#two months is just the beginning of this one and its wrecking all my spring plans

[crankymachine]

Ridiculous fever dream that James Hoffman made me a cup of coffee. From the conversation he'd been working on figuring out my perfect cup for quite a while. Anyway it was such good coffee I finally relaxed which immediately killed me.

[lovethoery]

pairing: nonidol!jeno + fem!reader

word count: 2.4k

warnings: smut! please read at your own risk ♡ also just very soft n fluffy for the most part. it gets a little mean at the end but it’s all consensual and discussed before hand!!! promise.

kinks: slight puppy play, mentions of pegging and strap-ons, dominant reader, submissive jeno, mommy kink, vaginal sex, established relationship, no protection (pls b safe!!), dirty talk, fingering, ♡ big dick jeno ♡, breeding (the reader says not to, but i promise they’ve talked it over and it’s actually okay), mention of pussy eating, name calling?, tummy bulging, drooling.

a/n: i have not been able to stop thinking abt subby puppy jeno... he’s just so good... im not a dom, but for jeno (and mark)? i’ll do anything. this is very much self-indulgent. no i’m not sorry.

jeno’s hips can’t help the way they fuck into your hand, eyes fluttering shut from the feeling. it’s just so good, and he hasn’t gotten his dick wet in months.

“and whose fault is that?” you coo, leaning forward to get in the boy’s face. jeno’s ears are a bright pink, chest and neck beginning to adopt the same hue. he gulps, looking down to where your fingers are wrapping around his length, working him up and down.

“m-mine...” he whispers, mouth parting open as his eyes flutter shut.

“unh-unh. eyes on me, mutt,” you order. jeno’s nothing if not obedient, though, and he opens his eyes quickly, whimpering. “do you wanna fuck mommy?” you can’t miss the way jeno’s eyes light up; it’d be impossible to miss it.

he’s pressed up against the headboard of your shared bed, shirt tossed in a corner somewhere. his jeans are unbuttoned and shoved down messily, boxers still confining most of your boyfriend’s cock. jeno looks an absolute wreck, and you can see the way the thought of being inside your pussy causes him to sink deeper into his fucked out state.

raising a hand, you brush the hair out of his face gently, jeno’s tongue brushing past his lips to wet them. your fingers itch to push past those pretty pillows and make him gag, but you figure you’d save it for later.

“yes or no, angel?”

jeno’s mouth opens wider, then closes. he looks around as if you’re baiting him, but then he speaks softly. “yes...”

“yes what, pup?” your eyes bore into his, daring him to look away when you’re practically dangling a bone in his face—something so sweet and savory. a chance he doesn’t get often.

“yes, mommy,” jeno breathes, eyes wide and borderline innocent. borderline only because you know what he’s really like—desperate, needy, trying everything in his power to keep from breaking any rules you may have set forth tonight. “please let me fuck you...”

the boy beneath you is practically vibrating from the prospect of being inside you once again. he hasn’t been allowed to fuck you as of late due to poor... technique.

“mmm...” you hum, straightening your back to sit up, taller than him; looking down on him like the mutt he is. “do you think you can do a good job? surely with how much mommy’s fucked you, you must’ve learned something, right, puppy?”

jeno whimpers, loud and high in his throat, head moving forward to rest his face in your chest. the boy mouths at your shirt, nuzzling into you. you can’t help but bring your hands to card through his hair, petting him gently. jeno is your most precious boy, after all. “oh, puppy... okay, okay... you can fuck mommy.”

moving off of his lap, you begin to pull your clothes from your body, only to be stopped by jeno. “let me, please...” always such a good boy, you think.

jeno’s fingers tremble when he brings them to the drawstring on your shorts, despite how deft and nimble they typically are. it makes you giggle, laying on your back to allow him to pull the shorts from your legs. he moves slowly, almost like he’s still unsure about it all. you coo, reaching for his wrist. you thumb over the protruding bone, reassuring in your gentle movements. he nods in understanding, spreading your your legs wide to play with your pussy, admiring the way it glistens with your essence.

a sigh slips from the both of you when jeno sinks in his middle finger, and you giggle again. jeno’s eyes snap towards you, making sure he’s doing alright before he’s wiggling the digit carefully. his thumb moves to hook onto your clit, drawing gentle circles. he’s working you up, just like you’d taught him to when you first started having sex.

you moan softly, jeno’s middle finger beginning to crook, searching for your g-spot. your back arches when he finds it, toes curling and the boy between your legs can’t help the way his tongue starts to loll out of his mouth, practically salivating at the display before him. he’s never seen something so beautiful in his entire life, and his cock throbs from where it sits half-way out of his underwear. a blurt of pre-cum spills from the tip and you grin lazily.

“and here i thought i was the only one who was wet... but you’re dripping over there, baby,” you breathe. your voice is pitched up just a little, head tilting back. you miss the way jeno’s eyes flutter shut at your words, embarrassment flooding his bones.

“can i add another finger?”

you nod at his question, praising him for being so good, remembering to ask before doing. you’ve taught him so well, how to be the best boy be can be, and jeno beams under it. he takes the permission granted to him and slips his ringer finger in next, scissoring them wide.

a whine falls from your lips, legs spreading wider as you clench around the digits. “fuck, that’s so good,” you moan, eyes moving to lock on jeno’s. you grin again, teeth on display and jeno whimpers, kissing your bent knee. moving your foot, you press it up against jeno’s cock, biting your lip in satisfaction when jeno’s hips jolt.

“hurry up, puppy. get mommy ready for your big cock so you can fuck her nice and good.”

jeno doesn’t need to be told twice, fingers beginning to speed up after adding a third, pumping in and out of you. you moan louder, head falling back against the mattress. the coil in your abdomen tightens, spring loaded and ready to snap when jeno’s thumb speeds up its circles on your bud. your hips buck up, whines falling from your mouth as you get closer and closer, falling from the edge when jeno takes initiative and gives you that fourth finger, cupping your pussy as he stretches you wide and makes you cum.

it’s with soft whines and pretty cries that you cum, back arched taut like a bowstring and jeno thinks he could cum untouched, just from the sight alone. he has, if he remembers correctly. but not right now. right now, jeno needs to be inside you.

without even thinking, jeno’s quick to pull his hands away, shoving his pants and briefs down enough for his cock to fall out, heavy and thick between his legs.

your eyes are hazy as you look up at him, still coming around from your orgasm when jeno shoves his length into you. your eyes widen, mouth falling open as he starts to thrust, eyes watering from the stretch. “f-fuck!” you cry, back arching again. it burns, but you’re too preoccupied with the pleasure that builds behind your belly button again.

four fingers are never enough when it comes to stretching you out, another reason why you prefer to fuck him, and not the other way around. that, and every time jeno gets his cock in you, it goes like this.

the boy between your legs is practically jackhammering into you, hips moving like a piston into you over and over again. his eyes are closed and his tongue hangs from his mouth, drool coating his chin. his eyes open and close, looking down at you. jeno’s so far into his own headspace, there’s nothing in his eyes but desire and a need to breed you.

“j-jen... puppy, you’ve gotta slow d-down—oh, my god...” you try, hand moving to press against his tummy. it’s damp with sweat, tensing over and over from a mix of exertion and undying pleasure. jeno, despite your pleas, shows no sign of slowing. it feels like he begins to move even faster, balls slapping against against you.

the room is filled with the sound of skin against skin, your pussy squelching loudly as it tries to adjust to jeno’s width.

he stops for a moment, moving the two of you around. jeno moves with your legs tossed over his forearms, pulling you closer and up into his lap. with your feet up in the air, you feel a little burn of shame, not used to being manhandled in this way, though you know in the back of your mind you could easily take back control if needed.

jeno seems to only get rougher, pushing back into with a one-track mind. you know that look when he looks at you again. he wants to cum inside you.

“no,” you warn, hand tangling into his hair and pulling roughly.

jeno leans forward with a cry, face burying itself in your chest, knees pressing to your chest. you groan with the stretch in your thighs and waist, but shake it off, pushing it to the back of your head when you feel soft lips pressing against the base of your throat. teeth scrape across your skin, biting down.

with your legs locked up between your bodies, you have no way of pushing jeno away. it’s not that you don’t want him to cum inside, you do. it’s just... he doesn’t deserve it for the way he broke your rules.

“m-mommy!” jeno’s voice is high pitched, breaking on the end as his thrusts slow, but grow rougher. you can feel the slick between your legs, spilling down over your ass and onto the blankets beneath you. “so g-good... wanna breed you...”

your mouth opens when jeno readjusts, cock pressing up against your walls in the best way possible, pressing up against your sweet spot every single time. your toes curl where they’re propped up in the air, your boyfriend’s body preventing you from lowering them. a cramp starts to pull somewhere in your left thigh, and you contemplate telling jeno as much but when he cries out into your chest, you don’t have it in you to stop him.

“you better pull out, mutt!” you warn him, fingers wrapping around broad shoulders and digging into his skin. pretty crescent moon shapes litter his back, deep, red scratching lining his tanned skin.

your words seem to only spur jeno on, hips picking up pace as he becomes focused on only his pleasure.

“stupid dog,” is all you’re able to get out before jeno’s hips are stuttering, cock bottoming out. the tip kisses your cervix, cum painting your walls, and your own body convulses at the feeling. you moan into the air of your bedroom, pulling jeno even closer. your tummy bulges with his cock, and jeno just has to press a clammy hand against it.

jeno stays buried deep inside you for a moment, catching his breath. he’s hiccupping a little as he tries to come back to earth from whatever pleasure-induced cloud he’d been on. your fingers move to bring jeno’s face to yours, lips pressing against one another. jeno’s tongue finds refuge against your own, and you moan into his mouth. it’s sloppy and messy, the total opposite of the jeno everyone else gets to see and it makes you clench around his softening cock.

when he pulls away, you hum, taking in the sight before you. jeno’s eyes are wide, pupils blown as he regards you like you’re the only source of water for miles and he hasn’t had a drop in days. his tongue hangs out of his mouth, panting like a dog, and his chin is covered in drool. your fingers work to clean his face, wiping against the bedsheets once you’ve done your best to work the spit away.

you gasp as jeno’s cock slips free, soft between his legs.

“hi, baby,” you whisper, a grin on your lips as you work him back to you. “can you speak yet?”

jeno swallows, eyes blinking slowly as his mouth works to form words.

“shh... you don’t have to try if you can’t. just nod if you’re feeling good enough to keep going.”

the boy between your legs keens softly, nodding a soft yes. you card your fingers through sweat-dampened hair, cooing gently, trying to show as much affection to the boy as you can before you’re yanking on the strands, growling under your breath.

jeno whines in pain, but you can feel his dick twitching against your ass.

“stupid fucking dog. you can’t listen, can you?” your voice is biting, though you mean no malice. “first, you think of only yourself when i so graciously let you fuck me. remember last time, mutt? remember why mommy hasn’t let you fuck her in months? because you do shit like this.” with another tug, jeno’s groaning, mouth opening again. your free fingers work into his pretty, swollen mouth, pressing down on his tongue. your thumb hooks under his jaw, in the divot behind his chin. forcing his mouth open, you maneuver his head so he’s unable to look anywhere but you. “and then, to make it worse, mommy told you not to cum inside her. but what do you do? you cum inside her like a stupid mutt. do you know what will happen if mommy gets pregnant?”

jeno’s eyes are filling with tears, and for a moment you become worried, but you know jeno’s smart enough to use his safe word. he has before, even when he’s gone so far into his puppy space that he’s gotten nonverbal.

“if mommy gets pregnant with your puppies,” you whisper, bringing him in close. he swallows as best as he can around your fingers. “then mommy can’t fuck you like the stupid bitch you are. and you will never get to come close to my pussy. do you understand me, mutt?”

the boy trapped between your legs nods quickly, drool spilling from around your fingers once more. you hum, digging a heel into jeno’s lower back before releasing him. jeno slumps against your chest once your legs are free as well, and your fingers move from his mouth to pet through his locks again.

“you’re lucky you’re so cute, nono.” your voice is breathy, a soft giggle in it somewhere as jeno rests his chin on your chest, looking up at you with big eyes. “god, i can’t even be mad at you.” you’re pouting down at him, moving to adjust your position. turning around, you rest up against the headboard, legs spread wide. jeno’s cum drips from your fluttering walls, between your cheek, and onto the bed sheet beneath you.

“if you wanna make it up to me, you’ll come over here and use that pretty mouth of yours to make me cum.”

jeno’s eyes light up once more and he’s immediately crawling between your legs, ready to give you the world and then some.

[heroloverangel]

Delicate

This is technically a sequel to last year’s Dad Mirio fic but can be read on its own! Everyone’s favorite Wholesome Dilf continues to live rent-free in my brain.

“I miss you soooo much,” Mirio says for the fifth time in the past twenty minutes. You give him a comforting smile from your side of the screen, you know how he feels. Your husband’s been gone for three days now helping with a disaster in Osaka, and he probably won’t be home for the rest of the week. It’s hard being married to one of Japan’s top heroes, you think to yourself. You wish you could be there with him, putting your training to good use where it’s needed, but your current assignment is too important to ignore. It’s as if he can read your mind from the other side of the country. “How’s my buddy doing?”

You smile and tilt your camera down to show off your heavy stomach. At eight months pregnant, you’re sidelined from hero work no matter what the crisis is. “He’s alright,” you confirm. “I think he’s bored without you around, though.” He lets out a little whine that’s almost heartbreaking; it’s obvious where he’d rather be right now. You take pity on him and drop the phone level with your belly to give him a better view. 

“Hey buddy,” he coos. “I promise, I’ll finish as fast as I can so I can come home to you and Mama soon.” You feel movement inside you as he talks. You don’t know how good your baby’s hearing is, especially through the video chat, but you’re sure that he’s reacting to his father’s familiar voice. “I can’t wait to get back and feel how strong you’re kicking in there. I bet you’re driving Mama crazy!” You relax further into your pillows and let him babble on to your bump about his day saving civilians and clearing out rubble, only a little lonely when you look over at the empty half of your bed. You really do miss him, your house is far too quiet and calm without his usual energy filling it.

You yawn after a few more minutes and glance at the time. “Sorry, it’s getting kinda late. Would you mind if we called it a night for now?”

He smiles, but you can tell that he’s trying to hide his disappointment. “No problem, I know you need your sleep. We’ll talk again tomorrow, okay?” You agree and tell your husband you love him before hanging up the phone and settling in for bed. You’re tired, but you’ve gotten too comfortable with him sleeping beside you and it takes awhile to fall asleep on your own.

You spend the next morning balancing your laptop over your swollen belly while you browse through maternity clothes. There’s a local shop that promises same-day delivery, and you treat yourself to a few things for your last month. You read through your email, a magazine wants a quick interview for an article about hero families and you’re happy to answer their questions. It’s hard to move too much in your condition, but you make sure to do the prenatal exercises your doctor recommended and then have a nice long shower. Your new clothes arrive and you leave them on the dresser for now while you eat lunch and call your family. It still seems too quiet in the house without Mirio, and you’re getting bored when your phone finally rings and your face lights up at his name.

“Hey sweetheart! I’ve got a surprise for you!”

You can hear the smile in his voice and it warms your heart. “Is it dinner? I think somebody in here’s really craving steak tonight.”

He laughs. “You’ll see. Just have a seat on the couch and close your eyes for a second, okay?”

This isn’t the weirdest thing he’s requested over the phone, and you obey. “Alright, they’re closed. What are you planning, Lemillion?”

“You can open your eyes in three...two...one…” his voice disappears from the phone, all you hear is the background noise of birds chirping.

“Mirio?” Your eyes are still closed.

“SURPRISE!” 

You jump in shock and drop your phone, your eyes flying open. He’s standing in front of you with the biggest grin on his face, completely naked. It takes you a second to realize he must have phased through the front door to surprise you. You struggle to stand but fail, and he has to pull you up himself into his arms for a deep kiss. “You’re home early! How’d you manage that?”

“The others knew how much I wanted to get home, with you being pregnant and all, and everybody worked extra hard to cover for me so I could leave first.” You owe every single one of them a thank you gift. “Boy, that Uravity is amazing with rescue work!” Oh, you owe her twice as much after this.

“I’m glad you’re home,” you sigh happily. Your husband drops to his knees in front of you and pushes your shirt up to kiss your stomach, rubbing his hand where he feels a faint kick.

“Me too. I missed our family so much.” His arms wrap around you and he rests his head against your middle. You run your fingers through his hair, both of you taking a minute to relish your little reunion. It’s only been a few days, but it was more than enough to make you homesick for each other.

He stands back up after a bit and you head for the hallway. “You should go grab your phone off the porch and take a shower. I’ve got a bit of a surprise for you too, when you’re done.” He’s happy to obey and you follow him down the hall, pausing at the front door then into the bedroom. You wait for the bathroom door to shut and then spring into action as fast as you can. You clothes come off; you kick them under the bed instead of wasting precious time trying to pick them off the floor. 

You reach for the new clothes on the dresser and find the outfit you’d picked for his welcome home gift. The bra is made out of soft white lace so flimsy it looks like it’ll tear if you breathe too hard. It ties closed with a ribbon in the front and your clumsy fingers finally form a decent bow on the third try. A skirt attaches beneath the cups and just skims your thighs, the two halves of it parted to show off your obvious pregnancy. You’re lucky that the matching underwear ties on the sides with more ribbon; you’re not sure you’d be able to get them on without five minutes of struggling if you had to step into them. 

You look at yourself in the mirror and adjust the skirt of your lingerie. Despite the sheer fabric leaving little to the imagination, you look sweet. Innocent. Delicate. A grin spreads across your face; it’s perfect.

You get dressed just in time; you hear the shower turn off and the door opens a second later. “There, all clean and-” Mirio freezes at the sight of you and you see his fingers twitch against the towel wrapped around his waist. “Oh, wow. You look...just, wow.” He’s crossed the room faster than you can react, strong arms wrapping you in a tight, warm hug. “You’re so gorgeous like this, babe.”

You lean into his body; you’ve missed this while he was gone. “Well, it’ll be awhile before we can do this again. I figured we should really enjoy ourselves while we still can.” He nods and gives you a surprisingly gentle kiss. You can tell he’s holding back his strength for your benefit and the knowledge makes your heart flutter.

Mirio recovers from his surprise quickly and returns to his usual unstoppable energy. “I’m gonna make you feel so good, I promise!” His bigger hand is warm around yours as he guides you to your bed, losing his towel in the process. You don’t hide your staring; his body is gorgeous after so many years of training and you could look at him for hours. He sits back against the headboard and carefully brings you with him to straddle his lap, and you feel his cock already growing hard against your thigh. “We’ll take it easy,” he promises. “I know we have to be a little more gentle now since you’re so big-” You stare down at Mirio silently, but he continues. “What? You are big, that’s a good thing. You’re growing our baby in there, he needs all that room!” You just shake your head; you can’t really feel annoyed when he’s this sweet.

He looks up at you with pure affection written all over his face and leans into your touch as you run your fingers through his damp hair. “How can you be this buff and this adorable?” It’s not the first time you’ve asked as much, and every time he laughs you off with a faint blush on his cheeks. You lean in for another kiss while his hands move from your hips over your ribs to the front of your slip.

“This is so pretty, you should keep it on.” He gives your chest a squeeze and you whine, too sensitive from the hormones wrecking havoc on your body. You knew your breasts were going to get bigger, but they’ve turned out to be overachievers and you’ve jumped up two cup sizes already. “They’re still really sore, huh?” You nod and he offers you a comforting smile as he plays with the bow before finally tugging it open. Your nipples are already hard, and you don’t miss how he licks his lips when his thumb brushes over one. “I could help you with that, if you want.”

“Mirio…” You love your husband and all his enthusiasm, but you’re well aware that he can be a little too eager and get carried away. He’s being careful now as his fingers trace against your warm skin, his touch barely teasing you. He pulls you closer; you can feel the smile on his lips as he leans into your neck. He follows your pulse, down your collarbone to leave kisses at the swell of your breast and you sigh. “Okay,” you agree. “Just remember to-”

“I know, be gentle. Don’t worry babe, I’m gonna take good care of you.” He pushes your lingerie out of the way to get a better view at your heavy chest and appreciates the sight of it. “Man, our kid’s not gonna be lacking on calcium, is he?”

“I love you, please stop talking.” He laughs but obeys, his tongue flicking over your nipple and making you squirm in his arms. He does it a few times and you let out a little gasp when he takes you into his mouth. “Go easy,” you remind him, but he’s already distracted with his task. You asked your doctor about doing this before and were told it was perfectly fine, but you can’t quite shake the thought that it’s a little weird as Mirio begins to suck at your tender nipple.

You’ve tried this before, but every time he’s been too rough in his excitement and you’ve had to yank his head away from you in pain. Tonight though, he’s trying his best and after a few seconds of discomfort there’s an unfamiliar tingle deep in your breast as your body responds to his stimulation. “It feels weird,” you groan, but your fingers thread into his hair so he won’t pull away. “It’s not bad, just weird.” You’re not entirely sure you like what he’s doing, but you’re willing to continue until you figure it out. His tongue brushes over you with a slightly different motion, and something in you clicks into place. “Can you do that again? I think I liked that.”

His laughter is muffled but still obvious and you can feel the smile against your skin. Mirio’s happy to assist, one strong hand settling on your back to keep you steady. It wasn’t a mistake; he repeats his movements and you realize that it feels good. It feels really good, you have to admit, as his eyes slip closed so he can focus entirely on pleasing you like this. You hold him tight to your body, fingers running through his messy hair while you enjoy the affection so happily given. You’re still sensitive though, and after a few more minutes you start to get overwhelmed and have to pull him away.

“It tastes good.” His grin is huge as he licks his lips. “It’s sweet, just like the rest of you.” You’d roll your eyes if he wasn’t so cute. He gives your breast a gentle squeeze and earns another whimper from you, then turns his attention to the other one. “Don’t want this side feeling left out, right? Lucky I’m here to take care of everything!” Your heart skips a beat, you’re so in love with this silly, wonderful idiot. You don’t get a chance to respond, once his mouth is back on you it’s hard to do anything besides pant and whine for him.

You squirm against him, his dick pressing against your thigh and your panties doing very little to hide how much you’re loving this. “Miriooo,” you moan, and the look in his eyes is nothing but pure happiness that makes you melt. “You always take good care of me,” you coo, reaching down to stroke his cock lightly. “You’re so good to me, honey.” He pulls you closer and releases your chest to look up and meet your eyes.

“Babe, I’m just giving you what you deserve. You’re literally making a brand new, little person in there. If that’s not worth being extra nice, I don’t know what is.” He really has no idea how perfect he is. His thumb brushes over your nipple and your body is so sensitive now it makes you shudder. “Alright now?”

You stop for a second to consider. Your breasts do feel a bit lighter, there’s less pressure weighing down on you after his help. “Yeah, thanks. You’re the best, really.”

He brushes off your compliment in favor of pulling at the strings holding your underwear together. “Just doing my job, miss.” He groans at the sight of you fully naked and traces a finger along the lips of your cunt. You hadn’t noticed just how wet you were getting as he’d worked on your nipples, but now two of his fingers slip inside you with no effort. “I love you so much,” he says with another kiss.

You buck into his hand mindlessly, too eager for his touch after only a few days. You want to hold off and come with his dick buried inside you, but you can’t deny yourself when you’re this needy already. “I want it,” you whine pitifully.

His other hand gives your hip a reassuring squeeze. “I know, baby. You can have whatever you want, just tell me.” His thumb swirls over your clit and he doesn’t miss the jolt that runs down your body. “Right there, huh? My pretty little wife wants me to make her come?” His smirk is playful and there’s a glint of mischief in those friendly eyes.

“Mirio, please.” Hearing him talk like that does something to you and you hide your face in the crook of his neck.

His hand moves faster and your pussy clenches tight around his fingers. “It’s alright, I’ve got you. Just let yourself go for me.” His voice is so warm and soothing, you can’t resist. Your orgasm is marked with desperate whispers in his ear as his hand moves gently between your thighs to urge you on. “That’s it, honey. You’re so good, I want more of you.”

It takes you a minute to calm down before you’re able to pry your sweaty face away from his shoulder. His fingers leave you aching to be filled again, and you swallow hard when you watch him bring them to his mouth to lick them clean. 

“That’s my girl,” he smiles like the sun and you look away, almost embarrassed by the affection between you two. You can’t see anything past your swollen belly, but you can feel his thick cock ready for a turn. “Are you up for more? It’s fine if you need to wait-”

You fumble blindly for his cock until the tip presses just outside your cunt. “I want you inside me. Here, Mirio. Your pretty little wife wants to make you come.” The blush spreading across his face at your words is a special reward of its own. His hips thrust upward to enter you while he slowly pulls you down to meet him, and your mouth falls open in a long moan. “Fuck, Mirio. We’ll have to wait a couple weeks after he’s born and it’s gonna suck so bad.”

He hasn’t put much thought into this fact and you can practically see the gears in his head turning. “Well then, I guess we’d better make it count while we still have the chance,” he says finally. He’s always so much stronger than you, even when you’re not in such a delicate condition, and easily sets a steady pace moving you up and down his dick. You cling to his shoulders to steady yourself as you ride him, pressing your tongue into hs mouth to devour his sounds. This may be the peak of happiness, with your sweet husband pounding away inside your excited pussy, showering you with compliments about how great you are and how perfect your little family is going to be. “And once he gets a little older, we can start working on his siblings!”

Your hips falter in their rhythm at the suggestion. “S-siblings? Already?”

He grins back at you. “Of course! We need five or six, at least!”

“Five or six…” you repeat, suddenly distracted by the thought of doing this another half-dozen times. You don’t know why you’re surprised, it’d be more of a shock if he didn’t have infinite love to share. The idea doesn’t bother you, and you find yourself returning his smile with a smirk of your own. “You really wanna fill me up that much, Lemillion?”

You’re not expecting his thrusts to speed up so much or for him to pull you down so hard you’re gasping for air. “God, babe. So much. I think about it like, all the time now. You have no idea.” He stops to kiss you again, and your cunt squeezes hard around him. “I can take more time off of work,” Mirio insists mindlessly, getting far too ahead of himself. “I bet I can hold so many babies at once.”

You laugh, he’s so ridiculous sometimes. “Let’s just focus on this one for awhile, okay?” He nods, trailing his lips down your throat to feel how fast your pulse is racing for him. You can feel another orgasm building, and that he isn’t far behind. You were only apart for three days but it seems like far too long. “You’re really, really the best.”

He cups your sweaty face in one hand, the look in his eyes so soft and loving it takes your breath away. There aren’t enough words to describe how much you love him right now, and clearly it’s the same for him. Wordlessly he releases you and drags his hand down your body, stopping to tweak your nipples and making you cry out. His fingers drop to rub firmly against your clit, and your back goes rigid. “Miri-ohh. Just like that, I’m gonna...there, fuck.” You clamp down hard on his cock with a loud moan and he holds you tight, supporting your overworked body while you come. “Here,” your voice is ragged. “Your turn, I know you’re dying to come inside me.”

“You’re amazing, honey.” That last compliment is all he gets out before his pace goes sloppy and you feel him flooding your pussy with a low groan. “You’re so amazing.” 

You cling to him while he gradually wears himself out and stay wrapped up in his arms for the next few minutes. Eventually, there’s a firm kick in your belly that informs you that someone noticed all your movement and he’s not happy about it. Both of you laugh as you separate; you flop down on the bed while Mirio cleans you up and finds you a comfy, oversized shirt and fresh panties to wear. It’s still fairly early, and you won’t be tired enough to sleep for a few hours.

“Now that was a welcome home gift. You should just wear that around the house until you have the baby, it looks really great on you.”

You ruffle his messy hair. “I don’t think it would survive the entire month around you,” you tease. You stretch your arms above your head and feel a grumble in your stomach. “So, the surprise wasn’t steak for dinner tonight?”

He’s in too good of a mood to even think of denying you. “It is now!” He’s already fumbling for his phone to look up menus. “Whatever you wanna eat, just say the word!”

Sometimes you wonder how you ever got so lucky.

[lilith-of-rivia]

The Witcher's Healer (GeraltXfemaleWitch!reader)

Master List

Trigger Warnings: None

Pairing: (GeraltXfemaleWitch!reader)

Word Count: 2,539

The morning was quiet as you left the warmth of your small cottage. The sun had barely risen. Frost thick on the grass, as it crunched under your feet. The fall was deepening, winter not too far behind it. The empty water bucket hung lazily from your arm as you walked in silence to the river, Poe your guard dog in toe. The cool breeze chilled you to your bone, making you pull your wool sweater closer to your body. The river got louder as you approached, the water clear. It was very low this time of year, the snow on the mountains nearly gone as the summer came to its end.

Poe splashed recklessly around the water near the bank as you filled the bucket you had, glancing around looking at the fall greenery that was in need of picking. You grabbed the shears from the pocket of your skirt, leaving the bucket on the bank, and walked around, plucking, pulling, and cutting the foliage, putting them in your pockets. The season for growing was coming to an end, meaning your little herb and veggie garden had to be harvested, tilled, and re-seeded for next spring. A lot of work, but being a healing mage in the middle of nowhere far from any town meant fending for yourself. Most of the time at least.

The door to the house shut behind you, Poe sitting on the rug in front of the fireplace, warming his cold toes. You poured the bucket of water into the kettle over the fire, waiting for it to boil while you went to the small kitchen in your cottage. The sun was now coming up over the mountains, shining brightly through the window onto your cold cheeks. You plucked and pulled at the greenery, hanging bundles over the fire to dry. The day’s chores only grew as the sun got higher in the sky. From feeding Poe to checking snares in the woods behind your house. Thankfully you had been lucky, catching multiple rabbits and even a deer. The process of butchering, cleaning the hide, and smoking the meets would take nearly the rest of the day.

You walked back inside after checking the box in the ground that you had built to smoke meats and keep animals away, the hides now tanning on a rack outside the house. You walked over to the basin by your bed, washing the blood off your hands and forearms. Glancing over to your bed you saw the tick marks. Today marked 397 days. 397 days since you last saw your love. Since he kissed you goodbye, said he’d be back in a year or less. He was thirty days late. He had never been late, in your nearly 50 years of tending both physically and emotionally to him, he had never been late. It made your stomach ache. You would never know if he was dead or not, his line of work being increasingly more dangerous than your own.

“What if he doesn’t come back?” You whispered to yourself, tears threatening to spill down your face. If your love did not return, you had no idea what you would do. Your heart said you wouldn’t make it on this earth without him. Being a mage meant immortality. An immortal life without him was not something you wanted.

You walked back outside, the warm sun hitting your face as you walked into your gated garden, basket in hand. You began plucking and pulling herbs off their bushes, tying them in bundles before putting them in the basket. In a couple of hours, you were done harvesting. Your growth this year had been plentiful, thanks in large to the bag of manure your love had brought to you at the beginning of the season.

Carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, cabbage, onions, cucumbers, three large squash, and all the blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries you could eat. After taking multiple trips, everything from your year of tending, growing, watering, was on the table in the center of the room. After bagging all the root vegetables into mesh bags and storing them in your cellar you moved onto canning and preserving your fruits. The cans went onto the shelves in the cellar along with countless other jars of fruits from the rest of the season.

“I miss him so much.” You said as you looked from the newly cleaned table to Poe. he was laying on the couch now, his head tilting as you spoke almost as he understood you. Your body started to shake with sobs, your mind racing with what could’ve happened to your Witcher. You heard Poe Jump off the couch, soon his tongue was licking your hand softly as he whined at you. You looked down at him through clouded eyes, his ears were back. You started to pet him, his head pushing into your leg as he cuddled into you attempting to stop you from crying.

“I missed you more my love.” Your head snapped up to the door of your home, the fire lighting up his face in the dark of the night. He stood there, tall, hair a mess, his eyes were sunken in. he had two packs on his shoulders, his swords on his back. You could see the pain in his leg as he winced to put down his belongings. You could hear Roach outside, munching on grass happy her travels were over for a while.

“Oh, Geralt…” Your voice cracked as you cried more, his heart broke at the sight in front of him. You looked disheveled, face sunken in, bags under your eyes.

“Come here, my love.” His arms opened after he shut the door. Before you could move Poe was at his feet, his tail wagging so hard his entire body was shaking. He gently jumped up whining softly at him. Geralt chuckled softly, his hands petting the dog’s head, scratching behind his ears.

“I missed you too, but I need to see your mum” He gently pushed Poe off him, took two large strides, and wrapped his muscular arms around you. Your arms wrapped around him, hands gripping his shirt tightly.

“You’re late…” You whispered into his shirt, his hands stroking your back.

“I know….I’m so sorry.” His warm lips were on your forehead as he caressed your back.

“I thought you were dead…” His hands came up and cupped your face pulling you back so you could look at him. His fingers softly brushed your tears away. No one else on the planet saw this side of your witcher. Only you. With you he was soft, loving, caring. He smiled and laughed all the time. He was everything to you, and you to him.

“Nothing on this continent will ever keep me from coming back to you, dove.” his lips softly pressed to yours, it was soft, sweet. Everything in your body yurned for him. Your hands gently held onto his arms as the kiss deepened.

He pulled away too soon for your liking, making you open your eyes. His eyes were looking over your body. You knew how wrecked you looked. You hadn’t been eating or sleeping regularly. You had lost weight and it was showing. The only thing you could do to keep yourself from crying throughout the day was keeping busy. So you occupied yourself from dusk till dawn, many days only eating some bread with some form of fruit. Not nearly enough for the chores around your household. He dipped his head down, hand cupping your jaw tilting your head to the side. You felt his lips linger over your neck as he inhaled your scent deeply. You could almost see his stress melt away.

“Are you hurt?” You asked. Your hands gently pushed him back as you untied his tunic, ready to heal anything that needed your magic touch.

“Not too bad, nothing I haven’t dealt with before.” You gently removed his shirt, fingers gliding over the newer cuts along his sides and arms.

“Sit down, I’ll go mix the herbs and prepare a stew for you, my love.” You whispered, meeting his eyes. He shook his head and kissed you.

“You have not been taking care of yourself, dove. Let me help.” with a sigh you nodded.

“Go grab some potatoes, carrots, and onions from the seller. I have cured meats in the hatch outside if you’d like to grab some of that as well.” He nodded kissing your head before walking outside to gather the meats first.

You walked into the kitchen, putting a large pot over the fire, and grabbing a bread pan. You quickly mixed some flour and water with a few eggs and rosemary before placing it into the bread pan, placing it into the cast iron stove next to the fire. You grabbed the small hatchet by your wood piled to cut some kindling. Just as you were about to kneel to start the fire, Geralt grabbed your shoulders, lifting you. His hand took the hatchet as he kissed your cheek.

“I’ve got this, dove.” He whispered, steering you in the direction of your herbs. You smiled at him, your heart leaping.

After months without him, it was a breath of fresh air to have him in your home again. His sent clouded your mind as you chopped up the veg, placing it into the cast iron pot with some water and other herbs and seasonings from your cabinets. Once the meet was in the pot you covered it letting it simmer. Geralt had the fire in the oven started, bread in, and had gone back outside to chop some more firewood for the night.

You watched from the window, he was still shirtless even with the cooler temperatures, his witcher blood keeping him warm. You admired how he moved, every muscle contracting in his arms and back as he swung the ax, splitting the logs. You were grateful you wouldn’t have to do that with him home. You were grateful to have him back in arms reach.

“I got you something on the road.” Geralt said as he watched you from his place at the table, his swords in hand as he sharpened and polished them. You were pouring the stew into bowls and cutting the bread. You placed one down in front of him, lightly kissing his forehead as you sat.

“You didn’t have to do that my love.” He smiled and handed you a bag.

You pulled out the contents, your eyes widening. Inside was a beautiful black fur cloak. It was incredibly thick, made from wool and wolf’s fur. It was by far the most luxurious piece of clothing you’d ever owned. Under the cloak was a knitted wool sweater. It was green, brand new.

“Geralt….these must’ve cost a fortune you didn’t have to.” You looked at him with a smile as he ate.

“I know I didn’t have to (Y/N), but you never spend money on yourself, and you’ve been taking care of me for years. It’s no ring, but it’s better than a ring I believe. More practical. And besides your cloak and sweaters are so old, they hardly keep you warm.” He said with a smile, one eyebrow cocked at your slight confusion.

“What ring are you speaking of Geralt?” You asked as you admired the cloak. Your hands brushing through the fur.

“We’ve been together for more than half a century love. You are my wife. We may have never gotten married and I may have not asked you outright. But when women approach me in taverns when I’m away my response is always; “no because my wife is waiting for me at home”.” Your heart raced in your chest, your face was warm and you felt like crying in the best way. You had always thought of Geralt as your husband. He never asked you properly to marry him, but you never pushed, understanding that his trials and mutations had made it hard for him to express his emotions, in fear of the loss and suffering he may endure. But hearing him call you his wife, made you happier than you ever thought was possible.

“Geralt of Rivia, are you trying to ask me something?” You asked with a smile spread across your face. He returned the smile, rolling his eyes playfully as he reached across the table grabbing your hand.

“My dearest (Y/N), will you do me the honor of being my wife?” In an instant, you were in his lap kissing his face all over, not leaving an inch unkissed.

“Yes of course.” His arms circled your waist as he kissed you deeply, holding your body closer to him.

“I love you so much.” You whispered into the kiss. He smiled into your lips, fingers tightening around your waist.

“I love you, my dear.” He pulled you back, leaning over and pulling your chair closer to his. He placed you in your chair and stood up, hanging your cloak and sweater on the wall, before sliding the bowl of stew and bread over.

“Eat.” You listened, eating the stew as you watched him, tidy up the kitchen. Knowing exactly where everything was put.

“Anything exciting happens while you were away?” You asked in-between a bite. He nervously scratched his neck, placing garlic into its hanging basket.

“I went to a very important party for Queen Calanthe’s daughter. Uhm, got a very interesting gift out of it. Not really a gift, a cures more like.” You could sense his frustration, making you worry.

“Geralt, tell me what happened.”

“It was so stupid, all I did was saved a poor knight from being slaughtered because he was cursed, no monster. But the stupid curse broke all because I saved him. So he and Pavetta insisted I take something. Because I’m so stupid I jokingly claimed the law of surprise. I don’t even fucking believe in destiny. You know that. Yet here I am, stuck with a princess’s unborn fucking child.” His hand slammed into the wall as he finished his rant, his chest heaving up with frustration. You pondered his words, thinking over them. A child surprise was a big deal, but nothing you couldn’t handle.

“That’s why I was late, I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want to burden you with a fucking child.” You stood from your seat, walking to him, cupping his cheeks making him look at you.

“Geralt, there is nothing in this world we cannot conquer together. You need me as much as I need you. Nothing will drive me away. Unless I catch you with some whore, then you better hope I never find you.” You said the last part with a chuckle. He leaned into your hand. Kissing your wrist.

“What did I do to deserve you?” He asked as he held you close to him.

“From my recollection, you saved me from a Kikimora while I was hunting.” He smiled and kissed you softly.

“Are you sure we can do this?” He asked, closing his eyes, pressing his forehead to yours.

“We can do it, my love. As long as we are together.”

“Together, forever.”

[inkandpen22]

Years of Waiting

Pairing: Edmund Pevensie x Female!Reader

Warnings: None

Word count: 1.5k

Summary: Y/N is a princess visiting from another kingdom. She and Edmund have been secretly seeing each other for a while.

A/N: Possible mini-series??? Let me know! Happy to be back btw! 

Masterlist

It has been months since I’ve paid a visit to Narnia. I’ve missed its beaches, miles wide forests, rushing clearwater rivers, and most importantly its King. Though, I don’t tell many people of that last one... My father, the King of the Southern Isles, has sent me to act as an envoy. Our two kingdoms have to renew our centuries-old treaty, a job that may take months of negotiations. As the future ruler of the Isles, my father thought this would be good practice for me. In my mind, this trip gives me an excuse to spend some time with one particular Pevensie. In the letters exchanged between High King Peter and my father, Peter placed Edmund in charge of this task. Currently, the High King is occupied with some business in the north, something to do with giants. When I heard the news, I wasn’t exactly disappointed.

“Her Royal Highness, Princess Y/N of the Southern Isles,” the guard announces once we enter the grand throne room.

My eyes immediately land on King Edmund sitting on his throne surrounded by three empty ones. When he hears us coming, he rises from his seat with a gleaming smile. I curtsy to His Majesty once we’re at the foot of the steps leading up to the thrones.

“Your Majesty,” I greet with a grin.

“Princess Y/N,” Edmund strolls down the stairs. As I rise from my position, he takes my hand and brings it to his lips for a kiss. “Always a pleasure, he charms.

“The pleasure is all mine, Sir,” I flirt subtly as there are many eyes on us. “We shall host a feast tonight in honor of your arrival. Before then, I was hoping to lead you on a ride along the shores,” he offers.

“I would be delighted.” I accept, much to his pleasure. ___________________________ The first time we met Edmund was sixteen and I was fourteen. Now, I’m about to turn eighteen which will make me old enough to take my father’s place as ruler of the Southern Isles. Most importantly, my birthday means I’m old enough to marry. When the time comes my parents are hoping I marry a warrior or lord from our kingdom. The thought of marrying has been lingering over my head like a dark cloud considering I’m already in love with someone. One problem though, he’s a Narnian.

After a lovely ride through the wood and along the coast, Edmund and I stop by the far caves, away from the prying eyes of Cair Paravel. Edmund slips down from Philip and helps me off my horse as well.

“Let’s go for a swim!” He suggests enthusiastically, switching his sight between me and the ocean.

Already thinking ahead of him, I start to untie the laces of my dress. He chuckles and quickly joins in undressing, starting with kicking off his boots. After some scrambling, I’m dressed down to my chemise. I beat him to it and race toward the waves.

“Come on slowpoke!” I giggle as I turn back to see Edmund rushing. “Mr. Beaver moves faster than you!”

“Maybe when he’s swimming! I have him beat in walking considering he waddles!” He defends as he finishes up tossing his shirt to the sand and sprints toward me.

Immediately, Edmund picks me up, tossing me over his shoulder. I yelp as he playfully tosses me into deeper waters. The cool water encompasses me and I push off the sandy floor to the surface. I splash in Edmund’s direction and he attempts to dodge it but gets a direct hit to the face. He squeezes his eyes shut and wipes his face clear.

“Oh, you’re going to get it now!” He laughs, diving into the water to reach me.

I squeal and try to swim in the opposite direction. I stand no chance as I feel Edmund’s hand wrap around my ankle and yank me back to him. Water rushes around me in minor ripples as Edmund pulls me toward his chest. I drape my arms over his shoulder and he guides my legs around his waist. Mere inches from each other, our faces linger. His warm breath falls between his parted lips as we stare into each other’s eyes.

“God, I’ve missed you,” he mutters as his hand brushes across my cheek.

“I missed you more,” I challenge playfully.

He shakes his head gently and mumbles, “that’s impossible.”

Gently, he tucks his hand behind my head and brings our lips together for a soft kiss. Our first kiss since we saw each other almost a year ago at the Spring Festival. We’ve been in love since we were kids, yet our relationship has remained a secret for years now. Hidden kisses, secret nights out, discreet letters back and forth, it’s all we have. Whenever we’re in the same land we do everything we can to spend even minutes together alone. __________________________________________________ Spending the day on the beach has been perfect. As the sun starts to think about setting, Edmund and I continue to lay on the sand hand-in-hand to soak up the last minutes of sunlight.

“Let’s just skip the ball and stay here,” he suggests while relaxing beside me.

“We can’t, people will wonder where we are,” I responsibly consider.

“Let them.” He dismisses casually with a snicker as he brings our interlocked hands to his lips to plant a kiss on mine.

“They’ll assume we’re together!” I reason, flicking my head to the side to see his face.

“So?” He follows my actions and opens his eyes. “We are together...”

“Without a chaperone! My honor would be wrecked,” I remind him of that crucial detail.

“I think your honor was sort of shot too high Heaven after my last visit to the Southern Isles, don’t you think?” He snickers mischievously.

I gasp, swatting Edmund on the arm. “Ugh, seriously?!”

“Right, right, sorry,” he holds up his hands in surrender, but I can see the amusement in his eyes.

I huff, settling back down into my comfortable position.

He sighs in frustration, turning his eyes back to the sky above us. “I wish people knew about us. It would make everything easier.”

“All in good time,” I assure him calmly.

“Why must we wait?” He groans, despite knowing why.

“There’s protocol and-”

“Ugh, I’m so tired of formalities!” He huffs, sitting up from his laid position. “I’m the King of Narnia for goodness sake! I should make the rules!”

“You do,” I remind him confidently. “But you’re not the King of the Southern Isles. Peter may agree to us but my father...”

“Remember that time we snuck off after the council dinner two years ago?” Edmund recalls out of the blue. “You left hickeys all down my chest and I told Peter I had a bad duel training session,” he snickers as he admires the warm color palette of a sky.

I sigh, his mind sometimes makes me blush. “Ed this isn’t exactly-”

“Don’t you wish we could do that again,” he flickers his attention over to me with a grin.

I think of that night all the time. It was the first time we... never mind. “Well... I mean...” I stammer. “Yes but-”

Edmund doesn’t hesitate as he shifts to straddle me. In a swift movement, he takes my wrists and pins them down onto the side on either side of my head. A playful grin is etched across his lips as a soft chuckle escapes them. He laughs like a child but his actions are anything but childish as he starts to kiss my neck hungrily.

“No, Ed!” I giggle. “Stop it!”

“Only when you say the magic words,” he counters.

We’ve done it a million times before. I love this Edmund, the goofy and playful sort. Anytime we do anything somewhat competitive like riding or archery, we end up just like this. It’s all in good fun of course. One thing Edmund will never let me do is dual with him. He says ‘you’ll get hurt.’ As though my father doesn’t have me in training back home as a precaution.

“Say it! Say I’m the better rider!” He demands, continuing his assault.

“No, Philip is just the quicker horse!” I tease, wiggling in his hold.

“Say it!” Edmund repeats.

“No! I’ve been riding longer than you, remember?” I giggle.

“Marry me,” Edmund blurts out against my neck.

I stop wiggling as my chest sinks. Edmund rises from his hunched-over position to hover over me.

“Marry me, Y/N,” he repeats so gently that it nearly gets lost in the breeze.

He stares me in the eyes with such intensity, almost as though he didn’t mean to say it, as though it slipped out. Yet, now that he has said it, he awaits my answer.

“Yes,” I mutter with a hint of shakiness.

His eyes widen with surprise. “Really?! Truly, you’ll marry me?!” His grip around my wrist tightens slightly.

“Yes!” I giggle with joy.

He shares in my joy and leans down to plant a passionate kiss on my lips.

“Heavens, I love you so much!” He mumbles against my lips.

“I love you more!” I smile into the kiss.

Now, all we have to do is tell the others... that’s where the real trouble begins.

_______________________

Masterlist

[silvercrystalwhump]

Weddings and Wrecking Balls

TW: Owen Grant and everything that he entails, implied noncon, fear response to previous abuser,

Vincent Shield and Owen Grant belong to @ashintheairlikesnow

Tag List: @whumptywhumpdump

_

Vincent’s fingers run idly over the velvet seating of his limousine. Celebrity weddings are almost a yearly obligation of his to attend. Like clockwork, as spring rears its head a pair of camera-cooing stars drink until they forget about the temporary marriage they just created. To his disapproval, Vincent is expected to attend these events. His Publicist tries to get him in every photo, dance, and tabloid on the event as he could.

Today, however, is different.

Vincent looks up at Dmitri who sits across from him. Adorned in a pink suit and black tie that was a result of compromise.

“I’m still wondering how you managed to convince me to let you do that,” Vincent sighs as he takes a sip of water.

Dmitri, looking at Vincent, chuckles, “What? Getting the flamingo pattern for the inner lining of this suit. The only people that are going to see it are me and maybe you. Plus, MawMaw found it charming.”

“You are my plus one to the wedding of a world renowned fashion designer and an actress known for modeling,” Vincent says as he messes with the cuff of his suit jacket, “Please don’t tell anyone that you did that.”

“Oh please Vee, I look good in everything.”

Vincent rolls his eyes. The only reason he was comfortable with bringing him along is that Luis refused to have any paparazzi at the event. Only one of his photographers would be taking photos of the event and she would be glued to the married couple.

“I’m surprised you managed to get on good terms with Mary Anne,” Vincent says as he glances out the window, “In only a few minutes of conversation and she speaks the world of you.��

Dmitri gives Vincent a smile only he can give, “What can I say, people just love me.”

Vincent returns with a shrug and fusses a bit with his vest, “So do I.”

Dmitri smiles, “Calm Down Vee, your suit looks fine. We’re almost there and I doubt anything will go wrong since the love birds shooed off the cameras.”

He adjusts his tie for the fifth time since they left his house, running a finger over the purple and gold fabric. “I know, I wouldn’t have bought you if I wasn't certain.”

Dmitri reaches forward and takes one of Vincent’s hands. Pulling it away from him, Dmitri gives him a small kiss on the knuckles, “It’s gonna be okay Vee.” He squeezes the hand before letting it go.

Vincent nods just as the venue pulls into view. There are not the swarms of cameras that usually sit outside of these places. He puts the invitation in his hand and feels the car roll to a stop.

Dmitri gives Vincent a final smile before stepping out of the limousine. Vincent, throwing on his acting face, follows after.

The venue is relatively small compared to previous weddings he had attended in the past. It had a bit of charm about it that gave the place a welcome feel. Vincent flashes the invite to the doormen and they enter. Purple sashes and soft fairy lights draped from white columns and soft music plays in the background. People are already talking near the doors to the Procession.

“Vincent!” one of his costars and ex (sort of) walks towards them. Estelle, an actress with as much prestige as Vincent, if not more, steps up to them. “It's good to see you, who’s this?”

“Estelle this is Dmitri, Dmitri this is Estelle,” Vincent introduces the two.

“It's good to meet you,” Estelle smiles back.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Dmitri says, “If I may ask, aren’t you two-”

“Publicist reasons,” Estelle and Vincent say in unison, “Nothing personal.”

“Ah,” Dmitri nods, “I assumed as such.”

Estelle shakes her head, “Unless they disguise each other just assume that those breakups were for appessing paparazzi means.”

“That makes sense,” Dmitri says as his eyes scan the crowd.

Vincent looks up at the clock, 4:51. The Procession starts in about 10 minutes thankfully.

“Hey Vincent,” Estelle says, ripping Vincent out of LaLa land, “Were you here for Coriane and Anthony’s wedding last October?”

A laugh bubbles out of Vincent’s throat, “Of course, I had to send him four suits before I got approved for the obnoxious dress code.”

Dmitri chuckles, “Anthony McKay? Didn’t he divorce her within two months of that marriage?”

Estelle nods, “Here’s an interesting trend for you, the stricter the dress code at a celebrity wedding the shorter the marriage will last.”

Vincent shrugs, eyes dashing between the conversation and the door, “That was an explosive divorce.”

Dmitri and Estelle begin to talk and their voices slowly fade as Vincent zones out. His eyes unfocus and the lights seem to sparkle and twirl around in his vision. For a moment, he slinks into the background, enjoying the mindless chatter of those around him.

It’s nice.

“Question Vince,” Estelle stays drawing him back to reality, “How is that new show going? You haven’t committed to a show since you moved to your company now?”

“Oh you know…” Vincent starts as his eyes focus around a terrifyingly familiar tan sport coat, “I- sorry. Just liked the director, worked with him before.”

Estelle says something, but Vincent doesn’t hear it. Blond hair, almost matted in tiny places, combed but barely groomed… bile rises in his throat. He can’t move. Every fiber in his body coils in on itself and dies. The room gets too quiet yet far too loud. Please don’t turn around.

With the same nonchalant throw of his shoulder that he did in every laid-back situation he was ever in, he turns a heel, double-taking when he sees Vincent. A smile so harmlessly venomous that Vincent almost pukes right there and then. Owen Grant raises a hand and sends him a tiny wave.

“Vince the procession doors are open,” Estelle chirps, “You two can sit with us.”

“Thank you,” Dmitri says as his gaze wanders back to Vincent, “...Vince?”

Vincent, forcing himself to rip his eyes away from the omen of pain and death across the room, walks behind Estelle, “Coming.”

Dmitri steps up next to him, concern slowly materializing in the crease of his brow and behind his eyes, “You alright?”

“Just a long day.”

Dmitri pierces his lips but, to Vincent’s relief, doesn’t press the matter. They walk through the doors and Estelle sits next to another actress whose name is on the tip of Vincent’s tongue. He and Dmitri sit down next to them.

Vincent is too aware of the hairs rising on the back of his neck. It almost feels like he is existing under his skin, squirming but still simultaneously. His breathing is too loud, it’s almost deafening.

His eyes scan the room, barely glancing at the door. His eyes, for a spiral-inducing second, meet with glazed green. I’m going to puke.

Vincent can feel his presence choke him just as well as he did with his hands. Owen starts to talk and Vincent realizes with increasing horror-

He is sitting less than three feet right behind.

Everyone falls silent as the Procession begins. Vincent stares at the altarpiece and becomes far too apparent of his breathing. The lights are not bright enough anymore and the organ music drowns the sound of him hyperventilating as inconspicuous as possible. Of course, this event was too good to be true. No paparazzi allowed, No wedding crashers. Why wouldn’t he be here?

Time is chained to deadweights in the Procession.

Vincent feels a weight on his shoulder and the smell of a cologne he knew wasn’t Owen’s. His eyes flicker to Dmitri’s face. It’s saturated in concern and he mouths, Are you okay?

Vincent gives him the tiniest of nods and with it the biggest lie he could ever tell.

Dmitri raises an eyebrow. Vincent watches his eyes flick behind him and his face harden by a hair.

Just then, saving a guilty Vincent from Dmitri’s gaze, the doors to the possession room open. Mary Anne, the bride dressed in her gown, begins her walk down the aisle. Vincent spins his head around to watch like the rest of the guests.

Yet, a plague of stale air dries in his lungs when he sees Owen out of the corner of his eye. Not watching the bride. Watching him.

As she makes her way up to the altar, Vincent feels a foot poke at the back of his ankle. I’m not going to look down. The minister begins to speak. The words do not sound like words. Nothing is solid except for the tapping at his ankle.

Vincent’s eyes look down for what feels like years. A single shoe, a shoe he saw so many times thrown to the side when he was tied to the man’s headboard, now rubs at the side of his leg.

Please, Dmitri, don’t notice this. I do not want to explain this.

Vincent falls into the back of his mind, something he hasn’t done in years. The Procession passes like white noise. Nothing feels real to him.

The Procession ends.

Vincent stands.

So does Owen.

“Vince! How have you been? It’s been too long,” Owens asks with a smile that hides a sadistic, vial longing. Vincent freezes, instincts screaming for him to run but his body not knowing where to, “Fine.”

Just as Owen opens his disgusting mouth, Dmitri steps in between them and looks at Vincent, “We need to talk. Now.”

Vincent watches Dmitri’s entire body dwarf Owen in size. Dmitri, a whole ten inches taller and far broader than Owen could ever hope to be, stands like a wall between Vincent and his waking nightmare. Now, with a mountain standing in front of him, Vincent realizes where he is.

“Yeah, sure.”

It is almost to him that his only thought at that moment was Thank you for being mad at me.

Vincent lets Dmitri pull/drag him out of the Procession hall and into a quiet hallway and only then does he let him go.

“Vee, what happened.”

“Nothing happened, it's just nerves.”

Dmitri leans back on a foot and sighs, “There are very few certain things in this life and one of them is that you are a terrible liar.”

“I’m just a little frazzled Dmitri!”

“You were nearly crying!” Dmitri says as he drops his voice to a whisper, “The last time you did that was when you came over to my apartment and we tried to have---”

Vincent slams his hand over Dmitri’s mouth and growls silently, “Shutthefuckup.”

Dmitri pulls the hand off of his face, “If you’re so worked up then we can leave.”

“I can’t leave!” Vincent sputters, despite very much wanting to leave, “You can’t just leave someone’s wedding!”

“Yes you can, the door is less than 100 feet away, we can go if something is freaking you out so much!”

“I don’t---”

“Hey you two,” Estelle says as she whips around the corner, “Dinner’s out in the dining hall.”

Vincent instantly pulls up his acting face and smiles at her, “Just about to go!”

He grabs Dmitri and it’s VIncent’s turn to drag someone. He can’t leave this wedding. He would get ripped apart for it and he’s already done enough tearing at his reputation recently. Just stay near Dmitri and away from Owen.

He immediately regrets that decision

Dinner goes well or as well as it can go with Owen’s back to Vincent and every couple of minutes he looks over his shoulder and smiles at him.

He realizes he should’ve just left.

Toasts go around, the Best Man, the Maid of Honor, a few others. Just as Vincent thinks it’s about to all end, a quiet ringing from someone tapping a crystal glass with a metal knife. The sound vibrates into his head and makes his teeth implants hurt.

Implants that Owen caused him to get.

Owen stands with a smile that curdles Vincent’s blood, “I would like to make a toast to our lovely couple.”

I want to die. Right here. Right now.

“We have all seen our fair share of weddings, some more disastrous than others, but I believe I can confidently say this has been the best that I have attended in a long time.”

It’s because I’m here, isn’t it?

“And from just looking at you two I can tell that your marriage will be a long and prosperous one,” Owen moves his gaze to Vincent’s eyes and he beams a sickeningly hopeful simile, “And I hope that mine is just as prosperous as yours.”

No, never, fuck off.

Owen raises his glass and locks his eyes to Vincent’s, “To our prosperous friends.”

Vincent looks down at the table as he raises his glass, trying to ignore the beating eyes eating at his flesh. The wine, as he drinks, tastes like death.

Dmitri pokes him in the leg and leans down to a whisper, “Do you want to head out, you’re still freaking out.”

He is, he can feel his fingers shake around the glass. Vincent’s vision spins under the weight of Owen’s gaze. It’s almost like he can feel the twisted fantasies building behind Owen’s eyes. A dam of thoughts that Vincent knows all too well what happens when they are released.

He, ripping him out of his stewing, feels Dmitri’s hand on his thigh, “When everyone gets up to dance we can disappear, okay?”

Vincent gives him a tiny nod as he takes the first mouthful of cake. His eyes do not leave his plate. His own thoughts begin to seem distant to him as if he was observing them through thick glass.

Nothing feels real.

Is this real?

People begin to trickle out of the room, smiling as they take people and in hand. The newlyweds beaming as they float across the dining hall to the dance floor, taking everyone’s eyes. Vincent stands and leans into Dmitri, “I’m going to head out, you wait a few minutes and then leave so no one suspects anything.”

“Alright,” Dmitri says, flashing a warm smile, “I’ll be out in a minute.”

Vincent stands and skirts the crowd, heading out towards the empty hallways where he can leave. The weight across his shoulders lifts as the door approaches. He can breathe.

“Vince, Wait!”

The weight comes slamming back into his lungs, knocking the air out. His muscles turn to ice as Owen’s footsteps. Instinctually, and to his dismay, he turns around and faces his banshee.

“It’s been ages, I’m so happy i could catch you here.”

Why?

“Yeah… it has been a while.” Not long enough.

Owen strides up to Vincent with sheer confidence as a guiltless sibling. He chuckles, “Well he kinda stole you away when we were first talking so I’m glad I caught you alone!”

“Um, I-”

“Since you have been so distant since we last spoke. Time’s really flown hasn’t it with all your success,” Owen interrupts, leaning casually back on a leg.

“Yeah,” Vincent says, his vision blurring, “I need to go Owen.”

As Vincent spins around to leave, Owen steps forward and grabs his shoulder. His nails dig into the suit shoulder and pull back slightly, “Just five minutes.”

“I need to go,” Vincent breathlessly says, beginning to shake, “I don’t have five minutes.”

“Really?” Owen chuckles as he leans over Vincent’s shoulder. He can feel the pressure of Owen trying to pull him back ever so gently. The slight figure of Owen’s face curses Vincent’s periphery.

If Dmitri sees you like this you’ll have a lot of explaining to do.

“No,” Vincent states with as firm of a voice as he can muster, “I don’t.”

He pulls away from Owen’s grip and walks out of the venue, feeling Owen’s gaze fade as he walks through the silent parking lot. The air in his lungs finally has the room to move as the finite particles escape into the cool night air. The limousine is silent as he slides onto the velvet seats. Vincent taps the window to the driver’s section and quietly says, “Drive up to the main doors when Dmitri steps out.”

A nod later and Vincent rolls up the divider between the driver and the guest seats. He throws off his suit jacket onto the chair next to him. He feels the vehicle lurch forward and watches as the light spills inside as Dmitri slides in.

“Are you alright?!” Dmitri says with hushed alarm.

Only then does Vincent realize he’s crying. He reaches up and wipes the droplet of salt and fear from his face and just fades. The world is there yet it’s not, Vincent can’t tell what’s changing around him and time just slips through his fingers.

Everything focuses again when he’s home.

Dmitri had wrapped a quilted blanket over his shoulders and they are now sitting on his couch. Vincent feels Dmitri’s body heat and arms wrapped around his torso. He sits forward a little and stares at the clock, 9:03.

“I’m sorry,” Vincent murmurs, his voice hoarse.

“Don’t apologise Vee,” Dmitri whispers back, “But what happened?”

Vincent stands up, wobbling on his legs for a moment. Seeing his jacket and Dmitri’s tossed onto a chair, he sighs, “It’s- complicated.”

Dmitri sits forward, eyes both tired and concerned. “Vee, you… you clocked out of a solid hour and a half. You don’t do that unless.”

“Dmitri.”

Dmitri falls silent, his loosened tie falling off his broad shoulders. He slowly stands, eyes drooping under the weight of sleepiness, “I need to head back home before it gets too late.”

An air of guilt falls between them and Dmitri walks for the door. A longing bleeds in Vincent's chest, to spit it out and get it over with. Those are not the words that leave his mouth.

“Wait- I- Can you just stay tonight. It's- I’m- just- please.”

Dmitri pauses and nods. The silence loses weight as Dmitri steps back from the front door. As Dmitri starts to pass him for the stairs, Vincent pulls him into a hug. Burying his face in Dmitri’s chest, he tries to use his warmth for even a drop of comfort. Dmitri wraps his arms back around Vincent and the two stand there in the dark living room.

Vincent only hopes that the nightmares that will come are short-winded.

[wiypt-writes]

Stark Spangled Banner

Ch 13: On Your Left

Summary: Steve and Katie meet a new friend whilst out jogging, and Steve is sent on a mission to rescue a ship- the Lemurian Star…but it fast becomes apparent that not everyone on his team is pulling in the same direction.

Paring: Steve Rogers x OFC Katie Stark

Warnings: Language! Smut (NSFW, 18+)

A/N: We jump forward a couple of months here and slip straight into the Winter Soldier storyline. Credit to @angrybirdcr​ for another lovely edit, and this re-post contains additional materiel- I’ve written the mission out instead of merely skipping over it.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Katie Stark and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Chapter 12 Part 2

Stark Spangled Banner Masterlist // Main Masterlist

 End of March/Beginning of April 2014

“Turn it off,” Katie’s voice was muffled from the pillow she had buried her face into as the alarm rang around the dark bedroom. Steve moved slightly to turn it off, but he wasn’t fast enough for his Girlfriend’s liking. “Steve!”

With a huff he leaned over and slapped the offending item with his palm, hitting the snooze button.

“Why is it even set?” She grumbled “It’s not like you don’t normally wake up at the crack of dawn anyway…and who uses an alarm clock when they have a phone?”

“You know, no one makes you stay here.” Steve teased, with a chuckle moving so that his front was pressed to her back.

“You’ve been away for five days, I never sleep as well when you’re not here.” She mimicked his line from the night before in a baby voice.

“And that’s why the alarm is set, because I do sleep better with you.” His arms circled her waist and he grinned to himself as despite the fact she was grumpy and tired she melted into his arms as he nuzzled at her neck, revelling in her smell, her warmth.

“Jerk.” She grumbled. “I mean what time is it anyway?” There was a pause as he continued to simply breathe her in and she glanced at her phone giving a scoff as she saw the ridiculous time on the screen “5:30? In the morning. Five. Thirty…”

“You said you wanted to go running.” He murmured, his eyes still closed.

“No, you said you were going running and I said I might tag along because I’ve eaten nothing but shit whilst I’ve been in New York, which, by the way is your fault…”

“My fault?” Steve laughed, cracking an eye open “I wasn’t even there.”

“Exactly” she muttered “No one to stop me.” “I wouldn’t stop you anyway. You’re a big girl, you make your own decisions…” “Big girl? You calling me fat?” she teased as she rolled onto her back and turned her head to face his, just about making out his features in the dark room. He rolled his eyes, God she was a pain in the ass at times.

“Yeah, you’re huge.” he deadpanned, his hand travelling over her flat stomach and coming to rest on her hip. “Enormous.”

“Ok, well now that we’ve established I need to run, you know on account of me being a hippo, that still doesn’t answer the question why we have to go so damned early anyway. It’s not like we have to be anywhere…” “It’s less crowded.” he shrugged.

“Yeah, that’s because it’s a ridiculous time.”

“Stop being a fucking brat!” Steve laughed and she huffed out breath again.

“I’m not being a brat, it’s just a stupid time to be getting up.”

“I love how full of sunshine and happiness you are in the morning.” Steve muttered as he dropped his head so his lips could gently trail a few lazy kisses down her neck before landing at her collarbone and giving a quick nip, his hand tightening on her hip.

She sighed, her body already starting to respond to his touch, the way it always did, betraying her. 

Damned him and his fucking bastard sex appeal.

“Okay, if you want to actually get up now…” She muttered, as his mouth travelled back up and she rolled her head back to give him access to the spot on her neck that drove her wild every time he found it.  “I suggest you stop.” “I hit the snooze button.” he muttered, lips brushing her ear as he spoke. “We got about eight minutes left.”

“Eight minutes? You have a very high opinion of yourself.” Katie replied, tilting her head so she was looking at him, smirking.

Steve said nothing, just cocked a single, mischievous brow at her before his lips met hers, his hand running down from hip to thigh then across, parting her legs slightly. They were still naked from the night before, clothes strewn all over the apartment after he’d been so desperate to get his hands on her.

She moaned gently into his mouth as he slowly sank two fingers into her and her hips instantly bucked upwards, drawing a grin from his mouth. 

“Easy, Baby.” He whispered, his mouth returning to her neck.

Four minutes later she lay beneath him, a quivering wreck and he was right behind her, two shallow thrusts later as he tumbled over that edge with a low groan, eyes fluttering shut as he fell forward onto her. He smirked into her neck when she had finally regained her senses enough to quip that he’d beaten his best time by a full sixty seconds. And sixty seemed to be the flavour of the day as it was almost another sixty minutes before they got to his favoured running spot, the National Mal thanks to the fact it had taken Katie half an hour minutes to locate her running shoes which she’d eventually found in her car.  Steve had seized the opportunity, as always to lament her for the fact she was messy. 

“I’m not messy.” She scoffed indignantly as they walked the seven blocks. “I’m just not as OCD about everything being in its right place, all the time, like a neat-freak Soldier”

The good natured jibing had continued until they reached their destination and walked through the park to the reflecting pool

“How many laps did you do last time?” Katie asked, as Steve stretched his arms upwards, cracking his back.

“Six.” he said.

She looked at him, frowning. “That’s like what? Twenty miles?”

“Nearer twenty-two.” He grinned.  “You want me to keep your pace?”

She laughed “No way, you’ll just bitch at me for being slow.”

“I do not bitch…” “You bitch like a 14 year old girl.” Katie lamented, gently shoving him in his back. “Now go, go on!”

He smiled again, jogging backwards for a second before he set off at a rate of knots. Exercise always made him feel good. Running, boxing, sparring…fucking. Pushing away the dirty thoughts that had arisen to the forefront of his mind, he was quick to find a comfortable pace, his trainer clad feet slapping the concrete.

It didn’t take Katie long to find her rhythm either. Despite not being with SHIELD anymore she had kept her fitness training up, sparring three times a week with either Natasha or Steve in the local gym. She was technically still an Avenger after all, Tony having now fashioned her another Supernova suit which was basically a version of his latest Iron Man suit but in Silver and Blue, the Nova shaped star sported in the chest where the mini arc reactor powered it. She’d given it a trial run whilst she had been back in New York and was just as impressed with it now as she had been with the prototype he had blown up.

Her feet gently slapped the ground as she ran, the sun was rising on the last day of March and it was promising to be a sunny, bright spring morning.

"Hi.” A voice greeted her as another jogger she hadn’t seen before caught up with her and fell into step with her.

“Nice day for it!”  Katie smiled.

“You normally run this early?” He asked “Haven’t seen you around before.”

“That’s because I don’t normally run here!” She smiled “But I just spent 5 days in New York eating crap so…!”

He laughed and held out his hand. “Sam Wilson.”

She took it and gave it a shake. “Katie Stark.”

“Well I’ll be damned!” Sam grinned “I didn’t recognise you. Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

As Steve was about to lap Katie for the first time he noticed she was running with another jogger, a black man wearing a grey sweater with short, cropped hair. At one time this would have sparked the green eyed monster in his chest, but not now. Not only did he know she wouldn’t stand for it, but he knew she was just sociable in general. She would talk to anyone given the chance and moreover, she was his girl, he knew that. As he approached them he breathed out an “On your left.” as a warning as he sped past into his second lap.

Sam frowned, looking round and Katie smirked, trying not to laugh at the look on his face as Steve’s frame whizzed off into the distance.

“I never tire of looking at these.” She commented a short while later as they rounded the monument.

Again the sound of heavy footsteps came. “On your left.”

“On your left.”

“Uh-huh. On my left. I got it.” Sam called after him as he entered his fifth lap.

Katie didn’t even try to stop herself this time and she laughed at the slight look of frustration on Sam’s face.

Not long after they were making a lap around the pool at the base of the memorial. Sam gritted his teeth at the wholly unwelcomed sound of footsteps behind him once again, he looked over his shoulder “Don’t say it. Don’t you say it!”

“On your left.”

“Come on!” Sam shouted and Steve allowed an amused smile to spread across his face.

Sam tried his hardest to pick up his speed to match that of Steve’s but failed miserably after only a few moments, now completely gassed out.

“Are you alright?” Katie asked laughing as she approached his hunched over figure, catching her own breath.

“Oh, here he comes…Superman himself…” Sam said gesturing to where Steve was now walking towards them, hands on his hips. He paused at his girl’s side and looked down at Sam.

“Need a medic?” he teased.

“I need a new set of lungs.” Sam chuckled breathlessly. “Dude, you just ran like thirteen miles in thirty minutes.”

“Guess I got a late start.” He shrugged, shooting Katie a pointed look. She responded with her best innocent stare, batting her eyelids at him. Rolling his eyes, he turned his attention back to the stranger who began to talk again.

“You should be ashamed of yourself. You should take another lap.” He scolded jokingly. “Did you just take it? I assume you just took it.”

Steve smiled, he couldn’t help but like this man. As he looked at him, he noticed the military symbol on his grey sweater.

“What unit were you with?” Steve asked changing the subject and motioning to the man’s shirt.

“Fifty-eighth, Para-rescue. But now I’m working down at the VA. Sam Wilson.” He said motioning for help up.

“Steve Rogers.” Steve held out his hand and pulled Sam to his feet.

“I kind of put that together.” Sam said as he tried to catch his balance. “Must have freaked you out, coming round after the whole defrosting thing.”

“It takes some getting used to. But I’ve had help.” He smiled, looking at Katie who grinned back. “Good to meet you Sam.”

“Yeah, bye Sam!” Katie smiled as Steve gently placed his hand on her lower back to steer her away.

"It’s your bed right?” Sam called out from behind him.

Steve paused and they both turned back around. “What’s that?”

“Your bed, it’s too soft.” Sam went on to explain. “When I was over there, I’d sleep on the ground and use rocks as pillows. Like cavemen. Now I’m back home, in my own bed, feels like-”

Steve cut him off. “Like lying on a marshmallow, feels like I’m gonna sink right to the floor.”

"How long?” He asked Sam

“Two tours.” Sam responded. “You must miss the good old days huh?”

“Well, things aren’t so bad.” He folded his arms, taking a quick glance at Katie who raised her eyebrow at him, teasingly. “Foods a lot better. We used to boil everything. No polio that’s good.” He paused before making a gesture with his hand. “Internet so helpful, I’ve been reading that a lot tryna’ catch up.”

Sam nodded and then moved his right hand from where it had been folder across his chest and held it, fingers extended. “Marvin Gaye, 1972, ‘Troubleman’ soundtrack.” He said, returning his arm to its resting position “Everything you’ve missed jammed into one album.”

“Ohhh man!” Katie groaned “I love that film.”

Steve nodded, smiling and pulled out the notebook she had bought him the previous year, “I’ll put it on the list.”

“We can download it later.” Katie offered. Steve smiled as he closed his book before he reached into his other pocket for his phone which was going off. It was Natasha.

'Mission Alert. Extraction imminent. Meet you at the curb :)’

He showed the message to Katie who read it whilst he looked over at Sam.

“Well Sam, duty calls. Thanks for the run. If that’s what you wanna call running.” He joked extending his hand.

“Oh that’s how it is?” Sam says amused shaking the offered hand.

“That’s how it is.” Steve responded, laughing slightly.

“Okay, anytime you two wanna stop by the VA. Make me look awesome in front of the girl at the front desk, just let me know.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Steve said as Natasha pulled up in her black chevvy sports car.

“Hey guys, anyone know where the Smithsonian is? I’m here to pick up a fossil.” She quipped.

“Hey Nat!” Katie waved at her and she nodded whilst Steve simply shook his head.

“That’s hilarious.” He commented dryly as he turned to Katie. “I’ll call you as soon as I can, okay?” She took a deep breath. “Be careful.” She instructed as she leaned up to give him a kiss. “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Steve made his way to the car, opened the passenger side of the car and dropped into the seat.

“How you doing?” Sam called with a smile as he squat down to get a better view of both Natasha and the car.

“Hey.” She responded with a small smile.

“Can’t run everywhere.” Steve joked smugly, looking back at the man.

“No you can’t.” Sam chuckled and Steve shot one last look at Katie who waved as Natasha surged the car forward.

Katie watched them go before she turned to Sam.

“Military girlfriend huh?” He teased and she laughed.

“Something like that.” “Fancy a coffee?” Sam nodded to one of the stands parked over on the square and she smiled.

“Sure, why not?”

Sam insisted on paying, despite Katie’s protests and they took their coffees over to a bench, sitting down in the early morning sun. As they talked, Katie fast realised she really liked this man, and he was pretty damned interesting too. He told Katie about his time serving in Afghanistan and how he had chosen, post the loss of his partner, Riley, to leave active service and focus his attention on helping others through work at the VA.

Katie had never really dug into the VA much, but it seemed like it did some pretty good work, helping those Soldiers who needed help adjusting to life post discharges for medical or mental health reasons. Sam confided in her that the DC branch was under threat due to lack of funding, and she made a mental note to speak to Tony about it being something that maybe the Stark Relief fund could look into partnering.

When they both realised they had been sat on the bench chatting for almost an hour and a half the pair of them both, knowing they had other places to be, exchanged numbers and she promised to pass his onto Steve.

The rest of her day went pretty quick, in a flourish of telephone conferences and various other ad-hoc emails to deal with, talking to the editors and Business Development team about potential authors to target. By the time she logged off for the evening it was gone eight. She leaned back in her chair, glancing up at the photos that decorated her office, her eyes being drawn to the one on the shelf of herself and Steve which had been taken at the New Years Eve gala last year. 

Picking up her phone she debated texting him, but she knew better than to bother him. From personal experience, STRIKE missions were heavy going. Instead she decided she was going to break with their usual routine whereby he would come to hers if it wasn’t too late post mission, and she was going to wait for him at his.

******

 “The target is a mobile satellite launch platform: The Lemurian Star.” Rumlow spoke, moving images along a screen as they all stood watching as the jet flew over the Indian ocean. “They were sending up their last payload when pirates took them, ninety-three minutes ago.”

“Any demands?” Steve asked.

“A billion and a half.”

“Why so steep?” Steve asked, frowning. That wasn’t so much steep as fucking vertical.

“Because it SHIELD’s.” Rumlow replied and Steve took a deep breath.

“So it’s not off-course, its trespassing.” He said exasperatedly, turning to his left and looking at Natasha.

“I’m sure they have a good reason.” She met his eyes, her face not faltering for a second.

“You know, I’m getting a little tired of being Fury’s janitor.” Steve raised his eyebrows as she looked back at the screen.

“Relax.” She drawled. “It’s not that complicated”

“How many pirates?” Steve looked back at Rumlow.

“Twenty-five.” he replied, once more swiping at the screen. “Top mercs, led by this guy. Georges Batroc” he pulled up a photo of Batroc on the monitor. “Ex-DGSE, Action Division. He’s at the top of Interpol’s Red Notice. Before the French demobilized him, he had thirty-six kill missions. This guy’s got a rep for maximum casualties.”

“Hostages?” Steve pressed.

“Uh…mostly techs. One officer, Jasper Sitwell.” Rumlow flashed up Sitwell’s photo and Steve shifted slightly “They’re in the galley.”

“What’s Sitwell doing on a launch ship?” He queried, an air of frustration in his tone as he pulled on his gloves before he took a breath and issued his instructions without waiting for an answer. “Alright, I’m gonna sweep the deck and find Batroc. Nat, you’ll kill the engines and wait for instructions. Rumlow, you sweep up after, find the hostages, get them to the life-pods, get ‘em out. Let’s move.”

“STRIKE, you heard the Cap. Gear up.” Rumlow nodded to his team and they all began to bustle around the jet.

Steve moved towards the back, checking his ear piece, raising his wrist communicator to his mouth. “Secure channel seven.”

“Seven secure.” Nat picked up a few more bits of equipment from the shelves, passing a coms device to Evans as Steve walked behind her to the ramp. “Did you do anything fun Saturday night?”

“Well, seeing as all the guys from my barbershop quartet are dead, I had to settle for a movie and pizza with my girl.” He shrugged as he fit his ear piece, a smile tugging at his face. “Yeah, it was fun.”

Natasha grinned and Evans gave a chuckle as the pilot spoke into his ear. “Coming up by the drop zone, Cap.”

Steve punched the button to lower the ramp before he grabbed his helmet.

“You know, I think it’s cute. You’re like a regular, normal couple.”  Evans said, and Steve turned to him as he fastened the straps on his helmet.

“That’s because we are normal.” He replied, a little louder as the noise of the air blowing through the ramp surrounded them. Steve grabbed his shield and swung it onto his back, the irony of his statement making him smile even more as he walked towards the end of the ramp.

“Yeah, because most people do this type of stuff for a living.” Natasha shot after him and he turned to face her, smirking.

“Well, at least it doesn’t get boring.” He grinned, before he threw himself off the jet.

“Was he wearing a parachute?” Rollins turned to Rumlow who gave a huff of a smile.

“No. No, he wasn’t.”

Steve held his arms and hands out to the side of himself as he was free falling through the air, before he shifted, straightening his legs out below him and crossing his arms over his chest. He speared straight into the ice cold water below and, after a moment to adjust, he started swimming toward the ship, using the anchor chain to climb up onto the deck. He dropped silently over the railings and grabbed the guard who had walked past seconds before in a choke hold, rendering him unconscious as noiselessly as he could. Then he set off at a sprint and it wasn’t long before he encountered two more of the pirates. Using his shield he hit the first one and took him down then sent the vibranium weapon flying once more where it ricocheted off the hull of the boat and took down the second. He caught it and continued running around the side of the deck where he encountered another three. The first one he dispatched with a harsh kick, taking the others down with a quick leg swipe and a harsh punch to the face. The next one he saw wasn’t looking so Steve sped up and used his momentum to shoulder barge him over the side of the ship, before he launched at the next one, taking him down with a swinging choke hold. The one after had a knife, which was slightly more inconvenient, but Steve managed to disarm him and used the dagger he now had possession of to pin one of the other guards hands to the wall as he was reaching up to hit the alarm button, before knocking him out with a kick to the head.

That was how it went for the most of it. Steve ran the entire deck, taking everyone down using his shield, arms, legs, body, any means he had before anyone could raise the alarm. And he was almost home and dry, until he dispatched of what he thought was the final merc, until as he caught his shield, he heard the click of a gun right behind his head.

“Bouge pas!” The man spoke and Steve tilted his head slightly to glance at the man in his peripheral, understanding the words to mean don’t move. So he didn’t, especially not as he had just spotted Rumlow drifting down towards the deck. The STRIKE leader shot at the pirate, taking him down and landed a few feet away.

“Thanks.” Steve nodded to him.

“Yeah. You seemed pretty helpless without me.” Rumlow joked and Steve turned to see Natasha and Evans parachute down onto the deck to join them.

“So you know you said before about things not getting boring?” Natasha asked as they strode across the deck, Steve slinging his shield onto his back. “If you ever need any tips on how to keep it from getting boring in the bedroom, just ask.”

Steve shook his head and let out a groan.

“When you gonna ask her to move in with you?” Nat continued.

“Secure the engine room, then we can talk about my sex life and living arrangements.” Steve deadpanned back

“I’m multitasking” Nat sing-songed as she effortlessly hopped over a set of railings, disappearing onto the lower part of the deck.

Steve set off at a run, vaulting up a few steps, using railings to swing himself onto the higher level of the ship before he stopped just below the bridge, shooting one of Lawson’s listening devices at the windows. He listened in as Batroc instructed his men to fire the engines and then Steve retreated to a spot where he could see Batroc clearly through the window of the control bridge. Crouching down he continued to listen into their conversation, easily able to understand the French they were speaking, one of his many skills picked up in the war. It had come easy post the serum, as with everything it had enhanced his ability to memorise and grasp things like that.

Batroc was being informed by one of his officers about the radio silence from SHIELD and Steve watched carefully before Evans’ voice cut across the jabbers of French.

“Targets acquired”

“STRIKE in position” Rumlow replied.

“Natasha, what’s your status?” Steve whispered into his wrist coms, but there was no reply. “Status, Natasha?”

“Hang on!” She said loudly, and Steve waited as he heard a bit of a struggle before she spoke again twenty or so seconds later. “Engine room secure.”

That was it, they were clear to engage.

“On my mark” Steve whispered “Three. Two. One.”

With that he set off running towards the bridge, leaping up a small set off steps before he flung his shield through the window. He jumped in after it and Batroc caught him with a kick to the chest before sprinting off and kicking his way out of the door. Steve jumped up, wrenched his shield from where it had been wedged in the metal panels at the back of the control room and ran after him.

“Hostages on route to extraction.” Rumlow informed as Steve emerged onto the end of a set of steps. “Romanoff missed the rendezvous point, Cap.” The STRIKE leader continued as Steve jumped down onto the main area of the deck. “Hostiles are still in play.”

Steve looked around before he turned on his heels and started walking “Natasha, Batroc’s on the move.” He instructed quietly into his coms. “Circle back to Rumlow and protect the hostages.”

There was no reply, and Steve was starting to get pissed off at her radio silence.

“Natasha!”

But then, out of nowhere Batroc flew at him with another harsh kick which sent Steve flying, and no sooner had he righted himself, there came another. The two engaged, toe to toe, fists flying, legs kicking, arms blocking and Steve had to hand it to Batroc, even after he knocked him down with his shield, the man was quickly back on his feet. Steve aimed a knee to his gut and flipped him backwards only to see Batroc effortlessly fling himself into several back flips before landing on his feet a short distance away, smirking as he eyed Steve up.

“Je croyais que tu étais plus qu'un bouclier.” He chuckled slightly and Steve cocked his head to one side, chewing over the man’s words… I thought that you were more than just a shield.

The arrogance in Steve won out and he straightened up out of his attack stance. You wanna go, fucker? Fine. Let’s dance.

He took a breath, stashing his shield on the harness round his back, and undid his chin strap, pulling his helmet off. “On va voir.” He said simply, tossing it to the floor, his eyes not once leaving Batroc’s who gave a huge grin.

They dodged for a second or two before they began to fight once more, trading punches, kicks and a few more knees to the gut before Steve threw himself up into the air, twirling his body round into a huge over-head kick, connecting his boot straight with Batroc’s head. Batroc fell to the floor and soon staggered back to his feet, but Steve didn’t give him chance to recover properly. He ran at him, spearing them both through a door, and sitting up slighting, Steve knocked Batroc out with a huge punch to the head.

He took a moment to draw his breath when a voice rang out across the room.

“Well, this is awkward.”

He looked up to see Natasha smirking at him from where she was bent over a computer.

“What are you doing?” Steve demanded as he rose to his feet.

“Backing up the hard drive. It’s a good habit to get into.”  She retorted.

Steve glanced over his shoulder, happy Batroc was still out cold, before he strode purposefully towards her.

“Rumlow needed your help. What the hell are you doing here?” He drew up behind her and glanced at the screens. As it registered what she was doing he shook his head in exasperation. “You’re saving SHIELD Intel.”

“Whatever I can get my hands on.” She drawled, still tapping at the computer as she looked at him, before turning back to the screen.

“Our mission is to rescue hostages.” Steve glared at her.

“No. That’s your mission.” Natasha corrected as she finished what she was doing and pulled the pen drive out of the slot. She turned towards him and smiled causing Steve’s anger to bubble even more. “And you’ve done it beautifully.” Her tone was almost patronising as she smirked, moving to pass him.

At that, Steve felt his temper snap and he grabbed her arm stopping her in her tracks. “You just jeopardized this whole operation.”

“I think that’s overstating things.” Natasha stated calmly but before Steve had time to reply a movement caught his attention. Batroc stood up and threw a grenade at the two of them as he ran off. Steve deflected the bomb with his shield before he grabbed Natasha round the waist and hopped up onto the desks. Jumping to another one, Natasha shot out one of the glass windows into an internal office and they dived in just as the bomb exploded.

Smoke, ash and debris rained down on them and Steve gave it a second before he looked over his shoulder and out before sitting back down to take a moment. He was beyond pissed off. Pissed at Natasha and pissed at Fury for not bothering to tell him the full story.

“Okay. That one’s on me.” Natasha breathed out.

“You’re damn right.” Steve grit his teeth and pushed himself up, storming out in anger. Of course, Batroc was nowhere to be found.

**** Steve was that angry about the cluster-fuck of a mission that he didn’t speak a word to Natasha all the way home and yes, he knew it was childish, but he was getting seriously pissed off at the secrets and lies that seemed to be part and parcel of any goddamned mission Fury sent him on. Once back at base he stormed off the jet, ignoring pretty much everyone and simply barking out that they would debrief in the morning.

It was just before midnight when he got home, and as he pulled his bike up into the designated space allotted for his apartment, he noticed Katie’s car was in one of the guest spaces that lined the street. He frowned slightly, she never normally waited at his for him. Not for any particular reason other than he normally spent the hours or so after a mission debriefing before heading home to decompress for a few hours and then if it wasn’t too late he would head to hers. But the more he thought about it now he realised that he had no idea why he did it that way. It wasn’t like she didn’t understand what it was like being a SHIELD operative, or that he didn’t want her at his. 

Knowing that she was there made him smile for the first time since he’d left the Lemurian Star and, despite his various aches and bruises, he found himself taking the steps to his apartment three at a time, his eagerness to see her wiping all other thoughts from his mind.

She was on the couch, bare denim-short clad legs tucked underneath her, and she looked up from the TV as he walked into the living area and leaned in the doorway, smiling softly at the sight of her, hair tousled slightly from where she had been leaning her head against the arm of the couch.

“What are you doing here?” He asked gently as she sat up.

“Decided I’d wait for you.” She shrugged “You complaining?” “Not at all.” He smiled, turning away as he unzipped his jacket and hung it over the back of one of the stools by the breakfast bar before he crossed the room.

“You had a good day?” He asked.

“Yeah.” She replied as he walked back into the lounge. “Vanity Fair have written the article already, if I’m happy with it tomorrow then it’s going to be published this month.”

Steve couldn’t help but smile at her tone. She was proud, and she had every right to be. So was he. Stark Independent Publishing LTD had taken off like a rocket and the glossy magazines were queuing up to interview the youngest Stark prodigee. She had declined all of them until the board had suggested she do one interview for Vanity Fair, along with a photoshoot in her office. She’d reluctantly agreed, but had confided in Steve she’d actually kind of enjoyed it.

“That’s fast.” he said, heading back into the room.

“Yeah they’re really pushing for it.” She smiled as he dropped besides her with a groan, lifting her legs up so they crossed his lap. As he did so he jostled the bruised ribs and muscles he’d obtained on the Lemurian Star and let out a hiss, rubbing slightly at his torso. Katie spotted this, as always, and frowned, moving her legs so she was sat up, scooting over to where he was and gently tugged at his t-shirt. He didn’t stop her as she examined the large bruise over the side of his ribs and gently ran her fingers over it.

“Ouch.” She mumbled softly, looking up at him and then tilting his face round. He knew there was a small cut on his temple but other than that and the bruise to his side he was uninjured. “Is this it?”

He nodded.

“So how did you do it this time?”

“I got blown through a window.” Because that was a perfectly normal thing for Captain America to do, Katie merely rolled her eyes and dropped a kiss to his cheek as she stood up “I’ll get the arnica and fix you something to eat”

He loved this, the way she just wanted to take care of him, but he was aware of what time it was too, and he didn’t want her to feel like she had to play the dutiful housewife.

“Kitten, you should go to bed, its late.” He grabbed her hand. “Once I’ve patched you up and fed you I will.” She shrugged stubbornly, tugging gently on his hand and he allowed himself to be pulled up “Go take a shower, I’ll sort your dinner.”

This time he didn’t protest, simply smiled, dropped a kiss to her head and headed to the bathroom.

He stepped under the hot water cascading from the shower and let out a groan as it hit his body, allowing it temporarily to soothe his mind and his aches. He still couldn’t shake his annoyance at how the mission was gone. Suddenly, he was distracted by his stomach grumbling and he realised he was actually really hungry. He quickly washed off before cutting the water and stepping out, grabbing a towel. He could hear Katie in the kitchen as he walked down the hall towards his bedroom where he dried himself off and dressed in a pair of loose sweats and a grey T-shirt.

The smell of food hit his nostrils as he walked into the kitchen, making his mouth water. Her food was always good, he had no idea what he was in for tonight but he didn’t care. As he approached where she was stood, both his hands dropped to her hips and he placed a soft kiss on her neck, an easy sign of affection before he let out a heavy sigh and reached into the refrigerator.

“So, you wanna tell me what happened?” She asked, turning to look at him as he downed pretty much an entire bottle of water before he slumped down at the breakfast bar and explained everything to her. She listened, asked questions, shook her head, and when he reached the bit about the ransom she whistled slightly through her teeth, coming to the same conclusion he had when he heard the demand.

“That’s steep.” she frowned and Steve snorted.

“That’s what I said. Turns out its SHIELDS.“

The microwave finished and Katie moved to open the door, stirring whatever was in there before removing it and placing it down in front of him, along with a plate of his favourite bread. He was silent for a moment as he stirred the hot stew, Ghoulash, before taking a small mouthful to test the heat. Damned she could cook. He nodded appreciatively.

“It’s good.” “You sound surprised.”

“Behave.” He admonished, giving her a look. “You know what I think about your cooking.”

He continued to eat as she stood up and fished about in the cupboard he stored the bottle of Arnica gel she insisted he keep to hand. As he ate, she settled next to him and hitched his shirt up, gently and carefully applying the ointment to his side. The bruise extended from the middle of his rib cage to an inch or so beneath the band of his sweats.

It was relaxing, and he relished her touch and her gentle tone as she continued to talk.

“So did you get the hostages?”

“Yeah.” He nodded in between mouthfuls. “That bit was pretty easy all things considered.”

“So what’s wrong, love?”

She could tell there was more to his mood than what he had told her, and her instincts were proven right when he let out a soft sigh as she continued to rub at his side softly.

“I’m just annoyed Sweetheart.” He sighed eventually “At Fury, at Romanoff.”

“At Nat? Why?”

“She was running a separate mission, which meant the task I gave her to back Rumlow up with the hostages wasn’t done.”

“Fury?”

He nodded.

“More secrets” Katie sighed, feeling a flash of anger. “You know this is exactly why I got out…legacy or no legacy.”

“Tell me about it.” He dropped the spoon into the empty bowl. “We were lucky no one was hurt, or worse. I mean, Rumlow was great, got everyone out but, Doll, how can I lead a team when half of them are lying to me?”

“Nat was just doing as she was told.” Katie spoke softly, trying to deal with each issue one at a time.

“Since when is retrieving Intel more important than people’s lives?”

“I’m not saying it is. I’m just saying don’t be so hard on her.” She reasoned, her fingers still tracing shapes on his skin. “She has a job to do, same as you. Its Fury you should be talking to about it.”

“Oh I intend to.” Steve snorted. “I’m going to go see him tomorrow morning after de-brief…”

“Well, at least you’ll get an explanation. I mean it might not be what you wanna hear but…”

She was right, of course. Pushing it from his mind, Steve concentrated on her touch as she was still gently rubbing his side. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh of contentment, and was disappointed when she finally finished and let his t-shirt fall down before she stood up to put the ointment away.

“You want any more to eat?” She asked, once she’d washed the arnica off her hands.

“Is there any?” He looked at her hopefully.

She smiled, nodding, and then gave a small yawn which she tried to stifle, but Steve noticed it.

“Okay, I’ll warm some more up and you’re gonna go to bed.” He said, standing up “And that’s an order.”

“Bossy bastard” She retorted. He replied simply with a raised an eyebrow and stern glare as he crossed towards her. She held her hands up, “Okay, I’m going…” She leaned up to kiss to his cheek.

“Won’t be long.” He smiled.

Steve had another bowl of food before he slipped the dishes into the dishwasher and headed to the bathroom to clean his teeth. He turned off the lights, crossed into the dark bedroom and pulled off his T-shirt, sliding into bed behind Katie. His arm curled over her waist, surprise surprise she was in one of his shirts, which did nothing to ebb his growing desire and the twitching in his groin. Hoping she wasn’t asleep, his nose gently nuzzled at her neck, and he was pleased when she responded.

He needed this. Wanted this. Wanted her.

“When you told me to go to bed…” Katie sighed, as his lips gently started their assault on that spot, “I thought you meant to sleep.” “Want me to stop?” Steve practically purred into her neck.

“Didn’t say that.” She replied, rolling her head to catch his lips as his hand crept down her inner thigh. She let out a contented sigh and he smiled against the side of her neck as he traced his fingers over her hip, hand flattening as it crept down and round to the top of her panties, his fingers slipping inside, where he found her hot, wet, ready for him. It was enough to harden him completely as he started to gently tease her, causing her to groan at the pleasure, her back arching whilst his lips continued to kiss and caress her neck.

“Steve.” She moaned softly, her tone pleading. “I want you…”

Fuck, he would never get tired of hearing that. Ever. 

“Yeah?” he whispered.

“Yeah. Please Stevie.” He didn’t think he’d ever be able to say no to her. His hand moved up and he gripped at her hip, gently rolling her so she was lay on her back, using his leg to part hers. He guided his shirt over her head, pulled down her panties, before he stripped off his boxers, fingers lacing in between hers, as he crawled over her, pinning both hands above her head as he worked his way into her. They both groaned as he stretched her, and she looked up at him, those eyes locking onto his as he leant down to kiss her, starting up a slow, gentle pace. He moved slowly, again and again, lips caressing hers, then her jaw, then her neck, all the time his hands wrapped around hers, causing her to surrender to him completely.

He kept up that soft, gentle pace, loving her completely. He could tell she was close, he knew the signs well enough now and as she groaned in delight, tightening around him he coaxed her, “That’s it baby girl…” lips soft on her ear.

And then she came, shuddering underneath him, her head tipping back, as she let out a gentle, low, broken moan of his name. It sent shivers down his spine and he continued to thrust through her orgasm, the tale heat spreading across his belly and then he tipped too, jerking and groaning slightly before he fell forward, burying his face in to her neck.

“Love you.” She whispered softly into his ear as her hand ran up his neck, into his hair and he gave a hum of contentment as he regained control of his senses.

“Love you too, so damned much, Sweetheart.” He rubbed his nose up against hers and she chuckled slightly as he rolled off of her. She scooted closer so she could lay her head on his chest and his arm curled round her, large hand tracing shapes on her skin at the bottom of her back as she tossed her leg over his.

“What time are you in tomorrow?” She asked gently, hand rubbing absentmindedly over his chest.

“Half nine.” He gave a sated yawn.

“We can have breakfast together, I made cinnamon rolls.” She muttered through a yawn of her own.

“That so?” “mmmhmmm”

“You know, you’d make a good little housewife.” He grinned, thinking back to his thought before. He knew her response before she had uttered it. “Fuck you.” He chuckled, dropping a kiss to her head and they both fell silent. And his last thought as he drifted off to sleep was just how her being here had made him almost forget his worries.

Katie lay still, listening to the sound of his breathing which grew even as he fell asleep, clearly exhausted. He always needed food and rest after missions, his metabolism drained him. She stole a glance up at him, long eyelashes lay against his cheek as his head lolled to the side slightly, facing her.

“Night soldier.” She whispered softly, placing a peck on his lips before settling down and succumbing to her own tiredness. ********* Katie woke the next morning, tangled in Steve’s arms, his face pressed into her neck as he’d done his usual koala impression. As gently as she could, she moved to check her phone for the time, and found it to be twenty-five past seven, five minutes before her alarm was due to go off. Cancelling it, she glanced back over at Steve who shifted onto his back, the arm that had been thrown around her gently resting on his chest. Smiling, she climbed out of bed deciding to leave him to sleep as long as she could.

Considering what a light sleeper he normally was, Steve didn’t stir when Katie returned following her shower and was still out of it when she finished dressing so she unset the alarm on his bedside clock and headed to the kitchen. She put on a fresh pot of coffee, threw the fresh rolls she had made the previous day into the oven and settled down on his couch, flipping on the TV whilst she quickly scanned through her phone, looking at her schedule for the day. She only had one meeting in the afternoon, and it wasn’t important so she fired an email through to her PA asking her to reschedule.

At about eight-fifteen, there was still no sign of Steve so Katie headed through to the bedroom to wake him up. Any longer and he would be late for his debrief. He was lay side on, facing her side of the bed so she dropped next to him…

Something was tickling his nose, right on the bridge. He gently sniffed, and then soft lips met his. Again, again…Steve made a completely involuntary noise that was halfway between a groan and a sigh as he realised his girl was kissing him awake, before her lips met his and this time he gently responded.

“Hey.” That soft voice greeted him and he smiled, gently cracking an eye open and meeting that emerald green.

“Morning” He said groggily and she smiled.

“It’s almost eight-fifteen.”

He frowned, that was late. “My alarm didn’t wake me?” “I turned it off, sorry-not-sorry” She said with a tone so blasé it made him chuckle “You needed the rest.” She gave him a soft kiss again “There’s coffee in the kitchen and breakfast is ready.” “You know I could get used to this” He rolled over so he was on his back as she rose from the bed. “Coming home to a ready-made dinner, waking up to ready-made breakfast before I go to work. And you.” “Nice to see which one of those is your priority.” She teased over her shoulder as she left him to it.

“Always you, Doll.” he murmured with a smile. But as he lay still for another few minutes, he thought about it more and more. Over the past four months, other than when they were away either on missions or business trips they had spent every night together, either at his or hers but last night, something had felt different to him, more intimate. She’d taken care of his mission injuries, cooked for him, made love to him, and now here she was making him breakfast before she would wave him off to work later on. It was almost normal, what people with mundane nine to five jobs did. And he realised he wanted that all the time, he wanted to come home, find her there, wake up with her, every single day.

“When you gonna ask her to move in?” Natasha’s voice popped back into his head.

If he was honest, he hadn’t given it a lot of thought, it wasn’t something people did back in his time before marriage. But times were different, hell he was different, and as he lay there contemplating it, he realised, it wasn’t such a bad idea.

When he headed through, Katie was sat at the kitchen table, laptop fired up, mobile glued to her ear.

“I know!” Her tone was one of utter excitement. “I mean I didn’t think they would turn out so good…or they’d be done so fast but they’re pushing for this month’s edition…”

He dropped a kiss to her neck and glanced at the screen, pausing when he saw the image. It must have been one of the photos done whilst she was in New York and as he looked at it, he felt his mouth drop open. His girl was stood against a wall in her office in the tower, one leg bent, high heeled foot raised back against the flat surface behind her, palms splayed either side of her thighs as she looked to the right. Her hair was pulled back in a slick, high pony tail, her make-up was heavier than normal and utterly flawless, and she was dressed in a grey charcoal pinstripe suit which cinched in at her waist, with a low cut white blouse underneath.

“Yeah, I know Tony.” She continued speaking into the phone as she glanced up and saw the expression on his face. She pressed a button on the keyboard and it flipped to another picture, this one of her sat in her chair, legs apart, elbows resting on her knees, as she looked beyond the camera, laughing at something. She looked absolutely fucking stunning. His eyes roved the image on the digital copy of the article and he began to read the writing that was next to it.

There are a lot of things you might absolutely hate about Katie Stark. Aged just twenty-nine she has more money than anyone could possibly wish to spend in a life-time, looks and a figure that you would kill for, and a Super Soldier Boyfriend with a jawline that seems to be carved from marble. However, after thirty seconds in her company despite wanting to hate her for all of the above, it was simply impossible not to like her.

Unassuming, accommodating, and with a smile that you simply can’t help but return, she welcomed us into her office and was remarkably humble about the entire thing, admitting that she still wasn’t quite so sure why we were so interested in her. We took the time to grill her on how the first three months of Stark Independent Publishing LTD has gone and what we can look forward to in the future.

Katie stood up and gestured for him to sit down and carry on reading the article. She headed off into the living room, continuing her call, so he read as he ate a hot cinnamon bun. The article ploughed through a load of questions about the book that had launched the business when they published, the fact the company had already registered over fifty-percent first quarter turnover, where she thought the business was going, future pipeline projects, her favourite authors, genre, books, previous role in Stark Industries before she had spent a few years working for a Government Agency following the Battle of New York (no mention of Supernova or SHIELD) and then the final paragraph took a personal turn.

When asked if she would indulge us with a personal question she sighed slightly before grinning and telling us to ask and see if she answered. So we did…

“We know that you’re a notoriously private person, in comparison to your brother anyway, but most of our readers are dying to know…what’s it like dating Captain America?”

“No idea, I’m dating Steve Rogers.” She replied immediately, a faint flush hitting her cheeks as she spoke, all the time fiddling with a delicate yet gorgeous antique looking emerald ring which sits on her right hand, a gift we suspect from the man in question. When asked to elaborate slightly, she bit her lip and simply smiled before explaining; “Steve isn’t just Captain America. There’s more to him than a shield. He’s the kindest, gentlest, most caring man I’ve ever met and he makes me unbelievably happy.” The blush spread from her cheeks to her ears “And that’s not down to the Serum or outfit, it’s just who he is. The fact he’s 6ft2, drop dead gorgeous with a smile I’d happily die for is a bonus.”

Steve felt himself grin as he read the words and glanced at the small photo they had framed the paragraph round. It was the shot of them together that had been taken at the Stark Industry’s New Year’s Gala as they danced. His eyes continued to the final part of the article, this one complete with a picture of Katie and Tony. Katie sat at her desk as Tony leaned over, looking at something on the computer screen. 

When asked about the other man in her life, her brother Tony, she smiled again, another genuine smile, the love she has for her elder sibling evident on her face and in her voice.

“I owe everything I have to Tony. He brought me up from the age of seven, gave me absolute, unconditional love and opportunities I know I was extremely fortunate to have. People have a pre-conceived image of what he is like, and sometimes he can play into that, but to me he’s been nothing but loving and supportive, my father and brother rolled into one and I can’t thank him enough for everything he has done and given me. He backed my decision to open SIP from the off and believed in me and has always pushed me to be the best I can be.”

We couldn’t resist another personal question, so we asked her a little cheekily how Tony had reacted to news that she was dating one of his fellow Avengers, who had served alongside their Father Howard in WW2. Hesitating slightly, she flushed before smirking and answering, a grin on her face.

“How he found out wasn’t ideal, but once he realised we were serious, he was fine about it. I think deep down after my last car crash of a relationship, he’s just happy I’m with someone who puts me first.”

“Do they get on?” At that she laughed. “They have a love-hate relationship. In that they hate the fact they love one another. Tony has these ridiculous nicknames for Steve and he can be an absolute nightmare at times, but to be fair Steve’s quite sarcastic himself too but I know full well that they have each other’s six and, even though they would probably deny it, they are quite close and would miss one another if they weren’t around.”

Steve, grudgingly, had to admit she was right. Tony could be a pain in the ass at times, but he would miss the billionaire if he wasn’t there. Underneath all his bravado he knew that he thought the world of his sister and, despite their initial meeting whereby Steve frankly thought the guy was a dick, he’d fast learnt during the Chitauri Battle that underneath that persona he had a heart of gold and was more like his father than he would care to admit. A fact that Steve was even more convinced of having gotten to know him much better on a personal level over the last two years or so.

Whilst the siblings certainly share a lot of attributes, both good looking, tough, hard-working, Katie has a certain softness to her edges and we challenge anyone who spends time in her company not to warm to the youngest Stark. Stark Independent Publishing has, in our opinion, a very bright future ahead of it whilst it is spearheaded by such an astute and shrewd business woman and we wish her all the best.

“What do you think?” Katie watched as Steve read the article, leaning against the wall, nibbling at her thumb, nervous to see his reaction.

Steve jerked his head round and smiled at her. “I think it’s fantastic. The photos are stunning, the article is well written. Are you happy with it?” “Yeah.” she nodded as she walked over to his chair, standing behind it and slipping her arms round his shoulders from behind “They wouldn’t drop the whole So you’re dating Captain America angle though, so our PR department told me to answer a few personal questions to shut them up. Are you ok with it?” Steve smiled and turned side on in his seat, pulling her into his lap. “Seeing as I’m the kindest, gentlest, most caring man you’ve ever met how could I not be?” “I meant every word of that.” She smiled, rubbing her nose against his.

“I know baby.” He gave her a peck on the lips. “Now I need to go or I’m gonna be late.”

Sighing she stood up as he did the same, grabbing a final cinnamon bun from the plate.

“I’ll be back at mine” She informed him as she walked to the door with him, “I have a few calls to do this morning.” “I’ll come over when I’m done.” He smiled. “And maybe we can do something this afternoon?”

“Sounds perfect”

***** Chapter 14

**Original Posting**

[luck-and-larceny]

An Excerpt: Malika x Marrant

--The first time that Malika met her ex-fiance. She’d have been about 19 years old here. This comes from a story I was writing months and months ago that kind of got away from me so you might have seen it before. You can find that work in (lack of) progress in my writings under The Ex. This is from Part 2.

An Interlude:

The sky wasn’t right  the day she met the musician and she would remember that later and more often than she cared to. Rather than the pale blue, or perhaps overcast gray, that would be expected on a spring afternoon, it was a sickly gray-green. It was the color of a sky in trouble, the color before a tornado decides to stretch its limbs and see what’s worth wrecking on the ground below. But the wind never picked up and a tornado never came.

Well, unless the tornado was wearing the form of a person. In that case, there were two: Marrant Lamard and Malika Bajihri. 

The elezen stepped into the old tavern not like he owned the place, but like he could own it if he wanted to… he just hadn’t made up his mind yet. Eyes as gray-green as the sky above, his blond hair was pulled back so tight that it made his already high, chiseled cheekbones look even more severe. He didn’t smile. He rarely did. He made the people around him feel like they had to earn those. 

The miqo’te hated him the moment she laid eyes on him. With his white lace collar, his tailored black suit, and his somehow spotless, dust free boots, he made her want to punch him square in his arrogant face. This wasn’t some fancy, Ishgardian, high brow manor or tea house! This was a Thanalan tavern filled with hardworking, weary merchants who just wanted to have a drink and listen to music while they unwound from another long, tedious day. What absolute gall to walk in here dressed like that! 

“You’re Lia,” he said, walking straight up to her and offering a stiff, curt bow. 

This was the first sign she was in trouble: his voice. She had a thing for voices, particularly deep ones.

 “Is that a question?” she asked, annoyed. 

“I’m Marrant,” he said.

 “I didn’t ask,” she retorted.

 He smiled. It was lovely. And it was fleeting.

She smiled back because she couldn’t help it and then took a defensive step backwards, right into a table. “Ow, fuck.” 

“You’re Ok”, he said, reaching out a hand to assist her, though in what way she wasn’t sure.

 “Is that a question?” she asked again.

She’d learn later that it wasn’t just their introduction that was like that. Marrant was like that. He rarely used rising intonation and so his questions all sounded like statements. It was frustrating in the beginning of their relationship and it was worse at the end. But right in the middle? When things were good? It was something she learned to love about him.

 She ignored his outstretched hand. 

“Yeah. I’m Lia. I go on after you, so-“

“Switch with me.” He said. “I have a few things I need to work on before going up there. It’s been a long day and I’d appreciate the extra time.”

 “I’m sorry, what?” She crossed her arms across her chest and gave him a withering, incredulous glare. “You can’t just tell me to change when I—” 

“I’m not,” he insisted. “I’m asking. I just need-“ 

“And you can’t keep cutting me off when I spe—” 

“Just a small change in order is all I’m asking.”

 “For fucks sake!” She practically growled. “If you’d asked I’d have said, ‘Sure. I get it. We’ve all been there.’ But you just came in and told me to switch with you so, guess what, Marrant? I’m not doing it. I don’t want to do it and so I’m not. Good luck with that. Break a leg even.” 

“I just came off the road. It’s been a long day, and I need-“

 “You need to stop telling me your tragic backstory and start getting your shit ready, I’d say,” she insisted with a roll of her eyes.

 “In that case, play with me.”

 “I’m not going to—wait, what?” She hadn’t expected that. She blinked.

“I don’t feel right about some of the songs I was going to perform,” he admitted. “It doesn’t feel… right. Can’t explain it. It’s an artist thing. Intuition.  I’ve been trying to figure out what I should do instead. I thought if I had more time, but you…” He looked her over with a blank expression, but there was something happening in his eyes. There was always something happening there. “You’re absolutely perfect.”

That was disarming. She hadn’t been ready for that. She almost blushed. People rarely had that kind of an effect on her. 

 “I… excuse me, what?” she asked. 

“For this duet I have,” he continued and the delivery made it sound as though he was surprised she didn’t already know what he was talking about, as though it were entirely obvious what he had meant. “I think your voice will be perfect for the other part. Complementary to my own.”

“You don’t have any idea what I sound like!” she protested. She didn’t feel in control of this conversation. She always felt in control. Later, she realized, that was the real sign that she was in trouble. She was addicted to thrills and there was no thrill better than to feel just slightly off-balance in a situation where she usually felt in control. 

“I do,” he said. “I have an ear for that sort of thing. I think you might go flat a few times, but that’s to be expected. Most people d-“

 She laughed. It was just one sharp laugh that filled the space between them before she exhaled in wonder. “Wow. WOW. What a marvelous fucking sales pitch. How about I make you go sharp by kicking you in the-“

 “-But I’m certain your singing voice is as beautiful as your face is and I really want you up there with me. To sing with me. Please. You’ll do this for me.”

She blinked. Was that a question? Fuck it. It didn’t matter. 

“Yeah,” she caved in and laughed at the absurdity of it all. “Yeah, I’ll do that for you. Why not? I don’t know you. I don’t have any idea what this song is. I’ve never practiced it with you. And then I’ve got to immediately do my own songs right afterwards. How could I possibly say no?”

He smiled once more. And It really was so very lovely. It even lingered just a little longer than the first one. Just enough to make her long to see it again.

Somewhere outside a tornado perhaps thought about forming but never did. Why should it? There was no damage it could do that the two inside the tavern wouldn’t do to each other better later.

[madllamamomma]

It’s Called A Door... Muriel x MC (Female OC) Cute/Funny Hijinks  Short Story Time! SWF, But still has profanity and whatnot.

[Approximately three weeks before you were a Lightweight~ at the Rowdy Raven OWO....  read the link if you are confused (if you wanna)]

https://madllamamomma.tumblr.com/post/611358106606256128/yet-another-muriel-x-mc-female-smutwhat-its

It’s Called A Door~

It’s nearly sundown. The streets are filled with vendors selling hot food, lanterns, and blankets. You're practically skipping down the road. Sluggishly trailing behind you is Muriel and Asra.

“Come on you two!!! Let’s get a good place by the water for later tonight!” Muriel's face scrunches as you try to hurry them both. You can’t contain your excitement. “It will be fun Muriel, I promise!”

Muriel grumbles, “.... doubt that.”

Asra laughs and nudges him with his elbow slightly. “Sorry, Muriel, this is her favorite festival.”

“It’s the Spring Star and Lantern festival! What isn’t there to like?!”

“People…” Muriel mutters under his breath. He has rather grown since you two met. He went from being a lone hermit in the woods to being (almost) social in just a few months. But sometimes he still has a hard time adjusting.

“That’s why I love this festival.” You spin around in front of Muriel whimsically, your twirls up slightly. “Despite how many people are out, they are only paying attention to themselves, to the lights and the stars!” You take both of Muriel’s hands in yours, their size nearly dwarfs yours when you hold them. Somehow you enjoy that. You beam brightly up at his face. He however looks wary. “This festival was the first time I felt comfortable being around a huge crowd… I guess... after I…” Beginning to trail off, you glance over at Asra, a bit of sadness in his eyes, and you decide not to finish your sentence. Clearing your throat, “It’s just a beautiful night, there is no moon, only stars!! People all have lanterns in hand, and there is lots of food, and at the end of the night people watch the metro shower! It happens every year like clockwork!! It’s amazing!!” Muriel scans all around at the people around, still unsure.

Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. It’s only been around a month since Lucio came back, and Muriel had to share his home with all those people too....You tilt your head getting his attention. “—But, Muri…. if you don’t feel up to this, it’s ok. There is always next year.” You smile reassuring him. You’ve been looking forward to this, after Luico took over the city, it was a complete wreck. You didn’t think it was going to happen. But somehow the townspeople came together and pulled it off. But it’s not the end of the world if you don’t go.

Muriel looks at you perplexed. “But...this is your favorite…”

“My favorite festival, sure!” Blush starts to creep into your cheeks as you hike your shoulders feeling a little bubbly, still sweetly looking into his mossy green eyes. “...But you’re my favorite person, Muriel~ If you're not having fun, it’s not worth it to me.”

Red paints Muriel’s cheeks and a small bashful smile takes over his face. He takes a movement and looks around considering his options. His attention goes towards an elderly couple and what appeared to be their two grandchildren. They’re handing the children their cute little lanterns, the kids look so excited. Muriel can’t help but grin a little at the sight, softening his gaze. Then he turns back to you, huffs, casually placing his arm over your shoulder. “...Just stay close… please?”

Your hand meets the one on your shoulder, loving his touch. “Of course! If you get too overwhelmed we can leave, just say the word, ok?”

He pulls you a little closer to him, and nods.

Asra pats Muriel on the back lightly, “I’m proud of you, Muriel! You’ve grown so much!”

Muriel scoffs slightly at him, “W—whatever.”

You glance over to the older couple looking at their daintily painted lanterns, suddenly making you stop dead in your tracks. “Oh crap! I forgot the lanterns at the shop!” Scrambling out of your hermit’s arm you start to run into the direction towards the shop. “Muriel, Asra, I’ll be right back!!”

Before you dash off, Muriel quickly grabs a hold of your cross-body satchel, pulling you back a bit, getting your attention. “—W-wait!!” You stop, pivoting on the left ball of your foot, you whip your body around. “...It’s about to be dark out...”

“Yeah, good idea, Muriel. You shouldn’t go alone, Rhemi.” Asra quickly agrees looking all around. “It is a night with no moon after all. The street around the shop will be really dark.”

“... there may be creeps out tonight.” Muriel slightly cringes at a bad thought like a bad taste in his mouth.

You giggle cheerfully and grab both of their hands and tug them along. “Well then, let's go, you two! We don’t want to miss the start of it!”

Once to the shop, you look back at both of them, Muriel catches a whiff of a smoked eel vender that sets himself up at the corner, you feel your stomach growl a little. “OOOO! Hey, Asra, I’ll go in and get the lanterns, could you get some—“

“—Smoked eel?” Asra smiles, you nod sharply, your hips do a little wiggly dance in delight as you grab your coin purse from your bag.

Muriel darts between you two, sticking up his hands. “I-You—You don’t have to do that!”

Asra takes the coins you hand him, you both snicker at his cute face. “It’s not just for you, we both like smoked eel too, Muriel!” He says with a wide smile.

Once Asra turns to walk away to get the food and you both were out of view, you wiggle your pointer finger, gesturing to Muriel to lean his head down.

“...What?” Muriel looks at you confused.

“Come here!... I wanna tell you something.”  With an eyebrow raised he leans down obediently. Once his face was in range, you hastily stand on your tippy toes, lacing your fingers in his hair, and steal a quick, but firm peck on his lips. You gaze into his eyes and whisper, “I love you~” He shivers a little in shock, then turns his head, smiling a little and blushing brightly. He stands straight up and tries his best to shake his smile off, but is unsuccessful. He’s still not quite used to those words yet. He doesn’t know what to do when you say it to him. It’s so cute.

“I’ll be right back, can you stand here and make sure people don’t think we’re open?” You quickly unlock the door and take down the protection spell so you can enter. Muriel nods, trying to hide his love stricken grin as he rubs the back of his neck, cutely dazed at your quick affectionate kiss and words.

The shop was very dark inside. You conjure your magic into fingers, muster up a small ball of white-ish blue light so you don’t waste the candles. The lanterns are in the back room on the reading table where you were letting them dry after you painted them last night. You reach your free hand to grab them quickly so you all don’t miss the open ceremonies.

TINK TINK TINK—CRACK—

The sound of broken glass startles you as it crunches under your shoes. You look over at the table, one of the lanterns is broken somehow. How did this happen, they were fine this afternoon… no one else came back here…

Then look over to the nearby window, it’s wide open. The hairs on the back of your neck start to rise as you trace where the glass leads to. The peripheral of your eye catches a small movement in the corner, a tall silhouette dressed in all black is watching you, unable to see their facial features. Your eyes widen, feeling your heart drop sickeningly, frozen in place with shock and fear. Suddenly the figure moves towards you, and you inhale sharply, revving up your windpipe.

“SHHH!— please don’t scream!!” The uninvited figure whispers sharply, and starts to reach their hand to cover your mouth.

Instinctively, you close your hand, killing the ball of light in your hands and let out a blood curdling wail at the top of your lungs. Adrenalin immediately triggers you to scream on the top of your lungs, “GET. OUT !!!!!!!!!”

Muriel kicks open the door. “—RHEMI !”

With a hard grunt and snap of your fingers the candles in the shop suddenly light up, illuminating the shop. In the pitch black somehow you managed to stun the assailant with her magic, wrestled them to the ground, pin them on their stomach, pulled their left arm behind their back, and placed your knee into their spine.l and back of the legs. Weeks of combat training from Morga really did pay off. The mystery assailant is tall, slender, but well built, has fiery red hair, and….is...wearing an eye patch….. WAIT A MINUTE!!!! GODDAMN IT!

Muriel barrels into the back, breathless, ready to attack. “Rhemi what’s—“

Julian reaches out with his free arm, tears of pain in his eye. “Muriel! MURIEL!!! My good, tall man!—Save me!—She’s—she’s got me!!” He’s on the floor rather pathetic looking at the moment.

“Julian FUCKING Devorak!!!” You throw your elbow into his ribs on his back. He screams a very high pitch squeal. “We have a thing—it’s a new invention—it’s called a GODDAMN door! USE THEM!!—KNOCK ON THEM!!!!” You hear something pop, he shirks a high pitch noise. You lean in closer to his ear, and you tilt your head to look in his eye. “Windows are for looking through. NOT FOR CLIMBING AND ENTERING THROUGH!!”

You look up noticing Muriel’s blank stare as he watches…. whatever this is. You smile up at him, still holding down Julian, looking very sweetly at your hermit, Julian still screaming. “Oh, hello my love! Look what I’ve got!”

Julian starts to slap his hand down on the ground, “Ok!! You are right— you are soooo right!!! I’m sorry! I am so sooooo sorry!! Alright, err, Uncle! Uncle, I say!!!!”

You tighten your grip on his arm again shooting him a very scornful look. “These are the consequences of freakin’ breaking and entering!”

“GAAAAH! Rhemi!! PLEASE! You’ve already smashed a bottle against my head before!” You slightly twist his arm. ”OOOWWW!!—I was just—looking….er...for Asra!!!” Julian glances at Muriel, still standing there clueless what to do right now. “Muriel!! I beg you! CALL HER OFF!!! I thought you were supposed to be the fearsome fighter, NOT HER!”

Muriel grumbles and folds his arms shooting him an irritated stare. “...Hold him tighter…” He scoffs.

Asra comes in behind him, he must have heard the commotion and forgotten all about the eel. “What the actual hell is going on here??” Julian smiles up at him sheepishly, wiggling his fingers, but still wincing in pain. You loosen your grip slightly, looking annoyed up at Asra.

Asra looks down at him completely dumbfounded. “Ilya?!?” Faust sticks her head out of his vest, “Squeeze?!” Asra sighs smacking his forehead with his hand, “...Did you break in again?”

You scowl, “Huh...What made you guess that?!” you say very sadistically.

“What in the name of all that is holy did you do to your sweet, cute, little apprentice?? She was already dangerously spunky enough!!!” Julian says trying to wiggle himself free, you dig your knee into his spine a bit more. “AHHHH!! I’m-I’m sorry! I—I didn’t mean it!!”

“JULIAN! Just. Ask. For. A. Freakin’. KEY!” You say gritting your teeth.

Julian's voice strains as he tries to explain himself. “I-I had one, and you took it from me months ago!! REMEMBER???”

“Also, side note —DON’T COME IN UNINVITED!!!” You lift him up with his arm then spam it back into the floor, water starts to form in his eye.

“OUCH!!! T-t-t-take it easy, lady!!!” 

Asra sighs and pitches the bridge of his nose. “Rhemi, as much as this pains me, you can let him go…”

You glare at Asra for a moment, not budging. He kneels down to meet your eye level trying to cox you like a small angry animal out of a corner. “Come on, Rhemi~, I think the doctor gets the message.” Asra smiles sweetly at your very pissed off face.

You flare your nostrils then let go of his arm reluctantly with a huff, keeping your knee firmly in his back, folding your arms tightly. “...You gave me a heart attack, Ilyan! I didn’t know who you were!! I thought you were a freakin’ robber or something!!”

His voice still rather strained. “Yeah well, uh, I would feel really sorry for the fool who does try to rob you!—Now, if you would be so kind as to, please—REMOVE YOUR BONY ASS KNEE OUT OF MY SPINE! I’m dying down here!”

Muriel walks over and lightly grabs the crease of your tightly folded arm, empathetic to your anger, reluctantly sighing, “....let him go.” Your eyes meet his, immediately softening them. You exhale deeply, begrudgingly letting Muriel bring you to your feet, your bottom lip slightly out.

Julian slowly gets to his knees, holding the part of his back where your knee was stabbing him in, as both Muriel and you burn a hole through his face. Asra helps Julian to his feet. “Ilya, I told you not to break in! I wasn’t even here.”

Julian slowly tries to stand up tall, but an apparent ache stops him. “Yeah… I, er, noticed that.” Julian turns to you, still a bit in pain, now looking rather impressed. “..Well…now, Rhemi- Dear…”  You feel a  small twitch in your left eye. Dear? Did he just call me DEAR?! He takes a step forward, you growl at him auditably, sounding like a mad dog.

“Stay back! She bites…” Muriel stands to your side and folds his arms, scowling hard at him.

Julian scans his eye all around looking for Inanna, then looks back to Muriel confused. “I…uh… I don’t see your wolf here…”

Asra chuckles deviously and shakes his head. He sighs, patting Juilan on the shoulder. “...he’s not talking about the wolf, Ilya.”

Muriel nods at your direction. You bare your teeth, then chomp the air with your mouth, giving him a clear warning, still glaring hatefully at Julian.

He jumps back a bit at your threat, and steps away out of instinct looking warily at you. A sudden smirk appears on his mug, and tries to be charming. You squint your eyes, just feeling yourself getting angrier at him.

“Alright—alright! I get the point!” He clears his throat. “You…. ah… You’ve got quite the woman there, Muriel—” He leans himself back, cracking his spine a little, seeming to make it feel better, his voice slightly muffled by his stretch. “—she’s a keeper...”

Muriel tries to hide his smile behind his tight frown, pink on his cheeks as he glances down at you. You on the other hand are still glaring at Julian. You grab Muirel’s arm and wrap it around your waist, sticking your nose up at Julian. Muriel pulls you in closer. You’re really doing your best to try and calm down, but still feel your heartbeat raising with rage and a little adrenaline.

Julian wriggles his eyebrow, “The man must be talented at taming many wild beasts…” Muriel jots, Immediate heat starts to radiate off of his body. The fuck did he just say?? Julian looks at him thoughtfully, trying to read him. “Hmmm...So that’s what the big guy is into—.” Julian eyes you up and down, all you see is red.

You lunge forward aggressively. “—I’ll show you a wild animal, Doc! This boney ass knee on mine will break your fucking spine!!!” Julian’s smirk falls away, a bead of sweet falls down his temple. Muriel reluctantly holds you back with his arm as Julian hides himself slightly behind Asra.  

Asra shakes his head, then grabs Julian’s ear lobe from his right side, pulling him down to his height. “Quit while you're ahead, Jules. She really will hurt you if you don’t shut the hell up.”

Drunk on humiliation and anger you grit through your teeth. “Imma kick his ass—HEY!”

Muriel scoops you up and throws you over his shoulder, face and body incredibly red still. Swifty he grabs two of the lanterns off the table with his other hand as you protest and flounder on his shoulder. “...We’re leaving! NOW!!”

“Hey! Where are you going?” Asra leans on one leg, putting the rest of his weight on Julian’s shoulder.

“—Away from him!” Muriel hasilty, but carefully squeezes at the small door. You finally stop squirming and your arms just dangle across his back. You sneer and grumble as you stare down Julian as Muriel pulls the door closed behind him.

“...Goddamn Ilya…saying stupid shit like that...” Muriel utters a little to himself as he puts you down to your feet. He bends down and starts to look you over. “...you alright?” He cups your jawline turning your face and inspecting up and down for any injuries. “...Glass everywhere on the floor, you sure you didn’t cut yourself?” All the anger melts away and a smile takes over your mouth. It’s funny, he does the same thing for Inanna. It’s strange how he can make you feel so much better with little gestures like this.

Your hand meets his that’s still on your face, you lean into his touch. “I’m fine—Now that we’re alone....” He tenses a little, realizing himself, but doesn’t attempt to pull away. “Thanks for coming and rescuing me, Mur~”

He snorts, “Don’t you mean rescuing Ilya from you??” Tucking a loose hair behind your ear.

“Yeah…” You scratch your head, blushing and giggling with him. “...Did you hear him squeal?”

He throws his head back and lets out a hearty laugh. “How could I not? I think the entire city heard it!” His shoulders shake, laughing to himself as he continues to think about it.

You look over towards the other people. You’ve missed the opening ceremony and all the lanterns are already lit. Feeling a little disappointed and mope a little. “....Ugh. Ilya made us miss the beginning of it. I really wanted you to see it…” You grab one of the lanterns in his hand, opening the glass door. Conjuring magic to your fingertips, you focus on a small flame until a spark appears, igniting the wick within. Once lit you trade it with the other one and do the same. “Everyone lights them at the same time after a bell is sounded. It’s really pretty...”

Muriel's eyes are warm, and he smiles. “Well… It’s like you said, there is next year…”

You feel like your eyes sparkle, your face relaxes. “But we could get struck by lightning next week… right?” He chuckles as he leans down, his eyes fixed on your lips, you feel breathless, anxiously waiting for his kiss. His mouth just an inch away from yours, “I’m supposed to be the pessimistic one, remember..?”

You lean into him about to closing the gap, lips brushing up against his.

“Hey you two—“ Asra suddenly opens the shop door, and you both jump, feeling like you’ve been caught. Muriel quickly straightens up, his brow narrows a bit, looking a little irritated. Asra flutters his eyelashes then smirks as he leans into the door frame, “....Were you two in the middle of something?”

“........Maybe…” Muriel whispers to himself, but you catch it and cough to stop a laugh looking at your feet.

Asra laughs, “Well, maybe you will get another chance later. Go on ahead to the festival.”

“But… I thought we were all going to go together.” You tilt your head confused. Asra and you always went together and you wanted to spend time with your friend.

Asra pauses for a moment and a little bit of pink takes over his face. “Julian apparently wanted company at the festival. But now, he’s got a sore back… I’m staying here for a little while and gonna try to heal it if I can.”

You feel your heart flutter a little, that was actually somewhat sweet. Other than Julian breaking and entering and scaring the shit out of you part…

Muriel‘s face twists, “You can just tell him ‘no’....He’s a doctor, he can do it himself.” Muriel doesn’t really mean that. But he does seem to miss spending time with Asra too. Tonight was a good chance for you three to catch up and enjoy things for a change, without the fate of the world on your shoulders that is.

Asra smiles and shrugs. “I would have been a third wheel anyways…” He waves the two of you off. “Go have some fun! We may catch up at the meteor shower. Try to find a good spot for all of us, Rhemi.” He reaches for the doorknob to close it.

“Asra!” He stops and opens the door a little more. You twiddle your thumbs a little feeling sheepish. “Can...Can you tell him I’m sorry for hurting his back? I really didn’t mean to…not that badly at least.” You thumbs stop fidgeting, you feel your face contort irritatedly, “—Also tell him not to call me ‘Rhemi-Dear’, ever again! I’m not his little pet.”

He laughs through his nose, “Sure thing— ‘Rhemi-Dear’.” He starts to snicker. You shoot him an annoyed look, and stick out your bottom lip. A flick of your wrist you half closing the door on him with your magic. Asra staggers forward, being taken by surprise, then holds the door away from him. “Ok—I deserved that one!” He chuckles a bit. Finally he waves as he shuts the door the rest of the way leaving you and Muriel all alone on the street.

Your eyes meet his and you both shrug simultaneously. You sigh, “Well,” batting your eyelashes flirtatiously. “...Guess this is a date now.”

Muriel’s cheeks heat up again. “I’m... ok with that.” He sets the lantern in his hand down on the ground. In one quick motion he scoops you up in his arms, lifting you up off of your feet, pulling you into his chest. An involuntarily shallow gasp escapes your throat, your free hand brace against his thick muscled shoulder. You’re taken back by his sudden affection, but you don’t resist in the slightest. “....are you…alright with it?”

You can’t help but look at him wantingly, you feel an aroused pull in your abdomen, making you feel hot. He’s changed so much since you both met, never did you think that you’d be in his arms. There wasn’t anything you wanted more than to be with him. Just like this. “Of course I am~” His hand cups your face again and finally your lips meet. Not just a quick little peck, but a meaningful, sensual kiss.

A handful of young children barrol from around the corner, catching you both in the act. They sneer and giggle as they quickly run by, shouting, “BLEH!! —EWWW!!! Gross!! Their kissing!!!!” Their disgusted remarks take you by surprise, making your both pull away from each other. Eyes darting towards the kid’s direction, both your faces feeling very flushed and hot. As they turn the corner, you sputter making Muriel join in on your laughter. You press your forehead to his, giving him another quick kiss on the nose, you feel him melt under your lips.

Muriel gently put you back to your feet and picks up the lantern off of the ground. He offers you his arm, you take it eagerly, leaning your head onto his bicep. You start to tug him along, making your way towards the festival. “Soooooo—ya’ think those two are gonna start datin’?”

“Who?” He look down at you blankly.

You point your head toward the shop where Asra and Julian are currently, looking up at him with a delighted smirk. Muriel just rolls his eyes and groans.

“—What?? I think they’re kinda cute together!!”

This was one of the best Spring Star and Lantern festivals ever. 

The end~

Sorry for giving another short story. At least this was not a tear jerker...

I have been working on like three other things. They all just were just short stories. But they were a lot of fun to write, so I hope everyone likes them the same. =)

As always, thanks for reading my hot garbage! 

[5-falsehoods-phonated]

(Prompts with boxes have been taken, highlighted have been written.)

I have requests and ideas for all of the prompts, so no more requests from this card will be accepted. I’m planning on writing and posting all of these within the month of December and probably a bit into January. If you don’t want to see these stories, block the tag #false bthb, if you would like to be tagged in future stories shoot me an ask!

This prompt got away from me a bit so it’s split into two parts. The prompt comes into play in the second part. Requested by @atlasistryingherbest​ I hope you enjoy it, the second part will be up tomorrow!

General tagging: @im-an-anxious-wreck (you're gonna be tagged in mostly bthb this month as that's the project I'm working on, so if you'd like this changed to only the multichapter fics or general one shots please let me know. Thank you again for the interest!)

My Sunshine Part 1

Summary: Patton thinks he’s finally caught the break he needs when he finds and falls in love with Roman. Ignoring the warning signs until it’s too late Patton ends up losing more than he had dared to gain.

Warnings: more for part two but story contains human trafficking, implied non consensual sex and starvation

Prompt: Denied food as Punishment

Ships: Royality, Patton x Roman

WC: 4, 166

Patton skirted around another group of students, clutching his rather heavy school bag and trying not to bump into anyone in his rush to his bus. The college campus wasn’t exactly large but the crowds remained a nuisance no matter how small the classes were. Seeing the bus start to pull up to the sidewalk for its hourly trip into the downtown area he quickened his pace, desperate not to miss it again. Thankfully getting to the back of the waiting line with time to spare he took a breath and finally managed to zip his bag closed, hoisting it over his shoulders and looking around to see if he could recognize anyone from his classes.

Having just moved into town for school a month ago Patton didn’t really have any friends yet, just people who would occasionally ask him for a pencil only to not give it back- but that was fine! Whenever he ran out of pencils to give he could just ask them for one and he would know they’d have one since he had given so many of his away. If nothing else he figures a missing pencil was as good an ice breaker as any to start a conversation with somebody.

Lost as he was in his thoughts he immediately snapped out of it when he caught sight of one of the cutest men he had ever seen. Tall, dark and handsome didn’t even begin to cover it when he saw the stranger laugh at whatever the person next to him was talking about and reach up to push longish, curly hair out of his eyes. The stranger seemed to suddenly become aware that he was being stared at, turning his head and somehow immediately locking eyes with an extremely flustered Patton. Offering a king smile and a small wave Patton was sure he turned at least ten different shades of red before he managed to tear his eyes away and trip up the stairs to the bus to plop tiredly in the first empty seat he could find.

Burying his face in his hands he groaned at his own stupidity, lamenting the fact that he had been caught ogling someone he didn’t even know or recognize from any of his classes. He had seemed so nice though, not even seeming fazed at being stared at- though with such a confident air that he seemed to have Patton thought maybe he was used to it by now. All he could hope was that he’d never see the stranger again and if he did he wouldn’t remember Patton as that creepy guy in the bus line who probably looked half dead for as much coffee he consumed to keep up with his life.

Deciding not to dwell on it too much he grimaced as he hoisted his pack up yet again as his stop came into view, dreading another afternoon spent on his feet trying to hear people’s orders and write them down correctly while the general noise of the restaurant made it a challenge to get his own forcibly friendly “Hello, what can I get for you?” to be heard. Shuffling off the bus with everyone else he quickly jogged down the block and around the back of the restaurant he worked at, swiping his apron on in the same motion of throwing his bag down and scooting it under a table and out of the way. Smoothing his hair bag and rubbing what he hoped was most of the tiredness from his eyes he put on his best smile and waltzed his way out onto the main floor, tagging out his shift swift for which he was barely acknowledged before they gestured to a family just getting comfortable for him to service.

Squaring his shoulders and taking one more deep breath he began walking over to them. It was just a five hour shift, he could handle a five hour shift.

-----

He could barely handle a five hour shift.

Frowning down at his bag that contained his barely started on homework his fingers fumbled with the knot of his apron as he desperately tried to work it off. Huffing in frustration he bent his neck painfully to get the top part off and shimmied hip hips while yanking the bottom part until he was finally able to kick it into a wall. Dragging a hand over his face he snatched it up and hung it up rather aggressively before getting his bag and hurrying out the back door to catch the bus back to his run down apartment. The ride was as uneventful as ever but he almost missed it when he finally reached his apartment only to see a corner of an envelope sticking out from under the door that would undoubtedly contain the rent bill he would have to scrape together enough change to meet again.

Although he was grateful to be away from his family and that he had been able to get into college in the first place it was an expensive path in life that he had to work hard at two jobs to maintain, still barely managing to scrape by each month. Since switching campuses to be closer to work opportunities it had only seemed to get worse. If he had a roommate it might be different, at least taking some of the financial burden off his shoulders but he didn’t know anyone in this town enough to ask and he definitely didn’t want to invite people he didn’t know into his life with an ad in the newspaper calling for a roommate- who knew if they’d even pay rent or pick up after themselves or leave his things alone. No, Patton was a little too paranoid for that. Flopping face down onto his couch he wormed his way half under the back cushions and seat cushions until it was just a little too tight and sighed contently, letting his eyes finally drift shut as he gave his legs a rest. His stomach growled not ten minutes later however, making him groan and debate whether making something would actually be worthwhile. Realizing he still had work to do anyway he carefully got up and rolled up his sleeves, wondering if that frozen pizza in the freezer was still good.

A little while later with pizza in one hand and a pencil in the other he worked his way through his math and science homework, stacking them to the side as he made way for the english paper he had yet to start. He was still trying to work through basic classes before he got to...whatever it wsa he would decide he wanted to major in, though sometimes he was intimidated but the already nearly overwhelming workload he had to tell himself it would all be worth it. He just had to smile through it and push through until he came out the other side with a bright a nd shiny degree and an even brighter future. Of course, that optimism could only take him so far as he stared at the book report he was supposed to be at least outlining, a quick glance at the clock telling him that if he wanted to shower, now would be the time if he didn’t want to be late for his stocking job. Working at a warehouse form one to seven in the morning definitely wasn’t ideal but it paid well and it was just enough to keep him floating while he worked his way through school. Wincing as he stood up on wobbly, half asleep legs he dumped his plate in the sink and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower before he had to be at the warehouse for his shift.

Stumbling out of his apartment complex still struggling to get his jacket on he happened to look up and see an unfamiliar car parked across the street. I wonder if someone else is moving in, he thought, squinting in the darkness of the early morning to try and make out details. He thought he saw movement in the drivers side but the beeping of his watch let him know he had a very limited amount of time now to get to where he was going, so turning on his heel he booked it to the warehouse a few blocks down, any other thoughts drowned out by the apprehensionsion of the promised monotony to come.

-----

Patton was dead on his feet by the time his shift ended and he made it back to his apartment. Making side eyes at the couch wit his notes still scattered on the coffee table he shook his head and went down the short hallway to his bedroom instead, peeling off his shirt and pants as he went and flopped onto the box spring, flopping his arm around for his treasured dog plushie before curling onto his side and beginning to snore within minutes. When he woke up to his insistent alarm five hours later he groaned and threw the plushie at the offending machine to no avail. Stretching out his stiff muscles he reached over and pressed the button to get the thing to shut up while rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Another day, another...well just another day really. He had half an hour to make himself somewhat presentable and make coffee, maybe try to scratch out part of that english outline before heading off to class and repeating the daily routine of rushing around and catching quick ten minute naps when he could. Thankful today was Wednesday, meaning he had two more regular days and then Saturday he only had to get through his warehouse shift before he was free for the weekend. He made a face at the dust clinging to nearly every surface in his room.. Maybe he’d use that weekend to clean a bit.

Coffee brewing, face washed and toast wolfed down he did actually manage to get a quarter of his outline done before he had to gather everything up and leave. Taking a thermos of caffeine for the road he made it out in record time to catch the bus, idly noting the car from last night was still parked across the street, though it was clearly empty now. A dark blue Sudan with tinted windows from what he could. Shrugging he went to wait in line with everyone else; what he wouldn't give for his own car.

----

It wasn’t until the following week that he saw the car in a different place, this time parked in front of his restaurant. The only reason he really noticed it was because he had honestly been wondering when the thing would be toed considering it never seemed to leave the same spot from across the street. Shrugging the fleeting interest off he quickened his pace and got his apron on, shimmying the bottom part over his head since he hadn't got the knot undone and bending his neck forward to properly don the front loop. Smoothing himself out while shoving his bag under the table and fishing for his notepad and pen he stretched his face into yet another believable smile and pushed his way out of the kitchen and to his shift switch, only to freeze in place when they gestured to a table with a lone figure sat at it.

This cannot be happening, he thought with dismay. At the table sat the very stranger who had smiled at him after catching him staring last week. He was just as cute as ever and had a relaxed, easy smile on his face that Patton instantly felt himself melt for. Now is not thee time Patton, he scolded himself as he straightened his apron and walked over, palms sweating an embarrassing amount with knees he hoped to God weren’t visibly shaking.

“Hello, what can I get for you?”

The man looked up and his smile only grew wider as he cupped his chin. “Have we met?”

Sputtering, Patton clutched his notepad to his chest as he struggled to string a coherent thought together. He knew! He knew and now he’d get to tell him what a creep he was and-

“I’m certain I would have remembered the name of a person as cute as you if we had.” The man leaned forward practically purring. “Patton is it? That suits you.”

Patton barely heard the other half of what was being said to him, the word “cute” bouncing around in his skull too many times for him to properly concentrate on the actual conversation. He turned his incredibly red face away from the others gaze, not quite sure what to say back, thankfully the man saved him from having to respond by finally leaning back and taking the menu up again. “I’m very sorry, where are my manners? I’m keeping you from your job aren’t I?”

He was but heck if Patton was going to agree with that statement. The kinder he was the more this person might tip, and besides, he actually was very cute especially up close. He didn’t mind a bit of casual flirting especially since the other didn’t seem to have anything against him.

“You’re fine sir! I um- I don’t mind.” That being the closest Patton could get to actually accepting a compliment he quickly moved on. “Are you ready to order?”

“Yes actually! I’d like a chicken sandwich with tomato and a chef’s salad on the side.”

Nodding, Patton looked back up from his scribbling. “And to drink?”

“Water would be lovely.”

Taking the menu, he nodded again. “It’ll be right out sir.”

“Thank you, Patton.”

The use of his name set him on edge for a second but he quickly brushed it aside. He was just being nice, sure maybe overly nice- but this was the first full blown kind of conversation he’d held with someone who wasn't his landlord or boss in weeks. If the stranger wanted to use his name that was fine. He’d just have to learn his!

Busy as the restaurant was in the afternoon he was slightly disappointed he hadn’t seen the man leave but made his way over to the table to start cleaning up while he had a free minute. Lifting the check book his eyes nearly bugged out of his head at the tip that was left. A solid fifty dollar bill lay next to the receipt, and on the latter a phone number was written along with a name.

“Roman.” Patton breathed out. He realized he was holding a third month's rent in his hands, he could get groceries this week...proper groceries! Like...Patton pursed his lips in thought, maybe fruit and vegetables? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d bitten into an apple that hadn’t gone completely soft from sitting in the cafeteria for far too long. With stars in his eyes and a name in his heart he pocketed the tip and went about the rest of his shift in a daze, not even noticing the dark blue Sudan still parkly in the parking lot as he made his way back home.

----

Roman was absolutely charming- in every sense of the word. After their first phone call where Patton had thanked him endlessly for the very generous tip they had been texting and calling nearly nonstop. The flowery, flirty way he spoke, the way he looked at Patton like he was hung on the moon, even the way he said his name like he was cradling something precious, it was almost too much. Patton’s workplace had become a regular place for Roman to eat, always sitting at the same place and getting there seemingly right as Patton’s shift started. Tired still though he was, he found the monotony broken at last by a welcome smile to greet him every day of the week, and he was absolutely living for it.

Patton was ecstatic when Roman asked him on a date the following week, securing Saturday as the day they’d meet up at a different restaurant and hang out. He felt like he was floating, like finally something was sliding into place and everyday that it got close to the weekend just made him even more motivated to finish his shifts and homework so he could talk to the one who had so quickly captured his attention. The days flew by, and when Saturday finally came he rushed through his shift at the warehouse to go home and sleep, wanting to be well rested for his first date in years.

-----

Despite his excitement, Patton ended up oversleeping and rushing in vain around his apartment, throwing together a haphazard outfit consisting of a soft blue, non-work polo and light jeans. Sliding his feet into his usual tennis shoes and running quick fingers through his hair he could only hope that was enough as he ran out of his apartment and down the stairs to the street below. The restaurant wasn’t far thankfully and he was able to jog there in no time at all, hoping he didn’t look like too much of a sweaty mess to the other man who always looked impeccably out together. Spotting him at a table on the far side of the joint next to the windows Patton made his way over and sat down nervously.

“I’m so sorry I’m late! I overslept and I tried to hurry but-”

“Please, don’t worry about it.” Roman lain a hand on top of Patton's leaving him to fight to contain his blush. “I wasn’t waiting that long and besides, this place has a lovely view.”

Turning to look out the window, Patton had to agree. The restaurant had a wonderful view of the local park, families playing with their children or pets as the Saturday afternoon wore on. He watched the families almost wistfully, almost but not quite missing his own as he watched one play hide-and-seek while another helped their child across the monkey bars. He was so enraptured by the sight before him he didn’t notice Roman’s gaze turn calculating before his easy smile slid back into place, placing his chin in his hands as he joined Patton in people watching.

“Someday, when I leave this town, I’d like to be settled with a family like that.” Roman’s voice brought Patton out of his own thoughts, making him turn to his date with a smile. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, I’d like to have someone to take care of and love, and have them love me back. It sounds perfect doesn’t it?”

Patton flicked his eyes away for a second before smiling again. “It does. To be stable and settled down with kiddos, that’s the life I want.”

Seeming to sense his hesitation Roman cocked his head to the side. “Got a bad experience with families?”

“I-” Patton again was slightly put off by the stranger's forwardness and apparent skills of perception but he brushed it aside, finding it nice to be listened to. “My family and I didn’t get along very well I guess. We don’t talk at all now.”

Roman’s eyes flashed as he nodded. “I understand that. My family doesn’t talk to me much anymore either. It happens.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Patton looked away again as the waitress walked over with water and menus. Quietly thanking her Patton skimmed the list of items searching for something cheap. Settling on a club sandwich with a side of coleslaw he closed the menu just in time for the waitress to come back. Taking their orders she quickly left them alone once again, Patton trying desperately to hide a yawn behind his fist.

“Am I boring you already?” Roman said teasingly, and Patton’s face burned in embarrassment.

“It isn’t that I swear I-”

“It’s okay! Tired from work, I take it?”

Patton nodded gratefully and scratched his neck. “I work two jobs with school and I just- I’m a mess.”

Roman chuckled and shook his head. Hardly! That’s quite admirable of you actually, you work so hard for what you have.”

Patton smiled a bit at the table, blush dying down a bit as he breathed. “I guess so yeah.”

“Well I know so!” Patton flinched slightly as he raised his voice but Roman didn’t seem to notice as their food was placed in front of them and they dug in.

“We should really come here more often, this was exquisite!” Patton’s eyes shot up as he heard that. We? More often? Did that mean-

“You think entirely too loud for my liking my sunshine. Please forgive my forwardness, but would you like to do this again sometime?”

Patton beamed at the other man, twisting his fingers nervously under the table. “I’d love to, Roman.”

-----

The next couple months went by in a blur, having dates when they could manage them and extended phone calls when they couldn’t. Then a weekend finally came when they could go out again, deciding meeting at the same restaurant was fine since it was so good last time. Thankfully Patton wasn’t late again, sliding in a chair across from Roman and taking the menu in his hands.

“Hey Roman!’

“Hello my love, it’s good to see that smile again.” Face heating quickly Patton hid his face behind his menu and ignored Roman’s soft chuckles, deciding to order the same thing for simplicity's sake. Giving their orders and receiving their drinks left the two alone and Roman took the opportunity to lean forward with a serious expression, making Patton squirm nervously in his chair.

“Patton, I have something I want to ask you, and you can absolutely say no if you wish to.”

Pressing his lips together Patton nodded for him to continue.

“I know how hard you work, what with two jobs and school on top of that; you’ve told me you sometimes struggle to meet the rent. We’ve been dating for a couple months now and I was wondering, would you like to move in with me?”

Taken aback by the question Patton could do nothing but gape at the other man, silence stretching between them as he tried to comprehend what he was hearing.

“I understand the hesitancy but I feel like it makes more sense. I could pay most of the rent while you contribute the rest, we could trade off making dinner, it’s a bigger apartment I’m sure so you could get out of that run down building. Plus it's closer to your campus so you wouldn’t have to take the bus, and I could always drive you to work.”

“Roman- that’s incredibly generous of you but I can’t ask you to do that.” Declining drove a stake through his heart but Patton was determined to stay firm. He wasn't a charity case, and even if the answers to nearly all of his problems were sitting right in front of him he knew he had to refuse.

“Patton, you aren’t asking, I am.” Roman looked imploringly into his eyes. “You do so much, let me take care of you.”

Biting his lip, Patton looked back at Roman nervously. This was an incredible thing that had just landed right in his lap- he wanted to say yes so badly but what if they didn't work out? If they broke up Patton would be on the street, he didn’t know anyone besides Roman and his bosses and the latter he knew wouldn’t think twice about some poor college student living on the sidewalk. Plus he felt like the relationship was moving so fast, though he didn’t really have much to compare it to other than little high school flings so maybe he was just paranoid. But it was so difficult to keep up with the rent, and if he had the security of Roman- not quite the roommate he had imagined but definitely better, maybe everything was finally looking up.

Squeezing Roman’s hand he took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. Only if you're sure and I’ll of course help out around the apartment in any way I can!”

“I don’t doubt it my love.” Their food was placed in front of them, as Roman nodded. “We can move you in today if you like. It wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

Smiling giddily Patton nodded. Yes, everything was certainly turning around for the better.

-----

As they left the restaurant with Roman leading him to his car so they could start packing up his apartment, Patton nearly froze on the spot but managed to keep walking like nothing had happened. He climbed somewhat nervously into the car he had been seeing outside of his apartment, outside of his restaurant and even sometimes outside of the rather remote warehouse where he worked. He shut the door to the dark blue Sudan carefully and buckled his seatbelt, pushing the buzzing in his ears aside as he settled in his seat and listened to Roman’s idle chatter.

Everything was looking up. It would be fine.

This work is also available on AO3!

Part 2 here

[shining-red-diamond]

In the Frozen

Words: 4.6k

Pairing: Bang Chan x Reader

Rating: PG-15

Warnings: mentions of blood, brief birth scene, and some violence

Summary: After General Christopher Bang defeats a ferocious dragon, he is finally able to marry the princess and do his best to run a peaceful kingdom with kindness. However, when the princess awakens on a winter morning to discover her husband, the most decorated and heroic knight, missing, she knows something isn’t right. She wants to go out looking for him, but there’s a problem: she’s expectant and due any day. Will she be able to find her beloved Christopher before she has to give birth to the future prince or princess?

-

General Christopher Bang was one of the king’s finest and most decorated soldiers. His leadership and skills helped him climb to the rank of general. He fought bravely and was loyal to the king and his country, but he was known for his kind soul. Chris never boasted when he talked about his battles, never was prideful, and never was cross with a soldier if they messed up. Children also looked up to him as a hero or as someone they wanted to be like when they grew up, and he enjoyed telling the children slightly exaggerated stories of some of his adventures.

But with all of his amazing battles and journeys he had led, his greatest adventure to him was meeting Princess Y/N. The two first met when an assassin of the rival kingdom had threatened to kidnap her before murdering the king and queen, and Chris served as her bodyguard. Over the course of a three-month war, the two became close; and by the time the war was coming to an end they had confessed their love for each other. The summer was filled with a budding romance, and the fall and winter was spent by a cozy fireplace. However, she was still the princess and had been promised to various suitors, but she could never see herself happy with any of them. Y/N only had that kind of love for Chris. As kind as her father was, he wouldn’t let her marry anyone that wasn’t of royal blood. After he was to pass on or decided to step down from the throne, he would be passing his crown to his son-in-law. Y/N would inherit the queen’s crown at the same time.

However, after some time, the king finally agreed to give Y/N to Chris if he could slaughter the beast that terrorized the forest surrounding the kingdom. The general accepted the challenge with the reassurance that if he survives, he’s marrying Y/N for love, not for the crown. Of course Chris loved the people of the kingdom and wanted to protect them, but being king wasn’t on his agenda. He promised that if he was to be crowned king in the near future, then he would rule with kindness and love.

The general gathered his army of 3,000 soldiers, built their strategy of taking down the creature, and set off into the forest. After four long days of battle, injuries, and fifty-seven losses of some of Chris’s men, the creature, a shadow dragon, was finally slain. The people celebrated the victory with a festival, music, and a parade. The fallen soldiers were given a memorial, and General Bang married the princess.

For about a year and half, the entire kingdom had a period of blissful peace. The villagers went about their everyday lives, political issues with other kingdoms were resolved without war, and Y/N and Chris were experiencing the ups and downs of their first year of marriage; but the couple was crazy for each other each passing day.

Soon, the news came that Y/N were going to have a baby, and the kingdom was overjoyed with excitement about a new prince or princess in the royal family. All was at peace.

Or so they thought.

…

The early, winter morning sun shone through the bedroom windows with a soft orange glow. Snowflakes could be seen lightly falling outside, giving the view an almost magical feel. The room itself was nice and warm, and Y/N was beginning to awaken from a sweet dream.

Her eyes fluttered open just in time to see her maid Ryujin open the door and carry in a tray of food.

“Good morning, miss,” she greeted with a smile as she brought breakfast over to her.

“Hello, Ryujin,” Y/N said groggily as she sat up. She then noticed that Chris wasn’t on his side of the bed. “Where’s Christopher?”

The maid placed the tray in front of Y/N. “The general had an emergency call this morning. Did he not tell you?”

“I don’t believe he ever came to bed last night.”

Y/N retraced her footsteps from the day before. They had spent the day together organizing things for the baby such as its bed, where the toys went, and even old children’s books Y/N had saved for this occasion. When they had finished they took a walk in the greenhouse that protected most of the plants that would be placed in the garden once spring approached. After dinner that evening, Chris was called to an emergency that he couldn’t ignore; but he promised that he’d return.

“He had an emergency call yesterday,” Y/N said. “How could have one this morning? He would have woken me up to tell me.”

“Maybe he was in a hurry, miss,” Ryujin shrugged. “Shall I start a bath for you?”

“Sure.”

“Warm water with Epsom salt?”

“You know me too well, Ryujin.”

“I’ll have it ready by the time you finish your meal,” the maid promised and headed into the bathroom.

With the sound of the bathtub facet turning on, Y/N began to eat her breakfast of fresh berries, yogurt, and eggs and a glass of water stood at the corner of the tray.

Y/N was never really a breakfast-in-bed person, but as her baby bump swelled throughout her pregnancy she found it harder to get out of bed to join her family for breakfast. Chris always made sure to massage her feet or do something to ease any pain she might have been experiencing that morning, and he would sometimes eat an apple as he tried interacting with his wife’s bump.

Chris’s absence this morning was making Y/N feeling uneasy. He typically would come to bed about the same time she would be falling asleep, but she never felt his presence the night before. She didn’t want to assume the worst, but she couldn’t help the odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. And it wasn’t the baby’s feet kicking her, which interrupted her thoughts.

The fetus developing in her liked to move around a lot, and Y/N always found herself giggling because of it. It typically happened whenever she was having a meal or if she was talking to her unborn child. Now, that she was due any day, the movements weren’t as frequent. Y/N worried that she was losing her first baby; the doctor had reassured her that the child was alive but now had limited space within the womb. The baby had also moved into position for birth, and Y/N was still counting down until delivery.

“You’re bath is ready, Your Highness,” Ryujin called from the bathroom doorway right when Y/N finished her breakfast.

“Thank you,” she replied. “But can you help me up.”

Ryujin was already at her bedside and gently helped the princess to her feet.

After a blissful and calming bath, Y/N felt fresh as a daisy and threw on a comfortable, baby blue dress to meet her parents in the throne room. She managed to half-waddle through the castle halls, and a few maids kept a keen eye on her as she carefully stepped down the stairs. Two guards pushed open the throne room doors, and Y/N found her parents in discussion with some of Chris’s soldiers.

“Mother?” Y/N called out to the queen.

“Good morning, darling.” Her Majesty threw her arms open to hug her daughter.

“What’s going on?”

The king dismissed the soldiers before turning to greet to the princess with kiss on her forehead. “How are you today, my dear?”

“Wanting an explanation. Papa, why were Chris’s men here just now?”

The queen took her by the hand and guided her to the princess’s seat next to the king’s. “You better have seat.”

Y/N eased herself into her chair and locked eyes with her parents. “If something has happened to my husband, I have the right to know.”

“Y/N,” the king said, “Christopher is missing.”

Her heart began to pick up speed. Her hunches had been right, but she didn’t want to believe her father.

“No,” she argued as she shook her head. “That can’t be. He’s on an emergency call, isn’t he? That’s what I’ve been told.”

“We thought so, too,” said the queen, “but when the guards told us he had never returned within the hours he had promised, we knew something wasn’t right.”

The kind then explained everything that had happened that morning. One of the guards had discovered that the emergency call was just to lure General Bang from the castle and into the snowy forest. However, when the other knights went to see if he had possibly returned, they only found his horse running out of the woods a nervous wreck as if he had seen a monster. Reports of a beast lurking deep in the woods had also been buzzing around the kingdom for a few weeks, but nothing serious came of it. That’s when the king decided to send a search party for his son-in-law.

No one ever went into the forest unless they were traveling along the path that led to the other kingdoms. Children and teenagers would go a few feet in but only to play games. The likelihood of someone needing help in the woods was low but not impossible.

With the new information she had now, Y/N began to cry. Her beloved husband was out in the woods somewhere with possibly no food or anything else for survival. She was scared the beast might have gotten him.

“I’m so sorry, dear,” the queen cooed as she embraced her for comfort. “But we’re going to do everything we can to find him.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Y/N asked through her sobs. “I want to find him.”

“We know,” said the king, “but in your condition, we can’t have you wandering off.”

“Especially now with the baby coming any day now,” added the queen.

“But you have our word that whatever news we get, you will be notified.”

Y/N sighed. “Thank you, Papa.”

“How about a walk in the greenhouse before lunch?” the queen asked.

…

For the next three days, everything seemed to turn into a routine: Y/N waking up alone, eating breakfast in bed before a morning bath with hair washing every couple of days, a walk in the greenhouse with the queen, a nice lunch, and meeting with subjects before dinner. Very little news came from the search party except if they found something that had been on Chris’s person the day he disappeared: his sword, pieces of his armor, and eventually his helmet. However, despite never finding a body, some of the knights were starting to presume their general was dead.

Y/N refused to believe her husband was dead. The knights were starting to give up on the search, and Y/N begged them to continue until it got to a point where she was almost nagging them. They wouldn’t budge anymore, and the king and queen were starting to give up.

Now, Y/N had enough. She decided she was going to search for Chris herself. She knew running off while still very pregnant was risky, but she felt in her heart that Chris was somewhere. She just hoped he was safe.

Evening fell, and Y/N was rushing to pack any essentials she would need on her journey. Food, extra clothing, medicine, a thick blanket, a machete, two daggers were stashed into the sack she was bringing with her. The snow was falling softly outside, and everyone else had gone to bed; so Y/N had to work quickly before she could sneak out of the castle.

“What are you doing, miss?” Ryujin asked, startling Y/N. “My apologies, but are you heading somewhere?”

Y/N sighed. She placed the last cloak in her sack and said, “I’m going to find my husband.”

Ryujin opened her mouth to speak, but Y/N stopped her. “If it was me out there missing, he’d do the same. I know I’m days from giving birth, Ryujin, but I can’t sit here while he’s possibly lost out in the forest somewhere. I have medicine, herbs, food, and a cloak for him if he needs them.”

“It’s not just yours or his health I worry about,” the maid said before lowering her voice into a whisper. “It’s the beast out there.”

“I have a machete and two daggers I’m taking with me. It might not be the best protection, but it’ll give me a running start if I need it.”

“But-“

“No, ‘buts.’ I know I’m risking a lot-“ Y/N placed a hand on her watermelon belly “-but I want my child to know who his father is. If I’m not back in three days, send a party.”

Grabbing her sack, she left her room, leaving a shocked but hopeful Ryujin standing there to try to cover for her.

As soon as she sneaked into the castle’s kitchen, YN didn’t hold back and burst through the wooden door. She knew it wasn’t the best idea, but she was desperate.

Chris was out there, and nothing was going to stop Y/N from looking for him.

The cold air nipped at any exposed skin. Snow crunched beneath her feet as she ran in the frozen forest. The pale glow of the full moon was her only source of light in the forest, and she could hear the distance growls of the beast chasing after her. Y/N wanted to look back if it was behind her, but her gut instinct told her not to and to keep going. Her lungs were burning, screaming for air as she was running while heavy with child; but she wasn’t about to give up until she found some sort of shelter for the night.

She spotted an opening in the trees and a yellowish-orange light coming from it. As she got closer, she realized there was a cottage in the middle of the forest. Her feet picked up speed, but because of the darkness Y/N failed to see the branch that struck her in the head with a gigantic force. She lost her balance, but she still kept going.

Dizziness began to swarm her head, her vision began to cloud, but she managed to find herself in front of the cottage. Two figures emerged from the doorway, but Y/N couldn’t tell who they were. She felt herself fall to the ground, and the distance roar of the beast was the last thing she heard before everything faded to black.

…

“Is she going to wake up soon?”

“She hit her head pretty hard, so I can’t say when.”

“Not to mention, she was bleeding out, so she could have a headache when she wakes up.”

Two of the voices were unfamiliar to Y/N, but she could easily recognize the third one. However, she wasn’t sure if she was dreaming or not. Everything had echoed at first, but they steadied quickly.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. Immediately, her head started pounding, forcing her eyes shut again; and she moaned in pain.

“Easy, dear,” one of the voices, which was female, soothed.

A cold, damp towel was placed on Y/N’s head, and she opened her eyes again. Three people were standing around her, one female and two male. The woman had a kind face and cheeks that were round when she smiled. One of the men had kind eyes and had a few tattoos covering his tanned skin. The third man made Y/N’s heart leap for joy when she saw him.

“Chris?” she muttered.

The soldier knelt down by her and kissed her passionately, Y/N’s fingers running through his jet-black curls. “Hi, my love,” he whispered softly with a smile.

“I thought you were-“

“I’m alive,” he reassured her. “Just injured.”

“Where are we?”

“Don’t worry, your Highness,” the woman said as she helped her sit up. “You’re safe with us.”

Y/N then took in her surroundings. She was in a double bed with soft and warm sheets covering her lower half, but she was now in a nightgown. A lit fireplace was across the room from her, keeping the cottage warm; and a kitchen and dining room could be seen from the doorway.

“Darling,” Chris spoke up, “this is Hyorin and her husband Taeyang. They found me after I had killed the beast and took me her to patch up.”

She now noticed the sling on her husband arm but was confused. “It’s dead?”

Chris nodded.

“How? What was it?”

“I’ll explain everything in a bit,” her husband promised. “Right now, you need to relax.”

Taeyang and Hyorin left the room and shut the door behind them. Chris sat on the edge of the bed and stroked his wife’s face.

“What were you thinking?” he asked.

“You’ve been gone for almost four days,” Y/N replied. “Everyone else was starting to think you were dead, and I got impatient.”

Chris couldn’t help but softly smile. His wife wasn’t one to give up easily and would willingly go to the ends of the earth for her loved ones if she had to. He couldn’t stay angry with her.

He planted a kiss on her forehead and said against her skin, “I’m alive, my love. I’ve just been healing and gaining my strength back.”

“What about the beast? If you killed it, then how come I could still hear it?”

Chris chuckled. “The mind can easily play tricks on a person. I’m guessing fear somehow got a hold of your imagination, and you began to hear things that weren’t there.”

Y/N listened to her husband’s tale from the time he left the castle the night of his disappearance until now. He had heard what sounded like a child crying for help coming from the forest. Upon arrival, he discovered it wasn’t a child but the beast. It had turned out to be a black snow dragon, which were descendants of regular snow dragons but much more ferocious. They mimicked sounds that appealed to their prey as a way to lure them close in order to have their feast; but Chris was cautious when he entered the forest. He was able to run before the dragon could snatch him up and eat him whole, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have to battle it first. The dragon was stronger than its parent that had terrified the kingdom for decades, and it was near impossible to penetrate its tough, leathery skin. The only way Chris would defeat would to blind it before finding a soft spot under its black, chromatic scales to pierce the heart. He went into surprise attack mode, but not without getting beat up by the dragon.

Chris was successful in defeating the dragon, but his sword had been broken and his shoulder dislocated in the process. He was also bleeding badly, but he didn’t have the strength to get up to journey back to the castle or seek help. Eventually, he woke up to Taeyang and Hyorin tending to his wounds that he knew he was safe; but due to his injuries, he wasn’t able to return back to the castle.

“I’m just happy you’re alive and well, darling,” Y/N responded when he finished his story. “Your men were starting to give up and say you were dead.”

Chris faced palmed his forehead and exhaled in annoyance. “Those cowards. I taught them better.”

“All they were finding were pieces of your armor.”

“I took them off when I heard the dragon approaching. Metal against metal noises are what attracts them to their prey other than scent.”

“That makes sense.”

Y/N hand went to her bump and began to rub it gently. “Was it selfish of me?”

“What?”

“To rush into the woods knowing full well I could have put our baby in danger?”

Her husband sighed. “It was a bit reckless of you to run from the castle’s safety, but when I saw that you had brought medicine, food, and a blanket in the sack that was with you; I knew you were just wanting to keep the baby safe in case you had gone into labor looking for me.”

“But still, I’m sorry,” she began to cry. “I just had to do something, anything.”

“And you chose to come look for me?”

“That’s what I promised you. When we said our ‘I do’s,’ I promised that I would come looking for you.”

Chris paused for a moment before wiping her tears away and kissing her again. “And I made that same promise to you.”

He then lifted her nightgown, exposing her swollen belly before trailing kisses all around it. “And that promise get extended to you, little one,” he cooed to the unborn baby.

Y/N giggled as he did so, and the child kicked its feet in response.

“Will we be able to return home?” she asked.

“We leave at first light,” Chris said. “Since I’m mostly healed and you not having any other injuries, Taeyong and Hyorin will help us get back.”

“How far is it?”

“Only a mile and a half, so not far at all.”

…

As soon as the early, winter sun began to break through the forest trees, the quartet gathered everything they needed and left the cottage. The general was given a fresh sling, and new gauze was wrapped around Y/N’s head. Taeyang led the way as he walked in front of them, Hyorin had her arms linked with Y/N’s to help her walk, and Chris was behind them as a means of protection. The weather was just as ice cold as the night before, but thankfully it wasn’t a blizzard, making the journey through the frozen forest an easy one.

“Y/N, close your eyes!” Chris instructed his wife about three-quarters of the journey in.

“Wha-“ she asked, but was interrupted.

“Just do it! Don’t open them again until I say so.”

Without another word, Y/N did as she was told. Hyorin acted as her eyes as they continued through the woods. Y/N then smelt something without a warning. The stench of death attacked her nostrils so badly, she had to cover her face.

Her eyes remained closed for about ten minutes before Chris said, “Alright, you can open them now.”

Y/N fluttered her eyes open. “What happened?” she asked.

“We were passing the dragon’s corpse,” her husband explained. “It was decaying badly, and I didn’t want it to scare you.”

“I could smell it.”

Chris laughed. “Well, that section of the woods is going to stink until the body is all bones.”

“Your Highness,” Taeyang called. “Come take a look ahead.”

Chris and Y/N exchanged looks before taking each other’s hands and moving a few feet forward. Through the thinning trees, they were beginning to see an opening in the distance. They could see the castle walls. They were almost home. They could heal and rest in bliss before the baby arrived.

The latter was quickly thrown out of the window when a sharp pain shot through Y/N and liquid began pouring through her legs onto the glittering snow. Her knees buckled as she cried in pain, Chris catching her in the process.

“He’s coming!” Y/N cried. “It’s nearly time!”

Chris wasn’t able to carry his wife, so Taeyang was quick to scoop her up and carry her to the castle. They didn’t stop running until they had burst into the castle’s kitchen door and into the couple’s bedchambers. Everyone they had passed was trailing after them with millions of questions.

Taeyang gently settled Y/N onto the bed, and Ryujin escorted out him and Hyorin. As soon as they left, Chris and the other maids immediately stripped her of the dress she had been wearing and changed her into a clean nightgown. The general struggled a bit as his arm was still in the sling. A large towel was put beneath her to prevent any blood from getting on the bed once the baby was born. Ryujin rushed back in and quickly prepared a large bowl of water.

“General,” Ryujin said, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Are you sure?” he asked as he stood from where he was kneeling, not letting go of his wife’s hand.

“Honey, just go,” Y/N whimpered. “You’ll get to see the baby when he or she is born.”

“I don’t want to leave you, though.”

“Please, Christopher. The doctor can check you over to make sure you’re one hundred percent healed.”

He kissed his wife passionately. “You can do this.”

Ryujin escorted him out.

…

“Keep pushing, Your Highness,” the midwife encouraged Y/N. “The head is almost out.”

The princess had been pushing her child out for the past half-hour, and the pain was almost torturous and unbearable. Every now and then, an uncontrollable yelp of agony would escape her mouth after each push, but she never allowed herself to scream. Y/N was tired, and she was close to giving up. Ryujin kept whispering words of encouragement.

“One more push, and the baby with be born,” said the midwife.

General Bang had returned from his exam after being told that his injuries were healing nicely. He wasn’t allowed into the bedroom yet, but hearing his wife’s cries of pain worried him. He wanted to break the doors down, run to his wife, and pepper kisses on her face; but he knew his son or daughter would be arriving any moment, so he would have to be patient. Chris just sat on the floor in the hallway as he awaited any news.

Then, he heard it. A newborn’s cries echoed from the bedroom, and the general felt his heart pick up speed. He was nearly jumping out of his clothes when Ryujin came and opened the door and said, “It’s a boy.”

Rushing in with excitement, Chris found his princess still in bed, a little sweaty and looking exhausted, but he could see the overflowing look of love in her eyes. His attention then went to the tiny baby swaddled in Y/N’s arms, and he knew he was in love.

“He’s perfect,” he smiled before kissing his son’s little head. “Hi, Maxwell.”

“Maxwell?” Y/N repeated.

“Max for short,” Chris chuckled.

...

Within a few days of baby Max’s birth the kingdom celebrated his arrival and the general’s return with a feast and a winter festival. Taeyang and his wife Hyorin were rewarded for their hospitality and kindness and given positions as the royal medics for the army; Chris was given a medal for slaying the beast, and Y/N had been rewarded for her courage and love.

“Y/N,” Chris whispered to his wife during the festivities as he was holding his newborn.

“Yes?” she said.

“I really hope peace maintains throughout the kingdom. Max deserves to grow up being the happiest person in life.”

“As do I, but since that peace got shattered for us right before his birth, can we agree to stay alert no matter what?”

“Of course, my love.”

The two shared a long, gentle kiss, promising to always protect and care for their people and family with love, kindness, and courage.

-

A/N: I hope y’all enjoyed this. I’m sorry if it seemed rushed in some parts, but this was my first long fic. I had fun writing it, so hopefully my long fic writing skills will get better.

[recentanimenews]

OPINION: How I Discovered Haikyu!! (And Myself), Thoughts From a First-Time Viewer

  Haikyu!!'s final season just began, and for years I have been meaning to start watching. Now seems like a great time to rectify that, so I've finally caught up and am eagerly awaiting the next arc to see how the Karasuno Crows fare.

  I decided to track my thoughts on everything that happened — something of a time capsule from before the main cast joined together all the way to them competing in Nationals.

    As a baseline, here is everything I knew about Haikyu!! before watching Episode 1:

It's a popular sports anime about volleyball

The main character is the orange-haired kid, Hinata

They're going to go to Nationals. Not sure about the details, but I know they’ll make it into the tournament

  I actually watched this with someone who has seen it before. She didn't spoil anything but occasionally gave insight I may not have otherwise realized at the moment.

  Episodes 1-6: Joining the Team

    For the first part of the show, we largely follow Hinata's perspective. As I assumed going in, he's our generally underachieving but unfailingly energetic sports boy who hadn't met anyone who loves his sport as much as him until now. Specifically, he meets Kageyama, one of the best setters in the prefecture.

  I started to notice that the storytelling’s actually pretty good when the newly assembled Crows get a practice game with the 4th ranked school in the prefecture. It gives them someone challenging so the main cast can see what they’re up against but also gives them a team close enough to their level that they have a real chance of winning and also keeps the truly powerful foes hidden for later arcs.  

I also really appreciate that during the games, the characters try out new things, but are never truly sure that anything will work. It adds some experimentation and uncertainty to every game.

  Episodes 7-10: Crows, Assemble

    The rest of the main cast joins up with the existing group, forming the core rotation of players and major characters in the show.

  One of the new characters, Asahi, showcases one of the show’s strong points for me. He's the team’s ace, but both he and Hinata grapple with performance anxiety. As my watch-along partner put it, Hinata’s anxiety comes in waves, mostly during games, while Asahi’s is more of a constant background hum.

  As someone who has struggled with anxiety most of my life, I heavily identify with Asahi’s backstory, even down to not going for the spike in the final play of his flashback game due to thinking about how pointless it was since he wouldn't get it through.

  Episodes 11-13: Crows versus Cats

    Karasuno gets its practice game against their rival school, Nekoma. Both teams have fallen from grace in recent years, so this is the Crows’ chance to prove they can crawl their way back to the top and test out their teamwork and strategies from the previous arcs.

  At this point, the mind games aspect of each match starts coming through. Both teams try to figure out how their opponents think so they can react faster, while also trying to hide their own tells to keep their opponents guessing.

  When Hinata first started closing his eyes to make his special fast attacks with Kageyama, I joked that his power-up was going to be just ... opening his eyes. It turned out I wasn’t far from the truth. It doesn’t work immediately, but all of the Crows start polishing their weaknesses to make for a more well-rounded team.

  Episodes 14-16: Preliminaries Round 1

    As the boys go into the Interhigh Tournament, people whisper about the “Flightless Crows.” They proceed to absolutely crush their first opponents.

  The show follows the girls’ volleyball team for a bit, too, amping up the emotions at the end of the first round by cutting between the girls losing while the boys breeze through their sets.

  It’s a bit unfortunate the girls are beaten so badly just to show that the boys have grown, especially since they don’t end up getting much screentime for the rest of the show outside of being in the stands or otherwise supporting the boys.

  Episodes 17-26: Daito and Aoba Jousai

    After getting through the first part of the tournament easily, Karasuno is up against two powerhouse teams. First: Daito, a school with defense so amazing it’s called “The Iron Wall of Daito.” Second, Aoba Jousai, the school that many of Kageyama’s peers, including the setter he looks up to, enrolled in.

  They manage to steal a win from Daito, but ultimately lose to Aoba Jousai.

  The ending of this arc was when I realized I was truly invested in the show. For one, my watch-along partner and I were silent during many of the plays instead of joking about anime tropes like we had been in earlier arcs. Second, during one of the final scenes of the season, the entire team went out to eat after the game and we just silently watched everyone slowly start eating and then mutually begin crying.

  Episodes 27-36: Season 2

    As we start Season 2, there is a very clear and welcome difference almost immediately — the animation and camerawork are a lot better. Neither were bad in Season 1, but now they’re on an entirely different level. As my watch-along partner put it, there is some very naturalistic movement in some of the scenes.

  Also, this is when the team got a second manager, Yachi. I seriously cannot think of a character I have more personally related to in an anime than Yachi. She is a nervous wreck that is constantly apologizing and gets spooked by every little thing, even as small as someone talking to her. She outright views herself as “Townsperson B,” from when she played that role in drama club. I turned to my watch-along partner and said, “I’m in this picture, and I don’t like it.”

  Meanwhile, in the actual plot, my watch-along partner pointed out that while the team started developing specialized skills at their summer camp, the majority of their training seems to be devoted to getting down the fundamentals of every part of the game, then practicing them constantly. Like how Nishinoya is normally the libero and is almost exclusively receiving, but after seeing an opponent’s strategy, wants to learn to toss so he can replicate something he previously lost against.

  Episodes 37-44: Prelims

    The show uses the prelims as an opportunity to shine in two new ways. First, if a player is injured, they're checked to see if it's serious, then given a proper medical exam off the court. No powering through a concussion.

  Second, since main characters are no longer guaranteed to be on the court for the entire game, the cast expands to include other members we previously haven't focused on.

  My watch-along partner mentioned Ennoshita, Daichi's relief player, a few times throughout the show, so I knew he was going to be important eventually. But to give an idea of how little he impacted things until this point, when he was called in, I exclaimed that they were putting Steve McBlandman in the game. Despite that, he really does get to shine on the court. He’s a nervous wreck at first (join the club), but he’s also most likely to take over as captain once Daichi graduates and proves himself to be a reliable teammate by the time Daichi returns.

  Episodes 45-50: Rematch

    In terms of storytelling, there’s not much to add for this game. The two teams are established factions and we know the stakes, so it’s more of a puzzle to see who can find new strategies during the game and outthink the other team, which is made harder by the rivals bringing in a totally new player referred to as "Mad Dog."

Eventually, Karasuno wins, ending Season 2 with a promise that the finals of the qualifiers for Nationals will be the start of Season 3. Due to knowing a few details ahead of time, I already know a single game will be the entirety of the season.

  Episodes 51-57: Final, Part 1

    As both teams step onto the court and warm up, we are reminded that our heroes are pretty much all nervous wrecks, with most of the team in various stages of being curled up on the ground or asking for nausea medication. And, honestly, I was too. By the time the game hits set four, I wanted to grab my inhaler.

  The Crows are up against Shiratorizawa, a team with Ushiwaka, a player so strong that early in the game, it took three blockers and a libero just to return his attack, and later on he managed to dislocate a blocker’s finger with a spike.

  Episodes 57-60: Final, Part 2

    Full Disclosure: I was so invested in this game and the following season I actually forgot to take notes, so everything from here on is a second watch!

In my opinion, everyone gets to shine by the end of the game. Nishinoya sets up a full team synchro attack with his libero toss, Tsukishima is the only person whose blocks come close to keeping up with Ushiwaka, and so on.

  Episodes 61-65: Winter Training

    The first half of the season starts with some of Karasuno’s players being invited to special training camps. Hinata, being too impatient to accept that he hadn’t been invited, infiltrates one.

  Since he wasn’t invited, he’s not allowed to play, leading to him needing to watch the players and game instead of the ball for once. As a result, he starts learning to read peoples' tells and building an intuition of how to move, rather than just relying on instinct.

  Or, as I said to my watch-along partner the first time around, Hinata has reached his ultimate powerup: thinking.

  Episodes 66-70: Downtime

    In the interstitial time between arcs, the team has a practice game against Date Tech again so the Crows can get used to playing together after being apart. We get some character moments, like all the third years going to a shrine on New Year’s, and when the team arrives in Tokyo we finally get a bit of Kiyoko’s backstory.

  It’s hard to pin down what exactly about it worked, but it felt really nice to see the third years all going to a shrine together in their final months before the end of high school.

  And with that, the Spring Tournament, a.k.a. Nationals, begins.

    After going through over 70 episodes of Haikyu!!, I can say with absolute certainty I’m sticking around until the end. I skimmed over a lot of details so every section wasn’t a page long (and even then the first draft of this was over 4,000 words), but every game is filled with strategy, mind games, and experimentation.

  Outside of the games, the show does a great job of building up the cast so the rivals are well-realized characters in their own right. Not the most complex in anime, but more than a wall for the main characters to climb over.

  All in all, the show is absolutely worth the watch. It'll take a while to get through, but it's also easy to pick back up if you need to stop partway through.

  What are some of your favorite moments in Haikyu!!? Are you watching the second half of the newest season with me? Who is best boy? Let me know in the comments!

    Kevin Matyi is a freelance features writer for Crunchyroll. He's been watching anime for as long as he can remember, and his favorite shows tend to be shonen and other action series.

  Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[fic-for-fic-sake]

Lay Me Down

Pairing: Ex Bucky x reader

A/N: I was listening to Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down” on the metro the other day and legit cried because that song is so sad and the way he sings it is just so gut wrenching. So I decided I would hurt myself and make this fic about it. So like prepare for angst. 

Yes, I do. I believe. That one day I will be, where I was. Right there, right next to you.

Anguish. Complete and utterly wrecked. Torn apart and left to bleed. This is how you felt when Bucky Barnes left you. What happened between you two couldn’t be qualified as a break-up because that meant that both parties had to be present. No. Instead you came in one morning to find Bucky gone and a note was all he had left you. Saying he couldn’t be with you because he couldn’t put you through it. Couldn’t bare to destroy you the way he had been destroyed by Hydra. 

His note had said that you were too good for him, and that he had to leave. He said he was being selfish by being with you. That was the last time you heard from him. In the two months since, it had been absolute radio silence and you had been an inconsolable mess. After he left you hardly did anything anymore. Feeling like he took a rather large piece of your heart with him when he left. 

And it’s hard. These days just seem so dark. The moon and the stars are nothing without you.

Wanda had tried to work her magic on you but you didn’t want it. You wanted to feel all of the pain. That was all you had left of Bucky anyway. You punched, kicked, scratched, clawed, ran, screamed, and bled your way back to some sense of normalcy. Two months of ‘emotional leave’ as Tony had so aptly called it. Today was the day you were going back into the field. You were seated on the Quinjet, somewhere over Central Europe, almost at the drop zone. Tony had said you were supposed to meet your contact, some random SHIELD agent, and you two were headed to a charity gala to collect intel. 

Well, the contact was late and Vienna was already abuzz with too many glamorous people to count. With an exasperated sigh you looked at the looming Staatsoper opera house in front of you and took the plunge to head inside. As you walked past dignitaries and the upper echelon of society you couldn’t help but be proud of the few envious gazes that landed on you. The silver gown you were wearing clung to you like a second skin. Sequins shone brilliantly in the light and the way the fabric parted like water to reveal a teasing leg slit had your body feeling more alive than it had in awhile. 

Trying not to catch too many eyes you headed straight for the bar. Your contact had your information and knew what you looked like, they could find you. All that mattered right now was downing at least two glasses of liquid courage to make it through the night. Then you could get to your hotel room for the night and try not to think about the emptiness in your chest. 

Catching the bartenders eye you gestured for a glass of champagne and he was more than happy to oblige. You went to take the glass with an outstretched hand when you felt a cool palm press against your back. A beautifully sculpted hand reached for your glass instead and took a sip of the amber liquid. 

“Allow me.” Said a voice you hadn’t heard in two months, Bucky. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through your body and you could feel your skin react in a way it only ever did with him. 

Your touch, your skin, where do I begin?

Gasps, paints, moans. Beautiful sacred sounds decorate the otherwise desolate room that you and Bucky are in. Some shitty motel in Chile but neither of you care. Too caught up in seeking out the pleasures only the other can provide to think much of the dilapidated furniture that surrounds you. The rickety bed springs only add to the cacophony of sounds that you and Bucky make. He manages to draw yet another orgasm out of you and your skin is on fire the way he’s touching you. You swear you could orgasm off of his touch alone and he knows as much. 

No words can explain the way I’m missing you.

Just like that, all the resolve you had built in those two months comes crashing down around you. A small whimper escapes your lips as you look at him for the first time. His beard is long gone and his hair is cut short. Your hands twitch by your sides as you resist the urge to run your fingers through it, as you resist the urge to do a lot of things. His ice blue eyes search yours, trying to gauge your reaction. It’s not hard to see your resolve breaking behind your eyes, you never were good at hiding your emotions, especially with him. 

Without saying a word he leads you to where everyone has gathered to dance. A waltz, how fitting. The close proximity dance required trust in your partner, it was emphasized that you needed to have the /perfect/ partner. You bristled at the thought. 

“What are you doing here?” You choked out in a whisper as Bucky wrapped a delicate arm around your waist, pulling you flush against him. 

“Stark sent me. Said I’d know my contact when I saw them.” He replied into your ear. His hot breath causing goosebumps to appear. 

Horse hair violin bows striked the strings as the intricate dance began. Every second that passed the more you felt like you were suffocating. All the air escaped your lungs and you gasped for breath. Your heart felt like it was being ripped out all over again. Like you had finally managed to sew it back together with some rough sutures and Bucky came in and tore them apart again. 

The empty cavern in your chest that once housed your heart caved in on itself and sent a wave of anguish through you. After your dance you made your way around talking to this person or that, getting as much information as you could. But it was all hard to retain with Bucky always lingering a little too close for comfort. The scent of autumn air and woodsmoke was choking you. 

Eventually, and not breathing so much as a word to one another, you made it to the hotel and thankfully there were two beds. You hightailed it towards the bathroom and shut the door behind you. You turned on the shower and waited for it to become as loud as possible before you let yourself become overwhelmed by sorrow. 

Deny this emptiness, this hole that I’m inside. These tears, they tell their own story

Your lungs burned from the oxygen they were being deprived of. Your head was pounding from the force of your crying. Your eyes felt weak and bloodshot and your throat seared from the screams you let out. With leadened limbs, you peeled yourself off of the cool tile floor and turned off the shower. You changed and by the time you came back into the main room the light was off and Bucky was in his bed, back to you. Fitting. 

You awoke a little while later to the sound of panicked screaming to your left. You turned around and saw Bucky’s body thrashing at the covers, trying to fight the manifestations of his nightmares. You felt your heart sink in on itself for the second time that night. Even though Bucky left you, and even though he hadn’t bothered to speak to you in two months. You still loved him. Just the thought of him facing his night terrors alone absolutely wrecked you. All you wanted to do was crawl into bed with him and tell him you were here, that you would always be here. 

Can I lay by your side? Next to you. And make sure you’re alright. I’ll take care of you. I don’t want to be here if I can’t be with you tonight.

You felt hot tears prick at the corner of your eyes. The agony of watching him suffer was too much to bare. To hell with radio silence. Fuck not seeing him for two months. Screw your battered heart, Bucky was in pain and all that mattered to you was helping him. 

You threw off your bedsheets and walked over to his bed. You reached out a shaky hand and tentatively ghosted your fingers along his bicep, feeling the sweat underneath. He seemed to calm down if only marginally. You used that to your advantage and got up on the bed. 

I’m reaching out to you, can you hear my call?

“Shhh, baby, baby I’m here.” You cajoled in a soft voice, hand more confident on his arm now. With languid strokes you tried to soothe him. When his thrashing ceased you fully laid down next to him and brought his body close to yours. Enveloping him in your warmth. 

 Harsh pants turned into labored breathing as Bucky calmed down in your arms. You smoothed his cropped hair with your fingers, feeling your own heart break further in the process. You knew you couldn’t hold him forever. Knew that tomorrow would eventually come and he wouldn’t remember this. You weren’t even sure you wanted him to. You just wanted him to be okay, that’s all you ever wanted. 

Ever so slowly, you untwined yourself from Bucky and began to leave the warmth that his bed and body provided. You had one foot on the floor when you felt his hand tighten its grip on yours. You turned around and his blue eyes bored into your own. Such an intense burning gaze, glassy eyes showed tears that had shed, you gasped. 

“Please, stay.” He rasped, voice hoarse from screams and sleep. Maybe it was because your body was just so spent, from the last two hours or the last two months you didn’t know. Or maybe it was because this was James Buchanan Barnes, the love of your life, you obliged his request. You let yourself be enveloped by his warmth and let yourself pretend that the two of you were still together, if only for tonight. 

Can I lay by your side? Next to you. And make sure you’re alright? I’ll take care of you. I don’t want to be here if I can’t be with you tonight.

[jeonggukingdom]

mots démoniaques, 3 | aquiver

▽ Pairing: Taehyung x Reader

▽ Genre:  [mythological!AU, demon!AU] | Angst, Smut, Romance

▽ Summary:  You can sense from miles away the sin that dances on his tongue, the words that he so loves to shape into sinister thoughts and morph into sickening outcomes aimed at tainting and wrecking all things mundane and innocent. Kim Taehyung - a voice of honey and features of a cherub - is nothing but a monster. He has lived millenniums, yet, he has never found such a fascinating creature as you are and polluting your very being has slowly become his entire life motive.

▽ Word Count: 6.249 words

▽ prompt word: aquiver

▽ AN: The Amanojaku is a small demon that finds its roots in the Japanese folklore. Everything besides his name and his power - aka the ability to instigate people into wickedness with his words - is entirely the fruit of my own imagination and doesn’t have anything to do with the original myth.

▽ ▽  WARNINGS: graphic depictions of sexual intercourse, oral sex (receiving), fingering, dirty talk.

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June, 2014

The white cotton shirt you’re wearing adheres to your skin in the most uncomfortable fashion, the fabric feeling like glue on your chest and the small of your back as you sweat your whole existence away.

It is one of those blazing hot days that makes you wish you owned AC in your apartment or, at the very least, a freaking fan to spend your days in front of. But, alas, you do not have the luxury of owning either of those and therefore, you are stuck with natural air circling in from the window as you stare into the distance, your mind riling up with thousands of thoughts and scenarios all at the same time.

Today is an important day, the most important one even—if you were to exclude graduating from college.

It has been roughly one year since your school career has come to an end and, well, news flash: being an adult sucks.

Finding a decent job wasn't as easy as you initially envisioned, even with your perfect performance at college and now, quite a few months later, you are facing the consequences of still deciding on going to live alone with your boyfriend—currently very unemployed, sadly.

It has been a hell of a ride so far and yet, a great part of you wouldn't change a thing just because with him, you have come to experience real happiness. You know, the one not even money can buy.

But as you nervously tap your foot on the ground, you do find your heart swelling in apprehension over the news Taehyung will bring with him back home.

You have finally found a decent job at a nice office a good forty minutes bus drive away from your own tiny-ass apartment and, in the past four months, your entire income has been devolved to keeping you and your boyfriend alive while still being able to pay the rent.

Today, though, things could potentially turn in a far better direction.

Taehyung left in the morning for his final job interview at a corporate across town, one that he'd been dreaming to work for at least for the past year.

The long selection of candidates had been draining on you both in equal measure in both spirit and finances.

Let it all be worth it, please. That is the thought passing through your head like a mantra for the hundredth time when you hear the unequivocal rumble of Taehyung's old motorcycle turning around the corner.

That bloody thing is bound to leave him stranded in the middle of the street one day—honestly, it is a miracle it is still in one piece and moving.

Taehyung has inherited his bike from his father and he had bought it with his first salary when he was still a teenager.

Basically, the thing is pretty much ancient and needs more work than it is worth and, even if you both were willing to try and turn it back to its initial splendour, without a single penny to spare it can only remain a dream.

You usually hate the sound of that god-damn motorcycle or the unbearable stink that comes with it in the air as it puffs out pretty much charcoal but, today, even that sound feels different. It feels full of hope for the future, full of promises.

You almost jump from the parapet to get inside your living room—well, living room, bedroom, and kitchen because you couldn't afford more than a two-room apartment—and rush to the door, waiting for him like a puppy ready to welcome its owner.

Your feet keep thumping on the floor nervously as you eagerly wait for the door to spring open and for Taehyung's face to appear before you, hopefully with a wide grin spread on his lips. If you had a tail, you'd definitely be shaking it right about now.

Your heart misses a beat as you hear the sound of the key being thrust inside the keyhole to unlock the door and a few seconds after, your boyfriend's face comes in view, his eyes becoming as big as saucers as they land on you and the expectant look painted on your features.

His lips turn a little downwards as he faces you while closing the door behind his back.

"So?" You ask eagerly and you do realize how annoying you must look like, especially if he's actually bringing bad news alongside him but you simply cannot help yourself.

He clears his throat, his eyes diverting from your face to the floor, his shoulders slumping as he starts biting his bottom lip.

Your face falls alongside his mood, your heart feeling like somebody is squeezing it hard inside your chest.

"I'm sorry, ________, I..." Taehyung's voice is barely above a whisper as he opens his mouth, his eyes still focused on anything but you and you hate it.

You hate how he must feel right now, you also hate yourself for running to the door so expectantly you installed in him the fear of letting you down. But most importantly, you hate the sound of your own voice as you try to make it all better with your words.

"It's ok, baby, we'll still manage," it doesn't sound convincing even to your own ears as you voice your thoughts out loud, trying to sell a lie to him and to yourself as well.

The past few months have been rough and, frankly, it will only get rougher as time goes by, as winter comes and you'll need to warm up the place and actually heat food on the stove to keep yourself from freezing to death.

"I'm sorry," Taehyung repeats, his voice sounding so broken it moves you on the verge of tears.

That is until he lifts up his face and the brightest grin you've ever seen is plastered on it. What was breaking his voice up weren’t choked up tears, it was the attempt of keeping the giggles in.

"I'm sorry to inform you we are going to move out this rat-hole by the end of the month!"

A couple of seconds pass between the words he pronounces and your reaction to them. There is that tiny fraction of a second where you fail to comprehend what his words entail that has Taehyung absolutely beaming before your very eyes.

“You mother-fucker!” The shriek you produce in response to his teasing makes him laugh out loud, his eyes still glinting with mischief and pride over his astounding acting skills.

You would feel very livid about him joking about something so important if your whole life didn’t depend on it. Anger is very quickly subdued by utter joy and relief and hope for a far greater future.

It’s those feelings that propel your body forward, your arms reaching for your boyfriend so that you can finally hug him tight to your chest, feel his warmness even in the scorching hot summer day and simply relish in his presence, in your being together here and now, ready to start a new chapter of your lives.

You are unaware of the tears spilling down your eyes and staining your cheeks a mellow grey until Taehyung’s grasp around your body tightens, his eyes searching for yours as guilt and concern peek through them.

“Why are you crying, baby?” His voice is low and soft and it makes your insides melt like butter under the sun. How is he still capable of doing this after the many years you’ve spent together, you wonder.

“I’m just happy,” you murmur, your voice trembling as you try to gulp down all the emotions that menace to spill out of you like a downpour.

The weight of the past couple of months, the fear of crippling depth getting closer every single day, the doubts for the future and the effort to keep up the strong façade and a happy smile on your lips even during the hardest of times all come tumbling down with the relief of his news. It’s as if he broke down all the walls you had built around your weak heart in one single blow and now, everything is overflowing in every direction and you simply have no means to control it any more.

Taehyung’s delicate fingers reach your cheeks to catch the tears before they dry on your warm skin, his lips plant little loving kisses on top of your head and his voice turns soft and gentle as he tries to dissipate the storm of emotions taking over you.

You’d love to stop crying, especially because you’re supposed to be celebrating right now, but it feels like you will never stop doing so just because, for months, you have forced all of them down to the point you were almost choking on them every time you had to breathe.

Long minutes pass before the little sobs come to a halt and your red and puffy eyes are given reprieve from the overflowing cascade.

By the time your quivering and ragged breath slows down completely, you are beyond tired, almost as if you have just run a marathon during the hottest hours of the day.

Your mouth is completely dry, to the point it almost feels like your tongue has turned into sandpaper, and your head is thrumming with the unequivocal beginning of a tremendous headache.

Your boyfriend smiles at you, his lips turning thin as they curve up while his eyes shine with unspoken relief.

“There we go,” he mutters, drying up every last drop of tears stuck under your lash line and you smile back at him whilst sniffing loudly through your clogged nose.

“I’m sorry,” you whisper, your eyes fixing on your feet in shame and remorse over your complete breakdown.

Taehyung’s fingers caress your left cheek before wrapping around your chin to tilt it upwards and force your eyes back on him.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, so stop apologising,” he whispers back before touching your nose with the tip of his own, the tenderness of the little touch tugging at your heartstrings to the point you can feel it swelling inside your chest.

"There is one thing though," he adds after a few seconds and you tilt your head upwards a little bit further to pry inside his eyes.

The question pending on your tongue can easily be read by Taehyung without you needing to voice it out loud for him and it paints an amused smile on his lips.

"I've been dying to kiss you since I left this morning so, may I?" The playfulness in his tone makes you scoff out loud, your eyes rolling towards the ceiling as you feign annoyance over his antics when, in reality, you both know you have been waiting for his touch the whole day as well so it doesn't really come as a surprise that you close the distance between your faces in an instant, eager to claim his mouth.

Taehyung's lips are as soft as cotton candy and just as sweet as they open for you, welcoming your tongue as you easily move it past his teeth to play with his own.

The kiss is slow and deep and it makes your eyes flutter close and a sigh escape your lips as you twist your head a little to the side, making it easier for him to bend forward and hold you close to his chest.

His big hands keep you steady and firm, flush against him with a possessive hold that makes your heart pump hard against your ribcage.

“Tae...,” the tiny whimper that moves past your swelling lips is all it takes for his hands to move southwards and turn a little more passionate, just a drop rougher on your supple flesh.

His fingers easily palm the expanse of your ass, squeezing your cheeks in a way that makes you hiss in nothing but pure arousal.

You can feel your nipples hardening against the dump fabric of your shirt and there is no doubt he can feel them too with your chests pressed so tightly together.

He tilts his head a little further to the side to leave your mouth and rather attack the tender skin under your ear.

Taehyung’s lips can always be either a blessing and a curse and as they hardly press against your skin they feel like one and the other at the same time.

He blooms deep purple flowers on his favourite spot between the curve of your jawline and your clavicles and every little suck, every little lick of his tongue, make you shiver and sigh for him.

“I’ve been thinking about you the whole day,” he confesses through heavy breaths as his fingers tug on the hem of your wet shirt to lift it off of you.

Your arms automatically fly up to the sky, your back arching a little to help the fabric off of your hot and needy flesh.

“Yeah?” You whisper, throwing your head backwards as he pulls your bra down to free your breasts from their confinement, “And what have you been thinking about?”

You lick your lips as his mouth encloses around your already-hardened left nipple, his teeth gracing the delicate flesh in a teasing manner that has your walls contracting on thin air in expectation.

“Oh, all sort of things,” he hums with that low tone of his he knows gets to you every single time.

The sound of his voice as deep as the ocean is usually more than enough to turn you soaking wet and as his mouth works his way on the expanse of your chest, there is not a single doubt your underwear is already being ruined beyond salvage by your growing arousal.

“All the nasty things I’d love to do to you,” he says next as he unclasps your bra to discard it on the floor and move on to his next target.

He falls to his knees and your hands automatically fly to his long and curly brown locks to tug a little on them and make him hiss for you—if sounds could be described as sensations, what escapes from Taehyung mouth during lewd activities would be like warm and liquid honey moving past your lips, falling down your throat and finally coiling inside your stomach to blissfully fill it in heat on a frigid winter day.

“Like bending you over the table in my future office and taste your delicious pussy in front of everyone.”

The lascivious words that leave his mouth in a deep whisper draw a needy moan out of yours, they turn your fingers rough on his hair and they subdue any lingering emotions by drowning them all in wanton desire.

“Would you like that, baby?” He asks, his voice suggesting he already knows perfectly well the answer to his question but has no intention to stop teasing you in every possible way he can.

His hands are slow and gentle as they reach behind your back, their focus clearly the hem of your cotton shorts and what lies beneath them and you only make it easier for him when you lean into his touch so obediently, so blinded by the need to feel him everywhere around you. The silky fabric slides down your legs with utter ease, pooling at your ankles at his command so that he can finally seek the treasure he had been looking for.

His slender fingers are all over your butt cheeks in an instant, the warmness of his touch making you sigh and close your eyes in blissfulness.

Just like his voice, Taehyung’s hands hold incredible power on the tips of its digits and it is evident in the way your body awakens under the simplest of touches.

The sensation of his tongue flat on your coated sex comes unexpectedly while you are blinded by your closed eyelids and it makes you whimper out for him, your heart missing a beat as expectation starts to spread all over your body.

“You are so eager tonight, baby” He hums a few inches away from your soaked panties, successfully sending shivers to run up and down your spine, “Have you been thinking about me as well, perhaps?”

His words are spoken with a suggestive tone in them that makes it clear he, yet again, already knows the answer to his question but still would like to hear you speak it out loud for him.

His eyes turn expectant as he lifts his gaze up to you in a puppy-like demeanour that tugs at your heartstrings anew and makes it impossible for you to resist him—not that you even want to.

“I always think about you,” you confess, your voice quivering as soon as you see his mouth drawing closer to your neglected sex.

His eyes are still stuck on you as he stops right atop your core, so close that his breath keeps caressing the dampened underwear in slow waves that make your insides twitch blissfully.

“Yeah? And what do you think about?” His voice is low, barely above a whisper but you still catch up on every syllable that falls from his beautiful mouth.

You clear your throat after gulping down heavily, your heart thumping fast against your ribcage as you ponder over your response because you know, without a single doubt, he will give it to you. Whatever you desire, he is ready to hand to you and the infinite list of things he is capable of beautifully torturing you with make it quite the demanding task for you to choose.

“I think about your mouth kissing my sex,” you whimper out, foretasting the moment his lips will come in contact with your sex and surely, a few seconds after, they do, eagerly following your directions.

“I think about you pulling down my panties with your teeth.”

His eyes shine with mischief as they refocus on you, the playful smirk on his lips only an inkling of his true and most devious intentions.

His pearly whites come in contact with your feverish skin, masterfully wrapping around the hem of your underwear to drag it down your legs and finally release your wet core.

He nuzzles his face between your legs, inhaling loudly to fill his sense of smell with your scent.

You gasp for him whilst resuming your strong hold on his locks, turning quite demanding and explicit with your desires.

“What else?” He whispers on your core, the nice vibrations making you shiver from head to toe.

“You-your tongue teasing me, tasting me, torturing me-ah!”

The words have barely the chance to leave your mouth before he’s all over you, tasting you like he is a famished man in front of a fucking feast and you are rendered speechless in the span of a few seconds.

His hands still firmly pressed on your ass keep you perfectly in place as he savours your dripping arousal with his lavish tongue, the sounds he emits as he eats you out a blessing to the ears.

All the little grunts, the heavy pants as he struggles to breathe between your legs, the slurping sounds as he voraciously claims every single drop that escapes past your lips throw you into a haze of pleasure that has you demanding more from him in whimpering broken whispers.

A sigh of both relief and disappointment escapes your mouth as you are given reprieve from his ministrations. In any other occasion, you would tug harder on his locks, make it clear that you wish for more but you did say ‘torturing me’ and, surely, Taehyung has every intention of following your words to perfection.

His eyes refocus on you, glinting with desire and playfulness and you can’t help but crack a smile for him and turn your grasp gentler, affectionate.

The fingers that were almost painfully locked in his hair are now caressing his head, his cheeks and his rosy lips wet with your juices.

He turns his face to the side to plant a quick and delicate kiss on the palm of your hand before leaning into your touch, closing his eyes to savour the sensation of your fingers on his skin.

“What else have you thought about me doing?” He asks next, his voice thick with need and devotion.

“Fucking me on this floor,” the confession makes your skin boil because on any other day you would have never admitted it out loud but as Taehyung’s eyes focus on you, desire burning inside his onyx eyes, there is not a single drop of regret in you.

“Is that so...” he whispers atop your skin before placing light kisses on your inner thigh, his tone pensive as if he is trying to envision claiming your body right here, right now.

His hands move from the curve of your ass to your hips, applying just enough force to drag your body down so you can lie on the floor beneath him.

“What about our fine carpet?” He asks as your back hits the rough fabric of the ancient rug, his eyes curious as he pries into yours.

His legs rest on either side of your hips, his hands trapping your head in place as he expectantly looks down at you, a little smirk already drawn on his mouth.

“We can afford a new one now, can’t we?”

Taehyung laughs at your words, shaking his head a little with your unexpected response.

“We really can, my love.” He says after a few seconds while inching forward to attack your neck and plant a few kisses there and rejoice in the little sighs you produce.

Your eyes flutter shut as he drags his lips downward, gracing your skin with the softest of touches to both shower you with love and make you squirm impatiently the closer he gets to where your desire lies.

The gentle kisses feel far warmer when they are planted on your mouth and they make your hips roll forward, desperate to feel more of his inciting touch.

When his mouth opens and he inhales loudly you close your eyes even harder in response whilst holding your breath, your body feeling on the brink of self-destructive implosion as you wait for him to claim you anew.

His heavenly lips encircle your clitoris with masterful precision and your back arches for him, your mouth opens in a silent moan that makes him suck on the little trigger in retaliation until you are forced to whimper out his name.

“I want to hear you,” he says, his lips brushing your skin as he slightly lifts his gaze up to meet your own.

Just like you, Taehyung has a fixation over the little sound you can produce while having sex with him and you know pretty well how worked up he can get by them and that is precisely why you give up any resolve about being quiet the instant his slender fingers start teasing your dripping core.

“Baby... please,” the quivering whine that escapes from your lips makes him smile in satisfaction, the little smirk looking almost infuriating to you when you’d put his mouth to far better use, “Stop teasing,” you add, a little pout turning your lips downwards in that adorable way you know gets to him every single time.

Without fail, Taehyung follows your pleas and directions with rapid eagerness to please you and in an instant, his slender fingers are lodged inside of you, stretching your walls in all the right places.

Your sighs and soft mewls fill the room alongside the sound of your squelching core under his masterful ministrations.

Taehyung stares into your face with that mesmerizing look of adoration that makes your insides absolutely melt while he completely ruins you with his touch.

It is maddening to see how much he knows your body and what it likes, it is almost scary to realize there isn't a single part of you he hasn't explored already, being so bent on mapping your entire body with his own, in every way possible.

It is impossibly easy for him to reach and find all the pleasure spots hidden within you and he does it so masterfully it leaves you absolutely breathless every single time.

His tongue darts out of his mouth again to tease your clitoris and make your eyes roll back inside your head. Your back arches almost instantly as he consequently curls his fingers inside of you, timing his ministration in a way that doesn't allow any reprieve.

Your breath turns ragged, your lips start to tremble as you part them to beg him for more whilst the pressure in your stomach gets stronger, heavier.

Reading your body like an open book, Taehyung slides another one of his digits inside of you, the motion rendered sleek and effortless by your dripping arousal.

"Tae..." the begging tone of your voice draws his eyes back on you, his lips twisting into another smile as he lifts his face up after leaving the apex of your core with a lewd pop.

His fingers turn a little rougher inside of you as you stare down at him, your mouth still parted as if you were about to say something else but found yourself incapable of doing so.

You gulp down heavily, the rhythm set between your legs turning almost bruising as you start to whimper for him, unsure yourself whether you want him to stop or keep going until you are melting right on the palm of his hand.

"I-," you quickly lick your lips, your mouth feeling suddenly dry by the pending release that has your walls already contracting wildly all around his fingers, "I want m-more."

Taehyung's eyes seem to turn into two onyx stones for a second, not a single glint of light reflected in them but, when he stares down at your core again, you find yourself whimpering at the lust reflected in those irises.

Your legs bend a little as you turn a little shy under his gaze, the desire of covering up the state of your battered sex growing almost overpowering as he licks his lips as if he is about to taste the most delicious meal ever.

His eyes shoot you a warning glare and before you know it, his mouth is secured around your little trigger again, sucking and pulling on the tender flesh until you are whimpering in pleasure and coating both his hand and his face with your glistening release.

"Beautiful," he mutters to himself as he releases your sex with both his mouth and fingers, allowing you to finally catch your breath.

Your body shudders at the sensation of emptiness he leaves within your sex as he draws back to take a better look at the state he has so quickly reduced you to.

"I want more," you croak out, your eyes pointedly fixing between his legs and the evident tent in them.

He laughs and clicks his tongue, tilting his head to the side while raising his eyebrows in a taunting way that dares you to be more specific, pronounce the final lascivious words that are standing between you and his almighty cock.

"In my fantasies, you never have clothes on," you chose to say, aiming to resume your little game.

Taehyung scoffs at your choice but still happily complies, not wasting the chance he was given of teasing you, yet again.

His fingers are still coated in your arousal and he makes it a point to lick them off before you, his eyes shining with mischief as he makes all those lewd sounds that turn your skin boiling hot and your core absolutely aflame in anticipation.

His fingers glisten with his saliva mixed with the remnants of your arousal as he lets them drop to the hem of his shirt, eager to finally set himself free.

He lifts his own t-shirt off and discards it somewhere behind him, carelessly throwing the fabric away so that he can step out of his pants next and feel some relief on his neglected sex.

His underwear is white and thin and it does absolutely nothing to conceal both his boner and the dark spot right in front of the tip of his cock.

"Do you see what you do to me without even touching me, baby?" He says as he palms himself before you, his eyes still fixed on your features to gauge your reaction.

You lick your lips in expectation, almost feeling the tip of his cock moving past your them and blessing you with his bittersweet taste and surely your train of thoughts must be really apparent because he sighs loudly and squeezes his sex harder, almost as if he's imagining your lips closing around it.

"Are you going to make me beg for it?" You retort whilst opening your legs a little more to draw his eyes back on your dripping core.

As soon as his gaze is fixed right where you wanted it to be you roll your hips suggestively, your left hand teasing your own swollen lips to taunt him a little bit further.

He draws in a sharp breath and cuts the distance between your bodies short while removing his boxer briefs in one go.

"Absolutely not," he retorts, his voice quivering as his hand flies to his now liberated cock.

The sight of his head tinted a painful-looking red glistening with arousal makes your mouth water and for a moment you do consider closing your legs, tease him a little by denying him access to your sex just to take him in your mouth but as he gives himself a little pump to release some of the scorching desire you cave in completely, too eager to finally have him inside of you to care about silly little games.

Taehyung stares right inside your eyes as he lodges himself between your legs, his hands on either side of your head.

"You know I love you, right?" He whispers, placing a soft and chaste kiss on top of your lips—a striking juxtaposition to the way his cock is slightly twitching atop your core, your skin deliciously brushing together as he nicely coats his sex with your juices.

You nod your head yes a few times and steal another kiss from his mouth before openly voicing out your feelings as well.

"I love you too, baby, so so much."

Taehyung smiles and places playful kisses on your jawline while aligning himself with your sex, clearly unable to resist any longer.

The moment the tip of his head moves past your labia you sigh in unison, relief spreading through your limbs as you finally get a taste of what you had been craving for the entire day.

His lips find the curve of your neck again and as he starts to push himself inside of you, inch by inch, he decides to suck onto the tender flesh until you are whimpering at the sensation of your skin being pulled by the passionate vice whilst your walls get stretched so blissfully by his engorged cock.

"You feel so good, baby," he whispers atop your skin as he switches to tender kisses on the same spot, his lips aiming to ease the little pain they provoked a few seconds ago.

"Yeah?" You whimper out as you move your legs to anchor them behind his back, "I can make you feel ten times better."

Your words make him groan loudly in the crook of your neck as he struggles to not slam right into you and finally quench his desire.

"Fuck me, baby," you add in a lewd whisper as your arms encircle his neck to keep him close to you as you start rolling your hips to meet his.

Your words really do pull the last straw for him and as they leave your mouth, he sinks right inside of you with a deep growl.

Your eyes roll inside your head, your back arching a little as he starts pushing and pulling his hips towards your sex, aiming effortlessly at the sweet spot he has conquered an incredible amount of times already.

Taehyung voice turns soft again as he whispers sweet nothings inside your ear to tell you how good you are to him, how much he loves you, how grateful he is for having you and also some lewd things like how well you take his cock, how much he loves your pussy and the way your voice sounds when you moan his name out loud for everyone to hear. All the things he says—both the sweet and the passionate ones—work like absolute magic on your body and mind and they turn you into a whimpering, boiling hot mess.

The smell of his cologne seems to amplify as sweat pools on his forehead, his neck, the small of his back and it is intoxicating. It feels like being drowned by his essence, like your own body is getting swept away by it, no, absorbed by it until there is simply no beginning and no end to the both of you.

His hips roll slowly into yours to deepen his thrusts and you pull him even closer to your chest, whimpering his name in his ears just the way he loves it, making him visibly shudder on top of you.

Taehyung grunts at the little sounds you make and picks up his pace to draw more out of you, louder ones and oh, he does.

You are absolutely shameless at this point and it doesn't matter that the walls on this apartment are paper-thin and people can certainly hear the both of you. In fact, you welcome the idea that they might be right about now, and that they may be imagining what you two are doing on the floor and, even more, that they might be getting excited by it.

"Tae," you whimper out again, your bottom lip quivering as your own fantasies and imagination start piling up wood to the already burning fire.

Your voice must sound pleading to his ears, maybe even desperate and it is evident once he starts picking up his pace to turn it bruising inside of you.

The head of his cock brushes relentlessly against your trigger spot and your chest starts heaving as a wave of pleasure washes over you from the tip of your toes right up to your skull.

The deep moan that escapes your mouth is only an inkling of the force of the pleasure that is taking over you and as Taehyung slows down a little you find yourself desperately whimpering at the accidental orgasm denial.

"Come here, baby," he says, his voice low and thick with raw passion as he lifts you up to have you sit on top of him.

"I want you to look inside my eyes as you come," he whispers before stealing a kiss from your mouth.

Your chests brush together as you slowly start to roll your hips forward to meet his, the sensation of his hot flesh pressed against your own hardens your nipples, adding stimulation to the already raging fire between your legs.

"Are you-ah-are you close?"

You tilt your body a little backward, allowing your hips to sink deeper on top of him and he grunts in appreciation as his hands find purchase on the small of your back to keep you still as he fucks into you faster.

Taehyung's low moans and sighs are music to your ears and they turn you even more eager to reach that delightful release while consequently bringing him down with you.

Your mouth seeks his own with roughness, all tongues and teeth clashing against each other until you scream his name and the orgasm makes your body deliciously aquiver for him.

Pearly strings of cum coil inside your stomach as he releases his load inside of you a few seconds after your own orgasm, your juices mixing together and spilling on the poor and forever-ruined carpet while you try to catch your breaths.

You laugh in his arms as he looks down at the state of the both of you and the fabric underneath your sweaty bodies and, soon enough, he is giggling alongside you while shaking his head a little.

His arms move up behind your back so he can drag you down on the floor and keep you there, nicely secured in his arms.

"To a new chapter of our lives," he whispers atop your mouth before stealing a quick kiss from them and you smile down at him, happiness wildly blooming inside your heart at the prospect of a new life together with the man you love.

If only you knew.

Copyright © 2019 by jeonggukingdom. All rights reserved.

[mediumsizetexart]

Saukko Karjalainen

  Mutated by fallout from the Chernobyl disaster nearly a decade Before WWIII, Saukko was discovered as a pup by an old pensioner couple who found him by a river in central Finland, standing up and catching fish with a handmade spear. The pensioners had been among the hundreds of thousands of citizens forced to flee Finnish Karelia after the Winter War in 1940, and were still bitter over the experience. Saukko was raised on stories of Karelia before the Russians came, so when Finland began mobilizing after The War, he was the first of the Beast Folk to volunteer for the newly energized Karelia Brigades, and went on to become one of the heroes of the Karelia War.

The Karelia War

  Most of the nuclear weapons used in the brief war were duds, but enough were launched that the world's political and financial capitals were still flattened. Decentralized federal nations recovered fairly quickly, as state or provincial governments were still largely intact and able to step in to maintain some degree of order; the same could not be said for strongly centralized "communist" and "socialist" nations, which descended into immediate chaos once their governmental heads were cut off. The Soviet Union collapsed overnight, and what military forces had escaped destruction were left with no leadership or direction, because they hadn't been prepared for an attack and weren't trained to have individual initiative.

  Finland, on the other hand, had been waiting half a century for this sort of thing.

  Although awash in fallout, Finland was otherwise unscathed by The Bomb. The government sealed the borders and told the rest of the world that Finland had been heavily damaged and was no longer able to interact with its neighbors; most of its neighbors were on fire, so no one bothered to fact-check the story, leaving the Finns free to begin a massive military buildup without interference. Six months After, the Finnish military stormed eastward and easily captured land as far as Lake Onega and the White Sea, including the Kola Peninsula and all of traditional Karelia. The population of the area had not fared well under Soviet rule, and a majority welcomed the freedom and higher standard of living promised by the new Greater Finland; there were pockets of fierce resistance, but most of the Soviet forces in the region simply abandoned their posts and equipment.

  The ruins of Leningrad were easily captured. The Finns announced that it was being renamed Pietari Kaupunki and would be used as a base of operations to build up forces for an eventual attack on what was left of the area around Moscow; to this end they would expel all of the surviving Russian citizens and fortify the city during the Winter. Nationalist remnants of the Soviet military used this as a rallying cry, and began massing forces in western Russia; when Spring came they launched an all-out assault on Pietari Kaupunki... and discovered that it had been abandoned.

  They had time to move in and set up their own base of operations before the entire city exploded around them.

  One of the Karelia Brigades had used captured Soviet weapons to rig the city for demolition, then moved out disguised as fleeing refugees. They had withdrawn just far enough east to hide in the surrounding region and wait for the single largest Soviet army still in existence to bottle itself up in a burning city on a narrow peninsula; when a Finnish army swept in from the west and forced a ruinous retreat of the surviving Soviet forces, the hidden brigade cut the fleeing columns to pieces. Western Russian military capacity was crushed, and in short order all of the former Soviet satellite states rose up and declared themselves independent. Individual Soviet soldiers for the most part realized that it was better to be a new citizen of Ukraine or Lithuania or Kazakhstan than a Soviet corpse, and nearly all of the Soviet forces remaining in the satellite states either defected or just walked away. The USSR was no more, and Greater Finland was born.

From my Adorable Creatures universe, which grew out of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles And Other Strangeness RPG campaign from the late '80s. It's set in the early 21st Century of a world where WWIII happened in 1995, and wasn't nearly as bad as everyone had expected. It was still terrible, hundreds of millions of people died, but it turned out that the vast majority of the world's nuclear weapon stockpiles... were fake. Politicians in the great powers had requisitioned trillions of dollars for defense spending over the decades, but had spent it on the same things politicians throughout history have spent taxpayer dollars on: ale and whores. Missile silos were top secret party caves for top military brass, with endless beer and nachos; nuclear missile submarines were underwater casinos for the rich and not-so-famous; strategic bombers were kitted out for Mile High Club joyrides for wealthy campaign donors; many of the real missiles and bombs had warheads made of carboard and aluminum foil and filled with sand. Enough warheads were real that most of the world's major cities got at least one airburst, and national capitals and financial centers were targeted for big enough saturation attacks that they were destroyed, but by Day Two it was obvious that civilization had been wrecked but hadn't completely collapsed.

In the aftermath of The Bomb, the whole world learned what Japan had known since 1945: All Radiation Is Mutagenic. Many humans began developing bioenergetic powers and became superheroes and/or supervillains... and many began mutating into animal-like forms. Millions of animals worldwide also began mutating, growing into larger, more bipedal versions of themselves, with functional hands and human-level (or greater) intelligence. These Beast Folk were common enough that most of the world's nations, both surviving and newly formed, were quickly forced to acknowledge them as citizens to prevent mass uprisings.[/bq]

[vintagemichelle91]

Brunch (Rafael Barba x Miss Fashionista)

Author’s note: *peeks over from lap top* Hiiii, I know its been a while. I missed writing so much as well as the fandom and seeing all this new theatre Raúl stuff has made me miss writing Rafael Barba. This little drabble had been sitting in my documents for ages and I finally decided to edit and post it. I hope you all enjoy it and I hope you don’t mind I gave Miss Fashionista a face.

Please let me know what you think and I’ll try and get back on here as much as I can!

It was a light early spring afternoon as Olivia Benson wrapped her light jacket around her tightly and walked down the park path gently as she kept an eye out for you. The both of you had agreed to meet in the park around noon. She smiled as she spotted you, hurriedly walking down the path from the other side of the park with the lunch tote in hand.

“Sorry, I’m late! A photo shoot ran late and then the deli was swarming with so many people! You’d think that on a Saturday afternoon they would opt for a restaurant for lunch,” you sighed and placed your crème colored Bottega Venetta clutch down beside you on the park bench.

“Don’t worry, I just got here myself.” Olivia confessed as she watched you begin to empty out the tote with all the goodies you had acquired. It was such a warm comfort for you to have gained her friendship over the time you and Rafael had been dating. Over time, Olivia become someone you admired. She was the epitome of what a strong and fearless woman looked like. You had also hoped that she would let you feature her in the magazine for the women’s empowerment issue that was going to be published in the spring.  “How are the preparations for Fashion week going?”

You looked at Olivia and shook your head. “I may or may not be on the verge of a breakdown. This time is always busy, but I also love it…so there is that.” You took a swig of your iced coffee as if it were liquor. This was your second one of the day, at this rate you were starting to understand why Rafael needed the caffeine fuel all the time and it was a habit you were picking up.

“You certainly are good at it, you and Rafael seem to flawlessly juggle career and love life perfectly.” Olivia said with a smile and proceeded to open her sandwich.

You waved your hand dismissively. “It sure isn’t easy, but it helps to have a fiancé who is ambitious in his career.” Something was gnawing away at you, some milestone that you and Rafael hadn’t hit just yet. “Olivia, I wanted to speak to you about something,” She looked at you with concern as she noticed the strain in your voice. Now that she noticed your demeanor more, Olivia could tell that you seemed a little worried. When you had asked to meet with her you had seemed completely fine, but now you looked like a nervous wreck.

“Is everything all right? Did you and Barba fight or something?” Olivia set her food down and waited for you to reply.

You laughed nervously and fiddled with your cashmere scarf. How could you find the words about your nerves over something so standard and bound to happen. You knew the day would come, even sooner once you had accepted Rafael’s marriage proposal.

“No, no everything is great between us. Its just tomorrow will be my first time meeting his mother and I am really nervous about it. I am almost terrified, but I haven’t told him yet. I know how important it is to meet his mother,” you finally let it all out because you were in pure distress. You had not realized how much you had been holding in. The idea of possibly disappointing Rafael’s mother scared you. “And I just-” You gulped as a sudden breeze passed between the two of you and it made your eyes water.

“Woah, slow down…take a deep breath.” Olivia rubbed your shoulder. “You have nothing to worry about, I am sure she will love you.” You felt your breath steady a little as you heard Olivia’s words. “Has he mentioned how she is to at least give you some sort of clue as to what to expect?”

You nodded, “I have a pretty good idea which is why I am a little intimidated. She seems to be very accomplished and her son is accomplished…what do you think she will think of me when I tell her I work for a fashion magazine, nothing as highly achieved as her only son.”

Olivia smiled in understanding. However, she thought you needed to realize that your insecurities about being accomplished had gotten the best of you. “Your career is incredibly impressive; you are accomplished…a young woman as an editor in a prestigious fashion magazine speaks volumes! Mrs. Barba will see that you are someone with a good head on your shoulders and very ambitious like Barba. Honestly, it is a perfect match. You both compliment each other so well. Don’t stress too much about this because then it will make things awkward.”

You sighed and figured that Olivia was right. The best you can do is push through this brunch tomorrow and be the best you can be for Rafael’s sake. The last thing you wanted was to disappoint him as well. “You’re right, I have to just relax.”

“You do, even Rafael had mentioned this morning how off you had been lately.” Olivia mentioned as she recalled him making such a comment on the steps of the courthouse earlier that morning. He had just gotten off the phone with you and he had frowned when he had hung up. “Honestly, everything is going to fine.”

“Thank you Olivia, I really needed to hear that. I just didn’t want to worry Rafael over this.” You confessed as you recalled this morning when you had spoken to him on the phone. He seemed to be relaxed over the past few days. Youdidn’t want to ruin that for him.

You spent the rest of the mid-afternoon talking and watching as others walked along the park path.  After Olivia got a call from Carisi and You got a call from your assistant, you parted ways and Olivia reassured you once more that everything was going to be fine.

_______________________________________________________________________

Calle Ocho Restaurant - 45 W 81st St, New York, NY

The Cuban restaurant wasn’t too crowded for Sunday brunch and you were pretty content about that. You clutched on to the bouquet of colorful flowers that you had brought for Mrs. Lucia Barba. With a small smile, Rafael guided the small of your back toward the table where his mother was waiting. After your talk with Olivia yesterday, you had relaxed a little and you weren’t as nervous as you thought you would be.

“Mami, como estas?” Rafael’s hand slipped away from the small of your back and he embraced his mother.

“Rafi! I am good and you?” Lucia held onto her son tightly as they had not seen each other for what seemed like ages. She was busy with the charter school and he was busy with his cases that when he had called earlier in the week to set up brunch, she was surprised.

“Estoy muy bien…mami, I want you to meet (y/n) …my fiancé,” Rafael stepped aside and presented you to his mother. “Cariño, this is my mother Lucia Barba.”

You stepped forward and offered your hand to her, “Mucho gusto en conocerla, Señora Barba.” You said perfectly in Spanish and Lucia was taken aback. “These are for you; I hope you like them because they are my favorite.” You presented the bouquet to the older woman. Rafael watched the exchange between the two most important women in his life.

Lucia was impressed. She gladly took the flowers from you and rose her brow at how perfect your Spanish was. Rafael had not mentioned that you spoke a bit of spanish. “Thank you they are beautiful and it is very nice to meet you, finally! Please call me Lucia, Señora Barba makes me feel old and after all you are to be my daughter-in-law soon! Let take a look at that ring!” She said excitedly as she noticed the rock on your hand. “It is beautiful, my Rafi always had great taste!”

“Gracias, mami.” Rafael said with a smile as all of you sat down at the table by the window.

“He humors me a lot.” Lucia winked at you who laughed softly in reply. “So, (y/n), how do you know Spanish so well?” Lucia was incredibly curious about the young woman her son had failed to mention for the past four months. He had mentioned you about three weeks ago when she had attempted setting him up on a blind date with one of the teacher’s she knew. When she had started tell him about the teacher, he stopped her abruptly and confessed that he was already seeing someone. He hadn’t mentioned the engagement because he had been in the process of purchasing the ring. He did not want to jinx it. Truth be told, she was happy to hear that he had finally someone special in his life. He had said so many great things about you. Lucia was very excited to meet the young woman who had stolen his heart.

“I spent a semester abroad in Spain and I picked it up rather quickly. I know it is not the same, but I do love the language.” You proudly continued to tell her about your time in Spain as you waited for the server to come by.

The rest of the brunch went by smoothly and you talked about all sorts of things. Lucia asked you about your family, your fashion career, and your hobbies. Rafael was hardly able to get a word in as you two happily talked. You even asked how Rafael was as a child and that earned her a glare when Lucia mention the time in grade school when he had worn one shoe that was different from the other. All in all, everything had gone better than what you had expected.

Just as you were finishing your coffee, your phone rang. She furrowed her brow to see who it was and hoped she could just shut it off. When she saw it was Audrey, your assistant editor calling, you figured you needed to pick it up. “Excuse me, its my work colleague and it might be a photo shoot emergency.” Both Rafael and Lucia nodded in understanding. You prayed silently that it wasn’t a fashion catastrophe as you answered the phone and went out into the terrace to answer it.

“So, what do you think of her?” Rafael asked curiously.

“Honestly?” Lucia answered him back with a question.

He gave her a knowing look. “Yeah, honestly.”

Lucia sighed and glanced out the window to see you talking on the phone. You complimented her son so well and she could genuinely see how much you cared for him. Lucia had noticed the sweet glances you and Rafael would share toward one another. The gleam in Rafael’s eyes were that of a man in love. “She is everything I wanted for you Rafi.”

Rafael lets out a breath of relief he didn’t realize he had been holding in. “She is definitely everything I wanted…” He agreed with his mother’s statement.

“She is definitely a keeper, “Lucia remarked as took a sip from her own coffee.

“I did, which is why I couldn’t wait to ask her and I took the opportunity on the trip to Switzerland…” Rafael said. “I’m sorry for not mentioning it sooner, but time ran out and I just wanted to make the trip more special.”

Lucia nodded in understanding. Her son was always one to take the chance when the time was right.  “You two are ready for the next step. Oh, this means I will get grandchildren sooner rather than later.” She said happily.

Rafael shook his head at his mother’s remark. She had been so adamant about grandchildren for the past two years. “Mami, one step at a time.”

“Oh, you know I am teasing you.” She laughed.

Rafael noticed that you were walking back in with a smile on your face and he smirked back at the sight of you. Lucia smiled at both of you from across the table giving the both of you her blessing.