#they slapped so hard on my French dips last night

[bigassbowlingballhead]

Guess who had onions a second night in a row and now has a tummy ache

[itsthemysterykids]

Oooohhhh! What about candy store?

Dipper: Dear Diary, it’s been three weeks since I became friends with l'he Richies… *crosses something out* 'Friends" isn’t the right word, exactly. It's more like the Richies are people I work with and our job is being popular and shit-

*The bell rings. Neil and Mabel walk up to Dipper, not sure what to say*

Neil: … Hey, Dipper.

Dipper: Hey.

Mabel: You really look beauliful these clays.

Dipper: Yeah, well, it's still the same me underneath.

Mabel: Are you sure?

Dipper: Look, I'm sorry I flaked on movie night last week. I've had a lot going on.

Neil: We get that. You're with the Richies now. It's exciting.

Dipper: Whatever. But we'II hang soon, I promise.

*Dib arrives*

Dib: Dipper! Lili says to haul ass to the caf, pronto.

Dipper: How very.

*Dipper and Dib make their way into the cafeteria, passing by Norman Babcock, a boy in dark colors leaning against the wall. He’s reading Flowers of Evil.)

*Dipper and Dib join Lili and Wybie at their table. Lili is doing her nails while Wybie brushes her hair*

Lili: *Notices them Dipper, finally! I need a forged note Raz Aquato’s handwiiting. You'll need something to write on. Dib bend over.

*Dib bends over to allow Dipper to write on his back. It’s degrading, but he’s used to it. Dipper writes as Lili dictates and shows him a paper with Raz’s handwriting for him to compare*

Lili: "Hi, Honey, I've been watching you ... and thinking about us in the old days. I hope you can come to my homecoming party this weekend. I miss you ... Raz." Put an "XO" after the signature.

Dipper: What's this for anyway?

Lili: You remember how Raz used to hang with Mabel Pines?

Dipper: *Suddenly nervous* Well yeah, in kindergarten. We all did.

Dib: Well, we all didn't kiss on the kickball field.

Wybie: *suddenly excited* Oh my God, that day! I totally forgot. Raz kissed Mabel Pines. *Laughs* It was disgusting!

Lili: *takes the note* Perfect. *Coraline and Raz enter the cafeteria, she flags them, down* Raz, come here!

Raz: Whaddaya think she wants?

Coraline: I don’t know, to French? Go! *Raz coolly makes his way over to the Richies while she only goes over to Wybie* Hey, babe.

Wybie: *Smiles* Hey.

*Lili hands Raz the note*

Lili: Be a dear and give this note to Mabel Pines for me.

Dipper: Wait-

Raz: Since when do you talk to that weirdo? *He starts to unfold the note. Lili stops hirn*

Lili: Don't read it. She's having extra-heavy flow and wanted some advice from my gyno.

Raz: Ugh!

*Dipper takes the note from Raz. Instantly, he's surrounded by the Richies. Raz and Coraline step back, knowing this won’t end well*

Lili: What are you doing?

Dipper: Please, don’t do this! Not to Mabel!

Dib: Why? It’ll give her wet dream material for weeks-

Lili: Shut up, Dib!

Dib: Sorry, Lili.

Dipper: Mabel has had a thing for Raz for like twelve years now, this will kill her! It’s horrible, it’s-

Lili: Are we gonna have a problem?! *This catches the attention of the cafeteria* You got a bone to pick? You've come so far, why now are you pulling on my dick? I'd normally slap your face off And everyone here could watch. But I'm feeling nice Here's some advice-

Lili/Wybie/Dip: Listen up, biotch!

*The Richies advance on Dipper, smiling in tight formation like Satan's favorite singing group*

Wybie/Dib: I like!

Lili: Lookin' hot, buying stuff they cannot!

Wybie/Dib: I like!

Lili: Drinkin' hard! Maxin' Dad's credit card!

Wybie/Dib: I like!

Lili: Skippin' gym, Scaring her, Screwing him!

Wybie/Dib: I like!

Lili: Killer clothes!

Richies: Kickin' nerds in the nose!

Lili: If you lack the balls, you can go play dolls! Let your mommy fix you a snack!

Wybie/Dib: Wo-oah!

Lili: Or you could come smoke, pound some rum and coke! In my Porsche with the quarterback!

Lili/Wybie/Dib: Woah! Woah! Woah! Honey, whatchu waitin' for? Welcome to my candy store! It's time for you to prove you're not a loser anymore… Then step into my candy store…

Wybie: Girls fall!

Dib: At your feet! Pay the check!

Wybie: Help you cheat!

Lili/Wybie/Dib: All you!

Dib: Have to do!

Lili: Say goodbye to those two.

Lili/Wybie/Dib: Those freak's!

Wybie: Aren’t your friends! I can tell in the end!

Lili/Wybie/Dib: If they!

Dib: Had your shot!

Lili/Wybie/Dib: They would leave you to rot!

Wybie: 'Course if you don't care- Fine! Go braid her hair! Maybe Sesame Street is on!

*Lili sneaks the forged love note away from a distracted Dipper. She passes it to Wybie*

Lili/Wybie/Dib: Wo-oah!

Wybie: Or forget that creep!

Dib: And get in my jeep!

Lili: Let's go tear up someone's lawn!

As Mabel walks by, Wybie slips the note onto her lunch tray*

Lili/Wybie/Dib: Wo-oah! Wo-oah! Wo-oah! Honey, whatchu waitin' for?! Welcome to my candy store! You just gotta prove you're not a pussy anymore… Then step into my candy store…

*Mabel opens the note and reads it*

Lili: You can join the team!

Wybie/Dib: Or you can bitch and moan!

Lili: You can live the dream!

Wybie/Dib: Or you can die alone!

Lili: You can fly with eagles!

Wybie/Dib: Or if you prefer!

Lili: Keep on testing me!

Lili/Wybie/Dib: And end up like her!

*Mabel hurries over to Dipper, waving the forged "note from Raz."*

Mabel: Dipper, look! Raz invited me to his homecoming party! This proves he's been thinking about me.

*Dipper glances over at the Richies. Lili gives him a "Who’s it going to be?" look*

Dipper: … Color me stoked!

Mabel: I'm so happy!

*Mabel leaves. Now its Dib’s turn to solo - he makes the most of his moment*

Dib: Wo-oah~! Honey, whatchu waiting fo...

Lili: *Pushes Dib out of the way* Shut up, Dib! Step into my candy store!

Wybie/Dib: Time for you to prove you’re not a lame-ass anymore!

Lili/Wybie/Dib: Then step into my candy store! It's my candy store It's my candy! It's my candy store It's my candy! It's my candy store It's my candy stoooreee!

*The Richies leave. Dipper starts to exit, passing Norman. He spiels to Dipper without looking up from his book*

Norman: You shouldn't have bowed down to the Swatch--dogsand Diet-Cokeheads. They're gonna crush that girl.

Dipper: … I'm sorry,what?

[getitinbusan]

Church

For all you dirty little sinners on this holy weekend...

A one night stand with the hottest guy in town becomes a religious experience. Pure SMUT!

You liked him, who in town didn’t? If legend was right, Jungkook's cock was as big as his ego and you wanted it.

Feeling drunk and brave you caught him alone. He was standing waiting for drinks at the bar and you suddenly felt thirsty.

Sliding up beside him you wasted no time. "Take me home."

He smiled and poked his tongue into his cheek. "Let’s go."

His hands were already under your skirt in the Uber, did he even know your name? Did either of you care?

The driver kept watch from the rear view, you may as well put on a good show. Pulling down your tank top, your breast popped out of the tight fabric.

"Fuck, you certainly aren't shy."

Jungkook whined greedily while nibbling and sucking at your nipple. His eager fingers easily found your wetness and dipped repeatedly inside you, the squelch making the drivers cock stiffer.

"I’ll shut the meter off if you make her cum in front of me."

"Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the fucking wheel asshole."

Agrivated by the interuption he squeezed your tit while staring at the older man. "Drive faster, and if you interrupt us again I’ll tank your rating."

Pulling up to your place you broke away from his kiss to unlock the door.

"Wait is this a fucking church?" He laughed at the prospect.

Clutching his white T-shirt you pulled him inside. "It used to be, want to see my confessional?"

"I want to see everything," he growled

He moved to lift your top off but you stopped him. Pulling him by the belt loops you led him to the stark wooden confession closet.

"You weren’t kidding, shit…" he ran his hand down the robe that was hanging beside it and raised his eyebrows at the white collar.

You gave him a devilish grin, "So what? I like to roleplay."

You pushed him onto the hard bench, "If you sit here and tell me your sins I’ll get on my knees and do your penance."  

His jeans were tight around his thighs, his hard cock outlined by the taught denim. Fuck, he had to be 7 inches at the least.

Your knees hit the ground hard but the bruises would definitely be worth it.

Dragging your bottom lip through your teeth you looked up at him and smiled, "Do you want to fuck my face?"

He growled while unzipping himself. Pulling his cock out like a trophy he stroked it proudly in front of you.

Opening your mouth eagerly, he rubbed the tip across your wet outstretched tongue and smiled.

"Can you take it all or are we wasting my time?"

"Does it look like I brought you here to play?" You held him straight and stiff, taking in his full shaft till your nose was flush with his skin.

"Why’d you wait so long to introduce yourself?" he panted.

You let your lips gently slide back up the protruding veins.

"But I haven’t introduced myself at all, you have no idea who the fuck I am." You sucked one more time. "And doesn’t that make this feel even better Kookie?"

Baptizing his cock with your spit  you let your hand work his length as you sinfully stared up at him.

"Fuck that feels good."

You rubbed your hands in between his thighs, gripping gently on his testicles while sinking him into your throat again. Holding him there you moaned, goosebumps took over his skin and his head fell back.

"What do you like Jungkook, fast or slow?" you sucked.

"Fast"

"Shallow or deep?" you sucked again.

"Fuck…fucking deep."

"Hard or soft?" you swirled your tongue.

"Jesus Christ, your such a good little cock tease."

"You shouldn’t take the Lord’s name in vain Jungkook, it’s a sin." You smiled scraping your teeth gently over his tip.

Leaning back against the wall you instructed him, "Stand up for me baby."

Pulling his pants off the rest of the way you guided his leg to rest bent, on the preacher’s seat.

Beckoning his hips closer you wrapped your mouth back around his throbbing dick. Grabbing his ass you pulled him deep into your throat, his eyes clamped tightly as he began thrusting on his own.

Faster, harder, deeper just how he liked it, streams of drool falling onto your shirt as he used your mouth to get himself off.

His testicles grew tight in your hand, he was almost there. Pressing the delicate area around his perineum he let out a guttural moan and promptly blew his load down your throat.

"I don’t know what the hell you just did but holy shit I liked it." He was out of breath already.

You stood up and undressed yourself, hungry for it to be your turn.

Wrapping his strong arms around you he picked you up. "Now where?"

His cock was already back from the dead, poking at your core teasing it with his every step.

"Over here." He set you on top the wooden table, "Fuck me Jungkook, I need you in me."

You pulled his hair as he drove his cock into your wetness. "Oh god yes, fuck me…hard...please."

Each thrust hit deep stretching you out. Your pussy lips hugging him tightly oozed your milky white excitement over his length. The man not only knew how to fuck, he knew how to please. Bending his knees and angeling upwards the head of his cock rubbed perfectly over your g spot.

"You’re so good at this, your reputation is well earned."

He smiled and rolled his hips into you slowly catching friction on your clit.

"Lay back."

He licked his fingers and rolled your nipples between them. "Are you going be a good little angel and cum for me? I want to taste how good I’ve made you feel."

He gave a few more rolls into you, his name echoing throughout the hallowed space as you cried it out while you came.  

While you lay there still reeling he dropped to his knees. His soft tongue moved over your swollen cunt taking long languid licks and gentle sucks. His mouth cleaned your mess like some devilish aftercare meant to entice you into more.

He gathered the last of your arousal on his tongue and french kissed it into your mouth like a whore's communion.

"You taste like temptation."

"So don't stop," you grabbed his hand and took the lead.

He followed closely walking up the three stairs behind you. "Of course your beds where the altar should be."

"The space is designed for religious experiences Jungkook. Why don't you show me what heaven feels like?"

He sat down on the edge of the bed pulling you to stand between his thighs.

"How do you know I'm not the devil?" He sucked your nipple reverently between his lips.

"Funny you think I'm not already destined for hell." You bit your lip and he sighed, both ready to stop the banter and get back to fucking.

Flipping you quickly he bent you over the bed and rammed himself into your hole. As his balls wildly slapped between your thighs, you knew his greed wouldn't be letting you get another finale without intervention.

Reaching for your small satin pillow you shoved it snugly under you. It was no stranger to your cunt, and with every thrust your clit humped it's way to orgasm against its silky fabric.

Sweat rolled down his arm as he pulled his creamy cock out and stroked himself to his own end. His ropes of sticky cum shot over your ass in warm splatters as you satisfied yourself, moaning into the mattress.

He flopped down on the bed beside you. "That was fucking amazing...."

His breathing was labored. "Listen, I’m not really the type of guy to stick around.."

You laughed, "Did I ask to meet your fucking parents?"

He rolled up onto his elbow and furrowed his brow trying to read your thoughts. "So this was really just sex?"

"No," you shook your head. "It was just REALLY GREAT sex."

Smiling yet confused he got up and began gathering his scattered clothes. Like he'd had a sudden ephinany he turned back around.

"If I stay can I put on the collar and robe?"

[embrassemoi]

Surrounded by the Moon and Stars ✷ 25

Pairings: Sirius B, Remus L, [F]Reader   CW: Language, implied sexual content, angst 

【 Masterlist: Previous Chapter | Next Chapter 】

Chapter 25: Theories of Emotions

━━━━━━━━━༻☽༺━━━━━━━━━

April 30th, 1976

“HAHAHA!” Y/N let out a scream of mirth. She laughed so hard that her knees buckled, meeting the soft grass beneath and wand slipped from her grasp. Her eyes swam with heavy tears, gasping for air as she rocked back and forth, clutching her ribs. Nonplussed and unamused, Regulus gawked at her.

“You wart. You said you wouldn’t laugh!”

It was a passing joke, that she would teach Regulus how to swim but he took it a little too literally. Now, swimming — or attempting to swim in the shallow area of the black lake, wearing bright yellow floaties to keep him afloat, Regulus kept making large splashes; his arms failed around, legs unsynchronized as he kicked to propel his body.

“When you said your swimming skills were horrific, I thought you were being humble!”

Regulus’s face turned a dark pink, but he wore a sheepish grin. He doggy paddled his way out of the lake, which made her laugh even harder and waddled on land. Y/N got up, threw him a towel and ruffled his hair.

Regulus had been looking a little more lively lately, and Y/N was just happy that he seemed to be doing better.

“We can work with this!”

Regulus tossed her a dirty look, “Promise me you’ll never become a professor.”

“Whatever you say, Reggie —” “Hey!”

Once dry, they walked back to the castle and broke off into separate directions. Y/N promised to meet Remus a little earlier than usual at the library, but before then, she stepped into McGonagall’s office and sat in the chair opposite to her. Career meetings have been going on and her scheduled meeting had been weighing her down.

“Hello, Ms. L/N. Biscuit?” McGonagall gestured to the metal tin in front of her.

“No, it’s okay.” “Don’t be absurd.” Y/N was too afraid to reject again, so she took one.

“So, how are you feeling about the upcoming exams?”

“Nervous. Anxious.”

“I can imagine. You did struggle with the change of curriculum at the beginning of the year, but you’ve consistently improved.” McGonagall flipped through her stack of notes; her little glasses perched up high. She cleared her throat again. “You've always excelled in Defense, Potions and Transfigurations — and I’ve talked to Flitwick, he’s said you’ve improved drastically. Although, you struggle with History of Magic.”

Y/N sighed and nodded. Professor Binns wasn’t exactly helpful. “It’s never been a… strong suit of mine.”

“We all have our strengths and weaknesses, no? It doesn’t concern me much. I’ve heard you and Mr. Lupin are quite amicable — you two do study with each other..?”

“Yes, I attend his study sessions.”

McGonagall flashed her a rare smile and Y/N felt immense pride fill her. McGonagall smiling was almost as rare as getting a letter from her mother. “I can proudly say I have faith in you.”

“Thank you.”

“Then, I can assume you’ve given thought to what career you want to pursue?”

This was what she was dreading; thinking about her future. She’d give thought, loads, but it felt like there was such little time to decide the rest of her life. McGonagall waited for an answer as she watched Y/N struggle. “Do you have plans of continuing your education in America or..?”

She tried to make eye contact and her palms suddenly became damp. “I’m having doubts about working in the wizarding world.”

McGonagall pursed her lips.

“It’s not like I don’t want to — I do!” She explained, “I’ve thought about being a Healer. My mother is a Muggle Doctor.”

Professor McGonagall soaked in her words. “Are you struggling because you’re not sure if you want to become one, or do you feel pressured by your mother’s decisions?”

She sat straighter at this. “Er — Yes? No? That’s not my problem — honestly, I think my mom would discourage me from becoming one. It’s just… I mean…” She looked back to McGonagall who nodded encouragingly. “It’s just… the war… I’m not sure if I can…”

“What do you mean?” Her voice shifted, becoming brittle and it took Y/N by surprise. McGonagall wore a look so unlike her. Any trace of her firm, yet strict-kindness facade vanished. It was replaced with deep exhaustion.

“I’m a New — Muggleborn… most people — wizards — aren’t kind to someone like me… and I heard that they’re training them to be medics. I would be in the midst.”

McGonagall took off her spectacles, unveiling her red-rimmed eyes like she’d lost sleep or been crying. She sighed, so sorrowful and heavy that it even affected Y/N. “I won’t lie and say you’re wrong…” Her palms rubbed her tired eyes. “But you can’t let them win. Don’t let go of your dreams to submit to them. I won’t let my students diminish their talents and dreams.”

The professor took a long pause. “I know several institutes that transfer magical credits into Muggle credits if you’re seriously considering disconnecting from Magic. But, I urge you, think about it.”

She nodded gravely. There was already a considerable disconnect from her and the Muggle world that going back seemed impossible, but it was probably the safest.

McGonagall broke the silence, reshuffling her papers.

They continued to talk for some time, jumping from courses and mark requirements for NEWT level courses and Y/N left with a stack of papers and mock schedules. With a heavy heart, she headed towards the library. It seemed like every week when exams neared, the earlier group sessions would be.

Y/N flopped down on one of the couches near the back and let her head loll to rest on the cushion. She wasn’t alone for long before she felt the couch dip beside her. She peeked open one eye; Sirius in all his glory was there. In one hand, he held the Marauder’s map before she snatched it.

“Now you’re stalking me?”

His head made a funny gesture. “You know about the map?”

“... James.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“I haven’t told anyone. I promise!”

He beamed and when Y/N flipped through the papers McGonagall gave her, she felt Sirius place a hand on her thigh, slowly inching up.

Snogging — shagging — it made life a lot more fun. Unresolved anger between each other? Broom closet with heated words between kisses. One of them was stressed? Take it out on the other. Wanted fun? Sneak up to Sirius’s dorm. Sirius being a fucking asshole? Kiss him and he’ll shut up (although, Y/N had a sneaking suspicion that he knew this and was purposely being a dick to get a reaction now). Their anger was slowly dwindling to extinction. Moreover, rather than brooding exchanges across the hall, there were one or two sly smiles.

But, they had four unspoken rules they followed:

Never talk about whatever they were,

Because surely, neither meant anything to the other,

If they were with anyone else, they would have to tell the other,

And most importantly; never, ever, tell anyone.

“You look ravishing.”

Y/N felt her face heat. “I wish I could say the same about you."

Sirius smirked, his fingers trailing dangerously close to her inner thigh.

“Here?" She hissed, "What are you doing?"

“The thrill is the fun part.” He pressed a few sneaky kisses to her jaw, “You spend too much time here with Lupin and not enough time with me.”

“Jealous?” Y/N’s brow rose and she turned to look at him. “Of Lupin?”

Sirius didn’t answer but momentarily pulls away. “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?”

She rolled her eyes. “Slag.”

“You know French?”

“Second official language in Canada.”

Sirius nodded. “Well, I’m a slag… for you.” She teasingly smacked him on the head with her papers.

“I can’t stand you sometimes.”

“Feelings mutual, princess.”

Y/N hid a smirk, resuming to ignore him as she flicked through the stack of papers. There was a dreadful feeling settled deep within. Everything was moving too fast and she felt like she had nowhere to turn. Overwhelmed, she pressed herself into the couch further and groaned out, “Fuck —”

“Maybe we can do that later?”

An involuntary chuckle slipped out which had Sirius grinningly like a fool. There it was again, that Sirius Black grin… it made her heart do wild flips. “You’re a literal dog.”

“And aren’t you a lovely witch?”

Y/N rolled her eyes, flipped him off and went to tug on Sirius’ hair to pull him off before a loud moan ripped from him and echoed throughout the library. Y/N’s eyes grew large, mouth agape. Sirius was unapologetic though; his smile grew bigger.

“I promise I’ll let you slap me, lightly,” he winked and wiggled his brows. “Or hard, whatever you want.”

She shook her head and shoved her things into her bag and pulled Sirius to his feet before he led her up to his dorm. His name spewed from her lips like a prayer and consumed every thought.

At some point, they flopped down on Sirius’ bed as they breathed in deeply, catching their breaths. Y/N was filled with content and went to turn on her side, facing Sirius and cuddling up to him. Gently and mindlessly, pressed a series of light kisses to his forehead while massaging his scalp.

The sun made one last feeble appearance before being engulfed by dusk. Rays of golden glow spilled in as she embraced him. Her hands ran feather-light touches up and down his bare skin and Sirius’ head hugged close to her chest. The soft touches were filled with nothing but her (not so) hidden affection and calm peace. She didn’t think much about her actions.

Something she’d come to learn during their stolen kisses and nights under white satin sheets; Sirius was beautiful in a wild, carefree way. He was wild like how wind sweeps through the branches of willows trees and meadows on a cool summer's eve or carefree in the way waves from the ocean crashed upon rocks. He was hauntingly beautiful in a turbulent, pliable way — wild in not just beauty, but essence too.

And it hurt. What were they doing?

Everything moved so quickly. Not even a month ago, she was supposed to be hating Sirius — now their limbs were tangled together. The ever-present war crept up during the worst times and she and Lily hadn’t spoken since their fight.

Lily…

Y/N tried to be indirect, catching her eyes during class or in their dorms, but nothing. She would always re-direct her gaze. It’d grown awkward in the dorms; Marlene and Dorcas caught in the crossfire.

She really missed Lily. Their late night talks, silly games, Lily keeping her in line and Y/N getting Lily to let loose; everything and more.

Usually, once she and Sirius were done with each other, they would leave, peel off each other but Y/N was so tired of — well, everything.

Trapped in thoughts, she hadn’t noticed Sirius’ body go rigid until his body began to tremble. Sirius made a small strangled noise that she originally mistaken as a laugh or snore until she felt wet droplets fall on her skin.

Y/N pulled back to find Sirius silently crying. She watched him, thinking that she should comfort him but was rooted in place and eyes drifted to the door, thinking of leaving. It felt like an intrusion being there with him and comforting someone was not on her list.

“Er — Sirius?” She whispered, alarmed. Her smile fading and his breath hitched. She awkwardly patted him before going to stiffly stroke his arm, but it only seemed to make him cry harder. She quickly ripped back her hand and put distance between them. Her mind raced a mile a minute as she listened to him. “Sirius? Hey — what’s wrong?”

“Get out.”

She froze and looked back at him. “Do you want me to get someone —”

“GET OUT!” He yelled. It scared her so much that her body jolted and Sirius hid his face with his hands. Sirius crying and screaming at her unprovoked made her panic and recline. He stayed quiet after that, rolling over, pulling his blankets above his head.

She chewed on her bottom lip so hard that a metallic taste flooded her mouth. In a rush, she quickly threw on her clothes and grabbed her bag. She shuffled towards the door but then looked back at Sirius; he looked so small and his cries made her fill with immense sadness. She debated; should she leave and respect his wishes? But the way he was crying, so hysterically and abruptly — she worried he might’ve done something impulsive and stupid.

She decided on leaving and sat right outside the door just in case. She listened to his sobs that managed to seep through the walls.

She waited there for a very, very long time that she almost fell asleep before she heard his muffled voice and swore he said her name.

She knocked twice, “You okay?”

There was a knock back.

“Was I that bad of a kisser?” She tried to joke after some time. Luckily, she heard Sirius choke out a heartbroken giggle. This time there were two knocks. A no, she assumed. 

Silence crept back in and Y/N leaned against the door and looked around the hall. Nobody else was there, but just in case put up a spell for any prying ears.

“Do you still want me to leave?” She asked. “Just say the word.” Communication with him felt weird.

Sirius remained quiet but then she heard him hop off his bed, feet coming closer to the door. She then felt a small nudge against the door as Sirius slid down to sit on the opposite side.  

“You can talk to me,” Y/N said nervously, not wanting him to blow up again. “Did I do something? I promise I didn’t mean it.” She remained still, listening to his quiet sniffling.

Two knocks. 

“Er — I won't push and you don’t need to tell me but — um, I promise I won’t tell a soul. Not even the other Marauders. It’ll be our little secret.”

It takes a long time before Sirius eventually stops sniffling and she listens to his uneven breaths; she's extremely uncomfortable and baffled. He tries to speak several times but ends up cutting himself off.

A sharp exhale came from him, shallow and irregular. In a small, weak voice that made it feel like an invisible weight pressed against her chest, he finally spoke.

“Je suis —” Sirius started before switching to another foreign language. Y/N was able to pick up on a few words: it was Italian.

“Nessuno dei miei amanti mi ha toccato così senza volere qualcosa in cambio. Non mi fai sentire usato e ne ho he terrorizza.”

More silence ensues; Y/N thinks that he might’ve walked away until he speaks again.

“Il modo in cui mi fai sentire mi spaventa e non riesco a gestirlo.” Sirius stops, taking a shaky inhale, “Non sono ancora pronto.”

Then, she hears the door click open and the knob turns. She backs away until it opens and her head peaks in. Sirius is staring at the ground to avoid her eyes, hair acting as a curtain to hide his face. She shuffles in, Sirius leans against the door and shuts it. Y/N shifts to sit in front of him. He’s dressed again, but the sleeves of his shirt were damp with tears.

She inches closer to place an encouraging hand on his but stops, remembering earlier. “Can I touch you?”

He closes his eyes — like the question was a mental battle before he nods. Y/N reaches up, pushing back the strands of fallen hair, revealing his red, puffy eyes. Her thumb strokes over his skin tenderly — intimately, but it causes a broken whimper to escape him, but leans into the touch.

“Whatever you said,” Y/N mutters, “Thank you for telling me.”

Pink floods his cheeks and he hesitantly reaches out, his arms going around her waist to pull her into a hug.

“Mi sbagliavo su di te.” He mumbled to her shoulder and Y/N was left to think.

━━━━━━━━━༻☽༺━━━━━━━━━

They both missed the study group and dinner. Eventually, Sirius fell asleep and Y/N snuck out of his room before the Marauders came in. She didn’t want to go back to her dorm to face Lily and was extremely hungry. She then thought back to Sirius before going to grab food for both of them.

She slipped out into the night, being accompanied by Nearly Headless Nick who had a worried expression on his face. Y/N didn’t think much of it, if anything, she was rather annoyed; after the day she’s had, she wanted to be alone for a while.

The house-elves helped to line a large platter of food before she thanked them, making her way out of the kitchens. Nearly Headless Nick floated close, urging her to speed up.

“Sir Nick, I don’t mean to be rude, but why are you following me?”

“Making sure you get back to Gryffindor’s tower safely.”

That caught her attention. “Safely?”

Sir Nick’s eyes widened. “My poor girl, haven’t you heard?”

She and Sirius missed a lot when they were together. Nobody was quite sure what happened to Mary; she wouldn’t speak a word of it, not even to Marlene. All anyone knew was that Mary was a victim of Dark Magic and was found in a torpid state by Hufflepuff’s Head Girl; used as an initiation for Mulciber for the Death Eater ranks.

Word ran wild around the school of Mulciber’s expulsion and everyone was left on edge. Rumours went around of the Imperius curse. Mary was fine physically, Sir Nick told her, but mentally…

Y/N’s blood ran cold while Nick had a sorrowful smile of reassurance. “You’ll be fine — your friend will be fine but you need to come with me, now.”

But out of the corner of her eye, she’d seen a shadowy figure peek out from the shadows and Y/N drew her wand, Sir Nick floating right behind her.

“Lumos!”

There, tall and unwavering was Snape.

He marched up to her, but Y/N began to quickly walk away until he reached out and yanked her back by her shoulder with bone-crushing strength.

“Lay your hands off!” Sir Nick cut in.

Snape ignored him, “What did you say to her?!” His cheeks were tear-stained; eyes glowing with something dangerous and Y/N wanted to run. “She won’t even talk to me!”

Lily must’ve finally confronted him.

“Let go of her! Let go, let go!” Sir Nick chanted, wisping through Snape until he stumbled back.

Y/N turned around, and heard Snape mutter darkly, running off. A cold wave embalmed her as every hair on the back of her neck rose.

“Come with me now,” the ghost said. She didn’t need to be told twice.

The moment she stepped inside the common room, Y/N felt every bone in her body relax. Her footsteps were quiet and rounded into the main area when she saw everyone there. James and Lily were pacing back and forth. James tugged down on his hair; Peter was by Dorcas and Remus, Marlene looked deathly pale, the two Head Boy and Girls were there. Sirius sat in a chair, his arms cradling Toulouse as he nervously swallowed, face imprinted with distress.

Remus was the first to notice, his head snapping up once he sensed her presence. He stood, “Y/N!”

Everyone’s head snapped towards her. James shouted, running up to her. “Are you okay?” His hands went straight to her face and handled her like a doll. “My Godric! We were so worried — we were about to go and search for you!”

Sirius abruptly stood up; chair screeching, eyes wide but then quickly took a seat as everyone tossed him an odd look.

“I’m fine! I’m fine! I just missed dinner and wanted to get food!”

James tackled her into a hug and she almost dropped the plate of food.

Her eyes then travelled to Lily, who looked like she was on the verge of tears. Lily made a move to go up to her, hand slightly outstretched before stopping and quickly ran up the staircase. Everyone noticed but didn’t mention it. Then the Head Girl and Boy exited wordlessly.

Lily leaving fucking hurt.

“I heard from Headless Nick, how’s Mary?”

There was a collective sigh. Marlene got up, going over to her and pulled her into another hug and pulled back. Her usually smooth skin was now littered with furrowed lines. “She’s with Madam Pomfrey, I’m going to sneak into her room now. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Should any of us come?” Peter interjected.

“No… I don’t think she even wants me there. It might overwhelm her.”

“Be safe,” Dorcas said, her eyes wide with worry. And then she left.

Y/N made her way to sit down, James practically glued himself onto her as she plopped down next to Sirius, but still far enough to avoid suspicion.

“I’m glad you’re alright,” Remus said. “When you didn’t show up for the study sessions and dinner we all… thought the worst.”

“Sorry…” Then her eyes wandered to the staircase, thinking about Lily again.

Dorcas stirred in her seat. “Don’t take Lily’s absence as offence. She was really worried.”

“She suggested we go out to find you,” Peter said. “Also had a nasty row with Snape in the courtyards too. Everyone saw it. What a bell end, Snape.”

“I think, for now, we all ought to start pairing up,” came Remus. A solemn noise of agreement went around. Nobody talked for a while and Y/N placed the large metal tray of food on the table, no longer having the appetite to eat.

James was the one who broke the silence. “Where were you?”

Sirius stopped petting Toulouse and listened carefully. “I was busy talking to McGonagall. Something about careers. Then I just got tired and ended up sleeping through dinner.”

It technically wasn’t a lie and everyone seemed to believe it.

The air was tense and James wouldn’t stop fretting. Ultimately, Dorcas began to talk to Peter, Remus had a pensive look before going to crack open his book but seemed tense. It was only until she felt Sirius nudge her foot. She shifted her head gradually to examine him.

‘You okay?’ He mouthed, searching for any kind of lie or injury. His eyes were still puffy but overall looked better.

She shook her head. ‘I’m okay, you?’

A nod.

His reaction earlier had new questions arising but she saved that for another time. Her eyes darted to the plate of food and then to him. ‘It’s for you.’

But then she peered up and saw Remus watching their interaction. He seemed to be deep in thought and took a large inhale. She swore his eyes flashed a golden glow. Worried he was catching on, she initiated a conversation. “Moony?” She teased.

When he wore a judicious look during times like these, Y/N is reminded just how smart and intimidating he could be. It was like he knew everything before anyone else did.

“Sorry — thinking ‘bout something. Anyway —”

While occupied with Remus, Sirius glanced shyly over to Y/N and bent over to take a treacle tart, biting into it. The gesture was so heartbreakingly touching to him; so unexpected coming from her.

Sirius was left in a transitional phase. A lot of the inner turmoil he held — or thought he had — was released today and he didn’t know how to feel about it. Whatever irritation he held towards Y/N vanished. He looked forward to their bickering, shy forehead kisses and the feeling he got that was the opposite of dread or disgust after being with someone.

It felt nice, doing something he truly wanted for once — not engaging in intimacy out of coping rather than genuine interest.

But then, it unleashed everything else he wasn’t ready to deal with yet. His reaction to touch earlier had set off a bomb buried so deep within him but Merlin — he hadn’t realized it would’ve affected him that much.

Truth be told, now all he wanted to do was ruin her to bits and pieces but he was getting too ahead of himself — becoming attached too quickly and he already felt himself disconnecting. The only thought that lapsed in his mind was: run, boy, run.

It echoed through his head again, love wasn’t — isn’t a magic potion, far from it. So what was he doing? He needed to make a decision; continue doing whatever they were doing, work on himself or run.

Running away is easy. It’s always been easy. But he was tired of it.

And after the intense fear that paralyzed him, that made his mouth go dry and heart pound in his chest when nobody could find her when she left — after knowing what happened to Mary; it almost caused Sirius to spike and go into a panic attack.

Sirius wasn’t afraid of many things. After all, he’d already gone through so much that there wasn’t much to be afraid of anymore. But if he had to choose, and it was at the forefront of his mind, it would’ve been her.

━━━━━━━━━༻☽༺━━━━━━━━━

Y/N headed to bed early as Dorcas waited for Marlene to return to the common room. It left her alone with Lily.

It was already dark, aside from a small lit candle that seeped through the cracks of Lily’s bed drapes. She did her evening routine before slipping into bed, listening to Lily faintly scribble in her diary. Only when Y/N felt herself relax, she heard Lily get out of bed and drew closer to her.

“Y/N?” Her voice was apprehensive. Y/N’s back faced her. She pretended to be asleep. “Psst… hey?”

Lily sighed before she sat down on the edge of the bed and didn't move for a long time. When they heard footsteps coming to their dorm was when she rose and uttered, “I’m glad you’re alright…Gave me a bit of a fright there… I’m sorry.”

Lily rushed back to her bed, drawing her curtains together when Marlene and Dorcas entered.

Y/N finally exhaled heavily, balling her blankets tightly. A thousand words, questions and thoughts were left unsaid. But, when she knew everyone finally was asleep, she uttered out an inaudible, I’m sorry too, and shut her eyes.

━━━━━━━━━༻☽༺━━━━━━━━━

Translations

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

Do you want to sleep with me?

Nessuno dei miei amanti mi ha toccato così senza volere qualcosa in cambio. Non mi fai sentire usato e ne ho he terrorizza.

None of my lovers have touched me like this without wanting something in return. You don't make me feel used and I'm terrified (of it).

Il modo in cui mi fai sentire mi spaventa e non riesco a gestirlo. / Non sono ancora pronto.

The way you make me feel scares me and I can't handle it. / I'm not ready yet.

Mi sbagliavo su di te.

I was wrong about you.

[whats-wild-to-you]

Hello, could I request for a fwb plot with nasty detailed smut if you’re comfortable? Thanks in advance

Challenge accepted! 😉 hope you enjoy

————————————————————————

“What’s wrong with you?” Jay asked emptying yet another bottle of Wonsoju.

“Dumped my boyfriend.” I replied, shrugging.

“How is it you always end up dating douchebags?”

“I don’t know, but this stops! I’m done with men!”

“Well, dating is a hassle, so congratulations!”

“Is that why you’re not dating?”

“Women are high-maintenance and I’d rather spend my time productively.”

“Of course not dating means no sex…”

“Yeah, that sucks…” He mumbled, opening up a new bottle and filling up my glass.

“Unless…”

“Unless, what?”

“Unless we became friends with benefits.”

We continued talking and drinking and at some point had agreed, while completely plastered, that we would become friends with benefits.

That was months ago, and while some of our mutual friends thought that it was a horrible idea, we knew where to draw the line and not let any feelings get in the way.

It was honestly the best of both worlds. I had regular sex with the hottest guy I’ve ever known but never got disappointed because he didn’t pay for me or held the door open or cooked for me. It was just about the sex. I was addicted to it and craved it whenever he was away.

I’m back from Taiwan ;)

He texted while I was doing chores around the house. I had just returned to Seoul from a 2-week trip back home and I was going stir crazy. I couldn’t just call him and ask him when he would be back. That was strictly forbidden.

I’m home.

Depending on where he was (already home or still at the airport) I had about 30-60 minutes time to shower and shave. I made sure to wear my sexy lingerie and threw on a sweater and jeans on top.

“How was the trip?”

“Good.”

“Do you want coffee?”

“No, I’ve got no time to waste.”

“Okay, let’s go then!”

I guided him upstairs through my bedroom to the adjacent bathroom.

While removing his clothes I thought about the countless pictures and videos fans had posted on Twitter last night. He looked extra thicc and juicy.

“Hurry!” He said through gritted teeth.

I removed his clothes, then quickly undressed myself.

We stood in my spacious shower soaping each other up, him massaging my breasts while I ran my hands up and down his muscular chest. Eventually my hands landed on his enormous veiny dick, pumping up and down its length, with Jay leaning his head back, moaning in satisfaction.

His hand reached down and played with my clit. Since I didn’t have sex in the last 14 days I was very sensitive and feared that I wouldn’t last long so I knelt down taking his now erect dick in my mouth, licking and sucking fiercely on it. Jay’s moans echoed from the shower walls, sending shockwaves throughout my body, making my pussy wet when he hadn’t even properly touched it yet.

After a while he grabbed my face and brought it up to his, french-kissing me, getting a taste of his own precum. We left the shower and he threw me on the bed, spreading my legs. He wasted no time eating me out, while I grabbed a fistful of his hair, pushing his face closer to my wet pussy.

His tongue flicked over my plump clit, making me moan out his name each time. One hand came up and squeezed my boob, pinching my nipple.

“Fuck me please!”

I didn’t need to beg twice. In a swift motion he flipped me on my belly, sticking my ass towards his dripping cock.

He entered forcefully, thrusting hard and deep inside me, grabbing onto my ass, occasionally slapping my ass cheeks.

“Fuck, you feel so good!” He moaned. Usually we didn’t talk during sex. That was the agreement.

I arched my back as much as I could, allowing his dick to sink deeper into my pussy. I was soaking wet and panting and close to cumming when Jay pulled his massive dick out, ordering me to suck him off.

I tasted my one juices, smacking my lips as my head dipped down his impressive length.

I laid back down on my back, spreading my legs, when Jay pushed them more and more towards my shoulders, eventually holding them in place on each side of my head, folding me like a folding chair, penetrating me deep.

Pleasure mixed with pain as he pulled his whole dick out and back in, his face strained. He pulled his dick out in time to unload on my stomach, breathing heavily. Then he stuffed his still throbbing cock back inside me, thrusting rhythmically while rubbing on my clit until I came too.

“OMG, that was phenomenal!” I breathed out as soon as I caught my breath again.

Jay just giggled while getting cleaned up and dressed again.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Tomorrow?”

“The Wonsoju event.”

“Right, yes! I’ll see you then.”

[whataboutmyfries]

Russian Roulette

Okay, okay. I am fully aware that it has been an absolute AGE since the last chapter but Life(tm) got in the way of this one and I'm so sorry it's getting to you so late.

Additionally, I hope you guys are aware that minimal editing has happened here.

@lumosinlove thank you so much for letting us mess around with your characters!!

~

Chapter 5

Logan slammed another cup of coffee to the table, running a hand through his already dishevelled hair. “Shit,” he breathed. “This is….this is probably enough for us to completely wreck their operation”

Finn leaned further back in his chair, blinking at the stacks of paper spilling onto the desk; about as much surprise as he’d show in front of Leo. “It is.”

Leo looked utterly unfazed as he sipped from his cup, closing his eyes at the feeling of the hot caffeine sliding down his throat. He rubbed at his eye, fixing the other one on Finn, then on Logan. “Will you do it then?”

Logan and Finn exchanged a glance. “I think you already know the answer to that.”

Leo studied the two of them before dipping his head in a nod of thanks. His voice was hoarse when he spoke again. “Thank you. For all of this.”

Finn waved him off, taking a long sip from his coffee. “Mm, I was wondering if you’d ever come around and show us that brilliant magic of yours.”

Logan laughed. “Forget magic. How would you feel about a game of cards?”

Leo’s eyes glittered “oh darlin’, I’m going to beat your asses.”

And damn if Leo didn’t deliver on his promises. An hour later, the three of them were sat around the table, staring intently at the cards spread over the wood. Finn tossed his knife, the blade making complicated swirls around his fingers as he caught it.

“You’re gonna have to do better than that to win nutty.” He chuckled; not even turning his head as he threw the knife at the dartboard.

Leo didn’t have to look up from his cards to know it’d hit the bullseye.

“Remind me again, which one of us is the magician here?” Leo drawled, eyes twinkling with mischief as he threw down his card.

Logan and Finn groaned, slapping down their cards in exasperation. Leo had won. Again.

“How does he do it?” Logan groused, pouting at the table, pulling one of Finn’s knives free of the wood.

Leo laughed, reaching behind Logan’s ear. And with a complicated twirl of his fingers, he unfurled a fan of cards

Piercing blue eyes looked over the top of the cards and Leo winked at the both of them.

“Magic.”

~

Three am found them sprawled around the room fast asleep. Mugs and cups and pots of coffee on every imaginable surface, papers spilling onto the floor. Leo blinked his eyes open to warm sunlight, shoving his face off the desk. Disoriented, he blinked his eyes frantically, trying to make sense of his surroundings. His eyes landed on a halo of red, and the memories of the previous night came back to him; only to immediately be ignored in favour of the beautiful boy in front of him. Finn’s head leaned back against the couch, exposing the column of his throat, the freckles there mapping constellations onto the creamy skin. Leo wondered if maybe Finn would ever let him trail shapes into those stars; if he tried hard enough, Leo was sure he could trace a wonky version of his namesake onto the alabaster skin. Unable to help himself, his eyes trailed upwards, crimson eyelashes fluttering against high cheekbones like trapped birds searching for a freedom he wasn’t sure he could offer.

He ripped his eyes away, his traitorous heart beating furiously against his ribs. It proved an even bigger mistake to look away because his eyes found smooth tan skin instead. Logan was almost devastating in his beauty when he slept, Chocolate-y hair shimmering in the early light. Sunshine dripping like honey from aristocratic cheekbones and hazel curls. Leo’s thoughts went into overdrive, his brain offering him vague snippets of poetry and literature in a futile attempt to describe the beauty of gods. The sunlight threw shadows across their faces, casting them in stark relief, and Leo’s heart all but crawled out of him to repent.

His heart was beating so loud it honestly surprised him that the two of them hadn’t awoken. This was a mistake. He never should’ve come here, let alone stay the night. Cursing his idiocy, he got up on cat-soft feet and gathered his things, chiding himself for letting down his guard so easy. He saw himself out, sparing one last look for the ethereal beings asleep on the couch. And as Leo let the door fall shut; he failed to realise that he’d been so caught up in cursing his mistakes; he hadn’t noticed hazel eyes trailing him on his way out.

~

Logan— on the other hand— woke to Finn’s feet sliding out of his lap. He knew he was home. He was safe. The syrupy darkness of sleep pulled him back under. Finn woke him again with a hand to his shoulder, the distinctive smell of coffee taking over his senses. Still drowsy, he grinned, a hum rumbling through him. Finn laughed, ruffling his hair.

“I don’t remember adopting a cat, but I can’t say I dislike it.”

Logan shoved at his knee with a socked foot, grumbling incoherently, though the smile on his face rather took away from it.

“Shhhhh it’s too early for your stupid face.”

“So no coffee for you then? More for me I guess”

“Touch my coffee and I’ll punch you”

“Oh shut up, you like my face too much to punch me.”

Logan blinked one eye open. “Who said I was punching you in the face?”

Finn laughed, nudging Logan’s cup closer to him. “Touche.”

Logan took the mug, nursing the warmth of the ceramic between his palms. “You know, that may be the only french thing that sounds halfway decent in that accent of yours.”

Finn flipped him off over the rim of his mug, drinking deeply. “Drink your sugar crash and leave me alone.”

Logan raised an eyebrow “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“It is the sole cause of diabetes in this world and I am willing to die on this hill.”

Logan huffed, shoving papers out from under him so he could shift his feet up onto the couch. The events of the previous night still weighed on him. Lizard had given them….everything. Every detail, every nook and cranny of the snake house was documented. He’d left no stone unturned.

And he’d lost everything, anyway.

“Harz, he’s given us everything we were looking for.”

Finn nodded, “He did, didn’t he?” He gave Logan a look. “What do you want to do about it?”

Logan shrugged a shoulder, staring absently out the window. “We said we’d help.”

“You know you don’t have to follow through, you don’t want to do it, we don’t do it.”

Logan met his gaze, Finn’s sharp edges smoothed into something softer by the early sun. “I want to. It just…..” He trailed off with a vague gesture.

Finn hummed. “I think I know what you mean. But, Lo, we don’t have to do anything that you don’t want to do, okay? The second you want to drop it and leave, we leave, yeah?”

Logan swallowed past the lump that formed in his throat. His chest full to the brim with a feeling he’d come to describe simply as ‘Finn’. It was ephemeral and fleeting but felt like warmth; it felt like coming home. It was the feeling of waking up to find a blanket thrown over you, the feeling of a mug of steaming cocoa pressed into your hands on a bad day, the feeling of sunshine after tumultuous storms. It was the feeling of Finn, joyful and constant and forever ready with a bright smile or dry wit.

Logan smiled at his friend, shoving at Finn’s knee with his foot. “Awww, look at that. You might care about me after all.”

Finn shot him a look, the only warning he gave Logan before tackling him to the couch. Logan let out a somewhat aborted choke-squeal as he fought to get Finn off of him, wrestling his tickling fingers away from him. Logan cackled when Finn yelped overbalancing and falling onto the carpet—followed shortly by Logan, who had been too busy laughing to notice that Finn had grabbed him in a desperate attempt to stop his fall. They both lay on the floor, gasping for breath between peals of laughter, shoving at each other playfully.

Finn let his head drop to a side, catching Logan’s gaze. “You know…..It’s not like we have much to do today….”

Logan grinned “Ice cream and movies all day?”

“You know it.”

~

To put it quite simply, Leo’s brain refused to leave him alone. His smile was more facade than anything else, his beloved cards feeling clumsy and distracting in his hands. His train of thought had derailed almost an hour ago, his body running completely on autopilot as we walked the streets of Gryffindor.

They’d said yes. They’d said yes, and now Leo was going to be working with them. For a considerable amount of time. He couldn’t afford to throw something like this away on some fickle feeling, much less fickle feelings for a mob boss of all people. There was too much at stake.

Leo revealed the card in his hand with a flourish, the gasps of the people around him little more than background noise as he slipped through the crowd, surreptitiously pocketing a couple of fifties he certainly didn’t have before. He strolled unnoticed through the city, checking his watch as he went. He was early. good. He slowed his pace, watching passers-by go about their lives as he marvelled at the busy streets. It never stopped amazing him; the fervour that filled the city. Every street and bend so rife with potential, the possibility of wonderful things just itching to happen.

Like anyone else, Leo was wont to miss his home, the sprawling fields and endless forest of the countryside, but there was nothing quite like Gryffindor, with its skyscrapers shoved next to beggarly hovels and the hum of activity and excitement haunting every corner.

As his thoughts wandered through the city, his feet carried him to a familiar street lined with cafes and charming little stores. He ducked into one of them— a quaint bookshop, the well-worn sign hanging at the door proclaiming its availability to its patrons. The tiny bell above the door announced his arrival, the chime sounding through the magical place.

Leo had always thought that walking into Moony’s was like stepping through a portal to another world. Most bookstores were organised, neat. Books lined from A-Z subject to subject. Not Moony’s. Moony’s was a labyrinth. An explosion of literature and colour and homely comfort in every direction. Books covered every imaginable surface in the store, the shelves full to bursting. Haphazard piles of literature graced the floor, leaning against potted plants and comfy little armchairs scattered across the place. The books were stacked layers deep, some piles reaching as far as the ceiling, teetering precariously alongside narrow walkways. Leo loved it. The smell of tea and well-loved paper wrapped around him like a blanket as he walked to the checkout. An indignant meow drew his attention to the plush armchair, the stacks of books leaning against its arms fashioning it into something of a floral throne.

“Cheshire! How are you, you stinky little muffin?” Leo cooed, scooping up the ball of fur that had taken up residence on the chair. The cat in question purred happily, head butting Leo’s hand demanding head scratches. The blond laughed, indulging the cat and dropping a kiss onto his fuzzy little nose as he walked to the front of the store. A head full of tawny curls shuffled around under the till, clearly looking for something underneath.

“Found that treasure you’re looking for, Loops?”

Remus jumped, standing up with a smile, nearly knocking his head on the counter in the process.

“Missed me enough to come in early today?”

Leo snorted. “You wish. No, I just finished up quicker today.”

Remus raised a brow. “Sure you did. What’s bothering you Nutty? Tell me things.”

Leo’s chest warmed with affection. He sighed deeply; the singular breath seeming to take some pressure off his bones.

“You remember what went down with Pascal a while ago?”

Remus nodded.

“And that I went to the Lions for help like he said?”

Another nod.

Leo took a deep breath. “Well, they said yes.”

[rainygothherowolf]

Jasonette- Little Sister Pt.1

Here ~ Next ~ Last

Jason was annoyed, he didn't understand why he had to babysit a bunch of annoying teenagers. Bruce tried to make the excuse of keeping them safe while Joker was on the loose, but that didn't mean the head of security of an international company should be following some stupid tourists.

On top of that, his little sister's birthday was coming up. It was hardly a week away but Jason was already feeling the guilt, she would have turned fifteen this year. Jason remembered how a six-year-old Marinette would go on and on about when she became a teenager.

// Flashback, 12 years ago //

"Jay-Jay!" A small half-Asian girl with midnight hair exclaimed, her bright blue eyes shining with excitement as her hands shot up, asking to be held.

"Alright, alright, jeez I just got back, pixie! And you're getting to old for this!" A fourteen-year-old Jason picked up the far too light girl, balancing her on his hip as he fished the granola bar out of his back pocket. "Are you hungry?" Marinette shook her head 'no', pushing the food towards him.

"I ate yesterday, it's your turn." Marinette pouted but took the food anyways.

"Wanna share?" She offered, Jason shook his head. He insisted she eat, and eventually she did.

"Now, I have to go back." Marinette frowned, "I just came to bring your food. I'll be back soon, see you tomorrow." Jason gave his little honorary sister a hug before tucking her into bed, using both her blanket and his.

"When I'm big, like you, I'm gonna make you stay!" Jason chuckled softly before tucking her in again, on the inside he was proud. She was so smart, she'd grow-up to become an amazing person, Jason just had to make sure she lived long enough to do it.

// Flashback ends //

Jason never saw Marinette again, that was the night Batman found him and took him in. His life had changed so much since that night, if only he hadn't been so stupid and told Bruce about Marinette, Jason was convinced he would have taken her in too. But now it was too late, apparently she'd been adopted by some couple in Europe but the case was sealed and without telling Tim or Bruce he'd never get his hands on them.

The second robin was pulled out of his thoughts when Dick approached him, strangely not at work.

"What?" Dick seemed to get more and more excited as he walked with Jason.

"Where are you going, Jay?" Jason glared at his brother, shoving him off.

"I have to go babysit some french class that Bruce invited."

"Hey, you never know- it could be fun!" Jason just rolled his eyes at his older brother's golden retriever-like mentality. They turned a corner and boarded the elevator.

"What are you even doing here, aren't you supposed to be working?"

"I got the afternoon off."

"Great, wanna take my place?" Dick looked at his watch before responding.

"No, trust me, you're the better person for the job." Jason was confused by that, but the elevator doors opened and a quick glance at his own watch told Jason he was late.

"Whatever." Jason huffed as he walked to the lobby, but Dick just followed him as he messed with his phone. Odd.

Marinette was excited, her class had been selected by Wayne Enterprises for a class trip! She was so happy that she'd get to see Gotham again. No one knew that Marinette had grown up in the states and been adopted by the Dupain's, not that anyone cared. The class was quick to fall into Lila Rossi's trap, it hurt Marinette to see her friends leave her but she'd be okay. She had Tiki and her parents.

She might not have Jason, but she'd be okay. She had to be, Ladybug couldn't be emotional compromised.

Lila suddenly pulled Marinette from her revere when she gasped,

"Oh my goodness, you won't tell anyone right? Bruce always hates when people find out, our family is really serious about privacy... but you won't say anything right?" The class was quick to give their assurances before Lila continued to spin her web of lies. She was prattling about some rich boyfriend of hers and how she’s practically family.

Instead of listening to the mindless Italian, Marinette decided to take in the modern lobby. The walls were a sharp white that went well with the dark marble floors. There was a sleek receptionists desk with four busy-looking employee's. Everyone was dressed in business-wear so the french class stood out like a sore thumb. The room had tall ceilings with an understated, modern chandelier and rounded sofas. The seating was scattered throughout the large lobby.

Their tour guide was a nice blond man named Mark, he that said they were going to begin as soon as a security guard assigned to escort them arrived. Marinette was waiting near Mark and Mme. Bustier, keeping her distance from Lila's coffee and her class' harsh glares.

"Later, Dick." An almost familiar voice called, it was gruffer and deeper than it used to be but Marinette instantly recognized it.

"Jay-Jay?" Marinette called out, softly, disbelievingly, it wasn’t the first time she’d thought she heard the voice but the bluenette couldn’t help but hope. He caught it and their eyes met. Marinette could feel her eyes fill with unshed tears as she took Jason in, he was much taller with dark hair and an odd white tuft on the front. His face had matured since she'd last seen him, he now had sharp features and a strong jawline, his eyes were unmistakable. He was dressed in a suit but on top of his shirt was a bullet proof vest, sure she couldn't remember much but his voice had always calmed her and the thought of the skinny fourteen year old smirking would always make her smile, it was almost instinctual.

"Pixie pop?" He sounded like he couldn't believe his eyes, behind the shock was relief- and grief. Marinette slowly walked towards Jason, stopping right in front of him.

Jason couldn't believe it. After all these years they finally found each other again. Regret and disappointment washed over him in waves. Her eyes looked broken. He never should have left her, he should have found her sooner, he should have told Bruce, he should have done something- anything.

"Marine-?" Jason tried to speak but was cut off, Marinette had slapped him. Hard. The harsh noise of her hand hitting his skin got everyone to stop in their tracks, even the eternally busy receptionists. His cheek stung, she was stronger than she looked. He didn't stop her.

"Idiot." Before Jason even knew what was happening Marinette was hugging him, jumping to reach her arms around his neck.

He did his best to shove back his self loathing for another time, right now he had to focus on Marinette.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so so sorry." Jason just kept apologizing as he hugged her back, a stray tear seared his cheek. Marinette cut him off with a flick to his ear- he used to do that when she was bratty.

"Where did you go? Why did you leave me? I was alone. And you promised!" Marinette spoke, pushing through the tears, through the emotion- all Jason could do was dip his head in shame. He always promised they'd stay together, no matter what.

"A lot of stuff happened, Pixie. Let's get out of here- yeah?" Marinette nodded before hugging Jason again, this time around the waist.

"I missed you, you big idiot. You’re the worst brother ever, you owe me a lot of candy." Jason relaxed at the word brother, even if he had years to make up for it was better than losing his little sister for good.

"See! I told you he was looking into it for a reason, pay up!" Dick exclaimed, that got Jason's attention. Dick and the rest of his siblings saw his glare and quieted. Damian wasn't even paying attention, he was on his phone. Tim saw the glare but still payed Dick, grumbling as he did so.

"Go be idiots somewhere else."

"No way! She said brother! That makes us her brothers too!" Marinette jumped at the conclusion, Jason growled. He glared again, but the tiny person clinging to Jason took the edge off.

"Dick Grayson." The original Robin introduced himself politely, "Nice to meet you." She greeted the boy politely, wiping her tears away with her left while she shook his hand with her right.

"Tim Drake." The most exhausted of the group introduced, he was about to do something to the youngest- whose head was still buried in his phone- but was interrupted.

"Of course the slut has an american sugar daddy!" Lila loudly announced laughing, the rest of the class joined in- some more hesitantly than others. Jason noticed Marinette try to make herself smaller, hugging him tighter- this wasn't anything new to her.

Jason glared, the boys eyed him- worried about the genuinely deadly look in his eye.

"What did you call her?" Jason asked in perfect french, the children flinched. Mme Bustier stood between the students and Jason, looking nervous but determined.

"Please don't intimidate my students." The woman tried to sound firm but failed miserably.

"Then maybe you should stop your students from bullying their classmate, or did you not hear the brunette insult another student?!" Caline didn't know whether or not to answer but decided to stay quiet.

"Any of you brats insult my little sister again and you won't wanna know what happens." Jason quietly threatened, meaning every word.

"Little sister?" Alya exclaimed, "Please! Marinette is an only child, if you're going to lie at least be convincing! You don't know her at all, the lying bully is just trying to steal the spotlight again!" Jason was pissed and took a threatening step towards the girl, but deep down he knew she was right, he didn't know Marinette. But the one thing he did know was that he was her brother, and no one messed with his family.

For once, Jason's brothers were quiet. Dick and Tim were waiting to see how Jason would handle everything, waiting to see if they needed to intervene. Damian was on his laptop, not giving anyone a second glance. It seemed to Jason he had been paying attention because Damian assumed he'd be in the lobby long enough the take out his computer.

The entire exchange from the moment the insult was given to now had taken no longer than a minute but Marinette was still clinging to Jason until he tried to walk towards Alya again, she had whispered something to Lila that made her laugh and when Jason tried to move forward Marinette released him and grabbed his suit coat, trying to pull him back. Sure the pulls were weak but she meant it.

"You'll just make it worse, Jay." He huffed, there was no way in hell he was going to let Marinette anywhere near the moronic class ever again.

"Fine, let’s call security and get them out of here."

"Hey you can't do that, we were invited by Bruce Wayne himself." Jason continued as if the bespectacled brunette hadn't spoken.

"Oh wait! I am security! Get out."

"Jason-"

"B! Great, you can tell them to leave! I'm outta-here!"

"You're not going anywhere, Jason, and the class is scheduled for a tour. Tim, call Lucius. Ask him to cover for us and get someone who isn't the head of security to escort the tour. Never touch my email again." Tim sheepishly agreed, dialing Lucius' number.

Bruce then turned to the French class as they stared in awe, Caline blushed softly.

"You must be Mme Bustier?" She nodded, "I'm Bruce Wayne, my apologies for the delay, the tour will be starting shortly. If it's alright with you, may Mademoiselle Dupain-Cheng be excused from the tour?" Bruce spoke in pristine French, the teacher could only nod in response to the older man's rehearsed smile.

"Mr. Wayne! Can I get a quote for an article?" Alya asked without thinking.

"What's your article about?" Bruce asked, curious.

"Uh-" Alya blushed before trying to disappear into the crowd, he politely ignored her outburst.

"It was a pleasure meeting all of you, but if you'd excuse me I have other things to attend to-"

"Wait! Aren't you going to greet Lila?" The billionaire looked confused for a moment before he noticed one girl looking particularly distressed.

"I'm sorry to say I don't know anyone by that name, now if you'll excuse me-"

"What do you mean? Lila Rossi, your honorary niece! She practically lived with you when her mother worked at the embassy here in Gotham! Your youngest son, Damian's childhood friend! Her boyfriend!" The boy on his laptop snorted at Rose's statement.

"I am not in a relationship with anyone, and I have no childhood friends." Damian shut his laptop as he ran a hand through his hair making a good portion of the class blush, Marinette couldn't help but think 'He's too good looking for his own good'. His dark hair and tan skin highlighted his jade eyes, a business suit adding to her professional demeanor. His shorter, swoopy hair was mesmerizing... and his arms were thick and seemed strong, the veins on his hand clearly visible as it moved through his silky locks. Jason seemed to catch onto her train of thought and hastily covered her eyes.

"No." Marinette giggled, coming back to reality when the boy was shielded from view. He was as protective as ever. She remembered how he'd get when the other kids used to get close to Marinette, being a little girl meant pity cash from adults and was a solid partner on the streets of Gotham. Marinette moved his hand to watch the long awaited fall of Liar Rossi.

"What do you mean?" Nino exclaimed.

"If that wasn't true, what else did you lie about?" Kim exclaimed, Alix seconded.

"Nothing, I swear." The brunette pleaded, desperately trying to convince the class.

"Does this mean you don't know those music producers you promised I'd get to meet?" Nino demanded, the class began to circle around Lila, all asking about promises she'd made

"And the acting internship?" Milene asked.

"Do you even know Ladybug?"

"Or Jagged Stone?"

"Was anything you said true?" The class continued to ask her questions, Lila looked shaken as her not-so-carefully crafted web of lies fell apart.

"Was what you said about Marinette true?"

"Did she even bully you?"

"I knew she wouldn't say such horrible things!"

"Yeah, Marinette never would have hurt anyone! I can't believe we fell for your lies!" Everyone began to yell at Lila, blaming her for all the awful things they did to her. Jason could hardly stand it, pulling Marinette into another hug- she had been dealing with morons.

"Class! Now is not the time, we have a tour. Unless you want the trip to end early I suggest you quiet down!" Mme Bustier was ignored. Mike whistled, loudly.

"Alright! It's time for the tour, so quiet down!" The tour guide quickly took a head count and led the class away, an artificial smile in place. Everyone was either glaring at the Lila girl or looking at Marinette as they walked away.

"Sorry about them, they can get pretty loud." Marinette tried to play the whole thing off, they let her.

"Bruce Wayne."

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, it's an honor to meet you sir. Thank you for the trip!" Bruce gave his three younger sons a look, Damian was back on his laptop but was quick to defend himself.

"I, for one, had no part in this, father. They bet on why Jason looked into some girl's adoption file."

"And you knew?" Damian stopped typing and looked up.

"Maybe... but you can't prove anything." Tim smirked before he remembered what he was going to do before any of the drama came up.

"Damian! Introduce yourself!" The boy who looked to be a little older than Marinette rolled his eyes with a sigh but approached the girl nonetheless, glaring at Tim before looking at Marinette for the first time. His scowl morphed into something else as he studied her.

Marinette noticed his examining her and blushed, but looked back at him just as interested.

"... Damian Wayne."

"Marinette." They shook hands, neither taking their eyes off each other. Jason looked between the two teenagers, first at Damian then to his little sister before going back to Damian and then back to Marinette before it stopped on Damian's- Jason.exe stopped working before it went into overdrive.

As if on instinct, Jason put a hand on each of their shoulders pushing them apart. Their longer-then-normal hand shake ended as they eyes snapped to Jason.

"Don't even think about it. No way in hell, brat, keep your slimy paws off my sister." Marinette blushed heavily, averting her eyes in embarrassment.

Dick and Tim howled in laughter when they heard Damian's response, Bruce smirked.

"She's your sister, not mine."

[wordynerdygurl]

The Guy

Author’s Note:  Hello my lovelies!  I have to say, I love writing requests and taking part in Challenges.  It helps me sharpen my skills!  But, with the insane way the world is right now, I offered to participate in one... then lost the details.  So, with my sincere appreciation for @lancsnerd​ ,who kindly sent me a reminder about my missing “assignment”, I present the following! Summary/ Prompt:  A quote of “He’s the guy” and my boy, Loki Pairing:  Female Reader x Loki Warnings:  Swearing, Implied Smut, Fluff, Soft Loki

“Are you gonna tell me what I want to know?  Or… do we have to do this the hard way?”  Gravel filled and low, the Winter Soldier had you pinned against the rough brick wall, his metal arm holding your wrists together.

“Ooph!  Bucky!  Get off!”  “Make me, princess!”  

Kicking your legs free, you swung around Bucky, locking him in a bear hug from behind.  Squeezing him with your thighs, your forearms wrapped around his strong neck, “Tap out, Buck!” Wheezing, staggering back, Bucky tried spinning you around but even his metal arm was unable to grab you, “Never!” Applying more pressure to his windpipe, you grunted, “Give me the win!” “No way”, you felt his hard hand grip your thigh, breaking your hold.  Suddenly you were untethered, above your feet was the ceiling of the gym, and then there was no breath in your lungs.  Bucky had managed to flip you over and slam you down onto the waiting mat with reverberating force.  Gasping loudly, you curved up to meet Bucky’s waiting hand, “You alright, doll?”

Shaking your head, sitting up, “That was a dirty trick, Barnes.  I had you and you know it.” “Yea… but you still haven’t answered my question, so I couldn’t let you win.”  Pulling you to your feet easily, Bucky threw his arms around you, his warm hug an easy way to make sure there would be no lasting damage from your sparring session. “Why do you want to know so bad?”  Lowering yourself to the workout bench, forearms resting on your knees, you kept a close watch on your sparring partner. Tossing you a towel, Bucky grabbed both of your water bottles, sitting down on the mat in front of you.  Wiping the sweat away from your forehead, slugging down the cool water, you kicked at the super soldier sitting criss cross applesauce.  Leaning back, resting his weight on his arms stretched behind him, “Because...  I worry about you.  I want to make sure you’re safe… and I want to believe this guy is good enough for you.” Considering his words, you snapped your bottle shut, nodding, “I get it, Bucky.  I really do.  I’m just… not ready to talk about it.” Sensing your hesitation, Bucky patted your knee, “Just know that I’m here when you are ready.  And if he fucks up, I’ll kill him.” Laughing, you stood up with a groan, “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind!” At dinner that night, Steve knocked into your shoulder, “Hey kiddo.”

“Hey Stevie!  How are you?” “It’s spaghetti night, what more does a guy need?”  It was an easy exchange, making you chuckle as he loaded a plate high with pasta and sauce before settling himself into the chair next to you. Unfolding a napkin to lay over his trousers, “Bucky told me you’ve met someone?” Flicking your eyes to the Winter Soldier, who all of the sudden was very interested in something Tony was saying, you munched on your garlic bread.  Swallowing thickly and patting your mouth clean, you turned to Steve, “Oh, he did huh?” “Yes… but he says you won’t give up this guy’s name?”  Concern was present on your friend’s face.  While you appreciated Steve's sentiment, it wasn't necessary, not entirely.  You knew what you were doing and you didn't want to be talked out of it, even by your well intentioned friends.

"I don't know why everyone cares so much.  He's a guy… I'm a girl… it's traditional and boring."

Swirling a fork through his saucy plate, lifting those dutiful blue eyes to yours, "So why the secrecy?"

Chewing, thoughtful, you considered Steve's question.  It was valid.  You were quick to acknowledge that, answering, "Um… because we're still in that love bubble.  Ya know?"

Chiming in, Bucky curious now, "Love bubble?  I don't know what that is… what does that mean?  Love bubble?"

"It's that time in a new relationship when… um… it's like…" words failing, you desperately tried to give structure to your argument.

Interrupted by Loki, sulking at the end of the long table, "She doesn't want to share her paramore.  Greedily, she wants to keep the pair in a love bubble.  Separate and safe from any interference.  Unpopped, if you will."

"Is that true? You don't want us to bug you?"  Bucky's eyes widened at the thought.

Shrugging, you dug around for another meatball, "Kinda… Look, it's not that I don't love you, Buck.  Or that I don't trust you, Steve.  It's just… all of you can be a lot to deal with.  And-" looking at the faces of each of your Avenger friends, "-my… guy… I really, really like him.  I don't want to scare him away."

Admitting it out loud, that was taking a lot of your courage but you were being completely honest.  This guy, he was just about perfect and you didn't want to blow that by bringing him around your overprotective people so soon.  Natasha, the group's mama bear, smiled.  "Seems reasonable to me.  Give her some time, fellas… if he's half as great as she says, we'll like him well enough."

Steve, smiling a little in your direction, "I don't know who he is… but it seems like he makes you happy!"

Bucky, over protective, kept hounding you, "When will I get to meet him?"

"Soon, Buck.  I promise." 

"I wonder who it is… this man you care about so much that you're protecting him from us, your dearest friends!"  It was Loki, musing from afar that made the observation, his sharp eyes on you.

"I told you-" It was Tony’s turn to interrupt, loudly calling, “FRIDAY?”

“Yes, Mr. Stark?” “Start a pool.  Five dollar buy in, guesses on who this guy is… whoever has the winning answer gets the kitty!” “Tony!  Not cool!  And, not necessary!  You guys don’t really need to do this!”  But your protests went unheard as chatter erupted and a round of bills were flung on the table. Steve, murmuring to Bucky across the table, “What was that guy at the coffee shop?  Cameron?  Carson?” Snapping his fingers, Bucky answered, “Carlton!”

“He’s my guess, Tony.”  “Shit, Steve.  That’s not fair… but, ok.  Ok, my guess is Matt.  That guy from the pizza place who kept bringing extra chicken fingers for you!  You’d never admit to a date with him!”  Bucky, smug and pleased, sat back content with his detective work.

“Natasha?  Thoughts?”  Tony was typing away, his interface with FRIDAY recording all the back and forth, compiling the list of possible boyfriend candidates. Tapping her lip, Nat watched you, “Hmm… Is it Warren?  The kid from China Star who rode the Kawasaki and always wanted to take you for a ride?”

Clint leaned over you, grabbing a breadstick as he threw down a ten, “I want to put Charles, from the IT department on the list… and Juan, the recycling rep.  Both of those guys follow you around like puppies and I could see you taking pity on at least one of them!” “Nope.  No way!  She went out with Charles once already.  He was the guy who ate her french fries at dinner.  Big No-No!”  “Rhodes, how do you remember that shit?  Fine, not Charles then.  What about Frankie?  The dude from the diner?”  Clint asked the assembled team, looking for someone to back him up.

Mortified, hiding behind your hands, you grimaced.  The list, it kept growing, and you could feel icy eyes of judgement lighting you up from across the room.  You knew you’d have to answer questions later.

Jane, having joined Thor at the table, was getting caught up on your situation.  Conspiring with her Norse God of a boyfriend, she chuckled, slapping a bill on the table with the announcement, “Our money is on Loki.”

Silence overtook the room.  Everybody stared at the small, brunette scientist, evaluating if her suggestion was real or a joke.  A guffaw broke out of you and quickly gathered steam, propelling you directly into a hiccup filled giggle fit.  In a flash everyone joined in, the idea of you and Loki being together was at once so hilarious and unbelievable. It was also diverting enough that the talk of your love life died completely.  Grateful and satisfied, you finished dinner without any other questions, even offering to do the dishes.  While you were scraping remnants into the compost bucket, you felt the room’s temperature drop, noticing that Loki had slid into the room, "Love bubble is it?"

Dropping the plates into the sink, plunging your hands into the soapy water, his strong ones glide over your shoulders, "Yes.  I'm really enjoying our little bubble of love."

“Me too.”  Pressing a small kiss to the curve of your neck, Loki pulled your body close, hugging you tightly from behind.  As Loki was nearly a foot taller than you, it was nothing to tip your head up, his welcome mouth finding yours for a soft kiss.  Curving your back, your bottom rubbed against his pelvis, his desire already rising. “Although, they had a lot of suggestions, my innocent little kitten.  Should I be worried?” Shaking your head, “No.  None of those… meatballs compare with you, Loki.” “Good.  That makes me glad… and I’m pleased to know how coveted you are, my pet.”  Roving hands took the liberty of sliding under the hem of your shirt, fingertips just grazing over your bra covered breasts.

Sighing into Loki’s loving touch, “Not that you were much help!"

"What can I say?  I like seeing you squirm"  his lethal voice purred, warm against your ear.

Pirouetting in his arms, your damp hand brushing back a strand of dark curls, "Jane almost gave us away.” A small smile, almost sad, pulled down Loki’s lips, “Is the idea of you loving me so hilarious?”

“Not to me.”

His head dipped, lowering those pink lips to your own, almost colliding… when laughter, drawing near, broke your moment of connection. Effectively ending your private chat, Thor stomped confidently into the room unaware of the way Loki jumped back as if scalded, or the way your hands trembled at the possibility of discovery.  “Brother!  I need to speak with you!” Flicking his desire filled eyes to yours, Loki smirked, “Of course… to what do I owe the honor?” “I have asked Jane to be my bride!” “Brother!  It’s about time Jane made an honest man out of you!”  Loki, more than a little surprised but genuinely pleased for his sibling, hugged Thor close.  “YAY!  That’s so exciting!  Have you guys picked a date yet?”  Wiping your hands dry, leaning against the sink, you were happy to hear all of Thor's big news. Shaking his blonde head excitedly, “We shall be wed in three months time… and I was hoping that Loki would play for our special day?” 

Loki, blushing a deep rosy pink, “Thor… It’s been years.” 

“So?  What of that, God of Mischief?  You always find a way”, wagging a finger at his dark hued brother, Thor’s teasing grin was sweet. Piling on excuses, trying to gently defer his brother’s marital request, Loki added, “I don’t think I have a suitable instrument.”

That was enough for your mouth to hang open, “Wait… you want Loki to perform?  Like play music?  At your wedding?”  “Of course!  He’s the best chamber musician in Asgard.  Possibly the entire Nine Realms.”  Pride filled Thor’s words at Loki’s accomplishments, something you found impossibly charming, even if you couldn’t quite believe what he said was true.  

“Thor, really… I don't think-" Clapping a broad hand onto his younger brother's shoulder, Thor’s tone changed, “Music from home, Loki. It would mean so much, especially since… Mother and Father-”  

Loki held up a hand, stopping Thor from going further into emotional sincerity, unable to bear the rawness in his brother’s words.  Closing his eyes, agreeing, “Fine.  Ok, I’ll… I’ll do it!’  Loki could sense your watchful eyes on him, curious and questioning, as he gave into his older brother.    

With his easy smile spreading, Thor’s joy pushed the cloud of sadness away, “Our special day will be filled with music!  And flowers!  Jane has a whole… Pinterest board?  I don’t know what that is but she’s filled it with ideas-” spinning around to grab you off your feet, Thor continued, “And you’ll be invited too!  All of the team must come, not just my wayward brother!” Getting swept up in Thor’s passionate excitement, you laughed, offering up more congratulations and promises of attending.  As your toes touched the floor, Thor pulled Loki away, “Jane says you will take Darcy as a date for the ceremony.” Tilting his head, Loki shrugged shyly, speaking loud enough for you to hear, “Uh… actually, I already have a date.” Gripping Loki in a rib smashing hug, Thor squeezed his little brother tightly, “That is marvelous news!  Jane will be so pleased!  So, who’s the lucky girl?” Smiling, you watched them go, happy to see the pair so connected.  You didn’t need to hear Loki’s answer.  You knew who he’d be taking to Thor’s wedding.

That night, as you were toweling dry your cropped hair, a pop of green light signaled the arrival of your secret boyfriend.  He was positively electric, grabbing you by the terry robe covered hips, and kissing you swiftly.  Loki's hands rubbed over the soft fabric on your back until they cradled your smiling face, "Hmm… you smell so clean that it makes me think dirty thoughts."

Giggling, you rose up on your toes, curling your hands into his tangle of dark hair.  You bent his waiting mouth to your own, savoring the sensation of shared breath, as your tongue flicked over Loki's lips, “Dirtier than that?” Nodding, his heated look hungry, “Oh yes.” "How dirty are we talking?", you teased, resting your cheek against Loki's chest.  His rich laugh, rumbling through his core, joined your own.  Pressing his forehead to yours, Loki sighed sweetly, "I missed you…"

"I just saw you at dinner!"

"But it's been too long.  I… I need more."

Turning to hang up your towel, over your shoulder, "More what, my prince?"

"More of you."  Having gained on you while your back was turned, Loki was behind you now, wrapping his long arms around your waist.

Squealing, delighted, "LOKI!  Someone will hear!"

Dropping you quickly on the mattress, Loki shimmied up beside you, toying with the open collar on your robe, "So?"

"So… they'll find you here."

Thoughtfully, Loki’s proud look captured your own, "Maybe I don't care.  Not anymore… Maybe I don't want to keep you and me… us, a secret."

Swallowing hard, your gaze trapped by Loki's earnest expression, "Really?  You're ready to pop the love bubble?"

His fingertips brushed over the thin skin between your breasts, "Yes?  I… I think so.  Are you?"

Biting on your bottom lip, scrutinizing his handsome face, "Loki, I…"

Freezing, his hand stalled, and Loki sat back on his heels.  Looking out your window, shoulders slumping in resignation, "You don't want to tell anyone.  You are ashamed to be with me."

Swiftly sitting up, cupping his face with your hands, crooning, "No, no, no, no, no, no!"

Shrugging away from your touch, "You don't care for me, not like you claim to, if you won't declare your feelings for all to hear."

"Loki!  That's not it at all."  

Letting you tug him closer, Loki's tear filled eyes still refused to meet your own, "Loki… I… I love you.  And… I just don't want to share you.  Not yet, anyway.  That is-" putting your arms around his neck until you were nose to nose with the red-rimmed eyes of an emotional Odinson, "-my only reason for keeping our romance quiet."

Whispering, Loki was too shocked to shake you off, "You… love me?"  His voice wavered, as if the idea of being loved by you had never been a real possibility, as if something impossible was occurring right here and now.

On your knees, sighing, you started pressing tiny kisses along those sharp as knives cheekbones, "Yes.  I am crazy in love with you, Loki Odinson."

Loki had held you tightly before; in the night when terrific dreams haunted his sleep, in the night when he claimed your body for his own.  But this embrace, after telling the dark Prince the truth in your heart, had no equal.  

Still taller than you, even though you were both kneeling, Loki's right arm wove around your waist forcing your hips flush with his own.  His left supported your back, his hand cradling the nape of your neck, helping him kiss you soundly.  It was conquering.  

You were his.  Body and soul.  What's more?  He was yours.

Coming up for air, panting from the work of loving you, "My dove, my dearest one… I love you too."

Shucking your robe was easy and Loki savored the lavender soap scented skin he exposed.  If a spot of you wasn’t kissed, it was licked. If not licked, nipped.  If not nipped, it was caressed.  And Loki was very thorough. When you mewled, weak from forced pleasure, “Loki… please.  Make love to me.” he was eager to comply. “Look at me, darling girl.”  Puffing out your pleasure filled breath, skin dewy with perspiration, you met Loki’s eyes with your own.  Resting his hand over your heart, he lifted your own, letting you feel the pattern of his pulse.  “It beats for you and for you alone.” In the afterglow, laying in Loki’s arms, you stifled another giggle.  Groggy from exertion, Loki opened one eye, “What’s so funny?” “You never told me you play a musical instrument.” “You never asked.”

“Are you any good?”

“You’ll find out when you accompany me to Thor’s wedding.” --- With his heavy cello, Loki took a seat on the edge of the dance floor, taking just a moment to get settled.  A beautifully strange combination of concentration and relaxation mingled over the features you loved so dearly.  Fiddling with strings, taking a moment to tune the instrument, you admired his long, talented fingers as they took their place on the frets. The din of conversation was silenced when the first low note of Loki’s song echoed through the ballroom.  Everyone paused, entranced at the melody weaving its way through the throng of well wishers.  Many were surprised, but not you, not entirely. You knew how long Loki had been preparing for this moment.  It wasn’t all about making Thor’s day special, although, that was surely part of it.  No, he planned to seduce every single person with sound.  Giving all of the attendees a taste of what being loved by Loki was like, he hoped The Avengers would see that he was worthy of you in all ways. Mesmerized, the bow danced over the strings, each note perfectly played.  It wasn’t hard to picture those shapely digits dancing over your skin in the dark of night.  Sending a shiver up your back, you sipped at your champagne, unwilling to take your eyes off of Loki. “I didn’t know he was so talented.”  Bucky, stiff in his tuxedo, sidled up to you with Steve in tow. “Me either.  Look at those fingers fly!” “Guys… hush.”  Shooting a silencing glare their way, you let the music transport you, swaying just a bit at the soothing sound. Too soon, in your opinion, the last lingering note of Loki’s song filled the hall.  Rising swiftly, Loki bowed at the applause, then turned to the happy couple.  Thor hugged his brother close, while Loki kissed Jane’s hand with a gentlemanly air.  Conversations started again, quiet at first, then gaining strength as Loki strode across the room.  Snagging a glass of champagne from a passing tray, his eyes trained on you, Loki accepted accolades as he moved ever closer.  Another server took his empty glass as Loki finally made his way to you.

Scooping you up, Loki spun you slowly in a circle, your gown snapping behind you in an emerald wave of chiffon and lace.  “Loki!  Come on, put me down!” “As my lady commands”, when your mouth passed close enough to his own, Loki kissed you as if you had never kissed before.  You pushed your hands through his dark locks, a hand on each side of his face, “You were amazing, babe.  Just amazing!”

“You really think so?” “Absolutely!”  His arm settled on your waist, keeping you tight to his side, as you were handed another glass of bubbly.

Bucky, leaning against Steve, wore a look of wide eyed shock, “Um.  Loki… what the fuck are you doing?"

"Agent Barnes, do I really need to explain?"

Mouth dropping open, Bucky gaped, "He’s the guy?  Really?  You’re telling me Loki is the guy?” “She’s not telling us, Buck… she’s showing us.”

“But Stevie…?  Loki?  You?  You’re the guy who makes her happy?  The one who she’s been covering for?” Pressing a chaste kiss to your forehead, just a touch guilty, “I am.  And, I’m madly in love with her.” “I’m happy Bucky.  Stevie… really.  Loki is… he’s my everything.  I love him, too.”  

As your secret was outed, the group formed a circle around you and Loki.  Questions were shouted, congratulations extolled, Loki was clapped on the back more than once.  Natasha gave you a wink and the "ok", which was really all the approval you needed. 

“So, who won the pool then?”, Clint couldn’t help asking. “Me… and Thor”, the bride stepped right up to Tony with her hand out ready to take the prize money. “No fair!  He’s your brother in law now.  He probably told you!”  Rhodey chimed in, unsatisfied with the final results. Defending her methods, Jane spun in her wedding dress, “No way!  I used my powers of scientific deduction.  I knew she was head over heels for Loki the night we announced our engagement.” Wondering, you looked at Jane, “You did?  How?  I mean, I didn't tell anyone.  We didn't tell anyone ” “You didn't have to!  You two wouldn’t look at each other.  Dead give away.”  Counting her cash, Jane smiled at you. “That may be true, but I promise you this, Odinson… break her heart and I’ll kill you.”  Bucky shook Loki’s hand good naturedly, if a little too long, stopping only when Steve pulled him away. Gazing down at you, adoration evident in his face, Loki husked, “Not to worry, Agent Barnes.  She has my heart you see... and I plan to be her guy as long as she’ll have me.”

Tagging my Minxes:  @lancsnerd​ @vodka-and-some-sass​ @just-random-obsessions​ @brokenthelovely​ @lots-of-loki​ @thefallenbibliophilequote​ @sammy-jo1977​ @queenofmischief​ @iamverity​ @iluvsumbucky​ @unadulteratedwizardlove​ @wolfsmom1​ @procrastinatinglikeabitch​ @mizfit2​ @shxdowofdarkness​ @nonsensicalobsessions​ @ahintofkiwistrawberry​ @jessiejunebug​ @rorybutnotgilmore​ @crystalizedcaramel​ @lokislittlecorner​ @scrumptious-finicky-illusion​ @capcapcapsicle​ @jamielea81​ @caffiend-queen​ @thenatalie @otakumultimuse-hiddlewhore​ @is-it-madness​ @jenjen8675309​ @alexakeyloveloki​ @poetic-fiasco​ 

[stripper-patrick]

Red lipstick 💄 Bucky Barnes

Warnings: smut, language, oral (m), car sex, not really a plot, unprotected (protecc yo selff), cockwarming

Song: Good Kisser- Usher

Relationship: Bucky Barnes x plus sized reader

I walk in the compound and see Tony and the entire crew at the island “hey”

“Hey” Bucky looks up and his eyes go wide

“H-hey Y/N” he perks up and I smile

“Hey Buck” I’ve always thought Bucky was attractive. I mean who wouldn’t. Even a blind person could see how hot he is.

“I’m living for the red lip Y/N” I smile At Wanda

“Thank you”

“Yea it’s very.. breathtaking on you” Bucky smiles licking his lips. There have been many night where I wondered what that tongue could do.

“Thank you” I smile. “I’m gonna go change my clothes”

I walk back to my room and change into some comfier clothes and I’m about to take off my makeup when I have a sudden urge for Starbucks. I grab some sweat pants and a t-shirt and some flip flops going out to the living room “I’m getting Starbucks does anyone want anything”

“I’ll go” Bucky chimes in I nod and the rest of the group shakes their head before returning back to their conversation.

I grab my keys and Bucky grabs his wallet and we get in the elevator. I press the ‘Lobby’ and state straight ahead. An awkward air falls upon us and I look at him to see him already staring back at me.

“What” I smile

“Nothing I just” he pauses for a moment “think your beautiful” I blush laughing a little

“Coming from Mr. Pantene himself” I smile. The door dings and we walk out. I get in the drivers seat and Bucky gets in clicking his seatbelt. I put mine on and reverse the car pulling the wheel and driving off.

“Do you like Starbucks?”

“Yea their cake pops are a necessity for life” he smiles

“What flavor do you like?” I look at him and make a left watching out for cars.

“Chocolate” he looks at me. I glance at him and bite my lip. Didn’t think this broken white boy was about that life.

“Vanilla is ok”

“Yea but chocolate just spices everything up” he adjusts himself in his seat and I’ve never wanted to sit on someone’s lap so bad before.

I focus back on the road and turn the wheel making a right. I pull into the parking space and park the car.

I open the door feeling the crisp air hit hard. I’ve never been one for the cold. My body shakes and I shut the door. Bucky walks right behind me opening the door as we walk in. The rich signature smell of coffee hits me noae instantly making my face scrunch up. That’s never been my favorite smell. He goes in front of me and I look at his muscular legs.

“Damn James lookin thick” I smile

“I don’t think you should call me that” he says

“Why”

“How can I help you?” The young girl with blonde hair smiles.

“Lemme get a double chocolate cake pop and a vanilla bean frappe” he turns to me “what do you want?”

I ponder for a bit looking through the menu. My eyes land on the French vanilla roast. “French vanilla roast with extra whip and a chocolate drizzle please”

She puts it in “12.85” I go in my purse but Bucky beats me to it. He inserts his card and I roll my eyes already knowing he won’t allow me to reimburse him. I walk over to the side letting the next people go. I watch them make drinks and Bucky puts his hand on my waist and gets close to my ear.

“Last time someone called me that she couldn’t walk straight for the next week” I blush biting my lip. God this man makes me lose it.

“Oh” I smile

I watch the baristas make and call out drinks. I grab them and Bucky grabs his cake pops. We walk back out and head into the car.

I take a sip feeling the hot liquid glide down my throat comfortably. I look over seeing Bucky enjoying his cake pop. He finishes it off within 2 bites. Something tells me he could kill that thing in one. I really wish I was that cake pop. I wonder if he’s ever gotten his dick sucked recently.

All of a sudden my thoughts translate into word vomit and I’m stuck asking him without even thinking “Bucky when’s the last time you had sex”

He nearly chokes and clears his throat looking at me. My cheeks go red and I begin apologizing.

“I’m so sorry that wasn’t supposed to come out”

“No worries doll. To answer your question it’s been way to long for comfort” he looks at me and consumes his second cake pop in one bite. Told you. “Now I’m gonna be honest and assume you’d like to change that since you asked? Or even thought about it”

I’m caught red handed. I could deny it and play coy or if were both just as crazy make his best fantasies come true.

“Ugh” I scoff “that’s not what was in my head” clearly I went with option one.

“So are you gonna lie to me again or admit you’d like the both of us to fuck each other’s brains out”

“James” I blush

“Tell me the truth”

“I want to fuck you” I admit

“Then fuck me baby” I lean over and place my red lips on his. He moves the seat back.

I get on my knees and scratch my nails down his thighs watching his eyes shut and he bites his lip. I pull down his sweats and kiss his thigh. My lipstick wasn’t even left on his thigh.

I place a kiss to his swollen red tip and a line of precum strings from my lip. I kiss down the vein of his throbbing dick and his thighs tense.

“Don’t tease doll” he’s breathless already. I give his balls little licks getting him all hot and ready for me.

When I feel he’s ready I put the tip in my mouth sucking and gently pulling on his balls. His hands go to my hair and I take more of him into my mouth until he’s reached the back of my throat. I gag and come up gaining air while still jerking him. I go down again and I feel his hips buck into my mouth fucking my face.

“That’s it. Take all of it” he moans “fuck Y/N” him calling my name has me gushing in my underwear.

I moan while he’s still in the back of my throat and I look up watching his eyes roll to the back of his head while his mouth is parted slightly. His chest is rising and falling rapidly. The grip he has on my hair tightens.

I gag again and come up for air. I go back down this time pulling and pushing his balls. He has a death grip on the middle console. I bob my head up and down then come up again jerking him harder.

“I’m gonna cum” he warns. I take him in my mouth again and suck harder until beads of cum hit the back of my throat. He lets out a strangled moan and I hum. I keep sucking until he’s dry and I come up wiping the corners of my mouth. Lipstick still didn’t smudge.

“I want you on on top of me” I climb over the center console and straddle his waist. I feel Bucky’s hands on my ass gripping and squeezing grinding myself on him. He kisses my neck and dips his hands into my underwear rubbing softly.

I moan quietly tugging my fingers through his hair. I take off my underwear and fill myself. He stretches me out from wall to wall. I pull the chair back so Bucky is laying down. I place my hands on his chest and grind my hips at a fast pace rocking the car. My eyes flutter shut as I feel him rocking inside of me. Every once in a while his dick will press on my g-spot.

“You’re so fucking beautiful” his hips buck into me and my head rolls back along with my eyes. He’s the biggest and deepest I’ve ever experienced. I grab the cold metal of his bionic hand and trail it from my breast to my throat. He has majority of the control and I can see he’s enjoying it.

Breathless moans leave his lips and I whine rubbing my clit against his pelvis while he rolls his hips into me sloppily. I whimper softly as I see my demise in the distance running full speed towards me.

“James” I moan. It was like a switch in him turned on. He seals off any oxygen I’m getting making me see black spots. Bucky holds my waist and pounds into me harder until we’re both gushing around each other.

He lets go of my throat just as I squirt and I feel the rush of adrenaline mixed with my orgasm roll my eyes to the back of my head. I bunch his shirt up in my hands and his flesh hand grabs my breast rolling my nipple between his fingers. My body rattles and my toes curl in my shoes as he empties himself inside of me.

I ride out the last of our climaxes and come to a halt when his phone rings. He pulls out the silver iPhone X and swipes right. I can tell he struggling to catch his breath as he’s talking like normal. He puts in one speaker.

“Hey Tony”

“Hey where are you” I tighten myself around him and he gasps glaring at me. He slaps the side of my ass making me bite my lip to hold a laugh.

“Just leaving Starbucks” he says

“Oh ok aren’t they closed?”

“Yea they just locked up. Everything ok?”

“Yea just wondering where you were and if you got my caramel macchiato with extra drizzle” he says. I laugh.

“No tony I didn’t”

“Oh I see” he fakes sniffles

“Tony shut up we’re on the way home now”

“Fine then” Bucky hangs up and just stares at me pulling his bottom lip between his teeth.

“Tony’s gonna kick our ass in a minute” I smile

“Oh well” I roll my eyes and swing my leg over climbing back into the drivers seat “drive without underwear on” he pulls up the hem of my dress placing his fingers between my legs.

He will truly be the death of me.

[han-shinsuke]

k i t a s h i n s u k e

🔞🔞⚠️⚠️♥️

n o t s u i t a b l e f o r y o u n g r e a d e r s.

entrée (noun). the main course of a meal.

///

“Shin?” Liya calls her boyfriend's name as soon as her feet touches the cold wooden floor of Shinsuke's adorable cabin near his farm.

And as soon as her feet presses on the floor, her legs betrays her, dragging her weight down the hard surface. Liya's lips spits out curses. Annoyed of her own weakness. She, then, catch a glimpse of her own state from the full length mirror hanged on the wall. Her skin are full of bite marks and hickeys, especially her collarbones. Liya blushes upon remembering how Kita trails hard kisses and deep bites along her collarbones. He was covering her mouth while doing those activities last night.

So he dressed her the white puff sleeves french dress he bought from Paris last week. Liya thought and she smiled. Tiredness and lack of sleep are still lingering in her system. Shinsuke went frenzied last night. He claimed her repeatedly and they only stopped when it's already two in the morning.

Liya pushes her body, getting support from nearby objects inside her boyfriend's room. She walked slowly until she reached the door and went downstairs. Liya found him having a meal on the breakfast table, wearing a plain white shirt and sweatpants. Shinsuke looks so pleasing.

“Liya,” Shinsuke says her name. Sipping his coffee as he stares at her with lust in his eyes.

Liya smiled at him. The view behind him is magnificent. The wide depth of the window is giving her a great morning, “you made a basler brot for me!”She exclaimed excitedly upon seeing her favorite swiss bread.

But Shinsuke put aside the bread basket, moving it far away from her grasp. His lips displaying a wicked grin. “I want my main course, Liya. You'll have your breakfast once I'm full.” He stands from the window seat, heading to her spot.

Shinsuke put a hand on her shoulder while carefully setting aside the laid breakfast on top. Without a warning, he ripped off her dress, exposing her body full of Shinsuke's marks.

“bend your back babe,” Shinsuke whispers, pushing her slowly down the breakfast table. “Grip tightly on the edge and spread your sexy legs for me babe.” He added. His breath fanning against Liya's flawless back.

“Sh–Shin... I–I'm still sore plea—aah!” Kita shoves his thing without preparations inside her. Causing the woman to writh from pain. Her pinkish toes curling as he push deeper and pinning her legs together while inching a little deeper than before. Liya's tight core tightens even more from Shinsuke's hard press on her legs.

“Oh no! Shin! You're so big hhhmmmppp~” Liya put a hand over her mouth, drowning her moans behind her lips.

Kita let out a soft growl. Slapping her woman's perfectly shaped butt cheeks as he slowly pulling his long shaft, “be mindful of the food, Liya. I don't want those go to waste. Control your movements and just moan.”

Liya nodded at him. Her eyes closed when Shinsuke push harder down to her core. Her body vibrating from his fast and deep thrusts.

“Aaahh, Shin! Oh God! Aaah! Why are you aaahhh growing bigger ooohh!” Liya's hand snaps on the table, almost knocking the bread basket when Shinsuke rail her so deep with his pulsating manhood.

Kita hit her hips with his both hands and shoves deeper after saving the bread from falling down the floor, “fxck! your hands, Liya! What a stubborn lady!” He snatch her girl's forearms and place it above her back, his cxck still pushing deeper and hard as he restrains her from behind.

“Kita! Kita! Ye–yes aaahh~ push deeper daddyyy pleaseee oooohhh~” Even though she's writhing from pain from Shinsuke's hard assaults from behind, Liya pleads for more. Her toes keeps curling. Knees rubbing while she's being rammed by her boyfriend's thick and long manhood.

“Aaah fxck! I'm close babe! I'm so fxcking close aaahhnnggg~” Shinsuke pulls out from her dripping core and Liya grunts in frustration.

“No! No! Shin please! Put it back please!” She begs while Kita is pulling her up to face him.

“So impatient hmmm~” Kita hums against her lips and conquers her mouth with his hot ones.

Shinsuke kisses her lips torridly. Their mouth salivating as they kiss each other deeper. Liya felt her legs being pushed open. She didn't notice that she's sitting atop of the breakfast table and Shinsuke is now dipping his cxckhead in her entrance.

“Ooohhh~ good~ push deeper Shin aaaahh~” Liya moaned when the kiss broke and Shinsuke buries his face on her neck, biting her skin as he thrust faster.

“You're so fxcking good babe~ Hhnnngghhh~ Your insides are so fxcking warm aaaahh~” Showing no mercy and signal of stopping, Shinsuke dig her woman's inside roughly while biting down her skin hardly. He's close! He's so fxcking close!

“I’m cumming Shin aaahhh~ Pull out pleaseee~ Shin~ gosh! You can't cum inside me aaahh~ I'm fertile stoppp ooohh~” Liya tries to push him but Shinsuke embraces her body tightly and push more of his cxck inside her pusxy.

Shinsuke smirked against her skin and thrust fast and deep until his semenxx explodes inside her walls, “no babe hhhnnnggg~ I'm gonna fill you up with my seeds aaahhh~ that's it, Liya~ command your core to swallow all my juice hmmm~”

“Aahh shxt! Shin~” Liya's got no choice but to hold tight on Shinsuke's sweating neck as she accepts all of his cum inside her. Their bodies are trembling from an intense and hot morning sezxx.

Later...

“You want my milk?” Kita teases her while she's being feed by him. Liya glared at him, chewing the small portion of the swiss bread Kita had put inside her mouth.

“Stop it, Shin! Gosh! I'm eating!” Liya protested when Kita trails his palm between her thighs.

She's currently sitting on his lap and her legs are spread wide. She can't believe him! They just finished another round awhile ago.

“So? Just eat there,” He says, removing her from his lap. Shinsuke licks her earlobes then her bruised neck down to her shoulders. Liya's eyes widened. Shinsuke goes under the breakfast table. His hands guiding her legs above his shoulders as he dip his face between her wetness and started sucking it loud.

///

GOOD MORNING SHINSUKE'S ARMY OF HOES

[xmxisxforxmaybe]

This is me officially requesting a follow up to “Pretty in Those Beads” something achingly fluffy and sinfully smutty, if you feel so inclined 😜 maybe get creative with the beads?? Go where your muse takes you darling!

“achingly fluffy and sinfully smutty” + “beads” = GOT IT 😍

Part I: “Pretty in those Beads” (fluffy)

Part II: SMUTTY

“Mmm,” you moaned as your body fought with your mind to wake up and chase the smoky-rich scent of coffee, and, oh was that sausage? Yes.

 Pancakes, too.

 Coffee, sausage, and pancakes: Merriell “Snafu” Shelton’s surefire cure for a hangover. And after last night, you knew he needed it.

 Rubbing the sleep from your eyes, you fished around the closet for one of Merriell’s flannel shirts to wear over your short nightgown. After donning it, you went into the bathroom to wash your face, brush your teeth, and fix your hair, knowing that by the time you got to the kitchen, breakfast would be nearly ready.

 When you shuffled out to the kitchen, you stifled a laugh as you looked at the pile of assorted beads on the coffee table, some of them still strewn on the floor in your haste to remove them before Merriell lost his battle with the obscene amount of whiskey he had drank.

 Despite his overindulgence, you knew he’d be in a good mood because he loved seeing his friends. You were due for lunch at their hotel at 1:00, so it didn’t surprise you that Merriell was up so early, trying to cook away what was left of his hangover.

 “Mornin’ darlin,” Mer murmured over his bare shoulder as he pulled your light blue, floral patterned mug from the cupboard.

 As he sauntered over, your eyes ran over his naked torso and you watched as his arm flexed as he poured your coffee. Judging by the amount left in the pot, he had already downed at least three cups.

 “You’re up awful early.”

 “Neva slept.”

 “You serious?”

 “As a heart attack,” he smirked.

 He turned his back to you and scooped up the plate of pancakes and the plate of sausages from the counter, depositing them onto the kitchen table. Mer rustled around in the fridge to grab condiments, then plopped down beside you.

 “How’s ya memory?” you ask, smiling slightly as you thought about Mer’s naked body on display for his friends and more than a few Mardi Gras stragglers as they stumbled down the walk in front of your house.

 Merriell folded up a pancake and took a huge bite, answering as he chewed.

 “Well ‘nuff.”

 “Oh, yeah? And the last thing ya remember is . . .”

 He swallowed, “Don’t think ya wanna hear when ya ‘bout to eat.”

 You nodded as you poured syrup over your breakfast, “So ya remember earnin’ all of those beads, huh?”

 Merriell’s still-bleary eyes met yours and he smiled, like the cat that ate the canary.

 “I do.”

 You giggled, and breakfast passed quickly as you ate together, each of you discussing the previous night’s adventures with your respective friends.

 As you filled the sink with soapy water, you said, “Remember, we have to leave the house around 12:30 to make it through the morning’s crowd.”

 A warm, strong body pressed into your back as Merriell slid your plates into the warm water. He stayed where he was, pushing you even tighter against the sink as he melted into you, his arms folding over you just above your middle.

 “Yes?” you questioned with a smile on your lips.

 “Ya real pretty in the mornin.”

 “Oh yeah?”

 “Mmm,” he confirmed, nuzzling your neck.

 “Bet ya say that to all the girls who wrangle ya naked ass inside so ya avoid arrest.”

 “Mm-mmm,” Mer disagreed as his lips pressed into your pulse point.

 “Should I even bother gettin’ my hands soapy?”

 Merriell ground his hard cock into your ass in answer, and you sighed, leaning back onto his shoulder so he could pull the collar back on his flannel and kiss more of your neck.

 You gave up on the dishes, and let him run his hands over your body as he kissed any part of you he could reach. When he finally dipped one hand beneath the elastic of your panties, you moaned and brought your hand up to cup the back of his head.

 Merriell played with your pussy, spreading your arousal and teasing your clit with too-light touches until you wiggled away and turned around in his arms, needing the heat of his tongue in your mouth.

 When you pulled him by his hips, his hands were already twisting into your hair to tilt your head for the kiss you craved. Your tongues worked together in a familiar pattern, the taste of coffee and syrup, sweet and bitter, balancing themselves out the longer you kissed.

 “Want you,” you breathed, barely losing contact with his mouth.

 Mer muttered something you didn’t catch, probably in French, and he stepped away to pull you toward the living room. He hissed as he stepped on a strand of beads, and you looked down at them, a sparkle of interest lighting up your eyes.

 He raised his eyebrows in response and you began to loop the beads around his neck until he stopped you from looping the last few strands.

 “Wanna make it a lil more interestin?”

 “Uh huuuh,” you answered.

 “Undress,” he demanded as he reached for the clasp on his old jeans. You followed and quickly shed his flannel, your nightgown, and your underwear.

 Mer stood a little bit back from the sofa and instructed, “Face down—hands behind ya back.”

 You laid down and settled with your cheek pressed against the couch and your ass in the air as your hands rested on your lower back. Merriell looped two strings of beads over your wrists, fashioning a sort of lasso to use to bind your hands.

 “Okay?” he asked, giving it a tug.

 “Yes.”

 Merriell nudged your knees a little farther apart as he settled behind you, kneeling as he held onto the beads with one hand while he fingered your pussy with the other.

 Your lips were so plump and on such tempting display for him in this position that while he still clasped your bound wrists, he leaned in to taste you, sucking on your outer lips before dipping his tongue deep into your folds, eventually searching out your clit.

 “So fuckin’ pretty,” he moaned when he came up for air, and you retorted, “Like you in your beads.”

 As Merriell straightened up, you could hear the tinkling of the beads as they moved around his neck. He chuckled and lightly pinched at your pussy, pursing your outer lips before releasing them and pushing a finger inside of you.

 You grunted as you strained against the beads binding you, wanting to clutch onto the arm of the couch as he fingered you.

 “Nothin’ near pretty as dis,” he said and you could hear the transfixation he had on his finger as it slid in and out of your center, coated in wetness.  

 “But prettiest if that were ya cock.”

 Mer yanked on the beads and a growl let loose from his chest as he replaced his finger with his dick in one smooth motion, sliding into you and making you growl in return.

“Fuck me, Mer. Fuck me.”  

 Merriell obliged by setting a brutal pace from the onset, his hips slapping into yours as he used your bound arms for leverage, pulling on the beads again and again as he thrust.

 All you could do in this position was take it—take every inch of his cock, and the thought of being at his mercy made your clit throb.

 “Mer,” you moaned, and without another breath, he reached between your legs with his free hand and rubbed until you came.

 As your pussy clenched around his cock, Merriell doubled his efforts to fuck you straight through the sofa, the noise of the beads around his neck almost sounding like a chorus of castanets as he fucked you.

 “So good baby. Almost there,” he panted, pulling on your wrists and yanking so you were now nearly upright.

 “Fuck, yes, fucking take my co—” and with that thrust, the beads broke, clattering into oblivion as they skittered across the sofa, the table, and the floor as Mer caught you around the waist to prevent you from faceplanting into the sofa as he buried himself deep and came, his heat filling you up and satisfying you in a way nothing else on earth could.

 The beads around his neck shivered as he pulled out and collapsed on the couch. You flopped back on your haunches and caught your breath, surveying the scattered beads that you could be sure to find as little surprises for the next year or more.

 You turned around and sat on your bum, your calves stretching over Mer’s naked thighs.

 He didn’t even lift his head from the back of the couch, and you watched the rise and fall of his chest underneath his mountain of beads.

 “You really do look pretty in those beads.”

 Merriell grinned and fingered a set. “Think we can break em all?”

[danveresque]

Back To You (Epilogue) [Aaron Dingle/Robert Sugden]

Back To You (Epilogue) by d.

Summary: It’s the end to their story, somewhere in the future.

Notes: Another universe, an unrelated to anything one shot, and a sequel to all the fics in and then you’ll come home to me.

Back To You (Epilogue)

He was standing by the side of a road watching in horror as Robert stood surrounded by the police. He wasn’t struggling, or trying to get away. He was just...standing there, having his rights read to him, nodding. It made no sense. They were supposed to be leaving together. So how was Aaron standing here on the side of this road, and Robert was over there, getting further and further from Aaron’s outstretched hand?

Aaron woke with a sharp intake of breath, his head immediately snapping to the side. He closed his eyes, sighed thankfully. Robert was right there next to him, fast asleep. Aaron swallowed down sleep and terror, opening his eyes again, taking a longer look at Robert.

Turning onto his side Aaron just watched Robert until the night passed and the sun finally came up. Some mornings it was like this. The present still felt vulnerable as if it sat balanced on the knife edge of the past.

"Didn't sleep?" Robert murmured, opening his eyes.

"We've only got four days here," Aaron said. "Not wasting it sleeping."

Here was France and France was perfect.

France was always perfect. It felt like a place they were meant to be. Maybe there were other universes where they had always been here. Maybe that’s why every step they took felt like they were retracing a path already travelled. The French had the best word for it too, déjà vu.

Everywhere they went felt like home.

“Let’s stay here forever,” Robert said that night, soft on wine, offering up his opinions between smiling kisses. 

Aaron laughed, his body covering Robert’s, the duvet on the floor, the curtains billowing open, the moon’s large eye watching them wide and scandalised. Aaron kissed Robert, laughing every time Robert slipped in a comment between kisses.

“You should be in charge more.”

Kiss.

“You’re so fit.”

Kiss.

“No, beautiful. You’re beautiful, Aaron.”

Kiss.

“Are you laughing at me?”

Aaron pulled back and smiled, drinking in the sight of Robert’s moonlit face. “No?”

“Liar,” Robert said, with a lopsided grin. 

And then Aaron was in a tangle of Robert’s long arms wrapping around him, sinking into a deeper kiss that was nothing to laugh about. 

*

Robert cracked open his eyes to a too white room. The sun seemed to be shining from practically on top of him. He looked in the direction of the window to find the light was so strong he couldn’t make out the shape of the frame or where the drapes started as they billowed mildly, dancing just above the floor, as if swept up on the soft sound of music playing quietly on the radio. 

He wasn’t alone in the room. There was a shape made dark by the light, moving around the place, chattering quietly, obscured until Robert scowled hard in his direction, seeing Aaron emerge from a blur. He climbed onto their bed, looking down at Robert with a soft indulgent smile. Aaron looked so happy, all the way up into the blues of his warm eyes. It was one of his rare smiles, content and peaceful.

Robert stared at him, confused. Aaron’s smile widened into a small grin. “What?”

“Déjà vu,” Robert murmured, frowning at Aaron from under the fog of heavy sleep. 

Aaron shuffled close, dipping his head to press his mouth against Robert’s in a gentle kiss that slowly coaxed Robert awake. Aaron didn’t go far when he pulled back, staying close with his mouth tilting up at the corner, making his eyes sparkle. 

“Morning,” Aaron said, still with that smile. 

Robert reached up to cup his face, sliding his thumb slow across Aaron’s bottom lip. “Morning.”

“You alright?” Aaron asked after giving Robert’s thumb a little nip. Robert moved his hand to hold Aaron’s face lightly by his chin. “Talking in your sleep again.”

Robert frowned. “I had this weird dream. I was in the Mill, but I couldn’t find you. And then it wasn’t the Mill anymore. It was just me. Alone.”

“Stupid dream,” Aaron said, scowling as if he took the subconscious output of Robert’s brain personally. 

Robert nodded. “It was pretty upsetting. I could do with some comfort.”

Aaron grinned at him, one hundred watt bright. “Yeah? What were you thinking?”

“Come closer. I’ll whisper it in your ear,” Robert said with a mischievous smile. 

“Shut up. Idiot,” Aaron said laughing. 

Robert laughed along, grabbing at Aaron and getting a surprised squawk out of him, before everything turned into a tussle of limbs and laughter, Robert ending up where he started, on his back, this time with Aaron pinning his wrists to the mattress. 

“I win,” Robert murmured, looking at Aaron’s mouth, waiting for the inevitable kiss coming his way.

Aaron scowled. “How’d you make that out?”

“Where I want to be, isn’t it?” Robert said, looking into the receding blues of Aaron’s eyes.

Aaron looked a little breathless for a second, before he smiled and said, “Smooth.”

*

“Do you think this is what they mean by long lunch?” Aaron deadpanned, pointing at his baguette, before grinning proudly.

Robert stared at him, before his eyes closed for a second and he shook his head. He opened his eyes and looked around them in the small cafe, overacting as usual.

“What?” Aaron said.

“Just making sure no one who looks like they might speak English saw me with you when you said that,” Robert told Aaron. 

Aaron scrunched up both his face and his napkin, throwing the latter at Robert. “Shut up you.”

Robert smiled, catching the napkin and placing it back on the table. He nodded to Aaron’s lunch. “Give us a bite then.”

“What? You shouldn’t have ordered that fancy salad mate if you knew it wasn’t going to fill you up,” Aaron said before taking a huge bite of the baguette. He sat there holding it for a moment, eyes closed in bliss as he chewed and let out a pleasured, “Mmm. Très bon, mate, très bon.”

“Alright, stop,” Robert said, making a face and holding up his hands. “I really don’t need to get turned on the next time I go get a baguette for lunch.”

“What?” Aaron said around a mouthful.

*

“Do you ever think about if we had met in a different way?” Robert asked. They were taking a leisurely afternoon walk. The sky was a bright blue, the sun shining, making even the chill in the air enjoyable. 

Aaron tightened his hand around Robert’s. “How’d you mean?”

“I dunno, like more normally than we did? Most people don’t find the love of their life because he’s nicked their car,” Robert said. 

Aaron was thinking about it. He shrugged and said. “I used to. Back when we were...you know?”

He didn’t say sneaking around, carrying on a torrid affair, acting like complete idiots. Robert knew all the same though, nodding. 

“I’d think, what if we met in Bar West? Or just any old bar,” Aaron said. “I’d wish we had. I’d wish that...you could have just been mine from the start.”

“I would have been,” Robert said quietly. 

“You think so?”

Robert stopped walking, yanking on Aaron’s hand to pull him close. “I know so. Even if I hadn’t been out and proud, one look is all it would take. One look was all it took.”

Aaron smiled. “So...what? You’d come over and chat me up would you? All smug and full of yourself?”

“Yeah, why not,” Robert said with a grin. “I know my audience.”

Aaron laughed, shaking his head. “Big head.”

“I’d come over,” Robert said, his voice low, just for the two of them, his eyes fixed on Aaron’s face, his hands having moved to Aaron’s forearms. “And I’d say...has anyone told you...you have the most amazing eyes? I’d love to wake up looking into them.”

Aaron stared at Robert. A grin spread across his face and he laughed. Robert would have been offended if Aaron’s face hadn’t gone bright pink. He grinned along with Aaron, shaking him playfully.

“What? Not good enough for ya?” Robert said. 

Aaron smiled at him, one eye squinting shut against the sun’s glare. “Cheesy.”

“Went home alone, did I?” Robert asked.

“I never said that,” Aaron said. “Cheesy ain’t always bad.”

“So…”

“You pulled,” Aaron said, catching Robert in the bright glare of his gaze.

*

Aaron was pinned under Robert’s body, panting into open-mouthed kisses as Robert moved in and out of his body. He was keeping to a rhythm intent on making this last as long as possible, driving Aaron mad in the process. Aaron let out a frustrated sound that should have embarrassed him, keening low and wounded, so close to coming, but so not close enough.

“Aaron,” Robert panted, moving a little faster, his body tripping from patient to greedy. “Aaron.”

Aaron closed his eyes, forehead denting, mouth going slack as his breath quickened. Robert's thrusts were picking up speed, their skin slapping obscenely in the otherwise silent room.

Aaron came soon with a loud strangled, “Robert!”

It seemed to do it for Robert who's movements turned into an erratic stutter and then he was coming too, muttering, "Aaron, Aaron. Aaron."

In a bit, their sticky and sweaty situation would become less than comfortable, but for now, they lay there with their bodies pressed together, Robert a heavy weight on Aaron who felt flattened like a pancake. Robert hummed against Aaron’s chest, a croaky broken noise. Aaron palmed the back of Robert’s sweaty neck, stroking up and down from his hair. Robert seemed transfixed for the moment with the window where the sky was a strange infusion of pink and blue. 

Aaron moved his hand from Robert’s neck to his arm, stroking idly up and down, quietly telling him, “Love you.”

Robert pressed a kiss to Aaron’s sternum, before shimmying up a little to offer a stupidly chaste kiss, murmuring, “Love you.”

Aaron tried not to think of all the moments lost to them. All the time stolen.

Robert was frowning at him. Aaron smiled and said, “What?”

“Look so serious,” Robert accused.

“Was thinking,” Aaron said.

“How? Blood can’t be back in your brain that quick."

Aaron smiled a little wider. “Was just thinking...this has been perfect, ain’t it?”

“Yeah,” Robert said thoughtfully.

He seemed to bite back on something. Aaron nudged him with his knee. “What?”

Robert shrugged. “Anywhere’s perfect with you.”

Aaron felt stinging in those rotten over emotional eyes of his. He told Robert, “Same.”

Robert dipped his head for another kiss and then just rested his forehead against Aaron’s for a moment. “Shower yeah? Then we can think about dinner.”

“In a minute,” Aaron said, tipping his mouth up for another kiss.

They lay there kissing slow and sweet, unhurried, time on their side for once.

*

The view was delectable. Aaron was wearing a black suit, sitting there with the top two buttons of his shirt open. He’d not taken his stubble back too much and his hair was on the longer side and the candle in the middle of their table was flickering bright in his eyes. 

Aaron let out a little laugh, putting down his wine glass and asking, “What?”

“What?” Robert said, taking his glass and taking a mouthful before setting it back on the table. “Allowed to look at my husband. Not a crime.”

Aaron looked amused, the spark in his eyes giving away the fact that maybe there was some enjoyment in being looked at too. He glanced around the restaurant which was quiet and decorated in rich dark tones, wonderfully warm whilst outside the temperature had dipped some more. 

“Good choice,” he said. 

“Yeah?” Robert said, looking around the place, finding it even better now that it had Aaron’s approval. “Waiters are a bit rude though.”

“What? No. They’re just not over the top and in your face here,” Aaron said, drinking some more wine, whilst Robert felt a portion of his brain short out. Aaron rolled his eyes at the too long gaze that had settled on him. “What now?”

Robert smiled in answer. Aaron laughed it off, scratching at his forehead, pink from ear to ear. Robert stole another look before paying attention to his wine and his now rumbling stomach. Sighing, he said, “Think I should go in there and give them a hand?”

“I think you should go back in time and eat something more filling than what you had for lunch,” Aaron said, absolutely lacking in sympathy. 

“I think I might have a snack in my pocket,” Robert said, going from pocket to pocket, Aaron watching him looking confused. His face went slack as soon as he saw the small velvet black box in Robert’s hand. “Here we go.”

Robert opened the box, placing it on his palm and holding it out. Aaron was staring at the silver band, looking just a little upset. 

“I know,” Robert said softly. “We’ve done it before. Doing it again might be like tempting fate. It’s...terrifying. And I know, we don’t need rings, weddings, and all the rest of it, but...I want it, Aaron. I want everything with you. I doubt anyone’s going to come to our third wedding, but I’m asking you anyway. Aaron, will you marry me?”

Aaron was quiet, eyes liquid and bright. He was staring at the ring and then looking at Robert, his mouth quivering. Robert felt his own breath thin in his chest. Maybe it was too soon. Or maybe it was just too frightening.

"Listen," Robert said softly. "You can say no. I know-"

"No," Aaron said thickly.

Robert's mouth opened and then stuttered shut. He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He clenched his jaw, trying to not let his emotions overtake him as Aaron sat there rooting around in his pocket for a crumpled tissue or something.

"No," Aaron said. "I mean...I'm not saying no."

Robert frowned, his frown easing when he saw Aaron retrieve a small red velvet box from his pocket and put it next to Robert's offering.

Robert grinned at the sight of it, whilst Aaron said, “That answer your question?”

*

Robert was sitting in bed, half under the covers and half lounging back against the plush cushions, his skin pinked from their tumble in the sheets. He was looking at his ring, twisting it round and round with a little smile on his face. It was simple, a little slimmer than their old rings and a lot less expensive than Robert's which looked as if it had been polished with diamonds even if was a simple silver band. There he was though, grinning like an idiot at the simple ring Aaron had bought him.

Aaron had too look away if made his heart swell so much.

“I’m gonna start worrying if you don’t stop looking at that,” Aaron said, pulling on his black briefs followed by his green sweater. 

“Just admiring it,” Robert said, looking up from the ring to pull back the covers so Aaron could clamber back into bed. He gave Aaron a little peck on the corner of his mouth. “Look at you. We’re not in the North Pole.”

“It’s well cold in here,” Aaron said, glancing at the expanse of Robert’s naked chest and then nodded to his arms. “You’ve got goose pimples!”

Robert looked at his arm, frowning and making a little hmm noise. Nodding to Aaron, he said, “Well, stop complaining and warm me up then.”

Aaron snorted, but pounced on Robert all the same.

*

“I’ve been thinking,” Aaron said, somewhere around three in the morning. 

“Hmm?” Robert responded, lying draped over Aaron, his big head square in the middle of Aaron’s chest. Just where he liked it. 

Aaron played with the hair at the nape of Robert’s neck. “This time, we both sneak off in the middle of the day or summat, find a nice registrar, two witnesses if we really have to, get married, and then come home. Married.”

Robert was shifting. He lifted his head, his eyes catching moonlight as he looked at Aaron. “What? Elope?”

“Already done it the other way,” Aaron said. “Maybe we should do it differently.”

Robert was quiet and he was thinking exactly what Aaron wasn’t saying, both of them building their own superstitions. 

“If that’s what you want,” Robert said with a nod. “Though, I’d change a few things.”

“Like what?” Aaron asked.

“Well, we disappear one morning, without saying a word. We shack up in some hotel room, leave it to get married, and then come back for our honeymoon. Get a couple of randoms to be the witnesses. We go back to Emmerdale, and no one even knows. Now that is how you elope.”

Aaron laughed, shaking his head. “Want to get a set of matching tattoos while you’re at it?”

Robert’s grin managed to look white even with the lights off. “I’m game if you are. Look, I’m all for keeping it low key, but we are allowed to celebrate. Third time or thirtieth, doesn’t make it any less important or exciting.”

“No?” Aaron asked.

“Aaron,” Robert said. “I love marrying ya.”

Aaron smiled, running his fingers through Robert’s hair, murmuring, “Soft.”

*

Something wasn't right. He'd gone to sleep happy with Aaron and now he was outside Keeper's watching a carriage rolling past. A carriage with a coffin. He dreamed of this often. This had to be a nightmare.

“Me? In a nightmare? Oh, pet, I don’t believe it.”

Robert sat up with a start to see Val looming over his bed, grinning at him with utmost glee. He looked down at himself. He was in a suit, a black suit, and his bed was a coffin, and somewhere Aaron was dead. Val made a faux sympathetic face at him. “Oh, you don’t look so good. I’d say you look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

Robert jerked awake, eyes and mouth wide open as he tried to catch his breath. Aaron was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding onto his arm and looking like a worried mother hen. "Just a dream."

Robert stared at Aaron. It washed over him again, how lucky he was. There was a moment that had felt like the end for them. And yet, here they were. He looked at the ring on Aaron's finger and then his own ring. Everything was okay.

Aaron reached out and cupped his face. "Okay?"

Robert nodded, before smiling at Aaron and reaching out to grab Aaron by his waist. Dragging him close, Robert said, "I am now."

*

Robert was driving in that effortlessly fast way of his. The way he was sitting in his seat, relaxed, elbow sticking out with the window all the way down, one hand on the wheel, it might have seemed he was cruising at a nice temperate speed. But France was shooting past them fast. Any faster and everything would just be stripes of colour. 

Aaron was leaning back in his seat, almost feeling sleepy he was so relaxed. There was music playing, quiet enough to not intrude, loud enough that it tied into everything around Aaron, making him feel as though he was in a dream - the dream of some unluckier version of himself. Because it occurred to him, he was lucky. 

He glanced across at Robert who looked movie-star beautiful with his sunglasses on, the sun almost glowing in his hair. He was focused on the road and it made his profile even more breathtaking. France continued slipping on by as Aaron just stared at Robert.

Catching sight of Aaron during a brief glance to the side, Robert put his free hand on Aaron’s knee. “Alright?”

Aaron covered Robert’s hand, slotting their fingers together, gazing at their intertwined hands for a moment, before looking up at the long road ahead which could have been a country lane in Emmerdale. Everything felt perfect, so much so that Aaron felt a familiar spark of fear, that just after perfection came ruin. 

“Yeah,” he said all the same.

He had every right to celebrate life in the moment. Not everything could be about the messes that lay waiting in the future. They had this for now, and it was enough. 

“Be home soon,” Robert said. 

Aaron sat back and closed his eyes as Robert slipped his hand out of Aaron’s grasp and turned the music up just a notch. Aaron turned his face towards the warmth of the sun, smiling at the sound of some part French part English pop tune as it filled the car with needless pep. 

Aaron sighed. “We should come back again soon.”

“Honeymoon,” Robert responded loudly over the music. “Yeah?”

Aaron opened his eyes, heart singing along to whatever the hell that was on the radio. It felt good to look forward again after having cried so many tears over all the time lost, all of the past which was ruined. 

Allowing himself a small smile, he answered, “Yeah.”

~ finis ~

[adrenaline-roulette]

Four Eighths

Pairing: Four x Eight (Reader) Word Count: 4K+ Warnings: Lots of course language, Violence, Angst, One is kind of a dick, so is Four though....

*Disclaimer, this chapter is kind of intense, but like not, at the same time if that makes sense? Chapter Four will bring back some humour, and things will change between Four and Eight, so keep an eye out for the next instalment!

Missed Chapter One and Two, you should probably check those out first!

Chapter Three:  You're not the big fish in the pond no more

Despite the rigorous training regime, you’d experienced these past few weeks, that was either designed to make you get up and leave, or potentially kill you on the spot, you had stayed with the Ghosts. You were taught how to handle different weapons, a makeshift firing range being set up for you to practise at. You would be the first to admit that your aim was not always perfect, but you were getting better, there was no doubt about it. Basic fighting techniques were passed from the other Ghosts down to you, though as Two had warned you, it was one thing to fight a punching bag, and an entirely other to fight an armed person.

*****

Three had woken early as usual, getting himself dressed in his athletic wear and lacing up his trainers tightly. Jogging on the spot, he waited patiently for Two just out the front of her trailer, knowing she would be joining him shortly. Despite it being a well-known fact among the small group, that the two were, as Four had said ‘involved’ with each other, that hadn’t changed his and Two’s sleeping arrangements… Well, at least not permanently. Mostly it was just to keep One happy, so they kept their separate trailers, though there was scarcely a night where one would sleep without the other. Each morning, they would return to their respective homes, and begin the day as if nothing had happened. This morning was no different, Two had been in Three’s trailer up until twenty minutes ago, she had kissed him good morning, then raced to her trailer to get ready. Thee found it idiotic that they had to hide their relationship, though they all knew One’s stance on the subject. He didn’t want anyone getting too close, forming friendships could only lead to heartache and tragedy.

“Only a quick run this morning, Eight will be here early for her combat training.” Two smiles as she leaps from the stairs of her trailer, landing carefully on both feet, before breaking off into a sprint.

Three leaps into action, taking off after the speedy blonde. “How is that any different to usual?” He calls, trailing a small amount behind her as they cover ground.

Two slows her sprint to jog, turning so she was now facing Three, and jogging backwards. She knew the path well, knew where to turn, and when to be mindful of any dips in the terrain. “We will be giving the punching bag a rest for the day. She will instead learn how to fight against someone who can counter and attack her back.”

Nodding his head once he had caught up to Three, he mulls over her words. “Do you think that you’re the best fit to challenge her? You want it to be difficult, don’t you?”

Two pauses, a hard glare forming over her eyes and brow. “Of course I want the challenge to be difficult! Which is why I am the perfect sparring partner for Eight, I have years of hand to hand combat under my belt.”

“I’m not questioning your skills, but you two are well matched in height, that’s not always the case though is it. When was the last time you got into a punch up with someone your height or shorter?”

“Well then, who did you have in mind if not me?”

Three waves his hand down his chest, a broad grin spreading over his mouth. “Me of course! I’m taller, and bigger than Eight, it’ll be good to see how she goes against someone double her size!”

Two rolls her eyes, turning on the spot, and picking up her pace once more, before turning to call over her shoulder. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into!”  

*****

Which is why it came as no surprise to find Three waiting for you the morning of your next training session, Two stood to the side of the training grounds that had been set up. A circle had been drawn in the dirt, with a line trailing straight down the centre. You stretch your arms behind you, feeling your shoulder blades pop, before the tension you had held there alleviates. Three was stretching in a similar manner to you, sweat beading on his brow for his morning jog with Two. “Good morning Eight. I hate to throw you into the deep end this early, but we need to get you up to speed with combat. Three has offered to be your sparring partner.”  Two offers a gentle head nod, the closest she had gotten to smiling at you since the day you arrived.

A flicker of mirth flashes through Three’s eyes, as he lifts his head to look at Two, their eyes locking for a moment in silent communication.  As you stretch, you take the chance to look around, despite how early in the morning it was, everyone seemed to be milling around, waiting for the show to start. Seven had set up a green and yellow woven lawn chair out the front of his trailer, a beach umbrella opened above him to shield from the harsh sunrays, as a steaming cup of coffee rests by his feet. Five seemed to have dragged her own chair over to join him, an old plastic thing, which at one sage had been white. Though after months of being exposed to the elements, it had faded to a pale brownish yellow colour, with pieces flaking off. She too had hot cup of coffee and was sipping it patiently, and set by her feet was a small medical kit, a green circle with white plus slapped on the front of the box. It was just there as a precaution, you told yourself, turning away from the kit. Five likely took it wherever she went, just in case…

Directly across from Two was One, he was leaning back against a shipping container which was close enough to see the fight, but not close enough to be hit in the crossfire. His arms were folded over his plaid shirt, while one foot was kicked over the other, he looked the picture of relaxed. As you fished out your Bluetooth earbuds, you took a moment to notice the one person who hadn’t shown up. Four was no where to be found, not that this surprised you. He seemed to have been avoiding you at all costs, he had outright refused to show you any fighting techniques when One had requested he do so, and you had a hunch as to why. One had made it no secret as to what your skills would be within the team. While Five, Two, Seven and Three had welcomed you with open arms, finding what you could do with just a few mouse clicks to be phenomenal, Four had simply shrugged, mumbling under his breath that, “It didn’t look that hard.” When you had brought up a window on the screen you were working at, typing in a few codes, before the entire base was plunged into darkness, all except your computer.  After that little demonstration, he had stalked off and promptly steered clear of you for the following weeks.

With your earbuds clutched in your fist, you made your way over to Two and Three, both of whom were waiting for you. “First rule, this is mostly directed at Three, though Eight please keep it in mind. There are to be no weapons of any kind used during your sparring. You will both start on opposite sides of the circle, the aim is to get the other onto your side and have them removed from the circle. If that does not happen, then the only other way for the session to be over, will be for one of you to tap out.” Two explains, her eyes focused on you, though occasionally she gazes to Three, ensuring that he too was listening.

You both nod your heads in understanding, before you slip an earbud in, pressing the tiny button to connect them to your phone. “Oi Eight! What are you doing?” One calls across to you raising an eyebrow at your frozen posture.

You stood with one hand halfway to your ear, the second earbud pressed between your fingertips. “I work better with music!” You shout back.

A low chuckle rumbled from Three behind you, though you paid him no mind as he whispered to Two. “Sound like anyone else we know?” He smirked, noting the absence of their fellow avid music listener, who could often be found with his own music blaring in his ears.

“You won’t always have time to put earbuds in Eight, you’ll have to learn to fight without music!” One replies, causing you to frown. Why should you learn to do that? There was absolutely no reason as to why you would be on a mission without your music and earbuds.

“One, you know I work well with music. You saw how quickly I got those cameras down at the museum with my music playing. It’s basically the exact opposite of a distraction to me!”

You watch as One opens his mouth, ready to shout his response, before being cut off by and angry French woman. “Suffisant!” Two bellowed, both you and One turning to look at her sheepishly. “If Eight wishes to use her music while fighting, then that is her choice.” Two doesn’t wait for a response from One, nodding at you to finish setting up. You take your place on one side of the line in the circle, as Three does the same on the opposite side. With one hand raised to your left earbud, the other balled in a fist and raised to just bellow your eyeline , your feet are planted firmly on the ground, legs parted and knees bent, so to absorb as much shock as possible in the event of you being struck. “Commencer!”

Your index finger presses against the button, before your hand flies down to join your other in a defensive block, Your eyes locked on Three’s in a never ending staring contest. The music kicks in, Ain’t it fun by Paramore floating through the earbuds, and filling you with a newfound sense of confidence.

You strike first, a right-handed forward punch aimed at Three’s throat, the punch itself was clean and smooth, and if it had hit its target, would have left Three feeling rather sorry for himself. Your punch never landed however, being blocked by Three’s fast-moving forearm, which knocked your fist off target. He followed through with a right hook, which connected with your shoulder painfully. You twisted your body to follow through with his punch, to absorb as much of the shock as possible.

As you swing around with his punch, you lift both your arms up, locking your fists together, throwing them down hard and fast so your elbow juts into his side. Your aim was off, you had hoped to hit his chest, though with the force your elbows had hit him, they seemed to have caused a decent amount of damage. Using the pause in Three’s movements to your advantage, you bring your locked fists up once again, turning to the opposite side before swinging around once more, this time you elbow connects with his upper torso, slamming into one of his ribs without mercy. Had it not been for your music, then you would have heard the faint crack of the impacted rib, though while you missed the sound, Three sure as hell didn’t.

He stumbles away for a moment, pressing his palm against where you had struck him, his eyes growing dark at the pain that was radiating from the impact point. You had no way of stopping what happened next, it didn’t matter how desperately your braced your knees, fists once again guarding your face, there was no way you could do anything but shriek as Three rugby tackled you, his broad shoulder crashing into your gut with so much force, you thought you would to die. He pushed you backwards, as your feet scrambled to gain purchase on the ground to try and stop your movements. ‘Ain’t it fun, living in the real world?’ Hailey Williams’ voice breezed through your ears, as the wind was knocked from your lungs, the irony of the situation certainly not lost on you.  

As Three pushed you backwards, you fought to decide what your next move would be, you had to hurry though, there was only so much of this searing pain you could endure, before you opted for the cowards way out, and tapped out of the match. Before you had the chance to formulate a plan, Three had shunted into you with his shoulder again, this time using his entire body weight. You had no where to go but down, the white hot pain of where Three had rammed you was beginning to take over your entire body, your vision was fuzzy, and your limbs tingled. You flung your arms out to your sides just as your back slammed to the ground, your palms slapping against dirt to alleviate some of the impact.

*****

One watched with keen eyes as the fight took an interesting turn of events, you had had the upper hand for the most part, though clearly you had struck a nerve with Three, or a rib. As Three barrelled into you, he fought back the desire to call the fight off. It was hardly a fair pairing, Three was massive, and was made of pure muscle! You hardly stood a chance against the man. Just as he was about to call for a time out, a low chuckle came from above him. Pushing away from his lean against the shipping container, he looked to his left, up at the trailer beside him. “Jesus fuck! How long have you been there?”

Four smirked lopsidedly down at One, his blue eyes meeting the surprised ones of their leader.  “Well, I saw when you picked your nose. So sometime before then I guess...”

One planted his hands firmly on his hips, raising both brows up at the blonde Brit. If he weren’t so fucking good at skywalking, then he would’ve happily left him in a foreign country somewhere, for him to find his way out, and hopefully to not return to the team.  “What’s so funny then huh?”

“Eight, she’s getting absolutely smashed out there. I told you we didn’t need a fucking hacker, we need someone who can bloody fight.”

*****

As your vision cleared, you found Three looming over you, not with the intention of helping you up though, no, you were outside the circle that’s for sure, but you were still on your side. He was ready to carry you over the line to claim his victory. You couldn’t let him win, you had to prove yourself to the team, prove that you belonged here just as much as them. With a new found strength, you sweep your legs to the left, smashing into Three’s right calf. He had been stood over your collapsed body, though he hadn’t made it further than your knees, which was perfect for you. Groaning, Three landed heavily on his knee, as you rolled away from him, crawling onto your hands and knees, before making it back to your feet. He was on your side of the circle, and better still, he was outside of the circle. All you had to do was hit him while he was down.

When the Ghosts had asked if you had any previous combat training, you had said no, which was the truth, really. The type of fighting skills they were looking for were those of a boxer, wrestler, or soldier, which you were none of. You had however, spent two years learning karate when you were a young teenager, it had been your mother who insisted you learn some form of self-defence, she wanted you to be able to protect yourself if you were ever in danger. You hadn’t practised in years, so you thought it better to not mention anything, lest you give them hope in your abilities. Now though, you had no other choice. From what you could recall, none of the moves the Ghosts had shown you during your training sessions would be of any use to you now.

You pivot on the spot to face Three, who was slowly raising from the ground, his knee obviously bruised from his heavy landing. With your feet planted firmly, and your hands once again raised to block, you meet his gaze. “Sorry Three.” You smirk. With a practised speed and precision, you lift your right leg from behind you, bending your left knee to keep you balanced. Your leg swings around the side, your knee remaining bent slightly, so you could retract quickly if necessary. This would not be the case however, as once your right leg finishes it’s arch, your lower shin connects with Three’s jaw, sending him crashing to the ground with a grunt.

“Eight est victorieux!” Two shouts, as both she and Five race towards you and Three, ready to congratulate and bandage you both.

*****

“Now that? That you can laugh at!” One grins, a look of wonder etched on his face, where you’d learnt a perfect roundhouse kick like that, he had no clue. But fuck, you executed it perfectly!   “Still think Eight can’t handle herself in a fight then kid?” One grins, turning to the trailer where Four had been stood atop only minutes ago. The roof was empty now though, with no signs of the man having ever been there.

A low whistle comes from above, and One tilts his head back to find Four crouched on the roof of the shipping container he was leaning against. He was crouched down low, one forearm resting against his knee, while his other hand sat between his feet, gripping the edge of the shipping container to prevent him from falling. “Alright, so I didn’t see that coming. Don’t think anyone did…. Where’d she learn a move like that?”

One paid no mind to Four’s words, blinking rapidly up at his teammate. “When the hell did you get there? I didn’t hear you move!” Four tilts his head to look down at One, closing his eyes tightly, unable to bring himself to answer. “And what the fuck is with the way you’re sitting? What are you? A cat?”

With a deadpan expression, Four opens his eyes, locking them with One’s, both men ignoring the five people all gathered just a small ways ahead of them, congratulating Eight on her victory, and helping to patch up Three. “Meow.”

*****

“You little shit! You didn’t tell us you could fight like that!” Two grins, as she and Five help you over to your trailer. A stitch had formed in your stomach, and you still found it difficult to breathe from where Three had rammed you, but a grin remained plastered to your lips. You’d done it, you had beat Three!

You collapse against your bed, groaning deeply as you sink into the mattress, if you had it your way, you would stay there for the rest of your life. “I haven’t practised in forever. I didn’t think I would remember anything.” Your shoulders jerk in a weak shrug, but the ladies get the gist.

“You did amazing today.” Five smiles, handing you an icepack, which you promptly pressed against your stomach.  “Get some rest, when you’re up and ready for the day, come find me, we have a surprise for you”

Peeling your eyes open you squint at Five, trying to asses if her smile was genuine or not. “Is it more fighting? If it is, then I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it. I’ll be dead.”

“You’re already are dead.” Two pipes up, from where she had made herself comfortable on the dresser in your trailer.

Five rolls her eyes, shaking her head down at you. “No, it’s nothing like that. There’s a few shops not too far from here, it’s where we buy the essentials. There also happens to be a shop that sells furniture and such.”

Slowly, you close your eyes again, feeling sleep wrap its tendrils around your mind and body. “Oh how nice, a shopping spree….”

Five and Two share a smile as you drift to sleep, both women silently making their way out of your trailer. It was a depressing place to call home, but rules were rules. Until today, you were still considered to be in orientation, though now, you’d graduated. Which meant, you could finally decorate your trailer, and make it feel more like an actual home, and not like you were hiding from the law, as you were.

*****

You have no way of knowing how long you had slept for, though as you opened your eyes and looked out the window, you saw the sun now higher in the sky, so at least you hadn’t slept through the entire day. Flinching as you get up, you grab your cosmetics bag filled with your toiletries from one of the drawers in your trailer. Clothes and shoes are clumsily draped over your arms, as you make you slow shuffling way to the bathrooms. The facilities were as basic as they could get and reminded you of the communal bathrooms at camp sites you had visited with your family while growing up. There was one building for the men, and another for the women of the team, you had Five to thank for that. Apparently when she had first joined there was one unisex bathroom, she had gotten into a screaming match with One over this, and ultimately won. Thus, the now separate bathrooms.

Inside were four toilet stalls, two sinks, and a large tiled area with four shower heads, a plastic curtain pinned to the ceiling to block off the shower from the rest of the bathroom. A large mirror hung above the sinks, and beside it were multiple wooden shelves. Shrugging out of your clothes, you placed them onto one of the shelves, using a separate one for your clean clothes. With soap, and hair products in hand, you step into the shower, the cold water taking far too long to heat up. Though you supposed you should be thankful that there was hot water, there had been plenty of times you had been camping, only to find no hot water in the showers.

*****

After scrubbing yourself clean and redressing, you return to your trailer with the intentions of putting away your old clothes. On your way through the base, you hear two people arguing, the first voice was the all too familiar voice of One, while the other was less familiar but all too recognisable, Four’s deep British accent spitting words of venom at One. “I don’t give a fuck if she can fight! We don’t need a fucking hacker; we need a god damned driver!”

You falter in your steps, turning to look in the direction of the argument, finding the two men facing off from an abandoned plane. One stood in the plane’s exit door, a ladder propped against the side for easy access, while Four stood bellow him, hands balled into fists as he stared up at the older man.

“You do not decide who we do or don’t need on our missions Four.”

“She’s a fucking liability! Sure, she got lucky with Three today, but that won’t always be the case!”

“Eight’s role in the team isn’t combat! She’ll be doing things from a distance!”

Four laughs, a dry bitter sound that causes you to flinch. “Right, I get it. We put our necks on the line, but she gets to sit back in her comfy chair with a computer.”

“That’s not true.”

“Oh, isn’t it?”

“Of course it isn’t! She’ll be working from afar most of the time, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be under any less threat than us!”

“How do you figure that?”

“Missions change! What if you’re stuck in alley somewhere, no chance of escape and the closest person to your location is Eight. Wouldn’t you rather she have some combat training to help you? Or would you rather she just leave you there?”

“Well that all sounds great, but who gives a fuck if she can help us if we have no getaway vehicle?!”

“We don’t need one specific person dedicated to being the getaway driver!”

“That’s not what you said when you brought in Six! You told him he was the best Auto Racer you had ever seen, and that without him we wouldn’t stand a chance at escaping your fucking missions!”

“Six was a phenomenal racer, but look where that fucking got him! We don’t need a repeat performance!”

“Don’t you fucking dare talk about Six that way. He’s dead because of you and that clusterfuck of a first mission!”

“I won’t have you question me again Four, if you don’t like how things are around here, then you can fuck off back to England. You all do what I tell you to, and if I say we’ll be sharing the driving on missions, then we’re sharing the fucking driving.”

“You’re putting her on a god damned pedestal, all she can do is log into a bloody computer, and knock Three onto his fat arse. What makes you think she could drive a getaway car if you asked her to?”

You don’t stick around to hear the rest of the argument, anger rising up in your chest as you march off towards your trailer. You would show him, Four could doubt your abilities as much as he wanted, but you would prove him wrong.

From his high vantage point on the plane, One watches you storm off across the base from nearby. Had you heard all of that? Four follows One’s gaze, eyes landing on you as you make your way through the grounds, running a hand through your messy hair. Fuck, if he’d known you’d been there, he would’ve kept his mouth shut…

Taglist: @not-the-cleavers​ @jinxfirebolt18902​ If you would to be added, let me know ❤

Chapter FOUR  Check out my Masterlist!

Also, I’m kinda thinking of making a playlist on Spotify for this Fic. I’ve been listening to a heap of music while writing it, and they all seem to work pretty well with the story! Let me know if y’all would be interested in that at all?

[artificialqueens]

Summer Lovin'  8/? (Multiship) - Pinkgrapefruit

Chapters 1-7 rewritten on AO3

[ day six. a sense of impending chaos ]

“Shit,” Katya whispers under her breath, and Brooke elbows her halfheartedly, eyes fixated on the woman walking through the Villa like she owns it. God knows she could.

Michelle claps and everyone sits up straighter. “Come along girls,” she tells them with a smile. “Let’s do this.”

*

A/N - look. it’s been a while. i’d apologise but i don’t want to. in quick rundown of the last four months - global pandemic, ocd, chronic joint pain, alevel maths. all caught up? let’s do this! let me know what you all think (and who you think will turn up next!)

[lesbian love island]

*

Katya is the first one out of bed, rolling out from under the covers she shares with Scarlet and stretching her arms up when her feet hit the ground. She does one energetic lap in front of all the beds before heading outside, leaving twelve sleepy women in her wake.

She ties her hair into a messy bun using the red velvet scrunchie she keeps on her water bottle and spends an embarrassing amount of time trying to volley bread into the toaster before giving up and filling the two six-slicers with bread for anyone who wants it. She sets the tea kettle up full and then starts to work on the french press for all the coffee drinkers. Switching the oven onto low heat, she sticks as many ceramic mugs in there as she can fit and calmly leans against the counter watching as people funnel out into the garden.

She sets up mugs of coffee with cream, green tea, honey and lemon, and a couple of standard mugs of tea with a smile.

*

“I like to be helpful. It’s my love language or whatever - acts of service.”

*

Katya drops a coffee and a cup of honey and lemon off with A’keria and Silky in the dressing room. They seem tense, but they’re still passing hair tools between themselves with ease.

“I want to do it,” A’keria mutters under her breath as she combs through her eyebrows, eyes never leaving the mirror. Silky pauses in sipping her coffee.

“That’s why it hurts,” she eventually states; it’s cold at first but if you really listen, you can hear the fragility in her tone. A’keria finally looks up and sighs.

“I know. But you’re my best friend. Can you just be happy for me? Please?”

Silky takes another sip of her drink, but she doesn’t answer.

*

“It’s really hard, ‘cause as much as I love Silk and want her to stay, I also have to do what’s best for me, and I think that’s Yvie.”

*

Willam and Courtney remain in the beds, Willam laying with her head on a pillow, Courtney’s head in her lap, fingers playing with Willam’s own. They’re engrossed in quiet conversation, but unlike Silky and A’keria’s, it’s positive and happy. They’re downright adorable, Katya thinks, as she delivers a green tea for Courtney and a black coffee for Willam. They take them gratefully, Courtney making grabby hands as Katya approaches.

“Thanks, hun,” calls Willam after she takes a sip, and Katya just rolls her eyes at her friend, smiling.

*

Brooke sits on a daybed with her legs spread, Vanessa sits in between them as Brooke methodically braids her hair into two dutch braids.

“Delivery of coffee and green tea for my favourite couple,” Katya announces with a smirk as she watches the scene in front of her. It’s vastly different from the past two days, but she’s glad Vanessa finally let Brooke within two feet of her again - the brunette forcing her lover to sleep on the daybed for two nights after their fight.

“Oh, thank Mary, Joseph, and Jesus,” Vanessa shrieks, “Brookie’s so cranky on a mornin’.”

“Brookie?” Katya mouths at Brooke as Vanessa sips her tea.

“Shut up,” Brooke mouths back, although by the monkey dancing Katya does behind them, the blonde should be worried.

“Thank ya, Kat!”

*

“So I’ve decided to forgive miss Brooke Lynn for being an emotionally stunted engineer and let her back into my bed, because, despite her problems, I do quite like her. Now, if she’ll stop being a jealous hoe - we’ll be fine.”

*

Asia and Nina receive green teas as they sit in their usual spot and look over the Spanish valleys surrounding the Villa.

“Does it bother you that we haven’t kissed?” Nina asks, somewhat hiding behind the mug - eyes reflecting back a raw vulnerability. Asia smiles, bumping their shoulders.

“God, no,” she murmurs, lips still on the rim of the mug. “I like you. I can do this at your pace.” Nina closes her eyes slowly, savouring it. “Plus, I knew your kiss from the line up.” She winks, and Nina snorts out green tea - thrashing one arm in Asia’s direction for making a quip while she had a mouthful.

“I hate you,” she croaks, still swiping droplets of tea from her upper lip.

“Sure,” Asia responds with a grin.

*

Yvie hand delivers Scarlet a smoothie as the latter is sat on the edge of the pool, playing noughts and crosses on a rock with Bianca. They’re passing a bent hair pin between themselves as Bianca sips at the black coffee delivered by Katya earlier. The sun is warm on their skin, but Scarlet is still wrapped in a chunky knit cardigan that looks about three sizes too big for her. She looks cosy.

Yvie thinks it’s cute.

She turns back around to see Scarlet with the metal straw in her mouth, whining at Bianca’s inevitable win. The older woman softens slightly at Scarlet’s dejected pout, but she maintains her snarky bragging just to watch Scarlet squirm.

*

Alaska is leaning her forearms on the counter-top as she watches Yvie make scrambled eggs. She took the taller girl up on her offer of food immediately and doesn’t regret it as her portion is scraped on top of her toast. She bites into it and sighs. It’s warm and good.

“You’re a better kitchen mate than Kiki,” Yvie quips, biting into her own toast after scraping it through the ketchup.

“I don’t think that’s hard,” Alaska volleys back once she’s swallowed. “I’ve watched her think she’s burned water.”

Yvie cackles at Alaska’s anecdote, and the messy blonde wonders what could have happened if she’d met this Yvie on the date. Yvie with less walls. Yvie in a blue crocheted bikini top and a pair of grey basketball shorts.

She smiles and her eyes twinkle. What if…

*

Katya’s phone buzzes from her back pocket and she stands up, waving her free arm wildly. “I got a text!” She screams, and everyone turns to face her. She looks a little winded from the excitement, but everyone else’s faces hold trepidation.

“Islanders,

Tonight there will be a recoupling. Asia and Yvie will go first. The girl not picked to be in a couple will be dumped from the Iisland. Choose wisely.

#getpickedorgetpacking”

*

“I’m fucked, ain’t I? Kiki’s gone and found herself another lover and I’m stuck. Shit.”

*

Yvie collapses onto the daybed and allows A’keria to lean into her, their lips meeting briefly, more for comfort than passion.

“I’d pick you,” A’keria tells her, swallowing hard as she tears her eyes away from Silky by the pool. “If it was up to me, I’d pick you.”

Yvie draws patterns on the bed sheet next to her, fingers twirling in the fabric as she considers the other woman’s words. They don’t change her choice, but they change the way she sees it. She feels less selfish picking A’keria with her expressed consent - knowing it will most likely cost Silky a place.

“Okay,” she responds, hand running over her buzzed hair. Her voice is measured. “Okay, let’s do this.”

She jumps up off the daybed onto the wooden decking, pulling A’keria up with her until they’re holding hands and jumping, just to keep their restlessness at bay.

“What the fuck are you doing?” calls Willam from the other daybed, and A’keria just giggles.

“Who the fuck knows?”

*

Vanessa walks into the bedroom to find Brooke napping on their bed. She stares at the blonde, the way her legs are lean and muscular and her stomach toned… Vanessa shakes her head to snap herself out of it, but walks towards the bed, sitting down on the edge of the mattress. Brooke must feel the way it dips under Vanessa’s weight and sleepily sits up, back leant against the headrest.

She pats her legs gingerly, and Vanessa leans back so her head is cradled in Brooke’s lap. She hums in contentment before looking up at her with a scowl. “I’m still mad,.” She tells her pointedly, and Brooke just shrugs tiredly.

“Okay, honey,” she tells her, and it makes Vanessa scowl even more - she still ends up smiling though as Brooke combs through her hair with her fingers.

“I’m really sorry,” Brooke adds, tentative. “I know I need to work on communication.”

Vanessa grumbles to herself, but her eyes twinkle. “I know I coulda been better too,” she admits, eyes closing in response to the ministrations on her scalp.

“We have time,” Brooke tells her. “We have time.”

*

“She’s got work to do. But I’m okay with her. She doesn’t need to know that, but I am.”

*

Silky approaches Asia, wringing her hands in front of her. Asia waves her over, patting the hot marble next to her and then pulling a towel onto it when she finds it too hot to touch.

“Hey!” She calls, and Silky falls down next to her, sighing when her legs hit the cold water.

“It’s too hot,” she whines, and Asia just kicks some water at her, splattering it up her leg.

“What’s up?” Asia cuts in, sipping water from her bottle as she gives Silky a once over.

Silky shifts on the towel, biding time by adjusting her swimsuit and fiddling with her glasses until Asia elbows her gently.

“I was wonderin’ how you’d feel ‘bout couplin’ up?”

There’s a strangled snorting sound and it takes Asia a second to realise it came from her. She slaps a hand over her face, and Silky just raises her eyebrow.

“I’m so sorry,” Asia tells her, trying to sound sincere and not at all like she’s just laughed at her, “but I think I’ve got something good going with Nina.”

Silky looks down into the water dejectedly, hands running down her swimsuit.

“I figured,” she says, moving to stand up until Asia grabs her hand and squeezes it tightly.

“I love you, bitch,” Asia tells her sincerely, and Silky gives a weak smile.

“I know.”

*

Nina looks pensive when Asia finds her on the swing seats, but as she sits down next to the girl, she sees a little more. She looks anxious, picking at the edges of her fingers, leg bouncing restlessly. Asia places a hand on her bare thigh to steady her, and it seems to calm the brunette.

“Hey,” she says, soft and calm. Nina looks at her and her eyes seem torn.

“Hey,” she replies, but it lacks the smoothness.

“What’s up?” Asia asks, leading. Nina sighs and rubs a hand on the thigh not covered by Asia’s warm palm.

“I feel guilty,” she states with a huff of breath, “that Silky doesn’t get the chance of staying.” Asia has to hide her chuckle at Nina’s empathy - even though she knows it’s causing her pain.

“Baby,” she tries to assuage, “Silky didn’t find a connection. And, hey, we don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, you cannot feel guilty for your success.”

Nina lets out a steady stream of breath through her nose and rests her head on Asia’s shoulder, the darker haired girl running her hand up and down her leg.

“I know you started together and it sucks. But it’s not your problem.”

“I know,” Nina exhales.

*

“I’m too empathetic. I feel too much. Everything hurts. This is going to hurt. But I want Asia - I want her to choose me.”

*

“How would you feel if I chose you?” Asia asks, cautious, as if trying to approach an easily spooked cat. She smiles, trying to be reassuring, but it comes out as a wince.

Nina rubs a hand up and down Asia’s suncream-tacky arm and rolls her eyes.

“I’d be honoured,” she tells her, mock bowing. “If you want to pick me I would be honoured.” She crawls a little closer and places a kiss on Asia’s cheek causing the usually loud woman to shrink a tad, blushing.

“Sounds like a plan.”

*

“I would pick Nina, yeah. Not like Brooke would let me pick Vanessa a second time - I’m kidding, don’t worry. I have nothing but pure intentions towards Nina.”

*

Brooke walks over to where Vanessa is sat, legs dangling in the pool.

“We’re okay?” She asks tentatively, still unsure as to where she stands after the tumultuous few days they’ve had.

Vanessa smiles quietly - it’s the most peaceful the blonde has seen her - hazel eyes reflecting the serenity of the water. Vanessa interlaces their fingers on the edge of the pool.

“I want us to be okay,” the brunette agrees - nodding slowly. “We’re okay.”

Suddenly and with no warning, Vanessa slides into the pool, pulling Brooke with her. Luckily for production, they’re at the shallow end and both of them can easily stand without their microphones ending up in the water - their swimsuits finally used for a practical purpose. *

Willam and Courtney watch the madness from their daybed, snuggled together like cats in the sun.

“Isn’t it nice,” Courtney poses with her fingers trailing along Willam’s mostly bare skin, “to feel so safe?”

Willam snorts out a laugh, leaning into Courtney’s body heat even in the warm summer afternoon. “They say smug isn’t a good look, but you’re sexy when you’re confident,” she jibes, eyes bright and smiling. There is indeed a sense of security to their coupling. No one is going to try and break them - it would be madness.

Courtney flutters her eyes and leans down, catching the blondes lips in a comfortable kiss. When Willam breaks it, she leans back and smiles softly.

“You don’t know how nice it is to be able to do that,” she whispers softly, intertwining their fingers.

“We should get ready. There’s a sense of impending chaos,” Courtney voices reasonably, and Willam scowls. The blonde tries to leave the bed, but she is tackled onto the covers, and they end up making out until Katya wolf whistles at them, Courtney dragging Willam by the straps of her one piece into the Villa.

*

They get ready in tense silence - intermittent chatter coming and going as they choose what to wear and how big to curl their hair. Alaska holds up Nina’s options, so she can pick, and A’keria brushes Vanessa’s hair.

*

“I’m terrified. What’s gonna happen? Who the fuck knows.”

*

They girls all sit around, sipping champagne in the dusk light. They’re dressed up in a way that doesn’t roast them in the mild evening heat.

Above the quiet chatter comes the muffled slamming of a door and then the precise click of heels on a linoleum floor.

Michelle comes through to the turning off heads.

“Shit,” Katya whispers under her breath, and Brooke elbows her halfheartedly, eyes fixated on the woman walking through the Villa like she owns it. God knows she could.

Michelle claps and everyone sits up straighter. “Come along girls,” she tells them with a smile. “Let’s do this.”

*

There’s a dramatic pan out over the fire-pit as everyone sits around it. Michelle stands directly in front of them all, smiling calmly at their anxious faces. I can’t wait for this!

*

“All right, ladies, since this is an all women’s game we’re gonna have to play it a little differently,” Michelle calls out, eyes flicking from the group of nervous women to her cards and back up again. “This is how it’s gonna work. Asia and Yvie, you’re new, so you’re up first. As I call your name, you’ll come and stand next to me and then you’ll pick. Once you’ve coupled up, move to the other side of the firepit and sit with your couple. Sounds good so far?”

There’s a mumbled chorus of ‘Yeah’s and ‘Uhuh’s’ before she continues.

“Willam and Courtney, you’re safe together, so you can move to the other side guys.”

They squeeze each other’s hands and sit down on the less crowded side of the sofa, Willam’s head dropping onto Courtney’s shoulder as the blonde whispers something unintelligible that makes her smile.

“Once we’ve got the newbies done I’m just going to be calling people up from my list.” She waves her card vaguely. “All ready? Let’s do this.”

*

“First up then, Asia.”

Asia stands up, smoothing out the red silk dress and pulling her neatly curled hair over one shoulder as she walks to stand next to Michelle. The older woman gives her a smile and a nod as if to say ‘take it away’.

“I want to couple up with this girl because…” Asia starts with a small smile, although her hands are knotted together in front of her. “Because she’s sweet and kind and one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. In the short time I’ve known her, I think we’ve really clicked, and I really can’t wait to watch more sunrises and sunsets with her and a mug of green tea. Also, she’s fucking gorgeous.” This earns chuckles from the rest of the group. Nina smiles at her lap.

“So the girl I want to couple up with, is Nina.”

Everyone whoops and cheers as Nina stands up and walks over to Asia. Her black crop top and white skater skirt complement Asia’s outfit, and they make a striking couple as the dark-haired girl loops her arm around her waist and places a chaste kiss on her cheek. They sit together on the sofa, and Asia visibly relaxes as Nina strokes a finger along her exposed forearm.

“You did great.”

*

“Yvie,” Michelle calls, and the tall woman moves to the front of the sofa, shifting in her heels as she bites the inside of her lip. She’s nervous, disarmed.

“I want to couple up with this girl because I think we’re both here for the same reason. We both want something real that’s not a friendship.” She purposely avoids looking towards A’keria or Silky as she says that. “I’ve got to go with my gut instinct. I came to find a connection and that’s what I’m going to do. So the girl I want to couple up with is… A’keria.”

The group claps, except Silky who sits scowling until Bianca nudges her hard.

A’keria and Yvie kiss, and A’keria does not look back, face buried in Yvie’s shoulder.

*

Next up is Vanessa. She was originally coupled up with Brooke, but caught Asia’s eye causing her to be sleeping alone for two nights. It’s a difficult choice… What will she do?

*

“Alright, Vanessa.”

As Vanessa stands next to Michelle, she scans the remaining girls. She’s not really mad anymore, just a little regretful maybe. She’s lost two nights of cuddles and she wants to take that back. She pulls her high waisted shorts up a little higher before she starts to talk.

“So, I wanna couple up with this girl because I feel like we have a real and genuine connection. Um,” she shifts on her feet, looking Brooke dead in the eyes, “she has me in hysterics twenty-four-seven and I’ve missed cuddles more than she knows, which are two things I really want in a girl. I’m excited to see how things progress in the future. So the girl I would like to couple up with is-”

“-Miss Brooke Lynn, come here, boo.”

*

Okay, Alaska’s up next. She has an agreement with Katya, but will she stick to it?

*

Alaska struts up, legs bowing, and examines the four girls. She’s not really making a choice, but she feels like she should probably at least look like she’s a bit torn. She squints and clears her throat, hands twisted together in front of her.

“I want to couple up with this girl because I feel she’s a valued member of ths group, she’s really cherished by blessing us with her pearls of wisdom in times of need and-” she lets out a big exhale. “I just feel like she’s really loved in our group. So the girl I want to couple up with is… Katya.”

Kaya mocks letting out a huge breath and moves forward to hug the taller girl, leaving a big, red lipstick kiss on her cheek. Alaska rolls her eyes and smiles as Michelle calls Bianca up.

*

Finally, Bianca gets to choose. Will she pick her history with Scarlet or a clean slate with Silky?

*

Bianca sighs, eyebrows furrowed as she flits between the two girls left. She figured it would get to this - it’s not surprising to her, nor anyone left in the Villa, but she still wishes it wasn’t her choice to make.

“I am choosing this girl,” she starts hesitantly, “because she makes me seem quiet. She’s loud, fun, and she’s got a charming personality. Not to mention she’s not bad on the eyes. I want to give her more of a chance in this Villa even if we’re not a match. So, the girl I want to couple up with is…” She looks at them both again and realises what she’s saying stands for both of them.

She has to tear her eyes away as she makes her choice.

“Scarlet.”

*

“Alright, Ladies,” calls Michelle, still smiling even as tears fall from a couple of girls’ eyes. “Silky, you have been dumped from the Island, you have thirty minutes to pack up and say your goodbyes.”

Michelle stalks out of the Villa in much the same way she walked in, and it’s just as unsettling to watch her leave. It’s like the rest of the Villa is stuck on pause until suddenly everyone crowds Silky.

A’keria detaches herself from Yvie’s arm and runs in her heels, barrelling towards the bigger girl until they’re locked in an embrace.

“I hope I didn’t ruin our friendship,” she whispers, and Silky chuckles wetly.

“You didn’t,” she replies and she turns to Vanessa, hugging her too. They all follow her through the Villa, helping her pack, and eventually walking her to the door where she is hugged by everyone once again. She waves at the crowd of women and walks out.

*

“I didn’t find what I wanted here, but, hey. There’s gotta be someone who’ll love all of me. And I can’t wait to find them. I’m coming for you, lesbians!”

*

The Villa is quiet as they get ready for bed, sliding into their new and old couples easily.

Brooke and Vanessa relish in their newfound solidity and pull the duvet over their heads before the lights even go out. Willam and Courtney have just enough decorum to wait.

Alaska and Katya, and Bianca and Scarlet, settle in as friendship couples, though it doesn’t stop Katya’s need to spoon anything and everything warm.

Nt Asia and Nina fall asleep either side of the invisible wall Asia’s set up for Nina’s comfort, although a hand reaches through it at some point, Nina’s palm on Asia’s hip.

A’keria and Yvie waste no time.

*

NEXT TIME:

TWO NEW GIRLS CAUSE TROUBLE.

[sapphireharrie]

are you?

the one where Harry broke up with his girlfriend and Y/N has a lot to ask.

It has been a while since Harry broke up with his girlfriend, eight months to be precise. He still hasn’t talked to Y/N about what really happened. Y/N remembered vividly when it happened, all that she knew was they were going on an anniversary vacation together, the next thing was Harry asking her to come and said that they canceled the vacation and then cried because they broke up. Y/N knows that when something like this happened, Harry will tell her what happened when he’s ready, so she knows better not to try to ask what happened until then.

So, when Harry immediately texted her that he’s ready to talk about his break up, eight months later, she rushed to his home and dropped everything just to be there for him and hear whatever he is going to tell her.

“So?” she asked, they were sitting in the bungalow of Harry’s home. One of Y/N’s favorite thing about Harry’s home is how homey he made it. At first, when it was still on construction, Y/N thought it was going to be super luxurious according to Harry’s ex taste. She remembers that Harry said in one of his super drunk phases, that he builds this house for his girl, well he didn’t actually state her name, but in that time, she was still his girlfriend. But, it turns out she didn’t even intervene on a single thing, instead he peeked at Y/N’s Pinterest board, on their joint account, called ‘Future Home Inspo’ which made her super mad at him because he stole her ideas. However, she secretly thanked Harry because there is no way she could make her ‘dream home’ happen at any time soon, she still has to pay her university tuition which is where almost all of her money gone.

“Ask me any question you want, ‘M ready.” He stated while taking her legs on his lap, this is their usual position when they are talking in his bungalow, they can talk for hours there which usually made Anne, Harry’s mum, shakes her head when they see them in his bungalow, they really honestly can just stay there for days if it wasn’t because of Anne who usually told them to eat or finish what they were talking about.  

“I don’t even know where to start, maybe just tell me what happened?” she asked, then picked some of the French fries that Harry has prepared prior her arrival,

“To be completely honest, love. I don’t even know either. I remember the fight on the way to the airport, we were arguing about how she does not want me to take any business calls on this vacation, but then Jeff called, said there’s some emergency which I obviously picked up, and then she rambled on about how I never made her my priority; said that my priority has always been my family– which is normal, and then work, then you and her. Which then I told her it’s impossible for you to be in the same level as her because I consider you family, and the next thing that I know is that she canceled the trip and broke up with me,” Harry explained all of that with such ease, that she almost cannot believe that is the only thing that happened,

“Is that all?” she asked in disbelief, still trying to get as much information as she can,

“Well, she kind of called you some names and I told her that I’m not very happy with that, right before she canceled the trip, but that’s all,” Harry said with such ease and then took some fries and dip them into his organic ketchup which Y/N hates the most,

“You guys broke up because of me?” Y/N asked she was startled a bit, trying to hold her laughter,

“Oi, you’re laughing over my pain and I’m over here a meanie, you are,” he slapped her foot jokingly, “Well, no, not really. We’ve been having some arguments for the past months, not that big that could cost us our relationship, but I think it just kind of, I don’t know? Piled up until that day and we both kind of had enough, you know?”

“I’m kind of stupid, you know?” he continued, still playing with his fries, “she was– I don’t know, she was mean. I could never get into her head, she wanted me to do this and then she asked me to do that. It’s kind of control, I don’t like that. She knew how much work means to me, yet she asked me to stop? I’ve never told you this before, because I didn’t want you to worry, but that time when I almost canceled my tour, that night in Japan, it was not because I was sick, it was because she told me that if I didn’t go home she would break up with me,” he might not show it, but Y/N knows that he was hurting, hell, he still is. He keeps his head down, still playing with his fries,

“I was too dumb to see that she was toxic. Jeff told me that he wouldn’t let me jeopardize my career for her, but what I did was yell at him, felt bad, gave him a week off after, that’s why he went to Fuji without me. Then, Jeff threatened me that if I go home, he would tell you what actually happened, I was going to lie to you.” He looked at her in an apologetic way, which she replied with a smile, there’s nothing to be sorry for,

“You’re not stupid, H. You were naïve. You told me that she was your first love, didn’t you?” She asked him, which then he answered with,

“No, she wasn’t, I don’t think so. But, she was my longest, I took a lot of effort to be with her, thought this was gonna be the last, y’know?”

“Well, okay. You invested a lot in her, you wanted to think that she’s all that, of course. You wanted her to be what you imagined the love of your life would be to the point where you didn’t want to see the toxic that she brought into your life. I didn’t say anything to you before, because I want you to know what it feels like, to be heartbroken, so you know what not to see in your future relationship. You’ve seen too many romcoms and read so many unrealistic books. You never expected your life falling apart on your bedroom floor the day you know that it was over. And the worst part is, you never would’ve guessed that after all the love you gave her, she would leave,” Y/N let Harry shifted, putting his head on her lap,

“The day I found you crying on your bedroom floor was the worst day of my life. I wanted to run to her house, slap her, break her nose and tell her that’s what she gets for breaking my best friend’s heart. But I didn’t, because I know that sooner or later she would’ve felt sorry for herself for losing you.” She continued playing with his hair, even just remembering the day that events occurred hurts her so much, seeing her best friend laying on the floor, crying because the love of his life left and he just realized how toxic their relationship was,

“You were going to propose, weren’t you?” she asked out of nowhere,

“I was, I chose a ring. Was going to pick it up after the vacation, but she broke up with me, well, that saved me a hundred thousand dollars,” he chuckled which then received a slap on his head, “what the hell was that for?” he strokes his head,

“A hundred thousand dollars? I’m going to fucking kill you if it was a Winston ring,” she was ready to slap his head again,

“It was, I’m sorry, no more slap, you meanie. It hurts.” He was still trying to cover his head from being slapped,

“I swear to God; did you took a peek on my Pinterest account again? Harry, I hate you and I’m going to make another account. Private.” She said, pinching his shoulder, which then was replied by a slap on her lap,

“I know, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Harry tried to duck his head, too afraid to get another slap on his head, “now back to the real problem,”

“I really want it to be her you know? But, I worked so hard to be where I am now and I’m not, and will not let someone take that from me. I just couldn’t, y’know?” he continued, burying his head on Y/N’s lap, trying to hide his face from her,

“I know, love, I know. I’m so sorry this happened to you,” she started playing with his hair, trying to calm him down, it breaks her heart seeing him this broken, even after 8 months, this shows how much impact his ex has over him,

“And it sucks because I can’t talk to my mum, I don’t want to disappoint her,” he played with the string of her sweater which she slapped his hand later on,

“No one is disappointed in you, Harry. It’s your relationship, it’s between you and her, everyone’s feeling? They don’t matter.” Harry is still trying to hide his face on her lap, she knows he doesn’t want her to see him upset, he knows how she feels about that, she made it clear long time ago,

“You really did love her, didn’t you?” he swore he can see her choke for a second before manipulating it into a cough,

“I did,” he replied, “I really did love her.” He replied while carefully watching her reaction, she didn’t, she didn’t react, not even a flinch, but he swears he saw her choked. “Stop looking at me like that, you minx,” she slapped his face jokingly,

“Then stop looking at me with pity,” he said, slapping her thigh while chuckling,

“I am not, you dum-dum,” at least not to him, it wasn’t a look of pity for him, it was a look of pity of herself, there he is, laying on her lap, yet he isn’t hers. Not once, not ever. In fact, there she was, with him, while his heart was somewhere else with a girl that doesn’t deserve it.

“Are you,” she hesitated, “are you hungry?” she asked while moving his face from her lap,

“Not really, are you?” he stands up, fixing the wrinkles on his shirt,

“Is that what you really wanted to ask?” Harry asked, confusion on his face,

“Yeah, why?” she asked, confusion also in her face. Harry laughed because he really thought she was going to ask something important.

“Stop it, let’s go,” she left him at the bungalow and walked into his house to get something to eat.

But that’s not what she wanted to ask, hell no, why would she ask whether he was hungry or not when he was just having his dinner before she came, when he finished all the fries that he brought, Harry has a big appetite but she’s not dumb to think that he has that big of an appetite.

She almost slapped herself because of how dumb she is, why can’t she just ask the question? Just a seven-word question ended with a question mark, but she knew damn well she is afraid of the answer. She wasn’t afraid to ask him the question, she was afraid of the answer. She wanted to ask, Are you ever going back to her?

What would you do if she ever apologizes?

But the one question that she fears the answer the most are the one she wanted to ask the most, yet she is frightened about the answer, the thought about what his answer might be filling her with dread,

Are you still in love with her?

[kaymcgivemeacall]

Reddie + youre blushing?

It’s three am, and if Richie didn’t know for sure that his parents’ wine glasses were filled with distinctly non-alcoholic apple juice, he would swear they’re all drunk.

What was supposed to be a last minute study-session for their looming finals has quickly devolved into bad karaoke, disorganized card games, and Stan cutting out sections of Maggie’s keto diet handbook to paste into his pre-calc notebook.

Richie nudges Eddie with his elbow. They’re playing bullshit, but Bill is doing so badly that he calls it at every opportunity with nothing to lose. He’s accumulated so many cards that they keep falling from his hands. The seven of hearts takes a dip in his drink, and Bev snorts so hard that hers do too.

“Our friends, zey are mad, you would aghree?” Richie drawls in a bad french accent. He doesn’t quite know who the voice is yet, but he knows that despite their lactose intolerance, they live for wine and cheese on the balcony of their Paris apartment. It’s safe to say their indigestion is frequent.

Eddie levels him with a slightly perplexed smile. He’s got five cards left, and doesn’t seem to realize that Richie can see every single one of them. “Baguette?”

“Jesus,” Richie exhales, pushing up his glasses, “you’re adorable, mon petit ami.”

Eddie rolls his eyes. “So you’ve said.”

“What, you don’t believe me?” He receives another puzzled glance.

It’s Eddie’s turn. He pulls two cards from his hand and sets them on the, thanks to Bill, rather abysmal card pile. “Two jacks,” he says.

“Bullshit,” Richie responds before Bill can. Eddie looks from the pile, to his hand, to him, shocked.

“You were looking at my cards!”

“You were showing them.”

“That’s cheating!”

“The rules and I are in an open relationship.”

“Come on— Bill, you heard that, right? He was totally cheating!”

Bill shrugs. He’s trying to steal a chip from the plate Mike is using to put together horrendous looking hummus and flaming hot cheeto sandwiches. “Puh-probably.” Mike slaps his hand, and he draws it back mournfully.

Eddie, outraged, looks to Bev. “We can’t keep playing if Richie’s just gonna cheat!”

She flashes him a bright smile and slips another card into Bill’s drink. “Then don’t play.”

Eddie lets out a frustrated huff before slapping his remaining three cards to the ground. “Fine,” he grumbles, making to stand up, “if none of you are gonna play fair, I’m out.”

“Aww, Eds, c’mon.” Richie hooks a hand around Eddie’s ankle. “Don’t stop on my account.”

“I can and I will. Let go of my leg.” There’s a brief tug of war between the rest of Eddie’s body and the now two hands Richie’s got wrapped around his left ankle.

“Nooo don’t leave our horrible card game you’re so sexy aha—”

“Why are you like this—”

Eddie thumps to the floor, which Richie takes as his cue to begin dragging him back to the circle, and despite the former’s loud protests, doesn’t come up against much resistance. In fact, Eddie’s fighting back a smile as he complains, stop dragging me across the floor I’m not a mop, and half heartedly kicking at Richie with his other leg. Once he’s finally succeeded in maneuvering his friend right back to the empty space next to him (and maybe a little closer, if he’s being honest), Richie finally releases him.

“You’re the worst,” Eddie sighs, brushing himself off.

“That’s my name, don’t wear it out.”

Eddie looks at him again, doe eyes and messy hair and cute as ever, like he’s trying to figure Richie out.

Good luck with that, Eds, Richie thinks, I’ve never managed to do it either.

There’s a beat. The lull in conversation comes with the reminder of: Oh, yeah. People other than Eddie exist. They’re existing quieter than just minutes before, Stan is passed out on the couch, flat on his back, feet set in Ben’s lap. Bev is nowhere to be seen, and Mike is trying in vain to get Bill to test out one of his food creations over near the kitchen island. It’s an odd, fragile sort of peace. The kind that comes with late nights and good friends and the lingering sense that your time together is limited.

As if detecting the mood change, Eddie scootches closer and sets his head on Richie’s shoulder. A little thrill runs through his chest at the contact. “Tired, Eds?”

“Hmm,” Eddie responds, and shifts so that his chin digs into Richie’s shoulder. Richie’s arm burns where his friend is leaning up against it, molten lava twisting itself into his veins. It’s all too much and the room is too hot and he’s pretty sure the universe is either trying to bless or spite him. Maybe both.

Eddie’s breath is warm against his neck. “You’re blushing.” Fucking hell.

“Nah,” Richie mumbles, “that’s a highly infectious rash.” He’s fumbling, and they both know it. “We’re gonna die, now.”

Richie makes the mistake of turning his head. They make eye contact and Eddie’s face is tooclosetooclosetoofuckingclose and he can see the flecks of gray in his irises and the smudge of freckles on his cheeks, and the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles and says

“Bullshit.”