#well pt iii | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

trashmouth-richie · 9 months ago

Text

dulcis ut rosa { sweet as a rose 🥀}

part 1 1/2– dulex (the gnat🥀) pt ii: vitiosus + deliciosus

pt iii: frangere me 🥀pt iv: ad caelum vel infernum, tecum sum

emperor Geta x female servant reader || word count: 4.4k || smidge of caracalla x reader

summary: brought to Palatine Hill as a gift from your village to the new Emperors— Caracalla claims you as his own, but Geta has his own plans for you when the moon crests into the sky.

tw: anal, p in v, rough inexperienced sex, oral m receiving, use of the word whore, caracalla is a whiny bitch, geta is fuckboy of the era. i googled a majority of the historical events, timelines, roman names for things, and latin translation— if it’s wrong, oh well. bad at feelings! geta, insane! crybaby! caracalla. idk geta is an unhinged mother fucker but what if he wasn’t so bad?

It had been months and many cycles of the moon ago when you were sent as a token of goodwill, a gift to the new Emperors in exchange for peace for the small village you resided in.

Other Virgines and yourself were taken in the dark ebony of twilight, shackled side by side into the wobbly wagon driven by the village's strongest oxen. You didn’t dare object, instead you held your chin high, awaiting fate as the cart swayed this way and that, heart racing and blood pulsing as your journey to the Palatine Hill began.

Some nights were still spent awake, remembering the crippling fear in your chest as you watched women from your village being gifted to generals as their personal servants.

Some were given to soldiers as a sense of “release.” No better than a common whore being passed from soldier to soldier, fitting their needs. The others were pillaged and picked like grapes from a cluster— and finally you had stood alone, defiance pooling in your eyes, pushing back traitorous tears.

Emperors Geta and Caracalla sat on ruby and gold twin thrones, identical in size and power. The tension between them was palpable— so thick you could reach out and stroke its ugly head. Where Caracalla’s grin was full of mischief, Geta had a snarl curled on his upper lip.

You should have known then. The difference between them.

From where you stood, Geta’s dark eyes looked empty. Every so often they twitched as he spun the rings adorned on his left hand. His eyes rolled when his older brother giggled as the gifts from whatever poor village gave away their ripe, untouched women.

Bare toes standing on the marble floor— unable to even grab shoes before you were heaved into the cart— you felt a heat from dark eyes that you were certain would drive someone mad if they dared look back. Like the boiling flames from hell itself were simmering in the coal of his irises.

Caracalla jumped up, stepping forward from his throne, a wicked sense of evilness piercing from the iciness of his stare. His golden tooth caught the sun’s rays and you nearly vomited as he strode forward, eyeing you like a meal.

A feminine laugh bubbled from his throat, he clasped his hands together, bangles clanking in a sick harmony, a childlike grin spread on his pale face, “she’ll do.”

You remember the first night in his chambers. Caracalla himself was bathed in ivory, same as the stone walls that were covered with flowing draperies. Although it was meant to be beautiful, the air felt choked, tight in your chest as you tried like hell to calm your frazzled nerves.

The same giggle you heard in the throne room all morning now reverberated off the walls. He sat on a chaise lounge in only his dressing robes, sweat dampening his temples, that same damning stare as he slid his tongue over that disgusting gold tooth. Was he nervous? Drunk?

You had thought an emperor of his caliber would be used to this sort of thing. Maybe not.

You had been cleaned by the palace servants, hair untangled and dirt scrubbed from under your nails. Hints of jasmine and honey perfumed from your gown as you tiptoed toward him. You watched as beads of sweat trickled down his brow, and he wiped at them hastily.

“Sit.”

The singular word seemed to give him trouble, as if he had never been in the presence of a woman before.

He was clumsy, unthreading your gown with clammy hands, dragging across your skin like a damp sponge. Your skin crawled under his touch.

His lips were stained with wine, thin and shriveled as he pecked at your skin. When you reached for him, hurrying this task along, he recoiled from your hand, shaking his head, a pained expression on his face as he held your wrist in a death grip.

His eyes squinted shut and he screamed for you to leave. “Out!” “Get out!” Chalices and gold cutlery were tossed in your direction as you sprang for the door.

Throwing open the heavy wood and running smack into the bare chest of the other Emperor. Emperor Geta.

Although younger, he was taller than Caracalla. His chest was more broad, shoulders stretched tight with muscles. The same death-like stare on his face as he shoved you from him, having you stumble onto the stones into a wall. The cords of his neck strained as he took in your appearance.

He didn’t soften his features as you peered up at him with a fear stricken expression. He snarled, flaring his nostrils at the pathetic look of you, practically in rags.

“Ah, and what do we have here? My brother’s whore in tears outside his chamber door. Can’t say I'm the least bit surprised.” He leaned into you, his eyes burning into your skin as he ripped the last of your gown to the floor, leaving you naked before him.

“Tasteful thing, aren't you?” he gloated, pinching your bare nipple between his thumb and forefinger, laughing when you yelped in surprise and tried to cover your decency.

He crowded into you, pushing your further down the hall way until you reached a dead end, his groin pressed into your middle.

“Pathetic.” he sneered, enunciating every syllable the word held. “Every single one of you.” His voice slithered like a snake against your ear, his breathing was forced, almost erratic and strained like he was holding himself back from bashing your skull into the wall.

“Brought in here like some glorious stuffed hog on a spicket, trying to impress the Emperors so your village would be overlooked..” he clicked his tongue and grabbed the nape of your neck, his mouth only an inch from your own, “I don’t miss anything. Even though my sniffling brother may, I do not.”

“Emperor, please.”

“Do not speak!” he shouted loud enough to wake the entire palace, the veins in his neck stood at attention, throbbing, “a whore will never open her mouth to me unless asked, or you are given something to fill it— understood?”

You nodded feebly, a single tear trickling down your cheek. Geta placed the tip of his tongue to your skin catching the salty wetness, “if you can not please my brother, you will please me… otherwise what good are you here?”

He shoved you to your knees, bits of sand biting into your skin as you hit the ground with a thud. His eyes were ablaze as he pulled out his cock. Veiny and impossibly thick, you’d never imagined one to be so large.

Geta stroked himself, already hard and velvet beneath his palm, “open for your Emperor,” he demanded, the same snarl on his lip you noticed earlier today.

You did as you were told, tongue out mouth agape waiting for him to slide against your mouth. Forcing himself inside, he filled it full until the pink head slithered into your throat, his groans vibrating through your bones.

He rocked his hips into your face, panting and groaning some more as you gagged on his length— spit dripping down your bare chest and down his sack.

He spoke nonsense to himself as you tried to breathe, squinting out tears from your eyes as you peered up at him. “The virgin mouth is fuck, yes, too good… impossibly sweet, untouched by another man, fuck, never get enough.”

His large fist gripped your hair, pulling at the root as he bludgeoned himself further into you, fucking your head into the wall surely to leave a bruise or knock you unconscious, he wouldn’t care either way.

“Stupid sniffling Caracalla,” he choked out between thrusts, “incompetent bastard wouldn’t know what to do with a whore if one fell on his cock,” he laughed and scrubbed at his face, reaching with his free hand to press the column of your throat, feeling himself deep beneath his thumb, “lucky for you, I do.”

He came then, loud and shaky, holding you to him until your nose was tickled by his patch of dark pubic hair. He pulled out, leaving a pearl against his slit to rub against your mouth.

“You might belong to Caracalla, but you will bow to me, and you… my sweet rosa, I have plans for you.”

And that was how it started, how every night you would meet with Caracalla only to be summoned by Geta in the corridor upon your dismissal. Spilling secrets of his brother before pleasuring him with your mouth.

In the light of day, you were ignored by him as you catered to Caracalla’s beck and call, and you often wondered if Geta had another servant he preferred during the sunlight hours.

You were a midnight affair, a servant to one Emperor, a secret to the other. Caracalla was a strange man. Your time with him mostly was spent with him whining about the day's woes.

How hard it was to be an emperor, the many expectations he had, the palace wasn’t large enough, his brother was too mean. Night by night his paranoia spread like wildfire, and he became gaunt, refusing to eat thinking Geta poisoned his food, his cheeks began to hallow.

During all those nights he never once gave in to his own sexual temptations, he laid his head in your lap like an infant, whimpering and sniveling. One particular warm night you were sitting on his bed as you did every night before, listening to him sob about his mother and how he felt her attention was elsewhere.

It took a single second of you being unresponsive for his switch to flip. Caracalla raged, flipping over furniture, ripping his draperies from the walls and pulling at his own hair. You were terrified, scared of him for the first time since the night you came to the palace.

Caracalla bound your wrists above your head, and took force between your legs as you silently let him, disassociating from the entire situation, as he kissed a bruise to your collarbone, and scratched your thighs with his bitten fingernails. His inexperience was evident in his approach, in the way his hips held no rhythm, in the way he screeched like a midnight owl when he was close to release.

He repeated the same thing over and over until he spilled against your stomach, a plea to either himself or to the Gods above, I am worthy.

You shook violently, not with pleasure but with fear. You had thought of spitting in his face, but realized death would be your only future if you were to humiliate him during this catastrophic performance of what he would assume to be lust.

Caracalla finished with a sweaty brow, laying down to fall asleep like a babe, an arm wrapped around your middle. A gaudy rouge colored his pale cheeks as drool slipped from his lips.

You felt sick, defiled and disgusting.

You’d rather be fucked by thirty men at once than have to endure that pathetic, cry baby fit from Caracalla. Gently placing his arm on the pillow, you fled.

Missing your village, your family, the man who you were supposed to marry someday, your tears clouded your vision down the winding corridors of the palace. You would have fought to stay behind, should have pleaded to the men that you could be useful to them. This whore’s life isn’t what you had bargained for, death would be swifter— easier than this.

The sweet scent of the balneum made you take a detour to the right, and you sobbed upon seeing the moonlight glint across the soft bathing water.

Desperate to scrub his filth from your skin, the water was barely warm but you couldn’t care less as you sunk deep into the marble stone basin. Scrubbing your skin with anything your fingers could get ahold of. The jasmine soaps the servants washed you with the first time was tucked into its cradle and you slathered until your skin shined like an apparition.

Tears dropped from the apples of your cheeks hitting the massive pool like a rainstorm over the ocean. Caracalla was a coward, a nuisance to Rome, to the Gods themselves. You damned his name as you scrubbed and lathered, repeating feverishly.

For how long Geta stood in the doorway, you weren’t sure. You weren’t where you should have been, and he was irate upon your absolute disrespect of his time. He wanted to shout, plunge his way into the water and drag you out by your hair, bring you to the coliseum and make everyone watch your death against whatever animal he saw fit.

You broke his rules, his laws, his heart raced with anger at the sight of you casually washing yourself. Nobody in the palace bathed in the moonlight, and when he heard commotion from the tepidarium room, he stomped towards it to find whoever the culprit was idiotic enough to disobey. He was alarmed to find you in there. Frantic, shooken up, no doubt from the hands of his flaccid brother.

“The lamb strayed away from the flock, I see.” his voice was like a snake, cool and calm but dripping with acidity that could kill at any given time. Jumping at his voice you nearly shrieked at his sudden appearance.

“The moon has passed the mountains, yet you do not seek me out? Instead I find you here, helping yourself to the royal bathing quarters, as if you deserve such luxuries.”

Your voice trembled, as you climbed from the water, “I wanted… I needed to be clean.”

His eyebrows twisted inward, confusion riddling his features until he stepped further into the room and noticed the marks across your skin. Caracalla’s mark. The marks of an hungry, untrained runt, trying to prove himself to the litter.

Geta’s face boiled with sadistic rage as his eyes scanned down your body, the scratches of an novice beast unable to pleasure a whore. Bruises from a limp man who deserved a knife to his throat.

“Come.” he demanded, not waiting for you to follow as his stalked from the room, tossing a long cloth behind him to your awaiting hands.

—

Water trickled behind you and down the length of your body as you padded on bare feet to catch up with Geta.

This part of the palace was foreign to you, a set of stairs leading to a dark tower that you didn’t know existed, and then you realized why. He was leading you up to his chambers.

Geta and Caracalla lived on opposite ends of the palace, their hatred splitting them apart as far as it could allow.

He thrust open a concealed door and stomped down a few stone stairs leading into his chamber.

It was decorated in hues of deep ruby and scarlets, black linens flanked his walls. His bed was massive, alluring in the dark majesty of its presence. A single candle flickered beside his bed, casting shadows in the deep night.

His hooded eyes seemed to strike with a ripple of psychotic light when he came back to the doorway to pull you inside by your wrist.

Sitting on a lavish wooden chair he leans back, spreading his legs wide, reaching for a wine filled chalice downing it in one gulp, his eyes never leaving you.

“Let me make myself clear,” he stated, “I do not care what Caracalla does in his chambers I never have nor will I now.”

Geta wiped at his chin and set down the glass, his finger rounding the rim, “You came here knowing what your life would hold as an Emperor’s servant or a soldier’s fuck sack. The little amount of freedom you were once born with has vanished, and what a pity that must be…but quite honestly,” he gleamed leaning forward his face warmed by the light, casting shadows of evil on his brows, “I am not a savior to the fucked raw whores of this palace who weep after fulfilling their master’s needs.”

Your eyes casted downward at the patterned marble floor. “I told you the night we met that if you aren’t pleasing my brother or myself, you have no purpose here, did I not?”

Your head shook up and down, knowing every word he said was true.

“I will grant you gratitude where it is due by saying that you have done everything I have asked of you, sharing my brother’s secrets, using your mouth to fill my needs— it is all very pleasing…”

For the first time you look into Geta’s eyes, the shadows inside flicker with the candle light, and you are drawn to them like a moth.

“… however, I find myself enraged thinking of that shriveled weasel dick not taking you to bed in a proper manner. It is not my style to fuck like a lover would—I use women to my needs and that’s it.”

He rubs his jaw, as if the stubble was itching him, suddenly stopping to look at you dead in the eyes as his narrowed to slits, “but you, are a gnat. An annoyance I can not seem to get rid of, and I can’t decide if you are a woman version of the plague or something else…” His eyes glimmer for a second before he shakes his head to clear his mind, “Get on the bed.”

“Emperor?”

His voice boomed as he slammed down his cup, “do not make me say it twice, I find myself to be quite angry when I have to repeat my words.” His throat pulsed in wrath, and his knuckles turned white from his fists being clenched.

You do as you're told, gingerly making your way to the enormous frame and mattress, sitting rigidly. Geta undresses himself, standing bare before you, that glorious length springing freely.

“The difference between Caracalla and myself, is I know how to use my God bless-ed cock to pleasure a woman, and I’m damn good at it.”

He’s on you in a flash, his breath sweet from the wine he had consumed. His body was solid on top of yours, pale skin never exposed to the sun. Enormous shoulders dressed in muscles that were hidden with robes daily. He sniffs loud, taking in your scent you feel his body shiver above you.

His teeth nip at your earlobe, piercing through the flesh releasing a trail of hot blood onto your neck. It’s swiftly lapped away by his tongue, a low groan following as he tastes you.

“If your blood is this sweet I would hate to know how you taste between your legs.”

You squirm beneath him as he bites your lip the same way, his canines piercing your plushy flesh and he moves his mouth over the bites, enjoying the iron-like taste. A flood of wetness rushes to your core and you suddenly feel hot everywhere… something Geta doesn’t miss.

“My brother’s whore is quick to becoming wet.” he says with a chuckle, sweeping his fingers between your folds, his rings collecting your arousal on his knuckles before he pulls them into his mouth, “mmmm leave it to Caracalla to fuck a bitch when she’s drier than a well.”

His mouth assaults your neck. Sweeping circling as he groans into you, his cock rutting against your sex as you pull him further into you, a hand coiled in his golden hair, yanking slightly, a traitorous moan escaping his lips.

Your hips widen to try to sneak the tip of him into your cunt but he only laughs at your attempt.

“Look how desperate you are, pathetic thing… so eager to be filled by a man who knows how to fuck.” He groans when your nails scratch down his back, and he licks his lip to not get too carried away.

That pitiful excuse for a human couldn’t satisfy his own hand, let alone a whore who begs to be brutalized.” You moan his name when he skims blunt nails around the peaks of your nipples, running his palms along your rib cage.

“You're teasing me, Emperor, te necessito.”

The snarl that seems to be a permanent fixture on his face curls on his lip, “begging is a good start, we both know how good you are on your knees, but I like the pity showing in your eyes, as if I’m your God.”

With that final word and title, Geta thrust himself into you, shredding your walls with each delicious inch of his cock buried inside of you. All breath is expunged from your lungs as you stare into the devil’s eyes, a chokehold to your own.

“Ora pro me, Deus meus, pray for me God,” he grunted as he pistoned back into your heat. Your screams filled his chambers, the tower shaking with seduction as he matched your shouts with grunts and moans of his own.

He pawed at your tits, squeezing and claiming every inch of skin he could get his hands on. Your thighs were wrapped around his waist, your hips circling to meet his rhythms. A large hand wrapped tight around your throat, and you licked your lips letting a grin spread against them.

Geta was leaned forward just enough for you to put a hand against his own throat, squeezing as tightly as you could. He wasn’t expecting this, wasn’t expecting someone to match his own sadistic fantasies.. let alone a commoner from a village he didn’t care to know the name of.

His eyes embellished like a dark jewel in a burning hell before he snarled and backhanded your cheek. He had never been more turned on, practically fucking you stupid as the welts from his rings raised on your skin.

“Puella pulchra, pretty girl,” Geta whispered into your ear after flipping you over, his cock wedged between your ass cheeks. “Mea es, mea es, you’re mine; no one else’s.”

His rings bit at your sides as he positioned your ass upwards, leaving his dental records in each cheek before slapping them hard in unison, mocking your yelp as he dribbled spit where he needed it to be.

With no warning he entered your other hole at a bruising pace. You saw black when Geta bottomed out and you swore you were near passing out from the stretch of his giant cock stuffed tight inside of you.

Your pussy throbbed to his commands as he pulled you by your neck with one hand, so your back was leaned against his chest. Thick fingers slotted themselves in the heat of your core until his rings were nestled against your clit. “How dare you let Caracalla have at you first, this cunt is too sweet, too sinful to not be mine.”

Babbling along to everything he said you simply screamed yes over and over, as your head lolled back on his shoulder. You came so hot and bound tight that it flooded his fingers and spread down your legs as he kept pounding inside of you.

“Oh fuck,” Geta grunted, shoving your forward to gain leverage on your hips as he pistoned into you a final time. A great yell breached his throat as his seed flooded your ass, filling it full and spilling over both himself and you, down to the laundered sheets.

You collapsed onto his bed, legs shaking and quaking struggling to catch your breath. Geta fell onto his back beside you, his skin glistening with sweat, his release coated thickly on his softening cock and pasted into the curly hair.

“Dulcis ut rosa,” he murmured with his eyes closed, licking his lips to savor your taste once more.

Tumbling on shaky knees, you lift yourself up just enough to eye his length, wrapping your mouth around his cock, sucking off his spend and yourself from him. Moaning as you devoured him.

He hissed at the contact, reaching out to stroke your cheek with his thumb “you’ve made a fool of me, you wicked thing, I’m nothing but a fool.”

When you were finished, Geta laid in silence beside you. His thumb strumming along his torso his eyes wide staring into the ceiling, deep in thought.

Noticing a decanter of wine you asked if he’d like another glass. “No,” he said, still staring upward, unable to look at you. “I’m tired, leave me now.”

Removing yourself from the bed you find the dressing robe he was wearing when he found you in the bath and slipped it over your shoulders.

Leaving his chambers left you feeling rotten.

It was strange how he looked at you during and after, he was talented just as he said he was, and you knew you’d never forget the night the other Emperor bed you in his sheets. For tomorrow was another day, back to Caracalla and his blubbering whines of the hardships of royalty.

Geta lie awake for hours. Eventually seeking refuge on his balcony staring into the pale ivory moon, silently asking the Gods for answers he himself didn’t know. He had bedded hundreds of women. Every shape, size and color. But you. The little gnat. You had been buzzing in his ears every night since you had gotten to Palatine Hill.

Since the day he laid his eyes on you and scoffed to try to denounce his admiration, Geta silently wished death on Caracalla when he claimed you as his own. His original plan was to spoil the apple from the inside out, use you as a spy to gain information about his deranged brother— but it became more to him, you became more. But why?

The God’s didn’t have the answers tonight, just like they hadn’t the night before, or every dawn since the night you showed up here. Guilt struck him like a bolt from Jupiter’s mighty hand and he pushed it down with the remaining wine he had stashed beside his bed.

The facaded mask he wore these days almost slipped off tonight when you lay beside him. How he wanted to reach out and touch your skin while you laid in euphoric bliss. And he shut you out to avoid something he couldn’t risk. He didn’t know how to love a woman, his love was for war and power, blood and gold— still the gnat buzzed, unrelentless.

Laying in the sex sodden sheets, he knew what his dream would be of tonight. It hadn’t changed in the months of you arriving here: Caracalla dead by his hand, and you, the gnat, sweet as a rose…his empress.

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

latin translation:

virgines— virgins

dulcis ut rosa— sweet as a rose

balneum— bathing room

te necessito— i need you

ora pro me deus meus— pray for me my God

puella pulchra— pretty girl

mea es— you’re mine

tagging some moots: @joejoequinnquinn @choke-me-eddie @etherealxwitch

#joseph quinn #gladiator 2 #emperor geta #emperor geta x reader smut #geta #emperor geta x reader #geta x reader #geta smut #emperor geta smut #emperor geta fanfic #geta fanfic #gladiator ii

1K notes · View notes

matchpointfaist · 2 months ago

Text

a love like religion ˚₊‧꒰ა♡໒꒱ ‧₊˚

sheltered! art x flirty reader pt iii

the third time he saw you, art couldn’t decide between happy and horrified. he’d been doing his best to stay focused on his studies, his faith, and his training; on anything but you. his thoughts drifted, sure, but for the most part he thought he was doing pretty well. an entire week passed, and he managed to avoid you on campus, ignoring his fleeting thoughts of wishing to see you, even for just a moment.

he knew, in the back of his mind, that attending his teammates birthday party was a mistake. he knew you were in the same social circle, that you’d probably be there, all gorgeous and flirty and drunk and- it was just best if he didn’t see you.

he told himself he wasn’t taking extra care in his appearance for you; he just wanted to look good, that’s all. a birthday party is a big deal. so he got dressed in a button up and jeans, made sure his hair was perfect and his cologne wasn’t too strong, and tried to keep his head high as he entered the already too loud party.

almost immediately, his eyes fell to you. everyone’s did, though, he couldn’t blame himself. you were a vision of pink and silver shimmer, your hair falling down the dangerously low back of your dress. his breath quickened, his mind racing with excuses on how to get out of here before you noticed- and then, your sharp eyes were on his, a dangerous little smile on your glossy lips.

“donaldson!” your voice carried over the music like a melody, like some sort of siren call crafted just for him, rendering him helpless, “cmere!” and he practically floated to your side, a nervous smile on his lip, “uh, hi, hey. i didn’t know you’d be here,” he managed, biting the inside of his cheek and hoping he didn’t think too stupid.

“course id be here,” you grinned, “what’re you drinkin? i can get you a refill,” he shook his head, “no, i don’t drink, i can just get a water,” “you don’t drink?” you laughed, like it was the most insane thing in the world, “cmon, artie. come with me,”

so he followed you to the kitchen, let you pour him a cup of stale beer even though he knew it was wrong, it was stupid, it was a sin. “it’s cheap shit, but it’s fine,” you sounded almost apologetic as he sniffed it, trying to keep his nose from scrunching, taking a shy sip. “you look pretty,” he said after a moment, choking down the beer with what he hoped was only a slight grimace.

“you too,” you smiled, and for just a brief second, it seemed real. not like that fake, mocking smile you gave everyone else. in a flash, though, it was gone, replaced by the coyness you showed the rest of the world, “nice shirt. green looks good on you,” you trailed your fingers over the collar of his shirt, and he almost lost it right there in the crowded kitchen, his head swimming. “my grandma got it for me,” his cheeks flushed, acutely aware that was not the right thing to say, but you didn’t seem to mind.

“cute,” you just smiled, “here, finish that and i’ll make you another, kay?” he shook his head, already regretting the first round, “no, i really can’t, i’m sorry,” he rambled, “i have class tomorrow and i don’t drink anyway and-“ “don’t worry about it,” you rested a hand on his shoulder, “it’s fine, artie. we’ll have fun anyway, yeah? you can just watch me drink,” you teased. and oh, he did watch you. all night, you practically dragged him around the party, inches from you at all times.

he watched you laugh, watched you dance, watched you drink and smoke and all the things he’d always be too afraid to do. he watched you in rare moments of your true form as you interacted with your girl friends, watched you shut down the guys that tried to dance too close to you. he watched so intently he felt like he had learned who you really were in just a few short hours, like he’d cracked some sort of code he must have missed before.

at 11, he debated leaving without even saying goodbye, just leaving you to your dancing and talking. but as he turned to leave, you were calling his name, a little pout on your lips that sent him reeling. “i’ll walk you home,” you offered, and he took note of your heels in your hand, your bare feet on the floor. “no, that’s alright,” he smiled slightly, “thank you, though. that’s kind of you,”

“let me,” you pressed, “at least let me walk you out, art,” so he did, of course, like he did everything else you asked of him. you walked with him to his dorm, and when you asked to come in, he let you do that, too. even when his head was screaming at him to stop, that this wouldn’t end well, that temptation was the gateway to sin.

you just looked so fucking pretty, sitting there on his bed, your heels tossed in the floor and the skirt of your dress on his comforter. he wished he could memorize the moment, bottle it up and save it for when this night ended. surely you’d never be back there, he told himself, this was just one time. a lapse in judgment, on both your parts.

but then he was sitting beside you, and your perfume was so sweet, and your words were even sweeter when you asked him about his hometown and his family and the pictures on his bookcase. you sounded like you really cared, like you thought he was interesting. you, of all people.

“you can relax,” you told him, and his heart nearly stopped as you pressed your leg to his, scooting closer on his bed, “jesus, you’re so tense. i’m not gonna bite you, yknow. not unless you like that,” you winked again, and his cheeks were flushed, his mind working overtime to form words that just wouldn’t come.

“you shouldn’t be in here,” he finally blurted out, his eyes wide with fear of the way it sounded, like he didn’t want you there when that could not be further from the truth, “sorry- that came out wrong. i just- i can’t be with anyone, and you’re in my room and it’s late-“

“you can’t be with anyone?” you repeated, a laugh on your lips, “why not, hm? is the devil gonna getcha if you slip up?” and then your hand was back on his necklace like all those days before, touching it, burning into his skin, “live a little, art,”

and then you were kissing him, and oh god, oh god, oh god. it was heaven and hell and a mistake and bliss and burning and soothing and everything he’d been too afraid to admit he’d ever wanted. you tasted like vodka and cotton candy and sacrilege and he couldn’t get enough, couldn’t hold back the sounds leaving him from the simple act of your kiss, couldn’t stop his hands from wandering and fuck, you were so warm and so soft and he could’ve died right there when you climbed into his lap, kissing him dizzy, tipping his jaw open with your fingers and dipping your tongue into his mouth.

he would’ve let you do anything in that moment, would’ve let you ruin the path he’d been on for so many years, would’ve let you dismantle all his plans and his faith and anything you wanted if you just kept grinding against him, kept kissing him so sweetly, so dangerously.

and then you sank to your knees off the bed, your hands pulling at his belt and your eyes shining as you blinked up at him, a sultry little smile on your swollen lips. “you’re so hard,” you hummed, sounding content as you pulled down his jeans, “has a girl ever touched you like this, hm?”

“no,” it came out like a whine, his hips bucking into your hand as you ghosted your fingers over his cock, “jesus- no, no one has,” you made a little noise, like you were pleased, and your eyes widened as you pulled down his boxers, taking him into your hand. “this is so- oh, this is so bad,” he hissed in half-pleasure, half-anguish as you pumped him slowly, your lips parting. “why’s it bad?” you asked, so innocently, so sweet, “just making you feel good, art. that’s all,”

“a sin,” he panted, eyes screwed shut, knowing full well if he looked at you he’d finish right there, just from your hand, “this is- sex before marriage is a sin and,” he trailed off, fucking into your hand despite himself, a little whine leaving his throat.

“oh, no,” you tsked, and when he dared to open his eyes, you were pouting up at him, “it’s okay, art. i’ll be good, yeah? i’ll make up for it,” he didn’t have time to question how before your tongue was on him, licking at the tip like a lollipop, and his eyes rolled back, his hands fisted in his sheets.

“forgive me father, for i have sinned,” you murmured, and he choked out a moan as you took him into your mouth fully, so warm and wet and close- fuck, he was so close. you pulled away with a pop!, “holy mary, mother of god, pray for us sinners,” and then his cock was down your throat, and you were humming around him and he was so fucking close- his hands were in your hair before he could think to stop himself, his hips bucking into your mouth, your name leaving his lips between moans and pleas.

he didn’t know what he was asking for, exactly. forgiveness, release, for you to slow down so this never stopped, but for you to make him cum down your throat like he’d imagined so many times before. one hand was in your hair, the other clutching his sheets as he came, panting and moaning and whining he opened his eyes in just enough time to see you licking your lips clean, wiping your chin with a grin, sucking your thumb into your mouth.

you leaned down, kissing him until all he could taste was salt and sweat and you, god, you, and then you were gone, his lips still hot. “amen,” you whispered against his ear, gathering your heels and pausing at the door, “see you around, art,”

and then, for the second time, you were gone. he looked down, and nearly fainted when he saw what was left in his floor. your pink lacy panties, complete with a little wet patch, bundled up just for him.

“forgive me father,” he mumbled to himself, picking up the lace and tucking it into his nightstand, not even bothering to clean himself up before curling up and drifting off, his mind busy with thoughts of you.

#challengers #art x reader #art donaldson fic #challengers 2024 #art donaldson #art donaldson x reader #artdonaldson #art donaldson smut #sheltered art x flirty reader #sheltered! art #sheltered! art x flirty reader

535 notes · View notes

illyrianshadow · 25 days ago

Text

Lost in Shadows (pt. III)

Summary: After centuries apart, you see him again — Azriel, the boy who once kept you safe in the shadows of Windhaven.

But now he’s a stranger and you’re left wondering: does he remember? And is your connection, fated or forgotten, still strong enough to bring you together?

Warnings: none really, just two idiots sickeningly obsessed with each other, read at your own risk

A/N: Get ready for another lil' peak in to Azriel's mind. If you were thinking he couldn't become anymore tortured than he already is, think again. Always excited to hear your thoughts loves. x iz

Word count: 2K

Part 1 | Part 2

———

Azriel’s POV

The Spymaster of the Night Court is freaking out. He’s having a full blown, existential crisis and he’s very glad his family are too wrapped up in themselves to notice.

He looks at Rhys and Mor still bickering about god knows what. He’s glad for the distraction, it’s causing them to focus purely on each other instead of the Shadowsinger crumbling in front of them. He’s relieved they are no longer obsessing over his lack of focus. Busybodies.

The last thing he wants is for his family to start asking him why he’s so lost in thought. How would he even begin to explain?

He’s kept a huge secret from them for most of the time he’s known them, he’s not sure how they are going to react when they find out. If he was them, he would probably feel betrayed. At least for a little bit.

What would he even say to them?

When we were young I had a secret friendship with the daughter of one of the most brutal males Windhaven has ever known? She was everything to me, and days after I found out she was my mate she had to leave and I haven’t seen her in over 500 years? I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see her again?

Not exactly light conversation. Besides, Rhys and Cassian had absolutely despised Baric when he was still alive. Finding out their brother is mated to his daughter and hid it from them for centuries is probably not something that will go down well.

It’s rare for a mating bond to present itself so young, but when it happened it hadn’t scared him. You were his safety net, his home. It felt right.

He’d been building up the courage to tell you, planning on surprising you on your birthday and if the moment felt right, he would’ve told you then. When he arrived at your hiding spot and found your note it broke him.

He became frantic, all of his instincts telling him to chase after you. He needed to find you, help you, protect you. It was his duty. You were his mate and now you were gone. Before he even got the chance to tell you.

That’s when he sent one of his shadows after you to track you down, to make sure you were okay.

When it found you in a harbour in Velaris days later and returned with the message that he needed to let you go, he promised himself that he would do everything it took to be reunited with you again one day. He’d never stop fighting for you, never stop looking.

He threw himself into his training until it became all consuming. His brothers noticed something was wrong, but they assumed he was just dealing with his traumas. Everyone did. They didn’t know the training kept him steady, focussed. He was training so he could be ready in case he ever needed to fight to get you back. It was an outlet for his feelings, a way for him to feel useful.

Azriel sighs softly, one of his hands rubbing the spot on his chest just over his heart where the mating bond has been lying dormant for centuries. He’s become so used to it, some days he can almost forget it’s there. Almost.

It’s stirring now though. Your presence has awoken something primal that’s been suppressed and pushed down for longer than it should have been.

He’s itching to go over to you, to reach out. It’s taking all of his control not to run to your side and take you into his arms. To fly you away from here to have you solely to himself.

He’s becoming more restless by the second and even your presence nearby is starting to lose the calming effect on his shadows.

That’s a first.

They’re starting to swirl around him, behaving a bit more frantically as they try and break free to make their way over to you. It’s taking all of his willpower to not give in and let them do what they so desperately want.

Touch. They whisper in his ear. Mate. Hold mate.

He can feel one of them starting to move, slithering over the floor towards the bar. It’s the same one that once followed you all the way to Velaris. It’s always been drawn to you. He lets it go and prays you won’t notice its presence before he’s ready.

Once again Azriel’s thoughts are rudely interrupted by his brother.

Rhys slaps his hand down on the table in force. “On that note, I have to leave.”

Azriel looks at him, puzzled by his sudden announcement.

Rhys just rolls his eyes slightly when he realises his brother has not been paying attention to any of their conversations. “Duty calls. Nyx has had a nightmare. I’ll see you tomorrow brother, I’ll stop by the training ring.” He presses a kiss to Mor’s cheek. “Goodnight cousin darling. And behave.” With a last wink at both of them he winnows home.

Now it’s just him and Mor left.

Once this would have been all he wanted.

When he first met Mor he was taken aback by how much she reminded him of you. Her strength and resilience. Her ability to make light of tough situations. Her unwavering confidence. The beauty radiating from her that makes people stop in their tracks.

Frantic to have any part of you he could, even if it wasn’t real, he became obsessed with being around her. It was the closest thing he had of you. He knew it wasn’t healthy but he just couldn’t help himself. He thinks it was some ancient, territorial part of him that made him do so. Always looking for his mate, never resting.

Mor looks at him, concern shining through in her eyes. She places her hand on top of his and gives it a small squeeze.

‘Are you okay Az, you seem distracted?”

He just nods, not ready to voice any of this just yet. He needs to speak to you first, see you first.

“Yeah I’m good.” he mumbles. “I think I just need to be alone for a bit.”

She gives his hand one final squeeze and gets up. “I’ll go and see if Amren and Nesta feel like going to Rita’s with me. Will you be alright?”

Azriel gives her a small smile in response. He loves how she never pushes him to talk when she can tell he doesn’t want to. He just waves her off. “Go have fun. Don’t spend too much of Rhys’ money.”

She grins and winks at him when making her exit. “Can’t make any promises there.”

And then it is just him. He downs the rest of his drink and wills his shadows to stay by his side while gathering the courage to approach you. After a few minutes he gets up.

He turns around and his eyes immediately fall on your form in the corner of the bar. You look absolutely breathtaking. You had always been beautiful but it seems like you have grown into your beauty even more.

He tucks in his wings and starts walking over to you, a fake confidence in his steps. He’s hoping it will make him feel more prepared, maybe he can fool himself into believing he’s ready. That he’s not absolutely terrified.

Just when he’s about to clear his throat and speak your name, you jump up from the stool and lose your footing.

He reaches out to you immediately, scarred hands touching your waist , sending a jolt of electricity to his very core.

You look up at him and that’s when he feels it. The bond in his chest roaring to life, finally answered by the one thing it’s been seeking for over 500 years. It can no longer lie dormant, be one-sided or suppressed.

His shadows start whispering again. Home.

———

Reader POV

Mate. The word echoes through your head over and over again.

You’re suddenly hyper aware of the male in front of you. Being this close to him, his overwhelming scent of night-chilled mist and cedar fills your senses.

Cedar, like the forest surrounding Windhaven. The same forest that provided you a safety blanket before Azriel did. The smell of home.

You feel dizzy from the overwhelming realisation of how right this is. Everything makes so much sense, you feel blind for not seeing it before. You and the male in front of you fit together like a puzzle, both of you tailor made by the cauldron to only fit each other.

You watch him, his shadows hanging still around his frame and you wonder if he has come to the same realisation. Surely he must be feeling this too?

You put your hand on top of his scarred one still resting on your waist. Your head is spinning and you are struggling to focus with the alcohol roaring through your bloodstream.

This is not how you imagined this would go.

When you were a child you had often fantasised about meeting your mate one day. You’d heard stories, both good and bad, but had always dreamed you would find that unconditional bond with someone. Hell, you had always hoped it would be Az when you got old enough to wish for those things.

All you feel is the need to be closer to him. You want to wrap yourself around him, hold on and never let go. But since you haven’t seen him in 500 years and are in the middle of a crowded bar, you’re guessing that’s probably not the proper response. You wish someone had written a guidebook on how to do this.

Navigating the mating bond for dummies, or how to confront your mate after 500 years 101.

You’re starting to think your approach of getting drunk might not have been the best decision.

You try to bring yourself back to the present by focusing on the situation at hand. You find Azriel’s eyes and give him a careful smile. He looks at you, gaze soft mixed with a hint of concern and something else you can’t quite place. Is that recognition, or are you imagining things?

You straighten yourself, placing one hand on the bar to keep you from toppling over.

By the cauldron this is embarrassing. You are really regretting the amount of drinks you’ve had.

“Thanks Azzie.” The nickname falls from your lips before you can help yourself. Your eyes go wide at your words as you cover your mouth with your hand in shock.

You blame the current alcohol content in your body for your stupidity.

You haven’t seen him since you were 18, clueless and in love. And you’ve just called him by his childhood nickname in the middle of a crowded bar. Your cheeks turn a dark crimson. You wish the floor would swallow you whole.

He looks at you in shock, but you can read the amusement on his face. He probably thinks you are some foolish, drunk female getting too familiar with the Shadowsinger of the Night Court.

You’be only been back in Velaris a couple of days but you had heard the whisperings.

Females obsessed with the Night Court’s most “eligible bachelor” now that the High Lord and Cassian were taken.

Azriel pulls a bar stool closer to him and gestures for you to sit down while he flags down the fae behind the bar. He gets you both a glass of water and settles down next to you.

You take a few small sips, aware of his gaze still locked onto your face in shock.

He clears his throat and you brace yourself for what comes next. You feel a soft pull on the bond in your chest, a cautious contact. Your eyes widen.

His voice sounds thick with emotion when he speaks. “I can’t believe you’re finally here.”

taglist (comment/send me a message if you'd like to be added and I'll add you in x): @yesiamthatwierd @k-homosapien @mortqlprojections @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @a-courtof-azriel @greenmandm

#acotar x reader #azriel x you #azriel x f!reader #azriel x reader #acotar fanfiction #azriel fanfic #azriel shadowsinger #azriel fanfiction #azriel acotar #azriel fic #azriel angst #pls let me know if u enjoyed #if u want hehe

379 notes · View notes

jyeshindra · 5 months ago

Text

Astro Observations - Pt. III

🤖 - I think those with lots of Leo energy in the chart (Suns especially) have karma to do with transcending the ego. The sense of self and the way self is expressed needs to be adjusted here. Sometimes the native may have too much ego, too much confidence. Sometimes too little. The fire must be tempered, nurtured, matured so that Leo can lead and help others spiritually develop and self-actualize.

🤖 - Mercury nakshatras have a cunning/beguiling element to them. Mercury is the prince/princess, there's something naive and innocent but observant at the same time. Perhaps they are not in charge, but they're in the rooms where decisions are made. Mercury is listening, watching, but free of the burdens of authority. The nature of these nakshatras and even Mercurial energy (Virgo, Gem, Merc Dominance) carries this watchful yet naive energy. One who possesses knowledge yet can feign ignorance when necessary.

🤖 - Sun dominants/Leo energy can be SO STUBBORN. They are unmoving and stick to their own way of seeing things even if it hurts them. Can be belligerent as well, similar to Mars. The general and the king are similar in these ways.

🤖 - I read online that Water Moons/Venus/Suns may be really attracted to antique items. Throw in Capicorn and Taurus too. Makes sense...they say they akashic records are held in water, creating a connection between memory/history and water. Even our bodies holding onto to experiences and trauma when it is mostly made of water. Capricorn is just a sign that appreciates age/time while Taurus appreciates quality which usually stands the tests of time. Water energy enjoys nostalgia and sentimentality, the type to hold onto memories, feelings, and experiences and love anything created from or to hold memories. The type to love something like Snapchat memories or time capsules.

🤖 - Aquarius is unpredictable, truly the lightning bolt--reflecting that Uranian quality. They tow this line between structure and innovation, being capable of seeing the form and changing it when necessary. Aquarius is the type who can justify murder if it is for the greater good. That cold detachment gives them the ability to be objective in a way that comes off as cold, but I think their perspective is a reflection of their kind of sensitivity.

🤖 - Capricorn/Saturn energy moves SLOWLY. Those with this energy can be very lazy! Saturn is time and it TAKES it's time. It's like these natives know they need to pick up the pace and move, but they can't help but indulge their own laziness. I know they're often seen as workhorses but I think they can be just lazy if not moreso!

That's all from me. Stay tuned for the next one :D

-Jyeshindra

#astrology #zodiac #astro observations #astrology signs #astro notes #natal chart #astro community #astrologer #astro placements #horoscope

644 notes · View notes

jinwoosbabyboo · 5 months ago

Text

Onychinus Personal Chef III

ꩇׁׅ݊ You became Sylus' personal chef based off of pure chance. He's picky, he's annoying and he is just so damn fine. ꩇׁׅ݊ fem!reader, sylus x personal-chef!reader pt 3 of a 4 part series

↢ previous ... continue ↣

6 months later…..

You grew to tolerate Sylus as time went by. Who were you kidding you had such a big crush on your boss it was ridiculous. You kept your feelings to yourself though because even though you would let him bend you over his kitchen island this was your job and you needed to draw a professional line somewhere.

Besides he could have any woman he wants there's no way he'd want his personal chef. You needed to remain professional you couldn't afford to lose a once in a lifetime job like this. You blatantly ignored his flirting hoping that would help keep your feelings from growing.

'He’s a calculated man he just enjoys the games' That's what you told yourself whenever he flirted.

“Girl you are quite literally living the life what’s the problem?” Your best friend said over the phone as you were laying in bed after a busy day of back to back orders from your boss and the twins; mainly the twins.

“Yea I know it’s just it’s getting hard having to be around him every day and my thoughts are just getting worse and worse” You palmed your forehead and fell back against your headboard. “Let me guess you were folding an omelet and imagined him folding you like an omelet instead?” You stared at the phone in silence. “Well?”

“Bitch I almost burned the omelet” You two burst into a fit of laughter just as you heard a knock at the door. “I’ll call you back” You quickly hung up the phone and ran to your bedroom door. “Yes?” You cracked the door open and see two faces that always make your day. “Luke! Kieran! Hi what can I do for you?”

“Uhh me and Luke were wondering if you’d be up for making those lemon tarts you made yesterday we know it late and it’s fine if you just want to sleep-”

“Of course I'll make my favorite boys some lemon tarts go start zesting the lemons and I'll be right there I just need to tie my hair back” You always enjoyed cooking and the twins made it all the better. They’d become your closest friends while living here.

Once you’d made one too many lemon tarts and the boys were now yawning after their late night treat you started cleaning up. “Go lay down you know how Sylus gets when you two fall asleep at the counter” They nodded and disappeared out of the kitchen.

You were just finishing up cleaning when you felt someones presence. “You know the cleaners can do all of this for you right?” You kept your back to Sylus as you finished scrubbing the last bowl. “I know, but why give them more work when they already have this entire place to keep clean”

“You made lemon tarts?” Sylus asked seemingly ignoring your response as he picked up one of your tarts. You finally turn to see him standing on the other side of the kitchen in nothing, but a pair of gray sweats. His entire upper half was drool worthy and so was the print in his pants. You had to quickly divert your attention before you actually started drooling. “Yes you can have that one”

“They’re my favorite” His low sultry voice had your skin hot and your heart racing. “There’s only one left?” You nodded as you continuously scrubbed the obviously clean bowl in the sink. “Yes Sir I hope you enjoy it”

“Did you get one?” He asked and you could hear his footsteps getting closer and that heady scent of his beginning to waft around you "and what's with the sudden formality?"

You shook your head as you moved to dry the bowl off by hand. Anything to make space between you and him. "I tasted as I made them and you're my boss sir" You were unsuccessful with the attempt to put any space between you two because once you were done drying the bowl you couldn't reach the shelf that it needed to go on. Suddenly you felt Sylus' hand brush yours as he grabbed the bowl and placed it on the shelf. Just as you were about to run again he turned you to face him.

“Speak. What's wrong?” He questioned with a quirked brow. You looked anywhere, but at him as you searched your brain for anyway to keep this conversation professional. “The twins ate the rest …. they requested them Sir” You tried to sound confident, but your voice came out breathy. "That's not what I asked" His voice was as smooth as velvet and it had your stomach doing back flips.

Damn it.

"Sylus it feels like you're playing with my emotions and I'm trying my hardest to remain professional" Your frustration was palpable and all Sylus did was eye you with a smirk before putting his attention on the tart in his hand. A satisfied hum rumbled from his chest as he took a bite; relishing in the taste. “You have some on your lip” You reached up to wipe it and stopped yourself only for Sylus to grab your wrist and use your finger to wipe his lip. He then turned your hand and guided your finger onto your bottom lip smearing the sweet and tangy filling on your lip. Your tongue darted out instinctively tasting it and for some reason it tasted even better this way.

“Is this what they call an indirect kiss?” He questioned as he held onto your wrist and continued to close the distance between you two. “Y-Yea I guess” Your voice was nothing but a breathy whisper. Why was he acting like this? His gaze was so intense it almost seemed like he wanted it to be a direct kiss. That’s when you notice Sylus had you backed up against the counter. You panicked as you realized your composure was starting to slip “I should probably get to bed I have a lot of prep to do tomorrow for a certain someone who likes to give me complicated ass meal requests” You mentally high five yourself for not stuttering considering the fact that his scent was so intoxicating you were damn near melting. You needed to get away from him before you did something you’d regret.

Sylus sat the tart down behind you trapping you between him and the counter. “Complicated?” He said as he tipped your chin up and leaned in closer giving him direct access to a searing kiss if he wanted it. Part of you really hoped he wanted it as much as you did. “Yes you’re very picky Mr. Qin” Sylus could feel your breath on his lips; his gazed snapped down to your lips which immediately parted. “Why do you think I chose you?” Before you could question what he just said he dipped his head connecting his lips with yours in a heated kiss. You froze for a second your brain not wanting to believe what is happening when you felt Sylus swipe his tongue across your bottom lip and you opened up moaning into his mouth as you melted into the kiss.

Sylus held you close to his body, one arm snaking around your waist and his other hand gripping the nape of your neck. You pulled away out of breath; your heavy breaths mingling with his. He placed one last quick kiss on your lips before grabbing his half-eaten tart and turning to leave. Just as he reached the doorway he stopped and glanced over his shoulder “I hope that was clear enough for you about where I stand” and with that he turned and headed down the hall.

You fell to your knees immediately once he was out of sight. “Did that really just happen?”

↢ previous ... continue ↣

ꩇׁׅ݊ taglist ; @mangooes @mourning-into-dancing @ladyparamount @kindalonely-ngl @everythingistaken00

ꩇׁׅ݊ Just realized this could have another part …. I like baby cliffhangers though. Maybe there will be a part 4 no promises MUAH💋 update: y'all got pt 4 outta me love ya

#love and deepspace #sylus love and deepspace #sylus #lnds sylus #love and deepspace sylus #lads #sylus lnds #sylus x you #sylus qin #l&ds sylus #sylus fluff #sylus x reader #lads sylus #dividers by saradika #divider by saradika graphics #nikaaaaimagines

602 notes · View notes

byexbyez · 5 months ago

Text

lovers of valdaro | leon kennedy x reader

PART I | PART II | PART III (finale)

pairing: leon kennedy x f!reader

summary: Some things have changed. The months, the weather, the air that hangs between Leon and you. Yet one thing has remained constant: his desire to keep you as close as possible.

word count: 8.2K of gratuitous smut

warnings: 18+, smut, established relationship, pda, bickering, consensual somnophilia, groping, dry humping, unprotected p in v, fingering, prone boning, swearing, slight dom/sub undertones, pet names, an attempt at praise kink, pill as contraception, creampie, oral sex (f!receiving), marking, unintentional edging, masturbation, aftercare, no use of y/n, oh and ooc

notes: i’m sorry to those who were expecting pt 3 to be angsty. i wanted to portray some changes and get used to writing and publishing smut. also, this can be read separately as it is almost all smut. enjoy!

➵ read on ao3.

“This man yaps a lot,” Leon says from behind you, you’re startled by his voice near your ear. His lips tickle your earshell. Like a cat’s fur standing up, your shoulders go up slightly. Renting only one sunbed –a narrow chair, really– for the two of you starts to feel like a mistake. Well, you plan to swim anyway, I’ll just sunbathe, you had said earlier, failing to account for Leon’s FOMO when you pulled out your book from your beach bag. For some reason, he was interested in anything that captured your attention as of late.

You were looking at travel guides for you and your sister back at home when Leon saw your laptop screen. “What’s this?” he asked, adjusting the screen so he could see it better.

“Beaches in Italy,” you answered. “My sister will be using her yearly vacation this year. I’m making a list of places we can go if she asks.” Leon was silent and when you turned to him, already watching you intently. “What?”

“Our anniversary is coming up.”

You looked at the date, wondering why he brought it up. “I guess it is.”

“How about we go? Before your sister asks, I mean,” he suggested, scratching the back of his neck.

You straightened up on the couch. “You wanna go on a vacation with me?”

The corners of his lips curled up. “Err, I believe I asked you first.”

A little girl runs by your sunbed with her arms full of plastic toys, screaming with joy as she plops down to the sand. The bottoms of her tiny feet are red, probably because of how hot the sand is. She begins digging up sand with her toy shovel.

“It’s Dostoevsky,” you say, like that would be enough clarification for Leon. His arm comes up to pinch the book up top to flip it and peek at its title, which reads “White Nights.” Propping up your elbow on your torso to adjust both your book and your attention, you try to move as little as possible to not disturb him. He basically made you sit between his legs and lay your back on his chest, saying he would take a dip in the sea in a few minutes.

You know he’s about to speak again when your head rises along his chest. “He’s been talking nonstop for three pages.”

“Leon, I’m trying to focus.”

The little girl a few feet away lets out a frustrated cry when her castle crumbles down, her little arms flap irritably, chucking the toy shovel in front of her in the process. A slightly older boy, probably her brother, comes to the rescue with a bucket full of sea water. He shows his little sister how to wet the sand for it to hold shape. The sound of waves crashing against the breakwater drowns out their shrill laughter.

“You’re squishing your boob,” Leon blurts out, takes hold of the planted elbow on your breast and lifts it in the air.

Trying to follow the words, your head knocks on Leon’s chin. “I can’t read like this. Let go of my arm.”

“Nuh-uh. If I let go, you’re gonna keep pressing your arm to your boob and have a nip slip.”

“I’m not gonna have a nip slip.”

“Whatever the correct verb for a nip slip is, it will happen.” His chin digs into the crown of your hair. “And those teenagers will remember this day forever.”

Your eyebrows scrunch together. “What teenagers?”

“The ones that are looking this way,” Leon states in a matter-of-factly tone. He’s right, a bunch of boys are in the sea, laughing among themselves by splashing water. Every now and then their heads tilt up to your direction.

You look down on yourself to see if the swimsuit is covering you like it’s supposed to. There’s nothing wrong with it, yet that doesn’t stop you from setting the book down on your stomach. “Why are they looking here? What’s wrong with my swimsuit?”

“It looks good on you, that’s why. Hormonal teenagers.”

“I think it’s the position we’re in,” you mumble. Your back feels damp with sweat as you peel away from him, sitting up further away.

But Leon has other plans, he snakes his hand around your shoulder and plants his palm right on your sternum, pulling you back to him by your chest.

“Oof,” you breathe out once you collide with his torso again.

He taps his fingers on your breastbone as he catches the slipping book on your lap. “Here, I’ll hold it. You turn the pages.”

“It’s too hot for this,” you groan.

“Pardon me for doing something,” he says, sounding neither hurt nor sorry.

“You said you’d swim,” you say, though it sounds more like a suggestion. “Want me to lather you up in sunscreen? I know you didn’t put it on back at the hotel.”

“I mean, when you ask it like that, sure.” He’s grinning like a cheshire cat, it warms your heart that he’s pleased with himself just by managing to get under your skin. Something quite like a heartbeat, it feels intimate, an embrace out in the open. In a snap, you shake off the feeling. You’re not going to see these people again, they do not know you, just like how you don’t know the couple dipping their feet in the water while holding hands, little girl building sandcastles with her brother, young boys jumping on each other’s backs. Who would have thought being a stranger to all of it would make your yearning flesh all the more tender?

Your wandering eyes shut in bliss when you feel it. A featherlight, barely-there kiss on the back of your neck, placed just below your hair, followed by the disappearance of your book from your sight. Leon reaches down to drop it in your bag, you wiggle away to let him search for the bottle of sunscreen.

“Take your shirt off,” you say once you turn to face him.

“Damn, woman. At least buy me dinner first.”

“Can you get any cornier? You’re getting overpriced beer at best.”

“...May your sky always be clear, may your dear smile always be bright and happy, and may you be for ever blessed for that moment of bliss and happiness which you gave to another lonely and grateful heart. Isn't such a moment sufficient for the whole of one's life–?”

Your attention snaps away from your book over a playful voice. “Hey, miss. Sorry to bother you.” Leon is standing a few steps in front of your chair, hands on his hips, most of his weight on one leg. Water drops cling to his firm chest, following a delectable path down his muscles. Some even caress his faded scars gently, a reminder that he has endured things far from gentle. His hair seems darker due to saltwater, the tips of it almost poking his eyes, by the looks of him having to shake them away from his face when he attempts to tilt his head to the side. “Are you perhaps single?”

You purse your lips to suppress a grin. “Why are you asking?”

“I’m interested.”

“Oh,” you croon in mock-embarrassment. “I’m married.” You make sure to show off the gold band on your ring finger.

He walks next to your chair. “Lucky guy. Speaking of, where is he?” His gaze lingers on your legs that are bent towards your chest, the book propped up on your knees.

You close the book and play along. “He’s swimming.”

“Is he a good swimmer?”

“Yeah, his strokes are phenomenal.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Are we still talking about swimming?”

You tilt your head to the side. “Why yes, is there a misunderstanding?”

“No, no. Just making sure we’re on the same page here. Tell me more about him.”

You gesture to the empty room on the foot of the sunchair. “Then you might want to sit here for a while. Maybe dry off?”

“I’d love to keep you company until your husband shows up.” Leon sits sideways next to your feet, way too familiar for a ‘stranger.’ “What’s he like?”

“First of all, he looks a lot like you.” You press your lips together. This is ridiculous. “He’s also incredibly annoying.” When Leon gasps half-mockingly, you cast a sideways glance at him. “His jokes are really corny, he’s lucky I put up with them.”

“That might hurt his feelings.”

“Well, he’s not here.”

He scrunches his eyebrows together, there’s a visible question mark in his blink. “My jokes are that bad?”

“Aaand, the play is over.” You slap your knees lightly, sliding your feet towards Leon until your toes touch the side of his thigh. “We are not sharing the chair again. You’re still dripping.”

A sluggish sigh escapes his lips. “Let me lean on you at least.”

And before you can say no, Leon is relocating your hands from your knees, moving them by your wrists, placing your arms at your sides. He folds his own arms on top of your knees and rests his temple on them, hugging your knees to himself, looking off into the side. You could lean forward and bury your nose in his hair like this, inhale the sun and salt, let your lips linger, let him feel the ghost of a kiss for a change. Though he was always better at unprompted acts of affection, maybe because he didn’t think much of it.

It’s peaceful—the secluded space you’ve managed to carve out for the two of you, despite the chaos of the crowded beach. It feels like a quiet world unto itself, hidden in plain sight amid a sea of distant faces, as if removed from everything around you. It’s strangely intimate. Minutes or hours pass, you can’t make out which, lost in the stillness.

When Leon speaks, his thumb starts brushing your knee. “I can hear you think,” he murmurs, his voice low. What’s going on in that head of yours?

“Will you tell me a truth?” you ask, almost in a whisper.

Leon doesn’t lift his head up, lazy like a cat in the sun. Although his body reminds him to be on guard upon hearing a kid yell in the distance, his muscles twitch reflexively. “Why?”

“For all of this to feel real.” Your eyes follow the slope of his nose, then the squished red cheek leaning on his forearm. The sunscreen you copiously put on his nose bridge couldn’t protect his skin. You can’t help but admire his long lashes, fluttering so prettily the action could make butterflies jealous.

His answer surprises you. “I’m scared all the time.”

“Of what?”

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” His thumb stops moving so he can squeeze your kneecap. “I’m scared that one day you’ll want us to go our separate ways. I’m scared that I will not be able to let you go. You know I wasn’t able to do it the first time around. I dread the day you won’t want to see my face again.”

“Leon–”

“Sometimes I get scared that something will happen to you and I will lose you.”

It dawns on you then. The reason why you’ve been waking up to strong arms tangled around your waist for months.

“Leon, nothing’s going to happen to me.”

However, he’s still going on. “If you decide you’ve had enough, just let me know, okay? Don’t just up and leave.”

Your throat constricts itself. You don’t know what to say to that. Part of you wants to do just that: up and leave. Not the way he means but in a way to escape his hold, step aside to mull it over and come up with a humane response. The fact that he couldn’t meet your eyes while saying all that leaves your heart with a dull ache, chest too heavy to even breathe.

He finally looks up, expression unreadable. His eyes scour your face, searching for something. “Does it feel real now?”

You swallow on nothing as you meet his eyes. Sure, you nod. It terrifies you how real it actually feels.

Leon thinks he’s a genius for lowering the temperature of the air-conditioning while you were in the bathroom, carrying out your night routine. No, he didn’t have any malicious intent, not at all, he was just sweating a lot even after his shower. By the time you entered the bed in your pajamas, you suspected nothing, lifted the bedcover to join him. Your skin was glowing from all the products he couldn’t wrap his head around, your lips were shining clear. For a moment, he wanted to plant his mouth to your lips and taste the vaseline.

He was aroused, which was not surprising considering the amount of sex you two had been having. It’s become so regular that he thinks he never had this much compatibility with anyone before. Goodnight, Leon, you murmured before gracing him with the sight of your back, voice so sweet he nearly whined out of desperation. He didn’t know why he waited for your breathing to fall steady, he’s been holding you in your sleep for a while now. Every morning you wake up before him and toss his arms aside, get the day started.

When he’s sure that you’ve fallen asleep, he makes his move, drapes an arm around your waist, pressing his bare chest to your clothed back, spooning you. He’s careful not to wake you despite the evidence of his arousal resting against your ass. Normally, he would ignore it and take care of it in the morning but you make that impossible by squirming in your sleep. A few minutes pass by and he guesses the room must feel like an icebox to you, he knows you get cold quickly. Leon thinks he’s a genius because he could just wake you up and suggest warming you up. He also thinks he’s a fool because what if you don’t wake up, with all this squirming? He could move to the side and wait for the cold to do its own thing or he could just get up and go to the bathroom to rub one out. Or he could lower his boxers, do it right here. He’s positive you wouldn’t mind, that’s how intimate you two have become.

Before he can decide, a shiver takes over your body, a soft whimper escaping your lips. Now Leon feels bad. He’ll just get up and fix the AC to an acceptable temperature.

You shrivel into him, searching for warmth. The arm across your waist reaches up, the entirety of his hand cupping your breast that’s pressed against the bed. His body runs hot despite the breeze in the hotel room, so he thinks this will help. Just as a quiet, needy cry from your throat travels to his burning ears, his other arm snakes beneath your body to press against your belly. He squeezes you tightly until he can feel the blood pumping through your veins, buries his nose into the crook of your neck. Inhaling deeply bestows on him your enticing scent.

Guilt washes over him as he ruts his hips into your sleep shorts, because who becomes an animal in heat when they smell clean soap?

Leon. Leon does.

The smallest things have been setting him off. All of your flimsy sundresses, swaying of your hips in them, your smooth legs, the gold anklet that matches with your wedding ring, the swimsuit that makes your cleavage call his attention. You, taking his arm while walking side to side. In fact, he suppressed smothering his face into your cheek today at lunch—cuteness aggression— as he tried to eat his food in peace. You were enjoying your pasta, humming contentedly after your first bite, you smiled at him when you caught him watching you intently. Leon was never into taking pictures but at that moment, he wanted to engrave the picture of you smiling up at him lovingly into his memory for the future, remember your crinkled eyes and adorably scrunched up nose when he would miss you. He knew he would miss that moment right when it was happening, he’d be gone again for an assignment soon.

“What?” You laughed.

“That good?” he asked, eyes pointing to your bowl of pasta.

“Yep! Want some?”

Leon keeps clinging until your body twitches no longer, takes deep breaths against your neck, pleased as his heat completely stills you. His hold relaxes as he becomes aware of his grip strength. He releases his clamped fingers from your breast, stroking your nipple apologetically. It will surely leave a mark on your soft skin, which you will whine about later, though he knows deep down you enjoy him being rough with you. After all, it was you who brought up that you weren’t made of glass, he didn’t need to act as if you were going to break.

Your soft sighs soothe him to an extent, as far as the strain in his boxers allow. Fuck it, he thinks. He’s still humping your backside, cock throbbing. He’s going to wake you up. Pounce on you once you open your eyes.

Forefinger and thumb pinching a hardening nipple, he nuzzles his face into where your neck meets your shoulder, dropping heavy kisses first, then switching to sucking your skin. If he could drown in your smell, he would. “Honey, please wake up.”

“Hm?” He hears you, heart starting to beat even faster. “Leon?” Your first touch is on his arms, fingertips ice cold, groggy voice calling to him.

“You awake?” he breathes in your ear.

Feeling tickled, your shoulder rises to your ear. “Clearly,” you reply hoarsely. His thigh is glued to the back of yours, reaching back to hold it, you manage to slow his movements. His erection is fully pressed against you. “Everything okay?”

“No.” He pants in your hair. “Need to fuck you.”

“Leon,” you groan, face dropping fully into your pillow. “I’m too tired.”

“Please, you don’t need to do anything.”

“Don’t think I can even lift my leg.”

“Then don’t. I’ll do everything. Lift your hips for a second so I can get this off?”

“Fine,” you huff, rolling onto your stomach so his strong-willed hands can strip off your shorts along with your underwear. “We don’t have lube.”

He drops a kiss to your cheek. “I’ll just have to prep you.”

Ugh, so sweet. “Make it quick,” you say as he carefully sits on the backs of your thighs, his knees trapping your legs together. “How do we do this?”

“Stay still,” he mumbles, barely audible. You grow impatient as you hear him moving in the dark, taking off his only piece of clothing. He reaches over to the bedside drawer to turn on the lamp. The blanket is scattered across the bed. You hiss sharply, eyes adjusting to the soft light.

He holds your shoulders firmly. “What’s wrong?”

“Why is it so cold?”

Somehow, you can hear him grinning behind you. “The AC’s broken.”

“Have you tried calling the reception? It’s too cold for this.”

“I’ll warm you up,” he says as his heat hovers over you, fingers hiking up your flimsy camisole to gain access to your waist, the other hand shaking off the thin straps. He buries his nose into the back of your neck, kissing a path to your right shoulder, sharp teeth grazing skin along the way. He shifts his attention to your left shoulder, reaching down to cup your ass, pulling apart your cheeks. His fingers find your sex straight away; he’s familiar with your body.

“You’re a bit wet for someone who’s feeling too tired,” he teases.

You don’t bother with pleasantries. “I will leave you blue-balled for the rest of the week.”

“Right,” he says. “Lift your head up.”

“I just woke up, you’re asking for too much from me.”

He nudges his nose into the back of your ear instead of answering. Kiss me, he demands, pressing his hips to your plushness. Familiar with his silent commands, you submit to his reign, craning your neck back, open mouth chasing his.

Your mouths clash unceremoniously. It’s messy, sloven, uncoordinated, and animalistic. He finds your tongue in no time, suckling on the wet muscle all the while managing to lift your shoulders off the bed to drop your thin straps around your elbows, pulling your camisole down. Now your top sits below your naked breasts, bunched around your middle like a thick headband. Leon’s jaw moves as if he’s thirsty, drinking from your mouth unapologetically. The noises from your so-called kissing are obscene, filling the room along with the sounds of heavy breathing. Heat starts to pool in your lower belly, body slowly warming up.

Quick as a wink, a strong hand wraps around the back of your neck, pushing you face down to the mattress. Your surprised yelp into your pillow is cut short once he pulls your hair gently, laughing next to your ear. “Don’t want you to suffocate. Try to keep your head up. Can you do that for me, honey?”

Rolling your eyes, you bite back a remark. Resting your cheek on the pillow is all he’s going to get. After all, he did tell you that you didn’t need to do anything. Your crushed breasts feel funny, one side aching considerably more than the other, owing to him groping it roughly while you were sleeping.

Leon lets out a low chuckle and continues his undeterred path from your jaw to your neck, nipping at skin, leaving a stinging sensation behind. His knees make room for your squirming legs, a perfect chance for him to dip his hand between your thighs, a slight part of your legs to accommodate his fingers on your cunt. Rubbing your lower lips, he slicks his fingers with your wetness.

Your breath hitches when two pads of fingers make contact with your clit, drawing tight circles. “That feel good?” His voice is muffled by your skin.

You groan a noise of confirmation as he puts more pressure on his fingertips, quickening his movements on your now soaked pussy. His thumb catches at your entrance, maybe accidentally, and you can’t hold yourself back from pursuing that pleasure, back arching so your hips could sway up, chasing his touch. Thankfully, he is quick to place his thumb back, swiping back and forth. The double stimulation on your opening and clit creates enough lubrication for him to slide right in.

Your eagerness doesn’t go unnoticed by Leon, the feel of his teeth on your earlobe is a wary appreciation. “Too tired, huh? Look at you.” He means your hips in the air, quivering right in front of his view. “Lemme help you relax.”

You think he’ll finally thrust himself in, however, you’re taken by surprise when he works two fingers into you, the stretch unexpected, but appreciated nonetheless. He shoves your hips back down into the mattress, arm across the small of your back to keep you steady against the bed. “Don’t be disappointed. I need to open you up first,” he speaks into your temple, nose pressed to the tail of your eyebrow. He starts moving his fingers in and out. “Don’t want you to hurt.”

He grabs a handful of your ass to pull apart while working your cunt open with his fingers. Your whole body feels electrified each time he strokes the velvety walls of your pussy, throat humming with need.

“Leon…” you moan, wanting to arch into him. Your desperate hand slides under your belly to touch your clit. “Enough.”

But that’s not what you want to tell him. You want to tell him this is not enough, he needs to be inside you right now or you will start to wail, turn over and jump his bones. This is quite the opposite from where everything started, with you worked up and fussy in his hands, unable to speak properly.

You feel him watching his own hand between your legs, ears perked up for the sounds coming from where you are gushing, shallowing his thrusts once he feels your fingers join in. “Enough? You don’t want to come first?”

“S’cold,” you cry out. “Fuck me already.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, honey,” he coos at you, pulling his soaked digits out of you, head rising to meet with your parted lips. The arm around your waist slides up, fingers gently digging into your scalp to hold you in place as he kisses you, using the fingers he just pulled out of you to slick up his cock. He moans into your mouth before pulling away.

“You have me. Ready?”

You nod into the pillow.

As he presses his swollen tip into you, he watches the back of your head tip back with a shiver, your neck exposed for him to reach and grab. Instead, he wraps his arm around your neck in a gentle headlock, helping you rest your cheek on his bicep, the movement helping him slip further inside you.

Hot, bullish breaths burrow into your neck when he is buried to the hilt, balls pressed against your clit and fingers that are spreading yourself.

“Fuck, you smell so good,” he whispers, his torso meeting your back.

He presses his entire weight down onto you and it is glorious, being trapped between him and the mattress, surrounded by his body heat with no room to flee. Not that you even consider it. Though your wrist, strained under the weight, digs into your pelvis as he begins to thrust feverishly. “Oh, fuck,” he grunts.

Your mouth opens to let him know of the awkward position your arm is in but you only manage to moan wantonly. He takes it as a cue to snap his hips faster.

“Wait, Leon—my wrist.”

He stops completely, lifting his hips slightly for you to pull your arm out from underneath, dropping a kiss in your hair as an apology. “Fuck, sorry. Forgot your hand was there. Are you good? Am I too heavy?”

Your hands fist around the sheets to brace yourself. He did not pull himself fully out of you, you just want him to fill you to the brim again. Even though you don’t know if you can come like this. “No, I’m good. Let’s continue.”

As your wish comes true, his hips pick up a frenzied pace, the bed starts to shake. You don’t know how he manages it, you’re immobilized under him, high on the pleasurable feeling. Your poor nipples are chafing against the sheets with all the movement. The noises escaping your lips are embarrassingly loud, mingling with the creaky springs of the hotel bed. He doesn’t hold back either, sucking love-bites wherever his mouth can reach, moaning against your spit-lacquered skin. Palms sliding under your shoulders to hold you even closer, he squeezes you to himself while letting his weight push you hard into the mattress.

It’s as if he wants to open up his chest and tuck you beneath his ribs, or crawl beneath your skin from behind, until you both become one.

His pace falters, you squeak as he bottoms out, walls pulsing around him. He must have been desperately horny, for he is spitting out delirious things in your ear. “Fuck, fuck, fuck— you look so cute. You always do.”

“Huh?”

Rather than addressing your confusion, he leans in your face. One hand cups your jaw, guiding your face to his, squishing your cheeks together until your lips are puckered, ready for him to attack, though it’s a pleasant assault of kisses. “You’re so—” Kiss. “Soft.” Kiss. “It makes me crazy.” Kiss. “And you always smell so good.” Kiss.

“Leon, what’s gotten into you—mmph!”

He doesn’t care about what you have to say about his raving state; instead, he crashes his lips to yours for a longer, deeper kiss. His strong arm hugs your neck again, cradling you to himself. You swallow his animalistic groan when your fingers tangle in his hair, pulling on the tresses while trying to squirm. His hair has gotten so long; a luxury of taking time off work.

His hips start to grind, precise snaps eliciting small sounds out of both of you, his cock massaging your innermost crevices.

“You’re like an angel,” he whispers in your mouth, panting wildly. “You feel like heaven. God, I love you. I can’t believe—shit, I’m close. I’m gonna come. Tell me where to come.”

If he wasn’t literally in your face, you might have missed it—that sacred, dangerous word slipping past his lips as if it was an everyday occurrence.

It didn’t even register at first, partly because it happened so quickly and partly because it made you clamp down on him with an intense ripple of pleasure, causing him to grunt.

Losing all strength in your muscles, you sag against his arm on the pillow, neck too numb to keep your head up, feet plopping down with a pat. When did you lift your feet up?

Like a snap of a thread, his demeanor changes instantly. Concerned, he brushes your hair away from your face hastily. “Baby, did you just come?”

A sound resembling “yes” is murmured into your pillow, your whole body feeling prickly upon the fondness in his voice, spasming uncontrollably. He’s still inside you, reaching incredibly deep, hip bones digging into the meat of your ass, caging you in his warmth.

“Didn’t even need me to touch your clit,” he says. There’s that smugness in his tone, like he didn’t just rock your whole world.

Feeling fuzzy around the edges, you remember his need to have a release, and words rush out without much thought, “Inside. Come inside.”

The faint rhythm of his hips turn sloppy upon hearing you. He’s gasping, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m on the pill.”

“Fuck. Thank you, baby.”

His face finds home in your neck again. It’s not long before you feel the thick trickle of warmth filling you up. Coming to his senses, his arms loosen around you, waiting for his breathing to turn to normal.

You can sleep like this, you think. With him literally in your skin, smothered under his delectable weight. It’s calming.

Eventually, he pulls out and rolls over on his back, the absence of his weight feels oddly sad. He turns his neck towards you. “That was… something else. How are you feeling?”

You stretch your arms, sliding them under your pillow. “Like I’ve just run a marathon. And I didn’t even move much.”

“Now that you’re properly tired, you’re gonna sleep like a log.” He chuckles, throwing an arm on his forehead.

You slide a hand between your legs, knitting your eyebrows, reconsidering. “We need to clean up first.”

“Right,” he sighs. “I promised you I wouldn’t make you move, didn’t I? Wait here.”

Before you can say anything, he gets up from the bed, picks up his underwear from the ground and heads to the bathroom. You don’t move in case the viscid fluids threaten to leak onto the bed. He comes back with a few rolled-up toilet papers and a damp towel, with his underwear on. He sits on the edge of the bed next to you.

You spread your legs as he holds up the rolled-up toilet papers to your dripping entrance. “Push it out.”

You squeeze out the mixture of you and him. Your cheeks flare up, not because of embarrassment. But because of something else. Him instructing you with a raspy voice shouldn’t get you fired up, your limbs are still weak from the earth-shattering orgasm he pulled out of you, but your body reacts on its own volition.

“I didn’t know you were on the pill,” he continues as he wipes down your sweat with the towel.

“A recent development,” you say, eyes heavy with sleepiness. “Started it a while ago, I meant to tell you.”

“That’s fine.” He cleans up the residue between your thighs lastly. The pressure of his touch is so careful, in case you’re overstimulated. “Honestly, I think I found out about it in the best way.”

A small chuckle from you eases his heart. The image of you lying naked on your belly, your head turned to the side with bleary eyes is like a painting to him. He leans down and places a gentle kiss between your shoulder blades.

“Can I wake you up in the morning?” he mutters into your skin before hoisting your camisole to its place on your shoulders.

You understand his implication. “Yeah, but no sooner than eight or I’ll be super cranky.”

“We’ll miss breakfast.”

“Breakfast or sex. The choice is yours.”

“Room service it is.”

Eventually, he finds your panties and shorts under the blankets, lifts them up over your hips, and finishes dressing you.

You give him a smile, fingers resting on your lips as you ponder. “I have something to ask you.”

“I know,” he replies, too quickly. He’s aware of the things he’s just said. “I know you want to talk about it. But I feel awful for disturbing your sleep. You’re tired. We can talk all you want in the morning. Just know that I meant it.”

“C’mere,” you whisper, rolling onto your side to reach out to him.

This time, it’s Leon who seeks warmth, succumbing to the balmy caress of your hand as you pull him in.

The kiss is too soft, too fragile, and he wants it to linger forever.

He’s offended when you pull away abruptly. But that feeling is short-lived as you turn your head away to sneeze twice. “Bless you,” he says.

Deep down inside, remembering he changed the settings of the AC, he rolls his eyes at himself. He gets up and turns it off, throwing the soiled toilet papers in the trash on his way. “I’ll call the reception the first thing tomorrow.”

Leon is insatiable.

The first things he notices when he opens his crusty eyes is his morning wood and the deep red hues scattered across the back of your neck in front of his face. Wiping the sleep from his eyes with one hand—the other arm trapped under your neck—he presses himself to your backside. A repeat of what started everything.

He retracts after letting out a low growl into your hair, only to roll you on your back by your shoulders. You’re still asleep, muscles all soft and pliant under his maneuvering. So pretty, he thinks. The tiny flutter of your eyelashes casts soft, quivering shadows on the apples of your cheeks as warm sunlight streams into the room through a narrow gap in the curtains. Hovering over you between your legs, he cups your face, thumbs caressing the dainty shadows. His breaths fan your face as a gentle nudge to your slumber.

“Baby…” he croaks, voice all ragged from hours of disuse over the night.

Even in your sleep you seek out his touch, nuzzling your face into his palm, rousing something carnal in him. His lips get to work on your throat briskly, sucking the delicate skin, humming against it.

He feels the vibrations of the mellow sound your throat gives out against his lips and continues the path down to your clavicle, leaving ruddy blemishes behind. Rubbing up and down on your thighs, his palms curve behind the backs of your knees, bending them to spread your legs completely open against the bed. He presses his hard-on to your center.

Your cunt must be sore, he’ll kiss it better.

He mouths at the tops of your breasts, palms fondling them up in his face. “I’ll take care of you,” he whispers, though you’re too drowsy to hear.

His head slips down the blanket, your cover slides down your body as it gets caught on his broad back, opening an airway for him.

He starts littering kisses on the inside of your thigh, beginning from your knee and continuing the path up to your groin, pulling back each time his nose touches the verge of your panties. He looks up expectantly to see you stir. Because once he sees you awake, he’ll devour you.

You are stirring, head lolling in an attempt to turn on your side. Leon’s hands quickly clamp down on your thighs, “Nuh-uh.” He denies you, keeping your hips still. His mouth switches to your other thigh, repeating his ministrations.

His teeth graze the edge of your underwear. Your leg twitches under his touch, which further encourages his sudden urge.

Blunt teeth sink into the soft, supple flesh of your inner thigh.

That seems to wake you up as your head jerks, hand flying to his hair between your legs under the blanket. “Ow.”

“Morning.” His tongue darts out to soothe the dull ache.

With heavy eyelids, you crane your neck to assess the situation. His lips are slick and plump from all the kissing and biting. “Mhm. Good morning.” Yawning, you cover your mouth with the back of your hand, the other one cards through Leon’s hair lazily. As your grip tightens, you drop your head back to the pillow to blink away the haziness.

The sounds of his lips smacking against your skin are accompanied by the fan noises filling the room. You realize you’re no longer sweating like you were through the night, when the broken air-conditioning left you sweltering—or would have had you freezing if it were actually running. You’re confused. “AC’s working again?”

You feel him smiling against your thigh. “Yeah. Called the reception and everything.”

“What was wrong with it?”

“I’m literally in between your legs and that’s what you wanna know? Like, right now?” He nuzzles your underwear, placing a kiss on your clothed center to stress his frustration, which you reply with a startled whimper.

“First, I risked frostbite and then sweated like it was hell. Of fucking course I wanna know the reason of my suffering.”

“You didn’t suffer,” he says in a jeering tone, fingers hooking under your panties to peel them off. He’s quick to get rid of that obstructive piece of fabric. “I’d say I took pretty good care of you.”

You roll your eyes dramatically. “Yeah, yeah—world’s best husband or whatever, keeps waking me up because he’s horny.”

“Hey, you said breakfast or pussy and I made my choice.”

He licks a path up from your entrance to your clit, your hips jump. He grips your thighs and slings them over his shoulders.

“I did not say that.” Words slurred, your eyes close upon the honeyed sensation.

“Something along those lines,” he mumbles, lips brushing against the sensitive little bud of nerves.

You kick the blanket off his back so he doesn’t suffocate under the heat. The slight temperature change makes your hips jerk up to his face, his morning stubble scratches the insides of your thighs deliciously. He drapes an arm across your abdomen to keep you steady. His other arm tugs on the thigh slung over his shoulder, only slightly, to make room for his head.

Two fingers brush your slit, spreading apart slowly to gain access to your most sensitive parts. It’s still a little tender and swollen that when his hot breath fans across the sensitive flesh, your legs try to shut instinctively. His hold grows stronger to remind you not to squash his head. He licks a broad swipe up your slit and looks up at you through his long lashes.

You can’t help but moan. He looks so pretty like this.

Leaning forward, he places a kiss directly on your clitoris, the soft smack sound sends a hot burn to your ears.

He parts his lips to suck your sensitive clit into his mouth, your back arches as you gasp. His plump lips pull on the taut flesh, making you writhe against the sheets. Now aware of your fist that was bunching the sheets this whole time, you let go to join it with your other hand in his hair.

He’s always liked your hands in his hair, petting it, tugging at it, pulling it to steer him to where you need him most, he loves it all. He moans as you make a mess of his soft tresses, sending jolts of vibrations up your body.

Relaxing his tight jaw with a wet pop, he quickly drops a kiss to the juncture of your thigh and begins to lap up your dripping mound like a starved man.

“Leon!” Your back arches again, hands buried in his hair pressing his face firmly between your legs. You’re not sure if he can even breathe with your thighs caging him. You don’t care, he’ll tap you if he wants to take a breather.

Blindly, the hand that keeps your slit open slides up to your chest, to push between the valley of your breasts. You clutch your palm on the back of his hand, fingers slotting between his. He squeezes his hand once. I’m alright, it means. He keeps your intertwined hands there.

His face burrows deeper into your slick, thrusting his tongue into your hole in and out. Nose pressed against your clit, he hums contentedly and starts wiggling his head, sending a wave of pleasure through your body.

The gasps that fall from your lips fuel him, he drags his tongue back up to your sensitive bud, flicking up and down with only one goal in his mind.

Up and down. Suck. Up and down. Suck.

“Too much, ‘s too much!” You repeat with a shaky voice. But you are insatiable too, with the way you guide his hand to your tit, encouraging him to squeeze tight.

“I know, baby, I know. Just tell me when,” he rasps, trying to keep up with your bucking hips. Groping your breast under your pressing palm, he can’t quite reach to your shoulder to lower the straps of your top, though his fingers find your taut nipple through the fabric and start to draw circles around the pebbled peak.

His stubble burns your thighs so good it only drives you more crazy. Your droopy eyes lock with his determined ones, mouth hanging open in a silent moan, hand brushing away the hair on his forehead.

He tightens his tongue and places the tip of it right on your sensitive clit, wriggling the wet muscle in a snake-like fashion, and listens to your moans. Each roll of his tongue is a sweet torment, delivering sparks of pleasure to your quivering body.

“That’s not—ah!—that’s not fair.”

His mouth never leaving your pussy, he hums questioningly. “Mm?” The short syllable vibrates through your core, making you fussier.

What’s not fair? His hips grinding into the mattress? The hand that previously held you down now slipping under his boxers to rub his slick, swollen tip? Fairness is not even the last thing on his mind right now. He’s too drunk on your essence, happily suffocated between your legs, unaware of the fast pace his hand picks up on his cock. He’s fully pumping himself.

You also know you’re not making any sense. A hot blush warms your chest, travels up your neck to your ears, a thin sheen of sweat coating your skin. Your body is screaming for release, of course you don’t have any idea what you are blabbering about.

Feeling your clit pulse beneath his tongue, he waits to hear your staccato breathing, waits for the tumble of unintelligible words to fall on his ears.

“Leon, I’m… I’m—ah, fuck!”

Just before the intense wave of pleasure comes crashing down on you, he tears his mouth away from you, panting for oxygen.

“No, please,” you cry out. “Don’t be mean.”

Not wanting to deny you stimulation, he gets to work on your tit and gives it a firm squeeze for good measure before returning his fingers to your aching nipple. He toys with it, flicking, pressing down, pinching through fabric. You whine softly through it all, trying to wrap your trembling legs tighter around his head so he could return to what he was doing before.

“Please, I was about to come…”

“I know, honey, I’m sorry. I needed to breathe.” He plucks at your nipple, rolling it before returning to your sex.

This time he alternates between kitten licks and soft kisses on your clit, meant to be soothing. It feels as if he’s grazing a feather on your oversensitive, swelled up nerves. It’s so ticklish that your hips jump to chase after the phantom itch.

That’s all it takes for the overwhelming waves of pleasure to come crashing down on you. The coil in your belly snaps. Eager as ever, he presses his open and panting mouth against your cunt, moaning against the spasming flesh. Cleaning up the remnants of your climax is only a poor excuse for his lips to linger. He presses a kiss to your thigh before pulling away from between your legs, the slick coating his mouth and chin leaves your skin damp.

Taking a deep breath, he rises to sit on his knees between your thighs. Your legs drop from his shoulders. Pride fills his chest once he eyes up the litter of love-bites on your flushed skin. His doing. The rapid rise and fall of your chest. Also his doing.

Through a fucked-out smile, you say, “What? What’s so funny?”

Unaware that he’s cheesing, he shakes his head. “Nothing, honey. You look so pretty.”

“I feel nasty, though.”

He shuts you up with a kiss, making you taste yourself on his tongue.

“Mm… How about you?” you mumble into the kiss while ruffling his soft hair.

His hips are grinding against his hand in a faint rhythm, palm stroking up and down slowly. He huffs. “Keep spreading your legs and it won’t take long.”

Discerning the questioning raise of your brow, he swipes a thumb at the corner of your lip. “I’m not gonna put it in. I know you’re sensitive, baby. Trust me. Please?”

You wiggle a bit to open your legs further, trying to find a comfortable spot on the bed because the way he kept pinning you has you feeling sores on your butt. “Yeah, okay.”

Lining himself up against your slit, he hovers his cock above your puffy cunt and keeps stroking. He groans and bucks into his hand, head falling backwards. You whimper and bunch the sheets in your fists. He looks so hot. His hair is chaotically messy, lips swollen and slick, hand working desperately on his cock. Your pussy flutters at the sight.

Eyes zeroing in on your center, he says, “Show me. Hold yourself open.”

You reach down and spread yourself for him, shamelessly displaying what he wants. Your hole clenches down on nothing upon the little stretch, pulling another groan out of him.

He’s grinning, head tilted to the side. “Fuck, that’s it. Like what you see, huh?”

You nod fast, staring at the movement between your legs. It’s captivating.

Feeling devious, you lift your hips slightly to touch your pulsing clit to his red tip, directly to his precum-coated slit. Like a featherlight kiss. It sends a pleasurable shock through your entire body, you plop down on the bed again.

“Oh shit—you…” His expression tells you he’s very close.

Gripping your thigh, he jerks himself to completion against your twitching pussy. Thick spurts of cum coat your center and belly, your thighs get to have their fair share, too.

A breathless laugh escapes him, like he can’t quite believe what just happened. His gaze softens, as though clearing a daze. “I’m sorry. Let me carry you to the bathroom.”

A quiet shift lingers in the air.

He’s so silent while massaging shampoo into your hair, cocooned by your arms around his waist, water cascading over his back. His lips are set in a straight line, eyes roaming your face and coming back to meet your gaze every once in a while.

You and him, in that sacred, safe haven again.

I can hear you think. He wills you to speak without saying the words.

“You don’t need to be scared.”

His hands pause in your hair. Of what?

“The things you said at the beach yesterday… You don’t need to be scared, Leon. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving you,” you continue.

He pulls you closer, cups the back of your neck and rests your head on his shoulder. I love you.

“And I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing your face. I miss it terribly when you’re away.” You nudge his neck with your nose.

He closes his eyes. I love you.

“Tell me a truth?” you whisper, watching the slow up and down of his Adam’s apple.

The urge to draw you even closer to himself is too strong. Come, live inside my skin—I’m yours, anyway. Instead, he opens his heavy-lidded eyes, locking his gaze with yours.

“I love you.”

With a slow and languid kiss, he seals his lips to yours, weaving your souls together in that tranquil, infinite moment.

“At times I think of human relationships as something soft like sand or water, and by pouring them into particular vessels we give them shape.”

― Sally Rooney, Beautiful World, Where Are You

#leon kennedy x reader #leon s kennedy x reader #leon kennedy x you #leon kennedy smut #leon kennedy fanfiction #leon kennedy #leon kennedy x y/n #love me more part 3 #love me more finale #resident evil #resident evil fanfiction #leon kennedy x fem reader #love me more series

565 notes · View notes

whoopsyeahokay · 1 year ago

Text

October Sun

summary: your mother had warned you. Don't let them know, she'd said, her nails digging angry crescents into the flesh of your upper arms, eyes wild and imploring, don't let them know you can see. you'd listened, all these years, you'd lived your life by that rule. until you couldn't.

pairing: Wally Clark x fem!reader

warnings: eventual smutty smut smut. and mad spoilers. and obvious Canon divergence. very involved, very dense plot.

bon reading, frens

___________________________💀

OCTOBER SUN pt.1

Split River hadn't always been Split River. Once upon a time, it'd been a fortified colonial trading post that had evolved into a town named Fort Randolph. Named for British Lord-Lieutenant under King George III, Randolph McNair. A Scotsman who'd climbed the ranks to become one of the King's most trusted men.

The town thrived. Until, in the spring of 1785, the crew of a merchant ship had discovered over 70 of the town's 120 inhabitants dead in the church. The remaining inhabitants had made the dangerous trek to the closest outpost to escape whatever had befallen their friends and neighbors, and, when questioned, no one had been able to say for sure what'd happened inside the church.

In one space were hee alive, þerenext were hee dæde.

One moment they were alive. The next, they were dead.

Records of the matter had noted that the tragedy had taken place on Christmas Eve. Fort Randolph would remain empty for another 15 years, at which point Randolph McNair's heir, Samuel, had made the journey across the Atlantic along with two other men. Abraham Meheive and Tristram Baker.

In 1800, they'd established Split River. The church had been demolished, the cemetery moved to where St. Mary's of Grace now stood at the center of town. The land where it had stood had been reused to build a lead processing factory which had, in 1949, suffered an explosion, killing 70 workmen.

The coincidence had been lost to history, no one the wiser when it'd been moved to build the first co-ed high school on the then vacant lot. Split River High School had opened in August of 1956. And, two years later, a fire in the chemistry lab had taken the lives of four people.

In the '60s, two more deaths. In the '70s, another two. The '80s followed the same pattern, as had the '90s. In the early aughts, a fatal bus crash had seen the families of nine students grieve the loss of their children. Three years later, a freshman had choked on an unauthorized snack in the new computer lab after hours.

Strangely, or perhaps fortunately, no deaths had occurred within the school for the following 16 years.

Then, in 2023, Madison Nears woke up on the boiler room floor a ghost.

‗‗‗‗•‗‗‗‗

Like most things, it started with a look.

A boy. A girl. A crowded place; a friend talking—their voice muted as if heard through a motel wall. Time slows. People filter in and out of the space between, chatting, laughing, in frame just long enough to emphasize the weight behind something that, in any other context, would be utterly unimportant.

Simon had urged you outside at lunch, pulled you away from your table, tone frayed in desperation as he interrogated you about things you're certain you'd made seem the expression of a morbidly quirky imagination.

"Well," He said, like jabbing the eraser-end of a pencil into your sternum, "Can you?"

You hesitated, gaze lifting away from his to skirt the middle-distance behind him.

And then—

It happened molasses-slow. Your eyes caught his; lingered a beat too long to be played off as anything other than what it was. Acknowledgment.

Those sweet-sultry cow eyes widened a fraction.

Oh no.

Then time rushed back in and snapped into the correct rhythm. You didn't have a chance to process what had just happened because Simon sighed with the weight of the world, grabbing fistfuls of his hair and pulling. Quickly, you arranged your expression into something slightly put-off.

"Si, what are you talking about?"

Simon groaned and took a few steps back then forward again. He reminded you of a caged animal being forced to perform. Lately, his mannerisms had been erratic, a little unhinged. You'd caught him talking to himself a couple of times, in classrooms or the cafeteria. The last couple of days he'd been glued to his phone, taking spontaneous calls that he'd never received before. Initially, you'd assumed he was in touch with Maddie; the only one she'd trusted enough to keep in the loop. However, the more you'd observed, the more you'd doubted the assumption.

You'd watched him unravel from a distance, of course. Nicole had turned inward, Simon was bursting at the seams, and you, as the casual friend with a life separate to theirs, stayed away out of a sense of insecurity.

You and Maddie hadn't been as close as she and Simon and Nicole. You shared interests in the macabre and spooky, but that's where it ended. Event Buddies who became familiar through exposure, lacking that profound connection that would give you a reason to call about something other than the next horror film release date.

You didn't feel right about asking to share their grief. It felt intrusive.

Simon paced the length of the bus shelter once more before stopping in front of you. He was clearly nervous, frustrated, avoiding your gaze for a second while he collected his thoughts.

Finally, he took a deep breath, glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot, and said, low and secret, "You talked about the ghosts here—" You folded your arms and tilted your head in what you hoped came across as confused. "—Last year," Simon grabbed your arm and pulled you in closer when a group of younger girls walked by, "Last year, you told us about the crush you had on your mom's dead boyfriend, remember? The guy who died during the '83 homecoming game?"

"They never dated." You corrected, fighting the urge to chew your lip. A giveaway that you were about to choose your words very carefully. "But, look, Simon, I talked about that stuff because I thought it was fun. Not because I can commune with the dead." Which wasn't entirely a lie. You couldn't commune with the dead. More because of rules than ability, but the fact remained.

"But your mom—"

"Is a fraud and you know it." Also not entirely a lie. Then you frowned, genuinely intrigued, "What's going on?"

Simon shot you a dazed look, "Huh?"

"Why are you suddenly into this Sixth Sense shit? You've never believed in it before. Something you've made very clear." Every time you joked about reaching out to the Other Side, Simon would scoff and roast you endlessly. You found endearing. Like a prickly inside joke. It was your thing.

Suddenly, Simon got that look on his face, the one he got in class when your teachers outlined homework. As if he were listening to someone. Except there was no one else close enough to hear.

The silence stretched into a thin static between you until, at last, Simon said, "Never mind." He sounded equal parts defeated and aggravated.

Taking a cautious step forward, you placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry about Maddie, Si, I—" Have no idea how to put into words how fucked up it all is, "—I wish there was something, anything, I could do to help."

Simon pressed his lips together and nodded. From the corner of your eye, you saw a figure approaching the bus shelter. Tall, broad, donning the unmistakable colors of the Split River Bandits, née Devils. You had to get out of there before you irrevocably fucked up and found yourself at the center of what your mother warned you would be a swarm.

"Look," You dropped your hand to Simon's, squeezing supportively. You might not have been able to tell the whole truth but you could try to offer some comfort. Whether or not he believed you was up to him. "Maddie's okay, Simon. Wherever she is. Whatever happened to her..." You paused, considering your next words, "She can't be so far gone that we won't get her back."

You said it with all the conviction you had in you, believed it to your core.

You'd seen the beatnik with her lollipops, the shy boy with the glasses. You'd seen the young man in the outdated suit; the modest Grease extra; and the girl with the daydream eyes. You'd seen the myspace emo punk, the lanky autoshop geek, the dark-skinned disco queen; the marching band, and the theater kid...and him. The charming, high-on-life football star currently stood outside the bus shelter, his hands cupped around his eyes as he peeked through the glass against the glare of the sun.

You hadn't seen Maddie. Not a glimmer or a shadow or the impression that she'd been and gone. Nothing. And you'd done your due diligence as soon as you'd heard about the blood in the boiler room. You'd scoured the town after dark, before school, whenever you could get away without raising suspicion. Her old haunts and favorite places had been empty.

Minus a couple of exceptions, but they hadn't been Maddie, so you didn't see the harm in continuing to keep the truth from Simon.

"Yeah." Simon said. He didn't sound convinced. "Thanks. For that."

You deflated, released his hand with an affirming squeeze, and made your excuse, "I gotta get ready for next period."

He didn't meet your eyes, simply pulled his phone out and put it to his ear. "See you later." The smile he gave you was tight, quick, insincere.

Taking that as your cue to leave, you turned and exited the bus shelter, tall dark 'n' handsome keeping pace as you made your way back into the school, his gaze a warm weight on the side of your face.

All you had to do was pretend he wasn't there. You'd done it countless times in the past, were well-versed in how to cover your mistakes.

You stopped briefly, reached out to open the door, and in that second, you felt a tingle up your spine and the closeness of a body behind you. His voice, a gentle rumble, spoke directly into your ear, the parody of soft breath tickling the hairs on your neck.

"I know you can see me."

You forced yourself not to react, perhaps stood a second too long before yanking the door open and marching inside, but you kept your eyes forward, and relaxed your jaw and shoulders. To the students milling about the hall, you were the picture of normal.

"Do what you want but I'm not going anywhere until you admit it." He said lightly, a step behind you as you maneuvered toward your locker.

Once again, you had to stop, twisting in the combination to open your lock. You fumbled, missing a number, had to start again. He leaned his shoulder against the locker beside yours, watched you through his lashes, a smirk pulling one side of his mouth upward.

You'd always been attracted to him. Had to suppress the urge to stare at him when he appeared in the same classroom or hallway as you. Having him interact with you—intentionally—made your heart quicken and the ability to think critically dissolve.

Oh God, not again...

Your brain fired a thousand synapses in every direction as you willed yourself to hurry before you accidentally did something stupid; steadied your hand to input the combination correctly. You tugged the lock. It stayed stubbornly latched. And then he leaned in, too close, the tip of his nose practically grazing your temple.

"You missed the 3."

The air was syrupy thick, fuzzy. In an effort to concentrate, you closed your eyes, repeating a mantra your great-aunt had taught you to center yourself.

You sensed his body shift, tilted further toward you like a bracket, then the sensation of blunt nails traveling up up up your back, catching in the material of your shirt as if the touch were real. Goosebumps erupted over your arms, your breath hitched, and you found your head slanting in his direction.

Fuck. You needed to—BANG—Jesus Christ!

Your eyes snapped open at the abrupt noise, your friend cackling wickedly as she took in your shock.

"Hey, silly." Mathilda Grace—of The Split River Graces, not that she'd ever say it like that—grinned proudly at the reaction she'd gotten out of you. "You ready to fail this test with me?"

You could still feel him hovering, but it seemed he'd put an appropriate amount of distance between you. Shaking your head to clear the last of the muzziness from a moment ago, you plastered on your most natural smile and responded, "Let's go disappoint our parents."

You managed to undo the lock and grab the right textbooks, transferring what you didn't need from your bag into your locker while Mathilda regaled you with what you'd missed after Simon had dragged you outside.

"What did he want, anyway?" Mathilda asked, more concerned than curious.

"To talk about Maddie." You replied as close to the truth as you dared. It had the added benefit of making Mathilda feel awkward enough to change the subject immediately.

"K, c'mon, bell's about to go and I need to grab my book, too."

Shutting and locking your locker, you chanced a sideways glance and were relieved to find that it was just you and Mathilda and the regular stream of other alive-and-well students making their way to their next class.

Still, as you and Mathilda walked toward Mr. Davis' class, you felt the tingle of his gaze on the back of your neck.

The next couple of days would be difficult, but you'd dealt with it before and could do it again. Had to do it again.

What you didn't anticipate—and probably should've, given what you knew about him—was Wally Clark's refusal to let sleeping dogs lie for a second time.

💀___________________________

PART TWO

also available on AO3!

MASTERLIST

#Milo Manheim #Wally Clark #Wally Clark x Reader #fem!reader #Wally Clark smut #Wally Clark fanfiction #Milo Manheim fanfiction #School Spirits #October Sun

1K notes · View notes

moonlight-records · 5 months ago

Text

Rich Boys Don't Have Hearts | LN4 (PT. III)

pairing: Jock!Lando Norris x Nerd!Reader

summary: Formula Ivy Academy, or FIA for short, is the most renowned private in the world who takes such a select few. Usually those from wealth with status and secrets and so much to lose. Yet, you are selected to join the FIA on a full scholarship. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain scares a lot students, especially their star athlete who will do anything to protect those he cares about. Though, he didn't expect you to have as much of a...bite to you for a little nobody.

warning: description of panic attack, partying, alcohol consumption, bestie franco, jack a cutie, y/n feeling themselves, lando is PISSED. jealous!lando if you squint!!

fc: none!

wc: 4.5K

a/n: so would y'all hate me if the next few parts are taken from maxton hall??

part 1 | part 2 | current | part 4

You didn’t know a lot about musical theater but in high school you did follow the crowd by finding and listening to the cult classic Heathers and suddenly you felt like you were living ‘Dead Girl Walking’ but only in reverse. Instead of a demon queen deciding to ruin your life socially because you made her look like a fool at a party so you venture out to get fucked by your crush before that happens, instead you get laid by your not crush crush and THEN the demon king decrees what you can assume is your social reputation all because you made a fool of him for trying to bribe you. The only difference between Heathers and you, Heathers is a fictional cult classic where the characters were in a small town while you’re attending the most elite school in the world so one bad word from someone attending and you would actually be done for life.

God, don’t you just love Fridays?

Your hands start to shake as you look down at your phone. Your stomach twists and your heart is now in your throat. You aren’t sure if you’re going to cry or scream or vomit or all three. You try to take a few deep breaths but you can’t focus on your breathing while your mind runs with so many different scenarios about talking to Lando and none of them end well. Your breathing continues to pick up speed and you feel hot. Your heart is pounding and you think that you’re going down. You gasp for air as you sit up back against your headboard, trying your hardest to calm down but it’s impossible with the impending doom looming in your head. You're shaking violently and you can feel tears rolling down your face as you gasp again for air and a choked sob escapes you so you pull your knees to your chest and hug them tightly, riding out your first panic attack.

After what felt like forever, you finally come down from your panic attack. You take a few deep breaths and now you feel exhausted from the adrenaline drop. Closing your eyes you sniffle before staring at the ceiling and wondering how the hell your life took such a weird turn. Then you remember that you have free will and are not obligated at all to meet with Lando. You silently curse at the ceiling as if Lando could see or hear you before finally making the slow effort to get off the bed. Your legs wobble but you manage to limp your way to the bathroom so you could look decent for Franco’s return. The last thing you need is for Franco to see you like this after the wonderful date you two had. You wash your face before patting your face dry as you look at your face. Your eyes are red and puffy but you could at least pass that off as recovering from the very welcoming overstimulation Franco put you through.

Limping out, you start back to your bed before there’s a knock at your door. You look over your shoulder as fear digs its dagger of ice into your heart and you feel so cold. Your breathing starts to become shorter before you take a deep breath. There is no reason to freak out. There is no reason that Lando should have this effect on you. He was nothing more than the school’s demon king. A demon king that is egotistical, rude, cocky, good for nothing stupid asshole of a player that just needed to leave you alone and let you focus on your studies and–

“Y/N?”

You feel relief flood through your body when you hear Franco’s voice. Limping over, you crack the door open and smile as you open it enough for Franco to slip in, using the door as a cover, before closing it. “Sorry,” you laugh gently, “kind of hard to walk right now.” You blush when Franco smirks at you. Cheeky bastard, knows exactly what he did. You squeak when Franco swiftly grabs you by your legs and tosses you over his shoulder. “Franco!” You laugh and kick your feet slightly as he carries you back to your bed before carefully putting you down before sitting next to you and grabbing the TV remote, flipping through the apps on your tv to find something to turn on.

“Where’d you go?” You ask as the realization hits you that you never actually knew where he went. “Hm? Oh, I forgot I promised Liam I’d help him with his Spanish homework so I had him meet me in the lobby so we could work on it. He did most of it and honestly doesn’t give himself enough credit so it was pretty short.” Smiling sheepishly at you, “apologies. I thought I told you before I left but it seems you were still a bit dazed. I should’ve stayed to make sure you were much more present.” Your heart melts as Franco talks and you gently nudge his shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up. You went above and beyond during the aftercare. Truly, I just zoned out and completely missed that bit of information. That was on me.” You smile up at Franco leaning onto his shoulder for a moment before leaning back, “but I’m glad it went well! Did you find anything…interesting while talking to Liam?” You glance at Franco with your eyebrow raised.

Franco glances at you and breaks out into a grin. “Put something on.” Franco passes you the remote and you end up putting Spotify on and letting your playlist be a shield. Shifting, you and Franco face each other as you grab a pillow, pulling your knees up to your chest hugging your pillow with a grin. “So? What did you find out??” You see Franco shifting to get comfortable and how he was taking his sweet time and you groan, “Come on Franco! The suspense is killing me!”

“Sorry! I’m trying to figure out where I want to start,” Franco finally gets comfortable as you lean forward. “Let’s start with the biggest lore I found.” Franco takes a deep breath as he puts his hands together, “I have to take Lewis Hamilton off of my roster.” You gasp loudly and lean back in utter shock at this revelation. “What?! Are you serious???” You watch Franco nod mutely and dramatically pretend to wipe an invisible tear away. “Just yesterday you were so stressed about being near him and now he’s off the roster? What changed? What does Liam know that would take Sir Lewis Hamilton of all people off the roster?” You tilt your head as Franco leans forward and reaches for your hands. “Let me hold your hands while I tell you this.” Gently squeezing your hands, “...Charles has a date with Lewis–”

“CHARLES WHAT?!”

“Y/N!” Franco chides playfully at the sudden raise in volume. You let go of Franco’s hand to cover your mouth, “sorry! Sorry! I’m just–I was just texting Charles! He never fucking told me he got a date with Lewis Hamilton.” You reveal. “Oh? Were you talking about…me?” Franco grins as you blush and huff, laughing while you shake your head and speak, “that’s not important right now! We’re on Lewis having a date with Charles and that in turn having you take Lewis off your roster! Stay focused.”

Holding his hands up, “right.” Franco says. He sighs softly as his shoulder deflates and leans back against your headboard, “I like Charles. I do, I have so much respect for him as a person and a student and especially as a teammate so it feels…wrong almost to keep Lewis on my roster since Charles seems so happy to have this date. I was already pushing it by keeping Lewis on knowing Charles has the biggest crush on him,” Franco murmurs. Which makes sense. You nod slowly, “so you took Lewis off since you suspect that he’ll be off the market?” Franco nods as he leans forward, “yes. That is exactly why. Also, before you ask, Liam found out because he overheard Charles talking to Carlos about it while they were in English together.” You shake your head and laugh because oh dear Charles. Horrible at keeping his mouth shut.

“I can’t believe him. Such a chatterbox but I’m proud of him! Can’t believe he didn’t fucking tell me–” you grab your phone and see about 20+ messages from Charles and reading the preview, you put your lips together. “False alarm, he texted me about it I just didn’t answer.” That gets Franco to laugh and you join in the laughter. “Oh Y/N, please never change.” Franco grins at you while you giggle. “Also, do you want to come with me tonight to Beta Kappa Alpine? Liam said they’re throwing a party tonight and it should be fun but not wild since it’s Alpine throwing the party. Most people are going to head to Alpha Delta Red Bull’s party tonight.”

You stare at Franco and blink. A party. A party at Alpine’s frat house. Tonight. While Red Bull is having their own frat party and everybody who was anybody was going to go to Red Bull and party like rockstars or try to anyway. You weren’t really the one to party or go out but tonight would be different.

“Sure!” You smile happily at Franco, “I would love to go to Alpine’s party with you.”

“Wonderful! I can show you what a fun night looks like and you can actually enjoy a night that’s not studying and homework,” Franco grins clapping his hands together, “oh! In honor of it being October, they’re doing themed parties leading up to Halloween. Tonight is sports themed so,” Franco is climbing off the bed and gathering his things as he says, “I can lend you one of my jersey’s for tonight when we pregame?”

“...Pregame?” You question.

Franco looks at you like you’ve grown ten heads. “Y/N. Do you not know what pregaming is?” He laughs out of shock as you shake your head. “Oh my dear sweet Y/N. Don’t worry. I’ll teach you all about pregaming tonight when I come over with my jersey for the party. I’ll be back here around 7. Then we can get ready and pregame and head over to the party, is that okay with you?”

“Perfect.”

“Wonderful, I’ll see you at 7.” Before he leaves, Franco gives you a quick forehead kiss before he’s out the door.

You let the door shut before falling back into your bed with a sigh. Your first and probably last frat party. At Formula Ivy Academy no less. Picking your phone up, you see that you have about 2 hours to go down a rabbit hole. You think for a moment and decide that you’re going to spend going down the rabbit hole then the second hour calling Charles and demanding answers about his date with Lewis.

Well, this is certainly one way to go out from a place like this, you guess.

“Oh god, this is horrible.” You cough and gag slightly as the after taste of the cheap vodka Franco bought hits you full force. Putting the glass down, you make a face and gently push it away before turning back to finish your makeup. “Is this the type of alcohol that is going to be at the party tonight?” You look at Franco through your mirror and your face falls into slight horror when he just nods as he fastens his jeans. You look back at your glass and take a deep breath before downing the rest of it and gagging again, “so, is that why you pregame? At least for frat parties? So by the time you arrive you’re already buzzed and won’t have to taste how shitty the alcohol is?” Franco laughs while nodding which is all you need to know that this is exactly the reason why. “Could you pour me another glass? Maybe with a bit more Sprite instead of vodka? I would like to keep my taste buds intact by the end of the night.”

“Oh my dear Y/N, you’ll be lucky to wake up not feeling like death but what’s this?” Franco asks as he comes over and refills your cup. Thankfully, Franco isn’t that much of a psycho and pours more Sprite than vodka into your cup as your request, “asking for seconds. Y/N, could it be that you’re going to get drunk tonight?” He jokes as he gently hooks his chin over your shoulder as you tickle his nose with your brush before returning to your makeup. “What are you doing and what is that stuff?”

“It's a shimmer I’m putting on my cheeks.” You explain as you continue. “Make me pop under the lights. You want something?” You tap your brush against the lid of the container before making room on your makeup bench as Franco sits and turns to look at you ready to be shimmery. You smile and put some shimmer on Franco’s cheeks before cleaning up your makeup station. “Perfect.”

You two take another 45 minutes to yap and drink till both of you are feeling a nice buzz. You then double check you have everything. Phone, wallet, keys, and portable charger. Then checking yourself over in the mirror you take a moment to fix your hair before tying Franco’s away jersey, tucking the excess inward. “Are you sure you won’t be upset if this gets makeup on or messy?” You turn to Franco who simply waves you off because ‘it can be washed’. You shrug before grabbing your jacket and putting it on before the two of you head off to Alpine’s frat.

The walk to the frat house was about 15 minutes from your dorm just a bit off of campus which is filled with chatter between you and Franco. Though, the closer you two get to the frat house the louder the music gets. You typically don’t go out so this is all new to you and you keep losing your train of thought but thankfully, Franco is the least judgemental person. When the house comes into view, you blink at the small line that formed to get inside. “There’s a line?” You ask.

“Oh, yeah. Almost every frat has one. Same with sororities. Some of the houses aren’t cool with each other or like–a sorority girl slept with her sister’s man or ex so now they’re blacklisted. Sometimes people who have been kicked out try to sneak in so they usually have someone stationed at the door to basically play bouncer.” Franco looks over at you and laughs at the expression on your face. “I know. I know. It’s wild.”

“Damn…so high school really is neverending,” you murmur and shake your head, “do they have a list?” Franco thinks as he peers around, “it seems so. Though again, Alpine isn’t one of the more popular frats so it’s probably just a small list of who’s blacklisted from all the frats on campus along with their own.” He shrugs a shoulder as you two move up, “besides that they’ll let about anybody in. Even the overflow from Red Bull.” “Really?” The chance of running into Lando went from 90/10 to a solid 50/50 and that makes your stomach turn. “Yeah. It’s a Friday night. College kids are looking for parties, especially with fraternities and sororities.” Franco explains, “so whoever Red Bull rejects will end up here or try to sneak in at Red Bull since they always throw ragers.” Glancing at you, he grins, “those most people haven’t been successful in doing that but there are a few cases.”

Raising a brow, “Yeah?” You ask. “Mr. Colapinto, are you admitting to me that you’ve snuck into Red Bulls raging frat parties before?” You tease softly and grin seeing him blush slightly. “You totally have! Franco!” You giggle as Franco laughs and holds his hands up in mock surrender. “You’ve caught me. Though this was prior to me officially joining the lacrosse team and getting the fast pass into their parties. It does pay to know people around campus though.” He admits with a wink as you two step to the front door. “Which was me just offering to go as a plus one to the pretty sororities girls or offer to play wingman for the frat bros.”

“Well?” You tilt your head. “I haven’t gotten a single negative review.” Franco grins as you two step onto the porch and see Jack is at the door. Jack was in your and Franco’s graduating class and even though you and Jack didn’t really talk, you two were familiar and friendly with each other. Jack pulls Franco into a “bro hug” as they greet each other before Jack offers an arm and you happily accept the side hug. “Y/N! Hey!” Jack grins as you pull away. “Hey Jack. How’s manning the door?”

“Good! It’s good. I should be done in about ten minutes. It’ll probably get busy in about an hour or two but one of the older brothers will man the door then when all the people who got turned away from Red Bull show up. Most of them will probably be let in but there are a few that might cause issues. They’re more familiar with the history of all the frat drama and stuff than I am, which is fine by me. After the week I had, I would like to drink my week away.” Jack leans in and points. “Drinks and snacks are in the kitchen. Soda’s in the fridge and outside in the cooler along with more drinks. Door to the backyard is in the kitchen. There’s a beer pong table outside as well so head in and have a fun time! I’ll see you soon.”

You nod and smile, thanking Jack before following Franco inside. You watch Franco become a social butterfly by saying hi to everyone (because of course he knew everyone) so you make your way to the kitchen. You make a plate of snacks and a drink for yourself and wow. Maybe you should drop out and become a bartender because you can’t even taste the alcohol in your drink. You enjoy your snacks and drink as the music is playing, glancing up seeing the small DJ station set up on the balcony which surprises you but hey. The music is good, drinks are flowing, and food is great so you have no complaints.

You head outside to play beer pong for the first time when Franco finally makes his way over to you with Jack. The first time you were not the best which resulted in you and Franco losing. Determined to win one game, you played again and again. By the fourth time, you were locked in. Everyone was surprised at how good you were but also cheering you on or teasing their friends about losing to you which had you laughing and joining in with the teasing and very playful trash talking which delightfully surprised everyone.

As the night went on, more people arrived as if on cue. Everyone who didn’t make it into Red Bull was coming to Alpine which meant the party was now in full swing. You always had a drink in your hand while also accepting shots from Franco and/or Jack. You would be pulled back to the beer pong table once in a while when someone needed a last minute partner since word had spread around that you were a killer beer pong player but when you weren’t there, you found yourself on the dance floor not giving a single care in the world. You actually talked to people who you never thought you’d talk to in a million years and for once, it wasn’t awkward. All social standings seemed to have disappeared in Alpine’s frat house. In here, you all were a bunch of young adults partying after a week of classes and stress.

You don’t remember when you went from buzzed to tipsy but you were thankful for that transition because by 11:30, Alpine was packed. The house became so unbearably hot while everyone was packed together as sardines. It was near fucking impossible to move but by some miracle, you manage to make your way outside. You sip your drink as you enjoy the cool air while glancing. People at the beer pong table, others sitting around and talking at a table. A few walked to the further part of the backyard and you assume it's because they were going to smoke which is confirmed when someone slips past you, saying a soft ‘excuse me’ and you get a whiff of the weed clinging to their clothes. You scrunch your nose as you shift and wow, the world is so dizzy suddenly. You brace yourself on the nearest surface trying to will the world to settle down and it does.

Yet, people come in and out and say hi to you. There’s no weird looks or second glances. Everyone smiles and is friendly to you. Some even stop and chat with you for a few moments. There’s no malice in their words or some malicious intent. For fuck sakes, some of the frat guys actually pass you and smile at you or tell you that you look “really good”. One or two get bold enough to actually flirt with you. All this positive attention is so new to you that it makes your head spin in confusion though you’re still convinced it was mostly the alcohol making the world spin. Still, you soak it all up while standing outside before you finish your drink and deem that you’re done with drinking alcohol for the night.

Giving yourself a moment, you venture back inside. You try to find Franco, who is currently cozied up with some girl and you squint. It’s hard to make out who exactly he’s with given the dark lighting but when the flashing lights pass over them, you realize it’s the girl he’s been talking nonstop about. When Franco meets your eyes, you give him a bright grin and two thumbs up because yes, you had a small crush on Franco, but he was your best friend first and foremost. Because of that, you wanted nothing but the best for him and if that meant being his cheerleader and keeping yourself entertained while he wooed his crush then so be it. Turning, you make your way into the sea of people to keep yourself entertained when the urge to pee hits. Peeling off into the hallway, you see the line to the bathroom. “Fucking hell.” You murmur.

Glancing back, you think before entering the sea of people to see if you could find Jack and ask if you could use the bathroom upstairs since upstairs was only for the frat members, those sleeping with the frat members, or explicit permission. As you wiggle through the crowd you swear you see Oscar. Looking over, you blink since you don’t see him and think that the alcohol was playing tricks with your head and feeding into your paranoia. Still, your gut twists and you think it’s warning you to leave but you just chalk it up to the alcohol not agreeing with your rising anxiety so you push the thought away. You finally find Jack on the dance floor and make your way over, grabbing his sleeve. “Hey!” You shout over the music to get Jack’s attention. “Can I use the bathroom upstairs? I really gotta pee and I won’t make it on the line!”

“Yeah of course! Do you want me to go with you?”

Your gut says yes Jack should go with you. “No! I’m okay! Just tell me where to go!” You listen to Jack explain when you get upstairs it’s the third door on the left and you thank him before wiggling your way out of the crowd. You stumble slightly when you’re finally free before climbing the stairs slowly but surely. You count the doors before gently knocking and going into the bathroom and see yourself in the mirror and damn. You always thought people were being dramatic when they explain ‘alcohol never hits you till you either stand up or see yourself in the mirror’ but they weren’t kidding. The alcohol really does hit you then as you stare at your reflection and giggle at yourself before turning to the task at hand.

“Someone’s in here!” You shout when there’s a knock on the door as you flush. Washing your hands, you hum gently before turning and trying to find a towel to realize there is no towel. How the hell did the guys survive like this? You shake your hands out slightly into the sink before deciding to grab some toilet paper to dry your hands. Throwing it out, you check yourself over in the mirror once more as the knock on the door sounds like someone pounding. Damn, they must really have to pee. “Okay! Okay!” You say as you fumble to unlock the door before opening it and stopping short when you almost run into the figure.

The figure is standing there in jeans and a black hoodie with a jacket over it but you can tell by the build that it’s a male for sure. Maybe a frat brother who was coming upstairs to skip the line which was understandable. Your breath catches in your throat when you get a whiff of his cologne and he smells so…sweet. Vanilla, buttercream, and cookies. “Oh I’m so sorry!” You look up at the mysterious figure with a smile. Suddenly you are cold stone sober and your smile falls. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. Red Bull was having a party tonight. Everyone was there partying. All the big frats and sororities, all the sports kids and those who deemed popular on campus. The only people at Alpine’s right now were Williams, Haas, Martin, the other smaller frats and sororities, you and Franco and whoever Red Bull turned away.

Or, these are the only people that should be here tonight.

Yet, green eyes are looking right at you and you try to leave. Though Lando is faster as he easily cages you against the doorframe. “Well. Well. Well.” Lando murmurs slowly as he tilts his head slightly to study you. He looks you once over and his gaze hardens and his face contorts into disgust when it lands on Franco’s jersey but drops the facial expression when his eyes meet yours again. “There you are. You had me on a little hunt for you when you didn’t show up for our chat. I’ll admit, I was…entertained trying to find you. Luckily for me,” he pauses, “and unluckily for you, I have eyes and ears everywhere on this campus.” Bending down, Lando’s face is so painfully close to yours. You can feel his breath on your lips as he speaks.

“Now. Let’s chat. Okay, bunny?”

tags: @norrisleclercf1, @dripostsstuff, @tinyhrry, @formulaho, @green--beanie, @brekkers-whore,

@taliya8346282844eliviahgdajs, @fat-meh, @landossainz, @jaydensluv, @carpediem241108,

@rayaharper, @bookishnerd1132, @asmoothoperator, @loloekie, @kawaiifurychaos,

@st0rmzi3, @eclipsedcherry, @linnygirl09, @ln4-cl16-world, @poppymelonz,

@katiascraft, @fangirl125reader, @hadesnumber1daughter, @annispamz, @su0aveee,

@strawberryy-kiwii, @landorris, @oikarma, @formula1-motogpfan, @plotpal,

@amalialeclerc, @spikershoyo

#moonlight releases #rich boys don't have hearts #rbdhh #rbdhh installment 1 #rbdhh part 3 #lando norris x reader #lando norris imagine #jock!lando norris imagine #jock!lando norris #jock!lando norris x nerd!reader #jock!ln4 #jock!ln4 x nerd!reader #ln4 imagine #tw: panic attack #tw: alochol

321 notes · View notes

sillymommy6969 · 4 months ago

Text

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ 𝕰YES ON THEM PT. 2

Manon Bannerman x fem!reader

summary: eyekons gathered evidence of bannern/n from their socials (tweets, instagram posts, tt reposts, etc.)

warnings: fluff, fake everything, over analysis, kinda a blurb

prev. next.

📌 BANNERN/N STRUGGLING TO KEEP SECRET; a thread

i. Y/N’s Instagram posts 2022 (dream academy)-2024

Liked by daniela_avanzini, meretmanon & 126,771 others

ynln nyc opening show was a dream come true <3

18th April, 2024

lararajj OMG MOMMY

meganskiendiel just one chance please?

user01 Megan ily but please get in line

user02 MEGAN YOU’RE SO REAL FOR THIS

y0on_cha3 Pretty Y/N :D

meretmanon you’re my dream come true ;)

user03 manon ain’t slick

user04 Yes support your girl ma’am

user05 Manon only opening this app to comment on

Y/N’s post is a mood

user06 @user05 girlie makes an exception

Liked by lararajj, y0on_cha3 & 11,662 others

ynln missing my tyla (iykyk), but thankful for the break

3rd December, 2022

lararajj Bring me some of your mom's cooking

emilykelavos phone me when you're back pretty

user01 omg predebut emy/n crumbs

user02 Hi Emily!!

sophia_laforteza omg send me that photo of everyone

meretmanon tyla misses you too baby

user03 THEIR PR TEAM SWEATING

user04 guys who's stalking in 2024 and just finding this

user05 I'm not fucking normal about this

user06 WHERE ARE MY BANNERN/N TRUTHERS

< NOW DELETED POST BELOW >

Liked by sophia_laforteza, meretmanon & 16,043 others

ynln grateful for this valentine's day @meretmanon

14th Janurary, 2023

meganskiendiel Didn't need this on my tl...

lararajj puked seeing this <3

ynln haters hate me cuz they aint me

lararajj if that helps you sleep at night

adelajergova At least ya'll kept it out the rooms!

user01 I just know they're sick of them

user02 ADELA YOURE OUR STRONGEST SOLDIER

meretmanon you’re my dream come true ;)

user03 You guys look great together!

user04 I always knew they were close on DA

user05 WHERE ARE THEIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT

user06 This was pre-debut so they didn’t have it yet

ii. Manon’s tiktok reposts

iii. The Katz/DA talking about Bannern/n in interviews

When Daniela and Megan were doing their section of a tiktok video for Billboard about how well they knew their members, they were asked “which of the girls’ pulls the hardest”.

“I feel like it’s a tie between Lara and Y/N realistically,” Daniela glanced over at Megan for support.

The Chinese-American hummed in agreement, “Yeah. Lara has this whole girl crush aesthetic goin’ for her and it’s definitely a big hit with a lot of fans. Y/N has a cleaner, old money vibe, so she pulls more with like people we used to meet. Like remember, back in dream academy?”

Daniela laughed, “Yeah, it was so hard tryna eat with her.”

“People would just come and ask her for her number, but she was tak—!” Megan slapped a hand over her mouth, earning a wide-eyed hiss from Daniela. The redhead laughed nervously, shaking her head to dismiss what she almost said. “She just wasn’t interested, so she’d turn down so many people.”

“So yeah, definitely Lara or Y/N pulls the hardest.”

In another interview of Sophia and Manon talking about how they balance their work and life, the Filipina shared ways she kicks back on days off to make sure she put self care first.

“Yeah, I love cooking for the girls, it relaxes me.”

Manon raised her mic, “I think we also just all go out together and hang out like normal friends, y’know. We go out to dinner, go to the movies and go shopping when we can.”

“Yeah, I remember when we first debuted, you and Y/N would go out together a lot.” Sophia mentioned without realizing.

Manon eyed the camera, nodding her head.

“Yeah, retail therapy solves everything,” Manon joked, “I do enjoy a good trip to the mall and like a long night out with all of us when we’re free. Super therapeutic.”

On Emily’s instagram live, questions about Manon and Y/N’s relationship during the survival show were asked.

“Wow, you guys are going straight to the point, huh?” she chuckled, “Y/N and I were pretty close on dream academy, but her and Manon were 100% closer. The management liked pairing them together a lot on the show cuz they looked really good together onstage, but they spent so much—and I mean, so much—time together off set.”

user01 is y/n currently dating anybody?

user02 when did you last talk to y/n?

“Y/N and I still talk a lot, but she’s really busy. She called me a couple days ago, but yeah, I really miss her.” Emily pouted, “I am not sure about her personal life, but that’s not a secret I’m in a position to share.”

The blonde’s face visibly irked, her expression changing when she spotted a comment about Y/N’s old instagram posts.

“I just know Y/N has a good thing going in her life right now. She really loves what she does and she loves all the support you guys show them.” Emily nodded, “And honestly, at the end of the day, the real fans will support Y/N through whatever.”

VIEW MORE OF THIS THREAD?

275 notes · View notes

tinytownn · 16 days ago

Text

road rage – pt. ii

joel miller x f!reader

word count: 8.2k

summary: on a drive home after a late night shift, a tailgating truck hits you, sending you off the road. the driver—his looks catching you by surprise—offers you a ride home.

content: age gap, lotsss of flirting, things get a little steamy???, joel fighting temptation, no use of y/n

a/n: [UNEDITED] thank you to everyine who commented and intereacted on the last chapter!! it means so much and really got me motivated to keep this story going. this wa actually supposed to be done two days ago, but i got a little carried away and made it a little longer than intended. i meant for this to be a slower burn but i'm not minding the direction it's going, let me know what you think! send any requests or ideas my messages or comments!!

pt. i pt. iii pt. iv pt. v

—

On his drive home, Joel sat in a thick silence, air heavy with regret. Regret for tailgating, for hitting your car, for accepting your subtle advance and sly words–or had he started it?

He couldn’t remember.

Either way, the persistent ping in his heart and pit in his stomach told him that what he was doing–what he wanted to do–was wrong.

The way your legs carried you effortlessly as you swayed toward him, confidence and anger lacing each step. The way your unwavering stare held him, letting him see just how beautiful you were. The sharp bite of your words softening into teasing tones as the night went on—how had it all gone so wrong?

Or so right?

Every move Joel made, every thought that crossed his mind, conflicted with his morals—both as a man and as a father. He had run you off the road. That alone should have ended it. Yet despite your initial outburst, you were unnecessarily kind. Your smile eased some of the guilt he felt.

He replayed the events of the night in his mind. Your fingers grazing his as you handed over your phone. The chill that ran up his spine. How he had caught you staring at him, and how he pretended not to notice–basking in the warmth of your curious stare. And the words that left you both breathless: “I get run off the road by a handsome stranger…”

Surely it was just a simple compliment.

But he had watched the way you moved. The way you shifted in your seat whenever his eyes found you. How your legs trembled, uncertain, before crossing tightly, trying to disappear into the cushion.

When he spoke–words growing bolder by the minute–he caught under the dim light of the streetlamps, how your cheeks were dusted a light shade of pink.

No matter all the signals you were giving him, he couldn’t.

Conversation hadn’t even gone deep enough between you two for him to even know your age–he knew it was too young. And when he pulled you back into the cab, his fingers still tingling from your touch, he saw that look in your wide eyes—a longing—and it took everything in him to resist.

He barely knew your name.

Almost like fate was toying with him, his phone buzzed. A message from you. Against his better judgment, he glanced down, tearing his eyes from the road.

A link to your address, followed by a message:

Here’s my address in case you forget. Drive safe, old man.

Headlights from the oncoming lane snapped his attention back to the road. His lips twitched into a smile before he rubbed a hand across his beard, trying to hide it from no one.

He didn’t respond to the message. Too many thoughts of you were already swirling in his head, all of them warning him not to be texting you in the dead of night—bad decisions seemed to be a specialty for both of you.

–

The blare of your alarm the next morning was unforgiving. You greeted it with a groggy slap. Getting home well past midnight last night, undressing, and sitting in bed replaying the car ride home led to you getting minimal sleep. The few hours you did get, got interrupted with an anxiety filled realization–you were seeing Joel in six hours.

Then it was five.

Then four.

Then you fell asleep.

Three hours of sleep was evident upon your face, the ache from the car crash really having set in. Your body ached from the crash, the pain radiating from between your shoulder blades to the base of your skull. It further migrated into a headache that enveloped your entire head in a throbbing fog. The sudden jolt from your alarm clock rudely waking you only heightened the pain you felt, trying to catch your breath as you gripped the sheets.

Dragging yourself into the bathroom, each step slow and heavy, you kept the lights off—unable to bear the brightness. You rummaged through the cabinet, finally finding a couple of painkillers and swallowing them down, praying it would sooth the pain searing down your spine and headache that pulsed at every thought.

You couldn’t bring yourself to put much effort into your appearance. But with your movements dragging so slow, by the time you had finished Joel was already pulling up into the driveway. It took a minute, but after hearing his tires lazily roll on the incline, your phone buzzed with confirmation of his arrival.

Your heart skipped a beat.

The pain that had clouded your morning dulled just enough for your thoughts to shift. Slowly, hazily, the memories of last night trickled back—the way his voice sounded, the way he looked at you, the teasing words exchanged in the dark. Despite the ache still clinging to your body, something warm and electric curled in your stomach.

You neared the truck, taking its full form in the daylight. A thin fog hung in the air, rain misting gently as droplets slid off the worn exterior. The paint was some sort of bland neutral—something between gray and weathered brown—and the logo on the door was barely holding on, a peeling, tattered decal.

Through the window, his eyes were already on you—waiting.

Your cheeks warmed as you climbed in and the seat greeted you with a familiar warmth. You tried to avoid the items splayed on the floor with your wet and muddy boots, awkwardly shuffling into a comfortable position.

“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart.” He said, noticing your struggle.

The word slipped from him instinctively—so fast it caught him off guard. He tried–and failed–to cover it up with a cough and a quick turn of the head.

The excitement from last night bubbled beneath your skin.

“Good mornin’,” he muttered out, his head turned over his shoulder as he reversed out into the street.

“Good morning.” You turned to him with a soft smile, admiring his form as he drove.

Joel seemed quieter this morning. Last night, even with the unspoken tension hanging between you, his body language had said more than his words—a quiet confession of attraction. But now, he sat stiffly behind the wheel, white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel, jaw clenched, his face unreadable.

Maybe he just wasn’t a morning person.

You used the silence to sit with your pain, shoulders sore, neck tight, the idea of spending eight hours in a cubicle sounding more like a punishment than a paycheck. But when Joel had offered to take you to work, you didn’t even really think twice about whether you should go or not. You just wanted to see him again.

“Unless you wanna come to work with me, I’m gonna need some directions, kiddo.” Joel’s voice cut through the silence as he drove past the school once again, its looming silhouette less intimidating in the morning light.

His voice was different now—firmer, more serious. Not unlike how he sounded right after the crash. Cold. Detached. Maybe sleep had reset him. Maybe last night really hadn’t meant anything at all.

“Just take the highway we were on last night– exit three.” You stared at him expectantly, expecting him to at least meet your gaze for a moment.

But he never did.

The quiet that followed was worse than the night before. It wasn’t charged with tension anymore, just awkward and heavy. You folded your hands in your lap, trying to ignore the pang in your chest.

Last night had felt like something—like sparks, flirtation, shared glances that lingered too long. You had imagined there was something building. Joel’s smirks, his teasing, the way his gaze had settled on you like he wanted more. But now... now it just felt like a misunderstanding.

You knew this was all in your head.

The adrenaline from the accident, the exhaustion, the way his voice sounded under the hum of the engine—it had all created a fantasy. Joel hadn’t been flirting. He’d just been trying to lighten the mood, to ease the tension you created with your dumb jokes and wandering eyes. His kindness wasn’t affection—it was responsibility.

You sighed, running a hand over your face, you felt nothing but embarrassment. What had he been thinking last night, while you let your mind wander? You, practically throwing yourself at a man who could be your father. And still, he was kind enough to give you a ride. The least you could do was not make things worse.

Your knees shifted to face the door, trying to depart your energy–and any lingering attraction–away from the driver’s seat. Joel had only nodded in response to your directions, an action you took as a sign to not pursue any further questions.

But the silence was deafening.

No radio, no A/C, no comforting country twang drifting through the speakers—just the tense, humming quiet of restraint. You hated it. And judging by the way Joel’s jaw ticked, so did he.

Then–

“Are you sure you don’t need me to take you to the hospital?”

You blinked, turning to him in surprise. It was the third time he’d asked—despite you insisting you were fine.

“Do I really look that bad?” You laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

It was slight, but you saw Joel’s cheek flush slightly. His comment had been ruder than he perceived.

“No—I didn’t mean… I just noticed the limp. Wanted to make sure you were alright.”

You hadn’t even realized. The pain in your neck had stolen your focus, but the soreness in your legs had clearly altered your stride. It was only just a slight drag of the foot though, something Joel had to have been paying attention to to notice.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” you said, offering a small smile. “Nothing hospital-worthy, too expensive. Just a little Advil and some suffering.”

That was when he looked at you—really looked. His eyes met yours, brows low, expression unreadable.

“If that’s all that’s holding you back, y’should go. I’ll cover it.”

Your mouth fell open slightly, stunned. Every time you thought Joel had run out of unexpected kindness, he proved you wrong. Why was he being so generous?

“I can’t let you do that,” you said quickly, shaking your head. “I’ll take it easy at work. Maybe sneak in a nap or something.”

Joel scoffed, “Employee of the month, huh?”

Joel’s restraint didn’t take long to completely collapse the second he looked into your eyes. His mouth tugged into a grin, wide and genuine, and you couldn’t help but laugh. That warmth—the spark from last night—came rushing back. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and suddenly, it was like nothing had changed.

He’d endlessly scolded himself the night before, telling himself he needed to back off. That this—whatever this was—was wrong. The ping of guilt still stuck in his chest with every word you exchanged.

The weight on your shoulders was evident the second you exited the door this morning. He had seen the way you winced as you turned your neck, reaching for the keys in your bag, the way your arms slightly shivered as you turned the key. Most noticeably though was how slowly you moved. Your steps were staggered, one foot dragging behind while you kept a hand splayed across the back of your neck as if to stabilize it.

But no matter how loud the guilt rang, it was never louder than the quiet happiness he felt just being near you. His instincts, primal and persistent, kept pulling him towards you. To somehow make up for the pain he’d caused, by easing the weight of it in any way he could.

And this morning—that weight was written all over you.

He had barely gotten to sleep himself, so he knew you definitely hadn’t. Between the pain and the adrenaline crash, there was no way you’d gotten any real rest. He hated it. Hated that you were hurting, and hated that he was the reason.

He told himself again to be strong. To keep his distance.

But he couldn’t.

Not when you smiled at him like that. Not when your laugh filled the cab, soft and real, and the corners of your eyes squinted just slightly as they locked onto him. Not when you tucked your hair behind your ear and looked at him like he was the only thing that mattered in that moment.

“I’ll catch up tomorrow,” you said with a groan, dragging a hand down your face. “Just the thought of doing anything today…”

Joel’s hand twitched on the wheel as his eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, checking out the back seat.

“If you really don’t wanna go in,” he began slowly, “you could come with me instead.”

Your head tilted slightly. You didn’t know what “with him” entailed, exactly, but the offer lit something up inside you.

He continued, voice lower. “It ain’t fancy, but I can clear out the back seat. You could nap while I work. I’ll take you home on my break.”

It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t romantic. But it was him offering more of his time, more of himself—and you didn’t need much more than that.

“That sounds great actually.” You let out a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding, your body sinking further into the seat. “And...sorry for making you drive all the way out to get me.”

Joel glanced at you, just for a second, before his eyes returned to the road. “Ain’t a problem, honey,” he said with a small shake of his head. “Truth is, I woulda been worried sick if y’didn’t catch a ride. That crash wasn’t nothin’.”

You smiled, but guilt still tugged at your gut. You didn’t know how far Joel lived or how much time you’d cost him this morning. If you’d just stayed in bed, listened to your aching body, he could’ve gone about his day without the inconvenience. He didn’t seem to mind though.

Although his focus was still on the road, you could see underneath the hand that so thoughtfully cupped his chin, there was a smile. He rubbed at his beard, waiting for the grin to dissipate, though the creases at the corners of his eyes unknowingly gave him away.

The drive to his job site was short. He pulled a swift U-turn, left hand relaxed on the wheel like he’d done it a hundred times. The second you agreed to come along, he’d felt a weight lift. He wouldn’t admit it, but the thought of spending more time with you eased the tension that had been knotted in his chest since he woke up.

Once again though, he couldn’t bring himself to look at you–not without the guilt of his temptations weighing on him. When he was away from you he vowed to cease his advances and stick to the original deal, but each time you took your place in his truck, it chipped away at his resolve.

Your words–laced with desperation for his attention–called to him like a siren. Although your words were innocent, the desire was still evident with every silence being chased away by your call.

Pulling into the muddied gravel lot, the truck jostled side to side as Joel pulled into park. It was already packed—rows of dirt-coated trucks and cars, a few bearing the same company logo as Joel’s.

You glanced around. “Are you late because of me?”

Joel opened his door with a grunt, hopping out like it was nothing. “Nah. I’m late ‘cause I felt like bein’ late.”

You laughed, and it made his chest tighten.

He rounded the truck and opened the back door, immediately beginning to shuffle through the chaos inside. The mess was impressive—tools, clothes, a few fast food wrappers—and yet, Joel moved with practiced ease, shifting things around like he knew exactly where everything was.

“Jesus,” you muttered, peering back. “Do you live back there?”

“Sometimes feels like it,” he said with a grunt, hoisting a heavy red toolbox up onto the seat and flipping it open. Tools clanked as he piled more inside. “Was gonna clean it out this weekend, but…y’know.”

With his tools out of the way, you watched as Joel skillfully threw his arm over the seat, scooping the remainder of the items in the chair closest to him. He thumbed through the clothing, eyes on the hunt for something specific, when he pulled out a large, black jacket.

After clearing the space, Joel fished around a little longer, eventually pulling out a black work jacket. He gave it a once-over in the light before offering it to you.

“If it gets too cold, you can use that. Sorry I don’t got a blanket or nothin’.”

You took it with a soft smile, brushing your fingers over the worn cotton lining. “This is perfect. Thanks.”

He looked to you for confirmation, a flicker of worry in his eyes. He knew his truck was a mess—cramped, cluttered, and hardly the kind of place you should be sleeping—but he didn’t have much of a choice. He was already running over an hour late, and turning back to take you home wasn’t an option, not until at least lunch. Still, when your eyes met his, there was no trace of complaint—only quiet gratitude and a softness that settled something in him.

Taking the toolbox in one hand, he grasped the clothing underneath his other arm, using his foot to slam the door shut behind him. You heard the tailgate thunk open, the seat vibrating as he piled his stuff back there, then slam shut a few seconds later. Gravel crunched under his boots as he returned to your side.

The handle clicked and a gust of gloomy fog leaked into the cabin. Joel extended a hand, steady and warm, helping you out of the front seat. You mumbled a quiet thank you, wincing as your neck flared in pain.

Joel must’ve taken note because after he opened the back door for you to climb in, he placed a reassuring hand on your back. Reaching out to grab the door frame, you stayed still–to linger in his warmth. You must’ve stood longer than you meant to.

“I ain’t got all day, sweetheart,” Joel chuckled, his hand slightly ushering you into the backseat. “Some of us got jobs to do.”

You blushed at his words, the cooling temperature of the truck clinging to the warmth at your cheeks. Grabbing the jacket he had set aside, you unzipped it and spread it over your legs, using it as a blanket.

“Thank you, Joel. I really-” your words were cut short by a yawn.

The smell of Joel through his jacket–sweat and sawdust–was comforting. That combined with the newfound warmth wrapped around you, the lack of sleep had finally caught up.

“Don’t mention it,” he said gently.

Joel leaned against the open doorframe, one hand gripping the top of the cab, his broad shoulders blocking the light. His stance was solid and protective, inspecting the back of the truck looking for anything he could do to make things more comfortable.

His eyes lingered on you as you settled in. Your lips were pouted and plump, lashes fluttering with sleep. You looked peaceful even in pain. And that unspoken thing between you—the desire neither of you dared to name—sat heavy in the air.

He should’ve walked away.

Instead, he watched you for one more moment, memorizing the way you looked wrapped in his jacket.

“I’ll be back in a few hours,” he said at last, his voice low. “If you need anythin’, text me. And don’t get out of the truck. You hear me?”

“What if I have to pee?” You asked, teasing.

He frowned. “Hold it.”

He shut the door, not allowing himself to hear your response. He turned quickly, hoping you didn’t catch the faint smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

You always knew how to get under his skin—in the best and worst ways.

The first half of Joel’s shift passed quickly–for you at least.

The scent of him lingered in the cabin, warm and comforting, clouding your senses until sleep overtook you. The seat was stiff and didn’t do your neck any favors, but exhaustion soon won and took you under.

For Joel, however, the morning dragged.

Impatient glances at the clock and excessive “bathroom” breaks to the parking lot consumed the next four hours of Joel’s morning. He was out of character this morning and the whole crew could sense it. Usually it took hours–days even–to get a text back from Joel, but today his eyes were glued to his phone. And as the man who was always barking about wasted time and how he wasn’t “paying you to smoke no damn cigarettes,” he now found himself outside more than in—boots crunching over gravel as he made excuse after excuse to check on you.

Every time he peeked into the backseat, you were still there—curled up with your hands tucked beneath your chin, twisted awkwardly to fit in the narrow space, yet somehow peaceful. He hated that you had to be crammed back there, but something about watching you sleep—safe, soft, undisturbed—made his heart swell.

On his fifth venture to the parking lot, his eyes were glued to his phone expectantly–just in case you texted. Heavy steps matched his pace behind him, his mind too distracted by the screen to notice.

“Joel!”

His steps halted. Boots planted firmly on the gravel.

“What’s up with you today?”

Tommy.

Joel turned just enough to see his younger brother striding up behind him, catching up quick.

Usually Tommy would be manning his own site, they’d barely see each other until in the office later in the day. But with the difficulties of this new client, Tommy decided to step in to help Joel manage the new plans–and his temper.

“Nothin’,” Joel’s eyes flicked to the dense woods that surrounded the parking lot. “Jus’ gotta take a piss.”

“What, did you drink the fucking ocean?” Tommy chortled. “You’ve pissed, what, three times this hour?”

“M’gettin’ old.” Joel shrugged, trying to feign indifference.

They stopped just a few feet from Joel’s truck. Tommy’s gaze didn’t miss the way his brother kept glancing toward it.

“Well clearly not that old cause you’ve been on that phone all morning.” He took a careful step towards Joel, knowing how much of a wall his brother liked to put up. “Haven’t seen you this hooked since Sarah had her first sleepover. She okay?”

Growing tired of Tommy’s needless questioning, Joel ran a hand over his face as he groaned. He scratched at his beard, giving Tommy a tight, warning look.

“She’s fine.”

If this were anyone else he would have just shot out some bullshit lie, not caring as to if they believed it or not. If it were any other day he wouldn’t even be in this situation–his whole team was too intimidated by him to question his behaviour. But Tommy wasn’t just anyone. He was family. And he knew Joel better than anyone else.

“So what’s got you so jumpy?” Tommy pried, more serious now.

There was a beat of silence. The whirlwind of attraction, of guilt, towards this whole situation–towards you–was too much.

He couldn’t hold it in.

Joel’s voice was low, his stare piercing as he looked at Tommy. “You can’t say a word.”

“Swear.” Tommy held out his hand.

Joel clasped it without hesitation—a firm handshake, the unspoken contract between brothers that had lasted since they were kids.

Joel took a slow, weighted step toward his truck. Every nerve in him buzzed. What would Tommy think?

What would anyone think?

He knew how it looked. He felt how it looked.

He was a dirty old man and you–in all your precious innocence–had fallen into his trap of suave words and kind gestures. Not that he meant it that way.

He didn’t mean for any of this to happen.

Raising a finger to his lips, Joel gestured for silence as he brought Tommy to the window. Tommy leaned forward, cautious, peering inside.

You were still there, nestled under Joel’s jacket, mouth parted slightly in sleep. Peaceful.

Tommy blinked, confused. “Who’s the girl?”

“I hit her car last night.” A sweaty palm reached to run nervously through his hair. “Was just givin’ her a ride to work.”

“So why is she asleep in the back of your truck? And why’s it got you actin’ like that?”

Tommy’s confusion was growing by the second. It wasn’t until he looked back into the truck that he saw Joel’s jacket draped across your body that he began to piece together parts of his own puzzle.

“Joel—did you—wait, is she your—? No way, Joel, you dog!” He laughed, smacking Joel’s arm like a middle schooler. “Holy shit! It’s been years! I mean, damn—she’s cute, too!”

It had been years. Joel had thrown himself into raising Sarah, burying every other part of himself under responsibility and routine. And while that life was good, full of love—Tommy had watched his brother slowly shut the door on everything else.

Especially women.

Joel had grown sharp-edged with time. Gruff. Irritable. The kind of manager no one wanted to get stuck with. Guys on site tried everything to avoid him—transfers, complaints, even quitting. Being a single dad and a lifetime of construction had worn him down, and he didn’t exactly hide it.

“Tommy—no,” Joel said quickly, color rushing to his face. “It’s not like that.”

“C’mon, it’s not a crime to be gettin’ some. I was startin’ to think your dick retired early!”

“She’s hurt from the crash,” Joel snapped, lowering his voice. “Didn’t go in. I’m takin’ her home on break. That’s all.”

Tommy arched a brow, clearly not convinced.

“So you didn’t fu—”

“Jesus, Tommy!” Joel hissed, swatting him in the chest. “Would you shut the hell up?”

Joel, caught up in his frustrations, spoke louder than he had intended. The irony of his words set in when he saw you shuffle in his peripheral vision–a slight movement that turned into your sleepy gaze peering over the hem of the jacket.

Rubbing the sleep from your eyes, you adjusted your vision to light pouring through the windows–much brighter than before. Laughter and a gruff shout had intruded your dreams, clouding your hearing until you woke up in a groggy haze. Sleep had worked to ease your pain, feeling surprisingly better despite your contorted body and you almost sat up fully until Joel’s words replayed in your head.

“Don’t get out of the truck.”

It wasn't harsh, but it was firm. He didn’t want you to be seen. And with the laughter so close to the truck it was probably better you stay down. His jacket still draped around your shoulders, you pulled it up, tucking your chin beneath the collar as you snuck a peek out the window.

Two figures stood nearby. You recognized Joel instantly, his body tense, and the other man, younger, a little leaner, was laughing—then recoiling as Joel hissed something at him.

Was it noon already?

“Joel?” You sat up, not thinking to look at your phone.

His movements swift, Joel slid in front of the door, covering the window as if that might undo what happened. But before Joel could respond, the younger man grabbed his arm and tugged him aside.

“C’mon, Joel,” the man grinned. “If she really ain’t nothin’ to you, then there’s no harm in sayin’ hello, right?”

“Tommy, don’t—” Joel reached to stop him.

Tommy pulled the handle and the truck door flung open. Joel had forgotten to lock it.

Legs crossed, you sat curled in the backseat, jacket clutched to your chest. The light now flooded into the cabin and your hand ran to shield your eyes.

The man filled the doorway, shielding you from the blinding sun with his frame. His voice was soft, teasing.

“Pardon my brother’s manners. I see he’s got you sleepin’ in the damn backseat like a stray cat.” He offered you a hand. “I’m Tommy.”

You stared at him, brain still catching up. His hair was longer, parted loosely, a shade lighter than Joel’s and untouched by gray. His smile was disarming, his features familiar but softer than Joel’s—there was warmth in his eyes, a kind of boyish mischief.

Joel took Tommy by the shoulder, trying to pull him back. “Tommy if you don’t-”

The two stumbled onto the gravel with a hearty laugh, Tommy’s weight toppling them both. Joel hit the ground with a grunt, and in a second, had his brother in a headlock, ruffling his hair like they were kids again.

“Don’t be sayin’ shit–like you can be talkin’.” Joel chuckled.

“You’re the furthest thing from a gentleman,” he added, releasing him from his grasp.

Tommy wheezed with laughter, brushing gravel off his jeans as he stood and extended a hand to Joel.

“And yet the women still love me,” he smirked. “Must be doin’ something right.”

Joel grunted as he stood, dusting off. “Your wife loves you. Though maybe not that mouth of yours.”

“The only woman I need.” Tommy said fondly, a genuine smile softening his features.

You had stayed quiet, a silent observer, as you watched the brothers interact. It was a tender moment you felt you had no place in, this was a side of Joel you didn’t think he had to him–childlike and free. It brought a tingling to your skin.

“How’d you sleep, sweetheart?”

Sweetheart.

Your eyes flicked to Tommy, trying to read his expression. But all you got in return was a knowing grin. You were trying so desperately to gauge Joel’s feelings for you–if there were any–through Tommy’s reactions. But if he found the nickname surprising, he didn’t show it.

“Good,” you yawned out. “S’warm. Thanks for the jacket.” You hugged it close, subtly taking in the scent once again.

Peering under Joel’s arm, you locked eyes with his brother who was surveying the scene. You told him your name, returning the warm greeting he met you with earlier.

He nodded to you, playfully winking as he snapped his eyes from you to Joel.

Your cheeks reddened.

Seeing your face, Joel whipped his head to his brother, scowl on his face.

“S’nice to meet you.” He smiled warmly. “Joel, I’ll cover. Take this nice woman home. Let her sleep in an actual bed for god’s sake.”

He gave Joel a pointed look—one you couldn’t decipher—but Joel clearly could.

Joel cleared his throat, embarrassed at his brother's implications. Ultimately though, he shot Tommy a quick, appreciative nod.

He would be hearing about this later.

The older man cleared his throat, ears tinged red. “I’ll make it quick.”

Not bothering to exit the vehicle, you climbed over the center console into the passenger seat. You kept Joel’s jacket draped over your shoulders, nestling into it–its scent a quiet comfort.

He had shut the door behind you and as you glanced over your shoulder you saw the brothers still talking amongst each other outside. It was a quick exchange, but before they parted Tommy met Joel’s shoulder with a punch as he laughed, walking away.

Whatever Tommy said made Joel glance down at his boots, shaking his head with a barely-there grin. He circled back to the driver’s side, slower this time, like he was working something out in his head.

“M’sorry about him,” Joel muttered as he sank into the seat beside you, the old truck groaning beneath his weight. “Sometimes I don’t know how we’re even related.”

The gears clicked into reverse, engine humming as Joel began to exit the lot. The familiar country tunes filled the cab.

You watched Tommy stroll back to the site and gave a soft laugh. “He’s actually really nice.”

“He likes to make it seem that way.” Joel said, lips tugging upward. The tension in his shoulders had softened, the warmth in his voice a sign he didn’t mind the topic.

You locked eyes with him for a second, giving him a mischievous glance. “I’m surprised you got up after he knocked your old ass to the ground.”

Joel scoffed, eyes fixed on the road. “Kid wishes he could knock me out. Stronger than I look.”

“Oh yeah?”

Directing your attention away from his face, your eyes trailed downward, taking in the way his arms tensed as he turned the wheel—biceps straining beneath the fabric of his white tee. His work shirt was gone, leaving only the soft, worn cotton clinging to his frame. He looked rough around the edges, sun-kissed and sweat damp from the day—rugged in a way that made your chest tighten.

You bit your bottom lip, just slightly. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

His eyes cut to you, catching the look in your eye. He didn’t say anything, but a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“How much younger is Tommy anyway?”

“Why?” Joel clicked his tongue. “You got the hots for my brother already? Hate to break it to ya but he’s taken.”

You rolled your eyes, nudging his shoulder lightly. “Seriously! It’s about time I get to know you. I know you’re ancient–lotta history there.”

“Take a guess. How old you think Tommy is?”

You put a hand thoughtfully to your chin, trying to take in what you could remember of his appearance. “You two seem close…I’ll go with three years?”

“Close. Four.” He chuckled. “We’ve always been pretty close. Little brat wouldn’t stop botherin’ me the second he could walk—hasn’t stopped since.”

Laughing at his comment, you instinctively leaned in closer, the easy rhythm of conversation settling your nerves. You’d never been this close to him before—his scent surrounded you, warm and earthy, and his rough, worn-in appearance after a long shift only added to his appeal. Sweat still clung lightly to his brow, dark hair curling slightly where it stuck, and his muscles flexed subtly with every shift in his seat, still aching from the day’s work.

He caught your gaze again but didn’t say a word—afraid that if he called it out, you might look away.

He glanced at you, curiosity piquing. “What about you? You got any family ‘round here?”

“Around here? Nah. Austin was an impulsive college decision…just never left I guess.”

“College?” Joel perked up. “What’d you major in?”

You dropped your gaze to your lap, fingers tightening around the edge of the jacket. “I… dropped out, actually.”

“Can’t blame ya. School was never for me either. Couldn’t sit down at a desk long enough to learn nothin’. Tradework’s all I'm good for.”

“I don’t think that’s true.” Your eyes softened. “School’s all bullshit anyway.”

Joel didn’t respond right away—just offered a soft smile, one you found yourself mirroring. It had been years since he’d had a conversation this genuine, especially with a woman, and the ease of it all pulled a quiet sigh from his lips.

“So, college dropout, huh? “ He said. “What made you quit?”

You huffed, dramatically leaning back in your seat. You thought carefully back to your college days.

“I just didn’t get it…” you sighed. “Having to take all these classes, half of them don’t mean shit to your major and all for what? Thirty grand? No thanks.”

He nodded, clearly engaged.

“And the professors would just talk and talk and talk��about nothing half the time!” You sat up now, more enthusiastic as you turned to Joel. “I had this professor once–real emotional guy–wife divorces him mid-semester.”

Joel raised a brow, eyes flicking from the road to you. “Lemme guess. He quit?”

You laughed, unable to contain yourself as you continued. “Even better. He gave us an assignment to write an apology letter–this is a math class by the way–to his ex-wife. Said he was going to pick the best one to send to her.”

Joel barked out a laugh, throwing his head back for a second. “No way.”

“Swear to God!” you giggled. “And the worst part? I never figured out if he sent it to her! Dropped out the next week.”

“Thanks for the reminder of where Sarah’s college fund’s probably goin’,” he said, smirking.

The laughter between you faded gently as the truck rolled into your neighborhood, a peaceful calm settling over the two of you. Joel pulled into your driveway, shifted into park, and leaned back in his seat with a grunt.

The familiar bark of your neighbor’s dog echoed in the background, stirring a knot in your stomach—a reminder that Joel would be heading back to work any minute. He was turned fully toward you now, one arm slung over the back of the seat, his body relaxed. His head tilted slightly, eyes warm and unreadable, the corners crinkled with the ghost of a smile. He studied you openly, eyes tracing over your face like he was memorizing you—just as you had been doing to him.

It was comfortable silence–an unspoken knowing between you two that the next few words would probably be the beginning of an unwanted departure.

You took a breath. “Do you… want to come in?”

His brows lifted slightly.

“I mean—for lunch,” you added quickly. “The least I can do for wasting your lunch break.”

He didn’t answer right away. Just stared for a moment, taking in your request, letting the offer hang in the air. He knew he should’ve been turning the truck back on, Tommy could only cover for so long.

But instead, his lips curled, slow and sure.

“I’d love that, sweetheart.”

His answer was unexpected and your sheepish gaze flicked to his–quickly growing in confidence.

“How does fried rice sound?”

He smiled. “Sounds perfect. I’m starving.”

The both of you eagerly left the truck and you rushed to find the keys as you led him up the stairs. You fumbled a bit, but the lock clicked open, and you held out an arm to usher him inside.

Sliding your shoes off at the door, you caught Joel’s eye as he mirrored your actions. His muddied work boots ended up next to your worn flats—a simple, domestic gesture.

“Sorry if it’s a mess,” you said, starting your way towards the kitchen. “Wasn’t expecting company.”

“It’s ain’t a problem, sweetheart.”

Joel held his breath while you gave him a short tour of the house. He kept his steps light, socks quiet on the vinyl while he surveyed his surroundings. You only showed him the open space of your home–living room, dining area, kitchen, bathroom–leaving the more intimate parts to his imagination.

He wondered what your bedroom would look like. Was it clean or messy? Would you have a TV in there, binging shows late into the night? Did you lay in a thick, quilted blanket or a soft, cushioned duvet?

What size was your bed? How many other men had been in it? Had they held you close in the dark? Would they make you finish?

Did you have a nightstand? And if so–would you dip your fingertips into the drawer late at night, searching for the tiny motor that could pleasure you like no man could?

And when you did…would you think of him?

His breath hitched.

He knew he shouldn’t have come in here.

“Sooo, no vegetables then?”

Your voice cut through his thoughts. Joel’s face flushed as if you could hear his perverse thoughts. You stood by the open freezer, holding up two bags of frozen vegetables, one knee popped, head cocked, eyebrow raised–awaiting Joel’s answer.

He shook his head. “Anything’s fine. M’not picky.”

With a nod, you got to work. Taking your pick at the bag of vegetables, you pulled the day-old rice from the fridge, balancing a bottle of soy sauce and carton of eggs. Placing it all on the counter, you swiftly grabbed a pan from underneath the stove and lit the flame.

“This is my specialty.” You beamed back at Joel, dumping the contents blindly into the pan. “Had a roommate who would cook all the time–like, real MasterChef shit–and I guess she got tired of me eating off her plate, so she taught me how to cook some stuff.”

Joel moved to one of the chairs at the island and nodded, urging you to continue, as he pulled it out and sat down.

“You think it’d be easy, but it’s all about the texture of the rice. The flavor can be there, but if you have soggy rice it ruins the whole thing.”

You placed the lid on the pan and shook it around, contents sizzling over the flame. The air filled with the savory scent of soy sauce and sautéed onions—your mouth watered.

“Smells amazing,” Joel said, watching your practiced motions. “Didn’t take you for a cook.”

You smirked. “Don’t know much, just enough to keep me alive.”

The flame clicked off. You slid the pan aside and wiped your hands on your pants before reaching into the cabinet. Tiptoeing, you grabbed two bowls and divided the rice, giving Joel a little more. You handed him a spoon and joined him at the island.

“Better than I’ve got. I do make a good grilled cheese though. Sarah does most’ve the cookin’, she’s gotten real good at it.” His smile softened at her name.

A quiet moment passed. You handed him his bowl and took your seat across from him.

Joel spoke again, unexpectedly. “Maybe you could teach her somethin’.”

“I’d love to,” you said softly, knowing how much she meant to him.

He only returned a smile, halfway through his meal by now while you still hadn’t touched yours.

Joel had already dug in, spoon clinking against the ceramic. There he was–sat at your kitchen counter after work, eating food you had made, and right after he had cared for you that morning. It all felt so domestic–so intimate.

“This is really good.” He nodded at your untouched bowl. “You should try some.”

Joel took the spoon from his lips, taking another dip back into his food before waving it in front of your face, poking at your lips. You grinned. His childish antics forced a laugh from your lips and the second they parted a spoonful of rice found its way on your tongue.

“Hey! Mphm…you…can’t do that!” you giggled, trying to talk between bites.

Joel chuckled. “Just did.”

“You’re such an ass.”

You looked down at Joel from your seat on the counter, laughing uncontrollably as you tried to swallow down your food. Through the tears brimming in your eyes, you caught a glimpse of the man before you–just a stranger yesterday. His head was thrown back in joyful delight, a deep, genuine laughter rang from his chest, and his hand was outstretched into a stabilizing grip on your thigh. Heat buzzed from his fingertips on your skin, a tickling sensation fluttered under your skin.

As the laughter faded, his gaze lifted to yours. Serious now. Intense. His hand remained, steady on your leg. His eyes traced your features, lingering—just for a second—on your lips.

You caught it..

Clearing his throat, Joel pulled his hand back and stood, scooping up his empty bowl. The clinking spoon echoed through the room. He refused to look up at you. You were the opposite–your hungry, needing eyes staring straight into him, and he could feel it.

“I should get goin’.” He was nervous–palms sweaty, heart racing. “Tommy’s prolly waitin’-”

“Joel.”

You didn't even know what you were going to say. Desperation was the only thing on the tip of your tongue, flooding your senses with its sweet, captivating taste. He turned toward the sink, and his leg brushed yours—another twitch, another nervous cough.

“Listen, I gotta get goin’.” Joel swallowed the lump in his throat, his mouth dry. “You’re too young, can’t be givin’ the wrong impression…”

Joel’s words fought against everything his body was screaming at him. His limbs shook, chest tight from the pounding of his heart. He said he should go—but he didn’t move. He didn’t want to. Not yet. Not with you looking at him like that.

But he could already hear Tommy’s voice in his head. The questions. The jokes. The guilt of it all—of his brother knowing—it was almost too much to bear.

He wasn’t moving.

So you moved first.

One leg hooked around his, pulling him in. He stumbled forward, already weakened by the sight of you—lips parted, cheeks flushed, eyes heavy with want. Heat sparked between you, and the bowl clattered as he fumbled to place it down.

Your fingertips found his forearm, tracing down to his palm, interlocking with his fingers.

“What impression?” you whispered, breath warm against his lips.

Joel was at a loss for words, his throat was too dry to speak and his mind was clouded with lust and desire. He could only look at your lips that hovered tauntingly in front of his, whispering softly to him.

“Sweetheart…” he breathed.

That word.

He’d called you that before—casually, instinctively—but this time it felt different. But this time it was different–when he spoke he almost groaned. It was a sound pulled straight from his chest, ragged and aching. A plea disguised as a pet name.

Joel had always been composed, guarded. A man of few words and fewer emotions. But now, in this quiet space between resistance and desperation, he looked vulnerable. Weak.

You were his forbidden fruit and you'd already fallen from the tree, right at his feet—ripe, willing, waiting. All he had to do was take a bite.

But he couldn’t.

His will, for a fleeting moment, outweighed his desire. He stood there, frozen, with your legs around his waist and your fingers tangled in his. He didn’t move—until you did.

Your lips found his.

Soft. Sure.

He hesitated, stiff with the remnants of guilt swarming his mind—but instinct overruled. His hand dropped yours and migrated to the small of your back, pulling you flush against him. He guided you to the edge of the counter, bodies locked, palm braced beside you as his weight leaned in.

Your hands creeped up his chest until your fingers clutched around the fabric of his shirt, deepening the kiss.

Lips cracked and chapped, they scratched against yours, a familiar reminder of the rugged man that held you. His calloused fingers brushed against your skin, goosebumps formed underneath his touch.

You moaned into his mouth, his tongue carefully sweeping against your lower lip–begging for entrance. You obliged and he was quick to explore the depths of you he had yet to cover.

Breathless and yearning, the two of you parted, a thin line of saliva connecting your kiss-swollen lips. You both huffed, catching your breath, keeping your touch lingering on each other’s skin.

He looked at you, hand still circling your thigh, eyes blown wide—dark and consuming.

“We shouldn’t be doin’ this…” he muttered, his words ridden with guilt and self-loathing.

Joel’s brows furrowed as his eyes scanned your face—soaking you in like he might never get to again. His thumb traced gentle, lazy circles on your hip, trying to steady his thrumming heartbeat.

“I got no business wantin’ this. Wantin’ you,” he whispered, almost like he was warning himself.

You saw the war inside him—the desire in every touch, every hesitant glance. His jaw clenched and his eyes fell to your lips again, then darted away as if the very thought burned.

“Tell me to stop,” he said, voice cracking. His forehead fell to yours, and his breath shuddered against your skin. “Please. Just say it and I’ll walk out that door.”

But you didn’t.

And he didn’t move.

His words were laced with regret, but his hands said otherwise—sliding from your waist to your back, pulling you closer, until there was no space left.

He kissed you again, softer this time. Slower this time. Like he needed to convince himself this was the last time—even if you both knew it wasn’t.

When he pulled away, his lips barely parted yours, leaving no room for air. Glossy eyed and in a haze, Joel’s strong embrace entraptured you. You looked up at him, heart still pounding, unsure if you should speak or just hold the moment still.

Joel breathed out a quiet laugh. He leaned back slightly, his forehead pulling from yours.

Your brow furrowed. “What?”

“I’m no better than my damn brother.” He shook his head, betraying every word that had fallen from his lips.

You leaned back, focusing your weight on your palms that rest of the granite behind you. “A lot more handsome, I’d say.”

A flush crept up Joel’s neck and into his cheeks as he groaned, dropping his head briefly like it might hide the grin that betrayed him. He chuckled under his breath, shaking it off like he didn’t want you to see how much it got to him.

Sliding a hand into his back pocket, he finally pulled himself out of the trance you’d held him in. He glanced at his phone and the spell fully broke.

Tommy: 3 Missed Calls Tommy: Sorry to interrupt, boss is in the shop Tommy: He’s asking for you Tommy: I said Sarah called you sick from school Tommy: You’re welcome

Joel’s face soured at the sight of the messages, reality settling back in.

“What is it?” You asked, noticing the shift from your spot on the counter.

Joel quickly shoved the phone back in his pocket and gave your thigh a soft, parting pat, his touch lingering for just a moment too long. When he looked up at you again, his smile was tight—strained at the edges.

“Tommy texted,” he muttered. “I gotta get back. Sorry, sweetheart.”

His hand stayed on your leg a moment longer before he turned to grab his boots, you following in his shadow.

—

a special thanks to my taglist ♡ @anoverwhelmingdin @auteurdelabre (message me to be added or removed)

#joel miller #tlou #joel miller x you #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fic #joel miller x reader #tlou fanfiction #tlou fic #joel miller x female reader

171 notes · View notes

amorisxx · 6 months ago

Text

Snickerdoodle pt. iii

(Halloween special)

pairing: Art Donaldson x reader summary: The fall fest rolls around. You and Art are part of the parent committee. An unexpected meeting leads to another moment in a parking lot. warnings: smut 18+, car sex, piv, cheating, description of panic attack word count: 3.6K a/n: This part gives a bit more context to each of their lives. It doesn't really progress the plot very much, but I enjoyed writing it. previous part | next part

𝄃𝄃𝄂𝄂𝄀𝄁𝄃𝄂𝄂𝄃

It’s a Wednesday afternoon. The house is quiet, free of the frenetic energy that children bring. Kaleb is still at school, and you’d taken the day to finish preparing your baked goods for the fall fest on Friday. The only noise to be heard is the sound of Art panting into your ear.

“Oh…f-fuck… please, please.”

Halfway through decorating the sugar cookies, he’d started pressing kisses to the side of your neck. You had tried shooing him off, but it was to no avail.

That’s how you end up pressed against the kitchen counter with your dress bunched up at the hips. One strap is halfway down your arm as Art frantically ruts into you from behind.

“You feel so fucking good,” he groans into your neck.

He has one hand holding your hip in place while his other arm pins your back against his chest. In between thrusts, he uses one hand to greedily palm at your breasts.

When you start clenching around him, Art snakes a hand around to your front. He moves his fingers to where his cock is throbbing inside you. He groans at the wetness that has seeped out of you and collected at his base. You moan when he drags his fingers up to rub desperate circles over your slippery clit.

“Want you to cum, ah, need to feel it baby, please,” he pants.

It isn’t long before you’re throwing your head back and squeezing around him.

“Now, will you please let me finish these cookies?” You huff. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you come over.”

He snorts. “You said you could use the help.”

“Well that’s when I thought you’d actually be of some help.”

He grins at you with lidded eyes.

The truth is Art did come over to help you, but he also came because watching you bake has become one of his favorite things to do. Since the two of you have started seeing each other more often, he’s started spending time at your place during the weekends when Kaleb has to stay with his dad. Though you don’t admit it, he’s noticed that you tend to bake when you’re worried. Art thinks it must take your mind off of things. It’s as if you go on autopilot. You disappear into the task as everything fades to the background. It reminds Art of what tennis used to feel like.

The baking also reminds him of his grandmother. Before she moved to the nursing home, she would always bake cookies for Art when he was young. He’d know because the sweet aroma would fill his nostrils upon entering the front door.

Sometimes, he was able to watch her bake and take in the entire process. It was calming for him to observe all the various steps and pass her different ingredients. He wondered how she knew the exact amount to add, and she’d tell him it was because of “years and years of practice.” Art quickly grew fond of the idea of building something up from scratch. And he learned that through lots of practice, you could make something really sweet.

So, in a way, you remind Art of his grandmother. He doesn’t tell you that though because he doesn’t think that’s the best thing to say to someone he’s just been balls deep inside. He does tell you, however, that he likes seeing you like this.

You look up at him in between adding orange icing to a cookie. Some of the icing spills onto the counter as you tilt your head and furrow your eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

He gestures around the kitchen. “It’s nice, you know, being able to watch you make something.”

Though you’re looking down at the cookie, he sees the smile splitting your lips open. Art leans forward and swipes the icing from the counter with his index finger before popping it into his mouth. He smiles at you around his finger, and you flush as warmth spreads throughout your body.

“Nancy,” you start. “I just finished setting up this entire table. I am not moving all of this again.” You gesture to the spread of homemade cookies, pumpkin shaped cake pops, and pretzel rods dipped and drizzled in orange, black, and purple icing and sprinkles. The cookies themselves were a pain to arrange. You wanted there to be an even number of skull and jack-o’-lantern shaped sugar cookies on each platter. And each cookie needed to be facing forward. You didn’t think you had the patience for some snaggletoothed kid to ask what’s this? And plant their finger right on the cookie only to decide they hate pumpkins and leave it there.

“Okay!” She says defensively. “I just wonder if it’s such a good idea for the sweets table to be so close to the bouncy house. I wouldn’t want the kids to get sick.”

She turns to assess the giant inflated pumpkin. “I’d say they probably need a good 50 feet to walk and let the cookies settle before they start jumping up and down…don’t you think?”

You stare back blankly at the woman. “You just had me move because you said the smell of the petting zoo might ruin appetites.”

“And it could!” She whips her head back around at you, her blonde bob slapping the side of her face. “Those baby goats are cute, but they don’t smell great hon!”

You fold your arms.

“Alright.” Nancy raises a hand with a shake of her bobble head. “We won’t move,” she relents, “but could you maybe just tell each kid to eat their treats at the table, you know just to make sure they stand around for a couple of minutes before running to the bouncy castle?”

You start to tell her that it’ll be hard to control what a bunch of excited, elementary schoolers do after they get some sugar in them, but decide it’s not worth arguing with her. You glance over at her husband, Frank, who has set out his red and black folding chair next to the drink cooler. She’d instructed him to make sure each kid grabbed one drink at a time because “lord knows we’ll be picking up half full juice boxes all night.” Without so much as a glance, he’d mumbled a well versed “yes honey” and sat in his chair, staring into the distance and scratching his chest.

You decide to take a page out of Frank’s book.

“Sure, Nancy.”

Your table proves to be a popular one. You’re not even halfway through the festival, and most of your cake pops are gone, and the sugar cookies are depleting by the minute. You blame Art for being such a distraction that you didn’t think to bake more cookies just in case. Once he’s done with face painting duty, you plan on letting him have it.

You’re counting how many jack-o’-lantern cookies are left on the platters when a voice interrupts you.

“I always did love your baking.”

“Chris? What are you doing here?”

Your ex husband is standing in front of you, hands in his pockets as he smiles down at your spread of goodies.

He makes his way over to your side of the table. “My boy practically begged me to come, so of course I had to show up.”

You turn and purse your lips. “Well I hadn’t heard from you so I assumed you weren’t coming. They took your name off the list at the PTA meeting.”

“Dad!”

You look over to see your son barreling towards his father. He laughs reaching out to haul him up into the air. His little pirate hat goes crooked on his head. “You came!”

“Yeah, man, I told you I would!”

They fall into their own conversation as you help serve treats to some other kids that have wandered to the table. Despite your feelings about Chris, you can’t help but smile at the sound of Kaleb’s giggles. You’re glad that his dad’s presence brings him so much joy. You remember a time when you too felt that unyielding happiness around him. That flutter in your belly and the warmth in your chest that can only be characterized as pure, genuine fondness. God, you were so fond of him.

At the time, you thought you could never experience anything better than that. It’s why you agreed to marry him. And why you also agreed to stopping your birth control. Knowing he wanted to start a family with you made you love him even more, because to have a child with someone is to irrevocably tie yourself to that person. Being loved by Chris was your point of reference for so long.

But that was before.

Before he decided you weren’t enough for him, before he decided to be withholding, before he made you feel unlovable. It turns out that having a child with someone isn’t the symbol of unconditional love that you’d believed it was. Once you had removed the rose tinted glasses, you were able to see that love isn’t something that’s promised to you. Even if someone makes that promise to you, the love itself may not endure. You’re not sure how much control Chris really had when it came to loving you. You’re still figuring out what love entails when you’re not with him.

Now, you just hope that Kaleb will never learn what it’s like to not be loved by his father. That he’ll never have to vie for his affections nor his attention. That he will always feel held by his love and not stifled by it.

You feel something poke your hip, jolting you from your thoughts. It’s Kaleb, pressing his plastic pirate’s hook into your side to get your attention. You grab the hook in your hand, reminding him to be mindful of the point. He offers you a sheepish, snaggletoothed smile. “Sorry.”

You sigh and run your hands over his curls before gently tugging his ear. It’s a habitual motion that began when he was a toddler. He could be a little rambunctious, running around the house in nothing but a pull-up to avoid bedtime. When you’d finally catch him, you would ruffle his hair and gently pinch his little ears, calling him a silly monkey. He would erupt into fits of giggles before breaking away again making “ooh-ooh ah-ah” sounds.

Kaleb takes his arm behind his back in an effort to control his hook. “Dad said I can go with him tonight!”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah! Said once this is over we can go have some real fun!”

Chris laughs, patting Kaleb’s shoulder.

“What does that mean? Real fun?” You raise an eyebrow at your ex.

“Oh Christ! I’m just gonna take him to get some ice cream or something,” he says.

“I’m just trying to make sure my son doesn’t pick up any of your…” you look over him from head to toe, “… bad habits.”

He rolls his eyes.

“But yeah, that’s fine,” you sigh. “Do you have the booster seat?”

“Yeah, and it’s the perfect height for him to see the girls at the strip club tonight,” he cracks a smile like it’s the funniest thing ever.

Kaleb catches sight of a classmate and almost knocks his dad over in his haste to run to them. Chris shouts “Be careful!” before glancing over at you and chuckling.

You curl your lip in disgust before turning toward the couple approaching your table and offering them a bright smile. You can feel Chris’ eyes on you as you move to serve them. Once they’ve gone, you turn to him.

“Is there a reason you’re still standing here?”

He chuckles. “How do you know I didn’t want some of your cookies?”

“Okay, well what are you getting?” You ask impatiently.

He doesn’t answer the question. Instead, he runs his thumb over his bottom lip and smirks, “You look really good.”

Your stomach twists.

“I miss you.” He searches your face. “You know that?”

You scoff. “No you don’t,” you say definitively before turning away from him.

You then notice that Art is making his way over to your table. He’s wearing the same black and orange “fall fest committee” shirt that you are, but his figure fills it out much better than you can. His jeans are hanging effortlessly on his hips, and you think that if he hadn’t stuck with tennis all those years, modeling would’ve been a great second option.

Your field of vision gets cut off by your mosquito of an ex husband. You literally swat at him to move away, but he’s still smiling at you.

“Please just get whatever you’re gonna get and leave me alone.”

He reaches for you. “C’mon, baby, don’t be like that.”

You yank your arm out of his reach, sending him a warning glare.

He ignores the warning, stepping closer to you to lean down near your ear. “You know every time I come pick up Kaleb, I just think, God, what will it take for me to get those pretty legs open again?”

A loud smack resounds as his head snaps to the side. You’re gritting your teeth. “Fuck you.”

He holds his cheek from where you’ve smacked him, a tiny smirk etched onto his face.

You point your finger at him. “How dare you? How dare you come to me with this shit! You have a fucking fiancée!” Your hands have started to tremble as your anger rises. “I mean, seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you?? You don’t get to treat me the way you did then come here saying shit like that!”

You don’t realize that Art has been standing there. He sees your trembling hands and glassy eyes and subtly positions himself between the two of you. “Is everything okay?”

You’re still glaring at your ex as if daring him to say something else.

Like the coward he is, Chris lowers his voice like he’s talking to a rabid animal. He tells you that you need to calm down before turning to Art. “Yeah, man, everything’s fine.” It’s just like him to make it seem like you’re the one who’s unhinged in the company of outsiders.

Thankfully, Art isn’t just some person.

He fully stands between the two of you, blocking you from Chris’ sight. You hear him say, “yeah well it doesn’t seem like it, man.” The muscles in his back are tense and his shoulders are square.

Chris sounds like he’s about to say something, but Art doesn’t let him finish. “I think you should leave her alone.”

You swallow and look down at your shaky hands willing them to be still.

Chris makes a move to step around Art. His jaw is clenched tight. “Respectfully, I don’t think it’s any of your business.”

Art lets out a humorless laugh. “Yeah. It wasn’t a request,” he says.

A second or two passes by as the two men stare at each other. Chris squints at Art, throws a glance around at you before stepping back with a laugh. He shakes his head assessing the way Art has planted himself in front of you. His eyes drop to where you’re fisting the end of Art’s t-shirt in an attempt to calm your nerves. He mumbles something about not being surprised but continues his retreat. “I’ll drop Kaleb off Sunday night,” he announces over his shoulder.

Once he’s gone, Art turns to you, rubbing his palms down your arms. “Hey,” he bends down to look you in your eyes. “You’re okay.”

It only makes your lip tremble more, the anger from earlier dissipating as something else takes over. Art tells you he’ll be right back. You bring your arms over your chest as your breathing gets heavier. The ruckus in the air is starting to feel suffocating. Your ears are ringing and you begin to feel tingling in your cheeks.

When Art comes back, he has Nancy’s husband, Frank, in tow. He tells him something, but you can’t hear him over the sound of your own heartbeat. You’re gasping for air. You barely pick up Art’s voice saying “come with me.” You let him take your hand and lead you out of the chaos.

The sound of Art’s car door shutting makes you realize that your face has stopped tingling. You blink as your breathing returns to normal and the static-like ringing in your ears fades away. You rub your palms over your fabric covered thighs and take one big breath before exhaling. Something moves in your peripheral vision, and you glance to your left. Art is sitting in the driver’s seat, but most of his upper body is facing you. His soft eyes watch you with a patience that makes you want to cry all over again. You reach for him.

Art immediately pulls you to him, letting you settle in his lap as you wrap your arms around his neck and rest your head on his shoulder. He presses a kiss to your head.

“I’m sorry you had to see me like that,” you mumble into his shirt.

“Baby,” he runs a hand over your back.

“No, it was pathetic. I can’t believe I let him get under my skin like that.”

“It was a panic attack. It’s not your fault,” Art murmurs into your hair. “And that’s exactly why he did that. He wanted to get a reaction out of you. Don’t blame yourself.”

You lift your head up to look at him. You search his face. All you find is sincerity.

You brush your thumb over the skin behind his ear and lean in. Your noses gently bump against one another before you’re pressing your lips to his. It’s soft, slow, and deliberate. Art places his palm flat against the small of your back as he returns the kiss with equal tenderness. Through your lips and your tongue, you try to tell Art everything you aren’t able to say with your voice. And if you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was telling you the exact same thing back.

When you bring your hips down to roll against him, Art tells you “we don’t have to.” It’s your turn to tell him that you want this.

You move to the backseat. He peppers quick kisses over you every now and then as you both work to get each other’s pants down. It would probably be quicker to simply take them off one at a time, but you two aren’t thinking properly. Your head is swimming from how bad you need him right now. Once you’ve gotten your jeans off, and Art’s are to his knees, he’s sitting back against the black leather, pulling you with him.

You release a small whimper when his wet mouth attaches to your throat. His forehead knocks against your shoulder as you reach your hands under his shirt. “Off. Please.” He lets out a soft grunt as he complies with your request.

Before he can fully toss the committee shirt to the side, you’re running your hands over his chest. You stop at his nipples, letting your thumb roll over the small buds. Despite his attempt to hold it in, Art moans when you lean down and swirl your tongue around his nipple. It makes his cock jump.

You begin to move against his hard member, seeking out the friction of him bumping against your clit. Art gets his tongue back into your mouth as he reaches under your shirt, pinching your nipples. His lips smack against yours as he brings his hands around to your back. He lets them trace down your spine until they meet the band of your underwear.

Art dips both hands into your panties and smoothes his palms over your cheeks. He grips your ass as he guides you to rock against him. You moan into his mouth before you lift your hips to allow him room to pull his underwear down his thighs.

His dick slaps against his abdomen.

Your mouth waters and your stomach clenches in anticipation. You reach for him, and Art lets you take him in your hand, pumping him one, two, three times before he’s greedily grabbing your hips. He promptly hooks his thumb in the seat of your panties. He uses the leverage to pull them to the side, and you guide his tip to rub against your sticky folds. You moan as you drag it upwards to which Art starts rutting his head against your clit.

Without warning, you press Art’s tip to your opening. He hisses when you start to sink down onto him. With him fully buried in your cunt, you let out a sigh. He wraps his arms around your waist, hugging you to his chest. You two share a kiss as he begins shallowly thrusting into you.

After the both of you have finished, Art doesn’t pull out right away. He keeps you there for a moment telling you he just wants to feel you for a little bit more. Naturally, you don’t protest. The two of you sit within the fogged windows of his car in blissful silence as he lazily strokes your back.

Unfortunately, the shrill ringing of your cellphone punctures that silence.

It’s Nancy.

She asks where you’ve disappeared to, then doesn’t let you respond as she tells you that Frank is at your table which is now empty. They’re going to start cleaning up in about 45 minutes.

When you rejoin the festival, you and Art spot your kids and their friends comparing their various prizes and candy. Standing off to the side is Tashi. She sends you a smile when she notices you. Your stomach drops.

𝄃𝄃𝄂𝄂𝄀𝄁𝄃𝄂𝄂𝄃

a/n: As always, let me know what you think <3 my asks are open!

#happy halloween!#art donaldson x reader #challengers #pta!art x reader #challengers fic #art donaldson #art donaldson smut #snickerdoodle fic #pta!art #dilf!art

346 notes · View notes