#we stopped to the side and were waiting calmly for them to pass us when the husky run to us to say hello

[svantetic]

i'm dogsitting this weekend and started the day by yelling at the old woman in the park to put her husky on a leash. i love dogs but having one in the city is a nightmare because other people suck

[theyhavetakenovermylife]

The Triceratons Experiment: part 2 (Angst) (18+)

2003!Turtles, Donatello x reader

Intro Part 1 (18+)

A/N: Finally! Finally I’ve been able to write part 2! I know some of you have been waiting for this for quite some time, and it’s finally here! Hope it was worth the wait💜💚

All characters are aged up.

Warnings: Loooong (but we do like that), lust drug?, mildly forced?, forced injection, fingering, being watched, orale - female receiving, orgasm denial?

What Mikey had told Donatello and his brothers, had the purple clad turtle on edge. As a man of science, the unethical ways the triceratons went around their so called experiments, left a bad taste in Donnie’s mouth. He did not like what Mikey just had told him, and furthermore, Donnie had a feeling that this wasn’t the last they would see of the triceraton “professor”. But Donnie would have no idea how quickly his suspicions would come to pass.

The next day started like the day before. The turtles were woken up along with the rest of the prisoners, and told to head for the cantina for food. However, as the turtles made their way down the hallway, they were stopped by the guards, stretching their hands out and blocking their way.

“Halt here”, the nearest guard grumbled, scowling at the turtles.

“Why?”, Raph asked, already feeling agitated. He was hungry, even if it was for a plate full of horrible alien beige goop.

But the guard did not answer him. Instead they intensely stared at each other. Raph waiting for the guard to answer, and the guard expecting Raph to stand down. But neither of them did, standing strong in their silent power struggle. But finally the guard gave in with an agitated look.

“Crowd control. We can’t let all prisoners in at once”, the guard grumbled.

“Since when?”, Donnie asked, confused yet slightly annoyed. It made no sense to him. But the guard did not answer, instead he turned with his side facing the turtles, making it clear that he wasn’t interested in talking, leaving the turtles in silence for some time.

None of the turtles had any way of knowing how long they stood in that hall, waiting for the time they were allowed to go into the cantine. And as the time went on, their already present hunger had started growing, their stomach growling loudly. Raph’s anger and frustration grew as well, to the point where his brothers had to put a comforting hand on his shoulder, in order to calm him down.

Then, finally. Finally the turtles were allowed to go down the hall, making their way to the cantine. Mikey and Raph practically sprinted, not caring what kind of horrible food was left. They just wanted something. But as soon as the two of them came to the cantine, just ahead of their brothers, they were sad and horrified to learn that there was no more food.

Mikey kept pulling on the handle, hoping that a little bit of that beige goop would come out into his bowl, but nothing came. There was no more food.

“They did that on purpose!”, Raph spat, throwing his bowl and spoon on the table in distaine, before sitting down with his brothers. “Fucking triceratons! If I could get my hand on them I would-”.

“Raph!”, Leo exclaimed, cutting his brother off with a stern voice, his face matching his tone.

“What?!”, the red turtle asked, still fuming his anger.

Leo didn’t say a word, but with the same stern look, be pointed to level above them. Raph turned to look up, and found what Leo was talking about. On the floor above, professor Exzor stood with his clipboard, surrounded by guards, looking down at them, taking notes on his board.

“They’re doing it on purpose”, Donnie mumbled, not taking his eyes from the professor in his white lab coat. “It’s probably his idea. A way to force us into giving in to what he wants”.

“You’re telling me that that piece of shit doesn’t think he’s done after yesterday?!”, Raph boomed, fighting not to jump at the nearest guard.

“Yes, that’s what I’m telling you”, Donnie calmly said. “Now, sit down before you give them a reason to go at us”.

With a scowl Raph finally sat down, staring angrily at the table, his knee bouncing under him.

“Aw man!”, Mikey whined, laying down on the table. “I was looking forward to food!”

Donnie and Leo exchanged looks before side eyeing the triceraton on the balcony above. Both had a feeling there soon would be an offer of food coming their way…

—

Once back in their cell, all four stomachs were growling like never before. Raph was getting angry, walking in circles, mumbling and growling. Mikey was once again sitting on the bench, talking about the human girl from yesterday. Though he had been surprised and shaken by the events, he nonetheless had found you very attractive. So attractive he would still mention you out of nowhere before rambling on. Both Leo and Donnie found themselves in deep silence, trying to figure out what was going on.

Suddenly the door slid open, once again revealing six triceraton guards with their weapons ready at hand.

“Face against the walls!”, they roared, marching into the small room. For a moment, Raph looked like he was ready to attack, but with a sharp look from Leo, he let out a small grumble before turning around to face the wall.

With every turtle turned and facing the walls with a guard behind them, professor Exzor made an entrance. For a moment, just a brief moment, Mikey hoped he came to pick him out once more. Though yesterday had been quite a shocker, he wouldn’t mind seeing you again. And if he actually would be allowed to have his time with you this time, he would have absolutely nothing against it. But Exzor didn’t go for Mikey this time around. Instead he went directly over to the guard that stood with Donnie.

“This one”.

“What makes ya think he wants to go?”, Raph suddenly perked up. “After what ya did to my brother, ya be having some nerve coming in here-!”

“Raph!”, Leo yelled out in a stern voice, causing his brother to shut his mouth instantly. “Shut it”. Raph tensened his jaw, letting out a strained sigh. He hated this so much.

Donnie didn’t really say a word as the guards escorted him out. And for some reason, he wasn’t too scared. No, he was thinking. He was too busy throwing glances towards professor Exzor to be fearful, his mind working trying to figure out what was going on.

They guided Donnie down one long hall after another, until they finally came to what Donnie assumed was professor Exzor’s laboratory. Under any other circumstances, Donnie might have been fascinated by it, wanting to get a closer look at the different machinery all around. But not today. Right now, he stood out in the middle of the room, all six guards standing by the walls, while professor Exzor went around the room, getting things ready.

“You’re probably wondering why I chose you today, aren’t you?”, Exzor asked, still not looking at Donnie.

“Because you want a different test subject than yesterday?”, Donnie asked innocently, acting as if he didn’t already knew.

This time professor Exzor finally looked up at him. He stared at him for a moment, before putting his hands behind his back, slowly wandering over to Donnie, slowly walking around him, taking a look at him, before stopping right in front of him, his horn up in the air as he did so.

“You seem like the smarter one of you four”, Exzor said, looking at Donnie down the bridge of his horn. “Am I right to assume that?”

“I like to think so”, Donnie calmly answered.

Exzor nodded a few times before stepping back, moving over to a strap table, setting things up for whatever he had planned for.

“Are you a scientist yourself?”, he asked with his back turned to Donnie, hands busy on the side table.

“I am”.

“I had a feeling you were”, Exzor said. “That’s why I picked you for today”.

“What do you have planned for today?”, Donnie asked, studying the way Exzor moved, along with what he was getting ready by the table.

Exzor stood for a moment, thinking his words through before he spoke. “Do you know a lot about humans?”

Donnie frowned his brows. “A thing or two”.

“What about human biology?"

“A few things as well”, Donnie said, feeling his hands getting clammy. “Some of my friends are human. I know enough in case they need medical attention”. Donnie wanted to ask why, but he had a feeling he would know soon. All day he had had a feeling he would learn something today.

“Have you ever gotten hands on with a human?”

This question took Donnie a little aback. He had never been asked such a question. He had never even allowed himself to think of such a thing. Him, a mutant turtle getting hands on with a human? No way.

“No, never”.

Exzor turned back towards Donnie, this time with a small self satisfied smile. He was finally going to explain. “Your brother has probably already told you about the human girl we have, right? I thought so. She’s an interesting specimen. We found her in an unknown spaceship, cruising around at the edge of the galaxy. We believed she was a spy from the Federation, but she kept saying she was from a planet named Earth. She wasn’t very convincing so we didn’t believe her. Yet she’s the only human we’ve ever had in captivity. It would be idiotic to get rid of her, when she could provide useful information about the mental and physical workings of our enemy. Yet there was only so much we could learn about with only one specimen. But then you and your brothers showed up, stating you were from planet Earth. That suddenly provided us with a whole new opportunity”, professor Exzor said, taking a hold of what he had been working with on the side table. Gloves… High tech gloves… “Though you and your brothers may not be the same species as her, you are from the same planet. That can be just as useful as well”. Exzor took a hold of Donnie’s hands, forcing the three fingered gloves on his hands. “These gloves are made to scan and read the subject. What we want you to do is touch the subject in specific areas, so that we can have our readings”.

“And why exactly do I have to do it?”, Donnie asked, somewhat fascinated by the gloves.

“Because no triceraton is so low as to touch a human in that manner. Disgusting!”, Exzor said sternly, almost offended that Donnie could even ask such a question. “Bring in the subject for testing!”

Another set of doors slides open, revealing two more guards, dragging in a woman wearing what looked like what Donnie could only describe as a hospital gown. Suddenly Donnie understood why Mikey kept talking about you - you were beautiful. A very attractive woman. You made him freeze on the spot and stare with wide eyes as they strapped you onto the table, hands and arms restrained, legs open wide in front of Donnie. He instinctively avoided his eyes, trying to be gentlemanly. But given the whole situation, it was kind of hard for him to do. That was when the two of you made eye contact, and Donnie felt a strange feeling in his stomach, remembering all the things Mikey had told him. Why did Mikey have to tell him all those things? And why did he have to remember them right now.

Professor Exzor told the guards to stand clear, before moving to a computer screen, pressing a few buttons on the keyboard before suddenly turning back towards the guards.

“Give them the shots”.

Before Donnie was able to react, he was grabbed by two guards, one holding his arm out, ready and exposed. He tried to put up a struggle, but realized it was no use. They had him in a lab. Resisting would only cause him, and maybe even you, more problems.

You and Donnie watched the guards with wide observant eyes, as they came in closer, two syringes at the ready. One for you and one for Donnie, filled with a violet substance. You immediately began struggling against your restraints when you saw it. Donnie immediately knew what it was. Whatever gas they had used on you and Mikey yesterday, it was that in liquid form.

“What is that?”, Donnie asked, keeping his voice calm, trying to sound curious, hoping it would make Exzor talk. But the triceraton didn’t budge so easily.

“You’ll figure it out”, was all he said, not looking up from his computer screen once.

Grabbing a hold of your arms, the guards injected you and Donnie with the pinkish, violet liquid, before quickly taking a few steps back from the two of you.

“Now”, professor Exzor said with a stern voice directed at Donnie. “Before the effects set in, put your hands on her angels”.

Donnie gave you an apologetic look before doing as he was told, closing his eyes for a moment when he felt your leg under his gloves. He would lie if he said he didn’t already feel the effects slowly kick in. His senses was already getting heightened, the scent of you slowly getting stronger and stronger. Along with another scent from you… oh no. It was kicking in for you as well. Donnie could understand what Mikey was talking about now. You already smelled so good. Why did you have to smell so good?

“Move your hands further up”, the professor said, still not looking up, somehow sounding even less interested than before.

Donnie already wanted to shoot him a death stare. Somehow the sound of Exzor’s voice made him feel like he was being ripped straight out of a pleasant state of peace. He did as he was told and moved his hands further up, noticing how your legs tensed up and your scent getting stronger. How easy it would be for Donnie to just slide his hands further up, lifting your hospital gown just a little…

“Don’t hold yourself back”, Exzor’s voice sounded once again, reading whatever came up on his screen. “The more you explore, the more information I get”.

Donnie looked back at your eyes, only to find you pupils blown wide already. From the sweat he was feeling forming on his own body, he was sure he looked the same. He sheared your eyes for permission, and to his surprise, you gave it to him. Giving him a small nod. Remembering what Mikey had told him from yesterday, you probably still had a lot of pent up emotions from yesterday. And with that, Donnie gave in, sliding your gown up so that he had a full view of you, the scent of your arousal smacking him in the face.

Donnie stood and stared for a moment, just the sight of your most private area making him go dizzy. Never had he seen a woman up close, nor been able to smell a woman like this. He couldn’t tell if it was because of your scent or the dose running through his veins at the moment, but it was making him feel like he was a week away from his mating season.

Donnie’s hands settled on where your thighs met your hips, pushing your legs further apart for him, his thumbs subconsciously making small circles against your skin, making small whimpers escape you. It didn’t take much to figure out that you were already feeling the effects, and that they were already hitting you strong. Just the feeling of Donnie’s hands on you making you tense with neediness under him.

You laid there before him, your eyes closed and your hands holding onto the restraints. Donnie caught the sight of your tongue wetting your lips, the stuff in his blood already creating images of what that tongue would be capable of doing to him…

“Please”, you whimpered, bringing Donnie back to reality, his abdomen tightening at the sound of your voice. The first time he had heard your voice, leaving him stunned. You sounded just as beautiful as you looked. Your legs quivered, trying to close so that you could create some friction yourself. “Please do something”.

Donnie’s brain went into reboot. He had never thought he would get to hear a woman beg for him to touch her - to do something to her. Yet here he was, with your legs spread wide open for him, though under rather dubious circumstances.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of staring, Donnie finally dared to touch your most intimate zone, letting his thumb grace over your clit. The slight touch made your hip buckle and a small sound of pleasure leaving your mouth. Donnie took a deep breath, taking in the strong scent of your arousal, totally forgetting about the triceraton guards standing around by the walls. Frozen like statues, not even looking at the two of you. It was as if your doings weren’t interesting to them at all.

Pressing this thumb a little firmer against your bundle of nerves, Donnie watched your reaction. You opened your eyes, trying to look down at his hand on you, heavy breathing and hands shaking. You needed more, your eyes silently begging him to do more. And so, Donnie started moving his glove covered thumb in small circles on your clit, causing you to cry out under him.

“Shit!”, you cursed, buckling your hips against him once more. Donnie couldn’t stop himself from churring lowly in his chest at the sound, the hand on your thigh tightening, pushing you even further open with a small increase of force, your head falling back. “Don’t stop”.

Donnie ignored the sound of the triceraton professor pressing the keys on the computer keyboard, focusing on your sounds, your smell and the expression on your face, pressing his thumb firmer against you. You slammed your foot against the table, moving your hips, forcing Donnie to use his other hand, placing it on the side of your hip and keeping you down against the table.

With his thumb still moving against you, he moved one other finger to your folds, gliding his finger through them. How he wished he could be doing this without gloves, so that he could feel your wetness against his skin…

Donnie’s finger glided through your folds until he found your entrance. He did not ask for your permission, feeling both you and his need growing with every second, instead pushing his finger into you, sliding into you with ease. You let out a loud moan that took both you and Donnie by surprise. Yet it fuelled something within him that he didn’t even know was there.

“Is that what you needed?”, Donnie asked as he started to move his finger inside of you, causing you to squirm underneath him.

“Yes”, you whimpered, your restrained hands moving to hold onto the table. Donnie could only imagine how pent up you had been yesterday, finally gaining some sort of release. “Faster, please”.

Donnie hummed at your words, doing just as you told him to, speeding up the movement of his finger, curling it up inside of you. Your reaction was better than he had expected, one moan falling from your parted lip after another. He felt that pressure against the inside of his cloaca, which he grown familiar with throughout his many mating seasons. How he just wanted to drop on the spot a slam into you, as if there was no one around the two of you. But he restrained himself, growling at the strong pressure within him, instead adding a second finger into your clenching hole, watching as your juices gathered up around his digits.

Your legs started kicking against your restraints, your muscles tensing and relaxing as he stimulated your nerves, his fingers hitting the sweet spot deep inside of you. One would not be wrong for believing that he was a master at this, that this wasn’t his first time at the rodeo. Donnie couldn’t explain it. His actions just felt natural at that moment.

You clenched around Donnie’s fingers making him groan, thoughts of how you would clench around him running through his head. You were intoxicating, every sound from you dulling the fire in his veins, yet edging him on, telling him that he needed more. That you needed more.

Donnie couldn’t help but press a kiss to your knee, making you look up at him, your eyes pleading for him. Pleading for him to continue what he was doing. To do more of it. So Donnie did, his lips going from your knee to hovering just above where his thumb was rubbing circles on you. You whimpered when you felt Donnie’s breath on you, your excitement for the feeling of his lips where you needed him the most, almost turning into anxiety of the thought of him not doing it. Flashes of what happened yesterday appeared in your head. The pain and need you felt for hours after the guards had broken you and the other guy apart. You had had no release, and the slowly growing feeling made you almost anxious. You wanted nothing more to cum, letting your juices drench this guy’s face. You still didn’t know he or his brothers names, yet in that moment you were desperate for either one of them to make you cum, just to stop the growing burning feeling inside of you.

Donnie replaced his thumb with his lips, giving your bundle a small lick before attaching his lips with small sucks. This action caused you to let out another loud moan, arching your back, once again struggling against the restraints. Donnie’s fingers speed up, so did his tongue continuing to do fast small licks on you, while the hand that had been holding you down, slowly sliding up under your gown, reaching to grab a hold of your chest. You and Donnie was so far gone in what you were doing, that you didn’t hear professor Exzor mumbling “interesting”, at what he saw on his screen.

You were so close, your mouth open wide, your eyes closed shut, and your body squirming underneath Donnie. He could feel how close you were, driven by a primal instinct to make you climax on him. You were so close. So close that Donnie could almost taste more than your sweet and salty juices. So close…

“Okay, that’s enough”, Exzor said to the guards. “I got the data I need for now. Put him in a holding cell before you bring him back to the others. Just send her straight to her cell”.

It felt sudden to you and Donnie when the guards grabbed a hold of him, pulling him away from you. You let out an almost pained scream, knowing that your possibility of release was once again being pulled from you. Donnie was like a wild animal at this point, fighting against the guards that were trying to restrain him.

“Let me go!”, he yelled, trying to pull his arm away from them with as much force as possible, only causing the guards to get more aggressive towards him. However, with eight guards around, it was only a matter of time before they were able to overpower him, and escort him out of the lab, so that they could place him in a holding cell. But just before they managed to get him out of the door, Donnie managed to get a look back at you, fighting against the restraints on the strap table. He caught your eyes, seeing how you silently pleaded for help. And suddenly Donnie understood why Mikey couldn’t stop talking about you.

—

“Log 67 on Human Studies by Professor Exzor. Date: the eighth of galamion, in the year 56 of the Triceraton Republic.

Today’s experiment once again proved a success. The turtle specimen marked purple has proved to be just as useful as theorized. With their help, I have been able to obtain more information about the human reproductive system, as well as their nerve system, along with a long theorized connection with humans' perception of pain and pleasure.

With today’s obtained data, I can now green light tomorrow's experiment, focusing further on humans’ connection between pain and pleasure, using the turtle marked red.

For the Republic”.

[twst-drabbles]

Malleus 16

Summary: Class has ended and you’re ready to eat for lunch, but everyone has stopped at the door. Turns out Malleus was there, and he craves affection.

(Wanted to write about kisses. And then Malleus popped into my head. So here you go!)

“Um, hey, Prefect?” Oh, well would you look at that, it’s Deuce speaking up this time, “Can I… copy your notes again? Please?”

“Yeah, I really couldn’t pay attention,” Grim tapped his paws on your desk, like that’ll somehow endear you to him, “besides, the board is so far away.”

You and your group are two seats away from said board.

“Yeah, come on,” Ace laid an arm across the back of your seat, “do us a solid, yeah? You know you want to. Can’t resist the call of enlightening our tiny little brains.”

“What are you gonna give me?” You closed your notebook just so Ace and Deuce don’t have a chance to look at your notes. “I’ve been saving your asses for the past two weeks. You gotta give me something.”

“Hehe, that’s my minion! If you want a fast pass, you need to give us reparations in tuna!” He cheered, once more using ‘we’ as soon as he thinks he’s getting something.

“You have to pay too, Cat.”

There will be no ‘we’ this time.

“What?! Why?!”

You tried tutoring them in the past but having Ace, Deuce and Grim all in the same room for more than ten minutes always leads to either an argument breaking out, a bunch of whining, or just general chaos because one or more people tried to slip out of trouble.

Yeah, yeah it’s partially your fault for losing patience and just giving up on them, but you’d think they’d at least pay attention long enough to take notes.

They’re right there! On the board!

They have no excuse and they have to at least pay you back for this emotional trouble.

Was this petty? Yes, very. You don’t care right now. You want a treat. Or money. Or both!

“Huh, ah, well,” Deuce got sheepish and reached into his pockets, “I have gum.”

“No.” He has disappointed you. An unworthy treat for your notes.

“How about I only eat three-fourths of your food this time?” Suggested Grim.

“My treat is me giving you more of my food?” And you don’t even give it, he just steals it!

Grim hissed. He was probably hoping you didn’t know fractions. But, good on him for finally learning. Shame his first thought was to try and trick you with it.

“Okay guys, you all know that’s not what the Prefect really wants,” Ace leans in, acting chummy, “how about this?”

You were given one thaumark.

“…”

“Alright listen, I need the rest to buy other things, okay?”

You got up after calmly putting your notes away. “I’m going to get lunch.”

“No wait come back!”

But, as much as you wanted to walk out and sit at the regular table while your friends slowly fill in the seats, the exit to the classroom was blocked by a cluster of murmuring and rather nervous students.

“What’s he doing here?” You heard one whisper.

“Uh, did we do something? Were we too loud?”

“I’m really hungry but…”

You are not in the mood. You tried to excuse yourself as you bumped into shoulders but you had to settle for grumbled apologies instead as you shoved yourself through.

Finally, you popped out of the other side, a little more heated and more irritable.

“There you are, Child of Man,” so goes the voice of Malleus, who stood to the side of the door, waiting. The cause of this blockage, students frozen with only his green-eyed stare. “I was kept waiting quite a while. How bold of you to do this, after the slight you made this morning.”

What?

“Wha?” Your annoyance was momentarily replaced by bafflement, but that quickly went away when your brain caught up to his words. You grumbled, “Oh, come on…”

Yeah, you’re probably not even gonna eat at the cafeteria. You’re just gonna get your food and go hide away somewhere until you cooled down.

Malleus walked forward, the surge of students all taking a collective step back as though his very air could potentially kill them.

“Well? Don’t you remember?” He crossed his arms and you were ready for that high-brow glare that comes with all people of royalty, but instead, you found an exaggerated and childish pout. “You forgot to give me my morning greeting. I felt off the entire morning, unable to focus, because I didn’t have the memory of you kissing my brow fresh in my mind.”

A hush fell over the classroom.

And then a, “Huh?!” shot out of Ace’s mouth.

You snorted, then gave out a hearty chuckle. Once you calmed down, you waved Malleus over.

“Alright, alright, get over here. Let me correct that.”

A laugh rumbled low in his throat as he tilted his head into your hand. Playfully, you lightly pinched his ear, just because his pointy ears always caught your attention. He twitched, breath hitching just the slightest bit, and you couldn’t resist the urge anymore and kissed above his brow.

Malleus’s lashes fluttered open and the sigh that escaped him reminded you of a pure-hearted maiden with a fast-beating heart. And yet, there’s nothing delicate about the way he stood. If anything, the affection flowing through him made his pride more apparent. He practically glowed with that royal grace he was taught to have.

You couldn’t help yourself. You gave him an extra kiss on the corner of his lips. Malleus nearly hissed in a breath as he clamped his hand over your own, his body leaning in closer towards yours, as though he wanted to meld with you.

But, with a chuckle, you pulled away and he had no choice but to let go. Malleus was back to pouting, though this time, cheeks flushed and hair slightly messier than usual. The air around you was slightly charged with wayward magic, causing the hair on your body to stand on end. And his eyes…

Well, whoops.

“Good morning. I’ll see you later, okay?”

Better get out of here before Malleus jumps you right in this hallway.

[mykoreanlove]

i need skz angst like rn??😭

hyunjin x female reader, and they maybe decide to go out to like a club or something, and some guy hits on the reader and hyunjin is like “you were flirting back!” and the reader is just very confused bc they tried to let the guy know as kindly as possible that they are taken, but hyunjin is still really mad and it results in them fighting

and then maybe hyunjin decides to go home but not like a shared apartment thing like he goes somewhere reader doesn’t know about

and then a day passes and he’s like “oh no i fucked up” and comes to readers apartment to apologize

happy ending? tysmmm🎀

I was like sure, let's writing something short and quick but somehow it turned into 6 pages lol. hope u enjoy it :)

The pros of being an insanely hot couple? A lot of sex and affection, a lot of people wanting to be like you and a lot of praise and admiration.

The cons of being an insanely hot couple? A lot of people trying to take your place, a lot of jealous envy and a lot of insecurity.

“Baby, you look incredible”, Hyunjin whispered into your ear as he hugged you from behind. You were standing in front of the mirror, admiring your look for the night. “I wanted to look good for you”, you shyly admitted as you leaned into him. “There is absolutely nothing you have to do to accomplish this, y/n. Nothing, you hear me?”

Ever since you met Hyunjin a couple of weeks ago your whole world turned around. You were used to dating a lot and having fun, but this was different. He was different. Both of you fell for the other rather quickly, a romance that revealed a hidden side within you.

“I want to kiss you so badly”, you whined.

“Why don’t you?”

Instantaneously, you pointed to your lips covered in deep ruby red.

“Ah”, he nodded understandingly. “Is it okay then if I do this?”, Hyunjin asked before kissing every inch of your collarbone, slightly sucking to mark his territory.

Hyunjin was a confident guy, knowing damn well that he was good looking and talented and still he felt conflicted at times. What if this was not enough? What if he was not enough for you? Since you were in your early dating stages, he never had vocalized his concerns, but his body did. His need to be near you, touch you and possess you was evident from the start.

“Jinnie, stop”, you giggled as you pushed him away.

Irritation grew on his face, not understanding why you were distancing yourself.

“I’m gonna be covered in marks that everyone is going to see”, you teased.

He felt his chest tighten. Did you not want others to see them? Did you want to be perceived as single? His own sparks of insecurity got ignited again, waiting to turn into a full-size fire.

The club was crowded with people of all kinds – dancers, jocks, hot models, a real feast for the eye. You were used to people turning their heads, especially when you were together with Hyunjin. It never bothered you that much since you knew how devoted he was to you.

“Can I tell you something?” You were laying on his chest, watching him breathe calmly. “Sure.” “I found your old DVDs in the basement, and I started watching them while you were at work. Binging them, really. And I saw something that really stuck with me”, he explained silently. “What was it?” “Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours”, he explained softly. You turned your head and gazed into his teary eyes. “We haven’t been together that long, I know. But this is exactly how I feel, y/n. I can’t imagine my life without you anymore. Cannot. Do not want to. Impossible.” You started tearing up as well, finally feeling at home with another soul. You placed a soft kiss on his plush lips and whispered: “I’ll be your Carry, baby.”

���Come dance with me”, you shouted as you pulled him to the dance floor. It was hot and sticky, but you didn’t mind, in fact you loved it like that. The music was energetic and vibrant, filling the whole room with energy and life force. You only had eyes for Hyunjin, watching his body move gracefully to the music. When he danced, he became one with the tunes, one with the movements. He smirked as he caught you staring, knowing damn well that you were weak for his dancing. As the song changed into a slower, sexier one you found yourself in front of him, grinding on his muscular body. All the other people were forgotten as you swayed your hips on him, feeling him getting hard behind you. His hands on your body and his hot breath on your neck was all you needed to know.

Hyunjin however was more prone to your surroundings. He enjoyed having you like that, but he hated sharing you with others. He was too aware of the other pair of eyes that was set on you. Like a reflex, he pulled you closer, grabbed a bit harder and provoked your surrender, demonstrating whom you belonged to.

“Fuck, baby, if you keep this up, we have to go”, you moaned into his ear.

“Let’s do that”, his whole face lit up. “Let’s get out of here, y/nnie.”

“But we just came?”, you whined in annoyance.

Hyunjin’s eyes darkened as his gaze pierced through you. Just like that, goosebumps formed on your skin, electricity cursed through your body making you feel all hot. He knew exactly what he was doing to you.

“I’m going to the bathroom really quick to fix this situation right here”, he said as he nodded to his crotch, “and when I come back, we leave, you hear me?”

You swallowed and nodded, already anticipating the night ahead.

“Good girl.”

He placed a kiss on your forehead and turned around, quickly looking for the bathroom.

You walked over to the exit and leaned against the cold wall, waiting for your boyfriend, already picturing him doing unspeakable things to you. You were so engulfed in your naughty daydreams that you didn’t even notice the guy from the dancefloor approaching you.

“Hey!”

“Oh, hi”, you replied politely.

“I saw you dancing earlier, damn you got moves!”, he complimented you.

“Thanks”, you replied drily.

“So uhm, would you like to have a drink with me?”

“No”, you shook your head.

“Why not?”

“Well, if you saw me dancing earlier you must have seen my boyfriend behind me, right? That’s why.”

“Shit, sorry. I kinda hoped that he was just another guy hitting on you.”

“Far from that.”

“He’s that great, huh?”

“Y/N”, Hyunjin called out angrily while glaring at the other guy.

You were taken aback by his tone, feeling anxious so you followed him without saying a word.

Fumingly, he marched to the car, while you were trying to keep up. Hyunjin placed both of his hands on the cold metal of the vehicle as he was trying to calm himself.

“Jinnie”, you called out softly.

“Don’t fucking call me that, y/n.”

“What?”

He turned around and faced you, his pupils were dilated, and his nostrils flared – he was angry as fuck.

“Don’t fucking call me that when you were flirting with some dickhead behind my back!”

“Are you serious right now?”

“Of course, I am. That bastard was eye-fucking you while we were dancing, and I left you alone for 5 minutes and you were already cozying up to him?”

“Cozying up to him? Cozying up to him? Are you out of your fucking mind?”

“What? I know what I saw!”

“Enlighten me, then. What did you see?”

“I saw you all smiley and giggly, you were practically shooting heart eyes emojis at him! Is that why you hated me giving you hickeys on your collarbone? So, everybody could see you were available?!”

You felt the punch to your stomach, making it harder to breathe. Every single word of his was laced in the most painful accusation, one that you had been familiar with way too often.

“Yeah, you’re right. I was flirting back and shooting heart eyes emojis at him. It was so much fun! And I was damn grateful that my body was free of your damn hickeys!”, you retorted angrily.

Hyunjin was about to explode, not being able to differentiate between your lies and his perceived reality.

Wordless, he turned around and got into the car. You looked at him one last time, hoping that he would come to his senses – but he didn’t. The loud sound of his engine disturbed the quiet of the night and not seconds later he was gone.

What should have been a fun night out for a young couple turned into a vicious disaster. One was crying hiding in the dirty toilet of a club, while the other was crying racing down the highway. Promises of forever love turned into accusations of unfaithfulness, painting your rosy world of adoration into black loneliness.

You had no idea how you made it back home, nor did you care. The following day was torture – you were ruminating over everything, trying to understand what had happened yesterday. Deep sadness filled your whole being. Hyunjin did not call, nor text. He vanished out of your life, just like he vanished into the night air yesterday. Was that it? Was it over?

“Damn, you look like shit. Why are your eyes so puffy?”

Hyunjin pulled the covers over his head, trying to dissolve into thin air.

“Hey, come on. Talk to me”, his friend encouraged him.

“I may have made the biggest mistake of my life yesterday.”

“Oh my god, did you cheat on y/n?”

“What? No. Of course not. I would never do that”, he explained.

“What did you do then?”

“I accused her of cheating on me.”

“Shit, sorry.”

“Don’t be. This was the last time I let my demons take over”, he mumbled as he left his room.

By evening, you felt better – at least good enough to go for a walk and clear your head. Minutes after you left Hyunjin appeared at your door – holding a giant bouquet of flowers in his trembling hands. He rang your door hundreds of times, knocked on it until his knuckles were swollen and called out for you until his throat was sore. But nothing.

Defeated, he slid down to the ground and thought of what to do.

“Y/N, I made a big mistake yesterday. I am so sorry. I should have never accused you of shit like that.”

He was wiping away his tears again, the thought of loosing you made his heart break every single time.

“You see I’m not perfect. Far from it. Yet somehow you seem to think that way. And I just… I just wait for the shoe to drop. For you to finally realize that I’m nothing special.”

“Jinnie”, you called out his name while stopping in front of your apartment. His eyes widened in surprise, immediately followed by relief. “You didn’t open up because you hated me but because you weren’t home…”

“Don’t flatter yourself, hate is on the top of the list right now”, you glared angrily.

He lowered his head in defeat.

“Are those for me?”, you nodded to the bouquet of flowers.

“Yes.”

You opened the door and passed by him. “Put them in a vase, then.”

Surprised, he got up on his feet and followed you inside.

“Can we talk?”

You sat across from him, giving him the cold shoulder.

“Talk.”

“Y/N, I am sorry. Please believe me, I am so sorry. I was seeing things, I let my insecurities win and I accused you of shit you didn’t do. Please, forgive me.”

“What did you think happened there?”

“I saw you guys talking and then I saw red. Like, you were smiling from ear to ear, practically shooting heart eyes emojis at him. I just, I just saw red.”

You sighed deeply, finally understanding where he was coming from.

“You’re right. I was shooting heart eyes emojis at him.”

“What?” Hyunjin’s heart was about to explode.

“But only because I was talking about you, Jinnie. He asked me out for a drink, and I explained to him that I already found the greatest guy on earth. I was gushing over you, like a freaking fan girl.”

“He’s that great, huh?” “Oh my god, yes. He is the greatest. No really, he is great at everything. Dancing, painting, loving? The best. He is also the kindest and loveliest guy I ever met. Always caring for the ones he loves. Never a dull moment with him. He makes me laugh so much. I swear I got abs because of him. And did you see how handsome he is? Fuck me, it’s like God created him himself and brought him to earth, so we could adore him. Fucking masterpiece, that man.” “Okay, okay, I got it”, the guy gave up. “Must be one hell of a lover.” “One hell of a lover. One hell of a soul. My soul, actually.”

“I feel like the biggest idiot right now”, he admitted ashamed.

“Yeah, you should feel like that.”

“I’m sorry, y/nnie. Can you forgive me?”

Silence lingered between the two of you, only for a moment, until you got up and walked over to him. You put your arms around his lean torso and hugged him tightly, willing to put this past you.

Hyunjin’s body finally relaxed, as he hugged you back. His lips landed on the crown of your head, simply resting there, and holding you close.

“Jinnie, wait. There is something else you need to know.”

He released you from his grip and looked at you anxiously.

“What is it?”

“When I was younger, I got bullied for hickeys. My first boyfriend always left them on my neck and the others harassed me for it, calling me slut and all sorts of names. So, it’s true, I don’t like them being visible.”

Hyunjin’s heart broke once more – for one because you had to endure this harassment, but also because he bullied you himself.

“I’m sorry, y/nnie. I won’t do that ever again.”

“Wait, no. I love your hickeys. I love your lips on me, I really do. But can we, maybe, agree to leave hickeys in places only we can see?”, you asked shily.

Hyunjin chuckled and pulled you in for a kiss, promising to do just that.

“I really meant what I said. I can’t imagine my life without you. I really can’t.”

You grabbed his hands and squeezed them, agreeing you felt the same way.          “I feel like we should talk about your insecurities, but I’m drained from last night.”

“Let’s relax for now, baby.”

“What do you want to do?”

Hyunjin’s lips turned upwards, forming the loveliest yet sneakiest smile.

“Okay, fine. I get the popcorn and you switch on the TV. Sex and the city marathon it is”, you rolled your eyes at him teasingly.

[hedgehog-moss]

The text updates I was sending a friend while at the protest in Paris yesterday are kind of tragically funny, it goes from "the cops are staying away and as a result everything's going well, they clearly received better orders today, I'm glad" to "wait, no, forget that"

1. "Everything's going well, there are a couple of small fires but no one cares, the crowd calmly avoids them, some people stop to warm their hands over them, it's very civilised. I don't think the people who set stuff on fire are the problem, when the cops stay away everything goes smoothly"

2. "There are groups of CRS with batons and shields in the side streets but they stay very discreet compared with the other protests and weirdly enough this one is calmer!"

3. My friend : "Maybe they received different orders today"

Me "Yeah it's a miracle, someone made a sensible decision"

4. "We just passed another side street full of cops and I heard someone said "last time they started charging us, we had no idea why" so yeah they clearly received different instructions today"

Less than 10min later: "never mind we're being tear gassed"

Then: "Never mind they just charged us several times we have no idea why"

"I arrived at the end point of the march, looked back and there was a fresh new cloud of tear gas over the (very calm, many elderly people) groups in the middle of the march. More police cars + a water cannon are arriving"

Can't overstate how calm the protest was, just people (100K to 300K according to estimates) walking from point A to point B while holding signs. There were a few trash fires but if they'd sent firefighters to extinguish them people would have let them through... I had friends who walked in the middle of the march to avoid any trouble or gas and they still got tear gassed without knowing why. Even supposing there were people ahead of me I couldn't see who were being more antagonistic towards the CRS, surely the hundreds of cops present could have somehow dealt with that without charging and bludgeoning peaceful protesters and tear gassing thousands of people? Right now it's not possible for French citizens to peacefully assemble without getting systematically gassed by police.

Here's a video of when they first charged the front of the march, the people they're hitting can't move back any faster (I was somewhere in the compact crowd behind wondering (cause I'm not tall I couldn't see anything 😭) why we were suddenly being pushed back when things had been calm and fun until then. People who had been there before were coaching others like 'don't try to run, you'll make the people behind panic, just walk fast'). I counted five or six tear gas grenades going off

From what I've heard from people who were at the protest, the ones who didn't get gassed are the ones who were at the back of the march and left early without completing the march (some left because they saw the cloud of gas ahead). I've also seen people at other protests in various cities yesterday describing a similar situation : peaceful crowd getting separated in two by a charge, gassed and soaked with water cannons, most people having no idea why. If I had to describe this in terms of police strategy it would be, gas as many people as possible to dissuade your average peaceful protester from completing the march and showing up next time, and be aggressive towards the front of the march to rile them up and get nice images of youth burning things or throwing stuff at cops to show on the evening news and turn public opinion against protesters.

(Note that the society of journalists working for France Télévision (public TV, like the French BBC) have published a statement decrying the poor framing of the protests on the national news, saying too much emphasis was placed on the small amount of people destroying stuff and almost nothing on police brutality and the record numbers of (peaceful) protesters in the streets.) (Read this if you're French and have been wondering why some people around you still don't think the situation is worrying...)

Anyway, I'm glad I went. It was good to see so many people just as angry as I am about what's happening to this country and guillotine-chan was in attendance, and many people had very fun signs and I liked this angry flag:

[urf1lterr]

afterglow | pedro pascal [2/3]

"tell me that you're still mine, tell me that we'll be just fine, even when i lose my mind"

previous chapter: [1]

summary: being nominated for an oscar was a dream come true, until you had to spend the rest of the night near your deceitful ex who still loved you.

pairing: actor!pedro x actress!reader

genre: acting world!au, enemies/exes to lovers ?? au | angst, fluff, fighting, mature

word count: 15k

status: 2/3 complete

author's note: SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT LOVES. even though its gonna be three parts lol i still want you to want more. i've been confused on my writing because tbh- i feel like i could do better and keep rushing with these storylines and end up regretting them AFTER they are posted lol. not edited- it really isn't.

"Let's cut the chit-chat and get some real answers, why did y'all breakup?"

"Andrew!"

"Three days have passed, she's fine now," he defended, shrugging as Florence shot him an irritated look by his prying behavior.

It has indeed been a few days since the terrible night that consisted in you meeting your favorite artist, crying beside her, running awkwardly away right after, having a screaming match with your ex, and then passing out in the car.

So, you couldn't deny it wasn't a memorable night.

The past three days could've been better to say the least if your management team stopped spamming you with text messages concerning the fight, maybe even ignoring the loads of pictures of your crying face.

Oh, the pictures. Not a fun sight to see.

Luckily for you, the pictures were only ones inside the party near Andrew- not Pedro. Unfortunately, though, your picture was turned into a 'crying in the club' meme.

You couldn't exactly be mad over it, you loved memes.

Thank the Lords the paparazzi were clueless and never ended up catching your argument with Pedro or you wouldn't know how to cover it up.

You could never get away with the typical 'friends fighting' after he shouted how much he loved you.

And bless the celebrities near you for minding their business.

To clear up your meltdown, you took it upon yourself to send out a quick tweet the next morning with a "i'm sorry i'm an emotional drunk. one second we're talking about 500 days of summer and then...well you already know how THAT ends."

In that moment you couldn't care less if people believed you or not, this was going to pass fast anyway.

Now here you were, sitting in front of your kitchen bar as Andrew and Florence decided to pay you a visit because they missed you- or so they say.

Realistically, they wanted to see if you were still a hot mess.

Which you weren't, obviously.

Shailene would have tagged along, but she was busy doing grown up things, such as working on her latest project Andrew claimed which was a slight bummer. She was the mediator, now who else was going to stop the arguments calmly between your two friends.

Florence disagreed, shaking her head. "You can't just ask her that, it's impolite."

Sighing, Andrew sent you an apologetic glance. "Okay, I am sorry." Not taking his eyes off you, you could feel his curiosity and eagerness from the other side of the kitchen. "But we're all thinking it."

Judging by how unresponsive Florence became, you could tell she wasn't going to fight him on this. And well, she was secretly on his side because your fight with Pedro was seriously excessive.

She just wanted to know what he could've done to make you so angry, it didn't make sense to her if he did cheat. He didn't seem like the type, but some people do the most surprising things- so she couldn't really tell.

"Do you want the last reason or all of them?"

Widening his eyes, Andrew shares a glance with Florence for a swift second before finding your eyes. "Last reason?"

"The last fight we had that led us to finalize our breakup."

"Finalize," he giggled, leaning on the marble counter. "This isn't a divorce process."

"For a person who is so concerned about my relationship crisis, you seem to be catch on to the most irrelevant stuff."

"So you admit you still want to be with him," Andrew declared, giving a smug look as you tried to process his words. "If you're still stressing over him, it means you don't want to let him go."

"I never said I was stressing over hi-"

"Did she or did she not just claim she was undergoing a crisis-," Andrew interrupted, slightly raising his voice. "-a relationship crisis, to be exact."

Florence sheepishly looked your way, capturing your stern expression before slowly nodding.

Your male friend clapped his hands loudly before bursting out a wider grin, happy someone had his back. "There we have it, if he's on your mind that much to turn into a crisis- you still love him!"

Furrowing your brows, you didn't know how to respond. It was true, you had many moments where Pedro agitated you even when you haven't been near him for quite some time.

But isn't being wound up over an ex part of healing?

Truth be told, you knew your feelings for Pedro hadn't completely disappeared, but love? You weren't even sure love existed by your past experiences.

"I do not love him," you hiss, vigorously snatching the water bottle on the counter and aggressively opening it. "How can love be real? It's baffling."

"Questioning the real question with a question," he sneers, making Florence and you become confused as ever. "You're so in love him."

Florence cuts in, squinting her face in puzzlement. "Wait- what's the real question she's supposedly questioning with a question?"

"Love!" he cheers happily before placing his hand on his palm, dreamingly gazing at you. "You have your doubts on what love may be, but without knowing it you're having them because you're questioning your love to Pedro since you're too scared to admit you still love him."

"I don't get it."

Rolling your eyes, you swiftly turn away and head towards your living room to lay on your couch. You were not in the mood to have someone else tell you what your feelings were when they weren't you. "I'm done with this conversation."

Hearing a low slapping noise, following an irritated hiss, you could make out Florence's displeased voice. "See what you did! Now she's not going to tell us."

"So much for moral support, you really are nosy," Andrew fought back, whispering loudly.

A minute or two went by since you couldn't make out what they were saying before rushed footsteps soon made their way near you as your friends awkwardly smiled, hoping they didn't upset you too much.

Because they really wanted to know the drama.

Pushing him roughly from behind, Florence sent you an innocent smile as Andrew landed near your side of the couch, trying his best to hold his composure and not turn back around and start another fight.

Placing a light hand on your shoulder, you blankly glance at it before meeting his attention. "We just wanted you to know we totally understand if you aren't comfortable...expressing your past-"

"Get your hand off me and let's get this over with so you two can leave already."

Florence quickly sat right beside Andrew, both not offended with your statement because they were fully aware of how annoying the were becoming.

Before you could say anything, Florence quickly spoke aloud. "Start from the beginning!" Andrew slowly looking back to her, he sent her a confused look. "So we aren't lost, of course."

Laughing lightly, you nod before adjusting yourself on your seat. It was going to be hard to remember all the details clearly because there really wasn't an exact time issues occurred, it kind of just naturally appeared here and there.

Now that you think of it, majority of the tiny disputes during the earlier days of your relationship were probably on the same level as when you two were splitting, but maybe the dense ones created towards the end really made it hard to continue.

"If I'm being totally honest, we never really had problems when we first started dating. He was really great," you begin, clutching onto a pillow you found right beside you. "And he would always make sure to watch me make it inside my house before leaving, that was when I knew he wasn't some fling."

Andrew smirked, nodding proudly. "Classic move."

Smiling at the thought, you focused your mind to uncover the ugly truths that slowly tore you two apart.

"But then one day, I wanna say a few weeks after our second anniversary, we just started...fighting?"

Tilting your head, you look down as sad memories began pouring through your mind completely. "It wasn't our usual small fights over who left the bathroom floor wet or dropping his ipad in the pool-"

"-you dropped his ipad in the pool?" Florence coughed, bewildered by your scandalous actions.

"He wanted to know if it was waterproof," you defended.

"Was it?"

"No," you nervously reply, avoiding their eyes. "But he had it backed up and I bought him a new one!"

"That was kind of a bitchy move," Andrew muttered, catching your pissed gaze. "But at least you made up for it!"

Maybe it wasn't that great of an idea to just throw it in, but he did say he was really curious and wanted to dump it under the sink.

"Anyway," you start back up again, making Andrew lowly sigh in relief. "Our fights were never that serious, or at least not until he started filming for that new tv series he joined."

Florence spoke up, lightly questioning "The Last of Us?"

Nodding, you shrugged. "I guess it's normal to say the time apart did cause a rift in our relationship, but it wasn't too bad. He always made sure to call and facetime at least once every two days."

"But one day when he was visiting during his week break he just...snapped?" you frowned, not even wanting to visualize the tiny argument.

You had to for your own good.

"He had been home for maybe two days before he suddenly became moody. Like- his attitude was insane, I have never seen him like this ever," you sigh, closing your eyes for a second before continuing. "He didn't want to go out to eat, didn't want me to make him food, and when I offered to have it delivered he slammed the bedroom door on my face and claimed he was going to bed."

"Woah, why would he do that?" Andrew asked, seriousness splattered all over his face.

You wish you knew.

"Not sure, I just thought maybe work was stressing him out so I wanted him to have his alone time to clear his mind."

"Did that work?"

Sitting up straighter, you send a sorrowful smile. "For the rest of that week-yes. He ended up apologizing to me when I tried going to bed and said his manager was being tough on him for some scenes they had done."

You remember the moment you walked inside your bedroom, disappointed that he was awake. Not wanting to cause more tension, you planned to sneak under the covers and deal with the incident in the morning.

But his arms slowly wrapping over your waist as you had your back facing him said otherwise. Pulling you closer, you remember the soft "please don't be mad at me" he whispered near your ear, making sure you felt his tight embrace as if to prove you were his.

That night ended with you turning your body over to face him, accepting his open arms as a way to answer his pleading way of forgiveness.

Like always.

"Once he went back to work, we still talked- but I could tell he wasn't fully engaged like he always was," you sulk, remembering the first time you caught him not listening. "It got to the point where I purposely stopped answering his calls."

Your friends quickly send you a shocked look, you continue before they could intercept. "I couldn't handle his lack of attention, I would rather have him panic from the rejected calls than just tell him why I was upset."

It wasn't your best move, but you were frustrated. It wasn't fair that he was the one who got to treat you poorly and you had to accept it.

You admit, maybe if you communicated with him about these issues you could've prevented many future arguments and even saved your relationship.

But you were human and sometimes humans act human.

"Then what happened?" Andrew asked, a curious appearance plastering his face. "You continued ignoring him?"

Laughing lightly, you shake your head. It was the plan, but plans don't always work out. "Actually, he secretly took a flight back home one weekend and confronted me."

Gasping, Florence jumped up in her seat and moved her leg under her. "No way!"

"Yes, way," you sheepishly reply, embarrassed at the memory. You can still picture the way Pedro stood in your shared bedroom as you stepped out of your bathroom, jumping at the sight of him.

Standing with his arms crossed with his bags thrown by the door, he was determined to figure out what was going on with you.

"I wouldn't say we engaged in a heated argument, but it was surprisingly really emotional."

Andrew leaned his body closer, too interested not to let his questions slide. "Were you guys never emotional? I feel like every couple experiences those moments together- it's what makes them stronger."

It should've made you two stronger, but instead it made you weaker without you realizing it.

"Pedro and I had our minor instances, but it never involved problems we were facing," you began, sighing slightly. "All I remember was finding him standing near the bed with no emotion- none. I couldn't read what he may have been feeling, he just looked so....empty?"

"Empty? That's not good." Florence commented.

"That could mean a lot of things, not necessarily anger," Andrew added, trying to make you feel better.

"I knew deep down he was mad, as he should be- I was the one ignoring him," you defended him, taking full responsibility over your childish actions. "But I could tell he was more hurt that mad."

"What did he say?"

"What's going on?" Pedro questioned, his eyes not daring to leave yours as you freeze- stopping your attempts at brushing your wet hair, extremely confused as to why he was here.

He wasn't supposed to visit for another month, or so he said.

"Pedro?" you squint your eyes, still not sure if he was really in front of you or maybe you were daydreaming. You were high off many shots of espressos, it's finally hitting you. "Is that you?"

Still staring plainly at you, he stays right where he was. In any other circumstances he would have run up and wrapped his arms tightly around you, but this night was different.

He looked disorientated, out of place. His eyes lacked intensity as his body followed, looking as stiff as ever. Even his breathing matched his energy, calm yet unsettled.

You left him confused and he did not like that. "Answer my question."

Batting your eyes faster, you realize what was going on and where he was. Gasping, you do the exact opposite of what he wanted. "What the hell are you doing here?! You're not supposed to be home- you could get fired a-"

Taking a hold of your arms, he stills you and ignores your rambling. "What-" he begins, moving his right hand to the back of your neck and forcing you to focus on him only. "-is going on?"

Freezing, you try to back your head away from his grip but he tightens his grasp, making sure to not be too rough so he doesn't actually hurt you- he would never do such a thing. "I don't understand-"

"You haven't been answering my calls, what else is there to understand?" He sternly recalls, not wanting you to bullshit your way out of this. "So you either have been ignoring me on purpose to be petty or this is your way of hinting you don't want to be with me anymore."

Shaking your head frantically, you try to talk but he cuts you off again. "-And don't say you've been busy. You and I both know I would have figured out if you had added projects to your schedule- your mom tells me everything."

If this were a good time, you would have laughed at his side comment regarding your mother, but it wasn't.

"Not everything," you spit out, causing him to squint his face and release his hands from you.

"Are you trying to tell me something? Are you not happy? Is that why you've been avoiding my calls?" he questions, tilting his head in bewilderment, not liking your attitude at the moment. "Because if you really don't want to be with me you should've told me sooner than leaving me feeling fucking clueless while I'm out in another country working."

"I'm not saying I don't want to be with you-"

"But you aren't denying it," he intercepts, firmly nodding in realization. "I get it, I'm just glad I know now and won't have to wait another month to finally understand how you're feeling."

Walking away from you, Pedro walks towards his bags and reaches down for them. You scoff at his disturbed demeanor. There is no way you should be the only one at fault here- you both made mistakes.

Pushing his backpack off his hands, he watches at it lands on the floor before instantly finding your eyes. "Are you seri-"

"Just because I'm avoiding your calls doesn't mean I want to end our relationship" you shriek, glaring at him as his eyes soften at your hidden truth.

Your angered expression and stiff posture hits him like a brick, there was something really bothering you and he was too oblivious to acknowledged it until you began overlooking him.

Taking a deep breath, you watch as your boyfriend intently examines you as if he's trying to read your impractical mind. Sometimes, he wished you would speak up when something was bothering you, in fact- he has told you many times in the past to do so.

But the idea of patiently waiting until it erupts is what he's sure you've normalized in fear of desertion. Or maybe refusal of reality- the two of you weren't perfect.

"What's going on?" He calmly questions again, dropping any signs of fury and replaces it with worry and concern. Reaching out to you, he softly clasps your shoulder before moving in a few inches. "Am I making you upset?"

Slapping his hand away, you cross your arms over your chest in agitation. "I'm mad at you!"

Blinking a few times, he couldn't believe how fast you spilled and chaotic your energy was. He's never seen you act this hysterical and to be honest, he was really debating asking if you were on your period or not. "Why?"

Pursing your lips together, you release your arms and let them fall on your sides. "You know why!" With that, you turn your back to him and make your way back to your bathroom to hide.

At this point, you felt it was acceptable to act unbearable- he left you feeling insignificant and you weren't going to hold it in anymore.

If you stayed there any longer you knew you would break down into tears. Showing your vulnerable side this early into an argument was too easy, you have to show how bold you were in order to get your point across.

Or anger across.

But it was really hard to hold a grudge, he was just so- loving, despite your recent incidents. Deep down, he did care about you and wanted to validate your feelings- or as best he could.

Grabbing anything you could find near your sink, you begin opening some moisturizer and splatter it around your hands to keep you busy. You could feel Pedro come inside your shared bathroom but you don't dare to peep his way.

"Honey- please," you heard him release a soft sigh as he stood behind you, watching through your huge mirror in front of the two of you. He could make out your distressed appearance and you were absolutely not fine. "You can't just steer clear from this, we need to talk about it-"

Slamming the poor jar on the counter, you swiftly twist your body to his front and feel all the rage taking control. "But did you want to talk all those times I called you?! No, you didn't give one fuck about me or Leia!"

"You named your dog after Princess Leia? That's smart," Andrew butted in, grinning. "You know, since he's in the Mandalorian and Star W-"

"We get it."

Maybe it was wrong to bring your beloved corgi into such a serious topic, but she was abandoned by her father too.

"I did talk to you! I made sure to call you whenever I had time an-"

"I'm glad I made it into your schedule- but maybe if you considered adding some compassion and empathy it wouldn't feel like I'm just another business call you hate!"

Panting, you send daggers his way as his eyes widen. Did you just say he doesn't care about your calls? Impossible- he loves your calls, it makes his days better.

"You aren't a business call and you know that. Honey, please understand- hey!" He cuts himself off once you finally had enough of his poor attempts to defend himself, trying to flee but he ends up being quicker on his feet and yanking you back to his arms.

But once you were wrapped around him, even though it was for pure captivity and not warmth, you instantly broke down. He didn't know you were in tears until he felt his shirt become damp and still then he just thought you were trying to spit on him out of anger.

Hearing your tiny whimpers, he immediately glanced down and lifted you up to catch a clear view of your face, despite your protests and blockings. "Baby, I-I didn't mean to make you cry-"

"You don't mean a lot of things," you spit out, swatting his hands that dared to reach your face. You weren't in the mood to make up, all you wanted to do was sleep your troubles away, especially with the draining work day you had.

Continuing your pulling, Pedro began becoming annoyed with your strong protests against his affection. Isn't this what you wanted? "Why won't you let me hold you? I want to console you, can't I be your boyfriend for the night and tomorrow you can continue hating me?"

"You see my tears and now you want to hold me but admit we'll still be out of place tomorrow? That's acceptable for you?" you laugh ruthlessly, allowing space to be brought in front of you. "Do you hear yourself?"

Groaning, he rubs his face hard before speaking his mind, trying not to sound too furious and scare you. "What do you want me to do? I admit, I did lack some energy-"

"Some?" you snort to yourself, your face still wet.

"Don't interrupt me," he declared, shaking his head at how rude you were becoming. "I wasn't the best partner, okay?! There, I admit it, but you don't understand how it is working constantly and not being able to see family and friends and-"

"It's like you don't even know me at all," you ignorantly chuckle over his nonsense and walk towards your bed.

What a way to dismiss your feelings.

"That's not what I meant," he sighs, following after and stopping you from opening your covers and hiding underneath them. "It's just hard being away from everyone I love, I'm in a different country. It's not like I can drive an hour away and suddenly see them!"

"I can't do that either!"

"Can't you just please, please, please- consider that my mindset is not good right now," he declares, his eyes filling with sadness as his arms slowly find your waist. Taking a deep breath, you watch as he looked up at the ceiling before biting his lip. "I know I am not being the best partner right now- or for the past few months, but I am trying."

As soon as uncertainty flushed your face, his hands tightened as his expression deepened into an emotion you never seen him explore before- dejection.

"I can't promise you I'm suddenly going to wake up and give you 110% every interaction we have," he began, his voice lowering as he tried to keep his emotions in check. "But I confess- I am being a little shit and I am willing to work on that. Just please- please don't push me away. Try to understand my situation."

He wasn't wrong, his life switched around once he accepted the role of Joel Miller and you should've known from the start he would face some difficulties. Maybe you were being too self-centered and invalidated his feeling too, not just him.

Sometimes he wasn't good with words when expressing himself and made you feel as if you weren't as popular as him, but you knew it was never his intention to hurt you like that. He had a heart and loved to use it.

Fighting over work should never be a reason to be miserable especially when it's how you both get your income.

"I-I understand," you lightly speak up, watching as his eyes light up by the sound of your now calm voice filling his ears. "I just want you to know that it didn't make me feel good-"

"Of course it wouldn't make you feel good, I was being horrible," Pedro intercepted, pulling you into a tight hug and landing his face in your neck. "And if I wasn't thousands of miles away I would totally spoil you with kisses and chocolates as my sorry."

"Chocolates are still in favor," you joke and feel him softly swat your bottom in disapproval.

Pulling away, he leans his face closer to yours and plants a sweet kiss upon your lips before backing up an inch and whispering softly, "I love you, you know that right?"

Smiling, you slowly nod and surprise him with a deeper kiss before answering him back with a familiar, "I love you, too."

"You better," he smirks, pulling his body on top of yours, hearing your light squeaks once your back hit the mattress and his lips snuck their way into the crook of your neck.

"Did you end up getting chocolates?" Andrew immediately questioned once you finished your long recollection of memories.

"That's not important," Florence rolled her eyes.

"I mean he did promise her it."

Chuckling at his curiosity, it amused you how focused he was about some candy. "Yes, he did- for like a month and then I got over them."

"Understandable," Andrew replied, looking down at his lap.

Florence jumped over him, making herself sit closer to you as he winced at her sudden movements. "Then what happened?! I mean, there had to be more right?"

"My god woman, I hope you're not working for TMZ," Andrew joked.

She shushed him before leaning closer to you, signaling you to continue on with your memories. "After that fight, things became pretty normal again. We would call each other with far more energy than before and he would even fly back home often to keep our communication strong."

"And how long did that last?"

Frowning, you took a small breath. "Like three months- then we started fighting more."

"Over?"

Rubbing your face, you groaned. "He went back to lacking energy! But that's not even the worst part."

"Please don't tell me he cheated," Andrew begged, covering his eyes with his hands while pulling a sorrow look. "I would never be able to look at him the same."

"I don't know if he did cheat- but I did find out two months before we ended things that he stayed the night at his exes."

Loudly gasping, the company you had began freaking out with their jaws dropping- literally. Florence angrily furrowed her brows, "you've got to be kidding? How is that allowed in a relationship?- It's not!"

Crossing your legs, you shrug as a way to answer her. You really did wonder what was going through his head when he did that. Sadly, you couldn't believe a word he said after you found out what he did.

Maybe that's why you were fine with ending things- because the trust was slowly disappearing.

"Not to mention he would always be with her and ditch plans with me," you form a tight smile, trying not to make things awkward but it was too late.

Who could possible hear this and not feel embarrassed for you? Classic move on his part to follow the 'being friends with my ex is okay' stereotype, but it only left you feeling unwanted and flawed.

Were you not good enough to be in his arms all those times he ditched you for her? And why couldn't he tell you what was really going on- unless he was truly hiding something unspeakable.

"Spill the beans."

Hearing a door slam, you jump up in a daze. You could feel sleep still linger on your body as you crank your neck to the side, capturing the bright '12:47 pm' located on top of your nightstand.

Slowly yanking your body up, you don't stretch as you hurry out of your room to the living room in search of the mysterious person who was either your missing boyfriend or an intruder.

Catching sight of his bright yellow t-shirt as he opens the refrigerator, you could feel your body boil up. "Where have you been? You snuck out last night without even telling me- do you even understand how worried I was?!"

Watching as he gradually turns his head to face yours, Pedro closes the fridge before leaning against the kitchen counter- completely relaxed despite your current state.

"I was out with friends," he declared, grinning to try and take pressure off from you- it didn't work. "I'm sorry, I will tell you next time. I didn't mean to worry you, my love."

Placing your hands on your hips, it pains you that you secretly don't believe a word he's saying. Normally, if this were the case, he would text you if you were sleeping or call you in the morning to inform you with what he'd done.

He did neither one.

Maybe you should test him? Ask him questions and see if he'll freeze up?

"And who were you with?"

He smiled, grabbing a cup from the pantry while easily answering, "Diego and Oscar- we had a couple of drinks and Oscar thought it would be best I stay the night."

Nodding swiftly, you examine him to see if there were any signs of him lying- there weren't. Fuck, you forgot he was an actor. It's literally his job to control his emotions! "And why didn't you call or at least send a simple text?"

After hearing your words, Pedro sends you a small smile before gently placing his cup down. Walking up to you, he opens his arms. "Baby, is that why you're so upset? Because I didn't call?"

Before you could answer, he engulfs you in his arms before swaying you both around. Feeling vibrations as he let out light giggles, you instantly dropped any suspicions you may have had because he had to tell the truth- he would never lie to you.

It's surreal how easily you could throw any convictions out the window when he touched you. It's like he jogged your memory.

"Well, why didn't you at least text?"

Removing his head from your neck, he squeezes you waist and sends you an amused smirk . "Because I was insanely drunk and if I would've used my phone it probably would have resulted in me leaving you hundreds of drunk voicemails confessing my love for you."

"And that's bad?"

He chuckled, shaking his head before pinching your side. "No, but it sure as hell is annoying."

Standing up straighter, you cautiously nod at his answer and watch as he lovingly smiled down at you. "Okay, I believe you."

"Did you really believe him?" Andrew asked.

"I call bullshit," Florence confidently declares, strong on her view that Pedro was not an honest person.

"Let me finish the story!"

Loud footsteps could be heard near your hallway as you stood behind the oven, trying your best to not burn these damn chocolate chip cookies.

Such a basic recipe yet so complex- it was truly aggravating.

"Y/n? Where are you?!" you heard you assistant squeal from a distance.

Trying to properly put your mitten on, you murmur a small "kitchen" before preparing yourself to open the oven. The amount of times you burned yourself thinking it was cool enough not to wear protection-

Point is- always wear protection.

Opening the oven door, you pull the tray of freshly baked cookies towards you as the footsteps became clearly audible. Right when the cookies were in your grip and being lifted, you heard your assistant yelp-

"Pedro was caught leaving his ex's house two days ago."

Throwing yourself up into a standing position, you forget about the tray of cookies until you feel the burning sensation upon your left arm. You accidentally pulled the tray too close to you. "Ow!"

Instantly panicking, your assistant rushes to your side in support and grabs a towel to fill with ice. Pressing downwards on the wound, you wince at the pressure that was building.

"What the hell are you talking about?" you still question, extremely curious to uncover what this situation was.

His ex? That's absurd, he hasn't dated anyone in years when you first met. It's definitely not like he was in contact with them when you made it official, he was always firm when it came with communicating with past relationships.

That was a big no-no, especially when one of your ex's tried reaching out after your last movie dropped. Pedro made it very clear how unhappy he was when he made an appearance at your premiere- your boyfriend not daring to leave your side and even blocking your view whenever your ex had the chance to gawk you up close.

At the time, people thought Pedro only attended because he was close with the director and has always been friendly with other actors. Little did they know he was being extra friendly with you behind the curtains.

"Someone snapped photos of him outside of her door! It looks like he just woke up, too." Grabbing the phone from her hands, you pull it closer to your face and watch what the screen uncovered.

There he was, your boyfriend of two-years smiling brightly as he steps outside her door in the clothes he wore the night before. The same ones he manipulated you with about being with Diego and Oscar that night.

Not just that, but peering on the side of the door was indeed his tall, beautiful ex who definitely aged like fine wine. Hell, she was gorgeous and everybody knew that.

And the fact that they broke up due to their long distance, at the time, did not help this situation. Now that they lived a few cities away, what now? Were you just a doormat he could walk all over and eventually throw away whenever he wanted something new?

Placing a gentle hand on your shoulder, you refuse to take your eyes off the screen as your assistant begins speaking. "Did you know he slept over?" Glancing up, she takes your downcast face as an answer and swiftly pulls you in a tight hug. "Oh no, I'm so sorry."

You were sorry for yourself, too. How could he lie right to your face so easily knowing he was doing it- intentionally. And the most fucked up part was he probably knew you would believe him- just like all the other times you did.

"I saw that picture!" Andrew exclaimed, bewildered at his recollection. "I thought the paparazzi caught him lacking after a hook-up- damn, I wish I would've known you were together sooner."

"Same, I would have unfollowed him," Florence added. "And nobody would've known it was because of you- since you two never been public."

Forcing a smile, you give her a tiny nudge on the arm. "Gee, thanks for being so considerate."

"Continue!"

"Open the god damn door, y/n. You are being overdramatic- it was one night! Nothing happened!" Pedro yelled, pulling the car handle harshly as you searched through your bag that sat on your passenger seat- looking to see if you had everything you needed before your flee.

Let's just say, things were pretty...eventful once you discovered his scheme.

For starters, after bawling your eyes out on your poor assistant's shoulder, she made her departure in order to clean up the spare bedroom she offered you to take if you weren't comfortable staying at your own place.

You accepted.

Once she was out the door, you fled to your bedroom and grabbed any suitcase close by and began stuffing it to the brim, not caring how disorganized it was professing as you reached for more clothes.

You were almost done packing your second bag full of makeup and bathroom necessities when you heard your front door open. Jumping up, you felt your eyes widen once you heard your name being chanted on by your boyfriend. "Y/n?!"

"Fuck," you whispered to yourself, drastically glancing around your now messy bathroom to make changes to your plan- only take things you really need.

Seconds pass and you find yourself zipping your bag and rushing out the door, that was until your body roughly collided with another- causing you to drop your belongings and land on the floor. Groaning, you hesitantly rise, immediately finding your boyfriend's body nearing yours as he pleads to help you off the ground.

"Baby, I'm sorry! I didn't see you coming out," he apologizes, using his fingertips to clasp your forearms to level you. "Look, I need to tell y-"

"Get off of me," you grit, forcibly slapping his palms off you, causing him to cease and stare stunned. He has never seen you once be this aggressive. Sure, you would reject his embrace whenever you two fought here and there, but slap? Not ever.

Brushing roughly past him, you gripped your larger suitcase by its handles and made a beam to the closest exit. You couldn't be around him, not when thoughts of him being unfaithful constantly drowned your head.

A strong tug of your makeup bag made you halt your movements, not by choice, as Pedro made sure to tighten his grip to prevent you from leaving. Glancing down at his now white, clenched hands, you glare. "Let go."

Shaking his head, he stared you down- irritated that you would just pack up and leave so quickly without even hearing his side of the story. Yes, he should have told you what really happened that night- but he knew how you'd react.

It was better to keep it sealed until he was ready to unveil- or so he thought.

"You let go," he hissed, raising one of his hands and smacking yours with it. You hate how much stronger he still was while only using one hand while you had two- fuck his strength and your poor muscles.

Groaning, you dig your feet onto the ground harder as you continue your tug-a-war charade with your selfish boyfriend who didn't seem to believe space was an understandable coping mechanism after he shattered your small heart.

"Fine," you yelp, shoulders falling slightly as he eases his grip- still holding on though. "We both let go on 3."

Tilting his head, he suddenly grew suspicious by your random middle ground. He knew you well enough to know you don't give up that easily, especially when he's fully sure, by your bolting efforts, you saw the picture. "How do I know you won't just run off after?"

"You're faster and stronger than me, you'll catch me eventually."

Internally agreeing, he knew you had a point. Even if you did escape, your little legs weren't going to get you far- he knows from all the times he tackled you down after you countlessly would steal his food.

"1," you begin, eyeing him to see if he would follow.

"2," he stared at you back, cautiously watching your every step.

Taking a deep breath, you count again. "3!" With that, you release your grip from your bag and watch as he still clutches on to the strap. "What the hell- we agreed on 3 we'd both let go!"

Nervously chuckling, he placed the bag on the ground and sheepishly smiled at you. He was glad to see you finally calming down. "Sorry, I didn't think you would actually do it."

Sending him an annoyed glance, he scratches the back of his neck for assuming you wouldn't follow your word. "Trust me, I always tell the truth."

Wincing at your cold tone, he frowns by your hard demeanor. "About that- I was going to tell you-"

Softly placing a hand over your head, you release a sound of discomfort and miss the way his eyes wander in curiosity.

"Can we talk about this after I take my supplements? I am not feeling too good," you cut him off, slowly touching your forehead as you watch his concern grow. "I forgot to take them this morning."

"You know you get bad migraines when you don't take them," he declared, sighing as he raised his hand and began softly rubbing your temple in ease.

He believed you were being serene because you weren't livid and allowed him to stop you from leaving- how wrong he was.

"I know but I had a crammed morning-"

"This is why we need to hire someone to walk Leia, we don't have enough time majority of the week!" he exhales, making you stare at the floor for the point taken. But there was no way you'd hire someone to walk your dog, that's ridiculous and a waste of money. "We'll talk after, let me grab them- stay here."

Sadly nodding, you allow him to flee towards your bathroom in search for your medicine. Peering you head a few inches to the side, you wait till the coast is clear before slowly, but firmly, grabbing your once lost bag and dashing out of your bedroom.

"I almost forgot about Leia," you muttered to yourself, instantly feeling bad at the thought of how quick you were to forget your baby. How terrible of a mother were you.

And what even was more mind blowing was how Pedro didn't catch your innocent acting. Truthfully, he must be trying to be extra helpful so you would believe him. Too late.

Finding your white corgi near the kitchen, you whistle lowly for her to follow as you peddled your way to your garage. "C'mon doggie, if daddy notices our escape plan he won't let us leave that easil-"

"Y/n?!"

Jaw dropping, you shoot a glance of panic to your dog, who only blankly stares back, before rushing to your parked car. "Just like Batman and Robin- now jump in," you hushed, opening the back seat so you could not only throw your bags back there- but also your tiny-legged corgi who struggles at first, but eventually makes it in.

Once you jumped into your seat and turned on the car, you catch a breathless Pedro rushing out through the door to your side. "Fuck."

"You tricked me!"

"You slept with another woman, asshole!" you yell back, glaring as he rolled his eyes- outraged by how unreasonable you were becoming. All he wanted to do was sit you down and have a normal conversation about this, but instead you kept running away.

Once again, he thinks you need to work on your communication skills.

"You used your failing health to your advantage- how sick are you?" he yelped, offended.

"They were gummy supplements!"

Touching your car door, he sternly peers at you as you quickly lock your doors in case he tried opening it. "I did not sleep with another woman," he started, inhaling strongly before releasing it. "Why would I do that when I am in a committed relationship? Huh? Do you think I am capable of cheating?"

Shrugging innocently, you pull a sarcastic face. "Not sure, I do know you're capable of lying- maybe infidelity is the cherry on top?"

Mouth gapping, he sends you a look of hurt and for a second you feel terrible by your choice of words. In your heart, you wanted to take it back- but your head thought otherwise.

"I would never be unfaithful to you- that's not who I am," he firmly states, feeling like absolute shit that you would even accuse him of being with another woman when you were all he thought about every single second of the day.

Dryly chuckling, you nod along to his words. He feels his heart ache, as if hundreds of knives jabbed through the delicate muscle by your painful mien. Did you really think that lowly of him?

"That's who you are to me now."

Once those words flew out of your mouth and he was able to process it clearly, he paused. Whole body turning stiff and cold, he scolded you profoundly before fiercefully charging towards your car door and pounding for entrance.

It was like a nerve was touched and he was not willing to be forgiving anymore. You struck him hard and he knew you meant it out of pure anger- not genuinely, but his awareness soon became replaced with treachery and he so badly wanted you to pay for your foul words.

"Open the god damn door, y/n. You are being overdramatic- it was one night! Nothing happened!" Pedro yelled, pulling the car handle harshly as you searched through your bag that sat on your passenger seat- looking to see if you had everything you needed before fleeing.

Mentally checking off your items before departure, you inhale sharply before lowering down your car's mirror and pressing your garage remote- allowing the door to gradually rise and Pedro to panic.

Cursing in his head, he couldn't let you drive away or else he might never see you for days and he couldn't bear the thought of you moping around in agony without at least hearing from him- the man in the picture- what actually happened that night.

Pressing on the lever and angling down to reverse, you nervously press on the gas and allow your car to drift back as your poor dog watched through the backseat his dad embarrassingly urging you to not go.

You prayed the neighbors couldn't hear a thing, if the cops came you're sure you would never go out in public for at least six months.

Realizing that it was now or never, you see from the corner of your eye a figure running towards the back of your car before a loud thump was heard.

Shakily, pressing on the brakes and putting your car on park, you jump out in horror by the sight of legs near your back tires.

You hit him.

"Shit!" you gasped, involuntarily sprinting- as if your body just knew how to react- and dropping down to your boyfriend's lifeless body-

"You ran him over?!" Andrew and Florence shrieked, interrupting your storytelling, causing you to glare and shush them.

"Shut the fuck up- it's getting to the interesting part!"

Hugging his body tightly, you could feel your face began to fall down and your body slowly begin to tremble. In a matter of seconds, you just knew your garage wasn't going to be a pretty sight to see.

Hitching your breath, you run your hands to your boyfriend's chest and shake him softly in hopes he would open his eyes- he didn't. With tears flushing down your face, you sniff as you grip onto him harder. "Please w-wake up," you begin, trying your best to keep your touch on him but you were a jittering mess. Not being able to stay still, you press your ear over his chest to see his he still had a pulse.

Sighing in relief, he did.

Squeezing his face, you frown as his expressionless face stills. Realizing he might have passed out over a concussion, your lips begin to tremble as you finally breakdown in tears and cradle him.

Leaning over from his side, you bend your body and embrace his head into your neck. "I am such a-a fucking idiot," you squeak, your eyes shutting as you don't have the power to keep them open. "I-I love you- I should've just stayed and t-talked-!"

Cutting yourself off, you ironically feel like the lifeless one despite your literal unconscious boyfriend being in your arms at the moment. Bitch, you really had the nerve. Swiftly kissing his cheek, you plunge yourself into his neck and cushion him with your body- being as fragile as ever when handling him.

Quivering in misery, you keep a strong grip onto him before you felt pressure along your side. "It's been minutes and you still haven't called 911? I could've been dead by now."

Screaming, you instantly drop the figure once on top of you and force your thighs to back up, causing you to sit perplexed on the concrete floor.

Glancing back up, you find your boyfriend brightly grinning your way, using his arms to hold his upper portion up as you looked back in confusion. Didn't you hit him?

"I was my own stunt double for some scenes," he speaks up, smiling to himself proud as you continued staying still, confused as to what had just happened. "As long as you have the right mentality- you can take a pounding."

Registering where he was going with this, you scoff and quickly allow your feet to hit the ground. Following after you, Pedro jumps at your unpleased sight and watches as you cooly open your back door to let your dog jump out before marching towards the door to your house.

"Wait? Are you mad at me for that, too?" He calls out, tilting his head in question and proceeds to get his answer by the slamming of the door behind you. "Never mind."

Angrily storming through your hallway, you accidentally run into the wooden desk placed against the wall. "Ugh!" you scream, turning around and giving it one hard kick before making your way towards your destination- the kitchen.

"What did the desk ever do to you?" Pedro mumbled to himself, stopping right by it once you were out of sight and fixing it back up against the wall, making sure the books settled on top were nested properly before going after you.

"So that's why one of the legs is chipped? I noticed that-"

"Shut up, Andrew."

"Sorry, go on."

Finding you near the blacked marbled kitchen bar, Pedro ceased his movements. To be honest, he was nervous to confront you. Not only did you find out he slept at his ex girlfriend's house, but he made you believe he was dead.

This was not going to end well.

"How could you do this to me?" He hears you ask, you back being in his peripheral view as you leaned your body over the counter, hands gripping the ends roughly.

"Do what?" he idiotically responds back, mentally slapping himself for having the audacity to question something he surely knows.

Slowly turning around, capturing his soft yet worried eyes, he catches onto your tear ones and breaks down on the inside. "Tell me the truth." you gulp, averting your eyes to your feet as you sense him bobble his head. "Did you sleep with her?"

Choking on air, he frantically shakes his head in dismay, not believing you would actually think that despite the past half an hour of him comprehending that you might so. Maybe he just couldn't believe it would ever come out of your mouth- but this whole situation made him nauseous.

Steadily finding his balance, he inched towards your frail body as you kept your contact with the floor strong, not daring to move it even when the sight of his shoes play in your mind. "Honey," he lowly calls out, lifting his fingers to your chin and hastily bringing your vision to his own. "No- I did not sleep or engage in any sexual nor romantic activity with her."

"Then why did you go to her house and not tell me?!" you cried, nudging his hand off your face, him immediately aiming towards your waist to still have you near. "Why would you do this to me? Why would you sleep over when you know how I would feel?"

"I can't tell you," he confesses, whispering softly. Feeling your face fall, you erupt into tears again as you lift up your palms to hide behind them.

Hiccuping, your hands twitch as they support your weight and force you to fall on top of the counter and continue watering your tears there. Everything was unfair and he couldn't seem to realize how bad your fights have progressed throughout the months.

"If you really care about me," you whimper, still behind your hands as he rubs circles on your waist. "You would consider my feelings and understand why I should know what you did with her."

Sighing, he releases you waist and rubs his forehead in frustration. Pedro wasn't the type to hide things in relationships. In fact, he was amazing when it came to expressing feelings and being honest while you were the same- but you typically took longer to reveal your troubles than he did.

But no matter how loyal he was to you, it wasn't his place to share someone else's business no matter who the association may be.

"I know, baby. I know- believe me," he whispers, pulling you in for a hug and lifting you off the counter as your sobs were felt among his chest. It broke his heart. "But I can't betray her, she needed me and trusted me to see her. I can't just deceive her."

"But you can do that to me?" you reply, catching him off guard as he shuts his eyes tightly by how accurate you were being. "It's okay, I understand."

"No," he shakes his head, groaning before staring you down. "You don't understand, hell- I don't understand this either. But what I need you to know is I did not kiss, flirt, wink, tease, or touch her in any sexual way. We did not have sex - there was no removing of any clothing-"

"Then why did you sleepover?!"

"She needed me," he simply replies, causing you to laugh ridiculy.

"I needed you and you left me," you spit out harshly, not believing how he could defend himself and think you would ever fine with it.

Grunting, he runs his hand over his hair before pouring all of his stress onto you. "What do you want me to do? I told you what happened- she needed me, I helped her, it took longer than expected so I fell asleep on the couch- do you want to touch my knotted back for proof? Because you can!"

"Why am I the one being yelled at?" you respond, watching his face fall in disappointment.

Staying in your position for a minute or two, you continued examining him as he did the same, not knowing where this was headed. That was until he motioned with his hand for you to move closer.

"Come here."

Furrowing your brows, you pause at his words. Did he think hugging was going to solve all of your problems- because it wasn't. "No-"

Feeling his arms glide up along your upper body and finally wrapping around your shoulders, he pressed you up against his chest into the warmest bear hug you might have engaged in.

It was...peaceful.

Sighing, he felt your body soften by the touch. Relaxing, you closed your eyes as he made it his mission to not ease up on his grip. "I didn't do anything with her," he whispers, laying his face comfortably on your shoulder. "I promise, I love you."

Sadly, his confession made you break down more as tears flooded your face and your body fell upon his grip. Easily wrapping his palms on the back of your head, he cradled you tightly and never left your sight once the rest of that day and week.

And that's how that fight ended- with you trusting his sweet nothings and letting him take over your body with his hugs and kisses because he somehow made you believe him.

Every single time.

You wish you could have moved on from that topic that night as you allowed him to show you how much he loved you, but unfortunately that wasn't an option.

Especially when paparazzi exploited more pictures with him and his ex the following weeks later.

"And what about your last fight? You know- the one that ended things," Andrew started, making you halt. "What happened then?"

Quickly standing up, you brushed your sweatpants down before sending him a tight smile. Now that you talked about sad memories you hadn't really thought of in months, you knew the mention of your last fight would only break you.

You weren't ready to undergoing the same pain you felt that night.

"I didn't know these talks about my past would take a toll on me, but they have. I don't want to talk about it, but I appreciate the two of you checking up on me- I really do, but I think its time for me to take a shower and maybe nap- it's been a tiring day."

Feeling your discomfort, Florence and Andrew exchanged a weary glance before looking back up to you, hesitantly nodding. Probably an intense memory, they were determined not to mention it again unless you came forward.

"Alright- but give us a call if you ever need a shoulder to cry on or just plain old company!" Florence smiled, wrapping her arms around you for a quick hug before pulling back. "We can even have a sleepover."

"Count me out on that one," Andrew joked, bending down to give you the same hug. "But for real, you can cry on my shoulder any time."

"Thanks," you giggle, soon following them towards your front door as they say goodbye to your dog before departing in their own cars.

What an emotional day it has been.

-

"Do I really have to go? It's no use- I already seen the film. I don't want to rewatch it," you whine as your manager hushes you.

Walking down the side of the theatre, you clutch onto the oversized, black leather jacket you were wearing as your manager and assistant walked on either side of you, directing to to the entrance of a random theatre in the city.

Since the Oscars, nothing has really changed. It's been about three weeks now and there wasn't chaos anymore- it seemed like news about that night had already faded.

Regularly, you did chat with Florence, Shailene, and Andrew on the phone- individually at times throughout your past weeks- but nothing too crazy.

You all had your busy schedules and your manager was still being as hardworking as ever trying to exploit more of you to the press and on the screen. Safe to say, every time she had news it would always be something impressive.

Except for today, when she proudly announced after barging into your house during breakfast that there was a new film premiere you had to attend.

It's not like you opposed the idea- but you watched the film when the production team invited you to their private screening. It would be useless watching it again.

But as persistent as ever, your manager claimed there would be great press and directors attending the public's premiere, following with "an Oscar-nominated actress like you must make themself remembered."

As dramatic as always- but at least she was highly active in your career.

She did everything to make you get noticed, especially when you were at your lowest point mentally after your breakup.

Now onto past relationships, you hadn't heard any news regarding Pedro since you last saw him. Not that you wanted to, but for some reason he was still on your mind. Due to the fact you did sit with your friends ranting about your shared troubles, that's likely the reason.

But all jokes aside, you seriously can't stop thinking about him.

However, you were too scared to admit this to anyone. You tried telling Florence, but every time you mentioned his name she would immediately disregard him, pissed by how he treated you.

Which you loved that she had your back, but you needed someone else to have his own- oddly.

Maybe it was your head deep in thoughts that revealed how you were feeling, but your assistant seemed to notice that you weren't okay- mentally.

After checking in and finding a small crowd, you accepted that maybe most of the audience were in their seats already despite the film starting in almost an hour. Nudging you once your manager left to find one of the producers, you glanced at her as she motioned you to move towards the wall.

"What's up?"

She made a face, practically laughing at your question before continuing on. "Why don't you tell me 'what's up?' The whole ride here you've been silent and I know it's not because you were tired- you slept all afternoon, what's really up?"

Chuckling, you roll her eyes at how nosy she was being- but you knew she only wanted to help you. After working together for years, it was a ritual both of you performed: don't let the other be sad.

Surprisingly, it worked every time. She would hide you from people who upset you while you let her have more vacation days whenever she felt the same.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're thinking about him, huh."

Eyes widening, you shake your head quickly as she laughs at your poor attempt of denying her idea. But she knew right from the moment you got lost in your head that he was the one to blame.

"Don't worry, I won't tell," she whispered loudly, causing you to shove her as she laughed louder.

"Shut up, someone might hear you," you hiss, watching as she tried holding her breath to stop herself from cackling again. She just looked like a fish in need of water.

"Don't think about him then," she teased. "If it's making you lost in your thoughts! Wait- why is he in your head? I thought you hated him?"

Coughing, you shake your head. "I don't hate him- I could never."

"Never?" she raises a brow in shock. "I think we're seeing some progress here. You're falling back in loveeeee with him."

"No way," you scoffed as she grinned heavily. "I'm just thinking about the Oscars since that was the last work-related event I've been to since today and you know- he was there so he ended up in my mind...for a little."

She slowly nods, teasing a smug as makes it pretty clear she did not believe one word you said. Your assistant has seen everything, so she is quite familiar with your thoughts regarding Pedro.

She knows when your happily, sadly, angrily, and crazily daydreaming about him. In this case, she's stuck between happily and crazily- not seeming to find any hints of fury and sorrow through your expressions.

But definitely warmth and frustration- all due to him not being able to leave your head.

"When are you just going to admit you still love him?" She blurts out, causing you to snap your heard towards her. "Everybody sees it, you obviously have a soft spot for him if you let him be near you."

"Near me? He's never near me," you laugh. "And I never show signs I want him back, I don't. I made it clear for months now after perfectly avoiding him at all costs."

"Yeah, but he's still on your mind- that must mean something," she declares, causing your small grin to fall into a tight line.

That must mean something.

Did it?

Shaking that thought away, you reject her idea. "It means he traumatized me."

"It means you're in denial and scared to be with him again," she replied, placing her hands on her hips. "Look, I just know you two are meant to be. Next time you see him, talk to him. Tell him how much you care for him- even if you don't want to admit it in a lovey-dovey way. It can be friendly!"

Giving her a strange look, she lowers her energy quickly before looking around the room, making sure no one saw how enthuastic she became.

"You get the point!" she rolls her eyes. "Just be nice, maybe the both of you can form a friendship or just drift apart knowing there's no hard feelings."

"But there is hard feelings," you declared, pointing out the obvious.

There is a reason why you two broke up, like there is also a reason why you despise him. It all comes down to history and actions, which you've both experienced- which is why, again, you broke up.

"Just..." she started, thinking about it for a second before sending you a sincere glance. "-give it a shot. If you don't hate him, like you said, it wouldn't be terrible to be civil."

Slowly nodding, you understand where she's coming from. This tension between Pedro and you was getting old, and the fact it was only you adding fuel to the non-existent fire since you've broken up is sad.

Especially when all he's been around you was sweet and considerate of your feelings, leaving you alone when he felt your energy- except for that one night, but you have to admit that was your fault for riling him up.

The roughness of heels came marching your way, forcing the both of you to instantly lift your head- finding your manager striking a fake breaming grin with two men beside her. She was trying too hard.

"Girls! This is Greg and Shawn- the writers of the film!" she exclaimed, fluttering her lashes rapidly as both men awkwardly raised a hand, waving it.

Releasing a tiny chuckle, you do the same as your assistant walks closer, sticking out her hand to fully gain their attention and introduce herself.

What can you say- she was a charmer.

Wrapping an arm around your shoulder, your manager slightly pulls you closer to the strangers and strangely bobbles her head- preparing whatever gibberish was about to spit out of her talkative mouth.

"Y/n- the boys thought it would be a great idea to sit in the vip selection among other A-listers- isn't that just lovely? We are very grateful for your offer-"

Boys? Oh god- now she was bonding for her hopeful chances of getting a call for an audition.

Compelling a sweet smile, you feel the only possible response you could give them was a meaningless 'thank you so much' after she literally put you on blast to communicate more. The funniest part about this situation was- you already watched the film!

Clearly you never met these writers- but instead the director himself! Your manager should be satisfied enough with that.

"Would you look at the time,-" Greg- you believe, softly gasps while raising his arm to examine the tiny apple watch planted. "Guests are probably filling up in their seats by now, terribly sorry- but we should probably go."

"I hadn't realized how close we were to showtime- we certainly must continue off our conversation after the film is over!" Shawn proclaims, making your manager nod far too quickly. "I look forward to meeting again."

With that, the two men inclined their motions of farewells before taking off down a dimmed hall, likely finding the exact destination set to premiere their comedic film.

Sighing, you send daggers to your managers who barely blinks before coughing out a swift, "What?"

"You really couldn't wait till after the film was over to sweet talk them?"

Dramatically rolling her eyes at your annoyance, she waves you off by your sudden introversion. It was her job to throw her best compliments about you too them, and she knew you were still too young to understand that everything she did was for a cost.

You.

"C'mon grumpy, let's locate the theatre before you start whining that your feet hurt, too."

Feeling your mouth slightly drop from her remark, you hear your assistant cackle right beside you, using her right palm to hold in her giggles while you mentally prepared for what comeback to throw her way.

You got nothing.

Huffing, your legs followed hers as she guided the two of you towards the same hall the men approached minutes before. The closer you've walked, the larger the capacity gathered around.

For such a low-budget film, it sure did gain quite the crowd.

As the rolling of the ending credits flooded the screen once you sat the last two and a half hours trying to act as if you didn't know what was coming next, you wish you had it in you to say the second time made up for the first- but it didn't.

There we have it, tonight was just not your night and endlessly enough- you couldn't blame it on some silly excuse of watching the same film over again.

Not even your assistant's sneaky offerings of her red licorice lifted your blues- and that speaks enough volume to say the least.

"That wasn't so bad, now was it?" the whole-heartedly voice of your manager's voice filled your ears as the three of you sat in the same lobby as before, still not finding a way to escape a cold room.

Oh how you abominated the sharp hits of the air conditioning- it frankly made coming to the theaters a horror unless layers of clothing and a blanket was tagged along.

"Why can't we leave? The film is done and people are walking out."

"We still have to talk to Shawn and Greg!" your manager declared, presenting a look of pure determination to get her way with their levels of skill.

Groaning, you throw your head in absolute exhaustion. Fairly, if your manager hadn't had made such an early visit during the morning hours you're sure you would've been in a better mood.

It was like the more you interacted, the less energy you had to give.

In order to survive the next few hours, you needed your phone or who knows how your fake laughters will sound.

And you call yourself an actress.

Sliding your hand to the back of your pockets, you wait for the feel of your large iphone to surface- but that moment never comes. Swiftly, you check your leather jacket ones just in case you slipped it there without realizing.

You didn't.

Anxiously glancing towards your assistant, your trembling hands find her arm. "Have you seen my phone? It's not on me."

Examining your hands before meeting your eyes, she shrugs it off. "Relax, no need to have a nervous breakdown- I'm sure you left it in the car with your bag-"

"No, I had it on me during the previews."

"We did go to the bathroom, too- why not just go check those two places?" she suggests. Concerned filled you, hoping nobody was capable of actually stealing your phone- it would be such a hassle getting another one. "I'll check the bathroom, you check our seats."

Agreeing, the two of you sneakily escape your manager when her back was turned, unpleasantly speed walking down the familiar hall before parting ways to your needed locations.

Opening the thick, black doors and striding up the long runway, your eyes are met with the same darkened seating area you were in less than twenty minutes ago.

Then and there, you use this desertion in power- running towards the middle rows consider 'vip' and begin your inspection. Fuck, you wish your had some form of light to help- you couldn't see shit.

Sliding your fingers among the seat, you lift up the cushions in hopes it mysteriously pops up, but all you find is pieces of popcorn and gum glued down.

Gross.

Feeling your eyes begin to water, you were sure you were seconds away from crying like a little kid over the loss of your beloved possession before you heard a deep voice call out for your attention.

"Is this yours? I heard it ringing when I came back in and- uh," the person froze, not having the ability to finish off their sentence as you gradually lifted your body off the floor into their view.

Hopelessly praying the stranger was regarding your phone, your eyes search for their hands first and there it was- your phone!

The corners of your mouth lift up, as well as the creases around your eyes as you internally cheer for your discovery. However, it faltered once you noticed a familiar tattoo laying on one of their palms. Moving your eyes up, you're sure your smile completely disappears once you recognize those brown eyes.

How did you not catch onto his voice from down there?

"Uh- yeah- that's mine," you nervously reply, choking on your words that probably made you sound like you were about to lose consciousness by how strung you were, and hesitantly reach out for the device.

Pedro quietly lets you grab it, not saying one word as your hands collide for a split second before the object was back in your own. You didn't miss the name that appeared on the lit up screen when touched- your assistant must have tried calling you to see if the phone would ring in the bathroom.

Smart.

Avoiding awkward farewells, Pedro swiftly turns around and makes his way down the theatre stairs, not daring to continue on with the barely existing conversation you shared. He's leaving, that fast?

Thinking about all your past interactions, he would always try to chat with you- even when you did give him the coldest shoulder of all time- because that's who he was: kind.

But now he's...walking away?

"Hey- uhm," you begin, following clumsily after him, almost tripping on one of the steps as he reaches his final steps and doubtfully turns your way. Once you stood another step ahead of him, you feel that swirling feeling in your stomach again.

You were nervous- you've never felt this way around him during your breakup- never.

Adjusting your arms inside your jacket, a small smile is extracted out of you as you watch his stay flat. He did not look interested one bit and it frightened you to death. "Thanks for finding my phone- I-I was really scared there for a minute."

Not reacting to your little laugh at the end, he replied- dull. "I didn't know it was yours, I would have given it to guest services if so."

Ouch, you're sure you're hurt expression was recognizable on the outside as much as it pained you on the inside. He really did not want to talk to you, even when you're showing your appreciation.

He really was over you.

"I know," you squeak out, not missing the way his eyes tiredly scanned your own as his body stood there stiff as ever. "I just wanted to thank you, that's all- you saved me a lot of trouble."

Coldly laughing from that, he nods. "I'm sure I have."

Your body tingled with rage as he carelessly ignored your warmth and threw jabs in return. "What's with the attitude? I'm doing nothing wrong here- I'm trying to be friendly."

Inching up, his face presents a sullen one and you immediately feel intimated by the height he owned and used as his advantage. Just the first few seconds before he spoke alone made you feel his displeasure. "And what about all those times I was friendly? I received shit so forgive me for allowing you to experience the same treatment you give others."

Loss for words, you were speechless and didn't know what to say back. For one, you were alarmed by his hard demeanor he gifted to you. Second, humiliation soared throughout as he called out your imperfections.

In other words, he wanted you to know you were a bitch.

"And I take that back but-"

Pedro was about to burst out laughing in front of your face, but he held himself together in sake of your feelings. Can you believe that, despite the misery he still cared for your state of mind. "Taking back isn't apologizing."

Sneering, you cross your arms as his eyebrows furrowed in irritation. "Apologize for what? You were the one who fucked my life over."

Scoffing, he shakes his head in vexation by your lack of empathy- as always. "Countless of times we would contemplate our faults and how we could move on and now you're discounting your wrongdoings- typical."

Pedro did not want to have another unpleasant argument with you, especially in a public setting again, and decided it was best to just walk away. If he kept his mouth shut, he wouldn't make this altercation worse.

Meeting his broad back, you lightly gasp as he ignores you altogether and makes his leave far too early for your liking. Charging towards him, you feel his back solidify once your fingers yank him to a halt.

You were not done with this conversation, but you did know once you got home you were definitely going to regret how toxic you were radiating in the room.

"Typical? What do you mean by that?"

"Knock it off and let me walk away, y/n," Pedro warns, still facing his back towards you after blocking your attempts of moving him. "We both know how badly this will end."

You know, but for some reason you don't want him to leave. Was that so bad?

"No, I wanna hear exactly what you have to say about me- maybe it'll make me recognize the ignorant ego I have."

"You're talking out in anger, you're trying to cause a fire that I won't let you ignite," he simply replies, his eyes still not found by his hidden appearance.

Very poetic.

Scowling profoundly, you don't realize what you're doing until you're finally met with his provoked display after. Stalking around his body, you stand in front of him and jab a finger towards his chest. "You're preventing me from bettering myself, isn't that what you always wanted?"

Leaning down until his face with inches away from yours, you make out his hard features clearly now. His face expressed discomfort as his eyes creased while lifting- even his lips stayed hard as a rock. "I'm going to tell you one more time, let me go."

Ignoring his cold shoulder, he inhaled a sharp breath before taking matters into his own hands. You don't want to listen? Fine. But he wasn't going to let you drag him into this any further.

Right as you push another finger up against him, your wrist was taken and roughly pushed down by your side as Pedro's body practically belted against yours. "Get off me!"

"Not until you stop fucking around," he grunted, immediately widening his eyes in realization. He knows you don't like when he casually curses directly to you- even when he doesn't harm. "Sorry- I-I meant when you stop playing around."

Praying that a smile doesn't escape you, it made you feel some type of way capturing his manners and how even though you two were on rocky terms- he still had some respect for you.

"Why are we even fighting right now?" you sigh, slowly softening your muscles in forfeit.

"You tell me- it sounds like you want my attention," he casually replied, releasing your hands and stepping back an inch. "Considering you won't let me leave."

"I'm just trying to have a normal, polite conversation! Is that so wrong?"

Softly laughing, he shakes his head in disappointment. "You don't get it."

Scrunching your face, you become lost by his words. "Get what?"

Scanning the wall before meeting your eyes again, Pedro motions his hands between the two of you. "What do you think will come out of us having a conversation? Acquaintances? Maybe a friendship?"

Thinking about it for a second, you feel your head eventually nod as he squeezes his eyes shut in return. Was that not what he's been trying to do- end in good terms? "It's what's healthy for us."

"Us?!" Pedro groans, sending you a tired gaze that had you weak to the knees. "There is no 'us' anymore. You made that perfectly clear after causing a scene last month in front of your friends."

"I didn't plan on that happening a-"

"I'm even letting go the bigger scene you caused inside the after party- isn't that enough to understand why I feel this way?" he adds on, frustrated that you would think otherwise.

You were the one who caused the attention and brought a bad look on his name. He should be shouting at you like you would have done to him if the roles were reversed.

"I'm not saying we should get back together, all I want-"

"-is a friendship? Some sort of relation that won't make us strangers?" he interjects, causing you to stay silent. That was all he needed to understand what you really wanted: not to let him go. "Look, we had our history, but I don't think it's good we keep in contact anymore."

You swear you felt all air leave your body as your face felt cold. Was he breaking up with you- in life itself?

"I-uhm don't- I don't understand," you cough, scared to make a bigger fool out of yourself. You're sure you probably look like a ghost by how much color you've lost since his recent reveal and again- you were grateful this room was dim. "Why can't we at least be friends? Not even that- why can't we at least know we have each other in our lives? Why end up as strangers?"

"What do you mean? We hadn't talked to each other in almost a year till last month! We basically are strangers," he exclaimed, causing you to look down at your feet as your heart ached.

He wasn't wrong- you just hadn't realized he's been right. And to blame was you, not him. You pushed him away in the first place, he was only kind enough to oblige.

And it was surely pathetic how now you wanted him back in your life, even if it meant not even talking just to assure yourself he still had your back.

He didn't.

"Y/n..." he sadly muttered, trying his best not to hurt your feelings as you were still continued to stay downwards- not wanting to disclose more hurt. "You didn't even say happy birthday to me, how can you be considered a friend? Friends don't do that, not to me at least."

This caused you to glance back up to him, disagreeing immediately as to what he was trying to get at. Of course you knew it was his birthday, you celebrated two with him in the past! "I didn't want to make things weird-"

"You never do but still avoid me like the plague and breakdown whenever I'm too close to your liking. I'm sorry for trying to do what's best and leave us in the past,-" he explains, closing his eyes in discomfort, "-but I can't keep letting this go on. I'm too old to be going back and forth as if this is some high school relationship- it's not."

High school relationship- you never knew simple three words could have you shrinking in guilt.

"And I know things will be easier for you when the time comes- I won't be around to nag you," Pedro tries to lighten up the mood but you can't break the line upon your lips. You were emotionless and it made Pedro upset.

Why would he be upset? You finally deserved learning your lesson after treating him as if he was nothing to you. But despite all your flaws, he still cared for you.

He cares so much that he's willing to let you go so you can do better things in life- without him.

Trying to find the right words to say, you give up. There isn't much to discuss now that he wants nothing to do with you.

You fucked up- for real this time.

In fact, you shouldn't even be hurt- you wanted this. Or at least that's what you thought before last month when he wasn't on your mind 24/7.

Maybe it was the way he begged for your forgiveness after not seeing each other for so long that made you realize how badly you adored him nearby.

Maybe it was the attention he was giving you after you continuously rejected his pleads, furthering the argument until he stormed off in the end.

And maybe you should've took his concluding estrangement announcement seriously before he left you last month.

But just like they say, you never know what you have until it's gone.

"I see," you quietly respond, slowly nodding as a faint grin forms among Pedro's lips, appreciating your cooperation over this mess. "Maybe it is best if we stray away from each other- you can even delete my number."

"I already have," he accidentally blurts out, not realizing how bad that sounds until he hears it himself and cringes. Your sufferable reaction didn't make things better.

"You know what," you fake a laugh, trying to calm your voice as you feel it about to crack any second. The tears were heading your way- you just knew it. "Fuck you."

Pedro's face falls, taken back by your inappropriate language. "Excuse me?"

Noticing your rushed attitude, he wanted to stop you and tell you everything was alright. That everything was going to be easy and how the two of you would get passed this.

But he knew he'd be lying.

"You heard me, fuck you," you casually slip out, scoffing as his eyes darken. "For someone who's so kind to others, I would have thought you would know what words were right to say."

"You're one to talk, sweetheart," he chuckled, staring at you in repulse. "Every time you talk you always have to neglect someone else, I'm fucking glad I don't have to witness that ever again."

"Me too, my family was right- you are a joke who wasted my time."

With that, you make your leave to have the chance of having the last word. Maybe if you left this room faster he would forget about your comment. You knew it was harsh but you didn't know what else to say.

You wanted him to hurt- but to what extent?

Your arm was instantly tugged as Pedro pulled you back, not letting his grip go as his face was still filled with resentment. "And your team was right, you are a bitch."

Freezing, you stare at him in shock as his face doesn't fall once. What the hell is he talking about? "Get away from me or else-"

"Or else what? Weren't you the one physically blocking me from leaving minutes ago? What has changed?" he tries to smirk, manipulating you into believing how ruthless he could be when really he was dying to tell you the act he was pulling. "Cat got your tongue?"

Your face felt hot with rage as you yanked your arm off his hand, catching him by surprise as you glared at him. "I'm so glad I never took you back, you're fucking pathetic."

"And I'm insanely glad you didn’t, saved thousands returning that fucking ring."

Those twelve words made you halt and even made Pedro speechless. By the staggered look planted on his face, you could tell he didn't mean to say that.

Ring? As in, an engagement ring?

Weakly failing to stand straight, you felt your voice crack. "You were going to propose?"

Shaking his head, he swiftly backed away. "I need to go." Before you could stop him, he was already out of the theatre and probably near larger gatherings of people that would only prevent you from talking about this more.

Holding your face with your hands, you couldn't even cry. You didn't know what to do, you were utterly lost for words.

If he was really going to propose like he hinted at, what meaning did your last fight have? Nothing made sense and you don't know how you could move on from this now that he wanted you out of his life completely.

Hearing doors open, you instantly averted your gaze in hopes he had come back in and planned to properly finish what he started.

Instead, you manager came barging in while gripping onto your assistant's wrist harshly.

"Where the hell have you been?! I've been looking for you everywhere and to find out your stupid assistant-"

"Don't you dare disrespect her," you sternly cut her off, watching as her face falters by your sudden tone. "If you're here to pester us some more, feel free to walk home."

Laughing in shock, your manager tilts her head at your rudeness. "Excuse me? It wasn't my fault your assistant wondered off. After everything I have done to protect you and your career you feel the need to throw me out-"

"Did she hurt you?" you cut her off, focusing on your assistant who has gone quiet. You notice the redness on her small wrists before she slowly nods, looking down in fear your manager would try something else.

"You're fired," you simply state, pushing past your frantic ex- manager as you lightly guide your assistant out the door.

You ignore the rage your ex- manager unveils as you make it back to the lobby. Ignoring the waves random people sent your way in hopes of finding your destined car sooner so you could help your assistant with her injuries and be home already.

And in bed to think about what the fuck just happened tonight.

+

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[staysdelulus]

Stray Kids - Changbin [MDNI!!]

Kinktober Day 13!!

Summary: After your gym trainer shows you the ropes, it turns into something... more.

Warnings: fem!reader, pinv, no protection, oral (69), and more!!

Word Count: 1474

“Let me see it again,” Changbin says.

He was your personal trainer, you having shown up to his place roughly twenty minutes ago, going through the usual dynamic warm ups with him before getting to the main part of your arm workout. Having known him for a while, you had finally agreed to let him train you a month ago, and were already making good progress.

Sure, maybe your muscles weren’t fully developed the way you wanted them to be, but you were definitely getting there. Tugging on your ponytail again, you nod, eyes fixed determinedly on the dumbbells in front of you.

With a grunt, you lift them to your chest, his hands steadying your arms, your heart beating faster when his fingers graze your breasts.

“Breathe,” Changbin says calmly, prying your lower lip from the teeth it was caught on. Flushing, you quickly let go, pushing the dumbbells up and performing the bench press. With a nod of approval from Changbin, you set them down, him grinning. “Better. Let me show you.”

You stand up, straightening yourself as he sets aside a towel on another bench he had. Without another word, he picks up the dumbbells you had left, the weights light in his hands, before he speaks. “Use the bench. If it’s angled up a bit, it makes it easier to lift, and if it’s angled down more, you can guess what it’s like.”

“Right,” you say, nodding at his words as his muscles rippled under the tight shirt he was wearing.

He grins slightly, the garage light flickering for a second again as he settles himself down comfortably. “And now, we lift.”

You watch, fascinated, as he holds the dumbbells with ease, pushing them up in front of him, eyes trained on the ceiling, before he presses them back down towards his chest. Setting them down again, he stays where he is, smiling softly. “And, you know. I know you said you were scared, but the actual bar isn’t too bad. It’s roughly twenty kilos, or fourty-five pounds.”

You shuffle uncertainly, glancing at the bar that was hung up on the side. Following your gaze, he smiles again. “I promise. I can spot you too, you know? A light tap on the elbows and you’ll be able to push it up all the way. And if you ever need to drop it, there are safety bars for a reason. You’ll be safe.”

“I just…” you laugh awkwardly, glancing back at Changbin. “I don’t know. Maybe later?”

He nods, a note of understanding passing his eyes. “Yeah, of course. Do you want me to show you how to use it, though? Just so you know what it’s going to look like?”

You nod eagerly, following him to the bench as he settles down, stretching his arms. He lays down, gesturing for you to stand behind his head. “Spot for me, yeah? You won’t need to do anything, it’s just the bar I’m lifting, but just in case.”

“Okay,” you answer, watching him lay back as he wriggles around before putting his arms up. He grabs the bar, holding it steadily as he lifts it easily and presses down to his chest, before pushing back up. He does a few more reps before he puts the bar back up. “See? Easy. It’s only just over 2 more kilos, or 5 more pounds, then the weights you were lifting. You could do it.”

“I don’t know,” you say again, your eyes nervous. “I’m just…”

He smiles gently, his eyes softening. “Yeah, no, it’s fine. I understand. I was scared at first too. But whenever you’re ready, just let me know, yeah? I’ll spot you anyday.”

Nodding in agreement, you’re about to go back to bench pressing with the dumbbells when his voice stops you. “Wait.”

“Yeah?” you answer softly, eyes wide as you turn back to him.

“Let me show you how the safety bars work,” he says. “Watch.”

He grabs the bar, holding it up again for you before lowering it slightly. “And now, when you’re starting to feel like you can’t lift it up again, gently lower it down, and then…”

When the bar is inches away from the safety bar, he drops it, the bar falling onto the safety bars with a small clang. He grins cheekily up at you, looking proud of himself.

“And there you go.”

“That was… simple,” you say, eyes wide. He nods in agreement, grabbing your hand and tugging you closer.

“Changbin…” your breath hitches. He had a clear view of under your shirt at this angle now, and you knew it from the way his lips fell apart slightly. He clears his throat awkwardly, looking away for a moment.

“I… sorry, I wasn’t…” his voice trails off, but the sight of his pants tightening definitely betrayed him.

You chew your lower lip when you catch sight of it, eye widening. Groaning in embarrassment, Changbin covers his face, his neck red as he speaks. “I’m sorry, it’s not something I can control…”

“Maybe that could be our workout.” The words slip out of your mouth before you can even think, and Changbin’s eyes snap open at your words, an eyebrow raised. At the sight of your flushed face, he grins cockily.

And that is how you find yourself positioned over Changbin’s face, butt-naked, him exposed as well. Lowering yourself onto him slowly, he sighs, his breath fanning over you as he holds your hips, pulling you down to him right away.

Flushing, you fall forward, breasts over the bar, lips finding his arousal, whining at how thick he was. Groaning at the sensation, he mutters softly. “Come with me, Y/n. No coming over me before, yeah?”

You let out a muffled grunt of agreement, and he begins to eat you out, the sounds sickeningly hot as he laps at your entrance, chin reaching up to nudge your clit. Groaning at the sensation, his cock twitches slightly at the vibration, his hands reaching up to steady your hips, which had begun to subconsciously roll against the feel of him.

Using your hands to stroke his length, you pop off of him to catch a breath, legs buckling at his force before your head falls right back down to his cock, taking him in again as you whine.

He groans softly, his tongue lapping at you more roughly before he begins to thrust it in, your body clenching slightly at the feel, eliciting a small whine from you. As you begin to roll your hips, his hands guide you, moving you faster and faster over and over again.

As you begin to reach your high, he does as well, hips thrusting up into your mouth as you groan, whimpering softly as you take him in, gasping softly as his cum shoots right into the back of your throat.

At the feeling of him, you come as well, whimpering as you swallow, gagging slightly as you gasp. Changbin gently guides you to stand up, sitting up as well, lips glistened with your slick.

Before you can even process what has happened, he guides you to the bench, groaning softly as he pushes you down against it, hovering over you as he kisses you, the tastes of the both of you mixing together.

“Fuck, Y/n,” Changbin groans against your skin, letting out a soft groan.

“Changbin,” you gasp, managing to choke out his name as his cock thrusts into you. You were already ready to take him in, but his thickness was still a stretch, your hands flying up to his arms as you whimper, crying out.

“Yeah, just like that,” he gasps, watching with awe as you take him in, his lips parted as he groans softly. “You feel so- ugh- tight-”

You wail softly as he pushes himself into you faster and faster, his eyes falling onto your flushed face, the sight of you beneath him, the redness in your face making him lean closer to you, the bench angled up perfectly for hims to press his body against you as the both of you come.

Wailing his name, his cock twitches one final time before he lets you go, gasping.

“Let’s go clean up,” Changbin says softly, scooping you into his arms.

His face focuses on you, smiling softly as he gently pushes open the bathroom door, setting you down in the tub. After cleaning up the both of you, he dries you down, taking you to the bedroom and setting you down on his bed. Snuggling against him, you nuzzle your face against his chest.

Wrapping his arms around you fondly, he kisses the top of your head, holding you gently. “Sleep well, Y/n.”

Nodding sleepily, you close your eyes, his arms tightening around you once again before he, too, falls asleep.

[amournoir]

hello! how are you? I hope you're fine<3

can I ask #11a & #11b of fluff scenarios for Elijah Mikaelson?

thank you🫶🏻

Fluff Prompt | E.M {request}

℘ prompt — late night texts (11a) & phone calls (11b)

℘ warning — fluff

℘ pairing — elijah mikaelson x f!reader

℘ count — 0.9k

The moon cast a soft, silvery glow through my bedroom window as I settled into my pillows, clutching my phone. It had become a comforting ritual—a late-night text or call with him, the man who had captured my heart in a way that felt both surreal and entirely right.

My fingers danced across the screen as I typed out a simple message: Can't sleep?

I pressed send and held my breath, waiting for his reply. It didn't take long for his name to appear on my screen.

Elijah: Indeed. The night often finds me contemplating the mysteries of life.

I chuckled softly, imagining him in his distinguished attire, sat on his grand office chair in his study with his brows furrowed.

Me: Sounds deep. But don't let it keep you up too late.

A few moments passed, and I saw the three dots indicating he was typing.

Elijah: I promise, I'll try not to lose myself in the labyrinth of my thoughts tonight.

His reply came, accompanied by a playful emoji. My heart warmed at his words. Despite his centuries of existence, Elijah had a way of being both dignified and charmingly human.

As our conversation flowed, it felt like we were creating a world of our own, separate from the demands of the daylight hours. We discussed everything from literature to our favorite constellations, sharing pieces of ourselves that we might never have revealed otherwise.

Elijah: Tell me, my dear, have you ever considered that the stars might be the echoes of forgotten wishes?

His words painted a vivid image in my mind. I smiled, my heart fluttering.

Me: I've never thought of it that way, but now I can't help but imagine the night sky filled with whispered hopes.

The conversation continued, moving from dreams to laughter to the occasional playful tease. And as the night wore on, it was clear that neither of us wanted it to end. I started to feel my eyelids growing heavier with each passing minute so I thought I’d rest them for a moment. Before I was fully asleep, my phone loudly rang and jolted me awake. In a rush to pick it up, I accidentally pushed it and it fell but the ringing stopped. I figured it was probably one of my late alarms so I decided on looking for it in the morning, I couldn’t be bothered to search for it now in the dark.

Not seconds had passed when it rang again, the echo underneath my bed made it louder than before. With a frustrated groan and whine, I blindly searched the floor for it. My eyes were still shut all the while. Once I felt it, I pressed the answer button without a glance, clearly this wasn’t my first time.

“Hello? Y/N are you alright?” his voice dripped with worry.

“Eli? What’s wrong?” I asked instead.

“You didn’t respond to my texts nor did you answer your phone. I grew worried.”

I smiled in the dark to myself and calmly replied, “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”

“Oh.”

“Aren’t you tired yet?" I could feel the sleep heavy behind my eyelids.

“Not quite,” he replied. “I just find myself drawn to the sound of your voice. It's as if the night becomes a little less lonely.”

I hummed in approval at his words and let out a soft chuckle, I couldn't help but feel a rush of affection for the man on the other end of the line.

“I feel the same way," I confessed. "Talking to you makes everything feel a little brighter.”

We talked for a few more minutes, at times we’d pause and the quiet intimacy of our conversation soothed my soul. Eventually, I yawned, unable to suppress the exhaustion any longer. I propped my phone up against my nightstand lamp so he could fully see me and pressed the speaker button. With a few turns, I was now comfortable and ready for bed. I heard noise in the background from his side and soon the view changed from his study to his bedroom. He placed his phone down then seconds later retrieved it and it was clear that he had changed into his nightwear.

“Elijah, I think it's time for me to get some sleep,” I admitted, pulling the cool pillow closer to me.

“Of course, my dear,” He replied. “Rest well, and know that I'll be here, watching, until you fall asleep.”

I felt a sense of warmth and security in his words, and I knew that I could close my eyes with a peaceful heart. I was almost sure that all the peaceful sleep I had gotten in the recent months had been due to him. He had a way of making me feel protected and safe even if we were apart.

“Goodnight Eli,” I whispered softly into the phone, letting the darkness and Elijah’s digital presence lull me to sleep.

“Sweet dreams, my love,” He responded with a smile as he made himself comfortable against the bed’s headboard.

With a contented sigh, I set my phone aside, feeling grateful for the unique connection that bound us. As I drifted into sleep, I could almost hear his voice in my mind, like a soothing melody, promising to be there whenever the night grew too quiet. And so, with the moon as our witness, our late-night conversations and calls would continue to stitch together the tapestry of our love— one text, one call at a time.

🏷️ taglist:

⤷ @mrs-maximoff-kenner @thatfanficstuff @elijahmikaelsontrash @mxacegrey @thatfictionalwh0re @catmikaelson20 @loverswillowed @sweetwrathoflilith @panic-at-the-fiction @iiskittles16ii @original-siphon @hellotvshowtrash @onlyfreds @onlyfredslibrary @imgoingtofreakoutnow @slinthoex @i-love-nora @multiversediaries @decoffinated-vamps @hopester08 @aloneatpeace @hopes-wife @softcoremaybank @klaustopia @dreamingwithrafe @sweetestdesire @cottontears @cottonreads @buckyysdoll @spnandtvdudeservedbetter @impossibleheartflower @madetragic @spike-and-angels-gf

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[deeptrashwitch]

This just appeared since I was having my romantic moment hearing music xd I had to do it. It's more like little moments more than a proper snippet, but still, enjoy! :D

Quizas no fue coincidencia encontrarme contigo (Maybe it wasn't a coincidence to find you)

Private Vargas sighed silently as he waited into the formation, he was bored as hell, but he stayed right beside his friend Rudy. Soon the plane that transported the American soldiers landed, and the soldiers that came to train and be deployed there started to descend. His eyes locked by pure luck with one of the female soldiers, who stole his breath in a second as she raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly.

Tal vez esto lo hizo el destino (Maybe this was destiny's thing)

"Private Vargas, be sure to make Private Marchant keeps with the pace of everyone" a superior said to him, to which he nodded and saluted

"Yes sir!"

"...I guess I'll be under your instruction, huh?" she said with a animated and big smile once the superior walked away, then she saluted him "please, take care of me, Vargas. I hope we can work well together"

"Uh, y-yea, I hope so as well" he murmured, flustered by her smile

Quiero dormirme de nuevo en tu pecho (I wanna sleep over your chest again)

After some months they got into a relationship, and now they passed their free days together, sometimes just staying on bed together. Right now they were, instead, lying over the floor just passing the time with the city sounds outside. Alejandro was lying as some kind of weighted blanket over Alicia, who just played quietly with his hair, with his head over her chest.

"What do you wanna do today?" she asked calmly

"Nothing, let's just stay here for a while" he answered, looking at her with a smile "please, amor"

"Fine, fine, you charming idiot"

"You know you love me that way~"

Y después me despierten tus besos (And that your kisses wake me up)

She groaned and then giggled when she felt how Alejandro was peppering her face with soft kisses, soon she laughed and cover herself with the blanket as she heard his laugh. Just seconds later, she was caged in a huge hug, that make her laugh as well as she tried to liberate from the grip. Alejandro pulled a bit the blanket, discovering her head and starting to kiss her again.

"Stop it Alejo!" she murmured with a giggle

"Nuh-uh, this is the only way to wake you up" he said with a side smile

"Let me sleep!"

"No!"

"Then cuddle with me!"

"...Okay"

"Alejo!"

"What? It's a good offer"

[...] (some years later)

Te envío poemas de mi puño y letra (I send you poems in my own handwriting)

Alicia was smiling as she was sat over her cot overseas, a bit flustered and blushed, reading a letter that Alejandro sent her once he knew she would be on a long mission. It was filled of romantinc things and even a poem, that last part made her blush a lot, hiding a giggle with her own hand. She kept it inside the book she brought to that mission, feeling a little warm inside her chest, and soon she lied down and started at the ceiling with a lovesick smile.

"You charming idiot..."

Te envío canciones de 4 40 (I send you songs from 4 40)

While he was doing some paperwork inside his office, Alejandro had his earphones on and was hearing some songs that Alicia sent him lately. He hummed while we was writing, also smiling silently as he wondered what would have been Alicia's expression, maybe a smile or a relaxed face. And when he looked to his messages, he felt heat crippling over his face, she always wrote similar things as when she sent him the music.

"It remind me to you, wanna hear it?" he read as he saved the song on his playlist "I always will"

Te envío las fotos cenando en Marbella (I send you the pictures of us dinning in Marbella)

They compared the pictures they took during their recent dates during leave, always traveling around the world as tourists, and the last one was during a long leave. Both of them went to Spain and met there to start a tour, and ended up having dinner on a beautiful restaurant with looks to the beach. And they took a picture with the sunset behind them, all as they hugged and smiled.

"You looked handsome, cariño" Alicia teased with a side smile "even like a model"

"Don't make me start about you, amor" he answered, kissing her cheek "like a goddess"

Y cuando estuvimos por Venezuela (And when we went to Venezuela)

Another picture was them during an old trip, the first time they were together, to Caracas and now they just could laugh seeing all the differences between the past and how they are now. They were older, were more tired, but also stronger and mature, and that gave them a huge joy to be together again.

"Where's that hat, tho? I haven't see it in a long time" Alicia asked, pointing at the picture

"I...lost it" he admitted with a shy smile

"Just you, Alejo, just you"

Y así me recuerdes y tengas presente que mi corazón está colgando en tus manos (So that you remember and know that my heart is hanging on your hands)

Alejandro and Alicia were sat beside each other, just staring at the landscape in silence, with little smiles. The Colonel put his hand over the Captain's, who just scoffed and squeezed it while the little match bracelets, which they got not so long ago, made a tingling sound. For a second they stayed there without moving until the wind crashed against them and ruffled their hair, then they scoffed and laughed quietly when they looked at each other.

"Now you look like a little hedgehog" Alejandro joked with a side smile

"Oh, look who's talking, you also are a hedgehog" the woman said with a laugh "don't start mocking now, cariño"

"Me? I don't know what you mean~"

"Liar"

"No, I'm not! And you're also laughing at me!"

"...No~"

"Then what is this?"

Then he dragged her into a hug, starting to tickle her as she started to laugh loudly, trying to get away. Like that they continued for a couple of minutes, until Alejandro stopped and just stayed there, hugging Alicia from behind.

"I'm glad to have found you again" Alicia said with a little smile "but are you sure to be here with me?"

"Obviously, amor" he answered, kissing her forehead "it doesn't matter what happened in the past, I'll always be sure to stay by your side"

"Can I ask why?"

"Hmm, because I still see that you are the one I chose, and yes, even if you did something really bad...I'll stay"

"Alejo..."

"Yes?"

"Te amo" (I love you)

"Y yo a tí. Mi corazón es tuyo, querida" (I love you too. My heart is yours, sweetheart)

*overloads of sweetness* Welp, I doubt I'll do this again in a long time. It was worth it, tho *smiles*

[stranger-fanfiction-n-things]

CHAPTER 1: THE VANISHING OF WILL BYERS

This is an Original Character fanfiction. All Stranger Things characters and content are owned by Netflix and The Duffer Brothers.

a/n: This was my favourite part to write. I love Diana and Lucas scenes.

Word Count: 2917

Masterlist

PROLOGUE || PART I || PART II || PART III || PART IV

SINCLAIR RESIDENCE

Barb drops me home after school. I decide to study for Kaminsky’s test on my own. If I need help, I’ll call Barb. I open my front door, slipping my loafers off my feet. 

“Mom? Dad? I’m home!” I call out, closing the front door behind me. 

I take off my coat, hanging it on the coat hanger and pad down the foyer pass the sitting room towards the living room. Our home is open concept painted in muted colours of white and beige. On the light grey couch Erica is sitting watching television while playing with her dolls. 

“Hey monster,” I greet, kissing the top of her head. “Where’s mom and dad?” 

“They went to the supermarket; said they’ll be back in an hour.” She replies, looking at her dolls. “Aren’t you supposed to be at Nancy’s?” 

“Change of plans.” 

“Is it because of Will?” 

I frown shaking my head. “No, why would it be?

“I overheard mom talking to Miss Byers on the phone. Miss Byers says Will is missing.” 

I flinch, my heart plummeting to my stomach. I grip the back of the couch. “What?” I exclaim. “Didn’t the boys all leave Mike’s at the same time?”

Erica shrugs. “I don’t know.” 

“Where’s Lucas?” 

 “In his room.” 

I run up the stairs to his room finding the door closed. My heart flutters in my chest. A closed door is a bad sign. Lucas rarely kept his door closed. I gently knock.

“I said leave me alone, Erica!” Lucas snaps. 

 “It’s me,” I say, calmly. “Can I come in?” 

Lucas doesn’t respond.  A sudden stab of anxiety is in my gut and I rock back and forth on my feet. I understand Lucas not wanting to talk to Erica. She was eight and annoyed him to no end, but me? I can’t wait any longer and raise my hand to knock again when I hear the faintest ‘yes’ from the other side. I sigh in relief, scared of Lucas shutting me out and open the door. 

I poke my head in first, just to make sure I heard him properly. Lucas lay on his bed staring blankly up at the ceiling. He doesn’t flinch or twitch at my presence so I open the door wider, letting myself in before closing it shut behind me. Lucas kept a clean room. All of us did, not like we had much of a choice. Dad was serving in the Vietnam War when he met Mom and brought with him all his military training and customs when they decided to marry and raise a family together. I gradually extend my leg tendu devant, looking at the arch in my foot before relaxing it. 

For the first time ever, the room feels cold. Lucas still hasn’t moved from his bed or even acknowledged me and it worries me. I stroll to the bed, climbing on top and lie down beside him staring up at the ceiling. Even lying beside my little brother, I feel like I am miles away from him. I don’t know what to say. I never understood how Nancy and Mike could go hours without talking to each other in their house. It was like they lived separate lives. Not here. I want to be a part of Lucas and Erica’s lives. I want both of them to know they can talk to me about anything. I’ll always listen even if I don’t understand. 

I turn my head, gazing at Lucas. When I was three years old, I asked Santa for a little brother. Then Mom got pregnant with Lucas and I never stopped talking about it. I told anyone who would listen. Santa got me a little brother. When Mom and Dad brought Lucas home from the hospital, it was love at first sight. I knew from that moment on, I would do anything for him. Sometimes I think about Lucas and Erica growing up and get emotional. They were once so small and followed me everywhere. Now, they don’t care what I do. I miss the times when Mom would dress us three alike. It was ridiculous because I am four years older than Lucas and eight years older than Erica. I don’t know how Mom managed to get matching outfits in threes. I should ask her tonight at dinner. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Lucas asks. 

“Because I love you,” I reply without thinking. 

“You’re freaking me out.” 

I smile, turning my head back to the ceiling. The room feels warm again, but my smile fades. I have to ask the one question a person did not want to be asked when something was clearly wrong. 

“Are you okay?” 

Lucas doesn’t respond right away. I push down the panic bubbling in my chest and rely heavily on patience. A few minutes pass before he shrugs his shoulders. I try again. 

“Erica told me about Will. Do you want to talk about it?” 

No answer again. My stomach shrivels and panic rises in my chest. I push myself up to sit leaning back against a pillow and cross my legs. On instinct, I point my toes. 

“Can you please talk to me?” 

Lucas closes his eyes and I let out a deep sigh accepting defeat. I desperately want to know what he is thinking and feeling, but maybe now isn’t the time. I shuffle to the edge of the bed. 

“Will didn’t show up to school today.” 

My heart leaps in my chest and I look back at Lucas. His eyes are open again but he is still looking up at the ceiling. I lean back on the pillow, not daring to say another word. Lucas wants me to listen, not talk. 

“I thought he would show at for AV club at least. Mr. Clarke got the Heath Kit Ham Shack I’ve been telling you about,” he sits up leaning against the other pillow, tucking his knees close to his chest. “It’s so cool. Mr. Clarke says we can communicate with people as far as Australia.” He gushes with a faint smile. My heart warms at the joy in his dark brown eyes. “Me, Mike, and Dustin were using the Heath Kit, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Will and what he would think about it, y’know?” 

“Then Principal Coleman came and asked to speak to all of us. Chief Hopper was outside the classroom looking at us and I knew it had to be about Will. We follow Principal Coleman to his office and then Chief Hopper starts asking us a bunch of questions about Will, but we haven’t seen him since last night.” 

“Questions like what?” I ask. Lucas looks at me for the first time since entering his room. 

“Like, when was the last time we saw him? How does he get home? We were all trying to explain to Chief Hopper that Will takes Mirkwood to go home.” 

I tilt my head to the side inquisitively. 

“It’s where Cornwallis and Kerley meet.” Lucas explains. “We could’ve shown him but he told us to go home after school. He won’t even let us help him look for Will!”

“You are helping Chief Hopper find will, Lucas. If you boys didn’t tell him how Will gets home, he wouldn’t have known where to look.”

Lucas disagrees with my reasoning, wrinkling his nose and shaking his head. 

“No one in town even knows Will exists. Only we do.” Lucas spoke, expression full of disdain. “We know Will more than anyone here. It’s not fair for us to be stuck at home when he’s missing!” 

“I understand, but we don’t know what happened to Will. If he’s been kidnapped or if the person who took him is still out there. What if you go out there and something happens to you too?” 

“I have my wrist-rocket.” Lucas says matter-of-factly. 

My eyebrows go up at his response and I press my lips together to keep from laughing out loud. I know he isn’t kidding about the wrist-rocket and that’s what makes his answer so cute and endearing. I remember when Dad bought it for him and how against Mom was about it saying it was too dangerous for Lucas to have. Dad says the wrist-rocket is harmless, but I’ve seen Lucas practice with the sling-shot and it was far from harmless. 

“What’s so funny?” Lucas asks, squinting his eyes suspiciously. 

“Nothing is funny.” I reply, grinning as I slide down until my head touches the pillow. 

Lucas plops backwards onto the pillow with a ‘hmph’. I roll to my side facing him, knowing he was ignoring my stare again. Reaching out my hand, I poke his cheek with my finger. A faint smile appears on his pink lips and he rolls to his side, batting my hand away. I can see the sadness beneath his kind eyes and it makes my heart ache for him.  I know how much Will means to my brother and the boys. They were a unit. A family. I would be frustrated too if Nancy or Barbara went missing and I wasn’t allowed to help look for them. But I’m turning 16 and Lucas just turned 12. The risk of him endangering himself out there is far too great. 

Lucas shuffles closer, resting his forehead under my chin. On instinct, I wrap my arms around his back holding him close, drawing circles against his back. I close my eyes breathing in his scent. He smells of the outdoors and coconut oil. His shoulders relax beneath my fingers. Lucas would die if the boys knew he loves to cuddle. It’s something we did together often. On the couch, in our beds, on the floor. Sometimes Erica joins when she’s in the mood, but that was rare. We are quiet for a long moment enjoying each other’s company. 

“I think it’s best you stay inside and let Chief Hopper look for Will, okay?” I speak. “Wrist-rocket or not.” 

 Lucas sighs. “Okay.” 

 “We’re going to find Will. I promise.” 

Lucas doesn’t respond, instead he nuzzles against me. I peer over his shoulder at the window. I think about Jonathan and Miss Byers and can’t fathom to know how they must be feeling right now. Nothing ever happens in Hawkins. It’s a quiet suburban town outside the metropolis. People don’t go missing in Hawkins. Most of the town knew each other growing up or grew up together. It’s why Dad loves it here so much. Hawkins is safe. Peaceful. Unassuming. Everyone’s day starts and ends the same way every day. The disappearance of Will Byers frightens me for that reason. It doesn’t make sense for him to vanish on a route he took every day and if someone knew this and took Will…I shudder, pulling Lucas close. I can’t bear to think of someone doing that and hope Chief Hopper finds Will soon. 

Dinner was quiet tonight. No one brought up Will’s disappearance for the sake of Lucas, but it weighed down on all of us. Lucas went straight to his room closing the door behind him. 

“Give him space.” Dad said, looking down at Mom who looked like she was about to follow after him. 

That was over three hours ago. 

Heavy rain rattles the window and thunder booms and cracks in the sky. I rub my tired eyes reading through my cue cards. I made at least 50 cards to study from, each colour-coded according to chapter. I softly hum a sequence from the Swan Lake tape playing from my boom box and I glance at the clock at the corner of my night table. 10:13pm. I sit up in my bed twisting my body to the side to crack my back and slipped out of bed. 

Dad went to look for Will with the search party Chief Hopper gathered and came back about an hour ago. There was still no sign of him. I bend forward touching my hands to the floor and stretch out my hamstrings. Stretching calms me down. My anxiety is through the roof. The Nutcracker showcase, Kaminsky’s test, Will’s disappearance, and the emotional state of my brother, it all played out in a loop in my head. I lower to the floor and sit in a side straddle. While flexing my feet, I lie down on my stomach in a middle split and close my eyes. 

I breathe deeply, allowing my body to relax into the stretch. Despite everything being scrambled up in my brain, the one thought at the forefront is my brother. I feel for him. I feel with him. When we spoke in the afternoon, I saw the way his eyes lit up and how excited he was to see the Heath Kit Ham Shack. The way he immediately thought of Will…I open my eyes and sigh, swimming through the split until my feet are behind me. I know Dad said to give Lucas space and I honour his space, but that was three hours ago. I need to check on him. 

Mine and Erica’s rooms are across from Mom, Dad and Lucas’s rooms. I slowly open my door careful not to be loud. Mom and Dad are in their room watching the news in their room. I saunter across the hall to Lucas’s room and softly knock, waiting to be let in. Nothing. Maybe he’s sleeping. I turn the knob, carefully opening his door. The lights were off except for the bedside lamp. I frown at the lump under the covers. It’s too smooth. Lucas is a terrible sleeper; his bedsheet would’ve been halfway off his bed if he were really asleep. 

Unless.

No. He wouldn’t. Lucas is too smart to leave home at this night, especially in the middle of a storm. Checking to see if anyone was around, I tiptoe to his bed and peel off the covers. I freeze staring at the pillow posing as my brother. I want to scream. I want to call Mom and Dad. Instead, I count down from five in my head, willing my mind and body to relax and I pull the covers back over the pillow.   

This is so stupid, even for him. I am in the mudroom by the garage wearing a bright yellow raincoat, slipping on a pair of red rainboots. The moon shines bright, illuminating this side of the house. I stand up reaching for a long umbrella in the umbrella stand and a flashlight on the shelf. Lucas is just in the front yard, playing soccer. I lie to myself. I know I should get Mom and Dad, but with Will disappearing, I don’t want another unfortunate spectacle to happen in Hawkins. 

My senses heighten as I hear shuffling in the garage and I stand still in case my mind is playing tricks on me. The door to the mudroom opens and Lucas slowly enters, closing the door carefully behind him. Without thinking, I march towards him. 

“Lucas!” I whisper loudly. 

Lucas jumps in a startle and I cover his mouth before he has a chance to scream. Waking up the entire house is not part of my plan. Lucas’s eyes are wide and fearful. Upon realizing it’s only me, he sighs in relief. I remove my hand from his mouth pulling my hood off my head at the same time. I am so overcome with anger and relief; I don’t know whether to hug or hit him. 

“Were you outside this whole time?” I hiss, quietly. I don’t give him the chance to answer. “Where were you, Lucas? Please, please tell me you didn’t go out to look for Will on your own.” 

“I didn’t. I swear. I was with Dustin and Mike.” 

“Like that’s any better.” I retort. “You have got to be kidding me! Chief Hopper had a search party out looking for Will tonight, Lucas. dad went!” 

“We can’t just stay here and do nothing. We had to look for him ourselves. Will protected the Party from the Demogorgon, we had to at least try to find him.” 

I shake my head trying to make sense of what he just said. Demogorgon? I don’t know what he’s talking about. 

“What are you even saying right now? Do you know what time it is?” I don’t give him time to answer again. “You’re lucky it’s me and not mom and dad or worse Erica finding you.”

“I know.” 

I put my hands on his damp shoulders. “Don’t ever do that again.” 

“I won’t.” 

I sigh in relief, unbuttoning my raincoat. At least I don’t have to go outside in the rain. Lucas shrugs off his backpack and unzips his jacket, hanging it on the hanger. He then takes off his muddy running shoes, hiding them and picks up his backpack. By then, I am already in my pyjamas. 

“Diana?” Lucas says. I turn around. “Are you going to tell mom and dad?” he asks, eyes wary. 

 “No.” 

I know I should. But I won’t. Lucas is back in the house safe and sound. Mom and Dad don’t need to know what happened tonight. Lucas hugs me and I cringe, scrunching my nose. 

“Thank you. You’re the best.” 

“Ew, you’re cold and wet.” I grimace. “You need to take a shower before you get sick.” 

Lucas laughs quietly and I can’t help my smile. Eventually I hug him back kissing the top of his head. He’s safe and sound. That’s all that matters.

CHAPTER 2: THE WEIRDO ON MAPLE STREET

[fleet-admiral-hiba]

OUR LITTLE FOX

A/n: when you get grounded by mistake, how will the Harbingers react to the one who put the blame on you?

"WHY?" You shouted frustrated. It was ridiculous. Why were you getting grounded (again) for something you didn't do? You could understand the last two times, but this wasn't it. Pierro, as usual, wasn't having none of your tantrum.

"You took something you shouldn't have. That's why" he said calmly, but he was close to snapping. Something you would avoid at any cost, but not this time.

"But I didn't. I found it in my room. I swear" his eyes twitched, he didn't want to shout at you, but he was so close. You tried again to tell your side but his booming voice shut you up. His eyes became immediately cold and steely.

"Go to your room. You are hereby grounded for two months. Any privilege is revoked. If this is the only way to make you learn, then so be it" he turned his back and walked away.

You were escorted to your room and you started crying. Bitter and hurt tears. Why didn't he believe you, when all you said was the truth?

He was fuming on his way to his office, when he met Pulcinella. "Do you really believe he did it?" he said, more inquisitive than anything else. He believed your story, you were genuine when you said you didn't know where it came from.

"It was in his room, and no one else could have taken it without us knowing. The guards confirmed this" he finished. Pulcinella wasn't buying it, but let him go to cool off. It was no use talking to him like this.

Days passed and your sobbing didn't stop. Their heart broke,but until you learned your lesson there was nothing they could do.

Pulcinella though suspected foul play, especially when other artifacts went missing. It couldn't have been you, you were locked inside your room.

On a weekly meeting he told the others as much, and they realised that something deeper must have been going on. To say they were ashamed was saying nothing: if you truly didn't do it, they had just punished you harshly for no reason.

"Pierro, something isn't adding up. There have been reports of missing artifacts later found in y/n's room, while they were inside. I think they're trying to pin this on him" said Childe. Capitano backed up this report with his intel, and it was more than suspicious. "We need to find them. We may have broken that trust our baby had for us" warned Pulcinella. It probably was low anyway, but they had to try.

A month almost went by, and you still didn't leave your room. You were heartbroken,.you felt betrayed.

Meanwhile...

A group of cicin mages was running away. They had been found and the consequences were going to be rather dire.

But when you were being chased by Capitano and Childe, nothing was going to save you.

Catching them one by one, the duo brought them to the cathedral, where the others waited. Not a word was said. They were watching them intently. Pulcinella stepped forth, a disappointed look on his face. "I thought you were all trained better than this. Blaming your misconduct on a kid is shameless, even by our standards. You will be punished, by being sent to Dottore and Sandrone" he said while the group pleaded for mercy.

There was nothing worse than being a test subject for either one of them. Death was not an option, instead their prolonged suffering only a certainty.

He wasn't finished. He turned back to the others, facing specifically Pierro, " You on the other end, need to go and apologize to y/n first. You delivered the punishment and you need to set the record straight. We are not free of judgement either, because we fell into this conspiracy too. We WILL make amends. Am I clear?" suddenly, not even the first harbinger felt safe. Pulcinella, when he wanted to be, could be scarier than the Tsaritsa.

They nodded and immediately scattered.

Pierro bracing himself made his way to your room. He was nervous. He had just made one of the worst mistakes of his life.

Knocking softly, he waited for any kind of reply. None came. Instead he heard a soft pitpat coming towards the door. "Love..." he started but quickly you backed away. You weren't going to fall for tha trick again. "Y/n, can I please come in? I know I made the biggest mistake of my life and I'm ashamed of it. I want to apologize..." he didn't finish the sentence before the door opened a fraction.

He could see your eyes puffy and red, oh love, he didn't mean to do that to you. "I'm incredibly sorry love. I was mistaken and I hurt you. I understand if you don't want me to come in or talk to you, but I want to make amend" he continued softly, while kneeling down. You were unsure but you opened the door for him to enter.

He opened his arms, and you dived straight in. Sobbing hard and uncontrollably, you spewed apologies after apologies. He shushed you gently. It wasn't your fault, it was all on him.

"I'm so sorry love, I'm so so sorry" he said, hugging you tight. Tears started to flow down his face. So much pain, he could feel your pain like it was his own.

Time flowed by but neither of you broke the hug. He let you vent out your frustrations, your pain and hurt. When you felt ready to step back, he let you go, but stood there facing you. "I won't...forgive you immediately. But I love you all" you mumbled lowly. He simply chuckled, glad to see you talking to him.

"It's okay love. That's on me. If you want, you could come with me, take a stroll through the palace?" He proposed, hopeful. You pondered the decision, but ultimately shook your head. You were exhausted. "All right, sleep well love" he tucked you in, kissed your cheeks and left.

.

.

.

Even the others apologized the next day. They let them fool them enough to hurt you, and they should have seen this. You repeated what you told Pierro the day before, and they had the same reaction.

There was a long way to go, but they'd wait gladly if that meant seeing you smile and joke freely around them.

It had been a close call...those mages won't be missed.

And if the agents were even more scared of the Harbingers, nobody batted an eye for that. They had it coming the moment they messed with you.

Their baby shouldn't have to suffer.

[roseofdarknessblog]

Northern lights (Porco Galliard x Reader)

Word count: 7 050

Disclaimer: english is not my first language, I apologize in advance for any mistakes  

TW: mentions of blood, death, canon typical injuries 

Summary: How did Porco Galliard pass time while the other Warriors were away on Paradis? By falling in love, participating in occasional military missions, and almost dying for the country that never really valued his life and the sacrifices he made from a young age. If it wasn’t for Y/N, Porco Galliard would never live to inherit the Jaw Titan. Not after being left behind during a failed ambush of an enemy fort way up north from his hometown.

Northern lights

„Damn it! You should’ve told me sooner, that you’re hurt! What the hell am I supposed to do now?“ Porco hissed, brushing a few strands of hair from your face. His light hazel eyes were full of concern and gut-wrenching fear. He was looking at you as if you were dying right there in his arms.

Well... maybe you were.

Your perfectly white uniform was drenched in the blood of your opponents, but also your own. Two stray bullets found their way into your body – one hit your left thigh, and the other went through the left side of your waist. The second one hurt a hundred times more, but the one in your thigh was bleeding more aggressively. At least until Porco took the belt from his own uniform and fastened it around your thigh, just above the gunshot wound, wrapping it over tightly with his jacket.

„I’ll be fine, don’t worry,“ you assured him in a weak voice, while you tried to blink away the exhaustion from combat and blood loss. This never should have happened. It was supposed to be an easy mission. Not an actual assault on one of the other nation's military forts. „They’ll come back for us. A lot of soldiers got left behind... they have to come back.“

„But they may be too late,“ he murmured angrily, running his bloodied hand through his hair. It was usually close to perfect, every little hair knew its exact place. But now they were all tousled around, some of the longer strands even falling into his eyes. The right side of his head was covered in almost dried blood from the wound on his temple. A long red streak made its way down his neck and disappeared under the dirty and bloodied fabric of his uniform. But it seemed that he was fine otherwise. „I don’t know how to stop the bleeding.“

„You’re doing fine, just keep putting pressure on the wound.“

„You’re going to bleed out this way!“

„Porco...“ you said his name calmly, trying your best to smile at him. He was panicking, and so were you. It’s just that you didn’t have the energy to show it. „I’m fine... really.“

Even if for a couple of seconds, you needed to close your eyes. Rest them for a bit, maybe forget everything that was happening around you. Forget the trenches where you and a lot of badly wounded Eldian soldiers were hiding and waiting. The army had to step back from the attack, leaving a lot of its soldiers behind. But you believed that someone will come back. They had to.

You didn’t want to die like this.

Not so soon.

„We should get away from here. The enemy will think about searching the trenches for survivors. And what do you think they’ll do when they find us?“

You smiled again, reaching for his left arm. The tips of your fingers brushed over the yellow armband, which was so much prettier than your grey one. Yellow has always been your favorite color. And it suited Porco and his eyes perfectly. Even more, because he hated it so much, but didn’t want to give it up.

He was allowed to wear a red one after Marcel became the Jaw Titan, but since he himself didn’t make it as one of the inheritors, he simply kept his status as a Warrior candidate. And those always wore yellow armbands, separating themselves from other Eldian soldiers. The ones like you. Ordinary people, that gave their lives to the Marleyan military in the hopes of a slightly better future.

„And where do you want to go?“ you asked him, your finger outlining the white Eldian star.

„We can hide in the forest somewhere.“

„I can’t stand up,“ you reminded him.

He shrugged, leaning closer and kissing you on the forehead. „I’ll carry you.“

„My hero,“ you smiled again weakly, caressing his cheek with bloodied fingers. Your hands felt so cold. Just like the rest of your body. „But you can’t tend to me, cover up our trails in the snow, and watch out for the enemy all at once. Trying to run would get us killed.“

„Staying here is going to get you killed.“

„Porco...“

„STOP IT!“ you flinched a little when he yelled at you. Regret almost immediately made its way to his face, because the sudden movement made you grit your teeth in pain. This was the first time you’ve been shot. But never before did you imagine it being this painful. „Please, just... stop saying my name like you’re about to say goodbye to me. You’re not dying here, okay? We’re going back home and we’ll wait for my brother and the others together. You promised to never leave me, remember?“

You nodded, while the pain from your side was spreading through your entire abdomen and climbing up your chest. „I’m not leaving you, Porco.“ No, you weren’t leaving him. Not yet. „And I’m not dying here. I want to live, experience so many things... with you.“

Porco wasn’t a guy who would smile often. That even you couldn’t change. That’s why the shy little smile on his lips made your heart break into a million pieces. You had to be on the brink of death to see him let his guard down and stop pretending to be tough all the time.

„You should go fetch some help, we need to close the wound on my side first, so I don’t lose more blood.“ Stitching up different kinds of wounds wasn’t that hard. You learned to do that even before joining the military thanks to your aunt, who was a doctor back in the internment zone. „I can stitch it up myself, but you need to find me the supplies.“

„I can’t leave you here. What if...“

„You go, I’ll be fine. Just don’t take too long, okay?“

„But how...“

„GO!“ you hissed at him through gritted teeth again. Even breathing was becoming more and more painful.

Porco hesitated for a minute, but when you grabbed his chin and brought his face closer to yours for a short kiss, he snapped back to reality. His lips found yours once more before he pulled his hands away from your side. From that moment it was your responsibility to continuously push on the wound and slow down the bleeding. The good thing was, that the bullet stayed inside. Pulling it out in this situation could be fatal.

You watched Porco slowly and carefully make his way to the direction, where you last saw the two medics, that were always present amongst every soldier unit. Merely for situations like these. You had no idea if any of them was still alive, but in the end that didn’t matter. All you needed was their bag with the medical supplies.

You tried to stay calm and not look around too much. The closest surroundings were filled with the dead bodies of your comrades. They were shot or killed by many grenades the enemy had tossed into the trenches. It was a miracle, that you and Porco weren’t killed in their last attack.

The closest sign of life was a young Eldian soldier, whose name you didn’t know. He way laying a few feet away, his uniform soaked in blood from the three gunshot wounds on his chest. But he was still fighting for his life. Still painfully gasping for air while facing the sky above your head. The sun was slowly setting in the rich hues of yellow, orange, and pink that were peeking through the thick grey clouds. It was a beautiful contrast to the dirt and snow all around you.

The fort Marley decided to invade was far up north, a long distance from Liberio. There was much more snow than you’ve ever seen. But the cold air felt pleasant and you liked the tiny snowflakes almost continuously falling from the sky. They served you as a great distraction until Porco finally came back.

„I found one of the medics, he was busy helping the soldier around him. And the other one is dead. But I couldn’t find his bag anywhere, somebody must have already taken it.“ You nodded, trying not to panic while seeing the look on his face. You’ve never seen him this scared. Not because of you and not because of anything else. „But he gave me something you could use.“

„Great,“ you breathed, lifting your head up a little, to see better. „You’re gonna help me, okay?“

„Me? How?“

„I’ll tell you in a minute.“ You slowly pulled your hands away from your side and with Porco’s help undone your uniform jacket, and pulled up your shirt underneath. Your ribs were covered in many bruises, the area closest to the wound sticky with slowly drying blood. „Okay, did he give you anything for disinfecting the wound?“

„Yeah, some alcohol.“

„Great, that’s perfect.“ Cleaning the wound was the easiest part, even though the pain almost made you scream out at the top of your lungs. But Porco seemed far more traumatized by everything you were doing. Watching you inject the local anesthetic to ease the pain made him look away. „Stop flinching, the worst part is yet to come,“ you murmured, looking at the streaks of blood flowing down your side and stomach. „Help me sit up a bit better.“

He was careful, touching you like you were made of glass, but every little movement still caused you tremendous pain. And all you could do was breathe through it and bite into your bottom lip to avoid screaming again. Porco helped you lean against the frozen dirt wall of the trench and knelt beside you.

„Okay... okay...“ Catching your breath seemed impossible for a short while. But when you finally calmed down and started thinking rationally again, you realized your hands were shaking. It was probably from the cold. Or maybe the blood loss. Or exhaustion. Or all of them combined. „Now I need your help.“

Porco nodded, taking one deep steadying breath. „What do I do?“

„You’ll have to guide my hand, it’s shaking too much and I can’t see the wound really well.“

„That doesn’t sound like the best plan, so don’t get your hopes up.“

You smiled, pulling your hand away from your side again. Suturing was a skill that took a considerable amount of practice. You knew that. The practice you had was only enough for real emergency situations such as this one. The stitches didn’t need to look pretty. Later a real doctor will correct them either way.

„We can do it, just listen to me,“ you said, looking into his horror-filled face. It wasn’t the blood or the wound itself that scared him. It was the fact, that your life was in danger, and getting proper help was almost impossible. There was no guarantee, that the military was coming back for you. And the enemy could strike again at any given moment. „Don’t panic, it really isn’t that serious. We both have seen worse things.“

„We did, but this is pretty disgusting if you ask me. How do you even know these things?“

„My aunt taught me. And you should know something like this too, it’s a useful skill.“

„Whatever,“ Porco muttered, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. His body faltered a bit, but he used his other hand for support before losing his balance.

„Are you okay?“ you asked worriedly, reaching out to him. „Does your head hurt?“

He nodded, just a second before he turned around and threw up. His whole body was visibly shaking, while he tried to catch his breath again, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. „I don’t feel good, Y/N. What’s happening?“

„It’s probably a concussion, you hit your head pretty hard.“

„Yeah.“ He left his head bowed down for a short while, trying to blink away another wave of dizziness and growing nausea. „Whatever, I’m fine,“ he said with still-closed eyes, turning back to you just a second later. You could see the determination on his face. He knew there wasn’t anybody else to help you. It had to be him. „What am I supposed to do?“

You looked him over with a worried expression. He wasn’t okay, he didn’t even have the strength to pretend anymore. But there was no time to waste. If you wanted to live, you had to act fast.

„Grab my hand and guide it to one end of the wound,“ you said in the calmest voice possible. Everything was going to be fine. All you needed to do was calm down and concentrate. „Be gentle but vigorous, okay? We have to do this fast.“

„Yeah, okay... okay...“

Porco’s hand was suddenly trembling even more than yours, but somehow he managed to do exactly what you needed. He was talking in a hushed voice, navigating your every move verbally as well. Suturing the top part of the wound was the hardest since you couldn’t see in properly. But after some failed attempts and with Porco’s help, you somehow managed to close it off, stopping the bleeding almost completely. The stitches were far from perfect, little streaks of blood were seeping through in some places, but it did the job.

The local anesthetic helped you not feel a single thing. All you concentrated on, was your lover's cold fingers on your skin, gently holding your hand and helping you save your life. Working without proper equipment and not in a clean or quiet environment made everything much harder, than when you practiced at home. You wished your aunt could be there at that moment, to tell you what exactly to do, or just to assure you, that you’re doing good enough.

„Are you okay?“ you asked Porco when he helped you secure the bandage on your side. His hands were shaking even more visibly now.

„Yeah, fine. It’s just... disgusting and...“ It seemed unusually hard for him to form a proper easy sentence. That made you worry even more. Nothing should have happened to him. Not him. Everyone else could die, you wouldn’t care unless he was alive and well. „Do you have to suture the wound on your thigh as well?“

„I should, yeah. It’s not bleeding that much right now, but...“

You never had the chance to finish your sentence. Not, when you noticed shouts from enemy soldiers nearby, followed by the sounds of shooting and killing. You looked at Porco with sheer panic in your eyes. If they find you, it’s over. They’ll kill you both without mercy.

„Lay down!“ Porco ordered, helping you get onto the ground. „Try not to scream, please.“ He didn’t give you a chance to even fully understand his words when he turned you over – on your side and then on your stomach. Both wounds on your overall aching body protested with a massive explosion of pain, that almost made you cry out in agony. „Just close your eyes and don’t move under any circumstance, okay?“

„What about you?“ you asked, while the gruesome sounds of other Eldian soldiers being murdered were getting closed and louder.

„I’ll be right here,“ he assured you, looking around frantically.

Playing dead was seemingly the smartest thing to do. Even more, when Porco dragged one of the already deceased soldier’s body closer and carelessly threw it over you. As if that was the way both of you found your end.

„Don’t dare to make a sound!“ he hissed at you, just as he lay down close enough to reach your hand, while he flipped another dead soldier horizontally over his own body.

„I love you,“ was the last thing you whispered to him before you had to close your eyes to stop the tears from running down your cheeks. You could hardly catch your breath when the footsteps of the enemy got even closer.

You could feel Porco’s hand close to yours, but he didn’t dare to actually touch you. And you didn’t either. All you could was try to control your breathing and slow down your almost painfully pounding heart. Overwhelming waves of panic and fear kept coming and going, as the enemy finally made its way to the place you and Porco were laying.

You held your breath and bit into your tongue when one of them carelessly kicked your leg. Since it was already almost dark, the soldiers carried flashlights to make their search for survivors easier.

They were talking in some foreign language, so you couldn’t understand a thing, but their nasty laughs and the actual tone of their voice was enough. All the death they saw around pleased them. Well, why wouldn’t it? They did their duty and protected the fort Marley decided to attack. You didn’t even know the exact reason. Nobody cared to tell you, they all just expected to act on command and never ask questions.

Not even when your own life was at stake.

You didn’t dare to open your eyes for a long time after the last sounds of shooting got quiet. The freezing ground under you finally stopped shaking from the weight of soldiers walking around.

It felt like hours have passed until you finally found enough courage to slowly lift your eyelids and look around. One side of your brain waited for an armed soldier standing right above you, pointing his gun at your head and waiting for you to reveal your cover. But there was nobody there.

„Porco?“

„Stay down, don’t move. We should wait some more,“ he whispered, looking at you with tired eyes. His face looked even paler than before, especially in comparison with the dried blood. Or at least it appeared like that, you couldn’t see very well in the slowly thickening darkness around you. The only source of light was the moon, elegantly making its way across the dark sky above your head. „Are you in a lot of pain?“

„I’ll manage.“

The pain was coming and going, you didn't really feel it because of the adrenalin still vigorously floating around your whole body. The cold was starting to bother you more. You could barely feel your hands anymore, and your whole body was shivering more and more with every passing second.

„They’re coming back for us, right?“ you suddenly asked Porco without even thinking about the real meaning of your words. Did you mean the enemy? Or the Marleyans?

It took Porco only a short while, before he carefully reached for your hand, brushing his ice-cold fingers against your skin. „We’re not dying here.“

„We’re not dying here,“ you repeated after him, squeezing his hand a little harder.

Were you two the only ones left alive? From so many soldiers all around? It was possible. But even if not, you had only each other to lean on now. And you were determined to do everything possible, to keep Porco and yourself alive long enough, to return home. You had people back in Liberio waiting for your return. Family and friends.

And you both gave the other Warriors your words, that you’ll wait for their return from Paradis. Even if you only knew Pieck and Zeke, since the others left before you and Porco met, you couldn’t wait to meet his brother and the other three heroes sent amongst the island devils. Porco told you a lot about them all. Sometimes you felt like you knew them for many years, even if you never met them in person.

It felt like another eternity went by until Porco finally moved and climbed out from under the dead soldier. He was moving slowly and carefully, apparently quite dizzy. „Can you move?“ he asked worriedly, rolling the other soldier's body from yours. The sound you heard when it hit the ground made you sick. „What about your injuries? Are you in pain?“

„I’m fine.“ You weren’t fine, but there was no point in saying that out loud. There was nothing he could do to help you now. All there was to do, was wait for the Marleyans.

Or for death.

„How’s your head?“ you asked him, reaching out your hand and brushing your fingers alongside his cheek. Not seeing his face very clearly was for the best. This way you only had to imagine all the pain, fear, and exhaustion that was written all over it.

„It hurts a bit.“

„You should lay down. It’s not like we can do anything now.“

„I’m going to,“ he assured you, helping you sit up. The effects of the local anesthetic were long gone, your whole left side felt like it was on fire or as if somebody was repeatedly stabbing you. Your whole leg hurt as well, but it wasn’t as bad. „I just want to hold you. We need to stay warm. It’s a long time until morning.“

„That’s the only reason you want to hold me?“ you teased him, frowning a bit when Porco took the coat from one of the soldiers and tossed it around your shoulders. Just your own clothes weren’t going to be enough.

„Right now, that’s the main reason. But there are others as well.“ His tiny smirk made your heart swell up with hope. He was still trying to be the typical Porco Galliard you fell in love with more than a year ago. He was an idiot most of the time, but he was your idiot. You wouldn’t trade him for anything in the whole wide world. „I don’t think they’ll return until morning. If they return.“

„They will!“ you reassured him, taking the other coat he was giving you. Its entire back was covered in dried blood. But it was warm and that was the most important thing.

„Do you know any good stories? We shouldn’t fall asleep.“

„Not really, but I can make up a one or two.“

„I remember some old fairytales my mom used to read to me and Marcel when we were little.“ You smiled softly, while Porco took two other coats for himself, finally settling down next to you.

He leaned his back against the trench wall, half sitting and half laying down to ease his dizziness. With painful tears you moved closer, pressing your body up against his. With one coat undernet you and the other covering you like a blanket, you rested your head on Porco’s chest, arms tightly wrapped around his body.

„Do you think they would notice if we lit a tiny fire? Just to warm our hands or...“

„We can’t risk that,“ Porco answered before you were able to finish the sentence, wrapping his arms around you. He was really careful not to hurt you in any way, even on accident. „Somebody may still be lurking around.“

„We shouldn’t talk then.“

„We shouldn’t, but we’ll go crazy if we stay quiet until the morning.“

He was right. When all you could hear was the eerie quiet, all the death and destruction seemed even closer. It was like Death itself looking over your shoulder, waiting for the right moment to slice its scythe through your body.

„So... tell me one of those fairytales,“ you suggested, hiding your face in the crook of his neck. When your lips made contact with his icy skin, even more intense shivers ran down your back. „I’d like one with a happy ending.“

„They all have a happy ending. That’s all kids are supposed to know... happiness and peace.“

You smiled a little, closing your eyes for a short while. Porco stayed quiet for a second, maybe thinking about something, while his hand was running up and down your back, trying to warm you up a bit and keep you calm. What made you open your eyes again, was a feeling of tiny snowflaked landing on your face.

„I’ve never seen this much snow. Nature is really pretty up here,“ you said, wiping them away from your cheeks. „All those pine forests, the mountains around us, and the snow itself... I’d like to live in a place like this one day.“

„Does living in this nasty cold really sound that exciting to you?“

„Yeah, it’s peaceful.“

Keeping your eyes open was getting harder and harder. Even more, after Porco really started telling the old fairytales. You could tell he didn’t remember all the details, but he quickly made something up, creating a whole new story in the process. But it was fun, he kept your mind occupied for some time.

You really couldn’t remember the last time somebody was telling you a story about adorable little animals and magical beings in the depths of an enchanted forest. Surely nobody ever did it like Porco Galliard, who didn’t hesitate to add some snarky little comments when something seemed stupid to him. Even though it was a kid's tale, and its purpose was to sound childish and sometimes even a little silly.

„Are you still listening?“ Porco asked after a while, looking down at you settled in his arms. You were listening, even if his words slowly started to sound miles away. „Hey, Y/N! Don’t close your eyes, we can’t fall asleep!“ His lips made contact with your cheek, while he run his shaking fingers through your hair. „Look at me, please.“

You did your best, but lifting your eyelids was almost impossible. It was still snowing, and some of the snowflakes were landing right on your eyelashes. „I’m listening to you, just can’t keep my eyes open anymore. I’m really tired.“

„I know, but you have to stay awake.“

„Can I take a short nap? For a couple of minutes?“ He shook his head, kissing your forehead while pushing strands of hair behind your ear.

„Keep your eyes on me, okay? We’re gonna talk about something, anything really. Tell me about all the stupid girly things I don’t give a damn about, but you love doing so much.“

You smiled a little, swallowing hard. „Like my favorite nail polish, I used to wear every day before joining the military? Or the ways I love to style my hair?“

„Yeah, precisely.“

„Every mission requires a different one. You know... to change things up a little.“

His quiet laugh gave you some very-needed strength. You had to hold on. For yourself, but mainly for Porco. He needed you. Playing a tough guy came naturally to him, that’s why not many people approached him. But you knew better. You knew the true Porco Galliard, who needed support just like everyone else. He just wasn’t the type to ask for it. It had to be you, who reached out to him and waited patiently until he accepted your help.

It wasn’t love at first sight between the two of you. You needed time to get to know each other, then falling in love somehow came naturally. With every interaction you had with him, with every little gesture and every mission, he underwent with the rest of the military. It was dangerous, of course. But Commander Magath, the main leader of the Warrior Unit, saw it as a good chance for Porco to prove his loyalty and eagerness to inherit one of the Titans a few years later.

He was still angry about not getting the Armored Titan, even after giving his everything during every single training. But it seemed that since he got to know you, he calmed down a bit. Maybe even enjoyed the fact, that he wasn’t at Paradis right now.  

Surely, he missed hir brother and worried about him, because the mission was taking them way too long. Even Marley got concerned and almost a month ago sent the Beast and the Cart Titan after them. That’s why this mission surprised you so much. You never expected the military to engage in combat without any of the Titans.

„And what is your favorite?“

„Hairstyle?“

„Yeah. Do you have one?“

„No, not really,“ you shrugged, cuddling up to him even further. „I never liked my hair. All of those hairstyles are just supposed to keep it out of my face.“ It’s not like you hated your hair, but it always had a mind of its own.

„I like your hair. Mostly when I get to play with it while we cuddle,“ he smiled again lovingly, trying to keep the concern in his tone under control. „When we’re in my room, in the warm bed, under even warmer covers. Drinking hot tea or chocolate. Or that disgustingly sugary coffee you like.“

„You only tried it once and didn’t even drink the whole thing.“

„I’ll try again when we get home, okay?“

You nodded, unwillingly closing your eyes again. Porco almost immediately nudged you a little, commanding you to open your eyes. He wanted you to talk more, about anything. But even opening your mouth and moving your tongue was becoming too much.

Everything was becoming too much. The cold. The blood loss. The overall tiredness.

„You promised not to leave me, remember?“ Porco asked more urgently, rubbing your back under the coats you used to cover yourselves. You could feel him shivering as well, but it seemed that he endured the cold better than you. „Hold on, we’re going home soon, I promise.“

„I love you.“

„I love you too, angel. But you can’t fall asleep, do you understand? You can’t.“

Your hands and feet felt completely numb, almost as if they weren’t part of your body anymore. Even your airways and lungs hurt from the constant freezing air all around. Everything was becoming blurry and confusing, reality slowly withdrawing from your reach.

„Wake me up after... twenty... twenty minutes.“

„How the hell am I supposed to know when twenty minutes pass?“

You smiled for yourself, gripping the fabric of his uniform. „Count. It will... keep you... busy.“

Porco answered something, but you couldn’t make out his words anymore. Not when tiredness took over you and you simply weren’t able to open your eyes anymore. In his arms, you felt safe and loved. You could fall asleep very easily. Too easily, which wasn’t good.

You knew staying awake was crucial for survival. At least your mind knew it. But your exhausted body wanted something different. Some proper rest, even if for a couple of minutes. Morning would come faster if you sleep for a bit. And the pain would disappear as well.

Everything would be so much easier.

„I shouldn’t allow you, but... okay, sleep for a bit.“

„Thanks,“ you muttered almost inaudibly. „I’ll... wake up... promise.“

Despite your reassurance, you had no control over what would happen. And soon you didn’t even know anything about your surroundings. You didn’t know if Porco actually tried to wake you up and failed. If so, he probably freaked out, blaming himself for letting you fall asleep.

You promised not to leave him.

And until today, you always did your best to keep your promise.

Losin you would break him beyond repair. Even more, because he couldn’t be sure if Marcel was alive and coming back home. Same for his friends, all of the other Warriors left, only he stayed behind. You were the only one he had left. The only person that kept him going, when he saw no point in trying over and over again.

„Porco?“ you addressed him, your voice hoarse because of the cold air. „You didn’t... wake me up.“

Were you really awake? Or was this just a dream? Everything seemed so distant and unreal. Mostly the sky above your head. It was... green. Not entirely, just a couple of long swirling lights shining brighter than the moon. They were unbelievably beautiful, like something out of this world. Like something straight out of one of the fairytales Porco was telling you just a short while ago.

„Am I hallucinating?“ You tried to prop yourself up a bit better to be closer to the sky. All you wanted to do at that moment was reach for the lights and let them caress your freezing skin. For some reason, it felt as if they would be pleasantly warm. „Porco? Do you see that too?“

Even if it was just a dream, it was surely the most beautiful dream you’ve ever had. Seeing something so magical, while all that surrounded you was death, seemed like a miracle no one would believe you witnessed with your own eyes.

„Porco?“

Why wasn’t he responding? Did he not see probably the most stunning thing in this world?

It was hard to tear your gaze away from the lights. Just then you remembered hearing about something like this. The northern lights, yes. Your dad had a pretty thick book about many natural phenomena all around the world, and the northern lights were one of them. In that book, they were also called the Aurora borealis.

No picture ever would accurately depict the true beauty of that rich green illuminating everything below. You could cry right on that spot, that’s how beautiful the lights were.

„Porco...“ you said your boyfriend’s name one more time, before finally looking right at him. His head was resting against the trench wall, while his arms were limply holding you against his body. That’s when you realized his eyes were closed and he probably didn’t hear anything you said. „Hey... wake up.“

You gently rubbed his chest, pressing your lips to his cheek. He loved when you woke him up with a sweet kiss in the morning or after taking a nap together. And you loved the tiniest smile on his lips, while his eyes were still heavy with sleep.

„Please... Porco, wake up. It’s been more than twenty minutes.“

You tried to gently shake him awake, but he didn’t respond. His eyes didn’t open at the sound of your voice. Hell, his whole body felt cold as ice, while he was barely even breathing.

„Porco... I promised... promised to never leave you, but... you can’t leave me either.“ Your frozen fingers gently brushed a few disheveled strands of loose hair from his face. „I need you.“

What were you supposed to do? You could barely move yourself, all the strength had already left your body. There was no way you could save anybody. Not yourself, and not the boy you loved so openly and so sincerely.

„You promised me we’ll go back home and drink my... disgustingly sugary coffee.“

Tears slowly started to collect in your eyes. But you simply didn’t have enough energy to even let them fall onto your cheeks. Your head collapsed back onto his chest, your eyes closing almost immediately. Not even the pretty swirling lights above your head could keep you awake. Not anymore.

The cold was slowly trying to lull you back into the darkness, while your heart was breaking into million pieces. Both of you were dying and there was no way of getting help. If you screamed, nobody would hear you or answer you. All the people around you were long gone or on the other side of this entire conflict.

„Stay with me...“ you mumbled to Porco, focusing on his barely audible heartbeat. „Just hold on. Just a... minute longer. Marley is... coming... back for us.“

You didn’t even believe your own words. If they wanted to, they would have come back already. But why would they? The lives of ordinary Eldians never mattered to them.

Not yours.

Not even Porco’s.

You could feel your consciousness slipping away, knowing your life will be ending right there very soon. All it took was falling asleep again. A few more dreams, maybe. Or nightmares about your inability to save someone you loved more than your own life.

That’s why you kept fighting sleep over and over again, while quietly begging Porco to wake up.

The northern lights kept dancing high above your head, bringing at least some peace to your shattered soul. Tears finally rolled down your cheeks, just a second before you heard a familiar noise. It was coming from somewhere...

From the sky.

You once again raised your head, searching the night sky with teary eyes and chattering teeth. For a minute, the bright green lights were the only things you could register. Only then the dark silhouette of the familiar white airship appeared. You could barely catch your breath from the sudden rush of hope and excitement.

„They came back,“ you breathed, looking at Porco again and kissing his forehead. „They came back, love. Just hold on. Please just... stay with me. Stay with me.“ Trying to move and do something suddenly seemed so easy. The unexpected wave of adrenaline rushing through your veins again made you think up a simple plan in the blink of an eye.

All of you carried a little flare gun on you at all times. You still had yours, while Porco had his. Right in the little black pouch attached to your uniform, usually also carrying spare ammo. Shooting it to announce your location could possibly notify the enemy. But without doing it the soldiers on the airship would never find you in time.

It was the only way.

The very last thing you were able to do, prior to everything going dark before your eyes once again.

Leaving a perfectly warm bed during cold mornings was one of the worst things imaginable. That’s why you were glad, that there was nothing to do and nowhere to go. Staying in bed was the only acceptable thing for the whole day ahead of you.

„I have your disgustingly sugary coffee,“ said Porco with a teasing grin on his lips. He gently kicked the door closed behind him, hands full with two white mugs. „I’m doing this just because I promised you. And only this one time.“

You rolled your eyes at him, carefully rolling onto your back. The gunshot wounds on your side and thigh were healing quite nicely. It had only been three days, but you felt a lot better already. And if nothing else, you had at least a month off your military duties.

Experiencing a morning like this was something close to a miracle. You had no idea, how you got back to your hometown. When you woke up for a short while, the airship was already landing in Liberio. Soldiers and medics were all around you, doing everything in their power to keep you, Porco, and ten other wounded Eldian soldiers alive. Only twelve of you made it back home. None other. Even though almost two hundred soldiers were present in that damned trench.

After a few hours, you woke up in a warm hospital room. The bullets were finally out from your body, the sutures corrected, and the wounds closed and bandaged up. After a blood transfusion, good sleep in a warm bed, and some pain meds, you could slowly start to let go of all that happened during that day.

„Did you sleep well?“ he asked, sitting down on your side of the bed.

„Yeah, wonderfully,“ you assured him, taking one of the mugs. „Thanks to you, of course,“ you added sweetly, kissing him as soon, as he leaned closer, putting his own mug onto the nightstand.

„Sleeping in my bed is always a good idea.“

„It’s not about the bed, but about the company beside me.“ You saw he wanted another kiss, which you didn’t want to deny him. Not after everything. Not after almost losing him. „I love you so much, Porco.“

He smiled, brushing his lips against yours once more. „I figured that out after you saved my life. That was really sexy of you,“ he teased you, rubbing his nose against yours.

„And not freezing to death was really sexy of you.“

When you woke up in the hospital, he was already sitting beside your bed, holding your hand tightly. The doctor told you, that Porco was there almost from the moment he regained consciousness. He demanded to see you and make sure you were okay, even though he was still hurting and confused as well since he really did have a concussion.

He even almost got into a fight with your parents, when they came to see you and wanted to spend some moments alone with you since he simply refused to leave your side.

No wonder he was more than pleased when you spent your first night out of the hospital over at his house. His parents welcomed both of you with so much love and gratitude. Everybody was well aware, that this mission was a close call for you both. If the airship came just twenty minutes later, you probably wouldn’t be able to shoot the flaregun and notify them.

„It’s a shame you didn’t see them,“ you said, when Porco climbed back to bed beside you, almost immediately wrapping you in a tight hug.

„Who?“

„The northern lights, they were absolutely stunning. Like I can hardly describe them with words, they were just... probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.“

You still weren’t quite sure, if they were really there. You never asked anyone about them. Who knows, maybe they were just a little fraction of your own imagination, that was needed at that moment for the both of you to survive. Maybe it was just your brain's last attempt in saving itself.

„The whole sky was shining in green swirling lights. It felt like out of a fairytale.“

„Well, you didn’t wake me up to look at them,“ he mocked you, planting a soft kiss on top of your head.

„Sorry, you seemed too busy dying. Maybe next time,“ you answered sarcastically, pinching his cheek and meeting his lips in a quick kiss. „We should return up north one day. Just to look at them throughout the whole night. I’m sure you’ll be mesmerized.“

Porco smiled, pulling you even closer to his chest. It felt so good, even better than ever before. You promised yourself to cherish similar moments with him even more from now on.

None of you knew when the last day of your life would come. But until then, you could try your best and enjoy all that it had to offer. Most importantly the love, that you found in one another and which kept you going through everything.

[massivedreamer]

THREE DAYS

Pairing: Dave York x Cartel boss Fem!Reader

Summary: The greatest thing Dave York will ever learn is to be loved… and to love in return.

Rating: E

Word count: 6,304

Warnings: 18+ NO MINORS, language and explicit content, no age gap, no use of y/n, use of a nickname, no physical description. Kidnapping and captivity (don’t worry, David's a big boy and it all ends up consensually), mentions of corruption, drugs, violence, prostitution, child trafficking, illicit activities in general, infidelity, invasion to privacy, masturbation (male/female), unprotected p in v (don't do it at home, kids), rough sex turns vanilla cause two baddies are in love, face riding, doggy style, fingering, squirting, overstimulation, cream pie, emotional orgasm. I think that covers it all.

A/N: This is some psycho killer rom com fever, I have no idea where it all came from but I'm a Pisces so there's that.

My first fic in a long, loooong time and my first Pedro's boys related tale. Encouraged to go back to the writing path by the lovely @lavendertales. English is not my native language, so please, forgive any trespassing. Written for the @pedrostories 's celebration (Did I make it before the deadline??)

Hope you like it and do let me know what you all think!

Yes, there's also a PLAYLIST

The kidnapping was the easiest part. Dave York´s daily routine must have been as predictable as his sex life with the wifey. It was disappointing, really. Your team had only surveillanced him for a couple of days and got his schedules and routes all figured out. For a DIA agent, not to mention a DIA agent-turned-mercenary, he had been sloppy. Lazy. The enemies gained through so many years of being a traitor and a greedy scumbag were all out there. Did he really think he was safe living his suburban life? Wasn't he scared his side job would have consequences at any point?

Did Dave York really consider the possibility of you forgetting him? 

Of course, you sent Chet. He was your chosen brother, your lieutenant, your most loyal dog. Even though he could have done it alone, he took three of the new boys with him. He had personally trained them and thought this task as their perfect baptism of fire. The jet would be waiting. Your newest runway for the Washington deliveries, paid by unaware constituents, would be ready for the illegal flight in which only Dave would be sent to California. To the mansion/dungeon they had just finished building according to your specifications, somewhere in the desert. 

-“Not again…” said Dave, rather calmly and through the hood once he could sit up and hear Chet´s voice. He could recognize that ridiculous high pitched male tone anywhere. “¿What the fuck does she want now?” 

–” I don´t know, York. And it's not my place to give a fuck. But I hope it hurts”. Chet turned to the driver and whispered instructions on how to get to the private tarmac, fast but inconspicuously. 

Dave chuckled and kept his cool, but on the inside, he began to worry. They had seized and crushed his iPhone as soon as they got him in the truck. Carol would soon start freaking out if he didn't answer her messages. Why the hell didn't he bring the satellite tracker today? He tried to guess where they were going, paying attention to the stops, the turns, the sounds. He could definitely recognize when they were passing Constitution Ave. But that was it. He had the feeling the directions Chet was giving the driver were solely to confuse him. After a while, the rhythm of the vehicle became monotone. They were cruising a highway. But, which one? Nevermind. It was obvious that the destination was in the outskirts of DC. 

- “Out, York!” 

Trying to deliver his most menacing voice, Chet yanked Dave by the arm and handed him to someone else. The highway trip was about 20 minutes and even though he was still with his head covered, it didn't take too much effort for him to realize they had arrived in some sort of an airport. She is definitely thriving. 

- “I guess we´re not going to Cozum…?”

Dave didn't have the chance to finish the joke. The needle did its job perfectly. You couldn't risk your favorite bad boy using his legendary photographic memory, not even from the air. 

A white room.

A bed. 

A chair.

One small window.

Sunlight.

What time was it? What day was it?

Shit. Dave opened his eyes and before moving a muscle, he quickly scanned his surroundings. He had to make sure he was the only one in that cell. Because that's where he was. You had put him behind fucking bars. He´d be lying if he hadn't considered the possibility of going to prison someday. But that you were going to be his judge, jury and executor? 

In the upper left corner of the locked room, there was a discreet, up-to-date camera that definitely recorded sound. Two speakers, matching the color of the walls, were hanging at each side of the bed. It was a California King Size. All of the sudden, Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You, Baby” started blasting through them. Dave sat up and some obscene flashes from the recent past slapped his memory. And, unexpectedly, fueled his groin. 

-”There´s not coming back from this. Did you know that, right?” – Dave spoke over the loud music, not sure if you were able to hear him. “You kidnapped a federal agent. You´re fucked!”   

Donna stopped abruptly but you continued the singing. You always had a lovely voice. In another life, you could have been a terrific singer. “IIIIIIII… love to love you babyyyy…!” 

“Did you change your number?” – you asked, with a fake curiosity. “I cannot seem to reach you anymore…” You sighed, almost moaned. 

“I only updated my spam call list” – Dave answered, nonchalantly. “What do you want, Killer Q?”

“ I can’t stop thinking about you” 

“ Awww...  You’re breaking my fucking heart, baby…” – Dave laughed. 

That laughter hurt. Look at what this motherfucker does to you. One year ago, you were the most ruthless woman that had ever set foot in the drug trafficking industrial complex. As a boss. And in the US, of all places. Your facade of a succesful businesswoman, though a cliché, was more than efficient. The reality was that you had become the cocaine Godmother, the meth Empress, the Goddess of opioid. Your name had started to be known across the substances’ world, with a reputation forged under seas of blood. Every single poor devil, with so little brain to disrespect you and everything you had to go through to get where you were, was either impaired or underneath some surface. 

And you were a witty bitch. While supervising the traditional kneecapping session reserved for dealers with dreams of entrepreneurism, you love to deliver some really funny lines. And yet, Dave York mocking you, left you speechless.

“Well, if the mountain will not come to Muhammad, then I guess Muhammad must kidnap the mountain…” – You were back. 

“I thought we were done doing business” – Dave started losing his confidence. Not knowing what the hell you wanted started to have its effect on him. Deep down, and after all he had seen and heard, he had to admit he was a bit afraid of you.

“Business?” – you tried to disguise your vulnerability. “So, I’m just another deal to you, huh? 

“Yes…" –Dave looked at the ceiling – "And no? I thought you and I were benefiting from each other AND having fun.” 

There was a silence that, by no means, you intended to float so heavy in the air.

“Well, I guess for me… it turned into something more than entertainment…” 

You had to close the mic to drink from the Evian bottle. You hadn’t planned to spill your truth in the first minute of conversation but there you were. Finally, admitting it. Out loud.

Were you going to say the word though? One thing was for sure: you had never felt like this. Let's be honest: a 13 year old, lured out of her miserable home, from a miserable town, having her soul ripped by men and their huffs and grunts, every single night, for a decade, was never meant to be the fairytale princess archetype. And other 10 years of her life, just surviving, lowering her head, listening to the important conversations, connecting with the right people, even escaping slavery through a marriage of convenience with a kingpin, didn’t contribute much to her personal knowledge of what love was. Or is? 

“Well, aren’t you gonna say anything?” – you demanded. 

“What do you want me to say?” – Sat at the edge of the bed and in the absence of the woman confessing such feelings for him, Dave just kept staring at the wall. “That I still don’t know why I’m here?”

“Oh you do…” – you sounded darker – “Think”

“Wait… Do you wanna have sex with me, Killer Q? Is that it?” 

Now you were the one laughing. 

“Oh my God… Men. Why are you all so basic? – You were enjoying this – Do you really think that if I only wanted to fuck you, you’d be in that cell, without me all over you? C’mon, try harder, York…” 

“Do I really have a choice…?” Dave mumbled.

He sighed and stood up, his brain trying to come up with what scheme could be the closest to the one in your mind. You made it clear it wasn’t sex. Money, maybe? Extortion. You were infatuated and planning to send some incriminating material to Carol. You surely could have set up the equipment to record your encounters. Vegas? Last Spring? That’s when Donna played over and over, right? Memorable. 

You watched through the monitor and smiled at the sight of the supposedly cold mercenary, slightly blushing. 

“What do you feel for me, Dave?” 

“Right now, I hate you.” 

“I doubt that, baby… I got a better idea. It’s getting late, I’m tired and I need to go to bed. It’s sad we can’t share it yet. We will. But first you´ll have to seriously examine your actions, thoughts and, most importantly, your feelings in the recent time" – you took a long pause – "so you can be more honest with your responses in the next three days we’ll spend together. Night night, David” 

"What? Wait! Three whole motherfucking days here?!” Dave was equally outraged and concerned. “I’m hungry! And…” - he hesitated and lowered his voice – “What about going to the bathroom and…?”

Two sliding doors opened almost in unison. One, small and by the bed, produced a tray with some delicious seafood dish, a glass of Chardonnay and a generous portion of Creme Brulee. The other entrance, bigger and near the main gate, showed him a luxurious bathroom, with a change of comfortable clothes and toiletries.

“You have two hours until the lights are off”

Day ONE

Daylight bathed the cell and Dave was surprised by how soundly he had slept. It must have been some residual effect from whatever tranquilizer they gave him before getting him in the jet. Or was it maybe that he felt comfortable? Bullshit. He was the renowned CIA agent David York and this was a dangerous situation. Even infatuated as you claimed to be, you were a threat. And, come on… you didn’t mean anything to him. He’s had his pretty decent share of affairs and he had come to terms with his cheating asshole condition. You were no different from the parade of office girls who begged on their knees for one more night of cuffs, lube and discarded condoms, right?

Right.

Still in bed, Dave looked longingly in the direction of the food door, mentally begging for a black coffee, no sugar, scrambled eggs and bacon. Not knowing the time was slowly driving him crazy. He trusted his appetite and the sun elevation angle to say it was close to noon. Of who knows what day but it was something. He went to the bathroom and freshened up.

“Uhmm.. Hello?” — Dave talked to the air, in the hopes you presented once more, vocally. Not that he was particularly interested in hearing your voice again or anything. “I could use some breakfast, you know? By the way, dinner last night was awesome. If you tell me where we are, I would highly recommend this place on TripAdvisor!” 

Nothing.

Nada.

Wait.

There was something.

Suddenly, and as if he was in a real hotel and some nextdoor honeymooners were doing what honeymooners usually do in hotels, Dave started to hear some lewd sounds coming from somewhere nearby. At first, it was barely audible, which made it difficult to pinpoint the source. But it rose to a crescendo, getting higher, clearer. Hotter. Dave realized it was not coming from any place near the cell but from the speakers crowning his prisoner bed. 

“Give it to me, daddy…! Ohh…Fuckfuckfuckfuck… Yesyesyesyeyes!”

It was you. You were fucking some random dude and broadcasting it live and in stereo. For him to be the only audience.

"Ooooh Gooood…Yeaaah… Harder! Please! Please! Pleaaaase! I’m so close! Make me come! No one can make me come like you, daddy…!” 

Dave was standing in the middle of the room, hands on the hips, smiling and shaking his head in disbelief. If this was your strategy, it was beyond pathetic. The skin slapping skin sound was getting louder and faster. You sounded so satisfied, kept moaning and begging. Dave had to admit that the guy was doing a great job. He wasn’t saying a word, he was just panting and grunting. There was something about him though. The noises he was making, the pace he was fucking you… The only sexual activity Dave had eavesdropped in his life was his dorm roommate, back in college, 25 years ago. And after all that time, he still recalled it was a lousy job. So, even though there were no parameters to be based on, in this case, Dave could strangely tell, just by listening to his performance, that for this guy it wasn’t just sex. What a loser, putting so much care into making you come, probably watching your face in ecstasy, proud of himself, thinking you’d adore him afterwards…

You came. Hard. 

“What are you doing?” – Dave was done.

A giant screen popped up from one of the walls, revealing some truly NSFW scenes. So it was not just audio after all. There you were… and Dave York, fucking you senseless, chasing his own high in that Colorado cabin, last time you were together. 

“You mean, what are we doing?” – you sounded so full of yourself. 

“Take it off” – He was watching the video, weirdly mesmerized. - “Take. It. Off”

“Oh but here comes the best part! - You imitated a little girl who didn’t want to go to sleep.

“Take it off. Or I will “ – Dave grabbed the chair and walked in a menacing way towards the screen.

His movements in the video were frantic. His beautifully formed butt, hammering between your legs, was the star of the piece.  He was about to watch himself reaching orgasm, with a woman who wasn’t his wife. What a piece of shit he was.

“Ooooh fuuuuuuck… unnngh… I fuck…ing.. I... fucking LOVE YOU…”

Dave dropped the chair and the screen went to black. It’s not that he didn’t remember saying that. The problem was that he had been trying to forget that he said it. He composed himself.

“You gotta be kidding me…” – he chuckled and calmly returned the chair to its place – “Really? What’s your point with all this?” 

“I think it’s quite obvious, David” – you lit up a cigarette and reclined in your leather armchair. 

“You know? I thought you were crazy, but with this, you’ve exceeded my expectations”  – Dave didn’t try to conceal his rage anymore – “Do you really believe that the shit we say during sex is meaningful?!”

“I have a question for you, Dave. If this thing between us was nothing, why didn’t you stop calling me? Because let me remind you that it was you who looked for me. Not the other way around” 

You were right. He desperately tried to find a plausible answer to your question. “Well, I guess it´s because you´re a great fuck, Q.”

“I am. In fact, I absolutely excel in bed. ” – You paused – “And yet, none of all the men I’ve been with, not a single one of those motherfuckers really wanted to see me again after a couple of times” 

Dave remained in silence.

“Oh but you were only ‘having fun’ with me for, what? Almost 2 years now? – Yes, you were counting –  “Until you cut me off completely, last week. Excuse me for only being sensical at reading this situation, York"

He had to admit you were right.

 “So tell me… What happened? Little Carol found out about your feelings?”

“Don’t you bring Carol into this…”

“Oh but she already is! What was it? – You fake a gasp – Did you say my name while making love to her tenderly…?”

“Shut up!” – Dave almost growled. 

“Sorry” – you said, sincerely.

“What?” 

“I don’t want to antagonize you, Dave. It’s just…”

“Yeah. I guess that’s why you kidnapped me…” 

“You gave me no choice, Dave. Look, I know you think I’m a heartless woman. I myself thought I was. This is my desperate measure, to my desperate times. I love you. – You fought the impending tears with all your strength – And call me crazy all you want, but I know for sure you love me back. That’s why you ghosted me. It scares the shit out of you feeling something like this for someone like me.”

Dave couldn’t think of any explanatory response. Because, in fact, he had none.

The little door suddenly opened, showing a bistec with a colorful salad, his non-optional lunch offer for the day, that went uneventful after your mic turned off.   

Day TWO

Nothing had happened since the dawn of that second day. Dave hoped you were having second thoughts and maybe were planning on releasing him. He also questioned himself if that’s what he wanted. After a quick shower, he noticed night had finally fallen in whatever place this majestic prison was located. He had no clue what time it was and, honestly, he didn’t give a fuck anymore. While laying in bed, staring at the ceiling, which was the only entertainment he could find, Carol and the girls suddenly came to his mind. What would they be doing right now? He felt for them. Even though he had long come to accept that he didn’t love Carol anymore, he truly valued her. She was a great woman, a perfect mother, and at this point, a resilient wife. And his daughters… They were the most beautiful beings he could have produced and the only decent footprint he will leave on this Earth. What would they think of him if he divorced their mom? Dave mentally punched himself for considering that.

Complete darkness swallowed the cell. Of course, it was getting late for the daily event. All lights went dead except for the big screen that suddenly started showing some CCTV images. It was Dave’s street. 

“Have you been to my home too, Q? Pfff, I don’t know why I’m surprised…”

There was not a comeback from your part. 

After a few minutes, it was clear that the footage was an edition from different days, but at similar hours. Dave realized that in those cuts there was something concerning. The same man appeared  to be jogging, but discreetly glancing at his house. Everyday. He was wearing different sporty outfits and anyone could think he was simply a neighbor trying to be fit. But for the trained eye of Dave York, it was easy to understand that that guy was something else. Something dangerous.

“Do you remember the job I got you, 6 months ago, for that Qatar minister? You and your men failed, Dave. They launched an investigation over the dude. And he eventually had to resign. Guess what? He isn’t the forgiving type. He came to me and asked for your personal inform…”

“You put my family in danger, you fucking psycho?!” Have you lost your mind?

“Do you really think that your family would still be alive had I done that, York? 

“Q, you have to let me go” – Dave didn't want to joke anymore – “I need to warn them. Please, let me just do this and I promise, I swear on their lives, you can do whatever you want with me afterwards. Please.” 

That pleading made you fall even more in love with him. 

Dave kept watching the footage, terrified of what could be coming next. The video was fast forwarded and he could see as the jogger, who was running his usual target street, crouched and pretended to tie his shoelaces. All of the sudden, he disappeared behind a white van that passed by him and slowed down right where he was. He never reappeared after the van kept on going. A knife was left abandoned on the pavement. Exactly 15 seconds after that, the Mercedes with Carol and the girls turned around the corner, coming back from school. Now Dave remembered the night his wife had commented how weird it was finding that knife in the middle of their street. Dave didn't think anything of it.

"Sometimes I ponder how easy and convenient it would've been for me to let that "tragedy" to happen"

"What about Al-Salim? He could send more people…"

"He fell into depression. And sadly took his own life back in Qatar, the very afternoon this healthy man suffered a heart attack, at the entrance of the George Washington hospital. Dark coincidence, don't you think?"

Dave was at a loss for words for the longest moment. He couldn’t quite wrap his head around what you’d done for his family. For him. 

"I guess… you don't need my services anymore. It seems like now I can hire you for this kind of job. Thank you, Q" 

The screen went dead and it was pitch black again. Dave didn't know what to expect anymore.

"Aren't you curious about how I hacked your security camera?  And your home intranet, DIA agent?" – your tone was playful again.

Your voice wasn’t coming through the speakers anymore but from right outside his cell. Like in a theatrical performance, the beam of a projector somehow lit up only you and your body. There you were, no make up, loose hair, sitting on a kitchen chair and wearing nothing but a white long dress. The powerful lightning made you look like a sexy specter. 

“How are you Dave? Comfortable, I hope” – You crossed your legs and adopted the pose of a therapist who was about to have her first session with a new patient. 

“I’m sitting in the dark. I like it” – Dave was not lying. 

“I suppose you do. Tell me, do you also sit in the dark at home, late at night, when you Google me?

“Oh, please… Don’t flatter yourself, Killer Q”

“Please, your Honor! I have some unmistakable evidence to substantiate my case…”

You stood up and the projector revealed, over your curves, recordings from a computer screen, where your name appeared, over and over again, in searchings with a variety of word combinations that ultimately lead to the same topic: your romantic life. Your name + the terms “boyfriend”, “dating”, “partners”, “love life”, “marriage plans”, “past relationships”. 

 Dave felt his face on fire and thanked the darkness for concealing it.

“That could be anyone's computer”

The images of the hacked screen then changed to a divided layout of his deceitful puppy eyes, his hands on the keyboard in which he was entering the terms, all matching the dates and times of the searches you previously and sensually had helped showcasing. 

“I think that’s your computer, agent York.”

You got up and came closer to the cell, took down the dress straps, one at the time, and let it fall to the floor. You could barely see Dave but you could sense his eyes roaming your naked body. Neither of you said a word. You ceremoniously came back to the chair and sat again, feeling the wetness that had been accumulating since he had thanked you for saving his family. 

“I just know it, Dave. Please, just say it” – you begged with hooded eyes.

The projector was now bathing you with a soft shade of pink, matching the glistening between your legs, on full display for your prisoner to see. When you started circling your clit, your nipples rock hard even before getting undressed, you knew you were not going to last. On the other side of the bars, Dave was breathing heavily and his bulge began pulsing. He didn’t want to, he couldn’t give in to the need to pull his cock out and get himself off to the magnificent scene he was witnessing. He had always thought your body was glorious, even with your scars. Maybe, because of them. 

“Baby… Mmmm… can’t you see? This is… all… yours… Oh… I… am yours…”

You were stabbing your cunt with two fingers, curving them at the right place, at the right rhythm. The sounds you were making, increasingly wetter, desperately faster. One foot on the ground, the other stepping on the spindle, you had definitely used that wooden chair for sinful exercises before. And your moans echoed in the room where Dave was. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you, gulping and palming himself, fully erect and finally doing what he very much had resisted. You could hear him and it turned you on even more. Almost standing up, you went back to your clit, frantically rubbing it, keeping your eyes fixed in Dave’s direction. When he saw you come, it was like looking at some goddess sculpture, with a gaping mouth expression, frozen in ecstasy for a few seconds, screaming his name right after. Spitting his hand and fisting himself, once, twice, thrice, Dave spilled his seed all over the tile floor. Panting and slightly sweating, still in the dark, he watched you approach the cell again, still naked and with a satisfied grin on your face. Your hand, still covered in your juices, went straight to grab one of the door metal bars and smudge it with your flavor. Then, you picked up your dress, gave Dave one last look and left. Everything went dark again. But before any light would turn on and gave him away, Dave rushed to the door and licked what you had left for him.   

Later in the shower he had to take care of himself for a second time.  

Day THREE

A huge smash woke Dave from one of the best sleepings he had had in a long time. The lack of proper rest in the past 48 hours had been highly balanced out by the self pleasure activities shared with you the previous night. In his haze, he could hear that there was some commotion out there but, again, he was unable to determine the source. “What is it gonna be today…” He rubbed his eyes and then rolled them. 

Dave stood up and walked to the door, grabbed the bars and listened closely. There were two voices. They were arguing. And it didn’t sound pretty. “You don’t understand! It’s not because of you! That was definitely your voice. “Why the fuck do you even bother? With him? I always stood by you, you ungrateful bitch…!” 

Chet. 

Wait. Was that a lovers’ quarrel? Dave was baffled. He had always thought your loyal lieutenant was a rampant homosexual.  “Chet, stop it, please!” You sounded more and more scared, on the verge of tears, almost. Dave’s heart started racing, his knuckles turning white while squeezing the bars of the door. It was like Chet was bringing the whole house down. Glass crashing, furniture flying, walls being punched. Then Dave heard a slap and a muffled gasp. And he lost it. 

“Cheeeet! You coward piece of shit, leave her alone!!! You want me??? Here I am!! Come and get me, fucker!!!” 

Dave started furiously kicking the bars, of course, to no avail. He searched and searched, for some sign of a door opening device, while he kept hearing your screamings. He scanned the cell and looked at the chair. The window. He probably was not going to be able to break it, or fit into it but at that point anything was worth trying. He stepped on the chair when suddenly everything went quiet. Fearing the worst, he stepped down. The screen turned on and there it was your face. Dave York never thought the day would come when he’d get to see you in such a state. Your hair in disarray, reddened puffy eyes, bloody lips and sheer terror plastered in your expresion. Still so beautiful. You were whispering to the camera installed in the control room from where you clearly operated all these days, looking to your side every five seconds, afraid of Chet entering any minute. 

“I’m so sorry Dave! – you were sobbing but quickly tried to get yourself together – “There’s a panel… uhm… hidden, on the inside wall… it's the right side… No! Sorry! Sorry! Left side by the cell door! You give it a little push and…” – you froze and glanced at your flank –  “It will show a big red button…You push it and it will open the door. Please, you gotta help me, please! He’s gonna kill me, Dave…! Forgive me, I was so stup…”

Suddenly, a giant hand grabbed you by the hair and yanked you out of the frame. The screen went dark.

Dave heard three gunshots somewhere nearby.

He rushed to the door and followed your instructions. Once he was free he ran like a madman. He didn’t recognize himself, feeling a desperation so uncommon for a cold mercenary like he had been for so long. It was corridor after corridor, and they all looked the same. The walls were slightly curved, lacking any pictures or decoration. The little windows above his head, just like in his cell, provided great lightning, but he couldn't help thinking it was like being inside a pantheon. He tried one door, then another. And another. They were all locked. It resembled a mental facility, Greek style. At last, Dave reached a T turn and when he looked, it was a long corridor on both sides. But to the left there was something he hadn't encountered so far: an opened door. In fact, it was ajar. Dave came to the frightening realization that Chet could still be around, armed. While he only had his bare hands. He cautiously entered and came across your control center. A dozen monitors, a camera, a microphone and a tumbled armchair. Some screens were still transmitting video from different parts of the house and Dave instinctively looked for the one broadcasting from his dungeon. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw you, laying still on the California King. Dave didn’t stay to check on your state through the monitor but ran through the door and raced the corridors again, trying to remember the path back to the place he had been for the past three days. Were you passed out? Or were you dead? Focus, Dave. Hurry up. 

“Wow. For someone who only had fun with me, that’s… pretty moving, baby”

Dave had run so fast the last part of the hallway leading to the cell, that he virtually bounced on the ending wall. It would’ve been almost comedical if he hadn’t launched like an animal to the now closed jail door. When he desperately looked inside it, there you were. Unharmed, gorgeous, laying on your belly holding your head with your hands, looking at Dave with innocent eyes. Naked. He was trying to catch his breath, holding the metal bars, looking down. A smile, one that you had never seen on him, appeared on his face when he lifted his head and gazed at you. 

“Let me in” – Dave said in a deep whisper. His smile was gone and his eyes were almost black. 

“Have you had enough time to think about our conversations…?” 

“Let me in” 

“You know? I’m not so sure… What are your plans to spend this lovely afternoon in this cozy space with… me?”

“I want to eat”

Your cunt pulsed at those words. Dave looked indeed like a vampire.

You stood up and went to the opening panel, taking your time, walking painfully close to Dave, cold metal as the only barrier preventing him from pouncing on you. You finally gave a push to the red button and the cell was open. Dave stood still, leaning on the threshold. 

“This isn't what I signed up for when I joined the DIA”

“What?  Consorting with criminals…?”

“Falling for the fiercest of them” 

Dave charged and lifted you in one powerful move. And you held onto him for dear life, your mouth colliding with his, so happy you could cry. You locked your legs around him while he carried you until you both crashed against the nearest wall. Dave stopped for air. He caressed your cheek and took a good look at your face, every inch of it, as if he couldn’t believe what was happening. He once again tried to devour your lips but you put your fingers on his mouth. 

“Wait... Can I ask you something?

“Fire up” 

You both giggled.

“I don’t want you to fuck me…” 

“But…” 

“I want you to make love to me”

Dave's perplexed reaction turned to a sassy one. 

“How many orgasms do you think you can handle?”

“Five”

“I like those odds” 

He put you down, laid back on the bed and went upwards in the direction of the headboard. 

“Up, Q”

You moaned loudly when you sat on his face and Dave started his attack on your pussy. His tongue had been there hundreds of times now. And yet it felt like it was the first time he was licking and sucking your folds like that. 

“Oh my.. God… Dave… Keep going, like that, please, oooh please…!”

His brown eyes alternated between being open and fixed on you and closed due to the pleasure. The noises he was making, how your juices began dripping down his stubble, the way he was gripping your thighs, everything had you riding him like there was no tomorrow. 

“Dave, baby… Unnngh… I’m… Mmmmcoming… Please, make me come…”

Instead of fulfilling your wish, he pushed you away, making you lose your balance and falling on your back. But you didn’t even have time to protest since Dave was on you again, turning you around, on all fours. You felt his still clothed erection grazing your ass. 

“Are you ready to receive my love, Q…? – He cooed in your ear. 

“Yes, yes, YES!”

“All of it?”

“Give it to me…” –you sounded almost pathetic. 

You heard him taking off his shirt and sweatpants and then slapping his cock. Ass up, your wetness was now going down your legs. Proudly licking his lips, where he could still taste you, Dave teased your entrance with the tip of his length and you squeezed the sheets in desperation. You cried his name when he entered you and couldn’t breath when he started his thrusting. Slapslapslapslap. His big hands sank in your flesh, keeping you in place so your face was pressed to the mattress, muffling your whimpers. Dave then lifted you, tenderly embracing you from behind and also reaching your clit and circling it with expertise. 

“Are you close, baby? Hmmm? Talk to me…” 

“Yes baby, I think I’m… explode… am” – you weren’t coherent anymore.

“Lay back…”

He gently pulled you back, making you lean on him, both now seated on the bed.

“Open your legs, Q. Open them wide”

You obeyed. Dave put one hand on the bed for support and the other one went straight between your legs. When you realized what he had in mind, you granted him more access, placing your hips forward. 

 “Two. Or three?” 

“Three… is my lucky… number” 

He then started fingering you. He went in and out frantically, making sure he was properly hooking his fingers to get to the patch of heaven inside your vagina. Your eyes went to the back of your head and you were unable to make any sound. Dave wished there was a mirror in front of the two of you so he could witness your cute O face. All of the sudden, a loud squelching echoed across the room and Dave grinned in anticipation. 

“Here it comes, baby. Alright baby, alright, baby. Come on now” 

“Ooooohhh mmmm... Ghhhhhhhaaaaah!!!!!

You felt indeed like something had exploded out of you. It was liquid pleasure like you had never experienced before. It kept on leaking, down your legs, down the bed, down Dave´s hand. You weren’t sure how to feel or what to do next. Dave continued encouraging you, kissing your earlobe and cradling you in his chest, waiting for you to get down from your high. When you were back on Earth again, you turned around and looked him in the eye.

“Love me, Dave”

He flipped you over, kissed you lovingly, fist himself a couple of times and entered you. His pace was now slow, with a calm he had barely known in his whole life, in any aspect of it. How long he’d pretended you were merely a substance trader who happened to cross his path of illicit choices. You kept your eyes open. You wanted to make sure he was there, that he was real. That he was David York. The mercenary, the federal impostor, the cheating husband, the lover you never thought you deserve. That this wasn’t another of your sex fantasies at night. 

“I love you, Killer Q”

Dave increased his rhythm. 

“Say it again”

“I. Fuckin. Love. You”

“Come for me, daddy”

Dave thrusts became erratic, his breathing increasingly difficult. You held his face, forcing him to look at you.

“I’m here, baby. Look at me. Give me everything you got. Fill me in”

Those words did the job. Dave groaned deep and long, as he spurted his hot load inside you. But he was not finished. With what was left of his magic, he intended to make you come one more time. In and out, in and out, in and out, just at the right angle, to burn your clit one more time. 

And it happened that you burst into tears as you orgasmed. Dave kissed them dry.  

“Don’t cry, Q.” – Dave stared at you adoringly –”Thank you”

“For what…?” You used the pillow case as a Kleenex.

“To show me what an idiot I’ve been all this time. I really deserve being hurt by Chet. Hopefully, he’s not around...”

You laughed.

“He’s with one of the new boys”

“Training him?”

“I don’t think so…”

[anamelessfool]

Ribbons & Ties (AO3 Link) Chapter 5

M/M, GEN (Ch 4 Here) (Start here on Tumblr!) 2000ish words

Terzo x Omega, Terzo & Family, Terzo & His Ghouls, Cardinal Marian is in there for like ten minutes

Tags: Domestic Fluff, Commitment, Rom Com Energy, There's a Wedding, Secondo is Papa Emeritus, Gift Giving, The ghoul names are all messed up sorry it is for plot purposes, I can't have Fluff without some Angst sorry

For reasons beyond Terzo's understanding, he wants to give Omega a present for the ghoul's "birthday". It proves to be a lot more complicated than Terzo realizes.

Art by @kabukiaku used with permission

Chapter 5 Below the Cut! (We like Reblogs, Comments and Kudos omnomnom)

Terzo’s eyes flew open. He stared at his ceiling, his mind racing. He knew. It was 2 AM and he finally knew what gift he wanted to give Omega.

5

Terzo’s eyes flew open. He stared at his ceiling, his mind racing. He knew.

It was 2 AM and he finally knew what gift he wanted to give Omega. It wouldn't be easy, but he decided if he cared so deeply about the ghoul nothing could stop him for long.

Now all he had to do was get out from under this naked sorella in his bed.

She settled in, her arm closing around his neck. Terzo’s eyes rolled in his head as his mind calculated a solution. He slowly shimmied out from under her, gently resting her on her side. She sighed, shifting and reaching for him. In the moment she raised her hand to look for him he was free.

“Mmmph?”

“I’ll uh…I’ll be back,” he mumbled, although that wasn't necessarily the truth. He leaned over and gave her bare shoulder a gentle kiss.

He got to work throwing on his undershirt, slacks and shoes. Something about this sudden revelation required urgency. He did not want to wait a moment more and risk overthinking it all. He closed the door as quietly as he could and scurried down the stairs.

The courtyard was seemingly empty as he journeyed just within the shadows. Chairs and decorations had been toppled by guests and the nighttime wind. For a moment Terzo thought no one was there, but as he passed by the obscene fountain it looked as if a statue had been installed at it's edge.

Earth Ghoul sat on the rim of the fountain, his head tilted upwards. He was surrounded by the half broken down party mess, his hands calmly on his knees. Terzo flattened himself against the wall of the arcade, shuffling past as quickly as he could. Earth probably noticed him but remained still. Terzo didn't want to stop to talk as he continued his hurrying towards the Sanctum.

Terzo could see well enough in the dim light of the Sanctum. The dark made the sweep and spread of the arched, ribbed ceiling even more dramatic, more stomach-droppingly steep. The bronze filigree across the Altarpiece gleamed softly in some unseen light source, its doors the only barrier between this world and the Void from which Omega and the other ghouls were brought forth.

Beyond the choir box, under an archway was an often overlooked area of the Sanctum, unless you were a very under-supervised and lonely small boy in the early 1970s. A place with a certain fondness that now returned to him as he looked upon the carvings surrounding the locked entrance.

The catacombs.

The bars of the catacombs gates were easy to slip through as a tiny kid. But Terzo was now just over forty so the childish contortionist act was out of the question.

It was a good thing he was still proficient in picking locks. He always kept a few bobby pins attached to the inside laces of his shoe. He pulled two out, bent and arranged them in a way that at this point in his life was second nature. The lock fell as easily as the few times he had picked it before.

There is always a last time one visits a treasured place, although one rarely knows when that last time is. He didn't remember when was the last time he stood at these steps looking down toward the darkness. He closed one eye, his human eye.

He did however, realize that this time the curse of the Infernal Eye helped him see perfectly well in the dark. “I can keep my shoes on, at least,” he chuckled to himself, and the words fell flat in the thick air.

The steps then were easier to navigate than the countless times he'd wander down her before, although his feet remembered which way to go. The catacombs were cool, reminding him of the thin shirt he wore. It was constructed of bricks and cobble, with various concrete and stone sculptures of skeletons and mourning shrouded maidens perched in corners and alcoves. There were urns stacked on shelves. Some grander stone sarcophagi were built into the walls, sporting carved names and phrases like ROCKEFELLER, GATSBY, CAMINO and COMMIT FLESH TO EARTH AND SOUL TO VOID. He passed his favorite carving of a winged death’s head skull, remembering the times he made crayon rubbings and taped them to his wall.

Terzo turned a corner and there was a small tunnel to the left side, waist height. He suspected it was some sort of drain to keep the place from flooding. Here. Here was the place. He stooped down and settled in. He could still sit cross legged with his back up against the wall, albeit he had to stoop a whole lot more. As he nestled himself amongst the rocks the familiar posture and texture brought the memory to life again— the solidness of cool smooth cobble against his back, the security of his body crumpled just so in a comforting darkness. It was the closest thing to being held by the Earth itself.

No wonder he would come down here when he just couldn't take it anymore. He let out a sigh.

He looked down further into the tunnel. The Infernal Eye gleamed as if illuminated by invisible moonlight. He could see his prize, twenty feet or so down deeper in. He unrolled his body and crawled towards it.

And the walls enveloped him, a little too tightly now. He didn't want to think about what grime he was dragging himself through, but then again at ten years old he barely cared. He army-crawled on his stomach, blowing cobwebs off his face. His singular focus started to waver. Doubt began to arrive and take a seat.

I'd love to meet him.

Terzo unfortunately did not successfully steal the whole top of the cake that evening. Although he did charm his way into collecting eight slices to present to Omega, who was impressed just the same.

He was stuck. He had been stuck like this before, many times, as a younger, spryer kid. Now this was getting ridiculous. He knew how to get out of this jam but he had to commit to going further. He felt a soft skittering across his bare arm that he hoped was not a spider.

“Come on, Terzo,” he muttered to himself. He exhaled, flattening his chest and pushing his body forward through the shaft. His arm strained, the tendons across his shoulder blade stretched. He could see his prize just a foot further ahead and he reached as far as his limb could take him, swearing. His fingers grazed the corner of a papered wood surface— a box, his box.

“Porca troia, come on!” In this case Italian swears were needed for their unique flavor of frustration. He didn't want to think about the possibility of getting stuck, but he was so close to collecting the box at this point that he didn't want to give up just yet. One more exhale, one more tiny shove and he felt the knee of his slacks tear open.

And his fingers fully on the box.

Terzo managed to slip the box towards him fully into his hand. He backed out of the shaft, knocking his head a few times. At last he was back at the opening, curled up again and looking down at a dirty little cigar box he had reverently placed there. He stroked the embossed paper seal on top of this reliquary dedicated to his deepest self, found in the deepest place below the Sanctum.

Inside the box were treasures he had not seen in nearly thirty years. A yellow diecast roadster. A few dried Ghost Pipe flowers gently pressed into a folded piece of parchment. A photograph of a pretty nun with deeply sad eyes. A rusted harmonica. A collection of crude sketches of nudes he drew as a curious kid that needed to be buried securely and never ever be discovered by his stepmother, not even a decade after her death. He chuckled softly at the memory.

But he was looking for the most important thing. It was hidden under a few foreign coins. A white stone, no bigger than his palm. There was a hole in it, a hole worn away by a thousand years of some ancient river caressing its body.

He thought it was perfect. And so he put it in his pocket.

***

Terzo wasn't even halfway across the courtyard before he felt a rush of intense feeling through him, a psychic tap on the shoulder. He stopped and looked. Earth Ghoul still sat there, on the fountain edge.

TERZO.

Earth Ghoul at last had his head turned towards his summoner. And with two small but firm gestures of his hand, the ghoul summoned him. Terzo had no choice but to draw near.

Ghouls picked names for themselves when they arrived. Terzo thought it was pretty presumptuous of the ghoul to name himself “Earth” but his presence immediately brought a sense of calm and solidness that proved he deserved such a name.

YOU KNOW THE STARS MAKE A SOUND. A BUZZING SORT OF SOUND.

The Ministry Compound itself was located high in the mountains, far away from the city lights that bleached the sky. Up here anyone could see a dazzling show above. And usually there was at least someone awake, observing them.

Terzo was compelled to settle beside the ghoul as he sat on the fountain rim. He glared up at the sky, squinting as if it would help him hear better. He jiggled his leg as nothing stepped forward for him.

ONE THING I NOTICE IS THIS WORLD NOW IS NEVER SILENT. THERE IS NO LONGER TRUE SILENCE. LONG AGO YOU COULD REALLY HEAR THE STARS THEN.

Terzo realized that he was covered in dirt and cobwebs. He fussed with his hair and some sort of grit from the catacombs flaked out. Earth said nothing, continuing to be more interested in the stars overhead. The silence was unbearable. The fact that Earth had not admonished him for crawling through a hole was excruciating.

“You both…must hate me.”

Earth made a gravelly sound deep in his throat.

ALPHA HAS HAD BAD EXPERIENCES IN THE PAST. HE WORRIES ABOUT IT. HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE HIS TIME HERE IS WORTH IT. HE MAY NOT BE CHOSEN AGAIN, YOU KNOW.

“But you've come back,” Terzo said. “You've come back many times.”

THERE’S A SECRET TO THAT. I NEVER ASSUME I GET A SECOND CHANCE. AND YET SOMEHOW, I ALWAYS DO. Earth sighed, deep enough it felt like the ground shook. ALPHA WILL LEARN THAT. MAYBE THIS TIME. MAYBE THE NEXT TIME. BUT THAT IS ON HIM.

“I don't even know why any of you want to be here. Sometimes I don't…want to be here.”

I FIND THIS PLACE INTERESTING. TWO THOUSAND YEARS AND IT NEVER CHANGES. Earth shook his head. WHY DO HUMANS HOLD ON TO SO MUCH?

“We’re stupid,” said Terzo. He got to his feet, and he became aware of a pulled muscle in his back. He would definitely be feeling it tomorrow. “Good night, Earth Ghoul.”

Earth Ghoul snapped his fingers, once. As if calling to a dog. TERZO. YOU ARE NOT THE WORST PAPA I HAVE SERVED.

“Congratulazioni, I'm just getting started,” Terzo snorted.

I SAID THAT FOR A REASON. YOU WOULD NEVER BELIEVE ANYTHING ELSE I COULD SAY TO YOU.

“I don't listen to many things.”

YOU'RE IN LUCK. I'M IN YOUR MIND. ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO PRETEND TO IGNORE ME.

“Okay, then what do you have to say to me?”

WHAT ARE YOU AND OMEGA GHOUL UP TO?

Terzo knew Earth Ghoul had some inkling. He was tied to him as a being created from his own essence. But ghouls believed more in the value of actions than thoughts, So Terzo had to play into Earth’s hands. “Omega Ghoul and I…we are together. We are…in love.”

Earth leaned forward, knitting his fingers together as if rolling that concept around in his head. It was a unique sort of agony to watch him. IT’S NOT RARE. IT’S NOT COMMON EITHER. IT’S JUST… Earth patted his chest. THERE’S LIMITS. GHOULS ARE NOT AS STRONG AS YOU THINK. THE CONNECTION TO THIS BODY IS FAIRLY FLIMSY. IT DEGRADES.

“Your bodies can be restored. Fairly easily.”

THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEAN. Earth shook his head. I MAY BE FOREVER. BUT I KNOW NONE OF US HAVE FOREVER.

“I don't want to think about that,” Terzo replied quietly.

IT IS WHAT IT IS WHETHER IT IS THOUGHT ABOUT OR NOT. Earth rattled his head. IF YOU WANT TO BE MORE THAN TIME’S SLAVE YOU NEED TO DIVERT ITS FLOW. CHOICE IS NECESSARY.

“Sometimes I don't think I'm making the right choice.”

WELL, DO YOU FEEL YOU'VE MADE A GOOD CHOICE?

Terzo unconsciously slipped his hand into his pants pocket, finding the stone there. He stroked it with the pad of his thumb. “Yes.”

It felt like Earth was smiling behind his mask. THEN IT'S THE RIGHT CHOICE. He got carefully to his feet, rolling his shoulders. GOOD NIGHT, TERZO. GET REST. TOMORROW COMES SOON. IT ALWAYS DOES.

Terzo nodded, watching the ghoul slip back into the darkness of the stone arcade. He sat down again, brow furrowed, glaring up at the stars.

But he still didn't hear anything.

My AO3 | Tumblr Fic List | My Terzo/Omega Fics

Please reblog! Thanks and have a lovely Solstice season!<3

NEXT CHAPTER (LAST ONE!)

[simpforchuchu]

Regrets | Yosuke Todoroki x reader | Part 2

Summary: The Todoroki faction was having a normal and sweet day. But Todoroki's past was determined to chase him.

a/n: Hello! The second part is here 😌 Thanks to @tiddly-winx for this amazin idea 🥰 It will be a heartbreaking story and maybe more angst but fluff at the end 🥰 Hope you like it ❤️🌸

Sorry for the grammer or spelling mistakes.English is not my main language so...

Thank you and love you 🥰

Warnings: mention of blood and stabbing, a lot of heartbreaking moments and usual hnl warnings

Part 1

There are some moments in life. You can never take it back and prevent it from happening.

Todoroki was having one of those moments today.

He was staring blankly at his hands on the chairs in the hospital corridor. His hands and shirt were painted red. He felt like he was going to go crazy seeing Y/n's blood on his hands.

He was thinking over and over. How had he let all this happen? How could he not protect her?

He had been battling strong feelings inside for a long time. He never showed it, never said anything to her or the others.

But Todoroki loved y/n. And he didn't know if he would ever get a chance to tell her that.

Tsuji and Shiba rushed into the hospital. When they saw Todoroki looking blankly at his hands in front of the operating room, they rushed towards him in fear.

Tsuji called out several times. But there was no reaction. Shiba knelt in front of him in fear and waved his hand in front of his face.

“Y/n… is she okay?”

Todoroki didn't react at all. Tsuji noticed that the light above the operating room door was on. The surgery should still be going on. But it wasn't hard to understand how bad the young boy was feeling.

Tsuji sat right next to Todoroki. Shiba gripped his dry bloody hands tightly.Todoroki looked at him in surprise. Shiba knew he was in shock. That's why he wanted Todoroki back to normal, no matter how bad he was.

"The surgery is still going on, isn't it? We must be calm now. She will be fine-"

Todoroki whispered quietly

"It was my fault."

But they could both hear so clearly

“Look, it's not your fault. Y/n doesn't want you to think like that-"

"It was my fault. They came for me and y/n… They stabbed her because of me!”

Todoroki was afraid. He was angry, but more so, he was afraid. He had nothing but these three in his life. And the girl he loved was dying on the operating table.

No matter how hard Shiba tried to persuade him, he was unsuccessful. They both stood up and shouted at each other. Todoroki wasn't doing this consciously, but someone had to stop him.

Tsuji couldn't stand it. He stood up and punched him hard

"Enough! Stop the bullshit! Y/n would never blame you!”

Shiba looked at the two of them in surprise.When Todoroki looked up at Tsuji, he had only just realized how bad he looked too.Y/n was so precious to all of them.

"Please. Calm down now. Dont make us worry about you, too.”

The young boy made a small apology and sat back on the seats. He began to watch the door calmly. Again. The other two sat next to him and began to watch the door like him…

***

Hours had passed. While all their friends were waiting nervously in the hospital corridors, Todoroki was watching the door without blinking.

At the 4th hour of their waiting, the operating room door light went out. When everyone stood up in fear, Todoroki didn't get up.

The doctors came out of the operating room, they said it was a very difficult operation and her heart stopped twice. But she was okay, y/n had fought to be by their side again.

As everyone shouted with joy, Todoroki got up from his seat and quietly made his way to the restrooms. Some didn't even realize he was gone, but Tsuji and Shiba never took their eyes off him.

They knew he wanted some space, so they remained silent and joined in their shouts of joy.

***

A few hours later, y/n was taken to the normal room. They didn't know when she would wake up, but she was fine.

They were watching nervously from the window of the room. As the hours passed, most of them had fallen asleep or had gone home. Only Fujio, Tsukasa, Tsuji, Shiba and Todoroki were waiting. Tsukasa was leaning against the wall and Fujio was sleeping leaning against him. Shiba put his head on Tsuji's shoulder. Tsuji, on the other hand, wanted to resist insomnia because he was worried about Todoroki too.

Early morning, when everyone was asleep, there was only one person awake. Todoroki was standing in front of that window, watching in horror.

Her pale complexion was killing him. Y/n was always smiling. Her cheeks would turn red when she laughed a lot or was embarrassed. But right now, the countless wires in her body and her lifeless face scared him so much.

Todoroki did not know how long he waited in front of that window, but when the sunlight came in from the window of the room and he saw that y/n was moving a little, he excitedly called the doctor.

Many doctors and nurses rushed to y/n's room. Everyone was awake, watching nervously through the window. Todoroki, on the other hand, was afraid and stepped aside.

When was the last time he felt this lonely? When did his heart hurt like this? Or when was the last time he was this scared?

He didn't know, but when the doctor said y/n was fine and they could see her, he knew why he was going in the opposite direction.

He was a coward.

***

At the end of the hospital corridor, he buried his face in his hands, trying to breathe. He didn't look up when the two people sat next to him because he knew who they were.

“Y/n… she is fine. Really fine. She just said she had little pain.”

Shiba knew that Todoroki had heard him. They just wanted him to relax.

They both looked at their friends in horror as they heard a sob. It was the first time they had seen him cry. But they didn't say anything. He needed this.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but when he wiped his eyes, the rubbing of his two friends on the back made him feel that he wasn't alone.

“She…is she really okay?”

Shiba quickly nodded, and Tsuji smiled too.

"She asked about you. Won't you see her?"

Tsuji sighed as Todoroki quickly shook his head.

“Look, it wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. She’s worried about you, you should see her."

Shiba also nodded in approval.

"I can't. You do not understand. She was injured because of me. I'm sure she doesnt even want to see my face-"

"What are you talking about ?" When Shiba shouted, Todoroki looked at him. “Don't you know how important you are to Y/n? How can you think of that?"

Tsuji squeezed his shoulder when Todoroki wanted to protest.

“We understand why you feel that way, but you're wrong. Y/n has the same feelings as you, she's worried about you."

Tsuji laughed as Todoroki looked surprised.

"We may be stupid, but neither of you could have kept that from us"

Shiba wrapped an arm around Todoroki's shoulder and smiled.

“Tsuji is the one who is stupid but I agree. Please go see her, now."

As Tsuji rolled his eyes, Todoroki shook his head and stood up.

***

His feet wanted to go back as he walked down the hall to the room. Stepping up has never been this hard.

His friends had left the room, as if they all knew and wanted to leave them alone. However, y/n never understood…

He stared at the door of the room for a while. When he saw that the young girl was wiping her eyes, he entered in fear.

“Y/n? Are you allright ? Are you in pain? I'll call the doctor."

Todoroki had reflexively entered the room he hadn't known how to enter for minutes. Y/n looked at him in surprise at first, then firmly grabbed the hand of the boy who was about to leave.

Todoroki looked at her in horror. He was afraid of hurting her, hurting her again.

Seeing how bad the young boy was, Y/n shook her head and spoke in a low voice. Her throat was still sore from the anesthesia.

"Don't leave."

Todoroki couldn't remember ever having his heart hurt so much. Her weak voice hurt him.He wanted to vomit.

But he owed y/n at least that.

He grabbed her hand and shook his head.

“I'm not going anywhere, I'm here. I will never let anyone approach you again.”

Y/n tried to smile. It was the first time she had seen Todoroki worry so much for someone, she felt valued.

She was, y/n was Todoroki's most precious treasure.

Unintentionally , her eyes filled with tears again. She was in pain, but seeing Todoroki like this more upset her.

"I am sorry"

Todoroki looked at her in horror at the words she said in a low voice.

"I didn't want to worry you so much, but-"

"What are you talking about ?" Todoroki's voice was harsh. He spoke without thinking. “If anyone should apologize, it's me. That bastard stabbed you because of me. If in the past-"

“Todoroki…” y/n was trying to stop him.

“If I hadn't been such a fool, if I hadn't been such a smug bastard, a fight like this would never have happened. You, Tsuji, and Shiba would be safe.”

When the young boy's eyes filled with tears, y/n wanted to get up on the bed, but she was too weak. Slowly, she stretched her other hand to the young boy's face.

Todoroki pulled back his hand and himself and shook his head.

“I… I'm sorry y/n.”

When the young girl looked at the boy who started to cry in front of her, her heart hurt.He shouldn't have done this to himself.

“Todoroki…”

When Todoroki didn't respond, the young girl called out again

“Yosuke!”

Y/n had raised her voice and called him by his first name.

Todoroki looked at her in surprise. He studied her face with wide eyes. There was not the slightest bit of anger, regret, or hatred on Y/n's face. She was smiling at him.

“Yosuke… I think I like saying your name,” the young girl chuckled, “I wouldn't be happy if he had stabbed you or Tsuj or Shiba instead of me. Neither do I regret the other two. We love you so much. I…I love you so much.”

Todoroki didn't want to admit it, but he knew she was right. But he still couldn't stop blaming himself.

“It wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. Please stop blaming yourself.”

Y/n tried with all her might to sit on the bed. With her sudden movement, she groaned in pain. Todoroki panicked and approached her immediately. He straightened the pillow on the young girl's bed and carefully laid her back. Y/n chuckled tiredly.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. I didn't know you cared about me that much"

Although the young girl wanted to joke, Todoroki was serious. He slowly moved closer to the bed and took her hand and looked into her eyes.

“I care about you y/n.”

Y/n tensed with the seriousness of the young boy and smiled

“I was just kidding, I know.”

Todoroki shook his head

“I really care about you.”

Y/n couldn't react with a sudden confession, looking at him in surprise.

“I always wanted to tell you that. Every day, every moment. You don't know how precious and important you are to me. I always wanted to protect you. I…I don't show my feelings easily, but-"

“Yosuke… it's okay. I know what you mean.”

Todoroki looked at her in surprise.

"Do you know ?"

Y/n smiled and put her hand in the face of the boy who was staring at her. Todoroki was startled at first with cold fingers touching his cheek, but he pressed his cheek to the young girl's palm. And he closed his eyes.

"Me too."

Todoroki opened his eyes with the whisper of the young girl

“I know what you mean. Me too."

Todoroki was suprised at first but then smiled and placed a small kiss on the young girl's palm and brought his face closer to hers.

Y/n closed her eyes and smiled. Todoroki, on the other hand, unintentionally smiled at her sweet reaction.

He thought it was too early for everything. He wanted to kiss her when everything was said more neatly and clearly. So he placed a small kiss on her hair and pulled back.

Y/n opened her eyes with a smile and looked at the boy who was lovingly looking at her.

"Don't scare me like that again"

Y/n nodded slowly as there was a sound from the door and they both turned to the door. Shiba grinned as Tsuji nervously scratched his neck.

“Don't forget about us. We were also very scared.”

Y/n chuckled as Todoroki rolled his eyes. She was very lucky for everything, she knew that.

HnL taglist : @straysugzhpe @tiddly-winx @ninamarie1994 @thatpoindexterpixy

[phoenixeclipse-lmkau]

Phoenixeclipse JTTW/LMK Fanfic

Chapter 5 - The Plan

After the incident with the ghost Phoenix and Tripitaka stayed the night in the hunter’s house. Phoenix was reluctant but she agreed because of how dark it was. She slept soundlessly that night without a single sound her body so still it was almost as if she were dead. This of course freaked Tripitaka out and nearly screamed the next morning when he saw her in bed passed out.

Hearing the muffled scream Phoenix fluttered her eyes open and stretched as she stood up with a loud yawn. Blinking her eyes slowly to wake up she chuckled at Tripitaka’s shocked expression before he calmed down.

“It is time to go,” he explained with a small smile which only caused Phoenix to raise her brow.

“Go where? It’s not like we’re traveling together,” she said with a shrug as she stretched her body again, she was half serious and half joking. She knew they were going in the same direction and it would be better to travel in a group but it was rude of him to assume.

“Well I figured since we’re both going the same way-” once again he had a nervous expression on his face, something that Phoenix was getting rather used to.

“I’m teasing, but you shouldn’t assume you know someone else’s motives. It can cause great distress when you find out the truth,” Phoenix stated calmly as she gave a short shrug, her face felt cool and relaxed even with the mask she wore.

“Of course… shall we get going?” He asked, a small crease in his brow, he was both worried and nervous.

“Yeah, let’s get going,” she nodded in response not sure what else to say.

A part of her was confused on why she didn’t fight the unwanted company. Well it wasn’t exactly unwanted but it wasn’t unwanted either. She figured he wanted her to stay because she saved him from those ogres and she was strong. She wondered why she should let him stay by her side.

Deep in thought she didn’t notice the wall in front of her until she hit it. Tripitaka gasped in shock. Instead of falling she stood there her face still planted firmly against the wood of the wall. She felt a hand help her pull away from the wall and glanced at the worried face of her new traveling companion.

“I’m fine,” she didn’t elaborate and he didn’t ask as they made their way to the living room.

“Good morning monk!” Po called a cheerful expression on his face.

“Good morning Hunter Po,” Tripitaka bowed in response.

Phoenix appeared to be ignored for the most part but she didn’t particularly care. It was better to remain unbothered and mostly unnoticed, being ignored was better than a fight. With a sigh she gave a slight bow of her head but nothing more. Looking away she patiently waited for the monk to say his goodbyes which took much less time than she expected much to her delight until…

“Where are you heading?” The hunter asked with a huge grin.

“We are heading west, our next stop is the Five Fazes Mountain,” That sounded familiar, and a dark feeling slowly began to settle in Phoenix’s gut. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she tried to remember what it was about that mountain that was dangerous, it had to be something right… Her cousin may have mentioned it on one of her visits, maybe?

“The Five Fazes Mountain!?” Po all but screamed in shock as he stumbled from his chair.

“Yes, I am on a quest given by Guan Yin herself you see,” He responded proudly.

“What’s wrong with Five Fazes Mountain?” Phoenix asked with the tilt of her head.

“Monsters are sealed away under that mountain!” His wife exclaimed, hiding behind her husband while shaking in fear.

Monsters? That rang a bell in her head but she still couldn’t pinpoint. Wait. Monsters under Five Fazes Mountain. Could it be? No one was stupid enough to free them, right? Her head whipped around to look at Tripitaka who was standing there unfazed with a huge grin across his face. This man wasn’t nearly strong enough to face them.

“These monsters by chance… they aren’t Sun Wukong The Monkey King and The Six Eared Macaque?” A bead of sweat formed on her brow as the thought filled her head.

“Yes, that’s right. Guan Yin told me to go to the mountain and wait for her with them. Her plan is to have them help me along the journey,” Tripitaka explained in a matter-of-fact tone.

Phoenix stared at him like he was an idiot, which to be fair was the only thing going through her head. There was no way that she was joining this suicide mission. He was going to get himself killed and if her master heard about this- She wouldn’t care. As the thought crossed her mind she frowned and clenched her fists tightly together in anger.

Glancing down at her amulet she calmed down; she had an impenetrable shield on her person. They wouldn’t be able to hurt her, but she also knew she shouldn’t instigate those two specifically. Thoughts filled her head on what to do as Tripitaka and the Hunter continued to talk, the words sounding like a loud ringing in her ears. Something in her mind told her to leave the monk and stay away from that mountain then the other part…

She would have to travel through the mountain anyways, this way she would at least be able to have a plan. Guan Yin was supposed to be there before they were freed so it should be fine. At least she hoped. If she was with the Monk then it would be fine, all she needed to do was go along with this foolish plan. The goddess was the goddess of Mercy and after being sealed away for 500 years maybe the monkey demons had changed- maybe.

“Thank you, good man,” Tripitaka’s words suddenly rang through her head.

“It is the least we can do, we will bring you to the mountain but that’s as far as we’ll be able to take you,” The Hunter explained with a small frown.

“That will be more than enough, I thank you wholeheartedly,” He responded with a smile.

Phoenix felt herself sigh at his outward excitement. This would be fine; she would be fine… probably. Yes, it would be okay. After all, who wouldn’t be grateful to be free from a 500 year imprisonment.

“Then let’s get going,” The Hunter said, opening the door for the two who stood behind them.

Phoenix followed behind Tripitaka with a frown on her face. The plan was simple get to the mountain and wait for Guan Yin to free the Monkeys. At least that’s what she understood.

“Okay, we can do this. I don’t know if I trust this plan. Calm down, you have a shield to protect yourself and him.” She muttered to herself, before noticing Tripitaka turn to her for a moment.

“What shield?” He asked curiously.

“My amulet can create an impenetrable shield. It’s one of the gifts I was given by my cousins the last time I saw them,” She explained with a shrug as she wrapped her hand around the stone on her neck.

Notes:

Phoenix: This is stupid. Also Phoenix: This is going to be simple. Tripitaka: I don’t know what I’m doing, hide it with a smile.

Chapter 6 - Five Fazed Mountain