#trying to do a few edits a week to get back into the swing of things.

[muniimyg]

𐙚₊˚⊹ bbydaddy!yoongi (7) ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹

series m.list // taglist

note: yoongi and oc have the what r we talk,, have a few awh moments,, and r jus so cute... anyways,, my apologies as i'll be fixing my taglist next week ,, too busy n just trying to push out content lol !!! also PLEASE BE SURE TO LEAVE UR @ IN THE COMMENT BOX FOR SPECIFIC FIC TAGLIST STUFF (in the taglist form)

EDIT: mochi < injeolmi

//

as yoongi stands outside your door with a plastic bag swinging in one hand—all he can really think about is how amused he is from the 2AM craving text.

he takes a breath, raises his hand to knock, but the door opens before he can and there you stand with puffy cheeks streaked with the telltale signs of crying. 

his smile drops instantly.

“hey,” yoongi’s voice softens, concern etching into his features. “___, what happened? w-why are you crying?”

you try to muster a smile but fail. your lips tremble as you glance at the bag in his hand. letting out a shaky laugh, you wipe your face and take a deep breath in. 

“i don’t even really want pickles and peanut butter,” you admit. “i just… it’s… this isn’t about a pregnancy craving, yoongi.” 

yoongi’s brows knit together and he steps forward. closing the space between you two, suddenly you feel a rush of guilt. 

“okay, then what is it about?” his voice is gentle. he places the bag on the floor so he can rest a hand on your arm, grounding and reassuring. "everything okay? you okay?"

you looks up at him, eyes glassy and full of a vulnerability. 

“i just…” you take another breath, steadying yourself. “i didn’t know how to tell you i wanted you here. just you. no excuses, no weird cravings.”

yoongi’s eyes widen, confusion and something else flashing across his face.

“wait—you could’ve just asked me to come over. i would’ve dropped everything to be here. you know that, right?”

a tear slips down your cheek. shaking your head, a sad smile forms. 

“yeah. we’re friends, yoongi, but we’re not friends.” you say, emphasizing the word. a pang of bitterness lingers. “we’re not close like that. i guess i’m just freaking out because as much as i want this—fuck, i want this so bad… i’m upset that i’m having a baby with someone i can’t even ask to come over without making up an excuse. does that make sense?”

yoongi’s heart clenches. 

he’s struck speechless for a moment. then he sighs and runs his hand through his hair. 

“i get it,” he says quietly. his hand still rests on your arm. he squeezes it lightly. “can i come in? let’s talk about this please.”

you nod and move aside for him. 

yoongi steps into your apartment, closing the door softly behind him.

he heads to the kitchen, methodically placing the jars of pickles and peanut butter on the counter. his movements are slower than usual as the weight of the moment settles in. 

when he turns, he watches you retreat toward your bedroom and for a second—confusion prickles at the back of his mind. 

why aren’t we sitting in the living room? he wonders. 

he’s never been inside your bedroom before. 

… but he follows you anyway, trailing behind you like a shadow.

the room feels more intimate than he expected.

the walls holding a quiet familiarity, but also the tension of something unspoken. you two stand there for a beat, the silence stretching until you blurt out;

“s-sorry. uh, the couch makes my back hurt if i sit there too long. i’m more comfortable in here. is that okay?” 

yoongi takes in your words, a small pang of concern for her comfort, and nods, his usual nonchalance cracking just a bit. 

then, you both settle on the bed.

the awkwardness between you two is palpable. yoongi braces himself for the conversation they both know is coming, hoping the closeness will bridge the distance they’ve been struggling to cross.

“are you regretting this?” you ask, voice quiet and afraid. 

yoongi shakes his head instantly. 

“no. i’m not,” he answers. “are you?”

you also shake your head. 

“no… but, i do wish i thought it through more.” 

he titls his head. “specifically about what? about me?”

you bite bottom lip, trying to find the words to explain how you feel about him. how you feel about everything between you two…

and it’s hard.

it’s difficult because you never had to think twice about yoongi and your friendship.

friends. 

until sometimes, when you two are alone.. it’s friends. 

“let’s be honest,” yoongi begins, cutting your thoughts short. “we’ve always had this weird… in-between thing. but if you need me, you don’t have to make excuses. i’m already here, aren't i? and i’m committed to the baby—our baby. to you, even… so, tell me where your headspace is at. i’ll match it. i’ll place myself in between where you need me and where i want to be for you. you just have to tell me what you want, ___.”

you look at him, eyes searching his for something… then, yoongi continues, his voice sincere and steady.

“we’re about to have a child together, yeah, but more than that… i care about you. always have. so, please don’t think that you have to put up walls or hide what you need from me, okay? i want to see through it. i want to see through you.”

you take a breath, relief washing over her as you nod. 

“okay.” 

and in that small word, a bridge starts to form between them—something real and raw and hopeful.

you and yoongi have never been close. 

there has never been a moment where you were in trouble and thought to yourself; shit i need yoongi’s help.

no. 

there was always hyemi, nam joon, jin, hoseok, jimin, taehyung and jungkook before yoongi. not that you liked him the least—if anything; considering the current happenings—maybe you like him the most. but besides that, you two are truly just decent friends. 

everyone in the friendgroup is. 

you laugh at the same jokes, make fun of nam joon when he says something ridiculous, and have each other’s backs when needed—but that’s it. 

or at least it should be.

again, until you’re alone together... then, it’s different. 

there’s this undercurrent.

something unspoken that takes all makes it hard to breathe. it’s the way he leans in when he’s talking to you. it’s the subtle touches he probably doesn’t think about… all these vague flirting moments leave you second-guessing… but you know what is it. you know who he is. 

and that’s what’s confusing. 

in the midst of this in-between—you don’t know how to word what he makes you feel. 

safe?

nervous?

loved?

and now with the baby; it should be more complicated. everything in your life feels more complicated but somehow; what you are—or what you aren’t—hasn’t changed at all. 

you’re still friends.

friends. 

“can we talk about this?” you speak out. “like first… what are we?”

yoongi’s eyes widen. 

he wasn’t ready for this question, but he also doesn’t hate it. he’s been wanting to know too. he’s been thinking about it too. 

“what do you want us to be?” 

you gulp, not knowing if he’ll like the answer you’re about to give. 

“friends,” you tell him. “is that ridiculous?”

yoongi shrugs. “only if you make it to be.”

“it’s just… i feel like i need to get to know you more. i didn’t even save your number in my phone until last year. we’ve been friends for over 3 years, yoongi… also, i don’t know your favourite colour. i don’t know your birthdate because i always confuse it with hobi’s… yours is in february, right?”

“march.”

you throw your head back, letting out a sharp and loud hiss. 

“fuck—s-see what i mean?” you take a breath and regulate. then, you reach for his hand and squeeze it. “i’m sorry. we’ve been decent friends but truth be told sometimes i feel like a stranger to you. i didn’t think this through—”

“it’s fine,” yoongi says, patting your back. “we’re not complete strangers. you know things about me, ___. don’t act like you don’t just because you’re scared. and, you know what? we can get to know each other more as the pregnancy goes on. besides, once the baby comes out—you’re stuck with me for life. i mean, it’s our baby.”

your lips curve into a small smile. 

“is our baby gonna have two cribs?” you blurt. “hyemi made a passing comment and for some reason i keep picturing it. two cribs.. two sets of clothes.. two homes.. two car seats—”

“one then,” yoongi simplifies it for you. “move in with me or i move in with you.”

you blink at him. 

“...hear me out,” yoongi says, voice calm but his eyes serious, holding yours as if he’s trying to make sure every word sticks. ���we already spend so much time together—in our friendgroup setting at least… and i know it won’t be perfect. we’ll annoy each other, i’m sure, but it’ll be easier. for both of us. we won’t have to juggle back and forth or worry about where the baby should be or whose place has what.”

you swallow. 

the image of two cribs still lingering in your mind, mixing with the new picture he’s painting—one home, one set of everything, a shared life that feels both thrilling and terrifying. 

“yoongi…” you start, your voice wavering. “it’s not just about convenience. moving in together means… a lot. and what if we make things harder? what if it complicates everything more than it should?”

he nods, understanding the hesitation even as he inches a little closer, his presence grounding you. 

“i get that,” he says. “but we’ve already made things complicated, haven’t we?” his lips curve into a small, almost hopeful smile. “this way, at least, we’ll be complicated together. and if it doesn’t work, we’ll figure it out, for the baby’s sake. we owe it to them—and to ourselves—to at least try.”

you want to say yes.

to fall into this idea of a shared space, of yoongi always being just a few steps away, but the weight of uncertainty keeps you frozen. 

“i don’t know,” you murmur, dropping your gaze to your hands. “it’s a big step… and i’m scared of what it could mean… for us.”

yoongi reaches over, his fingers brushing lightly against yours. 

“i’m scared too,” he admits softly. “but i’d rather try and fail than not try at all. just… think about it, okay? no pressure. maybe a timer though. baby is coming soon.”

you finally look up, meeting his eyes, the sincerity there chipping away at your worries. a small, reluctant smile tugs at your lips. 

“hahaha… okay. yeah, i’ll think about it,” you promise, and the room feels a little lighter, hope lingering between you both. "... what if we buy baby things and leave it at yours? i think... i do want to move in with you. i think your points make sense and honestly? i've been thinking about us a lot... let's just do it slowly, okay?"

yoongi leans back slightly, studying your expression before he continues. 

“okay, if we’re doing this, I want to do it right,” he says, the seriousness of his tone making you focus. “since we're confessing.. truth be told, i’ve been struggling with this entire thing too. ___, i don’t want to be the dad who just shows up when it’s convenient or only takes half the responsibility. until we figure out the whole moving-in thing… i need you to keep me in the loop. not even the loop—in it. everything, okay? every appointment, every little thing the doctor says. even if it’s something silly, like craving pickles at 2 in the morning, call me. i want to be here. i meant it when i said i need you to figure out how to need me.” 

you nod slowly, his words settling into your chest. the way he’s looking at you—it’s like he’s already preparing himself for every moment he might miss if you don’t.

“and i'm serious about appointments,” yoongi adds, his voice softening just a little, the corners of his lips turning up in a small smile. “i want to know every detail. hear the heartbeat, see the ultrasounds, even if it means i have to reschedule work. screw it, honestly. you and baby are my priority… i’m gonna do everything to make you know that you deserve to feel like we’re doing this together.”

a lump forms in your throat, and you swallow, feeling the weight of his commitment. 

“you really mean that,” you say quietly, more to yourself than him. “yoongi…”

“of course, i do.” he pauses, his eyes holding yours with that steady, unwavering calm. “we might not be close, but this baby deserves two parents who are trying their best. and maybe…” he hesitates, his voice dropping lower. “maybe this will help us become more than just friends who share stolen glances. more than whatever weird, in-between thing we have.”

a beat.

“shit, do we have to talk about that now?”

he laughs. 

“no,” he shrugs. “i’m not in a rush. i’m cool with taking things slow. i have a lifetime with you anyway. also have a feeling you'll be moved in with me in a week or two.”

you roll your eyes and he chuckles.

then, you’re silent for a moment, processing the vulnerability he’s showing, the way he’s extending himself for both you and the baby. 

“okay,” you finally say. “i’ll call more. i’ll update you on everything. breakfast and prenatals and all.”

yoongi snickers at you. “... and when we’re finally living together… we’ll figure out a routine that works for both of us. we’ll make it as easy as possible… for all three of us.”

before you know it, you launch yourself at him.

you wrap your arms around his neck and he wraps his around your torso, returning the hug without hesitations. for a moment, it feels safe, like he’s anchoring you to something solid amidst all the uncertainty.

when you pull away, you glance up at him, nerves tightening in your chest. 

“can you… stay the night?” you ask, your voice softer than you mean it to be. “i guess that’s what i meant with the pickles and peanut butter.”

yoongi snorts at you. 

“i knew it.”

he earns a hit to his chest, but he takes it like a champ. even though he’s teasing you, there’s something so reassuring in the way he says it. 

“i'm already in my pajamas... i’ll just use the bathroom real quick. be right back.”

as yoongi makes his way to the bathroom, he flicks on the light and notices the little details of your life scattered around the sink. toothpaste, skincare products, and…

a blue toothbrush placed neatly next to yours. 

his heart stumbles at the sight, realization washing over him. 

it’s for him. 

you had thought about him even in the smallest of ways, planning for him to be here.

what the fuck is his heart supposed to do with this?

it tugs.

it skips a beat.

it races.

it falls for you a little more.

when he returns to your bedroom, he finds you already lying in bed, looking smaller and more vulnerable under the soft glow of the bedside lamp. he hesitates, unsure of how to fit into this space with you. the silence stretches awkwardly between you both as he slips under the covers.

neither of you knows quite how to lie together. 

you both fidget, trying not to make it more awkward, until you shift uncomfortably, a small wince escaping your lips. 

“ugh,” you mumble, “my back hurts.”

yoongi is at your side instantly. his nonchalant demeanor slipping away as he sits up. 

“here, let me help,” he murmurs, carefully guiding you to reposition. his hands are gentle but firm as he encourages you to lie partially against him, your body leaning into his. he wraps his arms around your belly, cradling you and the baby, and nuzzles his face into the curve of your neck. the warmth of his breath sends a small shiver down your spine, but it melts away as you sink into his embrace.

you both stay still, letting the comfort settle in. slowly, the awkwardness ebbs, replaced by a sense of calm as you relax against him.

just as you’re on the edge of sleep, you murmur something faintly. 

“yoongi?”

“mhmm?

“injeolmi...” you whisper.

yoongi stirs, confused. 

“huh?” he whispers back, trying not to disturb you too much. “are you craving injeolmi? i’ll get you some tomorrow–”

you smile sleepily, eyes already closed. 

“no.. our baby looks like injeolmi,” you explain, your words trailing off into drowsiness. “the ultrasound… injeolmi. let’s call our baby injeolmi for now.”

yoongi heart squeezes at the endearing name, a small smile tugging at his lips. 

“injeolmi,” he repeats, pressing a soft kiss into your hair. “okay. baby injeolmi it is.”

wrapped in each other’s warmth, you both drift off, with yoongi holding you close. all he thinks about before falling asleep is;

baby injeolmi, you are so loved.

[sepdet]

Merry Shitscram, Tumblr!

(transcript below cut)

Guess what I borrowed from Mom's stacks while visiting?

I won't cap the whole thing, but at least I can provide you with some selected excerpts for the next week. Yes, this IS that edition.

Transcript below.

Chapter One

FOR THE THIRD consecutive night, Captain James T. Kirk awoke with a gasp of surprise and something akin to fear clinging to the side of his throat. He blinked once, then struggled to sit up, leaning against the head of the bed his eyes scanned the dark room. Reality returned and his gaze settled on the chronometer. It was shortly after 3 A.M., Ship Standard Time, but he was wide awake and knew he would have little hope of getting back to sleep before the alarm demanded his attention at six.

Releasing the breath he'd been holding, he replayed the recurring dream in his mind, wondering why it should have disturbed him so deeply . . . and so often.

After discovering no logical explanation for its cause or its unprecedented effect on him, he tried passing it off to the fact that the Enterprise had been on routine patrol of the Romulan Neutral Zone for nearly two months—an inexcusably boring mission. But with Romulan Fleet activity increased for no apparent reason, he accepted the fact that he was bound to be a little edgy.

After another deep breath and a shake of his tousled hair, he slowly lowered himself back into the warm nest of covers,l and closed his eyes; but as expected, he was only pretending to sleep when the First Shift duty alarm sounded less than three hours later.

Stifling a yawn, Kirk entried the Deck 5 turbolift to discover the ship's first officer studying him with a lifted eyebrow.

"Morning, Spock," Kink said with a sheepish grin, wishing he'd taken the time for a cup of coffee before presenting himself publicly.

The Vulcan's head inclined in greeting, "Captain," he said formally. The doors closed and the lift began its familiar horizontal motion, but the Vulcan continued to study his friend. "Is everything all right, Captain?" he inquired presently.

"Just fine, Mister Spock," Kirk replied. "Why do you ask?" He wondered if his eyes were a trifle more red than they'd appeared in the mirror.

The eyebrow climbed higher beneath the long black bangs. "You seem. . . unusually distracted," Spock observed after a questioning moment of silence.

So much for dismissing the matter, Kirk thought. Spock's scrutiny was never escaped easily. "Would you believe me if I told you that the invincible Captain Kirk has insomnia?" he asked with a smile.

"Indeed," Spock murmured. Kirk was normally a very private individual; but now the hazel eyes seemed alight with a combination of embarrassment and mischief. The Vulcan decided not to mention that he himself had been having disturbing dreams for at least a week. "I trust you have not sought relief from Doctor McCoy?"

Kirk shook his head. "For a few hours of lost sleep?" But the twinkle left his eyes as a frown found its way to his face. "I don't know why it should bother me at all," he said, feeling some need to explain himself. "But . . . never mind, Spock," he added as the nocturnal images returned to haunt him. "It was . . . just a dream." Trying to change the subject, the smile returned to his face. "Another human shortcoming, eh, Spock?"

Something in Kirk's too-casual tone caused the Vulcan to look at him more closely. "Would you care to discuss the matter in more detail, Captain?" he asked, momentarily wondering why he didn't dismiss the subject as Kirk was attempting to do. Yet he realized that the captain's normal reservations concerning his personal life did not extend to him, just as he understood that the reverse was also true.

Kirk glanced up from where he'd been studying his boots, and felt the familiar telepathic door swing open between himself and the Vulcan. It was something which had formed between them over the years, something which had saved their lives countless times and made them brothers. He did want to discuss it, but only with Spock.

McCoy would, as the Vulcan was fond of pointing out, dispense a handful of pills and an hour of friendly advice; and though Kirk valued the doctor's friendship, he wasn't in the mood for a full battery of psychological tests to determine the cause of a simple recurring dream. He chanced a quick look at the Vulcan as a plan of action took shape in his mind.

"I haven't had breakfast yet," he began, finding an excuse he needed. "But . . . I'm sure you have, Mister Spock. After all," he continued with a broadening grin, "Vulcans never ever miss breakfast, right? You have to keep those thought-wheels well oiled and in perfect working order." He studied his first officer's lean frame. "And you never gain an ounce either!" he added with a look of mock-disgust, remembering Mc-Coy's warnings to cut back on the meat and potatoes and settle for a salad once in awhile.

The Vulcan brow lowered as Spock observed his captain's nonchalant approach. "I have not eaten this morning," he stated in straightforward contrast to Kirk's roundabout endeavors, "and I would be pleased to join you." His eyes seemed to lighten as he studied the casual way Kirk was holding in his stomach. "And we need not inform Doctor McCoy as to the menu."

—•—

(Next Time: Our lads discuss nightmares over breakfast and discover they are on the same wavelength, as usual.)

[See tag Killing Time Excerpts for more!]

[gotham-ruaidh]

the playground - new from the Modern Glasgow AU

Modern Glasgow AU: Chronological order || Publication Order [AO3]

(set about 9 years after Jamie and Claire’s wedding)

--

“But Mama – ”

Claire set the knit cap – a gift from Murtagh and Tante Suzette last Christmas – a bit more snugly around four-year-old William Fraser’s ears. “No buts. It’s cold today. You don’t want to get sick again like a few months back, do you?”

William sighed theatrically. “No. That wasnae fun at all.”

Claire patted her son’s shoulders. “Go have fun with your sisters. I’ll be right here.”

She watched William dart across the playground to the slide, where five-year-old Brianna and six-year-old Faith were already patiently waiting for their turn. Brianna waved, and Claire, smiling, waved back.

It was a bright but uncharacteristically cold day for early April – even in Glasgow, where like most of Scotland the weather could drastically shift in an instant. But it was the first full day of the half term school holiday – and Claire had worked very hard to rearrange her shifts at the hospital so that she, too, had a holiday this week. It felt odd to be at the park at nine o’clock on a Monday morning – but in a good way.

Her mobile phone buzzed – and glancing down, she smiled. A selfie of Jamie with fourteen-year-old Fergus, grinning in front of a long row of printing machines. Fergus could barely sleep the night before, so excited to accompany Jamie on a routine visit to the publishing house’s printing facilities. Not only would they check the progress of printing the second edition of the spy thriller that had become quite a runaway bestseller – thrilling nobody more than the author, their dear friend, Jamie’s client Ned Gowan – but they would meet the man himself at the facility. Having finally been deemed old enough to read one of Ned’s books – which he had inhaled cover to cover in the span of two days – it was no wonder that Fergus could barely contain himself. A good start to his half term, indeed.

Have fun! Love you she tapped in reply. Smile widening as Jamie sent back a string of heart emojis.

 She tucked the phone in her purse and picked up her coffee, which had finally cooled enough to sip.

Brianna had already made her way down the slide, and moved on to the swings – not bothering to wait for her brother and sister.

“And good morning to you!”

Claire turned and waved to the other side of the bench. “Hello! So happy you could drop by on your way in.”

Dr. Geillis Duncan stooped for a quick hug and plopped down beside Claire. “At least no scheduled surgeries today – though I’m on call for the A&E. Who knows what kind of disasters people may get into when they’re out of school this week.”

Claire smiled into her coffee. “Nothing you can’t handle.”

Geillis adjusted her sunglasses. “Let’s see – I count one, two, three wee Frasers. Did they have you up at the crack of dawn?”

“They did.”

“Probably not the way you wanted to start your week off.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Geillis looked over at her friend. “But you’re on holiday. Time to relax.”

“I want to spend every moment I can with them, Geillis. Especially when they’re still so small. I try to do the same with Fergus, but he’s a lot more self-sufficient. Which is wonderful, but…well. It’s not the same.”

Now Faith was at the bottom of the slide, waiting for William at the top. Knit cap already loose atop his wild hair.

“There was a period where Jamie and I thought we wouldn’t be able to have a family of our own,” Claire continued, softly. “So now that we have them…”

“And your parents died when you were so wee. I get it.”

Claire sighed. “I need to spend more time with them, Geillie. I love my job. I love the hospital, I love doing surgeries. I love helping my patients.”

“But…”

“But I love my family more. My children, and my husband, and the life we’ve worked so, so hard to build together.”

Geillis fished around in her massive handbag. “So, are you thinking of cutting back a bit?”

“I am. I can’t keep this pace. It’s not fair to Jamie when I’m asking him to step in so much, he’s got his own demanding career. And Murtagh and Suzette are so wonderful to us, and William and Bree will be in full-time school soon, but still.” She pursed her lips.

Geillis produced a packet of tissues, and handed one over to Claire.

“I’ll support you in whatever you decide to do, Claire. Everybody at the hospital knows how much you love your family. And it certainly helps that your kids are all cute as buttons. Not to mention that husband of yours…”

Claire blew her nose, from the cold and from emotion. “Don’t you start on that again. I told you before, I won’t answer any of your questions about our private life.”

Geillis shook her head, smiling. “Three bairns in three years…you and the lad were certainly busy. Is it really true that you met on an aeroplane, took one look at each other, and that was that?”

William made it to the bottom of the slide, and hugged Faith, and together they walked to the monkey bars. Claire smiled, thumb touching her wedding ring. Tasting Jamie’s kiss that morning, slow in the predawn quiet of their bed, his hand wrapped around her bare hip.

She blinked. “I got off the plane with him that night, moved in, and we married a month later. The boarding passes are framed on the wall of our bedroom.”

Geillis sighed. “And I consider myself lucky if a man will look twice at me in the pub.”

“What happened to Greg?”

“Haven’t texted Mr. Edgars in a while. Not since he said I was too wild for him.”

“Call him. Have a nice quiet evening. You’d be surprised.”

Brianna shrieked – and Claire’s heart leapt. But all was well, Bree had made it to the top of the monkey bars and was waving madly.

Claire waved back, heart still stuttering. “That one will keep me on my toes.”

“Probably no different than her da at that age.”

That caused a smile. “So Murtagh tells me. And loves reminding Jamie, too.”

Geillis shouldered her bag. “Right. I’m off then. See you in a few days.”

Claire rose for a quick hug. “Thanks for coming by. It’ll work out with you and Greg.”

Geillis smiled. “And it’ll work out wi’ you and the hospital. Whatever you need, I’ll help you.”

“Thanks. Hopefully it’s not too mad today.”

And at that moment, Geillis’ phone buzzed. She glanced down at the screen.

“Famous last words. Hug all the bairns for me, will you?”

Claire nodded, and Geillis turned down the street, phone at her shoulder, already taking the accident details from the A&E physician.

Her own phone buzzed – another selfie, this time of Jamie with Fergus and Ned.

Knowing that, with a life and heart so full of love, anything truly was possible.

[lucy-literates]

Than you for the one with Roscoe, he is so cute :)

I thought of one with the whole grid, where Lewis and the reader are best friends, but the whole grid notices how they look at eachother and at a party Lewis gets jealous and they finally realize it :)

Sorry, that is a long ask 🫣

Greetings :)

A/N: This is not long at all sweetheart, I love it!! I hope you enjoy it! My inbox is open, and so is my tag list 🫶🏻

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-BLpv0xQYd1bTlaP7l1gAg8AgCyLE_yvrtljpCzlJhY/edit?usp=drivesdk

Everyone Sees It

It starts small.

Just a few glances. A slightly too-long hug. The way you and Lewis always seem to drift back to each other, even in a room full of chaos and champagne.

Carlos notices it first. He catches Lewis looking at you during media day — you're laughing at something Lando said, completely unaware. Lewis is supposed to be on his phone, but instead he’s just… watching you, like you hung the moon.

“Interesting,” Carlos mutters.

“What?” Charles asks, leaning over.

“Lewis. He’s got it bad.”

Charles raises an eyebrow, follows his gaze, then smirks. “Definitely.”

They don’t say anything. Not yet.

Over the next few weeks, it spreads like wildfire through the paddock.

George walks into the motorhome kitchen one morning and finds Lewis making two cups of tea. “For Y/N?” he asks casually.

Lewis shrugs, trying to look nonchalant. “She mentioned a sore throat yesterday.”

George just smiles and steals one of the mugs. “You’re whipped.”

“I am not.”

“You are, bro. It’s cute. Keep it up.”

At the next race, Max catches Lewis absentmindedly fixing a twisted strap on your overalls. You thank him with a soft smile and a gentle hand on his arm.

Max just shakes his head. “You two gonna kiss or what?”

You both sputter in unison. “What?!”

“Nothing,” he says, walking off with the smug satisfaction of a man who knows he’s right.

But it all comes to a head at a team party.

The season’s in full swing, the drinks are flowing, and someone’s put together a makeshift DJ setup. You’re dressed in a black satin dress that fits like it was made for you, laughing with your head thrown back as Pierre twirls you around the dance floor. He’s playfully dramatic, bowing like he’s in a ballroom, and you’re giggling too hard to breathe.

Lewis watches from across the room, jaw tight.

Lando nudges him. “You alright?”

“Fine.”

“Mate, you’ve crushed that bottle cap five times now.”

Lewis looks down at his hand. Sure enough, the beer cap is flattened beyond recognition. His fingers are clenched white.

He knows it’s harmless — Pierre’s just being his usual flirtatious self — but it doesn’t stop the burning in his chest. You look good, and you’re laughing with someone else, and he knows he’s just your best friend but suddenly that title feels like a prison.

He sees Pierre whisper something in your ear and that’s it.

Lewis pushes away from the bar and walks straight toward you.

You turn at the last second, breathless from dancing, cheeks flushed. “Hey! Where’d you go—”

“I need to talk to you.”

You blink. “What’s wrong?”

“Outside. Please.”

He doesn’t wait for a response, just heads for the balcony, and you follow him, confused.

The night air is cooler out there, the music muffled behind glass. Lewis runs a hand down his face, then turns to you with a tight jaw and wide, vulnerable eyes.

“I can’t keep doing this.”

Your heart skips. “Doing what?”

He laughs once, bitter and soft. “Watching you look like that with someone else. Pretending I’m okay just being your friend. Everyone keeps saying it and I’ve been ignoring it but I can’t anymore.”

You step closer, pulse pounding. “What’s everyone saying?”

“That I’m in love with you.”

You freeze.

He exhales sharply. “And they’re right. God, they’re so right. I see you and I—” He shakes his head. “I don’t just want to be your best friend anymore.”

For a second, you just stare at him.

Then: “You idiot.”

He blinks. “What?”

“You could’ve had me ages ago.”

Your hands grab the front of his shirt and pull him in, crashing your lips against his.

And just like that, everything shifts.

The world goes quiet. The tension that’s been building for months melts into your skin as he kisses you back like he’s finally breathing again.

Inside, Lando spots the kiss through the glass.

He fist-pumps so hard he spills his drink.

“TOLD YOU!” he shouts.

The entire grid cheers like someone just won the championship.

Tag List:

@alexxavicry

[leftshoeuntied]

Good Neighbors | part five

König x Reader 

part one part two part three part four | masterlist

CW: reader has feminine pronouns, not edited (like trust me on this, I just wrote this)

note: im so sorry for putting this on the back burner for the past couple of months!! my own Carol had a really tough past few months, and after going to the hospital the first week of December, and spending the two months in the hospital/rehab, she's just now is starting to settle in back home and get back into the swing of living at home comfortably again. when I first started this, I guess I didn't realize how much this was pulling from my own relationship with her and the inevitable future with her, and it hit a bit too close to home to touch this recently, but between her being on the upswing again and the rest of the states going to shit I figured it was a good time to write and make something fun for me again. let me know your thoughts! (but also I'm so sorry for not editing this, I just wanted to get this out, and I'll probably come back to edit this at some point)

These past couple of weeks, you and König had spent almost every day together, whether working on some project around the house or Carol just convincing König to come spend time with her in the living room watching her shows, König was there. He was still that strange man you first met not too long ago, but strangely enough you’ve grown accustomed to his odd bluntness and stoicism. 

After building the ramp together, loosely using the word together – more like König taking the lead and you following his directions, you were going out of your way more to ask for his help or thoughts on projects. But in reality, you didn’t even need to ask for his help, you just had to tell him what you planned on working on that day and König would take that as invitation to take over as project leader. 

A couple of weeks ago when you first made your list with Carol on different project ideas around the house, you really did think you were capable of getting them all done on your own, because really, how hard could any of these projects be? You had youtube and google, and you weren’t the first person to try and remove an old vanity and install a new one, someone had to have posted a video on how to do it. 

Flash forward to you sitting on the ground next to the sink in the bathroom, all of the cleaning products pulled out from underneath the sink piled around, with your phone playing through your third youtube video on how to properly disconnect the water valves without flooding your bathroom. You hadn’t heard Carol invite König into the house, but sure enough there he was standing in the open bathroom doorway asking “what are you doing?” with a raised eyebrow and a slight twinge to his usually tone.

When you tried to explain your thought process on how you were going to quickly uninstall the old vanity and drag in the new one to just as quickly install the new one, he just gave you a quick scoff before adding “by yourself? Do you even know what you are doing?”

“It can’t be that hard, I’ve watched a couple videos on it” you grimace, holding your phone out to show him the now paused video. But instead of giving you a nod and leaving to go join Carol again, like he was originally invited over to do, he quickly encroached into your space, crouching and mumbling a quick ‘move over’. 

From there, he took over, explaining how what you were doing was wrong and how each of the valves needed to be adjusted, and in his mind, he really thought he was being a great teacher, but when he realized he hadn’t actually heard from you the whole time he was under the sink, he feared he might’ve accidentally overstepped and been rude, like so many in the past had told him he had. 

But when he looked back at you, you quickly moved your eyes from underneath the sink to his, giving him a quick apprehensive smile and asked ‘everything alright?”. He wasn’t prepared for you to still be invested and giving him your attention, so when you did ask him is everything okay, he just gave you a quick, curt nod before turning back to double check everything was turned off and removed from the sink so you couldn’t see the heat crawling up his neck and cheeks.

The rest of the vanity project was a foreshadowing into what was to come with the other projects in the weeks following, König using his brute strength and knowledge to take the lead and you offering your skills in a more practical sense, like offering to hold things in place or grabbing the right tool so he didn’t lose his place.

Whatever you asked him to help with he agreed to, didn’t matter the project, and there were even some days that you had to force him to put the tool bag down and call it night, remind him that you could pick up the project tomorrow, it didn’t need to be finished in one day. 

You appreciated his care for his work, he was meticulous, took the time to review each angle, cut, and drill, to make sure that each and every move was perfect. It encouraged you to do the same, even if there wasn’t as much pressure for perfection on your part. The two of you had accomplished quite a list of small projects around the house these past few weeks, like installing the new vanity and mirror in the bathroom, repainting the same bathroom, as well as painting the hallways on the first floor, setting up the bigger goals of replacing the crown moldings in the hallways, and finally making it to the upstairs bigger renovation projects for the bathroom and bedrooms up there.

At some point these past few weeks, König had gotten into the habit of just letting himself into the house in the morning, you can’t really blame him though, you know how demanding Carol can be in making sure people feel welcome. She’ll remind you with a forceful tone that you are family and welcome here whenever if she likes you, and she expects you to act that way. So, when he stepped into the kitchen to join the two of you having a cup of coffee you weren’t really shocked at his presence. 

When he asked you your plans for the day, you quickly pulled out the now ratty sticky note from your back pocket, scanning over which project would be worth it to start today, but before you could settle on one, Carol spoke up. 

“How about hanging up some curtain rods in my bedroom for me?” The two of you nodded and agreed, should be easy enough for two people to complete, especially in one day. It would be a nice break from the long-term projects the two of you have been working on so far. As you finished up your breakfasts, she explained how they were a gift from your uncle, to help her sleep in later, but he had never come back to set them up for her, so they’ve just been sitting in their original boxes on top of her dresser since then.

“We’ll take care of them, not a worry.” König replied, soothing her in the same way you were itching to, helping her out was not a nuisance to you. She took König’s words as truth and left you two to go get ready for the day, and leaving for her doctor’s appointment with a quick ‘bye’ and a ‘thank you!’.

It was easy for König and you to fall into your return when working on the home projects, it mostly consisted of him taking the lead, assessing the different requirements, and assigning different roles to you as needed – which honestly, you appreciated. There was no questioning his leadership skills, he made it clear what was expected of you, even if it was something as silly as telling him when the rod holders looked even on the wall.

“Uhh…like a fraction lower on that one” you say sitting from the end of your grandmother’s bed, currently lacing one of the curtains onto the rod, watching König stand by the end, holding the bracket to the wall, waiting with his pencil to mark to where to put the drill holes.

“Are you sure?” König pauses, taking a small step back, looking up at the area above the window, trying to assess if he really had to lower it a bit our not, trying to line up with the pencil scratch marks on the other side of the window.

Sitting up a bit you try to give it another look, but doubling down you add “no yeah, a little bit lower.”

König gives it one more look, but when he steps forward back up to the window to make the marks through the bracket, you can hear mutter something along the lines of well alright, and scratches the pencil through the holes of the bracket to mark where the screws will go. 

You finish lacing the second curtain onto the rod, and hop off the bed to join König by the window. Stepping up onto your stool next to him, nearing his height, but still not very close, you say “it’s crazy how tall you are.”

“It’s crazy how short you are,” König responds bluntly, plainly, and you would’ve annoyed if it weren’t for the small smirk growing on his lips. König asks you to hand him the right side’s bracket and holds the bracket up the guiding marks, “hand me the drill?” You nod and quickly grab the drill off of the dresser, handing it off to him. Wordlessly, your hand replaces his on the bracket, as you plop the screws into his outstretched hand. Easily, the drill whirls to life and the first screw goes without a concern, and then the second just as easily, but before the third, he pauses.

You notice König wince out of the corner of your eye, “you alright?” you ask still holding the curtain bracket up to the wall. He gives you a small nod and a gruff mhm, before tossing the drill softly onto your grandmother’s dresser. “Give me a second” he says lowly, while rolling his left shoulder back. Re-adjusting your stance on the stepstool, keeping one hand on the bracket, you turn your body to side to check him over, ‘you sure?’ you ask one more time nervously.

“hmph, uh think you can handle the rest of them?” König asks unwillingly, pretending to scratch at his shoulder, while really adjusting it one more time. 

“Oh yeah, of course, can’t be too hard” you nod a König with a smile, as he reaches around you to grab the drill. Placing it your hand, he switches spots with you, now holding the bracket with his good arm, as you hold the drill in one hand and the screw in the other. 

König talks you through the process, ‘you want a 90-degree angle, higher, alright stop, slowly press the trigger down while pushing in slightly’, keeping his free hand just slightly above your hip, just in case you lose your balance. And just like that the first bracket is free standing on it’s against the wall. Smiling happily at him, you jump down from the step stool and drag it over with you to the other side of the window. The way he was smiling back at you in this moment made it hard to determine if his shoulder was still giving him trouble or not.

König attempts to let you try to do the whole bracket on your own this time, but he can’t help still slightly mumbling directions in your ear, blushing brightly when you side eye him. “I’ve got it” you mumble, your eyes moving back forward to focus on the screws ahead of you. König gives you a small nod and soft ‘mhm’ but doesn’t move his hand away from the small of your back, that just so happened to slide there…he just has to make sure you don’t fall off the stool. It’s not safe…that’s why.

After the curtain was fixed safely to the wall, and you were safely off the stepstool back on solid ground, you turned to König and saw him adjusting his shoulder once again. “So, what happened with your arm?” 

“My shoulder,” he corrects, “and it’s nothing just messed it up at work is all.”

“Doesn’t seem like nothing,” you mutter a bit, while packing the drill and screws back into the tool bag off of Carol’s dresser, “that why you’ve been home?”

“Uh, yeah” König pauses softly, before going on to explain how he’s military, and gives you very surface level information on what his work includes, and how he hurt his shoulder and ribs. He lets on more information though about his plans for physical therapy soon, and how once that’s done, he’ll finally being able to get back to work. “Well, it’s not that I haven’t enjoyed the time off, I’ve enjoyed helping you and Carol with the projects around the house, it’s just…” König stumbles over his words a bit, and pause trying to think of his next words carefully, not to offend you or Carol.

“You like the routine?” you ask, König responding with a well yes, I guess so. “So, do you want me to get you some ice? Or I guess a heating pad would probably be better for you…” You say stepping out of your grandmother’s room, not even waiting to hear his response, as you were already on your way to the medical closet in your bathroom to grab the heating pad. And yet König just follows you softly, not questioning you, even if he’s slightly uncomfortable with someone doting on him. 

Heating pad in hand, you quickly turn out of the bathroom, letting out a soft ‘-oop’, not expecting the brick wall of a man to be right around the corner, waiting for you. “Oh geez, sorry I wasn’t expecting you there!” you laugh softly, brushing off the encounter, not noticing the slight pink hue crawling up his neck and cheeks, “go sit on the couch, we’ll get you settled with the heating pad there” adding with little room for questioning. You shoo him along and force him to settle on the couch, letting out a quick ‘it’s not a problem’, when you catch him mumbling a soft thank you when you get the heating pad set up snugly on his shoulder. 

“Can I grab you something?” You say stepping back from his space on the couch, looking down with a smile, and list off his options “food, drinks, you water?” He’s quick to give you a quick polite no I’m okay, you don’t have to, but you brush it off with a promise of a water and something for him to snack on.

König not used to someone just being kind to him and doting him, it makes his chest heavy and his head swirl a bit. No one’s really cared for him like this before, at least not outside of his family. Thankfully you return back to the living room spritely and knock him out of his spiral of thoughts of what these feelings might just mean to him. After placing the food in front of him, you quickly grab the blankets tossed softly across Carol’s chair next to couch, just now noticing how messy the area seemed to have gotten recently.

“Are you going to sit and join me?” He asks looking at the plate of fruits, veggies, and cheeses you placed in front of him and up to you with a shy smile.

“Uh yeah” you noticing that he quickly glanced to the open “just one second” you say before finishing placing the folded blanket back on the arm of Carol’s seat, debating whether to squeeze into the spot next to him on the couch, or to sit an awkward length away in Carol’s seat. Thankfully you’re saved from the weighty decision as you notice Carol’s car roll into her parking spot in the driveway. “Oh, she’s home, one second” you leave König on the couch, and prance over to the front door to help Carol into the house. 

Just from the way she slammed her car door, you can tell the doctor’s appointment must’ve gone a different way than she expected. König watches you guide her in to the house, helping her shake off her coat, before giving her the same script offering her food and drink, while helping her settle into her chair. Carol just nods along, and once she settled, you step back to head into the kitchen, that’s when you ask your questions, trying to figure out what lead to her to feel so upset. ‘Everything okay? …how was the doctor’s appointment?...she say anything important?’

Carol just brushes you off with a muttered ‘everything is fine’, and when you re-enter the living with a plate of snacks for her and a smile, asking ‘everything?’ where she lets you in

about her how glucose levels and limiting sweets ‘but really that’s it’. You give her a look not fully believing her but relent nonetheless, trying to ask casually you say “so did she send you home with the print out with the summary of the appointment?” as you place the food in front of her, on her tray and step back to lean against the doorframe. 

In the past, Carol has been a bit accidentally forgetful on what her doctor has mentioned to her at these meetings, so it was part of the agreement that she would bring home a summary of the appointment if she wouldn’t let you join her at the appointment, but most recently, she just has been accidentally forgetting those too or the office just ran out of printer ink and she just didn’t feel like waiting. But this time, she doubles down with a “just leave it, she said everything’s fine” in a tone you haven’t heard since you were a little kid. 

You honestly forgot that König was still resting on the couch until you heard him awkwardly readjust, too caught up in your conversation with Carol. And it seems Carol felt the same - “oh, my goodness what happened to you everything alright?” she asked him in a much more positive tone, like the previous conversation had not happened, pointing to the heating pad resting on his arm. His eyes quickly shifted from you to Carol, back to you, but when you turned to head back into the kitchen, he explained to her casually what had happened to his shoulder, not with as much detail as he had done with you just earlier that day.

divider by @/riottsrph (thank you!!)

[sylith]

HYUK⋆｡°✩ & DOM⋆｡°✩

when reader is touchy/natural flirt and it confuses them⋆｡°✩

The swings creak like they’re breathing. One’s missing a chain, the slide is covered in graffiti, and the whole place smells like rusted metal and warm trash. Classic Sabbath hangout. The city hums low in the distance. You’re sitting on the roundabout, one leg propped up, laptop open on your knee like it belongs there. And Hyuk? He’s standing a few feet off, just watching. Leaned back against a bent monkey bar like he’s part of the background. Like he wasn’t following you around. You don’t look up when you speak. “You ever heard of personal space?” A pause. “You ever respected it?” You grin. “Not once.” Click, click, click—your keys keep tapping, loud in the quiet. He moves closer. Soundless. You can feel him behind you now. You don’t stop typing. Not even when he crouches beside the roundabout like some nocturnal creature deciding whether to bite. “You’re not even paying attention.” “To you?” you snort. “I’ve got better distractions.” You turn your screen toward him—nonsense tabs open. Music, a half-written paragraph, a paused video of a superman edit. “Busy night.” He stares at it blankly. Then back at you. “That’s my banana milk.” You pick it up from beside you—definitely stolen—and swirl the last inch of liquid like it’s wine. “Was. You left it on a vending machine. That’s public domain.” You sip it slowly. Hyuk watches your mouth. Doesn’t even try to hide it. “You’re gonna owe me for that.” “What, a new drink?”You lean forward a bit, smug. “Or something else?” He blinks once. Like a tick. Like he’s processing a different kind of hunger. “I don’t like being toyed with.” “Sure you do,” you shoot back, quick. “Otherwise you wouldn’t follow me around like a cursed ringtone.” He exhales through his nose. Dry amusement. Then— “Keep running your mouth. Let’s see how long you laugh when I finally answer back.” You tilt your head, smiling sharp. “Promise?” Your fingers rest on the keys, stilled. Not because you're afraid. Just curious.Hyuk doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. He just stares. And stares. And you go back to typing like you didn’t just win something.

The sun’s dipping low, bleeding gold over cracked pavement and soda cans clinking in a rusted vending machine. You're seated cross-legged with a bottle of soda beside you, scrolling through your phone, barely hearing footsteps until they're right there. Dom drops beside you with all the grace of a brick, landing with a loud sigh like he just ran a marathon. “Found you,” he says, out of breath but grinning, the front of his uniform damp with sweat. “You know I got like so many things I ignored just to—" You hold up a finger, not even glancing at him. “Shh. Working.” Dom flops back dramatically, arms out like he’s been slain. “Unbelievable. I could’ve died scaling that busted AC unit just to get up here. If I get tetanus, I’m blaming you.” “You say that like you didn’t climb that same AC unit last week trying to impress me by carrying three bags of chips with your mouth.” “That was different. That was art.” You side-eye him. “yea...that was dumb.” Dom turns his head toward you, eyes crinkled with amusement. “Yeah, well. You laughed.” You hum, typing a few more lines before taking a sip of your drink. He watches you, still lying flat, chest rising and falling as he catches his breath. That gold-stained light hits just right,painting his sweat-slicked jaw, the band-aid on his lip, his eyes a little too wide for someone trying to play it cool. “I’m seriously not cute enough to justify this cardio,” he mumbles. You finally look at him, really look. “So stop chasing me, then.” He blinks. “What?” You lean in, just a little. Nose to nose. His breath stutters. “You train all night, fight half the city, drag yourself to class half-dead... and still find time to chase me up rooftops like a golden retriever with a crush.” Dom opens his mouth. Closes it. His ears are definitely red now. You tilt your head. “Don’t worry,” you whisper. “I like dogs.” He stares like he’s buffering. Like this wasn’t in the script. Not even close. You take another slow sip of your drink, then stand, slinging your bag over your shoulder. “Catch me when you’ve got your breath back, Dom.” And you’re gone—footsteps light, vanishing down the steps while he’s left staring after you, hands on his hips, muttering “what the hell was that…” under his breath with a stupid grin stretching wider than he wants to admit.

⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡

Bonus(IK ITS OOC I DID THIS FOR FUN):

Dedications: @shintaru

[haddonfieldwhore]

sparring partner - hayden christensen

hayden christensen x younger!fem!reader

summary: hayden helps you with lightsaber training for the ahsoka series

warnings: age gap implied (no age specified tho), that might be it? not edited

word count: 1.5k

“i can’t do it,” you resigned, frustrated and tired from trying the same move over and over and not getting it.

“try it again,” the choreographer suggested unhelpfully, and you exhaled in annoyance, mostly at yourself, before getting back in position. you doubted that the thirtieth time could possibly go any differently than the previous twenty nine attempts, but tried the steps again anyway; no luck. it didn’t look this complicated when you had first been shown the fight choreo, but for some reason you just couldn’t nail down this specific spin. you and natasha, who played sabine, were supposed to meet in about half an hour to practice the fight together before shooting the scene next week, and you had shown up an hour early to try and get your moves down. you felt like you hadn’t made any progress at all.

“take 10 minutes, get some water,” the choreographer suggested, and you nodded, wiping the sweat off your forehead with the back of your hand.

you sat down on the floor and leaned back against the wall, closing your eyes with a defeated sigh, your prop lightsaber clattering to the ground next to you. a shadow fell over your face and your brows furrowed slightly in confusion at the sudden darkness.

“hey, how’s it going?” a voice asked and you opened your eyes to see hayden standing in front of you.

“not so great,” you admitted. you hadn’t gotten the chance to work with hayden much yet while filming ahsoka, but anytime he stopped by the set to see how things were going, you enjoyed talking with him, and greatly appreciated any input or advice he offered. you had always admired him as an actor. hayden tried to convince himself that it was coincidence that every time he came by set you happened to be training or shooting that day.

“what’s wrong?” he asked, a look of concern on his face.

“i can’t get this one part of the choreography,” you admitted with a sigh, and he extended his hand to you, pulling you up off the floor once you slid your hand into his grip.

“show me?” he asked.

“i can try,” you laughed dryly as he got a prop saber of his own and stood next to you, giving you enough space to demonstrate the move as best you could.

you managed to get through the steps, although with the smoothness of a droid that had never been oiled and at about a quarter the speed they should be, but it was enough for hayden to get the general idea.

he slowly repeated the steps, with slightly more grace than you had, and then instructed for you to follow along with him. after a few tries and a great display of patience from hayden, you made it through the sequence and it almost looked good.

“how are you so good at this?” you asked, trying not to let the jealousy you were feeling come out in your voice, as without him you never would have got it.

“i’ve had more practice than you, that’s all,” he smiled reassuringly. “try it again on your own,” he instructed, taking a step back.

you fumbled through the movements again, and groaned in frustration when you made a mistake again.

“it’s hopeless,” you surrendered.

“come on, you can do it,” hayden encouraged, but you shook your head.

“i can’t, i’ve been trying forever and i just can’t get it.”

“i thought you wanted to do this,” he challenged, and you were slightly taken aback by his words.

“i do-“

“then prove it,” he said, his stance changing to invite a duel.

“hayden, im not going to fight you,” you sighed, though amused.

“why not?” he taunted. “afraid to lose?”

“you have years more training than i do-“ you stopped your complaint as you had to raise the saber in your hands to stop a swing from the man in front of you.

“now you’re just making excuses,” he taunted with a smile, and you retaliated with a swing of your own that he blocked with ease. you traded blows back and forth, the crew taking a step back as the two of you duelled back and forth. to no one’s surprise, hayden had the upper hand, and you ended up dropping your prop saber, and stared up to meet hayden’s eyes as he held the blade of his across your throat, hovering just centimetres below your chin as you both caught your breath.

“not bad,” he complimented, and you felt a sense of pride.

“thanks,” you smiled, your eyes flickering down to his lips, the corner on his mouth still upturned, and your gaze landed on his eyes again, which were still locked on you. your heart pounded against your ribcage as you put your hand on his that still held the saber at your throat, and lowered it gently before you took a step back.

“sorry,” he apologized, and you shook your head as if to say it wasn’t needed. “i knew you could do it though.”

“what do you mean?” you questioned, tilting your head to the side in confusion, which hayden couldn’t help but feel guilty for finding quite cute.

“the move, you did it,” he said like it was obvious. you realized that without even thinking, during the duel with hayden you had in fact successfully executed the move sequence that had been stumping you all morning.

“that was great,” the fight choreographer said as he approached the two of you. “it’s too bad you two don’t have a scene in the show, your chemistry is great.”

“thank you,” you both replied, and the choreographer offered you an extra five minutes to rest, since you had spent your previous break practicing.

“think you can do it again now?” hayden asked encouragingly, and you nodded, but you felt nervous. what if it was a fluke? you were annoyed enough at yourself as it was, and the added pressure of not wanting to embarrass yourself in front of hayden wasn’t helping.

however, you took a deep breath, and to your relief, managed the move with little difficulty this time.

“i did it?” you smiled, but it sounded more like a question, and hayden couldn’t help but laugh. “i did it!” you repeated, and couldn’t stop yourself from throwing your arms around his shoulders in a hug. you could feel his body tense in surprise, but he relaxed and circled his arms around your back, a chuckle shaking through his chest.

“i knew you could do it.”

“thank you,” you smiled. “i couldn’t have done it without you.”

you separated, though your eyes met again briefly, a thickness hanging in the air between you until you heard footsteps approaching. you turned to see natasha walking up to the two of you. neither of you had noticed how long she’d been watching the two of you duel, but she was impressed.

“nice moves,” she complimented, bumping your shoulder playfully. the two of you had grown close while working on the show, and you were looking forward to shooting this fight with her.

“thanks, i had a really good teacher,” you complimented, sending hayden a glance.

natasha noticed the way his smile lit up his eyes as he looked at you, and made a mental note to bug you about it later.

“i can’t take all the credit, it was all you,” he insisted, the two of you lost in your own world, and natasha wondered if she was suddenly invisible.

“well, you ready to practice?” she snapped you out of the trance you were in, and you nodded. “if you didn’t tire her out too much, that is,” she teased. hayden felt a blush rise to his cheeks, and he found himself grateful that you were looking the other way and therefore didn’t notice.

“let’s go,” you agreed, and she grabbed a prop saber and walked over to set down her bag.

“i’ll catch up with you later?” hayden asked, and you smiled.

“i’d like that,” you smiled, and he tapped your shoulder gently, his fingertips sending a shiver down your spine. “thanks again, hayden.”

“anytime.” with that he turned and walked over to some of the crew to talk with them as you met natasha on the other side of the room.

“was i interrupting something?” she teased, and your brow raised innocently.

“what do you mean?”

“you and hayden..?” she asked, like it was obvious. “you guys were having a moment when i walked up.”

“it wasn’t a ‘moment’, he was just helping me,” you disagreed, though you wouldn’t mind if it had been a ‘moment’, whatever that meant.

“hmm, okay,” natasha hummed teasingly, unconvinced. “is that why he’s still watching you?”

you casually glanced over to see that hayden was in fact looking your way, and he smiled when he met your gaze before continuing his conversation with the crew.

“that doesn’t mean anything-“

“if you say so. now come on, let’s practice.” she teased, and you rolled your eyes before she went on.

“loverboy will be there later.”

disclaimer: all screenshots, events, and/or interactions depicted in this are a work of fiction. i have no association with any parties mentioned

[remotewatch]

no class, some integrity!

Jack Schlossberg x reader | 1.3k wc

Summary: All Jack wants is a round of golf, what a bore!

cw: shameless smut, fingering, outdoor recreation, sorry to the landscapers, and the ducks, unprotected sex, cum eating, if you want to safely reenact this get your ass up and VOTE, reader is on birth control but what’s a little plan b nausea for peace of mind, try to guess how serious I am about that, hate sex kinda sorta, this is a comedy

this one is for my oomf in editing! see you at the greek island queen out!

minors dni! get out! fuck off! shoo!

“Jack, fuck! Slow down!” Not because it hurts, but because he’s pounding you so hard he’s pushing you downhill, and any attempts you make to ground yourself against the grass just tear up the fresh sod in chunks. He’s bent and pressed flat against your back, panting whiny little “sorry-so sorry-I can’t, sorry-god”s into your ear as his hips piston uncontrollably.

You should’ve known better than to be all over him when you hadn’t seen each other in weeks; really, you should’ve expected this back when you selected your outfit.

-45 minutes earlier-

“Is that a skort?” You give him a half-glance over your shoulder from in front of the foyer mirror.

“No?” Jack leans back to peer under your hem in a way that only he can do without looking sleazy.

“You’re going to golf in a regular skirt?” God, he’s so simple, but you refrain from rolling your eyes.

“I didn’t pack anything else to go with this top. Does your course have a new dress code I’m not aware of?” With a practiced flick of your ponytail, you trot outside to the waiting golf cart before he can ask any more stupid questions.

As if Mother Nature herself means to mock you, the wind picks up as soon as he starts the engine. You spend the first few holes failing to hold your skirt down as Jack effortlessly outscores you, clearly not distracted enough to be beaten. If anything, the fluttering fabric is messing up your game as he watches from the drivers seat.

“If only someone would invent some sort of contraption with built in shorts, then you’d really be set.”

“Oh, fuck off!” he makes you miss your swing, sending the ball careening off to your left into a ditch. When you settle back into the cart, he’s wearing that mischievous little grin you hate to love.

“No, no, I’m serious. You should design one, bet it’d be a hit,” Alright, that’s enough of that. You swing your left thigh over his right, letting your skirt ride up enough to show off your underwear.

“Yeah, you’re always trying to get me to wear more clothes,” Jack suddenly appears very interested in the nearby duck pond despite the unmistakable tent in his chinos.

“We’re only on hole three, you know.”

“Ooh, the magic number!” He turns and squints into the sun, confirming you’re still very much in view of a security checkpoint, but you’re quick to stamp out his concerns.

“You’re seriously going to waste the one time we get the place to ourselves?” Another scoot and you’re practically sitting in his lap. “Or are you just worried about grass stains?”

“You’re ridiculous,” he mumbles, but he’s steering the cart out of sight nonetheless.

The second there’s a cluster of trees between you and the checkpoint, Jack is yanking your panties off hard enough to threaten rug burn. He’s grumbling all the way down to kneeling on the grass, like you’re asking him to repaint the whole property instead of rail you.

“You better spray all over these fucking seats if you want to act like this. I actually wanted to play today.” The leather squeaks as you slide fully onto his seat and place your feet on his shoulders. Your sneaker playfully nudges his cheekbone.

“That really depends more on you, you know.”

There’s a nearly imperceptible tic in Jack’s jaw, confirming you’ve pushed the right button.

For better or for worse, his hands simply don’t get tired. One presses on your pubic bone, pulling the skin just taught enough that every perfectly metronomic stroke on your clit sings through you uninhibited. He’s two knuckles deep and humming along to his own rhythm like an asshole, and maybe you’d say so if he wasn’t yanking your thoughts out with every hook of his fingers. Under any other circumstances, you might feel some type of way about the obscene squelching being the loudest sound on the course, but Jack has been gone for two weeks, and nothing in your toy box matches his fingers. He could make you sound like a foghorn without inspiring a lick of shame.

True to your word, the chair is utterly soaked, and Jack delights in the little bit that his fingers force out of you on each reentry. His tongue is snaking under you trying to clean every drop as it works its way up to your clit, but you more or less kick him to the ground before he can settle in.

“You still want to finish the game, right? We’ll be here all day if you keep playing with your food.” Jack tilts his head to one side like he’ll try and bicker back, but he elects to lunge for your waistband and drag you down with him instead. It would look fucking ridiculous if you were visible to anyone but the wildlife: both of you rolling around trying not to gain momentum and tumble downhill, kneeing each other and ripping up your cute little outfits like kids fighting for the remote. When you let your guard slip enough to fish his cock out of his pants, he takes the opportunity to pin you facedown to the turf and flood your nose with the smell of cut grass. You throw a weak elbow trying to flip him back over, but you’re no match for his years of paddle-boarding. A muttered “-can’t fuckin’ stand you-“ finds its way to your ear, and then he’s in and immediately slamming stars into your vision as your knees divot the green.

Jack always talks your ear off when you derail plans like this, complaining to the time of his thrusts in a way that nearly sounds convincing.

“We’ve never-completed-a whole-game! Never!” The breathiness of it deflates any sense of conviction from his words. Somehow you manage to crawl forward enough to get back onto your elbows, and it takes everything in you to keep your voice steady as you turn back to scowl at him.

“Get up and keep playing if you’re so upset.”

There’s that jaw twinge again. Before you can think to regret your words, he’s twisting one hand into your ponytail and pulling hard enough to make your grip slip.

He nearly knocks the breath out of you when he follows your collapse down to the ground, loose bits of grass sticking to both of your faces as he drools down your cheek. The new angle slots him even deeper, and the ducks resting by the pond’s edge actually fucking take off when they hear the moan he punches out of you. Despite it all, Jack is still a gentleman, one hand worming its way underneath you to paw frantically, sloppily at your clit. You’re driving him insane in the process of grinding down on his fingertips and bouncing off his pelvis in the little wiggle room you have, and soon he’s squeaking out little half syllables as his composure unravels. Any attempts at telling him to cum on your back are thwarted by your orgasm crashing through you and dragging his along with it. The way you’re twitching under him would be humiliating if he wasn’t matching you spasm for spasm. When he moves to scoot back, you grab a fistful of his ruined shirt and dig your nails into his oblique striations.

“Don’t even think about it. Clean that shit up, and then you’re driving us to CVS.” Jack snorts in annoyance, but he carefully pulls out to bend down and tuck in to his meal. The vibrations of him slurping his own cum out of you are almost overwhelming, but he switches to lapping you clean before you have to tap out. One last lip smack around your clit, and he’s leaning back on his heels to catch his breath. By now, the sun is just low enough to start stretching your shadows, and he looks nothing like the menace who just destroyed your outfit when he lies down facing you to pout about finishing up the game. You don’t bother to hide a giggle when you see how green his trousers are.

“That’s up to you. Do you feel more like changing or avoiding a speeding ticket?”

[lesservillain]

—ii. gotta promise not to stop when i say "when"

cw: more grumpy eddie, a lot of piss talk (sorry)

an: credit for the edited picture of eddie goes to itsscarrlett and the picture of jason patric is implied to be sam.

Tears sit on your lash line as you pull up to the Munson house today. Parking on the side, just out of sight to “keep your car safe in case unwanted visitors show up,” you lift your head, willing the tears not to fall before going inside. It’s already been a tough week for them, the last thing you need is to bring your own dramatics into their lives. Normally you could let things slide off your back, but the customer’s that had come into CoffeeHouse today were demanding at best, cruel and abusive at worst all week.

“Damnit, Ed!” You hear Wayne yelling from down the hall as you open the front door with your key, given to you on your first day earlier this week. 

“Hi,” you squeak out as the older man storms past you and into the kitchen. He does a double take, a wild look in his eye at someone else being in his home, calming down once he realizes it’s you.

“Hey there, darlin’. Didn’t think you’d be here so early today.” He has an almost clean plate in his hand, save for some untouched veggies that look like they taste like cardboard.

“I’m sorry, I can come back later if—”

“No, no, you’re fine. Did ya get outta class early or…?”

“No, Friday is my short day,” you say, swinging your bag over the back of the couch and letting it land on the seat cushion. “I came from work. It was…rough, so I left a little early. Sorry I should have called first.”

“It’s alright,” he assures, turning to walk into the kitchen where you follow him. “I just gave Eddie his dinner so he’s still awake. Gonna need to give him his pain meds before I go. He’s been in a sour mood all day, complaining about…uh,” Wayne ducks his head bashfully, not wanting to look you in the eyes. 

“Well I guess it wouldn’t be weird for you to hear it given your profession and all, but he’s, uh, been complaining about it hurtin’ when he pisses.” His voice trails off, barely audible over the sink being turned on as he cleans Eddie’s plate. 

“Well, that’s not good,” you say with concern. “Has he been drinking a lot of water? Staying hydrated?”

“Yeah, yeah—well, as much as he’s willing to drink. Been trying to keep him from sippin’ on sodas all day, but the ice maker in this fancy fridge hasn’t been working for some reason lately and he wont drink the water if it’s not cold.” Wayne lightly bangs his fist on the side of the fridge.

“What about his urine? Does it seem like it’s darker than normal lately? Or cloudier than normal?”

“Uh…maybe? I’ll be honest, I’m not really lookin’ at his piss when I’m dumping the urinal for ‘em.”

You give an understanding hum, sympathizing with him. It has to be awkward, everything he’s had to do for his nephew since he came home from the hospital. There’s nothing that you want to do more than help them out. But, there is one big problem that’s been keeping you from doing so: Eddie.

Eddie will not let you come in his room, let alone take care of him. He makes Wayne get him set up for the night before he leaves, and then stays in his room with the door shut for the rest of the night. You still haven’t even seen him since you first came on Monday. Any time you’ve tried to come in, even just to check on him, he’s pulled his covers over himself to hide away from your view. The most you’ve seen is a few tendrils of curly hair illuminated by the light of his tv when you peaked in before going to sleep.

It felt like housesitting more than taking care of anyone. You almost forget you’re not there by yourself, the sounds of Eddie’s bed creaking when he adjusts it or the light sound of his TV playing being the only reminder that you’re not alone. 

“Do you think he may let me go in there and…check?” You tilt with a shrug of your shoulders. “Like instead of you dumping it, maybe I could do it? Just to see if I notice anything abnormal. If he has a UTI and it’s bad enough that it’s bothering him, he may need an antibiotic.”

“He needs a swift kick in the ass if you ask me.” Wayne sighs, pushing off from the counter. He opens a cabinet and grabs Eddie’s medications for the night. “But, I’ll see what I can do. He’s not in the best mood for negotiatin’ right now, but I’ll see if I can get him to give. Gotta let you help him out sooner or later.”

You nod, waiting at the end of the hall as he talks it out with Eddie. There’s a bit of a back and forth between them, muffled by the living room TV playing behind you. 

You wondered if Eddie would even let Wayne take him to the doctor if he needed to go. He’s clearly very stubborn, but you’re sure a lot of his anger must come from being in pain from what happened to him. It's hard to blame him for not trusting people after how this town treated him, but you wish he would at least give you the chance to prove yourself. 

After a few moments, Wayne walks back out with a not so promising look on his face. 

“No dice,” he sighs, hands slapping against his sides before sliding into his jeans pockets. “Sorry.”

“It’s alright,” you shrug, “maybe he’ll warm up to me someday.”

“He better. He can only keep up this ornery attitude for so long.” Wayne eyes the clock on the wall behind you, taking a half step back into the hall. “D’ya mind if I take a shower right quick? I did a little yard work outside and I don’t want to feel all sweaty at the machine tonight.”

“Of course! I’ll keep an ear out for him if he rings.”

“Thanks,” he takes the few strides toward the bathroom, calling out before he goes inside, “The food on the oven should still be warm if ya wanna help yourself!”

The mention of food has your stomach growling. It had been such a busy day you struggle to remember if you even ate anything at all, and chicken parmesan that sat in the glass container looked mouth watering. The smell of the savory dish had you making a plate so quick you almost dropped the new glassware on the floor. 

You were just about to take a bite when the tingle of a bell rang from his room. Your head perks up, eyes widening in disbelief. 

Just as quickly as you made your plate you abandoned it, moving hastily until you reached the slightly cracked door. Muffled groans could be heard from inside of the room, your hand flexes over the door handle. 

“Um, Eddie?” The groans stop. It's silent besides the sound of his TV. You grab the handle, pushing the door open slightly. 

“Eddie, it’s—“

“Go away.” His strained voice is stern, stopping you in your tracks. 

“I-I’m sorry, I heard your bell—“

“I said go away.”

“Okay, I’m sorry.” You back away from the door, pulling it until it's cracked once again. 

But you don’t move from the door. Rather, you do what you normally do in these situations. You think. Think about how you should have stuck up to him. You should have told him that Wayne is busy, that he either gets your help or no help at all. 

You also think of a kinder scenario, where you’re able to walk in, peel his covers back and tell him it’s okay, that he can trust you, if he would just give you a chance. 

The sound of the bathroom door opening startles you, making you take a step back from the door in front of you. Wayne walks out with a puff of steam, looking down the hall towards the living room, then down to you. He gets spooked seeing you there, shaking his head and his hand flying to his chest. 

“Everything okay?” He asks with a worried tone. 

“Um, Eddie’s bell, he rang it. But he didn’t want me so—“

“Jesus,” Wayne exhales, “Okay, thank you for trying.” He walks past you and opens Eddie’s bedroom door. “Boy!” You hear him say just as the door closes. The rest of the words are muffled as they go back and forth, and you take that as your cue to go and finish your dinner. 

The night was going just the same as it had been the last few nights this week.

“…I have a date to play this morning,” Dorothy declares as she enters the kitchen. Blanch yells out “With a man?!” in shock.

“No, with a Venus Flytrap.” Dorothy retorts with a roll of her eyes.

You laugh at Dorothy’s quip, the late night replays of the Golden Girls keeps you distracted as you half study for an anatomy test. It’s been your favorite subject so far, but it’s still proving to be difficult even this far into your schooling. Your book sits open in your lap, sitting on top of your blanket that you’ve brought from home while you sit cozied up on the Munson’s couch.

You glance up at the clock on the wall that reads just a little past 11pm. You groan, closing your book and sliding off the couch to the floor. You grab your bag and open it, pulling out your clean uniform and laying it out on the back of the couch for your opening shift. You go through your night routine and check the front door locks before getting yourself settled on the couch for bed.

Just as you get settled under the covers, you hear the soft tingle of a bell from down the hall. You jolt upright, looking down the hall where Eddie’s TV illuminated the small crack in his door. Did you actually hear his bell? Surely he knows Wayne went to work tonight, right?

The bell rings again, more aggressively this time and you respond by practically sprinting down the hall, almost tripping on your blanket as you go. You’re about to burst through the door, but stop yourself in time to remember to knock, hand on the knob to keep the door from opening. 

“E-Eddie?” You call into the slight opening. 

“...yeah,” you hear, less muffled than what you normally hear from him.

“Can I come in?”

It’s quiet for a moment before he speaks again.

“Yes, please.”

Carefully, you push the bedroom door open. It’s dark, barely visible thanks only to the TV in the corner. As you step in your eyes adjust, landing on the form in the bed that is Eddie. He’s still mostly covered by his piles of blankets, but you can see a pair of eyes with the glare of the light hitting them looking straight at you, the rest of his face covered with his comforter. 

“Hi,” you say with a little wave, immediately cringing at your actions. “Um, how can I help you?”

Eddie blinks at you, unmoving. The covers over him suddenly rise, pulled down just enough for his arm to snake out, his whole body shifting to reach for something on the floor. Quickly, you move forward and to the side of his bed, not wanting him to over extend himself. 

As you get closer, you see him lifting up a plastic bottle — a hospital urinal, off of the floor slowly. For a split second you remember the easy grip silverware that you’ve been washing for him, and you instinctively reach out for the urinal before he can lift it much further off the ground.

“Let me get it for you, Mr.Munson,” you say, taking the very full container in your hands. When you look over to him, you’re able to see more of his face from his covers shifting. Or, at least what wasn’t covered by long curly hair, his pinched brow and frown lines highlighted by the TV light. He lets go of the urinal, grabbing his covers and pulling them up and over to hide himself once more. 

With a sigh, you make your way into his bathroom, flipping on the lights so you can better see where you’re dumping the urinal. When you get a proper look at the container in your hands, you have to suppress a gasp when you notice the almost brown color of the urinals contents. 

“Fuck,” you whisper quietly to yourself. This is not good. Eddie definitely needs an antibiotic, like, 3 days ago. Especially if he’s complaining of back pain, he could be getting a kidney infection, and he’s in no state to be dealing with that—

“What’s taking so long?”

Eddie’s strained voice snaps you back into reality. You quickly dump his urinal, running a little water into it and dumping that as well before running it back out to him. 

“Sorry, here you go,” you place the container back on the ground, before rushing back into the bathroom to wash your hands.

“Can I get you anything else?” You ask as you turn off his bathroom light. 

“No,” he says from under his covers.

You breathe in, “Okay, um, well I’m going to go lay down. So, just, ring the bell extra loud if you need me again. Okay?”

A grunt is all you get as confirmation from him. A hand pops out from under the covers with a remote in grasp, pushing the power button and leaving you in the dark.

A loud crash wakes you from your sleep. Practically flying down the hall, you push in Eddie’s bedroom door and flip on the light. 

“Oh my god!” You shriek out at the display before you. Eddie’s face down on the floor, halfway between his bed and his bathroom. You rush to his side and give him a quick look over, the first thing you notice being the cord from his lamp tucked around his ankle…his only ankle.

Looking over him more you realize that the plaid pajama pants he’s wearing are tied at the halfway point, emphasizing the missing lower half of his right leg. Now, you knew Eddie had difficulty with mobility. You’d seen the wheelchair in his room before, and the easy access details that were built in the house didn’t escape you either. But, you were not made aware that he was an amputee.

“Eddie, are you okay?”

There’s a pregnant pause before he finally takes a deep breath in, letting it out with audible annoyance. He turns his head hair covering his face the same as before, blowing it away with a puff of air in a comical way that makes you snort when it falls even more into his eyes. You take it upon yourself to move his hair out of the way for him, revealing a very disgruntled and very…handsome face.

“Hi,” he says, shortly, looking up at you with one big, chocolate button eye.

“Hi,” you respond, unable to suppress your smile at his attitude. “Need some help?”

“Guess you could say that,” he huffs, positioning his arms to push himself up.

“What would you like me to do?”

He says nothing, only lifting his hand up in a way that silently asks for yours in return. You take it, bracing yourself as you help him sit up. He grunts as he gets up onto his ass, face scrunching up in pain from all the movement.

“Are you hurt somewhere?” You ask, landing on your knees next to him ready to assess any injuries. 

“Not anymore than I already was,” he says with a sarcastic groan, leaning back on both hands as he breathes through the pain.

“Well, I guess that’s good,” you say, the tension leaving your shoulders as you come out of panic mode. 

As you give him a moment to collect himself, you take the opportunity to really look at Eddie for the first time. His hair is dark, wild curls sticking out every which way from being hidden under the covers. Now that it’s mostly out of his face, say for some overgrown bangs that are currently half covering his forehead, half sticking up, you can see his face pretty clearly. He really does have handsome features, his plump lips sticking out to you the most. 

A scar covers a large part of his right cheek traveling down his neck and almost to his shoulder. Similar scars of various sizes go down his arms and are littered across his torso, all of them looking very new for being a few months old already.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” Eddie says with a tight smile and a sarcastic tone. 

“I’m sorry,” you say solemnly.

“S’alright. Can’t blame you for looking. I’m kinda like a car accident when you can’t look away.”

“No, no,” you shake your head, raising to your feet. “I’m sorry that this happened to you.”

Eddie doesn’t say anything, his head dropping down where his hair could cover his face. He’s truly a pitiful sight, a broken man on the ground with all of his scars on display. You notice his hair is matted in the back where small rat’s nests have formed and you think about how clean the bathroom looked earlier. How long has it been since he’s left his bed?

“Do you want to take a shower?” 

Brown curls fly as Eddie’s head snaps up to look at you, an offended look on his face. “What are you trying to say?”

“I’m not trying to say anything, I’m asking you if you want to take a shower. Also, follow up question, why were you trying to get to the bathroom the begin with? Wait,” you stand up straight, a wave of hot nerves washing over you, “did you ring your bell and I didn’t hear it?”

A deep breath in, and a deep breath out. “No,” he says, his vision casting down to his lap, “I, um… I had to piss. But my piss can’s full, and I—” He huffs, hand running through his tangled hair. His voice picks up an octave, “I didn’t want to wake you up. I don’t want your help.”

“I understand,” you say, “I don’t think I would want a stranger's help trying to take a piss either.” As you talk, you cross the room to where his wheelchair is parked, pulling it over to him and kicking the locks in place. “But — and I’m sure this wont help when I say this — I am in nursing school. I’ve seen some things in the last year. Things that are, unfortunately, permanently etched into my corneas for the rest of my life.” 

He watches you with wide, curious eyes as you stand in front of him, placing yourself with your legs on either side of his. Crouching down in front of him, you reach your hands out to help him up, waiting for him to take your hands in return.

“What I’m saying is that there isn’t anything to be embarrassed about with me. You don’t have to hide from me.” 

He looks at your hands, then up to you. You give him a smile, gesturing at him to take your hands, which he finally accepts after a moment of silence. 

There’s a slight buzz that radiates in your shared touch, his rough, calloused hands grip tightly in yours. You ignore the head that creeps to your ear and count to three, bracing yourself as he uses all of his strength to pull himself up. With a quick pivot he plops down in his wheelchair, his breathing heavy after using so much energy.

“You okay?” You ask, waiting for him to catch his breath.

“Yeah,” breath in. “I’m fine,” breath out.

“Maybe we should skip the shower tonight?” You question with a raised brow.

“I never agreed to a shower in the first place,” he retorts.

You nod your head in acceptance. “Well, what if I at least brush your hair while you’re up—”

“No. Nope. No thanks.” His resistance was punctuated with exaggerated hand movements.

“Alright, alright,” you ceded, not wanting to push your luck. “Do you still need to pee or am I helping you back in bed?”

“I can do it myself,” he says, sloppily maneuvering his wheelchair towards the bathroom, facing away from you. Without another word, Eddie pushes the bathroom door closed and leaves you standing in the middle of his bedroom. You blink a few times, until you remember him mentioning that his urinal is full. Grabbing it from the other side of his bed, you take it to the hall bathroom to dump out, keeping a tentative ear in case Eddie calls out for you.

At the same time that you walk back into the bedroom, Eddie opens the bathroom door and wheels himself out. The look on his face is pained, brows furrowed together with a wince.

“Are you okay?” You ask, setting his urinal back where he could reach it.

“I’m fine,” he says shortly, making an attempt to straighten his face.

“Doesn’t look like it.”

He gives you a sharp glare. “I said I’m fine.”

You were about to throw your hands up in defense, not wanting to poke the bear. But, something inside you told you to keep pushing.

“Eddie, can I be honest with you?”

He stares at you from the other side of the bed.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” you say sarcastically. “I’m pretty sure you have a UTI. Do you know what that is?”

“Yeah, I’m aware,” he states with a huff.

“Okay…so can I ask why you’re not going to a doctor for it?”

His eyes clamp shut, and he breathes in sharply with a bit of a shake.

“Listen, I get you’re like a student nurse or something. But, to me, you’re just a glorified babysitter, alright? You don’t know a damn thing about me, so just…” Eddie looks up at you, waving his hand dismissively. “Answer the bell when it rings.”

Do his words sting a little? Maybe a tad. But really you feel bad for him more than anything. Wayne’s told you that Eddie was a troublemaker at times before what happened, but he has a heart of gold and has always meant well. The sadness in the old man’s eyes looks a lot like the pain in the eyes of the younger man before you. And you know pain makes people behave in strange ways.

“Hey, little lady. I think it’s time for you to get up and goin’.” Wayne’s soft, gruff voice stirs you from your slumber, pulling you from the light sleep you had fallen into after making sure Eddie got back into bed okay. Rubbing your eyes, the light from the kitchen illuminates the wall clock reading 4:30 in the morning. You let out a low, petulant groan as you rise from the couch, sliding down to the ground below to grab your things and get ready for the day. 

The smell of coffee penetrates your nostrils as you wash your face, followed by a scent of eggs and bacon that makes your stomach cry out. You were definitely going to have to stop somewhere and grab something to eat on the way to work.

Just as you step out of the bathroom, Eddie’s bell rings from his room. Not wanting Wayne to leave his food to get cold, you cross the hall and knock on Eddie’s door. When he gives you the go head, you push the door open and are once again greeted by only a lump under a mattress. 

“What can I help you with?” You ask as you enter the room.

“Are you making food?”

“Oh, I’m not. Wayne is though. Do you want me to have him make you a plate?”

“Wayne’s home?”

“Yeah, he just got—”

“Then why are you still here?”

Your mouth snaps shut. If you weren’t so tired, you’d probably just brush it off as him being grumpy. But your lack of restful sleep had you pivoting on your heel and closing the door behind you. You didn’t have the energy to deal with his attitude this early in the morning, so he could wait.

“Smells good in here,” you say cheerfully, pushing Eddie’s comment to the back of your mind.

“Glad you think so. Yours is sitting right there for ya.” Wayne nods his head towards the bar seat where a plate of eggs, bacon and toast sits waiting.

“Oh, Mr.Munson, you didn’t have to—”

“Now, now, can’t send ya into work on an empty stomach now can I?”

You pull out the seat and sit in it slowly. You feel guilty for eating their food, but you would also feel terrible to turn down a meal made for you.

As you start to eat, you watch as Wayne makes another plate. He takes the time to break up the pieces of bacon into small parts and cuts the scrambled eggs up to make them more loose. He grabs the plate and a bowl full of what looks like oatmeal and excuses himself from the kitchen. 

It only takes a moment of him being gone for you to notice that he forgot the silverware sitting on the counter. You thought about just leaving it, not really wanting to deal with Eddie any more at this point, but Wayne did make you food after a long shift at work so you might as well do it for him.

You bump the door open softly with your hip, utensils in one hand and some napkins in the other. The bickering between the two men ceases as they hear you come in with a sweet smile on your face.

“Might be hard to eat without these,” you say sweetly, placing the items on Eddie’s tray. Wayne’s eyes dart back and forth between you and where Eddie is sitting up, uncovered. Eddie glares at you, not acknowledging his uncle’s reaction to what he thinks is the first time you’re seeing his nephew.

Wayne’s hand taps against Eddie’s arm subtly. “Thank you, ma’am,” he says with raised brows, looking at Eddie expectantly.

“What?” he says, playing dumb.

“Ed, seriously.”

“Ugh, fine. Thanks.”

“You are so welcome. I hope you have a good weekend, Eddie,” you say as you turn to leave the room. “See you on Monday!”

Water splashes under your tires as you drive up the muddy driveway to the hidden Munson home. It’s been a dreary day, overcast and a consistent downpour setting the mood from the moment you woke up. All the studying you did in the Munson’s living room last week paid off when you passed your test this morning, and the rest of the day consisted of lab work, which was the only reason you managed to keep your eyes open until the end of class.

As you park your car, pulling your hood over your head to protect yourself from the rain, you rush to your back seat to grab your bags and the two pizza boxes you stopped to get on the way over. A comfort food for you, and you doubted that the two men inside would turn down a slice. Hopefully Wayne would take some with him to work so he wouldn’t have to worry about his lunch.

With full hands you opted to knock on the door instead of trying to fumble your keys out and juggle two large, hot boxes of pizza. It took a moment but the door eventually swung open with an overjoyed Wayne on the other side.

“What’s all this now?” He says with a chuckle, stepping aside for you to come in.

“It’s my favorite rainy day food,” you say as you kick your muddy shoes off, leaving them on the porch and stepping inside. “And I figured I’d get enough to share. Payback for breakfast on Friday.”

As you entered the home, you were pleasantly surprised to find that there had been some decorating done over the weekend. Some shelves line the walls in various spots, mostly empty except for a mug and a couple hats, but it made a world of difference to the space by comparison.

“Ya don’t have’ta pay me back for anything like that,” Wayne says as he takes the boxes from you and takes them into the living room. “It’s the least I can do. I wish I could pay ya something for being here.”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better I wouldn’t take your money anyway,” you say taking in the made kitchen table, no longer covered in boxes. “I like what you’ve done with the place, by the way.” You look at Wayne directly and really notice the dark circles under his eyes. It looks like he hasn’t slept all weekend.

“Thanks…it’s nothing compared to the old place, but over time…” A distant sadness lives in his stare as he scans the room, looking past you before finally focusing once again on the food in front of him. “Well, I’m hoping that we can make it feel like a home, eventually.”

A loud groan from down the hall startles you and Wayne’s head drops with exasperation. “I better go check on him,” Wayne sighs, pushing off from the counter and taking off towards Eddie’s room. 

“Is everything okay?” You ask, following behind him.

“Not really,” Wayne says, “Whatever he has, it’s gotten worse since you left. He’s got a fever that we’ve trying to fight—”

“A fever?!” You stop at the mouth of the hall, “And he still hasn’t seen a doctor?”

“Trust me, if I could get him to go I would. But he’s convinced it’ll pass on it’s own.”

Shit, this isn’t good, you think. Quietly, you peak in the door behind Wayne and you have to catch yourself before you audibly gasp. Eddie’s laid up in his bed, face flushed and his hair pulled up and out of his face with a washcloth on his forehead. The sheets around him look like they’re drenched from sweat and he’s covered in nothing but a thin sheet, likely burning up from the fever. 

Backing out of the doorway, you pad down the hall as quickly as you can and grab their wall phone, fingers hitting the keys as fast as you can move them. You had thought about doing this all weekend, but you’d just hoped that maybe Eddie would cave and let Wayne take him to a doctor.

“Hello?” The familiar voice of your family doctor, who you called Ms. Gene, on the other line pulls a sigh of relief from you. She had been a friend of your grandmother’s and always told you to call her if you ever needed anything, even after hours, staying true to her word when your grandpa had his heart attack and she walked you through how to perform CPR at 12 years old.

Over the phone you told her the symptoms that Eddie was having, but replacing his name with yours. “Oh, my word,” Ms. Gene says on the other line, “That sounds like a pretty bad infection, dear. Probably going to need an antibiotic and some Pridium to help with the pain. Are you still staying with your friend, Tonya? I can call it in to a pharmacy over there for you.”

“Oh, um, I’m actually doing some volunteer work in Hawkins. If you could call in to me, like, as soon as possible, that would be perfect.”

“Hawkins? Where that Earthquake happened? Well, I can’t say I’m surprised you’d go somewhere like that to help. Where do you want me to call it in to?”

“Uummmmm,” you stall, running over to the cabinet where Wayne keeps Eddie’s pain medicine, grabbing a bottle and reading the pharmacy’s information to her.

“Alright, I’ll call that over for you,” she says sweetly.

“Thank you so much, Ms. Gene. You are a life saver!”

“Of course, dear. Oh, before you go,” she say, grabbing your attention again. “I noticed here that you haven’t called for your birth control since February. Is there anything you need to tell me?”

“No, ma’am,” you cringe, “I just, um, I’ve been busy with school and I h-haven’t exactly needed it.”

“Ah, I see,” she says with an obvious skepticism. “Well, if you do start needing it again, just give me a call, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

Just as you hang up the phone, Wayne walks back into the kitchen with a defeated look. The combination of Eddie’s condition and Wayne’s obvious stress has you feeling the tension in the air, making your words come out your mouth before you think about them.

“Wayne, I, um,” you stutter, “I need to run into town, to-to the pharmacy. I was going to stop on the way in and totally forgot.”

“Oh, okay,” Wayne turns to look at the clock on the stove. You’d gotten there early again, which hopefully would mean that you had enough time to get to the pharmacy and come back before Wayne needed to leave.

“Ya know you can use our stuff here, right? Don’t have to bring all your own things from home.”

“O-oh, thank you. But, um, the stuff I need is…personal.” He looks at you with a quirked brow and a slight tilt of the head. “Girl stuff,” you state, hoping that would be good enough of an excuse. And it was, the tips of his ears going red when he got the idea.

Thanks to Wayne’s very detailed directions you were able to get around the construction and to the Hawkin’s pharmacy and back within an hour. The rain had let up to a sprinkle when you pulled in again, Wayne walking out of the house as you pulled the keys from the ignition. 

“Sorry, I hope I’m not making you late. Did you grab some pizza?”

Wayne lifts a plastic bag with the food and a couple soda cans, “Got some right here. And it’s alright, I’ll be just fine. Did you, um, get what you needed?” You mimic his move, lifting your plastic bag as well, which elicited a hardy chuckle from the older man. “Good, good,” he says with a nod, “In the hall bathroom, I went ahead and cleared you a shelf in the closet in there. So, feel free to keep your stuff there. You don’t have to,” he says assuredly, “but I figured I’d give ya the option, ya’know?”

Your cheeks squish your eyes with how hard you smile, overwhelmed with the consideration of your needs. Something you’re not used to.

“Thank you very much, Wayne. That was very sweet of you to do.”

His ears turn red again, but he smiles back. “I’m — we’re not really used to having women around, but I want you to be comfortable here. You bein’ here has been more helpful than you think.”

The praise goes right to your heart, and you beam so hard you’re surprised the clouds didn’t part and let in a ray of sunshine over you. Instead, the rain starts to pick up again and the two of you part ways quickly to escape the downpour. 

As soon as you get settled inside, you bust out the prescription bags and look over the medication directions. The antibiotic that Ms.Gene prescribed is for 10 days, and you realize that you didn’t even think about what you would do when you weren’t there. You don’t think Wayne would be mad about getting Eddie an antibiotic since he’s still being so stubborn, but you also don’t want to assume. Maybe you’ll wait to tell him on Friday when Eddie starts to feel better.

You prep the medicine and head down the hall where you can hear Eddie moaning lowly from his room. Knocking first, you push the door open and find Eddie to be in the same condition as he was when you saw him earlier. You felt awful for him, almost missing the bad attitude compared to the pained sounds he’s giving you now.

“Eddie,” you coo softly, grabbing his water jug from his bedside table. His eyes flutter open, half lidded and following your movements as you stand next to him. “Eddie, I’m going to sit you up a bit, okay?”

“Why?” He huffs out, wincing as the head of his bed raises him up to an almost sitting position.

“I have some medicine for you,” you say, showing him the pills in the little plastic cup. 

He shakes his head, “No, no, Wayne already gave me my night meds.”

“These are different from those,” you offer the small cup to him to look at. “I just went and picked them up for you. The yellow and black one is an antibiotic and the little brown one will help with urinary pain.” He keeps shaking his head, refusing the medication. You look up at the ceiling, breathing in and out to calm yourself before you get frustrated. “Eddie, why don’t you want to take them? You have to feel terrible. Do you not want to get better?”

His eyes stay trained on his lap, the gears in his brain turning. His mouth opens to speak, but quickly snaps shut as he shakes his head more. “I don’t have to explain myself to you,” he says, his voice going up an octave as his eyes go glossy.

“No, you’re right. You don’t,” you say softly. “But, I do want to help you, despite what you want to think. If there’s something I can do to help you believe that, I would love to hear it.”

His head luls to the side, eyes moving back and forth before rolling to look at you. “Let me see the bottles,” he says.

“The bottles?”

“Yes, the pill bottles.”

“Oh, okay!” You set the cup on the bedside table and run into the kitchen. Grabbing the pill bottles you all but sprint back to his room, presenting the two orange bottles to him. He doesn’t take them, rather he leans in and looks over them closely.

“Is that your name?” He nods to where your information is listed on the top of the label. 

“Yeah, it is. I had to do it that way. Can’t request something for you so I figured this was the next best option.”

“And Wayne said it was okay?”

“Well, about that…” You set the bottles down, “I kinda forgot to tell him. But with the grief you’ve been giving him, I’m sure he won’t be too upset.”

“Whatever,” Eddie says with a roll of his eyes. “He knows why I don’t want to go…”

You grab the cup of pills and present them to him again. “I’m sure he does. But, you really need to start these before you end up in the hospital. Or worse, the infection spreads and you get blood poisoning and die.” Eddie huffs out a small laugh, but you choose not to ponder on it and instead grab his water jug. “So, are you gonna take them or am I gonna have to call the squad to come get you by the end of the week?”

He sighs and presents a scarred hand to you, the tissue thick and uneven where it looked like some of it may have been graphed. You turn the cup over and let the pills fall into his palm, watching as he brings them to his mouth and takes a sip from the straw of his water. You didn’t ask him to, but he opens his mouth and sticks out his tongue as if to show you he’s taken them, a reflex you wonder if he got from his long stay at the hospital.

As you watch him, you can’t help but look him over again. Admiring his profile, the way his adam’s apple bobs in his throat as he swallows. You notice that his scars on his chest cover his left pec, his whole left nipple missing in the mess of healed flesh. The bumpy flesh on his sides smooth out in the middle, to his belly button, where a trail of hair disappears into the thin sheet—

“Can you put the bed back down now, please?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure.” You snap back to the present, heat on your cheeks and shame in your gut when you realize you were gawking at your patient. Your patient who is sick and needs your help to take care of him. Pin needle tingles flush into a layer of sweat over your body from the guilt.

“Is there anything else you need?” You ask as the bed reaches its flattest position. Hurriedly, you grab everything you left on his bedside table and move it back to where it was next to the bed.

“Um, yeah,” Eddie’s voice strains as he stretches his right hand to reach his bedside table, fingers moving slowly in an attempt to pick up the wash rag you saw on his forehead earlier.

“Want me to run it under some cold water?” Walking around the bed, you pick the damp rag up. Your fingers brush against his, making you retract them back to your body which sends the wash rag to the floor. “Sorry, sorry,” you say quickly, bending over to pick up the rag. You make a beeline to the bathroom, turning on the faucet to it’s coldest setting, splashing a little over your cheeks as it runs out.

“I, uh, I don’t need the washcloth anymore,” you hear Eddie’s voice call out, softer than you’ve heard from him so far. It sparks a bit of concern in you, making you lean back to check on him. He’s pulled the blankets back up over him, his whole body turned away from you. When the TV’s volume goes up a few clicks, you just assume that his pain meds are kicking in and making him sleepy.

After turning off the water, you ask Eddie one more time if he needs anything, to which he simply shakes his head, refusing to acknowledge you anymore. You leave his door open a crack as you walk out and rush across the hall into the second bathroom. You let out a quiet shriek, running your hands over your face as you replay the way you looked at him over and over in your mind. What the hell was wrong with you? Are you that touch starved that any bit of skin makes you act like an 1800’s man who’s just seen a woman’s ankle? You need to get it together, sooner rather than later. 

Maybe a shower will clear your head.

“Eddie,” you call out from across the hall. No answer.

“Eddieee,” you call again. Nothing.

You step out of the bathroom and take the few steps to the bedroom door.

“Eddie?” The sound of shuffling and a few curses make you jump back.

“Eddie, is everything okay—”

“Yes, I’m fine, what do you want?” He sounds aggravated, and you think that maybe he had actually fallen asleep and you had just woke him up.

“I’m sorry, I was just going to tell you I’m going to take a shower. I’ll let you go back to sleep.” There’s no response other than a creak from the bed, so you leave it at that.

After two days of rain, Wednesday is much clearer. The early september sun beat down on your face through the window as your teacher goes through the day’s notes. But you’re barely able to focus on the words, your mind elsewhere as you think about the lack of sleep you got the last two nights. 

As if you had manifested it, your period decided to show up yesterday morning when you weren’t expecting it and you became a victim of period insomnia that night. Even worse, you almost bled through your school uniform on the way from leaving the Munson’s. Thankfully you were able to rush to the bathroom just before class started, but you only felt worse the rest of the day. 

You’re not sure if you were wearing your discomfort in your features or if Eddie was just feeling merciful, but he had been fairly pleasant for you when it came to taking care of him. He even promised to let you work on fixing his hair once he was feeling better.

Well, he didn’t say yes, but maybe is good enough for you for now.

With about thirty minutes left in class, your teacher calls your name and snaps you out of your daydream

“You’re needed in the counselor's office,” she says monotonically.

“O-okay,” you stutter, gathering your things quickly and heading to the main offices.

As you walk in, the lady at the desk is on the phone, not paying you any attention and she plays with the gum in her mouth. You stand there for a few minutes waiting for her to get off the phone, but she seems to be having a personal conversation, her beehive hair tilting to the side as she puts the phone between her ear and shoulder. 

You’re about to open your mouth to say something when a door behind her opens. With some papers in his hand, the guy from your volunteer sign ups, Sam walks out. His brows perk up when he notices you, bright smile on display as he makes his way to you.

“Hey, I was just about to come get you,” he says with a soft chuckle. “Thought maybe you got lost on the way here.”

“N-no,” you say, “I was, um…waiting.” You glance over at the receptionist, whose eyes are glued to the man in front of you.

“Ah, I see,” he says with a nod. “Well, if you don’t mind stepping back into my office with me here.” He motions for you to follow him back to the door he came out of. You can feel the eyes of the beehive staring daggers into your back even after he closes the door behind you.

“Please, have a seat,��� he gestures to the chair in front of what you assume is his desk as he sits down behind it. You sit down, straightening your skirt in an attempt to get comfortable as he pulls a folder out from a drawer.

“So,” he starts, “I just wanted to, um, touch base with you on your volunteer work. More specifically, how you’re feeling with your client.”

“You mean Eddie?” You ask.

“Yes, yes, Eddie Munson. I think I told you that day that he wasn’t a very sought after client, and I’m sure by now you’re aware as to why.”

“Because of the accusations.” It’s not a question, rather a statement.

“Yes, exactly.” He leans forward in his seat. “The company that’s running the program was surprised that anyone had agreed to take him. But, I told them that a…” He pauses for a moment, subtly looking you up and down, “...very special person took Mr.Munson in without hesitation. And when I tell you they were relieved — it would be an understatement, truly. But…”

“But?” You ask with a quirked brow.

“But,” he continues, “I’m just…I just want to make sure you’re feeling…safe.”

“Safe? Like when I’m there?”

“Yes. I know he lives with his uncle so you’re not alone, but if you were to be left alone with you, would you feel safe?”

Oh, this guy has no idea.

“Absolutely,” you say without hesitation. “Eddie is wounded at best and grumpy at worst. But I can’t think of a single moment where I’ve ever felt unsafe. I’ve actually felt quite welcome there. They’re very sweet people.”

Sam nods with a satisfied smile as you talk, visibly relaxing in his chair.

“Good, that’s great to hear,” he says, making a note on a paper in the folder in front of him. “I’m glad we were able to find a good fit, for the both of you it seems. Now, on the day you signed up, I did forget to have you fill out this paper here—” He slides a paper in front of you with the VisitingAngels logo on the top. “This is just asking for your basic info; name, address, a good phone number. It’s all for the volunteer company to keep on record. It must have been missing from the folder I had that day.”

“Oh, okay,” you say, pulling the chair up to the desk. Sam slides a pen over to you, and you can feel his eyes on you as you fill out the paper. You spare him a quick glance, and he flashes you a smile. He’s more handsome up close you think.

Once you’ve finished you slide the papers back to him, his finger touching yours as he takes them. 

“Great, thank you,” he says, tucking the paper into the folder and closing it.

“Of course,” you say, straightening up in your chair. “Was there…anything else you needed me for?”

Sam hesitates for a moment before clearing his throat.

“Actually, yes. I, um, I think you volunteer later in the day, is that correct?”

“Yes, I’m usually at the Munson’s house by 5. Why?”

“How long would you say you’re usually there for?”

You feel beads of sweat forming in your hairline. Did someone find out you were staying overnight with Eddie? Would he get in trouble if you were? Would you get in trouble? Would they take him away as your client?”

“Um, I would—I think I leave at 7, on-on average. Yeah…I get there, make sure he eats and get him settled for bed. Sometimes we sit and talk. Y-you know, caregiver stuff.”

“I see, I see,” Sam nods. “So that means…This Friday you don’t have any plans after 7 then?”

Your head reels back. “I’m sorry? I’m not sure what you’re asking.”

He laughs nervously, adjusting himself in his chair. “I, um, well, I’m asking if you’re free on Friday night, because I wanted to see if I could maybe take you to dinner?”

Your eyes dart around the office in disbelief. What is happening right now? You don’t get asked out. Tonya gets asked out by guys at the bar. The girls in your class get asked out by guys in other majors. The girl who bullied you in high school gets asked out by your crush. But not you…

“W-what?”

“Sorry if this seems sudden, but I’ve honestly been thinking about you since that day we met and…I don’t know,” Sam shrugs, closing in on himself a bit. “I just thought I would ask. But I understand if you can’t.”

Damn it.

“Well, I can’t on Friday,” you start, and the strings of your heart pull when the man in front of you deflates. “But…I could do Saturday?”

“Really? Okay, I can make that work.” Sam grabs a post-it note and writes his name and number down before handing it to you. “Here's my number, just in case. I guess I’ll pick you up—” He opens the folder again and points at where you wrote Tonya’s address on the paper, “...at your place around 7?”

You nod. “Sounds like a date.”

thank you for reading.

tagging @boomhauer bc i know you want to share your art lol

[redrose10]

It took me longer than I wanted, but it’s finally here and I can’t keep editing it and putting this off. This is something I’ve been working on for a few weeks. It’s not exactly how I had planned it in my head, but I guess that’s how it goes. I was going to try something a little different so I do have a spicy bonus chapter that I was going to include as an extra, but I just don’t think I’m good at writing smut so I’m not sure if that will ever get posted. Let me know if you want it though.

Messages and comments appreciated! This is the first time I’ve ever attempted something like this so be kind please.

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Yoongi black cat hybrid X Female reader

Summary: When your good friend shows up in the middle of the night begging for your help, how can you say no. But what if their request makes you start questioning everything you’ve ever believed in?

Warnings: Physical abuse, sexual abuse, swearing, light smut (nothing too graphic), mention of no consent, mention of death/dying and murder, violence, weapons

Word Count: about 14,800 😯

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Shuffling to your front entrance you felt a range of emotions like anger at whomever was pounding on your door at 3am in the rain and also fear because someone was pounding on your door at 3am in the rain. Taking a peak through the front window the fear disappeared when you saw one of your best friends, Namjoon. However, that fear was now replaced with worry. Namjoon was not the type to be out at this hour unless he had a good reason and what concerned you most was what he wanted with you right now.

Swinging open the door he greeted you first, clearly in a hurry. He looked nervous.

“Hi Y/N. I’m so sorry to bother you at this hour, but there is nowhere else I can go. Can we please come in?”

“We?”, you asked brows furrowed.

Namjoon stepped aside and you saw the smaller frame that was hidden behind him, the hood of a sweatshirt blocking their face. Trusting that Namjoon wouldn’t bring anyone around that would hurt you, you motioned for them both to come inside and take a seat. You offered some towels to dry off and started the kettle on the stove to get them something warm to drink.

As you finally took a seat across from the two Namjoon cleared his throat, “Y/N I’m sorry again for just barging in like this. I just really need your help. It’s been kind of a rough night.”

You nodded, but remained silent as you waited for more information. The person sitting next to your friend had yet to make a sound or even look at you giving you an uneasy feeling.

Thankfully Namjoon took the hint and continued, “We completed a raid today. Something we’d been working on for a long time now.”

“Ahh there it is.”, you thought to yourself. Namjoon worked for the the Hybrid Protection Agency or HPA. They were like the FBI, but specialized in hybrid affairs. You had heard numerous stories of them raiding businesses and buildings that were being used as fronts for different illegal operations involving hybrids. You turned your attention back to your friend to hopefully find out what he wanted with you.

“Have you ever heard of Lee Yan?”, he asked.

“No I don’t think I have”, you shook your head not failing to notice the other person flinch at the mention of the name.

Namjoon continued, “He also goes by Viper.”

“Ooohhh.”, your heart skipped a beat. Viper was known as one of the most ruthless hybrid traffickers in the game. He didn’t care who he had to hurt or even kill to achieve his goals. He owned 90% of all hybrid operations and was consistently listed as the most wanted criminal in the HPA’s database. You’d heard Namjoon ramble on and on about how much of a scumbag he was.

“Well we’ve been watching him for a while now. We got wind that he was going to be in town tonight to check on one of his hybrid houses.”

Just hearing that name made you cringe. Hybrid Houses were technically legal because they operated under the guise that they were there for hybrids to use when their natural instincts kicked in. Thanks to the increasing costs of using Hybrid Houses more and more owners started opting to pay for suppressants while some of the harsher owners chose to force their hybrids to just push through it without any help at all by locking them away until it passed. So now the houses are still advertised as such, but really they’re mostly being used as coverups

You realized you’d been completely ignoring everything he was saying so you sat up a little straighter trying your best to focus.

“Anyways, we showed up and raided the place. We managed to rescue about sixteen hybrids. We arrested two of Vipers guys, but unfortunately he was able to get away. Most of the hybrids are being taken to local shelters, a few had to be taken to the hospital. But one of them needs some special care which is what brings me to you.”

“I’m sorry what?”, you asked choking on air. Namjoon knew better than anyone that you didn’t exactly agree with owning a hybrid or anything hybrid related. In your views they were people more than animals and should be treated as such, Therefore they shouldn’t need an owner and you hated the way the government basically deemed them property. Hybrids had fewer rights and protections than any other species and you hated it. Namjoon had attended a few Hybrid Rights rally’s with you so he knew your views on this and you were honestly a little angry he was even trying to bring you into this.

Namjoon chuckled, “I guess I should’ve introduced you from the start. This is Yoongi.”, Namjoon spoke gesturing to the person next to him.

Your eyes widened in surprise as the mysterious person slowly pulled down the hood of their sweatshirt. Barely poking out of the top of a mop of black hair were two black fuzzy cat ears. A long fluffy black tail curled out from behind him. With so much going on you hadn’t noticed that your friend’s new friend was a hybrid. The hybrid, or Yoongi as he was called, quickly made eye contact with you before returning his gaze back to the floor. He reached for his tail slowly combing his fingers through the fur. You figure it was probably a way of self soothing.

“Nam-, Namjoon I’m sorry but how am I supposed to help?”

“Right, so Yoongi is or uh was Vipers personal pet.”

The sound of that word made your stomach twist. He was a grown man and shouldn’t be considered anyones “pet” and it infuriated you that people even had thoughts like that.

“When Viper took off he left Yoongi behind probably thinking one of his men would protect him, but one of our guys took him in thinking he was just one of the hybrids from the house instead. We can’t take Yoongi to a shelter. Viper will have his guys scouting every shelter with 100 miles from here. It’s not safe for him to stay with me either since I could possibly have a target on my back. I need him to stay here with you.”

You felt bad for the chuckle that you let out knowing that this probably wasn’t Yoongi’s first choice either, but you just couldn’t stop it.

“Namjoon, I can’t just take in another person. I can barely afford to feed myself let alone someone else. Plus you know how I feel about owning hybrids. It’s wrong. They’re people and shouldn’t be owned like an animal.”

Yoongi felt an odd fluttering in his stomach. No one had ever referred to him as a person before.

“Look Y/N, I’m desperate. I’ll send some money your way to cover the extra food and stuff. And you don’t have to officially adopt him. We just need to keep him safe until we get Viper in custody and then I’ll figure something else out.”

Namjoon reached over and placed a hand on your knee. You knew when he resorted to physical touch that he was serious.

“Please Y/N, he’s been through hell and back and has nowhere else to go. I need someone that he can trust. That I can trust. I can’t let him get back into the hands of someone like Viper.”

You peaked over Namjoon’s shoulders to see Yoongi with his hands folded in his lap. His bangs plastered to his forehead and still damp from the rain. He looked at you for barely a second before looking away, but even in that quick glance you could see the desperation in his eyes. You could only imagine what he had been through. Someone like Viper couldn’t possibly treat his own hybrid well when to him all they were there were play things and money makers.

“Okay.”, you spoke barely above a whisper, but Namjoon still heard you. He smiled before looking back at Yoongi trying to give him a reassuring squeeze that everything was going to work out for the better.

Thankfully the kettle sounded giving you an out of the awkward situation. While in the kitchen preparing the drinks you could hear Namjoon and Yoongi whispering back and forth.

“She doesn’t want me here. I can just go back to my owner. I don’t want to be any more of a burden than I already am.”

“Trust me, she’ll come around. It’s just a lot to take in. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t think she’d take good care of you.”

He was right. You would try your hardest to take care of him even if this situation isn’t exactly ideal for you.

After a drink and some pointless small talk you walked Namjoon to the door as he continued to give you instructions, “So don’t take Yoongi out of the house for any reason unless it’s an absolute emergency and call me immediately if you do. I’ll stop by with some clothes and stuff for him in a day or two plus some extra money.”

You nodded in agreement unsure of what else to say at that point. After he left you made sure to use all the locks on your door suddenly feeling a little less safe than normal. Yoongi was still sitting in the same spot on the couch not having touched his tea.

“I can make you something else to drink if you don’t like it. Or maybe something to eat? Are you hungry?”, you asked awkwardly.

“No thank you. I’m okay.”

“Okay… well… I’m gonna go take care of a few things. I’ll be right back.”

He nodded as you scampered up the stairs to your bedroom. After taking a few minutes to calm down and catch your breath you started grabbing whatever you could think he might need.

Digging through your drawers you found a t-shirt and a pair of old sweats that you thought should fit him after making a hole for his tail. Then in your closet you found an extra pillow and some blankets. Your spare bedroom was pretty much being used as storage so Yoongi was going to have to sleep on the couch which you felt terrible about so you decided to start looking online for a bed getting yourself distracted. You weren’t sure exactly how long he was going to be staying, but you figured it would be a couple weeks at least and you didn’t want him sleeping on the couch that whole time. You’d been meaning to finally set up the spare room so this was the kick you needed. You had to use pretty much every cent you had to afford everything, but it was needed.

After getting everything ordered you realized you had been locked away quite a while longer than you’d expected and got very worried about Yoongi. Rushing down the stairs with blankets and pillows in hand you found an empty couch.

“Fuck did he run away already?”, you panicked. Namjoon was going to kill you. Walking into the kitchen to find your phone you spotted a lump of black curled up in the corner. Getting closer you recognized the tail and ears. A wash of relief flooded over you as you bent down and tried to softly wake up the sleeping hybrid.

You tried to be as gentle as possible, but he still startled awake quickly backing into the corner before letting out a small hiss and curling in on himself.

“Hey it’s just me. It’s Y/N. I’m sorry for scaring you. I didn’t mean to.”

He looked back at you with wide eyes, still unsure of you and the situation.

After he finally calmed down and realized it was only you he relaxed a little before standing up.

“Why are you sleeping on the floor to begin with?”, you asked concerned.

He shrugged, “You were gone a long time so I thought you just went to bed for the night. I didn’t know where you wanted me to sleep and I didn’t want to wake you. I usually get put on the floor or in the garage, sometimes outside so I just chose right here.”

Your heart hurt at that while your face flushed with anger.

Stretching out your hand you motioned for him to follow you into the living room. After finishing setting up the couch you turned to Yoongi who was still shyly standing in the doorway.

“I’m sorry you have to sleep on the couch tonight. I don’t have a spare bed at the moment. I did order one though which is why I was gone so long. It should be here in a day or two. But the couch is really comfy and I can get more blankets or pillows if you need them.”

While you felt like a terrible host for having him sleep on the couch, Yoongi looked at you like you’d just given him the world.”

“I-I can sleep on the couch?”, he asked still unsure.

“Yeah of course. Like I said I’m sorry I don’t have a bed for you but it’ll just be for a couple days.”

You saw the first glimpse of a smile before he went to sit down.

“Oh wait!”, you exclaimed and then made a mental note to try and not be as loud when you noticed how he flinched at your quick movements.

“Come with me.”, you motioned for him to follow you to the bathroom. When you got upstairs you showed him the clothes you’d laid out plus a towel, “I figured you’d like to take a hot shower and have a change of clothes. These should fit you for the night. If you bring your clothes downstairs I can put them in the wash so you’ll have them for tomorrow.”

An awkward silence filled the room as he looked around in disbelief so you just nodded before closing the door behind you and heading downstairs.

Thankfully the rest of the night went by smoothly and you’d almost forgotten all about the hybrid sleeping on your couch downstairs until you heard his soft snores filling the air. Peeking over the railing you spotted Yoongi still curled up in a little ball on the couch. You could see his ears swivel with the noise of a few birds chirping outside. How long had it been since he was able to sleep deeply like that?, you wondered.

As quietly as possible you tiptoed past him and made your way to the kitchen to get some coffee ready. About twenty minutes later Yoongi came walking into the kitchen looking incredibly grumpy. He was definitely not a morning person you thought to yourself.

“Good morning.”, you chuckled.

“Good morning.”, he scowled.

“Would you like some coffee or orange juice? I have some milk.”, you asked unsure of what his diet normally looked like.

“Water is okay.”

You nodded and handed him a glass.

“You can sit down you know.”, you said pointing to the chair across from you.

“Sorry. I’m not usually allowed on the furniture.”

“Yoongi you live here now too. At least for a while. You can sit on the furniture, watch tv, help yourself to anything in the kitchen. You don’t have to be afraid. I promise nothing bad will happen to you here and I’m not going to hurt you.”

He nodded in understanding, but you could tell that there was still a lot of apprehension there.

“Speaking of which, what would you like for breakfast? I’m not the greatest cook, but I can get by.”

“I’m okay. I don’t need to eat anything.”, he shrugged, but his stomach said otherwise following with a loud grumble.

“How about some scrambled eggs and toast?”, you asked which he gratefully accepted.

He offered to clean up the kitchen for you after breakfast and then you both headed to watch a little tv and wait for Namjoon who said he’d be over in the afternoon. There was quite a bit of awkwardness in the air as you both sat on opposite sides of the couch neither of you really knowing what to say or do. After three episodes of some random baking competition show you had put on there was a knock at the door. Yoongi’s ears laid back into his hair as he scrambled to try and find a hiding spot before you could answer it.

“It’s just Namjoon.”, you said after peaking out the window.

Your friend walked in carrying several bags of clothes and supplies.

He and Yoongi carried everything up stairs before returning back to the couch. You offered Namjoon some water as you took a seat across from them.

“So how did last night go?”, he sighed.

“Alright, I think. I have a bed coming for Yoongi. Should be here soon.” You peaked over at Yoongi hoping he’d agree. He nodded his head.

Namjoon took a sip before continuing, “So I have an update about this whole situation. I got a call this morning that Viper has been located.”

Yoongi visible tensed up and you had to stop yourself from reaching out to him not feeling like you had that right yet.

“Okay so they caught him?”, you asked.

Apprehensively Namjoon continued, “Not exactly. The last tracking we have of him is at the airport. It appears he fled the country. We don’t know exactly to where, but our best guess is he probably went somewhere with super lax laws surrounding hybrids where he can hide out and be less likely to get caught.”

“Okkaaayy so what does that mean for Yoongi?”, you asked.

“Umm well he’s still not out of the woods yet. Viper will have his guys looking all over for him. We heard they were already at the shelters on 38th and another on Rose Ave asking about him so he’s going to have to stay here a little longer.”

“Oh okay that’s fine.”, you responded almost a little too quickly for your liking.

Suddenly Namjoon turned his attention to Yoongi,” Why don’t you go upstairs and start unpacking all the stuff I brought?”

Yoongi wasn’t dumb and he knew that was code for I need to talk to Y/N in private so with an eye roll he agreed and headed upstairs.

Once you heard the door close you turned your attention back to Namjoon, “Joon I guess I’m just not understanding why this guy would go through all the trouble to find Yoongi. Couldn’t he just find another hybrid to abuse? Like why is he so set on finding Yoongi that he has guys searching all over for him?”

He took a long deep breath before continuing. His voice barely above a whisper trying to stop Yoongi’s enhanced hearing from listening in.

“Well he’s more than just a pet.”

“Ugh please don’t use that word.”, you spat in disgust.

Namjoon chuckled., “Alright well I’m sure you’ve noticed that Yoongi is particularly attractive. Like more attractive than your average hybrid or person.”

You nodded your head because of course you had. Yoongi was very handsome with his chiseled jaw and cute button nose that sat perfectly under his beautiful cat eyes. His sweet gentle nature combined with his politeness made him all that more attractive on top of it. Unfortunately you were starting to have an idea of where Namjoon was going to be taking this conversation.

He snapped his finger at you, “Reel it back in Y/N. Daydream about Yoongi another time.”

You rolled your eyes before motioning for him to continue which he did, “Well because of that there are people in this world that will pay a pretty penny to spend a night with him, for whatever reason. Some want to fulfill their sexual fantasies as I’m sure you expected, others just want to have a companion, and some want to fulfill other desires that may not be so legal being done to other humans or animals. Either way Viper just lost his biggest moneymaker who brings in a lot of repeat and new customers so he’s not going to stop until he finds him.”

You felt sick thinking about how Yoongi and all these other hybrids have been treated.

“I just need him to stay here for a while. Maybe you can help him come out of his shell a little. You know show him that not all people are bad.”

You licked your lips, “Yeah sure. Of course he can stay here.”

Namjoon smiled, “Thank you Y/N. I owe you big time.”

“Yeah you definitely do.”, you chuckled.

Namjoon went up to say bye to Yoongi before coming back down and giving you a hug, “Alright I’ll keep you updated. Let me know if you need anything.”

The following morning Yoongi’s bed was delivered and thankfully he was quite handy building the bed by himself in just a little over an hour. You tried to help, but mostly just stood off to the side handing him whatever he needed and offering words of encouragement.

After the bed was made you stood back taking a look at the room that was slowly coming together.

“Maybe we can get you a tv or something. Or a computer? Do you have any hobbies?”, you said sneaking a look at him.

He shook his head, “Y/N, you’ve already done more for me than anyone else ever has. I don’t need anything else.”

His words hit you. The thought that having a small bed and a couple hot meals was more than this poor soul had ever received combined with what Namjoon had told you earlier, it broke you.

“Enjoy your room for a while. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”, you said before slipping out the door so he couldn’t see your watery eyes.

You may have gone a little overboard on ordering and definitely won’t be able to afford takeout for a while, but seeing the look on Yoongi’s face as he was devouring the pizza made it worth it. Over the last few months he had started opening up to you little by little. First it was little things like his favorite color or how he has always wanted to try pizza but was never allowed. He was still pretty skittish and didn’t seem to like being touched or even really be any closer than just sharing a couch. You didn’t blame him at all. But he had become a very important part of your life in a short time.

Then last night during a particularly severe thunderstorm you heard a soft knock at your bedroom door. Cracking it open you saw him standing there squeezing one of your favorite hoodies close to his chest. You wanted to question him about how and why he had it because you’d been looking for it for weeks, but the terror in his eyes diverted your attention. A loud clap of thunder rang through the air causing him to get low to the ground in fear using his hands and your hoodie to cover his ears. Without even thinking you grabbed his wrist pulling him into your room and tucking him in your bed. You thought he would protest, but he just burrowed deeper into the covers. Once back on your side the realization hit you that you were now sharing a bed with Yoongi, which other than a few accidental brushes against each other, was the closest the two of you had ever been.

You couldn’t deny that there had been some feelings brewing over the last couple weeks. You tried really hard to pushed them as far down as possible, but they kept coming to the surface. Yoongi had been through so much and there was no way you’d ever spring that on him, not right now. Especially when you had no idea at all if he even felt somewhat similar about you.

Another clap of thunder hit and you felt him jolt next to you with fear.

“Hey it’s okay. It’s just a storm. It should be over soon.”, you’d said trying to soothe him.

“I know, I’m sorry. It just loud noises sometimes scare me. It’s dumb.”

“Its not dumb. Is there anything I can do to help?”

He stayed silent for a few moments.

“Can you just hold me?”

His request stunned you into silence.

“N-never mind. It was a dumb idea.”

Before he could scoot away any further you grabbed his hand to stop him and pulled him closer so your arms could fit over him. He buried his face in your neck and instantly you could feel some of the tension leave his body. You prayed he wouldn’t feel your heart about to beat out of your chest. You thought it would be awkward, but it actually felt quite nice and comforting. After giving him a few minutes to settle down you decided to bring up something you had been wondering about.

“Hey Yoongi?”

“Mmhm?”

“Why do you have my hoodie?”

The tension retuned.

“Umm well I found it one day when I was cold so I wore it but then I realized that it made me feel better. I just started hugging it when I feel overwhelmed or anxious and you’re not here or if I didn’t want to bother you. It smells like you and it helps me relax. You can have it back though. I’m sorry I took it without asking. Please don’t be mad.”

He panicked and tried to unwrap the fabric from his body, but you stopped him, “No no it’s okay. I was just wondering. You can keep it. I have a closet full of them. And you never bother me. Ever.”

After some reassurance he happily settled back down and not long after you heard the faintest rumble come from his chest. “Yoongi are you purring?”, you asked trying to hide how happy it made you that he felt so comfortable with you.

“Shut up. Sometimes I can’t help it.”, he said embarrassed that his body had betrayed him like that. He was trying to act mad, but even in the dark you could see the faint hint of a blush on his cheeks. You just chuckled before allowing him to snuggle in a little closer.

After a while you’d thought he had fallen asleep as the purrs died down, but then he spoke, “Thank you for letting me in here. I’m sorry I woke you up for this.”

“Don’t be sorry. I am always here for you. I promise.”

He chuckled, “I really hate thunderstorms. I feel like such a little kid sometimes.”

“Is it the loud noise?”

“Kind of, but it’s more than that.”

He then went on to tell you about one of Viper’s regulars, Mrs. Cho and how she’d always book time with him during thunderstorms because her husband was a meteorologist and was usually busy during those times. Apparently she was in to pain and he tried his best to describe the things she had forced him to do before his voice started cracking and you told him he didn’t have to go any further. Talking about those moments seemed to bring back a lot of painful memories for Yoongi as he spent the rest of the night clinging to you while whimpering himself awake every so often until you could soothe him back to sleep.

That night seemed to change something between the two of you. Over the following weeks Yoongi became a lot cuddlier, often choosing to sit next to you while watching tv and getting into bed with you at night even if there wasn’t a storm outside. You both cooked meals together, his arms around you more than he actually helped cook. He’d help you in your garden since it was only in your backyard blocked off by a fence and he liked getting some fresh air. Your feelings grew deeper and deeper too, but you couldn’t ever bring yourself to say anything. It wasn’t worth the risk of ruining everything you had with him.

So that’s why you decided to splurge and surprise him today with a pizza party thanks to the bonus you got at work. You knew it wouldn’t just magically make everything better, but it also couldn’t make it worse.

He told you over and over how the pizza was the best thing he’d ever tasted and you had to keep reminding him not to overdue it so he didn’t get a tummy ache.

You were just finishing up the dishes when a knock at the door pulled your attention that way. Like usual whenever someone came over Yoongi bolted for his room to hide until he knew it was safe to come out. You were a little nervous to open the door yourself. They still hadn’t caught Viper and you hadn’t heard from Namjoon in several days which was weird and there was an incident at the grocery store last week where you swore a man was following you, but nothing ever came of it so you chalked that up to just some creep following you around.

After peaking out the window you excitedly swung the door open before jumping into the man’s arms.

Yoongi sensing that you weren’t in danger peeked around the corner and saw you hugging it out with some guy. It made his chest constrict, a feeling he didn’t like. He knew he was starting to have feelings for you, he thought he had pushed those all the way down, but apparently not. He made his way down the stairs to the two of you standing right beside you so you’d notice him which of course you did right away.

“Yoongi! I’m glad you’re here. I want to introduce you to my good friend. This is Jungkook.”

The two men nodded a greeting at each other. You missed the way Jungkook eyed Yoongi up and down. Suddenly Yoongi got a really uneasy feeling about this person. He tried pulling you into the other room, but you brushed him off. You invited them both to take a seat with you but you were a little surprised that Yoongi decided to sit right next to you almost on your lap, but still between you and Jungkook. His tail was puffed up and swinging shortly showing his agitation as he glared at you friend.

“So Kookie how have you been?”, you asked offering him a drink.

“Kookie? Why don’t I have a nickname?”, Yoongi scoffed to himself.

“Pretty good. Traveling a lot. How have you been?”, Jungkook asked.

“Good, working a lot.”

The two of you went back and forth making light conversation. Yoongi was getting more and more angry as time went on. He just did not like this Jungkook, but he couldn’t quite place why. He knew a part of it was jealousy because it was clear you and Jungkook

had some history from the stories you told and he knew you’d never be interested in him in that way as much as he was starting to want that.

After what felt like hours you finally walked Jungkook to the door with Yoongi following close behind.

“It was so nice to see you Y/N.”, he smiled.

“Yeah of course. You, me, and Namjoon will have to get together some time. Just like our old college days.”

You both chucked followed by Jungkook extending his hand out towards Yoongi. That’s when Yoongi saw it. On Jungkook’s wrist was a tattoo of a snake. Or more specifically a viper. It was a marking that all of the close associates of Viper had and THAT is why Yoongi didn’t like this guy. He was bad news.

Without thinking he lunged forward attacking Jungkook. His need to protect you overtaking his fear for a moment. You looked on in shock before realizing what happened. By that time Jungkook had already thrown a punch causing Yoongi to fall to the ground.

“Bye Y/N. See you around.”, he said before smirking at Yoongi who was still laying on the floor.

“What the hell Yoongi? Why did you do that?”, you said dropping to your knees next to him.

Softly you moved his hand seeing the welt already forming on this cheek.

“Come on. Let’s get some ice.”

Back in the kitchen and with a bag of frozen peas on his face you went back to scolding him, “You can’t just go around attacking people Yoongi. You could get in a lot of trouble. Especially as a hybrid they’ll look for any reason to deem you as a delinquent.”

Yoongi continued to stare at the floor.

“Do you have anything to say for yourself?”, you asked letting more of your annoyance show through than you had planned.

“Jungkook works for Viper.”

“No he doesn’t. He works with Namjoon for the HPA.”, you chuckled.

“Y/N, I’m serious. He has the viper tattoo. I saw it.”

You were starting to feel the frustration bubbling.

“Yoongi lots of people have Viper tattoos. It’s like a pretty common thing.”

He shook his head, “No it’s a specific tattoo that all his closest guys get. It’s like some initiation bullshit or something.” He took a breath before continuing, “They only get it after they’ve proven their loyalty by murdering a hybrid.”

“There’s no way. Jungkook would never do that. He’s always been for trying to improve hybrid rights.”, you shook your head.

Yoongi removed the bag of peas revealing the red welt, “Y/N I’ve seen that tattoo hundreds and hundreds of times. I know what I saw.”

You still didn’t want to believe him. Jungkook was one of your closest friends. You never would’ve let someone like that into your life. Unable to stop the words from spilling out of your mouth you’d told up backing away from him.

“You’re just jealous Yoongi.”

He scoffed, “Of what?”

“Because for the last couple months I’ve been devoting all my attention and energy to you until now when I showed the slightest bit of attention towards another guy so now you’re making up lies to make me hate him. You only want me for yourself.”

Now it was his turn to laugh, “For what? You’re just my temporary owner. Fuck every guy in the city. I don’t care. I’m just trying to protect myself and that means not having that guy around.”

His words stung you a little. You were starting to catch feelings, but to him you were just another human that had ownership of him as a pet, nothing more.

“You’re lying.”, you whispered.

“Y/N I’m not lying. You need to call Namjoon. Now! We’re both in danger.”

You shook your head, “I can’t believe you Yoongi. I never thought you’d become such a problem hybrid.”

You heard him audibly gasp and you instantly regretted saying it. While referring to a hybrid as a problem hybrid might not seem like much of an issue to a human, to a hybrid it was considered derogatory since they have had to fight for a long long time to prove that they too could be a productive part of society with no issues just as any human could. So calling one a problem hybrid deemed them a lost cause and basically meant they should just be locked away and remain nothing more than a pet on a leash.

“I’m sorry Yoo-.”, you tried to say reaching forward for him, but before you could finish he threw the bag down on the table and ran up to his room slamming the door behind him.

It had been a week since you last saw Yoongi. He refused to eat meals with you. He no longer sat behind you while you worked or cuddled next to you while watching tv. Your bed felt colder and lonelier too after you’d gotten used to him quietly crawling in with you in the middle of the night.

At the end of the week you decided to reach out to Namjoon to ask for advice, luckily for you he contacted you on his own through text. You figured he was probably somewhere that he couldn’t really talk out loud.

Joon: Hey how are things going? Sorry I’ve been MIA. Just a lot going on.

You: Honestly, been better.

Joon: Yeah I wanted to talk to you about that. Yoongi contacted me the other day. He said something about wanting to go to a shelter.

You felt like you were going to be sick. You had tried to apologize several times for the problem hybrid situation, but he never wanted to hear it. You had no idea that he hated you so much he’d rather risk it living in a shelter, but you also couldn’t really blame him.

You: Yeah I let my emotions get the best of me and said something that I shouldn’t have. I really don’t want him to leave, but I won’t force him to stay.

Joon: Technically since you’re not his owner you can’t force him to stay anyways. It’s just still not safe out there and if he goes to a shelter it’s only a matter of time until they find him. What set this all off? Maybe I can talk to him.

You: I don’t even know any more. Jungkook showed up and Yoongi just attacked him. Said he was working with Viper. And then we got in an argument.

You: Have you seen Jungkook recently?

Joon: No I haven’t. He suddenly quit the agency about 9 months ago and I haven’t heard from him since.

Joon: Listen Y/N, I know you and Jungkook have or had a thing, but maybe it’s best to listen to Yoongi. He’s been in Vipers world most of his life. He knows a lot and if he’s saying Jungkooks bad news then he means it.

You: I just don’t see how that is possible. He’s a good guy.

Joon: Sometimes the worst people are the best at hiding their true colors. Just stay away from him until I do some more digging. Please. For yours and Yoongi’s safety. I’m going to talk to Yoongi and try to convince him to stay with you for now. I think it’s best.

You: Alright. Keep me updated. Stay safe yourself.

Taking a deep breath to calm your nerves you knocked on Yoongi’s door with a shaky hand. Surprisingly he opened the door which you were not expecting so admittedly you were not prepared.

“Umm I just got off the phone with Namjoon. He said you wanted to go to a shelter instead. I’m not going to force you to stay.”

You handed him a couple old duffel bags you had, “So here are some bags. You’re welcome to take anything in the room. It’s all yours. Namjoon is going to look around and decide where he thinks it’ll be the safest for you to go.”

Gently he grabbed the bags from you. Just before he closed the door again you stopped him, “Oh and Yoongi, I’m really sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I didn’t mean to break my promise.”

Namjoon tried for several days to convince Yoongi to stay, but ultimately he was stubborn and had already made his decision. Namjoon had his sister pick him up early in morning a few days ago to take him to a shelter about three hours away. Namjoon wouldn’t tell you the exact location for your safety so that’s as much as you got. Now as you laid in bed trying to fall asleep while there was a raging thunderstorm going on outside you couldn’t help but worry about him. Was the storm hitting his area? How was he coping? He’d surely have a nightmare and you felt awful not being there to comfort him, but this is what he wanted even though it was all because of you.

You were just finally starting to fall asleep when a loud knock at your door woke you up. Tempted to ignore it, especially at this hour, you turned over trying to fall back asleep when you heard another knock. Then the possibilities flooded you. What if something happened to Yoongi? What if it was Yoongi?!

Jumping out of bed you sprinted down the stairs forgoing even checking who it was and swinging open the door praying to find Yoongi only to be met with the person who brought this all on.

“Hi Y/N, sorry to drop in like this again.”, Jungkook smiled.

You invited him in even though Yoongi and Namjoon’s words replayed in your head. You watched as he looked around your home before taking a seat.

“What do I owe the pleasure?”, you asked suddenly feeling uncomfortable with him here alone with you.

“Just thought I’d stop by. I was in the area again. Maybe we could go to that diner on Main. Like old times.”, he laughed.

You don’t know if it was the warnings or what, but this definitely didn’t feel like all the old times when Jungkook would show up at your door in the middle of the night wanting to go get chocolate chip pancakes while you both told corny jokes and laughed until the waitress finally had to kick you guys out. This felt darker, sinister even. Only made worse when you noticed the piece of black metal clinging to his hip that he tried to hide with his leather jacket. Jungkook had always been against violence especially anything that included weapons. You remembered when he first started training for the agency and had to learn how to assemble and use a gun. He despised it, almost quitting because of it, but he knew it was for the better of the hybrid community. If he really had quit the agency like Namjoon said then he would’ve had to turn in all of his weapons so the fact that he had one on him made your uneasiness all that more prominent.

“Yeah let me go grab my purse!”, you exclaimed trying to get away from him now realizing something was up. He grabbed your hand stopping you from going any further, “No need Y/N. I’ll pay.”

“Oh well at least let me go get dressed. I don’t want to go out looking like such a slob.”, you chuckled quickly bolting up the stairs before he could stop you again.

In your room with the door closed you frantically searched for your phone wanting to call Namjoon or the police or anyone for help.

Finding it lying on the floor you grabbed it quickly searching your contacts. In your frazzled state you failed to hear anyone creep up behind you until it was too late and you felt the cold metal against the warmth of your forehead.

A strong arm pulling you close against a body much bigger than yours.

“Y/N, put the phone down. You don’t want to do that.”, Jungkook growled in your ear.

“Why are you doing this?”, you asked slowly tossing your phone on the bed. “You were against abuse towards hybrids just like me and Namjoon. Now you work with the worst in the business?”, you questioned him.

“Look, I really don’t want to have to hurt you. I still care about you Y/N. That’s the only reason I didn’t just kill you the other night and take Yoongi then. Tell me where he is and I’ll let you go.”

You shook your head, “I don’t know. They took him this morning.”

You could hear him scoff as he pushed the tip of the gun against your forehead a little harder making you flinch in fear.

“Y/N, I won’t ask again. Where did they take Yoongi?”, he shouted.

“A shelter in North Provence. That’s all they told me.”, you spit out.

You cried tears of relief when you felt him pull the gun away before throwing you down on the ground.

“Thanks Love.”, was all he said before sprinting out of your home.

Quickly grabbing your phone you dialed Namjoon’s number.

North Provence was at least six hours away from you so double the time Namjoon had told you, hopefully buying you some time.

You called him twelve times before giving up.

You knew you had to get to Yoongi and make sure he was safe and apologize for everything. He had been right about Jungkook, but you had no idea where he was. Three hours away could be in any direction.

While getting dressed as quickly as possible you suddenly remembered that Namjoon had a cousin who ran a non-profit hybrid organization that would take in hybrids, rehab them, and then adopt them out. If you remembered correctly it was located about two hours and fifty minutes from you. You didn’t know if you were correct, but it was the only lead you had.

Making the drive there in record time you reached the shelter just as they were opening. You still hadn’t been able to contact Namjoon so you were doing this solo.

Namjoon’s cousin, Jin, greeted you at the front desk.

“Oh hey Y/N! It’s been ages. I really need to get on Joonie to start coming around more.”

You tried to smile, “I know , I know, I completely agree.”

“So what can I do for you?”

Trying to hide the shake in your voice unsure of how much Jin knows you took a deep breath, “Well I’d really like to adopt a hybrid and I knew this was the perfect place to come.”

He chuckled, “Well you certainly did come to the right place. Do you know what you’re looking for? We just got in this Labrador hybrid. His name is Hoseok or Hobi for short. He is the sweetest ray of sunshine and I think you’d love him.”

“He does sound very nice, but I was looking for more of a cat hybrid. Maybe a black cat?l

Jin looked up at the ceiling, “Hmm you know we do have a few cats. Come on back with me and see if there’s any that CATch your eye.”

He laughed hysterically at his own joke so you giggled along trying to hide the fact that you were two seconds away from vomitting.

“So right now we have four cat hybrids up for adoption. I think you’d really get along with Jimin the most. He’s not a black cat, but he’s very cuddly and playful. He’ll seriously be your best friend.”

You nodded taking a look though the glass rooms. You knew the owners of the shelters were just doing their best to find homes for the hybrids, but it felt so wrong walking through a long hallway staring into these rooms holding people for you to buy.

As mentioned Jin introduced to Jimin who immediately came walking up to the glass. Jin told you that Jimin was a Russian blue cat hybrid. He had beautiful fluffy gray hair and the prettiest greenish blue eyes. He shyly waved to you. Jin explained that Jimin had been rescued from a hybrid hording situation. He was very sweet and you had almost considered adopting him, but you had a different mission at the moment.

As much as it pained you to walk away you asked Jin to see the rest of the cat hybrids, but much to your dismay none of them were Yoongi.

“So see any that you like?”, Jin asked excitedly.

“They’re all very nice and I want them to all have good homes, but I was really looking for a black cat.”

Jin look apprehensive, “Weeeelllll we do have one black cat hybrid, but I don’t think he’s ready for adoption yet. Maybe if you’re willing to wait a couple months then you could adopt him. He’s only been here like a few days and he’s just really depressed and anxious. The thunderstorm last night really set him off.”

The more he described the hybrid the more it sounded like Yoongi.

You grabbed onto Jins arm, “Oh please let me see him! Please Jin!”

He looked at you confused by your excitement.

“I don’t know Y/N. I think a visitor would only stress him out more and I don’t want to do that.”

“Jin please. I promise I won’t even say anything to him. I just want to see him. Maybe it’ll help me decide if I’m really set on a black cat.”

“You’re lucky I love you like a sister.”, he sighed before leading you through a set of double doors.

Your heart felt like it was going to beat out of your chest.

“Just please try not to startle him. It seems like he’s been through a lot.”, he said leading you to a small room at the end of the hall.

Softly you tiptoed in front of the window. He was laying on a cot facing the wall. All you could see was black hair with two black ears poking out. That could be any cat hybrid and not necessarily Yoongi. You wanted to shout his name or beg for him to turn around. Anything to see his face.

You went to ask a question when suddenly an alarm sounded through the building.

“Sorry Y/N, I have to go check on that. I’ll be right back.”, Jin said before sprinting towards the back of the building.

You turned around prepared to gently knock on the glass now that Jin wasn’t around when you saw a familiar pair of eyes already looking back at you.

You’d found him. Quickly you began banging on the glass, “Yoongi are you okay? Yoongi please talk to me.”

Unfortunately he was uninterested in talking and turned back around to face the wall. His tail swaying lazily back and forth.

“Yoongi please! You were right about every thing. About Jungkook. He works for Viper.”

Still no reaction from him other than his tail coming to a halt .

“He showed up at my house. He held a gun to my head demanding to know where you were.”

That seemed to get his attention even more. You saw his ears swivel in your direction.

“I lied and sent him somewhere far away, but it’s only a matter of time until he figures it out. I need to get you out of here. Please Yoongi.”

You don’t know when you started crying, but you could feel the tears soaking the top of your shirt. Between the exhaustion and the stress and the fear you were reaching a breaking point.

Falling to your knees your face fell into your hands while you just sobbed. It wasn’t until you heard a tapping on the glass did you look up to see Yoongi kneeling in front of you on the other side. His palm pressed to the glass as he nodded.

Finally the alarm turned off which meant Jin could be back at any moment. You tried your best to wipe away the tears as you heard quick footsteps coming in your direction.

Thinking back to your high school drama days you you knew you were going to have to put on an act.

“I am so sorry about that Y/N. One of the staff members forgot to turn off the security alarm before going out the back door to receive a shipment. Have you given it anymore tho-, why are you crying?”, Jin said coming to an abrupt stop next to you.

You chuckled, “Sorry. You know me and how I get so emotional sometimes. Yoongi was just telling me about his past and I just feel so terrible about what he went through.”

Jin looked at you skeptically. Yoongi hadn’t spoken a word to anyone but he just told you his entire life story?

“Jin, I want to adopt him. Please.”

He looked between you and Yoongi. “No I don’t think that’s a good idea”., he shook his head.

“Jin, what’s the motto of this organization?”

“Everyone deserves a chance.”, he sighed.

“Sooo give me and Yoongi a chance.”

He looked over at Yoongi who gave him a nod.

Jin ran his fingers through his hair, “Alright, but don’t make me regret this. Either of you!”

Jin pulled you into a back room to fill out some paperwork. Thankfully he gave you the family and friends discount so you were able to afford the adoption fee.

As you were standing near the exit waiting for Jin to return with Yoongi you couldn’t help but feel the fear building now that you had found him. You tried calling Namjoon a couple more times, but without luck.

When Jin finally appeared with Yoongi following behind he handed you some more paperwork along with the bags that Yoongi had taken from your place.

You both ran off to your car and you didn’t waste any time to begin driving wanting to get away from the shelter just in case.

Yoongi had been silent this whole time until you heard his stomach grumble. You made sure to drive out a little further before stopping at a restaurant to grab something to eat.

After taking a sip of his milk he looked you up and down, “So what do we do now Y/N?”

“Well” you said finishing up the bite of your omelette. “To be honest I don’t know. I didn’t think I’d actually find you and if I did I didn’t think you’d leave with me. I’ve been calling Namjoon repeatedly, but he’s not answering. I don’t know who else we can trust.”

The table fell silent again as you both ate.

While Yoongi was staring out the window you took the opportunity to really look at him. He was noticeably thinner than you remembered. Dark circles surrounded his eyes. His lips extra chapped from licking them, a nervous habit of his you learned. His head hung lower than ever. You wanted to engulf him in a hug and tell him everything was going to be okay, but you knew you’d lost that right so you decided on an apology instead.

“Hey Yoongi.”, you’d said pulling his attention back to you.

“I, I just wanted to say I’m sorry for that night that Jungkook came over. I should’ve listened to you. I just didn’t want to believe that someone I had been so close to would have become such a terrible person. And I’m especially sorry for what I said. You’re not a problem hybrid. You’re the opposite actually.”

Unable to take his glare anymore you turned your attention back to your coffee.

He cleared his throat, “Im sorry for what I said too. I guess I just got a little jealous seeing how close you were with him. And then when I realized who he was I wanted to protect you and I was getting stressed out that you weren’t letting me.”

A silence fell over the table again except for you thanking your waiter for refilling your coffee.

“And uh thank you for coming for me. To be honest, I regretted leaving as soon as I got in the car.”, Yoongi whispered while staring into his pancakes. You gave him a smile before finishing up your meal.

“Well I have no idea what to do now. We can’t go to my place. Namjoon isn’t answering. I can’t really afford a hotel for more than a couple night.”

Yoongi took a final sip of his drink, “I might know someone we can trust. Can I borrow your phone?”

You were unsure, but you learned your lesson for not trusting him the first time so you handed it over and watched as he walked over to the entrance. After paying the bill you gathered your things and met him by the car.

“I have somehwere we can go. Just get on the highway and I’ll give you the directions.”

You did as he said ending up driving about two hours south before pulling up to a large farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. A perfect spot for a murder to go unsolved you thought. A man sitting on the porch swing sipping away on an iced tea got up ready to greet you.

Yoongi sensing your anxiousness reached over placing his hand on your knee, “We can trust him. I promise.”

You nodded still unsure but got out of the car following after him.

The man walked over and embraced Yoongi in a hug.

“Hello Taehyung. Thank you for taking us in.”, he said pulling away.

“Of course. You know you’re always welcome here.”, the man spoke in a very deep tone.

The two of them spoke in whispers giving you the chance to really look this Taehyung over. He had beautifully fluffy golden blond hair with deep amber eyes. Then you noticed two tiny little ears poking out of the locks and a long thin tail slowly swaying behind him. It appeared that he was a lion hybrid, which was extremely rare. Exotic hybrids were hard to come by, especially living out on their own in the countryside.

You were woken out of your thought when you felt a pair of arms wrap around you., “Ahh and this must be your friend you were telling me about. You’re right hyung, she is very beautiful.” You stifled a chuckle, but heard a very embarrassed Yoongi mumble something about needing to learn to keep his mouth shut before turning a bright shade of red.

Taehyung opened the door motioned for you two to follow him, “Come on in. I’ll show you to your rooms.”

You both followed him up the stairs and down a very long hallway. Taehyung was very friendly, but definitely a talker you learned. You felt like you were on museum tour the way he described each piece of artwork or architecture.

“I didn’t know if you two were going to be sleeping separately or together but just in case I have both options ready for you.”, he said opening two different bedroom doors.

You and Yoongi looked at each other awkwardly causing the lion hybrid to chuckled, “Well you two can figure it out together. I’ll let you get some rest and come get you when dinner is ready.”

You both agreed that it would be best to sleep in the same room, for safety reasons of course and not because there was definitely something still brewing between the two of you.

“So how do you know Taehyung?”, you asked trying to break the silence.

Yoongi sat down on the bed, “Well uh he actually used to also be owned by Viper and we were pretty close back then. Since he’s younger I always tried to protect him as much as I could. He managed to escape a few years ago though. We kept in touch the best we could. He always tried to get me to escape too, but I was just too afraid.”

“So what do we do now?”, you asked.

“I don’t really know. The easy answer is hideout and hope they’re able to arrest Viper before they find us. But I have a feeling it won’t be that simple.”

You chuckled, “Yeah me too.”

Taehyung called you both down for dinner. He greeted you in the kitchen with two glasses of wine.

At the stove stirring a pot was a beautiful woman. She didn’t appear to be any part hybrid, but fully a human like yourself. She greeted you with a smile, “Oh hi! You must be Y/N, Yoongi’s girlfriend.” The sip of wine went down wrong causing you to choke at her words. Yoongi threw Taehyung a glare causing him to put his hands up in defense.

The woman chuckled, “Sorry about that. My name is Lilly. I’m Taehyung’s wife.”

“Oh nice to meet you.”, you smiled.

She turned back to the stove playfully swatting Taehyung’s hand away from the bacon wrapped asparagus that were set out on a platter before he apologized with a kiss.

They looked really in love and after everything had happened it made your heart bubble with happiness to see it. It was not illegal for a human and a hybrid to get married, but it was extremely frowned upon by both the government and citizens alike forcing most hybrids and humans to never cross that line. You had never seen an issue with it and seeing a couple so happy made you really glad they had that option.

“Alright, let’s sit for dinner.”, Taehyung exclaimed clapping his hands together. Throughout the dinner Yoongi and Taehyung caught up and told stories. You and Lilly got to know each other. You had just finished up the last of the dishes when Taehyung invited everyone out to the back patio for a couple drinks.

“Soooo what are your next steps?”, he asked.

You had such a nice evening that you had honestly forgotten all about the whole reason you were there to begin with.

He continued, “You know Viper is going to have guys looking all over for you. Hell he’s probably still got them looking for me too.”

You hadn’t realized just how much Taehyung was also risking by having you guys there. He could be caught and imprisoned again.

Yoongi cleared his throat, “We’re not sure. Hopefully we can hide out here for a few days and then figure something out. Maybe finally get in contact with Namjoon.”

You nodded along in agreement.

“Well you’re both welcome to stay here as long as you need. We’ll help in any way we can.”, Lilly spoke up.

The next few days you and Yoongi spent a lot of time together trying to help out around the farm as much as possible.

Lilly and Taehyung had made a trip into town to get some supplies leaving just the two of you alone.

You were sitting on the couch cuddled liked you used to. Your back leaning against his chest. His arm lazily around your shoulder while his tail tickled your sides.

You were so engrossed in the movie that you hadn’t noticed Yoongi’s fingers lightly running up and down the exposed skin of your thigh until you noticed the goosebumps he was leaving behind. Slowly he seemed to be testing his limits by going higher and higher.

After a couple minutes of this you looked back at him catching his attention.

“What?”, he chuckled.

“Nothing.” Just as you’d figured he didn’t even realize he was doing it and there was no meaning behind his actions.

Then at some point his light touches turned into desperation. You don’t know how one thing lead to another, but somehow you ended up back in your room. Clothes discarded all over until you were left in nothing but your underwear. Yoongi fell back onto the bed pulling you on top of him. You happily obliged moving to straddle him making it more comfortable for you both. Hungrily you searched for his mouth wanting more. You ground down on him eliciting a moan that only encouraged you more. He helped push you down onto him again this time guiding you to hit just the right spots. You felt his soft tail wrap around your waist giving just a little extra bit of force. Between kisses and filthy words the cloth between the two of you became too much of a barrier to take any more. Without thinking you hooked your finger under the waistband of his boxers ready to release him when suddenly something snapped in Yoongi.

He wasn’t in bed about to make love to you, a woman that he cared deeply for, some might even say love. Instead he was back in one of Vipers “play” rooms. Loud music blaring, some person he didn’t know who had paid a handsome amount of money to have their way with him was grabbing him without his consent.

“Stop! Don’t touch me.”, he shouted making you recoil back like he had burned you. Maybe you had misread the situation after all.

“Yoongi what happened?”, you asked concerned. Instead of responding he fled back. Burying himself under the covers. You could hear the sobs come from beneath.

Quickly you threw on a shirt, yours or his it didn’t matter and gently made your way next to him careful not to touch him.

“Yoongi, it’s Y/N. No one is going to hurt you. I promise. You are just here with me. We’re at Taehyung’s. Remember?”

After a few minutes and a couple more affirmations his breathing started to slow and he peaked out from underneath the covers.

You smiled, “Hey are you okay? Can I get you anything? Maybe some water?”

He shook his head but you felt his fingers come rest against your hand before he intertwined them with your own trying to ground himself and bring him back to reality.

You gave him time to calm down. You didn’t dare move or speak for fear of setting him off.

“I’m sorry.”, he whispered after several minutes.

Lightly you giggled, “What are you sorry about silly? You have nothing to apologize for.”

“I ruined the moment. You probably think I’m some kind weirdo.”

You shook your head, “That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’m sorry that I didn’t check with you more. I should’ve been more careful.”

He pulled your hand closer to him so he could snuggle in your lap and you ran your fingers through his hair.

“I, I would like to try again one day. If that’s okay with you.”, he mumbled into your skin. The vibrations making you chuckle.

“Of course. Whenever you’re ready we can try again.”

You woke up the next morning to loud pounding on the door. Forgetting where you were more a minute you ignored it until you heard Taehyung’s voice. Jumping out of bed you were thankful you had both managed to get some clothes on after last night when you swung open the door. A very disheveled looking Taehyung greeted you.

“We need to get out of here.”, he exclaimed.

You looked back at him in confusion thankful that Yoongi had finally joined you.

He continued, “I just got a call from one of my friends in town. They saw Viper and a couple of his crew walking around. He’s onto us and it’s only a matter of time until they’re here. Grab what you can and meet me in the garage. We’ll take my truck.” Lilly came running up m to him ready to go but he shook his head, “It’s way too dangerous. Go up in the attic and lock the door. Use all of the locks. Stay quiet and don’t answer the door for anyone other than me. Just like we practiced. Okay?” She nodded and gave him a kiss before running up to the attic as instructed.

Meanwhile you and Yoongi grabbed your belongings which thankfully wasn’t much and made your way out to the garage where Taehyung was already waiting. You were barely in the truck before he sped off leaving the farmhouse behind.

“Fuck, where are we gonna go?”, Yoongi asked running a hand through his hair.

“How did they even find us so fast?”, you asked.

Taehyung shrugged his shoulders, “I have no idea. Viper runs a very large operation. He probably has guys stationed in every city.”

Taehyung drove for hours only stopping for a bathroom break and to get some gas.

“What are we going to do? We can’t just drive around forever?”, you asked once back in the truck.

“A buddy of mine lives a little west of here. He’s an ex HPA officer. Maybe he can help us out.”, Taehyung said turning to Yoongi for assurance.

You were half way to your destination when your phone rang. The screen illuminated with Namjoon’s picture. You’ve never accepted a call so fast.

“Hello”

“Hi Y/N, I’m so sorry I haven’t be reachable. Some crazy shit has gone down.”

“Yeah you’re telling me.”

“Where are you?”, he asked.

“I have no idea. We’re with one of Yoongi’s friends. He was right about Jungkook. He works for Viper now.”

“I know. It’s unfortunate. Y/N, I’m going to send you my location. You guys can meet me here. I can get you somewhere safe.”

“Okay Joon. We’ll see you soon.”

As promised you received his location not long after. Taehyung punched it into his gps and made a uturn.

“Are you sure we can trust this guy?”, he asked feeling a little uneasy. You didn’t blame him after everything he’s been through.

“Yeah. I’ve known him since we were kids. He works for the HPA. He’s the one that initially brought Yoongi to me.” Yoongi nodded in agreement.

After an hour drive the truck pulled up to an abandoned looking warehouse close to the main river.

“Are you sure this is the location?”, Yoongi asked looking around and you quickly showed him your phone to verify.

You dialed Namjoon’s number surprised that he quickly answered.

“Hey are you sure that locatjon was correct? It’s like a creepy looking factory or something?”, you asked.

He chuckled, “Yeah yeah I know it looks rough but I’m inside. We’ve got a little operation running.”

Hanging up the three of you exited the truck and started walking towards the open door. Taehyung lead the way with Yoongi following close behind. He pulled you against him needing to know that you were safe there with him.

Inside the warehouse you didn’t see a whole HPA operation set up like you had imagined. Instead you found Namjoon tied to a chair with several men surrounding him all pointing their guns at the three of you.

You noticed that each man had the same viper tattoo that Jungkook had. Namjoon looked at you apologetically. His eye was bruised and his lip had clearly been spilt open.

“I’m so sorry Y/N. I’m sorry I brought you into this mess.”, he cried.

Instinctively you went to run to him but Yoongi stopped you. Pulling you close against him again. You wanted to protest, but were cut off by a high pitched laugh.

A strange man came walking in directly towards Yoongi positioning himself at eyelevel. “Well well well, you didn’t really think you could hide from me did you Kitty?”, he spoke running his finger delicately along Yoongi’s cheek.

You noticed the large Viper tattoo front and center on his chest. It didn’t take much to figure out that you were looking directly Viper himself.

Then as if you called him by thinking of him he set his sights on you hiding behind Yoongi.

“Ohhhh I see you’ve got yourself a little girlfriend. How adorable.”, he laughed.

“Don’t touch her.”, Yoongi spat.

“Please, I don’t want anything to do with your whore. The hybrid fucker can get lost for all I care.”

Viper walked closer to Yoongi until he was a mere inch from his face, “You know you’ve cost me a lot of money and time over the last few months. You’re going to have to make this all up to me.”

“Fine, just let Y/N go free.”, Yoongi said.

“No Yoongi, you can’t do that.”, you cried reaching for him, but Viper snapped his fingers and two of his men came over dragging you away. You tried your best to fight free, but they overpowered you.

As you were being pulled away you saw Viper kick his foot into Yoongi’s stomach dropping him to his knees in pain.

Something off to the side took his attention away from Yoongi though and you saw his face light up into a disgusting grin, “Tae is that you? I thought I lost you forever. This day just keeps getting better.”

Taehyung let out what could only be described as low roar making you jump in surprise forgetting for a moment that he was half lion.

“Stand down you overgrown house cat.”, Viper scoffed.

“Leave him alone. You have me now. Just like you wanted.”, Yoongi shouted.

You watched as Viper strolled over back Yoongi before backhanding him so hard causing Yoongi to fall over.

You screamed out his name, tears streaming down your face at the abuse he was receiving.

Viper rolled his eyes annoyed at the scene you were causing. He pointed to one of his men that currently had a death grip on your arm, “Finish her.”

Once again you felt the familiar cold metal against your skin.

“Noooo, don’t fucking touch her.”, Yoongi cried using what little strength he had left to try and break free.

Viper sadistically smiled seeing this all unfold., “Do it. Make sure Yoongi see it happen. It’ll be the first step in his punishment.”

You looked at Yoongi. His eyes were bloodshot and he was out of breath. A bruise on his cheek already forming. You mustered whatever you could manage to give him a small smile before closing your eyes. You could hear Yoongi’s pleas and cries. You wondered if you’d feel pain. You wondered if it would be instant.

Everything went silent. Then you heard the familiar sound of a gunshot so you braced. But you never felt pain. You never felt the impact. You thought maybe it really had been instant.

Then you heard doors slamming open and lots of shouting.

“HPA! Put your hands in the air before someone else gets shot.”

You opened your eyes to find dozens and dozens of HPA officers swarming the warehouse. The man who had held a gun to you earlier was facedown on the ground next to you, blood pooling around him.

Three HPA officers slowly walked towards Viper with guns drawn while a forth placed him in cuffs. The rest of Vipers men were quickly placed in cuffs too.

As soon as an officer grabbed the other guy who was holding on to you, you immediately ran to Yoongi engulfing him in a hug and sobbing into his chest.

“This isn’t over. You will pay for all of this. All of you.”, Viper spat at you as he was being dragged away.

“Are you okay? We need to get you to a hospital.”, you turned to Yoongi checking him over.

“No no I’m okay. I’m more worried about you.”, he said squeezing you a little tighter.

“We have a medic outside. They can check you both over.”, a familiar voice stated next to you.”

“Oh my god Namjoon! Are you okay?”, you exclaimed running into his arms.

“Yeah yeah. I’m fine.”, he smiled. “Just some good special fx makeup and terrible acting. Let’s go outside.”

Once in the fresh air you saw a face you never wanted to see again standing next to the ambulance. He gave you a nervous smile.

“What the fuck Jeon Jungkook?”, you shouted as he walked closer.

“Y/N, let me expla-“

He couldn’t finish the statement before your hand connected with his cheek.

“No Fuck you Jungkook. You held a gun to my head. You threatened me. You work for Viper and now you just want to stand here like nothing happened. Why aren’t you in handcuffs?”

Namjoon came in between you two, “Everyone just calm down. We have a command center set up next door. Let go over there, get some water, and cool down a little.”

You were in disbelief that Namjoon was taking his side. You looked at Yoongi for guidance and he nodded his head before reaching for your hand to follow after the two men.

Once in the command center and with a cold bottle of water in your hands you glared and Jungkook still not trusting him.

“How are you feeling Y/N? Can I get you something to eat?”, he spoke.

“Cut the bullshit Jungkook. What’s going on?”, you spat back at him.

“Firstly I want to apologize. That night at your place was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”

You scoffed, “I didn’t ask for an apology. I want an explanation about why it happened to begin with.”

He took a deep breath before beginning, “The agency has really been putting a lot of effort into catching Viper. One of the ideas was to have someone infiltrate his group. Since I did mostly office work and was unknown amongst his men it was decided that it would be me. So about a year ago I started working on that. I pretended to quit the agency. The only people that knew about the whole plan at the time were Namjoon and the head of the HPA.”

“Wait, but you have the snake tattoo. Didn’t you have to kill a hybrid to get that?”

Namjoon stepped in, “It was all a setup. A retired officer who happened to be a hybrid somehow found out about everything. He was also in the final stages of cancer and volunteered his body. He wanted to make sure Viper was taken down for the safety of all hybrids.”

You shook your head in disbelief.

Jungkook cleared his throat and continued, “Viper got word that Namjoon had taken Yoongi to one of his friends. For some reason I had a feeling it was you. So I came over that first night to see if Yoongi was there and of course I verified he was. Two of Vipers guys were with me or I would’ve warned you that night.”

You could feel Yoongi’s tail swinging agitatedly next to you. A low growl rumbled in his chest, “So you purposely brought Vipers men to her house? They could’ve killed her!”

Jungkook scoffed, “I would’ve never let them hurt her. I had to keep the act up or they would’ve got suspicious about why I was there.”

The growl from Yoongi got a little louder so you rested your hand on his thigh to try and sooth him not wanting a repeat of that first meeting. Slowly you could feel him settle down even though his tail said otherwise.

Jungkook continued, “When I came back the second time I was planning on getting you both to a hideout for a while, but then Yoongi wasn’t there. I thought I was alone when I arrived, but once I got inside I realized that I had been followed so I had to act like I was there to get Yoongi.”

“Soooo you threatened to kill me to save your own ass?”, you questioned.

“No no no I was never going to hurt you. The gun wasn’t even loaded. I swear. I just needed to make it believable so that none of us would get hurt.”

“So then how did we end up here? How did you know where Yoongi and I would be?”

Jungkook continued, “Well that first time I was at your house and I punched Yoongi, sorry about that by the way.”

Yoongi rolled his eyes not wanting to accept the apology.

Jungkook continued, “I might have stuck a small tracker in your purse while you were distracted by taking care of Yoongi.”

After noticing your anger rising Namjoon took over, “When we saw that you went to Jin’s shelter we knew that you had found Yoongi. Jin confirmed you had adopted him. Then we tracked you to Taehyung’s address. We got his contact info and then told him everything that was going on. He agreed to play along and help us out by getting you guys to come here. Then we had Jungkook call Viper and tell him we had a tracker with Yoongi so that he’d come here too.”

“Wow unbelievable. Everyone in my life is a lier apparently.”, you shook your head.

“Y/N, I’m sorry we lied. We had to do what we needed to do so we could catch Viper. But I promise you were never in any real danger. We constantly had surveillance on you and if anything had ever happened we would’ve had officers there immediately.”, Namjoon said.

“I hope you can forgive me. I’m really sorry this had to happen this way.”, Jungkook spoke standing up ready to leave.

“I-I don’t know. Thank you for catching him, but I thing I need some time.”

He nodded in understanding and followed another officer out of the room.

Speechless you sat back taking in his words.

“So what happens now?”, Yoongi asked next to you.

“Well we have enough evidence to hopefully put Viper away for the rest of his life and we’ll continue to take down any of his operations that are still standing.”, Namjoon responded.

“Okay and what about me?”, Yoongi asked.

“Oh well you have a few options. We can take you directly to a shelter now that it’ll be safer. Or since you are technically considered a rescued hybrid you do qualify for fostering for a while to help you reacclamate back into society.”

Yoongi was silent but you could see him nod his head out of the corner of your eye. His ears twitched in your direction searching for any kind of sound from you.

The realization hit you. Unfortunately the way the laws were setup a hybrid could only live longterm with their legal owner and since you were not his owner that it meant he could no longer stay with you. Your whole life you had been vehemently against hybrid ownership, but the thought of never seeing Yoongi again made your chest ache.

“Ooorrrr if there’s someone who happened to already want to adopt you then we can work that out immediately.”, Namjoon spoke providing you the option to step in.

Biting your lip you nervously looked around. If you were to adopt Yoongi that would go against everything you ever believed and you’d only be helping the need to continuously adopt out hybrids. But then again you did care about Yoongi like you never thought possible.

“You promised.”, Yoongi whispered next to you, he voice slightly cracking.

Staring at the ground because you didn’t have the courage to look him in the eyes you could sense his steps walking closer to Namjoon.

“I can go to a shelter. That’s fine.”, Yoongi suddenly spoke.

Surprised, Namjoon put on his best fake smile, “Sure thing. Let’s get you over there so you can get settled in then.”

Yoongi glanced at you before following quickly after Namjoon. You felt the familiar burning sensation of tears beginning to form.

“Hey, would you like to come stay back at my place. You can go back home in the morning.”,

Taehyung asked next to you.

Nodding your head you stood up and followed him out to his truck. Once back at his place Lilly ran out greeting you both with hugs. Taehyung went to take a shower while you followed Lilly into the kitchen. She offered you some tea as you sat down across from her.

“You love him don’t you?”, she asked smiling behind her teacup.

“Who?”

“Yoongi. I saw the way you were looking at him.”, she chuckled.

“I-I don’t know. I do care about him a lot.”

“So go get him. Bring him home with you tomorrow. That’s where you both want him to be.”

You shook your head, “No I don’t believe in hybrid ownership. It’s immoral and wrong.”

“Look Y/N, If you don’t adopt him then someone else surely will. You’re not doing him any favors. But I know how you feel. I used to have that same way of thinking. Then I met Tae. I didnt want to adopt him. I mean he was my boyfriend, but then we talked about it. What would happen if someone asked to see papers? Or godforbid he ended up in the hospital and I couldn’t prove anything. They’d take him away and I’d never see him again. At the end of the day it’s just a piece of paper. Nothing has to change between you and Yoongi.”

“I just…I don’t know. Of course I want Yoongi to live with me. I don’t want him to think of me as his owner though. I’m pretty sure I’ve got some feelings for him but what if he doesn’t feel the same?”

“Have you sat down and talked to him about it?”

You shook your head.

“Well that’s where you start. Then you make a decision from there. He seems like a smart guy. I bet he already knows what he wants.”

You took another sip of your tea before looking over at Lilly who was softly twisting her wedding raging.

“Did you ever worry about starting a relationship with Taehyung? Like how people would react?”

She laughed, “Oh yes of course! We both had our doubts when we first started dating. And I can still hear the whispers and see the fingers pointing whenever we go into town but we don’t care any more. We love each other and that’s all that matters. The only way to combat the discrimination is to prove to others that their hate can’t ruin you.”

Her words replayed in your head as you tossed and turned in bed trying to get some sleep. You wondered what Yoongi was up to. Was he sleeping well? Did they give him a nice meal? Had he thought about you at all?

After very little sleep you heard Taehyung and Lilly working in the kitchen. Quickly you packed what few belongings you had and headed downstairs. They greeted you with smiles and offered some breakfast. After you ate you thanked them for everything they had done for you and promised to keep in touch.

Taehyung helped you load your stuff into your car before walking back over to the drivers side where you were waiting.

“Alright you’re all packed up. Let me know when you get home safely.”

For some reason you couldn’t bring yourself to get in the car.

“Did you need anything else Y/N? I can get you some gas if you needed it.”

You shook your head before taking a deep breath., “So, umm… do you know where they took Yoongi last night?”

He flashed you the biggest boxy smiled you’d ever seen, “I was starting to get worried you’d never ask.”

After he punched in the address into your gps you began the drive there, quickly realizing you were on your way to Jins. Of course.

You sat in the parking lot for quite some time trying to work up the courage to go inside. You weighed the pros and cons of every possible scenario. As you sat there you saw Jimin, the Russian blue hybrid, happily running along with the young family who you were assuming had just adopted him. He smiled with pride as the families little girl clung onto him as they all loaded into their vehicle. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all. That was the final push you needed to walk inside the shelter greeted by Jin immediately.

“Y/N I was wondering when you’d show up. I bet Namjoon $20 you’d be here before noon so looks like he’ll have to pay up next time I see him.”

You rolled your eyes, “So I’m guessing you know why I’m here then?”

“Yep, already have the paperwork filled out. Just need a few signatures.”, he said placing the forms in front of you.

“Can I see him first? I want to make sure he’s okay with all of this.”

Jin sighed but of course he brought you back down the hall to the same room he was in last time.

“Yoongi you have a visitor.”, Jin said punching in the lock code.

“I told you I don’t want to see anyone.”, he responded. The hoarseness in his voice broke your heart. He had clearly been crying for quite a while.

“Come on now. You can’t sit in the corner and sulk all day.”

“Jin please just leave me alone. I told you I don’t want to be adopted by anyone but Y/N.”

That little confirmation gave you the confidence you needed to step forward, “Well then let’s go sign some paperwork so we can go home.”

Yoongi spun around so fast he got disoriented tripping over his own feet. You giggled as you tried to help him back up.

“Y/N you really came back for me?”

“Of course I did. I promised didn’t I?”

“I thought you were against adoptions so I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”, he whispered.

You noticed he was wearing your hoodie. A small detail that made you smile.

“I think I can make an exception. As long as that’s what you want of course. And we agree to be equals.”

He didn’t even have to answer. When he walked over and wrapped his arms around you placing a soft kiss to your cheek, that was all the confirmation you needed.

[thefandomsfervent]

Viktor x Reader Personal Pigments(Part 17) - Prussian Blue

This is a jayvik x reader fic now but it'll still be labeled as a Vik Fic until it's fully implemented. Ft. JayVik and wine, drunk Jayvik, it goes 18+ here (masturbation). Find my imagine that inspired it here. Previous and next chapter will be linked at the bottom. It's late, I was on a roll, and I didn't proofread this a whole lot, I'll edit it later.

Planning on writing as much as I can this weekend to post in bulk before Christmas week, I'll be traveling a distance away and can't bring my laptop with me.

stay tuned and Thank you for reading <3

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It only took you thirty minutes to find your way back to the lab. Although, those first few minutes had you stressed and embarrassed. You and Mel had spent almost two hours walking and talking and you thought she had taken you all over the Academy, but she really had you both walking laps. You were closer to the dining hall than you thought, from there you were able to find your room, and then the lab. Just as you walk up to that heavy door it swings open. 

“Zlato, please, use your feet.” It’s Viktor, doing his best to keep Jayce above the floor. You rush forward without thinking and get under Jayce’s other arm to prop him up. You have to drop your pouch and your sketchbook. It gets kicked behind you into the lab once you’re able to stand taller. 

“What happened?” You’re asking as you shift Jayce between yourself and Viktor. He’s laughing to himself at the situation. “Oh my gods. He was drunk. Jayce Talis sensible golden boy was drunk.” You remember the wine that Mel had gifted them. But it had only been two hours. Three and half maybe? 

“The wine was stronger than we thought.” When you look at Viktor you see his hair is tousled, his cheeks red from exertion or his own drinking you aren’t sure. 

“Did he have the whole bottle?” You’re laughing and trying not to. The shaking of your shoulders makes it hard to keep Jayce up straight. “Hun you have to help us help you okay?” 

“Mmm you’re both warm. ‘S nice.” You were not letting him live this down tomorrow, if he wasn’t suffering a raging hangover. 

“He had four glasses, too close together I think.” Viktor is adjusting his cane straighter with one hand and moving his shoulders around to get a better grip on Jayce’s back with his other. 

“And you?” 

“I also had four, but I am much better with alcohol than he is.” He thinks back to the first time they had drank together. Some whiskey that was spiced heavily at a cocktail lounge many many months ago. Viktor had enjoyed it, nursing a glass for the first thirty minutes. But Jayce? He slammed it and immediately gagged. Coughing and sputtering. That one drink alone had almost knocked him clean on his ass ten minutes later. He’s laughing at the memory. Especially when he remembers that Jayce made the exact same mistake another ten minutes after drinking a seltzer and they had to sit on the curb outside nursing water. Since then Jayce had learned how to pace himself, learned that he preferred drinks that did not burn his throat and were easier to sip on. Wine was hit or miss. “The wine was sweet, so he was not as cautious as he should have been.”

“WE ARE CELEBRAATING!” The sudden input from Jayce surprised you both. Despite his jelly legs his arms are strong, squeezing the two of you closer. He wasn’t yelling, as much as he was whisper screaming.

“Oh! Congratulations, a new development?” You’re following Viktor’s lead as you take patient steps down the hall. Viktor looks down to Jayce, whose face is flush from all the wine, who has a smile so bright it could be seen in the dark, and who is actively starting to fall asleep in their arms. They needed to move him quickly before he was dead weight. At that point it would be impossible to move him even with your help. There was no time to explain what they were celebrating.

“Yes, a new development.” He can’t help the gentle grin growing on his face. It was so warm. This endearment blooming in his ribs, the wine finding its place throughout his body, feeling your arm against his as you help him haul Jayce down the hallway. He can see their rooms. His was closest and Jayce’s was a couple doors down. There were many reasons he was thankful for the proximity of their moved rooms, but now more than ever. His hand using his cane was starting to go numb from the pressure, a pain shooting up his arm into his shoulder. “Here, to the left. Can you get him to the wall?” Jayce is heavy but you manage to move him to the wall by yourself, needing a breather as you slump against it with him. 

He looks sleepy. Eyes struggling to stay open, his mouth parted, his usually perfect combed back hair disheveled.. “Pretty boy indeed.” You’re brushing it out of his face when he leans into your hand. He’s smiling, white teeth and happiness blinding even in the dim light of the hall. “You alright?”

“Neveerr betterrr.” It’s a slurred breathy reply and he slots his head against your shoulder. Viktor is glancing at you while also fiddling with a ring of keys. The clinking sound of metal against metal echoing in the hallway. He finds the one for Jayce’s room and starts unlocking the door. He nods at you to try and get Jayce to his feet. 

“Hey big guy, you ready to get up again?” Jayce just hums, pushing the back of his head against the wall now. “Don’t you want to lay down all cozy in bed?” 

“Mhmm.” 

“Okay then I’m going to get up and I’ll need you to come with me. Can you do that?” Jayce gives another hum of agreement and Viktor watches how gentle you are with him. Helping him stand gingerly, holding onto his waist with one arm, and pulling Jayce’s arm over your shoulder again. Intertwining your fingers with his golden partner’s as you try your damndest to get him through the door. He watches as you give Jayce affirming words and praise for just moving forward with you. It pulls at his core, at all the things him and Jayce had discussed tonight. At all the moments that have been shared. “I’m a sappy drunk,” he thinks as he directs you to Jayce’s bedroom. Viktor pulls the covers back on the bed and lets you set the man down before he sits with him. Helping him take off his shoes. 

“Thank you for your help. I am sure he will apologize tomorrow.” Jayce is leaning against Viktor, whispering something you can’t catch. 

“I can’t say I won’t give him a hard time.” You laugh at the thought, then again when Jayce’s hand is slapped away from Viktor’s tie. It almost dies in your throat when you watch Viktor’s slender fingers work at Jayce’s. You know it’s to help Jayce get ready for bed, but after all that you’ve seen today it was an image you weren’t sure you were supposed to be burning into your memory like you are. “Goodluck. I’ll be in the hall if you need help.” Viktor just nods, trying to get Jayce to sit still as you leave.

You can hear Viktor talking to Jayce, instructing him as you close the bedroom door. Jayce’s apartment is neat but lived in. It smelled a little of oil? And baked spices. A jacket tossed over a couch, shoes neatly lined by the front door. A table with notes and blueprints that looked similar to how he kept his own room. Stacks of books filled with sticky notes. There are a few plants around. A guitar? So much information about a person in one space. It made you wonder about Viktor’s room. If it was neater than this knowing that he barely spent any time there. As you make your way into the hall you remember that Viktor had a key, on his own key ring, to Jayce’s place. So intimate, the care they had for each other. So sweet in its normalcy. A feeling brews in your chest as you wait by the door. Overwhelming and unknown, something akin to wanting. 

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“You are drunk Jayce.” Viktor is trying his hardest to not laugh at the man in front of him, struggling to unbutton his own shirt. 

“ ‘know that.” An irritated huff, an uncommon sound for his partner. “ ‘m trying.” 

“I know you are, let me help.” It takes a few minutes to get Jayce set up for bed. Viktor leaves him in his undershirt, let’s Jayce take care of his pants despite the struggle. There’s a want brewing in him. He wants to stay here, to hold him til he sleeps, be there with water and maybe a pain reliever when he wakes up. But he doesn’t. He ignores the whine in Jayce’s throat when he goes to the kitchen to get his partner water. When he returns Jayce is out cold. Snoring softly under the covers. He leaves the water on the bedside table, watching the even breathing that moves Jayce’s chest. A hand moves to cup his cheek, rubbing a circle into the apple of it. Viktor’s heart swells when he feels the weight of Jayce push into it unconsciously. 

He joins you in the hallway shortly after. You were staring at the wall in front of you, zoning out when the closing of the door snaps you out of it. 

“Hey, he alright?” You’re leaning forward, hands by your side as you face him.

“He will be fine. Embarrassed, but fine.” Viktor was tired, the wine making him sleepy and warm. He starts walking towards his room and you follow. 

“Didn’t think he’d be a lightweight. It’s kinda-” cute. You don’t finish the sentence but it seems like Viktor agrees with you, laughing softly as his cane taps against the floor. 

“Unexpected. I did not know either when we first met. He will deny it though, if you ask it. Blames it on anything else.” He likes hearing you laugh. He likes knowing he caused it. He frowns when he realizes how short the walk is to his room. You would be leaving now. “Goodnight Ms. L/N. We shall see you in the lab tomorrow, yes?” 

“Yes. Goodnight Viktor.” Your voice is so soft, so sweet. Viktor watches as you walk down the hall, flipping through all the keys he has before finding the one for his door. He hadn’t gone to bed this early in a long time. It wasn’t even ten o’clock and he was already in his room getting ready to shower. Discarding clothes, finding ones for tomorrow. Brushing his teeth as the shower heats up. 

When he steps in it fogs up the window over his sink. The warm water soothing the aches of his body. He goes over today’s events as he lathers a shampoo through his hair. How Jayce’s teasing of you led to teasing him. And now they were… together. Officially. Finally declared as two parts of a whole, and that they both wanted you. He thinks about the wine. How it was sweet and rich and strong. How it was sweeter on Jayce when he kissed him again. How pliant Jayce was in his hands, the heat of those broad shoulders in his palms. The sounds of their kissing, teeth clacking, lips hungrier after every glass. 

He should be rinsing the soap out of his hair, he should be washing his body. The routine of putting soap to a washcloth, rubbing it between his hands to form suds lingers in the back of his mind as he continues to think of those kisses. How he could taste fermented fruit and cinnamon and Jayce. A different familiar memory cuts through the haze, much stronger this time. Of release, of teasing touches from past lovers. His imagination taking over. When Jayce tried to bed him would he touch him the same way? The shower is getting hotter, the wine on his breath despite having brushed his teeth. When he tried to bed you, would you react like he did? Would you feel the same that he and Jayce did, would you want them together? 

His hand was moving lower, lower, lower. He could feel it happening, the blood moving down, the water against it but he is surprised at how hard he is. When he moves his hand down, the tip moving past the opening of his fist he imagines your lips. How would they feel on him,  would you be experienced enough to wet them before starting. The image of you on your knees alone has him moving faster but then his thoughts wander. Would you start slow or would you try to take him all at once? Could he fist both of his hands in your hair and hold you there so could he fuck your mouth.  Or would you take the lead,  bobbing your head up and down. He imagines your hands holding it or maybe braced on his hips, fingers digging into the flesh. Would Jayce talk you through it once he knew what worked for Viktor?

He can feel it building, all too quickly.  It's been a while since he indulged himself like this.  A raspy breath falling from his chapped lips. You were so soft. Sweet. Your voice. Quiet and gentle. Would it be honeyed with a returned lust or would it be strained? Dazed like that morning he woke you? "Viktor?" It’s your voice. It’s Jayce’s. The intensity almost knocks him off balance, free hand bracing on the tiled wall as he finishes. Shooting forward onto the handles of the shower. A long burst followed by several short ones as he slows his hand. Twitching when he lets himself go.

And then the only fog he's left with is the steam of the shower. He felt faint, the shower water was too hot and he hadn't been taking full breaths. He turns a handle to make the shower cold and his hand is sticky with his release. Shame. Regret. Oh. What did he just do? He wants to blame it on Jayce’s teasing today. On the glass of wine that warmed his chest. But he knows that's not it. That it's his own depravity.

Well, he could blame all of those things. Embarrassment burns his cheeks more than the water, more than the wine. He hadn’t indulged in that in so, so long. And the realization that there would be something with Jayce in the future settles in his chest. That Jayce wouldn’t be upset with him for this. He takes a deep breath. 

More thoughts for later. Exhaustion is deep in his bones now, it had been a long day despite coming to his room early. He needs to sleep, to clean up. He lathers the rag on the hook and enjoys the rest of his shower. Tomorrow will be a new day. A good day. 

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------------‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊ ♡ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙· Master Fic List *̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ °̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥ ♡ ‧̍̊·̊‧̥°̩̥˚̩̩̥͙°̩̥‧̥·̊‧̍̊--------------

[runningincircl3s]

Sinematic

Vinny Mauro x Reader

Chapter 16

masterlist

chapter warnings: none? but i fear ruby is a warning herself so...

it appears i can't write a happy story... or at least i make my characters suffer before they get to be happy lmao also as i'm editing this i've realised how this is quite a short chapter, but hopefully i'll make up for that in the next! :)

"He told me."

Now what do you say to that?

She has stepped off of the bus and walked into your conversation like she owns the place. You didn't want to cause more shit than needed, but you were going to hold your ground, you knew you needed to.

"So, I'm guessing you're Ruby?" You sighed, almost as if you were bored, and not trying to stop your hands from trembling by your sides.

"So he talks about me?" The smile on her face was smug, and you licked your bottom lip, about to wipe it straight off her face.

"No, actually. He's never mentioned you before," you tilted your head as you spoke to her, "In fact, I never knew who you were until Angela filled me in, she told me everything I needed to know."

"Yeah?" She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest, "Well she's a lying-"

"Okay!" Alicia held her hands up, "This is what we're not going to do. It's not even noon yet."

"Hey, I'm being friendly!" Ruby crossed her arms, looking you up and down, a smirk playing on her face again, "So how long have you and Vinny been... Friends? Didn't you break his heart? I heard you lead him on whilst you were still in love with another guy?"

You glared at her.

You knew this would get tiring quick. The sooner you spoke to Vin, the sooner you found out the truth, the better. Because you knew for sure that Ruby wouldn't drop this, this was a game to her, and Angela had already told you Ruby never loses.

But this time it all changes.

"Well, it seems he cared about me enough to forgive me," you said with a smile, "But it's funny how he's never told me about you two... What happened? Friends with benefits gone wrong? Are you the ex that just won't let go? Or... were you just an ambitious groupie?"

That must've hit a nerve.

Ruby’s smile faltered, just for a second, but it was enough. Her arms dropped to her sides, fingers twitching slightly like she didn’t know what to do with them.

“You don’t know shit about me.”

“I know enough.” You smiled, sweetly.

She took a step forward, like she was daring you to keep talking.

“You think you’re special? That he actually sees you? He's just a guy. Give it a few weeks. Tour changes people. He’ll get bored. Or lonely. Or drunk. And then you’ll realise you don't mean that much to him after all.”

"Oh yeah?" You scoffed, not caring what you said now, just that you would one up her, hit another nerve, "That's not what he said to me the other week, when he was fucking me, what was it he said?... I want you all to myself, I think about you all the time-"

The next couple seconds were a flash of tattooed arms swinging, shouting and grabbing at each other. You can't tell if Ruby went for you, but now she was being held back by Alicia, a look of fury in her eyes as she tried to pull away. Angela was grasping your wrist, like she was holding you back too.

“Okay, seriously!” Angela groaned.

Ruby opened her mouth to make a snarky comment- but was quickly cut off by the sound of boots approaching and Ricky’s voice breaking through the tension.

“Wow,” he said casually, looking between you all. “Should I be concerned or... is this just how girls say good morning now?”

You let out a breath you didn’t realise you’d been holding as Ricky gave you a look, one that clearly said you good? You gave him a small nod.

“We’re about to start soundcheck,” he added, stepping closer to you. “Figured I’d come grab our favourite honorary crew member, if you want?”

You didn’t hesitate, the moment Angela let go of you, you joined him.

“Great,” he grinned, throwing a not so subtle glance at Ruby. “You can fill me in on all the drama later, but Chris is gonna beat my ass if we don't get in there soon.”

As he gently guided you away, you didn’t look back, but you could feel Ruby’s stare burning a hole between your shoulder blades.

Once you were safely out of earshot, Ricky leaned in and whispered,

“Well, that looked tense. You okay?”

You nodded, but the pit in your stomach didn’t ease.

Because deep down, you knew this was just the beginning.

This tour was going to be hell- and you weren't sure if you'd even make it out in one piece.

...

Soundcheck had just begun by the time you stepped into the venue.

The guys were scattered around, Chris was talking with the sound guy near the monitors, Ryan messing with his guitar pedals, and Justin hunched over a setlist, drawing onto it with a sharpie, giggling to himself. You and Ricky lingered by the side of the stage, perched on a speaker case.

You hadn’t said a word since you come inside. You were still holding Ruby’s words like a live wire, trying not to let it burn through your chest.

“So…” Ricky nudged your shoulder gently. “You wanna talk about it? Or pretend none of it happen?”

You shrugged, eyes locked on Justin across the stage, as he began to draw something rude on another setlist.

“Still deciding.” You said with a long exhale.

“Totally fair.”

You both sat there for a moment, neither of you saying anyhting, until you glanced at him.

“Does she do this often? Ruby?”

Ricky exhaled through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Starting shit? Yeah. There's always something going on when she’s around.” He looked at you then, seriously. “She gets territorial. Especially when she thinks she’s losing. I don’t know what you know and what you don’t, but she’s always had a thing for Vin. We did this one tour in the UK when we had a different makeup artist, Ang was busy, and by the second show she somehow made her quit, and she took her place.”

You swallowed, but didn’t respond.

“She got under your skin,” Ricky added, gently. “Don’t let her. That’s her whole thing...”

You wanted to tell him you were fine, that you weren’t rattled, but that would’ve been a lie... and Ricky would’ve seen through it.

“Was any of it true?” you asked instead, your voice quieter. “What she said about me… leading Vinny on? Is that what you guys saw too?”

He hesitated. Just long enough to confirm what you feared.

But before either of you could say anything else, you heard a voice from behind you.

“Hey!”

You didn’t look up at first, but you knew it was him. You knew the sound of his voice, the uneven rhythm of his footsteps as he slowed near where you and Ricky were sat.

Ricky glanced at you, then back at Vinny.

“I’ll… uh, go check in with Justin.”

He clapped Vinny’s shoulder as he passed, then disappeared toward the far side of the stage.

Now it was just you and him.

Vin lingered a few steps away, water bottle in hand, eyes on the floor as if it somehow held the answers he needed. He wasn’t entirely sure what happened, but judging by the look on Ruby’s face as he passed, he guessed she had spoken to you.

You shifted on the speaker case, keeping your arms folded, your gaze fixed forward, waiting to see if he’d say something first.

He didn’t.

So you did.

“So…” you said, your voice steady even though your chest felt like it was caving in. “Who’s Ruby?”

Silence.

He let out a breath, like he’d been hoping you wouldn’t ask.

“She’s just… someone I used to hook up with,” he said casually, like that hadn't felt like a punch to the stomach. “It wasn’t serious. It was never serious.”

“Right,” you said, nodding but still not looking at him. “So why have you never told me about her before?”

“I guess… it never really came up.”

“Really?” You scoffed, “Not when we talked our exes, past flings? You never thought to mention that one of your old "hook ups" tours with you?”

“Look, I don’t know what she’s told you but-“

“Don’t, Vin.” You exhaled, "I just wish you would've told me about her, warned me even. Beacause you might've thought this whole thing with her was never serious, but I don't think that's how she sees it."

Vinny swallowed hard, his jaw tightening.

“I know. I should’ve said something. I didn’t think she’d-”

“Show up?” You finally looked at him, and it made his heart ache. There was no anger in your eyes. Just hurt, and a touch of betrayal. “Angela said you hooked up with her on the Europe run. When I was taking care of your fucking house.”

He flinched like the words slapped him.

“I didn’t-” He started, then stopped himself, running a hand over his face. “Look, that wasn’t even supposed to happen.”

“But it did happen.” You nodded slowly, like you were putting the last puzzle piece into place. “When you were calling me, thanking me for everything, when you said you missed me... were you doing that before or after you got in bed with her?”

Vin stepped closer, guilt etched across every line of his face.

“It was one time. I was drunk. It was stupid. I was missing you, and then she said all this shit about how I shouldn't be stuck on you, how I’d always be second best to you-”

“Don’t,” you snapped, voice sharp. “Don’t you dare put this on me.”

“I’m not,” he said quickly. “I just- fuck. I was still hurting. I know we had just made up, but you were seeing Ciaran and I didn’t know if we’d ever get it right again. Then I was scared I’d ruined it forever... And-”

“And what, she made you feel better?” You blinked back the sting in your eyes. “She got her way because I made you feel like second best? Even after you'd forgiven me? When you knew there was never anything going on between me and him.”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t have to.

You shook your head.

“You know what hurts the most? At least you knew about Noah... I was oblivious to this. I washed your laundry, I even fixed the goddamn lock on your bathroom door. You were halfway across the world, and I still made sure you had a home to come back to.”

“I know, and... I'm sorry." He said, his voice breaking, "I didn’t deserve that. I didn’t deserve you.”

You looked away, your throat starting to hurt.

“No. Maybe you don't.”

You were both silent again, and you just wished he'd say more, tell you what you needed to hear.

“I think I need some time,” you said finally, getting down from the speaker case. “To process this. To figure out if I can keep doing this... Whatever this is.”

He nodded slowly, even though his chest was splitting open.

“Okay. Yeah. Take all the time you need... But after all we've been through, please don't let this drive us apart.”

You gave him a gentle nod, before walking off. Just like that.

And he didn't chase you, he gave you some space, and just hoped you wouldn't let her get back under your skin.

...

The green room looked like a thrift store had exploded.

Feather boas were draped over the backs of chairs, oversized, glittery sunglasses littered the floor, and Ricky stood proudly in front of the mirror, wearing a leopard print cowboy hat and holding up a plastic sword.

“Oh my god, okay, hear me out,” you said, holding up a white rhinestone studded jumpsuit. “Go out wearing this tonight.”

Ricky’s eyes widened.

“Is that-”

“Elvis, baby,” you grinned. “I can see you doing the thrusts, the finger guns-"

“I am not going out there as Elvis.”

You pouted dramatically.

“Why not? The people would lose their minds.”

“I’d get killed,” he laughed, tossing the sword down onto the couch. “Maybe for halloween.”

Undeterred, you rifled deeper into the box and pulled out a glittery red jacket and matching top hat.

“Okay then. Plan b... circus ringmaster?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Fine, fine,” you said, dragging out the syllables. “Then you pick. But if you’re not dressing up, I am.”

You grabbed a bright green dress and held it to your chest with mock seriousness.

“What do you think? Should I come on stage as a backup dancer?”

"You'd look like an alien, or The Riddler," Rick laughed, pulling a matching pair of bright green sunglasses from the box, and sliding them onto your face, "Wait, now this could work."

You were both laughing so hard your face was starting to hurt when the door opened.

The second it did, the whole atmosphere in the room changed.

You didn’t need to look to know who it was.

Vin’s presence was unmistakable.

The laughter fizzled out like a popped balloon. You straightened slowly, sunglasses slipping down your nose. Ricky’s smile faded as his gaze drifted toward the door.

Vin stood there, half in shadow, hoodie pushed up to his elbows, water bottle in one hand. He looked at you first. Then at Ricky. Then at the mess of costumes spread across the room.

No greeting. No expression.

Just silence.

Vinny, the man would once brighten the room with his smile, or his infectious laugh, was now the one bringing the mood down.

Angela looked up from Chris, clearly sensing the shift. Chris gave Vin a subtle nod, then focused back on the mirror, trying not to get too involved.

“I should…” Ricky gestured vaguely, then glanced at you. “I’ll, uh, go find the others. You two should talk.”

He didn’t wait for you to respond, just clapped your shoulder on his way out, shooting a quiet look Vin’s way before slipping out the door.

You stared at the green dress in your hands, fingers twisting the fabric before putting it back into the box.

He stayed quiet.

The mood was gone. The magic snuffed out like a candle.

“…You looked like you were having fun.” Vin said finally, his voice low, his tone even a little unreadable.

You looked up slowly, sunglasses still half on.

For a second, you wished he had walked in a minute later. Or a minute earlier. Or not at all.

But he lingered by the door for a moment longer, then exhaled.

“I wanted to come and talk to you,” he said, his voice cutting through the awkward silence. “Before I go on. Or I won’t be able to play properly tonight.”

You didn’t move. Didn’t say anything.

Just sighed, turning to face him, but still not looking at him.

“Fine,” you said quietly. “Then talk.”

"Can we maybe... go somewhere else?"

You nodded your head, leading him to one of the dressing rooms.

He stepped inside behind you, shutting the door behind him like he was locking the rest of the world out. His knuckles were white around his water bottle, but he didn’t even seem to notice.

“It was all just a mistake,” he said. “Ruby. All of it. From the first time we ever did anything, to that night in Europe… I was fucked up, I was lonely, I was stupid. But it wasn’t love, it wasn’t even comfort. It was just something to fill the void. That’s all she’s ever been to me... And you probably don't wanna hear this, but- fuck... I was wishing it was you the entire time.”

You swallowed, arms folded tight over your chest.

"Look, Vin, I know we've never done anything the right way, everything's always been complicated between us but... It just upsets me that you never told me about her... it's like you didn't want me to know, like you were trying to hide it and hope I'd never find out."

“I was scared to tell you,” he said honestly after a beat. “Because I knew that's how it would look. I knew what you’d think. And part of me thought maybe I didn’t deserve to have this, have you, if I fucked it up that badly...” You blinked, startled by his honesty. “I didn’t want to ruin what we had,” he continued. “But not telling you did that anyway. I should’ve told you the moment she showed up again. I should’ve warned you. Protected you from her..."

He stepped closer, and continued.

“I never stopped caring about you. Not once. Not through all the silence, not through the weird in between we’ve been stuck in, not even when I tried to hate you for not choosing me...”

That hit you hard. Suddenly, you remembered how Vinny never did anything wrong in the beginning, yet you had, and he still forgave you, even after you treated him like second best, after you lead him on. He still held space for you in his heart, even when you didn't deserve it.

You had both made mistakes. Both bled and bruised and misunderstood each other. But that didn’t erase the truth.

“I care about you too,” you said softly, "More than I've cared about anyone, Vin... I’m not saying it’s fixed,” you said, your voice starting to shake, “I need time to process everything. To… understand it. I’m still a little hurt.”

“I get that,” he nodded. “I'm sorry for that, and I'll do anything to prove it to you... I just needed you to know, before I went out there, that this isn’t some throwaway thing to me. It never was. You mean more to me than I should’ve ever let myself feel, and it scares the shit out of me.”

You took a breath, stepping toward him.

“We’re both scared.” You whispered.

“Yeah.” He nodded slowly.

You hesitated, then reached out, just enough to brush your hand against his.

“I’m not going anywhere,” you said, just above a whisper, "You know that, right?"

He didn’t pull you in. Didn’t kiss you. But the look he gave you, full of quiet hope and regret and something that looked like love, it was enough.

“I won’t let her ruin this, Vin.”

He blinked, eyes drifting to yours like he hadn’t expected you to say it.

“We’ve fought hard to get here,” you continued, your throat tightening with every word. “It wasn’t even that long ago that you couldn’t stand to be in the same room as me. But we worked past that… and we can do it again... It's two against one.”

That was it, the thing that cracked something in him.

You watched his jaw clench, his shoulders sink. For a split second, he looked like that same version of himself who stood across the kitchen from you, back at your apartment after your pregnancy scare, quiet and broken and barely holding on. But this time, he wasn’t hiding behind sarcasm or pulling away. He was feeling it. All of it.

And then, wordlessly, he reached for you.

His arms wrapped around you with so much care it nearly brought you to tears. He buried his face in your shoulder and held on tight, like he couldn’t believe you were still here. Still choosing him.

You felt him exhale shakily, his voice muffled against your skin.

“Thank you,” he whispered. “Fuck… thank you.”

You stroked the back of his hoodie, heart pounding.

When he finally pulled back, he looked at you like you were the only steady thing in the room. His eyes were glassy, lips parted, and he leaned in to kiss you, and it was slow, grateful, even a little desperate.

When he pulled away, his forehead rested against yours.

“We’ll be okay." You said, more to him than yourself as your hand cupped his cheek.

He nodded, eyes closed.

“I want to believe that,” he murmured. “I really do.”

...

The guys put on one hell of a first show, and you watched most of it from the side of the stage, your eyes lingering on Vin with a small smile which Angela teased you for.

By the time they were finished and everyone was backstage, loading up the bus and vans, you were sat on a low brick wall beside Vin. The air was cool now, and for the first time all day you felt like you could really breathe.

Vin kicked at a loose stone, staring at the ground but stealing glances your way every now and then. Neither of you spoke much, just comfortably basking in the quietness, knowing there wouldn’t be a lot of this on the tour.

“You looked good out there.” You said softly.

He shrugged, a small, almost shy smile tugging at his lips.

“Thanks,” he said quietly. “I did notice you were staring every time I looked over."

That made you blush a little, your cheeks hot in the cool night air.

"Hey, lovebirds!" Justin shouted over at the two of you, "We're gonna go get food before getting on the bus. You two wanna come?"

Vin looked at you, his eyebrows raised as if to ask do you? To which you gently shook your head.

"Nah, we're good!" Vin shouted back, and the two of you watched them all walk off.

"Does this mean... Nobody's on the bus?" You asked, a little smirk creeping up on your lips.

"...Yes… Where are you going with this?" Vin chuckled, setting down his phone, which has been in his hand, down onto the bit of wall you were sat on.

"Well," you grinned, "I don't know how much alone time we're going to have together for the next few weeks... and I can't stop thinking about the way your arms looked in your stage shirt."

A smug smirk spread across his face.

"Oh yeah... Want me to put it back on?"

"Hmmm, I'd say yes..."

"But...?"

"But it probably smells all sweaty and gross."

"Well I haven't even taken a shower yet, so I'm still sweaty and gross, and you still wanna get in my pants!”

You hesitated for a moment, physically going silent, but mentally you were screaming.

"So... you've still got the paint on...?"

"Whatever didn't sweat off-" He began to pull down the neck of his hoodie to show you, but you cut him off, grabbing his hand and tugging him up.

"Bus. Now."

...

A few moments later...

"C'mon!" Kym groaned, her arms folded, "You can just buy another pair!"

"No, I can't!" Ruby huffed, turning to face her fellow Cherry Bomb, "They're vintage, and limited edition! They sell for hundreds these days, if you can even find them! Tell the driver we are not going until I get them back."

Kym rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath as Ruby stormed off the bus, fire in her veins as she began to retrace her steps back towards the venue, where everyone had loaded in... and there they were, her Chanel sunglasses.

“Thank fuck.” She let out a sigh of relief, bending down to pick them up.

And then, just as she rose back up, she spotted something on the low brick wall, not too far from the Motionless bus.

Her brows furrowed as she stepped closer, suddenly realising it was a phone. A phone with no case and no screen protector.

It was Vinny's.

At first, she was going to do the right thing, return it to him. She saw the rest of the band and crew head off for a post-show dinner, but she didn't see him with them.

And come to think of it, she didn't see you either. Interesting.

Then, to only make things worse, she gazed up at the bus. The Motionless bus, which was not very motionless right now. It was rocking slowly, ever so gently, but enough to make her stomach turn, and she suddenly felt like she was about to throw up the pizza she'd just shared with the girls.

Her fingers tightened around the sunglasses, then slowly loosened.

She looked back over at the phone, and reached a hand out for it.

She still remembered Vin’s password, it was Ricky’s birthday. She put it in, grinning evilly as she was met with the home screen…

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

HEHEHEHE

@collapsedglasshouses @miss570 @dominuslunae @sunshine-lvrr @death-ofpeace-ofmind @blade-dressed-in-red @amelia-acero @kait16xo @oobleoob @pipidoll @justdamnpeachy @bluehairpunklol @renegadebirch @devilsfuckingdance @darkwhisperswolf @carrieontillmay @0nlyethereal @punkprincess1999 @madsnic1119 @c0urt-0519 @animal4princess-blog @neeley1w @montgomery-929496 @h4tef6ck @ajordan2020

[pankowcrumbs]

Can I request a fluffy Joe Keery x fem! reader long oneshot where Joe visits his daughter’s class for career day and their daughter introduces him and says her dad has the best job in the world?

MasterList

Stranger Things and Cast Masterlist

Joe's POV

It’s just gone half-eight and I’m trying not to spill coffee on my jeans while our daughter, Maisie, twirls around the kitchen in her sparkly trainers. She’s seven going on seventeen, all sass and missing teeth and glittery stickers on everything.

“Daddy, are you nervous?” she asks, stopping mid-twirl to squint at me over the rim of her cereal bowl. Her fringe is a bit wonky courtesy of her own scissors, I’m told and her uniform’s got toast crumbs on it already.

“A little,” I admit, sipping from my mug and flashing her a grin. “It’s been a while since I had to talk in front of a room full of tiny humans.”

She giggles, swinging her legs beneath the table. “You talk to cameras all the time!”

“That’s different. Cameras don’t interrupt to ask if I’ve met Spider-Man.”

Y/N appears in the doorway then, tying her hair up with one hand and holding Maisie’s schoolbag in the other. She’s still in her pyjamas and looks effortlessly beautiful, the kind of way that makes my heart do this ridiculous flutter, even after all these years.

“Don’t forget the USB,” she says, passing me the backpack. “You’ve got photos and that little clip you edited, right?”

“Yep. All set. My very professional mini-movie titled ‘Daddy Falls Down a Hill in Romania’.”

Maisie cackles. “That one’s so funny! Your face went like this” she pulls the most dramatic slow-motion expression I’ve ever seen, tongue sticking out, eyes wide.

“Cheers for that, love,” I chuckle, ruffling her hair. “Alright, let’s go impress your class, yeah?”

The school smells exactly how I remember like glue sticks, pencil shavings, and vague chaos. Maisie leads me down the corridor like my own tiny tour guide, pointing out every classroom, every painting, and even the spot on the wall where someone threw up last week.

When we reach her classroom, she stops, clutches my hand tightly, and looks up at me with those big brown eyes that she absolutely got from her mum.

“You’re gonna do great, Daddy,” she says. “I told everyone you’ve got the best job in the world.”

I smile, crouching down to kiss her forehead. “No pressure, then.”

Inside, about twenty kids are sat cross-legged on a colourful rug, fidgeting and whispering while the teacher a lovely woman named Miss Green smiles and waves me in. There’s a projector set up and a few other parents already sitting near the back. I nod politely and squeeze myself into the kid-sized chair next to the smartboard.

Maisie’s hand shoots up.

“Yes, Maisie?” Miss Green says fondly.

Maisie stands up, grinning ear to ear. “This is my daddy. His name is Joe, and he has the best job in the world because he’s an actor and he’s in TV shows and movies and once he wore a wig and ran around screaming ‘the Russians are coming!’”

The class loses it. There’s a chorus of “Whoa!” and “No way!” and “Is he famous?” followed by at least two children falling backwards from sheer excitement.

I clear my throat, trying not to laugh. “Thanks for the very accurate intro, sweetheart.”

I plug in the USB and the screen lights up with a freeze frame of me dangling from a harness on a green screen set. A collective gasp ripples through the room.

“So, yeah,” I begin. “My name’s Joe, and I pretend to be other people for a living. Sometimes I wear wigs, sometimes I get chased by monsters, and sometimes I get fake blood all over me and have to shower three times before I’m allowed on the couch.”

A boy in the front raises his hand, but doesn’t wait to be called on. “Do you fight aliens?”

I nod solemnly. “I have, yes. But they were very bad at chess, so it wasn’t too hard.”

Laughter again. They’re eating it up. I show a few clips from behind the scenes, voice some cartoon clips I’ve done, and even sneak in the time I played guitar on set, which earns a solid “cool” from a kid in a hoodie who’s been unimpressed until now.

When I open it up for questions, the hands fly up like fireworks.

“Do you know Spider-Man?” “Do you have a stunt double?” “Do you eat real food in movie dinners?” “Do you get paid in sweets?”

I do my best to answer every one, but my favourite part comes when Maisie grabs my arm and tugs me down to whisper, “You’re doing so good, Daddy.”

I don’t care how many premieres I’ve walked or how many cameras I’ve smiled at. That right there is the best moment of my whole week.

After the class, as we pack up and kids file out to recess, Miss Green pats my arm warmly. “You might’ve just become the most popular parent, Joe.”

“Oh no,” I joke. “I’m not ready for the fame.”

Maisie walks beside me, hand in mine, humming to herself.

“Hey,” I say gently. “Thanks for saying I’ve got the best job in the world.”

She shrugs like it’s obvious. “Well, you do.”

“Yeah?” I nudge her. “Even better than astronauts and firefighters and dinosaur scientists?”

She nods fiercely. “Because you make people laugh and feel things and you always come home smelling like popcorn. Plus…” she leans in like she’s telling me a secret, “you’re my daddy. That’s the best part.”

I stop walking just long enough to kneel and scoop her into a hug, tight and full of everything I can’t quite say aloud.

“You know what, Maisie?” I whisper. “You’re my best job in the world.”

She grins and kisses my cheek, then pulls back to inspect my face.

“Are you crying?”

“Definitely not,” I lie.

And maybe later, when we’re home and she’s telling Y/N every detail and mimicking my wobbly voice, I do tear up a bit. Because she’s right.

I do have the best job in the world. But not just because of the cameras and the scripts and the wigs.

Because of mornings like this. Because of a little girl with sparkly trainers. Because I get to be her dad.

And honestly? Nothing on Earth could ever beat that.

[wannaeatramyeon]

THANK U FOR THE RECENT SAMUEL SEO im literally so obsessed with him i cant-

but!! he’s not the only one!!

could u try goo with a childhood friends!lover? (im just going through my list of red flags boyfriends with this trope heh)

To my requests. sorry for not answering in order. Btw I've got a school day/teenager long fic with Goo in the Gun + Goo masterlist... but how about this.

Goo Kim x Reader: Childhood 'friends'

G/N. Sorta childhood friends to lovers.

Goo descends into your life like an angel.

"Will you pay me if I beat up these boys?" he shouts over, giving the wooden baseball bat in his hand a few practice swings.

(He takes in your cowering body, cornered against the wall, the group of older boys slinging insults first.

Then your pristine, limited edition trainers and the expensive label on your clothes second.)

You look over at the short figure with the badly bleached blonde hair. He seems small for his age, same as you.

Best case scenario, he makes good on his word. Worst case, they beat both of you up.

You give a nod and all hell breaks loose.

.

.

Goo isn't an angel at all. He's a demon that has ascended and strutted into your life.

"Is this enough?" You ask, peeling open your velcro Sanrio wallet and removing a handful of bills.

"Thanks!" Goo swipes it out of your hand, tainting the notes with blood before tucking it away in his pocket with a reassuring pat.

A body at his feet lets out a groan and he gives them a hard kick. You think there’s a crunch of bone breaking. It’s not as sickening as you thought it would be.

"That one's for free." He gives you a gigawatt grin and you return it. In your eyes, not even what you just witnessed this boy doing could tarnish his shine.

"My name is Goo," he signals for your phone and you hand it over without a second thought. He taps in what you assume are his contact details before giving it back.

"Call me if you need any help." You reach out to take it and he leans in, smile taking a dangerous edge, "You'll need to pay though."

.

.

For fear of retribution, you ask Goo to walk you back home from school everyday for the next few weeks.

You text him a time and an address, and he texts you back his price. It's enough to drain your allowance, but not enough for you to risk your safety.

He waits for you by your school gates everyday, with his patchy hair and a scruffy jacket three sizes too big, and gives you a wave with both arms whenever he spots you.

He's chatty. Much chattier than you expected. Always just seemingly rattling off whatever is on his mind. Animes he has watched, manhwas he's reading. What he had for lunch, what he's craving for dinner.

You piece together that Goo is only a few months older than you. He should be in 6th grade by now but he never mentions school. You don't think he even attends school.

He also has a terrible sweet tooth, that you pay for of course. Stopping off at a convenience store together as he picks out a snack.

"Get whatever you want." you say the first time you catch him deciding between a drink or a bar of chocolate. "I'll pay for it."

He buys both.

That should have been a mistake. He drains your allowance further everyday. Yet you can't help thinking it's fine as he gives you a toothy grin that reaches his eyes.

The weeks pass by in the blink of an eye. When you reach your front door on the last day, Goo shuffles, fidgets uncharacteristically.

"I can keep walking you home," he says, eyes on the floor and kicking at dirt. "...I can give you a discount."

.

.

Goo starts seeing you at the weekend too.

You're the first person that sees him after getting his hair professionally done.

"I'm handsome, aren't I!" his bravado masks his nervousness. He doesn't know why he's nervous in the first place, but when you agree and ruffle his newly coiffed locks, it evaporates completely.

Payment comes in the form of food and drinks, snacks and street food, cinema tickets, small little gifts he has his eye on.

As consolation, at least he always shares.

.

.

When you first met you're sure he was shorter than you.

You don't remember when he matched your height, but now you notice you have to tilt your chin up to look at him.

You miss the scruffy jacket he used to have. The one that he rapidly grew out of, body filling out with muscle. It gets replaced by more and more luxurious brands. His hair looks more and more polished. He picks up glasses along the way to complete the look.

He still makes you pay every time you meet. You feel like he lets you off easy with cheap choices because his taste these days seems anything but cheap.

You wish you had more time with the boy you used to know, but you love the man he's growing into.

Goo never lets you sway too far away from him, keeps you by his side most weeks. Reaches out to send you silly memes or calls you just to ramble his thoughts when you're apart.

You're two peas in a pod.

.

.

The longest time you spend apart is when Goo is sent away to juvie.

An unknown number texts you, says they're Goo's cousin and breaks the news.

It doesn't come as a surprise, considering how you first met, the person he is. You've spent years together at this point and seen him at his most violent and bloodthirsty.

Still. For you, nothing can tarnish his shine.

.

.

On the day Goo is released, you're waiting for him outside the juvenile detention centre.

You're the first person he sees, and he waves at you with both arms before opening them, welcoming you, offering himself.

He’s even taller, more muscular. His features distinguished and jawline cutting. His hair, just like years gone by, is bleached and patchy. 

The grin is the same. It’s always the same.

You sprint and throw yourself full force into Goo, knocking the air out of his lungs.

He holds you tight. Clings on harder than he ever has. Missed you more than he will ever admit.

As if you're reading his mind, you murmur into his collar, "I've missed you.'

Goo takes a deep inhale, nose nestled in your hair and breathing in your familiar scent. Relishing your touch, your presence, you.

He doesn't plan on spending this long away from you ever again.

"Me too, Sweetheart."

[rollinouttahere-writes]

Lucky Break Yandere Masterpost

It's finally done!

I will be updating/editing this as I go along, but here is the full list of yanderes in Lucky Break so far

Platonic Yanderes

Monkey D. Luffy

Type of yandere

Clingy - Luffy is attached at the hip to his whole crew, naturally that applies to Lucky. He needs to involve Lucky in everything he does and gets irritable if anything/anyone interferes with their quality time.

Protective - Again, applies to his whole crew. Lucky is his nakama and no one messes with his nakama. He would go to bat for her if someone so much as hip checked her, he absolutely won’t tolerate anyone trying to actually hurt her.

Description 

It doesn’t take much for Luffy to become attached. Between Lucky’s mysterious background and him feeling a little bad about hitting her head, he was considering her a friend before a full day could even pass. He is desperate to uncover the mystery of where she came from and who she was before they met. At least, he was for like a week, then it seemed like he just kinda moved on and forgot about it. His crew has to remind him about his initial claim to assist Lucky in regaining her memories, but he tends to be dismissive of the subject. Partially because he’s simply never been one to care that much about a person’s history, but also because he’s scared that Lucky is going to want to go back to wherever she came from. When him and Lucky eventually do have a heart to heart about her past and she tells him that she never wants to go back, he’s ecstatic. From that day forth he never thinks about it again, she is a permanent resident on his crew as far as he’s concerned.

Roronoa Zoro

Type of yandere

Protective - Their first meeting involved him trying to clean and patch up her head wound, and it influenced the rest of their relationship. No matter how strong she becomes, he will always see her as this poor, frail thing that needs to be protected.

Manipulative - This goes hand in hand with his protective tendencies. He makes little comments here and there about how dangerous everything is, makes her injuries out to be worse than they really are, and emphasizes how quickly things could go wrong for her if he- the Straw Hats weren’t there to protect her.

Description

At first, he was just caring for her because it was obvious that Luffy wasn’t equipped to do so, but all of the skin-to-skin contact he had with Lucky when he was taking care of her head wound lead to him being the first person to truly be affected by her amulet. From day one he wanted to be her safety net, she obviously needs him to protect her. To an extent, he understands that the more people she has to protect her the better, but he can’t help but feel a little bitter every time someone else saves her. Likewise, he isn’t particularly enthusiastic about Lucky being able to take care of herself. Sure, it’s technically a good thing, but it should be him. He’ll go so far as distracting her when she tries to train by either encouraging her to nap with him or getting her to drink enough that it simply wouldn’t be safe for her to be swinging her weapon around.

Nami

Type of yandere

Possessive - Lucky is one of the few people she can call a friend, and while she considers all of the Straw Hats her friends, it just feels different with Lucky. She’s not just a friend, she’s her friend, and she doesn’t want anyone taking Lucky away from her.

Clingy - Nami constantly wants to do things together with Lucky. From shopping trips where she can make her more in debt to quietly existing in the same room together while she works on sea charts.

Description

Nami doesn’t become a yandere for Lucky until after Arlong Park, but she gets hit hard when it finally happens. Her and Lucky become best friends overnight and the switch is startling to say the least. Nami went from keeping her at arms’ length to pushing their beds up against each other in their shared room and helping herself to Lucky’s belongings whenever she wants (Lucky is allowed to borrow her stuff too). Despite Lucky not objecting to Nami’s behavior, Nami still feels paranoid that she may one day want to leave. One of her many safeguards against this is to get her indebted as quickly as possible. They go on a little shopping spree at Loguetown, and it’s not until afterwards that Nami mentions her interest rate and how she expects to be paid back. Except here’s the thing: she doesn’t. She never wants Lucky to be able to repay her because the debt gives her a sense of control. The whole thing is played off as lighthearted so as to not scare Lucky, but it’s not. Nami is very serious about keeping Lucky by her side forever.

Usopp

Type of yandere

Manipulative - He really takes a page out of Zoro’s book and does his best to make Lucky too scared to want to so much as be out of their sight. While Lucky may shrug off a lot of his fear mongering about how scary the world is, he is able to get around this by saying that he spotted one of her other yanderes. That trick always works.

Clingy - After he gets past the initial intimidation he felt towards her, he gets real clingy real fast. He loves to be on the receiving end of attention in general, but attention from Lucky just hits different. He tries extra hard to make her laugh and be awed by his stories.

Description

The other Straw Hats tease him for ever being afraid of Lucky at one point, and yeah, he gets a little embarrassed about it, too. They go on to become such good friends that it’s hard to believe there was ever a time that they weren’t. With Lucky being one of the weaker members of the crew- and everyone being over protective of her- she tends to hang back with Usopp, giving them plenty of time to bond. He can pick up on a dip in her mood from the slightest hints and will force himself into her space to try and fix it. This can range from bursting into her room to tell her some jokes/stories, to dragging her into whatever game he’s playing with the others, to simply getting her to sit with him while he works on some contraption. He won’t take no for an answer. Seeing Lucky upset or hurt makes him feel extremely anxious, and he wants to be the one to fix it.

Sanji

Type of yandere

Obsessive - Sanji is prone to obsessing over any woman that walks his way, but while with others he tends to only fawn over them, he full on obsesses over Lucky. He needs to know all of her likes and dislikes, dietary preferences and restrictions, what gifts she likes best, everything.

Worshiper - Lucky is placed on a pedestal above the rest of the world in Sanji's eyes. She can do no wrong and someone implying otherwise would greatly upset him.

Protective - Like the obsessive point, he is naturally protective over all women, but it becomes extreme in Lucky’s case. He becomes irrationally upset if someone speaks to her in a tone he doesn’t like, someone trying to hurt her is an unforgivable crime. He takes immense joy in kicking her suitors to a pulp when the opportunity presents itself.

Clingy - This man needs her approval as much as he needs oxygen. Every word of praise out of her mouth lengthens his lifespan, he’s sure of it. He tends to hover around her so as to capitalize on every opportunity there is to get attention from her.

Description

From their first encounter, he was protective of Lucky. The massive head injury that was still in the process of healing had him fussing over her, this poor lady clearly needs help from him since her crewmates are failing to protect her. Sanji does flirt with Lucky, but it isn’t particularly serious, it’s just how he is. After he’s officially a part of the crew, he has a very obvious favoritism towards her. She’s the first person he checks on in a crisis, she’s constantly being given snacks and drinks, and he always sings her praise. Sanji is brutal towards anyone who threatens or shows too much interest, and if Lucky is hurt or uncomfortable he is unforgiving to the offender. Like Zoro, he wants to be Lucky’s knight in shining armor and gets huffy if her savior is someone else, though he takes it slightly better than Zoro.

Tony Tony Chopper

Type of yandere

Clingy - Chopper thinks that Lucky is very cool and follows her around like a duckling after first joining. Like Nami, he isn’t used to having friends and wants to spend as much time as possible with this one. He wants her attention on him and is prone to getting jealous if she fawns over someone else.

Description

While Chopper was apprehensive of Lucky at first thanks to her smelling “off” to him, he comes around to her quickly. She’s one of the saner Straw Hats, so her more mellow nature makes her easier to approach. He’ll run to her for protection every time Luffy chases after him. Which doesn’t work because he will just tackle both of them now. Chopper very much abuses his cute privilege once he’s on the crew to get more attention than he may have previously gotten. He’s about as desperate for her praise as Sanji is, and is always showing off whatever new medicine he makes. In a dangerous situation he prefers to just run away from it with Lucky in tow, but he will square up if he needs to. Overall a mild yandere. 

Nico Robin

Type of yandere

Obsessive - Robin did research on all of the Straw Hats prior to joining, and the complete lack of information she could find on Lucky piqued her interest immediately and led to her focusing on learning every little thing she could about her. This desire didn’t go away after Robin joined the crew, if anything the opportunity to ask Lucky questions directly added fire to the behavior. 

Protective - Thanks to how much Robin has suffered in her life, she is extremely wary of other people and tends to assume ill intent until proven otherwise. She assumes that everyone trying to get their hands on Lucky will hurt her if given the chance and is merciless in disposing of these threats.

Description

Robin has been stalking Lucky since Little Garden, following her closely in hopes of gleaning any information on her. She’s great at staying hidden, so Lucky never sees her or finds out about it. Robin is constantly asking questions and snooping through Lucky’s belongings in the beginning, but it dies down after Lucky reveals the truth to where she came from. She’s definitely curious about her world, but only mildly. The mystery finally being solved does nothing to end the obsession. Knowing Lucky’s past was part one, getting to know who Lucky is personally is the next level. Robin makes Sanji look like he doesn’t know shit about Lucky, she has a journal that is basically a Lucky Handbook (she could make BANK selling copies of it). During outings, Robin will try to sneak off with Lucky for some one on one time.

Franky

Type of yandere

Protective - Franky is like an overprotective older brother. Yeah, he’s an annoying handful most of the time, but he comes in clutch when needed. And when he probably didn’t need to. Franky is only looking out for Lucky’s best interest, it’s just debatable what exactly that means to him.

Delusional - There is no point trying to deny this man anything. He sees and hears only what he wants to, and makes excuses for what can’t be ignored.

Description 

Franky was trying to recruit Lucky into his family since their first encounter in Water 7. She’s so roughed up, yet she’s still running around the city to look for her friend? Brave! Inspiring! *guitar riff* He’ll help! Hey, why are you running away?! Despite the whole Usopp situation, Franky and Lucky learn to get along quickly. She can’t find it in her to stay mad about it with how fun and sincere his personality is. Franky will refer to himself as her big brother, and Lucky not caring enough to object only encourages him. He honestly sometimes forgets that they aren’t actually siblings and reels back in shock if someone points it out. With Lucky not being particularly strong, he goes out of his way to make her little self-defense gadgets. Nothing too powerful- that’s what he’s for- but good enough to buy her some time.

Nefertari Vivi

Type of yandere

Clingy - To say that Vivi is stressed out when she joins forces with the Straw Hats is an understatement. She is desperate to have some comfort and support and Lucky is very good at giving that. Vivi tends to gravitate towards her whenever she gets the chance and feels a pang of jealousy when she focuses on someone else.

Description

Vivi hasn't been able to act her own age in years, she's downright ashamed of herself if she ever behaves like a teenager should. Lucky sees her for who she really is. A teen with the weight of an entire nation on her shoulders and does her best to try and ease her mind. Vivi needs this so bad that the kindness makes her latch onto Lucky very quickly. She needs the comfort that her presence provides and seeks her approval.

Portgas D. Ace

Type of yandere

Clingy - When Ace decides to let someone in, he won’t let them leave. Sorry, not sorry, he’s with you for life now! He clings to Lucky especially because he can see a bit of himself in her, mainly the loneliness that seems to hang over her despite being allegedly an amnesiac. 

Protective - He protects his own, that applies to Lucky. It doesn’t take much provocation to get him to attack someone for bothering her.

Description

These two are thick as thieves damn near off the bat, they click instantly. Ace’s fondness only grows when they get separated from the rest of the group and have a chance to hang out one on one. He is one of the few people who questions her amnesia. Sure, he can bet she forgot some stuff after hitting her head that hard, but there are little tells she has that indicate to him that she may remember more than she lets on. He doesn’t pry because he of all people can understand wanting to get away from one’s past, but he has his suspicions. When he sees how cagey she gets at the mention of family, it all comes together for him. Her family must be awful! Good thing he has a solution! He is very persistent in getting her to join the Whitebeard Pirates, believing that it will be perfect for her. She’ll get to have a big happy family, including having him as her brother.

Rob Lucci

Type of yandere

Sadistic - He lives for the thrill of the hunt. The high that he gets from chasing down Lucky is unmatched, so he’ll let her go every time so that he can do it again and again.

Description

I hesitate to even call this relationship platonic because that implies there is some level of fondness. There isn’t. Lucci’s interest in Lucky begins and ends with hunting and terrorizing her. The amulet is not to blame for his obsession, he's just like this naturally.

Kalifa

Type of yandere

Delusional - Kalifa wants to believe that they’re the best of friends, and literally nothing can convince her otherwise. The mental gymnastics she does are off the charts.

Description

Kalifa has never had a real friend. She’s had coworkers at best, nothing more. Spending time with Lucky feels so refreshing, she’s so nice to her and doesn’t appear to care about what she can get out of Kalifa. They’re just talking like… friends? Is this what it’s like? She’s convinced that they’re best friends, despite all of the evidence to the contrary. Friends disagree sometimes, that’s all that her protests are. A mild disagreement that they will laugh about later. 

Romantic Yanderes

Buggy the Clown

Theme song - Never Ever Getting Rid of Me from Waitress 

Type of yandere

Delusional - He will die thinking that Lucky used to be a part of his crew before he made the biggest fumble in history and “scared her away”, and nothing that his actual crew says will convince him otherwise.

Possessive - Buggy is very materialistic. He wants things that are only his and that applies to Lucky. 

Description

The way that Lucky stood her ground and firmly told him what to do was an awakening for him. Despite him acting like he’s this scary, merciless man, he’s whipped for Lucky. On the off chance he tries to boss her around, all she has to do is give him a dirty look and he’s back pedaling at the speed of light. He genuinely believes that what she said about joining his crew the night before their confrontation was true, and he thinks the only reason she left is because she felt insulted by his doubt. There is a steady stream of gifts (stolen treasure) and flowers being sent her way as an apology for his egregious behavior.

Smoker

Theme song - Life Eternal by Ghost

Type of yandere

Obsessive - He can’t get her out of his mind, no matter how hard he tries to not dwell on her so much. Once he’s accepted it, he indulges himself by collecting every little piece of information he can find on her.

Manipulative - This guy knows what he’s doing. If he doesn’t play his cards perfectly, he could lose his chance to have Lucky be with him willingly. He will do or say whatever he needs to in order to keep Lucky in the dark.

Description

He’s well aware that his feelings towards Lucky are wrong and would disturb anyone who learned about it, so he’s careful to never let anyone see this side. After their first encounter in Loguetown, before he even knew she was a pirate, he found her to be somewhat endearing, but these mild feelings spiraled out of control as they continued to run into each other as he hunted down the Straw Hats. At first he was content with the glimpses he got of her when they crossed paths, but then he wanted to see her more so he started taking pictures when no one was looking. Then he started following her around undercover, which led to him swiping any personal items of hers he thought she wouldn’t notice missing. He’ll always need more.

Kaku

Theme songs - Hopelessly Devoted to You by Olivia Newton-John 

This Is A Life by Son Lux, Mitski, and David Byrne

Type of yandere

Delusional - In his mind, Lucky is this poor, unfortunate victim of circumstance that needs to be saved. All of her resistance is interpreted as being the result of her not knowing what’s good for her.

Protective - Kaku would sacrifice himself to save Lucky with zero hesitation. Ideally, it won’t come to that, but he is prepared to do so. Fortunately for him, it hasn’t come to this yet so he settles for beating/killing anyone that threatens her well being.

Description

At first, Kaku felt pity for Lucky. He saw her as a battered captive of some pirates, and while he did offer to help her, he was willing to let her make her own choices when she insisted she was fine. As he spent more time with her, he found himself entertaining thoughts he hadn’t given much mind to in years. Visions of a normal life where he isn’t an assassin and can live happily with someone he loves. He tries to bury these feelings down because he knows it’s a bad idea, but his resolve crumbles when he sees Lucky at Enies Lobby. Why shouldn’t he have a life he actually enjoys? Why can’t he just quietly slip away with the love of his life so they can be together? He decides then and there to run away from everything with her. She’ll understand.

Paulie

Theme song - Call Me Little Sunshine by Ghost

Type of yandere

Protective - The first word that comes to mind when he meets Lucky is ‘frail’, and he never fully sees her another way. She needs someone to protect her from all of the dangerous men of the world, and he decides that will be him.

Possessive - He doesn’t like other people ogling Lucky. If he had it his way, he would be the only other person she ever saw.

Description

Due to Lucky being so injured when they arrived at Water 7, she was dressed pretty conservatively because she didn’t want people staring at her. Her being so covered up made Paulie act more civil than he usually would. Rather than accusing her of trying to seduce him, he just had a normal conversation with her while kinda fussing at her to take it easy with how banged up she was. It was pleasant, and he found her to be charming. But… if he found her charming then so would other people. Other people might have ill intentions for her, but he doesn’t. He just wants to keep her safe! And maybe a couple of other things that he’s in denial about, but that’s beside the point! 

Iceburg

Theme song - Curses by The Crane Wives

Type of yandere

Possessive - What started as a respect for her integrity rapidly grows out of hand. It’s hard to find people like that. He wants to keep her for himself.

Protective - He understands better than most how dangerous the world can be for someone who is being targeted by the World Government. After he sees her bounty poster he feels the need more than ever to keep her away from the public eye and with him.

Description

No one is more surprised about him becoming a yandere for Lucky than Lucky is. After getting into a pretty intense argument after his attempted assassination, she assumed he would hate her, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. She had nothing to gain and everything to lose from defending Robin, but that didn’t stop her from yelling at him and he can admire that. He hadn’t been affected enough by the amulet to stop her from leaving, but he did make her an offer to be his new assistant. Once he catches wind of Paulie’s interest for her, he encourages it because distance has made the heart grow fonder and he needs to have her back in Water 7. He refuses to take on a new assistant because he's obsessed with having her in that position. He'll complain to her in a letter that he can't find anyone for the job and try to convince her to help him out "temporarily". As he's writing this, he throws a stack of fifty applications into his fireplace.

Eustass Kid

Theme song - Halo by Soil

Type of Yandere

Obsessive - Before they ever meet he is obsessed with who the owner of the backpack with all of the mysterious objects is. He is hellbent on finding her and stops at nothing to track her down once he sees her bounty poster that confirms she is alive. After they meet and the mystery is solved, the obsessive part dies down a lot and shifts into the next point.

Possessive - Lucky is his. He considers him finding her backpack as something of a sign. Lucky is going to be with him and he doesn’t care if she’s happy about it except he definitely does he's full of shit.

Description

When he finds a backpack with some strange technology in it that he can’t figure out, he becomes obsessed. Luckily for him, among the items was a wallet with an ID that he assumes must be of the person who owns this stuff. The elation he feels when he finally tracks her down is like a drug. Having her explain what the things he found were satisfies him a little bit, but not completely. He finds her to be interesting and wants to pick apart her mind and learn everything he can, so why should he let her leave? Because he said he would? Ha! He’s a pirate, it’s her dumb fault for trusting him! He’s determined to keep her on board the Victoria Punk, and he’s willing to hurt her if he thinks that will work. It’s not his first choice, and he wouldn’t be happy that it came to that, but he is willing to go that far and tells her as much. Somehow he is surprised that Lucky is afraid of him

Trafalgar Law (this is brief, I’m still ironing their relationship out)

Theme song - Darkness At The Heart Of My Love by Ghost

Type of Yandere

Protective - It’s a cruel, unforgiving world out there, and he doesn’t think Lucky is strong enough to survive it on her own. She should be grateful that he’s going out of his way to protect her.

Description

They initially bond because she is one of the sanest people among the Straw Hats, so if he has to deal with them he will gravitate towards her. The world is already dangerous enough, but seeing how unhinged her crewmates are stresses him out and makes him think she is one insane stunt away from her untimely demise. He’s good at masking his obsession towards her as simply being concern for her well being.

Bartolomeo

Theme song - IDOL by YOASOBI

Type of yandere

Obsessive - He doesn’t need Robin’s handbook on Lucky because he already made one himself. He knows everything and no one knows how he got most of that information.

Worshiper - This man worships the ground she walks on. She's a divine being that he is lucky to be able to occasionally breathe the same air as.

Protective - If Lucky is in danger when he’s around, she isn’t going to be anymore. He’s quick to use his devil fruit to keep her safe and won’t hesitate to eliminate anyone that was bothering her.

Description

It’s only natural that the #1 Straw Hat fanboy would get a little crush on at least one of them, and by little crush I mean full on obsession. Despite how blatant he is about it, Lucky doesn’t realize that he’s yandere for her because he’s like this towards ALL of the Straw Hats. He's just like that. They get along very well much to the chagrin of anyone else that’s interested in Lucky.

Donquixote Doflamingo

Theme song - RUNRUNRUN by Dutch Melrose

Type of yandere

Possessive - He doesn’t even fully see Lucky as a person, she’s a thing that he wants to own. That being said, she’ll be a well-maintained thing, but she shouldn’t expect to have any of the freedoms a person should have.

Description

Haki doesn’t work on Lucky since she is an anomaly that isn’t supposed to be there, and that’s what catches his attention. He’s intrigued and wants to know more. Then he finds out that she’s close with Law and that’s all the more reason to take her into his custody. He wants to keep her around for his own amusement and will do so by any means necessary, and he has no qualms about seriously injuring her to do that. Lucky's amulet has no effect on him, he's a natural yandere for her. This makes him extra dangerous since there was never any basis of love, just a possessive obsession.

[perseidlion]

Some of us are upset because this plotline was actually kind of triggering to us. No, CK did not apologize for the amount of force he used- he apologized for Niko’s death. We are allowed to be uncomfortable, and it feels kind of gross that you are working so hard to talk over us. Ship what you ship, but don’t try and tell me I have to get on board.

Sigh. I'm not telling you anything. I don't know who you are. I'm explaining why I disagree with the readings, not telling anyone how to feel. If you don't like my takes, I always tag my posts Cat King and/or Cat King Discourse. Feel free to block the tag or me.

The problem is that a lot of people aren't just shipping what they want to ship. Instead, there are people calling other fans gross or evil or problematic or whatever for how they interpret an entirely fictional scenario.

Your reaction to fiction is your own responsibility. It's not the responsibility of other fans to change which characters they like based on your readings/reactions. It's valid if you are triggered or uncomfortable, but that has nothing to do with me.

Your reactions are valid. But your triggers don't give you the right to treat other fans of the show like we're gross and problematic for disagreeing with the way you interpret a fictional character. People are allowed to have a different reading of a character and are allowed to express that opinion.

I don't come at people who post about how they hate the Cat King in their own Tumblr posts because that's their own reading and they're welcome to it. I address it occasionally on my blog which can easily be blocked. Again, if you don't like my takes, social media has plenty of ways to filter out that content.

If you really wanted to ship and let ship, you wouldn't have rolled into my asks anonymously. You would just block the tags and go on with your life.

There are plenty of Cat King dislikers who ship and let ship. But there is a subsection who feel the need to try and shame people who do like him. They rehash the same old arguments as if repeating the reasons they hate him will shame us into hating him like you do.

That ain't going to happen. And since people keep judging and insulting the character and his fans, I will occasionally stand up for myself and the character (without directly attacking anyone) on my own blog.

EDIT: Because I was curious, I went back through my blog to see how much I've engaged in this conversation to see where this "working so hard to talk over us" allegation came from.

I last posted a Cat King discourse post a few weeks ago (regarding the S2 Cameo stuff), and before that it was mid-Nov. Prior to that, I did two posts in mid-July when the conversation was in full swing. And then I reblogged a few pro-Cat King posts in Sept and August.

My discourse posts were not in response to anyone in particular and called out no one. I simply expressed my thoughts in a standalone blog post that was appropriately tagged.