#there has been some tension slowly building between them for years at this point

[tizeline]

Who becomes the closest with splinter after they decide “hey maybe we shouldn’t kill humanity?”

I'm not sure, honestly. I guess Leo? He's already on the Lou Jitsu hypetrain, something he feels a lot of guilt about considering he views Splinter as evil. So when he figures out that Splinter isn't actually a terrrible person he'd be pretty excited to get to know him better. And while Leo isn't exactly neglected by Draxum, he still doesn't usually get quite all attention he needs from his dad (middle child lol) so he might be quicker to seek out an extra father figure.

Raph and Mikey would eventually get closer to Splinter as well, though!

[alltheirdamn]

Killing Me Softly | (Joel Miller x teacher!f!reader)

Chap. 2: See me

Chap 2. Summary: To be loved is to be seen. You're slowly learning that Joel sees you a lot more than you realize. Rating: 18+ MDNI (for future smut) Word Count: 6.7k Warnings: pre-outbreak AU, no smut (yet...pls be patient), tension, banter, a fuck ton of angst, mutual pining, language... I think that's it this go around? A/N: trust me, we're building up to the good stuff. I'm just enjoying developing Joel and the reader a bit more, so pls hang tight. It's all coming soon, I promise.

Masterlist

It had been two weeks since you had last seen Joel. You managed to get through the first round of tests and projects for each of your classes, but as the midterms slowly approached, you began to notice a shift in your students—specifically, Sarah. It wasn’t noticeable at first; she was still chatty with her friends, but her grades were slipping. Then, it became her grades and mood. During lessons, you’d catch her staring out the window blankly or doodling dismissively on the margins of her notebook when you were running through the guidelines for the midterms. She lingered longer after the school bell, choosing not to leave with her friends. After a particularly dull day of presentations, you decided to pull her aside after class. Sarah was reluctant to stay, but you reassured her she wasn’t in trouble. 

“I’ve noticed you’re a bit off lately, Sarah,” you said, leaning against the edge of your desk. 

“I’m just tired, that’s all,” she shrugged. 

She wouldn’t meet your eyes, and you noticed her shifting her weight between her legs the longer she stood in the empty room with you. You feared something was happening at home with Joel, but you didn’t want to explore that topic with your twelve-year-old student. Instead, you gave her a soft smile and tried a different approach. 

“I know you’re on the soccer team. Has that been tiring you out?” You asked.

“I mean, I guess so.”

“When’s your first game?” You were really trying now. 

Sarah tightened her fingers around the straps of her backpack, staring at the floor. 

“This Saturday,” she mumbled. 

“Are you excited? I’m sure your dad can’t wait to cheer you on!”

There it was—the breaking point. 

She looked up at you through blurry eyes, biting her lip to stop from crying. You immediately regretted bringing up Joel. You had overstepped a boundary, and you were paying the price. Dipping your head to meet her at eye level, you placed both hands on her shoulders, trying to comfort her the best you could. 

“Oh, honey,” you sighed. “I’m sorry. Is that what’s been upsetting you?”

She nodded, sniffling back the tears. 

“He’s always working,” she explained. “I don’t really think he’ll make time to come watch me play.”

“I bet he wouldn’t miss it for the world,” you assured her. 

“Yeah,” she said, wiping away a stray tear. 

You watched the defeat etch itself into her features, the deep frown across her face, the brightness in her eyes dwindling. You wanted to believe Joel was a good dad, and you had no doubt he was trying his hardest, but that clearly wasn’t enough. Tipping your fingers under her chin, you coaxed her eyes to meet yours. 

“Look, how about I go?” You offered. “I know I’m not the person you want to see on the sidelines, but I would love to watch you play.”

“Really?” She asked, her eyes growing wide. 

“Really,” you promised. 

Your words seemed to have soothed a bit of the ache inside of her, and she left the classroom with a smile growing on her face. If Joel wouldn’t show up for her, then you would. She deserved someone cheering her on; she deserved to be happy. 

Whoever decided to schedule soccer games at eight AM on a Saturday was cruel, but regardless, you threw on some leggings and a sweater and made your way to the school soccer fields. The parking lot was littered with minivans and families walking with lawn chairs tucked under their arms, their coolers filled with juice pouches and snacks dragging behind them. Obviously, you were uncultured in the sports world and came without a chair or blanket…or anything. So, you opted to stand behind the line of parents on the field, swaying under the morning breeze as you watched the kids chase the ball across the field. 

Your eyes never left Sarah while she was on the field; her bouncy curls and lean figure were easy to spot among the other players. She was quick when given the ball, dodging the opponents as she neared the net. There were only three minutes left in the first half of the game, and she had possession of the ball, weaving in and out of the players tracking her moves. You held your breath as she ran closer to the net, the ball easily controlled under her feet. An opponent was gaining on her, trying to kick the ball away, but Sarah did a little twirl and evaded them perfectly to shoot the game's first point. You were cheering and clapping loudly with the other parents on the sideline, watching her teammates swarm her with hugs. But as the cheering died out, you were left with this profound sadness that her dad wasn’t here to see her first goal. 

You let that bitterness grow inside you as you watched the remainder of the game.

When the final whistle blew, the team won 1-0, with Sarah being the game's star player. With a sheen of sweat over her forehead and a juice pouch in hand, Sarah skipped over to you with a bright smile. 

“Great job!” You cheered, welcoming her into a warm embrace.

She squeezed her arms around your torso, babbling off a slew of ‘thank you’s.’ You put aside your anger towards Joel as you grounded yourself in the moment. Sarah deserved this celebration, and you would happily give her every bit of attention you could. 

“Do you need a ride home, honey?” You asked, pulling away from the hug. 

Sarah’s cheery exterior faltered as she looked around at the families embracing their children. You knew where her mind was going. Looking around, she nodded slowly, clutching her drink tightly. 

“My friend’s parents took me here, but I think they’re going out to lunch. I was hoping my dad would be here, but…” She trailed off. 

“I’m happy to take you home, Sarah. Want some food for the drive home?” You offered. 

That bright smile was back as she happily agreed, following you back to your car. 

Both you and Sarah were munching on fries and singing along to pop tunes when you finally parked in front of her house. To your detriment, Joel’s truck was parked in the driveway. Sarah timidly looked between you and the truck as she gathered her sports bag and soda cup, thanking you again for the day spent together. You gave her the best fake smile you could conjure up and watched her head to the front door. 

You sat in front of the driveway for an extra few minutes, debating whether you should confront Joel, but before you could even decide, he was walking down the front porch and towards your car. That bitterness and anger you had suppressed all day surged forward, and you jumped out of the car to face him with a frown drawn on your face.

Joel greeted you with your name falling off his tongue, and you didn’t have time to register the beautiful way it sounded in his Southern accent before you began spewing a litany of remarks about how you felt. 

“Why weren’t you there?” You shouted, your body at arm's length from his. You needed to distance yourself from him, too afraid that your anger would send a hand flying across his face. You had to remind yourself that he was Sarah’s dad and you were her teacher, but that wouldn’t stop you from speaking your mind. 

Joel looked at you with a furrow of confusion and guilt, his hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans. It was apparent he regretted missing the game, but that didn’t matter. Saying sorry wouldn’t turn back the clock and magically make everything better. You knew that firsthand.

“Tommy and I had an early meetin’ with a contractor,” he explained. “Trust me, I hate that I missed the game.”

“You didn’t just miss the game. You missed her first goal,” you snapped. 

“I’m sorry,” he muttered, rocking his heels. “I appreciate you takin’ the time to go and watch her play. And drivin’ her home… and gettin’ her lunch.”

“I did everything you should have done,” you accused. 

Joel swallowed thickly, his eyes settling on yours with a wave of sadness passing through his irises. Those big puppy dog eyes wouldn’t soothe the anger steamrolling over your professionalism. Fuck being professional. Sarah deserved a dad who was present, and if no one were going to call him out on his bullshit, you’d do it.

“I feel real shitty ‘bout it,” he sighed. “You ain’t gotta remind me.”

“You should feel shitty. She’s your daughter. I shouldn’t have to be the only one cheering for her on the sidelines. Nothing should be more important than that.”

“Would you quit lecturin’ me?” Joel barked. “I know I fucked up, and I already apologized to her. Again, I appreciate you takin’ the time to be there for her, and I’m real sorry for makin’ you do that.”

You huffed a laugh, folding your arms over your chest. 

“You didn’t make me do anything,” you argued. “I wanted to be there for her, but she wanted you to be there for her.”

Joel said nothing at that, only stared at you in stunned silence. You were done with him, letting your anger get the best of you. 

“I know what it feels like when the one person you want to see doesn’t show up. I know that disappointment. Have a great day, Mr. Miller. Tell Sarah I’ll see her on Monday.”

You spun on your heel toward your car, flinging the door open with more force than you wanted. You shouldn’t have brought your past into it; Joel was nothing like Bennette, but it hurt all the same. 

Joel didn’t try to stop you as you drove out of the neighborhood, but he remained at the curb of his driveway, his eyes never leaving you until you were out of view. 

You barely managed to put your car in park before you broke down in tears. Everything was crashing at the surface, and you didn’t have the strength to bottle it away this time. Bennett had been your entire world for five years. Your whole life revolved around him, from going to the same grad school together to moving away from Boston to be with him in his new career. You left everything behind for him and were happy to do it because you loved him. Despite his flaws and the “not-so-picture perfect” relationship, you stayed because you loved him. And in that moment when you needed him to be there for you… he was gone. You weren’t lying to Joel when you said you knew what that disappointment felt like; it was that same feeling that kept you up at night when you wondered if you had done something to deserve it. But Sarah? Sarah did nothing to deserve to be abandoned by her dad. All she wanted was to see that one person cheering her on from the sidelines, to hug her and tell her she was loved. 

She didn’t get that today. 

And you didn’t get that two years ago. 

With whatever dignity you had left, you dragged yourself inside and into your bedroom, flinging yourself onto the mattress. Curling into a ball on top of the comforter, you let the tears continue to fall as you stared at the empty walls where the pictures of you and Bennett had hung before. Every inch of this house was a reminder of the scars Bennett left on your heart. You could have moved out months ago, you could have gone home, but what was the use when the pain would just travel with you? Shutting your eyes, you let the emotions exhaust you until you drifted asleep. 

“Bennett, I told you what time the cake tasting was scheduled for,” you shouted across the kitchen. 

Bennett wasn’t even listening as he responded to a thread of emails on his computer. The law firm he had been working at kept him on a short leash, always requiring him to be there at their beck and call. Between you and his job, his loyalty was in the latter. 

“I know,” he nodded, still glued to the computer screen. “They needed a proxy for the shareholder meeting and asked me to step in.”

“We’ve had this scheduled for weeks now. You can’t expect me to make all these decisions alone.”

“Whatever cake you choose, I’m sure I’ll love it,” he shrugged.

“That's not the point!” You yelled, slamming down the Tupperware you had been scrubbing. 

That caught his attention. Slamming the laptop shut, Bennett’s nostrils flared at your sudden outburst. You weren’t usually this outspoken; you were always the level-headed and obedient fiancé he expected to have. But the entire engagement had been a disaster, between work conflicts and the constant pressure he put on you. Every day, he expected to come home to a fresh meal, never considering that your job didn’t end when three PM hit. Being a teacher meant your responsibilities began at home, when you were hunched over curating the next lesson and grading papers. You never complained about his workload extending into the evening, either. God forbid you ask for more time together. 

“What is the point?” He snapped.

“The point is that I want you there. I want you to be a part of this wedding planning process. All I’m asking for is two hours together, where we eat too much sugar and choose a damn cake flavor. It’s not even about the fucking cake, Bennett. It’s about you being present in this engagement.”

“Are you saying I’m not present?” He accused. “Because I have been as present as possible despite me working so hard to fund this big wedding that you wanted!”

“I just want you there with me for these things. Even if they aren’t important to you, it’s important to me,” you said, your energy dwindling. He always found a way to make you feel bad, and you looked past it for the sake of your heart. You loved him and did everything you could to make him love you in return. If that meant placating your feelings, you’d do it. 

“If it’s so important to you, then just go. You can tell me all about it when I get home tomorrow.”

That was the best resolution you’d get, and there was no use fighting anymore. He would always win. 

“Okay,” you acquiesced. “I’ll do that.”

Bennett rose from his chair and met you around the kitchen counter with a big hug. He rested his chin on your head as you melted into his chest.

“I love you, honey. I don’t want you angry at me all the time. You know I’m trying my hardest to be everywhere all at once. Just work with me, okay?” he sighed.

“I’m sorry, I’ll be better about it. I love you, too,” you whispered.

A firm knock on your front door jolted you awake from the flood of memories in your dreams. The shadows in your room were a telltale sign you had slept through most of the afternoon, which would put a hefty dent in the list of never-ending work you needed to finish. Sulking through the house to the front door, you smoothed down your hair and sweater, trying to gather your bearings. With one last heavy inhale, you pried the door open and stood paralyzed at the person standing before you. 

Joel said your name softly, his eyes tired and hair ruffled at the crown of his head. He looked as just a mess as you did, but most definitely for different reasons.

“Mr. Miller,” you said. “What are you doing here?”

He swayed back on his heels, holding your eyes apologetically. It was written all over his face; he didn’t need to say the words.

“Our conversation earlier ain’t sittin’ right with me,” he sighed.

“I overstepped, and I’m sorry,” you said honestly. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”

Joel held his hand in protest, shaking his head at your words.

“Don’t apologize, okay? You were right about everything. I shoulda been there, and I wasn’t. I let her down.”

“Mr. Miller, I—.”

“I let her down,” he repeated. “And I let you down.”

You stood in stunned silence, trying to understand his words. Joel watched you turn the words over in your head, his eyes never leaving yours. He said everything you had ever asked to hear from Bennett in just a few words. You didn’t understand the emotions stirring inside you, nor could you control the tears welling in your eyes. This would be the second time you cried today, and now it would be the second time you cried in front of Joel. 

“You didn’t let me down,” you faltered. 

“I did. I want you to see that I’m not a bad father, but I seem to keep makin’ mistakes left and right. She expected me to be there, and so did you. I’m the type of man who makes and keeps his promises, but lately, I’ve been fallin’ short. It ain’t fair to her, and it ain’t fair to you.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” you whispered, wiping your tears. 

“I sure as hell do,” he protested. “I owe you an apology. I’m sorry, okay? I’m gonna do better about bein’ there for her, and I want you to see that. I don’t wanna keep fuckin’ it all up.”

“Did you tell her that?” You asked. 

“I did, and now I’m tellin’ you. I want you holdin’ me accountable on all this, and I want you to call me out on my bullshit like you did earlier. I needed to hear all that.”

“I was just angry. I didn’t need to be that mean to you.”

Joel lifted his hand to brush away a stray tear falling down your cheek, the touch of his hand on your skin electrifying you. You flinched away, trying to curl into yourself. He noticed your movements, letting his hand fall back to his side. You glanced down, watching him clench his hand into a fist as if he were trying to control an urge inside of him. You were trying to do the same; being near him scared you. It shocked you to see someone act mature and actually own up to their faults; it was something Bennett rarely did. You couldn’t make sense of it. 

“There ain’t a single part of me that’s mad at you, okay? Don’t ever be afraid to speak your mind—at least not with me,” Joel said. 

You only nodded, too afraid that if you spoke now, you’d succumb to an ugly sob. Joel’s broad frame was shadowed and looming over you in the dying sunlight, a cloud over the haze inside your mind. Joel didn’t understand the weight in those words, the way they sewed shut the empty holes left inside you. It wasn’t Bennett saying them, and it definitely didn’t rewrite the past, but it was writing the future. It was a future with the possibility that you weren’t as broken as you thought. 

“Thank you,” you muttered. “I—just thank you.”

“Somethin’ tells me you ain’t been told these things before, huh?” Joel prodded. 

“It doesn’t matter. I appreciate you taking the time to come out here, and I’m sorry again. I promise I’ll be better about my anger,” you laughed, hoping you’d be able to brush it off with a forced smile. 

Joel saw right through you; his lips tugged down into a frown. You watched the crease between his eyebrows appear as he watched you minimize yourself right back down to zero. It wasn’t easier that way—making yourself small. Too big, and you’d be too much to handle. You were tired of being too much for anyone; it had already been your downfall once before. 

“Whoever made you feel like y’need to apologize all the time is a real piece of shit,” Joel huffed. 

“It’s alright, Mr. Miller. Thank you again for stopping by.”

“It’s the least I could do. And y’know what? I’d be happy if you joined me at the rest of her games. She loved havin’ you there, and I know it would mean a lot to her to see you on the sidelines again. Think that’s somethin’ you’d interested in?”

“I’ll think about it, yeah,” you smiled. 

“Yeah? Good,” he exhaled. 

Joel met you with a genuine smile, his eyes dancing over your face. You swayed in the doorway, unsure of what to do now that the conversation was coming to an end. A strange part of you didn’t want it to end; the stillness with him had managed to bottle away all of the lingering memories of Bennett, even if only for a moment. You’d take this over, crying yourself asleep like so often did. 

“You should head home to Sarah,” you sighed. “I hope you have a good weekend, Mr. Miller.”

“You have a g’night, alright?”

You watched him walk down the porch steps, the muscles in his back tense as he retreated back to his truck. You should have walked your ass back inside, but you couldn’t tear your eyes away from him. Before opening the truck door, Joel glanced back at you, waving a quick goodbye. You waved back and waited until his truck dissolved into the distance to finally shut your door and sit in the blaring silence. 

You watched the night fade away from the comfort of your couch, a half-eaten sandwich in front of you and a wine glass in hand. Not only did you overstep your boundaries as a teacher, but you overstepped every possible rule between a teacher and parent. Despite what happened at the bar with Joel, he was still Sarah’s dad and completely undeserving of the anger you had toward him today. He was slipping behind every brick wall you had built up around you, a fortress no one could penetrate, yet he was managing to do it so effortlessly. And it was infuriating. How were you supposed to protect yourself from him? Bennett had been the perfect man at the start, always saying the right things and showing his love in so many different ways, but even with the rose-colored glasses on, that all crumpled away as time moved on. Nothing about your relationship was perfect, yet you tried to mend the broken pieces in hopes the possibility of marriage would solve all your problems. But clearly, it didn’t. It never even made it to marriage.

You weren’t even considering dating Joel, but that didn’t stop you from doubting he would be any different than Bennett. Sure, he might seem interested now, but that would change once he saw every damaged piece of you. You were hardly controlling your emotions, as it were, so why would you spend the time sharing the rawest parts of yourself with someone who would end up leaving?

I’ll do better, you told yourself. Bottle it away.

Another week passed by without fuss; the students passed their practice exams and had even begun working on their group presentations on the new poetry unit you had created. After next week's midterm exams, you’d be on a plane heading to Boston to see your family during the fall break. You hadn’t been home in over a year, and you were well aware of the fact your parents and sisters missed you. It’s not that you didn’t miss them, but going home was another reminder of all you had lost. But you’d steer clear of the roads you’d traveled down with Bennett, you’d avoid the bars and restaurants he had taken you to, and you’d absolutely banish all thoughts of returning to the Public Garden where he had proposed. Every corner of your hometown was haunted by the ghosts of what had been, but you’d brave it for the sake of family. 

You had forfeited any thought of going to the soccer game out of sheer self-preservation. Being around Joel more than necessary was putting you at risk for an inevitable heartbreak, and it just wasn’t something you were ready to deal with. You didn’t want to let Sarah down, but Joel would be there for her, and that mattered more than you standing on the sidelines. She didn’t need you there; you’d only gone to the game to fill a void within her life. Joel was going to stick to his word, and you’d be able to maintain your teacher-parent relationship once again. You still had yet to forgive yourself for Saturday’s outburst. 

It wasn’t until Thursday when Sarah approached you, that you were reminded of the game.

When she approached your desk at the end of class, she had her textbook in hand and her backpack slung over her shoulder. You were feeling particularly drained from the day after spending most of the night tossing and turning between nightmares, and you had to muster up the strength to keep things light between you and her.

“So,” she started, a bright smile plastered on her face. “My dad said you might come to the game Saturday.”

“Oh, yeah. I—I haven’t decided yet. I’ve got to make sure everything is prepped for testing next week,” you lied.

“Oh,” her face fell. “That’s okay. I know the exams are important.”

Fuck.

You were transported right back to the kitchen with Bennett.

“I’m sure the prep work can wait till after the game,” you smiled, already giving up on your initial plans to avoid everything—everything being Joel Miller.

“If you don’t want to come…” Sarah trailed off, looking down at her sneakers.

“Hey,” you said softly. Her eyes traveled up to meet yours again. “I’ll be there. You have my word.”

Sarah perked up, nodding her head enthusiastically. 

“I’ll tell my dad! Maybe we can all get lunch after!” She babbled excitedly. 

Oh, Christ. 

“I’m sure you guys will want the day together,” you smiled, your patient wearing. “Go enjoy your night, Sarah. I’ll see you tomorrow in class. Don’t forget your notes on Shakespeare!”

“Bye, Miss Smith!”

You watched her sprint out of the room to catch up with her friends, and you sunk into your chair, dreading what may come during the weekend. 

Maria stopped by your classroom after the final bell, skeptically looking at you while you gathered your work bag. Thankfully, you both had Thursdays free of crosswalk duty, and you were ready to get home and sulk away under the guise of cheap wine and a bubble bath. 

“You’re extra grumpy today,” Maria noted, slinging her large purse over one shoulder. 

“I’m not grumpy,” you huffed. “I’m fucked. Completely fucked.”

She barked a laugh and watched you stuff files into your bag before you grabbed your keys and shooed her out to lock the door. The hallways were empty, except for a few teachers trickling out, and you walked a pace quicker, trying to escape the building before anyone else stopped you. 

“Why do I get a feeling this may be because of a certain parent?” She asked, shoving into you playfully. 

“Yes,” you grumbled. 

“Explain!”

“Ugh, okay. Listen, all of this is against my own will, okay?” 

You peered over at her, seeing a wicked smile splitting across her face. If anyone was on board with your confused emotions towards Joel Miller, it was Maria. She had been all for it since day one, and you knew she wouldn’t shut up about it until she saw you and him together. Which wouldn’t be happening. 

You dive into retelling the events of Saturday, including the outburst and the conversation with Joel that had followed. All through your rambling, Maria was squealing like a little girl and inserting small remarks here and there—all of which revolved around the idea that you should fuck out your feelings and get it over with. 

“Maria,” you snapped. “I’m not going to fuck him! Would you quit that?”

She shrugged, laughing off your stubbornness. 

“All I’m saying is that there is clearly some sort of chemistry between you both,” she sassed. “One night of hot sex might clear your mind, and you can resume your up-tight ‘teacher-parent’ bullshit you’re trying so hard to keep.”

“It’s not bullshit, Maria,” you argued. “It’s called being professional.”

You both had made it to the parking lot, and you tried to inch closer to your car in hopes of coming out unscathed from this conversation. But Maria was anything but relentless. 

“You really need to get laid,” Maria huffed. “Dust off the cobwebs and get back out there.”

“I’m perfectly fine with how my life is right now. I don’t need to get laid, and I certainly don’t need to be in a relationship.”

Maria grabbed your hands in hers, leveling you with a stern look under her thick mascara-coated lashes. With her lips set in a firm line, she squeezed your hands.

“It’s been two years,” she sighed. “Stop letting Bennett control your life. He’s in the past, and you need to find a new future—preferably one where you’re happy and in love.”

You squeezed her fingers in return, giving her a sad smile. You knew somewhere inside you that she was right, but it wasn’t in the cards for you right now. Not when you still had so much healing to do. 

“Thank you, Maria,” you whispered. 

When you arrived at the school, the soccer game had already begun. Your car sat idle in the parking lot for nearly twenty minutes until you finally found the strength to head toward the soccer fields. Among the line of parents on the sidelines, Joel was standing further away, his body swaying against the windy morning as his eyes stay focused on the field. You walked up slowly, smoothing out your t-shirt and running sweaty palms over your jeans. You definitely didn’t spend too much time getting ready for a simple game. As if he felt your energy circling him, Joel turned toward you with a beautiful smile breaking across his face. 

“I was hopin’ you’d show up,” he said. 

“Good morning, Mr. Miller,” you greeted. 

You weren’t sure what to do with yourself beside him, so you mimicked his stance and folded your arms over your chest. With the morning sun rising above the soccer field, you watched as his skin glowed in the sunlight, his tanned skin illuminated in the soft hues of the sunrise. He was undeniably gorgeous, but you forced that thought away along with all of the unruly ones that seemed to constantly evade your mind. 

“Sarah’s doin’ great out there so far,” he mentioned. “Got herself close to scorin’ a goal ten minutes ago. No doubt she’ll get one at some point.”

“I bet she will. She’s amazing out there.”

Joel beamed at your compliments of his daughter, his eyes tracking her as she ran across the field. A teammate shot the ball to her, and you both stood silently as she kept control of it toward the goal. Instead of taking the shot herself, she crossed the ball to another teammate, letting them score the first goal of the game. The parents on the sidelines sounded off with a round of cheers, and you and Joel joined in on the excitement. 

“She’s a team player,” you commented. “That’s a good quality.”

“That’s my girl,” he smiled proudly. 

This. This is what you had hoped to see for Sarah. A dad who was present and proud of her accomplishments. You could give her all the applause in the world, but his voice cheering above the rest was what mattered the most. 

There was a lull in conversation for a while as you both watched the game with rapt attention. You tried hard not to notice the way Joel shifted closer to you or the fact that he had dropped his arms so that he could casually brush his against yours. Each touch of his skin against yours was like a wave of heat rushing through your body, an electric current that started with him and ended with you. There was no doubt he did it on purpose, but you did nothing to stop it. You were losing the war between self-restraint and vulnerability. 

“How’s she likin’ class?” He asked, making small talk. 

You shrugged, glancing at him with an easy smile. 

“She’s one of the best kids in her grade. This new unit we’re working on will be a challenge, but I know she’s up for it.”

“What’s the new unit?”

“Poetry.”

Joel snorted a laugh, his fingers brushing against the denim on your leg. You shifted to glare at him, amused at his response. 

“What’s so funny, Mr. Miller?”

He ran a hand through the curls atop his head, giving you a lopsided grin. 

“Nothin’,” he chuckled. “Just don’t understand why poetry is so popular in schools nowadays.”

“Poetry has always been popular,” you said pointedly. 

“Has it? Must not have paid much attention back in the day,” he smirked. 

“It’s my favorite unit to teach,” you confessed. “I think poetry gets a bad rap—clearly—but it’s important to understand the way words can convey so many layered emotions in the simplest of ways.”

Joel eyed you as you spoke, nodding along with you as you spoke. Even if he wasn’t completely sold on the idea of poetry, you enjoyed how attentive he was to the conversation. In the distance, you heard the parents cheer again, and you glanced at the field to see Sarah running with the ball toward the goal. 

“Look!” You said, pointing toward the field.

Joel snapped his head back to his daughter, watching as she sent the ball soaring into the net. You jumped up and down, clapping at her goal and yelling out her name in excitement.

“That’s my girl!” Joel cheered. “Way to go, Sarah!”

Sarah looked over at him, her cheeks rosy from the play, and shot him two thumbs up. Joel returned the same hand gesture; his cheeks stretched wide with a smile as he watched his daughter dance into an embrace from her teammate. 

“You were sayin’,” he pressed, his eyes sliding back to you. 

“Oh,” you laughed. “That’s okay. I don’t want to bore you with all the school talk.”

“You ain’t borin’ me. I wanna hear what you have to say.”

Your cheeks warmed at his words, realizing he wasn’t just asking these things to make small talk. He sincerely wanted to know the things you were interested in and the work you did, which was far from what you received from Bennett. Half the time you talked about your lessons, Bennett would just aimlessly nod while typing his emails and debriefs, his attention far away from you.

“Well, I’m starting off by teaching them about Shakespeare,” you explained, watching Joel open his mouth to make a retort. You held your hand up in defense and continued. “Before you go complaining about Shakespeare, I’ll have you know he’s one of the most renowned dramatists in history. His stylist choices in his playwrights were unlike anything else, and his work has completely impacted modern-day English. It’s because of him that we have so many words and phrases in the English language. Say what you want, but he really is worth learning about.”

Joel studied you for a moment, his lips curving up at the corners. You weren’t used to rambling off about useless things, more because you never really had the chance in the past. It was exciting to talk about the things you were passionate about, and you didn’t realize you’d find that moment being with Joel Miller. 

“Maybe I need to read some of his work,” Joel said. “What’s your favorite?”

“My favorite?” You blinked at him. “Oh, um, it’s cliche, but my favorite is Romeo and Juliet. That’s what I’m starting with on the unit.”

“Sarah got a copy of it?” he asked. 

“She should, yes.”

“Might need to steal it from her so I can see what all this fuss is about,” he smiled, bumping his arm into yours. 

“You don’t need to do all that,” you muttered. “I’m sure Sarah could tell you all about it after she’s done reading it.”

“I’m sure she could,” he acknowledged. “But maybe I'd like to do the research.”

“Research?” You questioned, raising an eyebrow. 

Joel leaned into you, his face drawn closer to yours. 

“Yeah, research,” he repeated. “I wanna know why y’like it so much.”

Your mouth opened and closed, all words seemingly melting from your brain. What the hell were you supposed to say to that? He wanted to take the time to understand your interests… but why? Once again, Joel was proving to be everything you never saw in Bennett. And it scared the fuck out of you. Because you couldn’t date Joel, nor did you want to. Giving yourself up to another person, exposing those vulnerable parts of yourself like that would just be inviting the possibility of another heartbreak. 

“I can save you the time and tell you instead,” you offered. 

“Nah,” he smiled. “I wanna find out myself.”

The game came to a close, with the school team winning 2-0. Joel embraced Sarah when she ran off the field, wrapping her into a gigantic bear hug and planting a kiss on her forehead. You gave her a small high five, congratulating her on the win. You followed them out to the parking lot, watching as Joel kept his arm wrapped around Sarah’s narrow frame. From this angle, they looked like the perfect father-daughter duo, and your heart seized with happiness knowing he had kept his word. 

Digging through your purse for your car keys, you said a quick goodbye and made a beeline for your car. You wouldn’t insert yourself in the rest of their day; you needed to find some distance between you and Joel before he started crawling further under your skin. But as you tugged open your car door, a warmth grew behind you, and you turned to see Joel standing a few steps away. Sarah was nowhere in sight, so you figured she was already waiting for him in his truck. 

“Yes?” You asked, standing idle between the open door and Joel’s tall body. 

His eyes bounced between your lips and your eyes, never settling on one too long. 

“Look, this is gonna sound forward of me, and I can probably guess your answer,” he started. “But can I take you out to dinner sometime? As a ‘thank you' for everything.”

“Mr. Miller,” you sighed. “I appreciate the invitation, but this needs to remain purely professional. I’m Sarah’s teacher, and I don’t think that would be appropriate.”

He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, his eyes trailing to the ground. Despite every cell inside your body screaming yes, you needed to stick to your rules—whatever the hell they were.

“I figured you’d say that,” he mumbled. "Listen, let me give you my number at least. If you ever change your mind, or if you need someone to drive you home from the bar, y’can shoot me a call. Is that okay?”

“I…” You trailed off, considering his offer. “Yeah, that’s okay.”

You searched for your phone in your purse, handing it over to him with shaky hands. His fingers brushed against yours as he took it, a crackle of energy bursting through your skin at his touch. He must have noticed, too, because his eyes met yours before he typed in his number. With a few more clicks on your phone, he handed it back, brushing his hand over yours once more. 

“I sent myself a text on it,” he confessed. “Now I have yours, just in case of anything, y’know?”

“Yeah, just in case.”

Joel gave you a soft smile before turning and walking away. You watched his figure fade into the cars still filling the parking lot and caught him glancing back at you one last time. You stared down at your phone, seeing the text lit up on the screen. He had sent one simple word to himself: your name. Not Miss Smith, not ‘Sarah’s teacher’, but your name. 

You opened his contact information and typed one simple word: Joel

[thatsmzbitchtoyou]

Pretty P.A. Chapter 5

Summary: Y/N has been the personal assistant to the most influential and famous fashion modeling agency director in the industry for the past 13 years.  They’ve decided to retire, and are leaving the agency in the hands of their protege and former model, Bucky Barnes.  He seems plenty qualified, and Y/N is excited for a chance to work with him.  Change always takes time,  but the new insanely hot boss is distrustful and hesitant towards her.  **curvy reader** **Y/N/N = Your nickname ** Warnings: mentions of sexual assault (not from Bucky), some violence, blood, smut

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The next few weeks were just as awkward.  Y/N was back to her professional demeanor with Bucky.  Other people in the office could feel the tension, but tried to ignore it as much as she was.  They got the job done, going about their business as usual, but there was always an undercurrent of something uncomfortable between them.

After another strange Friday Y/N left for the day before Bucky.  She had made it all the way out to her car before realizing she had left her keys on her desk.  She groaned and headed back inside the building.  Everyone else had left at that point as she took the elevator up and walked through the office to her desk.  As she approached her desk and reached for her keys she heard a noise coming from Bucky’s office.  She stood still and waited to see what it was.  After a few moments she heard it again.  It sounded like panted breaths, then a moan, then “Y/N.”  

Y/N’s eyes widened as she carefully picked up her keys, trying not to make a sound.  She started to back away slowly, tip-toeing towards the exit, then her heel caught on the trash can by the edge of her desk, falling over and thumping loudly against the floor.  She grimaced then heard Bucky moving quickly.  She turned around and hightailed it out of the office, hoping to leave before he could see her.  Just as she stepped out the door to the main area Bucky ripped open his door.  His shirt was unbuttoned, his pants loose around his waist, and he looked frazzled.  Y/N looked back at him in shock before booking it down the hall.

“Y/N wait!” Bucky called out.  She ran towards the elevator, hitting the button desperately.  Bucky wasn’t far behind her.  “Hey, hold on!”  The elevator was taking too long so she turned to the stairwell and ran towards it.  “Y/N, don’t run from me,” Bucky growled before grabbing her by the arm.  She yelped as he pulled her back against his chest.

“Let me go,” she grunted.  She twisted in his arms, pushing against his chest, her bag falling from her arm and scattering things all over the floor.

“Just wait, hey, listen,” Bucky pleaded as he held her close.  “Y/N!”  Y/N froze, staring up at him.  She could feel something hard poking against her hip and she felt butterflies erupt in the pit of her stomach.  Bucky was breathing heavily, looking at her in shock and embarrassment.  

Y/N squirmed against him.  “It’s okay, Bucky, just let me go.  We can forget about it and move on.”  

“I can’t,” Bucky breathed.  “I don’t regret kissing you.”  Y/N shut her eyes and shook her head.  “I was afraid of what my feelings toward you meant and I freaked out.  But I don’t regret kissing you.  I’ve been wanting to do it again, dreaming about you,” he leaned forward, resting his forehead on hers like he did that day.  “I didn’t mean to embarrass you or make you feel uncomfortable, then or right now when you caught me, uh…” he huffed out a laugh.  He cupped her face in his hands.  “Please look at me.”  Y/N shook her head.  “Why not?”

“Because I’m afraid,” she said quietly, her hands still slightly pushing against his chest.

“Afraid of what?” he asked, his lips grazing across her forehead.

“Of seeing that look…that want that I feel, looking back at me,” she muttered.  His lips traced down to her nose, then her cheeks, and he kissed the side of her mouth like before.  

“I want you,” Bucky said, his lips so close to hers.  “All I want is you, babes.”

Y/N felt herself melting against him.  Her mind and her heart were fighting against each other in a battle of wills, knowing either way she would lose.  She opened her eyes finally and looked up at him.  Sure enough, as she looked into those beautiful eyes, she saw the want, the desire, the desperation that she felt.  Her hands stopped pushing against his chest and instead fisted into his shirt.  A soft whine passed her lips as she gazed at him, and his mouth dropped open further at the sound.  He’s your boss.  He’s your boss.  He’s your boss…

“Fuck it,” Y/N grumbled then pushed up on her tip toes and kissed him.  Bucky’s lips immediately molded to hers, a low groan reverberating in his throat.  She held him tight against her as his hands moved down from her face to her lower back, pulling her body flush against his.  He walked her backwards until she was pushed against the wall nearest them.  His thigh nestled in between her legs as he kissed her hungrily, opening his mouth to taste her lips.  She quickly opened her mouth, tasting him back with her tongue and moaning against his mouth.  Bucky broke away and started kissing down her neck, softly licking and sucking at her skin and then nipping at her earlobe.  

“So fucking hot, babes,” Bucky murmured in her ear.  “Walking around like you own the place…with this ass…”  His hands traveled down to her butt, squeezing her cheeks firmly.  Y/N whimpered, her hands slipping into his long hair, tugging at his locks.  She nuzzled his neck before licking and sucking at his throat.  “Fuck…you’re so good…”  

He hooked her leg up and over his hip, making the slit in her skirt hike up her leg, exposing her thigh to him.  He kneaded the flesh of her thigh as his hips started to grind against her.  “Bucky…” Y/N whined.

“Holy shit, yes, say my name again.  Just like that again,” Bucky groaned, staring down at her as his hips rutted into her.

“Buck…please,” Y/N begged.  

Bucky’s eyes rolled back before he shook his head.  “We…we can’t do this here,” he said, coming back to himself.  He stopped moving, resting his head on her shoulder as he composed himself, trying to breathe normally again.  Y/N fingers were still in his hair, trying to calm her thundering heart.  “Will you come home with me?” he asked hesitantly, looking up at her.  

Y/N smiled and kissed the tip of his nose.  “Yes.  I need to go home and grab some things, first, though.”

Bucky smiled, kissing her nose back.  “Okay.  I…” he looked down at the ground seeing the mess he’d made.  “Oh, shit I’m sorry,” he said, pulling away from her and kneeling down to pick up her scattered belongings.  

“It’s okay,” Y/N laughed.  She knelt down and helped pick up a few things, throwing them into her purse that he gave to her.  They both stood and she gave him another smile.  “I’ll see you in like, an hour?”

“Yes,” Bucky agreed, nodded enthusiastically.  He stepped toward her and lifted his hand to her cheek, caressing her face.  He leaned down and kissed her deeply before pulling away.  “See you soon.”  

Y/N had never moved so fast in her life.  She was surprised she hadn’t been pulled over with how fast she had been driving home.  She ran through her small apartment, throwing things in an overnight bag that she would need.  She stripped out of her work clothes and into a night teddie that she saved for special occasions, putting on a long, oversized cardigan over it.  She fixed her hair and makeup in the mirror, grinning at his text: Can’t wait babes.  

Y/N slipped her shoes on and got back in her car, driving too fast again.  She pulled up to his luxury apartment building, took the elevator up to his apartment on the top floor, bouncing on her feet, the desire mounting inside her again in anticipation as she pulled her cardigan tighter around her.  She was also nervous, unsure of just what he had in store for her.  The elevator ding ripped her out of her spiraling thoughts and the doors opened to reveal Bucky standing in front of her.  

He was shirtless, sweatpants hung low on his hips, barefoot, and a dark look in his eyes.  He smirked as she ogled him.  “Took you long enough,” he said.  

Y/N stepped out of the elevator and dropped her bag, gazing up at him.  “And yet here you are, waiting for me,” she smirked back at him.  

“Here I am,” Bucky murmured, his eyes watching her playfully.  Y/N hummed at him before releasing the grip she had on her cardigan.  It slowly swung open, revealing the teddie she had on underneath.  Bucky’s eyes narrowed, his brow furrowing in desire at getting to see more of her body than he ever had before.  “Fuck babes,” he breathed, his voice coming out more hoarse as he reached a hand forward and his fingers gently traced the lace on her stomach.  “What are you doing to me?”

“Hopefully whatever I want,” Y/N said, her voice getting deeper and more sultry.  Her fingers slowly ran up his stomach to his chest, her nails tickling his skin and making him subtly flinch.  

Bucky suddenly dipped down and grabbed her, pulling her against him and kissing her hard.  Y/N made a noise of surprise that quickly morphed into a moan as he opened his mouth to taste her.  The desire flowing through her made her jittery and she shivered as he gripped her tighter.  He started walking her backwards towards another area of his apartment.  After some bumping into walls and kicking off shoes the backs of her knees hit the side of a bed.  Bucky pulled off her cardigan and laid her down on the bed, his lips barely leaving her for more than a few seconds.  

He broke the kiss and helped push her upwards onto the bed until she could comfortably rest her legs on the edge, then kneeled at the edge of the bed, hoisting her legs over his shoulders.  Y/N wasn’t wearing any other underwear and he groaned at the sight of her naked pussy in his face.  “Been dreaming about this for so long,” Bucky said, kissing her thighs and nipping at the crease between her leg and her pussy, making her yelp.  “Ever since I kissed you I’ve been wanting, craving more.”  He suddenly licked a broad stripe with his tongue up her slit and she squirmed, a loud gasp escaping her mouth.  Bucky dove into her, kissing, licking and sucking at her lower lips.  Y/N’s legs trembled and he massaged her thick thighs soothingly.

After a particularly hard suck on her clit Y/N whined.  “Bucky please,” she begged.  Her fingers knotted into his hair, trying to guide his head to stay on her clit.  “Don’t tease me.”

“I got you,” Bucky said, then she felt his fingers start to prod at her entrance.  He had worked her up so he slid his pointer finger into her easily, thrusting it in and out while randomly flicking her clit with the tip of his tongue.  Y/N’s hips jerked every time he did, and he smiled into her.  He slid his middle finger in next, pumping them in and out for a while before curling them inside her.  His fingers picked up speed and he started flicking her clit faster and continuously, not letting up as she bucked her hips against his face.  

“Oh fuck!  Shit…Buck I…AH!” Y/N writhed as her orgasm came crashing through her.  Her legs shook as a loud groan spilled from her mouth.  Bucky hummed into her pussy, prolonging the pulses of pleasure rippling through her.  He licked up the gush that came from her and then pulled away, gently removing his fingers from her pussy.  He stood and crawled over her, kissing her deeply before putting his wet fingers to her lips.

“You taste so good, babes,” Bucky whispered as Y/N lazily sucked at his fingers, moaning at the taste of herself.  He gave her a minute to recover from the aftershocks of her orgasm.  She suddenly lifted herself up and pushed him onto his back.  She sat on her feet next to him and took the teddie off, watching him ogle her naked body.  Then she licked her hand and took hold of his stiff cock.  Bucky’s head fell back.  She didn’t move, just held it and leaned forward looking at him.

“What were you thinking of when you were jerking off earlier?”  Y/N asked sweetly, her hand squeezing his cock lightly.

Bucky sucked in a sharp breath.  “You,” he answered desperately.

“Me?” Y/N pumped him once then stopped again.  “What about me?”

His hips trembled as he looked down at her holding him.  “Y/N please…”

She let go of him and pulled her hand away, tucking it in between her legs to play with her clit.  “What about me?” she asked again, her eyes hooded as she rubbed at herself.

“Fuck, I…” Bucky squirmed as he watched her.  “You were…you were sucking my dick,” he panted.

“Hm?”  Y/N reached for his cock again and pumped him a few more times, rewarding him for answering her.  Bucky’s eyes rolled as she let him feel good.  “Then what?”

“Then you were riding me…shit,” his hips jerked into her hand when she rolled her wrist.

“I don’t like to be on top,” Y/N chastised him, rubbing the head of his cock.  Bucky’s hands were fisting the blanket beneath him.

“I’ll do whatever you want, babes.  I’ll give it to you however you want…please,” Bucky begged.  His brow was furrowed, the crease in between his eyebrows deeper than she’d ever seen before, a small frown on his lips as his hips bucked up into her hand, desperately chasing the pleasure she was giving him.  She could even see his eyes starting to look wet, like he could cry at any moment if she didn’t let him cum.  He looked utterly debauched, and she loved it.

Y/N leaned forward and licked his nipple as her hand sped up on him.  Bucky moaned loudly, then it quickly turned into a cry as she let go of his cock.  He looked at her incredulously as she pulled away.  “Can you be a good boy and fuck me hard from behind?” she asked, making it sound like the most simple thing in the world.

“Hell yes,” Bucky groaned.  He seemed to move at light speed as he sat up, kissed her deeply, then moved behind her.  Y/N got on her hands and knees, arching her back as she dropped to her elbows.  His hands held her hips, massaging her love handles and her ass before giving it a small smack then rubbing it soothingly.  Y/N wiggled her hips at him and she felt the head of his cock push against her slit.  He gripped his cock and slid it through her lower lips, a sputtered breath coming from him.  “You ready, babes?”

“Yes,” Y/N breathed.  Bucky silently started pushing himself into her.  As she stretched around him she gasped, then whimpered into the blanket as he fully seated himself inside.

“Oh my god,” Bucky whispered.  He let out a long stream of air, like he’d been holding it the entire time he pushed into her.  “So tight…you feel better than I ever could have imagined.”  He pulled back slowly, then snapped his hips back into her.  

Y/N shrieked as he filled her, her hips shaking at how good it felt.  “Fuck me, Bucky,” she groaned.  “I can take it.”

Bucky huffed a laugh and smacked her ass again, making her shiver.  “My dirty little P.A.,” he muttered, then did as she asked.  His hips thrust into her hard, and she braced herself as he fucked her into the mattress.  

Bucky seemed to lose himself as he fucked her, laying across her back, his fingers gripping her hips so hard she knew she’d have bruises in the morning.  He kissed between her shoulder blades and she shivered again.  Y/N’s moans were sounding more like squeals and whimpers as he thrust into her.  She had never felt so full, so wet, so dirty and yet so whole all at the same time.  Her mind was still not fully wrapping around the fact that this Adonis of a man wanted her, too, and was as affected by her as she was by him.  

She could feel her orgasm fast approaching again and her whimpers became grunts as he hit that deep spot inside her repeatedly.  Bucky’s hand suddenly wrapped around her neck and over her throat and hoisted her up off her hands to lean back against him.  His hips thrust upwards into her, hitting even deeper and she groaned.  “That’s it,” Bucky said around gritted teeth.  “My pretty P.A., dirty little thing.  Likin’ it hard and deep.”  Y/N blindly nodded, her hands reaching up and playing with her breasts as he kept his one hand around her throat and the other traveled down to in between her legs.  “So fucking sexy, making yourself feel good like that.  Making me beg for it.  You like being the boss, huh?”  His fingers rubbed over her clit.

“YES!” Y/N squealed, her body jerking against him.  She was so close, just needed a little bit more.

“Always so good to me, taking care of me, knowing just what I need.  You know what I need now, babes?”  Bucky bit into her shoulder, his hand squeezing her throat a little tighter, making her wheeze.  

“Cum…to cum inside me,” Y/N answered breathily, her hands leaving her breasts and gripping his wrists.  

“Yes, can I?” he asked, his breaths fanning the back of her neck as he nuzzled into her hair.  “Please, babes, let me fill you up.”

“Do it,” Y/N said more firmly.  “I wanna be…mmh, wanna be leaking you for days.”

“Holy fuck!” Bucky cried and he flicked her clit faster.  Y/N stiffened as the coil deep inside her gut finally snapped and she came hard with a scream.  As her body shook her pussy clamped down around him and Bucky shouted as he came, filling her up just like she wanted.  He emptied himself into her, his hips rutting up repeatedly to make sure she got it all.  Her hands went limp and let go of his wrists as her eyes rolled and her head lolled back against his shoulder.  Bucky carefully laid her back down on her front, laying across her back again as he waited until her pussy stopped pulsing around him.  

When it did he slowly pulled out with a groan that deepened when he saw his cum start to spill out from her pussy.  “Godammit that’s hot,” he breathed.  He was almost instantly hard again upon seeing that and he spread her legs wider apart, gripping his cock and rubbing it along her slit again.  He slowly started pushing back into her, watching their combined cum oozing out of her and onto his cock.  Y/N whimpered into the blanket again, her head thrashing against the mattress.  “Got me hard again already, babes.  Gonna fuck you dumb, til you can’t walk, keep you here with me for as long as I can,” he mumbled.  

Y/N melted at his words.  “Good boy.”

@calwitch

[primus-why]

Rom-Com Cliché -- Saying the Wrong Name at the Wedding

Idk why but I just imagined some post-war bonding ceremony shenanigans. Imagine the war has ended, and all Cybertronians are invited back to the planet to rebuild...

The tentative situation they're calling "peace" between Autobots and Decepticons is under constant strain, which was to be expected, but the returning NAILs don't seem to like the factions either. With tensions on the rise, Optimus and his advisors decide their best bet is to try and forge a fresh relationship with the NAILs-- after all, Optimis only ascended to the role shortly before the exodus. He'll show them that he's different than his predecessors! By extending a servo in genuine trust and a desire to understand, the Autobots and NAILs may find new allies in one another.

(Which, as Prowl points out, is a strategic military maneuver as much as it is a political one. By bolstering their allied numbers, it will make the 'Cons think twice about breaking the treaty and restarting the war.)

However, to their credit, Megatron and the 'Cons appear to throwing themselves into rebuilding efforts as much as anyone else. They even agree to share resources with the NAILs-- in exchange for labor or something of equal value, of course. Optimus can respect that. He knows Megatron believes actions speak louder than words, so it's encouraging to see the Decepticons making the effort to unify as well.

Slowly Optimus is put more at ease-- the three primary factions fall into a rhythm which sees the return of buildings for shelter and science, free-flowing energon, and nature reserves. As a result, he feels much lighter. The Matrix practically sings when he sits on a Council where they are productive!

Ironhide: Careful there, Prime. I think that grin might become infectious.

Optimus: Ha-- I keep forgetting how easy I am to read without my mask.

Megatron snorts. He was always able to read Prime just fine, even with a battle mask. The mech is too open and honest-- a quality the bit-brained Autobots admired in their leader.

But, even he had to admit, it's hard not to stare when the fool is practically beaming. It comes as a shock to no one that joy was not an emotion he often saw in his encounters with the Prime on the battlefield. 'It's natural to be curious,' Megatron reasons with himself; he simply isn't used to that bare face-- especially when it isn't weighed down by sad optics... or lips set in a hard line...

'... Scrap, what were they saying?'

Windblade: Is everyone excited for the festival?

'Ah.'

Starscream: Ughhhh...

Metalhawk: It doesn't have to be perfect.

Starscream: Yes it does. There's less than a deca-cycle to complete the spires. If they're not-- nevermind. I won't get into it here.

Megatron: Isn't the point of this Council to communicate our collective needs? I daresay Winglord-- there's no better audience to hear your party-planning woes.

Starscream: Hmph. Perhaps. But I'd sooner scan another Earth altmode than accept your aid... no offense, Prime.

Optimus: None taken.

Ironhide: In all seriousness, if you need materials--

Windblade: --or even more flightframes to assist in construction..?

'There we go.' Megatron huffed to himself in satisfaction, 'That prideful idiot.' He knew Starscream would never have allowed himself to ask for help unless he gave him a poke.

A festival. He hadn't been to one in many years-- never in Vos, and never as a free mech. The last time he attended had been on those rare occasions he snuck out of the Pits. A handful of times he had been lucky and stumbled upon a festival. Once he deliberately snuck out to orate a speech, before the authorities broke up the crowd and spoiled the atmosphere of the event.

'... Maybe I should give a speech, for old times sake-- with the added bonus that Starscream would absolutely abhor it.'

Optimus stole a glance at Megatron, who had begun to help himself to the snacks brought for the meeting. The two faction leaders were certainly on better terms with one another than at the start of the rebuilding efforts, though Optimus would hesitate to call themselves anything more than acquaintances. Which felt strange, considering how intimately they'd come to understand one another in the context of war.

'He did it again...' For someone normally so prone to posturing, Megatron was not opposed to a display of subtlety, especially when in service to others. Of course he continues to lean into grand gestures, and always makes sure he gets the credit he is owed for his work in rebuilding Cybertron... but in these small, almost inconsequential moments, he still looks out for others in his own roundabout way. He'd cede his floor time to someone who spoke on an issue he agreed with, essentially handing them a platform; he'd do what he did just now-- toss out some snarky jabs to get a conversation flowing; Optimus once even saw him purchase fancy fuel at a market, then hand half to a sparkling who had been eyeing the goods... though he tried to hide gesture.

The duplicity fascinated Optimus. Has he always been this way? Surveillance of Decepticon command and years of combatting the mech head-on suggested this was not the case. However, they held different roles now. Optimus knows he's changed since the end of the war... he can't help but wonder how Megatron has been changed too...

'... Wait, oh no, did Metalhawk just say something?'

Metalhawk: Speaking of Earth, I've been meaning to ask you about it for a while.

'Ah!'

Optimus: Yes, of course! What would you like to know?

Metalhawk: Having never been myself, I'm curious about your affection for it. You must hold it in high regard if you've maintained your altmode all this time?

Optimus: Oh! That's... well, yes. Despite the many unpleasant memories, I also made many fond ones that I will treasure. Even when I chose it, this alt just felt... right.

Metalhawk: I see. Would you be open to sharing some of those fond memories with me? Perhaps... at the festival?

'... Holy scrap. Is he asking what I think he's asking??' Despite his efforts Optimus can feel energon begin to rise to his face-- he hasn't been asked out since before he was a Prime! Distantly he is aware the room got quieter, save for Megatron coughing on a sweet that went down the wrong pipe.

Optimus: I should think there would be plenty of time, if we attended together.

Metalhawk: Then it's a date?

Optimus: Looking forward to it..!

Metalhawk takes his leave with a warm wave and a smile. Windblade and Ironhide gawk until he is gone before rushing to Optimus.

Windblade: Did you know that was going to happen??

Optimus: No, not at all!

Windblade: You handled it pretty well!

Optimus: Oh thank Primus. I don't know why I got so nervous all of a sudden. I speak to him nearly every day...

Ironhide: Ooooo, I'm telling Ratchet...

Optimus: Go ahead, it's not like I wasn't planning on telling my amica... preferable he knows before the press.

Ironhide: I was thinking more-so that he'd wanna squeeze you in, to check if your firewalls are up-to-date--

Optimus: -- 'HIDE!

Starscream: *ehem* Congratulations, Optimus Prime, you two make a handsome match. Now, if we could get back to planning the biggest event of the stellar cycle...

Fast forward-- past the festival, past the tabloids speculating on the nature Metalhawk and the Prime's relationship. The Autobots meet with Optimus once again. This time, some propose... a proposal.

That is to say-- a political bonding ceremony between the leader of the Autobots and a leader of the NAILs.

Ratchet thinks it's a bad idea-- much too soon for something so dramatic. It will seem farcical, an echo of a time long past where higher castes bonded to better their social standing. Optimus tends to agree.

But Prowl argues their festival date generated a lot of public approval. Having the people's high regard and trust is important in unstable times...

Prowl: Not to mention we'd secure our relationship with the NAILs. If the 'Cons ever stir up trouble, we'll be ready for them.

But Optimus isn't so sure of that argument anymore. Why would Megatron put so much effort into rebuilding, to personally have a servo in shaping their new world, only to destroy it again?

Optimus: ... Jazz? What do you think?

Jazz: ... *sigh* Honestly? I think a big, public-facing, cross-factional bond would go a long way towards helping things solidify. Feels more permanent... and obviously the 'Cons are off the table. So... why not Metalhawk? He's a nice guy, right?

Ratchet: Being 'nice' isn't all there is to it! Optimus has every right to bond with someone he loves..!

The 'Bots bicker, and Optimus has a moment to mull it over.

Finally, he speaks.

Optimus: ... I think... I could grow to love him. In time.

Ratchet: Optimus...

Optimus: It's okay, Ratchet. I accepted long ago that being Prime would require personal sacrifices.

Ratchet: ...

Optimus: Prowl, please prepare correspondence to Metalhawk. I want him to make an informed decision, so that I don't take this choice from him under false pretenses.

Ratchet exits without another word and doesn't return to the meeting.

Fast forward again-- to the day of the bonding ceremony. Metalhawk agreed (after making sure Optimus was of sound mind) to bond for the unification of Cybertron.

Anyone who is anyone is at this wedding. Councilmech, visiting dignitaries and ambassadors, the rich and famous. Sprinkled among them are genuine friends of the couple. Across Cybertron the event is broadcast live, and everyone waits with baited breath as the ceremony draws closer and closer to its conclusion.

Megatron made sure to sit on the end so he could beat the crowds to the open bar. In fact, he doesn't even stick around for the latter half-- why bother? He's already made his required appearance. Might as well crack open some high grade and head home early.

He eyes the solid fuel as well-- energon goodies and foreign sweets piled high for guests to choose from to their sparks content-- but he doesn't have an appetite. Hasn't for quite some time. He inspects his cube and spots the broadcast on a nearby holoscreen.

He sneers, frighteningly enough that the staff lingering in his line of sight make themselves scarce.

Megatron: I thought you were better than this. All that talk about forging our own bright future, and yet here we are. Lining up for the honor to dance in the shadows of a gilded past. Disgraceful.

On screen the couple turns to face each other, ready to recite the last portion of their fictitious vows before sealing the deal. Optimus, the self-sacrificing idiot-- still all too easy to read even in times like these if one knew where to look-- is putting on a brave face out of a sense of duty.

... He can't watch them do this. Instead, he turns back to lean against the bar and contemplate how far back this puts his plans for a free Cybertron... a world where high caste couplings are a thing of the distant past, and Primes can bond whomever they please...

Clergybot: To love and to cherish...

Metalhawk: To love and to cherish...

Clergybot: ... Until all are one.

Metalhawk: ... Until all are one.

Clergybot: ... And now I, Optimus Prime...

Optimus: I, Optimus Prime...

Clergybot: ... Take thee, Metalhawk...

Optimus: ... take thee, Megatron...

Megatron spits out his fuel and glares at the cube like it offended him.

'What the frag is in this--?!?'

But the gasps and murmurs of the crowd replacing the dull recitation alerted him to the fact that the ceremony... had stopped.

Optimus: I... I mean...

'Oh Primus...'

Cameras zoom in even closer, showing the Prime frozen in shock. The cube slips from Megatron's servo, shattering on the floor.

'Did he actually...??'

Metalhawk was stroking the Prime's servos that were still held in his own, whispering something blessedly inaudible, but the other mech eventually twisted them free.

Optimus: ... I'm sorry, I-I have to go.

Murmurs grew into a scandalized uproar as the Prime bolted from the altar and out the back of the temple. Metalhawk and the clergy attempted to placate them, but in time Metalhawk would leave to join the search party who had ran after Optimus.

Not before Megatron downed the rest of his drink and stole some snacks for the road (the reception wouldn't be needing them anyway.) He takes to the skies-- an advantage not many Autobots had on hand that would take too long to mobilize-- and opens a private comm channel.

Megatron:: Soundwave! Get me visual reports from the Westside of New Iacon, near the temple! Prime has escaped!::

After a beat, he realizes how that sounded. Old habits certainly do die hard.

Megatron:: He's fled the scene. Can you tell me which direction he's headed?::

Soundwave pings an acknowledgment. It doesn't take long to get his answer.

Soundwave:: Prime: headed towards Archives.::

Megatron:: The Archives? That's halfway across--::

Soundwave:: Clarification: The Old Archives.::

'Ah, that makes more sense.'

Megatron:: Thank you, old friend. What would I do without you?::

Soundwave:: Megatron: remain single forever.::

Megatron:: You-- wh-- that is not why I am pursuing him!!::

Soundwave:: ;) ::

Megatron hangs up and focuses on his flight instead, the impending conversation he'll need to have with the Prime looming ominously like a cloud.

[cynicalrosebud]

By Trust Alone

Soap x Mexican!reader

Part 2 Here

Stranded in the dangerous streets of Las Almas during the mission "Alone," Soap teams up with Y/n, a brave local woman who has faced the Shadow Company herself. Despite the language barrier, she guides him to safety, helping him evade capture

My Spanish is so fuckin rusty, I spent a summer in Mexico for a college program but that was years ago (I am open to corrections by Spanish speakers!)

Spanish in italics

The streets of Las Almas were eerily quiet, the air thick with tension as Soap moved through the narrow alleyways. His breaths were controlled, though his mind raced, calculating every possible route to evade the Shadow Company operatives hunting him down. The mission had gone sideways, and now he was on his own.

As he pressed against the cold stone wall of an old building, Soap heard a faint rustling from the shadows. His hand instinctively tightened around his pistol, ready to face whatever threat emerged. But what stepped out from the darkness was not an enemy soldier but a young woman—eyes wide, cautious, and holding a small, rusty knife.

She looked like she’d been through a lot. Her clothes were torn in places, and there was a faint bruise forming on her cheek. A small cut on her forehead was still fresh, trickling a thin line of blood down the side of her face. It was clear she had run into some Shadows herself, but despite the obvious signs of a struggle, there was a fierce determination in her eyes.

"No eres de aquí," she said, her voice low and guarded.

Soap quickly recognized the tone. The woman was local, and clearly terrified. He relaxed slightly, lowering his weapon just enough to show he wasn’t a threat. "You speak English?" he asked, his accent heavy, but the question simple.

She shook her head, "No inglés." Her gaze flicked over his uniform, recognizing him as an outsider, but not the same as the heavily armed men terrorizing her home.

"Of course," Soap muttered under his breath. "Need to get to the church. La iglesia," he repeated in broken Spanish, hoping she understood.

The woman—Y/n, as she would later introduce herself—looked around nervously before nodding. "Es peligroso," she warned, motioning for him to follow. She led him deeper into the maze-like streets, away from the main roads where the enemy soldiers patrolled.

As they moved deeper into the church, Soap could feel the tension slowly easing, though the adrenaline still coursed through his veins. He glanced at Y/n, who was busy scanning the room for supplies, her focus unwavering despite everything that had happened.

Realizing they hadn’t properly introduced themselves, Soap took a moment to break the silence. "I’m Soap, by the way," he said, his voice soft as he watched her.

Y/n paused, turning to face him. Her eyes flickered with curiosity before a light giggle escaped her lips. "¿Jabón?" she repeated, the amusement clear in her voice.

Soap couldn’t help but chuckle, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through him at the sound of her laughter. It was the first genuine moment of levity they’d shared, and it made his heart pound in a way he hadn’t expected.

"Aye, Soap," he confirmed with a grin, finding himself captivated by the way her smile lit up the dim room. For a brief moment, the dangers outside seemed far away, replaced by the simple connection between two people brought together by fate.

As they moved together, Y/n communicated with simple gestures and words, indicating when to stop, when to move, and when to hide. The night was filled with tension, the silence between them only broken by the occasional crackle of a distant radio or the heavy footsteps of a patrol.

Soap was impressed by her knowledge of the town. Y/n knew every hidden corner, every back alley that could be used as cover. Her bravery was evident in the way she moved, determined to help this stranger despite the danger that loomed.

At one point, they were forced to duck into a small, abandoned shop as a group of Shadow Company operatives passed by. Soap held his breath, and Y/n pressed close to him, her heart pounding loud enough for him to hear.

When the danger passed, she pulled back, meeting his eyes with a determined look. "Estamos cerca," she whispered, pointing ahead.

They continued, and soon, the towering silhouette of the church appeared against the night sky. Relief washed over Soap, but it was short-lived. A group of soldiers stood guard outside the church, blocking their way.

"Fuck," Soap hissed, realizing they had little time to come up with a plan. He looked at Y/n, who seemed to understand the situation. She glanced around, her mind working quickly.

"Confía en mí," she said softly, patting her chest, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of resolve and fear.

Soap nodded, not entirely sure what she had in mind, but he didn’t have many options. Y/n motioned for him to stay low and hidden as she approached the guards with her hands up, her demeanor calm and collected. She spoke to them in rapid Spanish, her voice carrying an air of authority as she distracted them, pointing in the direction opposite of where Soap was hiding.

The moment they turned their backs, Soap moved, slipping past them and into the shadows of the churchyard. Y/n continued to talk, giving him the time he needed to make his way to the entrance. Once she was sure he was safe, she turned to leave, but one of the guards caught her arm.

Before she could react, Soap was behind the guard, taking him down silently. The other guard barely had time to draw his weapon before Soap disarmed him with swift precision.

"Gracias," Y/n whispered, clearly shaken but grateful.

Soap gave her a nod, understanding the weight of what she’d done for him. "You’re braver than most soldiers I know," he said, knowing she wouldn’t fully understand but hoping the tone conveyed his gratitude.

They moved into the church together, the heavy doors creaking as they shut out the chaos outside. Ghost’s voice crackled over the radio, asking for Soap’s status.

"Got a local helping me," Soap responded, glancing at Y/n, who was already scanning the room for supplies. "Couldn’t have made it without her."

As they prepared for the next part of the mission, Soap knew he wasn’t alone anymore. He had an unlikely ally in this battle, one who had proven that courage didn’t come from training, but from the heart.

I hope to make a part 2 of this

[sonicasura]

Let's be honest with ourselves that Transformers Earthspark has its issues. It isn't uncommon for the series to have a few messy iterations throughout the years. However those at least have something going for them.

Bayverse is a junk pile yet there's a lot of material you can build off on and some pretty interesting concepts. RiD15 is an awful sequel to Prime but does decently well as a standalone although there are much needed changes to be had. Earthspark... Well, it's just there.

I can be lenient with the plot holes and poor pacing as Nickelodeon is notorious for interfering with any show that isn't SpongeBob to the point of cancellation. The issues truly land on the characters themselves. I'm gonna try to simplify it without devolving into a rant like the previous draft.

Edit: Gonna add some further edits as I wrote this in the middle of the night. Plus my simplified version skipped some key details.

Robby. Somehow they made a human character I actually dislike instead of be neutral about. In the official Transformers wiki, he's labeled as a big brother who cares for his siblings but his actions so far say otherwise. Robby literally ran away in the first episode because they moved then decided to try and hide the Terrans from his parents.

Yet he rarely gets enough consequences for his actions. I think we don't just need less Emberstone saves not just because of plot armor but force actual character growth on him. Like a life changing to one of his siblings as consequences for his actions and strained relationship until he gets his head outta his ass.

Edit: Yes, I know Robby is a teenager but that isn't a decent enough excuse for his behavior. Seen the trope about big brothers who do act closed off or at some points rude but they haven't done shit that put their family in serious danger. No, I didn't try to purposely forget the times he was injured badly.

There honestly needs to be less of those and his consequences be adjusted to it affects someone else badly. *

Next issue is lacking confrontation with Optimus choices alongside the obvious misplaced trust in the 13 Primes. Quintus Prime literally emotionally manipulated and scarred Mo through a fake bad ending reality because she doubted herself. No good person would do that, much less an actual ally. Even moreso on a child.

I seen this shit in Trollhunters but at least Jim, the main character, was a teenager. (It still was wrong though.) We also got remember that Liege Maximo and Megatronus/The Fallen are Primes. Yet somehow it is best to trust them.

Don't get me started with some of Optimus' choices when it comes to GHOST. He probably did it to protect his Autobots but what about the Decepticons who are locked away? Why are there so little of his companions with him especially since Bumblebee had fucking went into hiding before the show began.

There needs to be tension between Optimus with his Autobots. Someone is bound to snap and Bumblebee would have the biggest impact. The man clearly isn't okay as he's doing things that even Megatron admits ain't like him.

Mandroid needs to be written differently. He has the making of a sympathetic villain but oh boy. First off it is clear that his depiction is ableist aligned since the reason he doesn't like Cybertronians is because he lost his arm. Major thing to change right there.

Give him a narrative where his interest been genuine but slowly declines as the Autobot/Decepticon war increases the number of destroyed lives. Let him become a victim to this than just 'I lost my arm so death alongside experimentation to all Cybertronians'. Also don't make Mandroid ignore the obvious fact that the Transformers parts he puts into his body is slowly poisoning and instead come up with ways to fight the infection. Kinda like in Ironman 2 where Tony's arc reactor began to do the same thing.

Edit: Mandroid's negative views on Cybertronians are about the war and he's aware of the Energon poisoning. It is just that it is poorly portrayed to the point you rarely see it over his Arachnamechs/his ruined life.

Have the man present various evidence of destruction the war caused by both sides at the Malto children or anonymously spread such info around town to sew discontent with the townsfolk. 'These are the people who you consider heroes. Who you see as family and friends. Or should these tragedies be forgotten?'

Do a Baxter Stockman where you frequently see him try to fix the Energon poisoning than just simple dialogue. Even have testing on organic subjects to see how they react and find ways to counter it. Don't keep these key points as simple dialogue. *

I don't think Karen needs much changes either. 'But her taking over Cybertron doesn't make sense!' It actually does for one reason: hubris. Have you ever seen what happens when you give a control freak power? Their behavior becomes more erratic as they begin to think they deserve more. She is xenophobic in nature so imprisoning Decepticons and ordering around the Autobots is a drug to her.

Karen wants to treat them like slaves so the next step in her mind is Cybertron. Her death is well deserved and well played. Just like Icarus, the bitch flew too close to the sun.

I think the last major issue, other than out of character racist Shockwave, is the Terrans. No offense but they need a bit less screentime so the rest of the cast can shine. We barely see Alex and there's unclarified issues involving Bumblebee with Arcee if he's uncomfortable around her.

I also want their flaws to be at the forefront. Thrash is the only one who gotten such character development from his encounter with Swindle. We need more of that! Like Hashtag's overreliance on the Internet biting her back as she is forced to use real world skills.

Edit: I accidentally put in Terrans when I really meant Twitch. The screentime for everyone needs to be balanced mainly for the Malto family. Alex alongside the three younger Terrans rarely get involved or their characters further build upon. Twitch needs to get benched more.

Also the Dad Number 2 should really be addressed. Wheeljack was clearly uncomfortable when it been brought up. Plus it is way too fast to even consider such ideas unless you plan to have it addressed properly. Like 'Kid. We barely know each other yet somehow I became a father figure in an instant? It's best not to do that until you truly certain "Dad Number 2" doesn't mean harm or feels comfortable with it.' *

Earthspark clearly has potential but these problems need to be handled better. Addong the deleted scenes help add some clarification but canon needs to present it. We are supposed to get a second season so hopefully some of these are addressed.

[kissesfromnovalie]

rhys

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@writingsbychlo

Home To Us

rhys and nyx are a family of two, but they're both pretty hell-bent on making it into a trio, with you.

How To Save A Life

trapped under the mountain, starfall has always been your favorite holiday and you miss it. tonight, this time, you have one opportunity to share it with someone.

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@azsazz

Dioxazine (2)

While at the art shop looking for the necessary supplies for your first semester of art school, you get a bit distracted by the cocky cashiers intriguing eye color.

Lavender Haze

Having a crush on your best friends older brother isn't ideal. Especially when he has one back.

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@ughthatimagineblog

love and loathing

forever and a day

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@fanttasttica

I hate you more..

Rhysand always knew how to get on your nerves. He was so good at it, that at some point, you started hating him for it., or as you thought. But as we all know, there is a thin line between hate and love..

Shy Priestess

You were shy priestess working in the Library in Velaris who became friends with Morrigan. One day, she decided to became matchmaker and you became her first client.

Your love healed me

You were friends with Rhysand and his Inner circle for nearly a hundred years. He trusted you with paperwork, he discussed ideas with you that he wasn't sure if they were good or bad.. You took your work very seriously and put it before everything else, even before your own safety. When Amartantha invites Rhysand and other High lords to her court, you manage to convince Rhysand to take you with him. That night, you end up being imprisoned for nearly fifty years and after you were freed.. The consequences of all this fell on you.

One plus one makes three

After your one night stand with the High lord, you hadn't expected to see him ever again, but fate had other plans. You are pregnant, carrying the High lord's first child and you need to tell him. How is he going to react? And what will that mean for you?

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@azrielslightintheshadows

Between you and danger.

Game night disaster

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Star Crossed

rhysand is your competition as prythian university’s top student, meaning neither of you can stand one another. however, once he discovers your passion outside of school, you slowly begin opening up to rhysand and his best friends.

@lyssasdrafts

To the stars who listen

Looking upon the stars for the first time since leaving the mountain, Rhysand makes a wish. Only to be surprised when his dreams are actually answered.

@milswrites

Not As It Seems

to outsiders they see your life is perfect. Being mated to one of the most powerful high lords and named high lady of the night court everyone thought you were happy (including your mate). What happens when the mask you’ve been wearing finally falls

@marvelsmylife

Whatever Our Souls Are Made Of

After his mate and the mother of his son abandons them, The High Lord and Nyx are left alone and wanting.

@historiaxvanserra

The Great War

Rhysand has been running himself ragged, and it hasn’t escaped your notice. In an effort to quell old nightmares, Rhysand has an interesting suggestion…

@wishfulwithwine

Anything, Always

@cherhys

Touch in the Dark

@k-daydreams

Pining

@jeannineee

I Never Meant to Hurt You

@fieldofdaisiies

Returning Home

@hellcat8908

'Til Death

@bookish-whore

Take Them All Down

@danikamariewrites

Truth

When rumors and doubt creep in, High Lord Rhysand snuffs it out

@redheadspark

Black Rose

The fateful night in the Spring Court as told by Tamlin’s younger sister, Niamh. 

@starstruckunknown

Kicking out

Reader tries to have a peaceful day without their partner hovering with overprotection, but destiny has other plans.

@luxsky

Testing the Waters

Weeks of rubbing up on a certain High Lord is bound to build some tension.

@solbaby7

A Dance With Danger

Learning the High Lord's secret has you on the run. Too bad he found you in the place you least expected

@readychilledwine

Desk Pet (2) (3)

@tadpolesonalgae

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Rhys enjoys a slow, easy morning with his love.

@leafsandstarlight

[eddiediazismyhusband]

God I wish I could be positive like other anons that said that for them 7x04 is the biggest confirmation buddie is happening. Please ignore this if you don’t feel like consoling me about my pessimist rant. I was optimistic but 7x04 made me a pessimist.

I just keep thinking “if 7x04 was supposed to be about buddie why was not about buddie?

Let me explain: it was the perfect setup for starting buddie. You know how it’s a bait and switch. They could have just not switched. They could have had Eddie go to buck instead of Tmmy and have Eddie say “you’re irreplaceable” which would have been much more meaningful and then “you know I can have more than a friend, right?” And buck could have said “maybe i don’t wanna be your friend” and boom you have bisexual buck and can get rid of that old ugly man.

It was the perfect setup, you need to change literally ONE SCENE. I literally can’t find a reason why they didn’t do it. My BFF said “they couldn’t make them come out at the same time” but they wouldn’t have. Eddie could have rejected him and then spend s7 coming to terms with his feelings instead of the shit that happened. I don’t believe in the “it’s cuz it’s a slow burn” theory because 6 years is slow enough. I wanna be a truther so bad but ever since 7x04 I’ve been slowly losing hope.

I flip flop between being optimistic and pessimistic… to me i can see the vision of whst they were *trying* to do with 7x4 but with no chemistry and one of the actors being so inept at their job it just fell completely flat… it felt unearned in a way bc we have seen buck and eddie interracting for 6 years, and the entire episode was centered around buck pining for eddie’s attention (im sorry, there is not way any of what buck did in that episode was out of any interest in Timmy Turner) just to throw the curveball at the end. The point of a bait and switch is thay the switch has to be believable, and earned— but it wasn’t because you spent the entire episode talking about eddie. Why not have buck’s jealousy be solely “oh i hate Tylenol, he’s so ughh and i hate him and i can’t stand him” bc if it had been that i would be more inclined to believe that buck had some sort of unconscious interest in him.

but that’s not what they did, they made him go gaga over eddie the entire episode.

another thing they could have done to make the switch effective is actually given Tuberculosis a role within the episode other thsn to show up and kiss buck… like showcase him and buck interacting more… build sublte tension there that makes it believable that buck is attracted to him… don’t just shove him in a corner and leave him collecting dust (don’t get me wrong i am NOT campaigning for them giving that man more screentime in fact i want that man off my screen as soon as possible which should have been the end of 7x3)

so from a narrative standpoint… to have eddie so intrinsically linked to Buck’s emotional arc in 7x4, i can absolutely see the vision of trying to do the whole misplaced feelings thing… even if they didn’t stick the landing at all bc lfj’s face is so stiff from all the botox that he can’t emote to save his life.

to me where things start to fall apart is after 7x4…. they had the perfect opportunity for buck to have his arc in 7x5, “mess things up with Tiramisu” (even though i fully side with buck in everything that happened on that date, like bffr) and then end the episode with them deciding to no longer pursue a relationship because they want different things (buck wants a relationship but is still new to this, Tire-Iron is old af and just wants a boytoy) and have them part ways… but they decided to double down on the relationship, having Buck invite a man he has known for 5 minutes to his sister’s wedding and then proceeded to make the wedding about buck??? that’s where the writers truly lost me. especially after they spent the first part of that ep establishing that Tricycle is nothing but dismissive and condescending to Buck just to make the whole wedding scene about them??? there was no need for that cringe-ass kiss (even if it had been a buddie plot point that kiss would have made me cringe bc the way it was written was so fuckin corny and also we waited too damn long for the madney wedding for it to be about someone else).

then ofc there’s the medal ceremony where we once again see Tuberculosis being dismissive of buck, and then 7x10 where he steamrolls over buck trying to have a meaningful conversation for him to just make a fucking sex joke…..

like i keep flip flopping back and forth bc i KNOW that T-rex has no substance as a character and no personality whatsoever beyond kissing buck, but i don’t understand why they’ve kept him around this long? There were plenty of opportunities to end things between them… 7x10 had a golden opportunity to solidify buck prioritizing bobby/eddie over his relationship and having Trampoline get upset and move on?? 7x9 could have had Bobby tell buck that he didn’t think Tablecloth was a good partner for him, comparing her to Abby and Taylor.

He was nowhere to be SEEN in 7x7

There could have been a moment in 7x6 where Eddie and Buck had a heart to heart (not even to make buddie go canon in that ep, but for eddie to point out that Truckstop doesn’t seem all that interested in him— hell or even hav HEN do it??)

After the entirety of 7b my trust in Tim has dwindled down so severely that I genuinely am trying not to form any expectations from s8… like i am fully prepared to just be disappointed again.

That being said I do think there is still so much potential for them to fix the mess quickly if they actually put in the time and effort… my issue is that idk if I trust them to fix the mess or just make it worse.

Plus if the same thing happens with s8 as s7 where they get renewed early on, that runs the risk of Tim changing the story yet again and dragging out plot points that don’t need to be dragged out.

Like it has fully been 6 seasons. Booth and Brennan were together by then, there is no reason buddie needs another full season…. especially after they’ve given themselves yet another wide open road to give us eddie coming to terms with his feelings; whether they go down that route or try to rehash shannon again is yet to be seen…

i saw someone else on here say something (and i cannot for the life of me remember who said it so full credit to that person for this quote) but it was along the lines of (and this is SEVERELY paraphrased) “tim made the choice to kill of shannon. if you wanted her to still be around then you shouldn’t have killed her. you made the choice, so stick with it.” and i feel like that applies to a LOT of the character regression/retconning we saw in s7

so i’m still in that boat of until they actually make the show good again, I’m gonna sit and wait because it’s not worth getting my hopes up and stressed about something that may not even happen bc the writers love toying either our emotions more than they love telling the story the way they themse have set it up to be told.

(also this applies to the show as a whole, not just buddie, there were so many plotlines in s7 that just careened into the realm of melodramatic soap opera to me in a way that was so ooc for the show… what happened to the little procedural dramedy? why is the cartel here committing arson? why are there pirates attacking a cruise ship in an arc that lasts all of 5 minutes? i miss the s2/3/4 era so badly (yes, say what you will about s4 but i enjoyed that season) and i really thought we were going to be getting that back in s7 (and pirate plot aside, eps 1-3 showed promise, and tbh aside from the kiss at the end 7x6 is one of my favorite episodes of the show in general, but as far as the season as a whole it just fell so flat for me)

[starsarefire824]

UPDATED ST Fanfic Guide

I am JustMyName on A03! (some people have told me they had no idea) I have really come to love writing for Mike and Will these past two years. Hope you find something to enjoy! 🖤 I also enjoy Madwheeler and some other unique ships so if you're up for something different this might be the spot for you!

✨Demons of Change and Wildflower Eyes ▻ rating: E ▻ status: Complete ▻ words: ▻ship: Byler, Troy x Mike, Madwheeler, minor Lumax and Henderhop ▻description: AU. High school hasn't been easy for Will Byers. He’s had to live with the emotional scars of a loveless father and supernatural worlds, as well as the physical ones from the hands of the bullies that make his everyday existence hell. One night, when he's looking for some peace and quiet Will comes upon one of them.

Sparks fly and Mike and Will can’t stay away from each other. Yet, there are things Mike isn’t saying: about his past, about his family, about his peculiar friendship with Troy. Things aren’t always what they appear to be, and loyalties born from violence will be rigorously tested.

Will, Mike, Troy centric. (This fic is very near and dear to my heart. <3)

✨Scum Rises ▻rating: E ▻ status: Ongoing ▻ words: 6,293 ▻ Separated Byler, Mike Wheeler/ OC ▻ description:

DEMONS OF CHANGE & WILDFLOWER EYES: PART II

"I should have just killed him, Will always lamented bitterly with tears in his eyes when he was having one of his dark spells. The guilt slowly crept up between them and they broke up the year after college. It was drunken and volatile and spiteful. And shattered his heart." * * * Just before Mike turns 26, Will kicks him out. With nowhere left to go, Mike must return to Hawkins alone. There he will have to face all the demons of his past, finding a bit of grace along the way.

This story will chronicle the year that Mike and Will breakup, and how Mike finds his way back. Takes place post Demons, pre Epilogue.

✨moonflower ▻ rating: M ▻status: Ongoing ▻words: 30,913 ▻ship: Byler ▻description: Will Byers hasn't been back to the town that haunted him since he ran away to college. But years later, after he is fired from his job and his drinking starts to effect his daily life, he has no other choice but to return home. There he'll face his past full on: his family, old wounds, and a long-buried lie he told his best friend one care-free summer's night in 1987.

✨Touch Me Like You Know Me ▻rating: M ▻status: Complete ▻words: 14,894 ▻ ship: Byler ▻ description: Mike doesn't go home anymore, not unless absolutely necessary. Instead, he stays far away from Hawkins, quietly shutting himself off from the world, and burying the pain of the things he never said to the boy he'd left behind. But when his mother convinces him to return home for his thirty-fifth birthday, Mike is finally forced to confront just how much he'd given up when he runs into Will by accident. Mike-centric. Estranged Byler reconnection fic. Soft and Sweet

✨Certain Slant of Light ▻ rating: M ▻ status: Ongoing ▻words: ▻ship: Byler, Will x OC. description: Will just wants to get through his last year of high school without incident, to feel normal for once in his life, and try to survive the building tension between him and Mike that grows with every word left unsaid. On the first day of school, Will meets someone new who may finally offer him the acceptance he craves, but he’s unsure what to do when it causes his relationship with Mike to hit a breaking point, forcing them both to confront their true feelings. And to make matters worse, Vecna is always there, whispering in his ear, and letting him know his fated role in the inevitable fall of Hawkins. Slow Burn. Will-centric. Mike-centric later chapters.

✨Lay Me Down Slow ▻rating: M ▻status: Complete ▻words: 10,821 ▻ship: Byler ▻description: It's 1998 and Will is anxiously making his way to a bar to meet up with Mike, who he hasn't seen in over a decade. Emotions run high as he shares a drink with him, and when a confrontation turns violent, it leads to truths being told and the two of them finding each other again. Will POV.

✨A Burning Thing ▻rating: M ▻status: Ongoing ▻words: 5,677 ▻ship: Byler ▻description: Will and Mike are childhood best friends. As summer fades, the two join their friend group at a lake house for a birthday celebration. There, Lucas's sister Erica is making a student film. The scene she asks them to act out---a passionate kiss---will alter their relationship forever.

In the aftermath, Will, struggling with caring for his abusive father, has to come to terms with the fact that he is set to leave the country for two years. Meanwhile, Mike has a crisis of sexuality and both men will grapple with their inescapable feelings burning just beneath the surface.

✨Heatwaves ▻ rating: M ▻status: Ongoing ▻ words: 18,567 ▻ship: Byler, Platonic Madwheeler ▻description: It's the summer before the Party are all set to move on to the rest of their lives: college, jobs, leaving Hawkins for good. Will isn't sure if it's the heat or his own self-torture, but one night on Mike's stubborn, idiotic campaign to get El back, Will agrees to pretend to be her so Mike can work on the speech he has planned. When the two of them get carried away, it leads both of them to exciting and terrifying insights into who they are and what it is they truly want.

✨Beautiful Things From Broken Soil ▻rating: T ▻status: Complete ▻words: 2,175 ▻ship: Byler ▻description: Mike and Will get caught in a rainstorm on a lazy summer's day.

✨I Don't Require A Definition ▻rating: M ▻ status: Ongoing ▻ship: Byler, Will Byers/ Original Character ▻words: 2,750 ▻ description: Will reminisces about his past and a friend he met at college as he reconnects with Mike on a camping trip the summer after sophomore year.

✨An Unspeakable (Of The Oscar Wilde Sort) ▻rating: E ▻status: Ongoing ▻words: 7,125 ▻ship: Byler, Mileven ▻description: They sit there for a long second in awkward silence, and Mike bites his bottom lip. He eyes the movie. “So what did you pick?”

Will fidgets with the tape nervously in his hands. His voice catches. “Uhm, yeah—it’s just this movie that’s based off of a book I read last year. I really liked the story.”

Will’s eyes find Mike’s and he blushes. “I don’t know. It’s kind of serious. We don’t have——“

Mike interrupts Will’s shy backpedaling by snatching the VHS out of his hand and turning it over like he is going to find the summary. Instead he just finds a Family Video logo. “What’s it about?”

“Uhm—well it’s about these two guys at Cambridge in the early 1900’s and they’re—-friends.”

Mike blinks. “Friends?”

Will’s eyelids flutter and he presses his lips together. “Yeah—-like—really good friends.”

or, Will brings over a movie to watch with Mike and it leads to certain truths being addressed. Complete with a Mike Wheeler in crisis.

✨Helpless ▻ rating: T ▻status: Complete ▻words: 2,973 ▻ship: Byler ▻description: “Hey,” Mike says, shutting his bedroom door behind him gently and padding over to the bed where Will lays, freshly showered and in his undershirt.

“Hey,” Will murmurs back as he burrows himself further into the bed and pulls the sheets up under his chin, trying to ignore his heart pitter-pattering inside his ribs. He smooths the fabric over his chest nervously.

Mike smiles over at him, something shy and sweet in the way his eyes crinkle. He breathes out and folds his thin arms across his chest, rubbing along his rigid hip with his thumb.

Will tries not to stare where Mike’s worn white tank top he always wears rides up, revealing pale skin and a shock of dark hair lining his belly and disappearing underneath his stupid Star Wars pajama pants.

It’s hilarious, really, Will thinks bitterly. Stuck in a bed with your friend at the threshold of the Apocalypse, and only able to think about what hides underneath his pajamas.

It’s so unfair. It’s fucking torture.

✨You're The Only Shape I'll Pray To ▻rating: E ▻status: Complete ▻words: 3,160 ▻ship: Byler ▻description:

Hands pulling at shirts in a darkened room, a tongue licking along burning skin, moans and pants and belt buckles being unclasped.

Mike presses his knees together so hard his bones grind.

“Tell me," he gasps. "—Confess—to God—-all of your sins.” Priest AU.

✨The Pact ▻ rating: M ▻ status: Ongoing ▻words: 97,440 ▻ship: Madwheeler, Byler, Elumax ▻ description: A pact between Max and Mike gone wrong gets them both unanimously voted out of the Party and they find themselves stuck with each other the summer after Graduation: fighting, commiserating, and begrudgingly discovering they are a lot more alike than they originally thought. .

✨Death Lies in Wait ▻ rating: M ▻ status: Ongoing ▻ words: 13,322▻ ship: Arranged Madwheeler, Byler, Lumax, Mileven, Secret Ship ▻ description: Massachusetts, 1890. Max Mayfield is twenty-six years old and at the hand of her parents, settles for a marriage of convenience to a widowed lighthouse keeper. A stranger she'll be trapped with for the rest of her life on a lonely strip of land surrounded by nothing but endless, lonely sea. But, as she settles into her life, and she and her new husband try to coexist, they get wrapped up in a mysterious presence on the cape. It calls to them. It's lulling and coaxing and sings to them at night. Max discovers the secrets her new husband keeps. Mermaids and ghosts of the past come to haunt them. Madwheeler/Byler//Lumax Gothic AU- Mermaid Will.

✨the winter tree resembles me ▻rating: E ▻status: On Hiatus ▻words: 2,706 ▻ship: Byler ▻description: The Revolutionary War is underway, and the upstanding Byers family, devout Quakers in their divinity, have expressly kept themselves out of the War of Rebellion. But newly rutted Alpha Will Byers has a grave secret he keeps from his parents. He has been recruited by his twin sister into Commander Washington’s clandestine ring of Rebel spies. But when he meets an English officer possessing bewitching brown eyes at the boarding house he’s assigned to, he slowly discovers the stranger has a secret of his own, as well as a tantalizing scent Will can’t resist. Lines will be drawn-loyalties tested and allies betrayed -no one is who they seem.

✨A Derelict Mind ▻rating: M ▻status: Ongoing ▻words: 8,259 ▻ship: Byler ▻description: Will wakes up to find himself chained to a chair in a room he doesn't recognize. There are orderlies and patients and a doctor with blonde hair and a terrifyingly sweet voice. But Will is not in one of his nightmares or one of Vecna's visions. He's a patient in Pennhurst Asylum, and everything he's known to be real: his friends, his family, the Upside Down... has been nothing but a delusion of a very sick patient.

Part of "A Certain Slant of Light" Universe.

✨Kind of Best Friend ▻rating: G ▻status: Complete ▻words: 1,206 ▻ship: Madwheeler (platonic or romantic) ▻description: Mike reads his letter from Max after returning to Hawkins.

✨ Mashed Potatoes ▻rating: G ▻ status: Complete ▻ words: 1,352 ▻ ship: Byler ▻description: "Wait," Mike says, grabbing the carton of milk out of Will's hand. Will blinks, his brows creasing in confusion. "What?" he asks with uncertainty. "We need milk, don't we?"

Mike stares at the carton Will has chosen. It's labeled with red lettering and a stamp of a picturesque farm across the front. Whole milk. Mike shrugs. "I mean----yeah. But-----" he raises an eyebrow. "Whole milk?" Will huffs and rolls his yes. "Yes. Whole milk? What milk did you want?" Mike shifts on his feet and pulls at the waist of his usual black jeans. "Well, I mean----we always drank skim at our house." Now, Will's mouth opens up a little. Offended.

"Skim?!" he asks, completely appalled. "Who actually drinks skim milk? You might as well drink water."

OR, Mike and Will really think the other is wrong in their grocery shopping decisions.

✨I Held On As Tightly As You Held Onto Me ▻ rating: T ▻ status: Complete ▻ words: 7,014 ▻ ship: Byler ▻ description: After years of life getting in the way---be it by distance or choices made--Mike hasn't seen Will in almost a decade. But one cold winter's night, he's back in town and Mike cooks him a meal.

✨When We Wake Up ▻ rating: T ▻ status: Complete ▻ words: 23,428 ▻ ship: Byler ▻description: Will and Mike having to share a room while waiting for the impending apocalypse and the utter torture it is for both of them.

✨Come Away With Me ▻ rating: T ▻status: Complete ▻ words: 18,760 ▻ ship: Byler ▻ description: “Two shots ring out! BAM!-then a pause-BAM! Mike’s head snaps towards the sound, squinting his eyes to orient himself to the darkness. A guttural, pained wail echoes through the trees as if some forsaken wraith howls at him in this lonely forest, it’s voice sounding all too familiar. Then, a loud screeching roar follows close behind it. Another shot! Mike sucks in a wretched, frightened breath, his heart thrashing in his chest so hard that it feels as if it might shatter his ribs. Dread settles sickeningly in his belly. "Will….” OR: The one in which Mike gets to be Will's knight in shining armor. Tending Wounds Fic.

✨ We Are All Fools In Love ▻ rating: T ▻ status: On Hiatus ▻ words: 13,098 ▻ ship: Byler ▻ description: Fifteen years after being forcibly separated as children, William Bennet recognizes a familiar brooding face, plucked from another lifetime across a crowded ballroom. As his and Michael Darcy's paths begin to merge once more, they discover they are now separated by more than only time and distance, but faults which lie within their own hearts. Matters of pride and prejudice. Regency au of our dreams.

✨First of All ▻rating: G ▻status: Complete ▻words: 1,772 ▻ship: Madwheeler ▻description: Mike's home from break during college and he and Max have to babysit his baby cousins. It's going as well as you can imagine. Set after the events of "The Pact."

[beachbabe000]

- Neck Rubs: Chris Sturniolo -

plot: you give Chris a neck rub and things turn into something you didn't expect.

Mature 18+, smut

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

               Me and Chris are sitting on the couch watching tv. We couldn’t decide on a show so we turned on something random neither of us have seen before.

          We’ve known each other for a few years after meeting at a youtube tour collab. I had my own channel doing dumb random shit. We ran into each other on the second day, literally ran into each other. Got into a conversation and hit it off. I love funny people so ever since then we’ve kept in contact. At this point we’ve become best friends.

          He kept moving his neck back and forth and eventually I looked over at him. “What’s going on with you?” I ask. He said without looking at me, grabbing and rubbing his neck, “Me and nick got in a fight the other day and he pushed me. My neck has been fucked up since.”

          I chuckle, “Here, turn around.” I said patting the seat next to me. I put myself into a crisscross position facing him and he turned around, one leg on the couch one leg off. I put my hands on the back of his neck and started rubbing. “How are you so good at that?” he asked, head turning down towards the couch. “My mom used to rub my shoulders as a kid. I guess I just picked it up from her.”

          I rub his neck for a few seconds until he leaned back more into my touch. I kept rubbing the pressure getting harder as time goes on. After a couple minutes I speak up “How’s it feeling?” He replies, “I don’t know I think it’s still messed up, you just shouldn’t stop for another hour.” He jokes. I laugh. “I don’t think my hands can last another hour.”

          Eventually I stop, sliding my hands over his shoulders up and down and patting them. He flops down on my lap. “That was amazing thank you.” I look down at him “Absolutely, anytime.”

          He doesn’t move from this position and after a couple seconds I ask “You good?” With a chuckle. “Mhmm” He turns over in my lap facing the tv now laying a hand on my calve. I think nothing of this and set my hand on his head, scratching with my fingers. It was just a friendly gesture.

          After a while he starts to get up, laying a hand on my thigh to steady himself, but didn’t move away from me completely. He’s now leaning up facing me hand still on my thigh. I look at him my head leaning back slightly to get a full view of his face, “What’s up?” I ask with a smile. He just stares at me, looking intensely in my eyes with a smirk. I watch as his eyes move from my eyes to my lips and back. I’m confused at this point, but can feel the tension that’s building between us.

          He slowly starts moving his head forward towards mine. My eyes now moving from his mouth to his eyes knowing what’s coming, but for some reason I don’t want to stop it. Centimeters away from my mouth he stops, eyes still on my lips. I can feel his breath on my face. He lingers there, possibly waiting for me to push him away. When I don’t he looks back at my eyes, as I do as well to his. Then he leans in closing the gap, our lips touch and I suck in a breath accepting his mouth onto mine. My hand moving up to his neck, fingers lacing into his hair as I move him closer deepening the kiss. I didn’t know what just happened but didn’t want the moment to stop.

          As we continue to kiss for what seemed like hours, he leans more into me grabbing my legs and pulling me fully down into the couch. He moves between my legs not breaking the kiss. Grabbing my thighs and pulling me more towards him we begin to move our heads kissing in sync.

          His hands move down to my sides pulling me more into him. My back arches as I want to feel more, our chests now touching. Fully making out at this point his hands move to my thighs and pulls them up over his waist. I oblige and wrap my legs around him.

          I eventually feel him push his hips into mine, our groins rubbing together. I moan into his mouth. Suddenly I come back into reality, my eyes opening and I break the kiss. “Wait what’s happening” my breath tickling his lips. “Shhh” Is all he says, crashing his lips back onto mine. I wasn’t mad about it and kept going.

          His hands reach down to the hem of my shirt, he starts to pull it up and I arch letting him pull it over my head. Our mouths immediately meet again. He rubs up my stomach and grabs onto my breast, kneading it tenderly causing another moan to escape me. He groans into my mouth in response. I can feel him harden into my thigh and my hands instinctively grab the waistband of his pants pulling him more into me, moaning again. He moans as well, his hands now on my hips.

          We part for air and his lips move down into my neck. I let out an intense breath. “Fuck” Whispering out of my mouth. His hands reach down to the button of my pants slowly unbuttoning them. I push him off of me slightly looking at him, his hooded lust filled eyes looking down on me. “We should move to your room.” I breathe out. He nodded knowing what I meant. His brothers could walk in at any moment.

          He stood up pulling on my hand standing me with him. He picks me up by my legs wrapping them around his waist. I left my shirt on the floor not caring anymore. As he carries me into his room I’m leaving trails of kisses onto his neck.

          He plops me down on his bed capturing my lips with his again moving us up the bed between my thighs. He grabs one of my legs holding it up over his waist. He moves his head down to my neck leaving kisses moving down my collar bone to the middle of my chest while holding my breast. His hands eventually move back down to the button of my pants. He unbuttons them and pulls them down, taking them off completely.

          Immediately he sticks a hand in my underwear, rubbing into me finding my clit. I moan loudly as he breaks his mouth from my skin to stare into my eyes again. We make eye contact as he rubs my sensitive area.

          “How are you feeling? Do you want to keep going?” He asks not breaking his motion. I moan looking up at him, “Please.”

          He takes that permission and sits up to take his shirt off and throw it aside. He unbuttons his pants and pulls them down just enough for his member to come out. I reach down grabbing it while capturing his lips back with my own. He grunts into my mouth as I stroke him. His hands laying to either side of my head. I continue to stroke him while he messily moves my underwear down my legs. “Fuck” His head momentarily falls into the nape of my neck.

          Once my underwear is off, He grabs my thighs wrapping them around him again. He looks back into my eyes and then down as he grabs his member and tenderly rubs it against my warmth. I let out a moan, this one sends him over the edge and he roughly thrusts into me. I moan again louder at the action. “Oh fuck!” I breath out. He groans as well, dropping back into my neck. We sit there for a second before he starts moving in and out slowly. He grabs my thigh his pace picking up.

          He starts moving harder and faster. I grip my legs completely around his hips now as he is now pounding into me. He throws his head up towards the ceiling arching his back more into me to deepen the thrusts. My release is quickly approaching and I grab onto the back of his head, pulling at his hair. “Oh my god.” He groans out.

          After a few more minutes he says “Fuck, I’m gunna come.” He pulls out after a few more seconds releasing onto my breasts. Knowing I haven’t came yet, he moves his head down to my warmth, licking me harshly and rapidly. I moan loudly with every lick. My release finally coming. “Fuck Chris I’m cumming!” He doesn’t stop until I finally finish. Wiping off his mouth he moves back up to me, taking my lips into his own again. We share a slow long kiss before breaking apart. He drops down on the bed next to me.

          “Well, that was a plot twist” I chuckle out. He chuckles as well. “A good one.” Looking over at me he says, “We can keep doing that if you want.” My head turns towards him, “I guess if I keep rubbing your neck we will.” We both laugh.

[kmackatie]

shadowgast fic rec list: the modern au edition - part one

This has been a long time coming, and hopefully the start of a few, but I have been intending to make some fic rec lists for a while. I am time-poor and generally bad at remembering to bookmark fics, but I figured I shouldn't let that stop me.

I have a love for modern au's, I write many of them, and I often see arguments against them when the source material is fantasy based for a number of reasons. But, I wanted to shine a light on some out there that tickle that box for me of being delightful.

Listed below the cut are a bunch of fics I have enjoyed, in no particular order and of varying lengths. I will of course forget some, but I hope to do some more lists in the future as I have more tabs open than I can reasonably fit in a list.

Fundamental Forces Other Than Gravity by mllekurtz (TheKnittingJedi)/@mllekurtz (1/1 chapters, 40,676 words, E, no warnings)

- A shadowgast college au with great characterisation and weaving of the Nein throughout. This one has chronic pain Essek, and I love how it is handled. As a note, Essek is briefly one of Caleb's professors, however, there is little power imbalance between them.

the fire kept closest (burns most of all) by mousecookie/@ariadne-mouse (3/3 chapters, 21,822 words, M, warnings: MCD)

- The fic that created the vocaleb tag. Essek is scientist on a research team studying a volcano, for which a tragic accident occurred years prior. It's told in a series of present and past, and the slow build of the relationships throughout the fic are gorgeous. For those eyeing the MCD warning, know that it is also tagged with 'angst with a happy ending'.

I've been lost before (and I'm lost again, I guess) by toneofjoy/@fireryn (21/21 chapters, 165,080 words, E, no warnings)

- The boys are rock climbers in this one. I know, it sounds odd, but trust me and read this. It has incredible characterisation and conversations about sexuality and gender (I hold the cafe scene in my hands so gently), as well as some wonderful sexual tension that builds until it bursts. This fic also got me into recreational rock climbing and I owe the author for it big time. As a note, Essek is Caleb's coach in this fic and this is a plot point for the background of their developing relationship.

starting with your heart (bright heart) by 2manyboys/@cluelessheroes (1/1 chapters, 9,914 words, E, no warnings)

- This has the sentence "Have you been taking four legged showers with Essek Thelyss?” in the summary and it has lived rent-free in my head ever since. Modern-wth-magic university au where they are both students with some lovely build-up of sexual tension between them. Hot smut to go along with it.

disputable presumptions by hanap/@callingvoicemail (3/? chapters, 9,606 words, E, no warnings)

- The corporate lawyer au of my dreams where they are friends with benefits and hiding it from the rest of the Nein. This has a delightful background of plot, along with ambiguous not!wizards hiding their true feelings behind an air of casualness, and snappy writing that keeps you reading.

Inside Edge, 3 Turn, and Closed Hold by MithrilWren/@mithrilwren (3/? works, 16,060 combined words, T/G/M respectively, no warnings)

- The shadowgast figure skating au I didn't know I needed until I read it. I've reread this one so many times and keep coming back to the characterisation and the way the story is slowly told across all three fics. There's a richness of the world behind what we see, and I adore coach!Beau in this one. Another with chronic pain Essek, and generally a careful understanding of the risks that go into the sport.

Labor of Love by OMGitsgreen (6/6 chapters, 43,331 words, M, warnings: CNTW)

- Bakery au. It's a classic, and it's done so well here. This is one of the earliest fics I remember reading, and it's a warm hug on a cold day that is great for when you're wanting something nice.

fermata by canyon_wizard/@canyon-wizard (8/8 chapters, 65,403 words, E, no warnings)

- A classical music au (there really needs to be more of these, please) where they are both piano students. The focus of this one is less the music world and more the character dynamics, and they are incredibly well done. The smut is hot, there is delightful miscommunication, and tense dynamics (ha) throughout.

(your face in my hands is) everything good I need by mllekurtz (TheKnittingJedi)/@mllekurtz (8/8 chapters, 25,884 words, M, no warnings)

- Professor au where they meet at a conference, Caleb a professor of modern history and Essek an expert in Latin. This fic has everything--wizards being nerds in every universe, first kisses, developing feelings, long distance relationship, emotional stakes, and dramatic declarations of love. I adore Mlle's writing (it really should not be a surprise at this point) as they have a way of capturing emotions and turning them into stunning pieces of prose. This one is also a love letter to Paris and Berlin, and please give it a read!

[navnae]

How about stuck up city boy Eddie who’s used to the fast way of living and he’s always on the go, that would explain why being on tour for him was always an outlet because he never stopped moving. One day his tour bus breaks down in Hawkins near a farm and it looks like the bus isn’t going to be running any time soon. Him and his team are all out of luck until a guy around Eddie’s age come up to the bus wearing some overalls that were extremely dirty, he looked concerned. He asks them what happened and the whole situation is explained, he tells them that they can crash with him and his parents for awhile until things are settled. Eddie later learns that the guy name is Steve and so far he’s pretty okay but Eddie doesn’t make things any better with his slick comments about his clothes, basically telling him that he needs a makeover. Even with all those comments Eddie was throwing his way Steve still managed to laugh about it and even tease Eddie back. Steve has come to the realization that Eddie only spits out a snarky remark when he gets flustered or blushes, Steve knows that Eddie has a crush on him but he just sits back and waits to see what Eddie is going to do about it. Eddie is so used to getting chased by anyone who wants him, they’d even beg on their knees to be with him and it was killing him that Steve wasn’t doing any of that.

Eddie goes out of his way to get Steve’s attention even if it meant wearing those dirty overalls, milking cows, washing horses, and feeding the chickens. The farm life was nothing like the Hollywood life that Eddie has spent years living. Steve loved every second of it too, making Eddie do unnecessary chores that he made up on the spot and he was actually stunned by the lengths Eddie would go through just to get Steve’s attention. This goes on for several weeks since the bus is still a wreck and it’s hard for Eddie’s team to get in contact with anyone to help them. Overtime the two start to bond and grow closer, they talk about how different they are from one another but they work so well. It doesn’t take Steve long to catch himself almost failing at his own game with Eddie and he’s so close to giving in and blurting out how he feels about him. The tension between them is insane especially when they get in each other’s face just have that last word after a remark and one of them will slowly close the gap just to rile each other up. Eddie feels like he’s going to lose his mind because the longer he stays the more he falls in love with Steve everyday and all of this e feelings starts building up inside of him until he just explodes.

One night Eddie pulls Steve by the his shirt making their faces come close and they could feel their breath tickling each other’s lips. Eddie’s eyes flicks to Steve’s lips the entire rim his looking at him and honestly he didn’t really care at this point, Steve did the same thing and a smirk played on his lips. They didn’t know if they were going to rip each other’s clothes off or passionately makeout until both of them were exhausted. All of it was a complete mystery as Eddie finally got the courage to speak up.

“Listen here cowboy, I’ve been busting my ass for weeks and sacrificed my fashion sense because I wanted you to look at me. I’m done with all the games you either like or you don’t, which one is it?” Eddie tried to keep up that confident voice that he had when he first got here but his voice cracked slightly through his sentence. Steve smiled before putting his hands on Eddie’s waist then pulling him forward, a light pink blush could be seen on his cheeks.

“I’ll stop playing when you tell me how you feel,” Steve whispered near Eddie’s ear making him shiver slightly. Steve wanted to hear Eddie say it, if he could say whatever he wanted on a stage in front of millions he knew Eddie could confess his feelings for him in a small town in a little shed with only them in it. “The stage is yours.”

“Don’t get smart with me asshole and fine I like you, shit I’ve liked you ever since I saw you come towards the bus. You’re sweet, funny, caring, hard working how could I not? So yeah, Harrington. I really like you… happy?” Eddie was a blushing mess when Steve cupped the side of his face and started closing the gap between them. He’s never had someone make him into a pile of mush the way Steve did and he fucking loved it.

“Very.” Steve said as he leaned in closer to Eddie’s face. Eddie felt like Steve was taking to long and he just pulled Steve by his shirt so their lips could finally connect after weeks of waiting. The kiss started off slow then eventually it became rough while their hands were rubbing all over each other’s bodies. Both of them becoming breathless once they pulled away.

“Let’s put those hours of horse back riding to good use, yeah?” Steve said lowly before lifting Eddie up and he wrapped his legs around Steve’s waist. Eddie’s eyes widened at the implication that Steve was making. For the first time in forever Eddie was speechless, Steve smiled before he pulled him in for another kiss.

[awrkive]

hi dee! this is gonna be such a long message and i hope u read the entirety when you got time ♥️ english is not my first language so im sorry if this is not exactly cohesive.

ive been reading ffs since since 2017 and i really feel u came right out of the 2017-2020 era of bts x reader fanfic community bcs the way u write makes me reminisce about those times. idk if this is just me being picky, but i feel like fics nowadays are focusing too much on the smutty parts instead of actually building a world around their characters. and i dont usually mind smut or pwp fics, i enjoy them time to time. but the problem with it is that it's honestly all i ever see now, esp with jungkook fics.

it feels like no one really wants to write a proper fanfic anymore? some of my fave x reader authors before here are gukyi, vankoya, btsmeetsweevil, kpopfanfictrash, fortunexkookie, prolixitae and many more that i cant really name anymore – all of which have deactivated or inactive now – and one thing about them was that as much as they wrote smut, there was actually more to their stories.

and that is honestly what i feel about your writing. its so simple but so profound in a way? like its so easily digestible but the simplicity of it does not exactly equate to plainness? i feel like the trend of writing pwp is to gain more traction (which was also a trend back then, but not to the point of overpowering) but i love that you dont exactly succumb to that and instead take time to build the world of ur characters in such a way that makes me feel so connected to them.

i just LOVEE how u create these backstory for ur main leads. like with nb, we are witnessing two strangers getting along with each other slowly but surely, and with tlp, we are witnessing two best friends navigating a crucial point in their lives relating to romance between them. and the YEARNING, the LONGING, and just the TENSION that you make me feel with those? its just so incredibly insane. the giddiness of it all – you dont get that from fics who just go straight right into sex.

and i know its just fanfiction and its not supposed to be that deep, but tbh fanfic is just as much of a form of art as other "published books" – esp when theyre written so well like yours.

i apologize if this is coming off as a rant at this point. i think im just frustrated with the lack of creativity im seeing nowadays with bts fanfics all over tumblr thru ao3, and ig im just frustrated that i cant bring back the golden era of 2017-2019 (or 2020 if u will) anymore for fanfics. but thank you so much for reviving that feeling for me♥️ i also know youre busy with college and all that, and im really really greatful you lend time to share ur writing with us all for free ♥️ i really adore your talent!! i hope u write for a long time ♥️♥️

- 🌱

this has been sitting on my inbox for the past three days and ive honestly just been rereading and rereading this over and over again because im so incredibly touched?

i agree that 2017-2020 was the best era for x reader bts ff esp 2018. writers were really putting in the work, and i just love how you mentioned all those lovely people. miss guyi (gukyi), miss ivory (vankoya), and miss lu (prolixitae) were some of my favorite blogs here EVER and they wrote some of the best fanfics in my life that i still read over and over again up to this time. they were literally a few of my inspo to also write fanfic on my own – and im so glad u think that my writing can make u feel like the way u do when u read theirs, bcs that means a whole lot to me!!

the bts fanfic community has truly changed for the past few years. prob cos the fandom has grown bigger overtime and things will just never be the same as they were before. its a huge factor that the great ff writers before are busy with their adult lives now and even if i myself am not really that much into reading ffs anymore these days, i still believe we'll pick up being better on the oncoming years!!

and lastly ur english is great and thank you so Freaking MUCH for sending this in. i truly am so moved and touched by this message 🥹 i hope u are having a great day wherever u are 🌱 anon!!

[chainofclovers]

some Beard/Ted for your Sunday

I shared this little snippet in discord and figured I'd put it here too. :) It's a standalone first kiss moment, although my intention is that it's a prequel to "anchor; release." I'm not putting it on ao3 because I like "anchor; release" being entirely limited to Michelle and Mae's perspectives, but I couldn't resist writing a tiny bit of insight into the Beard/Rebecca/Ted origin story for @boglady.

.

There isn’t a type of force in existence—not spring, not drag, not gravity, not tension, not contact, not kinetic friction, not static friction—that could uproot Beard from his current location. There’d be no point in trying. He’s too happy to move. He’d either succeed in staying put or he’d cease to exist, and either of those options sounds better than even a slight deviation from present circumstances. 

For once in their lives, he and Ted are alone in a room together without it feeling like they’re the only two people in the universe. They’re side-by-side on the couch, each with a beer bottle in hand, each in some version of t-shirt, slacks, sock feet. They are not alone in the flat. Clare is asleep in her crib, tucked into her little nook. (And yes, if Clare woke up and needed him, he’d be on his feet immediately, responding to a pull far stronger than gravity.) There are people in the kitchen, the four or five people—no, definitely five—still here even though the rest of the party scattered a while ago. Above the pleasant ambient hum of people nearby but only barely in earshot, he can hear Rebecca making the case for which cheeses to take back to the living room to accompany the crackers already sitting out here on the coffee table. Without realizing it, she’s speaking more loudly than necessary, using the specific voice she brings out when she’s drunk and trying to be quiet and courteous.

Beard glances at Ted, who’s tilted his head back enough to rest it against the couch cushion. He’s staring at the ceiling listening to Rebecca, a faint smile playing at his mouth. Beard leans back too, listens too. 

All week, everyone kept asking him if he really wanted to host the party for Ted, if it was really all right, if it was going to be too much trouble. On top of single-parenting a six-month-old, is what he assumed they meant. But hosting this party has been the easiest thing he’s done in years. He bought a bunch of cheese, a bunch of booze, paper plates because he only has four real ones. He didn’t have to figure out childcare. He didn’t have to deal with transportation. The party will end and he’ll be at home because he’s already at home. 

“Hey,” Ted says slowly. “This just occurred to me.” 

Beard adjusts his head to look at him, just in time to catch the spreading smile. “What?”

“We don’t have to stop hangin’ out.” Ted frowns a little. “Well. In a couple weeks, but that’s way far out in the distance. Nothin’ to worry about right now.” He chuckles, and it’s nearly a giggle; if Beard didn’t know any better, he’d think Ted had helped himself to a toke of something. “But for now it’s like—I’m crashing at your place, so we don’t even have to say goodbye at the end of the night—”

“Just goodnight,” Beard says.

“Right. Just goodnight.” 

There’s a peal of laughter from the kitchen. Rebecca. Then Keeley: “Shh shh shh!” followed by her own little burst of mirth. 

Ted shifts just slightly so they’re facing each other. Not quite lost in his gaze, Beard asks himself if he is fully aware of the billions of people currently alive on planet earth, the hundred or so on this block, maybe ten in this building, five in the kitchen, one safe in her nook. He is aware. Ted leans closer. It causes Beard to move. All he has to do is angle his head just a degree or two forward from where he’d been (he’s too happy not to) and their lips brush. 

They pull away from each other right away, but there’s no current of panic between them. They both click Save, and just in time. The room immediately fills up—a replenished cheese tray, Rebecca’s perfume, the thwack of a cork pulled from a bottle, closer voices, the dip of the couch—and stays full of everything it held just before.

[whoslaurapalmer]

what are lemony and ernest doing right now?

lemony and baby bea are staying at the hotel ernest and frank are running post hotel denouement and lemony and ernest are pretending not to recognize each other but the tension is slowly and steadily building and any moment now, one of them is going to snap, and they’ll have a dinner date, because they are classy.

(this is not my best, but i tried!!)

GASP!! no no this is perfect. of COURSE they have a dinner date; both of them ARE so classy it is no less than pretentious and candlelit. babybea picks out lemony's tie. (it is green. lemony is too touched to tell her he's never been one for green. more pressing is, in fact, where did she find the tie?) (lemony, you think your niece leaves home without a bag prepared for any event?? she's probably got a broadsword in there somewhere. it's foldable. she made it herself and she's very proud of it. don't tell violet.)

but first, let's backtrack a little --

lemony and ernest have not spoken since lemony's research for the books, which was, oh that's always a hard timeline to pin down no matter what theory you roll with, but let's say a few years ago at minimum, and it was probably very slim communication anyway. neither of them were probably in a great place to say anything more? it was very formal, barely anything, mostly confirming details. and before THAT, it was many, many years previously, when beatrice and bertrand were still alive, and of course everything was very dicey for a whole host of reasons, nearly half of them schism related. and nothing, special ever happened between lemony and ernest. nothing really at all ever happened between them, nothing like a friendship and especially not a relationship. but they looked at each other and had an understanding, back then. there was a respect, for what they stood for, even if they were not necessarily standing in the same place. and that alone was enough to make even an idle look across a room complicated. and to see each other now is -- it's a lot of things.

neither of them have ever forgotten each other. not just because they're some of the few left of their generation of vfd. how do you forget someone like lemony, especially because, no matter what lemony has done or how he's tried to hide, he's also made it so that no one could ever forget him, or what he tried to do? how do you forget someone like ernest, suspicious and untrustworthy and forgettable to the wrong eyes, but to the right ones, to the people who looked, clever and aware and charming, someone also trying his hardest to do what he thought was best? they were both very dangerous people, once. to other people, to each other, to themselves. but now most of the people that danger mattered to are dead. things are so different, so many people they knew and loved are dead. and now they're -- just two men, older than they ever thought they'd get to be, enjoying a fragile freedom neither of them thought was possible either, pretending not to recognize each other, lemony because he doesn't know if he should say anything, even if the only thing stopping him now is his own eternal anxiety, ernest because he is waiting to see how long it will take lemony to stop overthinking. and both of them are very good at waiting.

frank: why do you keep bringing that lunch table bread baskets? don't they have enough bread by now? ernest: i'm waiting for lemony snicket to stop being stupid frank: frank: wait, w h a t ernest: what do you think? five dollars for another hour, at minimum? ten? frank: w h a t ??????????????? ernest: don't tell me that's steep, you can afford it.

now, babybea poses a minor problem -- if she hasn't met the denouements at this point, this is terribly awkward, because she has not two but three total uncles engaging in a severe lack of eye contact over her head while she and one out of three uncles eat a nice hotel lunch, and eventually SOMEONE is going to go, hold the FUCK up there's a child there, but if she HAS met the denouements at this point, this is very frustrating for her, because she has three uncles engaging in a severe lack of eye contact over her head and she wants to know WHY.

babybea: uncle lemony, why does uncle ernest keep bringing us bread baskets? lemony, thinking babybea is still too young to understand the intense psychological warfare between old, friends?, while picking up a breadstick: you should never pass up an opportunity for bread, beatrice. babybea: why don't you just say hi to him? lemony: oh, well -- he's much too far away. i would not want to bother him. ernest, standing five feet away, casually leaning against a sideboard, going through the afternoon paper: hmm, might rain later.

babybea, who at this point has been given A Phone, texts sunny to tell her what's happening, and sunny sends back '🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖' which babybea interprets as 'please bring the bread home'

violet: sunny, what are you laughing at? sunny: stupidity klaus: i KNEW we should've gone with them.

lunch passes, with little else happening. babybea asks frank if he's finished any new ships in bottles, his current meticulous control-based hobby of choice. he has, and they spend a nice afternoon together talking about tiny craft hobbies and different types of ships. she shows him her foldable broadsword, and he is both impressed, and concerned.

frank, on the phone: violet do you know about the -- violet: oh yes, i know about the broadsword.

so that leaves us with lemony and ernest, now engaging in what could be called high stakes hide and seek, only without quite, hiding, or, seeking. at this point, they, or just lemony in particular, i guess, have passed the 'should i do something' point and now it's more a matter of pure principle, keeping up this not talking not looking game. and ernest will never pass up a good game. they while away the afternoon wandering about the hotel, spending time in the same rooms just not interacting with each other at all, individually reading more of the paper or commenting on the weather or the food or the books in the hotel library (because of course it has a library.) (i've been in a hotel twice in my whole life. i am not. entirely clear on what they could conceivably contain.) (but also, OF COURSE they'd put a library in the hotel, for lots of reasons), just waiting for the other to break first. it's so. goodness, these two.

(let's also assume it's a slow hotel week. i did have a joke in here about other guests watching this go down, but i think it's pushing it a little.)

of course, it does start to wear on them after a while. all the not-looking. it does get silly. they wind up looking at the other when the other one isn't, looking. eventually, they find themselves in the same hallway, looking at the same painting of a frog lamp.

lemony: it's very well done. ernest: had enough, have you? lemony: i do mean it. i am afraid i don't know a great deal about art, but i think the brush strokes are excellent. ernest: ........thank you.

(i think ernest's own hobby of choice is painting. idk, i think he'd find it nice. calming.)

what is there to say? what other games are there to play, really? what do you gain by that? how do you exist as Just Two Guys At The End Of The World, When The World Is Still Going? there's a lot in here. there doesn't have to be. but there is. and it doesn't even matter to talk about it anymore, but it's still There, you know? some habits and old fears die very, very hard.

babybea, from down the hall: uncle lemony, uncle frank gave me one of his ship in a bottle kits!

but there is still so much else in the world, somehow! isn't it something.

ernest: dinner? lemony: that would be nice, yes.

SO, THE DINNER DATE. yes, lemony's green tie. ernest actually thinks it's charming, but fully agrees, it's not lemony's color. but they both look stunning in well-cut suits. they don't eat at the hotel, but go to a restaurant. again, pretentious and candlelit. wine is involved. they share a dessert. it is very much a date and also not a date, because it's a little strange, to think of it as a date, when you've just started talking to someone again. ..........but it's a date. there is a great deal of eye contact. it's very thrilling for both of them to keep looking up and finding the other still sitting there. it's one of the most terrifyingly normal things lemony and ernest have ever done. they can do normal things, now! what a world. wow.

(sunny: update babybea: they went to [restaurant name redacted] sunny: ❗❗❗😡😡😡😡😡🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐 frank, looking over babybea's shoulder, because now he has to babysit, and you KNOW frank eavesdrops on anything. can you eavesdrop on a text? you know what i mean: oh, that's unnecessary. (frank, do you even text. do you even know what an emoji is. frank.) babybea: sunny likes bread.) (anyway, sunny wants the restaurant bread too. that's a fancy restaurant.)

oh, they do bring home the bread. it is reprehensible to not take any leftover bread from a restaurant. they do have a bit of a time trying to sneak it in their suit pockets, until their waitress just hands them a bag for it. sunny gets to eat a great deal of delicious bread, the next day.

[viscountessevie]

Hunt On Dark Waters [ARC Review]

Release Date: 7th November 2023

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

My Review:

Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert is a contemporary romance set in a fantasy world of various realms. Our witchy heroine, Evelyn has a bad habit of swiping valuables with her sticky fingers. After stealing from her ex Lizzie, a powerful vampire, she escapes through a portal. Evie finds herself floundering in the magical sea between realms called Threshold. She is then rescued onto the Crimson Hag, home to our telekentic hero.

With no tangible childhood he could remember, Captain Bowen's unflinching loyalty to his ship under the Cŵn Annwn has been his life's duty. The Cŵn Annwn is a network of ships like the Crimson Hag operate under. He has always enforced their rules and vows with no questions asked. Evelyn is no exception to the rule and he gives her the ultimatum to join their ranks or die.

As Evelyn tries to evade honouring her vow, their two personalities clash. Tensions turn into something more. Through their journey together, secrets begin to surface and they both start questioning everything they have stood for.

~~~

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and really took my time with this as I did not want it to end. I adored the book and am really loving Katee in this point of her writing career -consisting of epic sagas with political themes and great messaging. Just like I have been enjoying the ride through Dark Olympus, she is now taking us to the sea across the magical Threshold.

The world building was done extremely well. It was an immersive experience. From the physical space of Evelyn's world to the Threshold sea and the various islands surrounding it. Then we were introduced how the Crimson Hag is run and what exactly the Cŵn Annwn are.

On to the characters, I loved how fleshed out Evelyn and Bowen are as individuals before they get together. They are both very different people and feel so distinct in their point of views. I usually find that multiple point of views can get muddled with an author's narrative voice if there isn't a unique tone for the different characters.

However, Katee did excellent in distinguishing between Evelyn and Bowen's chapters. The differences were stark and it was a good contrast between the two. Evie initially starts out as a witty, sarcastic fun loving witch with a sentimental streak and some familial grief for baggage. While Bowen is a straight-laced Eldest Child coded man who is always following the rules of the Cŵn Annwn and would never think twice about going against them. He is very much of the mindset not to bite the hand that fed him. Or in his case, the people who saved and took him in as their own.

These two really go through a brilliant development over the course of the book. Flighty Evie finally finds herself a cause and someone to anchor herself to. On the other hand, Bowen starts to question the cracks within the corrupt system that is the Cŵn Annwn.

The main allegory within the book I really enjoyed was The Cŵn Annwn. They were meant to parallel the militarised police in our world. Katee does a great job of showing something isn't quite right with their organisation from the very start. Then slowly peels back the layers of Cŵn Annwn with each act to reveal their true colours. It is mostly through Bowen's point of view, whose gratitude comes from being taken in years ago. When Evie starts to question their modus operandi, we realise it's terrible system. It hits harder when Bowen has to confront the fact that he and his crew weren't really 'one of the good ones' and were just upholding a corrupt system.

In line with this, the plot was detailed, very thought out and well-paced. While there are loose ends regarding Bowen's past and a big event that happened to close off Act 2, I'm confident it will all be tied up in due time. The Act 2 Event is going to come back full circle in the next book as hinted in it's summary. As for the overarching plot of the series, it's been well set up. The direction the bigger story is taking is very clear. I am very excited for my favourite non-binary characters, Kit and Nox to hopefully show up! The way those two were being written, I'm hoping for either recurring roles or respective books for them.

As for the romance, it was solid. I liked their chemistry and banter in their scenes together. However, I felt that the development from lust to love could have been drawn out. Maybe by a chapter or two. They needed a bit more time to bridge the gap between being rivals who had an attraction to falling in love. It just felt like sex was substituted in when we could have gotten one or two more scenes to give their connection more depth. This was slightly remedied during their love declarations which pinpointed the moments they started to fall for the other.

Overall, I loved this book! Katee definitely delivered on all fronts. She has done it once again with her intricate way she built this universe - with Threshold and its interesting characters. This was a great first book with a sweet romance while wondefully setting up the upcoming series. I'm certain we will be seeing some recurring characters as they all come together to work towards their common goal. I definitely would recommend this for anyone looking for a pirate fantasy romance, vibrant settings and for those wanting to invest in an epic saga!

Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Del Rey for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.