#tw hickeys

[bunnysnuff]

Kisses.

Pairing: Tao Xu x Spring!reader.

Trigger warnings: hickeys, none, reader is Charlie’s sister.

Note: there is literally no gifs of tao.

Request.

The sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting soft, warm hues over the schoolyard as you walked beside Charlie and the rest of the group. Tao was at the front, gesticulating wildly as he ranted about the latest movie he’d seen, his long hair bouncing with every step. You couldn’t help but smile, even though your thoughts were elsewhere—namely, on the small mark hidden beneath the collar of your shirt. A hickey. Tao’s hickey.

You kept your head down, hoping no one noticed how quiet you’d been throughout the afternoon. Charlie was too preoccupied with Nick to pay much attention, and Isaac had his nose buried in a book. The dynamic was the same as always—everyone was comfortable, falling into their usual rhythm—but today, you felt a tiny bit on edge. You weren’t sure how long you could keep this hidden. It had been your secret for weeks now, yours and Tao’s, but that secret was growing harder to keep.

As you all arrived at Charlie’s house, the group spilled into the living room, dropping bags and jackets as everyone claimed their usual spots. Tao, catching your eye for the briefest of moments, smiled softly—just enough to make your heart skip. He was good at this, at being nonchalant in front of everyone, but you knew he was just as tense underneath. The two of you had been sneaking around for weeks, stealing moments together whenever you could, but it was getting harder to hide.

Charlie walked past you, pulling off his sweater, when he paused. His eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at your neck.

“What’s that?” he asked, sounding more confused than accusatory.

Your stomach dropped. Everyone’s attention shifted to you in an instant, eyes following Charlie’s line of sight. You instinctively reached for the collar of your shirt, but it was too late.

“Is that a… hickey?” Elle asked, half-amused, half-shocked. Her eyebrows shot up as she looked from you to Charlie, and then to Tao, whose face had gone slightly pale.

A wave of panic surged through you, and your heart raced as the room fell silent. Nick raised his eyebrows, leaning back slightly as if waiting for the bombshell to drop, while Isaac finally looked up from his book, curious. Charlie blinked in confusion, trying to piece it together. His protective instincts kicked in immediately.

“Wait, who gave you that?” Charlie asked, his tone firming as his eyes searched yours for an answer. His face was a mix of concern and disbelief, his protective older brother side showing in full force.

You could feel Tao’s eyes on you, but you couldn’t meet his gaze. Not yet. You tried to think of something to say, some way to brush it off, but your brain was stuck.

Elle’s eyes darted between you and Tao, her sharp gaze catching on his nervous expression. And then, in one swift moment, everything clicked.

“No…” Elle whispered, her mouth forming a small ‘o’. She pointed between you and Tao, eyes wide with realization. “Wait, you two?”

Charlie froze, his eyes widening in disbelief as he looked at Tao, then back at you, pieces slowly falling into place. Tao shifted awkwardly in his seat, tugging at his sleeves nervously.

Tao glanced up at you, silently asking if you wanted him to say something, to step in, but you shook your head ever so slightly. This was your brother—your family—and you needed to be the one to explain.

Taking a deep breath, you stood up straighter, meeting Charlie’s bewildered gaze head-on. “Yeah, um… it’s Tao.”

The room erupted into a mixture of exclamations—Nick laughing in surprise, Elle smiling knowingly, Isaac looking more curious than shocked. Charlie, however, just stared at you and Tao, his mouth opening and closing as if trying to find the right words.

“You and Tao?” Charlie finally managed to say, sounding completely thrown. He ran a hand through his hair, looking between the two of you as if trying to make sense of the whole thing. “How long has this been going on?”

“A few weeks,” you admitted, glancing at Tao, who nodded quietly. He finally met Charlie’s eyes, standing up to face him directly.

“I was going to tell you, Charlie,” Tao said earnestly, his voice steady but filled with nerves. “I just… didn’t know how to bring it up.”

Charlie looked between you and Tao, clearly still processing, but his expression softened. After a long pause, he let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay, okay… I mean, I wish you’d told me sooner, but…” He glanced at you, his protectiveness still lingering. “As long as you’re both serious about this, I guess I can’t be too mad.”

You let out a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding, relief washing over you. Tao stepped closer to you, brushing his hand against yours lightly, giving you a small, reassuring smile.

Nick grinned, nudging Charlie. “I mean, it’s not like you can say much, considering how long it took you to tell us about you and me.”

Charlie rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Fair point.”

Elle, still smirking, leaned back in her seat. “Honestly, I should’ve seen this coming. The sneaky glances, Tao’s weirdly good mood lately—it all makes sense now.”

Tao blushed, ducking his head slightly, but he squeezed your hand as you both sat back down. The secret was out, and though it had been awkward for a moment, the weight of it lifted. The group was laughing again, teasing Tao and you, but the warmth and acceptance in the room was palpable.

Charlie caught your eye again, giving you a small, reluctant smile. “Just… no more surprises, okay?”

“Deal,” you said with a grin, feeling Tao’s hand still steady in yours.

[robo-milky]

My final proper illust before the year ends! I present to you— “official” RookLoche art! (That isn’t a sketch hidden away somewhere…)

Bonus:

[masked-artist-xp]

...these are so bad....NOT CANNON!!!

(Just for funsies :>)

...

@switchthedragon

[cinematicnomad]

THE TERROR ▸ 1.09 the c, the c, the open c

[k1ngtok1]

I want- no I NEED you to mark me up more

:)

[silna-pdf]

Interpretation of Hickey’s lack of empathy. I blame the lead

(Drawn 2022)

[beaulesbian]

THE TERROR (2018) S01E08 "Terror Camp Clear"

No doubt you made the best decision for the problem you thought you had. But, as it turns out, it was trumpery. And it its place, we've an even worse problem. You've traded an imaginary invasion from without, for a real invasion from within!

[the-gimmick-lawyers]

STOP BEING FREAKY IN FRONT OF US. UGH.

Edan coughed and looked away, with a slight blush. Don't hurt yourself, Law..

Ziah smirked, grabbing Reporters chin and pressing a quick kiss to his lips. We'll... Finish, later, hm?

THATS DISGUSTING-

My poor, innocent ears....

L-Lets just get back to the game...*his face was flushed a deep red*

mmm..okay, well Edan, your turn. Your boyfriend picked ya-

were-

"just friends" yeah, so are me and Ziahhh~ *he turned, nipping his neck playfully* aren't we?

@the-gimmick-judicial-government

(got long!!)

...

he squeaked and attempted to hide it with a cough.

...Mhm. Yup sure. Just friends.

totally....

hold on, ziah did you jus-

no.

[uhhhitsme]

agent curt mega after a mission with mi6 agent owen carvour

[brimstone-cowboy]

Eat your heart out illustration request for my friend @bilgewater01

[tins-of-mystery]

i bring a real 'cannibalising my situationship' vibe to the doomed expedition that my fellow mutineers don't really like

[noughticalcrossings]

Cornelius Hickey

What if we’re not the heroes of this story?

[transgendercastiel]

[cinematicnomad]

THE TERROR ▸ 1.10 we are gone

[susiehunsecker-remade]

love love love - the mountain goats x the terror (alt link)

[goodsirs]

The Terror 1.10 "We Are Gone"