#thing in the day its like it's the only thing on my mind because i have to like prepare myself to do it

[mariasont]

Sugar, Spice, Spencer's Advice - S.R

everyone expects spencer reid to fall for purely intellectual types, but what they don't know is your ability to remember his rambling lessons and your diligent googled research makes him feel irrationally turned on

pairings: spencer reid x bimbo!receptionist!reader warnings: established relationship, some suggestive content, brief mention of food-play (non-graphic, discussion only), spencer being protective, fluff af, spencer's negative outlook on sugar/food (super brief), teasing/banter, flustered spence wc: 1.4k request: here!

You’re happily licking at your ice cream cone, eyes soft with uncomplicated happiness, and Spencer thinks he’s becoming entirely too familiar with this feeling. It’s habitual. To observe you is like revisiting his favorite passage in a beloved book, each time discovering nuances he’s missed before.

He’d given in the instant your expression had turned imploring — big, pleading eyes, soft pout — your most effective weapon. Spencer has abandoned all pretense that he can resist your nightly sugar-driven rituals.

He’d pondered briefly the psychological undercurrents of your craving, but each theory usually ends up dissolving when he’s confronted by the smile you give him when he caves.

His attention drifts back just as your feet land on the dashboard. Spencer half-smiles at the sight of those slip-ons, your comfy choice through the entire day of painfully predictable romance movies. He was pretty sure he lost the plot somewhere around hour two — another mistaken identity plot twist, seriously? — but keeping track of said plot wasn’t really the point anyway. 

He’d watch paint dry if it meant hearing you laugh like that, but thankfully you usually pick slightly better entertainment. Usually.

Spencer reaches over instinctively, his hand finding its place on your thigh, patting twice for good measure.

“Hey, feet off the dash, please,” he says. “Airbags deploy faster than you think, and personally, I’m pretty attached to the current arrangement of your features.”

His mind trips over the calculation against the embarrassment of sounding like an overbearing parent. He’s not even your husband yet. Yet.

But you immediately drop your feet without complaint, settling into a position that looks decidedly safer. Spencer breathes a little easier. He gives your thigh a grateful squeeze, his thumb brushing back and forth just once in a wordless thank you.

You tuck your legs beneath you, body angled toward him, elbow planted on the center console, cheek resting in your palm. 

“My face appreciates you looking out for it,” you tease gently. “Always looking out for me actually. Is there anything else I do that’s, like, secretly super dangerous?”

Spencer’s eyes catch yours, and he lets out a laugh, shaking his head. 

“Come here,” he murmurs, lifting his hand from your thigh to sweep his thumb along the edge of your mouth, collecting the vanilla ice cream that’s smeared there. “As far as dangerous decisions go, I’d say your habit of leaving candles burning unattended ranks pretty high. One of these days you’re going to burn the whole place down, sweetheart.”

“But you said most fires from candles happen because of flammable stuff near them, not just leaving them burning,” you remind him sweetly, nose wrinkling with affection. “So really, as long as I keep things away from my candles, I’m totally safe. And I always listen to you about that.”

His heart flutters with messy pride and affection that makes him feel embarrassingly sentimental. Sure, conversations about Marcel Proust or string theory aren’t exactly your cup of tea (he’s pretty sure you’d turn your nose up at the mere thought), but there’s this distinctly genuine and wonderful way you navigate the world. 

You absorb everything he says — half-formed ideas, scattered facts, fleeting memories — in a way that weirdly puts eidetic memories to shame. 

It’s dizzying, actually, the way you’re smiling at him right now, effortlessly beautiful and clearly unaware that he’s suddenly acutely conscious of how his pulse is pounding. 

He loves you, he knows he does, deeply, and apparently by the way his face flushes hot and his breathing quickens, he’s more turned on by your quiet brilliance than he ever expected.

“Okay, so candles are covered,” he says with mock seriousness, “but what about all my advice on not talking to strangers or, I don’t know, not accepting free candy from mysterious vans? Are those making the cut too?”

“Come on, Spencer, you taught me better than that,” you say proudly. “I know all about risk assessment now, if someone seems sketchy or pushes too hard, it’s probably a danger sign. And,” you add with a satisfied smile, “that’s why you’re the only one allowed to take me for sweets. Want a bite?”

Spencer eyes the melting ice cream warily, the overly sweet scent doing nothing to tempt him, it’s essentially frozen sugar, after all, objectively terrible for him. The mental list of reasons to politely decline is endless.

But the knowledge that your lips have just been there sets off a chain reaction, desire eclipsing logic. Suddenly, he’s more than willing to abandon nutritional morals for the vague promise of an indirect kiss. Though, admittedly, he would much rather prefer the direct approach. But he’s fairly certain that running into a telephone pole would rank even higher risk wise than unattended candles or dashboard hazards. 

So, instead, he ducks his head, taking a careful bite, instantly regretting it when the sticky sweet cold paints his cheek.

Your giggles ripple, making him smile sheepishly as you shift closer. He expects your thumb, mirroring his earlier gesture, but then your lips brush against his cheek, your tongue catching the vanilla drip. Every ounce of rationality deserts him into one helplessly smitten mess.

“You know, saliva actually cleans better than wiping,” you announce thoughtfully. “So, you’re welcome, Spence.”

He’s half certain he’s never mentioned anything about saliva enzymes, but then again, he’s so thoroughly distracted by you most of the time he might’ve. It sounds exactly the kind of oddly specific detail he’d share.

“Okay,” he manages, unable to suppress a smile. “Where exactly did you learn that one?”

“I googled it.” You tilt your head. “Like, I thought food-play might be fun to try with you?” You shrug lightly, expression utterly innocent as if discussing something far less suggestive. “But then all these articles said it can get kinda gross and messy, and honestly, Spencer, I realized you’d probably just stress about germs and clean-up, and there’s no way I’d enjoy it if you weren’t totally relaxed and happy.”

Of all the things he anticipated you might say tonight, casually mentioning food play research was not on the list. It lands like a dropped grenade, exploding into fragments of thoughts he cannot possibly hope to piece together.

His cheeks burn hot as images — sticky and indecent images — flood his mind without permission. Vanilla dripping slowly down your collarbone, lips parted in invitation, eyes sparkling with that innocent curiosity he adores.

But beneath this sudden rush of desire lies something even softer because he can almost see it — your earnest expression as you scroll through webpages, considering all the possible complications, all the ways he might react. 

Spencer’s chest aches in a way he can’t pinpoint, a vulnerability spreading through him that he rarely allows himself to feel. He’s not used to people taking such gentle care of his anxieties, treating his quirks as something precious rather than burdensome. A small, quiet part of him wonders if he deserves this kind of thoughtfulness, this careful, intentional love you offer without hesitation. He wants to believe it, wants to let himself trust it completely, but the tender astonishment that grips him right now makes it hard to think straight.

“You know, angel, next time just come straight to me, okay? I promise my answers are better, and less traumatizing, than whatever you’ll find online.”

“Well, don’t blame me when you start getting texts at two a.m. about my random questions.”

Spencer raises an eyebrow at you. “I think we both know that if my phone goes off at two a.m., you’re probably not looking for statistics.”

You smile at that.

“I mean, yeah, probably,” you concede. “But honestly, Spence, I did read this thing about late-night dopamine spikes or whatever and —,”

He doesn’t think. He can’t think. The moment the car is in park, his body moves on its own, leaning across the console, hands gently cupping your face as he silences your adorable scientific ramble. He’s never felt such urgency, such an intense, overwhelming need to kiss someone as he does right now. It’s impulsive, reckless, completely out of character, and yet he feels no regret. Only relief. Only you.

For once in his analytical life, Spencer lets instinct win, savoring your lips and the small, surprised sound you make against him. He hopes you hear in his kiss everything he can’t yet put into words.

💌 masterlist taglist has been disbanned! if you want to get updates about my writings follow and turn notifications on for my account strictly for reblogging my works! @mariasreblogs

[coryndoll]

plot ── after you undergo a procedure to erase rafe from your memory, rafe, devastated by the realization, decides to do the same, only to find himself fighting to hold onto the love you shared, proving that some connections can never truly be forgotten.

content ── another fucking mini series bc i cant stop, rafes perspective, memory loss, emotional distress & heartbreak obvi, dysfunctional relationships, existential themes

authors note ── sorry guys ive been so busy w my new life that i have NOT touched tumblr in a good while. plus this semester is more demanding in terms of my workload ugh so im never writing anym its so lame

main masterlist | next

rafe stares at the card, his fingers gripping the edges so tightly the paper starts to bend. his breath is slow, shallow, like his body is forgetting how to function properly. the words blur together, but it doesn’t matter. he’s already memorized them.

he lifts his gaze to his father. ward stands stiff, arms crossed, staring down at his shoes like he’s the one who’s been blindsided. like he’s the one who just had his entire world gutted out of him in a single fucking sentence.

there’s guilt in the way he exhales through his nose, in the way his jaw slides ever so slightly, but rafe doesn’t give him the chance to speak.

“this is real?” his voice comes out rough, barely above a whisper, as if saying it too loud will make it more true.

ward hesitates, then nods.

rafe lets out a short, breathless laugh, his chest rising sharply before sinking under the weight of it all. he shakes his head, tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek as he looks down at the card again, like maybe this time the words will rearrange themselves into something less impossible.

“so, what?” he scoffs, wetness pricking at his eyes. “they just . . . deleted me? like a fucking file on a computer?”

ward sighs. long, slow, through his nose. he knew this would be hard to explain.

“how many?” rafe asks. how many memories are gone now?

his father doesn’t answer right away. his jaw shifts, gaze dropping to the floor like he doesn’t want to say it. or maybe he’s just trying to soften the blow of something that can’t be softened.

when he finally speaks, his voice is careful. deliberate. “all of ‘em, bud.”

rafe scoffs again, but it’s weaker this time, like his body is struggling to keep up with his disbelief. he smiles, but it’s the kind that only comes when someone is trying not to fall apart.

“no . . . no. she didn’t. she wouldn’t do that.” he shakes his head again, faster this time. “that’s not even a fucking thing— i mean, erasing someone from your mind? since when did we have the tech for that bullshit? that didn’t happen.”

he throws the card onto the table like it burns to hold it any longer. gets up so fast his chair scrapes loudly against the floor. his chest is rising and falling too quickly, hands threading behind his head as he paces across the kitchen, back and forth, back and forth, his fingers digging into his scalp.

ward doesn’t stop him. he just watches, his own grief settling deep in his expression. and maybe it’s not the same kind of grief. maybe it’s not the gut-wrenching, all-consuming, ‘i’ve lost the love of my life kind’, but it’s still there.

because he’s seen lacuna inc. before, out near the edge of the island, where no one really looks unless they’re desperate enough to. he’s seen it and he’s hoped no one he loves would ever consider walking through its doors.

but you did. a girl who once sat at his dinner table, who used to laugh with his family, who was supposed to be his daughter-in-law one day.

was rafe really that bad? bad enough to make you want to erase him?

rafe stops pacing so suddenly it’s like something clicks into place inside him. he turns, slipping out of the kitchen without another word. his father calls after him, but he doesn’t listen. his hands move on their own, grabbing his keys from the hook by the front door, pushing outside, stepping into the thick outer banks air like he’s coming up for air after drowning.

he doesn’t know where he’s going.

apparently, he can’t go to you.

but he’ll do something.

a/n: just the short little prologue so def let me know if ud like to be tagged for this one!

[chunkitakii]

A Fight Worth While

Conquest x Hero! Reader

There is almost NO fics abt this crazy ass man, so I'll just write my best because he has been on my mind ever since that episode came out. BTW this fic looks ass but I wanted to js push this one out there. But imagine this: your fighting Conquest along side Invincible. And this mf just starts to like you, and little TOO much…

WARNING: There will be sexual themes, skin licking, choking, typical violence, hints that reader will be uncomfortable (goes with the story but ik some of yall freaky and would take everything this man will give you.) You still find him attractive tho.

Read it on AO3!

Summary: You are a hero fighting Conquest; you later find out that he is really liking this fight. Like REALLY liking it… (Basically its just Conquest bullying tf outa you, and js making things weird like the weirdo he is. <3)

Buildings were no longer buildings, but rubles. The roads that once lay flat on the city ground no longer longer were present in this destruction. Civilians cry and groan, trying to either bring themselves out of the ruble, or trying to find and help others. The city was no longer a city, but a wasteland filled with debris and bodies. 

You had of course come to the city's help after hearing about the destruction. Cities around the world had become unrecognizable. You couldn’t stand by and watch it all happen. 

You hurriedly came to the scene. You couldn’t find the person who caused all of this, so you instantly went for the hurt civilians. They thanked you and ran to either seek shelter or help others. As you continued, your eyes grazed upon a scene in front of you. 

Many civilians cowered in fear, tears streaming down their faces as they whimpered from the man in front of them. You couldn’t blame them, because the man in front of them was one of the most intimidating things you had ever seen. Although you couldn’t see his face, his form itself sent shivers down your spine.  

He was huge…

He wore an all-white fit, and had a metal arm beside him. He foated menacingly above the civilians; it had looked like a predator catching their prey. And you couldn’t stand it; this might be your guy.

“You low-life insects are so puny, I could cry, but…that would just be weak.” The man spoke, his voice like gravel and his breath steady. He had begun to bring back his fist, he was about to kill the civilian underneath him. Their faces twisted in fear, some even began to accept their fate. It haunted you knowing that you were probably going to see them turn into mush under his hand.

Before he could land a hit, you took up all of your strength and flew at him with all of your might.  Luckily before he could react, the hero planted a blow right at his lower spine. Stopping him from ending these people's lives. It sent him flying across the town, you could feel a sense of satisfaction bubble within you.

The civilians below you showing their appreciation for you. “Thank you, thank you!” they cried, pools of tears running down your face. You had to remind them that while you were grateful, they were still on the battlefield. They all had acknowledged you, and had begun to run off to elsewhere, away from the war upon their city.

You felt a sense of pride fill you knowing that you had saved their lives, sparkling theme another day. But before you can bathe in the feeling, it quickly vanishes. You felt an ominous presence before you once again. The debris of the building had finally vanished, only giving you a view that sent fear down your spine. 

There he was once again, now facing you like you had done almost nothing to him. He had a couple of scratches sure, but he had only looked like you only just flicked him. It gave a sense that this man did not feel anything you had given him.

You could now see his face; he had a scar that came from the top of his head. It looked nasty, not to mention it made his appearance more intimidating. The scar had reached his eye that was white and cloudy. Leaving his other eye to stare down into you more.

Although from all of his fearful appearance, you could admit that he was somewhat of a good looking fellow. Although that was masked over the thoughts of him killing innocent lives.

He floated forward in the dusty air until he had stopped within an eye’s view. His shoulders squared as he stood tall. His gaze pierced through the unknown hero, analyzing their every inch. To the tips of your toes, to the top of your head. His eyebrows furrowed a little upon them; you could faintly hear him grumble from the depth of his chest. 

You felt a shiver run down your spine at the sight of him. If you stood side by side with him, he could easily dwarf you. Yet you still stood your ground, you had wanted to show him justice after what he had done. Though the thought of beating this man had become slimmer and slimmer just by looking at him. You would have to try and pull yourself together and prove yourself wrong.

“Are you the one destroying these cities and killing innocent civilians?” You asked; you already knew the answer to it. You just wanted to make sure, and hear this guy’s reason as to why. Curiosity might be the death of you.

He’s cold gaze then softened, then turned into a smirk as he looked at this assumed “hero” in front of him. He could try and have some fun with you. The previous heroes were not as much of a fight after all. It gave him a feeling much like a cat playing with its food before mauling to death. He had killed so many of these weak heroes, but they were always somewhat of entertainment to him. You would just be one more tally mark on the kill streak to him. Though from all of the other heroes of this planet, he felt himself taking a liking to you just by your appearance. You were smaller than him, and could easily be overpowered by him. But something told him that you were going to be worth his while.

“Hm…You know, you have more of a kick to your punch than the rest of those worms...” He muttered out, his eyes squinting at their form. He could see them visibly shiver from him, but their eyes remained determined.

Adorable…

The older man spoke up once again, straightening his posture to introduce himself. "I am Conquest, sent by the Viltomights to take over your feeble planet.” Conquest announced, eyes still remaining on the hero before him. He had seen the once determined face begin to sneer at him.

You felt a growl come out of your throat, at this point. You were ready to beat this guy’s ass for threatening your home planet. You didn’t want to hear another word from this man.

Conquest had felt satisfied at your reaction before continuing. “But to answer your question, yes, I am the one destroying these cities and killing lives.” He stated it in a mocking way to imitate how you asked him that same question before. “But not in Viltrumites name, but for my own pleasure.” Growling that last response out, he paused for a moment, leaning forward just a little. “And you are? I would like to know the person I'm going to tear apart...” Conquest asked, his tone darkened. But you wouldn’t dare to give him your name. Too angered by him and his actions, and he could tell the glare you gave him.

“Why would I? After what you have done here, I don’t think you even deserve it.” Venom spat out your thought, challenging him in a way. Conquest only chuckled at the hero’s remark, finding it cute that they were trying to insult him. His smile bared his crooked teeth down at you before saying his last remark to you. “It’s fine, I’ll know soon enough after I am done with you.” And with that, he serged towards them with a crazed expression. It made your heart drop knowing he was coming at you full speed. Luckily, you were faster.

Quickly, they moved to the side as they saw him zoom past them and stomp into the ground. As he got up, you saw the opportunity to hit Conquest as he was still turned around. You felt the adrenaline pulse through your veins as you brought a hand back to plow into the back of his skull. But he had already known your plan of action.

Suddenly, he twisted his body around and threw one single punch to the hero’s gut that made them spew out blood instantly. The blow had sent their body flying back into a building somewhere behind you. The building began to crush and crumble above them. They could feel many cuts and bruises taking form across their now injured body.

Conquest felt himself frown; he was disappointed with the thought that you were already done after that hit. Many heroes are after a single blow. At times, it was satisfying to let others know how truly strong he is. Though there could be times when he was disappointed with their weakness. Not many beings could even handle his strength; it was sad, really. But something gave him a feeling you were far from that. Right now, it looks like he might have to pull you out of the ground to continue this fight. 

With a closed-eyed sigh, he floated with an easy pace towards the downed hero. But what he didn’t expect was how fast you had gotten up. With his guard down, Conquest felt a piercing punch right in the middle of his face that sent his nose spewing out blood and onto your hand. The punch itself had made him land upon the ground roughly. Conquest was not shocked, but impressed by your durability. 

The punch itself should have at least ruined your intestines. Or even should have made you immobile for a while. But yet you had gotten up within seconds. Impressive, now lets see how long you would last against him.

The viltrumite was about to get up and continue the fight, but the fist then returned upon his face quickly turned into a full grasp as he felt himself being roughly dragged upon the city floor. He didn’t need to open his eyes to feel the angered expression on your face. He felt the heat of your adrenaline, your anger, your excitement.

You’re getting heated…

Good…

To you, it felt good putting this man in his place, the heat of the moment catching up on you. You couldn’t help but feel a smirk forming on your face. Who knows, maybe you could beat this guy.

You could now feel Conquest smile underneath your hand as he was getting dragged through the city. You didn’t have time to wonder if he was smiling until he suddenly grasped your arm. His hand wraps firmly against your forearm. And with a swift move, he swung them around and brought them down with him. Switching the both of their positions, you were now the one getting dragged across the ground with him untop of you.

Both of his hands gripped the chestpiece of your suit, keeping you from going anywhere but the rough and extremely hard ground. You grunted profusely, and as you looked up at the man above you. Conquest had stared right back at you with the same, crazed smirk that will probably haunt you in your dreams. 

“You are alot stronger than I thought, kid…” He grunted out.

Suddenly, without the two of you knowing, the both of them could feel themselves getting slammed into another building, which stopped him from dragging you any further, thankfully. Now that the two of you stopped moving, Conquest brought his metal hand to press you down further into the ground below you. His robotic hand had almost covered all of your chest, it didn’t help he was pressing down with an intense pressure. You groaned and tried to pry his hand off of you. But he didn’t budge, not one bit. Instead, he pressed down harder, and began to rub his fingers around their ribs, feeling you all around. Your flesh and your rib cage both.

Damn, this guy is weird.

“You know, you are really starting to entertain me, Sunshine.” Conquest spoke; the nickname he had given you rolled off of his tongue. To him, it was fitting for you considering he’s fighting a hero with some spice to them. This hero was a feisty little thing; it filled him with fire. Conquest also didn’t forget how cute they were to him; it had just made him want to cave your little chest in. But what had intrigued him more was the fact that they didn’t run away in fear like the rest of his opponents after a moment of fighting. It was too bad he had to end their weak little lives. But you, you continued to fight him with so much anger. A part of him sort of debated if he had wanted to kill you or not. 

“Not many have the strength to entertain me, I give you full credit for that.” He chuckled as he looked down upon you. You glared back up at him with that same fiery glare as you continued to try and pry his hand off, and oh how he loved it. “Go to hell, you psycho…” the hero grunted back at him.

They had begun to raise the legs until they gave a full-force kick into Conquest’s stomach to give you some space. As your legs gave a powerful kick to his stomach, he went stumbling backwards with a harsh groan. He had clutched his stomach in pain. As he was distracted only for a moment, you twisted your body around to give one more final blow, similar to a horse kick. Sending him backwards and into the air above. 

You followed him in the air shortly after, hopefully to plow him back into the earth’s core. Before you could even land the hit, Conquest turned around and wrapped both of his hands around your neck, and serged your body into the ground. The wind around you whistled in your ears, making you almost lose your ability to hear. You finally felt the ground below break as your body made contact with it. A wave of pain had hit your body; you had felt a metallic task in the back of your throat; no doubt that was blood.

Before you had regained full consciousness, you felt a weighing pressure on top of you, keeping you down on the ground. A warm but cold hand was still present on your throat, making sure that you were not going to get up and have the upper hand. Soon, they had gained the strength to open their eyes. Sadly, the only thing that had filled their vision was the one and only Conquest. He was breathing heavily, his shoulders moving with every breath. You could have swore you saw drool coming from his mouth.

He now had you practically in a cage, a cage formed by him. Conquest took a breathy exhale as he leaned forward until his head layed upon your shoulder. Conquest pressed almost all of his weight down onto them, making them slightly wheeze out from the pressure. Their legs were located on each side of his waist. His robotic arm was keeping him propped up by its forearm. Your hand was placed upon his shoulder to try and prevent him from moving closer than he already was.

“Look at you, Sunshine, being so good for me while you fight to your heart's content.” You could hear and feel his ragged breath against the part of your neck just below your ear. With the position the two of you were taking, it was sort of erotic. If someone where to walk by and find the two of you, it would look like a missionary position. And if anyone did, you were just going to call it quits and die.

Trying to get the erotic thoughts out of your head, you snapped at him. “Fuck you…” You groaned out as you tried almost the one hundredth time to get him off of you; Conquest still didn’t budge. You had only gotten a light chuckle from him.

“I can go at this for days, but I doubt you could even keep up with a viltrumite like me.” Conquest muttered against you. You could feel his pelvis upon yours, and you could even feel him. Every part of this man screamed huge, and you weren’t sure if you were ready to find that out. You let out a soft gasp at the contact as you tried pushing him off, “Get off of me asshole-” they gasped out, but each move they made had them moving into the man above them. Conquest had only grounded into them more, his smirk becoming bigger and bigger by the second. You could almost hear him groan above you, and he could hear you whimper underneath him. To him, that sound alone made him made up his mind about you. Conquest was definitely keeping you…

Now, the cogs in your head made you realize something,

Conquest was getting off by this. This sick fuck was getting off to you fighting him! 

You couldn’t help your face from getting warm by your situation. To save you from humiliation, you moved your face away from him. You still couldn’t really move due to his hand gripping at your thoat, so you had tried your best to fight his hand. Hopefully to escape from him seeing your warmth and embarrassed face. But what you didn’t realize was that you were giving him full access to your neck. Conquest felt you try and move away from him, he also felt how warm you had gotten. 

You instantly regretted it as you felt him smile wickedly against your neck. Conquest adjective his hand to where it wasn’t handling your neck, but hilding the side of it you keep you from moving away. He gave a soft inhale against your skin, inhaling your scent before he began to press his face further down onto their neck and rub his face all over you. At first, you thought he was just being weird and creepy. Yet the thought was quickly shut down as you felt a liquid spread across the side of your neck. It was warm yet cold at the same time. But then it hit you like a bullet train.

Conquest was rubbing his bloody nose all over you…

It had felt like he was marking you with his blood; you felt yourself cringe at the thought. His nose slid across every curve of your neck, making it slippery to the touch. This man wasn’t just a normal, powerful villain; this man was a crazed psychopath who gets off at this! You didn’t know if you could fight him anymore. You didn’t know if it was because you were too weirded out and scared, or because you were afraid you would like it. You would be lying to yourself that you didn’t find this man attractive. Yet this man had potentially killed millions, if not more! At this point, you were scared of both your feelings and conquest.

You whimpered as he trailed his face up to your cheek. Giving you a hard cheek nuzzle to spread his blood more on your face. You could hear him chuckle against your cheek, breathly but rough. After what had seemed like long, antagonizing minutes, he settled his forehead on theirs, staring deeply into them as if the two of you just made love. His half-lidded eyes held so much adoration while yours were wide and fearful ones. 

The sight alone had pleased him, turning him on more than he already was. You, covered in blood, it was a beautiful sight. He would do anything to keep you in a frame within his mind forever. The hero’s once fiery eyes were now replaced with fearful ones. It seemed they had now realized what and who they were up against. 

“Aw come on, don’t tell me you already lost that spark in you. Things were just starting to get fun.” Conquest whined; he loved the fact that a once confident hero, broken down into a weak worm from the man before them. But at the same time, Conquest wanted to continue this fight with you. You were so much stronger than the rest of those weak little worms that call themselves heros. But then again, he loved to show how he can easily dominate you in battle.

Maybe later he can break you down until you were a submissive little thing while he beats you into the ground.

His statement towards you alone had brought you back to reality. You had contemplated if you had wanted to flee, but now that he urged you to fight, you found that same spark that was once lost. His words replaying in your head, he thinks that you gave up. Like hell you were going to give up.

Conquest saw the light ignite in their eyes, their fury now showing within your colored orbs. They let out an infuriated growl as they quickly brought their head back and slammed it right into Conquest’s head. It brought him back into a sitting position, giving you room to move. Headbutting him so hard that even both of them saw white. But the pain didn’t stop them from pushing him into the ground and putting their fists into his face repreatedly. 

Ofcourse, Conquest only eat their punches up like it was a full course meal. He finally had enough of your little “tantrum” and finally caught your hands with a swift move. Conquest then socked you in your chest, but not too hard to send you flying. You had luckily landed on your feet a couple of feet away from him, but the air had vanished from your lungs, causing you to cough profusely. You only focused on getting the breath back into your lungs to realize that Conquest had already appeared behind you within a blink of an eye.

You then felt a pair of arms around you; feeling his head behind your back to lift you up into the air. The two of you were in a position where your back was against his chest, his arms cradling your waist from behind. You would use your arms, but they were pinned beside you by Conquest forearms. You could visibly see his arms flex around your waist.

You found yourself still not taking back the fact that this man was really attractive.

His shadow casted over the hero’s form, making them feel smaller than they already were. Of course they had tried to fight back, their back had tried to arch away from him. But that had only made him bring them closer towards his body. You could feel each muscle of his behind you, especially his chest.

“That’s it, get angry…” He growled lowly. His voice was low and quiet; it didn’t fail to make you weak in your knees. You felt disgusted with yourself. Luckily you weren’t even standing; well, you didn’t know if it was a good thing.

What had happened afterwords pretty much cleared that question. You felt Conquest tighten his grip on you, almost crushing you with his bare arms. He lifted you up slowly before quickly falling backward onto the ground, slamming your head into the hard ground as he suplexed you.

You could not even cry out in pain from how hard the blow was. Instead, the only thing heard from you was deep, jagged breaths. You had struggled to keep yourself conscious as he unhooked his arms and let your body fall to the ground. You tried to keep your body upright, but the painful throbbing in your head kept you from doing so. You left the new fresh blood seeping out from your head and onto your bruised face. 

Your vision was blurry from the attack. And yet the only thing you could recognize from your foggy vision was the figure that stood before you. It wasn’t rocket science to know it was Conquest. What gave it away was the taunting voice of his. “Come on, sunshine. I know you have some strength in you still. Your strong, and I believe in you, you know that?” Conquest spoke in a soft voice, but you weren’t fool to know that he wasn’t sincere. 

But yet you still tried to move your legs, try to sit up, or even try to move your head. But you still couldn’t stop the pain in the back of your head. And the beast of a man just sat there and watched. Conquest was not a patient man, so with the goodness of his heart, he thought he might as well help you. “Here, let me be of service to you.” He simply stated.

You saw his figure move towards your form. You tried to move away, but that quickly failed as he roughly picked you up by the front part of your suit. He held you just above the ground; you feel dangled below you. The two of you stared at each other, you with a pained expression, and Conquest with an emotionless face. He took a long look at you, his singular working eye grazing upon each cut and gash that occupied your face. Additionally, his own marking of blood that covered the whole right side of your face. Glistening in the bare sun like fine wine.

“But, I can admit, seeing you all beat up just excites me…” Conquest muttered before uppercutting you in the jaw with a swift motion. The action was so off guard that you still couldn’t even grasp it. It had only hit when you were finally skidding on the ground with full force. Your limbs and joints became more painful each time your body collided with the ground. It didn’t help when body roughly stopped into a boulder. 

Your had now started to water, the pain from the uppercute had now started to dissolve into your jaw. You weren’t crying, but your eyes watered profusely from the pain of bone your jaw and your head. You tried to quickly wipe them away, trying to keep your eyes on the monster of a man that slowly flated towards you. But each time you blink, Conquest seems to become closer and closer. It was like straight out of a horror movie; it sent chills down to your core. After a couple of blinks, Conquest was now above you. You didn’t know if you could take another hit from him. Afraid of dying by his hands.

As Conquest stood above you, he brung his good hand to your face. His rough, warm hand grazed your cheek with the back of his hand; it was soft, but not until he forcibly yanked your head up to his. You felt his breath against your face; you also felt the intest eye contact he gave you. You grunted from the hard grasp he had; his hand covered most of the side of your head. You could tell he was smiling—the soft and giddy hum was present in the air. 

But what had caught you off guard the most, was that Conquest used his other hand to grab ahold of the hand you used to wipe your tears off of. His had softly touched yours, the action made you flinch due to the fear of what he might do next. Conquest twisted your hand to make your palm point directly above to his mouth. For a brief moment, he looked at you, waiting to see the confusion on your face. His eyes were soft, but not too soft to give away the menacing smirk. Conquest was pleased to see how your eyebrows furrowed just a little. That itself gave him the cue to do his deed. He opened his mouth, then stuck his tongue out to give your palm a long, hard lick.

He was licking the blood and tears off of your hand.

You mentally shrieked, now trying to close your hand. But Conquest was quick enough to hold it open with his thumb. You brought your free arm out to try and push him away, but that only made him open his eyes and bring your fingers into his mouth. Conquest gave you a devious smirk as he lightly bit down on them, making you gasp and freeze up. Scared that he will bite all of your fingers off.

Conquest gave a pleased sigh as he felt your fear of him. He brought your fingers out of his mouth, his saliva and your fingers being the only thing connected. “Your cute, you know that?” He questioned as his grip on the side of your head hardened. The sound of your pulse quickening only brought him pleaser. 

“At first, I thought you weren’t going to last after the first hit. But the more I spent my time fighting you, I began to feel more and more intrigued by you.” Conquest then lets go of you, releasing his grip on your head and hand. You fell to the ground with a loud huff, now propping yourself up on your forearms to try and give yourself leverage. Conquest dropped down to his knees, leveling with you as he gave you his words.

“You are not the strongest I have fought, but yet your durability amuses me. The other heroes this planet provides could not even last this long if they tried. Maybe I’ll keep you for safekeeping, maybe a suverneer to my home planet-” “You wouldn’t dare…” You cut him off from finishing his sentence. The thought of him “keeping” you unnerved you. Like hell you were going to be some pet to a man like him!

“But I can!” Conquest replied rather quickly for your liking. He then leaned in closer towards you, his eyes now darkened. “Let’s face it, you can’t beat me. Not for a long shot, sunshine.” Spitting his words down at you. Conquest then leaned back, relaxed as ever. You couldn’t even hold yourself up, so why bother being tense.

“You are like…Hmm…” He looked around the atmosphere, taking in all of the destruction he caused upon humanity as he tried to find the right example for you. Conquest spoke up once again, “You are like a dog in your people’s sense; you are only meant for my entertainment. I could treat you however I like and you would just come running back like nothing happened… Or, at least you will eventually.”

You were about to shout back at his words, but you were cut short with your vision going black and your body giving up on you. Conquest, gave you one swift punch to the head, and knocked you out cold. He knew that more insults would come out of your mouth, so he saved himself the time by shutting you up. 

He watched as you became quiet and unmoving in front of him. Conquest gave out a long, exagerated sigh before putting both of his arms underneath the hero, and picked them up without a single struggle. Your body was limp in his arms. Your head rests against his chest as all of the blood from you smeared onto his suit. Blood from both him and you. 

“Let us go home, pet…” Conquest spat out in the air like venom. Now floating in the air to get ready bring you back to Viltrum.

Pets weren’t normalized on his home planet; they were a sign of weakness. They would get too attached, and then that would be a liability. So, they were looked down upon. But you? No, you were going to be a form of entertainment to him. Something to keep his mind off of his loneliness. Maybe something to bring him out of that loneliness. 

His little entertainer…

I HATE proofreading, so sorry if this is ass and not well put togeather.

[liwinly]

──── LIKE ITS MAGNETIC !

enhypen hyung line ｡｡ when they are down bad

fluff romance slice of life ✶ skinship 【 CATALOGUE 】

ꢾ꣒ REBLOGS & FEEDBACKS

HEESEUNG

Heeseung swears he’s never felt this way before. The kind of love that makes his heart stutter, his stomach flutter, his mind spin like a scratched record stuck on your name.

Right now, you’re curled up on his couch, wrapped in a blanket, munching on the snacks he bought just for you. He watches you with a soft smile, utterly smitten.

“You’re staring,” you tease, throwing a popcorn kernel at him.

He catches it with ease, popping it into his mouth. “Can’t help it. You’re too pretty.”

You roll your eyes, but your pink cheeks give you away. “Cheesy.”

“And you love it.” Heeseung grins, shifting closer, wrapping his arms around you. He nuzzles into your neck, voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so in love with you, it’s crazy.”

Your heart swells as you whisper back, “Good, because I’m just as in love with you.”

JAY

Jay never believed in love at first sight — until you.

It started with small things. The way your laughter filled the room, the way your eyes sparkled when you talked about something you loved, the way you made his world brighter just by being in it. Before he knew it, he was falling. Hard.

Tonight, as you walk beside him, fingers brushing against his, Jay feels his heart race. The city lights cast a soft glow on your face, making you look even more ethereal.

“Jay?” You call his name, tilting your head.

“Hm?”

“You’ve been staring.”

A sheepish chuckle escapes his lips. “Can you blame me?” Then, gathering his courage, he gently takes your hand, intertwining your fingers. “I think I’m falling for you.”

You squeeze his hand, a shy smile forming. “Good. Because I’ve already fallen for you.”

JAKE

Jake never thought he’d be this whipped. But here he is, sitting across from you at a café, completely mesmerized as you ramble about your day, hands animated, eyes sparkling.

He rests his chin on his palm, grinning like a fool. “You’re so cute.”

You pause mid-sip of your drink, raising a brow. “Where did that come from?”

Jake shrugs, leaning closer. “Just stating facts. Love looks good on you.”

Your cheeks turn pink, and you try to hide your flustered expression behind your cup. “Who said I was in love?”

He smirks, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “Your eyes did.”

You roll your eyes but can’t stop smiling. “Fine. Maybe I am.”

Jake chuckles, taking your hand in his. “Good. Because I’ve been in love with you since the moment I met you.”

SUNGHOON

Sunghoon isn’t the best with words. He’s never been the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, but when it comes to you, everything changes.

Right now, you're pouting at him, arms crossed. "You forgot our ice cream date."

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't forget—I just got caught up at practice." Guilt seeps into his voice as he watches your expression soften.

"You could’ve texted me," you mumble.

Sunghoon exhales, stepping closer. "I know. And I'm sorry." He hesitates before taking your hands, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. "I don’t say it enough, but... I really, really like you. You’re the only person I want to spend my time with."

Your heart flutters at his rare confession. Smiling, you squeeze his hand. "Fine. You’re forgiven—if you buy me two scoops."

Sunghoon chuckles. "Deal."

── .✦ @amoressb @chrrific @woniefication @ijustwannareadstuff20 @cheruphic @irasvr @puma-riki

[cripplecharacters]

Hi, I hope you're having a good day! I have a schizophrenic OC and have some questions about psychosis:

What are moments of clarity in the middle of an episode like, as in realizing a delusion isn't true? Can a moment of clarity fully take you out of an episode on its own, or would you just spiral again without intervention?

If you get closer to where a hallucination is "coming from" in physical space, does the sound get closer?

What would it be like if you tried to physically interact with a visual hallucination? -Anon 🐝

Anon 🐝 here again with more questions about psychosis: How common is it to hallucinate (visually or auditorily) people you know in real life? Can you have consistently positive experiences with a recurring hallucination? Thanks so much for everything you do!

Hey!

I have psychosis but not schizophrenia, so please keep this in mind. I'll also say that psychotic symptoms and experiences are extremely individualized, and these answers are based on my own experience, they're by no means universal.

Can a moment of clarity fully take you out of an episode on its own, or would you just spiral again without intervention?

This will depend on a few factors, I think. If someone is in general aware that they have a psychosis spectrum disorder, go into a psychotic episode, and realize "oh I'm Actively Having a Psychotic Episode" then that might take them right out of it, or do so gradually, or at least help them stop freaking out. If someone has the insight of knowing what is happening to them, there's a higher chance they will go back to "normal" faster.

On the other hand, if someone is unaware that they are in psychosis, or what is going on, there's a higher chance they will go back to it. But there are no hard rules - someone who is normally extremely self-aware of their psychotic episodes might spiral into it over and over if they're under more stress than usual, for example.

Another thing is whether the hallucination/delusion is "bizarre" (fantastical, literally couldn't happen, not understandable even in the person's religious/cultural context) or "non-bizarre" (possible, even if highly unusual/improbable). If someone is aware they could be in psychosis, it's much easier to clock something as fake if it's of the bizarre variety (since having an alien in your bedroom is weirder and raises more questions than someone knocking at your doors a lot). That can provide that moment of clarity if you have enough self awareness to go "but aliens aren't real, I must be in psychosis" - though it's not a guarantee by any means ("what if I'm the first person to discover aliens?" -> starts spiraling all over again).

The same above goes for "simple"/"complex" visual hallucinations - if you realize that the "person" is actually just a vaguely person-shaped blob of color, it could just take you out of it, since well, that's not very convincing after you notice that.

There are also ways to "solidify" that clarity. A really common trick I know is to take a photo of the hallucination; if it's not here then you know it's not there either. Some people also take off their glasses and check if there's a mismatch in how the hallucination should look like if it was real vs if it's made up by the brain (if it suddenly looks like an interactive object in a 2000s video game or looks weirdly HD, it's probably a hallucination), though this one never worked for me personally.

What would it be like if you tried to physically interact with a visual hallucination?

I only ever tried to do this while I was fully unaware that I was in a psychotic episode, so keep that in mind.

Looking at it now, I didn't "feel the hallucination" at all. I was hallucinating thing A, and touching real existing thing B (that I thought A was on/under), and I felt exactly what I would if it was just the real physical object B. But because I was hallucinating, I didn't pay attention to that fact, and it certainly didn't "take me out of the hallucination" that the hallucination didn't feel how it should. It obviously depends on the person, but if someone is trying to touch the hallucination and expecting it to feel like the thing, they probably won't notice even if it doesn't feel like it at all. You could be hallucinating a dog and be touching a chair, and it wouldn't feel out of the ordinary.

As for the hallucination touching the person - again, can only speak for myself - tactile hallucinations can be extremely real. Mine felt 100% how they would (if they could logically happen, since mine were of the "bizarre" variety), even looking back at it now.

If you get closer to where a hallucination is "coming from" in physical space, does the sound get closer?

A lot of the points from the answer above will be true for this one too. If someone is completely "in" that hallucination, they might not notice/care even if the sound doesn't get any closer despite them getting closer. But yes, some people can have very realistic hallucinations and be able to tell exactly where its sounds are coming from according to them. If it's a static hallucination that e.g. only shows up in a specific area, they might avoid going anywhere near there.

Also: not all hallucinations that should logically produce sounds actually do. Another thing that the brain might ignore and not question for some people, and take someone else out of the hallucination entirely.

How common is it to hallucinate (visually or auditorily) people you know in real life?

I think media makes it seem way more common than it actually is, but it does happen. This could also be affected by the person's life events, e.g. if a psychotic person has recently experienced something major regarding a certain person, there's a higher chance they could be hallucinating them - because it's Recent and Traumatic. Some people will be hallucinating people they know 24/7 nonstop, others will literally never have it, and a big portion will have a few of those throughout their life.

It is also fairly common to hallucinate recently lost loved ones after their death for people who aren't (long-term) psychotic as well. It's basically a trauma response to high stress, and can happen to anyone.

I'll say, you can hallucinate all sorts of real people: they sure could be your closest loved ones, but they could also be your classmates, your annoying coworker, the cashier at your local grocery store, a religious figure, etc.

Can you have consistently positive experiences with a recurring hallucination?

You can, though I personally never did. I'll leave this question to mods who have more experience with it, though I'll say that you can especially have a positive hallucination if it's a hallucination of something you already like (like a friend, for example).

For the end I'll also mention that there are many more types of hallucinations than just visual and auditory; olfactory (smell), tactile, sexual, somatic (e.g. pain, or feeling like you're moving when you aren't), and command ("the voices telling you to do something", it's usually categorized differently from auditory ones).

Hope this helps,

mod Sasza

Hello!

I have schizoaffective with depression and only have a few things to add because Sasza put everything so well! :)

There's a concept in psychosis you'll hear a lot called double bookkeeping. It's the idea that you both know something is delusional or part of psychosis but believe it anyways. This is something that I experience during early episodes or in the beginning that goes away as my episode gets longer. Some people do not have this at all, some people this is the only way their psychosis shows up. But a lot of how strong a hallucination or delusion is will depend on if you're truly believing it without question or double bookkeeping, or how "in" the hallucination or delusion you are, as Sasza said.

Personally, it's harder to have a "moment of insight" when I am double bookkeeping because I already know what I'm believing or doing is unrealistic or bizarre but I still keep doing it. When I am fully in the delusion, it's easier for something to pull me out (one time a very well timed text message from a friend made me start to question a very dangerous delusion) and for me to go to the double bookkeeping mindset.

As for hallucinations and where they are physically located, I've mainly had hallucinations that feel like they are anchored in place but the opposite is also possible!

I sometimes hallucinate real people, but those times have often been related to strong emotion or trauma, like mentioned. I more often see strangers.

It is possible to have a positive hallucination or delusion, or to have a hallucination that is regularly positive! I have a British voice that brought me a lot of comfort in my last serious episode. He would say very positive things compared to the other meaner voices. I actually miss him sometimes, although I am glad to no longer be hearing voices.

Last little bit I'll add is please remember schizophrenia and schizoaffective involve at least 2 of 5 components, only one of which have to be hallucinations, disorganized speech, or delusions! The others are abnormal movements/catatonia and negative symptoms (asociality, anhedonia, avolition, alogia, and (blunt) affect, the beautiful five As).

Happy writing!

Mod Bert

[hereforuconnwbb]

Unexpected Halt - CHAPTER SEVEN

paige x azzi (pazzi)

au fic!

~paige plays for uconn and azzi plays for stanford~

word count: 10.2k

warning: language, drugs, alcohol

hey yall sorry i kept you guys waiting but here chapter 7 !!! i honestly dk if i like this and if this chapter even makes sense but i js wanted to get something out cs like this is my downfall 🥲 sooooooo um hopefully its ok and hopefully u guys enjoy 😽

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

A month had passed, and somehow, things between Paige and Azzi had only gotten stronger.

What started as late-night FaceTime calls and Fortnite sessions had turned into something even more effortless. They talked every day, whether through texts, calls, or the occasional voice memo when one of them was too busy to type. They had settled into a rhythm—one that felt natural, easy, and theirs.

Paige had always known she cared about Azzi, but now? It felt deeper. Stronger. More real. It wasn’t just playful teasing and stolen moments anymore—it was falling asleep on the phone together, waking up to good morning texts, and knowing that, no matter what, they were each other’s person.

Azzi felt it too. She had never been the type to open up easily, but with Paige, she didn’t have to try. Being with her felt like second nature, like something she had always been meant to do. And even though they were still apart more often than not, it never felt like distance. Because no matter where they were, they chose each other.

—------------

Paige’s phone buzzed next to her as she sat at her desk, trying to focus on some homework. She glanced at the screen, but the number was unfamiliar. The message that popped up was vague, but something about it made her stomach twist.

Unknown Number: Hey, it’s been a while.

Paige frowned, unsure who it could be. She quickly typed back,

Paige: Who is this?

The reply came almost instantly.

Unknown Number: You really don’t recognize me? You used to call me your best friend.

Paige hesitated, her mind racing as she tried to place the voice behind the message. It didn’t feel like a random number, but she couldn’t quite place it.

Paige: I’m not sure. Why are you texting me?

The person didn’t hesitate to respond, their tone increasingly familiar.

Unknown Number: You always said we’d talk again someday. I never wanted things to end like they did.

Paige’s heart skipped a beat, recognition slowly dawning on her. Her breath caught as a name bubbled to the surface of her mind.

Paige: Wait… Lexi?

There was a long pause before the response came, almost as if Lexi had been waiting for Paige to remember.

Lexi: You remember me. I’ve missed you so much. I tried to move on, but it’s been hard.

Paige’s pulse quickened, irritation bubbling up. She hadn’t heard from Lexi in months, not since their messy breakup. Lexi had never been good at letting go, and Paige had known that from the start.

Paige: Lexi, this is not okay. Why are you texting me after all this time? I’ve moved on. You need to stop.

Lexi: Move on? Who are you with now, Paige? You’re still not with that girl, right?

Paige froze. She didn’t want to give Lexi any details, but something about the way she asked made her feel uneasy. She typed back quickly.

Paige: That’s none of your business.

Lexi: Oh, I get it. You think I don’t know what’s going on in your life. You’ve always had a way of pushing people away when they get too close.

Paige’s grip on her phone tightened. The old frustration she felt with Lexi resurfaced, the constant need to control and manipulate every situation.

Paige: Stop trying to make me feel guilty. I’m in a relationship, and I’m happy. Can’t you just leave me alone?

There was a pause, the silence stretching between them. Paige could feel the weight of Lexi’s unspoken response, almost like a threat hanging in the air.

Lexi: You think you’re happy, but you’ll always come back to me, Paige. I know you better than anyone. You can’t just forget me like that.

Paige’s blood ran cold, and she couldn’t stop herself from sending a harsh reply.

Paige: You need to stop. I don’t want you in my life anymore, Lexi.

Before she could put her phone down, a new message popped up, this time more insistent and almost demanding.

Lexi: You’re mine, Paige. You always will be. Don’t pretend like you’re in control. I’m coming for you again.

Paige stared at the words, her heart pounding. Something about the way Lexi spoke sent a chill down her spine. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the feeling of being trapped by her past lingered.

She didn’t respond. The messages kept coming, each one more desperate, more possessive. But Paige knew she had to stop before it escalated further.

With a sigh, she tossed her phone onto her bed, standing up and pacing around her room for a few moments. The anger bubbling in her chest was still fresh, but something else gnawed at her too—a sense of dread. What if Lexi didn’t let this go? What if she started trying to come between her and Azzi?

The door to her room creaked open, and KK and Ice popped their heads inside, both of them giving her knowing smirks. “You good, P?” Ice asked, her voice teasing but with a hint of concern behind it.

Paige sighed again, running a hand through her hair. “No,” she muttered, walking over to her desk and sitting down. She could feel Ice and KK’s eyes on her, already reading the situation. Ice crossed her arms, while KK leaned against the doorframe, both of them waiting for Paige to speak.

“I got a message from Lexi,” Paige said quietly, her voice almost reluctant. She wasn’t used to talking about her past with them, but it was clear they weren’t going to leave until she opened up. “She… she’s been trying to reach me again.” She could feel the frustration rising in her chest as she spoke. “I don’t know how she even got my number. It’s like she’s been waiting for me to fall back into her trap.”

Ice raised an eyebrow. “Lexi? That’s the ex who almost fucked everything up, right?”

Paige nodded, her jaw tightening. “Yeah. She’s the one who—” She stopped herself, realizing she didn’t want to dredge up everything right now. The memories of the toxic relationship, the fights, the manipulation—it felt like opening a door she was trying to keep locked.

KK stepped into the room fully, a little more serious now. “Okay, but what’s going on with her? I thought she was out of your life for good. You’ve been pretty happy lately, with Azzi, right?” Her voice softened as she said Azzi’s name, her tone light but also understanding—especially now that she and Ice had figured out Paige and Azzi had been dating for a while now.

Paige took a deep breath, swallowing her frustration before it bubbled over. “She says she misses me. She wants to get back together, but it’s like… she doesn’t get it. I don’t feel that way anymore. I want to be with Azzi. But Lexi… she’s not just gonna let go. She’s already starting shit, making me feel like I owe her something.”

“You don’t owe her anything,” Ice interjected sharply, her eyes hardening. “I swear, Paige, if this bitch tries to pull you back in, we’ve got your back. You know that, right?”

Paige nodded, grateful for her friends’ support. “I know. But the thing is, Lexi doesn’t care about boundaries. She’s been texting me these creepy, possessive things. Telling me she knows I’m with someone else now, but she’s not letting me go. It’s like she thinks I’m hers.”

KK’s face softened with sympathy. “She’s unhinged,” she said bluntly. “And I know that’s scary, but you don’t have to deal with this alone. You’ve got us, and you’ve got Azzi. Lexi’s not gonna break you down.”

Paige chuckled bitterly, rubbing the back of her neck. “I know. But the way she’s acting… I’m worried she might try something. She’s the type to do something crazy.”

Ice’s eyes narrowed in understanding. “We’ll keep an eye on her for you,” she said. “But Paige, don’t forget—you are the one in control of this. Lexi might have messed with your head before, but you’re not the same person now. You’ve got your life with Azzi. You’ve got your own support system. You don’t have to let her worm her way back in.”

“Yeah,” Paige murmured, her chest tightening with a mix of relief and unease. “I just don’t want to cause problems for Azzi. She’s already been through enough with me, and the last thing I want is for her to get caught up in this mess.”

“I get that,” KK said, her voice softer now. “But Azzi’s not stupid. She’ll have your back. Just make sure you’re not pushing her away when you’re dealing with this. Communication is key.”

Paige nodded, the weight on her chest lessening slightly at her friends’ words. “I know. I just—she doesn’t deserve any of this. Lexi doesn’t get to just show up and ruin everything.”

A tense silence filled the room as Paige tried to steady herself, but Ice and KK didn’t push her further. They stood by her, their expressions supportive, not prying but offering comfort in the way they knew best.

“I’ll keep an eye on things,” Paige continued, her tone firm as she stood up, her mind made up. “If she crosses the line, I’ll shut it down. But I’m not letting her tear down what I have with Azzi. Not this time.”

Ice gave her a single, approving nod. “Good. You’ve got this, Paige. And if Lexi shows up anywhere near you again, you let us know. We’ll take care of it.”

Paige felt a wave of gratitude. No matter what Lexi tried, she wasn’t in this alone anymore. She had Azzi, Ice, and KK. And together, they would make sure that Lexi didn’t stand a chance.

Paige walked over to her phone, scrolling through the messages from Lexi one more time before deleting the entire thread. No more. It was time to shut that door for good.

But in the back of her mind, the unsettling feeling remained. The storm hadn’t passed yet, and Paige knew that things were about to get even more complicated.

—------------

The next day, after a restless night filled with too many thoughts, Paige finally found the time to call Azzi. Her fingers hovered over the phone screen, hesitating for just a second as she tried to decide how to bring it up. She didn’t want to drag Azzi into this mess, but she knew she couldn’t keep it from her. Not when things with Lexi were escalating.

Azzi picked up on the second ring, her voice soft but warm. “Hey, baby,” she greeted, a smile practically audible in her tone. “How’s it going?”

Paige took a deep breath, settling back into her bed as she tried to clear her head. “Hey, Azzi. I need to talk to you about something. Something’s been going on, and I don’t want to keep it from you.”

Azzi’s tone shifted immediately, the concern evident in her voice. “What’s wrong, Paige? You sound serious.”

Paige bit her lip, feeling the weight of the conversation already pressing down on her. “It’s about my ex… Lexi.”

There was a brief pause on the other end. “Your ex?” Azzi’s voice was cautious, unsure. “You don’t really talk about her much, so I’m guessing she’s not someone you want to talk about.”

Paige nodded, though Azzi couldn’t see it. “Yeah. I haven’t talked to her in a while, but recently, she started reaching out again.” She paused, trying to find the right words to explain it all without making it sound like she was trying to pull away from Azzi. “She’s… been trying to get back into my life. But it’s not just normal texting. It’s… well, it’s obsessive. She’s sending me messages, saying she misses me, saying she wants to get back together.”

Azzi’s voice softened, a note of sympathy slipping through. “That sounds… not great. But I’m guessing it’s more than just texts?”

Paige’s chest tightened as she replied, “Yeah, it is. She’s been sending weird stuff. Like, she knows I’m with someone else now, and she’s making it clear she doesn’t care. It’s like she’s trying to worm her way back in, even though I’ve made it clear I don’t want that.”

Azzi’s heart thudded in her chest. Her instinct was to protect Paige, to wrap her up in the safety of her own arms. She could hear the tension in Paige’s voice, and it made her ache for her. “I’m sorry, Paige. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have someone like that in your life, especially when you’re trying to move forward. But you’ve got me, okay? I’m here for you.”

Paige smiled faintly at the reassurance, but the nagging feeling at the back of her mind didn’t ease. “It’s just… she’s not letting go. And it’s like she doesn’t get the boundaries. I’ve blocked her number, but she somehow keeps getting through. And now she’s just… I don’t know. I’m worried she might do something stupid. She’s the type to make a scene if she doesn’t get what she wants.”

Azzi’s heart clenched at the thought of Paige being stalked or harassed. She wanted to be there for her, but this situation felt out of her control. “Have you told her to stop? Have you told her to stay away?”

“I have,” Paige said, her voice strained. “But it’s like she doesn’t care. She’s not listening. And now… now I’m worried she’s going to try something while I’m out or… or when I’m with you. I won’t let her ruin this, but I’m not sure what to do next.”

Azzi felt a rush of emotion—protectiveness, worry, even anger—and she knew in that moment that she couldn’t let Paige deal with this on her own. “You’re not alone in this, Paige. You’ve already been through enough with her. But I want you to promise me something.”

Paige raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “What’s that?”

“Promise me that if she tries anything again, we’ll try to figure it out together. I don’t care who she is or what she wants. I’m not going to let anyone threaten us or what we’ve got.”

Paige’s chest swelled with gratitude at Azzi’s words. “I promise. And I’ll keep you in the loop, always. I don’t want to keep things from you. But I just don’t want to bring this stress into what we have. You mean so much to me, Azzi. I just want us to stay happy.”

Azzi’s heart softened at that, her voice lowering to a tender whisper. “I know, babe. And we will be happy. No one’s going to mess that up. Not Lexi, not anyone.”

Paige could feel the warmth in Azzi’s words, and for the first time that day, she felt like maybe everything would be okay. They’d face whatever came next together, no matter how complicated it got. Paige didn’t want to burden Azzi with the weight of her past, but it felt good to know that Azzi was standing by her side.

“You’re right,” Paige said, her voice steadier now. “I don’t want to let this ruin what we have. Thank you, Azzi. For everything.”

“Always, P,” Azzi replied softly. “Always.”

The call continued with a few more quiet words, both of them reassured, though the unease still lingered. Paige knew the situation with Lexi wasn’t over yet. But with Azzi by her side, it didn’t feel quite as impossible to handle. She just had to make sure that nothing—and no one—would threaten what they had together.

And that meant keeping her ex at bay. No matter the cost.

—------------

Paige had just set her phone down after hanging up with Azzi, the warmth of their conversation still lingering in her chest, when the screen lit up with a new notification. A text. Lexi.

She hesitated for a moment, staring at the name on the screen. Her thumb hovered over the message for several seconds before she finally unlocked her phone and read the text.

Lexi: “I’m still waiting for you to talk to me, Paige. I know you’re mad, but you know this isn’t over. I’m not giving up on us.”

The words hit Paige like a punch in the gut, but her fingers didn’t shake. It was like a familiar ache now, the kind she’d grown numb to over the years.

Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of irritation and concern flooding her system. It had only been a few hours since she last dealt with Lexi’s relentless messages, and now here she was again, pushing all her buttons.

Paige didn’t want to respond, didn’t want to get sucked back into whatever chaos Lexi was creating. But the text lingered in her mind, the old patterns creeping back in.

A second message popped up almost immediately after, this one more forceful, the text bold with desperation.

Lexi: “I know you’re ignoring me, but you can’t hide forever. You need to talk to me. I miss you, and you know it. Don’t push me away, Paige. Please.”

Paige’s jaw tightened as she read it, every word making her more frustrated. Lexi was pushing her again, testing the limits, as if Paige owed her something. She didn’t. Not anymore.

But as she stared at the messages, her fingers itched to respond. She wanted to tell Lexi exactly what she thought of her, but she knew better. Lexi thrived on that chaos, on the drama. Paige had to shut it down.

With a deep breath, Paige typed out a quick, sharp reply.

Paige: “This has to stop, Lexi. Like I said before, I’m with someone else now, and you need to respect that. We’re done.”

She hit send, staring at the screen as if the words would make everything go away. But the phone buzzed again, almost immediately.

Lexi: “You think I care about that? You’re mine, Paige. You always were. And you know that.”

Paige’s stomach churned. She could feel the anger building up, the frustration of dealing with Lexi’s obsession. She knew she shouldn’t engage, knew it only gave Lexi what she wanted, but it was hard not to. She couldn’t just let this go. Not now.

Paige: “I’m telling you for the last time. Leave me alone, Lexi.”

Paige’s fingers trembled as she hit send, the message final. She locked her phone and tossed it onto the bed, running a hand through her hair as her mind raced. She hated dealing with this. It was exhausting.

But then, just as she was about to turn away, the phone buzzed again, and she couldn’t help herself. She picked it up, the familiar dread creeping up her spine.

Lexi: “You’re not going to just walk away from me, Paige. I won’t let you. You’ll regret this.”

Paige stared at the screen, her heart hammering in her chest. The words weren’t a threat, but they felt like one. And for the first time, she felt that old sense of unease creeping back, like maybe Lexi wasn’t finished yet.

Taking a deep breath, Paige shut the phone off and shoved it into the drawer. She was done. For now. But she knew that wouldn’t be the end of it.

No matter what it took.

—------------

Paige sat in her room, still feeling the lingering tension from Lexi’s messages. She had tried to push it out of her mind, but it kept coming back, haunting her like a shadow. She stared at her phone, but the screen remained off, as if it could hold the chaos at bay. But even without checking her messages again, the weight on her chest didn’t lift.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door.

“Ice? KK?” she called, half-expecting them.

The door creaked open, and Ice leaned in, her eyes scanning Paige’s face as if looking for something. “You good?” she asked, her voice soft but perceptive. “You’ve been kind of off today.”

KK stood behind Ice, her arms crossed, already knowing what was going on. She glanced between them, noticing Paige’s distant expression. “Lexi texted you again, huh?” she said, matter-of-factly.

Paige’s eyes shot to KK’s. She didn’t even need to ask how they knew—she had been avoiding them for the past few hours, and they were always on the lookout for when something was off.

“I’m fine,” Paige said, but even she knew it was a half-lie. She let out a heavy sigh. “It’s just… I don’t know, guys. She won’t leave me alone. It’s driving me crazy.”

Ice and KK exchanged a quick glance before Ice spoke again, her voice sympathetic. “I get it. She’s relentless. But you can’t let her get under your skin like this. She doesn’t deserve your energy.”

“I know,” Paige muttered, rubbing her temples. “I just… I don’t know how to make her stop.” She paused, meeting Ice’s gaze. “It’s like every time I think it’s over, she pulls me back in.”

KK leaned against the doorframe, her expression softening. “It’s not your fault. You’re doing your best to cut ties. You just need to let go.” She crossed her arms, her tone turning teasing as she tried to lighten the mood. “But hey, maybe we should get you out of here, clear your head. You in the mood for a little Ted’s night?”

Paige hesitated for a moment. She really didn’t want to go out, but she knew Ice and KK weren’t going to let her stew in her own thoughts. And honestly, she could use a distraction.

“I mean, I guess I could use a drink,” Paige said, trying to force a smile. “But only if I don’t have to talk about Lexi.”

“You’re not gonna have to talk about anything you don’t want to,” Ice promised, giving Paige a knowing look. “Come on, it’ll be good for you. The team’s going, and I’m sure the usual chaos will help take your mind off things.”

Paige nodded reluctantly. “Alright, fine. I’ll come.”

KK grinned. “That’s the spirit. You need a night to just be around your people and forget the drama for a bit.” She winked at Paige, her usual playful energy filling the space. “And trust me, we’ll make sure Lexi doesn’t cross your mind.”

With that, Paige stood up, following Ice and KK as they headed toward the door.

As they walked down the hall, Paige couldn’t help but feel a bit of relief. The weight of Lexi’s messages was still there, but for the first time in a while, it felt like she was taking a step away from it, even if just for the night. Maybe being at Ted’s with the team would help her forget, even if just for a few hours. She could use a break from everything.

“I’ll text Azzi when we get there,” Paige said, though she didn’t feel entirely comfortable keeping her girlfriend in the dark about what was going on. But she also didn’t want to worry her unnecessarily, especially when there wasn’t much to say yet.

KK looked at Paige with a raised eyebrow. “You sure? I mean, you can tell her if you need to.”

Paige sighed, adjusting her hoodie. “Yeah, I’ll just let her know I’m out with you guys. It’s better than overloading her right now. I’ll figure it out.”

Ice and KK exchanged another glance, but they didn’t press the issue. They could tell Paige just wanted to focus on getting her mind off things. As they made their way toward the door to leave, Ice gave Paige a gentle nudge. “Come on, Paige. Let’s just have fun tonight. No stress.”

“Yeah, no stress,” KK added, a smile on her face. “It’s Ted’s, after all.”

And with that, Paige found herself stepping out of the room, allowing herself to enjoy a brief, fleeting moment of normalcy. The night ahead wasn’t going to solve everything, but maybe, just maybe, it would help her breathe a little easier.

—------------

When Paige and the crew arrived at Ted’s, the usual buzz of noise filled the air—laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft hum of music in the background. It was the perfect place for a night of distraction, and Paige was grateful for it. She pushed the thoughts of Lexi aside for now, focusing on the familiar faces and the chaos that always came with a night at Ted’s. But as they walked in, Paige’s eyes immediately scanned the room.

There, sitting at the bar, was Lexi.

Paige’s stomach dropped, and she had to stop herself from turning around and walking right out the door. Lexi was a force—impossible to ignore, and clearly, she hadn’t gotten the memo that Paige needed space. Lexi’s striking features were just as familiar as they had been the first time Paige laid eyes on her, but now they made Paige’s heart race in a way she didn’t want it to. Her dark hair was styled into loose waves, falling perfectly over her shoulders, and she wore a tight-fitting black dress that hugged her body in all the right places. The bold red lipstick she always favored was perfectly applied, standing out against her brown skin. She looked effortlessly beautiful, but to Paige, it was a reminder of everything that had gone wrong.

Lexi’s gaze lifted from her phone as Paige’s eyes met hers. A slow, almost smirking smile spread across her lips, and Paige felt the weight of it. The realization that Lexi had been watching her, waiting for the right moment to strike, was suffocating. She couldn’t just ignore it.

“Shit,” Paige muttered under her breath, though Ice and KK were too busy talking to hear. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Paige made a beeline for the bar, pretending like she hadn’t just seen her ex. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel the tightness in her throat. She hadn’t been prepared to see Lexi here, not after everything. It felt like a punch in the gut, like everything she’d worked to move on from was right in front of her again.

As she reached the bar, she tried to keep her voice steady. “Hey, can I get a drink?” she asked the bartender, trying to keep her focus on something, anything other than Lexi.

Lexi, of course, didn’t waste a second. “Paige,” she said smoothly, her voice a bit too sweet, too familiar. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Paige’s jaw tightened, but she kept her face neutral. She didn’t want to give Lexi the satisfaction of seeing how much she was rattled. “I’m fine,” she replied coolly, leaning against the bar, her eyes scanning the room to avoid any direct contact with Lexi. “I’m just here to hang with some friends.”

Lexi raised an eyebrow, her smirk never faltering. “I see that,” she said, glancing over Paige’s shoulder at Ice and KK, who were at the far end of the bar, joking around and ordering drinks. “Are they really who you need to be with right now, though? You know you could be doing so much better.”

Paige clenched her fists. The audacity of this woman never ceased to amaze her. “I’m good,” she said, her voice flat but firm. “And I’m happy with where I am.”

Lexi’s gaze flickered with something Paige couldn’t quite place—a mixture of irritation and amusement, like she knew she had Paige on edge. “We both know that’s not true,” Lexi purred. “You’re still hung up on me, I can see it in your eyes. You’re not fooling anyone.”

Paige was done with this conversation. “No,” she said sharply, her voice lower than before. “I’m not. I’m over you, Lexi. So whatever game you think you’re playing, I’m not interested. I’m with someone else now, and I’d appreciate it if you stayed out of my life.”

Lexi leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “Someone else? That’s cute. I don’t think they can handle you the way I did, Paige. You always come back to me. You know it’s true.”

Paige’s heart hammered in her chest, the familiar rush of old feelings trying to creep in, but she squashed them down with everything she had. She wasn’t going to let Lexi win. She wasn’t going to let her get to her this time.

“No,” Paige said firmly, standing up straighter. “I’m done with you, Lexi. You’ve had your chance. I’m happy now, and you’re not going to ruin that.”

For a moment, Lexi just stared at her, her expression unreadable. Then, she leaned back and smiled, her voice dripping with something dangerous. “You’ll be back. I know you will.”

Paige had heard those words too many times before. She wasn’t going to let Lexi’s words dictate her anymore. With a deep breath, Paige turned her back on Lexi and walked toward her friends, forcing her pulse to slow.

Ice and KK were already halfway through their drinks, completely unaware of the tension Paige had just experienced.

“You good?” Ice asked, catching the look on Paige’s face as she sat down.

Paige forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s just have a good time tonight, alright?”

KK raised an eyebrow, but she didn’t push the issue. “If you say so.”

And for now, that’s all Paige could do. Keep pretending she was fine, even though Lexi’s presence hung in the air like a storm cloud, waiting for the right moment to break. Paige would have to be ready for whatever came next.

—------------

The tension in the air at Ted’s continued to simmer, but Paige tried to ignore it. She was already in a better mood than she had been when she first walked in—her friends were here, and the loud atmosphere of the bar made it easier to forget for a while. Still, as the night went on, Paige couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that had settled in her chest after the interaction with Lexi. She tried to focus on the conversation she was having with a random acquaintance at the bar, laughing at their jokes, trying to let the noise drown out the thoughts in her head.

However, as she shifted her attention to the person beside her, she didn’t notice Lexi slip closer, waiting for the perfect moment. In the midst of the banter, when Paige’s attention was fully on the stranger beside her, Lexi subtly leaned over and dropped a small white powder into Paige’s drink. Her eyes flickered toward Paige, watching carefully to see if she noticed. Lexi knew that if Paige had been paying attention, she would’ve caught her. But Paige was too distracted.

Once the drink was mixed and the powder dissolved, Lexi stepped back into the crowd, as though nothing had happened. Paige took a sip of her drink, completely unaware of the malicious act unfolding behind the scenes. She continued chatting, the noise of Ted’s creating the perfect cover.

As the minutes passed, Paige’s head started to feel heavier, like the weight of the world was pressing down on her. It started with a slight dizziness, then a deep, overwhelming sense of fatigue. She shook it off, thinking maybe it was just the alcohol or the long day. But soon, it became harder to keep her focus. The room seemed to sway, and she struggled to follow the conversation she was having.

Before she knew it, she felt her stomach churn. Her breath hitched as nausea crept in, and she quickly stood up, clutching her drink with shaky hands. “I need to go to the bathroom,” Paige muttered to Ice and KK, who were still lost in conversation, not noticing how off she had become. They gave her a quick nod, not thinking twice about it.

She stumbled toward the bathroom, hoping to just get a quick breather and let the sickness pass. But before she could even reach the door, she felt a soft hand on her shoulder.

“Hey, you okay?” Lexi’s voice was smooth, and it felt like it came from miles away. Paige’s vision blurred slightly, but she still recognized the familiar voice.

“Yeah… just need to throw up,” Paige mumbled, her voice sounding weaker than she intended. She felt hot, cold, and disoriented all at once. She wanted to push Lexi away, but her body felt like it wasn’t listening to her.

Lexi’s smile was as practiced as ever, and she leaned in closer, her voice low and almost soothing. “I’ll help you,” she said, her hand gently resting on Paige’s back, guiding her toward the bathroom. Paige felt too dizzy to protest and let herself be led.

Inside the bathroom, Paige felt her stomach lurch, and she quickly leaned over the toilet. Her head swam as she emptied her stomach, but all she could focus on was the fact that Lexi was still standing there, far too close. Paige’s mind struggled to keep up, trying to make sense of what was happening.

“You’re gonna be fine,” Lexi said, her voice laced with false sweetness as she rubbed Paige’s back. “Just breathe. You’ll feel better in a minute.”

Paige pushed against the sink, trying to steady herself, but the world around her felt like it was spinning out of control. “I don’t… I don’t feel right,” she muttered, her voice shaking.

Lexi took another step closer, pressing herself against Paige’s side. “I know, sweetie,” she cooed, her hand coming up to gently tuck a strand of Paige’s hair behind her ear. “You’re just a little overwhelmed, that’s all. Just relax. Let me help you.”

Paige wanted to shove her away, but the strength in her limbs felt like it had been drained. She couldn’t think straight. She didn’t know what was happening, only that something wasn’t right.

“Don’t… please,” Paige managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. She was still trying to push Lexi off, but her movements were sluggish. “I… I don’t want to…”

“Shhh,” Lexi murmured, a wicked glint in her eyes that Paige couldn’t quite register. She was too out of it to fight, her body betraying her. Lexi smiled, as if savoring the moment. “Who’s the lucky one, Paige?” she asked, her tone sugary sweet as she stroked Paige’s cheek. “Who do you have now?”

Paige, still disoriented, blinked at Lexi, trying to clear her mind. “I—” she started to say, but her thoughts felt like they were slipping through her fingers.

And then it happened.

“Azzi,” she whispered, unable to stop herself. Her relationship with Azzi had been on her mind all night, and in her vulnerable state, the words slipped out.

Lexi’s smile turned into a smirk, her eyes lighting up with satisfaction. She’d gotten what she wanted. She quickly leaned forward, whispering in Paige’s ear, her words dripping with malice, “Azzi, huh? That’s cute. I think I can make this work.”

Paige barely registered the words, but she knew she was on the edge of passing out. Everything felt like it was slipping away, the world around her darkening.

“Give me your phone, Paige,” Lexi coaxed, her voice low. “I’ll message her for you. Let me help you. Just give me your passcode, and I’ll take care of it for you.”

Paige was so disoriented that she didn’t even question it. She fumbled for her phone, handing it over without thinking. “Just… don’t… don’t hurt her,” Paige muttered, her eyelids fluttering.

Lexi took the phone from Paige’s hand, entering the passcode quickly. “Don’t worry, darling,” she whispered. “I’ll take care of everything.”

As Paige’s vision blurred and her consciousness slipped away, she felt the last shred of awareness leaving her. Lexi’s voice faded into the background as the darkness swallowed her whole.

When Paige passed out, Lexi smiled to herself, the plan already forming in her mind. She was going to make sure this wasn’t the last time Paige would come crawling back to her.

Lexi looked down at the phone in her hands, her fingers brushing across the screen with practiced precision. Paige’s phone, now unlocked and in her possession, gave Lexi everything she needed. Her mind worked quickly, the satisfaction of control creeping up her spine as she navigated to the messages between Paige and Azzi.

She knew how much Azzi meant to Paige. She could use that. If she could plant seeds of doubt, if she could make Azzi question things, the crack in their relationship would widen. Lexi smirked as her fingers hovered over the keyboard, the words forming in her mind.

Paige had been too trusting, and now she would pay the price.

She started typing, knowing that Azzi would believe it was Paige on the other end of the conversation. The situation was too perfect—Paige had already been distant, distracted, and now with the drugged haze still clouding her mind, she wouldn’t notice the difference between the texts and the way she usually spoke.

Paige: “Azzi, I’ve been thinking… I don’t know if I can keep doing this. You’re great and everything, but lately, I just feel like I’m not as into this as I was before. You’ve been so busy, and I’m feeling kind of neglected.”

Lexi sat back, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she hit send. She watched the message go through, knowing that Azzi would receive it and react just as she’d anticipated. She wasn’t done yet. She had a lot more to say.

She quickly typed again.

Paige: “I don’t know if this is going to work. I mean, maybe we should just take a break or something. I’ve been talking to Lexi a lot more since I saw her at the bar tonight, and she’s been a lot more… understanding. She gets me in ways that you don’t, and maybe I need that right now.”

Lexi read the words before sending them, savoring the delicious satisfaction of knowing how Azzi would react to them. It was a slow burn, and Azzi would feel every inch of the distance growing between her and Paige. She would question everything. All Lexi had to do was make her doubt Paige’s feelings.

She waited for a moment, watching the little dots appear on the screen as Azzi typed. Then her phone buzzed with a new message.

Azzi: “What the hell? Paige, what do you mean you’re not ‘into this’ anymore? You know this isn’t like you. We’ve been through so much, and now you’re just going to throw it all away?”

Lexi felt a rush of satisfaction. Azzi was already reacting the way she expected—hurt, confused, defensive. But she wasn’t done yet. She needed Azzi to feel even more unsteady.

Paige: “I just… I don’t know. Things have changed. I feel like you don’t really care anymore. Maybe you just got too busy with your own life to notice.”

Lexi paused before sending the next message, reading it over and ensuring it would hit hard.

Paige: “Honestly, I don’t want to keep pretending everything’s okay when I’m feeling like this. Maybe I just need someone who can actually be there for me, someone who actually gets it. Lexi does.”

She sent it. The reaction was immediate.

Azzi: “What the hell are you talking about? You want someone who ‘gets you’? You’ve been with me this whole time, and you’ve never acted like this before. Don’t you dare tell me you’re going to throw everything we have away for someone else.”

Lexi smiled wickedly as she read Azzi’s message. She knew exactly what to say next. She was planting the seeds of doubt deep in Azzi’s mind, and she wasn’t going to stop until the damage was done.

Paige: “I just can’t do this anymore, Azzi. You’re not the same person I fell for. I think you’ve changed, and maybe I’ve changed too.”

Lexi sat back, waiting for Azzi’s response, fully aware of the anger and frustration that was about to flood the messages. It wouldn’t be long before Azzi started questioning everything, her insecurities flaring up.

The phone buzzed again.

Azzi: “You’re seriously going to sit here and tell me that after everything we’ve been through? After everything we’ve built, you’re just going to throw it away over something that doesn’t even make sense?”

Azzi: “You’re acting like we don’t talk about our issues. You’re acting like I’m some kind of stranger to you. Is that what you really think? That I don’t care? That you don’t care?”

Lexi let out a soft laugh, watching the messages come through. Azzi’s anger was palpable, and the tension was thick in the air, even through the phone. She was good at this—making someone doubt themselves, making them feel like they weren’t enough.

Paige: “Maybe it’s just easier to let it go. Maybe we were just a fling. Maybe I’m just tired of fighting for something that’s not even there anymore.”

The message was a sharp jab, and Lexi knew it would hurt Azzi, even more than the last one. She was playing her part perfectly, pretending to be Paige, feigning frustration and doubt.

Azzi: “Are you seriously this delusional? You’re acting like we don’t have something real here. What the hell happened to you? This isn’t you, Paige. This isn’t what we had.”

Lexi’s fingers danced across the screen one last time, sending a final blow to the conversation.

Paige: “Maybe it never was. Maybe I was just seeing things that weren’t there, and you were too caught up to notice. I don’t know what I want anymore.”

Paige’s phone buzzed with another message, but Lexi didn’t need to see it. She knew she had done enough to get inside Azzi’s head.

Paige wouldn’t even remember this conversation when she woke up, but Azzi would. And that was the part that mattered most.

Lexi smirked as she turned away, her plan already taking shape. The damage was done.

Paige lay on the floor beside her, unconscious, her body slumped against the toilet, her breathing shallow but steady. Lexi smirked at the success of her deception, knowing the damage was already done.

She was so caught up in her victory that she didn’t hear the bathroom door open. The sound of soft footsteps echoed against the tiled floor before a voice startled her.

“Hey, you okay in here?”

Lexi spun around, eyes narrowing, a flash of irritation crossing her face. A random girl stood in the doorway, her hand on the doorknob, looking at Paige’s unconscious form with raised eyebrows. She looked confused and hesitant.

“Is she okay?” the girl asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

“She’s fine,” Lexi replied quickly, attempting to mask the unease in her voice. “She just drank too much, and she’s out cold for a bit. I’m just waiting for her to wake up.”

The girl stared at Lexi for a moment, clearly unconvinced. She glanced at Paige, then back at Lexi, clearly processing something. “Are you sure? She doesn’t look okay.”

Lexi’s grip tightened on Paige’s phone, her fingers brushing across the screen as if she were holding onto the last bit of control. She offered the girl a forced smile. “Yeah, she’ll be fine. I’m her friend. Don’t worry about it.”

The girl looked skeptical but didn’t press further. She gave Paige one last glance, her brow furrowed in concern, before she shrugged and walked past Lexi, disappearing into one of the bathroom stalls. Lexi sighed in relief, but the momentary unease still lingered.

With Paige still unconscious on the floor, Lexi turned her attention back to the phone. She tapped her fingers on the screen before she saw that Azzi had replied to the last message. Her lips curled into a smug smile as she read Azzi’s response.

Azzi: “What do you mean??? Are you seriously telling me that after everything we’ve been through? Are you trying to push me away, Paige?”

Lexi’s fingers moved quickly, her mind working faster than her conscience. She had to keep the illusion up—had to make Azzi feel even more insecure.

Paige: “I don’t know what I want anymore. Maybe I’ve just been lying to myself, thinking that we could be something more than we are.”

She hit send and sat back, waiting to see Azzi’s reaction.

Azzi’s message popped up almost immediately. Lexi could practically hear the frustration and hurt in Azzi’s words as she read them.

Azzi: “Are you seriously doing this right now? I’m not going to sit here and let you talk like this. I don’t care what’s going on with you, but don’t ever make me feel like I don’t matter to you.”

Lexi smiled. She knew exactly how to push Azzi’s buttons. This was just the beginning. She would make sure that when Paige finally woke up, she would have no memory of what had happened—but Azzi? Azzi would be left wondering if she had done something wrong. She would question everything.

But Lexi wasn’t finished yet.

She glanced at Paige’s body on the floor, the sense of control growing more intoxicating by the second. There was still more to come. But for now, she let the phone sit in her hands, knowing Azzi would continue to argue with “Paige.”

She checked the time on her phone, ensuring that she had a solid window of time to execute her next steps before Paige woke up. Then, she turned her attention back to Azzi’s new message.

Azzi: “You can’t just give up on us like this, Paige. I know there’s more to us. You’re not even giving us a chance to fix it. We’ve always been able to talk through our problems before. Don’t push me away like this.”

Lexi’s smirk deepened. This was going perfectly. She was in control now, and no one—least of all Paige—would know what had happened until it was too late.

The stall door creaked open again, and the same girl stepped out, pausing as she saw Paige still slumped against the wall. Her eyes flickered from Paige’s unmoving form to Lexi, still crouched beside her, holding her phone a little too tightly.

“Are you sure she’s good?” the girl asked again, her voice more firm this time.

Lexi gave a tight-lipped smile, barely holding back her irritation. “Yeah. Like I said, she’s fine. Just had too much to drink. I’ve got it under control.”

The girl hesitated for a second, glancing at Paige again before sighing. “Alright…” she muttered, but her tone wasn’t convinced. She shook her head and walked out, letting the door swing shut behind her.

Lexi exhaled, rolling her eyes. “Nosy bitch,” she mumbled under her breath before turning her attention back to Paige, still unconscious.

And then, an idea struck her.

Her fingers tightened around Paige’s phone as she smirked to herself.

Slowly, she leaned in, tilting Paige’s chin up with her fingers before pressing her lips against hers. The kiss was long enough for what she needed—to make it convincing. Then, with one hand still gripping Paige’s phone, she snapped a picture. The dim lighting of the bathroom cast shadows across the screen, but it was clear enough. Paige’s unconscious form, Lexi’s lips pressed against hers.

Perfect.

She opened Azzi’s chat and attached the image, her smirk deepening as she typed.

Paige: Maybe this is what I really wanted all along.

And with that, she hit send.

A few moments passed before the screen lit up with a response.

Azzi: Are you serious right now? What the fuck is this?

Another message followed almost instantly.

Azzi: I don’t even know what to say to you. You really had me thinking we were building something real, but I guess I was just stupid for believing that.

Lexi bit her lip, trying to contain her satisfaction. The damage was done. Paige wouldn’t even have a chance to explain.

And just in time, because Paige was starting to stir.

A low groan escaped her lips as her fingers twitched against the cold tile. Her breathing hitched as she slowly blinked her eyes open, trying to regain her bearings.

It took her a second to process what was happening—where she was, why she felt like the room was spinning. But the second she registered the feeling of lips on hers, her entire body jerked back.

“What the fuck?” she slurred, her voice groggy, her mind still hazy from whatever was in her system. Her hands instinctively shoved against Lexi’s shoulders, pushing her back.

Lexi let out a small laugh, unfazed. “Finally awake, huh?”

Paige’s head was pounding, her stomach twisting uncomfortably. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog in her brain. “Why the fuck were you kissing me while I was out? Are you crazy?” Her voice was hoarse, but the anger in it was unmistakable. “I’m in a happy relationship right now. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Lexi tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Well… not anymore.”

Paige’s stomach dropped. “What the fuck does that mean?” she demanded, her voice cracking as she saw Lexi still gripping her phone. Her heart pounded as realization hit her. “What did you do?”

Lexi twirled the phone in her fingers, looking far too pleased with herself. “Just helping you out,” she said smoothly.

Paige’s blood ran cold. “Lexi,” she ground out, her voice dangerously low. “What. The fuck. Did you do?”

Lexi’s expression darkened, her possessiveness bleeding through. “I reminded her that she’s not the only one who’s ever had your attention.”

Paige’s hands shook as she reached for her phone, but Lexi yanked it back.

“I fucking swear, give me my phone,” Paige snapped, her chest tightening with panic.

Lexi smirked, but before she could say anything, the bathroom door swung open again.

The same girl from earlier stepped inside, looking around before her eyes landed on the sink. “Shit, I forgot my phone—” She trailed off as she took in the scene again. Paige now conscious, looking frantic. Lexi standing too close, gripping her phone like a lifeline.

The girl’s eyes narrowed, suspicion growing tenfold.

Paige, taking the moment of distraction, lunged for her phone, snatching it out of Lexi’s hands. She stumbled back, gripping it tightly as she immediately went to her messages.

Her stomach sank the second she saw Azzi’s name wasn’t at the top anymore.

Her fingers shook as she searched her name, only to be met with the dreaded You can’t send messages to this number.

Blocked.

“No,” Paige whispered, her breath hitching. “No, no, no, no—”

Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, her vision blurring with tears. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening.

She looked up at Lexi, her expression a mix of fury and devastation. “What the fuck did you do?” she choked out.

Lexi just shrugged. “Guess she didn’t take it too well.”

Paige could barely breathe. This was her worst fucking nightmare. She felt like she was suffocating, the walls of the bathroom closing in on her. She had to fix this. She had to fix this now.

Without another word, she stormed out, gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. She barely even registered Lexi calling after her.

Her legs carried her toward the bar, searching frantically until she spotted KK and Ice still sitting there.

“I wanna leave,” she blurted out, her voice shaky, desperate.

They turned to her instantly, eyes widening as they took in her disheveled appearance.

“Paige, what happened?” Ice asked, concern heavy in her voice.

“I just—” Paige swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady, but the lump in her throat was suffocating. “I just need to go. Please.”

KK and Ice exchanged a look, silently agreeing.

“We’re leaving with you,” KK said firmly, standing up. “Let’s go.”

Paige didn’t argue. She let them guide her out, her mind spinning, her heart breaking.

She had to fix this.

But she had no idea if she even could.

—------------

Azzi sat on her bed, her hands shaking as she stared at her phone screen. The image was burned into her memory: a picture of Paige, her lips pressed against someone else’s, the smirk on the woman’s face who she seemed to figured it being maybe Lexi, telling her everything she needed to know. The words that accompanied the photo from Paige were cutting. Maybe this is what I really wanted all along.

Her heart felt like it was in a vice, tightening with every passing second. How had things gone so wrong so quickly? What had happened to the person she had fallen for, the one who had said sweet things to her during their late night calls and promised they were in this together?

The sting of betrayal was so sharp it almost hurt to breathe. Her eyes blurred with tears, but she wiped them away angrily. She couldn’t let herself break down. Not now. Not because of her.

But the tears came anyway, and before she could stop them, they were falling, warm and steady down her cheeks. Azzi buried her face in her hands, letting out a sob before sniffling and taking a deep breath.

That was when she heard the door creak open.

“Azzi?” Caroline’s voice was soft, cautious. “Are you okay?”

Azzi didn’t even need to look up to know it was Caroline. The way she entered the room, the hesitant steps, the way her presence seemed to fill up the space with a quiet understanding.

Azzi shook her head, but her voice cracked when she spoke. “I… I don’t know.” She looked up at Caroline, her expression pained, and held her phone out. “Look at this.”

Caroline sat next to her, leaning over to glance at the screen. Her eyes went from the messages to the photo, the last few words that had come from Paige’s number.

Caroline’s lips pressed into a thin line, her jaw setting with silent fury as she glanced back at Azzi. “What the fuck is this, Azzi?” she muttered, clearly pissed. “This… this isn’t like her.”

Azzi shook her head. “I don’t know… I don’t know what happened, Car.” She wiped away more tears, her voice thick with emotion. “Why would she send me this? I thought we were fine. She said we were fine. And now, she’s sending me this.”

Caroline’s eyes lingered on the photo again, narrowing slightly as she thought. Something in her expression seemed off, like she wasn’t entirely convinced by the situation. But she didn’t say anything. She just wrapped an arm around Azzi’s shoulders, pulling her into a comforting hug.

“I’m so sorry, Azzi,” Caroline whispered, her voice soft, yet laced with frustration. “This is fucking messed up. But you don’t deserve this. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Azzi nodded numbly, the comfort of Caroline’s embrace a stark contrast to the cold, angry ache in her chest.

A few moments of silence passed before Caroline pulled away slightly, her tone shifting. “Do you want me to message her? Find out what the hell is going on?”

Azzi shook her head immediately. “No,” she said, her voice firm despite the tears still clinging to her eyes. “I don’t want to hear from her right now. I need space. I don’t even know if I want to talk to her anymore.”

Caroline nodded, her eyes softer now, but still full of concern. “Okay. But if you change your mind, I’ll be here. I’m not going to leave you alone with this, alright?”

Azzi took a shaky breath and nodded again, glancing down at her phone. She was still in shock, still reeling from the words she’d read.

She had blocked Paige’s number. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but she didn’t think it would feel like this. Her fingers hovered over the phone screen again, wondering if she’d made the right choice. She thought she had been protecting herself, but now she wasn’t so sure.

“I just… I don’t know what happened,” Azzi murmured. “I thought we were getting somewhere. But now this. I feel like I don’t even know her anymore, Caroline.”

Caroline gave her a sympathetic smile, but it was laced with anger. “You deserve better than this, Azzi. Don’t forget that. You’ll figure this out, okay?”

Azzi nodded again, trying to hold herself together. But the more she thought about the picture, the more her stomach twisted. The pain of it was still raw.

Caroline squeezed her shoulder before standing up. “If you need anything, let me know. But I think it’s best to give it some time. She’ll have to come to you if she wants to fix this.”

Azzi watched her leave, her mind still spinning. She knew Caroline was right. But right now, all she could do was try to breathe through the hurt and confusion.

She had to step away, but it didn’t make the pain any easier to bear.

—------------

Paige sat on the edge of her bed, her head still spinning. The room felt too warm, the air too thick. Her body was heavy, her movements sluggish, and there was this tight, sick feeling in her stomach that wouldn’t go away. Ice and KK had come with her to the room, both of them insisting she sit down while they tried to piece together what had happened. But every time she tried to explain, she felt more lost.

“Paige, what the hell happened?” Ice’s voice was soft, but there was an edge to it that made Paige glance up. Ice looked worried—hell, they both did.

“I don’t… I don’t know,” Paige muttered, rubbing her temples. Her head was pounding, and everything felt blurry. “I just… I was at the bar, and I was talking to people, you know, trying to relax after everything. I wasn’t paying attention to my drink—then I felt off. Real off. And then I remember feeling dizzy, and the next thing I know, I woke up in the bathroom with Lexi all over me.”

KK narrowed her eyes. “Wait. Lexi? She was there?” She seemed to already know where this was going, but Paige didn’t know how to explain it.

Paige nodded, the room swaying a little as she shifted. “Yeah… And I didn’t even know what was happening. I don’t even know how long I was out for, but when I woke up, she was kissing me.”

Ice’s jaw clenched. “Jesus. So you’re telling me, while you were out of it, Lexi just… took advantage of you?”

Paige swallowed hard, nodding. She could still feel the nauseous weight of it all pressing against her chest. “Yeah. And then she… I don’t even know how to explain it. She went on my phone and pretended to be me. She messaged Azzi. She sent her a picture of us kissing. Kissing, Ice. And then, after I got my phone back, I tried to message Azzi, but…” Paige trailed off, her throat tightening. “She blocked me.”

The words hit her like a ton of bricks, making her stomach churn all over again. Azzi had blocked her. How was she supposed to fix this when Azzi had blocked her out?

KK and Ice exchanged a look. KK spoke first, her voice carefully measured. “Do you want me to message Azzi for you? Tell her what happened? Maybe she’ll understand if you explain.”

Paige shook her head, her eyes filling with frustrated tears. “No… I don’t want to do that.” She wiped them away, feeling embarrassed. “I don’t want to hurt her more. I don’t even know how to explain all of this. Azzi’s probably pissed at me, and I don’t blame her. I… I’ve fucked up so badly, KK.”

Paige’s chest tightened again, the pain of not being able to reach Azzi eating away at her.

“Okay,” KK said, her tone softening. “I get it. If you need space, we can give you that. But you need to talk to her, Paige. She deserves to know what really happened. Just… take a breath, yeah?”

Paige exhaled shakily, nodding. “I know. I know I need to fix it, but I don’t even know where to start. I just…” She stopped herself, glancing down at her hands. “I’m scared, okay? I’m scared she won’t want to hear from me. That she’ll just… write me off for good.”

“You’ve been through a lot, Paige,” Ice said, her voice firm but full of compassion. “But don’t let Lexi screw this up for you. You two are good together. You just have to make it right.”

Paige let out a breath, trying to calm the swirling emotions in her head. “I want to make it right. But I can’t force it, you know? I need to give her space. I have to let her come to me when she’s ready.”

KK nodded, understanding. “Alright. But don’t wait too long, Paige. If you care about her, you need to fight for her. Don’t let Lexi win.”

Paige gave them both a small, tired smile. “I’m not gonna let Lexi win. I just need time to figure this out and for her to figure this out as well. The last thing I want is to lose her for good.”

KK and Ice exchanged one last glance before both of them gave Paige a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “You got this,” Ice said quietly, before they both left the room, leaving Paige alone with her thoughts.

But as they left, Paige couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling in her gut. She had no idea how to fix this. She had no idea what she was even supposed to do next. But one thing was certain: she wasn’t going to let Lexi’s games destroy everything she had with Azzi.

She just hoped Azzi would still give her the chance to prove it.

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

[pinkbowsxo]

Corrupted Innocence - Part 5

Choi Su-bong x F!Reader

Corrupted Innocence Masterlist

summary: after he took your virginity, you’ve been avoiding him. when one evening he drove up to your place, you made it up to him.

warnings: swearing, vaping, smut, p in v, hair pulling, spanking, manipulation, dom thanos, car sex

comments: mdni!!

a/n: ugh i feel so bad i wrote this chapter so much more detailed but my stupid ass accidentally deleted a big part so i had to rewrite it all and it was so frustrating plus its 3 am😔

i hope it doesn’t look rushed… let me know if y’all like or else i will do better the next chapter

so anyway have a good day and love from me xx

You slowly opened your eyes, for a second you had no idea where you were. Then you realized you were in his bed...naked. You turned your head to the side where he was sleeping.

You sat up to look for your phone, but then you realized that you never brought it upstairs, it was in your bag that was downstairs. You then went to look for your clothes, because they were scattered all over the floor, you got up from the bed, careful not to make any noise, you grabbed your clothes and started to get dressed... only you couldn't find your panties anywhere. You thought never mind and you just put on your skirt, luckily your skirt wasn't so short that you could see that you weren't wearing anything underneath.

You quietly started to sneak out of his bedroom as you walked downstairs, you grabbed your bag as you pulled out your phone to check the time, it was almost four in the morning. You looked around to make sure you hadn't forgotten anything before walking out the front door.

You walked to your car and drove back to your apartment, you couldn’t stop yawning the entire drive home because you were exhausted. You also had to process what had happened, you had sex with Thanos, your friend, you weren’t even sure if he was a friend anymore because all you’ve been doing lately is making out and now you’ve even slept with him.

You enjoyed the sex, the feeling of it... the feeling he gave you. You've never had sex before and he took your virginity. What are you with him anyway? That's why you left, you didn't know what to say to him.

As soon as you got home you just went to bed because you were exhausted. In the morning when you woke up you realized that Thanos probably already noticed that you were gone, you hoped that he wouldn't send you anything or even come to your apartment.

Today you had a relaxing day at home, you needed that after this week and after tonight. Every time your phone rang you thought maybe he had texted you, but he hadn't.

He didn't text you, you were relieved in a way, but on the other hand you also felt bad that he didn't text you. You probably thought about it too much.

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

You were at university all week, you were stressed and tired, and because Thanos had left marks all over your neck, you had to cover them up every day because you didn't want anyone to see it and ask questions, especially Se-mi.

This weekend you don’t want to do anything, just stay home and be lazy. That actually worked out really well because even though you had the energy to go out with the group, you couldn’t see Thanos for the first time after you slept together and it would have been with your friends, you would definitely act weird and they would notice something is up.

You texted the group app that you wouldn't be coming this time and used the excuse that you were 'tired'. Thanos hasn't texted you once this week. It's not like Thanos texted you this week, so you knew for sure he wouldn't miss you.

All you did this weekend was relax and do some simple things like grocery shopping, cleaning and cooking. You were glad you didn't run into him while you were out.

After you cooked for yourself, you sat down on the couch because you wanted to watch TV. You tried to focus your thoughts on something other than him.

Then you heard your phone go off, it was probably Se-mi asking what time your first class started tomorrow or your mother asking when she could see you again, but no. Your eyes widened as the text from Thanos came, you read the message he sent you.

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

Su-bong

you home?

You

Yeah, why?

Su-bong

come outside

You

What?

Su-bong

just come outside

You

What? Are you here?

Su-bong

ye don’t make me go up there

You

But it’s pretty late…

Su-bong

i know what time it is

You

Good to hear that you can read the clock

Su-bong

jesus christ

Su-bong

just come outside already

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡

You read the message come outside over and over again, he was outside now and he wanted you to come down. He probably just wanted to talk... you thought to yourself. You put your phone down for a moment as you grabbed a hoodie and put it over your shirt and shorts, you grabbed your phone as you then walked out the front door, took the elevator down, you were nervous...

Once you were outside, you looked around, looking for him. You didn’t see him anywhere but then you spotted his car as you walked over, he gestured with his head for you to come inside, you hesitated for a moment before you opened the door to the passenger seat.

When you got outside you looked around to see if you could find him but you didn't see him anywhere. You didn't see him but after a moment you saw his car, you walked over to his car and he gestured with his head for you to get in. You hesitated for a moment before opening the door to the passenger seat.

You saw him sitting in the driver's seat, he was wearing jeans and a graphic shirt, you watched him vape, you turned your head and looked out the windshield of the car. "So... why did you come all the way out here?"

He took a drag on his vape before speaking. “Because you’re avoiding me.” He’s right… “I’m not avoiding you… I was just-” You couldn’t even finish your sentence. “Liar.” He mumbled, not believing you for a second. You turned your head to look at him. “Okay, yeah, maybe I was…” You admitted.

“You’ve been avoiding me because we fucked and now you're all weird around me,” he said bluntly as he took another drag on his vape. “It’s not like that.” It was exactly like that.

He grabbed your chin, making you look at him. “You know what hurts my feelings? When you avoid me like this. I was actually looking forward to seeing you this weekend, but you didn’t show up. And the way you snuck out that night made me wonder if you regretted… us.” He paused, running his thumb over your cheek in a manipulative gesture.

Of course you were far too naive to see what he was doing, he had you completely under his spell. “I’m sorry, I didn’t regret it, us… at all, it was just all new to me and I didn’t know how to act around you so I took the easy way out, but I’m sorry and I won’t do it again.”

He just looked at you as he took a drag on his vape, the smoke coming your way. "Why don't you show me how sorry you are?" He patted his lap invitingly. "Come here." He commanded. He watched as you moved your body as you sat down on his lap. He took another drag on his vape and blew the smoke out in your face. "Show me how sorry you are, baby." He was enjoying this way too much, seeing how easily you fell for his tricks.

He put his vape away as he hooked his thumbs into the pockets of your shorts and pulled you closer. “Are you going to be a good girl and make it up to me?” You didn’t hesitate and pressed your lips to his.

He seemed upset that you were avoiding him, so you wanted to do your best to make it up to him. He pulled away when you could catch your breath. "That’s not making it up to me, baby." He watched your reaction. "Show me that you don't regret that perfect fuck we had." You started kissing his neck, hoping that would make him happier.

He let out a low groan as your lips attacked his neck, tilting his head to give you better access. “Mmm, that’s more like it.” His voice was husky with growing arousal. One hand slid down your back as the other went to your hip, squeezing. A smirk tugged at his lips as he began to feel your lips slide across his jawline. One hand went to your hair, tugging to make you look at him. “Now be a good girl and ride my cock, hmm?”

His large hands quickly worked to undo his belt and pull his cock out of his boxers, exposing his throbbing cock. He quickly grabbed a condom wrapper and tore it open with his teeth, rolling it over himself, his eyes locked on yours, lust and urgency. He pulled your hoodie up a little and pushed your loose shorts to the side, then your panties, his fingers quickly making contact with your pussy.

He let out a low groan as his fingers grazed your wetness. “All this just from kissing me.” He mumbled, his voice thick with lust. He rubbed your clit, feeling you shiver in his lap. “Is this what you wanted? For me to fuck you again?”

You remained silent as you looked at him. "Come on, baby, sit on my cock." He ordered gruffly, his voice shaking slightly. "Show me how much you missed it." He removed his hand from your pussy as you pulled your panties and shorts aside.

He groaned as you slowly sat down on his length, every inch deep inside your warm, tight pussy. His fingers dug into your hips, pulling you all the way down until you were completely impaled on him. “Look at you, taking my cock like a good girl.”

He felt so good inside you, you couldn’t help but start to move on his cock. His eyes were focused on the way your body was moving, your large hoodie hiding everything beneath your chest. He grunted approvingly as you rode him, his fingers tightening on your hips, lifting you slightly to control the movement. “So eager to please me, huh?” he asked darkly, bouncing you on his length.

You began to moan loudly as he bounced you up and down on his cock. "That's right..." he panted, one hand moving around to slap your ass hard while the other gripped your hips tightly. He groaned, picking up the pace, fucking you all the way onto his lap, the sound of skin on skin filling the car.

You tried to steady yourself by holding one hand against his chest and the other in his hair. He shivered intensely as your fingers tangled in his hair, a deep groan rumbling from his chest. The delicious, overwhelming pleasure of your tight pussy gripping his cock was so fucking good. "Mmnh..."

He spanked your ass again. You moaned into his mouth as he grabbed your ass firmly with both hands now, squeezing it hard, bouncing you up and down on his cock even better. “You’re doing so good, baby.” He praises. “You’re doing so good to make up for it, baby girl.”

He continued to pound into you with each downward bounce, his hand landing hard on your ass again. You buried your face in his shoulder, muffling your cries and whimpers against his skin. The stabbing pain mixed with the pleasure of him filling you was overwhelming.

He was now so ecstatic in his pleasure, that when you looked at him with your pretty eyes, you held a vulnerable expression. Time seemed to slow down. His thrusts remained steady, but his focus was completely absorbed by your enchanting eyes.

Something in his expression softened, if only for a moment. He rarely showed his vulnerabilities, but right now, the way you were looking at him. One hand moved from your ass to your hair, holding it tightly as he continued to push into you from below.

His fingers sought out your clit, circling and rubbing with expert precision as he felt your inner walls flutter around his cock. “Come on, baby,” he encouraged gruffly, his voice thick with excitement. “Want to feel this pretty little pussy cum on my cock.”

“That’s it,” he growled, his fingers moving faster over your clit as he felt you tense around him. “Let me feel that pussy explode. Don’t hold back.” He thrust up harder, hitting a spot deep inside you that made your eyes roll back.

You came hard on his cock, moaning loudly. He kept thrusting into you through your orgasm, prolonging your pleasure as he chased his own. Your walls continued to clench around him rhythmically, pushing him closer to the edge. “Fuck…” he groaned, burying his face in the crook of your neck.

His arms went around your waist, pulling you tight against his broad chest as he watched his own seed release into the condom. He buried his face between your shoulder and neck, inhaling your scent deeply as he shivered from the aftershocks of his intense release.

Your head fell against his chest. He remained still, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath. His arms remained relaxed at his sides. The car was filled with a sense of calm after the intense fucking.

After a few moments of heavy panting, you spoke. "I gotta go." You said, your face against his chest. "Mhmm." He mumbled. You pulled him out of you. He watched you silently as you cleaned yourself up and went back to the passenger seat. He put the condom away, wrapping it in paper so he could throw it away later. He put back on his pants and threw his head back against the seat in exhaustion.

"I hope I made up for it." You said as you looked at him, waiting for his approval. He was far too exhausted to talk. "Yeah, you did." He said approvingly.

You smiled at him. "I really have to get inside, I have class tomorrow morning." You leaned towards him, placing one hand on his cheek and kissing the other. "Sleep tight, Su-bong." You opened the car door and got out, closing it again.

He was slightly surprised by the sudden kiss on the cheek, not used to such a soft or loving gesture. As you walked away, he found himself watching you go.

He leaned against the seat for a moment before leaving. You felt so good that it left him breathless. He needs more of you. Now that he’s had a taste of your innocence, he can’t go back.

[cinnamongorll]

Wildflower - chapter 5

read on ao3 🤍 previous chapter 🤍 masterlist 🤍

Pairing: Joel Miller x Female OC Synopsis: Joel Miller is an infuriating constant in Alex’s life. As her dad’s best friend and smuggling partner, she can’t seem to avoid him no matter how hard she tries. When a weapons trade off goes wrong and Alex becomes the next target in a dangerous revenge vendetta, Joel is forced to uphold the promise he made to his friend to protect his daughter from the dangers of the post-apocalyptic world. But when Alex and Joel reluctantly grow closer, and she starts to peel back the layers of animosity between them, Alex realises that nothing is what it seems and that trusting Joel might be more dangerous than anything outside the QZ walls. Series tags: dbf!Joel, age gap (Joel is 49, FMC is 26), older man/younger woman, slow burn, enemies to lovers, mean Joel, protective Joel, dark Joel, sexual tension, smut, mutual pining, feral Joel, first person pov, angst, more tags to be added, ultraviolence Joel. Word count: 4.5k

_________________________________________

Chapter 5:

A scalding, oppressive blackness exists beyond my eyelids. My senses are sharpened to the heartbeat against my back, thumping slowly, melodically, in time with my own. 

The truck roars to life around us. Its vibration shivers throughout my body, sending shock waves through my bloodstream. 

It’s time. The truck is moving out. I’m leaving the QZ. 

My tongue is a dry, dead weight in my mouth. I ache to call out, to stop this whole operation. Dangerous, sabotaging thoughts circle my mind: would dying at the hands of the QZ guards be kinder than what awaits me outside its walls? 

I swallow them down. 

My dad… my dad would kill me himself if he knew how close I was to giving up. 

Cold metal bites into my face. My body is thrown against the edge of the truck bed as the truck turns a sharp corner.  

I wince when I hear the body slide towards us. 

Joel’s fingers splay out across my stomach, pulling me into his chest, caging me. I squeeze my eyes shut.

The truck continues driving, and driving, forcing me away from the only safety I’ve ever known.

The silence is heavy. We don’t say a word, utter a single sound, as the vehicle moves through what I imagine are the streets of the open city, stopping and starting as they manoeuvre the threats that infect every inch.

I don’t know where we’ll stop. I don’t know how we’ll get out of the truck bed. I don’t know where we’ll go next.

Only Joel knows the answers to every question that’s eating me alive, chipping away at the bravery I’ve so desperately gathered. 

Only Joel knows why we’re running in the first place.

……………..

The engine dies. 

My eyes flash open to the awaiting dark. Minutes feel like days as they tick by. 

The doors slam shut, shaking the entire vehicle. I hold my breath as I wait for them to come around the back and open the truck bed, find us lurking in the hollow space, and kill us before we can even cry out. 

But nothing happens. 

I don’t hear a thing. 

It makes sense, some rational part of my brain thinks for me, in the open city, the QZ guards are searching for potential threats, surveilling and documenting. It’s in their best interest not to draw any more attention than the truck has already gathered. 

Joel’s hand twitches against my stomach, his fingers flex and stiffen. Heat sparks across my skin. 

Without warning, his lips graze my ear again. 

“We gotta wait,” he murmurs. “They’re leavin’. Listen.”

I do. I close my eyes and calm my breathing enough to hear the crunch of gravel as footsteps move further and further away from the truck. 

And I wait, just as Joel asked me to. Because I have decided to trust him. I have decided to trust that he will keep me alive, that he will keep me from whoever is chasing us.

Yet, I know that the trust doesn’t extend beyond my safety.

My dad is dead. I’ve been forced to flee my home. 

And I know that Joel is the cause. 

The look in the man’s eyes. The confused, biting words as he tried to kill me for a crime where shared blood was my only involvement. 

“You think this is about some stolen weapons?” 

I swallow it all down, with my fear. 

“Now.”

Joel releases his hold on me. I’m alone in the darkness. 

The canvas is unleashed and light floods the truck bed. I blink, attempting to adjust, but there’s no time. 

I start to crawl, avoiding, with every movement, the dead man beside me. 

“Move,” Joel orders, his voice is quiet but his desperation is loud. 

My breaths are strangled gasps as I claw my way out the truck, into Joel’s awaiting hands which catch my waist in his solid grip. 

My body slides down his. I hold my breath. 

When my feet touch the ground, Joel’s hand is around my wrist as he drags me away from the truck.

As I scramble to match his stride, I raise my head to find buildings towering above me. The smaller ones have smashed windows and flashes of green sprouting from the cracks. Some buildings are so tall I have to tilt my chin to the sky to find the top. 

My feet trip over a thick crack in the concrete. I stumble but Joel hauls me up, refusing to let go of me for a second. 

“Eyes on the ground,” he commands.

A rush of air releases from my tight throat. Pressure starts to invade my chest as the wonder of the open city begins to decay and thick panic swells. 

This isn’t like the QZ at all. The streets are untouched, nature has fought and won. 

Cars, smashed and burned, clog every road we rush down. Everything is brutal and sharp, destroyed and reclaimed. 

My feet burn and my wrist aches as Joel leads me along his invisible path. I turn to look up at him, desperate for some indication of where we are going. I know not to ask. 

Joel looks like the man I’ve always known him to be: strong, capable, frightening. His eyes are locked on the road in front of us, scanning for threats. There is no hint of those softer edges I thought I saw in him only a few hours ago. 

He’s a killer again, a smuggler, someone who lies and keeps secrets. But he knows where he’s going. 

“This way,” he grunts out before pulling me to the left. I crash into his side and Joel shoots me a savage look. 

“Sorry,” I murmur. Joel looks away. 

With every step we take, I fight the urge to look behind us. The threats in the open city seem limitless. If I turned around, would I find QZ guards chasing us? A hoard of infected? The people who killed my dad? 

Dread crawls up my spine and wraps around my throat.

Is this my life now? Running? 

My spinning thoughts are paused with the sound of Joel’s low, hard words:

“We gotta find some higher ground, scan the city, make sure our exit’s good,” he says under his breath. There’s a hint of reluctance in his voice, as though he hadn’t planned on letting me in on his next move. I’m not even offended by his hesitation. I’m just grateful for even a taste of what’s going on in his head. 

I nod eventually, agreeing with his judgement, despite having no understanding of how the open city works or how to keep myself safe. 

Regret starts to burn under my skin, lurking alongside with my fear. 

We walk for a little while longer. I keep my eyes on the ground, just like Joel told me to. Two days ago, I would have been mortified to be so loyal to him. Now, he’s the only thing standing between my life and death.  

“Shit,” Joel breathes as we round a corner. He slows his steps.

My entire body, already sparking with fear, is set aflame.

“What? What is it?” I demand, scanning Joel’s face and the road in front of us. 

Joel stops walking. I stumble to a stop by his side. 

His hand tenses against my wrist. That’s when I begin to hear the rumble vibrating through my boots. 

“There’s a hoard coming,” he explains through clenched teeth. “Those stupid fuckin’ guards must have set them off.”

What I thought was fear a moment ago is nothing compared to the terror that now floods me. 

A sharp ringing in my ears cuts off my hearing. My mind stretches back in time to a heavy, feral body on top of me and my tiny limbs trying to fight it off. 

The ringing in my ears is replaced by the memory of screeching and loud sobbing. 

I shake my arm free from Joel’s hold and stagger backwards. It’s muscle memory from an old fear, one that has festered over time, 

They’ll kill me.

His eyes are on me. They’re wide and furious.

They’re coming and they’re going to kill me. 

I take another step backwards, my legs shaking. 

It won’t be like like last time, there isn’t - 

“Alex.”

Joel’s voice drags me back to the present, to his raging stare and the shake of the ground beneath our feet. 

“We gotta move,” he fumes as he attempts to snatch my wrist. 

I dodge his touch with a sharp gasp. 

My feet are trembling with the promise of tens or even hundreds of infected clawing and speeding their way to us.

I knew it. I knew this would happen. We were wrong to leave the QZ. We should have taken our chances with the enforcer. 

The city is crawling with infected - my dad was right. Why did I think that I could do this? That Joel would protect me? 

I’m going to die. 

I’m going to -

“Fuck, Alex.”

Joel’s sharp curse is the only warning I’m given before his hands grip my waist with a force hard enough to bruise as he tosses me over his shoulder. 

My scream is caught in my throat. 

He wraps his hand around my thigh. I swing my head around, my eyes seeing everything in a blurry panic. Then he starts moving, racing forward at a speed I didn’t know Joel was capable of. 

The staccato of my breaths nearly choke me as my body pounds against Joel.

We’re rounding the corner now. Joel slows. 

I force my head to lift and my eyes to focus on our surroundings. 

I wish I hadn’t.

There - in the distance - I see them. 

A sea of jerky, twisted, movements; a flood of beasts rushing through the street. 

Without warning, Joel tugs on my legs and forces my feet to the ground. I look up at him, breath caught in my throat, mouth open. My entire being is laser focused on the expression on his face. 

He doesn’t even look my way. 

Joel’s attention is split between the approaching terror and the ancient lock on the door in front of us. 

Veins pop in his neck as Joel twists the handle. Then, he snarls a low curse, plants his feet firmly on the ground and throws himself forward, hitting the door with his shoulder. Once, twice - 

“Shit,” he growls when the door doesn’t budge. 

Joel’s head whips around to the scene behind us. The infected are getting closer. I can make out their faces now: rotten, peeling skin and mangled features. 

The numbness in my body fades as fear finds its firm grip on my heart again. Adrenaline pumps through my bloodstream. 

I can’t do this again. I can’t be under their heavy, rotted bodies, begging to live. I can’t die like this.  

I push in front of Joel, aided by his distraction, and I use every bit of terror in my body to throw myself against the door. 

There’s a loud crunch. It isn’t from the lock. 

My mouth opens in a silent scream. Black ink curls at the edges of my vision. 

“What the hell?” Joel shouts but his voice sounds muffled in my pain soaked mind. I feel a hand curve around my uninjured shoulder as I’m moved out of the way. 

The right side of my body is on fire. I fall back against the brick wall as my eyes swim with tears. I register nothing other than the sight in front of me as the infected charge forward towards their next victims. 

I wonder if I’ll feel it, when they sink their teeth into my skin. Or maybe my brain will block it out, in a final act of defense before it becomes just another bit of meat for the infection to devour. 

Sorry, Dad. I think. 

There’s the sound of a loud crack and a low, almost animalistic growl. Through the haze of panic and pain, I suddenly register that I'm being lifted again, this time with a hand under my legs and a chest against my good shoulder.

I’m hauled through the door in one quick movement. Relief dances in my stomach. I inhale a choked breath. 

Then I am unceremoniously dropped onto the dusty, newspaper covered floor. 

I yell out as the impact thuds through my tailbone. With gritted teeth, I curl in on myself, tipping to the side. The newspaper crinkles as I press my cheek into its cold, weathered  surface. 

“Shh,” Joel issues a sharp command. Not in an attempt to soothe, but rather, to warn. 

I hear him struggle with the locks, then drag a large cabinet over to hold against the door. Joel’s breathing is harsh and fast, his palms are flat against the wood, muscles flexing as he pushes his strength into the broken door. 

The ground still rumbles, shaking the legs of the cabinet. 

I’m lying on the floor, a true picture of a coward, when the infected swarm the street. The rumble of the ground is replaced by loud groaning, hissing and writhing. Some drag their fingers across the frosted glass, some push against the door. Joel’s face is red with the effort to hold them back. 

I feel a tear roll from my eye onto the newspaper, smudging the memory of ink. Every inch of me is trembling. I am utterly immobilised, through pain and fear, both old and new. 

Guilt eats at me, with sharper bites than the infected could ever take. 

For minutes or hours, I lie there, forcing myself to watch every second of Joel’s struggle against the door. Some distant part of my brain attempts to tell me this isn’t my fault. 

I tell that part of myself to fuck off. 

If I knew how to fight, if I was better at spotting the infected, If I had any courage at all, maybe we wouldn’t have ended up in this situation. Maybe I would drag my injured body to my feet and stand beside Joel, ready to fight or die. But I don’t. 

Mortification joins the feast in my mind. 

We’re completely silent, with only our strained breaths staining the air. But the infected know we’re in here. At least, they do until something else catches their attention. 

There is no warning given before the infected move on. We are seconds away from death, then, we are not. The pressure on the door lifts. Joel’s muscles tentatively relax, his fingers flex against the chipped wood. 

Someone else has caught their rabid attention. Someone else will die by their black, rotted teeth. 

We’ve been spared. 

With the frigid splash of relief comes the wave of pain that my brain had been suppressing. As Joel eases away from the door, I unconsciously release a long whine from my bitten lips. My fingers claw at the newspaper beneath my body as I try to push myself up but the ache in my tailbone screams at me to stop. 

“Don’t,” Joel commands, then pauses. “Don’t” he says, softer this time, almost pleading. I spot his heavy boots through my hazy vision, making their way over to me.  

I slump back against the dirty ground. My breaths tremble as they escape my mouth. 

“My arm -” 

“I know,” Joel cuts me off as he bends down. His eyes are wide and angry, pupils blown out. But his hands look gentle as they reach for me. 

I flinch away from him. I can’t help it. My hesitation towards Joel is hardwired, programmed through years of resentment, shaped through his violence. 

Joel sighs. Then, almost like that switch has been flipped, he abandons his attempt at tenderness. Instead, Joel grips my uninjured shoulder with one hand, and slides his other hand under my neck. 

I let out a sound of protest before I’m dragged upwards onto his lap, with my back against his chest. 

My pain is like wildfire, set ablaze in my shoulder but refusing to slow until it has consumed every inch of my body. 

Before the scream can unleash from my mouth, Joel’s hand is there, moving from my neck to my lips. His palm covers half my face, pressing down, masking my suffering. 

I claw at his thigh with the hand of my uninjured arm. But Joel doesn’t let up. 

The pain eases enough for the sound of his whispered words to sink in. 

“If you start screamin, those infected are gonna turn back towards us. And I don’t know if I’d be able to hold them back this time,” he warns against the shell of my ear. 

I take several heavy, panicked breaths through my nose before my head dips in a nod. 

Joel’s hand is gone in an instant. 

“I - I can’t feel my arm,” I somehow manage to whisper as a hot tear slides down my face. 

The numbness has made its way to my fingers, which have now begun to twitch. This can’t be good. 

“Shit,” Joel curses, then grabs my waist to adjust my position on his lap. “Your shoulder is dislocated. I gotta put it back into place.” 

A bolt of fear shoots through my chest. I squeeze my eyes shut, immediately picturing the pain that awaits me. 

Joel’s palm is at my back, indicating that I should sit forward. I grit my teeth as I follow his command. Then, a balled up bit of fabric is in front of me, gripped in Joel’s hand. 

“Open your mouth,” he demands.  

I shudder. 

You decided to trust him, remember? Even if he’s keeping secrets, he’ll still keep you alive. I remind myself. 

I unclench my jaw. 

Joel stuffs the fabric between my teeth. 

“I’m gonna count to three, okay?” 

A tear drips onto Joel’s lap. My whole body is shaking. I squeeze my eyes shut. 

“Alex?” 

I realise Joel is waiting for my acknowledgement. I drip my head forward, consenting to this necessary torture. As soon as Joel notices my confirmation, I feel the echo of his hands as they move around my injured shoulder. 

“One.” 

Don’t scream. Don’t scream. Don’t scream. 

“Two.” 

Joel moves and my teeth clench down so hard that I hear a crunch. Don’t fucking scream, I yell inside my head. 

My throat unleashes a wild groan against the bit of fabric. 

“It’s done,” Joel confirms after my racing heartbeat starts to calm. He reaches a hand around and pries the fabric from between my teeth.

My shirt is soaked in sweat. I fall back against Joel’s chest and somehow forget to be mortified at this strangely intimate position we’re in. 

“You said a count of three,” I accuse in a near whimper. 

I know I must be hallucinating from the pain because I swear I hear Joel huff out a laugh and run a hand across my forehead, pushing away the hair that stuck to my soaked brow. But that didn’t happen, because Joel would never do that. 

Joel’s lack of compassion is confirmed when, seconds later, he slides out from behind me and deposits my body against a mould covered wall. He’s up and walking away before I can even catch a glimpse of his face. 

I cradle my injured arm against my chest and finally take a look around this room we’ve found ourselves in. It’s a long narrow space, with a counter and a couple aisles of shelves. It must have been an old store. 

There’s a door behind the counter. Joel is heading there now, walking with that slow, calculated stride. His gun is in one hand, his torch in the other. 

Joel tries the handle. It’is unlocked. He pauses for a second, adjusting his grip on his gun before he pushes the door open. The hinges scream and I hold my breath as Joel disappears into the next room. 

If he dies, this is all over. 

I would never survive on my own, and everything he knows about my dad, and how he died, will die with him. 

I hear movement in the next room and I freeze, pausing the rapid clenching and unclenching of my hand. There are no snarls or yells or bangs, so after a long minute, I remember to take a breath. 

Eventually, Joel’s thick boots announce his return into the room. I glance up, eyes sharp and inquisitive as I instinctively scan him for injuries. But that’s not what I notice. Instead, my gaze is locked on his hands and the strange, tied together fabric housed in his tanned skin. 

“Here,” he says as he throws the fabric towards me. I’m not quick enough so it hits my chest and falls onto my lap. I look up at him in surprise as my hands curl around this odd gift.  

Joel has moved closer and is staring down at me. There’s that anger again, etched in every fine line around his eyes. But there’s something else, too, something like worry or concern. It’s gone quickly. 

“What is this?” I ask quietly as I attempt to spread it out on my lap. 

“A sling,” he answers, nodding towards it. “Put it over your head and it’ll take the weight off your arm. Give it time to heal.”

I open and close my mouth, unsure how to respond. Joel has clearly made it himself, he must have found and ripped apart a couple bits of fabric in the next room, knotting it together. My eyebrows furrow at the gesture, then I remember his promise and I straighten. 

“Thanks,” I murmur as I reach up and attempt to put the sling over my head with one hand. A scalding heat stains my cheeks as the knot gets caught in my hair and I mutter a curse under my breath. 

Joel’s footsteps draw closer before I feel his hands pull the sling down over my head and gently move my injured arm into the cradle of fabric. I wince when he touches my shoulder and feel him pause before continuing his movements.

He’s perched so close to me, and without the haze of pain and panic, I remember to be afraid. My eyes flick to his narrow gaze, and I swallow. 

With another examining glance at the makeshift sling, Joel perches back on his heels, places a hand on his thigh and pushes himself up with a low groan. Then he takes two steps back and turns away.

I let out a breath and allow my head to drop back against the wall, too tired to care about the mould that stains its surface. 

My dad is dead. I left the QZ. I nearly died. I’m still alive.

I’m still alive. 

It doesn’t seem possible that only two days ago I was begging my dad not to leave. I try not to imagine a reality where he listened, where he didn’t go. It’s too painful to picture what could’ve been. 

I feel my eyes fill with tears. I blink them away, already embarrassed enough. 

A rough sigh escapes my lips and I look up. 

Joel is staring down at me again. A shiver races across my skin. 

I blink again, clearing more of the tears, and I catch sight of the look in Joel’s eyes. It’s not anger this time, but disgust that lies in the depths of the deep brown. 

My blood turns cold, my mood changing just as fast as Joel’s. 

I narrow my eyes. “What?” I demand. 

Joel clenches his jaw and curls a fist against his jeans. The disgust in his eyes has turned to repulsion. 

“You nearly got yourself killed back there. Nearly got us killed,” Joel declares. 

Flashes of the past hour flash across my mind: the empty city streets, the hoard of infected, Joel’s grip on my wrist, the way I pushed him away. 

I flinch. A sick, heavy sensation crawls over my skin, something rotten and inescapable. 

I attempt to shift against the wall but I’m hit by another wave of pain. I straighten my spine and steel my expression to hide the ache. 

He’s right, there’s no denying it. I did nearly get us killed. 

“I know,” I sigh. “I’m sorry.” 

Joel scoffs. My eyes flash to his. 

“Sorry isn’t gonna cut it,” he scolds. “You do what I say, when I say it. Not when you fuckin feel like it.”

I feel like a child. Joel makes me feel like a fucking child. 

I grit my teeth and look down at my hands. “Fine.” 

“Fine’s not good enough,” he grumbles, taking a step forward. 

I feel the pressure of his presence like a hand around my neck. 

“What do you want me to say?” I ask quietly, hating how defeated I sound. Joel’s the only thing standing between me and death, I need to stay on his good side no matter how I feel about it. 

Joel huffs out a laugh and takes another step closer, until his boot rests beside my own. I have to tilt my chin up to see him, and I watch as a muscle twitches in his cheek. 

“Tell me that you’ll do what I say, follow my instructions, and stop bein’ so fuckin’ stupid,” he says slowly, his voice dark and threatening. 

My skin is burning hot now and my fingers tremble with the mortification of being at the mercy of Joel’s commands. I hate him. I should never have let him help me with that sling, I should have thrown it back in his face and let myself become an even bigger burden. 

I know he’s waiting on my response, and he won’t move away until he gets one. 

So, I tilt my chin up to look him in the eye and allow the edge of my mouth to curl into the soft memory of a smile. “I’ll do whatever you want, Joel,” I reply, my voice sickly sweet. 

I expect to see that rage return to his eyes. I expect him to scowl and laugh in that dark, unamused way he gets when he’s annoyed. I even expect him to make some sort of threat. 

But he doesn’t. 

Joel winces. His stone face shatters for a moment and I catch sight of black, flared pupils roaming over every inch of my face as he swallows roughly. 

Then, the moment is over, and the repulsion returns. Joel takes one last look at me before he turns and storms towards the other side of the store. 

I’m the one who’s annoyed now. 

“What’s the plan, Joel?” I demand, only allowing my voice to stretch across the room. 

He stops walking, but doesn’t turn towards me. I watch as the muscles in his back move under his shirt. 

“You’ve got one hour to rest and then we’re gettin’ out the city,” Joel replies, his voice clipped and detached, like he’s reading off a script. 

An hour isn’t long, but I’m grateful for even the small respite. 

Joel still hasn’t moved, as though he’s waiting on another question. I lick my lips and take advantage of his moment of transparency. 

“And then what?” I ask hesitantly. 

“We visit some friends.”

[angelthefandomobsessed]

Between Teeth, Between Claws, Between Them - Chapter 4 - Leona Kingscholar x Reader x Ruggie Bucchie

This chapter is very Ruggie-centric, is the longest chapter yet, and contains worldbuilding (because worldbuilding was inevitable). Buckle up for discussions of beastman lore I just made up, and fantasy racism (yaaaaay)... as well as more of the usual (earth-shaking, pearl-clutching, flirting). Don't worry, though - there's plenty of fluff in this one too. Enjoy!

You can find chapter one here!

(As usual: This fic is a little suggestive, but not outright explicit, reader discretion is advised)

(Link to AO3: Between Teeth, Between Claws, Between Them - Angel_Ashido - Twisted-Wonderland (Video Game) [Archive of Our Own])

༺═────────────═༻

It was rare for you to leave the campus, so when Ruggie asked you to go into town with him, you jumped at the opportunity. On weekends, the students of NRC flocked to the local stores and cafés, usually causing a ruckus of some sort. Going alone wasn’t that appealing to you, so you only ventured out whenever Ace of Deuce wanted to. 

You walked beside Ruggie in silence, waiting for him to explain where you were going. 

Ever since you had first kissed both Leona and him, something had shifted. Whether that shift was a thread being pulled taut, or the string snapping completely, you couldn’t tell.

All that you knew was that there was a sense of possibility in the air, both sweet and sharp.

“You’re being awfully quiet,” Ruggie finally voiced. “Something on your mind?”

You shook your head, stepping over a puddle.

Ruggie splashed right through the puddle, keeping his eyes on you. “Hm… Is someone on your mind?”

You couldn’t bring yourself to fight the smile that spread across your face. “Maybe.”

As though it were contagious, Ruggie smiled too. “Thinking of little ol’ me?”

“Tell me where we’re going, and I’ll tell you what I’m thinking of.”

The beastman’s expression shifted to a mock-pout. “What, and ruin the surprise? No deal, kitten.”

“Then I guess you’ll never know what was on my mind.”

A bird chirped from its spot in an apple tree. It was a warm day, perfect for an outing.

“I bet I can guess.” Ruggie darted in front of you, forcing you to a halt. “Was it something like this?”

He leaned forward and gave you a peck on the lips, so fleeting that you may very well have imagined it. By the time you had registered his movement, he was walking forward again.

The bird launched into song above you, the sound frantic yet soothing to your racing heart.

You had to jog a little to catch up with Ruggie, who looked far too smug without Leona around to reign him in. Although, Leona may very well have egged him on…

He turned to you, ears flicking. “Well? Was I right?”

“You were half-right,” you half-lied.

“Oh?”

“I was thinking about kissing Leona.”

Ruggie let out a small, frustrated sound, eyes narrowing. “I thought you were sweet, but you’re just as bad as he is. Guess that means I have to try twice as hard, huh?”

You turned his words over in your mind for a few beats, before asking, “What do you mean by that?”

His expression turned blank, so you elaborated, “Trying twice as hard. Is it a personal thing, or is it… some kind of societal thing?”

He shrugged. “Nobody wants to be the bottom of the pack. So I guess it’s… kinda both?”

“But when you say ‘pack’, do you mean metaphorically, or literally?” you pressed.

“Huh? Obviously I mean literally. Didn’t they teach you this stuff back in your world?”

“We don’t have beastmen in our world,” you explained, feeling as though you were breaking some kind of interdimensional law by admitting that.

“You don’t!?” It was a little entertaining to see Ruggie look so shocked. “What happened to ‘em!?”

“They never existed. We don’t have magic, or beastmen, or fae, or direbeasts, or anything that’s not a plain human.”

“Seriously? You’re not pulling my leg?”

You had both stopped, by that point. Confused, mildly disturbed eyes searched your own, trying to detect a hint of a joke.

“No. I’m not messing with you. That’s just the way it is.”

Well… the way it was. 

Ruggie waved his hands in the air. Adorably, you felt inclined to note. “So you’re telling me that you showed up here and just… had to accept that there are whole other species..?”

“Once I accepted that magic exists, and that I’m now a single parent to a flaming, talking cat thing, the rest clicked into place pretty easily.” Your dry tone only furthered Ruggie's frantic display.

“Do you even know what a lion and a hyena is!? How much have you just been pretending to know about?”

“We have lions and hyenas in my world,” you told him. “There’s a, um… film that’s pretty well known about them.”

Was The Lion King a documentary now? How much of the whole ‘Great Seven’ thing fact, and how much was fiction? You had plenty of questions, but still no answers to go with them.

“Phew, that’s a relief… At least you have a point of reference. You’re not totally clueless.”

With that realisation, Ruggie rediscovered his highground, and resumed the walk into town.

“All right then, I guess a spur of the moment beastman lesson is in order.” Ruggie smirked. “Leona’s a lion beastman, right? It’s pretty rare for them to have just one partner. Some do, like his brother Falena, but most will have between… three or five, let’s say.”

Three or five? You had your hands full with Leona and Ruggie as is, you couldn’t imagine adding anyone else to the mix. “Sounds like a lot of work.”

“The biggest pride in the Sunset Savanna is forty strong,” Ruggie informed you.

You let out a baffled sound halfway between a sigh and a groan. “How do they remember each other’s names?”

“Beats me. There’s a reality show about them - we should watch it some time. Anyway,” Ruggie breezed. “That’s how lion-beastmen tick.”

“So… Are you, Leona and I a pride, then?”

“That’s… complicated.”

Tell me something I don’t know… you thought to yourself.

Ruggie hummed to himself, turning the situation over in his head. “We’re in the negotiating stages of forming a pride, I guess? To be honest, it’s all sorta new to me. Lions and hyenas don’t usually… y’know. Mix.”

You felt your stomach lurch at that. 

Though Twisted Wonderland felt more progressive than your world, it was bound to have its dark sides. Recalling how hurt Ruggie had seemed during Leona’s overblot, you felt as though you were gaining a better understanding of the second-year.

He seemed almost nervous, as if you might suddenly turn on him.

“There are people like that in my world, too. Couples that society doesn’t like all that much.” You gave Ruggie a soft nudge. “There will always be idiots, no matter where you go.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” Ruggie perked up at the physical contact.

When your hand sought his, he held it without hesitation.

“Introducing a human into the mix is kinda strange too. Beastmen getting with humans is a pretty modern idea.”

“So if Leona’s interested in a hyena and a human that would make him… Pretty weird, by society’s standards?” you concluded.

“Extremely weird.” Ruggie squeezed your hand, letting you feel the subtle sharpness of his fingernails. “But that’s why I like him so much. He’s not afraid to go against the grain. If we could vote for our king, I would vote for him every day of the week.”

Talking to Ruggie about something so serious was different, but it was nice. There was a sense of security in your conversation that you hadn’t known you needed.

Finally, you felt daring enough to ask, “When did you and Leona get together?”

Ruggie’s ears pressed down at that, while his cheeks turned rosy. “It just sorta… happened. I didn’t mark it down in my calendar or anything, things just… turned out the way they did.”

That sort of made sense. Ruggie was always chasing after Leona, meaning that they would have spent a lot of time together. A right hand man turning into a romantic partner… it wasn’t the strangest of stories.

“What, you didn’t get cornered at lunchtime?” you joked.

“Nope. I just swooned over laundry piles until he got the hint.”

You barked a shocked laugh - that was an image and a half.

“No way!”

“Yeah way! Leona’s a smart guy, but he can be super dense.”

You both knew that wasn’t the full truth, but neither of you spoke that thought into existence. For Leona to realise that somebody could want and accept him as he is… 

Better chance of Grim going vegan, you decided.

“Why did the two of you approach me, then? What made you think I was-”

“Because you cared,” Ruggie interrupted. “We both liked you, so it was only natural to see if you liked us. So far, things are going well, right?”

“Well… Yeah,” you said, swinging your joined hands back and forth. “Things are going very well.”

“You should ask Leona about this stuff. He’s probably thought about it more than I have… For me, you’re cute, and I like being around you. Why wouldn’t I want to be closer to someone I like?”

“Fair enough…”

Out in the open, there was nowhere to hide. All of the ways that your embarrassment manifested were about as subtle as a masterpiece in a museum. This was, of course, infinitely amusing to Ruggie, who proceeded to poke at your cheeks.

“Seeing you like this is better than finding treasure in a garbage can,” he observed, his grin shaping his voice.

“Has anyone ever told you that you have a way with words?”

“No, never.”

“Good. It’s not nice to be lied to,” you deadpanned.

Ruggie whined at that, brows turning downwards to match his pout. “You’re so mean! I take back every nice thing I said about you!”

Before you knew it, you were being led through the bustling street of the foothill town. Ruggie marched, a man on a mission, still holding onto your hand.

Your destination became clear to you when he stopped.

Donut Delights: Special deal! Lovers can buy one deluxe donut, and get one free!

“Did you seriously drag me all the way down here for donuts, Ruggie?”

His shoulders shook with his laugh. “Of course I did! There was no way I was missing out on this deal! Now c’mon, before all the good flavours go.”

It was only when you were standing in front of the cabinet that you realised; this was a date, by all definitions. Your first actual date with Ruggie…

You let him pick out two donuts, both giant with toppings piled on. One was strawberries and cream flavoured, while the other was honey and crumble flavoured. After they were given to you on scalloped, petite plates, you found a small, round table at the back of the café.

“Pick whichever one you want, my sweet,” Ruggie invited, smirking at his own pun.

You picked the one that called to you the most - though they both looked delicious - and puzzled over the best angle to eat the monstrosity from.

When you finally managed to get it in your mouth, you let out a muffled sound of approval. It was a really good donut - no wonder Ruggie had been willing to hoof it all the way to the shop.

Looking up, you realised that he had eaten his way through half of his already.

“Impressive…” you murmured to yourself. 

You couldn’t help but wonder if the way he ate - as though someone was going to snatch it from him - was a result of his nature, or the environment he had grown up in.

“Do you… Want to try some of mine?” you offered.

Ruggie’s eyes lit up, as though you had just offered him a diamond. “I thought you’d never ask!”

“Alright, here…” You pushed your plate towards him. “Don’t eat the whole thing, alright?”

“You’re pretty brave, offering food to me and expecting to get it back.” Despite that, he took a, relatively, small portion before returning it to you.

“That one’s pretty nice too.” He pointed at your lips. “Too bad you got more of it on your face than in your mouth.”

“Yeah, yeah, very funny…” You almost reached for a napkin, but an idea hit you before you could do so. “Maybe I just wanted to leave some for you to kiss away.”

Spending time with Savanaclaw boys was dangerous. They were turning you more audacious by the day. However, based on the way Ruggie’s spine straightened, he liked that about you.

He let out a low laugh, eyes narrowing. “Careful, or I might just eat you up instead~”

You smiled as though he had complimented your outfit, and finished your monster of a snack. When you left, hand in hand, Ruggie was quick to pull you around a corner - out of sight from the world. Though he was slight in build, his presence was immense as he pushed into your personal space.

His lips ghosted over yours, making every nerve in your body soar in anticipation.

When he finally made contact, he savoured the taste of you, taking great care to reduce you into a quivering mess.

Had he been taking notes from Leona?

Ruggie pulled away with a satisfied smile. “Sweet,” he said, as though he didn’t realise he was speaking out loud.

“Thanks for the treat,” you breathed, trying to commit his wonderful, dopey expression to your memory. Then, because it seemed like something that would mean a lot to him, you put your arms around him and said; “You took very good care of me.”

You must have been getting the hang of the whole beastman thing, because when you let go, Ruggie was looking at you as though you had invented the very concept of love.

The walk back to NRC was a long one, as you couldn’t keep your hands off of each other.

A/N:

Thank you for the continued support on this. The comments have been lovely, and have meant a lot to me!

If there's anything you want to see in this fic (more one-on-one scenes like this one, more time with both of them, specific scenarios) feel free to suggest them, there is a good chance that I will take them on board. And, of course, if there are any other pairings you'd be interested in seeing me write, feel free to suggest those too!

[cussundria-nerd-kneal]

Not-So-Happily-After Fade Prison?

This is a purely indulgent solavellan musings, I will be honest, and I'm laughing at myself that this is my first technical post, but I've just had this thought running around in my mind, and I need to barf it out. I am also aware that these thoughts are coming from a place of my Inquisitor Lavellan's personality that no one has privy to but me, lol.

But, my thought is... I really doubt that Solas and Inky are actually going to be happy and sunshine rainbows in the Fade right away? And I am not talking about them working through Solas' issues while in the Fade Regret Prison. I've seen a lot of criticism and confusion that Lavellan is still not over Solas, and never moved on from him after 10 years when they basically had barely anything at all, and I'm in that ball park too. But instead of being like "Oh yeah, she hella got over to him, I'm pissed that canon Inky didn't." I'm more... What if Lavellan TRIED to get over this person that she barely knew, but had such a deep and intrinsic bond with that her stubborn heart refused to budge? What if she did date, have lovers, tried for an actual serious relationship, all in the hopes of getting over Solas, but it never worked? She was still forever chasing after him, and eventually gave up hope and went about her days silently pining for him, but still hell bent on making sure her love did not destroy the only home she knew? She was still the Inquisitor that saved the world from the Breach, and while the Inquisition disbanded/is heavily restrained, the world has not forgotten her or her status? So she's still VERY politically active, and Thedas still has its eyes on her.

I have my Inquisitor Lavellan essentially be a very driven and headstrong woman who shares a LOT of similarities with Solas (completely by accident, mind you, the more I think about and develop Emmerie Lavellan, the more startled I am at how freaking similar she is to the Dread Wolf), so therefore, she's angry at him. At breaking her heart, at taking the Anchor from her instead of trying to help her control it, of not even trying to convince her to come with him, of being so narrow minded and refusing to listen to anyone but his own regretful thoughts. She wants to grab his shoulders and scream at him that she's real, they're all real, and ripping everything that this fragile world has scrounged together apart is wrong. She's so blistering mad that he keeps running away from her, but still leaving just enough clues to keep trailing after him. She goes between thinking its wistful hope and spiteful mockery on why he would do that at all. That scene in Veilguard, where she talks to Rook kinda nailed it for my Lavellan. She's torn but still angry after ten years. She's the definition of turbulent when it comes to the topic of Solas. It also feels like the first time she can voice her thoughts without abject scorn (funnily enough, considering Rook has Solas sneering in their head still at that point)

With all this set up... I wouldn't say there would be no way she wouldn't jump at the chance of finally being with Solas, after so long. I think she would be so desperate to stop him that she would say anything to get him to stop. But then he turns away again from her to continue on his destructive path, shattering her heart a third damn time, and it's only Morrigan/Mythal that finally gets him to stop. But she still goes with him... and I wonder if it was one last sacrifice on her end. She loves a 'monster', but she loves her world more. (I'm going in and out of my OC's thoughts and general thoughts on canon worldstate Lavellan here, sorry) So, maybe she is willing to take on this task of making sure Solas stays alive for as long as she can, and help him quell the Blight, and make sure this isn't fluke on his part and he truly gives up on his quest. She makes one last sacrifice to save her world, and walks into the Fade... and things are NOT hunky dory because of this. If any of these motives are present, of course they're going to come to light and Solas is going to find out, one way or another. They're in the Regret Prison and they're both airing out all of their dirty laundry. Solas has a lot to air out, but oh boy-- does he get to find out his Vhenan also has a lot of regrets she's been bottling up!

It's messy. It's painful. Lavellan gets to see him, and she doesn't turn away, but by the Marker - is it hard to swallow all that he has done. And in turn, it's hard for Solas to swallow that the love of his life didn't really come with him because she loved him, but because she sees him as another obligation she has to fulfil to keep her world safe. I am so utterly captivated by this narrative. Where they're fighting, they're stuck with each other for who knows how long, they have no one else BUT each other - and they still love each other so much that a bonfire is cold in the wake of their fire. But it's so messy, and the Regret Prison makes it worse. But... I don't think think they end up hating one another.

I have the concept of a turbulent dynamic between two people who are still twin flames who relearn to fall in love with each other, and take accountability in their mistakes and learn to come together and accept the other completely. They go on adventures in the Fade. The Blight nearly kills them both. There's the unspoken weight that Solas' life alone is keeping the Veil intact now. But it's not a story that ends with them hating each other, despite how easy it would be.

I don't know. I like the idea of Happily Ever After in the Fade... But it just feel like that isn't what would happen between them, canon Inky or my personal OC Inquisitor? Like, it just doesn't feel the least bit realistic, no matter the narrative. I haven't seen anyone else post or talk about anything similar to this, so here's to me barfing out my indulgent thoughts into the void.

[bambisturns]

Warning: not much to worry about, just mentions of sex and weed, and a quick make out session.

Pt2.

“Im telling you y/n he literally had me pinned to the mattress. Like he was primal or something.” Madi says looking across the table in the small local Cafe shop where you guys chose to study for the day. “And like don’t get me wrong but it- are you even listening to me?” She stops mid sentence to ask you. Truth be told no you weren’t. You were nose deep in your phone texting Chris. Responding to her story with small “oh wows” and “noo wayys”

I mean not to get you wrong or anything you love Madi, shes one of your best friends, but she’s just too much for you sometimes constantly talking about the older men she hooks up with from dating apps. You love the girl but its a constant conversation that gets brought up and it makes you wanna rip your hair out by how repetitive and boring it sounds. “You know y/n if you got laid you’d id listen to your stories.” She says while sending you a scoff.

You finally look up at her dead in the eyes “Mads, I dont even think about getting laid. Its not my top priority at the moment.” You say looking back down at your phone to send another stupid as meme back to Chris. “Hmm yea because your priorities are all straight, remind me again other than Graduating, drugs and Chris what are your priorities again?” She says with amusement laced in her voice.

“Okay woah, who the fuck said Chris is my priority, and so what if I do a little bit of drugs. You try taking Anatomy and physiology, while also taking fucking physics and thermodynamics.” You huff out while finally glancing down at your work and seeing you only have half the paper work started groaning you drop your head down to the table with a thud. “Honestly for you to be as smart as you are y/n I have no idea why you do the drugs you do,” Madi says just as her phone pings “oh i gotta go the guy from the party just texted me. He wants to see me again!” She says gathering her things.

“Guy from what party? We havent been to one recently?” You say looking up at her. “The one we went to literally like last weekend? God y/n lay off the drugs for a bit. Im surprised you can still remember the fucking courses your taking.” She says while rolling her eyes. “But im gonna go love you be safe are you staying here?” She rambles “yea need to finish this shit before we go out later” you say looking over your spread of papers laid across the table. “Okay ill see you at the apartment love you!” She says while running out “love you too!” You respond.

Its been 30 minutes, having no distractions AirPods in listening to a random playlist on your phone. That’s when you see a strawberry milkshake being placed down in front of you. Confused you look up and sitting across from you is Chris, looking smug as ever “uhhh thanks. What are you doing here?” You asked him. “Figured you’d need company, ya said you were here and felt the dire need to blow this place up from how bored and stressed you were. So why not a friendly face and a milkshake?” He says shooting you a small grin.

You let out a soft hum in response as you look back down at your work. 10 minutes have gone by, Chris still sitting with you quietly scrolling through his phone. You let iut a sigh placing you pen down on the table. “I hate college, I hate my classes my brain hurts.” You say while leaning bavk in the booth seat while staring up at the ceiling, Chris lets out a chuckle “i may or may not have sum to take your mind off this shit” lifting your head to make eye contact arching your brow “and what is this something Christopher?” You asked amusement laced in your voice. “Maybe weed. But id rather not you know talk about that shit in a cafe..” he say’s looking around spotting some more kids from campus.

“Wanna go to mine and Mads place?” You ask him while gathering your things “yea sure. Just as long as she aint fuckin’ on anyone. I still got trauma from the last time we walked in.” You shoot Mads a quick text asking if she was home just for her to send a quick thumbs down emoji. “She ain’t home let’s go pretty boy.”

Walking into your and madis apartment you plop your things onto the ground and make your way to the couch. You plop your body down laying on the couch Chris lifts your legs and set them on his lap as he sits with you. Both of you in a comfortable silence forgetting about the weed that was mentioned “So ive been thinking, you like one of the smartests kids in our friends group. Why the fuck do you do drugs?” Chris asks looking over at you hand rubbing your shins.

You sit up close enough to see the freckles on his face “could ask you the same thing, but you don’t hear me prying.” You say making eye contact with him. “Careful kid you keep looking at me like that gonna make me think you wanna kiss me or sum shit.” He whispers to you “and if i did?” You ask. Without a second thought Chris leans in connecting your lips. Its slow at first, has a feeling to it that you cant quite put your finger on.

Then it picks up, messy tongues fighting for dominance, you pull Chris towards you by his shirt laying back on the couch. Chris now hovering over you he runs his hand down the side of your rib cage stopping at your waist, youve never kissed someone like this, the heat of the kiss mixed with desperation but both of you know not to take it to far. You cant. You shouldnt. Finally breaking away from the kiss he sits back in his original spot. You leaning up beside him.

“Sooo… we gonna smoke or what?” You ask looking over at chris while doing a little wiggle dance jn your seat “was finna ask you the same think kid.” He says while pulling the blunt out of his bag. “Spark it up pretty boy.”

Divider creds to @bernardsbendystraws !

a/n: lowkey this is just a filler before i get the good shit pumping out. But they kissed 😛 also reader llooooooves to call Chris pretty boy. (He loves it too but wont admit to it) if there is any spelling errors ill go back and fix it later. Ive been too busy and tired to fully read over this ngl.

🏷️: @thecrawlys , @fadedstvrn

[gravity-between-us]

Gravity Between Us

Chapter 3: Cosmic Ruin

Caleb and I have known each other for as long as I can remember. We were once childhood friends, our bond as natural as the stars in the sky. But now, everything has changed. What used to feel like a safe, familiar orbit between us now pulses with unspoken desire.

Our friendship is no longer enough to keep the tension at bay, and the distance between us feels unbearable. Secrets, lies, and unhealed wounds stand in our way. I don’t know if we can survive this new gravity pulling us together... but I can’t keep pretending I don’t want to try. Pairing: Female MC x Caleb Rating: Explicit: 18+ Spoiler Alert: Potential spoilers for Caleb's Myth as well as memories. Read at your own risk for these. Lore spoilers. Warnings: Unlikely to be completely canon. The other love interests will not be likely to appear in this fic (I cannot bring myself to break any of their hearts, so you could consider this an AU with only Caleb in this timeline.) MC is named. MC is socially awkward. MC can be depressed at times. Slow Burn. Explicit Smut (eventually). Awkward blend of darker moments, angst, fluff, and humour. Drinking. Questionable life decisions. MC spirals. Protective Caleb. Both MC and Caleb are a little obsessive and overly protective of each other, which could be considered an unhealthy relationship. Limited plot - most focus is just on their relationship and interactions. More warnings could be applied, but as a general rule of thumb, please read at your own risk and do not continue if you find the content triggering.

The house is too quiet. I blink blearily at the landing pad, my sluggish brain taking too long to register what my eyes already know—Caleb’s aircraft is gone. It’s not unusual. He leaves early for duty all the time. But today, it feels… off. The space he’s left behind is heavier than it should be, like his absence has seeped into the walls, the air—into my bones.

I shuffle to the couch and collapse onto it, sinking into the cushions with a slow exhale. My limbs feel leaden, my mind foggy, like I’m moving through molasses, but I tell myself it’s just the morning. Just the remnants of sleep clinging to me like a second skin.

I tell myself a lot of things these days.

The silence stretches as I stare at nothing, trying to get my head on straight. My thoughts are a tangled mess, threads knotted so tight I don’t know where to start unravelling them.

Emotions have never been my strong suit. Not since Gran. Not since Caleb. Since they were declared dead, something inside me shorted out, like a failsafe I didn’t know existed kicked in to keep me from shattering. I flicked a switch and shut it all off because the alternative was unbearable. Grief felt too big, too endless—like drowning with no shore in sight.

So I threw myself into my work.

Being a Hunter meant never having to stop, never having to think, never having to feel. Every mission was a reason to keep moving, every fight a distraction, every kill a release. Adrenaline was easier to chase than ghosts. Blood was easier to wash away than memories.

It worked. Until it didn’t.

Pain, I’ve learned, is a funny thing.

Physical pain is predictable. It follows rules. A cut will sting, a bruise will ache, a bone will break and knit itself back together in time. You learn its language, its patterns, how to endure and wield it. You can grit your teeth through it, drown it in med gel, push past it until it fades into something distant and dull.

But emotional pain?

It doesn’t obey. It doesn’t follow a script. It seeps into the cracks of your mind like ink spilled on paper, bleeding into places it doesn’t belong. It warps time, making days stretch too long and nights pass too fast. It steals the colour from the world, leaves everything muted, drained, and hollow.

And the worst part?

You can’t outrun it. Not forever.

I press my palms against my eyes and let out a slow breath. I don’t know how long I sit there, lost in my head, but eventually, I sigh and let my hands drop, staring up at the ceiling. I need to move, to work—to exhaust myself before my thoughts drown me.

The gym is quiet, save for the steady thud of my feet against the treadmill. The rhythmic pace, the hum of the machine beneath me, the burn building in my limbs—it helps ground me, gives me something to focus on besides the ghosts clawing their way up from the depths of my mind.

But no matter how fast I run, they follow.

Caleb’s voice, low and teasing, calling me "pip-squeak" like it’s second nature. The way his fingers skim my ankle, kneading lazy circles into my foot while we sit on the couch.

The treadmill beeps, signalling the end of my run. I don’t hesitate. I move straight to the weights, pressing through the burn, chasing exhaustion—but it doesn’t stop the flood.

Him spinning me around last night, laughter tangled with mine, the heat that sparked when the moment stretched just a little too long.

I drop the weights onto the rack, my breathing uneven, sweat dripping down my spine. My muscles ache, but it’s not enough. I cross the gym in a few quick strides and slam my fists into the punching bag. The leather gives beneath my knuckles with a satisfying resistance.

I hit it again. And again.

Caleb used to be an open book to me. I knew every thought before he spoke it, every shift in his expression, every flicker of emotion behind his eyes. Now, there are pages missing—whole chapters he won’t let me read. Shadows cling to him in ways they never did before. Pain he won’t name. Secrets he won’t share.

I don’t know how to bridge that gap.

After my shower, my muscles ache, and my knuckles throb with the telltale promise of bruises. I feel like an overcooked piece of pasta as I sink onto the couch, remote in hand, flipping through the endless black hole of television channels.

There’s nothing on. Or maybe there is, but my brain refuses to process any of it. Every channel blends together into an indistinguishable mess of colour and noise. I should be able to relax, to let the exhaustion in my limbs lull me into something resembling peace, but my thoughts are restless.

Of course, they drift right back to him.

Slipping into bed beside him. The way his hand found my back in his sleep, fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt like he couldn’t bear for me to leave. The steady, rhythmic sound of his breathing, the rise and fall of his chest beneath my palm. The feel of his skin beneath my fingertips—warm, solid, real.

Nope. Absolutely not.

I cannot sit here and think. Clearly, that is bad for me. I need a distraction.

Like divine intervention, it hits me.

Drinking.

Yes. That is the answer. A responsible, definitely healthy coping mechanism—just a little to take the edge off.

I make a beeline for Caleb’s liquor cabinet, fully prepared to make some questionable life choices. Unfortunately, my plan encounters an immediate roadblock. Apparently, Caleb does not stock normal alcohol. No wine. No beer. No fruity little drinks that go down easy, and let me pretend I am not actively making a mistake.

No, what he has is a collection of bottles with labels that look like they were designed for space mercenaries with a death wish. Dark Matter Blackout. Nebula Burn. Void’s Mercy. That last one feels ominous, but I grab it anyway.

I pour myself a shot. It smells like regret. I take it anyway. It burns like fire and bad decisions.

Perfect.

One more shot. Then another. By the time I down the third, my head feels pleasantly light, my body loose, the tension in my muscles finally unspooling.

Yet I still cannot sit still.

So I do the next logical thing: I turn on some music. Loud enough to make the floor vibrate beneath my feet, loud enough for the bass to thrum in my bones, loud enough to drown out every single thought trying to claw its way back into my head.

Then, because I am apparently on a roll with making excellent choices, I decide now is the perfect time to clean.

Everything.

Every room, every surface. I scrub, I dust, I straighten, I organize. I throw myself into it with an enthusiasm that should honestly concern me. The floors gleam. The kitchen sparkles. I rearrange the throw pillows three separate times before deciding their original placement was, in fact, superior.

The house is immaculate—a sharp, perfect contrast to the absolute mess inside my head.

At some point, between scrubbing down the counters and aggressively reorganizing the bookshelf, I pick up the bottle and start using it as a microphone.

Unfortunately for literally everyone who has ever possessed the ability to hear, I am now in full concert mode.

I crank the music even louder and dance like an absolute menace through the house—spinning, swaying, shaking my hips like I am the only person in the universe. Which, technically, I am. At least in this house. I belt out the lyrics, horribly off-key, the bottle clutched in my hand like a mic, and I am killing it.

Caleb is missing out. I am a vision. A drunk, chaotic vision.

Mid-spin, a new brilliant idea strikes me.

The furniture.

It is all wrong.

Which means, obviously, I must fix it.

I grab the couch and drag it to a new spot. Step back. No. Not right. I shove it to the other side of the room. Step back. Still wrong. The coffee table gets moved next. Then the side table. Then the couch again.

I am locked in a battle of wills with this furniture.

And I am losing.

I reach for the bottle to soothe the sting of my failure—tilt it back—nothing.

I blink and shake it. As if the laws of physics might bend to my will and magically refill it.

They do not.

Betrayal. How could Caleb let this happen? How could he have the audacity, the unmitigated gall, to not predict that I would one day get tipsy and need more alcohol than he has stocked?

I grab my phone, thumbs flying across the screen.

Inara: Wow. Unbelievable. Truly. I have never known such disappointment. Caleb: … What? Inara: You. Have failed me. Caleb: Okay. I feel like I should be apologizin’, but I don’t know what for. Inara: I am in crisis, Caleb. Crisis. And where are you? Off gallivanting around, leaving me to fend for myself. Caleb: … I went to work. Inara: Question. How do you feel about change? Caleb: What did you do? Inara: Why do you always assume I did something? I just had a thought. A vision. A great and powerful idea. Caleb: Oh no. Inara: What if… hear me out… we completely reinvented the living room? Caleb: … Caleb: What does that mean? Did you move the furniture? Inara: I am taking creative initiative for our shared space. Caleb: Where is the couch? Inara: Currently… in an experimental location. Caleb: Where. Inara: TBD. Caleb: … Caleb: Is it upside down? Inara: Not right now.

At this point, I toss the phone aside because this conversation is going absolutely nowhere. With a sigh, I yank open the cabinet and reach for another bottle, tucked away behind a terrifyingly strong one labelled Celestial Burn: Nova Strength Whiskey—which, frankly, sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Instead, I grab Black Hole Rum—Guaranteed to Suck You In.

Hm. Promising.

I take a swig straight from the bottle, wincing at the burn, then turn back to the disaster I’ve created.

The living room is in ruins. Half the furniture is positioned at angles that defy logic, like some kind of avant-garde art piece that only makes sense to the deeply unhinged. The couch is half-shoved against the wall, one leg somehow balanced on a precarious stack of books. The coffee table isn’t anywhere near the couch—just abandoned mid-movement, off to the side. Pillows are scattered across the floor like casualties of war.

It’s fine. It just needs… adjustments.

My brain stutters over itself for a moment before latching onto an entirely useless thought.

Caleb’s elbows.

His elbows.

Why? Who knows.

But suddenly, I can’t stop thinking about them—how they’re weirdly sharp yet somehow elegant. Is this a thing? Do people have attractive elbows? What is he doing to them? Moisturizer? Elbow exercises??

I scowl at absolutely nothing.

What the hell is wrong with me?

It must be the living room. The energy in here is all wrong. I need to fix it. Now.

Naturally, I launch myself back into the chaos, frantically dragging things around again, as if physically rearranging furniture might somehow realign the absolute mess in my head.

The living room remains a battlefield of terrible decisions and increasingly questionable interior design choices. I’ve tried every possible configuration—from asymmetry to something that’s probably a fire hazard. Nothing feels right. The universe is mocking me.

I stumble through the wreckage, gripping the bottle of Black Hole Rum like a lifeline, belting out the lyrics to some ancient pop song with the confidence of a rock star and the vocal accuracy of a malfunctioning AI.

Somewhere between a dramatic twirl on the rug and an ill-advised attempt to launch myself off the couch (which, to be fair, is mostly where it’s supposed to be), I realize the problem.

The real problem.

The root cause of my complete mental breakdown disguised as an impromptu home renovation.

Caleb.

I march to my bedroom, nearly tripping over an upturned chair, and grab the apple plushie from my bed. It’s soft. Innocent. Blissfully unaware of the fate that awaits it.

Flopping onto the floor amid the wreckage, I cross my legs and cradle the plushie as if it were Caleb himself. I glare at its stupid, stitched-on smile.

“You.” I jab a finger into its round little body. “This is your fault.”

It does not respond. Probably because it’s a stuffed apple.

I poke it again, more aggressively this time. “How dare you have such… offensively attractive forearms? And those elbows!” I shake the plushie like it can be reasoned with. “They’re not supposed to look that good, Caleb! They’re just bones! But noooo, even your damn bones are irritatingly good-looking! Why?”

The apple remains unimpressed.

I flop backward onto the floor with a groan. “I know you’re not actually Caleb. I’m not that far gone.” A pause. “…But if you were Caleb, I’d be yelling at you for scrambling my brain like this.”

I hold the plushie up, squinting into its beady little eyes. “This is your fault,” I mutter again, smushing its round face. “Your. Fault.”

Since the universe has a cruel sense of humour, it’s then that I hear the distant hum of engines, and my head snaps up.

I’m on my feet in an instant, pressing myself against the living room window like some kind of elite super spy. I think I’m being subtle.

I am not.

Caleb’s aircraft touches down smoothly, its sleek frame reflecting the evening light. The second the hatch opens, he steps out in his crisp uniform.

Colonel Caleb.

I sneer. He looks stupidly good in that uniform. I hate that uniform. All stiff formality, Fleet-approved rigidity, silent reminders of things I really don’t want to think about right now.

But also—ugh.

He looks obnoxiously good in it.

Caleb pauses at the bottom of the ramp, frowning. He definitely hears the music. His eyes sweep toward the house.

I duck lower, convinced I am hidden.

I am very visibly pressed against the glass.

I snort to myself. Angry. Happy. Frustrated. Relieved.

Because despite my spiralling, despite my brain being an absolute mess of elbows and bad decisions, I’m just glad he’s home.

Caleb steps inside, and his entire body tenses. He gawks, slack-jawed, at the disaster that was once a living room. The music is still blaring at full volume, and I don’t even need to look at him to know he’s staring at me like I’ve completely lost my mind.

I ignore the look. Irrelevant.

Instead, I scurry up to him—though, in my haste, I definitely trip over myself, catching a foot on the rug that I swear wasn’t there a second ago.

Whatever. Doesn’t matter.

I right myself and throw my arms around him, squeezing tightly before shoving my face against his shoulder—

And sniffing him.

Oh. Oh, he smells good. Too good. Unfairly good. That stupidly crisp, clean scent with just a hint of dark amber, spice, and him beneath it.

It is, quite frankly, mouth-watering.

I hum against his jacket in approval. He goes completely still. "Okay," he says slowly, his voice half-drowned by the music. "What—"

I cut him off before he can move, change, comment, or fix things. I grab his hand and yank, dragging him straight into the war zone that is our living room.

"Alright, resonate with me." I stop in the middle of the mess, gripping his hands and staring at him intently.

Caleb blinks. "What?"

I shake our joined hands as if that will somehow help. "Resonate with me. Right now. I need you to feel this with me."

He tilts his head, bending slightly to peer into my probably glassy, unfocused eyes. “Pip-squeak, are you drunk?"

"That’s not the important part here," I conclude, exasperated. "Listen, I think I need to use your Evol to move the couch—or possibly suck it into a black hole due to its sheer defiance."

Caleb exhales sharply through his nose, the sound suspiciously close to a suppressed laugh. "You want to use gravity manipulation—on the couch."

"Yes. It’s a menace, Caleb. A menace that needs to be neutralized."

He stares at me as if I’ve just proposed launching the couch into orbit. “Right. Okay," he says slowly, then looks back at the room, his eyes tracing the path of absolute destruction.

He’s clearly holding back a laugh, which only makes me more frustrated—because this isn’t funny! Okay, it is a little funny. But not in the ‘laugh at me’ way!

"Inara." He says my name, his voice dipping just enough to make my pulse stutter. There’s a teasing lilt to it, though—light, playful, knowing.

And just like that, my entire focus snaps to his lips. The way he says my name—like he’s savouring it, rolling it around like a particularly fine piece of chocolate. My breath hitches slightly, and then, because I’m this me instead of regular me, my brain promptly swan-dives into the gutter.

I wonder how it would sound when he’s moaning my name.

Nope. Nope. Don’t go there. Nope!

I jerk back too quickly, and before I know it, I’m stumbling—a disaster in motion. I swear the floor didn’t exist a second ago.

Caleb catches me like we’re in some kind of action movie, and I’m the heroine who somehow always trips over her own feet. His arms close around me, steady and unshaken, like he expected this.

And instead of letting me go—like a decent human being—he dips me. Full-on, dramatic ballroom-dance style. He doesn’t even look winded. He just looks... amused.

I blink up at him, still tangled in his arms as he holds me there, one brow quirked in silent amusement. He’s enjoying this.

"Fell on purpose, huh?" he drawls, voice laced with dry humour. "Just so I could catch you? You’ve got quite the dramatic flair, Inara."

I open my mouth to deny it, but the words tumble out in a mess of stuttered nonsense. "What? No! I—I didn’t mean to—uh, I wasn’t trying—" I cut myself off with an embarrassed laugh because this is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.

Caleb chuckles, clearly enjoying himself far too much. “Sure you weren’t.”

I glare at him, but it’s half-hearted because he’s already lifting me back upright, effortlessly resetting me on my feet like I’m nothing more than an unruly puppet. He’s so natural, like there is nothing remotely absurd about this situation.

"You should probably sit down.” He nudges me toward the couch, and I let myself be guided, flopping onto the cushions with an exaggerated huff.

Caleb grins and shrugs off his uniform coat, tossing it over the back of the chair like it’s an afterthought. It’s so casual and effortless. It still makes my heart flutter.

With a swift motion, he turns the music down, the thumping bass fading to a softer pulse. I watch him, still acutely aware of the lingering weight of his hands on me, though I try to shake it off. I shift in my seat, forcing myself to look at anything other than him.

Like the dangerous creature he is, he saunters into the kitchen. His eyes glint with something playful, mischievous—like he’s plotting.

He glances back at me, smirking. "If I’m going to understand what’s happening here, I need to get on your level, don’t I?"

Before I can even ask what the hell that means, he plucks a bottle from the shelf and pours himself a shot. Then, with effortless grace, he knocks it back in one fluid motion.

“You are a mess,” he mutters under his breath, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Okay, let me change first. I’m sure you’ve got more ‘furniture rearrangin’ plans for me.”

I cannot stop myself from grinning as he turns to leave, but the moment is fleeting. He is already heading down the hall to change. I wait impatiently, my foot tapping against the floor in anticipation.

When he returns, rubbing his hands together like a mad scientist on the verge of unveiling a grand experiment, I sit up straighter. "So? What’s the plan? Are we resonating or what?" My excitement threatens to spill over.

His lips curl into a smirk, and there it is again—that glimmer in his eyes, the one that says he is enjoying every second of this.

"Resonate, huh? Sure. Let’s not." His voice dips, laced with amusement, as he crosses the room. "You think I am going to give you gravity manipulation in this state of mind?”

I pout. "You are no fun." With a dramatic wave of my hand, I declare, "The couch must pay."

He arches a brow, a chuckle rumbling from his chest. "Right. And I am definitely not letting you use me as some gravity-defying superpower to exact revenge on the furniture. I will handle the moving while you—" he gestures vaguely, "—supervise."

I open my mouth to argue, but the way he is smiling—genuine, unguarded—makes me hesitate. I soften.

By the time Caleb has worked his magic, shifting the furniture into something resembling order, we have eaten dinner, cleaned up my earlier disaster, and now, I am sprawled face-down on the couch. 

The world tilts around me, spinning a little too fast, and the only thing keeping me tethered is my apple plushie, clutched as if my survival depends on it.

As the alcohol wears off, the buzzing in my skull morphs into a slow, gnawing embarrassment, making my head throb all the more.

Caleb, however, seems entirely unbothered by the ordeal. He is mostly teasing me, which—if I am being honest—I deserve. He is a steady rock while I am a hurricane of awkwardness.

He walks over and rubs my back, his voice soft. "Still awake, pip-squeak?"

I grumble something unintelligible, half-turned away from him, unwilling to admit it. I just want to curl up and disappear for a while. He asks again, his tone warm with concern. "Do you want me to take you to bed?"

Bed. The last place I want to be. Just another lonely void where my thoughts lurk, waiting to ambush me. I shake my head—but immediately regret it as dizziness crashes over me like a wave.

He chuckles, clearly entertained by my self-inflicted suffering. "Sit up and take these," he says, pressing a glass of water into my hands, along with two pills, which I eye with suspicion. 

The last time he gave me pills…

Caleb notices the wariness, and his expression flickers, guilt passing over his features.

“It's just for the hangover," he reassures. "You will regret it tomorrow if you don’t take em."

As much as I want to argue, I know he is right. With a reluctant sigh, I push myself up with a groan and swallow the pills, the cool water soothing my uneasy stomach.

He sits beside me, fingers flicking the top of my head. “Dummy.”

I stick my tongue out at him petulantly, and slump against him. My head finds his shoulder, and my sight blurs as I stare at the TV screen. Drowsiness creeps in like a tide, pulling me under. I start sinking lower, sliding from his shoulder into his lap.

"What happened today?"

The words slip out of me, slurred and accompanied by a half-hearted snort. "Forearms…"

Caleb goes still. "Forearms…?"

I nod, too sleepy to elaborate. "Ridiculously attractive forearms."

Silence. I think he is trying to decipher what the hell I just said. His hand rubs slow circles on my back, but I can feel the confusion radiating off him.

After a long pause, he exhales a soft sigh. “Come on." He slips his arms under my legs, cradling my back with ease. "Time for bed."

A small, contented sigh escapes me as he lifts me. He carries me effortlessly to the bedroom, his movements sure and practiced, as if he has done this a hundred times before. Settling me onto the bed, he tugs the covers up around me, tucking me in.

As sleep pulls me under, I mumble, barely conscious, “You’re a good man."

Chapter Masterlist Thank you for taking the time to read! I started this for fun, and decided it might be something silly others may possibly enjoy with me.

If you do, leave a comment, or don't, or you know, do whatever you're comfortable with!

Take care everyone!

[myrleius]

beneath the surface — sevika

councilor sevika x spy fem!reader│word count: 1.9k

synopsis: You were supposed to be Sevika’s downfall, a spy wrapped in silk and sweet lies. But falling for her? Yeah… that wasn’t part of the plan.

notes: A friend insisted I try writing something spicy (but not full smut), so I thought, why not? And, of course, I had to test it out on my favorite girl-crush, Sevika. Fun exercise, but wow, writing spice is exhausting. This took me 5 days! I’ve got a long way to go but I think I’ll stick to fluff for now.

cw/tags: female x female, enemies to kinda lovers (?), spicy but no smut, suggestive themes, tried to make the tension thick but I don’t think it’s enough to cut it with a knife

The mansion in Piltover was far too quiet.

Heavy drapes swallowed the city’s distant hum, leaving only the measured tick of a gilded clock and the occasional creak of shifting wood. Even the air felt stagnant, thick with the scent of polished mahogany and expensive cigars—luxuries that didn’t belong to you, nor to the woman who had been forced to accept them. A hollow kind of wealth, wrapping its occupants in golden shackles.

You lay in the massive bed, eyes closed but far from asleep. The silk sheets felt cool against your skin, but comfort wasn’t the issue. It was your mind that refused to settle. 

It wasn’t the first time this had happened. You had always been patient, used to playing the long game, but tonight wasn’t about the mission. It hadn’t been for a while now.

You weren't waiting for Sevika to return because you had to, you were waiting because you wanted to. To know if she was safe, if she was still alive, if she’d still return to you.

The realization should have unnerved you. After all, your purpose had been clear from the start. You were a tool—handpicked, carefully placed in Sevika’s life under the guise of a gift. A distraction. A temptation.

The councilors had never trusted her, not fully. To them, she was a filthy Zaunite who had clawed her way too close to power, a threat that needed to be eliminated. And so, they sent you. A spy wrapped in silk and charm, meant to dig into her secrets, to expose the cracks they were certain lay beneath her armor. To bring her down before she could rise any higher.

It wasn’t a new role for you. The game was familiar, its rules well-worn, the steps rehearsed.

Push, pull, bait, retreat, and repeat.

You’d lean close, let your touch linger just a little too long, whispered sweet nothings that had unraveled lesser men and women. 

But Sevika wasn’t an easy target. She never fell for the traps, never let herself be anything more than indifferent. A scoff here, a deadpan rejection there.

“If you’re done wasting your time, the door’s over there.”

“You’re not my type.”

“Get off me.”

And yet, her coldness never frustrated you. Truthfully, it intrigued you. The challenge was intoxicating, the pushback a delightful burn under your skin.

Then came the gala.

You had expected the sneers, the hushed whispers from Piltover’s elite. Expected the way they looked at you, painting you as a gold-digging harlot, a pretty thing draped over Sevika’s arm—even your own employers weren’t subtle about it. But you were ready to play along, to smile through the veiled insults like you always did.

Until Sevika spoke.

Not in your defense. Not in some grand display of defiance. Just a single, blunt remark.

“At least she has the guts to do her actual job.”

Simple. Unembellished. And somehow, it rattled you more than any flattering remark ever had.

After that, something shifted. 

You started noticing things you had once overlooked—the exhaustion lining Sevika’s face when she returned late at night, the tension in her shoulders, the absentminded way she rubbed at her mechanical arm. The way her gaze lingered, a faint smile tugging at her lips when she spotted the small doodles on the metal, no doubt left by Undercity children. 

She wasn’t just some power-hungry brute clawing her way up. She worked in the shadows, not for personal gain, but for Zaun.

And before you knew it, you had started to see her as something more.

It showed in the smallest of gestures. Setting a glass of whiskey by her usual spot before she even realized she was thirsty. Picking up a tool she had tossed aside, setting it back within reach. Lowering your voice just slightly when you caught her rubbing her temples, easing the tension without calling attention to it.

Nothing was spoken of it, but you knew Sevika noticed.

And in return, she tested you.

One night, she "misplaced" a document—something critical enough to cost her everything in the council. You scoffed at the drastic measure, but a smile tugged at your lips. You saw it for what it was: a deliberate trap, a silent challenge to test your loyalties. And you hadn’t taken the bait. The moment your eyes skimmed the header, you stopped reading. You hadn’t even considered it.

It had been a turning point.

Over the next few months, Sevika’s distance became less absolute. She still met your advances with unwavering indifference, still dismissed your flirtations without a second thought—but she no longer pushed you away completely.

The door to her room, once always locked, now gave way with an easy turn of the knob. When you settled beside her, she adjusted—just enough to make space, though never enough to acknowledge it. And every now and then, she was the one seeking you out. A casual, offhand “You seen my lighter?” as if you’d always been part of her routine.

Then, a distant door creaked open, breaking your train of thought. Heavy footfalls followed, signalling Sevika’s usual return.

You remained still, listening. The door swung open, then clicked shut with careful intent. Back then, she would’ve slammed it just to piss you off when she caught you sneaking into her room. Now, she lets you stay.

The bed dipped as she sat on the edge, the quiet whir of her metal arm filling the space as she flexed its joints. 

With that, the tension you hadn’t realized you were holding eased. She was back. Safe. The thought settled over you, and sleep finally began to tug at your senses.

Until her voice cut through the dark.

“I know you’re awake.”

Her words were gruff, spoken between the faint sound of her adjusting her prosthetic.

You huffed a quiet laugh, letting your eyes flutter open. Turning onto your side, you propped your head up with one hand, lips curving into a lazy smirk. The moonlight gleamed off the silver edges of her arm, but your attention lingered elsewhere—the sharp lines of her face, the dip of her collarbone, the steady rise and fall of her chest.

“Aww, you caught me. What gave it away?” you drawled, your gaze dragging over her like a slow caress. You didn’t even bother hiding the appreciation in your eyes, not when she was sitting there looking like that.

But Sevika barely spared you a glance. “You weren’t starfished across the bed, and the blankets aren’t on the floor.”

Your smirk faltered for just a second. “I do not sleep like that!” you scoffed.

Sevika arched a brow. “And you just know how you sleep?”

“And you do?” you shot back, leaning in slightly. “Looks like someone’s been watching me.”

Sevika snorted. “I can’t exactly miss it when you kick me in your sleep.”

That one got you, and you gasped in mock offense. “Lies and slander!”

“Uh-huh. Go to sleep.”

But you weren’t done yet. Shifting just enough, you let the silk of your nightwear slip off one shoulder, baring warm skin to the cool air. You stretched, slow and deliberate, letting your voice take on a more sultry lilt.

“But I was hoping you’d join me,” you murmured, “and tire me out properly.”

Sevika didn’t even look up. “Goodnight.”

You pouted. “That’s not a no.”

Sevika’s only response was an unimpressed grunt as she continued working on her arm.

You expected as much. Always so damn difficult and serious. It was amusing, endearing even.

For once, you didn’t push further. 

The air was easy, thick with a silence that didn’t need to be filled. Sevika’s rough presence had a way of soothing things—your thoughts, your breathing, the restless energy you carried everywhere else. Lately, you found yourself craving these moments the most. The ones where neither of you had to say anything, where the world felt far away, and all that was left was this quiet, steady thing between you.

In moments like this, it was easy to forget the game you were playing, the lines you were meant to toe. Easy to pretend she was yours to keep.

And then she shattered it.

“You’re slipping,” Sevika murmured, voice deceptively casual.

Something in your chest tightened, a sharp instinct telling you to fix your mask. You have always been careful. Always calculating. But lately… you’d been reckless.

“Am I?”

Sevika’s gaze flickered toward you, sharp and assessing. But beneath the scrutiny, there was something else.

“Nobody stood in my way today.” A pause. “You didn’t report my whereabouts.”

Ah. So that’s what this was about.

“Whoops,” you said smoothly, stretching again before rolling onto your stomach, hugging a pillow beneath you. “Must’ve slipped my mind. Long week.”

Sevika didn’t buy it. Of course she didn’t. The woman was too perceptive for that.

“You haven’t been doin’ your job for four months.” Her tone was flat, but there was an edge to it, something closer to certainty than suspicion. “No reports. No sudden bullshit. The council used to be up my ass every time I made a move, but now? Nothin’.”

Silence stretched between you two. Heavy, charged. You felt yourself standing at the edge of something—a line you’d already crossed but still refused to acknowledge.

Your fingers curled slightly against the pillow. Then, tilting your head, you offered a slow, measured shrug. “What, I can’t let them sweat a little? It’s fun watching them panic.” You glanced away, busying yourself with the ceiling. “Plus they were getting annoying.”

At the corner of your eye, you caught the slight narrowing of Sevika’s gaze. Her stare felt different tonight. Heavier. It made your skin prickle.

A beat.

Then—

“Figures.”

Another pause. Then, quieter, like she hadn’t meant to say it at all.

“Thanks.”

You almost missed it, but you didn’t. And god, if it didn’t send your heart into a shameless, fluttering mess.

Warmth bloomed in your chest, creeping up your neck—a dangerous, traitorous thing you weren’t ready to name.

You shifted, biting back a smile, desperate to smother the feeling before it showed. “You could thank me in a different way, you know,” you teased, voice light, playful, and maybe just a little too hopeful.

You expected the usual reaction. The exasperation. The dismissal.

But this time, Sevika moved. 

The mattress gave beneath you, and before you could process it, something cold pressed around your shoulder. Her metallic hand pushed and your world tilted—your back meeting the sheets, trapping you beneath her.

Then, heat.

A rough palm slid up your thigh, quick and purposeful, parting your legs like she owned the space between them. Your breath hitched, but before you could find your voice, her fingers were already moving—skimming higher, tracing the sensitive skin of your inner thigh, never quite reaching where you needed her.

Sevika loomed over you, broad shoulders casting shadows in the dim light, her gaze dragging over your face with unhurried interest.

Her lips quirked upward, amused. “That what you want?”

You swallowed, pulse jumping. “Just an idea,” you murmured, feigning confidence.

Sevika hummed, low and indulgent. “Mm. And what exactly are you hoping for?”

“Use your imagination.”

She laughed. “I don’t think you’d survive my imagination.”

“Try me,” you said, too quick, too desperate. The words tumbled out like a plea instead of a challenge.

Sevika grinned. That was all the invitation she needed.

She leaned in, her breath teasing against your mouth. “Sure.”

Barely a whisper. Barely a touch. Just the ghost of her lips over yours—enough to set you alight, to make you chase after something she hadn’t even given yet. Anticipation coiled hot and heavy in your stomach, unbearable and unrelenting.

Holy shi—

Yeah. You’re definitely betraying those councilors.

[dreamweave01]

In your April meets the turtles post, you said the brothers' timlines were unnaturally tied to Mikey's. Does this mean he was supposed to find these Bad Ending versions of his brothers– who had no family left– so he could adopt them as his own brothers? And if so, what is the force behind the scenes orchestrating this 'reunion'? Ancestors? A cosmic being? The timelines having their own way of ordering themselves? Or is it just an anomaly?...How much does this matter to the overall story? Am I just being pedantic at this point?

This dives deep into how I personally interpret the multiverse and alternate timelines, my own headcanons and all that jazz, so allow me a moment to attempt to elaborate on this XD

To me, it seems reasonable to assume that the multiverse is a bit of a fragile thing. Powerful and tough in its own right, but it can only deal with so much stress before it just breaks.

So in my mind, I like to think that physically, this AU is a bit. . . weird. In comparison to other AU's mechanical structure that is.

Most other universes deal with just one timeline. There are certain instances of course where maybe two timelines cross over to one another, merging together to become one (ex. the whole Casey Jr situation in the movie.)

I would assume there would've been a few minor, hardly noticeable repercussions, but it wasn't enough to cause any serious issues to the overall universe.

My AU? It has four coexisting timelines, each with their own unique experiences and outcomes. They're so incredibly different that they should have branched off to become their own separate worlds; and yet they are so incredibly similar that the connection was never properly severed.

Hence the reason why Mikey was able to find them so quickly.

He pulled them all together, causing a multiversal anomaly.

Scientifically speaking, it shouldn't even be possible. That kind of strain would normally cause a cataclysmic collapsion that wouldn't just destroy all four timelines -

- It would essentially create a wormhole more powerful than space and time itself, leaving nothing left of this world.

But that never happened.

When Michelangelo returned home with his brothers, out of the three parents' reactions, Baron Draxum's was probably the most. . . explosive.

Not out of anger of course, but out of shock and maybe a bit of fear. Being the kind of guy that he is, he's done his fair share of research on the multiverse. He knows what should have happened when Mikey didn't, and has been searching for answers since the day the boys arrived.

Why hadn't everything completely fallen apart??

He found the answer when he decided to examine the timeline itself.

Draxum discovered the reason why the timeline hadn't completely collapsed was because an immense power source was stabilizing everything.

And not just a power source - a living, breathing, intelligent life form, channelling an unbelievable amount of mystic energy unlike anything he had ever come across before.

Any little information given in ancient writings about this unknown being was cryptic and impossible to make out.

But in one old Japanese scroll, worn by time, Draxum was able to find one key note:

神秘的な戦士。 (Shinpi tekina senshi.)

一族の末っ子。 (Ichizoku no suekko.)

最後の浪人。(Saigo no rōnin.)

You ask if Mikey was always meant to find these "bad endings," and I suppose it depends on whether the viewer believes in fate or not.

Do I believe Mikey was meant to?

Yes.

Yes I do.

[art-outlaw]

Private Number # Chapter Twenty Two

Daniel Ricciardo x Aero Engineer!Reader

Summary: You didn’t like him. That much was clear to both of you. He was cocky and arrogant and totally oblivious to all of the work you and your team did for him. No one else saw him for the egomaniac he was - only you. You were forced to work for him but that didn’t mean you had to fall under the spell he had trapped everyone else under. And you made sure that he knew that.

Chapters: 22/?

Warnings/ Rating: Swearing. Degradation of main character.

Word Count: 3574

Posted: 25 Mar 2025

It wasn’t a chore to domestically exist with Daniel Ricciardo. 

He was housetrained: he cooked, he tidied up after himself, and made sure that you were never left wanting for anything. Anything. And you weren’t speaking of materialistic things. 

You were pretty sure that in the last twenty four hours alone, the two of you had practically christened every surface in the house so much that if a crime scene team ever came in here with a UV touch, they’d be skittering away from your place faster than they could ask ‘what the fuck?’.

And it was… blissful. 

God, how had you been so oblivious for this long to realise that he was so much more to you than the driver of your car and an incessant pain in your ass?

But your pain in the ass was now standing – shirtless, good lord that man had a body – in the kitchen, loudly humming away to the country song he had overrun your speaker system with as he cooked you dinner. And you were just fondly watching him, waxing teeth-achingly sweet poetry about him in your head. How had you never realised how empty your house felt until his presence filled it totally?

His car keys on the bench, his shoes by the door, and his jacket thrown so carelessly over a kitchen stool, breaking up the clean perfection that was your previously dull life. Those little things that you hadn’t experienced from anyone in such a long time. Had you ever actually experienced it? Your dating life had been extremely limited before him – dedication to your work had put a pin in that particular balloon of your life for the longest time. But now you had him, someone that would so openly understand the world you lived, because he lived it too.

“So,” You started, as one song faded out to the next. “Are you just planning on being here to cook for me every night? Because I’m already getting used to the idea of not living on cup noodles or eggs on toast anymore.”

Daniel chuckled, still facing the stove. “If this is your way of asking me to move in, its a piss-poor excuse for it.”

Warmth flushed your face. You hadn’t even considered how that would’ve sounded to him – you’d only been together officially for 24 hours, moving in was out of the question… right?. You stumbled and stuttered a response, watching with growing relief as his laughter shook his shoulders. “Asshole.” You muttered under your breath.

Daniel only laughed harder. “As long as you want me here, cooking your dinner and serenading you, I’ll be here, honey.”

God, you just melted when he called you honey. 

“So,” he continued. “You didn’t get the chance to tell me how today with Christian and Bianca went today–”

“Bianca! Shit! That was her name!” You exclaim, smacking your forehead. Fuck, how could you not remember that? Daniel only quirked an eyebrow. “Um, yeah, the meeting went…well, I guess? Not for them, but definitely good for me. Pretty much told them to shove it, keep their nose out of my family business and focus on the work I do as lead aero-engineer. So a successful meeting in my books.” 

You finish with a shrug.

“Told ya,, the ‘fuck ‘em all’ approach: works like a charm every time.” He glanced over his shoulder to flick you a shit-eating grin. He flicked his head to the side, “Also, hope you don’t mind, I cracked a red for the recipe and figured you might want a glass or two depending on how your day went.”

Without saying anything beyond “A man after my own heart,” You strolled over to pour both of you a glass. Before you could chicken out, you continued, “You know, if you don’t have your own place near the factory you are more than welcome to stay here. With me, obviously. But if you do have your own place that’s obviously totally fine too, I’m not trying to pressure you to–”

He cut you off with a smacking kiss to your temple, and cooling the burning heat that had very quickly been flushing across your cheeks. “Saves me from booking an Airbnb every time I have to do sim work… Plus, you’re right, I’d be with you, obviously. ” 

He finished with a smirk, clearly drawing some level of amusement from your bumbling words. You almost flushed again from his quirked mouth, a flash of a memory coming to mind of exactly what he had done with that very same mouth the night before (and that morning, and again in the shower you had shared).

“Good.” You managed to choke out, taking a large swig from your wine to hopefully cover how you croaked out your response. Daniel only let out a chuckle, and turned back to the stove.

“You know,” He said casually, stirring the pot of the chicken cacciatore – oh lord, you needed to marry this man – bubbling away. “I had a very interesting run in with Penny from HR this afternoon.”

You felt your shoulders tense ever so slightly. You and Daniel hadn’t specifically said when you were going to announce your relationship to the people it needed to be, but you had a feeling you knew where this was going. 

“She said that she had a particularly stimulating conversation with Christian when he came to see her. He mentioned needing to pull out a policy that he’d need me to sign. Something about intra-working relationships, specifically for senior members of staff, that sort of thing. Do you know anything about that? He said that it was apparently already ‘pretty serious’ and would need to be done quickly.” Even with him turned away, you could feel the smug grin on his face.

Immediately, you groaned. Daniel’s barking laughter covered the sound of Zac Bryan’s crooning for a moment, and you felt like crawling under the dining table in embarrassment. “I might know something about that?”

Daniel hummed non committedly. “Apparently it was a real shit day for Christian. Lost his PR marketing strategy in you, and then the most marketable, ruggedly handsome, single driver on the grid. Bad morning to be Christian Horner, huh?”

Finally Daniel turned back to you, and confirmed the grin you had suspected was there. He kept talking, his smile widening with every word. “So I would say that your meeting was productive in more ways than one today, huh?”

You sucked in both your lips to hide the smile creeping over your own face. Making sure that the team principal’s day had been a shit show in more ways than one was most definitely a highlight of your career. Daniel’s eyes met yours, and you both cracked into rib-splitting laughter. “Oh, man, I would’ve given anything to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.”

You laughed again. “His face was the most remarkable shade of red. It was like a ripened tomato! I’ve got a feeling that Geri will make sure that man is on heart medication with how high I think his blood pressure hit.”

Both of you burst into cackles again, and the warmth of your homecoming hit you all over again. It had been so long since you had come to your place and felt at home. Whether it was the place itself, or the man standing before you giving you a plate of chicken cacciatore and a kiss, you weren’t sure.

But you had a feeling it wasn’t the house.

######################################

You should’ve known better than to expect the blissful reality you were living to last. It was always like this in your life; things were going well and then the universe decided to send you a ‘fuck you, sit down’ type event to make sure you never forgot where you stood in your own life.

The day had started perfectly: you had woken up to the sight of the man you adored with his head planted firmly between your thighs and your breaths coming out in a gasp, then he’d cooked you breakfast. Then you’d shared a shower, with you firmly pressed up against the glass door and Daniel behind you, taking you so hard  that you were sure your neighbours a block over could’ve heard the cacophony you were making.

And then you’d done something neither of you had done before: you drove to work together. He finally had the chance to drive your old school Aston Martin DB4 that he had no-so-secretly coveted all those months ago. You had laughed at him wildly as he sat in the driver’s seat and stroked the wheel with pure reverence in his eyes.

And when he had finally pulled out onto the road and turned to meet your eyes, you could see more than just adoration for the car in his eyes. Even more so when his hand slipped across the middle console to grip your thigh. You rolled your eyes at the cliche, but shimmied over closer to him anyways. You were such a sucker for the man.

When you had finally pulled into the Red Bull Milton Keynes headquarters parking lot, he’d gotten out of the car, shot you a glare as you made to open your own door, to come over and very gentlemanly help you out. Again, you had rolled your eyes at him with your lovestruck grin hidden between your teeth, and made some sarcastic commentary about women’s suffrage that had him laughing too.

Hand in hand, you entered the foyer of the main building, and ducked your head as people turned to stare open-mouthed and wide-eyed as you made your way to the elevators. And when you had successfully made it across the gauntlet of impolite stares, Daniel swept you into his arms and pressed a long, smacking kiss to your forehead before walking away, leaving you a blushing mess.

“I’ll see you for lunch!” He shouted over his shoulder. Mouths still agape, it was almost comical watching people’s heads turn between you still flushing by the elevators, and Daniel swaggering away. 

You spun back to the elevators, frantically punching the button repeatedly in the hopes the elevator would hear your mental pleading for it to get here faster. 

And that’s where the blissful bubble of fantasy you were living in ended.

A small, feminine throat clearing sounded behind you. You shut your eyes, and prayed for any deity to answer your prayers that it wasn’t who you thought it would be. With a politely bland smile on your face, you turned to face Bianca from marketing or PR or whatever soul sucking part of the business she worked in. 

“Good morning, Bianca.” 

All you received in response was a hum of acknowledgement. And then in the most simperingly annoying tone possible, Bianca asked, “Have you spoken with Christian this morning? I believe he has some things to discuss with you. There were a few things we didn’t get to touch on before your departure, but I figured I’d see if he had managed to catch you up on them since then.”

“No,” Your teeth were gritted behind the aching muscles of your forced smile. “I haven’t seen him since yesterday morning, when I made my opinion of your next PR stunt pretty clear.”

Bianca let out a smug sounding hum, but there was nothing but cold malice flashing behind her eyes. “Yes, you made your position quite clear. Good thing that your contract had a few workarounds for us to… you know, work around. Anyways, enjoy your day!”

And before the sinking feeling in your stomach had fully landed, Bianca had already spun on her stupidly high heel and trotted away on the echoing linoleum foyer floor. Buzzing filled your ears, and you got onto the elevator on auto-pilot. 

They couldn’t have.

Surely they wouldn’t have.

They would have.

The elevator dinged and the doors slid open to your floor, where you watched like an outsider looking in, as your entire team turned to face you. Expressions ranging from awe to distrust shone out to you. But there was no mistaking the shock underlying each one of them. The entire floor of employees went silent.

Tentatively, you stepped out onto the aero-engineering floor and moved towards your office, hand scrabbling through your handbag for your phone as an excuse to keep from seeing all their staring eyes. Finally, as the glass door to your office swung shut behind you, you pulled out your phone. Hands shaking, you searched up the Red Bull social media pages, where you could see the same video had been posted across every platform.

Your face, the poster image of the bombshell news that had just rocked the motorsporting world. Every single aspect of your life that you had worked so hard to keep under wraps, now aired for anyone and everyone to see. 

The video was only just over a minute long, but watching felt like hours had passed by. They hadn’t gotten a direct interview with you, but the snippets of press work you had to do over the years were cropped in between shots of you working on the car or in the team. You working inside your office. You on the pit wall, pointing at data points and graphs with the team engineers looking over your shoulder. You laughing with drivers and pit crew.

All so complimentary to the work you had done - the invaluable part you had played in their success in building the team up to the formidable and almost unbeatable monster they had become this season.

All of that would’ve been fine, right up until the video flicked over to none other than Mr Christian Fucking Horner himself. Where he, in the backdrop of his stupidly glossy office, announced what an honour it had been to be a part of the continuation of your father’s legacy through you. That whilst you had hidden away from the public eye, racing blood was in your veins. Buzzing nothingness filled your ears, and Horner’s voice faded out as the rush of blood through your body took over every other sense. 

Without another thought, you clicked on the comments and began wading through the sea of shit that was people’s commentary on your life and your lies.

“Wow talk about nepotism as a disease. Can’t find a job anywhere in F1 where its not about what you know but who you know”

“Fuuuuuck no way!! Always wondered about that. Thought she must’ve died with them and the press just didn’t report it.”

“Raw and not even for the money. Next Question”

“Damn if I were here I wouldn’t even bother working, she must be fucking loaded with Shelby’s money”

“Yea, I’d tap that”

On and on, people’s comments flooded your screen. Commentary about your work was minimal - it hadn’t mattered all that had been said about your work. You had been reduced, with one ninety second clip, to the daughter of an F1 legend and nothing more. No matter that you nearly single-handedly developed technology that pushed the car’s aero-specs into the next stratosphere of technological advancements. It was suddenly no matter that you had been working behind the scenes, without a single mention of your father’s last name or his money or world championships. 

You had been reduced to nothing more than the product of someone else’s efforts.

Your screen went blurry, the tears that had been steadily filling your eyes spilling over. You sat down on your chair with a heavy thud, spinning it till it faced away from the rest of your team on the other side of your glass door. You wouldn’t be able to handle the looks of absolute betrayal that was surely on all of their faces. 

Even with the heavy panelled glass separating you from them, murmurings made their way through to you, even if the words themselves couldn’t be made out. 

The video played through for the fourth time. It was like a trainwreck you couldn’t look away from. 

And then the phone started vibrating. The words flashed across the top of your screen- incoming call from: Daniel The One and Only Sex God

Even with everything going on, you barked out a wet laugh. Clearly Daniel, between last night and this morning had taken your phone and changed his contact name. You weren’t sure what you had him down as anymore; had you ever actually saved his number? Or was it still the private number that had put all of these last few months into motion?

Dragging your finger across the screen, you picked up the call. Daniel’s heavy panting immediately came down the phone line. “Did you change your name on my phone?”

You don’t know why it’s the first thing out of your mouth with everything going on, but it is. He pants out a laugh, clearly as taken aback by the left-field questions as you are. A vague part of your brain wonders why he’s so out of breath. “We can come back to that, baby, I’m a little more worried about some other things going on right now.”

A watery, sad laugh makes its way out of you. “Guessing someone filled you in on the videos that dropped this morning then?”

“Yeah, you could say that. Where are you? I’m on the exec level and I can’t see you.”

You chance a glance around your chair, back out towards your team. You only look long enough to see a few people still looking your way. They’d formed a group now, huddled together and presumably discussing the news.  Whirling back around you say, “Hiding in my office. Deciding how long I’m going to have to live in here before all of this dies down. That, or whether the angry hordes will come after me with pitchforks screaming ‘down with nepotism’.”

“What angry hordes are going to come after you?” You can hear the whirring buzz of an electric drill in the background of the call now - clearly Daniel had moved on to another part of the factory. Inevitably making his way to you. “Pretty sure security would stop them before they got past the parking lot, honey.”

“Doesn’t help if they're already in the building.” You whisper. 

Daniel huffs down the line, and then the call cuts out. Right at the same time as the soft ‘whoosh’ of your door opening. You don’t turn around. You already know who it is.

He comes around to kneel in front of you, placing his hands on your knees, gentle but grounding. Tears start to fall again, and rather than sobbing you try to focus on all the small knicks and flecks across his knuckles and hands - the ones that tell the story of him. He leans forward to press his lips to your forehead. “I think you need to talk to your team.”

“Daniel, they think I’m a liar - which I am!” 

He hushes you gently, moving his hands to wipe the tears that haven’t stopped falling.”Even still,” he says softly, “They’ll want to hear it from you, not from some stupid post on social media.”

You look up at him and sniffle. “They’re going to hate me.”

Daniel smiles, and drags his finger under your eyes again. Swiping across your cheeks and down across your lips. “I think you underestimate the kind of leader you are. And overestimate the number of people who you think hate you.”

You shake your head, but he keeps you from moving away. “And,” he continues. “I think you forget that even if you hadn’t moved heaven and earth to be where you are today without using your father’s name, his name and his legacy…it’s not something to be ashamed of.”

You open your mouth to speak, but he cuts you off again. “And, if anyone gives you shit–” he breaks with a peck to your tear streaked cheeks. “-- I’ll break their face.”

You have to laugh at that. There wasn’t a universe where you could see Daniel beating anyone up, but the sentiment warmed you. You knew what he meant: he was in your corner. He would be there to back you up, no matter what people said or did.

A soft echoing knock broke the bubble Daniel and yourself had built in the two minutes he’d been in your office. A young engineer, a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed recent uni graduate you had taken a chance on hiring last season, poked her head through the door with an apology in her wide eyes. You liked Jessie, she had reminded you of yourself when you were younger. But she was so much smarter, fresh and forward thinking. You had never had a reason to doubt your decision in hiring her. But the look in her eyes now had your stomach sinking.

“Hey, I’m seriously so sorry to interrupt, but uh, the team wants to, you know, speak to you. Out here, if that’s okay.”

You look past Jessie out on the aero-floor. The team that had been huddled before was now spread out. Some seated, other’s perched on their desk or standing tall with arms crossed, all staring at you expectantly. 

Daniel reached forward and pried the phone from your hands, locking it and finally shutting off the grating sound of Christian’s voice filling your office. Leading you out of your chair, he smiled gently. “Time to face the music.”

######################################

Soooo, I guess, hi everyone? It's been a while, you look good.

Let me first say that whilst it has been a lovely long break from this platform, that I felt I needed, I will say sorry for those who have been ever so patiently waiting for updates that never came. I have set myself a small resolution this year of getting this story finished so I can remove it from the intrusive thoughts I have at night. I too, it seems, need to know how this story ends.

Welcome back, I hope you missed me like I all missed you. Cheers to more updates in future.

######################################

@seasidepierre​ @haterpenny​ @summertimemadness​ @sarcastic--bitchy​ @weirdestmentalityphilosopher​  @its-astrotea-love​ @marvelgirlswwe​  @miahelen​ @noope306​ @hockey-and-wine​ @isntmadrid​ @feminismisaflawlessbitch​ @awalkinthe--park​ @tee-jay-ell​  @anaxlivia​ @earth-to-lottie​ @honeybadgerstan​ @riccardoshoey​ @colourofinfinity​ @midnightroses07​ @kissingvalentino​ @gingerxarmy​  @itsreigns​ @okayleafs​ @thinemineours​ @hellolipoops​ 

@thatchickwiththecamera​ @mjuikoli​ @angryhamsterenergy​ @loverofallthingsdannyric​  @tall-tanned-tattoo​  @ohpuckyeah​ @danielxricciardo​ @ggaslyp1​  @cjbarnesss​  @one-oblivious-nerd​  @harley-sunday​  @damndanielricciardo​ @lharrietg​ @breeze-bloks​ @sugardontbesweet​ @sabsi2222​ @rule107​ @defnotsobbing​  @theworldofemmy​ @dr3-merclaren​ @japanesekel​ @j-brielmalfoy​

@paarraanoid​ @reidslefteyebrow​ @superdeath​ @yeehawdaniel​ @lewispool​ @monte-carlando​ @wonderlandofsu​ @urafakebetch​ @icemanhoneybadger​ @dizzysight​ @iamemy4​ @sincerelywithheart​ @f1ck-em-all​ @statisticlytimmy​

@mk15x​ @theplobnrgone​  @readerselegance​ @eitak-t​ @sad-fridge2323​ @danielricciardo3f1​ @darkice99​ @fixthatcanon​  @galaxymacbeth​ @rachaeldonnaspiteri1​ @pukklv​ @little-emmie-bear​  @ourlazydetectivekitten​ @the-lazy-leprechaun​ @mightychar​ @macaronnv​ @brithishamericangirls-blog​ @alphalib22​ @xaviersgifted​ @prettybiching​ @letsthedogpackandthecats​ @dr3lover​ @fan-of-many-bands​ @sugardontbesweet​ @lovebynorth @mishaandthebrits

[toxic3mmy]

prompt: your childhood friend deflowers you

warnings: tis pure smut, but it’s lowkey sweet lovin

haiiii :3

it’s been a while my lovelies

this was just something i was inspired by a show i was watching and well yerp, sorry if its too short!!!

i hope u guys enjoy <3

you sat in the corner of your home, the smell of fresh laundry and sweet candles wafting through the air. you picked at your fingernails, lost in thought.

you and alexis were very close friends. it was weird, to be honest, mostly due to the indifference to your personalities. you had always been the shy one, the brainiac, the one with the dark humor that only a few really got. your long, dark hair fell soflty around your face, framing your deep brown eyes that often held a glint of mischief when you felt comfortable enough to let it show. alexis, on the other hand, was the charming, flirty type that could make anyone laugh, yet he had this underlying seriousness that only you saw. he was outgoing, confident, and everything you wished you were. here’s what had you so lost in thought; you were in love with him. you didn’t know when or even how but it just clicked in your brain on a random sunday afternoon that you really wanted him in a romantic way.

suddenly, alexis strutted into your home, as if he lived there, too. his dark hair, tied back in a loose ponytail, only accentuated the sharp angles of his face and the smoldering intensity of his eyes

spotting you, he walked over with a smile that could brighten even the darkest of days

“what are you doing here all by your lonesome?" he teased, sliding into the chair opposite of you

“oh hush, i literally texted you to come over"

your voice small but full of sarcasm paired with a sassy, playful eyeroll. you slid a book across the table beside the two of you, one of your romance novels with a particularly steamy cover

“I needed a break from life and i also wanted an excuse to see you, of course."

alex picked up the book, his eyes scanning the title before bursting into laughter

"still reading these, y/n?" he said, shaking his head in mock disapproval, "for someone who advocates for sex with deeper meaning, you sure do like to read juicy smut"

“hey, a girl can dream. plus, it’s my alternative to watching porn" you murmured, taking a sip of your water to avoid his gaze. the truth was, the books were an escape for you, a way to experience the passion you hadn't yet felt in real life. alexis had no idea that you had never been with anyone, that you had saved yourself for someone you trusted implicitly

alexis set the book down, his laughter dying down to a gentle smile. he reached out and placed his hand on hers, giving it a comforting squeeze

"you know, y/n, you don't have to read about it. it's okay to let your guard down once in a while and explore those feelings with someone you care about” his voice was softer than you had ever heard it, and you felt the weight of his words in the air around them

you took a deep breath, your heart racing. this was the moment you had been waiting for, the moment you had built up in your mind a thousand times. you looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of judgment or teasing, but all you found was genuine concern and warmth

"i know," you said quietly, "but i've never felt ready before"

“are you saying that you’re still… a virgin?” alex asked almost incredulously

“you say it like it’s the worst thing in the world” you yelped, your face creeping with redness from the embarrassing topic at hand

“no! no, it’s not a bad thing. i know you don’t want to give that part of yourself up for just anyone. i just thought you were being careful, never did i imagine that you were still a pure little lady” he joked lightly with all the best intentions

“yeah, well, i guess i brought this up because i have been feeling ready as of lately” you murmured, leaning forward to alex

alexis leaned in closer, his eyes never leaving yours as he reached for your hand to hold

"ready for what?" he asked dumbly, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of your hand

you swallowed hard, your gaze dropping to your joined hands

"ready for...for someone to take my virginity," you said, the words tumbling out in a rush. you felt your heart thumping in her chest like a drum, echoing in your ears

alexis' smile faded, his expression turning serious. he didn't pull his hand away, instead, he squeezed hers tighter

"y/n," he said, his voice a soft whisper, "are you really sure? i mean, who even is the guy?"

you nodded, looking up at him with a mix of hope and fear

"yes," you paused, "but is it crazy for me to admit that… i haven’t felt the need to look for the right guy because i just needed to take a look at what’s right in front of me"

his eyes searched yours, the weight of your confession palpable between the two of you. he had always had feelings for you, but he had never pushed the issue, not wanting to risk your friendship

“y/n" he began, his voice thick with emotion, "you know I would never do anything to hurt you, right?"

"i know, alex, that's why i've been thinking about it, and... i want it to be with you. but i also really dont want you to feel obligated to do this. what im trying to say is that i dont want you because its convenient for me… ive really thought it over and i … i love you, alexis"

he stared at you in awe, the air thick with unspoken emotion. he had known you since you were kids, watched you grow from a shy, bookish girl into a beautiful, intelligent woman. your confession didn't just take him by surprise, it also stirred something deep within him. he had never seen you so vulnerable, so open. his chest tightened as he felt the gravity of your words

"y/n i've loved you for so long. i've been waiting for the right moment to tell you” he said in one go, almost too fast to understand

“what?" you asked, voice trembling

alexis leaned in closer, his hand still holding yours firmly

“you heard me, y/n. i love you, and if you want it to be me, i would be honored," he said, his voice earnest

"are you sure, alex?" you whispered, your heart racing

"i am more than sure, y/n. you're my best friend, and i want to be the one to make your first time special"

you eyes searched his, looking for any hint of hesitation. as if reading your mind, alexis leaned in, closing the gap between you, and kissed your lips. it was soft, tentative, but filled with all the emotion that had been building inside you for so long. alexis responded, his arms wrapping around her, pulling you closer. the kiss grew deeper, your hearts beating in sync

you pulled away, breathless, your faces flushed. your eyes sparkled with excitement and a touch of apprehension

"is now, um… appropriate?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper

“if you're sure, y/n. i want this to be perfect for you”

you nodded, your heart racing faster than ever before. alex stood up, offering his hand to help you up from the chair. he led you to your room, the soft glow of the evening sun setting the mood. the walls were lined with books and the faint scent of your favorite vanilla candles filled the air. it was your sanctuary, and now it would be the place you’d share your first intimate experience with the person you trusted most

“are you okay?" he asked, his voice steady

“i'm more than okay," you whispered, your eyes shining with excitement

alex pulled you into a warm embrace, his strong arms wrapping around you. you melted into him, feeling his heartbeat against your chest

you stood there for a moment, savoring the feeling of your bodies pressed together. then, gently, alex began to undress you. his hands moved with care and reverence over your clothes. each item that fell away revealed a new part of you that he had never seen before. you felt a mix of nerves and exhilaration, but mostly, you felt safe

"i’ve always thought that you were the most beautiful person in the world y/n” he murmured, his eyes taking in every inch of you

you blushed, self-consciousness trying to creep in, but his gaze was so genuine, so filled with adoration, that you couldn't help but believe him. he helped you onto the bed and you watched as he undressed as well, revealing the strong, muscular body you had often admired from afar

you laid side by side, your eyes locked as you touched each other for the first time in a way that was more than friendship. his hands were gentle, exploring your curves with a tenderness that made you shiver. your hands were less sure but alex guided you, showing you how to touch him in a way that made you both feel good. his skin was warm and smooth under your fingertips and you marveled at the sensation

"you're okay, we go at your pace, yeah?" his breath hot against your neck

you nodded and soon felt his hand trace the line of your jaw and then move down to cup your face. he leaned in and kissed you again, slower this time, as if savoring every second. his lips were soft and firm as his tongue delved gently into your mouth, coaxing you to respond. you felt a warmth you’d never felt before spread through your body as he kissed you with a gentle passion that seemed to consume you both

"you're sure?" he whispered against your skin as his hand moved to unbutton your bra

"i’m positive" you replied, voice breathless with anticipation

alex took his time, his nimble fingers working the clasp of your bra with the such care. he slid the fabric away, revealing your full breasts to his gaze. you felt exposed yet protected, as his eyes took in your newfound vulnerability with nothing but adoration. he leaned down, his mouth finding your nipple, and you gasped as his soft lips sent electric jolts through your body. your hands gently found the back of his head, urging him closer

"does that feel good?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through you

you nodded, unable to find the words to describe the sensations he was eliciting from your body. you felt like a new person but you were now alive with sensations that had been lying dormant. alexis' touch was like a master key, unlocking door after door of pleasure you had only ever read about in your novels

he kissed his way down your neck, his teeth grazing your skin just enough to make you gasp. his hands roamed your body, memorizing every curve and dip with the tender touch of a sculptor

"you're perfect" he murmured and it made you feel so loved

your breath hitched as his mouth found your other breast. his tongue traced circles around the sensitive bud before taking it into his mouth. you felt your core tightening and your legs trembling ever so slightly. you were so lost in the sensation that you barely noticed when he slid your panties off, leaving you completely exposed

“you're everything to me, y/n" he said, his voice thick with need

he kissed his way down your stomach. your breath came in gasps as you felt his mouth move closer to your center. you had read about this moment in countless books, but the reality was so much more intense than you could have ever imagined

"alex" you breathed out, hands tightening in his hair

you felt a rush of heat between your legs and a strange, delicious ache that grew with every passing second. alexis looked up at you, a question in his eyes

"it's okay, i trust you" you managed, giving him a shaky nod

with that, he kissed you again. his mouth moved lower, his breath hot against your core. his tongue flicked out, teasing your sensitive folds before delving deeper. your body arched off the bed, a keening cry escaping your lips. it was nothing like the fumbling, tentative explorations of your own hand. this was something else entirely, a symphony of pleasure

"oh, alex," you moaned with your eyes squeezed shut and your fists tangled in the sheets

he took his time, savoring you taste. he explored every inch of you with a gentle thoroughness that left you trembling and slick with desire

“oh, fuck, you feel so good," you gasped, your hips rocking against his mouth as the tension grew

“you're so responsive, y/n" he said sweetly, "but we're not there yet… i want to make you feel good. i want your pussy dripping wet and begging for me, okay? i want to make sure you’re ready" he kissed his way back up your body, his hand sliding between your legs to tease you further with his thumb brushing against your clit with expert precision

your eyes rolled back in your head as the pleasure grew, your body moving in time with his touch. you had never felt so alive, so wanted, so...right

"i-i am," you panted, voice shaky with need "please, lex"

alex took a deep breath, his own desire warring with his need to be gentle with you. he reached for his jeans, fumbling with his zipper as he slid them down. your eyes widened as you took in the sight of him, his erection thick and angrily leaking between his legs. he saw the nerves in your eyes and leaned in to kiss you again, reassuring you with every stroke of his tongue

“look at me, y/n" he whispered, his voice hoarse with need, "i'm right here with you"

your eyes locked with his, the trust shining through. you felt him guide your hand to his cock, showing you how to stroke him with the same tenderness he had shown your body. his eyes fluttered closed, a hiss escaping his lips as your soft hands explored him

“that's it, sweetheart" he breathed, his voice hoarse, "you’re such a good girl for me"

your bodies moved together, a dance of touch and pleasure that was as old as time itself. alexis took his time, whispering sweet nothings into your ear, his fingers playing with your wet, throbbing folds. each stroke, each kiss was a promise of what was to come. you felt your walls crumbling, the fear you had held onto for so long slipping away as you gave yourself to him completely

you leaned into him, it was the first time you initiated a kiss with him and he was elated. your tongues tasted every inch of the other’s mouth as his fingers danced around your puckering hole and your hand worked his shaft. his thumb would press against your clit at the same time as yours was rubbing circles around his tip. your breaths intertwined as you swallowed down each pant and moan that left his mouth

"are you okay?" he asked after pulling away gently, his voice a panting mess

"more than okay," you whispered

“y/n, i need you to tell me if it’s too much or if you want to stop or even take a break”

“o-okay, but i don’t think i’ll ask you to stop anytime soon” you laughed lightly and alex positioned himself above you, coaxing your legs to bend at the knee and allow him more space

your breath hitched as he positioned himself between your legs. his eyes searched yours, seeking your full consent. you nodded, heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves

"easy now" he murmured, his voice soothing as he guided himself to your entrance. you felt a twinge of pain as he pushed in, but it was quickly overshadowed by the overwhelming sensation of being filled, of being connected to him in a way she had never been with anyone else. his movements were slow and deliberate, giving your body time to adjust to his size. you bit your bottom lip, your eyes squeezed shut as you felt yourself stretching around him

"look at me," he said, his voice a gentle command that you couldn't resist

you opened your eyes, meeting his gaze, and the love and tenderness you saw there took your breath away. he slid in deeper, inch by inch, until he was fully sheathed within you. he held himself still for a moment, allowing you to get used to the feeling before he began to move again

"is it too much?" he asked, his voice laced with concern

"it’s just a bit of pain" you admitted through a shuddering breath, your eyes never leaving his

"we can stop if you want" he offered, his voice was so gentle you thought you might cry

you shook your head, a tear sliding down your cheek. "no, I want this," you said, “i want you" your arms wrapped around his back, hugging you tightly to him.

alex kissed your lips, a gentle kiss filled with so much love and passion. he began to move slowly, watching your face for any signs of discomfort. you took a sharp intake of breath, but you never once asked him to stop. instead, you wrapped your legs around his waist, pulling him deeper into you, your nails dug into his back as you encouraged him to go on

"god, you're so tight, and so p-perfect" he panted, his voice strained with pleasure

"alex," you moaned, eyes fluttering open, "don't.. don’t fucking stop"

he didn't, his hips moving in a steady rhythm that grew faster with each passing moment. the initial pain had given way to something else, something you couldn't quite put into words. it was as if every nerve in your body was on fire, each stroke of his cock sending waves of pleasure crashing through you. you could feel your orgasm building, something you hadn't been prepared for so quickly

"alex" you panted, her nails digging deeper into his back as you tried to get closer, to feel more of him. “i’m so c-close"

he groaned, his own pleasure building. "cum for me, y/n" he urged, his voice strained with the effort of holding back

"let me feel you cum around me, sweetheart" he said as he reached down to play with your swollen clit, simultaneously biting gently at the skin on your shoulder

your body responded to his touch, your muscles tightening around him as his movements continued

“alex… i—" you moaned desperately

“tell me, baby," he leaned in, his voice low and needy against your ear, "what do you feel?"

“i...i feel like i'm so so full, and it’s just intense" you panted, eyes beginning to well up at the tight sensations at your core

his eyes never left yours as he increased his pace slightly, his own breathing growing ragged

"that's it, you’re doing so good for me" he encouraged, his voice strained, "let go, y/n"

you felt the orgasm inside you break, crashing over you like a wave. you cried out, your body shuddering as alex continued to move. his own need was evident in every tense line of his body. you tightened your legs around him, pulling him closer as your climax washed through you. the feeling was unlike anything you had ever experienced, a cataclysm of pleasure that left you trembling

"oh, alex," you gasped, eyes squeezed shut as you rode the crest of your orgasm

his name was a declaration of how much you needed him in this moment. his movements grew more erratic, his breath coming in harsh pants as he felt you clench around him

"y/n" he whimpered, his own climax building. he could feel the tension in your body, the way you were holding onto him as if he was the only thing keeping you from floating away. his strokes grew deeper, more powerful, as he chased his own release. "i'm close" he warned, his voice low and desperate

you nodded, eyes still closed, lost in the aftermath of your own climax. you felt him tense, his muscles bunching beneath your hands, and you tightened your grip on him. "im here," you murmured a soft reassurance

alex’s eyes snapped open, meeting yours "look at me… i want to see you when I cum"

your eyes widened, but you didn't look away. you watched as his expression grew more intense, his eyes dark with passion. you felt him swell inside you, his cock pulsing with each stroke. and with a final, desperate thrust, he came, his seed filling you. the sensation was unlike anything you had ever felt, a warmth that seemed to spread through your entire body, a feeling of belonging that washed away any lingering doubt or fear.

"y/n" alexis whispered, his eyes still locked with yours, "i love you"

you felt her heart swell in her chest, your eyes filling with tears

"i love you too, alex," you managed to say between gasps for air. the intensity of your shared moment was almost too much to handle, but you didn't want it to end. you could feel his heart racing against your chest, and you held onto him tightly, legs still wrapped around his waist

alex remained still inside you for a few moments, his breathing gradually evening out before gently pulling out. he leaned down to kiss you again, his mouth lingering on yours, tasting the salt of your tears

“what is it? are you okay?" he asked, his voice still thick with emotion

"i’m sorry, just lots of emotions and… well, you were absolutely amazing" you murmured, a soft smile playing on your lips, you trailed off, at a loss for words to describe the intensity of the experience

"don’t apologize, i was only worried that i’d messed up. you were incredible y/n" he laughed, brushing the hair from your face with gentle fingertips before pressing a kiss to your forehead

you felt a blush heat your cheeks at his words, your body still trembling slightly with the aftershocks of your orgasm. you looked up at him, eyes filled with a mix of awe and love

“it was like... nothing I've ever felt before," you admitted, your voice a soft whisper, “i didn't know it could be like that"

"it's because we love each other, y/n, it makes everything so much more intense" he held your face, his eyes full of affection

"you’re right…. so, what now? should we go again?" you asked, chuckling to yourself but also, you wouldn’t mind trying a new position

"as much as i'd love to, y/n, we need to give your body a chance to recover," he said, his voice gentle, “but trust me, we'll have plenty of time to explore each other”

"i'm just so... i don't know, overwhelmed. you turn me on so much, i don’t see why i didnt get you into my bed sooner," you joked lightly, your cheeks still flushed with color

“well, better late than never but let's not rush things. we've got time" he laughed, his face full of affection and admiration

"yeah, I guess we do," you said, snuggling closer to him

you laid there for a moment, your bodies tangled together, basking in the afterglow of this shared experience. "you know, I always knew you were the one," you murmured, your voice barely audible

“always knew it, huh? what was it? my charming personality? my irresistible good looks?" he teased, grinning widely as he poked your side gently

"maybe both but mostly, it was just you. and how close we are and how much we understand one another" you admitted, swatting playfully at him

"and now I've got you, in every way" he said, rolling onto his side and propping his head up with his hand, admiring you

your smile grew, a warmth spreading through you that had nothing to do with the aftermath of their lovemaking

"yeah," you murmured, eyes shining with happiness, “you do"