#tom ellis x you

[asgards-princess-of-mischief]

Last Updated: 2023-12-25

Disclaimer: I am not the author of these stories, just sharing my favourite Lucifer Morningstar stories. Find the authors' links below. If you want your work removed, message me privately.

Legend: 〔E〕 ⇢ Erotic/Steamy | 〔F〕 ⇢ Fluff | 〔A〕 ⇢ Angst/Hurt 〔M〕 ⇢ Minor Angst/Hurt | 〔C〕 ⇢ Comfort | ♥︎ ⇢ Established Relationship | 𑁍 ⇢ Pregnancy/Children | 🚫 ⇢ Content Warning

✑ Invidia by everlastingdreams • 〔F᜶A〕 •

Summary: Maze sends you on a date with another guy to help you forget about your feelings for Lucifer. Lucifer soon starts to act stranger than usual.

✑ A Date with the Devil by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 •

Summary: "Lucifer was nothing if not stubborn. Despite your continuous rejections to his attempts to ask you on a date, he persisted. Your resolve was beginning to wear away, and his proposal was looking more and more tempting."

✑ A Deal with the Devil by bewareofthecrazyperson • 〔E᜶F〕 •

Summary: "You're working at LUX. When your car appears to be wrecked you have no choice but to go back to LUX. Fortunately Lucifer is around and offers you to spend the night at his place."

✑ A Devil's Wrath by everlastingdreams • 16+ • 〔F᜶C〕 • 🚫 •

Summary: "[When Lucifer meets you, he] is fascinated by [your kindness]. [After spending] some time together at Lux, ... the evening takes an ugly turn [when] some guy starts bothering [you]."

✑ A Night to Remember by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 •

Summary: "It'd started as the ramblings of a near drunken conversation. You hadn't expected anything to come of it, but he insisted, promising you a night of fun. You agreed, [expecting a nice dinner between friends], but when the night ended and he asked again, you couldn't help but agree..."

✑ Acceptance by ayanna-wild • 〔F᜶C〕 • ♡ •

Summary: "You should have believed him; he'd [been] honest from the start... [it] just seemed [too] unbelievable... then you saw... his 'other' face... Now... Lucifer's waiting... for you to decide if you still want him in your life... [However,] there seemed to be a misunderstanding..."

✑ Baby Caution by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

Summary: "You... expected him to go somewhat overboard with your first pregnancy… maybe a little fussing over your well-being. You did not, however, expect the amount of worrying and coddling the devil had for you now."

✑ Broken Wings by ayanna-wild • 〔A᜶C〕 •

Summary: "It was a simple matter of loving the wrong man, but you couldn't control your heart. How was it fair for you to be punished? But life was cruel that way."

✑ Can't Fight the Feeling by kittenwritesstuff • 〔F᜶M〕 •

Summary: "[When you], Chloe's [cousin, catch Lucifer's eye], he falls for [you instantly], but isn't sure whether [you'd] have him."

✑ Darling Effort by bubblyani • 18+ • 〔E〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: Provoked by jealousy, you are determined to show Lucifer that you can be just as exciting in bed as anyone else.

✑ Detective Morningstar by matth1w • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

Summary: "You're pregnant... great, right? Wrong. You know how much [Lucifer] doesn't like children. So being a responsible adult, you… lie and avoid him. Lucifer does some detective work and finds out, because of course he would."

✑ Devil Devil by lovingrosewho • 〔A〕 • ♡ •

Summary: "Lucifer needs to confess and show his true self before dating you."

✑ Devil's Party by lovingrosewho • 〔F᜶A〕 •

Summary: "You're best friends with Lucifer, who happens to be the devil, you two go to a Lux's party together where you notice one of your exes."

✑ Dutiful Wife by bubblyani • 18+ • 〔F᜶E〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Forensic Science Sisters by writingtoforgetreality • 〔F〕 •

Summary: "Ella and you were the forensic scientists of the L.A.P.D. One person in the precinct made your work rather hard. Lucifer Morningstar. You wish you had not caught a crush but you could not help yourself. Besides, you knew he only had eyes for Chloe. At least that was what you thought."

✑ Good Night by silence-burns • 〔F〕 •

Summary: "Imagine [waking up while] Lucifer [is] carrying you to bed after you fall asleep on his couch."

✑ He's the Devil, You know by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "You were fond of your new life, loved the people you'd met and the man who stole your heart. Unfortunately an old and dear friend rolls into town, and he doesn't exactly approve of your relationship with the devilish club owner."

✑ Let Me Show You How It's Done by bewareofthecrazyperson • 18+ • 〔E〕 •

Summary: "You're complaining to your friend Lucifer about how your sex life. He shows you exactly how it is done."

✑ Little Things by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "You hadn't noticed them at first, they were to subtle. But one day you'd begun to notice it, they became obvious and you found yourself noticing everything little thing you hadn't before."

✑ Lost￨Prt. II by s-writing-s • 〔A᜶C〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "Lucifer worries the people closest to him when he shows up looking like a mess. Only Amenadiel knows why and shocks everyone with the answer."

✑ Lunch Break by bubblyani • 18+ • 〔E〕 •

Summary: You drop by the penthouse during your lunch break only to find Lucifer in the shower; needless to say, things get steamy.

✑ Now and for Eternity by artzee-bee • 〔F᜶C〕 • ♥︎ • 🚫 •

Summary: When a stalker tries to come between you and Lucifer, the devil makes it clear that nothing will come between you two.

✑ Rest for the Wicked by think-blot • 〔F᜶A〕 •

Summary: "Lucifer doesn't like that your job comes before him. He fixes the nonexistent problem but, now, everyone is questioning him as to why. Including you."

✑ Something Sweet by think-blot • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "...No one thinks twice about [Lucifer's constant flirting with you] because, well, it's just Lucifer being Lucifer. [However,] when a case takes all your attention away from him, people start to question why he's so desperate to get it back."

✑ Thundering Hearts by everlastingdreams • 〔F〕 •

Summary: "[You're] Lucifer's personal stylist, [with] whom he [constantly] tries to flirt [unfortunately for him, You're immune to his charms. Or [so you think]?"

✑ Wedding Bells by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

Summary: "[You'd planned this day for months]. It was like a dream, but the butterflies in your stomach, the way your leg bounced with unending anxiety and excitement reminded you that it was all real..."

✑ A Crush by silence-burns • 〔F〕 •

✑ Alone Time by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

✑ Aunt, the by mortallyscrumptiousmilkshake • 〔F〕 •

✑ Can't Help Falling in Love with You by lucifer-scenario • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Caught by fafulous • 16+ • 〔E᜶F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Day Like This by banditthewriter • 〔F᜶C〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Devil's Punishment, the by eiressofinspirationwrites • 〔F〕 •

✑ Devil's Wings by lovingrosewho • 18+ • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Early Morning Wake Up Call by geeks-universe • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Every Step by banditthewriter • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

✑ Grooming by lucifer-scenario • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Home by specialagentlokitty • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

✑ Jealousy by mortallyscrumptiousmilkshake • 〔F᜶A〕 •

✑ Meet the Family by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

✑ Miracle by stanathanxoox • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

✑ Morning Tickles by geeks-universe • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Pray for the Fallen by bubblyani • 〔F᜶C〕 •

✑ Rockabye by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •

✑ Unexpected by ayanna-wild • 〔C〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Worth More by specialagentlokitty • 〔F〕 •

✑ Wounds and Worry by mortallyscrumptiousmilkshake • 〔F᜶C〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Wrong Move by silence-burns • 〔F᜶C〕 •

✑ Babysitting Trixie w/ Lucifer… by silence-burns • 〔F〕 • 𑁍 •

✑ Dating Lucifer Morningstar… by writingbyshiloh • 18+ • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

✑ Going undercover w/ Lucifer… by silence-burns • 〔E᜶F〕 •

✑ Lucifer Falling for You… by dragon-kazansky • 〔F〕 •

See Also: Navigation || Lucifer Morningstar Master Index

Authors: @artzee-bee || @ayanna-wild || @banditthewriter || @bewareofthecrazyperson || @bubblyani || @dragon-kazansky || @eiressofinspirationwrites || @everlastingdreams || @fafulous || @geeks-universe || @kittenwritesstuff || @lovingrosewho || @lucifer-scenario || @matth1w || @mortallyscrumptiousmilkshake || @s-writing-s || @silence-burns || @specialagentlokitty || @stanathanxoox || @think-blot || @writingbyshiloh || @writingtoforgetreality ||

[janiehellion]

Fallen From Grace

ONESHOT

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: Caught between a loveless marriage and a past you can't forget, you return to LA, the City of Angels. As old flames rekindle, you're faced with the consequences of your choices. Would you still make a decision that could destroy everything you've built over the years to experience the emotions you've longed for? “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19)

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR X FEM!READER

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: SMUT / HURT / FLUFF / ANGST

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 5.277

MASTERLIST

With your hands deep in the pockets of your jacket, your face buried in a thin scarf, and the warmth of your breath that was soaking into it, it was making you shiver, and your thoughts were thrown back to the ritual of smoking a cigarette. The need to smoke bit into you; thinking of lighting one was still addictive and punishing at the same time. It had been years since you quit smoking, right before you got married to your husband, because he had always hated the smell. Still, your husband was behind you and always had your back regarding your decision to turn your life around, and he became a shoulder to lean on in the change from a reckless young adult into a now responsible and mature woman.

But lately, this routine that you once liked so much seemed to turn into a cage with no way out. The fights with your husband had become more frequent, and his constant work stress added more to the high tension between the two of you. You both were too tired to talk openly to each other anymore and with the same empathy that used to exist. Last night was pretty much no different. A silent dinner, a few short words exchanged between the two of you, and some annoyed glances at each other, until he then got up and went to his laptop in the living room, while you went to the bedroom to read one of your books.

It was days like this, where you felt overwhelmed by your life, that your mind began to wander back to him, to Lucifer Morningstar. You had left Los Angeles almost ten years ago to chase your dreams, leaving him and everything else behind after you came to the realization that it felt more like a simple friendship to you, which had scared you more than it should have. Although you had kept in touch by texting each other every now and then, you hadn't talked to or seen each other in years.

The sun was now setting as you got into your car, and you knew that the decision to visit the City of Angels once again came from some deep, restless part inside of you, and you convinced yourself it wouldn't be a mistake before sliding off your wedding ring and letting it fall into one of your pockets.

Suddenly, a message from your husband appeared on your phone. Apparently, he won’t be home for dinner tonight. He was staying out late with a colleague. Relief washed over you as you replied with an excuse about having decided that you were going out with your best friends anyway before you set the car in motion and headed towards Los Angeles.

A few hours later, you saw the familiar evening lights of what you once called home. You aimed for the LUX, the spot that Lucifer owned. Soon enough, your eyes scanned the room, looking for the one person you hoped to see as you exchanged a few words with familiar faces, but your mind was solely focused on Lucifer.

And there he was. The presence of him hit you hard—the lights, the music... It was overwhelming, and you quickly made your way to the bar, where you sat down. The face beside you? Familiar. She hadn't changed a bit, still looking fierce and gorgeous.

Maze immediately looked at you, recognizing you quickly. "There's no way... is it? Is it really you?"

"Hello, Maze," you said, nodding in her direction and smiling at her.

"It’s been a while! Ten years?"

"Close enough."

She whistled. "Lucifer’s going to freak out when he sees you; you know that, right?"

You smiled again, taking a sip of the drink that she handed you. "Where is he now?"

"I don't know. Probably around somewhere and probably smoking."

Your heart raced as you tried to control your excitement and nervousness. You sipped your drink further, trying your hardest to distract yourself. Then the door opened, and you felt that familiar presence. The smell of cigarettes and cologne hit you, making you grip your glass tighter.

"Now, look who’s graced us with his divine presence," Maze announced almost sarcastically.

You turned around, and there he was—Lucifer Morningstar. His eyes met yours with shock before he tried to hide it like usual. He wore his trademark suit, the one that always made him look like he owned the world.

"What in the world are you doing here?"

"Hello, Lucifer. Have you lost your manners in the last decade?"

"I just didn’t expect you."

"You didn’t have to. I just stopped by."

Lucifer only grunted and sat down next to you for a moment, his eyes never leaving yours. He took a whiskey Maze handed him and sipped it, his silence speaking volumes.

"I just needed to get away, you know," you started, but trailed off, knowing he would see right through you.

"Finish your drink. I don’t want to talk here."

You nodded, finishing your drink quickly. Lucifer was tapping the counter impatiently, and Maze gave you a knowing look as you left. "Good luck, babe," she mouthed, winking at you.

You followed Lucifer into the elevator and then to the parking lot. Right now, his attitude annoyed you, since he used to be so different with you back then, and as soon as you were outside, he stopped and turned around to you.

"Where's your car? I will hold the door open for you."

"What? Excuse me, please? What did you just say?"

He only smirked slightly instead of answering you as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes. So you approached him slowly, placing a hand on his arm and feeling his muscles through his suit.

"I just thought you might want to see me again," you said softly, looking down to the ground.

"Do you think I’m not happy to see you?"

"The way you’re reacting right now, wanting me to get into my car and leave? No, not exactly."

"I just didn’t expect to see you again in LA. You simply surprised me."

You continued holding his arm, squeezing it a bit. "I simply missed you. Is it that wrong?"

"Your fault," he mumbled, finally lighting a cigarette. He took a drag and offered it to you. "Want one?"

"No, I quit years ago, don't you remember?"

He raised an eyebrow. "And do you still always do what your boyfriend wants? Do you follow his rules? Do you obey him?"

"Don’t be an asshole, Lucifer. It’s just complicated, okay?"

He handed you the cigarette anyway, and with a sigh, you took a drag. He leaned against your car, looking out over the city. The lights of Los Angeles twinkled like a thousand little stars.

"You’ve changed," he said after a minute, watching you from the corner of his eyes.

"I never changed. I grew only up."

"No, you’ve changed."

"I’m still me, just... older."

You stood in silence. Lucifer had always been a man of few words around you, but he said so much merely by being there.

"Why didn’t he come with you?" he suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

"He’s busy, working on a case."

"How did you end up with a lawyer, I wonder?"

"If you knew him, you’d understand. He’s dedicated, passionate, even."

"He took you away."

"I know. And that wasn’t my intention."

"Aren’t you here to find yourself again?" Lucifer asked, looking at you for a moment.

"No…"

"Then why? Tell me."

"I'm here because of you, Lucifer. I needed to talk. To feel at home again."

"You can't just show up out of nowhere and expect everything to be the same as it was before."

"I did it without thinking."

"You, who plans everything down to the last detail, doing something spontaneous?"

"I just wanted to see my best friend again."

But Lucifer was right, and you knew it. It was strange to be back in Los Angeles without having really thought about it or thought of any consequences. But the feeling you had in your soul blurred every logical thought.

He suddenly grabbed your hand and walked you toward his car.

"What are you doing? Where are we going?" You asked, but didn't fight him.

"It's a surprise. Just wait and see."

"A surprise? What's the plan?"

"Be quiet and sit tight." Lucifer grinned as he started the car.

After the silent ride in the car, you reached the outskirts of a familiar area, where he soon led you through a wrought-iron gate to a small, charming house with a great view of a lake. The very first things that caught your eye were a marble kitchenette and a leather sofa facing a TV that was mounted on the wall, but most especially so, the floor-to-ceiling window leading out to a terrace and the lake that looked nearly as big as the house itself.

"Is this a new place of yours?" you asked him.

"Yes, indeed, it is," Lucifer confirmed with pride. "But that is not the actual surprise. Follow me." He guided you out onto the terrace. "It's a little dark already, but can you recognize the view? Do you remember it?"

You furrowed your brow, following his gaze, and gasped as you finally realized and remembered. "Is this the place that I think it is?"

"Yes, the very spot where we spent that beautiful evening," Lucifer confirmed. "I simply thought you might appreciate the nostalgia and that I bought this place in the end."

"But how did you manage to rebuild all this?" you asked, quite overwhelmed.

"Hard work and a bit of devilish charm," he teased, turning to face you and smirking at your reaction.

You remembered that night clearly—with just Lucifer and yourself—when you were talking about your dreams and your future under the starry sky.

"This is incredible! I'm so happy for you, Lucifer," you admitted, though tears were forming in your eyes.

"You're happy for me because I bought this place?" Lucifer's eyes softened, searching for yours while he asked. "Then why do I think there's more to it than that? More than simple happiness?"

You turned away from him, blinking back tears. "Forget about it. I'm sorry; I didn't want to ruin your surprise."

Lucifer closed the distance between you quickly; his face was serious but still calm and composed. "Will you tell me why you really left back then? I don't really believe that your boyfriend could hold that much power to rip you away from everything that was so loved by you."

"You know exactly why I left," you finally said, looking at him again.

"Sure... Of course, I do. Because I always do." Lucifer answered with disappointment in his voice.

You nodded slowly, biting down on your lower lip, unsure how to proceed. "I think that I probably should go home," you whispered, the guilt creeping in, just wanting to drive back home to your apartment and forget about everything.

But Lucifer clenched his fists. "Perhaps you should, yes," he agreed reluctantly, taking a step closer to you. "But not before this," he mumbled, closing the distance between your lips.

Lucifer crashed his lips onto yours, pushing you back against the patio door. There was no denying at this point—this was so much more than just a friendly reunion. It was bringing back to life a love where the flame had never actually gone out.

He broke away slightly as he led you back into the house, his hands removing your jacket, and soon enough Lucifer loomed over you inside his bedroom, his eyes searching yours for permission and reassurance. You nodded, and he kissed you again—deeply and almost desperately.

His hands were touching your body as his lips nuzzled kisses down your neck, and you could feel your body arch into him, begging for more, which was enough for the two of you to quickly get rid of each other's clothes.

"I can't wait any longer," Lucifer confessed, his eyes locked with yours.

You met his gaze, your heart racing as you nodded, and he smiled, slowly guiding you onto the bed. His touch was almost soft as he positioned you beneath him.

For a moment, Lucifer looked at you, mumbling, "You are more beautiful than ever."

You blushed, goosebumps creeping onto your skin as his fingertips brushed along your collarbone and slowly down your arm until he kissed the inside of your wrist delicately.

"You're exquisite," he said softly before his lips traveled up your arm again, across your shoulder, and onto the curve of your neck.

He kissed your forehead, then your cheek, before his lips finally kissed your own. His mouth moved slowly against yours, listening to each sigh that came out of your mouth. You reached for his arms, bringing his hands to your tits, where his fingers gently squeezed them, his thumbs lightly stroking your sensitive nipples and feeling them harden.

Once done, Lucifer's hands went down to your waist, pulling you up to straddle him. He slowly lowered you down onto his cock and pushed himself into you. His eyes didn't leave yours as he moved in very slowly, filling you up completely.

"You feel incredible," he groaned, his hands holding your hips tightly. "I've wanted this for so long."

You began moving, your body slowly going up and down as you leaned forward just a little bit with your hands on his shoulders for balance as you were riding him, and Lucifer's hands slid up your back until he pulled you close, burying his face in your neck.

"You're so perfect," he murmured. "Every part of you is."

You shivered at his words and moaned softly as his hands now moved down to your stomach from your breasts, then back to your thighs, and though the moments were stretching on, Lucifer's thrusts were still gentle instead of fast and rough.

"You're simply amazing," he whispered in your ear. "I want to make you feel everything."

His words only heightened your lust, and you rode him even more eagerly until both of you were breathless, wanting more.

But Lucifer's eyes stayed on your face. "I wish this would last forever," he whispered.

You moaned again and closed your eyes, your body quickening in time with his upward thrusts as you both felt your approaching orgasm.

His thrusts grew urgent, his hands gripping you a little bit harder to guide you through the final moments before you came, and Lucifer's body shuddered against yours.

As soon as your orgasms began to subside, Lucifer's thrusts did likewise. He embraced you tightly, stroking your back, and kissed your forehead softly. "I have missed you more than you know."

You clung to him, your racing heart only now starting to slow down. "I've missed you too," you whispered, your voice shaking, before tensing up as a certain thought inside your head started to form itself, your eyes narrowing.

"Protection! I... I didn't think of—" You started, but your words seemed to be stuck in your throat. "I'm sorry, Lucifer. I should have been more careful!"

"Don't worry about it right now, my dear. Focus only on us. and this moment," he simply answered without any care, but you ignored his words, and just then your eyes fell on something that lay on the ground beside your clothes; his eyes followed in the same direction—your wedding ring, which you had left carelessly in one of your pockets. His eyes went from that ring to you, and only then did he realize what was actually on your mind.

"Wait, wait, wait," he whispered quietly, furrowing his brow as he pushed you off, got up, and picked up the ring slowly from the floor. "You... you're married to him? What? You're actually still with him? Are you kidding me?"

Your face went pale, and you couldn't deny the truth, nor was there any reason to try to lie to him. "Yes, I am, but—"

"But what!" He cut you off. "Is this some kind of devil's bargain? Did you come here to light up an old flame, all the while you're still wearing another man's ring? Is this some kind of sick joke to you?"

"No, no! Listen, Lucifer! Listen to me! I didn't come here to hurt you," you tried to explain, your voice breaking. "I came because I missed you and—"

"Missed me?" He laughed out loud and shook his head. "You come back into my life, get me all worked up, and then this? Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I must be quite the fool for thinking that you actually came back for me after ten years. How foolish I am, indeed."

"Listen! You don't understand! Just calm down and listen to me, please!" you pleaded, your face now red with tears that started to roll down your cheeks. "I never meant for this to happen! You know that! It just happened!"

"Never meant for it to happen?" Lucifer scoffed, anger suddenly giving way to a mocking laugh. "Oh, please, my dear. You do think this is some kind of joke, don't you? Did you come back just to test my patience?"

He turned away from you—his hurt was obvious as he threw your wedding ring across his bedroom. "How very amusing," he said bitterly. "A married woman who seeks out the Devil."

You reached out to him, your voice desperate, but he didn't let you touch him anymore. "Please, Lucifer, don't be like this. I never wanted to hurt you, I promise!"

He turned toward you again. "Don't be like this, you say? What did you expect? Should I just take this as some cruel joke of, what, fate? You think I should simply forgive and forget just because you come at me with a few tears and your excuses?

He had picked up a cigarette from the package lying on the side table of the bed and grabbed a lighter. "Here's a solution for you," he said, lighting the cigarette. "Why don't you go back home to your husband? I'm sure he's just waiting for you to come crawling back into his arms, so you can do what he wants some more."

You winced at the mockery and sarcastic tone in his voice. "Lucifer, please don't—"

"Don't what?" he interrupted you again. "What is it, huh? Don't you want me to remind you of the mistake you've just made? Don't make you face the reality of your actions? Of our... situation?"

He took another drag from the cigarette. "How amusing," he said bitterly. "I've spent most of my time in Hell, and with you, I finally got a taste of Heaven again, only to have it taken away from me in an instant..."

He flicked the cigarette into an ashtray, letting it go out by itself as it continued to burn down. "I'm supposed to be the Devil," he said, his lips now showing a rather sad and hurt smile. "But right now, I feel like I am the biggest fool in all of creation there ever was..."

The silence fell between you, and there, in his eyes, was only hurt, pain, and pure anger.

"I'm so sorry for everything, Lucifer. I never wanted to hurt you, really! Just believe me! Please!" You pleaded and begged.

He sat down at the edge of the bed, his anger now replaced by sadness, especially given the look on his face. "So, now what?" he asked. "What do you think happens to us after all this?"

"I don't know," you said, your voice trembling as you took a deep breath. "I wish things could be different, but they aren't. Believe me, I know this was wrong. I was wrong."

Lucifer took a deep breath as well to try to relax himself and calm down. "Well, wishing won't do anything, nor will prayers," he said, getting to his feet. "And if you want me to be completely honest, then I think you should leave."

You realized you were feeling regret—this was the end of what could have been all along, what could've been all those years ago. "I'm so sorry, Lucifer," you said again, through the tears that were now streaming down your face. "I wish there was a way..."

He smiled at you sadly and shrugged, handing you your clothes. "Here's to the past," he said bitterly. "May it stay there."

You took them from him, brushing your fingers across his while doing so, and began dressing quickly. "Goodbye, Lucifer," you said softly, your voice cracking again.

"Goodbye," he replied as his eyes watched you walk towards the door and into the living room. The taxi was called quickly, and you turned to go out of the front door, but you stopped for a second, turning around to the bedroom door again that he was about to close. "Go on and don't keep the taxi driver waiting."

After he closed the door, you quickly grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled a note, tears falling onto the paper and smudging the ink. You left it on the coffee table and stormed out, slamming the door shut behind you. The street was already dark, with only a few lights on each side of the road, and you quickened your pace to the main road. After a few minutes, you could finally see the approaching lights of a taxi.

The taxi driver soon enough returned you to your car, which was still parked in the LUX. Once inside your car, you glanced at the time, which was approaching midnight, and then you noticed the three messages from your husband and some missed calls from him that you quickly opened nervously.

9:42 PM: "Where are you? I'm back, and you're not here."

10:39 PM: "When are you coming back? Why don’t you answer? I’m worried."

11:16 PM: "I called your friends, but they said you weren't even with them tonight. What's going on? Please call me!"

Tears silently rolled down your face again as guilt consumed you. How had things gone so wrong? Your life had been perfect—or so you thought all the time. You’d spent the last ten years forgetting about your feelings for Lucifer, pushing them aside, and now, in one evening, you’d destroyed everything.

With trembling fingers, you tried calling your husband, but there was no answer. The worst part of this whole mess wasn’t just that you’d probably destroyed your life, but how little you’d considered the consequences of your actions with Lucifer in the first place. If karma were real, you thought, you’d crash while driving back home. But two hours later, you found yourself standing in the parking lot of your apartment again.

Entering it quietly and closing the door behind you, you saw your husband asleep on the big couch in your living room, his mobile phone still next to him. With one hand, you covered your mouth to stifle a sob, not wanting to wake him up, and you paused, uncertain of what to do, then slowly removed your jacket, throwing it over a chair, and decided to lay down beside him.

You couldn't help but remember how you both had always been a great team, at least at the start of your relationship back then, facing the darkest moments and hours together and supporting each other through thick and thin. He’d always been there for you; maybe he's been too distant at times, but he's been there nonetheless.

And now your endless thoughts about your mistake kept you awake until exhaustion finally took over. Later, when you woke up, your husband was gone. You hoped it had all been a bad nightmare, but the note on the table proved otherwise:

"When I get back from work, you tell me what the hell happened! And don’t even try to call me today! We'll sit down and talk in person."

You stared at the note, rereading it several times before crumpling it and throwing it on the floor in frustration. You grabbed your coat and left, not even bothering to look in the mirror. At the pharmacy, you were quick, buying what you needed before heading back home. Once sitting down on the couch, staring at the morning-after pill on the table, you knew you should take it right away, but something inside you held you back.

Your eyes kept wandering around, seeking distraction, but just as you were about to scream, the doorbell rang, making you jump. You tried to calm yourself before opening the door, but it wasn’t your husband who you thought might have left his keys behind. Standing there was Lucifer, who decided to step inside your apartment without even waiting for an invitation.

"What in the world are you doing here?" you asked, staring at him while closing the front door.

Lucifer pulled a crumpled note from his pocket—the note you had left for him. "Why do I have to read such nonsense?"

He held up the note before reading it out loud.

"Lucifer, the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I wish I could."

"Lucifer," you began, but he cut you off.

"Well, isn’t this poetic? The Book of Jeremiah—17:9 to be exact!" His voice sounded neutral, but you could see the fire in his eyes. "I guess the Devil isn’t the only one who’s capable of deceit, isn't he? How charming that you choose to repent now, but I’m afraid it won’t absolve you of the choices you made, my dear... I do admire your attempt at biblical drama! Quite charming, isn't it?"

Your hands were now sweaty, and your heart pounded so fast that you thought it was going to explode. "Lucifer, please..." You managed to whisper, but he shook his head.

"I suppose that’s the true nature of humans, isn’t it? Always seeking redemption when it suits them." His voice relaxed slightly, but the intensity behind it remained, and only then did he grab something from his pocket again. It was your wedding ring. "I’m not a priest, my dear. You know exactly who I am, and I won’t be so easily fooled by your attempts at repentance. I'd say that you owe me more than that."

You had barely started to open your mouth when the sound of keys at the door made you turn around in shock. You looked over just in time to see your husband standing there, his face full of anger and surprise at the same time.

"What the hell is that man doing here?" he asked, staring at you.

"Listen! It's not what you think," you started, but your voice cracked, unable to find the right words to even explain yourself.

Meanwhile, Lucifer gave him an almost bored look and crossed his arms over his chest. "Ah, the husband has finally arrived! How very delightful," he said. "I'm Lucifer, and you must've forgotten about me, I see!"

Your husband glared at him. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting to be welcomed with open arms by the man of the hour. But then again, I've never been one to shy away from a bit of chaos."

You took a deep breath, trying to get a grip on the situation. "Listen, we need to talk..."

But your husband's eyes were still on Lucifer, looking him up and down. "About what? How obviously you have been cheating on me?"

You winced at the accusation, but Lucifer merely laughed. "Cheating? Now, that's a rather strong word. I prefer to think of it as rekindling old flames."

Your husband's hands clenched into fists, and he let out a scoff. "You! You have no right to be here. Leave. Now."

Lucifer's eyes narrowed, and for a slight moment, he revealed what really lay beneath. "How quaint! I assure you, I'm only a catalyst. Or, let's just say, the devil's advocate, if you will."

Your husband took a step back, his face turning pale for a second. "What the fuck are you trying to pull here, huh?"

Lucifer stepped closer to him, his smile turning into a grin as he pointed to the pill on the table in the living room, which he had noticed all along. "That little token of affection over there might reveal more with its symbolism than you may realize."

The eyes of your husband went to the pill on the table and then back to Lucifer. "What... what do you mean? What the hell are you even talking about?"

Lucifer's smile widened as he leaned forward. "Why don't you take a guess? Or maybe you would prefer to leave it to your imagination?"

"My imagination? You're obviously fucking my wife, and now you are standing here like you have some right to her? As if you own her?"

Lucifer let out a dramatic sigh. "Well, I suppose you could say I am more of an old flame to your dear wife. But let's not get down to the boring details."

Suddenly, your husband stepped forward, his anger overflowing. "Get out of my house. Now!"

"Oh, such a fiery temper. Are you sure you're not harboring a bit of Hellfire yourself?" Lucifer said sarcastically and threw his hands dramatically in the air.

The eyes of your husband widened again, and he took a step back as soon as he could while he looked into his eyes. "I'm warning you. Just leave..."

Lucifer's eyes changed, his stare reaching deep into your husband's soul. "And I assure you that I'm not someone that you want to provoke."

He took a step closer, and your husband's confidence broke down as he looked him in the eyes. "You know what? I'm done with this. I'm leaving! Don't you dare touch me, whatever the hell you are!"

Lucifer's eyes followed him, and he smirked proudly. "As you wish."

The apartment was almost completely silent as the door slammed shut behind your husband, and you stood there, paralyzed, the realization of that moment and what had just happened finally setting in, but Lucifer snapped you out of it as he looked at the morning-after pill on the table once again.

"My dear, really? Do you think that this pill is going to undo what's done now?" Lucifer started. "Do you actually believe that some sort of pill will stop something divine, like... Oh, I don't know, my touch, as an example? I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, darling."

You looked at him with shame, lust, and regret in your eyes. "What now?" You asked him, whispering silently.

"What happens now will be entirely your choice," he said, moving closer to you and stretching out his hand to touch your cheek. "You see, I very much adore you, and I have for quite a while."

His hands were soft but strong, and a shiver ran down your spine. "You can either act like nothing happened, or maybe you can accept it and see where it takes you," he said, his eyes locked on yours. "You've got a choice to make."

He stepped closer, his lips touching your ear as he spoke. "You could try to forget about the night we just had, but you and I both know better. The seed has been sown, and the question is, at this point, whether you'll let it grow."

Lucifer took a few steps back and pushed the front door open, just enough to fit through. "Whatever you choose, I will be here, waiting. And trust me," he said with a smirk, "I have all the time in the world."

[allaboardthevespa]

So guess who finally got her ass on the Disventure Camp bus

[cannibalcoyote]

Unraveled Ch.3: The Family

Ch.2 Ch.4

After doing some paperwork for about an hour Ellie suddenly runs into the office, rushing over to my desk.

"Come on Els! The beach has been blocked off and we're both being called down there. Apparently there is a body." Ellie whispers quickly to me in distress.

I look up at her, feeling my memories attempting to resurface, but I quickly push them back, swallowing my nerves as I put on my cold, stern exterior. We quickly walked out of the department, hopping into our respective cars and heading over to the beach. I can constantly feel the memories of that little girl's body in the water trying to pick its way into my vision, but I shake it off. I couldn't avenge her, but I can try and solve whoever it is that we find.

Flashing our badges we park our cars and get access to the beach, I stumble slightly in the sand as Ellie and I weave through the small group of people beginning to crowd against the police tape.

We walk straight up to the tape, quickly being allowed in by the uniforms, Ellie going first and walking towards the body. I, however, feel myself slowing down, the waves rolling and the image of a child's dead body being all too similar. My mind and my body feel disconnected, like I am physically here but my mind is simply watching the nauseating scene unfold.

The only thought in my mind being, 'Is this penance for my downfalls, God?', closing my eyes and sharply reopening them I push myself forwards, watching Ellie beginning to get emotional, I think I heard her saying 'no' and 'I know this boy.' Both of these caused my blood to run just that much colder.

I trek towards the body with false confidence, keeping my eyes trained on the body. I can see figures of the D.I. and Ellie having a slight confrontation in my peripheral vision, but I pay them no mind as I spot the body of Danny Latimer lying in the cold sand.

I then look up when I hear an all too familiar accent and tone. The buried feeling of longing resurfacing as the voice awakens old memories.

"Shut it down. You're working a case now!" His voice was serious and his accent Scottish, I finally look up to see his face. He luckily hasn't seen me yet, but seeing him causes my striding over there to hesitate greatly as I feel my facade of confidence crumbling in mere seconds.

He introduced himself to Ellie but I care not about that, all I can focus on is the face of my best friend, Alec Hardy. Luckily they are talking about Danny, him turning around as Ellie identifies the body, Alec turning around as he learns this information. The sickening feeling in my gut is only growing in this whole situation, but I push myself forward. I've got a crime to solve now and I can't let past personal experience interfere with that.

I walk forwards, my feet feeling heavy, the type of heavy like when your boots are filled with water that can never be emptied. I only stop when I reach Ellie, trying to stay out of Alec's view.

"Ellie? Is that who I think it is?" My question rang through the tense air, my voice soft and accent not as noticeable. Ellie jumped in fright before realizing it's me.

"How bad are the uniforms at keeping civilians out of a crime scene?!" Alec exclaims in anger, luckily not looking at me yet.

"They're not that bad, seeing as I'm no civilian Alec." I state. Ellie looks at me in surprise and confusion as I call our new D.I. by his first name. Even he freezes at my tense greeting, almost as if having a moment of realization at hearing my voice. He slowly turns to see my face, the face of his missing best friend, the face of a person he desperately longed for though thought he would never see again.

"Elswyth?" His soft yet gruff voice is full of longing and questioning. His eyes seemingly darkening in sadness as he remembers our past together. Sadly we don't get long to remember as I hear the sound of someone who is not going to take this situation well at all, Beth Latimer.

"Oh, God, who's that?" Alec questions as he shifts his gaze to the distraught mother.

Ellie and I both looked as well with wide eyes, seeing one of our closest friends and mother to the now deceased Danny. We both glance at each other before stumbling forwards, holding our arms out to catch Beth before she can reach Danny. Ellie is telling her she can't be here, but my only focus is to keep her from reaching Danny. I grab her, struggling as she pulls me slightly forward, Alec grabbing her too until the uniforms finally rush over and drag her back, Beth fighting violently as she screams about how those are Danny's trainers, screaming both of our names in despair.

I quickly look away, stumbling backwards slightly, this is all wrong, it's happening all over again. I feel as though I'm going to collapse and be sick when two strong arms grasp me quickly, holding me against their chest as comforting words are spoken quietly. I recognize him, his smell and touch are the same even after not seeing him for so long. He turns me around, as I rest my head against him, his arms wrapped tightly around me as we both understand how this is affecting each other.

After a few more moments I push away from him, I can't let Ellie see this, she would quickly catch on to what happened in my past, and I don't want her hating me like how she loathes Alec. He looks at me as I stumble back again, reaching out to steady me but I push his hands away, he stops immediately, looking down slightly and lowering his hand at my rejection. I can't stand looking at him sad, so instead I turn to Ellie, her hands against her forehead at the despair of Beth. I quickly pull her into a hug, I know this is going to be one of the worst experiences of her life, and I have to be there to make sure it doesn't end up how my case did.

——————————

We're walking along the cliffs, the tape now blocking the edge. We all walk through the y'all grass, I cross my arms across my body as a form of comfort, the waves below splashing loudly.

"They let people walk along here, no safety barriers?" Alec questions, his tone confused as to why.

"It's the coastal path, people know to be careful." Ellie responds simply, all of us continuing to trudge through the tall grass.

"It's a death trap." Alec states as he looks behind us then back around. I give a small, almost nonexistent smile at how blunt he still is, hopefully he doesn't realize how much I've missed his rudely blunt and socially awkward personality.

We continue walking, finally running into SOCO at the crime scene.

"How's it going?" Alec asks as we stop to speak with Brian.

"Well, from what we've got up here, sir, it's looking like the rockfall around the body was faked." Brian responded solemnly. My eyes going dark as I now know for sure that this is a murder.

"What do you mean?" Ellie questions. I hold in my sigh of annoyance as I remember that I can't be mad, this is after all her first murder, as well as this town's first murder; I'm going to have to be patient for Ellie. Brian continues to talk but I feel my mind wandering elsewhere as I examine the area in my head, already having seen that there was no proof Danny was even up here, I then begin to think of all possible suspects, the family are always suspects at first, as well as anyone he might've seen on a day to day basis.

I don't even realize we're leaving until I hear my name being yelled, "Els! Let's go!" I quickly look over to see Alec glance over at my frozen form before walking down the path and Ellie waving me over before following Alec. I quickly run over to catch up, hearing Alec telling Ellie to get the pathologist to hurry up even if it's preliminary. I walk a few feet behind them both, my head looking down at the steps until I hear a sharp yell that grabs my attention.

"D.S. Miller! D.S. Carlisle!"

"Who's that?" Alec questions Ellie as to why someone is shouting our names. I look up to see the one and only obnoxious reporter, Olly Stevens. I push in between them, pushing both of them forwards faster.

"Just keep walking." Ellie sighs as she picks up the pace.

"Ellie! Els!" Olly shouts as if we're best buds.

"He seems to know both of you." Alec states, albeit a little bitterly as he looks at me. I roll my eyes knowing exactly what he's thinking.

"Auntie Ellie! Auntie Els!"

"No no no, don't pull that bullshit Olly." I angrily snarl as I continue walking, now leaving the other two behind as I head to my car.

"I told you, don't do that!" I hear Ellie practically growl at him in annoyance. I ignore them as I go to open my door, looking back to see Alec scowl and release a disgusted sound when hearing Olly works for the Broadchurch Echo. I smile slightly at that scowl upon his face, it makes me remember back to when I would call him Hardy when we were younger and he would scowl in annoyance before returning the favor and calling me Carlisle. I realize what I'm doing and wipe the smile off my face, slipping into my old Alfa Romeo and waiting for Ellie to leave, hearing bits of their conversation and how they're not giving statements.

Olly, seeming to not have any luck with them, instead rushes over to my car.

"Auntie Els, I heard there was a body?"

"Don't pull that shit Oliver, we're not giving statements right now, and you are not allowed to speculate. Now shut it and wait till we give a proper statement." Feeling pissed I slam my door, harshly shifting gears before I speed off to follow Ellie to the Latimer house.

——————————

We all exit our vehicles, Ellie looking a little confused and perturbed. Alec must've told her to tell him if the family we're acting odd. I understand why she's acting like that, but she needs to understand that right now everybody's a suspect. Ellie walks up to the doors first, Alec hangs back and pulls me aside.

"Els, I know this case is bringing up bad memories, if you want to hang back in the cars I understand." Alec states, his normally rough Scottish voice now quiet and concerned. I smile slightly, resting my hand against his shoulder as he looks at my eyes.

"I would love to take up that offer, but this is Ellie's first homicide, and I can't let her face that with you, I know you understand what you're doing, but Ellie won't listen to you, she needs me there to guide her." I pat his chest before walking up to the door, Mark answering it. A flash of uncertainty streaming across his eyes as he greets Alec, Ellie, and myself.

We enter their home, meeting the whole family in the living room. Beth standing up, anxious and restless as she already knows why we're here. Her daughter Chloe, gazing up at me as if begging me to tell them it's not Danny. I look away, the ground becoming my sole focus as they take their seats.

"Hi I'm Detective Inspector Alec Hardy, and I believe you know D.S. Miller and D.S. Carlisle" Alec introduces, inviting them to sit down as he grabs me and himself a chair. We all sit down, the whole family distraught, Ellie barely keeping it together, and Alec being the one forced to keep it together. I'm simply there, I'm there for Ellie and the family, and now I'm also here to make sure that Alec is alright as well.

"The body of a young boy was found..." Alec starts before Beth interrupts, being hushed by Mark before he tells Alec to continue.

"We believe it's Danny's body." Alec states.

Beth looks over at us as she breaks down, "Please Ellie, Elspeth... Was it him?" Beth's question destroys Ellie, she looks over at me before nodding in confirmation to Beth. Beth breaking down even more now, Ellie being unable to hold in some of her tears.

The whole family shudders, the dread of the situation amplifies as everyone cries and Mark attempts to keep it together and hold the family.

I have a feeling of complete emptiness, this is the second murder of a child I have to investigate where I know the family personally, and this is going to be the one to destroy what was left of my shattered soul. My hands shake slightly, and Alec discreetly reaches over to hold them, running his thumb over the top of my hand to calm me down whilst still keeping an eye on the family's reaction. I knew this case was hitting close to home for him as well, so I attempted to soothe him as well, squeezing his hands in thanks and comfort.

Ch.2 Ch.4

[delicatebluebirdruins]

being a multishipper is hell

[elijahssuit]

Would just like to remind some people on here that they genuinely need to seek jesus… Because do u forget digital footprint is a thing 😭😭

[coquettepascal]

texas sweet

summary: joel is your friendly neighborhood dad of the year, so why is his driveway empty on father's day? better yet, why do you feel the need to make up for everyone elses absence?

tags: 18+, smut, handjob, desc of joel mastubrating, a "massage", neighbor!joel x f!reader, massages, general cheesiness, soft!joel, pathetic!joel, almost(?) sub!joel, reader gets blueballed (sorry), biting, joel whimpering, joel being a proud girl dad, no-outbreak, ellie and sarah exist, tommy is mentioned(!!), joel is a southern gentleman, mention of reader having parents, no desc of reader but she can fit between joel and the couch, dilf!joel (yum)

a/n: my first joel fic ever... i would like to thank every person who has written no-outbreak!joel or pre-outbreak!joel. i freaked it.

(4.9k, not beta read.)

Moving to Texas was not the plan, or even the “blessing” your mother claimed it would be. Being the one who took over your grandparents home after they moved to a seniors facility? Fantastic! Amazing, even. Leaving your job, friends, and boyfriend, back home? Horrible. Heart wrenching and annoying. 

Austin, for the most part, was lonely. Long distance didn’t end up working between you and your boyfriend, your friends just got busier with their jobs, and it wasn’t like your parents could just drive 14 hours to see you every weekend. Co-workers were nice, but honestly who really wants to hang out with people you already spend 40 hours a week with? Maybe you were jaded, or picky, which was what your mother also claimed, or maybe your whole life was uprooted for what felt like no reason.

What you weren’t picky about, was the view from your bedroom window. You’re not a peeping tom, or a perv, but it isn’t your fault that your dilf-y next door neighbor is so easy on the eyes.

No, moving to Austin was not a blessing, but Joel Miller was.

Joel was the neighborhood guy. Need an oil change? Joel. Need your fence fixed? Joel. Block party? Joel’s yard. It’s like he doesn’t know how to say no to anybody, that southern politeness deeper than the drawl that lies in his voice. When you had first moved here he had helped you move your couch through the door, all smiles and polite nods. He barely introduced himself before he was asking if you needed any help, and he had called you “young lady,” which made you giggle. Such a giving man, but of course he was. A single father to two daughters? “No” wasn't in his vocabulary.

Sometimes, you think if your dad was as good a father as Joel Miller was, maybe you wouldn’t be fiending after him with such ferocity. Watching him with his two girls, Sarah and Ellie, was something that tugged your heartstrings no matter what. Sarah wasn’t around a lot anymore, apparently she went away to a fancy college. You had helped her pack all her stuff into Joel’s truck, but quickly went inside when you saw him getting misty eyed, you didn't want to embarrass the poor guy. Ellie is younger than Sarah and still lives at home. Honestly, you didn’t know much about her apart from the fact that she was adopted and that she’s in high school. She’s always happy to chat, but she’s also always going somewhere, which leaves Joel lonely sometimes. 

Joel seems better suited for loneliness than you are though. His brother Tommy comes around pretty often, though they seem fairly opposite. Tommy truly is sweet, has always chatted with you during block parties (even if it may be for nefarious reasons when he’s had too many drinks,) but he looks like… a fuckboy. Without fail, every time he rolls up to Joel’s house, he’s blasting some shitty new country music and wearing Pit Viper sunglasses as he carefully parks his spotless truck. Despite their differences though, they get along just as well. Your summer evenings are often interrupted by the sound of their laughs and the crisp sound of the two cracking open some cold ones. 

So why is it that when Father’s day rolls around, Joel’s driveway is empty?

You aren’t watching on purpose, you just happen to glance over that way a lot. The only action you see from his house is Ellie leaving for her friend's house sometime after noon, like usual on a Sunday. No signs of Sarah or Tommy. Part of you figured that maybe Sarah would make the lengthy drive down from her school, or maybe that Tommy would show up at some point, but nobody does. 

‘Not creepy,’ you assure yourself as you go upstairs to peer through your bedroom window to see if anyone is there. You could totally look through the kitchen window that directly faces his backyard, but you fear the day he’s looking right back at you. 

Looking outside, you see nothing. Joel’s grey-blue truck sits unmoved in the driveway, his plants are watered though so you guess he came outside at some point. The thought makes you feel a bit sad, the image of Joel and his soft eyes watering the plants, whistling to himself and trying to tell himself it doesn’t matter that nobody came. He probably really doesn’t care at all, a lot of men aren’t very sentimental or emotional about days like this, but you care.

He’s a good man, a good father, and a good neighbor. Seeing him be underappreciated on what is basically his day is ticking you off for some stupid reason. When 3pm rolls around you decide that you have to do something for Joel, it feels wrong not to. 

Which is how you end up in line for the register at Home Depot. You sat in the parking lot for 10 minutes racking your brain, trying to think of things that guys like, but came up with nothing. Joel is a contractor, so he’ll probably find some use out of a 50 dollar Home Depot gift card, but it still feels too impersonal. Joel literally fixed your toilet when a date you took home broke the handle off the tank mid-vomit. He’s too nice to just hand a stupid gift card with “Happy Father’s day” scrawled across the mini paper envelope. He deserves something thoughtful, something gentler than a gift card for (probably) his job. 

…Which is how you end up waiting in line for the register at the supermarket. You have a bouquet of flowers in your hand, with a Home Depot gift card shoved in your jacket pocket. It feels utterly ridiculous to give Joel Miller flowers, to pick out which colours you think he’d like and get the florist to wrap them up neatly with a bow, but you have a good reason. At some point in the past week you had seen a post about how a lot of men never receive flowers. It resurfaced in your head as you picked your brain again, making you wonder if Joel had ever received flowers. You know that he was married once, but that was when Sarah was little, it’d probably been 10 or even 15 years since he had any gestures like that made for him.

Not that this was for romance reasons. It was for father’s-appreciation-day reasons. Of course.

Maybe you shouldn’t be so invested in your neighbors emotions and life, but it’s too late now. You carefully pack away the flowers in the back seat of your car, snuggling the gift card into the ribbon that holds the flowers together. 

—

And if you thought that standing in line at Home Depot, or at the supermarket was bad, it’s so much worse trying to work up the courage to knock on Joel’s front door. You can’t figure out how to hold this bouquet of flowers behind your back without dropping them, so you just awkwardly knock on his door with one hand, flowers in the other. At least the gift card is managing to stay in place where you tucked it, but you wish you told the florist not to write his name in cursive.

Your repeating thoughts of “Is this weird? Am I weird?” are interrupted when he opens the door.

Joel looks… normal. He doesn’t look sad like you thought he might, if anything he looks more confused at you being there. His brown hair is tousled slightly and he’s wearing pajama pants, even though he smells fresh. Joel’s eyes meet yours and he tilts his head quietly, as if waiting for you to go on, but what do you even say? Oh shit that’s right–

“Happy father’s day,” your voice comes out shyly. You shove the flowers at him a little abruptly and he blinks in surprise, accepting them. It’s awkward for a second, the way his eyebrows shoot up as he notices the cursive lettering of his name written on the envelope.

“These’re for me, darlin’?” He asks curiously, still looking over the flowers.

A stammering of “um” and “yeah” leave your mouth pretty quickly and he smiles. You’re pretty sure he says thank you, but you just kind of stare at him awkwardly. A beat passes between the two of you as he admires the gift. “You uh– You don’t think of me as your dad, do you?” Joel asks. Oh fuck. You hadn’t thought about the fact that maybe that was what he would take away from this. All of your thoughts had been consumed by worries that he’d think you were trying to hit on him, but here he was thinking that you thought of him as a father figure. Which you didn’t. Your dad is fine, no need to replace him, at least not at this point. 

“No, no. Oh my god– Sorry,” You choke out, half laughing. It’s a quiet moment on the porch for a second, just the two of you standing there. Maybe you should explain your thought process.

“It’s just that you’re a dad and like– not to sound like a weirdo freak but nobody’s been at your house all day and it made me sad for you. Not that I pity you but,” your voice trails off as you fear you’ve made this worse. Joel seems a bit surprised at this, mouth opening slightly but then transitioning to a soft smile.

“And what if I told you that I wanted everyone t’leave me alone today?” He asks you slyly. And oh god, that is so much worse than him mistaking this gesture for flirting or pity. You never would have thought that maybe the guy who does everything for everyone probably just wants to be left the hell alone for a gift. Your heart drops in your chest, taking all the blood in your face with it. Embarrassment floods you with a force you didn’t realize possible, stuttered apologies leaving your lips as fast as you can. Joel shakes his head, laughing quietly as you sputter “sorry” repeatedly, like a broken sprinkler.

“I’m jokin’, sweetheart. I appreciate this,” he says. The crows' feet by his eyes shouldn’t be as charming as they are, but combined with that rumbling laugh and smile… he could get away with anything. He plucks the Home Depot gift card from the ribbon and huffs a laugh, like he’s impressed.

Well that’s… something? It made him smile right? Maybe feeling bad for Joel was better than feeling stupid in front of him. You step back, towards the stairs of his porch, but he shakes his head. “You were really this worried?” He asks, admiring the flowers. That makes your heart bloom in your chest, seeing how much he really liked this. Joel didn’t seem much like a flower guy, but you saw the way he kept his yard neat, with tulips in the spring and his lawn trimmed squarely. Shyly, you nod in response to his question. It feels silly to worry for him like this, you don’t know if he considers you a friend the way he is in your head.

“S’awful sweet,” he tells you. Something about his presence is so big, a balance of hospitality and intimidation all at once. Maybe it’s his big stature, broad shoulders and thick arms, a body built for work. Or his voice, the strong timbre of it, humbled in southern twang. Joel is a force of warmth, a heat that can’t be contained. His heart shines through his golden skin, forcing whoever he looks at to have a spotlight. That’s where the intimidation lies, in how he makes you feel like there’s a halo over your head, all his attention right there. 

He’s so hot you don’t even want him to look at you.

But there he is anyways, smiling as he admires the gift again, dorkily leaning in to dramatically huff the flowers. His mouth is moving but you're deafened by the sensation of a blush on your face. You thought it was just a silly little crush, because who wouldn’t find Joel attractive. He’s handsome, hard working, and just an all around traditional man. But this attraction… It's like your crush on him has given you tinnitus. His lips are moving and you aren’t registering the words. Wait shit, he’s speaking–

“Darlin’?” Joel calls. He looks at you, head tilted, and still fucking smiling. The way his eyes glimmer, the crows feet that squeeze them into a smile… Why is it so hard to hear him?

“I asked if you wanted to come in,” he repeats. 

—

You’ve never been inside Joel’s house, but you’d never thought about it either. Being in it, now, it all makes sense. Photos of his daughters are framed everywhere, their achievements plastered on the walls in shines of silver and gold. It’s hard not to imagine Joel hunched over his kitchen counter, tediously cutting pictures out to place them in frames. He was only an idea before, an idea of a man, and now he has become one wordlessly. All it took was stepping inside his house, smelling him everywhere. Life dances in the jackets that are tossed over dining room chairs, the toolbelt dumped by the shoe rack at the door. The picture of Joel you held in your mind begins to come alive, the movements in the details of his life stealing your breath. He is more than a good man, he is a great one.

And now, you have to strike up a conversation with him.

Joel grunts as he sits down on the couch beside you, placing two glasses of water down. He places his glass in front of the can of beer sitting on a coaster, distorting the label to nothing but warped blue and red. Is he hiding that he was drinking? Why is that cute? 

A pause hushes both of you as Joel gets comfortable, sitting down. He’s paused a show, but it just looks like it was whatever movie was playing on the local TV channel. 

“You must be so proud of them,” you say, eyes glazing over the pictures of Sarah and Ellie. You can tell exactly which photos were taken with a camera and which were taken with his phone. One picture of Ellie, maybe when she was 13 or 14, is from her soccer tournament. She’s smiling, holding up a ribbon for MVP, and Joel’s thumb is in the bottom corner. It’s strange to realize that Joel has basically been a father twice over, but also admirable. 

He talks for a little while, rambling about Sarah and her time up at college, and also how Ellie has been doing better in school this year. You always had a feeling Ellie was a bit feistier than Sarah was, but to hear how proud Joel is of her anyways makes your heart flutter. His love for them was so unconditional, so why weren’t they here today? You ask him, a half smile crossing his lips as he hears your question.

“Sarah called me ‘round lunchtime, one of them video calls. Had lunch with my girl and got to catch up with her. She’s so damn busy, y’know that? Always studying and,” he catches his breath, realizing he’s blabbing again. A reddish tone creeps up his neck in embarrassment.

“Point is, she called. Was nice of her, I miss her lots,” He finishes quietly.

Your eyebrow raises. He didn’t mention Ellie. Joel huffs.

“I’m 99% sure she’s over at Dina’s making me a gift, but it’s fine that she forgot. I’ve been on her ass about homework, fair’s fair.”

He looks cute when he’s begrudging, one side of his mouth sliding to the side so part of his cheek puffs over it. You nod, making a comment in response. The conversation is so smooth you forget what you’re saying as soon as you’re laughing. 

This is easier than you thought it would be. Joel’s always been friendly, obviously, but you just assumed he would be more closed off than this. Even if it’s just rambling about his daughters, or Tommy, or the jobs he’s been managing and how annoying his clients are, it’s something more. Something more than the passing glances and small conversation you’ve had before.

You talk a bit about your own life, how tough the move to Texas was, how lonely it can be. Joel doesn’t seem as receptive to this, but there’s an understanding in his eyes that you can feel. He’s a tough clam to slide your knife into, and you doubt you’ll feel his tongue today. The eager blabber he has for his family and career doesn’t extend to himself, and it seems you’ve hit a wall with him. Or maybe you’ve hit too close to home. “Sorry,” you say, feeling a little weird. 

This whole day has felt like you’re pulling against a lead Joel wasn’t even holding in the first place, like you’re always doing too much. But just like the rest of the day, he isn’t holding the rope around your neck. He’s surging forward with reassurances blooming out of his mouth, Texas sweet to the bone. 

He shakes his head, telling you that it’s fine, he gets it. A joke about being a single father, a smile directed at you, consoling. Vaporub for your congested anxieties.

“I’m sorry darlin,” Joel starts, and fuck is he sending you home? Is that your cue to leave? You did too much, he was just being nice.

“-- I didn’t even offer you water when you came in. D’you need somethin’ to drink?” He asks.

God, doesn’t he get tired of being this nice? Your neighbors warned you that he was a grump when you first moved here, dirty liars. 

“Oh, sure, uh. Water would be good, thanks,” you reply.

You’re only half paying attention to the grunt he lets out when he gets up the first time, your eyes busying themselves with the way his cotton tee stretches across the muscled planes of his back. But, after he hands you the glass of water and groans when he sinks back into the couch, you notice. 

You down the glass like you’re parched, but really your mouth just needs to be full right now. The sound of his groans are bouncing in your ear canals as your neck flushes red with each gulp of water. If he notices, he doesn’t say anything.

“Bad back?” You ask after you catch your breath. 

He hums in response, talking about how it comes with the job he has. “All that lifting in my early years…” as if he’s a thousand years old. Joel mentions that he’s been to the chiropractor a few times, thanks to Sarah’s begging and pleading.

“I don’t know, I think it’s gimmicky. They get you on the table and the guy feelin’ you up acts like he’s Christ himself,” Joel says, rolling his eyes. 

The idea of Joel, shirtless and face down, grumbling as some guy works his hands over his skin. The idea of Joel groaning in relief as someone else works those knots out, God you wish you were a chiropractor, you wish you could put your hands all over him.

Greed hardens over your mind like a shell, and the words tumble out of your mouth before you can stop them.

“I could– I could help, maybe. My dad used to have a pretty bad back and I kinda figured out how to work knots out.”

Joel’s eyes widen, looking over to you with mild interest. For the first time today, around Joel, you don’t feel like you’ve overstepped. In fact he looks interested in this offer. A beat passes between the two of you, hesitation caught in his throat it seems.

It’s probably super fucked up in his head, his younger neighbor coming over and offering to rub him down. But your mind is still greedy, coated in thoughts of his skin under your palms, and that southern rumble that’s given you dilf earworms.

He looks like he’s about to say no when you speak again.

“You don’t even have to lay down, or take your shirt off. Could just lift it up,” you offer. 

Joel still looks like he’s going to say no, the left side of his mouth raising to make up some reason. You can’t let him, not when you’ve been this ballsy. Walking out of here now would make this infinitely more awkward.

“It’s your day, Joel,” you supply him with a reason to say yes. The reason might be silly, might be a last minute add-on to his father’s day, but who cares.

Apparently not Joel, since he pulls his shirt up to his shoulders, the fabric scrunching around his broad frame.

—

You feel a little stupid, slotted behind Joel on the couch. The two of you are basically shoved up against one another, Joel wriggling to give you access to his lower back. He hasn’t said anything yet, no reassurance that this backrub is any good. You think you’re doing well, you feel the knots loosening. It might be better this way, him not making noise. The groan you heard earlier was more than enough to push you into a frenzy.

Your hands work further down, where his waist begins to pull in. Looking closer you can see where the softness of his tummy is, a fatherly badge of honor. Continuing your movements, you gently press your thumbs into the flesh there, and earn yourself Joel’s first noise.

Not a grunt, groan, complaint, or cuss. A whimper.

Your voice clashes with his, both of you talking over each other accidentally.

“Are you okay–” you ask as his voice flounders again, a “Darlin--” leaving him out of his own volition.

Pulling your hands away you begin to pull his shirt back down his back, mortified. How could you claim you were good at this and then hurt his back more? Joel’s been through enough today.

“Please don’t stop,” Joel’s voice grabs your brain again, forcing your focus.

He’s sliding his shirt up again, just by rolling his shoulders as he hunches over, waiting for you to continue. His face is in his hands, and his ears are pink. It’s the first time he’s asked you for anything tonight, you can’t refuse him. 

Placing your hands back where they were, you begin to massage again. It seems like his lower back is the main problem, with the way he’s grunting into his palms. As your hands work away the aches he begins to swear to himself. 

“Fuck,” he grunts as your thumbs dig deep, soothing a pain he hasn’t felt eased in years. 

This is good. Pride spreads in your chest, knowing he feels better. Your hands work away, and you get laser focused on untangling these massive knots in his back. Eventually you break your focus, switching to softer rubs and small scratches up and down his back.

Tearing your eyes away from his skin, you realize the throw pillow that was beside you earlier is gone. The yellow corner of the cushion peeks at you from where you saw Joel’s belly earlier, over his lap. A thick forearm is crushing it into himself there, the veins in his neck pulsing. 

Flames lick up your face, onto the tips of your ears and down your neck, heating your spine. Is he aroused right now? “Joel?” You ask quietly. 

He shakes his head, voice tight.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Just– it just feels nice,” he admits.

Your hands pause. Okay, so he’s admitted he’s hard. What do you do now? Keep rubbing his back and blueball the poor guy? On Father's day? That seems mean, and awkward. Everything about this is awkward though, so it couldn’t really get worse.

“I could… I could help it feel better,” you offer meekly.

You’re not scared of a dick. You aren’t. Your voice is quiet because it seems like he is horribly ashamed of this, probably feeling guilty.

Joel rubs a hand over his face.

“You don’t have to, you can just go,” he says, but his voice betrays him. Need is sewn in his tone, a desperation.

Part of you wonders how long it’s been since someone touched him like this as you reach around, palming the front of his jeans. The hiss he lets out tells you it’s been awhile. How wrong that is, an attractive man like Joel being forced to get his own rocks off.

Getting the button and fly of his jeans down is difficult when you can’t see, even worse when your brain is making up images of Joel masturbating. He’s so shy when he’s being touched, does he bite his sheets? Bite his other fist in the shower? Poor boy, he deserves this. 

His hips lift off the couch to help you shove his jeans and briefs down. Joel’s bare ass slides against you and he cringes. “Is it okay if you don’t look?” He asks. 

You hate that he seems so insecure, but you’re not going to push him. Nodding into his skin, you press your face to his back, resting your cheek near the blade of his shoulder. He’s heavy in your palm, warm skin with veins your fingers can trace over.

Telling him that he’s big feels redundant, you’re sure he knows that about himself. Neither of you seem very sure about what you’re doing, the shuddering breaths from his chest matching your hesitant grasp around his cock. 

“Are you okay?” You ask again.

Joel nods into his hand, asking you to please touch him. 

Admittedly, it’s a dry hand job, but Joel doesn’t seem to mind. The flick of your wrist is fluid, even if your arm is cramping from being wrapped around him. Joel lets out these little noises, grunts and whines. His hand is covering his eyes while the other one rests lightly on your forearm, like he wants to know that you’re still there.

Need is exuding from him, making his desperation take over his need to really give a shit about how submissive he might be appearing. He shudders particularly hard as you squeeze on the upstroke, voice choking.

“Shit– shit, please,” he gasps, “please can I spit in your hand?” 

It’s a little surprising, but again, you can’t refuse him. You say “yeah” into his skin, closing your eyes as you feel him spit into your hand. It’s filthy, his saliva on you as he guides your hand to jerk him off. Joel uses your palm to slick the head of his dick, teasing himself on your skin.

It’s the first time you’ve seen him be selfish all day. Part of you wants to call him a good boy, but part of you also knows this might not be normal for Joel. Hell, this isn’t normal for you either. 

Instead, you ask him if it’s good. A rasped “yes,” emanates from him between a low groan and a curse. Your head lifts from his back as he begins to shudder, his orgasm creeping closer. Listening to him is so good, you’re a mess between your legs, where your core nudges his ass.

Without a thought, you sink your teeth into the meat between his shoulder and his neck. Not enough pressure to bruise or hurt, just to let him know you’re there. There was no intention to push him over the edge, but your little bite does. A guttural groan is forced out of him as he comes into your hand, stringing sticky between your fingers. 

“Fuck– fuck I’m sorry, oh my god,” he pants, shivering. 

Your head is shaking again, reassuring him that it was okay, that he’s okay. 

“It’ll wash off,” you joke, feeling the stick of him on you. 

—

Joel does help you wash it off, once he’s done redressing. He’s clingy though, arms around your waist and chin hooked over your shoulder as you wash your hands in his kitchen sink. He’s definitely sleepy, eyes blinking slowly when you peek at him while you dry your hands.

You step close to him, your damp hands meeting his dry ones. The awkward spirit of the evening has been killed off, his shyness melted away.

“Usually I’d offer to return the favor but… I have to pick up Ellie from her friend’s house now. I’m really sorry, darlin’,” he admits.

Shaking your head, you push away the negative feeling that surfaces. How are you supposed to go back to being neighbors after that? But also, what did you really expect?

Joel leads you to the door, legs a bit shakey. A smug feeling joins the negative ones in your chest at that, but it’s not enough. 

“I really do apologize,” Joel says again, “but this just gives me an opportunity to see you again. If you’d like, obviously. I think I owe ya dinner.” 

And there he is, not holding your lead but reassuring your heart. He wants to see you again.

Your eyes meet his in the dim light of the hallway, catching those sweet eyes in your own. He looks so hopeful, so apologetic too.

“I’d like that, but you don’t owe me anything. It’s Father’s day,” you point out. 

Joel rolls his eyes. This Father’s day excuse is a little overused between the two of you now, but it’s still cute to him since you’re the one saying it. He opens the door for you, slipping his own boots on and grabbing his keys.

“Fine,” Joel says, “but when Pretty Neighbor day rolls around, you let me know.

[majestyeverlasting]

the moments in between

Pairing: Joel Miller x Fem!Reader 

Summary: When Joel and Ellie arrive at the Jackson commune, his strong frame and intense gaze captivate you. But as the days pass, you lose hope that he might be drawn to you as well. That is, until the walls come crashing down and the truth finally reveals itself.

Word Count: 7.3k [slow burn]

A/N: I put a lot of love and time into this one. It's my longest fic so far but it didn't feel hard, which I like to believe is a good thing. Hope it resonates, hope you feel the feels and the yearning between these two—let me know! Hope you're well.

A breeze follows Tommy as he saunters in through the doors of the Tipsy Bison, the soft click of his boot heels echoing off the wood with each easy step. The cowboy hat on his head casts a shadow over his eyes until he takes it off, his dark hair cascading down over his ears. There’s a small smile playing on his lips that makes you narrow your eyes.

Cleaning the bartop suddenly loses its appeal, but you don’t stop, only slow down. The fresh, tangy scent of lemongrass continues to waft up from the motion.     

“We close early on Sunday’s, officer,” you tease as he climbs onto a stool. 

He frowns as he sets his hat aside. “I don’t look like a cop, do I?” You shrug, and he chuckles as his gaze roves over to the pool room. “Nate back there? Yo, Nate!” 

“Evening, Tom,” the older man calls back as he polishes a cue ball. 

“Joel’s made it into town.” There’s no overt emotion in the way he shares the news, but you can see that it’s all in his eyes as he waits for you to react.  

“Joel, Joel? As in your brother?” He nods, still in disbelief himself. “Oh my gosh, that’s amazing, Tommy—right? What the heck.” He used to talk about him all the time. 

His exhale makes way for a shaky smile, “I know. Made it in not too long ago with a young girl he’s looking after,” he tells you, voice thick with a mix of emotions. “He’s outside. Wanted to come in and see if you’d let us grab a drink.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Know it’s late. Promise I’ll make up for the trouble.” He knows it’s no trouble. Not when it comes to him. 

He turns around, barstool squeaking, and waves Joel in through the window. 

You move to start working on their whiskies. “Make it up by letting me be the baby’s godmother?” The glasses clink as you set them onto the bar and begin pouring the caramel colored liquid, smirking when you meet his gaze.

Tommy isn’t completely opposed to the idea. You’d been in Jackson since the beginning, a friend to him and Maria in every sense of the word. Arguably family. “If you can manage not to tick me off until the little one gets here.” Despite his words, his eyes are fond. 

The door creaks open, and Joel strides in, scanning the room. There are pictures on the walls of American icons and landmarks, and old Polaroids of commune members. There’s a guarded confidence to the way he walks, an intensity. 

Tommy quickly leans in and whispers, “He means well. It’s been a long day.” 

Joel takes a seat beside his brother and acknowledges you with a curt nod, tugging on the collar of his shirt.  

“Welcome to Jackson,” you greet, introducing yourself afterwards.

“Joel,” he says, taking you in with a steady gaze. 

“Tommy’s told me a lot about you.” You push their glasses closer to them in an encouragement to start drinking.

Joel takes his first sip and fights back a reflexive grimace. It’s been a while, but it's good. Good enough to make him feel pleasantly warm as it glides down. Tommy drinks off his brother’s lead, and you realize just how alike they look. Joel’s hair is a little shorter and accented with streaks of gray, but they both have those same dark, telling eyes. 

They fall into light conversation, but it’s clearly not what they'd talk about if they were alone. That’s when you sense the distance. The slight edge to the space between them. It’s why Tommy resorts to drawing you in, the two of you ripping off each other as Joel listens, fine with not having to speak until this whole little ordeal was winding to an end. However, he does sit up a little straighter whenever you laugh. You pour them more whiskey when their glasses get empty.     

Eventually, the remaining light outside fades away. Tommy hisses at the sight, standing. “I gotta get home to Maria,” he says, stretching his back. Joel moves to get up too, until, “At least finish off this glass, man. You’ve earned it.” Tommy squeezes his brother’s shoulder. He means it genuinely, at least. “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow, Joel. Thanks again for this,” he tells you. 

“Bye, sheriff,” you call after him. Tommy scoffs.  

Joel realizes just how quiet it is when you move aside to tinker with a bison trinket sitting on the counter, unsure of what to say with Tommy gone. He knows you can see him looking at you. “So, are you here by yourself?” he finally asks. 

A playful smile tugs at your lips. “That’s not a creepy question at all,” you tease, quickly gathering that he doesn’t find the implication funny. “Uncle Nate?” you call. 

“Busy!”  

You raise your brows at Joel. “Not alone.”

Nate was chosen family. The man taught you everything you know about shooting, fishing, and survival even though you gave him a hard time for it when you were younger. He was also the founder of the Tipsy Bison. He only came into the bar on the weekends when he wasn't on patrol. His time in the military all those years ago made it hard to step away from a life of service. 

“We were cleaning when Tommy came in,” you tell Joel. He takes in that information wordlessly. 

“You aren’t much for talking, are you?” Joel takes a sip from his glass. “Nothing wrong with that. Must mean you don’t miss much. Really observant.” When he doesn’t respond, you smile shyly, realizing he probably just wanted to relax after a long day. “Guess I won’t stand here and talk your ears off.” 

The floor creaks as you disappear into the recreation room with Nate, rounding the corner. Joel exhales, shoulders dropping from being drawn up. He almost misses your company. 

Nate sits hunched over a word search puzzle, using the pool table as if it's a normal desk. He doesn’t look up at you, even when you give an affectionate tug to his curly gray ponytail. It was something you’d been doing since the days you both were out on your own and had to stay quiet all the time. Back when there was no safety, no security, no commune. 

“Ouch,” he drones, unphased. 

“Are you gonna come out and meet Tommy's brother?” you ask, low so Joel can’t hear. “I feel like you guys have a lot in common: brooding and grumpy.” Pride flutters in your chest when the man’s lips twitch. 

“I’ll meet him… eventually. Gotta finish this puzzle.” You realize there’s a small hourglasses going, the sand swiftly filling the bottom portion. “There ya are—serendipity.” He circles the letters. 

Word searches were something he recently started doing. When you have a past as extensive as his, it’s always chasing after you in one way or another. Especially in those quiet moments that sneak up on you. He claimed that seeking out words from amid an ordered chaos keeps the racing thoughts at bay whenever they come rushing in. 

Joel is finished by the time you join him again, and you realize he’d waited instead of calling out. Already standing, ready to go. 

“Anything else I can get you?” 

He shakes his head. “I appreciate your hospitality.” 

Joel turns to leave but you keep talking, “So I reckon Tommy already squared you away with a house and a tour of the town?” 

He stops. “I’m across the street from him. Gettin’ the tour tomorrow.”  

“That’s great, I’m really glad you found us.” You sound so genuine that there’s a flutter in his gut. “We’re a pretty crazy bunch, but I think you’re gonna like it here.” 

“Hope so.” Those are the words he leaves you with.

Your eyes stay trained on his back as he makes his way towards the door, stride the same as when he first arrived. Perhaps a little looser. Before he exits the bar, his eyes catch a glimpse of one of the decorative license plates secured to the wall: Austin, Texas. 

Shortly after he makes it outside, his heart rate ticks up in that impending way he wishes wasn’t so familiar, breath catching in his throat as if he’d forgotten how to breathe. There’s no escaping the panic as it sets in, surging through him. A few staggering steps allow him to brace a hand on a wooden directory board. 

You see it all from inside. At first, you think he’s trying to read the sign, but then he hunches over more and grips his chest. Without thinking, you jog towards the doors. 

“Joel?” You call once you’ve broken outside. 

It’s a cool spring night, a crescent moon shares its pale glow from above. Most of Jackson is already tucked away inside or at least halfway there. But in this sliver of time, it feels like it’s just the two of you outside. Joel doesn’t let on that he’d heard you, but the moment you’re close enough, you recognize what’s going on. You press your palm to his back to let him know you’re there. That he’s still here. 

“Concentrate on your breathing. In and out, just like that,” you encourage, settling on rubbing his back in measured passes. Then you go quiet on the off chance he needs that. 

In your newfound silence, Joel is forced to focus on the shaky breaths rising from his lungs. That’s when he accepts he’s not in control. Not in the grand scheme of things. There’s a whole big fallen world just outside the gates of this haven. A world that had taken people he loved and was cruel enough to let him be the one who lived to tell the tale. The heat that rises to his cheeks is made up of frustration more than distress, crackling like pop. Like coals. 

The ground takes on a vignette as he stares at it, his vision briefly closes in. You never withdraw your touch. 

When his breaths eventually begin to steady, you remember how to breathe yourself. With a tired exhale, he straightens back up to his full height, and you take a few small steps away. Maybe this wasn’t new, but a fact of life for the man who’d rode into Jackson in an air of mystery and a young girl by his side. Maybe he never wanted you to get a glimpse at this side of him. If he feels that way, he doesn’t make it obvious. He almost looks appreciative that you’d bothered enough to care. 

“Sorry to scare you,” he rasps, not meeting your gaze even though he can feel it. You want to tell him that there isn’t much that scares you anymore. At least that’s what you like to believe. “I’m usually alone.” 

Except, tonight, he wasn’t. And maybe that wasn’t such a terrible thing. 

•••

Howdy Stranger

This is Jackson Hole

The last of the Old West 

Joel reads the painted wooden sign as Tommy and Maria show him and Ellie around. There are people everywhere. Children playing outside, adults fluttering in and out of shops. All while the Teton mountains loom and watch over it all with their snow-capped peaks. He looks over at the girl when she nudges his arm, pointing to a Calico lounging on a porch. Despite her beaming smile, all he offers is a low hum. 

It was hard to be in the now when his thoughts were split between the past and future. Up until Jackson, there was no such thing as stability, and he couldn’t help but think about the day that the rug would be pulled from beneath the commune as well. Ellie’s smile fades when she notices the harsh squint of his face. He kicks himself for it.   

“Cat hater,” she mumbles under her breath.

Joel grunts and directs his attention back to his brother. 

When the tour comes to an inevitable end, Ellie sings Jackson’s praises after Tommy and Maria go their separate ways with a promise to reconnect later that day. He lets her talk as they make their way back to their new house, idly agreeing every once in a while. A few curious eyes fall on them as they walk, but Joel doesn’t pay them any mind. 

“Dude, are you even listening to me?” Ellie stops walking to give him a flat look. 

“I hear you,” he insists. “Been hearing you for the past ten minutes.”

There’s no snark in his tone, but Ellie still feels the slight sting of offense. “Well, sorry for being excited about having a nice place to live for once. It’s not like I was born into hell or anything—I mean the Boston QZ.” Sarcasm drips from her voice as she starts walking again, faster so it looks like they’re not together.

Joel swallows down guilt like it’s just another pill. His legs are long, so it doesn’t take much to catch back up with her.

“Hey…Kid…Ellie.” She keeps ignoring him. “This is new for me too, okay? Everybody’s got a different way of processing, can we agree on that?” It’s a fair enough proposal. He never had been forward when it came to sharing his thoughts. “Wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” she murmurs, deciding to take a break from her rambling for his sake. The mutual silence isn’t so bad. 

Someone he isn’t expecting to see is you. You’re wearing a backpack and ushering a line of young kids into the community center. One of the little girls stops and stretches her arms up towards you, earning a playful eyeroll before being lifted onto your hip. Joel doesn’t miss the way the afternoon sunlight catches your face. 

•••

The next day, a faint thump against the door startles Ellie as she sketches in the dining room. Rather than getting up from the table, she remains still, pencil in hand and brows furrowed. Upstairs, the spray of the shower continues as Joel lets it drown out everything else. Three light knocks eventually sound, and she musters up the courage to scurry to the front. 

She peeks out the window first, spotting you. Someone she hadn’t seen around. An amused smile pulls at her lips at the way you’ve seemingly wrestled the big basket you’re holding into a better grip than before. 

When she opens the door, you let out a relieved sigh. “Special delivery,” you say before introducing yourself. 

“That’s a really pretty name,” she compliments, already warming up to you. “I’m Ellie—is all that stuff for us?” When you nod, she excitedly steps aside and ushers you in. 

“I’m not gonna say you shouldn’t have because that’d be a lie,” she shamelessly admits. “You can put it right over here.” You follow her into the living room and place the welcome basket on the coffee table. 

A few of the ladies you volunteer with helped you put it together after your shift counseling for the spring break camp. There were cookies, seeds, natural soaps, feminine hygiene products, and even a knit blanket that looked particularly soft and cozy. Ellie wastes no time reaching out to run her fingers over it. A laugh bubbles up your throat when her jaw drops. 

“This is literally what clouds feel like.” She haphazardly pulls the blanket out the basket, wrapping it around herself like a cape. “If Joel says anything, this was specifically included for me.” 

“I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt to share if he asked nicely,” you reason, amused. Ellie’s nose wrinkles. “But to be fair, we did think you’d be the one to really appreciate it.”

She smiles at being considered. “Who made it? This is, like, next level.” 

“A woman named Emilia,” you tell her. “She actually made me one back when Jackson was first being built up that I still have,” you tell her, taking a seat on the couch and looking around. The evening sunlight pours in through the windows, casting golden streaks onto the floors. “Now she’s always got a few on standby.” 

Ellie sits beside you, reaching out to dig through the other contents in awe. “They told us the commune's only, like, seven years old on our tour yesterday,” she recounts. Think you’ll have your blanket forever?” 

“Forever’s an awful long time. It might hold up,” you think aloud. Ellie nods, contemplative. “I can take you by to meet her sometime, if you’d like. She’s the resident seamstress, so you’ll probably end up crossing paths anyways.” 

“What about you? What do you do?” she asks, giving you her full attention. 

“I mainly help coordinate community events. Been stepping in to assist with the youth spring break camp for the last couple days, though,” you say. “Also bartend on the nights that I feel like it. Just for fun, you know?” 

Ellie's face lights up. “I’ve had whiskey before.” She puffs out her chest when she says it, and you play into her pride by raising an impressed brow. The first and last time you had a sip was when you snuck it from Nate as a teen. “But that’s really cool, though. The community stuff and all that.” You can tell by her tone that she means it. In more ways than one, you’re reminded of your younger self. 

“Joel’s gonna join the patrol. He says I’m too young, but that’s just bullshit.” She says the last part lower as if he’s somewhere listening. “I’ll figure out a way to make him cave.” There’s an air of confidence to her voice that suggests she’s done it before. The thought warms a tiny portion of your chest.

“I’ve gone out with my uncle Nate a few times. It can be a lot,” you admit. “He just wants you safe, Nate’s the same way.” 

As Joel stops at the top of the staircase, freshly showered, he catches those last words. He’d know your voice even if it’d been forever. His footsteps are quiet as he descends the stairs, but you hear him coming nevertheless. Ellie’s too busy sniffing the pine soap as you straighten up and glance his way. Joel’s eyes are as observant as you remember when they land on you, seeing into you, it seems. His damp hair is combed back in a way that makes him look more distinguished. 

“There you are.” You stand up with a smile. You’d been wondering how he was doing since the panic attack.

He wishes your warmth wasn't so compelling.  

Ellie whips around to look at him. “I know you said not to open the door to strangers—which is practically everybody at this point—but she’s really nice and brought us gifts so you can’t be mad at me,” she rushes out. He clocks the blanket around her shoulders. 

He hmphs. “That’s how they get you.” He’s not being serious, but Ellie frowns, trying to read through his eternal poker face. “Treats and a friendly smile.” Your lips twitch in amusement as Ellie narrows her eyes. 

When Joel starts walking your way, she consoles herself with the fact that he would've already asked you to leave if he sensed your intentions were off. The commune wasn’t filled with questionable people like that anyways. The two of them didn’t have to be apprehensive of every soul they came across anymore. 

He’s close enough now that you can smell the cedar soap on his skin. “I’m not a stranger,” you lightly defend. “Not entirely.” You look from Ellie to Joel. 

A wall rises in real time, shutting you out right along with the night you met. It happens in his eyes just like everything does. He hadn’t mentioned you to her, and it was your mistake for believing he would’ve at least passed on a name. 

You swallow back a small lump in your throat that may not be entirely just. “Anyways, hopefully you guys will be able to put this stuff to use.” 

“Of course we will,” Ellie pipes up. “Are you leaving already?” She hadn’t missed the finality that had crept into your tone. 

You nod. “Don’t wanna take up too much of your evening. I actually meant to come by sooner.” 

“Well, are you going to the dining hall for dinner?” Her gaze flicks to Joel. “Maybe you can come with us.” 

Joel knows he’s in trouble when he hears the fondness in Ellie’s voice. It’s the same sentiment he was straining to tamper down within himself. Every time he opened his mouth or looked at you, it tried to claw its way to the forefront. The last thing he needed was another person getting close enough to see that he was a million tiny pieces being held together by the glue of whatever god was keeping him alive. 

You decline her invitation, expressing plans to go to your uncle’s place. But you give her a rain check. When you go to leave, Joel allows his eyes to flitter down the rest of your body. 

That wouldn’t be the last he saw of you. But it was always from afar, lingering on the outskirts. Wishing there was a seamless way he could fall into your orbit without sending everything spiraling out of control. 

You were always looking right back at him with hope in your eyes, holding space. Waiting for your world to be shaken. 

•••

Laughter, chatter, and music drown out the insects that usually take precedence at night. Weeks of planning had finally come into fruition. All of Main Street is lined with fairy lights that cast their warm glow down on the summer festival. There was no shortage of entertainment, games, and food. It was a time to let loose and relish the sweetness in the air along with that of life. 

Nate plays his harmonica for a group of children around the bonfire, all clapping and stomping along. A smile graces your face as you walk by, waving at him. The fullness of your heart almost overrides the ache that has settled in the arches of your feet. You’d barely sitten down since earlier that morning when preparation began. There was a sense of responsibility that came along with the orange vest you were dawned in. The pressure to assist, and guide, and answer questions wasn’t all on you, but the other volunteers were better at taking breaks. 

Tommy’s grainy voice breaks into the air through a megaphone, “Thirteen-and-up three-legged races starting in five minutes, this is your last call. Grab a partner and make your way over to the east lawn,” he says. “Again, this is the last call.”

Joel and Ellie already happen to be seated at a picnic table that gives them a perfect view of the race setup and Tommy facilitating in an orange vest of his own. Ellie had already worked through her first honey cake and was eyeing Joel’s. He pretends not to notice until she looks up at him all wide-eyed.  

“Can I—” he slides his plate over to her. “Thanks.” 

“Your eyes are bigger than your stomach,” he lightly accuses, shaking his head. 

“What does that even mean?” She takes a bite. “Weirdo.” 

Joel just grumbles and tosses a napkin her way. She wipes her mouth and keeps staring at him. Not because she’s waiting for an answer, but because there’s amusement sparkling in his eyes. Which happens more often now that they’d had a couple months to settle into Jackson. A laugh was coming, she could feel it. 

“Quit gawking at me and eat.” There’s a tell-tale waver in his voice. 

“No.” Ellie lightly kicks his shin beneath the table and that’s what sets him off. 

He tries to bite back a chuckle, but he gives in when it doesn’t work out, shoulders shaking. Ellie starts grinning at him from across the table, and he kicks her back with the tip of his boot. 

“Hey!” She breaks into giggles and retaliates. He lets her have the little victory. 

A small smile lingers on his face when he regains his composure. They sit in a comfortable silence as Ellie finishes the rest of her dessert, taking in the festivities around them. 

It isn’t long before a girl with dark hair approaches their table. She’s a ball of masked nerves. “Hi,” she greets. “Ellie, right?” She says it as if it’s possible for her to have forgotten. As if after they sat together at last week’s movie night, she hadn’t been thinking about her since. 

Ellie get’s uncharacteristically squirmy. “Oh. Hey, Dina.” 

Joel can’t believe it.

Dina tucks a flyaway behind her ear. “My old partner bailed, so I was wondering if you’d maybe wanna do the three-legged race with me. I think we’d make a better team anyways.” Then she glances at Joel. “If you wouldn’t mind me stealing her away for a bit.” 

“Take her,” Joel quips, making Dina laugh. 

Warmth rushes to Ellie’s cheeks as she stands. “Sure, let’s go.” 

The two of them jog over to get prepped for the race. Joel watches the whole while, warmth kindling in his chest at the fact that she was slowly finding her tribe. The race doesn’t start for another couple minutes, and when it does, Ellie and Dina burst off into first. It’s intense. The whole ordeal is a mess of laughter, stumbling, and flailing limbs. In the end, the duo end up placing second, crossing the finish line only to fall into a heap of giggles with their legs tied together. 

Joel stands from the picnic table with a grunt to throw away all the empty plates. He has every intention to sit back down, but notices a few frazzled volunteers carrying mops and towels. Then his eyes rove over to the long line standing at the drink stands. Adults check their watches, children fidget. A woman in an orange vest is talking to another woman managing the stand. He doesn’t realize is you until you turn away from her and beeline towards the community center, looking stressed. 

“Hey,” he calls out to a stout man wearing an apron. “Do you know what’s going on?” 

He’s surprised Joel caught on. Everyone else was carrying on as usual, carefree and unaware. “There was a spill at the community center. You know Mr. Robertson’s special Summer Fest punch?” he asks in a thick Brooklyn accent, Joel nods because he’d heard the rave. Apparently it was made especially for the festival. “Kitchen’s flooded with it. I didn’t have time to build an ark,” he jokes.  

Joel wrestles with himself. “I’ll go see if I can help.” 

By the time you exit the community center, gaze fixed over your shoulder, you crash into Joel. He instinctively reaches out to steady you, touch firm but gentle. “Whoa, easy there.” The low timbre of his drawl is enough to draw your mind away from all the noise. “You alright? Here, let’s get out of the way.” You let him pull you aside by your elbow. 

When you look into his eyes, there’s so many things you wish it was the appropriate time to say. It’s been cordial between the two of you, but it always seemed like he was in a constant state of backing away, like an animal scared of giving into a primal craving.  

There was always a reason why he couldn’t stay in your presence longer than he did. He had to get back to Ellie, or turn in early for his patrol shift the next day, or some other excuse. Even during the game nights you hosted, he would always leave before his belly was full and the real fun was about to begin. When everyone was finally free of the day’s worries and truly ready to talk, laugh, and let everything ride on the toss of a dice. 

He’d resigned himself to enjoying you in the little here and there, the moments in between. So much so that even Ellie had begun to notice. It was in the way he never allowed himself to lean in too close whenever you were at his side. Or never fully crawled out of his shell no matter how many times you smiled sweetly or let your fingertips brush his forearm. 

“Does anything hurt?” He asks more intently. As he scans you over, he notices your clothes. The lower portion of your vest and the thighs of your flared jeans are stained with a wet, dark substance. 

“I’m fine, Joel.” You pull away from him with more force than necessary, feeling guilty for the way he swallows and takes a step back. “Sorry.” You release a heavy exhale, tears welling in your eyes with a dull sting. “I’m ruining everyone’s night.” 

Joel frowns. “No you’re not. Tell me what happened.” 

“I was trying to transfer the extra beverage dispenser onto the wagon so I could wheel it out to the drink stand, but it slipped out of my grip,” you explain. “The lid came off and the punch spilled everywhere.” You wipe your tears away quickly, as if they’ll stain too. 

“Accidents happen,” Joel’s tone is steady like scripture, tenderness peeking through just enough to cling onto. “Everybody’s fine. The world's still turning.”

Nobody had reacted in an extreme manner. There were gasps and startled jumps, but assurances came rushing in as the janitorial volunteers insisted that they’d get everything cleaned up. Everyone in that kitchen knew that there were worse things in life than spilled juice. Sure, it was upsetting, considering the time Mr. Robertson spent and the people looking forward to drinking more, but it was a small mistake in the grand scheme of things. But when your heart is already heavy and your mind is tangled with other concerns, those little mishaps feel like the most devastating ones. 

There was a directness about Joel, though, that eased away the guilt crawling beneath your skin. It was like he understood what screwing up truly was and this was many light years from it. 

Dina spots Joel in the distance and points him out to Ellie. “There he is over there.” 

Their smiles fall from their faces when they get closer and realize you’re crying. “Holy shit, what happened?” Ellie looks between you and Joel, worry etched onto her face. 

“I just made a stupid mistake.” You sniffle, trying to regain your composure, not wanting to worry them.  There was always something unavoidably daunting about seeing adults cry. 

“You girls stay here with her for a second. I’ll be right back,” Joel instructs. 

A new song starts up by the live band that’s playing. It’s an instrumental rendition of Every Breath You Take. A decent crowd has gathered, nibbling on sourdough and nodding to the melody. Some people are wrapped in each other’s arms. Joel soaks it all in as he navigates back to the racing lawn. 

Tommy claps him on the back when he makes it and Joel returns the gesture. “You enjoying yourself, man?” Tommy asks. 

“Yeah,” he says distractedly. “There was a spill at the community center, so no more punch. You think you can get everybody on the same page?” 

“Copy that.” 

Tommy’s voice carries through the megaphone as Joel makes his way back to you, the announcement fading with each step. 

“Howdy, folks. Some of you may have already heard, but in case you haven’t, there’s been a little spill and we are unfortunately all out of Mr. Robertson’s world famous punch for the night. We apologize if you didn’t get the chance to try it, but I promise we’ll figure out a way to make it up to y'all. In the meantime, I heard the lemonade and ice tea ain’t half bad.” 

His words blur into the background as Joel makes it back to you. There are a few disappointed groans, but nobody is completely devastated by the news. They keep carrying on just as he knew they would. 

Tears no longer streak your face when Joel makes it back, Ellie and Dina seeming to have lifted your spirits a little more. 

“Do you wanna go get cleaned up?” Joel suggests. 

Now that you’re thinking about it, the feeling of your clothes sticking to your skin is beginning to grow uncomfortable. You take a deep breath at the thought of walking home, away from Summer Fest, all the energy, all the fun. Joel sees the disappointment on your face. 

“I can go with you,” he offers.

•••

The walk to your house is quiet, the sounds of the night's festivities now distant. The porch steps creak gently under your weight as the two of you ascend them. Joel watches as you unlock the door, but finds himself cemented as you step inside. Confusion, appreciation, frustration, and want are all amalgamated into one look directed right his way. Without saying a word, you head further inside, leaving the door open. 

Joel’s hands twitch at his sides like he’s a live wire wrought with energy. Bugs would fly in if he didn’t do something—that’s the justification he creates. You’re halfway to the laundry room when you hear the front door shut behind him as he follows after you. 

The living room is illuminated by dim lamplight as he walks through. A quick glance into the kitchen gives him sight of one of Ellie’s more recent drawings stuck to the refrigerator door with a smiley face magnet. It's a portrait of your face that you agreed to sit for one lazy afternoon while Joel was away on patrol. 

The air smells like you. Understated and sweet, floral and earthen. Small plants line multiple windowsills despite how convinced you were that you couldn’t keep anything alive. The whole commune would be worse off without you and he’d be the first to wilter away. 

At the sound of a zipper and clothes brushing against skin, he stops his pursuit of you. Miles away even though you’re mere yards apart. All he has is your shadow, dancing in the dim light pooling out of the laundry room and into the hall with him. He backs himself into the cool wall and closes his eyes, Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. Up and down and up again. An SOS in the middle of a sea when salvation was right within reach. It gets quiet after a while. No more running water, or cabinet doors, or shuffling around. 

“You can let me in, you know?” comes your voice, so light it’s almost nothing. Joel releases a shaky breath and opens his eyes to the sight of you, dawned in old shorts and a graphic tee. You wish he would say something, anything. Share a fraction of what’s going on in his mind. “I’m right here, Joel.” 

“I know. I see you.” There’s a defensive edge to his voice that’s wounded around the edges, as if he’s trying to accommodate the truth that burns within his ribcage, his stomach, beneath the entirety of his skin. 

“So now what?” You swallow your nerves, studying his face, his neck. “We’re just gonna keep seeing each other for the rest of our lives and that’s it? No knowing, no feeling, no experiencing?” You ask. “No loving?”  

One by one, the walls close in, until it feels like you’re standing toe to toe with nothing but words as weapons and honesty being the only way out. It’s not a fight he’s ready for. He can trek through the harshest winters, fight off monsters and all manner of men, but he’s defenseless in front of you.

There will be no victory, no rising from battle with a bloodied fist or blade, or immediate relief akin to the coming of spring. The only way out is to dig within, and he already knew what resided there. It was a matter of carving it out and laying it on an altar for you to see as you did the same. It’s not a fight at all, it's a sacrifice. All risk with probable reward. 

“I don’t want that to be all that we do.” You’ve never heard Joel speak so quietly. It’s as if there’s Infected lurking nearby and he doesn’t want to be devoured. “Think about you too much.” 

“I was starting to think you didn’t like me at all. Not like how I like you,” you say. 

Joel swallows thickly, warm all over. “How do you like me?” 

You push out of the laundry room doorway to step closer to him, placing a gentle hand on his chest, feeling the warmth beneath his shirt, the beating of his heart. You let it thrum against your palm until a shallow breath slips past his lips, then you move to cup his stubbled jaw, lightly brushing your thumb over his lower lip. The urge to touch you back grows so great that he finally gives in and lets both of his strong hands settle on your waist.  

Joel can hear his heartbeat in his ears as he leans in towards you, studying your face, searching for any sign that this might be some elaborate ruse. Instead, he finds something so poignant that he doesn’t have the words to define. It’s as terrifying as it is wonderful to, for once, be unable to size up what he’s up against. 

You close the space in between you with a softness that takes his breath away. Bared heart meeting bared heart. Joel’s lips are gentle and unhurried, every second savored and not a single one missed. You try to focus but it feels like you’re falling and flying all at once. Then his fingers dig into your waist a little harder, a silent plea to stay there with him, the warmth of his kiss, the firmness of his body as he pulls you closer. 

Your hands find their way to the back of his neck to play with the hair curled at his nape. The kiss deepens not in urgency but a shared understanding. A promise sealed in the way your bodies fit together. And then, slowly, deliberately, Joel eases back, lips lingering on yours for a heartbeat longer until there’s a slight space in between again. Your breaths mingle as he rests his forehead against yours, thumb stroking tender circles on your waist. 

When you open your eyes, he’s already looking at you, wondering if you can feel that two worlds having converged into one, buzzing with a newness that’s as beautiful as all the words you’d kept bottled inside. 

•••

It hadn’t taken much. Just a hug and a few soft kisses pressed to the underside of his jaw. When Joel’s grumbling finally subsided, it made way for the soothing ripple of the river. You’d settled along the bank and stretched out a few blankets when you first arrived. An hour seemed to pass in the matter of a few seconds, laughter, conversations and all. Now the sun creeps closer and closer to the horizon up in the ombre sky. 

It wasn’t any fault of your own that you’d asked Joel if the date could extend a little longer. It’d been a month of getting to see him in this light, open and unguarded, generous with giving those slow, easy smiles. Willing to lay down across your lap like this when you asked sweetly enough. 

The small mouth of a fish breaks the surface of the water as you trace along his hairline, disappearing by the time you run the pad of your finger down his nose. His lips twitch as he continues to ward off sleep. This time, there’s no stopping a soft laugh from rising up your throat. That’s all it takes for his eyes to flutter open, blinking until they’re able to focus on the soft upturn of your lips. No sooner do they avert to the sky, assessing the fleeting light. 

“We gotta head back now,” his voice is gruff. When he moves to sit up, you place a delicate hand on the center of his chest and he settles back down with a sigh. “C’mon, sweetheart, the sun’s setting. I don’t want you out here in the dark.” 

Packing up and riding back to the commune meant this moment would be resigned to a memory. “A few more minutes won’t hurt,” you insist. 

Before Jackson and before you, every second was about enduring to the next. Life was an endless onwards, onwards, onwards reverberating through his veins. Slowing down was always a risk until you showed him that sometimes life’s most worthwhile moments were in the stillness. Somedays that was easier to remember than others, but he sure did put in an effort. 

“I think you’re enjoying this more than I am anyways,” you tease. The corners of his lips quirk upwards before he can stop them. 

You continue on like that, tracing his face, occasionally glancing up at the snow-capped peaks of the mountains. Then an animal catches your attention across the way, lean and tall with short antlers protruding from its head. You suck in a breath of pleasant surprise, and Joel startles upright thinking the worst. His shoulders relax when he sees the creature. It bends its neck down to nibble at something in the grass until deciding to gallop away. 

“Just a mule deer.” He gives you a look. 

“I know, sorry. I get excited.” You offer an apologetic smile and he's reminded of how beautiful you look in the light of the setting sun, features aglow. He doesn’t say anything, just soaks you in here and now. An airiness fills your chest. 

He stands with a groan, extending a helping hand back down to you. When you’re steady on your feet, he takes your chin in one gentle hand and tilts your head back so he can align his lips with yours. The kiss is brief, and he follows it up with a soft peck.  

“Will you let me take you back home now?” he questions. “Ellie’s gonna have our heads if we’re late for game night. Especially when she’s choosing the line up.” 

•••

No heads roll that night. Plenty of dice do, while Uno cards are slapped onto the coffee table, and Jenga blocks fall. Tommy, Maria, Dina, and your uncle Nate, eventually file out of Joel’s house, leaving the three of you alone. Ellie feigns sleep on the couch as soon as it’s time for cleanup, and dozes off for real as you and Joel start taking care of everything yourselves. 

He steps up behind you as you’re standing at the kitchen sink, snaking his arms around your middle. A curious hum rises up your throat as you lean back into him. 

“I think somebody cheated during Jenga tonight,” he hushes against the shell of your ear, relishing the way you shiver at the warmth of his breath.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”  

Joel noses at the back of your head. “So you weren’t the one touchin’ me during that last round?” he asks. “Scratching my back, squeezing my thigh.” 

“It was innocent,” you insist. “It's a stressful game, I was just trying to ease your nerves. How was I supposed to know your hands would get all shaky?” 

A sudden chuckle shakes his chest, sending a ripple of warmth through you. “Ease my nerves? We weren’t even on the same team.” His fingers squeeze your hips in quick, gentle pulses, making you arch into him in a spell of helpless giggles. Joel evades your attempts to grab his wrists, but shows you mercy when you turn around, looking up at him through your lashes like you could do no wrong. 

“You’re lucky I happen to like you an awful lot.” He places both hands on the counter behind you, effectively caging you in. 

You smooth your hands up his chest, admiring the soft lines by his eyes, the handsome bump of his nose. “I know. I’m the luckiest person alive.” 

“No, that’s me,” Joel whispers. 

He’s certain of it. 

- 

Thank you so much for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts, it’s my favorite thing.

[asgards-princess-of-mischief]

Last Updated: 2023-12-25

Disclaimer: I am not the author of these stories, just sharing my favourite Lucifer Morningstar stories. Find the authors' links below. If you want your work removed, message me privately.

Legend: 〔E〕 ⇢ Erotic/Steamy | 〔F〕 ⇢ Fluff | 〔A〕 ⇢ Angst/Hurt 〔M〕 ⇢ Minor Angst/Hurt | 〔C〕 ⇢ Comfort | ♥︎ ⇢ Established Relationship | 𑁍 ⇢ Pregnancy/Children | 🚫 ⇢ Content Warning

❆ Christmas Blues by bubblyani • 〔F〕 •

Summary: "Los Angeles, it has always been a spectacle. But it seems to double in spirit, especially during Christmas time."

❆ Baby It's Cold Outside by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 •

❆ Christmas in L.A. by ayanna-wild • 〔F〕 •

❆ Eve Proposal by the-writer-ofthe-fandoms • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

❆ Hot Chocolate by the-writer-ofthe-fandoms • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •

❆ Tradition, the by silence-burns • 〔F〕 •

See Also: Navigation || Lucifer Morningstar Master Index

Authors: @ayanna-wild || @bubblyani || @silence-burns || @the-writer-ofthe-fandoms ||

[janiehellion]

After Hours Duty

ONESHOT

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: You thought your job as the babysitter of Lucifer's daughter would keep you safe from temptation and you never expected to be tempted by him. But when the opportunity arises, you find it impossible to maintain your professional distance.

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR X FEM!READER

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: SMUT

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 2.638

MASTERLIST

"Would you like anything else, sir?" you asked, turning around to the man who had just spoken to you. But he shook his head, and you smiled as he walked away. You followed him with your eyes for a moment, then rested your head back against the couch as soon as you sat down on it.

Too bad you're not the hit-and-run type; otherwise, you would have taken advantage of the situation already. But these things didn't interest you, especially since you were babysitting that man's daughter. You didn't believe in love at first sight or anything like that anyway. Let alone with a man who was literally walking and talking sex on legs.

You sighed, crossing your hands behind your neck and stretching your legs out in front of you, when suddenly, a cough made you reopen your eyes quickly. You looked around and found him in front of you again, looking at you with a drink in his hand.

"Excuse me, but can you move, my dear? I usually sit there to relax after a long day."

Fuck, and you thought you would have the couch all to yourself this time. But you nodded quietly and moved your legs, since this wasn't your home after all.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Lucifer turned to look at you and smirked slightly when he realized that you were clearly staring at him from the corner of your eyes. Embarrassed, you smiled back as soon as you noticed. You knew that you couldn't stare at a man just like that, especially if he looked like he was crafted by God himself.

You took a deep breath to calm down and tried to relax again. While looking for your mobile phone to at least distract yourself, your hand touched his, and instantly, you felt chills running through your body, turning into a throbbing ache between your legs.

"So, my daughter is finally in bed and sleeping? It would've taken me hours, if I'm honest here. You're good at what you do, but I don't think that's the only thing you're good at."

"Excuse me, sir?"

You didn't know what else to say, and you didn't want to answer. You had other things on your mind, and apparently, he knew all about it.

But after a couple of minutes of silence, you finally felt calmer. Lucifer still smiled at you every now and then, slightly biting his lower lip, and glanced towards the bathroom, until he soon stood up and walked away, disappearing into the room. That clearly was an invitation, wasn't it? But what if you were misunderstanding everything?

You shook your head. No, you definitely didn't misunderstand what he was hinting at. He looked at you first, then the bathroom, then you again, with a smirk and he was definitely biting his lower lip. But that damn smirk...

You immediately got up from the couch and walked towards the bathroom, but as soon as you reached the door, you stopped. What the hell were you doing? You are the babysitter for that man's daughter! You couldn't do that... Right?

Still, you reached out for the door and slowly opened it. You knew that you just couldn't simply resist, even if this went against all of your principles, especially regarding your work. But you opened the door completely, and there he was, with his hands resting on the sink. When he noticed you, he lifted his head and smiled at you through the mirror and when you walked into the bathroom and finally closed the door behind you, he smiled again and whispered, "I was hoping you would join me."

He turned around to you, and after taking you by the collar of your shirt, he pulled you to him and kissed you slowly but roughly. As if on command, you slipped your hands into his hair and he pushed you towards the sink, making you sit on it. Meanwhile, your kiss had become more passionate. Your tongues were all over each other and you couldn't imagine how it would feel when things got heavier. All you could do in this moment was to let it happen and to not resist.

"Tell me... what is it you truly desire?" He suddenly whispered against your lips.

"You," you whispered back, your voice trembling with need. "I wanted you from the first moment I saw you."

Your words seemed to activate something primal in him. His grip on your hips tightened, his fingers digging into your flesh as he pressed you harder against the sink. He moved his mouth to your neck, kissing and biting you so hard that it made you moan loudly, your body arching into his touch.

Lucifer's hand slipped under your shirt, roughly ripping it off and pulling off your bra to expose your tits. His mouth quickly found one nipple, sucking and nibbling on it, while his other hand squeezed and teased the other. The feeling was overwhelming and you could feel the heat between your legs—the same throbbing ache from before that had always begged for more of this man.

But Lucifer pulled away suddenly, leaving you gasping for air. His eyes were dark, filled with lust and something deeper, something that seemed almost dangerous. "Tell me," he demanded. "Tell me how much you want me."

"I want you so badly," you whispered, barely able to speak. "I need you, Lucifer. Please. I want you."

He only smirked as he spun you around, quickly bending you over the sink without any other words. His hands were all over your body, roughly pulling down your pants and panties in a few quick movements. You felt the air against your naked skin, followed by the warmth of his body pressing against yours.

Without warning, his hand came down hard on your ass, the sting of the slap sending pain straight through your whole body like a lightning strike. He did it again and again, spanking you harder and harder, each time making you cry out, your legs trembling for more.

"You're mine now. Do you understand? Mine," he growled.

"Yes," you moaned, your voice sounding like a desperate whimper. "I'm yours."

He rewarded you in an instant by slipping a finger between your legs, finding your pussy already wet and aching for more of him. He teased you mercilessly, rubbing your clit in slow, torturous circles, making you moan and writhe beneath him and just when you thought you couldn't take any more of it, he slid two fingers inside your pussy, thrusting them in and out deep and hard.

Your body reacted instantly, your pussy clenching around his fingers as he fingered you roughly and soon, you could feel the edge of your orgasm approaching, but just as you were about to come all over his hand, he pulled his fingers out, leaving your pussy empty and desperate.

You whimpered in frustration, but Lucifer only laughed—a laugh that made your whole body shiver. Without giving you any time to react or complain, he spread your legs wider, positioning himself behind you. But instead of fucking you, he knelt down, his hands gripping your thighs roughly.

Soon enough, you felt the warmth of his breath against your dripping wet pussy, and then the first touch of his tongue, a slow, punishing lick from your clit to your asshole. The sensation was new, it was electric, and you moaned loudly, your hands gripping the edge of the sink tightly for more support.

Meanwhile, Lucifer's tongue moved with skill, teasing and tasting you with slow, torturous licks and quick lickings of his tongue. He chose between swirling his tongue around your clit and plunging it deep inside your pussy, eating you out in a way that left you breathless and trembling.

He soon sucked on your clit, sucking it into his mouth and rolling it between his lips and the pressure was just enough to make you see stars, your eyes rolling back, and Lucifer seemed to know exactly what you needed—when to slow down and when to push you closer to the edge of an orgasm.

You rocked your hips back slightly against his mouth, desperate for more, but he kept you just on the edge, bringing you close to orgasm, only to pull back and leave you pleading for more, and each time you tried to feel more of him, he simply stopped completely.

"Please," you begged, your voice cracking slightly. "Please, Lucifer, fuck! Just let me come..."

He growled against your pussy, pulling back a little bit. "Not until I say so," he answered.

Then he slipped two fingers inside you again, curling them just right to hit your G-spot and rub against it as he continued to give attention to your clit with his mouth. The combination was devastating, and you could feel the orgasm coming close again, more intense this time, almost unstoppable.

He thrust his fingers deeper and faster while his tongue worked your clit and as you were right on the edge, your whole body tensed, ready to explode.

"Come for me," he said, finally giving you permission to come. "Now. Come for me."

Your orgasm hit you hard, your body shaking as the climax went through you. You screamed out loudly, your vision blurring, but he didn't stop nor did he pull away. His mouth and fingers were thoroughly prolonging your orgasm until you thought you might pass out from the intensity of it.

When you finally came down slowly, you were shaking, barely able to stand straight anymore. Lucifer got up on his feet, his lips wet with your pussy juices, and kissed you deeply from behind, letting you taste yourself on his tongue. You moaned into his mouth, still trembling from the aftershocks.

Soon, he pulled back slightly, looking into your eyes with a for now satisfied smile. "Now," he murmured full of pride. "Now you're ready for me."

He pushed you down, bending you over the sink again, and positioned himself behind you. This time, he didn't tease you anymore. As soon as he got rid of his own pants, he was quickly inside you, filling your pussy with his cock completely. The sudden feeling was so intense, so overwhelming, that you cried out, your body arching back against him. But he didn't give you a moment to adjust to his cock, pulling out almost completely before slamming back into you, fucking you with a punishing rhythm that had you whimpering and moaning with every thrust.

Lucifer's hands gripped your hips, holding you in place as he fucked you hard and deep, each movement hitting you just right. Soon, you could feel another orgasm approaching again, and this time he didn't stop you from coming.

You screamed again as you came, your pussy clenching around his cock and sucking him in deeper, almost greedily so. He couldn't resist anymore and followed moments later, letting out a loud groan but he continued to move inside you until you were both done, trembling and breathless.

When he finally pulled out of your pussy, you collapsed against the sink, barely able to stand anymore just like when he fingered you. Noticing it, Lucifer wrapped his arms around you, holding you close as you both tried to catch your breath.

"Sir..." you finally managed to say, your voice hoarse and your knees weak.

Lucifer's smile seemed satisfied, but you? Well, the realization of what had just happened hit you like a ton of bricks and worse. The heat of the moment disappeared, replaced by the reality of your situation. You were the babysitter. You had just had a quick but intense, forbidden fuck with the father of the child you were supposed to be looking after.

Unable to stop thinking about that fact, you immediately pulled away from him, almost falling to the ground, feeling very guilty and ashamed. "Oh my God," you whispered, covering your face with your hands as you leaned back against the bathroom wall. "What did we just do? This can't be happening..."

"God? Oh, believe me, my dear, I certainly bet he enjoyed the show," Lucifer said and arched an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I mean, what does it look like we just did?" he asked, teasing you again.

Your face turned bright red. "I can't believe this! I'm supposed to be babysitting your daughter, and not..." You gestured around, unable to find the right words.

"And not getting thoroughly fucked by her father?" He teased you again, his eyes staring at you and not looking away.

"Sir..." you began, awkwardness coming over you as you looked down and grabbed your clothes, fumbling around quickly to put them on as fast as you could. "I should probably leave! This is... this is all so wrong. I'm the babysitter, and we shouldn’t be doing this!"

Lucifer stepped closer, his fingers gently lifting up your chin, so you had no choice but to look into his eyes. "Wrong? You think this was wrong? Do you really?" He asked you with a playful smile. "You seem to be assuming that something consensual and desired could be wrong."

Your face flushed red even more and you bit your lip, struggling to remain professional, or rather, to even act professional again at all. "It's just... it's really inappropriate! I'm here to take care of your daughter, not to..."

"Not to what?" he teased you further and took a step closer to you. "Not to fuck with me? Not us fucking with each other, which is something that we both clearly want? Or not to give in to your deepest desire?"

You sighed, shaking your head slightly, still feeling the wetness and cum between your legs that has continued to slowly drip into your panties. "Hell, have mercy... It's... It’s just complicated, okay! I mean, you’re literally my employer, and—"

Lucifer laughed out loud and shook his head. "Is that really what’s bothering you? The employer-employee nonsense? Or is it something else? Tell me."

"Okay, okay! Listen! I just... I don’t want things to get messy," you admitted, still feeling more embarrassed by the second. "And maybe I don’t want you to think less of me for... for giving in to the temptation."

He took a step back, giving you space while still looking directly into your eyes. "Think less of you? Darling, you have no idea how much I’ve thought about this. About you." His voice turned into a low whisper, his eyes looking darker than usual. "How much I like you. How much I like seeing you bend over like that."

You paused, your breath stopping in your throat. "Wait, wait, wait! You... like me?"

Lucifer nodded. "Yes? More than is probably wise, given our current work arrangement."

You swallowed hard, feeling both relief and confusion. "But why didn’t you say anything before then?"

"Timing is everything," he said with a shrug, stepping closer to you again. "And perhaps I was waiting for the right moment. Or perhaps I enjoyed watching you squirm. Perhaps, yes... perhaps I enjoyed watching your resistance breaking down bit by bit, until you couldn't even take it anymore."

You laughed nervously, shaking your head, trying to hide the blush of embarrassment. "You really are some sort of devil, aren’t you?"

He grinned mischievously at you. "Oh, I certainly am, in more ways than one, believe me, my dear. But if you feel the same way about this little situation? No pressure, no rush. Just... us."

You looked up at him, feeling all fuzzy inside. "You know what? I think... I think I’d like that."

Lucifer’s smile softened, and he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, his mouth soon enough right next to it. "Good. Because I can assure you that we’re just getting started."

[joszns]

caught red handed ✭

perv!ellie x fem!reader

warnings: ellie’s a lil perv, panty sniffing, mild degradation, masturbation, fingering, 18+, men and minors DNI. I think that’s all!

“oh fuck, fuck, right there!” you whimpered, ellie’s strap pounding into you. she grunted, a bead of sweat dropping onto your arched back.

she grabbed your hips as a way to steady herself, obsessed with the way your ass bounced with every deep thrust.

“im gonna cum, ellie, m-gonna!!” incoherent babbles and sobs left your throat as you neared your peak.

“ellie…ellie…ellie…ELLIE!”

she groaned, rolling onto her side.

you leaned against her doorframe, sweatpants resting low on your hips, crop top cut high. how she wished she could actually touch you underneath those clothes, but all she could do was just be a fucking peeping tom.

“what do you want?” ellie replied lazily, clenching her thighs together. she felt her arousal, silently cursing you for interrupting her dream.

and for just waking her up in general. she values sleep very much.

“im about to go grocery shopping. do you want me to get you anything??” you asked.

“just like…some popcorn…can I text you this later?” ellie asked, rolling back over and snuggling into the covers. she heard you sigh, peeking out from behind them to make sure you had gone. when she heard the door slam, she was safe.

she quickly got up and went into your room, sifting through your laundry until she found a pair of panties. ellie held the slightly damp fabric to her nose, whimpering at the scent of you. she felt more heat pool between her legs, her clit throbbing against her boxers.

ellie returned to her room, shutting the door behind her and shoving her hand into her boxers. she whined, her sopping cunt finally getting the attention it deserved. she inhaled deeply, breathing in and memorizing how you smelled.

“fuck…”

her fingers circled her clit, knees buckling as she slid down the door. she opened her mouth, allowing your panties to fall on her tongue. ellie moaned, fully soaking through the panties with her saliva. her mind began to wander, picturing you twitching and trembling on her tongue as she would eat you out.

how she wished she could.

she was so jealous of every girl you brought home, wishing she was the one making you moan and cry out in pleasure.

ellie scrambled up and went towards her bed, covering herself before continuing to assault her clit.

“ellie, you never texted me what you wanted so you get your own shit or use what I got!” you shouted, placing the grocery bags on the counter.

oh fuck.

“ellie! where are you?” you called out, walking down the hallway and stopping at her door.

she whined, desperately trying to make herself finish before you came in.

“what are you doing…” you opened her door to see ellie quickly hiding something, her hair messy and face flushed.

“sorry i was…working out.” she lied.

“in your bed, under the covers?”

“yeah. not weird at all.”

you looked at her quizzically, stepping further into the room,

“i see some boxers on the floor, are you lying to me, williams?” you asked, approaching her bed.

ellie’s heart raced.

“um..” she stammered.

“were you jacking off?” you pressed on, running a nail down her exposed collarbones.

“i-maybe…” ellie practically whimpered, her clit throbbing beneath the covers.

“yeah? i hope you know, ellie, i can see my panties back there.”

she flushed red, your observation making her even more aroused.

god, she was fucking nasty.

“did i interrupt you before you finished? poor thing…” you whispered into her ear, ghosting your fingers over her tank top covered breasts. her bare nipples ticled your palm as you traced circles into the fabric.

ellie breathed heavily in response.

“such a pervert…” you teased, now massaging her breasts with your whole hand.

“‘s true..” she whimpered, clenching her thighs together. “im fuckin’ nasty, baby.”

you leaned closer to her face, noses brushing against eachother.

“ive noticed how you watch me undress sometimes,” you continued, sliding your hand under the covers and lightly tracing your finger over her sopping cunt. “why do you think i always start groping myself huh? why i put on a show whenever my girls come over?”

she felt like she was gonna explode. her eyes flicked from your lips to your eyes, struggling to focus as your slowly teased her.

“please…” ellie moaned softly, pushing her hips into your palm.

“please what? want me to give in to your fantasies, ellie?” you said, leaning even closer.

she pushed her hips into your palm again, moaning at the contact. you closed the space between you two, firmly pressing your lips onto hers. you applied pressure to her clit, rubbing circles over the sensitive bud. ellie moaned into the kiss, gripping the covers until her knuckles still white as she tried to process what was happening.

you pushed your other hand up her shirt, groping ellies tits. she grabbed your waist, aggressively feeling you up like her life depended on it. she was going absolutely insane. you pulled away from her, watching your fingers work into ellies cunt while she moaned and trembled.

“why don’t you shut up and put my panties back in your mouth huh?” you said as ellie cried out.

goddamn.

this might just be the best night of her life.

[ellieslittleslutt]

Two Clicks Away

streamer!ellie x streamer!reader

cw: fluff??? idk tbh but mainly js ellie being a loser

When ellie first started out on twitch she didnt have much followers nor viewers. she would sit at her shitty setup playing mainly resident evil 4 and fortnite. she would mainly just be talking to herself cursing out little kids when they killed her. ellie quickly grew over time getting over 500k followers and she had girls practically going FERAL over her “dominate me- WOAH THERE”

during her 500k special stream, she was going through the videos all her viewers sent her some were… questionable. she was sent a video of you. it was a clip from one of your streams basically just you yapping, a viewer in the chat asked you about your opinion on ellie “ thoughts on ellie williams? yeah she’s great! i really enjoy her minecraft and animal crossing streams, it’s so funny watching her rage over tom nook” you were laughing and the clip was basically you fangirling over her you face read and stumbling over your words.

ellies face was RED. she was blushing so much and she trying to hold back her nervous giggles, the truth is that she has had a massive crush on you ever since you started growing enjoying all your streams watching them all too nervous tp talk in the chat. what she didn't know is that you watched al her streams too.

the clip of Ellie getting all flustered on stream was going around on instagram, twitter, tumblr, reddit, anywhere she had a fans on really. it soon caught your attention and you saw how nervous she got at the clip so you decided to dm her on insta

bugwbitess: hey :)

what ellie didn't know is that you have such a huge crush on her keeping a folder of edits of ellie on you tik tok. ellie was doing a stream of shitty roblox horror games and she was scared out of her mind but wouldn’t let her viewers know. she saw the notification ‘bugbitess sent you a message.’ she was taking a break when you sent her the message “hack… fuck.. cough… oh shit.. wheeze..”

after the brief moment of panicking she soon mustered up the courage to reply and tried to seem like she didnt just almost choke because a cute girl was in her dms.

dinodestroyer: heyyy

‘fuck was that too many y’s?’ she mumbled to herself almost shaking holding her phone. “sorry about that chat i’m back” she says with an awkward chuckle and going back to the game.

the second you saw her message your face heated up red. you had no idea how much she was panicking and she had no idea how much you were too. “why the fuck are there so many y’s?” you say a loud with a slight giggle. you thought it was cute like she was nervous or something.

bugbitess: by any chance would you be interested in a colab? ik it’s a long shot but it’ll be fun :)

you thought it was probably very straight forward and soon but fuck it you like her and you’re pretty sure she likes you.

🦖

ellie didn’t reply for a while, first off because she wanted to finish her stream, secondly because she wanted to seem like she wasn’t waiting desperately by the phone (looking back at that she realizes that was probably a dick move). when she did reply it was 2 am so she was surprised to see you awake.

dinodestroyer: yeah ofc i would love that! when were you thinking of?

bugbitess: minecraft sound good?

dinodestroyer: sounds great i’ll call you on disc tomorrow 8 pm :)

bugbitess: see you then!

the truth is that ellie really hated minecraft. like seriously rage quits it too much for a healthy amount.. but since it was a cute girl asking her she of course had to say yes.

the next day when you guys started up the stream the chat was so confused “okay so bugbites is here and we’re playing minecraft today which i’m extremely good at” ellie says proudly and you just laugh “sure you are” you say starting up the game.

“dude what the fuck is thi- AGHH!” ellie screeched her voice cracking, you were saving her from a zombie spawner trying your best not to fold over laughing.

after a few hours of playing together ellie finally rage quit because she suffocated in gravel, “you shouldn’t be able to drown in gravel that’s just stupid!” she complained. “calm down it’s video game logic” you giggle .you guys end the stream but stay on call a little longer just to talk. “ellie?” you ask while she was drawing doing her own thing “yeah?”

“would you like to go out with me?”

an: erm so this is my first time writing an actual one shot so please be nice. I LOVE HER SM OMG OMG KMG

[cannibalcoyote]

Unraveled Ch.8: Dull

Ch.7 Ch.9

"Cocaine though... Must be a one-off." Ellie spoke as Alec poured himself a cup of tea.

"They're not that type of family, Chloe's not that type of girl." Ellie continued to say - though she seemed to be attempting to reassure herself. Her hands on her hips as she observed Alec at the kitchen; myself standing to the side of Alec, peering through the blinds to the gray sky.

"Nobody ever is." Alec states in response, continuing to make his bitter tea.

My mind drifts away from the conversation, it's not that I'm uninterested, it's just that I can't seem to focus. What Jack said to me at his shop still replays in my mind, the confrontation still fresh. I just can't believe he would say that to me, after how close we've gotten, I've even started to think of him like a second father. I understand why he doesn't want to tell anyone, but he should know that I would never break my promise, and that him threatening to tell others of my experience frightens me more than anything.

In my peripheral I notice Ellie walking away, probably something to do with the dull phone ring I heard a few seconds ago. Shaking my thoughts away, I attempt to settle back into reality when I hear someone - I presume to be Alec - speedily walking out of the door and down the hallway. I turn just in time to see the door close, quickly following after him. I just manage to catch a glimpse of him as he slips into the restroom. I'm a little confused as to why he left in such a hurry, it's not like we haven't had the restroom available at all times.

I decide to just go back into the room and wait for him to return, sipping the bitter tea he made whilst daydreaming.

_______

Alec walks back into the office and I quickly put down the now empty mug, slowly walking after him until he enters his private office. Deciding to give him his space I head over to my own desk.

The workers in here still make me uncomfortable, their eyes are scanning everything, and I don't like how that one guy is looking at Frank's desk. Having strangers here in general makes me uncomfortable, though there ain't much we can do about that at the moment.

I glance up as I hear Ellie telling off a phone line guy, this guy specifically makes me feel nauseous. I don't know why, but just being in the same room as him makes me uncomfortable, uncomfortable to the point of having an internal argument on whether I should just continue working at my desk or walk into Alec's office with my laptop and continue work from his couch. However, I don't have time to decide as Alec quickly strides out of his office, calling for us to follow him.

"Carlisle, Miller. Postman, come on." He speaks as he shoves on his jacket, not even sparing us a glance. Ellie pushes me forward as I stumble back into reality, hastily tossing on my jacket as well before following after Alec.

_______

We're out here in a nice, quiet part of town. I remember looking for a house out here, but everyone living in this area has a family, and being around them just made me sad. The children of said families either reminded me of Pippa or Daisy, both of which left me feeling guilty, ashamed, and morose.

Deciding I need to pull myself together and get back into this investigation I listen carefully to Kevin. He's a nice lad. I've seen him a couple of times on my occasional early morning walks, but we've never said any more than 'hello's' or just the normal greetings.

"Yeah, that's my round, up past Briar Cliff." He responds, hands shoved in his pockets casually.

"And did you work the route last month?" Ellie questions, hands folded politely in front of her as she awaits his answer.

"I think I've done every delivery out there for the past eight or nine weeks, I'd say." Kevin states as he estimates how long he's been working his route, glancing slightly between Ellie, Alec, and myself.

Ellie also gives the both of us a small glance, about to say something before I decided to speak,

"Did you ever see Daniel Latimer during your rounds?" My voice is steady, holding no accusation, maintaining a neutral tone.

"Yeah, all the time. He used to deliver papers up there to a couple of houses, including the hut... When I heard, I thought, 'I've only seen him a couple of days previous'." I can tell he's answering honestly, I really don't think Kevin was involved, but I know we have to be thorough and be completely sure.

Stepping back I allow Ellie to continue her questioning,

"And did you ever talk to him? I'm thinking particularly the last week in June."

"I might've waved, and maybe said 'hello'. I didn't really know him to talk to." Kevin replied, his voice holding a hint of confusion as to why last week in June was important.

"That's it? Just 'hello'?" Ellie clarifies, her mind likely wondering as to why the information Jack gave us isn't adding up, myself wondering the same thing.

"What else would I say?" Kevin asks, curious as to what else he would say and why he is even being questioned about it.

An empty pause fills the atmosphere, the information we were given isn't adding up. I look over to Alec's stern and stoic figure, he hasn't said a thing the entire time, just listening and reading Kevin's body language. As the silence drags on, Kevin's curiosity turns into confusion, his mind now realizing that something must've been said about him that led the police to warrant questioning him.

"You didn't ever have a conversation with him?"Ellie breaks the pause

"No" Kevin responds.

"Or an argument?" Alec's voice is steady and calm, he must also know that Kevin is more than likely not a suspect. I cross my arms and glance away from him as I listen to Kevin's answer,

"What am I gonna be arguing with a paper lad about?" He responds, probably a little weirded out as to why they would ask if he ever argued with Danny.

"And where were you Thursday night?" Ellie continues, asking him for his alibi.

"Thursday, I'd have been with the boys. We got hammered. Six of us, there was. Finished at 4:00, My missus woke me up at 7:00, I was out cold." Kevin explained, nodding his head as he remembered his whereabouts.

"We're gonna need the names of all those you were with." Ellie replies, Alec glancing over at her before going to me, then back to Kevin.

"But I mean, you don't think I had anything to do with it?" Kevin concerningly asks, pointing at himself in disbelief.

"Oh, it's just to rule things out. Nothing to worry about."

"Alright, thank you Kevin." I quickly say as I attempt to draw Alec's attention away from Ellie, pushing them forwards.

I can almost feel Alec's struggle to hold back telling her to shut up. The questioning was going good, and Ellie is doing fairly well for her first murder, but her and Alec will most definitely continue to butt-heads on this case.

"Don't say that." Alec speaks in a quiet and frankly tired tone, being careful to not allow Kevin to hear their conversation.

"Don't say what?"Ellie asks, confused as to what she's done this time."

"No need to worry." Alec replies.

"Why not?" Ellie questions, finding no fault in her past words.

"Don't reassure people. Let them talk." Alec states. Hearing him talk like this reminds me of when he would be forced to mentor new recruits back at our old station.

"Can I just say, you can't just walk up here and try to mold me. I know what I'm doing, and I know how to handle people. And you can keep your broody bullshit shtick to yourself." Ellie frustratingly rants for a moment as they approach her car.

Releasing a tired sigh I lazily grab Ellie's arm and pull her away from the car and a little down the sidewalk.

"What are you doing?" Ellie questions, still frustrated from her prior conversation.

"Ellie, I get that you don't like our new boss, but that doesn't mean you ignore everything he says!" I grunt as I glance over to see Alec leaning against Ellie's car.

"Don't tell me you're taking his side!" She responds, now even more frustrated.

"Listen, whether you like him or not, what he is saying should not be ignored. You shouldn't have reassured Kevin, he would have continued talking had you not said that." I explain calmly.

Her expression goes from frustrated to conflicted, hopefully my words get through to her, the last thing we need is for her to make her first murder case harder than it already is.

She releases a quiet sigh before looking up at me, giving a small nod. I smile in reassurance before giving her a playful shove and walking off to my car.

_______

I decide to take a detour, sending a quick text to Ellie before turning my car away from the station, instead heading towards the grocery store.

The real reason I postponed going back to the station was because I needed a breath of air away from everything. With everything that's going on, feeling bad and haunted by my past makes me feel selfish, but that doesn't stop my memories from affecting me; I feel disgusted and shameful of myself, I should be worrying about Beth and finding Danny's murderer, not worrying about what happened to me.

I pull into my parking spot, the steady foot and car traffic isn't really helpful, but it's a welcome change from the foot traffic of the phone men in our office.

I just sit in there, my eyes glazed over as I stare through the windshield, trying to convince myself to get out and buy something I want to eat. The only thing that awakens me from my internal thoughts is the sound of a loud scrape.

I jump in my seat, praying it's not a crash that will require my attention. Instead of finding two drivers arguing, I see Beth, who, in a fit of rage, is slamming her hands against her car.

My recent thoughts forgotten, I speedily shove my door open, and run towards Beth. I grab her arms lightly but firmly, attempting to stop her from hitting the car and possibly hurting herself.

"Beth...Beth stop." I calmly speak as her rage simmers down, only her sadness remaining as she leans herself against me, slowly crouching to the ground, myself following.

I can hear someone else calling her name, but I'm too focused on her to care. I only realize it's Paul when he crouches down across from us, a concerned look displayed upon his face.

"Are you alright?" His question is obvious and stupid, but it is what you would expect anyone to ask. Though I saw his question coming, Beth's answer was far from expected.

It takes her a few moments before she responds, her entire face seeming dazed at everything that is truly happening to her.

"I'm pregnant." She states, leaning against the car as though both physically and mentally exhausted. Her response shocks me, I can only imagine how this affected her when she first found out.

Shaking myself out of my thought-filled daze, I assist Paul in helping Beth up, Paul lifting her by her left hand whilst I provide stability on the other side.

We sit in her trunk for about a minute before Paul breaks our silence.

"Have you told anyone?" His question was, once again, obviously going to be asked. But that's not to say that it hadn't preoccupied my mind for the past 60 seconds.

"I only found out about two weeks ago." Came Beth's reply. Usually when someone talks about their pregnancy they are filled with happiness, but with Beth I can hear how exhausted she is.

"You don't want to tell Mark?" Paul asks as he glances over at her.

"It's complicated" Was Beth's short reply.

"Of course." Paul accepted, though you could see the worry and confusion at her current situation.

Placing my hand gently on her shoulder, I give her a small smile as she glances at me.

"Do you have anyone you can talk to? Your mum, maybe?" I question calmly.

"No. Not now, and don't you go telling her either." Beth states, her voice serious and her tone final.

Another silence ensues for a couple of moments, and I know for a fact that Paul is going to ask her another question. As much as I love Paul, he tends to ask a lot of questions whenever he's in a situation like this.

"What are you gonna do?" He questions, I hide my grim smirk, knowing now is not the time to find humor in knowing your friends so well.

"Can you stop asking me bloody questions?" Beth retaliates, beginning to become frustrated.

"Beth, you know he isn't trying to upset you." I state, trying to calm her growing tension and Paul's growing uncomfortableness.

"No, no, it's alright, I do ask a lot of questions, apparently." Paul explains.

"I'll leave you alone." Paul continues, standing up, nodding his head to both Beth and myself before heading on his way.

I can practically hear Beth thinking, though I don't know what to say. So much has happened in such a short amount of time, and finding out your pregnant after your son's murdered must be a very shocking and unnerving thing to deal with.

"Beth.. I know you don't want to talk about this, and that's okay, but are you going to be alright on your way home?" I question softly, trying not to enrage the already on-edge Beth. She simply gazes forward at the bustling people before glancing towards myself, offering a short smile before replying.

"I'll be fine Els, you go on." Her voice is strained, almost as though her body has had no rest in quite awhile. Unsure of her answer I simply nod and get up to leave, but not before saying,

"If you ever want to talk, whether it's just in general or about this, I'm always here." I state comfortingly before nodding to her and heading off to my car, the thought of buying myself a snack long having left my mind.

Ch.7 Ch.9

[xdaddysprincessxx]

That devil is a cheeky little bastard. Oh but I do love him 😍❤️‍🔥 ugh of course only he would pop up and use his powers to make you cum in a car full of people 🤤

One Hell of a Ride

Part of miniseries The Devil in Me (can be read alone) part 1 part 2

Pairing: DEVIL!Dieter Bravo × fem!reader (no use of y/n)

Genre: smut

Warnings: 18+, minors dni, shameless porn, voyeurism, supernatural exhibitionism, daddy kink, praise kink, breast play, biting, vampirism, unprotected piv, m and f masturbation, creampie, lmk if I missed smth

Summary: The Devil, your horny lover, appears in your car and wants to give you the ride of your life. He doesn’t care that you are not alone. Do you?

Word count: 1,9k

A/n: thank you to everyone who supported this series and my writing, your comments and reblogs inspire me very much<3 Enjoy!😈

You left your city apartment with your PA, Becca, and two bodyguards at your side, ready to drive to some high-end restaurant for a magazine interview. Your stylist chose a simple but striking look: a white blouse and a red mini skirt with high-heeled sandals. Outside, you were met with a cheering crowd of fans and a pack of mildly irritating paparazzi. 

Your huge bodyguards, Bill and Tom, were escorting you to the car. You never had any stalkers or overzealous fans, thanks to the Devil giving you a perfect life on a golden platter, but you needed to act the part. Becca, was hurrying behind you, glued to her  phone and tapping on it from time to time. She was your right hand, juggling all your meetings, auditions, fittings, and shoots. She knew everything about your life, except for your relationship with the Devil, obviously. 

You all got into the back of a luxurious SUV.  Two rows of backseats were facing each other, and you sat between Becca and Bill, with Tom in the opposite row, next to the window. 

The car started driving along the busy city streets. “Smells of smoke,” Bill noted, and he immediately tensed, always ready to protect you. You also sensed the smell, but your reaction was different; giddiness and excitement warmed your heart as you associated it with your secret lover. Yet he wasn’t there. 

You were about to take out your phone and scroll through Instagram when you felt a familiar presence in the car. You glanced up and saw the owner of the smoke smell. The Devil was sitting in front of you next to Tom. The soft, dark waves of his curly hair were calling for your fingers. He was wearing a brown teddy fleece jacket with a green and white flannel shirt underneath, loose beige pants with blue patterns, and white sneakers. He looked hot. 

“Hi, baby,” he purred with a soft smile. 

Your eyes darted to the others in the car, but everybody was doing the same—Becca staring at her phone, the bodyguards scanning the streets through the window. Apparently, your companions couldn’t hear or see him. 

You weren’t startled by him, as he visited you quite often lately, always appearing out of thin air. But he never did it with people around, so you were getting more and more worried. You raised your eyebrows, asking him wordlessly, “What are you doing here?”

His Cheshire Cat smile made your stomach turn with nerves, as it always implied mischief. He couldn’t read your mind, but your expression was clear to him. 

“I was having such a boring day downstairs, want to play with my star.” His expression shifted as he looked at you with pleading eyes, but you felt confused. Surely, you couldn’t do anything at that moment. The slight shake of your head was a clear signal to him: “No.”

He pouted his plush lips and crossed his arms. You widened your eyes and darted your gaze to each person in the car with a silent “Not around them.”

He narrowed his eyes, leaned forward, placing his elbows on his thighs, and gave you his most salacious expression—obsidian half-lidded eyes, his tongue darting out to wet his lower lip. 

“Don’t worry, darling. They are completely unaware of my presence,” he assured you, and then, with molasses in his voice, he added, “Let me  make you really enjoy this ride.” You swallowed loudly and pressed your crossed legs together tighter, feeling your panties getting wet. 

As if anticipating that reaction, the Devil took it as a green light. He leaned back again and put his big hand on his thigh. Then he glided it forward, and you jolted at the feeling of something touching your knee. “What’s wrong?” Becca asked, having sensed your jerk, but still focusing on her phone. “Nothing,” you lied, and after making sure that she wasn’t paying attention to you, you glared at the Devil. 

“Oh, have I startled you?” he cooed with a shit eating grin. He drew the hand forward, and the invisible force mimicked his move, inching up under your skirt to the apex of your thigh. You fidgeted in your seat but remained silent. Bill turned his head to you for a second, and after you gave him a polite smile, he continued staring out of the window. 

Your appearance remained calm, but your booming heart was betraying you, making the Devil aware of the state his force was putting you in. He raised the other hand in front of his broad chest, and you felt something cupping your right breast under your top, an invisible thumb circling your hardening nipple. You fluttered your eyes shut, quickly drowning in your blossoming arousal, but a pinch of your sensitive bud made you snap them open. "Eyes on me, baby," he ordered in a strict tone.

At the back of your mind, you were still frantically contemplating the risks. He had the ability to vanish at any second, not that anyone could see him anyway.

You were a very talented actress; surely you could act cool if caught. So it was decided—you were in on the fun.

A corner of your mouth curled up in a smirk, and you uncrossed your legs slowly, trying not to draw any attention. The Devil beamed at you with lust seeping out of his eyes.

“That’s my naughty girl,” he purred, and he moved his hand that was previously caressing your breast to his huge bulge, tenting his soft pants. Your jaw dropped, and your eyes followed his movements as he tugged down the waistband, slid his hand under the material, and freed his ungodly large cock. You two had fucked just a couple of days ago, yet you missed it already, its powerful length and girth reminding you of the heavenly heights you ascended riding it. 

You felt your panties getting really soaked then. The people around you didn’t look like obstacles anymore. Your thoughts were spiraling around your desire for the Devil, and his veiny hand around his giant member didn’t make it easier for you. 

“I can cum just looking at you, baby, imagining you riding my cock.” He slowly glided his hand up from the base to the tip, making a drop of precum glisten on the bulbous head. The sight filled your mouth with saliva. It was as if your body was solely created to welcome his cock in your mouth and cunt. He started pumping himself up and down with precise and unhurried movements, leering at you from under his dark lashes. You bit your lip with pleading eyes. 

“Would you like me to play with your pussy, darling?” he asked, his breaths getting heavier. 

The ghost of his hand moved up, reaching your panties. As if to answer him, you opened your thighs just a little, and he placed his invisible fingers over your heat, flattening them and moving them in circles. You desperately wanted them on your skin. 

Using his power, the Devil sneaked his fingers under the side of your panties, and pulled them aside. In that position, with your legs slightly open in your mini skirt and panties out of the way, he could see your glistening folds perfectly. 

“I wish there were no one else here. I miss your taste in my mouth,” he whispered, his eyes glinting with carnal desire. “I’d make you scream so loud on my tongue.”

You felt the taste of copper in your mouth as his talk made you bite your lip again and again. His invisible fingers slid between your folds, and he began rubbing your clit at a tortuously slow pace. You wanted to move your hips to grind your cunt against his hand, but it was impossible without drawing the attention of the other passengers. The Devil was revelling in your desperation with a smug smirk on his face, yet you could sense that he was growing quite impatient himself. His hand began pulling on his cock faster, and his groans grew louder, reaching only your ears. 

“Do you want daddy’s cum in your pussy, baby? Or can I cum right here into my fist?”

He knew your answer—you always loved to be filled to the brim by him, still leaking his spend on your thighs long after your hook-ups. 

Yet when you lifted your hips a little, signaling to him where exactly you wanted his seed, his devilish grin told you that he wasn’t done playing with you yet. The hand on his cock slowed down, and he informed you of his conditions, panting slightly. 

“I tell you what, darling, if you cum right now, with the people around, I will pump you full. But if not...” he traced the tip of his leaking cock with his thumb. “If not, I will have to make a mess here.”

You always welcomed a challenge. You gave him a playful wink. Feeling the rush of excitement, you tried to concentrate on the pleasure: his invisible fingers slowly rubbing your throbbing clit, the sight of him pleasuring himself; the hunger in his eyes as he was leering at your dripping cunt. 

Suddenly, you felt the ghost touch under your blouse return. He began gently twitching your nipples, and that added contact sent you over the edge. Overwhelmed by the sensations, you felt the surge of heat descend from your stomach, your pussy fluttering and clenching around nothing. You shut your eyes and held your breath, and your whole body got rigid as your climax washed over you. You were sitting perfectly still, yet your mind was ablaze with scorching bliss. His force didn’t leave your body, prolonging your orgasm and making it more and more difficult to contain yourself. When you relaxed, his invisible hands disappeared, and you gave him a soft, satisfied smile. “Good girl!” he praised you, gave you a wink, and vanished, still holding his weeping cock.  

A few moments later, your car stopped at the restaurant, and having made the excuse that you needed to use the bathroom, you rushed to meet your lover. The Devil was waiting for you there, immediately enveloping you in his passionate embrace. He pulled you to the sinks, pressed your front to the countertop, pulled up your skirt, and tugged down your soaked panties. His lips found your neck as he impaled you on his throbbing cock, your slick letting him do it in one swift move. As he was railing you from behind, groaning carnally, in the bathroom mirror, you watched yourself grabbing his unruly curls as he was sucking on your neck and marking you with hickeys. When you reached your second orgasm, he bit the crease between your shoulder and the neck and licked the blood off. He quickly followed with his own release, spilling his hot seed inside you. Everything he gave you that day—the hickeys, the bite mark,  his cum dripping out of you—all of it was visible only to your eyes, as the Devil remained your most precious secret. 

😈

Thank you for reading!

Comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated!🩵

Tags: @lumpatto @love-affair-with-fandoms @permanentlydizzy @glshmbl @sofiparallel

[pixiesfz]

woozy tillies x reader

plot: you get your wisdom teeth taken out

warnings: none

your eyes squeezed as you groggily woke up, Sam removing her eyes from the window as she heard your groans.

“Hey he said the pain would come back quick but it will come down” she instructed walking over to you to see your eyes wide.

“I’m gonna die”.

Sam hid her smile “no” she paused “no you’re not”

Since you were younger you weren’t allowed in the surgery alone and since your parents still lived in Australia your national skipper had decided to step up.

Sam had heard that usually people who get their wisdom teeth out are a bit droopy afterwards but you were usually very serious and focused on your career that Sam had volunteered to be with you after the surgery.

The whole team was in London for the break, most had come to hang out but some had just come to purely see you after the surgery.

“I am gonna die!” You cried, tears now falling down your eyes “my team is so gonna be mad at me”

“Your team won’t be mad at you”

“So I AM dying?… I’m feeling woozy here”

Sam mentally punched herself and ignored your impression of stu matcher “no-“

“She’s awake!” The dentist opened the door and Sam pushed herself back whilst you wiped your tears away.

The dentist explained everything to the two of you and you were confused the entire time, the information going from one ear and through the other.

Once you left the dentist you were met with your teammates outside, Ellie holding a ‘get well soon’ balloon that you accidentally let go of as you all watched it fly in the air.

You then cried again.

“Mum?” You asked, turning to Mini as even Harper laughed at her “you look silly” she pointed at you and you looked down at her, squinting your eyes as you pointed

“You look silly”.

After taking you through a McDonald’s to get cold ice-cream, you didn’t have enough control to eat it normally, resulting in ice cream all over your face.

Resulting in your teammates having a field day on their social stories.

You threatened to end their lives.

Kyra was probably the worse, after poking at your cheeks making you cry out in pain she wasn’t allowed to be with you alone, unless she had Charli, mini or Steph with her.

Mackenzie, Alana, and Caitlin used their Snapchat stories to show all the tillies fans your ‘eventful’.

“I see Jesus” you established whilst you were watching TV and Sam laughed out loud “where?” Hayley asked and you snuggled up to her “on the screen” you whispered and Teaghan cackled loudly “it’s just Tom Hanks” She said pointing at the screen as the team watched cast away.

“Wilson!” You cried out

It’s now dinner time and you had now asked in Courtney’s words a ‘bagillion’ stupid question and cried ten times more than a ‘bagillion’.

You cried at her statement.

You watched as the girls ate food and you were stuck with a 2 minute soup that you were 80% sure is out of date.

As dinner died down so did the funny gas as you dissociated from all the conversations which did not go past the senior mentors of your team who ate their dinner quickly.

The pain was still there but you had grown very quiet when dinner ended, you looked towards Sam who nodded “ready to go bed?” You nodded.

“Hey guys I’m going to go to sleep, I’m really tired” you announced and all the girls nodded, some agreeing and getting ready to go home.

Your heart swelled with happiness watching the team hug you goodbye and sending their wishes.

You were cared for, even if they’re annoying as shit.

[toomanystoriessolittletime]

A helping hand

Summary: Living in your best friends house while yours is getting renovated leaves you getting to know her husband Joel better. After finding out your husband is cheating on you, and learning Joel is about to serve his wife with the divorce papers, a drunk midnight phone sex call from your husband leaves you and Joel to finally give in to your growing feelings for each other.

Pairing: Joel Miller x fem. reader

Wordcount: 2.9k

Rating: E

Warnings: infidelity (though the divorce papers have been served on one side), crushing on your friends husband, a very lame attempt at phone sex, Joel helping with said phone sex, smut (Oral sex f receiving), dirty talk?, kissing

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Full Masterlist // Joel Miller Masterlist

„The house should be finished by the end of next week. Joel offered to take a look himself to check what is taking them so long,“ you said, your husband on the phone as you walked down the stairs of your friends house. 

The house you and your daughter Ellie had been staying at for the last six weeks. 

You were surprised when your childhood friend Vanessa offered you their guest room to stay in when you had met for brunch two months ago. You had told her about the house renovations and that you had to find a place to stay for some weeks.

So here you were, in a beautiful two story home in the suburbs of Austin Texas, living in your friends house.

The house she seemed to be even less present in than your husband had been in yours. 

Sometimes you asked yourself why you were even still friends with her. 

You had been quite close all those years ago when you went to school together, but the more you both grew up, the more you grew apart. 

You had met your husband Tom in college and gotten married and moved away while Vanessa had stayed in Austin, focusing on building her career. She started to take more care of her looks, spending a lot of her money on beauty treatments and clothes. She started hanging out with people you had made fun of growing up.

Which was why it came to a surprise to you when she called you out of the blue (after having not talked to her for almost three years) to tell you that not only was she getting married, no, she was pregnant. 

It would take another couple of years for her to tell you that she only got married to the man she had a child with, because it had been to late to have an abortion once she realised she was pregnant.

You remembered telling her that this was unfair to her husband Joel. She had just shrugged, telling you she knew you wouldn’t understand. 

After that talk you hadn’t heard from her for almost six years. You had your own girl by the time Tom’s job took you back to Austin, moving in to a house on the opposite side of town from Vanessa and her family. 

Ellie and Sarah, Vanessa’s daughter, went to the same soccer school and became friends, leaving you to spend more time with Joel, Vanessa’s husband.

He was the complete opposite of his wife.

Joel was…. Fun. He always cheered the loudest for his girl on the field. Hell, he even brought snacks. Over the weeks and months you spend almost every Saturday together you got to know him. 

He was a contractor with his own business that was finally picking up since the start of the year. He told you that Vanessa had been less than thrilled by the idea of his own business but it had been his dream and he was not getting younger. 

She was coming around though now that his business was making money she got to spend on top of her salary.

Sarah had been a complete surprised to both him and Vanessa and he told you that while in the beginning it was looking like they could make it work, deep down he knew that their marriage only still lasted because of Sarah. He did not want her to grow up without a family. Even though her mother Vanessa only spent little time with her, much less with Joel. 

You felt sorry for him. But somehow it all reminded you of your own life. 

While you had been happy for a long time with Tom in your marriage, things had started to change when you moved to Austin. You had agreed to move here because he told you that he would be able to spend more time with you and Ellie. That he could give you the house you always dreamed of. 

But the opposite was the case. He was traveling even more for work than before and while your house was big and you could do with it whatever you wanted, it felt meaningless to do this without having someone to enjoy it with. 

Yes you had Ellie, but even she had been picking up on her father being away all the time.

And when he was there, he always seemed to be on the phone.

Then, last month when Tom had been home, you had found lipstick stains not on a shirt, but on his boxers. Yet before you could confront him he was gone again, on another „business trip“.

You didn’t even cry, being disappointed but not surprised. Suddenly all of his trips seemed to make sense. Yet you didn’t confront him. You chose to do the petty thing and let him pay to renovate the whole house before you would announce that you wanted a divorce.

If he chose to fuck up you marriage, the least you could get our of it was a fully renovated house for you and your daughter. 

Which was why this phone call you were on right now, was more than annoying  and surprising to you. 

You could hear in his voice that he must have been drinking by the way he talked. 

He was ranting about something that happened at work as you walked into the dark kitchen of Joel’s house, opening the freezer in search of…. Something. 

Ellie and Sarah had both been invited to a sleepover, which Joel offered to bring them to. He would most likely spend the night at his brothers place, celebrating Maria, Tommy’s wife’s second pregnancy. Vanessa, as always, had been on a work trip, leaving you alone in this house.

You hadn’t heard Joel come home, which was the only reason you were in the kitchen in only a thin tank top and very short sleeping shorts. 

Joel had told you to use the big tub in the ensuite bathroom so you could relax, telling you you deserved a night off. 

In the weeks you had been staying with him you had talked a lot. And maybe, just maybe, you had began to crush a little on Joel Miller. Okay, that was a lie. You were pretty sure this was more than a crush. He seemed to be everything you wanted in a man. He was a great father, a great listener, he was handy, he knew how to make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich. 

And he was fucking hot.

It was annoying really and you felt bad about the definitely not PG rated daydreams you had about your friends husband. But a little dreaming about what those big strong hands could do with you, would not hurt anyone, would it?

Especially knowing those big strong hands were planing to get divorced in the foreseeable future. He told you about having met up with a lawyer to get the divorce going, Vanessa apparently knowing about it. 

„What are you wearing?“ You heard Tom ask on the phone, having zoned out of the conversation completely up to this question. 

You grabbed a bottle of water, closing the freezer again, before you scoffed. 

„Why?“ You opened the bottle. 

„Just wanna know what my wife is wearing in the middle of the night,“ he slurred.

You couldn’t stop the snicker.

„What? You want me to say I’m wearing nothing but some perfume?“ You rolled your eyes. 

„Come on. I’m horny baby,“ he whined and you released a long breath, fighting the urge to ask him if his current fuck bunny was not available.

„And I’m tired, so watch some porn or something,“ you mumbled, leaning with your back against the kitchen island. 

„But I’m so fucking hard baby. Play with your tits for me,“ he groaned and you let your head fall back, closing your eyes. Might as well get a midnight snack out of it. You put the call on speaker and laid your phone down on the kitchen counter.

You turned away from the phone, opening the freezer, grabbing some chocolate ice cream. Your favourite. Joel told you he noticed it was your favourite so he always made sure he got some for you when he went out to get groceries.

„Are you naked yet?“ He asked and you fought a sigh.

„Oh yeah. I just got my shirt off. Took a long bath earlier today, my skin is soooo soft,“ you said with fake enthusiasm, walking through the kitchen to get a spoon. You bought both the spoon and the ice cream to the kitchen island, before you grabbed your phone and set it down next to you. 

You leaned with your elbows on the kitchen island, digging into the ice cream. 

„Your skin is always so fucking soft. And you smell so good. Wanna kiss you all over baby,“ he mumbled and you put the first spoon of ice cream into your mouth, licking it off. 

„Yeah? Where do you wanna kiss me?“ You asked, continuing to eat your ice cream. 

„Your tits. Wanna suck on your nipples so bad. Are you wet for me?“ He asked and fought down a scoff. You were as dry as the Sahara. You could hear him jerking off on the phone. 

You were about to answer when you looked up and noticed Joel leaning in the kitchen doorway, watching you with an amused smile. Your eyes widened in surprise.

„Baby?“ Your husband on the phone asked and you blinked at your phone.

„Uh… No. Tell me what else you’d do,“ you mumbled, before putting the phone on silent. 

„Joel I’m so sorry. I…“

„Don’t be. If someone should be sorry it’s him,“ he nodded towards your phone where Tom was still going on about kissing your… ankles?

„Yeah he never has been the best at dirty talk,“ you shrugged. 

„Doesn’t have to be good at dirty talk to get you wet. Bet I can do a better job without even touching you“ he said and you sucked your bottom lip in. He tilted his head slowly smirking at you. 

„We’re both married,“ you said and he shrugged.

„Sadly not to each other,“ he said and you let out a surprised chuckle. 

„Look, tell me to go away and I will leave you alone, let you eat your ice cream while you pretend to have an orgasm from whatever this is,“ he gestured to your phone, your husband still talking.

„Or?“ You whispered. 

„Or you let me make you cum with my mouth here in the kitchen, before I take you upstairs to fuck you like he hasn’t in months,“ he said and you felt a shiver run down your spine. 

Joel was right. The last time you had sex with your husband had been on his birthday, with had been almost seven months ago. Ever since you found out about his affair you had not let him touch you. 

You had confessed this after having a glass of wine too much only a week earlier after dinner.

Yeah, cheating on your husband would not help anyone.

But you just wanted to find out if the real Joel was just like the one you dreamed up in your fantasies. Or maybe even better. 

Maybe you should go after what you wanted for once, consequences be damned.

So, you set your spoon down before you slowly pulled your shirt up and over your head.

Joel grinned. 

You unmuted the phone.

„Baby I grabbed a toy to get me wetter,“ you said and Tom groaned. 

„Which one?“ He asked as you watched Joel walk over to you and you turned around so you were facing him when he came to a stop in front of you his arms caging you against he kitchen island as he leaned in.

„A new one. Haven’t tried it out yet,“ you hummed and Joel grinned before he slowly lowered his head towards yours to kiss you softly. You gasped quietly against his lips, your hands coming up to rest on his chest. 

Deepening the kiss his hands came to rest on your back, pulling you closer against his chest. 

„Are you using it?“ Your husband asked and you parted from Joel’s lips.

„Oh yeah. It’s… I’ve never felt anything like it before,“ you said and Joel chuckled quietly. Slowly his lips kissed down your jaw to your neck. You almost cried out when he picked you up to sit you down on the island. 

„Are you hard baby?“ You asked and Joel used that moment to kiss down your collarbone, then further down to the soft skin of your breasts. 

„So fucking hard,“ he groaned and you rolled your eyes again. 

„Want you to cum with me, can you do that baby?“ Your husband asked. 

„I might need five…“ Joel bit softly into your breast and you moaned. Joel looked up at you before he held up two fingers. 

„Really?“ You mouthed and he nodded. 

„Two Minutes. I might need two more minutes,“ you said to Tom on the phone.

„Don’t know if I can make it that long, it’s a mess over here,“ he said and you shook your head. You watched Joel lower himself to his knees between your legs, his big hands parting them for him. He looked up at you as he took a deep breath, inhaling your musky scent.

You couldn’t remember the last time someone had gone down on you. 

He did not waste any time, hooking his finger into you panties, pulling them aside. You could see his jaw muscles twitch as he looked at your drenched pussy. Dark eyes looked up at you, his nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. 

„You close baby?“ Your husband asked on the phone and you hummed.

„Getting there,“ you whispered and then Joel leaned in. 

His warm tongue slipped through your folds, bottom to top, flicking over your clit, making you moan quietly. 

You gasped when his arms wrapped around your thighs, pulling you closer against him. He gave you a look that would have made your panties drop if he hadn’t pulled them aside already. 

And then he ate you out. 

His tongue playing with you like you held the sweetest nectar, his lips sucking on your clit, his tongue slipping inside of you. He was everywhere and you had no idea how he did it, but you were praying to a higher power he wouldn’t stop. 

You fought the urge to let yourself fall down against the kitchen counter, one of your hands coming to rest in his hair, making him moan against your folds as you pulled at his hair. 

„I*m gonna cum. Shit, I’m gonna cum,“ you heard on the phone followed from the dial tone, your husband having ended the call. Your mouth dropped open in disbelief, only for Joel slap one of your thighs, making you look at him. 

„Guess I have more than two minutes now, huh?“ You felt him grin against your pussy, his tongue still working you towards your orgasm. 

„Don’t think you need more than two minutes….“ You smiled down at him.

He gave you a wink and then you felt two of his finger push inside of you, while his lips closed around your clit, sucking it into his mouth. 

„Oh shit,“ you gasped, pulling harder at his hair than intended but the moan he gave you was downright sinful. 

„Joel…“ you moaned, your thighs shaking. And then his fingers inside you brushed over something that made you cry out.

„There it is,“ he smirked, focusing on that spot.

„Cum for me, sweetheart,“ he groaned, his tongue getting back to playing with your clit and you came. Black spots filling your vision as you held on to Joel to keep yourself up, riding wave after wave of your orgasm, until you almost jumped in Joel’s arms as he kept licking, overstimulated from the mind-blowing orgasm he just gave you. 

He slowly pulled his fingers out of you, giving your pussy one last kiss before he sat back on his heels, licking his fingers like he just dipped them into the sweetest honey. 

Out of breath you looked down at him, still in disbelief over what happened in the last ten minutes. 

„Vanessa was served with the divorce papers this morning,“ he said and you hummed. 

„Tom will get served within the next two weeks,“ you said. He pushed himself up with a groan, his hand coming to rest on your hip as he towered over you. 

„Can I…. Take you out to dinner some time?“ He asked. 

You smiled up at him. 

„Before or after you take me up to your bed?“ You teased and he huffed a laugh, shaking his head slowly. 

„After,“ he said, before he kissed you, pushing himself against your body. Your wrapped your arms around his broad back, as he deepened the kiss, his tongue parting your lips. 

You didn’t know how long you sat there making out like teenagers before he parted from your lips with a grin. 

„After. Definitely, after,“ he said before he helped your hop down the kitchen island and took you up into his room where you definitely did not sleep all night.