#they've got me by the throat

[pearlcaddy]

LOCKWOOD & CO. 1.06

[fracturediron]

I may have made a Non & New playlist

[bi-disastersoup]

"I'm not quite sure I understand the motion yet. Would one of you come show me how I'm supposed to stand?"

"You just... drop your shoulder a bit."

"Relax your hand."

"Focus the magic from your core, here."

"And keep your eye on the target, love."

R'alma lent her his favorite staff to help teach her about balance. It was icy, and grew cold to the touch, but their hands were warm on hers...

(So so so many shots but I couldn't help myself this is my favorite pose I've ever done and the details are just..... *chef's kiss*)

(Zala belongs to @nearlyjaye)

(Also a big huge thank you to bee for putting the image in my head!)

[warningsine]

[starswallowingsea]

assassin himeru au

[ihaveseentruebravery]

I am sooooo glad I decided to do the rewatch of this season with the accompanying APs, because I DEFINITELY missed stuff.

1) there's a really interesting couple of things that happen in ep2/3. Wrote about the Rue/Hob thing at the link and like their immediate interest in each other. But like... I think a lot of their anxiety/fear/insecurity has, weirdly, been UNDERESTIMATED in this impact it had on their future encounters. https://ontaskvvidogast.tumblr.com/post/697020254543609857/man-sometimes-im-a-crazy-person-about-shows-but

2) Hob gets pretty distracted from the engagement thread, both by Rue, but ALSO by Gwyndolin in the forest when she speaks as Binx. And I didn't clock this as much with my first watch-through because there was soooo much going on.

3) Wuvvy was angry about Hob being the cause of what Rue ultimately decided to do out of fear, and thus the Duel, but Wuvvy is mostly worried about Rue. We actually see a bit of fallout I missed the first time in ep4 about Wuvvy being afraid that she overstepped with the duel. Rue communicates with Wuvvy how scared they were about everything happening so quickly and about how what they want should be the last thing on their mind because of their duties. It's WUVVY that essentially says, ‘Do what you want to do, what if this is the last bloom? Why not go out with a bang?’ and THAT'S actually why Rue shows their authentic self at the tea time. It's RUE that keeps asking Wuvvy for Wuvvy to stay by their side. (and we see Rue's internal monologue of anxiety later through Binx and the detect thoughts)

4) at the tea time, after Hob was hurt by the duel and not knowing what it was about, and told by Lady Boil to DEFINITELY keep checking the Gwyndolin thing, Hob only compliments Rue on their ‘magnificent entrance’, even though Rue clocks the impact of it on him bc of some insight checks. Hob focuses almost entirely on Gwyndolin and their ‘real name’ especially since the wanessa thing happens at the same time and Gwyndolin/Binx tells people to back off. 

I'll be interested to see what reads differently to me about the Hedge Maze and the Tailor's Shop in ep5/6 because that's when the other two pairs pop off SUPER STRONGLY with what they're doing.

But it's really reading to me as this Hob/Rue pair being immediately interested, constantly talking themselves out of it because of fear/insecurity/anxiety, and making HUGE moves because they can't help it and in spite of themselves. 😂 Poor bastards.

But there's sooooo much no one ever clocks about Wuvvy. I'm dying to see how/what I missed, that leads to Wuvvy never delivering the second letter. Because Rue not telling the truth in the tailor's shop, is being construed as somehow WORSE than Wuvvy betraying Rue by not delivering the second letter, and I'm still amazed that that's even a thing people are stuck on since what we'd seen of Wuvvy, so far, was urging Rue to put themselves first, and when Rue finally does, Wuvvy just betrays Rue's trust by not letting that letter get to where it should have gone.

(truly... The sheer anxiety and fear alone of Rue not wanting to reveal the truth about the Grabalba engagement, because of Rue ALREADY being afraid of their feelings, is so clear to me. But then, I'm also a poor communicator, so Hob immediately accusing Rue of having this whole plan makes sense because of how his court ALREADY treats him and he's talked himself into this whole spiel of service being Right and Just, and because Rue has held a TON back verbally because of their own fears (and unwittingly bc of the Wuvvy Issue), and then they're ALSO angry at each other because of the whole situation escalating... This has been a WILD ride)

[arrow-guy]

my partner very gently “you don’t have to ask, it comes with the service”-d me last night and i cried

[ghosttownwherenoonegoes]

bravery is considering in the back of your head giving up working on an assignment due tomorrow you have barely started bc you got so scared of it that you froze up for the entire month you had to do it but now it's the night before and it's 40% of your grade for the year, feeling like it's pointless and you're stupid and not understanding anything, wondering what the consequences would be for not handing it in, but putting comfort films on a loop because you know how your fictional loves make you feel like you could take on the whole world if he asked you to and doing it anyway...

[nobodieshero-main]

tikos: "show me those pretty teeth!"

barnie:

[sexcaliburs]

I think I had an attack of sorts last night. lol. lmao even

[ozzgin]

Just read your arranged marriage kidnapped by a most post and the humor in the servants always thinking reader is in peril. The same going for monster hubby (He just thinks they're submissive and breedable)

Like none of them realize they are a moster fucker cause they hide it so well. Like just imagining reader be like "oh be gentle with me I'm a dainty maiden" and then giving him the night of his life is hilarious. Or them having dinner and the servants feel bad for them cause monster hubby is eating human meat but their just thinking about other things he can use his tongue on.

Or maybe someone comes to rescue them from the terrible monster finally. But they don't wanna leave and instead fight the knight off. The knight thinks they've been brainwashed or something. Meanwhile the servants think the knight just wasn't good enough to rescue them.

Content: gender neutral reader, monster romance, NSFW! [Part 1] | [More Monsters]

The servants are not blind by any means: they can tell, quite plainly, that their monstrous Lord has a soft spot for you. Not only that, but the beast nearly worships you! They've come up with many theories, the latest one involving witchcraft. Surely you must have some sort of magical trickery under your sleeve in order to subdue their Master. There's no other way around it. All previous humans have been devoured, or have died in a pitiful attempt to escape, terrified to the bone upon gazing at his blasphemous Majesty.

You can't blame them. It's probably better for everyone involved if you omit the fact that your source of witchcraft lies in your...genitals. Well, not just that, of course. Your husband had started to lose hope. His appreciation of humans never came to fruition before your arrival. He was expecting you to cower in fear, not throw yourself at him.

He wondered if you wanted something from him in return, but no one could possibly pretend so flawlessly: the way you clung to him unprompted. The way you hungrily took him in, tears welling in your eyes, refusing to let go until you could feel his load avalanching down your throat. The way you'd trap his hips with your legs, despite being weak and feverish, asking that he doesn't stop yet. If that wasn't proof enough, your whines and moans were loud and clear. To think he could have his own little human, one who isn't repulsed by his monstrous form. He would've been content with mere tolerance, yet someone who begged to be fucked by him? He's been delirious ever since.

He loves everything about you, naturally, but he can't deny the shameless addiction he's now developed towards your body. He'd pound you anywhere and anytime if he could. If he needs to leave for official matters, know that the return will burn in the back of his mind.

"An important date, Sir?" one traveling servant will ask, glancing at all the scribbles in the calendar.

"Indeed", he answers solemnly. It's the times when he can finally fuck you dumb.

While the servants worry about their devilish Master being put under leash, for the other fellow humans the opposite seems to be true. You recall your last "rescuing" attempt distinctly. During one of your evening walks, burly, foreign arms swept you off in an instant. Before you knew it, you were holding onto the armored shoulders of an unknown man, as he made his way out of the traditional garden.

"I'll get you out of here", he promised between heaving breaths.

You stared in confusion. What was he saving you from? A good dicking? No matter how much you explained that you do actually like your newly appointed husband, the hero wouldn't budge.

You ended up just walking back home when the man fell asleep.

"That was quite the long walk", your monster partner remarked, polishing his weapons.

"Oh no, I was kidnapped", you state casually. "Got us some fruits on the way back."

Would it have been better to lie about it? On one hand, you do feel terrible for whoever attempted to retrieve you from the claws of the tyrant. Your husband is very possessive, and you know he'll scorch the Earth until that treacherous pest is gutted and fed to the pigs.

On the other hand...he becomes particularly savage after such incidents. You won't be able to sit properly for the next few weeks, but it's worth it.

Tough luck, you tell yourself, lounging in bed with a satisfied smirk and torn apart hole.

[urfriendlywriter]

How to write angst ?

@urfriendlywriter | req by @everynowandthenihaveacrisis @aidyaiden :)

know your character. from their deepest fears to what they cherish the most. know your deepest fear, ask yourself how you will react and feel at that moment. "oh shit, if this happened to me I'll lose my mind" what's that type of scenario for you? write it. :)

decide on the type of angst you are going for!

major, minor, physical, emotional, paranormal, spiritual, verbal, abusive, quarrel, misunderstanding, etc.

and then, decide on--what reaction you can take out of your character by doing what to them.

are they gonna be, held at a gunpoint to give something up? or have their soul wrecked by whom they thought were close to them? or is it going be horror, or etctec, decide on it.

moving on to actually writing it-

Tip 1 - Use sensory details.

her eyes brimmed with tears

his chest heaved

pain clawed at his heart, as his face twisted with hurt

his scream pierced my heart

her lips quivered

she dug her nails into her palms (to distract herself, to stop it from shaking, etc)

show what is happening to ur MC, instead of telling it.

Tip 2 - how to actually write it.

If they're panicking, make them notice too many things at once, show every detail that they're seeing, feeling, from touch, to that burning sensation on their eyes, the blood on the ground, that dryness of their throat, the buzzing in their head and their parted lips unable to trust their own sight, and--and, boom! have them register that they're really really in trouble. and that they've to act fast.

use short, very minimal type of writing for this. make it long, but not long enough that it feels like it's being dragged.

the readers should hold themselves back from skimming the page out of curiousity, they should be in their toes to find out what happens next.

what does your MC do in times of panic? do they chant calm down to themselves, do they get angry, or start crying.. or?? what makes your character genuinely feel an emotion so hard that they'll burst?

there's always something, someone that'll always give them love and easily can be that something or someone to take it away. yk.

Tip 3 - crying.

what is close to your character that u can deprive them of? will it make them cry? beg for it?

what will make ur character cry so hard, that their scream fills everyone's ear, stays in their minds like ghosts and always haunts them?

make a character who never cries, burst out with tears.

while writing crying, focus on the 5 senses, one after the other.

focus it on their breath, make them run out of breath, gasp for air, feel like they're being choked, cry so scrutinizingly. it shud punch the reader's gut.

have them replay what had just happened over and over again in their head

best books and writing styles (for angst) to analyse and learn from (in my opinion);

3rd book in the AGGTM series (yk it hit hard like a truck. it got me depressed in bed the entire time lmao)

Five Survive by Holly Jackson. The moments of red outside of the truck, and moments leading to it.

there's this book called " Warm by @untalentedwriter127 " in wattpad. the author served angst for breakfast, lunch anddd dinner.

and if there's more angsty ones, drop em in the comments! :)

Hope this helps, tag me when yall write a masterpiece! ;)

[inkskinned]

i got my isbn today for the book. 8 months to go. my mom and i were talking about what the next steps are. i was eating trail mix, standing on one foot, phone tucked into my ear.

"yeah," i said. "the problem is that tumblr as a market is like, not something that can be studied." there's this weird wave of nostalgia and affection for this place that came up over me: how lovely we avoid consumerism. okay, it sucks as a creator. but also? keep stickin' it to 'em.

my mother made the sound at the back of her throat that i also make, the one that means i've got an idea. "you should figure out some kind of reward for presale amounts. maybe you give out poems or a mug or a signed book or something. would your followers like that?" my mother is sweet, and kind, and i have no idea how to explain on this website you can buy someone crabs.

i put more m&ms down the hatch. i had to speak through peanuts and almonds. "if it passes 25 thousand i will print the book out in its entirety and eat it live on camera."

"oh god. no, you don't have to do that." she was anguished. "just tell them that you'd love them to read it, and that they've inspired you to write. you got started on that site, and they helped you keep going. raquel, you love these people. the community? you talk all the time about the other writers and artists and whatever else. tell them that you're hoping for their support, they'll come through."

"no," i assured her. i discovered i had dropped an m&m, but an ant had already found it, so it belonged to him now. i will let his little life have a surprise blue treasure in it, too. "i'm gonna fuckin' eat the book."

[madlori]

On Tommy Kinard

"It's not that I don't like Buck and Tommy, it's just happening so fast, he's underdeveloped!"

*clears throat*

Here is a recap of what we know about Tommy. And this is just off the top of my head, I didn't rewatch anything.

He was closeted at the 118 before and found the atmosphere repressive. He (probably) acted like a dick to fit in. When presented with the chance to make things better, he took it, and developed positive relationships with Hen, Chim and Bobby.

He was in the army and trained there as a pilot.

He knows Muay Thai and has a set up in his house.

He likes to work on cars and has a lift at his house (where TF does he live is my question - he has some nerve being agog at Buck's loft if he has a muay thai gym and a car lift)

He is down for violating departmental policy at the drop of a hat (has done so on at least two occasions) to help a friend and has no problems fucking with the fire chief.

He is a nerd. He likes pub trivia and has incorrect Star Wars opinions, and can keep up with Chim in the movie-quoting department.

His favorite movie is "Love, Actually" and he likes craft beer and monster trucks.

He came out when he transferred to Harbor and felt comfortable enough to stop lying about who he was.

He follows MMA and has friends in Vegas who like him well enough to hook him up to a frankly insane degree.

He'll risk his own life and engage in helicopter skulduggery to save people he doesn't know...I mean, apart from doing that for a living.

He'll take time out of his day to give a tour to the cute boy who called him up and offer to give that boy flying lessons (a significant time investment) which was probably maybe about more one on one time with said boy.

He yearns for the belonging and found family that the 118 became after his departure and probably befriended Eddie hoping to earn a plate at the cookout, aside from just clicking with him.

He likes Eddie and Chris a lot and they like him. Chimney also likes him.

He was attracted to Buck right away and was emotionally aware enough to pick up on Buck's jealous feelings over Eddie and his friendship, even if he was surprised that it was him Buck wanted to get to know.

He respects and values Buck and Eddie's friendship and wanted to make sure Buck knew that.

He's brave enough to shoot his shot by planting one on a dude.

He's a lil bitchy but also generous and ready to throw in with this insane guy who's inviting him to a family wedding after 0.5 dates.

He showed up to a bachelor party when he was on call because Buck asked him to, then showed up in turnouts after fighting a fire for like 12 hours yadda yadda we all know this part.

He has got it BAD for one Evan Buckley, who he only calls "Evan" which according to LFJR is a conscious decision by the writers, which fascinates me.

He was willing to take a chance with a man just discovering his sexuality BUT wasn't willing to put himself through that if the man in question wasn't ready for it. When Buck showed him that he was, he was all in.

He does NOT take his coffee like that.

Oh and

He's a beast.

This is VASTLY more information than we knew about ANY of Buck's previous girlfriends with the possible exception of Abby. Even Taylor did not get this much development over 20 episodes (things we knew about her: she was an ambitious and ethically flexible reporter, did not eat fudge, had a dad in jail, and sometimes jogged for exercise, she was capable of being nice and did love Buck, I believe). And as for it being fast? Sometimes it just be like that? A relationship doesn't have to have year(s) of buildup. Sometimes people do just meet, like each other, and start dating, in fact in the real world that's usually what happens. It's in TV Land that you have to have eighteen seasons of UST before pulling the trigger. Most of the time in reality people just vibe off each other and decide to go out and THEN they learn about each other.

And they've got a great start. You'd think they'd barely spoken by how a few naysayers are talking about it - the loft scene was like a solid five minutes of very open conversation, the Cringe Date seemed to have gone well and again, open and honest (if cringey) conversation before Cockblocker Eddie showed up, and the coffee meetup was again....open and honest conversation. They're not gonna show us long scenes of them exchanging firefighting stories and workout preferences (I mean, I'd watch that, but it's not what the show is about).

In conclusion, anyone saying he's poorly developed or the relationship is "out of nowhere" either is being willfully obtuse or has ridiculously unrealistic expectations for relationships and/or what constitutes character development.

As for whether they have chemistry, that's a matter of subjective opinion. Given that a TON of people watched that harbor tour scene (even when it was posted as a sneak peek) and started going "wait...what's going on here...are they flirting??" might be a clue. People were talking about Bi!Buck maybe happening with Tommy based solely off that clip of the harbor tour and what they were seeing between them. And imho that loft scene was crackling. But we all see things through the lenses of our biases, myself included.

Got that off my chest, whew.

[ornateorchid]

i NEED to know what sex with poly141 is like

a/n: im getting to this after 2 months?? 3 months?? ...oops! anyways i wrote this in more of a headcanon format so if you're not a fan of it i apologize

john is in charge, just like out on the field. he likes having the authority role over you and the boys, telling them what to do and how to treat you and each other. he's gentle though and praises a lot. he knows they don't want him barking orders when everyone's trying to relieve stress.

"that's right, just like that."

"you're being so good, just for us."

"so perfect. look at how gorgeous you are."

he really loves it when the boys are rough with you. it gets him so hot and bothered just from watching them play with you. when they fuck your throat and leave you gasping for air, he's practically drooling. and when they're taking turns with you, pounding you into the mattress until you're screaming, his eyes are glued to the spot.

"you're taking it so good, doll. so tight, just for our boys."

"that's it, just like that. you're gonna make us cum."

"we're gonna fuck you until you can't walk, baby."

he can't resist fucking you when you're all fucked out and tired. his boys are always so rough with you, and he loves how blissed out you are when he slides into you. he fucks you slow and sweet, his mouth peppering kisses along your jawline and neck. you'll whine and beg him to go faster, but he doesn't let up. he'll keep at his pace and tell you that you can cum when you're ready. and you always do.

"such a good little whore, cumming on my cock."

"you look so pretty like this. all fucked out and ready to take more."

johnny is the brattiest of the four. doesn't matter if he's dominant or submissive, top or bottom, he's making some sort of snarky remark. and you love every bit of it. he's also the quickest to get his mouth on you, or anybody. he loves to challenge authority. he doesn't mind being put in his place. he'll be a brat, and then the second your hand is in his hair and he's forced to his knees, his eyes are already half-lidded and he's begging for a taste of you.

"come on, jus' give it to me already."

"i know you wan' it."

"fuck, i wan' you so bad, baby, please."

he's also the biggest tease, always running his fingers along the edge of your waistband, or up your thigh, or across your chest. he tries it with the boys to rile them up. and when they've finally had enough, johnny's grinning because he's finally got them.

"wha' are you gonna do, huh? you gonna punish me?"

"yeah, that's right. go ahead, put me in my place."

"come on, come fuck my throat."

he likes the feeling of being manhandled, pushed into a wall or onto his knees. and his favorite way to be punished is when his face is pressed into the mattress, and someone's hands are in his mohawk and holding him there, forcing him to take their dick. praise drives him crazy.

"im gonna come in that pretty mouth, and you're gonna swallow every drop since you want to be a brat."

"look at you, taking it like that. such a good slut."

"you look so good stuffed full, johnny."

kyle is the biggest romantic out of the bunch. he's always showering you with affection and compliments and little gifts. he's a sweetheart and a total sucker for love, and you know he wants to give it and receive it. he'll do everything he can to make sure you're feeling good and relaxed and safe and he knows just how to do it.

"god, you're so perfect, babe. you're gorgeous."

"don'tcha wanna feel my hands on you?

"can i touch you? can i make you feel good, sweetheart?"

he also has the most delicious moans and whines (they all do, but his are the best). he'll let the other person have the reins as his face is pressed into the sheets and his ass in the air while someone works him apart with their fingers. the other will fuck his mouth and make him drool all over the pillow. he's a sensitive lover and he'll cum with a few tugs of his dick.

"fuck, yeah, right there. 'm gonna come."

"oh god, oh fuck, just like that."

but other times he can be relentless. he'll work your hole until you're cumming over and over again, and he's still going. he's not stopping until you can't take it anymore. his thrusts will be hard and deep and fast and you'll be crying out his name. he'll slow down and pull out to hear your whimpers of despair, only to press his fingers into your gaping hole, and work you back up to the edge.

"that's it, baby. scream for me, let them know how much of a slut you are."

"look at how wet your cunt is. all for us, yeah?"

"gonna fuck you so hard, gonna fill you up. fuck."

simon is a wild card. sometimes he's gentle and tender and loving, and sometimes he's rough and degrading and controlling. it depends on his mood. like john, he loves to sit back and watch. and when the other boys are all over you, he's standing behind them, whispering into their ear. he can't help it.

"do you think she can take more? look how wet her cunt is."

"that's it. look at him go. fuck her harder."

"that's our angel, taking two cocks in her greedy holes."

but when simon's on his own with you, his hands will be all over you. he's desperate and needs to be touched. his cock is always aching, and his fingers are itching to slide into you. he's got an insatiable hunger. and once you're on his lap, riding his cock and bouncing away, he'll be grabbing at your ass and hips, pulling your body close to his, and whispering all kinds of filth into your ear.

"c'mere, baby. i wan' my mouth on ya."

"please, please, please. fuck, need it so bad."

"look at how wet y' are for me. such a good girl."

simon's a bit more possessive than the rest, possessive over you and everyone. he likes to leave hickeys all over everyone. it's a sign that says 'this is mine. don't touch.' and it makes him hot when everyone has a reminder of what happened the night before. or he'll leave bruises on their hips, just as a sign.

"you're all mine. all fucking mine."

"don't even think about moving. 'm not done with you yet."

"that's it, just like that. fuckin' beautiful."

[peachesofteal]

ghoap x reader / 18+ mdni / dark themes / masterlist

It’s the sundress. 

The way it flows off your hips, your body moving beneath it, skin glowing just under the hem. You're lucent in it, radiant in a way he's never seen, brilliance so stunning it catches his breath. You’re a perfect peach, juicy and ripe, plump and sumptuous, skin so soft he’d only need a nip to tear into it, the barest bruise of pressure allowing him to drink his fill of precious honeyed nectar. 

There are dozens of people in the café, but he only sees you, can’t tear his gaze away, sick with the heavy tug in his heart, drawing him closer and closer, fingers tense around the flimsy paper cup. He stares, openly, even after Simon clears his throat, scuffs his foot against the sidewalk, says his name. 

Johnny has no patience for a kill, or a meal. He likes to rip into fresh things, soak his maw and stretch his jaw around them, swallow them whole if he can.

Swallow you whole, if he can.

A bead of sweat collects at the back of your neck, and he traces its path between your shoulder blades and below, mouth watering at the singular thought of a taste. 

His tongue licking down your spine to the cleft of your arse, soft, sweet skin parted for him, face crammed between your legs, panting, pushing, desperate for more, and more, and- 

“Johnny.”  

“Pretty thing.” He barely looks at his partner, the heat simmering in his stomach curling into a snare. “Little pocket a’ sunshine.” 

“Johnny.” 

“Ye see ‘er?” Simon’s eyes dig into him, and then you, following the seam of your dress from thigh to shoulder. There’s insatiable insanity in his face, and Johnny knows- 

He sees it too. 

“I do.” 

“Ye dinnae want a taste?” 

“Not enough time.” He nods next door, where the darkness looms, waits for them expectantly. A meeting, a negotiation, a riotous push and pull. The things he’s good at, the part of his job that doesn’t include intimidating or killing or orchestrating a disturbance. 

His hands sow choreographed chaos, but in this moment, he’d rather they do something else instead. 

Pin you down. Pry your thighs wide. Bury his face in your cunt. Would you struggle? Would you cry? Would you take it like a good girl, breathy and sweet, lips shocked into a perfect O for his thumb, pad of it pressed down on your tongue, taste- 

“Better think fast.” Simon warns, jolting him from the fantasy that has his cock swelling, and when he sees you heading for the door, dreamy smile on your face, iced latte precarious in your grip, a plan roars to life. 

It’s easy, to pretend it’s an accident. Easy to act shocked and embarrassed. Easy, to feel terrible about ruining your dress. 

Your gasp is music to his ears. 

“Oh my god-“ it’s almost too much, watching the crushing realization sink in across your features, the dismay at the sight of your newly acquired caffeine fix rushing down the front of your sunflower dotted dress. 

They’ll buy you a new one. They’ll buy you hundreds. 

“’m so sorry.” He croons, reaching to steady you, carefully gripping your elbow under the guise of balance. “Ah, bonnie. ‘m so sorry, I didnae see ye and I was rushin’.” 

“It’s… it’s okay.” You’re blinking too fast, trying to hold back tears, trying to keep yourself together. The patchwork, the glue and tape, parts and pieces easily crumble, even as you try to take a deep breath. “I’m… it’s fine.” 

“Yer dress is ruined.” Obviously. “Let me pay to get it cleaned, at least.” 

“No, no… that’s… it’s okay. I’ll… I’ll just run home, no big deal.” He beats back the burn, the wildfire scorching away the last of his sanity. 

“Please.” Simon chimes in over his shoulder. “It’s the least we can do.” You look between them, confused, eyes wide like a little doe, lost all alone in the deep, dark forest.

Flanked by wolves.

“Or let us give ye a ride to yer place, so ye can change.” He jerks his head to the sleek black sedan, idling at the corner, driver still behind the wheel. The meeting can wait, they've got more pressing issues to attend, now. 

“Oh… uh-“ He can smell the rot of your hesitance. That’s the thing about a doe, they’re naturally skittish, trembling legs uneasy from the day they were born, nervous about their own shadow. “It’s fine, I can walk. It’s not far.” 

“I feel terrible, let me pay for it.” He pours it thick, and as expected, the guilt about making him feel worse locks into place. “I dinnae what I’ll do if we cannae help. If ye give me yer number, we can arrange to cover the cleaners?” Simon looms closer, fingers folding over Johnny's shoulder in an affectionate gesture.

You almost look relieved at the sight.

Poor little doe. 

In the end, you agree. When you give them your name, he traces over each syllable tenderly, memorizing the way it sounds on your lips, as Simon taps a phone number into your contacts.

"Ye go straight home an' change." Johnny murmurs, holding onto your hand a shade too long after you pass him back his phone. "Dinnae want ye walkin' around in a dirty dress all afternoon." You fidget, waxing crescent on your lips, and nod.

"I'll uh... I'll let you know how much it is." There's a hint of a tremble in the back of your throat, off key and off kilter, and he smiles to reassure you, before the two of them turn to take their leave.

"We'll talk to ye soon."