#trying out different lining brushes and I like this one

[iid-smile]

★ — usage

content — nagi seishiro x fem!reader, continuation from this post, hurt no comfort, angst, nagi is a piece of s###, like he's bad, nagi insults the reader quite a bit, some profanity, break up

wc — 1.5k

a/n — this is kinda rushed oopsies 🙈 also these a little surprise at the end !

two hours have passed. two hours of hearing nagi's stupid nintendo 3ds, two hours of hearing those same stupid theme songs over and over, and two hours of dread continuously pouring into your heart.

you've tried sniffling to get his attention. nothing. not even a glance to see if you're crying or not. you've tried getting up and going into another room. the sound of shuffling makes you think he's getting up to check on you, only to realise that he's turned from one side to the other on the bedsheets. call it toxic to fake your emotions, but it's way worse to not care whatsoever about what your partner is feeling.

all you needed to do was talk, right? and then this would be over. you'd get over it, and things would go back to normal.

but what can you say? what could you say without tearing up midway through? you could bring up today, or yesterday, or what's happened months ago, if you really wanted to. there's only been one thing repeating in your mind over and over, and that's what he's said two hours ago.

"sei." no response. "sei." and still. "seishiro." you beg for him to say something. out of frustration, you snatch his 3ds from his hands.

a soft gasp escapes him as he groggily stretches out for his device, his hand just inches away from it —exactly where you wanted him to be. for a moment, his eyes remain fixated on the screen, the sounds of the device ringing in his ears, but gradually, nagi drags his gaze up to find yours. "hey... i was usin' that..." normally, you would relish hearing his sleepy voice on a lazy day, but today... today was something different.

"and i'm trying to talk to you, so will you just—" he shifts his gaze, his eyes drifting elsewhere, leaving an air of unspoken tension between you. determined to bridge the gap, you subtly inch closer to his still figure, your heart racing as you attempt to keep him within your line of sight, hungry for a connection that feels just out of reach. "just listen to me. please?" pathetic, having to ask to be listened to.

"mm..." he mumbles.

"you're not—"

"i am."

with a sigh, your shoulders drop. "okay." that's not okay. you shouldn't allow that to happen. swallowing down the knot bubbling in your throat, you continue to speak. "what did you mean when you said you hated me?"

"i never said that." he's lying right through his teeth. either that, or he's managed to forget, to which you know he's not that stupid.

you brush your teeth over your lower lip, holding back the urge to scream at him — scream whatever words come to mind. your arms are crossed, and your legs too. "then what did you say? be honest with me, because we both know that i heard exactly what you said."

"hm?" he attempts to pull off a clueless expression, but you see right through it. once more, nagi shies away from making eye contact. just when you think the truth might forever remain hidden, a flicker of honesty manages to break through the facade. "i said i used to hate you."

"you said you still maybe do."

"...oh?"

"don't 'oh' me. why did you say it?"

"i didn't mean it like that..."

you are filled with disbelief, your mind racing to comprehend the situation. a deep, simmering anger sizzles beneath the surface, clenching your fists as frustration takes hold, leaving you almost absolutely furious.

"what else could you have possibly meant?"

the only sound that filled the room was the ticking of the clock on the wall, and the rapid thumping in your chest. not a word for five minutes.

for those agonizing five minutes, you turned your back on him, not daring to meet his gaze. you were all too familiar with his ways — the charm that masked his manipulative tactics, whether deliberate or not. it was a game he played expertly, and the last thing you wanted was to be drawn into his web of deceit.

yet somehow, he possesses an uncanny ability to captivate you, much like a moth irresistibly drawn to a flame. as you find yourself locked in a gaze with him, his eyes hold an intense yet disarming quality, radiating an expression that seems to shout, 'i’m innocent'.

their depth invites you in, while the softness of his gaze stirs a blend of curiosity and empathy within you, making it hard to look away. will you fall victim to it once again? "don't give me that look..." you mumble.

"baby..." nagi reaches out for you, his head now laid on your lap and his hands around your calves. he always does this, every time he doesn't know how to ask for forgiveness.

"no... sei, please don't." it's hard for you to push him away, caught between wanting to stay and the pain of your own feelings. seeing the frown on his face tugs at your heart's strings in such a way that shouldn't be possible. you can feel the weight of his grip, heavy yet comforting; it pulls at your emotions in a way that’s almost overwhelming. it's so painful to see him so...

...empty?

"seishiro." finally, you manage to position him in a way so that he's somewhat facing you. you take a deep breath in, slowly exhale out, and brush some hairs away from your face out of habit. "i need you to be honest, okay?"

he only nods.

stay calm, stay calm. you can't let him see how you're really feeling. "what do you think about me?"

"honestly?"

"honestly."

"you won't get mad?" uh oh. that seems like a bad sign. still, you push forward, needing the full truth more than anything. maybe you could fix your relationship, or in this case, maybe you could fix yourself.

"i—"

"you're annoying." he abruptly interrupts you, and your eyes widen in surprise. in that instant, it feels as though a dam that has been sealed for years has suddenly burst, unleashing a string of words that flow effortlessly from his lips. each sentence spills out with urgency, as if he can no longer hold back the thoughts that have been swirling inside him. "you talk too much, i hate listening to you talk and you don't know when to shut up."

you sit there and take every word as if you deserve it. you can't even breathe, just staring down at your shaky hands, now starting to become damp with tears.

"stop bothering me right after class, and stop trying to stop trying to hold my hand all the time. it makes me cringe having to tell everyone else you're my girlfriend. and quit calling my name whenever you watch me play. it's embarrassing."

with a trembling breath, your voice falters, cracking like fragile glass as you softly gather the courage to speak. "...don't you have something nice to say?"

"something nice? you're pretty... i guess..."

and that completely broke you.

for all these years, you believed your relationship was filled with trust, never once feeling a hint of doubt about him. you believed wholeheartedly that he liked your endless rambling filling up the silence, or your randomness, or the little quirks that just make you you.

but clearly, that's not the case. it never was.

with tears blurring your vision, you steeled yourself and carefully made your way through his apartment, memories flooding back with each step. you grabbed what little was yours: your phone, charger, and headphones, clinging to these small, faint tokens of familiarity as you prepared to leave. you even abandon the oversized jacket you wore on your way here, which was his.

the red flags, how did you not see them? they were so obvious, and you still chose to ignore them. because he had a pretty face? because he wants to be treated like a fucking baby? you're sure as hell not going to act like his mother, and your sure as hell not going to let him treat you like his other boy toy.

"i'm so done with you." you try to stifle a sniffle, but a couple of tears escape, tracing an unwelcome path down your face. as you fumble with your shoes, your fingers tremble, and you nearly lose your balance more than once, the world around you blurring with each shaky movement. "don't even think about calling me anymore. don't wanna hear your stupid voice anymore..."

not a single hint of protest escaped nagi's lips. he remained perfectly still, his gaze locked onto you as you finally slammed the door shut behind you.

it was embarrassing, having all of his neighbours and him listen to your sobs echo through the hallway as you approach the metal doors, pressing the button multiple times. the wait felt like torture, your body aching to approach his doorstep once more. you enter, your hand on autopilot as you reach for the button right at the bottom.

"why...?" you find yourself whispering to your own reflection in the elevator mirror, dabbing at the tears glistening on your cheeks with your shirt sleeve. "if you didn't like me in the first place, why couldn't you just say so?"

all you did was talk, right? and everything went back to normal. he was no longer in your life, and you weren't in his.

but is that really what you wanted?

yesterday at 16:19

im bored

playyyy

yesterday at 3:27

hey :x

can we talk plz?

today at 13:40

ar u ignoring me?

2 missed voice calls at 13:42

bllk m.list

[beloveds-embrace]

Until the Last Loop: Familiar Faces

(Days spent with them making new memories- a silent attempt at forging a new life before it will be ripped away once more)

Poly mercenaries 141 x princess reader

Part One

The castle breathed with life and the scent of burning tallow, but to you, it might as well have been a tomb. Its towering walls and narrow corridors, carved from cold stone and lined with faded tapestries, had grown too familiar over the cycles- prisons that wore different faces but caged you all the same, and you were the bird locked within it each life, merely with different feather each time.

You sung the same melody, regardless. A melody that would soon be snuffed out.

You moved through the halls like a shadow, your impending doom hanging over you like clock that never stopped ticking until its last moments. Servants parted for you without meeting your gaze, and although whispers followed in your wake, they no longer stung the way they once had. You had long since grown used to the weight of their words, their gazes full of pity and disdain. They had become just another layer of the endless loop, a reflection of your precarious standing with the royal lineage.

But the men- the four who trailed in your footsteps, sent by your father to report all your moves back to him with the excuse of protecting you- were different.

They were a presence you couldn’t shake, no matter how many lifetimes passed. Always close, always steady, their shadows filled the empty spaces others left behind. And unlike the others, they weren’t afraid to look at you.

In some lives, you despised them. What comfort could four men give you when all you wanted was your father’s love? Your people’s adoration? Friends your age? None whatsoever.

In other lives, you had been distant. You kept them at arms’ length, unwilling to even converse with them. They were of no use to your desperation to free yourself from this cursed cycle.

You’ve lost count of how many loops you’ve gone through. Even now, you do not know how it started; who started it. A cruel curse, that’s what it was, and you were its constant victim. It was inevitable, so why… keep away the only people willing to be near you?

And so this time, you let them close.

Soap was the first to slip past your walls, an unsurprising fact.

It was late when you found yourself sitting in the gardens, the air sharp with the chill of night. The roses were dying, their petals curling inward as frost crept along the edges, and you wondered- just for a moment- how many times you had seen them bloom and wither like this.

Too many times.

You were alone with him; no maid or lady-in-waiting was willing to accompany you, though rather than saying that, they jusy boldly lied and said they had prior arrangements to the king.

The king. Your father. It was always him. You wished he’d hate you a little less, just enough to not rob you of the care you’ll always long for like a child stumbling through the cold for a flicker of fire, of warmth.

Wistful dreams.

Soap sat down beside you without invitation, though his presence didn’t feel unwelcome. His easy smile was softer in the moonlight, and when he offered you his cloak, you didn’t refuse it.

“You look like you’re waitin’ for somethin’,” he said, voice low but steady, starting the conversation. By now, they’ve come to understand that you are… so different from whatever everyone said of you. You were quiet, your presence squeezed and molded into a tiny nook of the castle so easy to forget.

You didn’t answer right away, letting the silence stretch. The words came slower, heavier now- weighted by too many winters and too many deaths.

“I think it’s waiting for me,” you breathed out, fingers brushing the edge of the cloak. The flowers fluttered when a breeze blew by, bending in the directionaway from you; they pitied you, too, for not even they’d be placed upon your grave once you were dead. “… My end, I mean.”

Soap didn’t flinch. He didn’t try to deny it, either. He did not have any loyalty to the king or keeping his secrets; no mercenary would bother even if they’d lifk the king’s hand for his gold and coins.

Snakes, all of them. And yet- they were the ones who got to live, so the last laugh was theirs.

“Well,” he said instead, leaning back on his palms, “if it comes knockin’, ye just let me know. I’ll handle it.”

You almost smiled. Almost.

Soap didn’t leave right after that, like you expected.

He stayed, stretched out beside you on the stone bench like he had nowhere better to be, his broad shoulders relaxed but his eyes sharp as they roamed the shadows pooling in the corners of the garden. The scent of dying roses lingered in the air, sweet and cloying, and you wondered if he noticed the way your hands trembled when you smoothed the cloak over your lap.

If he did, he didn’t say anything.

Instead, he tilted his head back and gazed at the stars, his voice softer when he spoke again.

“Ye know, my mum used to say the stars are just folk lookin’ down on us,” he said, accent curling thick around the words. “Watchin’, guidin’… makin’ sure we dinna wander too far off the path.”

You blinked at him. “And what if the path leads… nowhere?”

Soap turned his head to look at you then, eyes dark. “Then ye make yer own.”

It was such an earnest thing to say, so full of conviction that it made something in your chest twist painfully. You couldn’t tell him how many times you’d tried to do just that- tried to fight and claw your way toward a different ending, only to be dragged back to the start again.

Soap didn’t know. None of them did.

And yet, as you sat there with his warmth seeping through the cloak and his words lingering in the air like a promise, you found yourself wishing- just for a moment- that he was right.

That you could carve your way out of this nightmare and leave the endless cycle behind.

But that was foolish.

So instead, you leaned back against the bench and let your eyes drift shut, pretending not to notice the way Soap’s hand hovered near the dagger at his side, ready to draw at the first sign of danger.

Pretending you didn’t feel safer for it.

Ghost was harder to pin down. He lingered on the edges, silent as your grave, but his presence was impossible to ignore.

When the nightmares came- and they always did, another constant- you found him at your door. He never asked questions, never pried. He simply stood guard, silent, until the trembling stopped.

One night, when sleep refused to come after a day of listening to awful, false whispers of you, you found yourself seated on the rug in front of the hearth, staring into the flames. Ghost leaned against the wall, his mask a stark contrast against the flickering light.

“They won’t hurt you.” He said suddenly, rough and low.

You didn’t look at him. You watched the flickering fire, and was rewarded with whispers of the lives where you’d been burned at the stake. “They always do.”

“They won’t.”

And maybe it was foolish, but for once, you almost believed him.

You pulled your knees closer to your chest, eyes fixed on the flames as if they could burn away the memories pressing in from all sides.

Ghost didn’t move from his place against the wall. He was a silhouette in the firelight, broad shoulders and sharp angles, the hollow black of his mask turning him into something almost otherworldly.

You didn’t ask why he was there. He never explained himself, and you never pushed.

After a while, he broke the silence again.

“They’re scared of you.”

His voice was quiet, still rough like gravel, but it cut through the room as sharply as any blade.

You swallowed, your gaze still locked on the fire. You couldn’t look away. “No. They hate me.”

Ghost didn’t argue. He let the silence stretch, his eyes never leaving you.

You weren’t sure why that bothered you more than words would have.

“They’re scared,” he repeated finally, slower this time. Firmer. “And scared people do stupid things.”

You let out a short, bitter laugh. “Like cutting off my head?”

Ghost tilted his head, and something about the way he looked at you made your chest tighten.

“They won’t get the chance, princess.” He said, and there was something cold in his voice that sent a shiver down your spine.

You turned to face him then, finally meeting his gaze. Or at least, what you thought was his gaze beneath the mask. It was impossible to tell, but you felt it- heavy, unflinching.

“You can’t stop it, Ghost.”

Ghost didn’t flinch. Didn’t waver. “Watch me.”

The words shouldn’t have meant anything. They shouldn’t have mattered when you already knew how this would end- how it always ended. Those words were treacherous to whatever the king wanted and expected of him.

But as the fire crackled and the shadows danced along the walls, you let yourself believe him. Just for a little while.

Because Ghost wasn’t the kind of man who made promises.

And yet, when he spoke, it sounded like one.

… yet you knew, not all promises can be kept.

Gaz was gentler than the others. Thoughtful. Attentive in a way that made your chest ache, because it had been so long since anyone had looked at you without seeing the stain on your birthright first and you second.

He helped you practice with a dagger one afternoon, though you both knew it wouldn’t be of much use to you. The sharp clang of metal rang out against the training yard walls as he corrected your grip, his hands warm against yours.

When was the last time you’d been held like that?

Far too long ago. Far too many lives ago.

“Careful,” he said, guiding the blade down in a smooth arc. “Keep your stance steady.”

You frowned. “What does it matter?”

Gaz tilted his head, eyes searching yours. “You’re still here, aren’t you?”

And wasn’t that the cruelest part? That no matter how many times you died, you always woke up again?

You didn’t answer, and Gaz didn’t press. Instead, he let you lean into him when the weight of it all grew too heavy, when the weight of more than just the training pressed down on you.

Gaz stayed close after that- close enough that you started to notice the small things.

The way his eyes lingered on you just a little longer than they should, watching for signs of exhaustion or the fear you tried so hard to hide. The way his touch was always secure but never overbearing, grounding you without demanding more than you were willing to give.

He made you feel… safe.

It was dangerous.

Foolish.

But you let him stay anyway. You stayed with him anyway.

The dagger gleamed in the sunlight as you practiced another strike, the blade slicing cleanly through the air. Gaz nodded approvingly, stepping back just enough to give you space, though his presence was still a solid weight at your side.

“Better,” he said, his voice warm but firm. “You’re getting the hang of it, princess. Maybe you’ll give us a run of our money, eh?”

You lowered the blade, breathing hard as you wiped the sweat from your brow. You couldn’t find it within yourself to be humorous “I’m not sure it’ll matter in the end.”

Gaz frowned at that, stepping closer. “Don’t say that.”

You almost laughed. Almost. “You don’t understand.”

His hand came up then, gentle as he tilted your chin to face him. The look in his eyes knocked the breath from your lungs- steady and sure, like he was trying to hold you together with sheer force of will.

“Maybe I don’t,” he admitted, voice low. “But I do know this- every time you get back up, it matters.”

You didn’t realize you were trembling until his hand dropped to your shoulder, grounding you with the warmth of his touch.

“Don’t give up yet, princess,” he murmured, softer now. “Not on yourself.”

It was almost too much. Too kind. Too hopeful.

You wanted to tell him that hope had no place here- not in this endless loop of death and betrayal and grief. Not in this damned castle- but the words wouldn’t come, caught in your throat like fish in a net.

So instead, you let him take the dagger from your hands, let him press it back into its sheath before leading you toward the shade of the courtyard’s edge.

And when he sat beside you, close enough that your shoulders brushed, you didn’t pull away.

Because for once, it didn’t feel like a burden to be seen.

Price was the hardest to read.

He was steady, commanding- his presence filled the room like the smoke of chimneys, lingering long after he was gone. He carried himself like a man who had seen too much and lost too many, and sometimes, when he looked at you, you thought you saw the ghost of something more.

He didn’t speak often, but when he did, his words stayed with you.

“Do you ever wonder, princess,” he asked one evening, standing by the window with a wooden cup of mead in his hand. You didn’t know how he’d even snuck it in, but you weren’t going to snitch. “if we’re all just pieces on your father’s board?”

You blinked at him, startled by the sudden question.

“All the time.” You said.

His gaze lingered on you a moment longer, and there was something unreadable in it.

You wanted to ask what he meant, why the sudden question, but he turned away before you could, leaving you to sit and stew with the thought.

And stew you did.

Because Price wasn’t wrong, was he?

You already knew your father had lied- about these mercenaries, their orders, everything.

They weren’t here to protect you. Not really.

No knights would take you, no nobles wanted you, and no one in the kingdom would lay down their sword for a bastard-born princess whose only crime was existing. Yet here they were, these hardened men, mercenaries paid in coin and silence, assigned to watch your every move.

Not guard you. Watch you.

Keep you until the day you were dragged to your death once more.

You’d known it the moment Price first stepped through your door, his eyes sweeping the room like he was cataloging exits instead of protecting them. The others were subtler- Soap with his easy charm, Ghost with his patient silence, Gaz with his careful words- but Price?

Price didn’t even try to hide it.

And maybe that was the worst part.

Because he didn’t look at you the way others did. He didn’t sneer, didn’t pity, didn’t hate. He looked at you like he was waiting.

Waiting for what?

For you to run? To slip up? To hand him the excuse he needed to drag you before your father in chains, so he could take the money and leave?

The thought made your stomach twist.

Because no matter how much you told yourself it didn’t matter- that the loop would end and begin again, and none of this would last- it still sank its claws into you.

And the next time Price caught you watching him from across the room, you didn’t look away.

Not at first.

He held your gaze, steady and unreadable, but there was no malice in it- no sharp edges or hidden teeth. Just something quiet. Something that almost felt like understanding.

When you finally turned away, you expected the weight of it to linger, to drag down your shoulders and settle in your chest like an unwelcome puff of smoke.

But it didn’t.

Instead, you felt the faintest flicker of warmth- barely there, fleeting as a dying ember- and hated how much you wanted to hold onto it.

Days turned to nights, and the hours slipped away like sand through your fingers. The loop pressed closer with every tick of the clock, and yet…

You didn’t feel so alone this time.

They were there- in the quiet moments, in the chaos, in the shadows of your worst fears- and though you knew it wouldn’t save you, you still let them stay.

Because this time, you didn’t have the strength to keep them away.

This time, you… wanted to have fond memories before your death.

Masterlist

I hope everyone’s been enjoying this so far! Any guesses on why reader is in a time loop and who might be responsible? :3

[fear-less]

₊˚⊹˚ 𐙚 you still would've been mine

pairing: james potter x f!reader

➥ In which, you and james get closer to each other as the days go on, remus, your ex, soon realizes and feels jealous even though he knows he has no right to. 

warnings: james is end game, drama, jelly remus, fluff, angst, lowkey a cliffhanger..

1.8k words

The following weeks felt like a dream you didn’t quite dare to trust. You and James had grown closer—so much closer. His presence became a constant in your life, his easy laughter and steady warmth like a balm for your soul. He didn’t push, didn’t demand anything of you, but the way he looked at you sometimes, like you were the only person in the room, made your heart flutter in ways you hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever.

It was during one such moment in the library, late at night, that you caught him staring at you again. You were seated across from him, your textbooks spread out between you as you tried—and failed—to focus on your Potions assignment. James was supposed to be working on his Transfiguration essay, but his quill rested idly in his hand, his gaze firmly on you.

“What?” you asked, raising an eyebrow at him, though a small smile tugged at your lips.

James grinned, leaning back in his chair. “Nothing. Just... you look different lately.”

You blinked, caught off guard. “Different how?”

He shrugged, his grin softening into something more genuine. “Happier. Like the weight of the world’s not sitting on your shoulders anymore.”

Your heart tightened at his words, but not in a bad way. It was strange to think that he could see through you so clearly. “I guess I am,” you admitted quietly, your fingers fiddling with the edge of your parchment. “Thanks to you, mostly.”

James’s expression flickered with something unreadable, and for a moment, you thought he might say something. But instead, he gave you one of his trademark grins and reached for his quill. “Well, I’m glad to be of service. Now, focus on that essay before McGonagall roasts you alive.” 

You laughed, the sound light and easy, and for once, you let yourself enjoy the moment without overthinking it.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ;.

But not everyone seemed as happy about your newfound closeness with James.

It started with the glances—subtle, fleeting, but noticeable all the same. Every time you and James walked into the Great Hall together or laughed a little too loudly in the common room, you could feel a pair of familiar amber eyes watching. Remus had always been quiet, his emotions carefully controlled, but lately, there was a tension in the way he held himself whenever you were near. It was as though he was constantly on the verge of saying something but never quite managing to.

The tipping point came one evening in the common room. You and James had just finished a heated game of Wizard’s Chess, and James was laughing at your feigned indignation over your loss. His hand brushed yours as he reached for one of the chess pieces, and though it was an innocent gesture, the spark it sent through you was anything but.

“You’re insufferable,” you said, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably as you bit back a smile.

James leaned back in his chair, his grin as cocky as ever. “What can I say? I’m a man of many talents.”

Before you could retort, a voice cut through the cheerful atmosphere.

“You’re awfully confident these days, Potter.”

Both you and James turned to see Remus standing near the fireplace, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. His gaze flicked between the two of you, lingering on your still-close hands before settling on James with something that almost looked like a challenge.

James raised an eyebrow, his easy demeanor shifting slightly. “Just enjoying a game of chess, mate. Didn’t realize that was a crime.”

Remus’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Of course not. But maybe you should consider how things look to others.”

The air grew tense, and you felt your stomach twist uncomfortably. “Remus,” you began softly, but he didn’t let you finish.

“It’s just… surprising, that’s all,” he said, his tone carefully neutral but his eyes betraying a hint of something darker. “How quickly some people move on.”

The words hit you like a slap, and for a moment, you couldn’t breathe. James, however, was on his feet in an instant, his usual playfulness replaced by a steely resolve.

“That’s enough, Remus,” he said, his voice low but firm. “You don’t get to make her feel guilty for trying to be happy.”

Remus’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, it looked like he might argue. But then his shoulders slumped, and he turned away without another word, disappearing up the staircase to the boys’ dormitory.

James let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair before turning back to you. “Are you okay?”

You nodded slowly, though your chest felt heavy. “Yeah. I just... I didn’t think he’d react like that.”

James hesitated before sitting down beside you again, his hand hovering near yours but not quite touching. “He’s probably just... dealing with his own stuff. Doesn’t excuse what he said, though.”

You nodded, appreciating his attempt to be understanding even as your emotions churned inside you. The confrontation with Remus had stirred up feelings you thought you’d buried, but as James’s steady presence grounded you once again, you realized something important: the past might still linger, but it didn’t have to define your future.

“Thanks, James,” you said quietly, offering him a small smile. “For sticking up for me.”

He returned your smile, his eyes soft. “Always, Y/N. Always.”

And though the tension in the room hadn’t completely faded, you felt a warmth settle in your chest that hadn’t been there before. It wasn’t love—not yet—but it was something. Something real and unshakable, and for the first time in a long while, you let yourself hope that it might be enough.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ

The weeks following James’ quiet but constant presence had been transformative. While you were still piecing together the fragments of your heart, James had become your steady companion, grounding you in ways you hadn’t expected. His easy laughter and unwavering loyalty were a balm to the wounds you’d once thought irreparable. And though you hadn’t acknowledged it out loud, something deeper was growing between you.

On a crisp autumn evening, James found you in the library, hunched over a pile of books. He grinned as he approached, a strand of his messy hair falling over his forehead.

“You know, if you keep frowning at those pages, they might just frown back,” he teased, sliding into the seat across from you.

You couldn’t help but smile, closing the book in front of you with a sigh. “Studying for Potions is basically begging for a headache. Slughorn’s quizzes are impossible.”

James leaned forward, propping his chin on his hand. “Lucky for you, I’m a master at Potions.”

“You’re a master at barely scraping by,” you shot back, smirking.

“Details, details,” he said with a wave of his hand. “Come on, let’s take a break. I know a place where we can actually breathe.”

Curious but wary, you allowed him to lead you out of the library and through the winding corridors of the castle. Eventually, you found yourselves at the Astronomy Tower. The view of the grounds stretched out beneath you, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.

“Wow,” you whispered, stepping closer to the edge. “I don’t come up here enough.”

James stood beside you, his hands in his pockets as he gazed out over the horizon. “It’s one of my favorite spots,” he admitted. “Quiet. Peaceful. And the stars at night? Incredible.”

You glanced at him, your heart fluttering at the way the light caught his features. “Thanks for bringing me here,” you said softly.

James shrugged, his usual playful demeanor replaced by something more serious. “You looked like you needed it.”

The two of you stood in companionable silence for a while, the breeze tugging at your hair. But the quiet wasn’t uncomfortable—it was easy, natural. And as the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, you found yourself glancing at James again, your chest tightening with unspoken feelings.

“James,” you began, your voice hesitant. “Can I ask you something?”

He turned to you, his warm brown eyes meeting yours. “Anything.”

You hesitated, searching for the right words. “Why have you… why have you stuck around? With me, I mean. After everything with Remus.”

James’ expression softened, and he stepped closer, his hands still tucked in his pockets. “Because I care about you,” he said simply. “And because I want to be here. With you.”

Your breath caught, his words settling over you like a warm blanket. “You… you’ve been so good to me, James. I don’t know if I deserve it.”

He frowned, shaking his head. “Don’t say that. You deserve someone who sees you for who you are—all of you. And I… I think I’ve been falling for you for a while now.”

His confession hung in the air, a fragile, beautiful truth that made your heart race. You stared at him, your emotions a whirlwind of surprise, relief, and something you hadn’t dared to name until now.

“James,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “I… I think I feel the same way.”

A slow, radiant smile spread across his face, and he reached out to take your hand in his. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down your spine, and for the first time in months, you felt completely and utterly safe.

“Well,” he said softly, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. “That’s good to hear.”

The two of you stood there, hand in hand, as the sun disappeared below the horizon and the stars began to emerge. There were no grand declarations, no dramatic gestures—just the quiet, profound realization that something new and beautiful was beginning.

As the soft glow of the moonlight bathed the tower, James stepped closer, his gaze flicking briefly to your lips before returning to your eyes. “Can I—?” he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

You nodded, your heart pounding in your chest. “Please.”

And then his lips were on yours, warm and gentle, as though he was afraid to break the moment. Your hands found their way to his shoulders, steadying yourself as the world seemed to tilt. The kiss was everything you hadn’t known you needed—soft, tender, and filled with unspoken promises. When you finally pulled back, your foreheads pressed together, both of you breathing heavily.

James smiled, his hand coming up to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” he admitted, his voice tinged with a mix of nervousness and joy.

You laughed softly, your cheeks warm. “I’m glad you did.”

The stars above seemed to shine a little brighter as the two of you stood there, wrapped in each other’s warmth, ready to face whatever came next—together.

[oaksgrove]

ok, but imagine that John is the first one reader call for help. Like he is such husband material and if anything goes wrong in their house she is calling him

Husband Price is such a delight to write! thank you for the prompt I wrote a little drabble hope you like it! reminder that my dm's are always open! <3

pairing: Jonh Price x Reader

sumary: The phone felt heavy in your hand, your heart racing as you debated whether to call. It wasn’t the first time you’d thought about dialing his number, but this wasn’t a casual check-in or a playful banter over who was buying dinner. This was different.

Warnings: Mild panic, mention of fire (resolved), lots of fluff.

A sharp, acrid smell filled your nose, and you winced, glancing at the mess in the kitchen. Smoke billowed from the pan on the stove, and the smoke alarm was already screeching its protest. The fire wasn’t massive—not yet—but the way the flames licked at the edges of the pan made your chest tighten. You’d tried to be careful, you really had, but one misstep with the oil and it had flared up faster than you could react.

John had shown you how to handle these things before—his patient voice guiding you through safety tips you’d never imagined needing. And yet, here you were. You grabbed the phone, dialing without another thought.

The line barely rang once before his voice came through, steady and calm. “Love? Everything alright?”

“John,” you gasped, your voice trembling. “It’s the stove—it caught fire, and I don’t know—”

“Calm down,” he interrupted, his voice instantly grounding. “Are you hurt? Are the flames spreading?”

“No—no, it’s just the pan. I tried to—”

“Alright, listen to me carefully.” His voice was like a balm to the rising panic in your chest. “Turn off the stove if you can. Don’t touch the pan—just let it sit. Do you have a lid?”

“Yes.” Your voice was barely above a whisper, but you were already moving.

“Good. Carefully cover the pan. Slowly, love. Don’t rush it.”

You followed his instructions, your hands shaking but steady enough to place the lid on the pan. The flames smothered almost immediately, leaving behind nothing but smoke and your pounding heartbeat.

“It’s out,” you breathed into the phone, relief washing over you in a wave. “The fire’s out.”

“Good girl,” he said softly, the praise easing the knot in your chest. “Open a window, let the smoke clear. I’m on my way.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Of course I do,” he cut in firmly. “Stay put. I’ll be there in ten.”

True to his word, it wasn’t long before the familiar rumble of his car pulled up outside. You hadn’t realized how much tension you were holding until you saw him step through the door, his eyes scanning you first before moving to the kitchen.

“Everything alright?” he asked, crossing the room in a few strides to pull you into his arms. His hands were warm, steady, a stark contrast to the way you were still trembling.

“Yeah,” you mumbled into his chest, feeling a little foolish now that it was over. “I just… I panicked.”

He pulled back to look at you, his thumb brushing over your cheek. “Love, you did the right thing calling me. I’d rather be here for something small than miss something big, yeah?”

You nodded, a weak smile tugging at your lips. “I was just trying to make dinner.”

He chuckled, glancing at the blackened pan on the stove. “Can’t say I don’t appreciate the effort, but let’s order in tonight.”

You laughed despite yourself, the sound easing the last bit of tension lingering in the air. As he led you to the couch, insisting you sit while he tidied up, you couldn’t help but feel grateful—not just for his quick response, but for the way he made you feel safe, no matter how big or small the situation.

[lillmirey]

„The Weight of the Truth“

summary: in which Emily relays on her Girlfriend

Pairing: Emily Prentiss x Fem!Reader

Content Warning: Season 17 plot line used. fluff

Word Count: 1,2k

The BAU was quiet that night, the kind of silence that rang louder than the chaos the team usually endured. Emily Prentiss sat at her desk, the warm glow of her desk lamp highlighting the exhaustion etched into her face. You, her long-time girlfriend, had promised to meet her at Quantico to help her unwind after a particularly grueling week. You often joked that dating the Unit Chief of the BAU meant being her second-in-command when it came to maintaining her sanity.

But tonight, you could tell something was different.

The moment you stepped into her office, Emily’s eyes lifted to meet yours, and you could see the storm brewing behind them. Her lips quirked into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Hey,” you greeted softly, closing the door behind you. You placed the takeout bag on her desk and walked over, your hands naturally finding her shoulders to knead out the tension. “You look like you’ve been carrying the weight of the world today.”

Emily leaned into your touch but didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes, savoring the fleeting comfort you offered.

“You always know,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.

“Of course I know,” you replied. “I know you better than anyone, Em.”

For a while, she let you work on the knots in her shoulders, the room enveloped in a comfortable silence. But then she spoke, her tone unsteady.

“(Y/N)… there’s something I need to tell you.”

You stilled, sensing the shift in the air. You moved to sit in the chair across from her, reaching for her hands.

“Whatever it is, we’ll handle it together,” you assured her.

She looked down at your joined hands, her thumb brushing over your knuckles. “This week has been… complicated. The team found out some things about me that I’ve been keeping under wraps. Things I never wanted to come out.”

You frowned, your mind racing. “What do you mean?”

Emily’s gaze lifted, the vulnerability in her eyes cutting you to your core. “Before I joined the BAU—before I even met you—I was… recruited by an international organization. It was supposed to be temporary, just a few undercover missions. But those missions turned into something darker, something I’ve been trying to bury ever since.”

Your heart clenched at the weight of her words, but you didn’t interrupt.

“One of those missions involved planting false evidence,” she continued. “It was supposed to take down a dangerous criminal network, but the fallout… it ruined lives. And now, it’s come back to haunt me. Someone leaked my involvement, and the team—” She broke off, her voice cracking.

“They’re questioning you,” you finished for her.

She nodded, her jaw tight. “They say they understand, but I can see the doubt in their eyes. I’ve worked so hard to lead this team with integrity, and now it feels like everything I’ve built is falling apart.”

You let her words sink in, the gravity of the situation hitting you like a ton of bricks. Emily Prentiss was the strongest person you knew, but even she had her limits.

“Emily,” you said, your voice firm. “I don’t care about your past. I care about who you are now. And the woman I see in front of me is brave, compassionate, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves.”

Tears glistened in her eyes, but she blinked them away. “You say that now, but what if—”

“No,” you interrupted, squeezing her hands. “I’m not going anywhere, no matter how messy things get. You don’t have to carry this alone.”

Emily’s lips parted as if to argue, but the look in your eyes stopped her. For once, she allowed herself to lean on you, the walls she so carefully constructed crumbling just a little.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

You stood, pulling her into a tight embrace. She clung to you, burying her face in the crook of your neck.

“I love you, Emily,” you murmured. “And we’re going to get through this. Together.”

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

The fallout from Emily’s past continued to loom over the team in the weeks that followed. Tension was high, and trust was strained. You could see how it weighed on her, the constant scrutiny taking its toll.

One evening, you found her sitting on the couch in your shared apartment, staring blankly at the wall. You slid in beside her, tucking yourself under her arm.

“Bad day?” you asked gently.

She let out a heavy sigh. “They caught the leak, but the damage is done. I can tell the team’s still wary. And maybe they should be. Maybe I’m not the leader they deserve.”

“Don’t say that,” you said firmly. “You’ve saved more lives than I can count, Emily. You’ve made mistakes, sure, but that doesn’t erase all the good you’ve done.”

She looked at you, her eyes searching yours for reassurance. “What if I can’t fix this? What if I lose everything I’ve worked for?”

“You won’t lose me,” you said softly.

That night, as you lay in bed together, you held her close, letting her feel the steady rhythm of your heartbeat. It was a silent promise—a reminder that no matter what happened, she wasn’t alone.

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

Months passed, and Emily slowly began to rebuild the trust she thought she’d lost. The team rallied around her, proving that the bonds they shared were stronger than any shadow from her past.

And you were there every step of the way, reminding her of her worth, of the love that surrounded her.

One evening, as you stood in the kitchen cooking dinner, Emily walked in, a rare smile gracing her lips. She wrapped her arms around your waist from behind, pressing a kiss to your temple.

“What’s this for?” you asked with a laugh.

“For being you,” she replied simply. “For sticking by me when I wasn’t sure I deserved it.”

You turned in her arms, cupping her face. “You deserve the world, Emily Prentiss. Don’t ever doubt that.”

In that moment, she realized that no matter how dark her past might be, the future was brighter because you were in it.

And for the first time in a long time, she felt at peace.

[fanficlolsblog]

UNHEALTHY OBSSESION

back to my main masterlist

pairing: yandere!jenna ortega x reader

summary: after a brief encounter with jenna ortega at a meet-and-greet, y/n is surprised to receive a follow request and a message from her. what starts as a seemingly innocent exchange soon spirals into a possessive obsession, with jenna constantly messaging, showing up unannounced, and isolating y/n from friends. as y/n tries to distance themselves, jenna’s behavior grows darker, her obsession tightening like a trap, until y/n realizes that escaping her hold might be impossible.

warnings: obsessive behaviour, stalking, emotional manipulation, psychological distress.

w/c: 1k+

you never thought much of celebrities. sure, you admired them from a distance, but you always told yourself they were just people, just names you’d heard. so when your friend dragged you to jenna ortega’s meet-and-greet, you felt out of place. she was beautiful, magnetic, but she was just a name on your friend’s lips, a face you knew from magazines.

that changed when you stepped up to meet her, the last in line. your friend had already gone ahead, gushing over the quick selfies she’d taken with jenna. you tried to keep your cool, gave her a polite smile, kept your distance. but when jenna looked at you, it was as if the whole room went silent. her gaze lingered, a little longer than it should, and you saw her eyebrows lift, just slightly.

“you seem… different,” she said, her voice soft, almost a murmur meant just for you.

you laughed nervously, shrugged it off. she held your gaze, eyes searching yours like she was trying to memorize your face. the brief exchange left you feeling strange—giddy but unsettled. it was probably nothing. you left, pushing the moment out of your mind as you rejoined your friend.

but that night, as you lay in bed, your phone buzzed. you glanced at it, frowning. a follow request on instagram—from jenna ortega.

your heart skipped. it had to be a joke, right? or maybe her team managing her account? but you hit accept, curiosity outweighing logic. almost immediately, a message popped up.

jenna: hi, y/n. i hope it’s okay i reached out. i… couldn’t stop thinking about you.

you blinked, staring at the message. it felt surreal, like a scene out of a movie. you hesitated, then typed a casual reply, something light, just to see if she was serious.

you: i didn’t expect you’d remember me.

jenna: i remember a lot about you.

from there, the messages kept coming. every day, multiple times a day, jenna reached out, asking about your life, your interests. she was kind, thoughtful, curious. her questions were endless—what was your favorite color? your favorite food? did you like to read? what was your dream vacation? the messages were warm, personal, and slowly, you felt yourself getting drawn in, almost hypnotized by her attention.

but things began to shift. her messages came faster, more insistent, like she needed to know where you were, who you were with. if you took too long to respond, she’d send another message.

jenna: you’re not ignoring me, are you?

you tried to laugh it off, tell yourself she was just lonely, maybe a little over-enthusiastic. but one evening, while you were out with friends, your phone buzzed.

jenna: i thought we agreed you’d tell me when you went out.

you frowned, fingers hovering over the screen. you hadn’t agreed to anything like that. but before you could type a response, another message popped up.

jenna: you don’t understand how much i care about you. you have no idea what it’s like, thinking about you all the time.

you typed a careful reply, trying to brush it off as a misunderstanding. but it was hard to ignore the chill creeping down your spine. things were moving too fast. she was everywhere—your notifications filled with her likes, your friends disappearing one by one, as if she’d somehow driven them away without a word.

then, one night, she showed up.

you were at your favorite coffee shop, the one you’d casually mentioned to her in passing, and she walked in like she belonged there. she didn’t look surprised to see you; if anything, she seemed pleased. she took the seat across from you, leaning forward, her fingers brushing against yours as she murmured, “i just wanted to see you.”

you tried to smile, tried to pretend it didn’t unnerve you, but her stare was intense, unblinking. she looked at you like you were the only person in the world, her fingers tapping idly on the table as she asked you about your day. every detail, every minute, like she needed to know it all.

from that day on, she’d show up without warning, always knowing where you’d be. and when you tried to confront her, her expression would shift—soft, almost hurt, like you’d wounded her.

“why are you acting like this, y/n?” she’d ask, voice trembling just slightly. “i’m just trying to keep you safe. you don’t understand how much you mean to me.”

you’d try to explain, tell her it was too much, but she’d look at you with those deep, unflinching eyes, and somehow, you’d find yourself apologizing, as if you were the one overreacting.

then came the gifts. small, thoughtful things at first—a book you’d mentioned, a necklace in your favorite color. but one night, you came home to find a box on your doorstep. inside was a single rose, delicate and freshly cut, and a handwritten note.

you have no idea what i’d do to keep you close, y/n. don’t push me away.

you tried to distance yourself, but jenna’s grip was tight, suffocating. she flooded your phone with messages, each one more desperate than the last, her words dripping with both devotion and a hint of menace. you stopped posting on social media, hoping it’d make her lose interest, but instead, she started showing up more often, as if your silence made her crave you more.

one night, you couldn’t take it anymore. you told her, face-to-face, that you needed space. she laughed, a soft, unsettling sound, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the table between you.

“space?” she repeated, her voice laced with disbelief. “y/n, you’re all i think about. i go to sleep thinking of you, wake up dreaming of you. don’t you see? no one will ever care about you like i do.”

you swallowed, trying to hold her gaze without flinching. “jenna, this isn’t… normal.”

she tilted her head, her smile fading. “maybe normal doesn’t matter,” she whispered, her voice chillingly calm. “maybe it’s just you and me, and maybe that’s all that’s ever mattered.”

you stood up to leave, feeling her eyes follow you, the weight of her stare burning into your back. as you walked away, you heard her say, quietly but clear enough to make your blood run cold:

“you’ll come back to me, y/n. you always do.”

and as you stepped outside, feeling the night air prickle against your skin, you knew she wasn’t finished with you. this wouldn’t be the end.

[sheerfreesia007]

Inyeon

Pairing: Han Jisung x Reader

Word count: 4,529

Content warnings: Toxic family relationships, favoritism within the family, fluff

Summary: You and Jisung are planning to go back home and visit family for the holidays but Jisung notices that you’re a little more apprehensive about the trip.

Gongjag: Peacock, Jagi: Sweetheart, Halmeoni: Grandmother, Eomeoni: Mother, Inyeon: fate/soulmate, Eonni: older sister

Part One: Eyes On Me

Jisung smiles softly as he leans against the doorframe to the bedroom with his arms crossed over his chest while his eyes trailed over you. Ever since the plans had been made for the two of you to travel back to your hometown to visit both sides of your family you had been acting  strange. He couldn’t put his finger on it exactly but there was an almost dimming to your sparkling personality since you had started planning and preparing for the trip. Even now as he watches you move about your bedroom putting on the final touches of your outfit for the evening he can see that you’re not as lively as you normally would be to go out with him. Frowning softly he pushes off from the doorframe and captures you in his arms as you move to walk back over to your vanity, he pulls you flush with his body and tilts your face up to his as he smiles softly at you.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, concerned and your lips twist in a faint line before you shake your head at him.

“Nothing. I’m fine.” you tell him dismissively trying to brush him off but Jisung shakes his head as he tightens his arms around your waist and presses his index finger under your chin keeping your eyes locked with his.

“Tell me please. I’m here for you just like you’re here for me.” he pleads softly with you and your lips twist once more and without a thought in his head but to ease your troubles he leans forward quickly and pecks your lips softly with his. “Gongjag, please tell me what’s worrying you.” he whispers against your lips and you sigh softly before pulling further away from him.

“I just-” you begin to try explaining to him but quickly fall silent which causes Jisung to grow even more concerned.

“Gongjag” he says softly and your eyes dart up to his and you frown darkly for a moment before shaking your head once again.

“I’m just worried that you’ll think differently of me after this trip. And I don’t want that. I don’t want things to change between us.” you explain cryptically and Jisung feels the alarms start to blare in his head at your words as his eyes search yours silently, what’s back in your hometown that would cause you to worry like this? He cups your face in his palms and pulls you in for a sweet adoring kiss that he deepens by swiping his tongue against your bottom lip until you open your mouth for him. As you melt against him and let your worry slowly ease from your body he wonders what back in your hometown could have you so rattled that it worries you this much. Jisung’s mind starts to race with thought after thought of what could possibly be in your hometown that you’re not looking forward to, but he calms his mind. You don’t need him panicking and getting anxious over assumptions before anything actually happens. He needs to be strong for you and show you that he can be a source of comfort for you just like you’ve always comforted him since walking into his life.

“Nothing will change how I view you, how I feel about you. I love you, wholly, completely. That will never change.” He promises you and your eyes soften as they stare up at him pleading with him. Almost as if you’re begging him to keep this promise. Jisung’s heart clenches at how unsure you are and he vows silently with you in his arms like this that he will never stop loving you and that he’ll always be at your side no matter what. “C’mon Jagi, let’s go to the party. The sooner we go and show our face the sooner I can convince you to go back home.” He whispers suggestively to you and your answering smile lifts his heart.

*-*-*-*

Jisung’s family home is warm and lively with the happy chatter of his family, Jisung smiles as he sits at the dining room table with his Halmeoni as she nostalgically flips through an old family photo album telling him about the pictures and where they were taking. His eyes dart over to the open kitchen and finds you laughing delightedly at something his Eomeoni said to his father to keep him out of the kitchen as the two of you are cooking together. He smiles softly, feeling his heart swell with love and admiration as his eyes take in your head falling back on your neck as laughter rings from your lips.

”I’m so glad I was right about her.” His Halmeoni says softly and Jisung’s eyes dart back to her curiously.

”What do you mean Halmeoni? I remember you had said that there was something special about her when we were first introduced. But I didn’t get a chance to ask back then.” Jisung said softly as he leaned closer to her. He watched as his Halmeoni nodded her head at his words as a soft smile and a far distant look slipped into her eyes.

”Do you know what inyeon is Jisung?” She asks him softly and Jisung frowns softly as he racks his brain for the meaning behind the word before he nods his head slowly.

”It’s fate.” He says confidently and she nods her head at him before smiling softly at him.

”Yes, it’s also our culture’s concept of soulmates. You and Gongjag were destined to meet. I’m sure that the two of you have met in previous lives and will continue to meet in future lives as well.” She tells him fondly as her hand comes to rest over his on the table. “When I was a little girl I had dreams of our ancestors visiting me telling me that I would have to help my grandchild find their inyeon. They would always tell me that my grandchild was hopeless in finding his soulmate and would need help from me.” She told him amusedly and he gave her an offended look making her laugh softly before patting his hand softly.

”So you think Gongjag is my soulmate? My inyeon?” He asked softly as his eyes shifted back to you moving around the kitchen confidently as you perfectly complimented his Eomeoni’s movements like a well oiled machine as light chatter came from the two of you.

”I do. Can’t you see it? She’s the opposite side to your coin and she’s absolutely perfect for you. It took me a long time to find her in this lifetime. It had never crossed my mind that she would be hiding away in the next town over. And I had a hard time convincing her family that she would be perfect for you. Do not waste my effort in finding her for you.” His Halmeoni told him knowingly and Jisung turned his head to her before frowning softly.

”What’s her family like? Ever since we’ve started planning for this trip she’s been worried about something. She won’t tell me what it is but she’s worried that I’ll view her differently after this trip.” He said softly not wanting you to hear him talking to his Halmeoni about your concerns and worry. He watched as a knowing look passed over his Halmeoni’s face and she nodded her head at his words.

”Just be there for her.” She said cryptically and Jisung frowned even more at her words. “You’ll see when you go to visit her family. Just-“ she tried to explain gently before halting her words as a distant look fell over her face. “She brings so much joy and happiness to your life, just remember that when you’re with her family. And reassure her that you love her.” Jisung begins to worry even more as his eyes dart back over to you, what about your family would ever make him doubt his relationship with you?

*-*-*-*

The next week comes quickly enough and Jisung finds himself awkwardly trying to settle in your family’s home for your visit before both sides of the family will come together for one last party before the two of you fly back to your home to spend Christmas together. But as he finds himself trying to make connections with your family he finds himself always watching you to make sure that you’re okay. There’s a sort of tension in the air and it’s making him feel slightly claustrophobic before normally before it becomes too much for him you’re there whisking him to walk around the property of your family home. And just like a fresh breath of air the claustrophobic feeling is eased.

Right now Jisung is sitting in the living room with your brothers as they play a video game on the large television while your father sits in his armchair reading a newspaper. He can hear your mother in the kitchen barking out orders to you as you cook for everyone and a feeling of unease begins to fill him. 

It’s been like this since you both arrived at the home two days ago, you would wake up early in the morning to begin cooking for your family while your mother hovered over your shoulder berating you on how you were cooking and what you were doing wrong. Everyone would then come and eat and you’d be left to clean up after everyone while your mother once again hovered and berated you. Jisung started to get a sour taste in his mouth at how your family treated you but he knew he couldn’t say anything since he was staying in their home and he didn’t want to be rude and make things more difficult for you. Just then the front door opened and a lilting sweet voice called out catching everyone’s attention.

”Hello! Is anyone home?!” Called out the voice loudly into the home.

Jisung watched as all of your brothers immediately raced off the couch and run to the front door. Your mother even rushed out of the kitchen to greet whoever had just come home. Jisung stood politely as you walked out of the kitchen to stand in the doorway with a look of soft concern on your face. He immediately made his way to your side and slipped an arm around your waist and pressed a kiss to your cheek.

”Are you okay?” He asked softly and you smiled warmly up at him before nodding your head.

”Now I am, thanks to you.” You whispered to him before pressing a kiss to his cheek sweetly. He grins down at you and pulls you into a quick warm hug.

”Want to go for a walk around the property after lunch?” He asked hopefully and you smiled warmly up at him as your eyes sparkled adoringly up at him.

”I would love that.” You gushed out to him fondly and Jisung couldn’t keep the smile off his face if he tried as his body warmed at your affection.

”And who’s this handsome man?” Came the lilting voice once more and Jisung watched as your whole face instantly shut down and became blank before you both turned to the person who had entered your family’s home.

An older woman who had similar features to yours stood in the middle of your family as they clamored around her happily, Jisung could see that she wore designer clothes and had her hair tied up in a trendy updo while her face had light natural makeup covering it. While he could see the similarities between the two of you there was just something about the woman that set Jisung on edge, like an underlying tone of over exaggeration as if she was trying too hard. He had already written her off in his mind as he felt you stiffen slightly next to him and his mind turned back to you with worry.

”Bong-Cha Eonni.” You greet her with a bow and Jisung watches as the woman watches you with a smug look on her face. “It’s wonderful to see you again.”

”I asked who the handsome man next to you is.” Your sister said rudely and Jisung frowned softly at her words before relaxing as your hand came to wrap around his back gently. While he knew he shouldn’t say anything he truly did not like how your family treated you and wanted to rush you away from them and back to his family home where he knew you were more comfortable.

”This is my husband, Han Jisung.” You introduced him to her and Jisung watched as your Eonni’s eyes raked up and down his form with barely contained lust shining through them. He tightened his arm around your waist before bowing to your Eonni.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you Eonni.” He greeted her and watched with satisfaction as her lips twisted distastefully at his mention of her honorific. He smiled pleasantly while watching her scoff at him and he felt pride in being able to draw a line and boundary between them. The fact that she boldly eyed with lust as you weren’t standing next to him made his hackles rise in disgust.

”Yes, yes, when is lunch ready?” Bong-Cha asked quickly and your mother stepped closer to her while wrapping her in her arms.

”Don’t worry sweetheart. Lunch will be ready shortly. Won’t it?” Your mother explained to your Eonni before turning towards you with a harsh look. You nodded your head before looking up at Jisung with a worried look on your face. He knew you had seen the same look on your Eonni’s face that he had when she eyed him and he felt his heart crack at your concern of leaving him with her and your family. Things were starting to make more sense to Jisung then, your worry and stress of returning home to your family was becoming clearer to him

”Let me help you.” Jisung said softly to you and your eyes widened at his soft request.

”Oh you don’t have to do that. She can make lunch all by herself.” Your Eonni called out to him. “Besides I’d like to get to know my brother in law better.” She cooed with saccharine sweetness in her tone that made Jisung shiver with unease.

”No, she’s been cooking by herself for hours now. I’d like to help my wife now.” He insisted with just a dismissive look back at your Eonni. She scowled softly before huffing softly and Jisung took that as an answer before guiding you back into the kitchen with a hand placed at the small of your back.

Lunch was a lively affair as everyone sat at the long dining table. Your Eonni had tried to force Jisung to sit next to her but he had successfully asked one of your brothers to switch seats with him so that he could sit next to you with the excuse that he hadn’t been able to spend much time with you since you both had arrived. You had gratefully held his hand in your lap after that and Jisung had made sure to slide his chair slightly closer to you for more comfort.

”Bong-Cha is one of the top accountants in her company is on the fast track to becoming a manager of her department.” Your mother told everyone proudly and Jisung nodded his head as he continued to eat his meal that you had lovingly prepared for everyone.

”Gongjag this is delicious. Thank you for the meal.” He said fondly to you and you turned to him with a wide smile on your face as your cheeks heated with a soft blush that drove him wild with affection for you.

”It’s alright I guess. It could use some salt.” Bong-Cha piped up and Jisung frowned at her as she smiled sweetly across the table at him.

”Yes, you’re right Bong-Cha it could use some salt.” Your mother agreed and Jisung darted his eyes to you to see your shoulders slump slightly. “So tell us Bong-Cha, have you met any potential husbands while you’re working in the big city?” Your mother asked effectively bringing all the attention back to your Eonni who preened under the attention. JIsung sat there silently watching as your mother and father stacked praise upon praise to your Eonni while degrading and making comments about your life as well. Even your brothers paid more attention to your Eonni than they did you and Jisung could feel himself growing angrier and angrier with your family at the disrespect they showed you.

But you just sat there as if this wasn’t new to you, as if you were used to this type of treatment. It was such a stark contrast to how you were with him and his friends and family that he was amazed at how different the two sides of you were. While you were with him you were confident and assertive almost driven in your command of any situation. You stole the spotlight from him at every event and you did it so gracefully that it seemed effortless to you. But now you were overshadowed by your Eonni all thanks to your parents’ skewed view of their children. It seems that you are only second best to your Eonni in your parents’ eyes and Jisung can’t understand it. He doesn’t understand how they couldn’t see how wonderful you are and how caring you are to everyone around you.

I’m just worried that you’ll think differently of me after this trip. And I don’t want that. I don’t want things to change between us. Your words come back to him and suddenly it hits him like a truck, this is what you had meant. You knew that he would see how your family treats you as second best to your sister and that your role in the family was lesser than all your siblings and you hadn’t wanted him to view you like that as well. Jisung’s heart suddenly shattered in his chest at your implication and he suddenly gripped your hand tightly in his, causing you to turn to him worriedly. His eyes connected with yours instantly as he stared at you and your mouth fell open softly before understanding filled eyes, he watched as emotions swirled in your beautiful orbs and he forced himself to maintain eye contact with you. He watched heartbrokenly as you worked through your emotions of having him understand why you had been worried about coming home but as he continued his tight grip of your hand he watched as the emotions cleared and happiness and gratitude filled your face. You knew he wouldn’t view you like your family viewed you and that he would remain at your side through all of it.

When you lifted his hand to your lips and gently pressed a kiss to his knuckles Jisung couldn’t keep the blush or the loving grin off his face. He could feel your connection with each other grow and swell around you as your family continued to sing your Eonni’s praises. But while your family’s words were probably meant to hurt and demean you, Jisung could see how unaffected you were now with him by your side. Pride swelled in his chest and he felt as if he couldn’t be more grateful to his Halmeoni for finding you and bringing you into his life.

*-*-*-*

The Christmas celebration was in full swing and Jisung found himself stuck to Minho’s side as the crowd that was attending was slightly overwhelming for him. He loved having his family around but they were a large group and then to add in your family which was also large and all of the friends of each side of the family, it was all a little bit too much for him. His eyes darted around the room until they landed on you as you stood with his Eomeoni and Halmeoni, and Mindeulle happily chatting to his aunts about who knows what.

”They make a pretty picture, don’t they?” Minho asks softly as his eyes follow you and Mindeulle as you both begin to walk back towards them.

”Yes, they do.” Jisung says softly in a quiet sigh. You’re dressed in a beautifully stunning red sequined dress that has white fur trip at the top of it as it showcases your delectable shoulders to him, Jisung had a hard time controlling himself when you had exited the bathroom this afternoon after getting changed and he found that he still had a hard time keeping his hands to himself during this party.

Just as the two of you had made it back to their sides, with Mindeulle happily cuddling into Minho’s side with a kiss pressed to his cheek as his hand protectively slipped over her rounded stomach, Jisung spots your mother and Eonni making their way towards the four of you. He stiffens slightly next to you but you don’t catch his movement as you happily begin chatting with Mindeulle about her pregnancy.

”I’m so happy and grateful that the two of you are here. But you’re so close to your due date. Is it really safe enough for you to travel like this?” You ask Mindeulle who smiles warmly at your concern before she nods her head.

”We’re far enough away from my due date that the doctor said that traveling would be uncomfortable but safe if we traveled by car. Flying is out of the question but car rides are still safe.” Mindeulle explained and Minho nodded his head at her explanation.

”We just took a little longer of a car ride with frequent stops to make sure her comfort was priority.” Minho explained and you nodded your head at his words.

”Well I’m so grateful that you two made the trip. I’m so happy to spend this time with you.” You told them fondly and they both smiled warmly at you before nodding their heads. While the three of you had been talking Jisung had silently watched as your mother and Eonni had continuously gotten closer to your group before they were right in front of you without your knowledge.

”And when will you become pregnant and start a family with Jisung?” Asks your Eonni rudely as she butts into your conversation with Mindeulle and Minho. Jisung tightens his arm around your waist as you stiffen at your Eonni’s voice causing you to turn to her with a slightly frown on your face.

”Eonni, that’s not something we should talk about here.” You gently scold her and your mother scoffs softly at your words.

”Can’t even get pregnant right can you?” Your mother scolded you harshly and Jisung felt you flinch back against him as your Eonni smirked smugly at you. Rage boiled up in Jisung as he stood there having to stomach listening to your mother’s angry words and your sister’s condescending tone. He tugged you back into his chest protectively and felt you melt softly against him soaking up his comfort and reassurance. “Bong-Cha should’ve married Jisung. She’s obviously the better choice for him.” Your mother snipped hatefully at you and suddenly silence fell over the group as Bong-Cha preened at her mother’s words. Feeling something snap within him Jisung effortlessly moved you to stand behind him and he stood tall in front of your mother and Bong-Cha who both looked at him expectantly.

”Yah!” He snapped angrily and loudly causing those around them to all quiet and turn towards your group. “You must have lost your mind if you think Bong-Cha would be a better fit for me.” He said loudly and disgustedly as he threw a look of contempt towards Bong-Cha who shrieked under his ugly attention. “Gongjag, is my wife and you will treat her with the respect that she deserves.” He says angrily towards the two wide eyed women as they stare at him with shock written across their faces. “Gongjag, is the love of my life, my inyeon. And she will always be my inyeon. She’s the only one who has been able to not only hold my heart but also calm it when my life becomes too overwhelming. Just because you can’t see how special and precious she is doesn’t give you the right to degrade her and try to drag her down. I won’t allow you to treat her like this anymore.” He boldly tells the women in front of him confessing to everyone there at the party that you are the only one for him and he’s the only one for you. He can feel your hand gripping the back of his dress shirt tightly in your fist as your body hovers at his back comfortingly allowing him to continue on with his tirade towards your mother and Bong-Cha. “I wish I could be a source of comfort for her like she is for me and I strive to be that for her every day. You will treat her with the respect that she deserves or we will no longer grace you with our presence.” Jisung says confidently and watches as your mother grows flush in her face as anger fills her while Bong-Cha looks on with regret and embarrassment coloring her face.

”Then don’t bother coming back!” Snapped your mother and Jisung stands taller in front of you protectively as he feels your hand slowly let go of its tight grip on his shirt and relax against his back providing warmth to him. Jisung just nods his head at your mother before turning his back to both her and Bong-Cha to face you and wrap his arms around you. You’re staring up at him with wide shocked eyes that hold a bit of concern in them as they gaze up at him. When your hand comes up to cup his cheek he happily leans into your touch.

”Are you alright? Do you feel an anxiety attack coming on?” You ask him softly and he shakes his head as he grins down at you.

”I feel nothing but love for you.” He whispers to you and your answering beaming smile nearly blinds him before he leans down and presses his lips to yours lovingly. “I’m sorry if I was too bold to them. But I couldn’t allow them to treat you like that anymore.” He confessed and you quickly shook your head at him before kissing him again.

”Thank you so much for sticking up for me. No one has ever done that for me.” You admitted to him and Jisung proudly grins at you.

”I will always protect you and stick up for you. You’re my inyeon.” He whispers to you sweetly and you grin up at him before he kisses you once more letting the love the two of you have for each other just pour out of you. Minho tsks softly at your display of affection as Mindeulle shushes him softly.

”Not in front of the babies!” Minho scolds the two of you causing the two of you to burst out into laughter at his antics.

SKZ Taglist: @intartaruginha, @kayleefriedchicken, @babigriin, @simpforleeknaur, @inlovewithstraykids

[exzpensive]

A Christmas Surprise - R. Cameron

a/n : hello guysss so here's a story for a early Christmas gift !!! it was supposed to come out on Christmas Eve but im going to busy so enjoy and im not the best at this type of this so its not perfect... merry Christmas

Warning : none !!! just pure fluff

You spin around, trying to spot Rafe through the crowded christmas market crowd. The smell of cinnamon, pine, and peppermints fills the air, and twinkling fairy lights at vendors stall. People rush past you, their arms loaded with gift bags and hot coco, but you can’t seem to find him anywhere.

“if he’s with topper again, I’m going to kill him” you mutter under your breath, You’re about to pull out your phone to text him when you slam into a firm chest.

“Whoa, slow down,” a familiar voice drawls. You glance up to see Rafe , a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. His cheeks flushed from the cold, and a beanie is pulled low over his messy blonde hair.

“Rafe!” you scold, narrowing your eyes. “I’ve been looking for you…you was supposed to be here an hour ago what the hell ”

He grins, leaning casually on the nearest lamppost “Well, you found me. Consider it a Christmas miracle.”

You huff, crossing your arms. “You’re late. And the only good reason would be if you was helping Sarah and John B with the baby”

“Relax, princess,” stepping closer. His gloved hand brushes your arm, sending warmth through your coat. “You’re gonna like this, trust me. Even though it’s not JJ ”

Before you can argue, he takes your hand and starts weaving through the crowd, pulling you along behind him. His confidence is almost maddening, but the way he keeps glancing back to make sure you’re keeping up melts a little of your irritation.

“Where are we going?” you ask, your breath visible in the chilly air.

“Patience,” he says over his shoulder.

The market starts to thin out as he leads you toward a quieter part of the square. You notice a small path lined with lanterns, each one glowing softly against the snow-dusted ground. At the end of the path is a cozy little ice rink, completely empty except for a wooden bench with a blanket and a thermos sitting on it.

“Rafe when and how did you do this” you breathe, taking it all in.

He shrugs, shoving his hands into his coat pockets, but there’s a flicker of pride in his eyes. “Figured the market was too crowded. Thought this might be more… us.”

For a moment, you’re speechless. The lights strung around the rink twinkle like stars, reflecting off the ice in a way that feels almost magical.

“This is so cuteeeee baby ” you say, looking up at him.

Rafe smirks, his confidence fully intact now. “Yeah, I know.” He gestures toward the bench. “So you wanna start skating?”

You laugh, shaking your head as you sit down to pull on a pair of skates. Rafe joins you, and within minutes, the two of you are on the ice. He’s surprisingly good, skating circles around you. ( I feel like Rafe would eat as a hockey player lowkey back to story)

“You didn’t tell me you were an expert,” you say, wobbling slightly as he skates backward in front of you.

“Didn’t want to scare you off,” he replies.

As the night goes on, you lose count of how many times he teases you, how many times you laugh, and how many times he “accidentally” skates a little too close just to catch you. By the time you’re back on the bench, wrapped in the blanket and sharing hot coco from the thermos, your cheeks ache from smiling.

“I can’t believe you did all this,” you say softly, looking at him.

Rafe shrugs, but there’s a rare softness in his expression. “Christmas isn’t really my thing, but… I don’t know. Thought it might be fun. With you.”

Your heart flips, and before you can overthink it, you lean in and kiss him. It’s warm and slow, the kind of kiss that makes you forget the cold entirely.

When you pull back, he’s grinning again, but this time it’s different softer, sweeter. “Merry Christmas,” he says, his voice low.

You smile, leaning your head on his shoulder. “Merry Christmas, Rafe. I love you”

[ikkyfics]

Cake Tasting

James Potter x fem!reader

Summary: James leaned in, and you only realized when you felt his fingers at the corner of your mouth, wiping away a little bit of whipped cream you hadn’t noticed. He smirked, that mischievous and irresistible smile that always followed him, and murmured in his low, warm voice, "Sorry, there was something here."

Warnings: none

Part 1 of Marry Me

Masterlist

Planning a wedding was a mix of euphoria and chaos, but with James by your side, everything felt like a romantic comedy. You’d been engaged for just a few months, and every detail of the big day was discussed between laughter and teasing, from the flowers to the ceremony time. James insisted that everything should be perfect for you — "The Potter here just wants to see you smile," he’d say, with that passionate sparkle in his blue eyes behind his glasses. And that afternoon, you were at the most delightful stage of the preparations: the cake tasting.

The bakery was a small, cozy place, with shelves lined with cakes decorated as if they had come straight out of a fairy tale. The scent of sugar and vanilla filled the air, making James excited before you even sat down. He adjusted his glasses with a mischievous smile, his messy black hair as usual.

"Ready to see me at my cake-judging peak?" he joked, pulling the chair out for you.

"I don’t even know why you came, James. The decision is mine," you replied, teasing, but smiling.

James laughed, a warm and familiar sound that seemed to fill the room. "Of course it’s yours. I’m just here to make helpful comments and steal any piece you leave behind."

The baker arrived with a tray full of samples. Small, elegant slices of cake were placed in front of you, each with a different frosting or filling. You picked up the fork first, cutting a small piece of vanilla cake with raspberry filling. James watched you as if he were studying a work of art, his smile lingering as you took the bite.

"So? What do you think?" he asked, leaning in closer.

"It’s... good. Fresh, but maybe a little too sweet."

James immediately got excited, taking a large piece of the same slice. "Too sweet? There’s no such thing," he said, before popping the cake into his mouth.

The silence lasted for two seconds before he made an exaggerated grimace. "Okay, maybe there is. Next!"

You laughed, the sound light and carefree. "I told you."

The next slice was chocolate with hazelnut cream, and this time, James was the first to try it. He dramatically closed his eyes, as if he were being transported to another universe. "This. This is the one. We’re getting married with this cake."

"You didn’t even wait for me to try it!" you protested, but laughing as you picked up your fork.

"No need. Trust me," he said, but when you tried it, you shook your head.

"It’s good, but too heavy. I don’t want our guests falling asleep at the party."

James put his hand on his chest as if he were hurt. "Heavy? Darling, it’s perfect. Plus, who’s going to sleep when I’m there to liven things up?"

"Exactly why I need a lighter cake, James. You’re already enough to tire anyone out."

He laughed and leaned over the table, his fingertips brushing against yours for a brief moment. "Okay, boss. Your turn to choose."

Finally, you reached a slice of white cake with lemon filling and whipped cream frosting. It was delicate and refreshing, but with a sweet touch that balanced it all. You tried it, and your eyes lit up.

"This is my favorite," you whispered.

James saw the expression on your face and, before even trying it, smiled. "Then this is the one," he declared, taking a piece. When the flavor hit, he nodded slowly. "Okay, it’s approved. But only because you like it."

"You’re so dramatic," you replied, but your smile was evident.

James leaned in, and you only realized when you felt his fingers at the corner of your mouth, wiping away a little bit of whipped cream you hadn’t noticed. The touch was light, but the familiarity and tenderness of the gesture made a subtle warmth rise to your face. He smirked, that mischievous and irresistible smile that always followed him, and murmured in his low, warm voice, "Sorry, there was something here."

Before you could formulate a response — maybe a sarcastic thank you or an attempt to protest — he was already even closer. In an instant, his vibrant blue eyes locked with yours, and the world seemed to shrink down to that silent connection between you. Then, he stole a kiss.

It was soft and sweet at first, as if James wanted to savor the moment, but soon you felt a firmer touch, an intensity that warmed your chest. The taste of lemon was still there, mixing with the familiar comfort of his lips. You closed your eyes without even realizing it, your cheeks burning as one of his hands rested on the table to steady himself.

When he pulled away, just enough so that your faces were still close, the teasing smile was already back. "Tax," he whispered, his voice low and full of humor. "For tolerating my opinion on cakes. And for choosing the most perfect cake for our wedding."

"James," you began, trying to sound serious, but your voice came out softer than planned. It was impossible to hold any indignation when he was so close, with his eyes shining that way and his messy hair falling over his forehead.

He tilted his head slightly, observing each of your reactions with a tenderness that made your heart race. "What? Are you going to tell me I don’t deserve it?" He let his fingers slide from the corner of your mouth to your cheek, tracing such a delicate path that it felt like it tickled your soul.

"You’re impossible," you murmured, but couldn’t stop the smile that appeared at the corner of your lips.

"Impossible to resist, I know," he teased, leaning in to place another kiss, this time at the corner of your mouth, as if to emphasize the point.

You rolled your eyes with a soft laugh, but before you could respond, you decided to retaliate. With a quick motion, you grabbed the tie he was wearing — because, of course, James had decided that a cake tasting called for a casual shirt and a loose tie — and pulled him close. It was your turn to kiss him, but with a touch of teasing on your lips.

When you pulled away, James blinked, clearly surprised, and a faint blush appeared on his cheeks. He cleared his throat, trying to regain control, but the dazzled smile betrayed him. "Okay, now you’re playing dirty."

"I learned from the best," you replied, now openly amused.

James let out a laugh, his eyes never leaving yours as his fingers remained delicately on your cheek. "Alright, now I’m going to have to raise my tax rate."

"Oh, you’re not," you said, shaking your head, but already laughing again.

The baker, who clearly tried to give space to the most passionate couple he had ever seen, returned to finalize the order. Throughout it all, James kept his hand in yours, fingers intertwined in a gesture so simple and so full of meaning that it seemed to encapsulate all the love he felt for you.

And as you left the bakery, you were certain that the cake chosen was the right one — not just because it was delicious, but because every step of the journey, by James’ side, made everything perfect.

[ddongtsan]

Between the Lines - Lee Sanghyeok

Riwoo x fem. reader

Note: He's sooooo cute, I think he's going to be my bias wrecker....

Warning: Friends to Lovers, fluff.

The café was nearly empty, illuminated by the warm glow of the lights that contrasted with the gray rain outside.

You could smell freshly brewed coffee mixed with the subtle scent of Sanghyeok, who sat across from you with his hoodie pulled up, his messy hair peeking out.

He seemed relaxed, as always, but the way his eyes lingered on you told a different story.

“You’re staring at me.” He said, his low, teasing voice breaking the silence as he swirled his coffee cup.

You tried not to look fazed, but the heat rising to your cheeks betrayed you.

“You’re interesting to look at” you shot back, challenging him.

The smirk that appeared on his lips was so very Riwoo — full of intention.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, leaving the cup behind. “Interesting, huh? Then tell me… what exactly makes me so interesting?”

Your eyes betrayed your attempt to stay composed, dropping to his hands as they toyed absentmindedly with the spoon. The way he made even the simplest movements seem captivating was almost infuriating.

“Maybe it’s the way you always seem to know what to say” you replied, trying to sound casual despite the rapid beating of your heart.

He let out a short laugh, the sound low and smooth, tilting his head as if he were studying you. “I just say what’s on my mind. Maybe you should try that.”

You raised an eyebrow, crossing your arms over the table.

“I already do.”

“Then tell me.” His voice dropped lower, laced with something deeper. “If you could say anything right now, what would it be?”

Your heart raced. Lee had this way of making everything more intense, heavier, like every word was a challenge he knew you couldn’t ignore.

“That maybe you should stop teasing me.” You said, narrowing your eyes.

He smiled, that mischievous grin that always left you defenseless. “And where’s the fun in that?”

You opened your mouth to reply, but he leaned in even closer, his eyes locked onto yours in a way that made the air between you feel charged.

“You know I’m serious, right?” He said, his voice so low it felt like a secret meant only for you. “This isn’t just teasing. I really like you.”

The world around you seemed to fade away.

The clinking of cups on the counter, the soft sound of rain against the windows — none of it mattered. Only his eyes on yours, filled with a sincerity you hadn’t expected.

“Then prove it” you challenged, the courage coming from some unknown place.

His eyebrows raised slightly in surprise, but the smile that followed was full of determination.

Standing up, Riwoo walked around the table and stopped in front of you, crouching down to your level. His scent was stronger now, mixed with the warmth of his closeness.

Gently, he brushed a strand of hair away from your face, his fingers grazing your skin lightly, making you hold your breath.

“Are you sure about this?” He asked, his voice now a whisper.

You could only nod, unable to find the words.

The touch of his lips against yours was soft at first, as if giving you one last chance to pull away.

But when you didn’t, he deepened the kiss, his hands cradling your face with a tenderness that contradicted the intensity of the moment.

There was something hypnotic about the way he kissed you, as if every movement was calculated to leave you breathless.

His fingers slid to the base of your neck, firm yet gentle, sending a shiver down your spine.

When he finally pulled away, you opened your eyes slowly, still trying to process what had just happened.

He was watching you with a satisfied smile, but there was something more in his gaze — something that made your heart race all over again.

“Well?” He asked, his voice husky and slightly breathless. “Was that enough proof?”

You laughed, trying to catch your breath and hide the smile that was threatening to take over your face.

“Maybe you need to try again” you teased.

Sanghyeok leaned closer once more, his playful expression softening.

“I wasn’t planning to stop here anyway.”

And as the rain continued to fall outside, he showed you that some things didn’t need words to be said.

[gasolinerainbowreads]

ON THE GREEN UPDATE?!?!?!??!?!

LET'S FUCKING GO HELL YEAH

The hatch takes some strength to pry open, and though you should be more nervous about what – or who — you might find inside, you’re temporarily distracted by the sound coming through your commlink. Heavy exhales, low grunts. A low groan of exertion as he pulls, followed by a breathless sound of relief. The crux of your thighs throbs, and as he disappears into the hatch, you scramble up behind him, right on his heels.

got that thang purrriiiinnngggg lmao

You grimace. “What did you call me?” “A channel rat. Your little scavenging fingers, digging through the depths of a ship for a treat.” Dismissing his teasing smile, you shake your head. “Didn’t you tell me once that those things reeked of piss?” He chuckles. “I did indeed.”

piss kink Ezra alert? 👀

That sound. You can hear it in your sleep. No different than the sound of your own zipper being tugged down, and yet, somehow, it is. You envision the entire scene with startling clarity every night: his bare fingers working the clasp, his suit falling away from his body, the sound underneath it all.

damn even a zipper is getting her worked up. he better rail her soon or she's gonna go full Yellow Wallpaper

Cross-legged on your cot, you enjoy the sounds of domesticity filling the pod: the gentle scrub of your steel cleaning brush, the clink of a metal pan on the stove, a spoon swirling along the bottom of the pan as Ezra stirs. His humming joins the din, and you glance up at him.

omg domestic Ezra 🥰

“If you go, I go.”

YOUR HONOR, I LOVE THEM

His gloved hand strokes down the smooth metal of the hatch, searching for an opening. When he finds it, you can hear a terse smile in his exhale of relief. “There she is,” he murmurs. “You gonna open up for me?”

something tells me this won't be the last time we hear Ezra say something like this 😏

“Just wait till I kill you,” the man warns between his teeth. “I’m gonna fuck that girl raw. Right here. Right next to your dead fucking –” A grizzled choking sound cuts off the man’s words, and you whirl to face them just in time to see Ezra jerking the knife out of the man’s neck. Blood spurts across Ezra’s gloves, and he shoves the knife down again, and again. The force behind it is immense, Ezra’s face contorted in a look you’ve never seen before. His jabs are ruthless and quick, cutting and deep, and his arm speeds up, his face in a rage-filled trance, his eyes wild and cold all at the same time. “Mine,” you hear him between heavy breaths, between each plunge. “She’s mine.” Frozen, you watch in a morbid sort of fascination, but also in relief. He doesn’t stop stabbing until the man is long dead.

Your hand sweeps across this skin more than once, trying not to think about all the ways you imagined touching his stomach for the first time. It’s soft under your fingertips, a slight round to his lean belly and though his neck is taut with tension, he remains still under your exploration.

nnnggghhhhh belly

Using one hand to pinch his flesh together, you brace the stapler against his skin, blood smearing on the metal. You punch the first one through, and he hisses, his hand gripping your wrist. “Shit. Shit. Keep going.”

another line I think we just might hear Ezra say again but in a different context lmao

You need him to survive and get off this planet, but you also need him more than that. Deeper than that.

oh yeah? how deep?

He’s been awake for a while. He has wished for you like this so many times.

lmao this fuckin sneaky bitch! pretending to be asleep is only gonna work so long when she sees you're bricked up 😂

He’s never been touched like this by anyone, and it takes everything he has to keep his eyes closed — until he feels you press your lips against his.

okay but can we talk about the parallels here bc, yes, she's younger/less experienced, yet here he is experiencing this sort of attention for the first time. there are still things that are new for him to experience - the emotional vulnerability (like him feeling worried), the physical intimacy that blossoms from tenderness, etc. I really love how they mirror and contrast each other all at once

“This,” you whisper back, bending down for another kiss.

I'm actually going insane that the chapter ended like this so thanks lmao

UGH another amazing chapter, Kelli! The sexual tension made me feel touch starved just reading it. And the looming threat of violence and then the high stakes action/violent scene were so so so well written. Even knowing they have more of a story, I was still sitting there reading worried something was going to happen! (yeah yeah Ezra got cut, but other than that hahaha)

THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS! I love your Ezra so much, and I don't care how long in between updates it is, this story is worth it every. single. time. I think about it often, and it is always a better day when the next chapter to their story comes out. 💚

On The Green: 5

Ezra Prospect x f!reader

Rating: M — some prospecting violence

A/N: I cannot even tell you how much this chapter kicked my rear end — it would have never been finished without the love and care and hand holding of @the-scandalorian and @the-ginger-hedge-witch ❤️ Both extremely insightful in their own ways, I am eternally grateful to each of them ❤️ Enjoy!

Series Masterlist

—

All morning he’s been watching you when he thinks you aren’t looking.

The weight of his gaze on your back every time you turn around, logic argues it’s because he’s guiding you into something he knows you’re nervous about. But in the end, shame wins out. It tells you that he knows what you were doing last night while he was in the shower. You contemplate just asking him directly, if only to relieve the feeling, to get it out in the open.

Instead, you keep your mouth closed and decide to put your focus where it should be in the first place.

“Go over it again,” you ask him.

He nods underneath the dome of his helmet, carefully picking his way along a nearly invisible path.

“It’s a wreck. Been one for a while. I came across it a few cycles back, but once I saw that she was no longer functional, I cut my losses. Went through her innards, took what I could – which,” he looks back at you, “mind you, wasn’t much.”

He faces forward again, holding a branch to the side for you to pass. You step carefully over a thick root, accepting the hand that he holds out for help.

“She had been long abandoned even then, so I don’t think we’ll encounter any unsavory protectors today.”

You can tell from the state of the path that he must be telling the truth. The indentation made by long ago steps is covered by overgrowth, a trench you can only feel rather than see. The ground slopes underneath the creeping vines, the crooked line of it hidden by lush leaves. You follow his yellow suit like a beacon, the color a distinct contrast against all the green.

With each step, nerves unfurl in your stomach at the idea that he might be wrong. That there might be another person there, just as eager to keep what’s theirs as you are to take it. The feeling creeps through your veins like the thick vines that crawl over the soil, and keeping your eyes on the familiar yellow in front of you, you squash down the nervousness with every break of one under your boot.

“Slow now. She’s close.”

He holds a gloved hand out to the side, and you peek around the curve of his shoulder. Just beyond the trees, there’s a pod covered in overgrowth, a relic left behind. The windows are yellowed with age, mildew growing over their oval openings.

The hatch is closed, and the area is silent and still.

He takes careful, scouting steps and you follow close behind him.

“Weapon out, Birdie.”

Your thrower already in your grasp, you tighten your hold on it.

You focus on his breathing for a moment, slow and steady through the speaker in your helmet.

“You good?” His voice crackles over the comm link.

When you look up, he meets your gaze with a level one of his own. Patient, checking in.

At the hesitation you can feel in your expression, he reassures. “I promise you, any occupants are long gone.” Reaching out, he lifts the barrel of your thrower. “Still though, can’t be too careful.”

You nod, and he takes the lead, shielding you.

The hatch takes some strength to pry open, and though you should be more nervous about what – or who — you might find inside, you’re temporarily distracted by the sound coming through your commlink. Heavy exhales, low grunts. A low groan of exertion as he pulls, followed by a breathless sound of relief.

The crux of your thighs throbs, and as he disappears into the hatch, you scramble up behind him, right on his heels. There is a tense moment as he rounds the corner, but when he gives you the all clear, your shoulders drop their pressured weight. Relaxed, you both study the disarray in front of you.

Everything is covered in a thick layer of dust: the shards of broken monitor glass scattered on the floor, the torn seats with stuffing spilling out, the stripped panels from the wall. It’s easy to find the compartment you’re looking for: a gaping hole in the middle of the floor, wires spilling from its depths.

You curse silently. “Someone’s been in there.”

“They take everything?” he asks. Using the tip of his pistol, he nudges the lid off the top of a storage compartment and peers inside.

“I’m not sure.”

Setting your thrower and gloves to the side, you get down on all fours and reach into the open compartment. A tangle of wires obstructs your view and your fingers sift through them all, searching by touch alone.

Your arm disappears all the way up to the shoulder before you locate the sharp edge of the circuit board. Grasping it, you lift it free with a sharp tug. It takes forever to ease it out, but when you do, a grin breaks over your face.

Two converters. Worse for wear, but it’s something. Not near what you need, but it still feels like a victory nonetheless. Carefully detaching them from the board, you hold them out for his inspection, cradled in your palm.

“Look at you, my little channel rat.”

His levity sucks all of the remaining tension from the room.

You grimace. “What did you call me?”

“A channel rat. Your little scavenging fingers, digging through the depths of a ship for a treat.”

Dismissing his teasing smile, you shake your head. “Didn’t you tell me once that those things reeked of piss?”

He chuckles. “I did indeed.”

Going back to the hole in the floor, you study the wires left behind for possible scavenging. “If you call me that even one more time, I’ll shoot you in the back.”

His grin widens at your deadpan delivery.

“Deal.”

–

Back in the safety of your own pod, you pull in deep inhales of fresh air as soon as you lift your helmet off. There is a certain sort of pleasure to it, feeling the recycled air hit your cheeks. Inside the helmet, it’s humid and sticky, the blower pack in your suit not enough to combat the heat from your body. It’s built to keep you cool, but under the helmet, your hair sticks to your nape and your forehead with sweat. Under the helmet, your stale breath blows back into your face. Under the helmet, you feel like you can’t breathe sometimes - which is ironic, given the reason for it in the first place.

Ezra stands close, tossing his helmet down to fumble with the zipper of his suit.

That sound. You can hear it in your sleep. No different than the sound of your own zipper being tugged down, and yet, somehow, it is. You envision the entire scene with startling clarity every night: his bare fingers working the clasp, his suit falling away from his body, the sound underneath it all.

“You good?” He checks on you, and when you nod your head but don’t say anything, he bends his gaze to your level. The stark lighting of the pod makes his eyes look even darker, and his hand comes to rest on your shoulder. Right at the edge of your neckline, the heat of his palm brushes against your skin. “You sure?”

“Yea,” you reassure him, trying to ignore the weight behind your navel his touch brings. “It went good. Really good.”

“I think so,” he replies. “I’m impressed. Our first job as a duo, gone off without a hitch.”

He winks, squeezing your shoulder for a brief moment. When his hand slides away, you stop your body from chasing it.

“Here.” His voice pulls you from your reverie, a cleaning kit held outwards towards you. “You do this, and I’ll do dinner?”

Nodding, you take it from him.

Cross-legged on your cot, you enjoy the sounds of domesticity filling the pod: the gentle scrub of your steel cleaning brush, the clink of a metal pan on the stove, a spoon swirling along the bottom of the pan as Ezra stirs. His humming joins the din, and you glance up at him.

If there was something that you’d never have expected from your first confrontation with the man, a scene like this would be at the top of the list. When your attraction initially began, it used to eat you up inside thinking about how you didn’t know him. You felt immature and foolish thinking about how the feelings were rooted in loneliness, sprouting from a life lacking attention and flourishing in close proximity. However, as scenes like the one in front of you became more common, it was easier to accept it.

The want that you feel coats the space like the dust that lingers in the air outside; ever present, in every breath you take. You try to ignore it, a small pocket of embarrassment bubbling up every time you think about approaching him, though he seems like the type who would be into whatever arrangement you’d propose. Especially given how long he’s been alone. Not only that, but the way in which he carries himself suggests he’s ever fluid, open for whatever comes his way. Adaptable, a side effect of his lifestyle you’re sure.

You know better though.

His carefree conversation is practiced, a facade. One meant to disarm and distract. You’re fairly certain he’s past that stage with you, given not only the amount of time you’ve spent together, but also the way he looks at you. Unguarded, in the morning after he wakes or in the evening, right before he goes to bed. Distracted, letting himself slip into thought, his eyes hooded as his tongue slides slowly across his bottom lip.

Sometimes though, sometimes you see him looking at you in the same way he looks at others: like they are something to study, his eyes keenly assessing.

That look always gives you pause. No matter how much you know he’d probably say yes, his motives are the question you’d really want answered.

Picturing the bare skin along his ribs that rippled in his stretch the other day when he emerged from the shower, you silently flex your hand, mentally fitting your fingers along the velvet skin. Safe in the secrecy of your own mind, you let your daydreams flourish – a bubble that pops when he approaches your cot.

“Not a feast, by any means,” he says, sitting down next to you. “But it’ll do.”

You accept the bowl gratefully, steam rising from its contents. He blows on his spoon, taking a bite. The motion makes his jaw work, and when he swallows, you watch through the fringe of your eyelashes.

“You did good today.”

His easy praise just slips off his tongue, and for someone who has spent so much time in the darkness, you keen under its light.

You smile over at him, and he returns it - but only for a fraction before it drops.

He looks away, down at his food. “The next one might be a touch harder.”

“How come?” you ask, your mouth full.

“Because it’s occupied.”

You stop chewing.

His eyes flick up to meet yours. “Unattended pods are a thing of rarity. Most are occupied, and their inhabitants can be…”

You raise your eyebrows when he doesn’t finish the sentence. “Can be…?”

“Protective of what’s theirs.”

His statement hangs in the air, his expression sober.

Swallowing hard, you sit with it for a minute. “Makes sense, I guess.”

“Look,” he sighs, studying you. “I feel I should go alone, little bird.”

Frowning, you let your bowl rest in your lap. “What? Why? It’s too dangerous.”

He huffs in amusement. “You wound me with your lack of faith in my skills. I assure you, I’ve been navigating such situations alone for far longer than you’ve even been alive.”

The reminder of his age compared to yours should make you feel more at ease about his capabilities, but instead the statement temporarily distracts you. You take in his calloused hands, the lines that edge around the corners of his eyes, the grey flecks in his beard.

“I’ve taught you a lot,” he continues, “But letting the idea marinate, I believe it’s safer to keep you here.”

His suggestion catches you off guard. Everything about your arrangement has been with the word “partnership” in mind: he’s taught you how to dig, how to shoot, how to be aware of your surroundings. For him to want you to stay behind versus alongside him must mean there is something more dangerous about the situation than he’s letting on.

Not liking the idea of being separated from him, you press. “Trust me, I don’t doubt your skills. I’ve seen you in action.”

He sits up straighter, a proud smile stretching his cheeks, and you roll your eyes, undeterred.

“You’re the mechanic, I’m the muscle,” you mimic in his voice. “Weren’t those your words? If there is anyone there, you’ll deal with them so I can get the converters.”

“I’m afraid they won’t part with them as easily as your statement suggests.”

“I never thought they would.” You hold his gaze, searching. “Why don’t you want me there?”

He hesitates, and you can see a war within the depths of his eyes. Eventually, he answers, his voice softer. “I don’t want to subject you to…an avoidable confrontation. Not if I don’t have to.”

A beat of significant silence fills the space between you. Your dinners forgotten, the space around you shrinks to the size of the cot that you share. The urge to toss your bowl onto the ground and pull him to you builds the longer you sit with his statement, but there is something else about his words that tugs at the back of your mind.

You picture him walking into the Green alone, disappearing from your sight. Weeks with him at your side has you rejecting the mental image. Your stomach churns, your hand reaching out to cover his.

“If you go, I go.”

A grimace flashes over his features, the scar along his cheek highlighted for a moment. “I thought you’d say that.”

Rationally, you know he’s just trying to protect you, but you let your hand fall back, hurt. Busying yourself with your bowl again, you can feel him looking at you.

“Hey now,” he says, soft, but stern. “It’s not a lack of faith in your skills, trust me. It’s just that mercs out here are ruthless, raw. Their sensibilities have been swallowed whole by this place, and I don’t want you anywhere near them.”

His voice lowers even more, his tone gentle. “You remember what I said? About girls being rare in this place?”

You look up, and his gaze is fixed on yours, earnest and serious.

“I meant it.”

Apprehension flickers in your chest, but you remain firm in holding your ground. He can’t go alone.

“You really want to come with?” he asks.

You nod instantly. “Yes.”

The corner of his mouth tugs up, a hint of pride flashing through his eyes.

“Okay then, partner. Let’s talk about a plan.”

–

Ezra shifts on his cot, forcing his pillow into submission under his head.

“If you go, I go.”

Your words echo in his mind, your face appearing alongside. Your presence pulls at him from across the short distance between your cots, and he shifts again, rolling to face the wall.

He doesn’t want you to come with tomorrow.

He knows what this place is capable of, the way it carves out the morals of men to leave them shells of desperation. He himself has fallen victim to it, and though he hasn’t often found regret in his actions, he already regrets agreeing to let you come. He’s been here long enough to know that a partner is crucial to survival, but you…you’re unprecedented. You’re a girl. You’re something no one has seen in a long time, and he worries (an emotion he’s not used to) about how they’ll react when they see you.

If it’s anything like the way he reacts to you, you’re both in trouble.

You stir behind him, and he listens. You shift again, and he stills his breath.

The idea that you might be restless with the want you sated last night blossoms in his mind, heat pooling behind his navel. His fingers lightly scratch the wiry hair underneath it, just over where he aches. His cock twitches in interest, and distracting himself from the thought of everything that could go wrong tomorrow, he immerses himself in the thought of you.

You, right behind him, feet away.

You, trying to be quiet, slick need gathering between your thighs.

You, slipping your hand underneath the band of your leggings.

A phantom stickiness smears across the tips of his fingers, and they twitch against his skin. He teases at the band of his thermals, pretending his hand is yours. He moves it slowly, imagining your hesitation - eager, yet shy.

He thickens fully at the thought.

Unpracticed at hiding his attraction towards someone, he’s testing the limits of his self restraint with every minute spent in your presence. Constantly reminding himself of how vulnerable you are, the idea that you’d go along with any sort of proposition out of intimidation makes him sick. But you wanting it? You making the first move?

His hand (your hand) creeps a little lower, brushing against the base of his cock. It’s stiff to the touch, and he closes his eyes – only to be assaulted with the idea of someone else grabbing your hand to force it underneath their pants. His erection wanes, a series of images flashing through his mind: you screaming for help, you being forcibly dragged out of his sight, someone else taking from you what you never offered.

He softens.

His attachment to you is something like he’s never experienced before. This urge to keep you hidden from the world to protect you, while also helping you flourish. The need that coats him from the inside out, yet is forced to stay on a leash. It feels like a fever dream sometimes, the time he spends in the pod with you. A liminal place, a trapped sort of existence akin to hell itself in the way he wants you, but also something akin to heaven.

A companionship he’s missed, a presence he ached for and now has. Like you dropped from the sky, meant just for him.

He hears you shift again, and he frowns.

He should roll over and ask you if everything’s okay, but he knows it’s not. You’re probably worried about tomorrow and you should be. You’re as ready as you’ll ever be — as ready as this place will allow you to become before you’re thrown into the heat of the fire.

He also shouldn’t because he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to stop himself. If he rolls over, he’ll see you — see your shadowed form in the darkness, the dips and curves of your body. He pictures himself being drawn to it, crawling the distance between your cots. Settling close to you, feeling the heat of your skin. Murmured, dulcet tones of soothing. His hands smoothing away your nerves.

His mouth being drawn to yours in the dark intimacy of the night.

He wants to tuck your face into the crook of his neck and tell you it will be fine.

But he doesn’t know if it will be, and so he stays still, guilt eating at his restless bones.

—

The pod stands alone in the clearing, silent and imposing.

Boot prints have tamped down the soil surrounding it, the greenery eaten away. The tracks are fresh, and they lead in every direction.

“How many do you think there are?”

Hidden in the green together, you speak lowly even though no one is tuned into your frequency but Ezra.

“Hard to say. I’d judge two, maybe three.” He shifts, trying to get a better view. “The size of their vessel doesn’t say much for numbers. Can’t be more than that.”

“Do you think they’re in there?”

Noting no sign of life surrounding the pod, you try to peer in the windows from afar to spot any movement.

He sighs, a heavy and resigned thing through your connection. He turns his head, and you do the same, facing each other.

“Unfortunately, Birdie, we won’t know until we open the door.”

He checks the charge on his pistol, flicking his eyes to your weapon in a motion for you to do the same. “You ready?”

Nodding, you grip your thrower. “Ready.”

Standing from your hidden spot, he takes an automatic lead in front of you. His slinking steps are careful, his breathing steady and measured. The dust motes surrounding you make the whole thing seem like a suspended dream, like you’re moving in slow motion along with them. For every step he takes, you do the same until you’re moving as mirror images, creeping closer and closer.

Anticipation and adrenaline have your entire body on high alert, yet the green around you remains eerily calm. There is no movement and no sound other than the gentle rustle of the trees, and while that would normally be muted underneath the dome of your helmet, your straining ears pick it up. A bead of sweat glides down the back of your neck, your eyes focused on Ezra’s back as he reaches the pod.

His gloved hand strokes down the smooth metal of the hatch, searching for an opening. When he finds it, you can hear a terse smile in his exhale of relief.

“There she is,” he murmurs. “You gonna open up for me?”

He works the latch open with force, and you spot check the edges of the clearing. Your heart is beating so fast you can feel it in your chest, and in contrast, Ezra seems as calm as ever. You think about your own pod in the middle of a similar clearing, and how your role has reversed in your weeks here. Once the trapped person inside, now the intruder seeking what belongs to someone else.

The hatch opens, and you crawl in behind him.

It’s empty inside, though clearly in use. Two cots are pushed against the wall, blankets and pillows crumpled on top of them. Thermals litter the floor, metal dishes are stacked next to the small sink, and there is a station of cleaning tools left out, as if someone stopped mid-task.

“Speed is of the essence, little bird.”

His voice grounds you, your eyes immediately scanning the floor. It takes a minute to find the sealed compartment, but you catch the edge of it underneath one of the cots.

“Help me move this,” you ask him, picking your way over to the panel. While you’re careful with your steps, he stomps without care on anything in his way: discarded papers on the floor, a dirty shirt. He lifts the cot with a grunt, and you drop to your knees.

The panel springs open and sifting through the wires, you wish you stopped to take your helmet off. It’s hard to get close enough to the floor with the dome limiting how close you can get, and a small huff of frustration slips from your mouth as you stick your arm down, down, down, stretching it as much as you can.

Just when you’ve reached your limit, you feel the edge of the panel.

“Anything there?” He delivers the question calmly, though you can hear the slight tone of urgency that slips through.

“Got it,” you grit through your teeth, tugging it free.

The edges of it catch on the neat wiring that surrounds it, and impatiently, you tear through it all. Lifting it from the floor, your eyes widen.

“Ten. There are ten, Ez.”

You look up at him in awestruck wonder, and he returns a tight smile.

“Speedy now. Show me how you use those nimble fingers of yours.”

You click them off with practiced precision, trying to tamp down the elation that you feel at the added weight of each one in the pouch attached to your hip. When you have all ten, you toss the panel back into the nest of wires and slip the lid back into place. Standing to get out of his way, you watch as Ezra unceremoniously drops the cot back onto the floor.

He smiles at you, a genuine one this time. “You did so good, Birdie. So good.”

Relief floods your chest at his praise. Your stomach has been in knots all morning, worsening as you sat in the bush and waited, and though you know you’re not out of danger yet, you take a moment to let your victory wash over you. A sudden, fierce wish to be back in your own pod with him takes you by surprise, a burning need to throw your helmet off and have him do the same so you can kiss him. Your body subconsciously leans forward, drawn to the idea and to him and to the need to have his praise breathed directly into your mouth for you to swallow.

A similar look flashes across his own dark features, and there is a beat of weighted tension. It swirls in the space between you, filling it — and breaking, when he grabs your hand.

He gives it a squeeze, leading you back towards the hatch. “Come on. Before they get back.”

Following the back of his suit out of the pod, you notice the surroundings of the clearing seem brighter, less ominous. The dust that floats through the air no longer seems threatening and nightmarish, but more like a pleasant dream. You take in the details for the first time today, your eyes fixed where the tops of the trees brush the sky – disappearing when you’re ripped from behind with a sudden, forceful jerk backwards.

“Ezra!”

Your thrower gets tossed from your hand, and the air is pushed from your lungs as your back hits the ground with a thud. You kick wildly and try to scramble up, and a sharp kick from behind keeps you trapped in place, forcing you onto your front.

Coughing, you lift your head under the helmet, but the edges of the dome obstruct your view. Straining, you squirm underneath the heavy pressure of a boot on your back, fighting to see where Ezra is. You can see only his boots, toe to toe with a stranger’s.

The voice above you is grizzled and deep. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Looking for something we need,” Ezra drawls, and though you can’t see his face, you can picture it. The truthful admission comes out slow and confident. “We found it, so we’ll be on our way.”

You hear the charge of a thrower above you, and Ezra’s boots shift slightly. It’s a special sort of hell to hear him through the comm link without being able to see him.

“Go in there and see what the fuck they took,” orders the man pinning you to the ground.

You see his partner's boots walk out of your sight, and hear him climb the ramp to the pod.

“You stay right there,” he warns Ezra. “One move and I’ll shoot your partner here.”

Lifting your torso with a grunt, you shift just enough to get Ezra in your sights before the boot on your back forces you back down. Even though you’re prone and he’s being held at gunpoint—both at the mercy of a stranger—reassurance floods through you at just being able to see his face.

“That would be…regrettable.”

The shift in Ezra’s expression is cold and menacing, his fingers flexing slightly on the grip of his pistol.

“That so?” the man teases. His boot wiggles, shoving you deeper into the soil. “Feels kinda scrawny. Can’t imagine what use he is to you for someone so small.”

“You’d be surprised,” Ezra counters.

“Let’s see him.”

The words take you by surprise, just like the swift jerk of your shoulders. He flips you faster than you can react, his boots coming down to step on your arms and the tip of his thrower aims directly at your face – his eyes wide with surprise right above it.

“Is this – is this a girl?”

Your boot flies up to kick him in the back, and he grunts but doesn’t budge. You do it again, and he presses the muzzle of his thrower into your chest.

“Do it again and see what happens.” Antsy, he glances up in the direction of the pod and yells to his partner. “What the fuck is taking you so long?”

Taking advantage of his split second of distraction, you use every ounce of strength you have to bow your back off the ground just enough to catch him by surprise. His boots falter, taking the pressure off your arms and you quickly sit up, driving your elbows into his thighs. He growls in frustration, trying to keep his thrower on you while also bending to swipe for your leg, and you scramble backwards in the soil. Your boots slide on the damp earth, your gloved fingers digging into the ground for purchase and there is a sharp crack in the air as Ezra aims his pistol at the man and misses. You flinch, crawling backwards to get out of the man’s reach, and panic cuts through you when you hear the stomp of boots coming down the ramp.

“What the hell –”

Those are the only words the man gets out before you hear more cracking shots, and then he’s falling backwards, dead, onto the ground.

“You son of a bitch!” The man who had you pinned lunges for Ezra, his thrower tossed to the side, a knife in his hand instead.

Ezra abandons his own weapon, throwing himself at the stranger. You watch helplessly as two of them hit the ground, fighting for control of the knife. Crawling towards Ezra’s gun, you stretch your hand towards the weapon when you hear it.

“Just wait till I kill you,” the man warns between his teeth. “I’m gonna fuck that girl raw. Right here. Right next to your dead fucking –”

A grizzled choking sound cuts off the man’s words, and you whirl to face them just in time to see Ezra jerking the knife out of the man’s neck. Blood spurts across Ezra’s gloves, and he shoves the knife down again, and again. The force behind it is immense, Ezra’s face contorted in a look you’ve never seen before. His jabs are ruthless and quick, cutting and deep, and his arm speeds up, his face in a rage-filled trance, his eyes wild and cold all at the same time.

“Mine,” you hear him between heavy breaths, between each plunge. “She’s mine.”

Frozen, you watch in a morbid sort of fascination, but also in relief.

He doesn’t stop stabbing until the man is long dead.

—

The walk back to the pod is as quick as it can be, with Ezra’s weight leaning heavily on your side. All traces of joy and victory have long vanished, and the two of you say nothing to each other as you trudge along the hidden path.

His expression as he killed that man plays on repeat in your mind the whole way, along with his words.

“She’s mine.”

Though he’s trying to mask his pain, his grip on your hip tells you the truth, as does his labored breathing. You didn’t see it happen, but the man must have hit his mark at least once, judging from a telltale stain of dark red smeared across the front of Ezra’s suit. It seems to take forever to get back, and with every step, his wound gets worse and worse in your mind.

Finally back inside your pod, you strip and toss everything carelessly onto the ground.

“I need the med kit,” he groans, collapsing against the wall. His movements are jerky as he rips his helmet off, and then his gloves, using his teeth. “Fuck,” he sighs, his eyes pinched closed.

He’s pale, his sweat matted hair stuck to his forehead and you kneel in front of him with the kit, rifling through the contents.

“What do you need?”

His hand splays protectively over his lower stomach. “He got me through my suit, just here.” He shifts, a loud groan breaking free when he peels down the top of his suit. He rolls it to the waist, and gingerly pushing the fabric down, you see his thermals underneath, stained dark and saturated with blood.

He lifts it, and you wince.

“Looks worse than it is,” he breathes heavily, letting his head fall back against the wall.

“It looks pretty bad, Ez. Really bad.”

His stomach is matted and smeared with blood, and at the center of it all, a gash.

He holds his hand out for gauze, dabbing at the wound with a hiss. “See?” His stomach flinches, and he wipes it again before looking at you. “A stitch or two should do it.”

“You sure?” you ask, and he nods, letting his head fall to the side as he looks away.

“In you? Always.”

Your fingers tremble slightly when you flick open the med kit, and then rote memory takes over. You’ve done this – your father used to stumble home all the time with various gashes. Bar fights, brawls in alley ways. Prospectors are a rough crowd, and you’d stitched him up more than once. This is just like that, only better because you don’t have someone yelling at you to do it faster – but also worse, because you care about this person more. The thought leaps into your mind, and knowing you don’t have time to dwell on it, you shove it away.

Ezra flinches at the touch of your hand against his bare stomach, his muscles tensing under your fingers.

You pause, and he lets out a nervous laugh.

“Sorry. Cold hands.”

You give him an apologetic smile.

“Keep going.”

You take your time disinfecting the wound, making sure all traces of dirt are gone. Your hand sweeps across this skin more than once, trying not to think about all the ways you imagined touching his stomach for the first time. It’s soft under your fingertips, a slight round to his lean belly and though his neck is taut with tension, he remains still under your exploration. You want him to look at you: for reassurance, for acknowledgement of your hands on his skin – but he is resolute, keeping his eyes fixed on the wall.

Setting your rag down, you pick up the stapler.

“You ready?”

He nods.

Using one hand to pinch his flesh together, you brace the stapler against his skin, blood smearing on the metal. You punch the first one through, and he hisses, his hand gripping your wrist.

“Shit. Shit. Keep going.”

His breathing has turned into panting, his eyes clenched tight. You slide it along his skin an inch, and then punch another one.

The groan he lets out would be filthy, if not for the situation you’re in. It’s a strained, long thing — his head tipped back, veins highlighted along his neck and you toss the stapler to the side, pressing fresh gauze against the wound.

“All done. It’s done.”

He nods, a tired smile gracing his face. Leaning forward, he keeps one hand on his stomach and you watch nervously as he crawls onto his cot. He falls back onto his pillow, calmer now, but still pale.

“My thanks, Birdie.”

He slips into a stress-induced sleep, and you look at him for a moment before cleaning up.

At the sink, you notice his red hand print around your wrist. The blood had pooled between his fingers, the digits a slick slide over your small wrist and you brush your thumb over the marks he left behind. It looks violent, yet there is a part of you that likes it. Being branded with him, a part of him smeared into your skin.

You hesitate to wash it off.

—

He sleeps, and you keep watch.

You had worried for your father sometimes, but it was nothing like this. In the small amount of time that you’d come to know him, Ezra already meant more to you than your own father ever did.

In the dark, you finally let yourself dwell on the realization.

Your father had never truly been a father. He was more of a stranger, or a roommate at best. He dragged you down with him, keeping you close enough to use you when he needed. He was never invested in you, never cared what you thought or wanted. You never needed him for anything, but Ezra…Ezra you need. You need him to survive and get off this planet, but you also need him more than that. Deeper than that.

The respect and courtesy he treats you with is something that surprised you, given the way you met. In a short while though, you’ve come to realize it’s exactly what’s been missing from your life this whole time. His curiosity and interest is genuine, and his care for you — especially after the events of today — is obvious.

She’s mine.

Did he say that because it’s true? Or because he needs everyone else to believe it’s true?

His lashes flutter, a dream seemingly racing through his slumber and you watch the movement of his eyes under his lids. His fingers flex, and without thinking, you place your hand on top of his.

He stills, and so do you.

The minutes and hours slip by, the moon slowly making its way from one pod window to another and you keep your vigil all the while. He murmurs in his sleep, and you cradle the curve of his jaw. Even after he stops, you keep your hand in place.

Your thumb traces the line of the scar on his cheek - a hooked thing, violent. He never told you how he got it, and you long for him to wake up and regale you with the story. He’d make a meal out of it, you know he would.

When he doesn’t stir, you continue your exploration.

Delicate touches: a swipe over his silken eyelid, a trace down the line of his nose. The bristle of his moustache tickles the pad of your thumb, a direct contrast against the smooth patch of skin on his jawline where there is no hair.

He’s a killer, and you wonder how many have gotten as close as this.

She’s mine.

He’s right — you are. In a short while you have become his. The juxtaposition of the man you saw today versus the man in front of you now is jarring, as if he couldn’t be the same man at all. And maybe he’s not, for anyone else. But for you, he is.

You get both, and while you should have been scared by the way he savagely killed today, you instead find yourself proud. You find yourself drawn to it, admiration and assurance and a sense of protection swirling around in your mind.

He did that for you, something no one has ever done.

Emboldened by this knowledge and drawn to his profile in the dark, you rest on his firm chest, and your fingers splay outwards over his heart.

Leaning down, you press your lips lightly against his.

–

He’s been awake for a while.

He has wished for you like this so many times. Just like this, only he never imagined himself like this. Just his luck that his wish comes true, but at a cost.

You’re so close, your face hovering just above his. He can smell the sweetness of your breath, of your skin. The way you’re looking at him has been one he’s only ever seen in his dreams, and though his body aches with a hidden want that threatens to consume, he stays perfectly still, not wanting it to end.

He’s never been touched like this by anyone, and it takes everything he has to keep his eyes closed — until he feels you press your lips against his.

He responds instantly, his hand coming up to cup the crown of your head.

Your kiss is so soft — soft and delicate and vulnerable, just like you. Your mouth fits neatly against his own, and before he can truly savor it, it’s gone.

He opens his eyes and your shadowed form comes into focus, your proximity intoxicating. His dream come to life.

His hand slides down the back of your hair, settling on your neck. Holding you place, he can see the vulnerability that seeps out of your every pore, and he longs to soothe you. If he knew what he should soothe, he would.

He knows what he wants to soothe, but he waits.

“What are you doing, Birdie?” he whispers.

Your eyes flit between his, and you bite your lip, thinking. He watches as you war with yourself inside your head, and his touch drifts to cup your cheek. His thumb slides across the soft curve of it, and when his eyes dip to your mouth, he watches your expression change to something more assured.

Confident, resolute.

“This,” you whisper back, bending down for another kiss.

[taborc]

phases

[marigraphia]

Hey remember when Kory was a Justice League member with a bangin' costume

[lunarharp]

pretty & cute witch men

[onesnoopyaday]

waiting for the Great Pumpkin

Snoopy #30

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween everyone!

[hanymelon]

The girls!

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