#this is just a very weird mix of angst fluff and banter

[pandora-writes-one-piece]

The Meet-Cute - Zoro's Story - 14

Source for pic

Trouble 14

Word Count: 6045

Tags For The Whole Story: Fem!Reader; Protective!Zoro; Soft!Zoro; Sexual Tension; Teasing; Flirting; Mature Audiences (I'll always tag the NSFW chapters); Modern Day AU; Reader is being stalked; Fear; Paranoia; Angst; Rom-Com Vibes; Mild Gore-like Descriptions; Blood; Reader in a terror-like state; Dead Animals Mentioned; Fluff; Romance; Banter; Manipulation; Miscommunication; Frustration; Reader is very clumsy;

Special Warning: English is not my first language, I apologise for any possible spelling or grammar mistakes.

Summary: After moving away from the hustle and bustle of Grand Line City to help your father around the property following a horse-riding accident - and in the hopes of healing your broken heart after your asshole ex-fiancé cheated - you settle into the country calmness of the Calm Belt. You and Zoro are slowly returning to your easy friendship filled with banter and flirting and you actually begin to glimpse a future with the green-haired cop. But then you start to receive weird gifts. They quickly escalate to manipulative texts. And now you're stuck in a spiral of terror and there's no way to get help because the Stalker, whoever he is, is threatening something other than just your life.

Notes: Okay, now we really are reaching the end of the story. There's the Epilogue after this and we'll be done with Zoro! I'm missing this story already, it was so different from the others and I had so much fun with it! Well, as I said in my post earlier today, I wasn't expecting this chapter to take such an angsty turn, I was going to skim the details of the healing to get straight into the fluff. But they decided they wanted something different, and I complied. I'm glad I did because I like the bit of angst in this chapter, tell me what you think about it too, will you?

Masterlist

You both get a good scolding from the team of nurses as you wake up because you need rest in order to recover from your wounds. Zoro tries to argue that it was the best rest he’s gotten in the past few years, and though some nurses find the declaration cute, the head nurse tells him to stop acting like a child and behave.

So, you leave to return to your room for the doctors and nurses to check on Zoro’s condition, promising to return as soon as possible. 

You’re still finishing up breakfast, sitting in your bed when you hear a light knock at your door. “Come in.”

“Bug?” 

As soon as you see the look of worry Shanks gives you, you feel like a little girl again and start sobbing, the weight of everything too overwhelming to bear alone. 

“Oh, honey…” Shanks drops his coat on the floor and runs to you, holding you close in a one-armed hug. “I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry.” He keeps kissing the crown of your head, his arm pulling you closer and closer as if by that gesture he can erase all the pain you’ve been through.

“I–It’s okay, Dad…” You hide your head against the crook of his neck, inhaling the familiar scent of safety and love, and sob some more. “It’s not your fault.”

Shanks sits on your bed, never letting go of you, and when he speaks, his voice sounds hoarse and ragged, like he’s trying to hold back his own tears. “I should never have left you alone.”

“You couldn’t have known.”

“What if–... What if Zoro hadn’t–... What–...” Shanks groans, shaking his head and gritting his teeth, squeezing you tighter against him and not finishing his line of thought, as if merely thinking about what could have happened is unbearable. “I’m never leaving you again, Bug.”

You let out a bubbly laugh mixed with a dry sob. “We both know that’s unreasonable, Dad.”

“It’s not.” He kisses your head again. “I’ll strap you to my waist with a rope or something. I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”

“Dad!”

“I mean it, though. Don’t worry, it will be a rope long enough to give you some privacy.”

“Geez, Red, stop being so dramatic.”

Mihawk enters the room after a slight knock on the door to announce his presence, but Shanks is already scowling and still refuses to let go of you. 

“I’m not being dramatic, Hawkeyes, I’m just comforting my child and showing her love. Something I doubt you’re capable of doing.” Mihawk smirks back at your father, and you wiggle free of his embrace, still holding his hand. 

“Actually, Dad, Captain Mihawk was quite understanding with me last night.” You chuckle slightly, drying your tears with the back of your hand. 

“Well, I’ll be damned…” Shanks begins with a grin, and Mihawk sighs, rolling his eyes and promptly changing the subject. 

“I was just on my way to see Roronoa, but I wanted you both to know that your property looks like a media circus now.” He straightened up, his nose scrunching at the mention of reporters. “I tried to keep things wrapped up as tightly as possible, but the news still leaked, so we had to make a statement. And though we’re trying to provide all the information about King and his responsibility in the maiming of the two victims, the reporters still want a story about the girl he did all of this for…”

Shanks tightens his grip on your hand, and you hold a breath. Obviously, the nightmare couldn’t be over. Was it too much to ask?

“We forced them to remain outside private property, but you know how tenacious reporters can be… maybe you can stay with a friend until the novelty dies down?” He looks at you, and you nod softly. 

Your friends! If they heard the news, they must be worried sick!

“My friends, are they…”

Mihawk sighs again, this time in exasperation. “They’re all camped outside the hospital, demanding to see you and Zoro. I managed to talk to Miss Nico and Miss Nefertari, the sensible ones in that crew, and promised they would be allowed in as soon as you were cleared to receive visitors.”

You shed a small smile, your brows wrinkling with gratitude mixed with worry. Of course they’re camping outside. You push the guilt from not telling them anything far down to the abyss of unwanted things to think about, and force the smile to keep pressing your lips.

“We’ll be fine.” You say to your father. Shanks nods, the wrinkles near his eyes much more prominent than when he left, and then he fixes your hair in a loving gesture. 

“We will.”

Mihawk nods and turns to leave, then he calls your name and turns back to you. “One more thing, if you’re up to it, I can take your statement here instead of you coming to the police station to do it. Less hassle, no reporters…”

You nod with a small thank you and he leaves you to your father’s fussing once more.

-*-

“You look like crap.”

“Thanks, Cap. That’s exactly the pep talk I needed after getting stabbed and almost dying.” Zoro grunts and raises his arm to cover his eye. He feels like shit. Every muscle feels raw, every wound stings and hurts, every bruise taunts him and strains his movements. 

But he feels fucking good too.

Because you’re alive, and King is not. Motherfucker.

Zoro clenches his fist and grits his teeth. He still feels so much rage over what the fucker did to you. He keeps thinking about all the things he could’ve done differently, of all the pain and hurt that could’ve been avoided if he’d just figured out sooner what was happening to you.

He keeps revisiting your conversations, everything he could have done differently to avoid this outcome because yes, you’re alive, but you’re not unscathed. You went through hell, and King almost took you away from Zoro. He still touched you and did unspeakable things to you. Zoro can’t help but blame himself for most of it. If only he’d been faster, stronger, smarter…

“Don’t think too much, Roronoa, you might strain a muscle.” Mihawk’s remark is teasing, and Zoro snorts in response, but doesn’t answer back. A confirmation that he is, indeed, thinking too much about things he cannot and will never be able to change.

“It wasn’t your fault.” Mihawk continues, as if he’s a mind-reader, when in reality he knows Zoro like he knows his prized sword. “None of it. So stop blaming yourself and stop thinking you could’ve done something differently. It doesn’t matter now. The bastard’s dead. You got the girl. You’re alive.”

“But…” Zoro starts, then stops, his teeth clattering together as he forces back the anger and the shame, the guilt and the rage. The words are stuck in his throat, drying it up and sucking all the air from his lungs. He never wanted to be a disappointment… but he needs to acknowledge it. Even if only to himself.

“I... I got a scar on my back. From a fucking blade.” His arm is still draped over his eye, and though Zoro doesn’t cry, the words sting and burn. Even more so because of how much he admires the person he’s saying them to.

Mihawk remains silent. 

For too damn long.

“Fuck. Just admit that I’m a fucking disappointment and–”

“I’m proud of you, son,” Mihawk states. Zoro removes his forearm from the front of his eye as it bores into Mihawk’s golden gaze. He doesn’t seem to be joking, hell, he doesn’t seem disappointed at all. 

“You gave your all to save a young woman’s life. You protected her with all you had and were willing to lie down your life in order to achieve it.” He sighs. “As far as I’m concerned, that scar on your back brings you pride, not shame. And you should look at it the same way.”

It takes every ounce of willpower in Zoro to school his features into perfect stoicism. Then he nods. “Thanks.” It’s all he manages to say, and even that one word comes out shaky and watery. 

“Anytime.”

-*-

In the afternoon, after Shanks leaves to take care of the animals, the nurses allow your friends to visit you, as long as they promise to be quiet and not all come in at once. 

The poor nurse doesn’t know your friends at all.

They come in all at once, hugging you, crying, drilling you with questions, and every other minute one of them asks if you are okay. It’s overwhelming. So much so, that Robin decides they should let you rest and shoos them all away as you promise to stay in touch and meet them as soon as you leave the hospital.

They try to check in on Zoro, but the nurses don’t allow them, as he’s still in critical condition and can’t be strained. You promise to send him their love as they all leave.

Nami stays behind, though. 

“I should’ve noticed…” She whispers while fidgeting with the blanket at the end of your bed, folding it neatly as her eyes turn brighter. “I mean, I did notice! And that’s why I’m so mad! I noticed something was different, but didn’t dig enough, didn’t ask you more questions. I– I’ve been such a shitty friend!”

Your smile is strained and saddened. She shouldn’t blame herself when you did your best to hide everything from them. To isolate yourself from the people closest to you. “Sweetie…” You begin, getting up on still-wobbly legs because of all the painkillers you’re on, clutching your broken arm against your chest. “It wasn’t your fault. I was the one who kept you all in the dark.”

Nami swallows a sob and hugs you tightly, minding your injuries like a worried mother, fussing over you, fixing your hair and hospital gown. “I know you did, but you were being threatened! It’s not like you could’ve told us what was happening! You didn’t tell Zoro, and he knew something was up! He didn’t let go, didn’t dismiss it as a bad moment, or just missing your father like we all did!”

You hug her back, patting her head. “Nami, I don’t think we should play the blame game. It happened. It’s over. I want to heal. Just… be there and help me heal. I never asked for more.”

“So just… be your friend?” She smiles.

“That’s all I need.”

With a nod, she wipes her tears and finishes straightening your hair, helping you get back into bed. “That I know how to do. Shanks said you had reporters camped at your house and that you should find a quiet place to stay until it all dies down.” You nod. “You can stay with me and Vivi, love, okay?”

Of course she would offer. You smile and nod. “Thank you, Nami.”

-*-

“Why are you still here, Trouble?” Zoro’s voice sounds more amused than upset, but you thought he was asleep. You straighten up in the uncomfortable hospital chair and take another sip of your coffee nonchalantly. “Didn’t the hospital dismiss you already?”

He’s right. You were dismissed two days ago, but he wasn’t. And you’ve been spending every possible moment with him, even when the nurses tell you to go home. Because how can you go home when the only place that feels safe enough to be called such is Zoro’s arms?

“They did.” You answer, crossing your legs as your gaze wanders. He looks better. Less pale, stronger, with more brightness in his eye. He’s still heavily bandaged, and there’s still an IV bag strapped to his arm, but he has been talking about leaving the hospital already, though the nurses assure you he still needs at least another five to seven days of rest. 

He’ll never stay that long, you’re sure of it. 

“You should be resting.” He reprimends. 

“I am! I was sleeping just a while ago.”

He sighs, looking at the discarded blanket at the back of your chair. “You were napping, it’s not the same as proper rest, in a bed, at home.”

Your eyes fall to the ground as you fidget with the coffee cup and set it aside. “I don’t want to go home…” It doesn’t feel like home anymore. It feels tainted, unsafe, dangerous. Captain Mihawk says they found cameras all over the house, even in your bedroom and bathroom. You were horrified by this knowledge and it sent your father into another spiral of guilt. 

Plus, the reporters are still hovering around the property, trying to get to you and hounding your dad as the next best thing. Shanks decked one of them in the jaw when he got extra nosy. Mihawk alleged the reporter was on private property, so Shanks was off the hook, even though he hit him far off the property grounds. 

“Why?” Zoro asks, but as soon as the words leave his mouth, he regrets them. He knows why. So he sighs and scoots to the side. “You don’t have to go, then. C’mere.” This time, you don’t even protest. You carefully climb into the bed and nestle against his strong body, getting hooked on the feeling of safety only he can provide. “Better?” You nod as he kisses the crown of your head. “Me too.”

After a long silence, in which both of you seem lost in your own thoughts, Zoro presses his cheek against your head and sighs heavily. “He’s dead.”

You just nod. You know that. Your head knows that, but your body still shudders every time you’re alone. Your heart still beats faster whenever you hear a foreign noise. Your eyes still sting when someone enters your space unwillingly. Your breath still hitches every time your phone vibrates. 

He’s gone, yes, but the scars he left behind will take an eternity to heal. 

-*-

You haven’t set foot in your house since it happened. Nami went with your father to bring your essentials and a change of clothes. She set up an inflatable mattress in her art room and you finally found some peace. 

Until the reporters find out that you’re staying there and then guilt settles into your chest, and you don’t want to impose. So you spend more time at the hospital, having befriended some nurses who particularly like you, and they let you sleep near Zoro.

Other than the fact that you barely rest, and he gets grumpy about it, he doesn’t contest to your being there. After almost ten days, he’s had enough and hounds the doctor to give him clearance, promising not to overexert himself. 

He gets released, but someone leaks the news and when you, Shanks and Zoro leave the hospital, there are more reporters than you can count, and suddenly, the air feels thicker. 

“Maybe I should talk to them and just get this over with…” You start, your voice already small and shaking, not wanting to relive the worst moments of your life. 

Then Zoro places one arm over your shoulder, pulling you to him as he nearly growls. “Like fuck you will. They’re just looking for gossip, I don’t want you having to relieve the experience just so they can get a scoop.” He turns to Shanks. “Can you go get the car, Mr. S.? We’ll wait here.”

Shanks nods while a frown presses on his lips, then he sighs and walks through the reporters, repeating ‘No comment’ over and over again, though you swear he’s cussing each and every one of them as he walks to the car. 

“You okay?” Zoro asks, concern shadowing his eye, and you sigh. 

“Yes, I’m fine. Stop worrying, Zo, you need to recover, not stress about me every single second.”

He smirks smugly and flicks your forehead, earning an indignant gasp. “Too bad. Worrying about you is in my blood, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

You scrunch your nose at him, your good hand rubbing the spot he flicked, even though it doesn’t hurt. “Idiot.” You mutter under your breath, and he chuckles, using two fingers to lift your chin so you can look at him.

“Your idiot.”

“Damn right.”

-*-

Healing hurts.

Not just physically, though each pull at the scars, each twist of a battered muscle, and each ache of your wrist has you wincing in agony. It’s the emotional scars that cause more pain. 

You’re seeing a therapist - doctor’s orders - and you talk, but the fear, the anxiety, and the overwhelming sense of being trapped are still buried deep in your bones. The therapist keeps saying you’re making progress, and there are days when you actually believe that.

And then there are terrible days. 

The reporters left Shanks’ property after three weeks, and though some still pop up once in a while, the novelty died down. They are still focusing on the story, but since the police caught Queen and Jack, both accomplices to King, the spotlight on you faded somewhat. 

While accompanying Zoro to physical therapy, he tells you that Mihawk informed him they managed to connect the cameras in your house to Queen. They caught Jack because of DNA collected from hair found at the overlook, where Lucci’s eyes were discovered. 

The weight in your chest doesn’t lift, it constrains you further. You didn’t even think about the fact that King’s accomplices could still be out there. What if they had come for you? What if they wanted to avenge their fallen comrade and gone after Zoro?

“Fuck!” Zoro grunts as thick beads of sweat drip from his forehead to the tip of his nose. His arms give out, his knees follow, and he slumps down onto the mat with another curse and a grunt.

You fight against your strongest instinct to rush to him and instead shove your idle hand beneath your leg, biting your lip as Zoro’s physical therapist tuts and sighs. “I said breathe, didn’t I?” Doctor Kureha is not the most patient of women, but maybe that’s exactly what Zoro needs for these sessions. “Your core is not strong enough, boy, stop pretending like you’re in a brutal training session. These things take time to heal.”

“Again.” Zoro growls, already setting himself back into plank position, this time willing to last longer than ten seconds. 

“Not yet. Your body is still–”

“I said again, woman.” Zoro inhales sharply and you see the way his body trembles under the strain. This time you do get up, kneeling down next to him.

“Hey, Zo. Please, take it easy.” He grits his teeth together and avoids your gaze. You know Zoro hates to feel weak, limited and useless. Even though he’s already doing exercices that he should only try for another week or two. He’s strong. But he’s also stubborn.

“You need to be patient, boy, or you’ll permanently damage your body. And there’s no coming back from that.”

“Tch.” Zoro struggles, his shoulders shaking from the effort, but then he lowers his knee and sets it on the mat to relieve the strain on his core. “Fine.”

You sigh in relief and kiss his temple before returning to your seat. 

Healing hurts. And you’re not the only one doing it.

-*-

The nights are the hardest. 

You finally leave Nami’s house, thinking that you’re already imposing, even though she assures you that you’re not, but then you don’t head home immediately. You leave your stuff in your car and go to Zoro’s, avoiding returning home like the plague.

If he knows what you’re doing, he doesn’t mention it. Instead, you help him with some simple exercises Dr. Kureha recommended for him to do at home and in between sessions, then you order pizza and watch trash TV for a while.

You can feel all of the unsaid things floating around both of you. The guilt, the shame, the helplessness you both felt, you’ve been skirting around it as if it were a living thing, ready to bite or claw at any given moment.

Instead, you talk about trivial stuff.

But the hurt is still there. 

You can see Zoro needs to rest, so you kiss him goodbye and finally head home for the first time since the nightmare ended. You need some extra seconds inside the car to collect yourself before you finally climb the steps to the porch. 

Each step feels daunting. Your hand grips the handrail so tightly your knuckles turn white. You close your eyes to take a deep breath, and a quick flash of a succession of images passes before your eyes: dead animals, blood, a gutless cat pinned to the door, the note… the threats, the fear.

You swallow down a sob as your heart rate increases. “He’s gone, he’s gone,” you whisper an unending litany as you try to calm your erratic heart. 

“Bug, you’re home?”

Shanks. Your dad is ‘safety’, you’re fine, you’ll be fine.

“Yeah, Dad,” you answer and compose yourself before he opens the door with a strained smile. “I’m… home.” The word still feels foreign, but you ignore it.

Ignore the pain.

“Let me help you.” Shanks reaches for your small bag and ushers you inside. He’s also wearing a strained smile, which you can’t help but notice. And then, at dinner, you and he also dance around the important subjects. 

It’s like you’re made of glass, and everyone is scared to grab you too tightly, or to drop you. 

Including yourself.

You propose a movie night, and Shanks immediately says yes, clearly wanting to spend more time with you and using the excuse of it being cold to nestle you under his arm, cradling you against his body - protecting you, like he failed to do while he was away.

It’s too much.

You fake a headache and excuse yourself, saying you need rest. You do need rest, except you already know there won’t be much of it in this house.

Still, you do your nighttime routine and even try to read for a little bit before your eyelids feel heavy. You close the book and use the covers of the bed to try and disappear. The light is still on, but it seems as if the shadows are even more menacing now. 

Every creak of the old house brings you flashes of the time when you were alone and helpless, every night sound coming from the outside of the house feels like a heavy footstep, and thunder in the distance sounds like a pound on the door. 

You’re nowhere near healed. 

The nightmare is nowhere near over. 

And the pain doesn’t disappear. It lingers.

-*-

Your days all seem the same. You help Shanks with the chores, trying to get back to normalcy, but never quite getting there because you see the way your father looks at you. It’s not pity, it’s guilt. He blames himself for all that’s happened to you while he was away, and with each new day that passes, you fear that he’ll never really get over that feeling. 

You spend your afternoons with Zoro, going to therapy or physical therapy, listening to him complain about how he already feels good enough to get back to work, but then watching as he struggles with basic exercises and avoids dealing with his mounting frustration by pushing himself harder and harder.

He looks at you with guilt, too. But that is your fault as well, since you know he could’ve acted sooner if you’d just told him earlier. So you don’t address the subject, nor does he. And it festers like an infected wound. 

Zoro’s also more protective and worried than ever. He used to look out for you before, but now it’s worse. It’s not like before, when he saw physical obstacles or mundane situations where you would get hurt and had you avoid them before you could harm yourself. Now it’s like he’s attentive to another kind of danger, to something that might lurk in the shadows, to something he can’t see or won’t be able to protect you from.

Your own guilt swells. 

Healing seems so far away…

You barely sleep again. And it shows, you know it does. Zoro and Shanks keep looking at you as if you’ll break at any minute, even though you try to plaster your best fake smile around them. Your therapist suggests antidepressants and you dismiss the thought immediately.

“Is that because you want to prove to everybody that you’re strong, or just to yourself?” She asks, kindness in her eyes, but you don’t know how to answer that.

She still prescribes the drugs and tells you to think about taking them. 

You don’t think about it. You do want to be strong, as strong as Zoro, who keeps pushing his limits, as strong as Shanks, who keeps fighting off random reporters and gossipy magazines. 

But you can’t. 

And one night, everything crumbles. 

You’re in bed, fighting off sleep as you usually do, thinking that you’ll nap tomorrow at Zoro’s, or after lunch while watching a movie with your father. Still postponing the inevitable, still avoiding whatever might trigger you.

But then you fall asleep from exhaustion, as you did on many nights when King was still terrorizing you. 

And it’s like you’re trapped again. You feel King’s hands roaming your body, his weight pressed upon your naked body, his breath hot against your lips, your tears scalding as they drip down your face.

You try to scream for help, but you can’t even open your mouth. And he keeps touching you, claiming you, taking away bits of your soul that you can’t and will never get back. “That’s it, Kitten, purr for me.” It’s like he’s right there, it’s like he never left.

It’s too much. 

You wake up with a jolt, panting, and with your screams all trapped in your throat. You can’t stop shaking and shivering; the walls close in on you, and the air is suffocating. You can still feel the pressure on top of you, the way his fingers groped flesh, the way his breath fanned your skin. You don’t feel safe.

Shanks can’t help. 

But Zoro can. 

With a whimper, you get up on wobbly legs, trying to be quiet because you don’t want to worry your father further. You still leave a note for him before heading outside, though. 

Driving your car with your arm in a cast is a challenge, but it’s the middle of the night, and there’s barely any car outside, so you somehow manage.

When you park outside Zoro’s apartment, you still can’t shake away the phantom touch of King, the grip he has on your mind and body, and just knowing that Zoro is a few steps away has more tears flooding your eyes. 

You knock desperately on his door, hiccups and sobs taking over as your chest heaves with gasps and pain. Zoro opens the door with groggy eyes, his hair messy and a tiredness in his eye that’s been branded permanently since this whole thing started.

“Hey!” He calls your name, and his eye widens as soon as he takes a good look at you. Then he reaches for you and pulls you inside, looking at both sides of the hallway before closing the door and locking it. 

You’re shivering, convulsing with sobs and tears, there’s an ache in your chest that won’t go away, and you need… you need… “Zoro…” Him.

The wail that escapes your lips alongside his name seems to physically hurt him. Zoro winces and hugs you, pulling you against him tight, ignoring both your wounds this time, because who cares about physical pain when his hug can obliterate all that is destroying your mind?

“Zo… Zo…” You can’t utter a full sentence, you can only sob and dig your nails into his shirt, pulling him impossibly closer.

“Is– fuck, did anybody hurt you?” He growls, his body becoming taut. “Tell me!”

You shake your head frantically. “No, no… it’s…” More tears and sobs wreck you, and Zoro looks lost. Helpless again because he can’t help you if you don’t tell him what’s wrong. “A nightmare… I…” You inhale deeply. “It felt real. I felt his hands, his mouth, I–... I was trapped again.”

Zoro takes a deep, shaky breath, his eye closing as he rests his head against the crown of yours, his hand soothing your back, caressing up and down to ground you. “He’s gone… he’s dead. You’re safe.”

And though you know his words are true, you can’t stop the sobs. So he doesn’t say anything else, he just lets you cry, holding you through it all as you cling to him like he’s your only lifeline. He’s warm and solid. He’s your rock, he’s your safety net, he’s your everything.

And you need to stop hiding things from him, you need to talk, or you’ll drift apart. And you don't think you can survive that separation. 

When you’ve calmed down, you try to pull back with a sniffle, your hands rubbing your face to dry it, but Zoro doesn’t let you go. He pulls you to the couch, into his lap, and you clutch his shirt, burying your face against the crook of his neck and inhaling deeply. 

“Wanna talk?” He asks, his voice clipped like he’s trying to keep his emotions in check. 

“I do.” The sigh he lets out is filled with relief. “I can’t be at my father’s house anymore. I– It doesn’t feel safe. I’m always waiting for King to appear out of nowhere, to grab me, to terrorize me… I can’t sleep, I don’t rest…”

A lingering sob still shakes your lips as you inhale, but Zoro doesn’t interrupt you, though you still feel the tautness in his body. 

“The therapist suggested some pills that are supposed to help with PTSD and anxiety, but–... I want to be strong and–”

“You’re still strong if you take meds. There’s no shame in it.”

An unwanted scoff escapes your lips. “You’re not taking them.”

“Not everybody deals with shit the same way, Trouble.” Zoro closes his eye and sighs, his breath warm against your temple. “I can’t stand to see you like this again. I feel like I’m losing you… like I’m powerless against an invisible force that’s pulling you from me. And this time… this time I don’t think I can defeat it. Because I can’t even see it.”

His grip on you tightens, and so does your throat. All the unsaid things, the unspoken words of the last few weeks seem to weigh on you. It’s your fault… it’s all your fault again. 

“Take the meds…” He continues. “Please, take care of you, Trouble. I’m here, but there’s only so much I can do to help you. You need to want to help yourself too.” He raises his hand to cup your cheek and forces you to look at him, and what you see reflected in his eye scares you. He seems haunted and afraid, so unlike the unshakable Zoro you’re used to. “I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you.”

You nod, forcing back another wave of tears. Then he takes your lips softly and you let him. You’ve pecked him a few times after the hospital, but not like this, not in a way that feels like you’re drowning and he’s the one giving you life. 

Zoro deepens the kiss, and you open your mouth so his tongue can chase yours. The slow kiss is very different from the ones you shared when you first had sex with him, but it’s much more intimate, more raw and exposed. 

You need more.

You shift in his lap, and he groans, his hands gripping tighter as he stiffens with pain. 

You pull back fast, stepping out of his lap, but still sitting near him, your hands still cupping his cheeks as your eyes search his. Sure enough, he’s in pain as little drops of sweat trickle down his temple. “Fuck, Trouble. I want to, but…”

You chuckle, your chest feeling lighter for the first time in a very long while. “I know. Let’s take it slow, shall we?” He nods with a frustrated sigh, and you run your fingers through his hair. “There's no rush. We have all the time in the world, right?”

Zoro stares at you, his jaw clenching as he smiles softly. He traces your cheekbone with his thumb, letting it settle on your lips, then pinches your chin, pulling you closer to seal the deal with an innocent peck. “We do.”

You both sigh as you settle back into his arms. Then, after a moment of silence, you continue. 

“I can’t sleep in that house anymore…” You confess. And it’s another weight off your shoulders. Finally admitting to someone other than yourself that your house doesn’t feel safe, isn’t comforting, it’s not a haven, but hell itself. 

Zoro nods in understanding and gets up, extending his hand for you to take it. “Did you tell Shanks where you were?” You reply with a yes, so he leads you to his bedroom, taking another pillow from the closet for you to use. “Let’s rest, okay?”

You nod once more, and soon enough, you’re both snuggled under his covers, close, but not on top of each other so as not to strain any of your wounds. 

Maybe healing doesn’t have to hurt so much?

It doesn’t take long for sleep to claim you, exhaustion taking you under in a few minutes. Zoro follows shortly, his breaths evening out too, because, as much as he doesn’t want to admit it himself, every minute he’s away from you, it’s hell on earth. 

He needs you as much as you need him. You were both just too stubborn to admit it.

-*-

You had the best rest in a while, and though your body still feels battered and bruised as you wake up, you feel calm. 

Yawning, you adjust your eyes to the light coming from the window, and the first thing you notice is that Zoro isn’t next to you. You frown. Maybe he’s in the bathroom?

But then you hear noises coming from his closet, and you turn. Sure enough, Zoro’s inside, moving shirts around and tossing others to the floor, folding some jeans and setting them aside.

Is he cleaning? Or…? You blush, a small smile creeping up your lips. “What are you doing, you big Mosshead?”

Zoro chuckles, a smirk tugging at his lips, as if he’s happy you’re feeling cheerful and back to your old self. “What does it look like, Trouble? I’m spring cleaning.”

Bastard. You snort. Then he sniffs one shirt, grimaces, and throws it onto the pile on the floor before turning to another one, his back turned to you. 

“I’m making space for your stuff.”

Yep, that’s what you thought. Your chest swells, and you bite your lower lip to contain an excited giggle. “For me?”

He turns back slightly, a frown on his lips as his ears turn red. “If you want. You said your house doesn’t feel like home anymore, so… maybe my home can… be yours too?” Then he turns back to the closet, not wanting to face you, perhaps afraid you’ll reject his offer. 

So you get up on tiptoes, stand behind him, and bring your uninjured arm softly around his torso, letting your head rest against the planes of his back. “Thank you.” You whisper and he stiffens for a second before relaxing. “I would love to.”

Zoro nods, then clears his throat and continues his closet inspection. “Yeah, well… yeah. It’s just space in a closet.”

Sure it is. 

And the gesture is so… Zoro, that it makes you warm and tingly all over. 

“Yes, it is, Zo.” You kiss his back and flop back on the bed with the biggest smile in weeks, months, even. 

You’ve made up your mind. After today’s session, you will start taking those pills. And no more hiding stuff from Zoro, your dad, or your friends. Sure, healing is hard, painful, and it hurts.

But it doesn’t have to.

Not all the time, at least.

Tag List: @rosidaze @beachaddict48 @armiliadawn @jintaka-hane @sprinkklz @baby5555 @hopelesslover06 @mars-mizuko @sleepykittycx @nerium-lil @eustasscapitankid @ren-ni @jqperi @lycoriskalmia @daydreamer-in-training @iloveyoushanks @thegalaxysedge22 @kyllium @keiva1000 @chibinasuu @my-name-is-heartache @laidenbreecatchall

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|Epilogue🔞|

[nice-meanie]

Geto Suguru - Poison

Synopsis: you officially started a relationship with Suguru a few weeks ago, but he always doges your attempts at kissing him, so you decided to get to the bottom of his weird behaviour

Wordcount: 3.5k

Content: Geto Suguru x reader, newly established relationship, smoking (Suguru and reader), fluff, angst? very little, comfort mostly

A/n: English isn’t my first language soooo be nice T-T

The water reflected the sun, making the rays dance on the ripples of the shallow river. Your bare feet were being cooled while you were watching the creatures, running your hand through the water to make them move around. Suguru was sitting on a beach towel behind you, the fingertips of his right hand barely brushing the grass next to the towel, watching you get excited over the freshwater animals. You stood up straight turning around to face your boyfriend making the water swoosh under your feet. Sugurus's gaze met yours, the features on his face softening seeing you all excited about the beautiful nature.

His heart fluttered. You got together a few weeks ago and you still melted Suguru’s heart with your smile. He desperately wanted to keep this forever, to never let you slip away.

His eyes settled on the water reflecting the trees, grass and sky making the colours mix while you walked over to plop yourself next to him on the towel letting your gaze fall where his was appreciating the peace and resting your head on his shoulder. For just a moment Suguru tensed under the sudden touch before doing his best to relax, feeling the thump of his beating heart in his ears now. He sneaked a look at you, drifting his eyes over your face. Your hair tickled his neck comfortably, your eyes sparkled in the sun. A smile crept on his face and a little blush. His hand moved towards yours. His heartbeat picked up in speed. His pillowy soft fingers tickle your hand with a soft brush letting his hand rest on yours and just loosely intertwining your fingers.

Of course, you had noticed him looking at you, but you didn’t want to disturb the moment knowing he’d look away the moment you made it apparent that you knew his eyes were on you. You wanted to feel his gaze for just a while longer. It made you a bit embarrassed to see him stare at you from the corner of your eye, but it also made you feel so loved. You wanted to keep this tender moment forever. Neither of you were talking, just basking in the peace and comfortable silence, something that both of you didn’t get enough of in your day-to-day lives. But feeling his hand settle on yours broke the camel's back and you couldn’t stop your head from turning to look at him, just like you couldn’t stop the pink that tinted your cheeks.

Just like you expected his eyes swiftly looked back to the river trying to hide the fact that he was staring at you just moments ago.

“Suguruuuuuuu… stop pretending like you weren’t staring”

Your voice sounded almost winy with a touch of amusement. You loved teasing him.

His gaze stayed glued to the dancing water. A smirk sneaked up his sharp features and his eyes narrowed.

“Awww, what you wanted me to stare a while longer?”

While Sugurus's heart thumped from being caught, he couldn’t help but want to tease you back. He Snapped his head back towards you looking into your eyes. The smug smirk still plastered across his face.

You started to get lost in his dark eyes. They reminded you of dark chocolate, making you forget about your previous banter and feeling your heart speed up from his intense stare. He saw the way your facial expression softened and so did his. Softly your thumb brushed comforting circles on his hand intensifying the intimacy of the moment. Your eyes fell to his lips which now curled up in a soft smile, the soft smile you fell in love with, the kind spirit he was behind all his teasing and bickering with Satoru.

His lips look so soft

You wanted to kiss him so badly it almost ached in your heart. Without even realizing it you started to close the distance between you two. Almost instantly Sugurus's expression shifted. His body tensed up. You felt it in his stiffening hand. Looking up to his eyes again it was hard to make out his expression.

fear

Like a deer in the headlights. His hand swiftly moved away from yours and he placed his elbow on his leg. His hand lazily dangling in the air. He desperately tried to conceal his discomfort and the awkwardness of his rejection of your move.

“Hey, it's getting late. We should probably head home.”

“Oh, ye you’re right… the sun is starting to set”

“Wanna stay over at my place tonight? I mean I do live closer, you’ll probably fall asleep in the car if I drive you back home”

His teasing and the pained chuckle he breathed out was an attempt at hiding the slight tension in the air. Nonetheless being invited over to his place, still gave you a warm feeling in your stomach, but not without the sting of being rejected… once again.

“Ye I’d love to!”

While packing up, putting your shoes back on and walking to Sugurus car you couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. The first time he avoided your kiss you thought it was a coincidence, maybe he read the room wrong. The second time you thought he needed more time or perhaps more privacy, somewhere without other people around since he never seemed big on PDA. But now again? You two were completely alone, engulfed in nature, with no one in sight, you were looking deep into each other's eyes so there was no way he read the room wrong and was concerned about the time. His avoidance made no sense to you. You have cuddled before, he has held you close and kissed your neck, but he was so terrified of kissing your lips.

As if he was scared he’d poison you.

“Here passenger princess, be my DJ”

His voice pulled you out of your deep thoughts. You looked around confused. You hadn’t even noticed that you were already in the car. Suguru reached his phone out to you which was connected to his car. He was looking at you waiting to take his phone.

“Ah right, ye of course”

Your voice sounded a bit distant, still trying to take in the situation as you took his phone out of his hand.

“You ok? You seem in veeryyy deep thought. Hopefully about me”

“Of course, I’m good”

Sheesh, that distance in your voice stung a little. He noticed how deep in thought you were and despite being used to you sounding a bit aloof especially when someone asked you if you were ok, this time you sounded especially distant. Suguru figured it was from before, but felt too uncomfortable to bring it up. You swiped through his music crafting a queue with all of your favorite songs. While driving back home the air in the car was getting thicker, you were still deep in thought and left Suguru to fend for himself in the awkward silence. Finally, he pulled up to his place.

It was now dark and cool outside making you shiver when stepping out of the car. A strong reassuring arm wrapped around your trembling body. Suguru stroked your upper arm in an attempt to warm you up.

“Let’s get to the apartment before you freeze to death”

“I’ve already frozen to death! Let’s get to your apartment before I become a full-blown ice block!”

He laughed a bit at your whiny remark.

In his apartment, Suguru threw his keys on the kitchen counter after kicking his shoes off and headed straight for the kettle to boil some water for tea. You joined him after shedding your shoes as well and hugged him from behind. This time you were careful, more than usual, with your touch and affection, scared he might shy away once again. He leaned into your touch, his weight shifting further to his heels, to feel your entire body against his. He hummed in delight with one hand sneaking to yours around his midsection while the other was setting the full kettle down to boil the water.

“Hey, Suguru?”

“Hm?”

Your voice sounded concerned? Sad? He couldn’t make it out, but he knew what you were going to bring up. He was dreading this moment and nervousness seeped into his heart, but on the outside, he kept full composure.

“Have you… Have you been avoiding kissing me?”

Suddenly the tension was back. Suguru looked down at the counter where his hands gripped the edge keeping him grounded. Yet he didn’t speak so you took further initiative. You were determined to get to the bottom of this.

“I just noticed that you’ve been avoiding all my attempts at kissing you and I thought you might’ve needed more privacy for our first kiss or you were bad at reading the room, but all of that doesn’t feel right. I feel like there is something you aren’t telling me…”

You looked at his avoidant eyes. They were still glued to the counter, but his expression was now conflicted. Part of him wanted to keep up his tough front. Face contorting with a mix of emotions. He was so deeply afraid and embarrassed. Desperately trying to avoid this topic and to be vulnerable, but right now you left no room for his avoidance. He knew you wouldn’t back down and that’s why he fell for you. You stand your ground, you get to the bottom of things, you don’t let problems just hang in the air unspoken or swept under the rug and without even knowing it you’ve become Suguru’s most important anchor and source of comfort. Something he didn’t want to admit, but you were breaking his walls down in the most gentle way possible.

Your hand snaked up to cup his cheek and turn his head towards you. You placed your forehead on his, a very comforting and grounding touch. You weren’t here to judge, to pry or to force him into anything, you just wanted to understand and he needed to know that. He needed to know that he was safe to be vulnerable with you.

“Baby you can talk to me. I’m not here to rush you or force you to kiss me. I just want to understand what’s going on with you. I want to be here for you and help you”

Sigh

“Alright, let’s just sit on the balcony”

He moved slowly determined to finish making tea. Uncomfortably shifting on his feet, taking his time to pick out the flavour, pouring the scolding water slowly into the cups. It was evident that he was doing anything to delay this conversation as much as possible. You noticed this of course. It didn’t annoy you, the last thing you wanted was to rush him while he was distressed, but you couldn’t help but worry.

He was finally done. The two mugs full of tea in hand, he turned around to face you for the first time since you got home. He looked you in the eyes and nodded his head towards the balcony door, signalling to both of you to go over there. At face value, his expression looked stern, calm and collected, but you looked right through that. Despite how hard he tried you saw the faint turmoil in his eyes, the embarrassment, guilt and shame. Seeing all those emotions in his eyes made you all the more desperate to figure out what was wrong.

You grabbed an oversized hoodie that belonged to Suguru on the way to the balcony. He always kept it on the couch for when you’d come over and chill outside with him. Both of you lighting up a cigarette and letting the view of the Tokyo city lights and melancholy music set the perfect vibes for a midnight balcony date. You quickly noticed that Suguru only smoked outside and never in his apartment making him kind of bond with the small outdoor space that floated high in the air. It became his safe space. One of the little places that was only meant for relaxation and when he needed comfort, the balcony was where you’d find him.

He clung to the comfort of the space hoping it would make this conversation at least a little easier. Suguru fumbled with the pack of cigarettes in his pocket. The one he pulled out was placed to hang lazily between his lips while he tilted the open pack to you and looked you in the eyes.

“Want one?”

“Sure”

Your voice was soft. It was hard to look into Suguru’s eyes, seeing the desperation to delay this talk. While he offered you a cigarette his look was pleading. Pleading with you to let this go, but you didn’t let that persuade you. After lighting his and your smoke Suguru leaned lazily back on the small balcony couch that barely fit the two of you.

“Suguru…”

Your hand snaked to his interlocking just your pinkies. Suguru looked up, his tired eyes fixated on the city lights. With a heavy sigh, he blew out the smoke in his lungs and his lips parted just barely to start speaking. His heart was racing and aching scared of your reaction, but you got him cornered. He had no other chance than to tell you, to speak with you about this deeply embarrassing fear.

“Look y/n. I can’t kiss you…”

“But why?”

His words were almost cut off by a sharp chuckle. The kind of painful laugh that he’d let out when he was in distress, knowing exactly that if he didn’t laugh about his desperation he’d have to cry. The sharp words hit you straight in the chest, you didn’t know why, but his insult to himself cut you deeper than any insult you’ve ever had thrown at you.

“What?! You’re not disgusting! Why would you think tha-?”

“Y/n I consume shit and vomit on the daily. Do you understand how disgusting curses are?! And I have to eat them! Why else do you think I eat so many sweats just to mask that fucking taste”

He now looked you straight in the eyes and the bite and anger in his voice thickened the air further.

“Suguru, I promise you, you are not disgusting to me and you never will be. I know you don’t taste-“

“Ye you know, but you don’t know. I can’t let that happen, I can’t lose you to that disgusting taste lingering in the back of my throat. I can’t have you be disgusted by me, not you”

His stare into your eyes was intense. A mix of sadness and anger swirled in his dark eyes before looking away and taking another hit of his cigarette.

“You don’t know that. You don’t know if I will be able to taste it or be disgusted”

“Y/n don’t you understand… I simply can’t risk that”

His sharp voice was a stark contrast to your soft comforting tone. The accusations made your heart burn, you desperately wanted to shout at him how much you loved him and that nothing could stir you away from him, but you knew that would just create distance between you two. So just like all the time he has comforted you, you opted for a calming and comforting tone. You were the calm to his storm.

“Suguru…”

Your soft voice cut through the tension in Suguru’s chest. You took his hand in yours drawing comforting circles on it. You took his hand up to your lips placing soft kisses on his knuckles and feeling his tense body slowly relax from your affection.

“Your hands are the same hands you kill and trap curses with. Your hair and body are the same which get covered with their blood. The same as mine. My hair, my hands, my face, my lips - everything has once been covered in the disgusting blood and guts of curses. Yet that’s never scared or pushed you away and neither has it disgusted or pushed me away…”

He looked back into your soft eyes, which were pleading for him to understand. To understand that nothing like that can push you away.

“So why would your mouth, your lips, your tongue be any different to me than any other part of your body? I understand it's terrifying and disgusting to you to think that horrible taste can stick to me, but I promise you, it won’t. Just like curses don’t defy any other part of your body they don’t defy your lips”

You can see how your words comforted him by the way his shoulders relaxed. He squeezed your hand and searched for your touch. He felt how you slowly chipped away at his insecurity and replaced it with your love. He wanted to keep his walls up. He was so terrified of disgusting you away, but it was hard not to believe your words which were filled with nothing but sincerity. The only thing he wanted to do now was rip this bandate off, never realizing how much he wanted to feel your lips on his. This beautiful yearning for your kiss was just always clouded by his fear, but now that you broke down his insecurity he could let you in.

His hands moved up to cup your face careful to hold the burning end of the cigarette away from you and he could feel himself start to trembe. Still terrified you’d hate him if he kissed you. That you’d run away from him and leave forever. Your reassuring eyes met his and silenced the fast beat of his heart in his ears. Finally, you granted him the confidence and security to kiss you. Just like that, he lowered his head towards yours still a bit unsure of what he was doing. Your hands snaked up to his neck under his arms and leaned towards him. Your fingers played with the strands of hair on the base of his neck hoping to comfort him and show him that everything was ok.

Your lips connected. You felt the softness of Suguru’s lips on yours. A contrast to your slightly chapped ones from the cold. His lips were warm and left a comforting sensation on yours, warming you from the cold outside air. And just as quickly as you felt them on your lips he pulled away far enough to look at your expression. The weight of what had happened settled in Suguru’s mind and

his fear returned, waiting impatiently for your response and thinking of the worst. His mind started to play a bunch of scenarios of how you were frantically wiping at your lips and looking at him with disgust or running to the bathroom because of the taste of his lips. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t see the soft smile on your lips as you looked up at him.

“Suguru, your lips are so soft? How the hell do you keep them like that in this cold ass weather”

You opted for playful banter to bring down his nerves. To show him you were still here and that you loved feeling his lips on yours.

“They are?!”

Suguru’s words came out a bit more surprised than he wanted to. Perhaps because he put all his worries in them from waiting for your response for what felt like ages to him.

“Yes! And they taste like the cherry lollipop you had earlier”

You let out a soft laugh and now Suguru felt stupid. Stupid that he delayed this beautiful feeling for so long. Stupid for thinking you’d be disgusted. Stupid for thinking you’d leave him over this. The relief overwhelmed him so he pulled you into a tight hug and buried his face in the crook of your neck while putting out his cigarette in the ashtray. You did the same and intertwined your hands with his raven strands scratching and tugging at his hair comfortingly. His fear wasn’t completely gone, but this was already a step he never thought he’d overcome and the fact that you helped him so effortlessly and made him feel so safe made his love for you only grow stronger.

“I love you y/n, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever been with. The girl with the most beautiful soft lips”

“Awwww I love you too, my mushy Suguru”

He let out a sigh from your remark and smiled into your neck. He felt the way your body slowly warmed up from his touch. You both knew you’d move with baby steps. This fear isn’t something you can fix overnight. Despite this Suguru knew you’d be ok. The way you could make him open up and feel safe with his vulnerability was truly baffling to him, but that’s exactly why you knew you’d be ok and you’d battle this together.

God, he loved you so much.

[hiloveitsalright]

Tokyo Revengers Masterlist

Hi! You can find a list of my headcanons right here. Don't hesitate to send me asks and requests, I'm always open to discuss! When it comes to fics, you should definitely check my AO3, there's plenty interesting things for registered users.

Finished works:

- Toman High School Host Club, one-short where Chifuyu has a weird OHSHC-inspired dream about his friends, that you can read here or on AO3.

- all the little things // bestfriends don't love each others, a Doramitsu one-shot based on the Falls First/Falls Harder trope, with both heavy pining and internalized homophobia. Angsty with a happy ending.

- How to shut someone up, a Mikey x Reader about friendship, banter, growing together and idiots in love. Fluff and humor.

- Sweet Soul - Kirinji (give that song a listen), a fluffy domestic Doramitsu short story, that you can also read here on Tumblr.

Works I'm currently updating:

- switch girl, a Baji x Reader inspired by shojo tropes, taking place during the Letter from Baji Keisuke spin-off. It's about navigating relationships when you're an awkward teen, and deals with young love, friendships, seeing past the first impressions, as well as stalking.

- Parallel paths, an Enemies-to-Lovers Draken x Mitsuya story based on the possibility that they did not meet in front of the mural that day. Teaser here. Dedicated to @belindarimbi13.

- they could have been a boys' band, a polyamorous Bonten x Reader with next to no angst, pretty much no plot either, but filled with fluff, crack and smut. It's mostly just me being silly and attempting to write what a healthy relationship with them could look like. NSFW.

- first time and extended stories. At the moment, you can read first time, the original one shot, and first times ft. tiger, the preface. I'm currently working on the consequences, the direct follow-up to "first time".

Taking place in a timeline where everything is fine, first time is about Reader rekindling with her old Toman friend group years after leaving them to study abroad. The reunion is supposed to take place at Kazutora's movie's premiere, as Kazutora is now a famous actor -- no, wait, correction: famous porn actor. Add into the mix that Kazutora and Reader used to have a situationship (was it?) that ended up in heartbreak (did it?) - you can count on Toman to bring the chaos back into Reader's life, that's for sure. It's suggestive and talks of sex, sexual liberation and the porn industry, but it's very tame for something dealing with that.

On the other hand, the preface first times ft. tiger shows how the whole Kazutora/Reader situationship started. It's heavily NSFW, and pretty fluffy when it comes to feelings.

- Gimme a sign : Being mute is hard, being a mute delinquent is harder, but Toman's all about friendship. Between petty fights, stupid shenanigans, widely illegal bike rices and teaching the guys new swears to sign behind people's backs, Noburu Kusahari could have had it a lot worse. A fluffy, plotless story taking place in the final timeline, following a loud-mouthed (loud-handed?) mute OC navigating friendships as a Toman member. First part here or on AO3.

- adrenaline junkie : In the neon and shadow of the Tokyo nightlife, the ghost that haunts you is only alive when chasing its own death. A Bonten-timeline one-shot collection following canon characters dealing with their traumas in the worst ways possible. You can read the first part, electrical halo of the streetlights (Hanma) here or on AO3.

What about incoming projects?

- necessity is a rewriting of the Tokyo Revengers manga when throwing in my OC, Kyo Atakami. If you like morally-grey characters, angsty stories, time-travel induced headaches and canon-compliant level of violence and trauma, that one's for you. While the story is centered around my OC, I'm putting a lot of effort into keeping canon characters important and in character, but also into giving each of them the arcs they deserve. I'm almost done (25 chapters done out of 30) but I want to finish it fully before publishing it, just to make sure everything is nicely tied together.

- inugami takes place in the Bonten timeline, and follows my OC Rubie as she climbs the ranks of Bonten despite the (unjustified?) mistrust of the executives. It's dark, it's violent, and every single character is unashamedly a bad person. I'm staring down at canon-typical violence and going out of my way to do worse.

- I'm also planning a Kawata twins & Reader, that I'm calling home-made horrors at the moment. Souya has one problem: his best friend and his twin can't bear each other. There's only one thing they can agree on: how far they'd go for him. Turns out they are both a lot scarier when they're working together. I'm planning it in three parts, and will start working on it after finishing Switch Girl.

but also: halloween where Kazutora and Keisuke summons a demon(-ic babysitter) each halloween night; game over, a stranger-to-lover Sanzu × Reader with Youtuber!Sanzu and Streamer!Reader bonding through video games; toe bins & cuddles, a ×Reader where Ryusei comes back from France with a woman and twin girls, neither of them being his, and the Pet Shop trio can't help but fall under the charms of this sweet MILF lady and her two daughters.

[k1ttenblood]

Pride and Pretentiousness Part 2

Content Disclaimer: Slice of life, fluff, very platonic, revenge plot, enemies to lovers, cheating, backstabbing. No physical description of reader but I do primarily write for black readers so cultural things may eventually come up.

✨️Side note: I'm not a fandom blog, I'm primarily an aesthetic blog. Probably don't follow me if you're not into that ✨️

Gentle sunlight nudges its way into your cozy little apartment. It’s a lot more charming when you’re not trying to sleep in on your days off. You cat-stretch before rolling over and checking your phone for the time. 7:30AM. You flop onto your back and stare at your ceiling, listening to the early city ambience outside as you mentally prepare yourself to get ready for the day. Nearly an hour’s worth of dogs barking, cars honking, and birds chirping went by before you finally decided to get moving. You groggily stumble towards the bathroom to freshen up, then head straight for the kitchen to start making breakfast. You shiver at the crisp fridge air as you start taking out the ingredients for your usual first meal, fruits and a cheesy omelette. The movements are more than familiar, washing, slicing, mixing and flipping. The plates make a twinkly clinking noise as you set them down on the open counter space, and the electric kettle begins to rumble. Waiting for it to boil gives you just enough time to check your plants soil for water before you plop back down to eat. 

One bored glance at your phone lets you know that your friends are all still asleep, considering the lack of reels and banter going on in your notifs bar. Jesse and Dina won’t wake up for another couple of hours, and Ellie would never willingly wake up til it’s past noon. Soundly deciding to take in the rest of your peaceful morning, you curl up on your couch and listen to the radio. “No country… No Sunday jazz… How many early bird talk shows are there?? Oh?” 

“All my instincts, they return

And the grand facade, so soon will burn

Without a noise, without my pride

I reach out from the inside”

“Wish I could’ve gone to concerts back then, the lineups must’ve been insane. I would totally dance on a car with my tits out to Van Halen or something-” You turn onto your other side to reach for a book and stumble over the hidden TV remote in the couch. “-Okay maybe not… still though.” You crack open the hefty hardcover and fan over the collection of stories, looking for one that catches your eye. The Dark Knight: An elven princess sets out on her own to avenge her father’s death, taking up the disguise of a knight. She travels under the moonlight, preparing to face the monster who brought her nation such agony, and worst of all, the monsters within herself. Will she restore her family’s honor and take the throne? Or will she spark an unlikely romance with an even more unlikely partner? “Tragic and cheesy, hell yeah.”

Apparently hours had passed by, your phone had officially begun ringing for the day. The visions of angst and bloodied silver swords began to vanish. “Honestly, I think I’d just hire someone to hunt the guy down and bring them to me, but I guess that’s too short for a book. And who falls for the enemy anyway?” you muse to yourself as you check your messages. 

The perfect group of goobers, what more could you ask for?

*ding!*

*BZZRT* *BZZRT*

Your phone vibrates, Ellie’s waiting outside. You grab your stuff and the tote bag and make your way downstairs. 

“Yo”

“You ready?”

“Ya, let’s go”

She’s uncharacteristically relaxed for a secret keeper. She’s never even kept a birthday present a secret from you, but somehow she’s walking up the stairs to the turnstiles like she didn’t just imply that she was going to drop a big bomb on you later. You’ll have to check for a zipper on her nape later, clearly this is some weird alternate universe Ellie with tightly sealed lips. You take seats next to each other on the hard plastic seating. Ellie stares into space listening to what sounds like Chingy. Boomer tastes. She unplugs one earbud. 

“Stop staring at me like that!”

“Like what?”

“Like you wanna burn a hole into my skull, weirdo.”

“Ellie, just tell me!”

“Hmm… Y’know what? Because you look so pathetic and desperate… No.”

Your face twists into a childish scowl. She snickers as she puts her earbuds back in. She’s having entirely too much fun with this. Soon enough the muffled voice of the train conductor announces your stop and you both make your way to the exit gate. Thankfully, Jesse and Dina live just a short block away from the station. You enter the lobby and text them to buzz you in and only wait a minute before the staircase door unlocks. Ellie bolts up the 3 flights of stairs, only stopping to lean over the railing and mock you. 

“Lazy ass.”

“I’m not running.”

“I’ve seen dying snails with more stamina.”

“Still not running.”

“Alright! I’m telling Jesse and Dina about what happened to you during 8th grade prom.”

“ELLIE!”

“Oh noooow you wanna run. I’m still telling!”

You slide into her backside as she knocks on the door. Jesse opens the door to Ellie’s smug face and you panting like a madman.

“Uhhh-”

“Sup.”

 Ellie fist bumps him before she glides in and tosses herself onto their couch. Still catching your breath, you manage to mutter something about chasing the feral animal up the stairs.

“Poor little lazy bones.” You scoff and enter the living room with him. He sits on the end corner of the couch, and you take the throw pillow, place it on his legs and finally take a rest.

“Are you seriously that out of shape?”

“I haven’t run like that since high school! My personal being was at stake.” 

As quickly as you come inside, Dina had already dragged out a box of her newest plushy addiction. You’re lazily laying with your legs in Ellie’s lap as she and Dina excitedly babble about the Labubus she got. As much as Ellie complains about shopping, if there was a plushy x merch mega mall, she and Dina would put themselves into debt trying to buy half of the inventory. She’d nearly done backflips when you got her a Star Wars limited edition lamp. It’s not your style, but you’re more than happy to watch them excitedly yap with each other about… whatever those little monsters are. 

Jesse flicks the TV on. Dina’s gone to the kitchen to get drinks for everyone, and Ellie is still sorting through the box of plushies. 

“What are we watching?” he asks.

“Avatar? We haven’t finished the second season yet.” Ellie snaps her attention back.

“True,” he responds. “Which episode again?”

“Season 2 episode 2.” you recall, pulling up your notes from the last dinner hangout. One night of bickering over where you all left off was more than enough, now you keep tabs. Dina pops back into the room, rests the drinks on the table and sits on the floor, her head resting on your legs. 

I still can’t believe Ellie hasn’t cracked yet. What’s she waiting for?? Your not-at-all obsessive thoughts start crawling back into your mind, briefly taking your attention away from the screen. I mean it can’t be that great if she still hasn’t said anything? Should I text her? 

“What’s wrong?” Jesse whispers under the final chorus of Secret Tunnel.

“Huh? Nothing.”

“You’re just staring into my nostrils for funsies then?”

“...Routine inspection, ignore me.”

“Riiight.” he replies with a chuckle. 

Ellie shifts comfortably into the couch, now laying down and tangling her legs into yours. I have half a mind to rip her socks off if she doesn’t start talking. Your train of thought is interrupted by the devil herself.

“Guys, what are we ordering? I’m starving.”

Dina pauses the show. “We can order from that chinese takeout spot, the one by the hair salon downtown?”

“Hell yeah, they gave me like 10 fortune cookies the last time I asked for extra.”

“Yeahhh, they pack food like they’re gonna throw it away. I’ll get the menus.”

She makes a quick roundtrip to the kitchen cabinet, then passes around the menus. She and Ellie are resting against the coffee table while you write on top of your thigh. Dina orders whatever she wants and Jesse eats from that, which isn’t nearly as sappy as you’d think. At least they don’t feed each other in front of you anymore. Shortly after, Dina calls the restaurant and places the order. 

The food arrives halfway through a flashback of Kyoshi wrecking Chin the Conqueror’s shit. You all groan and stand like a bunch of senior citizens after having sat down for too long, then shuffle your way to the dining room, Jesse following behind the 3 of you with bags in hand. 

Everyone peaks into each unlabeled bag, checking to see which one is theirs. Honestly the food is so good you’d eat whatever was in front of you. You sit next to Dina, who’s sat across from Ellie, who’s sat next to Jesse. The foil plates are out, and you pick up your first piece of general tso’s chicken. 

“Okay I can’t do this anymore! GUYS SHE HAD AN AFFAIR!!!”

Ellie Williams, had cracked.

“Uhhhh????” Jesse looked like he’d been slapped on the back on the head, immediately putting his fork down.

Dina had nearly choked on her sesame noodles. “W-wait!! Wait! WHAT??” She coughs to clear her throat.

“Ellie what the hell?? Who??” you squawk.

“The chick from the event!! Abby! She had an affair. On a yacht, 2 years ago, with her ex, he was engaged, fiancee was pregnant, it was crazy. Oh my god, it felt good to finally say it.” She sighs a huge breath of relief and slumps into her chair. “That’s not all. I found another report that said she screwed over that guy Winston about a year ago. He tried to branch out some new services and supplies to a children’s charity, and Abby tried to have him blackballed.” Ellie looks twenty pounds lighter after her confession, meanwhile the rest of you sit in total silence. 

“How… How did you find all this out?” Dina finally speaks up. “Where-”

“I did a little digging last night, some deep dives, a little hacking on some blacked out sites, the usual.” Ellie crosses a leg over her knee, a half-assed attempt at nonchalance.

“Dude if this is the usual, I’d hate to see rare.” Jesse snickers, now leaning back into his seat.

You and Dina exchange brief looks of silent disbelief, though hers melts into amused giggling. 

“Wow… So I guess the charity act is more an act of repentance…” You finally say.

“How’s she gonna get past all the babies she’s screwed over? That’s a hell of a lot of karma.” Dina says back.

“Wait, who’s the guy?” Jesse asks.

“One of the Greensville town council kids, Moore something? I’ll send you guys the link in the group chat.” Ellie says as she pulls her phone from her sweater pocket.

MOORE THAN MEETS THE EYE: Owen Moore, only son of our very own town council members, was caught having a late night rendezvous on his family’s personal yacht with ex-girlfriend Abigail Anderson. The couple was first spotted hurrying to their respective vehicles, desperately trying to hide the physical signs of their steamy night out. Moore was last seen hastily driving back to his nearby home that he shares with his fiancee, who has yet to offer any comment on the state of her pregnancy or marriage. Anderson, who usually keeps a low profile, also declined to offer any comments and began assaulting the reporters that were stationed near her car. Local witnesses confessed that the pair had spent the evening walking on the beach, smiling, giggling and exchanging coquettish glances. The duo had been sporting the finest–”

“And I’ll send you guys the business report.” Ellie adds.

You’re all met with a legal website, detailing the “turf wars” between Abby and Winston’s respective teams. Skimming over 3 pages of legal jargon, you read the final line:

"Ultimately Redline Health Source’s proposal to the Copper Spoon Foundation, a regional children’s fund for low income families, was blocked by Anderson’s company, Cardinal Medicorp, who both financially and socially blocked out her competitor’s offer and professional standing."

“Oh, of course. She just tramples over everything she can. How soulless could you be??” You say, rolling your eyes.

“I think we lucked out that she didn’t wanna talk to us, man.” Ellie says, finally taking a bite of her lo mein. “We’d be royally fucked if she actually made us an offer.”

“Y’know what? We should follow up with Winston. Give him a little revenge boost. We’re at the most popular public library in the city anyway, right?”

“I’ll follow up with him tomorrow, then.” Dina says, finally taking back her fork from the pile of food.

Dinner had never tasted better.

[cirruseiart]

What other ships do you like aside from junerezi

if we're talking just homestuck ships a lot of my favorites are june centric LOL. i can see at least some of these being connected in some weird polycule situation. junerezi is my #1 all-time favorite forever, but here are my other favorites:

junerose/grimdorks : pretty much my #2 at this point. i love their friendship and interactions and banter a lot. i know the pair was described by hussie in the past as "milquetoast", and i know in my heart it will never be because of rosemary being the most official pairing on the planet, but i can dream!!!!! they play off of each other really well!! (making it june and jasprose for that extra pre-retcon GAME OVER timeline angst/spice is also really good....)

juneroxy/roxygen: used to be my #1, post-canon stuff kinda soured it for me a bit, but i still like it a lot! they're cute! nuff said!

rosemary: needs no explanation. they are great together. i wish post-canon stuff would stop torturing them.

jaderose: post-canon nearly ruined this for me, but their potential outside of all of That is great imo. i wish they interacted more in-canon...

neprezi: i just think they're neat! very cute fluff stuff right here

davekat: the lads. their dynamic is fun and hilarious, and they bring out good things in each other. their interactions always tickle me. no notes.

junevrisrezi: this is a tough one. on one-hand, I have mixed feelings about vriska as a romantic partner in any capacity personally, but on the other, the three of them together just seems really fun. i guess it depends on which "vriska" we're talking about...

these are the ones at the forefront of my mind! there might be more i like but these are at the top!

[james-is-here]

Oh my gosh I made insta posts for a fanfic?? Yeah I did.

My favorite part was adding the little music add on that shows on instagram. Very fun trying to figure that out and I chose that song cause I can picture it being Mn and Felix's favorite song. Not because of the meaning of the song but because they like to sing it.

Did I accidentally post the one with Felix tagged? Absolutely not 👀 But i've never deleted a story so fast in my entire life.

Tags: Fluff, separation, dumb stuff with the company, was having a Felix moment, Angst? Yeah I think so, Mn is called "Sunny" cause I was trying to portray Mn having a Sunshine personality like Felix.

The practice room was alive with the familiar chaos of Stray Kids. Music thumped loudly through the speakers, drowning out the rhythmic pounding of synchronized steps against the polished floor. Playful banter echoed around the space, the tight bond of the group evident in their teasing laughter. Yet, despite the energy that filled the room, something felt off. The usual vibrant warmth and laughter radiating from Felix and Mn, affectionately known as the Sunshine Soulmates, seemed inexplicably dimmed. It was clear to everyone that the behind-the-scenes filming they were doing lacked the spark fans had come to love and expect.

Felix, his hair damp with perspiration, struggled to catch his breath. He fumbled with his damp locks, retying them into a makeshift ponytail, his body yearning for a break between routines. Across the room, Mn—known as Sunny for his infectious, sunny energy that matched Felix’s—offered him a gentle smile, the corners of his mouth curving up in a semblance of cheer. But Felix’s response was not equally bright; it was tinged with an unmistakable heaviness. The light in their eyes appeared muted, as if they were merely going through the motions of practice rather than genuinely enjoying it. The other members could feel the tension, the unease hanging in the air like a thick fog.

“Alright, take five!” someone called out, clapping their hands together. The boys quickly dispersed, a mix of frustration and concern visible on their faces as they grabbed water bottles and towels to wipe the sweat from their brows.

Jisung plopped down next to Minho, who leaned against the wall, his expression one of deep concern as he scrutinized Felix and Mn, who were seated at opposite ends of the room. Felix had settled onto the floor, nervously fiddling with his water bottle, while Mn's eyes were glued to his phone screen, though he couldn't resist stealing glances at Felix every now and then.

“They’re not even sitting together,” Jisung muttered, nudging Minho with his elbow.

Minho let out a frustrated sigh, shaking his head. “Yeah, it’s really weird. I hate seeing them like this.”

Hyunjin joined their side, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “Do you think the company will ever ease up? Felix and Sunny barely even touch anymore, and it’s killing the vibe of the group.”

“Not just the vibe,” Seungmin chimed in, walking over to join them. “It’s killing them too. Just look.”

As if on cue, Felix looked up from his water bottle, his gaze landing firmly on Mn. In that moment, Mn had put his phone away, arms crossed over his knees, resting his head atop them. The others observed the painful distance between the two; Felix leaned his head back against the wall, eyes closed. He bit his lip, seemingly fighting back tears, and the sight caused Mn’s smile to falter as he turned his head into his arms, a gesture full of pain.

That night, after the practice ended, the dorms felt unusually quiet, a stark contrast to their usual laughter and chatter. Mn returned home later than usual, a growing frustration bubbling inside him. He had begun to speculate that he was being given extra schedules deliberately to keep him away from Felix, and it only served to intensify the irritation he felt, not just at being separated from Felix but from the rest of the members as well. When he finally removed his shoes and shuffled out of the entrance, he hardly expected to find Felix already curled up on the couch, utterly exhausted.

“Pixie,” Mn called softly, his heart warming at the sight of Felix. He crouched down beside the couch, studying the boy's weary face. “Why'd you wait for me?”

Felix blinked up at him, a faint glimmer of light sparking in his eyes, but the exhaustion soon overtook him. “I missed you, Sunny…” he whispered, leaning into the warmth of Mn’s hand as it cupped his cheek tenderly.

“I hate this,” Mn admitted, his voice thick with emotion, a mixture of frustration and sorrow. “I hate pretending like you’re not the most important person in my life when we’re out there.” As he spoke, he connected his forehead to Felix’s, their breaths mingling in the charged silence.

Felix nodded slowly, an emotional ache settling in his chest. His voice wavered as he confessed, “Me too. I miss you, Mnie…even when you’re right next to me, I miss you so fucking much.” The tears he had fought so hard to hold back began to fall, and Mn instinctively pulled him into a comforting embrace. He lifted Felix from the couch and shifted his weight so that he could sit, holding him close as he leaned back against the arm of the couch. Felix held onto Mn as tightly as he could, a desperate attempt to rekindle the connection that felt too strained.

“It won’t be like this forever,” Mn promised, pressing a soft kiss to Felix’s temple while delicately rubbing his back, feeling the tension begin to ease as Felix buried his face in the crook of Mn’s neck. His sobs were muffled by the fabric of Mn’s hoodie, but the emotional release was palpable, a dreadful weight lifting ever so slightly as they clung to one another.

“We’ll get through this together, Pixie…We’ll be okay, I promise.”

Weeks passed, and although the restrictions remained rigid, Felix and Mn discovered small, fleeting moments to connect amidst the chaos. During practice, their pinkies would accidentally brush against each other, a barely-there touch that spoke volumes more than words could convey. In interviews, they would subtly link their pinkies while sitting behind other members, a silent promise to one another. Even Seungmin and Hyunjin, who sat in front of them, seemed to instinctively lean closer together, creating a subtle barrier that shielded Felix and Mn's hands from view. Hyunjin, ever the perceptive one, shot a glance back at Mn, offering a smile and a wink that conveyed understanding in lieu of words.

The small smiles they exchanged throughout practice grounded them, bridging the distance that felt insurmountable when they were apart. Yet, it was never enough; the weight of separation bore down heavily on them. The other members tried to help in any way they could, offering back hugs, intertwining fingers during group outings, yet for Mn and Felix, that connection was essential, almost as fundamental as breathing.

With each passing day, their shared laughter and joyous interactions seemed to dim, and it was evident to everyone that their flames, once bright and fierce, were flickering perilously low. The group could see it; two souls intertwined, slowly losing their spark over something beyond their control. Everyone knew that they needed to face these shadows together before the vibrant light they brought into each other's lives faded away entirely.

Then, one day, everything shifted dramatically.

It seemed that the company's strategy had finally prompted a realization: their efforts to minimize the connection between Felix and Mn simply weren’t effective. Speculation surrounding dating rumors was nonexistent, and it was clear that both Felix and Mn possessed the maturity to handle themselves with poise in front of the cameras. However, the enforced restrictions cast a gloomy shadow over the group, triggering an outpouring of concern from fans. Stay had noticed the distinct dimness in Felix and Mn’s spirits—after all, Stray Kids wasn’t truly Stray Kids without its two brightest stars.

The first day that Felix and Mn were given the green light to express themselves freely once more felt like the sun breaking through a tumultuous storm, illuminating everything in its warmth.

Before entering the practice room, Mn was informed that he and Felix no longer had to restrain their interactions. They could return to their genuine selves, and Mn could hardly contain his delight. He bowed deeply to the staff in the room, thanking them profusely and professionally walking out of the room before he bolted down the hall, his heart racing with anticipation.

He dashed back to the practice space, flinging the door open with enough enthusiasm to make the others jump and draw shocked looks as Mn ran past the ones near the door and over to Felix. Without a moment’s hesitation, Mn was barely able to slow himself down before enveloping Felix in a bear hug that lifted the smaller boy off the ground. “Pixie!” Mn exclaimed, his voice alive with joy.

Felix erupted into laughter, instinctively wrapping his arms around Mn's neck for support. “Sunny!” he chirped. As soon as Mn set him down, he couldn’t resist the urge to cradle Felix’s face in his hands and press a firm kiss against his lips. Startled, Felix let out a delightful squeal but quickly leaned in, his hands migrating from around Mn’s neck to cup his jawline, a radiant smile sparkling on his face.

The other members watched with wide grins, warmth surging through them as they witnessed the joy radiating from Mn and Felix. It was a refreshing breath of fresh air, bringing life back into the practice room.

Mn slowly pulled away, keeping his left arm securely around Felix’s waist while his right hand lingered on the younger boy’s cheek. Felix was breathless, still processing the sudden joy that flooded him as Mn leaned forward, their foreheads touching gently. “Wh-What was that for?” Felix giggled, gazing up at Mn, his eyes regaining their characteristic shimmer.

Mn chuckled softly, “I just got back from being told that our separation is over.”

“W-What?” Felix’s eyes widened in disbelief as Mn nodded, a breathy laugh escaping him. “Yeah, Pixie, we can go back to how we were. I told you we’d get through this…”

Tears pooled in Mn’s eyes as he tightened his grip around Felix’s waist, his heart swelling with emotion. Felix responded instinctively, wrapping his arms around Mn’s neck, their bodies drawing closer together. “I love you, Lixie…” Mn whispered, the vulnerability of his words hanging in the air. Felix smiled wider, shifting to his toes as they pulled each other even closer, and then, in a swift move, Mn lifted Felix into his arms.

Supportively, Mn’s right hand cradled Felix’s left thigh, while his left arm held him securely against his back. Felix buried his face into Mn’s shoulder, gripping Mn’s hoodie tightly, the fabric crumpling in his fists. “I love you too, Sunny,” Felix replied, his voice muffled but filled with genuine affection.

Mn held him there, simply savoring the moment of being able to hold Felix again, letting the warmth of their connection envelop them both.

Suddenly, a voice broke through their moment of bliss. “Finally!!” Mn turns so he and Felix can watch a dramatic quokka fall onto the floor with an exaggerated sigh of relief. “I was aching for both of you; you looked miserable!” he gestured dramatically, tossing his arms into the air before letting them drop back to the floor. “It’s just not the same without you two,” Chan added, his voice gentle as Mn readjusted Felix in his arms, the blonde resting comfortably against him. “Stay will be thrilled to see you two back together.”

Later that evening, the dorm buzzed with laughter and life once more. Felix cozied up in one of Mn’s oversized hoodies, his head settled on Mn’s chest as they sank into the warmth of their space. “I missed this,” Felix murmured, sincerity etched in every word.

Mn tightened his embrace, the sound of Felix’s heartbeat echoing in his ears. “Me too, Pixie. There’s so much to catch up on. I can finally sleep soundly tonight knowing I can hold you in public again.”

A few days later, in a display of playful rebellion, Mn and Felix shared matching pictures and stories on their social media accounts.

The response from fans was overwhelming; excitement erupted online. Comments flooded in, celebrating the long-awaited return of the Sunshine Soulmates. Edits transformed from sorrowful reminders of the past to joyful tributes capturing the unwavering love and happiness shared between the two.

The other members, too, felt lighter in spirit. The dorms glowed brighter, the practice room radiated warmth, and the family seemed whole once again.

“That's a sight I missed,” Hyunjin remarked as he plopped down on the couch beside Mn and Felix. Mn reclined on the extended right side of the ‘L’ couch, while Felix was dozing peacefully against him, wrapped in one of Mn’s hoodies that swallowed him whole, his fingers poking out of the sleeves. With his hand still clasped around Felix’s smaller hand resting on his chest, Mn wore a soft smile as he rubbed Felix’s upper back, the motion soothing, occasionally brushing through his hair.

“Can I join?” Hyunjin asked, already reaching for a blanket from the back of the couch as he leaned onto Mn's shoulder. “Sure,” Mn replied warmly.

Hyunjin nestled beside them, covering himself with his blanket, feeling comfortable in the close proximity. He gently reached up to tuck a stray hair behind Felix’s ear, then let his hand rest placidly on the boy's shoulder, yielding to the tranquility of the moment. “Not sure if it’s been said yet, but we’re all really happy to have our Sunshine Soulmates back together,” Hyunjin said softly, closing his eyes, soaking in the atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie.

Mn smiled, his heart brimming with gratitude and joy as he patted Hyunjin’s head lightly, the love for his friends and for Felix swelling within him. “Me too.”

😋✌🏼 : @succubus-hansol @forever-atiny @lemon--shark @victorbutnotreally @leezanetheofficial @belladonna6-6-6 @heartbinn @yongbokkk @dontwannaexsist @tomorrowxtogather @leeyasuojihan @theo4eve @dis-trict9 @laviedemamere

If red, can't tag ☹️ lmk if you want to be added to the list 😁

[mikrokcsmos]

Wallflower

synopsis; in which you refuse to let Jungkook be by himself.

pairing; bff!jungkook x bff!reader ft. ot6 (cause no yoongs)

genre; angst, fluff, humor, f2l, JITB party au

rating; PG-13

warnings; mentions of alcohol and consumption of it, jealousy, terrible dancing, equally as terrible singing (on your end), playful banter, drunken confessions, drunk and clingy koo

w/c; 1,892

a/n; this fit looked so good on him and don’t even get me started on those BOOTS. and y’all already know I had to include a snippet of that live yesterday with our koo. this was meant to be just a drabble but HA HA jokes on me I guess. OH and guess what?! feedback makes this author happy, so leave some love, would ya? 🫶🏻

“Hey, JK.”

He looks up at you from his sitting position on the steps that align against the side of the main stage, having tucked himself in a far off corner away from everyone. He gives you a lopsided grin in greeting, hand coming up to give you a lazy wave. His arms then do some kind of weird movement that you deem is him trying to dance with just his arms. His entire body sways side to side from the amount of force he’s putting into it.

“Hey, Y/N.”

When the song is over, his arms dangle off his bent knees, one hand clutching a half glass of some kind of liquid he seemingly pulled out of nowhere. Judging by the color, and notes of cinnamon that wafts through your nose as you settle yourself down next to him, crossing your ankles in order to keep from flashing the crowd around you, you believe it to be whiskey.

He raises his glass towards you, and you clink your own half glass of a mixed drink against his, both of you taking a sip. Your eyes scan over his outfit of choice for the evening — a thick silver chain hangs loosely around his neck and settles in the middle of his chest just past his collarbone, oversized plain black shirt that you know for a fact hides his well chiseled torso, black jeans, and your personal favorite, chunky black combat boots.

“Did you purposely choose that fit in order to hide yourself away in the shadows?”

He gives you a mock glare, gently bumping his shoulders with yours.

“No, I wore it cause I knew it would inevitably attract you to me. What with your fixation of black clothing yourself.” His free hand grabs onto the thin, black, spaghetti strap of your mini dress on your shoulder, and before you could stop him, he snaps it.

You smack at his chest in retaliation, mouth open in shock.

“I hate you.” You purse your lips at him, eyes squinting.

All he does is laugh and lean into you with fake puppy dog eyes.

“You love me.”

You roll your eyes, choosing to take another swig of your drink instead of confirming what he just said.

If only you knew.

A waiter passes by with a tray of flutes not too long after the next song ends, full of what you can only assume is dry champagne. He bends at the waist, tray in between you and Jungkook, both of you setting your now empty glasses on the tray and taking a flute of champagne each. You thank the waiter, and he leaves.

For what seems like the upteenth time since you’ve arrived to this intimate listening party for Hobi’s new album, the ‘Butter: Remix’ song begins blasting through the speakers. Jungkook perks up, eyes immediately attempting (and failing) to meet yours, cause you know once you lock eyes with him, that’s it.

“Y/N~ieeee.”

“Jungkook, no.”

He slides himself closer to you, leaning his head onto your shoulder while he keeps giving you the same puppy dog eyes.

“I wanna dance.” The liquor on his breath floods your nostrils with how close he is, he’s probably not even aware of it himself due to the amount of drinks he’s probably had long before you arrived.

“Okay, that’s cool.” You sweep your arms at the cluster of people around you. “Go and find somebody to dance with then, like—,” your eyes scan the room, falling on someone you know very well thanks to being best friends with Jungkook since his trainee days. “—look there’s Jin.”

“He’s not staying long though, and he’s only reading webtoons on his phone, he’s no fun.”

“Really?” You question, voice flat. “Actually, yeah. That sounds like him, I’m not surprised.”

You perk up yourself this time, noticing a figure dressed in white making his way through the crowd to your seemingly huddled figures.

Jungkook notices your demeanor change drastically, eyes trailing past your hand that points enthusiastically at someone who he normally would have no problem hanging with, but right now he was just trying to dance with you, alone.

“Jiminie!” Your excitement makes a small frown pull on his face, wishing you shared the same sentiment upon seeing him. His champagne flute sloshes dangerously, a little spilling out onto the floor between his legs as you abruptly get up with the help of Jimin’s outstretched hand who pulls you into a tight hug.

You wrap your arms around his neck carefully, being sure not to spill any of your drink on him. His arms squeeze your small waist as he gently sways you both side to side in the hug. Without you knowing, Jungkook gives Jimin the look, and Jimin has to bite back a snicker that threatens to spill out, before pulling away from you.

“Y/N—,” Jungkook tries to gain your attention, even going so far as to push himself up off the step he’s been sitting on since he arrived, planting his boots right next to your black pump wearing shoes.

“Jimin! Perfect timing. Jungkook here was just trying to find someone to dance with!” When you place your hand on his shoulder, he uses the opportunity to slide the same arm around your waist to tug you into his side. You let out a small squeak of surprise at the action, but Jimin isn’t bothered by it at all — in fact, he expected it.

Jimin gives a sly grin to you both, before tipping his invisible hat at you with a cheeky wink.

You whine, hand stretched out towards him to save you from Jungkook’s clingy wrath, but all he does is wish you both a ‘good dance’, and you a ‘good luck’.

“Traitor!” You jokingly shout at his retreating figure, and all the while Jungkook just keeps pulling you both further on the dance floor, and closer to the stage where you see Hobi already dancing himself to the song.

Before you know what’s happening, your both somehow up on the stage, and even you are dancing with them (albeit terribly but still). When Megan’s verse comes up you use your champagne flute as a fake microphone and (badly) sing her part while all the boys danced their choreo around you, and at the same time were hyping you up. As soon as it gets to the end of her part, you join the boys in their final pose with your tongue out.

All of them fake bow down to you when the song is officially over with praises, bending at the waist, and you just laugh giddily, the alcohol more than doing it’s part now with easing your nerves and allowing you to just have fun and let loose.

The scattered applause from the crowd gradually comes to an end, and once the high wears off, you tug on Jungkook’s hand, who follows behind you willingly. He plops down in a vacant both, a good distance away from the stage allowing you both to be able to hear each other while even talking normally.

As you go to sit down next to him, he grabs you by the waist to pull you onto his lap sideways. You take your usual position in your cuddling sessions that happen quite often, head nestled in the junction between his neck and shoulder as you close your eyes and allow his heartbeat to soothe you like it normally would, but not this time apparently.

His chin rests on top of yours, one hand lays across your lap to make sure your dress doesn’t ride up, the other behind your back. His hand drums against your semi bare thigh, restlessly.

Eyes still closed, your fingertips lightly rub soothing circles onto his chest in an effort to slow down his heart rate, but to your surprise, it just makes it worse. Furrowing your brows, you ask him a question.

“Why is your heart beating so fast? It’s like you ran a marathon.” The chuckle he releases deep within his chest, makes your head jostle, and you whine in discontent.

“Koo, I’m trying to relax here.”

“Yeah, well. It’s hard for me to relax around you, I’m sorry.” His voice is mumbled by tufts of your hair that makes its way towards his mouth.

“Why is that? I’m your best friend, babe. There’s no need to be nervous around me.”

You miss the deep frown that appears on his face at your words, them effectively decreasing his heart rate along with his mood.

Using up what’s left of the liquid courage that still remains in his bloodstream, he says something that gets your own heart racing now.

“What if I don’t want to be best friend’s anymore?”

You sit up quickly, brows pulled in worry, waterline beginning to turn red at his insinuation.

“You don’t want to be friends anymore?” Your voice cracks, and his eyes widen when he realizes how bad that must’ve sounded. He’s frozen for a minute too long in your mind, and you try to stand up, but his biceps flex only a bit and he’s secured you back into his hold, voice coming out jumbled with how fast he’s talking.

“I-Wait-No-, That’s not what I meant, y/n!” He places a hand underneath your chin to get you to look at him. His breath catches in his lungs when he realizes you’re on the verge of crying because of him.

Throwing caution to the wind, he just says it.

“I don’t want to be just best friend’s with you, I want to date you.” He stretches out the word ‘just’ and ‘date’ to make sure you understand what he means.

You do. Oh god, you do. But he didn’t need to know that yet.

Feeling brave, you tease him a little.

“Do you want to date? Are you confident that you’re going to be able to handle me? I’m not that easy.” You lean closer to his face, his eyes fight hard to stay on yours and not your lips that are getting dangerously close to his as you speak, breath fanning over his soft pants. “I’m not the kind of person that gives permission easily, you know.”

His Adam’s apple bobs with the quiet gulp he does. Your serious facade begins to crack when you see his eyes shifting nervously, and you smile widely before whispering against his lips.

“Of course I want to date you, you idiot. Everyone already knew that, but you.”

“Everyone? Who–,” not giving him enough time to talk, you crash your lips against his and his mind goes blank. It takes a second for him to respond, but when he does, his teeth clash against yours, tongue slipping past your lips to dominate the kiss, which you allow more than willing.

It’s not until a loud ‘whoop!’ sounds off from behind you both that you part, both of your attentions getting torn to Jimin who is skipping around a sullen Hobi. The latter reaching into his pocket to fish out a $20 bill, smacking it into Jimin’s awaiting palm as he glares at you both, pouting.

“Aish, you two couldn’t wait until after the party was over? Then I could’ve won the bet!”

Both of you just flip him off, lovingly, of course.

This is his party after all.

[satoruvt]

for now; forever

pairing → kwon soonyoung x reader

word count → 9015

genre → mostly fluff, angst ↳ tags: ooh boy. firewatch au, banter, like a little bit (a lot) of pining, strangers to friends to… something, FLIRTING, reader’s kinda fucked up but its ok, hoshi’s weird and endearing (as always), a tiny bit of hurt/comfort, minghao best boy, soonyoung is very sweet it makes me want to cry

synopsis → after an unfortunate burnout that lands you in every critic’s negative and all-seeing eye, you decide to take a break from the one thing you know. you’re not sure if you’ll find what you’re looking for out in the middle of the woods - if you’re looking for anything at all - but at the very least, soonyoung will make the hunt a little less lonely.

warnings → there’s eventually a forest fire (starts on day 64 and is mentioned throughout the rest of the fic) that leads to an evacuation but it’s not super detailed, mentions and descriptions of creative burnout/breakdown

a/n → IT’S FINALLY HERE!!! i made a fancy banner nd everything <3 i know 9k isn’t a lot to some people but this is probably the longest one shot i’ve ever written LMAOO so i hope it’s paced ok and everything <33 PLEASE let me know what yall thought about this i am insanely proud of it. ok thats it hehe. hope you enjoy!!! see u on the other side!!!!

btw here’s a fun playlist of songs i listened to while writing mixed with some songs i think reflect the fic super well <33

DAY ONE.

So. You’re… out here, now.

Save for the bugs you have to swat at every fifteen seconds, the outdoors doesn’t seem that bad. The weather isn’t too hot (yet, your mind reminds you) and there’s something about the color of the sky that makes your heart constrict in your chest. You can’t tell if it’s good or bad, but given your luck recently, you’re hoping it’s not a warning for the coming months - God knows you need a break. The weight of the journal in your bag feels heavier than any of the camping gear you brought with you.

You debate texting Minghao that you’ve made it to the park safely, but when you check your phone after deciding yes, you see the words no service instead of the familiar lines of a signal. It’s not that big of a deal - you’d told him when you left that you probably wouldn’t have service at all - but a little part of you feels the tender shake of anxiety at the thought of not being able to contact your best friend. 

He was the most worried out of everyone when you told him you were leaving for the summer. You can’t really blame him - it was abrupt, you saw the flyer at the grocery store and took it - but after what happened… doing something felt, feels, better than sitting around and waiting for nothing to happen. Waiting for a healing you aren’t sure will ever come, at least not completely.

“Is this really…” Minghao had started upon first entering your apartment after getting your text. Clothes were thrown all over your bedroom floor in an attempt to pack. “Do you need to do this?”

The tone of his voice told you he wasn’t going to try to stop you, that he just wanted to make sure this was what you needed. You had only nodded, sitting down on the edge of your bed to fold clothes and pack them into your suitcase.

“I just don’t want you to run away from it all,” Minghao said softly, sitting next to you. “You’ll need to face it eventually.”

“Is escaping really such a bad thing?” You asked, looking at Minghao. He gave you the look he did when you said something stupid, and if you weren’t still so wired from everything, you might have laughed. Instead, you sighed, placing a pair of pants into your suitcase. “I just need some time.”

Before you can face it, before you can come back, before you can write again… you still don’t know. Minghao had placed a kind hand on your shoulder to tell you there was no rush.

It’d taken no more than two days for you to get everything ready - including buying some apparently necessary survival equipment from Target. In a matter of a few hours you had gathered everything up, texted some other friends and your family that you might not be available the next few months and then… you left. 

(Your manager was pretty pissed off that you left so suddenly, but she was also pissed off at you when you told her you needed a break for at least a few weeks, so you’re not really offended.)

You take one last longing look at your car before locking it, pocketing the keys, and starting on your hike.

The hike takes almost the whole day. 

You think you almost cry when you finally see the watch tower you’re supposed to be staying in, your legs barely able to hold the rest of your body up. The hike wasn’t hard, really - long, though, and for someone who usually spends a work day sitting at a desk, you’re surprised you’re still alive. You find the little lock that holds the keys to the tower at the bottom of the stairs, fastened onto the railing. It takes a few seconds for you to enter the code you’d been given earlier, relishing in the soft breeze the cools the sweat on your face and neck. The sun is just barely starting to set beyond the mountains, a beautiful sight that you can’t properly focus on because all you want to do is pass out. You’re pretty sure you almost do on your way up the stairs.

The cabin at the top of the tower is pretty scarcely furnished, save for a few basic necessities (a gas stove rests on one wall, a small desk opposite to it by the door, a mini-fridge, and a bed in the corner plus what looks like a map table in the center of the room). It’s a little weird, a feeling caught between the nostalgia of moving into a new place and something you can’t quite name, but you figure you have a few months to make it all a little more comfortable.

For now, though, you feel like you’re on the last leg of your energy. Your mind is saying eat, sleep, eat, sleep on repeat and you have to agree with it, so you change the sheets on the bed, take down the boards over the windows while you wait for the macaroni from the Kraft box to cook. You end up eating a few forkfuls of poorly-made mac and cheese before crashing.

When you wake up, it’s to gentle static and a semi-clear, unfamiliar voice. It takes you a minute to remember where you are and what you’re doing, too disoriented to even think about the voice, but then - oh. Forest. Watch tower. Escape. Okay.

“Yo, Cottonwood! Am I coming through okay? Pick up your radio!”

Right. The voice. Radio?

“Come on, I saw you get in yesterday, I know you’re there. Unless,” a gasp, “you died! Oh my God, this is like a horror movie… and I’m next!”

You manage to wake up enough to locate your radio (a walkie-talkie resting on a charger on the desk) and, after a few seconds of gentle struggle, work it. “Not dead,” you say, then clear your throat because your voice does not sound good right after waking up. “I mean… almost. But not dead.”

There’s barely a moment of hesitation before the person on the other end hoots, apparently excited. “Arisen from the dead! Brought back to life by none other than the legendary Hoshi!”

A brief thought crosses your mind about having to listen to this guy all summer, but you quickly shoo it away. You won’t have to deal with it for the whole three months, right? “Who… who is Hoshi?”

“Me!” The voice answers, sounding a little too smug. “But it’s really just an alias. You can call me Soonyoung. I’m at Twin Peaks tower, west of yours!”

You spin around your cabin, looking through the windows cluelessly - how long have you been asleep, it’s practically afternoon - until you see a very small silhouette of another tower in the distance. You nod, then realize Soonyoung can’t see you. “Oh. Cool.”

“Aren’t you gonna tell me your name?” Soonyoung asks, but his tone is light, breezy. You blink, reciting your name to him in a daze. “Pretty! So, what brings you out here?”

You weren’t expecting that question. “What?”

Soonyoung giggles into the radio. “Everyone comes out here for some reason. Like… Jihoon says it’s ‘cause it helps him write music. And Joshua loves the outdoors, so… what’s your reason?”

“You…” you start, not exactly wanting to tell a stranger the reason you ran away from everything you know. “Do you normally ask this many questions?”

“Yeah!”

You feel yourself sigh, already tired again.

“I… just wanted to get away for a while,” you end up saying. A half-truth. “I live in the city.”

“No way,” Soonyoung gasps excitedly. “Me too! I wonder if both of us have ever been walking and, like, passed each other without knowing…”

This isn’t exactly what you had in mind when you thought of escaping.

DAY TWO.

The next morning, you dedicate time to getting a little more settled into your home for the next few months. You didn’t bring a lot of decor - you didn’t think you needed any - but even seeing your blanket on the bed and a few books you need to catch up on reading stacked on the desk makes the place feel a little bit more like you. You eventually reach the journal you packed (that Minghao made you pack) and stare at it like it might do something. Like it might tell you to write again, or like it might tell you to leave everything behind. You don’t really know what you want from it.

A sing-songed version of your name comes from your radio and you blink away from the journal, set it down on the desk. “Good morning!” Soonyoung says from the other end, and you feel yourself take a deep breath as you pick up your radio and press down the button so he can hear you.

“Morning, Soonyoung,” you respond, calm compared to his excitement. 

“So… what are your plans for today?”

“Um,” you pause, brows furrowed, looking towards the direction of his tower even though you know he can’t see you. “Looking out for fires?”

“That’s boring,” is Soonyoung’s immediate response, and you laugh a little.

“Kinda my job for a while.”

And listen, you’ve known Soonyoung for less than a full 24 hours, but even before your brain really comprehends what he’s saying you know you’re not going to like it. “Wait, that reminds me,” he says, tone of his voice a little less overexcited puppy. “What did you do before this? Or, like, what’s your career? I mean, you don’t have to answer, I just thought it could be a way for us to get to know each other…”

His voice fades away for the split second you remember a little too much all at once, but somehow your voice still sounds put together when you speak. “Nothing special,” you say. There’s a pause when you don’t elaborate any further, but instead of asking about it, Soonyoung changes the subject.

“Okay!” he says, back to a more playful tone. “Anyways, I asked about your plans ‘cause I kind of need you to do something for me.”

“Already asking favors?” you tease. “We just met, Soonyoung.”

You hear him laugh, loud and hearty, and it’s contagious even through a radio line so you feel your own smile pull at your lips. “One of the other lookouts found some teenagers with fireworks,” he informs you. “I need you to meet him and get the fireworks from him.”

Your feet are already in your shoes, one halfway tied. “You can’t do this?”

Soonyoung’s voice is strangely thoughtful, but you catch a hint of mischief at the end of his sentence. “I would, but Jihoonie said he’d eat me if I tried to see him again and I think he’s serious this time.”

He tells you where the other lookout - Jihoon - should be and gives you a quick lesson on how to properly use your map to get there. You’re not really excited for another hike this early on (you’re still sore from even getting up here) but by the time you meet the halfway mark you’re convinced it’s not that bad. It’s neither long nor challenging, and… well, Soonyoung’s insistent on keeping you company the whole time. 

When you see what looks like a guy at the edge of a now-abandoned camp, you tell Soonyoung you’ll radio him when you’re on your way back to your tower. “Hey,” you call out as you get closer. The man looks up at you, his eyes sharp but not unkind. “Jihoon?”

“Yeah,” he replies. Under his cap you notice that his hair is a gentle silver, almost purple. He’s dressed casually, like you, and you suppose it’s a given since there’s no exact dress code for this job.  “You’re the newbie?”

You didn’t know people knew about you. “I.. I guess,” you say, then tell him your name.

“Cool,” Jihoon says, voice flat like he’s distracted. He picks up the bag next to his feet and hands it to you. “Take these. Thanks.”

He starts to walk away, down a trail opposite the direction you came, but you think of earlier, when Soonyoung asked about your job (or when he didn’t). You call after Jihoon, hesitate, but then opt to make this quick since he looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here. “Have you and Soonyoung… known each other for long?”

Jihoon turns around. He shrugs, then nods. “We met in college, a few years ago.”

“What kind of person is he?”

You watch in vague amusement as Jihoon’s nose scrunches up, but the small smile on his face refuses to hide and it makes you giggle. “Really annyoing,” he tells you, then pauses for a second like he’s looking for the right words, “kind of overwhelming sometimes. But he’s good. He’s someone you want around.”

Someone you want around, your brain repeats to you. You nod with a friendly smile as you haphazardly stuff the fireworks in your hiking bag. “Okay. Thank you.”

Jihoon offers an acknowledging nod of his own before continuing on his way back to his tower. You’re about five minutes into your hike back to yours when your radio sounds from your pocket with a now-familiar voice.

“Are you on your way back?” Soonyoung asks. “You forgot to tell me!”

“Sorry, yeah, I am now. I was talkin’ to Jihoon for a second.”

“Really? That’s weird. He rarely talks to anyone, especially strangers. What’d you talk about?”

You can’t help the small smile that lands on your face as you speak. “Stuff to blackmail you with.”

You think you hear Soonyoung’s groan all the way from his tower, and your smile only grows when it turns into a laugh.

DAY FIVE.

The clouds look dark today.

They haven’t covered the sun completely yet, but they’re closing in fast. You hope that it rains, already sick and tired of the disgusting heat, but also. Something else.

Rainy days always used to be the best to write, your brain supplies to you. You brave a glance at the still-unopened journal on the desk, thinking that maybe…

Your radio turning on drags you away from the crack in metaphorical door, coming at the perfect time as if to tell you that you’re not ready yet. You listen to it, grab the radio, murmur a greeting to Soonyoung.

“It’s getting pretty dark out, huh?” He says. He must be looking at the sky, too.

“Yeah,” you hum. “Hopefully the storm isn’t too bad.”

The line goes quiet, but you know that Soonyoung’s still there even if he isn’t saying anything. The knowledge comforts you, just a little.

“Well... got any rainy day stories?”

DAY SEVENTEEN.

“So, Soonyoung,” you call into your radio as you step outside. You’ve taken advantage of the small balcony around the entire cabin, setting up a few chairs you found in the storage unit at the bottom of the tower (just in case someone stops by, you tell yourself) and a small table you weren’t using inside. The nights are hot but still relaxing, and you find yourself sitting outside often, catching up on reading or taking in the stars. 

“I can’t believe you radioed me first,” Soonyoung responds, and you hear the smugness in his voice. “I’m so happy!”

Soonyoung somehow almost always manages to be with you in the nights, too, even if not physically. Being away from the urban civilization you’re used to has been a little difficult to adjust to, but you feel significantly less alone whenever you hear him calling you. You tell him to be quiet even though both of you are laughing. The distant crickets make your chest warm.

“What do you do? You didn’t tell me before,” You ask him after a second. There’s a small wave of anxiety that rushes over you at the idea that he might call you out about when he asked you the same thing. That was two weeks ago, though, you think, and Soonyoung wouldn’t. You’re sure he’s been able to tell that it’s a touchy subject. You’re not as discreet as you think you are, even if (and you’ve learned this the past few weeks) Soonyoung’s a bit more on the oblivious side sometimes.

“I dance!” 

Somehow, despite having not even seen what he looks like, it’s fitting. “Like… teach, or choreograph, or…”

“A little of everything,” Soonyoung tells you, and then starts elaborating. His voice echoes through your radio and you look up at the stars as you listen to him, trying to map out constellations from memory. He sounds so excited to simply talk about it, you can’t imagine what he must look like when he’s actually on stage. You hope you get to see it one day.

“You’ll have to teach me something sometime,” you say once he’s finished, voicing your thoughts. With a giggle that sounds like the stars above you, he tells you he’d love to.

A moment of quiet passes, spent focusing on the tiny specks of fireflies you see in the field around your tower and feeling the summer breeze as it passes. The words slip out of your mouth with much less resistance than you thought they would.

“I used to write,” you murmur into your radio. It takes you a moment to register the heavy beat of your heart, like you just got back from a run.

“Used to?” Soonyoung asks, curious but soft.

“For now,” you answer. The ache you’ve become familiar with throbs in your chest. “Hopefully not forever.”

It’s not the whole story - not even close - but you figure you might be able to tell him with time. The thought stresses you out even when you have nothing to stress about, and you think Soonyoung is psychic because he says, next, “the stars are really pretty tonight.”

You’re not looking at the sky when you answer. Your head is tilted in the direction of his tower. 

“They really are,” you say.

DAY THIRTY-THREE.

You’ve fallen into a bit of a routine with Soonyoung. 

Not a day goes by where you don’t talk to him - the one day you radioed and he didn’t pick up you genuinely thought something happened to him, seconds away from calling a park ranger. Right before you actually did it, though, he picked up his radio and said he had been taking a nap.

(His voice was a little groggy from sleep, sounded like he was pouting whether he meant to or not and you’d be lying if you said the thought didn’t make your heart skip a few beats - but if anyone asked, you’d definitely lie about it.)

One of you calls the other around the same time every morning and you don’t put down your radio until the sun is well behind the mountains. You’ve grown used to his presence, in a way, even if you can’t really feel him with you (though sometimes you swear you can). It’s comforting to have him out there with you, and it’s been so long since you’ve talked to someone the way you do with Soonyoung… you find yourself looking forward to every morning, waiting for when you hear him over your radio.

Today is no different.

Well, in an unrelated way, it is - you have to hike to a supply box to get your surplus of food for the next month and a half you have left. But even as you’re doing inventory of what you have left in your cabin on a piece of paper, you’re waiting for Soonyoung’s usual good morning. It comes as always, makes you smile when you hear it.

“Good morning!” 

You leave your scratch paper on your desk and reach for your radio. “Morning,” you say after you’ve pressed the button down. 

“So…” Soonyoung trails off. “Supply drop day.”

“Yeah,” you reply, sitting on your bed.

“Both of us are getting crates of food today…”

What is he getting at? “Uh-huh…?”

“Both of us… getting supplies… from the same place.”

A confused laugh leaves your lips. “Soonyoung, what is your point?”

Even for as often as you talk to him, you’re still always surprised when he starts yelling. “Let’s meet up!” he exclaims, obviously excited, and it clicks in your head.

“Oh my God, can we do that?” 

“Yeah!” Soonyoung sounds like he’s grinning, smile palpable in his voice. “If we pull some strings with the other lookouts and get hiking at the right time, it’s totally possible.”

Holy shit. Your heart is beating wildly, butterflies swarming around it at the thought of meeting Soonyoung in person. “Okay,” you tell him, noting that you sound a little breathless. “Okay, yeah, let’s do it.”

It takes a few minutes to work everything out - the supply boxes should be dropped off by midday, so you can leave your tower around then and get to the drop location in a little over an hour. Soonyoung has to leave earlier than you since he’s farther away, but if everything goes well the two of you should get to the drop location close to the same time, margin of error small. You radio Jihoon to cover for you while you’re out, and he agrees, although he sounds a bit miffed.

When you finally leave for your hike, you’re not expecting how quiet it is. Soonyoung’s usually there to cover it up with his voice - you don’t hike often (you’ve not had to, given your job for the summer is to watch for fires) but whenever you have he’s been there to keep you company. You plug in your earphones about halfway through your trip just to drown out the quiet, something more to listen to than just trees and the sound of your own footsteps.

Eventually you make it to the supply box, and, well. There’s a guy. Standing in front of a long, green box - you think you see lookout tower names engraved ever few inches: Thorofare, Cottonwood, Twin Peaks. Packing some ready-to-eat meals into his backpack.

Holy shit, Soonyoung? your brain automatically asks, and it sends your heart spiraling up and down. You’re not sure what you thought he looked like, but it wasn’t this. Tall, lean - wait, you don’t even know if this is actually him yet.

Before you can think too much about it, you call out, voice tentative. “Are you… Soonyoung?”

The man turns around, shakes his head with a kind smile. “No,” he says. “I’m Joshua.”

You think about throwing yourself into the river by your tower when you get back for absolutely no reason. Somehow you manage a polite smile and a gentle sorry.

“No, don’t apologize, you’re fine!” Joshua chirps, adjusting the cap on his head. “You’re looking for him?”

You pause. Those aren’t the exact words you would use, but they’re not technically wrong, so you nod. After all, you don’t know what he looks like (you probably should have asked him before both of you left, but you weren’t expecting another person to be here).

“Please don’t tell me he got lost again,” Joshua says, suddenly looking tired, and you look back at him wide-eyed because... again? Has this happened before?

“No,” you tell him. “No, I mean, I don’t think so. I don’t know. Since we both have to pick up supplies he thought it’d be cool if we met up in person.”

Joshua sighs, seemingly relieved, then continues packing what’s left of his supplies into his backpack as he hums. “That’s weird.”

“What is?”

He shrugs. “Soonyoung likes the outdoors, yeah, but the supply box is a pretty far hike from his tower. I think the last few summers he’s had them delivered.”

Oh, you think, and maybe say out loud, because then Joshua’s looking back at you, a mischievous smile on his face. 

“He must really like you to come all the way out here,” he tells you, and you laugh like it might get rid of all the thoughts popping up in your mind that you keep telling yourself to stop thinking about.

“And yet,” you say wistfully, looking towards the horizon. “I still come second to Jihoon.”

This time Joshua laughs, a friendly sound, and the two of you fall into a playful conversation. He’s somewhat a superior of yours, though not by a far gap - as the lookout who’s been on the job the longest, he oversees the rest of you (which is you, Soonyoung, Jihoon, and a few others you have yet to come across). You get along with him easily and it’s weird to think that if you hadn’t gone through what you did a few months ago you wouldn’t be here talking to him, establishing what could be a new friendship. You wonder if that’s a new step towards healing, finding a way to be grateful even if it was horrible.

You talk to Joshua for a while until he says he should get back to his tower. You nod, tell him goodbye (and thanks for his company) and he starts to walk away -

“Shua!”

A burst of platinum blonde hair rushes past you from the opposite direction you came from, heading for Joshua. The new guy drops a bag at his feet and almost softly crashes into Joshua, who has this look on his face you can’t really decipher.

“Hey, Soonyoung,” he says, and you blink.

Soonyoung, like… your Soonyoung? The Soonyoung you’ve been talking to for weeks?

You watch as the two hug, Soonyoung excited to see Joshua and completely ignoring you (though you’re not sure he’s doing it intentionally). All you can do is stand there. This is him, your brain keeps telling you. This is the guy.

“I haven’t seen you in forever!” Soonyoung exclaims, bouncing on the balls of his feet excitedly. “How are you? How have things been?”

Joshua shrugs, a small smile on his face as he puts a gentle hand on Soonyoung’s head and starts… petting. “I’ve been good, same old deal. I know that you’ve been doing good too, though, as far as I’ve seen from your reports.”

Soonyoung beams at the praise and you take note of it in the back of your mind (you also note the way Joshua’s treating him like a toddler and how it’s working). He opens his mouth to say something else but looks around and meets your eyes - for a second there’s nothing at all, but then you think you see an exclamation mark actually pop above his head.

The yell of your name is so loud it makes you jump. “Oh my God,” Soonyoung whines, falling to his knees dramatically. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you!”

“This is the first time you’ve seen me,” you say. You can’t seem to hold back your smile.

Joshua excuses himself (again) and finally moves on his way, says he’s in Thorofare lookout if anything happens. The sun is mellow on your skin as you look at Soonyoung, take him in - light hair, warm eyes, tan skin. His smile matches your own. A breeze shifts by, slow and sweet.

“Hi,” you say.

Soonyoung grins.

“Hey.”

-

So the bag you saw Soonyoung drop on the ground before was, in fact, for a picnic.

He didn’t bring a lot of food (the whole point of the hike was to get supply boxes anyways) aside from a few candy bars he’d saved for today. He did bring a blanket, however, and the two of you set everything up on the edge of a rock not too far away from the drop location, under some trees. It looks over a small ravine, a stream cutting through at the bottom. 

The time goes by like it was never there in the first place, spent talking and laughing. Soonyoung is just as animated in person as you thought he’d be, telling stories wildly as the two of you snack away a portion of your supplies. You know the two of you don’t have much time together, given how late it already was when Soonyoung arrived and both of your hikes back to your respective towers, but it’s still… refreshing, almost, to be with him like this, to finally get a piece of him you didn’t before. To hear him without the crackle of the radio and to see him.

To see him.

Something stirs in your chest when you look at him lying back on the blanket, arms supporting his head with his eyes closed. The sun lights up his skin in a golden glow, like honey, and the dark roots growing into his blonde hair are somehow endearing. The breath leaves your lungs when you finally label him as pretty. You hope you can blame the heat in your cheeks on the sun.

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” Soonyoung sighs, still not opening his eyes. You almost reach out to brush the hair away from his face, but a breeze comes by and does it for you. You hope it’s not a sign.

“It would be nice, huh,” you murmur in response. You finally break your gaze from Soonyoung and lean back on your hands, soaking up the feeling of the blue sky.

It’s now that you remember what Joshua had said earlier about Soonyoung usually getting his supplies delivered, and you turn back to him. “Hey, before you got to the supply box, Joshua and I were talking.” Soonyoung hums in acknowledgement. “Is the hike from your tower to here really that bad?”

His voice strains as he stretches, opening his eyes to look at you. “I mean, yeah, it’s a bitch of a hike to take sometimes. But it’s not really hard except for a few spots, just long.”

You furrow your brows. When you agreed to meet him, you didn’t think it’d be this much trouble for him. “And you came all this way so we could… what, sit here and eat? Like we do most of the time anyways? Just separately?”

Soonyoung pouts at you and you feel personally attacked. “Food tastes good when you’re with other people.”

You give him a soft, semi-playful glare, and Soonyoung offers a small giggle. You turn back towards the view in front of you.

“Did you not want me to come down?” He asks, and he doesn’t sound… sad, really, more observant. Like he wants to know where you’re at.

“No,” you answer almost immediately (Jesus, your brain says). “I just… it’s a long trip. It doesn’t really seem like it’s worth the effort.”

Like I’m worth the effort, you think to yourself. 

You hear Soonyoung shuffle behind you and turn around to look at him again, finding him sitting up straight. “It is to me,” he tells you, and there’s something in his eyes that holds you in your spot. The tips of his fingers brush against yours on the blanket. You’d look down if you didn’t think you’d miss something. “I wanted to.”

In a second, it clicks.

-

It’s not much longer until Soonyoung needs to start heading back. The two of you get your things together, and you help him pack up the picnic supplies he brought. When everything’s said and done and the two of you are back by the supply box, there’s a second of uncharacteristic quiet that falls over you.

“Let me know when you get back,” you say after a moment. Soonyoung grins.

“You’re worried about me!” he swoons, and you hit him on the shoulder playfully, but don’t deny it. It can be dangerous out there, and even if Soonyoung has been out here longer than you, anything can happen. 

“Just radio me, okay?”

Soonyoung smiles, something a little softer from before. He nods. “I will. You be safe too.”

You nod in return, taking a few steps back towards the trail that leads back to your tower. “Talk to you later, Hoshi.”

The last you see of him before you turn around is the grin on his face.

DAY THIRTY-FOUR.

It feels like forever since you’ve been here.

A window is open and welcomes a distant ambiance of the forest around you, trees and birds and animals. The journal you brought with you is open to the first page, but remains untouched - nothing on the pages. At least, not yet.

(The not yet you always tell yourself seems closer, this time, not so far away. Within reach, or at least within reason.)

Soonyoung had called in that the hike from yesterday had worn him out and he needed a nap. You had laughed fondly at how tired he sounded, told him to sleep well and that you’d be waiting for him. And you feel the words, right at your fingertips, the way the rest and wait to be written. Their presence is both terrifying and reassuring. 

You don’t think they’ll be able to bleed out correctly, not the way they used to since it’s been so long. But they’re there, in your mind, in your heart. 

You pick up the pen you got out, feel the weight of it as you click it a few times. You tap it on the desk once, twice, and then.

You take a deep breath and start to write.

DAY SIXTY-FOUR.

“Are you lookin’ at the fire?”

Your eyes leave the page of your book at Soonyoung’s voice crackling from the radio, looking around your cabin windows to see that, oh, there is a fire. You’d kind of forgotten that it’s… literally your job. At least there are multiple lookouts.

You fold the corner of the page you’re on as a makeshift bookmark before closing the book and setting it down on your bed as you stand to get your radio. You grab a can of soda from the mini-fridge you’ve started to utilize (as best you can, given it does a mediocre job at keeping things cool) before walking out onto the deck, sitting in one of the chairs you set up. “Now I am,” you tell Soonyoung as you adjust the chair so it faces the direction of the fire. You think you’re the closest lookout to it - which makes the fact that you didn’t notice it even worse - but not in any danger. The smoke paints the evening sky red-orange, washing over the purples and blues the sun used earlier as it set. “You’ve called it in?”

“Yeah, told Josh, who told the higher-ups,” Soonyoung responds, voice strangely… solemn? He sighs his next words. “They’ll probably send a crew in for suppression by morning.”

“Is there a reason you sound sad about putting a potentially dangerous forest fire out?” You tease, cracking open your soda and taking a sip. The carbonation feels good in your mouth, pops on your tongue.

“I’m not!” Soonyoung denies after some sputtering, and you laugh. “Just… ugh, looking at it - I’ve worked here every summer for the past, like, five years, and I’ve only ever seen two fires. Three, counting this one.” His voice gains a certain softness, like he’s lost in thought. “I don’t want the place to burn down or anything, but… don’t you think it’s kind of beautiful?”

It’s a little morally ambiguous, but as you look at the distant, licking flames you have to agree. In the dark, it’s vibrant, more than just ashy smoke and the smell of burning - it glows red, flushes out silhouettes of the trees in between it and you.

“I guess it is,” you hum into your radio as you stare at it.

“So. What should we name it?”

“The fire?”

“Yes,” Soonyoung says, dramatic as always. “She needs a name! I’ve always given them names, but I’ll let you do the honor this time.”

There’s something sweet in the way he offers you the chance to name it, and you try not to dwell on it too much. “Ah,” you start, thinking for a moment. “Barbara. The Barbara Fire.”

Soonyoung howls out a laugh and it’s infectious; you feel the tugging of your lips into a grin. “That is the worst thing that has ever come out of your mouth,” he says, and you roll your eyes. “We are not naming it the Barbara Fire.”

You huff out a fake whine. “Come on, it’s just Barb! She’s beautiful.”

“But deadly,” Soonyoung adds in a voice that sounds like it came straight out of a crime documentary. It makes you giggle, the two of you throwing around silly, stupid names.

“Okay, okay,” you say after a few minutes. “Then… hmm, the Hoshi Fire.”

There’s a long, long pause, and you hold down the button to your radio again. “Uh oh, is he broken?”

Soonyoung’s voice comes through, joking, but you sense a pinch of sincerity. “You want to name a raging forest fire after me… I feel like I shouldn’t be happy but I kind of am.”

You remember to push the button as you laugh, looking directly at the fire and shouting, “I hereby dub thee… the Hoshi Fire!” as loud as you can.

After the laughter dies down, for a second, there’s quiet - not awkward or for the sake of a bit, just quiet. Soonyoung’s not telling a story, you’re not giving witty comebacks. It’s just the two of you and the fire, alone in the forest.

It breaks eventually. Soft, gentle. “I’m glad you’re out here, you know,” Soonyoung says.

His words make you stiffen and relax all at once, and almost on instinct you look in the direction of his tower. You can’t really see the silhouette - the sun too far gone, taking the last of its light with it - but you know it’s there, can pinpoint exactly where it should be. You hope Soonyoung’s looking over at you, too.

And even if the reason you’re here in the first place is still a tender bruise to be pressed, you find yourself recovering a little more every day. “I am, too,” you respond. “I… I wish you were over here.”

It’s a roundabout way to say I miss you, but a part of you thinks neither of you are ready for something that explicit. You reach a hand out in the direction of Soonyoung’s tower, grasping at it like it might bring him to you. It’s not as if you can’t meet up with him again, but… between the distance and the fact that there’s an actual fire to keep your eye on, it certainly wouldn’t be easy. This is the closest you can get for now.

“I wish I was too,” Soonyoung says. You close your eyes to picture him, pretty smile and fond eyes. “We could hang out, like last time.”

“Without the radios,” you add. 

“We could, um… you know.”

His words make you giggle, and you feel a little lucky that you’re not holding down the button. Your heart is pounding in your chest, nervous but stable, secure, as you reply. A welcomed beat, even if startling.

“No, I don’t,” you tell him. Your soda sits forgotten, half-empty, on the floor of the deck by your feet. You don’t bother paying attention to the fire. “What could we do?”

Soonyoung groans and this time you laugh pushing the button so he can hear you, warm and affectionate. “Don’t tease me! You know what I’m talking about.”

You do. “What could we do, Soonyoung?”

There’s a pause, but you know he’s still there.

“Well,” he says eventually. “Let me tell you.”

DAY SEVENTY-SIX.

The fire’s gotten big.

You feel like you shouldn’t be surprised by it - it’s a wildfire, they’re not exactly easy to contain, but seeing it up close like this is vastly different from being in a city and barely even noticing the smoke. It is larger than life out here, consuming more and more of the forest each day. The last few days you’ve spent inside due to the low visibility (though it’s not as if you take a hike every day anyways). It makes you wonder if it’s safe to stay out here.

“...Hey,”  Soonyoung radios in. “I have a question for you.”

Rationally, you know whatever it is, it can’t be that serious. But your heart picks up pace anyways, beats a little harder as you pick up your radio to respond. “Look, it was Jihoon’s idea to use the fireworks, I promise neither of us knew it would start the fire.”

Soonyoung sputters out a laugh and you match him, feeling yourself calm down. “I’ll… I’ll ask Jihoon about that later, but - I really do have something to ask you.”

You lay down in your bed, unmade and messy. “Is it… bad?”

“I don’t think so,” Soonyoung responds. “Maybe?”

“Okay…” you say, timid. “Shoot.”

“When you first got here, I asked why you took the job,” he says, and you nod to yourself, remembering the first call you got from him. “You just… never really responded. I get it if it’s, like, a touchy subject, I don’t want to pressure you at all…”

“No,” you interrupt before you realize what you’re saying. You take a deep breath, Soonyoung waits. “No, it’s probably… it might be good to talk about it. I’ll tell you.”

He murmurs an okay, tells you to take your time and you do. It’s not like you’re scared to tell him - you’ve come to trust him, you know he won’t judge you for anything that happened or think any differently of you. You’re not even sure that’s why it’s hard for you to talk about - rather than any sort of outside force that might affect you, it’s more… more of a part of you that you felt you lost. It’s more coming to terms - even after these months - and going through the motions. It’s scary to talk about disconnection, especially from the one thing you loved (love?) more than anything.

“I… write,” is how you start, looking at the ceiling of your cabin as you speak. “Or wrote, maybe? I’m an author. I have a few books published. Writing is something I’ve loved since I was so young, it’s… a part of me, really. It’s special to me.

“When I finally got a manager and a publishing company and all that official stuff, I was so excited. It was like I was finally living my dream. I wrote my first book and got it published and it did really well, so my management asked me to do another, and I did. Then they asked for one after that, and I didn’t… it felt too soon, in a way. Rushed. But I guess I did it because I had to, because I figured this just came with being a writer and not everything is what you want it to be - and I didn’t want to risk losing what I had wanted almost my entire life.”

You take a moment to steady yourself, note the tremble of your fingers and take a few deep breaths. Soonyoung waits for you, patient and kind. “It went like that for a while, and I lost touch with writing. I stopped loving the only thing I knew how to love. I was so detached from it. A few months before I took this job my manager set up a press conference for me, and I… kind of… had a breakdown. At the conference. So I’m out here to run away for a second. Be away from it all.”

The quiet that follows doesn’t make you nervous, really, but you’re still waiting for a reply of any sort. Even if it’s the common oh or it’ll be okay that you got from distant friends and relatives who didn’t know what was really going on. But Soonyoung was patient with you, so you can be patient with him.

“Have you written since?” He asks after a minute, and your eyes flash over to the journal on your desk. One page has the familiar strokes and loops of your handwriting, written after you met Soonyoung in person.

“Only once,” you respond, truthful.

“When you start to write again… will you show me?”

And for some reason the question is so tender, filled to the brim with something you want to name. It makes tears spring to your eyes as you look out over the rising fire, trying not to let your voice shake too much as you reply.

(Maybe it’s because he said when and not if, maybe it’s because he didn’t tell you it’ll be okay, maybe it’s because it’s him and not someone else telling you the same thing.)

“Yeah,” you say, letting go of the button to sniff. “Yeah, I will. If you let me see one of your dances.”

You hear Soonyoung’s smile through the radio as he tells you it’s a deal.

DAY SEVENTY-EIGHT.

For the first time since you started working, someone who isn’t Soonyoung calls you through the radio (not counting the time you radioed Jihoon to make sure he was still alive, because you only saw him once and hadn’t heard from him since then). You hear the familiar click that tells you someone’s on the station, and you’re fully expecting Soonyoung’s voice to light up your cabin the way it always does. Instead, Joshua’s voice rings through.

“You there?” He asks after a comfortable call of your name, and you pick up your radio.

“Yeah, I’m here. It’s been a while,” you respond, and Joshua hums. “How’ve you been?”

“I’ve… been,” he tells you, which earns a small laugh. “Anyways, I called in to let you know that they’re having trouble controlling the fire -”

You take a look at the giant flume of smoke north of your tower, nodding to yourself. “I can see that.”

Joshua tells you to be quiet. You hear the friendly smile in his voice.

“There’ll be an evacuation team here within the next two days,” he says. “Maybe less, shouldn’t be more. They’re gonna get all the lookouts evacuated.”

Oh. Evacuation? That means… the city. Your apartment, back to your family and friends. You’d forgotten an entire world exists outside of the bubble you created for yourself.

“Okay,” you say slowly, still looking at the fire. “I assume you’ve told the other lookouts?”

“I’ve got a few more to call, but other than that, yeah, everyone’s covered. I told Soonyoung and Jihoon first,” Joshua tells you, and you blink at the fact that you didn’t even have to ask. “I’ll see you on the other side.”

“Yeah. Stay safe, Josh.”

You sit for a while after that, trying to cope with the feeling in your chest. You… you feel better about everything, about writing, for sure, but. But. It’s cut short, even if only by a little over a week. You haven’t even started packing anything up - so much of you is strewn around the cabin, in the field around your tower, in the trees of the forest you hiked through. You don’t think you’re ready to say goodbye to the place you’ve made your home and the people (person, your heart whispers) with it. 

The sun starts to set and the fire grows. You sit on your bed and look at the things you’ve made your own, a sunken, unfinished emotion spreading through you. Eventually it is Soonyoung’s voice that comes from your radio, low and humorous.

“The Hoshi Fire can’t be stopped…” he murmurs, and you laugh despite the loss you feel. 

“Please,” you groan into your radio after you’ve grabbed it. “We’re getting evacuated!”

Soonyoung giggles, something mischievous that makes your heart warm with slow appreciation. “I can’t believe it’s ending so soon,” you say, standing up to walk around aimlessly.

“Yeah, the summer went by super fast, huh?” Soonyoung replies. “I’m kind of excited, though. I’ve missed a proper dance studio.”

That’s… oh. 

A current of mild surprise rolls through you and you think you physically feel your jaw drop, just a little. That - that hurt. More than you want it to, more than you think it should - but it’s... fine. You’ve only known Soonyoung for a few months, it’s not like…

You realize you haven’t responded and open your mouth on purpose this time. “I wish we could share the sentiment, Hoshi,” you joke, hoping it doesn’t sound too stiff. 

If Soonyoung notices anything, he doesn’t say it. Only laughs, sweet and genuine. “I’m sure you’ll find something to yearn for just as I yearn for dance,” he says dramatically. You laugh, forced, because yeah, you will. Maybe you already have.

DAY EIGHTY.

Evacuation day.

Last day in your tower. Last day in the forest. Last day of the job you took to escape, to heal. It’s spent packing up the things you brought with you, throwing away everything else. Joshua said helicopters would be touching down at two points - Twin Peaks lookout and Mule Point lookout. Twin Peaks is Soonyoung’s tower, and if you planned it out right, you could probably get there and leave with him.

You tell yourself that the reason you can’t is because Mule Point is closer. Safer. They’re evacuating you for a reason.

“Hey.”

Speak of the devil, you think, grabbing your radio from its charging port. “Hi.”

“So,” Soonyoung says. For the first time since you’ve known him, he seems awkward. “Evacuation day.”

“Yessir…”

“What evacuation point are you hiking to?”

You pause, hesitate like you’re about to say something you shouldn’t. “Mule Point,” you manage to get out. “It’s closer,” you say after, your brain telling you to justify it, explain.

“What did the Hoshi Fire ever do to you?” Soonyoung huffs out through a laugh, and it sounds so unaffected that you feel that ache from before again. After a second, he adds, “so… this’ll be the last we talk. At least for a while.”

That realization hits you like a brick and the sting behind your eyes seems normal - regardless of whatever was built between you and Soonyoung or what lead you out here in the first place, it’s so sad that it’s ending. “Yeah,” you say quietly. Everything is packed, you just need to get hiking. “I, um. Is it cheesy to say thank you?”

“Maybe,” Soonyoung chuckles. “But it’ll also make me feel really good, so…”

You feel yourself calm down and let out your own small giggle. Maybe it was always meant to end this way, a little too soon, a little too sad. “Really… thanks, Soonyoung. I think it would’ve been worse for me if I got the silence I came out here for. I’m glad I had you to talk to.”

“Thank you, too,” Soonyoung says back. “I hope… you write again. I’ll talk to you later.”

The mention of it doesn’t hurt as much as it used to, and you feel the smallest of smiles on your lips. “Yeah. Later.”

The radio clicks off and that’s the last you hear from Soonyoung.

EPILOGUE.

It’s hard to come back.

From nature, from Soonyoung - everything, really. To go from trees and fires and talking every night back to car horns, busy sidewalks and your own apartment. It’s weird to wake up and not see the immediate shine of the sun through your windows. But you come back, slowly get used to the life you had before.

And you start writing.

Given - you get back in August only start writing again in October, but you write. Little by little, page after page. Maybe not every day, like you used to, but the words are back and they are eager to get out, leave their mark as your work. You stand up to your management (with Minghao’s support) and take control of your own writing schedule. The pressure from before leaves. Writing becomes special more than ever, returns as the one thing you never get truly tired of.

Minghao asks about the job, your summer. You tell him it was easy and peaceful, and that you’re thankful for the time. You mention the other lookouts. You mention Soonyoung. Only in passing, though. 

(Minghao definitely suspects something, but even if he asked, you wouldn’t tell him much.)

Sometimes you allow yourself to think of him - when you got back, you looked for a Soonyoung in the multiple dance studios in the city, but since you didn’t have a last name or any proper title, nothing came up. After that, you gave up, but he still shows up in your thoughts from time to time, bright blonde hair (the roots growing in) and glowing smile. It’s cold out, now, so you hope he isn’t getting sick and that he’s staying warm.

You’re reminded of just how cold it is when you have to brace the outside world to get your mail. There’s not even any wind, just an undeniable cold, and it makes your nose burn and eyes water as you walk the short trek to your mailbox. You find your slot and push your key in, unlocking it and gathering your mail. Most of it is junk, but you could have sworn something you ordered was supposed to come today -

“Excuse me?”

You turn your head to the voice and find a man walking towards you, his head turned down towards a small piece of paper. His voice sounds familiar, but you figure it must just be a neighbor you haven’t spoken to in a while. You turn your body to him, waiting for him to look up from the note so you can place a name on him. “Do you know where I can find an author…”

He looks up.

It’s Soonyoung.

He looks a little different - his hair is shorter, dyed black instead of the platinum you remember from last July. But it’s definitely him. The longer you stare at each other the wider his smile gets, and you stand, speechless. He’s looking at you like you’re the only thing in the world. Your heart starts to race, warms you up beneath your jacket.

“Found you,” Soonyoung grins. You can’t take your eyes off of him.

“Yeah,” you breathe. “You did.”

[noladyme]

La Cuervo - Chapter 12

She is used to the biker-life, having grown into a woman in the familiar embrace of SAMCRO. A bad decision and a gun-shot later, she gets whisked off to Santo Padre, and put under the protection of another club. What is supposed to be a short stint in the Mayan headquarters just north of the border to Mexico, turns into something more; when la quervo begins to develop feelings for el angel - and he seems to return them in kind...

TW: violence, blood, drug use, alcohol, smut, fluff, angst

In the spirit of "The Crown Princess of Charming", this is a story about O.C. Nina and Angel Reyes. It is obviously non-canon, as characters who have passed on on Mayans M.C. are present in it, and others have been excluded completely. Nina is written as a cis-female, but I have tried to keep her race and looks as ambigous as possible. Should you find any of this story offensive, please let me know.

12.

She stepped out of the trailer the next morning, freshly showered and made up. The sun was blaring down from a cloudless sky, but in spite of her determination to make the best of a shitty situation, it was still difficult to enjoy the beauty of the day. She went in to the clubhouse, and was met Chucky; holding out a mug of coffee at her. “It’s good that you’re still here”, he smiled. “Yeah…”, Nina said quietly, before leaning forwards, and planting a chaste kiss to his cheek. Chucky immediately blushed, and rushed out of the door, to go open the office.

EZ had set up a couple of plates for them, with donuts and orange juice. “Gaby’s been busy with school…”, he said apologetically. “How very dares she?”, Nina gasped in jest. They sat down, and began their usual morning banter. It felt almost like a normal morning, save the murky cloud of gloom from Nina’s breakdown the night before hanging over them.

Coco and Gilly came in to the clubhouse, and the smaller biker immediately walked over to her, and put a hand on her cheek, before bending down to press a kiss to the top of her head. He didn’t say anything – he didn’t need to – but his gesture was welcome, and Nina gave him a half smile. “I’m good”, she replied to his unspoken question. Coco nodded, and Gilly squeezed her shoulder. “How is Camille?”. “Healing. But she’s not talking about what happened to her; probably too scared. Creep went down earlier this morning to check on her”. Nina’s smile widened. “Creeper’s in love…”, she said. “He’s probably just horny”, Gilly muttered.

“I hope that’s just it. That chula is too clingy…”, Coco said. “Coco! She just had her ass beat by a complete psycho…”, Nina said. “I can feel bad about that, and still think she’s annoying”, Coco shrugged. “She’s one of those girls whose so desperate to belong to an MC in one way or another, she’ll fuck anything in a cut, and do anything to be let into the family. Like she gets off on the patch in itself". “That’s harsh”, EZ said. “You didn’t hear her talk, boy scout”, Coco said. “I love your bike, Coco. I’ll do anything for the club, Coco. Don’t take off your cut when we fuck, Coco… Fucking loca”. Nina scowled at him for a moment, but Coco seemed steadfast in his opinion, and disregarded her chiding eyes. The four of them sat for a few moments, and talked about nothing and everything; before the men had to get to work around the yard. Nina went into the front office, and put on the oversized Romero Bros. shirt. She spent the rest of the morning taking calls, and filing paperwork.

In the afternoon she finally had a few moments to relax with a book, before she needed to restock the shelves and fridges of the clubhouse. It felt good to keep busy – it kept her mind of her shitty situation – but her foot seemed to be more busted from her kicking the barbell than she’d thought, so having some time to put her feet up in the trailer was a welcome break. She’d left the door ajar to let in some fresh air. The tiny fan she’d nabbed from templo – which Bishop hadn’t complained about her taking, probably feeling guilty about whoring out her old man – was not strong enough to work against the heat that would stream in, if she’d left it completely open. She’d taken the picture of Abel and Thomas, and set it next to the small framed picture of the Reyes family on the beach, that EZ had set up again; after he’d thought he had the trailer back.

She recognized the sound of Angel’s bike rolling onto the lot. He wasn’t alone, as she heard Daniella’s voice once he turned off the engine. “Baby, I’m just saying; don’t you think it’s weird that she just dropped out of nowhere from up north?”, the blonde said. “What are you saying?”, Angel asked. “Why is she here?”, Daniella replied. “Does it matter? I’m not with her anymore, Dani”. Nina peeked out between the blinds of the small window over the cot, and saw Angel putting an arm around Daniella, and placing a short peck on the corner of her lips. Daniella giggled, and tried to pull him in for a deeper kiss, but Angel seemed to get distracted by something else, and went to hang his helmet on the handlebar of his bike.

Unable to sit by quietly, Nina put down her book, and stepped out of the trailer. She shot a hard look at Angel, who managed to keep his cool demeanor; but she saw a ghost of something resembling pain in his eyes. “Hi, Nina”, Daniella smiled overbearingly. “I heard you felt under the weather last night. How are you doing?”. “Dani…”, Angel muttered. “I’m great. I finally got rid of that case of the clap Angel left me with”, Nina replied. “Just some friendly advice; you can get it in your throat as well…”. Daniella’s eyes widened. “Right… You probably knew that already. Was it a present from you?”. She walked by them, and onto the porch to go into the clubhouse. “Are you gonna let her talk to me like that?”, she heard Daniella snarl at Angel. “I’ll talk to her”, Angel muttered. “You better…”.

Less than a second after Nina had closed the door behind her, Angel slammed it open, grabbed her arm, and pulled her with him towards templo. His expression was angry, and Nina saw Daniella smile smugly at her as they went. She went to sit by the bar with Riz and Hank, who looked confused at the situation. Once inside the dim room, Angel pressed Nina against the wall next to the door; keeping them out of sight of the people in the bar-area. He pressed his body against her, and grabbed the back of her head; before devouring her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Nina tried her best to keep quiet from the pleasurable signals Angel’s lips were sending to her groin. She pressed her hands against his chest, and made him step back. “I’m sorry, cuervo”, he whispered, his eyes almost desperate. “Fuck. I hate this”, Nina whispered. “Me too…”, Angel replied. “I gotta set you right… She needs to think…”. Nina nodded. Angel frowned deeply, and pressed a short kiss to her lips, before his voice boomed at her. “You don’t talk to her like that! What the fuck is your problem?”. In spite of the plan, Nina was too proud to just stand by. “Fuck you, Angel…”, she roared. “Watch your mouth”, he growled in reply. He kissed her again, and Nina gasped against his lips. “What are you gonna do? Smack me around?”, she said. “Don’t fucking tempt me…”. He blew out a deep breath, and pressed a final kiss to her lips, before kicking the chair by the door, creating a ruckus. They nodded at each other, before Angel stomped out of the room, leaving her behind.

Nina took a long moment to calm down. She was flustered, as a strange mix of anger, pain – and if she was being honest to herself, horniness – rushed through her veins. Finally, somewhat settled, she went back into the bar-area, and got behind the counter; looking appropriately chastened. Angel was stood next to Daniella, looking every bit the returned champion, and without a word, Nina set down a beer in front of him. Daniella very obviously ignored her, and focused on running her hand up Angel’s chest. Nina wanted to barf at the sight, but managed to keep her lunch down this time. Hank raised a brow at her, and she shook her head slightly, before beginning to fill the fridge. Riz got behind the counter, and squeezed her hand covertly, before handing her a cigarette, and taking over her task. “Go take a break”, he said shortly. Nina gave him a thankful smile, and went back outside.

She sat down on the steps, and blew out a deep breath. “I deserve an Oscar…”, she muttered to herself, and lit her smoke.

---

Spending the evening serving beers and drinks to the club members, her “ex” and his date wasn’t the easiest task. EZ had apparently been told to keep his distance from her, while Daniella was around; to make it clear how unimportant, and last week’s news Nina was. This left her behind the bar alone, and the friendly banter she was used to from the Mayans was limited. Angel and Daniella left at around 10 pm, and Nina sighed in relief as she saw them close the door behind them. Having to look at Angel laying it on thick while flirting with Daniella, made her want to scream. It was beyond any kind of petty jealousy she’d felt in her life before. Daniella wasn’t just touching something she wanted; she was touching what was hers, and Nina couldn’t do anything to stop it.

Bishop came up behind her, as she was cleaning some glasses at the end of the night, and patted her shoulder. “Let the prospect do that. Come sit down”. She quietly followed him over to a table, where Taza and Hank were seated. Bishop sat down across from her. “Palo’s been in touch. He says the attack on Camille was all Sala”. Nina frowned in confusion. “I pressed him a bit”, Taza said. “He swears her attack had nothing to do with Gael’s death”. Nina scoffed, and chuckled sarcastically. “Sure. That’s why they left her in one of your tunnels”, she said. “We’re not saying we believe him”, Hank said. He pushed a packet of smokes towards her, and she took one, letting him light it for her.

Nina sat for a moment, going over everything that had happened the night of the party, and the day after. “Daniella was acting weird when she came by the other day”, she said. “She seemed surprised I was here”. “She probably was”, Taza said. “So far, everything points towards her being the snitch; but we still need to know how much she’s been sharing with the Vatos. That’s why Angel needs to…”. “Yeah, I got it… But that’s how he found out she wasn’t me…”, Nina sighed. “She called him after she saw me; and then all of a sudden, Camille gets dumped where they know you’ll find her… He was trying to send a message. He got the wrong woman; but he knows I’m here”. “Palo claims that he doesn’t suspect us of hiding you, and that we’re still at peace”, Bishop said. “But what about Camille?”, Nina asked. “She’s innocent in all this”. “Vatos Malditos are paying her recompense for the beating at the hands of one of their members, plus something on the side for us; as a show of good faith”, Taza said. “Because she’s part of the Mayan family”, Nina muttered. “And they aren’t supposed to touch family…”. “I don’t know if I’d call her family. She’s mostly been spending her time as a human condom for whoever she can get her hands on. I think even Riz tapped that, before she climbed on the Coco-train”, Hank said, a slight smile on his face. “And now it’s Creeper”. “Nina, you’re still safe here”, Taza tried, having figured out what she was actuallytrying to say; but Nina just shook her head in irritation.

She leaned back in her seat, and let out an exasperated sigh. “This is bullshit… We know they took her because they thought she was me. Why is Palo stalling?” “Possibly to get more info on Mayan business before he makes his move. If he can take out us and get you at the same time, that’s two birds with one stone”, Bishop said. “He wants our business with SAMCRO. He doesn’t suspect they have anything to do with his primo’s killing”, Hank said. Nina took a deep huff of the smoke. “Does SAMCRO know?”, she asked, and blew out the smoke. “I’m calling Chibs once we’re done here”, Bishop said. “But I think you know where their allegiances lie”. “With the Mayans”, Nina said. “With you, mija”, the president said. Nina looked down, feeling her cheeks burn. “SOA wouldn’t go back on their deal with you… They’re loyal”. “Yeah, they are… But us taking you in has only sealed that deal even more”, Bishop said.

Nina took a moment to let his words settle. “And Daniella? What’s gonna happen to her?”, she finally asked. “For now, nothing”, Bishop said. “Angel’s going to treat her like a queen; and hopefully she’ll slip up, and tell him about her deal with VM. We might even be able to use her to give them false leads”. “And me?”, Nina said. “You do what you’ve been doing up until now… Except Angel”, Bishop replied. Nina shot him a dirty look. “For now…”, Taza added. Bishop looked like he would have rolled his eyes, if he wasn’t too proud for gestures like that. “Look, I don’t care what you two do when this is all over, but we can’t let anyone outside the club know you haven’t split. That includes hangarounds who might talk to the bitch. Keep it in your pants”. “Yes, sir”, Nina muttered, and got to her feet. “Anything else I need to know? Or do I just go put on the chastity-belt you’ve probably had forged for me…?”. “Yeah”, Bishop said, almost in a growl. “We’re gonna have one of us here each night, to keep an eye on the place”. “And me, I’m guessing”, Nina said. “You make it sound like I grounded you”, he said. “Didn’t you?”. Bishop frowned at her, but Nina simply turned around, and left the clubhouse.

“I like that kid”, she heard Bishop mutter, just before she closed the door behind her.

---

There was a quiet knock to the trailer-door, just as Nina had finished getting ready for bed. Outside stood Angel, with a look on his face, which Nina recognized immediately. “Daddy says I’m not supposed to let you in”, she said, a smile ghosting her face. Angel stepped inside, pushing her backwards, and closing the door behind him. “Papi says he doesn’t give a fuck”, he growled, and attacked her lips. He turned her around, and pressed her against the door; leaving no room between their bodies. His presence invaded her senses, and as he moved his lips down her neck, Nina winced.

“You smell like her perfume…”, she said. Angel stepped back, and brushed his thumb across his lower lip. Nina’s eyes were hard, and her heart was beating a million miles an hour. She grabbed the collar of his flannel, and sniffed it. “It’s your shirt… Take it off”. Angel looked confused for a second, before a fire lit in his eyes, and he quickly shrugged off his cut, and opened his shirt, yanking it off, and leaving him in his beater and jeans. “What else do you want?”, he asked with a ragged voice. “I want to know what you did with her”, Nina said. “I didn’t do anything. I just took her home…”, Angel said. “No, before all this… what did you do with her that makes her want you so much, that she’s willing to sell out me and the club for you?”.

She pushed him backwards to sit on the cot, and straddled his lap. Not wearing anything other than panties and a top came in handy, as her core rubbed against his hardening bulge. It was all she could do to not moan, and grind against him. “I don’t know…”, Angel almost whispered. Nina took his hand, and placed it against her left breast. He stroked his thumb against her hardening nipple, over the fabric of her top. “Did you make her come?”, Nina asked. Angel looked almost offended at her words. “Ma’, I don’t fuck a woman without making her come…”. “No? Then; what did you do? Did you touch her like you do me?”, Nina said. She moved her and down between them, palming Angel's bulge; and he responded by letting out a short breath, and swallowing thickly. She leaned in to put her lips to his ear. “Did you have her on her knees in front of you, as you drank a beer, and let her suck your cock?”. Angel didn’t reply, and Nina sat back again. “Nina… I’m…”. “You did…”. “Mami, it’s a powermove… I was just trying to…”. Angel was flustered, and in spite of Nina’s angry expression – or perhaps because of it – he was growing harder by the second. “Did you eat cereal off her skin, before fucking her senseless?”. “No. That was only you”, Angel said. “And thanks for the compliment”. He tried for a sly smile, but Nina drew her lips back in a sneer. “Was she ever in your bed? In our bed?”. He shook his head, and cupped her face. “She was never in the house… ever”.

Nina pushed his hands away, and got on her feet. “Did you lick her pussy?”. “No”, Angel whispered. His eyes were earnest. “What? I can’t hear you”, Nina said. Angel stood up, and stepped over to her; towering over her, and placing a hand around her throat, to hold her in place. His face was less than an inch away, and his expression was hard. “No! I didn’t lick her pussy. I only do that with women I’m serious about!”. Nina nearly crumbled in front of him; all of her anger and need for control washing away. “But… You tried to, the first time we…”. “Yeah. I did”, Angel growled.

Suddenly, his lips were on hers again, and she melted in his arms. Angel put his arm around her, and turned her around, to make her lay down on the cot. He tugged her panties down, and threw them somewhere behind him; before he pushed her legs up, and instantly dove to the apex of her thighs. Angel’s tongue made a languid stroke between her labia, before he let it dip just inside her opening. He lapped at her wetness, while his fingers found her clit, and began rubbing circles on it. There was no gentleness. Angel was like a hungry beast, and Nina was like the first meal he’d had in weeks.

The smallness of the cot didn’t leave room for them to both lay on it, and Nina had to put one foot on the table to make room for Angel’s shoulders between her thighs. Nina felt herself beginning to shake. “Fuck… fuck, Angel!”, she gasped. “When I’m good and ready!”, he growled against her heat. He thrusted two fingers inside her, and moved his mouth’s focus to her clit. He suckled at it as if life itself came from that tiny spot, and his fingers curled back and forth inside her; drawing her closer to her undoing. The thumb on his free hand began probing at her back entrance; pressing and making her sphincter work. It was overwhelming and so, so good. Nina grabbed on to Angel’s head, simultaneously wanting to push him away and pull him closer. She began whimpering, and her abdomen began convulsing, as the most intense orgasm she’d ever had washed over her. Everything went white, and Nina cried out an almost pitiful yelp.

Before she had a chance to come down from her high, Angel got on his feet and undid his jeans to let himself spring free; and then – with no gentleness – moved Nina so he could sit down on the cot. He pulled her on top of him by her hips, and pressed her down onto his cock. “So… fucking… tight!”, he growled, as he finally bottomed out. “Move!”, he demanded. With shaking legs, Nina pressed her knees into the mattress, and began moving on top of him. Rutting to get as close to him as possible, Nina desperately searched Angel’s lips for a kiss, which he willingly gave.

Angel took a firm hold of her neck, and each time she lowered herself he let out an almost angry grunt. “I love you”, Nina gasped, as once again he entered her further than she’d ever felt anyone before. Angel instantly froze. His eyes were wide, and he looked at her like she’d just told him the most unbelievable thing in the world. “You… what?”. Nina felt her cheeks beginning to burn. “I… love you, Angel”. “Me?”. He laughed in disbelief, and Nina bit her lip to keep from grinning. “Te amo, querida... I fucking love you!”, Angel said, and grabbed the back of her head, to attack her lips in a passionate kiss.

Angel snuck out of the trailer a few hours later. All bikes save Angel’s and one more were gone, and as he kissed Nina goodbye in the doorway, Hank came out of the clubhouse. He looked at them, and shook his head. “Alright, Romeo. Get the fuck out of here, or I’m calling Bish”, he said. Angel pecked her lips one more time. “Say goodnight, Nina!”, Riz called out. “Goodnight, Nina”, Nina grinned, and went back inside the trailer, closing the door after her.

---

The next few days went much like that one had. During the day, Nina was quiet, and pretended not to feel sad about being ignored by both Angel and the rest of the Mayans, whenever any non-patch was around – which was pretty much always, as there was always some hangaround or other in the clubhouse. Daniella made an appearance each night, throwing herself into Angel’s arms; and shooting smug glances at Nina.

The first three nights – where first Coco, Creep and then Gilly had watch – Angel showed up at the trailer just after midnight, and they spent a few hours together. They didn’t just have sex; they’d also talk and share stories from their lives. The more Nina got to know Angel, the more the words; I love you, made sense. She was beginning to understand how he’d become the man she’d fallen for. His Mayan brothers knew he’d come by, but kept their mouths shut; up until the fourth night, where Riz caught Angel giving Nina a goodbye kiss in the doorway of the trailer. The next day, Bishop tore both Angel and Nina a new one; and in the evening, Riz found himself taking a beating from Angel in the cage. Daniella was there, cheering Angel on. He’d apparently told her he caught Riz checking her out, and needed to show him who she belonged to. After that, there were no more night-time visits.

The pda between Angel and Daniella – mostly coming from the latter – was painful beyond belief to watch. The blonde would crawl onto his lap whenever she could, and she had no shame in going in for a kiss, any chance she got. As far as Nina saw – and she couldn’t avoid seeing it – Angel didn’t respond in kind, but accepted the kisses with closed lips, and sly smiles.

One night, after Daniella had shown up in an outfit that resembled a bikini more than a top and shorts, and a bright, sequined purse – which, when she opened it, revealed a none too easy to hide pack of condoms – Angel managed to get her to take a ride home from EZ, by telling her he was needed at the table. It wasn’t a lie, as they had a run in a few days, but none the less, he looked relieved when she left. The rest of the Mayans left after about an hour’s meeting, but Angel and Bishop didn’t come out of the room with them. Nina was around the corner, out back; so, the two men didn’t see her, when they finally emerged from templo. It was the presidents turn to take watch on the lot that night. “I can’t keep this up, man”, Angel said. “I’ve been laying it on thick, but she’s more interested in my dick, than wanting to talk about what happened that night”. “Then fucking sleep with her!”, Bishop said. Nina almost dropped the tray of glasses she was carrying. “I’m not doing that!”, Angel said. “Why? You usually don’t have a problem with bedding pretty girls”, Bishop replied. Nina gently sat down the tray, and went to stand by the doorway, to better be able to listen. “Because of Nina… I can’t do that”, Angel said earnestly. “Angel…”, Bishop began. “I fucking love her, ok? I love her…”. There was a moment of silence before Bishop spoke again. “Good… That’s what I wanted to hear. God knows that girl could do better; but for some reason, she seems to care about you, and she deserves to be treated right”. Nina couldn’t stay hidden anymore, and walked out of the back room. “Then let me end it with Daniella”, Angel said.

“You can’t…”, Nina said. Both men turned to face her, looking surprised at her appearance. “Not until you have the information the club needs”. Angel stepped towards her. “Querida; treating you like I have… It’s killing me. You don’t think I see the look on your face when she…”. “It hurts…”, Nina said. “And it’s hard to keep reminding myself that it’s not real. But if Daniella is feeding Palo with information; if she gives me up… It’s not just me who goes down, it’s the entire MC. You said it yourself; it’ll be war”. Angel clenched his jaw, and his brows were deeply furrowed. “I’ve been taking three showers a day for the last four days, to wash that bitch of me. I don’t want to do it no more”.

Bishop sat down at a table, and gestured for them to join him. “What do you have so far?”, he asked. “Like I said in there… She talks about how it’s weird that Nina suddenly showed up. That I shouldn’t trust her”. He lit a cigarette, and took a huff from it, before handing it to Nina. She gave him a soft smile, and accepted the smoke. “That’s all? She’s not a rocket scientist. She must have let something else slip”, Bishop said. “What about that night with Sala?”. Angel rolled his eyes in annoyance. “She just said he lost interest, and spent an hour making me tell her how it was his loss; and that she was a hot piece of ass”. Nina chuckled slightly. “What about what you’ve been feeding her about us?”, Bishop said. This was news to Nina. “I told her about the run the day after tomorrow. We’ll know when we know”.

Nina coughed up some smoke. “Wait, what? You told her you’re meeting up with SAMCRO?”. She continued coughing, and Angel took the cigarette from her; and reached for her pocket, where he’d obviously noticed she’d been keeping her inhaler. Nina slapped his hand away. “I’m fine!”, she growled. “Are you trying to get SAMCRO in trouble?”. Bishop shook his head. “There’s no trouble, Nina. Reaper knows the VM might show up, and they’re ready for a fight if it comes to it. But most likely – if they do come – it’ll just be to check what kind of business we’ve been doing together. And we’ll be able to confirm that Daniella’s the snitch”. She blew out a deep breath. Bishop was right – again – but she still didn’t like it. Angel placed a hand at the back of her neck, and gently massaged it. He was trying to calm her, and succeeding slightly. “We got the Sons back, and they have ours. We’ll be fine”, he said.

Bishop looked between them, and sighed. “Look, I’ll close up here. No one’s around; so, go… Netflix and chill, or whatever it is you people do”. Angel looked at him confusedly, while Nina’s heart jumped in glee. “Bish…”. “Go! Before I change my mind”, Bishop said. “Don’t let outsiders catch you coming out of the trailer in the morning”. At this, Angel got on his feet, and more or less dragged Nina out of the door by her hand.

They hardly made it to the trailer, before Angel had his lips on hers. He pressed her against the side of it, and had his knee between her thighs. Nina was giggling at his frantic attempts to open the trailer door, while he simultaneously tried to open her bra under her top; when the sound of a trashcan falling over, made her jolt. “Racoons. There’s a shitload of them around here”, Angel said. He finally opened the door, and smacked her butt. “Get in there…”.

They spent the rest of the night in each other’s arms again; back in their own little bubble of bliss.

---

tags: @doloreschanal

[rocorambles]

Try and Try Again

Pair: Hinata x Reader

Genre/Warnings: NSFW, Thigh Choking, Thigh Riding, Slight Angst, Fluff, Porn With Plot

Summary: Sometimes it’s not about meeting the right person. Sometimes it’s about the right timing. 

Requested by Anon

Hinata’s always been a ball of sunshine, so when he took his first step into elementary school it was only a matter of minutes before the bright head of orange was surrounded by new classmates, all itching to talk and laugh with him. But as a grin spread across his face, he turned his head and saw you and for a second you were all he could pay attention to as he watched you chat with a group of girls in the corner of the classroom. He doesn’t really understand why his cheeks feel warm or why he can’t stop staring at the way your eyes glimmer in the sunlight and when he tries to tell his mom about it when he gets home that night, she laughs at him while he pouts up at her. 

“You think she’s pretty, Shouyou.”

Pretty. 

It’s not a word Hinata really understands. His mom is pretty. Flowers are pretty. But you? Pretty doesn’t quite seem to fit, but he can’t think of a better way to describe the way he feels when he stares at your hair moving as you nod your head or the way his chest feels weird when you look at him and he sees the gap in your smile as your adult teeth begin to grow in. 

Hinata’s never been shy and with his interest piqued, it’s not long before he comes barreling into your life. You still laugh when you vividly remember how shocked you were when Hinata had jumped in front of your desk and told you that he thought you were pretty and that he wanted to be friends. Neither of you had talked much before that incident, so talk about a strong first impression. But when you had finally picked your jaw up from the desk, you had scrunched your nose and said “eww boys have cooties, go away” and you facepalm when you remember the sequential looks of disbelief and then determination on Hinata’s face. 

Hinata sat next to you at lunch. He hovered near you during recess. He asked to be your partner when the class needed to pair off for assignments. And despite the teasing nudges and giggles your girlfriends sent you, you began to warm up to the rambunctious little boy who never failed to brighten your day.

The two of you enter middle school together side by side as friends, having moved far beyond the years of believing in cooties and you beam at each other, excited to see what this new chapter of life has in store for you. Well, you’re excited to see what this new chapter of life has in store for you. Hinata seems to already know the title of his new chapter and you watch in amazement as he steadfastly practices with his volleyball, roping in the other boys and girls from your class to help him out despite the fact that there’s no official volleyball club and that no one really knows anything about the sport. 

Your club activities are done for the day and you begin to stroll towards the athletic fields, your ears already honed in as they try to listen for the familiar thumping sound of a ball hitting flesh and sure enough, there he is with an exhausted Izumi who’s begging him to call it a wrap while Hinata keeps on asking for one more set. 

You laugh as you draw near and Izumi gives you a grateful look as you flick Hinata on the forehead and tell him it’s time to walk home together. But in true Hinata fashion, he pleads for you to wait a bit longer and you sit next to Izumi, easily chatting with the sweet boy as the orange-haired boy continues hitting the ball by himself. None of this goes unnoticed by Hinata and he fumbles more than he should as he watches the two of you from the corner of his eyes. 

Middle school is different from elementary school and that comes as a striking realization to him when he chats with Izumi and Sekimukai at lunch one day. He’s a little late and he rushes over to the table where the two boys are sitting only to find them concentrated in conversation, their attention on the group of girls sitting in the back of the room. “She’s cute, right?” “Yeah, but her friend is also pretty.” Puzzled, Hinata asks them what they’re talking about and as his friends educate him, he begins to see you in a different light. You’re not just his friend anymore. You’re his friend that his classmates find attractive and he begins to notice the things Izumi and Sekimukai see about you. He notices the shape of your lips. He notices the color of your eyes. But most of all, he notices how his male classmates look at you when they pass and there’s a tight feeling inside of him when he sees you happily conversing with them. But it’s not until middle school graduation and the moment you hug him when you find out you’re both going to Karasuno High School that he realizes he likes you. 

You on the other hand, are not nearly as naive as Hinata and there’s nothing subtle about the way Hinata flushes whenever you look at him or vies for your attention, and for once, you’re truly grateful for Hinata’s innocence, unsure of how to let down your friend if he ever musters up both the realization and courage to confess to you. But it was only a matter of time and here you both are, first-years in high school, standing underneath the school’s cherry blossom tree, you biting your lip nervously as Hinata asks you to go out with him. There’s only the sound of the wind rustling through the branches above you as you contemplate the right words to say. You gently let him down, telling him there’s nothing more in the world that you want than to still be good friends, but that you just don’t see him as anything more than that and for a second you think your heart might break at the downcast look in usually bright eyes, but you’re taken aback by a sudden squaring of his shoulders as he fiercely looks at you and tells you he won’t give up. 

The next few months are a tentative dance between the two of you as you hesitantly tuck away the little gifts of chocolate and candy Hinata places in your locker and continuously emphasize that you’re just hanging out as friends when Hinata insists on asking you to go on “dates” with him. But day after day of this desensitizes you and the wrapped goodies find their way into the garbage more often than not and you find yourself more easily brushing off Hinata’s invitations to hang out. It becomes a strange game as Hinata makes his moves and you bat away every attempt, but there’s a certain playfulness to it and the two of you remain friends even if you do roll your eyes in exasperation when Hinata insists on trying to woo you. But there’s a twist to the game one day when you open your locker to find a confession letter not in the usual scrawl you’ve become accustomed to seeing and Hinata watches with his heart in his stomach as you smile at the boy who asks you out. 

That’s the first day you don’t walk home with him.

The two of you still playfully banter and hang out, but there’s a hint of tension everytime you tell him you have other plans when he asks what you’re doing on the weekends. He doesn’t need to ask for more details. He knows now by the way you avert your eyes and can’t meet his gaze that it’s another date, another guy. And he watches from the sidelines as you go through boy after boy, no stranger to dating by the time you both finish first-year. But he takes solace in the fact that no one seems to stick around and when you’re single once again as summer break comes to an end and second-year is about to begin, he asks you out seriously once more. 

But this time you’re more prepared and you graciously turn him down again only for your eyes to widen in surprise when he retorts right back, asking you what all of the other guys you’ve dated have that he doesn’t. Why won’t you give him even one chance? Your stomach churns at the hurt you see in your eyes, but you try to laugh it off, ruffling his hair as a smirk spreads across your face and you tease him about his height, joking that you’d never date someone so short. And your gamble pays off when you see hurt turn into a familiar furious indignation. This you could handle. And the two of you walk away from that confession with Hinata grumbling to you about the fact that he’s still growing and you laughing at his fighting words. 

You still go on dates that never seem to pan out and Hinata keeps on flirting with you in his own silly way, but when third-year rolls around, your normal cadence is broken as you introduce a boyfriend to Hinata for the very first time. You’d never bothered mixing your dating life with your friends and family before seeing how short-lived all those flings had been, but this is different and Hinata sees the difference in how you say his name and how you look at him and for the first time since he had started pursuing you at the beginning of high school, Hinata feels his resolve wane. 

He gives the two of you space and he tries to ignore the way the two of you smile at each other during class, the way you two hold hands as you walk through the hallways, the way you lean your head on his shoulder as the two of you eat lunch at a separate table from him. But you’ve always been able to reel him back in like a fish on a hook and he hates the way he can’t stop his heart from leaping every time he still gets a text from you or when you chat with him during class. And you don’t make it easy to shove you out of his heart when you’re wildly waving your arms around as you go on a rant about the latest thing your boyfriend did as the two of you devour a bag of chips or when you softly knock on his door, your eyes brimming with unshed tears that stream down your face when Hinata wraps his arms around you and holds you as he patiently listens to your relationship issues. It’s not ideal and he knows he’s just second place in your mind, the backup when things go haywire with your boyfriend, but if he makes you happy and if this is the only way Hinata can still stay close to you, then so be it.

The two of you are still dating when graduation comes around and he forces a smile on his face as he congratulates your boyfriend and you for getting into the same university. But he waits and waits until you’re by yourself before drawing near your side, making sure no one is nearby to witness how he removes his school uniform’s second button and places it in your trembling hands, gently closing your hands around the piece of metal. And it’s his turn to cry when he asks you out one last time, just for old time’s sake, even though he knows what the answer will be and he gives you a watery smile when your bottom lip quivers and you let out a shaky apology. He wishes you all the best and tells you to keep in touch before walking away and even when Hinata is long gone and out of sight, you remain rooted to your spot, eyes still gazing in the direction he left in until your boyfriend finds you. And before you interlace fingers with your lover and get ready for a new adventure, you safely place the button in your pocket, the tiny piece of metal weighing heavily on your heart. 

You never do throw that button away and it remains in your jewelry box, a constant reminder that your eyes seem to always be drawn to no matter how much time passes. College is a whirlwind as you try and balance a new environment, studying, socializing, and your relationship, but you learn the hard way that people change and things are rocky at best between you and your boyfriend. The door slams as you throw yourself onto your bed and scream into your pillow after another stupid fight that led to both of you shouting at each other and your hand instinctively reaches for your phone, desperate to rant about your latest argument with your girlfriends. But you stop yourself when Hinata’s name flashes across your screen as you scroll through your contacts.  

Your eyes flicker over to your jewelry box sitting on your desk and you guiltily reminisce on the times he would have been the first person you reached out to when the going got tough. You were selfish back then. You see that now. And your throat chokes up when you think of how it must have hurt Hinata to see and hear the person he liked rambling on and on about her love drama. It’s guilt, nostalgia, and the memory of an orange-haired boy smiling at you despite the tears trailing down his face when he asked you to keep in touch even though you broke his heart that has your fingers moving and before you can doubt yourself, you press send. 

Hey. It’s been a while. How have you been?

Hinata’s never been one to hold a grudge and a surprised smile spreads across your face when a friendly message is instantly sent in response. The two of you remain in touch even as college ends, even when you officially end things with your boyfriend, even when Hinata is across the world perfecting his athletic skills in Brazil, even when you pursue your own career. And even though you haven’t seen him for years, you can’t help the way your lips curve up everytime his name pops up on your phone, a new message waiting to be read. But one particular message freezes you in your tracks and you stare stunned at your screen. 

I got accepted by a professional team in Japan, so I’ll be back permanently. Let’s meet up once I’m back! 

You don’t respond immediately despite a large part of you wanting nothing more than to eagerly agree, desperate to rekindle your friendship. It’s been a long time since high school and yet the haunting image of Hinata’s tear stained face eats at you and you wonder what right you have to re-enter the life of someone whose feelings you’d played with and carelessly tossed around for years. But in a moment of weakness, with a few glasses of wine and loneliness pooling in your stomach, you send your response. 

Sounds like a plan. 

You tug the hem of your skirt down as you seat yourself at a stool by the bar and despite the excitement you feel, you can’t help the way your fingers nervously fidget with the sleeves of your cardigan as you wait for Hinata. You’re distracted when your drink is placed on the counter and as you turn to sip on the cool liquid, you miss the athletic figure that enters the establishment. Thanking the bartender, you turn your attention back to the doorway only to almost collide with a toned chest as you spin around and you’re about to apologize when your eyes look up and the words get stuck in your mouth as you stare into familiar bright eyes. 

Hinata looks good. That might be an understatement as your eyes trail across his body, taking in how muscular and broad he’s become, how his thighs bulge in his pants and your neck cranes as it adjusts to his new height. But you flush when he chuckles at your ogling and you internally smack yourself before you both catch-up, laughter and surprised exclamations punctuation your back and forth as you share the highlights of the years you’ve spent apart. Hinata’s changed so much and you stare in wonder at the newfound confidence and maturity he’s gained that mixes so perfectly with the boyish energy and vibrancy he still has. Time flies by, but you grimace when the question you’d been waiting for is finally asked.

“So are you still dating that guy from highschool?” 

“No, we broke up in college.” 

There’s a pause as both Hinata and you quietly sip your drinks, but you can’t help the way you throw the question right back at him, unused to the insecurity you feel around your old friend, your head imaging all the fangirls that must throw themselves at the handsome professional athlete beside you. So when he responds by shaking his head and saying there isn’t anyone in his life right now, your heart flutters in the silence that follows his words. 

Conversation continues as you talk about how the rest of your classmates are doing, but when glasses empty and bills are paid, you let a calloused hand hold your hand and your cheeks warm when brown eyes nervously, but sincerely gaze at you. 

“Come home with me?” 

You can’t recall exactly how the two of you end up stumbling into Hinata’s apartment, too focused on the warm presence by your side, holding you close and your lips crash against each other once the front door is locked. It’s everything that Hinata is, urgent, intense, and sweet and your eyes close as you relax into the wiry arms wrapped around your waist, but you squeal when you’re suddenly being carried bridal style and swiftly plopped down onto a bed. You assist Hinata as the two of you practically tear your clothes off in your haste to touch each other, but just as you’re about to pounce on the orange-haired man, you whimper in confusion at the growled order to “stay still”. You watch as Hinata positions himself until he’s seated on the bed with you, his back against the headboard as he languidly strokes his cock, all the while pinning you with his stare as your thighs clench in your kneeling position on the opposite end of the mattress. 

“I gave you so many chances to have this, to have me, but no, you decided to go off with almost every other boy in our class. What makes you think you deserve to touch any part of me now? If you want my body that badly, you better prove to me just how much you need it. Crawl over here and suck me off.” 

You can feel arousal beginning to well inside of your aching pussy as you stare wide-eyed at this new side of Hinata, but you hardly need any convincing and you slowly place one hand and knee in front of the other as you crawl across the mattress, your body slightly sinking into the plush material with every moment, your tongue unconsciously licking your lips as you stare at his now completely hard cock. And when you reach him, you can’t stop yourself from practically worshipping the hard shaft in front of you, peppering it with kisses and lathering it with tiny little kitten licks, desperate to thoroughly taste him and you moan when his pre-cum mixes with your saliva. 

Hinata hungrily stares at the way your eyes flutter and your thighs rub against each other in desperation just from tasting him and when you finally open your mouth in a pretty little circle and sink your painted lips down his length, he has to stop himself from bucking into your tight throat and choking you. That could wait for another time. But for now he gently cards his hand through your hair as you bob your head up and down and his thighs clench at the feeling of your tight wet hole sucking him in. 

He watches how your hands caress the thick muscles on either side of your head and experimentally he begins to close the gap between them until his thighs are clenched around your neck and he thinks you’ve never looked more beautiful than you do now, your mouth stuffed full as your nose brushes against his abdomen and your eyes rolled back in your head as his thighs tighten and dig into your oxygen supply. He relaxes his hold on you, letting you get your breath back, but he’s stunned when you whine around his cock and press the outside of his legs towards each other again and with a lewd pop, you briefly pull off of him and beg to be choked again before diving back down on him. Who is he to deny what the love of his life wants? And that’s how he cums for the first time that night, coating the back of your throat as you moan louder and louder as he continues to clench his muscles around you and only when you begin to claw at the sheets does he finally release you. 

The two of you pant for breath, but before you realize what’s happening, you’re being pulled into Hinata’s lap and you wail when your dripping pussy is pushed directly onto one of his thighs. You should be ashamed of how easily you slide back and forth on his skin as your arousal paints and glistens the surface, but you can’t bring yourself to care when you’re frantically humping and grinding against the hard muscle like a bitch in heat. Hinata watches in amusement at the lewd shaking of your hips and the way your tongue lolls out from your open mouth as he tweaks and tugs at your hardened nipples. 

He knows it’s a little cruel to just sit back and watch, not helping you in the slightest as you desperately struggle to get yourself off, but considering the years you’d left him high and dry, surely you could live with a few minutes of your peak being just out of reach. Not to mention how he also wants to play the melody of your begging and pleading over and over again until it’s ingrained in his mind and he soaks in your wanton cries for him to help you, carefully wiping your frustrated tears away as you continue to rock back and forth on his taut muscles. 

“If you cum all over my thigh like a good girl and put on a show that makes me hard again, I’ll fuck you with the cock you want so badly, okay?”

You rapidly nod your head and spurred on by the way Hinata begins to suck on one of your nipples while flicking the other with his fingers, you resume your desperate motions, your moans and the slick sound of your cunt and Hinata’s mouth filling the room. There’s nothing in your mind other than the desire to cum and the desire to be filled by Hinata’s cock and you move faster than you thought was possible as you stare at his hand slowly stroking his cock to its full length once again. And when it finally becomes fully erect and drool seeps out of your mouth at the thought of having that inside of you, the coil that had been slowly twisting inside of you finally releases and you scream as Hinata grinds his muscles into your clit, helping you literally ride your orgasm until you collapse in his arms, your body trembling from exhaustion as he murmurs how beautiful you are in your ear. 

He gives you a few minutes, waiting until your body convulsions simmer down to a few twitches here and there, but you gasp when you’re thrown back onto the mattress and despite the way your mind feels like pleasured mush and despite how delirious you already feel, your thighs clench at the sight of Hinata hovering over you and you let out a high-pitched keen when you feel something hard nudging against your entrance, your leg hooking around his back, urging him deeper and deeper and you both groan when his balls bounce against your ass as he fully settles inside of you. And despite having just come down from a high, your pussy clamps around him and the intoxicating feeling of being stretched has your hoarse throat begging him to fuck you. 

Hinata watches the way you writhe underneath him, eyes unseeing as you babble for more, more, more and he laughs at how the tables have turned. He pulls out and slams into you once, enjoying the sight of your breath catching and your breasts bouncing with the motion, but he remains still after that, smirking at the way your nails claw at his arms and the way you try to move your hips to fuck yourself on his hard shaft. 

“Look at you. You act like you’ve never had good sex before. All the boys you dated in high school and college couldn’t satisfy you? Is that why you’re so desperate? Think about how much fun the two of us could have had if you’d just said yes the first time I asked you out. You could have had years of having this cock stuffing you full. I don’t know. Maybe I should make you wait some more. Really teach you a lesson for rejecting me year after year. Teach you a lesson for making me jack off by myself every night to the thought of you.” 

“No! Hinata, I’m sorry! Please, please, please. I need you to fuck me. Your cock feels so good. Please make me cum. Wanna cum around your cock!”

And after years of pining after you and years of imagining what you’d look like underneath him, what you’d feel like around him, that’s all it takes for him to start a neck breaking pace as he slams into you over and over again, the sounds of his balls slapping against you lewdly echoing throughout the room and mixing with your pleasured screams. You feel so much better than anything his mind had made up and he hisses at how easily he slides against your wet walls, how perfectly your pussy sucks him in and milks his cock, how your head wildly tosses back and forth as your brain tries to compute the overwhelming pleasure he’s drowning you in. But even the best things come to an end and he can feel his balls tighten and his pace stutter as his release draws near and he furiously circles your clit, urging you to fall apart once again and it’s like your body is completely in tune with his as your back arches when you reach your peak at the same time he spills a second load inside of you. 

Heavy breathing fills the air as Hinata carefully slumps down beside you on the bed and tugs you close to his body, brushing his nose against yours as he tenderly kisses you. And you nuzzle into him, basking in your afterglow as he murmurs praise after praise about how good you are, how beautiful you are. But when he whispers how much he loves you, you blearily try to blink the sleep from your heavy eyelids and Hinata’s face flushes when he realizes what he’d said in his pleasured bliss. 

There’s a heavy atmosphere in the air as the clock on the wall ticks and Hinata prepares himself for another rejection, but the tension in his body seeps away into surprise when you just sleepily close your eyes once more with a yawn and wrap your arms tighter around Hinata. 

“Usually people date before they start proclaiming their undying love for each other. Take me on a date tomorrow and we’ll see about this whole love business.” 

And as your breathing evens out and a toned arm turns off the lights, brown eyes gleam in hope and excitement and the two of you fall asleep, dreaming of where your next shared adventure would take you.   

[sleeping-on-cracking-ice]

hiii!! hope you are well, may i request a super duper fluffy minho x reader where they are both having late night talks about life but minho is not taking reader seriously?? but it ends up to a very cute cuddle session (fluffy please :>) thank you :DD

I made it as fluffy as I could! I hope you like it! 💕

Understanding | Lee Minho

{Stray Kids Masterlist}

Members: Lee Know

Genre: fluff with a pinch of angst

Summary: You want nothing more than to talk to your boyfriend Minho about his emotions, but he won’t take you seriously

Word Count: 1.8k

Warnings: minor swearing

*reader is gender-neutral

Minho has never been the best with deep conversations. Having the personality that he possesses, he makes it rather hard for people to bring up serious topics with him. His teasing and somewhat impertinent aura always overrides people’s determination to become emotionally vulnerable around him.

Minho wasn’t aware of this fact. He was quite socially dumb sometimes, not being able to see that his friends and those around him can become quite sensitive to his bickering. Everyone knows he can sometimes go too far, it was just part of Minho’s personality. Even then, there would always be someone to tell him to stop, which he never argues with.

After meeting you, his significant other for four months, he knew he had to learn to be more careful with his words, never wanting to hurt your feelings or make you uncomfortable.

He wanted nothing more than for you to be able to become emotionally vulnerable around him. He always knew that serious conversations were not his strong point, but he was willing to try his best for you, in case you were ever in a situation where you want to talk to him about something significant.

You yourself always struggled with opening up to people. Although you loved Minho with your whole heart, his attitude sometimes made it even more of a struggle.

Recently, you’ve been trying to bring more serious topics into your chats with Minho. Things like being anxious about work, feeling overwhelmed from minor things and just overall your true thoughts and emotions. He would definitely convey that he’s trying his best to look after you, talking in a sweet tone and cooing at you, but it seemed a bit too baby like. You wanted to just discuss it with him, not be babied.

He seemed to have taken it as you being upset, when it was more that you wanted to just talk to him about deep subjects. Honestly, you had always wished to hear his honest thoughts on you and why he feels the way he does about you. You wanted your relationship to be a mix of both fun, teasing, laughing moments as well as loving, honest and emotionally affectionate moments. But obviously at that moment both of you were only accustomed to one of those.

You didn’t particularly blame him because you knew your relationship was still quite new. But you knew you had to become more emotionally vulnerable around each other if you wished to stay in a relationship together.

One day, you had had quite a frustrating day. You woke up late, your alarm clock not going off, meaning you had to rush out of the house to get to your university classes, not having time to give Minho a goodbye kiss. Then you were yelled at by your professor, leaving you annoyed and upset. At lunch, it only got worse when you realized you rushed so quickly out of the house you forgot to pack anything to eat.

You came home, soaked from the rain because you didn’t look at the forecast and didn’t take an umbrella, trudged through the door and threw your bag onto the bag hook aggressively. Minho had the day off, having been at dance practice and the recording studio so often during the past few weeks, so you saw him in the kitchen cooking some pasta when you walked through the house.

“Hey Y/N! How was your day?” he asked without looking at you. You didn’t answer and walked up to him briskly, throwing yourself around him and rubbing your face on his upper back. He jolted in surprise. “Woah! Haha, someone’s excited to see me,” he giggled with a cheeky smile on his face.

Although, his smile dropped when he heard small little sobs coming from behind him. He felt you grip his shirt into your fists, pressing your face harder into him.

He turned around and looked at you in worry. He wasn’t sure what to do. In the short time you have been together, he has never seen you cry. He’s seen you shed a tear while watching a sad movie with you, but he would usually tease you for it. Seeing you cry like this made his heart ache.

“Baby,” he cooed. He pulled you into his chest, kissing the top of your head and fiddling with your hair as you sobbed quietly. “Sorry, I’ve just had such a shit day and I wanted a hug,” you mumbled into his shirt.

Minho stayed quiet for a short moment. “Of course,” he said hesitantly. “Anything for you my lil’ muffin.”

Minho tried his best to comfort you for the afternoon. He wanted to treat you like a queen to make up for the stressful day that you’ve had. He was a little bit awkward, patting your head at random moments and wiping your tears with a tissue.

You appreciated the effort he was putting into making you feel better. It made you feel less embarrassed for crying in front of him. You became happier about the ordeal because this was the first time he has really seen a weaker side of you, and he was taking care of you perfectly.

Later that night, you two were getting ready to climb into bed together, feeling tired from both the yucky weather and the frustrating day. You had gained back your happy and cheerful personality, making Minho glad that you were feeling better. You both joked around playfully while brushing your teeth in the bathroom, him pinching your waist making you almost choke.

After you had gotten changed into your pajamas, you clambered into your bed where Minho was already laying, looking at something on his phone.

You crawled up to him and leaned over him on your elbows, looking at his face in curiosity. He glanced at you from his phone and smiled, poking your cheek with his finger. “What do you want?”

You thought for a moment. Maybe this was the time to actually open up a bit. Minho had been taking care of you all afternoon, making you feel so loved and happy. It would be just the icing on the cake if you could have a cute conversation with him before sleeping. It would be a nice break to your usual antics of bantering and teasing every minute of every day.

“What are you staring at?” Minho asked, snapping you out of your daze. You smiled and looked down into his eyes before beginning to talk.

“Minho, where do you see yourself in five years?” you asked, being serious about the question.

Minho giggled and looked back at his phone. “Weird question but okay,” he answered, making you frown. “I’d want to be on an expensive yacht drinking champagne like a king.”

He wasn’t looking at you, so he didn’t see that you didn’t smile to laugh at his response. “No, I mean where do you see yourself with me?” you tried again.

Minho smirked and looked at you mischievously. “I mean, will we still be together in the next five years? I think we would end up tearing each other apart out of annoyance.”

You could tell he was joking, but you thought it was rather cruel to say after the day you’ve had. He was having one of those moments where he goes a little too far with his teasing, but you didn’t have the patience to deal with it that night.

 “You know what? Forget it Minho,” you said coldly. You pulled yourself underneath the duvet and rolled onto the other side of the bed, facing away from him.

Minho felt the harshness in your words, and he realized you weren’t joking. He put his phone down on the bedside table and sat up to talk to you, panicking a little about belittling your feelings.

“Wait baby, I’m sorry. That was probably a bit mean of me.” he said sorrowfully as he shakes your arm to get your attention.

You rolled over and looked at him. “Well yeah it was. I mean we’ve had such a lovely afternoon together and I actually thought you would have a nice chat with me before we sleep considering you were so worried when I came home crying.”

Minho looked into your eyes and brought his hand up to your cheek to stroke it. “I know, I’m sorry Y/N. I shouldn’t have said that, it was insensitive of me,” he mumbled, looking at you with so much love in his eyes.

You laid there for a second, enjoying the feeling of Minho’s warm touch on your skin, feeling comforted already.

“Come here,” you said to him.

Minho laid right next to you and let you wrap your arms around his shoulders in a close hug. He closed his eyes and leant his forehead against yours, his fringe and breath tickling your face.

“I’ll be honest,” he finally spoke up. You opened your eyes to look at him. “I want to stay with you for as long as possible. You make me feel so at home and happy. I would never be able to find someone who matches with me just as well as you do. I wonder everyday how you manage to deal with my teasing and blunt honesty, because I know if it was anyone else, they wouldn’t be able to handle me.”

You tightened your arms around him and chuckled at him. “You’re right, Minho. No one else can handle you and your sly tricks. You’re lucky to have me.”

Minho looks into your eyes and how they were reflecting the moon’s light that shone through the window next to your bed. “I know I am,” he said.

He leaned into you and pressed his lips to yours in a heated kiss. You moved your lips against his slowly, enjoying the moment while it lasted.

Minho wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer to his body and rubbing your skin lovingly. You felt so loved and safe in his arms, happy that both of you finally had a moment where you showed your true deep feelings.

Finally, you pulled away from his lips and he chased after yours, making you giggle and place a hand against his chest so you could speak. “Thanks Minho, I love you so much,” you admit, rubbing your nose against his playfully. He smiled and looked away from your eyes, flustered.

“Aww is my tough boyfriend flustered by me?” you teased, pinching his waist making him squirm.

“Shut up,” he whined, ticking you back.

You both fell asleep soon after, facing each other and feeling each other’s breaths on your faces. Minho was finally beginning to learn how to be more sensitive and open about his and yours emotions, and he was happy to keep trying his best to be the most amazing boyfriend you could ever have, as long as he got to cuddle and kiss you like that every night.

Author’s Note: I want to clarify that this was not at all written with the intention to bash Minho’s real personality! This is purely for fictional purposes!

I hope you enjoyed anon! I added a bit onto the storyline if that’s okay.

[styleshollands]

KIWI | t.h.

Summary: Tom goes to a Harry Styles concert expecting a good time but instead is met with his girlfriend, Y/N, singing a much too intimate song with the star of the show.

Warnings: angst! platonic!best friend!harry 🥺 jealous!tom with a little heartbreak but da fluff! comes through at the end :)

Pairing: singer!female!reader x Tom Holland

A/N: this is super long and all over the place but i hope you like it! my requests are open!

"Man, I'm really excited to see Harry Styles tonight! Filming in London just got so much better." Zendaya spoke with a huge smile on her face. Tom, Harrison and Jacob all agreed with her in unison, feeling quite jittery themselves. "You know, I heard he's bringing out a guest for one song, I wonder who it'll be." Harry quizzed aloud, causing the group to spring into a debate about who it'd be. Tom stayed silent, feeling a little ache in his heart. He had been apart from his girlfriend, Y/N, for only a day due to her rehearsals and his filming which he usually would be able to deal with but tonight was different. Harry Styles was Y/N's best friend. The two were always attached at the hip, enough to the point where any third person around the pair would feel like the odd one out. Harry always made Tom think of you, which he didn't mind usually but tonight he did. He wanted you to be there with him singing along, having the time of your life. Tom himself was quite close with Harry and he admired the friendship you two shared so, not having you here tonight was really getting him down. But, he put on a smile, getting ready to enjoy the night and cheer Harry on for the both of you.

"Alright London, for this last song I'm gonna bring out a very special guest." The crew's ears heightened at this, Tom feeling especially excited to see the guest. "In fact, I actually wrote this song about her. She's been my best friend for ages now and we've had a lot of adventures together." Harry spoke with a chuckle and it seemed that the fans had gotten the hint as well as all of Tom's friends but he was still dazed. It couldn't be you, you would've told him. Before his thoughts could continue, Harry spoke up again, "So, London, put your hands together for the very special and beautiful, Y/N L/N!" and out you walked in all your glory. You sported red silk trousers with a flare at the bottom, a black lace tanktop, that fit your body perfectly and a red silk blazer to go overtop. To top the look off, a big red bow made of toule was tied around your neck. When you stood next to Harry, you two looked perfectly in sync. He sported the same style but in yellow and purple. "Hi London! Just F.Y.I, I made him say all that." You said with your signature smirk adorning your face. The crowd broke into an uproar of cheers and Harry laughed in the mic and said, "'Tis true, I really don't like her that much." At which you shoved him. You two continued your banter on the stage, interacting with fans while Tom sat starstuck. "Holy Shit! It's Y/N!" Harrison said causing the group to break out in cheers. "Aye, that's our girl!" Zendaya said, sporting a proud grin. "I can't believe it's her, she didn't tell me anything about this." Tom said, feeling dejected, an unkown and uncomfortable feeling of jealousy settling over his heart as he watched Harry pull you into his side, telling jokes to the crowd to which you fondly laughed. "I think it slipped her mind, mate, relax." Harrison piped up, sensing that his best friend felt excluded and forgotten. Tom only nodded, keeping his eyes trained on you, noticing the grin on your face and the way you had your arm slung around Harry's neck, staring up at him with the personification of heart eyes.

"She worked her way through a cheap pack of cigarettes, hard liquor mixed with a little bit of intellect." Harry began the song, looking over at you as you shouted it out at the crowd. You brought your mic up to sing the next part. When the chorus rolled around and both you and Harry's voices were mixing perfectly, the lyrics stung Tom's heart. "I'm havin' your baby, it's none of your business." The moment those words left your mouth, Harry's introduction from earlier rang loud in Tom's mind. "I wrote this song about her". Tom listened to the rest of the song, his mind playing a game of tennis between each lyric and Harry's words.

"When she's alone, she goes home to a cactus, in a black dress, such an actress." - "I wrote this song about her."

"Driving me crazy, but I'm into it." - "I wrote this song about her"

"Hard candy dripping on me 'til my feet are wet." - "I wrote this song about her."

"Shes all over me it's like I paid for it." - "I wrote this song about her."

The song finally ended, Harry and you laced hands and bowed in front of the crowd, thanking them and then walking off. "That was so sick! They killed it!" Jacob said excitedly, no one picking up on Tom's discomfort. They all walked out of the stadium, talking to fans and taking a few pictures here and there. Just as they neared their cars, someone called out, "Guys! Wait for us!" followed by two pairs of footsteps running towards them. Harry and you ran across the street with your hands linked and as soon as you neared Tom, you leaped into his arms. "Hi baby, I missed you!" you said into his ear, to which he grumbled a "yeah me too", leaving you confused but you simply brushed it off, greeting and conversing with the others.

"Tom, why are you being so weird! You were quiet while we were talking to everyone and you were quiet the whole way back! What is up wi-" he cut you off before you could finish, "Why didn't you tell me you were performing tonight?" You looked at him, entirely confused, reaching for your phone. "I did, Tom." you replied while unlocking your phone and pulling up the texts. "Look I said it ri-, oh shit!" your eyes scanned over the texts, seeing what you had told him, "hey bub, im rehearsing tonight for the concert, sorry i didn't tell u earlier, it's a bit last minute! i'll see u soon, love u" "Tom I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention to what I was typing, this text was meant to tell you about the concert. I'm sorry, that's on me." you said feeling guilty about not informing him, making him feel completely out of the loop, which he hated. "Yeah it's okay, I was overreacting anyway, let's just go to bed." Tom said, the lyrics of the song still ringing in his mind. Before he could walk away, you tugged on his arm, pulling you both down onto the couch. "Thomas, I know you better than this, I know somethings bothering you so please tell me what it is." He sucked in a deep breath and began, "That song you both performed together, he said he wrote it about you, the lyrics, t-they were so, so intimitate, it, uh, sounded like you guys have had more than just a platonic relationship and I-i guess that made me, uh, real uncomfortable." he finished with a blush adorning his cheeks and a few tears pooling in his eyes. "Oh, Tommy, I'm so sorry, it's not like that at all! Harry and I wrote this song together about 5 years ago and it's actually just this joke we have, even among the fans, about a night that never happened! All of the lyrics are pulled from imagination, I promise! I totally would've told you about it but to be honest, I completely forgot about it, it was so long ago and so unimportant. Still, that's no excuse and I'm so sorry it made you uncomfortable." You let out, grabbing his hand tightly, afraid to let him go. "Oh my God, that's such a relief." He sighed out, pulling you into a bone crushing hug. "Jesus, I almost died of heartbreak. I love you and thank you for clearing that up." "I'm so sorry baby, I love you so much." You pulled him into a soft kiss, caressing his arms, as if telling him how much you love him and only him.

[knjnvrland]

Prank Wars - ch.5

> pairing | jungkook x reader

> word count | 3k

> genre | college!au, fluff, smut, angst

> warnings | swearing, alcohol consumption

> synopsis | College can be a stressful time in anyone’s life as it is, why don’t we throw a little prank war in the mix to make it harder?

> fic masterlist

> A/N | English is not my first language, I’m sorry for the eventual spelling mistake, please let me know if you find any! 

CHAPTER 5 - Yogurt

“Hey y/n, can I borrow a pen?” Jungkook was sitting across from you at the library, you just turned your case at him so he could grab whatever he needed.

There were a few of you studying for your exams on the shared table. Alice was already used to this new weird friendship between you and Jungkook, seeing as she met with you at the entrance of Yoongi's building the day she got back after your terrible date had happened, and you just ended up explaining everything to her, but the rest of the group was still very much confused and not really adapting to these new dynamics. 

Every time you and Jungkook had any type of friendly interaction, a weird look would be exchanged between the boys who happened to be near, this time it was Namjoon and Jimin. Namjoon was actually studying for a test, while also helping you out with yours, seeing as he still had his notes from when he took that class, but Jimin was just hiding out from Hoseok, as the older one had been texting him for hours now wanting to have an extra rehearsal that day.

“Why is Hobi texting the group chat asking where you are?” Alice was taking a break on her phone.

“I swear to god if any of you rat me out our friendship is over” Jimin’s desperation was made clear in the tone of his voice, and none of you dared to contradict him.

“Why can’t you just tell him you’re tired today?” You asked, pushing your laptop away from you to rest your eyes for a bit.

“Or maybe just tell him the true” Jungkook added “we can’t put up with his shit anymore” he then found a pack of gun in your case and took one out, not really asking if he could, and extending another one to you, which you took gladly. Jimin looked weirded out by the small interaction again, but didn’t say anything.

“He helped me out a lot last year, I can’t do this to him” he dropped his face on the table with a sight.

“But you also have a lot to do, just tell him the truth” you insisted “besides you can’t keep this up for long, he’s coming to meet me here in a few” at that both boys across from you widened their eyes.

“fuck, where can we hide?” Jungkook was already gathering his stuff.

“wait, you’re also hiding from him?” Jimin was quick to follow.

“Yeah, I told him I had a dentist’s appointment, now hurry, he can be here any second” Jungkook was already putting back his coat and grabbing his stuff.

“you can hide at the studio, I’m going there now, I can let you in” Alice took her chance to scape the extra studying she was supposed to be doing, and started packing her stuff.

“will Yoongi be cool?” Jungkook stopped his frenetic getaway moves. Ever since his prank, and specially after Yoongi heard what came after with your date, he was banned from the studio. Yoongi even went as far as changing the password for the front door, and refused to help Jungkook out with the music classes he was taking on the side, even though he promised he would.

“Yeah, we’ll grab him food on the way there, I can help you out, he was talking about needing you this past week anyway, this might as well be your best shot” Alice started moving to the door without looking back, and the boys shared a look before following her. They were halfway out when Jungkook turned around and ran back to you, dropping the pen he just borrowed in front of you and giving you a quick peck on the top of your head while saying a barely understandable ‘thanks’, you couldn’t even respond and he was already gone again.

Your brother gave you the weirdest look, at which you only rolled your eyes and slammed your notebook shut. “let's go to Jin’s, I need coffee, I’ll explain everything there”.

“Wow ok I wish I knew all that a couple days ago when I bumped into Ray” Namjoon was beside you at a small table in the corner of your older brother’s cafe.

“It's honestly not that big of a deal” you sipped on your latte, wishing it was still as warm as when you got it. The story took longer to tell then you expected because of the thousand questions Namjoon interrupted you with. “If anything it helped me realize that Jungkook is not that bad”

“Of course he’s not that bad” Jin took the empty chair across the two of you “but why is he not that bad, again?”

“oh my god it’s such a long story, ask Joon to update you later” you grabbed one of the scones he sat in front of you and took a bite “hmm that’s actually the best one so far”. It was becoming routine for whenever you dropped by, you’d be forced to try a new recipe.

“Right? I told Alice this was the best one, but she insists on arguing the pecan one is what should be on the menu.” He took a piece of it as well “see? It’s great! I’m a genius!” That being said, he stood up and disappeared to the kitchen again, only to pop his head back out “I haven’t forgotten about Jungkook, once these cookies are ready I’m coming back out and want to hear everything about it!”. You rolled your eyes and Namjoon dismissed him, the two of you being used to the gossipy side of your older sibling.

“As I was about to tell you” Namjoon continued “if you ever need anyone to beat him up-“

“I’ll ask Jin” you completed, and although annoyed, Namjoon couldn’t really contradict, you all knew that Seokjin was the one who putted more hours in his working out and was definitely the strongest of your friend group. “but no one is getting beat up, let’s just forget he ever existed”.

“It’s your call” Joon finished his iced americano in a gulp “but you and JK are good, right?”

“Yeah, I think we’re friends. The morning after I slept over I woke up to him making me scrambled eggs, I can’t really stay mad after that”. It was true, you woke up really confused, not knowing where you were, but your sense of smell was the one to remind you, first with the peach scent all around you, and then with the smell of fresh breakfast. You were surprised to see Jungkook at the kitchen, specially because he never helped when all of you got together to cook, and the sight of him in an apron, in front of the stove, humming softly to himself, was an image that warmed your heart and you couldn’t shake off of your head ever since.

“I’m glad, we were all starting to worry how far the pranks would go, Tae even started a bet” he chuckled “the strange thing is that he betted on you” at that you laughed out loud. The thought of Taehyung siding with you was not a frequent one on your mind. You were about to ask Namjoon what the actual bet was, when Jimin bursted through the doors of the cafe, startling a couple of girls in the table by the entrance.

“You!” Jimin pointed your way, and took four steps, if much, to cross the whole cafe and stand beside the table “You’re going to help me”.

“What now?” You were already dreading your next task. The last time Jimin requested your help with such urgency you had to pretend that you were his jealous girlfriend to get him out of a horrible date.

“Jungkook. I must kill him” he was out of breath as if he ran all the way to the coffee shop as he plopped himself down on the empty chair your older brother was just in a few minutes earlier.

“Ok I can’t deal with this again” Namjoon shoved the rest of his croissant down his throat “leave Jungkook alone” you could barely understand him, but you figured out what it was, as he took his book and moved to sit on the counter where Jin was now finishing up a few orders.

“I don’t know if you realized, but our war is over” you clarified to Jimin “no more pranks for me”.

“Oh but it isn’t” Jimin stole the rest of the scone you still had in front of you “your new bff-“

“not my bff” you interrupted.

“whatever!” Jimin was clearly not up for the banter. “that asshole that we let hang out with us sold me out to Hoseok and I just spent the last hour of my life filling up his and Taehyung’s place”

“and my brother is not the target here because…?” You stole back the final bite of your food.

“because he set me up with a freshman last week and I swear to god it was the best head I've ever-“

“ew okay TMI! How many dates can you even fit in your schedule?” You were honestly impressed.

“not important” he then tried to steal a sip of your latte and you just gave it all to him. It was cold anyway. “the point is, I want blood -or at least some very public form of humiliation- and I need your help”

You rolled your eyes but you knew that you could never say no to Jimin. “okay, what do I have to do?”.

You were outside the boy’s changing room. Every Monday and Wednesday you had running practice, and every single time you ended up bumping into Jungkook as he went to his swimming practice. It was so routine that you never even acknowledged it. But Jimin noticed it, apparently, as he texted you your sign.

Chim Chim: yogurt You: ? Chim Chim: that’s the sign You: you could’ve just said that Chim Chim: just go ffs You: ok ok You: but if I get caught You: you’re paying for my food for a month Chim Chim: just fucking go omg

You tucked your phone inside the pocket of your hoodie and carefully opened the door. You could listen the sound of the showers running, and a few boys talking on the room next door, but there was no one on sigh. You tiptoed your way to locker number 10 -of course his number would be 10- and was about to unlock it with the numbers scribbled down your hand when you noticed it was open. What an idiot, honestly. The door cricked as it opened and you stopped breathing, afraid anyone could hear it. But no, all the human noises still came from de other room. You opened the bag you had with you and quickly began shoving everything in the locker inside it. After a few seconds pondering -you couldn’t spend that much more time in there anyway-, you retrieved his bucket hat and his car keys, putting those back into the locker and closing it without locking it back, as if you were never even there.

Once you were out of there, you finally released the breath you were holding in, and texted Jimin to let him know it was done. Then you made your way outside the building to meet up with the rest of the dancers that were waiting in the cafeteria across the entrance of the gymnasium. 

“How did it go?” Taehyung was sipping on a soda can, while Hoseok scrolled through his phone and Jimin looked at you expectantly.

You set your bag on the table and opened it, revealing every single one of Jungkook’s itens of clothing, as well as his phone, wallet and house keys. “I left behind his car keys” you pointed outside the window, to a car parked up front that you knew was his “and his hat” you smiled triumphantly and highfived the three boys, taking your empty seat again.

Now it was all a matter of time as the three of you patiently awaited for the show. It was about 5pm of a Monday, and the cafeteria, as well as that area of the campus, was fully packed. It took longer than any of you anticipated, as you watched while Jungkook’s friends left the building laughing, but with no sign of the younger man. You were typing away an idea for a short story in your phone when you heard Jimin’s loud laugh beside you, startling you. Soon enough, everyone near you was laughing, as they all looked outside to a, you guessed, very naked Jungkook streaking across the street with only his hat covering what he could manage to cover with it, and car keys in hand.

Just as he unlocked his car, right before he got in and away from all the stares, jokes and, surely, people photographing his ass, he looked straight at your table -straight at you. You smiled apologetic and could see a glint of something in his eyes, although you could not understand what that meant. As Jungkook drove away, the three remaining boys congratulated you and each other once again, and Jimin stood up with Jungkook’s things to drive to the younger boy’s place and give it all back. Jimin had his fun, but he was not a terrible enough person to leave someone at our day and age more than a few hours without their phone. Besides, how could Jungkook check out the pics already being posted all over social media without it?

Once again, you felt a bit bad, but it didn’t last long as when you were leaving the cafeteria, you could already hear a group of girls sitting by the register commenting on Jungkook’s physique, and you could tell that the whole scene that took place minutes before would only bust up his reputation. You could understand why, the amount of sports the kid did really were showing, but just before you could let your imagination run too wild, your phone rang with a twitter notification. Yup, definitely a reputation booster. Jungkook would have to thank Jimin, after all.

The last few weeks of the semester went by fast, and soon enough your last week of classes was here. You had just left Hoseok final performance, the one that Jungkook, Jimin and Tehyung had been practicing with him, and went out to grab a few commemorative drinks. You were all a bit tipsy by them, with Jimin and Taehyung leaving the group table to dance and Namjoon off somewhere with a girl. The rest of you still on the table were making small talk to the best of your ability, trying to ignore the loud music coming from all around you.

“I’m going to get another beer, anyone want anything?” Jin stood up first, and all of you nodded, agreeing on another round.

“I’ll go with you” you had to stand up to let Hobi pass, and that’s when you noticed the whole room spin around. 

“Careful there” Yoongi held your arm, giving you support and helping you sit down again.

“Someone already had too much” Alice teased and you glared at her general direction, not really being able to focus.

“I can’t believe I agreed to this” you had your last big final in a couple of days, and could already tell the next one would be lost on you, you were never good at studying after a night out.

“We can go home now sweets” Alice extended her hand to hold yours across the table “I can’t have a late night today anyway” she turned to Yoongi to give him a pack on the lips, and then motioned you to stand up with her. Jungkook ended up helping you out, but you were not that drunk that you couldn’t walk straight, it just took you a while to get used to the change from sitting to standing. You locked arms with Alice while she ordered an Uber, and the two of you made your way to the front door.

Yoongi and Jungkook watched as you left, and soon after Jin and Hoseok came back with the drinks.

“Where did they go?” Jin took his sit back by Jungkook.

“They left” Yoongi took a sip of the fresh beer in front of him “y/n was drunk and Alice has to wake up early”

“Well, more for us then” the three man clinked their bottles and were about to chug them down when something buzzed under Hobi’s butt “what the-“ he took your phone from under him, which was buzzing with some unknown number on it “someone forgot their phone”.

“It’s y/n’s” Jungkook recognized your case straight away. It was a simple transparent one, but you had the habit of pressing flowers in the middle of your books, and then using them to decorate everything you own. And there it was, in between your phone and the case, a small turquoise dry flower. “I can drop by to hand her tomorrow” he extended his hand, but Hoseok was hesitant to give it away.

“How can I trust that this is not another one of your pranks?” He moved the phone further away from his friend.

“How could it be if I didn’t even know she was going to forget her phone?” He stated the obvious, at which Yoongi agreed, motioning for Hobi to just give it away. "I spoke with Alice about dropping by tomorrow to do my laundry anyway, the last machine in our building broke a few weeks ago and I’ve been using theirs”.

“That’s convincing enough for me” he gave Jungkook the phone, and the boy tucked it in his front pocket after setting it to silent mode.

They kept drinking for a few more hours, but ended up having to carry Taehyung and Jimin out as the two boys were too drunk to walk properly, and the night ended with a lot of babysitting on the older guys side, with Jungkook disappearing as soon as he could, along with Hobi, and Namjoon never returning from his escapade, Yoongi stood around to help take them to Jin’s place and just spent the night there. Because of the confusion, however, they didn’t see the many missed calls from Alice’s phone the next morning, with you freaking out on the other side.

>A/N | not gonna lie I really love writing the pranks. Have a nice day, wherever and whoever you are :)

TAGLIST | @w1tchcraftt​ @girlwiththeglittereyeliner​ @teresaisla​ @nctssidehoe​ @kawaiimusiccollection​ @nininek12​

TAGLIST IS OPEN

[que-pasa-calabasa]

que-pasa-calabasa’s Good Omens fic rec masterpost

In no particular order, except for the fact that I’m putting all the PWP (or close approximations thereof) together at the bottom. Some will be not be show-canon compliant as they predate the release. Summaries are copy-pasted from the ao3 summary; italics are my own commentary added. 

is it that we are dying? (5k, G): England, 1349, the middle of the 14th century. The black death rages, and Aziraphale has to help a dying demon escape from a church. Sad and sweet, completely indulgent hurt/comfort

Don’t Play With Holy Water (30k, M): When the Bentley goes missing, Crowley isn't sure what to make of it. Unbeknownst to him, a certain lurking demon is waiting to settle an old score... A wild ride full of peril and body-swapping, Aziraphale is a BAMF

Mirror, Mirror (44k, T): Adam, Eve, and Crawly flee Eden through the Western Gate, and it turns out that that simple decision makes all the difference in the world... Parallel-universe Crowley is hilariously evil, regular-degular Crowley takes a turn as the bad-ass

with my mind on my money (and my money on my mind) (3k, T): Mr. Fell was as eccentric as Tim might expect a rare book dealer with a connoisseur's knowledge of cannabis strains to be, and he couldn't help being fond of him. Aziraphale and Crowley do weed, what more is there to say?

In which Adam challenges Crowley to a drinking contest and it is a terrible idea (1k, T): It is a rather foolish thing to set a bet with the devil, or even with a devil, unless you have an ace—or better yet, all the aces in the deck—up your sleeve.But if you are the Antichrist, the Adversary, Destroyer of Kings, Angel of the Bottomless Pit, Great Beast that is Called Dragon, Spawn of Satan, etc., etc., well…you were born with all the aces up your sleeve, and the only admonishment you need is “Have fun, kiddo, and don’t screw him over too hard.”  Pure humor, entertaining drunk!Crowley

Game Over, Insert Coin (14k, M): An Account of Certain Events occurring in the Groundhog Day AU no one asked for, in strict accordance as shall be shewn with Narrative Interference of an (Un)predictable Nature for the Sleepless Reader. Exactly what it says on the tin, all your normal Groundhog Day AU angst

A Matter of Convenience (12k, T): “You know,” Crowley rasped as he struggled to scrape himself off the ground, “I can't shake the feeling that there must be an easier way to go about this.”A possible take on the birth of the Arrangement. There’s some sadness, some historical fun, and some Hurt Boys (tm)

Rarefied Air (3k, E): Earth is getting older, news is getting worse, and an angel has to go to extreme heights to get any peace and quiet at all. But as close as you can get to Heaven, you're still never far from Hell. (Hell hasn't frozen. Crowley nearly has.) There’s explicit sex in this but it’s so much more than PWP

Dark and Stormy Night (or Never Underestimate an Angel) (5k, T): “Hmph. I suppose you think that, just because I’m an angel, that I’m too tame to read a scary story properly?” Silly and cute, Crowley and Aziraphale are weird godfathers to the Them

The Curse of Horemheb (66k, M): “The locals call her Bibân el Molûk, but she’s better known as the Valley of the Kings.”Or: Aziraphale and Crowley run into each other in Luxor in 1908 and find themselves confronted with the consequences of actions three thousand years old. Sprawling multi-era adventure with some good fun tropes

off the record (8k, T): Crowley has to submit a biannual report, but there are some things that he often neglects to include. Cute, sweet almost-meta on the natures of Crowley and Aziraphale

A Sticker Situation (1k, G): Everyone's favorite angel and demon are innocently driving past a gas station when Crowley notices a giveaway that he absolutely must participate in. Crowley is a huge James Bond nerd

Under the Apple Tree (6k, T): Crowley finds himself in a tight spot, and Aziraphale dares to hope his help could turn into something more. Devastating, if you like tragic hurt/comfort this is the one for you

Essentially Social Chameleons (2k, G): In short, Aziraphale and Crowley are not as good at blending in with mortals as they think they are. There are better places to discover this than Newton and Anathema's baby's christening, but, well, we're here now. Very silly, one my my favorite genres (humans are confused by Crowley and Aziraphale)

the bucket list (13k, E): There was a certain look that Aziraphale wore occasionally—a pinched sort of moue that looked like he’d just taken a very large mouthful of cinnamon—which meant he thought Crowley was being ridiculous. He had put it on.“Hang on,” he had said. “You want us to do human things?” *If you're going to go native, you might as well go all the way. Crowley and Aziraphale decide to try some fun human things, there’s some obvious smut but it’s not what it’s really about

Milton Was Right (1k, T): Adam knows where most babies come from, but is pretty sure that doesn't apply to him. Aziraphale and Crowley show their usual levels of competence in explaining where antichrists come from. Just...extremely funny

it's the light (it's the obstacle that casts it) (5k, T): It's like having a curtain pulled back on something he wasn't expecting to see. A surprise punch-and-judy at an up-scale restaurant, a lobster thermidor when he's ordered an ale.Crowley's gleefully trying to wrap his head around the fact that Aziraphale is speaking Polari. Because of course he is. Or: The Patron Saint of London's LGBT Community is real, and he lives in Soho. One of my favorites

HERE BE SMUT

The One in Which Crowley Discovers Wanking (5k, E): It began, like most memorable events in Crowley’s life did, with a bad decision; like most bad decisions, it involved poor impulse control and copious amounts of alcohol. The Antichrist had been born, and he put on lipstick and kitten heels to deal with it, but knew that the clock was ticking, and at times when time was slipping away, it helped to hold onto a bottle of gin. Also what it says on the tin, Crowley jacks off while Aziraphale sort of helps

Come Fuck Me Hips (5k, E): Crowley has had a fantasy about Aziraphale for centuries now. Too bad the angel would never take him up on it. Except, as it turns out, he absolutely would. Crowley’s a bottom and Aziraphale is a service top, this is pretty much the only dynamic I accept

I Was Born to Love You (28k, E): Crowley shows up to take Aziraphale to lunch, and for the first time in quite a good while, he flashes just a bit of ankle. And that's how it all begins. Fun banter, hot sex

The Mysteries of Ladies’ Knickers (2k, E): Somewhere in the fall of 1963, Aziraphale was issued a new body. Later, he was never entirely sure if the mix-up following the assignment of its replacement was intentional or purely accidental. He had his suspicions. Crowley was not sure how to feel about it. It’s hot, Aziraphale is a woman temporarily, there’s sex, you know the drill

Love Hath Made Thee a Tame Snake (3k, E): He was the bloody Serpent of Eden, and he wasn’t going to stand for this kind of flagrant trespassing. Kind of borderline fluff/smut, the first half is mostly cute snake!Crowley

Killer Queen (2k, E): In hindsight, Crowley reflected, it was probably not one of his best or brightest ideas to introduce a six-thousand-year-old virgin to the subtle and intricate matters of sexual intercourse. Things could, frankly speaking, get a little out of hand. (Or, Aziraphale has a sexual awakening.) Oh God, hilarious and sexy, Aziraphale treats sex like food and wants to try aLL THE THINGS

Tryst on a Hot Church Roof (2k, E): Crowley has some fantasies. Aziraphale encourages him to explore them and not to be embarrassed. Neither of them can really take roleplay seriously but they still have a good time. Those nerds trying to sexily roleplay and failing is one of my fav tropes

[proofthatihaveaheart]

Captain Marvel fic recs

i wrote this ages ago, during the summer, and then forgot to post it - but better late than never! it’s got a mix of gen, carol/jess, and carol/maria fics on it, including both comics and mcu fic. enjoy! 

Gen

Galactic Response Time by SassySnowperson (Carol & Fury, 5k): All the OTHER times Nick Fury texted Carol Danvers. // May 4th, 2012    Get your ASS over here there is an INVASION. Aliens are coming out of the SKY HELP US // May 10th, 2012 "Invasion, Fury, the word you used was invasion! I made it across three quarters of the galaxy in six days! Where are the aliens?" [I love this fic and the way it so perfectly captured Carol and Fury’s dynamic. THE DIALOGUE! IT’S JUST SO GOOD! Their banter is fun and there are some genuinely sweet moments.]

whatever it takes (and i couldn’t whisper when you needed it shouted) by pratz (5k):  In which Tony called Carol glowing space Jesus, and Carol did her best to understand the weight of 3.2 million lives lost. [An AU of Endgame focusing on Carol and her journey in processing what happened and what she can do about it. I love the characterization and her interactions with the other characters, particularly Tony.] 

Carol/Maria

All Around [Reminders of You] by sinandmisery (1k):  The first year is the worst. [Maria and Monica’s grief over Carol’s ‘death’, framed around Christmas. Some good and painful angst.] 

another place, another time by sorrybaby (1k):  In every lifetime but this one, Carol gets to love Maria. [Oof, this one hurts and it’s absolutely brilliant. It’s Carol/Maria and endgame Carol/Val and sometimes you can love someone but not be with them. Because sometimes life is like that and you miss one another. Lots of good pining and learning to let go. Bonus Nat + Carol friendship.]

a simpler place in time by Elisattack (3k): It starts like this: Carol blows up. // Actually, it starts like this: Carol falls down, then she gets right back up again. Her dad shakes his head at her bruised knees and cut face, and calls her unladylike. She says fuck him, and fuck any man that tells her what to do. [Tracks through Carol and Maria’s relationship from the early days to getting together to the events of CM + Endgame and afterwards. Lovely writing and character work. One of my favorite works of this kind]

brave face talk so lightly by lesbiyawn (1k): Carol is stubborn. Carol is hot-headed. Carol can’t help it if some people deserve a just beating. Maria knows this. It’s why she loves Carol calls Carol her best friend. [Pre-canon and pre-relationship fluff that is both sweet and very them]

do you have to let it linger by whyyesitscar (2k):  in the wake of carol's crash, maria has to explain everything to a lot of different officials. only one of them seems to get it. (Maria talks to Peggy. Beautiful fic about grief and the people who can understand it.)

jambalaya (please be my baby) by carol_danvers (6k): Loving Maria comes easier than anything else ever did. Carol won't say she wants to be more than friends, not when she has so much to lose, but she'll tell her in everything but name.AKA Carol tests out pet names, Maria gets pregnant, and they fall a bit more in love. [One of my favorite get-together fics, the writing is so good and I love the development of their relationship, the PINING and the obliviousness, it’s gold.]

kisses under my palm by neon_air (1k):  Carol Danvers has been kissed before but never by the one person she wanted it from most. [All the different kisses Carol has had, and love. A lovely one-shot.] 

Lightning Crash by Monochrome_girl (2k):  Carol is here to stay. Maria is still getting used to having her back. [Carol stays and they reconnect. It’s a lovely progression of the two relearning each other and building a life together that also involves collecting alien scraps and it’s sweet.] 

Love’s Labors Lost by lesbians_and_puns (3k):  After Carol finds a home planet for the Skrull, she returns to Louisiana to try to get her old life back, but when she finds an old photograph of herself and Maria on Maria's bedside table, they both realize how much they're still missing. [An angsty take on Carol’s return and the things people can say because life is stressful and complicated and sometimes you hurt the people you love without meaning to. It’s really good, it also hurts.] 

we were too close to the stars by inkwelled (1k): "God, what did they do to you," Maria whispers, wrapping another bandage around Carol's bicep. / For all it's worth, Carol doesn't even wince. [This hurts but in a delicious way. There’s a kind of soft aching quality to the angst, it’s premium, good stuff, you can feel the love.] 

Carol/Jessica

Always Falling by sariane (2k): “What do you want?”“I don’t want to be her sloppy seconds. I want all of it, all the corny relationship stuff. I want the dumb date nights, the stupid fights, the awkward breakfast-making elbow bumps. I want to take her up flying – someday. I don’t know,” Carol says suddenly, scuffing her foot on the street, “I want stability.”Carol wants a lot of things. She does not want to be Jessica's rebound girl. [Basically Jess and Clint break up, Carol is a great friend on the comfort front, and then Jess kisses her. And Carol assumes it’s because she’s a rebound. There’s some light angst over that, it’s very well-done. Characterization is very good.]

Fly, Fight, Win by singalellaby (1k):  It's not a sign of superhero lesbian bed death, whatever Peter says, it's just that Jess is an Adult. A Mature Adult. In a Mature Adult Partnership with a woman who happens to wear skin-tight suits as her work uniform and it was either become habituated to her girlfriend being the hottest anything with Kree DNA around or living in a state of permanent arousal in her own pretty damn tight costume. And since S.H.I.E.L.D doesn't spring for laundry expenses, that was so not an option. [Jess POV, admiring her really hot partner.]

He Picked the Wrong One by beckydawolf (Carol/Jess, 34k): When Captain Marvel and Spider-Woman are knocked unconscious on a mission, they wake up in a world a lot like their own. In fact, it’s almost identical. Except that the Civil War never happened, Jess doesn’t seem to exist and their Carol is dead. Oh and then there’s Natasha Stark.Turns out, slipping between universes might not even be the most complicated part of this mess. (Fantastic characterization, really love the perfect Carol and Jess banter, nested in this wonderful comic book-y plot that works as perfect background for the development of the characters and the relationships. Also the plot is entirely driven by characters and their relationships and their love - both unhealthy and healthy. It’s great)

In My Dreams by sariane (3k): Carol may not have her memories, but she has her dreams.(But, of course, she dreams of kissing Jessica. As if her life isn't already complicated enough.) [This fic takes this concept and does a phenomenal job with it. You really get Carol’s growing frustration with the dream as she tries to work out what it means by subtly asking everyone other than the person in her dream.] 

It’s A Slow Slide Into Misandry by bendingwind (800): Carol's all fixed up and Jessica's moved on, and things have... changed. [Short little fic post-Hawkeye break-up, dealing with feelings. It’s cute.]

once you live a good story by pummelwhack (Carol/Jess, 13k):  Carol and Jessica redefine what it means to be happy, in the context of coffee, philosophy, and each other. Or: the one where Carol and Steve own a used bookstore, Sam runs the coffee shop next door, and Jessica searches for more than what life is currently offering her. (Lovely, soft fic about falling in love and finding happiness in each other and your life. Some truly beautiful lines and musings about philosophy.)

Pin the Tail by Alsike (Carol/Jess, 7k):  Carol doesn't know who she is. But she knows Jess. She likes Jess. There's probably a good reason why she's not dating Jess, but, you know, amnesia. [Glorious, this fic has pining and angst and trying to deal with amnesia and it just gets Jess and Carol down. And the emotions, they’re just really good as they navigate their relationship and the baggage they bring]

Red by awesomocity (1k): If Carol had been a more self-conscious person she might have worn stale jeans for another day. But years of dealing with brothers and locker rooms and the general knowledge she was both hot AND powerful made standing in a laundromat in her underwear at three in the morning tolerable, if not comfortable.(or, the one where Carol and Jess get romcommed by laundry.) [Love the characterization in this, just a really good fic for cheering you up.]

Smell Like I Sound by Sineala (6k):  Carol likes Jess a lot. That's not the weird part. The weird part is that Carol likes Jess a lot more when Jess isn't in the room. [A pheromones fic taking place in the Marvel Adventures verse. It’s really cute and I really like the push-pull of Carol figuring out her feelings and wondering why she keeps having these moments of revulsion around Jess.]

Snow Day by Traincat (1k):  Jessica Drew goes missing. Carol and the Hulk team up to get her back (and maybe fight some ice monkeys along the way). [Absolutely delightful fic, I love the dynamic between Carol and the Hulk as well as Jessica and the Hulk, and Carol’s concern for Jess. I could easily see this being a real comic]

Such a Cunning Disguise by WhenasInSilks (2k): Carol is fracturing again.Carol and Jess started dating six months before Stamford. Eight months before Captain America died on the courthouse steps. Ten months before things like the measurement of time ceased to be part of Carol’s personal universe.Now she sits alone in the darkness of her cell and feels herself fall apart.A Secret Invasion AU. [This fic HURTS. It’s beautifully written too which makes the angst all the more delicious. Warning for heartbreak and self-loathing and mental instability]

the small rain down can rain by tigrrmilk (3k): When Jess was jumping between universes, trying not to get killed, she had wondered - was there a version of her and Carol who had... made it work? [Jess dealing with Carol having amnesia and going off to space. Really good character stuff, all the complicated feelings Jess has about what Carol did, and then Carol showing up, you can really see the connection between them, regardless of memory loss or distance.] 

Turn Around and Look Back by Sineala (Carol/Jess, 6k):  When Carol first lost her memories, to Rogue, Professor Xavier healed her and let Jess experience all of Carol's missing memories. When Carol loses all her memories -- again -- it's up to Jess to give them back to her, in exactly the same way: Jess has to link with Carol telepathically. But Jess' mind contains a lot of feelings about Carol that she doesn't exactly want Carol to know about. [I love this fic, just all the feelings, the pining, the concern, the character voices, it’s all really good.]

Unshackled by beckydawolf (27k): Carol's in space and Jess is alone again. But that's the pattern of her life. The hunt for a missing teenager leads Jess to some new friends, reminds her she still has some old ones and forces her to face a part of her past she'd rather ignore. [A darker take on the pheromones and the trauma + complications of Jessica’s powers. This fic is really good at how it handles it, and I really love how supportive Carol is. Also Anya and Kamala and America and Kate show up and they’re awesome!]

[sternenblumen]

B99 fanfic recs

For @ihaveseenthedragons and anyone else interested :). Just going through my AO3 history and picking those I remember being good, so this might be a bit of a weird mix.

Warning: Heavy on the angst and hurt/comfort, though there’s some Peraltiago fluff in there, too ;).

the sky opened up and down poured the pain - s4 finale codas. Lotsa angst.

Amy & Sophia - Amy gets trapped in an elevator. With Sophia, Jake’s ex-girlfriend.

nothing else could matter, ‘cause you know where I belong - Jake follows through with Rosa’s 6-month anniversary gift idea, very fluffy

When I Stepped Outside - Jake backstory, warning for domestic abuse

and the bells are ringing out - Jake gets taken hostage, so lotsa hurt/comfort plus some Peraltiago relationship talk

red drops and the grey linoleum floor - Canon divergence AU for 2x19, whump, torture

the fallacy in lists, marshmallows and immobilising detectives - Hurt/comfort, slightly humorous/heavy on the banter

Take my Breath Away - Jake is not feeling well at work

Jake Peralta vs. the World (... kind of) - Jake meets Amy’s brothers

Shelter - Post s1, Jake has a panic attack

The Snags - Post s1, Peraltiago-centric series

They All Fall Down - Jake gets shot and painkillers make him tell Amy stuff about his past

Tales of Letting Go and Moving On - Roger (Jake’s dad) makes a reappearance

Okay, I’mma gonna stop now ;). There’s more if you’re interested!