#this is not a way to get people interested in my ocs I swear

[fiepige]

Me: I'm not gonna start writing another fic until I've edited and posted every chapter of my current fic so I can put all my energy into finishing it.

Also me: Has just started writing a fic about Hobie and Sage because the fic idea would not leave me alone!!!

[tinyfantasminha]

I don't want to keep clogging my blog with vent posts but uh... I guess this is a more general concern/observation

But it's getting real hard to stay motivated in fandom spaces when there's little compensation, and annoying occurrences are more frequent than good ones.

Mainly there's been less engagement/people showing interest in creators and their art (such as sending asks, making comments and reblogging with tags) and MORE parasocial interactions. This goes for both artists and writers.

Over this year I've noticed a vast disinterest within my public in general. Asks about ocs, my art, or just nice simple comments of ''I love your art'' has been getting more and more scarce. My follower number is bigger than 2-3 years ago sure and I get more likes on my posts but they are feeling more like just numbers and statistics than actual people who supposedly like my stuff.

And while people being parasocial with creators has always been a thing, I feel like it's gotten way worse... in general? People sending personal pictures out of the blue in hopes of being validated, unwanted psychological advice or assumptions about the creator without any established connection first ( <- these happened to me in the same week.) ventdump, just insensitive/lacking of common sense comments in general, unreasonable demands (mostly with writers)... I wondered at first if it was just me, but a handful of mutuals/acquaintances who are artists and writers seems to be going through it as well.

It's annoying. It's tough. It's getting exhausting. Creators pour so much of themselves into their work—countless hours, effort, and passion, all to share something meaningful or entertaining with others (and for FREE) The LEAST anyone can do is show respect, even if opinions differ. When a writer posts a fanfic, don't just say ''omg post next chapter!'', when an artist posts a drawing of their favorite character, don't just say ''omg draw (character) next!'' as if they're faceless content machines that are expected to churn out more '''content''' for you without acknowledgment, encouragement, or appreciation.

''I want to support creators but I don't know what to say and I feel intimidated by their talent so I just lurk silently :((('' I swear to you, no creator (at least not the majority) is making up an intimidating persona to discourage you from interacting with them. They WANT your comments. A single ''I love your art/writing/videos'' or even something as silly as ''I want to eat your art'' is enough to keep a creator sighing dreamily for WEEKS. It doesn't have to be deep! It's heartfelt and that's what it matters!! (Just remember to keep it relevant and thoughtful... It takes just a bit of common sense NOT to comment things like ''this looks like (another character)'' or ''this but with (another unrelated ship/character/show)''. No one wants to hear comparisons or unrelated ideas when they’ve poured their soul into something.)

In fact, the ''I like your art but I think you're intimidating'' feels more hurtful than flattering. It makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong, acting wrong. 💀

If you love that fanfic that changed your brain psyche forever and want to gush about it, go tell the writer. If you loved so much a piece of art that you saved it a million times in your phone and can't stop thinking about it, go tell the artist. Push away the ''they probably won't care about my comment/it won't make a difference'' thoughts. DO IT NOW. You won't know when they might go inactive forever or deactivate. You can't know if that is the last piece they will ever post. Make sure you show appreciation to creators NOW, while they are still here. While they're still not being replaced by AI.

[woso-dreamzzz]

Allergies II

Hardersson x Daughter!Reader

Natalia Guijarro (OC) x Hardersson!Reader

Part of The Big Adeventures Universe

Summary: You have another allergic reaction

In all honesty, you didn't really think it was that serious.

Nutrition meetings at Barcelona were a lot more in depth than what you were used to at Arsenal. They took ages and were full of information that would probably be interesting if you actually cared but, alas, nutrition had never been as interesting to you as other subjects so you tended to just zone out.

You were handed a new smoothie with some kind of new protein powder in or something you would have known if you actually listened.

You drank it.

That's when things start to get weird.

The nutritionist continues to drone on and you frown, scratching at your neck.

You stare down at your bottle for a moment as your throat goes all scratchy and intense.

You force yourself to swallow before glancing around.

Your throat gets a bit tighter.

No one else seems to be having such a reaction so you unscrew the top of your bottle to peer inside. You sniff the mixture before standing up.

You can feel people watch as you make your way over to the first aid kit at the front of the room. Your throat has fully closed up now and you know that you're turning alarmingly red and probably breaking out in hives.

Honestly, you feel a little bit shocked how you're even conscious right now but you grab your epipen and stab it into your leg.

"Banana," You say plainly," I can't eat that."

Even with the adrenaline now pumping through your system, you slide your way down the wall to sit on the floor, breathing in deeply.

The room erupts into chaos the moment you sit down.

The medical staff come in to check your blood pressure and your throat and the expiration date of your epipen. The nutritionist leading the session is going absolutely ballistic yelling at one of her assistants for not checking the allergy sheets before making and handing out the smoothies.

Talia looks close to tears as she forces her way towards you, practically shoving some of the medics away. "Are you okay? Is it bad? Do I need to call your mums?"

"No! Don't call my-"

Talia's already gone out into the hall, phone pressed up against her ear.

You wonder which one of your mothers she has in her contacts.

Surely not Morsa because she's still in that stage where she's pretending to hate your girlfriend but you can't remember your Momma and Talia interacting enough to have swapped numbers and you know for certain that you weren't one to hand out people's numbers without explicit permission.

As the medics fuss and the nutritionist yells, the team also gather around to check that you're alright but you just give them a gallant shrug.

"I'm fine," You say," The epipen did its work."

"I think I'd prefer if you take the day off," The head of the medical team says," Just to be safe. You can come back tomorrow."

You know better than to argue with him so you just nod with a little sigh of annoyance.

"I can take her home," Talia says as she re-enters the room," I've got her."

"I can take a taxi home," You insist.

You and Talia drive in together so only one car is used. If you go home in that car now then she'll have to get a taxi in the middle of rush hour.

"I'll take you home," Talia says," Coach can spare me at training today. Someone's got to make sure you actually follow medical advice."

You roll your eyes. "I swear you've been hanging out with my Momma behind my back." You take the hand she offers to help you stand. "You sound just like her."

You end up back home fairly quickly, curled up on the sofa and practically forced to take a nap.

Prins joins you, curled up in the bend of your knee. Reina settles on the top of the sofa behind your head, completely stretched out and at ease with herself while Kung manages to wiggle himself between your arms to nap there.

You don't know how long you nap for but it must be a while because the sun is setting when you wake up and you can smell Talia cooking up your favourite pasta dish in the world.

You sit up.

You've definitely been sleeping for a while because Reina has migrated to her cat tree, poking her head out of the cave to watch Kung bounce around the floor in outrage at not being allowed up there with her.

Prins has taken Kung's place between your arms and his tongue rolls out of his mouth in a semblance of a dopey smile when he notices you awake, his tail beginning to wag happily.

"Hi, little man," You say, gently scratching between his ears," Did you keep me company?"

Prins' tail wags even more fiercely than before.

"Didn't want to leave your side."

You jolt, shrieking and Prins whines a little.

"Morsa! What are you doing here?!"

"Talia called your Momma," Morsa says, tucking the blanket more firmly around your body," Your allergies acted up."

"I dealt with it," You insist," You didn't have to fly out."

"Yes, we did," Morsa replies," Because if we waited for you to tell us, it would take weeks!"

You puff out your cheeks. "I wouldn't want to worry you over something so silly."

"Are you calling your allergies silly again?" Momma says. She enters with two plates worth of food and you sit up.

Prins leaps down to wander over to his own dog bed. Seeing him lying there, Kung wanders over, jumping up onto Prins' back to finish napping there as Reina ducks her head back into her cave.

"No, Momma," You mumble, accepting your food as Morsa takes a seat on the armchair and Momma to the left of you, leaving an empty space for Talia, who also brings out food for herself and Morsa before taking her own seat.

"Are you feeling better, mi vida?" She asks," You look better."

You nod. "I feel fine. My leg aches a little but that's expected."

"We'll put an icepack on it once we've finished eating. Prins was very worried about you."

Prins raises his head at the mention of his name, tail wagging.

"He's good boy."

Morsa grins from across the room. "I knew getting you a dog was a good idea."

Momma scoffs. "You told me that we should have gotten her a fish."

Morsa coughs to clear her throat and mumbles," Don't lie, Pernille."

"You wanted to get me a fish?" You laugh in disbelief," And you say Rocky is the most disappointing pet in the world."

"Are you really saying your pet rock is more exciting than a fish?"

"Am I?" You pretend to think for a moment. "Yes. Yes, I am."

[gffa]

Hi, I was wondering if you had any jedi oc centric fic recs? I've had cravings recently and your recommendations always manage to scratch an itch

Hi! Ooh, this is an interesting trope but I suspect I'm going to need a little help here, so I'm doubly asking anyone who might have Jedi OC-centric fic recs to jump in! But I can also get you started! I tend to read fic that usually has the canon characters in a central role as well, but searching through my recs, I believe these ones should also be centered on the OCs enough to scratch that itch: ✦ Lucida by markwatnae, obi-wan & oc & anakin & ahsoka & bant & feemor & satine & garen & caleb & mace & cast, 75k After the start of the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi chooses his second padawan. He meets her by chance, but the Force insists that he take her as his student. This decision turns out to be one that will change the course of the Order's future.

✦ Found Clan by silvergryphon, boba & ocs & obi-wan & anakin & cast, 25.3k wip After the Battle of Geonosis, a Jedi Healer discovers young Boba Fett mourning the loss of his father. Not about to leave a ten-year-old boy on his own, she promptly adopts him with the full collusion of her Padawan.

✦ then leaf subsides to leaf by The_Last_Kenobi, oc, ~1k You are a Jedi, and this is what that means.

✦ No Rest for the Weary by orphan_account, obi-wan & anakin & ocs, 61k Needing a break from life at the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, visit a Jedi AgriCorps settlement on the Midrim planet of Helia. There they encounter new friends, new enemies and have new adventures, all while attempting to navigate their sometimes turbulent relationship as Master and Padawan. [Note: This one is probably going to be the least on-target for your request, as it's probably more an Obi-Wan & Anakin story than it is about the OCs, but I remember the OCs being nicely fleshed out and important in the story, so I'm including it on a chance.] ✦ The Quickest Way by SingManyFaces, anakin & ocs, 1.2k They say the quickest way to person’s heart is through their stomach, something that holds true for the Jedi as well.

I know I'm missing a ton and I love Jedi OCs, I love Jedi worldbuilding through the OCs and I love seeing slice of life or epic action plots or giving a familiar character a new Padawan (GIVE ME ALL THE OBI-WAN & A NEW KIDLET TO TRAIN STORIES!!!), so if anyone has more, gimme! Also, I swear there was a Jedi OC-centric fic that was being posted on a forum somewhere that came strongly recommended from the JA discord server, but I cannot find it again. I think it might have been the spacebattles forum? If anyone has a link, please send it because I want to find it again very much. (For memory, I think it was in its second story and was a couple hundred chapters long and people really liked it...?)

[sparklykat-hideoutenthusiast]

I've seen people doing an intro post so I suppose I should do the same right? I have no idea how to do this, I'm just winging it :3

INTRO POST TIME WOOO!!

[last updated: sat dec 7th at 7:18 PM 2024]

(I update this often, a reread of it every now and then would be greatly appreciated!)

Maybe every week/month depending on your time scale? ↑

Follow my other blog where I reblog a bunch of stuff and things for the full experience of my personality and interests! @eckos-reblogs :3

@everytime-i-reach-the-postlimit ←Exactly as the name entails

@nature-is-mystical ←is my other random blog that you can follow as well if you want.

that blog is just for reblogging nature stuff and posting nature stuff. (Occasionally rhymes come with it ig)

side blog for fanart!: @sonar-fanart-hall

I'm always working on making reference sheets for OCs ^^

Chill dude side blog: @cool-dudes-official

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

I will continue to edit this, probably for the rest of time to get it right since I'm a slight perfectionist lol

Hello! I've been an artist for around 5 to 6 years, and I still kinda suck at it! I do traditional art normally but I've been branching out to digital art as well. I mostly draw animals, anthropomorphic creatures, creatures in general, whatever beautifully ugly faces I can come up with, and sometimes human faces!

I classify as a furry but do not reblog a ton of furry stuff nor do I have a fursuit. I just like drawing and seeing anthropomorphic animals :3

Furries, Therians, anyone of lgbtq+ community (including ace people cuz apparently there's a debate about that), weirdos (but NOT in the gross way), and more are welcome on my blog! :3 ❤️ (you're kinda automatically welcome if you're kind anyway lol but whatevs :3)

Tags and stuff! To help you find stuff in my blog better through search :)

#Ecko draws -exactly as is obvious, it will be for when I make art, digital or traditional.

#Echo Rambles -For posts of mine that include mainly me talking about random stuff

#Echo rants - for when I rant. Similar to #Echo rambles but different..

#Echo answers - For when I answer asks!! :D

#The Clowder seeks - For when you guys ask me stuff!

#Mama Change - For when I mention my mom. (Her name is change..or it's more of a nickname but no one calls her by her actual name except for professional/job people like a dentist or something)

#Echo asks - For when I ask questions :3 lol

#Eckos moots <3 - for interactions with moots, obviously 🙄 (I love y'all sm)

#Ecko irl - me irl

My main Media for traditional art is, pens, pencil, gel pens, paint markers (posca) and normal markers! I hope to soon branch out to ink! (Maybe one day you'll get to see some watercolor stuff from me. It's not that good of watercolor art and I don't enjoy painting too much tbh)

Anatomy You say? Don't know her 😔

If you are interested, I do art requests! It's not guaranteed to be good or to be done quickly but I will try my very best every time. You can even request multiple times if you'd like! Like a ton of times! I really don't mind!

You can also request art of fandoms I'm not in but make sure to give me a good reference or the drawing will look off :3

Art requests open until further notice.

If there's something I don't mention here that you're wondering if I can draw or not, give me an ask in my inbox and I'll let you know! (Pls, I'm friendly I swear)

You can also dm me if you'd like but I'd prefer the askbox instead (⁠´⁠-⁠﹏⁠-⁠`⁠；⁠)

I can't draw/don't want to draw: items, anatomy, bodies (unless you want the equivalent of a boxy stick figure), rendering, lighting, dragons (without a reference), romance/NSFW (no, just no.), hands, human legs (for the life of me 😭), +more

I can draw/like to draw: faces, animals (mostly cat related ones but you can request any animal and I'll at least try to draw it.), different hair styles (only with a reference), eye bags (I think they're pretty lol), dragons (only with a good reference), gore (not the best at it but I'll will try my best to make something nice and bloody for ya!), +more!

My name is Ecko and it's my preferred name but you can refer to me as Melleona (my OC) or by a nickname as well if you'd like! (just please ask me first if you want to use a nickname as I'm bad with setting boundaries.)

My pronouns are She/Her but feel free to refer to me as it/it's! :3

Speaking of which! This is my OC, Melleona:

She is 14 years old, she is introverted and blunt but also shy and insecure. She has anxiety, dealt with a bit of depression, and she's very casual as well as lazy (like me lol)

She's half Cat, she has greyish blue eyes (not visible in the drawing), slightly blueish black hair that's long enough to reach her ankles, she has a mushroom themed party hat, and some wicked whiskers!

If there's anything you'd like to ask me about her or ask her, go ahead and ask away! I love anons and normal asks! ❤️❤️❤️ (There is a slight filter on the drawing. I'll edit this later and put her color palette below ❤️)

I'm a minor! Mind your words, don't send me gross/weird asks or messages. (I've already had a few people message me asking for my age, a picture of me, and my sexuality. No, I will not be sharing my real appearance on here. my age? Minor, that's all you need to know. My sexuality? I don't know and you don't need to know either, respectfully ^^❤️)

IDC if I post something slightly suggestive or that says I know about 18+ themes. I posted it, not someone saying something to me of those themes. Sure, I understand the stuff but It really doesn't matter now does it? It just means I understand enough to know you shouldn't be saying that stuff to me. (Boundaries ✨)

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I do half-curse in posts from time to time. I do censor it a bit tho, like "f7ck" for example. Hope ya don't mind (⁠；⁠^⁠ω⁠^⁠）

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I'd appreciate it if people reblogged my art!

I don't appreciate reposting it however.

Just in case you don't know what the difference between reposting rather than reblogging: it's when you (typically) take a screenshot of the art, and then repost it on either Tumblr or a different app rather than hitting the reblog button!

While this has never happened to me personally, I do feel like it's worth mentioning.

Oh, and, don't under a circumstance feed my art to AI. I can forgive reposting my art. I put out there for people to see not to get fame from it but under no circumstances EVER will I allow feeding my art to AI. It is not human. It does not make art.

AI artists don't exist unless it's used ONLY to assist with a process that is still mostly YOUR OWN SKILLS THAT YOU'VE CULTIVATED OVER TIME. AI is NOT art but it can HELP with art.

ミ⁠●⁠﹏⁠☉⁠ミ-ミ⁠●⁠﹏⁠☉⁠ミ-ミ⁠●⁠﹏⁠☉⁠ミ-ミ⁠●⁠﹏⁠☉⁠ミ-ミ⁠●⁠﹏⁠☉⁠ミ

don't dm asking me to commission from you. like said before, I don't have money bc I'm a minor + I don't like being pestered for me commission you. talk to me like a person, not an ATM.

If I want to commission someone, I will dm them and even then, I'm most likely to commission art from a friend to support them.

I support the lgbtq+ community! And I don't discriminate against race. I really shouldn't have to say this. (˘⁠･⁠_⁠･⁠˘)

I will respond to money asks with "!!" And that's it. I don't have money and even if I did I don't got any money to spare. I'm broke and struggling too. Not to mention, I'm a minor and can't just go out and get the stuff. I hope you understand and I wish you all the best!❤️❤️❤️

Some games and shows and stuff I like:

Shows and stuff: Rick and Morty, adventure time, lost in space, bsd (never watched it but I've seen enough of it on the Internet to know a bit about it. Very interesting :3), Some of the Life Minecraft series, httyd, doctor who, and more!

Games/fandoms: Yonder(Yonder Cloud Catcher Chronicles.), Minecraft, the Stanley parable, tiny bit of South Park, cotl, MLP(childish I know but I don't care. I love them), creepypasta, SCPs, Trevor Henderson's creatures (mostly cartoon cat), plants vs zombies, fran bow, little misfortune, and more!

Stuff and things (hobbies?): Art, apparently I make rhymes now too??, rollerblading, climbing, Hiking (iffy), sleeping, being annoying+lazy, doom scrolling, interacting with people, and more!

(I'm not really in any fandoms really..kinda like on the edge of being in each and every fandom I come across..)

General facts about me! Yippee!

I think eye bags and wrinkles are pretty (odd, I know lol), I live in a bus (not decked out like you see on social media though. We just live in a bus lol), I live with my ma (my dad is my step dad and he and my mom just broke up psooo ye), I blank out a lot and just stare at people for no reason (which freaks them out), I have greyish blue eyes (a long with some, I'm pretty sure permanent eye bags lol), I get energy right before nighttime mostly (and then it disappears as soon as it reaches around 11 pm to 12 am), My favorite color is maroon (and any type of blue along with orange and yellow and forest green..mostly just comfy vibe colors tbh but maroon is a fixed piece), my favorite animal is a cat (although I have a dog. Muffin doesn't count as a dog, she's practically human. Apart of the family.), and more!

(I'll update this as I go)

[I will block as I see fit]

Do not interact with my blog if: You're racist, you only or mostly have sexual themes on your own blog (I apologize but it makes me uncomfortable. Have some other interests and it might make me less uncomfortable ^^), if you in general just enjoy hating on people for no reason (I like to make my area a safe space for people) if you're a Zoophile (No explanation really needed but animals can't consent.) (more will be added later when I think of what to add)

Don't dm me unless you're a moot or you say your intentions within the first 1-3 messages. (moots that I've interacted with can send me a dm unprompted with stated intentions anytime they'd like. Special privileges ✨)

(Added a specific part of that bc a moot felt they were making me uncomfortable by having such themes on their blog. I didn't really realize at first but yes that does make slightly uncomfortable but I don't really care as long as you have other interests. If s3x is your only interest, it weirds me out to have those types of people interact with me. Just know you're all good moot, you're not the type of person I was aiming it at. There are other people that just don't think about anything else but $ex and relationships that creep me out and you are not one of them. ^^❤️)

Things about me, (random stuff): I am cringe from time to time, my fav colors are maroon and any kind of blue, orange is nice too though,

I appreciate any and all constructive criticism. IDC if it sounds rude and might hurt my feelings, TELL ME so I can help better myself and my blog! I'm dum and will most likely not notice I'm doing something weird or anything :P <3

•Send me asks! Wanna to hug one of my OCs, Want to slap the sh1t out of one of em, Want to introduce me to a new (or old) fandom I don't know of but you think I might be interested in, Want to say hi, Want to give a music suggestion, send an ask!

I LOVE interaction and if possible, I want to be busy with asks at all times so send a ton!

•Moots:

@theachskid @voidsweirdthoughts @burningbutter @rafrfr @rateater2000

@footlongdingledong @ender-the-insomniac @thistlebriar @rspoetry @virtualcroissantflapcolor

@jawdoesstuff @storythesilly @yourfavoritecuntist @chamber-of-voices @i-draw-things

@2oo7xddd @catsreblogging @silli-billy15 @totally-not-a-commie @khloethecatsworld

@1nd13gh0st @cur1os1tyk1lledme @nonbinaryriverclan @ilove-fanart-and-lore405 @hermitchild

@my-mom-named-me-duck @hermitchild

@williamsart12345 @lilytheaxoltollover @twobraincellsremaining @nn-the-doodle @emmajasonartz

@bugba-bugbee @railway323 @xho-the-scribble @asqadia-banthen @nasthesilly @ceaselessbackflips

@the-anxious-acrobat @justuravghazbin @callmekiyo24 @maybeyoullfindthissomeday

@sensehumor ♥️

+any future moots/one's I might have forgotten (I hope I wouldn't forget anyone 🥲)

If you don't like being tagged in tag games, let me know and I'll move your name over here cuz I copy paste the ones above for tagging in stuff: (nothing here yet!)

Moot side blogs: @thistlebriar-tags @my-dad-named-me-goose @mysterious-other-being @

Btw, moot/friend privileges: tagging me in whatever the heck you want, sending nonstop and possibly annoying asks, dming me and having a convo at random, +more! I love all y'all and am more than happy to interact ❤️

My art ↑

Yippee!! That's all for now folks! ❤️

I'll update this whole thing as I go, any questions, just send an ask and I'll update this with the answer as well as you know- replying in general lol :3

I seem incredibly childish in this intro post and my general posts but do know, I am over 12 years of age lmao 🤣

I'mma keep some notes here as well... mostly for tone stuffs cuz I can't remember these 😭

/lh = lighthearted

/j = joking

/hj = half joking

[bettystonewell]

The fandom needs to know - does Dean like to be slapped in the face during sex by a girl wearing a Zorro mask? xx

Short answer:

But because I can, I’m gonna elaborate with a theory I came up with in the first five minutes of reading this, and turn it into a very rushed headcanon that will not be proof read or make much sense.

MASKS ARE HOT, BUT BEING SLAPPED BY SOMEONE WEARING ONE IS HOTTER: DON’T JUDGE HIM (or my head canon on how the whole Zorro mask thing came about) MDNI 18+

Pairing: Dean Winchester x a couple of random fem OC’s.

NOTE: You know I LOVE to swear, but I’m going to replace any naughty words I’d normally use because I think it will be funnier. Apologies in advance.

It was the summer of ‘69 1999, and our young Dean was off to the theatre, a girl under his arm, his hand rather close to her jubblies. As a man of twenty, he was still exploring his manly urges. There was just something about the smell of stale popcorn and sugary drinks that did it for most guys like him, you know? Or was it the normalcy?

Whatever.

His date was hot. Hotter than Rhonda Hurley or that chick from Titanic. No, not the old lady. Her younger self, Kate Winslet, who made out with Gilbert Grape’s brother at the end of the ship.

You see, Rhonda may have had the pink thong, which yes, did feel rather nice (he still had it hidden under his cassette tape collection that no-one would ever touch), but this girl had just blown him in the back seat of Baby. There was no comparison in the moment, and she was more than willing for him to return the favour in the theatre, because why not?

They settled in their seats, the back row of course, in the closest to midnight session as possible, perfect for its lack of other people. His hand still rested over her shoulder, slowly working on sliding her bra strap down so he’d get better access…when the opening credits started rolling.

This was supposed to be an extended make out session, but Dean was hooked from the moment he saw Zorro stride across the screen and swish his sword into the air, forming the fire-laced Z.

“Oh hell yes,” he muttered. The sounds of clicking hooves and soft ringing of bells had his inner child heading straight back to its love of cowboys. He hadn’t expected what had been presented to him as a romantic movie to actually be so cool.

Antanio Banderas

Anthony Hopkins

Catherine Zeta-Jones

The names flashed across the screen as the story of young Zorro played, and Dean all but forgot about the ample bossom just below his reach.

That is until his date started running her palm over his thigh midway through the film, and whispered in his ear, “I thought we were going to continue where we left off, babe?”

And Dean was torn. He wanted to watch the movie. The guy had a sword! But he also had the opportunity here to taste some kitty, and maybe get his own sword wet after the fact.

What was he to do?

He was a young buck, always thinking about what happened on that black casting couch he’d heard so much about, more than once a day. He couldn’t let the opportunity pass itself up. So, after more coaxing from her hand, which wasn’t all that much, reaching higher up his leg to get him interested, his own hand reciprocated.

Fingers trailed soft skin. They pushed the hem of a very short skirt up higher to tease the lace beneath, and the mound beneath that again, and to his surprise, it was very damp. He himself had raised to attention, straining against the seam of his pants.

To cut a long-short story shorter, Dean and his date got their rocks off whilst watching Zorro. She didn’t even need to touch him, because he learnt how hot a guy in a mask could be thanks to the way she coated his fingers and the seat below. And Dean? He was left with a rather big mess, that was made bigger when he accidentally spilt his remaining soda in his lap to cover up the special sauce that stained it.

So Beth, how the hell does being slapped come into it? you might be wondering.

Right… Well, um, that first bit took me longer than I thought, and I really should be getting to work… So let’s just say, to the poor sod who read through all of that (I’m not judging, I wrote the thing), it was all thanks to a case involving a costume shop, a display of masks, and Dean purchasing one that suspiciously looked like Zorro’s.

He remembered his time in the theatre all too well and knew it had the potential to be a mighty turn on. He just didn’t consider that it might’ve been one girl’s preference and not everyone else’s.

Turned out, for once, he was actually right.

It stayed in Baby for a good time after that with Rhonda Hurley’s thong that was moved from the box of cassettes after Sammy almost found it while bitching about Metallica and mullet rock. They both lived together in the crack between the back rest of the back seat, and the bench below it. Somewhere Sam would never find, unless he wanted to risk finding other things. I’ll leave that up to your imagination.

Cue a new hot date and Dean getting lucky again many years later. The car was rocking, and Dean was having a great time. Her thighs hoisted her up and down with the help of Dean’s grip on her hips, perfectly taking his sword all the way to her hilt. Hitting the little nub situated at the edge of her sheath.

This girl was bendy, and her hands little, and one slipped right through that crack when she leant over to trail hot kisses on his skin, finding both the mask and the underwear.

Did I mention she was an aspiring actress? Becuase she was. How convenient.

She sat up, threw that thong to the side, giddy with excitement of Dean still ploughing into her and put that mask on. It made her look hotter.

She continued to ride his saddle, one hand keeping the mask in place, the other flailing where it could to hold on as Dean picked up the pace.

She was wetter, his twig and berries throbbed, and when he gave a particularly sharp slap to her rear, in the moment, she gave him a playful one back, and it felt good. Too damn good.

“Do it again,” he said through an animalistic groan he’d be embarrassed to admit later, and she did, with a wicked smile that caressed her face until he begged her to do it harder.

She did. And while Dean didn’t make a mess in any jeans that evening, he did in fact blow harder than he was used to in his older age. It came thick and strong, curling his toes and pounding his heart, rapid in his chest.

That mask no longer sits in the crack between the seat. It has a special place in his duffle, goes with him whenever he leaves the bunker, and on the off chance he ever meets another aspiring actress or someone adjacent to the field, maybe a flight attendant or a yoga instructor, the mask slips into his jacket pocket, ready to be used again.

So yes, Dean definitely does have a Zorro mask/slapping thing going on in that head of his! I hope that answers your question?

PS. I wrote this in the shopping centre where I’m working today, and was interrupted by an old lady, wishing to tell me about the bible, twice… it’s like she knew or something.

The Bible lady saga continues HERE. The lovely @jollyhunter sent me an ask - what would happen if she showed up a third time, but so did Dean and Bobby-John from that season six episode - you know:

So if you’re game, go check that out

[m1ckeyb3rry]

Hello,

I have a writing prompt for Michael Kaiser (Blue Lock): Kaiser gets into a pr relationship with an actress and they eventually bond and fall in love.

I think he would have a hard time because of his feelings of worthlessness, but this guy has so much potential, I swear, I love him so much.

If you want to go for a "dark side of Hollywood" type of concept, imagine: a young girl who was raised under the pressure of becoming "the perfect star" and surrounded by the chaos of the industry (Idk, the movie Black Swan comes to mind, or the typical representation of Marilyn's life, something along the lines). I think he could bond with someone who is in a similar mind space as him, but who externalizes it differently, remaining kind and such. He definitely needs someone who is empathetic and can see through his insecurities, and I really like the concept of two characters who are hurt helping each other heal.

If you don't want that much drama, scratch the idea of a hurt oc. Think about someone with an "entrepreneur" mindset: someone ambitious, confident, and level headed, who (again) is empathetic and would call him out and help him grow (I'm thinking about sae, but emotionally competent lol).

You don't really have to go for any of this though, it's just meant to get you inspired to write something for my boy Kaiser. I hope it's not too much. Also, there's no rush at all!!

Thank you in advance. I hope you have a good day 🩷

Synopsis: Michael Kaiser is like a rose, and you are the songbird he cannot bear to lose.

Event Masterlist

Pairing: Kaiser x Reader

Chapter Word Count: 6.8k

Content Warnings: fake dating trope, implied/referenced abuse, call me tabito karasu the way i assassinate kaiser’s character in this, open ending, relationship dynamics many would consider…interesting…

A/N: hiiii anon ty for requesting!! i hope that i wrote kaiser in a somewhat satisfactory way 😫 this is my first time writing for him so idk if i got him right 😓 also i have NO idea why but for some reason i decided to write this in the present tense which i literally have never done?? so if it sounds off that’s why 💔 i’m so sorry i really don’t know what possessed me SKDJFSHKL

Additional: part of my 500 follower event! see the event description and rules to make a request of your own.

It’s hot and like a bruise, your first phone call with Michael Kaiser. He’s that brand of aggravating and just shy of painful to speak with; morbidly, you wish for the conversation to manifest as some kind of actual injury, perhaps on your upper arm, so you can poke at it until it is tender and blooming. But of course, that sort of thing isn’t possible, so you amuse yourself by tapping your fingers against the counter and considering what you might eat for dinner.

“Did you hear me?” he snaps when you do not respond to his proposition immediately. He speaks with an accent, clipped and short, lending severity to his words even when he’s saying nothing of note. “Miss L/N. It’s in both of our best interests to cooperate.”

He’s not wrong about this. It’s the only reason you’ve stayed on the call for as long as you have — it’s in your best interest. It’s the same for him, too, and the thought almost makes you laugh, because who would’ve expected your interests and his to ever align?

“Of course I heard you,” you say, twisting open your bottle of water, taking a sip and idly wondering if he can hear an accent when you speak, too. It’s difficult for you to notice your own, but maybe to him, you sound as odd as he does to you. “You should learn patience, Mr. Kaiser. Such a heavy request you’re making of me, and yet you demand my answer immediately?”

He huffs. “It’s not something you need to dwell on.”

“It might be,” you say, though it’s not at all. Your mind was made up the moment he asked; everything after that has been nothing more than a ploy to irritate him. You’re good at that, at irritating people. Michael Kaiser is not an exception.

“Miss L/N,” he says again, something like a darker version of pleading creeping into his tone. “Your answer. Now.”

“Well, you already knew before you asked, didn’t you? Naturally, I’ll do it,” you say. “It’s a mutually beneficial partnership. Though I expect you to really try your best, Mr. Kaiser, or else it’ll all be for naught.”

“I could say the same to you,” he says.

“Between the two of us, who is the actress?” you say, chuckling when he is silent. “I am sure that I will be convincing. It’s you who I worry for. Hiding your true feelings has never been one of your strengths, has it? Or you wouldn’t be speaking to me at all.”

“Shut up,” he says after a moment has passed. “I doubt your acting skills are anything to brag about.”

“I know you’ve watched my movies,” you say, and when he doesn’t refute this, you beam. “Have you really?”

“Only because someone I know suggested I should,” he says. “If I want to love you, then I have to understand you. That’s what he told me.”

“And what did you think?” you say.

“I thought that I don’t plan to love you at all, and then I told him as much,” he says, the force of his eye roll transmitting even over the phone. You’re not sure if he’s acting deliberately obtuse or if he really thinks you care about this inane conversation he’s describing, but either way you sigh, because his answer is so telling of his personality.

“I was talking about my movies,” you say.

“I don’t prefer the genre,” he says, and then he’s hanging up with a promise to call you later, if he is so inclined. He doesn’t tell you not to call him, but you feel like he implies it, so you vow to set your phone aside and pay him no mind for the rest of your evening.

I’m dating Michael Kaiser, you type in the body of your email to your manager, who you are certain will be so delighted by this news that he will combust spontaneously upon hearing it. You want to type it again, this unbelievable turn of events, so you do. I’m dating Michael Kaiser. Then you delete the repetition, reverting it once again into a formal email, instead of a giddy celebration over an event which should not prompt giddiness or anything resembling it.

It’s a relationship meant to salvage his ruined reputation and boost your career in one fell swoop, and so it’s a relationship that can only work if it’s formed between you two in particular. He, who is a foul-mouthed soccer prodigy, known better for his crass treatment of others than any actual skills he may possess, and you, a rising star who will do anything to be famous and are already of a serviceable status to be seen with him.

Despite your burst of excitement, the prospect of dating Michael Kaiser isn’t actually a thrilling one. The rumors of his horrid demeanor aren’t rumors, and you know this well, albeit through secondhand accounts. Cruelty is the way that he operates, his so-to-speak basal mode, and because it is so intrinsic to his being, you do not fancy that he will deviate from that malicious rule, even for you.

But you are accustomed to a false existence. Donning a facade and masquerading as a person who you are not is the only thing you are good at, are good for, and this time is no different than every other. You will put on the mask of a woman who is loved by Michael Kaiser, who has tamed that mad emperor and turned him into her sweet pet, and you will once again fool the world into believing you.  

He’s doing an interview today. You’re only aware because he texts you right before and tells you to turn on the TV to a channel you’d never choose if you had a say in the matter. But you’re intrigued and he refuses to explain further, so you do as he commands and find yourself watching as he reclines back in a leather armchair and smirks at the host, who’s clearly nervous.

She’s pretty, her hands shaking but her expression serious. You’ve never seen her before, which means she’s new. Of course, that’s not a surprise; only someone very inexperienced or very stupid would invite Michael Kaiser to their show, and she does not seem to be particularly stupid, so her affliction is the first. 

“Um, Mr. Kaiser, it’s a pleasure to have you with us,” she says, like she cannot quite believe that he is actually there, or like she is afraid of what he might take offense at, or some combination of the two.

“It’s a pleasure to be here,” he says, all roguish and self-assured, which is such a contrast to his typically surly demeanor that you have to commend the girl for keeping her composure.

They speak at length about his soccer career, throwing around words you do not understand and do not care to. It’s so boring you almost power down the television and tell him you think as much, but then the girl clears her throat, her face turning a comical shade of red as her fists clench the paper she’s been reading off of.

“This last question is from our viewers, but it’s personal, so if you don’t want to answer, then it’s not a problem,” she says, squirming in her chair, probably hoping he does not humiliate her. It will be bad for her career if he does, even if by now everyone knows what kind of person he is.

“Go on, then. I feel like we’ve built a rapport here, so I don’t mind it as much if it’s from you,” he says. It’s a perfectly packaged sentiment. His PR team must have tortured him into this new persona. You try to imagine it — it’s definitely a humorous thought, picturing the Bastard München representative slamming Michael Kaiser’s face into a bowl of water for every snarky comment he makes. Unrealistic, though. They would never risk compromising his performance like that.

“There’s rumors that you’re seeing Y/N L/N, the actress. A source who claims to be close to you both mentioned it online, and people can’t stop talking about the possibility. Neither you nor Miss L/N have addressed it, though, and our viewers were hoping you might…?” She cringes back, already preparing for one of his tirades, but he only smiles genially and winks at the camera. You remind yourself to tell him later that he’s laying it on too thick, even if you are enjoying this new character that he’s playing up for the sake of it.

“Y/N L/N? I’m shocked that you think I’m handsome enough to date someone like her,” he says. Your phone buzzes — it’s your manager, crowing about how impressed he is with your ‘boyfriend’ and his presence of mind. 

“So it’s a no?” the interviewer says, almost hopefully. He’s mysterious when he shrugs, mysterious and more than a little coy, as if she’s flattering him and he’s too shy to accept the praise.

“If Miss L/N ever deems me to be worthy of her, then it’s a yes in a heartbeat,” he says. It’s an excellent setup for his redemption, and the girl plays into it so beautifully that you tell your manager to send her flowers or some chocolate at the earliest possible opportunity.

“I think that you’ve shown yourself to be an excellent candidate today,” she says.

“Have I? I’ve really been trying to prove myself,” he says. Dreamy sighs ripple through the live studio audience. Someone whistles. It’s all very romantic and fairy-tale-esque, although he is far from being any kind of prince.

“You’re doing great,” the girl assures him. “I’m sure that, if Miss L/N is watching, she’ll have no choice but to be smitten.”

“If she’s watching? Oh, the thought didn’t even cross my mind,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. You shouldn’t have doubted him and his audacity; he’s fallen into the role as if he were born to play it. “How embarrassing. I’ve just confessed to her on live television without even knowing if she’s interested…”

He’s actually blushing. You are doubly awed — he’s a natural-born talent. It’s a shame that he’s devoted to soccer; he could make it out like a bandit in the acting industry.

“No, no, don’t be embarrassed. How could she ever reject someone like you?” she assures him. How, indeed! At the moment, you are so pleased that you could kiss him. He’s better than any co-star you’ve ever had to work with, in that he is making your job exponentially easier instead of exponentially more difficult.

“If she really is watching, then I can only pray she heard you say that part,” he says, waving in greeting, presumably at you. “Hello, Miss L/N. I really admire you, so if you find me at all agreeable, then I would quite like it if you would say yes to the date I’m going to ask you on.”

He’s made the world swoon and your social media mentions triple. People are begging you to say yes, to give him a chance, to see how he has changed. They want to live through you, and you will let them.

When he calls you, you tell him you were thrilled by his performance. This causes him to shoot back that he finds you insufferable and condescending, to which you say that it’s what makes you and him such a perfect pair. Then you recite an address, and he asks you what you’re going on about. You answer that it is the place where you will have your first date, and then you hang up before he can respond, just so that you can deny him the chance to do it to you first. 

Cameras flash in your faces as you enter the restaurant your manager has booked a reservation at. Michael Kaiser’s arm is wrapped around your waist, and it’s nauseatingly domestic, the kind of scene that would be the cover for one of those coming-of-age movies your agent loves booking for you. You wait for the frantic sound of camera shutters to slow, and then you tug on his sleeve.

“What is it?” he says. It’s quiet enough that no one else can hear, which is why it’s devoid of any warmth, but you are unruffled.

“Your tie,” you say. “It’s not crooked, but we will pretend that it is, and I’ll fix it so that there is something sweet to accompany the tabloid articles that will come out tomorrow.”

Your hands reach for his neck, and he does something you do not comprehend — flinching back, he shakes his head. When he realizes he’s done this, he grits his teeth, like the anger can make up for the temporary weakness. You do not press the issue, merely furrowing your brow and gazing up at him, doing your best to ensure that your eyes remain soft, so that the exchange is not misinterpreted by the parasites around you.

“No,” he says. “Do something else, but leave my tie alone.”

“Alright,” you say. It’s not sensible for you to argue, and anyways it doesn’t matter much what you are doing, as long as you are doing something. Humming to yourself, you adjust the lapels of his jacket. The cameras go off again. You pretend like you do not notice, like the world consists of only you two, and then you interlace your fingers with his, allowing him to drag you into the restaurant behind him.

It’s your turn to be interviewed. You’re wearing a dress, your legs crossed at the ankles — it’s demure and practical and prevents anyone from leering at you, so it’s been a habit of yours for quite a while. The interviewer is female, though, which calms you a bit. She’s older, around your mother’s age, and the wrinkles on her forehead remind you that you should call your parents and arrange for them to meet your doting boyfriend.

“Miss L/N, I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to finally meet you!” the woman says. You think her name may be Anne, but she hasn’t introduced herself to you yet, so you’re not certain.

“You are too kind. If anything, it’s an honor for me to be here,” you say. The audience really likes that, when you are humble and shy and so darling. It’s palatable and easy for them to digest, or that’s what your manager tells you. 

“Tell us about your upcoming projects,” she says after giving you the appropriate amount of praise for your charming personality.

“I’m currently shooting a new romantic comedy, but I’m afraid it’s all very hush-hush, so I can’t say too much about it. I think you all will really enjoy it, though, and I’m looking forward to the day that we can discuss it at length,” you say. 

The conversation goes on like that for a bit, but you know she’s going through the motions because she has to, not because she wants to. There’s only one question she cares to ask, but if she just talks to you about your boyfriend and not your own accomplishments, then she’ll be blasted online as an anti-feminist. You hear quite frequently that this is akin to suicide in the world of marketing, so you can’t blame her.

That doesn’t stop you from having some fun. When she’s exhausted every possible avenue of questioning you about your future plans and past successes, you make as if you’re going to stand up and leave. Panic leaps across her face, and you snicker.

“We’ve spoken at such length about my acting career. You can’t possibly have any more questions about it, hm? You probably know more than my manager does!” Your attitude is balanced out by the joke. The audience laughs. It’s a fine line that you walk, but if you do not have the chance to act sharper every now and again, you believe you will die — internally if not externally — so you take such risks when you can justify them to yourself.

“You’re dating Michael Kaiser now, aren’t you?” she says. It’s a rancid curiosity she hides with a motherly type of concern. You brush off your legs, recross them, and tuck a piece of hair behind your ear.

“I am,” you say. You don’t have to play the games that he did; you both are established now. Official. A bona-fide couple. Anyways, it’s more appealing if you are outright with it.

“How has that been? You’ve really made a difference in that young man’s life, it seems,” she says.

The best way to lie is to tell the truth. “Yes, I suppose I have, but he has made an equal difference in mine. He is as good for me as I am for him; truly, I never understood what it meant when my parents called each other their ‘better halves’ until we met.”

In an hour, there will be thousands of posts online about this. If Y/N and Michael break up, then I don’t believe in love anymore! Maybe soulmates are real! Couple goals! These are the kinds of captions you are anticipating. The two of you will send screenshots to one another and laugh about how gullible the world is, and then you will strategically plan which comments to like and posts to favorite so that your message goes through. That’s the extent of your relationship with him, really, at least when the two of you are alone. The detachedness makes things much easier than they otherwise would be.

“There’s a popular theory going around that the two of you have had a secret wedding already. Is it true? Am I speaking to Mrs. Kaiser at the moment?” she says, eyes glittering like a vulture’s. She’s ready to pounce on any hesitation, any brief indecision that you might show, but you have spent more time in the spotlight than in your own parents’ home, so you don’t even waver.

“Marriage! I think we’re a bit too early in our relationship to be considering such things, and a bit too early in our lives to be rushing into major decisions like that,” you say. “If and when the time comes, you’ll be the first to know, but it won’t be for a while.”

It won’t be at all, actually. This relationship is not going to last for more than another month. Once the buzz surrounding you two dies, you and he will quietly split. It’ll be as if you never met in the first place.

Your phone rings as you’re leaving the studio. The caller ID says that it is Michael Kaiser, and the thought that he was watching your interview in the same way you watched his makes you feel odd.

“Hello?” you say.

“I’m not gonna marry you. Never-fucking-ever. If you’re expecting a ring, then put it out of your mind.”

“I wasn’t,” you say. “How else would you have liked me to answer that question?”

“Fuck if I know.”

Neither of you hang up on the other — you don’t think you can summon the wherewithal to, which is out of character for him but typical for you — though you both also don’t speak any further. He stays on the line while you drive home, breathing softly like he is sleeping, but you are sure that he is not. The point of it is lost on you, but then you drive into a tunnel and the call ends on its own, so it’s moot anyways. 

Your parents are excited to meet Michael Kaiser. They’ve read up on him extensively, watched all his interviews and even his game highlights. Your mother calls you the night before just so she can gush to you about how handsome he is, how you’ve really done well for yourself this time around. Her approval is nice to have, though superfluous, like a luxury soap or perfume. 

Your father is the one who suggests you all go golfing. You don’t know how to play, and neither does your mother, but you recognize it’s his attempt at connecting with who he thinks is your boyfriend, so you accept. You’re not sure if Michael Kaiser knows how to play golf, or really anything besides soccer, but he is game enough to come that you suppose he must.

It’s warm out, the sun beating down on your father’s brow as he lines up the ball with his club. Michael Kaiser stands on his left, and you think he’s somehow beautiful in this lighting. Not beautiful how your many attractive coworkers are, but in a manner which is distinctly him and therefore utterly irreproducible. His body is lean and graceful, his hair shaggy and gold, though he’s dyed the tips blue in what you’re sure is a statement. The shade matches his eyes, and also the inked roses on his neck. You have long ago come to the conclusion that the flowers are also a part of that same statement, but you have yet to discover what that statement might be. 

“He’s an improvement from that last boyfriend of yours,” your mother says, leaning back so that she can pour the last few drops of soda from her empty can into her throat. You and her are sitting together in the golf cart, seeking refuge in the shade of its plastic roof, sharing the drinks that your father had bought for himself and forgotten about the instant he stepped onto the golf course.

“He is,” you say. That’s not an exaggeration, nor is it something incredible. Your last boyfriend was an old classmate of yours who loved your celebrity more than he loved you. Michael Kaiser doesn’t love you, either, but he is honest about it, and you do not love him back, so there is no resentment between you and him.

“I like the way he looks at you,” your mother says. There’s a hiss as she opens a new can of soda. It’s a vice, but whenever you remind her of it, she dismisses you. She wants to have fun while she’s on this earth, apparently. Maybe drinking five cans of soda in one sitting means her life will be shorter, but life without soda isn’t worth living anyways, or something like that. The reasoning is stupid, but you know she is loyal to it, so you have to accept it. “It’s refreshing. So gentle. You’ll be talking to someone else, and he’ll just be staring at you like he can’t quite believe you’re his.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” you say. 

Your mother is about to say something else, but she is interrupted by a loud whoop. Michael Kaiser has hit a hole-in-one, and before you can tell him to stop embarrassing himself, your father is cheering, throwing his arms around him and calling him son.

“Your father likes him, too,” your mother says. 

“Oh, he needs to stop that! I can’t believe he’s making things so awkward,” you say, getting up to reprimand him before realizing that there is an entirely foreign sheen to Michael Kaiser’s eyes as he rests his chin on your father’s shoulder. He is not quite smiling, but it is a close approximation of the expression, and when your father ruffles his hair and says that it may have been beginner’s luck but he’s proud regardless, the curve of his lips becomes deeper.

You don’t understand, but you don’t need to. You may have facilitated it, but the moment belongs to him, and your presence is as unwanted as it is unnecessary.

You sit back down and take a sip of your mother’s soda. She grins knowingly and says that you look like you are in love, too. You don’t have the heart to tell her the truth, so you hum noncommittally and say that you might be.

You are growing fond of Michael Kaiser. It isn’t a slow realization — actually, it hits you very suddenly one day. He hands you a bouquet of flowers before opening the passenger door of his car for you. You ask him why he’s brought you peonies instead of roses, and he says it’s because he despises roses. It’s such an absurd answer and he says it with such a straight face that you have to cough in order to disguise your choked laughter. 

“Those must be some other kind of flower, then,” you say, pointing at but not touching his tattoos, at the delicate petals which fold over his pulse, azure and bright and silky. 

“No, those are roses,” he says, his knuckles growing white on the steering wheel. Normally, you wouldn’t ask further, but today you want to prod at his bruise of an existence, so you turn the music down and hug the peonies to your chest.

“But you despise roses,” you say.

“It’s a good reminder,” he says. “No flower lies quite as well as a rose does.”

That is when you are certain that you are partial to him. It is an unavoidable fact and also a treacherous one, but true notwithstanding. 

You put the peonies in a vase of water when you get home that night and hope they never die, although you know that they will be gone within the week. It’s how time works. The peonies will die and you two will break up and you’ll have nothing but a bare kitchen counter and thoughts of his intricacies to remember him by. 

There are no paparazzi around on the night when he wraps your hands around his throat. You are alone with him, sequestered away in the living room of his mansion, a bowl of popcorn shoved between the two of you while a movie plays in the background. This seclusion defeats the original purpose of the relationship entirely, but you sense that that original purpose is no longer fully applicable, so you do not refuse when he calls you and demands you come.

There’s a blanket tossed over your legs, the brilliant colors of his soccer club’s emblem faded from repeated washes. It’s warm, and if you were not busily eating most of the popcorn, you’d pull it up around your shoulders. As for Michael Kaiser, he’s facing the screen, his hair tied back in a knot, a pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his nose and reflecting the visage of the lead actress as she laughs. You observe him as you snack. You’ve seen this movie before and didn’t really like it, so you’re not missing much. He’s more interesting by far.

“I know that woman,” you say, so that he has to acknowledge you.

“Hm,” he says.

“She’s a jerk,” you say. 

“Sounds like your kind of company,” he says. You scoff, because he’s not wrong. He keeps watching the movie, and you keep watching him, until a thought occurs to you.

“Can I call you Michael? Even when it’s just us two,” you ask. He purses his lips. The actress screams. Her character has just died, but the scene is poorly shot and even more poorly acted, so it’s not as heart-wrenching as it should be. You would’ve done better, but your agent doesn’t want you taking any gory roles, and your manager agrees. In his professional opinion, it’ll ruin the doll-like persona you’ve spent so long cultivating. He’s probably right. It’s hard to adore a doll once you’ve watched it die so gruesomely.

“You can do whatever you want,” he says.

“Okay,” you say, swallowing another mouthful of popcorn, the salt lingering on your tongue long after the popcorn itself is gone. “Michael.”

“Yes?” he says.

“Nothing,” you say. “I just wanted to say your name.”

“Okay,” he says. “Y/N?”

He’s never called you that in private. Of course, when you’re out and about, he must refer to you with such familiarity, but in private you’ve never been anything but Miss L/N. It’s a change but a good one. You don’t want to ever be Miss L/N again. Not to him.

“Yes?” you say.

“I’m trying to watch this movie,” he says. “It has high ratings, so be quiet and allow me to finish.”

“It’s shitty,” you say, yawning and leaning back against the mountain of pillows you’ve created for yourself. “Overly gratuitous with its use of fake blood.”

“Right, because that’s a cardinal sin,” he says dryly.

“Sorry, but it’s hard to enjoy films when you know how they’re made,” you say. He picks up the remote and pauses the movie. You blink, because that’s about the last thing you expected from him. Then he turns the TV off entirely and you realize you’ll probably never be able to predict what he does next, so you should stop trying already.

“I know how movies are made,” he says.

“Did you have a secret acting career you never told me about?” you say. It’s a joke, but you also wouldn’t be surprised if it’s true. He’s taken to performing like a fish takes to water, and every day you tell him he should quit soccer and devote his life to cinema because of this uncanny skill.

“Not me, but my mother was an actress, and my father was a director,” he says. 

“Was?” you say.

“Maybe they still are,” he says. “I don’t know. We’re not on speaking terms.”

“Why not?” you say. He takes your hands in between his, and you can make out immediately that his instinct is to hurt you, to press his fingertips into your wrists so hard that they leave marks. It’s to his credit that he fights back the urge, fights it back and arranges your palms against his carotid arteries. His jaw clenches and his pupils dilate as he waits for you to realize; when you do, you rip your hands away for fear of wounding him further.

“Don’t pity me,” he instructs you, unpausing the movie like nothing happened. “And don’t ever bring it up again.” 

Now that you have his permission to refer to him only by his name, you develop a strange fascination with saying it. He’s amused by your new fixation, answering you in a lilting tone every time you call for him.

According to him, you are like a small nightingale, always warbling, always happy, fluttering around beside him and changing his mood for the better. Well, if you are like a nightingale, then he is like a dog, and you tell him as much when you are sitting across from him at a coffee shop.

“A dog?” he repeats, his face pinching. He’s just taken a swig of the black coffee he always orders, but you know his disgusted expression isn’t a symptom of the beverage’s bitterness. “Take that back.”

“Not in a bad way,” you say. Your own drink is sweet, so you sip on it slowly to prevent a stomach ache. “I’m not calling you pathetic. I just mean that you are amiable and lively. It’s a compliment.”

“It’s not who I really am,” he says. “Have I deceived even you? Amiable? Lively? Remember why this entire scam began in the first place — because I am neither of those things.”

“Right,” you say. “A peacock, then. Terribly vain and entirely alluring.”

He relaxes and raises his cup to his mouth again. He’ll be up late tonight, he always is when he has coffee, but it never stops him from drinking it. “That’s better.”

The reminder that whatever you have with him is not real stings more than it should. You throw away your drink almost untouched, which does cause him to raise an eyebrow, but thankfully he refrains from commenting. It’s a relief, because you don’t even know how to explain it to yourself, let alone him.

He walks you to your front porch and waits with crossed arms as you fish for the key in your purse, shoving it in the lock once you have it in your grasp. His farewell when you open the door is stilted and abnormal, so you stop him with a hand on his arm before he can go.

“Michael,” you say. You’ve never said his name like this before. It comes from a place raw and deep within you, a place that you are certain is purple and black like a wound. You say it like you love him, and you think it must be because you do.

“Yes?” he says. It’s the way he always responds to you, his voice like a song, a small smile on his ordinarily strict face — though today, he is not smiling. Instead, he is frowning, like he has come to an understanding that he would have rather not reached.

“Never mind,” you say. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” he says. He drives away, his car disappearing around the corner, leaving you standing alone in the still-open doorway and wondering how you will survive the day when he disappears permanently. 

You’re not sure what it is about him that makes pretending difficult, but suddenly, it’s a struggle for you to maintain your aloof front. You find it disconcerting, that he has taken this aspect of your identity and rendered it entirely null and void; it’s even more disconcerting that he has done it unwittingly and unsympathetically. If you loved him any less, you would hate him, because he has stolen who you are and left you blind and fumbling, but you fell for him, and the way you landed broke something fundamental, so that it is impossible for you to get back up. 

“I think that I love you,” you say. You are on his couch again, and there is a movie playing again, which is all too similar to a past scenario that you think about when you are lonely. Tonight, it’s some soccer documentary that you find so tedious you are driven to irrationality. 

He drops the glass of water in his hands; you reach out and catch it before it can spill, setting it on the table in front of you. 

“What?” he says. You shrug.

“I love you,” you say again, and you’re flippant about it because you’re not telling him in the hopes he loves you, too. In fact, you know that he does not, so you are using him as a confessional; after all, the minimum he owes you is sharing the burden of this sin.

“There’s no one around,” he says. “You don’t have to lie. It won’t gain us anything.”

“It hasn’t gained us anything in a long while,” you say. It’s true — your relationship isn’t trending anymore, and most of your dates are in locations where you will not be recognized. 

He stands up. The documentary continues as he paces, and a referee blows a whistle while he tangles his fingers in his hair and pulls. You stay on the couch, your eyes following his erratic movements, your hands folded in your lap.

“No, you don’t,” he says.

“I don’t what?” you say.

“You don’t love me,” he says. He wants to sound callous, you are sure of it, but the effect is lost on you. He sounds more lost than anything.

“But I do,” you respond. “Who are you to tell me I don’t?”

“Don’t,” he says. “Stop it. This instant.”

You laugh incredulously. “Do you think it’s that easy? I wouldn’t feel like this in the first place if it was.”

“Why?” he says. He’s still pacing. It’s like watching a tiger in a zoo. You want to study him, but he demands your attention in a different way. “Y/N. Why me? Why at all?”

“The reasons don’t matter, do they? I can tell you, but they won’t change anything,” you say, shrugging. “If you find yourself in the kitchen, bring water back for me. I’m thirsty.”

“Drink mine,” he says, pointing at the cup you had narrowly saved from disaster. “And quit your avoidance. Tell it to me plainly. Why?”

“Because you are you,” you say once you have drained half of his glass and your tongue is not quite as papery. “It’s a series of things; there’s not just one concrete reason. You hate roses and only drink black coffee. My mother thinks you’re handsome and my father is convinced you’re a golfing genius. You are a dog but also a peacock and then again an emperor. Don’t ask ridiculous questions and expect me to answer them when I cannot.”

“I’ll hurt you,” he says. “I’ll hurt you, Y/N, and I don’t — I don’t want to. You’re the only one who I don’t want to hurt, so just give up. It’s for the better if you do.”

“You won’t,” you say. “I don’t think you can.”

“Of course I can,” he says. “It’s the one thing I’m capable of. The only way I know how to love someone is by hurting them. I’ll do the same to you if you let me, and if you’re telling the truth, then you will let me.”

“Because I love you?” you say. “You think I’ll let you hurt me because I love you? For shame, Michael. I thought you knew me better than that.”

“Please,” he says. It’s a word he’s never said, not to you and not in his life. Its weight hangs before you, pulsating in the air like it’s tangible. “If I love you, I’ll destroy you. And then you’ll leave, and it’ll destroy me.”

It’s a selfless desire that he’s disguising as a selfish one. You’re good at pretending, but you’re not good at telling when others are. That much is obvious, because if you had any talent at the latter then you would’ve seen that he’s loved you for as long as you have loved him, maybe longer. He loves you and so he’s urging you to flee, to destroy him before he can do it to you first.

“Damned if I do and damned if I don’t, huh?” you say, exhaling and finishing off the rest of his water. “Listen to me.”

“No,” he says. His obstinance is endearing, but you throw a pillow at him instead of cooing like you want to. He catches it and tosses it back. It lands beside you with a thump. You pat it for emphasis.

“Yes,” you say. “I love you.”

He plugs his ears with his fingers. “Nope.”

“I love you, I love you — hey, I know you can hear me!” you say.

“La la la,” he shouts over your voice, sticking his tongue out petulantly. “I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you!”

“You’re cruel,” you say. “I won’t deny it. I know who you really are, Michael Kaiser. You possess cruelty in spades, but it’s in the way that a rose does. You have grown malice like thorns so that no one may come near your heart, and you think these thorns will tear me apart when I extend my hand past them. What you aren’t accounting for is that I have done so already. I have reached your heart and still I am intact. Now, what is there to cause me harm — a mere flower? But a flower can’t cause anyone harm, least of all a person such as myself. You can’t, or more importantly you won’t. I believe that you won’t.”

He stares at you. The soccer team in the documentary still playing behind him scores, and the crowd roars in approval. You stare back at him and wait.

“I hate roses,” he finally says. “I hate them a lot. They’re the worst kind of flower.”

“I don’t know about that,” you say. “I quite fancy them.”

“They prick your fingers,” he says.

“Not if you are gentle,” you say. “Not if you understand them.”

He buries his face in his hands. “Go home, Y/N.”

You do as you are told, flagging a taxi and shivering while you wait for it. You wish for things to be different, but the amount of unfulfilled wishes you’ve made outnumber the stars in the sky, so you add this one to the list and vow to move on.

You have no desire to leave your bed the next morning, but you are also hungry, and your hunger wins out over your despair. You muster up the energy to roll out of your sheets and trudge downstairs, but you are miserable as you do so. You are utterly miserable, and the fact that you are only worsens the feeling, trapping you in an endless kind of loop.

When you enter your kitchen, you are surprised to see a pot of flowers sitting innocently on your counter. You didn’t put them there, so you should feel afraid, but they’re roses, and they’re the same arresting shade as the sky, so you don’t. You only grin, slowly and then all at once as you begin to giggle helplessly.

There isn’t a card or an explanation provided, but you don’t need either. You already know who they are from.

[naughtyneganjdm]

Christmas in Jackson - Chapter 10

Summary: During his late night shift at the inn, Joel is accompanied by Y/N so he won't be lonely. The two of them continue to learn more about one another and grow closer, but their addiction to one another causes Tommy to get angry with Joel when he lacks focus on his responsibilities.

Characters: Joel Miller, the reader (OC), Tommy, etc.

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/61159651/chapters/163548130

Warnings: 18+, Swearing, Smut, Unprotected P in V, Oral (man receiving), etc.

Notes: I am very, very sorry that I haven't finished this yet. My life has been very hectic with school and work, but I'm going to do by best to get this done as soon as possible. It has a few chapters left. Thanks to anyone that puts up with me and still reads this. You guys are awesome! If you'd like to read previous chapters, check them out here.

For as long as he could remember, Christmas had always been so mundane and repetitive for Joel. Years ago he lost complete and total interest in the holiday. It didn’t bring him joy nor happiness, it just made him sad and depressed. And last week? He just assumed he would be having the same exact kind of Christmas that he had been having since he moved to Jackson to be near Tommy. Which was usually him being alone on Christmas Eve. Since living here? He was always by himself. That meant he was always trying to find ways to keep himself busy. Whether that was working at the inn, working at home in his office on his carvings or volunteering somewhere in town. It was the only way he could make it through the day without going crazy or letting his loneliness swallow him whole. Then, on Christmas day he would have to pretend with Maria and Tommy. Muster up enough strength to be able to act like he was okay. Like he was normal and he could enjoy what the meaning of Christmas was. While he appreciated Tommy and Maria trying to include him with things, it did take Maria a while to open up to Joel. Especially since Tommy never kept anything from his wife, so Maria had no misunderstandings about Joel’s past. Spending Christmas with his brother and Maria was more so to appease Tommy anyways. But even after Maria had warmed up to the idea of Joel, it still felt like he was the third wheel between them. Like he wasn’t meant to be there.

But the worst part of Christmas time? Maria and Tommy always had a special dinner the day after Christmas where all of their friends and family got together. Which really meant people that Maria and Tommy were close to, but they always managed to pull Joel along with them. The problem was Maria didn’t hide things from her family either, so Maria’s family was never the biggest fans of Joel. And they never let him forget it.

That was the nice thing about this Christmas though. Instead of being alone and forcing himself to keep his mind busy, Joel had someone that he actually cared for. Someone that he wanted to be around. And that loneliness that he grew accustomed to? Well it just disappeared. It was still part of him, but that hole had been filled with a feeling that he hadn’t experienced in a very long time and he liked it.

Right now, it was a little past midnight on Christmas Eve and he was seated in the lobby working just as Tommy had requested him to do. Which really just meant he was sitting around and doing nothing, like most nights he had to work overnight for the inn. He was just there to babysit the place and make sure that no one showed up during the night or needed anything. But he didn’t hate this like he did the last couple of years. That’s because sitting across from him at the coffee table staring down at the chess board they had pulled out to distract themselves was Y/N.

Even though he told her it would be okay if she went to bed, she insisted that she wanted to be with him stating that he shouldn’t be alone on Christmas Eve. So he didn’t fight her on it. Hell, he welcomed the company. It was nice having her around.

Leaning forward in her seat across from Joel, her face scrunched up while she stared intensely down at the chessboard, scrutinizing every piece. What she was doing was considering her next move and she was deep in thought. He could tell that she was trying to play out every possible scenario in her head and it made him smile how seriously she was actually taking this game. Watching her brought a smile to his face. In his eyes, she was incredibly charming and cute with the frustration that flooded through her face when she didn’t know what to do next. Tipping his head to the side, his eyebrows bounced up when her eyes lifted and she noticed that he was staring out at her visibly entertained.

“You’ve gotta make your move at some point,” he informed her, holding his hand out toward the chessboard causing her to scoff in response. Sure, he was pretending to be impatient, but he really didn’t give a damn how long she took. He just liked playing with her and pushing her buttons a little bit. “I think we may have the longest game of chess on our hands right here.”

“I have to think this out,” she defended herself since they were nearing the end of their game. “You told me that you could play this, but you couldn’t play this well. And I think you were lying to me because you are kicking my ass.”

“What would I have to gain from lying to you honey? I genuinely warned you ahead of time because I really don’t play this well,” Joel insisted with a snicker as a rush of color flooded into her features. His nose wrinkled in amusement that she even thought he was lying to her about it. “Sadly, it just means you play this even worse than I do, which is shocking. But? That’s okay! You aren’t going to be the best at everything. I reckon it just shows you’re human. And I like that.”

Dramatically rolling her eyes, she bobbed her head about and held her finger up in front of her lips, “Oh hush. Please. You’re trying to get into my head and I can see what you are doing.”

The glare that she gave him was enough to make him laugh again as she finally decided on her next move with the game. Taking a look at what she did, Joel had to take a moment to pause. That was probably the worst move she could have made while playing because Joel would have easily won the game right then and there. Truthfully? He didn’t know if he should do that though. On the one hand, he could have been kind and ignored the fact that he could easily destroy her with the potential of making her feel bad. Or? There was the possibility that she would realize that he was letting her win and she could be offended by that. She really didn’t seem like the kind of girl that would be okay with a man letting her win because she really seemed like the type that wanted to earn what she had. So instead, he slid forward in the chair and reached out to make the move that would ultimately lead to him winning the game.

Watching her closely, her expression almost immediately changed when she realized the mistake that she had made and a long exhale escaped her lips, “Well, shit.”

Snorting, he slid back in his chair and watched her dramatically drop back into her seat. What she was doing in that moment was trying to play out where she went wrong and it brought some amusement for him, “Maybe you’re just tired? Y’know you don’t have to keep hanging out with me if you’d rather be sleeping. I can just finish up here and then come get you in the morning.”

“Nonsense, I want to be with you,” she assured him, shaking her head a few times at the idea of leaving him. They already had this conversation and she made it clear then she wasn’t planning on leaving him alone. “I can only imagine how boring it is all alone down here. Plus, it gives us more time with one another.”

“Well, yeah, but now I’m getting addicted to being around you and I’m developing some serious codependency issues here,” he suggested with a weak smile, knowing that while he was teasing her about it, he did actually notice that the more they were together the less he wanted to be away from her. Hearing that made her dramatically frown and he laughed out at her response. “I’m just saying, I do acknowledge that we have to spend some time apart, y’know? Not that I don’t love being with you because I do.”

“Well then I guess it’s a good thing we had those few hours apart when you first got here,” she dismissed his thoughts refusing to believe that they needed to have any more time apart than they already had. “Are you already forgetting that I went out for a walk around town when you started work? I think that’s more than enough time if you ask me.”

“Oh, right. My mistake,” he mused, his smile growing bigger at the idea that she actually wanted to spend extensive amounts of time with him. “So what did you do with your time while we were apart? Did you find someone new you might want to spend Christmas with?”

“Please, you’re the only person I have eyes for here,” she claimed, biting down on her bottom lip realizing that he just wanted to hear that he was special for her. “I just walked around town. Checked out some of the places that I haven’t seen yet. I had some shopping that I wanted to do. But? I have to tell you, I think your brother told probably the whole town that I was your girlfriend now.”

“That would not surprise me,” he admitted, the line at the bridge of his nose growing deeper when he shook his head. Tommy did have a habit of running his mouth, even if he didn’t mean to. “I believe you, but why do you think that?”

“Well, I either had people that looked like they were afraid to even approach me,” she stated, thinking back on her time out on her own, “Or I had people coming up to talk to me proving that they were much more relaxed with me. Everyone seems to know my name now.”

“I’m sorry. My brother always had a big mouth and it consistently got him in trouble growing up,” he chuckled to himself recalling what their life was like growing up. “Keeping things a secret was always very hard for him. Even when we were children, he’d always come clean. Even if our parents weren’t onto us. He couldn’t handle the pressure of it. Used to drive me nuts. In fact, there is only one thing that I can think of where he…”

A long pause followed. The amusement that was there gradually left and Joel’s expression slowly changed to something that was very serious, “Where he was able to keep a lie. It probably still kills him to this day that he had to keep up with that lie.”

Instead of focusing on the fact that whatever it was Joel was thinking about seemed to be something bad, she decided to make light of the situation, “Learning new things about Tommy every day.”

Something about that conversation had upset Joel, so she decided to change the subject, “You know, I actually think most people know that I’m a doctor in town. I had a few people come up to me today asking me medical questions. I mean, I had a lot of people coming up to me today, but that’s beside the point.”

“Seriously?” his right eyebrow arched in curiosity and she gave him a firm nod. “What did they want to talk to you about?”

“The medical questions? Well, I had four people come up to me to ask me those,” she explained to him, resting back in the chair that she was in as she thought back on the topics that she discussed. “One of them was a pregnant woman that wanted to ask me a few questions about childbirth. Since it was her first that she was pregnant with, she was concerned after doing a google search and saw certain statistics. One person asked me if there were any natural remedies to help deal with stress and anxiety. Another person asked me if I had any suggestions about how they could keep themselves from being dehydrated and another older gentleman wanted me to take a look at one of his infected teeth asking me if he should get it taken care of.”

“God,” Joel buried his head into his hand, a warmth flooding into his face when he realized that the last one was disgusting. “As you can see, we don’t have the best healthcare out here so people are probably excited at the idea of having a hotshot doctor around that they can talk to. Our hospital is very small and most of our doctors are extremely old. So people will hop on that if they get the chance to ask you things.”

“I really don’t mind,” she refused to accept an apology about that kind of thing, waving her hand about in the air. “Back at the hospital I had to do a lot of hours at the clinic anyways, so I’m used to this kind of thing. I have a lot of experience in this area. I’m not sure anything would surprise me after all I’ve seen in New York City as a doctor.”

“Now don’t say that because this town could surprise you,” he warned her, holding his hand up to caution her at the idea of what the people here were capable of. “What were the other people coming up to you about? You said that you had a lot of people approaching you.”

“To talk about you,” she confessed eliciting a confused breath from him with his eyebrows furrowing. “Yeah, I guess they were starting to wonder if you would ever date someone. A few of them told me about a woman that your brother tried to hook you up with.”

“You’re serious?” he groaned out, dropping his head back and letting out a disgusted breath. By his reaction to what she said, she was certain that some of the gossip she heard from the people in town were real. At least the stories they told were walking the line of what really happened. “I can’t believe these people can’t mind their own business. That’s the only fucked up thing about small towns. It’s like they are trying to chase you away from me.”

“Now, that’s never going to happen,” she promised him, amused that his first worry was thinking that a few people gossiping to her about a woman that Tommy tried to hook Joel up with would chase her away. “Although, I do have to wonder if this woman is going to be holding a grudge against me when she hears that I actually managed to get you to start dating me.”

Shaking his head, he dragged his hand down over his face in a frustrated manner, “What was her name again?”

“Esther,” he responded, shaking his head at the thought of the only woman his brother ever managed to convince him to go on a blind date with. “Tommy begged me to go out with this woman. Forever. So I finally said yes after the hundredth time he bothered me about it. I guess she had a crush on me.”

“I mean, I can’t blame her,” she piped in getting Joel to roll his eyes dramatically. “I love the name.”

“Be nice,” he snickered, pointing his finger in her general direction. Throwing her hands up in the air, she feigned innocence and shook her head like she didn’t mean anything by it. “She talked a lot. And I mean a lot. Don’t get me wrong, she was nice and she was a pretty girl. And on occasion? She had a good sense of humor where she could make me laugh, but we did not match well at all. The more time I spent with her, the more I realized that.”

“Oh? What was it that turned you away, just so I know what not to do,” she interrogated him, her eyebrow arching in curiosity pulling forth a snort from him that she was interested to hear more. “I think these things are good to know. I talk a lot.”

“Yeah, but I like listening to you,” he defended, his hand placing in over the center of his chest. Trying to think of what it was that bothered him, he shrugged and sighed loudly. “She was just very unrealistic. She didn’t know to the full extent of my background, but she just thought everything was sunshine and roses. She didn’t understand that some days were hard and she always expected me to be happy. And the way she rambled on, my God…she was always talking.”

“Did the two of you have sex?” she blurt out provoking him to huff out, his eyes narrowing out at her with her being blunt about her thoughts.

“I told you, I haven’t had sex since before I came to this town,” he repeated what he had already said to her before. Nodding, she lowered her head and it made him smile. “Not that she didn’t try. Trust me, she tried. I was always pulling her hands out of my pants. Even on the very first night.”

After considering things, he shrugged his shoulders and took in a long exhale, “I don’t think I’ve really thought about Esther in a very long time. But I tell you what? I never thought I would be in a relationship again because when people…when they get to know me? It’s never good. Once people learn who I really am, they aren’t able to accept it. So it’s better to push them away when I can.”

“Yet you took a chance with me,” she noted, having his expression gradually turn very serious. “Why?”

“Because we’re both broken and you understand that I’m not always gonna have sunshine and rainbows flooding out of my asshole,” he snorted having her face scrunch up in entertainment over that comment. It made her laugh, but he knew that she realized what he was trying to say. “Plus, I do have to tell you it was way too close with Tommy trying to hook me up with that woman. I had just lost Tess not that long before…”

Surprisingly, it went silent real fast between them both. Before now, Joel had never mentioned her name out loud around Y/N, “Tess was…she was the woman from Boston. I just wasn’t ready for things. And Tommy wanted me to marry Esther off immediately. It was all very strange.”

There were a few directions this conversation could go in. She could talk to Joel about Tess, but by his expression she could tell that he was disappointed in himself for saying her name out loud. So she felt like that really wasn’t the best way to do things. She made a promise to him that she would never push him into talking about things that he wasn’t ready to talk about. And then there was the option of talking about Tommy, but she felt like that could turn to something sad too. So she decided to run with the silly and flippant direction where he wasn’t forced into a situation he was uncomfortable with.

“So what you’re telling me is that there is a strong possibility that this Esther woman may want to stab me in the middle of the street for stealing her man,” she joked eliciting the most amused snort followed by a rumble of laughter from Joel who leaned forward grasping at his mid abdomen through is chuckling. “I’m just saying…”

“I wouldn’t think so, but anything is possible,” he began, happy that she was able to make him laugh in moments where he really needed it. Gathering himself, he wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand to sweep the dampness from his laughter away. In that moment though, he thought about Tess and how quickly he blew everything off. “Listen, about Tess...”

“Hey…” she interrupted him, holding her hand up to stop him before he had to go into explaining himself to her. “You don’t have to talk about her because you feel like you have to. Unless it’s something you do want to talk about with me. I just want you to know you don’t have to explain things to me. We have an understanding. I’m not going to force you to talk about things that hurt you. Instead, let’s just focus on playing another round of this, okay?”

“You really want to play again?” Joel mused with her setting the chessboard back up, noticing the glare that she gave him and he let out a small rumble of a laugh. Truthfully? He was thankful that she was as relaxed about things as she was. It made it easier to be with her and not have to worry about things. A lot of people wouldn’t be like that with someone. “I’m just sayin’, we can do other things. Things a little less complicated.”

“Like what?” she finished putting the chessboard back together as Joel reached for his phone where he was quietly playing Christmas music for them to help pass the time. Changing the song, he set his phone back down on the table and sighed loudly. “Do you have any other board games hidden away somewhere? I can’t imagine you would want to play something like truth or dare.”

“Within reason, I wouldn’t mind,” Joel brushed his fingers through his messy hair, sliding forward on the chair he was in. Taking a quick look back over his shoulder he made sure that they were still the only ones in the empty lobby of the inn. When he brought his attention back to her, he saw that she was holding her hands out near the fire to warm them up. “We’ll just have to be quiet and be careful with what we do.”

“How many people are staying at the inn right now?” she wondered, almost expecting Joel to know, but by his expression she knew that he really had no idea. After a while, he released a laugh and shrugged his shoulders. “You really aren’t a good owner.”

“I reckon you’re not wrong,” he realized that she was teasing him, but the statement was true. Joel just did this to appease Tommy so they could work together again. “So go for it. Truth or dare?”

“Truth?” she shrugged her shoulders getting a disappointed face from Joel since she was starting off safe. Really, she couldn’t even begin to imagine what kind of dare they could come up with in here. It took a while for Joel to come up with a question before he pulled himself to the edge of his seat and stared out at her behind narrowed eyes.

“What’s your least favorite thing about me physically?” he sighed loudly, getting a grunt of disapproval from her and he laughed. “What?”

“Nothing,” she immediately responded drawing him to roll his eyes and drop back against the chair. Obviously, he expected her to come up with something, but there was nothing that came to mind. “I mean it. Physically, there is nothing wrong with you. I find you very, very appealing. Do you think there is something wrong with you?”

“My scars?” Joel pointed toward his abdomen and the one that was on his face. Almost immediately she shook her head and sighed loudly. “I don’t know then. My patchy facial hair. I can’t grow a full beard. Some women are turned off by an uncut man.”

“Some women are stupid,” she suggested with a scoff, her face twisting with confusion before she let out an amused sound. “I like every part of you. Your scars. Your facial hair. Your penis. They are all part of you and I really like you.”

“Smooth answer. Safe answer. But smooth,” Joel replied back as a warmth flooded into his face hearing her say that about him. “You win brownie points of course for that.”

“I do like my brownie points,” she teased him with a wink liking that the conversation seemed to make him smile. Even if he didn’t want that answer, she knew that hearing her response made him feel good. “Alright, so truth or dare?”

“Dare,” Joel responded bouncing his eyebrows as if that was the more rebellious choice. When truthfully? Joel probably wanted to avoid truth as much as he could because he didn’t know how much or how little he could actually say to her.

“Hmm…” she took her time to think about things before a smirk flooded over her face. “I dare you to sing for me.”

“No,” Joel was quick to shake his head getting a disappointed breath from her.

“You’re not allowed to say no,” she fought back with him hearing the amused laughter that followed. “I’m your girlfriend now, it’s official. So you can sing for me.”

“And the answer is still no,” he chuckled, sliding down in his chair stretching his legs further out. So badly she wanted to hear him sing and he knew that, but that was something he wasn’t going to approach. “You gotta give me something else because that’s a big no.”

“Alright, fine,” she frowned hating that for some reason he was so against singing for her. Shrugging her shoulders, she thought for a long moment until she noticed that the song that was playing from his phone was something that was upbeat. “Dance for me then? Or is that a no too? Because if it’s a no, then I don’t want to play this anymore.”

“Don’t be so sassy,” he hushed with a growl, pushing himself up from the seat and standing from the chair with a grunt. Her eyes followed his movement when he stepped into an area where he would have room. Listening to the song for a moment had her wondering if he would actually dance for her or not. Once he got a feel for the tune, he started dancing for her almost immediately causing her to laugh out. The way he danced was so over the top with the way he moved his body. With most occasions, he wouldn’t be caught dead doing something like this, but he liked hearing her laugh. Biting back a smile, he tried to stay focused while he kept up with the dance. There was only one other person in his life that he would have ever done this for. Hell, he was an old man. He had no business doing shit like this, but to hear her laughter and to see her smiling like she was? It was worth it. Even though he was being dramatic in the way that he moved, he wasn’t actually dancing bad, he was just being silly with the way that he was doing it. Reaching for his jacket, he pulled it down his arms and started to shimmy in front of her provoking her to clap when he finally gave up. “Satisfied?”

“Oh, very,” she responded between tiny giggles. Pulling his jacket back up over his arms, Joel headed back toward his seat and dropped down dramatically. “And you hate dancing? You’re actually not that bad at it.”

“That’s because I was a stripper when I was younger,” he blurt out and by the look that she gave him, he could see she was taking a moment to consider what he was telling her. “I…it was a joke. I wasn’t. My first job was flipping burgers somewhere, then I was a contractor and now I’m the owner of this amazing place.”

“I feel some sarcasm there in that last line,” she teased him and he tipped his head from side to side. It was obvious that Joel liked where he was, but he made it clear it wasn’t a job he was necessarily proud of. “Do you miss being a contractor?”

“You’re cheating at this game,” Joel whistled, holding his hand out and circling his finger in her direction. “I picked dare and ow you’re trying to get a truth out of me. Hell, this would be the second truth since I told you what my first job was.”

“Trying to connect with my boyfriend on a personal level, my mistake,” she held her hands up in defense getting Joel to snicker. “Excuse me.”

“How dare you,” he played back with her, his face scrunching up. A laugh escaped her and it made him smile. At least they could have fun together and not take things so seriously. “But to answer your question, yes and no. I liked being busy, but not being a contractor has given me time to enjoy the little things. Working on guitars. Learning how to carve. Y’know, be more artistic in a smaller scale. My job before was stressful.”

With a nod, she appreciated that he was honest with her, “So you’re turn sweetheart. Truth or dare?”

“Dare,” she gave him the answer opposite of the last since she knew he was disappointed with her original choice.

Shifting in his chair he took another quick look around the lobby before clearing his throat, “I dare you to flash me.”

“Flash you?” she blurt out with a laugh, biting down on her bottom lip. “Like what? My ass or my breasts?”

“Your breasts,” he held his hand out, a wicked smirk tugging at his handsome features.

“Don’t you guys have cameras in here?” she wondered looking around to see if she could spot one to justify her not doing it. “I’m going to give Tommy a jump scare if he ends up seeing it.”

“Not over here,” he waved his hand in the air, his nose wrinkling with him getting more comfortable in the chair that he was in. “Plus, it’s not like it’s something that he hasn’t seen before.”

“That doesn’t make it better,” she burst out into a laughter that he joined her in recalling what Tommy had walked in on earlier. “The more I get to know your brother, the more I am beginning to realize what a weirdo he is fully capable of being.”

“I told you,” he responded with a smirk, placing his hand in over the center of his chest. Once they stopped laughing, he saw her look around. It looked like she was going to consider telling him no until she reached for the bottom of her shirt. Lifting it up, she managed to pull at the bottom of her bra when she reached it, tugging that up as well to reveal her breasts. A long exhale escaped him with him clearing his throat. God, he’d seen her naked many times at this point, but he was in awe of her body. Allowing him to have a good minute or so, she finally lowered the material back down. What she had done made him smile and she could tell that he was proud of her. “Good girl.”

“Your turn,” she adjusted her bra through the material of her shirt, looking like she was having issues with it until she finally was comfortable again.

“Dare,” he picked the same thing and she swallowed down hard.

“Same dare,” she waved her hand about, feeling justified in asking him to do the same. It only seemed fair after what she had done. Chuckling, he tipped his head down and his dimples became increasingly more prominent.

“That’s a silly dare, but okay,” he sat forward in his chair lifting the bottom of his shirt up to bring it up to the center of his chest to reveal his torso to her. With a dramatic eye roll from her, it had him bursting out in laughter and he feigned innocence. “What? You told me the same dare, so I’m flashing you this…”

Pointing toward his chest had her shaking her head and biting down on her bottom lip, “I was talking about your penis.”

“Well, that’s not what you said. You said you were giving me the same dare. I asked you to flash me your breasts, so I was flashing you my chest. Learn to use your words better dear,” he teased her, the bridge of his nose wrinkling in amusement. Lowering his shirt back down over his body, he took a quick look around and dragged his tongue out across his bottom lip. With a laugh, he arched his eyebrow when his gaze fell back upon her. Working his belt open, he bit down on his bottom lip. Her eyes were focused on his lap as he popped open the button of his jeans. Pulling the zipper down, he knew that this was crazy, but he was willing to do a lot of crazy things for her. Hooking his thumb into the front of the material of his boxer briefs, he tugged down at them. Lifting his hips, he did as she requested exposing himself to her. Color flushed into her face with him clearing his throat. “Is this better?”

“Much,” she breathed out, sucking in a sharp breath of air with Joel smirking.

“You look incredibly turned on and it’s not even hard,” he noted, a rumble of a growl escaping his throat. Dropping his head, he hummed when he tipped his head from side to side. “Well, it’s starting to get hard. With you looking at me like that, he’s getting excited.”

“Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I just really like you,” she reminded him, frowning when he started to work his pants and boxer briefs back over his body.

“Oh, is that the case?” he retorted, his eyebrows bouncing up while he worked his jeans back together along with his belt. “I just really like you too. Are you satisfied?”

“Very,” she admitted realizing that he was arrogant in the moment because he didn’t seem to have a worry in the world about what he had just done. “We’ve suddenly gone from an innocent game to something very naughty.”

“I’m not surprised. That’s what happens when adults play truth or dare,” he snorted, finishing up with his belt. By now her face was hot, her body having a warmth flooding throughout it. “Your turn.”

“Truth,” she responded with him taking a while to consider his next question.

“I’m going to make an assumption about you and you tell me if I’m right or wrong,” he began, stroking his fingers through his messy hair with his eyes narrowing. Something about that drew a curiosity inside of her. “You lost your virginity to your high school boyfriend. You two were childhood sweethearts and the only reason you broke up is because you were going to different colleges across the country.”

“Extremely false,” she shook her head immediately surprising Joel with her answer. “And I won’t tell you what it actually was because you would look down on me for it.”

“Okay, you can’t open with a statement like that and not tell me,” he retorted in a disapproving tone, throwing his hands up. “You have to tell me now and trust me, I wouldn’t think illy of you. I promise you that.”

“You better keep your promise,” she grumbled under her breath as he leaned forward in his seat giving her his full attention. “I had done things, but I didn’t fully lose it until I was eighteen. You have to understand, my uncle kept me locked up like a prisoner most of the time. I don’t know if he was just trying to keep me respectable, or he didn’t want to have to take care of a baby in case I got pregnant. Maybe he just did it because he hated me. It was really hard to date.”

“And why would I judge you for that?” he was confused as to where the whole thought that he would look down on her was.

“I uh…” she paused, showing that she was taking her time to think about whether she wanted to tell him or not what the truth was. “My first time was with my very good-looking physical education teacher who also was my coach.”

“Oh,” he muttered, his eyebrows bouncing up in amusement. Gradually, a rumble of a laugh built up inside of him and he shrugged his shoulders. “I uh, I can’t judge you for that one because I may or may not have slept with a few of my teachers when I was younger. So it’s not like that’s a big deal.”

“You…” she began, her face growing hot with him throwing his hands up. A lot of people had looked down on her for that and most people wouldn’t be that comfortable with a teacher sleeping with their student. Joel being that accepting wasn’t something that she was used to. “There is a big problem with it though. He just…he was…”

“Married?” he finished for her getting her to look down toward the center of her lap. “Again, I don’t know who was married and who wasn’t married. And I lost mine a whole lot younger than you. In the area I lived in, there wasn’t a whole lot for younger folks to do so we’d get in trouble. A lot. I’m not gonna judge you. Plus, you seem to have a type.”

“I do?” her eyebrow quirked and he nodded. “What’s my type.”

“Well, you slept with your coach slash teacher. You were dating the lead surgeon. You are attracted to that kind of power imbalance. Which makes sense. You are strong willed, but you had someone else run your life, so you are attracted to that. And also older men,” he threw out his thoughts glad to see that she wasn’t irritated with him for saying it. “Like me, I’m a switch. Life has kinda been out of my control so I need to be with someone who is capable of being a submissive sometimes for me to be a dominant, but I also need to be with someone who can be my dominant.”

“Good to know,” she commented with a smirk, glad that he wasn’t upset with her for what she said. “To also further your assumption though. I was the one that ended it, not because I was going off to college but because I started to like him too much. And I knew it would lead to nothing good in the end.”

“Hmm…I see,” he slurred, dragging his thumb across his bottom lip. “Not good in bed?”

“Oh no, he was great,” she alerted him, getting him to suck in a sharp breath of air. “Really, really good. He was very arrogant, but within reason.”

“Are you trying to make me jealous?” he wondered, tipping his head to the side releasing a long exhale that made her smile.

“Maybe a little bit?” she teased him, leaning forward to stare out at him with an amused expression. “Pick truth.”

“Go for it,” he did the same thing as her, sliding to the edge of his chair so that he was closer to her.

“If you could change one thing about me, what would it be?” she asked him, surprising him that she went from a very naughty conversation to something that was somewhat serious.

“I’d like for you to think better about yourself,” he whispered, swallowing down hard when her expression changed completely. “You are so strong and the biggest bad ass that I know. You’re not afraid to put people in their place, but your self-esteem is very low because of how the world treated you. I wish you could see yourself the way that I see you. Beautiful. Strong. Unique. Passionate. A pain in the ass, but in the best of ways. And capable of anything. Somehow you managed to make me something I never thought was possible. You’re special. And you should…”

Before he could continue his statement, she leaned forward to brace her hand against the table to steal a kiss from his lips silencing his words. Kissing her back, he hummed against her flesh and smiled when she leaned back and lowered down into her seat again.

“Well, you jumped ahead because that was the dare that I was about to give you. I wanted you to kiss me,” he pointed toward his lips with a weak smile and it made her laugh. “You know what surprised me about you?”

“That you actually ended up liking me?” she joked provoking him to groan and roll his eyes before dropping back against the chair further.

“That even blasted drunk, your talents can match your mouth. You’re a headmaster,” he claimed with an entertained sound when he realized she didn’t know where he was going with that at first. When she knew what he was saying, he couldn’t help but laugh as she gasped. “I’m just sayin’ when people run their mouths about how good at sex they are, they really aren’t all that good. Your last boyfriend was a moron. I’m surprised I’m not completely drained with how much I have come in the last few days.”

“You’ve been storing it for a while,” she countered eliciting a deep, raspy laugh from him since that was not what he was expecting. “I don’t usually run my mouth off like that when I’m not drunk. It’s just when alcohol gets into me…”

“You get arrogant,” he interrupted her, snapping his fingers at her and giving her a wink. “There is nothing wrong with bragging to potential lovers, it’s just when you tell the whole damn town, that’s when there is a problem.”

“I mean if you got it…” she rambled hearing Joel’s growl in response and she licked her lips. “I can make someone last as long or as short as I want them too. It’s just sometimes I like to hand the wheel over to someone else, like I’ve been doing with you. You seem to want to be dominant right now. And I like how it feels. When it’s my turn, you’ll see what I mean.”

“I do enjoy a woman that knows how to climb up on top and take what she wants,” he pat his thigh, motioning her to come over and sit with him. “I am a cowboy after all.”

“Oh, is that right?” she got up from the chair that she was in drawing Joel’s eyebrow to arch when she headed over toward the gift shop. Originally, he thought she was getting up to come and sit in his lap, so he tossed his hand up in the air when she headed the opposite way. Motioning him to wait, she backstepped toward the shop. Taking a look around, she grabbed something and came back with a cowboy hat. With an amused expression, he stared up at her as she approached him. Stepping before him, she placed it in over his head and adjusted it so it fit him correctly. Color flooded into his face with his head tipping back to stare up at her. “It suits you.”

“Ma’am,” he grunted allowing his southern drawl to linger, tipping the hat down slightly. A laugh escaped her lips with him hooking his arm loosely around her waist. Carefully pulling her in over him, he couldn’t help but smile himself when she fell in against his chest. Adjusting her body, she balanced herself in over him, cupping his face tenderly in her hands. Caressing at the backs of her thighs with her knees resting at each side of him, he felt a warmth flooding throughout his body. She was sweeping her thumbs in against the sides of his face, almost calming him with her touch. “You have a cowboy kink, huh?”

“I have a Joel Miller kink. There is just something about you that drives me crazy,” she slurred lowering in closer to bring their lips together in an extended, passionate sweep. With a pleased sound, he tipped his head back and stared out at her with his chocolate brown eyes. “Everything about you appeals to me.”

“As your new boyfriend? I like to hear that,” he hummed, raising his palms up to firmly squeeze at her bottom. Gasping, she tipped the cowboy hat back on his head with his dark eyes locking with hers. One of his hands remained over her ass while the other settled in against the small of her back. “You know what cowboy? I have an idea. Be on watch.”

“Be on watch?” he repeated, visibly unaware of what she meant. Sucking in a sharp breath of air, he felt his body tense up when she cautiously lowered herself between his legs onto the ground. Grunting, he pulled forward with her tugging him toward the edge of the seat. Nervously gazing around, he half laughed when she started pulling apart his belt. “We are in public you know. Someone could show up.”

“This late?” she spoke as her hands started to work apart his jeans getting the zipper down. With a huff, he tried to come up with an answer and shrugged his shoulders. “In all of your time working here has anyone ever come down here at night or arrived after midnight?”

“Yeah,” he grunted, his eyelids growing heavy when she tugged his pants down in the front just enough for her to reach for the waistband of his boxer briefs. Wincing out, he huffed when the contrast of the cool air surrounded his revealed flesh. “I mean it was only you, but with my luck…”

“We’re in the back, no one is going to see as long as you pay attention,” she alerted him, palming at his manhood getting his eyes to flutter to a close. Easily his length was warming up beneath her touch and he choked. “Just listen and make sure we don’t get caught.”

“I don’t know if this is…” he started to speak watching her head lower down and when the warmth of her mouth surrounded his semi erect cock it had his head tipping back against the chair. All of his responsibilities and worries escaped him in that moment. Closing his eyes, his strength to fight was simply gone while she easily got him rigid in no time with the way her tongue and mouth worked to pleasure him. “This is crazy.”

Licking his lips, he opened his eyes again and took a look around to make sure they were still all alone. Truthfully? It was hard to focus with her giving him a blowjob. Did he focus on her? Did he focus on the inn? Even though there was a sense of panic there, it wasn’t enough for him to get her to stop. If they were caught, it really depended on the person who found them what would happen. Most of the town liked him, but there were some that definitely were not fans of him.

“Fuck me,” he winced, his fingers shaking when he lowered his hand and placed it faintly over the center of her back to caress over her shoulders. Allowing her to take the reins on this whole thing, he couldn’t believe that he was actually letting her do this. They had suggested they would do something so much more public than this, but he never really thought they would follow through with it. Then again? They almost did something like this at The Tipsy Bison and they may have if Tommy didn’t interrupt them. Everything about this was honestly a major turn on for him though. Whether it was the set up with them being in the lobby near a warm fireplace or the fact it was possible someone could walk in at any moment, it had him incredibly enthusiastic with what she was doing. Having her pleasuring him like this allowed him to really get a sense of just how good she was with his body. Really, he prided himself on being able to last a significant amount of time when it came to things, but with the way her mouth was moving over him he could tell that she was working him right up to that moment of pure euphoria. And right when it felt like he was going to come, he was quickly stopped. Even though he was trying to be silent, a raspy moan escaped his throat and his fingers cupped at the back of her head. What she was doing was proving a point in bringing him to almost orgasming, edging him just perfectly and then stopping him right when he felt like he was about to come undone. Stroking his fingers at the back of her neck, he grunted and did his best to hold it together. “I’m not sure it’s the best idea for you to be dragging this out.”

Instead of listening to him, he kept up with her movements sticking with the steady pace she had set. Noticeably, she was validating what she had said in the bar that night when she was drunk. She was capable of controlling his pleasure. How easily she was edging him and bringing him right to the brink of an orgasm but then quickly halting it was driving him crazy. And she kept doing it.

“Are you trying to kill me?” he groaned out, his Adam’s apple bouncing in his throat. In that moment, every part of his body was on fire and it felt like the room was spinning around him. A wet popping sound followed when she pulled her mouth from his rigid cock. Stroking her fingers over the length of his erection caused his breathing to grow louder and broken. Smirking, she pressed a delicate kiss against the shaft drawing forth another delicious low rumble of a moan from his throat. “Do I have to dare you to allow me to come? Or would you rather me beg?”

“I don’t know,” she exhaled, a wicked smirk tugging at her lips while her hand unhurriedly caressed at his saliva covered manhood. Testing the flesh in her grasp had a muscle twitching at the corner of his jaw with him sucking in a sharp breath of air. “Hearing you beg would be very sexy.”

“You are such a greedy girl,” he grumbled, reaching out to drag his thumb across her wet bottom lip. The sensation caused her eyes to flutter to a close and he growled out. “Please, would you allow me to come?”

“How do you want it?” she stammered, her eyes coming to a slow open while she continued to tease her fingertips up and over his throbbing ache. Focusing at the tip had his hips bouncing up toward her touch with him letting out something that resembled a whimper that made her smile. “Do you want to rush this or do you want to live out the closest we ever will to a fantasy of ours?”

“Meaning…?” his right eyebrow quipped, his head tipping to the side when she stood up slowly. A worried breath escaped him until he saw her turning away from him. Swallowing down hard, he watched as she managed to push her pants down slowly. Clearing his throat, he shifted in the chair and worked to push his pants down lower realizing where this was going. Reaching out, he hooked his right arm around her waist. With his left, he grabbed a hold of his cock and helped her lower down in over him. The movement was slow with her grasping at his thighs to brace herself as her warmth enveloped him, leaving her with that same addictive stretching feeling. Once she bottomed out, she paused to experience the full sensation. Joel’s palm pressed in over her lower abdomen while his left hand grasped at her hip. Burying his nose against the side of her neck, he peppered kisses against her flesh and heard her panting. “You are so fucking naughty.”

Wincing, he felt her fingertips digging into his thighs when she started to lift her hips up just slightly before lowering them again. Taking another quick look back, he made sure that they were alone. Yeah, this probably wasn’t something they should have been doing, but they were addicted to one another. Right now? They were having a hell of a time keeping their hands off one another. Pretty quickly, her movements went from slow to her rocking herself back against him in swift, firm movements.

When he told her that he liked having a woman that dominated him, she was taking that very seriously with the way she took control of this moment. Watching, he hummed at the way her body bounced over his taking him in time and time again. By how sensitive he already was with her overstimulating him with the blowjob previously, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to last long. But he was pretty sure that’s where she was headed with all of this. Each movement of her hips over his was confident and steady leaving the smacking of their skin filling the area around them.

Squeezing tighter to her hip, he felt his body tensing up and she no doubt caught onto the throbbing of his cock inside of her because her movements over him grew faster and harder. Worried about her, his hand dropped down between her thighs to caress at her clit hoping to get her off at the same time as him. What was supposed to be the two of them being quiet wasn’t very quiet at all. Biting into his bottom lip, he had to silence himself when his hips bounced up toward her with the first hint of his release. Muted groans filled the air, his caress over her body more determined while she continued to move over him until she hit her orgasm as well. Lifting his hand up, he covered her mouth when she fell back against his chest. Nipping at the side of her neck, he winced when she rolled her hips over him a few final times.

“You’re gonna be the death of me,” he chuckled against her jawline, groaning out with the way her tight canal still contracted around him after her orgasm. Hooking his arm around her waist, he pressed tender kisses over the side of her neck and in over her jawline.

“We don’t want that,” she hushed him, whimpering when she shakily pulled herself up from him and quickly pulled her pants back up over her body. Grunting, Joel was quick to get his pants back up and while he worked together his belt he noticed that she was staring at the clock. “Why don’t we go to my room?”

“I’m supposed to be working,” he reminded her, dragging his tongue out across his bottom lip. Right now his heart was still hammering inside of his chest and his body felt like it was on an incredible high. Adjusting the cowboy hat she placed over his head, he cleared his throat and growled. “What happens if someone shows up or wakes up and needs something?”

“Has that happened often around this time of the year?” she lowered back down to sit in his lap. Stroking her fingers against the side of his face had him humming out with a smirk. Sinking her fingers into his graying, dark hair she caressed her fingertips at his scalp and he tipped his head to look back at her with awe. “We can sneak you out, get you back down here by the time someone is supposed to switch with you.”

“Like I said, only one time we’ve had someone show up late,” he responded with a wrinkle of his nose. “And that was you.”

“No one is crazy like me, so then you should be okay,” she suggested, smiling at the way that he chuckled at her trying to get him to play hooky. “I’m the one person silly enough to show up in the middle of the night near Christmas time.”

“Touché, but Tommy would kill me if he found out I left the place empty to go run off with you,” he suggested, snorting at the way she dramatically shrugged her shoulders. “If someone showed up during the middle of the night, he would never let me live it down.”

“I think you’ll be okay,” she hushed, stealing a quick kiss from his lips. Standing up from his lap, her legs still felt like Jell-O as she reached her hand out for his. Taking a moment to think out his options, he sighed loudly and then accepted her hand. Allowing her to pull him up from the seat, he followed her to the stairs and made sure that no one was around. “It doesn’t hurt to be the rebel sometimes.”

“You have no idea,” he grumbled, moving swiftly to pick her up in his arms causing her to gasp out when she wrapped her arms around his shoulders to keep herself from falling. Laughing, he was quick to finish getting up the stairs and he moved for the bedroom. “I have a feeling I would do just about anything you asked me to.”

“Unless it’s having you sing for me,” she reminded him with a frown, her fingers playing with the tiny curls of hair at the back of his neck that was exposed beneath the cowboy hat. “But I’ll get you to sing for me one day.”

“Not a chance,” his nose wrinkled with him chuckling in amusement while he fumbled to get the door opened to her suite. “But you can keep trying if it makes you happy.”

----

Loud knocking sounds filled the air with Y/N’s head tiredly lifting from her pillow. Behind heavy eyelids, it took her a minute to gather herself when she realized by the rays of the sunshine that were flooding into her room that it must have been morning. Yawning, she still felt incredibly tired with the warmth of Joel’s arms wrapped around her with him sleeping behind her. Since being here, she realized that she was actually capable of having a good night’s sleep. She just needed Joel to make her feel relaxed and comfortable for once in her life.

Going to lay her head back down, she let out a frustrated breath when the sound of the knocking continued. At this point? She wondered how long the knocking had gone on because it sounded very aggressive. Huffing out, she looked back over her shoulder to see that Joel was still deep in sleep. His breathing was loud and he couldn’t have been bothered by the sounds of the knocking. Right now, he needed his sleep and she knew that.

Managing to get out of his arms without waking him, she reached for his shirt that they had deposited on the floor the night before. Pulling it up over her arms, she worked together the buttons as she made her way toward the door. Joel’s shirt was just long enough to cover her naked form and she assumed that would be more than enough at the moment to figure out whatever the hell was going on.

Stumbling over a few things, she realized that she was still exhausted and barely awake. Bracing her hand against the wall, she allowed it to help her make it to the door before she finally undid the locks. Opening the door, she gasped when someone pushed through and she let out a frustrated sound seeing that Tommy was standing at the center of her sitting room.

“Please Tommy, why don’t you come in?” she huffed, holding her hand up to gesture him coming into the room before closing the door with a grunt. By the time she gazed upon Tommy’s expression she could see that he was irritated with his hands resting at his hips. “Can I help you?”

“I need to speak with my brother,” Tommy explained, his eyebrows furrowing with his jaw clenching. Noticing that he was angry, she folded her arms in front of her chest and tipped her head to the side.

“What makes you think your brother is here?” she questioned knowing that Joel was sleeping and he deserved to have time to relax.

“I just know and if I didn’t…” Tommy paused to point out at her to circle her body to bring her attention to the fact that she was wearing Joel’s shirt. “I’m pretty sure that’s all I would need to know that my brother is in your bedroom right now.”

Going to move around her, Tommy grunted when she pressed her hands firmly into the center of his chest to get him to back up, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. This is one of those moments Tommy where I need to put my foot down and tell you to knock it off. You are the co-owner of this inn so that does give you some rights, but right now you’re in my room. You pushed your way through and now you’re trying to charge into my bedroom right now where your brother is sleeping. Your brother has a very hard time sleeping so…”

“I respect you and understand you’re right that I shouldn’t have barged in,” Tommy acknowledged, interrupting her speech while holding his hand up in the air to get her to stop. “But this is a moment where it cannot wait and truthfully? I reckon the both of you should hear what I have to say anyways.”

“The hell is goin’ on?” the sound of Joel’s tired voice was heard and they both looked toward the door of the bedroom. Standing in the doorway, Joel was leaning against the doorframe. His hand was holding the sheet that he had pulled with him over himself to keep his naked body covered, but hardly. It made her face flush over and she looked to Tommy who rolled his eyes. “Why are you comin’ in here guns blazing little brother? Aren’t you supposed to be gone on your trip?”

“I needed to talk to you first,” Tommy asserted with Joel huffing out and working to wrap the sheet around his waist. “I don’t even know where to start with you Joel. I asked you to do one thing last night and that was your job. I needed you to stay out there until seven. That was when Jesse was goin’ to show up and then you could have taken off. But what do you think Jesse told me when I showed up this morning?”

“I don’t know, but I reckon it wasn’t much cus’ that boy don’t complain about anything,” Joel retorted with a huff, folding his arms in front of his naked chest. “But why don’t you let me know whatever it is you’re angry about so I can go back to bed for a few hours.”

“He told me that you weren’t there when he got here,” Tommy explained causing Joel to nod slowly and swallow down hard. “And then I got to thinking, I wonder when Joel decided to take off. So I checked the cameras. Do y’know how long you kept the lobby empty Joel?”

“Did someone show up?” he inquired, throwing his right hand up realizing that Y/N appeared to look like she was feeling guilty for making him play hooky with her. The color left Tommy’s features when he sucked in a sharp breath of air and dropped his head. “No, right? So why are you here lecturing me? No one stole nothin’. No one needed help.”

“For fuck’s sake Joel, it’s the idea,” Tommy stressed to Joel, shifting on his feet angrily. Huffing out, he looked between the two of them and let out an irritated breath. “I support the two of you getting together, I do. I want that for you. I am the most excited person here for it,” Tommy defended himself, reaching up to place his hand over the center of his chest to express his emotions, “but you can’t just run off like that. What if someone would have shown up? What if Jesse wouldn’t have made it to his shift?”

“But that didn’t happen,” Joel reasoned with Tommy, grunting out at the idea that his brother was so upset. “I did it once Tommy. On Christmas Eve when I knew we would be okay. I’m co-owner of this inn and I think I know what I’m doin’ little brother. Everything worked itself out and…”

“Do y’know what woulda happened if Maria made it here first? If she checked the tapes?” Tommy hushed Joel, continuing to lecture him when he then looked to Y/N to include her in this moment. “I had to delete video footage from last night and I sure as hell hope Maria don’t notice.”

Choking, Joel felt a heat flooding into his face with the glare that Y/N gave him when she looked back over her shoulder, “When did we uh, when did we…” Joel paused realizing that his brother must have seen what they had done by the expression over his face, “When did we put cameras over there? Because as far as I remembered, I thought we only had them at the entrances, the stairs and the hallways near the bar and restaurant.”

“After we rented out the ballroom and that fight started. Remember how they broke some of our things?” Tommy reminded Joel who let out a long exhale when realization struck him. “I’m gonna have to get a new chair now.”

“Well, to be fair we didn’t make a mess,” Joel defended getting a gasp to escape Y/N and he held his hand out as if to apologize. “I’m just saying, it’s not like anything got on the chair. He’s acting like the chair needs to be set ablaze. You can’t tell me that people haven’t had sex in our inn Tommy. And we ain’t setting the beds on fire. People have sex.”

“What if someone would have caught you Joel?” Tommy reasoned with his brother who still didn’t seem to be too worried. “And what about you? What if you would have been arrested for being caught doing something like that in public? Would your job be okay with it?”

“We’re doin’ a whole lot of what ifs right now and I think you need to relax,” Joel stressed stepping forward to reach out to place his hand in over Y/N’s shoulder to get her to realize that she didn’t need to respond to Tommy. “I appreciate that you deleted the footage and I’ll take into consideration what you’re saying to me.”

“I don’t mean to be rude Joel, but how did the two of you even have it in you to come back up here and continue what you were doing down there? You’re an old man,” Tommy blurt out, embarrassing Joel who grunted out showing that he was uneasy with what Tommy was saying. “Do you know how long what the two of you did last night lasted?”

“Do you?” Y/N snapped, her eyes getting big with Tommy looking to her with an uncomfortable expression. “You watched the video?”

“I didn’t watch it, but I had to scroll through in order to delete things,” Tommy reasoned with her, tipping his head from side to side while attempting to think of what to say next. “And I’m just saying the time stamp was quite a while. I’m surprised he has any body fluids left inside of him.”

“Are we done here?” Joel scoffed, the tension clearly visible in his body from being lecture by his little brother. “I reckon we’re both happy that you deleted the video. I’m sorry if you’re disappointed in us for fooling around, but we don’t regret what we did nor do I wish it didn’t happen. Yes, I’m old. But for the first time in a long time, I’m happy. And I would think that’s something you would want for me.”

That had Tommy going silent and the emotions on his face completely change. Instead of being angry and combative, it seemed like Tommy actually felt guilty for coming in here to lecture them, “You’re right. I’m sorry.”  

Silence followed. No one else knew what to say as Joel kept his stare locked on his younger brother who seemed like he was thoroughly upset with himself, “Just be a little more careful, okay?”

“We’ll do our best,” she responded, moving in beside Joel who loosely wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in closer to him. “Maybe you can go a little easy on us too. What do you think?”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Tommy breathed out, reaching up to brush his long hair back behind his ear. After a moment, it was obvious that Tommy felt out of place and weird standing in the middle of her sitting room and he shifted on his feet. “Maria is probably waiting for me and I should go. I will see the two of you tomorrow?”

“That was the plan,” Joel replied, swallowing down hard when Tommy gave him a small nod. Heading for the door, Joel called out to Tommy having him stop when he started to open the door. “Have a good Christmas Eve with Maria, Tommy.”

“Thank you,” Tommy gave them a final nod before leaving them alone in the room together.

“I am so sorry,” she immediately apologized, turning to look at Joel as she placed her hand in over the center of her chest. “You knew how Tommy would react and I’m the one that convinced you to play hooky in order to spend time with me.”

“I’m not sorry,” he declared with a huff, standing up straighter from where he was in the doorway. Stretching out his body, he let out a grunt and could see her eyes gazing upon the lengths of his naked torso. “You heard Tommy. Nothing bad happened. No one showed up. He was just throwing a fit to throw a fit. It’s probably a payback thing for all the years I had to play father for him when he was getting in trouble. He wants to be able to do it to me now.”

“Fair enough,” she stepped before him, reaching out to place her hand in over the center of his chest. Instinctively, his hands settled at her hips and he sighed loudly with his dark eyes gazing down upon her. “I’m surprised you didn’t know about the cameras though. I am going to have the hardest time looking your brother in the eye knowing that he has seen me naked more than some of my actual dates have.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He’s very much in love with his wife, so it’s not something he will be focusing on,” he insisted with a huff, lowering down enough to press his forehead in against hers. “He’ll be doing his best to erase it from his memory. That’s one thing I can promise you. The last thing he wants to think about is another woman, especially considering he has had to see me naked plenty too.”

Pressing a tender kiss against her temple, Joel hummed and wrapped her up in his arms, “Do you have any plans today?”

“Considering I know so many people here in town…” she started, tipping her head back enough to lock eyes with him drawing out a tired smirk from him.

“So that means you wouldn’t mind spending Christmas Eve with me then?” he confirmed getting an immediate nod from her. Smirking, he leaned down and peppered playful kisses against her lips. “Good, because I already made plans for us today. And hopefully, you like them.”

----

Tags: @jdmorganz @carolineesnell @ayumi-wolf @dilfsandmartinis @christinamadsen

@brittmb115 @thegirlwiththemostcake3 @ashleyfilm

[covenha]

The Perfect Cocktail

Synopsis: You and San get into a fight that leads to Seonghwa and Siyeon having to mix up the perfect cocktail to get the both of you to make up. Pairings: Bff!San x fem!reader ; Renjun from NCT dream is also mentioned in the fic but not as a love interest per se; Siyeon from Dreamcatcher is Seonghwa's fraternal twin in this because I said so genre: crack, fluff, angst if u squint and look really hard Warnings: alcohol drinking and going to a club, oc jokes about offing herself once because of school, Siyeon jokes about a dilf professor WC: 2.8k (I got way too carried away this was supposed to be a blurb 😭); flashbacks are in italics a/n: this is fiction, so anything that is written in this piece does not portray these people's character irl. Please always read the warnings carefully. I got way too carried away with this one, but I hope you guys enjoy it! HIMYM is one of my favorite TV shows and I was inspired to write this fic because I rewatched a couple episodes. I also have no clue why I keep writing about clubs and sports, I have like 0 background in that so if there are any inaccuracies then you'll just have to deal with it lmao. I highkey think the formatting of this fic is off but as always, your feedbacks are always deeply appreciated. Hope you enjoy the fic!

“You know, if it bothers you so much, you should just go and talk to him.” Siyeon points out, taking you out of your train of thought.

“I mean, I could…” But you wouldn’t. Siyeon shakes her head.

You and San had a lot in common. You met at the age of six when you both decided you wanted to learn taekwondo. You shared a love for mint chocolate chip ice cream, a dislike for vegetables, and a deep passion for cats. But above all, you were both painfully in love with each other and too afraid to admit it. In your years of friendship, this was one of the biggest fights you’ve had to date. 

[ 1 week ago ]

“I can’t believe you, San. You know how much this club means to me!” You point at San, your eyes are filled with disbelief. The arts club was something that you had joined on a whim during the first week of freshman year, but as time lapsed you grew to love the small group of artists in it. 

“It was only a suggestion, I swear. I didn’t know they meant the arts club. C’mon, y/n, you gotta believe me.” He massages the bridge of his nose, then looks at you. 

“God, you jocks never fucking think about anyone else but yourselves.” You mumble. A hurt expression quickly flashes on San’s face but he quickly regains his composure. You shake your head and cross your arms over your chest. The lunch in front of the both of you is forgotten as the atmosphere gets more heated. 

“Look, when I suggested getting funding from somewhere else, I had no idea they’d take it from the arts club. Hell, I didn’t even think they’d take my idea seriously. Y/n, we need the money to get better equipment. You know this. We might actually have a fighting chance against SMU this year!” San argues with you. 

“We had to fight tooth and nail for that money, San. You know those funds were going to help renovate the studio.” You bite back. 

Siyeon and Seonghwa exchanged concerned glances. As fraternal twins, they were extremely good at communicating with each other, almost to the point of telepathy. They shared a look that they knew meant one thing. 

We need to do something about this.

[ 5 days later ]

You groan as you plop yourself on your bed. Today was a long day. You woke up late to your first lecture of the day, scraped your knee because you tripped while running to said class, and had to skip lunch for an emergency meeting with your groupmates for your health ethics class. You silently cursed at your professor for thinking that an impromptu group project was a good idea. 

“I despise that man.” You mumble into your pillow, still laying face down on it. 

“I don’t know, if it wasn’t unethical I’d probably tap that.” You lift your head off of your pillow just to throw Siyeon a disgusted look. 

“Mr. Kyle?! Gross.”

“What? He’s tall and cute. He gives me Carlisle Cullen vibes” Siyeon reasons out.

“He’s also 33, Siyeon.” She just chuckles at my words. 

“Well, enough about your professor. You need a break. You aren’t looking too good.” Siyeon looks at me with genuine concern. 

I probably looked worse than I felt. It was midterms week and deadlines were piling up. To make matters worse, you and San had not talked to each other for the whole week. But both of you were too stubborn to apologize to each other. 

“God, tell me about it. I’m one minor inconvenience away from becoming a statistic.” You joke. 

“Well….” Siyeon starts, I look over at her. “Midterms week ends this week, we could go clubbing this Saturday?” I groan at this suggestion. 

“Siyeon, you did not just suggest that. Remember the last time we went out clubbing?”

“One more martini, kind sir!” Siyeon giggled at the bartender. He handed her the nth martini of the night, and she waddled her way back to the booth where you, San, Seonghwa, and Hongjoong, Seonghwa’s friend, were stationed. 

“You know what would be stupid? If you guys dared us to make out. Wouldn’t that be so stupid?” Siyeon giggles again, while nursing her martini. Your eyes widen as you shake your head. She leans into you, making heart eyes at you then looking over to the boys. 

“I dare you guys to dare us to make out.”

Needless to say, you were adamant to get her to sober up quickly that night. 

“Every. Time.” You deadpan at Siyeon. 

“What?! We had a great timeeeee.” She whines out her sentence. She gives me her best set of puppy eyes and looks at me with a pout. 

“Pretty please.” 

“Fine. But no martinis. I mean it.” You could never say no to her puppy eyes. 

“I only suggested that because it would be so stupid…. So stupid.” she mumbles. But she grins inwardly, the plan had to work. 

She sends Seonghwa a text. 

SY: she folded, going clubbing tom SH: san just agreed to tomorrow too SH: operation perfect cocktail is a go SY: i did not agree to calling it that SY: nerd 🫵

[ Earlier that morning ]

The twins are sitting at their apartment table munching on some stale cereal. They clearly had a lot on their mind. It had been 4 days and you and San were still actively trying to avoid each other. This fight had been going on too long for comfort. Usually, you and San resolved fights within 2 days of starting them. You guys were whipped for each other, but too stupid to actually realize it. 

“We need to interfere.” Seonghwa breaks the silence. 

“Yeah, but they clearly won’t talk to each other. At least, not sober.” Siyeon reasons out.

“Wait no, that’s actually a great idea. We need to get those bitches drunk!” He suggests, pointing his spoon around.

“But, we can’t just get them any kind of drunk. We need a plan, Hwa.” 

“Right, right. We need to get them the right kind of drunk. How about something mellow, red wine?” He suggests. 

“I don’t know, red wine has a weird effect on y/n. She reaches like, a sad point of clarity.” 

The room was buzzing with excitement as the countdown for the new year was about to start. Siyeon was sitting across y/n, at a college bar sipping on some red wine. 

“B+. All my life I just wanted to be an A, but I’m a B+. And I just have to live with that?” she stares at her glass with a forlorn expression. 

Happy New Year!

“If we want them to open up, I say we go straight up gin.” Siyeon gets a piece of paper to write down their ideas. 

“Hmmm, last time San got gin drunk it was at that trashy sports bar. He almost got into a fight that night” Seonghwa shakes his head. 

San was trudging through the dimly lit hallway trying to find the men’s room. He turns left and notices another guy walking towards him. 

“Look at this dude. Who does he think he is? Walking to me, showing me no respect. I’ll show this chump what I’m made of.” San thinks to himself. 

He continues walking down the hallway, taking large strides trying to size up his opponent. Just as he is about to make contact with his newly sworn enemy– thump.

What the? 

Oh. It was a mirror. 

“How about cocktails… Pina Coladas?” Seonghwa suggests.

“Well, when san has one of those he gets really into himself.”  Seonghwa recalls. 

It was a halloween tradition for the five of you to hang out at the twin’s apartment and have cocktails. And as the night progressed everyone was getting buzzed with the “pina ghoul-adas” made by Hongjoong. Everyone was gathered at the front of the television watching Gonjiam– all except San who was too scared to even look at the TV. Instead, he was stationed at the front of a full-length mirror nursing the yellow drink in his hand and swaying to the sounds of the movie. He was looking at his own reflection with sensual feline eyes. Clearly he was feeling himself.

“Hey guys. I dare you to dare us to make out.” San playfully winks at his own reflection. 

“Sannie, you know that’s another mirror right?” Hongjoong points out. But San is too busy flirting with his own reflection.

“They’re idiots.” Seonghwa sighs. 

“Agreed.” Siyeon nods. 

“This better work. I can’t have another lunch with the both of them going at each other. They ruined taco tuesday.” Seonghwa says solemnly. 

“We got this.” Siyeon smirks. 

If there was one thing the Park twins were great at, it was meddling in other people’s lives. To this day, you still shudder at what they did to Chris after he stole and reformatted Hongjoong’s laptop. You never wanted to get on either of their bad sides. 

[ Saturday night ]

Dolled up and ready to finally let loose, you and Siyeon book an uber going to the club that you guys usually frequent. But when you get there, you aren’t too thrilled to see San standing near the entrance with Seonghwa and Hongjoong. You look over to Soyeon with an unimpressed look. 

“Really?” You deadpan at her.

“The boys wanted to come with, okay? And I knew you would cancel on me if you knew….” She smiles sheepishly at you. But you know what? You were not going to let some stupid boy get in between you and a fun time. 

“God, I need to get drunk.” You sigh to yourself. This night better be a fun one. 

You guys walk into the club after lining up to get in. The place is teeming with sweaty bodies dancing and grinding on the dancefloor. Usually, you would have cringed at the sight of so many people. But with the 3 shots of tequila you and Siyeon drank as pre-game, the positive buzz was humming through your body and your inhibitions were starting to melt away. You guys make it to the bar but there is a line to get drinks. Hongjoong leaves for the men’s room, and the twins volunteer to get the first round of drinks, leaving you and San to awkwardly sit in silence as you wait for the twins to come back. 

Lining up at the bar, the twins look over to you and San basically ignoring each other. Sitting across from each other at the booth, it looks like the both of you haven’t even said anything to each other. 

“Okay, we’ve cross-referenced every alcoholic drink with their reactions. What’s the right drink for this situation?” Siyeon she eyes the both of you sitting at the booth.

“They aren’t even looking at each other…. Hmm, we need a drink that will start a fight.” Seonghwa says. 

Gin.

-----

“God and we’re back to this again. You can’t honestly believe that I would suggest something like that and be serious about it y/n.” San’s eyebrows furrow at your unimpressed expression.

“I don’t know, San. Can I? I knew you didn’t like me hanging out with Renjun but this would be taking it way too far.” You roll your eyes at him. Maybe it was the alcohol buzzing in you. Or maybe it was the over stimulating environment. But whatever it was, you were getting fired up. In fact, you both were. 

“What does this have to do with me not liking Renjun?! I don’t like the bitch but I wouldn’t backstab you like that like some crazy psycho!” Bringing up Renjun clearly bothered San a lot. Of course, he didn’t like him. He could tell that he also had a crush on you. It takes one to know one, you could say. But he would rather manscape coach Liu before he admitted that out loud. Deep down, he knew that some sick part of him was a little happy that you would spend a little less time with the boba-eyed boy. But, he didn’t want to tear down something that he knew meant a lot to you. 

“Well if you really were my friend, you should’ve fought for me!” You point at him. 

“Okay, now that we have them where we want them. We need a drink that will make them emotionally vulnerable. I’m talking full on Kim Kardashian ugly crying.” Seonghwa says. 

“Right. Right. We need something that will turn subtext into text.”Siyeon scans through the handy notes that she took down. 

Whisky.

-----

“I just felt like I was never good enough to be your friend. I’m not talented in drawing like you are. I could never really relate to how you and Renjun banter over your arts and stuff. It felt like I was being replaced!” He tears up. His pout and his red face was melting your heart. 

“Oh Sannie, I could never replace you. I was just so hurt when the club’s funds were going to be used for something else. I was so upset that I took it out on you. I just wanted something to be involved in, you know? To feel important.” You slur out your heartfelt words. 

“y/n, you are so important to me. Like super duper atomic bomb important.” San hiccups. 

“It just felt like you were getting so involved with soccer that you would forget about me…” You pout, tears starting to gather in your eyes. 

“Oh god, I never thought about how you would feel.” San cries out.

“I never thought about how YOU would feel. I’m such a dingus.” You wipe away your tears and frown. You see a bit of your mascara in your finger. But you felt like a weight was lifted off of your shoulder. 

“Man that got depressing real fast.” Siyeon looks over at both of your forms drunkenly leaning on one another after that heart-to-heart conversation. 

“We need them to let loose a little. I mean, that’s what we came here for anyway. Might as well give them a little of what they actually came here for.” Seonghwa points out.

Pina Colada.

-----

You and San are slowly swaying your hips to the tunes of Charli XCX’s top hits. The strobe lights are bouncing off the walls, the bass of the songs vibrating throughout the club so hard they make your heart hurt. The both of you were finally having some fun after midterms week fried your brain. 

“Wooooo! Fuck health ethics, fuck my professor, and fuck midterms week!” You nod to the beat of the song. 

San was dancing in front of a mirror placed on the corner of the club, just having a great time twirling the little umbrella that came with his drink. He was making the same sensual look at himself in the mirror, biting his lip even. 

“God I missed this feeling.” Seonghwa sighs in satisfaction, looking over at the two of you breaking it down to Guess by Charli XCX. 

“I know right. Now I know why we love meddling in people’s lives so much. Dance my puppets, dance!” Siyeon rubs her hands together like a villain in a disney movie. 

“Okay, let’s end the night before they black out and forget everything. We need to end it with a bang.” Seonghwa says. 

Beer.

-----

“I love you.” San slurs while stumbling across the pavement with his one arm wrapped around your waist.

“No, I love YOU.” You giggle and boop his nose. You are swayed by his unsteady walking. 

“God, we are just so loving. Nobody is doing it like us, y/nie.” San smiles thoughtfully. 

The both of you are a giggling mess as the twins try and haul you into Hongjoong’s car. The drive to the twins’ apartments was riddled with a bunch more “I love you”s being drunkenly slurred between the both of you. Hongjoong, who was the drunk driver, was nervously looking at the backseat every now and then, hoping and praying that neither of you vomit in his car. But the real challenge was getting the both of you up 3 flights of stairs. 

After successfully hauling the both of you into the apartment, you and San lay a tangled mess on their pull-out couch. The both of you are out cold once the twins managed to change most of your soiled clothes. Sleeping like babies while cuddling each other, the twins look exhausted but satisfied at their work. 

“Mission Perfect Cocktail: Success!” Seonghwa whisper-shouts while pumping his fist in the air.

“I never agreed to call it that.” Siyeon repeats herself.

“Whatever, you donkey. You just hate that I’m more creative than you.” Seonghwa snaps back at Siyeon. 

“Oh please, like I could ever be jealous of your virginity corner.” Siyeon claps back. 

“Hey!”

[hobeemin]

amygdala

genre: angst, fluff, smut, fantasy, romance, greek god au

pairing: hades!min yoongi x oc (persephone)

summary: while they met under the most unconventional circumstances, there seemed to be a spark bloom about which each was uncertain. what can the future hold for them?

rating: 18+

warning(s): swearing, mentions of an orgy, greek gods being over-excessive, jealousy, drinking, self-consciousness, mild depression

word count: 1.9k

credits: thank you to @okiedokrie for beta reading

banner resources found here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

a/n: this is for @k-vanity summer event "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

prompt(s): love affair; "I’ve been alive for seven hundred years, and you’re the most annoying person I’ve ever met."; "Why are you falling for me?"

this is a prequel to dionysus and jamais vu, my own little hades and persephone universe. def more to come in the future 🌼

Why?

Why was he here?

He watched with bored scrutiny as his brothers mingled among the partygoers. Why had they talked him into this, he’d never know. 

He would have much preferred the solace of his home, his dogs by his side, and the comforting glow of the cooking channel. A faint frown creased his face as the raucous laughter filled the air. 

He needed alcohol. And tons of it.

Pushing himself off the wall, he made his way over to the bar. With some effort, he squeezed through, waving his hand to get the bartender’s attention. Just as he was about to order, someone slapped him on the back, making his knees buckle. Yoongi’s expression darkened as he turned to the culprit. The party host himself, Taehyung, stepped back with his boxy grin.

“Why the long face, Yoongs?”

“Trying to get a drink,” he mumbled.

“We gotta get you the good stuff,” his speech slightly slurred as he gestured to the vast array of drinks.

“I’m not trying to get fucked up like you,” Yoongi warned.

“I’m pretty sure no one can out-drink the God of Wine,” Taehyung teased.

Yoongi rolled his eyes as Taehyung ordered a bottle of Ambrosia, filling his cup to the brim. “Stop mopping around and go mingle. If your brothers can do it, so can you!”

“I wouldn’t call what they do mingling,” Yoongi muttered. 

Sure enough, Namjoon whispered to a giggling nymph–shocker–and Hoseok had two sprites in his lap. No doubt they’d be leaving soon, if not now. Figures the God of Thunder and the God of the Sea would abandon their brother in his time of need.

He glanced at his phone with a sigh. She wasn’t coming. He should have known he’d get stood up. It wasn’t like he and Minthe were “official”, but it would have been nice for her to attend the party with him. Secretly, he felt things were going downhill over the past year. She became distant, always having an excuse to reschedule a date.

Yoongi thanked Taehyung for the Ambrosia, sipping it slowly. It perked up his mood a bit as he walked around the party. People would attempt to bring him into a conversation, but he shied away, giving them a sheepish wave.

Instead, he walked into another part of the house, looking at the paintings and sculptures with interest. He had to give Taehyung credit for his collection. Of course, Athena and Apollo deserved their flowers, too. After all, he bought some of their pieces from them. Just as he entered another room, his eyes met bright ones…in a state of undress. She shrieked as he spun around, red blooming on his face.

“I-I-I’m s-sorry. I didn’t think anyone was in here!”

The voice that spoke almost put him in a daze. The melodic tone reminded him of wind chimes. She rambled on as she slipped on the white strapless dress.

“N-No, I should be apologizing! I spilled red wine on my dress…well, my friend's dress, and I couldn’t find the bathroom–gosh, why did I come here? I’m not supposed to be here! I can’t believe Artemis talked me into coming and her stupid brother, argh…my mother is gonna kill me!”

Tears began to form as she started to hiccup.

He turned to look at her, breathing a sigh of relief to see she was fully clothed. Her beauty enchanted him. Yoongi blinked as the haze dissipated, set his drink down, walked up to her, and pulled out a handkerchief.

“It’s going to be okay. The stain isn’t so bad.”

She took the handkerchief, mumbling out a thanks, and plopped down on the couch. “It’s a silly thing to cry over. I just…I don’t know, but I feel like I don’t belong here.”

He snorted, grabbed his drink, and sat beside her. “Don’t I know it?”

She glanced at him curiously. “What do you mean by that?”

Yoongi took a sip of his drink before answering. “I got dragged here by my brothers. Apparently, I've been sulking too much than normal.”

“It sounds like your brothers and my friend could be friends. I got dragged here by her, too. For her, it's because I don’t get out enough and only study.”

“What’s wrong with studying?”

“That’s what I said! I’d rather be in my garden or curled up on the couch,” she pouted.

Wow, she looked cute, pouting like that, he thought. Even the flowers in her hair seemed to move on their own. Fluttering their petals whenever she spoke, or her expression changed. He nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I’m missing my dogs right now.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You have pets?”

“Uh-huh,” he pulled his phone out, searching for a picture to share, “Too many to count. They’re my babies.”

She scooted closer to look at his phone screen. She let out a squeal as he flipped through the pictures. “That’s Cerberus. Don’t let him fool you; he’s the sweetest. That’s Holly…the brown one. He’s spoiled…well, they all are. And that lil furball, the black cat, is Pluto.”

“They are the cutest! I love animals. Never got to have pets growing up–mom wouldn’t allow it, but I love them.”

Yoongi smiled, putting his phone away. “Whose your mom? Have I met her before?”

She bit her lip, looking away from him. “Well–”

“Persephone!!”

Panic crossed her face at the sound of her name. Just then, a muscular man stumbled in with an equally attractive woman in tow. His face was completely red from the ambrosia, and he pointed at her before looking at the woman.

“See sis, I found her!”

The woman sighed in exasperation, walking over to her. “Persephone! Is this where you’ve been hiding the whole time?!”

I’ve been alive for seven hundred years, and you’re the most annoying person I’ve ever met, she thought to herself.

Persephone seemed to shrink away on the couch. “Hey, Artemis.”

“Don’t ‘hey Artemis’ me. I’ve been looking everywhere for you! I’ve been babysitting this dweeb for the past two hours!”

The man’s face twisted in annoyance. “Listen, no one told you to watch me.”

“I told you not to try to drink with Dionysus, Apollo.”

He sucked his teeth before settling his attention on Yoongi. “Uncle Hades!”

Yoongi’s lip slightly twisted as the God of the Sun lifted him in a bear hug. “I didn’t think a sourpuss like you would come to one of these!”

Persephone watched in wonder as he was lifted like a ragdoll. She tried not to snort at the expression on his face. He was anything but amused.

“Hello, Apollo, Yoongi is just fine.”

Once he was set down, he brushed his jacket with a frown. “I see you’re starting to take after your father.”

“Not too much, but that’s what everyone else says.”

“Uh-huh,” he glanced at Persephone with a tiny smile. “Nice meeting you, I’m gonna go find Namjoon and Hoseok.”

Stay. 

The thought crossed Persephone’s mind as she watched him walk away. There seemed to be an ache deep down. But why? Why did she want him to stay? 

Artemis poked her friend with a frown. “Earth to Sep. You in there?”

She shook her head. “Y-Yeah.”

“Let’s get you a drink. A real one this time.”

She let Artemis and Apollo lead her back to the bar. By now, things had taken a wild turn. People’s inhibitions were loosening more. Persephone stayed close to Artemis as she ordered them drinks. She tried looking for Yoongi in the crowd but couldn’t find him. So that was Hades. The big evil God of the Underworld, at least that is what her mother had been known to say.

”Stay away from those Olympic Gods!”

Persephone held back the urge to roll her eyes. Sure, Zeus and Poseidon had a less than savory reputation, but Hades…Yoongi didn’t seem like that. Artemis handed her a champagne flute and turned to observe the rest of the party.

”Are you alright?”

”How do you mean?”

”Yoongi didn’t try anything, did he?”

Persephone blinked at her in disbelief. “Why would he?”

Artemis shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. “He is one of the big three; they got a reputation.”

”He’s different. I don’t think he’s like them,” Persephone thought aloud.

”Whatever. They’re all the same,” the Goddess of the Moon grumbled.

Persephone loved her best friend, but she didn’t get it. Artemis made a vow of chastity long ago, as did her mother, Demeter. While it had been an option for her, there had to be more to life than vows and rituals. She felt she was destined for something greater. It didn’t take long for her to be shaken from her thoughts as the host returned to the crowd.

Taehyung appeared, jumping on the bar. “I hope everyone is enjoying themselves! It's that time of the night when it's about to get nasty!”

The cheers grew louder as the young Goddesses watched everyone remove their clothing. 

“What the hell–”

The lights darkened as the music took a sensual tempo. People began pairing up all around the room. Persephone tried not to gasp, seeing what a particular nymph and Zeus were doing in the corner. Moans grew louder, making her discomfort grow. Naked bodies writhed around her. She backed out of the room, reaching out for Artemis until she got pushed backward. She almost cried out until someone caught her. The warmth of their hands radiated on her skin. She could barely make out who it was until she was led outside to the backyard.

She blinked a few times as the torches surrounding played tricks in the night.

“Y-Yoongi?”

He nodded, still holding her hand. Persephone glanced down at it, and he dropped it, as red covered his cheeks.

“Sorry. Are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine; just was not expecting all that.”

He chuckled nervously, pushing his hair back. “Yeah, I didn’t sign up for that.”

She returned a smile. “Same.”

He cleared his throat trying to grow the courage to ask her more questions, something about her. She wasn’t like her. Far from it. 

“So Persephone–”

“Sep!”

Fuck.

She turned away from him to see Artemis running towards her. She carried two coats and purses in her hand. “We’re leaving now! I’m gonna kill Taehyung for that! Wait until Athena and Hestia hear about it!”

She continued to fuss as Persephone gave Yoongi a look, making him snort. 

The Goddess of the Moon punched in a number angrily. “Damn, rideshare won’t be here for another ten minutes! I’m going up front. You coming?!”

“Y-Yeah, I’ll follow you out.”

“Better be. Bunch of horny, sweaty gods ruining a perfectly good party. Stupid orgies!”

As she stormed off, Persephone gave Yoongi a pout. “I guess I gotta go.”

“Oh, I understand. It’s crazy in there. Don’t want to get caught up in all that.”

“Agreed.”

The flowers in her hair closed slightly as her mood saddened. But why? Yoongi wished she could stay outside with him and talk all night, but it was selfish of him to think that. He didn’t deserve any happiness, and that wasn’t in his future.

“It was nice meeting you, Yoongi,” she whispered.

“You too, Persephone.”

“Maybe I’ll see you again,” she said, her eyes hopeful. 

Damn. What was happening to him? She seemed to have him under a spell.

Why are you falling for me? He wanted to ask.

“I–”

“Persephone! Hurry up!”

She winced, frowning at her friend’s voice. Glancing at Yoongi, she took a purplish flower from the ground and handed it to him. “It’s a pomelia. It kind of reminds me of you. It means kindness. You’re not like your brothers; you’re more than that.”

She squeezed his hand before running off in the direction Artemis called her in. Yoongi glanced down at the flower as a small smile appeared. 

[aloesarchives]

Domestic Headcanons w/ Mama!Reader and the Fushiguros #2.5: Teen!Mayumi (OC)

TW/Warnings: Domesticity, AFAB/Female Reader, Family life, unhinged crack, JJK OC(but not main x Reader), tons of swearing, Mayumi is truly a Gen Z kid

Pairing: Toji Fushiguro x Fem!Reader

Pronouns/Usage: She/Her, Mama/Mom

So, it's been awhile since I've actually posted anything. College, projects, life in general fuck my ass up frfr. On top of that, I got really bad writer's block and being burnt out. I've been spending time with family and friends and it's been giving me motivation to write again. So I'm trying to finish my long wips before my winter break ends!

I also made reference pics of Mayumi for anyone who's curious on what she would look like. These pics of Mayumi were based on my appearance since she's an self-insert combination of me and Toji lol. I had to work with what I got to visualize her. If you has questions or wanna ask more about her, feel free to drop an ask in my inbox!

(Credits to the creators of the photo generators from Piccrew and Storior. I didn't create the generators but used them to create these pics)

Preteen!Mayumi:

Teen/Highschool!Mayumi:

Mayumi wasn’t a menace or a problematic child. Nothing was too extreme that required strict parenting. As she grows up, she’s not as rebellious as you imagined. She only talks back to Toji, never you. But even then, she’s setting her boundaries up and setting herself up. 

She’s in her own little world, doing her own thing. A go-getter if you will.

Only taking after the green eyes of your hubby, she is a mini version of you through and through. Performing well and evolving into an academic weapon of mass destruction. School has never been an issue for her or will be in the future. She is a competitive person at heart but stays humble as much as she can. She most definitely does Kendo, Kyūdō, and Karuta. You and Toji always go to her competitions. She’s always on the podium in first place. She’s only good because Toji’s the only one who has the physical prowess to match. And Toji doesn’t go easy on her during their training. But your daughter is grateful that her Papa supports her interests and wants her to succeed, which proves your point that you made the right choice in choosing a husband and father for your children.

But Mayumi in her teen years, she turns a complete 180 and becomes a mini Toji. A menace. 

She isn’t a bully nor picks on others. It’s the other way around, she is fully beefing with egotistical kids that think they’re all that and can do anything. Her reasoning is quite interesting because she’s trying to show them that the stuff they pulled off wouldn’t slide in the real world. She’s helping them out because the stuff they pulled can be digging their own graves if they mess with the wrong people. The bullies jump her off-school grounds and after school hours, too bad it leads them to either having a bruised complex, pride, or straight up CTE.

She never fought in school, no never. That's after-school activities for her. Even if that were to happen and you and Toji had to be called down, the only thing that matters to Toji is whether or not Mayumi won. But the answer is always the same, which is yes. That’s you as well but you had to be the reasonable parent in the situation. If any of the parents of the bullies trifle with you, you can pull your connection cards on them and it shuts them up good.

“Oh, you think your threats scare me? Bold of you to assume I could feel shaken by someone like you. It’s not like your company violated several labor and wage laws, or your money embezzlement affairs? Hm?”

Once she got to high school at Jujutsu Tech, no one wanted to shit on her because they all know they’ll get boxed up by her after hearing the things she’s done to people that tried her.

She never explained how she controls her impulses. She credits her strong will power but you remember your husband is Toji. And with that, you know her sudden urges to do something reckless/impulsive are watched under the supervision of her father. You know this because one day you saw her long jump over the koi pond in the backyard of your home. She cleared it with perfect form and footing. You’re dead when Toji starts teaching her optimal forms and techniques so she could have a higher vertical and be nimble in the air like he is. 

She isn’t a trouble-maker. She’s not as reckless or impulsive like others around her age. You ask her why she doesn’t participate in day adventures or nightly escapades. She said most of her friends have curfews and can’t be out late. All of them have different routines so it’s hard to find time to hangout on the weekends. Mayumi also said she doesn’t know what’s lurking at night and wants nothing to do with it. And She knows Toji will know whether she snuck out at night. But she doesn’t want to cause you and Toji any trouble so she either doesn’t get into trouble at all or does but it’s a situation she knows she can easily handle herself.

She is a certified Zen’in hater and the most vocal about it too. She really doesn’t acknowledge that half of herself and purposely avoids talking about them in a familial matter. 

She is definitely stealing Toji’s old clothes and adding them to her wardrobe. The jackets he doesn’t wear anymore? She stole them and is a part of her wardrobe. She says she is repurposing them when she really wants them. 

Most of her teen years were filled with K-pop, her aesthetic is Y2K for sure. The staples of her closet are cargo pants, those long retro denim skirts, oversized t-shirts and jackets.

Because Shui sometimes visits Korea for business, Mayumi is always asking him for a TWICE, New Jeans, or BTS vinyls. She gets him all three in her room on display and plays them when she wants to chill out in her room.

Mayumi likes to spend time with Maki, Mai, and Nobara. Trains with Maki alongside Toji. No wonder Mayumi is so good at fighting. She was literally taught by PEAK.

The sibling banter, oh my god. “Mom, get this Emo kid off his ass and tell him I need him to come with me to watch a movie!” “Why me? Can’t you ask Tsumiki or your friends?” “Ugh, because my friends are busy and Tsumiki-Nii won't come home until after her club. Plus, you’re not doing anything right now and today’s our weekly sibling bonding time!” Megumi groans and grumbles before getting up off the couch and grabbing his wallet. Or her saying, “Gumi-Nii, this is why you got no maidens” when Megumi told her to leave him alone when she went into his room to bother him. 

Megumi has to deal with her as he is the main victim of her antics. Getting teased and roasted endlessly. He knows everyone's footsteps and knows who coming. That's only because he needed to recognize when Mayumi is coming and needs to mentally prepare himself when interacting with her. This is what happens when Mayumi got your looks but Toji's personality.

Begs Megumi to bring out his shikigamis so she can take pictures of/with them. Putting silly accessories on them like bows and hair clips. She puts hats on his divine dogs or take pictures of them at funny angles.

Don’t get me started on her inheriting Toji’s shit talking and banter. Her snide remarks and roasts are creative and out of worldly that Toji takes mental notes. Prime example, upon learning Toji and Satoru’s “shared past”, her insult library grew. “Dad, I don’t wanna hear anything from you! I’m talking to the same man who had beef with a bunch of high schoolers because his pockets were itching!” Turns to you “Can’t believe you looked at this and thought, ‘Oh, I’m definitely gonna make him my husband and the father of my future kids.’” You raised an eyebrow at her when you looked up from your laptop, “Mayumi, Dearest, you can’t be saying that. If I never gave that man a chance, you, Megumi, and Tsumiki wouldn’t exist. Besides, if it wasn’t for me, your Papa would be seeing a Michael Jackson concert or be at a Tupac meet and greet right now.” On second thought, maybe she got the shit talking from you too.

Continuing on the previous thought, Mayumi will say the most out of pocket, unhinged, crazy type of insults and curses you will ever hear. A prime example of this was during the Tokyo-Kyoto exchange event in Mayumi’s first year Jujutsu Tech. It was a 1v1 tournament between the Kyoto and Tokyo students. Mayumi’s opponent happened to be a third year student from the Zen’in clan. As you were watching from the sidelines with Toji, you couldn't help but notice Mayumi’s expression. She was locked in and basically mean-mugging them. Any and all insults were brushed off and unfazed. As she expected, your daughter knew her distant relative would pick her a part for being a celestial restricted user and not having any curse energy. As the fight went on, Mayumi was getting annoyed. Not because her opponent was hard, oh no not that. She was annoyed by the fact her opponent was all bark and no bite. Like her opponent was legit trying but it wasn’t enough for her. She could’ve easily ended the match, Toji and you knew that from the start, but she wanted to hold out in case her fight would get interesting. Alas, it didn’t and Mayumi was disappointed as hell. As she would put it, she’s related to frauds. Her opponent was yapping away with the classic “You got lucky” and “this isn’t my full power” shit. Now she’s just getting mad that her opponent was absolute garbage. Her opponent said something that you couldn’t quite make out, but Toji did as he let out a huff. You guessed it set off Mayumi because she stared them with the iconic Toji glare, clenched fists and teeth, and said “Choke on my dad’s dick and get pegged by my mom, you damn fraud!” Then proceeds to give that Zen’in the most devious combo imaginable, it connected so well it would be a perfect score in any fighting game. The fight was over with the obvious winner being Mayumi. But you and Toji, stunned for a solid five seconds before bursting out in laughter. For as vulgar and out of pocket your daughter was for saying that, it was creative. Toji even had tears in his eyes because he was dying of laughter but also how proud he was of Mayumi. That combo was crispy and only his daughter could do something like that.

She is so much like Toji that when she was fighting a Zen’in member(s) (99% Naoya), she locked in and did a pose. She had this look in her eyes and her grin was done in a way that’s almost primal. Then everything clicks and she’s giving them flashbacks because she’s giving TOJI AURA. She’s reminding them of Toji and piecing them up like her Pops. As Mayumi likes to put it, she’s running it back to her papa. The get back on the Zen’in clan for Toji. And she fucking delivers, ate that shit up and left no crumbs behind. She’s infamously known to be compared to Toji in the Jujutsu world but she wears that shit with pride and honor. “Disrespect my papa, then I’ll give you guys that generational fade that even your descendants will feel the secondhand embarrassment that you’re their ancestors. Straight up Frauds.”

Forces Toji to take selfies with her. Just a teenage daughter dragging her dad around. She’s just a girl, your dearest daughter, just dragging your 6’1 boulder of a husband around. Doing those drink dates and posting them. 

Okay, in my Modern/Toji Lives Au, since Shui doesn’t dip out and go under the radar he has a presence in the kids' lives. Every Time he’s over, he and Toji are yapping away at each other. Every time Mayumi is about to go out, she stops by and greets Shui and Toji before leaving. Usually she would be out the door when she has to go somewhere but there’s always a five minute gap. Turns out, she waits for Shui to give her cash and leaves with at least  29,000 Yen(close to $200 US). Watching this unfold is sometimes jarring because your husband and his friend at one point in time wretched havoc in the Jujutsu/underground world. Now, they’re just two older guys, chilling on the engawa of your home, and having a drink.

Mayumi is running Satoru’s pockets. Gifts, money, anything you name it, he’s getting her something. Satoru told you that as the unofficial oldest child and brother, it’s his job to get gifts and provide some financial incentive to his younger siblings. Since this is voluntary for Satoru, Mayumi is taking full advantage of it. When Mayumi got to that age, Satoru even offered to pay for schooling if she wanted to go to college/university or study abroad. Toji felt a bit insulted with how Satoru was casually flexing his wealth right in front of him. But Toji being the guy with an eye for better deals, he’ll silently let Satoru spurge on Mayumi if it meant he didn’t have to spend a single dime on her.

Ends up having a popular social media presence because she went viral from a post that had you and Toji in it. It was caption with something like "I want what they have/ Why my standards in love are so high" and it's you and Toji doing domestic stuff with Toji having this loving look on his face and you giving him a soft tender expression.

She doesn’t take her account seriously and just posts fun stuff or things for shits and giggles. Probably makes Toji do trends with her or takes videos of him doing mundane things around the house that got netizens foaming at the mouth. Then netizens start foaming at the mouth and become rebid when they find out about you. Doing a mom reveal and people were asking in the comments your skincare/makeup routine, making barking noises, etc. Then she does a family reveal where she includes Megumi and Tsumiki and people say the most unhinged things.

“You guys need a table? I can be a table for you guys”

“If yall need a chair, I’m the best chair to sit on. I can hold everyone.”

“Bro, please, save some for the rest of us! Like, let me have a fighting chance! Please!”

It gets worse when she posts a picture or video of her hanging out with Satoru, Suguru, or Nanami.

When Mayumi reveals both you and Toji’s ages, she did a video of your secrets while you say something sweet and practical like family and dropping your skincare routine then there’s Toji’s portion of the video. Toji just says: “My wife” and that’s it, does not elaborate on it. When Mayumi presses on, Toji responds “Your mom, Mayumi. I mean, do I need to say anything else because I legit got nothing else, Sweetheart.”

She does those livestreams to answer questions, you sometimes watch them when you’re away from home. They make you feel better and you do get a laugh out of them. 

Mayumi doing a livestream: “How old is my dad–? Too old for you all! And he’s married! shows a picture of you in the livestream Married! He’s taken! So stay away from my father! Stay away from my father, guys!”

Did a livestream with you and Toji and the amount of time Mayumi had to chastise Toji because the stuff he says will get her banned is hilarious and you are just watching the carnegie unfold right before you.

She did one livestream with her friends doing the hear me out challenge. And one of them pulled out Toji’s picture and put it on the brownie cake. Mayumi: “gasps! That’s my dad! Why the hell did you guys put my dad in!?” It gets worse when her other friend puts a picture of you in there too. Everyone was laughing while Mayumi was straight up flustered and stressed. Poor girl, she doesn’t need to be reminded that everyone wants to bang her parents.

Mayumi begged you to do that trend where daughters put their mothers in their style/clothes. That post was a hit but Toji wasn’t home for that. So when she made a post of Toji’s reaction to the post where you’re wearing Mayumi’s Y2K clothing, it was a hit too. That’s because as Mayumi sends him the post and he watches the post on his phone, Toji watches the video before looking up at Mayumi, with her phone pointed at him, and saying, “You want a younger sibling, Mayumi?” And she lets out a scream that was perfectly cut at the end of the video. 

Toji definitely spends the most time with her, they are very close to each other. They vibe on another level that you know you can’t even get. You’re aware she confides about anything and everything to you but always goes to Toji first since he’s more empathetic of her situations and what she goes through.

She’s the extrovert of the family (if you weren’t already one) but spending time and being near her is fun and entertaining. Mayumi is the apple to everyone’s eye but knows when to be strong and stand ten toes when she needs to be. She’s still a kind, considerate, and compassionate person. She’s just more outspoken now that she’s a teenager and she’ll stand on that. She’s a wonderful mix of you and Toji and is a certified Gen Z kid who loves her parents and siblings.

Taglist:

@luqueam @ploylulla @tqd4455 @wolywolymoley @captainbabybear @ravenswife @tqd4455 @k-kkiana

Taglist(w/o links):

@szillx @SleppyAnn @g0th1xac1d @kneelarhmstrung

[skzhocomments]

Best Friend - Bang Chan Oneshot Fanfic

General Masterlist

Pairing: Bang Chan (Stray Kids) x OC (name: Isa. Story is written in 2nd person)

Genre: best friends AU, mature, fluff

Word Count: ~5k

Warnings: explicit mature content, swearing etc.

This is just a story that doesn’t describe Bang Chan's true character in any way. It’s just a product of my imagination and should be treated as such.

This story is also on Wattpad (click here) and AO3 (click here)

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Summary

You and Chan have been best friends for many years, and despite the attraction you feel towards him, you've never dared cross the line. That is, until the two of you end up watching a very explicit movie and you take that leap of courage.

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A/N: As any other writer out there, I would appreciate reblogs and your comments on this story. Please let me know if you enjoyed it, and most importantly, have fun!

© all rights reserved by skzhocomments (Tumblr), skzho (Tumblr)/ storminsidemycore (Wattpad), storminsidemycore (AO3)

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Best Friend

“Hey, what’s up?” Your best friend Chris picks up the phone, and you can hear faint sounds of traffic on the other side of the line.

“Hey, are you busy?”

“Not really. Did anything happen?” He asks, slight worry lacing his tone.

“Do you wanna come over and see a movie?”

“Oh, tonight? Didn’t you have a date or something?”

“My date cancelled on me!” You whine. You didn’t seem to have much luck with dating apps, because this always seemed to happen to you.

No matter how many people you’d match with, something would inevitably go wrong. You’d either lose interest too quickly when chatting, so you wouldn’t even accept a date, or, if the sun would shine bright enough on your alley and you’d find someone worth dating, something would come up on your side, or your date would bail on you.

“Oh, no! Again?!” Chris exclaims, seemingly as upset as you.

“Yes! Again! I don’t fucking get it! Why am I so unlucky?!” You exclaim with a pout. “I’m all dressed up too! Like, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I didn’t leave the house at least. But seriously, I put in so much effort, I even bought a new outfit, for fuck’s sake!”

“Aw, I’m sorry Isa. Yeah, I’m free tonight. Actually, I had to drop something at Bin, so I’m like 5 minutes away.”

“Come over, then!” You chirp.

“Coming right up. Want me to bring you anything?”

“Just your amazing self.” You chuckle and say goodbye, ending the call.

5 minutes later, your doorbell rings, and you open the door with a large smile plastered across your face, inviting your best friend in.

You and Chris met a couple of years ago and got close in no time, due to your apparently endless common interests and conversation topics. You became close friends, and meeting up is a weekly occurrence at least. Sometimes life gets too busy, especially for him, who’s a workaholic with seemingly no free days ever, but he always makes sure to make time for you and visit or asks you to come over if he’s too worn out to get out of the house.

Other than actually meeting up, you chat most of the day, and you always thought that you and Chris had quite a good synergy. However, in these few years of you seeing each other regularly, it became clear to you that even if you find him attractive, he doesn’t see you the same way, so you never dared to cross the line.

You enjoy his presence way too much to somehow mess it up by doing something stupid, like confess your lingering feelings that are inappropriate to say the least towards a simple best friend. Some days it’s hard to control your heartbeat who’s erratically beating when he says or does something that makes your legs grow weak and your heart flutter, but you’re doing your best to ensure that you don’t overstep. That’s why you’re trying to go on all these pointless dates and meet these people that you’re almost never interested in.

The moment you see him, your face lights up, and all your disappointment regarding the cancelled date wears off. He is dressed casually, in some black gym trousers and a large hoodie that he immediately takes off as soon as he steps inside.

Underneath, he is wearing a fitted black shirt, and oh, fuck, how can someone look so good in casual clothes, you wonder?

“Is this the outfit?” He asks, pointing to your two piece – a short white skirt and a matching blouse.

“Yeah. I didn’t have time to take my make-up off or change, sorry.” You chuckle.

“Such an idiot, that guy who cancelled on you. You look amazing, Isa.” He compliments you, but you don’t read too much into it, because that’s just who he is. He’s always throwing compliments around, to anyone.

“Aw, thank you, Channie.” You pout and burst out laughing.

“He’s missing out. But hey, I got to see it, so…” He shrugs. “Do a pirouette, will you?” He asks with a large smile and puts his hands on your waist, helping you spin around so he can admire your full outfit.

That’s the other thing about Chris – he is a very touchy person. It’s quite frustrating, really, that you always seem to be up in his arms cuddling, that he’s touching you so comfortably, and it doesn’t mean anything. It never does.

“Just gorgeous. This fits you perfectly.” He compliments again.

“Thank you, really. Now I feel better. Appreciated.” You chuckle at his words. “And look, I got a matching bag as well!” You grab it from the coat rack and pose with it, making silly faces, and Chris immediately starts laughing.

“Lovely bag. It’s so small, though! What fits in there?”

“Oh, Chris, you don’t anything!” You laugh. “I have a million lip glosses in it, at least!”

“In that small thing?” He gasps, opening his mouth. “I don’t believe it till I see it, sorry.”

“Look, then!” You open it up and show him your little collection of mini glosses you’re keeping in your bag at all times. Lip gloss is simply like air to you, and you’re used to reapply it multiple times throughout the day. You just love it.

“Damn, that’s weird. It’s like there’s a magic spell or something making it fit more in it than it should.”

“You think?” You laugh at his antics, putting the bag away. “Anyway, I’ll go get changed and take my make-up off, and then I’ll join you in the living room? You can pick the movie.”

“I get to pick? What an honour!” He laughs. “Can I take your make-up off, though?”

“Oh, do you want that?”

“Yeah.” He smiles, and you do, too.

“Alright, let me get in some comfy clothes and I’ll be right there.”

“Sure.” Chris smiles again and heads to the living room, waiting for you.

Your outfit looks great, but it’s also a bit too tight and a tad uncomfortable, so the moment you step out of it, you feel amazing. You take your bra off too and grab a large t-shirt and some pyjama pants and make your way to the bathroom to bring the cleanser and some make-up remover pads.

“There you go, have fun.” You give Chris everything and close your eyes as he begins to slowly rub the make-up off your face.

“I don’t even understand why you’re wearing all this stuff. You’re so beautiful without it.” Chris mumbles, making you chuckle.

“I look better with it, though. If I don’t wear it when I go out, I feel naked.”

“Really? It makes no sense though, when you’re so pretty.” He hums, continuing to gently remove the make-up. “I think this should be it.”

“Oh, I also do my neck and a bit of my chest, here.” You ignore the compliment and grab the collar of your t-shirt pulling it down, exposing more skin as you roll your head back.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to take your shirt off?” Chris asks, continuing to rub your neck.

“If you want to see me naked, it would.” You chuckle.

For a brief second, you actually consider taking your shirt off just to see how Chris would react, but that is crossing the line.

You shouldn’t.

“Oh.” Chris says quietly pressing his lips together, his ears painting a soft shade of red. “It’s alright, I’ll just do it like this.”

“Thought so.” You laugh and feel as he places a hand steadily on your neck, making sure to wipe the make-up off properly.

The action also makes you blush, and you get a weird feeling in your chest that you want to brush over as quickly as possible. Dangerous thoughts.

“Okay, done.” Chris places the make-up remover on the table, then grabs all the discarded remover pads. “I’ll go throw these out.”

“I’ll also go do my skincare; it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.”

“No hurry, Isa.” He smiles, so you go to the bathroom and wash your face, doing your skincare routine and trying to hurry up anyway, just to make sure you don’t keep him waiting for too long, not that he would mind. If anything, Chris is a patient person.

“Alright, did you pick a movie?”

“Yeah, how about this one?” He points to the screen, and you squint your eyes to read the small title.

“Love? What is it about?”

“Not sure, but someone recommended it to me, so I said, heck, why not?”

“Let’s read the IMDB summary…” You pick up your phone and look it up, and immediately burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“Chris, this is basically porn! Murphy enters a highly sexually and emotionally charged relationship with Electra. Unaware of the effect it will have on their relationship, they invite their pretty neighbour into their bed.”

“Oh, my God. Okay, let’s choose something else-”

“No, no, let’s watch it.” You laugh, grabbing the remote control from his hands and pressing play.

As soon as the film starts, so does a very explicit sex scene.

“Wow, they surely didn’t leave anything to the imagination!” Chris exclaims, and you put your hand against your mouth in shock.

“Yeah, they didn’t. It feels like we missed 20 episodes.”

10 minutes later, another sex scene comes on screen.

“This is just porn, isn’t it?” You burst out laughing, watching as Chan’s ears grew red.

“I’m so sorry Isa, I-I really didn’t know-” He stutters, and that only makes you laugh louder.

“No, no, don’t apologise. Who the heck recommended this to you?”

“Felix, damn.”

“He has a specific taste, I guess…” You shake your head amused. “Not gonna lie, though, watching porn with my best friend was not on my bingo card this year.”

“Yeah, neither. Damn.” Chris laughs.

“They seem like they’re having a great time, though.” You affirm. “Should’ve been me tonight, but, oh, well, my date cancelled.”

“What?” He asks shocked but slightly amused. “Do you fuck on the first date, Isa?”

“Hmm, depends on who my date is and if I’m into him?” You tilt your head. “Haven’t been with anyone in a while, though…”

Chris clears his throat.

“What about you?” You ask back, and Chris immediately turns to look at you.

“What, do I have sex on the first date, or have I had sex lately?”

“Both.”

“Well, I- wait. Why are we talking about this again?” He laughs uncomfortably and rubs his nape. He seems nervous, you think, and sort of enjoy seeing him look so embarrassed.

“I mean, you asked first! It’s only natural you tell me!” You sit up on the sofa and move closer to him, the people fucking on the screen already not presenting any interest to you whatsoever.

“Uhm, I mean… I’m more of a gentleman, I guess? I don’t really have sex unless I really like that person, and it takes me more than a date to figure it out usually.”

“Hmm…”

“And I haven’t had any in a while either. The last date I’ve been on didn’t go that well, I figured we don’t really have much in common, so…”

“Ah, I see. So, we both have blue balls.”

“Isa!” He bursts out laughing.

“What? It’s true!”

Chan’s eyes are burning into yours, and you realised that even though you’ve been friends for years, you’ve never really spoken about sex or anything of that sort.

You wonder what he likes in bed – is he the dominant type, or would he let you take control?

Damn, you really shouldn’t think of that.

“I’m gonna go get some water.” You stand up. “Want any?”

“Do you want me to pause this?”

“Nah, it’s fine.”

“Then, bring me a glass too, please.”

“Alright. Be right back.” You haste to the kitchen and shake your head repeatedly, trying to not think of Chris like that.

He’s your best friend, for fuck’s sake.

He’s your best friend.

“Thanks, Isa.” He smiles sweetly as he grabs the glass from your slightly trembling hands.

“So… I guess we’re having a threesome now.” You blurt out, your eyes stuck on the screen.

“What?”

“The film.”

“Oh, yeah. Of course. Apparently.”

You continue watching the screen in silence for a little while, until you feel your neck get stiff, so you start stretching a bit, trying to ease some of the tension.

“Uncomfortable?” Chris asks.

“Mhm, a bit. I should maybe grab some pillows. Or even better, buy a better sofa.”

“Or you could just come here.” He pats his thigh, so you don’t hesitate to drop your head in his lap, continuing to watch the film as Chris runs his fingers through your hair, massaging your scalp softly.

“Damn, you’re really good with your hands.” You say teasingly with a little chuckle, but you are unaware of Chris’ inner turmoil.

He’s been having a raging erection in his pants for the past 30 minutes, and your head is wayyy too close to his crotch, and he shouldn’t have asked you to put your head in his lap, and he should definitely not play with your hair when the only thing he wants to do is grab a fistful of it and guide your mouth towards his dick.

“Uhm, Isa?”

“Yeah?”

“Sorry, my leg is a bit tired. Mind if you sit up?”

“Oh, of course. Sorry.” You immediately follow, but Chris doesn’t let you get too far away, he guides your head to his shoulder and continues playing with your hair as his breath hitches in his throat.

You instinctively reach around his abdomen and hug him from the side, something you’ve done a million times before, as you and Chris often cuddle.

However, at one point throughout the movie, Chris leans over to grab his glass of water from the table, and your hand drops to his crotch, moment when you feel something.

Your eyes dart to his, and he looks right back at you.

“Sorry, that’s-”

“Chris,” you cut him off with a whisper. “You’re so hard. Are you turned on right now?”

“Uhm…”

Looking into his eyes and seeing how he’s looking at you makes something burn in your chest, and for the first time ever since you’ve known him, you decide to take that leap of courage and press your lips against his.

You close your eyes tightly and wait for him to push you away, to reject you, but to your surprise, he does the exact opposite. He places his hand on your waist and kisses you back, biting your lips and leaning over, his body pushing yours into the sofa, as he gets on top of you.

Neither of you say anything, you just kiss and bite each other’s lips with so much passion, you can’t even think of anything else but him. He is a good kisser, and with each touch of your tongues, your heart flutters in both excitement and anxiety. The line has been crossed, and you don’t know what that will mean for your friendship.

He moves his hand under your shirt and begins raising it higher and higher, and you get goosebumps all over as he finally palms your left breast.

You moan against his mouth as his fingers begin playing with your nipple softly, but then he pulls back, looking at you with so much desire, you think you’re going to faint.

“Isa, fuck. You look so fucking good, baby.” He mumbles breathless, his chest rising up and down.

“Should we take this to the bedroom?” You ask hopeful, afraid he would change his mind.

“Yeah.” He nods and helps you up, and you’re trembling with anticipation as you let him grab your hand and lead the way to your room.

Once you’re in, he turns around and kisses you again and again. You move your hands on his back, helping him take off his shirt, and in return, he takes off yours.

“Damn, Chris. All those months in the gym really paid off.” You gasp, seeing how good he looks, letting your hands travel all over his exposed chest and abdomen.

“Yeah?” He chuckles softly. “Do you like how I look?”

“Like? No, Chris, it’s way more than that. You look so fucking perfect.” You say, and you see him blush slightly, so you carefully approach him, all the urgency from before gone, and you kiss his lips slowly, letting your hands explore his body and feeling him melt under your touch.

You move your lips lower and kiss his jaw, then his neck, his hands finding the back of your waist and pulling your body closer into his.

“Really?” He asks, rolling his head back slightly to allow you better access to kiss him, so you do.

“Mhm.” You hum, pressing your lips against his neck and nibbling on his skin lightly, making sure to not leave any bruises, and you listen to all the sounds he’s making, and hearing him moan in pleasure gives you a rush. You want to pleasure him more, to give it your all and make him feel good.

You move your lips lower and fall to your knees in front of him, looking up and seeing his eyes stuck on yours as you grab the hem of his trousers and silently ask for permission to pull them off.

He seems impatient, such a contrast to all the other times he’s shown you what a patient man he is, so you don’t hesitate to drag them down, watching as his cock bounces slightly in front of you.

You grab it and begin rubbing it up and down slowly, bringing your lips closer and connecting them to his tip, beginning to lick around and hearing the way his breathing changes.

He groans in pleasure as you open your mouth and bob your head into his crotch and back, trying to set a rhythm and making sure you’re not forcing yourself and triggering your gag reflex. He’s quite big, bigger than you expected, so this is definitely a challenge.

“Shit, baby. Can you take more?” He asks in a low voice, putting his hand on the back of your head and waiting for you to reply.

You hum again, sending vibrations against his dick, and he groans once more before guiding your head closer. It’s hard to take in his whole length, so you grab his hips for support and try your hardest to relax your throat and allow him in.

“You’re doing so well, fuck.” He compliments, keeping his hand on the back of your head without pushing you anymore. Instead, he’s letting you set the pace, to take as much as you can, and doesn’t force you.

After a little while, Chris places both of his hands on your face and pushes you away, which confuses you for a brief moment.

“Was it not good?” You frown slightly.

“No, no, baby, it was. It was the best. I just don’t wanna come like that. I need to feel you, hm?” He reassures you, helping you stand up and pulling you into a messy kiss.

Chris suddenly bends down and grabs your thighs, making you jump in his arms, and heads towards the bed with you, letting you down gently as he kisses you again.

“You’re so beautiful, Isa.” He says, looking into your eyes, making your stomach feel funny and your chest fill with happiness.

“Thank you.” You say with a little laugh, making him chuckle as well.

“I’m serious. You’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on, Isa. You look like heaven. I can’t even imagine what you sound like when you’re all messed up. Fuck, I want to hear your pretty moans so bad.” He says, making you blush, and begins doing to you exactly what you’ve done to him.

He presses open mouth kisses all over your neck and chest, but he doesn’t shy away from sucking on your skin and leaving hickeys, marking his way down your body.

As he reaches your breasts, he takes one of your nipples is his mouth and moves his hand lower on your abdomen, dragging his fingers across your skin and making your shiver as he finally gets down to your pyjama pants. He’s playing a bit with the hem of your pants, and you close your eyes in anticipation, waiting for him to finally put you out of your misery and touch you.

“Chris, please…” You say, impatient.

He separates his mouth from your chest and rises right above you, looking you right in the eyes, and you’ve never seen that look in them before. They are dark and filled with desire, definitely matching yours, but yours must look pleading instead of confident.

“Please, what?” He asks, before going down to your neck again. He moves his fingers under the hem of your pants, but lets it rest there, on top of your lower abdomen, rubbing circles slowly, teasingly.

“God, please… Please touch me.”

“Yeah? Do you want that, baby?” He kisses your neck softly, before grabbing your skin between his lips again and sucking strongly, making you moan and clench your legs together. “Should I touch you right here?” He asks again, finally pressing his fingers against your pussy

“Fuck, yes.” Your roll your head back as you feel Chris rubbing you slowly.

“Do you like that?” He asks almost menacingly.

“Mhm, I do.”

“Yeah? Does it feel really good?”

“Yes, it does.” You immediately answer, and he chuckles.

“You know what I think would be better?” He asks and removes his hand, much to your displeasure, but as you see him kneel on the bed and move right between your legs, you bite your bottom lip.

He drags your pants down excruciatingly slowly, his fingers connected to your skin the whole time as the fabric disappears from your body. Then, he places his hands on the back of your knees and forces your legs apart, and for a few seconds, he just stares at you, which gets slightly intimidating and uncomfortable for you.

“Uhm…” You start, unsure if there’s something wrong. Maybe he doesn’t like what he sees, maybe-

“My fucking God. Your pussy is perfect.” He says, and before you get the chance to reply, he connects his mouth to it and begins licking it.

His tongue is hot against your core, and it’s simply insane how good it feels. It’s like he knows exactly where to lick, he’s using the perfect pressure, and – God, you feel so good, you instinctively want to clench your legs again, but you can’t. He is keeping them apart with his hands, not letting you move at all, no matter how much you struggle.

When he lets go of your legs, you assume he’s grown tired of pleasuring you, and you are more than happy to welcome him on top of you and let him do whatever he wants. But instead of feeling the bed shift with his weight, you are surprised to see him still stay in the same position, his tongue still licking against your clit while you feel two of his fingers teasing your entrance.

Your clutch the sheets tightly for support, your hands balling into fists around the fabric as you feel his two fingers slip in you, curving just right to touch that sweet spot inside of you that makes you see stars.

He doesn’t need to do much else for you to come undone, to let go on his tongue and fingers with a loud whine, your legs trembling and your hand finding his head to move him away.

Chris separates himself from you by pressing kisses on your thighs, before immediately moving his mouth your abdomen, climbing his way up your body as you’re recovering from one of the most powerful orgasms you’ve ever experienced.

“Fucking hell!” You exclaim.

“Hell? I’d say that was heaven, though.” He chuckles lowly.

“Damn, you’re so good with your mouth, it’s unbelievable.” You compliment, letting him settle between your legs as you feel his hard on press against you. “You made me feel so good.”

“Isa, baby, you haven’t seen anything yet.” He replies, moving his hips forward and entering you slowly, making you roll your head back.

He reconnects his lips with your neck as he’s fucking into you slowly, groaning each time he bottoms out into you, and you match him all the same, letting out soft moans each time you feel his whole length, each time he hits the sensitive spot inside of you.

You lock your legs around his hips, giving him even deeper access, and he continues fucking into you slowly for a bit, raising his head and kissing you softly over and over again.

“Don’t go on other dates, Isa, I’ll take you out anywhere, anytime. I’ll make you feel perfect, hm?” He says in-between your kisses.

You wonder if he means it, or if it’s just something he’s saying in the spur of a moment, but the way he’s fucking you feels more like making love than having sex. Gently, slowly, passionately, perfectly. You could drown in this feeling.

“Mhm, I won’t. I’m all yours, Chris.” You reply, closing your eyes, afraid to see his expression.

You’re afraid you’re going to see that he doesn’t feel the same, that he didn’t get the confession hidden behind your words.

I love you.

You wish you could say that, and you wish he’d say it too.

You wish he wouldn’t have felt so good on top of you. Maybe if you wouldn’t have been sexually compatible , you would’ve lost interest. Or, maybe, you should’ve never crossed the line and have your feelings blurred into one other.

Chris, your best friend.

Chris, the best partner you’ve ever been with sexually.

Chris, the man you’ve looked for in every other man you’ve ever dated and had sex with for the past many years.

“Baby, can we switch? I want to ride you so bad.” You say, feeling suddenly vulnerable under him.

You want to be in control. That way, your chest might not feel so tight.

“Yes, give me a moment.” He replies, burying himself deep in you again, kissing your lips and letting his tongue dance with yours.

Chris pulls back and plops right next to you, waiting patiently for you to straddle him, and as you do, you let yourself fall on his cock.

You let out a soft moan at the feeling, straightening your back and beginning to ride him fast, in opposite contrast to his previous slowly and precise movements.

Chris is quick to moan and raise his hands on your boobs, palming them softly as you bounce on his dick. Just as earlier, his movements seem calculated as he begins dragging his hands lower, making your skin melt under his touch.

He puts one hand on your waist and with the other, he begins rubbing your clit again, and once more, you feel yourself getting close, your movements becoming more erratic.

“Oh, God.” You roll your head back as you feel your whole body tremble, welcoming the bliss of another powerful orgasm that makes you collapse right on top of him.

“Good girl.” He compliments, beginning to raise his hips and fucking himself into you from underneath.

“Feels so good.” You say, kissing his neck messily as his moans get louder.

“I’m so, so close baby.” He speaks between hurried breaths.

“Let go, then.” You whisper against his ear, biting his earlobe slowly, and with a grunt and a final push, he starts cumming, filling you up. He continues moving his hips slowly for a few more moments, and when he’s done, he pulls out of you, so you roll over and collapse right next to him, both of your chests falling up and down as you try to regulate your breathing.

Neither of you say anything, you just lay next to each other in silence, the only sounds being your still hurried breaths.

“So, I wasn’t just horny.” Chris starts speaking after a little while.

“What?” You chuckle.

“I actually… I really like you. I meant what I said earlier. I don’t want you to go on dates with other people, to have someone else make you laugh at their jokes or to kiss them. I don’t want anyone else to see your perfect body, or your face when you come, or hear your moans. I want to be the only one who gets to see those.” He says, making your eyes widen at the sudden confession.

“Chris, I-”

“I’m really, really, really in love with you, Isa. I love you so much, and I’ve been in love with you since forever.”

“Really?” You ask. “But you never said anything… Why?”

“I don’t know... I guess I was just afraid of somehow losing you if I were to ever confess to you.” He says softly, and you understand him completely, and you can’t blame him for being a coward.

You’ve also been a coward.

“Me too… I’ve been in love with you since the first day we met, but… I’ve also been scared to say anything, because what if you would’ve rejected me, or stopped talking to me, or…?” You shake your head and turn around to hug him from the side, and he welcomes you in his arms, hugging you back tightly.

It feels intimate, to lay like this in bed naked next to Chris, to feel his heartbeat pulse against your hand, and his breath on your face, and you love this feeling more than anything.

For the first time in years, you feel content. You feel that maybe you weren’t that unlucky when it came to love; you just happened to search for it in the wrong places, when it’s always been right in front of you.

“So… I guess we’re together now?” He asks, and you let out a soft chuckle.

“Mhm, I guess so.” You nod and press a small kiss against his neck.

“We should really get cleaned up, shouldn’t we?”

“Yeah, we should.” You laugh. “Shower?”

“Sounds good. Together?”

“Please.”

~The End~

[archie-sunshine]

Quick blog update!

Hey there folks, just popping by to update all of you on everything!

UPDATE ONE: The stickers and pillows are shipping to me as we speak! i should have them by the end of the week, at which point i'll get right to work sending them on over! The mail strike is still happening, fingers crossed that gets fixed, but failing that i will STILL FIND A WAY TO GET THESE TO YOU I SWEAR

UPDATE TWO: STREAM TIMES

I did a poll last stream to see if anyone was interested in changing stream times, and the majority agreed not to, HOWEVER there is a big enough portion of people who wanted a weekend stream that i dont want to ignore them either, so starting next Saturday at 7:00PM EST i will be doing a third stream each week!! hoping to see you all there :D

UPDATE 3: INBOX

I cleared out a lot of asks in the inbox!!! I wanted a blank slate because im considering doing stream suggestions, but currently i have a bit of a love hate relationship with my inbox because clearing and restarting her is a fulltime sisyphean commitment, but i do genuinely love hearing people's requests...

I'd love to have requests based around meter and my ocs, or my aus as well, but anythings fine, so i suppose Requests are TENTATIVELY Reopened.

that'll be all!

[captainzigo]

Hi everypony!

My kofi is ko-fi.com/captainzigo if you enjoy my art, consider leaving me a tip! this is otherwise entirely a labor of love so,,,

you can also send a request with your tip! but if you choose to do so, please read the disclaimer later on in this post**

my non-art blog, where i accept asks is @snapewife-divorce-lawyer and my reblog-spam blog is @3amgaypotion also i am on bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/captainzigo.bsky.social

that's a bunch of pictures of my oc(/ponysona) Prickly Pear. she's a cowgirl

Frequent/noteworthy questions below the break

**on donations made to me:

if you send a request with a donation, there's a 99% chance i'll do it. and that remaining 1% i'll probably just ask you for a different request. if you send me a request with a donation you are not sending me a commision. you are making a donation, and i might do you a favor as a result. you do not own the resulting art. and I am under no obligation to complete it or to do it in the way that you like. you do not need to make a donation in order to make a request.

DM me about commissions

on sending me asks:

any asks you send me should be like Strongbad emails. one paragraph. no attachments. unless you are sending me refs.

in any interactions, please keep in mind that i am a stranger on the internet and act accordingly.

unless I have explicitly said otherwise, you can safely assume that I do not count you amongst my friends. it is nothing personal, it is in fact the opposite.

why am i like this?

i am autistic. i say this because representation matters, but also because i would like to ask that you please be very frank with me. i don't even really need your patience. just say what you mean and we will get along fine.

can you draw my ocs?

you most certainly can draw any of my ocs. i'd love that acually. tag me

on (re)posting my art:

do not post my art on other platforms. do not repost my art period. I don't really exist on other platforms since i deleted Twitter. So if you see my stuff on other platforms, it's not me. except for my bluesky.

transformative works are obviously allowed, at least here in USamerica where i live. but if you want my blessing, please keep them SFW, and try to keep the spirit of the original artwork

is my blog SFW?

im in my twenties. i keep my blog SFW (as i define it) as a strict rule.

i do not consider the fact that sex exists, that some people enjoy it, or some innuendo to be NSFW. i also do not consider swearing, even as tho a sailor might, to be NSFW.

are NSFW interactions ok?

in short: no. while i have no aversion to to that sort of thing, and often actually enjoy it, i keep this blog SFW. the intention behind my art is to be SFW even when it might be skirting the line. in general, and especially, specifically with mlp, i do not wish to have NSFW interactions on the internet. please respect this boundary.

on shipping:

in my opinion, all romance real or fictional should be between people who are similar in age, doing age appropriate things, not closely related, and all with mutual consent. i am not interested in witnessing or interacting with anything outside of these parameters.

on my blue hair and pronouns:

i am a trans woman. i am also bisexual. i am also poly and demi since im listing things. i am out online becasue i know how important it is to know that you aren't alone.

do i take constructive criticism?

NO 🖕👹🖕 FUCK YOU!!!!!!! GET BLOCKED IDIOT!! unless you are a marginalized person who feels i have unintentionally made you uncomfortable somehow with my art or otherwise. in that case i am sorry and you do me a great favor by calling me out. OTHERWISE FUCK YOU DUMBASS IF YOU DONT LIKE MY ART GO DRAW YOUR OWN 🖕🖕🖕🖕

“i hate bronies”…

i don't necessarily hate you if you self identify with that label. i like to make myself off-putting to keep creeps away. i talk about it more in this post: https://www.tumblr.com/captainzigo/744131513208176640/when-i-say-i-hate-bronies-in-my-header-its

brony?

i don't hold a lot of nostalgia for old brony stuff. infact it's quite the opposite. i was a child when the show came out, and more than that i am a girl. i am not a brony.

do i like g5?

i like all generations of mip including the new stuff. gen 4 is just the one i grew up with

why is my header aurora, bori and alice from the best gift ever?

well that would be because i hate them like a mother hates a child. like the sun hates the moon. like a sickly victorian child hates the slightest morsel of bread.

on flurryheart:

i often draw stuff about cozy glow x flurry heart. this is with the understanding that cozy glow spends about a decade turned to stone. nullifying the age gap.

🤓☝️ i think you mean effect, not affect

i am dyslexic. i spell stuff wrong all the time and i type weird. please don't bother correcting me. wooptydoo your brain is wired normally. sending you a medal.

on my username:

i've had the same username since i debuted on the internet. zigo is the name of an oc i made that i dont really talk much about anymore. zigo is a fine enough nickname, and at least one person calls me that irl.

[aylacavebear]

Soulmates? Yeah, right, pft. - Ch. 10

When you turn sixteen, and your soulmate's name doesn’t appear anywhere on your body that you can find, you figure you had to be the only person on the planet who didn’t have one. Most of the town shuns you, so you stick close to family. Your Aunt Ellen raised you after your parents died in a car crash when you were two, but what happens when the Winchesters return to town and buried secrets begin to come to light?

Pairing: Mechanic Dean Winchester x OC Reader/You

Word Count: 2490

Warnings: Fluff, Dean being a sweetheart, Dealing with emotional stuff.

A/N: This is my non-Supernatural fic I'm attempting. Please let me know what you think, as I always love hearing from my readers.

----------------------------------------- Chapter 10

Over the next two weeks, not much really happened. There were times when the cameras alerted you to movement, but you never saw anything on them. That was frustrating, even after rewatching them a dozen or more times. Not even an animal was in the frames, anywhere. Dean had even watched them, and if he had seen anything or thought of anything, he’d kept it to himself.

You also hadn’t heard anything from anyone about what was going on in the outside world. It felt like being in a sort of limbo, playing the waiting game. Dean had started sleeping next to you in your bed as the nightmares began coming more often. It was only when he held you that they stayed away. They always involved the same people and the bunker being found.

The mark on your collarbone burned often, and when it was really bad, Dean always put cream on it. There was a gentleness in his touch that always seemed to calm you. The new feelings around him were odd but welcoming, and you wished his name would show up on your collarbone already, if he really was your soulmate.

You had also pushed many of your thoughts and questions to the back of your mind. There were far too many, and you had no way of getting the answers you needed. None of the pieces made enough sense to you to act on anything, so you kept things to only friendship with Dean. Hoping had only brought you pain in the past. You chose to enjoy just having a best friend and that you weren’t alone in the bunker, as that would have driven you stir-crazy.

There were times Dean would disappear to a different room than you and be gone for far longer than needed just to use the bathroom. You hadn’t said anything but made a mental note of how often it was, and it was becoming more frequent. When he’d return to whatever room you two were in at the time, he’d always have a small smile, but there was something in his eyes that told you he was hiding something.

You weren’t entirely sure what day it even was when you woke up that morning and crawled out of bed. Dean was already awake and in the kitchen. You found him there cooking yet another odd concoction with what non-perishables were available in the pantry. Yawning, you made your way to the coffee pot and poured a cup.

“Morning, Sweetheart,” he smiled, looking over at you briefly.

“Morning,” you yawned out, taking a seat at the kitchen table, still not awake.

“Hungry?” he asked.

“I guess,” you mumbled, sipping the warm coffee and enjoying the flavor. Dean always made the best-tasting coffee, and you couldn’t figure out how he managed to do that every damn time.

Dean plated up an interesting breakfast. You couldn’t even really tell what it was as you stared at the plate he had set in front of you. It smelled good, at least.

“I swear, it won’t kill you if you eat it. I had to get creative,” he chuckled, seeing the skepticism on your face. 

You gave him a wary glance before taking a bite of the odd-looking concoction on the plate in front of you but were pleasantly surprised with its taste. You weren’t sure if you could compare it to anything you’d eaten before, but at the same time, it tasted familiar. Dean smirked as he watched you realize what he had made tasted far better than how it looked.

“Honestly, it’s not bad,” you finally told him after a couple of bites.

“Glad you like it,” he managed through his laughter.

“I’m looking forward to tasting how you cook normal food,” you teased him with a small smile.

“This is normal food,” he chuckled, taking another bite.

You just rolled your eyes, playfully though, finding him adorable. The two of you ate mostly in silence, only talking about what you’d fill the day with. You’d watched all the movies in the place and had played almost all the simple word games either of you could come up with. As you washed the dishes, you mentioned wanting to look around again. 

Dean groaned from the table, “We’ve been over this place like a dozen times already.”

“I know. I just want to look,” you replied, more focused on your thoughts and the dishes than the conversation.

He made another annoyed grumble that you couldn’t quite make out before he headed out to the living room. A few moments later, you heard the sound of one of the westerns beginning to play. You weren’t all that into those particular movies and wondered if perhaps your father may have been. 

There were times, like today, when the bunker felt almost confining. You missed the sun and watching it set. To see the colors change as it dipped beyond the horizon. Then there were the stars at night and even the moon. They felt like distant memories as you walked into the monitor room. The box of files still sat there on the table. You’d looked through it multiple times but didn’t understand the legal jargon in half of it. With a heavy sigh, you sat down and pulled the papers out again, flipping through them in hopes that something would stand out. You’d put the letters from your parents there as well. As you reread the last one, you frowned, wishing you knew what was going on in the outside world. 

One of the camera recordings began flashing, drawing your attention to it. You changed seats and sat in front of the monitor, closely watching the camera. Still, it was like nothing was there.

I wonder if this place is haunted.

The thought almost made you chuckle. You knew that wasn’t the case, or the cameras would have alerted you far before this set of incidents. They typically didn’t flash during the day, and today, you saw something. It didn’t seem like much to you as you tilted your head and watched the tiny rock barely come into view on the far side of the screen. Hell, you would have missed it if it had happened at night.

“Dean!” you hollered, staring at the monitor.

He showed up behind you far faster than you thought he would, “What? What’s wrong?” he asked, almost sounding out of breath for a moment.

“A rock set this one off,” you told him, still fairly dumbfounded at the oddness of it.

“A rock?” he asked, but he didn’t sound confused, he sounded concerned.

You pulled up the recording and showed it to him on the screen, where it had barely come into view on the far side of what the camera could pick up. “See. There,” you told him, pointing to the rock again on another replay.

“Sweetheart, move,” he told you, and his tone began to worry you, but you got up so he could sit down.

“It’s just a rock,” you said, crossing your arms.

Dean didn’t say anything in return. He began pulling up old videos, and you sighed. Instead of standing there and watching him, you cleaned up the papers on the table and put them neatly back in their box. You glanced at Dean one more time before heading out to the living room, now fairly bored, again. 

You and Dean had moved the furniture around a few different times, just trying to make the place feel different, but it was beginning to feel stifling. The things you missed played through your mind again as you tried to remember what the sun felt like on your skin or the breeze of a cool fall day blowing through your hair.

The two of you had gone over every inch of the place and hadn’t found any more secret rooms, but for some reason, you felt like you were still missing something. You weren’t even sure where to look at this point. Knowing you had to distract yourself from your thoughts, you sighed and began looking over the bookshelf again. 

In movies, they always use bookshelves to hide secret rooms. Is that too obvious? Would my parents do that sort of thing? 

Again, you slid your fingers over the shelves and along the books. Nothing stood out or felt different. It just felt like a regular wooden shelf painted white to match the off-white walls. It was the one piece of furniture that neither you nor Dean could move though. You even checked along the sides of it where it met the wall.

The surface was smooth under your fingers as you slowly trailed them down the side of the bookcase. There was literally nothing there, just shelf and wall. Frustrated, you grabbed a chair from the kitchen and set it in front of the bookshelf. Last time, Dean had been the one to check the top of it and along the wall. You were barely tall enough once on the chair to see the top of the bookshelf. It was a little dusty, so you tried to wipe it away with your hand. Even after you got most of the dust off of it, you still didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. It just looked like a shelf to you. With a sigh, you ran your index finger along the back where it attached to the wall. You may not have felt anything, but you heard something click, and the shelf popped half an inch away from the wall.

You nearly fell off the chair, startled due to standing on your tiptoes. Holding your chest as your heart began to calm down, you slipped off the chair, moving out of the way. Dean still hadn’t come out of the monitor room, so you slipped your fingers inside the small opening and pulled the shelf away from the wall. It was another staircase that led down.

Makes sense. The house above is two stories, why wouldn’t this one have another floor?

The air that drifted from the staircase felt cooler than the floor you were on, and it piqued your curiosity. You glanced toward the hallway before slipping inside, then down the steps. It wasn’t as narrow as the other staircase, but it was dark. I should have looked for a light switch.

Making it to the bottom, you moved your hand along the wall and smiled when you found the light switch there. A light above the stairs came on, causing you to look at it. Then you cursed under your breath for looking at the bright bulb. There was an open doorway to the right of the stairs, so again, felt along the inside of it for a light switch. You really didn’t feel like fumbling around in the dark.

As your fingers flicked it upward, your jaw nearly dropped. The room was huge. In the center was a pool table, and along the walls were more bookcases, only these held games and books of all sorts. 

Wish I’d found this a month ago.

You chuckled to yourself as you looked around, even peeking into the other room that was there. When you did, your jaw hit the floor. It was a walk-in freezer almost the size of the pantry on the other floor. You licked your lips when you saw all sorts of different meats packed neatly away on the shelves. Dean’s gonna love this.

As you were reading over some of the book titles, you barely heard your name being called from upstairs, which pulled your gaze to the open doorway. Knowing you shouldn’t make him worry, you headed back upstairs, making it past the bookshelf just as he came into the living room.

He looked at you, fairly confused, “What’d you find?”

“You’re gonna love it,” you told him excitedly, completely forgetting the rock thing on the monitor from earlier.

You grabbed Dean’s hand and led him downstairs. He looked just as surprised as you were, but when he saw the walk-in freezer, he smiled from ear to ear.

“Oh, we’re having steak tonight,” he stated after licking his lips. Dean picked out a couple of steaks and then went back into what you had deemed the game room. “Might have to test out that pool table later,” he added as he glanced over at it.

“Do you even know how to play pool?” you asked him mildly curiously.

“Sweetheart, yes, I know how to play pool,” he chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

The enjoyment was short-lived as a small red light lit up near the doorway, and the two of you looked at each other before running back upstairs. You’d even forgotten to turn off the lights down there. Dean still had the steaks in hand as you reached the monitor room, but again, there was nothing noticeable on the screen. 

He sighed and set the steaks on the table, then stood behind you, “They’re trying to figure out where the cameras are and how far they can see,” he explained in a worried tone.

You looked up at him, still a bit confused, “What do you mean?”

“Your birthday is less than a month away. Sam’s at least got your case in the system, and the first court date is next week, but that’s just to hear it out. Vaught’s men are trying to find you before your birthday and before things get too far in the courts,” Dean explained as he leaned against the table, crossing his arms.

Looking back at the monitor you saw it flash red again. The rocks they were using were almost impossible to spot. “But, they can’t find us here, can they?” you asked quietly, hoping you didn’t sound as worried as you felt.

“So far, I don’t think they can. Jodi even called in some outside help to keep an eye on the house, but these guys are good. At least your parents hid the cameras well. We won’t have to worry unless these people find them and take them out,” Dean replied, keeping an even tone.

It was something you couldn’t understand with him, how he seemed to keep what he was feeling out of his words. He also seemed to keep his expression just as plain. There were little things he did, but they were so subtle they were easy to miss.

“Why does it feel like there's something you’re not telling me?” you asked carefully.

He sighed, still watching the monitor, “Sam found a loophole in the paperwork. If he can’t get a judge to take on your case and have the paperwork in a judge's hands before your birthday, Cole has the legal right to marry you, and no one can stop it. He could even make the case last for years in the system, and you’d have to stay married to him.”

No… ----------------------------------------- Chapter 11

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If I missed tagging, please let me know. I had a lot of requests for tags for this one. If you'd like to be tagged, drop me a comment.

[gayspacepiratesss]

OC Tag Game

Thank you for tagging me, @dudewheresmynug !! I love Lydia and it was fun to learn more about her 🥰

I think a lot of people I know have already been tagged, BUT I want to hear more about @jeyradan @buckynats @uniquelyuninspired @master-of-the-elements @thepoetskettle @antivan-sprig and anyone else who wants to play, if you haven't already!

Also, I only have two photos of Eann on my phone (I'm traveling this weekend) and I took them both before I realized my hair settings were on medium, so... just imagine her with stranded hair 😅😅💕

Name: Eann Aldwir

Alias: Nuglet, sometimes Nuggles or Nuggie or just Nug. Don't tell Neve (EVER) but Eann is small and pinkish with big ears and when she first started working with Strife she'd get put on cave duty a lot because she could fit in tight spaces. The team started calling her Nuglet, etc. She hates this nickname. Neve would love it. DON'T TELL NEVE.

Gender: Female

Sexual Orientation: Lesbian/Queer (mainly interested in women but not gender essentialist about these things)

Age: 32? 33? A little younger than Neve (and me lol), probably, but old enough not to care.

Spoken language: Common, some Elvish, a few interesting curses in various languages picked up from Varric (she's making Taash teach her more Quniat swears).

Occupation: Muck-about mage. Good at squeezing into tight spaces, encouraging people, and making bad jokes in worse situations. Eann was never a circle mage, and barely thinks of herself as a mage at all. She mainly uses magic as the most natural and intuitive way of bashing at dangerous things. She was raised among the Dalish, but her mother had been a city elf; she escaped to the clans when Eann showed signs of magical talent as a toddler, and Eann inherited a certain gritty disenchantment from her mum. She has tattoos but not vallaslin (more on that in a minute), and she loves Arlathan but doesn't love the Dalish obsession with Elvhen culture and history. She's not especially distressed that the gods are false, although she wishes they could have been, like, cheap con-men instead of the worst people alive.

FAVORITE:

Color: Peachy pink! Rose. Salmon. Burnt orange. She is a whole bouquet of warm colors, not really on purpose but because her hair and skintone makes any other palette seem cold. If she COULD, though, she'd wear slate blue like the Grey Wardens. She likes their look.

Entertainment: I hate to say this, but pranks. Cute ones, not mean ones, but... pranks. Wisps in the pantry, training Assan to hide Davrin's favorite carvings on the roof, swapping out every halla figurine for one of Manfred just to see who notices. Taash and Harding will sometimes help, Emmrich is never not surprised, Neve and Davrin roll their eyes.

Pastime: She's quite keen on exercise and trains a lot in her spare time (needs those biceps for dragging herself up off the edge of every cliff in the world lol). She also is just really interested in people and will spend HOURS chatting up strangers and learning their life stories. She collects and dries herbs for custom tisanes (herbal teas) -- not medicinal, just tasty, and a way to keep her friends up talking until the wee hours.

Food: Oh, ANYthing. Yum. Except not mint, and not nug meat. Nugs are too cute. Also she identifies too strongly with them at this point.

Drink: Tea (see above), coffee strong enough to punch you in the face, a good Tevinter white. Also ale. Can't go wrong with pub ale, really. (Note: Eann is incorrect about this. You can go wrong. VERY wrong, and she has. But never mind.)

HAVE THEY...

Passed university: I meeean... the Dalish University of hard knocks? Basically no. Eann can read and write and has Veil Jumper training, but she was never very good at formal studies and her teachers were often exasperated with her. She's smart, and she has an eye for getting out of tight spaces/situations (again, cave duty) but she's not an academic by any stretch of the imagination.

Had sex: God yes. Eann loves people, in all senses of the word. She's a terrible flirt and she follows up. Gentle, though. If she sees you're shy or sensitive, she'll be careful with you.

Had sex in public: Well. There was a haycart once. But there was a LOT of hay, and they were subtle about it. She's pretty sure, anyway. (Mainly she thinks, why not a lovely soft bed if you have one?)

Gotten tattoos: Both her arms have light gold sleeves in the shape of wings! When she stretches, they shimmer in the light. No one really knows if it's because she loves Assan or wishes she was a Crow or just likes birds, and Eann won't tell. (But really. Who doesn't want to feel a little free?)

Gotten piercings: No, but not for any good reason. She probably would if you dared her.

Gotten scarred: Really a fact of life more than anything, at this point. A particularly bad one on her left thigh. Her scars heal well, though, and she's avoided anything on her face so far.

Had a broken heart: Eann generally bounces back quickly. She'll love someone until they seem not interested anymore and then she's on to the next thing and best of luck to you. But deep down she believes love is just a temporary kindness. The world is hard and hurtful and unpredictable, and we lose things even when we try not to. She'll do her best to protect you. She'll break her heart doing it. But that's not your fault, and she doesn't blame you.

ARE THEY

A cuddler: Oh sure, always. Touchy-feely as hell. But Eann is uncannily good at reading people so she'll also leave you be if she senses that's not the thing to do.

Scared easily: Well. She'll happily fight almost anything, doesn't startle, doesn't scream. But she gets CREEPED OUT by gross things, including the blight. Especially the blight. Also very susceptible to ghost stories, which Neve takes unfair advantage of.

Jealous easily: Nah. If you love her, you love her. If you don't, she's off. (But she does get her feelings hurt sometimes if people leave her out of things. She likes to feel connected and included.)

Trustworthy: More than she'd like you to know. Eann keeps secrets to the grave, and masks a deep seriousness with a few too many poorly timed jokes, but you can see it. Varric could see it. She's a bit like him, in that way.

FAMILY:

Parents/Siblings: Just her and her mother and the Aldwir clan. She sees a bit of herself in Taash in this way, both raised by single parents in a community that both did and didn't belong to them (although she also recognizes Taash has gone through a lot of shit she never did). Eann loves her mother, who's getting on just fine without her as armorsmith back home, but the clan was always full of children and other people who knew her. She was never really alone, even if she WANTED to be.

Children: Eann raising a child would be the cutest way to give Neve Gallus an actual heart attack. They'd all survive but at least two of them would nearly go over a cliff/ catch on fire/ raise a demon every day. It seems... possible? But more likely they'd find an orphan in need of a family than that they'd sit down and plan one. Definitely no pregnancy for Eann, ever.

Pets: EVERYTHING! A nug, a halla, a weird Hossberg lizard thingy, a Minrathous cat -- Eann accepts all comers. Neve might need a bigger apartment. 😻