#they are made for quiet afternoons in the sun NOT KILLING GODS

[paperglader]

watching ep 104, listening to laudna talk about Whitestone festivals and crops, and watching Imogen just look at her so smitten… I can’t help but feel like it’s funny that they got roped into this whole god eater thing, cause they really are the most build-for-domestic-life motherfuckers I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

Like tell me that you cannot see it in Imogen’s eyes how badly she just wants to elope with this woman on a little farm where they can raise horses and garden and have small little quiet lives in a place that doesn’t suck like gelvaan and where they can get their peace but also get to enjoy the little things in life??? And she looks this way anytime laudna like breathes.

Meanwhile they have to go off and try to kill a god and maybe die in the process or whatever

[mountainsandmayhem]

God Bless The She Devil Who Made Joel Miller

Pairing: BFD!Joel x F!Reader

18+ only!!!

Summary: After a fight with your boyfriend, your best friend Sarah invites you to say with her at her childhood home with her dad.

CW: Joel be peekin, Joel is mean (but you like it). I’m choosing not to say anything else to not spoil anything so engage at your own risk.

AN: You can all thank @littlevenicebitch69 for this. She asked for being caught, but I am daddy and I know what she really wants 😉 thank you @mermaidgirl30 for being my forever beta xo

Graphics by @saradika-graphics

God bless the absolute angel who brought Sarah Miller into your life. She somehow convinced her dad to let you stay with them over spring break after your boyfriend locked you out of your shared apartment and then refused to answer the phone or let you in. Sweet, empathetic, and dependable Sarah was at your apartment minutes after you called her and didn’t have to say much to her dad to let him allow you to stay.

And God bless the absolute she devil who made Joel Miller and put him in close proximity with you. You have a boyfriend, maybe, you can’t be sure, but you do know you have it HARD for Joel Mother Fucking Miller. He’s exactly the type of man that would classify as a DILF, and you don’t even consider yourself into older men. But Joel isn’t older, he’s experienced and charming and every single thing he does seems to turn you on.

Sarah has been working a day shift at the local grocery store during the break and Joel is off running his contracting business. Joel Miller, sweaty and dirty and building things with his large calloused hands. Fuck, you try to shake that image from your brain because you certainly do not need another image of him to touch yourself too.

You have a job serving in the evenings so the house is quiet and all yours during the day. This afternoon the sun peeks through your curtains and wakes you. Sun dancing along the pale yellow walls of the spare bedroom. You pick up your phone and see that it’s clear and sunny, the perfect day to lay out by the pool that Joel said you could use, “make yourself at home, darlin’, any friend of Sarah is welcome anytime.”

You practically leap out of bed and into your ensuite bathroom to brush your teeth and get ready to lay out in the sun. You rush down the hall in the swimsuit Sarah lent you, a large blue and white striped pool towel tucked under your arm.

You love Sarah, but there’s no chance you’re wearing this ridiculous one piece swimsuit to tan, plus you’re alone so what’s the harm? Joel doesn’t get home until well after 5 pm most nights, Sarah usually around 3 or 4, and she’s seen you naked more than once. Plus the backyard is fairly private, most likely no one will see anything.

Fuck it, you think to yourself, slipping the red lycra straps off your shoulders and then shimmying the suit down your body. The sun immediately warms your skin and that boost of vitamin D already has you feeling lighter and happier. You spread the towel down on the chair and lay on your stomach, tying your hair on top of your head and then grabbing your phone.

You flip through Spotify before settling on the album Ten by Pearl Jam. As the first song floats across the backyard, you rest your cheek on your hands and let the fast paced grunge music wash away your thoughts of your boyfriend and what you’re going to do next week when you go back to school. All that matters now is the sun on your skin.

X•X•X•X•X•X•X

Joel was just about to start working on some paperwork for his next building when he heard movement in the hallway. You must be up for the day, he should probably let you know he’s working from home today, just in case. He wants you to be comfortable here, even if it’s killing him to see you wandering around his house in those small denim shorts you wear to work. Last night he was almost certain he could see your hard nipples peeking out from the fabric of your tight white t-shirt.

Absolutely not, Joel. He scolds himself.

He hears you pad down the hall and then the unmistakable swoosh of the sliding glass door to the backyard. He glances out the window in his office to see you slip the red swimsuit Sarah lent you off your body. His cock was already painfully hard behind his jeans.

She just turned 21. The Angel on his shoulder reminds the devil that’s tempting him from the other side.

His mouth waters as he looks at your body. Your tits are perky, pink little nipples hardening as the air hits them.

She's going through a hard time. The good side of his conscience seems to be losing but he finds an ounce of strength and looks away. He can’t be staring at you.

He tries to focus on this goddamn contract but even little deadline and “initial here” blend together and all he can see in the jumbled words of the page is that little strip of hair that leads to that bundle of nerves he so badly wants to suck on. When he looks up again you’re laying face down, round and perky ass facing his window and on display for him. She must not know he’s home, and now she’s going to think he’s a total fucking creep if he says something now.

She’s your daughter's best friend. No, she’s off limits. Beyond off limits. Get it together, Miller.

And then your music drifts through his cracked window. You’re listening to Pearl Jam. So now not only are you incredibly tempting but you also have the music of his teenage years blasting. He can’t resist anymore, glancing out of the window to see you still laying on your stomach and your plush ass bouncing along as you wiggle to Eddie Vedder singing about still being alive.

He’s not sure how it happens, his body seems to move without him knowing, and suddenly he’s standing at the window, staring down into the backyard at you. His muscular arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the large window frame.

He slows his breathing and focuses on you - every dip and curve, every freckle, every little bit of skin being absorbed by his heated gaze. Your legs are slightly parted, but not enough for him to be able to see your cunt, and fuck does he want to see it.

His palms tingle with the need to cup your ass, maybe spank you for being naked in the middle of the day. He has neighbors, they could see you right now. This is unacceptable and you should be punished.

Just as he’s about to head downstairs his cell phone rings loudly and you shoot up onto your elbows and look over your shoulder at him, eyes locking with his before a tiny smile crosses your face. Joel looks away quickly and grabs his cell, almost crushing the device in his grasp as he answers.

X•X•X•X•X•X•X

Joel Miller was fully lurking at your naked body, and while that should probably embarrass you, you need to get fucked. You need something, anything, to forget about that piece of shit boyfriend who locked you out and refuses to talk to you or let you get your stuff. Sarah told you when you first met that he had her when he was 19, so it’s not like he’s THAT much older than you. Plus it’s just fucking.

Yep, I’m going for it.

You gather the towel around your body loosely, hooking your swimsuit on your finger and twirling it happily as you head into the house, determined to confront him and then seduce him. When you head up the stairs he’s standing in the doorframe of his office, just across from the spare bedroom you’re occupying. He looks deliciously pissed, one arm propped above his head on the door frame, the other on his hip, knee popped out. Your pussy flutters at the thought of his large, angry body above yours.

The opening bars of Jeremy fill the silence between you two, almost daring the other to make the first move.

“Turn that off,” Joel snaps. “I’m working.”

“Didn’t look like you were working a few minutes ago,” you say back, matching his energy.

Joel’s eyes narrow, brows furrowing, but you can tell he’s fighting to keep his eyes on yours. You lick your lips, testing him, teasing him, pushing him to see if he’ll take the bait. The flick of his eyes to your lips happens so quickly you almost miss it.

You let out a scoff, “Ya, that’s what I thought.” You step towards him, so close that you can smell the coffee and sawdust on him. “Wanna take a break from all that work?” You say the word work teasingly, trying to entice him.

“Go to your room and put some clothes on. Don’t let me catch you naked in the backyard again,” He says deeply, then closes his office door in your face.

You smirk to yourself, dropping the towel at his door and wandering into your room leaving the door wide open. You hook your phone to the Bluetooth speaker as you lay on your bed completely naked. You hit the volume button and slip your hand between your legs, rubbing your clit in fast, little circles.

“Daddy didn’t give no affection, no

And the boy was something that Mommy wouldn’t wear

King Jeremy the wicked

Oh, ruled his world”

Joel whips his office door open looking absolutely furious. His breath catches in his throat at the sight of you. Bare, wide open, and soaking wet. You don’t stop, don’t even bother to look his way, as you dip your fingers into your pussy and cry out his name. Joel steps into your room and hits the power button on your speaker. The only sounds that film the room are your moans and the squelching of your arousal as your fingers slip in and out of your pussy.

“What the fuck did I just say, little girl?” Joel says darkly.

You open your eyes to look at him and the expression on his face sends your heart into your stomach. You’ve always been a little bit of a brat, getting in trouble lots growing up. Truthfully, you like the rush of it, the adrenaline of the unknown. But Joel looks dangerous, eyes blown out with rage and lust, hands clamped into fists at his sides, a slight blush pinks his cheeks, lips in a tight line.

You sit up, crossing your legs and covering yourself with a pillow as you turn towards him. You’re suddenly not feeling so confident, you may have pushed the wrong man.

“Y-you said outside,” you start, your voice wavering. “I’m inside.”

Joel moves so quickly that you don’t even have time to register what’s happening as the pillow is ripped from your grip and disposed of on the floor in front of you. You’re bare and exposed to him again.

“Spread your legs,” he says hungrily, voice a raspy whisper.

He watches your throat as you swallow hard, leaning back on your elbows and planting your feet on the edge of the bed. You look at him tentatively, jumping and letting out a little squeal when he barks, “I said spread your fucking legs.”

You relax, letting your knees fall open. His breathing is rapid, a growling moan leaving his parted lips. He takes one step, his knees hitting the edge of the bed.

“Joel -” you start.

“Shut up. You knew what you were doing, you wanted this. Didn’t you?”

“Y-Yes, but…” his hand slaps the inside of your thigh and your knees slam together as you cry out.

“Spread. Your fucking. Legs,” he repeats in a slow and deep command.

“That hurt!” You say back, squeezing your knees together tighter. It feels like he set fire to your thigh and you can already see the red handprint forming.

“If you’re gonna act like a little brat, I’m going to treat you like one. Now spread your legs so I can hit the other one.” He raises an eyebrow at you cockily. “If you keep them open, I might reward you.” You’ve bit off more than you can chew with Joel Miller.

You take in a calming breath through your nose, relaxing your knees as you exhale slowly. Joel can see the milky, sticky strings of your arousal as your pussy lips spread open for him. He has to swallow the excess saliva that pools in his cheeks at the sight. He wants to taste you so fucking badly.

“I think you liked it,” he taunts. “You’re makin’ a mess, you like being slapped around, don’t you? Treated like a little whore.”

Before you can respond he lays a hard smack on your other thigh. Your hips involuntarily buck upwards, your head falling back and a moaning, whimpering cry you don’t recognize as your own leaves your lips. You focus on your knees, fighting against your body’s instincts, keeping them pushed into the mattress.

“That’s what I thought,” he says as he kneels in front of you and yanks your ass to the edge of the bed. “Think you should get a reward now?”

“Y-yes, please, Joel. Please!” You have never had to beg for sex before, boys your age are usually fired up and ready to go, but men of Joel’s age know sex is so much more than just penetration - it’s a game, a tease.

He bites down on your thigh, “Please. Please, Joel!”

“You smell so fucking good,” he says as his hooked nose trails down your little line of pubic hair. You squirm under him as your clit twitches, aching for his attention. “And so goddamn wet. My little whore, aren’t ya?” His warm breath hits your needy clit and you flop down onto the bed, whining in need.

“Please -” but your words are cut off by the front door opening and Sarah’s voice calls through the house.

“Everyone can celebrate, I’m home now!!!” She yells jokingly.

“Fuck!” Joel huffs under his breath and bolts for his office, kicks your towel and swimsuit into your room, you follow and click your door shut quietly.

“Hello?” Sarah calls, heading up the stairs.

“Just getting dressed,” you call through your closed door. “I think your dad is in a meeting.”

“Put on your swimsuit, it’s gorgeous outside!”

Taglist

@corazondebeskar @hiddenbabynyc @rainstorms-library @smutsmutslut @sullyrocky44

@keylimebeag @pimosworld @casa-boiardi @pedritoferg @paleidiot

@javierpena-inatacvest @blazeflays @akah565 @pinkiec6-rubi @pedroshotwifey

@lorilane33 @pansexual-potatoes @jessthebaker @jasminedragoon @koshkaj-blog

@pedroswife69 @strawberri-blonde @none-of-this-makes-any-sense @iloveenya

@iluvurfather @ashleyfilm @mermaidgirl30 @untamedheart81

[acute-crashout-jeyuso]

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

Chapter 33: True Meaning…

7:37 PM

The sun was starting to set, barely peeking over the clouds, just before Rhea made her way to the hospital to visit Jey. The crisp air of the Pensacola late afternoon swirled around her as she stepped onto the porch, seeking a moment of calm before the overwhelming anxiety of seeing Jey in the ICU again. As she walked out, she spotted Jaciyah sitting on the porch steps, his back leaning against the wooden rail, lost in the music playing through his AirPods.

Rhea hesitated for a second, watching him. They hadn’t really spoken since that movie night in September, when she had handed him a pack of Jolly Ranchers, trying to bridge the gap between them. Both had been unsure of how to navigate the complexities of this new dynamic. But Takecia urged her to sit down beside him today and that’s what she was determined to do.

Jaciyah, sensing her presence, removed one of his AirPods and glanced at her, acknowledging her quietly before pulling out the other one. The two sat in silence for a few moments, letting the gentle breeze dance around them.

Then, unexpectedly, Jaciyah broke the silence. “Did it hurt?”

Rhea turned to him, confused by his question. “What do you mean?”

He kept his eyes forward, staring off at the distance, his voice soft but serious. “Did it hurt when you tried to kill yourself?”

The question hit her like a ton of bricks. She wasn’t sure how to respond, caught off guard by the weight of the moment. Rhea felt her breath catch in her throat, unsure if she could give Jey’s eldest son the answer he deserved, or if she even knew how to explain it in a way that made sense.

She looked down at her hands, fiddling with the chain around her neck that Jey had given her. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she said softly, “I wasn’t in the right headspace.”

Jaciyah didn’t respond immediately. He took a deep breath, clearly thinking about what she had said before adding, “God says it’s a sin to do that.”

Rhea’s chest tightened at his words. She sighed, unsure of how to tread in this conversation but knowing it was important.

“I think… maybe God sent an angel to me,” she said quietly, looking up at the sky as if Julie would make her presence once more. “To tell me that my life isn’t over yet. I don’t know how else to explain it. I felt like I was drowning, and in that moment, nothing made sense. But something, or someone, pulled me back.”

Jaciyah shifted beside her, and Rhea felt the weight of his gaze on her. “I’ve never seen my dad that sad before.”

His words cut through her like a knife. Jey—her Jey—had been devastated, and she had caused that pain. It was something she could never take back, no matter how much she wanted to.

“I scared a lot of people,” Rhea admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Your dad… my family, Jon, Trinity… you, too. And I’m sorry for that. I never meant to hurt anyone.”

The silence between them thickened, but in that quiet space, there was a mutual understanding. Jaciyah was just a kid—still trying to make sense of a complicated adult world, just as she was trying to find her own way in it.

“I’m glad you didn’t die,” Jaciyah said softly, after a beat. His words were simple, but they carried the weight of a boy who had seen too much, who had watched his father break, and who was now standing at the crossroads of understanding how fragile life really was.

Rhea turned to him and gave a small, sad smile. “Me too.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, there was a sense of connection between them, however fleeting.

—

Later on, Rhea rolled up to the Wendy’s drive-thru window, thanking the lady as she grabbed her food. It wasn’t her favorite fast food, but it would hold her over for the long night ahead. She tossed the bag onto the passenger seat and headed toward the hospital, where she knew she’d be spending an evening by Jey’s side.

Parking in the overnight visitor lot, Rhea slung her backpack over her shoulder, making sure her laptop was inside along with a few essentials. She carefully grabbed her food and made her way through the hospital, taking the familiar path up to the third-floor ICU.

Once she reached Jey’s room, she nudged the door open, her eyes instantly landing on him. The constant beeps of the monitors were the only sign of life in the quiet room. Setting her things down on the tray beside the bed, she leaned in and gently kissed Jey’s lips, her fingers brushing his cheek.

“Good evening babe..” she whispered, her voice soft but full of affection.

Rhea sat down in the chair beside the bed, feeling the weight of the day lift off her shoulders as she settled in for the night. She opened her backpack, pulling out her laptop. Navigating through her downloads list, she settled on on Jey’s favorites—Harlem Nights.

She positioned the laptop on the tray so both she and Jey could “watch” together, even if he wasn’t able to respond. It was something she’d figured to try—acting as if nothing had changed, as if he were awake and they were just enjoying each other’s company like always.

Rhea unwrapped her food, the scent of Wendy’s fries filling the room as she took her first bite. A smile tugged at her lips as the movie began. Every time something funny happened on screen, she found herself laughing out loud, glancing at Jey as if waiting for him to laugh along with her.

“She really said go ahead and shoot me in my pinkie toe,” she said between bites, her heart aching for a response she knew wouldn’t come—at least not yet.

But she stayed hopeful, enjoying the movie as if they were both there together, just like old times.

After finishing her meal, Rhea crumpled the wrappers into a ball and tossed them into the trash bin by the door. The smell of Wendy’s lingered in the air, but she didn’t mind; it had given her some comfort for the moment. Now, her eyes fell on Jey, still lying in the hospital bed, his chest rising and falling, she found herself focusing on more and more lately. Her gaze landed on the silver bracelet Jon had placed on his wrist and the ula fala draped across his chest, placed by Joe. These symbols, small yet so significant, reminded her of the deep roots he had within his family and how much everyone was fighting to bring him back to them.

She leaned down, brushing her lips against his, just for a second longer this time. It was a soft, lingering kiss. “I wish you would just wake up…” she whispered, barely able to hold back the tremble in her voice.

Her thumb gently traced the edge of his tattooed arm, feeling the warmth beneath his skin. It was hard to believe that under all the stillness, all the silence, he was still there, fighting. Rhea let out a sigh, leaning her head down onto his stomach. She could feel the faint rise and fall of his abdomen as he breathed, the only reassurance she had that he was still with her, though locked away in some other world. It wasn’t enough. She wanted more than the rise and fall, more than the steady beep of the machines. She wanted him—his voice, his laugh, his presence.

She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his breathing. The weight of the day started pressing down on her, exhaustion creeping into her limbs. How long had she been here, in this waiting game? The days blurred together. She didn’t know anymore.

Just as she was about to drift off into a light sleep, something shifted beneath her. A faint pressure pushed against her head, and her eyes flew open. Had she imagined it? She wasn’t sure, but then it happened again—a slight movement, as if he were trying to speak.

“Why do you always have to wake me up?”

Rhea’s heart stopped, her breath catching in her throat as her head snapped up. Her wide, startled eyes locked onto Jey’s face, searching for confirmation that she hadn’t just imagined the voice. His eyelids were half-open now, and his lips, curved into a familiar, lazy grin, sent a shock of disbelief straight through her.

“Jey?” Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper, as if she was afraid saying his name would shatter this moment, would make him disappear back into that unresponsive state.

He blinked slowly, his eyes hazy but clearly focused on her, his grin widening despite the effort it took him. “Why do you always have to wake me up?” he repeated, his voice a low rasp, but there was that teasing edge in it—the one that used to drive her crazy.

Rhea’s eyes welled with tears before she could even process it. “Oh my God,” she whispered, her hands trembling as she reached for him, as if to make sure he was real, to make sure this wasn’t some cruel dream playing tricks on her tired mind. Her fingertips brushed against his face, feeling the rough stubble that had grown during his time here. He was really here.

She couldn’t hold herself back any longer. In a rush of emotion, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him tightly, burying her face into his neck. The smell of antiseptic and hospital linens faded beneath the scent of his skin, and that was all she needed right now—him.

“I missed you so much,” she sobbed, the words muffled against his shoulder.

“Babe… my arm…” Jey’s voice came out in a pained groan, the sound snapping her out of her emotional trance.

“Oh shit!” Rhea immediately released him, her hands hovering as if unsure where to touch him now. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry,” she babbled, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Jey winced, but there was still that little smirk on his lips, even as he shifted uncomfortably in the bed. “Always so extra, huh?” he muttered, his voice still raspy, but it held that same playful tone he always had with her.

Rhea, still overwhelmed with emotion, let out a breathy laugh. “Well, excuse me for being happy you’re awake,” she retorted, trying to compose herself but failing miserably as fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.

Jey raised his hand—the one without the IV—and weakly wiped away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. His fingers were slow and shaky, but the gesture was enough to make her melt all over again.

“Stop crying, girl,” he said softly. “I’m still here.”

Rhea sniffed, holding his hand against her cheek. “I know, I know… I just… I thought I’d lost you.”

He chuckled weakly. “Nah, I’m not going anywhere. Can’t leave my little button nose all alone, can I?”

Rhea grinned, choking on a laugh as she leaned in closer to him. “You better not,” she whispered, pressing her forehead to his. “Because I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”

They stayed like that for a moment, forehead to forehead, Jey’s slow breaths mixing with Rhea’s. It was as if the world outside the hospital room had stopped for them, just for this one precious moment where nothing else mattered but the fact that he was awake, alive, and still hers.

“I love you,” she whispered, her voice soft but filled with all the emotion she’d been holding back for so long.

Jey’s eyes flickered with warmth, and he gave her the tiniest nod. “Love you too, babe,” he murmured, his voice low and sincere. Then, with a small, tired grin, he added, “Now… when can we go home?” Jey asked.

“Easy there babe. Let me call for the nurse.” Rhea replied.

After some time the nurses finished checking all his vitals, satisfied with the readings. They began the orders to remove his medical aids, carefully unhooking him from the machines that had been a constant presence during his time in the ICU. Jey shifted slightly, the freedom feeling odd yet refreshing.

Rhea pulled out her phone, a grin spreading across her face. “We have to let the cavalry know you’re awake!”

Jey chuckled lightly, the sound a little raspy but full of life. “I can only imagine the chaos that’s about to ensue.”

“Hey, do I look good?” Jey asked, glancing at Rhea with a teasing smirk.

Rhea rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a laugh. “Really? You’re in a hospital bed, Jey. I don’t have the water bottle to make your hair sleek like you usually do.”

“Just asking for a friend,” he replied, laughing softly, wincing a little as he shifted his position.

Rhea raised her phone and pressed record. “Say something for the fans, Uce,” she urged, her excitement bubbling over.

Jey took a breath, puffing out his chest slightly, and grinned into the camera. “Nothing could keep Uce down!” he proclaimed, his voice gaining strength.

The two of them shared a laugh, and Rhea leaned in to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. “Perfect!” she exclaimed, stopping the recording.

She pressed send to a group message titled “The Family” that included Joe, Jon, Trinity, Joseph, Solofa, Galina, Almia, and Takecia.

The Family:

• Rhea: [Video of Jey] “Look who’s awake! 🥳❤️”

• Joe: “Let’s go! Uce is back! 🙌🔥”

• Jon: “Hell yes! I knew you’d pull through, brother!”

• Trinity: “So happy for you, Jey! Can’t wait to see you!”

• Joseph: “Yessss! Party at the Uso house?”

• Solofa: “You’re a warrior, Jey! We love you son!”

• Galina: “Can’t wait to celebrate! 😍”

• Almia: “Yay! So relieved!”

• Takecia: “I’m already on my way with the kids!”

Rhea smiled at the responses flooding in before she sent the same video to another group chat titled “Squad” for her their friends.

Group Chat: Squad

• Rhea: [Video of Jey] “My papi is awake! 🎉💖”

• Damian: “Let’s go! The party starts now! 🍾”

• Kayden: “Yes! I’m so glad to hear this! We need to celebrate!”

• Finn: “Count me in for the welcome back bash!”

• Liv: “OMG! This is amazing news! Love you both! 😘”

• Dom: “He’s coming back to steal the spotlight! Get ready!”

• Cody: “Jey, you’re a legend! Can’t wait to see you back in action!”

A few moments later, Rhea’s phone started buzzing like crazy, notifications popping up almost faster than she could read them.

“Wow, they really want to make sure you feel the love,” Rhea chuckled, glancing at Jey, who was beaming at all the messages.

“Seems like I’ll need to have a lot of visitors,” Jey said, still looking a bit dazed but undeniably happy. “Is there even room for all of them in this room?”

Rhea shook her head with a laugh. “Not unless we clear out the medical equipment! But you know they’ll find a way.”

As the excitement buzzed around them, Jey felt a warmth in his chest—an overwhelming sense of belonging and love that wrapped around him like a blanket.

Rhea smiled at him, unable to hide her joy. “Welcome back love,” she said softly, her heart swelling at the sight of him awake and laughing.

“Feels good to be back,” Jey replied, and with a glance at Rhea, he knew he was exactly where he was meant to be.

—

November 7th, 2024 8:19 AM

The next morning came with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. After waiting, the hospital finally discharged Jey with strict instructions. He was to take at least 3 to 6 months off for rehab and attend physical therapy twice a week. Walking out of the hospital, Rhea and Jey were arm in arm. Rhea had brought him a comfortable oversized shirt and sweats, complete with sneakers she knew he’d appreciate.

The sun outside the hospital was blinding after being indoors for so long, and Jey squinted, adjusting to the light. As they made their way to the parking lot, they spotted a police car parked nearby. Leaning against the side of the vehicle was a detective from the Pensacola Police Department, watching them closely.

“Guess they ain’t wasting any time,” Jey muttered, his voice still scratchy but stronger.

Rhea squeezed his hand. “Let’s see what they need.”

The detective, a stern-looking woman with sharp eyes and a badge reading ��Detective Harper,” approached. “Mr. Fatu, Ms. Bennett,” she said, nodding to Rhea using her legal name, “I’m Detective Harper. We need to get a statement from you, Mr. Fatu. Could you come down to the station?”

Jey sighed and nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”

Rhea instinctively moved closer to Jey, her arm still looped through his. “I’m going in with him,” she stated, her tone protective.

Detective Harper held up a hand. “I understand your concern, Ms. Bennett, but when we arrive at the Police Station, we need to take his statement separately. It’s just procedure. We don’t want any claims of wrongdoing in the process.”

Rhea bristled, not liking the idea of being apart from Jey, especially after everything they’d been through. “Fine,” she muttered, her grip on his arm loosening.

Jey shot her a reassuring look. “It’s alright, babe. We’ll handle it.”

The detective led them to her police car, and soon they arrived at the station. As they stepped inside, Rhea tried to stick by Jey’s side, but the officers directed him into a interrogation room

Rhea stopped at the door of the waiting room and glanced back at Jey, concern written all over her face. “You good?”

“Yeah,” Jey responded, his voice low but steady. “We got this.”

And with that, they were separated, bracing for whatever was about to come.

—

Jey sat in the cold, hard chair, his shoulder aching beneath the bandages, his mind heavy with the memories of that night. The detective across from him, a stern man with tired eyes, sat with a notepad and pen, ready to hear every detail. Jey took a deep breath, leaning forward slightly as he began to recount the night everything went sideways.

“We were in the bathtub, me and Rhea—uh, Demi,” Jey started, using Rhea’s legal name like he knew he had to. “We were just relaxing, trying to unwind. That’s when I heard it. Loud bangs. At first, I thought maybe it was nothing, but… I don’t know. I felt something in my gut. I knew something wasn’t right.”

The detective gave a slight nod, encouraging him to go on.

“I told Rhea to stay put, but she wouldn’t listen. We both got out of the tub, threw on some robes, and went to the living room. The front door was there, and I didn’t think—I just went to open it.”

He paused, shaking his head. “Should’ve checked the peephole. But I didn’t. Soon as I opened it, the door slammed in my face, busted my nose. I fell forward, and that’s when I heard the yelling. It took me a second, but I realized Rhea was screaming, saying it was Matt—her ex-husband, Matthew Addams.”

Jey’s fists clenched at the memory, and the detective scribbled something down in his notepad.

“I heard Rhea call 911. I could hear her voice, but then, there was this other noise. A scream. I didn’t know what was happening, but I got up, pushed through the pain, and grabbed the nearest thing—a white vase.”

Jey could feel the tension in his chest rising as he relived the moment. “I was ready to crack him with it. But then… then Rhea said he had a gun. She told me to put it down.”

The detective’s eyes narrowed. “Did you see the gun?”

Jey hesitated, then shook his head. “Not at first. I didn’t see it until later.”

The detective nodded and motioned for Jey to continue.

“Matt was yelling at her, asking if the miscarriage was his… or mine,” Jey said, his voice tight with the memory. That was the moment everything froze, the moment that left a permanent mark in his mind.

The detective cut him off. “Why would he ask that?”

Jey sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew he had to come clean, there was no hiding the truth now. “Because… because Matt’s being charged with assaulting Rhea back in September. That’s what caused her to lose the baby.”

The detective looked down at his notepad. “And why would Matt ask about the miscarriage?”

Jey’s jaw clenched. “Because… because Rhea and I were having an affair.”

The detective’s pen stopped for a moment, but Jey could feel the weight of the question hanging between them. Finally, the detective asked, “Tell me about this affair.”

Jey nodded, exhaling slowly. “It started back in February. Rhea, she was still with Matt, but… we got close. We stopped for a bit in April when she was trying to make things work with him. But in July, when she came back, it started up again. And it’s been going on ever since.”

The detective raised an eyebrow. “Did Matt know?”

“Rhea told me he didn’t. Said he never suspected anything.” Jey replied.

The detective leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a more personal tone. “And were you the only one she was intimate with?”

Jey stiffened at the question, but he nodded. “Yeah. Rhea told me I was the only one. If she was still fucking Matt, she would’ve told me.”

The detective’s expression softened slightly, but he apologized nonetheless. “I’m sorry for being intrusive, but… are you sure of that?”

Jey swallowed hard. “She’s my fiancée, man. If she was doing something like that, I’d know. She’d tell me.”

The detective seemed to accept that, nodding again before gesturing for Jey to continue. “Go on. What happened next?”

Jey took another deep breath. “Matt pushed her towards me, gun still in his hand. He pointed it at both of us, right at our faces. He was yelling something—something about us burning in hell. That’s when he pulled the trigger.”

Jey’s voice faltered as he remembered the blast, the sharp, burning pain that followed. “That’s when I got hit. After that… I don’t remember anything.”

The detective sat back in his chair, jotting down the final notes as Jey leaned back, feeling the exhaustion wash over him. It was out in the open now, the truth of what happened that night.

—

Jey was led out of the station, the weight of the conversation with the detective still heavy on his mind. As soon as he stepped outside, he spotted Rhea waiting for him, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw him. She offered him a soft smile, though her own exhaustion was evident in her face.

“I ordered us an Uber back to the hospital parking lot for the car,” Rhea said, her voice calm and reassuring.

Jey nodded, forcing himself to push aside the lingering thoughts. That detective’s question kept replaying in his mind—why would he even ask if Rhea was still being intimate with Matt? He hated that it even made him wonder. He knew Rhea, he trusted her, but the seed of doubt was there now, gnawing at the back of his mind.

They both slid into the Uber, and Jey clenched his jaw, doing his best to seem cool and collected. He didn’t want to cause a scene, not after everything they’d been through. As the car weaved through the streets of Pensacola, Jey found himself glancing at Rhea, searching her face for any sign that might answer the question spinning in his mind. But there was nothing—just the woman he loved, tired and supportive, sitting beside him.

Finally, they made it to the hospital parking lot. Rhea climbed into the driver’s seat of her Jeep, and Jey sank into the passenger seat with a heavy sigh. He stared out the window as she drove, trying to shake the nagging feeling. Before long, they arrived at Jon and Trinity’s house, which had become their temporary refuge until their own place was no longer marked off as a crime scene.

As they pulled into the driveway, everyone came out to greet him. Jon, Trinity, Joe and Galina, Joseph and Almia and his kids rushed out to welcome him back. Takecia had seen him last night but due to her job being demanding now that she was a single mom, had went back to San Francisco, allowing her and Jey’s kids to stay with Jey. Their smiles warmed his heart, and he managed to crack a smile of his own. "I'm happy to be home," Jey said, his voice a little breathless. "But man, I'm winded from today."

Jon exchanged a look with their dad, Solofa, who stood nearby with concern etched on his face. “Is it the meds?” Jon asked.

Jey nodded. “Yeah, probably. Feels like they’re hitting me harder than I thought.”

“It’s okay to rest a bit more dad.” Jaciyah said.

“Yeah just an hour… can you all give me an hour?” Jey asked and everyone agreed.

Rhea stepped in, her voice gentle but firm. “I’ll get him into bed.”

Jey appreciated her stepping in, and together they made their way inside, toward the guest room. The sheets had been freshly washed since Joseph and Almia were about to head home in a few hours, but for now, the space was his.

Jey sat down heavily on the bed, feeling the exhaustion in every muscle. His arm, still in the sling, throbbed slightly, and Rhea helped him ease out of his jacket. Her touch was careful, knowing exactly where his injuries were most sensitive.

As he lay back, feeling the comfort of the bed beneath him, his eyes flickered to Rhea’s face again. That question wouldn’t go away.

As Jey was against the pillows, he tried to get his arm in the sling comfortable, but to no avail. He glanced over at Rhea, who was tucking the covers around him with a gentle, almost mechanical precision. The room was quiet, the distant sound of his family in the living room barely filtering through the walls. But that detective’s question was still gnawing at him, and he couldn’t shake it.

Jey shifted slightly, his mind racing. He had to ask her. He’d asked her before, sure, but this time… this time it felt different. It wasn’t just suspicion anymore, it was doubt. And he hated feeling like this.

“Rhea,” he said softly, watching her as she pulled away from the bed to turn off the light.

“Yeah?” she replied, turning back to him with a soft smile.

Jey hesitated, licking his lips before taking a deep breath. “Were you… were you still sleeping with Matt while we were together?”

Rhea froze, her hand still on the light switch. Her smile faded almost instantly, and the color drained from her face. She stood there for a moment, her body rigid, before slowly lowering her hand. She walked over to the bed and sat next to Jey.

“Jey, I—” she started, her voice wavering.

Jey’s eyes narrowed, the exhaustion from the day not enough to suppress the tension growing inside him. “I’m asking you straight up, Rhea. I need to know. Were you still with him when you and me were together?”

Rhea looked away, her eyes glassy as she bit down on her lip. Jey could see the conflict in her face, the way her chest heaved slightly as she struggled to find the words.

“You told me no before,” Jey pressed. “You said I was the only one.”

Rhea’s shoulders began to tremble, and Jey could see the cracks forming in her composure. Her hands shook as she clutched them together, her knuckles turning white.

“I— I didn’t want to hurt you,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I didn’t—”

“Didn’t what, Rhea?” Jey’s voice grew sharper, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “Didn’t want to hurt me, or didn’t want me to know the truth?”

Tears started streaming down her cheeks as she crumpled, her body sagging as if the weight of her guilt was finally too much to bear. “Yes, Jey,” she choked out, her voice barely a whisper. “I did. I was still with him… while I was with you.”

Jey’s heart sank, a cold wave washing over him. He stared at her, unable to speak for a moment as the truth hit him like a punch to the gut. All this time, he’d believed her. He’d trusted her.

“Why?” he asked, his voice quieter now, almost heartbroken.

Rhea collapsed into the bed, her hands covering her face as she sobbed. “I didn’t know how to leave him. I thought… I thought I could just pretend like it wasn’t happening. I thought I could make it work with you, that I could move on and leave him behind. But I couldn’t. I was scared, Jey. I was scared of him. And I was scared of losing you.”

Jey’s chest tightened as he listened to her, the hurt and betrayal swirling in his mind. He didn’t know what to say, what to feel. All he knew was that the woman he loved had lied to him—had kept a piece of herself hidden from him all this time.

“Why didn’t you just tell me?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion. “Why lie to me?”

Rhea wiped her tears away, her eyes red and swollen as she looked at him with a broken expression. “Because I didn’t want to lose you,” she whispered. “And now… I’m so scared I already have.”

Jey sat there, staring at Rhea as she cried next to him. Her words echoed in his mind—I didn’t want to lose you. But all he could think about was how she’d already lost him the moment she chose to lie. It wasn’t just the affair anymore; it was the trust she had shattered.

He ran a hand over his face, feeling the tightness in his chest growing with every passing second. He wanted to be angry. He wanted to yell, to scream, to release the hurt that was bubbling up inside him. But all he could do was sit there, frozen in place, as everything sank in.

“So, you were scared,” Jey said quietly, his voice almost hollow. “But you were still sleeping with him. Even after we started… everything.”

Rhea nodded slowly, her head hanging low. “Yes,” she admitted. “But not because I loved him. I didn’t love him anymore, Jey. I swear. I just—” She cut herself off, trying to control her sobs. “I didn’t know how to leave.”

“Rhea,” Jey started, his voice thick with frustration and exhaustion, “you should’ve told me the truth. You could’ve come to me. We could’ve dealt with it together. But now, how am I supposed to trust you when you kept that from me?”

Rhea’s tears flowed harder, her hands trembling as she wiped at her face. “I know,” she whispered. “I know I should have told you. I just… I was afraid, Jey. Afraid of losing you. Our sex turned into love making so quickly when I came back and then it’s like I just forgot that we were in an affair. I’m so sorry.”

Jey let out a long, shaky breath, his heart aching. He wanted to believe her—he wanted to believe that she was sorry, that she regretted it all. But the pain was still too fresh, the wound still too raw.

“What do we do now?” he asked, his voice barely audible. He wasn’t sure if he was asking her or himself. Could they move past this? Could they rebuild what had been broken?

Rhea looked up at him, her eyes filled with desperation. “I’ll do anything,” she said, her voice trembling. “Anything to make this right. Just please… don’t leave me, Jey. I can’t lose you. Not now.”

Jey shook his head, his emotions warring inside him. “I don’t know, Rhea. I don’t know if I can just forget this. I love you, but… this hurts. It hurts so damn much.”

Rhea stood up, moving closer to the bed, reaching for his hand. “I know, baby. I know. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you let me. Just… give me a chance.”

Jey closed his eyes, feeling the weight of everything crushing down on him. He didn’t know what to do. All he knew was that he still loved her, and that made everything right… right?

Jey felt his heart shatter a little more as the words hung in the air. “I think we need a break,” he said, the weight of the statement settling heavily on his chest. He tried to mask the turmoil behind his eyes, but Rhea could see through it. She didn’t respond, her silence filling the room with a tension that felt suffocating.

Instead, Rhea slowly got to her feet, her gaze dropping to the floor as she began to gather her things. Jey watched her move, every action a reminder of the love they had built and the fragile state it was in now. She walked over to the closet, her hands trembling as she pulled out a small suitcase.

“I’ll be at a hotel until…” she started, but her voice trailed off. The words hung unspoken, a silent acknowledgment that she didn’t know how long this break would last.

Jey felt a desperate urge to reach out, to tell her to stay. He wanted to scream that he loved her, that they could work through this, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he sat there, a silent observer as she quietly packed her essentials—a few outfits, toiletries, and a couple of personal items that seemed to hold the weight of their shared memories.

His heart raced as he fought with himself, the conflict raging inside him like a storm. He should have been begging her to stay, pleading for her to reconsider. But the hurt was too fresh, and he wasn’t sure if he could handle seeing her every day knowing what he now knew.

Jey forced himself to breathe steadily, trying to make sense of everything. He could still hear her quiet sobs, the sound haunting him as she zipped up the suitcase and glanced at him one last time.

“I’ll text you when I’m settled,” Rhea said softly, her voice thick with emotion.

Jey nodded, feeling the distance between them grow wider with each passing second. He wanted to say something—anything—but the words refused to come. Instead, he watched helplessly as she picked up her bag and moved toward the door.

As Rhea opened it, a gust of air rushed in, carrying with it the finality of their situation. “Rhea..” Jey called out, but the words felt weak, fading as quickly as they were spoken. “It’s just a break..”

She paused, glancing back at him with a mix of hope and sorrow, but then she steeled herself and stepped through the doorway, leaving him in silence.

Jey sank back into the bed, the reality of what he had just done crashing over him like a tidal wave. What the hell did I just do?

He felt as if he had thrown away the most important thing in his life, and now he was left alone with his thoughts and the haunting echoes of their love. He had wanted to protect himself, to shield his heart from further pain, but now all he felt was an emptiness that threatened to consume him.

The room felt colder without her warmth, and he was left grappling with regret, confusion, and a longing for the comfort of her presence. Jey buried his face in his hands, wondering if he had made a terrible mistake. Would this break mean the end of everything they had fought for? Or would it be the catalyst they needed to truly heal?

—

ONE. MONTH. LATER.

December 8th, 2024. 9:19 PM

A month had slipped by since Jey had uttered those fateful words that fractured everything they had built together. Rhea sat in her small weekly unit in Pensacola, a space that felt both foreign and suffocating. The walls around her felt like they were closing in, reminders of a life once filled with laughter and love, now haunted by uncertainty.

Weekly doctor’s appointments had become routine, each visit a reminder of the brain injury that still shadowed her. The doctors spoke in measured tones, offering her reassurance, but Rhea struggled to hear their words over the turmoil in her mind. Her progress was slow, but she pushed herself to attend therapy sessions, believing that maybe—just maybe—she could reclaim the woman she used to be.

The trial against Matt had been pushed back, leaving her with a sense of helplessness as she awaited justice. His charges had escalated, with the DA adding an Attempted Murder charge, the weight of his actions against Jey looming over them like a storm cloud. And as the days rolled on, Trinity and Jon made it their mission to check in on her frequently. They were worried, and Rhea could see it in their eyes.

“You need to be with him, Rhea,” Trinity insisted one evening a week ago, her voice filled with an urgency that struck a chord in Rhea’s heart. “You can’t keep doing this to yourselves.”

Rhea felt torn, her heart yearning for Jey while her mind echoed the doubts and fears that had driven them apart. “It’s not that simple,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jon chimed in, “You both need each other. Whatever happened, you can work through it. Jey’s not the same without you.”

But Rhea’s silence spoke volumes. She had grown accustomed to just doing what needed to be done, to moving through her days in a haze. She focused on her workouts, pushing her body to its limits, believing that if she could become physically stronger, maybe she could heal emotionally. She saw her therapist weekly, but even those sessions felt like a chore, a reminder of the gaping void left by Jey’s absence.

Thanksgiving was especially hard, since she still couldn’t travel, she had decided she was going to make her own dinner. When she found herself picking out the smallest turkey she could find, single servings of sides, a slice of pumpkin pie, she almost broke down while paying for the food. Her family was across the world, Jey’s family was here, it felt almost… unfair. However, after she cooked her own meal, and ate turkey sandwiches for the next few days; she accepted the fact that she was just existing.

Meanwhile, Jey was grappling with his own demons. He had told everyone that Rhea needed to take time for herself due to a family emergency, a convenient lie that shielded him from the truth and the inevitable questions that followed. But deep down, he knew the reality was far more complicated.

When confronted by Jon, Joe, and Joseph that same evening, the truth spilled out like a broken dam. “What really happened, Jey?” Jon pressed, arms crossed, concern etched on his face.

With a heavy heart, Jey shared the details—the argument, the hurtful words, the overwhelming sense of betrayal. “I just thought… I thought it was for the best,” he muttered, his voice strained.

“You made a big mistake, man,” Joe said softly, shaking his head. “You have to fix this.”

“You guys are suspose to be on my side…” Jey snapped, frustration boiling over. But as he glanced at their concerned faces, he realized they were right. He felt the irony of the situation sink in. “If Rhea and Matt had stopped being intimate after they got married, wouldn’t that raise some flags?” Jon’s words echoed in his mind.

“Yeah? Wouldn’t she have to explain why all of sudden she wants to stop having sex with her freshly married husband?” Joe added.

And just like that, Jey was forced to confront a painful truth—maybe he had made a mistake. But pride was a hell of a thing, a bullshit thing, and it prevented him from reaching out. Each night, he found himself crying into his pillow, the weight of his decisions crashing down on him. The emptiness of their home without Rhea felt suffocating.

After two weeks apart, the police finally allowed him to return to their house, the memories of love and laughter replaced by shadows of sorrow. Every day that passed felt like another piece of him was lost to the void, the absence of Rhea gnawing at his insides.

Despite the pain of separation, there was one thing neither of them had been able to part with—their jewelry. Rhea wore Jey’s chain and the one he had gifted her for her birthday, feeling its weight against her chest as a reminder of the love they had shared. She also kept her matching permanent bracelet, engraved with his full name, a token of their bond. The necklace he had given her, containing their miscarried baby’s ashes, hung delicately, its presence both a comfort and a reminder of their loss. And her engagement ring, which also held a portion of their baby’s ashes, was a constant source of warmth, a symbol of the commitment that still lingered between them, even if they had been unable to face it.

As Jey sat alone in their bedroom, the silence pressed in on him. He picked up some of Rhea’s clothing from the bed, clutching it in his hands. The fabric felt foreign yet familiar, the scent of her lingering on the material, a bittersweet reminder of the love they had once celebrated. “What have I done?” he whispered to himself, the words tasting bitter in his mouth. He could hear Rhea’s… no. His and Rhea’s dogs running around in the house and he heard the cat tree fall once more.. Fucking Storm..

Rhea, on the other hand, lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling as the memories washed over her. The weight of the jewelry against her skin was a comforting reminder of what they once had. She closed her eyes, wishing she could turn back time, wishing she could find a way to reach him again.

But for now, they were both trapped in their own silence, desperately yearning for a connection that felt just out of reach.

Rhea remained in that position, but her mind was elsewhere. She grabbed her phone and went to the TikTok app to take her mind off things for a bit. As she scrolled through her phone, the screen lit up with an incoming call from Damian. She hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Hey, Rhea. How are you doing?” Damian’s voice was warm and familiar, cutting through the solitude that had settled over her.

“I’m just here,” Rhea replied, trying to sound nonchalant. “You know, same old.”

Damian let out a sigh. “I think you should just talk to Jey.”

Rhea’s heart twisted at the mention of his name. “If he wanted to be with me, he would come back on his own.”

“Rhea…” he said, his tone softening. “You have no idea what Jey went through when you were in that coma.”

“Don’t use it against me, Damian,” she shot back, her voice sharper than intended.

“I am, and I’m gonna,” he replied, his persistence evident.

Rhea sighed again, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on her. She glanced at the clock; the minutes dragged on like hours. “What do you want me to do? Just sit here and wait?”

“Actually, I’ve got a little surprise for you,” he said, diverting the conversation. “I ordered you something on DoorDash. Just got the alert that it’s been delivered.”

“Damian, you didn’t have to—” she began, but her words trailed off as she felt a flicker of curiosity. “What did you get me?”

“Just go check,” he urged, and Rhea rolled her eyes playfully before getting up from the couch.

As she opened the door, she was met with a brown bag on her doorstep. Confused but intrigued, she grabbed it and returned to the living room, placing it on the mini table. With a quick tear, she opened the bag, spilling its contents onto the table.

“It’s just a bag of KitKats, some chips, and beef jerky,” Rhea stated, her eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

“Move the KitKats,” Damian instructed, his tone teasing.

Rhea complied, pushing the chocolate aside, and gasped. Beneath the candies lay a small, skinny box that could easily be mistaken for a mascara box.

“What the hell is this?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Pee on it and then FaceTime me the results,” he said nonchalantly.

Rhea laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. “There’s no way I could be pregnant, Damian.”

“I knew you were pregnant the first time. I feel it this time,” he said, his voice earnest.

Rolling her eyes, Rhea picked up the box and read the instructions. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered under her breath.

“Hey, I’ve heard you have sex with Jey. Hearing you pee is a cakewalk,” he teased, and Rhea couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Thanks for that mental image,” she replied sarcastically. “Okay, I’ll be right back.” She balanced the phone on her shoulder and headed to the bathroom.

Once inside, she closed the door and set the phone down on the counter, Damian’s contact picture still visible. “It’s weird having you on the phone while I pee,” she said, trying to focus.

“Just don’t drop the phone in the toilet,” he laughed.

Rhea rolled her eyes again but couldn’t suppress a smile. She finished her business, carefully capping the stick and placing it on the counter. After flushing the toilet and washing her hands, she pressed the FaceTime button, watching as Damian’s face appeared on her screen.

“This is stupid,” she said, shaking her head.

“$500 bucks bet on it,” he replied, his expression serious.

“Deal,” she said, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. “How much longer?”

“About 30 seconds,” she replied, glancing at the timer on the stick. “But there’s no way I could be pregnant.”

Damian raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see about that.”

Rhea leaned against the bathroom counter, her heart racing. The anticipation hung heavy in the air, mingling with her anxiety and curiosity. As the seconds ticked by, she couldn’t help but wonder what the results would reveal. Would her life take yet another unexpected turn?

As Rhea held the pregnancy test, the words “holy shit” escaped her lips in a stunned whisper. The results were undeniably clear, and the realization sent her heart racing. She held up the stick for Damian to see, and his face broke into a big ass smile, radiating pure joy. “I guess you are $500 richer..”

“I told you I would be here for you no matter what! Now go and tell Jey,” he urged, his excitement infectious.

With a nod, Rhea felt a surge of determination but also an undercurrent of anxiety. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart as Damian hung up.

Rhea opened her contacts, locating Jey’s name. Her thumb hovered over the screen as she saw his location displayed at their house. She looked up at the ceiling, speaking to the universe, or maybe just to herself. “Listen, I know I did some fucked-up shit by not telling Jey, but I swear if Jey takes me back, can you lay off all of this chaos? Because I already have a brain injury from a stupid ass mistake that I made. I think we are due for some happiness.”

The thought of finally finding that happiness ignited a flicker of hope within her. She quickly changed into a pair of sweatpants and a jacket, slipping on her Vans before heading out the door.

As she drove, every bump in the road seemed to echo her anxiety. Memories of laughter and warmth mixed with pain and regret replayed in her mind—every moment that had led her to this very point.

Finally, she arrived at the house, her heart pounding with anticipation. But as she approached the front door, she noticed something had changed. The door had been replaced, and a new Ring security camera glinted above her. Figures. Jey wanted his security and privacy now, that’s what happens when you almost lose your life.

Taking a deep breath, she rang the doorbell and waited, her stomach churning with a mix of nerves and excitement. After a few moments, she heard the unmistakable sound of multiple locks unlocking, and then Jey opened the door.

He smiled, but neither of them said anything at first. The silence hung between them, charged with unspoken words and emotions that had built up over the past month.

“Hey,” he finally said, his voice low and inviting.

“Hey,” Rhea replied, her heart racing as she stepped inside, crossing the threshold into the warmth of their shared space. She walked into the house and he closed the door, locking it instantly.

Just like the last time they had been together, that magnetic pull was still there. It was as if no time had passed at all, the invisible thread that had drawn them together in the first place never dissipating, never fading.

Rhea looked up into Jey’s eyes, and before she could think, he closed the distance between them. His lips crashed against hers in a passionate kiss that took her breath away. She melted into him, wrapping her arms around his neck, feeling the familiar comfort of his presence wash over her.

Even though Jey winced slightly from the pain in his right shoulder, he lifted her effortlessly, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. The world outside faded away as he carried her toward the couch, their connection reigniting the spark that had once burned so brightly between them.

“God, I missed you,” he murmured against her lips, his voice filled with longing and relief.

“I missed you too,” Rhea admitted, her heart soaring as he set her down gently on the couch. They stayed locked in each other’s gaze, the chemistry between them palpable.

“Things have changed,” she started, but Jey interrupted her.

“Let’s not talk about the past right now,” he said, brushing his fingers through her hair. “Just let me make love to you..”

Rhea nodded, understanding the unspoken agreement. In that moment, they didn’t need to discuss the chaos that had surrounded them. All that mattered was the two of them, together again, feeling the weight of their shared love.

Jey leaned in again, capturing her lips in another kiss that sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She felt alive, ignited by the connection they shared.

“Rhea,” he murmured against her lips, “I need to know… are you okay? Really okay?”

“I am now,” she whispered, her eyes shining with sincerity.

Their foreheads rested against each other, both savoring the moment. Outside, the world continued on, but inside, in their little bubble, everything felt perfect. Together, they would navigate the challenges ahead, and for the first time in a long time, Rhea felt hopeful about the future.

As their lips met once more, the kiss deepened, igniting a wildfire of emotions that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. It was a dance of longing and relief, their bodies pressing closer as if they were two pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together. Every ounce of love, regret, and desire poured into that kiss, each brush of their lips speaking volumes.

Jey's hands roamed Rhea's back, fingers tracing her spine as she clung to him, wanting to dissolve into him completely. She felt a surge of warmth radiate from him, and the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them and the unyielding connection they shared. Rhea moaned softly, feeling a rush of tears as they poured out their pent-up feelings, the relief of being together after everything washing over them like a gentle tide.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally pulled back, breathless and wide-eyed, their foreheads resting against each other. The room was filled with a charged silence, the air thick with unspoken words. They stared at each other, searching for answers in each other's eyes.

Jey brushed his fingers through her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear. "I love you," he said softly, his voice steady but filled with emotion.

Rhea's heart skipped a beat at his words.

She could see the sincerity etched on his face, the weight of their shared experiences reflected in his eyes. "I love you too," she whispered, her voice trembling with vulnerability.

A soft smile spread across Jey's face, lighting up his features. "I could never really leave you..”

Rhea felt a rush of warmth envelop her, a mixture of joy and relief flooding her senses.

"I thought I lost you. I was scared... scared of losing everything," she admitted, her voice so afraid of still saying everything.

"You didn't lose me," Jey replied firmly, his grip on her tightening. "I've been here, fighting my own demons, just like you. We're staying in this together now."

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them disappeared completely.

The weight of their past seemed to lift, replaced by the promise of a brighter future.

"You gonna’ be my wife Rhea.. you are the ocean and I’m a fish.. I can’t fucking leave you at all… you leave and I die without you..” Jey said while keeping his eyes on her. Rhea looked away for a moment and looked back at him, her heart racing. "Can I show you something?”

Jey nodded, his expression serious yet soft. Rhea bit her lip and she closed her eyes, her face contorted with worry. Jey felt her hand reach into her sweatpants, she pulled out something and Jey didn’t freak out. Not like the first time in Portland. She showed the pregnancy test to Jey and he took it and saw the word, ‘Pregnant’. Jey smiled softly. He set the pregnancy test on the coffee table and turned back to look at her.

"I promise. Whatever it takes, we'll face it together."

As they leaned in once more, the kiss resumed, this time filled with a sense of hope and renewal. Rhea felt as though they were both being reborn in that moment, the barriers that had once held them back crumbling away. It was more than just a physical connection; it was a reaffirmation of their love, a promise of commitment that they were both ready to embrace.

With every kiss, every touch, Rhea knew they were building a new foundation, one that was stronger and more resilient than before. They would navigate whatever chaos lay ahead, hand in hand, heart in heart. Rhea kicked off her shoes and Jey reached to pull down her sweatpants and she was able to finish shrugging them off. Jey yearned for her skin, the feeling her, he had missed her so much.

Now.. for the first time in a long time, he was going to make love to the mother of his future children. Jey sucked on Rhea’s neck so passionately as he put a hand underneath her shirt to feel her breasts. Rhea moaned as Jey sucked passionately on her neck and Rhea’s nails pierced into his back. They were determined, they needed each other, needed to prove to each other that they still wanted each other. Jey finally pulled back, satisfied with the mark he left on her neck, Jey moved down and pushed up her shirt as his lips connected with her nipple. Rhea licked her palm and she stuck her hand down in her thong and rubbed her pussy. She spread her legs more as she felt Jey and his… manhood.

As Jey sucked on her breast, an urgent voice was produced from Rhea, “Please fuck me..” Jey smiled. “Tell me what you need..” Jey commanded. “Make love to me..” Rhea said softly, correcting herself.

Jey quickly pulled his briefs down just a bit and both of them were so engrossed in the moment when they both heard a throat clearing

“Maybe I should go home to Trinity..”

Rhea and Jey peaked over the sofa as Jon stood there, his eyes widened and in shock.

“Ugh… actually… I’m a bit …” Jey wanted to say exposed but the he was afraid of what Jon would say. Jon quickly covered his eyes with one hand and used the free hand to walk his way to the door, with a swift exit Jon left.

“Imma be honest… I forgot Jon was here..” Jey admitted.

“We will deal with this after just fuck me right now.” Rhea demanded and Jey nodded ever so quickly, he kissed her again and he reached to pull his dick out of his briefs, the two kissed passionately as Jey thrusted into her, “Ahhh.. oh..ohhh oh fuck..” Rhea cried against Jey’s lips as she held on to Jey.

“I fucking.. missed you .. so fucking much..” Jey said in between groans as he kept thrusting into Rhea, with every thrust it was more powerful. Rhea moaned every time Jey hit the end of her.

“How are you so… tight?” Jey asked as he was struggling to keep up his pace.

“I only rubbed myself all this month..” she said while giving him a snarky grin.

“Bad girl..” He groaned and he used a free hand to cup her cheek and Rhea kissed his thumb. She then stuck out her tongue to lick his thumb and then she wrapped her mouth around it. She loved to tease Jey. Jey pulled her close as he thrusted deeper, “Baby don’t drag it on.. hurry and cum..” Rhea said.

“Ride me real quick..” Jey said and Rhea nodded. He pulled her up using his good arm and Rhea adjusted herself on him to make sure she was comfortable. Rhea rose up and down, gravitating her hips to find Jey’s sweet spot. After a very few moments, Jey soon found hisself reaching his climax and Rhea could feel him.

Then it happened, Jey came. Now it wasn’t as passionate but to Rhea, the discomfort she had experienced was now relieved. Rhea kissed him softly as she slowly got up from him. Afterward, Rhea lay back against the couch, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. The tension between her and Jey, from their long separation, had melted away in the heat of the moment. Both Jey and Rhea pulled on their underwear and fixed themselves.

Jey sat up slightly, his eyes focused on her with a bit of curiosity. “Why’d you tell me to hurry up, babe?” he asked, his tone light but laced with concern.

Rhea hesitated, not wanting to ruin the moment. She felt her body tense slightly, but she sighed and decided to be honest. “I felt some… discomfort,” she admitted, her voice soft.

Jey’s brow furrowed, and he immediately shifted closer to her, his hand resting gently on her thigh. “Was I going too hard?” he asked, his voice laced with genuine worry.

She gave a small, embarrassed smile. “Yeah, a little,” she replied. “But don’t read too much into it. It’s just… it’s been a month since we last did anything.”

Jey nodded, his expression softening as he leaned in and kissed her tenderly. “I get it,” he said, reassuring her with his touch. “But you used to like it when I went deep,” he teased, trying to bring a playful smile back to her face.

Rhea chuckled, nudging him lightly. “Don’t push your luck, Uce.”

Jey grinned, satisfied with her response. He kissed her again, a softer, more intimate kiss this time. When he pulled back, he seemed to be contemplating something for a moment before he stood up and grabbed his briefs. Rhea adjusted her bra and she fixed her underwear.

“Wanna see something?” Jey asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Rhea arched a brow in curiosity while sitting up. “What is it?”

Jey didn’t answer directly. Instead, he reached out his hand for her, and she took it, following him through the house. He led her down the hall to the third guest bedroom, which doubled as Jeyce’s room whenever he stayed with them.

Jey pushed open the door, revealing a surprise. In the corner of the room sat a 61-key electric piano. It gleamed under the soft light, simple yet beautiful. Rhea’s eyes widened, surprised. “When did you get this?”

Jey smiled as he walked over to the piano, running his hand across the keys. “Jeyce wanted to learn how to play, so I got it for him.”

Rhea stepped closer, her fingers brushing lightly against the sleek surface. “I didn’t know you could play.”

Jey chuckled, pulling out the bench and sitting down. “One of my hidden talents,” he admitted, flashing her a grin.

Rhea’s eyes lit up. “Play something for me.”

Jey’s smile grew as he reached for a music book stashed on the side of the piano. He flipped through the pages for a moment before landing on a song he knew well. With a quick glance at Rhea, he positioned his hands on the keys and began to play.

As the soft melody filled the room, Rhea felt her heart skip a beat. It took her a moment to recognize the song, but once she did, it hit her like a wave of nostalgia. It was “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey, the same song Jey had sung to her when she woke from her coma.

The song echoed in her memory, bringing her back to that fragile, intimate moment between them when she had opened her eyes and found him beside her, singing softly through the haze of her recovery. It was a reminder of how far they had come, and how much they had been through together.

Rhea stood still, frozen in her tracks as she watched Jey play. His fingers moved gracefully across the keys, the sound of the piano filling the room with emotion. She felt tears well up in her eyes, but she didn’t fight them. This was them—this was their love, raw and unspoken, shared through moments like these.

Jey finished the song, his fingers gently pressing the last note as he looked up at her, his eyes searching hers. Rhea stepped closer, sitting beside him on the piano bench, her heart swelling with love for the man beside her.

“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Jey smiled softly, his hand finding hers. “Only for you, button nose..” he said, squeezing her hand gently.

In that quiet room, with the lingering notes of the piano still hanging in the air, they sat in silence, simply existing in the comfort of each other’s presence. There was still so much left unspoken between them, but in that moment, it didn’t matter. This was enough.

—

The next day, as Rhea and Jey were on their way back from picking up Rhea’s clothes from her rental, Jey’s eyes caught sight of a Christmas tree farm they hadn’t noticed before. Without a word, he turned the wheel and pulled into the lot.

Rhea looked up from her phone, confused. “What are we doing here?” she asked, her brows furrowing as she took in the rows of trees, glowing lights, and a few families wandering about.

Jey gave her a grin. “Since the last two holidays have been shit for us,” he said, his voice firm with a hint of playfulness, “we’re going all out on Christmas this year.”

Rhea’s surprise quickly turned into a soft smile. There was something in the way Jey was trying, trying for them, trying for this moment. “You’re really serious about this?”

“Dead serious,” Jey said, pulling his jacket tighter around himself as he opened the door to step out.

Rhea chuckled and followed his lead, slipping her phone into her pocket and pulling on her jacket. She exited the jeep and joined Jey as they made their way towards the entrance, the Pensacola weather nipping at their skin. She shivered slightly as Jey draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer as they walked side by side.

The moment they reached the farm’s entrance, a friendly-looking tree salesman approached them with a wide smile. “How are y’all doing today?” he asked, his eyes quickly recognizing the famous couple in front of him.

“We’re okay,” Jey said, returning the smile. Rhea nodded in agreement beside him.

The salesman glanced between them, his grin widening. “What kind of tree are you folks lookin’ for?”

Rhea looked up at Jey with a playful twinkle in her eye. “I’ve always wanted a big one. A really big one.”

Jey chuckled, his hand rubbing her back gently. “Yeah, we’re thinking something huge,” he agreed.

The salesman’s face lit up. “Only the best for the best wrestlers there are, huh?”

Jey and Rhea couldn’t help but smile at that. It was strange sometimes to realize how recognizable they were, but in moments like this, it felt nice.

The salesman motioned for them to follow him, leading them deeper into the rows of trees. “I think I’ve got just the one for y’all.”

They followed him past dozens of trees, some large, some small, but nothing that really caught their eye. Then, he stopped in front of one particularly massive tree. It stood about twelve feet tall and had a full, round shape with thick branches, perfect for holding lights and ornaments. It was full of character—imposing, yet somehow cozy.

Jey and Rhea both stared at the tree in awe.

Rhea was the first to break the silence. “That’s the one,” she said, her voice almost reverent.

Jey nodded, a grin spreading across his face. “Yeah, that’s it.”

The salesman smiled, clearly pleased with their reaction. “Good choice. You want me to strap it on your jeep?”

“How much for the tree and strapping it?” Jey asked, reaching for his wallet, knowing how massive the tree was and how it might be a hassle to handle.

The salesman waved him off with a laugh. “Nonsense! Anything for you, Mr. Uso. Consider it on the house.”

Jey chuckled as he put his wallet away. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

Rhea smiled and she saw the QR code for Donations, she quickly captured on her phone and as the link to her to the site, she made $300 donation to the tree farm.

As they watched the salesman and his crew carefully lift the tree and start tying it down on the top of the jeep, Rhea looked up at Jey. There was a warmth in her chest, a comfort she hadn’t felt in months. “I guess this is our thing now, huh? Going all out for Christmas.”

Jey looked down at her and smiled. “Yeah, this is our thing. We need this.”

Rhea leaned into him, feeling a little bit of hope rekindle. This was a new beginning for them, or at least a step in the right direction.

—

Jon and Trinity sat in their car, engine idling, as they waited outside of Jey and Rhea’s house. The crisp air carried the hint of the season, and they could see their breath as they chatted quietly. Jon checked his phone, glancing at the time before turning to Trinity.

“You think we should tell them tonight?” Trinity asked, her voice filled with excitement, yet tempered by the weight of the moment. “It feels like the right time.”

Jon nodded. “Yeah, it’s only fair. They’ve been through a lot. Plus, they should be the first to know.”

Just as he spoke, the familiar sight of Rhea’s jeep pulling into the driveway brought a smile to both of their faces. But that smile quickly turned into disbelief as Jon caught sight of the massive tree strapped to the top of the vehicle.

“What the fuck?” Jon muttered under his breath, eyes widening at the sight of the enormous, bent Christmas tree practically swallowing the jeep.

Trinity sighed, shaking her head with a smirk. “Ugh, you and Jey are your own breed, I swear. Only y’all would do something this extra.”

As Jey and Rhea hopped out of the jeep, they approached Jon and Trinity with grins on their faces. Jey stretched his good arm, clearly pleased with their haul. “What’s up, Uce’?” Jey called, clearly amused by his brother’s reaction.

Jon pointed at the tree with disbelief still etched on his face. “Bruh, what did you do? Did you cut that thing down yourself?”

Rhea laughed, slipping her arm around Jey. “I always wanted a big tree, and well… we got one.”

Jey raised his eyebrow at her playfully. “She ain’t lyin’.”

Trinity stepped out of the car, shaking her head. “Y’all are something else. I’m guessing you need help getting this monster inside?”

Jey nodded, rubbing his shoulder. “Yeah, I ain’t lifting this beast with this bum arm.”

Jon rolled his eyes but smiled. “Alright, let’s do this.” He walked over to the jeep and immediately started helping Jey with the ropes holding the tree down.

Rhea unlocked the front door and swung it open as wide as it would go, making space for the enormous tree. “You guys got this, right?” she teased, stepping aside as Jon and Jey began maneuvering the massive tree toward the house.

Trinity stood by the door, directing them as they struggled to fit the tree inside without knocking over anything in the hallway. Rhea quickly moved the small hallway table out of the way, clearing as much space as possible. The sound of grunting and shuffling filled the house as Jon and Jey pushed the tree through the entryway, finally positioning it against the far wall where they had planned to place it.

As they stepped back, Rhea’s face lit up with joy. “It’s perfect!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Trinity, ever the realist, eyed the top of the tree, then looked at Rhea with a raised eyebrow. “Rhea… it’s bent. Like really bent.”

Jon and Jey exchanged glances, following her gaze to the top of the tree. Sure enough, the last four feet of the tree were completely bent against the ceiling, making it look a little… lopsided.

Jey let out a laugh, nudging Rhea. “Babe… did you know it was gonna do that?”

Rhea smiled sheepishly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Yup. I knew it was gonna bend.”

Jey tilted his head, folding his arms as he tried to figure her out. “So, uh… why exactly did you want a bent tree?”

Rhea’s grin grew wider as she looked at all of them. “It looks like the Whoville tree from The Grinch!”

As they stood around admiring their crooked Christmas tree, Jey stepped over to Rhea, wrapping his good arm around her waist. “This year… we’re doing it big.”

After Rhea finished explaining her love for the bent Christmas tree, comparing it to the Whoville tree from The Grinch, she turned to Trinity with a mischievous smile. “We need decorations! And I’m thinking… the full-on Grinch theme of course!”

Trinity raised an eyebrow, but her smile grew wide. “Of course you’d want a Grinch tree. That fits way too perfectly.”

Rhea grinned back. “Come on, we’re doing this! You’re coming with me to Hobby Lobby, right?”

Trinity shook her head playfully. “Yeah, okay. I need some stuff for my tree anyway. But don’t expect me to get all Grinch-y.”

The two of them grabbed their jackets, and with a final wave to Jon and Jey, headed out the door. Jey exchanged a glance with Jon as they left.

Jon raised an eyebrow. “You good?”

Jey chuckled, already anticipating Jon avoiding the couch after yesterday’s close call. “Yeah, help me out, and don’t even think about touching this couch.”

Jon laughed, shaking his head as he helped Jey adjust his position. “Yeah, man, not trying to get your babies on me..” The two brothers laughed.

With Rhea and Trinity on their mission to deck the halls, Jey and Jon finally settled into the living room. Jey leaned back, gingerly adjusting his shoulder, while Jon stretched out on the love seat.

“Think they’re really gonna pull off this Grinch Christmas thing?” Jon asked, his eyes drifting to the massive, crooked tree in the corner.

Jey smirked, looking over at the tree. “Man, Rhea’s determined. If she wants a Grinch Christmas, we’re getting a Grinch Christmas.”

Jon chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, I’m ready for it. I can tell this is gonna be one for the books.”

Jey nodded, a softer smile forming as he stared at the tree. “Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve seen her this happy. It feels good.”

Jon leaned back, studying his brother for a moment. He wanted to tell Jey about the good news he and Trinity had, but it didn’t feel like the right time. They’d wait—maybe after the holidays. Right now, Jey and Rhea needed this lighthearted moment to themselves.

At Hobby Lobby, Rhea was practically buzzing with excitement as she pulled into the parking lot. “I’m loving everything,” she said, already imagining how the tree would look. “The tree should be green, red, and a little chaotic.”

Trinity laughed as they grabbed a cart and walked inside. “You’re really embracing the Whoville look, huh?”

Rhea smirked. “Of course! Go big or go home, right?”

As they wandered through the aisles, Rhea tossed everything Grinch-related into the cart—green garlands, ornaments with Grinch faces, and even a fuzzy green tree skirt. Trinity browsed the more traditional decorations, shaking her head at Rhea’s selections but smiling the whole time.

“I swear, your tree is going to look insane,” Trinity said, holding up a red and white ornament for her own tree.

Rhea nodded proudly. “That’s the goal. I want this Christmas to be unforgettable. After everything we’ve been through this year… we deserve something fun.”

Trinity’s smile softened, appreciating how much this meant to Rhea. “You do deserve it. You and Jey both. I’m just so glad you guys are back together…”

As they continued shopping, Trinity thought about the news she and Jon were keeping from Jey and Rhea. She’d wanted to share it, but now didn’t feel like the right time. Rhea was so focused on creating this perfect Christmas, and Trinity didn’t want to shift the focus away from that—at least, not yet.

“So, what are you going for with your tree?” Rhea asked, snapping Trinity out of her thoughts.

“Something simple. Red and white, I think. Not as… out there as yours,” Trinity said with a grin.

Rhea laughed, holding up a Grinch head ornament. “Yeah, well, I’ve got the ‘out there’ part covered.”

They both laughed as they piled more decorations into the cart. As they checked out, Rhea’s excitement was contagious, and Trinity couldn’t help but feel grateful to be a part of this moment. For now, the joy of the holidays was all that mattered. And once they returned home, they’d help turn Rhea’s Grinch vision into reality.

—

“It’s perfect!” Rhea exclaimed as Jon placed the final Grinch ornament at the very top of the towering, bent tree, carefully balancing himself on the ladder. Her eyes sparkled as she stepped back to take in the full view of her masterpiece.

Trinity and Jey stood nearby, both a little astonished by how fully the Grinch theme had come to life. The tree, decorated with an explosion of green, red, and whimsical, chaotic ornaments, looked like it had been pulled straight out of Whoville. From the fuzzy green ornanments to the mischievous Grinch faces scattered throughout, the holiday spirit was alive in a way only Rhea could have imagined.

Jey chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief but admiring Rhea’s joy. He moved closer to her, slipping his good arm around her waist. “Whatever you want, babe,” he said, his voice soft but full of affection as he kissed her temple. He couldn’t help but smile seeing her so genuinely happy after everything they’d been through.

Trinity nodded in agreement, though she was still taken aback by the Grinch overload. “I gotta admit, I didn’t think this would work, but you pulled it off.”

Jon climbed down the ladder, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure about that bent tree, but now… it kinda works,” he said, grinning.

Rhea beamed with pride, stepping forward to adjust one of the ornaments. “See? I told you it would look like the tree from The Grinch. I wanted something different, something memorable.”

Jey leaned down, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “You always make things memorable.” His words carried a deeper meaning, but Rhea only smiled and leaned into his side.

—

Trinity carefully served hot cocoa into four individual mugs, setting a little bowl of chocolate chips, chocolate mints, and marshmallows on the tray. She brought it over to the coffee table where Rhea, Jon, and Jey sat, watching Monday Night Raw. The Intercontinental Championship tournament flashed across the screen, a reminder of how Jey had to step down due to the shooting.

Rhea, snuggled up to Jey, sprinkled chocolate mints and a few marshmallows into her mug while sipping the warm drink. Jon and Trinity exchanged whispers, their voices too quiet to be overheard, and shared knowing glances.

Jey finally glanced at them, raising an eyebrow. “What’s on your mind, Uce’?”

Trinity smiled, placing a kiss on Jon’s cheek before turning to the group. “We’ve got some good news,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

Rhea, curious, set her mug down and leaned in. “Good news?”

With a proud smile, Trinity blurted, “I’m having a little Uce!”

The room lit up as Rhea screamed in excitement, jumping up to hug Trinity. “Oh my god, that’s incredible!” she exclaimed, squeezing her tightly. Jey, smiling wide, nodded toward Jon, clasping his shoulder in congratulations.

But before the moment could fully sink in, Rhea turned to Jey, eyes wide with excitement. “We are too,” she said, her voice breathless.

Trinity and Jon froze, their smiles turning into stunned expressions. “What?” Trinity asked, her eyes flicking between Rhea and Jey.

Rhea quickly jumped up from the couch and darted into the bedroom. In seconds, she was back, clutching a pregnancy test in her hand. She held it out for Jon and Trinity to see, her eyes glowing with excitement.

Jon blinked, speechless for a moment, before a huge grin spread across his face. Trinity’s hand shot to her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at the positive test. “No way,” she whispered, her voice shaky with emotion. “Rhea, oh my god!”

Jey wrapped his arm around Rhea, pulling her close as he smiled at Jon and Trinity. The joy was palpable, filling the room with an overwhelming sense of happiness and hope for the future.

Now, both couples were celebrating a new chapter together—a double dose of good news, as two babies were on the way.

Author’s Note: I decided to give you guys a break and give you a happy chapter! But not for long:) I’m so happy for the all the feedback I’ve recieved in the previous chapters and I love each and every one of you! But hey man! I didn’t think I’d have Trinity and Rhea pregnant at the same time! But will it last… lol jk… or am I… am I not ? 😂😂😂🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🩷

[friendlylilslime]

Shin ran a hand through his fluffy strawberry blonde hair as he wrapped up his shift at the hair salon in the heart of Tokyo. Another day, another set of hairstyles done meticulously. He sighed, feeling the weight of the day slowly lift off his shoulders as he put away his tools.

As he slipped his phone out of his pocket, a text from Emma lit up the screen.

"Drinks tonight?" it read. He hesitated, violet eyes scanning the message. Despite the tempting offer, he just wasn't in the mood, especially not with the company of someone he harbored unrequited feelings for.

Instead, his fingers tapped out a familiar number—M!y/n number. He pressed the phone to his ear, waiting for a response.

"Hey, it's me. Mind if I swing by tonight?" he said casually, his deep voice betraying none of the thoughts swirling in his mind. He needed to get his mind off of Emma... again.

"yeah come swing by, I gotta clean up at the cafe a bit so I'll be a bit late. Just let yourself into my house you have a key" M!y/n tells shin. Cleaning up around the cafe he owns.

"Cool, I'll be there," Shin replied, a hint of relief in his voice as he hung up the phone.

He glanced at the clock—the late afternoon sun streamed through the salon windows, casting long shadows across the floor. Plenty of time to kill.

Shin took a deep breath, steeling himself as thoughts of Emma flickered through his mind. He grabbed his stuff from his locker before heading out into the evening air.

The walk to M!y/n house was a familiar one. He had been over plenty of times before.

As he approached M!y/n house, Shin fished the spare key from his pocket.

He unlocked the door and stepped inside, instantly enveloped by the familiar scent of M!y/n home. It was a welcoming aroma, a mix of spices and something faintly floral that always soothed his senses.

Shin shut the door behind him with a soft click, toeing off his shoes before wandering further into the house. He made his way to the living room, plopping down on the couch and making himself comfortable.

30 minutes go by until shin hears the front door opening. "I'm home. Hopefully I didn't make you wait long shin" M!y/n says putting down his bag on the countertop walking over to the couch falling onto it.

"Just got here," Shin replied with a wave of his hand, his gaze fixed on M!y/n as he flopped down beside him. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly as M!y/n's presence filled the room.

He studied M!y/n for a moment. The weariness in his face from a long day at the cafe, yet a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"How was work?" Shin asked, his voice laced with a casual curiosity.

Peeking up from the spot he lays M!y/n looks at shin. "Was ok. That bitch Janet came into the cafe and started speaking shit about god. Like talk about him but don't force it so much" M!y/n continues to rant about Janet while moving around to put his head in shins lap.

A smirk tugged at Shin's lips as he listened to M!y/n rant about Janet, amused by his passionate frustration.

"Sounds like you dealt with a real piece of work today," Shin replied, his hand automatically finding its way to M!y/n's hair. He chuckled at how M!y/n always managed to end up with his head on his lap, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"oh you have no idea! Like damn let me have my quiet peaceful day at work. I'm so tempted to hire a security guard or something because the amount of times this happens. Anyways how was work for you?"

Shin chuckled, his fingers resuming their familiar pattern as he played with M!y/n's hair. It was a comforting rhythm, a simple act of affection between them.

"Work was... work. Nothing out of the ordinary," he replied, a nonchalant shrug in his voice. His mind momentarily drifted to the text from Emma, the weight of his unrequited feelings for her never fully disappearing.

But here, with M!y/n, those thoughts receded, if only for a moment.

M!y/n hums. "Whatcha wanna do? Wanna chill and watch something or you wanna do something else?"

Shin considered the question, his gaze wandering to M!y/n lying comfortably in his lap. A wave of contentment washed over him.

"Let's just chill," he replied, his hand tracing a gentle path through M!y/n's hair. "I'm not in the mood to do much tonight."

His expression remained nonchalant, a mask skillfully crafted over years. But in the privacy of this moment, a hint of vulnerability flickered in his violet eyes.

"alrighty then" M!y/n sits up reaching for the remote control for the TV before laying back down to where he was before. Scrolling through Netflix to find something to watch. "Anything you want specifically? Because if not you know I'm gonna want some anime" M!y/n says with a chuckle.

"No surprise there," Shin replied with a smirk, rolling his eyes jokingly. "You always gotta have your anime fix, huh?"

He knew there was no changing M!y/n's mind once he had his mind set on anime. He shrugged, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Go for it," he said. "But you know I'm barely going to pay attention."

M!y/n glaces at shin staring at his face for a second noticing something was up. Probably about Emma again he thinks to himself. He can't help but be jealous of the girl. Yes he's known shin,Emma and itsuomi all since highschool none of them know he's not even straight. Looking back towards the TV he picks an anime he's been wanting to watch for awhile.

As the anime came on, Shin settled back against the couch, his mind wandering despite the show playing before his eyes. He was more invested in his thoughts, his emotions, and the weight of his unrequited feelings for Emma.

M!y/n's glance earlier had not gone unnoticed, and Shin felt a pang of guilt at the thought that it might be obvious what - or who - was on his mind. He tried to focus on the screen, but his thoughts continued to stray, always circling back to Emma.

M!y/n noticing shin zoning out he silently grabs his hand fidgeting with shins fingers. His ring sending a cold shiver down shins spine. "I'm to lazy to make something, what you wanna order?" M!y/n says pulling his phone out.

Shin's gaze shifted away from the screen, his thoughts momentarily interrupted by the sensation of M!y/n's cold fingers intertwined with his own. The chill from the ring helped pull him back to the present, if only for a moment.

"Order whatever," he replied, with a shrug. "I'm craving pizza, but I'm fine with anything."

He squeezed M!y/n's hand gently, a silent thank you for bringing him back from the depths of his thoughts.

"what kind of pizza do you want?" M!y/n asks tapping onto the site to order pizza. Automatically putting ice tea for a drink.

"Supreme pizza," he replied, the thought of pizza instantly making his stomach grumble.

As M!y/n placed the order for the pizza, he couldn't help but notice the ice tea. He gave him a sidelong glance.

"You always order ice tea, don't you?" Shin said, his voice tinged with amusement. "When are you going to try something different for once?"

"hey ice tea is good! Plus you know I don't like any of the other drinks they have at this place" M!y/n argues back towards shin, his voice obviously admitting a teasing undertone.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Shin retorted, unable to suppress a smirk. "You've made it abundantly clear how much you dislike soda, juice, and every other non-iced beverage in existence." He chuckled, enjoying their playful banter.

"One of these days, I'm going to get you to try something new," he teased, poking M!y/n playfully in the side.

Sticking his tongue out towards shin he checks his phone making sure the order is confirmed. "20 minutes it says until it arrives" he says putting his phone back down.

Shin's eyes flicked towards M!y/n as he confirmed the order, a faint smile on his face. The playful exchange had lifted his spirits, if only slightly. He let out a sigh, the weight of his thoughts momentarily forgotten.

"20 minutes, huh? Just enough time for me to finish zoning out," he replied, his voice tinged with dry humor.

M!y/n stares up at shin with a frown on his face. Playfully smacking shin in the face with his hand. "Stop that" M!y/n says

Shin chuckled, feigning an exaggerated pain from the playful smack. "Hey, what was that for?" he said, attempting to look offended.

He quickly dropped the act, breaking into a light laugh. "Fine, fine, I won't zone out," he agreed, unable to keep the amusement out of his eyes.

"I don't understand why you keep liking her" M!y/n says quitely looking towards the TV blocking his eyes from view with his hair

Shin paused, his smile faltering slightly at M!y/n's words. He knew exactly who 'her' was—Emma.

The casual question held an underlying hint of something more, a glimpse into M!y/n's thoughts on the matter. Shin could sense the tinge of jealousy, even if it was subtle.

He sighed, his eyes flickering from the TV to M!y/n's face, concealed behind a curtain of hair.

"It's... complicated," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"you've liked her for years shin. How can you keep up with it. She never looks in your direction, she only ever goes to you to get drunk or to rant about how isoemi won't pay attention to her. You have to take care of yourself for once as well" M!y/n trails off. Admitting a sad tone to his voice. His eyes tear up but his hair still covers his eyes. Why does he have to like her so much. Damn it I'm right here. I'm here, I'm always here. He thinks off to himself desperately wanting shin to know he's there. His own words contradict itself, because he himself has loved shin for years.

Shin's features softened, his smile wavering at M!y/n's words. The raw emotion in his voice hit him like a punch in the gut.

*Damn it.*

He clenched his fists, guilt creeping in at the realization of how he'd been so oblivious. For years, he'd been so consumed by his unrequited feelings for Emma that he hadn't noticed...

"I... I know," he finally replied, his voice low. "I know, okay? But it's not that easy to just... let go."

Still looking away from shin trying to hold back his tears, M!y/n stays silent. He's not even paying attention to the TV at all. His hands still interlocked with shin, M!y/n's hand trembling.

The tremble in hands was a stark contrast to his usual confident demeanor.

Shin's heart clenched at the sight. He had never seen M!y/n like this, vulnerable and on the verge of tears.

He gently squeezed M!y/n's hand, his thumb rubbing over his knuckles in a soothing gesture.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Look at me."

"no" M!y/n voice cracked. Not wanting shin to see him crying.

A mix of guilt and concern washed over Shin. Seeing M!y/n like this, so unlike his usual self, stung more than he cared to admit.

He reached out, gently lifting M!y/n's chin, trying to make their eyes meet.

"Please," he insisted, his voice filled with a mixture of earnestness and tenderness that he normally kept hidden. "Look at me."

Finally making eye contact with shin. His tears very obvious to the other man staring at him. His throat tightens, His tears running down his face

Shin's heart sank at the sight of tears streaming down M!y/n's face. He looked more vulnerabe than ever, a stark contrast to his usual confident and carefree persona.

He reached up, wiping the tears away with a gentle touch, his thumb tracing a feather-like path over M!y/n's cheek.

"Please don't cry," Shin pleaded, his voice almost a whisper. "Seeing you like this... it's killing me."

"why, why do you love her so much" M!y/n says with a trembling and cracky voice. Bringing his hands to try and wipe away his tears off his face

Shin's heart squeezes at the vulnerability in M!y/n's voice, the raw pain in his question.

He hesitates for a moment, trying to find the words to explain his feelings, words that he himself has trouble understanding.

"It's... complicated," he starts, his voice barely above a whisper. "Emma and I have been friends for so long, and my feelings for her have just... grown over time."

"what about me." M!y/n says quitely, shin almost didn't catch it

Shin tenses at M!y/n's words, his body going rigid.

He had been so focused on his own feelings for Emma that he had never truly considered the impact it might have on M!y/n. They were friends, sure, but the question he just asked held so much more weight, so much more meaning.

He takes a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest.

"What about you?" he asks, his voice wavering slightly.

M!y/n sits up facing towards shin "damnit get the hint you oblivious fool. I like you! I'm not straight ok" M!y/n says with an angry tone. Tears flowing down his face.

Shin's eyes widen in surprise. The raw emotion and confession in M!y/n's voice hit him like a punch to the gut.

He sits there, frozen, his brain struggling to process the sudden revelation.

"You... you like me?" he finally manages to sputter out, his voice barely above a whisper.

M!y/n eyes widen. Realizing he just confessed his feelings. Looking down at the floor. The doorbell rings, it's the pizza.

Quickly standing up he walks towards the door looking through the peep hole waiting for the delivery man to walk back to his car to snatch the pizza. Once the driver is back in his car he opens the door and grabs the bag with the pizza and bottle of ice tea.

Shin watches in silence as M!y/n gets the pizza, his mind still spinning from the whirlwind confession. As M!y/n returns with the pizza, he remains quiet, his usual nonchalant demeanor abandoned.

He finally breaks the silence, his voice low.

"You... you like me," he repeats, more to himself than to M!y/n.

Bring over the pizza and setting it down on the table in front of the couch. M!y/n sits on the floor in front of shin. " Yeah I do" he says quitely.

Taking the paper plates out of the bag and the ice tea as well he discards the bag off to the side. Opening the box of pizza and putting a slice on each plate, handing the other plate to shin.

Shin accepts the plate, his fingers lingering on M!y/n's longer than necessary.

He can't help but notice the change in the atmosphere; it's heavier now, the confession hanging between them like an unanswered question.

"Why..." he starts, his voice trailing off. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"you liked Emma. You loved her so much you broke yourself basically. I'm a guy as well, I don't even think you like guys. I'll just be a burden to you and bring down your reputation with your work as well" M!y/n trails off. Not facing towards shin but instead at the TV, not even paying attention to it his heartbeat sounds so loud in his ears. He's hyper aware of shin sitting behind him.

Shin's heart twists in his chest at M!y/n's words. He was so focused on his own heartache over Emma that he had missed what was right in front of him.

He leaned forward, his voice low and filled with a mixture of guilt and regret, and something else... something he couldn't quite name.

"You're not a burden," he said, almost pleading. "You could never be a burden to me. And who cares about my reputation?" He paused, his voice wavering.

Sitting there M!y/n seems a bit stunned. "You don't.. hate me?'

"Hate you?" Shin repeated back, a hint of disbelief in his voice. The thought of hating M!y/n seemed absurd to him.

He scooted closer, closing the small distance between them. He longed to touch M!y/n, to reassure him, but he felt paralyzed by the weight of the emotions in the air.

"Why would you even think that?" he asked, his voice softer, more vulnerable than usual.

Leaning back towards shin so his back is against shins legs, raising his his hands to hold onto the arms wrapped around him. "Honestly I don't know. You never seemed to be interested in me at all or into anyone for that matter. I was scared you would hate me because I liked you"

"Scared of me hating you because you like me...?" Shin repeated, his mind still reeling. his arms around M!y/n bringing him even closer.

The confession stung more than he cared to admit. All this time, he had been blissfully ignorant, focused on his own unrequited feelings for Emma, while M!y/n had been harboring his own feelings for him.

"The truth is..." Shin began, his voice low and tinged with a hint of shame. "I've been so caught up in my own feelings for Emma, I never stopped to consider... This."

He trailed off, his fingers idly tracing patterns on M!y/n's arms, the physical contact between them sending shivers down his spine.

"I know" M!y/n says quitely. "I know" he repeats

A pang of guilt twists in Shin's chest at M!y/n's words. He had been so oblivious, so oblivious to the fact that someone as amazing as M!y/n had been right there, hiding his own feelings and putting up with his one-sided pursuit of Emma.

He tightened his grip around M!y/n, the urge to pull him closer overwhelming.

"I'm a fool," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "A complete fool."

"you are such a fool. But you're my oblivious fool" M!y/n says with a light chuckle

Shin huffs out a laugh at M!y/n's words, the sound both humorless and self-deprecating.

"Yeah, I guess I am," he replied, his voice filled with a mix of regret and amusement.

His fingers continue to trace patterns on M!y/n's arms, the soothing motion grounding him. "Can I ask you something?" he said after a moment of silence.

M!y/n hums to acknowledge he's listening. Reaching his hand to grab shins hand as well

Shin's heart skipped a beat as M!y/n's hand wrapped around his own, their fingers intertwining. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the question he was about to ask.

"How long... have you felt like this," he started, his voice barely above a whisper. "About me, I mean."

Trying to think how long it's been really makes M!y/n realize how long it's actually been "since highschool"

Shin's eyes widen at M!y/n's response. Since highschool. All this time, M!y/n had been harboring feelings for him, silently watching him chase after Emma like a fool. A wave of guilt washes over him, a mix of regret and sorrow.

He tightened his grip on M!y/n's hand. "That long?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"it's as long as you've liked Emma"

Shin closed his eyes, his heart heavy with the weight of the revelation. All this time... The same amount of time he's been foolishly chasing after Emma, M!y/n has been by his side, quietly nursing his own feelings for him.

He opened his eyes, looking down at their intertwined hands. "Why didn't you say anything?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"like I said I was scared. And I had hope Emma would one day like you back. You loved her so much I thought you two would be good together but she never looked your way." Trailing off his sentence he finally leans his head back looking at shin.

Shin's heart clenched at M!y/n's words. The hope... the wishful thinking that maybe one day, Emma would reciprocate his feelings. But that day never came, and all the time he's been chasing her, he had been blind to the person who truly cared for him.

He met M!y/n's gaze, his own eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and remorse. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

"so what're you going to do now that I've confessed. Are you just going to stay friends or can we try being together and go on a date?"

Shin's heart skipped a beat at M!y/n's words. The thought of being more than friends, of being together with him, sent a thrill through him that he couldn't ignore.

A soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips, his grip on M!y/n's hand tightening. "I'd... I'd like that," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'd like to give this... us... a chance."

LITTLE ANGSTY BUT I HOPE YOY LIKE IT. Also I accidentally did the poll and idk how to remove it 😅

[ninjanervana]

Karma

Inspired by Taylor Swift's Midnights album

'Cause karma is my boyfriend

Karma is a god

Derek stumbled through the dark streets, only the light of the bright full moon above guiding him past the quiet buildings of the town. His eyes were unseeing, his mind miles away, fixed upon his family's home on the outskirts of their small town. He had said his goodbyes before he left to hunt as the sun rose that morning, but he never imagined the carnage he would find when he returned in the afternoon. His family had been slaughtered in their home, their bodies bleeding and cold across their property. No one was spared; from his grandmother to his youngest sister, everyone was slain. The Argent crest was painted upon their front door, as if Derek needed to be told who had committed this atrocity. He knew there might be repercussions when he refused the hand of Gerard Argent's eldest daughter, Kate, but he never imagined it would result in the deaths of his family.

The summer sun set upon him and the full moon rose as he dug into the soft soil and laid his family to rest. Splattered with the blood of his loved ones and the dirt of their graves, Derek walked along listlessly, no direction in mind and no one he could call upon for help, for fear of the Argents' retaliation. Once words spread of his family's demise, the townspeople would keep well away from him. If the Argents didn't find him first and murder him as well.

His knees buckled as his exhaustion finally overwhelmed him, sending him sprawling onto the ground at the bottom of some marble stairs. Looking up in confusion, Derek realized he had made his way to the temple of the old gods. Derek was not particularly devout, but his mother and grandmother were. He imagined it might have brought them some peace to know his body sought sanctuary at the temple, even if his mind hadn't made the decision. With a groan, he dragged his body up the three marble stairs before collapsing again, laying prostrate on the temple floor. 'I could die here,' he thought numbly. 'If the gods are as kind as Mother said, they would let me die now, let me be reunited with my family.' But as much as he longed to be with them, the thought of leaving his family's deaths unavenged left a sour taste in his mouth. 'I want to kill them all. I want to rip their limbs apart, I want to soak the earth in their blood,' he thought angrily. 'I want to become the creature that stalks them, let their terror echo through the centuries.'

"Be careful of what you wish for at the feet of the old gods," a voice teased from above him. "You do not know who listens to you and you do not know who will answer."

With a groan, Derek rolled onto his back, blinking tiredly at the man who stood above him with a tray balanced against his hip. If he had been in any fit mental state, Derek would have been taken with the attractive man, with his creamy skin dotted with moles, with his bright brown eyes, with his soft dark hair. But all he could do was continue blinking at the man as he struggled through his exhaustion. "Who-who are you?" he mumbled.

The man hummed softly, folding his legs to sit beside Derek's head. "Do not trouble yourself with names now," he replied, lifting a cloth from the tray and dipping it into a bowl of water. Wringing it out, he gently rubbed it against Derek's face, cleaning away the blood and the dirt. "You have had a most terrible night, Derek Hale," he said somberly, "and you have my sympathies for it. Tragedy is not an easy burden to bear."

"You know me?" he asked in confusion, his eyes closing as the cloth was brushed against them lightly.

"I know everyone," the man answered, his smile turning sharp for a moment. Setting the dirty cloth aside, he helped Derek sit up, watching him carefully for signs he would collapse again. Nodding in satisfaction, he handed Derek a metal cup from the tray. "Drink the wine; it will help."

"Thank you," he murmured as he took the cup with shaking hands. His eyes widened slightly as the wine hit his tongue, the taste warming him from the inside. He had never tasted such a wine, yet he couldn't have described the taste. He quickly drained the cup, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "You have been kind to me. Are you a priest to this temple?"

The man laughed lightly, leaning back on his hands as he gazed up at the moon. "No, I am not a priest. But I am quite devoted to this temple you could say," he answered. "I am always here. Or almost always."

Derek frowned in concentration as he searched his memory for this man. It had been months since he had last come with his mother or grandmother to the temple, but he couldn't have forgotten such a person.

"As I said, do not trouble yourself with names now. What concerns us is what you want," the man responded, turning his gaze back to Derek. "You seek vengeance for your family's deaths, yes? You wish to rip apart the bodies of the murderers, to soak the earth with their blood." The man leaned forward, his smile turning sharp again. Derek could have sworn his eyes had flashed red for a split second. "You wish to be the creature that stalks them, that strikes terror in them for the rest of time. Is this what you want?"

The hairs stood up on the back of Derek's neck as he watched the man, the night air suddenly turning cold. "How could you know that?" he whispered. "I did not speak it;  how could you know? Who are you?"

"You do not need to speak for me to hear you, Derek Hale," he answered. "And I warned you of your wishes at the feet of the old gods. As for who I am, I am one who can fulfill your wishes. I can give you what you seek that you may avenge your family. But I do not give things for free; I demand a bargain."

Derek swallowed tightly, his hands clenching into fists to stop their shaking as the pieces fell into place in his mind. To be so casually in the presence of one of the old gods was exhilarating and terrifying. He knew one false move could be the end of him; while he was eager for it minutes earlier, he no longer wished to die. But a deal with the old gods was a dangerous thing. The stories his grandmother had told them as small children were filled with deals that had gone well as deals that had gone poorly. There was no guarantee that things would end in Derek's favor. But he knew the Argent family was a large one and he was only one person. He could not defeat them on his own and he did not have anyone left to call upon. No one but the gods. "I do not own much," he admitted, "but you can have anything that is mine to give."

The man raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his lips. "Anything?" he questioned. "That is a bold offer."

Derek nodded, "Anything. Name your price."

"Very well. My price is you," the man declared, his brown eyes twinkling with delight.

"Me?" he asked in confusion. "You want me?"

The man nodded, "You must know you are an attractive man, but mortal. I wish to make you immortal, like myself. That I may have a companion for the rest of eternity. A lover. That is my bargain. You in exchange for the power you seek."

Derek was silent for a few minutes, his mind whirling over the implications of the bargain. "I accept," he rasped. "I will be yours for all of time in exchange for the power to defeat the Argent family. But I must have a name for you; I must have something to call you by."

The silence stretched between them for a few minutes as the man contemplated his request. "You may call me Stiles," he decided as he stood, offering a hand to Derek. "Only for you." Stiles closed the small distance between them, their chests pressed against each other. He slid a hand to the back of Derek's neck, angling his head up toward him while his other arm wrapped around Derek's waist. "Vengeance will be yours, my love. And you will be mine," Stiles declared as he pressed his lips to Derek's.

[protectmypeople]

A part of him believed her in her entirety, every word, and every sentiment carved the ever growing hole in his chest, the affection he mistook for weakness. The counsel had disagreed with her presence, vetoing her ability to assist in a war she had no experience with. They had used his war torn past to showcase her inability to handle the realities. Fear had gripped him, memories of his comrades bleeding to death, his own blood mixing sweetly with hot tears. It had stunned him into submission. Davina would never face that horror if he had anything to do with it. It had brought them here, outside of the war room, down the hall, to the empty reading chambers he rarely frequented.

Their discussion had his jaw set, and his gaze hardening, but his resolve was crumbling with every point she made. Bellamy toyed with the ring on his finger, solidifying their tie, their bond for the rest of their lives. King and Queen. The history of her kingdom still perplexed him, he knew of their cruelty towards her, die or marry him. A fate sealed by his mothers acceptance at the prospect of peace, and now. War persisted. Bellamy had hoped never to return to a battlefield, and yet the counsel pressed him to rejoin his battalion. Risking death for his people. Davina risked death in her own right, returning to her kingdom on their behalf was something he couldn't let happen. She'd die, they'd slaughter her and he'd burn the entirety of their kingdom to the ground. The admission had his heart twist in his chest, her stubbornness endeared him.

"Davina I-" If it were him, he'd do everything in his power to protect his people. This was her home now too. Bellamy heaved a sigh and approached her, closing the distance between the two of them. Alone in the reading room, the afternoon sun peaking in through the blinds, he could almost forget the war waging just beyond their borders. "Fine. However, you will not move anywhere without my knowledge, and this idea for you to somehow engage with them is- they clearly do not seek peace." He wanted to persist, to push the images haunting his dreams into her mind, he wanted to bury them the way he was forced to bury his soldiers. Anger simmered beneath his skin, and it did little to soothe the affliction between them.

With a deep sigh, his fingers reached for her dress, the hem just below her waist, snaking his arm around, he pulled her flush against his chest. The closeness had him aware of his scars, cutting across his freckled skin, he knew they looked worse at a closer proximity. Quieting his thoughts he focused on the feel of her waist through the fabric, the sensation of her chest pressing to his with every breath. "Promise me you won't do anything without explicitly consulting me on it first." I can't lose you. Fingers lifting her chin to meet his gaze, soft, open, she was dissolving the cavern he had encased himself in. "If anyone lays a finger on you, I will kill them where they stand." The threat hung in the air, the silence followed by the soft sounds of footsteps outside the door. Guards, most likely sent to protect the royals once they deciphered what room they had ended up in.

"You're stubborn you know that." Fingers dancing up her spine, finding the ribbon tying her corset together, slowly twirling his finger in the fabric. A small smirk slipping across his lips, as he leaned a ghost of a breath away from her. Heat pooled in his stomach, eyes dancing across features that would have heaven abandoning their god to worship her. Davina could send him to his knees if she simply asked. "Should we return to the meeting at hand?" His arm tightened around her waist, the meeting was quickly becoming the last thing he wanted to do.

@dthroned

i'm not going to repeat myself.

            davina   wasn't   one   who   allowed   people   to   shock   her      ,      having   gone   through   enough   in   her   life   that   there   was   always   an   air   of   disappointment   that   she   kept   for   other   people      .      but   this   was   something   that   took   her   off   guard      ,      the   tone   of   his   voice      ,      how   he   was   so   dominating   and   assertive      &      normally   davina   liked   a   man   who   could   take   charge      ,      but   this   felt   like   she   was   expected   to   sit   back   and   take   it      .

                     even   with   the   witch   there      ,      the   war   still   threatened   between   the   two   of   their   factions      ,      even   with   the   rings   on   their   finger      &      her   name   adorned   with   Blake      ,      her   people   had   not   upheld   their   end   of   the   promise      .      it   felt   like   a   trap      ,      like   a   trick   to   get   rid   of   her      &      she   knew   that   they   probably   looked   at   her   as   a   traitor   and   if   she   had   some   kind   of   ulterior   motive      .

                           '      i   am   asking   to   sit   in   on   the   meetings   with   your   army   so   I   could   help   you      .      '      her   tone   is   sharp      ,      unmoving      &      she's   trying   to   show   him   the   determination   that   she   felt   in   the   quest   to   be   able   to   help   him   and   his      ...      their   people      .      '      My   coven   hates   me      ,      Bellamy      .      If   I   wasn't   set   to   marry   you   I   would've   been   killed      .      I   do   not   have   any   intention   of   betraying   you      .      '      all   davina   could   think   of   was   how   she   would   react   to   this   if   it   was   coming   from   Bellamy      ,      thinking   that   he   would   betray   her   in   order   to   win   the   favor   of   those   who   hated   him      .     

                  '      i   know   it   seems   like   something   that   would   benefit   me   with   them      ,      winning   their   graces      ,      to   go   back   there      .      but   right   here      ...      '      arms   come   up   a   bit   to   gesture   to   the   area   around   her      ,      gesturing   towards   him      .      '      ---      you   and   your   people   are   my   home      &      my   family   now      .      I   don't   want   to   go   back      .      '

@protectmypeople

[jokenotfunny]

“we’re going to summer camp bitches!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

chapter 1 of my stranger things summer camp horror story

eddie x fem!reader (reader is canonically hot and everyone loves her i don’t make the rules 🙇🏾‍♀️)

except yes i do.

future warnings : suggestive language , cursing , blood and gore , heavy flirting , eddie being down bad 🫤, reader being hot , steve being hot , robin being hot , eddie being hot, nancy being hot , look everyone’s just hot okay? and i can’t think of anymore rn 🤨

a/n: i’m so excited for this story, but until then please send me asks and requests ! the writers block rn is so real 😾 and the only reason i was able to finish this is because of that nice anon i got about my writing earlier 😭. i literally make headcannons for my reader inserts personalities and stuff, i just don’t post them because i think everyone’ll hate them

a/n : also i like how i said this was a sneak peak, it’s literally the majority of the first chapter, because i don’t know when to stop 😭

hawkins, indiana | monday , june 23, 1986 | 12:48 p.m.

"why…is it so damn hot today?" robin asked, nobody in particular as she continued staring blankly into the sky, from her layed-out position on the lawn chair she occupied.

"don't know…ask god or something." eddie mumbled from the chair next to her, lying in the same position but lying onhis stomach with his bare back facing the sky, and his eyes closed.

the silence had once again taken over until the soft snores of steve caused the two, to slowly look on the left side of robin, where he layed in his own chair as well, shades on and curled up on his side, facing them.

"how can he sleep so calmly in this heat?" robin asked incredulously.

"no idea…ask god or something." eddie mumbled again, flipping over onto his back to stare at the sky as well, betore deciding it was too bright and flipping back over onto his stomach again.

"why do you keep saying that, are you high?" robin asked curiously.

"because, robin. it's too hot to say anything else, and no." he replied, looking to his now left, at the forth member of their little group who had also not said anything since this little conversation started.

"oh my god.….robin. i think the sun killed nancy…." eddie trailed off, reaching his arm over to lazily rest his hand on her bare shoulder, from where he was laying.

“what?” robin asked, slightly sitting up to look over eddie, and at nancy who was laid in a similar position as robin but with her arms crossed over her stomach and her head now lolled to the side, from eddie’s slight shaking of her shoulder.

“my fuckin’ gosh, the heat killed her, rob!” eddie exclaimed, quietly. (how that’s possible i have no idea)

before eddie and robin could go into any further type of panic though, nancy started to groan before, slowly opening her eyes and sitting up, looking over at the two confusedly.

“who died?” nancy asked, trying to remember where she was, before she remembered that she’s the one who suggested that the four lounge around steve’s pool, for the early summer afternoon, before their usual fifth member joined them for the day.

“you did.” both of them said simultaneously, now calmed down, before going back to their previous positions.

“oh.” nancy said boredly, before getting up, and starting to head back inside of steve’s house.

“where you going, nance?” robin asked confusedly.

“yeah, come back here and burn with the rest of us!” eddie slurred deliriously.

“i’ll be right back, i’m just going to get us some more drinks!” she called out from the distance , before the door shut behind her though, she heard steve’s voice say-

“someone said drinks?” he asked excitedly, before his voice trailed off towards the end, signaling that he fell back to sleep.

chuckling to herself at her friends antics, she made her way towards steve’s kitchen before, hearing movement from within it, and quiet humming. as she rounded the corner, she was met with the sight of you, taking four cokes out of steve’s fridge, then trying to balance them in your arms.

the sound of someone walking into the room alerted you, and you turned quickly, only to see nancy, coming into the kitchen.

“oh, hey nance! i love your bathing suit!” you exclaimed smiling enthusiastically at her. “i was just about to come bring these out to you guys.”

“thanks. and here i’ll carry two.” she said taking them from you before you dropped them.

“thanks” you said as you two started to walk back outside towards steve’s backyard

as you slightly walked in front of her, nancy was able to look over your outfit, remembering where you had just came from.

“so! how was aerobics with your mom?” she asked you, remembering how on the phone the previous night, you had told her that your mom was back in town for the week, and wanted to have a mother-daughter day, before catching up with her own friends. as nancy continued admiring looking over your outfit.

you had on a maroon leotard, that accentuated your curves perfectly, with mustard yellow stockings underneath, and a bandeau top to match them. (pretty much imagine that one outfit that lisa wore at the end of weird science, but with the colors listed above 😭)

“oh! it was good, i hardly broke a sweat this time! thank the lord.” you replied jokingly, nudging her arm. “you, robin, and i should go to a class one day, i think you two would really like it, plus you guys would look so good in the outfits! i could even try to get max, el and erica to-” you inquired, slightly trailing off towards the end, before tilting your head and looking over at the pool confusedly.

“yeah maybe…they were barely concious two seconds ago?!” she said confusedly, as you two stopped at the sight before you.

two of the three previously, sluggish bodies that occupied the side of steve’s pool, were now stood on the side of it laughing hysterically, as steve had just finished yelling at them, then angrily marched out of the pool and began chasing them around, trying to whip them with his (now) wet towel.

as you and nancy began laughing to each other and continuing your conversation, robin had noticed the two of you.

“wow. eddie don’t cream your pants or anything, buttt your “darling” is here and-“ she cut herself off with a whistle.

as eddie and steve stopped goofing off and looked over to see what she was talking about, eddie groaned, covering his face and dramatically dropping himself down, sinking back into his chair.

“jesus christ. why is she so fine?” he groaned, clutching over his heart.

“have you seen her mother? i guess it just runs in the family, man.” robin answered flippantly.

“okay first of all, eddie do not pitch a tent next to my pool, and two, would you two stop thirsting over my friend?” steve asked.

“umm i’m her best friend, dingus.” robin replied.

“no, we literally grew up together, i’m her best friend. and she lives right next door! do you know how many of her family photos i’m in?” steve defended and bragged.

“doesn’t matter, kiddos! because i’m her favorite! she calls me “baby”and everything!” eddie swooned, jokingly closing his hands together and batting his eyes.

before the three could continue going back and forth, you and nancy finally got to them.

“hey guys!” you said excitedly to the three. “i’d hug you guys, but i’m sure you’re all really hot.” you explained, handing steve and robin their drinks.

“i’ll actually take that hu-“ eddie smirked, before being cut off

“shut up eddie.” robin and steve groaned simultaneously.

“y/n has something to tell us.” nancy chimed in, handing a can to eddie, before sitting back in her seat.

“so…you know how we talked about how we like, never get to do normal teenagey things?” you asked them walking back and forth in front of each of their chairs, once you got their attention.

they all let out simultaneous hums of agreement, as they waited for her to get to her point.

“well…. we’re going to summer camp bitches!” you whooped excitedly, waiting for them to do the same.

“…what 😐?” they all said at the same time.

(nancy:🧍🏾‍♀️robin: 😧 eddie: 😐 steve: 🤨)

“…further explanation please?” steve asked, making you pout in annoyance.

“yeah.. i mean not to burst your overly excited bubble or anything, but aren’t we all too old for summer camp?” robin asked.

“well yeahhhh.” you said obviously, pulling the flyer out of your shirt, handing it to nancy. “that’s why we’ll be camp counselors!” you said excitedly once again waiting for them to get excited as well.

as you spent about 20 more minutes trying to get them to agree, they finally started to relent.

“okay, well what about work?” steve added.

“i already talked to keith already, and he said it was fine, he actually even said that you’ll still get paid, when i asked!” you said gingerly, making steve and robin look at each other and shrug, before agreeing.

“that’s sounds cool! did you tell the kids about it?” nancy asked, after she finished reading the paper, and handing it back to you.

“yeah, i just need to ask their parents, but that should go fine!” you said nonchalantly.

“why, you?” eddie asked.

“they told me that their parents are more likely to hear me out, for some reason.” you said, shrugging your shoulders.

“because the parents love her so much.” steve rolled his eyes, waving his hands sarcastically.

“ignore him, he’s just mad that he’s not the “OG babysitter”. ” robin joked.

as they began to go back and forth, you rambled out.

“alsoialreadysignedusupandwekindaneedtostartpackinglikeyesterdaysowecanleavefridaynight!” you rambled all in one breath before quickly trying to make your escape before they put together what you said.

( for those not trying to decipher that, she said “also i already signed us up and we kinda need to start packing like yesterday, so we can leave friday night! )

unfortunately robin put it together fairly quickly, what with her being a rambler herself. “woah, what? when did you have time to sign us all up?” she asked, getting up and holding you by the shoulders.

“two days ago.” you grimaced, as they all groaned your name. “i got the confirmation letter today! i was going to ask you guys yesterday, but i was too busy! and then before my mom and i left for aerobics this morning, the letter was already in my mailbox!” you defended yourself.

“okay, so wait..if you just got the letter this morning, when did you have time to talk to keith, about us taking off?” steve asked, gesturing between him and robin.

“ummm like right before i came over here.” you said, shrugging.

“..so after your aerobics class?” robin asked, realizing something.

“…yyyeah?” you said confusedly.

“and he just….didn’t care that we’d be gone for, what? a month?” steve asked looking at robin knowingly.

“and he even agreed to give us paid time off?” robin added.

“hey y/n, where did you see keith, anyway?” nancy asked grimacing.

“at family video! i stopped by before i came here to ask for you guys. it was practically empty in there too, so we were able to talk in private!”

“were you wearing that?” robin got to the point everyone was trying to make, gesturing to your outfit.

“yeah.” you said obviously. “why, what’s with the 3rd degree guys?” you asked, crossing your arms.

“baby, i think you accidentally seduced keith into giving our friends here, paid time off.” eddie sighed into his hands.

“…oh…” you froze, remembering that he was kind of quick to do what you wanted. “well it worked so-“ you shrugged. “and i mean, any of us could of done that honestly, maybe except steve, but you know..” you joked.

“why is it always make fun of steve day, huh? you know what you all need to leave anyways, go pack so we can be ready for friday!” he jokingly stormed off, to go back into his house.

“we love you, steve!” you called after him, giggling as he flipped you off.

“anyways! he’s right, you guys get to packing! i have some parents to start convincing!” you winked, running ahead of them, to the entrance of steve’s fence, quickly ushering them out as they passed you, and went to their respective cars.

you ran back to your house, as you changed clothes, you were mentally making a list of which parents it’d be easiest to hardest to convince.

~ easiest - hardest to convince ❥~

1. claudia henderson (dustin’s mom)

2. karen wheeler (mike’s mom)

3. sue & charles sinclair (lucas and erica’s parents)

4. ms. mayfield (max’s mom)

5. joyce byers (will’s mom)

5. hopper (el’s dad)

“alrighty then! wish me luck!” you said to yourself, before making your way out of the house.

a/n: i’m so excited for this story, but until then please send me asks and requests ! the writers block rn is so real 😾 and the only reason i was able to finish this is because of that nice anon i got about my writing earlier 😭. i literally make headcannons for my reader inserts personalities, and relationships with other characters and stuff.

a/n: also i can’t think of what to call this reader 😭 i usually give her a nickname or something but i can’t think of one, i’m thinking “darling” right now. if you guys have ideas let me know !

[padfootdaredmetoo]

Hey!! could you do one where it is where Grace dies but you take the bullet because y/n and Tommy love each other but, he is married, however you get shot, but you live? You are also like childhood bffs and always have loved each other?? Please please please!!!

Heyo, Looks like you have deactivated but I wrote this anyway. Hope it finds you if your still on here. Tried to make this angsty!

PG13 - Usual Peaky type stuff - reader gets her heart broken. Big kiss finale but no smut

You stood there on the train platform amongst the rest of the Small Heath population that would be praying and grieving. Watched as the Shelby boys and your brothers piled onto the train to meet whatever plan God had made for them. Tommy, your best friend stood there a moment longer than the rest. His eyes wide and a smile on his face. He looked caught in a tough decision as he looked at you. Eventually he made up his mind giving you one last squeeze and peck on the cheek. Your eyes watered, but you both promised to write. 

You should have kissed him. The thought ate you alive the entire time he was gone. Out of all the things to worry about, and there was a lot, it was that thought that had you tossing and turning in your sleep. 

You worried about your family, your mother was with Polly back in Small Heath. You and Ada were here with your Aunt helping with the farm, as your cousins had followed your brothers into the war. 

It was busy work, but it was quiet. The radio was only allowed after meals for a short time. Other than that you were engulfed in silence and conversation with Ada. That silence brought you as much rest as it did unease. One rainy afternoon you finally followed the loose string in your mind and realized it was proudly attached to your heart. Tommy was your best friend but your body betrayed your mind so easily thinking of the way he held you an extra second longer on that platform. The way he signed his letters: With love, Tommy. When he hesitated…. you should have kissed him. The thought of his lips on yours, the way he always made you laugh and the general affection he had towards you chased you everyware. Through the fields, feeding and cleaning the animals, everyware you went he went with you. You hoped you managed the same for him. 

It was a dark time, but sometimes you look back on that time in your laugh and miss the more innocent parts. The war ended and thankfully everyone you had sent away was coming home to you. 

However it was your turn to leave. You would miss them by a day, on a train to London for a schooling program. Your Aunt set it up for you and you would be away a whole summer. Tommy was disappointed but you had a feeling he might surprise you by going to London once everything back home was settled…. You were worried about him, his letters changed as the war dragged on. Years of missing him, and you couldn't even imagine the evils he was facing. 

The summer felt like it dragged on forever, Tommy still wrote to you frequently. 

Finally the time for the reunion was here. You sat anxiously looking out the window at the late august sun shining brightly over the countryside, then eventually the city. It was near impossible to sit still knowing he’d be there waiting for you…. 

The Small Heath you had left behind was a very different place than it used to be. Tommy was too busy to meet you at the platform and you wished that’s where the disappointment ended. But it was the first blow of many. 

He was married. Took over the family business from Polly. And had stolen a massive amount of guns and had it hidden in a grave that was meant for a man that he pretended to kill in front of the Italians. 

You thought you all got along fine with the Italians? You shook the thought from your mind and looked at him staring at you with his blue eyes. The only part of him that was the same, except for the lifeless undertone. You looked at him unable to process everything. You thought back to how you thought this would all work out, then back to him, a completely different person, with a completely new life. That clearly didn't have a spot for you. 

His wife came over from the bar that he had bought. Slid into the seat next to him. She was prettier than you, blonde, nicer frame, nicer eyes, nicer accent, older than you, probably more experienced. She flipped her blond hair and smiled at you - definitely more experienced. 

How stupid could you be waiting on him. 

Your head started to spin, better to get out of this as quickly as possible. 

“Well, glad we could finally catch up. I’d love to stay and chat but I have to head back to the house to see everyone.” 

“I’ll walk you home.” He responded sharply. You could see something had bothered him about this mess. You knew him well enough, but couldn't bring yourself to care. 

“It was lovely meeting you Grace, hopefully next time we can spend more time together!” You said cheerfully swallowing the venom in your mouth. 

“Yes, I’d love that. Tommy talks about you so much” She smiled at you. A million things came through your mind that you wanted to say. But you simply slipped out of the bar without another word. 

You made it home. Your mother thankfully sent you to wash up before coming to sit down with the family. 

It gave you enough time to splash water on your face and cry silently under the sound of the sink running. How stupid could you be? All those years…pining, obsessing, lusting, dreaming - all of it time wasted. Regret swallowed you entirely. Your mother knocked on the door and said something in Romani that had you opening the door. 

She pulled you into a crushing hug. 

“What happened?” You could tell that she already knew what the problem was. Was it so obvious to everyone but him? Or did he know too and just not give a shot about your feelings. 

“He doesn't love me” You whispered, saying it outloud only made it worse. 

“Eh, it's better that way. You don't see it now but you will.” She ran her hands through your hair. 

“There is a lot to discuss, but we will put on our best face for dinner, eh? Deal with this after.” She patted your back firmly and you tried to push everything down. She’d been cooking and cleaning for three days for your big arrival. All of her kids back home where they should be. You’d hold it together out of respect for her and nothing else. 

You survived the night, the pain soothed by the excitement of seeing your brothers. They were in better shape, or they were better at hiding it than Tommy was. The night dragged on and Polly, Ada, John, and Arthur came round with pales of beer and a bottle of whiskey to celebrate. They were much happier to see you then expected. It was enough to get you to sleep with an empty head. 

The weeks dragged on and you went to work, bringing in good money for the house, not that it was needed as the business was expanding. But you were almost certain you’d be leaving to go back and live with your Aunt. The farm was all you thought about now. All the open spaces to hide in, how the air seemed to wrap around your worries and keep them off of your shoulders. The city was the complete opposite. 

Tommy had some kind of party happening at his new house. You dreaded the thought of going but everyone was going and you had expectations to live up to. You knew that it was important to go and not show weakness, but you also were trying your absolute best to avoid Tommy and Grace.

A dress and 45 minutes of your mother trying to make you look presentable, she had you out the door and into the family car. 

“We’ll make sure he keeps himself in line” Your eldest brother said while lighting a cigarette. “S’not hard considering his whole family is as pissed about it” 

“Do us all a solid and get under her skin a bit, eh?” Your other brother chimed in with a crooked smile giving you a firm slap on the back. 

“She’ll do no such thing. Leave your sister alone.” your mother scolded but you could hear in her voice that she was only pretending. 

The night was classy. People were impressed with you, good job, smart, pretty. People were dragging their son’s over to be introduced. You swore anytime someone put their hand on your low back or upper arm you could feel his eyes on you. 

This progressed like this for a while Grace seemed to get more and more irritated as people wanted to talk with you. Tommy was eventually dragged into a conversation with you. He refused to make eye contact, but he passed off as friendly. You caught a glimpse of Grace’s blonde hair approaching out of the corner of your eye. You looked around to see if there was a way to escape the conversation without being rude. In your scan of the room you noticed a man with a gun, moving with a steady pace towards Thomas.  

You assumed he must work for Tommy, but something in the pit off your stomach told you differently. Intuitively, when he raised his hand you moved to step in front of him, shielding Grace in the process. 

An enormous noise echoed through the room, leaving a deep burning sensation in your shoulder. Looking down you saw redness everywhere, Tommy looked like he was screaming but you couldn't hear what he was saying. Next thing you knew you were looking up the ceiling, John's blurry figure on top of you, looking horrified, but no matter how hard you tried to comfort him you just couldn't manage. 

“KEEP HER ALIVE” Tommy’s voice finally broke through the haze. You heard him screaming at John to keep you alive. Then everything faded out. 

______________________________________________________

You were in and out for a long while. You knew you were at Arrow House, you knew that you saved Tommy’s life but failed to save Grace. 

You hated her, and somehow you hated her even more for dying. She had one fucking job, now you felt as if you were drowning in an ocean of guilt. You hated her, but it wasn't her fault that Tommy chose her. You didn't think she deserved to die for it. 

More problems. All this boy seemed to bring to your life. And yet he sat in your room late at night when everyone had gone to bed. Your eyes would flutter open to see him asleep in the chair by the fireplace. 

Eventually you were allowed to move about the house. But it wasn’t safe for you to leave yet. Things were not easy on Tommy, and you hated how easily you fell back into the role of supporting both families. 

With things being so busy, Polly had you helping with bookkeeping. Bringing over paperwork when she came by to visit. Her and your mum made you promise that you wouldn't tell Tommy, and once things settled down they would take over the responsibility and it would be like you were never involved…. Seemed strange but you were so bored you agreed to do it. 

_____

You woke up to Tommy yelling. It wasn't that unusual these days. Nightmares followed him in his shadows, and almost every word out of his mouth was hurtful. You heard him yelling about needing the accounting papers, your sleepy eyes focused on them sitting on your night table. 

Without thinking you scooped them up and padded downstairs hoping to shut him up so you could go back to bed. 

You entered the room to and walked over to his desk placing the papers down. His eyes caught yours and you heard Polly’s voice in your head making you promise not to tell him. He threw the phone across the room causing you to flinch. 

“WHY DO YOU HAVE THEM?” You’d never really been afraid of him until this moment. Yeah, you’d seen him do unspeakable sins, but you’d never even been close to the receiving end of such rage. 

“I was - uh - I was -” Your breathing was uneven. You’d been wanting to rip his head off for the past three months and yet now that you had your chance you just wanted to cry. 

He let out a sign pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“Look, who gave you the papers?” His voice was low, a strange mix of murderous and defeted. 

“I wouldn’t ever tell or rat -” 

“I know!” He snapped, causing you to jump. “I know you’d never turn your back on the family.” He said in a more collected manner. “I just need to know who gave you the papers?” 

You paused for a moment. Why shouldn't you have the papers? You were smart enough to handle the books before the war. Why not know? 

“Who do you think? Look, if you're so confident I wouldn’t betray the family, and we both know I’m smart enough to do the bookkeeping - Then why is this such a big - Why did you choose her?” It’s not what you wanted to say, but the words rushed out anyway. You could tell he didn't want to talk about this. Heck, her body was placed in the  ground a fortnight ago. Bringing it up like this was not what a good friend would do, but he stopped being your friend a long time ago. 

“We're not having this conversation.” His voice was so cold it made you shiver. But his reaction only told you that there was more to the story. 

“Yes we are!” You demanded. “Don’t you think after everything I deserve it? After everything you don't even want to try to fix this friendship?” tears were welling up in your eyes so you closed them for a moment taking a deep breath. 

When you opened them he was staring at you in a way you didn't all together understand. 

“She came from the same world I keep getting sucked into. What happened to her was something that was always a possibility for her in that lifestyle. She needed a husband and I wanted her connections. Seemed like a good fit.  I -” His eyes had a glimmer that told you that it was a good fit for a few more reasons that he wouldn't tell you. This only made you angier. He told you bits and pieces of what happened between the two of them and you sat there trying not to punch him. 

“And what, I’m not smart enough? I’m not tough enough to handle the almighty Thomas Shelby? Despite being his best friend since before primary school. Despite working hard the whole war with thoughts of you living rent free in my head. Months heartbroken over a fucking ridiculous marriage. I have plenty of connections - I - ” Chest heaving you begged yourself to stop but couldn't help yourself. “ All this over some fucking spy, I can't believe I thought she was better than me for even a moment.” You stared him down for once, feeling a strange primal sense of satisfaction over your words. They hurt him deeply, for once you were the one dishing it out. An entire childhood following this boy into every type of trouble, now it was your turn. 

“I don’t want you to go where I’m headed.” He said evenly, his eyes colder than snow.

“Why?” You demanded. 

“Your mother and aunt worked hard to keep you safe. Put you through school to get away from all this mess. That’s all this is. Mess. Expensive, dangerous mess. I won’t have it sink it’s claws into you.” He looked desperate. Suddenly you wished he was out of breath for other reasons. “Not you. I’m trying to do at least one thing right.” 

You thought about his words. Considering the way he wrote to you the entire time you were apart, this would make sense. He came home and got mixed up in a different world. He certainly wasn't the same man. 

He thought he could break your heart so you’d leave Small Heath. So you’d have a chance at a normal life, a safe life. 

You had options…. Make him say it, all of it outloud so you could be sure. You could leave, take the out he worked hard to give you. Seeing him leaning across his desk towards you. Flustered and beyond angry…. You could also just.. Lean forward and kiss him… 

You leaned across his desk as quickly as you could and pressed your lips against his. He reflexively grabbed your neck. His hand loosened once it registered what was happening.

It was more than you imagined, your whole body was consumed with the way his lips moved on yours. You struggled to force air into your lungs, and eventually he broke the kiss. 

“You’ve never been a good man. No point in starting now.” You rasped, face flushed, eyes wide in the warm lamp light. He thought about your words for a moment, his face almost breaking into a smile. Suddenly you wanted, more than anything, for him to forget Grace, forget the war, forget his mum, all of it. Every last bit. You would do anything to take it from him. Anything to get that smile back. 

He gave you a nod then pressed another kiss to your lips. You cupped his face, standing up to move closer to him. You moved your knee onto the edge of his desk and his hands gripped you tightly, guiding you up onto the desktop. You should feel embarrassed kneeling on his desk in nothing but your nightgown, but he held you against him in a way that made it feel like the most comfortable place on earth. Your body was burning from the contact, yet you couldn't be physically close enough to him. His hands ran all over you, careful to be gentle with your healing shoulder.

He had a lot of work to do before you’d let him in or trust him properly, but you finally believed that he would rise to the challenge. 

And finally you got to kiss him.

Tags: @kpopgirlbtssvt

[fictionalwh0ree]

hello! can i request a rafexreader (if you can, pls make it vv angsty and long pls) anyway, the reader is in his friend group with top and kelce and she is really in love with him, and he knows that so he uses that to his advantage. she always does stuff for him and he always takes her for granted and treats her pretty badly / rudely. but one day she’s finally had enough and show him how much he drained her. she starts talking with jj (you know with his funny personality and more) and meanwhile rafe regrets everything. then the rest is up to you. thanks! take your time

drained-rafe cameron

summary: you’ve always had a crush on your friend, rafe cameron, and he used it to his advantage. one day, you’ve had enough.

word count: 2k

warnings: swearing, no happy ending sort of

you had chosen to spend your day like any other, at the club with your friends. you made your way to the restaurant from the courts. the sun beat down on you and sweat was dripping off you from the heat and the tennis match you had just won.

as you walked, you could feel eyes on you. you found this happened very often, though you only had eyes for one person, one of your best friends, rafe cameron. you'd had a crush on him since the third grade, aka when you first met. now, 11 years later, and you were practically in love with him.

you approached the table where kelce, rafe and topper were sitting.

"hey, losers," you greeted.

"did you win?" topper asked as you took your seat.

"do you know me to lose?" you asked cockily.

"whatever," topper rolled his eyes.

"god, my legs are killing me," you said.

"y/n do you mind going up to the bar and ordering the food for us?" rafe muttered, looking down at his phone.

"uh, sure. the usual?" you asked.

"i can go if you want, y/n," kelce offered.

"no, no, it's alright. i've already been running around for a couple hours, what's five more minutes?"

you went up to the counter and ordered what you all usually had. after thanking the waitress, you sat back down. soon your food had arrived. right off the bat, you could tell rafe was eyeing the waitress.

"thanks, grace," he winked, pausing to read the girls name tag.

you rolled your eyes, topper and kelce already looking at you. when she finally walked away, you all began to dig in. you were all in the middle of the conversation, until rafe spit his drink back into his cup.

"what is this?" he asked angrily.

"they, uh, didn't have your usual brand, so i told her to bring the next best one," you said nervously, starting to shrink under rafe's harsh gaze.

"well it tastes like shit. why didn't you tell them to bring one from the back? are you trying to poison me or something?" he said through gritted teeth.

"no. i- no. they didn't have any in the back," you mumbled, looking down to your hands.

"god! there's a reason i don't get the next best. stupid bitch," he seethed, muttering the end.

you kept quiet, trying to hold back any reaction.

"look at me when i'm talking to you!" he yelled.

you looked up nervously, meeting his eyes and he looked back at you, fumes coming out of his ears.

"goddamnit," he fumed, slamming his hands on the table before walking away.

"y/n-" topper began.

"it's fine, top," you said, trying to sound confident, "i'll go. you can tell rafe he can come back."

you walked to your car and got in. after containing yourself, you drove back home. nobody was home so you spent your afternoon relaxing. at around 5:30, topper texted you.

topper:

there’s a party tonight

wanna come?

you:

sure

what time and where?

topper:

7

i’ll send u the address

you rushed to get ready and eat something before leaving. you arrived at the party a little while after it had begun, but the smell of beer was already strong. you had already notified your friends that you were on your way. you saw all of them, besides rafe, sitting on a couch when you walked in.

“hi guys,” you greeted.

“hey,” they said.

“i’m gonna go get a drink, does anyone want anything?” you asked.

they all declined and you made your way to the kitchen, pouring yourself a drink from the keg.

“y/n,” you heard someone call.

you turned around and were faced with the tall blonde you were in love with.

“listen, i’m sorry abou-“ rafe began.

“it’s okay. don’t worry about it, rafe,” you said

“are you sure?” he asked

“yes,” you confirmed

“okay, cool. i’ll see you back there then,” he said gesturing at the party.

you nodded and followed him back out. when you were back with the group, you noticed a face you hadn’t seen before. it was the waitress from earlier, grace.

rafe must’ve invited her, you thought.

you pushed him to the back of your head and enjoyed the party, though. you played beer pong, talked to sarah, had a couple drinks and, over all, had a good time. it was getting late and many people had already left, including sarah, topper, and kelce.

“hey y/n,” rafe said.

“hi,” you said politely.

“do you mind giving me and grace a ride home? i don’t think i can drive,” rafe asked.

“yeah, sure,” you smiled.

rafe could always count on you to do him favours. he was usually extra nice to you for a couple days after. you pulled your car around the front and honked when you saw rafe making out with the girl against a wall. they both hopped in the back and continued.

if it keeps them from throwing up in my car, you thought.

about halfway through the ride, you started to get annoyed with the kissing sounds and small whines, whimpers and moans coming from the backseat. when you had tried to turn up the radio, grace asked for you to turn it down, which you did. you had been gripping the wheel so hard, your knuckles started to turn white.

“do you guys mind?” you asked harshly.

“what?” grace asked with her stupid bimbo voice.

“the making out. stop,” you explained.

“i told you she was annoying,” rafe whispered in grace’s ear, just loud enough for you to hear.

“i’m annoying?” you rolled your eyes, “i’m the one who has to listen to you two moaning like some fucking porn stars. i tried to ignore it, i did, but i’ve had enough.”

“god, you’re such a bitch sometimes,” rafe said.

“you’re not any better,” you muttered, pulling into rafe’s driveway.

“get out,” you said firmly after stopping the car.

"i hate you so much. i hope i never have to see you again," he said, once he was out of the car.

"you won't. maybe you can get the next bimbo you pick up to do everything for you," you yelled.

you knew that part of this came from rafe's lack of sobriety, but you couldn't help but lash out. at first you didn't see a problem with all the stuff you did for him, but soon you started noticing how he would take advantage of you. you ignored it, hoping that one day it would all pay off and he would confess his love for you and you'd live happily ever after, but as you got older, that possibility seemed less and less likely. now helping rafe and getting nothing in return was getting draining. it was a one-sided relationship. you couldn't be part of that anymore.

"aren't you gonna give me a ride home?" grace yelled as you began to drive off. you stuck your hand out of the driver side window and flipped her off.

when you got home, you cried. that's a bit of an understatement, actually. bawled. you bawled until you were dehydrated and exhausted. this happened over and over again for the next few days. you had also avoided any call or message from topper, rafe, and kelce. topper and kelce had never done anything wrong, but rafe was there first and you weren't gonna make them pick. they even tried to visit, but you never answered the door. you'd avoid them at the country club and at parties. weeks went by and you hadn't seen them. you had made new friends.

the bonfire had snuck up on you and only remembered when one of your friends had mentioned it to you. you got dressed up in a cute summer outfit and did your hair and make-up. when you arrived, you went straight for a drink. you were standing by the fire alone, waiting for your friends to arrive when someone started talking to you.

"hey," he greeted. if you weren't mistaken, he was a pogue. you'd heard about how he caused trouble around town.

"y/n, right?" he asked.

"yeah," you smiled. he was pretty cute.

"jj," he introduced, "i've seen you at the country club a couple times."

"you don't seem the type to hang around there," you commented

"i'm not, but i've gotta make sure the kooks aren't having too much fun, ya know," he joked.

"yeah," you giggled, "hold on, i've seen you at the midsummers before, right?"

"yep, i was helping pope and his dad"

"oh, you're friends with pope! i've talked to him a couple times. he's really nice."

"oh, i know. my man didn't stop talking about your conversation for a while."

"that's cute," you laughed.

"don't worry, he's over you, now. can't say the same for the rest of the island, though," he said.

"what're you talking about?" you asked curiously.

"you and sarah cameron are like these magical kook princesses that everyone island wants to be with," he explained.

"really?" you laughed.

"mhm, not that you would’ve noticed, you’re hard-core in love with kook king rafe.”

“that’s over. i didn’t realize it was that obvious.”

“yes, well staring at someone with heart eyes most of the day is usually a dead giveaway,” he shrugged.

“you’re bold,” you laughed.

“thank you, i have to get my chance to talk to you before rafe realizes what he’s missing out on,” he winked.

“you think he’s missing out?” you asked nervously.

“yeah! have you met you? you’re nice, fun, you’re talking to a pogue without showing some kind of disgust, and you’re hot,” he complimented, causing you to blush and look at the ground.

“thanks,” you said.

“do you need a refill?” he offered.

“sure,” you said, handing him your cup.

he walked away and not long after, rafe, topper and kelce came your way.

“y/n,” rafe yelled.

“what?” you answered harshly.

“why the hell are you talking to a pogue?” he asked.

“why is that any of your business? i thought you never wanted to see me again?”

“i was high, you know that.”

“you’re always high, rafe.”

“is that why you stopped hanging out with us?” kelce asked.

“it was clear rafe didn’t want me around anymore. i didn’t wanna make you guys choose between us, so i made the decision myself. and maybe i was tired of being used by him,” you confessed.

“what the hell are you talking about?” rafe questioned rudely.

“you know exactly what i’m talking about,” you answered, crossing your arms over your chest.

“can we talk in private please?” he said, already pulling you to somewhere isolated. when you two were alone, he spoke again.

“what’s your problem?”

he was standing inches away from you, yet he was towering over you intimidatingly. you took a step back.

“my problem? god, rafe! are you that oblivious? all these years i’ve been behind you picking up after you, cleaning up your messes, doing shit for you. do you know what i got in return? a thank you, if i was lucky. then you’d go and blame me for everything. i was- i am sick and tired of it. i’m tired of caring for you when you clearly don’t give a shit about me. i deserve better, i’ve learnt that. i could have someone who treats me right-”

“then why don’t you?” he yelled.

“because i loved you. i chose you over myself, over my mental health. you knew i loved you, and you used it to your advantage, to get what you wanted. i didn’t get anything in return. you didn’t care about me and now i’m done caring about you. done. i’m done with you,” you yelled back. it felt nice getting all that off your chest.

“you don’t love me anymore?” he asked, sounding a bit hurt.

“no,” you lied, turning around to walk back to the bonfire. a part of you would always love him, but it hurt you too much to do that, so you had to give him up.

“come on, y/n. i’m sorry. we could make this work. me and you could work,” he begged.

“it’s too late, rafe,” you called, not even turning around.

you walked back to jj, a small smile on your face from the thought of him.

“are you okay?” he asked.

“yeah, i am actually.”

[pinkjoy-cons]

A Little Something Different

Pairing: Shu Lyn O'Keefe x F!Reader

Word Count: 4788

Warnings: 18+ (MDNI) lingerie, oral (Male receiving), deep throating, dry humping, use of collar/makeshift leash, spanking, light degregation, Dom Shu (is that a warning?), slight OOC for (maybe) cowgirl, slight bondage (kinda? not really), aftercare. Let me know if I missed anything

A/N: Backing up from my old blog :)

This was a mistake. 

This was a mistake.

This was a COMPLETE mistake!

Those words were the only things going through your head as you hastily walked through the streets. Even though no one else knew what you had in the inconspicuous bag clutched in your hand, you couldn't help but avoid eye contact with the people you passed. It was ridiculous really, you were a grown ass woman for crying out loud. Paying taxes, getting drunk, paying your own damn bills. You can make purchases like this if you wanted to. Right?

"Yes, of course I can!" You whisper yelled to yourself as you waited for a taxi to take you back to your shared home. Honestly you were worried about nothing. You bought the damn items. The lady at the shop was kind enough to help you pick them out. She even went as far to say you would look drop dead gorgeous. 

"If the man you wear this for doesn't appreciate it, then come back here and I'll worship you sweetie." It was a joke and it did give you confidence, but it still wasn't enough to kill all the doubt that plagued your thoughts. But the time for doubt would have to be put on the back burner because the taxi arrived and you had to give the driver your address. 

The sun was setting as you made it to the home, mansion really, you shared with your five friends and boyfriend. That was another thing plaguing your thoughts. You shared a house. THEY'RE GONNA FIGURE IT OUT! God how could you be so stupid! This whole plan hinged on them being none the wiser as you get absolutely railed by Shu. 

Being intimate with Shu wasn't difficult, per day. It's just that. Usually it would just be a soft kind of love making. Nothing too crazy that would result in side eye glances from any of the other boys or from Teuta. Which was nice. If they suspected anything, they either kept their mouths shut out of respect for you or from threats from said scary boyfriend. Going to a motel didn't feel right in this situation. And a hotel would have been too expensive for the night; not to mention how the hell were you supposed to convince your hitman boyfriend to go to a hotel room at night without having him get suspicious?

"We're here, miss." The driver cut through all her panicked thoughts, YN heaved a heavy sigh. After paying, she walked to the gates and to the front door. 

It was a quiet afternoon. Mozu, Limbo and the others sat along the couch watching whatever was on the TV while Teuta edited her next article from her laptop.

"Oh!" She looked up from her screen when she heard you place your keys on the kitchen island. "You were out for a bit, did you find all that you needed."

"Huh? Oh yeah, I did." You made a subtle gesture to the bag you had a death grip on. 

"You were out for hours and all you got to show is one bag?" Crow asked. "That must have been one hell of a shopping trip." Even though he was curious about the item in question, he didn't make an effort to move from the couch. The person who did want to know more was Helavicta the nosy bastard. 

He approached and came too close for your comfort at the moment, "You seem to be grabbing that bag for dear life, what's inside?" He made an effort to peak but you held the bag closer to you and lightly slapped his hand. It wasn't enough to draw the attention of the others but it was enough for him to be a little shocked at your actions. 

He was about to question it but he got a closer look at you. 

Breath was a bit shallow, hands shaking with nerves, and more importantly he noted, eyes wide. Partly with nerves but he could tell there was a type of excitement he could see. That paired with the flush to your skin, it didn't take a genius to guess what was in the bag. 

"Hmmm. I see. Well then." He patted your head and you cringed at the smirk he proudly wore. "I take it that you'd like to go to your room and rest, yes?" You nodded. "And I'm sure you're not hungry and wouldn't like to be disturbed for the rest of the evening?"

"Yes please." He read you like a book. That and how he knew your room was just across the way from Shu's, he was giving you an out. 

He smiled, it was one that said he would be an annoying tease and hold this over your head for a long time. "Hmmm, okay. I'll be sure to let the others know. And you should hurry," Helavicta whispered "You need to get ready, Shu will be home soon."

She couldn't even muster a thank you as her feet moved without her telling them to move. 

Being scot free, you closed the door to Shu's room. Now all you need to do is get ready. You borrow his shower just to give your body a good rinse from being out all day. Your hair actually looked good so you didn't mess with that. Getting out of the shower you dried off and looked at the bag you left on the sink. It's now or never.

Inside the bag was the set of lingerie you bought for the evening. It wasn't something that you'd ever think that Shu would like. He's constantly said he likes his woman to be more mature even before you guys started dating. You remember the drunken conversations you all had about the "ideal partner" but damn it this set was just too cute to pass up. It was a cow lingerie set. The thigh highs had black trimming at the tops with a sheer black ribbon and the main pattern was the black and white cow pint. The set also had a tie on micro bikini top and bottom that barely covered your pussy and breasts. With one wrong move,  would cause them to spill from the flimsy triangle pieces of cloth also adorn with the classic cow pattern. 

But what you thought Shu would love best was black leather choker with an O ring. 

Stilling your nerves, you put on all the pieces and for a brief moment, you were shocked. You looked absolutely sexy and cute! Adorable even, if that was possible. With newfound confidence, you made your way out of the bathroom and onto his bed kneeling and lightly playing with your nipples through the fabric of the top. 

You knew how much he hated it when you started without him but fuck it! You were feeling bold right now. No amount of alcohol could make you feel this powerful. However, as time passed, the minutes felt like hours and you began to fall once more into that well of doubt. 

He'll hate this. He's probably tired and doesn't even wanna do anything right now. What if he laughs at me!

All the different what-if scenarios flooded over your wall of confidence and you panicked. Quickly, you grabbed a pillow and held it over your body. Trying to figure out what to do next you didn't hear the voice or the footsteps coming closer and closer to the door. Not until it opened and Shu stood there in utter shock seeing you on your haunches covering yourself with a pillow did you realize it was far too late to do anything. 

Fuck was all you could think as he continued to stand by the door. A few seconds passed (but to you it felt like a lifetime) before he crossed the threshold of his room, closed the door, and locked it. All the while not taking his eyes off you. 

Clutching the pillow harder you looked down in hopes of just being eaten alive by the sheets beneath you. Slow footsteps approached the bed and only when they stopped did you look up to see Shu's still unreadable expression.

"Um. I-I can explain." You start, pillow being the only form of comfort you saw at the moment, "I know this isn't something we normally…do. But I just thought that it was so cute in the window as I passed the shop. I kept seeing when I went to work and-and I kept thinking about wearing this for you but-," through all your rambling you realized that tears threatened to spill from your eyes.

Shu gently reached to hold your face. The sudden touch startled you, but the familiar feeling of his rough, gentle hands calmed you to stop rambling. "What you're wearing," he began, "You got it for me?" Shu licked his lips and did everything in his power to hold back the smirk he wanted to show. 

When you didn't give an answer he leaned in a bit closer. "On your knees, baby." You did as you were told, kneeling on the bed and damn if he didn't just wanna praise you for being such a good girl for him. He reached for the pillow to move the bothersome item out of the way. The grip you had lessened, so he took that as the okay to toss it at the foot of the bed. 

God look at her. 

Shu's mind ran wild at the beauty that kneeled on his bed. The fabric cuts deliciously into the skin of your thighs, hips, and breasts. He swallows thickly as he takes in all that you are. You were a goddess to him even in this lingerie set. It all made his cock jump in his pants. The cherry on top what just how fucking flustered you were at everything. You were refusing to make eye contact with him but you greedly enjoyed the scrutiny at which he took you in. If the way you rubbed your thighs together and how your fingers not-so-subtly grazed over your nipples. 

He forced you to look at him, lifting your chin, "I asked you a question babygirl. You wore this for me?"

You wanted to give a straight answer, but something about the smug smile he failed at keeping down pissed you off just a bit, "Well, obviously I wore it for you. You don't see me parading in this in the living-," before you could finish your snide remake, a large palm made sharp contact with your ass. 

You gasped and Shu took the opportunity to grab the O ring on your neck to pull you closer to him. Your chest was against his and the grip he had on your ass made you squirm.

"You wanna try that again?" A knock on the door caused you to gasp. You tried to move away but Shu held you firmly against him. 

"Shu," It was Helavicta, "I convinced everyone to go out for dinner. We won't be back for a while. I know you're tired so I'll let you stay home."

"Fine." Was all he called out before footsteps retreated. “Now, who did you wear this for?” The hand on your ass inched forward and his long fingers began to graze over your covered pussy and you shuttered. It was an action that didn’t go unnoticed by Shu. His middle finger pushed a bit harder and you gasped out an answer.

“You. I wore it for you, Shu.”

“Hmm.” He hummed and brought his lips down to yours. The kiss was sloppy and greedy. You wrapped your arms around his neck; fingernails grazing the hairs at the nape of his neck. Shu moved his finger away from your covered folds and paused just for a minute to hear you whine into the kiss before he started to grind his clothed cock against you. That whine turned into a desperate moan. His hips moved in controlled, tantalizingly slow waves. Every now and then, the clothed tip would catch between your thighs and rub deeper against you. You panted like a bitch in heat but you couldn’t help it because damn was Shu making you feel all kinds of things right now.

Shu, meanwhile, could only stare at the way you looked, a small smile gracing his face. You were stunning. Panting against his chest, covering your face and the small noises you made. “I wanna hear you baby.” He declared before he ducked his head against your neck so your mouth was right next to his ear. The moans you made now clear as day to him. “Be louder. No one’s home.” He spoke right before latching his lips against your neck to suck, kiss, and lick your skin. 

“Sh-Shu!” His name slipped past your lips as his attack on your neck and pussy didn’t stop. It was too much and you felt one hand spread your legs as his erection pressed further into your cunt. It drove you mad. 

Finally, he stopped. Both of your eyes were blown out with lust and your lips were beautifully swollen. The top, slightly askew and nipples hard from being rubbed against. “Do you want more?” You nodded with a fever and perked up at the implications. He smirked at your reaction, “I know you do, but, I still think you need to earn it.” He encouraged you to leave the bed and kneel on the floor. He reached into his side table drawer and put his hair up with his clips. Standing in front of you, you could see just how prominent his erection was and how there was wet stain where the tip was. 

I got that wet just from some dry humping!

Ignoring your embarrassment, you looked up at Shu as he sat down on the bed, knees spread enough for you to get between.

“Undo the zipper.” There was a pause, it just now struck you how forceful Shu was being with you tonight. It was a change of pace and very much not the norm when you guys had sex but seeing the way he watched you like a wolf hunting its prey. And how his demeanor just oozed this dominating energy, you absolutely didn’t hate it. You were taking too long for his liking however, because he hooked his finger around the ring on your choker and he yanked your face to his erection.

“I won’t ask again.” You made a mental note to test his patience on another night because right now you were focused on the fastest route that got his dick in your pussy. A shaky hand reached for his zipper and slowly undid it as you also grazed your hand against his clothed erection. He helped you a bit, lifting his hips up enough for you to lower his pants just enough. All the while he pushed his fingers in your hair, keeping it out of your face so he could see you clearly. 

Next, your fingertips played with the hem of his Calvin Klein boxer briefs. Soft touches against his skin, tracing the V lines that disappear into his Kleins. The grip he has on your hair becomes tighter, a warning that he was losing his patience. Hooking your fingers under the elastic, you finally bring the band low enough for his dick to spring out. You lick your lips and admire the delicious cock in front of you. Long, thick, and waiting for you to suck like the most delicious piece of candy. Shu noticed your lack of movement and he realized that you were waiting for him to tell you what to do next. It was such an adorable sight.

He held your cheek in his hand and whispered, “You want my cock?” You replied with a breathy yes and he smirked at your obedience. “Alright babygirl, but you're not allowed to touch yourself. Understand?”

“Okay.” After your response, he let your face go and immediately he felt those plush lips he craved kiss the tip of his dick. He felt your hands find purchase on his inner thighs to keep them spread as you made slow kisses down his erection. Your lips then kissed his balls and you looked right at him as you gave them a hard suck while one hand played with the tip of his cock. Even if Shu did his best to keep it together, only producing a soft sigh and leaning his head back, his body betrayed him as his hips bucked ever so slightly and you felt his cock released a bit of precum from your actions. You released his balls and licked your way back to the tip, taking it into your mouth and moving one hand to grip his base and give it a light squeeze. That intandum with the sucking and your doe eyes looking at him, Shu was in paradise. He gripped your hair and encouraged you to take him deeper. Doing as you were told, you hollow your cheeks and took him as much as you could; using your hand to jerk off what you couldn’t fit. But that didn’t seem enough for him.

“I know you can do it baby.” He praised you and brought his hips up and pushed the rest of himself in your mouth. It made you gag for a second before your relaxed your jaw. Your tongue felt the heft of his cock and how it twitched when it hit the back of your throat. With a mind of its own, your tongue began to lick around what it could. A moan broke through and caused a sensual vibration on his member. 

“Fuck, you take me so well in your mouth.” Shu threw his head back and led your head up and down his length. Both hands now found homes in your hair as he didn’t stop the slow movements. Drool fell down with your chin. One hand began to fondle his balls again. Using your nails to scrape against his sensitive skin. It was driving him fucking crazy and making you so wet you could feel it drip on your inner thighs. So lost in the heat of the moment, you forget his one rule. One hand made its way to your pussy and you began to rub and play with your folds. You pushed the bikini bottom to the side to get better access to your clit and began to barely push your fingers between your folds.  

Your pleasure didn’t last long because with a yank, you were forced off Shu’s dick and you started a coughing fit. Once you stopped, Shu grabbed the hand that was just on your pussy by the wrist and hooked his fingers through the ring to make you look up at him. The glare he gave you was one of a disappointed master. It was hot as hell and you rubbed your thighs together at how desperately you craved him between your legs. 

“What were you just doing?” His voice was low, dripping with lust, what you didn’t know was that he was glad you disobeyed the one rule.

“I was playing with my pussy.” He let go of the ring and gripped your face.

“You were playing with yourself after I told you not to.” He reconfirmed and you said a soft “I’m sorry'' before he tsked, “And to think I was praising you for sucking my dick so well. I was going to even reward you. You wanted me to fuck you the way you like it right?” You nodded, “You said yes but you finger yourself? Do you really think that your fingers are better than my cock?”

“No Shu I just-I needed it—”

“You were so fucking horny that you just had to finger fuck yourself? You want to come that badly needy girl?” Shu didn’t bother to wait for a response before pulling you off the ground and on to the bed. You laid on your stomach and Shu gave you a tender kiss behind your ear after moving your hair. “You okay?” It was a break in the moment but it made your heart swell to know that even though he could tell you absolutely were enjoying this, he still wanted to check in with you.

“Yes I’m fine.” He hummed. Taking his pants and boxer briefs all the way down he went to grab something from his dresser. A black tie is what he brought back and with it, he tied your arms together behind your back. 

“Shu?”

“Too tight?”

With a tug, you tested the tie. It was enough to keep your arms down without hurting you, “It’s fine.”

“Good.” He spanked your ass. You lurched forward gasping and moaning into the pain. You sunk your cheek into the bedsheets while Shu rubbed your ass. He helped you on the bed so you could face him. He began to take off his clothes while keeping eye contact. The red tie he kept loose on his vest was ripped off his person and looped through the O ring around your neck. Then, he removed the gray vest and tossed it somewhere among the rest of his clothes. The white button up was undone but it was left on. 

Shu joined you on the bed, grabbing on the red tie he brought you to him to kiss you fiercely. It was so passionate and lustful you thought you could melt into his lips. His tongue entered your mouth craving to dominate you more. The closeness of your bodies was enough for you to feel his full mast erection against your stomach. You craved to have it being either forced down your throat or deep into your fluttering cunt. He took a deep breath and teeth clashed from the intensity of it all. When he finally pulled away, there was a string of saliva connecting your tongues. What he did next shocked you. Normally at this point, he would lay you down. Either on your back or stomach and have his way with you, but this time, it was him who laid down on the bed. Shu recognized the confused expression and chuckled.

“Confused?” You could only blink, “Well, since my needy girl wants to fuck herself so badly, you can do it yourself.” He grabbed his dick staring at you with a smirk on his lips and slowly rubbing himself up and down. You were at a loss of words but at this point, you needed him inside of you. Hesitantly, you did your best to arrange yourself to straddle him, with his help. Shu moved your cow panties to the side and reached out for the red tie.

After what felt like forever, you finally sank yourself down onto Shu’s cock. 

“Fuuuuuck!” You nearly came just from the penetration. Walls fluttering against his twitching length both of you needed to catch your breaths. Despite the iron will he had, Shu wouldn’t deny that he was a bit sensitive as well. Your head was thrown back because he felt bigger than normal. Maybe you were sensitive, but his cock fit perfectly, filling you so nicely and the tip just kissing against your cervix. “Shu! Shu!” Already calling out his name without movement, it was pathetic really. But you didn’t care.

A tug against your neck brought your tear filled eyes back to the man below you, “Go on then, ride. Give me a show.” On shaky legs, you brought yourself up, a hiss left your lips to feel every vein against your lower lips. And with a heavy slam, you brought yourself down and you screamed. 

“GOD SHU!” 

Shu held back a groan, he expected you to go slow, not slam down so fast. He watched as you got lost in the movements of riding his thick cock. Your breasts bouncing in the triangle bikini top. The face you had was one of pure bliss. Incoherent praises and moans fell from your mouth. 

It felt like heaven, the only thing on your mind was feeling him plunge into you by your own doing. A sheen of sweat formed on your skin reflecting the moonlight that shone through the window of the night. Shu spanked your ass, a small encouragement followed by Keep going baby, you look so good. Keep bouncing.

“God! I-I don’t want to stop!” Exclaimed through the breaths and pants of your ecstasy, you couldn’t let up with the fast pace you started. You leaned forward and times, and you leaned back to feel the different angles his cock could pierce your insides. You were so sensitive with the need to cum that you could feel every ridge and curve of his cock as you fucked yourself on him.

Shu told you to give him a show, and damn if you didn’t deliver. You rode him with the intention of getting off; if the way you creamed his cock was any proof of that. He could tell you were chasing your high, maybe going too fast. 

Shu called out your name, both out of bliss and out of warning for you. He tugged and with a final plunge he felt your walls flutter and you screamed. You came so hard, your body almost fell on top of him. He caught you. A hand in your hair rubbing you softly. You panted heavily against his chest as he gave you small praises. He undid the tie on your arms and you wrapped them around his neck.

“You looked so beautiful, baby.” He kissed your forehead as you whined. Shu’s eyes went wide and he gasped when he felt you grind against his still prominent erection. “Hey you just came maybe-”

“No!” You whined, “I-I still want more.” You grabbed his face and gave him a hungry kiss. You moaned into the action and continued to grind in his lap despite your sensitive pussy begging for mercy. When the kiss finished you looked into his eyes and pouted, “Please?” You bounced in his lap, “Please fuck me Shu.”

At your request he thrusted into you and held you tighter as you gasped at the sudden action. He propositioned him to be in control and began to piston himself into you. “God. You really are a needy girl, fuck.” You held onto him as he wasn’t going to let up anytime soon, his stamina was better than yours and his ability to calm down so he wouldn’t come was a talent in its own right. 

Shu’s breaths and moans filled your ears along with the wet slapping of skin and you knew that neither party could take it for much longer. 

“Where? Tell me baby, where?”

“Inside, fuck please please please come inside me!” He reached between you to rub your clit fast and you squeezed his cock and came hard for a second time that night. A few more deep thrusts was all it took before he bottomed out and released, painting your warm walls. As this happened, Shu gave a low yet loud moan into your ear. 

Neither of you wanted to move and you let his dick get soft inside you before he pulled out, his cum following after. 

Shu laid you down and kissed your forehead. “I love you.” He said before he left to the bathroom. He came back with a washcloth and by then, you had regained a sense of self and could acknowledge your surroundings. 

“I love you too.” He smiled, wiping his cum from your pussy. You jolted slightly at the wet cloth and Shu used another cloth to wipe some sweat from your body. After, he sat you up to remove the top, bottom, thigh highs, and collar and gave you one of his old shirts for you to be comfortable in. You helped remove the top layer of bedding and layed in the fresh ones underneath. It was silent for a few seconds before you sheepishly spoke up. 

“Did…Did you have fun?”

Shu chuckled, “Fun? I guess that’s one word to describe what we just did. Yeah, I had fun.”

You snuggled closer to him a smile gracing your features at his comment.

“I wasn’t too rough with you was I?”

“Hmmm? No, you weren’t, I actually really enjoyed seeing that side of you. If anything…you could be more rough with me if you’d like?”

“Really?” He looked at you to see if you were joking, but the excited little nod you gave told him everything. “Good, because next time,” He held you closer to him so his lip grazed the shell of your ear, “I want to get a proper leash for that collar of yours.”

[the-littlemxrmaid]

Sunday Afternoon- Eddie Munson

Summary: A quiet afternoon with Eddie in the trailer after an intense night at Hellfire Club

Pairing: Eddie Munson x OC reader

Warnings: minor sexual innuendos, but mostly fluff. Also this was not proofread and I literally wrote it in one sitting

I sighed and rolled over on the bed, stretching as I faced Eddie. He had a cigarette held loosely between his lips as he tuned his guitar.

“What’re you looking at bird?” He took a drag off the cigarette before looking down at me. “Like what you see?”

“Always.” I chuckled as I eyed him, the Iron Maiden shirt that I’d chopped showing off the lower part of his stomach, his sweatpants hung low on his hips. “Can I?”

“Absolutely not.” I pouted.

“What about-“

“Jen, it’s bad enough you go home smelling like weed after coming over, I’m not sending you home high to your parents.” I rolled my eyes.

“Lame.” I tugged at the bottom of my shirt, looking at the other Hellfire club shirt tossed haphazardly across the vanity. Eddie put the guitar down, gingerly laying it into the mattress. “You love her more than me.”

“Nonsense, my fair maiden.” He placed a hand against his chest, turning to look at me dramatically, his hair tossing and his bangs bouncing against his forehead. “Why are you still wearing your club shirt? You never wear that unless we’re playing. Especially after last night-“

“Don’t talk to me about last night Munson, that was bullshit and you know it.” I narrowed my eyes at him, my characters death still a sore spot. “Also it’s yours.”

“Jennifer Anne.” I sat up and narrowed my eyes, shaking my bangs out of them at the same time.

“Don’t ever call me that again. It’s Jen to you, sir.” I shoved him playfully across the bed.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry… little bird.” He drew out the last word, a devilish smirk grinning across his face as my heart skipped a beat and my face began to flush. “That’s what I thought.”

I was silent as I fell back onto the pillows, eyes flickering back and forth to Eddie and the wall. He rolled onto his side, placing a hand on my thigh, running up it, his thumb rubbing circles.

“Why are you not wearing pants?”

“Because I can’t find where you threw them.” I retorted back, and his expression told me he was biting back a laugh.

“Sorry.” He picked the guitar back up and began to tune it again. “I’ll make you a deal.”

“God, what?” I groaned.

“If you read to me, while I tune of course, I’ll tell you where your shorts have disappeared to, and to sweeten it, I’ll let you keep my precious Hellfire club shirt.”

“Oh how could I ever say no to that.” I replied sarcastically.

“Well I don’t know how you think you’re going to get home without them Jen.”

“Would it be so bad if I stayed?”

“I mean I wouldn’t complain but your parents might kill me.” I sighed. Having to hide from my parents about Eddie made everything seem hard. Counting down the days to graduation almost made it more unbearable. “So, bird, what do you say?” I rolled my eyes and sighed.

“Give me the damn book. And just one, and I get my pants.” He turned, snatching my copy of The Hobbit that I’d let him borrow, a wide grin on his face as I settled up against his side, flipping to the chapter we were on. “Bilbo had escaped the goblins, but he did not know where he was. He had lost hood, cloak, food, pony, his buttons and his friends. He wandered on and on, till the sun began to sink westwards-behind the mountains.”

[cr0wbonezz-wr1ting-inc]

One more time

Summary: Alex regrets ever saying yes. All he wants is a second chance.

Trigger warning: Mentions of cheating, mentions of sex, swearing, angst

Author's note: my first piece off hiatus !! - you're a twitch streamer in this fic but it won't come up too much :) hope u like it <3

Based on: Break My Heart Again - FINNEAS

you sigh. your ex-boyfriend called again. you've been ignoring your phone for 5 minutes now. was he really this desperate?

you pick up your phone and slide the green button.

"what do you want, alex?"

"___, you picked up!"

he sounded extremely relieved, like he needs you to breathe.

"i did, now what do you want?"

alex sighed and leaned on a wall in his bedroom.

"can i come over? there's some stuff i still need to pick up."

you suck in a breath sharply. the air is thick and tense.

"no."

you clench the phone you were holding and bit your lip.

"i don't want to see you right now."

alex closed his eyes and pushed himself off the wall.

"i understand, you need time."

there was silence for a moment. neither of you wanted to say anything.

"if you want to come over that bad you can get your things tomorrow morning."

"sounds good. i'll be there around 11, okay?"

"fine."

"good-"

you ended the call.

"-bye..."

alex let his arm drop beside him. his eyes were watering, but he wiped it away with the sleeve of his hoodie.

it's his fault, he knew. but why is he still so upset? he shouldn't feel like this - it's is his own doing, after all.

~

you open the door to your home. alex was standing on the porch with a few empty bags in hand. the morning sun blinded you slightly, making you squint at the man in front of you.

"hi ___."

"hello, alex. all your belongings are on the couch.

"great, thank you."

~

he looks over as he's folding a shirt.

"what are you looking at?"

you say without looking away from your laptop.

his face was getting red slightly from embarrassment.

"nothing, you seem busy."

alex directed his eyes back to the clothes in front of him.

"otherwise you would've said something about me."

alex snickered slightly, trying to lighten the mood.

you sigh, holding your face in one of your hands.

don't say it. ___, keep it in. there's no point in fighting him. ___-

"if i wanted to make a comment it'd be about the fact you can't keep your dick in your pants."

god damn it, why did you do that?

he fell quiet. you hated his guts, but even you felt kind of bad for being so blunt with it.

a part of you still loved him. his loud, yet charming laugh. his sweet kisses. his adorable clinginess. his blushing face when you teased him.

you shake your head, trying to physically get rid of your pity for him. he doesn't love you anymore. he shouldn't, and neither should you.

~

after filling the bags with alex's belongings he stood up and wiped his forehead. you waver from your work and look him up and down.

"you done?"

you asked him. he turned around and gave you a weak smile.

"yeah, i think so."

"good, you know the way out."

you turn back to your computer.

"___, wait. can i ask you something?"

you make eye contact with him, fully aware it makes him nervous.

"what do you want?"

alex took a quick breath.

"can we talk sometime?"

you look at him like he spoke an alien tongue.

"why the hell would i?"

"i want to talk about what happened between us. i hate that our relationship is so sour."

he set a step forward.

"i just want this to end peaceful - or at least neutral."

"why the fuck would i want to be peaceful with you of all people?"

"i hate ending things on the wrong foot, you know that."

alex stands his ground, making you livid.

"then we make up, and then what? you'll just break my heart again!"

you stand up, simultaneously pushing the chair away with your legs.

"then i can lay awake and think about why i even let you inside my house again in the first place?!"

if looks could kill, alex would be on the floor.

"fine. if you don't want to, then i guess everything will just stay the way it is."

alex turned around and grabbed his bags. there's no way he's getting through to you right now.

"oh, so now it's my fault?"

you slam your laptop and walk away from the table.

"well, i'm so sorry for being angry at you for cheating on me!"

you don't hold your anger in anymore, he crossed the line.

"i never said that, ___!"

alex yelled to match your energy.

you took a step back. the audacity to yell at you in your house.

"out. now."

alex grabbed the second bag of clothes and without a word walked to the front door.

"goodbye, ___."

alex pushes the door open and steps outside. you go after him but stop at the doorstep.

"fuck you!" you sob out. you grab the doorknob and slam the door shut.

your knees slowly got weaker and you sit against the front door, shutting your eyes.

~

it's been a month since you've seen alex. you've blocked him on everything since then.

you were doing a q&a on your twitch channel and everything was going well. chat was filled with questions and you answered the one's you could.

your thoughts were somewhere else, though.

you still miss him, you really did. alex used to watch your streams all the time. he sent you donations with cheesy pick-up lines, he called you during streams to make fun of you for dying in a game or just to chat while he's bored.

but that didn't happen anymore.

you realize you haven't said anything in a while and you apologize. your chat was spamming purple hearts and 'are you okay?'

"ah, sorry everyone, i'm still tired from yesterday. i think i'm going to end the stream for today, thank you all for coming!"

after saying goodbye you turn off your computer.

why are you still so obsessed over him?! he cheated on you! he even tried to cover it up with a bullshit story about "not being the first to kiss her," and "she forced me to," like someone would believe a lie like that.

yet, you still love him. something inside you wants to believe him, like he really was telling the truth.

~

the next morning you open twitter and scroll for a bit. you made a tweet earlier in which you stated you weren't going to stream today.

you looked at the trending topics and saw your name in bold letters. you clicked on it and read the first tweet that popped up.

'i really hope ___ is doing better, they looked so sad on stream :('

an image was attached to it - a screenshot from the stream you did yesterday where you were mindlessly staring at your computer screen.

you sighed. at least they're not thinking too deep about this.

you scroll further down, replying and liking a couple tweets saying you were alright, thanking them or cracking a joke. this should keep them off your back for a while.

after scrolling for a bit one tweet catches your eye. you clutch your phone as you read the comment.

'kinda obvious they miss quackity :/ it's a good cover-up story tho '

~

alex was staring at his ceiling. he'd seen the tweets about you - about him.

he hates this feeling. he hates the fact that he knows what you're thinking. he hates that he knows it's his fault. he didn't mean to. he didn't.

"come on, alex. you know you want it." the woman said.

"i told you, no! i have a partner!" alex pushed her away for the second time, trying to find a way past the girl and out of this small alleyway. he should've never gone to this stupid bar.

"tch, whatever. but know you'll regret rejecting someone like me!" the girl pushed him to the brick wall and fixed her dress as she walked away.

alex fixed himself for a minute and walked past the bar and into his car. he pulled out his phone and shot you a quick text.

'hey bb i'll be over in a few :)'

'don't come back.'

you responded almost immediately. alex froze as he looked at the screen.

'wdym?'

'you know damn well why'

you sent him a photo of him next to the bar in the alley. the girl was all over him while her lips connected lustfully to his.

'it isn't what it looks like, i didn't start any of this!'

you don't respond. alex tries to send you another text when an error pops up.

'unable to send message. user has blocked you.'

~

you hover your hand over your phone's keyboard. you thought anbout alex's offer to talk, and decided that maybe it was a good idea after all. you couldn't get your mind off him, you thought that hopefully getting some closure could help.

but how were you going to ask him? 'hey, i know i blocked number like a month ago but can you to meet me at some random park? see you there!'

after typing and deleting multiple texts you eventually landed on a message.

'hey alex, i've been thinking about your offer to talk it out, and i wanted to ask if you're still up for it?'

you send it and immediately turn off your phone and place it on the coffeetable in front of you. you did it, finally. you fall back on your couch and pull your knees up to your face, waiting for a notification.

after a nailbiting five minutes a light emits from your phone. you pick it up and read the name calling you. 'alex'. you take a deep breath and answer the phone.

"hi alex."

"hey ___, it's been a while."

you sit up straight, preparing yourself for the conversation you're about to have.

'yeah, you can say that."

the atmosphere was a lot less tense than you expected. it was weirdly... comforting? you can hear alex's raspy voice through the phone. has he been crying?

"i saw your text, you wanted to meet?"

"yes, i did. i wanted to get some closure, at least."

alex chuckled, his laugh making you a little flustered. trying to brush it off, you laugh with him.

"what's so funny?" alex asked.

you rolled your eyes and smile.

"you, dumbass."

he gasps cartoonishly loud. his goofy personality is something you could never get enough of. maybe you were wrong after all.

"ok, but seriously, when do you want to meet?"

he gets back on topic. you snap out of your smile and remember why he called in the first place.

"right, right. i'm free this whole week, you can choose when."

after some planning and back and forth, you decide to meet at a small family-run café in the afternoon. coincidentally, it's the same place you two had your first date.

~

you settle down at a table on the terrace of the café, the sunday sun greeting you warmly. you were a little early, so you decided to think of some questions. it didn't take you long to come to a few, though. your main question was the photo. what was that all about?

as you were handed a menu you saw alex walking on the pavement fidgeting with his fingers.

"hey! sorry if i'm late, i took the bus instead of my car."

he took the seat parallel to yours and exhaled.

"oh no, you're right on time. i was just a little early."

the waitress gave alex a menu and disappeared into the establishment. you both decided to stay quiet before getting on topic. neither of you want to start the conversation.

after both ordering and having surface level conversation for a while silence fell. you both know why you're here, it feels off to talk like nothing ever happened.

"okay-"

"so-"

you both start at the same time. alex awkwardly chuckles while covering his mouth.

"you first."

alex proposes. you nod and like magic lose the somewhat content mood you had prior. you steadily breathe in and pull out your phone.

"so, first things first; my main goal is to get closure and an explanation - there's no point in lying to me."

alex hums in agreement. you could tell he was nervous, you knew him better than anyone. you tap on your screen a few times until you reach the photo that was sent to you.

"now, i want a clear answer. what happened that night?"

you ask him firmly as you put your phone on the table to reveal the image.

"that's my ex-girlfriend."

alex said. you raise an eyebrow - his ex? you've heard some wild things about her and her antics, which is exactly why alex broke up with her in the first place.

"she said she wanted to ask me something in private. my dumbass said yes, because i can't pick up on context clues, apparently."

you cross your arms and lean back on the chair.

"you got that right."

alex looks up from the photo and makes eye contact with you.

"long story short, she pushed me to the wall and kissed me. i tried to push her off but she didn't let me go. after shoving her, like, twice she finally got the hint and left."

~

"so she set you up?"

"she hasn't changed a bit since all those years."

you say with a hint of condescension. his explanation made sense, and from what you heard he wasn't lying. your gut told you to believe him, yet your mind had an itching feeling that there was something else.

"are you sure that's all?"

alex flinched slightly.

"y-yes, ___. i don't know what else to tell you."

you mess with your hair a bit, clearly conflicted. there was nothing else, you knew that. but your brain wouldn't let it go. you decided it's better if you just sleep on it.

"alright, then.-"

you grab your bag and stand up.

"-i think we're done here."

alex stays seated and looks up at you.

"yeah, i think so."

you pick the phone up that's laying on the table. you pull out your wallet and put a $5 bill under your teacup.

"goodbye, alex."

"wait!"

alex stands up and grabs your wrist, the gesture scaring you little bit.

"are you still mad at me?"

those eyes. they're so pretty, almost sparlking. you snap out of it when he lets go, just realizing how weird it is to grab someone's arm out of nowhere.

"sorry, my bad. i wasn't thinking."

alex scratches the back of his neck.

"i'm still deciding if i can trust you, but i appreciate you showing up, at least."

"that's enough for me."

alex smile at you, not trying to pry.

"goodbye, ___."

"goodbye, alex."

~

you heard the chirping of the birds outside your window and groan. why is it already morning? you sit up and grab your phone from the nightstand next to your bed, the phone reading 11:23 - tuesday - xx-xx-xxxx.

you sigh and fall back onto your bed. you've been thinking about alex for a few days now, still not getting him out of your head.

after going downstairs and eating some toast you pull out your phone again, the clock now reading 12:44. you look through your contacts and eventually land on his name.

you hover your hand over the green pixels while sitting down at the dining table. you swallow audibly and click the call button.

it goes once.

it goes twice.

"___?"

'Hey alex, i wanted to ask you if you wanted to meet up again?"

ty for reading <3

m.list

taglist: @adoring-ghost @sakisaralazy @for-memories-sacrifice @ialexabsuniverse @shiyanchan @bioluminescentfrog @esylwen

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[your-1up-girl]

A Little Something Different

Pairing: Shu Lyn O'Keefe x F!Reader

Word Count: 4788

Warnings: 18+ (MDNI) lingerie, oral (Male receiving), deep throating, dry humping, use of collar/makeshift leash, spanking, light degregation, Dom Shu (is that a warning?), slight OOC for (maybe) cowgirl, slight bondage (kinda? not really), aftercare. Let me know if I missed anything

A/N: Okay time to feed the Shu stans! Um...I don't normally write smut but a friend of mine inspired me to write this and also @inumakilove was a big help in just letting me thrist over this man with her! I hope you all enjoy the fic! Thank you again for the help Haley!

DO NOT REPOST, TRANSLATE, OR RECORD/UPLOAD TO YOUTUBE.

This was a mistake. 

This was a mistake.

This was a COMPLETE mistake!

Those words were the only things going through your head as you hastily walked through the streets. Even though no one else knew what you had in the inconspicuous bag clutched in your hand, you couldn't help but avoid eye contact with the people you passed. It was ridiculous really, you were a grown ass woman for crying out loud. Paying taxes, getting drunk, paying your own damn bills. You can make purchases like this if you wanted to. Right?

"Yes, of course I can!" You whisper yelled to yourself as you waited for a taxi to take you back to your shared home. Honestly you were worried about nothing. You bought the damn items. The lady at the shop was kind enough to help you pick them out. She even went as far to say you would look drop dead gorgeous. 

"If the man you wear this for doesn't appreciate it, then come back here and I'll worship you sweetie." It was a joke and it did give you confidence, but it still wasn't enough to kill all the doubt that plagued your thoughts. But the time for doubt would have to be put on the back burner because the taxi arrived and you had to give the driver your address. 

The sun was setting as you made it to the home, mansion really, you shared with your five friends and boyfriend. That was another thing plaguing your thoughts. You shared a house. THEY'RE GONNA FIGURE IT OUT! God how could you be so stupid! This whole plan hinged on them being none the wiser as you get absolutely railed by Shu. 

Being intimate with Shu wasn't difficult, per day. It's just that. Usually it would just be a soft kind of love making. Nothing too crazy that would result in side eye glances from any of the other boys or from Teuta. Which was nice. If they suspected anything, they either kept their mouths shut out of respect for you or from threats from said scary boyfriend. Going to a motel didn't feel right in this situation. And a hotel would have been too expensive for the night; not to mention how the hell were you supposed to convince your hitman boyfriend to go to a hotel room at night without having him get suspicious?

"We're here, miss." The driver cut through all her panicked thoughts, YN heaved a heavy sigh. After paying, she walked to the gates and to the front door. 

It was a quiet afternoon. Mozu, Limbo and the others sat along the couch watching whatever was on the TV while Teuta edited her next article from her laptop.

"Oh!" She looked up from her screen when she heard you place your keys on the kitchen island. "You were out for a bit, did you find all that you needed."

"Huh? Oh yeah, I did." You made a subtle gesture to the bag you had a death grip on. 

"You were out for hours and all you got to show is one bag?" Crow asked. "That must have been one hell of a shopping trip." Even though he was curious about the item in question, he didn't make an effort to move from the couch. The person who did want to know more was Helavicta the nosy bastard. 

He approached and came too close for your comfort at the moment, "You seem to be grabbing that bag for dear life, what's inside?" He made an effort to peak but you held the bag closer to you and lightly slapped his hand. It wasn't enough to draw the attention of the others but it was enough for him to be a little shocked at your actions. 

He was about to question it but he got a closer look at you. 

Breath was a bit shallow, hands shaking with nerves, and more importantly he noted, eyes wide. Partly with nerves but he could tell there was a type of excitement he could see. That paired with the flush to your skin, it didn't take a genius to guess what was in the bag. 

"Hmmm. I see. Well then." He patted your head and you cringed at the smirk he proudly wore. "I take it that you'd like to go to your room and rest, yes?" You nodded. "And I'm sure you're not hungry and wouldn't like to be disturbed for the rest of the evening?"

"Yes please." He read you like a book. That and how he knew your room was just across the way from Shu's, he was giving you an out. 

He smiled, it was one that said he would be an annoying tease and hold this over your head for a long time. "Hmmm, okay. I'll be sure to let the others know. And you should hurry," Helavicta whispered "You need to get ready, Shu will be home soon."

She couldn't even muster a thank you as her feet moved without her telling them to move. 

Being scot free, you closed the door to Shu's room. Now all you need to do is get ready. You borrow his shower just to give your body a good rinse from being out all day. Your hair actually looked good so you didn't mess with that. Getting out of the shower you dried off and looked at the bag you left on the sink. It's now or never.

Inside the bag was the set of lingerie you bought for the evening. It wasn't something that you'd ever think that Shu would like. He's constantly said he likes his woman to be more mature even before you guys started dating. You remember the drunken conversations you all had about the "ideal partner" but damn it this set was just too cute to pass up. It was a cow lingerie set. The thigh highs had black trimming at the tops with a sheer black ribbon and the main pattern was the black and white cow pint. The set also had a tie on micro bikini top and bottom that barely covered your pussy and breasts. With one wrong move,  would cause them to spill from the flimsy triangle pieces of cloth also adorn with the classic cow pattern. 

But what you thought Shu would love best was black leather choker with an O ring. 

Stilling your nerves, you put on all the pieces and for a brief moment, you were shocked. You looked absolutely sexy and cute! Adorable even, if that was possible. With newfound confidence, you made your way out of the bathroom and onto his bed kneeling and lightly playing with your nipples through the fabric of the top. 

You knew how much he hated it when you started without him but fuck it! You were feeling bold right now. No amount of alcohol could make you feel this powerful. However, as time passed, the minutes felt like hours and you began to fall once more into that well of doubt. 

He'll hate this. He's probably tired and doesn't even wanna do anything right now. What if he laughs at me!

All the different what-if scenarios flooded over your wall of confidence and you panicked. Quickly, you grabbed a pillow and held it over your body. Trying to figure out what to do next you didn't hear the voice or the footsteps coming closer and closer to the door. Not until it opened and Shu stood there in utter shock seeing you on your haunches covering yourself with a pillow did you realize it was far too late to do anything. 

Fuck was all you could think as he continued to stand by the door. A few seconds passed (but to you it felt like a lifetime) before he crossed the threshold of his room, closed the door, and locked it. All the while not taking his eyes off you. 

Clutching the pillow harder you looked down in hopes of just being eaten alive by the sheets beneath you. Slow footsteps approached the bed and only when they stopped did you look up to see Shu's still unreadable expression.

"Um. I-I can explain." You start, pillow being the only form of comfort you saw at the moment, "I know this isn't something we normally…do. But I just thought that it was so cute in the window as I passed the shop. I kept seeing when I went to work and-and I kept thinking about wearing this for you but-," through all your rambling you realized that tears threatened to spill from your eyes.

Shu gently reached to hold your face. The sudden touch startled you, but the familiar feeling of his rough, gentle hands calmed you to stop rambling. "What you're wearing," he began, "You got it for me?" Shu licked his lips and did everything in his power to hold back the smirk he wanted to show. 

When you didn't give an answer he leaned in a bit closer. "On your knees, baby." You did as you were told, kneeling on the bed and damn if he didn't just wanna praise you for being such a good girl for him. He reached for the pillow to move the bothersome item out of the way. The grip you had lessened, so he took that as the okay to toss it at the foot of the bed. 

God look at her. 

Shu's mind ran wild at the beauty that kneeled on his bed. The fabric cuts deliciously into the skin of your thighs, hips, and breasts. He swallows thickly as he takes in all that you are. You were a goddess to him even in this lingerie set. It all made his cock jump in his pants. The cherry on top what just how fucking flustered you were at everything. You were refusing to make eye contact with him but you greedly enjoyed the scrutiny at which he took you in. If the way you rubbed your thighs together and how your fingers not-so-subtly grazed over your nipples. 

He forced you to look at him, lifting your chin, "I asked you a question babygirl. You wore this for me?"

You wanted to give a straight answer, but something about the smug smile he failed at keeping down pissed you off just a bit, "Well, obviously I wore it for you. You don't see me parading in this in the living-," before you could finish your snide remake, a large palm made sharp contact with your ass. 

You gasped and Shu took the opportunity to grab the O ring on your neck to pull you closer to him. Your chest was against his and the grip he had on your ass made you squirm.

"You wanna try that again?" A knock on the door caused you to gasp. You tried to move away but Shu held you firmly against him. 

"Shu," It was Helavicta, "I convinced everyone to go out for dinner. We won't be back for a while. I know you're tired so I'll let you stay home."

"Fine." Was all he called out before footsteps retreated. “Now, who did you wear this for?” The hand on your ass inched forward and his long fingers began to graze over your covered pussy and you shuttered. It was an action that didn’t go unnoticed by Shu. His middle finger pushed a bit harder and you gasped out an answer.

“You. I wore it for you, Shu.”

“Hmm.” He hummed and brought his lips down to yours. The kiss was sloppy and greedy. You wrapped your arms around his neck; fingernails grazing the hairs at the nape of his neck. Shu moved his finger away from your covered folds and paused just for a minute to hear you whine into the kiss before he started to grind his clothed cock against you. That whine turned into a desperate moan. His hips moved in controlled, tantalizingly slow waves. Every now and then, the clothed tip would catch between your thighs and rub deeper against you. You panted like a bitch in heat but you couldn’t help it because damn was Shu making you feel all kinds of things right now.

Shu, meanwhile, could only stare at the way you looked, a small smile gracing his face. You were stunning. Panting against his chest, covering your face and the small noises you made. “I wanna hear you baby.” He declared before he ducked his head against your neck so your mouth was right next to his ear. The moans you made now clear as day to him. “Be louder. No one’s home.” He spoke right before latching his lips against your neck to suck, kiss, and lick your skin. 

“Sh-Shu!” His name slipped past your lips as his attack on your neck and pussy didn’t stop. It was too much and you felt one hand spread your legs as his erection pressed further into your cunt. It drove you mad. 

Finally, he stopped. Both of your eyes were blown out with lust and your lips were beautifully swollen. The top, slightly askew and nipples hard from being rubbed against. “Do you want more?” You nodded with a fever and perked up at the implications. He smirked at your reaction, “I know you do, but, I still think you need to earn it.” He encouraged you to leave the bed and kneel on the floor. He reached into his side table drawer and put his hair up with his clips. Standing in front of you, you could see just how prominent his erection was and how there was wet stain where the tip was. 

I got that wet just from some dry humping!

Ignoring your embarrassment, you looked up at Shu as he sat down on the bed, knees spread enough for you to get between.

“Undo the zipper.” There was a pause, it just now struck you how forceful Shu was being with you tonight. It was a change of pace and very much not the norm when you guys had sex but seeing the way he watched you like a wolf hunting its prey. And how his demeanor just oozed this dominating energy, you absolutely didn’t hate it. You were taking too long for his liking however, because he hooked his finger around the ring on your choker and he yanked your face to his erection.

“I won’t ask again.” You made a mental note to test his patience on another night because right now you were focused on the fastest route that got his dick in your pussy. A shaky hand reached for his zipper and slowly undid it as you also grazed your hand against his clothed erection. He helped you a bit, lifting his hips up enough for you to lower his pants just enough. All the while he pushed his fingers in your hair, keeping it out of your face so he could see you clearly. 

Next, your fingertips played with the hem of his Calvin Klein boxer briefs. Soft touches against his skin, tracing the V lines that disappear into his Kleins. The grip he has on your hair becomes tighter, a warning that he was losing his patience. Hooking your fingers under the elastic, you finally bring the band low enough for his dick to spring out. You lick your lips and admire the delicious cock in front of you. Long, thick, and waiting for you to suck like the most delicious piece of candy. Shu noticed your lack of movement and he realized that you were waiting for him to tell you what to do next. It was such an adorable sight.

He held your cheek in his hand and whispered, “You want my cock?” You replied with a breathy yes and he smirked at your obedience. “Alright babygirl, but you're not allowed to touch yourself. Understand?”

“Okay.” After your response, he let your face go and immediately he felt those plush lips he craved kiss the tip of his dick. He felt your hands find purchase on his inner thighs to keep them spread as you made slow kisses down his erection. Your lips then kissed his balls and you looked right at him as you gave them a hard suck while one hand played with the tip of his cock. Even if Shu did his best to keep it together, only producing a soft sigh and leaning his head back, his body betrayed him as his hips bucked ever so slightly and you felt his cock released a bit of precum from your actions. You released his balls and licked your way back to the tip, taking it into your mouth and moving one hand to grip his base and give it a light squeeze. That intandum with the sucking and your doe eyes looking at him, Shu was in paradise. He gripped your hair and encouraged you to take him deeper. Doing as you were told, you hollow your cheeks and took him as much as you could; using your hand to jerk off what you couldn’t fit. But that didn’t seem enough for him.

“I know you can do it baby.” He praised you and brought his hips up and pushed the rest of himself in your mouth. It made you gag for a second before your relaxed your jaw. Your tongue felt the heft of his cock and how it twitched when it hit the back of your throat. With a mind of its own, your tongue began to lick around what it could. A moan broke through and caused a sensual vibration on his member. 

“Fuck, you take me so well in your mouth.” Shu threw his head back and led your head up and down his length. Both hands now found homes in your hair as he didn’t stop the slow movements. Drool fell down with your chin. One hand began to fondle his balls again. Using your nails to scrape against his sensitive skin. It was driving him fucking crazy and making you so wet you could feel it drip on your inner thighs. So lost in the heat of the moment, you forget his one rule. One hand made its way to your pussy and you began to rub and play with your folds. You pushed the bikini bottom to the side to get better access to your clit and began to barely push your fingers between your folds.  

Your pleasure didn’t last long because with a yank, you were forced off Shu’s dick and you started a coughing fit. Once you stopped, Shu grabbed the hand that was just on your pussy by the wrist and hooked his fingers through the ring to make you look up at him. The glare he gave you was one of a disappointed master. It was hot as hell and you rubbed your thighs together at how desperately you craved him between your legs. 

“What were you just doing?” His voice was low, dripping with lust, what you didn’t know was that he was glad you disobeyed the one rule.

“I was playing with my pussy.” He let go of the ring and gripped your face.

“You were playing with yourself after I told you not to.” He reconfirmed and you said a soft “I’m sorry'' before he tsked, “And to think I was praising you for sucking my dick so well. I was going to even reward you. You wanted me to fuck you the way you like it right?” You nodded, “You said yes but you finger yourself? Do you really think that your fingers are better than my cock?”

“No Shu I just-I needed it—”

“You were so fucking horny that you just had to finger fuck yourself? You want to come that badly needy girl?” Shu didn’t bother to wait for a response before pulling you off the ground and on to the bed. You laid on your stomach and Shu gave you a tender kiss behind your ear after moving your hair. “You okay?” It was a break in the moment but it made your heart swell to know that even though he could tell you absolutely were enjoying this, he still wanted to check in with you.

“Yes I’m fine.” He hummed. Taking his pants and boxer briefs all the way down he went to grab something from his dresser. A black tie is what he brought back and with it, he tied your arms together behind your back. 

“Shu?”

“Too tight?”

With a tug, you tested the tie. It was enough to keep your arms down without hurting you, “It’s fine.”

“Good.” He spanked your ass. You lurched forward gasping and moaning into the pain. You sunk your cheek into the bedsheets while Shu rubbed your ass. He helped you on the bed so you could face him. He began to take off his clothes while keeping eye contact. The red tie he kept loose on his vest was ripped off his person and looped through the O ring around your neck. Then, he removed the gray vest and tossed it somewhere among the rest of his clothes. The white button up was undone but it was left on. 

Shu joined you on the bed, grabbing on the red tie he brought you to him to kiss you fiercely. It was so passionate and lustful you thought you could melt into his lips. His tongue entered your mouth craving to dominate you more. The closeness of your bodies was enough for you to feel his full mast erection against your stomach. You craved to have it being either forced down your throat or deep into your fluttering cunt. He took a deep breath and teeth clashed from the intensity of it all. When he finally pulled away, there was a string of saliva connecting your tongues. What he did next shocked you. Normally at this point, he would lay you down. Either on your back or stomach and have his way with you, but this time, it was him who laid down on the bed. Shu recognized the confused expression and chuckled.

“Confused?” You could only blink, “Well, since my needy girl wants to fuck herself so badly, you can do it yourself.” He grabbed his dick staring at you with a smirk on his lips and slowly rubbing himself up and down. You were at a loss of words but at this point, you needed him inside of you. Hesitantly, you did your best to arrange yourself to straddle him, with his help. Shu moved your cow panties to the side and reached out for the red tie.

After what felt like forever, you finally sank yourself down onto Shu’s cock. 

“Fuuuuuck!” You nearly came just from the penetration. Walls fluttering against his twitching length both of you needed to catch your breaths. Despite the iron will he had, Shu wouldn’t deny that he was a bit sensitive as well. Your head was thrown back because he felt bigger than normal. Maybe you were sensitive, but his cock fit perfectly, filling you so nicely and the tip just kissing against your cervix. “Shu! Shu!” Already calling out his name without movement, it was pathetic really. But you didn’t care.

A tug against your neck brought your tear filled eyes back to the man below you, “Go on then, ride. Give me a show.” On shaky legs, you brought yourself up, a hiss left your lips to feel every vein against your lower lips. And with a heavy slam, you brought yourself down and you screamed. 

“GOD SHU!” 

Shu held back a groan, he expected you to go slow, not slam down so fast. He watched as you got lost in the movements of riding his thick cock. Your breasts bouncing in the triangle bikini top. The face you had was one of pure bliss. Incoherent praises and moans fell from your mouth. 

It felt like heaven, the only thing on your mind was feeling him plunge into you by your own doing. A sheen of sweat formed on your skin reflecting the moonlight that shone through the window of the night. Shu spanked your ass, a small encouragement followed by Keep going baby, you look so good. Keep bouncing.

“God! I-I don’t want to stop!” Exclaimed through the breaths and pants of your ecstasy, you couldn’t let up with the fast pace you started. You leaned forward and times, and you leaned back to feel the different angles his cock could pierce your insides. You were so sensitive with the need to cum that you could feel every ridge and curve of his cock as you fucked yourself on him.

Shu told you to give him a show, and damn if you didn’t deliver. You rode him with the intention of getting off; if the way you creamed his cock was any proof of that. He could tell you were chasing your high, maybe going too fast. 

Shu called out your name, both out of bliss and out of warning for you. He tugged and with a final plunge he felt your walls flutter and you screamed. You came so hard, your body almost fell on top of him. He caught you. A hand in your hair rubbing you softly. You panted heavily against his chest as he gave you small praises. He undid the tie on your arms and you wrapped them around his neck.

“You looked so beautiful, baby.” He kissed your forehead as you whined. Shu’s eyes went wide and he gasped when he felt you grind against his still prominent erection. “Hey you just came maybe-”

“No!” You whined, “I-I still want more.” You grabbed his face and gave him a hungry kiss. You moaned into the action and continued to grind in his lap despite your sensitive pussy begging for mercy. When the kiss finished you looked into his eyes and pouted, “Please?” You bounced in his lap, “Please fuck me Shu.”

At your request he thrusted into you and held you tighter as you gasped at the sudden action. He propositioned him to be in control and began to piston himself into you. “God. You really are a needy girl, fuck.” You held onto him as he wasn’t going to let up anytime soon, his stamina was better than yours and his ability to calm down so he wouldn’t come was a talent in its own right. 

Shu’s breaths and moans filled your ears along with the wet slapping of skin and you knew that neither party could take it for much longer. 

“Where? Tell me baby, where?”

“Inside, fuck please please please come inside me!” He reached between you to rub your clit fast and you squeezed his cock and came hard for a second time that night. A few more deep thrusts was all it took before he bottomed out and released, painting your warm walls. As this happened, Shu gave a low yet loud moan into your ear. 

Neither of you wanted to move and you let his dick get soft inside you before he pulled out, his cum following after. 

Shu laid you down and kissed your forehead. “I love you.” He said before he left to the bathroom. He came back with a washcloth and by then, you had regained a sense of self and could acknowledge your surroundings. 

“I love you too.” He smiled, wiping his cum from your pussy. You jolted slightly at the wet cloth and Shu used another cloth to wipe some sweat from your body. After, he sat you up to remove the top, bottom, thigh highs, and collar and gave you one of his old shirts for you to be comfortable in. You helped remove the top layer of bedding and layed in the fresh ones underneath. It was silent for a few seconds before you sheepishly spoke up. 

“Did…Did you have fun?”

Shu chuckled, “Fun? I guess that’s one word to describe what we just did. Yeah, I had fun.”

You snuggled closer to him a smile gracing your features at his comment.

“I wasn’t too rough with you was I?”

“Hmmm? No, you weren’t, I actually really enjoyed seeing that side of you. If anything…you could be more rough with me if you’d like?”

“Really?” He looked at you to see if you were joking, but the excited little nod you gave told him everything. “Good, because next time,” He held you closer to him so his lip grazed the shell of your ear, “I want to get a proper leash for that collar of yours.”

[rumblelibrary]

*whispers* oh, hi!

can I request a little thing with Niki Lauda and his beautiful curls? Maybe Niki and the reader going on a roadtrip together and stoping somewhere for the night? 🥺👀

Bouncy Road Trip [Niki Lauda x Reader]

Words Count: 1.6k

Author’s note: It is my first time venturing into Niki’s mind, I hope I did him and your request right ❤️

“Well, it seems a bit late to think again” he remarked, as always his character would strike, even with you.

You chuckled, too used to his antics to really get mad about it.The two of you decided to go to the next race by car, something easy, a road trip to get there directly, enjoy the city, the food, have time to study the car and the track while others are still enjoying the whole set of parties and interviews that followed the race that just ended.

“You were happy to miss Hunt’s drunk hugs” you told him and he responded with a little shake of his shoulders, a parody of a shiver.You came to the idea that he enjoyed to play this rivalry thing way more than he admitted. 

It was something that gave him an edge, something to joke about easily in order to keep his focus on the cars and the changes he wanted to do.You got into the car, you’d drive first because he was just out of the race and wasn’t up to do it again.You were hyped to do the road trip, to be together in such a small space, to be allowed to be so close for such a long time.

You put on your favourite radio station, settled comfortably your seat and wore your sunglasses.

Road trip mood: on.

The sad part was how Niki road trip mood was: nap.

He was rightfully tired after the race, after the nervous days that came before it, but you couldn’t help to feel a bit upset about it.It was typical Niki, reasonable priorities over feelings, he probably didn’t even suspect all those expectations you set up for such a small event.So you drove quality, enjoyed the music and the soft breeze, you looked at him from time to time as he snored lightly, his soft curls unruly moving over his face.

Focus, the road is ahead.

After a couple of hours you felt a warm hand cover yours changing the gear.

“If you want to kill this car you could just run into a tree and make it quicker” Niki grumbled sleepily straightening his posture cracking his neck from side to side.

“Where are we?” He asked as he picked the map rubbing his eyes with his hand as you pointed at it on the map and you smirked

“Good morning anyway sleepyhead” you said shaking your head lightly.Usual Niki.He studied the map silently picking a bottle of water you stacked on side to have a sip, his unruly curls bouncing lightly catching your eyes once more.

“You have seen the race, didn’t you?”You were surprised by the question “of course”

“Do you think he deserved it? Honest to God, I just need an honest opinion of somebody that is utterly deficient of keeping a car for good”

You let out a breathy chuckle staring ahead, it was a compliment and you knew it, it was just his way of complimenting you, to tell you that he knows you have no bias.

“I think he didn’t, but around the beginning he did got the best of your attention” you say after a moment “I mean, he provokes you always and your starts are always a bit off, you’re not in the right mind, I can see how you change along the race and then you show your true colours”

He listens and doesn’t add anything.Maybe you have offended him, maybe not, he rarely lets you know.“At the next gas station let’s stretch our legs a bit, I am hungry” he says and you nod quietly.

When at the station you went to the bathroom first as Niki brought a couple of sandwiches and some snack, along with more water.

“Liquorice, for real?” You ask him looking inside of the bag

 “So you can avoid smoking and pestering the car and your lungs” he groans back as he ate quietly looking at you.You look at him as there’s no aggression from him, it is just Niki worrying for your health, in Niki’s way.He is still upset about coming second, again. It was starting to rub him in the wrong way.

“You know, I have seen there’s this exhibition in the local museum, we should see that, on a free afternoon while the mechanics apply the changes you like, I read that the museums here are open until 10 pm in summer”

He looks at you and nods slowly  “Only if you play the guide”

“Sounds like a deal then” you smirk and he makes half of a smile, he is content.You move close to him as your hand moves toward those unruly curls that scream to be touched, but he stands up throwing the trash in the closest bin.

The second half of the drive before your stop at the motel is on Niki, but you can’t sleep. Sure you put on your sunglasses and got nuzzled on the passenger seat but you couldn’t look away from him, everything was perfect: from the relaxation of driving at a comfort speed to the engine singing for him, the smoothness of the drive made it feel unreal, like you weren’t even moving but you were only still. You moved up taking your book, you opened it up, it was a poetry book but one of your favourite female authors, you leaned your back comfortably as you started reading. Niki looked at you moving his beautiful long fingers over the radio lowering the volume.

“Read out loud”

You were surprised by such a request, but you did.He listened, he was passive but focused on those words letting those unroll over him.You could see his mind was feeling guilty, anger for losing soon turning into that quiet silence he pulled himself into, the guilty one.He had high standard for himself and for others, but on himself he was the hardest and, most of the times, the cruelest. 

The sun was going down and you put the book away staring at him once more, you leaned in, his eyes showing that sad frustration and your hand moved on its own mean over an action you have been craving throughout the day slowly reaching for his head and digging your fingers into his hair. A soft breath of relaxation left his lips, your fingers trailing through the bottom of his head just above his neck and up again.

He rolls lightly his shoulders not commenting your action, but he is clearly enjoying it. So you keep going, you brush your fingers slow and nice, you pull the curls a bit only to make more room to your fingers, you move your hand up on his temple and slowly scratch on the side of his temple going back into the curls.He licks his lips lightly relaxing over your attentions. The radio is still low, nobody is letting out a sound.

“Fuck”

He curses as he yanks the wheel suddenly and you almost get thrown on the back of the car by the sudden motion.He almost missed the exit to go to your motel.You settle yourself back in place quietly, bend down to recollect your book that flew on the car floor.

Once he parked Niki was the first to leave the car to collect your bags, you leaned your back on the seat staring in front of you nibbling on the bottom of your lip. Maybe it wasn’t the right moment, you never knew with Niki. Maybe you fucked it up.

Once you settled into your room you got some room service, the tv was on some old 50’s film in black and white, Niki digging on some chicken salad finally in his comfortable night clothes and a night vest.You were used to the silences, you were used to share those with him, but sometimes it was gutting, you kept wondering if you messed up. If you did something wrong or what was the thing you did wrong. Your own insecurities eating you alive. Once he finished his dinner you showered putting on some night clothing and resting on the big bed beside him as you watched the movie.Then he slowly moved down resting his head on your lap.He looked up at you from that position, the blue light of the screen the only source of illumination.You stare back at his eyes moving your head on side with a little smirk, it looks like somebody enjoyed it back in the car.

But you don’t tease him, you learned not to, and you just go back to that process. He closes his eyes enjoying it. Your hands also enjoying to be back to unruly those wild curls he always tamed, the freedom to be able to do something so simple and so intimate.

“You know I need you right?” He says softly, not even opening one eye, you keep touching his curls, but this time you let him be the one without confirms.He opened his eyes as he slowly looked up at you raising onto his arms.

“You’re my soft side, you’re the art and the beauty and the poetry. I cannot be that, I am not that, but you are, and you, you do me good, you do me better, make me better”

You smile, because he never speaks up, but when he does, he just blows you away.You lean in for a well earned kiss, your hand slowly slipping behind his neck as he pushes you down on the bed.

Tags: @cazzyimagines @that-stupid-head-tilt-thing

Let me know if anybody wants to be added and I will 💕

[not-using-this1]

Helping Bela dye her hair

I made a (crappy) Bela Dimitrescu oneshot because she’s bae and I’m in love with her :) 

I had this headcanon that because Bela, Cassandra & Daniela obviously all had brunette hair in the picture of the castle demo they’ve dyed it (or something else happened but oh well) since then.

Bela got sick of having the same hair colour as her sister Cassandra (brunette) she wanted her own style...to which she asks you (her girlfriend) to help her with along with Daniela to dye hers ginger...with a mix of blood in it.

Yes I made it so Bela and Daniela could go out in the daylight (I prentended those jewels on their chokers protect them lmao)

Pairings: Bela Dimitrescu x fem!reader 

You welcomed yourself into castle Dimitrescu as usual and wuld of hoped that your girlfriend Bela would be there in the main hall sat on the sofa waiting. But, she wasn't which made you think she was either going to jump out at you for fun. "Bela I know you're hiding." You shout as it echoes through the main hall.

You hear a laugh, and just like that she appears in front of you. You expected blood to be around her mouth from feeding (since shes a vampire) she wasn't even wearing her usual outfit, rather she was wearing a corset top and black jeans but with her usual choker with the red jewel placed inside it. "What? You didn't think I'd clean up for my own girlfriend?" Bela chuckles.

"No, it's not that it just looks like your going somehwere" you add. She gives you a small smirk and presses a kiss to your lips "I want to dye my hair blonde, so I thought I'd go out to get some".

You weren't surprised she wanted to change her hair but blonde? You thought she would go for something darker "and where would you get it in the village? If you asked me I would've happily gone to buy you some from the store in the town I go to" you replied.

Bela shrugged her shoulders at you "Well I just made the decision now, do you think we could drive there? I know it's daylight but I'm not exactly gonna burn, the jewel in my choker doesn't allow that" You nodded your head at your girlfriend and agreed.

"Yes! Okay lets go!" She seemed so enthusiastic and to be honest those moments of her like that are rare; Bela had always struggled with her emotions to the point people think she hasn't gotten any...but you know that isn't true.

The good thing was that it wasn't morning or even the afternoon, it was rather that the sun was setting and besides the store would be open still anyway. Bela had grabbed your hand, pulling you to the large castle doors.

"Hi Y/n, Bela where are you going?" Daniela popped up out of nowhere which made you jump slightly. She chuckled at your small action as se confronted you and her sister. When you first met Daniela she was closed off anf very quiet half the time but now, the two of you actually get along very well. "I want to dye my hair blonde, y/n is taking me to the store to get some dye" Bela explained, she just wanted to hurry up and go.

"Oh cool! Can I come? I've wanted to dye my hair red...but with a twist. If you guys get me blonde hair dye and I mix it with blood-"

Bela and you laughed at her but Daniela seemed very serious "Why don't you just buy red dye? Problem solved Whats with the blood being added?" You asked her. "Uhh because it's more fun that way?" She shrugged her shoulders.

Honestly, you stopped questioning Daniela a while ago. You looked at Bela as if to ask for approval to bring Daniela. She rolled her eyes at you and sighed "Ugh fine you can come".

~~~

During the car ride, you had played some music which Daniela and Bela kept belting out. You honestly loved that they were just so normal in these situations even if they're not normal whatsoever.

You were just happy you could show Bela what its like to have fun outside of the other...activities she does (aka being a vampire). As you stopped the car in the store, Daniela wasted no time in getting out of the car to go into the store so much that you and Bela had to stop her.

"Dani, stay here and look after the car. We'll be back and maybe get you a treat" Bela adds to which Daniela sighs and stomps her foot a little before getting back in the back seat "More blood?" she cheekily questions.

"No, Dani. We'll be back soon." You add.

For the most part the reason you left her in the car was because she was wearing what she usually does. Of course you wouldn't mind her walking around with the both of you if only she didn't have blood stains on it.

Bela offered you her hand and the two of you just walked hand in hand to the store. Going over to the part of the store that has beauty and hair products. Bela looked quite overwhelmed that and the fact she had never really been out of her village much at all or to a large store like this. Of course she knew of these things though, she knew what every item was...shes been alive for centuries and has adapted well to changes.

"There's the blonde you'd probably look best in" you pointed her into the direction of dirty but light blonde box dye, she already had a platinum blonde one in her hand but she grabbed the other and put them beside her.

"Which one babe?" she asked you, as if you were some sort of expert on these things. Yeah, you've dyed your hair many times it's currently h/c (your hair colour) which you loved. "Since you have a pale complection I'd go for the light dirty blonde, you'd look so hot" those last words slipped out of you but Bela smirked. Putting back te platinum blonde dye "Daniela can have the same then" she adds.

As you were walking to another aisle as you wanted something for yourself, Bela had grabbed your hand because this guy kept ogling you just because you were wearing a skirt, fishnet tights and a casual t-shirt.

Of course your girlfriend was going to get possessive, she had practically pulled you into her and kissed you in front of everyone who was down that aisle...but you didn't mind one bit and kissed her back.

"He was eyeing you up and down, ugh men disgust me." Bela replies. You wanted to make a joke about her saying that even though she was bisexual but you left it and agreed. After paying for everything you both headed back to the car which all you could hear was rock music from.

"Oh god whats she doing" you laugh.

"Daniela! Daniela!" Bela shouts as the two of you get back in your car, you turn the music down and Daniela gives you an unamused look.

~~~

After a small argument between Bela and her sister Daniela about whose bathroom they'd do it in you settled the argument by saying that they should just use the bathroom down in the main hall. Daniela had collected the blood and mixed it in with the blonde and it turned an actual nice red, so you decided to help her first.

"Daniela, you need to stay still, it'll go everywhere if you don't" you explained. "The blood is already everywhere on the damn floor mother is going to kill us. Not to mention my girlfriend clearly likes spending time with my sisters more than me" Bela pouted, you rolled your eyes at her and plafully punched her arm a little "you get me all to yourself tonight, now help."

During this entire commotion Cassandra had came back up from the cellar and decided to help you, while you helped Bela with her dye Cassandra washed off Daniela's in the tub with the shower after it set for a good hour.

When everything was finally done both Bela and Daniela had new hair but the bathroom...oh that was an absolute tip. You were sure one of the maids would come clean it up...but then.

"Girls I'm home." Alcina shouts as she walks through the doors, she spots you and igves you a small smile "hello Y/n" she greets.

"mother" all three girls say from the bathroom she walks over to them with the biggest shock on her face "Bela, Daniela what did you do?" she didn't sound very pleased.

"We dyed our hair, Y/n took us to a store, so it was really her-" Bela slapped her sisters arm really hard to cut her off from her sentence "it wasn't Y/n's fault mother" She then finishes.

Alcina sighs "no it wasn't Y/n's fault but you are all going to clean this up right now."

"But mother the maids-"

"Now! You too Cassandra, also Y/n" she adds before leaving to her room.

"Great, fantastic" you all say in unison.

Help this was terrible, why did I write this ughhh :(

[fanmoose12]

friday, i’m in love

“Before becoming an official member of our gang, though, you need to do those four things."

"Alright," Hange nods, listening intently.

"First!" Isabel raises her index finger. "You need to punch Zeke in a face, but I'm sure it's bound to happen."

Hange giggles, getting excited. "What's next?"

"Second, you need to skip a class, and you've already done it, so!" Isabel clasps her shoulder. "Congratulations on that one."

Farlan pats her knee too, and Hange shows them a proud smile.

"Third, you need to smoke at least one cigarette."

"I can't," her smile falls, as Hange briefly shakes her head. "I have asthma."

"I'll do it for you then," Farlan offers, walking to the other side of the rooftop to do just that.

"And the last thing! The most important one!" Isabel makes a dramatic pause, shifting her gaze to Levi just for a second, before looking back on Hange with a mischievous smile. She winks and lowers her voice, making sure that Levi doesn’t hear her.

"The last condition - you have to kiss one of us."

For the most kids her age, moving to a different town and changing schools is a fate worth than death. And, while Hange is a little saddened to say goodbye to the friends she made at her old school and more than a little saddened to leave her dad behind, she is also excited at the prospect of starting a new life.

Changing schools means she can meet new people, and meeting new people means she can make new friends.

And Hange, unlike most of her peers, isn't afraid of change. She welcomes it actually, preferring new experiences over dull and repetitive routine.

They move to a new town and to a small two-story house in the quiet suburbs. It’s a little different from the house they used to live before, a little quieter too, but it’s lovely. Hange likes it instantly. She’s ready to call it a new home.

The first couple of weeks are awfully busy. Hange and her mother unpack their things and buy new furniture. They meet their neighbors and her mother starts making new friends.

Hange can’t wait to meet her new friends at school too.

And so very soon, the long-awaited day comes.

***

When it finally does, Hange is brimming with excitement.

She puts on her glasses and dresses in her favorite clothes that was washed and ironed by her mother the evening before, ties her hair in a ponytail, grabs a lunch box that was waiting for her on a kitchen counter, kisses her mother's cheek, yells "love you!" right into her ear, making her wince and push laughing Hange away, hurries to hop on her bike and makes her way to the school.

She makes a new friend in a face of one Moblit Berner approximately three minutes and forty six seconds later after crossing a threshold and passing below a banner that read Sina High School.

Moblit is a nice and friendly boy, even if a bit quiet and timid, compared to her. Although, Hange also has to admit that compared to her, almost everyone seems to be quiet and timid.

Moblit is incredibly kind and he offers to show Hange around the school. He agrees to walk her to every class and even draws a small, but very detailed map for her.

During lunch, Moblit remains by her side. As they slowly eat their food, Hange points at random students who pique her interest and Moblit shares with her his opinion of them.

"That's Erwin and Mike," Moblit says, when Hange asks him about two blondes that sit in the very middle of the cafeteria. "Erwin is president of a debate club, also his father works at our school, he's a history teacher. Mike is a captain of a football team. They're nice guys, and Erwin is always ready to help, if you struggle with a class. Although, he's not that good at math..."

Hange nods, absorbing the information and committing it to memory. Her gaze lingers at Erwin and Mike for a few more seconds, before it moves on to a next target, this time two petite redheads.

"Ah, Nifa and Petra," Moblit fondly smiles. "They're both cheerleaders. Petra is also a member of a drama club, and Nifa helps me manage a biology club."

"Biology club?" Hange lights up, carelessly tossing her sandwich onto the table. She can’t believe her luck. She loves science and was the president of a chemistry club back in her old school. She didn’t dare to hope that the new school would give her an opportunity to continue pursuing her passions. "Can I join?"

"You really want to?" Moblit asks, biting his lip. Doubt is written all over his face. "We don't have a lot of members..."

"Of course, I want to!" Hange exclaims much louder than she intended to. As a result, she attracts attention of some students who turn to look at her. Some seem curious, others - annoyed. Hange pays no mind to either. She grabs Moblit by the shoulders and stares deep into his eyes. "I'm so excited already! When is your next meeting?"

"This Friday..."

"Awesome! Expect me to be here!" she clasps Moblit's back, almost making him choke, and then sweeps her gaze across the cafeteria, looking for someone interesting.

"There!" she points at the girl with long, dark hair that sits in the far corner of the room with a blonde boy by her side. "Who is that?"

"That's Pieck," Moblit answers. "She's involved in a drama club too, although she mostly just helps with painting the backgrounds for the scenes. And that's... all I know about her. She's nice, and I think she's dating Porco, or, maybe, Porco is dating Reiner, or, maybe, Reiner is dating Berthold... sorry," he rubs his neck in embarrassment. "I don't really pay attention to that kind of stuff, and their relationship is pretty complicated."

"Don't worry," Hange pats his arm. "I get confused with that kind of stuff all the time. Now! Who is that?"

Her finger points at a bespectacled guy with blonde hair.

Moblit's face twists in disgust. "That's Zeke Yeager. He's the biggest jerk and bully of our school. Try to stay away from him, and—" he nods at the redheaded boy sitting next to him. "And his pal Floch. He's even worth than Zeke."

Hange wants to ask more about them, but then she notices a boy, who sits in the furthest corner of the cafeteria.

Hange is sure that wearing leather jackets is prohibited in this school, but this boy doesn't seem to care. He is dressed in a white t-shirt and a big, black leather jacket. His hair is black too and the longer strands of it obscure his eyes. But even that can’t hide the fact that the boy is wearing a displeased, irritated expression. Hange wonders about the reason for the sour face.

"Hey!" she points her finger at him. "Who is that shorty?"

"Shh!" Moblit hurriedly lowers her hand, his eyes widening in panic. "Don't point your finger at him! And, for the love of god, don't call him shorty, Hange! Better yet, try not to talk or even look at him."

"Eh?" Hange frowns. "What do you mean? What's wrong with that guy?"

"That's Levi Ackerman," Moblit says, lowering voice to a hushed whisper. “Those two are his best friends – Isabel and Farlan,” he shows Hange a small redheaded girl and a tall guy with white hair that sit next to Levi. “And you should never mess with them."

"So they’re worse than Zeke and his friend?"

"Much worse," Moblit confirms, his eyes grim and serious. "Everyone says they’re a part of some gang. They say that Isabel is a thief, and Farlan is an arsonist. And Levi Ackerman…” Moblit purses his lips, a shadow of fear flushing across his face. “Once he broke Mike's jaw for calling him a midget, and some say that he had killed a man with his bare hands just for pouring out coffee on him. Whatever happens, try to stay away from the three of them, Hange."

"If you say so..." Hange murmurs. She takes a bite of her sandwich, continuing to stare at the dark-haired boy. Suddenly he looks up, and Hange almost chokes.

His eyes bore into hers with a surprising intensity. They are cold and grey, like the edge of a knife.

Hange lifts her lips in what she hopes is a friendly smile.

Levi Ackerman scoffs and looks away.

Hange continues watching him, waiting for their eyes to meet again. They don’t.

But as Hange leaves the cafeteria, trailing after Moblit like a little lost duckling, she can't get the look he had given her out of her mind.

Levi Ackerman... What an enigma.

  ***

It is Friday afternoon, and the sun is gently passing through the already yellowing leafs. The warm light paints the world in golden colors, making it seem more warm and welcoming.

Hange, however, has no time to enjoy the beauty around her. It is Friday afternoon, and she is running late.

She was so excited for the first biology club meeting, that’s the only thing she could think about for the whole week. She gathered all the science projects she had done at the old school and she prepared a small presentation for other club members and she even thought of a few suggestions to expand the club, which, as she understood from Moblit’s words, was quite small.

All this work, all these preparations and now she is running late, because she stayed after class to talk with Mr. Smith and forgot about the time.

And, to make matters worse, she is lost. The part of school she finds herself in is completely unfamiliar to her, and she can’t quite understand how she got here in the first place.

Cursing herself, Hange takes out a map Moblit made for her, tracing the drawing with her index finger and muttering Moblit’s instructions under her breath.

“Go to the second floor, take the first turn to the left and then walk to the end of the hallway…”

A second later it dawns at her – she is in the wrong wing and on the wrong floor.

Muttering another curse, Hange turns around and rushes to the stairs. Holding the research notes she wrote the night before to her chest with one hand, she keeps Moblit’s map in front of her eyes, checking it after each turn she takes.

She is just about to enter a hallway that leads to the biology classroom, when she collides with something. Stumbling, she falls down, her papers flying around.

She blinks a few times, trying to get a sense of her surroundings. Moblit didn’t draw anything that would prepare her for the obstacle that caused her fall.

She slowly looks up. In front of her, seemingly larger than life is a pair of steely grey eyes.

Levi Ackerman, Hange realizes immediately. He is on the floor too, right next to her. And he doesn’t seem too pleased about it.

She gulps. For the first time in her life, Hange doesn’t know what to say.

“The hell you’re wearing those glasses for?” the boy growls, getting up. “Watch where you’re going, four-eyes.”

“Ah, sorry!” Hange exclaims. His rude, throaty voice does a great job of pushing her out of stupor. “I’m just new at this school, and so I got little lost, but, thankfully, my friend Moblit drew me a map, and that’s why I didn’t look where I was—”

“Jesus,” Levi groans. “Shut the fuck up. Give me that shit.”

Before Hange can protest, he snatches the map out of her hands. His eyebrows form a line as he studies the small drawing.

And suddenly Hange remembers what Moblit had said about Levi Ackerman and his warnings to stay away from him.

Once he broke Mike's jaw.

These words ring loudly inside her mind. She had seen Mike in the hallways, he is quite a large guy. And Hange, despite being quite tall for her age, isn’t nearly as big as him. If Levi is able to break Mike’s jaw, what can he do to her?

Hange never had her jaw broken before, so by all accounts it should be a new experience for her. She likes new experiences. But she also likes her jaw and the prospect of having it broken… isn’t all that exciting.

Still sitting on a floor, Hange watches the boy warily.

“You’re looking for a biology class, right?” he asks after he finished studying the map.

“Yes,” Hange nods cautiously.

Suddenly she remembers a girl she used to play with at the playground near her old house. The girl had broken an arm once, after falling off a swing. She screamed and cried and then her mother took her to the doctor, and when she came back, she couldn’t play with little Hange anymore, because her arm was in a sling and she couldn’t move it for almost a whole month.

And that was just an arm. Hange can only imagine how much a broken jaw would hurt. She really isn’t that keen on finding out.

“Of course, you’re a nerd, how I didn’t guess it before,” Levi mutters, as he starts to walk away.

Hange stares at his back, wondering if the storm had passed.

Evidently, it hadn’t – Levi turns around. He arches his eyebrow, looking at Hange quizzically.

“Did you hit your head or something, four-eyes? Get up, I’ll lead you to the class. You’re in the wrong wing, idiot.”

Hange is still confused – wasn’t he going to beat her up? But then she remembers the reason for this whole mess.

“The meeting!” she cries out, hurriedly gathering the papers that are scattered across the floor.

As she kneels on the wooden floor, picking up the papers, Levi’s words finally register in her mind.

“Wait!” she looks up at him. “You said I’m in a wrong wing again?”

“Well, aren’t you slow,” he deadpans. “Here,” he hands her the last one of her papers. For a second, their fingers brush against each other, and Hange finds out that in contrast to his eyes, Levi’s hands are warm. But before she can decide if his skin is soft or not, Levi pulls away, turning around. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

“You’re… going to lead me to the class?” Hange clarifies, cautiousness returning to her face.

“That’s what I said, right?” Levi starts to walk, not looking back at her. “Or is your hearing as shitty as your eyesight?”

“Not really,” Hange chuckles, following after him.

Levi Ackerman isn’t going to beat her up. She is almost certain.

  ***

“Hange, you’re here!” as soon as she enters the classroom, Moblit is beside her. “I thought you forgot about our meeting!”

“How could I?” Hange grins, easing his worry. “I was preparing the whole week for this! I just got a bit lost on my way here, sorry for being late.”

“You got lost? How did you find us then?” the petite redhead walks up to her too. 

Not the redhead – Nifa, cheerleader and Moblit’s friend, Hange remembers.  

“You used my map, right?” Moblit asks.

“Eh, no,” Hange rubs her neck, feeling a little shy. “Levi helped me get here.”

“Levi?” Nifa’s eyes widen in surprise. “As in the Levi Ackerman? The scariest guy of our school?”

“I guess?” Hange answers. “He was right there—” she opens the door to show Levi to Nifa and Moblit, he couldn’t have left far away, he had walked her to the door, after all, but unfortunately – the hallway is empty. She turns back to Moblit and Nifa with a helpless chuckle. “And he already left…”

“Are you sure that was Levi?” Moblit narrows his eyes a fraction, looking doubtful.

“I…” before she can reply, Hange remembers that she didn’t actually ask for his name. But those grey eyes… they can’t belong to anyone else. At the same time, Hange senses that no matter what she is going to say, neither Moblit nor Nifa would believe her.

And it doesn’t matter, not really. After all, they have a more pressing matter on their hands right now.

The vast and enigmatic world of molecular biology.

She clasps her hands together, attracting attention of the two boys, who stand at the other side of the classroom. They look up and Hange smiles, making a mental note to introduce herself to them later.

She unzips her bag, taking out her laptop and gathering her notes. “I’ve prepared a small report!” she announces, opening the first slide of her forty minutes long presentation.

   ***

It is a nice day. Despite the calendar showing that it is already October, the weather is warm enough to mistake it for the end of May.

The sky is clear and blue, the apple Hange is eating is juicy and sweet and her conversation with Moblit is engaging and fun.

With a bright smile on her lips, Hange lifts her face up to the sky, squinting against the blinding light. The sunbeams dance across her skin, kissing her cheeks and nose with their gentle warmth.

It is a nice day. But then a shadow obscures her view of the sun.

Hange opens her eyes, frowning at the sudden intrusion.

Next to her, Moblit falls silent. In front of her, Floch and two of his friends smirk, looking down on them.

"Get lost, Zoe," Floch tells flippantly, sparring her no more than a single glance. "Your boyfriend and I need to have a little chat."

Hange feels her chest fill with rage.

"Like hell I would!" she raises to her feet, fists clenching in anger.

In a month she spent at Sina High, she learnt a lot about Floch. She learnt that he is stupid and simpleminded, cruel and cowardly. Most of all, he is a bully.

Hange hates bullies with all the fierceness of her heart.

She had her fair share of taunting and mockery before. The kids made fun of her for wearing glasses, for having a large nose, for being too loud or too weird. Hange knows that the only one way to deal with endless jabs and sneers is to fight back. And over the course of her sixteen years of life she got amazingly good at it.

"Hange—" Moblit whispers, grasping her sleeve desperately. "Hange, please, do as he says."

"No!" Hange declares, glaring fiercely at Floch. "I'll stay with you, Moblit."

"Your mistake," Floch huffs, the smirk on his face growing wider. Behind his back, his friends flex their fists. "One nerd or two, what does it matter? I'll easily deal with both of you."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Hange warns, narrowing her eyes at him.

Getting into a fight isn't anything new for her. Unfortunately, having her ass kicked isn't anything new for her either. Even so, she isn't going to back down.

Hange braces herself, raising her fists and putting her left leg behind her for support. Watching Floch closely, she wonders where he would hit first. Her left or right cheek? Her nose or jaw? Or maybe, he'd go to the legs first? Hange doubts it, Floch doesn't seem to be that smart.

He raises his fist and Hange closes her eyes, preparing herself for the sharp sting of pain.

It never comes. Instead, a shadow appears in front of her again, this one much darker.

A second passes, and nothing happens. And then she hears Floch's feeble whimper.

Hange gingerly opens her eyes.

Holding Floch's fist in his hand, Levi Ackerman is standing before her, his wide back, as always, clad in black leather jacket.

"What's the matter, Floch?" he speaks in a low voice. "Got tired of picking fights with middle schoolers?"

Floch doesn't answer, his eyes turning wide, and Levi twists his arm, throwing him on the ground.

"Get the fuck out of here," he spits out, turning away as though just the sight of Floch disgusts him.

Not needing him to tell twice, Floch shoots to his feet and runs, his friends following after him.

Hange watches them with deep sense of satisfaction. She would prefer to make Floch leave with the use of her own fists, but that— that is nice too. And totally painless.

"We should go as well, Hange," Moblit mumbles, tugging insistently at her shirt.

"You go first," Hange answers, not taking her eyes off Levi. "I need to go to the bathroom."

"Hange..." Moblit's quiet voice is disapproving, and Hange turns to look at him, curving her lips in a smile. "I'll be right behind you, don't worry."

"Just be careful," he instructs at last, before grabbing his bag and walking away.

With Floch and Moblit gone, Hange is left alone with Levi.

Or... not.

As Hange looks around, she realizes that Levi had left too. By now, his dark figure is nothing more than a small dot on a horizon. Hange hurries after him.

"Hey, hey, Levi! Wait!" she desperately tries to catch up with him. Levi doesn't slow down.

"Go away, four-eyes," he mutters without even looking at her.

Like hell she would.

Hange speeds up and in a matter of seconds, she reaches Levi. Huffing and painting, she struggles to keep up with his confident stride. But she doesn’t give up.

"Hey— hey, I just—" she inhales, then swiftly exhales. "I just wanted to ask," another deep breath, this one's much shakier. "Why did you help me?"

Levi stops long enough to turn around and throw her a dark look. "I didn't."

"You did!" Hange persists. "For the second time!"

"Leave me alone," he scoffs and starts to walk again.

Naturally, Hange follows after him. Levi passes the main entrance to school and heads to the side door.

He's going to skip a class, Hange realizes.

She has never skipped a class before. How exciting!

"It makes me think," she continues talking as though she didn't hear his last words. "Maybe, you're a bit misunderstood. I don't think you're as scary as everyone thinks you are."

"I'm much scarier," Levi mutters, moving up the stairs.

He is going up on a rooftop, Hange guesses. Again, she has never been on a rooftop before. Double excitement!

"And if you don't wish me to show you how scary I can be, I advise you to leave me alone."

"Nope," Hange smiles, not moved by his threat. She almost has him figured out. Levi Ackerman, the presumable gangster and the most fearsome student of Sina High isn't quite as terrible as he appears to be. "You won't hurt me."

"And why the fuck not?" Levi grunts, pushing the door to the rooftop open. He tries to shove it in her face, but Hange is faster, and she passes the threshold before he can push the door closed.

"Because you're nice," Hange easily answers.

"I'm really not."

Pushing his hands into the pockets of his jacket, Levi walks up to edge of rooftop and plops down on the floor. Hange sits next to him. She turns her head around and watches the grand blue sky above her. At the sight of it all, breath catches in her throat.

Paying her no mind, Levi takes out a pack of cigarettes and puts a stick into his mouth.

He lifts a lighter, when Hange speaks.

"Can you smoke later?" she asks carefully. "You see, I have asthma..."

Levi curses under his breath. He sighs and puts the cigarette down. Hange beams.

"I was right after all," she bumps her shoulder against his. "You are a nice."

"I'm going to push you off the edge," he promises darkly. Hange's smile doesn't falter.

"Don't you have to be in class?" Levi questions. "Why are you bothering me?"

"You're nice," Hange repeats. "I want to be your friend."

"I don't."

Hange snickers. As if she would give him a choice.

They don't speak after that. Hange, still smiling, returns to gazing up at the sky, lazily watching the movements of clouds.

Levi seems to be slowly coming with the grips that to get rid of her he most probably would have to act on his threat and push her off the edge. With a sour expression, he braces his hands against the railing and stares at the ground below.

The silence, surprisingly, is pleasant and comfortable. It is broken by the sound of the door opening. Hange turns around, and sees Levi's friends - Farlan and Isabel - climb on a rooftop.

As they notice her, their faces brighten up.

"Levi!" Isabel runs up to him. "So you finally gathered enough courage? I'm so proud of you!"

"Izzy," Farlan takes her by the elbow, just before she can latch herself onto Levi. "I don't think he has."

"Eh?" Hange shifts her gaze from Farlan and Isabel to Levi. Something is going on, but she can't pinpoint what exactly.

"Shut up," Levi barks at his friends. "Four-eyes just decided to follow me up here, and now I can’t get rid of her."

"I just wanted to thank you," Hange grumbles, crossing hands on her chest and pursuing her lips in a pout. "For saving me from Floch and his friends."

"Oh!" Isabel's eyes lighten up. She jumps to Hange's side. "Big brother saved you?" she asks with a dreamy smile. "Levi, that's so—"

"Shut up, Isabel," he growls. "I'm not joking."

"Killjoy," Isabel whispers, throwing him a dark look.

Farlan takes a sit next to Hange, offering her his hand. "I'm Farlan," he says with a friendly smile. "And that’s," he gestures to the girl. "As you may have gathered, is our friend Isabel. Nice to finally meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Hange answers, shaking his hand. "I'm—"

"Hange," Farlan interrupts. "Yes," he briefly glances at Levi, his eyes alight with amusement. "We know."

"We should be friends!" Isabel announces, throwing her arm around her shoulders.

"I would like to," Hange replies. "But Levi doesn't seem to agree."

"Pay him no mind," Isabel waves her hand. "He’s just naturally that grumpy. As for Farlan and me, we’re ready to accept you in our ranks. Before becoming an official member of our gang, though, you need to do those four things."

"Alright," Hange nods, listening intently.

"First!" Isabel raises her index finger. "You need to punch Zeke in a face, but I'm sure it's bound to happen."

Hange giggles, getting excited. "What's next?"

"Second, you need to skip a class, and you've already done it, so!" Isabel clasps her shoulder. "Congratulations on that one."

Farlan pats her knee too, and Hange shows them a proud smile.

"Third, you need to smoke at least one cigarette."

"I can't," her smile falls, as Hange briefly shakes her head. "I have asthma."

"I'll do it for you then," Farlan offers, walking to the other side of the rooftop to do just that. Levi, who still holds a pack in his palm, doesn't join him, not moving from his place next to Hange.

"And the last thing! The most important one!" Isabel makes a dramatic pause, shifting her gaze to Levi just for a second, before looking back on Hange with a mischievous smile. She winks and lowers her voice, making sure that Levi doesn’t hear her.

"The last condition - you have to kiss one of us."

   ***

After that first time on the roof, their friendship progresses rapidly. Hange starts hanging out in the mall with Isabel, playing basketball with Farlan, skipping classes and walking home with Levi.

And very soon she finds out the truth about her new friends. Isabel isn't actually a thief, Farlan isn't an arsonist and Levi, obviously, has never murdered anyone.

Those rumors are just that - rumors.

"But what about Mike?" Hange asks.

The four of them are sitting side by side on what Hange likes to call their place - up on a rooftop of the school. Their shoulders are pressed tightly against each other, and their feet are dangling off the edge. The light from a setting sun reflects in her glasses, making her squint. On a scale of perfect days, this one is pretty close to the top.

In response to her question, Levi groans. Isabel and Farlan start laughing.

"I'm afraid that's another rumor," Farlan explains to the confused Hange.

"Although, Mike did break a jaw once," Isabel notes with a crooked grin.

"But not by me." Levi grits through his teeth. "That giant idiot got drunk and fell down the stairs. And because he was too embarrassed to tell the truth, he blamed it on me."

"So, you just let him do it?" Hange stares at Levi with raised eyebrows. "Didn't do anything even though he lied about you?” Levi nods and Hange smiles. “I stand corrected then, you're nice."

"I'm serious, four-eyes," Levi growls, sending her one of his meanest looks. "One day, I'll push you off this roof."

Hange throws her head back and laughs. Isabel and Farlan join her.

 ***

"Well, let's start our meeting, shall we?" Hange rubs her hands in anticipation, excited to tell her fellow club members about a study she recently found.

But before she can turn on her laptop and put on a new presentation, Nifa grips her elbow.

"It's all very thrilling," she smiles.

"It really is," Moblit nods eagerly.

"But we wanted to know something else."

Hange blinks a few times, and then feels color rise to her cheek. She suddenly realizes that in the past two months she was always the one to lead the meetings. It is quite understandable that Nifa wants her turn.

"Of course, if there's something you wish to share, we all gladly listen, Nifa."

"Oh no, I don't wish to share anything. On the contrary, there is so something I want to ask you."

The bright, enthusiastic look in her eyes is intriguing. Hange wonders what is it that Nifa wants to know - is it about a thesis she made last week? Or a week before that?

"I'm all ears," Hange promises, taking Nifa's hands into hers.

"So how does it feel," Nifa begins. "To date the most dangerous boy of our school?"

It takes Hange an embarrassingly long amount of time to realize who Nifa is talking about.

"Levi?" she breathes finally. "But we aren't— we aren’t dating! We’re just friends!"

Nifa plucks her lips and looks at Hange with suspicion and disbelief.

"But you're always together," she notes, staring at Hange through narrowed eyes.

"We're really not," Hange counters easily. "We just hang out sometimes."

"You skip classes with him. And he walks you home."

"And he saved you from Floch that one time," Moblit, the goddamn traitor, adds.

"And you're the only one he talks to, beside his two best friends." Nifa concludes with a confident smirk.

Hange looks from Moblit to Nifa, feeling at a loss of words.

It's not that she has never thought about it, she did sometimes, when Levi walked her home, and their hands brushed against each other, or when they sat on the roof together, their shoulders touching. Levi is handsome, even Hange - as bad as her eyesight is - knows that. But she also knows that Levi thinks she's messy and annoying. The hell would freeze sooner than he'd look at her like that.

So despite her frequent heart palpitations and leaps in breathing levels, Hange ignores her little crush, putting it to the furthest shelf of her mind.

Being friends with Levi is good enough. She doesn't wish for more.

And that's exactly what she tells to Moblit and Nifa.

"You're reading into things," she chuckles, dismissing their claims. "And now, it's time to read into something else!" she turns on the first slight of her presentation.

Moblit smiles and takes out his notebook. Nifa groans.

***

It's one of those days, when the world is bleak and grey, and the heavy clouds reign across the sky.

Looking out of the window, Hange feels an infinite sadness that isn't entirely caused by gloomy weather. For a second, she even debates skipping school at all, her mother probably wouldn't be against it, but Hange gets rid of that thought fairly quickly. It's not who she is, and wallowing in self-pity was never the way she dealt with her problems. Besides, the classes will provide an excellent distraction for her unhappy thoughts.

So Hange gets dressed, puts her hair in the usual ponytail and leaves her room. She greets her mother, who doesn't look quite as lively as she usually does, and kisses her cheek.

"I'll be home at five," Hange says quietly and walks outside.

The wind ruffles her hair, messing it up even more. It gets in her face and Hange pushes it away with a jerky movement of her wrist. She moves past her bike, deciding to walk to the school on her feet.

There are lots of things on her mind, and a lengthy stroll presents a perfect opportunity to think all of it through.

Hange walks through the grey, foggy streets with her head cast down. She stares at the ground, but not even an occasional sight of a sleazy worm is enough to lift her mood.

She reaches the gates of a school, when someone grabs her elbow.

Startled, she looks up. Levi is standing beside her.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, his frown more prominent than usual.

“Nothing,” Hange lies, avoiding his sharp eyes.

Today they don’t remind her of the knife’s edge. Today, Hange thinks, they look just like a sky before a storm.

“What’s your first class?”

Levi stands close to her, too close. People are going to talk, Hange can’t help but think. But Levi doesn’t seem to care about it.

“English,” she answers, staring at her feet.

“Let’s go then,” moving his hand from her elbow, Levi grabs her by the sleeve of her hoodie. He starts walking, dragging Hange along. And because her eyes are still cast down, Hange doesn’t notice that they aren’t headed to a classroom until it’s a little too late.

Of course, Levi leads her to the roof.

He sits her down and looks at her expectantly. Hange shifts her gaze to a side. Under Levi's intense stare, something stirs inside her. There is worry in his eyes, Hange realizes. This revelation makes butterflies in her stomach slowly come to life.

Hange tries her best to ignore them.

"I'm fine, really," she repeats. She doesn't know who she's trying to fool - Levi or herself. She doesn’t achieve success with either of them.

The harsh wind is stronger on the roof, it blows through her hair, gets under her hoodie and sips deep in her bones. Hange suppresses a shiver.

"Idiot," Levi mutters, following it with an irritated tsk. He unzips his jacket, takes it off and drapes it around her shoulders.

Heat rises to her cheeks instantly. She feels incredibly warm and she knows that the jacket isn't the reason for it. The butterflies, despite her best efforts, happily flutter their wings.

"You'll catch a cold..." she whispers weakly. Levi is wearing a thin grey pullover and Hange can only imagine how cold he must be.

"Ackermans don't get sick," he says confidently, making Hange snicker. The corners of his lips twitch and he gently nudges her. "So what happened, four-eyes?"

Hange looks up, staring at the horizon. The skies seem even darker up there, and she briefly wonders how much time they can spend here until the rain starts and a need to hide from it forces them inside.

She wraps the jacket tighter around herself, and the sharp scent enters her nostrils. It smells like soap and cigarette smoke. It smells just like Levi.

Hange glances at him, and his stare is unwavering as he waits for her to start talking.

Hange sighs and begins.

"It's my dad," she confesses softly. "He's... getting married next week. And—" she chuckles, meaning for it to sound easy and cheerful. It comes out bitter and hollow instead. "I found out about that from his post on Facebook. He didn't invite me, didn't even tell me about this. I know— I know that he has a new family now. And I know that I probably remind him of the time when he was married to my mom, and I guess it wasn't a great experience for either of them, but still... he threw me out of his life so easily. It makes me sad, I guess."

"It's his loss," Levi says. "If he doesn't realize it, then he doesn't deserve you."

"Levi..." Hange whispers, aghast. She expected him to ignore her whining, or call her pathetic, but this… Hange doesn’t what to think. The warm feeling inside her is almost too much to bear.

"I know I'm not the best with words," Levi admits, while Hange is still busy processing his last ones and how good they made her feel. "But I can call Isabel, if you wish. Or that Berner boy," he adds with a tight-lipped expression.

Hange smiles, touched by his offer. But she talked it through already, last night with her mother. Today, she needs something else.

"Can we stay like this, please?" she asks, looking at him beneath her eyelashes.

"Sure," he agrees easily. And then— Levi does the unexpected again. He wraps his arm around her, pulling her closer. Her nose is pressed against his collarbone, and the butterflies go wild.

Hange pays them no mind. Levi is warm and he smells nice. She hides a smile into his shirt.

The sadness she felt throughout the morning disappears. With Levi's arms around her, Hange feels impossibly happy.

***

 It's almost seven in the evening, and the streets are already dark when Hange leaves the school after another biology club meeting.

The alleyway next to the school is dimly lit, so Hange almost misses a figure that sits on one of the benches. She stops as soon as she sees that dark silhouette, though. Despite the poor street lighting and her own imperfect eyesight, Hange recognizes him instantly. And wonders what is he doing there.

Levi walks her home every day, except Fridays. Fridays are club meeting days, and Hange often leaves the school late in the evening.

Levi never waits for her on Fridays.

So why is he here now?

Hange silently walks up to him, approaching him with a bit of caution. Levi sits weirdly, his shoulders seem too stiff. Her stomach churns with worry.

"Levi?" she softly calls. "Levi, what are you doing here?"

"Hange," he keeps his eyes trained on the ground, and Hange's worry increases. She doesn't like the hollowness of his voice.

Then she lowers her gaze, and the worry skyrockets. Levi's hands— they are covered in blood. She gasps and grabs his chin, turning his face to the light. A bloodied lip, a bruise on a cheek - Hange swears when she sees them.

"What happened?" she is instantly by his side, taking his hands into hers. She brings them closer to her face, looking for injuries.

"Zeke." Levi says.

"He's the one who did all of this to you?"

"Of course not," Levi throws her a sharp, offended look. "He just brought more friends than I could deal with."

"What a fucker," Hange mutters, anger warming up inside her. "Let's go to my place, I'll clean your wounds."

"And what about your mother?" Levi bites his lip. "Won't you get in trouble with her, if you bring me home, looking like this?"

"She has a night shift," Hange stands up, outstretching her hand to Levi. "And besides," she continues. "I’m sure my mom would adore you,” she winks at Levi, grinning. “Just like I do.”

***

Hange brings Levi home and tends to his wounds. She cleans his skinned knuckles and wipes the blood from his lip.  She tries to be gentle, apologizing over and over each time Levi winces. Every time he hisses or grits his teeth, the anger inside Hange grows bigger and bigger. She swears to herself that she won’t let Zeke get away with it.

When she starts wrapping bandages around his knuckles, her hands shake and tremble.

She wants to think that her inexperience is to blame, but she knows that the reason for her nervousness is Levi's warm breath on her cheek and his eyes that follow her every move.

Hange stares into them for a second. They look nothing like a knife's edge right now. They don't remind her of a sky before storm either. They're the color of a full moon. They're shining just as brightly.

"You're wrapping them too tight," Levi complains, breaking Hange out of her reverie.

"Oh, sorry!" Hange giggles, embarrassed. She hurries to rectify her mistake, but ends up making even a bigger mess, tangling up the bandages.

Levi sighs and snatches them out of her hands.

"You're shit at this," he says, bandaging his knuckles himself.

Hange snickers and watches him, committing each move to memory. She hopes she won’t need this knowledge in the future. But in case she does, next time she wants to be able to help.

“You can stay for the night,” Hange offers when his injuries are cared for. “We can put on a movie, make some popcorn…”

“Maybe, some other time,” Levi gently declines. “My mom probably worries like crazy. I should get home, before she sends Kenny after me.”

His refusal disappoints Hange a bit, but she doesn’t take it personally. She knows how much Levi cares about his mother. And she knows how much he hates causing her worry.

So she makes him promise to hang out tomorrow and walks him to the door.

"Thank you," Levi tells her, standing in the doorway.

"I didn't do anything..." she tries to protest.

"You did more than enough,” he says, the grey of his eyes softening. “Goodnight, Hange.”

“Goodnight,” she echoes, watching him go with a heavy heart.

  ***

After that Friday, Hange lets her anger brew for a whole weekend.

On Monday, she comes to school and seeks out Zeke. His friends stand around him, as she approaches, but Hange pays them no mind. She marches up to Zeke, grabs him by the collar and punches him in the face.

His loud shriek and a pathetic whimper that follows are absolutely priceless.

"That's for Levi," she glowers, before walking away, a smirk on her lips and her head held up high.

She gets sent to detention for that, but Levi calls her an idiot with a fond smile on his face, and Hange thinks it was all worth it.

He gets into a fight with Floch the very same day, and during detention they sit side by side, exchanging silly notes and making funny faces at each other.

"Just one condition left," Isabel tells her the next day, winking suggestively.

  ***

It is another Friday night, and Hange is engaged in a losing battle with her calculus homework. No matter what she does, what formula uses, nothing seems to work.

Her eyes are getting tired from glaring at her notebook, and Hange rubs at them, suppressing a yawn. It’s a little past ten, but she already feels exhausted, drained to the bone.

She thinks of just abandoning it all and going to sleep, when a small rock lands on her desk. Hange blinks a few times, utterly confused.

How did it get here?

She scratches her head, trying to make sense of it. A second later, another rock appears.

Hange looks up, turns to the window— and smile breaks on her face. She squeals in delight, jumping to her feet and coming to grip the windowsill.

Levi is sitting on a branch of a tree that grows near her house. He wears his signature jacket, and he’s looking at Hange with the expression of fond annoyance that he reserves exclusively for her.

“Took you long enough to notice me,” he grumbles. “I was thinking of aiming the next rock at your stupid head.”

Hange laughs, not taking his words to heart. She knows Levi well enough by now to see through his insults and sarcasm.

“Are you free right now?” he asks, before Hange gets her chance to question what is he doing up on a tree.

“It’s Friday night and I’m sick of doing my homework, so…” she shrugs. “I am as free as I can be.”

“Alright. And your mom? Is she at home?”

“She is, but she’s already asleep.”

“Get out then.”

“Eh? What does that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what I said,” Levi scoffs. The confused expression doesn’t leave her face, so he rolls his eyes and adds, “I stole the keys to Kenny’s bike. Do you want to take a ride on it or not?”

Hange feels her lips twitching. She wants to say ‘yes’ so badly, but for the sake of messing with Levi, she puts on a doubtful frown.

“Won’t you get in trouble with your uncle?”

“Only if he finds out.”

“Will he be able to find out?”

“Most certainly.”

"And you still wanna do it?" she asks, just to see the exasperated look Levi throws her.

"Of course," he answers through his teeth, his patience starting to run thin.

"Alright!" she finally agrees. She jumps and clasps her hands together, unable to contain her excitement. "Just wait a sec, I need to change my clothes!"

Levi nods, throws ‘don’t take too long’ and starts climbing off a tree.

Just as she promised, Hange gets ready in record time. She jumps out of the window, landing next to Levi with a pained huff.

"Are you alright?" he steadies her, his eyes shadowed with worry.

"Sure!" Hange assures him with a smile. "The landing was just a bit rougher than I expected."

"You could have left through the front door, like a normal person." Levi notes.

"But where is the fun in that?" Hange counters.

Levi shakes his head and curses her idiocy under his breath. Hange claps his shoulder and chuckles.

"Shall we go?" she raises her arms to tie up her hair.

"Don't." Levi blurts out suddenly.

Hange stops in her tracks, gawking at him. "Eh?"

"Leave it like that," his voice is rough and breathy as he speaks. Levi turns his face away, and Hange desperately wishes to know what it looks like right now. She bets it’s all red and flustered. "When you wear your hair down... It’s not a bad look on you."

Hange can't believe it. Did she mishear? Misunderstood something? Or did Levi really just pay her a compliment?

Now it’s her turn to be flustered. She feels her face redden. Her heart starts to hummer in her chest.

Levi doesn’t give her enough time to process, and, of course, to retaliate. 

"I parked the bike near your house," he walks away so briskly, it's hard for Hange to catch up.

When she does, Levi is already standing next to a shining black motorcycle. Hange knows next to nothing about motorcycles, but, in her opinion, the thing looks cool. She runs a hand over it, and her excitement almost makes her feel dizzy.

She has never ridden a motorcycle. But she is sure it's quite a thrilling experience.

"Put that on," Levi instructs, handing her a helmet. "And hold on to me, alright?"

"Of course!" Hange mockingly salutes.

"Don't do anything stupid, four-eyes," he glowers before putting a helmet on his own head and getting onto the bike.

Hange waits for him to sit down and then she follows his suit. She wraps her arms around Levi, fisting her hands into the lapels of his leather jacket.

"Ready?" he asks, his voice muffled by a helmet.

Hange nods, pressing her head to his shoulder.

Levi starts the motorcycle and carefully rides onto the street. He maneuvers out of the narrow path and onto the broad road. He speeds up after that and Hange can't hold in a delighted chuckle. She raises her head and looks around.

The streets they pass by are nothing more than a blur of bright lights and vivid colors, and Hange can't stop staring at it all. To make the experience even more electrifying, she's pressed so close to Levi that she can feel his heartbeat. Or, maybe, that's an echo of her own. Their proximity makes it hard to tell. She also feels incredibly warm, having her arms wrapped around him makes Hange forget about the harsh wind that seems even stronger as they ride through the night city.

Levi obviously has a final destination in mind, but Hange doesn't care, not right now, when she is filled with so much joy and elation.

She feels so free, she feels so good, so happy, she is so—

"I swear to god, Hange!" Levi shouts over the wind. "If you're thinking of dangling your arms in the air or some equally dumb shit, I'm going to throw you off this thing myself!"

Hange laughs, wild and unbridled.

She is so in love.

*** Levi brings them to the beach.

As soon as he stops the engine, Hange gets off the bike and runs to the sea, kicking away her shoes as she goes. She steps into the water and yells, instantly jumping out of it. The water is freezing, but Hange is stubborn. She wants to try again, hoping that her body would adjust. Before she can take a single step in that direction, though, she is roughly yanked back.

She turns around and meets Levi's sizzling gaze.

"Sit the fuck down," he growls. "Or you wish to get pneumonia?"

Hange can't help it - her heart swells and her stomach tingles.

Levi, despite his dark, scary eyes and scowling face, is surprisingly endearing. He's so cute Hange wants pinch his cheek. Desperately so.

And because she's still filled with adrenaline after their ride, or, maybe, the dark sea and quiet night have an effect on her, Hange does just that.

Levi slaps her hand away a second too late. She laughs, and, to placate him, finally sits down, burying her feet in the sand.

Levi takes a seat next to her. A second later, something heavy and warm falls over her shoulders. Hange touches it with her fingers - it's Levi's jacket.

"It's cold," he explains gruffly, answering the silent question in her eyes.

"Thanks," Hange smiles, and, because she still feels inexplicably bold, she puts her head on his lap.

Levi startles, his whole body goes rigid, but he doesn't push her away, doesn't even complain. After a moment, he relaxes - his hand falls on her shoulder and his fingers starts playing with her hair.

It's nice, Hange thinks. She wishes to stay in this moment forever.

She turns to look at the sea - the stars and moon are reflecting in the darkness of the water, illuminating a narrow path. She points her finger at it.

"I once believed that if you follow that path during full moon, you'll become a mermaid," she tells Levi.

Levi snorts. "You believed in something so stupid? Why am I not surprised?"

"What ridiculous thing did you believe in?"

Levi is silent for a long moment, and Hange thinks he's not going to answer. She opens her mouth to change the topic, but then—

"I believed in Santa until I was thirteen years old."

"What?!" Hange shrieks, rising up from her position to gawk at Levi. "You're serious?"

"Unfortunately," he grunts, pushing her back on his lap. "Kenny put a very convincing show. It's not until I caught my mom hiding presents under a Christmas tree that I finally realized the truth."

Hange really, really tries to keep it in, but she imagines the disappointment on Levi's face and absolutely loses it. Laughter bubbles out of her throat, and Hange curls in on herself, laughing without abandon. Her stomach starts to hurt, tears well up in the corners of her eyes, and Hange still continues to giggle, expressing her mirth until she can't breathe anymore.

"Oh god, Levi," she wipes the tears away. "This is the best thing I've heard in weeks."

"Glad you are having fun on my account," he says dryly.

Hange starts laughing again.

When she finally calms down, the silence falls over them.

It's so quiet there, the only sounds are faraway noises of the city and the loud roar of the sea that accompanies the crashing of waves against the shore.

All of it makes Hange feel at peace in a way she rarely does.

After minutes of staring at the seemingly endless sea and basking in the atmosphere of it all, she tears her gaze away from the it, shifting her eyes to Levi. And finds out - he is looking at her too.

His stare is intense, charged with something she can't quite name, something that makes it impossible to look away.

As their eyes meet, Levi swallows. His hand in her hair stills, and he starts to slowly lower his face to hers. Hange lifts her head too. The tension around them is growing, and Hange forgets how to breathe until— until it hits her.

"Of course!" she cries out, jumping up. She hits Levi's jaw with her forehead, but doesn't pause long enough to fully register it. She can't spare her attention to anything else, the math problem she tried to solve for so long— she finally found the solution.

"Levi!" she seizes his shoulders, staring at him with wide, feverish eyes. "We need to go back, quick!"

"What—"

"I realized how to solve it!" she gets to her feet, pacing around and impatiently waiting for Levi to stand up as well.

"Solve what?" Levi grimaces, looking like he has eaten a sour lemon.

Unfortunately, Hange is too preoccupied with her sudden revelation to notice his expression or even answer his question.

"Way to ruin the moment," he mutters before standing up and walking back to the bike, his face as dark as the sea. ***

It's the last Friday before St. Valentine's Day, and everyone at their school starts going crazy.

Hange is spending lunch with Nifa and Moblit, but their sandwiches lay forgotten, as the three of them curiously watch Porco's pathetic attempt to ask Pieck out. He keeps stuttering and his face is so red, Hange is worried he might pass out, but then Pieck smiles and kisses him on a cheek. Cheers and congratulations are heard from all sides of school cafeteria.

"So it's settled then?" Hange turns to Moblit. "Porco and Pieck are actually dating?"

"I guess..." Moblit tentatively agrees.

"I saw Reiner and Porco kissing the other day," Nifa interrupts.

"And I saw Reiner and Berthold hold hands on their way home," Hange mutters, taking a bite from her sandwich.

"I'm not sure," Moblit rubs his neck. "But I think I caught Pieck making out with Yelena the other day."

"So it's still complicated," Nifa mournfully concludes. "At least, their love life is more interesting than mine..."

"Speaking of love," Moblit quietly begins. Both Hange and Nifa whip their heads to stare at him. Moblit's cheeks turn pink, but he stubbornly continues to look at Hange. "I wanted to ask if..."

Whatever he wanted to ask, Hange doesn't get a chance to find out. Because in the next second, a shadow flashes past them. It appears by her side and drapes a leather jacket over her shoulders.

"It's too cold today," Levi explains, as he sits down next to her, inserting himself between Hange and Moblit.

It's not cold at all, and, besides Hange is wearing a warm pullover.

But that's not the only thing that confuses her. What is Levi doing here? Why is he sitting so close to her? And why is he glaring at Moblit?

"Why are you here, Levi?" Hange decides to start with the easiest question.

"Can't find Farlan and Isabel," he answers flippantly, not taking his eyes from Moblit.

Now that's most certainly a lie. Hange can clearly see Isabel and Farlan sitting in their usual spot, in the furthest corner of cafeteria. And even if she didn't turn around to locate them, Isabel's delighted cackling is heard even from a distance.

"It's best if I go," Moblit says, a drop of sweat rolling down his forehead.

"I'll go with you," Nifa offers, taking her trail.

"We are just friends, my ass," she angrily mutters, throwing another exasperated look at Hange and Levi.

Hange turns to Levi as soon as her friends leave, she really, really wants to know what the fuck had just happened, but she opens her mouth in the exact moment that a bell rings.

Levi wordlessly gets up and disappears in the crowd of students. He forgets to take back his jacket.

  ***

As Hange moves from class to class, everyone keeps staring at her. It’s not bad kind of attention, no one whispers insults behind her back, Erwin actually approaches, offering sincere congratulations, and when she meets Zeke’s gaze in the hallway, she sees a spark of fear there, and it fills her with a deep sense of satisfaction, but— it also makes her confused.

Why did Levi give his jacket to her? Why did he give her his jacket so many times before? Why has she never seen Isabel or Farlan wear it? What makes her special?

Hange always enjoyed solving riddles. She is determined to find a solution to this one as well.

  ***

After her last class, Hange rushes to the rooftop. Just as she expected, Levi is there. And, luckily, he’s all alone.

He’s smoking, but as soon as he notices her presence, he puts the cigarette out and waves his hand, getting rid of the smoke.

Sitting beside him, Hange shoots him a grateful smile.

“So did you know about the dance they’re organizing this weekend?” she begins, skipping the pleasentries and small talk. As she speaks, she tilts her head to the side to stare at Levi’s profile. In the light of a setting sun, he looks even more handsome. Her heart picks up its speed. She ignores it and forces words out of her throat. “Do you wish to go?”

“No.”

“Why not?” Hange wonders, not saddened by his answer at all. She was expecting nothing else, after all.  “Just imagine – me in a dress and with shitty, smeared lipstick and you in a shirt and tie… We’ll be dancing in a stuffy auditorium, drinking spiced punch and having fun with our peers…”

Levi visibly shudders at her words. “I’d rather jump off this roof.”

Hange snickers in her palm. “And if I go with Moblit?” she asks, watching Levi with a sly smile.

“I’ll throw him off this roof.”

That’s exactly the answer Hange was expecting. Even so, her heart does a flip and her breathing speeds up. Her cheeks feel hot and a wide grin is pulling on her lips. The scariest part is over, but the nerves don’t die out. There are still a few questions she needs answers to.

“And if I asked you out to the movies…”

“That’s not a bad idea…” Levi mumbles, keeping his eyes trained on his feet.

Hange gathers the last of her courage.

“And if I kissed you right now?”

Her heart stops, as she nervously waits for a reply. Millennia pass before she hears Levi’s gruff voice.

“That’s… a very good idea.”

He turns to her, staring at her and the intensity of his piercing gaze makes Hange weak in the knees. There is a moment, where nothing happens, but it lasts for no longer than a heartbeat. Then Levi cups her cheek and moves closer, his lips hovering above hers.

Hange closes her eyes and shortens the small distance that separates them.

The kiss is short, chaste and more than a little bit awkward. Even so, it’s the first kiss in her life and Hange lets her lips linger on Levi’s for a little longer, savoring that moment and committing it to her memory.

When they pull apart, Levi doesn’t let her go. If anything he brings her even closer, bumping their foreheads together.

His eyes are warm and soft, and Hange isn’t sure if she had seen anything more beautiful. But then she lets her eyes wander, slipping lower, and she sees a smile that blooms on his face. She can’t decide what she likes to stare at more – his eyes or his smile. After a second of intense debating, Hange comes to conclusion that both his eyes and his smile are equally breathtaking.

She thinks of asking for another kiss, when she remembers something just as important.

“I finally did it, Levi!” she loudly announces, throwing her hands in the air. “I fulfilled the fourth condition!”

Levi pushes her away with a groan. “Why must you always ruin the atmosphere…” he wonders with a deep scowl on his face.

To be honest, Hange liked it better when he smiled. But, luckily, now she knows a sure way to placate him.

With a gentle smile on her lips, she pulls him closer for another kiss.