#why even talk about any of this at all if he’s going to be so literal and surface level about anything and everything

[sweeheeheehee]

first time? ⭑ heeseung

| in which.. heeseung, the known player, discovers his interest in the girl in the back of his english class..

| playboy!heeseung x virgin!reader ₊ highschool au ₊ reader is a inexperienced loser ₊ smut warnings: dom!heeseung oral (fem. receive) tongue fucking fingering virginity loss p in v rough sex unprotected sex (wrap it b4 you tap it) petnames multiple oragasms cumming inside heeseung is pussy drunk for a second dumbification creampie breeding kink dirty talk lots of kissing

| i didn’t bother to proofread this cause i got lazy so if it’s bad then eat my ass but lmk if you guys would like an aftermath cause honestly i would LOVE to write one!! enjoy!

You don’t have any experience with boys. You’ve never even had your first kiss, haven’t even held a guys hand before. You can’t talk to anyone opposite gender without buffering and literally running away.

Exactly what you are is considered lame. a virgin.

What can you do? you can’t help but be a nervous wreck whenever you’re approached by a guy!

So what makes your english teacher think assigning YOU and lee heeseung, the schools most known playboy, on a project together would be a good idea?

You’ve heard things about him from girls he’s hooked up with. You heard a girl say he “fucked her so good she passed out” you wondered if that could actually happen..

“Mr. smith out of all the students in the class, you chose to partner me with heeseung? we are complete opposites!” You complained, in hopes of getting a partner change.

“Yn, heeseung needs this! he’s almost failing my class and you’re the top student! i need you to help him boost his grade because i cannot have him failing this class!” you let out a heavy sigh as your teacher picked up his bag and left the classroom, leaving you alone.

You’re so fucked. Working with heeseung would mean distraction and distraction means no work, excluding the fact you could barely look him in the eye.

“Fuck..” You huffed.

“What’s got you in a tangle hm?”

A very familiar voice sounded from the doorway. “What are you doing in here alone anyway?” heeseung asks, stepping into the classroom.

You turn to him, your eyes widened from his surprise attack, “Uh-“ “Aren’t we partners on this english project thingy? Good, i need a good grade in this class or i’ll fail”

Heeseung eyed you, examining your every move. Every little twitch of your finger, when you bit your lip softly, the way you blinked excessively when his eyes met yours. Heeseung waited for a response while you just stared at him nervously.

Another beat of silence passes and heeseung looks away with a “tsk”.

“Good talk! uh anyway we can start working tomorrow night at my place just come anytime after five” heeseung says as he gives you a piece of paper with his address on it. “see ya later cutie”

“cutie” ??? he found you cute even though you barely even made a peep while he was talking to you..

oh you’re so definitely fucked.

The project actually didn’t seem too hard, you could do this by yourself but mr. smith just had to put everyone in pairs. Why did it have to be you to boost his grade up anyway? There were plenty of other students who were more than willing to tutor heeseung.

You shouldn’t be the one responsible for his grade, it was his fault he didn’t try to pay attention in class nor do his work. And plus heeseung wasn’t going to help you do the assignment! All he’s gonna do is sit back on his phone while you do his part.

He won’t even learn anything and the teacher knew this so why did he partner you up? You don’t know.

You paced back and forth in your room debating if you should show up early or late. You didn’t even want to go but mr. smith gave you such little time to complete this assignment.

You must’ve taken too long overthinking because the next moment you glanced at the clock it was 7. Great, now you’re gonna show up to his house late late amazing!

You quickly grabbed your keys along with your school bag and shoved the piece of paper into your pocket, running out the door alerting your roommate you’ll be back. You punched his address into the gps and started to make your way there.

On the road, you hoped you didn’t make a fool of yourself, you didn’t want to embarrass yourself in front of heeseung because he’s the type to tell his friends about it.

Gosh, you couldn’t be anymore unlucky, you’re seriously dreading meeting up with heeseung in private. Your stomach felt uneasy due to the nervousness building up, who knew heeseung would make you feel this way?

Why didn’t you say “no” to meeting up? Gosh you’re so stupid. Okay, you seriously need to calm down it’s just one meet up! It can’t be that bad.. right..?

It was about 7:15 by the time you finally arrived at his house. Taking deep breaths, you gathered all the courage you had and made your way to his front door.

With a sigh, you knocked once, twice, should you knock a third time? Would that seem desperate? Yea that’s definitely too much. But he hasn’t answered the door yet? Maybe you should knock ag-

Before you could finish your thought, the door swung open revealing heeseung. He had on grey sweatpants that hung loosely off his hips along with a baggy white tee. He looked good.

“Took you long enough! was starting to think you weren’t gonna show” Heeseung says with a grin as he looked at you like you were his lunch. “Uh yeah sorry i uhm lost track of time! haha..” Heeseung lets out a breathy laugh and moves aside to let you in.

“My roommates are out of town for a little while so we can work in my room” “oh okay..” In his room? You really could just work in the living room.

You felt all the nerves as heeseung led you to his room. You tried to mentally calm yourself because you’re only here to work, nothing else. You do your roles for tonight and then you’re out of here.

Heeseung’s room was surprisingly clean, his bed was made, his collection of keyboards was organized in a particular way, and there were no clothes on the floor nor any food.

It smelt strongly of his cologne but it was oddly comforting.

He plopped down on his bed, quickly kicking his legs up and getting comfortable while you just stood at his door awkwardly.

“Don’t be a stranger baby,” heeseung says while patting the spot next to him.

You laugh nervously before walking towards him cautiously as if he were a dog about to snap any minute. He examined your every step, smirking.

You sit on the side of his bed with your back facing him and pulled out your laptop from your bag, “The sooner we start to work, the sooner we’re done! lets start”

He only lets out a quiet chuckle. It was so faint you barely heard it. But you did.

The assignment was something about historical figures, you two got assigned William Shakespeare and both of you had to study this and that about him.

You were too busy reading and typing away that you didn’t notice heeseung hadn’t been typing the whole time.

He was just.. sitting there and staring at you.

You could feel his eyes burning holes through the back of your head, his breathing heavy.

Your fingers came to a slow stop, “Uhm.. how’s your part going..?” You ask while slowly turning to him.

As soon as you turned to him, your eyes met and you felt your body go weak for a moment.

“This is boring. I don’t want to do this” heeseung whined like a child and pushed his laptop away from him.

“I- Uhm-“ You cleared your throat. “Well you have to do your part in order to get a good grade heeseung, you said you had to get a good grade or you’d fail..” Your voice came out weak and unsteady as you struggled to hold eye contact.

Heeseung only let out a groan and sat up, now face to face with you. “You know.. i have something more fun to do”

You knew exactly where this was leading, and you didn’t want to let it happen.

“Heeseung, we only have a few days to complete this assignment so please no foolish acts..”

With another breathy laugh he replied, “I promise to do my work if you let me show you how much fun we can have, hm princess?”

Your eyes slightly widened at the change of his tone your heart started to beat faster, “heeseung.. p-please.. let’s just get our work done..”

Your mouth was slightly ajar as you felt your eyes start to water from how nervous you were. Heeseung was slowly moving closer to you, his gaze switching from your eyes to your lips.

“Cmon princess, it’s not gonna be that bad.” He places his hand on your chin, his face now inches from yours.

When you don’t dismiss his suggestion, he takes that as a sign and finally leans in and presses his lips against yours.

Your eyes instinctively shut as his other hand went to hold your waist from behind. The position you two were in made it uncomfortable.

You were too much in shock to try to kiss back, you two just sat there with your lips connected.

He pulled away after a minute and looked into your eyes admirably. “so pretty”

Heeseung guided you to lay on your back so he was now in between your legs hovering above you.

He leaned back in and this time you kissed back. It was soft and careful, like you were something fragile.

His hand suddenly gripped your hip firmly, earning a tiny gasp from you, and heeseung took that as an opportunity to slide his tongue into your mouth.

The assignment was long forgotten as the kiss grew deeper and needy.

His hand gripping your hip suddenly pulled you closer to his body, letting you feel his hard cock through his pants.

The sudden pressure caused you to whimper into his mouth as your hips involuntarily grind down on him again. 

He pulled away with a string of saliva stretching from your mouth to his.

“Slow down princess, i wanna taste you first” Heeseung speaks lowly before his lips attach to your neck, sucking and nibbling. Your hands tangle into his locs, the feeling of his hands and mouth on you becoming overwhelming.

One of his hands on your hips move to the bottom of your shirt, slowly pulling it up. “H-heeseung.. i’ve never done anything like this before..” You whisper out.

He pulled away just enough to look you in the eye, “I’ll take care of you pretty, just let me do the work.”

With that, he starts to pull your shirt over your head and you arch of the bed slightly to help him.

Once your shirt was off, he tossed your shirt somewhere on the ground as he admired your tits, “Fuck.. they’re perfect baby..” He whispered and leaned in to start kissing and sucking marks on the exposed skin.

Your hands that are in his hair slightly tug on the strands, causing him to groan.

His hand slides behind you to unclip your bra sending shivers down your spine. Your tits spill out as soon as he removes the restraint and again tossing it with your shirt.

He pulls back to get a good look at your chest, licking his lips “You’re fuckin’ perfect”

Heeseung dives back in and starts sucking on your nipple, the sensation causing waves of pleasure to course through you.

“Oh my… heeseung” You let out breathlessly, mindlessly arching up into his touch.

He hums in response and starts to slowly trail kisses down your torso, ending at the waistband of your pants.

This time he doesn’t wait for your consent, too eager to finally taste you.

In the blink of an eye, your pants end up on the floor with the rest of your clothes leaving you in your panties.

“Not fair.. why am i completely naked while you’re fully clothed” You complain.

Heeseung laughed and sat up on his knees to pull his shirt over his head. His body was carved deliciously, his abs were defined and his biceps were now fully revealed.

You had to bite your lip in order to contain a whimper threatening to spill as he leaned back down to face your clothed cunt.

He trailed kisses down your inner thighs getting oh-so close to where you so badly needed him only for him to trail his lips back up.

“Heeseung.. please” You pleaded, you were pretty sure he could feel and hear the throb of your pussy.

Heeseung smiled deviously as he bit down on your underwear and slowly tugged it off, making intense eye contact with you while he took his cruel time teasing you.

Now fully revealed to heeseung, you couldn’t help but feel shy and instinctively retract yours thighs back together but heeseung’s head stopped you.

He laughed lowly, “Don’t get all shy now baby” Heeseung mumbled and used his hands to pry your thighs open again.

You felt sensitive as the cold air hit your soaked cunt.

“Fuck..” heeseung whispered before diving in without warning eliciting a dragged out moan from you.

His bold licks caused your hands to fly to his hair once again, pulling harshly as he sucked on your clit just right. “nghh heeseung.. feels so- fuck- so so good”

Your grip on his hair increased when he moved his tongue lower and into your hole.

He slid his tongue in and out as his nose nudged your clit deliciously. You couldn’t contain the loud high-pitched moans that flooded out of you, thank goodness no one was home.

Heeseung’s grip on your thighs tightened as he pushed himself deeper into your pussy urging his wet muscle deeper into your hole as his shoulders pushed your legs off the mattress.

His eyebrows furrowed as he focused on delivering your pleasure, his hands spreading your legs even more.

You felt the pressure in your stomach building as you tugged on his hair again, “Hee.. you’re- ah- i’m s-sooo close!”

He only growled into your pussy, the vibration adding to the pleasure.

Not once did his pace falter as he brought you closer and closer to your breaking point. The lewd sounds of your slick with his saliva was borderline dirty.

Your moans and whimpers grew more high-pitched the closer you got. “mmm hee im gonna cu- oh!”

With one last tug at his strands your orgasm hit you like a truck and you finally came undone on his tongue heeseung helping you through your high.

His pace didn’t slow, he drank every last drop of your release and even pushed his face deeper if that was possible.

The overstimulation kicked in immediately after your high was over, you whined and squirmed and attempted to push heeseung off.

“Heeseung.. too much too sensitive” You say breathlessly.

His hands steadied your hips, “Stop moving.” Heeseung growled against your folds and made you take what he was giving you.

It wasn’t long until he had you coming undone again with a loud squeal. 

Again, he swallowed your release and gave your clit a kiss before crawling back up your body, his lips and chin glistening with your cum.

“taste so sweet” he murmured before he leaned in to kiss you, making you taste yourself on his lips.

You bucked your hips forward in a desperate attempt for some friction. “You sure you’re ready?” heeseung asked, his voice careful and steady.

You nod, your head clouded with lust and desire too far in to turn back now.

Heeseung grins slightly as he plunges two of his digits into your drenched hole. His eyes are focused on yours as he carefully examines each scrunch of your nose and every time your mouth falls open.

“Gotta stretch this pussy a bit if you wanna take my dick”

He scissored his fingers inside you making you a moaning mess.

Once he was satisfied, he pulled out his fingers and held them to your lips with a “open.” You parted your mouth open and sucked his fingers clean while he watched.

Heeseung went to take off his sweats along with his underwear finally letting his painful hard cock free.

It immediately sprung out hitting his stomach, the tip angry red and leaking with precum. You felt fear shoot through you at the size of it. That? was supposed to fit in you?

“Fuck. This might sting a little but just bare with me” Heeseung said as he held your hips still.

Heeseung slowly pushed the tip in, the stretch all too much but addicting in a way. “mm-”

Heeseung stopped with half his dick inside, allowing you to adjust. “ffffuck you’re tight” heeseung says as he buried his face in the crook of your neck.

He stayed still for a while until you told him “you can move”

Heeseung’s restraint seemed to snap all within a second as he pushed fully in pulling a very loud moan from you. “Fuck i love the sounds you make” heeseung whispered in your ear.

Your legs felt weak from the penetration, the new feeling of the burning stretch felt surreal.

Heeseung started to move slowly but as his pace increased, so did your volume.

The sound of skin on skin echoed through the room mixed with your moans and his occasional grunts.

His hands squeezed your hips so hard you’re sure it would bruise. “feels so good- fuck” he muttered.

You heard his quiet moans in your ear which only turned you on further and your nails to dig into his back.

You weren’t aware of how loud you were until he said something about it, “Enjoying yourself that much huh princess?” the smile clear in his voice.

“Heeseung.. fuck!” You moaned.

The wet, lewd sounds were straight up filthy. You couldn’t believe you’re the source of the sounds.

Your mind grew even more clouded with each thrust and each creak of the frame, you were sure the neighbors hated you guys by now.

“Fuckkk i love this pussy” heeseung dragged out, his voice high. Your nails raked down heeseung’s back leaving painful scratches but he didn’t care.

Heeseung suddenly sat up on his knees, grabbed one of your legs that were around his waist and placed it over his shoulder.

When he started moving again he hit places so deep you didn’t know he could reach.

Now your mind was completely blank. you couldn’t process anything but moans as your eyes rolled to the back of your head. “mmm yess! lovvee it!”

Heeseung laughed lowly, “You love it huh?” “yes!”

His tip kissed your cervix making your moans higher. Heeseung could tell you were close because of your tone.

“You close baby?” You couldn’t answer. You were too lost in the pleasure to acknowledge what he said, the band in your stomach tightening beyond belief. “Best pussy i’ve ever had fuckkk”

One of heeseung’s hands went down to rub your clit in circles adding to the pleasure. Everything heeseung said sounded like background noise, your mind was hazy and your vision was dotted with white.

“You still with me princess?” heeseung said between thrusts, you could only let out moans in response.

His nails dug into your flesh as his pace increased, his dick twitching inside of you signaling he was close. You were too.

“Gonna fill this pretty pussy full. you want that right princess?” heeseung spat at you, looking down at your fucked out look, your eyes rolling back.

His hand on your leg reached to grab your face, “answer me.”

“yes! want it all!” You replied.

“Good girl.” heeseung says with something you can’t place your finger on.

His hand let go of your face and returned to its original position on your leg as he now focused on chasing his high.

With a loud, high moan, your orgasm washed over you, soaking your thighs and his stomach.

Heeseung kept thrusting even after you came, creating a white ring at the base of his cock. With a moan of your name, his hips stilled as he buried his warm cum deep inside of you and collapsed on top of you.

You shivered at the feeling, your body going limp as you slowly came back to reality.

After another minute of silence, he slowly pulled out the mixture of your cum and his spilled out of you.

“How was that for your first time?” heeseung asks with a smug smile. “It was.. really good” You answered tiredly as your eyes grew heavy.

You felt heeseung get off the bed for a moment and when he returned he was cleaning you with a damp towel. He discarded it once he was done and guided you under the blankets.

“I know you’re tired, go to sleep” heeseung whispered in your ear.

The last thing you felt was his arms sliding around your waist and his chest pressing against your back before you drifted off to sleep.

Maybe Mr. Smith partnering you with heeseung wasn’t such a bad idea..

my debut fic 👅👅 yes im very aware of how many times he calls reader baby or princess shush.. bruh i legit couldn’t stop laughing while writing this i forgot writing smut made me laugh.

[froothytoothy]

Your Idol

Saja Boys x Idol! Reader

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summary - you were a part of the failing girl group, Harmoness. Despite being disliked by both the staff and your members, you somehow managed to capture the eyes (and hearts) of five hot demon idols.

warning - fem reader, light bullying, body shaming, pushover reader (gets character development later on), doesn't follow the movie timeline that well

w/c - 2.3K

a/n - this is my first post/work on here so sorry if it's a bit bad. pls correct me if there are any mistakes, comments, reblogs and likes are much appreciated, hope you enjoy!

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The recent surge of popularity with the Saja Boys left your manager more distressed than ever.

At the start of your idol life your group, Harmoness, had actually been quite popular. Seeing your popularity at the time, Manager Hojin was convinced you were going to make it big and ended up spending way too much money on overused concepts and expensive music videos.

However, once he saw the numbers drop he had to find someone to blame. It ended up being you, seeing as you were the least popular member of the group. Not by a wide margin, but enough to make the manager take notice and choose to believe that you were the issue here.

From then on life had been nothing but endless dance practices for your "sloppy dancing", hours of vocal training for your "croaky voice" and a strict diet for your "overweight body".

Your fellow idol members had been just as critical, believing that they were already perfect and that you were holding them back. You felt isolated within your group.

You were known as the "sunshine" of the group. The girl whose smile never faltered, who always had the most energy and stage presence. But because of the constant criticism and strict diet, you began to lose your confidence and energy, something that your fans loved the most about you, making your popularity decrease further. You were still happy and energetic, but it was hard to keep it up all the time when everyone around you seemed like an enemy.

Although, despite all the suffering you've endured as an idol, you still loved it. Performing had been a struggle as you often went on stage hungry, but seeing thousands of fans so happy to see you, watching their eyes sparkle at you. It was so amusing how high they'd scream if you waved at them. To be needed and wanted by so many, it was a thrilling feeling. Your manager and the other members may not see your worth, but you know they did. The job is hard but if it means making them smile, you’d gladly work even harder. They deserved it. 

The new group, Saja Boys, had been a real hit ever since their debut song "Soda Pop" went viral. You couldn't help dancing along to it whenever you had the chance, it was too catchy not to. When Hojin caught you listening to them, he screamed at you. Belittled you in front of everyone. Accusing you of purposely putting the group down and siding with other idol groups for fun.

You remember how confused you felt that day. 

Why is he acting like this is a competition? That we're meant to only side with our groups. Is it wrong to want to support your junior idols? Hojin heavily disapproved of the idea, and it had only made him angrier. 

He began to insult you in more ways, even as you tried to calm him down, knowing that everyone was staring at you. The shame and embarrassment you felt that day left such a mark on you that you could no longer listen Soda Pop, even outside the company building. Every time you tried to, it only brought back the bad memory. 

─────────────

"Good work today girls, I'll see you again tomorrow”.

Your knees almost buckled at the sweet sound of freedom. After several gruelling hours of training, you were finally done. The Idol Awards were coming up and Harmoness's newest song "Bringing Myself Up" was planning to debut.

Whilst taking a sip of your water you overheard your fellow members talking and giggling about something. Eun-jin and Soo-ah were latching onto Jina, fawning over her.

Jina Jeong was the leader of Harmoness, and the most popular member. As the lead vocalist, she often worked besides you, which often made you sound like a dying bird compared to her. She was one of the lead competitors on an idol show, but lost. In the end, she was offered a place here, so things worked out for her. You couldn't help but envy her in every way, aside from her big ego she was perfect. 

Eun-jin, also known as SKY, was a rapper like Soo-ah, and the second eldest. She was known as the “tomboy” of the group and was the harshest when it came to insulting you. 

And finally the maknae of the group, Soo-ah. She had a sweet, innocent-looking face that often resembled a mouse. But in truth, she was a brat. On stage she would treat everyone so kindly and with so much respect, but when she was off the stage she was horrible. Never listening to the makeup artist's instructions, or showing up to practice on time. You saw how she treated service workers as lesser beings than her, and you found it horrible. 

It never used to be like this though, they were all so kind at the start of the group's debut. But things changed once a bit of fame got to their heads. Although, you knew deep down inside that there is some good in them, even if they didn't always show it. 

"You’re so lucky you get to meet Jinu, he's my bias".

This caught your attention. Despite the incident you still absolutely loved the Saja Boys, knowing almost everything about each member and collecting as much merch as your wallet could handle.

The mere mention of them made you bubble with excitement.

You put your bottle down and turned towards your members. Even though you didn't have a good relationship with them, you always made an effort to try. Completely cutting them off wasn't going to help mend things, but trying might!

Plus, deep down, you secretly believed that it truly was your fault that the group had been doing so bad. You always did your best to stay positive but it wasn't always easy when everyone keeps telling you it's your fault. Also, it was a potential bonding moment with them. You felt as though you could finally set aside some of your differences and become friends. 

"Hey girls, what's going on? What are you talking about?" You said casually, hoping to break the very thick layer of ice between you and them. They look at you, their faces shift from glowy excitement to pure disgust. It was obvious they were already bored of you, but you continued. Needing answers.

"I couldn’t help but overhear you talking about the Saja Boys. Are you guys fans too?" Your smile never came down despite the eye roll you got from Soo-ah.

"Was I mistaken? It's just I heard you talking about meeting Jinu and I was thinking Jinu from the Saja Boys, but maybe it's a different Jinu that I don't know, sorry if I was mistaken" you ramble, hands going everywhere in an embarrassingly panicky way. 

Eun-jin moves her head closer to the centre of the group, all whilst maintaining eye contact with you, and whispers "Why is she listening to our conversations like a creep?"

The group began to burst out laughing whilst you stood there, head down in shame. 

Were you really that creepy to them?

Jina stopped her stream of laughter, and the others followed suit. "If you must know, tomorrow the Saja Boys are coming here. I've been chosen to give them a tour of the place," she says nonchalantly, although you could see the joy twisted in her eyes. 

"Yeah, since the Saja Boys aren't actually under any label at the moment, the company wants them here" Soo-ah chimes. 

You couldn't help the wide smile breaching your skin, the Saja Boys coming here? Where you could meet them? Talk to them? 

If they joined the company, you'd be able to see them almost every single day. Different scenarios began to pop up in your mind. 

You could imagine Jinu flashing his signature smile at you.

Getting close enough to Mystery where you could hopefully see past the layers of hair covering his eyes.

Romance putting his arms around you whilst talking to you.

Abby letting you take a closer look at his abs.

And Baby letting you pet the soft hair on his head. 

You blushed, now is definitely not the time to be thinking weird thoughts! 

Jina was so lucky she got to not only see them, but even give them a tour. You assumed the manager no longer saw them as an enemy but as a potential ally. The thought made you giddy inside, imagining them as your juniors. Although referring to them as your juniors sounded a bit odd considering they were older than you. 

"So what time are they coming over? I'd love to meet them". 

"The manager doesn't want you seeing them".

On the outside nothing changed, but inside you felt your heart break. 

"Yeah, he says you'd just get in the way, you know, make the company look bad... like usual".

You couldn't even focus on who was talking, all the sounds muffled together. You knew that once Hojin made up his mind, he wasn't going to change it. You just had to accept that you may never meet the Saja Boys. 

Looking up with a pained smile, you forced out "It's alright. I hope you have fun though Jina, you deserve it”, mostly in envy. Jina was the member you looked up to the most. She was so good at everything. Her vocals were heavenly, and she was a fast learner when it came to dancing. It was like she was born to be an idol. 

Before you could embarrass yourself any more you ran off quickly, taking your bag with you, but not before hearing the burning sound of laughter from the girls. Most likely mocking you for your attempt at connection.

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The next day you walked into the company building, holding a large gift bag. 

After spending the night weighing the pros and cons of meeting the Saja Boys, it was obvious what should be done. 

There were actually a lot more cons than pros, but meeting the Saja Boys was just that important it outweighed all the others.

If Hojin found you talking to them he'd get really mad, but honestly, when wasn't he? 

Since you didn't know when the Saja Boys would be coming you decided to come early in the morning. You had prepared special gifts for each of the members, some things were handmade, and the others were stuff you knew they liked. Considering the lack of time you hoped it turned out well. 

On your way to the cafeteria you spotted Hojin, and you quickly hid the gift bag behind your back once you saw him approach you in frustration. "(Y/N) didn't the others tell you the Saja Boys were coming today? If they see you, it'll mess things up".

You weren't sure how meeting them was going to "mess things up" but you didn't question it. Most likely would lead to another lecture. 

"I know that Manager, I just came to get some practice for the Idol Awards," you said extra sweetly, hoping he'd let you off. It wasn't necessarily a lie, you were going to practice after eating breakfast. But the main reason you came was of course to try and see the Saja Boys. 

"Good, Lord knows you need it. Why are your movements so sloppy? Come, I'll take you to the dance studio so you don't wander off”.

"Oh I was actually going to get breakfast, I haven't had any yet. But I'll make sure to be quick".

"You can afford to skip a few meals, now come on" he commands, grabbing your wrist tightly and dragging you to the locker room. Being an idol meant being so busy you would be forced to skip breakfast a couple of times, but you had gotten so distracted preparing the gifts last night you forgot to eat dinner. You were starving and dance practice wasn't going to help. 

Although you doubt Hojin would care.  The only thing that you could do now was wait for lunch. 

─────────────

Unfortunately, you lost that chance once you realized that he had locked you in the studio. You weren't sure if it was done on purpose or not but one thing was for sure, you were starving. 

Three hours into practice you wanted to refill your water bottle, only to realize you couldn't open the door. You tried to look for your phone when you remembered you left it in your locker. At the time you weren't all that worried, you were sure someone would come and unlock the door for you. 

But minutes became hours and panic started to settle in. You started to bang on the door, praying someone would hear you and come to help. Unfortunately due to the dance studio being in an isolated area of the building, it was unlikely unless Hojin came back for you. 

Your body felt like it was shutting down. Black spots started to cloud your vision. Your head ached in pain and numbness. There really was no chance you'd see the Saja Boys now. Who knows what time it is. 

From the distance, you could hear the sounds of muffled chatter and you shot up from your place on the ground. You rushed to the door, banging on it as loud as you could and calling out for help. Your head felt heavier and heavier and your vision started to fade rapidly. 

Hearing movement from the door you backed away slowly, and upon seeing a man's chest you fell forward, passing out in the stranger's warm arms. 

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edit - I'm so happy so many people like this :D

a lot of people have been asking to be tagged in the next chapter, if you also want to be tagged just comment below and ask to be tagged and I'll add you to the list!

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[writing-munchies]

Self Aware & Obsessive AU x GN!Reader— Date Everything (Dorian, Curt&Rod, Daisuke, Doug, Mateo, Amir, Johnny, Hector, Eddie&Volt, Mac, Daemon, Tony)

A/N: This idea from @devilmaymetalgear really hooked me in, and I wanted to write a quick little something! I see your requests, and I'm planning to combine them for general NSFW HC's so they should be out quicker! There are suggestive themes sprinkled in. Sorry for any mistakes as English isn't my first language:-]

WC: 1K

⋆.𐙚˚ ⋆.𐙚˚⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹⋆.𐙚˚ ⋆.𐙚˚ ⋆.𐙚˚⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹⋆.𐙚˚

You’re doing your 4th re-run of the game, it’s late, and you’re not really paying attention to whatever options you’re clicking as you pull up front Dorian for a chat. You accidentally press the dialogue option that lets you leave the house and your heart drops, you’ve made so much progress, and now it’s all going down the drain— but you blink, you wait, nothing happens. Dorian is just frozen there, with an expression you’ve never noticed on his sprites before, the dialogue box is empty and there are no choices. After a few minutes, he sighs—the dialogue frame is still empty— and then you’re forcefully exited out of the interaction. That was strange but, probably just a bug! The game just came out after all, plus it saved your ass big time, so you just saved your game and went to bed.

Most of the time life and work get in the way of your hobbies, and sometimes you’re forced to work overtime for 2 days and not play a single minute of your new favorite dating game. Finally, the weekend arrives, and you boot up the game, the ‘trivia’ that you expect to read every time now only says, “They’ve missed you.” That’s…weird, probably a new welcome back thing the devs implemented to make you want to play more. You finally get into the game and the second you put your dateviators on, Curt & Rod, Betty, and Dorian pop up at the same time. Each of their dialogue boxes empty, and they’re all speaking over each other before the game just crashes.

Odd, you re-start and everything is fine. You go downstairs and aim your glasses at scandalebra, but somehow, Daisuke is the one that pops up on your screen. He does his usual greeting, you’ve already finished his route though, so this glitch cost you a chance. You sigh and skip through before the game stops registering your clicks and Daisuke seems to be staring right at you. Is the DLC doing this? As you’re just waiting, Daisuke finally speaks, “My love, why do you wish to waste time with the likes of him?” he sighed, “I’m right here, all yours, and you haven’t even looked at me for weeks. Are you… bored with me?”, there aren’t any choices you can select.

One time you aim your glasses at Johnny and Amir is there instead. He’s got this… look on his face, he’s blushing, and he just can’t seem to form any words. But trying to click through his empty dialogue does nothing, so you just wait. Before he could even speak, though, your game completely freezes and in seconds you’re somehow in the breaker room? Eddie & Volt greet you like nothing’s wrong, “Live wire! Ah, we’ve missed you, where have you been?” Volt said in this, eerily cheery tone of voice you’ve never heard from him, then Eddie started talking, “not good to ignore your boyfriends for too long, we could start getting jealous, y’know?”

You’re so close to finishing Abel’s story quest, and when you go over to him, you find out that one of his legs has come loose out of nowhere. Tony won’t come and fix it, no matter how many times you call for him. You go over to Tony, much to Abel’s dismay, he looks way more cheerful than you’re used to, “Ah, and to think I thought you’d forgotten about little ol’ Tony for that fucking table. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you, want to show me how sorry you are for ignoring me now that you’re here?”

You’re talking out loud to yourself about how this time you’re going to finally romance Keith and when those words leave your mouth your bedroom and bathroom door close themselves shut. You click and click, but Dorian just won’t open. You aim your glasses at him, the only thing he says is, “Sorry, luv, don’t feel like sharin’ you today,”

When you aim your glasses at your fridge, you expect Freddy and somehow the character standing in front of you is… Doug? “Look, I know I’m just a concept made form, but even I need some action time to time from my lover. Get your ass here and stop talking to that hairy fridge. I missed your dumbass.”

You’re talking to Curt & Rod, and you’re pretty sure they aren’t supposed to say, “Look, we know you’re popular,” Curt says, then Rod continues, “and we totally get why… I mean, look at you baby!”, Curt then chimes in, “but y’know, we do want you for ourselves the most. Why don’t you, ignore them for a while and come cuddle up with us? It’s been a while, lover.”

You talk to Mac once first thing in the day, and now the rest of your charges are gone! You try aiming your glasses at them again just to see, and it actually works, “I can get a little possessive, but you do understand, don't you?”

You do not remember about a literal sex scene where Hector and the player (you) are experimenting with temperature play as he’s breathlessly moaning your name when your character shivers, “Ah my love, seeing you so vulnerable all for me while they are watching makes my heart so full that it could burst.”

Somehow, every day a new inanimal goes missing, and you have to spend hours with Mateo to find them, somehow he doesn’t mind this at all, somehow the inanimals look chirpier than ever when you click on them.

You don’t even remember there being a shower feature, let alone how your character got into it, but the way Johnny is looking at you and the way he’s talking about your body like it’s the really expensive looking piece of cake in a bakery window tells you he’s loving this. “You look… amazin’, downright ethereal, am I allowed to… get a feel for myself, gorgeous?”

Somehow every time you try to talk with Diana, your diary, Daemon shows up. They say nothing, just look at you with a blank face, until one time you got so over it that you closed and opened the game again. Once again, aiming your glasses to Diana, yet Daemon shows up. They laugh at you, “Ah, opposite of hate, is it that hard to see you belong only to me? Since now, they know what they are too, I’ll stop being ‘special’, will you still talk to me then?”

[rafeys-angel13]

taking care of rafe

- request a fic - masterlist -

— ⋆·˚ ༘ * requested! -

you had been out on the boat all day. you loved rafe’s boat so much, it was always fun when you took it out for the day.

you sunbathed and talked about the most random things. you swam for a while too. you only noticed rafe looking pale and quiet when you guys got back to his house.

he immediately lay down on the bed and sighed deeply.

“you okay, baby?” you set your stuff down and walk over, sitting on the side of the bed. he nods and rests his hand on your thigh, giving you a small squeeze.

“yeah, i’m fine” he forces a small smile. you feel his forehead with the back of your hand.

“no you’re not… you feel sick or anything?” you tilt your head, looking over his face.

“i feel a little dizzy… maybe a little nauseous…” he admits, reluctantly.

“why didn’t you say anything?” you sigh and stroke his sunburnt cheek. “— did you even put any sunscreen on?” you scold, knowing he didn’t.

“i never wear sunscreen.” he scoffs and turns onto his side.

you get up and go downstairs, grabbing him a water bottle and some pain killers. when you get back upstairs he rolls his eyes.

“i don’t need that…” he huffs and crosses his arms over his chest. side eyeing you.

“yes you do, sit up.” you grab his arm and he reluctantly sits up. you unscrew the cap off the bottle and hold the bottle to his lips, he tilts his head back and sips it. “— you need to make sure you’re drinking enough…” you tell him, looking him in the eyes to let him know you’re serious.

you make him take the pain killers with the water, he does it but he’s definitely not happy about it.

he pulls you into him, making you lay down next to him. he lays on you and rests his head on your chest, exhaling softly through his nose. his hands gently grip your waist as his thumbs caress your stomach softly.

“maybe i do feel like shit..” he mumbles, his voice barely audible. you chuckle and run a hand over his hair.

“i thought so…” you respond with a small smile. he nuzzles his face into your chest, groaning softly. this is gonna be a long night.

[naneun-no]

“Just because they’re close doesn’t mean they’re in a relationship, stop sexualizing everything they do”

Then call them best friends, Becky. Say it. Say that Jimin and Jungkook are connected-at-the-hip-share-a-single-brain-cell-soulmate-level best friends. Just like Jimin and Tae, right? Say it.

Actually, be specific and call them the closest duo in Bangtan, because at a minimum that’s what they are. Like, if you don’t want to say they’re each other’s real life best friend (meaning outside of BTS), at least say that they are closer to each other than they are to any other member — because you can at least acknowledge that, right?

And if you’re so sure they’re “brothers” then celebrate it! Stop pretending it isn’t special, call it a bromance! Ooh and ah over it, like people do when married male actors have a public bromance. Call them the next Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the next Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey. (Even if, rather than publicly roasting and joking with each other; they are more often than not sweetly supportive and flirtatiously complimentary…That’s fine, call them a CHEESY bromance).

But nobody will.

It’s either, “ALL SEVEN of them are so close and love each other like brothers” or “Jungkook has such a big crush on Namjoon 🤭” or “vmin are still the closest, they have a song about it!” or “Korean men have skinship in their friendships, shippers are so weird, stop projecting your fantasies” but it’s never “ah, well, season 2 of that soft little show? No one is surprised. As expected from the best friends who enlisted in the military under a rare, special Buddy system. Jikook are jikook. Of course they want to hang out together 24-7.”

People flood to the comments section to (very mildly, with much restraint) praise their bond, but NO ONE will call it the closest in the group, even though it objectively is. Well, no one but a subset of the fandom who immediately get called creeps and weirdos and fetishizers.

No one but shippers will acknowledge their closeness and it’s so obvious why:

Because if you acknowledge their closeness, if you do anything but minimize and ignore it, it starts to look a whole lot like something else.

And people are too homophobic to allow that.

Jungkook and Jimin enlisting together under a Buddy system that no other idols in the same group have ever used shows closeness.

Jungkook and Jimin filming not just one but TWO seasons of a travel show that primarily follows JUST the TWO of them (when they are part of a band of 7) shows CLOSENESS.

Jungkook going to Jimin’s house after a concert to cook him dinner and then the two of them going out the next day to presumably spend White Day together shows CLOSE. NESS.

Jungkook going live in 2023 every time Jimin left town, and mentioning Jimin relentlessly and making him flat out the entire topic of some of the lives shows that Jungkook thinks of him when he’s gone.

Jungkook complaining that he missed Jimin when they were both busy, Jungkook saying he wants to film travel shows with Jimin until they’re 50, Jimin mentioning Jungkook in the letters he posted while enlisted alongside him, Jungkook’s voice giggling from behind the camera while he films Jimin’s dance challenge for him…

Jimin saying if he could take one thing with him to a desert island it would be Jungkook. Jungkook saying if he was a girl he’d want to date a guy like Jimin. Jungkook showing up with a hickey Jimin gave him because they got drunk together and Jungkook wouldn’t stop spinning him in his arms. The same arms he proudly carried Jimin out of a concert with, while Jimin giggled and blushed.

Jason Momoa and Henry Cavill? Tom Holland and Jake Gylenhaal? Selena and Taylor? THEY COULD NEVER.

Everything jikook shows us points to a best-friendness of EPIC PROPORTIONS at the LEAST. They should be the best friend duo that gets talked about the MOST IN BANGTAN. They’re so close locals should know about it. Not Jimin and Hobi. Not Jimin and Taehyung. Not Hoseok and Yoongi. Not Yoongi and Namjoon. Not Jungkook and Jin. Not the maknae line. Jikook have lapped all of them, and they have for years, but ESPECIALLY in the last 3 years.

And in the last two weeks? In the last two/three WEEKS???

If Jungkook and Jimin were a man and a woman the events of the last two weeks would be a HARD LAUNCH, and EVERYONE KNOWS IT.

It is only — I repeat: ONLY — heteronormativity that keeps the majority of ARMY from assuming they are dating. That’s it. That’s literally the only reason anyone in the fandom is even arguing about what they are right now. (Well, that and rival ships, which at this point should really only be referred to as patched-together inflatable rafts).

Call them just best friends. I respect that take! Some people don’t see the romance and tension and affection that I see, and that’s cool! Call them the best of friends.

But for the love of god stop minimizing their closeness. Stop pretending they treat anyone else in the band the way they treat each other. Stop pretending that they’re not choosing each other over and over and over again.

And don’t call them fake, or forced, unless you want to talk about the fact that everything we see about them is official content. Not unless you want to pry open the can of worms that is your parasocial relationship with them and acknowledge the hard truth that you actually don’t know either of them at all.

But one thing we know? They know each other. Like. Reaaaaallly well.

[morganmnemonic]

I've seen a lot of people say that they've been assuming Kris is the narrator, and it's exactly because so fully buy into the idea that Chara is the narrator in undertale (I don't even think of it as a theory really, but the conclusion that the game tried very hard to get you to arrive at. I just replayed undertale, and the way the narrator shuts the hell up as soon as you get to new home, providing only the most barebones descriptions of anything, only breaking their silence to make an incredibly morbid joke about the bed Chara died on, mere minutes before the game reveals what happened to chara. I genuinely don't know how else I'm supposed to read that) Is exactly why I can't get behind the idea of kris being the narrator in deltarune.

Chara provided everything you read. Item names, enemy descriptions, dialogue options, flavor text. Their influence can be felt through all of it. If what it means to be the narrator in deltarune is in any way taking after what it meant to be the narrator in undertale

I simply don't think kris wrote this description.

There's other things too, patterns to when the narration talks about "you" and when it talks about "kris". Next time I play through the game I'm going to take a fine-tooth comb and sort out everything we know about "the narrator", "you", and "kris", and try to figure out how to tease them apart. Because you are absolutely right, there are times when it feels like the narration is from kris's perspective ("you've taken enough") and there are also times when it feels like "you" refers to Kris themself (on a normal run: "Berdly- he usually only gets this mad when you play games together") and there are times where the narration talks right over kris, like they don't exist as a person at all ("Your hands start moving on their own") and there are times that the narrator calls kris by name to point out how they are misbehaving ("Kris held their breath... Kris smiled. Nothing happened").

And I don't quite know what to make of any of it. I don't have a good answer that makes all of this make sense. Currently the best answer I have is that the narrator knows a lot about kris wants "you" to believe that you are kris, but has become increasingly will to depart from this lie now that it's obvious that the cat's out of the bag, but I'm not 100% sure, and I doubt that I'll be 100% sure even once I've completed my quest to read every piece of narration in the game

I'm thinking of kris repeating berdly's name in shock when you try to tell ralsei that you are going to the festival with berdly of all people. Thinking about the conversations we only get to hear half of, where kris presumably tells ralsei and susie that ralsei and asriel don't look that much alike. Thinking about all the times where kris changes the prompt we give them into something that they'd prefer to say.

Kris talks. They chatter, even, but we as the player don't get to hear it. They don't get a text box. We only ever know that they spoke at all from the reactions of other characters, and even then, we rarely know exactly what was said.

And part of this is that whoever the deltarune narrator is seems intent to pretending like kris doesn't exist. You check the mirror, and it says, "it's only you". Kris plays the piano and it says, "your hands begin moving on their own." If kris speaks without your permission, the narration doesn't acknowledge it at all, committed to the lie that kris doesn't exist beyond their role as our vessel. But that's not what this post is about.

This post is about how it's entirely possible that kris has tried to talk to us when no one else is around. They could have tried to tell us their plan, or begged us not to make certain decisions, or explained that we don't actually need to steal asriel's 5 dollars because they have a piggy bank buried in the front yard. Kris could be asking us questions, or asking us not to look for the bunker password because they have a plan and we should trust them, or asking us to let them sleep a bit longer, and we the soul just carry on the same regardless, their one-sided monologue falling on deaf ears. We would never even know, because of how thoroughly the narrative of deltarune has denied kris a voice.

[chimerafeathers]

reading the end talks knowing how everyone feels about staying with each other feels like being beaten over the head with a hammer. the subtext that Siffrin is taking away from each conversation confirming his own expectations of the others' expectations, versus the subtext that each of them are desperately trying to convey back to him without coming across as weird and clingy because of their OWN perceptions of everyone's expectations.

Bonnie (regular): "Wait, that's such a long journey though!!! I'm not gonna go find you just so I can punch you if you're wrong!!! That's dumb!!! [...] Okay, then I'll believe you!!! Hopefully I won't have to walk forever to punch you!!!"

Bonnie (friendquest): "...I'll miss you, Frin. ... I know you'll leave soon, but, um... Y-You should come by Bambouche one day! So you can meet my sister!!! So I can say... "That's Frin! They helped me a bunch! They're really cool!!!" So come and see me sometime, yeah? Promise? [...] I'll be waiting for you, Frin!!!"

"i know you'll leave soon" "that's such a long journey" assuming that Siffrin would never want to stay close by, that wherever he goes would be arduous for them to reach. ...and, maybe in Siffrin's interpretation, not worth the annoyance and exertion it would take to reach them.

Isabeau (regular): "I can't wait to go back to my old job, you know? Make sure to say hi when you're near Jouvente, 'kay?"

Isabeau (friendquest): "...I hope...I hope you'll at least visit sometime, Sif. Our journey is over, but don't be a stranger, okay?"

Isabeau, short and restrained after his aborted confessions. maybe keeping it brief and simple to not overcomplicate the triumph of the moment, hoping he'll have the chance to express himself properly later (they're all having dinner together tonight, after all! they'll have time for feelings talks then! why wouldn't they?). not wanting to overwhelm or assume. how can he ask for anything more substantial than a visit before Siffrin knows how he feels, what he might want, what Siffrin might want?

Odile (regular): "But now I can finally get back to traveling. [...] It'll be weird to travel alone now, but I'll get used to it again. Or I could just go home to Ka Bue... Hm... [...] Ha...I'll miss you, Siffrin. You're a little strange, but you're a good kid. Maybe try letting down your walls every once in a while, huh? And come to Ka Bue anytime. Maybe we'll meet again during your travels."

Odile (friendquest): "It was fun. Traveling with everyone. I will miss it. [...] I... I suppose everyone will go back to their homes, now... Mirabelle will probably stay here, Isabeau will probably go back to Jouvente, and we'll ask someone to accompany Bonnie back to Bambouche... And what about you, Siffrin? Will you be going back home? [...] Oh... Why no-- ... No. Sorry, this isn't any of my business. But... No home at all... I never knew. I'm sorry. [...] ...I'll probably be going back to Ka Bue soon. Our paths will diverge soon... But if you ever come towards Ka Bue... Please come by, and say hello, won't you? ...Don't be a stranger, Siffrin."

Odile, reinforcing everyone's assumptions, backing away from the opening Siffrin gave her out of respect for their privacy, and sharing more of her own hand than Siffrin may even realize—resigning herself back to the quiet of her own company after the warmth and noise of being with everyone else. but even as a fellow traveler, both ~obviously intending~ to continue their journeys, there's no suggestion that their paths may intertwine deliberately, only inevitably diverge and briefly cross by happenstance or on a whim.

Mirabelle (regular): "...You can be so nice, Siffrin. [...] You know, um, um... Um!!! I know we haven't known each other for that long... B-But I hope you know I really treasure your company! I do! I really really do!!! And so... Thank you! Thank you for accompanying me on this journey! [...] ...I'm sure you're excited to go back to traveling on your own... But don't forget me, okay? Come see me at Dormont anytime! I'd love to hang out! Promise!!!"

Mirabelle (friendquest): "I have a lot ahead of me, still. But I never would have realized this without you, Siffrin! S-So, whenever you're done traveling, or you'd like to stay someplace for a little bit... Maybe think about coming to visit Dormont? Just to say hi? B-But you don't have to!!! It's just an idea!!! [...] I'm glad we're friends, Siffrin. ... D-Don't forget about me on your journey, okay!"

Mirabelle got so goddamn close to an actual, straightforward invitation for them to stay with her. "whenever you're done traveling or you'd like to stay someplace for a bit" could be a long-term thing of indefinite duration! but then she anxiously backtracks to "visit," "just say hi," "you don't have to! it was just an idea!" out of fear of coming on too strong, imposing too much. she's the one afraid of being forgotten, here, worrying that she'll fade as easily from their mind as anything else, unmissed. trying to balance emphasizing that his company is something that she genuinely wants, but leaving room for them to back out without feeling awkward if it's not something that they genuinely want.

in every case, Siffrin's plans "to keep/go back to traveling" are assumed, the distance is assumed, the separation is inevitable. it's all Siffrin can hear, couched in polite, socially mandated overtures to keep in touch. everyone will be gone and they will be alone again, outside of brief, occasional reunions (and always reunions that he would have to impose to initiate—how can they choose to visit Siffrin if they have no home to visit?—how can Siffrin know if they truly meant it when they asked, if they'll still mean it as time goes on?).

it's all the rest of the party can imagine, too—of course their mysterious rogue will quietly disappear back into the forests and crowds, impossible to find or contact after it's all over. they're left asking, begging, through the clenched teeth of social restraints, not to be left behind or forgotten, either. please visit, they say. don't you get it? don't you know how important to me you've become, how much i want to keep you in my life? they don't say.

and now all i can hear when i read back these lines is

i can't ask you to stay/come with me, but please, please don't let this be the last time i see you.

[bunnyclawzz]

Okai hear me out. Nerd mark, he has a HUGE crush on you, like, HUGE. He's been in love with you since you're both like 12, but he has never talked to you since he's too shy. Now, he gets his power, getting a lil bit confident and realize that he can steal whatever he wants from your room when you're sleeping/not in your house

What stuff the different warrants would take from your room? How would they use it? Would they return it? 👀

Haii!! I was like, dying for a request like this because I know Mark is a weird little freak!! I haven’t written lengthy smut in a while so forgive me if this isn’t written too well 😓 It’s a bit longer than I intended it to be but that’s whateverr

(˶' ꒳ '˶)

Warnings: Smut (not sex), clothes stealing, very freak/perv Mark, fem reader

Ever since he had first seen you back in middle school he's been head over heels. From day one he was completely enamored by you, he just did his best to hide his heart eyes for you...Which he always failed at doing.

He always watched from a distance like a stalker. Sitting in class admiring you year after year, eavesdropping on conversations just to hear your sweet voice, bumping into countless walls and people because he had been to distracted staring at you in the halls instead of paying attention to his surroundings. He knew had no chance of getting with you. Him, Mark Grayson, the guy who spends every Burger Mart paycheck on comics and collectibles dating you?? It's laughable! Then it happened. He finally got his powers after years of waiting for it to happen. He was of course ecstatic! He could fly, he got super strong,his stamina is so much better, he has enhanced senses!!

It took a long while for him to get used to it, of course. A lot of training and practicing to be a real hero. But as soon as he had it all under control? Being thee Invincible was the biggest ego boost ever. Becoming a hero, being on the news all the time, reporters practically begging to know more about him....it definitely made him confident. He would do extra long patrols just for the attention, just walking or flying wherever to "keep the city safe." Whilst on one of these extra long patrols he saw you. Nothing bad going on, just you walking home by yourself. Why would you ever do such a thing? You're so smart! You know what kind of things happen to people who walk alone late at night, so why would you even think to do it? He just can't have that! He had no option other than to walk you home safely! He loved how chatty you were the whole time, he doesn't even mind that the first time he gets a real conversation with you is as his hero persona

"What's it like fighting all the time?" "You seem so strong! Is it hard to workout and keep your strength? "What's flying like, it seems so fun to be able to do that!" All perfectly endearing questions which he Gladly answered for you as he walked beside you.

He got you home safely, walked you to the door and all like a real gentleman..and as soon as he realized he now knew exactly where you lived? Oh there was no stopping him and his stupid ideas. They stayed ideas at first! He didn't want to scare you by watching you from your window or sneaking in like he's been daydreaming about! But he could only fantasize so long before he acted on it.

It was as “normal” as stalking could be at first. Just watching your home from the sky-just to watch for any intruders, of course! What if someone tried to break in?! He had to be there to stop them! Just watching your home for at least an hour every day for five days. During that time he was able to pick up your schedule; when you left the house to go on a walk, or when you left to go shopping for hours on end, and how he noticed that you left your window open all the time. Yes, it’s just a small little crack, but honestly…you were practically inviting him inside with that.

Once he knew your home was completely empty, he flew down. He hesitated for a short second before he pushed the rest of your window open and slid inside. He was stunned for a moment. Your room really reflected you. All soft and sweetness. Just how he would imagine your room to be

He went to your bed first. Sat on your plush comforter like an awkward guest at first. It’s wrong, he thought to himself. What was he even doing in here? It’s gross really, why would anyone-and then he cuts his own thoughts short by shoving his face into your heart shaped pillow. He inhales deeply, practically huffing the thing. It smells just like you-his new heightened senses only help him. Smells just like you; from your hair products to your perfume and body oils/ perfume.

“Oh fuck….you can’t be real..” he murmured the words to himself between breathes, a hand already palming his bulge through the skin tight suit. “You can’t be human…such a f-fucking angel” he continued to speak to himself between breathes, his hand now clutching your still warm comforter as he grinds into your mattress. “Y-you smell so good-“ he murmured as if he was talking to you “-so perfect, baby” he groans as he tightens his hold on the pastel sheets. You already got him so close, nearing the edge from your sent alone, right about to tip over before he gasps and forces himself to sit up.

It’s wrong. Sneaking into his long term crushes room wad bad enough, but humping your bed was way too far!! He just felt so guilty about the thought of cumming in your room!

Unfortunately for you, that was only the first time he snuck in. The guilt and worry didn’t compare to the need and desperation he was feeling.

It became routine; waiting for your home to be empty, slipping inside, and perving around. The first few times he mainly just laid in your bed; daydreaming he was laying beside you, cuddling with you and not the pillow he held to his nose. The same one he began to hump and grind on after a week of sneaking in. Of course he didn’t only lay in your bed-you had so much other stuff to go through!

You’re vanity; all your pretty makeup, where you kept your perfume and where he would spray said perfume on his wrists so he could smell you even after he left. The closet where he would go through all your tops and bottoms, reminiscing about the first time he saw you in each article of clothing. You really do just have the prettiest outfits, don’t you? He’d gladly buy you more. Any little outfit and accessories you wanted as long as he got to watch you model them for him.

It became like a ritualistic schedule; Sneak in, lay in your bed, sniff nearly everything like a dog, go through your makeup, spray your perfume-But what really got him to act like a real pervert? The laundry basket.

He he didn’t do it at first. That first time he snuck in he completely avoided it. The second day though, the light brown wood container practically calling to him. Leaving it open that day with a pair of your used underwear at the top of the pile was practically an invite to Mark. When he took the dainty cloth out he whined. He stared at the garment with a pout. Who were you wearing these lacy panties for? Why do you even have something this pretty if it wasn’t for him? He had so many thoughts, so many that just got burrowed beneath his loudest thought.

He felt so guilty for using your used underwear like this. Yet he didn’t stop; Whining and moaning into your underwear, desperately licking at where your perfect cunt would have been-where he knew your fluids woukd leak out as he fists his cock on your bed. Using your lotion.

“B-Baabbyy..” he whines the nickname, huffing in your musky scent. He takes one more deep inhale of the flimsy lace before he moves it downwards onto his flushed dick. “P-please..god—You feel so good-“ He moans and moans over and over again till he can’t hear anything other than himself. It didn’t take long for him to cum, mouth hung open, whining and bucking his hips up as he pretty much ruined a pair of your fancy underwear. He pants heavily, looks like he just got out of a harsh fight with the way he was breathing. Once he came back to Earth, he pouts at the sight of your soiled underwear, he couldn’t just let this be a one time thing!

Over around two weeks you begin to notice more and more items of yours missing. Whining to your friends about how so much of your lotion is gone, how your soo sure that the washing machine is eating your underwear, how it’s weirdly warm and almost musky like in your room when you come home in the evening.

Just completely blissfully unaware that it’s your shy nerdy classmate Mark who’s sneaking into your room. How it’s him who’s using up so much of your lotion, who’s messing up your bedsheets and rummaging through all your items.

Or how it’s him stealing your used panties and shirts to sniff at while he jerks off just to imagine it’s really you in the room taking care of his needs.

[lumieraz]

Word count: 3.9k

Tags: Caleb x fem!reader, fluff, slightly subby caleb, he eats you out lol, creampies, slight body worship, some praise, dry humping, rough sex

Summary: Caleb and you end up having sex after he yaps about model planes lmao

Gentle was the way the light from the lamp to the side of his bed gleamed off the walls and settled lowly in the room.

Caleb sat next to you as you slightly snuggled up at his side, the both of you slouched against the wall and pillows as you listened intently to his ongoing, mostly one-sided conversation. It was kind of nice to just sit next to him like this and listen to him go on and on about his interests even if you didn’t really understand some of the stuff he was talking about. 

“There are some model planes that come almost pre-built, those ones are pretty convenient for some people, but I like building them from scratch, personally,” His voice was sort of giddy as he continued on with his explanation of the different components of model aircrafts. He seemed so passionate about this and you found that endlessly sweet. 

“There’s so much thought that goes into building one that a lot of people wouldn’t actually appreciate until they’ve tried it themselves,” He said before looking over at you to ask, “Are you actually listening?” His tone was sort of teasing.

“Oh! Yeah I am, keep talking,” You replied as your gaze traced his features. He looked so pretty right now, gorgeous with the way his lips tilted up into another soft smile when you gave him the go-ahead to continue talking. 

He started going over the various types of tools usually needed when building model planes and you realized that there is a lot more that goes into this than you originally thought, well, you honestly aren’t entirely sure what you originally thought anymore as you continue to listen to his voice — Your mind was no longer fully comprehending the strings of words coming out of his mouth as he continued to talk about different model aircraft supplies. 

Honestly, you really didn’t mean to space him out again, his voice is just so soothing and lovely that you couldn’t help but feel a little mesmerized as he spoke. Your eyes traced the arch of his brows, the way his eyes crinkled slightly as he smiled while talking about something that ultimately fell on deaf ears. Oh, he was so, so cute. 

“—And that’s exactly why those types are amazing to see fly for the first time! They just—” He raised his head slightly to look at you and his sentence trailed off. Why were you looking at him like that?

“Well, I mean… They’re just cool is what I’m really trying to say…” He said a little more sheepishly than before, looking away from you and your enamored gaze. 

You giggled lightheartedly at his sudden flustered behavior and sat up a little “No! No- I’m sorry, I’m listening, tell me more!” you continued. 

“I’m not sure what else to say,” He said, and it was technically a lie, because at any other moment he really would go on for a lot longer talking about these things… But right now it felt as though all of his knowledge on model planes had dissipated from his mind as he watched you continue to scoot in a little closer to him. 

“Okaaay… If you say so.” You said softly as your hand slipped down to take hold of his hand and intertwine your fingers with his. 

He huffed out a breath and his gaze followed your hand as you did so, just staring quietly.

You couldn’t help but laugh as his eyes returned to yours, a dopey smile gracing your lips. This usually happened when you were alone with him for a bit too long. You so easily slipped under that blanket of nostalgic affection for him, one built from years of just simply being there for one another. It made you want to smile and laugh, maybe pepper his face with kisses, or just hold him close until you fell asleep in his arms.

He tilted his head down slightly and sighed before raising it again to look at your face, his expression nothing short of fond. “Ah… Just come here already…” He said, gesturing for you to move closer.

Your smile widened as you moved to climb onto his lap and snuggle close. He sighed and closed his eyes as he wrapped two strong arms around you. “You know, if this is what you really wanted, you could’ve just asked…” He murmured softly as you wrapped your arms around his neck in return.

You looked into his eyes and a soft giggle escaped you. “Mmm no, I like listening to you,” You mumbled. The air felt a little more magnetic now than it did before. There was always this gentle, playful push and pull between the two of you, but it always felt stronger in moments like this, making your face a little warmer and your a little heart softer. 

“Then what was I just talking about?” He asked, a playful glint in his violet eyes. 

You huffed out a laugh before giving the most useless answer you could offer up, “Uhhh– Planes?”.

You watched as his expression once again turned into something softer, shaking his head as a small ‘tsk’ fell from his lips. He looked at you again and you both just sat like that for a few moments, admiring one another as the silence stretched on until it split in two. 

He was leaning in a little more now, you noticed. You couldn’t help but lean in a little more as well.

You felt him press his forehead to yours and then the faint brush of his breath against your lips, fleeting and warm before he pressed his lips to yours. The kiss was chaste and soft and then he pulled back, just merely looking into your eyes with a slightly unreadable look before pressing back in to kiss you a little deeper.

You slowly changed positions to straddle him and one of his hands started to rub up and down the side of your body, his touch was so gentle – almost reverent. You leaned in again and brushed your lips against his and he closed his eyes. You giggled softly against his lips and he did the same.

You felt his free hand snake up your body and towards the back of your head to gently hold it as the one rubbing your side came up to cup your chin. 

And you were being a little shy, so he used it as leverage to slowly prod a little deeper with the kiss until it was something not so soft and fleeting. 

You allowed him to take that initiative as he angled your face a little more to his liking and gently pressed in deeper. His tongue very slightly slipped into your mouth and rolled over yours in a way that had you falling pliable to his touch. He pulled his head back afterwards and you couldn’t help but lean in and subconsciously chase the warmth of his mouth, cute.

“Just follow my lead, okay?” He whispered against your lips and you listened, mirroring his actions as the hand he had cupping your jaw moved to gently cradle the side of your face. 

Here it was – that same push and pull again. The two of you always guided each other in the only ways you both knew best, something as simple and intangible as a kiss was no exception to that rule. You really did wish it could just stay like this forever, such a warm and comforting thing that only he was able to give you.

But you were only human, and your wishes of wanting to keep things soft and innocent like this were fleeting as you began to crave more of him. You didn’t understand how he so easily made you like this, your need for him so quickly becoming all consuming.

Pure warmth slowly bled into something more fevered and passionate between you and him as your hands slid up to cup his face in return.

You looked into his eyes again upon pushing back a bit and breaking the kiss, you noticed this intensity in them now that made heat curl up inside of you.

The shift in the air was almost palpable, a much too knowing moment of silence shared briefly between the two of you… And before you knew it – his hands were all over you. 

He was touching with urgency now, pulling you closer, palming up against your breasts through the fabric of the shirt that you happened to borrow from him earlier.

Yeah. He needed that off. Now.

His hands hastily moved to the hem of the shirt before he stopped in his tracks and looked to you again, silently asking permission, because your comfort was always first on his mind before anything else. You always appreciated this part of him, you really did… But sometimes you couldn’t help but wish he would be beside himself enough to just tear the offending clothes away without notice. 

But that wasn’t what this was, and you knew that. 

So you instead just nodded softly at him.

He lifted the shirt up over your head gently before tossing it somewhere haphazardly in his room. The lacy floral bra you wore underneath was much appreciated by him, but it also needed to be gone. He reached around and unclasped the garment and watched in awe as he used his Evol to toss it away with a flick of his finger. 

You suddenly felt too open and bare, and just a little cold too now that your breasts were on full display to him.

Caleb on the other hand though… 

He couldn’t help but reach out and cup them with his hands and sighed softly as you slightly backed away from the touch, his hands were warm though, and he was looking at you so dearly, so you swallowed back the shyness that often forced its way out of you during intimacy and decided to instead be more open with him. You brought your hands up to where his hands were and pressed your palms against the backs of his, forcing him to apply more pressure against your breasts.

He took that as about as much confirmation he needed to continue before he was leaning in and peppering your chest and neck with kisses.

You flush, his actions suddenly so bold as he stopped his kisses and lowered his head to graze one of your hardening nipples with his tongue before sucking it into his mouth, you couldn’t stop the whine that escaped your lips and the sound did nothing but egg him on.

Your back arched slightly as his hands slipped down to your hips and gripped firmly to press you against the tent forming beneath his grey shorts. Fuck, he was getting hard, you could feel it pressing into you and liquid heat pooled in the pit of your stomach as you felt him start to use the hands on your hips to rock you against him. 

It was kind of lazy at first, just allowing him to guide your movements so as to feel that pleasurable friction. Well, it really didn’t stay that way for long as you pressed against him deeper, closer, and harder.

He pulled back from your chest and looked into your eyes with pink dusted cheeks and slightly parted lips. God, He looked needy, you almost instantly pulled him into a deep, hungry kiss, groaning into his open mouth as he resumed his earlier actions of grinding you down against his cock.

Your hands slipped down to his chest, pressing in softly and then skimming your fingers down against the cool fabric of his shirt until they found the hem and tugged slightly. He noticed what you were silently asking for and instantly moved to help you pull off his shirt without hardly breaking the kiss.

You gasped as he sat up and hauled you down onto the bed, your back hitting the mattress with a soft thud as he leaned over you.

You watched longingly as he began to fumble with the waistband of his sweatpants, slipping them down his legs enough that you could fully see the outline of his cock through his boxers before clumsily pulling them off entirely and throwing them to the side of his bed. 

He all but collapsed on top of you afterwards and started to grind his still boxer-clad cock against your thigh. 

“Please– Please, I need– need to, fuck– Need you,” He whimpered against your ear as his needy grinding quickly morphed into him essentially humping your thighs.

You felt heat sweep up and down your body at his behavior and the wetness between your legs suddenly became a little hard to ignore. 

Your hands moved to his head and you gently raked your fingers through his hair, you felt him rut against you a little more frantically at the action as he started to leave hot, open mouthed kisses against your neck, making you moan softly.

“Caleb, please,” You whined, you didn’t know what you were begging for exactly, you just knew that you suddenly needed him closer.

He sat back slightly and his kisses began to descend down your body now, kissing down between the valley of your breasts, and then down your abdomen, then finally down below your navel. His lips left a searing trail in their wake, leaving your hips to twitch uselessly in aroused anticipation.

He glanced up at you briefly before softly gripping the waistband of your shorts and pulling them down your thighs and then completely off to be tossed away as well. 

You gasped as he leaned in and nosed against the wet spot that had formed against your panties. He couldn’t stop himself from pulling them down frantically and leaning back in to press a soft hand to the inner parts of each of your thighs. You gave in so easily, spreading them for him like it was instinct and he felt his cock twitch at the sight of it, pretty. 

A soft laugh rumbled from him before he leaned in and began to leave soft kisses and bites against your inner thigh, leaving you dizzy and hot all over. He trailed them up until he was right at the heat between your legs. 

“Wait— Caleb–!” Before you could finish your sentence he was already licking a stripe up through the wetness that had gathered up down there, forcing a strangled noise from your throat and making your words die off rather quickly. 

His mouth began to worship you with unrelenting passion, forcing the air from your lungs as he lapped and delved his tongue in, humming in satisfaction at the taste of you. 

You couldn’t help but squirm and cry out as your thighs clamped at the sides of his head. You could tell he was taking pleasure in this with the way he was grinding himself against the mattress as he licked a languid stripe up to your most sensitive part before sucking on it harshly.

“Caleb– Hah fuck– please,” You moaned unashamedly as your hands moved to grip his hair and pull on it slightly. He fucking moaned at that, and you definitely weren’t ready for the way he started to eat you out even more hungrily than he was before.

Your body convulsed at the overwhelming feelings and tears blurred your vision as you started to cry out louder, “Caleb— Wait, stop, It’s too- too much I– I can’t” It was all happening too fast. That knot forming in your stomach was about to snap if he kept going, so you tried to pull his head back, but to your dismay he grabbed your wrists and forced them down at your sides. 

You thrashed and gasped out his name in a futile attempt to slow his movements as he licked up as much of your juices as he could, such useless attempts, If only you knew how sexy you sounded right now.

You could feel the tides of your arousal crashing dangerously close over the shore, just a little more and you feared that the string of arousal forming deep inside you would snap. 

In your pleasure hazed mind you had barely noticed that he had inserted a finger until he started to move it inside of you while still licking you up like a starved man. That was about all you needed now to finish at this point. You gushed all over his face and he drank it all in fervently, groaning at the taste before finally pulling back from between your legs and removing his hand to lick the taste of you off of his fingers.

He looked down at your spent form, taking in the sight of your heaving chest and tear stricken eyes, he was so hard now that it almost hurt, precum leaking out through his boxers at the tip, and the completely wrecked look you had now was doing absolutely nothing to help him.

“You’re so beautiful,” He breathed as he leaned in to kiss you deeply. You could taste yourself on his tongue and it made a strange sense of need swirl around inside of you. This kiss was hungrier than any of the earlier ones, it was like he was repeating the motions he had just been using down there in the kiss now, essentially fucking his tongue into your mouth in a way that had you whining and sputtering against his lips. 

He started to palm himself over his boxer as he continued to kiss you deeply, whining into your mouth as he pulled the fabric down enough to let his cock spring free from those confines, it was all wet and hot and hard in his hand. 

He broke the kiss and pulled back, a string of spit still connecting the two of you as he pressed his forehead to your. “Please baby,” He groaned and your gaze was quickly guided to where he was currently stroking himself with need. 

You quickly pushed him back a bit, stopping his movements. “Please! I– I can take it. Just fuck me already,” You begged, feeling way too empty all of a sudden. 

He stroked himself a few more times and lined himself up with your entrance at your request. He didn’t instantly do anything though, just lazily dragging the head of his cock up and down through your folds, teasing you even now. 

One of his hands came back up to your breast and began to roll one of your nipples between his fingers again, Your hips bucked against his cock at the sensation and he couldn’t help but slowly begin to press into you.

You and him both groaned in unison as you felt him press inside slowly, inch by inch. You let out a soft sound somewhere between a gasp and a moan once he bottomed out. Your eyes fluttered open to take in the expression on his face. His eyes were closed, lips parted, and eyebrows scrunched slightly in pleasure as he just kind of stayed inside of you like that for a few moments.

It was when he began to move that the air was pulled from your lungs once again, the drag of his cock against your walls was slow and almost deliberate. He continued to lazily thrust up into you a few times like that, just really letting you feel everything. 

His thrusts slowly began to speed up though, he was trying so hard to take his time with you, but he couldn’t do it anymore. 

He scooped you up in his arms again and fell back so that he was laying down against his pillows again, forcing you to straddle him much like you did earlier, only this time under slightly different circumstances. 

You cried out as his hands swiftly pushed you down onto his cock again and started to fuck up into you, Fuck you were so tight and wet. His hands moved to your hips again and started to guide you to fuck yourself on his cock and it took you no time before you started riding him needily. You cried against his lips and he hushed you lovingly.

“I know, I know… You’re doing so well baby,” He whispered and forced you down onto him a little harder, “Just take it, I know you can,”

The praise made you feel even more needy and hot and your rhythm faltered a little bit as that ache deep inside you started to resurface again. 

He began to leave apologetic kisses all over your face as he took the lead again, bucking up into you roughly enough to have you nearly screaming as his hands forced your thighs further apart and he speared his cock deeper inside of you. 

One of his hands came up to your face and he pressed two fingers against your lips until you readily parted them for him, you took them into your mouth and began to suck on them eagerly for him. His cock twitched inside of you at the sight and you could tell he was starting to come close to that edge. 

Wanting nothing more than to make him come, you started to fuck yourself on him as fervently as you could, being egged on by the soft whines and whimpers that began to escape his lips at it. 

“You– You’re gonna make me cum,” He groaned, trying to slow your movements. You didn’t let up though, trying to fuck yourself even harder on his cock until he gasped and couldn’t help himself fuck up into you sloppily. 

To your surprise though, you ended up orgasming first, convulsing around his cock with a sharp cry and literally squirting all over him.

He continued to fuck you deeply and you squirmed away due to the overstimulation until he clamped his hands down on your hips and forced you to take it, chasing that high of his own. 

“I– I’m gonna come inside, that okay?” He rasped out, “Please, please can I? Baby please” He continued until you nodded weakly, you were so fucked out that you’d let him do whatever he wanted at this point. 

He thrusted up into you, one, two, three times, and then he was letting go. White hot strips of liquid filled you up inside as he cried out your name, fucking you through the aftershocks of his orgasm until his cock started to hurt.

The two of you just stayed like that for a while until you both came down from your respective highs, chests heaving and skin slick with sweat. 

You laid next to him in bed and snuggled up in his embrace after the two of you had taken a bath together, changed his bedding, and changed into some new comfortable clothes. Sighing softly, you pressed your face into his chest a little more and he held you a little tighter.

You felt warm and spent and so tired, wanting nothing more than to just fall asleep in his arms and let the warmth of his body guide your dreams somewhere soft and sweet.

You laid like that for a while until his voice momentarily cut off your thoughts as he spoke softly and rubbed his hand up and down your back. 

“Hmm… Maybe I should invite you over to talk about planes more often,”.

[c4tluver02]

best friend!Steve Harrington x shy!reader where you get asked on a date, something that has never happened before/never been something he had to worry about because usually the combination of you being so reserved and him hovering kept men from trying any funny business. Steve knows the guy, hates the guy, and spends days trying to convince you not to go on the date (because he doesn’t like the guy… certainly could not possibly be for any other reason…) and eventually you confront him and ask why he cares so much and tooth rotting fluff ensues. Steve dials the guy’s number himself after so you can cancel.

last minute cancel

wc: 3k

cw: mentions of cheating (not from Steve or r), hurt/comfort, angst?, fluffffffff, happy ending, maybe Steve being rude?

a/n: thank u sooo much for the request<333 i hope you enjoy it :D!!!!

Steve has been your best friend for years. 

You met him in high school, just before his “King Steve’ era, and from the moment you two became friends it was like you were glued to the hip. 

During school he was boyish and charming, always alluring to anyone near him.  But with you he was different. Not that he wasn't any of those amazing qualities, but he was far more than that. With you he never faltered when it came to taking care of you. Thinking of you before himself, making sure you are always okay, it was a protectiveness that you were continuously thankful for. 

No one else got this version of Steve, not even Kathy or Stella. The two recent girls on his roster. However recently Steve told you that Kathy dumped him because you went to the movies with them so maybe it’s just Stella. 

Unlike all of the other girls in school you weren't all over him, which could be the reason all those dates were shocked– feeling like they were interrupting something when it came to you two. Which in a sense they were. You and Steve had a way of doing things, a system that has been going for about 5 years. So when Kathy threw a fit about movie nights it’s not even an issue for Steve to call her the next morning saying they won't work out. 

You were too shy to do the things Steve did, it’s what made you two work so well together. He would go to the parties and date the girls while you sat there listening. Interested in all the gossip you're not involved in but still get to know about. For some reason people tell Steve everything, never thinking when he gets home that he would call you to spill all the secrets. 

–

Both of you sat on Steve's bed with your first bowl of popcorn laid between the two of you. The movie was ready, all you had to do was press play, but you had just gotten to his house so now is the time he tells you all the gossip. 

You felt like you were already watching a movie, the way Steve was so animated with his storytelling. His eyes would go wide as his hands would copy the words he says. You could sit and listen to him tell you stories for hours, he reenacts things so well and all the drama added is the cherry on top. 

Only once he was done talking it was your turn, and truly you don't know how you've kept this from him for this long. You have never been able to lie to Steve, not that this was a lie, more of a kept secret. Still something happened to you and you didn't immediately call Steve about it which was weird for you. 

But a guy asked you out a few days ago and it was something so out of the blue for you that you just had to tell Steve in person. Knowing your best friend will have the best reaction to your exciting news, along with help on how to go about it. 

So when he went quiet you began to start. 

“Okay so y’know how I was at the bookstore the other day?” You ask, the smile you have on your face makes Steve smile. This must be good, he thinks. 

“Yeah, you wanted to find a new diary right?” 

“Exactly, and while I was looking I was just so into the journals, I guess, and I took a step back and a guy caught me!” The way you gleam almost fools Steve in that moment. 

“Did he catch you or did you just walk into him and his body was right there?” Steve doesn't really know where this conversation is going but he’s not sure he likes it. 

“His hands literally wrapped around my waist Steve, he caught me, like my literal hero. Anyways, I ended up talking to him, and you’ll never guess what happened!” 

“Uh, he said sorry for being in your way?” His eyebrows raise with the question. 

You roll your eyes at his antics. “No. He asked for my number. My number, Steve.” 

“And did you give it to him?” 

Steve hasn't really had to deal with you and guys. In school guys knew not to ask you out, Steves hovering too extreme for any of them to try anything. And now that you are out of high school, you don't go to any gatherings to meet new people. A little bit too much of an introvert for it. But now Steve isn't always around, no one knows their place when it comes to the two of you. Kathy was pure proof of that. 

“Well yes, of course. It’s not everyday a guy asks for my number.” You’re kneeling on his bed now, so hyped up from your retelling of your own story.  

The way he doesn’t really move makes you a little worried. You always give a great big reaction to his stories, let alone his dates. A little cheer or a smile would help you out. 

“Well who is this guy anyways, you get a name?” 

“Um, Dean Mills.” You say drawing back to your conversation with him. 

“Dean Mills as in from English class that always snored?” His hand goes to his mouth in a faux gasped expression. 

“I don't know Steve, I wasn't in that class with you.” Your body deflates from his witty comeback that is unhelpful in every way. 

His questions have ruined your mood, you back hits his headboard and your irritation spikes just a little higher. He isn't being supportive at all, if anything he’s just making fun of you. It’s understood to not take you seriously, you never get asked out by guys. But does Steve really think you’re so awful that the idea of a guy being into you seems so funny?

“You do know that he totally got kicked from the football team for sleeping with all the cheerleaders right?” Steve sits up now, a hand pressed deep into his mattress to hold himself up. 

“You don't even know if this is the same guy Steve, how are you just gonna write off the first guy I tell you about?” 

The fold of your arms and the slight pout of your lips has Steve feeling bad. He’s really trying to look out for you here, nothing more nothing less. 

“M’sorry, honey. You're right, has he called you yet?” 

It takes you a second to respond because no, he hasn't called you yet. But the last thing you want to do is tell Steve that, it would just further prove his stupid point. 

“It just happened two days ago Steve.” You say with a huff. Movie night doesn't feel needed anymore. You weren't even supposed to have it today, normally it’s saturdays but Steve has a date on saturday so you moved it. One that you helped him pick an outfit for, with no quips or jokes coming from you. 

You pull yourself to the edge of his bed, not really wanting to leave your hang out, you even wanted to sleep over. But right now Steve doesn't feel like he has even a hint of happiness for you. It feels devastating, and you don't even know why he’s being so unsupportive. 

“I think I should head home.” Your legs dangle from the edge of his bed, his long legs get into it way easier than your short ones. 

Steve's sigh is loud from behind you. You can also hear his hand run over his face and into his hair. He didnt mean for you to get upset with him, but if he has the right Dean Mills, which he 100% does, he knows this guy is just using you for a hookup. 

“I am just trying to make sure that you’re doing the right thing, going out with this guy.”

You still don't look at him when he says it. The only thing that could be heard in his room is the sound of you putting your shoes back on. It’s a quick motion, like you positively need to get out of there and it makes Steve’s heart break in two. 

“Why is it so hard for you to think that a guy could just like me?” Your head turns sharply to look at him, finally. But the look on your face makes him wish you didn't, your brows are furrowed, eyes squinted. 

“Honey that’s not..I meant that-” 

“I’ll see you later Steve.” You say it so quickly as you leave his room that he almost misses it. The slam of his front door, however, can't go unmissed. It’s loud, saying everything that needs to be said. 

Yeah, maybe Dean hasn't called you yet, and so what if he was some douche in high school? Like Steve wasn't? You weren't the same as you were in high school, people change. The growth from high school to now is what you hope to see from people and Dean seems to have grown, unlike Steve and his stuck in set ways. 

It was really heartbreaking that Steve just wrote this whole thing off. You never do that to him, despite how badly you want to. Stella isn't lasting you knew that the second you met her. And the same thing happened with Kathy, but did you tell him that? No, you stood there and helped him pick things out for these girls who didn't know him half like you did. 

–

That night Dean had called you asking you out on a date. It was in two days, at a nice restaurant that just opened but had great reviews. You said yes, trying to wipe everything that Steve had said to you from your mind. There was no way his opinions would ruin this for you, the first date you've had in a while. 

 Steve even tried to call you for your nightly call but you didn't answer. Too upset with him to act like everything was normal and hear about the things he did while you supported every breath and movement. There was a split second that you forgot you were mad at him, it was right after Dean called you. Your next immediate response was to dial Steve's number to tell him how Dean had officially asked you out, but you didn't. 

Once morning reached your window the light flowing through your room, waking you up, your anger still sat in your chest. Heavy and painful just as it was the day before. Possibly even worse since the loud sound of a ring stopped you from going back to sleep. 

The phone on the wall was too far, and your body was still limp with the grip of sleep trying to pull you back in. You let the phone go– trying to find that dream that left you all too soon. But it rang again, somehow even louder this time now that your foggy mind didn't halfway block it out. 

Your body brought you to the wall before your mind knew where you were, picking up the phone. 

“Hello?” The grogginess in your voice was present, anyone on the other line could tell you had just woken up. 

“Hey, sorry did I wake you up?” Steve's voice boomed through the phone, loud and perfectly clear unlike your mumbled words. 

“Steve, it's so early.” Your words come out in a stern tone, like you could lecture him on why he shouldn't call people early in the morning because they might just be sleeping. 

“I know, I'm sorry, but I really just needed to talk to you.” 

He could apologize, tell you how bad he feels about the way he reacted. Maybe talk to you about the things you could wear and say to make the date go well. Or at least that's what you hope he'll say, just wanting to talk to your best friend about an important thing that happened to you. 

It’s what makes you stay on the phone, humming as if to say ‘go on’. 

“I talked to Stella about Dean, I was just trying to see if she knew anything about him and what he's been up to y’know? And she told me that she saw him at a party cheat on his girlfriend with three other girls. Three girls!” 

Of course Steve asked Stella, he had to know everything about this dude. And thank god he did or else you would be going out with him. He would hate to see you heartbroken over some idiot who didn't deserve you in the first place.  That was his whole intention with all of this, nothing else. 

“Is that really what you called me to say?” The new tone in your voice is laced with venom. No longer stuck in a sleepy state. 

“I am just trying to protect you–” 

“I don't need your protection Steve, next time you call I hope you have something a little more sincere to say.” And the line goes quiet. Only a quiet beep letting him know you hug up on him. 

What Steve didn't get to tell you was that question to Stella got him another slammed door. Apparently asking the girl you're seeing about another girl isn't the best idea. But Steve had to do it, for you. 

Everything he does is for you. You're on his mind the second he wakes up from his dream about you and right before his eyes shut letting sleep take him away. The way you care about him way more than any of his dates ever would, or how you sincerely understand him. Why he is the way he is and how despite him not being the best, you don't run from him. Always sweet and generous in every sense of the word. Steve doesn't think he could ever live without you, even with this day and a half long fight he finds himself struggling to get by. 

And deep down you felt the same. Maybe that's why this all hurt so much. 

This realization in Steve was what brought him to your doorstep the next day. A beautiful bouquet in his hands as an apology along with a script he's currently going over in his head as he waits for you to open the door. That is if you open the door. 

Steve knows he hasn't exactly been fair. Telling you what you should and shouldn't do has never been something he does regularly. 

Too stuck in his own mind he misses the sight of you coming down the stairs through the window. But when you open the door with your hair curled and a nice dress that snaps Steve right out of it. The lipstick you have on makes the blush on your cheeks pop, a perfect match. 

“Steve, I really don't have time, I have a date and–” You say, turning your head to look at the time on the clock near you. 

“Cancel it.” Steve didn't even know you had a date, you hadn't told him. 

“What?” This makes you look back at him quickly. Any quicker and he thinks you might have given yourself whiplash. 

“Cancel it. Stay with me tonight, please.” His plea sounds so heart wrenching. As if it might utterly ruin him if you left. 

“Steve, I can't just cancel, it's like 40 minutes.” Your wide eyes widen even more at his begging. 

“He’s not gonna give you what you need. He doesn't know you or get you like I do and no one ever will. It’s me and you and you know it.” It comes out in one breath, quick and hurried. He removes one hand from the bouquet and grabs for your own. You don't move away or even flinch at the touch. 

“What about Stella?” He could almost laugh at your question, how could you even think about that right now? It proves his point of you always being so thoughtful, even when he didn't deserve it. 

“Stella was never anything serious, nothing like us. I promise just cancel, we can talk everything out. I just need you here, with me.” His grip on your hand tightens, not wanting you to pull away. Almost as if the tighter he holds onto you the less likely you will leave. 

And after a minute of thinking all you do is nod. It’s enough of an answer for Steve as he elopes you in a hug, your arms immediately follow suit as they wrap around his neck. You can feel the leftover water from the flowers on your back and it makes you shutter. 

“You got me flowers?” You ask, letting go of the hug to get a good look at them. 

“Yeah, I wanted to say I'm sorry, for y’know, being a ass.” 

You look even prettier with his flowers in hand, it somehow matches your dress perfectly. As if you two were the ones that had a date and planned it all out. And maybe you should, you did get all dressed up. But for right now that seems quite far away. 

“I can't believe I’m canceling.” The laugh that comes out sounds genuine like the situation you're in was only possible in your dreams. 

“I can cancel for you if you want.” His hands on your hips feel so soothing and relaxing in this moment, like he was the perfect thing to ground you. 

“Yeah? You’re gonna tell Dean how I need to cancel because a much cuter boy came to my door with flowers?” Your arms revert to their spot around his neck, flowers in hand and all. 

“I mean it is the truth isn't it?” You throw your head back as you laugh, Steve pulls you closer and when you are face to face with him again your noses almost touch. 

“I’d hate to lie.” The smile you show is paired with a shrug. 

“Well, let's get to it honey.” Steve says letting you go, squeezing your hips lightly before letting you turn to go inside. 

Let’s just say Dean didn't really appreciate Steves message. 

[c0tt0ncandi]

💜 A Sunday Kinda Love.💜

Hey y'all!! So Sinners has temporarily pulled me out of retirement. Forgive my writing I'm a little rusty.

Parings: Stack x OC feat. Smoke x Annie.

Word count: A Lot. 😭

Warning: Just a 🤏🏽 Mary shade, protective Smoke, and Annie being perfect per usual. Pretty fluffy. It's a pretty long one shot so I'd grab a blanket and something to snack on.

A/N: I wrote and edited this on my phone so PLEASE forgive any mistakes or weird spacing. Please don't steal my picture or story. I worked really hard on this and I hope you guys love it. 🫶🏽 I'm really sensitive y'all so be kind. Please?! 🙏🏽😭

Summary: Stack is looking for love, but can he find what his brother has? The women he's interested in just aren't cutting it and he's not sure if "sweet" is quite what he's looking for yet. Or is it?

Lena walked home from the market in her yellow dress and two braids laid against her scalp on a breezey April day. Spring was her favorite time of year. She loved being outside and leaving her windows open while she read her favorite books or napped. Others called her crazy for leaving her windows opened, but the breeze flowing in between her curtains was relaxing and kept her cool. Besides Lena's place was protected by her friend Annie's magic. She sometimes traded her pastries for protection. That's all Lena really wanted. No money spells and no love spells. Nothing more than protection and safety for her and her home.

It was just Lena so it wasn't that smart to leave the windows opened, but as of now she was safe living alone with nobody, but her, Annie's protection, and her baseball bat.

Lena took a seat at an empty park bench in front of a pond and put her bags down next to her. She had two chapters left in the book and she just had to finish it. The walk home was probably seven minutes away from the park and twenty from the market, but she didn't mind taking a quick reading break today.

"Aye one of these days someone is going to rock your shit and I can't help you. Stack your mouth is going to get you in trouble and so is fucking married women!" Smoke hollard at his brother as he furiously drove to his and Annie's house. His brother was definitely a ladies man, but he took it too far. A good woman was hard to find so taking one from a man that went in front of the congregation and said I do is a death sentence in his eyes. If anyone even stepped to Annie or attempted to talk to his wife he had no qualms of shooting him right then and there. He's done it before and he'll do it again.

Stack sucked his teeth as he brushed his brother off. "Ain't no nigga steppin' to me about shit. Especially not about his bitch."

His brother shot a look at him before focusing back on the road. "Keep calling them bitches especially field bitches and imma knock yo ass out myself. Our mama was a black woman in the field too so you disrespect them you disrespecting her. Another thing if they bitches why you keep fucking them and riskin' your life for some already owned pussy?"

"You preachin' this bullshit to me while you got someone to lay in bed with. Spend your nights and mornins with, cook for you, suck your dick, and live happily ever after with! What do I got, huh?!"

"Nigga I should bust you upside yo' head. You look for sex not a relationship! You look for temporary not forever. You look for those loose girls that want what you want and get mad when they get you before you can get them! I'm surprised yo dick ain't burning right now."

"Well my bad brother. Not everyone can find their forever at 15." Stack sucked his teeth as he looked at his surroundings passing by.

"Every fuckin' excuse in the mother fuckin' book."

Silence rang louder than the engine on their way home.

"I want you to find your own Annie. Not that white skinned broad either. Fucking with her will get yo black ass lynched. They don't give a fuck that she's got that one drop of nigger. She looks like them and she lives like them."

Stack shook his head. "She don't know the word no. Plus her ass can't cook. She turned her nose up to collard greens and measured her sugar for sweet tea."

They both broke the tension with a shared laugh.

Lena had finished her book and it was the perfect ending. The guy got the girl and they lived a happy life after. It was everything she wanted and more. Lena walked home with a smile and a new tune playing in her heart. She couldn't wait to get home and put some music on while she soaked in the bathtub.

As she was walking home a red Model T came zooming past her. Now Lena was a sturdy girl, but they almost knocked her over with the speed they were going. Lena collected her balance and continued walking home.

Stack's head flew back to the thick brown skinned woman in yellow walking by. He wanted Smoke to stop the car, but his brother had just lectured him about woman so he kept his mouth shut. Hopefully he would run into her when he was by himself. She was mighty fine and plenty thick and he didn't want Smoke to blow it for him.

Lena woke up to the sound of birds chirping, her fan slowly blowing, and car horns going off miles away. She stretched out her arms and sat up as she expressed her gratitude for waking up today. Hopeful for a good day Lena got up and headed to the restroom to start her day.

Stack rolled his eye and squeezed the pillow over his ears. No breakfast, no talking, no good morning just Annie's moans and a squeaky headboard. He was happy for his brother, but damn. Every morning? He wanted his own Annie. She was his brother's world. It would sometimes dawn on him that she was his other half. Sure sometimes it made him jealous because as a twin that should've his role, but that was the point of finding your soulmate and partner, right?

He got himself ready for the morning. As he was leaving the bathroom a glowing Annie walked out in a robe with his brother following behind her. He on the other hand looked like she gave him the ride of his life. Tank top was slightly ripped, lips swollen, and a bit of a limp.

Stack wanted to be jealous and mad about it, but he couldn't do anything but laugh. "She to' yo ass up!" His head dropped back with laughter as Annie tucked her head away into Elijah's neck.

Elijah wrapped his arms around his wife and shrugged with a small smile. "Worked me up an appetite. I'm starvin." He groaned into her ear before placing a slap to her ass.

Stack walked into the kitchen and shook his head. "Y'all real annoyin'."

Lena had her hair out. She noticed the aftermath of taking the braids out caused cute chunky curls to frame her face. She slipped her earrings in and put on her white sneakers. She had thrifted a cute red and white polka dotted dress that stopped above her ankles, an anklet that she made with old earrings and cute trinkets sat on her ankle. She threw on a little lipstick and rubbed her body down with some butters that she made herself. Lena grabbed her satchel, keys, and a new book that she started on last night and she headed out the door.

Lena needed to grab a few things from Grace and to return a book today to the library. Just a walk a few minutes shy of twenty minutes.

"Hey Lena!" The older gentleman a few minutes from her house greeted as he took his hat off to address the young woman. "I have some extra apples from my tree. Do you mind cooking me up a pie? I got whatever ingredients you needen to make it."

"No problem, Mr. Willie. When do you need it?" She asked never stopping her stride.

"No rush! Sunday morning after church would be perfect though."

"Throw in a few squash and a head of cabbage and I'll make you two pies. That sound good?"

"Sounds good to me. I'll drive them to your house later on today."

"I'll be back. Heading into town. Probably gonna stop by Chow's. Y'all need anything?" Stack asked as he fixed his hair and adjusted his cuff links.

"What you want for dinner tonight?" Annie asked as she handed Smoke his plate.

"Don't really matter to me long as it's meat and potatoes."

Annie shook her head with a smile. "Pot roast it is."

"With Sweet tea?"

"Anything for you Elias."

"Love you, sis!" He shouted before he headed out the door.

Lena left the library and was headed to Chow's to grab some material from Grace. Grace wanted her to make a skirt for her and Lisa this week. Lena loved working for them because they always paid well and brought her customers. The flowers in their store were from her garden. She brought some by every week. If they needed help she was usually the first person they called. If not her then it was Annie.

Lena didn't have a 9-5, but she worked just about every day. If she wasn't doing it for money it was for food or items. If someone needed help delivering a baby they called her. If someone was hurt or injured they'd usually come to her. Alterations? Flowers? Baked goods? She was the go to girl. That was also the reason many people didn't mess with her. You never bite the hand that feeds you.

"Hey, girl!" Grace greeted as she finished up with a customer.

"Hey, Lisa." Lena greeted the young girl with a smile after hugging Grace. Lisa didn't smile much, but she always smiled at and gave Lena a hug.

"Did you bring me somethin'?" She asked quietly so her mother couldn't hear.

"You already know I did." The sweet woman whispered and snuck the little girl two big chocolate chip cookies wrapped in brown parchment paper.

"Thank you!" She squealed. Her head turned towards the window and her lips perched at the sight of a tall man in red walking into her dad's shop.

"Lisa," Grace called and nudged her head towards the register. Grace walked from behind the counter and took Lena to the back.

As Stack was talking to Bo his head turned at the site of a woman with a fitted mini skirt walk in.

Bo hit his friend's shoulder and shook his head. "That's MRS. Suzette. Married to THE "one punch" Theodore."

Stack sucked his teeth. "What you do talk to Smoke? I'm just lookin'."

"That man that LOOKED at Annie got shot in the knee. These men are serious about their wives."

"You'd shoot for Grace?"

"If you even have to ask I'm not showing her enough love." Bo replied. "You need to talk to Grace's friend. She's real sweet and is a great cook."

"Ion know if I'm ready for sweet." He replied as he adjusted his collar and looked around.

It was Bo's turn to suck his teeth. "That's your problem. You keep finding someone to wet your whistle and that's it. There's more to a partner than sex. Find someone that builds you up and is there through thick and thin. Doesn't get tired of seeing your face everyday. The person you run to for comfort and vice versa. Someone you trust with your entire life. That's what Sweet gets you."

"You point her in my direction and I'll dip my tongue in it."

"Toe! The expression is toe, fool!" He playfully shoved his friend's shoulder.

Stack laughed as he placed his toothpick in his mouth.

"I'll bring these back to you by Saturday. Bye Grace. Bye Lisa."

The little girl waved as she got ready to cash out a customer.

Lena walked home with material in her bag and a few chocolates in hand. She strutted home with a tune in her head and a pep in her step.

"This girl you talking about. What she look like?" Stack asked as he picked at a few grapes that were on ice.

"She's a stacked one. Hourglass, brown eyes, and she always smells real good. She lives like 20 minutes away. She might be with Lisa now. Peak ya head in and see if she in there. She's supposed to be making them some dresses or something!" Bo shouted as Stack headed out of the door.

Stack headed across the street on a mission to see if said woman was still there. He was always allowed into the Chow's establishment, but her shop was mostly white people and it was usually frowned upon to have a black man shop with them. Stack really ain't give a damn.

"Grace, your thick friend still here?"

Grace rolled her eyes. "Who Lena?" Her eyes widened at the realization. "Hell no. You leave her alone. She's way too good for you. She's got her head on straight. She's not one of your whores." Grace put on a smile as one of her customers asked her a question. "Ten cents." She turned her head back to Stack and started pushing him out of her store. "She already left. If you see her leave her alone. Bye Stack."

Stack snatched an apple from her stand before heading back to his car.

As he was driving he took his knife out and tried to cut his apple. He looked up last minute and swerved to avoid hitting a large rock in the road causing him to cut his hand open. "Shit!" As he looked over he saw the same girl from yesterday walking in a red dress today. "Ooohwee it must be my lucky day!" He looked at his hand " Almost lucky. This can wait" and immediately stopped his car for her

Lena was almost at her house probably less than ten minutes away when she saw that same red Model T car zooming past her only this time it swerved and abruptly stopped ahead. It started to back up and she saw a man turn to her. He was very handsome. Hair was neat, had a beautiful smile, nice brown eyes, and a fancy suit. His arms filled out the jacket very nicely too. He wasn't anyone she'd ever seen before, but he was a good looking man.

"Good evenin'." Stack greeted with a nod.

"Evenin'." Lena greeted sweetly.

"Where you headed? This is the second day I've seen you walking. You must live close by, no?"

Her head cocked to the side as she tried to read him. "I might. This your second time seein' me? You ain't say nothin' to me the first time so why now? I wasn't good enough to stop for yesterday?" She teased.

He nervously chuckled his hand still bleeding. "No. My brother was actually driving and refused to stop." He reached over to open the door for her to get in.

Wary, she stepped back with hesitation. Although he was good looking she didn't know him. As soon as Lena was going to decline she noticed his hand was bleeding. "Your hand. That's a lot of blood. You need to put some pressure on it before you bleed out."

"Oh this?" He said as he lifted his hand "Naw it ain't that bad."

She hopped in and ripped an extra piece of fabric off that she had in her purse and wrapped it around his hand. "Put some pressure on it and move over." Lena hovered her body over his to get in the driver's seat as he moved underneath her.

He bit his lip and dropped his head back at the feeling of her ass brushing up against him. She was too focused on getting him bandaged up that she didn't even notice.

Lena hadn't driven in over a year, but she remembered how to do it. For the most part. "I'm takin you to my house to fix your cut. Is that okay?"

"Yeah." He was feeling a little faint. "Got anything to drink? Anything to eat?"

"You feelin weak?" She quickly handed him her purse. "I have some chocolates. We're almost home. Just snack on that until I can get you some water."

After a few more minutes they reached her house. She stopped the car and turned it off before getting out. She grabbed her bags and headed to the door with Stack following behind.

They headed in the house and she immediately grabbed some water, an apple turnover, and her first-aid kit. "Here have a seat. Eat this first."

He quickly took a bite and was taken by surprise. "These real good." He complimented as she pulled a chair up to him and took his hand in hers. "You got some soft hands and smell good, too. Sweet."

"Thanks I made them this morning." She ignored the other two compliments. She was here to help not sweet talk with him.

"They're good. Did you hear what I said about,"

"You ought to be mo' careful. Why was your knife out while you were drivin anyways?" Lena interrupted.

"Ummm I was eating my apple."

"Eatin' and drivin'? Sounds awful dangerous especially with how fast you drive."

"I wasn't going that, OUCH!" Stack flinched and pulled back.

"Don't be a baby. A big strong man like ya self squealin over some alcohol?" She lowered her head to his hand that sat on his lap and gently blew on his cut. Lena gazed up at him as he looked down at her.

His eyes dark and focused on her.

"Better?" She asked above a whisper.

"Y- yeah." His eyes watched as she efficiently and delicately stitched him up.

She hummed a soft lullaby as she grabbed a bandage and a pair of scissors. Lena clipped at the extra stitching and followed up with a secure bandage. "There. You all stitched up." She finished with a satisfied smile. Her eyes big and soft. Safe.

"Thanks." His hand still in hers.

Stack felt something but didn't know what he was feeling. He was happy. He was in awe. He was calm, but turned on, but not like usual. He wanted to get to know her. To be around her. She had him mesmerized.

He looked around the house and although it was small and filled with a lot personality it was neat. "Looks like you're a jack of all trade. Mind me askin what you do?"

Lena wiped her hands off and closed the kit. "If you askin what my title is I don't have one. I just do a little bit of everything for everyone. Little Lisa? I helped deliver her. Those flowers you always seein' at Bo's stores? They from my garden'. I do just about everything, but fix cars." She confessed with a giggle as she crossed her legs in front of him.

"Don't worry about that. I'm mighty handy when it comes to some wheels. I didn't see a car when we pulled up tho."

"I don't own one. Ain't no point. I don't go no further than the market." She poured two glasses of sweet tea and brought it to him.

"Thank you." He took a sip and he couldn't help but shake his head.

Lena's eyes widened at his reaction. She had the best tea on this side of town and she never heard anyone complain.

He pulled the tea back to examine it as a big smile spread across his face. "Probably the best damn tea I've ever had, but don't tell my sister Annie that."

Lena cocked her head to the side and stopped making the sandwiches to look up at him. "Annie? Moore?"

He chuckled and stood to his feet to walk over to her. "Married my brother 8 years ago. Been in our lives for 12. How you know her?"

She closed the bread to the sandwich and cut it in half. "I buy protection from her."

"You believe in it?" He asked as she handed him a plate.

"I believe in Annie. I believe she don't put her name on anything crazy. Her work been keepin' me out harms way."

Stack couldn't argue with that. She kept him and his brother protected while away at war. Hell kept him safe from some of these jealous husbands too.

He took a bit of the sandwich and stood in front of her shorter thick frame. "I should probably ask, do you have a husband?"

Lena leaned back against her table and took a bite. She shook her head. "Don't need one."

Stack chuckled, but stopped when he noticed her raise a brow.

"What's funny?"

He shook his head and wiped his mouth. "Nothin'. Just thinkin' what if someone break in? Havin' a man will protect you."

"Annie protects my home every month and the good Lord protects me everyday." She crossed her arms and looked up at him.

He smiled. "Okay. What if somethin' break?"

"My daddy taught me how to fix things. If I can't fix it Mr. Willie up the street has no problem helpin' me."

"Can't reach somethin'?"

"It's my home. I ain't puttin' somethin' somewhere I can't reach." She quipped with a small smile.

"Somethin' heavy? I'm pretty sure when you go out you need someone to help carry heavy things for you."

"I've always made a way." Lena replied.

"What about sex?" He inquired as he finished his sandwich and stepped closer.

"Sex ain't that important to me. I can handle some of that on my own." Lena replied with a raised brow. "Everything you sayin' I can find a way. Is that all you think you good fo'?" She asked. It was her turn to step closer to him. "Sex and heavy lifting?"

"And protection." He said slightly embarrassed by his answer.

"Baby, if I get a man. A husband" she said as a matter of fact. "I want him to know his worth in this world. Yes my husband can fix, lift, and lick things for me, but is he going to be there for me when I'm ill? Rub my feet when I'm pregnant? Will he support my temporary hobbies that I randomly pick up from time to time? If I'm too tired to cook is he going to make a big fuss about it or is he going to get straight to it in the kitchen? What if I'm having a bad day and don't want to talk? Are you going to be mad at me for my emotions? Will my husband speak as highly of me when I'm not around like I would do for him? Will my husband make love to more than just my body, but my mind and my soul? If I don't feel like having sex are you going to be mad and seek it out else where? I want to come home to peace and so should my husband. A healthy form of communication and respect on both ends is very important to me. I just want to make sure that if I'm going to spend the rest of my life with someone I need to know he's going to be there with me every step of the way without wavering."

"I can be that." Stack answered. "I love when my woman cooks for me, but I can also throw down in the kitchen. When our baby is cryin' and you spend all day nursing I'll be the one to wake up and change em'. You want to randomly ski in this 90 degree weather I'll be the first one in line at the ski store. Hell I'll build you some myself. I can oil your scalp when you too tired to do so and I can run your bath water after a rough day. If you don't want to talk I'll sit here with you in silence until you're ready. However I'd hope you'd never get so down to where I can't hear that pretty ass voice of yours. Be a damn shame." He teased.

He closed the little bit of space between them and rested his hands on either side of her.

Lena watched his eyes scan her face. From her brown almond eyes, round cheeks, to her plump lips. He focused on her lips longer than she needed him to. Lena was no stranger to eye contact so he wasn't intimidating. She had strong will and knew no amount of flirting and flashing of his dimpled smile was going to make her fold.

His head dipped down for a kiss, but Lena moved her head to avoid his tempting lips.

He couldn't help but laugh. He'd never had someone reject his kiss before.

Lena smiled at him and took his face in her hands. "You should head home now and get some rest. It's starting to get late. Annie and your brother might be trying to figure out why you're not home yet." Her fingers played in his beard before placing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Goodnight Stack."

"Can I see you tomorrow?" He asked. Borderline begged.

"I've got a pretty busy schedule tomorrow."

"I don't have to do nothin. I can just sit around and wait until you finished. I just want to see you."

She tried to hide her smile, but failed. "I'll be wrapping my day up around 4."

He flashed his grin. "See you tomorrow at 3:30. Goodnight Ms. Lena." He tilted his hat before placing it back on his head and walking out the door.

"Nigga you said you went to Chow's bout 7 hours ago." Smoke pointed out as he finished his second plate. He got up and brought it to the sink to wash and dry.

"Damn. Was I gone that long? My bad." Stack removed his jacket and took a seat. "Where's Annie?"

"Freshin' up for bed." Smoke looked at his brother's hand. "Hell happened to you? You ain't get yo ass in no shit you can't fix, right?"

Stack had a smile on his face.

Annie walks in with her robe on comfortable and ready for bed. "Oh lawd. That boy happier than a tick on a dog. Which young lady did you pay a visit to today?" She handed him a glass of sweet tea and a plate from the stove.

"Thank you. I went to go visit the Chow's, but as I was leaving I got distracted. Ended up cutting my hand on my knife while I was driving and ran into a beautiful lady named Lena."

Annie stood straight up and scanned her brother in law. "What you doin around Lena? She a good girl that mind her business."

"If she a good girl then he ain't want nothin to do with her. Unless you sweet talked her out of her skirt like usual." Smoke assumed.

"Naw, she don't play that. She focused. Sweet girl with a lot of hobbies." Annie looked at his hand. "She stitched you up?"

Stack nodded with a smile. "Fixed me a sandwich and some tea too. We ain't do nothin but talk. That's all I wanted to do. She real nice and a little feisty. Think she'd be interested?"

Smoke scoffed, but Annie nudged his shoulder.

"Your mission to just sleep with her?" Annie asked. She took a plate of pie from Elijah and thanked him with a kiss.

Stack shook his head as he enjoyed his food. "I ain't want that once I started talkin' to her. Ion know how to explain it, but I just liked bein' 'round her. She got a good spirit I guess." He shrugged as he filled his mouth with food.

Elijah fed Annie a bit of the shared dessert. He circled the fork around in the air before asking his question. "What she look like? Must not be your type if you didn't want to have sex."

"She not my usual type, but she real pretty. Brown skin, full hair, round lips, hips, a little healthier than my usual, but that really don't bother me none. She fit it so well." He whistled. "Voice is like butter. She smell good too and got the softest pair of hands"

Annie chuckled. "That girl don't play about her perfumes and butters." She confirmed. "When you gon' see her again?"

"Tomorrow at 3:30. Said she should be done with everything around then."

"What y'all plan on doin?" Smoke asked as his brother got up for a second helping.

"Nothin." He said happily with a shrug. "I'm just goin to talk. Might see if she'll let me fix a few things around the house or somethin?"

Annie chuckled at her brother in law. He was bit by the love bug. It was no surprise though. Lena was a warm and welcoming spirit who minded her business and helped others along her way. She didn't want much just a simple and happy life. Her love hit hard so if Stack wasn't on his best behavior she would have no problem leaving him with a broken heart. Annie knew of her ex that didn't do right by her and she got rid of him. That man been in a miserable marriage with a woman he don't really want. Hadn't truly found love since she left him.

"Just be careful. She might be a good girl, but she ain't no pushover. If you screw up she'll send you on your marry way and not think twice about it." Annie confessed.

"Imma be on my best behavior." He kissed his sister in law's cheek and sat down to finish his food.

"Stack you don't have to fix that it's fine." She advised as he unscrewed the bolts in the fan. It worked the blades just happened to have one speed and that speed was slow. It was too hot and moving too slow for Stack's liking.

"Naw. It's fine. I can fix this. The motor ain't blown just probably got a little dust in the shaft that's all."

Lena sat next to him on the couch and watched as he struggled with one of the screws. She covered her giggle with her hand causing him to lose his focus and look over at her.

"This funny to you?" He put the fan down and turned to tickle her side now causing Lena to double over in laughter.

"You sweatin' on me!" She laughed as she grabbed his arms to leave some distance between them.

He sat up and sighed. "Baby, it's hot in here! I'm tryna fix this fan and you laughin'. I'm strong it's just stuck!" He said in his defense.

Lena gave a sarcastic nod. "Very strong. Need help with that last screw?"

"I'll screw you!" He mimicked under his breath.

He was just joking seeing how he was playing off of her words, but she was turned on by that. She shook it off and just cleared her throat.

He took his button up off leaving him in a tank top and a leather vest holster. His gun was strapped in and his knife at his side. Lena's eyes wondered towards him as his arms flexed once he finally got the screw loose after a few twists and turns.

"Ha!" He turned to her and noticed her direct her eyes from his arms to his face. He smirked and looked her in her eyes. "I got it out."

"I see." She replied softly. Lena moved closer to him on the couch closing in the space between them. "So what's the next step?" She asked looking up at him with those big brown eyes of hers.

Stack cleared his throat. "I umm" he looked away. "I'm just gonna clear this shaft off and put it back in." His eyes widened and his head snapped back towards her. "Back on! I meant back on!" He corrected.

Lena couldn't help but giggle at him being nervous.

He put his focus back on the task at hand and did just that while she got up to grab something to drink. The wind blew through the window causing her dress to fly up a little catching Stack's attention. "Shit." He said to himself.

"You say somethin'?" Lena asked as she headed back over to him. Hips swaying side to side and a soft smile on her face.

He shook his head. "Nothin' just that I fixed it." He put the last screw in and turned it on.

"Awww yes!" Lena cheered on as she sat down next to him. The fan was blowing faster and stronger. "Ugh that feels so good. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Told you I'm good with my hands." He grinned.

"I see." Lena playfully teased. "I know you introduced yourself to me as Stack, but what is your real name?" She asked as she leaned her elbows on her lap to look up at him.

He smiled at her beauty. "Born Elias raised as Stack."

"Elias." His name sung beautifully on her tongue. Very southern, sweet, thick, and sexy. He wouldn't get tired of it.

His eyes scanned her plump lips. He swallowed hard and adverted his eyes to his glass of tea. "Yes ma'am."

"Did you want dinner or is Annie making something for y'all back home? I don't wanna ruin ya appetite. Mrs. Annie a good cook."

"Great cook. She's making pork chops, but I can still eat here if you had planned on cooking. I don't turn no plates down." He laughed.

"I'm just making a salad with salmon croquettes for dinner. Ain't nothin too fancy."

"You say croquettes? They're one of my favorites. I can make room for both."

Weeks had gone by and Elias had been over her house almost everyday. Showing up in the morning and leaving late at night. Smoke would either pick and drop him off or he'd take the car himself. It didn't really matter how he got to her Stack was going to see her either way. Time was spent doing things Stack was never used to doing before. She enjoyed his company and same for him. He'd drive her into town even if she insisted on walking or taking her bike. They even went on a picnic by the lake a few times. Unfortunately the two of them couldn't hang out the following Saturday because she had to finish a new set of dresses for Lisa and Grace, but Lena had planned to see him the Sunday after bright and early.

"Lisa it fits? How bout you Grace?" Lena asked as she sat at their shop past closing. The two ladies came out from the back room and spun around. Smiles were shared by each lady because of how everything turned out. Lisa had a beautiful pink and gold embroidered dress that came past her ankles and Grace had a beautiful blue and gold dress that stopped a little under her knee.

"They're perfect as usual, Lena. Eight for her and ten for me, right?" She clarified as she handed Lena cash plus a small tip.

"Y'all gonna be the talk of the town. The colors fit y'all so well too." The proud craftswomen said in awe. "Lisa how you wearing your hair?" She asked. Grace always wore a low and tucked bun for formal outings, but because Lisa was younger Grace liked to do something a little more age appropriate and fun for her.

The little girl walked over to her to describe what style she and her mother were thinking about. Lena remembered that she had a few ribbons in her bag and pulled one out that matched. "How about a bow?"

Lisa's face lit up and Grace smiled. "Mama look!"

"You tell Miss. Lena thank you. She's gotta head home. You want Bo to give you a ride? He won't mind." Grace asked as she hugged Lisa tightly.

"I'm good. Thank y'all tho. It ain't a far walk. Y'all have a good night tho."

"You sure?" Grace asked again as Lena headed towards the door.

"I'm good Grace. Y'all have a good night!"

Lena walked home in the dark but she had protection on her. Her goal was never to walk home so late, however she got to Grace's later than anticipated. A little bit of the sun was still up before she left the shop so she thought it was fine however the sun set faster than Lena could walk. Purse at her side and shoes hitting the dirt road Lena heard some people talking off into the distance, but less than a minute later a male voice approach her.

"P-pardon ma'am. Where you headed looking so good this time of night?" He said a little too drunk and a little too close.

"I'm headed home thank you. Seems like your company needs you back over there, no?" She quipped as she tried to keep calm.

He threw a lazy arm towards his company. "They be alright. I'm tryna come home with you pretty lady." He stumbled backwards. "Why you diggin in that bag?" He asked stumbling again.

"Just tryna find my lipstick that all." Lena pulled out some protection powder and blew it at him causing him to scream out and fall to the ground.

She continued to walk home, but this time at a faster pace. She had to remember to tell Annie thank you for her protection powder and get some more from her because thinking about how much she blew out she definitely used more than needed. It wasn't her fault though. She panicked plus she never had to use it before, but she was glad she carried it with her.

Not even two minutes later she heard a car pulling up by her. She prayed it was Elias.

"Lena, come on and get in." Annie instructed as she sat in the passenger seat.

"Annie what are you doin on my side of town?" She asked. She looked in the driver's seat slightly startled. She saw a man looking exactly like Stack driving except he wore blue and wasn't talking.

"We had stopped by the Chow's to drop something off and Grace said you had walked home. Ion know why you insist on walking by yourself. You know people crazy."

"I had your powder on me. Wasn't nobody gon hurt me." Her smile was big and bright. Proud.

Annie chuckled. "You a stubborn girl."

Smoke pulled up to her house and stopped. He turned towards Lena and greeted her with a nod. "My brother Stack had some business to handle. He'll be up here in no time to stay with you overnight. Just for safety purposes."

"And don't say you don't need it. I blessed your house, but we can't be too safe."

"I understand."

Turning around by a sound behind her Lena saw Stack jogging in the distance. She hopped out of the car and examined his clothes from afar. His jacket in hand and shirt untucked. She was sure he had done some damage to the guy that approached her. Lena wasn't sure what he did or how bad he handled him, but she was turned on by his disheveled look.

She walked over to Stack and took his face in her hands. She scanned his face and ran her hands down his arm to find any sign of harm.

"I'm okay. That nigga ain't, but he's no longer my problem. Let's head inside." He turned towards his brother and Annie and waved them off. "I'll see y'all tomorrow round noon."

"Thank you again. Bye Annie."

"I'll bring more protection by tomorrow." She waved as Smoke drove off.

The two of them headed up the stairs with his arm around her waist. As soon as they walked in he shut and locked the door and dropped the curtains down. He sat down at the kitchen table as she headed to grab a cold wet rag. Lena kneeled down in front of him, in between his legs, and gently pressed the rag against his skin. "Did he get you?" She asked as she sat back.

He shook his head. "He didn't get a hit in. Come here."

She rarely ever hear him speak like this. Her eyes soften at his tone. Lena sat on his lap as he wrapped his arms around her thick waist. His head rested on her chest and he just took in her heartbeat.

Sounds of crickets, her blowing fan, and the howling dogs were silenced by the matching heartbeats shared between the two of them. A rhythm Stack had loved and gotten used to since being around her. He never stuck around someone long enough to notice if his heartbeat matched there's. He was grateful for experiencing a first with her. It may not mean much to her or anyone else, but to him it felt real. Felt normal. It felt like home.

Lena could tell his mind was racing and he was trying to calm his nerves. She allowed her hand to gently caress his neck. "You wanna get ready for bed?" She asked.

Her eyes scanned his face.

"Yeah." He lifted her up with ease.

"I'm not trying to hurt you."

"You ain't hurtin me, baby." He replied as he headed to the bedroom. Stack gently laid her down before taking his gun off, removing his knife and holster. He placed it at the nightstand next to the bed as he kicked his shoes off.

Without breaking eye contact Lena removed her dress revealing a short lilac colored slip.

Stack removed his shirt and pants leaving him in his boxers.

Lena bit her lip at his muscular frame.

Stack couldn't help but chuckle.

"Why you laughin' at me?" She asked. She made her way to him on all fours to sit in front of him on the bed. Her head tilted to the side as she looked up at him waiting for an answer.

"Cause you're cute. You also try to play innocent, but I catch you lookin' at me. Bitin' your lip and everything."

Lena couldn't help but laugh at him trying to imitate her. She gently nudged him as he laughed.

"I'm just sayin. Hey, I don't mind."

"I'm looking because I like what I see." She confessed.

"I'm surprised you ain't said nothin about me. I'm always looking." He laughed.

"I don't mind." She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him and his brown eyes. "Imma kiss you now, okay?"

"You don't ever have to ask." He whispered seconds before he greeted his lips with her plump set. He moaned at the touch of her lips and the taste of her tongue. Stack lifted Lena up making sure his hands were secured under her ass.

She moaned in his mouth as he gave her a firm yet gentle squeeze.

His lips moved to her neck as he took a seat on the bed. His grip not loosening up as he sat down with her body on top of his. The weight of her on top of him was something he could definitely get used to.

Lena's fingers gently played at his nape as soft moans escaped her lips which caused his breathing to speedup.

He pulled back from her soft skin. Not because he wanted to, but because she was doing everything right. Her gentle caresses and fingernails always made his heart skip a beat and his goosebumps raise. He rested his forehead against hers and took in the gentle gestures. Lena hummed a soft tune as they took in each other's presence.

"Am I getting too heavy?" She asked. This was the first time she was in his lap for this long and wasn't sure if he was comfortable.

"Naw. You just right."

Not wanting to let the softness of her body go just yet Stack stood to his feet with her in hand and pulled the ceiling fan chord to turn the light off. He gently laid her down and settled his body down next to her.

Lena turned towards his body and nuzzled up next to him. "Thank you again Elias. You didn't have to beat that creep up just for me. I was able to hold my own."

He released a sleepy chuckle. "If I didn't he'd think it was okay to try that shit again." Elias hand rubbed up and down her now exposed hip as she stroked his beard. "I don't play about my girl." He poked one eye open to see her reaction.

Lena sat up on her elbow and looked down at him. "Your girl?" She asked gently.

"I've been meaning to make it official. Lena if you don't mind having me will you be my girl? My partner? My person?" His nerves getting the best of him now causing him to ramble. "I don't usually do this. I've actually never done this so I'm not sure if I'm,"

She stopped him with a kiss. Tasting his tongue yet again was becoming a favorite of hers. His hands gripping her ass as Lena's hands gently ran down his stomach. Stopping at his waistband. She pulled away to catch her breath. Her breast rose as she caught her breath. Her brown eyes scanned his face with a smile. "My answer is yes."

"Yes?" He grinned ear to ear. He pressed a quick kiss to her lips again before pulling back to look at her. He had never done this before. He wanted to put his best foot forward. Be on his best behavior. He wanted to build his own world with her the way his twin brother built his with Annie.

Stack took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Baby I'm tryna to be good right now and your hand is umm,"

Realization kicked in and she lifted her hand from the band of his boxers with a giggle. "Awww I'm sorry!" She cooed. "I appreciate you being patient with me, but baby we don't have to be innocent everyday." She confessed with peppered kisses in between.

"Wait now don't tempt me!" He threw his body over hers and immediately rammed his face in between Lena's neck causing her laugh to fill up the room.

"You think that boy was on his best behavior last night?" Smoke asked Annie as he watched her get dressed.

Annie chuckled. "He ain't walk home last night so I think he did alright." Annie turned to her husband and tilted her head to the side with a smile. "What's wrong, Elijah? Why you so worried about your brother and Lena, hmm?" She asked as she stood in front of him. Her hands gently laid on his firm shoulders as she awaited his answer.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and shook his head. "I just worry about him gettin' in trouble. Messin' with his future. I'm scared he ain't gon find love and he just gone be by himself forever. I can't be with him every step of the way. I want him to find his other half."

"Elijah you already know everyone has a different walk of life. His ain't gone be the same as yours or mine. Lena might be who he needs in his life. He's hardly here with us anymore and I'm sure he would've bragged about getting himself some from her, but he hasn't. She got him baking cookies from scratch, goin' on picnics, readin' books by the lake. She's good for him and I think he knows that. You gotta trust your brother to find his way his own way." She kissed her husband's lips and rubbed his arms. "Come on let's head over and pick him up. That was his first time staying over so he probably don't wanna come home tonight." She teased.

Lena was taking a nice bath and reading her book when Elias asked to join her. He sat across from her on the floor and took her book and began reading it to her letting her get lost in the fairytale. She had raised her leg and enjoyed the bubbles that sat on top of the warm water cover her leg only to slowly pop with the warm winds blowing through her windows.

Elias put her book down and watched as her thick thigh lifted up and he had every thought imaginable run through his mind. Her eyes focused deadset on him as her smooth brown skin was exposed with every gust of wind. He was doing a damn good job the last few months, but temptation was getting to him every second of the day.

He stood closer to Lena and placed his hands on both sides of her on the porcelain tub. "Keep teasing me with that leg and imma jump in here with you."

She smiled at his threat and was hoping he made it a promise. "What's stopping you?"

He took his shirt off and stepped in one foot at a time with his pants on.

"Elias!" Lena screamed with laughter as he got in halfway dressed just to join her.

Stack hovered over her completely wet and just smiled. He looked her in the eyes and leaned in for a soft kiss. Nothing too long or harsh. Just soft enough to make her heart flutter and lips want more. "You probably the best thing to ever happen to me, ya know? I ain't been this happy in a while and I want to thank you." He confessed.

She gently took his face in her hands and saw the honesty in his eyes. She wasn't looking for a partner or a man. She just so happened to go with her gut with him and she was happy she did. He had brought nothing but peace and happiness into her already peaceful and happy life. He wasn't trying to change it or her just enhance it and he did that times ten. She was forever grateful for him.

"I'm so glad I got in your car to stitch you up two months ago." She confessed with a smile.

"You and that smile healed me up that day."

Lena's eyes started tearing up.

"That ass kept me around though."

She couldn't help but fall into a fit of laughter. Leave it to Elias to make her capture so many emotions all at once. "I can't with you."

He shrugged and kissed her nose. He stood to his feet, leaned over to grab the towel and helped her up. He wrapped her up in a towel and helped her out of the tub.

As they were drying off she got a knock at her door. Elias gently guided her behind him as they headed towards her door. "Who is it?"

"It's Jim Crow nigga open up."

"Elijah!" Annie shouted as she tugged his arm.

Stack opened the door and Lena welcomed them in.

The look of confusion read on Smoke and Annie's face as they saw a wet Stack and a towel clad Lena.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'm going to make myself presentable. Elias see if they want some of that pound cake." She said before disappearing into her room.

"Y'all want some? I helped her bake it the other day."

"It's edible?" Smoke asked as he received a plate from his brother.

"Elijah be nice in other folks home." Annie scolded.

"Why would I offer you somethin' that ain't edible, fool? My baby helped me make it." He said with pride.

Lena walked out and handed Elias a pair of slacks that she made for him a while back. He thanked her with a kiss before heading to the bathroom to change. Lena sat on her couch and smiled. "Thank y'all again for last night. I do appreciate it. Elias helped make that pound cake. He was so proud of himself once it slipped right on out the pan." She confessed with a giggle.

"It's good. Elias should be proud of himself." Annie confessed.

"My brother ain't been crossing the line with you has he? He been respectful?" Elijah asked as he put his empty plate down.

"Oh yes, sir. Always respectful with me. He's always so thoughtful, too. Very kind and a great listener. He lets me ramble on and on about nothing sometimes just so he can hear my voice." She nervously giggled.

Smoke gave her a content nod.

Annie smiled. She pulled a bag out of her pouch and handed it to Lena. "Here's some more protection powder and a mojo bag. Keep this on you at all times. You don't gotta wear it around your neck everyday just keep it on you any way you can, okay?"

"My baby made me and my crazy brother one. We was skeptical about it at first, but it's proven many of times to keep us out harms way. I suggest you keep it close to you when you heading to the market by yourself." Smoke informed.

Annie shared a proud smile at him and took his hand in hers. He gave her a gentle squeeze in return. He wasn't always a believer, but time proved itself over and over again that what she was doing was the truth. The proof was in the pudding. Ain't no way around it.

"Elias you plan on heading back home with us now? We ain't trying to take up her whole Sunday." Smoke asked.

"Oh I don't mind. If y'all want we can have a little cookout today? Elias and I went to the market a few days ago so I have plenty of food to share and cook. I can make a fresh batch of tea, too. Mr. Willie up the street brought me some extra vegetables from his garden. If I don't use it up it'll go to waste and I would hate to trash good vegetables."

"Yeah stay and celebrate." Stack added.

"Celebrate what?" Smoke quizzed. His eyes went back and forth between the two sitting in front of him. They were practically sitting on top of each other and their fingers were locked.

"I asked her to be my girl last night. She said yes. I know it ain't marriage yet," he clarified "but it's the first step. Hopefully she says yes to that too when I ask her in the near future."

Annie looked so proud of her brother in law. He seemed like an enhanced man. Not necessarily change because he was always gonna be Stack, but it seemed like Lena made him want to be a better man. She prayed it all worked out for them because he deserved that happiness that he was always searching for.

Smoke's features softened at his brother's new found happiness. He always wondered if he'd ever find someone and although he only knew about Lena from Annie and Stack she seemed like the best person for him. His brother always spoke so highly of her. He was never vulgar when it came to her or crude. Always respectful and that's all he could ask for.

"Well my schedule is free, baby?" Smoke asked as he looked at Annie.

She smiled and gave her a nod. "Sounds good to me. Thank you and congratulations. I'm proud of you Elias."

Stack smiled wide as he gripped Lena's hand.

"Alright I'll start getting some water boiling. Excuse me." She stood to her feet, gave Elias a kiss, and headed into the kitchen to start cooking.

Annie got up to help leaving the brothers to talk amongst themselves.

"I'm proud of you. Seems like you got yourself a good one."

"Yeah. She real sweet. Got a heart of gold."

Stack continued to tell Smoke all about his plans. He was going to get a car and probably move in with her before getting married. He wasn't in a rush, he wasn't going anywhere and neither was she, but he wanted to make sure everything was set up to give her a perfect life that she deserved.

Stack watched as his girl and his sister in law laughed together about whatever conversation they were having. This was the life he wanted to live. He was glad that he stopped when he did that warm spring day.

[wonderjanga2]

Neglected The Mask!reader x platonic Yan!Batfam

Ch.1 Ch.2 Ch.3

I’d also like to say this Reader is Gender Neutral or at least you can pick your gender. Most of the pronouns are “you” and when they are referred to by other people, its “they” so… Yeah! Have fun reading and tell me if there are any spelling mistakes or things that don’t make sense.

Chapter Three

Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin POV

Oswald sat with his men surrounding him as he watched the latest show performing at the Iceberg Lounge.

It was the new rogue.

They were singing some theatrical, eccentric song that had them throwing roses at the both the ladies and gentlemen watching. It even grabbed one of the pole dancers and pulled her into the performance too. They’d spun the girl around until she was wearing something straight out of the sixties. A knee-length dress in the same yellow as the stars on the rogue’s suit. Speaking of the newbie, they were wearing a navy blue three-piece with those baby yellow stars. Now, Oswald could respect a person who wore perfectly tailored suits. He may despise the Joker and tolerate the Riddler, but hey, what’s the harm in looking good while doing crime…

…or singing in Oswald’s club.

Oswald watched them dance with the girl across the stage.

Somehow the girl knew the choreography as well?

She seemed as confused as Oswald when she and the green-faced freak started dancing in sync. Perfectly.

Now, as for why the newbie was even performing in his club. Oswald would like to take a trip down memory lane for that…

//Flashback…//

It had been about thirty minutes before the opening of his club. Bartenders were clocking in and getting their stations ready, girls were getting dolled up and doing stretches, and the muscles of his fine establishment were taking their places around and inside the building. It was normal. What wasn’t normal was that Oswald was even here in the first place.

See, Black Mask, the human equivalent of shit stuck to the bottom of shoe, wanted to talk partnerships. As for why? Oswald didn’t particularly care. They’d both tried to kill each other in the past, it’d be difficult to mend that relationship even with all the money in the world. But, the mighty, gracious Penguin, in all his guts and glory decided to humor him.

Besides, if negotiations went to shit, he could always have the man shot in the back of the head.

They were going to talk. In Oswald’s lounge. In Oswald’s turf. That was the plan. It’d even remained the plan after the new rogue strolled in like they owned the place, immediately bee-lining it to Oswald. One of his men immediately got in the rogue’s way but ended up with an anvil dropped on his head. They kept walking until they stood in front of him.

“Pots! Just the man I wanted to see!”

“What do you want?” Oswald growled, thumbing his umbrella.

“I want to sing.” They said, placing their hands on their hips.

A small silent filled the building.

“What?” Oswald asked, confused more than anything. He blinked and suddenly the newbie was right next to him, a hand on his shoulder while the other waves towards the stage.

“Think about it! I get to entertain, you get entertainment, and if things happen to go south and I… I don’t know, accidentally blow someone up—”

Oswald cut them off. “Again, what?”

They kept lm talking as if they hadn’t been interrupted. “—I have some spare cash lying around for reimbursement! I’ve been meaning to get rid of it anyways.”

That made him perk up slightly. Cash for reimbursement. Oswald supposed he could just saw the scuffs on the floor count. “Is it dirty money?”

“The dirtiest. I… acquired it just this past week.”

“The bank robbery.”

“Correctamundo, my short friend.”

“Short?” Saying that to Oswald’s face was bold. His hands itched for his umbrella. He’d love to fill this tall freak with holes. Because admittedly, they were tall. Those news reports did this thing no justice.

“You are to me! Though I suppose I could just—” The green feller’s hands went under Oswald’s arms. Immediately every one of Oswald’s men had their guns trained on them. They paid the guns no mind. Instead of picking the him up like Oswald expected, everyone watched as his torso elongated with the higher they pulled until his hands eventually left him. “There, now we’re eye to eye.” The newbie said, though they sounded like they were about to laugh.

It reminded him of that bastard clown.

“What the hell did you do to me!?” Oswald yelled. He looked ridiculous, proportions all wrong. His arms and legs remained the same, and certainly too short for this new body.

“You don’t like it?” They asked with that damned grin.

“No! Of bloody course not!” That seemed to seal Oswald’s fate as he felt his body go tense like a rubber band then snap back. His own face hit his knees as he up and bopped the hell out of his nose. His body then moved up and down rapidly for a moment, each movement being accompanied by the sound of an accordion?

He was going to kill whichever arsehole had the cobblers to pull that with him—

The green-faced freak started to full on belly-laugh in his face. He didn’t even need to tell his men to fire before they did, not that it’d do much. Reports say that they were bulletproof but…

No crushed bullets were falling to the floor.

When Oswald finally stopped being a human accordion, the newbie had stopped laughing and the guns had stopped firing. Though, they were still standing. If the bullets weren’t on the ground, where were they?

“Ah… man, I haven’t had a laugh like that in a while!” They exclaimed. “I think I need a drink.” They pulled a drink out of nowhere and obnoxiously sipped from the straw. Everyone watched as liquid, probably soda, spurted out of multiple small holes. “Well, this was fun, Pots, but I got places to be, people to see, and a Jarritos fruit punch waiting for me at the nearest gas station. See ya later!” With that, they literally spun out of the club.

//…Flashback End//

So here they were now. Black Mask was to show up any minute and the newbie was still singing like there was no tomorrow.

That is, until the lights suddenly shut off. The entire lounge went black until a light illuminated from the stage. Specifically from the new rogue’s stars on their suit. Their hand was on a cord leading from their fedora. Oswald hadn’t noticed it before. Was it supposed to be a lamp cord?

The emergency power turned back on eventually. Oswald watched them tug the cord again, the stars stopped glowing. There he was.

The bitch of the hour.

Black Mask.

He rolled over to Oswald, men behind him. Always with the damn dramatic entrances. And he wonders why no one likes him.

Bruce Wayne - Batman - Two Hours Before Penguin and c c Mask’s Deal POV

An hour before sundown, Bruce gathered everyone into the Batcave. They needed to go over the newest rogue as a group. He wouldn’t have any of his children getting hurt by this… monster? It certainly wasn’t human, that’s for sure.

The imp theory is still possible.

First, he played the video from his lenses of the unidentified individual’s interaction with the Riddler.

“They look so snazzy! Why do all the colourful people have to be evil?” Stephanie said from next to Jason. The man grunted, looked a mix between disturbed and angered. Bruce didn’t blame him. This rogue bore a good chunk of similarities to the Joker. The smile, some of the personality, the green. Though, at least it isn’t a cheerful psychopath in the same way that Joker is. It doesn’t do anything harmful besides property damage, wedgies, and theft. And it steals a lot.

Bruce can count a piece of a billboard with his own face on it, a fruit punch Jarritos, bank money, and even a kid’s lollipop. There’s more, but the list would be longer than Gotham’s Clocktower.

“It has quite the appetite.” Tim murmured. “Invulnerability?” He questioned Bruce.

Bruce nodded. “It seems so. That amongst the abilities to turn itself into a human tornado as well as pull objects from seemingly nowhere.”

“Human cartoon.” Cass’ raspy voice whispered.

A human cartoon indeed.

It eventually got to the part where both Bruce and Damian cornered them in an alleyway. They’d walked into one after growing bored forcing people to tap dance to their will.

Right from the start, the fight had been embarrassing for the dynamic duo.

To begin with, Robin slashed at them with one of his katanas. It didn’t so much as graze them, yet the back of their hand still dramatically touched their forehead and they stumbled around almost a drunkenly as if actually wounded. “Oh! I’ve been hit!” They eventually stumbled to fall into Damian’s arms, ignoring the grunt from the younger boy. “What am I to tell my wife? My children! That their parent can’t come home from this cruel, horrible world?” Damian of course paid it no and cuffed the fellow.

“He even cuffs me on my grave!”

“Stop being dramatic.” Damian bit out, probably rolling his eyes under his domino mask.

“Oh, Robin, are you always such a little fun-sucker?” When everyone blinked, the cuffs suddenly clattered against the grimy floor of the alleyway and Robin was having his own cape tied around him while being shoved to the ground.

“Little twerp.” They gritted out. Voice doing that same similar thing to Joker where it goes from cheerful to rough and deeper, full of annoyance.

Bruce watched Jason bristle at that out of the corner of his eye.

The Bruce on screen in the jab at the back of their head before Robin even hit the ground, yet as soon as everyone blinked again, Bruce was having his own cape tied around him and pushed to the ground. And it was a push. He was right that night. It was considerably lighter than the one aimed towards Robin.

They stood over Bruce as the man struggled, grin seeming lifeless. He doubted it could make any expression other than that grin. “What? You thought I didn’t know you were watching me when I was talking with Eddie-boy?”

They flicked their wrist in a similar manner to when they had still been talking to the Riddler. Sure enough, a cane slid out. “The big. Bad. Bat.” it punctuated each sentence with a jab from the cane into Bruce’s side. “Swaddled like a baby!” It barked out a laugh. Another blink and suddenly Bruce was actually being swaddled like a baby and rocked in the rogue’s arms. “I’ll admit you make for a cute, albeit grumpy one.”

Bruce felt Duke’s gaze slowly slide to him. “…why’d you start sucking the pacifier?”

“It made me.”

“Did it?”

“It did.” Bruce emphasized this time.

Soon after that, the video ended, and everybody started to get suited up for patrol. Bruce was about to put on his cowl when he suddenly got a call. He grabbed his phone and looked at the contact.

It was from Constantine.

Constantine never calls. Not really. Not unless it’s something important. Extremely important. It got to the fifth ring before Bruce finally picked up.

“Bruce! Bruce, are you at the cave?” The man sounded panicked.

“Yes? Constantine, what happ—” Bruce was cut off by the sound of the man teleporting into the cave.

“Bruce! Someone in your filthy, bloody city has the Mask of Loki!” The man yelled, stomping over to him.

The Mask of Loki?

Of-fucking-course it’s magic.

Richard “Dick” Grayson - Nightwing POV

Dick was back in Gotham to see the fam as usual. He’d just gotten off patrol and was now scraping any glue off his face from his mask using a q-tip. He was near a work desk and placed on it. Every now and then, he’d use his pinky to scroll the article he was reading about the new rogue.

This guy was actually insane. Power-wise. And a little mental-wise too. What do you mean they have the powers of a cartoon?

Isn’t that a little broken?

Then again… imps.

He got a message suddenly. Ah, it was from Wally. Dick momentarily put the Q-tip down so he could reply, the other man was asking if he wanted to hang out sometime.

Who was Dick to say no?

Speaking of hanging out… a little bit of guilt welled up in his stomach slightly. He swiped out of his chat with Wally and clicked your icon. He was expecting another offer to hang out from you that he’d have to turn down due to hanging out with some of the other family but… nothing.

Or, at least nothing since the last week he visited. Huh. He’d been in Gotham for three days already. Not a single message on any of those days. (The first day, you were too tired to message him after using the mask. Second, too busy worrying about people finding out about you being the new rogue. And third, too tired and too excited for later that night to use the mask. He was at the very back of your mind.)

Don’t get Dick wrong, it’s not like he doesn’t want to hang out with you. It’s just that you never want to do it with the family and he doesn’t want to do it with you alone. (You don’t wanna hang out with family because there’s a 50% chance Jason can be invited and you don’t want to take that chance.) He just always feels so… awkward around you. He loves you as a little sibling, yes, but he’ll admit he doesn’t know much about you. Though, you never tried to know much about him either. (You did. It’s just that he moved out when you were about nine and even then, there wasn’t much a 17-year-old could do with a nine-year-old. Not only that, but the despite whatever everyone thinks you… don’t know their vigilantes. Guess they overestimated your detective abilities.)

Trying to rationalize it didn’t seem to help him though. His thumb hesitantly pressed the typing bar. Truthfully, despite what he’d told himself earlier, he wouldn’t be that busy with the family. He could afford to spend some time with you. Especially after all the times he’s shirked that onto others. (Despite what Dick thinks, no, you did not go to other people to ask if you could hang out with them. You didn’t have Steph’s phone number, you never got it after she’d gotten a new phone. Tim blocked you (In Tim’s point of view, it was supposed to be temporary and then he forgot to unblock you.) and you don’t have the courage to ask him to unblock you. You and Bruce have never shared a single text message in your life and Duke? You don’t have his number either because… well, you’ve had like two conversations with him)

He typed and deleted repeatedly, trying to find the right words. When he felt he did, he then tried to rack his brain about what you two might do together.

He was only coming up with blanks.

Eventually, he settled on something simple.

Dick: “Do you wanna watch a movie with me tonight?” Read 2:37am

Alright, now to wait for the mor— did that say read at 2:37AM?

Huh.

Well, maybe you’re a night owl like your family. He watched your typing bubble appear. Then disappear. Then it appeared again before disappearing for about a minute.

Finally, after a couple more seconds, your message came through.

[Name]: “Sorry. Can’t” Read at 2:39am

Dick stared at the screen for a bit.

Dick: “You busy or…?” Unread.

You’d just came back from being Gotham‘s newest rogue when your phone vibrated on the nightstand. You picked it up as you threw the mask on your bed. You rubbed your eyes as you typed the passcode. The reason you’d retired so early from being a rogue was that you had a math test in the morning you wanted to be at least somewhat functional for. You absentmindedly noted that Ace hopped on your bed.

It was a text.

From who? Sammy? Kyle? Maria? Those last two were some of your other friends.

You opened the messages app.

Oh.

It’s from Dick.

Dick: “Do you wanna watch a movie with me tonight?” Read 2:37am

You went still for a long moment before quickly typing. How should you respond to this? Dick’s never invited you to do something before!

It’s literally always been the other way around!

You typed an “I’d love to!” before quickly deleting it.

That’s a little too eager.

You played around with few responses, unbeknownst to Ace curiously looking at the mask you’d also oh carelessly left on your bed.

The “bad doggie! Go away” that was hissed went unheard as you kept trying to think of a response that sounded as neutral as possible. Sure, you’d have to forgo being a rogue that night but…

…but what? Wait, you’d have to forgo being a rogue that night.

“Exactly, [Nickname]! We can’t be together if you’re off watching a stupid movie with that guy! Also— TURN AROUND AND DON’T LET THIS MANGY MUTT PUT ME O—.” That last part was practically screeched into your ear as you whipped around. Conveniently just as the dog pushed his cute little face against the inside of the mask and started spinning wildly, twisting sheets before hopping off the bed and knocking into furniture.

Gosh, is that what it looked like when you transformed? No wonder your room was always a mess when you got back!

You typed a quick response to Dick before you could even think and through your phone to the side so you could lunge at the dog and try to rip the mask off him.

Who knows what a dog with your powers could do?!

You found that out by getting slammed into the wall like three times, body-slammed onto your bed and dragged around the room by the dog while you tried to dig your fingers into the mask and rip it off.

Richard “Dick” Grayson - Nightwing POV

“Bad dog, Ace! You shouldn’t have put the mask on!” You were scolding Ace on the other side of your door.

(“Yeah! Stupid dog!” The Mask hissed.)

After a small moment of silence on Dick’s end, Ace suddenly started growling.

“Don’t say that to him! While he might be a dog, he’s my do— Wait, Ace you can understand it?”

The dog barked.

“But how?”

The dog barked a few more times.

(“Two short barks and one long bark. I think that’s dog for ‘I don’t know’, [Nickname].”)

Ace barked again.

(“I was right! He agrees with me!”)

…Was [Name] schizophrenic…? Or at least talking to Ace like he was a human? Dick had been standing outside your door for about two minutes, hand frozen in front of the door about to knock. At first, he’d heard a lot of commotion and banging until it sudden suddenly went quiet. Then you started scolding Ace, and now you were talking to yourself?

He really needed to get you out of the house. Maybe instead of a home movie, they both could go to an actual movie theater?

Dick finally knocked. “[Name], I’m coming in!” He called out before opening the door. As soon as he stepped in, he watched you hide something behind your back as you stared at him like a deer caught in headlights.

“Dick.” You blinked wide eyes at him, sharing a surprisingly cryptic look with Ace.

“Uh… [Name]. What’s that behind your back?” Dick asked, pointing at you.

“Nothing!” You exclaimed, suddenly walking closer to him.

Wow. He’d never noticed how tall you’d gotten.

Your hand gripped his shoulder with an honestly surprising amount of strength as you shoved him out of your room and closed the door quickly. “SorryI’msuperbusybye!”

You left him standing in the hall on his lonesome.

It took a couple minutes, but he eventually walked away.

He’d never realized how much you’d grown up.

Also wow! Your hand on your shoulder actually hurt a bit. Damn. He massaged his shoulder lightly as he kept walking.

??? - Prince of the Shadowland

He touched down on one of the city’s buildings, overlooking the glittering lights below.

“So this is where my newest friend is?” He let himself fall forward until he was soon gliding over Gotham. “I gotta say! I do love their choice in city!”

Extra Bits of Info:

1.) You did in fact make him start sucking the pacifier. 2.) The Black Mask and Penguin negotiation ended in a shootout. 3.) Despite the fact that you don’t know the bats are vigilantes, the mask does. 4.) In case it wasn’t obvious, Dick could not hear anything the mask was saying and now thinks you’re schizophrenic.

Taglist: @yourtypicalhuman09 @cupid73 @yhin-gg @galaxypurplerose @xxgrimripp3rxx @hai-there-how-are-you @suckmyballzfr @yarn-mony @patatasolitaria @deathbynarcisstick @depressed--therapist @eyeless-kun @mary-jinx @natllo @d4rkf10w3er @mintynilla

[heavyhitterheaux]

Her Biggest Fan

See Me Through You Fic

AN: Still not over this pic 😭

Synopsis: It's the final day of Fanatics fest and you and Joe participate in the panel and let's everyone know that he is your biggest fan

Pairing: Husband!Joe Burrow x Wife!Reader

Requested by: @hoodharlow 😘💕

Series Masterlist

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

It was the last day of Fanatics fest 2025 and the only events that you had left to do were the panel and meet and greets. Then you would finally be able to crawl into the bed at the hotel and sleep the rest of the day away before going back home.

Seeing that your twins were growing what it seemed to be by the minute, Joe along with your personal assistant Remy had asked you multiple times if you wanted to do the event at all. But seeing as you had already made the commitment, there was no way you were backing out now.

The panel would be hosted by Tiffany Haddish and would include you, Joe, Druski, OBJ, and James Harden. You had picked out your outfit the night before and when Joe saw what shoes you were wearing, he instantly became confused.

“Baby, aren't your feet going to hurt? Don't you want to wear flat shoes instead?” Joe asked out of concern.

“No, I want to wear these. Besides, they go with my outfit and I'm going to be sitting down the majority of the day. I'll be fine. Besides, I have a husband that will carry me if I get tired. And his name is Joseph Lee Burrow.” You told him as you leaned down to kiss him.

“I… you are so spoiled.”

“Not my fault, it's yours. Now go and finish getting ready while I do my hair.” You replied as you walked over to the mirror and began brushing it.

“Yes ma'am.”

As you were finishing the last braid in your hair, you felt a series of kicks that caught you off guard, but the only thing you did was smile. It was a feeling that you never got used to no matter how many times it happened. 

Looking down at your stomach, you began making small circles before talking to them.

“Hey, cut it out down there. You two better be on your best behavior today.”

While playing on your phone, Joe came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and you slowly placed it down in front of you before eyeing him and whistling.

“My eyes are up here, Mrs. Burrow.”

“But your dick is down there and that's what I'm looking at.”

“You don't have any shame do you?” 

“Nope. None at all. And I told your daughters to be on their best behavior but we'll see how that goes. I think Selene kicked me in the ribs just now. I don't know how I know that it was her, but I do.”

“They'll behave. We don't have too much longer to go.”

“We don't have a lot of time to talk about this right now, but just give me the short answer. And do not lie to make me feel better or to keep me calm.”

“What is it?” Joe asked you as he slipped on his shirt.

“You're scared shitless because they're basically going to be born at the beginning of the season and you feel a huge amount of pressure on your shoulders even more so than you normally do and for good reason. Just tell me yes or no because I think that you're trying to hide it from me but you suck at it. Okay now go.”

“The short answer is yes. It's not like we can sort of ease into this with one child and get a handle on it before having another one. We are literally starting off with two. I already do so much during the season and the last thing I want to do is obviously miss something. I'm their dad and I need to be there every step of the way. I worry about missing their first laugh, their first steps, first smile just because I was too busy and being a supportive husband to you. Suppose you have a c section? That's major surgery and you need someone to be here to help you recover. That should be me. Regardless if it's not, you still need me here.”

You sighed before nodding your head as he now came to sit across from you.

“And that's why it takes a village. Bottom line is that we are going to need help and luckily we are in that position to have it. We have both of our parents who wouldn't even hesitate to help us. We are going to be amazing parents and the best thing about all of this is that we got our fairytale ending because at one point, you thought that you were going to have to live without me. We are going to get through this because we have each other.”

Joe slowly nodded his head before grabbing your hand and kissing the back of it. He held onto it as he let out a deep sigh.

“You know WE love you right?” You asked with a smile as you pointed with your other hand to your belly.

“And you show me every single day no matter what. Especially when I get on your nerves.” 

–

The panel was now underway, but the only thing that you could focus on at the moment was how hungry you were. You kept zoning in and out and a few times, Joe had to grab your hand and ask if you were okay.

But you tuned all the way in as Tiffany had just asked Joe a question regarding his outfits and how he picks them during the season.

“And Joe, you look like you could be a model from the 1900s. Doesn't matter what you were modeling, I'd look.” She added and you smiled while nodding your head.

“YOU'RE SO SEXY JOE!” You heard a fan scream from the audience with Tiffany quickly agreeing.

“See? She gets it.”

“Thank you everybody, I suppose. However, my wife is next to me and before you ask, yes, she can fight.” Joe said without hesitation as he looked over at you before a laugh escaped his mouth.

“Don't let her being barely 5 feet fool you.”

“Aye! Y/N, I don't want any smoke I swear! I just like to look.” Tiffany told you and you playfully eyed her.

“You can look, but don't touch. That's been mine since 2018.”

“And do you sometimes help him pick his outfits during the season?”

“Yes and no. Sometimes I get surprised just like everyone else. You guys remember the pants from two seasons ago? Yall know what I'm talking about. THE PANTS.  I hated them so much that I hid them in our house and I honestly don’t remember where I put them.”

“It's okay, Ja'Marr bought me another pair.”

“And I'll hide those too. Don't tell me that.”

“But can we talk about last year and fashion week? The Met Gala?” Tiffany asked and you started fanning yourself.

“Two words, back muscles.” You quietly said while winking at Joe.

“No Y/N! No bedroom eyes right now! You're already pregnant and need to behave at least until the panel is over.”

“No promises, Tiffany.”

Joe couldn't even form a sentence because he kept laughing at the two of you. When he finally stopped, he was able to answer the question.

“It was definitely out of my comfort zone and that was actually not the original suit that I was going to wear. I had fun and I'll probably do more in the future. I mean I like to have fun with fashion during the offseason. We're locked down for seven months out of the year so it's nice to have some downtime and I'm going to take advantage of that. I've always liked colors since I was in high school, pink, purple, but not red…”

“Wait, Joe you a crip?” Druski asked and you couldn't hold in your laugh.

“I just don't like red and how it looks on me. The color makes me think of violence.”

“Yeah, he's a crip.” Druski added while a look of shock came across his face.

“No, but maybe one day. You never know.”

“Learn something new everyday. Now onto Y/N. Do you feel that your fashion has changed since you got into the spotlight?”

“Definitely more expensive than it used to be…”

“I know all about that.” Joe added and you rolled your eyes at him.

“Ignoring you over there. But I do like to take risks and I think that's a big deal. Being invited to the Met and trying to do something on theme, but at the same time wanting it to incorporate your style can be fun when you get to choose all the different patterns and colors and to see what looks the best.”

After rating multiple outfits from different celebrities, Tiffany opened up the panel for the audience to ask questions.

“My question is for Y/N. Does it bother you that you're basically looked at as a trophy wife and that Joe's accomplishments overshadow yours?”

You had a look of confusion on your face and Joe of course quickly stepped in to answer.

“Pause, not too much on my wife. Let me stop you right there. I'm answering this because what just came out of your mouth isn't true at all. She can stand all on her own just fine without me seeing as only one of us has been to the Olympics multiple times. And let's be serious, she can probably kick everyone's ass in this room. She is so accomplished and so dedicated to what she does and I'm obviously proud of her. As long as she's happy that's what's important. There is no way in hell that the average everyday person can do what she does. Her saying yes to marry me was a bonus.” 

“Well said and these hormones are probably going to make me cry. But to add to that, I have never felt like I came second to him or that people overlooked me even when we were at LSU together. He supports me at the same level that I support him. I mean just last summer at the Olympics since he couldn’t go because of training camp starting, they surprised him and told him to come an hour early not knowing that they specifically blocked out their morning to watch me compete. And the entire team made a video for me saying how proud they were of me.”

“Very good answers, you two. Now how about you in the pink right there.”

“Hi Joe and Y/N! This is for both of you. Y/N, what was your mindset when the awarding of your medal got reviewed and Joe, how did you help support her through it?”

“Very good question. First off as many people know, no one honestly thought I would be alive to even compete again. I had to learn how to basically do everything all over again and had never trained so hard in order to be able to qualify to go back. So with that being said because of everything that I had gone through it felt like a slap in the face. Like this was supposed to be the ultimate comeback story. Granted, I did walk away with other medals but that one really stung especially knowing that I didn't have as many mistakes as the other competitor.” You replied as you looked over at Joe to continue.

“First off, I've always been confident in my wife's talents and I'm glad we all get to see her thrive in what she's best at because like she mentioned, there was a time where we didn't even think she would be here. When it originally happened, she facetimed me and was obviously crying and upset and I remember her saying that ‘all of my hard work meant absolutely nothing’ and I had to shut it down as soon as she did. I mean they didn't even think she would recover. But she did. They didn't think she would walk again, but she did. So to see her going from laying in a hospital bed intubated and in a coma to competing again is mind blowing and I had to tell her that she beat the odds. That by itself was something for her to be proud of. I'm her biggest fan and she knows it.” Joe confidently answered as you couldn't contain your smile.

“I think we need to have a panel with just Joe and Y/N next year because you two are the picture perfect couple of the sports world.” Tiffany suggested and you simply nodded your head towards her.

“We are not opposed to the idea, but next year there will be four of us instead of two.” You replied while pointing to your belly.

“I can babysit!” Druski yelled out and both you and Joe eyed him.

“Druski, I wouldn't trust you to watch my pet fish.”

“Well do you have one? We can do a trial run.”

“We don't and we're not buying one to test this theory either.”

–

Joe was holding your hand, while your heels were in the other as the two of you were walking to your hotel room. 

It had been a long day or weekend rather, and all you wanted was to lay down and get cuddles from your husband.

“Thank you babe for bringing my flats.” You looked up at him as he just shook his head.

“Don't you think I know you by now? I knew that you wouldn't last in those heels. And you're welcome, pretty girl.”

“But I went almost the entire day! It only got bad in like the last hour and a half.”

“Almost and now your feet are swollen again. You need to elevate them when we get in here.” He replied as he opened the hotel room door and stood to the side to let you in first.

“And a foot rub from my husband!”

“If that's what my wife wants. Anything else?” He asked as you were starting to take off your outfit and get comfortable.

“Just kisses.”

“Sounds easy enough.” Joe told you while he began unbuttoning his shirt.

After doing your nighttime routine and of course making Joe do a face mask with you, the two of you crawl into bed as he wrapped his arms around you.

“Babe?”

“Yes?”

You didn't reply, but instead grabbed his hand and placed it on your stomach so that he could feel the twins kick.

“And thank you for always defending and protecting me.” You finally said and Joe responded by placing a kiss on your forehead.

“Always going to be here to do it no matter what. Like I said earlier, I'm your biggest fan and want you to succeed at everything that you do.”

“And the same goes for you.” 

[diaryofawhoretbh]

the chosen one. | carmen berzatto

| i think i'm just obsessed with writing angst at this point. writer of agony and despair. (sorry for any mistakes. i tried to proof-read and my mind went fuzzy each time.)

| wc: 3k

| in which carmen berzatto fucks up. big time.

it was supposed to be one of those nights. quiet. safe. yours.

you were tangled with carmy in bed, all bare skin and muffled laughter and the quiet kind of love that doesn't need to be spoken aloud anymore. his lips were warm against your shoulder. his hands, familiar. his voice low, rough with want as he kissed down your collarbone, whispering things into your skin you used to write in your journal like secrets. the air smelled like sex and vanilla candle wax. the sheets were kicked down to your ankles, his body covering yours like he was afraid to let you go.

and it had only been a few nights ago.

that moment. the moment.

you standing under a fucking archway of roses in the back garden of a friend's restuarant he'd rented out for the night.

"marry me?" spelled out in lit-up marquee letters behind you. carmen in a suit. a real one. clean-shaven, hair tousled yet neat. his hands shaking. eyes glassy. a velvet box in his palm.

he'd done it all for you.

every rose, every string light, every damn canape passed around by staff he barely knew how to talk to.

because he knew you loved grand gestures. loud declarations of love. and even if it wasn't him, he wanted to give you the kind of proposal you dreamed of.

he didn't make a speech— he just dropped to one knee and whispered your name like it was something holy.

and you said yes.

through tears. through laughter. through a hand over your mouth as you nodded so hard you almost collapsed into him.

you wore the ring to bed that night.

and every night after.

until now.

it wasn't supposed to hurt.

but it sure did.

you didn't even realise your eyes were closed until he said it.

"fuck.. you feel so good claire."

the name didn't even belong in the room. that name hit you like a glass shattering inside your chest.

at first, you thought you were hearing things. maybe it had just come out slurred. maybe he said babe. maybe-

no. no, he didn't.

your whole body froze beneath him. your heart went silent. you opened your eyes.

his were closed. he kept moving — two more thrusts, maybe even three — before he felt the way you went still.

he didn't even know he'd said it.

your stomach twisted violently. not like anger. like sickness. like grief.

"...what did you just say?" your voice came out hollow.

carmen froze. you felt it instantly— his whole body going still above you, like someone had pulled the plug on him. he blinked, eyes wide now, panic starting to crack across his face like ice under pressure.

"wait— no. no, no. i didn't mean— fuck baby— i didn't mean to say that—"

"claire?" you choked. "are you fucking kidding me carm?"

you pushed him off you so hard he stumbled back onto the mattress. "get the fuck away from me."

"baby— please. i swear—" he reached for you.

"don't fucking touch me carmen." you grabbed the sheet, held it to your chest like armour, even though you were already so exposed, it didn't matter. "you said her fucking name."

"it was—" he was stammering, naked and desperate, eyes shining with guilt. "it was a mistake, i wasn't— i didn't mean it—"

"then why the fuck was it in your mouth?"

he didn't have an answer.

"you proposed to me," you said, voice shaking. "you spent weeks planning that night. the roses. the lights. you wore a fucking tie, carmen."

you stood up, legs shaking. you weren't even thinking. just moving. grabbing your clothes off the floor. you could feel your heartbeat in your teeth. your ears. your hands.

"do you still think about her?" you asked, voice sharp but cracking at the edges. "do you imagine it's her when you touch me?"

"no. baby, God—no. never. i don't— i haven't even seen her in forever-"

"but she's still in your head," you pulled on your shirt, backwards, didn't bother fixing it. "she's still the one you think about when you're not thinking. when it's real. when it's fucking instinct. it was honest carmy— carmen."

he stood slowly, chest rising and falling like he couldn't get enough air.

"i'm sorry baby." his voice was small now. fragile. "i don't— i don't know why that happened. i really don't—"

you turned to him, half-dressed, your engagement ring catching the soft bedside light. "you don't know? that's your excuse? you said another woman's name while you were inside me and all you have is i don't know?"

he didn't speak. just stared at you like he wanted to go back in time. like if he said nothing, the moment would rewrite itself.

you stared at him like he wasn't real. like maybe you'd dreamed him up— this entire thing. the proposal. the promises. the soft way he held your hand when you got nervous at work. the way he always kisses your forehead like it meant something.

you blinked, and suddenly all of it felt fake. cheap. performative.

your eyes dropped to your hand.

the ring glinted in the low light— mocking you. still warm from your skin. a symbol of something that was supposed to be real. something that was supposed to mean— i chose you. it's you. only you.

you didn't even think.

you yanked it off your finger so fast it scraped the skin raw. your breath hitched as your chest caved inward, and before he could even open his mouth again—

you threw it at him.

hard.

the ring hit his chest with a sharp, metallic clink, then fell to the floor with a pathetic little bounce and rolled under the edge of the bed.

your vision was swimming with tears now, hot and endless, your shoulders shaking.

"fuck you, bear." you choke, voice splintering, broken open like a wound. "fuck you for making me think i was the one. fuck you for making me believe i was her replacement. fuck you for making me think i wasn't. fuck you for saying her name like i wasn't even here."

carmen didn't move. his arms hung useless at his sides. his face crumpled, eyes wide and full of something like horror— but you didn't care. you couldn't care.

not when every cell in your body was screaming.

you staggered back like you couldn't stand to be near him. like the air around him was toxic now.

“you said her name,” you whispered again, more to yourself than him. “you said her name like it was second nature. like it was still her.”

the tears wouldn’t stop. you wiped your face with the back of your hand, furious at yourself for crying. for feeling. for loving him like you did.

he said your name, stood like he might try to reach for you again.

"don't," you warned, voice low and broken. "don't touch me. don't say my name if you don't even know who the fuck i am."

he stood there, bare, ashamed, wordless.

but you didn’t wait for his apology.

you turned away from him like the door was a finish line, grabbed your phone, and called richie with trembling fingers.

you didn’t look back.

he didn’t stop you.

bare skin. shaking hands. grief turning to rage.

because a man who loved you enough to spell it out in roses still didn't love you right.

and that thought scared the fuck out of you.

--

your fingers shook as you dialed richie’s number.

one ring.

two.

"yooo princess!" he answered, casual, not knowing you were standing barefoot in a hallway with your soul in pieces.

"rich, can you come get me... please?" your voice cracked. you swallowed the lump in your throat, hard. "i'm at carm's."

a pause.

then his tone changed completely. "... what happened?"

you couldn't say it. your breath hitched. the hallway lights were too bright. the silence behind the door too loud. you leaned against the wall, pressing your fist to your mouth so you wouldn't sob into the phone's speaker.

"please." that's all you could manage.

"i'm on my fuckin' way princess," he said immediately. "five minutes. don't move."

you stayed on the phone.

the seconds stretched into forever. you stayed pressed against the cool drywall like it was the only thing holding you up. you felt sick. your skin still smelled like carmy. your mouth still tasted like his kiss. and all you could hear in your head, over and over, was her name in his voice.

claire.

claire.

claire.

you slid down the wall until you were crouched on the floor, arms wrapped around yourself, phone in your lap, bare feet cold against the hardwood. somewhere behind that door, carmy carmen was probably still standing in the wreckage of your love story. but he didn't come after you. and that told you everything you needed to know.

a car horn outside made you flinch. then tires screeching as they hit the brakes too hard. then a voice from your phone, "i'm here."

richie.

you stood up on autopilot, wiping your cheeks, smearing your mascara across your face. quickly ending the call. you didn't care how you looked like with your teary face and smudged mascara, you didn't care. you just needed to get out.

when you opened the front door to the building, richie was already halfway out of the car, eyes scanning until he saw you.

"Jesus Christ," he muttered when he did.

his whole expression changed.

you must've looked like hell— barefoot, tears streaked down your face, shirt backwards, hair a mess. you didn't even care.

you didn't say a word. you just slowly walked straight to him, you didn't even have your shoes. your voice was gone. but richie caught on fast.

richie moved fast— like instinct, like muscle memory— and before you could take another step, he was right there.

"c'mere. come here, sweetheart."

you collapsed into his arms without thinking. without hesitation.

he wrapped his arms around you, tight, one hand cradling the back of your head, the other around your waist like he was practically holding you together. you let yourself fall into him, let your whole body press against his, trembling and wet-faced and exhausted.

"i got you now... what did he do?"

you didn't answer.

your chin trembled. your lips parted, but nothing came out.

richie nodded slowly, jaw tight. he didn't press. just stood there, with his hands around you.

"you don't gotta talk now. not if you don't want to."

you let out a whisper, "we... we were having sex and... richie— he said her name."

"motherfucker. oh, baby..." he breathed into your hair, voice thick with emotion. "he fucking said her name? fucking jagoff."

you nodded against his chest, and your whole body shuddered.

richie closed his eyes like the rage was swallowing him whole— but he didn't let go. didn't say anything sharp or loud. just held your tighter.

"i got you," he whispered, over and over. "i got you, i got you. you're okay now. you're out. you're safe."

you clung to him like a lifeline, hands fisting in the back of his hoodie. he smelled like cigarette smoke and cologne and something comfortingly normal. something real.

"i feel so fucking stupid," you whispered, voice cracked, ruined.

"hey, don't say that," he murmured immediately, pulling back just enough to cup your face. "you ain't stupid. you're the smartest fuckin' person i know, and you loved him, and he couldn't carry it right. that's not on you, baby."

tears spilled over again and you choked out, "i don't want to go back in there, richie."

"you're not. you're comin' with me, yeah?" his hand rubbed up and down your arm. "you don't gotta do anything but breathe, alright? i'll take care of the rest."

you just nodded.

he leaned down slightly, looking you in the eye. "you good to walk, or you want me to carry you?"

you gave a watery laugh and shook your head, and he smiled softy at the sound. "okay. come on."

he opened the car door gently, helped you inside like you were made of glass, and buckled you in without a word. when he closed the door, the world felt a little quieter.

when he got in next to you, he didn't start the car right away.

he just looked over at you— really looked, and said,

"i'm proud of you baby. for leavin'. for not stayin' just 'cause it hurt to go."

you looked over at him, eyes red, throat sore, heart bare.

and for the first time that night, you believed you weren't alone.

--

the car was silent, but not cold.

richie didn't speak. didn't fill the air with noise or questions or well-meaning advice. he just kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting palm-up on the console beside you— close enough that if you needed to hold on, you could.

you didn't.

not yet.

but the gesture sat between you like a promise.

the city blurred past the windows. you didn't see any of it. just the reflection of your face in the glass. puffy eyes. shirt still backwards. skin that still carried his touch. you wanted to crawl out of it. you wanted to be someone else.

but richie kept driving like he knew the road to someplace safer.

when he pulled into his driveway, he parked carefully— no screeching, no slamming. just... quiet. gentle. the opposite of everything burning in your chest.

he got out, came around to your side, and opened the door for you without a word.

you didn't move right away.

you just looked up at him, eyes full of unshed tears, body too heavy.

richie bent down, met you at eye level.

"you wanna fall apart right here? that’s fine. i’ll sit on the fuckin’ curb with you all night,” he said. his voice was low, steady. “but if you’re ready, i’ll get you inside, put you in something soft, give you water, and you can cry until it don’t hurt.”

your bottom lip quivered. “i’m so tired.”

“i know,” he whispered. “i got you.”

you nodded. he reached out a hand.

and this time, you took it.

--

the moment you stepped inside richie’s house, something in you cracked open.

because it was yours, too. you hadn’t realized just how much until now.

your hoodie was still draped over the back of the kitchen chair. a scrunchie sat forgotten on the doorknob. your shoes were near the couch, half-tucked under it. your half-used lip balm was on the coffee table, next to richie’s keys.

you stood there in the doorway, blinking back more tears—not from pain this time, but something warmer.

“i never moved any of your shit,” richie said, coming up beside you. “didn’t feel right.”

you looked up at him.

“i like when you’re here,” he added, softer. “even if it’s just a hoodie on a chair.”

your breath caught in your throat.

he took your bag, set it down carefully, then walked into the kitchen. “you want tea? i got that dumb sleepy time shit with the bear on it.”

you let out a weak, surprised laugh.

“there she is,” he smiled.

you nodded. “tea would be good.”

while he boiled water, you wandered to the couch and lowered yourself onto it. the cushions dipped the way they always did, familiar and worn in. you pulled your knees up to your chest and buried your face in your arms.

when richie came back, he handed you the mug like it was something sacred. then, without asking, he threw a soft knit blanket over your shoulders and sat beside you—close, but not crowding.

“thanks,” you murmured, voice rough.

he shrugged. “you’re family. this is what we do.”

you took a sip. the mug warmed your hands, even if your chest still ached.

“i didn’t think i’d feel safe tonight,” you whispered. “not anywhere.”

“you’re safe here,” richie said, without hesitation. “you could burn this whole place down and i’d still hand you the matches.”

that broke you.

a choked sob escaped your lips, and before you could even think about holding it back, richie was there—pulling you into him, arms wrapping around you with a kind of gentleness you didn’t expect from him.

“let it out,” he murmured. “i got you. i’m not goin’ anywhere.”

you buried your face in his chest, sobbing harder now, clinging to his shirt like it was the only thing keeping you from disappearing.

he didn’t shush you.

he didn’t say it would be okay.

he just held you, swaying gently like you were something fragile and sacred, letting you cry all over him. one hand rubbed slow circles on your back. the other held the back of your head.

“you didn’t do anything wrong,” he whispered into your hair. “you loved him. that’s not weakness.”

“he said her name like i didn’t matter,” you gasped out.

“he said her name because he’s still fucked up,” richie said, calm but firm. “not because you’re not enough. you’re more than enough. he just ain’t ready for someone like you.”

you pulled back slightly, eyes red, lip trembling. “you really think so?”

“i know so.”

you looked at him—really looked at him—and he held your gaze, steady and full of a quiet kind of love that didn’t ask anything of you.

then, softer: “you wanna sleep? i can get the guest blanket. or you stay out here and i take the floor. whatever you want.”

“i don’t want to be alone.”

“then i’m right here.”

you nodded.

richie stood up just long enough to grab a pillow and toss it behind you. then he sat down again and opened his arm.

you curled into his side, blanket over you both, and for the first time all night, your breathing slowed.

richie turned off the lamp beside you, and the room dimmed into something soft.

he didn’t say anything else.

just stayed.

warm. steady.

and in the quiet, you finally fell asleep.

but little did you know what tomorrow had in store for you.

[zozo-01]

in which you know the end is coming and all you can do is hold him close and pray you do not bring him more pain then he has endured <3

"He's coming into his own as the Deliverer."

A calm voice with a robotic tinge spoke up from behind you, taking your eyes away from Phainon playing with the kids around him.

"Yes, I suppose he is," you say with skepticism in his voice. There was always this feeling of distrust towards Lygus, and you have never been able to put your finger on it. Perhaps it was his pragmatic view of the world, or the way he's invested in the success of the Flame-Chase, despite doing nothing to help the Heirs. Maybe you're just extremely paranoid and he's just a kind person- robot?

"Phainon is so close to completing his transformation. I wonder if you're ready for it as well." Lygus looks at you with a tilted head. Unease starts to fill your body. You don't know what he's trying to imply, but the fact that there was an implication made you sick.

"Of course, as is the duties of all the Heirs, I shall stand by him into the Era Nova." You don't mention the dreams you've had. Nightmares so vivid, you're convinced that they are your memories somehow. The bodies of your friends all bloodied and laid out across the land. Your eyes a blood red and an animalistic rage taking over. Phainon standing over you with blood on his sword.

Your golden blood.

You haven't mention this to anyone, fearing that you might cause panic while being so close to your goals. You don't remember Lady Tribbie mentioning that anyone else can receive Janus's blessing. Not that this is a prophecy, they're dreams. Manifestations of your fear and uncertainty over the future. Not an omen of what will come next.

(You don't know this yet, but your dreams were sent to you from beyond the stars. They always knew when the end were to come. It would be kind of them to send their child signs of your doom, even if they sent the same warning over and over again.)

"Are you alright? You seem lost in your thoughts." Lygus didn't sound sympathetic or even pitiful, just curious. "Would you like to confide in me?"

"No," you say sharply. You weren't about to spill this secret to someone you didn't even trust. "I'm fine, Lygus. I've just had issues with sleep."

A self-satisfied smile appeared on his lips. You gave him all the information he needed, even if you didn't say anything specific.

"You are starting to remember, Emanator?"

"What are you talking about?" You hiss under your breath, not wanting to ruin the precious scene in front of you.

"Your kind has always meddled in Ravagers' business, despite Terminus and Nanook being more alike then you think." He starting to walk back to the Demigod Council. He looks back with what you think is a amused stare. You could never tell with the fabric covering his eyes.

"I will wait for you at the start of the new cycle, once the Deliverer completes his final trial." With that, he walks away, like he hasn't upended your entire world view.

Your head blazed with pain, agony seeping into every muscle and bone of your body. Somehow, Lygus triggered the Black Tide within you, it's dark thoughts making you want to destroy everything in sight. How did he know about this little secret of yours? Aglaea had swore that no one would every find out, especially your sunshine in hero form.

Panic and fear flooded your brain and just about when you felt like you were going to burst-

"Starlight! There you are!"

His voice soothes your through your pain, a powerful balm against the Black Tide. It helps you regain your thoughts, feeling like a normal person again. Or at least as normal as you could be.

His arms wrap around you to lift you up in the air. If there was one thing about Phainon, it's that he will never shy away from showing your love for you. In his words, he fought so hard to be worthy of your hand, why shouldn't he show it off any change he gets?

By the Titans, you adore this overgrown puppy, If it were up to you, you would make him forsake the prophecy and live your final days in peace. Just you and him. That would be the Era Nova of your dreams.

"I saw Lygus talking to you earlier, is everything okay?" He tilts his head with enough concern in his eyes to make your heart ache.

"No, everything is fine." You held his face in your hand, staring into the sky blue eyes you have grown to love. "Everything is exactly as it should be."

He beams that bright smile of his and leans down to kiss you. You almost forget about Lygus' words and melt into the arms of your lover. If only you could pretend that your days were not numbered, and that you could spend the rest of your life like this. You hold him tighter, pleaing to whoever is out there to keep him safe, keep him with you.

But nothing lasts forever, and the end comes for everyone. You just hope that it will spare you the pain of losing everything again.

(All things come to an end, that is the philosophy of the Destruction and Finality. It will be interesting how you change once you remember your past and Phainon ascends to his duties.)

so............ his new trailer has me feeling things.......... i want him to be happy ok :'3 also, i don't know if i've mentioned this, but all of these little drabbles are of the same reader and is (kind of) connected to this huge fic i have for phainon and a secret reader hehehehe

or: take this as my offering to get good pulls for phainon <3333 may all phainon wanters be phainon havers!!!!

bonus: my crack theory rn is that phainon's real name is Khaos (aka the last cycles kephale holder) and he just keeps the same name no matter what hehehe

[sthilarions]

I am… thinking, about Charles, and friends

There’s this fascinating thing where if you actually stop and count it up, instead of going based on vibes… Edwin makes way more connections in Port Townsend than Charles does.

Charles connects to Crystal, and that’s really it. He clearly likes Niko, but barely has any dialogue with her. He seems vaguely pleased when Monty isn’t antagonistic towards him, but makes no effort to engage with him further. Obviously he hates the Cat King. He exchanges like three words with Jenny, only talks to Tragic Mick as needed.

And you could argue that in a lot of those cases it’s because they latched on to Edwin first and Charles just politely bowed out.

But more than that, more than the people in the last paragraph, there are all the people in Port Townsend that we don’t even know the names of because if Edwin didn’t connect with them, they didn’t get connected to. Why aren’t there people who latched on to Charles first? Charles “aces with people” Rowland? Charles “everyone likes me eventually” Rowland?

Outside of his dyad, Charles really only interacts (beyond information exchange for cases) with Crystal. Meanwhile, Edwin’s hanging out with Niko, Monty, TCK, also Crystal, even seeking some level of connection with random people like Shelby. Charles talks to people in a friendly way, while Edwin talks in a snippy way, but with Charles it’s always shallow and brief - go along to get along until the necessary conversation’s over and then get out of dodge.

And I think there’s an understandable reason for that. The implication seems to be that neither of them have really made any friends outside each other in the last 35 years. Which means for Edwin, chances are the only friend he can remember attempting to make is Charles. He wasn’t trying in Hell, I doubt he even tried at St. Hilarion’s, probably already thoroughly burned by that point. He hasn’t tried to make any friend other than Charles in well over a century. So his only experience of friendship that he can recall has gone really, really well.

But for Charles… he had friends. Lots of them. That he can remember. Or at least he thought he did. And then they killed him.

That’s his last memory of friends other than Edwin. People he thought liked him well enough, murdering him.

So yeah! He’d probably be kinda gun-shy.

…the really sad thing about that theory, that he doesn’t make friends because he’s scared of people turning out to be like the kids who killed him, is that there is, in fact, one (1) time in Port Townsend that he tries to connect with someone other than Crystal or Edwin…

And it’s Brad and Hunter.

(Also, as much as I adore Crystal, and I do - she does also turn out to have been a murderer, or an attempted murderer at the least, and one of a very specific type at that. She wouldn’t do that now, but I’ve gotta think that if she ever tells Charles about, say, the “psychically commanding someone to walk into traffic” incident, that he’s going to spend at least a little time going…. Is that really the sort of person I’m inevitably drawn to, every time? Crystal, Brad and Hunter, my mates - people who kill because someone irritated them and they thought it was funny and they could and they didn’t think the other person mattered, people who think if the person doesn’t die in their sightline it doesn’t really count as murder… Is everyone I like always gonna be like that?)