#think i might just use a glue stick and call this an experiment in which i learn better

[lurkerviolin]

baby’s first attempt at fanbinding was going So Well until i printed section 2 one sided instead of duplex 🙃

[snek-panini]

It's Friday the 13th! Here, have a book completely unrelated to that:

It looks fairly straightforward from here, but this is a bind of @dietraumerei's wonderful Good Omens series, The Sprawl of Life. It's a canon universe, pre-season-2 South Downs Cottage fic, and I typeset it when I did because I'd just watched season 2 and wanted the fluffiest, sweetest, most slice-of-life thing I could think of and this was it. Seriously, if you have been personally victimized by the season 2 finale this might be the antidote you're looking for. Though admittedly some of the lines do hit a lot more bittersweetly now than they did when I first read it in 2019.

More pics under the cut! This one's got an unusual format, go have a look!

It's a dos-a-dos! My first one! Before I started making books I'd never even heard of this format, but I've been wanting to try it ever since I found it. It's hard to find stories that suit the format, though--they've got to be within a certain word count, about the same length, and related to one another, and they have to be a pair, not a three or four part story. They look super complicated without (I've found, anyway) actually being that hard to make. If you want to impress a non-bookbinder make one of these to show them; all my family were fascinated by it.

For materials, the floral cover is scapbook paper from Joann's (the fancy stuff that's very flexible and feels handmade) and the spine is Allure book cloth from Hollander's in the wisteria color. It's a perfect match for the lavender in the paper. I've only previously used the Lineco/Books By Hand book cloth and gotten good results, but my experience with that brand in general was that it's a cheap, readily available base for starting out, but there are wider and better quality options out there once you get away from chain craft stores. Working with this cloth was proof of that. It's stiffer than the Lineco stuff, which made it a little harder to glue down but not enough to cause problems, and it took HTV better than any other surface I've used it on. Here, check out the spines:

Images of the spines. In case the photos are a little blurry, that's Demolishing Proofs We Never Believed In on the left and The World and its Beautiful Particle Logic on the right. The titles gave me some worries. I didn't want to obscure more of the florals by putting them on the front, but was worried they wouldn't fit on the spines since they're so long. I got them on, but it took a lot of careful measurements. Still, though, I couldn't be more pleased by them, and I barely had any of my usual trouble getting the HTV to stick.

Handmade end bands on both sides, in colors matched to the cover paper. I was a little worried about making my own for this project since the text blocks are only about 100 pages each. I was worried they'd be too short. But they're not, and I got a really nice front bead on them. I wanted to do three colors but that proved too challenging for my current skill level. Maybe next time. The second image is the endpaper. Specifically it's the back endpaper, so you can see how the second spine fits into the case. When you read a dos-a-dos, you read the first part, then flip it over like you're going to read the back blurb and there's the second part ready to go. I only explain this because, having never made one, I thought you flipped it over top-to-bottom until I did the case fitting for this one. The top-to-bottom one it called a tete-beche and I think does not have the shared cover board in the center; the pages are connected upside-down. (This is all from my limited research; pro bookbinders please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Couple of interior images. All the graphics came from rawpixel and they are the same in both halves. I kept the typeset really simple on this one, without any extra graphics. Partly that was to keep the page count down (images can take up extra space) and partly it's a reflection of the text. It's a happily ever after story, mostly. Their lives are so much easier here than in canon, and the focus is on communicating without barriers or frills and on building their relationship without other things getting in the way. So it's got a fancy title page, because it matches the cover, but the rest is straightforward with just some simple swirls around the chapter numbers.

I couldn't be more pleased with how this turned out. I was worried it would be very complicated since it's a new-to-me build, but I was exaggerating the difficulty and that made for an easy bind. I hope the author likes it too.

[lovelystickymilkshake]

Hey so y'know those Talon! Batfam aus where Bruce has bat wings?

D'you ever think about how fucked up that is?

Like, he's terrified of Bats and one day someone goes "time to match bestie!"

And I think that it would go something like this.

Bruce woke up, but regretted it immediately.

He turned and vomited into...

His trash bin?

He was at home?

The last thing he remembered was......

Well, he didn't know.

He looked over onto the bedside table and he saw his picture frame, with a picture of him, Dick and Alfred nestled tightly into he golden frame.

Dick!

Was he alright?

Was he okay?

He remembered!

He was on a mission with the justice league.

But then he got a call from Green Lantern, who had stayed behind to babysit Robin and Kid Flash.

"Gl, what is it?" Bruce had asked gruffly.

"Now dude, don't get mad. Stay calm."

"Gl..." He growled in a warning tone.

"Robin might be... slightly injured?"

He would've immediately responded, but then he was hit over the head while he was distracted.

So... I guess he was brought back to the manor by Alfred.

He couldn't help being protective over Dick, he had only just rescued him from the court.

Understandibly, his best friend Kid Flash was worried while he was with the court, and was sticking to his side like glue whenever he could.

Dick didn't mind this, as they were like this before the court took him anyways.

They were often seen around JL headcourters, usually with Dick somehow hanging or climbing around KF like a cat, or a bird.

Kf didn't mind this either, he liked it even.

To he point where he was experimenting on whether or not he could run so fast that he'd be able to fly through the air And keep up with Dick.

Dick was quite proud of the (rather large for his size, almost three times his height in length and a bit taller than him in width) wings that he had acquired.

He flew around wherever he felt it was safe to do so, which was a good way to tell whether or not he trusted people.

When he first saw KF, he quickly hid his wings, but when KF took off his mask upon seeing his 'missing' best friend, His wings sprung open again subconsciously.

Why was he focusing on the wings, you ask?

I dunno.

Actually, it might've been because he was currently going, "Holy Shit, there's a giant bat behind me! I need to get Alfred and Dick out of here, which safehouse? Safe house 48 is the closest, but too easy for the bat to track us. Safe house 49 is too far, so Safe house 47 it is!"

But the bat only moved when he moved, and it wasn't attacking him...

And his back felt strangely heavy...

Oh no.

He looked over his shoulder, and yup.

He's part bat now.

He's partially the thing that terrifies him.

He's partially the thing that was there when his parents were murdered.

His breathing begins to quicken.

Was his heart outside of his chest?

He didn't know.

His mouth was dry, then numb.

He felt something cold run down his face from his lip, most likely blood from how hard he was biting down on them.

He reached up slowly, fully prepared to rip off the wings.

But a small pair of hands stopped him.

"Bruce?" A small, high pitched voice asked.

He looked over to see a small blob of black hair with a pair of shining blue eyes glistening through them.

Dick.

He's safe.

A sniffle came from the child.

His son was crying.

Why was his son crying?

He wrapped his arms around his son, pulling him into his lap and hugging him, subconsciously wrapping his new-found wings around them both like a cocoon.

"Bruce." His child sniffled out. " Why were you going to rip of your wings? Do you not like wings? Do you not like mine? Do you not like me? Please don't abandon me Bruce, I'll take off mine too." He looked up at his father and was determined to take off his own wings if need be.

Bruce merely smiled and faced his child.

"No Dick, I wasn't going to rip off my wings. I love your wings, and I love you."

After all, if his wings had just helped him comfort his child, then they weren't that bad, right?

[lemontartc]

This took me literally all day. If anyone knows good free/cheap patterns for plain tight pants and shirts for the various MH G3 body types, at this point I'm willing to abandon trying to pattern stuff myself 😅 I thought my human sewing experience would help me, but usually I just make things a bit big and continually take them in, which doesn't work very well at doll scale...

An example of how many patterns I went through, fronts on top and backs on bottom. I also made some separate bottoms which informed the changes in the legholes from V3 to V4. I actually haven't even tried the final version of the bodysuit on the doll, I'm just kind of trusting it works because V3 mostly fit with just some awkwardness (mostly around the leg and armholes). Originally I did intend to make her bodysuit out of two different fabrics and then just draw on the small detail of her waistband, but I couldn't find any fabric that came close to the color of the top half of her bodysuit at the store, so I resigned myself to making a one-piece and "dyeing" it with fabric marker (this is why I haven't tried it on: the marker needs plenty of time to dry before putting on so it doesn't stain her) and honestly I'm glad I did because as you can see, patterning this simple bodysuit was hard enough!

The leggings look like a mess in the back. I honest don't know how they got so messed up. When I was making one leg and testing the fit, and there was always plenty of room in the back, but when I made the pair and sewed them in the front first, they came nowhere close to meeting in the back and I had to sew in a scrap to extend them. The bodysuit and cape will cover all of that, though. Technically I could have made these as legs attached to the bodysuit, this just seemed easier. It will be more accurate and if it ends up leaving a waist/seamline under the bodysuit sobeit.

I want to use patterns in the future just to cut down on the frustrating trial-and-error re-patterning, re-cutting, and resewing because that part took literal hours without enough satisfaction as a pay-off, but I am proud of what I've put together! Just burnt out on sewing, but that's fine because that phase of the project is done. All I have left for the clothes is affixing the cape to the shoulders, but right now the velcro glue is drying there in addition to the marker, so I'm waiting. I went with an unusual pattern of a bodysuit sewn up on every normal seam except the shoulders, which is where the velro is. This way I slip the bodysuit up her legs like you would with shorts. I did this because I wanted to minimize arm movements as much as possible since every one both rubs a bit of paint off and deepens the crack on her left bicep mod. Making the clothes not require any arm movement to put on seemed like the best call, and the shoulder seam will be covered up by the... shoulder pauldron things, anyway.

I'm suspecting already I might redo this doll some day, and if I do that, I'm definitely going to skip the body mods. They were a good experiment, but they were difficult to work with and necessitated me to use way more paint than I wanted to due to how different their starting color and texture was to the rest of the doll. The main reason for revisiting would be to fix the body repaint so she's a lot easier to pose/redress and I can make all her various outfits and enjoy playing with her in them. I'm definitely going to think hard about what I can do for the future body repaints in this series since most will necessitate them, but I guess I can do Mermista and Catra first in the meantime lol (I'm still holding out hope for a G3 Nefera that will make a perfect Netossa... We'll see) and for the most part I'll stick to using the doll's natural skin color for OCs/random customs.

Next steps: Wig cap, wig, pastel blushing on the body and face to color-correct her skintone and add depth, and then finishing up the faceup as I seal those layers of pastels. Once everything's sealed, I can finally dress her, so for now I'll just attach her cape tomorrow and then set them aside. Shoulder pauldrons will be made out of foam clay somewhere along the way, maybe the boots as well though I am a little stumped on them. I have no idea how to do the gloves without painting them on, which will limit her outfits since she's always wearing different ones, so for now I'm leaving them off, but eventually I might settle on a pair for her to use across outfits.

[schwender-exe]

Devlog #2

Hello all again and welcome to devlog #2!

First up, we have tiles! While not the final look of them (to be honest I drafted them up to try them out, but I kinda dig the simplistic look?) they'll be what's making up the terrain in the game! After playing around with it for some time, I found it a hell of a lot easier to map out levels/rooms with these tiles than the old system I had in place.

Originally, what made up the terrain was Polygon2Ds with collision added on top of them and while it was easy to use, it made the terrain a bit to one-toned for my liking and made plotting out levels a bit of a nightmare because I could do any shape or angle or whatever with it, which sounds nice but... well a bit too much freedom can kill my creativity which is why the limitations of the tiles feels like the right balance.

Moving on to what's next: the curse I wrought upon myself. To be more specific? The story vs gameplay and my failure to plan ahead.

I'm not one to plan things out much, I tend to just go with the flow and address problems as they come into view, but that's been biting me in the ass for a bit now. You see, I sent out a test build about a month ago to some dev friends and I got some feedback which has stuck with me. "You need something in between when you arrive at Chloe's abode and when you meet Chloe." (Chloe being the mushroom-headed character). The reason it stuck with me is because I realized, while I had a story, I didn't really have much in terms of gameplay to smoothly fill in the beats in between. The problem with trying to shove gameplay into a story which didn't account for that, well... You can imagine it didn't go well. So here's my new plan. I'm scrapping the story I have so far and will be re-writing it with new gameplay in mind that'll hopefully flow together well. What kind of gameplay? well that's a tough call. I've been juggling ideas around in my head for weeks and none seem to stick, so far I've managed to get a swimming/floating kind of movement in game which seems fun, but I'll have to tinker around with it more before I can say it 'fits' anywhere. If anything, it was at least a fun exercise in the new state-based character controller I've made this time around for the player.

Well what about combat? That's always an easy one, well... I've shied away from that for some time as I thought combat would move the game in a direction of becoming like most other platformers out there where slapping in combat is a simple solve-it-all glue you can put anywhere. If I'm going to add in combat, I want it to be interesting, unique and of course, fun. I'll be experimenting with more movement options, possibility of combat, the use of items, etc. and will be sure to update next blog post with what I achieve.

Moving on from that, I've also been experimenting with dialogue! I've added on to my dialogue code and have added dialogue portraits which, I'm not sure how I feel about as of yet, honestly. I don't think I have enough to base my opinion on whether I'll keep it or not as I like having the dynamic poses of the overworld sprites. I might have it as a toggleable feature in future as to give players the option to view the overworld sprites or the visual novel-esq sprites.

I hope this devlog was an interesting read, I know I didn't seemingly make much in terms of progress, but with the circumstances I'm in it's been a bit of a bottleneck in productivity. I hope next devlog I'll be in a better spot to provide more to show.

[bluegalaxygirl]

Hii, I have a request

Can you please write for the batchers being dads to the reader? It can be anything I just love them so much and think you would do it justice

Of cause I'll do a before and after order 66. I hope that's OK. Also echos is gonna be a bit different most likely you will be a teen like 12 to 18 while the other clones it quite open what age you are.

Hunter:

----- Before -----

🔴 He's very strict but for a good reason. You are his only child and he would do anything to protect you.

🔴He was scared that is anyone found out about you they would kill you or use you in experiments so he didn't tell anyone.

🔴On his days off he would go to see you and spend time with you. He would train you in knife fighting and self defence.

🔴Sometimes you felt the training to be more like a life or death situation than bonding time but you loved him anyway. Any time with your farther was well spent.

🔴The batch would ask questions about where he's been but he would ignore the questions knowing anything he said about it even a lie might give you away.

🔴Crosshair would often tease him about his time off. Often saying things like

🔴"he went to see his lover. Oh how sweet the star crossed lovers are"

🔴Hunter would just roll his eyes and get on with the job. The teasing was normal to him.

----- After -----

🔴After fleeing from crosshair his mind went straight to you. His child was in danger and he knew he had too come and get you

🔴Telling the others about you was hard but seeing omega light up at hearing about another child made him feel better

🔴They got there just in time. The home you stayed in was burning to the ground and you were on the run, the empire hunting you.

🔴Hunter manged to get you away and introduce you to the rest of the family. You had heard of them and took quite well to the members of the batch especially omega

🔴Hunter before more protective of you. When going onto a planet he would either make you stay on the ship or stick to him like glue

🔴Over time he started to calm down seeing how you can handle yourself in a fight. He was proud of you and one time sat down with you and told you that.

🔴He would try his best to talk to you instead of demanding you to do something like he would with his brothers. He was trying to be more of a full time farther to you than a leader

🔴Heart to hearts was something you two would often have especially after a stressful Situation. You would sit togeather often late at night with a hot drink and just talk. It was a peaceful moment you both cherished.

Tech:

----- Before -----

🟠 He's not good with kids so when he found out he had one he panickled.

🟠Emotion wasn't his strong point so didn't know how to feel about it so he turned to the only thing he knew... Logic

🟠It took him A few hours to figure things out but once he did he realised that he wanted you around

🟠The only people he told about you were Hunter and echo. He knew he could trust the two to keep a secret and look after you if anything happened to him

🟠When he got to spend time with you he would teach you new things, one day it could be about the planet he resently went to and the next maths

🟠You could talk to him about any problem you had and he would help solve it even if it was by being a bit to blunt about things but in a way you found that comferting

🟠After every mission he would write a letter about his trip and things he wanted to tell you or say to you but he'd never send them. He would put them in an envelope and hid them

🟠 The letters were for if he died. He knew better than anyone that he could die in battle and he didn't want to just leave you not knowing how much he cared for you. He told hunter and echo if anything happened to him take the letters to his child.

----- After -----

🟠The escape was rough on all of them but he knew where he wanted to go. He flew right to where your home was. He found out before he left that the empire knew about you

🟠Strangely enough hunter and echo didn't ask where they were going and he appreciated that. He just wanted to get you away from any harm

🟠Thankfully you were fine and happily joined your farther on the ship meeting the others that you knew all about thanks to your farthers stories.

🟠 Tech had to explain to wrecker about you quite quickly before pulling you away saying he needed your help with the ship

🟠Tech would often have you fixing the ship along with echo and you would often have to remind him that something are impotent to fix than others.

🟠Spending a few days with your farther was great but now your stuck on a ship with him for a few months now and you two had gotten into a lot of fights. Mainly over him not understanding your emotions and him. Being too logical

🟠 Sometimes you would go days without talking to each other and it was echo who pointed out what tech should do

🟠One day he sat down with you and pulled out a large box handing it to you. It was the letters he wrote. He told you how important you are to him and how he's sorry he might not show that. You two made up and he tried his hardest to show more emotion around you than logic.

Wrecker:

----- Before -----

🟡 The fun loving dad. He loves you more than life and even made you your own Lula doll.

🟡He told his brother about you right away and they were shocked. He was so happy he wanted to tell everyone but hunter and tech told him not to

🟡After they explained to him why he became worried for you and kept you away from Kamino.

🟡Any time he had off he would come and see you dragging one of his brothers along to see you. He would say family is everything so you had to know them.

🟡He would also bring you toys to play with even if you were too old for that stuff and you would make him things which he would keep hidden under his bed back home.

🟡Life was more fun with him around. You'd get piggy back rides, play games, tell stories and you both cryed when ever he had to leave

🟡When you were old enough he would start teaching you things he knew. He wanted you to be strong so no one would mess with you when he was away.

🟡He would teach you self defence and how dombs work but thanks to the people you lived with he would never be aloud to bring one for you to see. He would have to draw it out

----- After -----

🟡You were the first thing on his mind when things went wrong. He was pacing in the prison cell muttering to himself and getting angry.

🟡Hunter was the one to calm him down and tell him that you will be fine and that when they get out of here they will go get you first.

🟡The fight out hurt his head and heart. Crosshair had betrayed him and since crosshair knew about you that means your in danger.

🟡Wrecker got to you first and begged you to come with him. You were scared but you trusted him and agreed

🟡Over time you noticed a change in your farther. He kept getting beaten a lot and he kept holding his head. You started to worry and tried to take care of him along with omega

🟡You, wrecker and omega were like the three musketeers, ready for a fight and had a good laugh. You felt whole now that you were with your real family but that didn't stop you from worrying about your farther

🟡Learning about the chip scared you but what scared you more was the thought of your farther trying to kill you. You kept a close eye on your farther until it was time.

🟡He scared you when he changed. He tried to kill his brothers and then went after you and omega. It it wern't for Rex you might be dead. After he got the chip out he apologised and you hugged him. Just happy he's back to nornal

Crosshair:

----- Before -----

🟣He didn't know what to do with you. He treated you like you were glass. He never hugged you and it hurt.

🟣You became more angry and felt left out. When he would come to see you it was very rare and it was mainly filled with silence. You'd asked the odd question and talk about what happened while he was gone but he wouldn't say much

🟣On his day off he got a call from one of the people looking after you. You had gotten into a fight and were hurt but the other kid was worse. He came down as soon as he could.

🟣You expected him to be mad at you, to yell but he didn't. He ran over to you and looked you over. Seeing your busted lip and bruised arms made him mad and worried and for the first time he hugged you

🟣You cryed for the first time infront of him and hugged him back. He asked you all kinds of questions and after you told him what happened and how the kid had been picking on you for months he got madder but not at you

🟣He took you away from that place and brought you to kamino. They let you stay but under a few conditions. They wanted to draw some blood and you had to help out around the base.

🟣After agreeing and getting your own room crosshair introduced you to his brothers. They welcomed you with open arms and for once you saw your farther smile.

🟣He became very open with you. Telling you Things he would never tell his brothers and teaching you how to use a rifle.

----- After -----

🟣The shift in your farthers attatude scared you. He stopped confiding in you and when ever you asked him Something he would ignore you or just glare.

🟣When the rest of the batch left with omega you had the chance to go with them but you couldn't leave your farther behind.

🟣The empire kept you safe and away from your farther. You faught them on it but soon found out crosshair didn't want you around. It broke you but you couldn't do anything about it

🟣Crosshair saw you as a mistake thanks to the chip but once it was taken out his mind was clear. He got out of bed despite the doctors telling him not to and went Off to find you

🟣Once he found you he told you how sorry he was and explained everything. You didn't trust him right away but over time his actions showed he wanted you around and he wanted to be your farther

🟣What the chip made him do to you broke his heart and he did everything he could to make it up to you even taking you on missions when you asked to go.

🟣He kept you close so no one could touch you, he didn't fully trust his new crew so never left you alone with them

🟣He kept training you and talked to you about the desition he has made and if you were OK with it. He wanted you to stay but he didn't want to make you feel tapped.

Echo:

----- Before -----

🔵 You were born before he got blown up at the citadel and the kaminoans found out about you quite quickly. They took you to kamino where they studied you for years and raised you.

🔵You had no idea who your farther was until you met fives. He found out about you while looking into the chip and managed to talk to you

🔵From that day you decided you had to find your farther, something didn't sit right with you, it felt off the way he died and for some reason you felt he was alive.

🔵Your efforts paid off and the bad batch and the 501st found him. You went to talk with him and he was shocked but took it quite well. He told you about your mother and was happy to have you around

🔵Life was no where near normal for him now. Not only did he have cybernetic parts but a teen to look after. He took to it quite well though acting more like a mum than a dad on occasions.

🔵He refused to let the kaminoans do anymore tests on you and kept you close to him. You helped him when he needed it and he helped you.

🔵Education was very inportant to echo so he made sure you studied and did well in classes. He didn't want you to be like him, a soilder. He wanted you to have a real life outside of war.

🔵He would have to leave you to go on missions but he would make sure you were looked after. One of his many brothers or shaak ti would look after you

----- After -----

🔵After the ship left kamino for the last time everyone could take a breath. Echo made sure you were OK and told you things will get better

🔵He felt like he failed you. You were supposed to have a better life and now you were on the run with no home.

🔵He started to get more grumpy and snappy but would always apologise to you if he directed it at you.

🔵He tried to hide his worries and conserns from you but one day it all spilled out while you two were alone. He was surprised to find you being more of an adult and calming him down.

🔵He realised he raised you right despite the early learnings from the kaminoins and knew you could flourish in any situation

🔵He often asks for your help around the ship. He's one man, tech doesn't always help and hed be dead if he let wrecker help.

🔵More and more you would cone out on missions with them. He knew you could help but also he didn't want to lose sight of you. He was scared of losing you

🔵While on missions he would be quite bossy with you. Telling you what to do and where to go. It annoyed you at first until you realised he was doing all of it to keep you safe.

[phlox238]

i wrote a pretty long rymin fic and half of it is min being anxious and getting advice from a lesbian at a gay bar,,, it sucks but here it is anyway

2.5k words this is the most ive ever written

"So," The girl began, gesturing wildly with her hands. "You think you're in love with your best friend, who you've known since you were born, and you're in a band and traveling across Canada and the USA with. What did you say your name is?" 

"Oh, fuck." Min-gi sighed, letting his head rest in his hands. "This is weird, isn't it? I barely know you."

"Nah, I just thought that, if we're going to have a slightly drunk chat in the back of a gay bar, then we should know each other's names. I'm Eryn, and you?" Eryn stuck out her hand, the many bracelets she wore on her wrist clanking together. 

Min chuckled a little, then took her hand and shook it. Her dark skin was warm, which was surprising, since this part of the bar was near freezing. "Min-gi. But you can call me Min." 

"Awesome. So, tell me about it, Min." Eryn tightened her ponytail, leaning forward on her arms. 

"Tell you what about it? There's so many things that I could say." He was so caught up in this gay crisis stuff that he hadn't even considered stopping for a moment to really think about it.

Eryn shrugged. "Whatever you want to say. Get stuff off your chest, just let it out, if you want to. There's like, nobody else back here. Doesn't really matter, right? I'm not judgy." 

"Okay...well, he has a girlfriend, first of all; has had many of them. So he's not into dudes." Min crossed his arms. 

"Hey, he could still be. Just because he dates women doesn't mean he's straight. Could still be into guys. Don't give up hope just yet, okay?" Eryn laced her fingers together, as if she was planning something. The dark lighting of the bar didn't help anything.

“Damn,” Min rubbed his eyes. “I didn’t know you could like both.”

Not without laughing at him first, Eryn started to explain. "Oh, wow, you really are new to this, huh?" She chuckled a little more, shaking her head. “That’s okay. There’s a lot of different ways to love people, you just gotta figure out what works for you. Oh, also; it isn’t just both. There’s the genderqueer people, too, don’t forget about them!” She smiled. 

Min didn’t quite know what genderqueer meant, but he figured he could find out later. He was asking too many questions already. "Damn...how do you know all of this? I only realized I was, er, gay, like six months ago."  Min marveled at her, the same way a nerd at school would marvel at the 'cool kids.' And honestly, she really looked like one, with her ponytail and undercut, her yellow, patched leather jacket, even the flashy jewelry she wore.

It made Min want to start dressing differently. Dressing cooler, like Ryan, like Eryn. Maybe he could.

Eryn grinned wider. "Oh, you know. It's just things you pick up along the way. I've known that I'm lesbian for a long time, since I was like 11. And I'm 21 now, so that's a long time. Lots of experience." She shuffled a little in her seat, taking another drink of beer. "Anyway. We're getting off track, aren't we? Keep talking, man." 

Min laughed, a real laugh. "Okay, okay. A year ago, we, er…" He reached desperately for an explanation for the train, but decided that, just maybe, he could tell her. Really, the worst that she could think of him is that he's a drug user. "Can I tell you something? It's going to sound absolutely insane, probably, but I just. Need to tell someone." 

She looked concerned, her dark brown eyes wide, but nodded anyway. "That's real ominous. But sure, go for it."

"Okay. So. Stick with me, here. A year ago, him and I got on a train, right? But then, there was another train door within the train. We just...went into the door. Well, the bastard threw my keys into it and then ran in, so how could I not follow?" Eryn was looking at him intently like she understood. Min could tell he was pretty drunk by now; he'd never be able to open up to someone this much sober. But that's okay. More than okay, really. 

"It gets even weirder from then on. Ryan- that's his name, by the way- and I woke up on a giant, infinie train in the middle of nowhere. Gotta be pretty unbelievable, though. You probably think I'm on drugs." Min sighed.

Eryn was silent for a moment, but it was obvious she was getting ready to explode. "Dude, no fucking way!" Yep, there it was. "I got on that train! When I was eleven. I was super conflicted on my sexuality, had a shit ton of internalized homophobia as a result of having homophobic family. I felt like a disgusting person. So I got on the train, and it actually helped me through it." She'd completely lit up when Min mentioned the train. Looked like she was going to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. 

For a moment, Min was speechless. Soon, though, he regained his voice. "You're kidding," was all he could muster.

"Nope." Eryn's grin nearly reached her ears. "Did you have someone to help you along, too? There was a white cat named Samantha for me. She was French, for some reason. But I miss her." 

"Oh! Yeah, Ryan and I had a floating, talking bell named Kez. Weird, right?. I miss her, too. Wonder how she's doing." Min thought for a second, completely and utterly relieved to have met someone else to share an experience with. Then something clicked. "Hold on...I might have met this cat you speak of. Yellow eyes? Uh, blonde...hair?" 

"Blonde hair? Well, she didn't have that. But yeah, yellow eyes, French accent." Eryn nodded. They were silent for a moment. 

Min chuckled, suddenly getting the urge to continue on with their story. Telling someone about the train would feel wonderful. "We had a lot of...issues...regarding our friendship, at the time. That's why the train picked us up in the first place." He fiddled with the hem of his shirt. "The train did help us. But we had a lot of weirdly intimate moments on it, and that's where my sexuality crisis started. Like, there was a car where we had to perform a song with each other to get out of it, and of course I got stage fright right before it. I left him alone on stage. Again." Min paused, the guilt almost making him feel like he was living through that moment again. 

Eryn nudged him. "And? That doesn't sound intimate. What happened next?" 

"I hid in the bathroom. So he came in, and at first he was angry, but I was having a full on anxiety attack. We sat in the bathtub, hip to hip, knee to knee. It was weird, but nice. He helped me calm down. And like...in our last year of Highschool, I gave him a shirt with our band name on it. In that bath tub, he had it with him. He kept it. Said he'd never done a show without it." Min laughed, but there wasn't much humor about it. "Man, I wanted to kiss him so bad right then and there. But I didn't." 

Eryn had a soft look in her eyes. "I dunno about you, but that sounds pretty damn gay to me. Maybe he's just dating other people to distract himself from his crush on you, who knows! All I'm trying to say is, don't give up on this, Min. You two have something going on, I don't know what, but it could blossom into a relationship." She patted him on the shoulder, then took another drink of her beer. 

Min did the same. "What if he's not gay?" His voice was small. "Worse, what if he's homophobic? I don't know...fuck, it's terrifying. I could lose him because I'm gay." 

"Well," Eryn paused for a moment, "you could try and subtly bring it into conversation. Maybe, like, bring up a celebrity who's gay. See his reaction." She gestured with her hands a lot, Min noticed. 

Min nodded. It seemed simple in theory, but he knew he'd manage to fuck it up somehow. The logical part of his brain knew Ryan wouldn't leave him for being gay, but at the same time, there was this voice in the back of his head. Irrational thoughts, irrational fears; that's all it spoke of. 

"Thank you. Really. It's been nice to talk about this, especially with someone who's been on the train. That thing is...a freak of nature. Maybe not even nature, I don't know. I'll try that with him, too." Min said finally, after some silence. Eryn laughed. 

"Yeah, it absolutely is." She smiled widely. Eryn glanced around, her eyes finally landing on the only visible clock in this part of the bar. Her eyes widened. "Shit, I should really get going! Sorry. I told my girlfriend I'd be back around now." She, out of nowhere, gave Min a hug. It'd been a while since he'd hugged anyone, he realized, and it felt nice. Although, very unexpected. 

Min hugged her back, sort of awkwardly. They separated soon after.

"That's okay. Again...thank you, so much. I should get young too." By now, it was almost 11 pm, and he figured he should leave as well. Ryan should be back at their apartment soon enough. 

Min was about to turn and leave, but Eryn stopped him.

"Hey! How about we exchange phone numbers? This was a good chat, eh? I'd like to stay in contact." Eryn searched her pockets for a pen and some paper, but only found a marker. "Can I, like, write it on your arm and you can do the same?"

Min knew Ryan would tease him over it, but oh, well, he made a new friend. "Yeah, that's fine." He laughed, offering her his arm. She quickly scribbled her number on it, and honestly, it was barely legible. But he could read it, somewhat. 

He then wrote his number on her arm, they exchanged goodbyes, and were on their way. Min dreaded returning to Ryan, who would definitely start to go on and on about his girlfriend, and just prove to make Min feel worse about his stupid crush.

But maybe, just maybe, Eryn was right. Maybe things would finally go his way for once. 

•••

Min's walk home was quiet (as quiet as New York can be at night) and cold, it being the middle of November. Snow was just beginning to fall. Being outside Eryn's words stuck in his head like glue. Talk to him. As if he could do that. The idea of even just mentioning anything close to being gay made anxiety rise in his throat like bile. 

He couldn't. Probably.

Before he could think much more on it, he was home. Home. Back to the decent one bedroom apartment they'd scraped up all of the money in their pockets to buy. Back to the scent of cigarette smoke in the air, back to the strange stains on the carpet in the hallway. Most importantly, back to Ryan. No matter how much resentment Min-gi might hold to him for having a girlfriend, Ryan usually made things better. 

He walked up the stairs and down the hall to apartment number 202, ironically. Unlocked and opened the door to find it dark inside save for a single lamp. Min walked in, curious, just to find Ryan curled up in the fetal position on the sofa. That really made him anxious.

"Hey...Ryan? You good, man?" Min sat on the empty portion of the sofa, near his head. 

Ryan stirred, rolling over onto his back. His head was resting a bit on Min's thigh, and it felt kind of nice. 

"I dunno…" He mumbled. "She broke up with me." 

"What?" Min looked down at Ryan, surprised. "Lisa? You're kidding." 

"Nope, not kidding." Ryan laced his fingers together over his stomach. "The thing is...I'm like, kind of relieved that she did it? How fucked up is that?"  

Min tilted his head in confusion. He really wanted to run his hand through Ryan's hair, but that was a really inappropriate thought for the moment. 

"She, uh...said some things. When she broke up with me." He sighed. "Called me a fag." Ryan laughed, like he found it funny. Min didn't. 

"Dude, what? Why?" Min's voice was a little shaky, for no other reason than that they were talking about gay people. 

Ryan sighed. "Take a good look at us, Min." He brought his forearm up to cover his eyes. "We're two dudes, living in a one bedroom apartment together. We do everything together. Of course she's gonna think there's something going on." 

Min felt like he was going to fucking disintegrate. "U-Uh...and that's a bad thing?"

"I mean...no. It just kind of clicked that...maybe she's right. Maybe I am gay." Ryan sat up, his back facing towards Min. He didn't look back. " I always assumed that I'd be straight, but this...it makes sense. None of my relationships have ever worked out. With women." 

Min reached out and gently touched his shoulder. "Ryan...it's okay." 

Ryan looked back, now, and his eyes were watery. Min frowned.

“How could it be okay?” His voice cracked as he spoke. “It’s just another reason for people to hate me. For my parents to hate me. Hell, maybe even you.” By the time that he finished talking, his voice was almost inaudible. 

"No!" Min almost shouted, jolting forward. "No. Ryan, I could never hate you." Fuck, how was he supposed to tell Ryan he's gay now? Part of him wanted to shout it out impulsively, but the other part, it just wanted to keep hiding. Because what if something goes wrong? What if Ryan's in love with someone else? All what ifs. He really needed to stop. 

Min inhaled deeply. Here goes. "This is gonna sound really coincidental, but...I'm gay too." 

Quickly, Ryan turned around to face Min. His eyes were wide behind his glasses. 

"What? No fucking way. You're kidding." Ryan was leaning forward, using his fists to prop him up. 

Min shook his head. "No...I'm not. I was gonna tell you soon anyway, but now seemed like a good time." He scratched his head awkwardly.

Then, Ryan launched at him, hugging him. Arms wrapped around his neck, knees touching Min's thighs, the whole package. Min was sure he'd die with how flushed his face was; but thankfully, he didn't. 

After what felt like a while, Ryan finally spoke. 

"I love you." He mumbled into Min's shoulder. 

Min paused. "In a gay way, or…?" 

Ryan laughed. "Yeah, you idiot." He shook his head in amusement. 

"Good. That's...great." He hugged Ryan tighter, finally letting himself run his fingers through his hair. It was soft, just like he expected. "I love you too." 

[alreadyblondenow]

How it used to be

Mark Lee x reader // FLUFF, SMUTT, ANGST

Part of PROM SERIES: MARK LEE

Themes: high school! au, prom! au, strangers to lovers, popular Mark

Word count: 7k

Summary: Out of sheer dumb luck and with the help of your missing bra, the famous Mark Lee became your perfect boyfriend and he fucked up. Now, he’s counting the days before you two break up.

Warnings: mentions of other idols, 127 boys, dreamies, swearing, alcohol, drugs, drugs drugs, space brownies are brownies with weed in it, fingering, unprotected sex, cheating, possessive Mark. Lots of sex but short parts hehe, Mark punched Jeno on the face, breakup sex?

A/N: This is the last story for my PROM SERIES. Hope you enjoy this. I kinda, sorta, wrote this like my other fic, Mark, this is how we broke up because a lot of people are asking for part two but sadly I can’t deliver :( i wrote this for the people who got the taste of a perfect relationship but then the day comes when you can’t save it no matter how hard you try.

Everyone was too drunk at Johnny’s party that they started jumping to the pool once Jaehyun jumped right in first. It’s always a wild party whenever the 127 boys are present, too bad they’re graduating already and their youngest members will be the only ones left. Mark and Haechan.

The water was fucking freezing but nobody seems to care, everyone still dances under loud party music that Johnny is playing. You don’t know what came into your head that even you had the urge to jump at a pool full of drunk and horny teenagers but it was a blurry night for you because of the excessive amount of alcohol and the space brownies your best friend have been giving you.

“Woah there, easy” you fell into someone’s arm when you decided to get out of the freezing water after dancing crazily with your friends while being drunk and high at the same time. You smile weakly to the guy who had your arm, “Hi, I’m Mark” he smiled back to you with concern.

“Y/n. Sorry I’m fucking freezing I can't walk properly” you perfectly know who he is and you thank yourself for being drunk, freezing, and high to luckily land on Mark Lee’s arms.

“Your uhm… Your nipples are-“ he looked at your wet shirt awkwardly and looked for a missing bra floating around the pool. He went back to the freezing water when he saw it, grabbed it, and went back to you to give your wet bra.

“Oh, fuck” you shyly take it from his hands, someone must have unclasped it while you were busy dancing.

“You need some new clothes, come on” you cover your wet shirt with your hands, while Mark’s arms swing around you, keeping you close to him, giving you heat and away from the perverts. He brought you upstairs, which is off-limits to everyone but Johnny is like a brother to him he’s sure he wouldn’t mind. Mark knocked to Johnny’s sister's room and asked her if she could lend you some clothes, especially a bra. Luckily, Johnny’s sister is as nice as an angel and handed you some clean clothes.

Mark needed clean clothes too so he brought you to Johnny’s room to get clothes. “You can change inside Johnny’s bathroom” you nod and walked towards where he points.

One of the many struggles of being a woman is putting on a bra. Imagine how hard it is to put one while you're high as a kite, your eyelids are heavy and your arms are tired. You’ve been struggling for minutes trying to snap your bra but you really can’t. And given that you’re drunk, you forgot to close the door and Mark saw your struggle.

“Hey, I got you” he holds your shoulders and caressed it for a bit so you would calm down. And effortlessly, Mark finished the job. Looking at you through the mirror without a shirt and wearing only Johnny’s sweatpants. He can’t deny that he’s already attracted to your beauty the moment you fell on him near the pool.

Bravely, he kissed your shoulders slowly going up to your neck. And it feels so damn good that you closed your eyes and roll your head so he can have more access. “Wow, the famous Mark Lee kissing my neck,” you said breathlessly and turned to meet the gorgeous man behind you. His hotness is evident even though everything seems to be moving.

He kissed you on the lips, caging you with his strong arms and leaning you on the sink. It was a kiss that you didn’t want to stop, a kiss that’s getting hungrier and hungrier by any second. Who would have thought that you will end up making out with Mark Lee, both shirtless on Johnny’s bathroom?

But you stopped and lowered your head, “Let’s meet again when we're both sober” you stopped because you can feel the drugs kicking in again.

“Yes, please” his voice is low and sexy. “I’ll help you wear your clothes, you look really high. How will you go home?” he grabs the borrowed shirt and helped you wear it. “Friends” you answered watching him help you wear the sweatpants.

“Please come home safe, we have to meet again” he nuzzles your hair making you ticklish, and put your hand on his waist. Then you realized he’s shirtless. He kissed you on the cheek and left to finish putting on his borrowed clothes.

“Ready?” he knocks on the bathroom door and you collect your wet clothes.

Before he opens the door of Johnny’s room, you thanked him “Thank you for taking care of me, and for getting my floating bra before anyone sees” he kissed you in return as if he’s saying that he’s thankful for such a thing.

“It’s not for free, you have to give me your number before you go home” he winks, opens the door, and you two head downstairs again, only to find out that your friends are already waiting for you outside.

“Y/n! Come on! Yeji is already puking!” Ryujin shouted under the loud music, signaling you to come quickly.

“Go. I’ll ask around about you. Go home safe” Mark said before patting your head and gave you one last kiss on the forehead.

As you leave Johnny’s house, you don’t know if Mark will keep his word and actually find you. Honestly, you don’t know how he will do it because school is over and its summer break already. But if he doesn’t, well at least you had a great experience with him in Johnny’s bathroom.

After a day, week, month. Still no Mark. Maybe it’s better to keep it to yourself and not tell anyone what happened because no one might believe you. It’s like magic that you saw in your own eyes and you’re sure that if you tell even a single soul, they will laugh at you.

It was in the middle of the night when an unknown number called you and ruin your sleep. You wait for the call to end but it kept on calling again so you finally woke yourself and answer the call.

“H-hello?” you answered tiredly.

“I know you’re sleeping, but sorry I can’t wait. I’m outside your house”

He didn’t need to introduce himself because you remember that sexy voice all too well. You went straight to your bathroom, brushed your teeth quickly, and met him outside your house. His car parked near the sidewalk and he’s standing in front of it with his hands inside his hoodie. You walk towards him and gave him a friendly hug, happy that he kept his word even though it took him a month to find you and not just you, but your house address too.

“Why is it that every time we meet you’re not wearing a bra?” he asked teasing you.

“I was sleeping, what took you so long?” you cover your boobs with your arms.

“The hyungs had a graduation party in LA so, I just got back. We flew the next after Johnny’s party, sorry. I wanted to find you first, but my sources are kinda slow” he pulls you by the shirt to keep you close to him. “How are you?” he added.

“Sober” you answered with a flirty smile, hoping he gets the message that you want to continue the kiss you stopped back in Johnny’s bathroom.

“That’s great news because I stayed sober the whole day for you. Even ditched Taeil’s party tonight because I was excited to see you” he nuzzles your hair again, lips insanely close to your face as if he’s waiting for your permission to let him kiss you.

You let go of yourself and hook your arms around Mark’s neck not giving a single fuck if your nipples are ghosting through your thin shirt. He kissed you like how he kissed you back in Johnny’s party but this time no more after taste of liquor in his lips. Mark can think of the same thing, instead of tasting the sweetness of the space brownies, he can taste mint and smell your fresh breath.

Then his stomach growls, making you both stop kissing.

“You stayed sober and hungry” you teased him.

“Want to go somewhere and eat?” he asks shyly. You nod your head ‘yes’ and gave him a peck on the lips before you pull away from his caging embrace. “I’ll just get my jacket”

“No no no, wear my jacket. I can’t stand being far away from you, no.” he grabbed your hand and held it firmly. You watch him open the front seat door and motions you to go inside.

With just your pajamas, a thin shirt, and Mark’s hoodie, you two ate at the nearest McDonald’s and had an early breakfast together in an empty store. Laughing and feeding each other dry fries, drinking hot chocolate, and eating burgers with one hand because his other hand is intertwined with yours.

After having breakfast, he drove you where the sun rises beautifully and waited for the sun to rise while you two cuddle close at the back of his car. Feeling each other’s warmth before he drives you back to your house and once again part for the time being.

“I want you to know that this will not be just a summer fling. I will stick to you like a crazy glue until we graduate” he put strands of your hair behind your ear, caressing your head softly like a baby, tightening his embrace. “Thanks for losing your bra, and being high at the perfect time and place” You giggle pinch his scrunching nose and cuddle some more.

Who would have thought that losing your bra in the middle of a party would bring you much luck as having a perfect boyfriend?

Mark continues to love you fiercely without stopping at nothing. For the whole summer, it’s always been about you and Mark, having dates and midnight escapades, having breakfast together in the middle of nowhere, going to parties every week. There were no dull moments whenever you two are together closely.

“You two are always on each other’s throats, when are you going to break up?” Jaemin hands Mark a cup of beer while you’re in between Mark’s legs and seated comfortably on the floor with your beer.

“Never, right babe?”

“Never” you smiled and lifted your head so you and Mark can make that Spiderman kiss that you two were making fun of and laughed at each other because it was an inside joke.

Now that the 127 boys are already in college, the dreamies are the ones who throw epic parties now as if they’re continuing the legacy that 127 left. Tonight, it’s Jaemin who jumped to the pool, and the next thing you know almost half of the people are already wet.

When you were just about to jump and get out in between Mark’s legs, he was quick you cage you with his strong arms preventing you to do something stupid like losing your bra again. “You’re not going anywhere near that pool, young lady”

“You’re missing half of your life already, Mark Lee” he made you sit on his lap instead of the floor so he can hold you tighter.

“I’m holding my life safely here, protecting her from falling to someone else’s arm,” he said and kissing you lovingly in front of everyone. So instead of getting wet and joining the wildness, you two stayed dry in each other’s arms while drinking and laughing at Jeno losing his other shoe in a pool full of drunk teenagers.

Soon after he sobered up, he drove you home and things got a little heated in his car. It was just a goodbye kiss but the next you know, Mark is pulling you to the driver’s seat and you’re rolling your hips on his clothed hard cock breathing heavily and gasping sharply because his mouth is busy softly kissing your boobs.

Enjoying your reaction to the way he kisses your left boob while gripping the other, making his tongue sharp, hard, and make your nipples hard and sensitive to the point where you jolt your hips. “When?” he asks, talking about having sex.

“When we have the time and place? Do you want it now?” you asked back, biting a moan because he just pinched your left nipple.

“At the back of my car?” you nod your head yes weakly, “Can’t. You deserve more than that tight space- fuck, you’re so hot right now”

Your heart beats fast, cheeks blushed because even though Mark’s mouth is doing filthy things on your boobs right now he still managed to be a gentleman. And before something he might regret happens, like fucking you for the first time at the back of his car, he lets you go and kiss you good night. Watching you go inside your house safely, something he wants to do every day.

As senior year starts to get serious, so is your relationship with Mark. He introduced you to his parents and found out that Mark is a pastor’s son. You tease him for being such a ‘good boy’ in front of his parents the whole dinner time but now that you two are alone in his room for the first time he can’t keep his hands off of you.

“Fuck you’re so wet” you’re against his chest standing in front of his bathroom mirror while his hand is inside your panties spreading your juices up and down nicely.

“You pray with that mouth?” you tease him again.

“Yes, and this mouth will make you cum too. Sit on the sink please, and be quiet” he bit your cheek, making you laugh quietly and follow what he said.

The night when you introduced Mark to your parents, is the night Mark figured out how to sneak in your room. “You just have to leave your window open for me, always.” And starting that night, he sneaks into your room almost every night and sleeps beside you peacefully.

Mark was crazy about you, to the point that you two never fight because he never wants to see you frown or disappointed to him. He was beyond perfect, even better than you imagined. He never took you for granted, he respects your decision, he knows you’re always right, and he never took advantage of your hot body even though you’re sleeping with just your panties on and thin shirt during that one night he sneaks to your room.

He looked carefully in your drawers for something you could wear that can make him not hard when he finally lay beside you. And when you feel him put your pajamas you scoffed and sat up, “Thank you, I was waiting for you actually. What took you so long?” you greet him with a kiss and you both lay down in your bed.

“I was high, I needed to sober up before I face you. Jeno made us hit some new shit, I didn’t expect it to be so strong”

You nod your head and raked his hair away from his face but he catches your fingers with his mouth and hand to kiss it. “I love you, you know that right?” he looked deeply into your eyes and embraced you closer to him.

One afternoon after a stressful day in school, Mark’s house is empty and you two didn’t plan on having sex that day but it finally happened. You were both not virgins anymore but the sex was special, it was not rushed and full of tension but rather it was slow and intimate. He was smiling so sweetly the whole time, not like those times when his eyes were full of lust and he just wants to eat you alive.

He is sitting on his bed, one arm supports his weight as his other arm hugs your figure while your hips roll with his hard cock inside of you. He was thick as expected but nice and raw around your walls, you arched your back moaning over and over again because both his lips on your boobs and his cock inside you is making your feel good.

The sex made you love each other deeply and it made you both even crazier with each other. After having sex for the first time, you wait for him every night in your room after you do your homework and have sex as quiet as possible because your parents are in the other room.

Sometimes, you two have shower sex in the morning before you go to school and go have breakfast with your parents and pretend that you didn’t just have sex with Mark a couple of minutes ago. But even though sex is now part of your relationship, nothing changed. Mark still respects you. If you’re not in the mood to have sex, it’s no big deal for him.  

Seasons and holidays came by, you and Mark celebrate it with your families welcoming each other to your homes. Halloween is your both your favorite holiday and you two are planning to enjoy it to the fullest. As for this year’s Halloween, you went for an innocent angel and you wonder what your boyfriend Mark’s costume is. The night is still young and the parties across town are just starting. When you arrived at the party you saw your friends dancing and hurriedly grabbed you to come dance with them.

“Hey y/n, you’re far from being an innocent angel. But you fucking look good!” Yeji screams under the loud music while dancing with you. You didn’t know the angel costume would really look good on you, you just thought it’s the easiest costume so you went for it. “Have you seen Mark?” you asked Yeji as loud as you can, she shook her head. But little did you know he’s watching you now from afar, sipping his cold bear admiring you move around Jaehyun’s living room with those angel wings that suits you perfectly.

Already sweating and thirsty, you get yourself a drink when you felt Mark’s hands around your waist. You knew it was him, no one would dare hold and touch you like that. Only Mark can. “You always look beautiful but tonight you look heaven-sent” who wouldn’t blush if your boyfriend compliments you like that. You turn around and see your boyfriend wearing a full-body Spiderman costume, looking fine as hell.

You crashed your lips on Marks, smudging your lipstick a little bit and transferring some color on his lips. “Now, I look nothing like an innocent angel. I look like Spiderman just kissed me” he laughed at what you said and kissed you properly this time.

“Let’s go home and have sex with me all night” Mark’s arms caged your whole frame, you can smell his perfume. This time it's you who laughed at what he said, “It’s Halloween, we can have sex any day” you said as you gulped your beer in one down.

“But that’s the point, it’s the only night I can fuck you with those angel wings” he points at your wings and caressed the soft feathers.

“Good point” you gave him a peck on the lips again, “Two hours tops, I’ll spend some time with the girls. I love you! Don’t get drunk” and you pull away from his embrace, letting go of his hand once Yeji grab a hold on you again. He hates seeing you let go of his hand and watch your wonderful presence drift away with the crowd. Mark spends his time with the guys drinking and getting Johnny drunk while you’re busy dancing while downing every alcohol Yeji gave you. Halloween is indeed the best time of the year.

While walking to his house, Mark was telling you how the boys made fun of Johnny during drinking games and he just passes out on the sink. Laughing while walking on the quiet streets, kicking scattered Halloween decorations. By the time Mark closed the door, his hands are gently cupping your face and kissing you softly showing how much he loves you. “Were alone” he whispers after kissing you. His parents are out for a Halloween party downtown and will be back probably in the morning, his brother is out staying over with friends which means, “We can have rough sex, vanilla sex, anything you want. Halloween is our new Valentines” he kissed you again and slowly walking you towards his room.

Lips never leave each other, he removes his hot Spiderman costume leaving him with only his black boxers briefs. Pushing him to his messy bed before his hand goes to your dress, “Wow. I wouldn’t get the honor of removing that beautiful dress?” Mark pretends to be disappointed. “No. But you get to watch me undress” you slowly unzip in front of him, removing your clothes one by one. Mark’s heart beats fast seeing you like this.

Naked and only wearing your angel wings that he so loves you crawl from the edge of the bed kissing Mark’s thighs and removing his underwear throwing it on the floor. ”So this means I’m going to be on top? For sure you don't want to crush my wings” your legs are already on each side of his body before he could even nod. Grinding on his hard cock making your pussy wet even more, Mark moans deliciously and you smile at him.

He grabbed his cock and lined it to your cunt as you slowly put it inside, making sure its fully in. He groans a little too loud before he slaps your ass and grips it, “Oh - where did you learn that?” He puts his thumb in your mouth and you gladly suck it, “You make me horny, that's all” he removed his thumb in your mouth and puts it on your clit, making you grind a little bit faster on his cock.

“Those angel wings on you make me crazy” he pulls you closer to his chest, arms wrapped around your torso. He licks your nipples softly giving you tingles that go directly to your pussy. Mark’s hands are on your boobs as you start bouncing up and down on his cock. “You don’t look innocent now but you still looked like an angel, fuck me - ” he slaps your ass again and pinched your nipples. “Oh Mark, please take over” you begged as your legs get tired after bouncing on his cock for some time. “Gladly” He pulls you close again, kissing your lips and thrusting upwards taking full control.

He brought you on edge slowly pushing you to cum, “Mark I'm gonna cum” his thrusts became faster when he heard you so you could enjoy your high. Eyes roll back, mouth parted and your body shivers on top of Mark’s. Your orgasm was different in a good way tonight.

“Was that good?” Still catching your breath, you nod to answer his question. He helps you calm down and waits for your body to stop shivering. Arms around yours, playing with your hair, he reached for your lips to kiss you oh so sweetly and make you feel so loved.

“Will you let Spiderman fuck you now?” You were surprised as he got out of bed and grabbed his mask. Putting it on, leaving his nose and mouth uncovered.

You forced yourself to get up and make the iconic Spiderman kiss, “Yes please” he giggles at what you did. Giving him one last peck before you’re on your stomach, legs spread wide and ass in the air. Mark’s favorite sex position. “Oh angel, I don’t need to tell you what to do, huh. Good girl”

Mark is using the tip of his cock to tease your entrance before going in slowly. Rocking his hips back and forth as he lets you moan beneath him. “Feels good angel?” you try to answer him but nothing comes out. Fucking you sharply with heavy breaths, you arch your back so hard to try and ease the tingling sensation on your pussy but it only made Mark fuck you even harder. “Just like that baby. Fuck I love this view” that's why it's his favorite position.

he puts his thumb on your cunt making you cum again for the second time. Moaning loudly as Mark grabbed your ass and fucked you faster. The sound of skin slapping around the room is making you both horny. You begged Mark to stop but he knew you didn’t mean it because you said, ‘faster’ afterward and moaned.

When he came inside you, he gave you three sharp thrusts before going slow again and finally stopping. Cum drips from your cunt, his cock still inside of you as he leaned forward to kiss your lips asking if you’re alright, you smile beautifully.

“I love you” he kissed you on the lips again removing strands of hair covering your face.

“I love you too” you kissed him back, removing his mask and throwing it away.

School has been really stressful and your college essays have no progress and you needed a break from the parties, hangouts, and distractions. Believe it or not, Mark is naturally smart that he can even take an exam even if he’s drunk and he would still ace it. You thought that fact was a joke but you saw it with your own eyes when you knew Mark didn’t study even a bit but he still got an A+ while you had a B-. He got into his dream college effortlessly while you still have to work on yours.

But now that you’re scheduled for college interviews already, you have to leave home for two weeks. That means no Mark, no school, no friends, just you and your future or possible college. You knew Mark won’t take it lightly but you have to tell him sooner or later. Him being ‘crazy about you’ is getting out of hand, even though it’s understandable because he’s your boyfriend and that he’s supposed to be crazy about you, but not in a very possessive way.

During that time off with Mark, everyone in school thought you two had broken up already it made Mark crazy. He made you wear the friendship bracelet he and the dreamies got for each other, “Wear it. So people will know it’s still you and me” there's that possessiveness again.

“I have to tell you something babe” you start nervously, hoping he that he will not get mad. “I have three college interviews, I’m going away for like a month or so-“

“Cool, when?” he smiled calmly to you so maybe it’s really fine.

“Next week. I’m going to be back, two weeks before prom”

“Okay. Just tell me other details so I could at least send you off, kiss you goodbye, you know”

But Mark was at his worst when you were away and working hard for your future. Parties, drugs, girls. He forgot to pick you at the airport when he promised he will.

After you put your stuff at home, you went straight to Jaemin’s house and barged in the party. Looking for the dreamies to tell you where Mark is. “Jaemin tell me where Mark is!” Jaemin was telling you to calm down and Jeno was holding you down stopping you from getting upstairs and see something unpleasant. You were in tears already, sobbing and thinking different kinds of shit that Mark is doing upstairs. Is he taking drugs? Having sex? You just want to see him.

When you finally realized that you’re wasting time and you’re ruining the party, you went home and cried yourself to sleep. Worried about Mark but at the same time angry and furious that you closed your window for the first time and shut Mark out.

You don’t know but, Mark came to see you later that night but when he saw your window closed he was broken hearted and felt that the end of your relationship is near.

The next day, Yeji told you the truth that Mark was having sex for a dare with some random girl from a different school and that she witnessed the truth or dare game during the party last night. “He was acting like those 127 fuckboys, Y/n! The other dreamies were stopping him but it seems like they failed” Yeji explained through the phone.

Days have passed and you avoid Mark with all your power, make yourself busy with prom and prepare yourself to go alone. You’ve been gone for only two weeks but it felt like it was two years, he seems different in any way he can be.

In the middle of a party, Jeno asked you to prom but you declined his offer, “I’m going with Mark even though he’s not on his right mind” it made Jeno think how Mark is so lucky to have you but he fucked up big time. While you were talking to Jeno, Mark suddenly came out of nowhere and punched Jeno on the face.

“You dare asked my girlfriend to prom while I was away! Were best friends Jeno!”

“Mark, I declined. Calm down- fuck,” you turned to Jeno and checked his bleeding lip and Mark felt his heart broke into million pieces. It feels like you don’t care about him. You grabbed Mark away from everyone and made his way to his car, you checked his eyes and you were right. He’s high again.

“Baby-“

“Don’t!- Get in the car” you yelled at him and drove to the nearest pharmacy to buy him some water, snacks and checked in to a cheap motel because their Christian household will strangle Mark if he comes home high. From there you took care of Mark even though you’re mad at him and you don’t understand why he ruined your perfect relationship.

You slept on the small couch because you didn’t want to share a bed with Mark. It just feels so wrong. But he squeezed himself and hug you tightly, crying while he feels so broken because of his own doing, whispering his apologies, kissing your forehead, and making it wet because of his tears.

“I’m sorry Y/n”

Soon you can’t stop your own tears from falling and you feel Mark dry your tears away without forcing you to open your eyes and look at him. “We were perfect, Mark. Why would you do that?”  

“I’m not matured enough to handle you being away from me so I fucked a girl so I won’t think about you being away, I took drugs to make the pain go away but it never did, I missed you. So much. And every day will be like this when we graduate”

Even though he’s high, he knew how to admit his faults. Still the Mark that you loved. There's no way that you can say that it’s your fault just to make him feel better because it’s completely his. But you just want this to be over and fix what was left from the perfection of the relationship you once had.

“From now on, you call or come to me whenever you miss me, you don’t fuck other girls babe. And you tell me if you’re in pain, you don’t abuse drugs. Don’t ruin your life” you kissed him to make him feel better. “Let’s use the bed, your back will get hurt,” you said in between kisses, you feel him nod.

The next couple of days were not easy for both of you, but you both try and bring the light back in your relationship. Starting by fixing Mark and Jeno’s friendship again, good thing Jeno is a forgiving friend and the dreamies are whole and seven again in no time.

Mark asked you to prom in the most simple but memorable way. During one of your McDonald’s breakfast escapade, he wrote the word ‘PROM?’ using dry fries that made you laugh so hard. You ate the ‘?’ to answer his question and showered him with kisses. Just like your first date, you two waited for the sun to rise at the back of his car enjoying the quietness of the morning and birds chirping while looking at each other’s tired and sleepy eyes.

You opened your window again for Mark and he sneaks into your room again but not to have sex with you. He just makes sure that you’re still home, and take your advice that whenever he misses you he comes to you. You’ve been waking up for days with Mark beside you wearing his pajamas, arms around your waist, his body is so close to you.

Little did you know that Mark is counting on the days that he can still be with you. Planning to breakup up with you and getting himself prepared for the hurt. Mark had this crazy realization that he doesn’t deserve your love anymore, it was his breaking point and he knew that he needs to let you go. He realized you can’t be with someone like him.

It was before prom that you realized everything is going back to normal. It took two weeks to ruin your relationship, but it took you only a week to build it up again because Mark is worth it. You decided to go to the nearest college to be close to Mark just how he wanted. It was a crazy decision but you know all too well that what you and Mark have is something special that you just can’t give it up.

“Gosh I’m so excited to see you, it’s like we're getting married or something,” he said through the phone, during your FaceTime call hours before prom.

“Me too. Hey, I need to finish getting ready, see you in a bit?” he nods, ended the call, and let you finish getting ready. You can’t wait to tell him the news about you going to the nearest college as his, surely he will be happy.

As you finish getting ready, Mark is just right on time waiting for you downstairs with your corsage. His tie perfectly matches with your dress, and he looked handsome as always. His hair is brushed away nicely from his forehead exposing it, he wears his sexy round glasses so he can see you clearly when you go down the stairs.

Before he drives away, he handed you a box and told you to open it.

“There, so you can show me off forever” he added. It was a thin sliced diamond white gold necklace that looks perfect around your neck when he put it on you and you weren’t aware that the diamond necklace was a parting gift. “I feel bad about the bracelet that I made you wear just for the sake of my possessiveness”

“But I love this bracelet” you lift your wrist but he’s quick to catch it and remove it from you.

“Yes. And it may be Gucci but, it doesn’t go with your dress” you watch him remove it from you and watch him struggle to put it on. It made you remember that night when he helped you hook your bra.

“You know how to hook my bra perfectly but look at you struggling with your bracelet. I got you” this time he watch you put on his bracelet for him and he felt his heart broke into pieces because he will miss you.

Prom was perfect.

Mark was perfect.

Now that you’re back together, you two became the life of the party again leading laughter and fun together with your friends and the dreamies. Dancing with Mark under the slow song while he whispers how beautiful you look tonight and every day, smelling your perfume while you two dance close. You took the opportunity too to tell him how handsome he is and how girls are getting jealous and envy now that you’re back together.

“Never leave me again okay?” you whisper behind him and held his hand tightly behind your waist but instead of answering you, he kissed you on the forehead.

The moment was suffocating Mark and he needed to do it tonight to stop prolonging the pain that he’s been feeling. “Want to leave and buy chocolate coated strawberries and watermelons?” he asked while still swaying your body, you can only nod in happiness.

Bringing the strawberries and watermelon in Mark’s room, he kissed you oh so deeply that you two ended up naked in his bed. Mark didn’t want to be sad while having sex with you for the last time but he can’t help but feel guilty and feel the pang on his chest while you’re underneath him smiling and moaning his name deliciously and see the necklace that he gave you stick to your skin.

Your legs are perfectly spread while your arms are around his perfect body, lips kissing while he thrust his cock in and out of you. When he rolls his hip a little differently, your hold to his frame became tighter as you roll your head back on his fluffy pillows. “I love you. I love you. I love you” he said in between thrusts.

After having great sex, you two ate the fruits on top of his bed while talking about random stuff that makes you both laugh. You cover your naked body with his blue sheets while you sit comfortably in between his legs against his chest and eat your chocolate coated strawberries.

“I have a surprise by the way” you turned your body to face him, straddling his naked form excitedly hoping to have sex for another round after you tell him the news.

“Actually… Let me tell you something first” he blurted out his mood was obviously down. “What did you feel about what happened to us? Did you want to kill me? Yell at me?”

“To be honest? I was hurt of course but it’s better to hurt than break up. I can’t leave you not when you’re fucking other girls when I'm not around and taking drugs whenever you want. I can’t let that happen to you which brings me to my surprise!” he was just about to talk again but you can’t wait anymore, “I decided to go to the nearest college where you’re going. From there we can meet halfway or I don’t know? Have the same dorm-“

“I don’t want you to do that” he came closer to you, hiding his sad eyes from you and kissed your neck instead and listen to his deep voice, “I can't drag you into this behavior of mine, I think I should fix myself and not drag you anymore”  

Just when you think that everything is going back to perfection again, you feel it crumble fast again. “Were not breaking up right?” he was silent and avoiding your eyes, “You’re not fair” tears are quick to fall from your eyes, your chest feels like it was going to explode, and you want to get away from his touch, but you’re scared to lose him. But you’re too late for that, he was long gone.

“No one prepared me for the feelings that I have for you. I'm obsessed and possessive and you know its not right. It's not about going away for college anymore I don't know how to be away from you”

“That’s why I fixed it Mark-“

“And it shouldn’t be like that babe. If I let you do that for me just because I want you by my side 24/7, is that really love? You don’t deserve that”

“Then do your best to be the one whom I deserve!”

“I don’t know how”

And hearing those words made you remember every good memory you had with him from the moment your arms touched at the party at Johnny’s, until the first time you two had sex in this same room. “How can you hurt me again Mark? Why do you keep on ruining our relationship whenever it’s perfect or starting to be perfect again?”

He watches you wear your clothes and you were sure he was talking but you seem to not care anymore and chose not to listen. You feel his hands on your waist and that made you hear his voice again. “At least let me drive you home”

“No. Don’t touch me”

It wasn’t the breakup that Mark expected. He didn’t know that you wanted to fight but even so, his decision is final. He didn’t mean to ruin a perfect night, he just can’t stand being with you anymore and pretend that it’s not hurting him.  

Graduation came and you made sure to look your worst because there's no way you’re going to pretend and fool yourself that you’re okay. Not to make Mark guilty for what he’s done, but to let yourself feel the pain and maybe just maybe, you will pity yourself for wasting your time being miserable.

It’s a good thing that it’s not yet too late to go back on to your dream college and flew away a month after graduation. Away from everyone, away from Mark. Without no goodbyes or last words, you didn’t turn your back at the airport and imagine that Mark is behind you sending you off with your parents.

You were mad.

But you don’t know why you still wear the necklace every day and go to the nearest McDonald’s and eat breakfast there. You still open your window in your dorm room even though Mark is nowhere near you.

MAIN MASTERLIST

reposted bc fucking tags

[imnotusedtobeingloved]

KISS HIM OR KILL HIM

(PLEASE DON’T REPOST/REBLOG)

Warnings: heartbreak, betrayal.

Pairing: Zuko x f!Reader

Characters: Zuko, Katara, Aang, Toph, Sokka.

Requested: I guess?

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, nor the gif. Credit to the owners.

Summary: Part five of “destiny is a funny thing”.

previous part

A/N: Welcome to the next part!

Have fun reading!

The sound of the waves rang in your ears as you sat in Appa’s saddle, resting quietly. You’d guided him through the night so the boys could rest, until Aang took the reigns this morning. Since your departure you’d done nothing but fly and a glimpse to your left told you that Zuko was getting incredibly bored. “We’ve been riding for hours. I don’t know why, but I thought this thing would be a lot faster,” Appa growled from below, sending vibrations through your body. “Appa’s right, Zuko,” Aang said, turning his head towards him. “In our group, typically we start our missions with a more up-beat attitude,”

“I can’t believe this,” The prince whispered beside you, lying down shortly after. “Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it,” you heard the Avatar say, before you closed your eyes, trying to get a little bit of sleep before you’d arrive.

You woke up, just as the island came into view. You’d barely noticed Zuko snuggling his head against your tigh while you slept. Careful you pulled away, before he opened his eyes. You didn't feel anger anymore, every time you looked at him. But you also weren't ready for this type of closure yet. “Wake up!” You said, when you’d made it to the other side of the saddle, watching him blink sleepily. “We’re here!” You got down from the saddle, landing directly between the broken pieces of the old temples.

When everyone finally dismounted, you turned towards the buildings. “Whoa!” The three of you stood next to each other, staring in awe, before you slowly started walking. “Even though these buildings are ancient, there’s something eerily familiar about them,” You nodded. “I can tell the Fire Sages’ temples are somehow descended from these,” The air was warm. It was a serene and calm atmosphere. Almost too calm for your liking.

“Okay. We’ve learned something about architecture,” Aang said looking around curiously. “Hopefully, we’ll learn something about firebending too. The past can be a great teacher,”

snap!

Suddenly Aang triped, yelping, as the path in front of him went down, leaving spikes in it’s wake. You gasped and reached a hand out, trying to catch him, but your fingertips barely grazed his clothes. Your heart stopped for a second when he nearly fell onto the sharp edges, but he managed to blow a blast of air from his mouth, somersaulting to the other side. “Guys, I think the past is trying to kill me,” Zuko knelt down, taking a look at the trap. “I can’t believe it,” He muttered, picking up the tripwire to inspect it. “This booby trap must be centuries old and it still works,”

“There’s probably a lot more. Maybe this means we shouldn’t be here,” The Avatar mulled, gripping his glider tightly. Next to you Zuko took two steps back, running along the wall adjoining the path, before jumping down on the other side. You raise a brow, running straight for the other side. With a gust of wind from Aang, you managed to jump right to them, without getting hurt. “Where’s that up-beat attitude you were talkin’ about?” Zuko said, dusting off his shirt. He smiles as Aang turns back. “Besides, people don’t make traps unless they’ve got something worth protecting,” You huffed, walking along as you could feel his gaze on your back. “Sounds like you’ve got experience with that,”

As you walked on, the buildings around you started to look less and less like ruins. The father in, the more intact they were. Cravings decorated the wall and scluptures framed the doors. One caught your eye in particular. It was a carving of a person surrounded by two dragon, breathing fire. “Look, this seems promising,” Aang said, pointing towards their rigid bodies. “Though I’m not sure what this tells us about the original source of firebending,”

“They look pretty angry to me,” Zuko threw in. “I thought the dragons were friends with the Sun Warriors,” He turned towards the Avatar, before answering. “Well, they had a funny way of showing it,” The prince lowered his gaze for a moment, before he turned around and went.

“Zuko,” You said, making him stop in his tracks. “Something happened to the dragons in the last hundred years. Something you’re not telling us,” The fire bender closed his eyes for a moment, hesitating to answer, before opening them again. “My great-grandfather Sozin happened,” He started to explain how the dragon hunting started, as you crossed a bridge. How they became nothing but trophies. And how they became extinct. “The last great dragon was conquered long before I was born,” He said, palm touching one of the dragon statues. “By my uncle,” Aang tilted his head. “But I thought your uncle was ... I don’t know, good? “

“He had a complicated past,” Zuko spoke. “Family tradition, I guess. Let’s just move on,” He quickly marched on, which left you and Aang to catch up to him. Soon you arrived at a vertical column, a sunstone burried in it’s center, above a wall with two gates. The prince stopped in his tracks, as the Avatar rushed forward, pushing and pulling at the doors. “It’s locked up!” Zuko rubbed his head, looking around. “Wait,” He took a step backward, looking at the place he stood in a second before, where the light from the sunstone beamed on a circular craving.

”It’s a celestial calendar. Just like the Fire Sages have in their temples,” He looked back up at the gates. “I bet that sunstone opens the door, but only when sunlight hits at just the right angle,”

You confirmed it with a nod and agreed. “Yeah, On the solstice,” An experated sigh passed Aang’s lips. “Monkeyfeathers! The solstice again? We can’t wait here that long,” Zuko unsheathed one of his swords. “No, we can’t,” You raised a brow, crossing your arms. “What do you have in mind?”

“We might be able to speed time up,” He placed his sword on the ground in a particular angle, causing it to reflect the light. “Let’s see if we can outsmart the sunstone,” The reflection, being guided by Zuko, moved over the other sunstone on top of the gates.

“Nothing’s happening,” Aang said, watching quietly. “Come on ..,” The prince muttered, not giving up. Out of nowhere the ground started shaking, as the gates opened, only stopping when the inside was fully revealed.

The Avatar picked up his staff, walking up to the gates along with you. “You know, Zuko, I don’t care what everyone else says about you,” Aang nudged him with his elbow. “You’re pretty smart,” Zuko smiled at his compliment, until you snorted, and it fell realizing what he’d actually said.

Meanwhile the boy had already walked inside, looking around the dark room. He gasped at the big, angry looking statues. “Relax. They’re just statues,” Zuko said.

They were lined up in a circle, displaying different postures. ”It says this is something called the Dancing Dragon,” You read, and saw Aang imitate one of the poses out of the corner of your eye. A subtile ‘click’ sounded upon the corrent positioning of his foot, pressing a buttom. “Zuko, (Y/N), get over here! I want you to dance with me” The former pulled his hand back. “What?”

“Just do it,” The Avatar pulled the both of you with him, getting you into the right positions. Zuko groaned unwillingly. ”Let’s follow the steps of the statues,” You took the stance of the statue before you, moving along with the boys and similarily pushing the buttons on the ground. “Don’t you see? These aren’t dance moves. These statues are giving us a lesson,” You could hear Aang say from behind you, to which Zuko answered less enthousiastically. ”This better teach us some really good firebending,”

Upon performing the last move, something changed about the atmosphere. A part of the ground detracted, making a vertical column emerge, holding a yellow, egg-shaped sunstone. The air bender raised his hands in triumph. “Hurray!”

”Wait,” You interrupted his outburst. “What exactly is that?”

Zuko ran up to it, before you’d finished your scentense. “It’s some kind of mystical gemstone,” Aang raised his arms, as if reaching out to him. “Well, don’t touch it!” The prince, stopped to let the boy catch up with him. “Why not?”

“Did you already forget what happened out there with those spikes?” You reminded, as Aang turned to look around, warily, and added: “I’m just very suspicious of giant glowing gems sitting on pedestals,”

The fire bender ignored him, picking up the egg as Aang’s eyes twitched. “It feels almost alive,” He described, before attempting to put it back, but it was to late. The three of you screamed out in horror, as a geyser of viscous slime erupted from the pedestal and pushed Zuko toward the grates in the ceiling, sticking him there. “Zuko!” You screamed, looking up to him.

“Oh no, it’s another trap!” Aang shot a worried glance at the struggling prince, as more slime shot from the column, forcing you both to retreat.

“Ugh, I can’t pull free. It’s like some kind of glue,” Zuko’s voice sounded from above, unable to break free. “Ugh! You’re unbelievable!” You yelled as more substance burst out. Spirits... sometimes you really didn’t know wheter you wanted to kiss him or kill him. “(Y/N), watch out!” Aang grabbed you around the waist, jumped across the slime and took his staff on the other side of the room. You clung to his robe, gasping, as he climbed on a statues head, sending a gust of wind towards Zuko, trying to get him free. But it only managed to push him from his back to his front. “Aang!” His ears perk up at the panic in your voice, upon seeing the slime still rising drastically. Soon enough his staff got caught in the substance,with all attempts to pull it out failing. “Hold on to me!” He says, jumping up to the grates, as slime engulfs the room. You landed next to each other, both groaning as you struggled to get your hands free. “I can’t move! Zuko, do something” Aang grunts, squishing you between him and the prince. “Me? I can’t move either!” You hiss at his words. “You’re the one who got us into this mess in the first place!”

A groan left your mouth, as the slime presses the air out of your lung and then... ceased. “It stopped,” You tried to turn your head to look at him, but the slime wouldn’t let you, clinging to every part of your body. “Great observation, Aang,”

“At least we have air. Maybe if we stay calm, we can figure a way out of this,” The fire bender said, staring up into the sky.

But you didn’t. The three of you stayed glued to the grates, until the sun sunk and the darkness came. You closed your eyes and sighed. “You just had to pick up the glowing egg, didn’t you?”

”At least I made something happen, (Y/N)! If it were up to you, we’d never have made it past the courtyard,” You growled, opening your mouth to reprimand him, but Aang interrupted the air first. “Heeeelp” He yelled, mouth wide open.

“Who are you yelling to?” Zuko and you both screamed back at the same time, growing more agitated by the second. “Nobody’s lived here for centuries,” The prince added. “Well, what do you think we should do?”

Anything to get us out of here, you thought. You’d spend hours staring at the sky, and despite it’s beauty, it was getting dull.

“Think about our place in the universe‌?” You heard a sigh on your left at Zuko’s answer, just as a foot, slipped into a bound sandal stepped into view.

“

Who is down there?

”

tags: @zvkonation​ @viva-la-millennia​ @randomness501​ @drheinzd​ @kaylove12​ @duh-dobrik​ @yeetscreetiwannaeat​ @ ashnkamfeun    @hailkyoshi​ @shortmexicangirl​ @animexholic​ @sorrythatspussynal​

[mintchocolatechipnut]

the boys in a haunted house

ft. shinsou hitoshi, todoroki shouto & kirishima eijirou

Note: This came to me in a vision... okay not really but SEVENTEEN’s GoSe episode on the ghost really inspired me to write this. Hope you enjoy!

Tags: fluff, real comedic geniuses here, vague understanding of haunted houses

Word count: 2.3k

SHINSOU HITOSHI

Now Shinsou isn’t really afraid of anything in particular, as in he’s not rattled by jump scares in movies

Instead, he has a penchant for psychological thrillers, because as much as he doesn’t use his quirk for villainous motives, he does like to fuck with people in general

So when you ask to go to a haunted house with him, he’s pretty indifferent, only letting out a non-committal hum as you tell him how this new set has been getting rave reviews from your friends

When you get there, Shinsou’s reminded of the time his class set up a haunted house for the cultural festival, and wonders if he could glean more ideas from this experience should they decide to hold it again this year lmao

As you enter, you’re relieved to know that Shinsou’s interested to at least a certain extent (but for the wrong reasons lol)

When the first jumpscare appears, Shinsou doesn’t so much as flinch, even as he feels your fingernails dig into his arm where you clutch him

He just stares, as if memorising the appearance of the zombie/mummy/ghost and wondering how he could replicate the look with the limited budget his class had for the festival

You didn’t hear this from me, but some of the haunted house actors were creeped out by Shinsou himself

I mean, his purple hair sticking up all ways like that of a mad scientist, coupled with his piercing unnerving stare, while the bags under his eyes carry even more bags and stand out against the pallor of his skin? Boy is setting himself up to look like a real zombie or vampire here

Anyway, if his s/o is more on the timid side, he doesn’t mind letting them hold onto him in any way as they walk through the set

Clutching his arm so tight he wonders if his skin will break under their hold, or the hem of his sleeve being tugged so hard it might tear, Shinsou just likes that you can depend on him and that he makes you feel safe

Though do not put it past him to mess with you even though you’re afraid

He won’t be pushing you toward the ghosts despite your shrieks and wails, or giving you a jumpscare of his own while in the house, but since he likes psychological thrillers so much, he’ll play a prank once the experience is over

‘Gee, Y/N, did you see that guy? He wouldn’t leave you alone at all’

‘... wait what do you mean’

‘You know, the one who followed you around with a knife in his hand? Don’t tell me you didn’t notice. Oh wait, you didn’t? Could’ve been my imagination then. Just it was so vivid...’

You’re scared shitless when you talk to the owner and there’s no such ghost, while Shinsou stands a ways behind you and winks conspiratorially at the owner

Cue you hanging onto his arm even on the way home, but Shinsou doesn’t mind one bit

Seems like he’s up for a night of suffocation where you’ll be holding onto him like your life depended on it

Maybe then he’ll tell you it was all a joke. Or that the man with the knife seemed to have followed you home...

Whatever he’ll do, he knows he’ll have fun as long as it’s with you (and as long as you don’t get too mad and kick him out of your room)

Now, if his s/o isn’t easily scared and is more of the playful sort, he’d like doing gag commentary with you as the ghosts show up one by one

Whether your laughter is a coping mechanism, or just the result of plain unadulterated fun, Shinsou’s having fun nonetheless

If you’re really playful, and Shinsou’s feeling it too, you two cook up a plan to scare the ghosts together

While it’s only semi-successful (in which you scare one or two of them and actually earn some human-like screams from them), the both of you can’t stop cackling on the way home

Overall, Shinsou has fun, and he isn’t afraid to tell you so

‘Maybe we should do it again next time, and make a record of how many we can scare individually’

You: ‘BET’

TODOROKI SHOUTO

Given his upbringing, it’s no secret that Todoroki has never had the chance to do things normal teenagers do

So naturally his first reaction to you suggesting a visit to a haunted house is pure curiosity

He knows they exist when class 1-C did it for the cultural festival but he didn’t get the chance to visit it the last time, so why not now?

As you tell him about it, Todoroki’s already whipping his phone out to do some research beforehand, but he relented when you tell him it’s better if it’s a surprise

He doesn’t show it on his face but he’s infinitely excited to be there, in a ‘I have no idea what to expect’ kind of way as he watches you buy tickets

Cue him thinking the whole thing is like the simulations in class and actually creates flames in his hands so you can see clearer in the dark

You have to tell him amidst your laughter that he’s not supposed to do that, and he’s bewildered alright, but he complies

Now Todoroki isn’t a big reactor by any means but since you know him so well, you can tell how the haunted house affects him

Like, he’ll pretty much react the same way he did during the test of courage during summer camp last time in that he’ll flinch silently, but you can see in the dim light how his eyes widen a minuscule fraction and how his shoulders tense up during jumpscares

It’s weird, because as a future hero nothing should faze him, but even when he’s expecting to be scared it does nothing to stop him from actually being scared

Halfway through his hand would automatically reach for yours,  and when more jumpscares occur he’ll tighten his grip on it

His grip varies; when he senses a jumpscare his fingers will curl around yours a little more but when he’s actually frightened expect a violent squeeze of your hand, but nothing too painful

If you’re the timid sort, Todoroki’s glad that you feel the same way in some sorts, and feels reassured that it’s the normal way to react to such things as haunted houses (poor baby doesn’t have a clue about social norms, so he’s always questioning whether he’s weird for being the way he is and not being typical in his reactions—the answer is, of course, that he’s loved either way)

If you’re the unfazed sort, Todoroki will admire you as you march through the haunted house hand in hand, his gaze on your small but strong back as you move towards the exit. How you don’t react to anything, and instead even exchange pleasantries with some of the ghosts makes him see you in a whole new light

And then when you’re finally out in the open, where you return to your usual caring self and ask if he’s okay, Todoroki thinks that he couldn’t fall in love with you more than he already has

Spoiler alert: he’s wrong

When you cheekily tell him you’ll protect the next time you visit a haunted house, he buries his face in your shoulders while he hugs you to him tight

‘Thank you.’ You can hear him whisper beside your ear, ‘but let’s not do that again for a while.’

If you’re an absolute horror junkie, you’ll try to convince Todoroki to visit with you again

If he’s still hesitant, you opt to getting him used to jumpscares by watching horror movies together

Sometimes Todoroki can’t help but question what you find so fun about them when you yourself squeal in half-horror and half-delight when you get scared by something on the screen

But if the way you cling to his side is any indication, he likes it anyway

Pretty soon he does get used to jumpscares, in that his heightened senses from all his hero training lead him to predict the right moments where jumpscares occur

Cue him telling you ‘There’s a jumpscare at this part’ and two seconds later a monstrous face appears on screen

At first you’re in awe at his sudden ability only after watching like three films, but pretty soon it gets old and you have to break it to him that it ruins the show for you

Your heart nearly melts when he murmurs in a low voice, ‘I thought I’d just warn you in advance so you wouldn’t be scared.’

In that moment you’re eternally grateful to have someone as awkward and kind as Todoroki as your boyfriend who constantly looks out for your well-being and does his best in making you happy

You kindly explain to him what makes horror movies so good and why jumpscares are supposed to be unpredictable, but not before leaning in to whisper a ‘thank you’ and plant a kiss to his cheek

KIRISHIMA EIJIROU

Now Kirishima’s usually game for anything you want to try, but just so you know, he wouldn’t exactly consider a haunted house as an ideal date spot

What’s so romantic about getting scared by a bunch of ghosts who are also paid actors in a small dark space? But hey, if it’s for fun and you want to, why not

But just because he’s the glue of class 1-A, he’ll ask if he can bring some of his friends along since ‘it’ll be more fun that way’

The thing with Kirishima is if he sees other people enjoying this kind of thing he’d like to invite them, and when he can’t picture something being just between the two of you he’s likely to call other people to join

You might be a little disappointed and exasperated about it, but knowing where he’s coming from you can’t really get mad at him

Though if you’re truly bothered about it, just say the word and he’ll change

Sweetie will do anything for you as long as it’s within reason and he knows where you’re coming from

But anyway, you’re not against the idea of having the rest of the Bakusquad join you, since they’re a fun-loving bunch and having them at a haunted house is bound to be ten times funnier

So there’s Bakugou in his usual black skull shirt and Sero and Kaminari, while Mina’s ready to snap away with her camera so she can get some funny reaction pics out of the boys

While lining up for tickets you’re surprised by Kirishima learning in from behind you and whispering into your ear: ‘Don’t worry babe, I’ll protect you from anything you find scary in there!’

Heat immediately rises to your cheeks when you think about the utter cheeseball he is, and when you turn around to face him Kirishima has his trademark toothy grin on his face as he looks at you

How could you even be disappointed about this not being a date when Kirishima is still being his caring, romantic self?

Mina, who’s behind the both of you in line, immediately scrunches up her face in mock disgust. ‘Ew, you two,’ she says in mock disgust and you know she’d heard Kirishima. ‘Get out of here and get a room.’ The three of you end up laughing it off anyway.

When you step into the haunted house, Kirishima naturally takes your hand in his, and an immediate sense of safety washes over you when you feel his hand encapsulating yours

Going through the haunted house with Kirishima is an absolute hitch, as he knows just how to react and still have fun with you

Kirishima isn’t the kind to be scared easily, but he always acts scared alongside you because he doesn’t want you to feel alone in your fear

Jokes on him because you can tell exactly when he’s scared or not, because laughing is his coping mechanism for these things

The louder he laughs, the more scared he is, and he laughs a fair bit while you’re walking through the haunted house

When he really gets frightened though, he accidentally activates his quirk so you feel his skin harden a little in your hand

Just as quickly he retracts his hand and forgets his fear in favour of worrying over whether he hurt you, the sweetheart that he is

But the highlight of the night is really when Bakugou nearly blasted Kaminari to smithereens when he appeared behind him wrapped in Sero’s tape like a mummy, but not without Mina’s acid melting through the tape so he looked like he’d just escaped from his ancient sarcophagus

The only reason Bakugou stopped himself from yelling ‘die!’ is when he hears a ‘whey~’ escape from the mummy’s mouth, which is when he drags the ‘mummy’ by the collar out through the exit while the rest of you rush after him in hysterical laughter

Whether it’s because Kaminari instantly sobered up when Bakugou threatens to blow him up, or that Kirishima notices that Bakugou’s palms and forehead are tinged with cold sweat, you all have a great time nonetheless

When you confront Kirishima about purposely faking his fear in front of you, an embarrassed blush immediately overtakes his face

‘I just thought it’d cheer you up, so you wouldn’t focus on your own fear too much,�� he says, and his face turns even redder when you laughingly point out his own tells

‘I guess I really can’t hide anything from you,’ he then smiles after looping his arm with yours on the way back, the Bakusquad squabbling a ways in front of you so they can’t hear his next words that make you swoon. ‘But I wouldn’t have it any other way.’

[faerielleart]

who is here for a really bad and random high school au that is completely self indulgent yo

in which levi loses a bet with erwin and mike and is forced to audition for their school’s production of les misérables, he tries to mess up the audition but somehow he still sucks less than everyone so he ends up getting the part of marius??? and he can’t quit because it will influence negatively on his grades??? idk imagine levi reading the script without knowing shit about the play and reading all the cheesy lines for the first time and him hating every single thing about this situation until the first day of rehearsal where he meets the person who will play cosette, his weird schoolmate hanji who shares some classes with him who is always spending time in the school laboratory to do experiments and shit and oh. Oh.

at first dude wants to Scream because he just can’t bear the thought of acting like a booby who is madly in love (quoting old les mis memes from years ago here) with this wEiRdO who somehow has a pretty fucking amazing voice and wow maybe this weirdo,,,,, isn’t a bad weirdo. how bizzarre

Maybe just maybe as the days go by they start spending time together because hey! Looks like they are polar opposites but at the same time they have SO! MANY! things in common!!! and they eventually use rehearsing as an excuse to spend even more time together! and they bond over the fact that they’re supposed to play characters who are SO distant and different from how they are irl and levi finds out that hanji tried to audition as a joke but got the part bc she can actually S I N G like an angel and has a really solid head voice and range despite being a mezzo and cosette needing a soprano bc her parents forced her to take lessons, while levi despite having a decent singing voice actually had to have the songs lowered a lil bc bby is a baritone in a tenor role and has never had lessons and can’t support all the notes but fear not! Hanji offers to teach him some tips and tricks and whoops now they’re spending even more time together

And maybe just maybe it becomes easier for levi to sing “in my life she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun, and my life seems to stop as if something is over and something has scarcely begun”, maybe it comes natural for levi to stutter his line in “a heart full of love, a heart full of song, i’m doing everything all wrong” because?? he is looking right at hanji’s really pretty brown eyes and he can’t concentrate?? and he hates feeling like this lmaooo like sweaty palms butterflies fast heartbeat,,,,, boi is in love and he doesn’t realize it he just thinks he’s constipated

anyway let’s spice shit up and add erwin to the mix! erwin knows hanji, they’re childhood friends and they actually met through their singing lessons, the dude who was going to play enjolras gets idk chicken pox and the director is frantically looking for a substitute, levi wants to get back at erwin for making him audition in the first place (it’s all in good faith tho it’s a joke and they’re best friends dw he just wants to have a lil revenge) and suggests erwin, not knowing that he and hanji know each other and that he actually has been trained in singing so yeah erwin gets called for a last-minute audition and dude SMASHES it the director’s crying tears of joy they found their authentic tall hot blonde enjolras who looks like he’d be a great commander and people would die for him (;DDDDD) and during rehearsal levi finds erwin and hanji chatting like old friends!! and dude’s like wtf do u know each other??? and hanji says hell yes we studied together since we were children :D and just because i am huge huge erumike trash lemme say that mike got a lil part bc they needed ensemble members and he got to play grantaire so yeah enjoy both e/R and erumike there we go erwin gets to act with his boyfriend!! and they both watch levi and hanji during rehearsal and see how they obviously pine for each other but are far too oblivious for their own good so they decide here and there that they must get those two together bc it’s exHAUSTING to watch them stare lovingly into each other’s eyes and hold hands and kiss and then brush it off saying “it’s just acting we literally have to play a couple”

anyway the day of the show is here ladies and gentlemen levi is nervous af but doesn’t show it, he has to act like a lovesick fool in front of the whole school, the students, the teachers, the parents, EVERYONE and oh my god i hate it here might become his gratuation quote but all he needs is hanji backstage who squeezes his hand and whispers “can’t wait for you to sweep me off my feet shorty” which is extremely cringy but hanji did it on purpose just to see levi get embarassed and he does lmao so yeah the show goes amazingly! levi went flat a few times on the higher parts but it’s totally normal bby’s not trained and he did great everyone praise the birthday boy he deserves it

it’s after the show that things get a lil sad for our boi bc now he doesn’t have to rehearse anymore and is afraid that hanji won’t spend time with him anymore bc the show’s over :(( but fear NOT hanji plans on glueing herself to his side for the rest of the schoolyear and until they graduate and even after that and years later they’ve graduated college they’ve been living together for a while and they go to see the actual show on bway done by professionals and hanji acts weird all evening and OH as they’re going home she stops in the middle of the streets and whips out two lil matching rings,,,,,,, and says the cringiest cheesiest fucking thing in the world that has levi groaning and facepalming,,,,,, hanji says “will u be the marius to my cosette” and yeah levi just sighs and puts the ring on his finger and they smooch under the moonlight aw isn’t that CUTE and they lived happily ever after victor hugo is smiling down at them from the afterlife and patting himself on the back for helping them get together

NOW THERE’S TOO MUCH FLUFF AND I NEED ANGST TO BALANCE IT OUT so imagine this is also a reincarnation au and whenever levi sings “empty chairs at empty tables” he gets a weird feeling in his stomach and he gets really emotional singing “oh my friends my friends forgive me that i live and you are gone, there’s a grief that can’t be spoken, there’s a pain goes on and on” and “oh my friends my friends don’t ask me what your sacrifice was for, empty chairs at empty tables where my friends will sing no more”?? He blames it on the character getting to him too much but then he sees the scene where the students sing drink with me and the lyrics “drink with me to days gone by, can it be you fear to die, will the world remember you when you fall, could it be your death means nothing at all, is your life just one more lie” sound really familiar and resonate with him somehow as if he heard similar words somewhere else already, he sees erwin playing enjolras and being a commander giving orders and singing “let others rise to take our place until the earth is free”, he sees the scene where all the students get shot at the barricade and die one by one and he feels his head pulse and he has the strongest feeling of deja-vu and suddenly everything goes black and he wakes up in the infirmary with a very worried hanji sitting on a chair beside him and he really can’t explain what happened except that he feels like he just woke up from a very long dream and he feels like he fought through a battle and hanji just waves it off as him taking the stanislavski technique a bit too seriously for a high school play but the feeling doesn’t really ever go away and sticks with him even years later whenever he hears les mis being mentioned

[elliewan]

i was wondering if you could tell us a little more about frost/melusi (if you’d like)— i never thought about that ship until i saw your post and i think it’s a good idea :)

Sure thing anon! <3 Thanks for asking :D

Here are some thoughts and tales I can think about :)

During her first weeks at Rainbow, Melusi was assigned with Frost and Kapkan to training the recruits in survival exercises and scenarios. She knew Kapkan from her first days at Rainbow and her evaluation, and finds him professional, calm and surprisingly open-minded. But then, there’s Frost – this sunny hyperactive Canadian who seems to be friends with everyone… except Kapkan, which Melusi doesn’t quite understand at first.

And the moment Melusi realizes she might have feelings for Frost is during a survival exercise in Alaska with them. They were training recruits, following them from afar, when she realized, at night, how beautiful Frost was when she was at rest (which is… not frequent! Haha). Her black eyes shining with the flames from the fire pit, a soft smile on her lips, lost in her thoughts :smack:

Yet, the moment she knows she has feelings for her is during an operation. They were securing a biohazard container in a clandestine White Masks lab; Melusi and Bandit were roaming outside when enemies breached the objective where Frost, Mira and Mute were holding the position. Mute was shot in the arm in the process, while Mira got blinded and stunned by a flashbang, thus leaving Frost on her own. Melusi heard everything through the comms, Frost shouting intel, the loud tumult from the shooting, and hoped she wouldn’t be too late.

But when she arrived on the position, she saw a breathless Frost. A successful breathless Frost. She had managed the situation on her own, clutched it, terrorists lying dead on the floor. And the moment Frost pulled her balaclava down to breathe better, her weapon still in a tight grip, Melusi fell definitely in love. Because Frost wasn’t just an operator – she was a one-woman army. And her gaze was the one of a special force agent, a ruthless and tactical warrior.

On the other side, Frost felt something for Melusi at first glance. The first time they met was when Harry and Ash introduced Melusi to Kapkan and Frost, for the training of the recruits. And though it didn’t start well - because putting Frost and Kapkan in the same room wasn’t a good idea to warm the atmosphere - Melusi quickly became the link between them. And Frost immediately admired Melusi’s mind, her posture, her vibes, her assertiveness and her experiences, so different from hers. And of course, her gorgeous face and her muscled torso <3

So, when Melusi started to hang around with her (Frost wasn’t aware of Melusi assessing her), Frost’s heart started to beat louder. Let’s not mention also how she got stereotypically clumsier or how she would stutter when around Melusi. But Frost’s love is not just one of an admirer, it’s much more instinctive, natural. There are just many things and details about Melusi that just attract her: her sharp mind, her precisely picked words and phrases, her dark humor (her mere way of chuckling or scoffing sends Frost to heaven), her culture, her anecdotes, her criticism sense, her routines and everyday manners… (Melusi’s pink pajamas <3)

But one thing she didn’t expect from Melusi was her misandry. Like everything with Melusi, it’s not blatant - it’s subtle and hidden, but it’s there. Melusi often tends to dismiss or ignore male operators when they talk, and often goes to Ash or Mira when she wants information, rather than Harry, Zero or Thatcher. She thinks men are too blunt and made too lazy from years of gender hegemony, to strike matters with a subtle mind. Frost’s fraternal friendship with Buck will allow Melusi to broaden a bit her horizons, and thanks to Rainbow’s diversity, Melusi will slowly change her mind.

One thing that unites them with a strong bond, is their love for wildlife and nature. It’s Melusi’s secret weakness: her absolute compassion for animals. She sobs at the mere mentioning of Australia’s 2019-2020 fires :( It’s something that Frost shares and loves about her, though. A perfect date for them consists of bivouacking under the open sky, in the wilderness, hiding to take pictures of animals. They like to compete in quizzes too, listening to birds’ sounds and trying to figure out their names, or watching wildlife pictures and guessing where those were taken.

They also fight when they have to decide where to spend their leaves. Melusi wants to discover Frost’s North America while Frost wants to know more of Melusi’s southern Africa, and though both of them are willing to share their birth continents, they strive for exploration and new horizons. So, most of the time they find compromises in Eurasia and Oceania.

As a couple at the base, they are rather discreet. Not many PDAs, and often too busy and focused on their tasks to just share a few words. But when around each other, you can feel that there’s something going between the two. Melusi’s smiles at the sight of Frost during a break, or Frost’s frequent mentions of Melusi in conversations. But in their dorm, they are two glue sticks: they just need to be in contact, skin to skin. And when they kiss, it’s often hot. Like hot. And every night, they learn more about each other and about their desires.

And to finish this post, just some pet names they share when not in public (though some may slip sometimes :3). Melusi calls Frost “love” or “kitten” while Frost calls Melusi “baby” and “Didi”.

[handmadecp]

‘Explorer’ Bag.

Hi Guys, I finally managed to find the time to build the ‘Explorer’ Bag. It may have been my hands that put this together but all Credit for the Original Idea and the Pattern goes to ‘Tony See’ at Dieselpunkro. He makes some amazing patterns and sells them at very affordable prices. Ok, lets go. First I bought the pattern from Dieselpunkro, downloaded it, stuck all the pieces together as required and then cut out and stuck to the 6-7oz leather I chose to use ready to transfer from paper to leather. You don’t want a thin leather for this that will just fall/collapse it’s shape, but you also don’t want it so thick that it’s difficult to bend cut and stitch. I also chose a Veg Tan and dyed it myself, more on that later, but you can buy a factory ready dyed piece if you so choose.

Pic 1 : Stick all the pattern pieces together as required to create the ‘full’ patterns, I use Decorators white / Cream paper tape, it doesn’t mark the leather to any great degree when you take it off.

Pic 2 : The patterns come in several pieces, this main boddy section pattern was in about three pieces but just stick them together as shown on the instructional video on YT.

Pic 3 : Here is the main body section after the pattern is removed, the holes are punched through the patterns before removal.

Pic 4 : Here you have one of the side psections with Pattern stuck to the leather with decorators tape and I used a 1.5mm hole punch for the stitch holes and a larger one ( what ever you feel necessary for your rivets to fit ) where necessary.

Pic 5 :  All the patterns are treated the same and eventually you will end up with a big pile of cut out and punched pieces as seen here, there were 64 pieces here, the most I’ve ever done.

Pic 6 : Here are the same pieces all dyed ready to start the build. I decided on a Nice walnut color by Fiebings, I achieved this particular look by rubbing harder in certain areas as it was drying and then it was down to a bit of luck. At this point I could not know what the final look would be, but from past experiences I had a ‘hopeful’ idea. Once dyed I coated in ‘Tan Kote’ and wiped it off before buffing to a shine, this also added darker areas here and there.

Pic 7 : I started by putting together a side pouch so seperated the pieces of the two. I used a waxed thread and a saddle stitch, which was the stitch I used on all of this bag.

Pic 8 : Somehow I forgot to take pics of the first stitching, which was adding the side to the front piece of a pouch, you can see it through the back piece I’m about to start stitching here. this pic shows me placing the front and side section ‘through’ the hole to stitch the inner edge of the side piece ‘inside, there will also be another piece of leather going over the hole at the back, that makes three layers of leather to stitch through, hence why your hole punching should be done carefully and slowly, if all in their correct place they will match up and make for a reatively ‘easy’ (ish) time of it.

Pic 9 : seen from the back, the stitching joing the three pieces, the front and side pieces now being attached to the side panel and attaching the ‘back’ panel to fully create the pouch, lots of stitching on this Project and you might find your fingers getting very sore, I have a little ‘thing’ I now do which cuts down the number of times I have to pull the thread tight thereby reducing the strain on my fingers considerably. I now stitch forwards four holes pulling them in..but loose after the fourth is in I then pull all four tight, I find It saves my fingers ...oh also, don’t pull so tight like you are trying to strangle it...with all those stitches....’it ‘will’ hold, believe me.

Pic 10 : The pouch is now attached to the actuall ‘side’ section, well...’one’ of them, remember you have to make two of them. You can see the ‘flap’ sitting on top waiting to be attached, if you zoom in you can see the holes in a line where it will attach to.

Pic 11 :  Holding in position to test fit.

Pic 12 : Here you can see the process, it always seems, no matter how deep I sink the 1.5mm punch for the stitch holes I still have to push an ‘awl’ through each one to open enough to pass the two needles more easily.

Pic 13 : Ready for the next step, attaching the pices that will hold the D’rings for shoulder strap attachement and attaching the fasten strap and Buckle. Here I’m rubbing hard to darken at the ends, just my touch, if you are making one..it’s your project you go with your own ideas.

Pic 14 : Both side panels with pouches now ready to stitch the small inner flaps that will prevent things from falling out of the main bag.

Pic 15 : I attached the small inner flaps to each side pouch section using a Saddle stitch.

Pic 16 : I next stitched ( Yup...I said there was a lot . )...the ..errrm, not sure what this bit is called so just for the purpose of moving forward i’ll call it the ‘skirt’ piece...So, I stitched the ‘skirt’ piece to the outside of both side pouch sections as shown here.

Pic 17 :  Ta daaa..looking great. Very impressed with how the color looks, I love the ‘aged’ look on leather.

Pic 18 : An extra pic to show it going all the way around and to prove it was my sore hands that did it..hahaha.

Pic 19 : Next I cut the zipper to the required length, glued it into place trying to keep the zip central and then punched stitch holes  all around it. I have found, that after marking the hole for the zipper that once cut it leaves very little of the edge of the zipper to attache to the leather...it’s very close to the edge, so I now try to cut the zipper hole less wide than what the pattern says, I find it easier to attach it and punch the holes with more material under and around it. But you will find your own way with it as I have done, if my tip helps you then that’s great.

Pic 20 :  As well as the contact cement I used to stick it in position I’m also using a saddle stitch and stitching around the zipper for extra strength.

Pic 21 : Done, the zipper works fine.

Pic 22 : Now I’m attaching two of the ‘four’ Handle strap holders with D-rings., you can see the positions for the other two on the left.

Pic 23 : After adding my ‘Sharman’ mark to the inner back piece I stitched it in place to finish the creation of the zipper pocket.

Pic 24 : Whilst stitching the back to the zipper pocket I had the other side flapping around everywhere so had to get creative and here’s how I resolved the problem, I tied string around the other flap and threw it over a beam in the work shop...worked a treat.

Pic 25 : All four bag handle connectors are now in position as seen here, stitched and rivetted. I’ve chosen to use the Antique rivets, buckles and D-rings for this project and it seems to suit it very well.

Pic 26 : Next I fitted the inner bottom strengthener piece.

Pic 27 : I used Elmers rubber solution glue to stick the bottom strengthener into position so that I could adjust it if I needed to whilst stitching, as it turned out the holes had lined up really well and the job went smoothly.

Pic 28 : All stitched in,ready to move forward. Incase I didn’t mention it already I also dyed the flesh side of the leather, the walnut gives it a nice look I think.

Pic 29 : I added rivets too, there’s no chance of this coming off, it’s glued, stitched and rivetted with x4 antique rivets.

Pic 30 : Now I had to put together the outside pouch which will be on the front below the main flap, I did it the same as the side pouches, attached the side to one edge then attached the buckle systems as shown here, after that I stitched the other edge ‘through’ the hole and stitched it underneath to the inside edge at the same time attaching the back section which will finish the creation of the pouch.

Pic 31 : Attaching the pouch to the front of the main body section. The following pics from 32 to 39 are extras to show the stitching a bit closer.

Pic 32 : the reason to stitch the edge on the inside is to give a much smoother look along the edge when completed.

Pic 33 : having to use a stitch awl to widen each hole slightly, I stabbed muself more than a few times, so many that I had to wash my hands and coat in antiseptic cream each night. All that ontop of arthritis and carpul tunnel issues, sometimes it can be a little hard to manipulate the needles, but...if at first you don’t succeed ehy.

Pic 34 : you can see the three layers here the outer, the gusset tucked under and the flesh side of the ‘backing’ piece.

Pic 35 : showing the spike (Awl) that keeps stabbing me.

Pic 36 : Needles come through fine now.

Pic 37 : Another view of the whole thing. It’s starting to make me believe I can actually do this if I just keep going.

Pic 38 : Pouch attached.

Pic 39 : View of the bottom section now strengthened. I decided later to add some metal ‘Bag feet’..not part of the plan..but Didn’t want to do all this work just to have the bottom get scratched up without at least trying to prevent it. I’ll show that at the end.

Pic 40 : I then realised, I wasn’t quite done with that as the inside backing piece had an ‘outer’ line of stitches as well, as seen here, but if you are someone that gets frustrated easily I would find another hobby, by this point I had been making this for two weeks because real life kept getting in the way and stopping me, very frustrating but hey..what can ya do except suck it up and keep moving forward.

Pic 41 : People wonder why they have the holes so big..well the good thing is they allow two needles to pass through smoothly, if you are doing hundreds of stitches you really don’t want them getting snagged all the time, but anyway not to worry because once done I either lay it on an anvil if it will fit or put a small anvil under it inside on my hand..and tap with a carpenters hammer gently flattening all the thread and closing the holes a bit more. I always tell people, there will always be a point where you will think something bad about the job you are doing...don’t give up, keep going forward and you will be surprised at just how good it  ‘ will’ look when ‘Everything’..all the polishing and treatments etc are completed. remember, until it’s fully completed it’s just a W.I.P. ..a work in progress so don’t judge it until it’s done.

Pic 42 : The front pouch fully attached.

Pic 43 : Here I have sat the side section in place whilst I begin to stitch it to the main body.

Pic 44 : Same thing ..another angle.

Pic 45 : attaching side panel..Other angle.

Pic 46 : First side panel attached fully to main body.

Pic 47 :  Other side section ready to fit. The colors are not really as different as the lighting makes them look check out pic 48 for what it really looks like.

Pic 48 : halfway there.

Pic 49 : Clips come in very handy at times like this, the section itself is wanting to fall all the time, ..problem solved.

Pic 50 : Using the Awl to widen the hole, not fun when it catches you...but all part of the game.

Pic 51 : Done, both side sections now firmly attached and the whole thing is starting to come together.

Pic 52 : Now it needs the main flap, but that needs some work first.

Pic 53 : Different angle.

Pic 54 : View of the back and the zipper pocket.

Pic 55 : First I had to attach the closure straps using rivets (Double Cap, you can use single cap but I prefer double.) I also stamped the ‘Shaman’ Mark on the Leather label then riveted that to a back piece and stitched that to the front edge of the main flap as seen here, now..we’re ready.

Pic 56 : Again I used a saddle stitch for extra strength, once at the other end ..just because I wanted to...I came all the way back again, no real reason to do that, it’s perfectly fine without the extra, but I ‘m keeping this bag and I wanted it, so I did.

Pic 57 : main flap...Attached.

Pic 58 : Main flap rear view.

Pic 59 : Angle shot shows how well all the colors have matched.

Pic 60 : Now I have to make x2 bag handles.

Pic 61 : Using the saddle stitch. All you need to do here is stitch all the holes together pulling the two sides together as shown and make two of these.

Pic 62 : Connect the bag handles to the D-rings as seen here. I used rivets to fasten them on.

Pic 63 : I attached the clip end sections using rivits and stitching to the main shoulder strap at either end, then the clips were attached, again using rivets.

Pic 64 : Attach the shoulder strap to the side rings.

Pic 66 : As I said earlier, I attached ‘Metal bag feet’ to try to avoid damage to the base from dragging, might not stop everything but should help and looks good I think.

Pic 66 : And we are done. This took me four weeks in the end, but we’ve had a lot  of ‘Life’ getting in the way. If I had nothing else to do but this I reckon I could do it in about a week to ten days. I wouldn’t recommend this particular project to a beginner mainly because of the expense, I wouldn’t practice on this one. But there are many more projects out there online and if it suits you to do so you could visit my Blog ‘A Journey into Leather Craft’ and check out my archive, you’ll see the things I’ve made from the very first knife sheath to this amazing bag. I can’t believe I made this, Just shows you never really know what you can do until you try.  I look forward to the next project, hope you will come back and check out the next one. To all those who have followed my projects for a long time thank you, hope you enjoy them and hope I have inspired some of you to give it a go yourself. If you are new, thanks for stopping by for a look, hope you liked what you found and hope you will also come back for the next one, maybe tell your friends about my blog, I’d appreciate that. Until then, as always, stay safe and to all the makers out there, Stay Crafty.

[of-wrens-and-whirlwinds-blog]

Nanny pt. 2

It is DONE and it’s over 3k words, good gods.

@debellatis @sociowithatardisachevyandawand @littleflowerwannabe @sani-86 @thatunwantedbard I dunno if you all wanted to be tagged but I did it anyway

CW: broken bones, one gun threat (not serious), assault via heavy handbag, hospitals, drugs (consensual), a little Horny, and uhhhh lemme know if there’s anything else, I dunno what tagging is. Also this was just for fun so I didn’t really try to keep it clean.

~

Jaskier almost sobbed when Geralt asked Jaskier to marry him; not because he loved Geralt, but because he wasn’t sure if Geralt meant it.

Of course Geralt would be grateful to Jaskier. But was he mistaking that gratefulness for love? It had happened before; people asking Jaskier to marry them just because they felt a duty to. Such engagements had never gone well.

The difference was, he wanted to say yes this time.

He swallowed hard, and said softly, “Can… can I think on it?”

Geralt nodded and tucked the box back in his pocket. “Yes,” he said. “I’m sorry I upset you.”

Jaskier shook his head. “I’m not upset, just--a little overwhelmed, right now.”

Ciri, who had just walked into the living room where they were sitting on the sofa, saw Jaskier’s face and ran to him, scrambling into his lap and hugging him. “It’s okay, Jaskier,” she said soothingly. “You can cry.”

Jaskier had to smile, and hugged her back. “Thanks, dearheart.”

Dinner was not as tense or awkward as Jaskier expected. Geralt cooked, Jaskier set the table, and Ciri tried to help them both. Jaskier shook his head at Ciri’s pleading to help with the pan-searing. He’d already had to scold Geralt for letting her stir boiling liquid with her tiny, clumsy little hands. The man simply did not understand children.

Or… maybe he did. Maybe he was just trying to let her feel included in cooking. Would they like baking? That might be fun. He could just imagine them both covered in flour and food coloring, Geralt dismayed and Ciri laughing…

No. He dragged his mind away from such thoughts. There was no point thinking such domestic things when Geralt had asked him to marry and he’d stalled. Yes, it was nice to imagine living with them as a husband and father, but he wasn’t ready.

They all ate, and talked and laughed, and Jaskier read a book to Ciri afterwards and Geralt picked her up gently when she dozed off to take her upstairs and put her to bed. Jaskier bit his lip and wondered if he should keep thinking tonight… no, there was no point. He’d just scare himself more. Better to go to bed, and think in the morning.

As he stepped into his room, he had a horrible thought. How could he continue working as a nanny if he was married and had a stepchild of his own? How would he support himself and his family? Maybe he could go back to teaching? Would Ciri mind a daycare?

Actually, it would be very good for her to go to a place with other people. She should have contact with other children.

Jaskier shook his head hard and got ready for bed. He should not think of these things when he needed to sleep. He could think about them in the morning.

But he couldn’t turn his brain off. He thought about jobs and childcare and Geralt in recovery and laws about guardianship and whether Geralt’s family would accept him or not--oh so many things racing through his brain. He couldn’t sleep until one in the morning.

~

When he woke, it was to Ciri’s laughter from downstairs. There were a lot of books and blogs that talked about how a child’s laugh was the most wonderful sound; Jaskier wondered if those people had ever been woken up by a pounding headache due to a bad night and a child laughing raucously. Jaskier got out of bed sluggishly, decided not to put on day-clothes, and walked out of his room in his baggy flannel pajama pants and MCR t-shirt. The shirt was a little small, but he really didn’t care.

Jaskier was not thinking at all when he stumbled into the kitchen, went straight to Geralt at the counter, and thumped his forehead down on Geralt’s shoulder.

“Um,” Geralt said.

“Uuugh,” Jaskier groaned in reply.

“Jaskier needs maple syrup too!” Ciri yelled, and Jaskier winced. So much noise. He wanted to lay down again, but it was his job to be up and alert. He was failing that quite badly, but Geralt’s shoulder was warm and he smelled good.

Jaskier realized this was extremely unprofessional. But Geralt didn’t mind. So surely it was okay.

Pancakes were finished, and Geralt gently pushed Jaskier to the table. Jaskier grumbled but sat down with a mug of coffee and tried to wake up.

“What’s happening today, Daddy?” Ciri asked Geralt, pouring way too much syrup on her pancakes.

Geralt shrugged. “I have to go to my job interview,” he explained, “And then I’ll pick up some carryout for dinner. Jaskier?”

Jaskier took another sip of coffee. “Maybe another trip to the park?” he asked Ciri. “Fresh air will do us both good.”

Ciri’s face lit up, and she cheered, “Yes!”

Jaskier escaped to the bathroom while Geralt played with Ciri, and took a long, warm shower, sighing in relief as his achy body relaxed. Now if he just had someone to wash his back and hair for him, this would be the perfect shower.

His mind flashed to Geralt’s rough fingers running lightly over his skin, in his hair; the warmth of Geralt standing at his back, breath quiet but hot on the back of Jaskier’s neck; pressing flush together and Geralt burying his teeth in Jaskier’s shoulder--

Jaskier lurched back to the present, and hastily scrubbed himself down, ignoring his stupid semi. This was the fourth time he’d had such thoughts and it was highly unprofessional. Geralt was his employer--although it felt more like friendship every day, and indeed, Jaskier had insisted that Geralt not pay him during the legal battles. But still. It felt… wrong.

Shame made his semi go down and made his headache come back. But he was clean, so there wasn’t much point in staying hidden. He sighed heavily and turned off the water, shivering as his body cooled, and got out of the shower--just in time for Ciri to bang on the bathroom door and yell, “JASKIERRRR DADDY’S GONE, CAN WE GO TO THE PARK NOW?”

“Just a moment, dear one,” Jaskier called back, hurrying to dry off and put on clean clothes. He had already had the experience of an impatient Ciri bursting into the bathroom while he was still naked. She didn’t do it to Geralt; only Jaskier.

She groaned dramatically and stomped her foot, but did not barge in or yell more. Jaskier finished dressing, tossed his towel in the hamper, and opened the door. Ciri was pouting magnificently, but when Jaskier crouched to pick her up, she immediately held up her arms and snuggled close as he rose.

“Can you be my mommy?” she asked, as Jaskier carried her to her room. “Since I already have a daddy?”

Jaskier’s face burned, but he laughed lightly and set her down on her bed before going to her dresser and searching for outdoor clothes, since she couldn’t wander around outside in just her nightie. “I suppose,” he answered, picking out a pair of purple jeans. “I don’t really mind. Do you want to wear these today?”

“I want to wear the froggies!”

Jaskier smiled for real and put the purple jeans back, taking out the denim overalls with the frog embroidery. “As your highness wishes,” he teased, and Ciri giggled.

As a five-year-old, she wasn’t very adept at putting her own clothes on, but she tried very hard, so Jaskier let her. She got it right most of the time, after all. And she should learn independence when she could; Jaskier wouldn’t be around forever.

Why did that make his heart hurt?

When she was prepared, Jaskier grabbed his wallet, keys, and phone, filled up Ciri’s blue water bottle covered in My Little Pony stickers, and followed her out of the house.

The walk to the park was peaceful, if one didn’t count the old man who came out of his house waving a rifle and threatened to shoot Jaskier for the crime of taking care of a child not his own. Ciri ignored the old man. Jaskier did as well, mostly. He’d been threatened and hurt too many times to drop his guard around such people.

The park was full of children, perhaps a school trip; they all seemed to be first or second graders. Ciri gasped in delight and tugged on Jaskier’s sleeve. “Mommy, can I go play?” she begged, swinging off his arm.

Jaskier smiled. “Yes, of course, love. Tell me when you want to leave. I’ll be by the tree.”

Ciri squealed and shot off to the playground. Jaskier watched for a few moments, then went to the big tree he claimed whenever they came here. There was no one under the shade of its limbs, so he slouched against its trunk and watched as Ciri clambered all over the playground equipment and tried to make friends. A few of the older children were kind to her, but most ignored her. Jaskier frowned worriedly. How was she going to form a positive opinion of others if she was ignored? He should really convince Geralt to send her to daycare.

His heart lurched. Sending her to daycare would mean dismissing Jaskier.

Slowly, Ciri’s excitement turned to desperation, as the other children got rougher, pushing her around and not caring that she was smaller and couldn’t fend them off. Jaskier straightened and took a step forward, thinking that he might as well step in and take Ciri home--

Some horrid little boy in a red polo shirt and expensive jeans shoved Ciri off the platform that was open to the pole.

Jaskier’s world turned into glue. He saw Ciri fall--he felt himself lurch into a run--but he wasn’t fast enough, he just wasn’t. She hit the ground, and screamed. There was something wrong with her wrist.

The world snapped into place again when Jaskier landed on his knees beside Ciri and put his arm around her protectively, barely noticing the children who had drawn back and were staring. “Let me see, love,” he murmured, holding out his hand. “Let me see what hurts.”

She raised her arm, weeping hysterically. There was a piece of bone sticking out of her wrist, which was not working properly at all. Jaskier went cold, and kissed her head before picking her up. “It’s alright love, I’ll call an ambulance. You’ll be alright. I know it hurts--”

Something heavy and hard edged smashed into the side of his head, and Ciri screamed in terror. Jaskier stumbled, but kept his balance, and turned just in time for the thing to smash into his face and break his nose.

“You kidnapper!” shrieked the lady who had swung her heavy purse at him. “How dare you grab a child not your own!”

“He’s my mommy!” Ciri yelled back, tears and snot dripping down her face. “He’s my mommy, not a kidnapper!”

Jaskier’s head stopped spinning long enough for him to gasp out, “Excuse me,” and try to walk to the parking lot.

“DELILAH, NO!”

The purse hit the back of his neck, hard, and he bit his lip so hard he thought the skin might split. He kept walking, and Ciri kept crying, and the chaperones kept yelling at each other.

Finally, they reached the parking lot. Jaskier set Ciri on one of the large rocks delineating the edge of the park, and fumbled out his phone, dialing emergency services with shaking hands.

“Hello, this is Medical Services, what is your emergency?”

“My daughter’s wrist is broken,” he explained, not even bothering to try and explain nannying. “She was pushed off the playground equipment and landed on her hand. We’re at Vengerburg Park, east side.”

“Alright, sending an ambulance to your location. Please keep her hand and arm supported, and do not try to set it yourself.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you.”

“Do you want to stay on the line while you wait?”

Jaskier thought about it, then said, “Yes, thank you.”

“Alright. The ambulance should be there in ten minutes. What does the break look like?”

Jaskier described it as well as he could when he was so woozy, and tried to soothe Ciri. Shock had caught up with her, and her crying was less hysterical and more mechanical. Jaskier kept her arm straight, and when the ambulance came, he carried her to the medics. Then her tears freshened, and she shrieked, “NO! No, I don’t want to leave mommy!”

“I’m her mommy,” Jaskier explained quickly. “Is there room for me in the ambulance?”

The medic who had reached for Ciri pursed his lips, then said, “Yes. You have a broken nose and a probable concussion, based on your eyes and coloring, so you should come too.”

Jaskier nodded and flinched as his neck protested, but stepped into the van with the medics and Ciri, and tucked himself into a corner, trying to make himself as small as possible. Ciri’s sobbing trailed off into sniffles, and when they gave her a painkiller, she sighed.

Jaskier wondered how Geralt would feel about his daughter being in the hospital.

~

The answer to that was ‘extremely fucking pissed’.

Jaskier had been put in a separate room from Ciri, which they had both protested; but maybe that was better, because Geralt’s fierce growl outside his door, telling the nurses to let him see Jaskier, was rather frightening.

Geralt was let in, of course, and immediately walked over to Jaskier and touched his hair, looking both furious and devastated. “What happened?” he asked. “I talked to Ciri, but…”

Jaskier tried to smile. “She was pushed off the playground equipment,” he slurred; they had given him the kind of drugs that made him floaty and only half in the world. “When I picked her up, a woman hit me because she thought I was kidnapping Ciri. I didn’t think I had a concussion, but the doctor said so.”

Geralt’s mouth tightened, and the tips of his fingers slid down to rest on Jaskier’s cheek. “How long until you’re released?” he asked softly.

“Oh, probably about a week,” Jaskier said hazily. “I’ll be fine, though. Is Ciri alright?”

“She’s sleeping,” Geralt told him, “But the nurse said she’ll be able to recover quickly. Something about young bones.”

Jaskier nodded. Then he asked, because he wasn’t sure if this was an elaborate daydream, “Did you mean it? When you proposed?”

Geralt looked confused. “Of course I meant it,” he replied. “Why?”

Jaskier hummed, eyes closing. “Ciri calls me her mommy now. It’d be nice for her to have two parents, no?” He sighed and murmured, “And I like you a lot, too.”

Geralt ran his fingers through Jaskier’s hair. “Yes,” he croaked. “That would be nice.”

~

A few months later, Jaskier was making rude jokes with Lambert, a sharp-dressed gentleman who was supposedly a lawyer but might also be mafia, at Jaskier and Geralt’s wedding. Eskel, who was apparently Lambert’s civil partner, was more rumpled in his denim shirt and corduroy trousers over muddy boots--but that didn’t mean he didn’t have a more refined sense of humor.

Geralt’s ex had showed up with a toaster and drawled, “This is what people give just-married people, right?”

Jaskier, thinking about the two toasters already in the modest pile of presents, still managed to smile and thank her.

The ceremony had been brief, but the party afterwards had been going for three hours. Jaskier was enjoying Geralt’s family and friends; mainly rough folks who worked heavy manual labor jobs, but some were friends from Geralt’s group therapy. For the last hour, Jaskier had been insulting Lambert and Eskel cheerfully, while learning about them and their lives, and they had been insulting him back while asking questions about him. At one point Lambert tried to intimidate Jaskier, but he just booped Lambert’s nose and cooed about how cute he was until Lambert smacked him. Eskel had cackled at his partner’s scowl.

Jaskier’s family had not shown up. Typical. And none of his school friends wanted to associate with him after that run of bad luck. Regis came, but Regis was just looking for a new sugarbaby.

About when Eskel and Jaskier started flirting, solely to make Lambert mutter and frown, Ciri approached Jaskier and tugged his jacket. Her hand was still in a cast, which she had covered with cat stickers and rainbows, but she had absolutely refused to be left behind.

“Mommy, I’m tiiiired,” Ciri whined, rocking back on her heels. “When can we go?”

Jaskier smiled and picked her up, and she snuggled her face into his collar. “In a bit, love. It’s not quite eight. Also I have to finish convincing your uncles that they’re missing out now that I’m married.”

She giggled and squirmed a little, then asked, “Is that why Daddy is mad?”

Jaskier, Eskel, and Lambert looked over to where Geralt was talking to Regis, his face carefully blank. Jaskier hummed, and said, “Maybe. Shall we go claim him?”

Ciri nodded vigorously.

So Jaskier strolled over to Geralt, Ciri on his hip, and when Geralt and Regis looked at them, Jaskier drawled, “Sorry, Reg, I have to remind my husband how much I love him,” and kissed Geralt thoroughly, smirking at his smug little hum.

Around eight, Ciri started getting truly cranky. The party broke up, with everyone saying goodbye specifically to Ciri and mostly ignoring the happy husbands. Lambert said goodbye, shook Ciri’s hand solemnly, then grabbed Jaskier’s face and kissed him. Geralt promptly punched his brother.

Going home was nice. Ciri fell asleep in the car, and only grumbled a little when Geralt picked her up and carried her to bed, humming softly. Jaskier smiled and ferried the presents inside.

Picking up the toaster from Yennefer, Jaskier frowned. It was rather heavy for a toaster. Far too curious to leave it alone, Jaskier grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the tape holding the top flaps down.

Inside the box was a plethora of collars, mostly plain, but several with ruffles, lace, studs, or rings on them. At the bottom of the box was a heavy book and a silk rope. Jaskier’s face was burning, but he picked up the book anyway.

“BDSM for Beginners,” he read, and winced. He wasn’t really into BDSM… but Geralt would look adorable in that pink ruffly collar with rhinestone hearts. There was a note under the book in the box; he picked it up and read it.

To Jaskier -- put Geralt in the pink ones, it brings out his skin tone. Or the amber/gold ones, for his eyes.

To Geralt -- claim that man before Eskel steals him. And remember what I said about tying the cord too tight.

Jaskier put the note down and covered his face with his hands. There was no one around and he was still embarrassed.

“Jaskier? What--is that Yennefer’s present?”

Jaskier nodded.

Geralt came closer, looked into the box, and groaned. “Damn it, Yenn,” he muttered. “Let’s go to bed. We can deal with… that… in the morning.”

Jaskier nodded again and stood. He thought for a moment, then grinned wickedly, stepped closer to Geralt, and murmured, “You know what would be a good wedding present? You, naked in bed, wearing just one of those pretty pink collars, cock hard and lubed up…”

Geralt growled and dragged Jaskier into his arms, kissing him fiercely. “You in that red one with the black lace,” he rumbled, and Jaskier felt a little bit faint, as he laughed breathlessly.

“You know what? Let’s compromise. We’ll both wear one without clothes. Good?”

Geralt kissed him again, and murmured against his lips, “Fuck yes.”

[teawithkpop]

[M] - PhysCom - Pt 2

pt 1 - pt 2 - pt 3 - bc 1 - pt 4 - pt 5 - pt 6

Pairing: BTS - OT7 x Reader

Rating: Mature [18+]

Length: 9.7k words

Genre: PhysCom AU - smut with dashes of angst, and a shitload of romance and complicated feelings,, uhuhu (porn with plot??)

Warnings: swearing, anal play (male receiving), praise kink, degradation, mentions of cross dressing, brief orgasm denial, oral sex (female receiving), mentions of birth control, dirty talk, pet play, cum play (kinda?), voyeurism, group sex, anal sex, pheww I think that’s it

this one is,,, twice as long as pt 1 eye-

anyways thank you for all the love for physcom! I’ll do my best to make this series ruin everyone’s lives hehehe  the best it can be! ^^ <3

-------

“...What are you two doing?”

Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, shit, shit-

Emergency sirens are all you can hear in your brain and sheer panic floods your veins, leaving you frozen with fear. You know you shut the door, you had to have shut it, right? Why the fuck wouldn’t you have shut the door?

Surely this is the end. You’ll be exposed and all the reasons that you gave Taehyung not to do the thing you just did come flooding back to you now, echoing in your head like ghosts and mocking you in your own voice. Contract terminated… stigmatized… left with nothing... shadow of disgrace...

“What does it look like?” Taehyung answers without hesitation, drawing you back into the present moment. One of his eyebrows lifts minutely, as if he’s only mildly irritated by the witness to your transgression. If he’s nervous, you can’t tell.

Jimin’s eyes narrow suspiciously at Taehyung’s sarcasm. “It looks like you were-”

“Our lovely PhysCom was just helping me get off.” Tae interrupts him, his tone implying the obvious.

It’s then that you realize, Jimin only saw what you two were doing, not the reason behind it, or what you were feeling... this lie might actually work.

“Then why were you just kissing her? Why wasn’t she touching you, or something?” Jimin is not so easily fooled, and he peers around to confirm that neither yours nor Tae’s genitals are exposed.

Taehyung gives a shrug. "Kissing is my new kink."  His eyes sparkle with the private joke, and he sends you a wink. “See you later, jagiya.” With that, he ruffles his hair back into place and heads out of the room, leaving you alone with a skeptical Jimin.

You're a little ticked that he left you to glue all the pieces of your cover story back into place, but you turn to Jimin regardless. "Sorry about that. Master Kim has been… experimenting,” you supply, trying to fill in any holes in the story, but sounding uncertain even to your own ears.

"I don't like that he calls you that." Jimin says, a frown on his lips as he stares after the direction Tae went.

You furrow your brows. "What?"

"Jagiya.” His gaze shifts back to you. “You know what that means, right?"

It’s rare for the boys use a word or phrase in their native language that you don’t understand. You don’t speak Korean, but the chip in your brain does. It’s hooked up to an audio-translation app in your ComGear, and automatically translates what you hear, so your brain perceives it in your native tongue.

Conversely, the chip also tracks your thoughts, so as you go to speak, it overrides the synapses in your Temporal Lobe and Korean comes out of your mouth instead. Such a device is considered standard among newly licensed PhysComs.

It didn’t used to be that way, and often PhysComs that were hired from foreign countries had no way to speak to their clients except through body language and learned commands. But the industry quickly realized that full communication is key to avoiding issues with consent, not to mention it's much more convenient, and so the best PhysCom networks provide their employees with proper translation equipment. Though there are still some smaller networks that can’t afford the technology and therefore, they usually only hire trainees who speak the same language as their potential clients.

On occasion, there will still be a word which has no exact equivalent in your language, such as hyung or jagiya, so the app doesn’t attempt to translate it. But usually you can pick up the gist of it through context, and Namjoon has been very helpful in providing you with articulate definitions before. You still remember the funny look on his face when you asked him about jagiya - the term of endearment Tae calls you.

"It's used between lovers, isn't it?” You ask, recalling Namjoon’s definition to be an approximation of darling or sweetheart. “Technically, I am his lover."

Jimin’s frown creases his brow. "Yeah, but you're a lover for all of us,” he says, a pout forming on his lips. “He shouldn't get to act like you're just his."

Normally you would tease him for sounding jealous, but his concern in this case is… founded, and another pang of guilt hits your gut. You don't know if you'll even be able to eat the dinner you made at this rate.

You try to change the subject. "Anyway, how can I help you, Master Park?"

"Oh, right.” His concern seems to melt away to embarrassment, and he rubs the back of his neck. “I sent you a message this morning. I don't know if you got it… then I messaged you about ten minutes ago, asking if we could… have a quick session."

Right. You haven’t looked at your ComGear since the incident with Taehyung, and you feel even guiltier. First you were lying to your client, and now you’ve accidentally ghosted him. Thankfully Jimin doesn’t hold a grudge, especially not with you. All he needs is a little personal attention and validation, and he’ll be purring.

Time to get back to work.

"Sorry, master.” You assume your persona and saunter over to him, running your hand up his arm. “I was so excited to hear from you, I forgot to reply,” you chuckle, your fingers dancing up his neck and combing through the hair at his nape. He visibly relaxes under your touch, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment as you card through his silky locks.

“It’s okay…” he mumbles, shyly avoiding your gaze. Honestly, Jimin can be too cute for his own good. He and Taehyung are the same age, but they're like opposites in a way. They both exude the same level of charm, but one is effortlessly seductive while the other is effortlessly endearing. You have witnessed those roles reverse in them before, but no matter which way you look at it, they’re still two of the sexiest people on the planet.

“I did get your message this morning, master. Quite a scandalous outfit…" You click your tongue and raise a well groomed eyebrow at him. Jimin loves to be teased, and chastisement really puts him over the edge. “Why did a good boy like you send me such a naughty picture, hm?”

He looks away, a blush rising to his cheeks. "I was wondering if… if you could…"

You don’t try to finish his sentence for him, and lift one polished fingernail beneath his chin, coaxing him to look at you. "Yes?"

"If you could make me wear it?"

Oh. Another surprise. Jimin is a hell of a flirt on stage, and anyone would think he’s dominant in the bedroom, even just judging from how often he sticks out his tongue while dancing, or how he thrusts his hips to the encouraging screams of thousands. But that’s on the stage, when he’s in his element. By himself, in private, it’s a much different story. Jimin’s not exactly sure what he wants from you.

You had read up about all this in his file, and you’ve been working with Jimin to help him explore his sexuality in a way that’s comfortable for him. You’ve tried a myriad of things so far, and recently, he’s been enjoying more submissive pleasures. During your most recent session, he even asked you to penetrate him.

You had complied of course, but the experience seems to have inspired him to go further, to a kink you didn’t even know he had. Cross-dressing and the usual praise-filled humiliation? Oh, this will be fun.

“Chim?” Your tone is scandalized as you use the name he prefers when being submissive, and his cheeks turn scarlet. “You want to be dressed up in that outfit?”

He nods, turning his face to nuzzle his cheek into your hand. “Is... is that okay?”

Your heart melts, and you smile at him, brushing your thumb along his soft cheek. “Of course it’s okay, baby.”

He grins, his eyes turning to crescents, and you suddenly feel compelled to give him the entire world if he so desires.

You click your tongue once more and ruffle his hair affectionately. “We’ll have to order it first, okay? Then we can dress you up, Chim.”

“Okay,” he says, and you swear his smile could light up the night sky. “Until then… could you, uh… play with my butt again?”

You chuckle and nod. “Yes, I most definitely can. We still have some time before dinner.” You grab your ComGear, take his hand, and lead him out of the room, being sure to shut the door this time. “Come along, baby.”

As the two of you head off to his room, you’re almost able to forget the situation with Taehyung. That is, until you open your ComGear to pull up the picture of Jimin’s outfit and see all the missed messages from him.

I’m really sorry. My feelings got away from me. Please don’t ignore me, jagiya. I don’t want to lose you. Jagiya? I’m coming upstairs.

Shit. Feelings? A sinking feeling claws at your heart and you have to wonder just how serious Taehyung is about you. How deep do these feelings of his go?

“Everything okay?” Jimin’s voice clears your mind and you slide your ComGear back into its holster. His eyes are full of concern at your probably tense expression, and you have to push the guilt away again.

“Everything’s fine.” You aren’t sure that’s true, but maybe if you say it enough, it’ll manifest. Regardless, you don’t have time to worry about Taehyung right now. Your client needs you.

“Come on, baby boy. Let’s go make you feel good.”

-------

Jimin’s room always smells good, like fresh linen. You aren’t sure how that’s possible, when 80 percent of the time, the place is a mess. But you aren’t complaining. He keeps his bed made neatly, and that’s all that matters for your job.

"Take off your pants for me, Chim." Your voice is gentle as you start the scene and lock the door behind the both of you. Jimin wastes no time in following your orders, and strips his lower half down to his underwear. He’s about to take off his top too, but you stop him. “You should leave that on. It’s cute.”

He looks down at the oversized shirt, the long sleeves covering most of his hands, and the rest of the soft blue fabric hangs loosely around his torso. He smiles shyly and gets onto the bed, assuming position and laying on his back as he had for your previous sessions.

"What a good boy. Oh, look how hard you are already,” you purr, undoing the belt of your robe and slipping it off, leaving your body bare save for your utility belt. It feels good to put aside your worries and focus on work for a while.

Before you begin, you change a setting on your ComGear to let the other boys know you’re currently in a session. If you’re busy and they want to fuck, they have the option of joining in - if your current client allows it - scheduling you for directly after, or fucking one of the secondary PhysComs their company employs and keeps on call.

You’re their Primary Physcom. The secondaries are alternate fuck toys for when you’re unavailable, if you get sick, on your days off, while you’re sleeping, etc. For as long as you’ve worked for Bangtan, not once have they called a secondary PhysCom.

It does boost your pride a bit, but to be fair, you’re the only one who knows them so well.

Sure, they could go call another PhysCom to play with if they get super horny at three in the morning, but the secondaries are practically strangers to them. They’ve all expressed that they’d much rather wait, if it means they can get their hands on you instead of some random substitute, which is just the way you like it.

You’re their girl, and you know, better than anyone, how they like to fuck. Besides, if anything, them having to wait for you builds up the anticipation and makes them even hornier. In a way, you view their favoritism as job security. It’s only practical to stay in their good graces and develop trust and build connections with them.

You see the lust and excitement glittering in Jimin’s eyes as you climb onto the bed, facing him and sitting beside his legs. Your hand runs up along his inner thigh to tease him, and the bulge in his underwear grows a little more prominent.

“Now then. Have you been thinking about our last session, Chim?” You make your voice calm and soothing as your fingers skim up and down his thighs, giving an occasional squeeze to his soft skin. God, his thighs are thick… perfect for riding.

He nods. “Yes.”

You flick the thought away. He didn’t ask you to ride his thighs. Your fantasies are not relevant. “Good. And how do you feel about it? Did you like it when I played with your pretty little hole?” Your nails graze over his length, and he bites his lower lip. You like to do regular check-ins with your clients, in case they want to experiment, or something isn’t working for them. But with Jimin, everything so far has been an experiment, so you’ve been checking in more frequently. In a way, you’re kind of like a sexual therapist to all of them.

“Yes. I loved it,” he replies, gripping the sheets below him to avoid moving too much. “It felt so good.”

You hum in delight, happy that you two seem to have found a path to follow to pursue his pleasure. “Excellent. And if something doesn’t feel good, what do we say?”

“Calico.” Jimin murmurs, one sleeved hand coming up to cover his face. God, he’s a natural. His shyness is going to kill you. You set up safe words with all your clients, just in case. It shows your professionalism. You even have one, though you’ve never had to use it.

“Good boy. Always tell me how you’re feeling, okay?” You can feel his cock twitch at the praise, and you love being able to make him so happy.

He nods, a blush already rising to his cheeks. “Please touch me.”

How can you deny such a request? You hook your fingers in the waistband of his (no doubt very expensive) boxer briefs, peeling the fabric down his legs and off his body, to be discarded at the foot of the bed.

“Oh my…” You shift positions, spreading his legs apart and perching yourself between them. “What a pretty little cock. Look at that.” You would make a show of it even if it wasn’t pretty, but fuck, in this case, the praise is well deserved. Jimin’s cock is smooth and pink and perfect, just like his lips. Frankly, you think putting your mouth on either one would be just as pleasurable. The only fib about his cock would be the ‘little’ part - Jimin sports a fair five or six inches - but it’s all a part of the fantasy, for his benefit.

You hum to yourself as you snap on a pair of plastic gloves, as much for safety reasons as for his pleasure. Even though you all get checked frequently for any sort of sexual diseases and infections, you’re still having sex with multiple men every single day, and there are certain precautions one should take.

Hygiene is one of the many intricacies of your job and you follow your hygienic routine religiously. For anal and vaginal sex, PhysComs have various cleansers that can be inserted nightly to prevent anything nasty from taking root overnight. For Oral sex, there are specialized mouth washes that can be swallowed if needed.

But hands are a little trickier. Nails and cuticles aren’t as easily to clean thoroughly, and can trap all sorts of bacteria, so with something like fingering your clients, it’s safest to use a barrier to significantly decrease the risk of infection or contamination.

Now fully protected, your fingertips start to trace over his beautiful cock, skimming along his inner thighs, and teasing his precious little hole, building up his anticipation. He gives a small whimper, looking away as you tease him just enough to make his hips buck up into your capable hands.

Eventually, you take his length and slowly pump it in your hand, catching his gaze whenever he looks to you. “Does Chim want to be filled up? You want me to play with your ass?”

He nods emphatically, still hiding his face.

“Use your words, baby.”

“Yes! Please p-play with my ass.” His face is positively scarlet, and you smile with satisfaction.

You let go of him, and reach beneath his bed to pull out his little chest of treasures. Anal beads, plugs, vibrators, nearly everything can be found inside. You think he might have even added to the collection since last time.

You select a small ribbed plug with a jewel decorating the base and grab the lube from your belt. You spread a generous amount over his hole, gently massaging it in. As you carefully push your forefinger past his puckered rim, he moans. You slide your finger gently in and out, stroking his silken walls, and he writhes beneath your touch, already overcome with pleasure.

“Are you ready, baby?”

He nods again, then remembers to speak. “Yes. I’m ready.”

You ease the tip of the plug past his rim, and soon the whole thing is nestled comfortably inside him. He lets out a whine, his thighs clenching as you slowly work the toy in and out of his hole. “Good boy… such a pretty cock.” You pet his thigh soothingly, then start to squeeze his cock, pumping it slowly in time with the plug.

It doesn’t take long before Jimin is moaning and squirming, his length rock hard and leaking precum. His moans get whinier, his breath more shallow, and you can tell he’s on the edge.

With a kiss to his hardened dick, you ease the plug out of his ass and cease all contact. Orgasm denial is something he’d brought up last time, and now seems like the perfect opportunity to test the waters. "I think such a good boy can hold his cum in until dinner…"

"No! Please! I-I can't." He covers his face with both hands, writhing desperately for some friction to his aching cock, his pink hole puckering cutely at the sudden emptiness.

So freaking cute.

"Oh? You want to cum now?" You chuckle, teasing the toy around his rim. "But then how will you fuck me along with the others at dinner if your little cock is all sad and empty?" You trace your fingernail up along his length, barely touching him.

He whimpers in reply, his member twitching in pleasure.

"Can you cum again for me tonight, baby boy? Promise me. Otherwise this little cock is going to stay hard." You grip him by the base of his shaft, tortuously brushing your forefinger over the leaking head of his cock.

"I promise I can! I'll cum for you at dinner, I-I swear it…"

You grin. You don’t expect to hold it to him, but you know it’s the looming threat of punishment that’s what’s most effective here. "I have your word, baby boy."

Your hand pumps his length to completion while you grab the toy and fuck it back inside of him, and he cries out in ecstasy, quickly cumming in spurts all over your hand, a few drops landing on his shirt while his body trembles from his climax.

"Good boy,” you coo, milking him through his high.

-------

It doesn’t take you long to clean Jimin up, as well as cleaning the toy for next time, and then you pack everything away. He’s still breathless by the time you’re finished, laying on the bed as he recovers from his orgasm.

You’re about to get up and grab your robe from the floor when Jimin finds his voice.

"Why were you really kissing Taehyung?"

Your stomach sinks at the question. You’d been hoping he’d forgotten - as you were trying to do - about your little bend of will earlier. How the hell are you supposed to answer that? Honesty. Always go for honesty.

Well, as honest as you can be without losing your job. "He commanded me."

"Is that all it takes?" Jimin’s eyebrows shoot up and he props up eagerly onto his elbows. "Kiss me, too."

You curse the flutter in your stomach. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

You know for a fact that it's a bad idea, and out of the question, but damn if Park Jimin doesn't have the most luscious lips you've ever seen. The temptation is there, for sure...

"Just a little kiss?” He clasps his hands together, his eyes pleading. “It's only fair. You were practically making out with him."

Well, shit. Now what? Technically, not kissing clients is only a self-imposed rule on your part, plenty of PhysComs divulge in the act. You chose to restrict it for your own sanity. But, what now? Do you lie to yourself and stick to the book, even when you've already broken a cardinal rule? Or do you… see what's beyond the confines of its cover?

Fuck. You need to stop talking yourself into these things.

But to be fair, nothing bad happened last time, apart from Jimin walking in on you. You glance at the door, which is shut tight and locked, as is standard during a session. No risk of being interrupted.

Jimin’s eyes dart down to your lips as he chews on his own, waiting for your decision. Seeing his teeth tug at the plump pink skin has your heart skipping a beat despite your best effort to deny his effect on you.

Fuck it. Park Jimin is begging to kiss you.

"Okay, fine. One - very small - kiss." You pinch your fingers together to demonstrate.

“Yes!” He smiles brightly, and suddenly it doesn’t seem like such a bad idea after all. He sits up fully, scooting closer to you.

Why is your heart beating so goddamn fast? Why are you nervous about this? "But, look, you can't tell anyone, okay? I’m making an exception since this isn't really in my job description."

He nods eagerly and seems happy to agree to any stipulations. “Just this once, I promise. It’ll be our secret.”

That makes it sound even more condemning somehow, but you don’t have time to second guess it as he cups your cheek and pulls you in, pressing his lips to yours.

His kiss is like some sort of paradise, it leaves your mind feeling fuzzy... his lips… how are they so thick and soft? He’s hypnotic, sweet, addictive… like nothing you’ve ever experienced.

Before you know it, he's laying you out on the bed, moaning as he licks into your mouth, his tongue breaching through the kiss while he gropes your breast. Fuck, you shouldn’t have agreed to do this naked. But he tastes so sweet, you can’t think of a reason to object, too intoxicated by his lips. He breaks away from your mouth and starts trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down your body, and pretty soon he's mouthing at your inner thighs, his fingers skimming the base of your pussy plug.

Oh, shit. Wait, no, how did this happen?

"Master Park." You start to say, but then he's twisting the plug free, and you gasp at the unexpected stretch as it pulls out. "J-Jimin!"

He stops, his eyes wide at the use of his first name as he looks up at you from his lewd position.

"What the hell are you doing?" You ask, too flustered to rely on your usual formalities.

"Saying thank you." He replies simply. Then he leans down to kiss your clit, and begins mouthing at it devotedly.

You nearly jump out of your skin at the electric contact. Fuck, no one's gone down on you in a year at least, not since your training. Your body is screaming to let him continue, but you know it’ll lead to nowhere as he laves over your sensitive and neglected bud with his tongue, and you find yourself scooting up the bed and away from his blissful mouth. "Jimin, no. Stop."

You grab the plug from him and insert it again before anything can leak out, distress making your fingers tremble.

His face scrunches with concern. "Did I do it wrong?"

Damn it, why does he have to look like a heartbroken little puppy?

"No. No, it felt really good,” You assure him distractedly, trying to contain the frustration bubbling up inside you.

"Then why can't I-"

"Because!" You don’t mean to lash out, but your temper bursts before you can help it. "God, first Taehyung and now you, why is everyone trying to fuck with me today?"

His face falls, and he looks hurt. "I wasn't fucking with you."

"No, Jimin…” This day just keeps getting better and better. “I know you weren't. I'm sorry." You extend a hand, giving his shoulder a squeeze. It’s not his fault that you can’t seem to follow your own fucking rules. "But please don’t go down on me, not ever, okay?"

"Why not?” He frowns, and you feel even worse for letting this happen. “You deserve it. You do so much for us."

You pause, wondering whether you should lie. Always going for honesty hasn’t worked out too well so far... But looking at Jimin’s eyes, full of concern and confusion, you can’t bring yourself to lie to him. "Because I can't orgasm."

His brow furrows. "Just because it’s not a part of your job, doesn’t mean-"

"No, Jimin." You draw your knees up to your chest, feeling uncomfortably vulnerable for letting your guard down so easily around him. "I literally can't. I'm incapable."

"What do you mean?"

You sigh. This is not something you expected to have to talk about. "Do you know anything about modern birth control?"

He cocks his head to the side, unsure of where you’re going with this. "There are pills, right? And condoms too, I guess."

"There are also implants,” you explain, wringing your hands in your lap.

Jimin blinks, clearly confused. His gaze slides down to your chest for about half a second.

You sigh again. "Not that kind. It's like a piece of plastic they put inside you that emits a hormone. It stops ovaries from creating eggs. They're over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy."

He still looks confused. "Yeah, but why would that make you-"

You shake your head. "That's how most of them work. There's a newer, more tailored kind of implant for PhysComs that's 100% effective." When the technology was discovered, it was a hot item for PhysCom networks. Of course, some people developed negative side effects to it, but if one’s body was compatible with this new miracle form of birth control, it boosted their advantages in the field exponentially.

You let go of your legs and look to him, resignation in your gaze. "It puts the reproductive system into a comatose state and ceases all function of the ovaries and uterus apart from lubrication."

"Oh." Jimin looks shocked, and you don’t blame him. Barely anyone outside of the sex work industry has even heard of the technology. Who else would sacrifice their own pleasure for ensuring zero chance of pregnancy?

You’ve tried to climax before on your own, god knows. But the implant leaves you in a perpetual state of mild arousal with nowhere to go, like constantly revving an engine. Clitoral stimulation feels good at first, but with no resolution, it soon becomes tortuous.

You can put up with it for short periods, like if one of the boys starts to rub you while they fuck you. They mean well. But you’ve learned to convincingly fake an orgasm before it gets to be too much. Most of the time it’s not an issue, since your pleasure doesn’t enter into the equation.

"That's how all of you can cum inside me all the time. It's how I can keep it plugged up in me without any fear of getting pregnant." You laugh humorlessly, tapping the plug at your core.

Jimin stares at the plug, as if it’s presence has taken on an entirely new meaning to him. "I never thought about that."

You actually do laugh at his naïvety. “I’m sure no man would look that gift horse in the mouth.” You realize from his puzzled expression that the idiom might not translate well. “No man would question such a privilege.”

“Oh. Yeah, I guess…” A shadow crosses over his face, and you decide to draw this uncomfortable conversation about your reproductive system to a close.

"There is a way to turn it off, in case of emergency side effects. But I can't just turn it off for fun. You have to understand that.” You rest your hand on his shoulder again, hoping he now comprehends the reason for your earlier outburst. “It's a part of my job."

"I understand. Sorry,” he says, giving you a small nod. He twists his mouth to the side, chewing over the revelations. "That must really suck. Not being able to cum."

You laugh heartily this time, your spirits lifted from his sentiment. "Yeah, it does sometimes." You give his thigh a pat and get up to go find your robe. "But I get to make all of you cum for me, so doesn't that make up for it?"

He shrugs, that pout appearing once more. You feel bad for bringing his mood down. You’re supposed to be lifting him up, making him feel good.

You tie the belt of your robe and come back over to him, your finger tracing under his chin.

"Come on, baby. Let's go order that outfit for you."

His spirits seem to lift a little at the proposition and you smile to yourself. Jimin truly is one of your easiest clients to please.

-----

A while later, you stand in Seokjin’s bedroom within his walk-in closet, admiring yourself in the full length mirror. You‘re wearing a gown more expensive than a house, and jewels decorate your throat and hair, elbow-length gloves adorning your hands.

“Are you ready for dinner, darling?” Seokjin purrs in your ear as he slinks up behind you, his hands lightly gliding up your waist.

“Yes, Master Kim.” Your answer is obedient and full of gratitude. You gaze at his reflection in the mirror, letting him take in your appearance.

“My, my, my… look at how lucky I am to have such a pretty pet, hm?” He chuckles, one of his hands skimming gingerly up your ribs and settling on your breast, squeezing you through the silken dress.

“Yes, master,” you sigh, leaning into his sinful touch and playing along with his fantasy. Seokjin's pleasure seems to hinge on your luxury. The more extravagance you’re dripping in, the hornier he gets. Which he often likes to complement with your unique position in the house...

“Such a pretty pet. I bet you’d gladly have us all fuck you on the dinner table, wouldn’t you?”

You shiver. Seokjin’s dirty talk was good when you started working for them, but it’s only improved over time. "Of course, master. I love to be your little fuck toy." You smile at him in the mirror, and then turn around in his arms, placing your hands on his chest.  "Please use me tonight, any way you wish."

“That’s the plan, darling.” He chuckles, taking your hands and bringing them up to his mouth, languidly kissing each and every knuckle. His eyes burn with unbridled passion, and you wonder if tonight he’ll be in the mood to fuck you before you even make it to dinner.

Seokjin looks gorgeous, dressed to the nines in a tailored suit, with his hair styled perfectly, not a single strand out of place. Anyone would fall to their knees if they received a look like the one he’s giving you now.

“I have a gift for you, my sweet.” A smile tugs at his lips.

You gasp in delight, your eyes wide and innocent. “I’m so lucky! What is it, master?” You know what it is. He gives you one once a week, every Friday night, when it’s his turn to call the shots.

“Close your eyes, pet.”

You obey, and feel a slim piece of leather grace your throat. In a few moments he tells you to look in the mirror again, and you see a decorative collar circling your neck.

“Oh, master…” You don’t have to pretend to be impressed. Though Jin collars you every week, he never uses the same collar more than once, and this week’s purchase is a decadent, lacy display, with tiny jewels inlaid in its surface. “It’s beautiful.”

His hands are on you again, skimming up your waist while he noses your neck. “A perfect fit for my beautiful slut,” he breathes, and you feel a flutter in the pit of your stomach. Jin is just as charming as the rest of them, and It would be easy to underestimate him, but that would be a grave mistake. He gives off a certain aura of power that’s unparalleled by any other man you’ve met.

“How many?” He asks in a husky whisper, one hand slipping down your back to ease over your ass.

You shiver. Jin gets satisfaction on his night of control by knowing how much cum you’d collected inside you over the course of the day. “Sixteen.”

His hand comes down in a hard spank, rubbing you ass afterward to calm the sting. “Fuck. So greedy…” he rumbles, his voice thick with lust. “That’s more than two rounds each… Did you beg for them to fill you up, like the little whore you are?” His voice is soothing and elegant, a stark contrast to the filth coming from his beautiful mouth.

You nod, biting your lower lip. Anything to hear his silken voice in your ear again.

“You’ll eat well tonight, my sweet…” his voice lilts as he kisses up your neck, his hands slipping up once more to your tits, squeezing them possessively.

You moan softly, leaning your head back to expose more of your throat. Jin’s presence feels secure and thrilling all at once. You know he’ll never hurt you, but the effortless brand of posh dominance he wields keeps you on your toes.

“How do you feel towards Taehyung, pet?”

Your blood runs cold. How did he find out? Did Tae tell him what happened? Fuck. You try to keep your voice even, try not to let yourself become stiff in his arms. “Why do you ask, master?”

Seokjin shrugs one shoulder, more concerned with peeling down the bodice of your dress to reveal your breasts. “He requested the first taste of you tonight. I obviously won’t grant him the privilege of touching my pet if he’s done anything at all to fall out of your good graces.”

You swallow. You don’t know why Tae requested to go first, and you’d rather not give him any more ground until you’ve had a chance to talk to him. To make sure he knows the kiss was a one-time thing. To make sure he hasn’t gotten any ideas about those feelings of his.

“I… I would rather have someone else go first, master.” You say quietly, knowing that refusing Tae’s request could be just as condemning as going through with it and whatever he’d been planning to do to you.

Jin raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t question you. You remind yourself to calm down. For all he knows Taehyung could have eaten all the breakfast cereal. He doesn’t have to know why Tae’s not in your favor right now. “Very well, pet. I’ll choose someone else.”

“Thank you, master.” You visibly relax, and let Seokjin play with your tits. He circles his thumbs over your nipples, and they quickly become erect under his touch.

“Do you know why I gave you this collar?” He murmurs, his breath hot against your skin as he licks up your neck.

You know. “Why, master?”

“Because tonight you’ll be passed around and fucked by all of us. Every member of this household.” His words are crisp, in delicious contrast with his soft hands massaging your breasts. “You’ll be our dessert course. I want them to remember that you’re mine and that I’m granting them the privilege of fucking my sweet little toy and having a taste of you.” He nips at your neck, sucking gently before pulling away. “And I want you to remember that you belong to no one else in that room but myself.” He rolls your nipples between his fingers, tugging at the sensitive buds. “You obey me, and me alone. Is that understood?”

You whimper and nod. “Yes, Master Kim.”

“What a good little slut.” He smiles serenely and gives each tit a light swat before tugging your bodice back over your chest.

There’s a moment of tender silence as he observes you in the mirror. His eyes soften, and you can tell he’s set his act aside for a brief moment. “You know, you’re really good at this.” He smiles appreciatively, giving you a warm hug around the middle and nuzzling into your neck.

You laugh at his break in character, laying your arms atop his. “It’s my job to be good at it,” you reply with a fond roll of your eyes.

He straightens his posture and adjusts his cufflinks, resuming his role seamlessly. “We’ll be starting the main course in thirty minutes. Be prepared.”

You nod obediently, and he hovers close to you once more. His tongue darts out to lick up your cheek possessively. “Be good while I’m away, pet.”

You watch as he leaves the room, the door shutting softly behind him. Well, you have half an hour of time to kill before they’re ready for you.

Pretty soon after you were hired, the boys’ company decided it would be a good idea for them to take turns living out their wildest fantasies with you. One night of the week is dedicated to each of them, and during that night, whoever’s in charge can do whatever they want with you, and the other boys have to either watch or join in. Their company said it’s good for group bonding, and for healthy sexual expression. The boys decided who would have which night through rock, paper, scissors, and Seokjin got slotted for Fridays.

Something about Seokjin’s banquet nights always give you jitters, as if you’re about to perform onstage. Well, if you count a tabletop as a stage. Regardless, you always find ways to relax before the show, so to speak.

Tonight you’ve decided to kill the time on your ComGear, with the few limited apps you’re allowed to have. You’ve become a master at solitaire and minesweeper, and as you take a seat on the chaise lounge, kicking your feet up, you select the hardest difficulty mode.

Honestly, you haven’t played a good game of solitaire in several weeks. But last banquet night you finished the novel you’d been reading and you’re now suffering from a severe hangover from the detailed and colorful universe the author had crafted. The next book in the series isn’t set to release for a few months, so until then you’re back at the games.

Easy. You beat the game in under ten minutes. There have to be some more difficulty levels. You switch to the settings menu and scroll until you find the gameplay options.

Huh. Strange. An option you don’t remember seeing before. ‘Connect and play with your friends!’ Psh, what friends? Did your network forget to disable the useless feature? Curious, you tap on the button and are greeted with a spinning circle, indicating that the game is probably trying to find your non-existent friends from your non-existent contact list. ComGears are so heavily restricted, they might as well be walkie talkies. All you’re allowed on there is messaging and scheduling between you, your clients, and your handler. Plus the games. But you’d requested those.

After several moments, you give up waiting and put the Gear away. You have more pressing issues on your mind, and solitaire isn’t enough of a distraction.

Why had Taehyung requested you first tonight? In fact, why had he disappeared right after the… kissing incident? He hasn’t messaged you since then, and the lack of closure is starting to make you antsy. You can trust him, right? Yesterday, you would have said so, undoubtedly. But you also wouldn’t have guessed that he had anything more than platonic feelings for you.

God, men are so complicated.

You groan and stand up, spending the rest of your down time doing your stretches, going through your positive affirmations, and trying not to worry about Taehyung. He’s under Jin’s control tonight, nothing bad will happen.

You hope.

-------

The dining room of the house is enormous, with high ceilings, chandeliers, and ornate paintings on the walls. Seokjin goes all out for his banquets and makes the room seem even more opulent with the addition of candlelight, a trained wait staff, and vases full of roses found on nearly every surface.  Formal dress is required, and all the other boys are dressed just as fancily as Seokjin, though not all of them can pull it off quite as elegantly. He makes sure to hire a string quartet, the most elite caterers, and he even calls in the secondary PhysComs to assist during the meal.

You see, Seokjin has a very specific type of kink he likes to experience. It has to do with food, but it’s not exactly considered foodplay. Jin loves to combine fine dining with sexual acts.

During the first course, PhysComs are beneath the table, sucking off each member while they taste their soups and salads. They’re not allowed to cum until desert, so the PhysComs are only there to get them hard and ready.

The second course marks the beginning of the voyeurism. A fish course is served while a PhysCom is strapped down to the table and teased with at least one vibrator, moans and whimpers filling the room in harmony with the string quartet. Seokjin encourages the boys to talk about their week so far for some family time, largely ignoring the sinful sounds coming from their overstimulated centerpiece.

During the third course, sex is performed on the table by any number or gender of willing PhysComs, while the boys are forced to watch while they eat the stew you made. Jin often likes to give commentary on the PhysCom’s forms, or occasionally direct them around.

Lastly is the dessert course, where you make your grand entrance. All their hungry, lust-crazed eyes are on you, horny as hell from all the buildup. A maid brings you in on a leash, attached to your collar. You walk past the cluster of secondaries, and they aim stares at you, some jealous, some of admiration. You don’t care. Your eyes are on Seokjin. Your owner for the evening.

He stands as you enter, his eyes burning with barely contained lust. “Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you, our dessert.”

The other boys rise as well, and you can sense Taehyung’s stare burning into you, but you avoid meeting his gaze. Your eyes are locked on Seokjin. He orders the maid to help you up, and soon you’re standing atop the table, all eyes upon you. She hands the leash to him. You await his orders.

“Take off your dress, dear.” Seokjin says, sitting back down, and the other boys follow suit. His voice is quiet, but the atmosphere is so charged with sexual tension, you could hear a pin drop.

You reach behind to undo your zipper, the noise simply sinful as your dress falls to the tablecloth, pooling around your feet. You hear a few inhales of breath from around the table.

“Bring the bowl.” Jin’s voice commands again, and a butler hurries over with a jewel encrusted dish, setting it at Seokjin’s right. After that, he dismisses all the other people in the room. The only ones left are you and the seven men around the table.

Jin takes the dog bowl, holding it up to the light and watching the way the crystals shimmer and gleam. “How many loads did you take today, my pet?”

“Sixteen,” you reply obediently, and you see Yoongi’s jaw clench from the corner of your eye.

Jin makes a rumble in his throat, like an affirmative. “So much cum to fit in such tight little holes.”

You nod, awaiting his instructions.

He licks his lips and places the bowl at your feet. “Empty yourself out for me, darling.”

You smile. Kneeling down over the dog bowl, you carefully remove the plug from your cunt, and moan as you feel their cum start to trickle out of you.

You can feel their eyes staring, faces flushed, lips bitten, as their combined releases drip into the dish, slowly coating the bottom.

Seokjin’s hands are tented in front of his face, hiding all but his glittering eyes from view. “Now your ass,” he murmurs huskily, and they all watch as you twist that plug out too, and even more cum joins the rest. Sixteen loads from throughout the day fill the dish, and you look to Seokjin, awaiting further instruction.

“Jimin.” He says, and the boy’s ears perk up. “Would you do the honors of fucking her first?”

Jimin scrambles up, as if unable to move fast enough. He climbs onto the table and unzips his pants, his hands shaking. Meanwhile, Jin orders you on all fours and pushes the dish closer to you. “Why don’t you enjoy your dinner, my pet? It’s been cooking all day.”

He takes such filthy pleasure in scenes like this, it makes your core clench just from the look in his eyes, the tone of his voice. “Yes, master.”

You lean down and start to lap at the bowl. You can feel Jimin’s hands on your ass, but… something’s wrong. Why isn’t he fucking you?

You crane your neck over your shoulder to look at him, a “what the fuck” look on your face for interrupting the flow of the scene, and see something unexpected. Hesitation colors Jimin’s expression, and he looks between you and Seokjin, seemingly torn.

Everyone’s eyes are on you.

Jimin leans over to speak privately, his tone lowered so only you can hear. “Do… do you want to be fucked right now?”

Your mouth hangs open in shock. Why the hell would he be concerned about that?

Seokjin realizes that something isn’t right, and he snaps his fingers. “Jimin, sit down. Hoseok, go fuck her.”

Hoseok is always a good fuck. He grins and climbs on the table, fishing his cock out of his dress slacks. “Ah, look at this ass. Pretty as always,” he chuckles and gives you a light spank before lining himself up with your entrance. He pushes into you with a heated groan, his hands groping you appreciatively. “So wet, baby…” Soon he’s snapping his hips into you at a good pace, filling you up with his length.

But you can’t focus. You stare at Jimin, sitting shamefully with his head bent. You look to Taehyung, sitting across from him, only to see a smirk on his face. What the hell is going on?

Taehyung subtly catches Jimin’s attention and mouths something to him, but of course it’s Korean, so you can’t make out the words as Hoseok pounds into you. Jimin’s eyes widen and his grip tightens on the stem of his wine glass, his knuckles white as his expression changes to one of anger. Tae merely smirks and sits back in his chair, a challenge in his eyes.

What the fuck is happening? Is this about you?

Your heart sinks through the floor. It has to be. You and your damn lips are the only common denominator in this equation.

Hoseok grabs your leash from Jin and tugs on it, the collar forcing your head back. Your neck feels like it might snap from the sudden strain of trying to keep watching their silent conversation, but it’s no use from this angle, and you give up, forced to stare at the ceiling as your legs quiver and anxiety washes over you, a sense of foreboding starting to build in your chest...

Someone jumps to their feet, their chair scraping back from the force, and something crashes to the ground with the unmistakable noise of breaking glass.

“Jimin!” Seokjin’s voice cuts through the sound of Hobi fucking you, and he halts his thrusts. You’re able to see again, pants of breath from Hoseok filling the silence as Jimin looks down, frustrated at being reprimanded. “What’s gotten into you? Sit down, now.”

Taehyung chuckles, seemingly satisfied with himself, and Jin looks to him with narrowed eyes. “That goes for both of you. Stop fucking around.”

“Yes, sir.” Taehyung merely shrugs. You can see Jungkook place a hand on Jimin’s arm, his eyes wide with concern as he helps him calm down and return to his seat. Namjoon shoots Taehyung a look, but he doesn’t acknowledge it, his eyes still fixed on Jimin.

Seokjin’s attention turns back to your display, sighing from the interruption, and he gestures for Hoseok to go harder on you. Hoseok is all too happy to comply, chuckling as he pushes down on your back, forcing your face into the bowl of cum as he pulls out of you and starts fucking into your ass instead.

Normally this is part of the proceedings. But this time you aren’t prepared, too distracted and worried by Taheyung and Jimin to focus properly, and you gasp into the bowl, choking on the pool of stickiness and sputtering on cum as you turn your face away to try and catch your breath.

Seokjin has no reason to sense anything is amiss with you, as you would sometimes struggle for show. He hums and pets your hair as you’re fucked into the table. You try to inhale, but your lungs won’t work.

You feel suffocated by the weird tension in the room, and your heart starts pounding in your ears. You know this is your fault. The other boys all look uncomfortable. Jimin’s shooting daggers at Taehyung, and Tae is glaring right back. This isn’t right.

You just need a minute to think, a minute to sort this out, to fucking talk to them and clear this up. Fuck, you want Hobi to stop. You want everything to stop. You feel overwhelmed, you can’t take it anymore, and you’re flooded with shame as tears spring to your eyes.

“Bulletproof!”

You cry out your safe word, a sob wracking your body. “Fuck! I’m sorry...”

It takes Hoseok a split second to realize what you said before he pulls out of you, his eyes wide with worry. The others all look just as shocked, and Jin jumps to his feet in an instant, helping you off the table. “What can I do, darling?” He asks with concern, grabbing a napkin and carefully wiping the cum off your face.

He doesn’t question why you broke character, he only wants to help, and that makes you want to cry harder. But you pull yourself together, inhaling deeply to keep any more tears from falling. There’s only one person who can help you clear your head, and your gaze turns to him, your voice wavering. “I need to speak privately with Kim Namjoon.”

All eyes fall on their leader, who looks just as surprised to be requested. “Uh, yeah. Sure thing.” Namjoon gets up, his high backed chair scraping against the polished wooden floor as he circles around the table to you.

Namjoon is the conduit between them and their company. An ambassador of sorts. If anyone could help you sort this out, it would be him.

As he comes over, he takes off his suit jacket, draping the garment over your shoulders to help cover your naked form. “We’ll just be a minute, guys,” he calls over his shoulder, one supportive hand on your back as he guides you into the other room, leaving behind a different sort of tension, one of fear and worry.

-------

“What’s up, sweetheart?” Namjoon says softly, shutting the door behind him. He’s taken you to one of the larger bathrooms, with a few areas to sit in addition to a toilet, soaking tub, shower stalls, and a few sinks. “Is everything okay?”

Clearly it isn’t, but him trying to bring some normalcy into the situation makes you want to cry all over again. “No, it’s not.” You sit down on a cushioned bench, covering you face with your hands. “Fuck, I’m so sorry…”

“No, no. Shh… it’s okay, honey, really.” His hand on your back is more of a comfort than you’d care to admit, and you find yourself wishing he would hold you, wishing you could cry in his arms.

But no, damn it, that’s what’s gotten you into trouble in the first place.

“Mr. Kim, I-”

“Please, call me Namjoon. I don’t mind.” He gives you a small smile, and his willingness to be informal with you adds another layer of comfort.

“Namjoon.” You start again, and he looks to you with sincerity. “I, uh… fuck, I don’t know how to explain this.” You give a rueful laugh, running a hand through your hair.

“It’s okay. Take all the time you need.” He rubs your back soothingly, offering you a tissue from a nearby box to dry your eyes.

“Thanks.” You blow your nose, and a part of you feels self-conscious, letting him see you this way. You haven’t been this out of character in front of him since you were hired. “Um… okay. So, earlier today, two of the other members kissed me. I didn’t want it to happen, but it did...” It tumbles out of you in a rush, and you glance down nervously. Damn. This the third time you’ve lowered your walls in front of them today. What the hell is happening?

He seems to chew on your statement for a moment before proceeding, his tone cautious. “It was against your will? They forced themselves on you?”

Your eyes widen and you shake your head. “No! No, they didn’t- it wasn’t like that. It was… nice.” You’re ashamed to admit that you took pleasure in breaking your own rules, but you can’t let him think they were forcing you to do it. “I enjoyed it.”

He looks more confused. “So, you did want it to happen…?”

“Not at first! I mean… ugh, I shouldn’t have let it happen at all.” You grouse, still kicking yourself for being so unprofessional. “I think at least one of them might… have developed feelings for me.”

A moment of clarity lights his eyes. “You’re worried about keeping up boundaries.”

You nod miserably. Thank god someone in this house understands your limits.

“Who was it?”

“Huh?” Your gaze snaps to him.

He repeats the question. “Who kissed you?”

Your eyes lower to the floor. You feel bad dropping names, but he probably has a good reason for asking. “Taehyung and Jimin.”

His mouth stretches into a thin line. “I see.”

“I don’t know what to do. I feel like they’re trying to breach my professional boundaries. But... I like it. But I shouldn’t!” You groan. “Fuck, I have to keep this job...” A weary sigh leaves your throat and you try to keep your tears at bay this time.

Namjoon makes a noise of understanding. He seems to ponder the problem for a moment before speaking. “Those two are young. They’re still figuring out their feelings.” He says it to comfort you, you’re sure. But you decide not to point out that he’s only a year older than them. “But I think I know how to fix this.”

You sit up straight. “You do? How?”

Namjoon smiles, his dimples poking through. “Like I said, they’re young. They want what they can’t have.” He smirks. “You made kissing off-limits, right? So they want it now.”

You’re following his logic so far. It would make sense that something off-limits is more tantalizing… that’s certainly how you felt when kissing them.

He continues. “Look, if you liked it, then that means it’ll happen again. No offense, but willpower is damned when it comes to matters of the heart.” He gives a wry chuckle.

“Remind me how we’re fixing the situation?” You ask skeptically, wrapping his jacket around yourself and nudging him with your arm.

He smiles. “It’s simple, really. I think you have to desensitize them to kissing. We need to show them it doesn’t mean anything that they kissed you. You’re still just their PhysCom.”

You blink, still at a loss. “How do we do that?”

His thumb brushes your cheek, and he has that same tender look in his eyes as he does right after you would get him off.

“I think we should go out there, and I should kiss you senseless, sweetheart.”

[sincerelyreidburke]

Could you please tell me about the first time Nando gets fined (because of Quinn). What does Quinn think about the whole fining thing?

Yes, absolutely, anon— and thank you for asking!!

I’m going to cross-post this to ao3 along with a couple other drabbles that have come as results to asks, but I won’t do it yet because those other ones aren’t done. In the meantime: have this!!

Set about 24 hours after this most recent Quindo fic on ao3.

(Ask me anything about the crickets!)

//

Technically speaking, tonight is not Quinn’s first Samwell Hockey party.

Because after all, the whole reason he met Sebastián was his actual first party, the Halloween one, which was only a few weeks before now but feels like it was forever ago. He came here on his own accord, based on the invitation Denice extended, completely unknowing of what to expect. And he survived. A real frat party. In fact, he came out practically unscathed.

And even in the time since Halloween, he’s been in the Hockey Haus one other time, on the night of Winter Screw. That time, too, was doable; he emerged with a cute boy’s number, even. So tonight, two weeks to the date after Winter Screw, being in the Hockey Haus is not a new experience. Nor is the party atmosphere.

But it feels different. Tonight, it’s better, more comfortable, less of a social experiment and more just a social event. Because tonight, he’s here as a hockey boy’s boyfriend.

He’s a little giddy, maybe. It’s been about twenty-four hours since they made it official, after Quinn went to his game last night, and tonight he walks into the hockey party feeling like a new man. He’s wearing the freshly stolen Samwell Hockey hoodie of Sebastián’s that he managed to end last night by acquiring, with his one pair of jeans, if you can believe it.

He’s here on invitation, and although he was with Sebastián for several hours after the game last night, it feels like it’s been forever since he saw him. They had an away game today— or, as Sebastián calls it when they play off-campus, a roadie, not to be confused with Rhodey, the team’s nickname for Sebastián’s best friend, Ben (goodness, it must get confusing)— so, anyway, Quinn hasn’t actually seen his brand-new boyfriend all day. The game was only at Brown, so they didn’t have to stay in a hotel, and it landed them back on campus after a 3-0 win, according to Sebastián’s excited text to him earlier.

Sebastián♥️: we won!!!!! 3 to nothing. it was swawesome!!!!!!

Me: Congratulations!!🥰🥳

Sebastián♥️: thank you!! ❤️❤️ i miss you!

Sebastián♥️: come to the haus tonight? we’re throwing a kegster!

Quinn really has no idea why they’re called kegsters, but he shows up at the Haus after he eats dinner anyways.

It’s a hopping place, but maybe that’s just how the Haus always is after dark. Meeting up with Sebastián takes him all of two minutes, because he’s tall and loud and cute as can be, and when he sees him through the crowd, his face lights up, and he cries, “Quinn!” and then kisses him right in front of everybody and nothing in the world matters at all.

It’s been about an hour since he got here, or at least Quinn is pretty sure it’s only been an hour. Sebastián is drinking, but only a little, and the music is loud (Quinn has his volume turned way down), and the hockey guys are all being really nice to him, as he sticks to Sebastián’s side like glue. They dance a little, but Quinn is so awful at dancing when it isn’t choreographed that he laughs his way off the unofficial dance floor in the living room after half of a song.

Mostly, they just talk to other people. From a meeting over lunch at Commons last week, Quinn already knows Sebastián’s two freshman friends on the team, Ben and Remy, and of course he knows Tony, through Denice, as well. But tonight, he meets others— like the captain, the redhead, whose name is not actually Dex but Will, and his boyfriend, Derek; they remember him from the Halloween party. (“I found out they were dating in October,” Sebastián murmurs into his ear, one hand on his back, as they walk away after talking with them for awhile. “They’re really cute together. I basically want to be just like them when I grow up.”

Quinn laughs and goes to kiss his cheek as they walk through the ruckus. “When you grow up?”

Sebastián shrugs, and his smile in the party lights makes Quinn’s stomach turn inside out. “When I’m a senior.”)

Now, Quinn stands by a table, spectating over a rather intense game of cup pong. It’s Sebastián and Ben versus Remy and another player on the team, River, who has spectacular hair. He and Remy are a million times better at sinking their shots than Ben and Sebastián are, and the whole sight is mildly entertaining.

“Fuck!” Ben cries, when one of his attempts bounces off the rim of a cup and onto the floor. “I’m fucking cursed, I swear to God.”

“You have a serious problem,” Remy replies, retrieving the ball from the ground and dusting it off on his shirt. He passes it to River, because it’s his turn, and Quinn watches as his toss arcs perfectly over the table and lands with a plop in the closest cup on their side.

“Shit,” Sebastián laughs, because it’s his turn to drink, but the cup is only filled about a quarter of the way, so he downs it with minimal effort. Quinn laughs at the scene.

“You two are awful at this,” he remarks, looking up at him and Ben, and Ben feigns offense, putting a hand to his heart, while Sebastián laughs at the ceiling.

“You’ve only been dating him for a day and you’re already chirping his pong skills?” Ben shakes his head and lets off a low whistle. “Tough crowd, boys.”

“Here.” Sebastián presses the ball into his hand, and Quinn looks up at him to widen his eyes as he says, “You take a shot.”

“Yeah, show us what you got!” Ben is grinning from ear to ear. “Can’t chirp if you can’t back it up.”

Chirping, Quinn recalls, is hockey speak for teasing. He guesses he did ask for this. As he lifts the lightweight pong ball to the light and studies the cups across the table, he feels dozens of partygoing eyes all on him. The newcomer. The freshman. The boyfriend.

You know what? Screw it. He’s going to try.

“Okay,” he replies, stepping forward to get a better angle, and Ben hollers gleefully into the crowd. He looks over his shoulder to Sebastián for a second, who is smiling like crazy.

“Whenever you’re ready, baby,” he says.

The pure adrenaline of being called baby alone is enough. Quinn lines up his aim, squints, and sends the ball flying toward Remy and River’s triangle of cups.

It seems to move in slow-motion, but when it does land, with a plunk, it’s in their centermost cup.

The general vicinity around Quinn erupts. “OHHH!” Ben cries, jumping up and down, and Remy starts laughing hysterically at his friends. Quinn receives various high-fives and claps on the shoulder from people he doesn’t even know.

“Yo, he owned you,” River says, pointing to Sebastián and Ben, and then drinks the contents of the cup Quinn sunk it in. River nods to him, adding, “Good shot, frosh.”

Quinn falls backwards, into Sebastián’s waiting arms, and when he looks up at him again, Sebastián is grinning at him with something vaguely impressed in his eyes. He leans down to whisper, “That was kind of hot.”

There’s a flutter somewhere in Quinn’s stomach, and he grins back at him. “I’m afraid that might be the extent of my lucky frat party talents,” he replies. “Not to disappoint you or anything.”

“Oh, trust me, baby,” Sebastián mumbles. “There is nothing disappointing about you.”

The kiss they exchange after that doesn’t last quite as long as Quinn wants it to, but that’s only because they get a moment to themselves before Ben is shouting, “Hey, Nanny! Not to interrupt your gay hours, but it’s your turn.”

Sebastián pulls off of him and laughs, keeping him close to his chest. Quinn is dazed. He tastes like beer and sweat, and he wants… more of this, please.

He finishes the game of pong with Ben, and once it’s done, they make their way over to what could be considered the edge of the dance floor. There’s some random electronic song playing, and it’s musically atrocious but good for moving around to. Quinn hasn’t had a drop of alcohol tonight, nor does he plan on it, but parading around at Sebastián’s side like this is intoxicating all on its own. He’s here, with him, and it’s almost like Sebastián is showing him off, and it is beyond lovely.

“I’m an awful dancer,” Quinn confesses, as Sebastián is trying to get him to move with him to the music.

Inches away with his hands on his waist, Sebastián knits his brows like he doesn’t believe him. “You do theatre!”

“I’m awful at this kind of dancing,” he amends, hooking his hand around his hip. No one has ever touched him quite this much before. He doesn’t want it to stop.

“We don’t have to dance,” Sebastián replies. He looks past him, in the direction of the kitchen. “We could take a breather? Go find Ford and Tony?”

“Mmm…” So close to him in this crowd, Quinn isn’t so keen on the thought of leaving it. He steps a little closer to him and shrugs. “We could do that.” He pauses, tips his face up towards his, and meets his eyes in the low light. “Or we could stay here.”

He kisses him gently, at least at first, but Sebastián seems just as on board with the general idea as he is, because he pulls him very close all of a sudden, holds him tight with his big hands around his back. He still tastes like the party, and Quinn presses up against him, threading one hand through the slightly sweaty curls on his head. Sebastián’s lips are soft, but his kiss is anything but. It’s close, and warm, and so good, and Quinn has a feeling he’s about to leave the ground, but then—

“Nando.” The voice booms through the sound system over the music. Quinn jerks, and Sebastián pulls away to look up toward the noise— his teammate, the Swedish one who does the music, is holding his funny little DJ mic and looking right, directly at the two of them. “I’ve seen enough tonight,” the DJ continues. “Five dollars in the Sin Bin for that shit.”

Dispersed throughout the party, the hockey players heckle at this announcement. “Foooiiiiineeeee,” someone yells, and Quinn recognizes Ben’s cackle over the noise. The DJ gives them both a nod, waving his mic kind of menacingly, and Sebastián looks somewhere between amused and put on the spot.

“It’s a fucking kegster!” he calls, in the DJ’s direction, and puts Quinn down firmly on his feet.

Quinn has no idea what just happened. He winds his arms around his neck, watches the DJ laugh at Sebastián, and then cocks an eyebrow up at him. “Sin Bin?”

“God—” Sebastián shakes his head, squeezing him around the waist. “Okay, so there are fines on the hockey team? For PDA? I didn’t think I was going to get busted, but Louis just called me out.”

“Oh my goodness.” Quinn bites back a laugh. “So every time we kiss in public, you have to pay?”

“I mean.” Sebastián pauses. “I just got five dollars for the whole night, so, like. Not technically.” He looks around, then reaches for Quinn’s hand and pulls him a little ways out of the crowd. When they stop, they’re against the wall near the kitchen, close to the spot in the Haus where they met for the first time. Sebastián winds an arm around his waist, then adds, “But they’ll probably fine me again, given the opportunity.”

“So…” Quinn pauses, rests a hand on his chest. “Where does the money go?”

“Oh, anywhere,” he replies. “Dex mostly uses it to upgrade stuff around the Haus or buy things we need.”

“That’s…” He has never heard of a system like this in his life, but it sounds mildly entertaining. Except when it interferes with kissing his brand-new boyfriend at a party. “I don’t understand sports culture.”

“Sometimes, I don’t, either.” Sebastián kisses his forehead, in a manner that’s significantly softer than he was on the dance floor. “Are you doing okay?”

“Me?” Quinn raises his eyebrows. “Are you kidding? I’m great.”

“Oh.” Sebastián smiles. “Cool. Good. Okay. ‘Cause so am I.”

Tilting into his arm, Quinn looks around the room for a second. The DJ is still dancing around to his own beats, and Ben is nearby, talking to a girl Quinn recognizes vaguely as his Winter Screw date. They’re secluded, but the party is still hopping, and looks like it will be for the foreseeable future.

“Hey,” he says, lowering his voice a little, and rises on his tiptoes. “I have to tell you something.” Sebastián angles his ear towards him, and he cups his hand around it, all secretive, feeling silly and so, so head over heels all at the same time.

“There are no fines for kissing in my room,” he whispers, then pulls back to wink— and the knowing, flustered smile Sebastián returns is maybe the best sight he’s ever seen.

He’ll prove that. Later. But first, he’s going to enjoy the party.