#we found some sea glass on the beach

[molliemoo3]

Look!!!!!!!! It's the seaside, I have the wave sounds for real for a week

[amirasainz]

Ok, hear me out. Carlos, who looks after drunk reader. She is like hyperactive and he is trying to look after her.

Thank you💜💜💜

Enjoy reading and send some requests

-xoxo, Babygirl 💋

Hyperactive night's

The club was alive with music, lights, and the sound of clinking glasses, but Carlos Sainz was on high alert. His girlfriend, Yn, was very, very drunk. He glanced over at her, perched on a barstool, swirling the remains of her cocktail and giggling at nothing in particular. They were out clubbing with friends, most of whom were still dancing and having a great time. Carlos, however, had taken on the role of the responsible one tonight, his only drink being a steady supply of sparkling water.

Yn wasn’t just tipsy—she was gone. Her hyperactivity had kicked in about half an hour ago, and Carlos had been chasing her around the dance floor ever since. She had now turned her attention to him, her eyes wide and full of excitement, like a kid in a candy store.

“Carlitoooos!” she screeched over the music, her hands flapping in front of her as if she’d just discovered that she could, in fact, move them.

Carlos, used to this by now, leaned in with a half-smile. “Yes, amor?”

“I wanna—I wanna dance more!” she announced, wobbling off the barstool and stumbling straight into Carlos’ chest. “Let’s dance, papi! Wooo!” She flailed her arms in an uncoordinated attempt at a twirl.

Carlos caught her before she could faceplant. “I think you’ve danced enough for tonight, no? How about we head home, and I’ll make you some water?” He spoke gently, knowing that trying to argue with Drunk Y/N was like trying to reason with a hurricane.

“Water?!” She looked at him as if he’d suggested she drink paint. “Nooo, I want another margarita! Pleeease, Carlitos. Pleeease. I need it! We’re celebrating!”

Carlos chuckled and shook his head, trying to steer her toward the exit. “You’re definitely not having another margarita, amor. Let’s go.”

But Yn was slippery, like a drunk eel, and before he could grab her, she darted back into the crowd. “Catch me if you caaaan!” she giggled, weaving through people like she was running a race. Carlos sighed. Why did she have so much energy when she was drunk?

He waded through the sea of people, dodging sweaty dancers and a guy who had clearly been trying to flirt with anything that moved. Finally, he found her standing near the DJ booth, trying to bribe the DJ with the half-eaten nachos she’d somehow acquired.

“Please play ‘Despacito,’ I’ll give you this!” she said, holding up a sad-looking nacho with one soggy corner. The DJ looked both confused and mildly entertained.

Carlos swooped in just in time, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Sorry, man. She’s had too much.” He flashed the DJ an apologetic smile.

Yn was having none of it. “Nooo, Carlos! I was this close to getting ‘Despacito!’ Why are you ruining my vibe?”

“I’m saving your vibe,” Carlos said, steering her back toward the exit once more. “Come on, let’s go. Fresh air, remember? You like fresh air.”

Yn looked up at him, her eyes wide with sudden excitement. “Fresh air! The ocean! Carlos, let’s go to the ocean!”

Carlos blinked. “Wait, what?”

But it was too late. She was already bolting for the door, her heels clicking wildly on the floor.

“Yn, no!” Carlos shouted, following her out of the club. His legs may have been trained for F1 racing, but right now, it felt like he was competing in an Olympic sprint. Yn was shockingly fast for someone who could barely walk in a straight line.

They burst out into the cool night air, Yn laughing hysterically as she ran down the street toward the beach, which, unfortunately, was only a few blocks away.

“Yn, stop running!” Carlos called after her, trying to catch up. He could feel his heart pounding—both from the physical exertion and sheer panic. She was drunk and running toward the ocean. This was the stuff of nightmares.

Yn, on the other hand, was having the time of her life. She kicked off her shoes and started running barefoot down the sand, her arms outstretched like she was about to take flight.

“I’M A MERMAID, CARLOS!” she screamed, spinning in circles as she headed for the waves.

Carlos finally caught up to her and tried to grab her arm, but she dodged him, giggling like a madwoman. “No! Let me live my dream!”

“Your dream is to drown?!” Carlos panted, still trying to corral her as she charged toward the ocean like it was some kind of mystical destination.

“I’m gonna swim!” she announced proudly, stepping into the water. The cold shock of it made her shriek with glee. “It’s so cold—I LOVE IT!”

Carlos practically dived after her, grabbing her around the waist before she could go any deeper. “Nope. No swimming. Out of the water, mermaid. You’re coming back to shore.”

Yn kicked and flailed in his arms, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. “Carlos! You’re ruining my ocean adventure!”

“Your ocean adventure is over. You’re freezing, and you’re going to catch a cold,” he said, dragging her back to dry land.

She sagged in his arms, finally giving up, but still grinning from ear to ear. “I was having so much fun.”

“I know you were, loca,” Carlos said, setting her down on the sand. He ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. “But I can’t let you drown. You’re not actually a mermaid.”

She blinked up at him, her expression suddenly serious. “You don’t know that.”

Carlos laughed despite himself. “Yes, I do.”

Yn looked up at the stars, then back at him, her eyes softening. “You’re the best, Carlitos. I love you so much.”

Carlos smiled, sitting down next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders to keep her warm. “I love you too, but you’re never drinking this much again.”

She giggled and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Deal. But only if you promise to always save me when I try to swim after too many margaritas.”

“Always,” he chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. “But next time, you’re staying on the beach.”

Yn smiled, snuggling into him as she closed her eyes. “Okay, but can we go back to the club tomorrow? I still need to hear ‘Despacito.’”

Carlos groaned, looking up at the sky. He was never letting her near a DJ booth again.

[blossombriefs]

Chateau | NSFW Vegeta OneShot [18+]

AN: I honestly couldn’t help myself. I had to write about my favourite DB boi. I’ve been planning one for a little while so I hope you all enjoy it! Summary: The gang all go on vacation together after the events of the Buu saga, however, there is more on Vegeta's mind than meets the eye. Title namesake: 'Chateau' by Blackbear Content: Sexual and mature content. Vegeta and Bulma are not together and Trunks doesn’t exist. The reader is related to Chi-Chi. Praise kink. Oral sex. Teasing. Mentions of a breeding kink. Vegeta is a cocky mf, I kinda made him a lil down bad during the confession. Word count: 2.7K

After taking on Majin Buu, the gang all decided it was time to take a huge vacation together before trying to find some normality. Mr Satan had booked and paid for everyone to go to a beachfront villa. Your sister Chi-Chi had invited you along with her family; her husband Goku and their two kids. You packed your suitcase with everything you'd need; bikinis, sunscreen, water bottles, towels. You were ready to spend time with your friends and loved ones.

On arrival, everyone seemed over the moon to be there, all apart from one. Sulking behind the group carrying his bags was Vegeta. You couldn’t help but notice the tension that was radiating from the proud prince. Determined to lift his spirits, you hung behind the group and approached him with a warm smile.

“Hey Vegeta,” you greeted him. Out of genuine concern and with a tilt of your head, you continued “What’s the matter?”

“Oh great, Kakarot’s insufferable bride’s equally as insufferable sister.” He said with an eye roll. When he glanced at you, you clocked his expression softening slightly. He grumbled, “It’s nothing that concerns you, woman,”

Refusing to be thrown off by his brash tone, you persisted. “Come on, Vegeta, we’re all here to relax and have fun.”

He hesitated for a moment, seemingly caught off guard by your display of persistence. After a heavy sigh, he muttered, “Fine. I suppose you’re right. But I don’t see the point in all this frivolity.”

You placed a gentle hand on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles ease ever so slightly at the touch. “Sometimes we all just need a break from the chaos, the training, the battles. Let’s just make the most of this time together.”

Vegeta glanced down at your hand on his arm, accidentally letting his expression softed further. He didn't pull away, instead, he found himself oddly comforted by your touch.

"Fine," he muttered, this time with a little less hostility. "But don't expect me to participate in any ridiculous beach games or play happy families with Kakarot's kids."

You chuckled, a sound that caught Vegeta and even yourself a little off guard. "Fair enough. Just promise me you'll try to enjoy yourself, even if it's just a little bit."

Vegeta's response was a grunt, but there was a flicker of acceptance in his eye. With that, you two joined up with everyone in the villa. It was a gorgeous place to call home for a few weeks. The wooden walls and wall-height glass windows overlooked the sea and the beach. Chi-Chi ran through the room plans. Goku and her, of course, took the biggest bedroom in the villa. Gohan and Videl were downstairs in another large bedroom. Goten had his own room near his parents which was the smallest. You were in your own room in the back corner of the uppermost floor next door to Vegeta's room. You leaned down to pick up your bags to start heading upstairs however were met with a shoulder nudging you out of the way. You looked over to see Vegeta leading the way. "Let me get these."

Days passed by in a blur of sunshine, laughter and relaxation. You spent time relaxing with your sister and niece-in-law on the beach while Goku, Gohan and Goten played in the roaring, crisp waves. Gradually, you even saw Vegeta come around to the idea of a vacation. He maintained his aloof demeanour, often preferring solitary walks on the beach or continuing to train behind everyone's backs in the villa's gym. However, there were a few moments when you caught him watching everyone with a hint of longing in his eyes. On this particular occasion, you heard the sliding door click open from the villa. You turned around to see him sporting just a dark blue pair of swimming shorts and a pair of black flip-flops. You hoped your sunglasses hid your eyes as you found yourself drawn to his perfectly chiselled body, toned legs and muscular arms. Sweat dripped down him in the blistering sun as it was clear he had finished another gym session. You let out a flustered sigh as he stretched, looking out in Goku's direction as he made his way down the beach.

"Y/N!" you heard a screech from beside you. You turned your head as your eyes met Chi-Chi's. She held a glare but quickly started to laugh hysterically.

"W-what!?" you responded, shuffling back awkwardly on your towel.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" she answered, "Older sister's intuition tells me that you're eyeing up Vegeta!"

"I am not!" you argued back. Chi-Chi only persisted in making a mockery of you. You rolled your eyes as you tried to play off your sister's teasing, but deep down, you couldn't deny the truth behind her words. There was something about Vegeta that drew you in, something beyond his tough exterior and gruff demeanour. You wanted to break that hard exterior.

As the days passed you found yourself spending more and more time with Vegeta. You started accompanying him to the gym or on his beachside walks. You both were simply enjoying each other's company in the villa. Despite his initial reluctance, he seemed to appreciate having someone to confide in, someone he could talk to about the heavy weight of his past and the struggles that he had faced.

On the sixth night of the vacation, the two of you found yourselves sitting side by side on the beach once again, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon in a blaze of fiery tones that reflected off the clear waters below. The gentle sound of the waves filled the air, a soothing backdrop to the tension that crackled between you.

You sat flushed to one another, you accepted in your head that you didn't think Vegeta would want to be any closer. His eyes fixated forward as you broke the silence, "It's beautiful isn't it."

Vegeta tore his gaze away from the horizon, turning to look at you with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine. "Yes, you could say that... but I don't think it's the most beautiful thing on this beach."

You tilted your head, blinking a little in surprise. You felt your heart skip a beat, "Vegeta..."

He reached out his hand to brush against yours in a tentative gesture. "You know I'm not good with emotions, woman. I've been trying to deny it, push anything I feel aside," he confessed, his voice rough with emotions. "But I feel like I have to be honest with you. I don't find you annoying. I-"

Your breath caught in the back of your throat at his confession, your mind reeling with a whirlwind of emotions. You hadn't dared entertain the idea that Vegeta could ever feel the same way that you did. His vulnerability lit a fire in your chest, he lay his heart bare before you. Without hesitation, you leaned in closer as your lips met his. A spark ignited between the pair of you. He didn't deny your kiss, gripping your wrist as his lips matched yours. When you eventually pulled back, you were breathless and craved more. In the moment all you could see was Vegeta and all Vegeta could see was you. Nothing else mattered except the two of you embracing under the starlit sky. The world was slowly drawn into focus, and the sounds of the ocean crashing against the shore filled the air. You gazed deeply into Vegeta's eyes, seeing his vulnerability there took your breath away.

"I didn't expect this," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Me neither," you confessed as a smile tugged the corners of your lips. You let your fingers trace his knuckles as you looked up and into his dark eyes, "I want you Vegeta."

He nodded as he leaned in, again claiming your lips as his. His hand sat comfortably on the side of your neck, his fingers tracing your jaw as he slipped his tongue gently into your mouth. You moaned softly, again matching his movements as your tongue swirled against his. Your hands raced through his dark hair, tugging it with your fingers as his moans matched yours. As he pulled away again, you fluttered your lashes with an innocent smile, "My room or yours?"

Without hesitation, Vegeta gripped your hand tightly as he marched back into the villa past everyone in the living room who were gathered to watch TV over dinner. Chi-Chi shot you a glance with a wink accompanying it and you could hear Goku question it as you reached the top of the stairs. "What was that about Chi-Chi?"

Vegeta shoved the door to his room open with his free hand, instantly closing it over once you were inside as he forced you against it. His warm breath greets your neck followed by his lips. Your moans were gentle, your hands gripped to his shoulders. He tugged gently at your skin with his fangs, revelling in the sounds coming from your lips. He grunted, "You do things to me, woman."

"Not as much as you do to me..." you whisper, pressing a playful kiss against his cheek. "My prince..."

Hearing that only got him more riled up. You could feel his hard cock push against your thigh through his shorts. He needed you now. Jumping up in his arms, he kept you held up by your thighs as you both continued making out. Vegeta directed you to the bed, throwing you down harshly as he pulled his tank top over his wide shoulders, dropping it on the floor. "Maybe if you're a good girl, your prince will reward you."

"Don't play coy. I've seen you eyeing me like a piece of meat this entire vacation. You've been begging for me to fuck you." You shook your head with a gentle bite of your lip, drawing a chuckle from the Saiyan's lips. You could only look up hungrily at his body, a smirk plastering his face as he undid the string of his shorts, "I'd be lying if I wasn't doing the same. Why do you think I was hiding out in that gym? Seeing you in that swimwear set me off more than I'm willing to admit."

As his shorts fell, you caught a glimpse of his massive cock as it sprung against his stomach. It was long, girthy and solid hard, craving your touch. He outstretched his finger and beckoned you towards him, "I want you to take me in your mouth."

You were quick to oblige, slowly crawling to the edge of the bed as you gripped his hard length in your hand. Your fingers could barely make it around his shaft. You looked up at him, your touch clearly making him fold as you gently began to suck on his tip. His moan was loud this time, his hand gripping your hair tightly as you stroked him at the same time. His eyes immediately shut, his mouth hanging open as he let more moans escape his lips, "Fuck, ah! Good girl. Such a good girl!"

You allowed your mouth to travel further down his shaft, your wrist twisting as you kept your grip on him. He couldn’t help but mumble and moan as he was like putty in your hands. You slipped off the bed and onto your knees, continuing to look on as you pleasured Vegeta. Your tongue pressured on the base of his cock, and your little kitten licks around his tip making him louder, you did everything right for him. You could feel his dick twitch, he was ready to cum in your mouth, but with one swift motion, he pulled you back to your feet. “Fuck… your turn.”

You were caught by surprise as Vegeta lowered you back down onto the bed on your back, gripping your tiny shorts as he slid them down your thighs. His eyes focused on what was waiting for him. “You’re soaking… I’ve barely even touched you, woman.”

He grasped your shoulders, turning you with your back to his chest as his hand slid down your torso, tugging at your panties hard to drive a moan out of your lips as the fabric rubbed off everything sensitive. He smiled, clearly loving to toy with you. Eventually, your panties were off and on the floor along with the rest of your clothes. He couldn’t help but let his fingers explore further down towards your heat. He circled your clit with his thumb, purring at the sound of your moans escaping your mouth. The louder you were, the harder he’d go, he knew he was pleasing you and he loved every second of it. You stuttered, your brain turning to mush, “V-Vegeta… fuck… so good…”

“I love how loud you are, Y/N, fuck!”

“K-keep going!”

He allowed his fingers to drift down more, keeping his thumb on your clit as he slid two of his fingers inside you. Keeping himself at a steady rhythm, he penetrated you deeper and deeper as he had one set goal in his mind. He wanted you to cum.

It wouldn't take him long to achieve it. You let out a high moan as you found yourself releasing onto Vegeta’s hand. He smirked in a cocky manner as he ground himself to a halt. You looked at him, your eyes watering as you panted heavily. “Fuck… I've never…”

“Shh…” he hushed you, sliding his wet fingers into your mouth. Your eyes widened in surprise as you gently suckled on them. “Taste how good you are, c'mon. That's a good girl…”

The back and forth was hot, intense, and absolutely nothing short of mind-blowing. You both clearly had one goal in mind now. Vegeta pinned you to the mattress, removing your shirt before positioning himself with your ankles on his shoulders. Slowly but surely he slid inside you, the size of his huge, hard cock stretching against you as he slowly thrust in. You gazed up at him, his eyes drifting back into yours as he grunted loudly in pure bliss. You whimpered with each thrust, Vegeta refusing to hold back as he picked up the pace, each movement pushing him deeper inside you.

“You want me to cum inside you? Is that what you want?” his voice was higher, it was clear he was close. His hands squeezed your thighs tightly as he moved in closer. You wrapped your legs tightly around his waist and basked in his loud callouts. Suddenly, he grabbed your face, his mouth just mere centimetres from yours as he repeated himself. “C’mon, tell me you want me to cum inside you.”

“Please Vegeta,” you begged, the roughness of his movements introducing you to a high you’d never felt before. “Please cum inside me.”

He smirked, letting a gasped laugh out as he buried his head into your chest. He was so close but so were you. You directed your nails to his shoulder blades, clawing in desperation as Vegeta left marks along your collarbone. The prince was whiny, you couldn’t help but love listening to him.

“I-I’m” you called out, his head snapped up as he gazed into your eyes. His hips snapped into you as fast as his body would allow him. You screamed out in pure pleasure, feeling a pure rush of adrenaline run through your body as Vegeta wasn’t far behind.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He yelled, pushing himself in as deep as he possibly could, letting himself go inside you as he slowly ground to a halt. He collapsed beside you, breathing heavily with his arms folded over his chest. You snuggled your head into his shoulder, looking up as you couldn’t help but grin.

“We can’t let this be once only…” you whispered.

Vegeta nodded in agreement, his head sinking back into the pillow as he slid his arm around your warm, sweaty body.

“I’d take you as my mate… if you’d let me have you… I mean, I can’t see you saying no…”

[corruptedcaps]

A Day at the Bitch

“Ugh, can’t we get one day of peace from your bully? He always seems to be where we are!” Morgan said as she adjusted her glasses, frowning as she scanned the beach. Her usually animated face was drawn with frustration as the afternoon sun beat down on the sand.

Dexter, slightly taller than her and sporting a matching nerdy vibe with his worn-out geek T-shirt, squinted into the distance. “I don’t think he’s clocked us yet, so let’s just pitch up somewhere far from him so he doesn’t notice. It’s a big beach.” He mumbled, tugging Morgan toward the far end of the shore.

Morgan’s gaze lingered on the distant figure of her boyfriend’s relentless tormentor, Travis, who was tossing a football with his friends. “I swear, he has a radar for you.” She grumbled.

Dexter smiled weakly, trying to lighten the mood. “Maybe I’m just magnetic. People can’t help but notice me.”

Morgan rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips.

They found a quiet spot and set up a big striped umbrella, both grateful for the shade. With their pale skin, the sun wasn’t exactly their friend. Morgan settled into her beach chair, nose buried in a book, while Dexter immediately pulled out his Nintendo Switch.

After a few minutes of play, Dexter sighed in frustration. “Ugh, I left my charger in the car. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Morgan glanced up, squinting. “Don’t take too long.”

“I won’t.” Dexter smiled before heading off, leaving Morgan alone under the umbrella, completely absorbed in her book.

The wind suddenly picked up, and Morgan barely had time to react before the umbrella lifted off the sand, tumbling end over end toward the sea. She leaped from her chair, sprinting after it, but it quickly flew out of reach, landing in the water and drifting further out.

“Damn it!” She muttered, cursing herself for not securing it better. Out of breath, she stood on the shoreline, watching helplessly.

A voice behind her made her freeze. “With skin like yours, you’ll be a lobster in no time.”

She turned sharply to see Travis standing there, smirking.

“Buzz off, Travis.” Morgan snapped, turning on her heel and heading back toward her towel, her heart pounding from the chase and his sudden appearance.

He followed, unbothered by her hostility. “Hey, I’ve got some sunscreen if you want it.” He called after her, waving a bottle casually.

Morgan stopped in her tracks, biting her lip. As much as she hated him, she knew her pale skin was no match for the blazing sun, and with the umbrella gone, she’d be cooked in no time. She hesitated, glancing at him over her shoulder. “Fine! But make it quick.” She growled.

Travis squeezed some sunscreen into his hand, the cold lotion making a squelching noise as Morgan rolled her eyes and turned her back to him. "This is ridiculous." She muttered under her breath but resigned herself to the situation.

He spread the cream over his hands and gently began to rub it into her shoulders. The cool sensation was immediate relief from the heat, and despite her reluctance, Morgan couldn’t deny how good it felt. Travis’ hands were surprisingly gentle, massaging the sunscreen in with soft strokes.

“Y’know, you’ve got really nice skin, and a great body.” He said smoothly.

Morgan bristled at first, wanting to snap something sarcastic, but the compliment caught her off guard. She felt her usual disgust for him soften, if only slightly. Compliments from Travis were rare, and she couldn't remember the last time someone, including Dexter, had said something like that to her.

Her mind wandered, conflicted. She hated Travis, didn’t she? And yet, as his hands moved methodically down her back, she found herself enjoying the sensation far more than she wanted to admit. Guilt bubbled up in her, but her body betrayed her with a deep sigh of relief as he continued.

Travis’s hands moved to her sides, his fingers spreading the sunscreen in slow, deliberate strokes. Morgan’s waist began to subtly contract, growing slimmer with each pass, but she was too distracted by the tingling, almost electric sensation that pulsed through her body from the cream. It felt intoxicating, sending waves of pleasure through her muscles, and she leaned into it, sighing softly without even realizing.

“You know, you could be really popular, if you tried.” Travis said smoothly, his voice low as he massaged more sunscreen into her skin.

Morgan blinked, still half-lost in the blissful sensation. “Oh yeah? I’m sure I’d fit right in with the ‘in’ crowd.” She said jokingly.

Travis smirked, his hands continuing their work. “No I’m serious. Since Amber left there has been an opening for someone new. A little makeup here, some tighter clothes there, and you could own this place.”

Minutes ago, she would’ve been horrified at the suggestion, ready to spit back a retort about never being that shallow. But now, as the cream worked its magic and Travis’s hands moved with expert precision, she found herself surprisingly intrigued.

He rubbed the sunscreen into her shoulders and down her arms. Every inch of her that he touched became soft and tan. He ran his fingers onto her hands coating them in the sunscreen, the white cream running to the very tips of her fingers where they met her chipped and cracked nails. As the sunscreen covered them, her nails grew strong, long and sharp.

Morgan never noticed a thing, instead she found herself thinking of Amber. She had been Travis’ girlfriend, the queen bee of school and someone Morgan has been on the receiving end on more that one occasion. It was true that since she had left there had been a kind of power vacuum at school, all her friends fighting amongst each other for the throne.

Morgan closed her eyes, letting herself drift, and imagined what it would be like to be admired, powerful, and in control. To be like Amber. The idea made her pussy wet in a way she wasn’t expecting.

Morgan was completely lost in the fantasy, her mind drifting as Travis's words and hands worked together to pull her deeper into a haze of pleasure and temptation. She barely registered when his hands moved lower, spreading the sunscreen across her hips and down to her butt.

Only an hour ago she would have jumped or swatted him away, but now she didn't object, too entranced by the tingling warmth spreading through her skin. Instead she let a little moan escape her lips, approving of his venture. As his hands kneaded her, her butt grew plumper and rounder with each stroke.

The sensation only fueled her daydream, making her feel more powerful, more desirable than ever before. Travis’s voice broke through her dreamy haze. “Turn around.”

Morgan did as she was told without thinking, slowly facing him. Now, standing inches apart, she looked up into his eyes and, for the first time, noticed just how handsome he was. His sharp jawline, the way the sun reflected off his well-defined muscles, her previous disgust toward him seemed to erode even more, replaced by something she couldn’t quite explain.

Travis grinned, clearly aware of the shift in her demeanor. He squeezed more sunscreen into his hands and gently began rubbing it into her stomach. As his fingers worked their way across her skin, her stomach started to tighten, becoming toned and firm, as if sculpted.

She could have handled rubbing the sunscreen into the front of her body herself but she was getting a naughty thrill at having Travis do it for her. It made her feel dominant, something she had never felt.

“Of course if you were going to become popular, you couldn’t keep a name like Morgan. You would need a name that's hotter, meaner.” He murmured, his hands continuing their slow, deliberate movements.

Morgan blinked, her mind still foggy. A part of her was trying to rebel, telling her that she liked the name Morgan because it wasn't a bitchy girl name but she couldn't help but slowly nodding in agreement with Travis.

“Yes… a name that’s… luxurious.” She said in her daze.

“How about... Madison?” He suggested, his eyes locking onto hers. She looked into them, almost hypnotic. The name hung in the air, and echoed around her head. Yes Madison felt right, as if she were born to have it. She liked it. No! She loved it!

“Madison…?” She said with a purr.

In her mind, Morgan strutted through the crowded halls of her school, every eye glued to her as she moved with effortless grace. Behind her, a clique of girls, Amber's old friends in fact, followed in her wake. Each of them slutty and mean, but none could compare to her. She was radiant, flawless, the kind of girl everyone admired, envied, and feared. She wasn’t Morgan, she was Madison, The Queen Bee.

Heads turned as she passed by, students whispered in awe, and boys tripped over themselves just to get a second glance. The girls behind her kept their heads down, content to bask in her glow, but knowing they would never outshine her nor dare to do so.

Morgan’s smirk widened as she imagined her dominance over the social world. It felt so natural, so deserved. She could have anything, anyone, at the snap of her fingers.

Back in reality, she opened her eyes, the fantasy still vivid in her mind. "Madison is perfect." She purred, her voice dripping with bratty confidence. It would be the only name she’d answer to now.

Travis grinned back, satisfied. "Yes she is." He replied, his eyes dark with amusement. His hands finished their slow, deliberate movements over her skin and he took a step back to admire his work. Madison let out a soft, satisfied sigh and glanced up at him through half-lidded eyes.

But something didn’t feel quite right to her, she didn’t feel quite finished. She didn’t feel quite like the Madison she imagined but she knew what it was.

That’s when panic started to set in. She wasn’t some bitch called Madison, she was Morgan. She was a good and kind girl. Deep within her, her nerdy subconscious stirred, trying to claw its way back to the surface. She felt a wave of confusion crash over her, the weight of reality pushing through the fantasy.

“No... this is wrong. What are you doing to me?” She said taking a step away from Travis, her voice shaking as the fog in her mind began to clear.

“Relax Madison, just a little more sunscreen and you’ll feel better.” Travis said with a dark grin.

Morgan stumbled back, her breath quickening as she looked down at herself. Her hands, once short-nailed and unpolished, now sported long, manicured nails. Her stomach was toned and flat, her skin sun-kissed and flawless. She ran her fingers over her newly tanned arms, feeling the undeniable change.

She looked amazing, like the girl she’d always secretly wanted to be, but something felt horribly wrong. This wasn’t her. This wasn’t who she was.

“Why are you doing this to me?” She said suddenly finding confidence in her voice.

Travis stepped closer, his grin widening as he watched her realization dawn. "Isn’t it obvious? I’m making you into the new alpha bitch, the new queen bee. You are smart, much smarter than Amber was. I’m just making you unstoppable. Giving you the killer edge." He admitted casually.

Morgan’s heart raced as his words sunk in. The perfect body, the power, the admiration. It could all be hers. But did she want it?

“But if you really want me to stop, just say the word, and it’ll all go away and you can go back to Dexter.” Travis continued, his eyes locking onto hers. She felt a sudden revulsion at the sound of Dexter’s name.

Morgan gazed down at her perfectly manicured nails, feeling the smoothness of her toned body, the strength in her muscles, the beauty radiating from her skin. The temptation had fully sunk in, and the part of her that once resisted was now silent, overwhelmed by the intoxicating sensation of power and beauty.

Travis watched her closely, a knowing smile on his lips. “So, what do you say?” He asked, stepping closer,

With a sultry smile, Madison took a step towards him, took Travis’s hands and guided them upward, placing them firmly on her tits. “You missed a spot.” She whispered, her voice low and teasing, eyes gleaming with lust.

Travis didn’t hesitate, his grin widening as he allowed his hands to settle where she had placed them. She moaned as her boobs started to grow larger in his hands, her nipples standing on end.

"Of course, a popular girl like me would need a strong and popular boyfriend by her side." She said, her voice silky and horny.

Travis chuckled, though there was a hint of challenge in his eyes. "What about Dexter?" He asked, his tone playful, but he already knew the answer.

Madison scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Dexter? Please. He's a weak, tiny dick loser. He doesn’t 'fit' with me anymore." Her words dripped with disdain, and the thought of being with Dexter seemed absurd to her now.

"Then who would be the right fit for you, Madison?" His voice was smooth, but there was a sharpness in his gaze, as if testing her.

Madison bit her lip flirtatiously and leaned closer, her eyes locking onto his. She slipped her hand into his shorts and grabbed his cock without hesitation. "Mmmm I think this would fit me perfectly." She whispered, her smile seductive and certain.

Satisfied at her new boob size, she sank to her knees and pulled down Travis’ shorts. His cock spring out eagerly and she licked her lips.

“Let’s see how you fit in here.” She said flashing him a cheeky smile and wrapping her pink lips around his cock. She had only given oral once and that was a pity blowjob she gave Dexter on his birthday. She had hated it. Travis on the other hand was different. The taste, the size, the smell. It was all cum inducing.

As her head bobbed in and out Travis put his strong hands on his head, guiding her softly. As he did the excess sunscreen on his hands started to drip off onto her hair. Each drop turned her hair platinum blonde, sleek and perfect.

The sunscreen seeped into her roots and made her head throb pleasurably. Sexy makeup appeared on her face and Travis felt her lips plump up around his cock making them both moan in unison.

She felt her corruption nearly complete. She was nearly rid of the weak loser she had been when she walked onto the beach. She just needed him to do one more thing that they would both enjoy…

—

It had taken Dexter longer that he expected because when he got to the car he had found one of its tires slashed. Not much of a mechanic, Dexter barely managed to change the tire with the spare. He didn’t know how but he suspected it had been Travis.

Exhausted he walked back onto the beach to find his umbrella and his girlfriend missing. Her book was still there but she was gone. He looked around the beach but couldn’t find her. He didn’t dare go over to Travis and ask.

Not because he was scared of him though. Of course he was but finding Morgan was more important that his fear for his bully. No he didn’t want to go over because Travis was currently ’entertaining’ a blonde bombshell Dexter had never seen.

She bounced up and down on his cock as if no one was watching. But as she caught eyes with Dexter from afar her gyrations seemed more intense and her moans much louder. Dexter knew it was just his imagination but it was almost like she wanted him to see. At that moment he wished he had the umbrella to hide his pitiful erection behind.

[zegrasdrysdale]

[ beach bliss ] l. fantilli

day 1 of kinktober (exhibitionism w/ luca fantilli)

➾ pairing : Luca Fantilli x fem!reader

➾ summary : Luca brings his girlfriend down to the beach for a surprise midnight date, and it ends with looking for their clothes in the sand

➾ warning(s) : smut ! exhibitionism, beach sex, teasing, p in v penetrative sex, nicknames during sex, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it)

➾ author’s note : day one, fic one. v excited for fics that i (we) have planned for this month and kinktober. gonna write some things that push my comfort zone a lil bit so im genuinely excited

kinktober schedule

༺──────────────༻

The bed shifts behind her after the bathroom door quietly clicks shut. A hand comes down on her waist over the covers and Luca presses soft kisses to her jaw. "Are you awake?" he mumbles next to her ear. She hums in response to his question because she is awake despite trying to sleep for the last half an hour. "Come with me for a second."

"Luca," she groans as her boyfriend gets out of bed. "It's midnight. There's nowhere to go."

A soft light comes on beside her and she groans as she rolls to face her boyfriend. “Just come with me,” he tries again. He’s offering her his hand. “I promise you’ll love it. Oh, and put on something a little less pajama-y.”

“Can I have a hint of where we’re going so I know what to put on?” she questions as Luca turns to leave the room.

“A sundress would work perfectly,” Luca tells her. “Meet me on the back deck when you’re ready.” She raises her eyebrows at him in confusion as he leaves the room and clicks the door shut behind him.

She has never been more confused in her life than she is right now. Luca isn’t the secretive type except for when he has a surprise for her. That’s one of the many things she has learned in their three years together.

The idea of Luca proposing to her pops into her mind but she quickly shoves it away because they both agreed to wait until they graduate before getting engaged. Plus, she hopes that he wouldn’t tell her to put on a sundress for a proposal. She wants to be a little more dressed up when he gets down on one knee and asks her to spend the rest of their lives together.

He’s wearing a white button up and tan khaki shorts so she uses his outfit to determine that it’s very casual wherever they’re going. She finds one of her dressier sundresses in her suitcase just in case and slips it on after stripping out of her pajamas. She grabs a pair of sandals to pair with the short pink and white floral off the shoulder dress she put on.

After tying her hair up in a loose ponytail and leaving a couple strands loose, she tiptoes her way downstairs to the back deck. She’s very careful not to wake the rest of the house as she walks down the stairs.

When she turns the corner into the kitchen, she sees the back deck through the sliding glass door. She pulls it open and doesn’t see Luca.

What she sees instead is a path of rose pedals leading down the steps. She blinks and follows the red pedals down the stairs. She follows the path, lined on either side by little candles to light the way down to the beach.

Luca stands at the end of the path with a blanket, a big picnic basket, and a smile on his face.

“What’s all this?” she questions when she approaches her boyfriend.

“I figured that we wouldn’t have a lot of time to ourselves on this trip since it’s technically a family trip so I decided to plan a little midnight date so we can spend some time together,” Luca tells her. He leans down and captures her lips in a quick kiss. “Adam and I found a sea cave down the beach on one of our previous trips so if you would please follow me.”

With a grin, she takes her sandals off and grabs the blanket from Luca. She hooks her free arm with his and walks alongside him to their little date spot.

The sea cave faces the moonlit waves as they crash on the beach. It’s a very secluded and private area, which she loves because they are completely alone on their date. No one can see anything, not that anyone would be out to see them anyway since it’s midnight.

Luca helps her lay out the blanket before they both take a seat. He lights a couple of stick candles and puts them in the sand around the two of them.

Inside the picnic basket are two pasta dishes in to-go containers that Luca definitely ordered and had delivered to the house at some point. There is also a bottle of champagne and some cake for dessert. Strawberries, blueberries, and other fruits are in a little container for them to snack on throughout their date.

“You went all out,” she giggles as Luca pulls all the food out and sets it between them. “Even went as far as ordering pasta dishes for us.”

He grins, proud of his work. “Had to make sure we had some good Italian food on this date,” he tells her. “You got rigatoni bolognese while I got fettuccine alfredo. I kinda went out on a limb because I know you like red sauce instead of creamy sauce.”

“It sounds amazing,” she replies. “Thank you.”

Without any other words exchanged between them, the pair dig into their pasta dishes. She lets out a borderline pornographic moan when she tastes her meal.

A smile forms on Luca’s face as he swallows his first bite. “That good?” he questions. “Like I’ve only ever heard you make that sound when we’re in bed.”

“I don’t know if I wanna eat it or make love to it,” she says as she takes another bite. “Take it to Vegas and marry it. It’s so good, Luca.”

Her boyfriend laughs and takes another bite.

They make small talk while they eat their meals. He asks how she likes Italy since it’s only her second time in the country and first time on Capri. She only went to Rome on her last trip, and she loves the tropical aspect of the country.

She hopes it’s not her last time in Italy, but something tells her that it won’t be.

She truly loves the Italy and would love to spend more time here, especially since Luca has family here that he only gets to see a handful of times a year. She’d love to get to know his extended family.

The food is to die for, the views are stunning, and the language is beautiful. She’s been learning basic Italian for a few months in preparation for the trip and she loves being able to speak in Italian instead of English to anyone she makes conversation with. She’s still learning so much while she’s in Italy because with every conversation she has, she learns a little more Italian. In the next few years, she could see herself being fluent if she keeps practicing and learning.

Dessert gets devoured when they’re done their meals. Her stomach is full so she lays down and looks at the candlelit cave around them. It’s a smaller cave so the candles do a very nice job and illuminating the area. Luca joins her as soon as he’s finished packing their used utensils and plates in the basket. She curls up against his side.

“Do we have to head back soon?” she questions. “It has to be close to one in the morning. Maybe even closer to two.” She left her phone back at the house so she has no idea what time it is.

He shakes his head and looks down at her. “We can head back whenever you want,” he tells her. “Or we can stay out here all night. Whatever you want to do. You know I’d be fine with whatever you choose. I just brought the food.”

With a laugh, she turns her head up to look at Luca. “You let me know when you want to go back,” she replies. “I’m not going hijack the date you planned.”

"I think I can think of a thing or two for us to do before we head back," Luca admits. He runs his thumb over her lips while his other hand comes down and rests on her thigh right under the hem of her skirt. "It's the middle of the night. No one is out and about. If you're okay with it, of course-"

"We're still in public, Luca," she interrupts. "What if there is someone out and about? What if they walk by and they see us?"

Luca leans in and presses a soft kiss to her jaw. "Then they can see how good I fuck my girl," he mumbles into her skin. "How pretty she looks when she comes on my dick. Listen to those sounds that pass her lips as I fuck her."

Her entire body shivers with his words. She bites down on her bottom lip and presses her thighs together at the same time Luca’s hand comes down on her leg right above her knee. "God, Luca," she groans. "You can't just say that."

"I just did," he replies as he trails kisses from her jaw to her neck and collarbone. "And I'll say it again and again and again-"

"Oh my God," she sighs as she throws herself on top of Luca. "Please shut up already." She pins her boyfriend to the blanket and claims his lips in a heated kiss.

His hands fly to her waist to steady her. She slowly begins to roll her hips against his, causing him to hum into the kiss that follows. Luca's hands slide up her back until his fingers hook into the spaghetti straps of her dress. She shrugs the straps off just as Luca pulls them down. Her fingers begin working on the buttons on his shirt.

She pulls her arms out of the straps as she gets Luca's shirt undone. Her hands run down his bare chest and stomach. He sits up with her on his waist to pull the shirt off his body. At the same time, she pulls the dress over her head like a t-shirt. She has to resist every urge to cover her naked chest. She can feel the ocean breeze on her body.

Luca must sense her urge because he flips them over and hovers over her. She pushes his hair out of his face before she pulls him down to kiss him. He grins into the kiss that follows and makes himself comfortable between her legs.

Her hands slide from his hair down his back until they get to the waistband of his khaki’s. She hums against his lips as she gets his pants unbuttoned. He rolls the bulge that has grown in his pants against her ruined panties. She groans and slips a hand into his pants and boxers to wrap her hand around his dick.

The kiss deepens very slightly as Luca licks into her mouth. An involuntary moan passes her lips and he swallows the sound that echoes through the small cave.

She pushes his pants and boxers down so they pool around his knees. Luca kicks them away immediately before settling back between her legs.

“Are you okay?” Luca questions before he does anything else. “Do you want to keep going?”

With a grin, she nods. “I was nervous at first but yeah,” she tells him. “Fuck me, Fantilli. Fuck me so hard that anyone that walks by hears just how well you do.”

Luca’s eyes darken with lust and she lets her knees fall to the side. He hooks one of her legs around his elbow so he can move as deep into her as he can. It’s all about angles and they both know it at this point in their relationship.

He runs the tip of his dick through her soaked folds. She bites her bottom lip to keep quiet-ish. Luca pulls her lip out and shakes his head. “I wanna hear you, pretty girl,” he tells her. “Let me hear those pretty sounds when I fuck you.”

She nods and stares up at her boyfriend. Luca has a grin on his face. There’s a red tint to his cheeks from how hot it is in the cave right now. Despite it being nighttime, it’s still pretty warm.

Luca pushes her panties to the side and lines up with her entrance at the same time she reaches up and tries to tuck his locks behind his ear but it’s too short to stay in place. She giggles and runs her fingers through his hair. “You need to keep growing your hair out so it stays tucked behind your ear,” she teases.

“I wouldn’t dare to cut it,” he replies. “I know how much you like putting your fingers in my hair and pulling it.”

Before she can respond, he pushes into her. The familiar stretch is welcomed but she lets out a gasp at the feeling anyway. “Oh my- Luca,” she sighs. “Fuck.”

He leans down and presses kisses to her jaw. “That’s the plan,” he mumbles.

There are two seconds of hesitation to let her adjust. She rolls her hips when she’s ready, and he matches her movements. One of his hands rests on her waist to help her keep steady as she moves.

Even though she knows they’re alone because they’re in a cave on a beach in the middle of the night, she still glances toward the entrance of the cave every so often to make sure they’re still alone. Luca doesn’t notice since she does it over his shoulder.

The slight chance of getting caught is still exhilarating though. Not that she’d ever admit that to Luca because this is an every once in a while kind of thing. The locker room at Yost might be the next time they do this in a public setting because she kind of likes it. Again — not something she’d outright admit to Luca.

Luca nips at the skin right under her jaw and she cries out. It pulls her out of her thoughts immediately because it’s her favorite spot for Luca to kiss. Her jaw drops and her fingers curl in his locks.

His thrusts speed up and he moves deep inside her. “Oh my God,” she cries out. “Luca. Fuck.”

He lets out a breathy laugh and claims her lips in a quick, hot kiss. Luca rests his forehead on hers when he pulls back to breath. Her hands slide down to his jaw and she cups his face.

She feels herself begin to clench around him as she tries to hold off her orgasm until he’s ready to come. “Come on, pretty girl,” he pants. “Wanna hear you. Wanna feel you.”

Her entire body shakes as she reaches her pending orgasm without much warning. Luca holds her as she comes harder than she ever has before. She cries out his name and it echoes throughout the small cave. Her back arches off the blanket and her vision whitens as she climaxes. Her entire body goes limp and numb for a few seconds.

She has no idea if it’s because they’re having sex on the beach where anyone can walk by and she’s turned on by that or what but it’s the best orgasm she’s ever had. She is absolutely not against doing this again.

Luca pulls out and comes on her thighs. She doesn’t feel when he pulls out but is already coming to when he reaches into the basket beside them. He uses some of the napkins he bought to clean her up before he grabs his shirt and covers her with it. He lies down beside her as they both come down from their climaxes.

Her mind is completely scattered. She has no idea if she wants to just lay here until the sun rises or if she wants to go back to the house for round two.

“You okay?” Luca asks her. “Lost you there for a little bit. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

With a nod, she looks over at Luca. “I’m perfect,” she tells him. “That was … I don’t even know but holy shit.”

He laughs and rolls onto his side. “Now we have our own little spot if we ever want to come back and do this again before we go back home,” he says. “Or we can stick to the plain old boring bed.”

“No!” she gasps way too quickly. “I mean, I’d be okay if we came back here before we left.”

“You liked it, didn’t you?” Luca teases. Her cheeks heat up at his accusation. “Oh my God. You liked possibly getting caught.”

She presses her lips into a line. “Okay, maybe a little bit,” she admits. “Maybe just next time, can we at least make sure there’s a door that we can lock? Or maybe a place where we wouldn’t get arrested if we get caught?”

Luca nods and presses a kiss to her forehead. “You got it.”

༺──────────────༻

MAIN MASTERLIST

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[crappymixtape]

sweet like summer

REQUEST → @palmtreesx3, SUMMER BLURB PARTY ❝ 💿 bff's to lovers maybe a little spicy – summer steve. summer steve! ( song x blurb with steve harrington x reader – this one is a lil fluffy, a lil flirty, a lil hot, roadtripping the west coast with stevie and stopping at a bar to dance after spending all day at the beach – recommended to listen to your song while reading! )

S W E E T L I K E S U M M E R SONG PICK -> 🎶 sunset girl, carpool tunnel

Your hair was still windswept, salt turned wavy and kissed by the sun and your sandals scratched in the sand under your feet on the dance floor. The west coast was unlike anything you’d ever seen, definitely nothing like Hawkins, and you wished you could bottle it up and bring it home with you.

It was all sunshine and surfer boys, shells and sea glass, gulls crying out over the crash of the waves and warm sand under your skin. California was your last stop, though Steve had teased about taking a detour through New Mexico on the way back, and you were trying to drink up every last little drop. You never wanted to leave.

You’d found the little hole in the wall taco joint on Trip Advisor and damn if the reviews weren’t right. It was some of the best food you’d ever had and Tuesdays had live music. There wasn’t a free table in the whole place and the dance floor was crowded, filled with people swaying along with the twangy riffs and reverbs coming from the surf rock band on stage.

Three margaritas deep, you could’ve sworn you were floating with the way your best friend held you close to his chest, Steve, Steve, Steve. One hand pressed wide and warm to your lower back and the other tangled up with yours. He hadn’t stopped grinning the second you got up from your table, but when the music slowed a bit it softened. Shifted smaller, unsure, a mixture of what if we mess this up and I've never wanted you more. He’d never looked at you like that before, but you found yourself lost in it as the lyrics wove through the space between you.

❝ WHAT D'YOU GOT GOING ON TONIGHT? I CAN TELL BY YOUR CURLY HAIR, WE'LL BE FADED OUT OF SIGHT.

Steve slowed, feet bumping into yours and a breathy laugh fell from your lips.

“Steve–”

He chuckled too, “Sorry.”

But then his eyes met yours, warm honey, burnt caramel, like swimming in a pool of liquid amber and it was like you couldn’t breathe. Your pulse fluttering against your neck and heart skipping in your chest.

Steve’s lips pulled up at the corner, shy, his fingers shifting over the thin fabric of your dress at your waist. He swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat, tongue chasing over his lower lip. “I really want to kiss you,” he murmured and your skin buzzed where his fingers pressed to you. Singing under his touch, more, more, more.

❝ CAN'T PUSH IT, IF I DARE. OH, MY GIRL, MY GIRL.

The band didn’t exist anymore and everyone else faded away, blurring and swept away by the feeling of Steve. You heard gulls and the soft wash of waves on the sand, saw the way Steve smiled at you as he pulled you into the surf with him.

“Wanna kiss you too,” you whispered back and it was like you’d redefined time. Seconds more like minutes or hours, stretching out as Steve leaned closer and closer.

The soft sweep of his lashes over the apples of his cheeks, the strong line of his jaw and the moles chasing down his neck, the perfectly messy brown locks of hair falling over his forehead and lips so soft, pressed to yours.

Tentative, slow, langid, curious, wanting.

❝ A GEM, SO PERFECT YOU SEE. A DREAM, SO RARE.

It was a little shy at first, but as soon as you’d tasted each other you knew you were done for, would never have enough, would always be left wanting more, more, more.

“More Steve,” you said into him and he swallowed your words, pulled soft, sweet sounds from you and nestled them deep between his ribs to bloom like wildflowers, a bright, warm thing he would cherish forever.

His fingers squeezed at your waist, pressing into the plush of your hip and pulling you into him so close you could smell the faded scent of his coconut sunscreen, cedar and leather from his aftershave this morning and the sweet, heady musk of sweat – beading along the hollow of his collarbone, the swell of your chest, the press of your bodies in the heat.

He nosed at your neck and you gave him more access, head tilting back lazy, drugged, drowning in Steve as he dragged kisses across your skin and the sounds that had started out soft and sweet shifted needy. A low whine that blew his pupils wide and when you carded your hands through his hair, tugged on the ends and made him see stars, he squeezed at your hand.

❝ I'D GO THE EXTRA MILE TO SEE HER AT MY DOOR ONCE MORE – SUNSET GIRL.

“Take me back to the room,” you whispered, lips brushing against the shell of his ear and it melted any reservations he had left.

“Mmhm,” was all he could manage.

His fingers tangled up with yours as he led you out of the restaurant, both of you laughing low under your breaths at how ridiculous you felt, at how desperate it was. He’d turn to catch you in a kiss at the crosswalks and you’d tug at his bottom lip, drive him crazy, pushing yourselves to the point you were practically running back to the hotel.

And when you finally fell in through the door at your room, fingers scrambling to tug your dress up over your head, throwing his shirt off to the floor, Steve made you fall apart again and again until long after the ocean swallowed the sun.

crappymixtape™ • steve harrington masterlist // stranger things masterlist ♥️ reblogs and comments keep me going, friends! ily! ♥️

[tangibletechnomancy]

Doing It Wrong On Purpose: Episode 1 - The Un-Ship

Today's experiment: What happens if I prompt for something, and then negative prompt all the main keywords, plus various synonyms and related words?

The answer: Some gloriously weird stuff.

For example, let's look at a negative cat:

Positive prompt: A cat on a windowsill during a storm

Negative prompt: Cat, feline, felidae, kitty, kitten, animal, pet, windowsill, window, glass, pane, house, storm, rain, water, lightning, thunder, clouds, torrent, downpour, snow, blizzard, wind, windy

Interesting! Let's get a little more fantasy with it and try for an anti-deer:

Positive prompt: A deer in a peaceful flowery meadow, crystals, midnight, fantasy, colorful

Negative prompt: Deer, cervidae, animal, elk, moose, stag, doe, fawn, reindeer, antelope, cervid, antlers, flowers, night, dark, trees, foliage, bloom, stars, night, tranquil, fantastic, vibrant, cool, magic, blue, moon, sky, crystal, stone, statue, topiary, floral, blossom

Between these two experiments, including a few dozen other generations that remain unposted, one thing I can say for sure is that for living subjects, it's a great way to get the kind of anatomical wonk that older models are (in)famous for - and it makes sense why, the model is trying to make something that looks like a certain subject...but once it starts to look too much like it, well, shit, we told it NOT to do that! Break something up! Given that I love that kind of wonk, I think I've found a useful tool for myself.

One more living subject, and let's get even more abstract with our direction here:

Positive prompt: mind horse

Negative prompt: horse, equine, colt, filly, mare, stallion, bronco, pony, mind, brain, thought, essence, psyche, intelligence, consciousness, imagination, dream, soul, visualization, intellect, wit, cognizance

Now let's try something that isn't alive. One thing I love AI for is surreal settings and landscapes - lets try one now!

Positive prompt: A magic palace garden made of crystal and gold

Negative prompt: Palace, magic, crystal, gold, fantasy, castle, estate, stronghold, temple, garden, flowers, plants, blossoms, bloom, blooms, trees, grass, stems, foliage, leaves, greenery, branches, bush, bushes, hedge, hedges, metal, luxury, stone, glass, brass, rose, polished, jewel, prism, courtyard

I then tried to see if, learning from the animal subjects, I could make it more likely to return one of my favorite "mistakes" - making it impossible to discern the point where a water area ends and a sky area begins. I wasn't immediately successful, but I came up with some results I found pleasing regardless-

Positive prompt: Secret hideout in a cave behind a waterfall in the foggy forest on a floating sky island in fluffy clouds

Negative prompt: hideout, camp, campsite, home, abode, house, dwelling, rest, shelter, waterfall, water, cave, grotto, forest, woods, woodland, trees, fountain, cascade, pond, stream, lake, river, brook, puddle, creek, pool, beach, ocean, sea, cloud, clouds, sky, cumulus, cirrus, nimbus, fog, storm, rain, sunshower, falls

It seems that with landscapes it's got a much clearer and more specific "idea" of what a [SUBJECT] without [SUBJECT] looks like; it's more inclined to invent very specific, very consistent unasked for related elements. With the animals, I was tweaking the weight on the positive prompt to avoid getting straightforwardly just what I had positive (and negative) prompted, but with landscapes, I just get... almost something else entirely.

So how about inanimate objects? Let's try a ship, perhaps?

Positive prompt: A huge sailing ship with brilliant prismatic crystal sails on a stormy, turbulent sea of sunset clouds

Negative prompt: ship, boat, sailboat, sailing ship, pirate ship, galleon, ketch, schooner, sloop, cutter, sail, sea, ocean, storm, wind, rain, water, waves, cloudy, clouds, fog, sunset, dusk, dawn, sunrise, twilight, evening

...okay, I'm in love with the un-ship. It truly does manage to consistently give me results that look like, yet entirely unlike, a ship. It is everything I love about AI as a medium. More than that, it is my friend.

At lower positive prompt weights, they only get even more beautifully chaotic.

I want to live on one of these (in an alternate universe where they're geometrically possible and structurally sound, that is).

Failing that, I will be featuring them a lot from now on.

All images generated using Simple Stable, under the Code of Ethics of Are We Art Yet?

[alxtiny]

Sea Glass | Choi Jongho x reader

Synopsis: where you and jongho go on a beach date and make a new friend

Pairing: choi jongho x gn!reader, domestic au

Genre: fluff

Word count: 1k

Warnings: none :)

Notes: happy late birthday jongho!! Once again i took too long :’) this is in honour of that one wanteez ep

Main masterlist

The beach was quieter than usual when you and Jongho pulled up to it, only a handful of people hanging around. The crisp winter air bit softly at your skin but it was soothed by the warmth of the afternoon sun. You inhaled deeply, the scent of ocean filling your lungs as you stepped out of the car.

Jongho smiled as he stretched, looking effortlessly handsome even in his simple and cozy outfit—a black knit shirt and cute beanie that kept him comfy in the cool breeze. His eyes crinkled slightly as he glanced at you. "Perfect day for the beach, isn’t it?"

"Absolutely." You gave him a grin, pulling your cardigan tighter around you before linking your arm with his as you both walked toward the shore.

You found a sweet spot close to the water but just far enough to make sure your date won’t get interrupted by the waves. Jongho laid out the picnic blanket you’d bought and set down the little basket of food, and you both sat down, the sea stretching out in front of you, and the sunlight glittering against the blue of the water. There was something special about the beach in winter—it was less crowded, and the sun wasn’t as harsh as it was in the summer.

For a while, you both sat there and just talked, simply enjoying each other's company, while the sound of the waves crashing in the background played like a slow song. You looked at Jongho endearingly as he talked, a halo of light surrounding his flyaway hair, to you he looked stunning and you remembered you'd brought along your polaroid camera, and pulled it out. Jongho noticed and smiled. He knew you liked to take it with you everywhere and of course create your own little collection of candid photographs.

"Are we starting a beach photo series now?" he teased.

"Maybe," you said with a laugh. "Let me take one of you first."

He got up and posed dramatically, squinting at the sun and placing his hand on his hip in a mock-model stance, which made you giggle as you snapped the picture. Once the photo developed, you handed it to him.

He chuckled at the result, shaking his head. "I look ridiculous."

"No, you look adorable," you insisted, reaching for his cheeks and squishing them.

You spent the next few minutes taking turns with the camera, capturing every happy moment, the way the sunlight kissed Jongho’s skin, and the playful way you ran around in the sand, your hair floating behind, and pure bliss etched on your face.

Then, you had an idea. "Hey, you know what we should do?" you asked, eyes gleaming with excitement.

Jongho raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"We should try to find pieces of sea glass that match the color of our eyes. Think of it like a little treasure hunt."

Jongho laughed, amused by your randomly interesting thought. "You totally got that idea from a reel. But I’m down."

You decided to split up, wandering over to opposite sides of the beach. You carefully scanned the ground, looking for something in the deep brown shade of Jongho’s eyes. You found a few pieces of brown sea glass, feeling pleased with yourself as you collected them in your hand.

After a while, you heard Jongho approaching behind you. You turned to face him, grinning proudly as you held out your hand. "Look! I found some that match your eyes."

"Nice, I like them," Jongho nodded approvingly. Then, his voice turned serious. "What about mine? Want to see what I found?"

"Of course! What'd you get?" you asked eagerly, eyes sparkling in anticipation.

Jongho slowly brought his hands from behind his back, his lips widening into his signature gummy smile as he revealed his ‘find.’ But instead of sea glass, he held up a small octopus that had wrapped its tentacles around his wrist.

Your jaw dropped, your eyes widening like saucers as you stared at the tiny creature. "Is that—Jongho, is that an octopus?!"

He burst out laughing at your reaction. "Do you like it?" he said, wiping tears from his eyes from laughing too hard.

You couldn’t hold back your laughter either, doubling over as you clutched your sides. The little octopus raised its arms as if it was offended, slowly trying to cutely crawl up Jongho's arm, wiggling its tentacles. You quickly grabbed your camera and snapped a picture, holding onto the precious moment.

After calming down, you carefully helped Jongho return the octopus to the water, watching it swim away into the waves, as you waved goodbye.

“That’s definitely one for the beach series album,” you said, still grinning.

Jongho nodded, rubbing his arm. “I didn’t expect to make a new friend today.”

As the sun began to lower in the sky, you decided it was time to head home. The drive back was peaceful, the sky painted in hues of pink and orange as the sun descended beyond the horizon. By the time you reached home, the last bit of daylight was fading, and the warmth of your apartment welcomed you in.

“Ramen?” Jongho suggested, glancing at you with a soft smile as he tugged on his beanie, placing it beside your cardigan.

You nodded enthusiastically. “That’s perfect.”

You both worked together in the kitchen, making quick bowls of instant ramen while the TV in the living room played some random drama. Once the food was ready, you settled down on the couch, cuddling up close to each other as you ate.

The sea glass you had collected earlier was placed in a small jar on the windowsill, right beside the photo of Jongho and the octopus. Every time you glanced at it, you couldn’t help but smile, reminiscing the events of the day and the new friend you made.

Jongho ate his noodles quietly, watching the screen with a concentrated look before turning to you. "You know, we should do random things like this more often."

"Agreed," you said, leaning your head on his shoulder. "Next time, let’s not go around picking up random animals though."

Jongho chuckled softly. "Deal."

© alxtiny . Do not steal, plagiarise, translate, repost, or use my works on any platform in any way.

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DISCLAIMER: THIS IS PURE FICTION AND NOT RELATED TO THE MEMBERS OF ATEEZ IN REAL LIFE PLEASE DO NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY

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[pumpkinbxtch]

𓇼 the sun & the sea 𓇼 〰✷〰

— apollo / lester x daughter of poseidon!reader

part i | part ii | part iii | part iv |

☆ radiostar is playin': blackbird by the beatles…! // eye of the night by conan gray...! // meet me in the woods by lord huron...!

warnings: none n/a: i'm so fuckin' proud of the prophecy i created. it's all, thank you. taglist: @emidpsandia

You arrived when the fun was already over, or well, something like that.

As soon as you got off Pegasus, your heavy steps echoed through the gravel, and the glasses of water belonging to some tired campers rattled at your presence. Percy turned around when he noticed everyone staring at him as if he was about to die soon. Despite being surprised by a tornado of water glasses swirling where the dining hall was supposed to be, he feared more the way you were looking at him. It took him quite a bit not to step back to avoid humiliating himself.

— Percy, what the fuck?! — You shouted, and he nervously smiled.

— Sis.

— None of that 'sis' crap — You approached, gave him a smack on the head, and he complained — I go out for a few hours with Mom to buy stuff for dinner, and you escape. You said you wouldn't come.

— How did you know?

— Blackjack.

— Oh.

Everything turned out as you feared, things didn't look good, and your brother ended up saving the stupid Apollo's butt again. After having an exclusive report about what was happening there, at the Big House, with Chiron, Dionysus, and Percy, the only reaction you got from yourself was a loud bang on the table that made the utensils jump.

— Sister…

— Where's Apollo? — The two older ones tensed up, and Percy just sighed.

— He'll leave in the morning, us too, just…— he growled as he nervously scratched the back of his neck. Now he understood why they were so alike, and sometimes that wasn't exactly a compliment. — let it go, he's having a really hard time.

— A god — You said incredulously.

— Ex — Your brother corrected, and he settled impatiently in his seat, as he had found something more important to tell you in order to divert your attention. — Leo is alive. — He announced, and you opened your mouth slightly with surprise. With that, Percy believed he was winning. — Listen, while we were all solving the, well, “inconvenience” at the beach, he was at Apollo's cabin. They wanted to make sure he's okay before he leaves with Apollo in the morning. He'll help him with his mission, not us.

— Oh, Percy — Dionysus sighed as he rubbed his temple with disappointment. He never believed his ability to make things worse was real or unintentional until he said that.

— What? — He said innocently until he turned his gaze towards you.

Your blood began to boil, and with anger, you managed to bend a metal knife from the fine cutlery that Chiron had barely acquired. The half-equine sighed silently, and before it could bid farewell to the rest of its tableware, it hoped you would keep calm. And calm was what you had been lacking for a few days now.

“Of course,” Percy thought, his lips pursed, “who would have liked to hear that at that moment?”

Shortly after, the three of them found themselves grappling with you to prevent you from leaving the house straight to meet Apollo.

— APOLLO! — You shouted fiercely, your voice echoing through every corner of the camp, as you managed to break free from their grip, and Dionysus had no choice but to make you faint.

— Alright, kid, you've exceeded your bedtime — And he touched your temple, making you lose strength in your legs.

You fought against that magic, but you only managed to reach the porch, with blurred vision and distorted hearing. There were only a few voices that you heard clearly in your mind before losing consciousness.

“Come to the forest, find us, you don't have to ask”

The campers stopped their final nocturnal activities and admired your body being dragged back into the Big House. When Percy greeted them casually while holding your ankle, they knew it was better not to ask. And although everyone found it totally normal, in the corner of Apollo's cabin, he himself was clutching his legs tightly, trembling and with teary eyes. Was there anything worse than the love of your life hating you to death? And the answer, for him, was no because he knew it and knew it so well that he was tired of it.

“Find us, you don't have to ask”

“come find us”

“You don't have to ask”

“Apollo is…”

You woke up startled and pulled the sheets with cold despite it being mid-spring. You were in your bed, and Percy was sleeping in his, everything seemed fine, so where had those voices come from?

— Damn Dionysus, you've made me crazy — You whispered as you lay back down and tried to sleep.

“The sea and the Sun...”

“Come find us”

“You don't have to ask”

You opened your eyes and looked around, was madness real? Or was something really calling you? Instinct spoke first for you, and with bare feet, you got out of bed, then out of the cabin. Just as if it were a charm, you only knew you had to go to the forest, and your feet obeyed that sudden desire.

“They can't come in now. Not until Rachel knows what's going on or how Apollo's grove works,” Chiron said at the table, just before everything went to hell.

“Especially you, girl, we know you, and we're telling you not to dare,” Dionysus warned.

“You don't have to ask,” the voice insisted, as if it knew what was going through your head at that moment, and without knowing what awaited you, you took the first step into the forest where your only company was the moonlight.

— Dionysus — Chiron warned. He appeared calm, however, the alarm in his words betrayed him. Of course, why wouldn't it, since he had just seen you enter the forest in nothing but your pajamas.

— We can't do anything now. The Grove found her, and as we've already seen with the other campers, it won't stop until she hears what it has to say. The good thing is that the Grove already has its voices channeled. — Dionysus leaned his forehead against the windowpane, still holding his coffee cup tightly, and let out a sigh. — Funny thing is that Apollo himself gave the girl the keys to know her destiny. What an idiot.

The truth was you didn't know how you had gotten there, but you could hear the murmurs guiding you among the trees, and it was late when a wave of fear enveloped you. You tried to run away when in front of you there was a set of trees different from those in the forest, and that's when you knew you had reached the Dodona Grove. You admired it, and immediately felt the presence of something utterly ancient, so old that you would never dare to defy it.

So, as if they knew of your arrival, the wind blew, and you saw some wind chimes hanging from the branches swirling with the breeze, making small whirls until they finally collided with each other. The chimes caused a tinkling that simultaneously deafened your surroundings, almost as if you had been submerged in water. For a moment, you were unable to hear anything, you looked up, and your eyes blinked with the moonlight. 

The voices that began to form as if traveling from afar to be heard gave you a twist in the stomach, that which you had dreamed of for a long time was about to be given to you.

"The sea and the sun are not far away as they look, even the greatest can't hide what the lovers need to through. One will long while the other fight, nothing more to do even if you try. It's the price to pay, no matter if the sun doesn't shine again, cause this is no more than the consequence. Cry a river or flood with love, all hangs in the hands of the man who now you love. This rhymes for him were different, but he hopes for put that ring and find what he's been missing."

The voices ceased, and they finished reading your future to you. Every word kept resonating in your mind, you remained speechless, you had no way of assimilating that instantly. You wanted to review those words better and hope for the best, and what was that? That it wouldn't be what you suspected? Or that it would come true just like that? You couldn't answer any of those questions.

Stunned, you began to walk back, or what you supposed was the way back. With a blank stare, murmuring the statements, shortly after, you realized that you were actually somewhat lost. You took several turns and felt overwhelming how the trees surrounded you, as if they were mocking you. It wasn't until the sun peeked out that you finally saw a path, which you found ironic. At that moment, you were only capable of responding to that, then as usual, your mind didn't let you be happy even for a moment when Percy's words reached your ears.

“They'll leave in the morning, just like us.”

And you ran. No matter how much your feet hurt, or how many times the branches of the trees hit you or got stuck in your clothes, you never stopped running, but you simply didn't seem to get anywhere. Your breath was short, you had to see Apollo before he left. You had to catch up with him and ask for an explanation, after all, he was the god of poetry and prophecy, so he could explain it to you in more detail… he… he… He had also hidden it from you, but why?

You ran even faster, pleaded with the gods, with the trees, whoever could hear you, to let you out of the forest. It was several minutes later that you saw the lights of the camp, as if they had always been there. You emerged, and many campers alerted your arrival, you must have looked terrible judging by their reactions.

— Where's Apollo?

— What? — Said a Demeter kid, who struggled to get the branches out of your hair, you just wanted to push them aside.

— Apollo, where is he? — You gasped and looked as Percy ran towards you.

— Sister!

— Percy!

They let you go with him, you almost crashed into his arms, and he held you tightly.

— Apollo.

Percy frowned and snorted.

— Again with that topic?

— No, where's Apollo, Percy? — Your serious face worried him, and he shook his head.

— They left almost at the end of the dawn, they left earlier than expected. — Your tears began to flow, and you struggled from your brother's grip. — What the hell's going on?

— Miss Jackson.

Everyone looked behind you, and you didn't bother to do otherwise. Dionysus and Chiron were looking at you anxiously, you could even notice their bloodshot eyes, as if they hadn't been able to sleep all night.

— That's why they didn't want me to get close to any oracle, prophet, or skeleton.

Your words were thinking, and realization could be heard in them.

— What are you talking about? — Percy asked, and you clenched your fists.

Chiron stepped back and pointed to the Big House, you just scoffed and walked into it with big steps, hitting your feet against the grass. Adrenaline was such that you didn't stop to think that it would hurt later.

— You have to go back to New Rome — You looked up and gave them a puzzled look, you couldn't believe what they were asking you.

— You want me to go back to New Rome with THIS happening?

Dionysus growled, and Percy kept his gaze fixed on his feet, barely managing to assimilate all the information he had been given.

— Girl, go back and mind your own business. The prophecy says so, you can't do anything.

— That's true, it's all in Apollo's hands.

— But—! — You cut off your sentence. Why were you fighting with that? You weren't in love with him, you denied him. He was a god, what kind of pity could you feel for him? They always made you flee from prophecies, most of the gods suck… but in that forest, something had changed. It was as if you had been able to see the truth of something, but it would still take you to put it all together. No matter.

Apollo… you never knew him so closely, was that intentional too? It doesn't matter, anyway, you knew he was an idiot. They called you “lovers” when both barely knew each other, maybe all that was a mistake, but it doesn't matter because you felt nothing for him, and without that, nothing made sense.

Dionysus and Chiron still watched you attentively, while Percy had already leaned on his forearms on the table, looking at you intently, as if trying to figure out what you were thinking. You sighed and started to feel pain in your feet.

— I hope Leo returns safely. after all, I couldn't see him — You said firmly, but with a hollow feeling in your stomach. You looked at your brother and smiled as if nothing had happened.— Let's go, Percy. Mom must be worried, and I have to go back to New Rome.

Before anyone could say anything, you left the house limping slightly straight to Apollo's cabin, it really hurt, and you couldn't afford to get sick before going back to college.

Percy got up and looked at the two older ones, his gaze hardened, as soon as he considered everything that had been hidden from him, too, but he didn't allow those feelings to take center stage. He wanted you to be happy.

— Do you think he'll come back? — He asked, and Chiron hummed while Dionysus made a somewhat discouraging face.

— It's hard to say, Percy. — Chiron sighed and shook his head, considering the odds. — Many things are at stake, not just Apollo returning to being a god.

That was enough for him, he was already used to the slim chances of success on a mission.

— Provided Apollo isn't as much of an idiot as usual and messes up. His egocentric butt is sure to get him into trouble, not to mention the fact that he has no powers. — Dionysus let out a small laugh that made Percy consider the supposed brotherhood he had with Apollo — He's like a newborn jaguar set loose in the cruel tropical forest called life.

— Work on your jokes, Mr. D — Percy said with disgust, and the god bared his teeth at him.

Your brother insisted on driving the car, he thought you had already done enough, besides making it clear that he didn't trust you after you spent the whole night awake in the forest. Obviously, you didn't have any ways to defend yourself, because it was true, and you were grateful for that, there was enough of that shit swirling in your head that you were trying to forget.

With the window down, the breeze caressing your hair, and the immense silence, Percy found it impossible not to ask.

— Do you feel anything for him? — He asked, and you were surprised that this time it had taken him longer to stick his nose in the gossip. You shook your head.

— No, Percy. Maybe, being kept away from him all this time has its advantage, and I'll never fall in love with him because I don't see how I could do that without even being close or knowing him better — You sighed and pretended something your brother longed to see, a smile because it was the first one in those days.

— Maybe that stupid prophecy is so old and stale that it's useless.

Percy nodded silently with his hands almost sunk into the steering wheel and his eyes fixed on the road ahead. More than anyone, he knew that couldn't be true; more than anyone, he knew that stupid prophecies always found their way, but he didn't want to say it out loud.

— Yes, maybe you're right — He said without conviction, and you could also feel the improbability in your own conjectures.

[hamlets-ak]

seaside sanctuary ༊*·˚

synopsis: during your vocation on a greek island, you and timothée spend some time on a secluded beach

The magic of Milos had settled over you gently and clingingly with its volcanic rock formations and golden shores. Not even two weeks had passed since the day you and Timothée arrived on the island, and you had already become one with the locals; traveling in all its cryptic passages and discovering the heart of the town.

You had found happiness in simple and frugal things like walking along pebbled pathways and marble streets with your boyfriend’s palm inside yours, fingers conjoined and tangled, quick pecks on the cheek and forehead, small glances and furtive smiles, soft laughs, warm or cold hugs, his head balancing tiredly on your shoulder and yours burying on his chest listening to his steady heartbeat.

It was Timothée’s idea to invite your families since you had only a month at your disposal before returning back to work and it was an opportunity to spend some time with them. Besides, it was such a beautiful trip, you had to share this unrepeatable experience. 

Altogether you traveled with your sailboat around the island and stayed on secluded beaches, accessible only by the sea. Hours and hours had been spent under the sun; swimming, snorkeling, laying on the deck, enjoying the sunset at anchor. 

Blazing afternoon sunrays penetrated your skin and blinded your vision, as the briny breeze fanned your face, pulling back strands of salty hair, tangling them with the blowing fair wind. 

The Aegen was opening around you; a sapphire-colored sea that touched the line of the sky, extending to a wild yet quiet horizon. It was summer and the world was in a splendor. 

Your arms were leaning on the silver railings of the boat and your gaze was up in the bright blue veil, watching the seagulls fly high and dive at the water, then rising up again, squawking loudly to each other. 

A burst of familiar boisterous laughter led your eyes to the back at the cockpit. You couldn’t help but smile before even allowing your stare to pierce that dirty glass, only at the sound of his voice. Your head slowly fell to the side and stayed balanced on top of your shoulder. 

Timothée’s radiant smile made you unconsciously laugh a little. And he must've noticed because even through the thick glass and the heavy blanket of water and salt covering it, he stared back at you with an electrifying glint and grinned widely as he bent down to knock at the glass a few times and then waved at you. 

« Let’s go! », he told you. 

You pushed yourself off the railings. Hushed murmurs accompanied by melodious giggles forced you to change your gaze from scenic islets and coves to a small group of people. Barefoot and sun-dazed, their hearts still left in the old pirates’ hideout, Kleftiko, your parents and Pauline, were laying relaxed on the boat. Their swimsuits were on, bodies still wet from their previous dive, drying under shining sunrays. Green beer bottles with the word ‘Mythos’ written on their lebels were reflecting golden beams of light, as cigarettes burnt in the air alongside sprinkles of brine and rust.

« Pauline? », you called her name. She sat better at her elbows and raised her eyes that were covered with black shades. « You’re coming? »

« Nah, » she replied throwing her head back. « I’m tired. I’ll just stay here and take a nap. Have fun though. » You nodded at her words and moved slowly and steadily to the back, hands holding tightly the ropes of the boat.

« Hey, » Timothée grinned at you. 

« Hi, » you greeted him and the Captain. « Where are we right now? »

« We are at Sykia, » Timothée replied. He wrapped his arm around you, letting it fall loose on your shoulder as he held you.

« Yeah that’s right, » the Captain spoke with his heavy Greek voice that held a melodious tone only people from Cyclades had. « Once you pass that tunnel, you’ll end up in the cave, » he pointed in the direction you were already looking at. Timothée nodded in understandment, arms snaking in your lower spine, bringing you closer to his body. « And when you get inside, you'll notice that a part of the roof of the cave is missing. It was submerged years ago and now there is a kind of natural skylight. »

« Oh that’s cool, » you said turning to the scenery while Timothée’s nose was mindlessly circling your cheek and temple, tracing soft lines over your brow. Sun kissed your faces and drifted at the space between, giving away a sheen. 

« It is cool, » the Captain continued. « I mean, what are you even doing in Milos if you haven’t visited Sykia? » You both lightly laughed at his words as you took Timothée’s hand in yours and pressed a pair of soft lips on top of it before he lightly patted your cheek with his hand making you grin, melting at his warm touch, and hug him tight. 

You had anchored close to the cave, less than half of a nautical mile. Waves were luring the boat along with them giving it a soft waft. 

Timothée waited for you to approach the edge of the boat before jumping off the stern into a calm steady sea with a thunderous splash that sprinkled you from head to toe, and then paddled the water. Quickly he emerged, throwing his head back and pulling pieces of hair that were stuck on his forehead, out of his face. With cold water stinging your skin, you lightly stepped back gasping.

« Come in! », Timothée laughed and motioned his head to you.

« It’s cold! », you slouched your shoulders, arms wrapped around your stomach. You glanced back regretting your decision of not staying with Pauline to take a nap as well.

« Come in! », he said in a more demanding tone. You bit your lips and shook your head. « I’m going to splash you. »

“No, you wouldn’t.”

« You sure about that? », he asked tossing a small wave of water in your direction. 

« Timothée, it’s cold! »

« I’ll splash you. » You looked at him for a few seconds. « I’ll do it. »

« Fine, » you groaned making him smile, and without much thought jumped into the sea. 

A freezing feeling struck then gradually consumed your body. Nothing but the sea was surrounding you and you kicked your feet through bitter water, gasping for air. You fought for a moment breathlessly to come to the surface and then looked at Timothée who was already a bit ahead of you.

« Wait, wait, wait! », you shouted at him. He stopped and turned around to look at you, as you paddled along the blue to be closer to him. Timothée couldn’t help but laugh, watching you all puffed, your legs weightless kicking an uncharted abyss below. 

Together you glided the blue, reaching the tunnel Captain told you about. Your head moved up too distracted from watching the brown-greenish rocks above your head. Tim pulled your hand and pressed a wet kiss on your cheek.

« Let’s go, » he said, his voice echoing loud all around as if coming from speakers.

The cave had no roof just like the Captain described it. Sun rays were lighting the inside of the cave, creating amazing colorations that enchanted you. It was a unique miracle every visitor should see. 

On the inside was a small pebbled beach, with rocks and crystal clear waters. There was no one there. Just the two of you.

Like true children of the sun, you swam in the idyllic calm and then ran to the pebbled shore, free, repeating the gestures of athletes of Delos.

« Aren’t you afraid it’s going to fall and crush us down? », you told him as your hands cupped in the air the part of the cave that was still up. Your bodies were close to each other, so close you could hear the smile forming on his lips.

« It’s been like that for so many years, why does it have to fall now that we are here? », he asked. You rolled your eyes and chuckled. 

« I’m just saying, » you mumbled. He breathed out heavily which made you turn in question. « What? », you looked at him.

« Oh, nothing, » he laughed a little, pulling back his wet hair. You kept staring at him for a few seconds watching droplets watering the rocks below you. 

« I’ve never been happier. » He wore a dreamful smile. « And I wish every day could be like that. »

« Like what? », his eyebrow slightly raised. Your mouth curled up thinking of your response as your gaze turned back to the crystal pure tapestry of the sky.

« Waking up together… making love… having breakfast… going for a walk… swimming… making love again and then having a bath together. » Your words caused a boyish grin to appear on his face and you imitated his expression. « Eating together, listening to music, watching the sunset… you laughing and me laughing because you are laughing… telling you how much I love you… »

« Sounds good to me, » he said and leaned to kiss your shoulder. You pouted your lips and looked down. Timothée frowned and then turned to the side, balancing on his one elbow, to take a better look at you.

« You won’t tell me how much you love me back? », you bit your lips trying not to smile. His face flushed at your mincing manner and how you pronounced the world ‘love’. He looked away.

« Oh, of course, I’ll tell you, » he bent lower his head and you tented your neck to catch his lips, your hand holding back his hair as he moved on top of you, dripping water running on your body. He breathed out hot air on your face making your head fall back trying to get some oxygen inside before returning to him, your heads touching and lips almost stitched together. 

« Y/N, » he said voice deep echoing inside you. « I really need you to know this. »

« You don’t have to say anything. »

« No, I have to, » Tim gulped. « You walked by chance into my very messy life and from day to day, I started to breathe better. Before you, without you, I loved nothing. With you, I have accepted more things. I have learned to live. That's probably why I’ve always mixed my love for you with so much gratitude. » Your mouth slightly opened and eyes glanced away. « I mean every word. »

Without warning you kissed him on the lips. He let out a muffled sound from the force with which your mouth touched his. 

« I wouldn’t have loved you any less, if you didn’t say anything, » you told him. Your stare was fixed on his plum reddish lips that tasted like salt and apricots and cherries. « But now that you did, all I can do is love you more. »

He smiled. His forehead brushed against yours as he let you lick away his grin and kiss him. First slow, sweet, soft; then harder, fiery, urgent, like a poem of Odysseas Elytis.

It was a true sisyphean work watching the way the lurking glint of your eyes and your wolfish grin dig up his most shameful secrets, without ripping the animal from within and burying himself in your streams of love and delicate words.

The waft’s stroke maneuvered between you, warm like a teenage memory, spreading sprinkles of salt and rust to the air. Bodies entangled in summer thunders, as the gentle splash of water on your toes offered a kind of peace, privacy, and safety that you had both missed. 

You flapped and then stayed there in comfortable silence. But as you watched the horizon slowly bleed from the crevice of the tunnel, Timothée couldn't think of the swollen sun, honeycombs, and wasted old summers.

The only thing he had in mind was how much he loved you, how much you loved him - because he knew that - and how much he couldn't wait any longer for you to live together forever.

You laid together, eyes gazing at the moon and the starlit sky, bodies hugging one another.

[thollandneedy]

Fill Up the Room- Nathan Drake

A/n: Enemies to lovers always wins my heart

Warnings: Cursing and suggestive content

Don’t forget to share, like, comment and leave your ideas here

Summary: Y/n and Nathan are always teasing each other, but things get different when they confess their feelings

Bellah’s Masterlist 🪻

“ Ugh, finally” Y/n grunted, throwing one of his suitcases on the floor and letting his body touch the double bed of the seaside hotel. 

On the other side of the bed, Nathan Drake sighed deeply, trying to understand how he could get back to his original position and find Sully. One of his hands found his face, pulling it down as a gesture of discontent. If it hadn't been for Y/n's failed plan, maybe they wouldn't be stuck in a hotel by the beach, and maybe Nathan would have found the lost treasure he had longed for as a child. In Y/n's view, all this was completely the opposite, since Nathan didn't take his job seriously (in his view), and was too imaginative when it came to fights and escapes.

“Finally,” Nathan grumbled disdainfully at the comment, turning his head away and heading for the bathroom.

“Why don't you say it to my face, since you're mumbling all the time?” Y/n sat down on the bed, casting a judgmental glance at his fellow adventurer.

“Because you know very well that this is your fault.” The brunette replied, turning his body towards where the woman was.

“My fault?” The girl points at herself, and laughs in denial. “It was you who drank too much wine yesterday, and simply woke up late to take our cab. When we got to the plane, you couldn't wait for my signal. You had to do everything first and send us to the fucking middle of the ocean in a box full of who knows what.” Y/n stood up, moving towards him as she spoke.

The room's wooden windows couldn't hide the fight they were having, and the translucent curtains couldn't hide the fact that there were two people fighting. 

“You had a shitty plan to attack from behind, taking out whoever was flying. Then Sully and I would attack the other mobsters, but we'd all fall into the water and probably die. Are you sure the problem started with me, darling? Because as far as I knew, you were the reason I was late this morning” The brunette moved closer to the girl, crossing his arms as he completed the sentence.

Their breaths were almost mingling, but Y/n was distracted by the fact Nate had mentioned. The girl frowned, moving a little away from the image of Nate, who was now looking at her in confusion, thinking that she would remember what had happened last night after they'd had several glasses of wine after dinner at the hostel. 

"Oh my God. You really don't remember?” The man laughed to himself, giving a slight smile.

“What the fuck are you talking about, Nathan?” Y/n asked hesitantly.

"After the drinks we had, and the long sleep Sully was having, we kissed. We didn't get to have sex, but his hands know very well where to touch.” Nate says, then gets a push on the shoulder.

"Shut up. That never happened. If it had, I would have remembered it perfectly. I'm not some irresponsible girl, and by the way, even though I drank a lot last night, I got up early.” Y/n says angrily, causing Nate to laugh.

"You just don't want to accept the facts, love. Accept that this is what we have.” Nate points at himself and then at Y/n. ”It's just a little lie, and you like my company and the boyish style on your side. You feel superior to me, and you like to be in control.” Y/n turns around, but Nathan's strong hand grabs her wrist without hurting her, bringing her close to his body full of sea salt on his clothes.

“You're crazy to believe that I would allow myself to like someone like you.” Y/n growls, but doesn't try to pull her fist out of the adventurer's grasp.

"So you didn't like Chloe because she was hitting on me? Or was there some reason why you two didn't get along?”

“It's not all about you, Nathan.” Finally, Y/n pulls his wrist tightly to himself and heads for the bathroom to cool off. 

The brunette hears the door slam, then sits down on one of the sofas in the suite to think of ways to find the new routes to the lost treasure. The hours passed, and finally the moon took its place in the sky, allowing the light of the candles to illuminate the dark room. While Y/n sat on her bed using her laptop to talk to Sully, Nate was looking through old letters from his brother. The girl didn't understand Nathan's fixation with treasure, let alone these random letters that he always managed to carry around with him. 

When she accepted the job, she was only thinking about her future, since she wanted to be a great historian and finish her anthropological research. As soon as she met the rest of the team, which she didn't know would have more people, Y/n just focused on getting her share and leaving. However, I couldn't lie when I thought that there was an empathy between the two. Nathan was never his favorite, much less Chloe, but even though he had a childish and silly instinct, he knew how to always protect the team and do what was right.

“Did you find anything?” Nate's voice broke into Y/n's thoughts, taking her eyes off the computer and staring at the man wearing a white bathrobe who stood in front of the foot of the bed.

“I thought so.” Y/n looked away again, realizing that it was already past midnight. I think I'll go to sleep. Feel free to look at my laptop”. The girl in the bathrobe hands the device to Nate, who only replies with a smile that doesn't show his teeth.

"I've written down some coordinates, but I think I need to rest too. We have a long day tomorrow.” The brunette runs one of his hands through his hair, while the other leaves the laptop on a sofa at the foot of the bed. Can I have a pillow?” The man stretches out one of his hands, but Y/n tilts her head to one side.

“Is this because of the fight we had?” the girl asks, pulling the comforter of the double bed over herself. 

“No. I just don't want it to seem like I'm forcing anything, and I know I'm not your favorite either, so...- The brunette looks away, staring at the walls of the beach-themed room with its light colors and sandy tones scattered throughout the rest of the room.

“I don't mind.” The woman said without making eye contact.

Her main point was that Nate didn't lie. 

Chloe could be a manipulative bitch, but the fact that she wanted to manipulate Nate was what made the situation more unacceptable than it already was. 

The candles in the room had already been extinguished, and now only the lights from the lamps were illuminating the room. In an instant, everything became a strange pitch, where there was no conversation and the sea was the only thing that improved the mood. The moon was part of the room that was no longer so dark, but their thoughts seemed to speak louder. With their backs to each other, it was still possible to hear their heavy breathing, showing that they weren't asleep yet. Y/n closed his eyes, but they opened immediately, as he couldn't sleep without saying something. Her pride felt like it was going to burst out of his chest, and it did.

-"Sorry about this afternoon. I just want to take my cut and go.” Y/n's voice reached her partner's ears, who looked over his shoulder, seeing that she was still on her back.

-“I understand, don't worry.” Nate says without thinking twice about his response, since this conversation has been programmed into his head since the shower.

"And about Chloe... I didn't feel she was a good person. I guess I just imagined that she was using you, and that's why I was a little wary of her. But I know you liked her. It's a shame she left and gave up.” The girl curls up between the covers, holding them tightly.

The answer was complete silence

And so, Y/n decided to close her eyes to rest, even though she didn't want to

“I like being with you. Hearing you curse me, or compliment me, whatever. I... I like your company, and how you like to pretend that you're always in control of everything, when visibly you're fucking freaking out screaming in the bathroom, as if we couldn't hear your frustration every time something goes wrong”.

Y/n's eyes flew open, and the lamp was quickly turned on.

“What?”

“You're not easy to deal with, Y/n. Let's agree on that fact, but I can't deny that you make me fall more and more every time you boss me around.” Nate confessed, fixing his chocolate eyes on the woman, and sitting back against the pair of white pillows behind him. 

“Did you drink poisoned wine?” Y/n asked, still not understanding why he was saying that. 

“Is that a reciprocal yes or no?” Nathan turns on the lamp on his side of the bed, exposing his marked and tanned abdomen.

More silence

And more silence

“For someone who's a loudmouth in fights, you know how to keep quiet when you need to, don't you?” Nate says jokingly, and receiving silence in response, he just turns over to lie down again. 

Y/n's light hands find one of Nathan's exposed muscles, making him finally look at her. In one hot moment, Y/n's lap meets her partner's, and their tongues dance without having time to waste on each other. Y/n's robe slowly slips off her shoulder, exposing more and more of her body. Like a silent request, the kiss stops between panting breaths.

“Did we really kiss yesterday?” the girl asks, receiving a nod.

Nate's hands find a piece of her hair that falls into her eyes, tucking it behind her ear carefully. His strong voice is drawn to her ear, causing a shiver as he speaks:

“Don't worry about the silence, princess. Your screams will fill the room.”

[oldestenemy]

So Polaris it is.

The wizard is not keen on dealing with Coleridge again—though they believe he is finally free of whatever Old Cob did to addle his poor brain. It doesn’t matter. He is a sour memory at best. He is the drawing echo of the Black Hole, the thunderous warnings of the Astral Guardians. He is a living reminder that they are naive enough to overlook traps when desperate. Worse still are the words that come out of his mouth, not the denial of help—they don’t care about that, he can drink himself to death on Polaris for all they care—but the solution he offers. The captain they should seek out. The world he is exploring.

“Something about an asteroid—”

“—comet.” the wizard corrects Taylor, voice monotone and empty.

Azteca.

They have to go back to Azteca.

“Wizard?”

Their gaze slips from Taylor to Duncan, eyes flickering—brown—gold—back. They can barely even hear him. It’s just screaming. It’s all screaming. The key is gone, the key is gone and Azteca is as good as dead, is burning and blistering under a hailstorm of glass and rock for the rest of time and—

—are they crying?

Normal tears, heat and salt, still following the path carved out for them by bitter Shadow.

“We’ll need a ship.” They manage without their voice cracking, pulling their hood up in an attempt to regain any semblance of control, of composure. “There is no key for Azteca, the doors aren’t an option—”

“—Aye, my vessel can be spared a one-way trip—as stated my skyfaring days are over.” Taylor hands them a glowing piece of some sort of crystal. “That’s connected to the fountain on board, it’ll take you straight there. Still docked in the ice floes, but I imagine you’ll manage getting her back in the sky alright. Nothing compared to our journey through the Starfall Sea.”

The wizard nods again.

They don’t know what to say.

Grief roils in their gut, mingling with guilt and old anger they feel, for once, too young to carry.

“Oh and if you see our dear friend Old Cobb—let him know he’ll always drink for free at RataTiki!”

A huff that might be a laugh, might be a noise of derision, “I’ll tell him.” the words come out in triplicate, starlight like blood on their tongue. The wizard swallows hard, shakes their head. “Enjoy the rest of your life, Captain.”

Somehow they suspect he hasn’t got much of it left.

~*~

Duncan keeps his mouth shut until they make it onto the ice where Coleridge’s ship is…less docked and more crashed. Though the wizard thinks Taylor was lucky to make it this far at all, considering the state the ship had been in when they’d found the wreck on Crescent Beach.

“Remind me why we walked here instead of using the crystal?”

The wizard doesn’t answer.

They climb the carved ladder on the side of the ship, hauling themself onto the deck. Sure enough, in the center of the upper level, by the helm, there is a fountain carved of the same crystal, spitting fine streams of what looks like, mana?

Interesting.

They wonder if there’s something like this on Baldur’s ship.

They’ve never seen so, if there is.

The wizard has, admittedly, never piloted a ship of any kind. But how hard could it be? They see sigils carved into the ship in a handful of places, at the helm, across the sides where they had stepped on board—the magic in them is different, but it’s still magic. It still feels like it would respond were they to step into place, pour energy into it.

“You have no idea what you’re doing, do you.” It’s not a question, and the wizard looks back at Duncan with a dead eyed smile as their only response before pulling their hood back over their face.

They do not trust themself to talk seriously right now.

They do not trust their ability to hold onto the pain.

Faking apathy is the best they can do.

“And you would? Know what you’re doing?” They raise an eyebrow he cannot see from under the hood. But their tone likely gets the point across.

“Sometimes the advantage of nobody being willing to put up with you is having to listen to Nolan Stormgate speak for more than thirty seconds.”

That…doesn’t really answer their question.

���Why would that help?”

Duncan just gives them a look. “Seriously? You’re choosing a weird time to play stupid. Just move—take care of making sure nothing hits us.”

The wizard does not move.

“What would talking to Nolan help for?”

“Did you think the name Stormgate was just for show?” He asks, pushing past them to the helm, “Remind me again how you made it this far.” There is less venom in the words than they would have expected, but it is still there. He traces some part of the circle with his boot and it lights up immediately. “I mean it by the way—if we’re headed into debris from Xiabalba you’re gonna need to put something around us, this ship will be lucky not to crash into the nearest mountain before we even make it into the sky.”

Well.

If that was what needed doing.

Part of them is hesitant to let Duncan lead—but it’s either that or waste time trying to figure out the ship on their own. They’d helped with the wards on Baldur’s ship before, so that at least, they could manage.

The worst is on the way.

But there will be time to brace for it.

Read the whole series here <3

[angrytomatto]

Summary of random facts about Merman because I'm bore (probably will update with time)

We talk about this in a discord server and I just want to leave it here in case I forget

(Every fact here is based of what has been said in game, fan theories aren't canonically facts in this list) Last update: December 2023

(This list probably contain spoilers)

Not only they learn how to walk with legs, but also how to swim in human form (Stitch Event)

It takes them time get used to breathe air properly, walking their first steps feel heavy and painful and some of them still feel uncomfortable in clothes (Floyd's Beans Camo story / Jade's School Uniform voice lines)

The black carriage that picks them up to go to NRC is an amphibious magic coach (Floyd's Ceremonial Robes voice line)

Merfolks and Humans are aware of each other but is extremely rare to encounter an actual merman on land (Magicam Monsters event)

They aren't afraid of each other anymore, since Ariel married Erik merfolks commonly come and go from land to sea(Some adults even own some stores on the shores) (Floyd's Beach Wear story)

The institution or land boot camp that train merfolks to became humans was founded canonically by Ariel. They need at least one month there to get used to their new body and how to eat our food correctly. Deep under water they only eat raw meat (Floyd's Beans Camo story / Jade's School Uniform story)

In there also teach them about the fauna on land by taking them to the zoo (Floyd Platinum Jacket story)

Merfolks also have passports once they live in human society (Floyd Platinum Jacket story)

They can turn into their true form willingly (Book 3 / Book 4 / Azul's Ceremonial Robes story / Vargas Camp event / Magicam Monsters event)

However they drink potions to keep their human form. Those are really expensive and if they forget to drink it in time they turn back into merman really slowly (Book 6 Riddle and Azul's tower)

The potion itself is paid by the school and currently they drink an experimental version that allows them to keep their human form for a week or two instead of a couple of days. And it taste awful (Book 6 Riddle and Azul's tower)

None of them have good eyesight: Azul mainly use only one par of glasses because it helps with the ''Business Style'' he's aiming for, and even if he can see pretty well without them the lenses are prescript just as his lab glasses (Trey's Halloween Dress story / Azul's Lab Coat voice lines) Jade roam around the school at night because he feel at ease in the dark (Ruggie's School Uniform story) Floyd is always amused of bright colored things because they looked really dark under the sea (Floyd's lab coat story)

Their skin in human form is really smooth. That's because they are cover by slime in their true form that keep their skin moist and soft (Azul's Ceremonial Robes story)

Octopuses are a pretty exotic race even between merfolks, they are way bigger that the common merman. They are slow, so they are usually targeted by predators but they also are brutally strong and are able to manipulate all their limbs freely (Book 3 / Book 4 / Book 6 / Happy Beans event / Vargas Camp / Azul's Beach Wear voice lines)

Halloween under water have very ominous and respectful traditions, way opposite that Halloween on land. There's haunted ships with ghost that lost their lives drowned, so they play music to calm their sorrows and loneliness. There's many pirate ghosts wandering on rotten ships that could actually harm young merfolks if they are not careful enough (Jade's Halloween Dress story / Floyd's Halloween Dress story)

The Coral Sea is a really small community and merfolks don't hesitate to eat each other in order to survive (Many hints said by the octatrio to mention here. And yes, Floyd WILL eat any student if he have to (Azul's Beach Wear voice lines))

They live under a Monarchy and the current prince is called Rielle. Is implied that the prince assist in the same elementary school that Azul, Jade and Floyd (Book 3) **( The 14 one doesn't mention all the times the tweels bully Azul by calling him slow because I will lost count) ______________ That's it for now, I will add more eventually but this ones are the ones I can remember now, feel free to tell me what did I miss~

[huihuiheart]

Queen’s Conch - Pirate! Ateez - 1 - Shell Shocked

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Ateez Masterlist

Queen’s Conch Masterlist

Pairing:  Pirate! Ateez x Fem! Reader

Genre: Angst, Fluff, Eventual Smut, Mystery and Thriller if you squint

Summary: Hongjoong and the crew of the Eternal were not the one’s ruling the seas, not yet anyways. There were still those who stood in there way, but they would use any means necessary to get what they wanted. Truly, any means. Including bringing you, a descendant of their most powerful rivals, from the past into their mess of a world. 

Warnings: Deep sea, spells, magic, violence in future chapters, smut in future chapters, cursing. 

Word Count: 6007 

Weeks identical in nature all leading up to this, a two-week retreat far from home and work. Taking over a private villa at the beach someplace all to yourself, at your pace, and taking in the sand and sea while noticing the rather friendly lifeguard Johnny. Such things luring you further from the villa and closer to the soft crash of waves. Settling on a blanket on the sand, more skin showing than you typically found yourself comfortable with, but the sun was good for your mental health, warming you to your very core.  Content for a few hours until noon came and went, Johnny saving you a trip back inside as he brought you something and joined you on his break. He brings company along with a reminder to reapply sunscreen. If only you had been content sitting there in the sun.

As the sun went down you felt the urge to scour the shoreline, leaving behind a trail of footprints swiftly washed away in the next few laps of water. Any signs you were there disappearing nearly as fast as they appeared. Leaving your mark slightly longer when you froze noticing a glitter beneath the surface of the water. Quick to realize that it was not simply sea glass shimmering, but instead a shell crystal in nature. Reaching down to pluck it from the sand. Letting the water rinse it out for you. The conch demanded your full attention as you observed the shimmering piece. In some lights the crystal almost showed right through like glass, others almost reflected your image in it as a mirror, and yet in some, it simply had an iridescent shimmer to it. Your curiosity would no doubt be your downfall seeing as how you couldn’t help but to bring the heavy shell up to your ear. Hearing the thunderous crash of waves followed by a voice? You ripped the shell away in shock. From where could that voice have come? Because surely it was not the shell... and yet there was no one around but you. Still, you found yourself trying it again and there was that voice again.

“Come here treasure, come to us. You’re the key.”

A whisper soft in the sound of wind and waves, but enough to let you pick it up. Glancing back towards the shore as dizziness begins to take over your mind, the horizon darkening with clouds, a soft splattering of drops falling onto you as you blink, darkness creeping in from the edges of your vision as you sway. Suddenly shocked as you were doused in icy water, shocked enough to keep you from losing consciousness even as that fear crept in. Shaking the water out of your face you try to keep afloat, turning around to try and spot land only to see nothing. Your final search shows a ship, one that pulls up rather quickly. Looking up you see a man standing upon the wooden railing and tying off before he’s jumping in near you. Quick to resurface and swim over.

“The storm is coming fast, we need to get you onboard, come on.”

You take hold of him as his arms slip around your waist, pulling you against the crashing waves towards the ship and pushing you against the ladder draped over the side of the ship.

“Go on, I’ll make sure you don’t fall. I’ll be right behind you.” He practically screams to be heard over the waves.

You weren’t sure who he was, but you trusted that you didn’t want to be in the water for that storm.  Worry about that now and everything else later on. Two more men awaited you at the top of the ladder and each grabbed one hand to firmly help you up. Looking up as your feet finally settle onto the wooden deck when you notice how you’re surrounded by men whose eyes are all on you.

“Oh, your shirt is all wet.” One of them comments concerned as he looks over your drenched, shivering form.

You look down with a hum before slipping off your shirt to wring it out, the actions causing a string of gasps to sound as you reveal your swimsuit and bare skin. Your response was to look towards the men again, noticing how they were dressed now, far different from normal. Their look paired with the ship made you conclude this was one of those tourist ships with a pirate theme, though that still didn’t explain how you got to the middle of the ocean.

“Oh heavens she’s a siren!” One of them seems to curse under his breath as he looks over you.

“She’s not a siren Wooyoung, she’s our treasure map.” Another answered, parting the group as he came closer. You immediately recognize the voice as the one from within the shell.

“You’re... I heard you!” You announce pointing to the man and earning a chuckle.

“Tis a pleasure to meet you treasure, my apologies for the circumstances. However, I do not have time to explain for now with the storm upon us. Go with Yunho here who pulled you out. He’ll get you something dry to wear and settle you someplace warm. Won’t you Yunho?” The shorter man before you asks, raising a brow.

“Ai cap’n” The man nods, hand finding the small of your back to guide your way. His other hand slipped around behind himself to hand off the crystal conch to the captain out of your sight.

“May I have the pleasure of hearing your name sparkle?” Yunho inquires as he guides you down off the deck, hands gripping your sides to steady you on the steps as the boat rocks in the waves.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m Y/N. Thank you for pulling me out Yunho.” Your appreciation makes the man flush slightly, not used to such things.

“Of course, how could I ignore a lady in distress when something could be done? I just apologize that things will not be so comfortable for your stay with us. Cap’n didn’t fully prepare us for our guest, but next port we’ll be sure to get you something to fit you better. Until then Yeosang or Seonghwa might be able to tailor something a little, their hands are far steadier than mine.” Yunho offers after opening a chest to show you some dry clothes. The trousers are rather large, but with a tie at least. The shirt is just as big, but built flowy in nature, along with fresh undergarments and something to dry off with.

“Don’t be silly. I’ll just hail a cab and be out of your hair. Until then I’ll manage no problem.” You try to reassure the man only to replace the concern on his face with utter confusion.

“Ahh... how interesting... well if you change your mind after speaking to Cap’n let me know. I’ll leave you to dry off here, but I’ll be right outside the door if you need anything.” He lights the lamp in the room with the one he carried before closing the door to allow you some privacy.

True to his word Yunho was waiting outside, hands reaching out to steady you with a chuckle as you nearly stumbled into him. Easing you into being upright again before offering you his hand to help you remain steady as he guides you off once more.

“Don’t have your sea legs yet it seems.” Yunho comments only teasing you slightly.

“It’s my first time aboard a ship, so ... no. No, I don’t.” You answer, once again surprising Yunho in doing so.

“Ai well, don’t worry too much, you’ll get used to it quickly I’m sure. Only took me about half a day or so.” He works to assure you until another scoffs behind you.

“Come Yunho, don’t be worrying her for nothing. Let it run its course however it will. Now go, Hongjoong needs you up top. I’ll remain here with her.” The man from behind you directs, “Hello love, I’m Seonghwa. Captain asked I come to make sure you’re physically okay and that you’re fed.”

You give a small nod, allowing Seonghwa like Yunho to steady you as he guides the way. Having to work a little harder now as the storm outside picked up, further rocking the ship you were deep inside. Feeling yourself sway even as Seonghwa sat you down to check you over for injuries, of which he found none, and so he was on to the next task of getting you fed. Something that would no doubt prove more challenging, seeing as how the more the boat and subsequently you swayed, the more your stomach seemed to twist in response. Seonghwa returned to see most of the color drained from your face and instantly springing into action.

“Try not to be sick, in this case, it won’t help any. You can’t simply get this out of your system.” He advises, pressing a damp cloth to your face and neck before fanning you off, “ Try to eat, don’t ever let your stomach get empty it will only make it worse. I’ll give you something to help you sleep, hopefully, come morning the storm will have passed. Besides I have a feeling that until then Captain will be too preoccupied to speak with you.”

You tried to listen to him as best you could, slowly taking bites of the bread and soup he’d brought you, letting him continue to cool you off as you did. Seonghwa only leaves to make some tea laced with a combination that should put you down for the night when he sees your face liven up slightly again. Sipping on that once it was brought as well. Seonghwa takes care of everything for you before you even get a chance to attempt it yourself. The cup and bowl disappeared nearly as quickly as you finished them. Allowing his touch to help you back up and guide you to a small, but more private room with a bed.

“You just settle in. I’ll bring you a glass of water and put out the lamp. Should you need anything just come find one of us. Otherwise, rest it’ll help.” Seonghwa’s voice seems to softly lull you deeper into the bed, that or perhaps whatever had been in that tea was truly starting to take hold of you. Either way, it was working harder than any seasickness and would no doubt put you to sleep rather soon. So soon in fact that upon Seonghwa’s return that is how he found you. Turning you on your side in case you woke up sick and then tucking you in with a soft chuckle before doing as he had said and putting out the lamp.

It was a long night, the boys rotating out shifts between braving the storm on deck and checking on everything below it to ensure that nothing shifted dangerously and there was no damage that could sneak up and cost them their lives while they were distracted. The first glimmerings of light along the edge of the storm come morning bringing them a sense of relief at the thought of finally pulling out of this after fighting it all night. Many of them were ready to just sleep, however, Seonghwa insisted everyone get a good meal in them first to recover some energy. Hongjoong had them drop anchor to stay in these safer seas until they figured out exactly where they were and where to go from here.  When they turn to go below deck however they spot a set of curious and still somewhat sleepy eyes gazing at them.

San immediately livening up and went over first, “G’morning precious. We’re coming down to eat, you should join us for food.”

All it takes is for you to stumble once as the waves still throw you off for San to reach out and steady you. A firm arm slipping around your waist as he smiles down at you, Wooyoung is quick to take a place at your other side.

“Boys. Aren’t you forgetting your manners? The poor girl doesn’t even know who you are yet.” Seonghwa scolds lightly, but the smile on his face betrays him in showing his amusement. 

San rolls his eyes while Wooyoung pouts a little bit, heeding Seonghwa’s slight reprimand however introducing themselves despite you hearing the others screaming their names in conversation when watching them all interact. With the two guiding you it left you little choice but to tag along to breakfast. Being reminded of Seonghwa’s admonition to have food to help curb the queasiness that accompanied the lack of balance on this ship. 

“Yeosang cooked today, so don’t worry it should actually be something edible this morning,” Wooyoung informs you, no doubt throwing out a sly insult towards some of the other men around, not that it cleared anything up for you. Though the man in question seemed to hear his name from where he was.

“It will be edible though not too exciting. We’re not having to ration too much, but some spices are in low supply now, so hopefully egg rice will be sufficient.” Yeosang offers, smiling as you sit and putting a bowl of food in front of you first, the captain’s is to follow, and so on until everyone is served.

“You have eggs onboard?” You question, looking down at the meal before you, taking a bite, and sounding immediate approval.

“We don’t always have so many, but yes. We have chickens aboard, along with other animals. It allows us to have more fresh food than otherwise.” The man at the foot of the table informs you that, like Hongjoong he appeared very calculated though unlike the captain he was much broader. Though this seemed to be the first time he had spoken anything to you.

“It was Jongho’s idea, he has many useful things such as that even if he looks like he’d only be good for muscle.” San teases the man from beside you, causing him to quiet down again as he rolls his eyes returning his attention to his food.

Hongjoong had finished before you, yet he waited patiently saying nothing until you were done. He stands and comes to your side, offering you a hand to help you up and then his arm to use to stabilize yourself as he leads you off. Taking you to his quarters and helping you to one of the seats at the front of his desk.

“I thought it was time to clear some things up for you, treasure.” He takes his seat, kicking his feet up onto the desk, “I also owe you an apology, but you are farther from home than you think. I called you here treasure because we need your help.” 

At your confused look, he places the conch you had found onto his desk, “I placed a spell on it to bring the very person to us no matter where or when they were from. For now, you’re trapped in our world.”

You can’t help but chuckle at his claim, “Either you’re really trying to sell this whole pirate thing or you’ve actually lost your mind, but you can’t truly expect me to believe something like that. Can you?”

“Whether you believe or not is entirely up to you. If you’d like to scour the next port for a way home so be it. Our ship will be waiting for you whenever you realize it. Until then know you’re safe here, and we mean no harm even if we pulled you into this so suddenly.” Hongjoong stands again to bow to you in apology, “We shall make your life as wonderful as we possibly can during your stay here, and as soon as this mess is all resolved I swear to find a way to return you home.” 

You sigh softly shaking your head, “Well you can at least give me something to do until we reach port. I think just sitting around might make me actually lose my mind.” 

Hongjoong chuckles and nods, “Very well, come along. We’ll find you a task in no time, treasure. After all, there’s always much to do aboard the Eternal.” 

“You named your ship the Eternal?” You inquire, raising your brow in amusement as you follow the man.

“Why not? If I want us to be legendary I had to start with a fitting name, no?” He spins to face you again, arms out as he moves them to shrug, leading you still as he walks backwards onto the deck. Not an ounce of hesitation in him, knowing every inch of this ship by heart by now. His hand reaches out quickly to steady you at the first sign your unsteadiness returns, though unlike the others his grip allows you more freedom to take over full control of your body again should you want to. 

You stick close, taking everything in as he takes note of how things look to find you a task before snapping his fingers as it comes to him, “Ah I’ve got the perfect thing!”

Hongjoong guides you to the main mast, gesturing for you to take a seat before pulling over a pile of rope, “These need to be untangled and wound into coils so they’re ready to be used again. After the storm we haven’t had time to get this settled yet, but should something come up we’ll certainly need them. So it would be a great help.”

“I’ll get it done then.” You assure him, not sure how useful of a task this truly was yet Hongjoong seemed genuine enough that you weren’t going to question it.  Settling into the spot, back against the mast as you got to work. 

Glancing up you noticed that one of the men, the one you had yet to meet, seemed to be watching you and passing by rather often before finally bounding over. Instantly he collects up the pile of tangled rope into his arm.

“Grab what you already fixed and come along!” He’s turning to run off before you have a chance to say anything, leaving you to scramble and collect the coiled rope to follow along. Jongho catches you along the way when you nearly stumble into him trying to pass.

“Careful not to let Mingi be the death of you.” He chuckles before yelling at said man to slow down just slightly for you.

Mingi slowed almost too much, just barely giving you time to notice and not run into the back of him, “Sorry I just get excited.”

The tall man’s apology is paired with a flush that fills not only his face but also his ears and a shy chuckle. He leads you to a further back level of the deck, helping you up the stairs despite the rope in his hands and leading you to a blanket at the edge of the raised level. Setting things down before holding his hand out to help you sit at the edge beside him.

“This spot has the best view aside from the crow's nest, so it is best for sitting to do work like you are doing. Or just watching the sunset. Plus when I first arrived and would get super sick I would sit here to watch the horizon and it helped. Though everyone is different.” Mingi shares, beaming happily at you as he does as if it wasn’t something somewhat personal to tell a person you knew nothing about. “You are welcome to come and enjoy it as much as you would like as well. Though I might just pop up here as well. For now, though I sadly cannot keep you company, I have my own work to attend to. I will see you around though, star.” 

The man jumps from his spot to the lower deck, turning to wave at you with a laugh before he runs off nearly as quickly as he had appeared to drag you off. Though it seems as though these men cannot leave you alone for too long as Yeosang appears not long after Mingi leaves, placing a glass of water beside you.

“The sun will sneak up on you before you realize it so make sure to drink enough.” He urges you with a smile, “Is there anything else I can get you as well? Perhaps a snack, or some tea?”

“I’m not all too hungry or anything, but if you have something that might help with nausea that would be nice.” You admit noticing how the words cause a small frown to form on his face.

“We should have some ginger tea. I’ll make some up for you and bring it along with some bread, hopefully that will settle you a little more.” He nods bringing the back of your hand to his lips to place a barely there kiss before he’s off to do as he promised you.

Jongho is climbing up the stairs to the deck, a large crate in his hands as Yeosang flies past him causing the youngest to raise his brow. Placing the crate down in its place before turning to look at you and clear his throat.

“If they start to be too much, just speak up. There is no reason to let them overwhelm you. Or just call for me, Seonghwa, or Captain. We can handle it if you do not want to.” Jongho assures softly before going to leave again, stopping only a few steps down before facing you again, “Oh, and if you ever want a book let me know, I am great at snatching them from the other’s collections. I can even get it back before they notice.”

You can’t help but laugh a little at how proud Jongho seems at that fact, “I’ll keep that in mind, thank you Jongho.” 

You’re back to watching the skyline in silence as you wait for Yeosang’s return, looking over when you hear the steps approaching. Thanking him as he sets down what he brought you, taking a seat then as well.

“Is it alright if I join you? I have some work to do sitting as well and doing it out here beats doing it below deck. So long as you are okay with it?” He waits for your nod to fully settle in place, opening the sack he had brought along to start peeling some potatoes. 

It seemed to you that they couldn’t resist the curious urge to spend time with you, seeing as how when the hours slowly ticked by the number of men sitting up there with you increased in number until by sunset everyone was up there together. Well nearly everyone, Hongjoong found himself right below you all at the helm. 

“Just give us two days treasure and we will arrive at the next port. For a certain land will be quite the sight for you will it not?” Hongjoong assures you calling over the sound of crashing waves.

“It most certainly will be captain. I’m tired of feeling drunk without an ounce of liquor in my body.” Your statement earns a few hushed chuckles from the men around you.

“You know I have a feelin' that with you aboard as our own little good luck charm it will be nothing but smooth sailing the whole way!” Wooyoung cheers stretching his arms out towards the sky before leaning forward against the edge to smile over at you, “After all the ocean sure does love her daughters and there is no doubt in my mind you have to be one of her favorite little sirens.” 

Your skin feels hot at the implication of his words, “Hush Wooyoung, I’m truly not a siren.” 

“Say it all you want, you cannot possibly change my mind!” Wooyoung huffs, puffing his cheeks just a little before getting distracted by the sounds of the world around again and immediately cheering again. 

As crazy as this whole situation was, and as crazy as these men seemed to be playing pretend on a pirate ship you had to admit that their personalities made it hard not to find them endearing. It was a stark change from the calm you had intended for your little getaway, yet you had a feeling you would love every second of these next few days. Perhaps even getting attached too fast and making it harder to say goodbye when the time came for that. Still, that was two whole days away and for now, you had an entire open ocean to explore with all eight of these men. In the meantime, you would also have to come up with a plan of how to convince at least one of them to get a phone so you could keep in touch because as much as you might dislike the rocking of the boat the sense of adventure was like nothing else and you were not about to miss the opportunity to live vicariously through them. If only the port offered you such opportunities upon your arrival that is.

The port offered nothing of the sort to you. The men even concede enough to allow you to venture out with them, finding no signs of modern civilization. Hongjoong waited patiently on the boat for your return, along with Yunho, your navigator as you ventured off this time. This was the longest they had been at port for some time, and while some loved it, some were getting rather antsy. Hongjoong smiles when you enter his room, asking what he always does when you return.

“Are you content with your findings, treasure?” He leans forward on his desk as he watches you flop into the chair across from him.

“Did you really suck me into the past?” You sigh out and Hongjoong thinks this is the most devoid of emotion he has seen from you. Now he sees the resemblance to your long lost relative too he thinks, surely that runs down genetically from his rival.

“I apologize for the trauma and inconvenience that surely produces, but I truly had no choice,” Hongjoong speaks softly, coming around to stand between you and the desk. Crouching to look up at you when your head doesn’t meet his gaze.

“How do I get home?” You look at him blankly.

“Once I have what I need the curse will break and you’ll be sent to exactly where you came from.” Hongjoong assures you, “I swear it to you on my life. I’ll even curse myself on it should that be necessary to make you comfortable.” 

“Fine then take me on your little quest or whatever. That way I can get home.” You sigh, falling back against the chair as you relent.

Hongjoong gently stroked over your hair as he passed, “ I’ll go get us moving then.”

You simply hum as he leaves the room. Hearing the commotion of everyone on deck moments later, all in motion to get the ship back out of port and on the way. A light knock on the door not long after that all began. You look at the door from your spot, noticing Yunho coming in.

“ Hey’a sparkle. Brought ya some tea to ‘opefully help with your seasickness.” he speaks softly, holding out the warm mug to you, “ ‘member to get some sun and find a horizon point too, aight?”

“ I will Yunho, thank you.” You offer him a weak smile, knowing it wasn’t his fault you were in this position and that he was just trying to help.

“ ‘nytime sparkle. I gotta go help Cap’n again.” Yunho gives you a playful little salute before heading out the door.

They leave you be long enough for you to enjoy your tea before you attempt to make your way out. The initial lurch of leaving the port over and so it is not quite as bad, even if still unsettling. Still wobbly as you make your way around. Carefully climbing up towards the wheel, passing Seonghwa there, and going a level higher. You gain Hongjoong’s attention in doing so, the man thinking you’re coming to him until you sit on the edge to watch the horizon in an attempt to adjust. Mingi whistles to get your attention from the main deck before tossing you an apple to help with your stomach. Hongjoong watches closely how you interact with everyone.  

“I just don’t get it Hwa. She’s turned cold to me, but no one else.” Hongjoong sighs out, hand running through his hair as his eyes stay fixated on the map in front of him. 

“Is that why you’ve been all knotted up captain?” Seonghwa inquires, hands moving to work out Hongjoong’s tense shoulders while looking over his shoulder at the map as the captain hums, “ She’ll come around. She’s just upset still and likely feels it’s your fault.” 

“She doesn’t understand though!” The captain declares, head falling back until Seonghwa leans forward and corrects their course for him.

“She might never, so you just have to show her your true motives. Prove wrong what she currently thinks you’re like.” Seonghwa suggests in an attempt to reassure his captain.

“Very well.” Hongjoong agrees before looking over the course and nodding, “Bear that heading Hwa.”

Hongjoong is not far behind Seonghwa despite taking a moment to compose himself. Only instead of working on ship affairs he’s coming to you. 

“Y/N, come with me please.” Hongjoong requests, but knowing his assertive personality you’re not sure how much of a request it is. Taking his hand trepidatiously, but knowing you’ll need help with your unsteady legs. Allowing him to lead you deep into the guts of the ship.

“I feel this situation is exceptionally unfair to you, but I want you to find some comfort here with us, so this chest is yours. It contains various dresses and jewels for you to wear and should you need anything you do not see, just request it.” Hongjoon tells you before pulling another chest over, “ This one is for you to store anything you desire. Also since you have come to join the crew even if not your intention it is only fair you receive equal pay.” 

“So if I’m getting paid, what should I be doing?” You ask raising a brow at him.

“Currently, nothing. When the time comes we will need your help, but that is not now.” Hongjoong assures you, “Oh, I never got to ask. How is your room? Do you need anything?”

“No Hongjoong, I have all that I need currently.” You tell him before deciding to give him a little something, knowing that he was genuinely trying, “Thank you though.”

Hongjoong visibly relaxed some at your thanks, “Of course treasure, you’re more than welcome.” 

The moment changes when the boat sways particularly harshly and you pale in an instant. Hongjoong reaching out to steady you before you can tumble over.

“Okay, let’s get you back up top to watch the horizon before you get sick.” He says, moving to keep you steady as you make your way. Asking someone to get you something for your stomach, which Jongho is quick to do. Bringing you bread and an apple.

“Try this.” The youngest offers in a quiet voice while Seonghwa joins a moment later with more tea for your stomach.

They take turns at your side, each doing their own little things to try and help you. Hongjoong points out steady spots to fixate on and teaches you little tricks to do so. Seonghwa keeps you hydrated and with a steady supply of tea. Jongho bringing you little snacks now to help keep the stomach settled and reading to you as a distraction for you. Yeosang carefully pulls your hair back and helps you around, including to the ship railing or a bucket should you get that sick. Mingi brings fresh, damp, washcloths and cools your warm, clammy skin. Humming for you in a quiet, deep tone as he does. Yunho setting up little nap spots during the calm moments so that perhaps you’ll have at least a brief respite to recover some with a little nap. Wooyoung brings you entertainment and comedic relief with either his words or silly little actions. San moves things to shield you from the blazing sun and fanning you off when the heat gets particularly intense. 

“Come on angel let’s get you to bed.” Yeosang eventually suggests, helping you to your room, “I gave Seonghwa something to mix in your tea to help you sleep, but we; 'll leave a bucket beside the bed just in case.” 

And so a routine developed. Slowly adjusting to life on the sea, your sickness gradually gets better despite still being bad. Giving you slight hope that you might get some sea legs after all. You also began finding your place among them, developing friendships in the passing week. You just hoped and prayed to avoid a storm hitting and making them endure you at the worst level of sickness all over again.

“You look lost in thought tiny. Everything okay?” Jongho asks, putting down the barrel he had been carrying to talk to you. Something you’d learned that the man-made look effortless. 

“Yeah, nothing serious. Just some late-night thoughts.” You assure him and he hums taking a seat on the barrel now. 

“Why are you still up?” Jongho asks next, realizing how out of character it was for you to still be up and on deck at this time.

“It was too quiet in my room.” You shrug and Jongho hums.

“If you would like company this is the last barrel I’m moving and then I’m free.” Jongho offers and the comfort from both him and the suggestion have you nodding.

He’s quick to move the barrel. Slightly haphazardly due to his speed. Returning to you and offering you his hand, letting you take the lead so you can dictate your comfort level. Smiling at being invited into your room, the space that you had slowly been making your own. Moving to take a seat before you tug him over to the bed with you.

“Come on, I don't mind.” You assure him despite being flustered, the man feels so as well. He joins you nonetheless though, debating on whether to leave on his shirt. He doesn’t know that you’ve seen him without it at this point and it would be more comfortable overnight should he end up staying that long.

“So what should we talk about tiny?” Jongho rolls onto his side to look at you as he speaks. Finding your thinking face cute as you consider his question.

“Hm, tell me a story?” You request and Jongho is quick to oblige as he always is when you make this request. It is never the same story twice either. Sometimes tales of their adventures, sometimes stories passed down or read, sometimes something he simply made up himself.

Jongho gets somewhat lost in his little world as he relays this story to you. Hands delicately toying with your hair without fully realizing what he’s doing. You’re finding yourself distracted from his story by it though. That and how pretty his eyes look with the candlelight dancing off them. Without actually realizing what you’re doing you’re leaning in to kiss him. Jongho sputtered against your lips for a moment, having been mid-sentence before he melted into the kiss and returned it. The two of you drawing closer as your lips have locked until you’re in one another’s embrace. Jongho eventually pulls away so you can catch your breath, looking at you somewhat dazed out.

“Jongho… more… please take every ounce of loneliness away.” You quietly ask, breath fanning across his face as you do. Everything about you right now makes Jongho wonder if perhaps Wooyoung had a point about you being a siren. Not that it mattered at this point, it was already too late for him now, he was too far gone.

“Anything for you tiny.”

[sykesandskittles]

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER ONE

Harlow

Sometimes I feel cursed.

Okay, well, not cursed exactly. But I’ve had my share of challenges in the nineteen years I’ve been on this planet. Well-meaning people—usually adults—have always told me to be thankful for my hardships. It makes you stronger. More capable. Independent.

I wish all that were true. Really, the events that have shaped my life just settle like silt inside me, tainting every thought, every action. Until I’m convinced misfortune has been braided into my DNA.

Generational trauma, isn’t that what they call it?

I dig my toes into the wet sand and look out at the Pacific Ocean. It’s hard to feel cursed here, though. Malibu is a magical place, soaked in sunshine, with a surprising small-town feel. But its best quality is how far it is from Fresno. From home. From the events of last year.

The sharp wind whips through my hair and stings my cheeks. My best friend, Talia, and I wandered down to the beach hours ago after we’d unpacked our boxes and set up our dorm rooms.

Talia called me crazy when I waded into the frigid water, dunking my head under the salty waves like some kind of baptism. Maybe it was a type of cleansing. The ghosts of my past washing away with the tide.

If only forgetting were so easy.

“Hey, look what I found!”

I turn to see Talia walk up to me with something cradled in her palm. It’s a piece of green sea glass. “It was probably a beer bottle or something originally.”

Picking it up, I angle it toward the fading sunlight, looking at it from different angles, admiring its beauty. The power of the ocean is wild—transforming an ordinary beer bottle into something so beautiful. I wonder if it has the power to transform me, too. “What are you going to do with it?”

Talia shrugs. “Turn it into a necklace or something, maybe.”

Another gust of ocean Taliaze whips through me, and my teeth start chattering. “It’s almost sunset. We should head back to the residence hall.”

Exeter University West—one of the West Coast's most prestigious colleges—is right on the beach. When Talia and I applied last year, it was a long shot. A pipe dream. We both have decent grades, but nothing spectacular. So, months later, when we were both accepted, it felt like a miracle. Then when I scored a full scholarship, I finally started to believe my luck was changing.

Exeter is the escape I’ve been desperate for. A fresh start.

I look down the length of the beach and see a huge Victorian mansion perched on a cliff, overlooking the ocean. I noticed it when we first got to campus a couple of days ago. It’s hard to miss. The giant Gothic structure is painted a dark, crimson red with navy blue trim, and ornate woodwork that makes it look out of place on a modern college campus. I was probably here first, though, and the university just encroached gradually until the house and grounds were consumed by the sprawling campus.

It’s a creepy-looking house, though. No lie.

“Our residence hall is right on the other side of that weird house,” I say.

“Okay, let’s go,” Talia says, her bottom lip quivering. “I’m turning into a brine-flavored popsicle.”

The sharp wind continues to cut through us as we walk along the sand, getting dark quickly, and we’re two girls walking alone, so I’m on full alert—glancing behind us, my hand resting on the small stun gun tucked into my front pocket.

But the beach is empty—which is surprising, considering the amount of students on campus. It rained a little earlier, and it’s freezing, so maybe that’s why no one is here. But cold or not, there would still be a couple of people out here, at least, right?

“Slow down,” Talia pouts. “Your legs are longer than mine.”

I pause so she can catch up. “Have you noticed there’s no one else out here? That’s weird, right? I mean, it’s cold, but it’s not that cold.”

“There are people out here,” she says, pointing ahead. I squint, and sure enough, there’s a fire burning about half a mile in the distance, on the beach directly below the creepy house. I don’t know how I missed that, but to be fair, the beach isn’t straight—there’s a shrub-capped berm in the way, and the fire is partially hidden behind that.

“Oh, yeah, huh.”

Talia shakes her head and continues walking. “You are so blind. I keep telling you to go to the eye doctor.”

“I’m not blind.”

“Oh, really?” she says. “So when you walked up to that girl back in high school and started telling her off because you thought she was Veronica?”

I frown, trudging after Talia in the sand. Now it’s me trying to keep up with her. “Okay, but in my defense, they could be twins. I’d like to see the DNA report on those two.”

Talia stops and rolls her eyes at me. “The girl you accosted was three inches shorter than Veronica, and has glasses—which you also need.”

I blow out a breath. “Details. Whatever.”

With a scoff, Talia turns back around and we both keep walking. The beach narrows as we approach the fire, so we have to climb over the berm to get to the other side. It’s rough, and the shrubs are spiny, but we manage to make it down the other side.

“I’m remembering why we didn’t come this way originally,” Talia says. “The sidewalk was a lot easier.”

The sidewalk also dips between several university buildings, and in the dark, there’s no way I’m taking that route. I don’t want to say that, though, so I just shrug. “This way is shorter.”

Talia just pushes out a frustrated breath.

The closer we get to the fire, though, it becomes clear that something is sketchy. There are several people, all wearing robes with hoods, gathered in a half-circle around the fire, facing the ocean, chanting something.

Chanting.

What the…?

I reach out and grab Talia, pulling her back into a crouching position. We had to walk up and over, so we’re somewhat concealed by the random tufts of brush, but not entirely. And we’re only about thirty feet away, but thankfully, I don’t think we’ve been seen.

“Holy shit,” Talia whispers.

I blink rapidly to try and see through the murky twilight. There’s one guy, drenched, and completely naked, cupping his family jewels, shivering in front of the cloaked group.

“What are they doing?” I ask my tone low.

“It could be a frat, but the robes are weird. I think this is the Society of the Burning Crown,” Talia says with a note of awe in her voice.

I swallow. “What is that? Please tell me it’s a chess club or something.”

“Does this look like a chess club?” Talia hisses. She grabs my hand and pulls me forward, but I dig my heels into the sand. “Come on, we need to get closer.”

Closer? Is she insane? “Oh, fuck, no. Whatever this is, I don’t want anything to do with it.”

She manages to drag me several feet forward, but only because fighting her could draw attention to us. So far, we’ve managed to go unnoticed, and I’d like to keep it that way.

We crouch down again, and I try to quiet my breathing. It’s not likely they can hear anything over the roaring ocean, or their weird chanting, but I’m not taking any chances. If I could stop breathing altogether, I would.

Someone from the half-circle approaches the fire. I can’t see their faces, but I’m guessing by the person’s size, and broad shoulders, it’s a guy—and he’s probably the leader. He has a long, metal-looking rod in his hand that he shoves into the fire.

“Okay, we’ve seen enough,” I whisper. “Let’s go.”

Talia just waves me off, her gaze fixed on the odd ritual in front of us. Whatever this is, I get the distinct idea that Talia and I aren’t supposed to be witnessing it. And I would love to honor that.

The chanting continues for a couple of minutes, then Lead Guy approaches Naked Guy and says something to him that I can’t hear. Whatever he says is swallowed by the sound of the roaring ocean.

In response to what was said, Naked Guy nods once, then turns to face the ocean, and falls to his knees. His shoulders curl forward, exposing the length of his spine, and I watch as his thin frame vibrates violently against the cold.

Lead Guy takes another step forward, his hand jutting out like a surgeon silently requesting his scalpel. Someone from the circle removes the rod from the fire and places it in Lead Guy’s outstretched hand.

My breath is held, my gaze cemented to the scene as I watch Lead Guy pull his arm back—almost like he’s doing it in slow motion. Is he going to hit the other guy with that rod? Is this actually happening right in front of me?

As Lead Guy’s arm juts forward, and the tip of the rod makes contact, Naked Guy screams out in pain, the sound echoing off the cliffs surrounding us. He’s being branded. The barbaric act is so shocking and so unexpected, that a scream is ripped from my own throat, and I lurch forward.

“Shit, Harlow!” Talia hisses, pulling me back.

I shove my hand over my mouth to silence the whimper that bubbles up from my throat. It’s too late. They see us. Every hooded figure is turned toward Talia and me, and their leader—God help us—is already crossing the sand, closing the distance between us…

HIS EYES ARE A COLD, Dark Brown. That’s the first thing I notice as the leader of this group stalks toward us, shadows from the moon playing across his masked face, half-hidden under the hood of his robe.

Intensity radiates off this guy, his large body moving with confidence across the sand. When he stops right in front of us, I gulp. He looks like a bouncer, ready to toss us out of a club.

Talia and I are standing side-by-side, but when he speaks, he looks directly at me. “Leave. Now.” His voice is muffled by the mask, but it's deep and harsh, and sends a shiver of fear down my spine. “Go back the way you came.”

I’m already half-turned, opening my mouth to tell him, “Yup, no problem, we’re already gone,” when Talia grabs my wrist, stopping me.

“Hold on,” Talia says, looking over his shoulder at the other robed figures. “What are you guys doing out here?”

The guy’s jaw clenches tightly as he drags his gaze away from me and settles on Talia. Behind the mask, his eyes narrow, and if we needed evidence that we don’t belong here, there it is. Right there. That deadly stare.

“Talia,” I say, practically pleading. “Let’s go.”

She doesn’t hear me, or she’s deliberately ignoring me. Either way, she steps up to Lead Guy. “If you don’t want people watching you, then you shouldn’t be doing this—” She waves wildly at the scene in front of us. “–out in public.”

“This is a private beach,” he answers through gritted teeth. “And you aren’t welcome here.”

I grab Talia's elbow firmly and dare a glance at Lead Guy. “We’re leaving.”

I don’t love the idea of taking the sidewalk all the way back to our residence hall, but it’s either that or walk straight through this creepy-ass ritual. Mmm, no thanks. Hard pass.

Talia struggles against me, but I manage to keep my grip. “You can’t tell us what to do!” she practically yells at the guy. “We’re just walking along the beach. You’re the ones doing sketchy shit.”

Oh, damn. He inadvertently triggered Talia's defiance. I’ve known her since middle school, and she’s always been strong-willed, even to her own detriment. Tell her not to jump off the bridge, and she’s going to do it just to prove she can.

Right now, though, my job is to make sure we don’t end up as the topic of a true crime episode.

“Talia,” I say firmly, yanking her in the direction we just came. She digs her heels in, but I manage to move her a little—enough to encourage me to keep pulling. “Let’s leave the nice Jedis alone.”

I hear the stranger grunt as we walk away, and I feel the weight of his gaze pressing on me until Talia and I reach the top of the berm. I release Talia and quickly make my way down the other side of the small hill, then head up the beach, toward the sidewalk. It’s a steep climb, but I make it in record time, Talia trailing behind me.

“Slow down,” she says, annoyed.

I shake my head and pick up my pace. “We shouldn’t have seen that,” I say.

“Oh, who cares, Harlow? They shouldn’t have been out in the open if whatever they’re doing is such a secret.”

I stop abruptly and turn to face her. “The beach is empty.”

I’d noticed that earlier, but I’d assumed it had something to do with the rain. Now, I wonder if people had gotten the memo that something was going down tonight, and had deliberately stayed off the beach.

Lord.

We stumbled onto something we weren’t supposed to see, and I can't help but wonder what the repercussions of that might be. None, I hope. We left, and hopefully, that’s the end of it.

But ever since the incident last year, my mind has been stuck in survival mode. It feels like everything and everyone is a potential threat. So I doubt I’ll stop worrying about this whole thing anytime soon.

It’s taken a mountain of therapy just to get me to this point–willing to leave my hometown and start over somewhere new. And, honestly, if it weren’t for Talia, that never would have happened. In my darkest moments, she was there, guiding me and encouraging me. She’s the one person in my life I can rely on.

But her impulsivity can get her into trouble, and I feel like I’m always trying to rein her in. Even when we were kids, I was saving her from herself. Trying to get her to think before she tumbled right off that proverbial bridge.

“You have to admit, that was amazing!” Talia says, clapping her hands excitedly. “Shit. I never thought we’d get to see something like that.”

I keep walking. The faster we get to the residence hall and off this dark sidewalk, the better. “A guy was getting branded. What’s amazing about that?”

“I’m pretty sure we just witnessed the initiation ceremony for the Society of the Burning Crown.” She’s walking behind me, and I don’t need to see her face to know she has a smile stretched across her face. I can hear it in her voice. “No one gets to see that. Unless you’re a member, obviously.”

I stop and turn around to face her. “That—what we just saw—was super shady. Branding, violence, anything like that is strictly against the university’s policy.”

She looks lost. “Okay, and? What does that have to do with us?”

“Are they going to be worried we’ll tell someone about it?”

Talia snorts. “You’re afraid they’re going to come after us? They aren’t the mafia, Harlow. They don’t give a shit about us.”

Secret societies are like cults in my mind—and cults can do some pretty crazy shit to keep their secrets hidden. I should know—my mom has been in a cult for the last eight years. She joined when I was eleven—just skipped right over to Florida, leaving me to live with my grandmother. That’s the kind of power these types of groups wield.

Talia grabs me. “Harlow, you’ve got to stop worrying so much.” I sigh. “I’m trying, but it’s not easy.”

Her expression softens. “I know, but everything is going to be fine. How were we supposed to know, right? We were just—” She motions casually “–walking along the beach.”

“Yeah. You’re right.”

But as we walk back to the residence hall, an uneasy feeling gathers in my stomach. The whole idea behind coming to ExU was to blend in. Start over. Stay away from drama. Classes haven’t even started yet, and trouble has already rooted me out.

We get to the building fine—thank God—and I swipe my key card. I’m on the second floor, and Talia is on the third, so we part ways on the second-floor landing.

“See you tomorrow!” Talia calls out, walking up that last set of stairs to her floor. “And stop worrying!”

I just roll my eyes and open the door that leads to my floor. It’s going to be tough to fall asleep tonight—but not because I’m worrying. I know the second I lay my head down to sleep, all I’m going to see in my mind’s eye are a pair of electric brown eyes…

The next morning, I’m barely awake when my roommate, Emily, taps me on the shoulder. “Um, Harlow. Are you awake?”

My eyes are practically sealed shut—how could I be awake? Moaning, I roll over onto my side and face the wall. “No,” I say, pushing my voice through the gravel in my throat.

Last night, just as I predicted, I got zero sleep. As I lay in bed, staring up at the dark ceiling, last night’s events were on repeat inside my head.

Was there something I could have done differently? Inside the safety of my thoughts, I’m always braver than I was out there on the sand—and I say something snarky and clever back to Lead Guy. It’s different every time, but he’s always taken aback by my clever response.

I finally fell asleep around five, just as sunlight started bleeding into the night sky.

But my roomie is an early riser—or so she told me yesterday. And that obviously still holds, even though classes don’t officially start for another two days.

“Okay, well, there’s a note or something here for you. I’ll just put it on your nightstand.”

A note?

I wonder if it’s from Talia. Usually, she’d just text me, but if I’m not answering then she might resort to a handwritten note.

The door clicks shut as Emily leaves, and I flip over onto my back, stretching until I feel a pleasant sting spread across my shoulders. Then I blink and pick up my phone. It’s only eight in the morning. My God. Where on earth could Emily possibly be going this early?

Sitting up, I yawn and glance at the note she left on my nightstand. It’s a black envelope with my name scrawled on the back in all caps—not Talia’s swoopy cursive. I open the envelope and pull out a piece of black cardstock. There’s a symbol on the front. It’s a crown, embossed in gold, flames erupting from the tips

.

Oh, shit.

Didn’t Talia say the society we encountered last night was called the Society of the Burning Crown?

I flip the card over.

Preference Ceremony  

Ten O’Clock  

Rush House

Uh.

I immediately text Talia with a photo of the invite, followed by a full screen of question marks.

Talia is in my room within fifteen minutes, sitting on my bed, cross-legged, looking at the invite from every possible angle. “Well, it looks legit,” she says, scratching the gold embossing.

“What’s a Preference Ceremony?” I ask.

Before arriving on campus, Talia did a ton of research about the university—history, culture, clubs, party scene…any information she could get her hands on. Maybe she ran across a website that mentioned it.

“Never heard of it,” she says, tossing the invite onto the bed next to her. She picks up her phone, types something in, then starts scrolling. “There might be something online about it.”

I do my own search on my laptop, but there’s nothing. All I can find on the Burning Crown is general information that’s been posted on a random forum dedicated to secret societies.

“Listen to this,” I say. “The Society of the Burning Crown is a secret society, founded in 1890, on the campus that is known today as Exeter University West. Rush House is the society’s headquarters and sits on the edge of the university’s 124 acres.” I turn my computer, so she can see the photo that’s been inserted between the paragraphs. It’s that creepy Victorian house on the cliff. I pull my computer back and continue reading out loud, “Little is known about the inner workings of the society, but the rumored structure is a larger membership known as the Circle, and a smaller, ruling class, known as the Omen boys. The Omens are the direct descendants of the four founding members.”

Talia scrapes her teeth over her bottom lip, thinking. “Hm. Does it say anything about what a Preference Ceremony is?”

“Nope.”

She lifts her hands, slapping them back down on her knees. “Welp, I suppose we’ll just have to find out then!”

I shake my head. “No way.”

Talia frowns at me, her delicate features scrunched up and contorted. She never really looks ugly, though. She has a pert little nose, high cheekbones, and long, dark eyelashes that are 1000% real. The girls in high school always hated her for that.

She shoves her bottom lip out in a pout. “Oh, come on, why not? It’ll be an adventure.”

“Yesterday, that guy was pissed that we’d stumbled on their…whatever that was. Then this morning, they slid an invite under my door?” I press my lips together. “If that’s not weird, then I don’t know what is.”

“Maybe they just want to make amends,” Talia offers. “You said yourself that they might be afraid we’ll tell someone. So maybe this is their way of, I don’t know, smoothing things over.”

I pick up the envelope that the note came in, reading my name over and over, almost as if I stare at it long enough, it’ll give up its author’s secrets. It just makes me more uneasy, though, if anything.

“How do they even know my name? And why just give me an invite?”

My tone is rising, and Talia must sense how tense I’m getting. She knows the year I’ve had, and how desperately I just want to have a normal freshman experience. Quiet. Boring. No drama.

She reaches over and places a hand on my arm. “Harlow, it’s okay. Societies like this have their hand in everything, and if someone steps foot on their campus, they usually know about it. It’s not personal to you.” She shrugs. “And you probably got the invite because you’re closer to the building entrance. Why bother sending two invites when they know we’re together?”

It’s a paper-thin theory and doesn’t even make sense, but I cling to it because believing there’s a deeper meaning would seriously threaten my mental health. And the whole idea behind starting over is not over-analyzing every little thing. Or so my therapist, Dr. Cunningham, says.

I take a deep breath. “Yeah, okay. Doesn’t matter anyway, because we’re not going.” I snatch the invite up off the bed and rip it in two.

Talia lunges at me, her green eyes wide with horror. “Harlow, what the fuck?” She grabs the two pieces from my hands and tries to fit them back together. “We have to go. No one gets invited to these things. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

I lean back against my pillows. “You know how I feel about cults, Talia. Don’t ask me to do this.”

“It’s not a cult. It’s a secret society. There’s a big difference.”

I push out a sigh. “That’s disputable.”

I know her, though. If Talia wants to do something, she’ll do it, no matter what I say. And I can’t let her go to something like that alone—it’s way too sketchy.

“Maybe they want to apologize for last night? And if we don’t go, then they might see that as an insult.”

I make a face. “Apologize? The guy from last night didn’t look sorry. He looked pissed.”

“Okay, let’s compromise. We’ll go, see what they want, and if there’s anything shady happening, then we’ll leave. Easy. No stress.”

No stress. I practically snort at that. I’m already stressed.

I think about it for a second, then take the invite from her hands, shoving both pieces into the black envelope. “Fine, we’ll go under two conditions.”

“Okay, shoot,” she says, and I can already see she wants to squeal with excitement.

“One: we find out what they want, then leave.” I hold a finger in the air before she can respond. “Two: if they even hint at trying to recruit us, we bail right then and there.” Talia opens her mouth to argue, but I stop her. “Ah! We leave immediately.”

She deflates a little, but I think she knows this is the only way I’ll do it. And the envelope has my name on it, which gives me a little leverage. She could try to go without me, but there’s a chance they’d turn her away at the door.

Talia leans back. “Fine. Deal.”

I nod, satisfied. But deep down, I have a sinking feeling there’s more to all of this than a simple apology. Something much darker…

[cardibgans]

SMILES AND LOOKS | eddie roundtree

. ˖࣪ ⚝ cute (none warning)

. ˖࣪ ⚝ eddie roundtree x fem!oc

. ˖࣪ ⚝ 965 words . .

Y/N: Well, how I met Eddie... It's kind of funny.

EDDIE: She was still working as a waitress in a restaurant that we all went to frequently.

Y/N: And he never looked away from me, sometimes it was a little weird, because he never took any action. Until I started talking to him and found out that he had just moved to LA and was in a band.

EDDIE: Who can blame me? Have you guys looked at Y/N?

Y/N: That was right before I was working as a songwriter for the new band Teddy was creating.

EDDIE: But one day I decided to try my luck.

It was the hottest day Los Angeles had seen in years. And as it turned out, all the Californians were on the beaches to cool off. On the other hand, the Six were in the coffee shop next to the record label where they were supposed to be writing songs at that very moment, but it was too hot to think about anything.

── Here are the lemonades. ── The waitress in the vibrant blue and yellow apron took the glasses off the tray and left them on the table in front of her for all six friends.

── Thank you, Y/N. ── Eddie smiled. Of course they had talked several times, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it was funny when Y/N catches him looking at her.

── What are you guys doing today? ── S/N asked as he was tucking the huge metal tray under his arm.

── We don't know yet. ── Camila replied, shaking the straw in her glass.

── We should be working on a song, but in this heat it's almost impossible. ── Graham said.

── I'm going to have to agree. ── She gave a low laugh. ── Don't worry, folks. Soon a melody and some cool lyrics will appear for you.

── Hey. Don't you want to go to the beach with us after your shift? ── Eddie asked.

── Sure! That would be great. ── The blonde gave a big smile.

── Right!

EDDIE: It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It wasn't a real date, but it was a good start, right?

Y/N: What he didn't know was that I had a little crush on him at that time.

EDDIE: Wait, she said that?

After the end of his workday, which on weekends was shortened to after noon, Y/N was already heading down to the beach. His house was not that far from there, so it was easy to leave to change and not take so long to do so.

Karen was the first to see Y/N, he waved for her to see them and she returned the greeting. Camila pulled Eddie close to her and before the woman could reach her, she managed to whisper in his ear.

── You better act today.

EDDIE: It sounded like a threat to me... But what matters is that in the end I got the girl. Thanks, Camila, for the little push.

Y/N: Cam has always been there to take care of everyone.

After a few beers and cigarettes, Eddie and Y/N were left alone by their Roundtree band mates. Just the two of them enjoying the beach breeze hitting their faces and hair.

── And that's how he ended up with the hotel bathroom. ── Y/N gave a loud laugh. Eddie should be telling about their idiocy on The Dunne Brothers tour. ── It was good while it lasted.

── I'm sorry about that, Ed. ──── He shook his head and took the last sip of his beer.

── On the bright side, I never would have met him if the band had worked out. ── The level of alcohol in Eddie's veins was having an effect on his behavior and his attitude.

Y/N smiled watching Eddie gazing at the sunset. She gave him a slight nudge with her arm. Roundtree looked at her with a smile on his face.

── What? ── He asked, confused. Now she was looking at him in that strange way.

EDDIE: I could only think of one thing.... "Who's looking in a strange way now?"

INTERVIEWER: Is that where you knew you loved him?

Y/N: I knew the first time I saw him… Despite the strange looks we were giving each other.

EDDIE: That is still the case today, as incredible as it seems.

── Nothing. Just let it go. ── Y/N turned her gaze to the sea. But Eddie asked with his eyes that she say something. ── Thank you for inviting me, Eddie. I really needed that. ── She smiles again, looking at his face.

── God, stop doing that. ── Eddie brushes his hair back, receiving a confused look from the woman beside him. ── Every time you smile at me like that, my mind locks up and I don't know what to say. ── Y/N felt her heart racing so fast she couldn't hear anything but him. She let out a low laugh and moved closer to him.

── So you don't want me to smile closer to you? ── She whispered, looking into Eddie's eyes and then into his mouth.

── Please don't. ── He answered in a whisper, before he glued his lips to hers.

EDDIE: I kissed her. And if it were only up to me, we'd be married the next day.

Y/N: Eddie is exaggerating. He still took a long time to propose and even longer to get engaged.

EDDIE: What can I do? I wanted to keep her with me as long as possible. And it worked.