#threw half of them out and the rest i'm gonna try to throw in the washer and air dry out

[kitwilsonsass]

i think it's very brave of me to use one of my only two days in a row off for the next two weeks to do more cleaning even though i'm already sore as hell from yesterday

[soaps-mohawk]

Cherry Red, Crimson Blood

Chapter 5: What I Want

Summary: You begin your training with Ghost, but not everything goes as smoothly as you'd hoped. At least you're learning how to want things, and that it won't kill you if you ask for them.

Pairing: Poly 141 x reader, some Ghost x Soap

Warnings: NSFW, 18+, oral sex, Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics, Alternate Universe, a/b/o typical classism and sexism, military inaccuracies, suggestive content, language, brief violence, reader has a breakdown

A/N: I know I was supposed to rest, but I couldn't help myself. I just had to get this one done. I was feeling it. We're finally getting into the good stuff here. Things will kind of pick up after this part, so I'm really looking forward for that.

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(Gif pulled from google)

You tug nervously at your sleeve, feeling exactly as you did when you had to sit in the director’s office at The Institute. Only, you never got in trouble there. You had never been summoned because you misbehaved. You made it a point not to get into trouble, avoiding it at all costs. 

You’ve been here just over a week and you’ve already messed up. 

Price is staring at you across his desk, leaning on his elbows as his blue eyes bore into you. You’re not staring at Price, you think. No, you’ve come face to face with The Captain. He’s angry, though you can’t be entirely sure. You’ve never seen him truly angry. You’re waiting on the reprimanding, the punishment, for him to tell you they’re sending you back because you’re too much trouble. 

“I want you to tell me exactly what happened.”

You flinch at his voice, half expecting him to start shouting but he sounds almost calm. There’s a strain to his voice, like he’s restraining himself. He’s doing it for your sake, you think. 

“Ghost and I were walking back from the mess when one of the alphas called out to me. He...he asked if I was going to go spread my legs for ‘that freak’ and he said he could offer me a better time.” You swallow thickly, Price’s shoulders tensing just slightly. “I don’t know what happened...I just suddenly felt so angry and it’s like I lost control of myself and I went up to him and he asked if I was gonna take him up on his offer and that he’d like to bend me over and stare at my sweet ass all night...and then I hit him, sir.” 

“Good.” 

You look up at Price in surprise at his answer, your eyes widening a bit. “S-sorry, sir?” 

“I have little tolerance for alphas that think it’s alright to speak crudely to omegas, especially those they were explicitly told to let be. You saved me a lot of paperwork today. Simon would have done a lot worse had you not gotten to him first.” He moves the papers on his desk aside, holding out his hand. “Let me see.” 

You stare at his hand for a moment before you realize he’s talking about your hand. You push your sleeve up, putting your hand in his. Your knuckles have swollen a bit and bruised, tender to the touch as he runs his thumb over them. 

“Simon told me you asked him to teach you to fight.” He says, closing his fingers around your hand. 

“Well, not so much fight, sir.” You say, staring at your hands. “Maybe just how to throw a decent punch.” 

“I’d say the one you threw today was at least half-decent. Corporal Allen is sporting quite the bruise on his face.” The corner of his lips lift in a smile. “You won’t have to worry about him anymore. He’ll be properly dealt with and they’ll all be receiving a lecture on proper base etiquette.” 

“So...am I in trouble, sir?” You ask, pulling your hand back slowly as he releases it. 

“No, you were simply defending yourself after Corporal Allen made a pass at you. Just don’t make it a habit of going around punching alphas.” He smiles. 

“I’ll try not to, sir.” You say, relieved that you weren’t about to get punished for your mistake. 

“Go on.” He nods towards the door. “I’m sure the boys are waiting for you.” 

“Thank you, sir.” You say, standing up from your chair, heading towards the door. 

Price leans back in his chair as the door closes, the sweet scent of caramel and strawberries still permeating his office. He breathes it in for a moment before pulling out his phone, scrolling through the contacts. 

“You’ll be delighted to hear our girl punched an alpha in the face today.” He says once the other line picks up. 

“She did what?” Laswell asks, genuine surprise in her tone. 

“One of the Corporals made a pass at her, and she left quite the bruise on his cheek. She’s turning into quite the spitfire.” 

“I told you she would fit right in. Underneath all that institute-taught BS there’s quite the personality. How is she settling in?” 

“She’s softening up to the betas already. Still a bit fidgety, but she’s found a way to get Simon to warm up to her.” 

“Oh? How so?” 

“She asked him to teach her to fight.” Price grins. 

Laswell chuckles. “I told you she’s smart. Just make sure he’s gentle with her.” 

“Don't worry, I reminded him to go easy on her. I think it will be good for both of them. Some forced proximity will be good for Simon and she’ll get to learn a few things that could be helpful.” 

“So long as she doesn’t go around trying to fight more alphas.” 

“She’s already promised not to. The Corporal got off easy. I can only imagine what Simon might have done to him.” 

“I’m glad to hear things are going well, John. I worry about her sometimes, but I know you boys will take good care of her.” 

“We’re doing our best.” 

“If you ever need anything, you know you can call.” 

“I know. I’ll keep you updated as her heat gets closer.” 

“Good. I’d hate to have to file that paperwork.” 

Price grimaces. “I know. I hope you don’t have to.” 

You’re tying your shoes as the knock sounds on the door. You’re not sure how they manage to do it, always seeming to catch you at the perfect moment. You’re glad Kate thought to get you some more active-wear type clothing, though perhaps she expected you’d be getting involved in their training or at least start a bit of your own once you arrived, just as she had thought to get you outdoorsy clothes too. 

You open the door, staring up at the hulking form of Ghost. 

“Come on.” He grunts, turning on his heel to walk down the hallway. 

You quickly close your door, hurrying after him. Not much has changed since your request for him to train you, though you didn’t really expect it to. Not at first, at least. You still have to prove yourself to him. Simply existing and getting involved in their lives would not be enough. 

He escorts you to the gym, a building you haven’t been in yet. There’s a few soldiers milling around, most of them in the weight room. There’s a pool across from the weight room, for more than just swimming, you think. Your father had talked about his own water survival training. You can only imagine the kind of water training they go through. 

Ghost leads you towards the back of the gym, unlocking a door near the exit. It’s set up not unlike a dojo, mats on the floor and punching bags and other training equipment along the walls. Ghost empties his pockets, setting his things on a bench before removing his sweatshirt. 

You can’t help but stare, only ever having seen him in long sleeves. His muscles bulge beneath his t-shirt, the first bit of skin revealed to you besides his neck, chin, and hands. Your eyes are drawn to his arms, taking in the sheer size of them. 

Tattoos. 

He has a sleeve of tattoos on his left arm. You have a desire to look at them closer, to trace each one but you wouldn’t dare. Not right now. You pull off your own sweatshirt, folding it and setting it on the bench, leaving you in just a t-shirt and your leggings. 

You fail in your attempt not to stare as he walks towards the center of the mat in his t-shirt and sweatpants, swallowing nervously. He turns to face you, motioning for you to approach with two of his fingers. Your face warms as you hurry onto the mat, coming to stand in front of him. 

“Let me see.” He says, holding out his hand. 

You stare at it for a moment before your brain catches up, and you put your right hand into his. You ignore the feeling of his fingers wrapping around your hand, lifting it so he can inspect your still bruised knuckles. 

“We’ll start with dodging.” He says, releasing your hand, taking a step back. “Let me see your stance.” 

You part your feet a little, bringing your fists up to your face. His shoulders shake in a quiet huff of a laugh as he stares at you. 

“You need to stagger your stance more.” He says, circling you. “Otherwise,” Hands push you from behind, and you nearly avoid face planting into the floor. “You’re too easy to knock over. The last thing you want is the fight to end up on the floor. You won’t be getting back up if you let your opponent overpower you that much. Again.” He motions to you. 

You set up your stance again, widening your feet just a bit. 

“Good.” He says, moving to stand in front of you. “These protect your face.” He says, hands wrapping around your wrists, raising your hands just a bit. “You get hit in the face...” 

“I won’t be getting back up.” You finish for him. 

You know most fights end up with both opponents on the ground. You’d watched your brothers wrestle and play fight enough to know that. You’re not here to learn how to win a fight, only how to protect yourself enough until you can find space to run. 

You barely have time to stumble back as his fist swings at you, nearly losing your footing. “Hey! You could warn me first.” 

“You think someone attacking you is going to warn you?” He asks. 

He has a point. 

“Use your legs.” He says as you set yourself up again. “Move side to side if you can instead of ducking under the punch, but if you have to, don’t let your eyes leave your opponent.” 

You see this punch coming, ducking to your right to avoid getting hit. 

“Good.” He says, repeating the motion with his left hand. “Stay focused.” 

You continue with the same motion a few times, already starting to feel a bit fatigued. Running is one thing, but strength is another. Most omegas aren’t naturally strong, nor are they inclined to increase their strength. That’s what alphas and their packs are for. It’s not unheard of, though, for omegas to increase their physical strength. Perhaps you’ll need to consider looking into doing that as well. 

Ghost takes a step back, letting you rest for a moment. You’re breathing heavily, though he’s hardly looking fatigued at all. He’s used to this, you remind yourself. He probably throws more punches in a day in the field than he’s thrown at you so far in 30 minutes. 

“Now, let’s make it a bit more realistic.” He says, a low rumble at the edge of his voice. 

A wave of scent hits you, your brain nearly short-circuiting. Fear pulses through you, ozone burning your nostrils. You stumble backwards, landing on your back on the mat. You’re breathing heavily, every cell in your body screaming at you to run or submit. 

“That’s...that’s n-not fair!” You say, your hands trembling from the adrenaline coursing through you. 

“Any alpha you fight is going to use every natural advantage they have over you.” Ghost says, stalking towards you. You can practically see it, the purebred alpha within him coming through. “You need to learn to protect yourself against them.” 

“That's...that’s not possible.” You say, the edge of a whine detectable in your tone. 

He kneels down over you, crowding into your space despite the souring of your scent. It doesn’t even seem to phase him as he forces you flat on your back, his hands coming to rest on either side of your head. You stare up at him, every fiber of your being screaming at you to bare your throat, submit, give in. 

Don’t back down. 

Don’t back down. 

You push past the fear, the instincts screaming at you as you drive your knee up into his stomach. He lets out a grunt but it doesn’t phase him, his hand wrapping around your leg, using his sheer strength to flip you onto your stomach under him. He presses against you, body folding over yours. You resist the urge, the instinct to press back into him, to be a good omega. 

“If an alpha gets you onto the floor...” He says, warm breath fanning your ear through his mask. “You won’t want to get back up.” 

His face presses against your neck as he inhales deeply before he pushes himself up, grabbing the back of your shirt and hauling you to your feet as well. You’re shaking, your heart thumping in your chest. Your head feels fuzzy, your brain buzzing a bit. Your omega is confused, poised to strike but she’s not sure against who. Ghost isn’t a threat, and you know that, but he had just proved how easily he could be. Any of them could be, with a simple scent change and their sheer strength. 

“Again.” He says, getting into a fighting stance. 

“You can’t expect me to fight after that.” You say, your voice breathless. 

“If you’re in a real fight, you won’t have much of a choice.” He says, the rumble still audible around his own voice. 

He’s right. If someone is attacking you, it’s likely going to be to kill, or to try and take you from them. Your omega shifts uncomfortably as you raise your shaking hands to guard your face. You continue to dodge punches, hitting the ground more and more as you continue to get tired. You’re going to be sore, still feeling your hike through the woods a bit. 

The door opens, giving you a moment to breathe. Soap enters, a grin on his face. 

“Ah, the wee lass is still breathin’.” He says, leaning against the wall. “Came tae make sure ye hadnae killed ‘er.” 

You can practically hear Ghost roll his eyes, his back turned to you as he says something to Soap. You can’t hear what it is, the ringing in your ears too loud. Your omega is still worked up, still poised to strike, more so now in your exhausted state. You push yourself off the floor, not having a moment to think things through before you’re throwing yourself at Ghost’s back. 

He turns before you hit him, catching you and flipping you onto your back on the mat. You hit hard, the breath forced from your lungs at the impact.

“Christ, Simon!” Soap shouts, hurrying to your side. “Ye tryin’ tae break her, ye numpty?” 

“Don’t do that again.” Ghost growls at you, stomping over to grab his things before leaving the room. 

“Easy, hen.” Soap soothes you as you gasp for air, his hand gently rubbing your shoulder. “Be over before ye know it.” 

Slowly the paralysis of your diaphragm begins to lessen, your stomach still aching but the air comes easier now. You squeeze your eyes shut, trying to fight the tears. You’ve messed it up. One day and you’ve already done more damage than you would have had you not asked him to teach you to fight. 

“Don’ worry, hen. He’s just worked up, that's all.” Soap says, brushing a damp strand of hair from your forehead. 

“It’s his fault.” You murmur. 

“Maybe, but yer scent...surprised you didn’t notice, hen.” Soap wiggles his brows. 

Your face warms. You hadn’t noticed the uptick of muskiness in the room, the heady scent of arousal before now.

It’s not yours. 

“Me?” You ask, letting Soap help you into a seated position. 

Soap smirks. “It wasnae me that tented his breeks this time.” 

Your face warms even more, your body feeling like it might explode. 

“Come on, hen.” He says, slipping his hands under your arms to lift you to your feet. “There’s still time tae shower before breakfast.” 

“I can assume you know why you were called in here sooner than our normal weekly meeting time.” Dr. Keller says as you sit in her office. 

“Because I punched Corporal Allen.” You say with a wince. 

Dr. Keller nods. “Indeed. I just want to make sure you’re feeling alright, after that. Getting into an altercation with an alpha can be tough.” 

“I don’t think I’d call it an altercation.” You say quietly. 

“Maybe not,” She says, shuffling her papers. “But standing up to an alpha can be daunting.” 

“I wasn’t alone.” You shrug. “Ghost was there.” 

“I saw both yours and Lieutenant Riley’s account of what happened. I’m wondering, would you have confronted him if you were alone?” 

Her question makes you think for a moment. Would you have stopped? Would you have confronted him, much less punched him if you were alone, or even with one of the others? No, you likely would have ignored him and kept walking like you did with Gaz. You’d likely have gone straight to your room and cried a little out of embarrassment and disgust. 

“No, ma’am.” You say quietly. “I don’t think so.” 

Dr. Keller nods. “You’re aware of Lieutenant Riley’s status.” 

You nod, a frown pulling at your brows. How did she figure it out? “Yes, ma’am.” 

“I know because I have access to their medical records.” Dr. Keller says. “It’s required for statuses to be present in medical records since purebreds have to be treated differently, just as alphas, betas, and omegas have to be treated differently.” 

You do know that. You know that an injured alpha can get defensive if they feel cornered. You know omegas can die from stress if they’re not taken care of correctly. You know betas can get overwhelmed by large groups of injured people all in the same place without proper training to filter out the scents of agony and suffering. 

“I think you reacted to his scent.” Dr. Keller continues. “You mentioned feeling a sudden rush of uncontrollable anger. Do you remember smelling anything at that moment?” 

You nod. “Ozone.” 

She nods, the pieces beginning to come together in your own head. “I’m sure you’ve figured out how different purebred alpha’s are and how much more potent their scents are. Your own status makes you more susceptible to their scents and the changes in them. You were reacting to the change in his scent. Your omega sensed a threat, and took over for a moment to defend you. It’s a natural response in omegas towards those they see as protectors, or even packmates.” 

Your eyes widen a bit at her words. Ghost is technically your packmate. He’s an alpha in your pack, but you’ve never considered that you see him as anything but. He has defended you, and he had defended you not long before your altercation with Corporal Allen. Had your omega begun to cling to him out of a sheer need for protection after something like what happened in the mess? 

You would like Ghost to see you as more than just an omega in his pack, more than just Price’s omega. You know he’d never claim you, but you’d at least like to get onto friendly terms with him. Soap said it had taken proving himself before Ghost started to accept him. You’re hoping your time spent learning how to fight helps you prove yourself, that you’re not a threat or even a risk. That maybe you can be an acceptable omega for his pack. 

“Aside from this incident, how are you settling in? How are things going with your new pack?” 

“Fine, I guess.” You shrug, starting to pick at your sleeve again. “Ghost is teaching me to defend myself.”

“Oh? Does this have something to do with what happened with Corporal Allen? Or is there a different reason?” Dr. Keller asks. 

“I mean, partially that but also, Ghost, he’s...hard to get along with.” You grimace. “I know that in relationships, a good way to bond with people is to get into their hobbies so you have something in common. Ghost...ghost speaks in violence and I think it would help ease some of my fears if I can at least defend myself.” 

“I think this is a great idea. It allows for some bonding time between the two of you, and it can also be beneficial to ease your anxiety a bit. As long as you’re being careful and you don’t get hurt.” She says, giving you a pointed look. 

You think back to Ghost flipping you onto your back on the mat, narrowly missing getting hit, how he’d pinned you down using his own scent against you. “He’s being careful.” You say, clearing your throat. “Price would put him through the ringer if something happened. Even just as an accident.” 

“How are things going with Price?” She asks, writing something down. 

You shrug. “Fine. He involved me in some training this past weekend. We hiked out to a watchtower and the others tried to follow my scent. We got to spend some time together while we waited.” 

“Have you done much of that? Spending time together?” She asks. 

You shake your head. “Not really. He’s...busy. A lot.” 

“You should start making an effort to get to know him more.” Dr. Keller says. “It’ll make it easier once your heat hits if you’re familiar with him. Have you knelt for him yet?” 

You shake your head again, not wanting to answer out loud. 

“Why not?” She asks. 

“He still hasn’t asked me to.” You murmur. 

“Do you know why omegas kneel for their alphas?” She asks. 

You nod. “It’s good for our brains and bodies. It helps relax us and soothes our omega, makes it easier to process stressful events and can prevent stress related diseases later in life.” 

Dr. Keller nods. “Correct. It’s an important first step in building that bond between an alpha and an omega, when it’s done correctly.” 

Bad alphas can use kneeling to control omegas, put them in certain mindsets, make them more subservient. You know this, you’d heard stories from your fellow omegas after watching their parents. That’s not kneeling. You never had the heart to tell them it was so much worse. 

“Do you want to kneel for him?” She asks you. 

That word again. 

You do want to kneel for him. You’ve wanted to since this past Saturday in the watchtower. You’ve felt that urge, that drive to drop to your knees beside him and let yourself go, let him carry everything you’ve been feeling over the last week. 

You nod slowly, ripping one of the strings off your sleeve. You’re fighting the tears, fighting the emotions welling up inside you. You can feel them building, pushing against your stomach and your chest, threatening to burst right out of your skin and leave you nothing but an empty carcass. You’re breathing has picked up, shaking a bit as you inhale deeply. 

“Why haven’t you asked?” Dr. Keller asks, her brows furrowing as she stares at you. 

“I don’t know how!” The words tear from your lips, almost echoing as they bounce off the walls like projectiles. You haven’t so much as raised your voice in years, much less to a person of authority, but you can’t stop. The dam has been breached. “Everyone keeps asking me what I want, but I don’t know how to want!” Tears cascade down your cheeks, your breaths coming in sharp gasps. You cover your face with your hands, muffling your sobs. “I’m not supposed to want.” 

“Hey,” Dr. Keller’s voice is soft as she kneels in front of you, her hands trying to gently pry yours away from your face. “Who told you that?” 

“That’s what we’re taught!” You hiccup, letting her pull your hands from your face. The tears are still falling, lips trembling as you sob. “We’re supposed to be good omegas. Obedient and serve our alphas. We don’t want anything, we’re only supposed to give.” 

“Well that’s a load of bullshit if I’ve ever heard it.” 

Dr. Keller’s words shock you into reality, your sobs halting with a sharp inhale. You stare at her, the tears still spilling from your eyes. Your hands are closed into fists, your sore knuckles aching from the strain. 

“You’re an omega. It’s in your nature to want, to need. You can’t help your alpha if your own needs aren’t being met first. It’s okay to need things, to want things. Are there things you want?” 

“Softer blankets. Fluffier pillows. A nightlight. Something to put on my walls. Strawberry scented body wash. Some goddamn authentic Mexican food.” 

Dr. Keller chuckles lightly. “I can agree with you on that last one.” She squeezes your arms gently. “You’re allowed to ask for things. You’re not a soldier, and even they are allowed to have things of their own, comfort items, with them. It doesn’t have to be material things either that you ask for. I’m sure your pack would find a way to bend over backwards if you asked them.” 

She’s right. The book says omegas can hold great power over the members of their packs if they try. A mix of playing their instincts and the right behavior and temperament can have betas and alphas wrapped around your finger. The idea of having such control over four powerful men makes your head spin. 

“I want Soap to kiss me.” You blurt out, your face warming as you hastily wipe at your tears to hide. 

“Oh?” Dr. Keller’s eyebrows raise as she looks at you. “This is a new development.” 

“We...we almost did...a couple days ago.” You say, burying your face in your hands. “But I stopped it because I thought maybe Price...but then he said he didn’t care...” 

Dr. Keller gently wraps her hands around your wrists, lowering your hands. “It’s okay to want that, and it’s okay to want to kneel for Price. I bet he’d be delighted if you asked him. I bet he was waiting because he didn't think you were ready for it yet.”  

The calming beta scent washes over you, Dr. Keller projecting it to try and help you calm down. Your tears have stopped, your breathing starting to slow as the gentle almond scent goes straight to your brain. 

“I’d like us to still meet for our regularly scheduled appointment this week, but I’m giving you an assignment to complete between then and now.” Dr. Keller says. “I want you to ask one of the members of your pack for one thing that you want. You can pick what it is, and who you ask, but I want to hear about it when I see you later this week, understood?” 

You push back the nerves twisting in your stomach. “Yes, ma’am.” 

“Good.” She pushes herself up to stand. “You can stay here as long as you want. Just let me know when you’re ready to go back to the barracks. Take your time. You are my only patient.” 

She grabs the paperwork off the couch before moving to her desk. You watch her for a moment before letting your eyes wander. You wipe at your face, your cheeks feeling puffy from your tears. You’re glad she’s giving you time to relax. The last thing you needed was to run into a member of your pack like this. 

That’s not a conversation you want to have right now. 

You take deep breaths, letting the beta scent permeating the air calm you down. You sink down further into the chair, letting it surround you. It’s soft, the cushions pressing around you like a hug. You wonder how she managed to get it in the hard, “function-above-all” world of the military. You wonder how she got most things in her office, or maybe if she’d brought them with her. 

It was likely Kate’s doing, you think. The office space was made for an omega, set up to be as comforting as possible. Though, you don't doubt Dr. Keller would have argued her case for having these things fearlessly if she had to. 

You stay in her office for a while, listening to the clacking of her keyboard as the soothing beta scent washes over you. Your eyes are still burning a bit as you force yourself out of the chair, out of the soft comfort you could spend days wrapped in. 

“I’m ready to go now.” You say quietly. 

“Okay.” Dr. Keller says, finishing what she was typing before she stands, grabbing her keys. 

She locks the office behind you before you leave the medical center, pulling up your hood to protect you from the drizzling rain. You’re growing used to the perpetually grey skies and sudden rainstorms. 

Dr. Keller squeezes your arm gently as you stop at the door to the barracks. “Remember what I told you. I’ll see you in a few days, alright?” 

You nod. “Thank you.” 

She smiles softly. “You did good today. I am proud of you.” 

You slip into the door of the barracks as she makes her way back to the medical center, your shoes squeaking on the tile floors. You head back to your room, the silence in the barracks telling you they’re not back yet. 

You kick off your shoes, pulling your damp sweatshirt off as you sit on the edge of your bed. You stare at your ruined sleeve, the seam split to the edge of the cuff now. You got the sweatshirt from one of your fellow omegas at the institute, and you’ve worn it almost every day since. It’s turned a bit raggedy, and your picking at it hasn’t helped any. 

Ask for one thing that you want. 

It would be easy to ask for a new sweatshirt. You’re sure if you asked Gaz, he’d give you the one right off his back. Everything you can think to ask for, they’d have to buy. If you asked Soap, he’d likely commandeer the closest vehicle and drive straight to town and buy you one in every color, even if he didn’t have permission to. 

You could ask for something that’s not material. 

Warmth floods your face as you think about it. How would you even ask? You can’t just ask directly. You could, but you might die of embarrassment if anyone heard you. There’s nothing to really be embarrassed about, but you can’t help it. It’s a bold thing to ask for, and you’re not sure you’re feeling quite so bold today. 

You chew on your lip as the barrack door opens, their voices echoing down the hallway as they return from their morning training. They pass by your door, their own doors opening and closing. You get up, moving to stand in front of your own door, holding your breath. You could just step out, knock on his door and ask. He’s probably changing, though. You’d never get the words out if he thought it was one of the others and opened it half dressed. 

You have to do it, though, before you lose your nerve. If you don’t do it now, you’ll never do it and you’ll have to tell Dr. Keller that you failed. You’re allowed to want things. It’s your nature to want things. It’s human nature to want things. There’s nothing wrong with having needs and wants. 

You can want this. 

You repeat it over and over as you slowly open your door, letting it close behind you. You smell the air, finding the trail of his scent. It disappears down the hall and around the corner towards the rec room. Your legs feel shaky as you follow it, your stomach twisting anxiously. You can want this. It’s okay to want this. 

You turn the corner, finding him coming out of the rec room. He grins at you, eyes sparkling. 

You want this. 

“Hey, lass, was just lookin’ for ye. Are ye ready for lunch-” 

His words cut off as you grab his face, standing on your toes to press your lips against his. He makes a surprised sound against your lips, his body tensing. It’s quick, only a couple seconds before you’re releasing him, taking a big step back. Your eyes are wide with shock, almost as wide as his. His lips are parted in surprise still, his shoulders tensed. 

“Sorry.” You blurt out, your nerves only heightened. What if he hadn’t wanted it? “Sorry, I just...I wanted to do it and I wanted you to do it that day, but I’ve never had a real kiss before and I thought maybe Price would want to...but then he said he didn’t care-” 

Your words cut off as he grips your chin, lifting your face so you’re looking at him. The tension has melted from his shoulders, the surprise gone from his face. His eyes are soft as they stare down at you, his thumb brushing your lower lip. 

“I didnae know it was yer first kiss.” He says softly. “I wouldnae pushed it so far if I did.” 

“It wasn’t technically my first kiss, I kissed another omega at the institute but I don’t really count it cause I did it for her.” You shrug. “I’ve regretted pulling away since that day and Dr. Keller said I should start learning to want things and she gave me the assignment of asking for one thing that I want before I see her again at the end of the week and I could have just asked for something simple but-” 

Your words are cut off as he leans down, pressing his lips to yours again. It’s soft and sweet, his hand sliding from your chin to the back of your head, holding you against him. Your fingers grip his shirt, and you lift yourself onto your toes to press back against him as his lips move against yours. 

His forehead presses against yours as he pulls away, your breaths mingling as you continue to hold each other. “Gaz will be upset he missed out.” He says quietly, lips tugging up in a smile as he squeezes your waist. 

“He can kiss me later.” You say, pressing a quick kiss to his lips once more before pulling away. “After lunch.” 

Soap chuckles quietly, slipping his hand into yours. “After lunch.” 

You hesitate outside the door, shifting nervously on your feet. You could turn around and go back to bed, pretend like you hadn’t spent an hour convincing yourself to walk down here, like you haven’t been thinking about this all afternoon. You had already completed your assignment for the week. You’d kissed Soap, done something you wanted. You’ve fulfilled that desire, and it didn’t kill you. You hadn’t dropped dead afterward. If the others noticed, they didn’t say anything. 

This isn’t a want. 

You knock softly on the door, half tempted to turn and run and hide under your covers until you inevitably have to get up tomorrow. 

“Come in.” 

Your hand hesitates on the door handle for just a moment before you’re turning it, stepping into the office. He doesn’t look surprised to see you, though you suppose if nothing else, he had smelled you standing outside. The thought makes your cheeks warm in embarrassment. How long has he known you were standing out there? 

“What can I do for you, sweetheart?” He asks, setting down his pen. 

You shuffle nervously, clasping your hands in front of you. “I-I was wondering...I..um...” You take a deep breath. “I was wondering if I could kneel for you.” 

You bite your lip as he stares at you, the words having come out fast, almost meshing into one long string of nonsense. His eyes darken just a bit, his scent thickening in the air. 

“You want to kneel for me, sweetheart?” He asks, his voice low and rough. 

You nod, shifting your weight again. “Yes, sir.” 

“Grab a pillow.” He nods to the couch. “I won’t have you hurting yourself.” 

You grab one of the pillows from the couch, wondering how often he’s slept in his office. How many nights he’s spent awake, pouring over files, his mind working too hard for him to find any rest. You set the pillow on the floor before kneeling down next to him, facing his desk. You shift until you’re comfortable, sitting back on your feet. You let out a long breath as your eyes slipped closed, your fingers twitching anxiously in your lap. 

Price’s hand is gentle as it comes to rest on the top of your head. You relax into his touch as he strokes your hair, working his way down towards your neck. You force your mind to relax, easing away the desire to tense your shoulders, to draw them up around your ears. It’s pure natural instinct, one that will fade the more you practice, the more you bond with him. The more you trust him. 

“Ready?” He asks, his voice sounding far away despite the fact you’re right next to him. 

“Yes, sir.” You murmur, pressing your head into his hand. 

His hand slips lower, curling around the back of your neck. You inhale sharply as he finally makes contact with the sensitive area. His hand is warm, the tension slowly easing from your body as he presses his thumb lightly into the side of your neck. The back of your brain begins to buzz, your mind slowly filling with static. You relax even further, your head bowing just slightly as you feel the weight of the last three months lifting off your shoulders. 

All the emotions, all the fear, all the unknowns suddenly feel far away. All the apprehension and the anxiety are soothed to nothing as he holds you, the hand on your neck a firm reminder that you’re not alone in this anymore. You have an alpha now, a strong alpha that you can trust in, that will carry it all for you. 

You don’t need to be stressed or afraid anymore. A warmth begins blossoming within you, spreading from your core out to your fingers and toes. You feel a bit dazed, but not in a bad way. You’re not afraid of the feeling, not with your alpha’s hand around the back of your neck keeping you safe. 

You’re not sure how much time passes, how long you kneel there. It could be five minutes, it could be two hours. Price continues to go over his paperwork, his other hand steady on the back of your neck. It’s not until he’s done that he carefully pushes his seat back, kneeling on the floor next to you. He releases your neck, catching your body as it slumps over, drawing you against his chest. 

“Easy, sweet girl.” He murmurs, pressing your face into his neck. 

You’re shaking a bit, brain still dazed and flying as you breathe in his scent. Earthy, trees, petrichor. The warm muskiness of a content alpha. You made him smell like that. You invoked that scent. 

“Feeling alright?” He murmurs into your hair, gently stroking your side as you begin to come back into your body. 

You hum in affirmation, wrapping your arms around his neck. You haven’t been this close to him yet, not since the scenting and that was more of a formal closeness, a required closeness. This is because you want it. 

“Don’t let me go.” You murmur into his neck, clinging to him tightly. 

His arms tighten around you for a moment before he slips them under you, lifting you into his arms easily. He pushes himself from the floor, moving to sit on the couch with you on his lap. You let yourself go lax in his hold again, feeling calmer and more relaxed than you have in months. You feel safe in his arms, not that he would have let anything happen to you before. 

You’ve always been safe, you think as you let your eyes drift closed again. 

The water is hot as it runs down his back, contrasting the cool tile against his forehead. His eyes are closed, breaths slow and steady through his nose. He can’t get that damn scent of vanilla and sweet, sweet omega arousal out of his head. He drives his fist into the wall with a growl, cursing the blood rushing south. 

He can’t forget the way you felt under him, pinned so easily and helpless beneath him. He hates the way his cock twitches at the thought of the pout on your lips as he’d swung at you, narrowly missing you too many times. The way you tried to jump him. 

He lets out another frustrated growl, slamming his forehead into the tile. A hand presses against his bare back and he turns on his heel, hand wrapping around Johnny’s throat, slamming him back against the shower wall. 

Jesus Christ, he’s going to kill the mutt one of these days. 

“Easy, Lt.” Johnny rasps, not fazed at all by the alpha’s actions. His eyes flicker lower, to the hard cock standing at attention. “Bit worked up, eh?” 

He lets Johnny go with a growl, stepping back under the water, turning it all the way to the right until it’s nearly freezing. He almost groans in frustration as the water shuts off completely, his eyes cracking open as Johnny’s hand trails up his chest. 

“Easy, big guy. Let me help ye.” 

Simon moves until his back is pressed against the tiles, eyes not leaving Johnny’s sapphire ones as the beta slowly kneels in front of him. Johnny’s hands trace over his hips, outlining scars both old and new. Johnny’s fingers finally reach his cock, wrapping around the thick length. Simon sighs in quiet relief as Johnny slowly pumps his length, their gazes still locked. 

Simon stares down at Johnny through his blonde lashes as Johnny leans forward, dragging his tongue along his head. A low growl rumbles through his chest as the beta circles his tongue around his head, smearing precum on his chin. He’s painfully hard now, breaking his gaze as his head tilts back, eyes fluttering closed. 

His fingers sink into Johnny’s mohawk as the beta takes his cock in his mouth. He breathes through his nose, relaxing his throat as Simon’s cock sinks deeper and deeper, Johnny’s hands closing around his hips to hold himself steady. Simon grips his hair tightly as he begins to move, bobbing his head along his length, his tongue pressing against the bottom of his cock. 

Simon squeezes his eyes closed as an image comes to mind, a smaller hand fondling his balls. His hand wraps around the base of his cock as he imagines soft lips on his tip, Johnny’s tongue tracing the parts of him that you can’t fit yet as you take him in your mouth. The sweet whines that would be pulled from you as he choked you on his thick length, Johnny whispering sweet encouragements to you. 

He can picture the two of you, you and Johnny with your tongues entwined, his cum stringing between your lips. 

He growls, yanking Johnny off his cock and pinning him to the tile wall. Johnny’s lips are parted as he breathes heavily, eyes blown with lust as he stares up at his alpha. Simon’s hand tugs at his hair, tilting his head back to bear his throat. Johnny lets out a quiet moan as he sinks his teeth into the delicate skin, leaving a mark he’ll wear proudly for a few days. 

“Turn around and bend over.” He growls to the beta, his cock still hard and throbbing. 

“Sir, yes sir.” Johnny says, smirking wickedly as he slowly turns to face the wall. 

Fucking christ, Simon groans. They’re going to be the death of him. 

You’re going to be the death of him. 

NEXT ->

Taglist, part 1:

@bobaprint @ashy-kit @anunintentionalwriter @mockerycrow @hayleybarnesx @protokosmonaut @fruitymoonbeams-blog @blue-blue0 @hindi-si-ikay @hanellokey @thatonepupkai @redwites @kattiieee @141trash @ghostlythots @lothiriel9 @dillybuggg @beebeechaos @konigsmissedbeltloop @kaoyamamegami @thychuvaluswife @idkkkkkkk8363 @wallwriterstuff @bisky-business @smile-child-13 @anomiatartle @dangerkittenclaws @bless-my-demons @mystic60 @evolutionarry @red-hydra @lunaetiicsaystuff @cadotoast @linaangel @rancid-wasp @codsunshine @thriving-n-jiving @slayerx147 @ferns-fics @spicyspicyliving @cityoffallencrows @puppyel @ttsbaby01 @heeheehoohoohahahihi @sleepyoriana @ihatethinkingofnames10 @cassiecasluciluce @darling006

[a-cyclepath]

One piece men | Twitter links+ Scenarios | ⚠️ MDNI ⚠️

‼️ Links are in the names. Fem reader. Ace, Zoro, Luffy, Eustass ‼️

[ Size diff, twit links, fem recieving, oral, fingering, mating press, sex sex sex ]

Short x reader scenarios written with each link !

Ace

Ace can't stop himself. He promised himself he'd only come home and cuddle you since it'd be late by the time he got back from his days travels to your home island, but he lied to himself. Losing his composure the moment he saw you and kissing you after a quick "I'm back". His impatient hands slides your shorts barley down and your underwear to the side before he's practically sucking on your lips and tongue while he's caressing your heat, groaning in-between kisses as you prop your legs up, trembling from his fingers warm from his journey.

"missed you so much. Missed you a lot. So so much." He mumbled as his fingers slid into you, beginning to finger you to bring you to your orgasm as you moaned and body jolted. He placed his hat on you before smirking. "Keep that on while we go at it."

Luffy

"Wow baby these are pretty!" Luffy exclaimed happily at the sight of your bouncing tits, moving his hands to casually grip them as if he wasn't right in this moment drilling hard and fast into you. He moved his hands to your ankles, grunting as he folded you into a press and put his forehead to yours, grinning as he somehow went even faster and harder. All the while you're moaning in bliss at your happy go lucky boyfriend happily getting lucky in your drooling, gushing heat. Your eyes roll back slightly before you look up at Luffy as he kisses your forehead while he's grinding inside you, your hand resting on his abdomen as you can barley get a moan in before throwing your head back and arching your back while moaning loudly, crashing into your orgasm.

"hng..~ Another one? That's like..the fourth one tonight haha!"

Zoro

Zoro was exchausted. Mostly, exchausted from a day of doing nothing but taking naps around your farm, so he found his way to your room and lounged back on your bed, arms behind his head. You pester him, try flirting, but he shakes his head with his eyes closed. "Nah. I'm gonna rest my eyes."

Well, then you'll find compromise.

Shimmying your boots off, then your jeans, sliding your underwear to the side, you crawl next to him, giving him those big begging eyes.

Zoro almost immiditaely caves, glancing at your ass before smirking. "I suppose I could use a midnight snack." He gestured at the end of his sentence with a flick of his wrist towards his face.

And that's how you ended up here, on his mouth drinking you in hungrily, his hands on your hips as you practically hump his tongue while moaning, her mind long since hazy the moment his tongue touched your folds, clenching your teeth as your eyes roll back everytime his tongue presses into you and his lips attach to give a kiss and suck, slurping, a sloppy eater.

"Tasty.."

Eustass

[ size diff warning ]

It's not really hard for anyone in your immidiate circle to see that Eustass might be more than a bit bigger than you. Everyone wonders how it works out between you two, some even sort of laughing when he squats down or has to lean down to kiss you

But his size goes beyond more than just kisses.

Eustass groaned, having you face down ass up in his quarters as his large hand gripped your hip, grinning smugly as he looked at the dumbed out drooling look on your face from only taking less than half of his length, Esutass cocking his head as he stared down at you in a lustful daze. " You're not going dumb from only taking a few inches of me are ya, sweetheart?" Eustass muttered before wiping his mouth of drool and shoving all into you at once, making you yelp in the best way possible before moaning as your eyes roll back. Eustass mumbled about how short you were to himself before beginning his fast quick pace, pounding over and over into you as he threw his head back, smug grin on his face all the while he groans. " Yeah yeah...love you..love you the way you are.."

[dronebiscuitbat]

Oil is Thicker Then Blood (Part 99)

She pulls herself out of the console feeling dazed, N has his tail wrapped around her, and the scorching heat of his flamethrowers filled the room as the ground itself rumbled around them.

The ground had been disturbed…

Tendrils of black surrounded them on all sides, inching closer despite N's best efforts. On his visor was displayed an ‘X', a gradient of red and yellow as he protected Uzi with his life.

Uzi yanked out the linking cable, stuffing it back into her pocket and allowed a feral hiss to claw out her throat. Using the solver, she manipulated a sharp peice of metal to spin rapidly, chopping up whatever it came into contact with into tiny black peices.

N and Uzi were back to back, tails coiled around each other to ensure their other half was still there. She grabbed onto his shoulder.

“Fly!” She shouted, a command that registered instantly in N's system and had him taking off before she could even finish the word. Ignoring the ceiling, he burst through it. Throwing dust, snow, and shards of concrete flying in every direction as he rocketed upwards, a flood of angry tentacles followed him up, climbing and squirming on top of each other to see which of them could reach him first.

Uzi grunted, feeling her body strain as she threw the spinning metal down, slicing up the pursuing appendages even as they continued to reach for them.

N growled as he aimed an arm downward, firing off a missile that finished them off- by turning them to mist. He covered Uzi's mouth and clamped his own shut just in case.

There was no time to rejoice however, the ground groaned and shifted, opening up to swallow the building they were just in as well as the rest of the communication dishes.

As N watched, he noticed yellow light deep within the planet, shifting in waves, arching with primal energy, filling the flesh surrounding it with a hunger that couldn't be satisfied- and a deep, untamed rage.

They looked at each other, trying to find comfort as the sinkhole continued to grow, new, blackened appendages were spat out to replace the one's they'd just destroyed.

“L-Lets get out of here…” Uzi said after a prolonged period of silence, well after the last of the building was lost underneath the hungering flesh.

N nodded, tucking her into his shoulder before taking off in the direction of the bunker.

Deep down below, something watched them…

The sun was coming up quickly, and despite how fast N was flying, he knew they weren't going to make it to the nest in time, much less the bunker.

He dove into some long forgotten apartment, just in time for the early and deadly light of the morning to break over the horizon.

His arms remained looped around his girlfriend as the snow melted off both their frames, panting from the stress of the day.

“Did you get what we needed?” He asked after a moment of recovery, looking into purple eyelights, still refusing to let her go just yet.

“Yeah, I mean, it's not the best choice… probably gonna have issues with wildlife but… it's what we got.” She replied, leaning into the warmth he gave off in contrast to the freezing atmosphere around them.

“It'll have to do. I'm just glad you got something.”

He finally let her go, allowing them both to look around the room they'd taken shelter in.

Everything was covered in dust, and sharp shards of glass covered the floor from where the windows had shattered. There was a full sized bed in the center of the room- well made and completely untouched by anything other then the forces of nature.

A wooden chair, a closet, and a two bedside tables also inhabited the room, though the light and subsequent fan on the ceiling had long ceased functioning.

“Guess we're spending the night here…” Uzi sighed, rubbing a hand over her distended stomach- mostly because the rubber had become thin and slightly painful and she was trying to soothe it.

N's hand hovered over her own as he held her from behind, resting his chin on her head and swaying them softly.

“Really the time to do this after we just got chased?”

“Perfect time to do it. We're safe now, and we have to relax.”

“You have to relax" He amended, wrapping his tail around her and nuzzling into her shoulder, his purr was a given.

She hummed in contentment, closing her eyes and letting N rub small circles into her belly- it was a comforting feeling. Right up until the baby kicked their hands and made a pained whine escape Uzi's mouth.

“I felt that too. You good?”

“I want this little shit out…” She whines.

He laughs, “They just wanted to say hi.”

Uzi just growls in response, “So do I! In person! With them out of me!”

N just chuckled, walking off to remove the several years worth of dust from the bed so that they could sleep comfortably…

A few hours later they were curled up on the bed, N taking to running his fingers through her hair, satisfying the urge to preen.

“Mm. Athena.” Uzi said, they had been brainstorming names while trying to fall asleep.

“Oooh, I like that one, definitely. If they're a girl.” He replied, his tail wagging behind him as Uzi sat in his lap.

“You have a boy name?”

He thought for a moment, turning over his thoughts in his head.

“Bishop? Like the chess peice? We played all the time at the manor.” He explained. “I always lost, but I liked it.”

“I like it. It's also a tank, so you know I'm down.” She snickered mischievously.

“Of course you know that.” He replied lovingly, kissing her cheek as he settled down to sleep. “I think that's it then.”

“Yeah. Athena if it's a girl, Bishop if it's a boy.” Uzi agreed, shifting down to lay against him, happily absorbing his warmth.

“Tera says boy.” N hummed, wrapping himself tightly around his mate, protective pride rising in his core.

“Tera isn't even a year old.” Uzi snapped back; resting her hands on his chest and burying her head in his coat fluff.

“Still, she said it. There's gotta be a reason.”

“She wants a brother?”

They both laugh, N nuzzles the top of her head, taking in her scent. Her lovely, citrus scent… and… apples.

The apple portion was new, and he somehow subconsciously knew that it was his child that he was sensing, so he nuzzled deeper.

…

The next dusk they were off again. Neither one noticing the strange figure following them home…

Next ->

[dogstarbytes]

greenie

pairings: platonic ted x gender neutral reader, platonic schlatt x gender neutral reader

pronouns used: they/them

summary: schlatt + ted helping you through a green-out (separate drabbles)

trigger warnings: vomiting, greening out, marijuana

w.c: 1,018

ted nivison

you knew you were going to green out; you hadn’t smoked in weeks. but you still overdid yourself, smoking a joint and a half with your close friend, ted nivison. 

he knew almost immediately when your voice trailed off that you were gonna green. so, like the good friend he was, he got up from his seat and went to the kitchen to fetch you some snacks and aplenty of water before coming back out to the living room. 

“here,” he pressed the bottle of water against your cheek until you grabbed it from him, “drink up.” setting the snacks on the table in front of you, he brought a hand to the crown of your spine and massaged gently. 

you hummed a ‘thank you’, taking slow gulps of water as he continued to alleviate your anxiety. 

after a few moments, you tried to munch on some crackers. but, to your misfortune, your mind rejected it, believing that if you ate anything you’d get sick immediately. though, with a bit of encouragement from ted, you took a small bite and chased it down with water. 

it wasn’t too long after that you were hunched over the toilet, ted kneeling next to you with a hand on your shoulder, squeezing gently as a way to comfort you. you hadn’t thrown up yet; you were mostly just dry heaving. but it still freaked you the fuck out. 

“teddy...?” your voice was dry and ragged. you could’ve sworn you tasted your snack from last week in your saliva. ted squeezed your shoulder again, moving his other hand up and down your spine. 

“’m right here, dude. i've got you.” 

you took a deep, shaky breath, reaching for the bottled water on the bathroom sink and taking a drink. “god, i feel like i'm gonna die.” you propped your elbow on the toilet seat, leaning against your palm for support. “can you, um... can you turn on--” 

before you could finish your sentence, ted was already pulling out his phone to go to your spotify account. you laughed dryly when you heard ‘call this # now’ by the garden play from the speakerphone. 

“you know me so well.” you hummed. ted chuckled. 

“i’d hope so, you’re my best friend.” 

your heart melted at hearing that. “you’re my best friend, too.” 

you threw up almost immediately after that, heaving your guts out while ted pulled your hair away from your face while simultaneously rubbing your back as a form of comfort. 

“there you go, dude, there you go.” 

you couldn’t handle the smell; it was wafting up into your nostrils and making you want to throw up more. “fuck, this sucks.” 

ted pulled out some kleenex from its box, wiping the gunk-filled saliva off of your chin. 

“i know, i know. you're doing great though, dude, just try to relax.” he motioned to the bottle water; you nodded, and he grabbed it, twisting the cap off and putting it to your lips. you reached your hand up, but he shook his head. 

“i got it, just... open your mouth.” 

you do so, ted pouring some water in slowly. you cringed at the taste of the acidic spit mixing with the water and washing down your throat. 

“that’s fuckin’ rancid, jesus fuck.” 

ted chuckled softly brushing your cheek with the pad of his thumb gently. “you feel a little better though, don’t you?” 

you glanced at him from the corner of your eye. “yeah.” 

after a few more minutes of hunching over the toilet in case you threw up again, you were in bed with ted, scrolling through netflix to find something to watch. you leaned against ted, resting your head on his shoulder with a contented hum. he smiled, wrapping an arm around you and clicking on one of your favorite shows. 

“teddy?” you whispered; he hummed in response. “thank you.” 

ted smiled and gave your shoulder a squeeze. 

“anytime.” 

jschlatt

"fuck...” 

you're hunched over the toilet, dry heaving your guts out. you didn’t understand why you were so close to greening; you didn’t even get that high.  

or, at least that’s what you thought. in reality, you’d gotten pretty fucked up, and the little voice in the back of your conscience knew it; you were just in denial. 

a knock wrapped against the bathroom door, and you didn’t even need to guess who was on the other side before it opened. 

“hey, greenie, food and water.” schlatt said, setting the snacks down on the sink counter before handing you the bottled water. “drink up.” 

you reached out and grabbed it, thankful that he’d already unscrewed the cap as you drank. schlatt, big arms crossed over his chest, can’t help but chuckle. 

“jesus christ, you’re fucked.” 

you groaned, flipping him the bird. “get fucked.” 

“hey, don’t gimme that. you're the one that went ham on the weed.” 

“i didn’t smoke that much!” 

schlatt laughed in disbelief. “not that much? you had three and a half joints, dumbass!” 

you broke out into a small fit of dry laughter, still hunched over the toilet. 

“it’s not usually this bad.” you defended, taking another swig of water. 

schlatt huffed. “coulda fooled me.”  

after a few more minutes of him distracting you, you finally had your ‘cleansing barf’, schlatt having to pull your hair into a half-done bun as you hacked up whatever snacks you’d eaten earlier. 

you groaned, squeezing your eyes shut as the vomiting subsided. schlatt patted your shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze before speaking, 

“think you can move?” 

“nuh-uh.” you mumbled. 

“well, you’re gonna have to.” 

after a few moments of back and forth, he finally got you into bed, head in his lap as he scrolled through youtube, trying to find some random video to play. his hand patted your head, playing with your hair as he finally chose a video. you hummed, eyes puffy and half-lidded. 

“mm, schlatt?” you muttered; he hummed in response. “thank you.” 

you couldn’t see his face from where you were laying, but you knew there was a small smile pulling at his lips. 

“yeah, don’t mention it.”

———

a/n: i hope you enjoyed! uh, i realize i never got that birthday schlatt fic out like i said i was going to, and i dunno if it's tooooo late for one or not, but i might do like a birthday-reader fic or something with him + maybe ted to make up for it.

[blu-writes]

By Primus’s Will

An original Optimus Prime x AFAB!Reader Fanfic by Blu <3

Author Note: The pronouns used will be they/them to keep it mostly gender neutral, but y/n is AFAB. This is also my first fanfic in a really long time, I apologize if it’s not the best. This is also going to be entirely my own AU, there will be returning characters from other media but the storyline is my own ^^

Tags: Fluff, Angst, Swearing, EXTREME SLOW BURN

A bead of sweat dripped down your forehead, stinging your eyes as you swiped it away. The dirt stained jumpsuit you were sporting smeared a new line of dark brown/orange across your face. "Jesus Christ.."

"Y/N! Is your beam secured properly? Make sure the bolts are all fastened correctly! Get focused!"

'Yeah yeah whatever. I know how to do my job.' You thought to yourself, rolling your eyes before throwing a thumbs up in the air to your boss. "Yes Sir! Everything is fastened I'm back on my way down as we speak!"

Maneuvering down the side of the half built building, you made sure to watch your feet, wary of the placement of loose nails, sharp edged beams, and other construction workers as well. You knew it was almost time to head home, the sun dipping low behind the cities skyline. "Y/N, You've been spacing out like crazy today. Are you good? Do you need a day off?"

'Yes.'

"No, I know I've been working everyday but I really just need the money right now. Especially with rent coming up." Your boss looked at you and crossed his arms. "Listen, Y/N. I get it, but payday is tomorrow. Just take tomorrow and the weekend off. I don't wanna see you in whenever I get here in the morning. You're gonna kill yourself with working everyday. An entire month of working nonstop is going to make you sick." Before you could protest he handed you a slip, the words "DAILY CLOCK CARD." written in bold letters. "Sir, I'm okay I promise. I'll be fine to keep-" He cut you off and pointed at the pop up warehouse. "Go. You need to rest, im not paying for any workers comp if you pass out and get hurt on site." 'You...You don't pay for that? The company does?'

You drug your feet all the way to the clock out station, making every last second of your time count before submitting your time card. You walked to your locker and pulled out your bag, grabbing your car keys and walking to the parking lot of the building you were helping build. You unlocked the car and began your journey home, the sun finally setting as you began the long drive out of the city and into the desert, where your home was located and far from the shining bright lights of the city.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pulling into your driveway, you turned off the car and headed up the stairs to your house, unlocking the door and pulling your grimy work boots off to leave outside by the front door.

Once inside you flipped some of the lights on and walked to your bathroom, stripping naked to shower and get all the dirt and nastiness off of you from work. The steam from the shower quickly filled the room and you brushed your teeth before hopping in the shower and relaxing as the warmth of the water poured down your back.

You closed your eyes, letting yourself relax before a loud boom rang through your ears. “What the hell?!” You quickly turned off the water and wrapped a towel around yourself, looking outside to try and see what the noise was.

The darkness made it hard to see, even though the moon had fully risen by this point. In the shadows though you saw what looked like a giant crater in the ground, some brush around the area glowing like it had almost caught on fire. You squinted and gasped when you began to hear helicopters in the distance, shutting the curtain and all the lights off in the house so they would leave you alone.

‘What in the hell is going on? Did a piece of a satellite just fall in my yard?’

You threw on a loose night shirt and climbed into bed, pulling your covers up over you and relaxing into the mattress, your eyes beginning to feel heavy almost immediately.

‘If a satellite fell then the government better be willing to pay me for the damage to my property..’

You closed your eyes and fell asleep, only slightly annoyed by the sound of helicopter blades above your house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[eemcintyre]

Repaying the Favor (Tom Cruise)

TW: discussion of blood/periods, one mention of throwing up.

Summary: Tom comes home one afternoon to find you in a great deal of pain because ~it's that time of the month amirite ladies~, and he does what he can to try and make things better, despite you insisting that you can handle it.

I myself have been on my period, so I have been nothing but angry, depressed, and h-word (more than usual I mean 🙃🔥) and this is what happened. So it was productive, at least, I guess?

After a hectic morning of back-to-back appointments, Tom was returning to the apartment he and Y/N shared. He was hoping to not only grab a brief lunch, but also some quality time with Y/N before heading back out for the second half of his work for the day.

Unlocking the door and crossing the threshold into the main living room/kitchen area, he was surprised at how quiet the apartment was. Scanning his surroundings for Y/N, she was not to be found, so he proceeded to check the bedroom, calling out “Sweetheart, it’s me, I’m home.” He was met at first with silence, which concerned him, but before he could panic about her being mysteriously gone, he heard a muffled groan. However, upon reaching the bedroom, he still couldn’t see her anywhere.

“Y/N? Are you alright? Where are you? What’s going on?” He darted across the room until he spotted her lying on the floor by the side of the bed. She was lying on her stomach, twisted in a position that looked odd and uncomfortable with one leg bent toward her midsection and the other straight out. Tom breathed a sigh of relief, ruffling a hand through his hair.

“Don’t do that to me, honey- I thought you’d been taken,” he laughed nervously at the movie reference, noticing that she was also clutching her stomach and had several heating pads draped across her body.

“I-I’m sorry, I- ow, ow, ow…” Y/N struggled to explain herself as several intense pains stabbed in her midsection. “It’s, I just…”

“When did it start?” Tom asked, quickly realizing what the problem was. He crouched down to where she was splayed out, gently placing a hand on her back. Y/N furrowed her brows, this time in confusion instead of discomfort.

“How did you…?”

“I grew up with three sisters, remember?” he chuckled. She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment over the whole situation, but he pulled them away with his hand that wasn’t comfortingly stroking her back. “Hey, don’t worry, I'm not one of those guys who thinks periods are gross. It's just blood. I really don't care. If you stick me with something sharp, blood's gonna come out." He paused, recalling an incident from a while back. “Like that time I knifed my hand really bad trying to make stir fry.” Y/N managed a quiet giggle. “I practically bled all over you, but you just rolled with it and didn’t freak out, and you got me all fixed up.” He smiled while reflecting on that eventful memory.

“C’mon, why didn’t you tell me?” he pressed as Y/N attempted to roll over into a new position, the old one no longer comfortable as new pains began to spring up.

“It’s just humiliating, it shouldn’t be such a big deal, and you’re so busy, and I ruined the sheets…”

“Ok, ok, hold on,” Tom interjected, lacing a hand into one of hers. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of; let’s get that straight. And I can wash the sheets; that’s not a problem.”

“No, I’ll take care of it; it’s not necessary-” Y/N, who had been trying to sit up, was cut off as she doubled back over in pain. Tom threw an arm around her shoulders.

“And as for me being ‘too busy’, I’m not going anywhere, angel. Not when you’re too sick to sit up. I don’t have anything going on the rest of the day that can’t wait.” He had made his mind up and could not be moved by any of her continued pleas that she was fine and could manage by herself.

After fetching her a dose of painkillers and reheating the lukewarm heat pads, he delicately scooped her off the floor, transferring them both to the nearby bed. He settled her on his lap while he rested his back against the headboard. She was curled up in such a way that her head was nestled in his neck and chest, and he could reach an arm around to knead her stomach.

Once the painkillers started to kick in, he felt comfortable enough to run out of the apartment to grab her a few things. Y/N insisted that he had done enough, to which he replied, “If you don’t tell me what you want, I’ll just have to guess.” He slipped into his leather jacket, making sure his wallet was still in the pocket.

“Do I also have to remind you of the time I was out of commission sick for almost a week? You practically waited on me; you cooked everything, you sang to me, you sat with me while I was throwing up-“

“Oh no, please don’t talk about throwing up,” Y/N implored, already nauseous from the consistently intense stomach pain.

“Oops, sorry,” he winced.

She begrudgingly requested her favorite hot tea and that he rent the new movie she had been wanting to see, blushing and trying not to smile.

“Yes, ma’am. Now, call me if you need anything; I shouldn’t be very long.”

He gave her a peck on the forehead and a peck on the lips before leaving on his quest, and Y/N replied, “You know you’re the best, right?”

[nerdthatsiriuslylovesteaxx]

I was bored

I was lying in bed trying to read, I didn't particularly enjoy reading in English but Annabeth and Percy had been helping me and I didn't want that to go to waste. Then Annabeth walked in through the half open door, holding a pair of scissors.

"Finally someone to put me out of my misery." I mutter putting the book down,

"Nope, but I will be bringing that up to your therapist. I think it's time for a haircut Nico." She said smiling like a maniac,

"Oh fuck no." I say running past her and out the front door. My hair was in a braid down my back; I ran as fast as I could but I knew Annabeth was faster than me. I saw her chasing me, I could probably shadow travel away but when her minds set to something it's very hard to get her to give up. I honestly didn't care too much but why not add a bit of excitement into this. "Why the fuck are you doing this?"

"I'm bored."

"Go find someone else to annoy."

"Don't think I will Neeks." I flipped her off and continued running, she grabbed my wrist. I shadow traveled to the edge of the forest and ran towards the center, I was hoping to throw her off but she spotted me pretty quickly and ran after me. I should have been able to stay away with the lead I had but the shadow travel tired me out and Annie's fast. I was about to shadow travel away again, "You do realise if you pass out you can do whatever I want right?"

"Fuck you."

"Save that for Will." I blushed hard before shadow traveling back to my cabin, I knew I wouldn't be able to run properly after that, but I got away for a bit. "You aren't getting away that easy, Angel boy." She said walking through the door, I was honestly too tired to do anything.

"Fine, you win. But please don't fuck up too badly."

"You have such little faith in me, I'm offended."

"We both know that that is very reasonable."

"Shut up di Angelo." She quite literally pulled me into a chair and started brushing out my hair. "When's the last time you even cut it?"

"Like a month ago I think? Will cuts the ends, it terrifys him so it's always entertaining as fuck."

"You're a terrible person Nico." Annabeth laughed

"I am fully aware; what are you doing to my hair anyways?"

"I think it's time for a change."

"Oh no.... PLEASE don't dye my hair, I am never doing that shit again."

"Don't worry... but you are getting an undercut." I paused for a couple of seconds,

"Now you see the concept, I have no problem with but the thought of you doing that...."

"Oh shut up I can actually be accurate."

"Fine, I trust you." Annabeth sectioned my hair into two parts plaiting them separately, one around the bottom and edges, one on top.

"You ready?"

"I really don't care, honestly I just wanted to make this hard for you."

"Of course you did." The daughter of Athena said while cutting off the bottom braid before buzzing the now short hair, she threw the braid in front of me. "Well that was a lot of hair."

"No shit." I laughed before hitting Annabeth lightly in the shoulder, she started taking out the rest of my hair that was in a braid and brushing it out again.

"What do you think Will's gonna say?"

"He's not going to give a fuck let's be honest with ourselves."

"You seem so certain on that."

"He didn't care when I got twenty tattoo in one day, I mean he was concerned and gave me a bunch of pain killers and kept me in the infirmary for a day but that's unrelated. I doubt he's going to give two fucks about a haircut."

"I am not going to ask why you got twenty tattoos in one day." Annabeth started cutting the rest of my wavy, thick, black hair to just around my shoulders, layering it before adding some bangs, that were long enough for me to put behind my ears. "So thoughts?"

"I'd love to give them but there isn't a mirror here."

"That's irrelevant, I want to see Will's reaction."

"That's the whole reason you did this wasn't it?"

"Naaa, I was just really fucking bored." I laughed as I ran my fingers through my hair, it was so much shorter than I had, had it in years but was kind of nice. Honestly I also really wanted to see what Will would say, I didn't think he'd be judgemental or anything. But the thoughts always had to cross my mind, all the 'what ifs?' I push them out of my mind and tell Annabeth to wait for a minute so I can wash and properly do my hair. It took about a quarter of the time it used to but still that moment of time made me think of every possible reaction for Will to have, I decided to leave my hair out as we walk to the Apollo cabin. I knocked of the door and unsurprisingly Will answered it, he saw me and kind of froze, a bit shocked.

"So what do you think?" I muttered, Will pulled me closer to him and sunk into a kiss, he tasted like strawberries. He ran his fingers through my hair; he was warm always, smelling like rubbing alcohol mixed with roses and a sweet scent I could never really place. I wrapped my arms around his neck standing on my tiptoes to reach him, grabbing the ends of Will's short, curly, blonde hair. As we broke the kiss he leaned down and whispered,

"You look amazing my Angel." I blushed and that is when we realised Annabeth was recording the whole thing and was running off to cabin one to show Jason.

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

Not a helpless chapter (sorry about that, the next chapters long and I haven't had time to write)

Pls give advice cuz I don't think the plot makes sense.

I don't know if I really like this ficlet, I started it in the middle of writing the Ariel chapter because I hated writing it so much I needed something to write that wasn't helpless.

I don't really like it but I feel like might as well post it.

I have a Angel Dust ficlet that I wrote a few weeks ago so comment if u want to see it

You will be getting Harry Potter, specifically marauders shit soon because I have far too many wolfstar ideas that I want to write that I haven't.

If you read my Wattpad stuff I promise I'll try to update Not All Hero's Have Happy Endings and if anyone wants (don't know who's reading it at this point cuz I've barely started) Mischief Managed, I was actually very excited when I started it but I think the style might change a lot cuz I started that like two years ago.

If you have any fandoms u want fics for I will try to write some, just comment.

The mystery in my mind is taking over, maybe the time is up. I will always be there with you, I promise I'll always be there.

Love,

-Siri

[thebadgerclan]

Shots Fired

Pairing: Alex Claremont-Diaz x Henry Fox

Summary: BREAKING NEWS: White House Reports That First Son, Alex Claremont-Diaz, Has Been Shot

CONTENT WARNING: This deals with/describes shootings/gunshot wounds. Nothing is explicitly described, but proceed with caution if this could be triggering to you

A/N: I'm writing part 2 to this as we speak

Insomnia was nothing new for Henry, though after having a few blissfully restful nights in Alex’s arms, sleep was more elusive.  The Prince sighed, rolling onto his side.  The alarm clock read 11:25 PM, and normally, Henry would drag himself to the kitchen and make himself a cup of tea, maybe crack open his book, try to distract himself from the sleep that wouldn’t come.  But something in him was telling him to turn the T.V. on.  So Henry did, and he nearly vomited when he processed what was on the screen.

BREAKING NEWS: ALEX CLAREMONT-DIAZ SHOT.  Henry barely managed to keep his late night snack of Jaffa Cakes down as he cranked the volume up, listening intently to the newscaster.  “We are just receiving confirmation from Washington that Alex Claremont-Diaz, son of President Ellen Claremont, has been shot amidst gunfire in Georgetown.  Information is still coming in, but we can confirm that Mr. Claremont-Diaz was life-flighted to Walter Reed Medical Center, and…”

Henry was no longer listening.  He was throwing clothes into a bag, not bothering to fold them, barely looking at what he was packing.  Then, his phone started buzzing.  Texts from Bea, June, Pez, and Nora, but none from the one person he desperately needed to hear from.  Henry pulled his charger from the wall and shoved it in his bag, zipped it shut, and threw it over his shoulder before he was running.

Shaan met him halfway down the hall.  “I need to get to–”  “I know, sir,” the equerry interrupted, turning on his heel, now jogging alongside the Prince.  “Ms. Bankston phoned.  There’s a car waiting to take you to Heathrow.”  Henry nodded, quickening his pace, nearly diving into the waiting car.  The ride to the airport was torturously long, and the flight was unbearable.  All Henry wanted was to see Alex, to touch Alex, to know that Alex was alive.  The headlines kept rolling in, none of them confirming anything, and the Prince was beginning to spiral.

Ellen’s number was in his contacts, but she hadn’t called.  Nor had June or Nora.  Henry didn’t blame them, of course, their attention was likely on Alex.  But he was going half mad with worry and speculation.  Eventually, Shaan pressed Henry’s emergency medication into his palm–pills he seldom had to take, pills he needed when anxiety and panic overwhelmed him–and he took them with no questions, dropping into a dreamless sleep soon after.

***

This wasn’t how today was supposed to go.  Alex had set out with the intention of scoping out a new bookstore for when Henry came to visit, grabbing some lunch, and heading back to the Residence.  Instead, he found himself lying on the pavement, a bullet wound on his lower abdomen, screams and pops filling his ears.  Alex was by no means a medical professional, but he knew when he lifted his head that that was far too much blood.

Amy was at his side immediately, her gun drawn.  Cash was there too, tearing open a package of what looked like gauze.  “Sorry kid,” he said.  “This is gonna hurt like a bitch.”  He then began packing the wound, and Alex screamed, stars popping before his eyes.  Then the tears came, both from pain and from fear.  Would he see his mom again?  June?  Henry?  Alex brought a shaky hand to his face, seeing Henry’s signet ring there, flecked with blood.  “Baby,” he whispered, kissing the ring.  “I love you.  Henry…”  Everything went black.

***

There was another car waiting when Henry landed at Ronald Reagan.  The Prince was barely sitting down, Shaan climbing into the other seat, when he barked an order, one he had no real business giving.  “Drive.”  As the car pulled out of the airport, it was flanked by five other vehicles, all black, red and blue lights flashing.  At Henry’s questioning look, Shaan spoke.  “Extra security, sir,” he said.  “We cannot take any risks.”

Henry was anxious for the entire drive.  At his request, Shaan had confiscated his phone, cutting him off from any and all communications.  He had texted Bea, though, telling her he was going to D.C. and that he would be in touch.  “Any word?” he asked, and the equerry shook his head.  “I know as much as you, sir.”  Finally, the motorcade pulled up to Walter Reed, and Henry almost fell in his haste to get out of the car.

Four Secret Service agents were waiting at the entrance, as was Zahra, who looked flighty and anxious and very unlike her usual self.  “Thank God you got here safely,” she said, offering Henry a soft smile before turning and entering the hospital.  She led him to an elevator, which after inputting a passcode, took them up to the President’s private wing.

Ellen was pacing back and forth, June was staring blankly out a window, Oscar was talking to someone on the phone, and Leo was watching his wife, looking helpless.  When Henry appeared, Ellen startled before pulling the Prince into her arms, holding him like her life depended on it.  “Oh darling,” she said, and Henry broke.  Choking, ugly sobs left his mouth, and his knees gave out. Ellen maintained her grip on him, sinking to the ground with him.

“I know, baby, I know,” the President soothed, and Henry burrowed into her arms.  After several minutes, Henry calmed, sniffling and wiping his eyes.  “Is he…”  “He’s in surgery, darlin’,” she responded.  “Has been for hours.  Doctors have been out a few times, so far he’s stable.”  Henry nodded, trying to process everything.  “W-what happened?”  Ellen shrugged.  “We don’t quite know.  They don’t think Alex was targeted, which is something…”

Henry almost laughed.  His boyfriend was lying on an operating table with a gunshot wound, he had nearly died.  What did it matter if he was the target or not?  But he only nodded.  “Have you eaten, Henry?”  The Prince shook his head.  “Do you want anything?”  Another shake of his head.  “Alright.”  They fell silent, and after several minutes, Henry extricated himself from Ellen’s embrace, moving to sit next to June.

She said nothing, but took Henry’s hand, squeezing hard.  Henry squeezed back, resting his head against the window.  Alex would be alright, he had to be alright.  He laid a hand on his chest, feeling the chain and key there, tears pricking at his eyes.  “My love,” he whispered.  “Alex…”  Maybe he dozed off, maybe he didn’t, but when a doctor walked in, Henry bolted upright, his heart in his throat.

“Madame President, I’m Dr. Lewis,” she said.  “I was the attending surgeon on Alex’s case.”  Ellen nodded, her arms crossed over her chest.  Dr. Lewis saw Henry, and her eyes widened slightly, but she pressed on.  “I am pleased to tell you that Alex is stable and out of surgery.”  Ellen let out a sob, and Henry let out a shuddering breath, gripping June’s hand even tighter.

“He lost a substantial amount of blood, but we have a transfusion running and we’ll be monitoring his numbers.”  “How bad was the injury?” Ellen asked, worrying her lip between her teeth.  “The bullet struck Alex’s right kidney.  Now, the kidneys are very vascular organs, which accounts for his blood loss.  We were able to remove the bullet and attempt to reconstruct the kidney, but there are no promises on that front.  The good news is that we all have two kidneys, and you only need one to survive.  Of course, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Alex’s renal functions and other things like his blood pressure, but in my professional opinion, he is out of the woods.”

Ellen surged forward and shook Dr. Lewis’ hand, tears in her eyes.  “Thank you, doctor,” she said.  “Thank you so much.”  “It’s my pleasure, Madame President.  He’s still asleep, but he should be awake soon, if you’d like to see him.”  Ellen nodded, looking back at Henry.  “You comin’, Sugar?”  It took a moment for Henry to realize she was talking to him, and he nodded, slowly getting to his feet.  Side by side, the President of the United States and the Prince of England made their way to Alex’s hospital room, equal parts nerves and excitement filling their minds.

[naavispider]

All I’m saying is, imagine cuddly drunk Spider. That would be ADORABLE!!!

"But dad," Spider groaned, eyes wide. The very image of mockery.

The words twisted something deep within Quaritch, uncomfortably.

Spider was shoved onto his duvet, looking anything but ready to sleep. The soft sea wind blew through both of them, sending a shiver down Spider's spine.

"Now lay down," Quaritch encouraged.

But the boy just stared up at him, grinning in disobedience.

"Spider," Quaritch growled, frustration working its way through his voice, covering the kid in its catch.

"Okay, ok'y, jeeesus..." Spider began, but he was still grinning. Hmm. Quaritch grabbed his jacket from his nearby pack and threw it over Spider. For a moment the kid disappeared completely under the material.

"Y'tryna smother me or somethin'?" Came the familiar voice from under the folds of fabric. "I'll have you f'r that..."

Quaritch rolled his eyes but didn't rise to it. "Stay here, stay down, and go to sleep."

Spider tucked his head out from under the jacket, so only his face was visible. "Uh-huh," he mumbled. "I'm definitely gonna do that."

Not thrilled by this response, Quaritch stood and wandered back to where Lyle, Savine, Mansk and the rest were sitting around the fire.

"You back with us Colonel? Shall I deal you in?" Lyle called, his face lighting up. Mansk still had his sunglasses on, despite the darkness of the hour.

Quaritch nodded as he glanced a stressed look over to Spider's makeshift bed. The kid was still there, staring at him intently, smiling maniacally, as if constantly on the edge of a laugh. It almost freaked Quaritch out.

"He looks stoned," Savine said as she followed Quaritch's gaze. "What's wrong with him?"

Quaritch pursed his lips, thankful that whatever it was would wear off by morning. "I don't know... What are we playing?" he asked to change the subject, and to take his mind off the horror movie child still staring evilly across the deck.

"Blackjack," Savine replied. "You sure you're in?"

"Deal the cards!" Quaritch irked. Why did Savine always think he sucked at card games?

She did as he said, and the recoms picked up their hands, assessing their first plays. Quaritch his poker face into position, watching his squad carefully. It was Fike to go first.

The rounds passed tensely, and before Quaritch knew it, his thoughts had drifted away from his drunkard sun. It was difficult to play betting games on Pandora, since money wasn't in USD but tokens, to be spent in Bridgehead - their own Pandoran form of currency. Tokens were electronic of course, linked to their ID cards, so Lyle had the tablet out to take count of the numbers. After half an hour, Quaritch was doing reasonably well. That was until-

"He has an ace!"

Quaritch spun round furiously as Spider ran back from his reach to go and hide behind behind Lyle. "You bastard kid!" He groaned.

Wainfleet looked stunned to be Spider's choice of refuge at spoiling Quaritch's shot at the game, but Quaritch knew the sucker was secretly loving it. Nevertheless, Lyle quickly covered his own hand from the boy, raising his arm in shock as Spider buried his way into the recom's side. He looked to Qauritch as if to say 'I don't know, please don't blame me for this.'

Savine and Fike roared with laughter.

"I'm sorry!" Spider screeched, provoking even a chuckle from Mansk.

"You just ruined my wins..." Quaritch glared over the circle.

Spider buried deeper into Wainfleet's side, hiding his face even as he tried to control his laughter. Kid wasn't sorry.

"I should just throw him overboard..." he muttered darkly.

"Noooo!" Spider wailed. "I'm sorry, I won't do it again!" He held his hands up in attempt to show his remorse, but it was utterly ruined by the splutters of laughter he was trying to repress.

Anger flashed in Quaritch's eyes.

"Please don't throw me overboard, I can't swim! What d'you want? I c'n give you my food rations?"

"Those are our food rations."

Spider's eyes widened even further, and then an incredible idea seemed to cross him. "I'll give you my jacket!"

Quaritch sagged his shoulders as Savine struggled to stem the tears flowing from her eyes.

The kid was beyond reasoning with.

"Spider, come here," Savine managed to get out.

Spider eyed her warily, before ducking out from the safety of Wainfleet's protection. She patted the space next to her. "Come on, you can be on my team."

Spider's face lit up as he realised she was inviting him into the game.

"But no more ruining cards for people, okay?" she said reproachfully.

Spider raised his hand in a salute, before turning to Quaritch and grinning at him from across the circle.

"I do not believe this..." Quaritch angrily threw down his hand. He stalked over to his tablet, thinking that now he was excluded from the game he might as well get some work done.

The next time he looked up at the circle, Spider was on Savine's leg, looking more and more like a young child as the night wore on. She had wrapped an arm around his middle, sometimes bouncing him to keep him occupied when the game slowed.

Eventually, the kid's eyes began to close. From the way Spider shook his head and crawled closer to her, she'd obviously suggested that he go to bed. Quaritch couldn't help the warmth spreading from his chest at the sight of Spider hugging her chest as a toddler would cling to be carried. He waited a few more minutes to give the kid enough time to get properly sleepy, before approaching Savine and giving her the look that said, 'pass him to me'.

She gripped the dozing Spider under his arms and lifted him up so Quaritch could replace her hold on him. He brought Spider into the same hold she had used on him. Spider shifted as Quaritch pulled him close.

"Whaty'doin?" he grumbled.

"Taking you to bed," Quaritch replied as he raised a hand to cup Spider's head close to his neck. He almost didn't want to put him down. He stood for a minute longer than was strictly necessary, ten wandered to the ship's railing, looking out at the black ocean. He panicked when Spider brought his legs up to wrap around his waist. Shit. Quaritch closed his eyes, trying to lower his clamouring heartbeat at the realisation that the kid was just snuggling closer to him.

He shifted Spider closer and higher in his arms, staring into the darkness of the waves, holding his boy close. He never wanted this moment to end.

[simping4villains]

I got a request for more Phinks content, so here y'all go! Hope you like it!

Warning: Sexual content

~~~~~

Our original plan had failed.

   As soon as we got to the special event island, we were stopped by one of the game's creators and beamed to one of the main cities. Shalnark decided that it would be best for us to find somewhere to rest tonight and regroup in the morning.

   "Come on," he said to us. "There's a place up the road where we can rent lodging for the night."

"So, now what?" I asked while we walked. "Can we still go through with the rest of the mission? We don't have the boat anymore."

He rubbed his chin as he thought. "I guess for now we'll just play the game until we can find another way off of the island."

"What he means," Phinks clarified, "Is that we'll steal whatever cards we need in order to get the treasure. That's what Fei and I did before."

"Right," Shal agreed as he pushed through the front door of one of the city's brick buildings.

The decor inside was very old and rustic-looking. I noticed that there were cobwebs wrapping around the chandelier that hung in the center of the room. There was a small cat-like man sitting in one of the lobby's plush chairs, reading a book. He smiled at us as we came in, hopping up to run behind the counter.

"Hello! What can I do for you folks?"

"We'd like to rent six rooms, please," Shalnark answered.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm afraid I've only got three left."

"Should we go somewhere else?" Franklin asked Shal.

"No, no, we can just pair off—you and Kortopi, Phinks and y/n, and me and Feitan."

   I had a feeling that since I always paired up with Phinks and Feitan for missions, Shalnark would probably have me room with one of them. I guess I should have been relieved that it was Phinks he'd picked. I was still pretty sure that Feitan hated me.

   We grabbed our keys from the man behind the counter and climbed the stairs to our shared room. It was simple and rustic, just as the lobby had been. The only furniture we had was a beat-up writing desk, a nightstand with a dusty lamp, and a bed just big enough for two.

   "God, I'm fucking beat," Phinks said, throwing his bag down and flopping onto the mattress.

   "One bed," I said. "Guess we're sharing?"

   "It's either that or one of us sleeps on the floor, and it sure as shit ain't gonna be me."

   "Alright. I think I'm gonna run down the hall to the bathroom to change."

   "Yeah, I guess I should probably change too," He said, standing up and pulling his shirt off.

   My eyes nearly bulged out of my head with how shocked I was. This man clearly didn't care if I saw him half-naked. And honestly, he had nothing to be ashamed of. Sure, his incredible strength came from his nen, but he still had the rippling muscles to match it. I hadn't meant to stare, but. . .

   "What, see something you like?" He smirked.

   Shit.

   "Fuck off," I snapped and left the room as quickly as possible.

   I could tell by the heat in my cheeks that I was blushing at being caught and I didn't want to give him a reason to keep teasing me. It wasn't even like I was really attracted to Phinks or anything, I was just caught off guard. That was what I kept telling myself as I regained my composure.

   When I came back to the room, he was already in bed with the covers pulled up to his chest—which was still bare. He turned when I entered.

   "Jeez. Took ya long enough."

   I frowned. "You don't always have to be such an ass. I mean, would it kill you to relax for once?"

   "I'm trying, but I had to wait all night for you to put on your massive tshirt."

   I lifted the bottom of it to reveal my shorts. "These, too."

   He threw his arms up. "Christ, forgive me. Those must've taken forever on their own."

   "You're a real dick, you know that?"

   "Yeah, whatever. Get your ass in bed. I'm fucking tired."

   "Fine."

   I climbed under the covers with my back to him and he turned out the light. After an exhausting day, it didn't take long for us to fall asleep.

*****

   I was jolted awake by a sharp kick.

   I sat up, ready to defend against whatever intruder had attacked me, but it was only Phinks and I in the room, and he was still asleep.

   He must've moved a lot in his sleep because he was sprawled out over the majority of the bed, his elbow was digging into my back, and he had taken most of the blanket as well. I tried to take the blanket back, but the force shifted his body a bit and he ended up kicking me again.

   I yelped and kicked him back, giving him a massive shove to move him back onto his side of the bed. He woke up and was immediately pissed.

   "What the hell are you doing?"

   "You're taking up too much of the bed!"

   "Well, you don't need to get physical!"

   "You kicked me first!" I yelled, going to shove him again.

   He caught my wrists. "No I didn't!"

   "Yes you did!"

   "Well, I didn't mean to!"

   "Whatever," I said, breaking out of his grasp. "Give me the blanket!"

   I enhanced my aura as I went to yank the blanket back from him and ended up pulling him along with it. He caught himself with one arm on each side of my head. We both froze.

   I looked down at the way our bodies were now pressed together. My face suddenly felt hot again, but I couldn't run this time.

   Phinks chuckled. "Well, damn. If you wanted me so bad you could've just said so."

   "Shut up! This was an accident!"

   "Oh, really? Cause I don't see you shoving me away."

   "I could say the same for you," I pointed out.

   His cocky grin dropped. "Well—I just—that's because I. . . shut up."

   As if my comment made him fully realize the position we were in, he moved to get off of me. Without thinking, I reached out to stop him, wrapping a hand around his arm.

   He looked back at me. "What are you doing?"

   "I don't know," I answered.

   It was the truth. It was like my brain and body had stop communicating. I was moving without any control. I hadn't even had the idea to snake my hand up his chest and into his hair, but it happened anyway.

   "Do you want me to stop?" I asked, tugging lightly at his golden locks.

   His lashes fluttered ever so lightly at the sensation. "No," he breathed.

   I guided him into a kiss. Our mouths moved together, tentatively at first, but before long we both melted into it. He slid an arm beneath me and held me tighter so that my body arched against him. I couldn't help but let out a small gasp at the action. Phinks used the opportunity to catch my bottom lip between his teeth, pulling a moan from my throat.

   "Oh, you like that?" He teased.

   "Shut up."

   "You can admit it if i'm turning you on."

   I enhanced my aura and flipped us so that I was straddling him. Before he had a chance to recover, I dipped down and bit his neck.

   "Fuck," he hissed, tilting his head back to give me better access.

   I laughed against his skin. "I'll admit it when you do."

   "Well, don't hold your breath. There's nothing for me to admit."

   I sat back up to cock an eyebrow at him. "Really?"

   "Really."

   He was a fucking liar. I could feel how hard he was beneath me. If he was going to play hard-to-get then I'd just have to drag a confession out of him.

   "What's this, then?" I asked, rolling my hips against him.

   He sucked in a breath, trying to keep his composure. "I don't know what you're talking about."

   "This." I repeated the same action.

   He couldn't stop himself from groaning that time, letting his eyes flutter shut for a moment. "Alright, fine. You're turning me on. You're a fucking smokeshow. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

   I affectionately swiped my thumb over his cheek. "It was. Thank you."

   "Don't you have something to say to me?"

   "I said 'thank you.'"

   "You aren't going to tell me how bad you want it?"

   I shrugged. "Meh."

   "Oh, fuck off." He laughed. "You're such a brat."

   He grabbed my hips and started rolling them so that I moved back and forth on his length. With only a few thin layers of fabric between the two of us I could feel every inch—and god, he was right, I did fucking want it.

   He changed the angle of my hips, shifting all of the friction to my clit. My hands shot to his chest when I felt a jolt of pleasure run through my body. I gave him a warning look, but he just flashed me a cocky smile in return.

   "What's wrong?" He slid one of his hands between us, stopping where I was most sensitive. "Is it this?"

   He started rubbing circles over my shorts. I bit my lip, trying to hold back a moan. I didn't want to give Phinks anything else to feed his already inflated ego.

   He laughed again, shaking his head. "Aw, come on, you don't have to hold back for me. It's all yours as soon as you tell me how bad you want it."

   I didn't say anything—hell, I couldn't have opened my mouth without moaning.

   "Fine, if you're gonna be stubborn. . ." He pushed my shorts and panties aside to run his fingers through my folds. "Fuck, you're soaked."

   He found his way to my clit again, sending another shock of pleasure through me. I couldn't hold back my moans this time.

   He smirked. "Yeah? Does that feel good?"

   "You're such an ass," I said, but it did feel good. He'd barely touched me and I could already sense a coil of pleasure beginning to tighten in the pit of my stomach.

   He chuckled. "And you've got a terrible poker face."

   He dipped a finger inside of me, then another, slowly scissoring them. He forced another moan out of me when he curled them over an especially sensitive spot. I tightened my grip on his chest, digging my nails into his skin.

   He drew in a sharp breath, pulling his hand away. "Fuck, are you trying to make me bleed?"

   "Don't stop," I whined.

   I regretted it as soon as the words left my mouth. I hadn't wanted to seem so needy—so desperate for his touch. I thought he'd end up teasing me for it, so I was surprised when he flipped us back over and gave me exactly what I wanted, ripping my shorts and panties off in one move before thrusting his fingers into me at an even faster rate. I threw my head back, arching my back and curling my toes. Phinks took the opportunity to give attention to my neck, planting kisses along my jaw before he made his way up to my ear and nibbled on the lobe.

   "Are you getting close?"

   "Yes," I breathed.

   "I'll let you cum," he murmured, "if you admit that you want it."

   "Want what?" I asked, feeling the coil in my stomach continuing to tighten—the tension threatening to explode at any minute. I thought if I stalled then maybe I wouldn't have to say it.

   He quickly proved to me that that strategy wouldn't work as he moved to pull his hand away again. I grabbed his wrist.

   "Wait! Alright, fine. I do."

   "Do what?"

   "Want it."

   He pressed his thumb to my clit, moving it in slow circles. "Want what?"

   "Y-Ah-You."

   His fingers curled over that same sensitive spot again. "What do you want from me?"

   I was so close. I needed it. I just had to say it.

   "I want you to f-nngh fuck-I want you to fuck me."

   "Oh, that's what you want?"

   "Yes."

   He stopped teasing me with such a slow pace, pumping his fingers faster and making quicker circles over my clit. I could feel the coil of pleasure tightening again. Every movement was working me closer and closer to the edge.

   And then Phinks murmured, "Then you'd better hurry up and cum for me already."

   If my mind weren't completely numbed by the intense pleasure I felt, I would have been pissed that THAT was what pushed me over the edge. But as my orgasm washed over me, I was too dizzied by a blissful fog to be upset, unable to focus on anything but melting into the mattress. I was so distracted by my high that I failed to notice that Phinks had gotten undressed. I didn't realize it until we were making out again and his erection brushed against the inside of my thigh.

   His hands moved under my shirt, pushing it up to guide it over my head. While I was sat up, he reached around to unhook my bra, using our proximity as an opportunity to suck on my neck. I thought he'd lay me back down once my bra was off, but instead he pulled me into his lap so that my legs were wrapped around his waist.

   "Damn," he said as his eyes raked over my body. "You're a fucking dime, you know that?"

   "And you have such a way with words." I moved my hand between us to wrap around his length, moving it up and down at a torturously slow pace.

   He groaned as he let his head fall to my shoulder, pressing his hand into the small of my back so that I was forced closer to him.

   I couldn't help the smirk that tugged at the corners of my mouth. "Something wrong?"

   "Yeah. Quit teasing me like that."

   "Like what?" I asked, playing dumb.

   "Don't act cute. You know what you're doing."

   "What do you mean?"

   He laughed and pulled back to look at me. "You're really gonna do this? After you were practically begging for me to fuck you? Now you're gonna just sit here and play your little games with me? You're really asking for it."

   "I think you're all talk. And besides," I leaned in so our lips were nearly touching. "Who said I didn't still want it?"

   It was like my words had lit a fire inside of him, calling him to action. He grabbed my thighs and lifted me up, lining himself up with my entrance. I slowly sank down on his length until I was resting on his hips.

   "You okay?" He asked, rubbing my thighs.

   "I'm good," I answered. "How are you doing?"

   "Oh, i'm fucking fantastic." He said before catching my lips in a kiss.

   I wrapped my arms around his neck so they rested on his shoulders, giving me the extra bit of leverage I needed to lift myself off of him, just to sink back down again. He groaned against my lips, grabbing my ass. I repeated the motion, building a faster pace. It didn't take long for Phinks to take over. With his grip on my ass he started rocking my hips to meet his thrusts. The whole thing felt incredibly intimate—our arms wrapped around each other, our lips exploring every inch of skin they could find, and our small gasps and moans that filled the air with each movement.

   "Phinks," I breathed when the sting of him stretching me out was gone, replaced by the feeling of pure pleasure.

   "What is it, babe?"

   "Harder."

   "Harder? Shit, I don't wanna break you."

   "Please. I need it," I begged.

   "Fuck, alright. Anything you want. Hold me tighter."

   I braced against his shoulders and hooked my ankles together around his back just in time for him to lift me off of the bed. He carried me to the other side of the room and pinned me up against the wall.

   "You'd better hang on," he said before pulling his hips back and thrusting into me harder than before.

   I threw my head back and moaned, digging my nails into his shoulders. It only encouraged him to go faster. He was ramming into me with so much speed and force that I worried we might break through the wall.

   "You like that?" He asked, gripping my thighs so tight I was sure he'd leave bruises. "You like it when I'm rough like this?"

   "Yes," I whined.

   "You like it when I fuck you nice and deep?" He rolled his hips on an especially hard thrust so that his strokes rubbed over my g-spot.

   The sensation made my back arch off of the wall so that I pressed my body into him. My hands shot to his head, tugging at his hair as I nearly screamed in pleasure.

   "God, yes! Don't fucking stop!"

   He nipped at my neck, repeating the same movement. "That's it. Just like that, baby. That's my good fucking girl."

   He kept fucking me like that, relentlessly abusing my g-spot until he forced another orgasm out of me. I screamed out his name, desperately clawing at his skin. He gave a few more erratic thrusts before spilling inside of me, burying his face in my neck and panting next to my ear.

   Once we'd both recovered a bit, he unhooked my thighs from his hips and set me down. When my feet hit the floor, my legs wobbled beneath me and I nearly fell over before he caught me in his arms.

   "Whoa there, easy."

   "I'm fine," I told him.

   "See, I knew I'd end up breaking you if I gave you what you wanted."

   I rolled my eyes. "Fuck you."

   He smirked. "Again? I'm not sure you could handle another round so soon."

   "God, I hate how cocky you are."

   He just smirked and pressed a kiss to my forehead before moving to my ear. He dropped his voice to a low, teasing tone. "If that were true then you wouldn't be full of my cum right now."

   "Fuck off," I snapped. I could already feel it running down my leg.

   He laughed, knowing he'd won. "Come on, I'm tired as hell after all that."

   We both cleaned up and got dressed before climbing back in bed. As soon as I was under the covers, Phinks scooted up behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me against him.

   "What are you doing?" I asked, inching away a bit.

   "Trying to spoon you. Will you just quit fighting and let it happen?"

   I gave in and tried to relax in his arms. Before too long his breathing became slow and deep, telling me he'd fallen asleep. I closed my eyes and focused on the comforting warmth of his embrace, falling asleep to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

[asksuccubussides]

What if you were an asexual succubus, wouldn't that be fucked up or what Chapter 9

Masterlist of chapters

11 days after Remus was cast out of Hell

"You're going on a car date with him!? A date!? In a car! With that gross thing!" Virgil eyes were so wide open it looked like they would pop out any second now.

Janus threw his hands up "When life throws you a strange little man you don't just ignore him!"

"Jannie you're killing me! Just like he's going to kill you! In that car!! I- I need a plastic bag to breathe into or something"

Virgil walked around in a circle while continuing to mutter to himself. The sound of the clock ticking that Janus' brain usually automatically zoned out suddenly seemed so overbearing as he sorted through the drawer under his bed to try and choose what to wear. Was he going for a Donna Tartt mysterious dark academia or more of a vampire stuck in victorian London.

"Very lucky that you somehow have the energy to go on a date with this random guy but you've been snazzing me off for asking you to go to class or buy the groceries for once innit" Virgil snarked out while halfway across the room.

In frustration Janus halfheartedly threw the piece of clothing he'd been holding. It fell miserably to the floor between them "You're doing a great impression of a twat tonight honey. Besides it is not a date. It is simply some friendly hanging out"

That last part was a lie. Janus was 22, inexperienced and let's not speak in circles here: very horny. He was only trying to avoid Virgil judging him for it.

Virgil picked up the clothing and folded it while saying dryly "If you're mulling over what to wear I suggest a hmm lemme think hmm a skirt..cause they're easier to take off"

"Oh my god! You're being such a- Nevermind. I am ignoring you for the rest of the evening"

"Having an argument right before going out to get murdered is such a boring cliche Jannie" Virgil put the folded clothing on the bed next to his roomate.

His roomate refused to reply, instead doing charades of him checking his ears and listening around for noise which he pretended he couldnt hear.

Virgil was about to leave it be but muttered over his shoulder "What if he's taking the piss on you? Only asking you out as a joke like every other dipshit? Only down to shag to use as comedy fodder at his next party. You're just gonna be a spectacle for him"

Janus closed his eyes and tried to keep it out. for once he didn't want to believe it.

--

Remus had a real skip in his step as he pranced through the college hallways. He had succesfully stolen his first car!! He obviously couldn't have a human date without a car! Did he have a license? No! Did he know what a license was? No! This date was going to go great!

"OOOOHHH JAAANNNUUUSS!!!" He yelled through the door while knocking just as loudly.

The door was pushed open so quickly he jumped back from surprise. Janus was standing there with a tense half smile, a large two colored black and yellow sweater, an ankle lenght skirt and his dreadlocks pushed up into two buns. Over his shoulder the demon could see the grumpy roomate sitting buried under a blanket in his bed with his headphones on. He looked so pale he nearly blended into the wall, maybe that was his goal.

"You are surpriseingly timely" Was the first thing Janus said "As you can clearly see I was definitely not at all expecting you to come"

"Expecting me to come immediately is reeally dirty J-anus! I am graceful non dirty pure lady"

"Glad to see you wore the shorts just like I asked. What a good boy you are" Janus had a sly smile on his lips "Want to come in? or must I welcome you like a vampire"

"I'm good" Remus replied while walking into the room.

He did a twirl to look around the whole room with wide bright eyes as he held his hands close to his chest. His head turned in an inhuman way to look at Virgil.

"Again this guy is here"

Janus made a whole showing of looking around and scratching his head "Who" He said sarcastically.

"I live here!" Virgil glared at a spot slightly above Remus' head "Red doesn't suit you"

"Good am not wearing any then!...OH! You mean my eyes!? I have not found way to gougue them out and replace them without losing sight yet. Too bad! Stuck with them for now!"

"..Sure"

"Well then" Janus clasped his hands "I am now remembering I just happened to forget something vital. Oh poor meee and my poor luck! Guess I have to go get that and leave you two aloneee for a while"

He gave his roommate the most shiteating grin before leaving the dormroom. Virgil's mouth fell open for a moment before shaking his head.

"Oh that snake is testing to see if we'll actually kill each other. Fucking bastard" He continued to grumble swearwords under his breathe.

Remus was about to say something about a fight to the death but as soon as he opened his mouth he started to violently cough. He held his hand against his throat and tried to force it back.

"Think I'm allergic to.." Remus gestured in Virgil's general direction. He stack out his tongue and wheezed like a cat trying to cough up a hair ball "Probably lethal...Oh well. Sweet death!"

"Why are you even here"

"You know...Colgege..Colgage...Colege. Study study!"

"No. No. Dude I mean" Virgil began to stand up from his bed while motioning for Remus to sit down in Jan's bed "Sit" He took a the desk chair and spun it around so he could sit on it in the wrong direction.

Remus made a "Blegh" sound while falling back into the soft cushions of Jan's bed. He plucked at the pillows and a bottle of face creme his date had forgotten to put away. "Smells like citrus! Love citrus! Much better smell than whatever you have going on"

"Rude, and also off topic. I was asking-"

"You only made us switch sitting places to make you feel big strong huh?" Remus reached his leg out to tap the chair with his toe.

"Why're you here dude?"

"Study. Study!"

"No! Like! Here" He tapped his finger against the backrest of the chair "Why're you here wanking around with Jannie?"

The demon shrugged "Fun! Dead birds come around him, that's fun! great! Fantastic! More dead stuff please!"

Virgil leant in closer "Listen here you daft nonce, you can't bang your way into our life like this! But if you are going to be here you better not hurt Jannie in any way. If I hear a single insult from you 'bout him I will- Well" Remus coughed again as Virgil leant in as close as he could "I was known as a biter at our ophanage and one time I bit a visitor and that visitor got Rabies from it. The doctors tested me and I didn't have Rabies. No one knows till this day how it happened, Ever heard of a bad miracle? If you try anything I'll find a way to recreate that and bite you"

Remus grined "What's rabies?"

He let out a sigh "...So you're just a proper idiot then"

"Yes, But I know few things" The demon moved his toe up and down against Virgil's leg "I know difference between human being annoyed at me because anger and human being annoyed at me because he thinks I'm hot and he does not want to think that. And I think you're example of number two. OH! Poop joke!"

"You daft fucking cunt!" He slapped the demon's foot away from him "YOu think the dead animals popping up around Jannie is cool!? well I've been telling him for Years that it's just assholes throwing them in through our window or door because humans are fucking horrible! But lately he's stopped listening to me! I think he's seriously starting to think there's some supernatural shit going on, WHICh trust me! I would be the most excited about! In any other case! Love ghosts! But not in this situation! I can count on more than one hand the amount of people who have asked Jannie out as a sick joke! And laughed at him no matter the answer! You hear me? I've Always protected him and I won't let you go and--"

"Ladies are we having a good time" Janus greeted as he came back into the room.

Virgil stood up and pushed the chair back to the desk "I was actually learning this twat here some words he could have use of. Like...Rabies!"

"Remus-Darling you simply have to set me up for a talk with your english teacher. I have to know what kind of teaching styles he uses because your intake of words is legitimately impressive" Virgil's already annoyed expression mulled over even more as Janus said the compliment.

"Me and Logan teacher have the same language. It helps"

"Fascinating. I'm sure I could find some studies regarding that helping in learning new languages" Janus weaved his fingers together and moved lightly back and forth on the toes of his feet "Sssssso, shall we get going?"

"No Showing me around?" Remus waved around at the room.

Out of the corner of his eye Janus could see Virgil motioning to puking "No darling. I think I can give you a proper introduction to my room some other time"

-

Remus opened the car door for Janus like he'd seen in the movies before sliding across the hood to get into the driver's seat. He stared at the dozens of buttons, numbers and fingamadings before deciding to simply kick his foot into the pedal and try to keep the car somewhat going in a straight line.

As soon as the car rived up Janus let out a yelp before grabbing ahold of the panic grip in the ceiling. "Roleplaying a fast and furious movie is definitely my favorite kind of date. Yep, yep yep yep yep" He let out a nervous laugh "SSSWEETIE, Reminder that my parents died in a carcrash!"

The car dropped to a sudden crawl making Remus lunge forward and nearly hit his forehead against the steering wheel. Janus tried to reach out to see if he was okay but the demon waved it off. The wheel had turned moist from his hands sweating and they hadn't even left college ground yet.

"I have not been on date before" Remus blurted out.

Janus quieted.

"I have been with humans. Lots of humans. Part of my uhh job you know, But never walked on date" He continued.

"Lucky for you I am so incredibly experienced there is no possibility of this going wrong" Janus reached out and placed his hand atop of Remus' hand on the steering wheel and the demon could feel how fast the human's pulse was beating "This is my first time too"

Remus let up into a smile and gave his date a quick glance before continuing to look at the road. The car swerved and curved but didn't go too fast and the air suddenly felt easier to breathe.

"I was looking at normal date spots and seen this lake. Pretty popular in summer. Thought it be nice. Driving. Criving. Niving. Fiving. Fisting"

"Only two of those were words"

"I know"

"Popular in summer huh" Janus leant back in his seat "What you're telling me is that it will be avoid of any people expect for us right now. Oh dear you really are planning on killing me. How flattering"

Remus' horns began to shine a bright crimson red as his heart skipped a beat "H- HOw did you know!?"

Jan laughed "You're a good actor dear"

"Oh....Jokes. yes. Hahahahaha. Murder. My favorite joke! Right after disemmemberment!!"

"Is it a long drive? Does your car have bluetooth or shall I simply rawdog it and hope my phone can be loud enough for both of us to hear the music?"

There was a knife laying in the backseat of the car. If Remus checked in the mirror he could see the edge of it faintly glimmering as it laid half stuck out from where he'd hidden it.

"Are we in the mood for some musical classics? A bit of razzle dazzle, some cabaret, even some Funny girl if we're feeling dramatic" Janus continued. He saw the puzzled look on Remus face and added "Ah, perhaps a bit too showey for a late night date innit"

A slash across the throat would be quick, only a few minutes of bleeding out. It would probably not even be that painful since the shock wouldn't have time to subside. He could lay Janus' body out in the water. There was no need to bother making it look like an accident, a drowning, car crash, even a fall, he wouldn't have to care about the police anyhow once the deed was done and he could return to Hell like normal. He missed the slight smoke always hanging in the air. Earth air was too clean.

"Maybe some jazz? Don't tell me you're one of those who refuse to listen to any jazz. It's alright if youre simply scared off by its deep history but I can show you some of my favorites. The clazzics if you will...with Z instead of S, you get me!"

Choking him to death could also work. If he suffocated him by pressing an object to his face until he passed out it would be less painful...Not that the amount of pain mattered as long as he died. Remy could be being hurt right now. Emile could be all alone. Roman could- He couldn't think about that right now. He had to focus.

"If we really want to get into the mood I could put on some R&B classics. Peronsally I lean more into the alternative sort of R&B, the Twigs, Szas, etc etc. Fiona Apples even! if we want to get into alternative rock. but while I am a snob and a judgy bitch I am certaintly not above some Whitney uh some Mariah. Aretha even. I mean I'm gay and black I think there would be a warrant for my arrest ready if I didn't"

Running him over with the car was always an option though, and while thinking this Remus sneaked a glance at the human, he wanted to make the death as painless as possible. He could have fun harming humans some other time. For some reason he just didn't like the idea of Janus in prolonged pain. It was a good thing he didn't have to worry about cops. With the scar on his face the human would be easily recognizable even as a corpse.

"Hey" Janus snapped his fingers "Remus? Forgot to pick an option in the dialogue tree?"

Remus snapped back to the present and tried to remember what they were talking about "Music? Oh uh I know Music uhh" He began to humm a tune and tap his finger against the wheel while trying to drag any human song he could remember forward "Ahh Where they all uhh live where they run where they something something all day in the sun. Wishin could be wandering free uhh part of your world??"

Janus smiled watching the demon scrunch his nose and furrow his eyebrows together while sing-mumbling the words out. His voice was stale, shrill and way out of pitch but it was sort of cute in a lame way.

"Is that...The little mermaid?" The human guessed.

"Uhh yeah" Remus forced a smile "My brother's favorite song" He hadn't been fully aware that was Roman's favorite, the information was ingrained in his mind in the same way the urge to fly south lays in the mind of a bird "He loves musicals aaand that is why we will not listen to musicals"

"Understandable, though you will have to hear my incredible rendition of don't rain on my parade someday"

"Would not wanna miss it, except if beheadings was happening at the same time"

The human put on a calm playlist of jazz before looking out the window to see the last remnants of the day's light disappear behind the tops of the trees in the distance. Thick clouds had started to roll in but it hadn't started raining just yet. The last few people were driving home from work. Remus was headbanging along to the smooth trumpets which made Janus laugh.

"Want a riddle?" Janus asked.

"Bro that sounds like a a uhhhh......scary thing..."

"Threat?"

"Yeah! Threat!"

"As any normal person does I have a riddle app on my phone. It's definitely not right next to my murder mystery app"

Remus switched positions to only have to hold the wheel with one hand as the traffic lessened "Hit me..In the uhh theoryetical way not in kinky way"

"There are two men who each have a backpack . One of the men are dead. The man who is alive has his backpack open and the man who is dead has his backpack closed. What is in the dead man’s backpack?"

Janus had a smug look on his face as he waited for his date to think.

"...A whole pile of blades that SLAsh went right through backpack and into soft human meat!!" Remus answered with full confidence.

"Wow, what an adorable attempt" The demon didn't notice the sarcasm, his tail simply wagged at the compliment "Correct answer is a parachute"

"Load another up sir!"

"You are my brother, but I am not your brother. Who am I?"

"J-Anus babeybitch we are Not related!"

"It's the riddle you daft muppet"

"Oh......uhmmmm......Reverse brother !"

"Wha- Well sure. The correct answer is sister so I suppose..you are right..."

His tail continued to wag making the back of his seat warm "Another! Another! My brain is sooo fucking WIGGLY right now!"

"Whatever you say. A barrel of water weighed 60 pounds. Someone put something in it and now it weighs 40 pounds. What did the person add?"

"OH! I know right one! HOLE! A hole! Issa hole!....Hehehe hole....INNIT!" He mimicked the human's accent on the last word.

"Correct!" Janus leant closer to him and murmured into his ear "What a good boy you are"

"THAMKS! Iam great hole finder! Hole expert! Great hole guy!"

"I'm sure you are darling"

Remus let his hand wander across the armrest that was the only small distance between them. He felt for Janus' reaction as he placed his hand against his knee. For a moment the human tensed from surprise before his knee went soft again. The demon rubbed his finger in a circle against the light fabric of the skirt keeping their skin separated.

"Your clothes look good" The demon said.

"Thanks. Yours too, what there is of them. There is for sure no chance of you catching a cold"

"Eh" he shrugged "I'm hotblooded"

The car took a sharp turn as they exited the main road and the lake entered the view. It was hard to make out on a starless evening, besides they were on the hill overlooking the lake not beside it. There was a small parking lot meant for stopping at to take a view but since no one except for them were there Remus drove right to the edge of the hill and parked right next to the railing. Janus lowered the volume of the music and for a few moments neither of them spoke.

The sound of the carbelts unbuckling and the slight rustle from the bushes around them mixed with the low jazz was the only sound heard.

"Hope I calling this a date was okay before. I know this is not romantic" Remus eventually got out. His stomach was turning but he wasn't sure if it was from hunger or not wanting to be intimate.

"As long as we both are aware this is a casual thing it's okay. Earlier when you and Viv got your alone time I ran and bought some uh- wow I am feeling ssssoo mature for feeling embarassed over saying these words like Im freaking 5- I got condoms. You can just say if we need them or not, no detail needed. I just thought with your job-"

"Good braining! We don't!"

"Okay"

(In the early days of succubi they could spread STDs but it was quickly realized that far too many humans died for that to stay a possibility, especially during the black plague)

"I have slipper shit"

"Good. Good yeah"

The demon noticed Janus' hand moving up to instictly play with one of his dreadlocks before his hand stayed hung in the air as he remembered he'd put his hair in buns and let his hand fall down to his lap once more.

There was a naseua growing at the back of Remus' mouth that gave him the urge to put his fingers deep in his throat and pull it all out. Gag and spit and puke and saliva and anything that could distract him. His sight became a bit slurred as he began to space out.

"Sex. Sex time. Let's go" He mumbled in a tone uncharacteristicly emotionless.

Remus pulled off his tank top without much fanfaire and threw it into the back of the car before turning to Janus. The human's eyes jumped between his chest and his eyes and Remus made sure to wait a moment until his eyes had stagnated a bit before leaning forward to let his lips meet the skin of the human's neck.

Janus' hands hung in the air before he slowly moved his hand to lay against Remus' bare back. He could feel the shoulder blade moving under his fingertips while his heart raced so fast he could hear it pounding in his ears.

The feeding had started, It wasn't much though. It felt like popcorn seeds were being forced between his teeth and pushed down his throat one after the other. Tiny tiny hints of food only making his hunger more apparent.

He let his other hand slip down past Remus' neck and slid his finger along the collar bone. The demon stopped kissing his neck to instead watch Janus' face as the human moved his hand along Remus' chest, his eyes enamored and face slightly flushed.

The demon placed his knee against the middle arm rest to get closer while pressing his hand against the window behind Janus to keep himself from falling over. He went back to kissing the human's neck, edging up to right where his chin stopped and cheek started.

In his mind he was thinking of the latest human movies he'd seen. Saw 1-10 was a real hoot. Great way to forget how hungry he was. His eyes glazed over as he moved his other hand to roll the human's skirt up so it bunched up around his waist. His lips kissed where the smooth skin turned jagged and uneven as he placed his hand against his inner thigh (he hoped it would go by fast) before sliding his fingers higher up until-

Until the feeding stopped suddenly and before he could fully notice it he felt Janus hands pushing lightly against his chest. Not in the soft almost careful caress he'd done before. His eyes were looking away to some spot on the dashboard as he held Remus away ever so slightly.

Remus didn't move back but he did stop kissing him to instead meet his eyes "Something wrong?"

"I had..imagened it differently. This is so cramped and" Janus' eyes flickered back and forth "I thought I was ready" His voice wavered just a bit.

The demon eyed the other man's face up and down "...How did you ever get that scar anyway?"

The look in Janus' eyes changed in an instant. There were sudden tears brimming at the edges with a just as sudden look of anger and disgust right behind the tears as he stared at Remus.

"What kiND OF FUCKING QUESTION IS THAT MID FUCK!?"

His voice wavered under the rage as he pushed Remus away hard enough to knock him back to his seat. His head hadn't even hit the window before Janus had opened the car door and slammed it shut behind him.

Remus gasped for breathe as he felt something crawl up his throat. He pushed the car door slightly ajar to hang his head out and puke onto the dirt underneath him. The puke was almost all stomach acid and water and the little feeding he had gotten from Janus must have disappeared down into the ground.

The rain quickly drained the puke away, Remus quietly watched it as it ran down to the edge of the hill before disappearing down the cliffside. Janus running away must have been a blessing in disguise because he would not have been able to hold back his disgust the entire way through. But had that been enough? Could he kill janus now? He glanced back at the seat where the knife was hidden...it was probably best to ask Logan first to be sure. He shuddered at the possibilities of what could happen to Roman if he came back with a dead but non sinning Janus.

If only Roman had been forced to do this instead of him. She would have known exactly what to do, what to say. He could have seduced Janus within a day. Everything would already be back to normal.

The seat where Janus had sat was still warm as Remus pressed his hand against it. He took a deep breathe and rested his head in his hands for a few minutes before putting on his tank top again and stepping out into the rain.

His body couldn't take him standing up so suddenly so he had to lean against the car as his sight spun and his legs trembled. Instead of screaming for his body to stop shaking he hit his fist against the top of the car.

He held his tail above his head to try and lessen the rain someway, at least the ground was all muddy and nice to skip through. The human wasn't anywhere in the parking lot so Remus sniffed in the air instead and followed the citrus smell to the other side of the road where the bushes growing were closer together and the ground uneven.

A hint of blue light came from somewhere between the bushes and Remus followed it to find Janus sitting on a log texting on his phone. He didn''t notice the demon so Remus decided to sneak up behind him and lean his arms over the human's head to shield him from the rain. He sucked in a big gulp of air before screaming

"BOO BITCH!!"

Janus didn't answer, he didn't even get scared.

"You're being boring"

Remus sat down beside him and stuck out his tongue to try and gauge a reaction, followed by silly expression, wild hand waving, poking his nose, farting and as a last resort making puppy eyes while pouting. Finally he tried poking at Janus but that only made the human smack his hand away.

"Oh fabolous idea! Really rub your grubby lil hands all over huh!? Very appreciated!"

The demon was pretty sure that was sarcasm. He tried to move his head to see the phone screen "Who you texting? Is it saaatan?? Done any sins recently??? Sins worth death???"

"You could never possible guess who Im texting, I just have such an unimaginable array of trusted allies and dear friends and I totally do not only have 1 singular friend at all in the whole world. I am just so fucking caked up with friends. schedules all packed!"

"......Have I.....Done something....?"

"No! Obviously not! Never!" Janus put his phone down and let out the longest of sighs "Cant you just drive me home? Or are you planning on stranding me here and letting me ruin my nice sweater even more. Fuck! I used my nice sweater for this you fucking asshole!!......Im kidding. I used my worst piece of shit shirt or someting. yada yada lies lies" his legs were bouncing so fast mud was kicking up onto his skirt "And don't you dare touch me!"

Remus didn't understand but he still replied "No touching, I prommy....but you missing out on me sexyli carrying you to the car so your shoes do not get worse"

"Please sweetie" janus rolled his eyes while standing up and dusting off the back of his skirt "Your arms are the size of cigarettes, I doubt you would ever be able to carry me. Honey you are allll legs"

"That's not true! Im also a penis!"

"You're doing a great job at thinking with it" The mumbled way Janus said it was a stark contrast to how he'd teased Remus before.

The demon followed the human back to the car with his tail between his legs. Even from just the small amount of time they'd been outside they were both still sopping wet enough to dampen the seats. When Remus saw his date shuddering he slammed all of the buttons on the dashboard until he found the heater.

"My friend says wet feet makes illness" Remus commented while thinking of Emile.

"Eureka! What a never before stated glimpse of wisdom. Be a dear and just start driving already"

The jazz playlist was still going as they began the drive home. Every now and then Remus glanced over to his date but each time he looked Janus was just sitting curdled up with his body leant as close to the car door as possible. His arms were around himself to try and gather warmth as he stared out the window.

"If I was making an army I would want you on my side be cause you're very mega smart" Remus said to try and cheer him up.

"Who cares about being smart when you can't do anything useful with it, or anything at all for that matter"

"...Well.....You can...say cool facts..."

The barely begun conversation died out into silence. That was Remus theory anyhow: that Hell must want to make sure that Janus lands in Hell so he can help them against Heaven somehow. It was the only thing that made sense for now.

It was a smooth ride home with few cars on the road which was a lucky coincidence because Remus had gotten so hungry his eyes were going in and out of focus the entire way. He stopped in the middle of the parking lot in front of the College campus and was digging around in his mind for a cool movie line to say to end of the date succesfully. Janus was already getting out of the car before he'd come up with anything to say so Remus ran after which only made his head spin.

"Wait! Janny boy! UHhh AHH Epic Date!?"

"I suppose I should say thanks for driving me. Tell me if I should pay you back for the gas-"

"Oh nah I stole th- NOpe! Not needed thanks! Ehh Do Do you not want me to walk you to your door?"

"As you can see I have my own legs so no thank you"

"When you wanna meet a-"

Janus pressed his finger against Remus' lips "Shush. Stay."

He moved his finger away and when Remus didn't say anything he caressed the demon's chin.

"Good boy. Now, Have a good night. Goodbye"

With that Janus turned around and walked away. Remus stayed standing there until his date had disappeared into one of the dorm houses.

His heart started to race. Oh Satan he'd failed. He'd- He wouldn't get to see Roman for however long. He thought it'd be over. He thougt he- Not Remy or Emile either. He couldn't know if they were okay. He thought it would be easy- It should have been easy.

His stomach growled and it was about then Remus completely dissociated away into a daydream where he could put The Manager into a saw trap without any consequenses. His body got back into the car and drove away from the campus and into the middle of town. Somewhere along the way he crashed into a mailbox and slammed his horns into the dashboard. It wasn't his car so his body just got out and started walking towards the nearest club he could see.

All of the sounds of humans talking and the faint music coming from inside the building were all muffled to Remus' ears. Everything was just shapes. Nothing tangetible. Nothing real.

Except for a sudden smell that made him break out into coughs. His eyes were still out of focus as Remus looked around while holding his hands over his nose. The smell was so sticky sweet it felt like acid was flowing into his nostrils.

Finally he saw a figure kneeling down beside a human that had fallen asleep on the lawn outside the club. Looking directly at it made his eyes water and the hairs on his arms raise.

It was a fucking Angel.

It had hidden it's wings and halo from the humans but Remus could see them clear as day. Stupid Angels always having their wings out, that's why he never summoned his. And with their just as stupid horns that went round their head to connect to each other, stupid them for being obnoxious enough to call it a halo.

It noticed him just as quickly and held up the water bottle as if to show him it was only here to help the humans. Remus in return hissed at it to which it fully opened up it's large wings to scare him off. He told himself he only walked away because he disliked the smell, he had humans to feed off of anyway.

[skyward-floored]

Hello, Peggy. I listened to that song I sent you too many times and thought too hard about Downfall IAU Twilight. Have a completely non-canon thing

Aganim stormed into the room where Twilight was ‘studying” under the watchful gaze of Zant with a handful of other eldest children looking to be scouted for Dink’s latest ‘hero program’.

“You!” His brother's handler seethed as he took in the room and found Twilight.

“Yes, Sir?” What had Legend, or those other two kids done? Aganim was a pain at the best of times but most of his incidents with his brother had been things Legend had actually been doing...just luck was on his side and the stupid prick that was his ‘handler’ couldn't prove it.

“Don't you ‘yes, sir’ me as if you didn't already know...”

He hadn't seen his family in days. He'd come home late, left early, all of it in the name of this stupid program he didn't even want to be a part of.

“I'm sorry. I really...” Aganim gave a scream of rage and stormed over to Zant, snatching Zant's fob and triggering the shock to course through him.

“Your family has been a thorn in my side for years.” Twilight was thrown out of his desk with the long shock and lay there panting as Aganim screamed. “So good, so outwardly compliant, but scheming and sneaking around and defying everyone...” Another shock, just a short burst. “And everything.” Another burst, longer and if it wasn't for it locking up every muscle including his lungs, he would have screamed.

“Your brother may have weasled away like the rodent he is, but now all of you scum are on the kill list.”

Zant was screaming about not using the shock again, but Aganim just shoved the man away.

“You, your brother, your mother, all of them...” Aganim triggered another shock, and another punctuating every word with a burst of electricity. “They will all pay and in the meantime, so will you.” And somewhere under this constant barrage of shocks, Twilight blacked out.

It was damp and cold when he awoke. He was on the ground? He was abruptly shot from dizzy incomprehension to full awareness as he felt someone trying to remove his jacket. He snarled, a very wolf-like sound despite his hylian form.

“Ooh, so scary. You think you're one of those super-hero types or something?” A woman’s voice spoke from the reaching hands he'd grabbed to try to defend himself. I thought you were dead when they threw you down here with us...” there was an almost deranged giggle. “I was gonna help you if you were nice, but I don't need you to snarl and snap at me.” A teenager like him sat on the other side of the bars of what seemed to be a cross between a sewer grate and jail bars. It certainly explained the damp, and the smell.

“What's your name, Beasty? What made the supers throw you down to the Twilight Realm with the rest of us?”

“Dusk.” He wasn't sure what made him give his hero name rather than his given name or even his nickname. “Call me Dusk...” He coughed, sat up, found that he still had the cursed shock bracelet on, though his tracker had been smashed.

“I think I prefer Beasty, it's certainly more fitting of the way you snarled and snapped at me...now, can you stand? Or do you want to catch pneumonia down here in the dungeons?” He groaned, but got to his feet. The snarky woman who'd been talking to him was... very short. She came barely up to his hip. He knew his father had been fairly tall but at seventeen and still no where near breaking five and a half feet, it seemed he would be closer in stature to his grandfather than his dad. It was strange to be so much taller.

“Who do I have to thank for the rescue?” His voice still sounded shot.

“Midna Twili, but you can call me Princess, okay, Beasty?”

Ooooh uh oh Twi’s in hot water now, oh boy... Agahnim just losing it and going after him seems about right, the jerk 😤 Thank you for sharing!! :D

[gojocumdumpster]

Lending out a helping hand 2

You had woke up Gojo's arm's wrapped around you, you rolled your eyes and slowly pulled them off as you were ready to make breakfast. You got up brushed your teeth, washed your face and headed out to check on the twins. They were still sleeping with there white noise on. You closed the door gently and went to the kitchen. You decide to make French toast with eggs and bacon. So that's what you did. You started plating the food for you and Gojo. You got out the twins silicone plates as they had 4 sections you sliced the French toast into little strips "French toast sticks" you broke the bacon and half and placed it on the same section with the eggs and the other side had mixed fruits Gojo had bought the other day so you gave them in a scoop of those you poured orange juice for you and Gojo and half a cup of apple juice for the twins and filled the rest with purified water because little kids need water not just juices.

It was 10:30 in the morning and you heard gojo walking out shirtless as usual. You looked at him and look back at what you were doing. He had went behind you and hugged you from behind, gripping your tits before you could kick him. 'Yes I got to touch them!" He says dodging your kick and bacon you threw at him. "Keep fucking with me Gojo and watch what happens your gonna be nut-less and have no balls at all." You say threating with him pointing a knife at him. "I think i'm getting blue balls." He says smirking at you. "GOJO I'M GOING TO MURDER YOU." You say chasing him with the knife. Few minutes later everyone was eating, you ate in the kitchen because Gojo kept kicking you. "The twins are heading with Grandma for 2 weeks, so it'll just be us 2." He said winking at you. You stuck up the middle fingers when the twins weren't looking at you. His grandma had just picked the 2 up and it was time for both you and Gojo to go to work.

You were trying to get ready, but someone doesn't know how to turn around and stop staring. "Gojo." You say with one hand up ready to hit him. "Okay okay, don't hit me those things are deadly. You guys make it to work and had a meeting once work was over with Nanami. Gojo was known as the troublemaker and would piss you and Nanami off. You and Nanami thought you guys were safe until Gojo had made a comment. "What do you guys think about having a 3some?" Gojo said excitedly. You and Nanami left closing the door on him. Work was done and you guys had already took a bathe. It didn't end up so well. "GOJO PUT THAT SHIT DOWN." You said as he had a scooped water from the bathe tub trying to throw it at you. Yeah you guys were splashing each other like crazy.

You had enough and sat on top of his abs. "I TOLD YOU TO STO-" He had gripped your hips and grabbed your ass spreading them apart. You had smacked him hard and he let go and you got up. Sticking your tongue out. And walking out with your towel. "Hey wait you can't leave me like this you have to help me!" He said covering himself with a towel having a boner. "Yea I can help you by kicking your dick until it's soft." He shook his head no and put his sweats on. being shirtless again. You had wore your spaghetti strap shirt and shorts. He looked at your perky nipples as they were getting hard from the cold air. "Such a great view!" He said staring at them. You rolled your eyes and sat down on the couch ready to have movie night that he begged to have. You guys were in the middle of watching a movie until a sex scene turned on. He looked at you with a smirk and you side eyed him. He paused the movie. "What now Gojo." You said rolling your eyes. "Have you ever thought of 2 best friends fucking? He said looking at you. "No.." You said looking at him annoyed . "You want to make it happen" He said as he slowly got hard.

[lemoncrushh]

Out of Bounds - Chapter 26

STORY PAGE

Word Count: 3265

I awoke to the sound of low voices nearby. Lying on my side, I opened my eyes to see Harry and Penny sitting at her table, the only light coming from the one above them.

"Hi, baby doll," said Penny sweetly when she noticed me. "How are you feeling?"

I cleared my throat and sat up, running a hand through my hair. "Thirsty," I grimaced.

Harry grinned and stood up to retrieve a bottle of water for me from the fridge.

"What time is it?" I asked when he handed it to me.

"About six thirty."

"Did I fall asleep on you? I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he murmured, kissing me on the forehead. "You needed your rest."

"Thank you for staying," I told him as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"You're welcome. You look like you feel better."

I nodded. "I think my fever's gone finally."

I got up to use the restroom, then sat down at the table with Harry and Penny. I decided to eat the other half of my sandwich and Harry warmed up the rest of my soup for me. It felt great going down, and afterwards I felt a hundred times better.

"Report tomorrow, right?" I turned to Harry, referring to our Sociology paper.

"Only if you're up to it," he said, looking a bit concerned.

"I think I'll be okay. I don't want it to be late."

Harry nodded as he ran his hand up my forearm. "I love you," he mouthed.

I grinned at him and squeezed his hand. "I love you, too."

"So..." Penny cleared her throat. "What do you two lovebirds have planned for Thanksgiving?"

"Actually, Penny," I sighed, sitting back in my chair, "I was going to ask you the same thing. Do you have plans with Zack?"

"Yep," she grinned. "And we want you guys to join us."

"Really?" I looked to Harry and back to her. "That would be great!"

"I talked Zack into staying home instead of going to his parents'. His mom was none too happy, but he told her he'd come home for Christmas."

"Are we doing it here, or at Zack and Harry's?" I asked.

"Oh this place is way too small," Penny insisted. "We'll go there."

"You okay with that?" I turned to Harry.

"Fine with me," he shrugged, rubbing his hands on his jeans.

"Yay," Penny clapped her hands together. "It'll be fun. Just us four. I mean...unless you had to visit family, Tisa. I didn't think of that, I'm sorry."

"No," I shook my head. "I haven't seen my family in years. James and I usually either went to his mother's or we stayed home."

I immediately felt guilty for mentioning James. I cringed as I snuck a peek at Harry. He didn't seem upset in the least. He looked curious, if anything.

"Oh...okay," said Penny, thankfully leaving it at that.

I still wasn't feeling a hundred percent Thursday morning. In fact, I threw up once more before I left for school. I managed to drink a cup of tea, the thought of coffee sounding unbearable. I took a piece of toast with me for the ride, figuring I probably wouldn't even eat all of it.

Harry just happened to pull into the parking space next to mine just as I was getting out of my car. I stopped and waited for him on the sidewalk, and we walked to Professor Crawford's class together.

"You ready?" he asked as his hand guided me on the small of my back.

"Let's do this," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Just as we were about to enter the classroom, I noticed the "mean girls" sitting at a picnic table nearby. Liz was the only one to seemed to notice me as she quickly stood up and said goodbye to the other two girls.

Harry and I sat at our table, ready to give our report. We were more than prepared, but as soon as I saw Leslie and Charice walk in, followed by Crawford, I felt a sudden wave of nausea rush over me. I took a couple of deep breaths, hoping it would subside, but it didn't. I quickly laid my head down on the desk.

"Tisa..." Harry questioned. I felt his hand on my back. "You okay?"

"I think I'm gonna throw up."

I lifted my head slowly, catching a glimpse of Harry's concerned face.

"Ms. Jordan, Mr. Styles," I heard Crawford say. He sounded very far away although he was standing directly in front of us. "You two want to go first?"

I suddenly felt like I had tunnel vision. The next few things seemed to happen instantaneously, yet in slow motion at the same time.

"Sorry!" I exclaimed.

I stood up quickly, nearly knocking over my chair, ran to the door and outside toward the restrooms. Fortunately I made it to the stall in time to throw up. Unfortunately, I hadn't thought to bring a toothbrush. I splashed cold water on my face and stood over the sink for a few minutes, trying to get my bearings. This was more than a twenty-four hour bug. This had to be the stomach flu, or something similar. I felt like hell.

I heard the bathroom door squeak open, and I didn't bother to look up. But just as I put my hands under the running water to wash them, I caught a flash of red hair go by. Of course she would choose to walk slowly to the very last stall, as though she was on a leisurely stroll. I lifted my head then to glare at Liz in the mirror. She gave me blank stare before closing the stall door behind her.

I still didn't feel up to going back to the classroom just yet. I closed my eyes and took a few more deep breaths, wishing to God the nausea and dizziness would stop.

"Feeling ill?" I heard from behind me.

I didn't want to look at her. I kept my eyes closed, my hands supporting myself on the edge of the sink. I breathed in through my nose and out through my mouth. Just then, I felt a hand tap my arm. I jolted, my eyes wide. Liz stood there with a pack of two Pepto Bismol tablets in her hand, holding it out to me. I eyed her for a moment, wondering why the hell she was offering it to me.

"Take it," she insisted. "It couldn't hurt."

"Thanks," I muttered, hesitantly taking the medicine from her.

"I keep all the essentials in my bag at all times," she explained, lifting the flap of her messenger bag. "You need it, I got it. Gum, mints, Tylenol, tampons...I'm like a regular Walgreens."

I was just about to pop the first tablet in my mouth when it hit me again. I ran to the nearest stall, making it just in time.

"Oh gosh," I heard Liz voice. "Here."

I felt her grab my hair, pulling it back with one hand so that it wouldn't hang over the toilet. She must have found a hair tie in her bag of endless supplies and used it to put my hair into a ponytail. I heaved a couple more times until I felt like I'd thrown up a lung.

"Jeez, you've got it bad," she exclaimed when I stood upright again.

"Yeah," I agreed, grabbing some toilet paper to wipe my eyes.

I made it back over to the the sink, where I realized I'd dropped the medicine which was now bubbling and dissolving.

"Shit," I cursed under my breath.

"Don't sweat it. I have more."

"Thanks," I said again when she handed me another packet. "How come you're being so nice to me?"

I hated to suspect anyone of ulterior motives, but this was a girl who had despised me for no reason other than her friend having a crush on my boyfriend. Why the sudden change of heart?

Liz shrugged. "I don't know."

I squinted my eyes. "Don't give me that. You and your friends have been nothing but mean to me for the last couple months. What gives?"

Liz swallowed and then lifted her chin. "Maybe I just don't like being mean. Being nice is much easier."

"Yeah, it is," I scoffed. "Especially when you really have no valid reason to hate me."

Turning my attention back to the medicine in my hand, I tossed it in my mouth and chewed the tablets, taking a handful of water from the sink to wash them down.

Liz sighed, leaning against the sink beside mine. "Britney's my best friend. I've known her since we were in elementary school. She lived down the street. She's like a sister to me."

I watched her as she pulled on the drawstring of her hoodie. I said nothing, so she continued.

"One night this summer we went out to the movies. Before we went, we stopped at Mikado's to have dinner. Harry was our waiter. He was really cute, really sweet and really funny. Britney was quite taken with him. I mean, I was too, if I'm being honest. But Britney wouldn't stop talking about him all night. Even after we left the movies, she was still going on about him. She was a smitten kitten.

"So of course, we went back. Only this time we found out he was working at the bar. We decided to ditch whatever other plans we had and just sat at the bar until closing. We did this several times."

Liz finally took a breath, looking at me. "Sometimes Britney would go without me. I kinda started to worry a little bit. Like, was she taking this infatuation too far? I figured if Harry was interested, he would have asked her out by now."

I raised an eyebrow in agreement.

"Well," she continued. "Then school started, so we had less time to go unless it was the weekend. Then there was the night you were there."

Liz eyed me, making sure I remembered. Of course I remembered. Britney had taken my seat.

"It was obvious Harry knew you. I didn't really think anything of it. I thought you and your friend were cool. I enjoyed being a part of the...sort of party, I guess."

I nodded, recalling the party vibe that Harry and Brian had given off, setting the tone for the remainder of the evening.

"Britney was P.O.'d!" Liz exclaimed. I almost laughed at her tone and choice of words, but my stomach still hurt. "After you left she was really laying it on thick with Harry, leaning over the bar and practically petting him. He's always so nice, and I'm sure trying to keep his job, he just takes it. But not once have I seen him act like he's interested."

I grinned slightly, a little glimmer of pride on my face.

"But anyway, like I said, Britney's my best friend. I love her. And I want her to be happy. And she wants Harry." Liz sighed again, taking a moment to gather more thoughts. "I know I didn't have a valid excuse to hate you, or be mean to you. She hates you with a passion though. And I guess I had to be an enemy by association. And then..."

She paused, seeming hesitant to say the rest of her sentence.

"Then what?" I asked.

"She was at the bar one night. Harry wasn't there, but she stayed anyway. Two men and a woman were sitting beside her. She didn't recognize her at first, but then she remembered her as your friend. Justine, was it?"

"Oh no," I grimaced.

"I don't recall the whole story, but apparently one of them mentioned Harry, which of course made her perk up her ears. Then they mentioned you. And one of the men said you were his wife."

"Are you serious?"

Liz nodded. "That's how we found out you were married. Now listen," she held up a hand. "It was none of my business. And it's still not. But at the time all I thought was that was a great way to get back at you. I could use that knowledge against you to help out my friend. I guess I thought, if she can't have him, you don't deserve him either."

"Thanks," I muttered sarcastically.

Liz shook her head. "I realized I was wrong. I'm sorry."

"What made you come to this decision?" I asked with narrowed eyes.

"I've seen the way he looks at you."

I blinked, not expecting that answer.

"That boy's in love with you. And you're in love with him. I watch you when you're walking to class, when he puts his arms around you and kisses you. I don't know anything about your husband, or ex-husband, or whatever he is. But if Harry loves you like that...I can't imagine you being in love with anyone else."

"Wow," I breathed. I didn't know how to respond to that.

"And also...it's obvious Britney needs to give up this...whatever it is. Wishing Harry would pay attention to her, ask her out, whatever. I told her so last night."

My eyes about popped out of my head. "You did?"

"Yeah," she let out a deep sigh. "She's probably still a little mad at me. But she'll get over it. I told her that Harry wouldn't pick someone disgusting to fall in love with. And the truth hurts, but she needs to move on."

"Wow," I said again. "Thanks...I guess."

"Welcome," Liz shrugged. "Are you feeling better?"

"Um...yeah, a little. You don't happen to have a toothbrush in that bag of yours, do you?"

She chuckled. "I do, but it's mine. I don't have a spare. I can give you this though."

Liz dug through her bag and pulled out a Binaca spray. Then she grabbed a container of mints and a pack of gum.

"Take your pick," she offered.

"I'll take one of each, actually," I grinned.

"Good idea."

I made it back to class in one piece, still feeling a tiny bit queasy, but loads better than I had when I left. I quietly sat next to Harry as I listened to two other students give their report. He didn't ask any questions; he just took my hand under the table and squeezed it.

Crawford had agreed that Harry and I could give our report on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, with no points off of our grade since I had been taken ill. I still insisted that we at least turn in the printed copy, as some sort of assurance that we had written it, and he was fine with that.

On the sidewalk, I told Harry about my run-in with Liz. I told him the whole story, what she'd told me and even how she helped me. She had also said that Leslie and Charice hadn't been enlightened yet, and along with Britney might still be bitter for a little while. I honestly wasn't worried. I felt a huge burden lifted off of my shoulders. Liz and I might not ever be friends, but at least I knew she wasn't the hateful bitch she had pretended to be.

Harry had to work that night and the next, but both he and Zack were off Saturday. That gave me time to hopefully get well, so we made plans for Penny and I to go their apartment for dinner.

Penny insisted on waiting on me hand and foot after she got home from work. She told me she loves to play nurse, that she probably would have been one if she hadn't discovered she liked to sing. I wasn't going to argue with her, and frankly couldn't anyway. I still felt horrible and stayed in bed the rest of the afternoon on into the evening. I got up only to use the bathroom and eat a quick dinner with Penny at the table. Fortunately I didn't throw up anymore that day, but probably because I didn't have anything in me to throw up.

Friday morning, however, I felt like I was back at square one. I felt cold and clammy, and managed to vomit twice before Penny just about put me on house arrest if I so much as tried to set one foot out the door. I texted Harry to let him know I was once again staying home sick.

"Girl, this has been long enough," exclaimed Penny. "You need to go to the doctor."

"I'm not that sick," I argued.

"Fuck that, yes you are!"

"I'll be okay," I muttered.

I couldn't afford to go to the doctor, even if I wanted to. Although I hadn't asked him, I wouldn't be surprised if James had already taken me off his insurance. There's probably some rule that says a separated spouse is still covered, but I wouldn't put anything past James at this point. And I definitely had no extra money for meds.

"Fine," Penny crossed her arms. "I'll give you the weekend. But if you're still sick Monday morning, I'm taking you myself."

I watched her walk toward her bedroom, only to return two seconds later.

"Tisa..." she said in a weird tone I couldn't quite make out. "You're not pregnant, are you?"

I laughed out loud, causing my stomach to hurt. "Not a chance."

"Why not? Do you and Harry...you know...use protection?"

"I've been on the pill for years," I explained.

"Oh," Penny nodded. "Okay."

She started to turn back to her room but stopped.

"You take it everyday?"

I nodded. "Yes. In fact, I just took today's when I went to the bathroom a minute ago."

"Alright," she sighed, accepting my confirmation.

As I watched her finally exit the room, I thought again about the insurance. I wouldn't be able to afford my pills without the insurance. But that was definitely something I had to make work. I would just have to find a way.

Twenty minutes later, Penny emerged from her room again to leave for work.

"Sorry, I have to go, baby doll," she said, kissing me on the forehead.

"It's okay," I smiled. "I'll be fine."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," I nodded.

"Tell me to butt out if I'm crossing a boundary here...but why would you take birth control if you weren't having sex?"

I sighed in exasperation, knowing this question was coming sooner or later. I could tell her the long story, or the shortened one. I decided on the latter.

"James didn't want kids. So I went on the pill. I guess once we stopped having sex, part of me still hoped we would again eventually, and I wanted to be prepared."

Penny seemed to accept my answer, for which I was grateful. She patted my arm before grabbing her purse and heading out the door. I managed to sleep until the afternoon. I got up and showered, made myself a sandwich and watched a little TV before checking my phone. One text from Harry, just saying he loved me and to call him once I was up and feeling better. And one text from Justine that simply said: Call me.

I rolled my eyes. I was absolutely done with her. I had nothing more to say. I didn't care who she was with or who she was fucking. I didn't give a shit anymore.

I deleted her text, lied back against the pillows on the couch-bed that had become mine, and called Harry.

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[gamesbyalbie]

The Cursed Journey

PART 5: BRAINSTORM

FIVE YEARS AGO

"So, what are you working on?" Min-joon was at the stove. He wasn't using it—he was using the kettle—but I literally didn't have a counter in that apartment. What I had was a sheet of plywood laid across the stove's burners (I think that's what they're called, but that also seems a bit too on the nose).

I didn't cook—still don't—so the kettle lived on that plywood board along with a cup containing two sets of utensils, a pair of chopsticks, and one sharp knife. My mug and tea collection took up one shelf in my "kitchen", but the others had been repurposed for book storage.

I was sitting on my bed, leaning against a mountain of pillows and scribbling in a notebook. "Nothing good." I tried to erase a line so intensely that it ripped the page. "Ugh!" I tore it from the book, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it across the room.

"Dammit," I whispered, because—naturally—it missed the bin by at least half a meter.

Min-joon chuckled as he passed me a cup of tea. "Here."

"Thanks." I held the cup below my face, giving myself a mini steam facial and savoring the aroma. The tea was Earl Grey. Specifically, it was this kind with extra bergamot I could only find at a corner shop on Fifth. Min-joon had also used my favorite mug—but I don't think he knew that at the time. It was this lovely dark blue mug with the spines of Ursula K. Le Guin books wrapping around the body. I was shattered myself when it broke during my last move.

"Probably need to let it steep for a while." He advised, taking a seat on the foot of my bed. I noticed that he was stirring his drink with a fork.

"Why are you—"

"Both your spoons were dirty. Which—if I may add—is pretty pathetic. No self-respecting adult has less than three spoons."

"Fascinating." I murmur, face still hovering over my mug. "You assume I have self-respect."

He snorted. "Right. My bad." A smirk lanced across Min-joon's face. He gestured at me then vaguely at the rest of my studio. "I should probably judge this book by its cover."

"Asshole," I whispered affectionately. "So, what are you forking?"

Min-joon snickered. "Instant coffee."

I shivered. My face twisted into a visage of pure disgust. "I don't get how you stomach that stuff."

"It's good."

"It's vile."

"Well, if it's so gross why do you have it?"

"Because I knew you were coming." I responded and took a sip of my tea. "Mm." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "That's good." When I opened them again, Min-joon was staring at me. He hadn't moved and his coffee fork was still in his hand. He was just smiling. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

He tore his gaze away. "I've no idea what you're talking about." I rolled my eyes. "But, back to my question: what are you working on? 'Nothing good' is not an acceptable answer."

I sighed and set my mug on the window sill. "Fine." I went to toss him my notebook but he raised his index finger.

"Wait. Throwing is not our strong suit. Remember?" He pointed at the bin.

I rolled my eyes even harder but bent at the waist, placing the book in his outstretched hand. 

"Thank you very much. And what am I looking at? A toddler's first attempt at writing?"

I yanked the book out of his hand. "If you're gonna be a dick—"

"I'm kidding." He took it back. "Your chicken scratch is mostly legible."

"Thank you, I know." I fully reclined on the pillows and crossed my arms over my head. "Anyways, I was working on that Greek myth retelling—the queer, cyberpunk one—but I'm struggling with some of the smaller plot points. So, I'm trying to come up with something new but I can't come up with anything good! The only cool ideas I'm getting are stories that no one else will be interested in and everything else feels dull and derivative."

"Okay." He took a sip of his coffee while flipping through my notebook. "Where's the problem?"

"What?" I sat straight up, hands slapping against my comforter. "What do you mean? It should be pretty obvious. I just said—"

"What you just said is that you have some cool ideas. Great! Do you feel inspired to write them?"

"Yeah, but—"

"Do they excite you?"

"Sure—"

"Then write them! I don't see a problem. Like, this—" He pointed to a hastily scrawled paragraph I'd almost ripped out yesterday. "This sounds really fucking cool."

"But it's... weird!"

"So? Weird is good! We're both weird. I write weird shit. And—if I may add—that's going pretty well."

"You are an exception."

"No, I am not. Not that it matters! People put too much emphasis on 'success', whatever that's supposed to mean." Min-joon sighed and tilted his head to the side. "Ody, why do you write?"

I deliberated for a moment, stripping away the dozens of reasons to find the core truth. "Because I love it."

"Then don't judge yourself based on what you assume others will think. Fuck everyone else. Write for you. Give yourself permission to love what you're doing and just do what you love."

"That's what you do?"

"It is now." He rubbed my hand with his thumb. "Ever since I quit. I mean, life gets in the way sometimes, but yeah. In general, I only do things I love."

"And what do I do when I hit another block?"

Min-joon shrugged. "There's no clear, universal answer to that. It differs for everyone, but I think people try to force themselves to write too much and beat themselves up unnecessarily. Only write when you feel like it. Take breaks. Try new things. Don't be afraid to stop, pivot, or start anew. I don't know." He trailed off. We were silent for a moment. 

"Okay." I finally mumbled. "Well, thank you for the private lecture."

He was taking another sip when I said that and I'm pretty sure some coffee went up his nose as he laughed. "You're very welcome."

"So," I smirked, glancing at the paragraph he'd pointed to. "To summarize: in your professional opinion, I should go ahead and write weird shit."

"Fuck yeah." He smiled. "As long as you like it, the weirder the better."

End of Part 5 of ? • LAST PART • NEXT PART

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