slytherin, your brother already knew what you would become.”

It hurt. And it hurt more that they didn’t know you enough to have their brain ingrained with the knowledge of your stand on the oncoming war. How could a house determine your whole moral compass? It was just a schoolhouse. 

“Always hanging around blood purists that take pleasure in torturing others. Pen has only been the first one, hasn't she?” Sirius continued, unaware -or uncaring- of the trembling of your body in distress. “Don’t get near me. Stay away from your brother. And if you ever harm anyone close to me again, I’ll make sure your body’s never found. Surely your parents will be glad the disappointment of the family disappears for good.”

You didn’t have time to assimilate his words before he stormed off the closet, leaving you alone with an aching heart. Dropping to the floor, you sobbed. You had never felt any rejection on your parents side. Yes, having been placed on Slytherin hadn’t been the jauntiest surprise, but you had yet to hear a degrading comment towards you.

How could a person who had been abandoned and tortured by his own family had such cruel words for someone in his same situation? His house of Hogwarts had been his downfall on the Black household. So, why did he take it all on you? Was that Ravenclaw girl so important to him that he felt the need to threaten you so wickedly? Especially because you had been positive no one had seen you. His opinion on you had to be worse than you thought for him to reach the conclusion that it was you who performed the jinx.

You could just cry ghastly on the floor of a broom closet, more than probably late for DADA and with trouble to get an ooze of oxygen in your lungs. They had poisoned you, and now Sirius had stabbed you straight to your heart with sharpened words. The theory of the slow murder was making more and more sense in your hazy, upset mind. 

The irony of your situation almost made you laugh mirthlessly. They could prank half the school and expect no consequences, yet the moment you took vengeance you were deemed a Death Eater in process. Maybe Snape was right, and the Marauders were the worst people to meander the school, even worse than those who had already taken the mark. At least, the latters were open on their position.

Drunk in your misery, you almost didn’t notice the black cat strutting out of the broom closet.

Tag list: @moonlightremblack @mysteriouslyperfecttiger @siriusement @azure-drag0ness @theravenphoenix26 @hisparentsgallerryy @yourmom1092 @canthavetoomuchchaos @xluansstuff

[ifwebefriends]

My thoughts during “The Sign” [SPOILERS!!!!!]

ID in ALT

More thoughts under the cut

So I think most of us can agree that this is the best episode of Bluey so far. It was so emotional and satisfying in ways that are kinda new for Bluey. It answered so many questions while giving us a few new ones. I’ve been waiting for this episode for months and it did not disappoint in any way.

This is just a Chekov’s firing squad of an episode. As in a lot of stuff that was set up in earlier episodes all pay off in this episode. I kinda understand why people love soap operas now lol. I will say that this episode was a tad overwhelming for me in the best way possible. As in I had to pause and rewind every 30 seconds or so so I could emotionally process what was happening before moving forward (but that’s a me thing). There was just so much going on and I’m happy about that.

Now onto individual thoughts about specific things:

The callback to Baby Race (“you took your first steps in that house!”) really got to me because Baby Race was the first episode of Bluey that I watched and it immediately made me fall in love with it so it just got to me.

When Chilli said “Frisky and I came up here as teenagers to…um…think,” my mind started racing immediately with “what the FUCK happened at the Lookout?” “Who hurt Frisky and/or Chilli?” And I’m just so curious about what made Chilli say that line like that but we’ll probably never know what happened.

So yeah that scene at the end when the music was playing and Bandit ripped the sign out of the ground and Chilli tackled him to the ground ABSOLUTELY CHANGED my brain chemistry y’all. I can’t articulate my feelings any more than that.

I know some people were upset that Brandy ended up getting pregnant but I thought it was great for her! I’m happy for her! And I think that even though she got what she wanted in the end doesn’t negate the feelings she had about her infertility earlier. But I think we’re all wondering who the father is and I don’t know if the show really needs to answer that.

The whole message of “we’ll see” in terms of if something is good or bad is such a mature message that I never really thought of like that so I will be taking that philosophy forward in life. Congratulations Bluey, you managed to teach a 22-year-old childless person something new and insightful about life that I don’t think I’ve learned from another show.

I want to know more about what Bob was going through and feeling and why he went to India, but again, we’ll probably never know.

I just love how the wedding photos were beautiful but imperfect. Like of course we’re not perfect and nothing will ever be perfect but it’s beautiful and worth remembering anyway.

So many little jokes and moments were so funny in a mature way (I.e. “are we allowed to do that?” And Nana thinking there was about to be a baby announcement) were just so funny and memorable.

I think some people would say it’s a cop-out to end up not selling the house after building it up for 2 episodes but I don’t know, I think it works. I think Bluey and Bingo learned a valuable lesson and Bandit (and Chilli kinda) learned it’s not always about making their kids lives “perfect” in their eyes. Also I’m just personally glad they didn’t end up selling the house and I also kinda like that it wasn’t entirely their choice to keep it.

On a more serious note I think this episode has some interesting commentary on like gender roles and gender relations in straight relationships. In this episode Chilli and Frisky (both women) have to deal with their male significant others pressuring them to move with them far away from what they know and love. In the end they don’t end up moving and the men didn’t seem to have like malicious or selfish intent with it, they were just kinda basing their choices off their jobs instead of what’s best emotionally for their loved ones. But I think it’s interesting to have this conflict where gender is kinda brought up in a way (“because your husband is making you”). It kinda plays into the traditional idea of like men are the breadwinners and the family has to move with them regardless of what they actually want. And this episode kinda like deconstructs that and says “no, it’s not always about the job or money, it’s also sometimes about connections and emotional attachment.” And I’m not saying that you should never move or whatever, but really weigh your options. I just thought that it was interesting that this episode kinda touched on that.

So yeah that’s kinda the main thoughts I had on this episode if you made it this far thank you for reading my rambles and have a good one!

[metalfuzzwriting]

König x Reader: Warmth

Reader and König return to their apartment for designated leave together.

“It's a bit chilly here, isn't it?” You glance over toward the towering Austrian man standing behind you. The apartment, which was left empty for quite some time while the both of you were on active duty, was cold and dusty from not being lived in. However, the two of you finally scored some leave time together after trying for a year.

“Ja, just a bit. I'll go get the thermostat figured out and you can take our bags to the bedroom.” König pats you on the shoulder and sets his bag on the thrifted couch you acquired a few years back. The bag flung some dust up into the air and the man winced. That would definitely need to be cleaned amongst everything else.

“On it. Make it a mission.” You laugh and shrug his bag across your shoulder and move toward the back of the apartment where the door to the bedroom resided.

Upon opening the door, you found an equally dusty bed, which would be the first thing you'd tackle. Setting the bags to the side of the room, you began to strip the bed of its covers and sheets to wash later. Grabbing a new set for the bed, you begin to carefully make the bed and to tuck the corners in as if it were your bunk bed back on base. Habits die hard.

König eventually joined you in the bedroom to take the bed covers out of the room to put with the rest of the laundry that'll surely need to be done before returning to begin dusting off spaces with a duster he had managed to pull out of somewhere. You didn't even know you had a duster. Having the man around seemed to be becoming more and more useful.

Eventually, the room was cleared with the precision you were trained for. All ledges, tables, desks, and drawers were dust free and reorganized. König had chosen a side of the bed for himself, placing his belongings on it in a way that made your heart flutter. Knowing this was his space as well as yours, that it was shared, made you happier than you had ever remembered being.

“Can we order from that one place?” His accented English was charming, you knew he was asking for you to call the order in because he was really wanting food from the grill place down the street. You smile and nod your head in agreement.

“Yeah. You want the chicken with the rice again?” You unzip your bag on the floor and pull out your phone to begin hunting through the contacts to find the number.

“Bitte?”

“Of course. I'll place the order and run to grab it. You stay here and see if you can get that TV working. We can eat while we watch TV in bed, we've gotten enough cleaning done for today.”

With the food ordered and picked up, you returned to the house to find König snuggled into your bed with the covers pulled up to his chin. Upon seeing you, he sits up and makes grabby hands toward the bag of food. He laughs when you place the bag next to him and he eagerly begins to pull out his food as you get into bed beside him. He had chosen some sort of documentary about sea creatures to watch, which was fine with you. Within the covers, you snuggled up to König and pulled a spate blanket around both of your shoulders as you ate each of your chosen meals.

The apartment felt warm again, whether it was the thermostat regulating the temperature or the man worming his way into your life, it wasn't certain.

As always, requests are open.

[cup1drul3z]

★ — Only a vampire can love you forever | CH 10

ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇ!ꜱᴇᴠɪᴋᴀ x ᴄʜᴜʙʙʏ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ x ᴠᴀᴍᴘɪʀᴇ!ᴄᴀɪᴛʟʏɴ | 7.4ᴋ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ

CW : Dark!sevika, age gap, private school, toxic, forbidden love, mentions of blood, hopeless lesbians, TEACHER X STUDENT, porn with plot, oral sex, reader is a virgin, innocent reader, theres like a 500 year age gap, courruption, masturbation, cheating, odd love triangle?, READER IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUNCH OF ATRACTIVE VAMPIRES

A/N : welcome back to cupid is running out of banners and now she has to recycle her old ones

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

The whistle blew, sharp and sudden, slicing through the air like a jolt of electricity.

You blinked, your eyes snapping away from the stands where your father's seat still sat empty—third row up, right side, the one your mom always saved for him even when she knew he wouldn’t come.

"Y/N!" someone screamed from the field. "Focus!"

You jerked your head toward the sound—Mel Medarda, your best friend since fourth grade, arms waving like crazy from across the field. Her braids were coming loose from her ponytail, sweat glistening on her forehead, but she was smiling—sharp and determined, like she always was when she wanted you to wake up and win.

Right. The game.

Your heart kicked into high gear as you turned back toward the ball, the mud under your cleats slick from the morning rain. The opposing team was already closing in, but the field stretched open before you like a track begging to be run.

Your coach's voice echoed faintly from the sidelines—Go, go, go—

And then you were gone.

Your feet moved before your thoughts could catch up—legs pumping, the wind slicing past your cheeks as you sprinted faster than you knew you could. You cut through the midfield like a blade, weaving past defenders who barely saw you coming.

You were the fastest on your team. Always had been.

They said it was natural talent. Said you had “gifted genetics.”

But no one ever explained why you healed faster after a fall. Or why your vision sharpened just before a goal. Or why your chest barely burned even after the longest run.

You didn’t question it. Not then.

You just ran.

And the crowd was on its feet now, roaring—parents, teammates, people you didn’t know. Except one voice cut through it all:

“THAT’S MY GIRL!”

You glanced to the left as you neared the goal—

And saw your mom, standing in her hoodie and faded jeans, wrapped in a scarf even though it was barely chilly. She looked paler than usual. A little thinner. But her smile was huge.

You didn’t need your dad.

Not in that moment.

Because she was there.

You struck the ball with a clean, powerful kick—and it soared into the net just as the goalie dove the wrong way.

The whistle blew again.

Goal.

Your teammates screamed, running at you. Mel got to you first, nearly tackling you in a hug.

“You’re a freaking blur out there,” she laughed. “You sure you’re not cheating?”

You laughed too, breathless and beaming. “Just fast.”

Mel rolled her eyes, ruffling your hair. “Remind me not to race you ever again.”

You looked back at your mom.

She was clapping, still smiling, her scarf fluttering in the wind. But her eyes looked tired. Red-rimmed.

You would learn later that she had pushed herself just to make it there. That she lied to the nurse and told her she was “feeling strong enough” today. That she brought snacks even though she could barely hold the bag.

But right then?

She was just your mom.

The one who showed up. The one who screamed your name when you scored. The one who smiled like you were everything.

You didn’t know how much you’d miss that smile.

Not yet.

The game had ended over twenty minutes ago, but the field still buzzed with leftover energy. Kids darted between backpacks and coolers, soccer balls rolling along the grass as parents gathered up gear and handed out juice boxes like medals.

You scanned the crowd, eyes bouncing over teammates hugging their parents, laughter bubbling up from every corner.

Then— You saw her.

Your mom stood near the edge of the field, arms folded over her stomach, scarf still wrapped tightly around her neck. Her cheeks were flushed with the afternoon sun—or maybe the effort of standing so long—but her smile hadn’t faded one bit.

You didn’t even think. You just ran.

Your cleats thudded against the soft grass as you sprinted toward her, your heart still beating hard from the game. You practically launched into her, arms wrapping around her middle as you buried your face in her scarf.

“Did you see that?!” you beamed, muffled by fabric.

She laughed—quiet and warm—and wrapped both arms around you, holding you close despite how sweaty and grass-stained you were.

“Of course I did,” she said, her voice a little breathless but strong. “You were flying out there, sweetheart. I could barely keep track of you.”

You pulled back just enough to look up at her, your face flushed and grinning, eyes shining with pride. “We won.”

“I saw,” she said, cupping your cheek for a moment. “You were amazing.”

You leaned into her touch instinctively, grinning from ear to ear.

“Mel says I should be tested for rocket fuel,” you joked.

Your mom raised a brow, smiling through tired eyes. “Well… you have been running circles around everyone since you could walk.”

“Do you think I’m, like… mutant-fast?”

“I think,” she said, brushing a sweaty strand of hair from your forehead, “you’re just my little supernova.”

You giggled.

And for a moment, the world felt perfect.

No illness. No silence in the stands. Just you and her and a warm breeze that smelled like grass and orange slices.

You didn’t know it would be one of the last times she came to a game.

Didn’t know this hug would replay in your head years later like a prayer.

You only knew she was there.

And that was enough.

You stood at the top of the stairs, still in your grass-stained uniform, socks half-peeled off your ankles and cleats dangling from one hand.

The glow from the kitchen lights spilled up the stairwell, flickering faintly with the movement of shadows below.

You hadn’t meant to listen.

But you’d come down for water, and then—

“—you missed it, Mark.”

Your mother’s voice. Frustrated. Tired. More cracked than usual.

There was a pause.

Then your dad’s voice, low and defensive. “I told you I had to work. I can’t keep asking for days off. Do you want to pay the hospital bills with handshakes and good intentions?”

“She scored two goals,” she shot back. “She kept looking for you. I could see it in her face.”

Another pause. This one longer. He didn’t respond right away.

“She doesn’t know,” he said finally, more quietly now. “She doesn’t know how bad it’s getting. That’s what we agreed on, remember?”

You froze on the top step.

Your fingers tightened around your cleats.

“I know,” your mom replied, her voice smaller now. “I know. But—what if I don’t get to see her next game? Or her birthday? Or her first dance?”

Your stomach twisted.

You stepped back, slow and silent, like the floor might give out beneath you if you moved too fast.

“I just want her to remember me there. Not hooked up to machines. Not in some white room where the nurses forget my name.”

“Don’t say that,” your dad said, sharper this time. “You’re going to get better.”

“She deserves the truth.”

“She deserves a mother who survives.”

The silence that followed was thick. Unbreathable.

You turned and walked back to your room without a sound, eyes wide and throat burning.

You didn’t cry.

Not yet.

You just sat down on the edge of your bed, journal still clutched in your hand from earlier. The pages fluttered slightly from the open window.

You stared at them.

But all you could hear was your mother’s voice, echoing like a crack in the wall.

“She doesn’t know how bad it’s getting.”

You knew now.

And it was already too much.

The locker room buzzed with noise—shoes squeaking against the tile, bags unzipping, jerseys being tossed around, and someone’s Bluetooth speaker blasting a pop song that half the team sang along to, off-key and unapologetic.

You sat in front of the mirror, still in your undershirt and spandex shorts, your cleats half-laced but forgotten. Your teammates joked and danced around you, but their voices were muffled—like you were underwater.

You stared at your reflection.

You hadn’t slept.

Every word from last night echoed in your head, each one layering on top of the other until it was a dull roar. Hospital bills. Prognosis. What if I don’t make it to her birthday...

You blinked at your own face, wondering if you looked different now that you knew.

“Earth to Y/N.”

You blinked again.

In the reflection, you saw her approaching.

Taylor. Blonde. Loud. A year older. Never let you forget about sixth grade.

She leaned down, right next to your ear, her lip gloss overly shiny and voice too sweet.

“You still staring at girls in the locker room?” she said under her breath. “Or is it just yourself now?”

You flinched slightly but didn’t move. You didn’t want to give her the satisfaction.

She smirked and straightened, holding up a silver cross necklace and dangling it in front of your face like it was garlic and you were something unclean.

“Thought you should see something holy, just in case you forgot how gross you are.”

The words hit sharper than usual. Maybe because today, you were already cracked. Maybe because last night had already hollowed you out.

You opened your mouth, unsure if you were going to speak or sob.

But you didn’t get the chance.

“Back off, Taylor.”

Mel’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

Taylor turned, that same smugness still plastered on her face, but it slipped when she saw Mel Medarda standing behind her, arms crossed, still tying her jersey into a tight knot at her waist.

Mel stepped closer, chin raised. “Funny, coming from someone who begged to braid my hair in sixth grade and cried when I said no.”

A couple girls nearby laughed.

Taylor flushed.

Mel leaned in, tone lowering. “You come for her again, I will remind this whole locker room of how obsessed you were with me before Y/N even figured herself out. Try me.”

Taylor scowled and turned on her heel, muttering something under her breath as she stomped to the other end of the locker room.

You finally looked away from the mirror.

Mel sat next to you and handed you your jersey like nothing happened. “She’s always been a trash bag wrapped in lip gloss.”

You let out a shaky breath. “Thanks.”

She nudged you lightly with her shoulder. “You okay?”

You nodded.

Lied.

“I’m fine.”

But the way your fingers trembled when you took the jersey told her otherwise.

Mel didn’t press.

She just stayed beside you as you changed.

And for a little while, the silence between you felt like armor.

The team lined up on the grass, forming messy rows as they stretched and warmed up. The sun beat gently against your skin, just warm enough to make the back of your neck damp with sweat. Sneakers thudded against the field, balls passed back and forth, and someone yelled “heads!” before a stray ball went flying across the turf.

You barely moved to dodge it.

“Alright, bring it in!” Coach’s voice called out, loud and scratchy like he’d already blown his whistle one too many times today.

The team jogged in and took a knee around him, a mix of shin guards, scuffed cleats, and ponytails bobbing as everyone settled into the circle. You dropped down last, wiping your hands on the sides of your shorts, your eyes unfocused.

Coach launched into his usual pre-scrimmage talk—something about being proud, the effort everyone’s been putting in, how today was about communication and teamwork and not just showing off your footwork—but his voice blurred at the edges.

Your gaze drifted, almost on instinct, toward the bleachers behind the field.

The stands weren’t full—just scattered groups of parents and siblings, chatting and pointing, some with sunhats and iced coffees.

And there, like always, was your mom.

Wrapped in a big cardigan, sunglasses perched on her nose, a water bottle in hand she probably wouldn’t finish. She looked so small sitting there, a blanket over her lap despite the warmth, but she smiled when she saw you were looking.

You raised your hand in a little wave.

She waved back—slow and soft, like even that took effort.

Your stomach twisted.

Because the spot next to her—your dad’s seat—was empty. Again.

Coach’s voice faded further.

You bit the inside of your cheek and looked down at the grass. Picked at a thread unraveling on your sock.

Your chest ached—not with heartbreak, not with fury. Just that dull, sinking kind of tired that settles in when you stop expecting people to show up.

Someone nudged you lightly—Mel.

You looked up.

She didn’t say anything.

Just offered a small smile, the kind that said I saw. And I’m not going to make you talk about it.

Coach clapped once, loudly. “Alright, let’s show them what we’ve been working on!”

The team stood as one.

You followed.

But your eyes flicked to the stands once more.

And though she looked tired, your mom was still smiling.

Still there.

And that was the only thing keeping your feet moving.

The whistle blew, sharp and piercing, and the scrimmage began.

Your team wore red vests pulled over their regular practice jerseys, while the other side—Taylor’s side—kept to blue. You tugged your vest tighter over your shoulders as you jogged into position, mud already streaked across your knees from warmups.

Mel gave you a quick nod as she passed by. You got this, her eyes seemed to say.

You tried to believe it.

But the second the ball hit the field, Taylor was on you.

Every time you got close to the ball, she was there—shoving a shoulder too hard into yours, stepping on the back of your cleat “accidentally,” using every petty middle school trick in the book.

At first, you gritted your teeth and brushed it off.

Then came the trip.

You went down hard, sliding into a shallow patch of mud, your palms scraping against wet grass as the breath was knocked out of your lungs.

The whistle didn’t blow.

You looked up, eyes locking with Coach’s—he was watching now, but hesitating.

The game kept going.

You pushed yourself up and caught Taylor’s smirk as she jogged past. “Oops.”

A few parents in the stands leaned forward. One even murmured, “Is that the same girl who—?” but their voice was drowned out by shouting from the field.

You stayed focused. Tried to.

The next time the ball came near you, Taylor didn’t even go for it—she went for you.

Another shove, this one square to your shoulder. You stumbled but stayed upright.

“Maybe you should go cry to Mel again,” she hissed under her breath. “Is that your girlfriend now, or are you still hung up on me?”

You whipped your head toward her, eyes wide with disbelief.

The ref—who was just another teacher helping out—still didn’t say anything.

“Taylor!” Coach finally barked from the sideline. “Cool it!”

Taylor raised her hands in mock innocence, backing away. “What? I’m just playing hard.”

You stood still, chest heaving, heart pounding—not from the game, but from the white-hot embarrassment creeping up your neck. You could feel everyone watching now.

The parents.

Your teammates.

Your mom.

Your fists curled at your sides.

Mel jogged over and placed a hand on your back lightly. “Hey,” she whispered, “Don’t let her take the game from you.”

You nodded once, eyes still locked on Taylor, who now looked like a lion circling for her next opening.

But the whistle blew again, and you reset.

The field had become a pressure cooker—too much heat, too many eyes, and too much unsaid.

Your jaw was clenched tight as your team reset. The ball rolled your way, a perfect pass from midfield, and for a moment, everything else dropped away.

You took it.

Your cleats dug into the turf as you sprinted down the left side, cutting through the defense with ease. The wind bit at your face, the red vest fluttering at your sides, and the goal was within reach—

Then Taylor was there.

She crashed into you shoulder-to-shoulder, nearly sending you off balance as she fought for control. You didn’t flinch this time. You held your ground, both of you sprinting full-speed now, side by side, every footstep like thunder in your ears.

She managed to swipe the ball.

And then you were chasing her.

You didn’t think.

You just moved.

And in one flash of instinct—or maybe rage—you pulled a move you saw in a movie once. Something dirty. Something that worked.

You dropped to your side, your leg shooting out at the perfect angle.

Her shin collided with your ankle mid-stride.

Taylor flew.

She went airborne—arms flailing, cleats off the ground—before slamming into the grass hard. A wet, sickening crack echoed across the field as her leg twisted unnaturally.

Then came the scream.

High. Piercing. Shattering.

Everything stopped.

The ball rolled away unnoticed.

The whistle shrieked.

You sat up slowly, dazed, your hands braced in the mud. The world narrowed, muffled voices rising like smoke. Players from both teams sprinted toward Taylor as she writhed on the ground, sobbing, clutching her leg where—

You saw it.

Bone.

Pale and jagged, jutting through skin that was already slick with blood.

Someone screamed again—this time a parent.

Coaches ran across the field, waving their arms and shouting for everyone to back up.

You rose to your feet in a daze, hands covering your mouth, your heart pounding in your ears. The nausea hit first, then the cold.

You took a step forward, unsure of what you were even doing—

Mel looked up from where she knelt beside Taylor, her eyes snapping to yours.

Her face was pale.

Not angry.

Not accusing.

Just… concerned.

Like she didn’t know whether to run to you or away from you.

And the way she looked at you?

You weren’t sure you knew either.

The field was chaos.

An ambulance had been called.

Taylor’s screams echoed across the bleachers long after she’d been wheeled off the grass, her sobs muffled only by the sound of panicked parents and the wail of sirens approaching from the street.

You barely heard any of it.

You stood near the sideline, arms crossed tightly over your chest, your cleats still caked with mud and grass. A sharp sting was blooming along your elbow where you’d scraped it sliding—but it didn’t hurt half as much as the twist in your stomach.

Everything was numb.

Coach spoke to a woman in a windbreaker, someone from the school’s administration. Her eyes kept flicking toward you, her expression unreadable. You caught bits of their conversation: “reckless,” “not intentional,” “what do we tell the parents?”

Then Coach turned to you.

“Y/N,” he said firmly, “you’re coming with us. We need to talk to the principal.”

You nodded.

You didn’t ask if Taylor was okay. You already knew she wasn’t.

The walk to the office was silent. The woman didn’t speak, just walked ahead while you trailed behind, your footsteps squelching slightly with every step down the hallway. Your hands were starting to shake, and your palms itched with dried mud.

When you entered the front office, the air-conditioning blasted cold across your damp skin. Everything smelled like disinfectant and laminated folders. A secretary looked up from her computer with a raised brow, eyes narrowing slightly when she saw your jersey and the splatter of dirt across your face.

You were led into a side room—small, windowless, a round table with three chairs. A box of tissues sat untouched in the center like some kind of offering.

The administrator motioned for you to sit.

“We’re just waiting for someone from the district,” she said calmly. “And your mother is on her way.”

You sat.

The chair creaked beneath you.

You stared at your hands in your lap, dried mud under your nails.

There was no clock on the wall, but you felt every second drag like it might never end.

You weren’t sure if you were in trouble. You weren’t sure if you even deserved to be.

All you knew was that your ears still rang with the sound of Taylor’s scream.

And for the first time in your life— You weren’t sure if you were still the good kid anymore.

The clink of a fork against a plate was the only sound in the room.

Dinner sat half-eaten. Your mashed potatoes untouched. The chicken cold. Your mom picked at her food in slow, tired motions, while your dad scrolled through something on his phone, the screen casting a blue light over his face.

You sat at the end of the table, shoulders hunched, staring at your plate but not seeing any of it. The silence between the three of you was thick—too thick. The kind you could choke on.

Then he spoke.

“So… how’d the scrimmage go?”

You didn’t look up.

Didn’t move.

You blinked slowly. Once. Twice.

Then your jaw tensed.

Your fork hit the plate with a metallic clang as you shoved your chair back, the legs scraping loudly against the tile.

You stood. “Seriously?”

Your dad looked up, confused. “What?”

“You’re asking now? After everything?”

Your mom’s head turned slowly, eyes wide and weary.

Mark furrowed his brow. “I’m just trying to ask—”

“You weren’t there!” you snapped, your voice shaking now. “You’re never there. And don’t act like you care when you can’t even show up to the one thing I’m actually good at!”

“Y/N—” your mom tried gently, but you couldn’t stop.

“You two argue about me like I’m a problem to solve. Like I’m just some expense or distraction. I heard you. Last night.”

Mark froze.

Your mom went still, lips parting slightly.

“I was on the stairs. I heard everything. The bills. The prognosis. The fact that you didn’t think I could handle it.”

Tears were forming in your eyes now, hot and fast.

“And you know what? Maybe I can’t handle it. Maybe I’m just a stupid kid who can’t even get through one game without flipping out. But you should’ve told me.”

The words fell out like they’d been waiting in your throat for weeks.

“I deserve to know if my mom is dying.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Your dad sat frozen, guilt flooding his face in slow waves. Your mom’s hand trembled around her fork before she set it down with care and reached across the table.

But you stepped back.

“I don’t want lies anymore,” you whispered.

Then you turned and walked out of the dining room, not waiting to hear who followed.

The house was dark.

Still.

Silent—until it wasn’t.

The sound hit you like a crack in the night.

Yelling.

Your father’s voice. Hoarse. Raw.

You sat up in bed, your heart already pounding, sleep falling off you like a broken coat. The air felt cold. Heavy. Like something was wrong before your feet even touched the floor.

You padded down the hallway, each step slower than the last. The yelling had stopped, but something in your stomach twisted tighter with every breath.

Your parents’ bedroom door was open a sliver, light spilling out faint and gold onto the hardwood.

You pushed it open with trembling fingers.

And your world stopped.

Your father was kneeling beside the bed, crying—really crying. His hands clenched in the blanket, knuckles white, his face buried against the side of the mattress like he was trying to wake up from a nightmare.

Your mother lay still. Too still.

Her eyes were closed. Her lips parted. One hand resting gently on her stomach, the other limp at her side.

You stood there for one second. Then two.

And then you screamed.

“Mom?!”

You ran across the room and dropped to your knees beside her, grabbing her wrist, her hand, anything.

“Mom—wake up! Please—wake up! Mom—please!”

Tears blurred your vision instantly, hot and stinging, pouring down your face as you shook her shoulder. Her skin was still warm but unmoving. Her chest didn’t rise.

You pressed your head to hers, sobbing into her hair, your cries turning ragged, panicked, desperate.

“No—no, no, no—don’t leave me. I’m not ready—I didn’t—you said you’d be there. You said—you promised.”

Your father had his face buried in his hands now, silent again except for the sound of his grief.

And the room filled with everything she wouldn’t say anymore.

The things she wouldn’t see.

Your next birthday.

Your first love.

Your future.

She was gone.

And all you could do was scream into the quiet.

Everything after that night blurred together like smudged ink on a soaked page.

You didn’t remember the exact day of the funeral, just that it was overcast, and the sky looked like it wanted to cry but didn’t. Like it was holding back out of politeness. You stood next to your father in black that didn’t quite fit right, staring at a coffin too small for how big she’d been in your world.

People gave you cards with doves on them. People you didn’t know hugged you too long. People whispered things like “she’s in a better place,” as if that helped you feel any less left behind.

You stopped hearing them after a while.

Flowers came by the boxload. Lilies. White roses. Vases lined the house like a memorial that never got cleaned up.

You started sleeping in until the sun was down.

You forgot to eat. Or you remembered and just didn’t care.

Your father tried, for a little while.

Then he stopped trying.

And then Karen started showing up.

Smiling in pastel sweaters. Laughing too loudly in the kitchen. Her voice was like glass clinking in your skull. She touched your dad’s arm too easily. Brought muffins. Started leaving her toothbrush in the upstairs bathroom.

You barely spoke to her.

Then one day—months, maybe—Karen’s kids were there too. Chloe and Harper. Harper peeked into your room and said it was “boring.” Chloe never spoke to you directly.

You watched your home shrink around you until it didn’t feel like yours anymore.

And still, the grief stayed. Heavy and constant. Like a fog you didn’t walk through so much as drown in.

Then—

One afternoon, your father knocked on your door.

He didn’t ask if you wanted to talk.

He just opened it.

Karen stood behind him, her smile tight.

“We need to speak with you,” he said.

You followed, barefoot, numb.

You sat across from them in the living room, knees pulled to your chest.

It wasn’t a moment of healing. It wasn’t a warm heart-to-heart. It was short. Simple.

“We’re sending you to an Academy in the north west.”

That was it.

No: How are you feeling? No: Are you ready?

Just we’re sending you away.

Like you were a thing to manage.

Something they could ship off and not have to deal with.

Your fingers curled into your sleeves.

And something inside you cracked—not like thunder, but like glass.

That was the first time in months you really felt anything.

Not sadness.

Not loss.

Just rage.

And it woke you up.

You woke with a soft gasp, the remnants of your dream—her voice, that living room, the weight of those words—still clinging to your chest like humidity.

The guest room was filled with golden light, the sun just starting to peek through the curtains, painting soft stripes across the floor. Your phone was still clutched in your hand, open to Caitlyn’s contact, the message screen mostly empty but somehow comforting.

Beside you, your journal lay open, pages slightly wrinkled from where you'd dozed off mid-entry. You sighed, rubbing your eyes as you sat up, hair sticking up on one side and your mouth tasting like sleep and silence.

You glanced down at your phone again, the screen lighting up with a soft buzz as you pressed the side.

1 new message.

From Caitlyn.

“The earliest flight we could get you is tonight.”

You whined, flopping back onto the pillows for a brief, dramatic second before accepting the reality. “Figures,” you muttered to yourself.

You dragged yourself into the bathroom, flipping on the light and squinting at your reflection in the mirror. Puffy eyes. Messy hair. That old sleep shirt that clung awkwardly to your curves.

You reached for your toothbrush and began brushing in slow, tired motions.

Your phone buzzed again on the sink.

You glanced down, expecting another message from Caitlyn.

But it wasn’t her.

It was an unknown number.

And it read simply:

“Meet me at Red Fern Café. 1pm.”

You froze mid-brush, staring at the screen, toothpaste clinging to the corner of your lip.

You didn’t recognize the number.

You didn’t know the café.

And yet something deep in your gut said this wasn’t random.

This was for you.

The Red Fern Café sat at the corner of an old brick intersection downtown—wedged between a bookstore that hadn't updated its window display since 2003 and a boutique that only seemed to sell gray scarves and overpriced coffee-table books.

It was quiet when you stepped inside, the bell above the door jingling with a light, eerie chime that didn’t feel quite welcoming. The air smelled faintly of cinnamon and something older, like the wood of the booths had been soaked in stories too long to forget.

You glanced around.

There were only a few people inside—an older couple near the front, a girl studying with headphones in…

And a man in the corner booth.

Alone.

Pale skin, gray-green like marble, and a sharp suit that looked too expensive for a place like this. He sat with his legs crossed, one gloved hand wrapped around a mug that he hadn’t taken a sip from. His other eye—the only one he had—was piercing.

The right eye was missing. A scar trailing through it.

You froze just inside the doorway, something flickering in the back of your brain.

You’d seen him before. In the park. Back at the cemetery. That figure watching you from afar before vanishing into the trees.

Your stomach twisted.

He didn’t wave you over.

Didn’t call your name.

But he looked at you—and tilted his head slightly, like he already knew you’d come.

You didn’t move right away.

Your fingers tightened around the strap of your bag.

But eventually… you stepped forward, each footstep feeling heavier than the last, like the air around him was thicker. Charged.

You stopped in front of the booth.

He smiled—thin and measured. Like a knife being unsheathed.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice low and smooth like smoke. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.”

You sat down across from him slowly, your knees brushing against the underside of the table as your fingers tightened around the edge of the seat.

He didn’t speak. And neither did you.

The café continued on around you like nothing was happening—milk steaming behind the counter, the distant clink of a spoon in a ceramic cup. But your skin prickled with the weight of his gaze, like he was measuring something beneath your bones.

Minutes passed.

Your mouth was dry. Your jaw locked.

Then, finally, he spoke.

“I imagine,” he said softly, “you have questions.”

You stared at him.

He smiled—cold and patient.

“But I didn’t ask you here for your curiosity. I asked you here for the truth.”

You blinked once. “What truth?”

Silco’s good eye narrowed slightly, the light catching in its sharp green hue.

“I knew your mother,” he said.

The words landed like stones in your stomach.

“I knew her well. Long before you were born. She was… bright. Defiant. Too clever for the life she was forced into.” His voice dropped just slightly. “We cared for each other. Until it became… complicated.”

You swallowed.

“She loved my father,” you said, unsure if it was a question or a protest.

Silco gave a small tilt of his head. “She tried.”

He leaned forward now, his voice lowering just enough to make you feel like the walls of the booth were pressing in.

“But she didn’t carry his blood.”

Your hands curled into your lap.

“You’re saying—?”

“I’m saying I’m the reason you sunburn so easily. I’m the reason you’re fast. The reason you heal too quickly. The reason you see too much.”

Your heart thudded once—twice.

And then he said the part that made it all colder:

“I’m the reason you were sent away.”

Your breath caught.

He kept going. “Karen’s loyalty was easy to buy. I gave her the money. A significant amount. Enough to convince your father that boarding school would be a fresh start. Somewhere far. Isolated. Safe.”

You felt like the booth tilted slightly beneath you.

“You—you paid them to get rid of me?” Your voice was shaking.

“I paid them to protect you,” he corrected, gently. “You were beginning to show signs. That night… the locker room… the broken bone. The girl with the cross.” He looked at you, unreadable. “You think that was a coincidence?”

You stared at him, frozen.

“Your instincts are starting to catch up with your bloodline, Y/N. And they needed to be contained before the wrong people noticed.”

You felt sick.

“I didn’t want to hurt you,” he added. “But you were never going to be normal. Not for long.”

You wanted to scream.

Instead, you whispered, “So what now?”

Silco’s lips curled, just faintly. “Now… we talk about what comes next.”

You didn’t speak.

Your knuckles were white where they gripped the edge of the table, legs tense beneath you, eyes locked on him as if doing so would anchor you to something—anything.

Silco leaned back slightly, folding his gloved hands atop the table, as calm as if he were discussing weather patterns instead of rewriting the foundation of your life.

“You’re only half vampire,” he said simply. “The blood that runs through you is diluted—dormant, in a way. Your mother was human. Fragile, soft. But im—” he tapped his chest lightly, “—pure.”

You flinched.

The words shouldn’t make your stomach turn, but they did.

“I’ve seen what you are when you’re pushed,” he continued. “How you move. How quickly your instincts rise. But that’s only the surface. The awakening—the true inheritance—requires more.”

Your lips parted, barely whispering, “More what?”

“Blood,” he said plainly. “Pure blood. You’re caught in a halfway place. Mortal. And yet… not.” His gaze sharpened, cutting straight through you. “You’re walking the line between two worlds. But you won’t stay on the edge forever.”

You stared at him. “You mean… I’d have to be turned?”

He nodded once. “Not just by anyone. By a pure vampire. Not someone turned, not someone weak or reckless. Someone old. Someone of bloodline.”

A sick twist curled in your gut.

You thought of Caitlyn. Of Sevika. Of the pull you felt between them. The bonds. The dreams. The hunger.

“You’ve already bonded with two of them, haven’t you?” Silco’s tone was knowing, not cruel. “I can feel it on you. Like scent on silk.”

You didn’t answer.

Didn’t have to.

He sat forward now, and for the first time, his voice was gentler. “You don’t know what you’re becoming, Y/N. You don’t even know what you’re capable of. But if you stay in the dark much longer…” He tapped the table once. “Others will find you first. Others less patient than me.”

Your throat was tight. The café felt like it was closing in again.

“What happens if I don’t… if I don’t let it wake up?” you asked.

Silco didn’t answer for a long time.

Then, finally:

“Then you’ll die as something less than what you were born to be.”

You sat cross-legged on the guest bed, your journal resting in your lap, pen poised just above the page. The sunlight from the window had shifted golden, stretching long shadows across the floor. Your phone lay face down beside you—untouched since the café.

You hadn’t texted Caitlyn. You hadn’t texted Sevika.

Not because you didn’t want to.

But because… this felt like something that needed to be said face-to-face. When they could see your expression. Hear your voice. Know you weren’t just spiraling.

You exhaled slowly through your nose and wrote:

I met him today. He told me everything. About Mom. About me. About what I’m becoming. He said if I want to be whole, I have to be turned by a pure vampire. I don’t know what to do with that yet. I don’t know what I am. But I know where I belong—and it’s not here.

Your pen paused as your stomach twisted.

You closed the journal and gently set it aside.

A knock tapped softly against the door.

You looked up.

Your father’s voice came through, hesitant. “Y/N? Can I come in?”

You hesitated.

“…Yeah.”

The door creaked open, and he stood there, hands in his pockets, looking older than you remembered. Tired. Like whatever had hardened in him after your mom died had finally started to crack.

“I know you’re leaving in a couple hours,” he said, eyes flicking from the suitcase by your bed to your face. “But… Karen made dinner. I thought maybe… we could all eat together. Just once.”

You stared at him for a beat.

You could tell he was trying. Even if it was late. Even if it would never be enough.

You nodded once. “Okay.”

A breath of relief left his chest. “Yeah? Okay. I’ll… I’ll let her know.”

He gave you a small smile and turned to leave.

But just before the door closed, he stopped and looked back.

“I know things got messy,” he said. “But… I’m glad you came.”

You didn’t answer.

Not yet.

You just sat there.

And when the door finally clicked shut again, you reached for your suitcase.

Time to go home.

Dinner was quiet at first. Almost eerily so.

You sat at the wooden and glass table, the same one your father had bought with Karen not long after she moved in. The glass top always seemed too fragile for a family dinner—like it was pretending to be something it wasn’t. Just like this house.

Karen had made some roasted chicken, a dry-looking salad, and potatoes that somehow managed to taste like nothing. She’d set the table like it was a magazine spread—cloth napkins, cheap gold-rimmed plates, a candle lit even though it was barely 6 p.m.

You sat stiffly, your fork pushing pieces of food around your plate. Across from you, Harper kept her head down, picking at her meal with barely-veiled tension. Chloe scrolled her phone under the table. Your dad tried to make light conversation, asking about your flight like he wasn’t the one who'd sent you away in the first place.

But Karen?

Karen had her voice turned up just enough to fill the silences.

“It’ll be good for you to get back into a routine,” she said, spooning more salad onto her plate, the metal clinking against the edge of the glass tabletop. “That school’s so strict. Maybe they can teach you how to sit up straight again.”

You said nothing.

She kept going. “And I hope they’re keeping a better eye on who you’re spending time with. You’re… at a sensitive age, and some girls don’t always know what kind of attention they’re attracting.”

Your fork froze mid-push.

Harper looked up sharply from her plate.

Karen sipped her wine like she hadn’t said anything wrong. “I mean, all this experimenting—it’s really a trend, isn’t it? It’s not natural. Girls kissing girls for attention, like that’s something to be proud of.”

You blinked slowly. Your heart beat once—twice.

Harper’s hands slowly curled around her fork.

Karen laughed lightly, as if amused by her own “insight.”

And then Harper stood.

So fast her chair scraped across the tile.

“Shut up.”

Karen blinked. “Excuse me?”

Harper’s voice shook. “Just shut the fuck up, Karen.”

Your dad opened his mouth, but Harper was already reaching across the table.

She grabbed the salad bowl—glass, heavy, still half full—and with a furious, tear-glossed scream, she slammed it into the center of the table.

The sound was instant and shattering.

The glass tabletop exploded beneath it, cracking like a spiderweb, shards flying in every direction. The bowl split in half, lettuce and croutons flying across the room.

You flinched, breath caught in your chest.

Your dad stood up in a rush. “Harper!”

But Harper was already storming out of the dining room, shoulders shaking, hands red from the impact.

The room was silent—except for the creak of broken glass and the soft drip of dressing sliding down one of the wooden legs.

Karen just sat there, stunned, her mouth parted.

You pushed your chair back.

And stood.

Without a word.

Your suitcase lay open on the bed, half-zipped and stuffed full of wrinkled clothes, your journal, chargers, toothpaste barely shoved into a side pocket. You moved fast—grabbing whatever was yours and tossing it in without care. You didn’t want to be here a second longer than necessary.

The glass table.

The sound.

Karen’s voice.

Harper’s scream.

It all buzzed around your skull like a wasp’s nest.

You reached for your phone charger and paused—your hand throbbing.

You looked down.

And that’s when you saw it.

A long, jagged shard of glass embedded in the soft flesh of your palm. Your breath caught in your throat. Blood had already soaked into your skin, but your adrenaline had numbed it until now.

You sucked in a sharp breath and grabbed a tissue from the nightstand, wrapping your hand around it.

“Okay,” you muttered under your breath. “Okay, okay…”

You pulled the glass out—slowly, wincing as blood welled up fast and thick.

“Shit,” you hissed, staggering slightly as you reached for the first aid kit on the dresser. With your good hand, you tore open a bandage, wrapping it around the wound with trembling fingers.

The door creaked open.

“Y/N?”

You turned quickly, startled.

Harper stood there, her eyes still a little red, arms crossed protectively across her chest. She glanced at your bleeding hand, then at your suitcase.

“I just…” she started, hesitating. “I wanted to say I’m sorry. For my mom. For what she said.”

You stared at her for a moment.

Then shook your head, shoulders slumping.

“It’s okay,” you said softly, the bandage pressing tight against your palm. “It’s not your fault.”

Harper stepped into the room, looking like she didn’t know what to do with her hands.

“It’s not,” she said, voice a little firmer. “But I still hate that she’s like that. I hate that you have to leave because this house is… like this.”

You zipped your suitcase the rest of the way and offered her a small, tired smile.

“I was always going to leave,” you said. “It just… feels more final now.”

She nodded, then looked down at your hand again.

“You’re bleeding.”

You gave a half-laugh, glancing at the red already soaking through the bandage.

“I noticed.”

Neither of you spoke for a moment.

Then, softly, Harper said, “I’m really glad you didn’t tell her about me. About the other night.”

You looked at her, something softer in your eyes now.

“I’d never do that.”

She nodded.

And for the first time, you thought maybe she believed you.

The low hum of the plane surrounded you like a blanket—steady, soft, and constant enough to almost lull you to sleep. But you couldn’t. Not yet.

You sat by the window, forehead occasionally resting against the cool plastic as clouds passed beneath you like slow, white rivers. The lights above the cabin were dimmed, and most passengers were already half-asleep, curled against their neck pillows or distracted by glowing screens.

You had your tray table down.

On it sat your journal, half-filled pages curling at the edges from how often you’d pressed the pen too hard. Your handwriting wavered with the turbulence, but you kept going.

He said he knew Mom. He said I’m only half of what I could be. That being turned would wake something up inside me. I don’t know if I want to be awake anymore.

You paused. Tapped the pen gently against the corner of the page. Then added:

But I miss them. And I need answers.

Beside your journal sat your copy of Pride and Prejudice—creased at the spine, the sticky notes Caitlyn had once lent you still sticking out from the top like multicolored feathers.

You turned to the chapter you’d fallen behind on.

It felt strange—normal—to be reading again. Annotating. Rewriting analysis in the margins. For a few minutes, it was just Elizabeth Bennet and long British sentences and the sound of jet engines in your ears.

But beneath it all, your hand still throbbed under the bandage.

And something inside you whispered that whatever came next... was going to change everything.

[whitecreekvalley-if]

[ Demo TBA ] • Character descriptions • Pinterest •

Genres: Slice of life, drama, mystery, romance

WCV is rated 18+ for explicit language, violence, alcohol and drug use, and explicit sexual content.

Life's taken a nosedive—no apartment, no job, no friends. Desperation pushes you to cling to a chance from a kindly stranger offering a ticket to a town hidden beyond mountains and plains, a place people don't seek but always seem to need.

Welcome to Whitecreek Valley, where the Brass Pine Ranch needs your unique skills to mend a crumbling homestead, and a crumbling family. As you tackle the decay of the ranch and the town alongside the rancher's son, deeper troubles emerge—livestock falling ill sparks fears of a town on the brink of extinction. Can you navigate this community, help them rejuvenate, or will it become another link in the list of ghost towns of America's Wikipedia page?

FEATURES

Customization: Appearance, personality, gender & sexuality, what job they had before, their hobbies, etc. Choose how they feel about being a farmhand, how they're adjusting to the rural life, and - with your choices - how the town as a whole sees them. Are they part of the community or an perpetual outsider?

Skills: Depending on your previous job, you'll have a unique set of skills to help the community. Choose to learn new skills, like woodworking, bronc riding, or sheep shearing, to mention a few.

Animal husbandry: The distances around Whitecreek Valley are hefty, so it's necessary to have at least a horse to get around. Choose your favorite out of a cast of individual equines, each with their own personalities. Also, help a calf into this world and realize how fun it is to raise a baby cow! As long as you're in good standing with the rest of the herd, of course.

Rebuilding: Try your best to rebuild the Brass Pine ranch, and the town adjacent. The better job you manage, the more opportunities (and challenges) come your way.

Community outreach: A dying town is still home, and there are stories to be heard, problems to solve. Lend a helping hand to your new community and see how one kindness can pay itself back.

Romance: Not everyone in town is adverse to strangers, and if your heart yearns romance, there is a chance for a spark along the way. Just be careful as to who you're trying to woo in front of whom. Small town gossips, we've all seen it.

Mystery: There's something hanging over the valley, like a rot in the air. Why are people moving out? Why are exports not moving out? And who's behind the animals getting sick? Don you detective hat and lend a hand to the entire four local police officers working the bizarre case.

THE LOCALS (RO'S)

THE RANCHER'S SON

Mason "Mace" Gannon - 27 - he/him

He used to be so much fun. I miss hanging out with him, out by the bonfires. He'd always make everyone feel so included and happy, and oh, that homemade cider he'd bring? Warmed us up on those chilly late fall nights, when we had nothing else to do. Did I tell you about the time he got us all to go skinny dipping? He was such a charmer, I wonder --

Imagine Mace as your human golden retriever – the guy who's a blast to be around, a bit mischievous, and the first to rush to your aid whenever you need it. After being gone for five years to live his rodeo dreams, he's back, now the sole caretaker of the family ranch in his hometown. He goes to great lengths to keep his personal issues personal, and it's the butt of many jokes how he's always there to help others but has the worst time asking for help himself.

He's you boss, and probably one of the best you'll ever get. Just don't pay mind to the spats between him and his dad.

THE BARTENDER

Alice Marks - 25 - she/her

Alice, she's a feisty one! Like her poppa, rest his soul. How I love the drinks she comes up with at the bar, and that horse of hers! She could go into rodeo, but I don't think after what happened with her pa... Oh, but she's a wonder! Always there with a quip, how they drive her suitors mad. Good thing she stopped with the talk about moving away, the town would be so dull without her!

Alice is the town's most known inhabitant, running the show from the only bar in town, which she just happens to own. Her mind is like a machine for fun, and she's the brain behind all the pop-up events and happenings around town. Sure, she can be a bit like a hurricane of enthusiasm, but hey, that's Alice for you. If the town had a social heartbeat, it'd be Alice – the vibrant, smartass soul making everyday life feel like a blessing.

THE DEPUTY

Word of the wise: Never challenge Alice to a drinking game. You will lose, spectacularly, and it'll all be on film.

Judge Gannon - 34 - he/him

Judge is a bit strange, don't you think? He just vanished as soon as he turned eighteen and popped back out of nowhere! That must've been, let's see... Five years ago? He doesn't spend much time with us commoners though, but I think I've seen him at the bar once or twice. I don't actually think he knows how to make nice with people, he always has that glower on. Gets it from his dad, let me tell you --

Bold and straight to the point, Judge isn't out here trying to be intimidating – it just kinda happens. If his brother is a golden retriever, he's definitely the doberman of the family. He's got this brash, no-nonsense vibe that some folks mistake for arrogance, especially when they try laying on the charm and he's not having it. He steers clear of small talk unless it involves his job, and when duty calls, he's more than ready to throw down to protect his town and county.

There's this local urban legend that he cracked a smile once, but it's like spotting a unicorn – not everyone's buying it.

THE LAWYER

Mercedes "Sadie" Diáz - 32 - she/her

The new girl, yes! Oh, a beauty! And so curious. I do love sitting down with her though, oh the stories she brings from the big city, so intriguing! I hear she finds our town intriguing too, the mayor once - don't tell anyone I told you this - the mayor once said he caught her breaking into the city hall archives! I know, scandalous, but good on her, maybe now someone will argue that my neighbors fence post --

Sadie, the big-shot lawyer from the city, doing her solo act in town. When she's not in court, folks are lining up just to get a piece of the urban tales she's got. A trailblazer and truth-seeker, she's got this knack for poking her nose where it probably shouldn't be, and surprise, she knows more local secrets than the town gossip. Sure, she's all passionate and calculated, a bit out of sync with the town's warmth, but hey, that logical mind of hers might just shake things up and get the town back on track.

It's a well known fact that she could get access to places with the right documents, but she herself has said it's more fun to pick locks. Go figure.

LIST OF MAJOR NPCs

LIST OF MINOR NPCs

[jadeylovesmarvelxo]

You're Still The One ♥️

Coupled up Virgin Eddie and Virgin reader having their first times with each other, and - from both love and in defiance of the people who said they'd eventually get bored with each other - ending up married and/or with a couple of kids, and still as in love with each other and as horny for each other in their 40s/50s/60s/+ as they were in their late teens/early 20s?

Request by anon.

Also this request reminded me of the Shania Twain song-You're still the one so the lyrics are at the end of this fic 🥰

Mdni. 18+. A little bit of smut at the start, fluffy and sweet. Eddie and you being utter simps for each other.

♥️

Eddie's hand gently clasps yours, the two of you are nervous, entwined together and naked in more ways than one but there's so much love and trust, the eagerness to give each other everything.

He's gentle, so very gentle as he thrusts into you. Well as gentle as he can be and holds your hand whispering words of love as he moves in and out of you, only begins to move faster when you assure him you're okay.

The sharp pain you felt at the start dulls and in its place is an all-consuming need for Eddie, you're begging him to move faster and meet his lips in a clumsy but perfect kiss.

"You okay princess?" he strokes your cheek and you nod clenching around him, he lets out a guttural moan and his thrusts become harder, a little bit sloppy at first but he gets into the most perfect rhythm that has you seeing stars.

"You feel so good, so tight sweetheart, I can't believe you're mine"

The pleasure is like nothing you've ever felt before and you know Eddie feels that way too, moans issuing from the both of you as you both reach your climax.

You're giddy and on a high, so is Eddie and the two of you kiss, giggling and so in love with each other.

"That was fucking incredible princess" he sighs then he pauses his eyes flashing with anxiety, "Was it okay for you too?" You rest your forehead against his and smile, feeling like you're on cloud nine.

"It was perfect Eddie"

♥️

People warned you that the two of you wouldn't last.

"You'll never last, you'll grow bored and move on. You're young and being so head over heels in love doesn't last forever"

All of the naysayers were proven wrong, through utter love and defiance you and Eddie fell more in love with each other and that love lasted.

Eddie proposed one beautiful spring day, he had the ring for a long time while trying to think of the perfect time to propose. He had big ideas for doing it, maybe a campaign where at the end he would propose or he could take you to a fancy restaurant and propose to you there.

In the end, though the proposal came on that spring day while you and Eddie were enjoying some quiet time together after a busy week. It was windy and a little chilly, with blossom trees in full bloom (a sight you always loved) and Eddie tearful and struggling to get the words out.

You had pretty much screamed yes and nearly tackled him to the ground when you hugged him. He was grinning widely, all dimples and glee as he slipped the ring on your finger. It was perfect.

The two of you married in the autumn, with just Uncle Wayne, very close family and friends in attendance. It was outside, in the park you and Eddie loved so much, under pretty autumnal trees painted in golds, reds and rich browns.

It was one of the best days of your life and Eddie's too.

♥️

Adelaine was the first of you and Eddie's kids to arrive, from the minute you found out you were pregnant you and Eddie pored over every pregnancy book the two of you could find. He was extremely protective and completely enraptured with your growing bump, talking to the baby and telling the baby stories.

"I want to be the best dad sweetheart. Better than my old man ever was" he murmurs as you both look at lists of baby names. Gently you squeeze his hand and press soft kisses on his forehead.

"You're going to be the best daddy Eddie Munson, you're already the most amazing husband, I know our little one will be loved and so lucky to have you" he still looks anxious so you climb onto his lap and hold him close to you.

"Eddie you're nothing like your father. He was an asshole, cold and cruel. You're nothing like that, you're so full of love and gentleness, I love you so much and so will our little one. Any anxieties we have we get through together okay?" He nods his eyes brightening and a small smile on his lips that soon turns mischievous.

"Hey, how about the name Gandalf?" you snort and shake your head.

"Absolutely not" he pouts and wraps his arms around you, rests his hand on your bump and grins when he feels a kick.

"It would be so fucking metal babe, Gandalf Munson, we could be on to something. Popularise the name" You can't help but start giggling, Eddie pouts again but lets the name game drop for now.

Five months to that day Adelaine Maria Munson was born and Eddie was wrapped around her little finger which was adorable.

Samuel Munson followed and then Arwyn Munson, completing your little family.

Not to mention the many stray cats and dogs you adopted over the years as well. Ozzy, Sabbath, Midnight, Gandalf and a lot more.

Your house was always filled with love, laughter and a dozen pets, you could never resist a cute kitty or dog and Eddie could never say no to the combined forces of you and the girl's pouts.

"Sammy, they're doing the puppy eyes again dude, help your old man out" he would playfully joke to Samuel who was pretty much Eddie's mini me and idolised Eddie.

The first time Samuel and the girls begged Eddie to teach them about D&D, he almost cried. (He totally did) and rushed to make up a campaign for them.

Sundays were campaign day every week in your house after that and Friday nights were reserved for Eddie's epic bedtime story hour - Lord of the Rings was a hit in your household.

Not to mention he made up stories for the kids and dramatically acted out each one (with your assistance) you think Eddie enjoyed telling the stories even more than the kids.

❤️

You and Eddie being still so completely in love year after year made your kids whine that the two of you were "so gross" when you kissed or were particularly touchy-feely, Eddie always over dramatically kissed you even more just to make them laugh.

All these decades later and the two of you were more in love than ever and despite what everyone said the two of you did last.

Soulmates until the end.

♥️

Looks like we made it. Look how far we've come, my baby, We mighta took the long way.

We knew we'd get there someday

They said, "I bet they'll never make it" But just look at us holding on. We're still together, still going strong.

Mm (you're still the one) You're still the one I run to, The one that I belong to. You're still the one I want for life (You're still the one), You're still the one that I love.

The only one I dream of, You're still the one I kiss goodnight.

Shania Twain- You're still the one

[drabblesandimagines]

Traditions

Leon Kennedy x reader Established relationship, fluff, one lil' swear

You look forlornly at the box of Christmas decorations you’d brought out of the top of the cupboard in anticipation of tomorrow, sat prominently in the middle of the living room, and back down at the text you’d received a few moments ago from Leon.

LSK, 3:28pm: Been held up, sweetheart. Trying to get this wrapped up ASAP but I’m not going to be back tonight. Forgive me? x

It’s silly to be upset, you know that, especially Leon’ll be frustrated enough as it is that they’re making him stay there longer. You flop back on the sofa, take a breath and type out a reply.

No forgiveness necessary, silly. I know it’s not your fault. Be safe x

It was going to be your first Christmas in the new, shared apartment that you’d picked out together for the next big stage of your relationship. Leon hadn’t come with a huge amount of personal effects – a shoebox of letters and photographs had been the sum of anything sentimental amongst the usual boxes of clothes, shoes, bedsheets and towels. You, on the other hand, had come in with a fair bit more, including one solely filled with Christmas decorations.

You'd been sat on the living room floor nearly ten months ago now, unpacking one of your several boxes, a few of them set aside to be deposited in different rooms to tackle, which Leon had graciously been working his way through.

“Where do you want this one, sweetheart?”

You looked up, deciphering the initials you’d hastily written in permanent marker in the corner. “Oh, can you put that one in the top of the hall cupboard, please?”

He nodded, bending with his back rather than lifting from his knees and grunted, not expecting it to be as heavy as it was.

“What’s in here – weights?”

You smiled, sheepishly, getting up to your feet. “Christmas decorations. We don’t have to use all of them, I thought we could combine, you know? Decorations and traditions.”

He looked down at the sealed box, seeming embarrassed as you walked over to him. “That’s okay. Never really did much for Christmas myself, so I'm happy with whatever you wanna do for both, sweetpea."

You stood up on your tip-toes, pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Well, we can get some new ones too – together.”

That had been the plan for tomorrow on the rare, overlapping day off for the two of you in a busy December. You had a whole itinerary in mind, jam-packed with your favourite festive activities that you were excited to share with Leon, see which ones he was taken with so you could start making your own joint traditions going forward. You move the box to the place you’d cleared for the tree, before sitting down on the sofa. You check your phone – no response – and lean forward for the remote control instead, switching on a tacky Christmas movie as a distraction.

--

You didn’t hear from Leon again that night, which wasn’t unusual if he was in the thick of things, and there was no text or missed call when you awoke in the morning. You’d showered, dressed and were in the kitchen, making a coffee to warm you up on the chilly morning – a very picturesque dusting of snow had fell overnight - when you heard the jangle of keys in the front door. In walked Leon, his suit crinkled, looking tired but smiling immediately at the surprised look on your face.

“Morning, sweetheart.”

“Leon!” You walked over to him as he dropped his duffel bag on the floor with a thud, opening his arms wide to greet you, only for you to yank him forward by his jacket to kiss him.

He slips his arms around your waist, kissing you back in return, though there’s a smirk on his lips when you pull back, “That welcome home makes the red-eye I caught entirely worth it.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were on your way back?”

He shrugs, swallowing down a yawn. “Didn’t wanna wake you – knew you’d got the whole day planned." He knew you'd been itching to decorate for Christmas with him, letting it slip that you usually had everything up by the evening of December 1st. "Lemme grab a shower, change out of this suit and then you can tell me what’s first on the agenda, hm?”

“Oh. No,” you shake your head, feeling foolish. “You must be exhausted after everything, as well as travelling through the night. We can just relax today, don’t worry about that stuff – it was a silly idea, really.”

“Uh-uh, I’ve been looking forward to it. Hell, it’s the reason why I got the red-eye.” 

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” He presses a kiss against your forehead before picking his bag back up. “Save me some coffee?”

“Okay.” You can’t help the smile that breaks across your face as he heads through to the bedroom. “Oh, be sure to dress warm!”

--

“A Christmas tree farm, huh?” Leon reads the sign with a grin, pulling the Jeep into the parking lot. You’d wanted to drive but he was a little nervous of you behind the wheel on the snowy roads. He’d been a good sport though, following the directions you’d programmed into the sat nav dutifully and not questioned where you were going, as you were adamant it remained a surprise.

“Yeah.” You nod, enthusiastically. Leon swears you’ve been bouncing your leg in excitement the whole drive. “We walk through, choose our perfect tree, cut it down and then we take it home.”

“How do we know which one is our perfect tree?”

“We’ll just know when we see it.” You unbuckle your seatbelt and jump out the Jeep, ready to sprint right down to the entrance when Leon grabs hold of your arm, spinning you around to face him.

“Hold on, sweetpea.” He fussed, tugging your hat further down around your ears with gloved fingers. “There. Don’t want you getting sick for your favourite holiday.”

“Thank you.” You smile, lacing your fingers with his and pulling him down the slope towards the tree farm. There’s a wheelbarrow of saws as you enter which you leave Leon to choose his preference – you know he’ll want to do the grand honours – as you grab a sledge to aid with tree retrieval before heading out the forest itself.

“Okay, so as a total tree novice, what are we looking for in particular?”

“Something that’s not too small but not too big, nice shape to it, isn’t already half-dead, has a good smell to it…” You trail off, stopping in front of one that seemed a good size. This first area is a little sparse, only a handful of trees left in the ground but there’s a good acre to explore.

“Smell?”

“That’s half the fun of having a real one – the smell.” You give the tree a gentle shake to find it loses quite a few needles, and turn away to find Leon watching you, intently, resting the saw on his shoulder.

“Like the car air freshener?”

“Kinda, but ten times better when it’s not artificial.” You loop your arm through his. “Come on, plenty more trees to see.”

You enter the next area where it’s more of a thicket, trees of various heights and widths and Leon feels a little overwhelmed at the choice. He hangs back, watching you in your element – slowly walking past each tree to first check if it meets your height criteria and if it does, then looking at it from various angles, hands on your hips, tilt your head before giving a branch or two an experimental shake.

He begins to take note of ones you linger on, getting an idea of what you’re looking for in particular. It’s part of his job after all – observing targets, memorizing certain details. He walks on a little further, scrutinizing each tree in turn before, shaking the branch to see how many needles cast off. After a half a dozen, he stops in front of one, mimicking your head tilt from before, giving a few of the branches a shake and steps back.

“Sweetheart, whatcha think of this one?”

“Hm?” You turn in the direction of his voice, locating him amidst the green before trudging over, looking at the tree in question. He watches, silently, as you go through the motions before turning back to him with a smile so bright he swears it makes his heart skip a beat.

“It’s perfect! You’re a natural.”

“Had a good teacher.”

--

Tree secured safely to the top of the Jeep, you’d pushed Leon into the tree farm’s shop next, a treasure trove of Christmas decorations both classic and tacky and told him to pick up whatever he liked the look of. He’d been quite taken with the rustic wooden decorations – trees, sleighs, woodland animals – and a tin one of a motorcycle, and you’d chosen a standard box of baubles together in colours you’d liked. From there, it was back to the apartment, thankfully the two of you plus tree fit in the elevator, before Leon nipped back down to the Jeep for the new pot and bag of Christmas decorations.

You’d pulled him into the bedroom upon his return, presenting him with plaid pyjama bottoms, a black t-shirt and a Santa hat.

He’d held it between two fingers. “Seriously, sweetheart?”

“Mm-hm.” You nodded, pulling out a pair of reindeer antlers on a headband from behind your back. “Or this.”

He pulled the hat over his head without further complaint.

Between the two of you, now both donned in your pyjamas and festive headgear, and another made-for-TV Christmas film playing in the background on the widescreen, you managed to get the tree situated in its new home for the season before you dived into your box, pulling out a ball of tangled fairy lights and dropping it in his lap.

“Another Christmas tradition you need to experience is untangling the lights.”

He balances it in his palm, looking at you with an eyebrow raised. “How about just putting them away properly?”

“I do – always end up like that.” You shrug, getting to your feet.

“Right, and whilst I’m doing this, what will you be doing?”

You lean over the back of the sofa, press a kiss to his crown. “Making you a hot cocoa with all the trimmings. Good luck!”

--

You watch as Leon stretches up and places the star atop the tree – it’s a smidge crooked, but you love it all the same. You’d spent the last hour wrapping it in lights and tinsel, before nestling new and old decorations upon the branches.

You bend down and switch the lights on, illuminating the tree in all its glory. “Perfect,” you declare, before you close your eyes for a moment, bite your lip in thought as Leon watches on with interest.

“What was that about?” He pulls you into his side, wrapping an arm tight around your waist.

“What was what?”

“Closed your eyes there, looked like you were deep in thought.”

“Oh,” you laugh. “It’s silly – my grandfather said to make a wish after you put the star on top of the tree and switch on the lights and then, with some Christmas magic, it would come true.”

“Really?”

“Mm. Give it a go.” You elbow him in the side, teasingly.

“Nah, it won’t work.” He shakes his head.

“Well, not with that attitude.”

“No,” he twirls you round in front of him then, cups your cheek and kisses you, softly. “It won’t work because my Christmas wish has already come true.”

“Okay, I need to dial back on your exposure to Hallmark Christmas movies cos that was cheesy as heck.”

He shrugs, rubbing his thumb across your cheek with a smug look on his face. “You love it.”

“I love you.” You correct, placing your hands on his chest. “Thank you for indulging me all day.”

“Love you more, sweetheart. However, there is one tradition I do have for this time of year that I’d like to share with you.”

“Really? You said you didn’t have any.”

“Mm.” He pulls you back with him onto the sofa, nestling you into his lap and presses a button on the remote control – the DVD player whirring into action.

“Leon Scott Kennedy,” you start with fake indignation, “are you telling me you have a favourite Christmas movie?”

Leon presses a kiss to your temple before he moves his lips to your ear to whisper with a smirk.

“Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker.”

--

Silly, festive nonsense. Comments, follows, likes and reblogs make my day!

Masterlist . Requests welcome . Commissions/Ko-Fi

[henryhengli]

Working It Out (Part 2)

Author's Note: Part 2 is here! Please refer to Part 1 for the details about this project. Also because I forgot to mention it in Part 1, the title of this work comes from the ML Buch song of the same name. Stream Suntub. Enjoy!

______________________________________________________________

Part 2: Trapped

Tommy had enough of flying for one night. He had been on air support for hours while the teams on the ground worked to finally contain the fire. He was exhausted, like all of them were. Flying had been his joy, his zen in an otherwise hectic and lonely world - now, it had lost a little of its luster. 

Get me out of this damn thing. 

He brought the chopper down smoothly, landing on the makeshift runway they had set up on the perimeter. The operation was too far from Harbor and there were too many vehicles involved to head all the way back for refueling. Once he was back on the ground, he stepped out into the chilly night, tugging off his helmet to reveal sweat-soaked, matted curls. He ran his fingers through his hair, closed his eyes, and took a long, deep breath of the first fresh air he had tasted all night. He squatted down, resting his elbows on his knees, heaving a bit. 

I don’t remember the last time I was so tired. 

He pulled himself up and started to head back to the supply trucks. As he did, he could hear commotion by the building’s entrance. He recognized the voices, so he got closer to investigate. 

“You son of a bitch!” 

It was Howie, screaming into Gerrard’s face, both of them on the ground. Howie had his hands on Gerrard’s collar - clearly he had tackled him to the ground. 

What did Gerrard do this time? Fucking asshole. 

The nearby personnel had formed a circle around them, some watching in disgust and some in delight. Hen had jumped in to try to split them up. 

“He’s not worth it, Chim! Get off him before you get yourself fired!” 

Gerrard’s eyes were wide, in a show of terror Tommy hadn’t seen from him before. He was strewn out, not even attempting to fight back. It wasn’t a brawl, it was an ambush, and Chim had won decisively before a fight had even started. Tommy looked around the crowd, looking for Evan. If Chim and Hen are here, then he can’t be far behind. 

“I am not letting anyone else I love die! You hear me?”

Howie had a rage in his eyes that deeply unsettled Tommy. 

“We are going back in there, and we are getting him out!”

Howie wasn’t letting up. He jostled Gerrard’s collar, the back of his head hitting the asphalt. Gerrard yelped in pain, closing his eyes and trying to stabilize his neck with his hand. 

“Get off him!” Hen finally gave in and wrapped both arms around Howie and pulled. He resisted, refusing to let go, until Tommy gathered the strength to rush in and assist. The two of them pulled Howie away, his teeth bared and his eyes red, as another firefighter helped Gerrard to his feet and gave his head a look. 

“You’re done, Han! Consider yourself suspended!” Gerrard shouted limply as he was turned away towards a nearby ambulance. The rest of the crowd looked on in acknowledgement, knowing that regardless of their feelings towards Gerrard, the punishment was more than warranted. They quickly dispersed, and Hen and Tommy dragged Howie off to the side. 

“Catch your breath.” Hen’s tone was sharp, cold. 

“I’m not sorry.” Howie was still coming down off the adrenaline. 

“I’m not telling you to be sorry, I’m telling you to catch your breath.” She glanced at Tommy, her eyebrows furrowed. “Thank you for the help.” She turned back towards Howie, giving him a once-over to see if he had injured himself during his display. 

“Of course.” Tommy said quietly. He felt out of place. 

“Where’s Evan?” 

Buck eased himself down the elevator shaft best he could, given the circumstances. He gently pushed off the side of the shaft, letting loose a small length of rope each time. He could hear the rumbling of the still-collapsing building above him gradually getting quieter the further he went. 

Probably a good sign. 

Above him he heard a ripping sound. 

Definitely a bad sign.

He glanced up for a moment, just in time to hear a loud pop and to see the length of rope above him come tumbling down. He fell fast, trying his best to lift his legs up and land on his ass. He hit the ground with a painful crunch. 

Something is definitely sprained, he thought, groaning in pain. 

Luckily, the fall had only been a few feet, though it was enough to be terribly painful to Buck’s already-aching body. He huffed a few breaths, putting his arms behind him and pulling his legs up to stabilize himself. With a heave, he got back onto his feet. Blinking through the shock of his sudden fall, he took in his surroundings - the bottom offices, copiers and printers strewn about, clearly out of date. The only source of light was Buck’s flashlight. Feeling along the walls, he tried to find a corner to orient himself around. Leaning himself against the walls, he panned the flashlight over the room, looking for a vent. As far as he could tell, no smoke had made it down here, so it must be ventilated to the outside. Buck decided that his cursory glance was good enough, and he pulled his helmet and mask off. Buck coughed. 

The air is stale in here. 

He pulled a glove off, flexing the fingers as they stung with soreness. He wiped his face. Looking back at his hand, he noted a mixture of ash and tears. He sank to the floor, ditching the other glove so he could hold his head in his hands. He sobbed, the tears flowing freely in a way they hadn’t for weeks. He couldn’t hold them anymore. 

I can’t do this. I can’t do this. I can’t think anymore. I can’t- 

More rumbling from overhead. A plume of dust, followed by a crash of plaster and chewed metal came down the empty shaft. It wouldn’t be safe to try and climb back up anytime soon, if ever. 

Buck closed his eyes hard, turning away, retreating into himself, as a pathetic whine left his throat. 

I shouldn’t be here. I can’t be here. How did I let this happen? 

He was starting to spiral, his breathing rapid and shallow. He ran his hands through his hair, trying in vain to self-soothe. 

I wish Bobby was here. 

Buck grinded his teeth together, desperately trying to hold the torrent of feeling back. 

Fucking Bobby. How could you leave this all to me? 

“I’m sorry.” Buck said out loud, sniffling. “I don’t mean what I’m thinking.”

Yes you do. Liar. Can’t even be honest with ghosts. 

Buck refused to open his eyes, as if he was hiding behind his eyelids. He sighed. “I promise I don’t mean it.” His voice cracked on the final word. Buck hadn’t been alone like this since Bobby died. Every waking moment had been spent around his family, around their grief. When he wasn’t working, he was at Maddie and Chims’, afraid of what might happen if he spent the night alone. He was miserable being around all of them so much, but it was familiar, compared to the unknown depths of his own emotions. But here, in this decrepit basement, he had nowhere to run. No one to cling to, no one to shoulder as a means of escaping his own mind. 

It’s eating me alive, Bobby. Being there for everyone. I- I’m starting to hate them. I can’t handle them anymore. I can’t do it anymore.

“I’m sorry, Bobby. I can’t do what you asked.” Buck looked down at the floor, feeling despondent for a moment. Suddenly, he was overcome. He bared his teeth and clenched his fists. 

“Fuck you, Bobby! How could you say you loved me and leave me like this! Tell me I have to bear the burden of these people’s feelings! What about my feelings? Who’s looking out for me? Not those selfish hyenas, taking my comfort for granted. How could you leave me when I still need you?” He sank back down, tears in his eyes, and guilt in his stomach. 

“You were the father I never had, Bobby.” He looked up towards the ceiling. “There was so much you were supposed to be here for. You were supposed to see it all! You and Athena were supposed to grow old together! You were supposed to be Grandpa Bobby…You were supposed to be there when I built a family, when I made captain, when everything goes wrong, to tell me it’ll be okay and that I’ll be strong…”

How could you make us bury you so soon?

Buck’s eyelids drooped, his body lacking the energy to sustain such high emotions for long. 

“I’m sorry, Bobby, but that’s the truth. It’ll take me- it’ll take me a while to forgive you.” Tears streaked silently down Buck’s face. 

I need to get out of here. Buck was pulled back to reality for a moment. He was still trapped in the basement of a burned-out power station. He still had a job to do, no matter how much he resented it. He stood up, supporting himself with a hand on either wall. Looking down at his belt, he palmed for his radio. His first order of business was letting them know he was still marginally alive down here. He held it out from his face, the harsh light of the flashlight obscuring the buttons. He clicked the transceiver. 

“This is firefighter Evan Buckley with the 118. Can anyone hear me? Does anyone copy?” He let a moment pass, with no response. “I repeat, this is firefighter Evan Buckley with the 118. I’m trapped below the site. Does anyone copy?” Still nothing. Buck shook the thing in frustration. As he did, part of the back casing flew off, apparently already having been dislodged. Peering inside, the battery looked shot to hell. 

I must’ve landed on it when I fell down the shaft. 

Buck stared blankly at the wrecked radio. 

“Fuck me, this is not happening.” His brow furrowed and tears started to poke at his eyes as he repeatedly attempted to force the controls to respond to no avail. He paced around the floor, holding up the radio to various areas of the ceiling before the futility of the operation fully dawned on him. 

“I’m sorry, Bobby. I guess I failed you,” he mumbled weakly. He tumbled to the ground, finding an open spot of wall to lean himself against. Closing his eyes, he let exhaustion take him. 

“So, he’s still in there, and Gerrard denied a rescue op?” Tommy had his arms crossed, his tone sharp. 

“He told us that we couldn’t go in without a sign of life. We-“ Hen glanced around the room nervously. “We haven’t heard anything since we got separated. His comms are quiet.” 

“I assume you’ve been trying to reach him.” Tommy said, brow furrowed in frustration.

“Obviously.” Hen was curt, a scowl forming on her face. 

Tommy softened his expression. 

“Sorry, I’m not mad at you two, I’m just…”

Gerrard’s a bastard. 

“Gerrard’s a bastard. We know,” Howie chimed in. He had cooled off from his spat earlier. Mostly, anyway. Tommy was still shaken- he had never seen Howie get mad like that before Bobby died. 

Please be safe, Evan. 

These past few weeks had been some of the hardest of Tommy’s life. He had dropped everything when Evan had called him that night, risked his career when he absconded with a chopper to help the 118, and he had been happy to do it. 

It’s the least I could do for what I put him through.

That’s what he had thought that night. Finally he could make use of his skills, the one area of his life he was confident in, to help Evan, and help Howie. He’d done what he could that night, but- 

He closed his eyes, the image of Evan, collapsed in the hallway of the lab, burned into his retinas. It was all he had been thinking about for weeks. Tommy was grieving, Bobby was his captain too, after all, and although he didn’t have the relationship the rest of them had had, he still respected and loved Bobby in his own way; but selfishly, his mind was occupied by Evan. Staring at that monitor, Tommy had felt a pain he never knew he was capable of experiencing. He knew something was different in that moment, that he had been changed by something and would never be the same again. He’d wanted to break down the doors, tear his way through the sea of security personnel that would’ve kept him away from his Evan- 

But I was too much of a coward. 

He didn’t know where he stood in the weeks that followed. He was floating, disconnected from the ground at his feet and the people around him, unsure if he was wanted or intruding on their lives. Howie had asked him to participate in the funeral procession, and he had been grateful that at least one person had reached out to let him know he shouldn’t completely fade into the background. No matter how badly he wanted to. 

You were a member of his team, once upon a time. You should be there. 

Thank you, Howard, I appreciate it. 

Save it. I’m doing this for Bobby, what he would’ve wanted. He’s a lot more forgiving than me. 

The words had stung, but Tommy couldn’t refute them. He didn’t deserve a place in the 118’s family, not after what he did to Evan. 

The worst mistake of my life. And I made it twice. 

So he had hung around the periphery, trying to keep an eye on him. Trying not to feel guilty for still feeling responsible for Evan, after everything. 

He doesn’t want your help. 

Tommy swallowed, took a deep breath, and opened his eyes. 

“We have to help him.” He looked at Hen and Howie, determined. “If we can’t go in on foot, we’ll run an air op. The roof of the building is gone, the fire is out, and the smoke will be blown over by morning. I’ll fly the chopper overhead and do an airlift.” 

Hen and Howie shared a glance. They looked uncertain. 

“You want to be involved with this?” Howie said, arms crossed. 

“Of course I do.” 

“You’re expecting us to trust you after you kicked his heart in the ass?”

Hen turned towards Tommy, her expression firm. “Tommy always comes through.” She looked down at the ground. “At least, as far as air operations go.” 

They were right. And Tommy knew it. He knew his strengths, and he was all too aware of his weaknesses. 

Howie scoffed. “Fine.” He turned around and started off in a huff. “This is why they’re going to make you captain.” He gave Hen a pat on the shoulder. 

“Wait.” Tommy looked at the two of them. “I’m not asking you to trust me, but I-” His voice began to falter. “I have to be there for Evan. I have to be there, because I-” Tears began to stream down his face. 

“Because you love him.” Hen finished his thought, a kind look on her face, eyebrows pointed down in sympathy. Tommy nodded softly, bringing his fist up to his mouth, trying to hold in a sob. Howie turned around, his steely composure softening. He put his hands on his hips. 

“If all this has taught me anything, it’s that you aren’t promised anything. You can do this for Buck, you can be there for him when he needs you, but if you make any promises you can’t keep, you’ll have to live with that.” Howie sighed. “I want you to help us get him out of there, it’s afterwards that concerns me.” 

“You have a choice to make here, Tommy. Is this relationship about heroics, about swooping in and saving the day? Or is it about sharing your lives together? Sharing all of it. Even the worst parts, even the most terrifying parts. That’s what love is about.” Hen had made her point. 

“I’m not going to run away again.” 

Buck had no idea how long he had been out. He had been jolted awake suddenly by the sound of sparks flying somewhere. More debris had been falling, the basement ceiling now looking a little weak. Buck had to get out of there. He just had to summon the strength. Across the room, a brief flash of light startled him out of his haze. It hadn’t come from his flashlight, which was off at his side. 

Electricity. Guess if the battery in your radio fails, you could be caught in a worse place than a power plant. 

He could barely stand, but Buck managed to ease himself off the floor and head in the direction of the light. By some kind of freak luck, errant debris falling down the elevator had managed to chip off a portion of the wall behind what must have been an outlet.

Was that you, Bobby? Never could give me an easy out. 

He pulled out his radio, turning it over to look at the battery. He put his gloves back on to protect his fingers as he ripped it out and chucked it behind him, leaving the empty power supply connectors exposed. He could get some juice in this thing, Buck was sure of it. 

All those YouTube tutorials are finally paying off. 

Being extra careful not to accidentally shock himself, he managed to pull out the wires from the wall and rig it as best he could to keep the radio in place and powered. It hummed to life, green indicator flashing letting him know he was successful in his efforts. Clicking the transciever, he repeated his message. 

“This is firefighter Evan Buckley with the 118. Does anyone copy?” A moment went by. He repeated himself, his earlier despair preparing to rear its head again. In the static, he heard something. 

“We copy! We copy! We hear you loud and clear!” The voice sounded elated, whoever it was. Buck had expected to hear Chim or Hen, or even Gerrard. He was caught off guard. But the voice wasn’t unfamiliar. It reminded him of someone from his past life. 

“Tommy?” 

“Hey, Evan.”